UFC strawweight Cheyanne Vlismas has spoken out for the first time since her unanimous decision loss to Cory McKenna. Vlismas fell to McKenna on the UFC Vegas 66 prelims on Saturday. The loss snapped a two-fight winning streak and was just her second l…
UFC strawweight Cheyanne Vlismas has spoken out for the first time since her unanimous decision loss to Cory McKenna. Vlismas fell to McKenna on the UFC Vegas 66 prelims on Saturday. The loss snapped a two-fight winning streak and was just her second loss during her UFC tenure. Vlismas, who has had an up-and-down 2022…
A matchup between UFC strawweight rising star Cheyanne Vlismas and Tabatha Ricci is reportedly booked for October 1st. AG Fight was among the first to report the news. Vlismas, a former standout on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020, rebounded from a UFC debut loss to Montserrat Ruiz in March 2021 with back-to-back wins. She…
Vlismas, a former standout on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020, rebounded from a UFC debut loss to Montserrat Ruiz in March 2021 with back-to-back wins. She most recently defeated Mallory Martin via a unanimous decision last December.
Vlismas will face a tough challenge in the form of the fellow prospect Ricci, who is coming off of two-straight wins over Polyana Viana and Maria Oliveira. Like Vlismas, she earned a shot in the UFC following success in LFA.
Ricci’s lone defeat in her MMA career came against Manon Fiorot last June.
Vlismas/Ricci will be a part of an October 1st Fight Night event with a to-be-determined location and venue. The card also features a lightweight matchup between UFC veteran Vinc Pichel against Jesse Ronson, along with a bantamweight battle between Leah Letson and Chelsea Chandler.
The card’s main event is expected to be announced in the coming months.
What are your thoughts on the Cheyanne Vlismas vs. Tabatha Ricci matchup?
UFC strawweight Cheyanne Vlismas says she is now receiving death threats after her personal issues with husband JP Buys spilled into the public.
As far as big stories go in the first month of 2022, not many would have called this one. And given th…
UFC strawweight Cheyanne Vlismas says she is now receiving death threats after her personal issues with husband JP Buys spilled into the public.
As far as big stories go in the first month of 2022, not many would have called this one. And given the personal nature of it, it’s perhaps a shame to see two married UFC fighters clash in the public domain over their collapsing relationship.
“Hiding from what? In a country no one knows where she’s at? Everyone here knows she has been in Batumi Georgia with Roman, the same guy she has been having an affair with behind my back. While still married.”
Next, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, who conducted the original interview with Vlismas, has provided Buys with a platform to respond on. In their interview, the South African flyweight accused Vlismas, who he says filed for divorce last month, of creating a false narrative that sought to vilify him.
“When I saw the interview and I listened to the interview, the article, I was like, it’s pretty much unnecessary because somethings is not right, and just the way you go about things. But, that literally got attention drawn to me as if like, she’s running away from me, physically, or something… I’m getting threats for stuff I didn’t even do.”
In her interview, Vlismas also stated she won’t be able to fight in the near future for reasons out of her control, despite the fact she “would love” to return to the Octagon soon. Discussing that statement, Buys suggested the opposite is actually the truth. While he is stuck unable to fight in the US, he says Vlismas can actually compete whenever she wants.
“The fact of the matter is, she says that she can’t fight or earn any money, that’s her choice. That’s her choice that she can’t fight right now for her personal reasons. But from my side, I literally cannot fight, and I literally cannot earn a cent while I’m living in America right now because of my current status. So, I got a fight offer, and I can’t fight, I can’t earn money. That’s why I’m like, she is the one that (says) she’s facing all these tough difficulties, but her life is normally going on? She has money, she’s fighting, she can fight when she wants to, when she’s ready, she can get a house on her name, she has her car, her life is normally going on… I can’t get a house on my name, I can’t get a vehicle on my name, I can’t fight, I can’t earn money. My life is stranded… If we’re speaking about one of the two of us being inactive, it’s this guy.”
Buys further explained that due to the ongoing divorce proceedings, he ended up missing an interview with immigration, which led to the immediate expiry of his application for permanent residency and his work permit, which he initially received through Vlismas.
With that in mind, Buys expects his process of securing another work permit to take up to the whole of this calendar year, meaning he may not return to action in the UFC until the start of 2023.
Vlismas Fires Back At Buys, Says She’s Receiving Death Threats
Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take Vlismas long to respond and continue the back and forth. In a statement on Twitter, which was later deleted, “The War Princess” denied Buys’ cheating allegations and suggested the pair had only married in the first place to secure the South African fighter a visa.
“If there is anything I would like to say it’s I for 1 never cheated on my husband nor would I ever cheat on someone. The fact that I have put my business out here is just mind blowing to me. I will not be saying my side of the story as the relationship I had was MY relationship and it was not a good relationship.
“We only married for a visa and unfortunately things were not how it seemed on media. Things happened this past year that is the reason things ended as it was for (good) reasoning to end… As for what I do after leaving him is also my business. I will not stoop down to the level and bash someone’s name as much as I want to.”
Vlismas, who is 2-1 in the UFC following a victory over Mallory Martin last month, closed out her statement my pleading with Buys to sign the divorce papers and leave her alone.
“Also if I must say if I was a cheater (then) take me off your IG bio, sign my divorce papers don’t take my money and my bonus money that I shed my own blood for and leave me alone and let me move on so I can go back to earning money.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)
Vlismas would then release the following note on her social media page, stating that is receiving death threats and pleading with the public to respect her privacy.
I have been thinking about whether or not I should make this post. I have been getting hundreds of hate and death threats.
I’ve kept quiet about our relationship and not said anything publicly even when I’ve been question and now I’m seeing my name be slandered on social media.
Our relationship became very bad not just lately but for a long time.
I’ve had people turn their back on me in these times especially someone I truly thought cared for me and would help me in these hard times.
I am not able to fight due to paperwork and the fact I need to give part of my money.
I am away as I do feel emotionally empty and scared. Please, understand that!
I am not wanting to make problems I just want to have my papers signed and to be left alone.
I never wanted my business to come out but unfortunately it has been made public. I’m sorry things have come to this point. I just want to move on with my life. I have a lot of things to say but I’m tired from all of this. I don’t need sympathy, I just want peace. I don’t want to fight him or say anything bad about him because I respect our past. I just want to live my life and not need to explain myself anymore or talk about this anymore. Please, I ask for your understanding and to give me time to deal with all of this on my own.
With Vlismas turning her Twitter private and claiming she won’t be releasing another public statement, it seems this topic may now turn back to personal channels.
However, with Buys facing a long journey back towards work eligibility in the US and the ongoing divorce, it wouldn’t be surprising if the latest remarks aren’t the last we’ll hear of Vlismas and Buys’ troubles.
What’s your take on the bitter public feud between JP Buys and Cheyanne Vlismas?
It’s unclear when Cheyanne Vlismas will return to the Octagon, but her soon-to-be ex-husband JP Buys isn’t buying her excuses.
Vlismas is coming off of arguably the best win of her career at UFC Vegas 44 over Mallory Martin. She earned the Fight of…
It’s unclear when Cheyanne Vlismas will return to the Octagon, but her soon-to-be ex-husband JP Buys isn’t buying her excuses.
Vlismas is coming off of arguably the best win of her career at UFC Vegas 44 over Mallory Martin. She earned the Fight of the Night performance bonus for her unanimous decision win.
After the victory, Vlismas was vague when asked about her plans to return to the Octagon. During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, she briefly alluded to her whereabouts and reasoning for going overseas. Vlismas revealed that she had to leave the United States due to unspecified personal issues.
“No one knows where I’m at, and I’m actually keeping it that way,” Vlismas said. “A lot of things happened before my fight — and even after my fight—and I decided what’s best is to just escape. I’ve been gone now for two weeks and I love it. I’m overseas and just living my life.”
After the interview aired, Buys issued a harsh response to Vlismas’ comments and claims of being in hiding.
“Hiding from what?” Buys tweeted. “In a country no one knows where she’s at? Everyone here knows she has been in Batumi, Georgia with Roman, the same guy she has been having an affair with behind my back. While still married.”
Vlismas has yet to issue a public response to Buys’ tweet.
Vlismas garnered the attention of UFC president Dana White after earning an impressive win on Dana White’s Contender Series. Following her win over Hilarie Rose, she would earn a contract due to her skill set and potential.
Buys has struggled since earning a contract on DWCS. He’s lost back-to-back fights to Bruno Silva and Montel Jackson and is still looking for his first win with the promotion.
What is your reaction to the JP Buys/Cheyanne Vlismas story?
Cheyenne Vlismas’s journey back to the UFC might be delayed.
Cheyenne Vlismas is hoping to get herself back in the UFC Octagon soon, but she has hit some roadblocks in front of her. As a rising star in the UFC strawweight division, Vlismas is in a …
Cheyenne Vlismas’s journey back to the UFC might be delayed.
Cheyenne Vlismas is hoping to get herself back in the UFC Octagon soon, but she has hit some roadblocks in front of her. As a rising star in the UFC strawweight division, Vlismas is in a prime position to stay active and take on tougher opponents in the division. However, she is uncertain what lies ahead of her due to personal reasons. She recently sat down with MMA Fighting to discuss some of her hurdles.
“Unfortunately, I would love to fight again [and] soon, but because of reasons beyond belief, I cannot fight, and I cannot make any more money until I finalize some things in my life, and I don’t know when that will be,” Vlismas told MMA Fighting. “I’m trying to make that soon, but I don’t have an answer. I’m hoping by summer. I’m praying by summer. That’s what I’m gonna shoot for.
“As far as 2022, you’ll see me, but I have no answers. And honestly, it makes me want to cry how I have no answers for anything.”
Vlismas’ last outing in the UFC was in December. She defeated Mallory Martin in a Fight of the Night bout putting her at two wins in a row now. The road to get to that fight was a tough one for Vlismas. She came down with COVID during her training camp. Her positive diagnosis kept her out of one fight, but she eagerly decided to step on short notice to face Martin and came out victorious. Now, the rising contender is off the grid.
“No one knows where I’m at, and I’m actually keeping it that way,” Vlismas added. “A lot of things happened before my fight – and even after my fight – and I decided what’s best is to just escape. I’ve been gone now for two weeks and I love it. I’m overseas and just living my life.”
Vlismas burst onto the UFC scene as a winner on The Contender Series. She secured a win on episode 30 and fought her way into the UFC. She has only lost one bout so far since joining the organization and has hopes of moving up the rankings.
Vlismas has been somewhat cryptic about her personal troubles along the way but did mention that she was having money issues leading up to her last fight. She has since dropped her married name of “Buys” and has gone back to using “Vlismas.”
Now, she is explaining that the people closest to her would like to see her on the sidelines for a while.
“If it was [up to] me, I would love to fight, but I am told I cannot,” Vlismas revealed. “I was actually not even supposed to fight in my last fight. I was asked not to by some high-up people. They told me, ‘Please do not take this fight.’ Even my family didn’t want me to fight, one, for being sick, and two, for other reasons I can’t speak about. No one wanted me to fight at all, so the fact I got to finish off 2021 with a fight, and winning, and proving to people just that little [more] like I did it, more for myself, it was a good feeling.”
Do you think Cheyanne Vlismas will be a title contender at 115 pounds one day?
Vlismas alluded to personal challenges, trials, and tribulations leading up to her impressive performance against Martin that took home Fight of the Night. While she wouldn’t get into details regarding some of the issues she went through, she revealed that she tested positive for COVID just weeks before the fight.
Remarkably, Vlismas was able to garner the strength needed to compete as she earned a unanimous decision win on another big stage. She most recently defeated Gloria de Paula in her UFC debut earlier this year.
“I was a COVID patient just two weeks ago,” Vlismas said. “My best friends, my parents didn’t want me to fight. I was throwing up, and I didn’t know if I was going to heal. But I believed in my skills, my team and went on there and executed. My parents thought I was nuts to go out and compete. I couldn’t even breathe at one point, but I told myself that I could do it.”
Cheyanne Vlismas Adds Another Elite Striker At Strawweight
The fact that Vlismas was able to get back to training, nonetheless fighting, so soon after testing positive for COVID-19 is pretty remarkable. Many MMA fighters such as Diego Sanchez and Jim Miller have suffered from the virus this year.
Vlismas doesn’t lack confidence entering the Octagon. She’s a potential up-and-coming star at 115 pounds with lightning-fast striking to go with a solid ground game.
Vlismas has the opportunity to face another tough contender for her next Octagon appearance and plans on seizing the moment and making her way up the strawweight ranks.
What were your thoughts on Cheyanne Vlismas’ win at UFC Vegas 44?