Tag: UFC 275

The Countdown To UFC 275: Teixeira vs. Procházka Has Officially Begun

Fight week for UFC 275: Teixeira vs. Procházka is upon us, and the countdown has officially begun. The UFC has released their official UFC 275 Countdown video, which features the tripleheader that will be on display this Saturday, June 11, 2022. The main event will feature the colorful Ji?í Procházka challenge Glover Teixeira for the…

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Fight week for UFC 275: Teixeira vs. Procházka is upon us, and the countdown has officially begun.

The UFC has released their official UFC 275 Countdown video, which features the tripleheader that will be on display this Saturday, June 11, 2022.

The main event will feature the colorful Ji?í Procházka challenge Glover Teixeira for the light heavyweight championship. After winning UFC gold at 42 years old, Teixeira could have just as easily ridden off into the sunset. Instead, he has circled back for arguably the most dangerous fight he could have right now when he takes on the one-man finish factory that is Ji?í Procházka.

The co-main event will see UFC flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko defend her title against the 19-1 Taila Santos. Shevchenko has been levels above everyone put in front of her, but none of her opponents has boasted the winning percentage that Santos does. You won’t want to miss this fresh face and latest assignment for the “Bullet” assassin.

And who can overlook the feature strawweight rematch between former champions Joanna J?drzejczyk and Zhang Weili?? The official Countdown video ensures that the first fight is not forgotten and that fans can’t help but remember to tune in for the encore.

Here is what you can expect to see from the UFC 275 Countdown video.

“To all the young dreamers out there, and also the old folks, because I’m 42 and I’m still doing it, dreams are possible” – Glover Teixeira

Glover Teixeira
Glover Teixeira

In the Countdown video, we ride shotgun through Teixeira’s odyssey that culminated in championship gold. The tour also includes a trip with the champion to Brazil, where he shared his joy with his compatriots and also served as a beacon of inspiration.

“After some time in Japan, I realize it’s my destiny to be the champ in the league of the best.” – Ji?í Procházka

Ji Proch zka

In the Countdown video, we get an intimate glimpse into the warrior mentality of Ji?í Procházka. We also are reminded of the controlled frenzy he carries with him into every fight, one finish after another around the globe.

“I really want to show that there is no limits for no one.” – Valentina Shevchenko

Valentina Shevchenko
Valentina Shevchenko (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

The Countdown video portrays the flyweight queen as the renaissance woman she is. We also get a glimpse into Shevchenko’s home life, including hearing from the matriarch of the Shevchenko family herself, mother of Valentina and Antonina, Elena Shevchenko.

“Valentina, she’s not unbeatable. I’ve seen some of her flaws on the ground, in her striking, too. She’s the champion, right? Until we fight.” – Taila Santos

Confirmed: Valentina Shevchenko set to defend her UFC women's flyweight championship against Taila Santos at UFC 275 » FirstSportz
Taila Santos

The Countdown video introduces those who may be familiar with Saturday’s flyweight title challenger Taila Santos, and viewers come away with a better understanding of why she is as confident as she appears to be ahead of UFC 275.

“Sometimes defeat teaches you more than victory. Sometimes we lose a fight because of details. We’ve tried more techniques this time. I call it ‘Weili 3.0.’” – Zhang Weili

Zhang Weili
Zhang Weili

The Countdown video does the initial classic between Zhang and J?drzejczyk justice, and we also peek into the mentality and preparations of both fierce competitors ahead of the rematch. For Zhang, she is looking to learn from her recent defeats to Rose Namajunas by sharpening up her boxing skills, speed, and even her power.

“We are not the same after our fight. You made me better. I’m coming for the Knockout of the Year this time.” – Joanna J?drzejczyk

Weili Zhang Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Image Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

One word best captures how the Countdown video depicts Joanna J?drzejczyk: rejuvenated. J?drzejczyk has been traveling the globe and keeping herself busy yet relaxed with various interests. All the while, she hasn’t lost her will to compete or avenge her initial loss to Weili.

UFC 275 comes to you from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. You can view the full lineup for the card below followed by the UFC’s official Countdown video. And be sure to stick with MMA News this fight week for all the latest updates regarding UFC 275!

(card and bout order subject to change)

UFC 275 Main Card (PPV, 10:00 PM ET)

Light Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Glover Teixeira (c) vs. Ji?í Procházka
Women’s Flyweight Championship Bout: Valentina Shevchenko (c)vs. Taila Santos
Women’s Strawweight: Zhang Weili vs. Joanna J?drzejczyk
Welterweight: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Ramazan Emeev
Flyweight: Rogério Bontorin vs. Manel Kape

Preliminary Card (ESPN2/ESPN+, 8:00 PM ET)

Featherweight Seung Woo Choi vs. Joshua Culibao
Middleweight Jacob Malkoun vs. Brendan Allen
Lightweight: Steve Garcia vs. Hayisaer Maheshate
Bantamweight: Kang Kyung-ho vs. Danaa Batgerel

Early Preliminary Card (ESPN+, 6:30 PM ET)

Welterweight Jake Matthews vs. André Fialho
Women’s Strawweight: Liang Na vs. Silvana Gómez Juárez
Women’s Bantamweight: Ramona Pascual vs. Joselyne Edwards

Finally, you can check out the official UFC 275 Countdown video below!

Continue Reading The Countdown To UFC 275: Teixeira vs. Procházka Has Officially Begun at MMA News.

Valentina Shevchenko Breaks Down Taila Santos To Her Face

UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko recently assessed the threat of upcoming opponent Taila Santos during a face-to-face virtual press conference. Shevchenko has sat on the 125-pound throne since winning the vacant belt with a victory over Joanna J?drzejczyk in 2018. Since then, “Bullet” has brushed aside six challengers, including Jessica Eye, Katlyn Chookagian, Jennifer…

Continue Reading Valentina Shevchenko Breaks Down Taila Santos To Her Face at MMA News.

UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko recently assessed the threat of upcoming opponent Taila Santos during a face-to-face virtual press conference.

Shevchenko has sat on the 125-pound throne since winning the vacant belt with a victory over Joanna J?drzejczyk in 2018. Since then, “Bullet” has brushed aside six challengers, including Jessica Eye, Katlyn Chookagian, Jennifer Maia, and Jéssica Andrade.

With her motivation and hunger to retain her place at the top of the ladder as high as ever, Shevchenko will look to add a seventh championship defense to her résumé at UFC 275, scheduled to take place in Singapore on June 11.

In the pay-per-view’s co-main event, the champion will go toe-to-toe with #4-ranked contender Santos, who has won four straight to secure her first shot at UFC gold.

Ahead of next month’s blockbuster event, both women appeared on a virtual press call together, during which Shevchenko broke down the latest challenger to her dominant rule, while Santos listened on.

“I think that she is a very strong fighter. She has like, a lot of physical power, and everything,” assessed Shevchenko. “Another thing, fighting for the title, it requires to be the best from the other girls, who are like, behind her. That’s why it’s always — I am preparing my best, my 100% for everything… I respect all my contenders, all my opponents, and this makes me, not underestimate their skills, but also seeing their weak sides.”

Shevchenko Dismisses Santos’ Ground Confidence

Later in the face-to-face presser, Santos was asked what she believes her key to victory will be on June 11. The Brazilian identified the need to take the fight to the ground as the most important aspect in her quest for gold.

It’s safe to say that the champion disagrees with that notion.

When asked for her response, Shevchenko noted that her previous opponents have always identified a certain area in which they can best her in but have always failed to succeed come fight night. The Kyrgyzstani anticipates the same fate for Santos in Singapore.

“It’s the same response for all my other opponents. Someone was thinking they had better striking, another was thinking they have better wrestling. But, you know, the Octagon showed them that they’re wrong,” said Shevchenko.

“And this is like, the most important part of this contest, this fight, to see the frustration on their face when they understand they’re not better.”

“I don’t have any issues to fight on the ground, standup, wrestle; whichever, because being UFC champion, MMA champion, it requires a lot of skills, a lot of abilities. You cannot be a one-sided fighter… I’m ready for anything,” concluded Shevchenko.

Who do you think will leave Singapore with the flyweight gold, Valentina Shevchenko or Taila Santos?

Continue Reading Valentina Shevchenko Breaks Down Taila Santos To Her Face at MMA News.

Watch: Aleksandar Rakic Has Heartbreaking Reaction to UFC Vegas 54 Loss Due to Injury

Aleksandar RakicAn injury suffered in training camp led to a catastrophic end for Aleksandar Rakic’s first UFC main event. Competing against former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC Vegas 54, Rakic suffered a fight-ending knee injury in the third round. Devastated by the loss, ESPN MMA captured Rakic’s emotional walk to the back with […]

Aleksandar Rakic

An injury suffered in training camp led to a catastrophic end for Aleksandar Rakic’s first UFC main event.

Competing against former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC Vegas 54, Rakic suffered a fight-ending knee injury in the third round. Devastated by the loss, ESPN MMA captured Rakic’s emotional walk to the back with the help of his corner.

Rakic can be heard saying, “I let you down” as tears streamed down his face once backstage.

Aleksandar Rakic Discusses the Knee Injury Initially Suffered During Training

While appearing on the ESPN+ show ‘UFC Journey’, Rakic talked about the aftermath of the bout, the injury he suffered in training, and what comes next. 

“It happens, you know. What can I do? God had other plans with me tonight. My knee popped. My right knee. This knee I injured three weeks ago on a training. In a sparing. It happened. It’s not a lie, it happened. The knee wasn’t 100 percent. I thought it was. I’m just a little bit sad about the outcome of the fight, but I will never put my head down. I will come back stronger. I’m gonna go back, work my f*cking a** off. My dream is to be the champion.”

With Blachowicz’s TKO victory, he likely finds himself in pole position for a title opportunity following UFC 275’s scheduled bout between reigning champion Glover Teixeira and challenger Jiri Prochazka. 

ESPN’s post-fight video also includes Blachowicz celebrating the victory with his team. Blachowicz was in danger of losing the bout via doctor’s stoppage after a strike appeared to cut the inner part of his right eye. 

“Doctors say it was so close to stop the fight,” Blachowicz said. “When I saw the face of the doctor he was like [horrified look]. It was a little bit scary but the second doctor was ‘No he’s good.’”

Valentina Shevchenko Believes 2022 Title Fight Against Julianna Peña, Amanda Nunes Is ‘Very Possible’

Valentina ShevchenkoReigning UFC flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko believes a future bantamweight division return against either current champion, Julianna Pena, or former champion and two-time foe, Amanda Nunes is quite likely, before the close of 2022. Shevchenko, the current flyweight champion, is slated to co-headline UFC 275 on June 11. in Singapore – drawing surging contender and […]

Valentina Shevchenko

Reigning UFC flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko believes a future bantamweight division return against either current champion, Julianna Pena, or former champion and two-time foe, Amanda Nunes is quite likely, before the close of 2022.

Shevchenko, the current flyweight champion, is slated to co-headline UFC 275 on June 11. in Singapore – drawing surging contender and Brazil native, Taila Santos in an attempt to secure her stunning, seventh successful defense of the flyweight throne.

The Kyrgyzstan native most recently featured in the co-headliner of UFC 266 back in September of last year, turning in a dominant striking performance en route to an eventual fourth round ground strikes win over Lauren Murphy.

As for a division higher, newly minted bantamweight champion, Pena, who previously shared the Octagon with Shevchenko – is slated to headline UFC 277 on July 30. at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas – matching with Nunes in a title re-run.

Valentina Shevchenko welcomes a bantamweight title return before the close of this year

Moving to the flyweight division following a second career loss to then-champion, Nunes at UFC 215 in September 2017, Shevchenko has embarked on an eight-fight winning spree at 125lbs. And amid her continual roughshod run through contenders, Shevchenko firmly flirted with a bantamweight title excursion against either Pena or Nunes before the end of this annum.

“I think so, I think there is always a chance,” Valentina Shevchenko told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour when asked if she would consider a move back to the bantamweight division. “There is always a chance, and I think – the bigger fight, the better, right?”

“I think by the end of the year, I think it’s going to be a good fight,” Valentina Shevchenko said of a title fight with Pena or Nunes. “Also, we have to have to see – Miesha Tate is coming to 125 in July, so it’s like – many things can happen, many things can change, right? I think it’s possible, it’s very, very, very possible.”

In her first fight with Nunes back in March 2016 at UFC 196, Shevchenko suffered a unanimous decision loss to the current featherweight champion – however, managed to stop reigning gold holder, Pena with a second round armbar in the main event of UFC Fight Night Denver in January 2017.

Taila Santos Reveals Game Plan To Exploit Valentina Shevchenko’s “Weaknesses On The Ground”

Taila Santos, Valentina ShevchenkoTaila Santos had no problem revealing her game plan for her upcoming title fight against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 275. Current UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is on an eight-fight win streak that saw her dominate the division. ‘Bullet’ will be going into her next title defense against Santos after defeating both Lauren Murphy […]

Taila Santos, Valentina Shevchenko

Taila Santos had no problem revealing her game plan for her upcoming title fight against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 275.

Current UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is on an eight-fight win streak that saw her dominate the division. ‘Bullet’ will be going into her next title defense against Santos after defeating both Lauren Murphy and Jessica Andrade by TKO in her last two outings.

Taila Santos reveals key to win

In a recent appearance on the Combate podcast, Taila Santos shared her strategy for achieving a stunning upset over Shevchenko. Taila is respectful of her adversary’s grappling but believes there’s one weakness in Valentina’s game that she could exploit.

“I believe I’m taking this fight to the ground.” Santos said. “Valentina is a very tough fighter. Her strong suit is in the striking game, but I believe I can be successful on the ground.”

“She’s very tough on the feet.” Taila continued, “She has defeated some really tough fighters. She’s also really smart, but I believe I’ll find success on the ground. That’s where I feel super comfortable. I come from a muay thai school, so I also feel great on the feet. However, I see her weaknesses on the ground, so I believe that’s the area where I’ll find success in the fight.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)

Santos goes into the bout on a four-fight winning streak, having dispatched Molly McCann, Gillian Robertson, Roxanne Modafferi, and Joane Wood in her latest outings. With 19 wins in 20 matches, the only blemish on the 28-year-old’s record is her contest against Mara Romero Borella which she lost by split decision in February 2019.

Valentina Shevchenko will defend her title against Taila Santos in the co-main event of UFC 275 on June 11 in Singapore. The women’s flyweight bout will be followed by the headlining light heavyweight title fight between reigning champ Glover Teixeira and challenger Jiri Prochazka.

J?drzejczyk: UFC’s SW Division Shows Anything’s Possible In MMA

Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna J?drzejczyk thinks the recent fights in the division show that a path back to the title is still possible for her. J?drzejczyk is set to make her Octagon return in a rematch against Zhang Weili at UFC 275. This marks her first fight in the UFC since her first fight…

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Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna J?drzejczyk thinks the recent fights in the division show that a path back to the title is still possible for her.

J?drzejczyk is set to make her Octagon return in a rematch against Zhang Weili at UFC 275. This marks her first fight in the UFC since her first fight with Weili at UFC 248 in early 2020.

While J?drzejczyk has had a long layoff from competition, she’s been keeping a close eye on how things have played out in the strawweight division. She’s also recently teased the various improvements she’s made during her two-year hiatus.

During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, J?drzejczyk pointed to the recent Rose Namajunas/Carla Esparza UFC 274 rematch as an example of how wild the 115lb division is.

“This fight, the fight between Rose and Carla, showed how unpredictable this sport and crazy this sport is,” J?drzejczyk said. “I beat Carla, then Carla beat Rose, I beat Carla and then Andrade beats Rose… how crazy it is? So anything and everything is possible, and yeah it’s happening. I’m so pumped, I’m so motivated… I’ve been training so hard… I went home to Poland only for eight days, I’ve been working so hard and preparing for this moment.

“This is what drives me into [fighting], but I’m supposed to cut some of the training sessions because I’ve been training 13 times a week every day since I got here,” Jedrzejczyk continued. “But after [the Rose/Carla fight], I don’t wanna stop. I can’t stop, I won’t stop, I want to do more. Because everything is [in my head, and in my heart] and how hard we believe in our dreams and in ourselves.”

Another development in the division is the return of Andrade, who recently defeated rising contender Amanda Lemos following a stint at flyweight. Andrade, along with J?drzejczyk and Weili, remains a massive part of the strawweight title picture.

Esparza defeated Namajunas in the UFC 274 co-headliner to regain the strawweight throne. She lost her title to J?drzejczyk at UFC 185 after earning the then-vacant title against Namajunas on The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale.

J?drzejczyk still has ambitions of regaining the strawweight title and will look to remind the rest of the division of her greatness in her return at UFC 275.

What is your reaction to Joanna J?drzejczyk’s comments? Do you think she can become the UFC strawweight champion once again?

Continue Reading J?drzejczyk: UFC’s SW Division Shows Anything’s Possible In MMA at MMA News.