Tag: JP Buys

Twitter Mailbag: Will we ever see Jorge Masvidal vs. Colby Covington?

A fight between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal makes sense on multiple levels. Will we see it? Nolan King answers this and more in his Twitter Mailbag.

Questions on your mind about recent happenings in the UFC or the sport of MMA in general? MMA Junkie’s Twitter Mailbag is here – and this week @mma_kings answers:

  • Are we ever going to see [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] or not?
  • How would former UFC strawweight champion [autotag]Rose Namajunas [/autotag] fare against current flyweight champion [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag]?
  • How could the controversial finish of Tuesday’s DWCS bout between [autotag]JP Buys[/autotag] and [autotag]Jacob Silva[/autotag] have been handled better?

Watch the video above for answers to those questions.

To ask a question of your own, follow @MMAjunkie on Twitter and let us know.

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Dana White’s Contender Series 36 weigh-in results: Ever seen a 54-pound weight spread between fighters?

Check out the results from Monday’s official Dana White’s Contender Series 36 fighter weigh-ins.

LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on scene and reporting live from Monday’s official Dana White’s Contender Series 36 fighter weigh-ins, where all 10 fighters hit their marks for Tuesday’s card.

Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC president Dana White on hand to make the decisions.

In the featured bout, a pair of Dana White’s Contender Series return to the show, with South African flyweight [autotag]JP Buys[/autotag] (8-2) following up on a 2017 appearance to face [autotag]Jacob Silva[/autotag] (6-3), who suffered a decision loss in his DWCS debut in August.

In terms of weigh-ins, the most interesting matchup takes place at heavyweight, where Diaz brothers protege [autotag]Nick Maximov[/autotag] (5-0), who normally competes at light heavyweight, moves up a division to take on Mexico’s [autotag]Oscar Cota[/autotag] (11-2). The two fighters weighed in on opposite ends of the heavyweight division, with Maximov at 209 pounds and Cota at 263.5, resulting in a rarely seen 54.5 pound weight difference between the two competitors.

The early weigh-ins took place at the UFC host hotel in Las Vegas. The UFC Apex hosts Tuesday’s card, which streams on ESPN+. Due to scheduling conflicts, the ceremony did not feature faceoffs between the fighters.

The full Dana White’s Contender Series 36 weigh-in results included:

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • JP Buys (125.5) vs. Jacob Silva (125)
  • Oscar Cota (263.5) vs. Nick Maximov (209)
  • [autotag]Gloria de Paula[/autotag] (115.5) vs. [autotag]Pauline Macias[/autotag] (115)
  • [autotag]Sherrard Blackledge[/autotag] (155) vs. [autotag]Tucker Lutz[/autotag] (155.5)
  • [autotag]Chelsea Hackett[/autotag] (126) vs. [autotag]Victoria Leonardo[/autotag] (125)

JP Buys vs. Nate Smith added to Dana White’s Contender Series on Nov. 17

Will the third time be the charm for the booking between JP Buys and Nate Smith?

The UFC is giving [autotag]JP Buys[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Nate Smith[/autotag] another shot.

Twice the flyweight bout was scheduled for Dana White’s Contender Series, Season 4 – and twice it was canceled due to visa issues with Buys (8-2 MMA). Now, his fight against Smith (6-1 MMA) has been scheduled for a third time: Nov. 17 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

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

Both fighters have previously competed on DWCS.

On Season 1 in 2017, Buys lost to UFC signee Joby Sanchez by second-round TKO. Since then, Buys has made the move to Fortis MMA and now rides a four-fight winning streak. Buys’ wife, Cheyanne Buys, earned a UFC deal earlier this season by defeating Hilarie Rose.

The Buys matchup, marks Smith’s second appearance on Season 4. On Sept. 1, Smith lost to UFC contract-winner Jimmy Flick by third-round submission. Despite the loss, UFC president Dana White praised Smith’s performance and said he would be given a second shot later on in the season.

With the addition, the Nov. 17 card includes:

  • Kenneth Bergh vs. Matheus Scheffel
  • Chelsea Hackett vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels
  • Sherrard Blackledge vs. Tucker Lutz
  • JP Buys vs. Nate Smith

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JP Buys out of DWCS 31 bout vs. Nate Smith due to pandemic-induced work permit delays

JP Buys won’t be getting his second shot on Dana White’s Contender Series – at least not on a planned date of Sept. 1.

[autotag]JP Buys[/autotag] won’t be getting a second shot on Dana White’s Contender Series – at least not on a planned date of Sept. 1.

Due to unforeseen delays in obtaining an Employment Authorization Document (temporary worker permit), Buys (8-2) has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout against [autotag]Nate Smith[/autotag].

Buys, who is married to U.S.-born Dana White’ Contender Series Season 4 fighter Cheyanne Buys, applied for the permit in early 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the process is facing a lengthy delay.

Multiple people with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the situation Tuesday but asked the remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Smith is expected to still compete at some point during the current season of Dana White’s Contender Series. According to one source, the current frontrunner to replace Buys is LFA flyweight champion [autotag]Jimmy Flick[/autotag] (14-5).

Buys, a South African flyweight, competed on the first season of Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017. He lost to Joby Sanchez by second-round TKO. Buys, who now trains at Fortis MMA, has won four straight fights – all ended inside the distance.

With the change, the current DWCS 31 lineup includes:

  • Cody Brundage vs. William Knight
  • Jose Johnson vs. Ronnie Lawrence
  • KB Bhullar vs. Bruno Oliveira
  • Tucker Lutz vs. Victor Martinez
  • Nate Smith vs. TBA

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