Check out the full list of the fighter medical suspensions from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 199 in Las Vegas.
The last UFC event of the year left six fighters facing potential 6-month suspensions.
UFC Fight Night 199 went down on Saturday, Dec. 18 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. In the main event former UFC heavyweight title challenger [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] stopped [autotag]Chris Daukaus[/autotag] in the first round.
Neither fighter faced the maximum standard suspension of 6 months, but others fighting outside the top billing did. [autotag]Cub Swanson[/autotag], [autotag]Jordan Leavitt[/autotag], [autotag]Don’Tale Mayes[/autotag], [autotag]Harry Hunsucker[/autotag], [autotag]Justin Tafa[/autotag] and [autotag]Raphael Assuncao[/autotag] were the six facing potential six-month outings.
On Tuesday, MMA Junkie acquired a full list of the UFC Fight Night 199 medical suspensions handed out by the NAC from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commission’s official record keeper.
Below is the full list of medical suspensions from UFC Fight Night 199:
Justin Tafa landed a devastating head kick to finish Harry Hunsucker in the first round at UFC Fight Night 199.
[autotag]Justin Tafa[/autotag] made history for the wrong reasons on the scale, but made up for it with a spectacular knockout at UFC Fight Night 199.
The preliminary heavyweight contest didn’t last long.
After a few striking exchanges, Tafa (5-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) was able to frame Harry Hunsucker (7-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC) against the fence and square up a crushing head kick that landed clean. Hunsucker’s head popped back and immediately dropped to the canvas as Tafa walked away from the destruction with an intense look on his face.
Check out video of the finish below (via Twitter):
On Friday, Tafa became the first heavyweight fighter in UFC history to miss weight, tipping the scales at 267 pounds. However, he took care of business inside the octagon, picking up his second first-round finish of his UFC tenure while snapping a two-fight losing skid.
During his post-fight interview, Tafa called for a rematch against Carlos Felipe at UFC 271 in Houston. The two met in January, but Tafa ended up on the wrong end of a split decision and wants to run it back.
Up-to-the-minute results of UFC Fight Night 199 include:
Justin Tafa def. Harry Hunsucker via TKO (head kick) – Round 1, 1:53
Justin Tafa set a dubious record ahead of UFC Fight Night 199 by becoming the first heavyweight in company history to miss weight.
LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Justin Tafa[/autotag] set a dubious UFC record ahead of UFC Fight Night 199 by becoming the first heavyweight in company history to come in heavy for a fight.
Tafa (4-3 MMA, 1-3 UFC), who meets Harry Hunsucker (7-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in a preliminary card matchup at Saturday’s event at the UFC Apex, weighed in one pound over the divisional limit by coming in at 267 pounds.
The situation has only happened once before, with controversial former NFL standout Greg Hardy once missing on his first attempt, but then making weight after being given additional time.
There was no such occurrence for Tafa, who did not come back to the scale after missing on his first go.
Episode No. 321 of “The MMA Road Show with John Morgan” podcast is now available for streaming and download.
Episode No. 321 of “The MMA Road Show with John Morgan” podcast is now available for streaming and download.
MMA Junkie lead staff reporter John Morgan hosts the show while traveling the world to cover the sport.
John Morgan and Cold Coffee discuss the continued fallout from this past weekend’s UFC 262, while also looking ahead to this weekend’s UFC Fight Night 188. Along the way, hear Morgan’s conversations with [autotag]Cody Garbrandt[/autotag], [autotag]Jared Vanderaa[/autotag] and [autotag]Justin Tafa[/autotag].
UFC on ABC 1 headliner Calvin Kattar absorbed 445 significant strikes over the span of 25 minutes.
UFC on ABC 1 is in the books and its competitors have been handed their medical suspensions.
Atop the list of lengthiest post-fight suspensions is headliner [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag], who endured a high volume of punishment from former UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] in the card’s main event. Kattar (22-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) received a 180-day suspension for a broken nose, but can return sooner if cleared by a doctor.
MMA Junkie on Monday obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.
His opponent, Holloway (22-6 MMA, 18-6 UFC) walked away relatively unscathed, and received a 30-day suspension for a “hard bout.”
Only one fighter from the event’s undercard was handed as lengthy of a suspension as Kattar. Preliminary card competitor and UFC heavyweight [autotag]Justin Tafa[/autotag] also received a potential 180-day suspension. Tafa (4-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) suffered a split decision loss to Brazil’s [autotag]Carlos Felipe[/autotag].
The Australian will have to sit on the sidelines for the six-month duration, or until his left thumb is cleared by a doctor.
The full list of UFC on ABC 1 medical suspensions includes:
Max Holloway: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout”
Calvin Kattar: Suspended 180 days or until nose is cleared by a doctor; also suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days
[autotag]Carlos Condit[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
[autotag]Matt Brown[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
[autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
[autotag]Santiago Ponzinibbio[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days due to knockout loss.
[autotag]Alessio Di Chirico[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days due to knockout loss.
[autotag]Puna Soriano[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
[autotag]Dusko Todorovic[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to TKO loss.
[autotag]Joselyne Edwards[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
[autotag]Wu Yanan[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
Carlos Felipe: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
Justin Tafa: Suspended 180 days or until left thumb x-ray is cleared by a doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
[autotag]Ramazan Emeev[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
[autotag]David Zawada[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to left eyelid laceration.
[autotag]Vanessa Melo[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
[autotag]Sarah Moras[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
[autotag]Austin Lingo[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to chin laceration.
[autotag]Jacob Kilburn[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
Check out all the facts and figures from UFC on ABC 1, which saw Max Holloway beat Calvin Kattar in Abu Dhabi.
The UFC kicked off its 2021 campaign on Saturday with a monumental event. UFC on ABC 1 marked the promotion’s return to network television, with the card unfolding at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
A performance worthy of the grand stage unfolded in the main event. Former UFC champ [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (22-6 MMA, 18-6 UFC) snapped his two-fight losing with one of the greatest performances in UFC history. “Blessed” delivered record-setting output against [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag] (22-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) to take a unanimous decision in one of the most lopsided bouts to ever occur inside the octagon.
For more on the numbers behind Holloway’s incredible win, as well as the rest of the card, check below for
The heavyweights delivered a high-octane battle on the UFC on ABC 1 prelims.
[autotag]Carlos Felipe[/autotag] and [autotag]Justin Tafa[/autotag] could each very well walk away from UFC on ABC 1 with an extra $50,000 after the show they put on inside the cage.
Their heavyweight fight, which took place Saturday at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, took place on the preliminary card. When the dust settled, it was Felipe who defeated Tafa by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
For the majority of three rounds, Felipe (10-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) and Tafa stood in the pocket. Both men swung major heat in a boxing-heavy affair. A close first round saw Tafa utilize his range and technical kickboxing. The body was a major target.
In Round 2, the high-octane portion of the fight commenced. Felipe and Tafa exchanged big shots, though neither hit the canvas. A major punch from Felipe battered Tafa’s left eye, but somehow the Australian survived. As the clock wound down, the two heavyweights threw defense out the window and swung in a wild, crowd-pleasing exchange.
Round 3 played out much like Round 2, with both fighters going for the finish. With less than 30 seconds on the clock, the heavyweights slugged it out with reckless abandon.
Tanner Boser is wasting no time in returning to the octagon.
[autotag]Tanner Boser[/autotag] is wasting no time in returning to the cage.
With [autotag]Justin Tafa[/autotag] out, Canada’s Boser is expected to step in against [autotag]Raphael Pessoa[/autotag] on 10 days’ notice on the UFC’s July 25 card. The event takes place on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, also known as “Fight Island.”
No reason for Tafa’s departure is known at this time.
Two people with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the targeted booking on Wednesday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Boser (18-6-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) turned heads in his most recent outing on June 27 against former PFL heavyweight champion Phillipe Lins. In 2:41, Boser flat-lined Lins, winning in the first round by vicious knockout. The victory was his first finish in the UFC.
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Pessoa (10-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) most recently competed at UFC on ESPN+ 20 in October, picking up his first promotional victory: a unanimous decision over Jeff Hughes. Pessoa was rebooked for March in a fight against Tom Aspinall. However, he pulled out due to injury. He was then booked to fight Alexander Romanov in April, but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the changes, the current July 25 lineup includes:
“Fight Island” is real, and now the four cards that will take place there are real, as well.
“Fight Island” is real, and now the four cards that will take place there are real, as well.
UFC president Dana White today announced the complete lineup for the four cards that will take place next month in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The unique setup has been necessitated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has made it difficult to get international fighters into the U.S. to compete.
“I think this is going to be a really unique experience, not just for the fighters, but for us,” UFC president Dana White said during the announcement. “It’s going to be cool. It’s going to be something different. It’s never been done before, and however long this thing goes on, and however long it’s hard to get people in from other countries, we will have these fights at ‘Fight Island’ – Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.”
First up, it’s UFC 251 on July 11, which features a trio of title fights.
MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)
Champ [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] – for welterweight title
Champ [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] – for featherweight title
[autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] – for vacant bantamweight title
[autotag]Jessica Andrade[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag]
[autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Paige VanZant[/autotag]
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)
[autotag]Volkan Oezdemir[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag]
[autotag]Muslim Salikhov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos[/autotag]
[autotag]Makwan Amirkhani[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Danny Henry[/autotag]
[autotag]Roman Bogatov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Leonardo Santos[/autotag]
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 6:15 p.m. ET)
[autotag]Alexander Romanov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag]
[autotag]Raulian Paiva[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Zhalgas Zhumagulov[/autotag]
[autotag]Vanessa Melo[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Karol Rosa[/autotag]
[autotag]Martin Day[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Davey Grant[/autotag]
Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige
The promotion then returns on July 15 with an event headlined by featherweight contenders [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag] (21-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) and [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC).
The complete lineup includes:
MAIN CARD (10 p.m. ET)
Calvin Kattar vs. Dan Ige
[autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag]
[autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag]
[autotag]Abdul Razak Alhassan[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Mounir Lazzez[/autotag]
[autotag]Chris Fishgold[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jared Gordon[/autotag]
PRELIMINARY (7 p.m. ET)
[autotag]Modestas Bukauskas[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Vinicius Moreira[/autotag]
[autotag]Molly McCann[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag]
[autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Ricardo Ramos[/autotag]
[autotag]John Phillips[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Dusko Todorovic[/autotag]
[autotag]Ryan Benoit[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tim Elliott[/autotag]
[autotag]Diana Belbita[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Liana Jojua[/autotag]
Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo
Three days later, on July 18, the promotion hosts its third card in eight days, when top flyweight contenders [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) and [autotag]Joseph Benavidez[/autotag] (28-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC) meet for a second time with the vacant UFC flyweight title on the line.
The full card includes:
MAIN CARD (9 p.m. ET)
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez – for vacant flyweight title
[autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag]
[autotag]Marc Diakiese[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag]
[autotag]Luana Carolina[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag]
[autotag]Askar Askarov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag]
PRELIMINARY CARD (6 p.m. ET)
[autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Khadis Ibragimov[/autotag]
[autotag]Grant Dawson[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Nad Narimani[/autotag]
[autotag]Joel Alvarez[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Joe Duffy[/autotag]
[autotag]Montel Jackson[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Brett Johns[/autotag]
[autotag]Aleksander Doskalchuk[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tagir Ulanbekov[/autotag]
[autotag]Davi Ramos[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag]
[autotag]Carlos Felipe[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Serghei Spivac[/autotag]
Darren Till and Robert Whittaker
Finally, the UFC’s run in Abu Dhabi ends on July 25 with a much-anticipated middleweight contest between former champion [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] (20-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) and former welterweight title challenger [autotag]Darren Till[/autotag] (18-2-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC).
That night’s full lineup includes:
MAIN CARD
Robert Whittaker vs. Darren Till
[autotag]Antonio Rogerio Nogueira[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag]
[autotag]Alex Oliveira[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Peter Sobotta[/autotag]
[autotag]Alexander Gustafsson[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag]
[autotag]Nicolas Dalby[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Danny Roberts[/autotag]
PRELIMINARY CARD
[autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jake Collier[/autotag]
[autotag]Raphael Pessoa[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Justin Tafa[/autotag]
[autotag]Movsar Evloev[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Mike Grundy[/autotag]
[autotag]Bethe Correia[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Pannie Kianzad[/autotag]
[autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Nathaniel Wood[/autotag]
[autotag]Ramazan Emeev[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag]
[autotag]Justin Tafa[/autotag] and [autotag]Raphael Pessoa[/autotag] will fight as part of the UFC’s upcoming event on July 25 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi – also known as “Fight Island.” The event will be the fourth of four cards the promotion is holding in 14 days at the same location.
A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie on Thursday following an initial report from MMA DNA. The person asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Pessoa (10-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) also confirmed the bout on his Instagram page Thursday.
Australia’s Tafa (4-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has split two UFC appearances. After being knocked out in his promotional debut in his home country at UFC 243 in October, Tafa was on the opposite side of the equation in his second UFC bout. At UFC 247, Tafa finished Texas’ Juan Adams with strikes in Round 1.
Pessoa, too, was finished in his UFC debut. After the submission loss to Ciryl Gane, Pessoa rebounded at UFC on ESPN+ 20 in October, defeating former LFA heavyweight champion Jeff Hughes by unanimous decision.
