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Juan Archuleta on Bellator vs. Rizin crossover fight vs. Soo Chul Kim: “I plan on taking this guy’s soul.”

Juan Archuleta (26-4) will go toe-to-toe with Soo Chul Kim (18-6-1) at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan on December 31st. Bellator vs. Rizin will be one of the most exciting MMA events of the year, as Bellator contenders go head-to-head with those of Rizin FF. Juan Archuleta took time to speak with LowKick MMA’s […]

Juan Archuleta (26-4) will go toe-to-toe with Soo Chul Kim (18-6-1) at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan on December 31^st. Bellator vs. Rizin will be one of the most exciting MMA events of the year, as Bellator contenders go head-to-head with those of Rizin FF.

Juan Archuleta took time to speak with LowKick MMA’s Alex Lerman to discuss what this opportunity means to him, preview his Bantamweight Feature Bout on the card with Kim, and offer up his insight on recent MMA judging controversies.

On competing at such a unique event like Bellator vs. Rizin, Archuleta said:

“I’m super honored, super grateful man. Not only are we making history in MMA, but I get to do what I’ve always wanted to do which is fight in Japan. So, I’m super excited, stoked and blessed all at the same time.”

Before getting into the fight, Archuleta spoke on some of his hobbies and how he spends his time outside the gym:

“When I’m not training, I’m training, when I’m not in camp, I’m training and I’m coaching. But no, I like to spend time with my family, I like farming; I actually have my own farm in Northern California in Humboldt. We grow cannabis, heirloom vegetables, and I like to hunt, fish, dive, and vacation, and you know, just being an extremist.”

Archuleta certainly takes on an interesting lifestyle outside of fighting to go with his impressive career inside the cage.

Juan Archuleta on matchup with Soo Chul Kim

Going into this fight, Juan Archuleta looks to improve his win streak to two after defeating Enrique Barzola in October via Unanimous Decision. When asked about what to expect from his opponent Kim this time around, Archuleta stated:

“(Kim is) very similar to my last opponent where Barzola was well rounded, we put on a high pace fight, and I’m looking forward to be doing that this fight as well In Japan, where they really appreciate martial arts… To have a worthy enough opponent that’s gonna put his offense together as well as mine, I’m super excited.”

Archuleta continued and offered an interesting perspective on how he wanted to win this fight. On this subject, Archuleta continues:

“I want to spend as much time in that ring as I can because I don’t know if I’ll ever be back there again, so I plan on taking this guy’s soul. I want to go out there and either make him quit or just show 15 minutes of dominance… just being in that ring as long as I can showing pure dominance.”

As opposed to many fighters, Archuleta isn’t specifically looking for a finish but added that if the opportunity presented itself, he wouldn’t say no. Archuleta also had comments to add about fighters that do specifically look for finishes:

“Well, that’s insecurities right, that’s guys who aren’t sure about themselves, guys who don’t love the sport that are just doing it for fame and fortune. This is what I do, this is what I’m passionate about… To go out there an compete, that’s where I’m the most happy and most calm at… going inside of the cage and spending as much time as I can in there.”

Archuleta on Recent MMA Judging Controversies

Making headlines across MMA media, recent judges’ decisions have been the center of controversy. In the fight between Danny Sabatello and Raufeon Stots, one judge scored it 50-45 for Sabatello despite overwhelming consensus that Stots clearly won the fight. Soon after, at UFC 282, Paddy Pimblett was awarded a Unanimous Decision victory over Jared Gordon which sparked controversy as well.

Archuleta had many thoughts to offer on the recent state of MMA judging:

“You can’t be pissed off at the judges when they give their opinion on who wins a fight, they’re judges, like that’s what they’re supposed to do… I don’t know why people get so offended or butthurt… If you’re a martial artist, you got to do your homework on who’s judging you. You can’t just say this judging is so inconsistent, well yeah so is martial arts… Different judges have different interpretations on who wins a fight, and you can’t take that away from them.”

This interview with Archuleta was extremely interesting, unique, and refreshing to hear a perspective that differs from the majority of fighters and fans. MMA fans around the world, tune in and watch Bellator vs. Rizin to see Juan Archuleta take on Soo Chul Kim in the Bantamweight Feature bout on New Year’s Eve.

Watch the entire interview below for the entirety of Archuleta’s comments:

How do you think Juan Archuleta will fare on NYE!?

Dillon Danis had to pay Bellator President Scott Coker to box KSI: “He wants me to come back to MMA, his star.”

Dillon Danis had to pay Bellator President Scott Coker for the rights to box KSI. Danis is best known as a former training partner of Conor McGregor who has gone 2-0 in MMA since 2018. The MMA fighter Dillon Danis wanted to have a boxing match against YouTuber KSI but is still under contract with […]

Dillon Danis had to pay Bellator President Scott Coker for the rights to box KSI. Danis is best known as a former training partner of Conor McGregor who has gone 2-0 in MMA since 2018.

The MMA fighter Dillon Danis wanted to have a boxing match against YouTuber KSI but is still under contract with Bellator. Bellator promotes under Showtime while KSI promotes under DAZN. Danis planning to box against KSI on DAZN, Showtime didn’t like this. Because of that, Danis had to pay Bellator for the rights to do so.

Dillon Danis had to pay Scott Coker

In an interview on The MMA Hour, Danis explained the situation to Ariel Helwani. He said:

“I don’t know if I’m allowed to talk about how I had to do that, because Showtime and DAZN are rivals, so I had to pay a hefty fee. It’s a lot of money. What I’m paying Coker to let me fight is more than probably every UFC [fighter makes]. I’m still with them. It would be different if I was with Showtime, because Showtime, they have a deal with them.”

Danis went on to explain that Bellator President Scott Coker was likely mad that his comeback fight was not in Bellator. He said:

“He wants me to come back to MMA, his star. Obviously, there’s no one in Bellator that’s going to bring that kind of noise. Who brings that much hype? I just think that he’s mad The big comeback should’ve been in MMA, which I agree, but why not just beat up a YouTuber for a f****** ton of money?” [Transcript courtesy of MMA Fighting]

KSI and Dillon Danis are booked for a match for January 14 on MF & DAZN: X Series 004. This boxing match is booked for Wembley Arena, which has a 12,500 person capacity. Wembley Arena has also hosted The Masked Singer and multiple Bellator events.

See the full episode below:

Patricio Pitbull labels Bellator vs. Rizin crossover show ‘the biggest thing that’s going to happen to MMA this year’

Reigning Bellator featherweight champion, Patricio Pitbull Freire understands the significance of his next fight as part of the Bellator X Rizin New Years’ Eve show. In October it was announced that Bellator and Rizin would be putting on a cross-promotional show in which they would pit fighters from their rosters against one another. It’s rare […]

Reigning Bellator featherweight champion, Patricio Pitbull Freire understands the significance of his next fight as part of the Bellator X Rizin New Years’ Eve show.

In October it was announced that Bellator and Rizin would be putting on a cross-promotional show in which they would pit fighters from their rosters against one another.

It’s rare that MMA promotions work together, especially on something of this magnitude and that fact isn’t lost on Bellator legend, Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire.

Freire will take on current Rizin featherweight champion, Kleber Koike Erbst and talking to LowKickMMA, discussed the importance of the event.

“This is the biggest thing that’s going to happen to MMA this year,” Freire said. “We are going to see a shock, Bellator vs. RIZN, champion vs champion, it’s a big step for the sport.”

“Cross-promotion is something that hasn’t been done before the way its being done now. It makes me very honored and excited to be a part of it.”

Patricio Pitbull reflects on career

Discussing his successful career, the multiple-time world champion Freire rather poignantly shared the mental barriers he had to overcome.

“Ever since I was a child,” Freire began. “I had to overcome people’s expectations because I was always the smaller kid. There was always that big guy that he thought he was bigger than me he could beat me up. So, when all my career, people were always doubting I could achieve what I did and it has because natural for me to overcome expectations.

“As far as producing all those results and being where I am, its something that I’ve programmed my entire life to accomplish, ever since I set my eyes on this sport.”

How will Patricio Pitbull do against Kleber Koike Erbst?

Gordon Ryan extends sarcastic helping hand to ‘Drunk’ Dillon Danis: ‘Hopefully he doesn’t end up homeless’

Gordon Ryan sarcastically offered Dillon Danis a job during the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3 press conference. Grappling kingpin, Gordon Ryan emerged victorious during his Fight Pass Invitational grappling matchup against Nick Rodriguez. Ryan was able to secure his victory via the fastest escape and following this spoke to the combat sports media. Specifically, Ryan […]

Gordon Ryan sarcastically offered Dillon Danis a job during the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3 press conference.

Grappling kingpin, Gordon Ryan emerged victorious during his Fight Pass Invitational grappling matchup against Nick Rodriguez. Ryan was able to secure his victory via the fastest escape and following this spoke to the combat sports media.

Specifically, Ryan was asked about former rival Dillon Danis with the ‘MMA fighter’ scheduled to face internet sensation KSI in a boxing match taking place in 2023. This is what Ryan had to say about his previous opponent.

“He’s a master at staying relevant without actually doing anything, it’s incredible,” Gordon Ryan said. “I’ve offered him like 10-to-1 odds, I’ve offered him to compete against Luke for 2-to-1 odds, I’ve offered him every kind of match and he’ll post the 2017 ADCC match every now and then and be like, ‘See, I beat the best guy in the world.”

“Hopefully he’s getting paid. He actually randomly messages me on Instagram all the time at like 2am, he’s gotta be like drunk or whatever. He sent like a clip the other day of Chael Sonnen [saying] ‘Dillon Danis is the real deal, he went toe-to-toe with Gordon in 2017 and Gordon won the world championships’ — like out of nowhere, completely unsolicited.”

Danis has not competed inside an octagon since 2019 when he defeated fellow novice Max Humphrey via armbar in the first round. Now it seems a return to the octagon has become even more unlikely with his recently announced boxing affair.

Gordon Ryan Offers Dillon Danis A Job Washing His Cars

Danis has not competed in any facet of combat sports for quite some time and therefore it is understandable why Gordon Ryan perceived his boxing matchup with KSI as having been scheduled for him to earn a payday. However, should Danis fall on hard times Ryan has kindly offered him the opportunity to work under him washing his cars.

“I’m like, ‘Great Dillon, I hope you’re getting paid for this.’ He’s like, ‘I run the game kid, don’t forget this.’ I’m like okay, if it doesn’t work out and you don’t make that much money, I have tons of cars you can clean those for me,” Gordon continued. “I have like five cars to clean and if you want to clean those I’ll give you thirty bucks a week or something for those. And he never responded. Hopefully he’s making a lot of money. Hopefully he doesn’t end up homeless. He manages to stay relevant but it’s hard to stay relevant when you don’t compete.” (Transcribed by MMAMania)

Will you watch Dillon Danis vs KSI in January?

Judge who scored UFC 282 bout for Paddy Pimblett under review: ‘This is a very serious situation’

Doug Crosby, the judge who scored 29-28 in favor of Liverpool lightweight, Paddy Pimblett at UFC 282 last weekend, is under review as part of a “very serious situation” – after also scoring five rounds in favor of Danny Sabatello the night prior in the Bellator Bantamweight Grand Prix in an eventual split decision loss […]

Crosby, alongside Chris Lee, and Ron McCarthy, all scored the UFC 282 co-main event bout between Paddy Pimblett and Gordon, 29-28 over the course of three rounds in favor of the former, as part of a unanimous decision win for Paddy Pimblett.

Paddy Pimblett’s victory was immediately met with shouts of “robbery”

Upon immediate reaction from the arena and across the mixed martial arts community, calls of “robbery” began to surface, with many claiming Gordon likely should have landed a victory – 29-28 in his own right.

However, Crosby’s judging has since come into further question, after the official scored all five rounds for the above-mentioned, Sabatello, in a perceived 50-45 scorecard against defending interim bantamweight champion, Stots at Bellator 289 the night before.

According to Mohegan Athletic Department Director of Athletics, Mike Mazzulli, Crosby as well as the two other judges who scored Sabatello’s fight with Stots are set to review the bout.

“One judge had Sabatello winning all five rounds, which is controversial,” Mike Mazzulli wrote in a statement. “But ultimately Stots won the decision, which is the correct result. In an effort to make this a learning moment, I have informed all three judges we will be reviewing the fight together.”

“This is a very serious situation,” Mazzulli wrote. “The Mohegan Tribe Athletic Department always looks out for the best interests in all fighters. In the past, the Mohegan Tribe Athletic Department has sanctioned officials that are not performing to the level that is required. Such sanctions, when they occur, are not made public.” (via MMA Fighting)

MMA Judge Douglas Crosby Under Fire After High-Profile Weekend

Douglas Crosby’s scorecards from last weekend’s UFC 282 and Bellator 289 resulted in the MMA judge receiving quite a bit of attention online. Bellator 289 took place on Friday and featured the semifinal fights for the promotion’s bantamweig…

Continue Reading MMA Judge Douglas Crosby Under Fire After High-Profile Weekend at MMA News.