A bantamweight bout between Brett Johns and Erik Perez is in the works for Bellator 268.
A key Bellator bantamweight matchup is coming this fall.
A bout between veterans [autotag]Brett Johns[/autotag] and [autotag]Erik Perez[/autotag] is in the works for Bellator 268 on Oct. 16., MMA Junkie has learned from multiple sources close to the situation.
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Johns (17-3 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) is in search of his first win in Bellator, as he lost to [autotag]Danny Sabatello[/autotag] in his promotional debut back in May at Bellator 259. Prior to that, the Welsh fighter was on a two-fight winning streak with wins in the UFC over Montel Jackson and Tony Gravely.
Meanwhile, Perez (20-8 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) is looking to build momentum under the Bellator banner. “Goyito” picked up his first Bellator win by outpointing Blaine Shutt at Bellator 259 in May. He was on a two-fight losing streak that plagued his start in Bellator prior to the win over Shutt.
Bellator 268 takes place at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, featuring light heavyweight grand prix semifinal bouts [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Anthony Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag].
Ahead of promotional debut, Brett Johns explains why he left the UFC to join Bellator.
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Brett Johns[/autotag]’s switch from UFC to Bellator may have come as a surprise to many, but it was an obvious move from his perspective.
The former Titan FC and Cage Warriors champion signed with Bellator last October on the heels of a successful UFC run that had many pegging him as a force to keep an eye on at 135 pounds.
Johns had competed seven times in the Las Vegas-based promotion, picking up five wins and two defeats. His only two losses came to top contender Pedro Munhoz and current UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.
But when his contract with the UFC came to an end, the 29-year-old saw Bellator as the best option his career.
“Basically, in a nutshell, we looked at the contract after it was finished, and we looked back at our career with the amount of fights that we had, the people that we had fought, and financially things didn’t add up in our mind,” Johns told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s Bellator 259 media day. “So we got on a call with the UFC and tried to renegotiate our contract and they didn’t feel like I was worth that money, but we knew I was.
“We looked at the other guys in the division, and there was a couple of guys who had similar fights, I wont name specific names, but there was a fighter who was 5-2 such as us, but I didn’t feel he had fought the caliber of competition that I personally did. He was making about $20,000 more.
“So we approached the UFC with that, and they turned around and said they weren’t willing to pay the money, so we tested the waters of free agency, and Bellator came up. I haven’t looked back since.”
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Although Johns made a financial move in his switch to Bellator, the Welsh fighter said he is not just coming in the organization to take a paycheck. Johns (17-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) is still determined to become a contender and take the belt from current title holder Sergio Pettis. His quest to the title starts this Friday at Bellator 259 against Danny Sabatello (10-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA).
“There is no secret what I want to do, and that’s win the belt,” Johns explained. “Obviously there’s been a big financial gain, but I’m not just coming here to win fights and win money. Obviously I want to be the best in the world.
“I’ve won two world titles on other organizations, and it would be nice to add that third wrap on my waist. Right now, eyes are on Sergio Pettis, but the title picture can change in a year, year-and-a-half. At the minute he’s got a target on his back, and that’s who I’m aiming for. I’m hoping a win over Danny Sabatello will put me in that top 10, maybe another fight after that and we can get that Pettis fight.”
Just a week out from his Bellator debut, Brett Johns is getting a new opponent.
Just a week out from his Bellator debut, [autotag]Brett Johns[/autotag] is getting a new opponent.
Johns (17-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), who was originally scheduled to face [autotag]Matheus Mattos[/autotag], will now take on Titan FC bantamweight champion [autotag]Danny Sabatello[/autotag] (10-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) at Bellator 259, promotion officials announced Thursday.
Bellator 259 takes place May 21 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Johns took to Instagram to say that Mattos was forced to withdraw due to a positive COVID-19 test.
“Unfortunately Matteus Mattos has contracted covid-19 as is unable to fight.
But @bellatormma have worked hard to find me a replacement. Now I will be fighting Former Titan FC World Champion Danny Sabatello. It’s a very tough fight. But I’m ready to go.
After testing free agency, Johns opted to sign with Bellator in October. The 29-year-old Welshman departed the UFC having won two straight over Tony Gravely and Montel Jackson. His only two octagon losses have come to top contender Pedro Munhoz and current UFC bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling.
Sabatello, who failed to secure a UFC contract after beating Taylor Moore on Dana White’s Contender Series 35 this past November, notched his first title defense when he scored a lopsided decision over Da’Mon Blackshear at Titan FC 67 in February. The American Top Team fighter will get another shot at the big leagues when he makes his Bellator debut on just a week’s notice against Johns.
With the change, the Bellator 259 lineup now includes:
MAIN CARD (Showtime, 9 p.m. ET)
Champ Cris Cyborg vs. Leslie Smith – for women’s featherweight title
“The Pikey” went 5-2 in the UFC with losses coming against Aljamain Sterling and Pedro Munoz.
[autotag]Brett Johns[/autotag] has his first Bellator assignment.
At Bellator 259 on May 21, Johns (17-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) will make his promotional debut against former Absolute Championship Berkut standout [autotag]Matheus Mattos[/autotag] (12-2-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) in a bantamweight bout.
A person with knowledge of the matchup informed MMA Junkie of the booking Wednesday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA DNA was the first to report the news.
Bellator 259 takes place Friday, May 21 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.
Johns, 29, signed with Bellator in October. The Welsh bantamweight fighter had tested free agency following the expiration of his UFC deal in July. Johns exited the UFC riding back-to-back wins over Tony Gravely and Montel Jackson. His only UFC losses in seven appearances came against Aljamain Sterling and Pedro Munhoz.
As for Mattos, the Team Pitbull standout made his Bellator debut in December. He lost a unanimous decision to Magomed Magomedov, which was only his second career defeat. The other career loss came to former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan in 2017.
The Johns vs. Mattos matchup is the first reported contest for Bellator 259.
Check out the full medical suspensions from UFC on ESPN+ 30.
New UFC flyweight champion [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] won’t be held back by a medical suspension from his title conquest at UFC on ESPN+ 30.
On Wednesday, MMA Junkie obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commission’s official record keeper.
According to the list, Figueiredo (19-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC), who submitted [autotag]Joseph Benavidez[/autotag] in the first round of their main event title bout, will only be suspended for seven days due to mandatory rest. On the other hand, Benavidez (28-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) faces 45 days. The longtime contender was dropped multiple times before he was submitted.
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The UFC on ESPN+ 30 competitor facing the longest potential suspension is [autotag]Luana Carolina[/autotag] (6-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC). The Brazilian was suspended 180 days after suffering a kneebar submission defeat to [autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag], which appeared to hyperextend her knee. Carolina can reduce the suspension down to 30 days if an MRI on her left knee is done and cleared by a doctor.
Below is the full list of UFC on ESPN+ 30 medical suspensions:
Deiveson Figueiredo: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
Joseph Benavidez: Suspended 45 days for forehead laceration with no contact for 30 days
[autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Rafel Fiziev[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for “hard bout” with no contact for 21 days
[autotag]Marc Diakiese[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for “hard bout” with no contact for 21 days
[autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Luana Carolina[/autotag]: Suspended 180 days or 30 days minimum with left knee MRI clearance by a doctor. Also, no contact for 21 days
[autotag]Askar Askarov[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Khadis Ibragimov[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days for TKO loss with no contact for 30 days
[autotag]Grant Dawson[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Nad Narimani[/autotag]: Suspended for 30 days for left eyebrow laceration and with no contact for 21 days
[autotag]Joel Alvarez[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Joseph Duffy[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Brett Johns[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days for “hard bout” and with no contact for 30 days
[autotag]Montel Jackson[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Amir Albazi[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Malcolm Gordon[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for “hard bout” and no contact for 21 days
[autotag]Davi Ramos[/autotag]: Suspended for 45 days for multiple lacerations and no contact for 30 days
[autotag]Sergey Spivak[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Carlos Felipe[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
Take a look inside Brett Johns’ win over Montel Jackson at UFC on ESPN+ 30 in Abu Dhabi.
ABU DHABI – [autotag]Brett Johns[/autotag] beat Montel Jackson with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN+ 30 in Abu Dhabi.
Take a look inside the fight with Johns, who won for the second straight time to get back on track after the first two losses of his pro career.
“We expected Montel to have a very quick 1-2. There is quick, and there was that. That was super fast. That’s what caught me off guard, really. Once I got caught with it once, I was weary about it and I managed to time it and get the shots off to get to the fence. (It was) probably not the most attractive fight, (but) at this level and this big stage, I wanted a win, and that’s what I got.”
Johns on his performance
“Overall, I’m happy I grinded it out. That’s my style, really. I have that fighting style in me where I grind things out. I am very happy overall to get the win. It’s a new chapter in my career. Did I feel like I looked good? Not very. But I’ll take it. He was a good striker. I’m very thankful.”
Johns on what he wants next
“I’m happy to fight anybody in this weight division. It is the ‘anyone can get it’ tour. If you ask me a name, I’d like to fight a legend – a legend of the game. I’d like to fight someone like Urijah Faber, a guy who has been there and done it and fought the best guys. Was that the performance to really shout and scream about it? Probably not. But if Urijah is watching, that’s a fight I dream to have. I think about getting my shorts framed after the fight and imagine fighting Urijah Faber and them shorts. That would be a dream come true.”
To hear more from Johns, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
Deiveson Figueiredo and Jack Hermansson were among those who name-dropped their preferred next opponents at UFC on ESPN+ 30 in Abu Dhabi.
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 Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 30 event in Abu Dhabi, who took advantage of their time on the mic? See below for this week’s Callout Collection – and just how realistic each one is.
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First up, let’s take a look at the preliminary card …
Arman Tsarukyan
Wants to fight:[autotag]Al Iaquinta[/autotag]
The callout: “Next fight, I want to fight with Top 15, Top 10 guys. Maybe (Al) Iaquinta because he is a very strong guy and he fought with Khabib Nurmagomedov. I want to fight with him because it’s a good fight for me. I’m a very young fighter, every day I will get better and better. I can destroy my whole division.”
The reality: [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] may not be the most well-known name in the UFC’s stacked 155-pound division, but if he keeps on getting past tough names, it won’t be long before he’s thrown in there with one of the division’s more prominent figures.
Tsarukyan says he’s ready for that push right now, but I suspect he’ll have to work his way through one or two more unranked guys before the likes of Iaquinta appear as legitimate options. That’s not to say it won’t happen eventually – Tsarukyan was very competitive in his debut defeat to Islam Makhachev and has looked solid in each of his subsequent octagon appearances.
Another win, and perhaps a finish, in his next outing would strengthen Tsarukyan’s case but, after three UFC appearances, he’s certainly trending in the right direction.
UFC on ESPN+ 30 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.
ABU DHABI – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 30 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $165,000.
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 on ESPN+ 30 took place at Flash Forum at Yas Island. The main card streamed ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
The full UFC on ESPN+ 30 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:
Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’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 $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.
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 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:
“UFC on ESPN+ 30: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2” – $165,000
Check out all the fighter walkout songs from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 30 event at “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.
While it takes intense training, world-class skills and maybe even a bit of luck to register a UFC win, picking the right song to accompany you to the cage is a key talent, as well.
Inside, see what the fighters from UFC on ESPN+ 30 went with as their backing tracks in Abu Dhabi.
The best stats and figures about UFC on ESPN+ 30, which features a Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez title rematch in the main event.
The third event of the UFC’s four-card August stretch on “Fight Island” takes place Saturday with UFC on ESPN+ 30 at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
A title-fight rematch takes place in the main event when the UFC takes a second attempt at crowning a new flyweight champion. [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) will attempt to repeat his February knockout of [autotag]Joseph Benavidez[/autotag] (28-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC) when they run it back, but this time Figueiredo hopefully will be eligible for the belt by making weight.
For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 30 pre-event facts about UFC on ESPN+ 30.
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Main event
Deiveson Figueiredo
Figueiredo becomes the second Brazilian to fight for the UFC flyweight title. Wilson Reis also accomplished the feat.
Figueiredo has earned 15 of his 18 career victories by stoppage. That includes five of his UFC wins.
Figueiredo’s five stoppage victories in UFC flyweight competition are tied for third most ind divisional history behind Demetrious Johnson (seven) and Benavidez (six).
Figueiredo’s four knockout victories in UFC flyweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Benavidez (five).
Figueiredo’s six knockdowns landed in UFC flyweight competition are second most in divisional history behind John Lineker (seven).
Figueiredo lands 52.5 percent of his significant strike attempts in UFC flyweight competition, the best rate among active fighters in the weight class.
Figueiredo attempts 2.36 submissions per 15 minutes of fighting in UFC flyweight competition, the highest rate in divisional history.
Joseph Benavidez
Benavidez, 35, is the oldest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.
Benavidez, 35, can become the oldest fighter to claim a UFC title at welterweight or below.
Benavidez is one of seven fighters in UFC history to go 0-3 in title fights. Another loss would make him the lone fighter to go 0-4.
Benavidez competes in his 18th UFC flyweight bout, the most appearances in divisional history.
Benavidez’s total fight time of 3:10:24 in UFC flyweight competition is second most in divisional history behind Johnson (4:39:12).
Benavidez’s 13 victories in UFC flyweight competition are tied with Johnson for most in divisional history.
Benavidez’s six stoppage victories in UFC flyweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Johnson (seven).
Benavidez’s six knockdowns landed in UFC flyweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Lineker (seven).
Benavidez’s five knockout victories in UFC flyweight competition are most in divisional history.
Benavidez’s four fight-night bonuses for UFC flyweight bouts are second most in divisional history behind Johnson (nine).
Co-main event
Jack Hermansson
[autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag] (20-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) has earned 16 of his 20 career victories by stoppage. That includes four of his seven UFC wins.
Hermansson lands 5.13 significant strikes per minute in UFC middleweight competition, the third best rate in divisional history behind Paulo Costa (8.43) and Martin Kampmann (5.35).
Hermansson has the highest significant strike differential rate in UFC middleweight history (+2.87).
Hermansson landed 148 significant strikes against Ronaldo Souza at UFC on ESPN+ 8, the most in a five-round UFC middleweight fight.
[autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) is 4-3 (with one no contest) since he moved up to the UFC middleweight division in December 2016. He’s 5-3 (with one no contest) overall at 185 pounds.
Preliminary card
Joseph Duffy
[autotag]Joe Duffy[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 4-3 UFC) enters the event on the first losing skid of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since He hasn’t earned a victory since March 2017.
Duffy has earned 14 of his 16 career victories by stoppage. He’s finished 13 opponents in the first round and eight in less than two minutes each.
[autotag]Joel Alvarez[/autotag] (16-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has earned all 16 of his career victories by stoppage.
[autotag]Brett Johns[/autotag] (16-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) has earned one of two calf-slicer submissions in UFC history. Charles Oliveira also accomplished the feat.
Johns’ 30-second submission of Joe Soto at the TUF 26 Finale was second fastest in UFC/WEC combined bantamweight history behind Patrick Williams’ 23-second finish at UFC 188.
[autotag]Montel Jackson[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) submission victory at 1:40 of Round 1 at UFC 232 is the second fastest D’Arce choke finish in UFC history. Only Chas Skelly’s 19-second win at UFC Fight Night 94 was faster.
[autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), 23, is the youngest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.
[autotag]Carlos Felipe[/autotag] (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since May 20, 2017. The 1,155-day layoff is the longest of his nearly six-year career.
UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.
