Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
All the UFC and Bellator fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past week.
MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.
But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.
Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC or Bellator.
Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie from July 19-25:
Dooho Choi won’t be making his long-awaited return to the octagon on July 31, and Danny Chavez will now face Kai Kamaka.
[autotag]Dooho Choi[/autotag] won’t be making his long-awaited return to the octagon July 31 after all.
Choi (14-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) has been forced out of UFC on ESPN 28 due to injury, and [autotag]Kai Kamaka[/autotag] (8-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) will step in on short notice to face [autotag]Danny Chavez[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC).
Both fighters confirmed the booking on social media following an initial report from MMA Island.
“The Korean Superboy” took to Instagram to release a statement on his withdrawal, claiming that a shoulder injury forced him to pull out. Choi hasn’t competed since December 2019 when he was stopped by Charles Jourdain in the second round. The loss marked Choi’s third in a row, but he was able to secure “Fight of the Night” bonuses in all three setbacks.
First of all, I’m so sorry for the fans who are waiting for my fight because I couldn’t have a fight due to injury. I’m in a fight business. That means an unexpected accident can happen at any time and I also think a fighter should take the fight even if he has a some injury because that is way it is.
I injured my shoulder in the last sparring session on Friday night. It was very light and easy rolling but something bad unlucky thing happened.
It is not a huge injury, but definitely it isn’t something that can handle the fight. If I had more time for recover, I would push forward and take the fight, but our camp inevitable decided that two weeks were just too shorts to recover.
I’m so sad that I prepared for this fight very hard and I apologize Danny because he must have prepared so hard for this battle as well.
I’ll be back in good condition soon, I really want to fight Danny when I get back show my best performance for the fans. Wait till I come back it will not be long.
After prevailing in a thrilling “Fight of the Night” battle with Tony Kelley in his UFC debut, Hawaii’s Kamaka has dropped his past two in a row to Jonathan Pearce, and most recently a split decision to T.J. Brown at UFC on ESPN 23 in May.
Meanwhile, Chavez has split his first two UFC appearances. Winner of four of his past five, “The Colombian Warrior” scored a unanimous decision over T.J. Brown but saw his winning streak snapped in his past outing in February when he was defeated by Jared Gordon.
With the changes, the UFC on ESPN 28 lineup includes:
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A pair of Korean fighters return to the cage after lengthy layoffs on July 31 in two newly announced matchups.
A pair of Korean fighters return to the cage after lengthy layoffs on July 31 in two newly announced matchups.
UFC officials today announced a bantamweight contest between [autotag]Kung Ho Kang[/autotag] and [autotag]Rani Yahya[/autotag], as well as a featherweight matchup of [autotag]Dooho Choi[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Danny Chavez[/autotag] – both of which take place at a UFC Fight Night event on July 31, which does not currently have a publicly announced location or venue.
Kang (17-8 MMA, 6-2 UFC) returns to action for the first time since a December 2019 split-decision win over Liu Pingyuan. “Mr. Perfect” is currently riding a three-fight winning streak and is 6-1 in his last seven overall contests. He now takes on Brazilian grappling ace Yahya (27-10-1 MMA, 12-4-1 UFC), who picked up a submission win over Ray Rodriguez in March in his most recent appearance.
Meanwhile, Choi (14-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) also returns for the first time since December 2019. “The Korean Superboy” is actually looking to break a three-fight losing streak – though he earned a “Fight of the Night” bonus in each of the setbacks. He now faces Chavez (11-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC), who last saw action in February, suffering a decision loss that snapped a four-fight winning streak.
With the additions to the card, the July 31 lineup includes:
Before Jeremy Stephens faces Calvin Kattar at UFC 249, relive his second-round finish over Dooho Choi in 2018.
[autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag] has a well-earned reputation as a man who finishes fights in violent fashion, and the UFC’s latest free fight offering highlights “Lil’ Heathen” at his power-punching best.
Longtime UFC veteran Stephens (28-17 MMA, 15-16 UFC), has been in his fair share of barnburners and remains a serious threat to any man standing across from him on fight night. It was no different at UFC Fight Night 124 in January 2018 when he took on South Korea’s [autotag]Dooho Choi[/autotag], who was coming off a “Fight of the Year,” contender against Cub Swanson.
The two exchanged leg kicks early as they battled for control of the center of the octagon. Stephens charged forward with haymakers as Choi backed up to avoid the American’s power punches. Choi also enjoyed success on the counter, as he connected with some solid shots as Stephens continued to press forward.
In Round 2 both fighters came out wild, with both men loading up on their shots. Stephens started to find his range as he connected with some clean punches. Around the midway point of the round, he was able to back Choi to the fence, before unloading a big overhand right that dropped his man. A few brutal elbows followed on the ground, and eventually the referee stepped in to end the punishment.
Stephens has dropped his last three contests, but will be looking to put things right when he returns to action against hard-hitting featherweight contender Calvin Kattar at UFC 240 on Apr. 18.
Relive Stephens’ impressive finish of “The Korean Superboy” in the video above.
With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best fights from December 2019.
With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best fights from December 2019: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Fight of the Month” award for December.
At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting on your choice.
* * * *
Rob Font def. Ricky Simon at UFC on ESPN 7
[autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) had to battle through early adversity to get his 17th professional win, topping a game [autotag]Ricky Simon[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC).
Font came back from getting dropped in the first round to outpoint Simon in a unanimous decision. The judges’ scores were 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27, giving Font back-to-back wins for the first time in more than two years.
Following that left hook with a flying knee is just plain fun, @RickySimonUFC #UFCDC pic.twitter.com/M8pJxhL0oC
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 8, 2019
Kamaru Usman def. Colby Covington at UFC 245
The highly anticipated welterweight title fight between [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC) and [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] (15-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) surpassed all pre-fight expectations, but in the end it was the champion who came away with his title reign intact.
Usman and Covington went toe-to-toe for nearly five rounds, exchanging strikes on the feet and not once putting a wholehearted effort into a takedown attempt. Usman proved more dangerous on the feet in the matchup of wrestlers, breaking Covington’s jaw before dropping and stopping him in the fifth for the fight-ending TKO.
SILENCED. 🤫@Usman84kg HAS FINISHED COLBY COVINGTON! #UFC245 🏆
Get the E+ PPV ➡️ https://t.co/l5vGF5Fvpt #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/CGF4NgdaBu
— UFC (@ufc) December 15, 2019
Charles Jourdain def. Dooho Choi at UFC on ESPN+ 23
After falling short in his UFC debut earlier this year, [autotag]Charles Jourdain[/autotag] (10-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) showed what he was all about in his sophomore octagon appearance when he won a featherweight thriller against [autotag]Dooho Choi[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC).
Jourdain gave “The Korean Superboy” a rude welcome back to action from a long layoff when he fearlessly found a home for his strikes for nearly two full rounds. Eventually Choi couldn’t hold up, because Jourdain connected with a shot that set up a TKO to end the “Fight of the Night” affair.
A.J. McKee def. Derek Campos at Bellator 236
[autotag]Derek Campos[/autotag] (20-10 MMA, 9-8 BMMA) showed off his trademark toughness, but it wasn’t enough to stop [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] (16-0 MMA, 16-0 BMMA) from picking up another impressive win to extend his record winning streak in Bellator.
McKee fought Campos from every area over the course of the bout, then suddenly in the third, from his back, he pulled off a slick armbar that forced Campos to tap out and made him the first man to advance to the semifinals of the Bellator featherweight grand prix.
Tofiq Musaev def. Patricky Freire at Rizin FF 20
[autotag]Tofiq Musaev[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 5-0 Rizin) made light of his underdog status as he surged into the Rizin lightweight grand prix final and claimed a unanimous decision victory over pre-tournament favorite [autotag]Patricky Freire[/autotag] (23-9 MMA, 2-1 Rizin).
The two semifinal matchups in the lightweight grand prix tournament produced brutal, quick-fire finishes as Azerbaijan’s Musaev and Brazilian Bellator star Freire registered impressive stoppage wins. They went all three rounds in the final, though, each trying to overcome severe hand injuries. Musaev had the bigger moments, though, and was given the nod by the judges.
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After a heated buildup and a compelling fight, Usman came out “and still” the UFC welterweight champion.
With the clock winding down in the UFC 245 main event, Usman finished former interim champ Covington at 4:10 of Round 5 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
As Covington walked out to Kurt Angle’s WWE theme song, he was met with boos and middle fingers from the crowd, although the controversial competitor also had a noticeable share of supporters. A calm, cool and collected Usman made the walk second, draped in the Nigerian flag.
When it came time to fight, the two combatants, who did not touch gloves at the outset, delivered. Known for their wrestling abilities, not one takedown attempt was tried. Covington set a frenetic pace in the first, while Usman was more calculated with his strikes.
After three rounds of back-and-forth face-punching, Covington informed his corner he thought he broke his jaw. Upon replay, a hard straight right was the culprit.
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Fighting through the pain in the fourth round, Covington showed tremendous heart. He stunned Usman on multiple occasions and dug deep to return to his first-round pacing.
With the fight being relatively close, there was no consensus leader entering the fifth. It could have been anyone’s fight. Midway through the round, Usman showed championship mettle and began to land some of his hardest punches of the fight.
In a wild fifth-round sequence, Usman battered Covington, dropping him to the canvas. Covington survived, but only for so long. He was promptly met with more hard shots from the champion. As a bloody, battered, and swollen Covington clutched onto a single leg, Usman’s hammer fists finished the fight.
Upon the stoppage from referee Marc Goddard, the bloodied and battered Covington protested, but to no avail.
After the fight, Covington left the cage and ran to the back. He did not give a post-fight interview.
Conversely, Usman took the high road. The champion celebrated his win, but also turned attention to a tragedy his family had recently endured. Usman’s brother Mohammed, a pro MMA heavyweight, lost his son in a drowning accident earlier this year.
The victory means Usman has now won 15 straight outings. As for Covington, the loss was only the second of his career.
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Six fighters are looking at potential six-month medical suspensions after UFC on ESPN+ 23, including former champion Frankie Edgar.
Six fighters are looking at potential six-month medical suspensions after UFC on ESPN+ 23, including former champion [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag], who lost in the main event.
Edgar’s (23-8-1 MMA, 17-8-1 UFC) first-round TKO defeat to [autotag]Chan Sung Jung[/autotag] (16-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in this past weekend’s featherweight headliner led to an orbital injury that resulted in a 180-day suspension for “The Answer,” unless he receives clearance from a specialist beforehand.
MMA Junkie today obtained the full medical suspension report from UFC on ESPN+ 23, which went down at Sajik Arena in Busan, South Korea.
Check it out below.
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All the notable stats and figures to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 23, which saw Chan Sung Jung beat Frankie Edgar.
The UFC’s final event of the year – and the decade – took place Saturday with UFC on ESPN+ 23, which went down at Sajik Arena in Busan, South Korea, with a main card that streamed on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN.
In the main event, [autotag]Chan Sung Jung[/autotag] (16-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC) proved himself one of the top contenders in the featherweight division when he took out former UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag] (23-8-1 MMA, 17-8-1 UFC) with a methodical first-round TKO.
For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 45 post-event facts to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 23.
* * * *
The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $121,000.
Debuting fighters went 1-0 at the event.
Jung, [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag], [autotag]Charles Jourdain[/autotag] and [autotag]Dooho Choi[/autotag] earned $50,000 UFC on ESPN+ 23 fight-night bonuses.
UFC on ESPN+ 23 drew an announced attendance of 10,651. A live gate was not revealed.
Betting favorites went 7-6 on the card.
Betting favorites fell to 22-18 (one fight had even odds, one ended in a no contest) in UFC headliners this year.
Total fight time for the 13-bout card was 2:21:54.
Jung improved to 3-1 since he returned from a more than three-year layoff from competition in February 2017.
Jung has earned 15 of his 17 career victories by stoppage. That includes all six of his UFC wins.
Jung’s six stoppage victories in UFC featherweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Max Holloway (10) and Ricardo Lamas (eight).
Jung’s eight fight-night bonuses for UFC featherweight bouts are the most in divisional history.
Jung is the only fighter in UFC history to earn eight total bonuses in his first eight octagon appearances.
Edgar fell to 8-5 since he dropped to the UFC featherweight division in February 2013.
Edgar has suffered both of his career stoppage losses by knockout.
[autotag]Volkan Oezdemir[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) has earned two of his five UFC victories by split decision.
[autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) had his 12-fight winning streak snapped for his first defeat since his MMA debut in October 2011.
Rakic suffered the first decision loss of his career.
Jourdain (10-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has earned all 10 of his career victories by stoppage.
Choi’s (14-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since July 2016.
Choi has suffered both of his career stoppage losses by knockout.
[autotag]Da Un Jung[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) extended his winning streak to 12 fights. He hasn’t suffered a defeat since October 2015.
Jung has earned 12 of his 13 career victories by stoppage.
[autotag]Mike Rodriguez[/autotag] (9-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC) suffered consecutive losses for the first time in his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since December 2018.
Rodriguez suffered the first knockout loss of his career.
[autotag]Kyung Ho Kang[/autotag] (17-8 MMA, 6-2 UFC) improved to 4-1 since he returned to competition from a nearly 3.5-year layoff in January 2018.
[autotag]Marc Andre Barriault[/autotag]’s (11-4 MMA, 0-3 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since September 2018.
Barriault has suffered all four of his career losses by decision.
[autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag]’s (6-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) three-fight UFC winning streak at heavyweight is tied for the second longest active streak in the division behind behind Jairzinho Rozenstruik (four).
Gane earned the first decision victory of his career.
[autotag]Tanner Boser[/autotag] (17-6-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has suffered five of his six career losses by decision.
[autotag]Suman Mokhtarian[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC) has suffered consecutive losses after starting his career 8-0.
Mokhtarian suffered the first decision loss of his career.
[autotag]Dong Hyun Ma[/autotag]’s (16-11-3 MMA, 3-5 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since February 2018.
Ma fell to 3-4 since he dropped to the UFC lightweight division in June 2016.
Ma suffered his first decision loss since Aug. 27, 2010 – a span of 3,403 days (more than nine years) and 16 fights.
[autotag]Matt Schnell[/autotag] (13-5 MMA, 4-3 UFC) has suffered four of his five career losses by stoppage.
Schnell has suffered all three of his UFC losses by knockout.
[autotag]Raoni Barcelos[/autotag]’ (15-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) four-fight UFC winning streak in bantamweight competition is tied for the third longest active streak in the division behind Petr Yan (six) and Marlon Vera (five).
[autotag]Said Nurmagomedov[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) had his seven-fight winning streak snapped for his first defeat since June 2014.
Nurmagomedov has suffered both of his career losses by decision.
[autotag]Amanda Lemos[/autotag] (7-1-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has earned all seven of her career victories by stoppage.
[autotag]Miranda Granger[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) had her seven-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of her career.
[autotag]Heili Alateng[/autotag] (14-7-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has earned both of his UFC victories by decision.
[autotag]Ryan Benoit[/autotag] (10-6 MMA, 3-4 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over his past 10 fights.
Benoit was unsuccessful in his UFC bantamweight debut.
Benoit has suffered four of his six career losses by decision.
UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.
UFC on ESPN+ 23 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.
BUSAN – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 23 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $121,000.
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+ 23 took place Saturday at Sajik Arena in Busan, South Korea. The entire card streamed ESPN+.
The full UFC on ESPN+ 23 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:
* * * *
[autotag]Chan Sung Jung[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag]: $20,000
[autotag]Volkan Oezdemir[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Charles Jourdain[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Dooho Choi[/autotag]: $5,000
[autotag]Da Un Jung[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Mike Rodriguez[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Jun Yong Park[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Marc-Andre Barriault[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Kyung Ho Kang[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Liu Pingyuan[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Tanner Boser[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Seungwoo Choi[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Suman Mokhtarian[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Omar Morales[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Dong Hyun Ma[/autotag]: $5,000
[autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Matt Schnell[/autotag]: $5,000
[autotag]Raoni Barcelos[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Said Nurmagomedov[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Amanda Lemos[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Miranda Granger[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Heili Alateng[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Ryan Benoit[/autotag]: $5,000
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 2019 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:
Year-to-date total: $7,370,500
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $31,004,500
Four fighters took home $50,000 bonuses following UFC on ESPN+ 23 – one of whom explained exactly why he needed the cash.
[autotag]Chan Sung Jung[/autotag], [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag], [autotag]Charles Jourdain[/autotag] and [autotag]Dooho Choi[/autotag] all walked away from UFC on ESPN+ 23 with an extra $50,000 for their efforts.
“The Korean Zombie” again emerged as a top featherweight contender when he scored a first-round finish over former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar in the night’s main event from Sajik Arena in Busan, South Korea. He earned his second straight “Performance of the Night” bonus, thrilling his home crowd.
Jung has now earned a staggering eight bonuses in eight UFC appearances.
Pantoja also emerged as a top contender in the flyweight division when he starched the streaking Matt Schnell in the first round following a wild, high-paced four minutes of action. The finish also earned him the “Performance of the Night” bonus.
After a slow first round against Choi, Canada’s Jourdain rallied back, silencing the Korean fans by taking out the returning “Korean Superboy” in the second round. After the fight, he pleaded for the $50,000 bonus, saying he needed the money to get out of his parents’ basement.
Ask, and you shall receive.
His back-and-forth battle with Choi earned both men the “Fight of the Night” bonus.
Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN+ 23 main card in Busan, South Korea.
| Edgar vs. C. Jung |
Oezdemir vs. Rakic |
Choi vs. Jourdain |
D. Jung vs. Rodriguez |
Barriault vs. Park |
Kang vs. Pingyuan |
|
| MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2019: 210-125 (63%) |
 C. Jung (64%) |
 Rakic (61%) |
 Choi (89%) |
 D. Jung (65%) |
 Barriault (57%) |
 Kang (76%) |
| Simon Head @simonhead 2019: 127-66 (66%) |
C. Jung |
Rakic |
Choi |
D. Jung |
Barriault |
Kang |
| Nolan King @mma_kings 2019: 121-67 (64%) |
C. Jung |
Rakic |
Choi |
 Rodriguez |
Barriault |
Kang |
| Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2019: 215-120 (64%) |
C. Jung |
Rakic |
Choi |
D. Jung |
Barriault |
Kang |
| Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2019: 214-121 (64%) |
C. Jung |
Rakic |
Choi |
D. Jung |
Barriault |
Kang |
| Brian Garcia @thegoze 2019: 214-121 (64%)  2017 Champion |
 Edgar |
Rakic |
Choi |
Rodriguez |
Barriault |
Kang |
| John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2019: 212-123 (63%) |
C. Jung |
Rakic |
Choi |
Rodriguez |
Barriault |
Kang |
| Simon Samano @SJSamano 2019: 210-125 (63%) |
C. Jung |
 Oezdemir |
Choi |
D. Jung |
Barriault |
Kang |
| Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2019: 207-128 (62%) 2014 Champion |
C. Jung |
Oezdemir |
Choi |
Rodriguez |
Barriault |
Kang |
| George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2019: 206-129 (61%) |
Edgar |
Rakic |
Choi |
Rodriguez |
Barriault |
Kang |
| Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2019: 110-72 (60%) |
C. Jung |
Oezdemir |
Choi |
D. Jung |
Barriault |
Kang |
| Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2019: 201-134 (60%) |
C. Jung |
Rakic |
Choi |
D. Jung |
Barriault |
Kang |
| Dave Doyle @davedoylemma 2019: 137-106 (56%) |
C. Jung |
Rakic |
Choi |
D. Jung |
Barriault |
Kang |
| Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2019: 175-160 (52%) |
Edgar |
Oezdemir |
 Jourdain |
Rodriguez |
Barriault |
 Pingyuan |
The UFC touches down in South Korea this week, and a home-country hero headlines the show.
UFC on ESPN+ 23 takes place Saturday at Sajik Arena in Busan, South Korea. The card 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 lightweight champion [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag] (23-7-1 MMA, 17-7-1 UFC) is putting off his planned move to bantamweight to stay at featherweight to take on [autotag]Chan Sung Jung[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC) on short notice. “The Korean Zombie” is nearly a 2-1 favorite in front of his home fans against Edgar. Our 13 MMA Junkie editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers are taking Jung at a sizable 10-3 clip.
In the co-main event, former light heavyweight title challenger [autotag]Volkan Oezdemir[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 4-3 UFC) meets [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC), who is about a -150 favorite. He’s also the favorite of the majority of our staff pickers at 9-4.
Also on the main card, [autotag]Dooho Choi[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC), who is from Busan, gets a home fight at featherweight against [autotag]Charles Jourdain[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC). He’s more than a 3-1 favorite, and only one of our pickers is going against him.
[autotag]Da Un Jung[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is a slight underdog in front of his home fans against [autotag]Mike Rodriguez[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) in a light heavyweight bout. It’s our most contentious fight on the card – Jung has a 7-6 edge in the picks.
The only unanimous pick in Busan goes to [autotag]Marc-Andre Barriault[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC). Despite not having a UFC win yet, all 13 of our pickers are taking him to beat South Korea’s own [autotag]Jun Yong Park[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC). Barriault is a slight betting favorite.
And to open the main card, [autotag]Kyung Ho Kang[/autotag] (16-8 MMA, 5-2 UFC) has a 12-1 blowout lead in the picks in his bantamweight fight against [autotag]Liu Pingyuan[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC).
In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, C. Jung (64%), Rakic (91 percent), Choi (89 percent), D. Jung (65 percent), Barriault (57 percent) and Kang (76 percent) are the choices.
Check out all the picks above.
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