Tag: Aaron McKenzie

‘The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler’ Episode 7 recap: Two injury exams and another quick finish

“The Ultimate Fighter 31” returns as two fighters need medical evaluations before Conor McGregor’s team tries to avoid a clean sweep.

“The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler” returned Tuesday for Episode 7 as two fighters head to be examined by the UFC’s chief physician before a lightweight fight ends quickly.

On Episode 7, the matchup between seasoned veteran [autotag]Jason Knight[/autotag] and up-and-comer [autotag]Landon Quinones[/autotag], as Team McGregor seeks its first win over the season after six straight losses.

The season runs from May 30 to Aug. 15 with the live finale expected for later this year. The promotion also intends for coaches [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] to square off in the months that follow the conclusion of the season.

Scroll below for a recap of Episode 7 and make sure to check out an exclusive insider look from Holobaugh, who will peel back the curtain on MMA Junkie the morning after each episode airs.

Kurt Holobaugh’s ‘TUF 31’ chronicles: The difference between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor as coaches

Cast member Kurt Holobaugh gives MMA Junkie an exclusive, inside look at “The Ultimate Fighter 31: Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.”

“The Ultimate Fighter 31” is underway with coaches [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] attracting more eyeballs back on the series.

This season, which features eight lightweights and eight bantamweights, debuted Tuesday on ESPN. McGregor’s team features eight fighters who have not competed in the UFC against Chandler’s team of eight UFC alumni.

Among those UFC alumni is [autotag]Kurt Holobaugh[/autotag], the lone fighter who had two previous stints with the promotion. Holobaugh went 0-4 over those stretches, but history shows a tough strength of schedule: Steven Siler, Raoni Barcelos, Shane Burgos, and Thiago Moises.

Now at lightweight rather than featherweight, Holobaugh devastated two opponents to get a third look from the UFC.

Each week here at MMA Junkie, Holobaugh will peel back the curtain and provide an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look and give insight into what may not have made the cut into the episode.

Check out what Holobaugh had to say about Episode 3 below:

‘The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler’ Episode 2 recap: A cold sore postponement and a flying KO

“The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler ” returned as a fight was postponed for medical reasons – and another fight ended violently.

“The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler” returned Tuesday for Episode 2 and featured a brutal knockout – but not the fight fans initially expected.

On Episode 2, a fight was postponed until a later date. The fight that took place was one for the highlight reel. Also, things got a bit testy in the TUF House’s kitchen.

The season runs from May 30 to Aug. 15 with the live finale expected for later this year. The promotion also intends for coaches [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] to square off in the months that follow the conclusion of the season.

Scroll below for a recap of Episode 2 and make sure to check out an exclusive insider look from TUF 31 cast member Kurt Holobaugh, who will peel back the curtain on MMA Junkie the morning after each episode airs.

‘The Ultimate Fighter 31’ rosters revealed, includes eight former UFC fighters

Check out the 16 fighters who made the cut for “TUF 31” – including eight former UFC fighters.

“The Ultimate Fighter” is back for a 31st season, which will be coached by lightweight stars [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag].

Set to debut May 30 on ESPN and run until Aug. 15, the series will include men’s bantamweights and lightweights, as first reported on MMA Junkie’s “Spinning Back Clique.” Filming began in February in Las Vegas.

McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) will square off after the conclusion of the series at a date and location yet-to-be-determined.

In addition to an announcement of rosters Saturday, the promotion announced the upcoming season will have a theme of “Redemption,” which pins former UFC fighters against rising prospects.

Dozens of fighters applied and only 16 were selected. Scroll below to see who made the cut.

LFA 128 results: Aaron McKenzie edges out title-winning split decision over Lucas Clay

A new LFA lightweight champion was crowned on Friday.

LFA returned to action on Friday in Sioux Falls, S.D., to crown a new lightweight champion.

The main event between [autotag]Aaron McKenzie[/autotag] and [autotag]Lucas Clay[/autotag] capped off an exciting main card of fights at LFA 128 that produced five finishes before it. The event took place at Sanford Pentagon.

McKenzie (11-2-1) and Clay (8-2) had a lot on the line as the vacant lightweight title hung in the balance. Both entered the bout with strong win streaks and hoped to add another win while claiming LFA gold.

The fight was back and forth over the first few rounds.

In the first, McKenzie implemented his strong grappling game, neutralizing Clay’s offense. However, in the second, Clay was able to stop some takedowns and land damaging strikes.

The third round caught McKenzie a little by surprise, as Clay went to the grappling game and nearly pulled off a solid rear-naked choke submission attempt. The finish would not come and the fight continued on to the championship rounds.

In the fourth, McKenzie was able to get back to his world and keep the fight on the ground for the majority of the frame. Clay nearly reversed positions to change the course, but the story of the round was McKenzie’s grappling.

The fifth and final round felt like the fight was on the line, with each fighter having an edge in two rounds each. McKenzie fought off an early submission scare and leaned heavily on his wrestling throughout the round. Clay was able to break free and fire off some heavy offense in the final moments, but the fight concluded, leaving questions about how the judges would render their decision.

The judges were split, as two saw the fight in favor of McKenzie with scores of 48-47, and one judge had the same score in Clay’s direction.

“I want to be in the UFC,” McKenzie said during his post fight interview with UFC welterweight [autotag]Michael Chiesa[/autotag]. “I want to be in the UFC with all of my heart. I want to prove I belong.”

Full results of LFA 128 include:

  • Aaron McKenzie def. Lucas Clay via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
  • Jimmy Lawson def. Marino Eatman via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:34
  • Richie Miranda def. Devon Dixon via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 2:07
  • Bryce Meredith def. Jay Viola via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:04
  • Mitch McKee def. Jalen Jackson via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:02
  • Thad Jean def. Sarek Shields via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:40

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On the Doorstep: 5 fighters who could make UFC with April wins

For those who make it to the highest stage, the journey starts long before they strap on UFC or Bellator gloves.

Every champion in MMA history started out somewhere.

For those who make it to the highest stage, the journey begins long before they strap on UFC, Bellator, or PFL gloves. Modern-era fighters progress through the regional ranks with hopes of accomplishing the highest accolades. Many will try, few will succeed.

This month, five fighters on the verge of achieving major promotion notoriety – one for the second time – return to the cage for what could be their stepping stone fight. There are dozens of fighters close to making the jump in the coming weeks, but these five are particularly exemplary.

  • An under-the-radar New Englander looks to capture his second CES MMA title weeks after he captured his first – and punch his ticket to the UFC.
  • An 8-1 fighter hopes a win over a prospect with the same record finally propels him into the big show.
  • A veteran Oklahoma-born fighter continues to improve and feels an LFA title win will show he’s ready for the next level.
  • A surging prospect with a funky arsenal of submissions wants to add another highlight to his reel, an LFA title to his trophy case, and a UFC contract to his resume.
  • A South Carolina-based bantamweight is eager to keep up his exciting fights in order to catch the eye of a major promotion.

Not Ready Yet: On the Doorstep: 5 fighters who could make UFC or Bellator with April wins

For those who make it to the highest stage, the journey starts long before they strap on UFC or Bellator gloves.

Every champion in MMA history started out somewhere.

For those who make it to the highest stage, the journey begins long before they strap on UFC or Bellator gloves. Modern-era fighters progress through the regional ranks with hopes of accomplishing the highest accolades. Many will try, few will succeed.

This month, five fighters on the verge of achieving major-promotion notoriety return to the cage for what could be their stepping stone fight. There are dozens of fighters close to making the jump in the coming weeks, but these five are particularly exemplary.

This month:

  • A welterweight finisher hopes his first CFFC title defense will be his only – and he’ll go to the UFC right after.
  • One of the most impressive unsigned performances on the inaugural season of Dana White’s Contender Series, comes back after a 3.5-year hiatus with his sights set on earning the contract that eluded him.
  • Two Oklahomans hope their LFA homecoming headliners will be eye-catching enough to elevate them to MMA’s big leagues.
  • With a title defense for Fury FC, a lightweight standout thinks a UFC phone call could come his way.

Bellator 239 adds six fights to lineup: Javy Ayala, Christian Edwards, more

The Bellator 239 lineup is growing with the addition of six fights, including Javy Ayala vs. Valentin Moldavsky.

Bellator is bulking up its return to Thackerville, Okla.

The promotion recently added six fights to the Bellator 239 lineup, five of which were initially reported by Sherdog. Among the new additions, heavyweights [autotag]Javy Ayala[/autotag] and [autotag]Valentin Moldavsky[/autotag] collide in a main-card bout.

Surging up-and-comers [autotag]Lucas Brennan[/autotag], [autotag]Chris Gonzalez[/autotag], and [autotag]Christian Edwards[/autotag] all will look to keep their undefeated records alive, while rising prospect [autotag]Adil Benjilany[/autotag] hopes for a return to the win column.

Bellator also announced former UFC fighter [autotag]Carlo Pedersoli Jr.[/autotag] will make his promotional debut against highly touted prospect [autotag]Mark Lemminger[/autotag].

Bellator 239 takes place Friday, Feb. 21 at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Okla. The main card airs on Paramount and streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Check out the six recently-booked fights below:

  • Heavyweight: Javy Ayala (11-7 MMA, 6-4 BMMA) vs. Valentin Moldavsky (8-1 MMA, 3-0 BMMA)
  • Featherweight: Lucas Brennan (2-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) vs. [autotag]Jamese Taylor[/autotag] (0-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA)
  • Featherweight: Adil Benjilany (5-2 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) vs. [autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag] (20-12 MMA, 0-1 BMMA)
  • Lightweight: Chris Gonzalez (3-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) vs. [autotag]Aaron McKenzie[/autotag] (7-1-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA)
  • Light heavyweight: Christian Edwards (2-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) vs. [autotag]Marco Hutch[/autotag] (3-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA)
  • Welterweight: Carlo Pedersoli Jr. (11-3 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) vs. Mark Lemminger (10-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA

Bellator 239 is currently headlined by a welterweight bout between Ed Ruth and Yaroslav Amosov. Other fights include Brandon Girtz vs. Myles Jury, Tyrell Fortune vs. Timothy Johnson, Denise Kielholtz vs. Kristina Williams, and Cris Lencioni vs. Salim Mukhidinov.

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