Tag: ufc on ESPN

Francis Ngannou Thinks Junior dos Santos’ Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Is Bogus

When Francis Ngannou meets Junior dos Santos inside the Octagon, he’ll have no problem going to the ground with the Brazilian. Ngannou spoke to MMA Junkie recently ahead of his UFC on ESPN 3 main event matchup with “JDS.” The Frenchman revealed that he isn’t buying that “JDS” is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu: […]

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When Francis Ngannou meets Junior dos Santos inside the Octagon, he’ll have no problem going to the ground with the Brazilian.

Ngannou spoke to MMA Junkie recently ahead of his UFC on ESPN 3 main event matchup with “JDS.” The Frenchman revealed that he isn’t buying that “JDS” is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu:

“First of all, I don’t believe that jiu-jitsu black belt,” Ngannou said. “I don’t believe that Dos Santos jiu-jitsu black belt. I don’t know where he’s from, but I don’t believe that. And I don’t mind that at all.

“But you never know what some fighter is going to come out with. I always keep thinking maybe he’ll try some wrestling or a takedown, but it’s not his comfort zone. I don’t know. He might try everything. But the most important is I’m prepared for every little thing.”

Currently, Ngannou is on a two-fight win streak, having finished both Curtis Blaydes and Cain Velasquez via first-round knockouts. Now, with another big knockout win over a huge name in the division, “The Predator” could line himself up for a heavyweight title opportunity.

“Cigano” is on a three-fight win streak and has finished his last two fights via second round TKOs. He finished Tai Tuivasa back in December, and followed that up with a second-round TKO win over Derrick Lewis in the main event of UFC Wichita in March. Now, they’ll headline UFC on ESPN 3 from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 29.

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Tyron Woodley Explains Decision To Pull Out Of Lawler Fight

Former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley is not happy about pulling out of his rematch with Robbie Lawler at UFC on ESPN 3. “The Chosen One” may not be thrilled about dropping out of his main event match-up with “Ruthless.” But Woodley, who wants nothing more than to get back his title, knows he has to […]

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Former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley is not happy about pulling out of his rematch with Robbie Lawler at UFC on ESPN 3.

“The Chosen One” may not be thrilled about dropping out of his main event match-up with “Ruthless.” But Woodley, who wants nothing more than to get back his title, knows he has to play it smart if he plans on ever hearing the words “and new” again.

Here’s how Woodley put it on his Instagram Live:

“A lot of questions about my hand and me not fighting June 29. I don’t know if they’re going to reschedule me and Robbie for a different date or if they’re going to actually get him a new opponent, but I got to make sure I protect my hand. That’s where I make the money with. I have to be confident throwing my moneymaker, my right hand.

“I toughed it through the last fight, guys, a lot of (expletive) tape. This time around I’ve got to be honest with myself. The gripping, the grabbing, the posting, the pushing off, the strength, the snapping – all of the above was a little bit more difficult. I’m going to make sure I put myself in position to be successful. At the end of the day, I got to get that belt back. I’ve got to put myself in the best position.”

While the UFC has not officially named a replacement for Woodley, nearly every relevant 170-pound fighter came out of the woodwork to put their name in the hat to fight Lawler.

UFC on ESPN 3 takes place at the Target Center from Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 29.

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Breaking: Jacare Souza vs. Jack Hermansson To Headline UFC On ESPN 3

A middleweight fight with serious title implications will headline UFC on ESPN 3 when Jacare Souza meets Jack Hermansson. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto was the first to break the news via Twitter. Breaking: Jacare Souza vs. Jack Hermansson is verbally agreed to headline UFC Fight Night on April 27. Hermansson replaces Yoel Romero, who withdrew due […]

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A middleweight fight with serious title implications will headline UFC on ESPN 3 when Jacare Souza meets Jack Hermansson.

ESPN’s Brett Okamoto was the first to break the news via Twitter.

Hermansson, fresh off his 49-second destruction of David Branch last weekend, will step in on short notice for Yoel Romero you was the original opponent for Souza.

Should he win, Souza would earn a title shot, according to his manager Gilberto Faria. Faria also gave props to Hermansson for stepping in on short notice and effectively saving the main event.

While Hermansson just competed last week, Souza’s last go around was at UFC 230 against Chris Weidman. The Brazilian is currently sitting at the No. 3 middleweight in the UFC.

UFC on ESPN 3 will take place on April 27 at the BB&T Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The entire fight card will be available on ESPN and ESPN+.

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Reality Show Obligations May Force Yoel Romero To Miss UFC on ESPN 3

A fight between Yoel Romero and rising UFC middleweight Paulo Costa has been in the works for the past several months. Unfortunately, the fight has hit a roadblock at nearly every turn. Now, it looks like it could face yet another. According to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, the UFC is eying Romero vs. Costa to headline […]

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A fight between Yoel Romero and rising UFC middleweight Paulo Costa has been in the works for the past several months.

Unfortunately, the fight has hit a roadblock at nearly every turn. Now, it looks like it could face yet another. According to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, the UFC is eying Romero vs. Costa to headline UFC Florida on April 27th from Sunrise, Florida. However, there’s a chance that might not happen.

Romero is currently competing on a reality show in which he tries his hand against various obstacle courses. The show lasts between three to four months. Romero won’t be able to leave until he’s eliminated or he wins. If either of those things don’t happen before the show, Romero will be replaced by Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in the main event instead.

Costa is one of the UFC’s fastest rising stars. He is undefeated at the moment with a record of 12-0. During his UFC run, Costa has earned wins over the likes of Oluwale Bamgbose, Johny Hendricks, and Uriah Hall. Romero’s last fight took place at UFC 225 in June. He suffered a split decision defeat to Robert Whittaker after five awesome rounds of fighting.

Initially, the fight was to be for the middleweight championship. However, since Romero missed weight for the contest, the fight was changed to a five-round main event.

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UFC on ESPN+ 3 Medical Suspensions: Five Fighters Face Lengthy Sits

With every decision comes a consequence and for those fighters who took part in battle at UFC on ESPN+ 3, it’s their time to faces those consequences in the form of medical suspensions. UFC on ESPN +3 took place on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic. The main card […]

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With every decision comes a consequence and for those fighters who took part in battle at UFC on ESPN+ 3, it’s their time to faces those consequences in the form of medical suspensions.

UFC on ESPN +3 took place on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic. The main card aired on ESPN + at 2 PM EST. The preliminary card aired on ESPN 2 at 11 AM EST.

Jan B?achowicz vs. Thiago Santos in a light heavyweight bout headlined this show. Stefan Struve vs. Marcos Rogério de Lima in a heavyweight bout co-headlined.

Rounding out the six bout main card was Gian Villante vs. Micha? Oleksiejczuk in a light heavyweight bout, Liz Carmouche vs. Lucie Pudilová in a women’s flyweight bout, John Dodson vs. Petr Yan in a bantamweight bout, and Magomed Ankalaev vs. Klidson Abreu in a light heavyweight bout.

Some of the more notable suspensions include Blachowicz, Rogerio de Lima along with three other fighters getting suspended 180 days or until cleared by a doctor. Here are the entire medical suspensions, courtesy of MMAJunkie:

Thiago Santos: suspended mandatory seven days

Jan Blachowicz: suspended 180 days or until cleared by nasal X-ray; suspended a minimum of 30 days with 21 days no contact

Stefan Struve: suspended mandatory seven days

Marcos Rogerio de Lima: suspended 180 days or until cleared by left knee MRI; suspended a minimum of 30 days with 21 days no contact

Michal Oleksiejczuk: suspended mandatory seven days

Gian Villante: suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact

Liz Carmouche: suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact

Lucie Pudilova: suspended mandatory seven days

Petr Yan: suspended mandatory seven days

John Dodson: suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact for left eyelid laceration

Magomed Ankalaev: suspended 180 days or until cleared by right hand X-ray; suspended a minimum of 30 days with 21 days no contact

Klidson Farias: suspended 180 days or until cleared by ear, nose and throat doctor for nasal fracture; suspended a minimum of 30 days with 21 days no contact

Dwight Grant: suspended mandatory seven days

Carlo Pedersoli Jr.: suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact

Chris Fishgold: suspended 180 days or until cleared by left hand X-ray; suspended a minimum of 30 days with 21 days no contact

Daniel Teymur: suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact

Gillian Robertson: suspended mandatory seven days

Veronica Macedo: suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact for right rib pain

Damir Hadzovic: suspended mandatory seven days

Marco Polo Reyes: suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact

Michel Prazeres: suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact

Ismail Naurdiev: suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact

Carlos Diego Ferreira: suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact

Rustam Khabilov: suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact

Damir Ismagulov: suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact

Joel Alvarez: suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact for lower lip laceration.

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UFC Prague Bonuses: Thiago Santos Banks An Extra $50K

UFC on ESPN+ 3 went down from the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic earlier today (Sat. February 23, 2019). Dwight Grant ended the ESPN 2 prelims with a bang. He finished Carlo Pedersoli Jr. with one second left in the first round with a TKO. That kind of sequence was worthy of a $50,000 Performance […]

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UFC on ESPN+ 3 went down from the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic earlier today (Sat. February 23, 2019).

Dwight Grant ended the ESPN 2 prelims with a bang. He finished Carlo Pedersoli Jr. with one second left in the first round with a TKO. That kind of sequence was worthy of a $50,000 Performance Of The Night bonus. Also, Micha? Oleksiejczu made a statement on the main card by toppling UFC veteran Gian Villante. He dropped Villante with a body shot before finishing him off on the ground.

Oleksiejczu’s first-round win was awarded with Performance Of The Night, and an extra $50,000. In what was likely the last fight of his career, Stefan Struve also banked $50,000 for Performance Of The Night. The longtime UFC heavyweight submitted Marcos Rogerio de Lima in the second round by way of arm-triangle choke.

And in the main event of the night, Thiago Santos defeated Jan Blachowicz with a third-round knockout. “The Hammer” uncorked two huge hooks that ended Blachowicz’s night. After the bout was over, Santos called out the winner of Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith at UFC 235 next week. Santos will also take home a $50,000 Performance Of The Night bonus.

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