Tag: Noche UFC

Cory Sandhagen calls for fight with Sean O’Malley after Noche UFC: ‘Me and him got next’

Cory Sandhagen calls for fight with Sean O'Malley after Noche UFC: 'Me and him got next'Former interim bantamweight title challenger, Cory Sandhagen has staked his claim for a long-overdue fight with now-former undisputed titleholder,…

Cory Sandhagen calls for fight with Sean O'Malley after Noche UFC: 'Me and him got next'

Former interim bantamweight title challenger, Cory Sandhagen has staked his claim for a long-overdue fight with now-former undisputed titleholder, Sean O’Malley following the latter’s defeat at Noche UFC over the course of the weekend — claiming a drawn-out pairing should take place now.

Sandhagen, the current number four ranked bantamweight contender, most recently headlined UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi earlier this summer in his return to the Octagon — dropping a one-sided unanimous judging loss to the undefeated, Umar Nurmagomedov in the pair’s officially-billed title eliminator.

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And as for Montana striker, O’Malley, the Contender Series alum headlined Noche UFC over the course of last weekend at the Las Vegas Sphere, losing his crown in a one-sided unanimous decision defeat of his own against surging wrestling ace, Merab Dvalishvili in the pair’s title grudge match.

Set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, O’Malley also confirmed how he is set to undergo a surgical procedure to address a labrum tear in his shoulder, which will keep him from action for an expected four-week period.

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Cory Sandhagen stakes claim for intriguing fight with Sean O’Malley

However, according to Aurora technician, Sandhagen, if O’Malley should be fighting anybody in his return to action following his title loss — it should be him first and foremost.

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“Good on Merab (Dvalishvili), congrats to the new champion and all of that stuff, blah blah blah but, we get into the breakdown, I’ve got to say that you are absolutely insane if you don’t want to see me and (Sean) O’Malley fight next,” Cory Sandhagen said on his YouTube channel following Noche UFC.

“You guys know that this has been a fight that’s been in the works for a really long time,” Cory Sandhagen explained. “I’m not going to try and sound like I am throwing this idea out at your guys, you already know that’s a good idea — me and O’Malley got next.”

Former UFC Champ Says Herb Dean Officiated ‘Like He Had Money On O’Malley’ At UFC 306

Count former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw among those confused by Herb Dean’s actions in this past weekend’s main event. The veteran official was tasked with being the third man inside the Octagon for the Noche UFC (UFC 306) headliner inside the Sphere, where Sean O’Malley put his 135-pound gold on the line against Merab […]

Continue Reading Former UFC Champ Says Herb Dean Officiated ‘Like He Had Money On O’Malley’ At UFC 306 at MMA News.

Count former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw among those confused by Herb Dean’s actions in this past weekend’s main event.

The veteran official was tasked with being the third man inside the Octagon for the Noche UFC (UFC 306) headliner inside the Sphere, where Sean O’Malley put his 135-pound gold on the line against Merab Dvalishvili.

Dean wasn’t short on involvement early on, with a war of words between the challenger and coach Tim Welch in O’Malley’s corner forcing his intervention, shortly followed by a warning to “The Machine” for repeatedly kissing the defending champ’s back while in control of him on the ground.

Later in the fight, the referee featured in a different way as he frequently called for more action while Dvalishvili held a dominant grappling position.

While that was enough to cause debate, Dean’s decision to do the same while the pair were on the feet in the main event’s dying seconds saw him become the subject of heavy criticism from the commentary team and fans online.

Dillashaw Slams Dean For UFC 306 Main Event Refereeing: ‘Shouldn’t Be Involved Like That’

During a recent episode of the JAXXON PODCAST, Dillashaw looked back on the events that unfolded inside the Sphere alongside Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Luke Rockhold, and Jason Parillo.

The former UFC bantamweight champion was firm with his criticism of the third man inside the cage for Saturday’s headliner, suggesting Dean refereed favorably toward the defending champion.

“It’s complete bullsh*t,” Dillashaw said. “You can’t tell two fighters to work when they’re on their feet. I could run circles if I wanted to. You can’t tell me to go and work. … It’s not like I’m stalling against the cage. We’re striking, and you’re telling me to work. Like, I might run into something now ’cause you’re coaching me on how I am supposed to fight. The ref shouldn’t be involved like that.

“I thought it was very weird. It was almost like he had money on O’Malley,” Dillashaw continued. “(It was) like he wanted Merab to keep going so O’Malley could catch him with something. It was weird.”

Dean’s performance in the main event has remained a prominent talking point days on from the show, as has factors away from the fighting action itself such as Welch’s controversial corner tactics.

While many have lauded the UFC for the spectacle it put on inside the Sphere, those likely weren’t the topics that the promotion hoped would come out of the pay-per-view main event.

Continue Reading Former UFC Champ Says Herb Dean Officiated ‘Like He Had Money On O’Malley’ At UFC 306 at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley’s Coach Rejects ‘Unsportsmanlike’ Accusations At UFC 306: ‘This Is A Fight!’ 

Tim Welch, coach of recently dethroned UFC star Sean O’Malley, has hit back at claims his calls to opposition fighters from the corner is “unsportsmanlike.” Welch was unable to guide his man to a second successful title defense in Las Vegas this past weekend, where the unique Sphere venue played host to the UFC’s second […]

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley’s Coach Rejects ‘Unsportsmanlike’ Accusations At UFC 306: ‘This Is A Fight!’  at MMA News.

Tim Welch, coach of recently dethroned UFC star Sean O’Malley, has hit back at claims his calls to opposition fighters from the corner is “unsportsmanlike.”

Welch was unable to guide his man to a second successful title defense in Las Vegas this past weekend, where the unique Sphere venue played host to the UFC’s second annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day.

“Suga” was comfortably outpointed across five rounds by Merab Dvalishvili, who recorded an 11th straight triumph inside the Octagon to secure his long-awaited championship crowning on MMA’s biggest stage.

The headlining fight was an odd affair, and that was the case almost immediately. In the opening seconds, referee Herb Dean had to interfere as Dvalishvili began lambasting O’Malley’s corner.

As it turned out, coach Welch had been up to his old tricks, repeating the opposition coaching he employed in an attempt to fool Aljamain Sterling into an ill-advised rush in Boston last year.

The Georgian wasn’t about to let those antics go unanswered, and many in the community have since backed him up and criticized the actions of O’Malley’s trainer.

Coach Welch On Controversial Corner Strategy: ‘If There’s Any Way To Do A Little Bit Of Mind Games…’

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Welch reflected on his man’s championship loss inside the Sphere and touched on the controversy surrounding his input in the fight.

Welch said he was surprised at Dvalishvili’s emotional outburst following one remark early on, which he went on to defend by insisting that he’ll always look for an edge that could aid his fighter inside the cage.

“He must have been anticipating that a little bit. But I really wasn’t going out of my way to yell,” Welch said. “I was surprised how much he freaked out. He let his emotions freakin’ get to him in there. But, it didn’t do anything, it didn’t matter one bit.

“It’s not like I’m being unsportsmanlike. I mean, it’s a little mind games. People sometimes forget that this is a fight. He’s fighting my buddy, a really close buddy who I’ve spent a lot of years growing up with. He’s fighting him, trying to beat him up,” Welch continued. “If there’s any way to do a little bit of mind games when it comes to war, I’m gonna do it. If I was your coach and I thought it might help you win, maybe just a little bit, then I’d probably do it also.”

Whether or not such a strategy contributed to O’Malley’s title-winning performance against Sterling is up for debate, but there’s no doubt about the lack of affect it had on proceedings at UFC 306.

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley’s Coach Rejects ‘Unsportsmanlike’ Accusations At UFC 306: ‘This Is A Fight!’  at MMA News.

Terence Crawford laughs off Kendrick Lamar mix-Up during UFC broadcast

Terence Crawford laughs off Kendrick Lamar mix-Up during UFC broadcastUnbeaten light middleweight world champion, Terence Crawford has shared his thoughts on the apparent mix-up between himself and fan-favorite…

Terence Crawford laughs off Kendrick Lamar mix-Up during UFC broadcast

Unbeaten light middleweight world champion, Terence Crawford has shared his thoughts on the apparent mix-up between himself and fan-favorite rapper and musician, Kendrick Lamar during the broadcast of Noche UFC at the Las Vegas Sphere over the weekend — claiming it was likely done just for laughs.

Crawford, a current welterweight and light middleweight world champion, has been sidelined since he managed to improve his stunning unbeaten professional record to 41-0 back in August, landing a decision win over Israil Madrimov in Los Angeles.

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And linked with a massive super middleweight title charge against Canelo Alvarez — who landed a win over challenger, Edgar Berlanga over the course of the weekend, Terence Crawford attended Noche UFC at the Las Vegas Sphere — seated next to Saudi adviser, Turki Alalshikh.

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Making his way to the broadcast to boot alongside Alalshikh, Nebraska native, Crawford was shown on the official UFC tape, with them labelling him as musician, Lamar — to much confusion and laughter from fans and on social media.

Terence Crawford talks mix-up with Kendrick Lamar at Noche UFC

Reacting to the mix-up, world champion puncher, Crawford found the funny side of things, claiming the mix-up was likely done on purpose just for laughs.

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“I just wasn’t taking any notice of it, and then I started seeing the pictures on my phone and everyone laughing,” Terence Crawford told TMZ Sports. “I didn’t [hear from him] — to be honest, I think it was intentionally done. Just for laughter, because how can you get us mixed up? But all in all, it was funny to me.”

Long-linked with a massive title fight with Jalisco striker, Canelo before the end of this year if not next annum, Crawford’s seating arrangement alongside the above-mentioned Saudi adviser and broker, Alalshikh added further fuel to the flames on a potential massive title showdown between the duo.

Brendan Schaub On UFC Show At ‘Rainforest Cafe’ Sphere: ‘Looks Great But The Product Is Sh*t’

Not everybody was impressed with the UFC’s debut event inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere this past weekend. Saturday saw MMA’s leading promotion stage its latest pay-per-view and second Noche UFC celebration from the Sphere, marking the first live sporting event to take place at the Las Vegas venue. In addition to the two […]

Continue Reading Brendan Schaub On UFC Show At ‘Rainforest Cafe’ Sphere: ‘Looks Great But The Product Is Sh*t’ at MMA News.

Not everybody was impressed with the UFC’s debut event inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere this past weekend.

Saturday saw MMA’s leading promotion stage its latest pay-per-view and second Noche UFC celebration from the Sphere, marking the first live sporting event to take place at the Las Vegas venue.

In addition to the two high-stakes championship headliners, all eyes were on the $20 million production the UFC put on using the Sphere’s technology.

When it comes to the latter, the overall reception across the MMA community appeared to be largely positive. But in terms of the main and co-main event fights themselves, the consensus trended in a different direction.

And for one former UFC fighter, the action inside the Octagon remained the night’s priority, rendering the Sphere experiment a failure…

Schaub Not A Fan Of UFC’s Sphere Spectacle

During the latest episode of his podcast, Schaub gave his assessment of the UFC’s Sphere PPV and the fights that went down at the organization’s second annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day.

With his preference being excitement inside the Octagon over the additional production that came with the venue, Schaub was left disappointed by the event as a whole.

“My issue is the product that I paid to watch was not great. It wasn’t a pay-per-view-worthy card,” Schaub said. “The bell of the ball is the Sphere. Therefore, what you’re paying for, unless you’re in-person, ain’t that great, dude. And the main event and co-main event, boy did the UFC gamble and they lost.

“You know what the Sphere is? It’s Rainforest Cafe. It looks f*cking great but the product is sh*t,” Schaub continued. “UFC doing events at the Sphere is Rainforest Cafe. Looks great, fun experience, the actual product sucks. I’d rather watch great fights at the Apex center. I don’t need all that. Maybe I’m the minority.”

UFC CEO Dana White has remained firm in calling the Sept. 14 event a one-and-done show, something Schaub and those sharing the same sentiment will no doubt be pleased to hear.

But with plenty calling for a repeat experience down the line, perhaps the promotional higher-ups will be tempted to reverse their stance and put on another night of action at the venue, hopefully with headliners that deliver fireworks second time around.

Continue Reading Brendan Schaub On UFC Show At ‘Rainforest Cafe’ Sphere: ‘Looks Great But The Product Is Sh*t’ at MMA News.

NSFW: Brian Ortega’s gory eye injury revealed by Dana White post-UFC 306

NSFW: Brian Ortega's gory eye injury revealed by Dana White post-UFC 306Suffering a comprehensive unanimous decision loss against surging Brazilian foe, Diego Lopes on the main card of Noche UFC,…

NSFW: Brian Ortega's gory eye injury revealed by Dana White post-UFC 306

Suffering a comprehensive unanimous decision loss against surging Brazilian foe, Diego Lopes on the main card of Noche UFC, former title chaser, Brian Ortega was left bloodied, bruised and battered following his loss — as revealed by promotional CEO, Dana White.

Ortega, who slipped to number five in the official featherweight rankings following the decision loss to surging challenger, Lopes, was stunned early in the opening round of their main card rescheduled pairing, and dropped soon thereafter.

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Succumbing to a unanimous decision loss, former two-time undisputed featherweight title challenger, Brian Ortega would then receive a nasty jibe from an attendee at the Las Vegas Sphere, who pointed to his past relationship with fellow UFC star, Tracy Cortez.

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Brian Ortega suffers nasty orbital injury following Noche UFC loss to Diego Lopes

And joining a list of rather ghastly injuries following the Sphere card over the course of the weekend, Ortega rivalled former undisputed bantamweight title challenger, Irene Aldana for post-fight injuries — with the Mexican dealing with a massive laceration over her right eye.

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Following the event, UFC boss, White revealed the extent of Ortega’s injuries following the event — appearing to suffer a nasty orbital injury and some real significant swelling.

Briefly returning to winning ways before his decision loss against the streaking Lopes, Ortega had avenged a prior TKO loss against former interim champion, Yair Rodriguez — submitting the Chihuahua striker with a third round arm-triangle submission choke in their UFC Fight Night Mexico City co-main event back in February — earning himself a Performance of the Night bonus to boot.