UFC on ESPN 33 video: Chris Gutierrez nails Danaa Batgerel with ridiculous spinning backfist knockout

Chris Gutierrez added a highlight to the reel with a violent spin at UFC on ESPN 33.

[autotag]Chris Gutierrez[/autotag] has a solid highlight reel – but UFC on ESPN 33 marked perhaps his most emphatic career finish.

In the second-to-final prelim of the event, Gutierrez (18-4-2 MMA, 6-1-1 UFC) made his mark with a violent spinning backfist knockdown and follow-up elbows en route to a knockout of [autotag]Danaa Batgerel[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC). The finish came at 2:34 of Round 2.

UFC on ESPN 33 took place Saturday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio and streamed on ESPN/ESPN+.

The first round was competitive and closely contested, until Gutierrez went for a failed spinning strike attempt in the final minute. He slipped and fell off balance. Batgerel gained top control and landed some solid shots to end the round.

The blunder in Round 1 didn’t deter Gutierrez from trying another spin in Round 2 – and he’s glad he did. The violent spinning backfist knockout was only the ninth in UFC history. It extended Gutierrez’s winning streak to seven and snapped Batgerel’s three-fight  winning streak.

The up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 33 results include:

  • Chris Gutierrez def. Danaa Batgerel via knockout (spinning backfist and elbows) – Round 2, 2:34
  • Aliaskhab Khizriev def. Denis Tiuliulin via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:58
  • Manon Fiorot def. Jennifer Maia via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Matheus Nicolau def. David Dvorak via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Luis Saldana def. Bruno Souza via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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Danaa Batgerel vs. Montel Jackson joins UFC Fight Night on March 26

The matchup between bantamweight prospects Danaa Batgerel and Montel Jackson has been rebooked.

The matchup between bantamweight prospects [autotag]Danaa Batgerel[/autotag] and [autotag]Montel Jackson[/autotag] has been rebooked.

Batgerel (10-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) faces Jackson (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at UFC Fight Night on March 26, which takes place at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, and airs on ESPN.

A person with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking with MMA Junkie following a social media announcement by Iridium Sports Agency. The booking has yet to be officially announced by the promotion.

Batgerel and Jackson originally were scheduled to square off at UFC Fight Night 192 in September, but visa issues forced Batgerel out of the bout. Jackson faced short-notice replacement JP Buys instead, setting the record for the most knockdowns in a UFC bantamweight bout with four, en route to a unanimous decision win.

Since dropping his UFC debut to Heili Alateng in August 2019, Batgerel has scored three consecutive first-round stoppages, including a “Performance of the Night” TKO of Brandon Davis in his past outing at UFC Fight Night 195 in October.

With the addition, the UFC Columbus lineup includes:

  • Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic
  • Amanda Ribas vs. Michelle Waterson
  • Sara McMann vs. Karol Rosa
  • Tucker Lutz vs. Seungwoo Choi
  • Askar Askarov vs. Kai Kara-France
  • Danaa Batgerel vs. Montel Jackson

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UFC Fight Night 195 post-event facts: ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone’s all-time wins record under threat

Check out all the facts and figures from UFC Fight Night 195, which saw Norma Dumont decision Aspen Ladd in Las Vegas.

UFC Fight Night 195 took place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The main event of the 10-fight card saw [autotag]Norma Dumont[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) outwork [autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) to a unanimous decision in the women’s featherweight matchup.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card – where two of the UFC’s all-time winners added to their totals – check below for 45 post-event facts to come out of UFC Fight Night 195.

Brandon Davis returns to UFC, targeted to fight Danaa Batgerel at UFC Fight Night 195

Two years and four fights after his UFC release, Brandon Davis is back.

[autotag]Brandon Davis[/autotag] is back with the UFC.

After four straight wins on the regional scene, Davis (14-8 MMA, 2-5 UFC) will return to the promotion Oct. 16 after two years away when he takes on [autotag]Danaa Batgerel[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 195 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The fight is not signed yet, but verbal agreements are in place, expected to be signed in the coming days.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the targeted booking to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

While he competed at both featherweight and bantamweight in the UFC, Davis, 31, is set on 135-pound competition going forward.

From January 2018 to September 2019, Davis fought seven times for the promotion and compiled a 2-5 record. His wins came against Steven Peterson and Randy Costa, with his losses against Zabit Magomedsharipov, Giga Chikadze, Kyung Ho Kang, Kyle Bochniak and Enrique Barzola.

As for Batgerel, the Mongolian fighter has won back-to-back fights via first-round knockout. After a unanimous decision defeat to Heili Alateng, Batgerel knocked out Guido Cannetti and Kevin Natividad in a combined 3:51.

The lineup for UFC Fight Night 195 includes:

  • Norma Dumont vs. Holly Holm
  • Andrei Arlovski vs. Carlos Felipe
  • Julian Marquez vs. Jordan Wright
  • Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Da Un Jung
  • L’udovit Klein vs. Nate Landwehr
  • Luana Carolina vs. Maryna Moroz
  • Ariane Carnelossi vs. Istela Nunes
  • Andrew Sanchez vs. Bruno Silva
  • Marcelo Rojo vs. Daniel Santos
  • Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Manon Fiorot
  • Ramazan Emeev vs. Danny Roberts
  • Danaa Batgerel vs. Brandon Davis

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UFC 261 ‘Fight Motion’: Kamaru Usman blasts Jorge Masvidal with blistering right hand

Check out these super-slow-motion highlights from UFC 261, including clips of Kamaru Usman’s knockout of Jorge Masvidal.

[autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] put an emphatic end to his rivalry with [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag].

Usman (19-1 MMA, 14-0 UFC) retained his UFC welterweight title against Masvidal (35-14 MMA, 12-7 UFC) in the main event of this past weekend’s UFC 261 event in Florida, by becoming the first man to stop “Gamebred” in the octagon.

“The Nigerian Nightmare” reiterated that he didn’t get his fix after defeating Masvidal via unanimous decision in their first outing at UFC 251 in July and left absolutely no doubt – if there was any – why he’s the No. 1 welterweight in the sport.

Usman’s jab was on point early, and he was able to take Masvidal down on multiple occasions. But the big surprise came in the beginning of Round 2, when Usman threw a massive lunging right, which hit Masvidal right on the button and knocked him out cold.

You can watch it all unfold in super slow-motion in the UFC 261 “Fight Motion” video highlights above.

Also featured are highlights from [autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag]’ championship-winning head-kick knockout of Zhang Weili, [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag]’s dominant finish of Jessica Andrade, the damage [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] inflicted on Jimmy Crute’s leg, and finishes from the preliminary card, courtesy of [autotag]Danaa Batgerel[/autotag], [autotag]Brendan Allen[/autotag] and [autotag]Randy Brown[/autotag].

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UFC 261 post-event facts: Kamaru Usman’s octagon streak hits rarified air

It was big night for the record books at UFC 261. See how champs Kamaru Usman, Rose Namajunas and Valentina Shevchenko made history.

UFC 261 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday was one for the record books.

All three winners of the championship bouts made a mark on the record books, but none bigger than [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] (19-1 MMA, 14-0 UFC), who extended his epic run inside the octagon with a second-round knockout of rival [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] (35-15 MMA, 12-8 UFC) in the main event.

For more on the numbers behind Usman’s victory, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 50 post-event facts to come out of UFC 261.

UFC 261 video: Danaa Batgerel floors Kevin Natividad with perfect check left hook

Watch UFC bantamweight Danaa Batgerel knock out Kevin Natividad with a perfectly timed left-hook counter at UFC 261.

[autotag]Danaa Batgerel[/autotag] sure has a mean left hook.

The 31-year-old bantamweight picked up another UFC win, dispatching Kevin Natividad with a left hook at Saturday’s UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Fla. Batgerel (9-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) stopped Natividad at the 50 seconds into Round 1. Their bantamweight clash was part of the UFC 261 preliminary card.

Batgerel dropped Natividad with a check left hook after Natividad rushed him early. Batgerel rushed in with ground-and-pound after sending Natividad to the canvas, but almost immediately he was stopped by the referee, who waved off the fight.

This is Batgerel’s second UFC win. Both victories have come by first-round KO using a left hook. The Jackson Wink MMA product is 5-1 in his last six outings.

Below is the first-round stoppage win from the “Storm” (via Twitter):

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MMA Junkie’s ‘Knockout of the Month’ for March: A wild brawl ends with one punch

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best knockouts from March 2020.

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best knockouts from March 2020: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Knockout of the Month” award for March.

At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice.

* * * *

The Nominees

Danaa Batgerel def. Guido Cannetti at UFC 248

[autotag]Danaa Batgerel[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) got his first UFC victory in impressive fashion when he became the first to knock out Guido Cannetti (8-5 MMA, 2-4 UFC) in their bantamweight matchup.

The fighter from Mongolia landed an absolute bomb of a left hand on Cannetti about three minutes into the opening round of the bout. Cannetti was unable to recover from Batgerel’s power and the fight was called off.

Sean O’Malley def. Jose Quinonez at UFC 248

“The Suga Show” had a triumphant reboot when bantamweight prospect [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] (11-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) made quick work of Jose Quinonez (8-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in his first fight in two years.

O’Malley, who had been out of action since March 2018 due to injuries and a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency situation that ultimately resulted in his innocence, put on a striking clinic against a helpless Quinonez to finish the fight in just 122 seconds.

Beneil Dariush def. Drakkar Klose at UFC 248

[autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] (18-4-1 MMA, 12-4-1 UFC) produced arguably the greatest highlight of his career when he scored a spectacular knockout of Drakkar Klose (11-1-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in the second round of their lightweight bout.

After a solid first round, the fight got crazy in the second when Dariush and Klose slugged it out and stunned each other. Dariush was able to push through it better, though, and finally landed a devastated overhand left that sent Klose bouncing off the fence and crashing into the canvas.

Gilbert Burns def. Demian Maia at UFC on ESPN+ 28

[autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) continued a successful campaign in the welterweight division when he beat former title challenger Demian Maia (28-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC).

After getting taken down by Maia and surviving his famous back take, Burns managed to get the fight back to the feet where he connected with a sharp left hook, sending Maia straight to the canvas. Burns hesitated, thinking the shot ended the fight, but the referee didn’t jump in. Burns then followed up with rapid ground-and-pound, forcing the referee to wave it off.

Coner Hignett def. Darren O’Gorman at Cage Warriors 113

[autotag]Coner Hignett[/autotag] (8-5) lived up to his nickname of “The Hand Grenade” when he blew up for a brilliant win over Darren O’Gorman (6-5).

Hignett pulled off one of the best comebacks and knockouts of the year thus far when he stopped O’Gorman in the third round of their flyweight matchup. A series of precise and powerful right hands were the culprit behind Hignett’s comeback.

* * * *

The Winner: Beneil Dariush

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Dariush didn’t need jiu-jitsu to win at UFC 248.

The UFC veteran scored one of the best finishes of his career against Klose, but it didn’t come by way of his nifty ground game. Dariush knocked out Klose in the second round of their lightweight contest after a wild exchange that had the crowd on its feet.

The final seconds were completely opposite to what went down in the first round. For the majority of the opening round, Dariush controlled Klose as he had taken his back and worked for a standing rear-naked choke.

In the second round, Klose attempted to make up for lost ground and came out swinging hard at Dariush. Klose connected, wobbled Dariush and began to pressure him looking for the finish. But instead of going into defense mode, the Iranian fighter stayed in the pocket and managed to switch the momentum with a hard hook, hurting Klose.

Once rocked, Dariush followed up with a brutal left hook that sent Klose straight to the canvas. It was Dariush’s first KO win since stopping James Vick in 2016.

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UFC 248 medical suspensions: Israel Adesanya needs his feet checked out

Israel Adesanya is one of six fighters in need of further evaluation after UFC 248.

[autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] is one of six fighters in need of further evaluation after UFC 248.

The UFC middleweight champion Adesanya (19-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who defended his title in a unanimous decision over Yoel Romero (13-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) in Saturday’s headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, needs X-rays on both of his feet before obtaining clearance to fight again.

Monday, MMA Junkie acquired a list of medical suspensions from the Nevada Athletic Commission, the body that oversaw the event.

Complete UFC 248 medical suspensions include:

* * * *

Israel Adesanya: Needs X-rays of both feet. If injury discovered, must have doctor’s clearance or no contact until April 9; minimum suspension no contact until April 29.

[autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag]: Suspended until May 5; no contact until April 22.

[autotag]Joanna Jedrzejczyk[/autotag]: Suspended until May 5; no contact until April 22.

[autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag]: Needs MRI on right knee. If injury discovered, must have doctor’s clearance or no contact until April 9.

[autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag]: Suspended until April 22; no contact until April 7.

[autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag]: Suspended until April 22; no contact until April 7.

[autotag]Alex Oliveira[/autotag]: Suspended until April 22; no contact until April 7.

[autotag]Max Griffin[/autotag]: Needs MRI on left shoulder. If injury discovered, must have doctor’s clearance or no contact until Sept. 4; minimum suspension with no contact until April 7.

[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag]: Needs X-ray on left foot. If injury discovered, must have doctor’s clearance or no contact until Sept. 4; minimum suspension with no contact until April 7.

[autotag]Jose Quinonez[/autotag]: Suspended until April 22; no contact until April 7.

[autotag]Mark Madsen[/autotag]: Needs X-ray on left foot. If injury discovered, must have doctor’s clearance or no contact until Sept. 4; minimum suspension with no contact until April 7.

[autotag]Rodolfo Vieira[/autotag]: Suspended until April 22; no contact until April 7.

[autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag]: Needs X-ray on left ankle. If injury discovered, must have doctor’s clearance or no contact until Sept. 4; minimum suspension with no contact until April 7.

[autotag]Deron Winn[/autotag]: Suspended until April 7; no contact until March 29.

[autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag]: Suspended until April 22; no contact until April 7.

[autotag]Danaa Batgerel[/autotag]: Needs X-ray on right foot. If injury discovered, must have doctor’s clearance or no contact until Sept. 4; minimum suspension with no contact until April 7.

[autotag]Guido Cannetti[/autotag]: Suspended until April 22; no contact until April 7.

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UFC 248 salaries: Israel Adesanya takes home good chunk of total payout

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was the highest earner at UFC 248, taking home more than double that of the card’s other champ.

Middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] was the highest earner at UFC 248, taking home more than twice as much disclosed pay as the card’s other defending champ.

Adesanya (19-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) made $500,000 with no win bonus for his main event title defense against challenger [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] (13-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Romero made $350,000 in defeat.

The other defending champion on the card, Zhang Weili (21-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) netted $200,000 for beating [autotag]Joanna Jedrzejczyk[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC), who got $106,000 in the memorable title contest.

The total disclosed payroll for the event was $2.086 million.

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Complete disclosed salaries for UFC 248:

  • Israel Adesanya: $500,000 (no win bonus)
    def. Yoel Romero: $350,000
  • Zhang Weili: $200,000 (includes $100,000 win bonus)
    def. Joanna Jedrzejczyk: $106,000
  • [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag]: $140,000 (includes $70,000 win bonus)
    def. [autotag]Drakkar Klose[/autotag]: $40,000
  • [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag]: $152,000 (includes $76,000 win bonus)
    def. [autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag]: $64,000
  • [autotag]Alex Oliveira[/autotag]: $128,000 (includes $64,000 win bonus)
    def. [autotag]Max Griffin[/autotag]: $35,000
  • [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag]: $70,000 (includes $35,000 win bonus)
    def. [autotag]Jose Quinonez[/autotag]: $33,000
  • [autotag]Mark Madsen[/autotag]: $66,000 (includes $33,000 win bonus)
    def. [autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag]: $12,000
  • [autotag]Rodolfo Vieira[/autotag]: $28,000 (includes $14,000 win bonus)
    def. [autotag]Saparbek Safarov[/autotag]: $22,000
  • [autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag]: $60,000 (includes $30,000 win bonus)
    def. [autotag]Deron Winn[/autotag]: $12,000
  • [autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag]: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus)
    def. [autotag]Jamall Emmers[/autotag]: $10,000
  • [autotag]Danaa Batgerel[/autotag]: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
    def. [autotag]Guido Cannetti[/autotag]: $14,000

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 248 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 248 fight-night bonuses to Dariush and O’Malley for “Performance of the Night,” and Weili and Jedrzejczyk 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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