The Level Change Podcast 29: Dana on who’s not next for Conor McGregor

Level Change Podcast | June M. Williams

Episode 29 discussion: Dana White says neither Masvidal nor the winner of Poirier-Nurmagomedov will fight Conor McGregor, Tito says he can beat Jon Jones, more Welcome to the The Level Change Podcas…

Level Change Podcast

Level Change Podcast | June M. Williams

Episode 29 discussion: Dana White says neither Masvidal nor the winner of Poirier-Nurmagomedov will fight Conor McGregor, Tito says he can beat Jon Jones, more

Welcome to the The Level Change Podcast, our combat sports themed variety show hosted by Stephie Haynes, Mookie Alexander and Victor Rodriguez, featuring the news of the week, fight card breakdowns and analysis, a roundup of regional promotions’ cards and fights, and whatever else we decide is important enough or entertaining enough to bring to your ears.

Here is a summary of the topics discussed, complete with the time stamps for when each interview or special segment begins. As always, we hope you enjoy listening to the show as much as we enjoyed recording it.

Episode 29

Dana White: McGregor won’t fight Khabib-Poirier winner next, “hell no” to Masvidal – 2:51

Dana White: Joseph Benavidez should be next for Henry Cejudo – 11:03

Bellator’s 16-man featherweight grand prix announced, first-round matchups revealed – 17:11

Tito Ortiz: I think I have a great chance against Jon Jones – 25:39

Donald Cerrone vs. Justin Gaethje set to headline UFC Vancouver – 37:35

UFC Sacramento Recap – 44:23

Victor: Budd, Elkins, Pena, Emmett, Simon, Ladd (3-3)

Stephie: Budd, Hall, Pena, Emmett, Simon, GdR (5-1)

Mookie: Budd, Elkins, Pena, Emmett, Simon, GdR (4-2)

Standings

Stephie: 94-58-2 NC/Draw

Mookie: 93-59-2 NC/Draw

Victor: 93-59-2 NC/Draw

Boxing

Pacquiao-Thurman pick – 49:02

UFC San Antonio

Modafferi-Maia 2 – 51:10

Arlovski-Rothwell 2 – 53:00

Trinaldo-Hernandez – 55:25

Vick-Hooker – 58:18

Hardy-Adams – 1:01:35

Oleinik-Harris – 1:02:33

RDA-Edwards – 1:04:58

You can check out the entire show here. Remember, if you’re looking for us on SoundCloud or iTunes, we’re under the Bloody Elbow Presents name. Follow our Twitter accounts: Stephie Haynes, Mookie Alexander, Victor Rodriguez and our show account The Level Change Podcast.

If you enjoyed our show, give us a shout out in the comments here on Bloody Elbow, or give us a “like”, share & subscribe over on one of our other BE Presents Channels: SoundCloud, YouTube, iTunes & Apple TV , iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, blubrry, TuneIn, OverCast, or Player FM – whichever one happens to be your listening platform of choice. While you’re there, don’t forget to subscribe to Bloody Elbow Presents; that way you’ll always be the first to get all of BE’s daily MMA offerings. For previous episodes of the show, check out our playlists on any of our BE Presents channels.

*Intro/Outro podcast music has been provided by OxBow, starring Eugene S Robinson.

Mayhem Miller Sentenced To Jail On Felony Charge

Troubled MMA veteran Jason “Mayhem” Miller will be behind bars for the immediate future. According to a report from the Orange County Register, Miller pleaded guilty to two charges. They stem from him violating a protective order to stay away from his …

Troubled MMA veteran Jason “Mayhem” Miller will be behind bars for the immediate future. According to a report from the Orange County Register, Miller pleaded guilty to two charges. They stem from him violating a protective order to stay away from his ex-girlfriend. Court records showed he smashed a large marble table at her home […]

The post Mayhem Miller Sentenced To Jail On Felony Charge appeared first on MMA News.

Dana White Is Interested In Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya Fight

UFC president Dana White is interested in a potential Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya fight. However, he feels the latter should focus on his next fight first. Jones and Adesanya have been going back and forth with each other on social media in recent months, with many now wanting to see them clash. White is […]

The post Dana White Is Interested In Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya Fight appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

UFC president Dana White is interested in a potential Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya fight. However, he feels the latter should focus on his next fight first.

Jones and Adesanya have been going back and forth with each other on social media in recent months, with many now wanting to see them clash. White is one of them, but with Adesanya facing Robert Whittaker in a middleweight title unification clash at UFC 243 next, he believes “The Last Stylebender” should focus on what’s ahead of him first:

“I do,” White told TMZ when asked if he had an interest in Jones vs. Adesanya. “But you know, Israel needs to focus on [Robert Whittaker]. He’s fighting a bad dude and he needs to worry about that fight.”

Adesanya believes he’s more than capable of becoming the first fighter to truly defeat Jones inside the Octagon. He even predicted they will face each other in a light heavyweight bout at Raiders Stadium at some point in the future.

For now, all we can do is wonder if he can truly hang with arguably the greatest fighter of all time:

“I don’t know, we’ll find out,” White responded when asked if Adesanya could hang with Jones. “I mean, if he beats Robert Whittaker, he’s a very, very dangerous guy and a guy Jones needs to take serious.”

Do you think Adesanya could beat Jones?

The post Dana White Is Interested In Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya Fight appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

LIVE! UFC San Antonio Results & Play-By-Play!

Rafael dos Anjos, UFC results

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is locked and loaded for the UFC on ESPN 4 mixed martial arts (MMA) event, set to pop off this TONIGHT (Sat., July 20, 2019) inside AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. …

Rafael dos Anjos, UFC results

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is locked and loaded for the UFC on ESPN 4 mixed martial arts (MMA) event, set to pop off this TONIGHT (Sat., July 20, 2019) inside AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Leading the charge will be top-ranked welterweight contenders, Rafael dos Anjos and Leon Edwards, who collide for a pivotal spot in the 170-pound title chase. In the UFC San Antonio co-main event, Walt Harris and Aleksei Oleinik look to improve their respective spots in the UFC heavyweight class. Perhaps the victor can move on to challenge the winner of Greg Hardy vs. Juan Adams, who also throw hands in the 265-pound division. And let’s not forget the return of “Big” Ben Rothwell, who will rematch Andrei Arlovski for heavyweight bragging rights. Best of all, UFC San Antonio is free! Assuming you have access to ESPN through your cable, satellite, or digital provider, of course.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC on ESPN 4 fight card below, starting with the “Prelims” matches on ESPN, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Keep in mind that we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps, and post-fight analysis following “Dos Anjos vs. Edwards.”

Without further delay, see below for the latest UFC on ESPN 4 results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action.)

UFC SAN ANTONIO QUICK RESULTS:

Leon Edwards def. Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
Walt Harris vs. Aleksei Oleinik — Harris def. Oleinik by KO (punches) at 0:12 of Round One
Juan Adams vs. Greg Hardy — Hardy def. Adams by TKO (punches) at 0:45 of Round One
Dan Hooker vs. James Vick — Hooker def. Vick by KO (punches) at 2:33 of Round One
Alexander Hernandez vs. Francisco Trinaldo — Hernandez def. Trinaldo by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Andrei Arlovski vs. Ben Rothwell — Arlovski def. Rothwell by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Alex Caceres vs. Steven Peterson — Caceres def. Peterson by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Irene Aldana vs. Raquel Pennington — Pennington def. Aldana by split decision (28-29, 29-28 x2)
Klidson Abreu vs. Sam Alvey — Abreu def. Alvey by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Roxanne Modafferi vs. Jennifer Maia — Maia def. Modafferi by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Ray Borg vs. Gabriel Silva — Borg def. Silva by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Mario Bautista vs. Jin Soo Son — Bautista def. Son by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Felipe Colares vs. Domingo Pilarte — Colares def. Pilarte by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

UFC SAN ANTONIO PLAY-BY-PLAY:

170 lbs.: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Leon Edwards

Round 1: Neither fighter agreed to touch gloves to start the bout — bad blood?!?!?! dos Anjos tried to get things going with a high kick, but it missed its mark. Edwards secured a quick takedown in response, attempting to pass mount, content to rain down some solid shot from half guard. dos Anjos angled for a leg attack, but Edwards defended well and put the Brazilian back on the defensive off his back. Edwards kept dos Anjos pinned on the mat, but he was eventually able to work his way up the fence and get the action standing. dos Anjos wasted no time, firing off a solid low kick — then a jab — as Edwards countered with a short elbow to the face. Edwards tried to end the round with another takedown along the fence, bit dos Anjos defended well. 10-9 Edwards.

Round 2: Edwards came out swinging to start the second stanza, but dos Anjos was more than game — firing return shots that for the most part missed their mark. Edwards dove in for a takedown, and dos Anjos defended well. Coming off the fence Edwards landed another short elbow, which appeared to hurt the former champ, compelling him to mush the Englishman up against the fence. Edwards circled away and landed another short elbow, which appeared to cut dos Anjos. dos Anjos returned fire with a low kick that hurt Edwards and actually dropped him, bit dos Anjos couldn’t keep him there. Edwards got back to his feet and continued to batter dos Anjos with short elbows to the face, bloodying him even further. 20-18 Edwards.

Round 3: Between rounds, dos Anjos’ right eyelid was basically hanging over his eyeball. The corner team did a great job, but the ref made sure he checked in with the ringside physician before continuing. dos Anjos wasted no time firing off the low kicks, then diving in for a single-leg takedown, which Edwards shucked off easy. Edwards drilled dos Anjos with a hard shot to the face, triggering the blood to flow from his cut once again. Edwards actually landed another short elbow, which appears to be dos Anjos’ Achilles heel this fight. The pair tied up along the cage, angling for position, before the ref was forced to separate them for inactivity. Edwards landed a nice uppercut on the restart, with dos Anjos countering with a solid shot of his own. 30-27 Edwards.

Round 4: dos Anjos wasn’t fighting a terrible fight – Edwards was just the better tactician. dos Anjos appeared more desperate, looking to land more head shots, bit Edwards remained composed. dos Anjos attempted a desperate flying knee and Edwards caught him mid-air and dumped him to the canvas. dos Anjos, to his credit, worked his way back to his feet, but Edwards continued to smother him and keep him neutralized against the fence until the round came to a close. 40-36 Edwards.

Round 5: dos Anjos corner pleaded with him to go for the kill shot and finish the fight, knowing he was way down on the judges’ scorecards. He loaded up with the left hand, bit it didn’t connect … at least early. dos Anjos tried to close the distance, but Edwards easily reversed and mashed his opponent up against the fence. dos Anjos stalked Edwards, who did a fantastic job of just avoiding shots and then clinching at opportune times. dos Anjos gained distance and tried to corner Edwards along the cage, but Edwards continued to just slip and move out of danger. Edwards scored a takedown late, which basically sealed a very impressive — and dominant — victory. 49-46 Edwards.

Final result: Leon Edwards def. Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision


265 lbs.: Walt Harris vs. Aleksei Oleinik

Round 1: After a brief exchange to start the round Harris launches a knee followed by a left punch that catches Oleinik flush and instantly drops him. Harris follows up with a few hard punches before the referee steps in.

Final result: Harris def. Oleinik by KO (punch)


265 lbs.: Juan Adams vs. Greg Hardy

Round 1: Both men jabbing to start. Hardy on the advance. He denies a single-leg and swats Adams with hammerfists. The hammerfists continue unabated and the ref stops it. Adams is pissed, but that was a lot of unanswered shots

Final result: Hardy def. Adams by TKO (punches)


155 lbs.: Dan Hooker vs. James Vick

Round 1: Low kick lands for Hooker. Again, answered in kind. Hooker tries a combo on the fence, eats a two-piece a minute in. 2-1 from Hooker, continuing to target the lead calf. BIG right cross by Vick. Hooker comes back with a stiff jab, brief level change. Vick tries a high kick, eats a long jab. Two minutes in. Low kick exchange. Left hook from Hooker, then another that knocks Vick 99% out. A few more polish him off.

Final result: Hooker def. Vick by KO (punches)


155 lbs.: Alexander Hernandez vs. Francisco Trinaldo

Round 1: Overhand left lands for Trinaldo in the early going. Hernandez falling short with his shots. Overhand right lands as Trinaldo throws a knee. One minute in. Trinaldo with a counter low-high combo. Trinaldo advancing, Hernandez circling. Two minutes in. Body kick from Trinaldo, counter left as Hernandez hits the body. Hernandez tries a high kick. Two minutes to go.

Really tentative round so far. One minute to go. Hernandez tries a head kick. Trinaldo seemingly mocking Hernandez, lands an accidental low blow. Trinaldo with a jumping knee before the bell. 10-9 Trinaldo.

Round 2: Yeah, not the most scintillating fight so far. Hernandez lands a side kick to the fence a minute in. Hernandez tries to spin. He ties up when Trinaldo tries to spin. Trinaldo fights it off and separates two minutes in. Hernandez sporting some damage on his left eye. Good exchange in the center. Two minutes to go.

Hernandez doesn’t want a prolonged exchange and Trinaldo isn’t forcing the issue. Right cross lands for Hernandez. One minute to go. I don’t even know how to score this. Knee to the body by Trinaldo. Body kick from Hernandez, 1-2 downstairs in return. 10-9 Hernandez?

Round 3: Leg kick lands for Trinaldo. Hernandez takes him to the fence. One minute in. They separate. Trinaldo slips landing a head kick, Hernandez can’t capitalize. Two minutes in. We’re going to start this card with nine consecutive decisions. Two minutes to go.

Trinaldo waves him on. Hernandez still circling. Trinaldo misses a flying knee, tries a head kick. One minute to go. They trade in the center. Counter left by Trinaldo, shoves Hernandez away. Another counter left. Counter knee. 10-9 Trinaldo.

Final result: Hernandez def. Trinaldo by unanimous dexision


265 lbs.: Andrei Arlovski vs. Ben Rothwell

Round 1: Rothwell on the advance. Body kick from Arlovski. Rothwell stings him with a left, tries to open up and gets clinched. Arlovski lands a nice combo after they separate. Arlovski whiffs on an overhand right and avoids a combo. One minute in. Body shots by Arlovski, leg kick. Rothwell tries a combo, eats a big overhand right. Spinning back fist lands for Arlovski. Three-piece lands two minutes in. Right hand and long left send Rothwell retreating. Arlovski doesn’t pounce. Both whiff in the center. Overhand right by Rothwell on the counter. Three-piece from Arlovski. Leg kick lands again. Two minutes to go.

Rothwell body kick, Arlovski body punches. Arlovski lands a right hook, eats one in return. Rothwell still marching forward. Uppercut and hook land for Arlovski, then a jab that stings Rothwell. Rothwell lands an elbow, eats a right hand with a minute to go. Spinning back fist by Arlovski. Four-piece combo by Arlovski, then a hook kick. 1-2 by Rothwell, who’s busted up. They trade right hands. Counter right lands for Rothwell. 10-9 Arlovski.

Round 2: Short right lands for Rothwell, Arlovski comes back with a bigger one. Glancing overhand by Arlovski, duking it out in the center. Body shot. More trading in the center. One minute in. Rothwell continues to wade in after him, eats a 1-2 and body shot. Arlovski tries to spin, both land in the center. Cuffing right hand by Rothwell. Arlovski ties up, Rothwell puts him on the fence. Keeps him there for a while, not much striking. Two minutes to go.

Arlovski separates with a knee, goes back to the combos. Stiff jab, head kick attempt. Clinch strikes on the fence. Arlovski tries to spin again, lands a combination. Spinning back kick to the body with a minute to go. 3-2 by Arlovski. Right cross by Arlovski, body kick. Rothwell tries to pursue, walks into a jab. 10-9 Arlovski.

Round 3: Arlovski lands a body shot and jab. Short right hand by Rothwell, left hook lands. Arlovski to the body, lands a leg kick. 1-2-1, right cross by Arlovski. Arlovski is chewing him up. Rothwell presses him against the fence. Rothwell looks for a takedown two minutes in, stuffed. Arlovski puts him on the fence in return. Rothwell reverses position. Another failed takedown and they separate with two minutes to go.

Hard right hand, uppercut, right hand from Arlovski. Rothwell misses with a cross. Lead elbow lands clean for Arlovski. Rothwell backs him to the fence and lands a huge uppercut. Rothwell continues to press forward. One minute to go. Arlovski slugging with him. Arlovski pushes him out of the clinch and lands a combo. 1-2 connects. Rothwell puts him on the fence. Fight ends there. 10-9 Arlovski.

Final result: Arlovski def. Rothwell by unanimous decision


145 lbs.: Alex Caceres vs. Steven Peterson

Round 1: Hard body kick from Caceres to start. Low kick by Peterson soon after. Answered in kind. check hook and hard straight left by Caceres. Another straight left. One minute in. Peterson tries to tie up, Caceres avoids him well. Peterson leg kick. Caceres goes in and out with an uppercut. Caceres with a counter body shot and shucks Peterson off. Counters a leg kick with another big left hand. 1-2. Check hook connects as Peterson tries a 1-2. Uppercut, check hook with two minutes to go.

Peterson getting picked off every time he steps in. Body kick from Caceres. Peterson lands a hook and puts Caceres on the fence, dragging him down and immediately taking the back. RNC is nearly in. One minute to go. Caceres hand fighting well, nearly gives up the choke trying to stand. Peterson still hunting for it, lands some punches. 10-9 Peterson.

Round 2: Caceres tells his corner that he broke his left hand in the first round. Not ideal.

Caceres looking for right hooks, lands a straight left downstairs. 2-3. Low-high combo. Leg kick exchange a minute in. Hard right hands by Caceres inside. Right hook again. Counter left. Peterson limited on the feet outside of his leg kicks, getting countered constantly. Two minutes in. Body kick from Caceres. Peterson lands a straight right. Caceres looking for chack hooks as he avoids combos. Two minutes to go.

Short flurry by Caceres met by a knee. Nasty counter left. Continuing to play matador. Avoids a takedown, lands a right hook. 3-2. One minute to go. Peterson just walking into the same right hook over and over. Counter left. Peterson tries a front kick takes a side kick. Another flying kick attempt by Peterson, falling short. 10-9 Caceres.

Round 3: Peterson cannot cut off the cage. Caceres running circles around him, lands an uppercut and check hook. body kick. One minute in. More counter rights, avoids a clinch. Peterson shoots, stuffed. Caceres goes low-high in the clinch. Another right hook, takes a leg kick. Peterson marching forward, walking into jabs. Can’t get the clinch two minutes in. More Caceres jabs. Body kick by Peterson. Counter left by Caceres. Peerson walking into jab after jab. Two minutes to go.

Low-low-high goes Caceres. Peterson lands a right hand, tries to exchange and eats a hook. Body kick by Caceres. More right hooks. Left shovel hook from Peterson lands. Peterson catches a body kick for a takedown into half guard. Short elbows. Caceres regains guard. Left hands from Peterson. 10-9 Caceres.

Final result: Caceres def. Peterson by unanimous decision


135 lbs.: Irene Aldana vs. Raquel Pennington

Round 1: Aldana circling early. Right cross from Pennington. Superman punch attempt. Sharp counter right by Aldana. Pennington answers in kind. 1-2 from Pennington a minute in. Double jab. Leg kicks. Two minutes in. Not a ton of clean connections so far. Aldana lands her jab near the fence, then goes to the body. More jabs, met by a right hand. Aldana counter right. Two minutes to go.

Counter right by Pennington. Aldana leg kick. Right cross lands for Aldana. Left hand by Pennington. She walks into a right cross. One minute to go. Aldana jab lands, three-piece combo. Leg kick. Good left hook. Pennington shoots, stuffed, lands a body shot. Aldana picking up the pace. 10-9 Pennington.

Round 2: Right hand catches Pennington off-balance. Low kicks by Aldana. Pennington looks to force her back, lands hard leg kicks. Superman punch. One minute in. Hard right cross by Aldana, looks to open up on the fence. Jab exchange. Left hook lands for Aldana. Jabs from Pennington, eats a right hand. Two minutes in. Counter right by Aldana as she retreats. 1-2 lands clean, stuffs a shot. Lead right by Aldana, eats a right hand form Pennington that knocks her back. Aldana leg kick. Two minutes to go.

Aldana to the body, stuffs a shot. Pennington puts her on the fence. Knees from Aldana in the clinch. Trading knees inside. Pennington changes levels. One minute to go. Aldana reverses and they trade knees. Both land on the break. Pennington shoots back in. Aldana defends with an underhook. Pennington flurries on the break. 10-9 Aldana.

Round 3: Aldana on the advance once again. Left hook lands for her and she stuffs a takedown. Lead right lands. Pennington catches a leg kick and takes her down into guard. Aldana turns for a heel hook, transitions to an Oliveira-style calf slicer. Looks like she’s too low. Two minutes in. They’re in a bit of a stalemate. Hammerfists from Pennington. Two minutes to go.

Pennington gets her leg out and transitions to an arm triangle. One minute to go. Aldana turns to her knees. She rolls for a kneebar before the bell. 10-9 Pennington.

Final result: Pennington def. Aldana by split decision


205 lbs.: Klidson Abreu vs. Sam Alvey

Round 1: Feinting early. Abreu tries a front kick. Abreu goes high-low and shoots on the fence. One minute in. Alvey reverses. Pressing Abreu against the cage. They separate. Two minutes in. Abreu tries a straight left. Alvey leg kick. Two minutes to go.

Abreu ties up on the fence again. Alvey separates. Overhand left connects for Abreu. Body kick soon after. One minute to go. Abreu leg kick. This fight sucks. Alvey throws a left, eats one in return. Alvey opens up in the waning seconds. Abreu comes back with a flurry and a knee at/after the bell. 10-9 Abreu.

Round 2: Counter right by Alvey. Low kick by Abreu. Again. One minute in. Low kicks by Alvey. Abreu lands a jumping knee and a series of punches. Abreu goes back to the lead leg. Alvey steps in with a left hand two minutes in. Abreu avoids a 1-2 and takes Alvey down, immediately looking for the back. Both hooks in with two minutes to go.

Alvey turns into guard as Abreu looks for an arm triangle. Nothing doing. Abreu gets to his feet and Alvey separates. Alvey misses an uppercut and puts Abreu on the fence. Knees to the thigh. Separate again. 10-9 Abreu.

Round 3: Low kick from Abreu. Head kick attempt. Alvey whiffs on a left. One minute in. Alvey blocking kicks, doing very little else. Leg kick lands for Abreu. Two minutes in. Again, this fight sucks. Abreu tries a flying knee, Alvey looks for his counter right. Alvey comes on a little more aggressively, eats a left straight. Alvey with a couple of rights on the fence, eats one in return. Two minutes to go.

Leg kick by Abreu. Abreu ducks a left hand and looks for a takedown, pressed against the fence. Knees to the thigh by Alvey. One minute to go. Hard combination by Abreu kicked off by a head kick. Jabs from the Brazilian. 10-9 Abreu.

Final result: Abreu def. Alvey by unanimous decision


125 lbs.: Roxanne Modafferi vs. Jennifer Maia

Round 1: Modafferi lands a right hand, eats one in return. Another right cross connects. Maia goes low-high. Nice exchanges. One minute in. Modafferi ties up behind a right hand, nearly gets taken down in return but takes Maia to the fence. Maia gets underhooks. Two minutes in. Fighting for hand position. Maia reverses. Short right hands land for Maia before they separate. Modafferi gets a better takedown entry, denied by an underhook. Two minutes to go.

Maia appears to think about a crucifix neck crank for a second. She reverses on the fence, gets double unders. Modafferi tries an inside trip, can’t do so. One minute to go. Modafferi gets her to her knees and tries to hop over for an armbar, misses it and Maia lets her up. Counters from Maia. Knee and punches inside. Modafferi changes levels. 10-9 Maia.

Round 2: Modafferi lands a 1-2. Counter right by Maia. Another right by Modafferi. Again. Maia tries to come back with a flurry. 1-2 by Maia. One minute in. Maia 1-2 again. Modafferi right cross, Maia uppercut. Big overhand right dings Modafferi, who tries but can’t tie up. Modafferi tries a trip and settles for tying up on the fence. Maia reverses. Two minutes in. They separate. Counter right by Maia. Counters a low kick with a glancing hook. Modafferi wades back into the clinch, eats a right on the break. Two minutes to go.

Maia denies a takedown, tossing Modafferi to the mat. She lets her up. Modafferi takes her to the fence. Maia gets double unders and reverses. Short elbow by Maia. Modafferi looks for a high-crotch, can’t get it. Knee from Modafferi. Modafferi fights for a trip, eats shots. 10-9 Maia.

Round 3: Modafferi connects with a right hand yet again. Maia looking to punch off her back foot. Overhand right by Maia, denies a clinch. Right hand by Modafferi inside. One minute in. Counter uppercut by Maia. Modafferi still advancing, lands another right hand. She ties up on the fence. Good uppercut by Maia on the break two minutes in. Counter right stings Modafferi. Maia picking her apart with counters. Two minutes to go.

Knee from Maia, pressing her against the fence. Right hands and knee. Maia overpowering her in the clinch, denies a takedown. One minute to go. They separate. Counter uppercut from Maia. Modafferi still going for it, still walking into a lot. Modafferi tries to pull guard and go for a desperation leglock. 10-9 Maia.

Final result: Maia def. Modafferi by unanimous decision


135 lbs.: Ray Borg vs. Gabriel Silva

Round 1: Silva looks far larger than Borg, unsurprisingly. Borg jab, Silva overhand. One minute in. Hard counter right stings Borg, then a knee. Borg grabs double underhooks and takes him to the fence. Silva frames his face and fires a knee. Knees from Silva as he defends. Borg looking for a a single-leg two minutes in. Silva reverses on the fence and hits his own takedown into guard. Two minutes to go.

Borg scoots to the fence, avoids a back take and puts him back on the fence. Borg changes levels, can’t get the single-leg and Silva looking for the back. One minute to go. Awkward spot on the fence. Silva looks for the back, Borg slips out the back door and shoots back in. 10-9 Silva.

Round 2: Silva hits an early takedown in center cage. On top in half guard. Silva looks for a deep half guard weep, hits it but gets caught in a guillotine. Silva works his way free and settles on top in guard. Borg gets to his knees and crawls to the fence. Silva takes the back and locks up the body triangle. Silva looking for the RNC. Borg manages to turn into guard with two minutes to go.

Borg hops onto Silva’s back seconds later, wraps up the body triangle. Silva works his way up, eats a knee along the way. Borg shoots back in soon after and drags him down. One minute to go. Silva looking for a kimura, eats a hard right hand after losing it. Another and Borg looks for the back. Body triangle is in. 10-9 Borg.

Round 3: Silva goes for a double-leg right away. Borg denies it and puts him on the fence, looking for his hips. He lifts and slams Silva down into side control. Silva regains half guard, unable to stand. One minute in. Now looking for the back. Silva gets an underhook and stands, tries and can’t complete a single-leg. Borg turns in for another takedown attempt, than another and this one puts Silva on his butt.Silva works his way up, slammed facefirst to the mat. Borg on top in side control. Hunting for the back yet again. Two minutes to go.

Silva gets up, dragged back down. Back up and Borg takes his back. Both hooks in. Silva dislodges the hooks, dragged back down. To the front headlock position, Borg takes half guard. Silva gets back up, lands a knee, clips Borg with a spinning elbow that draws a smile at the bell. 10-9 Borg.

Final result: Borg def. Silva by unanimous decision


135 lbs.: Mario Bautista vs. Jin Soo Son

Round 1: Bautista fairly aggressive early. Counter right from Son, Bautista responds with a combo and knee. Bautista leg kicks. Son pops him with a jab a minute in. Bautista looks for the body, avoids a 1-2. High kick blocked, next one falls short. Right cross lands, though. Lead right two minutes in. They briefly clinch in the center. Leg kick from Bautista; Son is weirdly inactive, but lands a 1-2 as I type that. Leg kicks from Son. Son ties up, takes a pair of knees to the body. Tow minutes to go.

Lead right from Bautista, long left hand comes back at him. Flying knee by Son just misses, leg kick does not. Bautista comes back with a body kick, clinches after taking a right hand. Jockeying for position on the fence with a minute to go. Son reverses position and separates with an uppercut. They trade low kicks. Body kick and combo by Bautista. Son with a two-piece counter as he takes a glancing head kick. 10-9 Bautista.

Round 2: Bautista shoots, stuffed. Son changes levels on the fence. Bautista reverses position. More jockeying a minute in. Son drags him to his knees, can’t keep him there. Bautista counters with a spinning kimura attempt, can’t get it. He tries a spinning elbow on the break two minutes in. Son with a reactive takedown, still can’t keep him down. Body shots in the clinch from Bautista. Good elbow on the break met by a Son right hand. They trade, big left hands from Son. Bautista with a knee to the body. Bautista eats an uppercut and looks to open up. Shoulder strike with two minutes to go.

They’re trading bombs. Bautista avoids a clinch, rocks Son with a right hand. Shoulder strikes inside. Slicing elbows with a minute to go. Bautista stalking him, cracks him with an elbow on another break. Son slugging back. More elbows by Bautista, left hook. He shoots on the fence. 10-9 Bautista.

Round 3: They continue to exchange at close range. Both men landing in the early going. Son with some body shots. One minute in. 1-2-3 and body shot from Son, booming right hand hits him in return. Bautista body kicks and clinch elbow. More elbows, left hooks. He answers an uppercut with a right cross. Son shoots, denied. Two minutes in. Nice throw into side control on the re-engagement. Bautista goes to his knees, then the feet. More close-range slugging. Heavy punches. Bautista with some knees inside. Two minutes to go.

Bautista punishing the body inside. Bautista outlanding him, blasts Son with a left hook. Son waves him on. Son just misses with a flying knee but he’s getting the worst of these exchanges; just too tired and slow at this point with a minute to go. Bautista tries a jumping knee, eats an uppercut. Son misses on another knee, eats a 2-3. Huge shots from Bautista. Son with a knee inside. Wild fight. 10-9 Bautista.

Final result: Bautista def. Son by unanimous decision


135 lbs.: Felipe Colares vs. Domingo Pilarte

Round 1: Colares moving forward early, both firing kicks. Colares ties up on the fence, gets a rear waist lock. Knees to the thigh. Pilarte trying to elbow behind his back as Colares stomps his foot. One minute in. More elbows by Pilarte, posting on one hand. Colares now comes alive, firing some nice elbows and a knee. Two minutes in. Pilarte turns to face him and separates. Colares lands a body kick and changes levels on the fence. Short knees. Two minutes to go.

Colares drags Pilarte down into half guard. Quick move to side control with just over a minute to go. Piarte regains half guard, eats an elbow. He turns for a kimura and tries to transition to an armbar, only for Colares to land some nasty ground-and-pound from a standing position after getting his arm free. They stand and trade elbows on the fence. Might have been an illegal knee from Colares at the bell. 10-9 Colares.

Round 2: Low kick lands for Pilarte, comes up short with left hands. Both kick at the same time and Pilarte takes a low blow, but the ref tells them to keep going. Colares reponds with a takedown attempt on the fence. Both whack each other’s bodies. Colares tries a spinning elbow a minute in. Pilarte briefly tries to set up a ninja choke, loses it right away. Pilarte goes for an armbar-back transition and gets a rear waistlock when they scramble up. He heaves Colares up, can’t get him down but briefly gets a hook in. Two minutes in. Colares turns, forces Pilarte to his knees. Looking for the back. Pilarte uses that kimura again to sweep, but can’t get the back. He has the rear waist lock on the fence. Two minutes to go.

Colares goes for a hip throw, eats a knee on the way up and now Pilarte’s on the attack. He hits a quick takedown after a flurry. Colares pops up, lands a Browne elbow, still defending. They separate. Colares shoots into a ninja choke, then goes for a drop seoi nage after popping his head free. Pilarte goes for another kimura transition but winds up on the bottom in guard. Colares stands and drops some shots. 10-9 Pilarte.

Round 3: Pilarte takes a foot to the jibblies right away. He doesn’t take too long to recover. Colares lands a body kick, denies a takedown, gets hauled to the fence. Pilarte latches onto his back and gets the body triangle a minute in. Pilarte appears to pinch Colares’ nose shut to stymie his breathing for a bit. Looking for the RNC. Two minutes in. Still hand fighting. Two minutes to go.

Colares punching over his shoulder as he defends. One minute to go. Pilarte looking for an RNC as Colares war cries and punches over his shoulder. 10-9 Pilarte; not enough damage for a 10-8.

Final result: Colares def. Pilarte by split decision


Santos: Doctor had ‘no scientific explanation’ for him being able to fight Jones

Thiago Santos | Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos baffled his doctors after fighting Jon Jon for five rounds with torn ligaments in both knees. Thiago Santos’ amazing feat of going again…

MMA: UFC 239-Jones vs Santos

Thiago Santos | Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos baffled his doctors after fighting Jon Jon for five rounds with torn ligaments in both knees.

Thiago Santos’ amazing feat of going against Jon Jones for five hard-fought rounds at UFC 239, with all the ligaments torn in his left knee and a few other partial tears in his right one, didn’t only leave MMA fans baffled, but doctors as well.

In an interview with Portal do Vale Tudo, ‘Marreta’, who ended up losing the light heavyweight title fight via split decision, said one of the doctors could not even find a scientific explanation for what Santos pulled off against Jones.

Especially given that he hurt his knee in the first round of the bout.

“Every doctor that I saw asked me the same thing: ‘How were you able to fight like this?’. Tata (Duarte, Santos’ coach) asked a doctor: ‘Doc, is it normal for a person to be able to walk or even fight with a knee like that?’. The doctor told him: ‘No, it’s not. It was his mind, his mind took over. I have no scientific explanation.’”

Before the loss to Jon Jones, Thiago Santos (21-7) was undefeated in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, with wins over Eryk Anders, Jimi Manuwa and Jan Blachowicz, all by way of knockout.