Tag: Mando Gutierrez

‘The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler,’ Episode 9 recap: First semifinal leaves Dana White unimpressed

“The Ultimate Fighter 31” returns as Conor McGregor makes his family recipe of Irish stew and the first semifinal leaves Dana White unimpressed.

“The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler” returned Tuesday for Episode 9 as two teammates collide after the semifinal matchups are announced.

On Episode 9, Team Chandler lightweights [autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag] and [autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag] square off in a bout that did not live up to UFC president Dana White’s standards.

The season runs from May 30 to Aug. 15 with the live finale expected for later this year. The promotion also intends for coaches [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] to square off in the months that follow the conclusion of the season.

Scroll below for a recap of Episode 9 and make sure to check out an exclusive insider look from Holobaugh, who will peel back the curtain on MMA Junkie the morning after each episode airs.

‘The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler’ Episode 7 recap: Two injury exams and another quick finish

“The Ultimate Fighter 31” returns as two fighters need medical evaluations before Conor McGregor’s team tries to avoid a clean sweep.

“The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler” returned Tuesday for Episode 7 as two fighters head to be examined by the UFC’s chief physician before a lightweight fight ends quickly.

On Episode 7, the matchup between seasoned veteran [autotag]Jason Knight[/autotag] and up-and-comer [autotag]Landon Quinones[/autotag], as Team McGregor seeks its first win over the season after six straight losses.

The season runs from May 30 to Aug. 15 with the live finale expected for later this year. The promotion also intends for coaches [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] to square off in the months that follow the conclusion of the season.

Scroll below for a recap of Episode 7 and make sure to check out an exclusive insider look from Holobaugh, who will peel back the curtain on MMA Junkie the morning after each episode airs.

‘The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler’ Episode 2 recap: A cold sore postponement and a flying KO

“The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler ” returned as a fight was postponed for medical reasons – and another fight ended violently.

“The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler” returned Tuesday for Episode 2 and featured a brutal knockout – but not the fight fans initially expected.

On Episode 2, a fight was postponed until a later date. The fight that took place was one for the highlight reel. Also, things got a bit testy in the TUF House’s kitchen.

The season runs from May 30 to Aug. 15 with the live finale expected for later this year. The promotion also intends for coaches [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] to square off in the months that follow the conclusion of the season.

Scroll below for a recap of Episode 2 and make sure to check out an exclusive insider look from TUF 31 cast member Kurt Holobaugh, who will peel back the curtain on MMA Junkie the morning after each episode airs.

‘The Ultimate Fighter 31’ rosters revealed, includes eight former UFC fighters

Check out the 16 fighters who made the cut for “TUF 31” – including eight former UFC fighters.

“The Ultimate Fighter” is back for a 31st season, which will be coached by lightweight stars [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag].

Set to debut May 30 on ESPN and run until Aug. 15, the series will include men’s bantamweights and lightweights, as first reported on MMA Junkie’s “Spinning Back Clique.” Filming began in February in Las Vegas.

McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) will square off after the conclusion of the series at a date and location yet-to-be-determined.

In addition to an announcement of rosters Saturday, the promotion announced the upcoming season will have a theme of “Redemption,” which pins former UFC fighters against rising prospects.

Dozens of fighters applied and only 16 were selected. Scroll below to see who made the cut.

17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. dominates at DWCS 55, dazzles MMA world for UFC contract

17-year-old prospect Raul Rosas Jr. dominates Mando Gutierrez and impressed the MMA world at Tuesday’s DWCS 55.

[autotag]Raul Rosas Jr.[/autotag] left the MMA world in awe, and it got him a UFC contract.

The 17-year-old bantamweight dominated his opponent [autotag]Mando Gutierrez[/autotag] at Dana White’s Contender Series 55, which took place on Tuesday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Rosas (6-0) dominated Gutierrez (7-2) to win a clean 30-27 scoring across all three judges’ scorecards, and as a results UFC president Dana White made him the youngest fighter in company history to earn a deal.

“He is absolutely, positively talented. He’s special,” White told Laura Sanko at the post-event decision announcement. “He’s different. At 17 years old you just don’t see kids handling themselves like that.”

In the first round, Rosas closed the distance early and took down Gutierrez. He dominated Gutierrez for the majority of the round – and even threatened with a suloev-stretch. In the very final seconds, Rosas got caught in a guillotine choke, but he was able to defend the submission until the bell.

The second was very similar to the first. Rosas took down Gutierrez and dominated the action. Gutierrez had a couple of reversals and also had back-mount briefly, but Rosas was in control for the majority of the round. The 17-year-old was very dominant.

In the final round, Gutierrez corner was imploring him to finish the fight. He switched the roles and took down Rosas, but not long after he was reversed. From there it was, again, a one-way street for Rosas until the final bell.

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Rosas remains unbeaten in his young professional MMA career. He’s been fighting professionally since October 2021, picking up four submission finishes and one TKO. His win at DWCS 55 was the first time he went to a decision. Rosas also fought amateur prior to turning pro, going 2-0.

Rosas performance caught the attention of many in the MMA community, including former UFC title challenger and decorated grappler Gilbert Burns.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Dana White’s Contender Series 55.

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Dana White’s Contender Series 55 live results (8 p.m. ET)

Follow along with the live results of Dana White’s Contender Series 55 live at UFC Apex.

LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 55 event.

Added: 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.

The ninth and penultimate week of Season 6 will see 10 fighters compete for their shot at a UFC contract. A middleweight contest between Leon Aliu (10-1) and Brunno Ferreira (8-0) serves as the featured bout of the five-bout lineup.

Additionally, 17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. (5-0) will attempt to become the youngest fighter to ever receive a UFC contract when he takes on Mando Gutierrez (7-1) in a bantamweight matchup.

The UFC Apex hosts Tuesday’s card, which streams live on ESPN+ and begins at 8 p.m. ET.

Full results of Dana White’s Contender Series 55 include:

  • [autotag]Leon Aliu[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Brunno Ferreira[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Raul Rosas Jr.[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Mando Gutierrez[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Austen Lane[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Richard Jacobi[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Nurullo Aliev[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Josh Wick[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Roybert Echeverria[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jafel Cavalcante Filho[/autotag]

Continue reading below for more details about each fight once the card begins.

Dana White’s Contender Series 55 weigh-in results: Everyone on point, including 17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr.

Check out the results from the weigh-ins for Dana White’s Contender Series 55 in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on scene and reporting from Monday’s official Dana White’s Contender Series 55 fighter weigh-ins.

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.

DWCS 55 is headlined by a middleweight bout between [autotag]Leon Aliu[/autotag] (10-1) and [autotag]Brunno Ferreira[/autotag] (8-0). It also features 17-year-old Mexican bantamweight [autotag]Raul Rosa Jr.[/autotag] (5-0) vying for a UFC contract against 25-year-old fellow Mexican [autotag]Mando Gutierrez[/autotag] (7-1) in the co-headliner.

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+.

Below are the full Dana White’s Contender Series 55 weigh-in results:

  • Leon Aliu (186) vs. Brunno Ferreira (184)
  • Raul Rosas Jr. (134) vs. Mando Gutierrez (135.5)
  • Austen Lane (240.5) vs. Richard Jacobi (244.5)
  • Nurullo Aliev (155.5) vs. Josh Wick (156)
  • Roybert Echeverria (125) vs. Jafel Cavalcante Filho (125.5)

17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. on verge of UFC history after signing to fight on Dana White’s Contender Series

If Raul Rosas Jr. earns a UFC deal on Dana White’s Contender Series, he’ll become the youngest fighter to do so by a wide margin.

[autotag]Raul Rosas Jr.[/autotag] has already made history and is on the verge of more.

Rosas (5-0), who is just 17, signed Monday to fight Sept. 20 on Dana White’s Contender Series against fellow bantamweight [autotag]Mando Gutierrez[/autotag] (7-1). A person with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the matchup Tuesday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. The bout was first reported by ESPN Deportes after Rosas shared the news on social media.

Should he earn a UFC contract, Rosas will become the youngest fighter in UFC history, shattering the previous record of 19 held by Chase Hooper, who also got his start in the UFC through the Contender Series.

In order to be licensed by the Nevada Athletic Commission, which oversees the Contender Series at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, fighters must be 18-38 years of age. However, according to NAC 467.017, special licenses may be granted to those outside the age range with special commission approval.

The law reads, “If an applicant for a license to engage in unarmed combat or an unarmed combatant has … not reached 18 years of age … the applicant or unarmed combatant must have his or her application for a license or for renewal of a license reviewed by the Commission or, if time does not permit and no concerns about the application have been raised by the Executive Director or any Commissioner, reviewed by the Chair or the Chair’s designee, so that his or her qualifications may be considered before the license is issued or renewed.”

Signed parental permission and written endorsements from MMA community members accompanied Rosas license request. Rosas is trained by his father, Raul Rosas Sr.

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Rosas Jr. has competed only in Mexico to date for Ultimate Warrior Challenge (UWC). In five professional fights, Rosas Jr. has five finishes – four in the first round.

His opponent, Gutierrez, is a 25-year-old standout in his own right. Outside of a loss to Mo Miller in September 2020, Gutierrez has largely dominated his competition with six finishes in seven victories.

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LFA 90 results: Zviad Lazishvili wins vacant bantamweight title, moves to 13-0

Zviad Lazishvili is the new LFA bantamweight champion after an impressive performance at LFA 90.

[autotag]Zviad Lazishvili[/autotag] is the new LFA bantamweight champion.

The native of the Republic of Georgia picked up a dominant win in the main event of Friday’s LFA 90 card in Sioux Falls, S.D. to capture the vacant 135-pound title. Lazishvili (13-0 MMA) submitted [autotag]Ricky Steele[/autotag] with a rear-naked choke at 3:42 of the first round.

Lazishvili was nothing but dominant at LFA 90. The 28-year-old took down Steele early, secured the back mount against the cage, and from there worked relentlessly for the rear-naked choke. Steele did a good job defending the choke multiple times, but Lazishvili eventually secured the submission once and for all and got the tap.

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Lazishvili revealed in his post-fight interview he battled with three injuries in the training camp leading up to the fight, but he’s grateful he went trough it. He hopes the UFC takes notice of his performance and gets an offer to join the promotion.

The undefeated Lazishvili picked up his ninth submission win with the victory over Steele. This was also Lazishvili’s second win under the LFA banner, as he outpointed Josh Huber back in November 2019 at LFA 79.

Full results from LFA 90 below:

  • Zviad Lazishvili def. Ricky Steele via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:42.
  • [autotag]Maycon Mendoca[/autotag] def. [autotag]Devin Smyth[/autotag] via  knockout – Round 2, 4:21
  • [autotag]Ignacio Bahamondes[/autotag] def. [autotag]Chris Brown[/autotag] via split decision
  • [autotag]Mo Miller[/autotag] def. [autotag]Mando Gutierrez[/autotag] via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:26
  • [autotag]Allan Begosso[/autotag] def. [autotag]Sen McPadden[/autotag] via TKO – Round 1, 0:48
  • [autotag]Tabatha Ricci[/autotag] def. [autotag]Kelsey Arneson[/autotag] via unanimous decision
  • [autotag]Daniel Argueta[/autotag] def. [autotag]Jackson Filho[/autotag] via unanimous decision
  • [autotag]Alden Coria[/autotag] def. [autotag]Calvin Harbaugh[/autotag] via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:20

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