Tag: Kevin Croom

UFC Fight Night 186 predictions: Jairzinho Rozenstruik or Ciryl Gane in heavyweight showdown?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC Fight Night 186 main card, featuring Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Ciryl Gane.

Rozenstruik
vs.
Gane		 Ankalaev
vs.
Krylov		 De La Rosa
vs.
Silva		 Munhoz
vs.
Rivera		 Hill
vs.
Yoder		 Caceres
vs.
Croom
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2021: 14-15		 gane2021
Gane
(63%)		 ankalaev2021
Ankalaev
(81%)		 silva2021
Silva
(52%)		 munhoz2021
Munhoz
(57%)		 hill2021
Hill
(78%)		 caceres2021
Caceres
(72%)
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2021: 18-11
trophy copy 2020 Champion		 gane2021
Gane		 ankalaev2021
Ankalaev		 silva2021
Silva		 rivera2021
Rivera		 hill2021
Hill		 caceres2021
Caceres
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2021: 18-11		 rozenstruik2021
Rozenstruik		 ankalaev2021
Ankalaev		 silva2021
Silva		 munhoz2021
Munhoz		 hill2021
Hill		 caceres2021
Caceres
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2021: 17-12		 rozenstruik2021
Rozenstruik		 ankalaev2021
Ankalaev		 delarosa2021
De La Rosa		 munhoz2021
Munhoz		 yoder2021
Yoder		 caceres2021
Caceres
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2021: 16-13
trophy copy 2018 Champion		 gane2021
Gane		 ankalaev2021
Ankalaev		 silva2021
Silva		 rivera2021
Rivera		 hill2021
Hill		 caceres2021
Caceres
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2021: 16-13
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 rozenstruik2021
Rozenstruik		 ankalaev2021
Ankalaev		 delarosa2021
De La Rosa		 rivera2021
Rivera		 hill2021
Hill		 caceres2021
Caceres
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2021: 16-13		 gane2021
Gane		 ankalaev2021
Ankalaev		 silva2021
Silva		 rivera2021
Rivera		 hill2021
Hill		 caceres2021
Caceres
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2021: 15-14		 gane2021
Gane		 ankalaev2021
Ankalaev		 silva2021
Silva		 rivera2021
Rivera		 hill2021
Hill		 croom2021
Croom
Simon Head
@simonhead
2021: 15-14
trophy copy 2019 Champion*		 gane2021
Gane		 ankalaev2021
Ankalaev		 delarosa2021
De La Rosa		 rivera2021
Rivera		 hill2021
Hill		 croom2021
Croom
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2021: 15-14
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 rozenstruik2021
Rozenstruik		 ankalaev2021
Ankalaev		 silva2021
Silva		 rivera2021
Rivera		 hill2021
Hill		 caceres2021
Caceres
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2021: 14-15		 gane2021
Gane		 ankalaev2021
Ankalaev		 silva2021
Silva		 rivera2021
Rivera		 hill2021
Hill		 caceres2021
Caceres
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2021: 14-15		 gane2021
Gane		 ankalaev2021
Ankalaev		 delarosa2021
De La Rosa		 munhoz2021
Munhoz		 hill2021
Hill		 caceres2021
Caceres
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2021: 13-16		 rozenstruik2021
Rozenstruik		 ankalaev2021
Ankalaev		 delarosa2021
De La Rosa		 munhoz2021
Munhoz		 hill2021
Hill		 caceres2021
Caceres
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2021: 11-18		 gane2021
Gane		 ankalaev2021
Ankalaev		 silva2021
Silva		 munhoz2021
Munhoz		 hill2021
Hill		 caceres2021
Caceres

(This story was updated at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, to reflect the addition of Angela Hill vs. Ashley Yoder to the main card.)

The UFC has a big heavyweight fight in the headlining spot for the second straight week.

UFC Fight Night 186 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event streams on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) takes on the unbeaten [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC). The winner is expected to stay in the hunt for a title shot. Gane is the third biggest favorite on the card at -250 at BetMGM, but he’s only got an 8-5 picks lead from our 13 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) is a prohibitive -350 favorite at light heavyweight against [autotag]Nikita Krylov[/autotag] (27-7 MMA, 8-5 UFC), and Ankalaev is our lone unanimous pick on the main card.

It’s a close fight from a betting perspective between [autotag]Montana De La Rosa[/autotag] (11-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) and [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at women’s flyweight. Silva is a slight favorite at -145, and she’s got an 8-5 lead in the picks.

[autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) and [autotag]Jimmie Rivera[/autotag] (23-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) meet in a crucial bantamweight rematch. They fought more than five years ago and Rivera won a split decision. Rivera is a -155 favorite this time around and has an 8-5 picks lead.

It’s not unanimous, but 4-1 favorite [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag] (12-9 MMA, 7-9 UFC) has a big picks lead over [autotag]Ashley Yoder[/autotag] (8-6 MMA, 3-6 UFC) in their women’s strawweight fight. Hill is the choice of all but one of our staff members.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Alex Caceres[/autotag] (17-12 MMA, 12-10 UFC) meets [autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag] (21-12 MMA, 0-0 UFC) in a featherweight fight. Caceres is a 2-1 favorite and has a big 11-2 lead in our picks.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Gane (63 percent), Ankalaev (81 percent), Silva (52 percent), Munhoz (57 percent) and Caceres (72 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

[listicle id=591142]

[listicle id=591242]

[listicle id=590883]

[vertical-gallery id=591437]

[vertical-gallery id=391998]

The MMA Road Show with John Morgan, No. 309: Kelvin Gastelum, Kevin Croom

Episode No. 309 of “The MMA Road Show with John Morgan” podcast, featuring Kelvin Gastelum, is now available for streaming and download.

Episode No. 309 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.

Morgan and Cold Coffee are at home in Las Vegas and sit down to preview UFC Fight Night 186 and talk about the surprise Frank Mir boxing match. Along the way, hear one of the wildest media day interviews ever with [autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag], as well as Morgan’s interview with recent UFC 258 winner [autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag].

Check it out on iTunes or at themmaroadshow.com. You can also subscribe via RSS.

UFC Fight Night 186: Kevin Croom media day interview

Kevin Croom talks to the media pre-fight at UFC Fight Night 186 before his featherweight bout with Alex Caceres on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Kevin Croom talks to the media pre-fight at UFC Fight Night 186 before his featherweight bout with Alex Caceres on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Alex Caceres vs. Kevin Croom booked for UFC Fight Night on Feb. 27

After a previous cancellation, Alex Caceres and Kevin Croom are set to finally meet.

[autotag]Alex Caceres[/autotag] will look to resume his latest winning streak in early 2021.

A veteran of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Caceres has been booked to fight [autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag] in a featherweight bout at UFC Fight Night on Feb. 27. The location for the event has yet to be announced.

Two people with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the booking Monday but asked to remain anonymous since the UFC has yet to make an announcement.

[lawrence-related id=524803,551893]

Both Caceres (17-12 MMA, 12-10 UFC) and Croom (21-12 MMA, 0-0 UFC) have been linked to fight in the past.

Croom was briefly scheduled to fight Caceres for his promotional debut at UFC Fight Night 175 in August, but was forced to withdraw from the bout and replaced by Austin Springer, whom Caceres defeated via submission.

The 30-year-old Croom later made his UFC debut in September, upsetting Roosevelt Roberts with a guillotine choke 31 seconds into the fight. Croom’s impressive win was later overturned to a no contest by the Nevada Athletic Commission after he tested positive for marijuana.

Meanwhile, Caceres is enjoying one of the best runs of his UFC career now riding a three-fight wining streak. Caceres is 4-1 in his past five UFC outings.

With the addition to the card, the Feb. 27 UFC Fight Night lineup now includes:

  • Dominick Reyes vs. Jiri Prochazka
  • Raphael Assuncao vs. Raoni Barcelos
  • William Knight vs. Alonzo Menifield
  • Alexis Davis vs. Sabina Mazo
  • Randy Brown vs. Alex Oliveira
  • Hannah Cifers vs. Emily Whitmire
  • Alex Caceres vs. Kevin Croom

[vertical-gallery id=424005]

Kevin Croom, Jose Flores issued NAC suspensions for marijuana use; Niko Price also cited

UFC lightweight Kevin Croom and DWCS competitor Jose Flores each were issued four-and-a-half month suspensions for marijuana use.

LAS VEGAS – UFC lightweight [autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag] and Dana White’s Contender Series competitor [autotag]Jose Flores[/autotag] each were issued four-and-a-half month suspensions in relation to marijuana use.

The Nevada Athletic Commission handed out the orders during Wednesday’s monthly meeting, which was held via teleconference due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Croom (22-12 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made his promotional debut at UFC on ESPN+ 35 on Sept. 12, stepping in on just one day’s notice before needing just 31 seconds to score a submission win over Roosevelt Roberts. “The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly” also earned a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus.

However, a pre-fight drug screen identified the presence of marijuana, and Croom subsequently agreed to a proposed adjudication agreement approved Wednesday that includes the suspension, which expires on Jan. 26, 2021, as well as a reduced fine of $1,800 fine and prosecution fees totaling $145.36.

Flores (9-2) kicked off the current fourth season of Dana White’s Contender Series at DWCS 27 on Aug. 4. He was submitted in the opening round by Jordan Leavitt, who was awarded a UFC deal.

[lawrence-related id=557922,557536,541735]

After also testing positive for marijuana, Flores agreed to a suspension that expires on Dec. 4, as well as a reduced fine of $750 and prosecution fees totaling $145.36.

In a non-marijuana related decision, heavyweight [autotag]Chad Johnson[/autotag] was issued a nine-month suspension for testing positive for a banned amphetamine.

Johnson (6-2) appeared at Dana White’s Contender Series 29 on Aug. 18, suffering a first-round knockout loss to Josh Parisian, who was awarded a UFC contract with the result.

Johnson’s suspension expires May 18, 2021. He was also fined $750 and must pay prosecution fees totaling $145.36 per Wednesday’s adjudication agreement.

All suspended athletes must also pass drug screens 30 days, 15 days and three days before their next contest in order to regain licensure in Nevada.

Additionally, UFC welterweight [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag] saw his temporary suspension extended after testing positive for carboxy THC, a prohibited cannabinoid, in relation to his Sept. 19 bout at UFC on ESPN+ 36. The commission expects to resolve the issue in December.

Price (14-4-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) fought Donald Cerrone at the event. “The Hybrid” was deducted a point for multiple eye pokes in the opening round of the contest, which ended up being declared a majority draw.

Lastly, [autotag]Joe Pyfer[/autotag], who tested positive for a modulator metabolites in August, was granted a continuance to a later date.

Pyfer (7-2) competed in the featured contest of DWCS 28 on Aug. 11. He was forced to settle for a TKO loss after suffering an arm injury from being slammed to the canvas by Dustin Stoltzfus, who took home a UFC contract with the win.

UFC on ESPN+ 35 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Ed Herman top earner with $20k

UFC on ESPN+ 35 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+ 35 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $137,000.

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+ 35 took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card streamed ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN+ 35 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag]: $5,000
[autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Ottman Azaitar[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Khama Worthy[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag]: $5,000
[autotag]Andrea Lee[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Ed Herman[/autotag]: $20,000
[autotag]Mike Rodriguez[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag]: $15,000
[autotag]Alan Patrick[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Billy Quarantillo[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Kyle Nelson[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Julia Avila[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Sijara Eubanks[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag]: $5,000
[autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Alexandr Romanov[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Roque Martinez[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Brok Weaver[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Jalin Turner[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Bryan Barberena[/autotag]: $10,000
[autotag]Anthony Ivy[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Sabina Mazo[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Justine Kish[/autotag]: $5,000

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: $4,429,500
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: $35,434,000

UFC on ESPN+ 35: Kevin Croom post-fight interview

Kevin Croom talks to media after a victory at UFC on ESPN+ 35 in Las Vegas

Kevin Croom talks to media after a victory at UFC on ESPN+ 35 in Las Vegas

Short-notice underdog Kevin Croom pulled off a 31-second stunner at UFC on ESPN+ 35

After taking the fight just two days out, Kevin Croom maximized his debut opportunity at UFC on ESPN+ 35.

[autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag] was as laid back as it gets for a fighter making his octagon debut on just about a day’s notice leading into Saturday’s showdown with [autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN+ 35.

His performance showed why.

After smiling and combing his hair Friday during the pre-fight faceoff with an intense Roberts (21-12 MMA, 1-0 UFC), there were questions about how well Croom would fit in at the highest level of the sport.

He needed just 31 seconds to show that he does in fact belong, scoring a huge guillotine choke upset of Roberts (10-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC), who was stunned after coming into the fight as a -600 betting favorite.

Croom landed a huge left hook to start the fight, then latched on a modified guillotine choke that Roberts couldn’t escape from. Watch the replay of the finish below (via Twitter):

The performance from Croom not only put him on the map in the UFC and exposed him to a whole new section of fans, it also put him in the record books, too. His win in 31 seconds was the fastest finish by a debuting lightweight in UFC history.

Many regard 155 pounds as the deepest division in the sport, and Croom just showed how truly unpredictable it can be – not bad for someone who accepted the fight Thursday.

UFC president Dana White said after the win that Croom is a lock for a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus (via Twitter):

[vertical-gallery id=551844]

[vertical-gallery id=551846]

Matt Frevola out of UFC on ESPN+ 35; Kevin Croom steps in vs. Roosevelt Roberts

Matt Frevola vs. Roosevelt Roberts has been canceled – again.

[autotag]Matt Frevola[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag] has been canceled – again.

The lightweight fight that’s twice been booked has fallen through for the second time. This time, an injury to Frevola (8-1-1 MMA, 2-1-1 UFC) has forced him out of his fight with Roberts (10-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), which was scheduled for UFC on ESPN+ 35 on Saturday.

[autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag], who was signed and released by the UFC in late August, is currently being pegged as the replacement to fight Roberts.

A person with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the change Thursday. The UFC formalized the new booking Friday.

Croom (21-12 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has competed as a professional since 2009 and is riding a three-fight winning streak. Days prior to UFC on ESPN+ 33 on Aug. 29, Croom was slotted as a replacement to fight Alex Caceres. However, Croom was deemed unable to compete and was released shortly thereafter.

UFC on ESPN+ 35 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex. The event streams on ESPN+.

With the change, the UFC on ESPN+ 35 lineup includes:

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

  • Michelle Waterson vs. Angela Hill
  • Ottman Azaitar vs. Khama Worthy
  • Andrea Lee vs. Roxanne Modafferi
  • Ed Herman vs. Mike Rodriguez
  • Bobby Green vs. Alan Patrick
  • Kyle Nelson vs. Billy Quarantillo

PREIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET)

  • Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell
  • Julia Avila vs. Sijara Eubanks
  • Kevin Croom vs. Roosevelt Roberts
  • Roque Martinez vs. Alexander Romanov
  • Jalin Turner vs. Brok Weaver
  • Bryan Barberena vs. Anthony Ivy
  • Justine Kish vs. Sabina Mazo

[vertical-gallery id=403364]

[vertical-gallery id=391998]

With Giga Chikadze out, Kevin Croom steps in to face Alex Caceres at UFC on ESPN 16

After more than 30 professional fights, Kevin Croom finally will get his chance to compete in the UFC with a short-notice opportunity.

After more than 30 professional fights, [autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag] finally will get his chance to compete in the UFC.

Giga Chikadze has been forced out of UFC on ESPN 16, and Croom will step in to face [autotag]Alex Caceres[/autotag] on Saturday. MMA Junkie confirmed the replacement after an initial report from MMA Fighting on Tuesday.

Croom (21-12), a Bellator, Titan FC and LFA veteran, has competed all across major organizations. Training out of Glory MMA in Kansas City, Croom has won his past three in a row, most recently a unanimous decision over Anderson Hutchinson at Fighting Alliance Championship just 12 days ago.

Caceres (16-12 MMA, 11-10 UFC) is coming off back-to-back wins for the first time since 2016. After defeating Steven Peterson, Caceres upset highly touted Chase Hooper, bouncing him out of the ranks of the unbeaten at UFC 250 in June.

UFC on ESPN 16 takes place Saturday at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event streams live on ESPN.

The latest UFC on ESPN 16 lineup includes:

  • Anthony Smith vs. Aleksandar Rakic
  • Robbie Lawler vs. Neil Magny
  • Alexa Grasso vs. Ji Yeon Kim
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba
  • Impa Kasanganay vs. Maki Pitolo
  • Bill Algeo vs. Ricardo Lamas
  • Hannah Cifers vs. Mallory Martin
  • Zak Cummings vs. Alessio Di Chirico
  • Alex Caceres vs. Kevin Croom
  • Polyana Viana vs. Emily Whitmire
  • Christian Aguilera vs. Sean Brady

[vertical-gallery id=424005]