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EXCLUSIVE | Antonio Carlos Junior Thinks J?drzejczyk Has More To Show

Reigning PFL light heavyweight champion Antonio Carlos Junior thinks his teammate, Joanna J?drzejczyk shouldn’t hang up the gloves. J?drzejczyk announced her retirement following a knockout loss to Zhang Weili at UFC 275 this past weekend. She returned to the cage following a two-year layoff which began after her first loss to Weili in an instant…

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Reigning PFL light heavyweight champion Antonio Carlos Junior thinks his teammate, Joanna J?drzejczyk shouldn’t hang up the gloves.

J?drzejczyk announced her retirement following a knockout loss to Zhang Weili at UFC 275 this past weekend. She returned to the cage following a two-year layoff which began after her first loss to Weili in an instant classic in March 2020.

But Carlos Junior believes J?drzejczyk is leaving the fight game at a time when she still has a lot left in the tank.

During an exclusive interview with MMA News, Carlos Junior gave his thoughts on J?drzejczyk’s surprise retirement announcement.

“She’s very nice, I love her,” Carlos Junior said of “Everything she’s done for this sport. She’s really great and got the belt, kept it for so long. Very aggressive fighter. But I just wish her all the best in this new chapter of her life. I don’t see her stopping fighting. I see her in the training, she’s so good, I think she has a lot more to show. We always have to make some choices along in life and if she thinks it’s the best time for her, I’m always cheering for her.”

In her prime, J?drzejczyk was considered arguably one of the most electric champions in UFC history. She defended her strawweight title five-straight times after winning the belt against Carla Esparza at UFC 185.

J?drzejczyk seems content in her decision to retire, but Carlos Junior feels she has a lot more to give to the sport. She’s hinted at sticking around the sport for years to come, potentially as a manager for fighters.

As for Carlos Junior, he’s slated to return tonight at PFL 4 against Bruce Souto. He won the title in his first season with the league in 2021 following an up-and-down stay in the UFC.

Do you agree with Antonio Carlos Junior’s comments on Joanna J?drzejczyk?

Continue Reading EXCLUSIVE | Antonio Carlos Junior Thinks J?drzejczyk Has More To Show at MMA News.

Antonio Carlos Junior Claims PFL Paid Him More In 1 Year Than 13-Fight UFC Career

Antonio Carlos Junior appears to be happy about not being with UFC as he claims to have made more money fighting in the PFL. Joining the UFC in 2014 after winning The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3, Carlos Junior inked a deal with the PFL in 2021 after being let go by the promotion following three […]

Antonio Carlos Junior appears to be happy about not being with UFC as he claims to have made more money fighting in the PFL.

Joining the UFC in 2014 after winning The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3, Carlos Junior inked a deal with the PFL in 2021 after being let go by the promotion following three losses in a row. He had a tumultuous start in the organization before going on a five-fight win streak beating the likes of Marvin Vettori, Tim Boetsch, and Jack Marshman between 2016 and 2019.

In an interview with MMA Junkie, Antonio Carlos Junior talked about the differences between being in the UFC and the PFL.

“I didn’t change much, just the numbers got a little bigger on the bank account,” Carlos Junior said. “I think I made in UFC what I paid in taxes this year. The thing is that I had the contract from ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ and it was 10 fights, so it was a lot. That’s what happened to me, you know. I didn’t have a great manager at the time to help me out with this. This cost me a lot of money.”

Carlos Junior seems to be content fighting for the PFL given the financial rewards it has entailed for him. He makes a good point of being on a ten-fight deal. Although he gained some attention by winning The Ultimate Fighter, he was stuck at that same value for the next ten fights which means even if his value rose, he would have no power in negotiating for a better contract.

Antonio Carlos Junior pays in taxes what he made at UFC

Antonio Carlos Junior finished his time at the UFC after suffering back-to-back losses, to Ian Heinisch, Uriah Hall, and Brad Tavares. He then went on to sign with the new promotion and won the PFL’s light heavyweight tournament last year, an achievement that got him a $1 million cheque.

He was matched up with Tom Lawlor for his debut fight in the PFL. Carlos Junior performed well as he dispatched Lawlor with a guillotine choke submission in the closing seconds of the first round. In his second fight with the organization against Vinny Magalhaes, Carlos Junior fought to a no-contest due to an accidental knee to the groin.

In his third fight with the PFL, he defeated 2020 PFL champ Emiliano Sordi with a decision win before following that up with a submission win over Marthin Hamlet. He submitted Hamlet with a rear-naked choke in the first round of the tournament final to claim the million-dollar prize.

Carlos Junior is set to fight Delan Monte at 2022’s PFL 1 event on Saturday.

Do you think UFC underpays their fighters like Antonio Carlos Junior?

Antônio Carlos Júnior Made More In One Year W/ PFL Than 13 UFC Fights

Former The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil winner Antônio Carlos Júnior says his PFL paycheck in 2021 out paid his 13 UFC fights combined. Carlos Júnior won it all in 2021, defeating Marthin Hamlet at the PFL Championships last October to earn the light heavyweight belt and $1 million. He earned impressive wins over former PFL champion…

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Former The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil winner Antônio Carlos Júnior says his PFL paycheck in 2021 out paid his 13 UFC fights combined.

Carlos Júnior won it all in 2021, defeating Marthin Hamlet at the PFL Championships last October to earn the light heavyweight belt and $1 million. He earned impressive wins over former PFL champion Emiliano Sordi and former UFC veteran Tom Lawlor en route to the championship.

Before he signed with the PFL, Carlos Júnior had an up-and-down tenure with the UFC at middleweight. He repeatedly had issues cutting down to 185 pounds and didn’t live up to the expectations bestowed upon him after winning TUF: Brazil.

During PFL 1 Media Day, Carlos Júnior was asked if he made more in one year with the PFL than he did during the entirety of his UFC tenure.

“Definitely,” Carlos Júnior told media members. “I don’t know how much exactly, but it was not quite a million. It was a big deal to be able to take care of my family and not have to worry about money.”

Carlos Júnior’s admission is particularly interesting given the recent debate regarding fighter pay in the UFC. It’s unclear how much Carlos Júnior made for each fight last year in the PFL, but he says his $1 million grand prize surpassed his combined UFC paychecks.

Carlos Júnior is far from the only current or former UFC fighter to comment on the UFC’s current pay model. UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and former light heavyweight champ Jon Jones have been critical about how the UFC compensates its roster.

Carlos Júnior will try to repeat as light heavyweight champion, beginning in the 2022 PFL season opener tonight against Delan Monte. He’ll look to keep his undefeated run in the league intact to begin the new season.

What are your thoughts on Antonio Carlos Júnior’s comments?

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MMA’s Top Non-UFC Fighters From 2021

With a UFC event on nearly every weekend in a year, it is easy to lose sight of the other fights going on in MMA. Every week there are big moments happening in the sport across the United States and all around the world.

As we move deeper into the …

As we move deeper into the new year, let’s look at four names who had exceptional years in MMA, with that success happening outside of the UFC cage. For this article, we selected three fighters that excelled in their respective promotion. Representing Bellator is AJ McKee Jr. For PFL, we picked Antonio Carlos Junior. And for RIZIN, you had to go with Hiromasa Ougikubo.

McKee Jr. Reaches Top Of The Bellator Mountain

In July, AJ McKee Jr. saw himself facing Patricio Pitbull in the finals of a 16-man featherweight tournament. But his fight wasn’t just the culmination of that bout. In a sense, it was the conclusion to his 18-fight run up the Bellator ranks.

After a short amateur run, McKee Jr. signed with Bellator in 2015 and made his professional debut under their banner. He attained a flawless record through the year, finishing most of his opponents in a flashy fashion.

In 2019, he joined the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix—a bracket that, if successful, would crown him champion. After three finish wins in previous years in the bracket, he was matched this year against Pitbull, one of Bellator’s all-time greats.

McKee Jr. was able to catch Pitbull in just the second minute, putting on the submission after hurting him with a head kick. And with that, he became the new king of Bellator’s 145-pound division.

Four Wins And An Overdue Crowning Moment For Ougikubo

RIZIN bantamweight Hiromasa Ougikubo has long been recognized as a solid fighter. Viewers of Shooto Japan and RIZIN will know him as one of the stronger names at bantamweight. If not for that reason, many will recognize him from Season 24 of The Ultimate Fighter, where he scored three wins before being eliminated by Tim Elliott.

However, Ougikubo never had his real big moment as a fighter. He never earned a major championship, and he never won in a major main event.

In 2021, he showed his skills by winning RIZIN’s rigorous bantamweight tournament. To start the bracket, he defeated veterans Takeshi Kasugai and Takafumi Otsuka in June and September respectively.

Then, on New Year’s Eve, he beat two big challenges in one night. First, he fought to a unanimous decision against former UFC fighter Naoki Inoue, giving him his first loss since joining the promotion.

Later in the night, he avenged a loss against Kai Asakura with a thorough decision victory. The win came in the main event of RIZIN 33, which was the promotion’s biggest event of the year. More than a decade-and-a-half into his career, Ougikubo got his big moment in MMA.

Carlos Junior Bounces Back In Major Fashion

Unlike others on this list, Antonio Carlos Junior’s year actually started in the UFC. After losing a fight in January 2021 against Brad Tavares, Carlos Junior found himself off the promotion’s roster.

He quickly capitalized on his free agency, signing with the PFL and joining their 2021 light heavyweight season. PFL’s annual format includes two regular-season fights and two playoff bouts. The winner in the end receives an eye-popping prize of $1 million.

Carlos Junior secured a spot in the playoffs with his first fight, submitting fellow UFC alum Tom Lawlor in the first round with a guillotine choke.

He scored his biggest win of the year in the semi-finals, defeating 2019 champion Emiliano Sordi on scorecards. In October, he was put against tournament underdog Marthin Hamlet in the grand finals. That was a quick win for Carlos Junior, submitting him in the first round with a rear naked choke.

Carlos Junior started the year cut from the largest MMA promotion in the world. But he ended the year as a champion – and a millionaire.

Continue Reading MMA’s Top Non-UFC Fighters From 2021 at MMA News.

Antonio Carlos Junior Thankful To Be Happy, Healthy Ahead Of PFL Finals

It wasn’t always smooth sailing for PFL light heavyweight finalist Antonio Carlos Junior after he left the UFC following an up-and-down tenure at middleweight. But, he’s managed to turn the corner and feels the best he’s ever been heading into the biggest fight of his career against Marthin Hamlet in the 2021 PFL Championships tomorrow, […]

Continue Reading Antonio Carlos Junior Thankful To Be Happy, Healthy Ahead Of PFL Finals at MMA News.

It wasn’t always smooth sailing for PFL light heavyweight finalist Antonio Carlos Junior after he left the UFC following an up-and-down tenure at middleweight.

But, he’s managed to turn the corner and feels the best he’s ever been heading into the biggest fight of his career against Marthin Hamlet in the 2021 PFL Championships tomorrow, October 27.

Antonio Carlos Junior Faces Marthin Hamlet At The PFL Championships

Carlos Junior was expected by many to be a future UFC middleweight title contender after he won The Ultimate Fighter: Season 3 in 2014. But, a series of unfortunate injuries combined with the toll his body suffered through during weight cuts ended up being his undoing, with three straight UFC losses before his release.

During a recent interview with MMA News, Carlos Junior alluded to how his move to 205 pounds has been a turning point in his career.

“I was beating myself up [at middleweight],” Carlos Junior said during his media day availability. “Now, I’m able to fight at a more natural weight and focus more on my training. It’s the best I’ve ever been.”

“I went through some dark times physically and mentally [in the UFC], but I feel like the best version of myself at 205 [pounds].”

Carlos Junior faces a tough test against Hamlet for the PFL light heavyweight championship. Hamlet is coming off of wins over Dan Spohn and Cezar Ferreira en route to the finals.

The grappling battle between Carlos Junior and Hamlet figures to be fascinating as well, in a prototypical wrestling vs. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu matchup.

The PFL signed Carlos Junior in March, just weeks after his UFC release. He hasn’t looked back since moving to light heavyweight which has included dominant wins over former PFL champion Emiliano Sordi and former UFC veteran Tom Lawlor.

Carlos Junior has been a matchup nightmare in many eyes and will look to cap off his impressive PFL season with a light heavyweight championship tomorrow night.

What is your prediction for Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Marthin Hamlet at the PFL Championships?

Continue Reading Antonio Carlos Junior Thankful To Be Happy, Healthy Ahead Of PFL Finals at MMA News.

Antonio Carlos Junior Says He Feels ‘Free’ After UFC Release

After Antonio Carlos Junior lost to Brad Tavares at UFC 257, he was released from the promotion. Carlos Junior was a TUF winner and had some success in the UFC. However, he was on a three-fight losing skid with decision losses to Ian Heinisch, Uriah Ha…