Tag: Justin Willis

2021 PFL 3 weigh-in results: Fabricio Werdum official for PFL debut; Muhammed DeReese replaces Justin Willis

The weigh-ins are in the books for PFL’s this event of 2021, with heavyweights and women’s lightweights ready to kick off their season.

The weigh-ins are in the books for PFL’s this event of 2021, with heavyweights and women’s lightweights ready to kick off their season after hitting the scales at Wednesday’s official ceremony.

In the night’s main event, former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] (24-9-1) makes his promotional debut when he takes on fellow Brazilian [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] (6-2) Both fighters made weight without issue, with Werdum at 241.4 pounds, and Ferreira heavier at 252 pounds.

In the night’s co-feature, 2019 PFL champion [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (8-0) looks to keep her career record perfect when she takes on Brazilian contender [autotag]Mariana Morais[/autotag] (16-10).

There was one late replacement on the day, as heavyweight alternate [autotag]Muhammed DeReese[/autotag] (8-2) stepped in for [autotag]Justin Willis[/autotag] (8-2), who was not medically cleared to compete. DeReese now faces [autotag]Denis Goltsov[/autotag] (25-6) at Thursday’s event, which airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+ from Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

The complete 2021 PFL 3 weigh-in results included:

MAIN CARD (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET)

  • Fabricio Werdum (241.4) vs. Renan Ferreira (252)
  • Kayla Harrison (155.2) vs. Mariana Morais (153)
  • Brandon Sayles (264.2) vs. Mohammed Usman (239)
  • Larissa Pacheco (155.2) vs. Julija Pajic (155.8)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Bruno Cappelozza (234) vs. Ante Delija (233.2)
  • Cindy Dandois (153) vs. Kaitlin Young (155)
  • Genah Fabian (155.8) vs. Laura Sanchez (155.4)
  • Muhammed DeReese (257.6) vs. Denis Goltsov (240.4)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5:30 p.m. ET)

  • Taylor Guardado (154.6) vs. Helena Kolesnyk (155.2)
  • Kyron Bowen (170.8) vs. Magomed Umalatov (170.2)

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MMA Junkie Radio #3026: Reaction to Nate Diaz, B.J. Penn news; UFC on ESPN+ 25 preview

Hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” react to the latest MMA news and notes, and look ahead to UFC on ESPN+ 25 this weekend.

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Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here!

On Episode No. 3,026 of the podcast, the guys react to the latest MMA news and notes, as well as look ahead to UFC on ESPN+ 25 this weekend in Rio Rancho, N.M.

THE RUNDOWN

  • [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] got caught up in a bizarre news story when the Miami Herald falsely reported that he was arrested in Miami, and now he’s considering legal action for defamation of his name, according to his publicist. Would suing the newspaper be a bad look for Diaz given his “BMF” persona?
  • UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]B.J. Penn[/autotag] unfortunately was back in the news for wrong reasons after getting into a car accident, which has led Hawaii police to investigate him for a possible DUI. It’s the latest in a string of bad things that have happened with Penn. Is this finally the wake-up call?
  • UFC heavyweight [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] revealed that he has a “life or death” medical condition, though he wouldn’t specify what it is. Will he reconsider his fighting career moving forward?
  • Bellator has moved all-in on the champ-champ narrative after booking welterweight champion [autotag]Douglas Lima[/autotag] against [autotag]Gegard Mousasi[/autotag] for the now vacant middleweight title. That fight joins a May card that also includes champ-champ [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] defending his light heavyweight title in San Jose. Is this the right move for the promotion?
  • ONE Championship announced that it will soon launch its ONE Infinity Series. Will this make much of a difference for the promotion in the U.S.?
  • Ex-UFC fighter [autotag]Justin Willis[/autotag] is headed to PFL. Is the the favorite at heavyweight for the 2020 season?
  • The UFC recently cut a lot of fighters, including Juan Adams, Brad Katona and Ben Saunders. We react.
  • The stakes would seem to be high at UFC on ESPN+ 25, where [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] and [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] face off in a pivotal light heavyweight headliner. Will the winner secure a title shot over a potential rematch for Dominick Reyes against Jon Jones?
  • Matt McGovern, the founder of World Fighting Championships, joined the show to talk about his promotion and what’s on tap for 2020, which could include up to 30 shows.

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

Former UFC heavyweight Justin Willis signs with PFL

After a surprising release from the UFC, Justin Willis has signed with PFL and is expected to compete in the promotion’s 2020 heavyweight season.

[autotag]Justin Willis[/autotag] has a new home.

The former UFC fighter has agreed to terms with PFL and is expected to compete in the promotion’s 2020 heavyweight season for a chance at the $1 million prize awarded to the winner at the end of the year.

Two people with knowledge of the deal informed MMA Junkie of the news. They wished to remain anonymous since PFL officials have yet to make a formal announcement.

Willis (8-2) joins PFL following a somewhat surprising release from the UFC. The American Kickboxing Academy product departed after a 4-1 run in the octagon, which included notable victories over Mark Hunt and Chase Sherman. Willis’ lone loss in the UFC was to Curtis Blaydes, who’s currently a top contender in the division.

Willis, 32, last fought in March 2019, when he suffered the decision loss to Blaydes at UFC Nashville.

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