Tag: Gabriel Benitez

UFC on ESPN 19 medical suspensions: Jack Hermansson, Jamahal Hill facing six months

Five fighters face potential six-month layoffs following UFC on ESPN 19.

[autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag] heads a list of five fighters facing potential six-month suspensions after their respective bouts at UFC on ESPN 19, per commission records.

Hermansson (21-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC), who lost a unanimous decision to short-notice replacement [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] (16-4-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC), was given a 180-day term after suffering a fractured left orbital bone during the night’s main event.

Co-headliner [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), who picked up his biggest win to date with a second-round finish of [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag] (25-15 MMA, 13-10 UFC), requires his left hand to be cleared by a doctor or he may also face a 180-day suspension.

MMA Junkie obtained the full list of medical suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com for UFC on ESPN 19, which took place this past Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Other fighters facing possible six-month medical suspensions include [autotag]John Allan[/autotag], [autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag], and [autotag]Jake Collier[/autotag].

The full list of UFC on ESPN 19 medical suspensions includes:

  • Jack Hermansson: Suspended 180 days or until fractured left orbital is cleared by a doctor; also suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days.
  • Marvin Vettori: Suspended 45 days or until cut to left eyelid is cleared by a doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • Ovince Saint Preux: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Jamahal Hill: Needs clearance of left hand with x-ray, otherwise suspended 180 days.
  • [autotag]Gabriel Benitez[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with 7 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • John Allan: Needs clearance of right knee with MRI and right ankle with x-ray, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Matt Wiman[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Jordan Leavitt[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Louis Smolka[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to cut on right eyebrow.
  • [autotag]Jose Quinonez[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • Damon Jackson: Suspended 180 days or until possible nasal fracture is cleared by a doctor; also suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days.
  • [autotag]Gian Villante[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to contusions.
  • Jake Collier: Suspended 180 days or until possible non-displaced fracture of left lateral orbital wall is cleared by an ophthalmologist; also suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days.

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UFC on ESPN 19 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Ovince Saint Preux nets most money

UFC on ESPN 19 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 19 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $120,000.

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 19 took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card aired on ESPN2 and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 19 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag]: $20,000

[autotag]Gabriel Benitez[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]John Allan[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Louis Smolka[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Jose Quinonez[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Jordan Leavitt[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Matt Wiman[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jake Collier[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Gian Villante[/autotag]: $20,000

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 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,153,000
2019 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: $37,207,500

UFC on ESPN 19 bonuses: Marvin Vettori-Jack Hermansson an obvious ‘Fight of the Night’

A grueling battle deservedly was named “Fight of the Night” at UFC on ESPN 19.

Another Saturday night of UFC action is in the books, and with it, four fighters will pocket an extra $50,000.

As is customary, the promotion handed out postfight bonus to the evening’s best performers.

In the case of UFC on ESPN 19 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, the company rewarded an outstanding scrap for “Fight of the Night,” after [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] and [autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag] slugged it out for 25 minutes, and a pair of “Performance of the Night” awards, which went to [autotag]Gabriel Benitez [/autotag]and [autotag]Jordan Leavitt[/autotag].

Here’s more on each of the evening’s winners:

UFC on ESPN 19: Gabriel Benitez post-fight interview

UFC on ESPN 19: Gabriel Benitez post-fight interview

UFC on ESPN 19: Gabriel Benitez post-fight interview

UFC on ESPN 19 video: Gabriel Benitez crushes Justin Jaynes with knee to the body

Gabriel Benitez scored a brutal body shot finish of Justin Jaynes at UFC on ESPN 19.

[autotag]Gabriel Benitez[/autotag] scored a brutal body shot finish of Justin Jaynes at UFC on ESPN 19, but he didn’t use his hands to do it.

In his lightweight matchup with Jaynes (16-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC) on Saturday at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Benitez (22-8 MMA, 6-4 UFC) used a perfectly timed knee to catch his opponent straight to the body and flatten him right away.

Once Jaynes went down from the strike, Benitez landed a flurry of ground strikes and got the TKO at the 4:06 mark of Round 1.

Check out the replay of the finish below (via Twitter):

After the win, Benitez explained that it was an emotional performance for him. The Mexican fighter said it was his first contest since the death of his boxing coach.

“I knew it was my night, but I felt sad because it was my first fight since my boxing coach passed away, and I missed him,” Benitez said during his post-fight interview with Jon Anik. “If he was here with me, this guy wouldn’t touch me. I’m happy with this win.”

Up to the minute UFC on ESPN 19 results:

  • Gabriel Benitez  def. Justin Jaynes via TKO (knee, punches) – Round 1, 4:06
  • Roman Dolidze def. John Allan via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Jordan Leavitt def. Matt Wiman via knockout (slam) – Round 1, 0:22
  • Louis Smolka def. Jose Quinonez via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:15
  • Ilia Topuria def. Damon Jackson via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:38
  • Jake Collier def. Gian Villante via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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Gabriel Benitez vs. Justin Jaynes rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 19 on Dec. 5

Gabriel Benitez vs. Justin Jaynes has a new date.

[autotag]Gabriel Benitez[/autotag] is ready to fight.

The UFC featherweight is eligible to compete now that he’s no longer testing positive for COVID-19. His bout against [autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag], originally planned for  Nov. 14, has been rescheduled for Dec. 5 at UFC on ESPN 19.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the news to MMA Junkie after an initial announcement by Jaynes on Instagram.

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Benitez (21-8 MMA, 5-4 UFC) last fought in May. He suffered a unanimous decision loss to Omar Morales at lightweight, a weight class above his usual division. The American Kickboxing Academy product is on a two-fight skid and 2-2 in his last four.

Meanwhile, Jaynes (16-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) fought in August at UFC on ESPN+ 32, where he lost to Gavin Tucker by submission. Prior to that, Jaynes was on a five-fight wining streak, which included a successful UFC debut against veteran Frank Camacho.

With the addition, the UFC on ESPN 19 lineup includes:

  • Jack Hermansson vs. Kevin Holland
  • Raoni Barcelos vs. Merab Dvalishvili
  • Bethe Correia vs. Wu Yanan
  • Jake Collier vs. Gian Villante
  • Maryna Moroz vs. Taila Santos
  • Cody Durden vs. Jimmy Flick
  • John Allan vs. Roman Dolidze
  • Damon Jackson vs. Ilia Topuria
  • Jamahal Hill vs. Ovince Saint Preux
  • Movsar Evloev vs. Nate Landwehr
  • Jose Quinonez vs. Louis Smolka
  • Gabriel Benitez vs. Justin Jaynes

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Gabriel Benitez returns to featherweight, takes on Justin Jaynes on Nov. 14

Gabriel Benitez vs. Justin Jaynes has been added to UFC on ESPN+ 41.

[autotag]Gabriel Benitez[/autotag] has his second bout of 2020 booked.

The Mexican competitor returns at UFC on ESPN+ 41 on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas in a featherweight bout against [autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag]. The news was first reported Wednesday by Milenio and later confirmed with sources by MMA Junkie.

Benitez (21-8 MMA, 5-4 UFC) last fought in May. He suffered a unanimous decision loss to Omar Morales at lightweight, a weight class above his usual division. The American Kickboxing Academy product is on a two-fight skid and 2-2 in his last four.

Meanwhile, Jaynes (16-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) fought in August at UFC on ESPN+ 32 where he lost to Gavin Tucker via submission. Prior to that, Jaynes was on a five-fight wining streak, which includes a successful UFC debut against veteran Frank Camacho.

Below are the reported bouts for UFC on ESPN+ 41:

  • Gabriel Benitez vs. Justin Jaynes
  • Kanako Murata vs. Livinha SouzaKay Hansen vs. Cory McKennaJulian Marquez vs. Saparbek SafarovMiranda Granger vs. Ashley Yoder

Gabriel Benitez gives update on gruesome shin cut suffered at UFC on ESPN+ 29

Two days later, Gabriel Benitez’s shin looks a whole lot better than what ESPN inflicted on unsuspecting viewers at UFC on ESPN+ 29.

[autotag]Gabriel Benitez[/autotag]’s shin is doing much better than it was a couple days ago.

Despite having his shin bone exposed to the entire sports world on ESPN+ Wednesday night, the Mexican fighter is now stitched up, recovering from the cut, and most importantly free of any major injuries.

Benitez (21-8 MMA, 5-4 UFC) suffered a big shin split in his lightweight bout with Omar Morales, which went down at UFC on ESPN+ 29 in Jacksonville, Fla. ‘Moggly’ lost the contest via unanimous decision.

The cut shocked the entire MMA community as it looked very deep and wide, exposing the shin bone. Although it was a gruesome injury, Benitez is in good spirits and expects to recover quick.

“(Thursday) I got to San Jose at noon and I went directly to my doctor,” Benitez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. He saw the results, he saw the X-ray. There’s nothing broken, everything is good and there was no injury.

“It was just the cut that was deep and the doctor said they would remove the stitches in seven to 10 days and it’s going to take three, four weeks for it to fully heal, so I can start kicking.”

Benitez said it took five or six stitches to close the wound. The doctors on site in Florida gave him crutches, but he said he doesn’t need them and is walking fine.

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Looking back at the fight, Benitez remembers getting cut during the fight, but didn’t realize the severity of the split until after the fight.

“Image me being a striker, kickboxer and I kick a lot, so the little that’s covering the bone is the skin,” Benitez said. “So any cut the bone will be exposed, but yeah it looked very bad.

“The cut actually started at like two centimeters and I noticed it after the second or third kick. Then I forgot about my leg and then I didn’t notice again until the end where it was fully open and then I was like, “Oh, that’s deep.’ I remember when it opened up but I just kept kicking, kept kicking, and it just opened up even more.”

Benitez said the cut did hurt, but it didn’t affect his performance against Morales. He feels he has a high tolerance for pain given his profession, and wasn’t going to let a cut hinder his fighting style.

“I did realize in the first round that there was a little blood and it was open, but there was no effect,” Benitez said. “I didn’t realize it was that big until the very end of the fight once it was over.

“I remember my foot was hurting and they started grabbing my leg and saying, ‘Don’t move, don’t move,’ and I was like, ‘No, I’m good. It’s just a cut,’ And then when I saw it and looked at the bone I was like, ‘ahh thats deep.'”

Benitez wants to return to the cage as soon as he gets medical clearance and is able to compete. He plans on doing the bulk of his work at 145 pounds, but is open to keep taking lightweight fights.

Below are photos Benitez sent to MMA Junkie, the stitched-up version and how it looked before it was stitched:

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UFC on ESPN+ 29 medical suspensions: Glover Teixeira could be out 6 months

Glover Teixeira and Anthony Smith are facing months-long medical suspensions as a result of their UFC on ESPN+ 29 headlining clash.

[autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag] and [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] are facing months-long medical suspensions as a result of their UFC on ESPN+ 29 headlining clash.

Teixeira (31-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC), who defeated Smith by fifth-round TKO, will not fight for 180 days unless he’s cleared by a physician. He will be mandated to serve 45 days of that suspension regardless of doctor’s clearance.

The Florida State Boxing Commission, which oversaw the event, has suspended Smith (33-15 MMA, 8-5 UFC) a minimum of 60 days. MMA Junkie obtained a list of the UFC 249 athletes’ medical suspensions from the Florida Boxing Commission on Thursday.

Other fighters facing potential 180-day layoffs include [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag], [autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag], [autotag]Ricky Simon[/autotag], [autotag]Michael Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Omar Morales[/autotag] and [autotag]Gabriel Benitez[/autotag].

UFC on ESPN+ 29 took place Wednesday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

The complete list of UFC on ESPN+ 29 medical suspensions included:

  • Glover Teixeira: Suspended 180 days unless cleared by physician; minimum suspension 45 days.
  • Anthony Smith: Suspended minimum 60 days; additional suspension to be determined pending test results.
  • Ovince Saint Preux: Suspended 180 days unless cleared by physician; minimum suspension 30 days.
  • [autotag]Drew Dober[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days.
  • Alexander Hernandez: Suspended 180 days unless cleared by physician; minimum suspension 60 days.
  • Ricky Simon: Suspended 180 days unless cleared by physician; minimum suspension 30 days.
  • [autotag]Ray Borg[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days.
  • [autotag]Andrei Arlovski[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days.
  • [autotag]Philipe Lins[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days.
  • Michael Johnson: Suspended 180 days unless cleared by physician; minimum suspension 30 days.
  • [autotag]Sarah Moras[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days.
  • Omar Morales: Suspended 180 days unless cleared by physician; minimum suspension 45 days.
  • Gabriel Benitez: Suspended 180 days unless cleared by physician; minimum suspension 45 days.
  • [autotag]Brian Kelleher[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days.
  • [autotag]Hunter Azure[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days.
  • [autotag]Ike Villanueva[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days.

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UFC on ESPN+ 29 salaries: Andrei Arlovski pockets biggest disclosed payday

Five fighters made north of six figures Wednesday at UFC on ESPN+ 29, not including several who earned post-fight bonuses.

Veteran fighters [autotag]Andrei Arlovski[/autotag], [autotag]Ben Rothwell[/autotag] and [autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag] walked away from UFC on ESPN+ 29 having pocketed a solid chunk of change Wednesday.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Arlovski (29-9 MMA, 18-13 UFC) led all fighters with a disclosed payout of $325,000 for his win over [autotag]Philipe Lins[/autotag]. As a result of his split decision win over [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag], Rothwell (38-12 MMA, 8-6 UFC) earned $260,000. For his fifth-round TKO win over [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag], Teixeira (31-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC) earned $230,000.

Two other victorious fighters also took home six-figure disclosed paydays: including the aforementioned Smith, as well as UFC lightweight [autotag]Drew Dober[/autotag].

The disclosed UFC on ESPN+ 29 salaries from the Florida State Boxing Commission, which oversaw the event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., first were reported by MMA Fighting.

The full list of UFC on ESPN+ 29 salaries included:

  • Glover Teixeira: $230,000
    def. Anthony Smith: $130,000
  • Ben Rothwell: $260,000
    def. Ovince Saint Preux: $95,000
  • Drew Dober: $116,000
    def. [autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag]: $36,000
  • [autotag]Ricky Simon[/autotag]: $60,000
    def. [autotag]Ray Borg[/autotag]: $46,000
  • Andrei Arlovski: $325,000
    def. Philipe Lins: $80,000
  • [autotag]Thiago Moises[/autotag]: $24,000
    def. [autotag]Michael Johnson[/autotag]: $83,000
  • [autotag]Sijara Eubanks[/autotag]: $66,000
    def. [autotag]Sarah Moras[/autotag]: $23,000
  • [autotag]Omar Morales[/autotag]: $24,000
    def. [autotag]Gabriel Benitez[/autotag]: $40,000
  • [autotag]Brian Kelleher[/autotag]: $60,000
    def. [autotag]Hunter Azure[/autotag]: $12,000
  • [autotag]Chase Sherman[/autotag]: $28,000
    def. [autotag]Ike Villanueva[/autotag]: $12,000

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 on ESPN+ 29 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 249 fight-night bonuses to Teixeira and Dober for “Performance of the Night,” and Azure and Kelleher 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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