Both Stipe Miocic and Junior dos Santos predicted they wouldn’t make it past the third round at UFC 211 this past weekend – they were right. In the opening round of the evening’s main event, Miocic absorbed some heavy leg kicks that echoed a boom throughout the arena. Despite the heavy low kicks, Cleveland’s finest
Both Stipe Miocic and Junior dos Santos predicted they wouldn’t make it past the third round at UFC 211 this past weekend – they were right.
In the opening round of the evening’s main event, Miocic absorbed some heavy leg kicks that echoed a boom throughout the arena. Despite the heavy low kicks, Cleveland’s finest was able to press the action forward and land a crips right hand that left “Cigano” slumped over against the cage on the canvas.
The win marked Miocic’s second successful consecutive title defense, just one away from the most title defenses in UFC heavyweight title history. As for why he didn’t throw any follow-up strikes after dropping the Brazilian, Miocic explained he didn’t want to inflict any unnecessary damage on his counterpart (quotes via MMA Junkie):
“I didn’t want him – I caught him with a good right,” Miocic said. “He fell. He wasn’t moving, so that’s why I looked at the ref.
“But, you know, JDS is super tough. Look what he did last time. We went 25 (minutes), and it was just hell. I knew what the ref was doing. But (Dos Santos) wasn’t moving. I didn’t want to inflict any more pain if I didn’t have to. But it’s a fight. He would’ve been doing the same thing to me.”
Photo by Jerome Miron for USA TODAY Sports
The pair of world class heavyweights initially met back in 2014 where they put on a tremendous 25 minute war that “JDS” ultimately won via unanimous decision. Miocic says he tried not to think about that bout in the lead-up to his second go around with dos Santos, but is grateful for the experience as it made him into the champion he is today:
“I try not to think about it, because it was a terrible night,” Miocic said. “My eyes were swollen shut. I had 16 stitches in my lip.
” … But yeah, I thought about it all the time. But I also want to thank him because if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here right now. He gave me that confidence I needed – that confidence I could beat anyone in the world. The confidence I can be the champ, I can be the champ for a long time. And like I said, if it wasn’t for my coaches over there, I wouldn’t be here right now.”
As for those kicks he suffered early in the first round, Miocic admits that they definitely hurt a tremendous amount and did some damage:
“The kicks definitely hurt,” he said. “It wasn’t fun. It was (expletive), but I was good.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk is the most dominant female champion in mixed martial arts (MMA) today, and at the rate she’s progressing, she’s on track to possibly becoming the best of all time. In the co-main event of last night’s (Sat. May 13, 2017) UFC 211 pay-per-view (PPV) from Dallas, Jedrzejczyk took home a lopsided unanimous decision win
Joanna Jedrzejczyk is the most dominant female champion in mixed martial arts (MMA) today, and at the rate she’s progressing, she’s on track to possibly becoming the best of all time.
In the co-main event of last night’s (Sat. May 13, 2017) UFC 211 pay-per-view (PPV) from Dallas, Jedrzejczyk took home a lopsided unanimous decision win over No. 3-ranked Jessica Andrade for her fifth consecutive 115-pound title defense. “Joanna Champion” put on one of the best performances of her career, as it marked her second fight training under newly-joined coaches at American Top Team.
During the post-fight press conference, Jedrzejczy stated that she believes her performance against her Brazilian counterpart was the best of her career, and the work she has been putting in over at American Top Team is a large part of it (quotes via MMA Fighting):
“Yes, I think so, even if I’m getting older,” Jedrzejczyk said at the UFC 211 post-fight conference. “I feel this fire, and I want to learn. Since I moved to American Top Team, I feel like I’m the bird that got to escape from its cage, if you know that meaning. I’m very hard on myself everyday, you can ask my coaches, and after a good training session, I’m not happy because I know I can do better or change something to do better, you know? That’s why I keep on defending this belt.”
Jedrzejczy is still undefeated in her MMA career with 14 straight wins. She defeated inaugural strawweight champion Carla Esparza via second round TKO to win the title before taking out the likes of Jessica Penne, Valerie Letourneau, Claudia Gadelha, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and now Andrade to defend her title.
Photo by Jerome Miron for USA TODAY Sports
It’s expected that Jedrzejczy’s next challenger will be No. 4-ranked Rose Namajunas, but regardless if that’s the case or now, the Polish knockout artist remains prepared to take on any and all challengers who threaten her reign as queen at 115 pounds:
“Before my last fight at Madison Square Garden, I only had six, seven weeks to work with my new coaches and team,” Jedrzejczyk said. “It wasn’t enough, but I think we still put on great work. This time we definitely had more time, and I’m very happy. I feel like I stepped on a different level and I’m looking forward to it. I (will) go on vacations for a few days to fly back to Poland to spend some time with my family, but I can’t wait to get back to ATT and put in work again with my team.
“I don’t know who’s going to be my next opponent right now,” Jedrzejczyk added. “I’m happy about this fight and I’m looking forward to spend some time with my fiancé and my family. I will have some vacations, and after that, I will think about my next fight. I don’t care who’s my next opponent, I will put on great work and defend this title for a sixth time.”
UFC 211, which went down last night (May 13, 2017) live on pay-per-view (PPV) from Dallas, Texas, was being billed as the biggest and baddest event of the year and it certainly lived up to the expectations that had been set for it, as it produced a plethora of exciting fights and finishes. The main
UFC 211, which went down last night (May 13, 2017) live on pay-per-view (PPV) from Dallas, Texas, was being billed as the biggest and baddest event of the year and it certainly lived up to the expectations that had been set for it, as it produced a plethora of exciting fights and finishes.
The main attraction featured a heavyweight title rematch between champion Stipe Miocic and ex-titleholder Junior Dos Santos. The co-main event played host to a strawweight title fight between 115-pound queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Jessica Andrade.
The rest of the card featured pivotal fights as well, as top contenders faced off with major implications on the line.
Let’s take a look at six fights to make after UFC 211:
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Eddie Alvarez vs. Dustin Poirier Rematch:
A highly anticipated lightweight fight between exciting contenders Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier headlined the preliminary portion of UFC 211, although it didn’t end without controversy.
Alvarez, a former champion who hasn’t competed since losing his title in brutal fashion to Conor McGregor last November, was looking to bounce back against Poirier, who had won four of his last five up until that point. The two went back-and-forth throughout the first round, but things went south when Alvarez landed an illegal knee in the second round that forced referee Herb Dean to stop the bout and rule it a no contest.
Being that this bout had such high expectations surrounding it, it only seems right to run back and both fighters appeared to be interested in doing so.
Photo by Jerome Miron for USA TODAY Sports
Frankie Edgar vs. Ricardo Lamas:
At UFC 211, former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar reminded everyone that he is still an elite level featherweight, dominating red hot rising contender Yair Rodriguez over the course of two rounds before the bout was stopped between the second and third frames.
The win made it two straight for “The Answer” and he could campaign for another 145-pound title shot, although it’s unlikely he’ll receive one at this moment, especially if Jose Aldo beats Max Holloway next month. Edgar has already lost twice to Aldo.
With that being said, a bout between Edgar and No. 3-ranked Ricardo Lamas makes the most sense.
Lamas has won two of his last three bouts and he even called out Edgar on Twitter prior to “The Answer” being booked against Rodriguez. Edgar seemed interested in a fight with “The Bully” then and now it lands as the fight to make.
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada USA Today Sports
Jorge Masvidal vs. Stephen Thompson:
Jorge Masvidal came up short in a title eliminator with Demian Maia on UFC 211’s main card, but he still put on a solid showing, picking Maia apart on the feet and avoiding the Brazilian’s submissions, albeit losing a split decision.
In his next fight, “Gamebred” should take on top contender and two-time title challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.
Thompson is coming off of back-to-back fights with champion Tyron Woodley, battling “The Chosen One” to a majority draw last November before suffering a decision loss to the champion in their rematch this past March. “Wonderboy”, however, still represents a big name in the sport and exciting fighter to watch at 170 pounds.
Masvidal and Thompson should do battle in a bout that could propel the victor back towards title contention.
Photo by Jerome Miron for USA TODAY Sports
Demian Maia vs. Tyron Woodley:
With his win over Masvidal, Maia extended his winning to streak to seven straight and he can no longer be denied a title shot. In fact, he kneeled before UFC President Dana White and asked for the shot after his win over Masvidal. White appeared to have granted him his wish.
A bout between Woodley and Maia not only makes sense from a rankings standpoint, but it is also an intriguing bout stylistically.
Woodley is an explosive and powerful fighter with brutal knockout power and a division one wrestling background. Maia, on the other hand, is arguably the very best submission artist to have ever competed inside of the Octagon, and although opponents know what’s coming, few have been able to stop it in recent memory.
It’ll be interesting to see which man can implement his game plan first when these two inevitably meet.
Photo by Jerome Miron for USA TODAY Sports
Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Rose Namajunas:
Strawweight queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk defended her 115-pound title for the fifth consecutive time last night, winning every round in a one-sided decision victory over the tough but overmatched Jessica Andrade. “Joanna Champion” is now one win away from tying Ronda Rousey’s record of most consecutive title defenses made by a female fighter.
In her sixth defense, Jedrzejczyk should meet surging contender Rose Namajunas. The 24-year-old “Thug” Rose has won four of her last five bouts and is coming off of an impressive submission win over former Invicta champion Michelle Waterson. Namajunas has improved each and every time out and she may be able to supply “Joanna Champion” with a legitimate test.
Photo by Jerome Miron for USA TODAY Sports
Stipe Miocic vs. Cain Velasquez:
Stipe Miocic continued to establish himself as an all-time heavyweight great, scoring yet another first round knockout victory over Junior Dos Santos in the second defense of his heavyweight title.
In my opinion, there’s only one opponent who makes sense for Miocic next: ex-champion Cain Velasquez.
Velasquez was scheduled to compete against Fabricio Werdum in a title eliminator last December, but he was forced to withdraw with a back injury. He hasn’t competed since.
Werdum, on the other hand, will take on Alistair Overeem in July in a bout that could potentially produce the next title challenger, although Miocic has already scored first round stoppages over both Werdum and Overeem.
With that being said, Velasquez should be the next title challenger. A bout between him and Miocic would pit two well-rounded, elite level, athletic heavyweights against each other with a title on the line.
Touted as one of the hottest prospects in the sport heading into his bout against No. 2-ranked Frankie Edgar at last night’s (Sat., May 13, 2017) UFC 211 from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, 24-year-old Yair Rodriguez had a chance to burst through into true title contention if he could top “The Answer.” However,
Touted as one of the hottest prospects in the sport heading into his bout against No. 2-ranked Frankie Edgar at last night’s (Sat., May 13, 2017) UFC 211 from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, 24-year-old Yair Rodriguez had a chance to burst through into true title contention if he could top “The Answer.”
However, the flashy striking sensation was instead left with a bevy of questions about his complete game, as Edgar expectedly used his wrestling to ground Rodriguez for two rounds, battering him with a relentless onslaught of ground and pound to earn a doctor stoppage due to the grotesquely swollen left eye of “El Pantera.” Check out the highlights of the fight right here:
After the bout, Rodriguez posted a response on his official Instagram account with a close-up photo of the mangled eye:
A post shared by Yair Rodriguez Portillo (@panteraufc) on
Here’s the translation of his reaction:
It hurts me because I have surrendered to the sport, I have changed my habits and my life, I always train to the maximum and when I reach the limit always pushed me but sometimes it is not enough to do all that and you have to do more and look in new places. I know that my performance was not at all the best and I faced who I knew would be one of the most difficult tests of my life! I mentioned it earlier and I will say it again. A defeat brought me to this point and this defeat will not leave me lying here. I came to this company and this world to face the best of the best to become the best of the best. For the time being I apologize for not being able to complete this goal that I said I would fulfill. I do not say come back stronger because I have not left. Here I stand firm and with the look to the sky! May God be the judge of my destiny and thank you all for your unconditional love and love! Watch the flags of Mexico ???????? and listen to their voices go fondly and energy towards me are priceless! And to stop me they would have to kill me first, I will not give up. #wedontstop
While it’s a definite setback for the touted future star, Rodriguez still can be the future of the UFC featherweight division if he’s able to shore up his wrestling game in a 145-pound division featuring some truly elite grinders like Edgar, Ricardo Lamas, and Chad Mendes (when he returns from suspension).
His game obviously relies on having a ton of space to unleash his awe-inspiring kicks, and we’ve seen that doesn’t always work when those kinds of fighters are pressured, most notably in the case of former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.
So Rodriguez most likely will not be able to summit the mountain top of the 145-pound elite until he makes some significant improvements to his mat game, which he does have the time to do.
For now, however, “El Pantera” just doesn’t have the answer for the still-elite Edgar.
UFC 211 goes down live on pay-per-view (PPV) tonight (Sat. May 13, 2017) from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Tonight’s event has quite the lineup in store for fight fans, as some of the best fighters in the mixed martial arts (MMA) world are on tap to compete today. Former lightweight champion Eddie
UFC 211 goes down live on pay-per-view (PPV) tonight (Sat. May 13, 2017) from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Tonight’s event has quite the lineup in store for fight fans, as some of the best fighters in the mixed martial arts (MMA) world are on tap to compete today. Former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez will take on Dustin Poirier in the FX preliminary headliner.
Former lightweight champion and two time featherweight title challenger Frankie Edgar will welcome Yair Rodriguez to the upper echelon of the 145-pound division. Next, Demian Maia and Jorge Masvidal will collide for a possible shot at the welterweight crown.
In the co-main event of the night, reigning women’s strawweight champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk will attempt to make her fifth title defense against Jessica Andrade. And in the main event of the evening, Stipe Miocic will defend his heavyweight title against former champ Junior dos Santos.
Here is the full fight card, start time and how to watch:
Main Card (PPV, 10 P.M. ET)
Heavyweight Championship: (C) Stipe Miocic (246) vs. Junior Dos Santos (245)
Cyborg Justino’s next Octagon appearance is reportedly set. The Brazilian made her UFC nearly a year ago at UFC 198 from her hometown of Fortaleza, Brazil. She took on Leslie Smith and got the first round TKO victory in just over a minute. She followed that up with another brilliant performance against UFC newcomer Lina Lansberg
Cyborg Justino’s next Octagon appearance is reportedly set.
The Brazilian made her UFC nearly a year ago at UFC 198 from her hometown of Fortaleza, Brazil. She took on Leslie Smith and got the first round TKO victory in just over a minute.
She followed that up with another brilliant performance against UFC newcomer Lina Lansberg four months later and earned yet another TKO victory. The former Invicta FC Champ campaigned hard for the UFC to implement a female 145-pound weight class, and they did – but Cyborg wasn’t a part of it.
After a brief run in with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which she was later cleared of, Cyborg is now cleared to get back into the Octagon. According to a report from Combate, Justino will be throwing down with former UFC women’s bantamweight title challenger Cat Zingano.
Zingano has had quite the career, as she has victories over former 135-pound champions Miesha Tate and Amanda Nunes. She then met former division queen Ronda Rousey and was submitted in just 14 seconds of the first round, handing her her first career loss in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA).
After nearly two years off from competition, Zingano returned last summer against Julianna Pena lost a unanimous decision after 25 minutes of combat. Now it seems she will try her hand against a women who is considered the pound-for-pound best female fighter of all time by some, 10 pounds above her usual weight class.
The pair are reportedly targeted to face-off at UFC 214 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on July 29, 2017. The card will be headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between hated rivals Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones. It also features a featherweight clash between rising featherweight star Doo Ho Choi and Andre Fili. Those are the only two fights finalized for the card as of this writing.
