Tag: PFL 5

Francis Ngannou claims UFC star Jon Jones felt ‘The pressure’ following heated PFL 5 staredown

Francis Ngannou claims Jon Jones felt the pressure in PFL 5 staredownFormer undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, has claimed his arch-rival and current undisputed promotional titleholder, Jon Jones most recently “feels the pressure” following their PFL 5: Regular Season staredown earlier this weekend.  Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, departed the organization back in January after the completion of […]

Francis Ngannou claims Jon Jones felt the pressure in PFL 5 staredown

Former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, has claimed his arch-rival and current undisputed promotional titleholder, Jon Jones most recently “feels the pressure” following their PFL 5: Regular Season staredown earlier this weekend. 

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, departed the organization back in January after the completion of his contractual obligations with the Dana White-led banner back in December of last year.

As for Jones, the former light heavyweight champion returned triumphantly from a three-year-plus hiatus at UFC 285 back in March, submitting common-foe, Ciryl Gane with an opening round guillotine choke in the pair’s vacant championship fight. 

Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou were continually linked with an eventual fight

Poking fun at Batié knockout artist, Ngannou’s move to the Peter Murray-led PFL (Professional Fighters League) earlier this year, Jones questioned how the Cameroonian could call himself the best heavyweight in the world, whilst not competing under the banner of the UFC anymore.

And despite initially sharing some candid words regarding his relationship with Ngannou, Jones would then meet with the ex-champion face-to-face –  SmartCage-side, claiming that he didn’t want to fight him.

“I know that I’m badder than him (Francis Ngannou),” Jon Jones said. “So, I don’t have to give him any weird looks or whatever. He’s big muscles, he’s a very impressive looking figure, but when it comes to this fight game, it’s my whole world and I know who I am.”

“I’ve met Francis before, he’s a sweetheart of a guy,” Jon Jones explained. “Outside of the fight game, he’s a pretty respectful guy. I can be pretty respectful as well. I’m looking forward to seeing the brother and giving him some knuckles.”

Himself sharing his opinion on his tense face-off with Jones, Francis Ngannou tweeted, “He (Jon Jones) feels the pressure” – accompanied by footage of their staredown. 

Exclusive | Stevie Ray Details Anthony Pettis Rematch, Hopes to Face Alex Martinez in PFL Playoff Finals

Stevie Ray Anthony Pettis rematchAfter an action-packed night of fights at PFL 5, Stevie Ray has moved on to the PFL playoffs, where he will face legend Anthony Pettis in a rematch. After his fight at PFL 5, Stevie Ray made the time to chat with us at LowKick MMA, discussing his finish over Pettis, the rematch, and how […]

Stevie Ray Anthony Pettis rematch

After an action-packed night of fights at PFL 5, Stevie Ray has moved on to the PFL playoffs, where he will face legend Anthony Pettis in a rematch.

After his fight at PFL 5, Stevie Ray made the time to chat with us at LowKick MMA, discussing his finish over Pettis, the rematch, and how he would like to face Alex Martinez in the final fight for the $1 million prize.

“There’s four guys in the tournament,” Stevie Ray began. “One’s beat me (Alex Martinez), and I’ve beat one of them as well (Anthony Pettis). Like I said, I do believe ring rust played a factor in the Martinez fight.”

“I also made some mistakes, like fight IQ and decisions. Like chasing the legs, took too long… Martinez is a good fighter, and he’s a really good guy as well. He’s a really nice guy. He’s one of those guys that, I may be being biased here but, I feel like if I fought him ten times, I’d beat him nine. And he’s obviously won the first one. He’s a good, tough fighter. But I feel maybe I gave the fight (the first one) away.”

Stevie Ray Details the Anthony Pettis Rematch, and PFL Playoffs

“I’ve got Pettis first. I’ve got to get through him again,” Stevie Ray continued. “I cannot look past him. That will be my main thing, just focusing on him. Because he’ll be wanting payback… So, the plan is to beat him again, which I believe I will. Then, I’d like to get my rematch with Martinez. Just to tick that one-off. But, yeah. I’d be happy with whoever.”

‘BraveHeart’ would continue on, talking about how happy he is in the PFL, despite him “spoiling the party,” by defeating Pettis at PFL 5. When asked if it gave him a chip on his shoulder, that PFL favored Pettis with promotional push, he’d say that it did a little.

“To start with I was going to say not really… But, yeah, I suppose a little bit. Because If you go and look on paper, at some of the guy’s I’ve beat, I feel like I’ve maybe not had the push maybe that I’ve deserved… But, hopefully, that’s not the case. Hopefully, that’s what I get now. Hopefully, I’ve kind of just unlocked it now… I said that to Ray (the owner of PFL) as well, I’m your new guy… I always come to fight, I always push for the finish.”

Stevie Ray finished Anthony Pettis via modified twister at PFL 5, but there’s no telling what happens when they rematch in the playoffs. Anthony Pettis is now 2-3 in his last five, and this rematch with ‘BraveHeart’ will no doubt be extremely pivotal.

Check out the full interview below!

What do you think happens when Anthony Pettis and Stevie Ray throw down for the second time?

Exclusive | Stevie Ray Talks Anthony Pettis Submission, Describes Modified Twister

Stevie Ray interview Anthony Pettis SubmissionAfter a stunning submission over Anthony Pettis, Scotland’s very own Stevie Ray stopped by to speak with us at LowKick MMA about the thrilling victory at PFL 5. There was some confusion on what the submission that finished Pettis precisely was, as it was such a rare and unique technique that even the commentators weren’t […]

Stevie Ray interview Anthony Pettis Submission

After a stunning submission over Anthony Pettis, Scotland’s very own Stevie Ray stopped by to speak with us at LowKick MMA about the thrilling victory at PFL 5.

There was some confusion on what the submission that finished Pettis precisely was, as it was such a rare and unique technique that even the commentators weren’t quite sure what it actually was. Thankfully, ‘Braveheart’ cleared that up for us.

“So, it’s a modified twister,” Stevie Ray clarified. “I land it in the gym a lot, it’s a move that I use… Last year I was on Polaris… I submitted another guy, Craig Ewers; a BJJ, and Judo blackbelt, and I got him with it… It was a little bit different because it’s the same from the body triangle with the leg on the inside, but when I did it with Craig Ewers, I done it a little bit more of the traditional way. Like I went under the head, and I’m side on, but it’s still from the body triangle.”

“So yeah, and the other way, again: is when they come up on top,” Ray continued. “And in MMA… they (the opponent) will try and come up on top more often because they’re thinking they’re coming up in a guard…”

Stevie Ray Talks About Planning the Anthony Pettis Submission, Almost Chose a Rear Naked Choke Instead

“It’s a legit move. I planned it. When I had his back, I knew he did that escape. So, at one point I was kind of a bit: ‘Should I let him do it? Should I try and rear-naked choke him?’ and then I was like, ‘You know what, I’m gonna let him come up, and give him it.’”

“Everyone at my gym Higher Level MMA, at home, as soon as I got the body triangle they knew that I was probably gonna hit that. Even though I’ve got to be a bit careful with it in the gym because it’s obviously a brutal submission, I’ve landed it a lot, on most of my training partners.”

Watch the full interview below:

Stevie Ray finished Anthony Pettis 3:57 into round two and proved that bettors were wrong to have him be such a sizable underdog leading into the fight. Now, ‘BraveHeart’ advances into the PFL playoffs, where he meets Anthony Pettis again for a rematch.

Do you think Stevie Ray will defeat Anthony Pettis in the rematch?

PFL 5: Cappelozza vs. Scheffel Results and Highlights

PFL 5: Cappelozza vs. Scheffel took place live on Friday, June 24th on ESPN, and MMA News is here to bring you the results and highlights! It was the heavyweights and featherweights in action tonight, with the event headlined by Bruno Cappelozza and Matheus Scheffel. The co-main event saw former UFC champion Anthony Pettis take…

Continue Reading PFL 5: Cappelozza vs. Scheffel Results and Highlights at MMA News.

PFL 5: Cappelozza vs. Scheffel took place live on Friday, June 24th on ESPN, and MMA News is here to bring you the results and highlights!

It was the heavyweights and featherweights in action tonight, with the event headlined by Bruno Cappelozza and Matheus Scheffel. The co-main event saw former UFC champion Anthony Pettis take on another former UFC veteran, Stevie Ray.

The PFL 5 preliminary card began at 5:30 PM ET and aired exclusively on ESPN+. The main card starts at 9:00 PM ET and was simulcast on ESPN and ESPN+.

You can get all caught up on where each of tonight’s combatants are in the current PFL standings here.

Below, you can view the full lineup for tonight’s card. Be sure to check out the final results and highlights!

Denis Goltsov def. Maurice Greene

Bubba Jenkins def. Reinaldo Ekson

Ante Delija def. Shelton Graves

Chris Wade def. Kyle Bochniak

Klidson Abreu def. Renan Ferreira

Stevie Ray def. Anthony Pettis

Matheus Scheffel def. Bruno Cappelozza

MAIN CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET)

  • Matheus Scheffel def. Bruno Cappelozza via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
  • Stevie Ray def. Anthony Pettis via submission (twister), R2 – 3:57
  • Klidson Abreu def. Renan Ferreira via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
  • Chris Wade def. Kyle Bochniak via KO (head kick, punches) R1 – 1:10
  • Ante Delija def. Shelton Graves via unanimous decision (29-27 x 3)
  • Bubba Jenkins def. Reinaldo Ekson via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
  • Denis Goltsov def. Maurice Greene via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5:30 p.m. ET)

  • Lance Palmer def. Sheymon Moraes via unanimous decision (29-28 x 2, 30-27)
  • Juan Adams def. Sam Kei via KO (punch), R2 – 2:30
  • Ryoji Kudo def. Alejandro Flores via KO (punch), R1 – 2:52
  • Brendan Loughnane def. Ago Huskic via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)

Continue Reading PFL 5: Cappelozza vs. Scheffel Results and Highlights at MMA News.

PFL 5 Matchups: Bruno Cappelozza, Anthony Pettis Return

Former UFC and WEC champion Anthony Pettis and defending PFL heavyweight champion Bruno Cappelozza will headline PFL 5 on June 24th. The PFL announced the full fight card in a press release for the upcoming June 24th event as fighters such as Cappelozza and Pettis push for a playoff spot. Heavyweights and featherweights will be…

Continue Reading PFL 5 Matchups: Bruno Cappelozza, Anthony Pettis Return at MMA News.

Former UFC and WEC champion Anthony Pettis and defending PFL heavyweight champion Bruno Cappelozza will headline PFL 5 on June 24th.

The PFL announced the full fight card in a press release for the upcoming June 24th event as fighters such as Cappelozza and Pettis push for a playoff spot.

Heavyweights and featherweights will be the main features on the card, except for Pettis’ lightweight fight against Stevie Ray. Cappelozza will face Matheus Scheffel, who fell to 2021 runner-up Ante Delija at PFL 2 back in April via a second-round knockout.

Cappelozza will get a second-straight main event slot after dismantling Stuart Austin in his 2022 PFL debut. He won the 2021 PFL heavyweight title over Delija via a unanimous decision.

Pettis makes his return to the PFL cage after a first-round submission win over Myles Price. He is looking to clinch a playoff spot after failing to reach the PFL postseason last year.

Cappelozza and Pettis’ matchups will be preceded by the return of 2021 featherweight finalist Chris Wade, along with former 145lb champion Lance Palmer. Brendan Loughnane also returns against former Dana White’s Contender Series standout Boston Salmon while Bubba Jenkins faces Saba Bolaghi.

The next three PFL cards, including the June 24th card, will take place in Atlanta, GA at the Overtime Elite Arena.

What are your thoughts on the PFL 5 card on June 24th? What are your predictions for Bruno Cappelozza and Anthony Pettis?

Continue Reading PFL 5 Matchups: Bruno Cappelozza, Anthony Pettis Return at MMA News.

Tibau Backtracks On Admission Of Surprise At MacDonald Win

PFL welterweight Gleison Tibau appears to have taken a sizeable U-turn on his view of his controversial decision win over Rory MacDonald. Tibau was awarded a split decision victory over “Red King” at PFL 5 last week. The judges’ scori…

PFL welterweight Gleison Tibau appears to have taken a sizeable U-turn on his view of his controversial decision win over Rory MacDonald. Tibau was awarded a split decision victory over “Red King” at PFL 5 last week. The judges’ scoring left all sections of the MMA community baffled, with most giving at least two rounds […]

Continue Reading Tibau Backtracks On Admission Of Surprise At MacDonald Win at MMA News.