Tag: Ilia Topuria

Ryan Hall vs. Ilia Topuria added to UFC’s July 10 event

Two of the featherweight division’s best grapplers will square off on July 10.

Two of the featherweight division’s best grapplers will square off July 10.

[autotag]Ryan Hall[/autotag] is scheduled to take on rising prospect [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] at an event that does not yet have an announced location or venue, which is expected to be UFC 264.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the matchup to MMA Junkie following an initial report from Adjara Sport. Topuria later shared the matchup on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMz0MSepTKN/

Unbeaten in the UFC, Hall (8-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) hasn’t competed since defeating Darren Elkins in July 2019. The Season 22 “Ultimate Fighter” winner was forced to withdraw from multiple scheduled bouts with Ricardo Lamas and Dan Ige due to injury and will finally make his long-awaited return when he meets the unbeaten Topuria.

Hailing out of Spain, Georgia’s Topuria (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has made waves since joining the UFC roster last October. After defeating Youssef Zalal by unanimous decision, Topuria picked up a first-round knockout over Damon Jackson in December, setting him up with a ranked opponent in just his third octagon bout. Topuria boasts an array of submission wins on his resume but has recently showed off his striking by knocking out two of his past three opponents.

With the addition, the July 10 lineup now includes:

  • Jessica Eye vs. Jennifer Maia
  • Ryan Hall vs. Ilia Topuria

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Ilia Topuria thinks he’s ready for a fast rise in the UFC

Ilia Topuria thinks he’s ready for a fast rise in the UFC

Ilia Topuria thinks he’s ready for a fast rise in the UFC

MMA Junkie Radio #3128: Jim Miller, Karyn Bryant, Ilia Topuria live on SportsCastr (noon ET)

Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here. Catch a live stream beginning at noon ET.

Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here, and you can catch a live stream on SportsCastr beginning at noon ET.

On episode 3,128, the fellas will be joined by [autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag], Karyn Bryant and [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]. Plus, they’ll look ahead to Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 184 event.

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

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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Ilia Topuria: UFC on ESPN 19 was a more accurate representation of my game than my debut

Ilia Topuria breaks down his highlight-reel knockout of Damon Jackson at UFC on ESPN 19.

[jwplayer jblnlxq6-FLu19iir]

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] defeated [autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag] with a brutal knockout combination during Saturday’s preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 19 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Topuria, as he reveals his gameplan entering Saturday, recaps his brutal knockout, and speaks on what’s next.

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 video: Ilia Topuria enhances prospect status with KO of Damon Jackson

Ilia Topuria improved to 10-0 in his young career with a brutal knockout of Damon Jackson at UFC on ESPN 19.

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] continued the perfect start to his career at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 19.

In what his most high-profile win to date, Topuria (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) took out veteran Damon Jackson (18-4-1 MMA, 1-2-1 UFC) with a first-round knockout in their featherweight preliminary bout, courtesy of some devastating hands.

The 23-year-old attacked Jackson to the body, then followed it up with a savage head shot for the highlight-reel finish.

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

For Topuria, the fight went exactly as planned. Afterward, he told Jon Anik in his cageside interview that he predicted the early finish.

“I was expecting the first-round knockout,” Topuria said. “In all my interviews that’s what I was saying.”

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UFC on ESPN+ 37 medical suspensions: Cory Sandhagen’s win comes with a potential cost

Cory Sandhagen was victorious in the UFC on ESPN+ 37 main event, but his win came at a cost.

[autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] was victorious in the UFC on ESPN+ 37 main event, but his win came at a cost.

Taking on fellow top bantamweight contender [autotag]Marlon Moraes[/autotag] on Saturday, Sandhagen (13-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) picked up a second-round TKO via a spinning wheel kick and punches. Against Moraes (23-7-1 MMA, 5-3 UFC), however, Sandhagen sustained an eye injury that could put him out of action for 180 days.

On Monday, MMA Junkie obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

Also receiving potential six-month suspensions are [autotag]Tom Breese[/autotag], [autotag]Rodrigo Nascimento[/autotag], [autotag]Impa Kasanganay[/autotag], [autotag]Tony Kelley[/autotag], and [autotag]Omar Morales[/autotag] for injuries suffered in their fights Saturday.

UFC on ESPN+ 37 took place at Flash Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The event streamed on ESPN+.

Below is the full list of UFC on ESPN+ 37 medical suspensions:

  • Cory Sandhagen: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by an ophthalmologist; Also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • Marlon Moraes: Suspended 45 days for TKO with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Edson Barboza[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Makwan Amirkhani[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for “hard bout” with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for “hard bout” with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Ben Rothwell[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days for a right eyebrow laceration with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days for a knockout with no contact for 45 days.
  • [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Alan Baudot[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for TKO with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for left eyelid laceration with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • Tom Breese: Suspended 180 days or until right knee MRI and left tibia/fibula x-rays are cleared by a doctor; Also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]K.B. Bhullar[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days for TKO with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Chris Daukaus[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • Rodrigo Nascimento: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by an ophthalmologist; Also suspended for 30 days with no contact for 21 days for right scalp laceration.
  • [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • Impa Kasanganay: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by an ophthalmologist; Also suspended 60 days for knockout with no contact for 45 days.
  • Tony Kelley: Suspended 180 days or until right elbow MRI is and right tibia/fibula x-ray are cleared by doctor; Also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Ali Alqaisi[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • Omar Morales: Suspended 180 days or until right elbow MRI, left tibia/fibula X-ray, and left ankle X-ray are cleared by a doctor; Also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Stephanie Egger[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Tagir Ulanbekov[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for right eyebrow laceration with no contact for 21 days.

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Oh Georgia! Ilia Topuria and Guram Kutateladze score big knockouts at Brave CF 29

Watch Georgian fighters Ilia Topuria and Guaram Kutateladze score big knockouts at Brave CF 29.

MANAMA, Bahrain – It was a successful night in the office for Georgian MMA thanks to first-round knockouts for prospects [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] and [autotag]Guram Kutatladze[/autotag].

Training out of Spain, 22-year-old Georgian prospect Topuria (8-0 MMA, 2-0 BCF) remained unbeaten when he took out Steven Goncalves in the first round with a big overhand right at Brave CF 29. After being stumbled by a head kick, Topuria was able to show off a bit of his ground game by ducking under for the takedown and latching onto an anaconda choke. Once both fighters made it to their feet, Topuira was able to land the one-punch knockout, adding yet another finish to his resume.

Lightweight Kutateladze (11-2 MMA, 2-0 BCF) trains out of All Stars Gym in Sweden with the likes of Alexander Gustafsson and Ilir Latifi. Hailing from Georgia, Kutateladze engaged in 44 seconds of pure violence with Felipe Silva. He was backed up against the cage and briefly dropped, but in the midst of the flurry was able to land a beautifully timed counter left hook to take out Silva for his eighth straight win.

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.