Tag: UFC 301

Caio Borralho scores dominant walk off KO win over Paul Craig – UFC 301 Highlights

Caio Borralho scores dominant walk off knockout win over Paul Craig UFC 301 HighlightsSurging Brazilian favorite, Caio Borralho has turned in the most high-profile victory of his Octagon tenure to date tonight…

Caio Borralho scores dominant walk off knockout win over Paul Craig UFC 301 Highlights

Surging Brazilian favorite, Caio Borralho has turned in the most high-profile victory of his Octagon tenure to date tonight on the main card of UFC 301 in his natvie country, landing a dominant second round walk-off knockout win over Scottish grappler, Paul Craig.

Borralho, a two-time feature on Dana White’s Contender Series — entered tonight’s fight with Airdrie native, Craig off the back of consecutive victories against Abus Magomedov, Michal Oleksiejeczuk, Makhmud Muradov, Armen Petrosyan, and Gadzhi Omargadzhiev.

Caio Borralho 2

And dominating the grappling-heavy Craig tonight in his return to his native Brazil, Borralho rocked the Scottish submission threat countless times throughout the first and second round en route to finish, turned in a brutal eventual stoppage of the former.

Stumbling Craig on the feet once more, Caio Borralho would then follow up with a barrage of shots, eventually connecting with a straight left hand against the fence, forcing Craig to the canvas for a second round knockout win.

Caio Borralho 3

Off the back of his victory, Borralho called for a fight with former title challenger, Jared Cannonier in his return, who was recently booked in a headlining fight against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night Louisville later this annum.

Caio Borralho UFC 301

Below, catch the highlights from Caio Borralho’s win against Paul Craig

Alex Pereira plans 238lbs heavyweight move amid links to fight with Jon Jones: ‘I don’t want to get too heavy’

Alex Pereira plans 238lbs heavyweight move amid links to fight with Jon Jones I don't want to get too heavyLinked heavily with a stunning heavyweight divisional move in pursuit of a record-setting third Octagon crown, Alex Pereira has…

Alex Pereira plans 238lbs heavyweight move amid links to fight with Jon Jones I don't want to get too heavy

Linked heavily with a stunning heavyweight divisional move in pursuit of a record-setting third Octagon crown, Alex Pereira has revealed he could likely debut at the weight class as high as 238lbs – amid links to a fight with Jon Jones.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion and the incumbent king at light heavyweight, turned in a stunning first round knockout win over Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC 300 last month, successfully defending his title at 205lbs.

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And welcoming the prospect of a heavyweight leap in the time since, Sao Paulo knockout star, Pereira has been continually linked with a title clash opposite current interim champion, Tom Aspinall, ultimately to no avail as of yet.

However, this week, Brazilian favorite, Pereira was offered a potential lifeline in his pursuit of a heavyweight move – with the above-mentioned, Jones weighing up a potential fight with the two-division gold holder after he returns later this year against Stipe Miocic. 

Alex Pereira targets UFC 308 homecoming fight at Madison Square Garden it makes total sense
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

“If Alex P became champion of the heavyweight division, would you guys consider him the GOAT?” Jon Jones posted. “Being back in the gym has got me thinking differently. That fight against Stipe maybe the next biggest move I could possibly make. This killer has already defeated so many champions, and is already considered a legend to millions around the world. The most massive fight in the UFC could make. Give Alex a chance to avenge all those great Brazilian champions I’ve defeated.”

“It would be absolutely massive,” Jon Jones posted of a fight with Alex Pereira. “A guy with a chance to be three division champion and a GOAT versus the actual GOAT. Same age, different strengths. No one can argue that that would be the biggest fight in MMA history, There’s absolutely no fight that generates a payday like that. Marketing would be insane.” 

Appearing at UFC 301 in his native Brazil this weekend, Pereira spoke up the chances of a future heavyweight move – as well as his plan to rematch Jiri Prochazka at 205lbs next, before claiming he didn’t want to put on a huge amount of weight to make the climb.

Alex Pereira rejects UFC 308 clash with Magomed Ankalaev in Abu Dhabi I want to fight sooner
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

Alex Pereira plans heavyweight leap

“I’ve been training and evolving, and the longer it takes, the more prepared I’ll be for heavyweight,” Alex Pereira told media during a Q&A session. “I’m stronger than heavy. In a short period, I can achieve what I want, I don’t want to get too heavy to be faster. I think 108kg (238lbs) would be good.” 

Would you like to see Alex Pereira fight Jon Jones at heavyweight?

Video – William Gomis worryingly wobbles to scale, comes in underweight for return fight at UFC 301

William Gomies wobbles to scales comes in way underweight for UFC 301 return fightUFC featherweight William Gomis had a scary weigh-in ahead of his UFC 301 fight against Jean Silva. On Friday…

William Gomies wobbles to scales comes in way underweight for UFC 301 return fight

UFC featherweight William Gomis had a scary weigh-in ahead of his UFC 301 fight against Jean Silva.

On Friday morning in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the official weigh-ins were taking place and Gomis went up to the scale with his clothes on. He was struggling to get to the scale as he was walking very slowly and had to be helped off the scale.

William Gomis wobbles to scale in hard-to-watch weigh-in

However, to add to the uniqueness of it, Gomis weighed in at 143lbs, three pounds under the 146lbs limit for his featherweight scrap.

After his weigh-in, the commission followed him to the back and paid close attention to him, and according to MMA journalist Guilherme Cruz, Gomis threw up backstage before his weigh-in. The French fighter did appear well on the scale, and why he was three pounds under the weight limit looking that dehydrated is a concern. But, he weighed in successfully and as of right now, his UFC 301 fight against Silva is still on.

Alexandre Pantoja UFC Sergei Belski USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

William Gomis (13-2) is a perfect 3-0 in the UFC and is coming off a stoppage win over Yanis Ghemmouri. It was his first stoppage win in the UFC as he beat Francis Marshall by split decision and defeated Jarno Ennis by majority decision in his debut.

William Gomes UFC Paris Per Haljestam

Jean Silva (12-2) is 1-0 in the UFC as he scored a first-round knockout over Westin Wilson back in January. Silva got signed to the UFC after winning a decision on the Contender Series.

Aldo
Mandatory Credit: Alex Goodlett

UFC 301 fight card

Here is how UFC 301 stacks up on Saturday night:

Main Card

  • Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg
  • Jonathan Martinez vs. Jose Aldo
  • Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino
  • Michel Pereira vs. Ihor Potieria
  • Paul Craig vs. Caio Borralho

Prelims

  • Joanderson Brito vs. Jack Shore
  • Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Iasmin Lucindo
  • Elves Brenner vs. Myktybek Orolbai
  • Jean Silva vs. William Gomis

Early Prelims

  • Joaquim Silva vs. Drakkar Klose
  • Mauricio Ruffy vs. Jamie Mullarkey
  • Dione Barbosa vs. Ernesta Kareckaite
  • Ismael Bonfim vs. Vinc Pichel
  • Alessandro Costa vs. Kevin Borjas

‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley shares screenshot from fabled sparring session with UFC 301’s Alexandre Pantoja

'Sugar' Sean O'Malley releases screenshot from his fabled sparring session with UFC 301's Alexandre PantojaAhead of Alexandre Pantoja’s next flyweight title defense, ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley released a screenshot from a past sparring session…

'Sugar' Sean O'Malley releases screenshot from his fabled sparring session with UFC 301's Alexandre Pantoja

Ahead of Alexandre Pantoja’s next flyweight title defense, ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley released a screenshot from a past sparring session between the two titleholders. 

This Saturday night, Pantoja puts his 125-pound crown on the line against unlikely title challenger Steve Erceg in the UFC 301 headliner in Rio de Janeiro.

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg

The fight comes five months removed from a successful defense against Brandon Royval at UFC 290 in December.

Alexandre Pantoja

Days before their highly anticipated clash in Brazil, Sean O’Malley shared an image from a 2015 sparring session where ‘Sugar’ is said to have folded ‘The Cannibal’ with a perfectly placed liver shot.

Sean O'Malley sparring Alexandre Pantoja

At that point, Pantoja had not yet made his UFC debut but already competed in 18 fights as a professional mixed martial artist whereas O’Malley turned pro the same year he threw hands with Pantoja in the gym.

Tim Welch Reveals How Sean O’Malley Put Down Alexandre Pantoja

Sean O’Malley’s longtime coach Tim Welch offered some insight into the incident on his YouTube channel, confirming that ‘Sugar’ promptly put Pantoja down during the encounter.

“[He wasn’t] really in fight camp at all,” Welch said on his YouTube channel. “Going to sparring to get a few rounds in and Henry [Cejudo] is like, ‘Hey, you want to spar this guy?’

“So Sean says ‘Yeah, I’ll spar him.’ They spar one round, Sean comes out on a rip, puts him down. Puts him down in the first minute. Now mind you this is — I don’t even remember what year this is — I don’t even think Sean was a professional yet, he might have been a professional just breaking in. Sean comes out there, bounces around, young buck. Boom, hits him with a liver shot, puts him down.

“Pantoja has to stop, he has to wave it off, go over to Henry, kneel down, call it off. I mean there’s a video, never released video but he puts him down” (h/t MMA Mania).

Anthony Smith drops focus on title fight with Alex Pereira ahead of UFC 301: ‘I was so obsessed with the belt’

Anthony drops focus on title fight with Anthony Smith after UFC 301 I became obsessed with itAnthony Smith says he’s no longer blinded by becoming UFC champion ahead of his UFC 301 main card fight…

Anthony drops focus on title fight with Anthony Smith after UFC 301 I became obsessed with it

Anthony Smith says he’s no longer blinded by becoming UFC champion ahead of his UFC 301 main card fight against Vitor Petrino.

Smith enters the fight as a massive underdog, as ‘Lionheart’ is coming off a TKO loss to Khalil Rountree. Anthony Smith is 1-3 in his last four fights, as his bout against Petrino is a pivotal one if he’s going to remain a contender.

Anthony Smith expected to weigh up fighting retirement after UFC Charlotte loss
Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon – USA TODAY Sports

Ahead of his return at UFC 301, Smith says he’s no longer obsessed with the belt as he believes that was an anchor for him and didn’t allow him to fight freely.

“It’s just blinded me,” Smith told MMA Junkie. “I’m so obsessed with it. I had a really good conversation with Daniel Cormier earlier today, and that’s really what it was about – it consuming me. It’s good because you have to be selfish and you need to be completely dialed in to be successful at this level, but sometimes you can be so obsessed with it that it becomes a fault. I’m almost carrying an anchor with me. It changes the way I fight. It changes the way I think leading up to a fight. So I’m just done worrying about it. That doesn’t mean I don’t want it. I’m done consuming myself with it.”

Anthony Smith survives gnarly eye injury to win close decision in rematch Ryan Spann UFC Singapore
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Smith is a +440 underdog, which implies an 18.5% chance of winning the fight. However, Smith has confidence he will pull off the upset and remind everyone he is still a top-ranked opponent at light heavyweight.

Anthony Smith plans to make a statement at UFC 301

Anthony Smith is facing Vitor Petrino, who called him out after his last win. Although Anthony Smith accepted his callout, he wants this fight to be a message to the young up-and-comers that he isn’t a stepping stone for them to get into the top-10 or top-five.

 “When I’m done here and on Sunday, the next young, up-and-coming 205er can pick somebody else to pick on. It’s a slight for sure. I’m not that upset about it, to be honest. It’s annoying, but I get it. I’ve been him before. I understand what he’s doing. He’s a young up-and-comer and picked an aging, broke down wounded lion in his mind. Of course he would. He thinks I’m on the downslope and I’ve got a big name and he doesn’t, so I get it. But it’s my job to prove him wrong,” Smith said.

Alex Pereira unsure if his legacy is better than Israel Adesanya's I won two title he tried to
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Smith is 37-19 as a pro and 12-9 in the UFC. He is 1-3 in his last four, with his lone win over that stretch being a split decision win over Ryan Spann.

Anthony Smith drops focus on title fight with Alex Pereira ahead of UFC 301: ‘I was so obsessed with the belt’

Anthony drops focus on title fight with Anthony Smith after UFC 301 I became obsessed with itAnthony Smith says he’s no longer blinded by becoming UFC champion ahead of his UFC 301 main card fight…

Anthony drops focus on title fight with Anthony Smith after UFC 301 I became obsessed with it

Anthony Smith says he’s no longer blinded by becoming UFC champion ahead of his UFC 301 main card fight against Vitor Petrino.

Smith enters the fight as a massive underdog, as ‘Lionheart’ is coming off a TKO loss to Khalil Rountree. Anthony Smith is 1-3 in his last four fights, as his bout against Petrino is a pivotal one if he’s going to remain a contender.

Anthony Smith expected to weigh up fighting retirement after UFC Charlotte loss
Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon – USA TODAY Sports

Ahead of his return at UFC 301, Smith says he’s no longer obsessed with the belt as he believes that was an anchor for him and didn’t allow him to fight freely.

“It’s just blinded me,” Smith told MMA Junkie. “I’m so obsessed with it. I had a really good conversation with Daniel Cormier earlier today, and that’s really what it was about – it consuming me. It’s good because you have to be selfish and you need to be completely dialed in to be successful at this level, but sometimes you can be so obsessed with it that it becomes a fault. I’m almost carrying an anchor with me. It changes the way I fight. It changes the way I think leading up to a fight. So I’m just done worrying about it. That doesn’t mean I don’t want it. I’m done consuming myself with it.”

Anthony Smith survives gnarly eye injury to win close decision in rematch Ryan Spann UFC Singapore
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Smith is a +440 underdog, which implies an 18.5% chance of winning the fight. However, Smith has confidence he will pull off the upset and remind everyone he is still a top-ranked opponent at light heavyweight.

Anthony Smith plans to make a statement at UFC 301

Anthony Smith is facing Vitor Petrino, who called him out after his last win. Although Anthony Smith accepted his callout, he wants this fight to be a message to the young up-and-comers that he isn’t a stepping stone for them to get into the top-10 or top-five.

 “When I’m done here and on Sunday, the next young, up-and-coming 205er can pick somebody else to pick on. It’s a slight for sure. I’m not that upset about it, to be honest. It’s annoying, but I get it. I’ve been him before. I understand what he’s doing. He’s a young up-and-comer and picked an aging, broke down wounded lion in his mind. Of course he would. He thinks I’m on the downslope and I’ve got a big name and he doesn’t, so I get it. But it’s my job to prove him wrong,” Smith said.

Alex Pereira unsure if his legacy is better than Israel Adesanya's I won two title he tried to
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Smith is 37-19 as a pro and 12-9 in the UFC. He is 1-3 in his last four, with his lone win over that stretch being a split decision win over Ryan Spann.