Tag: UFC Mexico

Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer Targeted For UFC Mexico On March 29

The UFC is set to return to Mexico in the first quarter of this year, and the promotion appears to be bringing a former title challenger with it in the form of Kelvin Gastelum. It’s been a difficult few years for Gastelum (19-9, 1 NC). After going 2-5 across a seven-fight run that started with […]

The UFC is set to return to Mexico in the first quarter of this year, and the promotion appears to be bringing a former title challenger with it in the form of Kelvin Gastelum.

It’s been a difficult few years for Gastelum (19-9, 1 NC). After going 2-5 across a seven-fight run that started with his memorable interim championship clash with Israel Adesanya, the 33-year-old most recently experienced a failed return to welterweight.

After being submitted by Sean Brady in late 2023, Gastelum did have his hand raised over Daniel Rodriguez. But owing to a weight miss in Saudi Arabia that left UFC CEO Dana White less than happy, his stock didn’t rise in victory.

Unsurprisingly, the Californian looks to have once again been forced to close the book on his 170-pound plans. And he seems close to being booked for a difficult welcome back to the 185-pound class.

Per MMA Mania’s Alex Behunin, a clash between Gastelum and the highly touted Joe Pyfer (13-3) is in the works for the UFC Fight Night in Mexico on March 29.

After breaking through in a big way on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, Pyfer began Octagon life on the front foot with three straight wins.

But after knocking out Alen Amedovski and Gerald Meerschaert and submitting Abdul Razak Alhassan, “Bodybagz” was unable to get past his toughest test to date, falling via decision to perennial contender Jack Hermansson in an Apex main event last February.

Pyfer, however, wasn’t coming off a defeat for long. He returned to his violent ways during International Fight Week four months later by sleeping Marc-André Barriault. He’ll now look to return to a win streak at Gastelum’s expense.

The addition of Gastelum vs. Pyfer would mark the third bout on the UFC Mexico lineup. Thus far, Edgar Cháirez and Ronaldo Rodríguez both have home country fights set, with the former facing CJ Vergara and the latter dueling Kevin Borjas.

UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Fights Added To Los Angeles-Held UFC 311

MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming cards. With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week. Between Monday, November 18, and Sunday, […]

MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming cards.

With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.

Between Monday, November 18, and Sunday, November 24, a number of notable fights were made official by the UFC or reported as being in the works by reputable sources. For more information on those matchups, check out the links below:

Plenty of lower-profile matchups also came together. For those, check out this week’s quick hits:

But it wasn’t all positive, with two fights falling through or being adjusted. For those, see below:

Video – Fan gets brutally KO’d after a massive brawl breaks out in the crowd at UFC Mexico City

Massive brawl at UFC MexicoFans inside Arena CDMX for the UFC’s return to Mexico weren’t content with just watching some fights go down….

Massive brawl at UFC Mexico

Fans inside Arena CDMX for the UFC’s return to Mexico weren’t content with just watching some fights go down.

Just before the decision was read for Saturday’s main card opener between Manuel Torres and Chris Duncan was announced, a massive melee broke out among fans in the stands. One particularly hefty individual who was involved in the skirmish impressively dispatched two of the other brawlers with a stiff left hand, sending one of them tumbling backward down the arena stairs.

With the crowd clearly distracted, Torres attempted to de-escalate the situation on the microphone following his first-round submission win via rear-naked choke.

It is uncertain what led to the scuffle, but with the arena pretty much packed full by the time the second preliminary bout started, an unhealthy amount of testosterone mixed with a few too many cervezas likely played a role.

Perhaps even more shocking was the complete absence of security as no less than 10 people decided to put on their own version of Street Beefs in the middle of a UFC event.

Brandon Royval defies the odds, scores split decision over Brandon Moreno – UFC Mexico City Highlights

Brandon RoyvalBrandon Royval stepped into the UFC Mexico main event as a +220 underdog, but that didn’t stop him from…

Brandon Royval

Brandon Royval stepped into the UFC Mexico main event as a +220 underdog, but that didn’t stop him from delivering a show-stealing performance against former flyweight world champion Brandon Moreno.

More than three years removed from their first meeting when ‘The Assassin Baby’ scored a last-second TKO, Royval earned some redemption, outlasting Moreno in a five-round back-and-forth war inside Arena CDMX in Mexico City. ‘Raw Dog’ threw an incredible 370 significant strikes during the 25-minute affair, though he only landed a lowly 28%. Still, that was enough to outstrike Moreno in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds which ultimately sealed the victory on two of the three scorecards.

Official Result: Brandon Royval def. Brandon Moreno via split decision (48-47, 46-49, 48-47)

Following the bout, Royval called for a rematch with reigning flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja, who was sitting cageside for the festivities. Royval came up short against Pantoja at UFC 296 in December, but his impressive short-notice showing against Moreno may put him right back in line for another shot at gold.

Check Out Highlights From Brandon Royval vs. Brandon Moreno at UFC Mexico:

Breaking – Brandon Moreno set to fight Amir Albazi in UFC Mexico City co-Headliner in February return

Brandon Moreno set to fight Amir Albazi at UFC Mexico City five rounds February 24Former undisputed flyweight champion, Brandon Moreno is set for his return to the Octagon, taking co-main event honors at…

Brandon Moreno set to fight Amir Albazi at UFC Mexico City five rounds February 24

Former undisputed flyweight champion, Brandon Moreno is set for his return to the Octagon, taking co-main event honors at a UFC Fight Night Mexico City event on February 24. next – taking on surging contender, Amir Albazi in a five round clash.

Moreno, a former undisputed and interim flyweight champion, has been sidelined since he dropped his undisputed title at UFC 290 back in July in the co-main event of the International Fight Week event, dropping a close split decision loss to the incumbent in the pair’s Octagon rematch.

As for Albazi, the Iraq native has captured the number three rank in the official flyweight pile, most recently turning in a split decision win over common-foe and former interim title challenger, Kai Kara-France in the main event of UFC Vegas 74 back in June, The victory came as Albazi’s fifth in the Octagon since his debut back in 2020.

Brandon Moreno takes on Amir Albazi at UFC Mexico City

ESPN Deportes reporter, Carlos Contreras Legaspi was first to report the targeted bout between Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi, before latter confirmation from Eurosport reporter, Marcel Dorff, who confirmed the bout would take place on February 24. in a Mexico City return for the UFC. 

Moreno, a former two-time undisputed flyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, first captured Octagon spoils with a stunning rear-naked choke submission win over incoming UFC Austin feature, Deiveson Figueriedo back in 2021, before dropping the title in a third fight against the Brazilian the following January.

Minting himself as the interim flyweight titleholder with a vicious body kick KO win over Kara-France in the pair’s rematch, Moreno would land a doctor’s stoppage TKO win over Figueriedo in the pair’s fourth fight in January of last year, before losing his title to Pantoja in the summer. 

17-1 as a professional, former Brave CF standout, Albazi debuted in the UFC with a rear-naked choke submission win over Malcolm Gordon, before then lodging a decision win over Zhalgas Zhumagulov in his sophomore outing.

In three consecutive victories since then, Albazi, 30, has defeated Francisco Figueriedo, Alessandro Costa, and the aforenoted, Kara-France. 

Who wins at UFC Mexico City: Brandon Moreno or Amir Albazi?

Dana White doubtful of UFC Mexico event this year: ‘I don’t know if it’s in the plans’

Despite boasting three promotional championships from Mexico, UFC president, Dana White has confirmed it is unlikely the Octagon returns to the country any time soon, also shutting down a Cinco De Mayo event to boot. The UFC, who have yet to venture to Mexico since hosting a UFC Fight Night Mexico City card back in […]

Despite boasting three promotional championships from Mexico, UFC president, Dana White has confirmed it is unlikely the Octagon returns to the country any time soon, also shutting down a Cinco De Mayo event to boot.

The UFC, who have yet to venture to Mexico since hosting a UFC Fight Night Mexico City card back in September 2019, saw that event end in less than ideal fashion, with a headliner between hometown favorite, Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens halted due to an opening minute eye poke

Initially claiming the organization would not be returning to the region for a UFC Mexico event, due to crowd trouble following the official ‘No Contest‘ – fans have clamored for a return ever since the crowning of three UFC champions from Mexico.

Firstly, undisputed flyweight kingpin, Brandon Moreno reclaimed his crown with a doctor’s stoppage TKO win over Deiveson Figueiredo in Brazil at UFC 283 in January.

Then, the above-mentioned, Rodriguez struck interim featherweight gold the following month with a submission win against Josh Emmett.

And earlier this month, Lobo Gym staple, Alexa Grasso turned in a huge upset to dethrone Valentina Shevchenko at flyweight, clinching the crown with her own submission victory.

UFC Mexico return unlikely for 2023 schedule

However, despite the emergence of generational talent from Mexico in the form of three Octagon champions, UFC boss, White does not see a return to the country in the near future for UFC Mexico.

“We would obviously love to get back to Mexico and do that [a UFC Mexico card in the country], but I don’t know if it’s in the plans right now,” Dana White told assembled media following UFC San Antonio. We’re building a PI (Performance Institute) down there right now, and wait until you guys see that.”

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“We got three Mexican champions,” Dana White continued. “We probably should he heading to Mexico – or at least be doing a Cinco De Mayo [event], but that didn’t work out either.”