Tag: UFC Denver

Charles Johnson Slams Commentary Team Over Call For UFC Fight Night Denver Win: ‘Put Some F*cking Respect On My Name’

Charles Johnson continued his excellent winning form in the UFC’s flyweight division this past weekend in Denver. In one of the sleeper fights of the entire UFC Fight Night lineup, he faced Joshua Van in a great contest that saw Johnson secure a devastating finish in the third round. This win makes him undefeated in […]

Continue Reading Charles Johnson Slams Commentary Team Over Call For UFC Fight Night Denver Win: ‘Put Some F*cking Respect On My Name’ at MMA News.

Charles Johnson continued his excellent winning form in the UFC’s flyweight division this past weekend in Denver.

In one of the sleeper fights of the entire UFC Fight Night lineup, he faced Joshua Van in a great contest that saw Johnson secure a devastating finish in the third round.

This win makes him undefeated in his last three Octagon appearances after previously losing three in a row in 2023 before putting that in the rear-view mirror so far this year.

Despite his excellent performance against Van, Johnson did have one issue when he came to watch back the fight and that was the commentary, as he revealed in a recent interview on SiriusXM’s MMA Today.

“The only thing that kinda surprised me was hearing the commentary after the fight. But other than that, and hearing the judging, betting lines and stuff. But, at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is I went in there and did exactly what I said I was gonna do.”

Charles Johnson Says UFC Commentary Didn’t Give Him The Credit He Was Due

Johnson went on to explain where his issues with the commentary came from, believing he wasn’t give enough credit for the work he did inside the Octagon.

“InnerG” specifically referencef the first round, which he believes he comfortably won despite a judge scoring it for his opponent and the commentators spending more time talking about Van’s work in the opening five minutes.

“We’re three minutes into the first round and I’ve landed 28 strikes to his four and all you’ve heard up until that point is, ‘This is what Van does, Van is applying pressure. Van is doing this.’ That’s all you heard. The round ends and I’m 40-16 on strikes and, for me, I try to separate personal but everything’s personal to me, that’s just me, that’s how I am.

“Business, everything, everything’s personal, but I know how much those opinions matter in judging, in everything. They hear it, they can hear it too. So hearing it after the fight when I felt like I was in full control from the moment the fight started, never worried about anything. He threw big punches, never really landed anything.”

Johnson also referenced how he was excited to watch back the fight in order to hear Dominick Cruz’s thoughts on the fight having been a big fan of the bantamweight legend as a fighter and analyst over the years.

Ultimately, he doesn’t believe that he received the praise he deserved for that performance.

“The type of guy I was walking into, I’ve fought higher caliber guys. I fought two guys that are ranked in the top 10 in my career already and lost close decisions to them, you know? It’s just put some f****** respect on my name, basically.”

Continue Reading Charles Johnson Slams Commentary Team Over Call For UFC Fight Night Denver Win: ‘Put Some F*cking Respect On My Name’ at MMA News.

Abdul Razak Alhassan Slams Cody Brundage After No Contest At UFC Fight Night Denver: ‘Crazy Day…Trump Got Shot & I Got Robbed’

UFC middleweight powerhouse Abdul Razak Alhassan is far from pleased with how his appearance in the Octagon concluded this past weekend. Alhassan opened the main card of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Denver, with the Ball Arena playing host to his first fight in nine months. The Ghanaian was tasked with getting the better of […]

Continue Reading Abdul Razak Alhassan Slams Cody Brundage After No Contest At UFC Fight Night Denver: ‘Crazy Day…Trump Got Shot & I Got Robbed’ at MMA News.

UFC middleweight powerhouse Abdul Razak Alhassan is far from pleased with how his appearance in the Octagon concluded this past weekend.

Alhassan opened the main card of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Denver, with the Ball Arena playing host to his first fight in nine months. The Ghanaian was tasked with getting the better of Cody Brundage if he was to bounce back from a loss to Joe Pyfer last time out.

In the opening seconds, “Judo Thunder” looked on track to doing so as he launched a barrage of shots at Brundage with his usual fast-starting style. But as it appeared a finish was approaching, Alhassan lost control of his offense and landed shots to the back of his opponent’s head.

When another followed a warning from Dan Miragliotta, the referee intervened. That turned out to be all she wrote, with Brundage telling the ringside physicians he could no longer continue.

The result went down as a no contest, and suffice to say, Alhassan was left fuming…

Alhassan Insists ‘P*ssy’ Brundage ‘Definitely Could Have Continued’

After showing clear frustration inside the cage, Alhassan let his anger out on social media soon after.

In an Instagram Story, the Ghanaian 38-year-old placed his setback in Denver alongside the apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump to brand Saturday a “crazy day.”

And Brundage received the brunt of Alhassan’s anger, with the knockout artist insisting that his American counterpart was fine to continue and simply looked for a way out of the fight.

“Sorry to all my fans, all my people,” Alhassan said (h/t MMA Fighting). “I wanted this bad. I wanted this win. I wanted this fight so bad. I have so much anger and so much energy in me right now that I wanted to use but I wasn’t able to use it. I guess today is a crazy day. Trump got shot and I got robbed.

“I know definitely he could have continued. He just decided to be a p*ssy and didn’t want to fight anymore. It is what it is. I hope him a speedy recovery,” Alhassan concluded.

But Alhassan can perhaps also feel fortunate not to have exited the cage with a defeat on the night, with some in the community suggesting Miragliotta should have disqualified him for continuing the illegal blows after a warning.

Regardless, “Judo Thunder” avoided a losing skid, but he is now on a two-fight winless run. He’ll no doubt look to break that by having his hand raised soon enough, with a quick turnaround likely on the table having taken no damage in the 37 seconds before the unfortunate stoppage at Ball Arena.

Continue Reading Abdul Razak Alhassan Slams Cody Brundage After No Contest At UFC Fight Night Denver: ‘Crazy Day…Trump Got Shot & I Got Robbed’ at MMA News.

Tracy Cortez Gives First Reaction To Rose Namajunas Loss At UFC Fight Night Denver: ‘If I Had A Full Camp…’

Tracy Cortez had a big task in front of her with a short-notice main event bout against former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas at UFC Fight Night Denver. Though she managed to go the distance, Cortez was largely dominated from the opening minute of the contest, going on to lose via unanimous decision. While coming […]

Continue Reading Tracy Cortez Gives First Reaction To Rose Namajunas Loss At UFC Fight Night Denver: ‘If I Had A Full Camp…’ at MMA News.

Tracy Cortez had a big task in front of her with a short-notice main event bout against former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas at UFC Fight Night Denver.

Though she managed to go the distance, Cortez was largely dominated from the opening minute of the contest, going on to lose via unanimous decision.

While coming up on the short end and not getting the result she’d hoped for left a better sting, Cortez told ESPN MMA’s Megan Olivi that she felt proud of being able to last a full five rounds with someone as highly regarded as Namajunas.

Cortez added that perhaps the fight could have played out differently with a full fight camp.

“I took it on two weeks’ notice, unprepared,” Cortez said. “I gave it all I have. I know if I were to have had a full camp, prepared…I mean, my cardio was there. I think I would have done a lot better with a good gameplan.

“But I think I proved myself tonight that I can go full fives [rounds]. Looking forward to the next one,” Cortez added.

Tracy Cortez Feels Early Pacing Of Self May Have Cost Her Fight

Cortez was dropped early into the first round, with Namajunas putting on a beautiful striking display. The #11-ranked contender tried to battle back in the second round with her grappling skills, but Namajunas’ strikes remained on point and she showed her grappling ability in the third to counter Cortez.

The late-notice replacement fighter looked for a mountain of offense in the fifth round, but it wasn’t enough.

“Because it was five fives, I was really trying to pace myself the first and second round,” Cortez said. “I just realized…give it all I have. It’s all or nothing. I think I waited a little too long to really push it on her.”

Cortez isn’t letting this loss deter her, however. She wants to use this experience and get back into the cage as soon as possible.

“Last time I fought, I went on a killer streak,” Cortez noted. “I’m not here to prove [to] the world, I’m here to prove [to] myself.”

Continue Reading Tracy Cortez Gives First Reaction To Rose Namajunas Loss At UFC Fight Night Denver: ‘If I Had A Full Camp…’ at MMA News.

Din Thomas wants to see UFC standout Jean Silva fight Ilia Topuria after bagging two KOs in two weeks

Din Thomas wants to see UFC standout Jean Silva fight Ilia Topuria after bagging two KOs in two weeksDin Thomas is high on Jean Silva. Maybe a little too high. Two weeks removed from his second-round knockout…

Din Thomas wants to see UFC standout Jean Silva fight Ilia Topuria after bagging two KOs in two weeks

Din Thomas is high on Jean Silva. Maybe a little too high.

Two weeks removed from his second-round knockout of Charles Jourdain at UFC 303, ‘Lord Assassin’ returned to the Octagon in The Mile High City for a short-notice scrap with heavy-handed Denver native Drew Dober.

Silva’s impressive speed was on full display from the get-go, peppering Dober with his left hand before busting open his opponent with a couple of perfectly timed spinning back elbows.

Jean Silva

Despite being in the driver’s seat from the opening bell, Dober never once took his foot off the gas. Unfortunately, Dober’s cut continued to widen as the fight went on, forcing referee Herb Dean and the cageside physician to intervene and bring a stop to the contest.

Dober was understandably frustrated, but the stoppage was understandable as he had sustained one of the worst cuts in recent memory. Or at least the worst one since Mayra Bueno Silva’s nasty gash two weeks prior.

With two impressive finishes in the span of two weeks, things are looking up for Jean Silva. Though he has yet to break into the featherweight top 15, former fighter turned analyst Din Thomas doesn’t care. He wants to see ‘Lord Assassin’ fight 145-pound champ Ilia Topuria right now.

“Man, I mean, Jean Silva is something else; he is absolutely nasty,” Thomas said during the UFC Denver post-show. “I was watching the fight next to Mick Maynard, the matchmaker, and I’m sitting there saying if this guy can make 145, let’s just put him in there with Ilia Topuria now. Yeah. He looks the part. His striking looks the part” (h/t MMA Mania).

Jean Silva

Jean Silva has a long way to go

Kamaru Usman, who was also on post-fight duties in The Centennial State, quickly zapped Thomas back to reality, telling the one-time Fight of the Night winner to quit it with the title talk.

As exciting as Silva has looked over the last couple of weeks, we can’t forget that he’s still a rookie inside the Octagon, having only competed three times thus far. Not to mention he failed to make weight for his featherweight scrap with Jourdain in Las Vegas.

Din Thomas wants to see UFC standout Jean Silva fight Ilia Topuria after bagging two KOs in two weeks

Din Thomas wants to see UFC standout Jean Silva fight Ilia Topuria after bagging two KOs in two weeksDin Thomas is high on Jean Silva. Maybe a little too high. Two weeks removed from his second-round knockout…

Din Thomas wants to see UFC standout Jean Silva fight Ilia Topuria after bagging two KOs in two weeks

Din Thomas is high on Jean Silva. Maybe a little too high.

Two weeks removed from his second-round knockout of Charles Jourdain at UFC 303, ‘Lord Assassin’ returned to the Octagon in The Mile High City for a short-notice scrap with heavy-handed Denver native Drew Dober.

Silva’s impressive speed was on full display from the get-go, peppering Dober with his left hand before busting open his opponent with a couple of perfectly timed spinning back elbows.

Jean Silva

Despite being in the driver’s seat from the opening bell, Dober never once took his foot off the gas. Unfortunately, Dober’s cut continued to widen as the fight went on, forcing referee Herb Dean and the cageside physician to intervene and bring a stop to the contest.

Dober was understandably frustrated, but the stoppage was understandable as he had sustained one of the worst cuts in recent memory. Or at least the worst one since Mayra Bueno Silva’s nasty gash two weeks prior.

With two impressive finishes in the span of two weeks, things are looking up for Jean Silva. Though he has yet to break into the featherweight top 15, former fighter turned analyst Din Thomas doesn’t care. He wants to see ‘Lord Assassin’ fight 145-pound champ Ilia Topuria right now.

“Man, I mean, Jean Silva is something else; he is absolutely nasty,” Thomas said during the UFC Denver post-show. “I was watching the fight next to Mick Maynard, the matchmaker, and I’m sitting there saying if this guy can make 145, let’s just put him in there with Ilia Topuria now. Yeah. He looks the part. His striking looks the part” (h/t MMA Mania).

Jean Silva

Jean Silva has a long way to go

Kamaru Usman, who was also on post-fight duties in The Centennial State, quickly zapped Thomas back to reality, telling the one-time Fight of the Night winner to quit it with the title talk.

As exciting as Silva has looked over the last couple of weeks, we can’t forget that he’s still a rookie inside the Octagon, having only competed three times thus far. Not to mention he failed to make weight for his featherweight scrap with Jourdain in Las Vegas.

Rose Namajunas calls for ‘Dream’ title fight in Lithuania after dominant UFC Denver victory

Rose Namajunas calls for dream title fight in Lithuania after UFC Denver winTurning in her second straight win at the flyweight limit overnight in her UFC Fight Night Denver main event,…

Rose Namajunas calls for dream title fight in Lithuania after UFC Denver win

Turning in her second straight win at the flyweight limit overnight in her UFC Fight Night Denver main event, former two-time strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas has set her stall out for a title charge at 125lbs in her next outing – calling for a “dream” bout in Lithuania. 

Namajunas, who entered last night’s main event fight in Colorado against short-notice replacement, Tracy Cortez, comfortably outstruck the emerging prospect over the course of five rounds, turning in a one-sided unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) victory.

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Initially booked to take on the streaking Maycee Barber, former two-time champion, Namajunas had landed her first win at the flyweight limit back in March against perennial division contender, Amanda Ribas.

Rose Namajunas calls for title fight in Lithuania

And welcoming the chance to take on incumbent gold holder, Alexa Grasso in her return to action, former champion, Namajunas called for a “dream” showdown in Lithuania. 

“I had this vision, I want to fight in Lithuania one day,” Rose Namajunas told ESPN following her win at UFC Denver. “Bring the UFC to Lithuania, and I would love to rematch Manon (Fiorot) or anybody for the belt, whatever. That’s my dream come true, but anything that the UFC has in mind, I’m cool with as well.

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Also weighing up options for her next Octagon outing, Wisconsin native, Namajunas – whose parents have Lithuanian heritage, suggested she take part in the inaugural women’s symbolic BMF championship fight.

Taking on the above-mentioned French star, Fiorot back in September of last year in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night Paris, Namajunas was beaten over the course of three rounds in a unanimous decision loss. 

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With last night’s decision win, Namajunas chalked up a two-fight winning run for the first time since reclaiming strawweight gold and defending it against current champion, Zhang Weili back in 2021.

Who would win in a potential future fight: Alexa Grasso or Rose Namajunas?