Tag: Anthony Hernandez

Roman Dolidze vs. Anthony Hernandez joins UFC 302 lineup in June

Ranked middleweights Roman Dolidze and Anthony Hernandez will throw down this summer.

Ranked UFC middleweights [autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag] and [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] will throw down in June.

Dolidze meets Hernandez on June 1 at UFC 302, which is expected to take place at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie following an initial report from MMA Fighting.

Dolidze (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) will look to snap a two-fight losing skid after facing Marvin Vettori and Nassourdine Imavov. Prior to that, the Georgian fighter was a on a four-fight winning streak, including a TKO finish of Jack Hermansson.

Winner of his past five in a row, Hernandez (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is coming off back-to-back finishes of Edmen Shahbazyan and most recently a Performance of the Night submission over Roman Kopylov at UFC 298.

The current lineup for UFC 302 includes:

  • Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Joselyne Edwards vs. Ailin Perez
  • Bassil Hafez vs. Mickey Gall
  • Grant Dawson vs. Joe Solecki
  • Gillian Robertson vs. Michelle Waterson-Gomez
  • Roman Dolidze vs. Anthony Hernandez

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

UFC 298 medical suspensions: Henry Cejudo among 9 fighters suspended 180 days

Nine UFC 298 competitors are out a potential 180 days due to injuries sustained in their fights Saturday in Anaheim, Calif.

Saturday’s UFC pay-per-view event in Anaheim, Calif. was not a good night to be a limb.

UFC 298 took place at Anaheim, Calif. and featured 12 bouts and 24 fighters. Nine of those fighters were handed six-month suspensions as a result of injuries sustained in their bouts. Eight of those potential injuries were deemed possible fractures.

Monday, California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) executive director Andy Foster, who oversaw the event, provided MMA Junkie with a full list of medical suspensions.

Scroll below to see how much time UFC 298 competitors will have to take off as a result of their bouts Saturday. It’s important to note fighters may return before the conclusion of their suspensions if they are cleared by a physician (unless denoted “no exception” or “mandatory”).

Anthony Hernandez admittedly doesn’t fit typical UFC fighter mold, but confident he’ll make a run

Following his UFC 298 win, Anthony Hernandez admitted he doesn’t follow his division and often overtrains – but his goal is the same.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Unlike many of his fighting counterparts, [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] isn’t into calling out potential opponents. It’s largely due to the fact that, well, he doesn’t really follow the sport.

Hernandez (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC), who is part of the MMAGOLD fight team, has entrusted in his coaches and the system so much, his confidence in the direction he’s headed is unwavering.

“A win is a win. I don’t give a f*ck,” told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a UFC 298 post-fight news conference Saturday. “I didn’t even know who Rodolfo (Vieira) was when I fought him, to be honest, until after the fight. I honestly don’t know Ikram – or, what’s his name? Roman Kopylov. I don’t know his history. I don’t know what the f*ck he’s done with his life. It’s just another guy that I beat.”

At UFC 298, Hernandez submitted Russia’s Roman Kopylov (12-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) with a rear-naked choke in Round 2. The win was his fifth-straight after a 1-2 start in the promotion.

Hernandez deems it time to start talking about championship runs – as long as he can stay healthy. The injury bug has proven a tough opponent at times.

“I want to make my run,” Hernandez said. “I’ve been proven that I’m here. I want to make my run now. I’m happy. I’m excited. It’s time to get back to f*cking work. … (Getting injured) f*cking sucks. I’m learning how to stay out of my own way and not get f*cking hurt all the time. I’m a retard sometimes and I’ll just f*cking fight anyone for free. I shouldn’t do that sh*t the gym. I have the best team in the world and the best coaches. They’ve been helping me stay out of my own way and just f*cking sticking to the grind. It shows every f*cking fight. I plan on staying healthy and keep doing what I’m doing and making my run.”

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There were no names lodged in his brain, but there is something Hernandez wants next: a main event, and all that comes with it.

“I honestly don’t follow the f*cking division like that,” Hernandez said. “I really don’t know, but whoever the f*ck is in front of me, I’m ready. Give me someone who does not have a fight. I want to do a main event because I’d like to have my face on the poster and I’m trying to get in the video game, so what’s up?”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

UFC 298 post-event facts: Ilia Topuria makes history with title coronation

The best facts to come out of UFC 298, which saw a number of historic feats, including Ilia Topuria’s title KO of Alexander Volkanovski.

The UFC’s second pay-per-view of 2024 was a memorable one, with UFC 298 on Saturday at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., seeing a changing of the guard in the featherweight division.

In the main event, [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) became the new featherweight champion when he delivered on his promise to knock out longtime titleholder [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC), which he did in the second round of their fight to claim gold.

For more on the numbers to come out of the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC 298.

UFC 298 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Alexander Volkanovski’s $42,000 tops card

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 298 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $252,000.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 298 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $243,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 298 took place at Honda Center. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

The full UFC 298 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag]: $42,000

[autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Roman Kopylov[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Amanda Lemos[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Marcos Rogerio de Lima[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Junior Tafa[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Rinya Nakamura[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Carlos Vera[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Zhang Mingyang[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Brendson Ribeiro[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Danny Barlow[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Josh Quinlan[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Oban Elliott[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Val Woodburn[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Miranda Maverick[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Andrea Lee[/autotag]: $11,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $1,093,000
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $23,800,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

UFC 298 results: Anthony Hernandez snatches Roman Kopylov’s neck for deep submission

The California faithful exploded at UFC 298 when Anthony Hernandez locked in a slick rear-naked choke against Roman Kopylov.

The California faithful didn’t have many home state representatives Saturday at UFC 298, but [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] was one – and he sent them into a frenzy.

Hernandez (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) defeated [autotag]Roman Kopylov[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) by rear-naked choke submission at 3:23 of Round 2 in a middleweight bout that opened up the main card at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

The fight was competitive throughout, as Kopylov displayed solid takedown defense early. After body kicks and head kicks by Kopylov, Hernandez took the fight to the canvas. He worked to the back and patiently maneuvered for a rear-naked choke.

After one final adjustment, Hernandez nodded. He knew. Kopylov grimaced and the tap came. The Dunnigan, Calif. received a large ovation from the crowd as he celebrated quite possibly the biggest win of his career.

With the victory, Hernandez extends his winning streak to five. Saturday’s victory succeeds consecutive wins over Rodolfo Vieira, Josh Fremd, Marc-Andre Barriault, and Edmen Shahbazyan.

Kopylov has a four-fight winning streak snapped. His previous loss was a unanimous decision dropped against Albert Duraev in October 2021.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 298 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

Anthony Hernandez def. Roman Kopylov at UFC 298: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Anthony Hernandez’s second-round submmission win over Roman Kopylov at UFC 298.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag]’s second-round submission win over [autotag]Roman Kopylov[/autotag] at UFC 298 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. (Fight and venue photos by Gary A. Vasquez, USA Today Sports)

Video: Former UFC champ Sean Strickland keeps making headlines

Our “Spinning Back Clique” discusses the latest reasons Sean Strickland has been making headlines.

[autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] continues to make headlines in and out of the octagon, for better or worse.

Before losing the middleweight title to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297, Strickland made headlines that reached far beyond the MMA bubble because of his homophobic tirade during media day. It didn’t take long after the event for Strickland to keep his name in the news cycle.

Strickland recently sparred the popular streamer Sneako, leaving him bloodied after going way too hard on someone who is not a professional fighter, and does not remotely possess the fighting skills of a former UFC champion.

Then, at a recent Power Slap event, Strickland made headlines again for actions outside of the octagon as he got into a verbal altercation with musical artist Machine Gun Kelly.

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Farah Hannoun, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Danny Segura discuss the latest with Strickland with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia, and whether or not the UFC should intervene in some capacity.

Check out their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s full episode on YouTube or in podcast form below.

https://www.youtube.com/live/DpQXebnLHXU?si=PEqd-7rByiGTULnV

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Video: Which fight is the hidden gem of UFC 298?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel takes their pick of which UFC 298 fight is flying under the radar.

UFC 298 is topped by a fantastic title fight in the featherweight division.

Aside from [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag]’s return to the 145-pound division to defend his title against an undefeated [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag], there are plenty of solid matchups throughout the card that could potentially steal the show.

But which of the bunch is the true hidden gem? Is it the main card opener [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Roman Kopylov[/autotag]? How about former two-division champ [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] taking on [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag]? What about another former titleholder [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] taking on [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag]?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Farah Hannoun, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Danny Segura take their picks with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia.

Check out their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s full episode on YouTube or in podcast form below.

https://www.youtube.com/live/DpQXebnLHXU?si=PEqd-7rByiGTULnV

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

Video: UFC 298 press conference faceoffs with Whittaker-Costa, Neal-Garry, Dvalishvili-Cejudo

The stacked UFC 298 main card engaged in faceoffs following Thursday’s pre-fight press conference.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The UFC 298 pre-fight press conference went down Thursday and it was the initial opportunity to get a look at fighter staredowns for the second numbered event of 2024.

The card, which is headlined by a featherweight title bout between [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) and [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), goes down Saturday at Honda Center with a main card that airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

In addition to the main event, a stacked slate of matchups round out the undercard. That includes [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] (24-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) vs. [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC), [autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) vs. [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] (13-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) vs. [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) and [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) vs. [autotag]Roman Kopylov[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC).

All five pairings were in attendance at the pre-fight press conference, where they answered questions and engaged in faceoffs.

Check out the video above to see all the staredowns.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.