Don’t expect Dustin Stoltzfus to become complacent now that he has a UFC contract and the attention of Dana White.
LAS VEGAS – Despite receiving plenty of praise from UFC president Dana White, [autotag]Dustin Stoltzfus[/autotag] isn’t entirely satisfied just yet.
Stoltzfus (13-1) defeated Joe Pyfer via injury TKO at Dana White’s Contender Series 28, which earned him a UFC contract.
After a back-and-forth first round, Stoltzfus picked up Pyfer and slammed him, causing Pyfer’s arm to dislocate in gruesome fashion, and the fight was waived off at the 4:21 mark of Round 1. Stoltzfus admits that due to the abrupt ending to the fight, he was a little concerned about not earning a contract but was confident that his body of work overall was enough to secure one.
“A little bit,” Stoltzfus told reporters, including MMA Junkie, on Tuesday after his win at the UFC Apex. “I need to watch the fight, but I had the feeling that it was a pretty interesting fight, so I wasn’t too concerned with that. Plus my record is good. If you look at my other fights, they are exciting fights with a lot of cool finishes, especially in my last six or seven, so I was just more taken aback by the injury myself because we hit the ground, and then his broken arm right in front of my face, and it was sort of gross.”
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White was impressed with Stoltzfus, saying that he expects big things out of the Germany-based middleweight, but Stoltzfus isn’t about to get complacent.
“I have a lot to prove yet,” Stoltzfus said. “A lot of people, as soon as I got the chance to fight at Contenders, they’re like, ‘You made it, you did it.” It’s like, no I haven’t. I’m fighting another guy with regional experience, and I haven’t fought – I fought some people that I think are UFC level, but I haven’t fought anyone who’s been in the UFC and has really proved their worth as a fighter at the very top level. So I got a lot to do, a lot to work on and a lot to prove. A lot to show you guys.”
Cory McKenna is young, but she’s more than ready to make her mark in the UFC strawweight division after winning at DWCS 28.
LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Cory McKenna[/autotag] is young, but she’s more than ready to make her mark in the UFC strawweight division.
McKenna, 21, became the first Welsh female fighter in UFC history when she earned a contract after her unanimous decision win over Vanessa Demopoulos on Tuesday at Dana White’s Contender Series 28.
McKenna is just six fights into her professional MMA career, but with her amateur experience and time spent at the renowned Team Alpha Male gym in Sacramento, Calif., McKenna (5-1) knows where she stands in the sport.
The Cage Warriors alum showed a mature and well rounded game in her win over Demopoulos, escaping out of numerous submission attempts and controlling the fight.
“I’ve just turned 21 like a few weeks ago. There’s girls in there my age, but it’s not about age necessarily in this sport. It’s experience,” McKenna told reporters, including MMA Junkie, after her win at the UFC Apex. “I’ve been fighting MMA since I was 15. I turned amateur, so I’ve been in there with the top girls in Europe. I’ve been fighting for many years, so I feel like I definitely could match up with – I’m confident I’d fight anyone. It’s for Jack (Mason) and Urijah (Faber) to decide, but I’ll step in there with anyone as soon as they let me.”
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On paper, it appears that McKenna might have been fast-tracked to the UFC, but she actually thinks she’s behind schedule. McKenna made a bet with featherweight Arnold Allen on whom would make it to the UFC at a younger age. Despite winning the bet, she expected to make it a little sooner.
“I’ve actually got two wins tonight,” McKenna joked. “I made a bet five years ago with Arnold Allen as to who gets signed the youngest. I’ve won by, I think, three months, so I know he’s watching, so there you go. But no, I’ve always had the goal. I’m actually a little bit behind schedule. I haven’t fought for 18 months, but I’m happy to finally get it done.”
Fresh off earning his UFC contract, Impa Kasanganay is not wasting any time.
LAS VEGAS – Fresh off earning a UFC contract, [autotag]Impa Kasanganay[/autotag] is not wasting any time.
Kasanganay (7-0), who’d appeared once before on “Dana White’s Contender Series,” was able to punch his ticket to the UFC this time with a unanimous decision win over Anthony Adams on Tuesday at DWCS 28.
Now it’s straight back to work for Kasanganay, who waited almost a year to get his second shot at the Contender Series. He’ll be making a quick turnaround when he takes on fellow DWCS veteran Maki Pitolo at the UFC’s Aug. 22 event.
For someone who just went three hard rounds, it’s a quick return to action, but Kasanganay is already accustomed to being active. Less than two years into his professional MMA career, the undefeated middleweight already has fought seven times.
“I’m always ready to go,” Kasanganay told reporters, including MMA Junkie, after his win at the UFC Apex. “If you look at my pro debut here, I had two fights in March. I fought six times within eight months. I love to fight. I love to stay active, and this is what I do. It’s not something new to me, it’s not something to my team. I’ll be back in practice this week and make the adjustments we need to make, so come this next fight we’ll be ready to fight after that.”
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Kasanganay spent almost a year without fighting in between his two DWCS stints but was at the gym every day helping his teammates, staying ready for the call.
“We had a bunch of guys that had fights,” Kasanganay said. “‘Hot Sauce’ (Holtzman) had a fight, Bryan (Barberena), Salter, it’s my job to help them. So my main focus is to serve my teammates. I had all these different looks to focus on, so I didn’t have to focus on myself too much.
“Since the last year, since Contender Series, I’ve been in practice every single day, ready to get after, get to work. So I knew when my time would come, I’d be ready, and I knew it wasn’t a matter of if. It was a matter of when, so I said when that time comes, I have no excuse but to be ready.”
“I’ll take a little ‘Street Jesus,’ I don’t mind it at all.”
LAS VEGAS – It took [autotag]Adrian Yanez[/autotag] just 39 seconds to earn a UFC contract, and he’s already drawing comparisons to one of the promotion’s biggest stars.
Yanez (11-3) made quick work of Brady Huang at Dana White’s Contender Series 28 when he hit him with a one-two combination that stumbled his opponent Tuesday night. A few pinpoint follow-up shots had Huang visibly dazed, and referee Jason Herzog decided that he’d seen enough, even though Huang was still on his feet.
With his crisp boxing, as well as his look, Yanez reminded many – including cageside commentator Paul Felder – of a young [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag], a comparison that he’s flattered by. Yanez is a fan of Masvidal’s style, but ultimately he wants to be remembered for his own journey.
“I’ll take it all, man,” Yanez told reporters, including MMA Junkie, after his win at the UFC Apex. “I’ll take a little ‘Street Jesus,’ I don’t mind it at all. If I get that comparison, it’s all great and lovely, but I’m here to make my own journey. This is what I want to do. I’ve worked my whole entire life for this, and I’m super happy it’s finally paying off. Big shoutout to ‘Gamebred.’ He’s actually one of my favorite fighters. He’s one of my top favorite fighters, right behind Cain Velasquez, but I love the comparison.”
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He continued, “If my fighting style is getting compared to his, man, I’ll take it. That guy fights. I love the way he fights, and as you can see, I’m getting comparisons to ‘Street Jesus,’ so I’m happy with that.”
Coming out of the fight unscathed, Yanez, who was emotional after dedicating his win and contract to his late father, is ready to jump back in there right away and is even willing to step in on short notice.
“My phone is gonna be open for any time,” Yanez said. “Any time. If someone drops out this week, I’m your huckleberry. I’m here, I’m ready to go. I’m already pretty close to weight anyway so I’m ready to go.”
The UFC is looking at a lengthier stay on “Fight Island” the second time around.
The UFC is heading back to “Fight Island,” only this time it’s planning a longer stay.
The promotion is eying a five-to-six-week run on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UFC president Dana White revealed at the DWCS 28 post-fight news conference Tuesday.
“I told you guys we were going back to Abu Dhabi,” White told MMA Junkie, when asked if the expected Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa clash could end up on ‘Fight Island.’ “I think this next run in Abu Dhabi will be five or six weeks.”
White did not confirm nor deny the next UFC middleweight title fight happening on “Fight Island,” – despite recent comments he made in a recent interview with Complex. He also would not specify a start date for their second run at Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi.
“I do (know the timeline for the UFC’s return), but when the time comes I’ll announce it,” White said.
The UFC made it’s “Fight Island” debut at UFC 251 in July. The event was the first of four cards held in 15 days on the same grounds. During his stint in Abu Dhabi, White had hinted at a September-October timeline. However, the promotion requested and has secured licensure from the Nevada Athletic Commission to hold shows for every Saturday in September at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
DWCS 28 took place Tuesday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The even simulcasted on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.
Check out White’s entire post-fight news conference in the video above.
Impa Kasanganay and Maki Pitolo will make quick turnarounds against one another, according to Dana White.
[autotag]Impa Kasanganay[/autotag] just earned his UFC contract Tuesday night and he already has a date and opponent for his promotional debut.
At DWCS 28 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Kasangany (7-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) kicked off the event with a unanimous decision victory over Anthony Adams. The win was impressive enough for UFC president Dana White to award him a UFC deal – and give him the opportunity to fight [autotag]Maki Pitolo[/autotag] at the promotion’s upcoming Aug. 22 event.
White hinted they already had a fight for Kasanganay when he awarded the contract on the broadcast. However, in the post-fight news conference, White revealed the specifics.
“He’s going to fight Pitolo,” White said. “Maki Pitolo, (who’s) from the Contender (Series), too.”
A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to MMA Junkie the matchup was offered during the Tuesday card, with both parties voicing interest. However, with the recency of Kasanganay’s UFC offer, no bout contracts have been issued or signed.
Pitolo (13-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC) competed as recently as Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 32, when he suffered a first-round submission loss to Darren Stewart. Pitolo was inked to a UFC deal after a first-round TKO of Justin Sumter on DWCS, Season 3 in July 2019.
DWCS 28 took place Tuesday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event simulcasted on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.
Dana White’s Contender Series ended in grotesque fashion Tuesday night.
Just when the Dana White’s Contender Series 28 featured bout was heating up, it came to a screeching halt.
After some back-and-forth action, [autotag]Dustin Stoltzfus[/autotag] and [autotag]Joe Pyfer[/autotag] entered a brief struggle in the clinch. Stoltzfus (13-1) finally was able to get a good grip and elevated Pyfer (7-2).
As the two fighters landed, Pyfer extended his right arm. Stoltzfus’ weight and momentum brought him further into the mat. As a result, Pyfer’s arm bent at a disturbing angle in the totally wrong direction.
The fight was waived off immediately. The replay was just as vulgar as it looked in real-time – if not more so. Watching it for a second time, UFC president Dana White squirmed in his seat.
“This sucks, bro,” Pyfer said, after to Stoltzfus on the official decision. It’s safe to say he wasn’t lying. That was truly gruesome.
Check out the gruesome conclusion to DWCS 28 (and White’s reaction) in the video clips below:
The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.
Bantamweight Adrian Yanez set out to make his father proud Tuesday night – and he did just that.
Bantamweight [autotag]Adrian Yanez[/autotag] set out to make his father proud Tuesday night – and he did just that.
In just 39 seconds, Yanez (11-3) scored a vicious, standing-TKO over opponent Brady Haung (7-2) at Dana White’s Contender Series 28 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
A sharp left-hand counter started off the violent onslaught for Yanez. With Huang rocked, Yanez chucked five hard follow-up shots to the dome of his stunned opponent.
Somehow, someway, Huang didn’t go down – but his lack of defense caused referee Jason Herzog to step in.
The finish drew a Jorge Masvidal comparison out of DWCS commentator and UFC lightweight Paul Felder, which Yanez gladly accepted in his post-fight interview.
Yanez, whose father died from stage IV stomach cancer, became emotional after the fight. After a brief pause to regain his emotions, Yanez said he hoped his father was proud.
Check out Yanez’s first-round TKO in the video below:
The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.
Adrian Yanez is fighting at Dana White’s Contender Series 28 hoping to “take that contract to my father’s resting place” and show that he did it.
thinks his MMA career wouldn’t be where it is today, had it not been for his father Andy.
[autotag]Adrian Yanez[/autotag] will be introduced to a global audience Tuesday, and through him, so will his father.
Determined to earn a UFC contract, Yanez (10-3) will compete at Dana White’s Contender Series 28 in Las Vegas. The opportunity, Yanez told MMA Junkie, is a long time coming – especially considering fighting has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember.
Before he was on the UFC’s doorstep, before he won at LFA, Fury FC and Bellator, before he even stepped foot in an MMA gym, Adrian inherited his passion from his father, Andres Yanez, known by those around him as “Andy”.
The patriarch of the Yanez household, it wasn’t unusual for Andy to throw boxing on the TV. From Oscar De La Hoya to Floyd Mayweather to Arturo Gatti vs. Mickey Ward, Adrian remembers the excitement and intrigue that came with watching boxing with his father.
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“I always had the interest to be in some sort of combative sport, but it didn’t come to fruition earlier,” Adrian told MMA Junkie. “… We were watching all (of the boxing greats’) fights. It was always something that piqued my interest.”
Before long, Adrian made his way into an MMA gym he stumbled across when shopping at the mall with his mother. Jiu-jitsu classes were an instant hit.
“I fell in love with it,” Adrian said. “I never wanted to stop.”
Image via Mike “The Truth” Jackson Photography
As his son pursued MMA, Andy, a blue-collar worker for the port of Houston, was by his side. Not only did Andy attend all of Adrian’s fights, but he was also at his training sessions. Andy provided timeless advice for his son – and he led by example. Andy was Adrian’s mentor, No. 1 supporter and best friend.
“He would always tell me every single time when I got home,” Adrian said. “He’s like, ‘Rock steady. You’ve got to move forward even if you’re just one percent better today – even a half percent better – you just keep going. You’re always getting better. You just keep going.’
“Also, my dad was a hard-working man. My dad was always working. He always provided for my family. Just to see my dad grinding on a day-to-day basis and just physically seeing the man work a hard labor job. The guy never complained. He never complained once.”
In 2016, Andy began experiencing health issues. Throughout Andy’s struggle, he still made a point to be there for his son. He wouldn’t make it to practice as much, but the effort was still there. Andy continued to work until the doctors urged him not to.
After a trip to the local V.A. hospital, the U.S. military veteran was diagnosed with diabetes. However, it turned out diabetes was paired with a bigger issue, as the family found out in November 2015.
“We were like, ‘Oh, OK. Our dad is losing weight because he has diabetes and a new diet,'” Adrian said. “Then we did a separate blood test at a different doctor’s office. A day later, on Thanksgiving Day (2015), they called my dad: ‘You need to go to the hospital right now. You need to go to the emergency room right now.'”
Image via Adrian Yanez
Five days later, Andy was diagnosed with Stage IV stomach cancer – the same day his son celebrated his 22nd birthday. On February 4, 2016, less than three months later, Andy Yanez died at 58.
“What was crazy was that we found that he had Stage IV cancer on my birthday,” Adrian said. “That was heartbreaking to me. Then after that, once we found out it was Stage IV cancer, everything just kind of fell down pretty quick. It went fast in that sense. We had the whole month of December, the whole month of January, and then February 4, my dad passed away.
“During that whole process, it was quick, and my dad only had one chemo session – two types of chemotherapy. It was just one session altogether. After that, chemotherapy drains a lot of people. It just took a lot out of my dad. After that, it just went downhill.”
Andy may not be physically with Adrian, but his spirit still inspires his son. Through hard training sessions and pre-fight mental preparations, even when times get tough, Adrian is inspired by his father’s words and actions. Seeing his father’s mention on the DWCS, Season 4 promotional video, Adrian felt a new fire lit under him.
“It’s one of those things that’s always motivated me,” Yanez said. “I know on the ‘Contender Series’ promo, that picture that was shown where he was walking, I kept that to myself. Once that aired, it aired to the whole world. The only person who saw that picture before it aired was me. To have that be shown and tell the story of that picture, it motivates me. It helps me get through the days, honestly.
“The days I’m thinking about my father, I can take a look back at those moments where he didn’t look good. To see him fight through those days how we saw that he did, it motivates me. It just shows me if you really want to do something, you can get up and go do it. … My dad was always a motivational guy for me. He was just a really great man and a really great father – the perfect role model for a son.”
Image via Mike “The Truth” Jackson Photography
A contract-earning win on Dana White’s Contender Series will further vindicate all of Andy’s hard work and advice, Adrian said. Furthermore, turning that advice into life-changing results and knowing how proud his father would be will be vindicating for Adrian.
“That would absolutely mean the world to me,” Adrian said. “If I sign that contract, it’ll just show what my dad always told me, ‘If you put in the hard work, if you do all the right things, and you push yourself day in and day out, the hard work will pay itself off. If you half-ass it, you’re going to get half-assed payoffs. You want to go ahead and give it your all so you can get the greater payoffs.'”
If Yanez earns a UFC contract Tuesday, he knows exactly where he’s bringing his paperwork when he gets home – to the man who kick-started his love for MMA, supported him unequivocally, and instilled the principles in him necessary to achieve UFC notoriety.
“He always told me one of the biggest things you can do is just believe in yourself and get yourself in that position,” Adrian said. “You’ve just got to believe in yourself and keep pushing so that when your time comes you will be ready.
“August 11, I will be ready to sign my name on that contract, and I will take that contract to my father’s resting place and show him that I did it.”
