Tag: Alexander Gustafsson

UFC on ESPN 14 pre-event facts: Khamzat Chimaev makes record turnaround on historic 15-fight card

The best facts and figures about UFC on ESPN 14, which features a Robert Whittaker vs. Darren Till middleweight main event.

The final event of the UFC’s inaugural “Fight Island” stint goes down Saturday with UFC on ESPN 14, which aires on ESPN and streams on ESPN+ from Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

A high-stakes matchup between middleweight contenders takes center stage in the main event. Former champ [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] (20-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) returns for the first time since losing the belt to Israel Adesanya in October when he meets [autotag]Darren Till[/autotag] (18-2-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC), who looks to go 2-0 since moving to 185 pounds.

For more on the numbers behind the first 15-fight lineup in modern UFC history (and second overall along with UFC 2 in 1993), check below for 55 pre-event facts about UFC on ESPN 14.

* * * *

Main event

Robert Whittaker

Whittaker is the only New Zealand-born fighter in history to win a UFC championship.

Whittaker is 8-1 since he moved up to the UFC middleweight division in November 2014.

Whittaker and Yoel Romero combined for 239 significant strikes landed at UFC 225, the single-fight record for a five-fight UFC middleweight fight.

Whittaker’s seven fight-night bonuses for UFC middleweight bouts are tied for third most in divisional history behind Anderson Silva (11) and Romero (eight).

Darren Till

Till was successful in his middleweight debut when he beat Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 244 in November.

Till has outlanded his opponent in all but one of his UFC victories.

Till is one of five fighters in UFC history to land zero significant strikes in a championship bout defeat, as he did against Tyron Woodley at UFC 228. His 9:19 of cage time is the most of any fighter in the group. The previous high was 3:54.

Co-main event

Mauricio Rua

[autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] (26-11-1 MMA, 10-9-1 UFC) competes in his 21st UFC light heavyweight bout, the second most appearances in divisional history behind Jon Jones (22).

Rua’s 22 victories in UFC/PRIDE light-heavyweight competition are the most in combined divisional history.

Rua’s 18 stoppage victories in UFC/PRIDE/WEC/Strikeforce competition are fourth most in combined organizational history behind Mirko Filipovic (21), Wanderlei Silva (20) and Donald Cerrone (20).

Rua’s 17 knockout victories in UFC/PRIDE light-heavyweight competition are the most in combined divisional history.

Rua’s eight knockout victories in modern UFC light-heavyweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Chuck Liddell (nine).

Rua is the only light heavyweight in UFC history to earn his first six victories with the organization by knockout.

Rua’s 14 knockdowns landed in UFC light-heavyweight competition are tied with Liddell for most in divisional history.

Rua’s eight fight-night bonuses for UFC light-heavyweight fights are tied with Jones for most in divisional history.

[autotag]Antonio Rogerio Nogueira[/autotag] (23-9 MMA, 6-6 UFC), 44, is the oldest active fighter in the UFC light-heavyweight division.

Nogueira, 44, is the oldest of the 30 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

Remaining main card

Fabricio Werdum

[autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] (23-9-1 MMA, 11-6 UFC) is 9-4 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in February 2012.

Werdum and Marcin Tybura combined for 282 significant strikes landed at UFC Fight Night 121, the second most in a UFC heavyweight bout Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier (304) at UFC 241.

[autotag]Alexander Gustafsson[/autotag] (18-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) moves up to the UFC heavyweight division for the first time. He made his previous 16 octagon appearances at light heavyweight.

Gustafsson is one of eight fighters UFC history to go at least 0-3 in championship fights. Joseph Benavidez Dan Henderson, Chad Mendes, Kenny Florian, Urijah Faber, Pedro Rizzo and Chael Sonnen have also come up short in three title fights.

[autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag] (16-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) was the first UFC strawweight champion. She lost the belt to Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 185 in March 2015.

Esparza is 6-3 since losing the UFC strawweight title to Jedrzejczyk in March 2015.

Esparza competes in her 12th UFC strawweight bout, tied for the fourth most appearances in divisional history behind Angela Hill (15), Randa Markos (14) and Jedrzejczyk (13).

Esparza’s seven victories in UFC strawweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Jedrzejczyk (10).

Esparza has earned six of her seven UFC victories by decision.

Esparza has completed at least one takedown against 10 of her 11 UFC opponents.

Esparza’s 34 takedowns landed in UFC strawweight competition are tied with Claudia Gadelha for most in divisional history.

[autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag] (13-0-2 MMA, 2-0-2 UFC) four-fight UFC unbeaten streak at strawweight is tied for the fourth longest active streak in the division behind Tatiana Suarez (five), Yan Xiaonan (five) and Zhang Weili (five).

Rodriguez is the only female fighter in UFC history to fight to multiple draws.

[autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag] (12-4-1 MMA, 4-4-1 UFC) has earned all 12 of his career victories by stoppage.

Craig’s victory at 4:59 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 127 is the latest submission in a three-round UFC fight.

[autotag]Gadzhimurad Antigulov[/autotag] (20-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has earned 19 of his 20 career victories by stoppage. He’s earned 17 of those wins in Round 1.

[autotag]Alex Oliveira[/autotag] (20-8-1 MMA, 10-6 UFC) is 8-5 (with one no contest) over his multiple stints in UFC welterweight competition.

Oliveira vs. Yancy Medeiros at UFC 218 is the only fight in UFC history to feature two knockdowns for each fighter.

[autotag]Peter Sobotta[/autotag] (17-6-1 MMA, 4-5 UFC) is 4-2 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in May 2014.

Khamzat Chimaev

[autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) makes his second UFC appearance in a 10-day stretch. He won at UFC on ESPN 13 on July 15.

Chimaev can set the record for fastest time between UFC wins with a victory at 11 days.

Chimaev has earned all seven of his career victories by stoppage. He’s finished four of those wins in Round 1.

[autotag]Rhys McKee[/autotag] (10-2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), 24, is the youngest of the 30 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

Preliminary card

Francisco Trinaldo

[autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag] (25-7 MMA, 15-6 UFC) 12 UFC victories in Brazil are the most in company history.

Trinaldo is the only fighter in UFC history to earn two arm-triangle submission victories from half-guard.

Trinaldo’s nine decision victories in UFC lightweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Gleison Tibau (11).

[autotag]Nicolas Dalby[/autotag] (18-3-1 MMA, 2-2-1 UFC) was successful in his return to the UFC for a second stint when he won at UFC on ESPN+ 18 in September.

[autotag]Jesse Ronson[/autotag] (21-10 MMA, 0-3 UFC) returns to the UFC for the first time since July 2014. He went 8-5 between stints with the promotion.

[autotag]Jake Collier[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since Nov. 11, 2017. The 987-day layoff is the longest of his nearly 10-year career.

Collier moves up to the UFC heavyweight division after spending his previous octagon appearances at light heavyweight and middleweight.

Collier can become the 11th fighter in UFC history to win in three weight classes.

Collier has alternated wins and losses over his past seven fights. He won his most recent bout at UFC Fight Night 120 in November 2017.

Collier is one of five fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a spinning back kick to the body. He accomplished the feat at UFC Fight Night 88.

Tanner Boser

[autotag]Tanner Boser[/autotag] (18-6-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) makes his second UFC appearance in a 28-day stretch. He won at UFC on ESPN 12 on June 27.

[autotag]Bethe Correia[/autotag] (11-4-1 MMA, 5-4-1 UFC) competes in her 11th UFC women’s bantamweight bout, tied for the third most appearances in divisional history behind Raquel Pennington (13) an Amanda Nunes (12).

Correia and Marion Reneau fought to the first draw in women’s UFC history at UFC Fight Night 106.

[autotag]Nathaniel Wood[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has earned 14 of his 16 career victories by stoppage. That includes all three of his UFC wins.

Wood’s three submission victories in UFC bantamweight competition are tied for fifth most in divisional history behind Urijah Faber (six), Rani Yahya (five), Aljamain Sterling (four) and Marlon Vera (four).

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.

UFC on ESPN 14: Alexander Gustafsson unsure if future at heavyweight but is ‘here to stay’

“I want to be active. I’m here to stay. I’m not going anywhere, so let’s see what happens.”

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Alexander Gustafsson[/autotag] has zero doubts about his return to MMA.

Gustafsson (18-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC), who retired in June 2019 after suffering a fourth-round submission loss to Anthony Smith, admits he reacted out of “heartbreak” and emotion.

It didn’t take long for him to get his itch back, and just over a year after walking away from the sport, he will be making his heavyweight debut when he takes on [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] (23-9-1 MMA, 11-6 UFC) on Saturday at UFC on ESPN 14, which takes place at Flash Forum at Yas Island and airs on ESPN.

The former three-time UFC light heavyweight title challenger doesn’t know if heavyweight is a permanent move but said he will take things fight by fight. If he finds success in his new weight class, then he’d certainly be open to a title shot.

“My focus is on my opponent, no matter who it is,” Gustafsson told reporters, including MMA Junkie, on Tuesday at UFC on ESPN 14 media day. “Now I’m fighting Werdum, so that’s all I’m thinking of right now, but when I beat Werdum, I’ll take another fight, and let’s see what happens. Maybe I go down to light heavyweight. Let’s see what happens, but right now I’m feeling really good to be in heavyweight, and I never felt this fresh for a long time.

“I feel really good, and I’m just ready to go. I beat Werdum on Saturday, and I have a couple of fights behind me at heavyweight and they give me the shot, I’m not going to say no, of course, but one day at a time.”

[protected-iframe id=”da0b9f8daf1684a0a2266443c7569e69-58289362-58194562″ info=”https://app.playpickup.com/widgets/props/19″ style=”width: 22rem; height: 535px; border: 0″]

Gustafsson says he’s already experiencing a big difference in practice without having to cut the weight that was required for him to make 205 pounds and expects it to pay dividends when he faces former UFC heavyweight champion Werdum.

“My speed (will be key),” Gustafsson said. “I basically took everything from the light heavyweight division to heavyweight now, and I feel so much stronger. I perform better now than I did as a light heavyweight in my training camps, so I feel strong. I feel fast. I’m ready.”

He continued, “I want to be active. I’m here to stay. I’m not going anywhere, so let’s see what happens.”

[vertical-gallery id=421097]

Robert Whittaker vs. Darren Till prediction | UFC on ESPN 14 breakdown

Check out the MMA Junkie’s John Morgan and Dan Tom’s analysis and predictions for the UFC on ESPN 14 main event between Robert Whittaker and Darren Till.

Check out the MMA Junkie’s John Morgan and Dan Tom’s analysis and predictions for the UFC on ESPN 14 main event between Robert Whittaker and Darren Till.

UFC on ESPN 14 pre-fight facts: Whttaker vs. Till

Check out the key facts, figures and footnotes for UFC on ESPN 14, which is headlined by Robert Whittaker vs. Darren Till.

Check out the key facts, figures and footnotes for UFC on ESPN 14, which is headlined by Robert Whittaker vs. Darren Till.

UFC on ESPN 14 preview with John Morgan and Oscar Willis

MMA Junkie’s John Morgan was joined by The Mac Life’s Oscar Willis as they preview UFC on ESPN 14 headlined by Robert Whittaker vs. Darren Till.

MMA Junkie’s John Morgan was joined by The Mac Life’s Oscar Willis as they preview UFC on ESPN 14 headlined by Robert Whittaker vs. Darren Till.

Fabricio Werdum says Alexander Gustafsson embellished sparring story: ‘He didn’t break’ my nose

Fabricio Werdum gives his side of the story of his sparring encounter with Alexander Gustafsson years prior to UFC on ESPN 14.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] doesn’t think [autotag]Alexander Gustafsson[/autotag] is being 100 percent truthful ahead of their heavyweight clash.

The former UFC heavyweight champion Werdum (23-9-1 MMA, 11-6 UFC) claims Gustafsson (18-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) is embellishing the story he shared with reporters about their sparring session years back. Gustafsson, who makes his heavyweight debut against Werdum on Saturday at UFC on ESPN 14, said he sparred Werdum in 2012 and beat him up “bad”

Werdum confirmed they did indeed sparred at a California gym, but it didn’t quite go that way Gustafsson remembers.

“I don’t remember that, I think he made up a bit of it,” Werdum told reporters, including MMA Junkie, through an interpreter on Tuesday at UFC on ESPN 14 media day. “He cut my nose, but he didn’t break it and you don’t talk about that, you don’t talk about training, but he remembers. We were training at Mark Munhoz’s gym with Travis Browne and Gustafsson. I offered myself to go train there and ended up training with both of them many rounds.”

[lawrence-related id=537172,524594,515119]

Whatever the truth is behind their sparring session, Werdum doesn’t think the rounds in training with Gustafsson will affect the fight. After all, it was years ago.

“I don’t think so because that was along time ago, that was like eight years ago,” Werdum said in the UFC on ESPN 14 virtual media day. “So I’m not worried about that. I’m prepared which is the most important. Yes, the sparring happened, but that was a while ago, so it doesn’t make a difference.”

Werdum looks to bounce back from a split-decision loss to Aleksei Oleinik in May at UFC 249. It was his first fight back after serving a two-year suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

The Brazilian, who is on the final fight of his current UFC contract, said he’s focused on the fight but hinted a move on from UFC could be on the horizon.

“I’m 100 percent focus on this,” Werdum said. “In Brazil we say, ‘Leave through the front door,’ which means leave on good term.”

[vertical-gallery id=516964]

Alexander Gustafsson on sparring Fabricio Werdum years prior to UFC on ESPN 14: ‘I beat him bad’

“I beat him in that sparring session. I beat him bad … then he didn’t want to spar me no more.”

ABU DHABI – It appears there’s a bit of history between [autotag]Alexander Gustafsson[/autotag] and [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag].

Gustafsson (18-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC), the former three-time UFC light heavyweight title challenger, will move up to heavyweight to face former champion Werdum (23-9-1 MMA, 11-6 UFC) on Saturday at UFC on ESPN 14, which takes place at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, and airs on ESPN.

Though Gustafsson is entering a new weight class, he’s already quite familiar with Werdum, he said. When asked about a sparring session in 2012 where Werdum claims he got the better Gustafsson, “The Mauler” set the record straight and revealed he actually got the better of the Brazilian, and even “broke his nose.”

“We had a good sparring,” Gustafsson told reporters, including MMA Junkie, on Tuesday at UFC on ESPN 14 media day. “I went all in, him and me and it was a good sparring. I don’t remember who I was fighting back then, but I was in camp, he was in camp for a fight, but make history short, I beat him in that sparring session. I beat him bad…then he didn’t want to spar me no more.”

[lawrence-related id=517613,504713]

Gustafsson said he’s certainly not expecting that version of Werdum on fight night. He suspects Werdum, who also hasn’t been too active as of late, to be in good form.

“That was a different world, a different time,” Gustafsson said. “I see Werdum in his best shape right now. I actually saw him out there and said hello to him, but he looks fit, he looks ready to go so I’m really excited for this one.”

Gustafsson’s fight at UFC on ESPN 14 marks his first since June 2019. The Swede walked away from the sport after suffering a fourth-round submission loss to Anthony Smith at UFC on ESPN+ 11 in his hometown of Stockholm.

He admits that he reacted emotionally when announcing his retirement and the heartbreaking loss to Smith prompted that decision. At heavyweight, he has new life and now that he no longer has to drain himself to make the 205-pound limit. Because of that, Gustafsson said he expects to have numerous advantages in his new weight class.

“My speed (will be key),” Gustafsson said. “I basically took everything from the light heavyweight division to heavyweight now, and I feel so much stronger. I perform better now than I did as a light heavyweight in my training camps so I feel strong, I feel fast, I’m ready.

“I want to be active. I’m here to stay, I’m not going anywhere so let’s see what happens.”

[vertical-gallery id=421097]

UFC on ESPN 14: Make your predictions for Robert Whittaker vs. Darren Till

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 14 event in Abu Dhabi.

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 14 event in Abu Dhabi.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Thursday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the UFC on ESPN 14 event staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. UFC on ESPN 14 takes place Saturday at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

Make your picks for all six main card fights inside:

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8

Official poster for final UFC event on ‘Fight Island’ released

Check out the official poster for the final “Fight Island” event.

The final UFC card happening on “Fight Island” now has an official poster to go with it.

Friday, the UFC released the poster for the July 25 event going down on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The poster features the headlining act, which has former UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] facing off against contender [autotag]Darren Till[/autotag].

The poster also features two more featured bouts – the co-main event, where [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] welcomes [autotag]Alexander Gustafsson[/autotag] to the heavyweight division, and a trilogy bout pitting Brazilian legends [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] and [autotag]Antonio Rogerio Nogueira[/autotag].

[lawrence-related id=531597,527571,530600]

Below you can see the official look of the final ‘Fight Island’ event:

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

[vertical-gallery id=459340]