CombatSports.org

submitted by /u/hufusa [link] [comments]

MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

The latest episode of Contender Series featured a number of great performances and one unexpected twist.

On Tuesday night, the fifth episode of season eight of Contender Series took place in Las Vegas at the UFC APEX, and after four fights, UFC CEO Dana White awarded three UFC contracts.

However, the biggest story of the evening was that only four fights ended up taking place, instead of the planned five bouts. During the broadcast, the commentary team announced that the planned matchup between Quemuel Ottoni and Kody Steele would no longer take place as Ottoni unexpectedly withdrew from the event, leaving Steele without an opponent.

Steele will now wait to compete on a future episode of Contender Series this season, while the three fighters offered contracts will now make their way to the UFC.

Stirling ices Latu

In the main event of the evening, Navajo Stirling scored the most impressive finish in the evening, starching Phillip Latu with a left hook in the second round and punching his ticket to the UFC.

Fighting out of City Kickboxing, Stirling had plenty of expectations on him coming in and the undefeated prospect showed why, displaying a composure beyond his years and well-rounded skills early as Latu mixed things up with him. Then in the second round, Stirling landed a devastating hook during an exchange that sent Latu sprawling and earned him a glowing review from Dana White, who offered him a contract with the UFC.

Belgaroui scores late finish over Iwasaki

In the penultimate fight of the evening, Yousri Belgaroui turned it on when it mattered to score a third-round TKO victory over Taiga Iwasaki.

After falling short in Contender Series last year, Belgaroui was determined to do better this time around, but the former Glory Kickboxing title challenger had a more difficult time than expected against Iwasaki, who proved extremely game for much of the bout. However, after getting a point deducted in the second round for repeated eye pokes, Belgaroui came out more aggressive in the third round and finally landed a pair of big knees that hurt Iwasaki and brought about the end of the fight.

Unfortunately, the eye pokes and the tough start were not enough to impress Dana White who declined to offer Belgaroui a contract.

Musasa edges out Tanzilov

In the second fight of the evening, Josias Musasa had a hard-fought battle with Otar Tanzilov, doing enough to edge out a split decision and earn a shot in the UFC.

This battle of undefeated fighters was one of the most competitive of the evening as Musasa and Tanzilov went toe-to-toe for 15 full minutes of fast-paced action. Tanzilov scored a number of takedowns in the bout but each time Musasa simply stood back up and went right back to work with his pressure and boxing. In the end, two of the judges felt that was good enough to award him the win.

Caliari submits Laframboise

In the opening bout of the evening, Nicolle Caliari made quick work of Corinne Laframboise to earn her way into the UFC.

A former karate world champion, Caliari is best known for her striking skills, but it was her grappling that made the difference on Tuesday as Caliari came out and looked to use her wrestling right from the start, scoring takedowns on the Canadian fighter. Laframboise used this opportunity to get into grappling exchanges and ultimately got Caliari down but that’s when things went wrong for her as Caliari rolled up an armbar that got a first round submission and a UFC contract.

Check out the DWCS results below.

Navajo Stirling def. Phil Latu via knockout (punch) — Round 2, 2:21

Yousri Belgaroui def. Taiga Iwasaki via TKO (knee and punches) — Round 3, 2:34

Josias Musasa def. Otari Tanzilovi via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Nicolle Caliari def. Corinne Laframboise via submission (armbar) — Round 1, 4:45

MMA Fighting – All Posts

submitted by /u/rmma
[link] [comments]
MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

UFC 306 is going to feature something very special for viewers and attendees.

This Saturday, UFC 306 — branded Riyadh Season Noche UFC — takes place at Sphere in Las Vegas, headlined by a bantamweight title fight between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. The UFC is promoting the card as “the greatest live sporting event of all-time” and so the promotion is pulling out all the stops to deliver on its grand promises.

Speaking with reporters after the most recent episode of Contender Series, UFC CEO Dana White revealed some of the details about this weekend’s event, including a lucrative “Easter egg hunt” for fans.

“There’s movies, there’s chapters,” White explained when asked about the production surrounding the event. “Each chapter starts before the next fight. So there will be a show open, then the first movie will run and it will end at the end of the fight. Then — we call them ‘worlds’ and the fight will live inside this world. And the world will evolve while the fights are going on, but it will be very subtle. Clouds will move, fires will burn, birds will fly, or whatever the hell is going on in that time, and it will slowly evolve during the fight.

“There are also going to be Easter eggs in each one of these films. We’re working it out with legal right now, but what I want to do, if somebody can find all the Easter eggs, I’ll give you $ 25,000.”

White confirmed that the planned Easter eggs will all be “related to the show” and added that this special scavenger hunt will only take place on the main card. The prelims will serve as a setup for the main card, and the entire show will move from “the beginning of time” and “end at the future,” all while keeping the spirit White intended from the outset: to be a love letter to Mexico.

“If you’re Mexican, this is a f*cking Rocky movie for you, man,” White said. “You’re going to come out of there, and if you’re not, you’re going to wish you were Mexican.”

And when it’s all said and done and the show is in the books, White hopes to have achieved more than just deliver a once in a lifetime experience for UFC fans.

“My goal in this thing is to be nominated for an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Grammy,” White said.

MMA Fighting – All Posts

Nickal returns
| BJPenn.com

Off then on then on again.

Kody Steele (6-0) went through a bit of a rollercoaster of expectations throughout his would-be appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series tonight (Tues., Sept. 10, 2024). The talented Welterweight and Lightweight prospect was originally set to take on the first man to defeat Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, in mixed martial arts (MMA), Quemuel Ottoni, until the latter pulled out abruptly.

Ottoni, 31, initially pulled out an hour before the fight, according to Steele’s coach, William Tackett. The fight then was back on as Ottoni collected himself before inevitably having a panic attack that canceled the bout once and for all. White confirmed on the broadcast that Steele will be paid his show and win money, and get a fight on a later episode of Contender Series.

“@kody_steelebjj ‘s opponent just pulled out less than 1hr before the @ufc contender series due to ‘not feeling it,’” Tackett posted on Instagram. “We shockingly had to remove Kodys wraps just as he started to warm up. 5mins later we were notified that his opponent was back in, and the fight is back on! Mission stays the same [swords emoji] it’s go time.”

The fight cancelation is the 14th of Ottoni’s 15-fight career (12-3). Ottoni was briefly a part of Professional Fighters League’s (PFL) roster without fighting thanks to three consecutive cancelations. Earlier in his career, Ottoni was scheduled to fight future UFC Middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa, before that was also canceled. The aforementioned Pereira fight saw Ottoni win a third round rear-naked choke in 2015.

For more Contender Series news and notes, be sure to hit up our comprehensive archive right here.

MMAmania.com – All Posts

submitted by /u/hufusa [link] [comments]

MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Contender Series is not for the faint of heart.

An unprecedented event took place on the latest episode of season eight of Contender Series as on Tuesday, less than an hour before he was set to face Kody Steele in the penultimate fight of the evening, Quemuel Ottoni withdrew from the event.

The UFC broadcast team revealed that while getting his hands wrapped backstage, Ottoni simply decided he no longer wanted to compete and after speaking to UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby, took off his gloves and exited. UFC CEO Dana White spoke moments after the bout cancellation was revealed.

“That’s what this show is all about,” White said. “Sometimes you don’t have to actually get in the cage to realize, ‘This isn’t for me. I can’t handle the pressure. I don’t want to do this.’ This is what this is all about.”

MMA Fighting reached out to Ottoni for comment but received no response.

Ottoni was supposed to face Kody Steele, a highly-touted prospect and BJJ competitor, in a lightweight contest, and White further spoke and what this means for Steele.

“I think he’s part of the problem,” White said. “I think he’s part of why the kid pulled out. He will be paid in full tonight, his show and his win, and we will get him on another episode of Contender Series this weekend.”

Steele is currently undefeated in his MMA career at 6-0 and most recently competed this past April for Fury FC, scoring a third-round TKO.

MMA Fighting – All Posts

The most expensive event in UFC history is right around the corner, and fans worldwide are gearing up for the celebration of Mexican Independence Day through it. In the last few days, Dana White has finally revealed how the event will feature several films showcasing Mexico’s contributions to combat sports. UFC 306 has already become […]

Continue Reading ‘Nobody’s Gonna Pay Anything’ – Mexican UFC Fighter To Dana White On High Ticket Prices For The Sphere Event at MMA News.

MMA News

submitted by /u/event_threads
[link] [comments]
MMA: Mixed Martial Arts