Tag: UFC 309

Jon Jones Bus Trip: Glover Teixeira Plays Hilarious Prank on Tom Aspinall Ahead of UFC 309

Jon Jones Bus Trip: Glover Teixeira Plays Hilarious Prank on Tom Aspinall Ahead of UFC 309Glover Teixeira attempted to play a humorous prank on Tom Aspinall ahead of the UFC’s return to Madison Square…

Jon Jones Bus Trip: Glover Teixeira Plays Hilarious Prank on Tom Aspinall Ahead of UFC 309

Glover Teixeira attempted to play a humorous prank on Tom Aspinall ahead of the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

Undisputed UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones successfully defended his title in the evening’s main event, smashing his way through Stipe Miocic via a third-round TKO. Aspinall was on hand for the festivities and actually weighed in 24 hours earlier as the official backup for the fight should either ‘Bones’ or Miocic need to be replaced in the 11th hour.

Teixeira

As the backup, Aspinall was required to adhere to strict rules, including no consumption of alcohol up until Jones vs. Miocic actually got underway.

So, of course, Teixeira, who has been known to be a bit of a prankster alongside his friend and light heavyweight successor Alex Pereira, tried to play a little trick on the interim titleholder.

“Tom you know, they just call me,” Teixeira said with a smile. I just got a call, Jon Jones, he trip in the bus, you know? So don’t be drinking, okay?”

“I’m on the water [laughing]!. Top man,” Aspinall replied.

Considering Teixeira couldn’t mask his smile for even a moment, it wasn’t hard for Aspinall to sniff out the lie.

Luckily, the heavyweight headliner went off without a hitch and Aspinall even banked an extra 200k just for showing up and sitting in the stands. Following Jones’ big win, he left the door open for a title unification clash with Apsinall who has held the interim heavyweight belt since a 69-second knockout of Sergei Pavlovich last year.

Teixeira

Interestingly, Aspinall opened as a -135 favorite in a yet-to-be-announced scrap with the consensus GOAT of MMA.

Teixeira

Paul Craig Saw ‘Progress’ In UFC 309 Loss To Bo Nickal: ‘Every Setback Is Just Setup For A Comeback’

UFC middleweight Paul Craig hasn’t lost confidence despite falling to another defeat this past weekend. Craig marked the latest challenge for undefeated prospect Bo Nickal at Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view. The Scotsman joined the likes of Cody Brundage and Val Woodburn on the list of those unable to blemish the decorated wrestler’s MMA record. The […]

UFC middleweight Paul Craig hasn’t lost confidence despite falling to another defeat this past weekend.

Craig marked the latest challenge for undefeated prospect Bo Nickal at Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view. The Scotsman joined the likes of Cody Brundage and Val Woodburn on the list of those unable to blemish the decorated wrestler’s MMA record.

The two grappling specialists remained standing throughout their three-round affair, with Nickal edging a striking-only contest that frustrated the crowd in attendance at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

For Craig, the result marked his third straight loss, leaves him 1-5 across his last six, and has pushed his middleweight record to a negative 1-4.

But although things may not have gone his way on fight night, “Bearjew” remains in good spirits and happy with the “progress” he felt was in display.

“Saturday night didn’t go as I envisioned, but every setback is just a setup for a comeback,” Craig wrote. “Progress is happening, and my resilience is my fuel. Here’s to the relentless pursuit of greatness! #bearjew #bearjewjitsu#setbacks #comebacks”

Craig, a formerly ranked light heavyweight contender, initially made a strong start at 185 pounds when he knocked out Andre Muniz. But a main event loss to Brendan Allen and brutal knockout setback at the hands of Caio Borralho left him out of the top 15.

Having fallen short of having his hand raised again, “Bearjew” is in desperate need of a rebound result next time out. And judging by his post-fight statement, he’s evidently confident that he’s moved in a good direction toward achieving that.

Mauricio Ruffy Names Another Desired Opponent After Saint Denis Callout At UFC 309

UFC lightweight prospect Mauricio Ruffy has names on his mind as he looks toward his third outing inside the Octagon. Ruffy made it two wins from two appearances on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage at this past weekend’s UFC 309 pay-per-view, where he got the better of late-notice replacement opponent James Llontop. As he did […]

UFC lightweight prospect Mauricio Ruffy has names on his mind as he looks toward his third outing inside the Octagon.

Ruffy made it two wins from two appearances on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage at this past weekend’s UFC 309 pay-per-view, where he got the better of late-notice replacement opponent James Llontop.

As he did on debut against James Llontop, the Fighting Nerds standout once again put his powerful and innovative striking on full display, most memorably flooring his opponent with a no-look uppercut in round two.

Having ultimately gone the distance and collected a comfortable decision victory, Ruffy is now on the radar of most as one to watch at 155 pounds moving forward.

The Brazilian, however, isn’t looking to remain a prospect rising the ranks for much longer.

During his Octagon interview, Ruffy called out a ranked contender in Benoît Saint Denis, who likely has to fight down the ladder next time out after losing consecutive bouts to Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano.

During an interview with MMA Fighting, Ruffy added another name to his list of post-fight callouts, highlighting the formerly ranked King Green as an alternative option should a clash with “God of War” not come together.

“I’m very excited for a fight with Saint Denis,” Ruffy said. “I think that would be such a cool fight. Some people are advising me to go slow and whatnot, but everything I’ve been through in my life and career earns me that opportunity. The hype is nice, people are talking, and Saint Denis is coming off two losses, so it’s an interesting fight.

“Another fight that would also be very interesting is Bobby Green,” Ruffy continued. “I’d love to fight any of those two names. I’m hoping the UFC will send me a good name and we’ll fight soon. I’m taking a break now, but already thinking about fights.”

Green has long shown a willingness to face any and everyone, including young up-and-comers looking to earn a number next to their name at his expense.

That was the case just this past July when the veteran headed across the pond to face the challenge of Paddy Pimblett in Manchester, England. Green was unable to stall “The Baddy’s” rise, instead finding himself choked unconscious in one round.

Demetrious Johnson Breaks Down How Charles Oliveira Dominated Michael Chandler: ‘Almost A Checkmate’

After Michael Chandler’s attempt to pull a win out of the bag in the fifth round fell short, Charles Oliveira got his hand raised following a dominant performance in the co-main event at UFC 309. Prior to a chaotic end to the fight that had “Do Bronx” trying to survive, he won every round on […]

After Michael Chandler’s attempt to pull a win out of the bag in the fifth round fell short, Charles Oliveira got his hand raised following a dominant performance in the co-main event at UFC 309. Prior to a chaotic end to the fight that had “Do Bronx” trying to survive, he won every round on all three scorecards.

Just like in their first fight three years ago, the striking of Oliveira was very effective and at several points, it looked like he might finish Chandler for the second time. The difference this time around was that when the former lightweight champion had his opponent hurt or backed up to the fence, he implemented his grappling in order to avoid getting into a battle of wills with “Iron” Mike.

According to UFC Stats, Oliveira was successful with 5 of 12 takedown attempts, accumulating a total of 14 minutes and 52 seconds of control time which tells the story of this fight. A lot of that time was spent in a position that the Brazilian is a true master of as he consistently was able to take and control Chandler’s back.

In his post-fight breakdown on his YouTube channel, former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson gave his analysis of the lightweight contest that earned fight of the night honors. He specifically drew attention to the way that Oliveira was able to lock in a body triangle in order to dominate in these positions even if he was unable to find the submission.

“This is pretty much like almost a checkmate but it’s like a check because checkmate means end the game but it’s a check because one wrong move from here, Chandler getting choked out… Just a bad position for Michael Chandler to be in, very, very bad. It’s very, very f****** hard to get out of it especially your legs aren’t longer than your opponents. Trust me, I’ve been there before boys with somebody who’s way longer than me and I hate it.”

Conor McGregor Gives First Reaction To Michael Chandler’s UFC 309 Loss: ‘Mad Little Fellow’

Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor gave some surprising props to Michael Chandler a couple of days on from his defeat this past weekend. Chandler made the walk for the first time in two years at Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view, bringing an end to his long wait to share the cage with McGregor by running […]

Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor gave some surprising props to Michael Chandler a couple of days on from his defeat this past weekend.

Chandler made the walk for the first time in two years at Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view, bringing an end to his long wait to share the cage with McGregor by running it back with ex-lightweight kingpin Charles Oliveira instead.

“Iron” had previously come inches away from defeating “Do Bronx” and becoming a UFC titleholder in just his second Octagon outing. A miraculous comeback from the Brazilian on that occasion, however, spoiled Chandler’s plans.

And in the co-main event at Madison Square Garden, Oliveira did so once again by establishing himself as the likely next in line for either Islam Makhachev or Arman Tsarukyan.

Oliveira’s second victory over Chandler came in much more convincing fashion, with “Do Bronx” dominating the American en route to a lopsided unanimous decision. The former Bellator champ did have his moments late in the day, and they were seemingly enough to get some respect from “The Notorious.”

After remaining silent on fight night, McGregor finally gave his reaction to Chandler’s display in a now-deleted X post Monday night.

Conor McGregor on Michael Chandle

“Cut Michael Chandler! Just kidding, good fight,” McGregor wrote. “Mad little fellow is Michael. I like em’!”

McGregor’s comment was without a response to Chandler’s post-fight callout. Despite his previously failed wait, “Iron” once again had the Dubliner’s name on his lips as he pursues the lucrative showdown opposite his fellow TUF 31 coach in 2025.

For now, the Irishman has matters to attend to in the court room. He’s currently embroiled in a civil action trial at Dublin’s Irish High Court after being accused of sexual assault.

Chael Sonnen Says UFC Won’t Struggle To Find Willing Opponents For Bo Nickal After Latest Performance

With his fourth win inside the Octagon, Bo Nickal continued to climb up the middleweight ladder on Saturday night at UFC 309 whilst remaining undefeated. Despite this, his latest outing was the first to raise some concerns regarding his current level. The 28-year old rising star went the distance with Scotland’s Paul Craig in the […]

With his fourth win inside the Octagon, Bo Nickal continued to climb up the middleweight ladder on Saturday night at UFC 309 whilst remaining undefeated. Despite this, his latest outing was the first to raise some concerns regarding his current level.

The 28-year old rising star went the distance with Scotland’s Paul Craig in the first decision win of his career. Though he won all three rounds against his toughest opponent to date, it was the manner of the performance that many took issue with as the two grappling specialists engaged in a lacklustre striking bout for the entire duration.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing that Nickal showed that he could win the fight without using his wrestling but with Craig not being known for his striking skills either, it wasn’t a particularly impressive display. Chael Sonnen believes that this performance will remove the fear factor and mystique surrounding Nickal during his time in the promotion.

We see it happen time and time again where an exciting prospect comes up against their toughest test and is shown to not be an unbeatable phenom just quite yet. Though Sonnen admitted that Nickal needs time before making the next step up, he believes that the UFC will no longer have any problems matching him after he looked far more beatable than we’ve seen in the past.

“Those days are done, for now, they’re put on hold. The conversation that nobody has called out Bo Nickal, that will change. Come Monday, people will be calling for him. The idea that Bo is the boogeyman in the closet that Dana and Hunter just cannot find opponents for because there is so much respect put on Bo’s name mixed with fear… that is gone. They will find opponents for Bo very quickly now and it doesn’t need to be that way.”