Tag: Corey Anderson

Corey Anderson vs. Jan Blachowicz in the works to headline Feb. 15 UFC event

A potential No. 1 contender fight is looming in the UFC light heavyweight division.

A potential No. 1 contender fight is looming in the UFC light heavyweight division.

[autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] and [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] will square off Feb. 15, if all goes according to plan. The fight will headline the Rio Rancho, N.M. event, which is expected to air on ESPN/stream on ESPN+.

A person with knowledge of the booking confirmed the targeted pairing to MMA Junkie following a report by ESPN on Monday. The person asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

The targeted bout between the two light heavyweights will be a rematch of their UFC 191 fight from Sept. 2015. In the first meeting, Anderson earned an unanimous decision nod.

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Both Anderson (13-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and Blachowicz (25-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC) are fresh off signature wins over notable opponents.

At UFC 244, Anderson derailed surging high-flyer Johnny Walker when he defeated the Brazilian by first-round TKO. With the victory, Anderson extended his winning streak to four – a list which already included Ilir Latifi, Patrick Cummins, and former UFC title challenger Glover Teixeira.

As for Blachowicz, the Polish fighter has won back-to-back fights. After knocking out Luke Rockhold at UFC 239 in July, Blachowicz spoiled Ronaldo Souza’s light heavyweight debut by split decision last month at UFC on ESPN+ 22.

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With the addition, the up-to-date UFC Rio Rancho lineup now includes:

  • Corey Anderson vs. Jan Blachowicz
  • Montana De La Rosa vs. Mara Romero Borella
  • Rogerio Bontorin vs. Ray Borg

MMA Junkie Radio #3004: Jon Jones-Dominick Reyes reaction, Bellator London recap, more

Hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” break down the latest MMA news and notes, including the biggest fight booking of the week.

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here!

On episode 3,004 of the podcast, the guys break down the latest MMA news and notes, as well as unpack Bellator Europe 6 from over the weekend in London.

The rundown

  • It’s official. [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] will defend his UFC light heavyweight title vs. [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag] on Feb. 8 in Houston. Is Reyes ready for this massive challenge, or is it too soon?
  • With [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] and [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] left on the outside looking in, should they be booked against each other as insurance? It’d be a rematch of a 2015 fight won by Anderson.
  • Bellator Europe 6 took place Saturday and ended with another highlight-reel knockout by [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag], who finished Giovanni Melillo with one punch early in the first round. Afterward, Page called for a rematch with welterweight champion [autotag]Douglas Lima[/autotag]. Where does Bellator go next with MVP?
  • Did you catch UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] on the set of ESPN “College Gameday” before the Ohio State-Penn State football game? That was cool, wasn’t it? More of this, Stipe.
  • UFC strawweight champion [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] seems to be stirring the pot with [autotag]Joanna Jedrzejczyk[/autotag]. What do we think of this?
  • [autotag]Floyd Mayweather[/autotag] is back! Maybe. And he’ll be working with UFC president Dana White! Maybe. What do we make of this?

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at AudioBoom, or check it out above. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.

Jon Jones to defend UFC light heavyweight title vs. Dominick Reyes on Feb. 8

Jon Jones’ next UFC title defense will be against the opponent of his choice.

[autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] has his next title fight lined up.

The UFC light heavyweight champion will take on undefeated contender [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag] on Feb. 8 in Houston, UFC president Dana White told ESPN on Friday.

The race to challenge Jones was between top contenders [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] and Reyes, but Jones made it pretty clear in the last couple of weeks he was only interested on fighting Reyes.

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Jones (25-1 MMA, 19-1 UFC) was last seen in action in July, when he out-pointed Thiago Santos to defend his belt in the main event of UFC 239. The 32-year-old Jackson Wink MMA product remains one of the most dominant champions in the UFC, with his lone loss coming via disqualification against Matt Hamill back in 2009.

Meanwhile, Reyes (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) recently picked up the biggest win of his career. Last month, Reyes scored a first-round knockout over former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman in the main event of UFC on ESPN 6. Reyes, 29, sits fourth in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie light heavyweight rankings.

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Corey Anderson scoffs at Jon Jones using ‘MMA math’ to prove point about Dominick Reyes

Jon Jones and Corey Anderson are at it again after the UFC champ started it this time.

UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] are at it again.

Jones (25-1 MMA, 19-1 UFC) and Anderson (13-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) exchanged some jabs on Twitter early Thursday.

Their verbal war has been going on for quite some time, but this battle began after Jones posted a video of Anderson getting knocked out by Ovince Saint Preux in November 2017 at UFC 217.

Using his MMA math, Jones pointed to the knockout as an indicator that Dominick Reyes was the tougher challenge in the light heavyweight division. Saint Preux, whom Jones defeated in 2016, knocked out Anderson, but was “dominated” by Reyes.

Hours later, Anderson responded in an attempt to disprove Jones’ claim. In Anderson’s eyes, he isn’t the same fighter who was knocked out cold by Saint Preux.

Lol come on jony boi you kno how the fight went all the way up to that point. I took my L and learned from it. And barely been touched since. I don’t think I’ve absorbed 100 strikes in last 4 fights combined. And was domdonating that one. You starting to act like a casual..

In a follow-up tweet, Anderson called out Jones’ use of “MMA math.” Additionally, Anderson took a jab at Jones’ “GOAT” status by saying he was more like – well, a different kind of animal.

We got the “goat” out here using MMA math now to justify his scared ways 🤣🤣 Now I’ve seen it out. When goats turning into dogs..a female dog at that. #casual #ufc

While Anderson is coming off a big TKO victory over Johnny Walker at UFC 244 earlier this month, Jones is likely to face Reyes in his next title defense. There has been speculation the meeting between Jones and Reyes will take place Feb. 8 at UFC 247 in Houston, but no official announcement has been made at this time.

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Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Jan Blachowicz and UFC on ESPN+ 22’s other key winners?

See whom Jan Blachowicz should fight next after his victory over Ronaldo Souza at UFC on ESPN+ 22.

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for ‘Jacare’ Souza after UFC on ESPN+ 22 loss?)

After every event, fans wonder whom the winners will be matched up with next.

And 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 on ESPN+ 22’s most noteworthy winning fighters.

Those winners include [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] (25-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC), who defeated Ronaldo Souza (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) by split decision in the light heavyweight headliner at Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo, as well as [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (28-8 MMA, 16-8 UFC), [autotag]James Krause[/autotag] (27-7 MMA, 8-3 UFC) and [autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag] (24-7 MMA, 14-6 UFC),

* * * *

Francisco Trinaldo

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Should fight: [autotag]Diego Ferreira[/autotag]
Why they should fight: He had to work hard for it, but Trinaldo earned his 14th octagon victory when he edged Bobby Green by unanimous decision in their lightweight bout.

At 41, Trinaldo proved he’s still a force to be reckoned with at 155. He clearly wants to prove as much judging by his post-fight callout, which was directed at perennial contender Edson Barboza. He may not get that fight next, but the Brazilian is certainly deserving of another noteworthy matchup at 155 pounds.

Ferreira (16-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) has been on a roll of late, winning his past five fights against some solid opponents. The Fortis MMA product is looking to prove he belongs in the upper echelon of the weight class, as well, and beating someone like Trinaldo to extend his winning streak would be a statement. And if Trinaldo were to win, he would take all Ferreira’s momentum for himself.

James Krause

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Should fight: [autotag]Gunnar Nelson[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Krause continued to shine in the welterweight division when he put on a clinic against Sergio Moraes that ended with a knockout in the final minute of the third round.

Krause is now riding a six-fight winning streak (including 4-0 at welterweight) and appears to be clicking both mentally and physically. He needs a bigger challenge going forward to see where he really stands, and Nelson (17-5-1 MMA, 8-5 UFC) is an opponent who could test Krause’s value at 170 pounds.

Nelson may be on a two-fight skid and not in the best place in his career, but he’s been a constant in the top 20 of the division for several years. He needs to display that he still deserves that status, and halting Krause’s streak would help send that message.

Charles Oliveira

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Should fight: [autotag]Al Iaquinta[/autotag]
Why they should fight: The best run of Oliveira’s UFC tenure continued with a brilliant first-round knockout of Jared Gordon that extended the Brazilian’s winning streak to six fights – all of which have come by stoppage.

Oliveira is firing on all cylinders at the moment and at 30, is in the sharpest form of his career. His stoppage of Gordon was his 15th in UFC competition, which trails the all-time record by just one. Oliveira said prior to being booked against Gordon that he wanted a steeper test, but it didn’t materialize this time around.

“Do Bronx” tried to take matters into his own hands by issuing a post-fight callout of Conor McGregor and Paul Felder (who handed him his last loss), but neither of those seemed to register as particularly realistic at the moment (especially McGregor).

What is realistic, though, is that Oliveira could and should get a top-10 opponent at 155 pounds. Iaquinta (14-6-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC) has been in one of those spots for much of the past severals years, and in terms of opponent, he should have everything Oliveira is looking for to take him one step closer to title contention.

Jan Blachowicz


Should fight: [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Blachowicz should rematch Anderson (13-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) next after his main event win.

Jan Blachowicz has three options in mind for his next fight after UFC on ESPN+ 22

Jan Blachowicz isn’t quite sure what’s in store for him after a lackluster win at UFC Sao Paulo.

[autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] has three names in mind for his next fight after UFC on ESPN+ 22.

[autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag], [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag], or maybe [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] are the realistic options in the on-deck circle for Blachowicz.

After he defeated Ronaldo Souza (26-7 MMA, 9-4 UFC) Saturday by unanimous decision in the UFC on ESPN+ 22 headliner, Blachowicz (25-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC) took to the microphone and called for a fight with UFC light heavyweight champion Jones.

“I want someone from the top,” Blachowicz said in the cage. “Maybe a title shot. Why not? I’m ready. Jon, let’s do this. Give me the fight. Give me the title shot because I don’t have time. Maybe three more years and I go to retirement. It’s now or never.”

On the ESPN post-fight show, Blachowicz elaborated on his options. He said he’ll have to find out from the UFC what’s available. From there, Blachowicz said he and his team will figure out how to proceed.

“First of all, I have to come back to Poland and talk to the coaches,” Blachowicz said. We have to find a way to do something, so I’m not going to feel like this in a fight. Right now I don’t have answers.”

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A top contender, Reyes has been linked to Jones as being the next 205-pound title challenger. If that’s the case, Blachowicz said he’ll have no problem sitting out and waiting for his shot.

“I will wait for Dominick Reyes or Jon Jones,” Blachowicz said in the post-fight press conference. “No problem. … I’m just going to wait for either from the UFC.”

Another option Blachowicz didn’t rule out is fellow light heavyweight contender Anderson. The American fighter is riding a wave of momentum coming off of a one-sided starching of rising star Johnny Walker at UFC 244 earlier this mont.

Anderson and Blachowicz fought at UFC 191 in September of 2015. Anderson walked away with the unanimous decision victory, but Blachowicz tacks up the loss to luck more than skill.

“Corey will be good – a rematch (with) him,” Blachowicz said. “Because he got a lot of luck in our first fight. I will prove that he was lucky. I (think) it will be a pleasure for me to fight against him also.”

UFC on ESPN+ 22 took place at Ginásio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo. The card streamed on ESPN+.

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Anthony Smith: Dominick Reyes is an easier fight for Jon Jones than Corey Anderson

Anthony Smith believes UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones picked an easier fight in Dominick Reyes over Corey Anderson.

[autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] actually picked the easier opponent in [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag].

UFC light heavyweight champion Jones tweeted that he picked Reyes over [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] because he believes he’s the more dangerous fighter, but Smith said he thinks Anderson presents more problems overall.

“I honestly think Jon probably chose the easier opponent between Corey Anderson and Dominick Reyes,” Smith said on UFC Unfiltered. “I think that Reyes is absolutely more dangerous, as far as explosiveness and size and his length. I think he may give Jon some problems on his feet a little bit and Jon will have to dodge some bullets. But look at everybody Jon’s beat – they’re one-dimensional, and that’s what Jon wants.”

The undefeated Reyes (11-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), is coming off a first-round knockout over Chris Weidman at UFC on ESPN 6 in Boston. Anderson (13-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is coming off a first-round finish of his own, taking out top prospect Johnny Walker at UFC 244.

Both were in the running for a title shot, but Jones ultimately chose Reyes. However, Smith said that Reyes’ split decision win over Volkan Oezdemir in March exposed some holes in his game that he can see Jones exploiting in the fight.

“Like we’ve seen in the Volkan Oezdemir fight, Dominick Reyes isn’t necessarily dominant on the ground and his takedown defense isn’t that great,” Smith said. “Even though he was able to stuff some of Weidman’s (takedowns) … he did have some improvements there, but Volkan Oezdemir took him down several times and Jon Jones is a much better wrestler than Volkan Oezdemir, that’s for sure.”

In Anderson, Smith sees a more skilled fighter overall who could present more issues to Jones, considering his wrestling ability.

“I think Corey is more well-rounded,” Smith said. “He’s got fundamental boxing. His kicking game isn’t super high level, but he keeps his hands in the right spot. He moves his head well. His wrestling is good. His takedown defense is really good. His top pressure is good. His cardio is phenomenal. Corey presents a lot more problems than Dominick Reyes does, so I do think that Jon picked the easier fight.”

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