Tag: Brok Weaver

Roosevelt Roberts promises ‘fight to the death’ with Brok Weaver at UFC on ESPN 9

Friday’s most spirited staredown was no accident.

Friday’s most spirited staredown was no accident.

While masks covered the faces of lightweights [autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag] and [autotag]Brok Weaver[/autotag] at Friday’s UFC on ESPN 9 fighter faceoffs, the two were audibly bickering while standing nose-to-nose.

The two would continue to be heard going back and forth even after they left the stage.

It was an entertaining exchange, though it was a bit unexpected. Afterward, Roberts took to social media to explain the reasoning for his aggression while promising to make Weaver pay for some alleged transgressions.

Make no mistake my beef with @BWeaverufc is very personal, is nothing I hate more then a dog abuser, I want him to feel how it is to be locked in a cage like a dog and forced to fight to the death because this will be to the death.

Weaver recently posted a video of his dog with blood smeared across its face, adding the text “Will make it.” He later messaged another Instagram user who inquired about the dog’s injuries and said that he and his friend put their animals against each other, seemingly suggesting an organized dog fight.

“One of my homies thought his dog could take mine so we put them to the test lol mine won but lost a lil bit of his ear,” Weaver wrote.

Weaver recently told Bloody Elbow that there was a misunderstanding, and that he would never take part in the illegal act of dogfighting.

“I was really not thinking no harm was done because I know dog-fighting is illegal,” Weaver told Bloody Elbow. “A sanctioned dog fight. Where we brought them to each other and made them fight and betted money. That’s animal cruelty. I sent my dog to play with your dog because they lived together for a week.

“It bled a lot but it was just a little clip. A little clip on his ear. He didn’t even care about it. He didn’t even feel it.”

That explanation apparently wasn’t enough for Roberts, and the two made it clear to expect some vicious work in the cage Saturday night.

UFC on ESPN 9 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

Contender Series watch: Meet the nine DWCS alums set for action at UFC on ESPN 9

Take a look at the nine Dana White’s Contender Series alum that will be competing on this Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 9 card in Las Vegas.

The UFC on ESPN 9 card features nine fighters who previously have competed on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Not all of them earned contracts from their appearance on the show, but those who didn’t certainly remained on the UFC’s radar until they eventually got the call.

Some of the former Contender Series athletes will get to revisit a familiar place when they compete Saturday at the UFC Apex, which has been the home of the talent-finding series since Season 3.

Here are the nine Contender Series alums who will be in action Saturday:

Augusto Sakai (vs. Blagoy Ivanov)

[autotag]Augusto Sakai[/autotag] earned a UFC contract on the first edition of Dana White’s Contender Series Brazil in 2018 when he stopped Marcos Conrado Jr. in the second round.

Since then, Sakai (14-1-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has scored three big wins over Chase Sherman, Andrei Arlovski and Marcin Tybura, earning a spot in the UFC’s top 15 heavyweight rankings as a result.

He will take on Bulgarian veteran Blagoy Ivanov in the co-main event as he looks to establish himself as one of the rising contenders in the division.

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UFC on ESPN 9 predictions: Do our Woodley-Burns picks match up with our readers?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN 9 main card in Las Vegas, featuring Tyron Woodley vs. Gilbert Burns.

Woodley
vs.
Burns		 Ivanov
vs.
Sakai		 Carlyle
vs.
Quarantillo		 Roberts
vs.
Weaver		 Cifers
vs.
Dern
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2020: 44-29		 woodley2020
Woodley
(60%)		 ivanov2020
Ivanov
(51%)		 carlyle2020
Carlyle
(57%)		 roberts2020
Roberts
(62%)		 dern2020
Dern
(86%)
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2020: 55-18		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 quarantillo2020
Quarantillo		 roberts2020
Roberts		 dern2020
Dern
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2020: 53-20		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 roberts2020
Roberts		 dern2020
Dern
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2020: 53-20		 burns2020
Burns		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 quarantillo2020
Quarantillo		 roberts2020
Roberts		 dern2020
Dern
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2020: 52-21
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 weaver2020
Weaver		 dern2020
Dern
Simon Head
@simonhead
2020: 52-21
trophy copy 2019 Champion*		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 roberts2020
Roberts		 dern2020
Dern
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2020: 52-21
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 quarantillo2020
Quarantillo		 weaver2020
Weaver		 dern2020
Dern
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2020: 51-22		 burns2020
Burns		 sakai2020
Sakai		 quarantillo2020
Quarantillo		 weaver2020
Weaver		 dern2020
Dern
Dave Doyle
@davedoylemma
2020: 50-23		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 weaver2020
Weaver		 dern2020
Dern
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2020: 50-23
trophy copy 2018 Champion		 woodley2020
Woodley		 sakai2020
Sakai		 quarantillo2020
Quarantillo		 weaver2020
Weaver		 dern2020
Dern
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2020: 50-23		 burns2020
Burns		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 roberts2020
Roberts		 dern2020
Dern
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2020: 48-25		 burns2020
Burns		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 quarantillo2020
Quarantillo		 roberts2020
Roberts		 dern2020
Dern
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2020: 46-27		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 roberts2020
Roberts		 dern2020
Dern
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2020: 43-30		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 weaver2020
Weaver		 dern2020
Dern
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2020: 32-41		 burns2020
Burns		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 weaver2020
Weaver		 cifers2020
Cifers

The UFC is back in Las Vegas this week for the first time since March for the start of what could be many shows closed to fans at its own facility.

UFC on ESPN 9 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

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In the main event, former welterweight champion [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] (19-4-1 MMA, 9-3-1 UFC) takes on contender [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC). Woodley is the favorite in the fight at around -185, and he’s got a decent 9-5 edge in the picks from our 14 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts.

In the co-main event, [autotag]Blagoy Ivanov[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) meets [autotag]Augusto Sakai[/autotag] (14-1-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in a heavyweight bout. It’s a pick’em fight with the oddsmakers, but a total blowout from our staff members, who are taking Ivanov at a heavy 12-2 clip.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Spike Carlyle[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) meets [autotag]Billy Quarantillo[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in a 150-pound catchweight bout. Quarantillo is the slight favorite, but Carlyle has a slim 8-6 edge in our picks.

[autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) takes on [autotag]Brok Weaver[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in a lightweight bout that has Roberts installed as a heavy favorite around -350. But in our staff picks, it’s a dead heat at 7-7.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Hannah Cifers[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has a big challenger on her hands in [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who is the biggest favorite at the event at more than 4-1. Only one of our pickers is taking the soft-spoken Cifers in an upset.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Woodley (60 percent), Ivanov (51 percent), Carlyle (57 percent), Roberts (62 percent) and Dern (86 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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7 burning questions ahead of UFC on ESPN 9: Can Tyron Woodley rebound?

MMA Junkie’s Simon Head takes a look at the fight card’s seven biggest storylines ahead of the UFC’s Las Vegas return.

The bouts are signed and the commission paperwork has been rubber-stamped. The UFC is officially back in business in Las Vegas with Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 9 marking the promotion’s return to its home city.

With the sporting world tentatively looking to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, the UFC Apex will form the home of the UFC’s upcoming hometown events for the foreseeable future, with the purpose-built fight facility taking center stage with its maiden UFC-branded fight card.

UFC on ESPN 9 features a pivotal bout for the promotion’s welterweight division, with former undisputed champion [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] making his return after his title loss to Kamaru Usman. “The Chosen One” will look to reassert hit championship credentials against surging Brazilian contender [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] in the night’s main event.

Also set to feature on the card is a heavyweight battle, as rising prospect [autotag]Augusto Sakai[/autotag] takes on the teak-tough Bulgarian veteran [autotag]Blagoy Ivanov[/autotag]. There’s also a fascinating clash in the women’s flyweight division, as former title challenger [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] looks to bounce back with victory over [autotag]Antonina Shevchenko[/autotag] after falling short in her title shot against Shevchenko’s flyweight champion sister, Valentina.

UFC on ESPN 9 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

So, without further ado, here are seven burning questions heading into fight night.

****

How will Tyron Woodley look after his long layoff?

After almost 15 months away from the cage, Tyron Woodley is stepping back into the octagon, and it’s going to be fascinating to see how he performs. “The Chosen One” was on his way to being considered as one of the best welterweight champions in UFC history, but that title reign was abruptly halted by Kamaru Usman at UFC 235 in March 2019.

Woodley (19-4-1 MMA, 9-3-1 UFC) didn’t look his usual self during his one-sided decision loss to Usman and he’s been away from the cage ever since. We know he’ll be super-motivated to get back to winning ways and position himself for another shot at gold, but there are many questions to be answered in his display this weekend.

How will the long layoff affect his performance, particularly early, in his fight with the dangerous Gilbert Burns on Saturday night? What tweaks and changes has he made to his game? And can he step straight back in and halt an in-form, surging contender like Burns, who possesses fight-ending knockout power to go along with his world-class grappling credentials?

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On top form and fighting aggressively, Woodley is a serious problem for everyone else at 170, but during his title reign we saw him fall into a very defensive approach at times, and he eventually lost his belt. Will we see Woodley go on the offensive again to deliver a statement?

He’ll be in shape – he always is – but his sharpness, and his fighting mentality, will be fascinating to watch on fight night.

Next up: Brazilian contender gets his shot at big-name opposition

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Brok Weaver looking for redemption at UFC on ESPN 9 after DQ ending in UFC debut

Brok Weaver out to get redemption.

[autotag]Brok Weaver[/autotag] feels he still has something to prove to UFC fans.

The lightweight fighter made his UFC debut back in February at UFC on ESPN+ 25 but unfortunately took an illegal knee and was knocked out by Rodrigo Vargas while still a downed opponent. Weaver (15-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) won the bout via disqualification, an ending he wasn’t expecting for his first fight in the UFC.

Now, just days away from his second promotional bout at UFC on ESPN 9 this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Weaver feels he has an opportunity at redemption against Roosevelt Roberts.

“In a way, this is my redemption fight,” Weaver told reporters during a virtual media day promoting the event. “You can’t help to read comments and stuff, but like you said, I didn’t get to show much, so this fight I’m coming with anger. I have to bring the dog this fight and show the world what I’m made of. Everybody might think I’m a fluke – have to show them I’m not.”

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Wining via disqualification in a UFC debut is an uncommon sight, but the 28-year-old Weaver had a feeling something strange was coming sooner or later.

“Even though how good I felt, I felt something was going to happen eventually,” Weaver said. “It’s either going to be my first or later in my career; either way some crazy stuff was going to happen. I look at this way: Get the crazy stuff out of the way early.”

UFC on ESPN 9 is the first event the UFC has held at their UFC Apex facility. Although it might be a new venue for many UFC fighters, for Weaver is where he earned his UFC contract fighting in Dana White’s Contender Series.

“When I heard it was going to be at the Apex, I was happy,” Weaver said. “I got to watch the fight week one at the Apex because my opponent didn’t make the weight. And then I came back on week eight and fought and won and all that. It’s a very good venue, it’s home to me. I’m 1-0 there and trying to make it 2-0 Saturday. I already have a good feeling, man. Everything is working out to be perfect.”

To hear more from Weaver, check out the video above.

UFC on ESPN 9 airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

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UFC on ESPN 9: Roosevelt Roberts vs. Brok Weaver odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 9 fight between Roosevelt Roberts and Brok Weaver, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Roosevelt Roberts and Brok Weaver tangle in a lightweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 9 – also known as Fight Night 176 – at the UFC’s Apex Facility in Las Vegas. The card kicks off Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Roberts (9-1) is coming off a unanimous decision victory against Alexander Yakovlev last time out (Nov. 19, 2019). All three of Roberts’ fights at the UFC level have ended up going the distance, winning two of them. His ability in the clinch looks to be his ticket to stardom

Weaver (15-4) will be looking to fire out of the chute and rain blows down upon Roberts early and often. Weaver has a distinct advantage with 5.57 to 2.87 in the significant strikes landed per minute category, and 73.61 to 46.46 in the significant strikes-accuracy percentage department. The southpaw isn’t likely to be keen on going to the mat, as Roberts has won four of 10 career professional fights by submission.

Want to place a bet on UFC Fight Night? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Roosevelt Roberts vs. Brok Weaver betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, May 28 at 6:40 a.m. ET.

Roberts (-358) is an overwhelming favorite over Weaver (+275) in a battle between inexperienced, yet very talented prospects about to climb the ladder in the lightweight division.

Weaver is a brawler, while Roberts appears to be a little more well-rounded. Taking Roberts straight up on the 2-way line is a lot of chalk. The most attractive bet on the board might be taking the NO (+135): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? prop, as Roberts can do good work on the mat, and Weaver has the potential to end the bout anytime with just one punch. Backing ROBERTS BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (+200) is also worth a roll of the dice.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Roberts (-358) to win returns a profit of just $2.79. A $10 bet of No (+135) on the fight going the distance pays a $13.50 return, and a $10 bet for Roberts to win by KO/TKO, DQ or Submission (+200) profits $20.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC on ESPN 9: Make your predictions for Tyron Woodley vs. Gilbert Burns

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 9 event in Las Vegas.

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 9 event in Las Vegas.

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 9 event staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. UFC on ESPN 9 is expected to take place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It first must be approved by the Nevada Athletic Commission at a Wednesday meeting. The card airs on ESPN and streams ESPN+.

Make your picks for all five main card fights inside:

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UFC adds Roosevelt Roberts vs. Brok Weaver to May 30 event in Las Vegas

A lightweight matchup between Contender Series graduates Roosevelt Roberts and Brok Weaver is headed to the UFC’s May 30 event in Las Vegas.

A lightweight matchup between two Contender Series graduates is the latest addition to the UFC’s May 30 event.

[autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag] will face [autotag]Brok Weaver[/autotag] on the UFC’s first Las Vegas fight card since the coronavirus pandemic caused mass shutdown of sporting events in the United States. MMA Junkie confirmed the booking after an initial report from “Fight Bananas.”

The May 30 event will take place at the Apex Center in Las Vegas. No broadcast or streaming information has been released at this time.

Since punching his ticket into the UFC with a submission finish over Garrett Gross at “Dana White’s Contender Series,” Roberts (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has made a solid start to life in the UFC, with his lone loss coming at the hands of Vinc Pichel. He is coming off a unanimous decision win over Russia’s Alexander Yakovlev last November in Moscow.

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Fellow Contender Series competitor Weaver (15-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made his UFC debut in February, picking up a disqualification win over Rodrigo Vargas, when he was struck with an illegal knee in Round 1 and was rendered unable to continue. Despite claiming the win, “Chata Tuska” admitted post-fight that wasn’t satisfied with his first appearance inside the octagon. Now he will return to action in Las Vegas determined to make a big impression.

The event will be headlined by a welterweight bout between former UFC 170-pound champion Tyron Woodley and Brazilian contender Gilbert Burns.

The current May 30 lineup includes:

  • Gilbert Burns vs. Tyron Woodley
  • Hannah Cifers vs. Mackenzie Dern
  • Klidson Abreu vs. Jamahal Hill
  • Roosevelt Roberts vs. Brok Weaver

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Brok Weaver wants to run it back with Kazula Vargas after DQ at UFC Rio Rancho

Take a look inside Brok Weaver’s disqualification win over Kazula Vargas at UFC on ESPN+ 25 in Rio Rancho, N.M.

RIO RANCHO, N.M. – [autotag]Brok Weaver[/autotag] beat Kazula Vargas with a first-round disqualification Saturday on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 25 in Rio Rancho, N.M.

Take a look inside the fight with Weaver, who got a win in his promotional debut – albeit not in the way he wanted to get his hand raise.

Result: Brok Weaver def. Kazula Vargas via disqualification (illegal knee) – Round 1, 4:02
Updated records: Weaver (15-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Vargas (11-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Key stat: Vargas outstruck Weaver 50-6 for the time they were in the cage before the DQ.

Weaver on the fight’s key moment

“I wanted to come out calculated, keep the altitude in mind, get his timing and speed down, and take it from there. He got a good takedown in. I figured he would try to wrestle and push the pace. I went for my guillotine, thought it was close, but he peeled it off. I was getting up and he kneed me in the face. It was in the heat of the moment. Things happen.”

Weaver on the disqualification

“Illegal knee: I don’t care. Where I’m from, nothing is illegal. It’s a loss in my book. He came in swinging. I knew he would come in trying to rush me because I usually rush everyone. If I was him, I would have done the same thing – get a fast start on the fast guy.”

Weaver on what he wants next

“We can run it back. I told him that. I don’t know him, but he’s a Christ follower, so I figure he didn’t do that with intent. I hate to get a victory like this, especially for my debut. I felt comfortable. (My) weight cut was perfect. I felt great. I had fun tonight. I can’t wait to be back. Anything can happen in this sport.”

To hear more from Weaver, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

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