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.”
It’s been hard to deny Demian Maia a shot at the UFC welterweight title with his recent string of performances, but the UFC has had no such issue doing just that as of late. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist is currently on a seven fight win streak over names such as Neil Magny, Gunnar Nelson, Matt
It’s been hard to deny Demian Maia a shot at the UFC welterweight title with his recent string of performances, but the UFC has had no such issue doing just that as of late.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist is currently on a seven fight win streak over names such as Neil Magny, Gunnar Nelson, Matt Brown, Carlos Condit, and Jorge Masvidal. Last night (Sat. May 13, 2017) Maia earned his seventh straight victory with a split decision win over Masvidal at the UFC 211 pay-per-view (PPV) from Dallas.
During the post-fight press conference, Maia stated that he refuses to begin trash talking in order to receive a title shot that he has arguably earned a long time ago. Maia said he has been promised the 170-pound title on multiple occasions, but has been continuously duped (quotes via MMA Fighting):
“A lot of people came up to me and said you need to trash talk,” Maia said. “That’s not me.”
“What I learned lately in my life is that, don’t get too stressed with things that I don’t have control,” Maia said. “Once I won against Gunnar Nelson, they invited me to watch [Robbie] Lawler and [Carlos] Condit in that time. I was supposed to be the next, they were recording me, I was in the front row, but then things change.
“Then I came and won against Matt Brown and they say okay now we’re gonna fight, and then, no, let’s fight Condit. And then I won against Condit, former interim champion, in a very good way and said, ‘okay, now we’re going to fight,’ and no, and finally I got this one. I don’t know, you know? I just relax and I not put this pressure on me anymore.”
Photo by Jerome Miron for USA TODAY Sports
If Maia does finally get the nod to challenge current welterweight champion Tyron Woodley for the title, he won’t turn into somebody he’s not just to try and earn more PPV points:
“That’s my personality,” Maia said. “I’m not going to change that. I’m not going to sell myself just because I want to be a champion, just because I want to make more money, you know? I don’t sell myself. I am what I am. I’m a role model for a lot of people, for my kids. I don’t want to just change because I want to make more money. I’m going to do something, more people are going to like me, I know I have a lot of fans, and it’s a big mistake try to please everybody.”
Maia’s previous wins inside the Octagon have come rather easily for him, having choked out Matt Brown and former interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit consecutively before last night. His fight against Masvidal, however, was much more difficult and he gives “Gamebred” all the credit he deserves for his effort:
“I’ve won seven in a row and I think that was probably the toughest one,” Maia said, “because, the last fights I was controlling all the time, even the fights I didn’t submit, but this one was tougher. You know he really came prepared for my jiu-jitsu and he was defending well the submissions, but I was able to get my positions and I was trying to submit him all the time.”
Although their rematch, which took place in the main event of last night’s (May 13, 2017) UFC 211 from Dallas, Texas, didn’t last too long, Stipe Miocic and Junior Dos Santos both saw moments of success. In fact, Dos Santos felt as if he had Miocic in some trouble early on. After landing a few
Although their rematch, which took place in the main event of last night’s (May 13, 2017) UFC 211 from Dallas, Texas, didn’t last too long, Stipe Miocic and Junior Dos Santos both saw moments of success.
In fact, Dos Santos felt as if he had Miocic in some trouble early on.
After landing a few vicious kicks flush on Miocic’s leg, Dos Santos thought his plan was ‘working’. The former titleholder even felt as if he was ‘going to win’:
“I’m very disappointed, not because he won the fight, but because I lost,” Dos Santos told MMAJunkie. “I didn’t do any mistakes. Actually, everything was working very well. I know he walks forward all the time. And I like to walk backward and enjoy the opportunities that my opponents give me. I was throwing some hard kicks, and they were working very well until – I remember, the last kick I threw at him, he felt a lot. And I felt I did well. ‘Now I have to move.’ And then I don’t remember anymore.
“After the third kick, I felt happy in my heart. I said, ‘Man, it’s working; I’m going to win.’ And then, you know – heavyweights.”
As Dos Santos mentioned, however, anything can happen in a fight between two heavyweights. Despite showing some signs of damage from the leg kicks, Miocic charged forward before landing a picture perfect right hand that sent JDS crashing to the canvas.
While “Cigano” admitted that he was ‘sad’ with how the fight turned out, he said that he was ‘glad’ that a fighter like Miocic had heavyweight gold strapped around his waist:
“I didn’t do any mistakes; it was on him,” Dos Santos said. “He did very well, actually. Heavyweights, man. I’m sad, of course. I’d like to win this. I’d like to become the champion again. But if I’m not the champion, I’m glad this guy is the champion. He’s a really nice guy. I still think the same. He deserves that. And tonight was his night.
“That’s the heavyweight division. I think I’ve already made many men feel like that. It’s terrible. I was prepared. I am prepared. And I had a lot to give there. And everything was working very well, the way we expected. We know he’s a tough guy who would walk forward all the time.”
With the victory, Miocic tied the all-time record for most consecutive title defenses in the heavyweight division with two. With five straight T/KO victories under his belt, however, Miocic seems poised for greatness and Dos Santos agrees:
“It’s going to take a lot,” Dos Santos said. “This guy is the real deal, like I said during the week. He’s doing very well. He has really heavy hands. The way I see it, he’s going to continue to grow in this division … and become one of the greatest.”
Who would you like to see Miocic defend his title against next?
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 is in the books, and now it’s time for Reebok to pay the fighters their sponsorship money. UFC 211 took place on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Four bouts aired on the UFC Fight Pass prelims at 6 p.m. ET while the FX prelims aired at
UFC 211 is in the books, and now it’s time for Reebok to pay the fighters their sponsorship money.
UFC 211 took place on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Four bouts aired on the UFC Fight Pass prelims at 6 p.m. ET while the FX prelims aired at 8 p.m. ET. The five bouts will take place on the main card that aired on pay-per-view (PPV) at 10 p.m. ET.
Photo by Jerome Miron for USA TODAY Sports
A UFC Heavyweight Championship bout between current champion Stipe Miocic and former champion Junior dos Santos served as the main event. Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. vs. Jessica Andrade in a UFC Strawweight Championship bout served as the co-main event. Rounding out the main card was Demian Maia vs. Jorge Masvidal in a welterweight bout, Frankie Edgar vs. Yair Rodriguez in a featherweight bout and Krzysztof Jotko vs. David Branch in a middleweight bout.
The full payouts include:
Stipe Miocic: $40,000 def. Junior Dos Santos: $30,000
