Submission expert Jimmy Flick scored another finish in his Octagon debut earlier tonight (Sat., Dec. 19, 2020) at UFC Vegas 17 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, as “…
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
Submission expert Jimmy Flick scored another finish in his Octagon debut earlier tonight (Sat., Dec. 19, 2020) at UFC Vegas 17 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, as “Brick” stopped fellow flyweight prospect Cody Durden via first-round flying triangle choke.
Flick took some punishment early as Durden connected with strikes along the cage before scoring a nice takedown to gain top control. It took Flick a little bit to gain his composure and get back to his feet, but that’s when he was able to leap up for the flying triangle choke. Durden did well to fight it off once the two flyweights hit the mat but it was only a matter of time before he tapped.
Check out the highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.
With this performance, Flick captures his fourth-straight win and the victory he needs to put the UFC’s flyweight division on immediate alert. The lengthy submission specialist is clearly a talented fighter, but Flick will have to show a little more on his feet moving forward if he’s anticipating a run at the division’s top 10.
For complete UFC Vegas 17 results and coverage click here.
One of boxing’s pound-for-pound best will be back in action later tonight (Sat., Dec. 19, 2020) live on DAZN from inside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, as Canelo Alvarez (53-1-2, …
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One of boxing’s pound-for-pound best will be back in action later tonight (Sat., Dec. 19, 2020) live on DAZN from inside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, as Canelo Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KO) returns to the ring to challenge Callum Smith (27-0, 19 KO) for the WBA (Super) and WBC super-middleweight titles.
Alvarez, who will be making his first appearance since parting ways with Golden Boy Promotions earlier this year, is coming off a sensational knockout victory over Sergey Kovalev in November of 2019. The win helped push Canelo’s record to 11-0-1 over his last 12 bouts, including other key victories over Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Jacobs. This will be another opportunity for Alvarez to prove he can move up in weight and still be an effective boxing superstar.
Smith, on the other hand, is trying to prove he’s one of the best fighters in the world by handing Canelo just his second professional loss in nearly 60 fights. The reigning WBA (Super) and The Ring super-middleweight champion is a towering fighter who is usually able to lean on his length and range to pick opponents apart, but Alvarez has a knack for getting inside and ripping shots to the body. It will be up to Smith to defend those advances and make Alvarez pay from the outer edges.
The super-middleweight title fight should produce some high-level boxing action as Canelo tries to close out 2020 in fashion. Check below for the full viewing details for ‘Canelo vs. Smith’ which goes down later tonight live on DAZN:
Start Time
Saturday, December 19, 2020 from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
Main card begins at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
“Canelo vs. Smith” main event begins around 11:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. PT
Online Viewing
“Canelo vs. Smith” main card can be viewed through the DAZN network. Subscriptions run $19.99 per month.
Super-middleweight: Canelo Alvarez vs. Callum Smith
Heavyweight: Frank Sanchez vs. Julian Fernandez
Bantamweight: Marc Castro vs. Luis Javier Valdes
Middleweight: Austin Williams vs. Isiah Jones
Welterweight: Christian Alan Gomez Duran vs. Angel Hernandez
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE coverage of tonight’s main event below. The DAZN-streamed broadcast (watch it here) kicks off at 8 p.m. ET, with Alvarez and Smith likely to make the walk closer to 11 p.m. ET.
Whether you like him or not, YouTube sensation Jake Paul has injected himself into the world of combat sports. Paul is certainly not a professional boxer, but his epic faceplant …
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Whether you like him or not, YouTube sensation Jake Paul has injected himself into the world of combat sports. Paul is certainly not a professional boxer, but his epic faceplant KO over Nate Robinson last month is hard to ignore.
As a result of his newfound success inside of the ring, Paul is eager to make a bigger name for himself and test his striking against more reputable names in combat sports. This includes the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping, and Bellator MMA fighter Dillon Danis.
Paul and Danis share some history so it wasn’t surprising to see the YouTube star track Danis down and attack him with water balloons on the street earlier this week (see it HERE). The altercation has made its way around social media over the days and Paul seems to be gaining even more recognition because of it.
Some of the reaction has been priceless, but none more factual than that of UFC color commentator Joe Rogan. During a recent episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast Rogan explained how Danis would absolutely destroy Paul in an actual street fight, pointing out the fact that Paul didn’t try to physically approach Danis during his water balloon attack.
“Dillon Danis ran up to him and he sped away,” Rogan said. “Why didn’t he get out and fight him?”
“Let me tell you something, Dillon Danis gets ahold of you, you’re either getting your arms broken, you’re neck strangled off—your head’s going to get popped like a zit—[or] he’s going to rip your knees apart,” continued Rogan. “There’s not a f**king chance in the world [Paul would beat Danis in a street fight]. Dillon Danis is a world class grappler. Top of the food chain.”
Very few would argue against Danis being able to grab a hold of Paul during a street fight and choke the ever-living crap out of him. However, Paul is angling for a boxing match with Danis and we all know how average the jiu-jitsu ace is on the feet. It’s very likely that Paul can stand and bang with Danis if the two ever laced up the gloves.
Until then, fight fans will have to stomach these videos and altercations as Paul tries to create the narrative that he’s an actual fighter.
It all goes down later tonight (Sat., Dec. 19, 2020) at UFC Vegas 17 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, as Stephen Thompson takes on Geoff Neal in an important welter…
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
It all goes down later tonight (Sat., Dec. 19, 2020) at UFC Vegas 17 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, as Stephen Thompson takes on Geoff Neal in an important welterweight main event to close out the year.
In addition to the 170-pound headliner, former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo will be in co-main event action against surging bantamweight contender Marlon Vera, former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon Moraes will meet veteran striker Rob Font, and welterweight finishers Michel Pereira and Khaos Williams will collide in a Fight of the Night waiting to happen.
Take a look below at UFC Vegas 17’s complete fight card line up and start times:
Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal Jose Aldo vs. Marlon Vera Michel Pereira vs. Khaos Williams Marlon Moraes vs. Rob Font Marcin Tybura vs. Greg Hardy
‘Prelims’ Undercard (ESPN+/ESPN) 4:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. PT
Anthony Pettis vs. Alex Morono Sijara Eubanks vs. Pannie Kianzad Deron Winn vs. Antonio Arroyo Gillian Robertson vs. Taila Santos Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jamie Pickett Jimmy Flick vs. Cody Durden Christos Giagos vs. Carlton Minus
Here are all the ways to catch the action:
Online
UFC Vegas 17: ‘Thompson vs. Neal’ entire fight card can be viewed via the ESPN+ streaming app.
Check out a list of sports bars and pubs near you that will most likely be showing tonight’s fights CLICK HERE.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 17 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, which are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET.
Michel Pereira will be taking part in a sure-fire matchup with fellow welterweight striker Khaos Williams this evening (Sat., Dec. 19, 2020) at UFC Vegas 17 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC AP…
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Michel Pereira will be taking part in a sure-fire matchup with fellow welterweight striker Khaos Williams this evening (Sat., Dec. 19, 2020) at UFC Vegas 17 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, but the Brazilian nearly locked down a fight with former UFC champion Anthony Pettis.
Pereira, who is coming off a memorable submission finish over Zelim Imadaev this past September, was hoping to land a bigger name in his final Octagon appearance of 2020. “Demolidor” is just 2-2 since making his UFC debut back in 2019, but Pereira has shown the potential to be one of the most exciting fighters on the entire roster.
That’s probably why the 27-year-old welterweight aimed high for his next fight by calling out Pettis and former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler. Unfortunately, neither fighter accepted the offer and Pereira was left to take on Williams, who has won his first two UFC fights in a combined 57 seconds.
“I asked to fight Anthony [Pettis] and Robbie Lawler. They got offered that fight and they didn’t accept it,” Pereira told reporters during UFC Vegas 17’s virtual media day.
Pettis and Lawler are true vets of the game and rarely turn down offers to fight, especially against an entertaining striker like Pereira. When asked why the two former UFC champions didn’t accept the offer to fight Pereira revealed it was one of two reasons.
“It was either fear or it’s because I’m not ranked,” said Pereira. “He [Pettis] said he had a back injury and that’s why he wouldn’t face me. Now he’s fighting the same day that I am so I thought it was weird. It’s either because I’m not ranked or he fears me.”
Pettis, who hasn’t fought since a decision win over Donald Cerrone this past May, will also be in action at UFC Vegas 17 as he headlines the “Prelims” card against Alex Morono. It’s unknown at this time why “Showtime” would have chosen Morono over Pereira for this weekend’s card, but maybe it’s because Morono has 11 UFC fights under his belt and has won three out of his last four.
In any case, Pereira and Pettis will both have their chances to impress in style-friendly matchups this weekend in Vegas. If both welterweights are able to win in memorable fashion maybe UFC is able to piece the matchup together for early 2021.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 17 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, which are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET.
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson will try to solidify his spot in the UFC’s welterweight top five when he takes on rising contender Geoff Neal later tonight (Sat., Dec. 19, 202…
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Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson will try to solidify his spot in the UFC’s welterweight top five when he takes on rising contender Geoff Neal later tonight (Sat., Dec. 19, 2020) at UFC Vegas 17 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Despite his UFC track record and previous attempts at 170-pound gold, Thompson is still going to have to prove himself heading into 2021. UFC is currently having a fire sale of expensive veterans who aren’t winning as much as they used to and Thompson has gone just 2-3 in his last five. The time is now for Thompson to go for the kill and make one last run at the title. The 37-year-old simply doesn’t have a lot of time left.
Luckily, Thompson will have a prime opportunity to prove he’s still a legit title threat when he meets Neal at UFC Vegas 17. Neal has been on an absolute tear since making his UFC debut nearly three years ago, compiling a 5-0 record with four finishes along the way. With a nickname like “Handz of Steel” it’s obvious that Neal has some serious striking chops, but Thompson believes the welterweight will turn to his ground game once “Wonderboy” unveils his puzzling standup.
“At some point, I think he’s gonna use his wrestling,” Thompson told MMA Junkie. “He’s gonna use his strength against me, maybe get me up against the cage, use the cage to try and take me down or to use his dirty boxing. So I got great guys to help me prepare for this fight. Wherever the fight goes, I’m gonna be ready.”
Thompson has been facing killers for the past five years so he’s been well prepared for the situation. “Wonderboy” fought former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley twice and “Chosen One” has one of the most respected wrestling games in welterweight history. It’s safe to say Thompson will know what to do if Neal pushes the action up close.
That said, “Wonderboy” doesn’t like to leave any stone unturned. For this camp, Thompson utilized the help of former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman yet again. Weidman has been a key training partner for Thompson for years and offered more preparation for this fight just in case Neal delivers something new.
“To have him in my corner, who’s just a massive 185’er to begin with and such a high-level wrestler, it’s just amazing to have him really right up the street,” Thompson said. “He lives in South Carolina now, right up the road, so I get him whenever I want him now. So it’s great just to be able to have him wrestle me and me trying to get back up.
“In sparring, going from striking to wrestling with him, (it’s) just extra confidence because that could be how the fight goes with Geoff Neal. I know he’s looking for that. I know he’s looking for a takedown at some point so like I said, it’s great to have him out here, and I’m ready wherever the fight goes.”
Thompson, who is coming off an impressive decision win over Vicente Luque roughly one year ago, would set himself up pretty nicely entering the new year if he’s able to hand Neal his first UFC loss. Thompson will be fighting for the first time in Vegas since 2017 and the first time ever in front of no crowd so “Wonderboy” will surely have his work cut out for him.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 17 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, which are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET.
