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Former UFC, WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis speaks with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn about ahead of his Alex Morono welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night 183.
Former UFC, WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis speaks with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn about ahead of his Alex Morono welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night 183.
Former UFC, WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis speaks with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn about ahead of his Alex Morono welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night 183.
Former UFC, WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis speaks with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn about ahead of his Alex Morono welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night 183.
We remember Anthony Pettis entering “The Matrix” at WEC 53 with one jaw-dropping move.
A decade later, and [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag]’ famous “Showtime kick” is still one of the most incredible moves ever executed in a cage.
In the final round of his lightweight title fight against Benson Henderson on Dec. 16, 2010 at WEC 53, Pettis ran off the cage and threw a flying kick that dropped Henderson with just seconds remaining in their tightly contested fight.
Remarkably, the creative and daring move won Pettis the fifth round and the WEC lightweight title in what ended up being one of the most viral videos in MMA history.
Wow, I can’t believe this was exactly 10 years ago today!!#ShowtimeKick10thAnniversary pic.twitter.com/8n5Gv76Uwt
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) December 16, 2020
Pettis continued to deliver plenty more spectacular finishes, en route to capturing the UFC lightweight title. After landing on the cover of the Wheaties box and successfully defending his title with a submission of Gilbert Melendez, Pettis lost to Rafael dos Anjos and would go on to see mixed results in the octagon.
In a 2018 interview, “Showtime” admitted to MMA Junkie that trying to live up to the expectations that came with such an iconic kick weighed heavy on him at times.
It’s incredible that 10 years later, the highlight still makes jaws drop.
On Saturday, Pettis will enter his 20th UFC fight looking to string back-to-back wins for the first time since 2014 when he faces Alex Morono at UFC Fight Night 183.
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.
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A welterweight matchup between Alex Morono and Anthony Pettis is set for UFC Fight Night 183, bringing the current lineup to 15 fights.
A welterweight matchup between [autotag]Alex Morono[/autotag] and [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] is a late addition to UFC Fight Night 183, bringing the current lineup to 15 fights.
MMA Junkie today verified with multiple people close to the situation that Morono (18-6 MMA, 7-3) and Pettis (23-10 MMA, 10-9 UFC) have agreed to matchup on this month’s card. The people requested anonymity because UFC has yet to make an official announcement. ESPN first reported the booking.
UFC Fight Night 183 takes place Dec. 19 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.
More on this in a moment.
Below is the updated line up for UFC on ESPN 19:
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With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best fights from May 2020.
With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best fights from May 2020: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Fight of the Month” award for May.
At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting on your choice.
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Vicente Luque def. Niko Price at UFC 249
[autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag] (18-7-1 MMA, 11-3 UFC) picked up a second career win over [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in their rematch, but it required far more effort to put his welterweight counterpart away than the first time around.
Luque submitted Price in 2017, but this time was lulled into a bloody slugfest that carried over into the third round. Price’s face was a mangled mess, and Luque continued to apply pressure until he shut the left eye of his opponent and the referee decided to step in.
DROPPED! 👊@VicenteLuqueMMA putting Price down in the third! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/lTPVOJjIEW
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
Anthony Pettis def. Donald Cerrone at UFC 249
It’s unfortunate both [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] (36-15 MMA, 23-12 UFC) and [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] (23-10 MMA, 10-9 UFC) came into their rematch badly in need of a victory because the two veteran warriors put on a show in which neither could fairly be called a loser.
After going toe-to-toe for three rounds, the scorecards declared Pettis the winner in their welterweight matchup after a hard-fought battle, earning 29-28 scores across the board.
Two gunslingers swinging it out! 💥@ShowtimePettis and @CowboyCerrone giving us a show! #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/viibyoxGFg
— UFC (@ufc) May 10, 2020
Nate Landwehr def. Darren Elkins at UFC on ESPN 8
[autotag]Nate Landwehr[/autotag]’s (14-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) handy work on [autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag] (24-9 MMA, 14-8 UFC) in their featherweight matchup reminded fans at home how bloody fighting can get.
Landwehr took on seasoned veteran Elkins in his sophomore octagon appearance and was all-action. The bout turned out to be a bloody back-and-forth battle that ended in a decision for Landwehr.
HAND. BEHIND. HIS. BACK. 😳 #UFCFL pic.twitter.com/qcXOzfkYXa
— UFC (@ufc) May 16, 2020
Song Yadong def. Marlon Vera at UFC on ESPN 8
[autotag]Song Yadong[/autotag] (16-4-1 MMA, 5-0-1 UFC) further elevated his status as one of the top prospects in the sport when he snapped [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag]’s (17-6-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC) win streak in a somewhat controversial manner.
The 22-year-old Yadong remained unbeaten through his octagon tenure by beating his most difficult to challenge to date with a unanimous decision victory over Vera after a gritty affair. Yadong got 29-28 scorecards across the board, landing many powerful strikes over the 15 minutes and overcoming a late push from Vera.
They're fighting in a phone booth out there! 🤯 #UFCFL pic.twitter.com/XXiO6ylsJc
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) May 17, 2020
Billy Quarantillo def. Spike Carlyle at UFC on ESPN 9
[autotag]Billy Quarantillo[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and [autotag]Spike Carlyle[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) may not be the most recognizable names, but they certainly garnered some new fans in a thrilling back-and-forth affair.
Quarantillo and Carlyle went shot-for-shot over three rounds in a 150-pound catchweight affair. It was a very close fight, but in the end the judges favored Quarantillo’s offense as the more effective and granted him the decision.
"It's like a movie." 😅
Carlyle began the walk back to the corner before the end of the round. #UFCVegas pic.twitter.com/uKet8noy7m
— UFC (@ufc) May 31, 2020
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It was a much more competitive fight than their first meeting, but the winner was still the same as Vicente Luque topped Niko Price in their rematch at UFC 249.
After scoring a second-round submission win in October 2017, Luque picked up a third-round TKO due to a doctor’s stoppage at 3:37 after an offensive assault that shut the eye of Price. “The Silent Assassin” has now won eight of his past nine fights.
Control of the fight was taken by Luque in the opening two minutes as he landed a number of chopping leg kicks on Price that caused damage and irritation. Price wouldn’t let it stop him completely, though, and marched forward with strikes of his own before getting a takedown. Price threatened with a submission, but Luque was able to get up and, despite taking a front kick to the face, landed some good strikes to close the round.
The pair went right back to work to begin the second frame. Luque took advantage of Price’s aggression, landing solid counter-punches and continuing to batter the legs of his opponent with kicks. Price found a groove and answered, though, connecting hard on Luque and putting him in some danger. Price got too wild, however, and was dropped with a tight right hand. He recovered and got back up, while Luque stayed disciplined and picked Price apart with punches and kicks to close a strong round.
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For the first time in his UFC career, Price saw a third round. He responded well, offering a high output to start the frame. Luque showed patience as Price trie to walk him down, mixing up his offense to the face and body of his opponent. Price’s grit was evident, though, because he kept on trying and throwing, even going for a takedown attempt. Unfortunately for him, Price couldn’t find the one big moment he needed to turn the tide, and it was Luque who got it. Luque dropped a bloodied Price with just over two minutes late, but somehow didn’t get the finish.
Price’s eye was badly swollen, though, and referee Jason Herzog decided to intervene and bring in the doctor. After a brief exchange, Price was deemed unfit to continue and Luque was awarded the win.
“I prepared for the best Niko Price possible,” Luque said in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. “I beat him last time and I knew he would come prepared and ready. … First event back with everything that’s going on and I just wanted to put on a show.”
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Ben Rothwell and Drew Dober were among those who name-dropped their preferred next opponents at UFC Jacksonville.
Earning wins in the UFC is certainly no easy task, but what comes next is often even more important: the post-fight callout.
So after Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN+ 29 event in Jacksonville, who took advantage of their time on the mic? See below for this week’s Callout Collection – and just how realistic each one is.
* * * * *
First up, let’s take a look at the preliminary card …
Wants to fight: [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag]
The callout: “He thinks I’m nobody, he thinks if he beats me it means nothing. But look, I’m knocking guys out, undefeated guys. I’m fighting tough guys – whoever they put in front of me. He should do the same. If he’s not afraid, he’ll take the fight.”
The reality: If you’re [autotag]Brian Kelleher[/autotag] and you want to make an impact in the division, calling out Sean O’Malley certainly won’t hurt. But I suspect that the UFC may have O’Malley on a different path as they look to move him up the rankings for his next fight. O’Malley told MMA Junkie recently that he’s in no rush to get to the top of the sport, though he also said if he performs the way he thinks he will, he’ll be fast-tracked anyway. The matchup could deliver a fast-paced, exciting clash, but I suspect “The Suga Show” could find himself up against a ranked opponent for his next outing.
[opinary poll=”brian-kelleher-vs-sean-omalley_mmajunkie-B8Kbhe” customer=”mmajunkie”]
Next up: A Brazilian lightweight targets a former champion
After UFC 249, Tony Ferguson has been medically suspended by the Florida Boxing Commission – which could be extended, pending test results.
It will probably take significantly longer, but [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] won’t fight again for at least another 60 days.
One half of the UFC 249 headliner, Ferguson (25-4 MMA, 15-2 UFC) battled [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] for 23:39 before suffering a TKO loss. For the majority of the fight, Ferguson absorbed shot after shot from Gaethje (22-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC).
Bloodied and swollen, Ferguson broke an orbital bone in the fight. Monday, Ferguson posted a video of himself dancing in the hospital, seemingly in good spirits.
The Florida State Boxing Commission, which oversaw the event, has suspended Ferguson a minimum of 60 days. MMA Junkie obtained a list of the UFC 249 athletes’ medical suspensions from the Florida Boxing Commission on Monday.
More time could be tacked on to the suspension, pending further health testing on Ferguson. Conversely, Gaethje has been cleared and will face no medical suspension.
Eight fighters are looking at potential 180-day suspensions, including main card winner [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag]. Despite beating [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] in the featured ESPN prelim, [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] could also be on the shelf for 180 days.
UFC 249 took place Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
(Note: No specific injury details were given.)
Check out a full list of the UFC 249 medical suspensions below.
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A total of 13 fighters made north of six figures Saturday at UFC 249, not including several who earned post-fight bonuses.
Main event participants [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] and [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] walked home with a solid chunk of change following their “Fight of the Night” earning bout at UFC 249.
Monday, MMA Junkie obtained a list of disclosed UFC 249 salaries from the Florida State Boxing Commission, who oversaw Saturday night’s event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
With the interim UFC lightweight title on the line, Gaethje (22-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) finished Ferguson (25-4 MMA, 15-2 UFC) with punches in Round 5. With the win, Gaethje earned a disclosed pay of $350,000, while Ferguson made $500,000.
In the co-main event, the UFC bantamweight championship was on the line. Titleholder [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] defeated former UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Dominick Cruz[/autotag] with strikes in Round 2. Cejudo (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) earned $350,000, while Cruz (22-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) walked away with $300,000.
Check out a full list of the UFC 249 medical suspensions below.
*Stephens was fined 30 percent of his purse for missing weight, which went to Kattar.
**Kattar took 30 percent of Stephens’ fight purse.
The figures do not include deductions for items such as insurance, licenses and taxes. Additionally, the figures do not include money paid by sponsors, including the official UFC 249 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay. They also do not include any other “locker room” or special discretionary bonuses the UFC sometimes pays. They also do not include pay-per-view cuts that some top-level fighters receive.
For example, UFC officials handed out additional $50,000 UFC 249 fight-night bonuses to Gaethje and Ngannou for “Performance of the Night,” and Gaethje and Ferguson for “Fight of the Night.”
In other words, the above figures are simply base salaries reported to the commission and do not reflect entire compensation packages for the event.
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See who champs Justin Gaethje, Henry Cejudo should fight next after their victories at UFC 249.
(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for UFC 249’s losing fighters?)
After every event, fans wonder whom the winners will be matched up with next.
With another night of UFC action in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward, put on a pair of Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard’s shoes, and play UFC matchmaker for UFC 249’s key winning fighters.
Those included [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] (22-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC), who claimed the interim lightweight belt with a fifth-round TKO of Tony Ferguson (25-4 MMA, 15-2 UFC) in the main event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) who defended bantamweight gold against Dominick Cruz (22-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in the co-headliner, as well as [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC), [autotag]Greg Hardy[/autotag] (6-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) and [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] (23-10 MMA, 10-9 UFC).
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Should fight: [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Pettis got a much-needed win in his rematch with Donald Cerrone, taking a unanimous decision to improve to 2-1 as a welterweight.
Pettis’ mission statement going into fight night was to get his confidence back to he can put together a run and built the form that once made him a UFC champion. He had a solid first step, but the next one should be a bigger challenge.
In the immediate aftermath of his win, Pettis received a callout from dos Anjos (30-13 MMA, 18-11 UFC), who took the lightweight title from him in March 2015. Both men have been through a lot since, but a rematch would be compelling. “Showtime” just won a rematch where he won the first fight, and now it’s time to see how he performs in one where he lost.
Should fight: [autotag]Maurice Greene[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Early adversity didn’t prevent Hardy from getting a crucial career win as he outpointed Yorgan De Castro to take a unanimous decision.
The leg kicks were a big issue for Hardy early, but he was able to turn the tide and snap his two-fight skid. The former NFL standout is definitely a controversial figure in MMA due to his checkered past, but he’s proving himself fight over fight, and it doesn’t appear he’ll be going anywhere anytime soon.
Hardy’s most recent loss to Alexander Volkov seems to have served as a learning experience. He shouldn’t jump back up to that level immediately, but putting himself somewhere in the middle between that and De Castro seems like a good fit.
Greene (8-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) might be on a two-fight skid, but he’s got a trio of UFC wins to his credit and is a person who fits right into the wheelhouse of what Hardy needs.
Should fight: Winner of [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Although he was already the top contender, Ngannou solidified his spot with a 20-second knockout of Jairzinho Rozenstruik to improve his winning streak to four.
The heavyweight division is a bit of a mess at the moment. Growing discontent between UFC president Dana White and champ Miocic over the timeline for his next defense against Cormier has led to discussions of stripping the belt. If that happens, Ngannou will come into the fold.
Ultimately, cooler heads should prevail, and we’ll get the Miocic vs. Cormier trilogy. Ngannou should absolutely fight for the belt after that, it just remains to be seen if he’s willing to wait for it or opt to take another fight to keep busy in the meantime.
Should fight: No one
Why: Cejudo retired from MMA following his TKO win and successful title defense against Cruz, and unless the UFC truly makes it worth his while from a financial perspective, “Triple C” is not coming back.
UFC president Dana White said post-fight that he’ll give Cejudo about nine days to mull it over and either walk back his decision or be certain of it. If it’s the latter, the 135-pound belt will become vacant and two new names will compete for it later this year.
Watch the video above for more.
Should fight: [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Gaethje should meet champion Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) in a title unification bout next.
Take a look inside Anthony Pettis’ win over Donald Cerrone at UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Fla.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] beat Donald Cerrone with a unanimous decision Saturday to close out the preliminary card at UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Take a look inside the fight with Pettis, who snapped a two-fight skid and handed Cerrone his fourth straight loss.
Result: Anthony Pettis def. Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Pettis (23-10 MMA, 10-9 UFC), Cerrone (36-15 MMA, 23-12 UFC)
Key stat: Pettis won in the striking department, 81-62, and landed at a 61 percent clip.
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“I need to go back and watch this fight because it’s hard to asses without the crowd. When I land stuff, I hear the crowd and know it was a good one. This time, there was no crowd. I saw his head pop, but there was nothing behind it, so it’s hard to tell. It could have gone either way. In my head, that’s what I was thinking. I’m excited that I won and that I get to go back to the gym as a winner and build off of this.”
“I’m better than I was when I won the belt. I think each part of your career requires a new version of yourself, and I’m finding the version that makes sense. When I was 155, I wasn’t as good – but I didn’t give a (expletive). I still don’t care. ‘Cowboy’ is a beast and I took him on 21 days’ notice – I’ll fight anyone. That’s where I think I’ve been finding my mixed results.”
“Me and (head coach) Duke (Roufus) sat down and talked about it: After this fight, let’s figure out what’s our real career path. Where do we want to go, and stick to that – not who’s the next big guy in line, who will give me a title shot. Because that’s what I’ve been doing and we’ve seen what that’s gotten me: mixed results. ”
To hear more from Pettis, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
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