Marc Diakiese – Page 3 – Syndication Server

UFC on ESPN 33 predictions: Who’s our lone unanimous pick in Columbus?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN 33 main card, featuring Curtis Blaydes vs. Chris Daukaus.

	Blaydes vs. Daukaus	Grasso vs. Wood	Barberena vs. Brown	Askarov vs. Kara-France	Latifi vs. Oleinik	Borshchev vs. Diakiese
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 47-19	Blaydes (75%)	Grasso (79%)	Brown (72%)	Askarov (64%)	Latifi (51%)	Borshchev (76%)
Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 45-21	Blaydes	Wood	Brown	Askarov	Oleinik	Borshchev
Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 44-22 2014 Champion	Blaydes	Grasso	Brown	Askarov	Latifi	Borshchev
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 44-22 2018 Champion	Blaydes	Wood	Brown	Askarov	Oleinik	Borshchev
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 43-23	Blaydes	Grasso	Brown	Askarov	Latifi	Borshchev
Simon Samano @SJSamano 42-24	Blaydes	Grasso	Brown	Askarov	Latifi	Diakiese
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 41-25	Blaydes	Grasso	Brown	Askarov	Latifi	Diakiese
Nolan King @mma_kings 41-25	Blaydes	Grasso	Barberena	Askarov	Latifi	Borshchev
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 40-26	Blaydes	Wood	Brown	Askarov	Oleinik	Borshchev
Matthew Wells @MrMWells 39-27	Blaydes	Grasso	Barberena	Askarov	Latifi	Borshchev
brian Garcia @thegoze 38-28 2017 Champion	Blaydes	Grasso	Brown	Kara-France	Latifi	Diakiese
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 28-38	Blaydes	Grasso	Brown	Askarov	Latifi	Borshchev

The UFC makes its long-awaited return to Ohio this week with a heavyweight bout at the top of the bill.

UFC on ESPN 33 takes place Saturday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

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

In the main event, [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) takes on [autotag]Chris Daukaus[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC) at heavyweight. Blaydes is a heavy -450 favorite at Tipico; the comeback on Daukaus is +310. With Blaydes the biggest favorite on the main card, it’s no surprise our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers have him in our only unanimous pick at 11-0.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) is a -250 favorite in her women’s strawweight bout against [autotag]Joanne Wood[/autotag] (15-7 MMA, 7-7 UFC). Grasso has a big 8-3 lead in our picks.

Also on the main card, hometown fan favorite [autotag]Matt Brown[/autotag] (23-18 MMA, 16-12 UFC) nearly is a unanimous pick against [autotag]Bryan Barberena[/autotag] (16-8 MMA, 7-6 UFC) in their welterweight bout. Although Barberena is a -115 favorite to -110 to Brown, Brown has a 10-1 rout in the picks.

[autotag]Askar Askarov[/autotag] (14-0-1 MMA, 3-0-1 UFC) is a -420 favorite at flyweight against [autotag]Kai Kara-France[/autotag] (23-9 MMA, 6-2 UFC) and is a near-unanimous pick at 10-1.

[autotag]Ilir Latifi[/autotag] (15-8 MMA, 8-6 UFC) takes on [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag] (59-16-1 MMA, 8-7 UFC) in a heavyweight bout. Latifi is a -210 favorite at the betting window, and he’s got an 8-3 lead in the picks.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Viacheslav Borshchev[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is a mild -160 favorite against [autotag]Marc Diakiese[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 5-5 UFC), and he has a big 8-3 picks lead.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Blaydes (75 percent), Grasso (79 percent), Brown (72 percent), Askarov (64 percent), Latifi (51 percent) and Borshchev (76 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

[vertical-gallery id=2533710]

UFC Fight Night 197 video: Rafael Alves taps out Marc Diakiese in less than two minutes

Rafael Alves danced and flipped his way into the octagon at UFC Fight Night 197 then choked out Marc Diakiese.

[autotag]Rafael Alves[/autotag] danced and flipped his way into the octagon at UFC Fight Night 197 then proceeded to manhandle Marc Diakiese for a first-round finish.

Alves (20-10 MMA, 1-1 UFC) hurt Diakiese (14-5 MMA, 5-5 UFC) with a big shot in the opening round of their lightweight bout on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. He pounced once he got close after the initial blow, locking in a guillotine choke that forced his opponent to tap out at the 1:48 mark of Round 1.

Check out a replay of Alves’ handiwork below (via Twitter):

WHAT A FINISH FOR @Rafael_TheTurn 🔥

[ #UFCVegas42 | Prelims are LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/vrZ1028Kg5

— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2021

Statement made for his first UFC victory 👏

[ @Rafael_TheTurn | #UFCVegas42 | Prelims are LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/MWTFnaNvri

— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2021

After suffering a loss in his promotional debut earlier this year, Alves gave a more complete outlook on what he’s all about by putting away Diakiese, who has now lost back-to-back fights and is winless since September 2019.

“I’m ready upstairs (on the feet), downstairs (on the ground) – I’ll get it,” Alves said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “Dana (White) I’m here to be a champion. I’m born to be a champion.”

Up-to-the-moment results of UFC Fight Night 197 include:

Rafael Alves def. Marc Diakiese via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:48
Da Un Jung def. Kennedy Nzechukwu via knockout (elbows) – Round 1, 3:04

[vertical-gallery id=1668923]

[vertical-gallery id=1668919]

[pickup_prop id=”14360″]

MMA Junkie’s ‘Fight of the Month’ for July: A rematch between former champs delivers

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best fights from July 2020.

With another action-packed month in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best fights from July 2020: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Fight of the Month” award for July.

At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting on your choice.

* * * *

The Nominees

Rose Namajunas def. Jessica Andrade at UFC 251

[autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag] (9-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) got the revenge she was looking for when she defeated fellow former UFC champion [autotag]Jessica Andrade[/autotag] (20-8 MMA, 11-6 UFC) in their anticipated rematch.

After Andrade took the strawweight title with a stunning slam knockout in May 2019, Namajunas emerged victorious in the rematch with a split decision win. She used superior footwork and striking to win the early portion of the fight, then resisted a late push from her Brazilian foe to secure the win.

Flowing through RD 2! ✌️

We are LIVE on ESPN+ PPV ➡️ https://t.co/2F9xYFPYfP #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/K9ZFUG5BS9

— UFC (@ufc) July 12, 2020

Petr Yan def. Jose Aldo via punches at UFC 251

[autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] (28-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC) had moments when it looked like he might become a two-division UFC champion. But in the end, [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] (15-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) may have brought about a changing of the guard in the lighter weight classes.

Yan became the UFC’s new bantamweight champion with a fifth-round TKO of former featherweight champ Aldo. Yan used pinpoint striking and a dangerous overall assault to overcome the moments where Aldo looked like he could successfully turn back the clock and began a new arena in the 135-pound division.

WOW!!! Cae Aldo, Yan busca finalizar!#UFC251 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/jT3DEbdcoW

— ufcespanol (@UFCEspanol) July 12, 2020

Mounir Lazzez def. Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC on ESPN 13

[autotag]Abdul Razak Alhassan[/autotag] (10-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) proved that after two years away he’s still one of the most exciting welterweights on the UFC roster. Newcomer [autotag]Mounir Lazzez[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) just managed to shine a little brighter, though.

Lazzez made his UFC debut as a relative unknown, but did not leave that way after beating Alhassan by unanimous decision. The pair threw down for 15 minutes, with Lazzez standing up to the trademark power of Alhassan and taking over to claim his first octagon win in the “Fight of the Night.”

Throwing 💣s!

🇬🇭 @JudoRazak isn't wasting time in his return.#InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi #UFCFightIsland1 pic.twitter.com/iQ9ZRAtkv8

— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2020

Rafael Fiziev def. Marc Diakiese at UFC on ESPN+ 30

[autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) showed how different striking levels can be when he outworked a well respected standup artist in [autotag]Marc Diakiese[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) over 15 minutes of lightweight action.

Fiziev was one step ahead of Diakiese in his unanimous decision win, using techniques that were just a touch more effective than what his opponent brought to the table. In the end, both men took home an extra $50,000 for “Fight of the Night.”

HE ENTERED THE MATRIX! 🤯 @RafaelFiziev with a move out of a video game. pic.twitter.com/dGURo2OpUJ

— UFC (@ufc) July 19, 2020

Mauricio Rua def. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC on ESPN 14

[autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] (27-11-1 MMA, 11-9-1 UFC) left no doubt he’s superior to [autotag]Antonio Rogerio Nogueira[/autotag] (23-10 MMA, 6-7 UFC) when he made it 3-0 over his longtime rival in their trilogy fight.

After “Shogun” picked up wins in the first two meetings in 2005 and 2015, Rua made it a clean series sweep over Nogueira with a split decision victory. They slugged it out in classic fashion, and although it seemed Nogueira might slide out with a win, the judges once again saw it for Rua.

Shogun looking sharp in R3! #UFCFightIsland3 pic.twitter.com/B3aTfnsZJF

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) July 26, 2020

* * * *

The Winner: Namajunas vs. Andrade

The rematch between Namajunas and Andrade was well worth the wait – for both Namajunas and the viewers who got to witness a tremendous scrap.

In their first meeting, at UFC 237, Andrade took the strawweight belt from Namajunas via a memorable, second-round knockout slam.

Fourteen months later, the duo met again. Namajunas put together two stellar rounds, then showed great heart in withstanding a furious third-round onslaught.

Namajunas, competing for the first time since losing the title, eked out a split decision victor with the better end of two of three 29-28 scorecards.

Andrade make clear from the jump she planned on pushing a strong pace, using fast movement to dart in and out. Namajunas, however, didn’t need much time to figure out her range, and she began using a pinpoint jab, crisp straight hands, and solid counters on the occasion Andrade manage to break through.

[lawrence-related id=535375,534306,534216]

This continued for the better part of two rounds, but Andrade might have the heaviest hands at 115 pounds, and she threw them, like with a wicked body shot in the second, she landed.

And then Andrade turned it on in the third. Andrade threw everything but the kitchen sink at her foe, leaving Namajunas with her nose cut open and her left eye nearly swollen shut. Things looked bad when Andrade landed a strong throw to take her opponent to the mat.

But Namajunas got back to her feet, gritted her way through the onslaught, and got to the final horn to seal the win.

“She went into desperation and started really unloading and she caught me a couple times, obviously,” Namajunas said. “But I just stayed strong.”

[crowdsignal poll=9822388]

UFC on ESPN+ 30 medical suspensions: Luana Carolina faces 180 days after nasty kneebar

Check out the full medical suspensions from UFC on ESPN+ 30.

New UFC flyweight champion [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] won’t be held back by a medical suspension from his title conquest at UFC on ESPN+ 30.

On Wednesday, MMA Junkie obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commission’s official record keeper.

According to the list, Figueiredo (19-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC), who submitted [autotag]Joseph Benavidez[/autotag] in the first round of their main event title bout, will only be suspended for seven days due to mandatory rest. On the other hand, Benavidez (28-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) faces 45 days. The longtime contender was dropped multiple times before he was submitted.

[lawrence-related id=536919,536791,536635]

The UFC on ESPN+ 30 competitor facing the longest potential suspension is [autotag]Luana Carolina[/autotag] (6-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC). The Brazilian was suspended 180 days after suffering a kneebar submission defeat to [autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag], which appeared to hyperextend her knee. Carolina can reduce the suspension down to 30 days if an MRI on her left knee is done and cleared by a doctor.

Below is the full list of UFC on ESPN+ 30 medical suspensions:

Deiveson Figueiredo: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
Joseph Benavidez: Suspended 45 days for forehead laceration with no contact for 30 days
[autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Rafel Fiziev[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for “hard bout” with no contact for 21 days
[autotag]Marc Diakiese[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for “hard bout” with no contact for 21 days
[autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Luana Carolina[/autotag]: Suspended 180 days or 30 days minimum with left knee MRI clearance by a doctor. Also, no contact for 21 days
[autotag]Askar Askarov[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Khadis Ibragimov[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days for TKO loss with no contact for 30 days
[autotag]Grant Dawson[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Nad Narimani[/autotag]: Suspended for 30 days for left eyebrow laceration and with no contact for 21 days
[autotag]Joel Alvarez[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Joseph Duffy[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Brett Johns[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days for “hard bout” and with no contact for 30 days
[autotag]Montel Jackson[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Amir Albazi[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Malcolm Gordon[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for “hard bout” and no contact for 21 days
[autotag]Davi Ramos[/autotag]: Suspended for 45 days for multiple lacerations and no contact for 30 days
[autotag]Sergey Spivak[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)
[autotag]Carlos Felipe[/autotag]: Suspended 7 days (mandatory rest)

[vertical-gallery id=536355]

UFC on ESPN+ 30 post-event facts: Joseph Benavidez’s loss come with dubious distinction

All the notable stats and figures to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 30, which saw Deiveson Figueiredo submit Joseph Benavidez in the main event.

The third event in the UFC’s four-card July stretch on “Fight Island” went down Saturday with UFC on ESPN+ 30, which took place at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi with a main card that streamed on ESPN+.

After more than six months with the belt vacant, a new flyweight champion was crowned in the main event when [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] (19-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) brutalized [autotag]Joseph Benavidez[/autotag] (28-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) en route to a first-round submission victory. With the win, he became the first Brazilian to hold 125-pound gold.

For more on the numbers behind the 12-fight card, check below for 35 post-event facts to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 30.

* * * *

General

[vertical-gallery id=536361]

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $165,000.

Debuting fighters went 2-2 at the event.

Figueiredo, [autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag], [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] and [autotag]Marc Diakiese[/autotag] earned $50,000 UFC on ESPN+ 30 fight-night bonuses.

UFC on ESPN+ 30 drew an announced attendance of zero for a live gate of $0.

Betting favorites went 7-5 on the card.

Betting favorites improved to 13-6 in UFC headliners this year.

Total fight time for the 12-bout card was 1:33:56.

Main card

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 19: Deiveson Figueiredo of Brazil celebrates after defeating Joseph Benavidez in their UFC flyweight championship bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 19, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Figueiredo became just the third flyweight champion in UFC history, joining Henry Cejudo and Demetrious Johnson.

Figueiredo has earned 16 of his 19 career victories by stoppage. That includes six of his eight UFC wins.

Figueiredo’s six stoppage victories in UFC flyweight competition are tied with Benavidez for second most ind divisional history behind Demetrious Johnson (seven).

Figueiredo’s eight knockdowns landed in UFC flyweight competition are most in divisional history.

Figueiredo lands 52.5 percent of his significant strike attempts in UF

Benavidez became the first in UFC history to go 0-4 in undisputed championship fights.

Benavidez suffered the first submission loss of his career.

[autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag] (21-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) has earned 17 of his 21 career victories by stoppage.

[autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) fell to 4-4 (with one no contest) since he moved up to the UFC middleweight division in December 2016. He’s 5-4 (with one no contest) in the organization at 185 pounds.

Gastelum has suffered both his career stoppage losses by submission.

Fiziev (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has earned both of his UFC victories by decision.

Diakiese (14-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) has suffered three of his four career losses by decision.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 19: (R-L) Ariane Lipski of Brazil secures a knee bar submission against Luana Carolina of Brazil in their flyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 19, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Lipski (13-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has earned nine of her 13 career victories by stoppage.

Lipski’s victory at 1:28 of Round 1 marked the second fasted stoppage in UFC women’s flyweight history. Veronica Macedo holds the record with a 69-second win at UFC on ESPN+ 14.

[autotag]Luana Carolina[/autotag] (6-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) suffered the first submission loss of her career.

[autotag]Askar Askarov[/autotag] (12-0-1 MMA, 2-0-1 UFC) has earned both of his UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] (22-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) has suffered all five of his career losses by decision.

Preliminary card

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 19: (L-R) Roman Dolidze of Georgia knocks out Khadis Ibragimov of Russia in their light heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 19, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

[autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) has earned all seven of his career victories by stoppage.

[autotag]Khadis Ibragimov[/autotag] (8-3 MMA, 0-3 UFC) has suffered three consecutive losses after starting his career 8-0.

Ibragimov suffered the first knockout loss of his career.

[autotag]Nad Narimani[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has suffered three of his four career losses by decision.

[autotag]Joe Duffy[/autotag]’s (16-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since March 2017.

[autotag]Joel Alvarez[/autotag] (17-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has earned all 17 of his career victories by stoppage. He’s finished 15 of those wins by submission.

[autotag]Montel Jackson[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) has suffered both of his career losses by decision.

[autotag]Amir Albazi[/autotag] (13-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) has earned 12 of his 13 career victories by stoppage.

[autotag]Malcolm Gordon[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) has suffered all four of his career losses by stoppage.

Gordon suffered the first submission loss of his career.

[autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] (15-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has earned both of his UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Davi Ramos[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 4-3 UFC) has suffered all four of his career losses by decision.

[autotag]Serghei Spivac[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 2-2 earned the first decision victory of his career.

[autotag]Carlos Felipe[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) had his eight-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of his career.

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.

[vertical-gallery id=536355]

UFC on ESPN+ 30 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Title fighters take home $30k each

UFC on ESPN+ 30 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.

ABU DHABI – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 30 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $165,000.

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+ 30 took place at Flash Forum at Yas Island. The main card streamed ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN+ 30 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag]: $30,000
def. [autotag]Joseph Benavidez[/autotag]: $30,000

[autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Marc Diakiese [/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Luana Carolina[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Askar Askarov[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Khadis Ibragimov[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Grant Dawson[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Nad Narimani[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Joel Alvarez[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Joe Duffy[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Brett Johns[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Montel Jackson[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Amir Albazi[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Malcolm Gordon[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Davi Ramos[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Carlos Felipe[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Serghei Spivac[/autotag]: $4,000

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:

“UFC on ESPN+ 30: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2” – $165,000
“UFC on ESPN 13: Kattar vs. Ige” – $97,000
“UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal” – $305,500
“UFC on ESPN 11: Blaydes vs. Volkov” – $178,500
“UFC on ESPN 10: Eye vs. Calvillo” – $95,000
“UFC 250: Nunes vs. Spencer” – $266,000
“UFC on ESPN 9: Woodley vs. Burns” – $114,500
“UFC on ESPN 8: Overeem vs. Harris” – $184,500
“UFC on ESPN+ 29: Smith vs. Teixeira” – $166,000
“UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje” – $305,500
“UFC on ESPN+ 28: Lee vs. Oliveira” – $209,500
“UFC 248: Adesanya vs. Romero” – $257,000
“UFC on ESPN+ 27: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo” – $119,500
“UFC on ESPN+ 26: Felder vs. Hooker” – $130,000
“UFC on ESPN+ 25: Anderson vs. Blachowicz 2” – $186,500
“UFC 247: Jones vs. Reyes” – $243,000
“UFC on ESPN+ 24: Blaydes vs. Dos Santos” – $169,000
“UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy” – $165,000

Year-to-date total: $3,288,000
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: $34,292,500

Fight Tracks: The walkout songs of UFC on ESPN+ 30 with another Eminem Curse

Check out all the fighter walkout songs from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 30 event at “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.

While it takes intense training, world-class skills and maybe even a bit of luck to register a UFC win, picking the right song to accompany you to the cage is a key talent, as well.

Inside, see what the fighters from UFC on ESPN+ 30 went with as their backing tracks in Abu Dhabi.

Pages: 12345678910111213

UFC on ESPN+ 30: Marc Diakiese vs. Rafael Fiziev odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 30 fight between Marc Diakiese and Rafael Fiziev, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

[jwplayer 6zk5Spez]

Marc Diakiese and Rafael Fiziev tangle in a lightweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 30 – also known as UFC Fight Night 172 – Saturday at the UFC’s Fight Island facility on Yas Island, United Arab Emirates. The prelims kick off at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 8 p.m. ET.

Want to place a bet on UFC on ESPN+ 30? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Marc Diakiese (14-3) will look for his third straight victory after a three-bout losing skid from July 7, 2017 to July 22, 2018. The Briton took care of Lando Vannata by way of unanimous decision last time out on the Hermansson-Cannonier card Sept. 28, 2019. While Diakiese has gotten back on track lately, each of his past three bouts have gone the distance, so that’s something to file away. Diakiese – nicknamed “Bonecrusher” – will try to make like James Smith and knock out Fiziev (7-1). Diakiese has posted six KO/TKO in his 17 career fights, and has never been knocked out.

Fiziev, the switch-stance fighter from Kyrgyzstan, is coming off a unanimous decision win over Alex White on Oct. 26, 2019, erasing the bad feelings of a KO/TKO loss in his UFC debut against Magomed Mustafaev on April 20, 2019. Like Diakiese, Fiziev loves the knockout, with five of his seven career wins coming via KO/TKO. The decision against White was a rarity, too, as his first seven professional fights had finishes inside the distance, including 5-1 via KO/TKO and 1-0 by way of submission.

Marc Diakiese vs. Rafael Fiziev betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 8:30 a.m. ET.

DIAKIESE (-167) is a reasonable play on the 2-way line straight up, and he’ll be able to scratch out a win if he can avoid catching the hands of Fiziev (+140). Diakiese is also the better all-around fighter, and more polished, too. In addition, he isn’t a one-trick pony, as he can brawl toe-to-toe, or can go to the mat and get the finish if need be. He has 2.50 to 0.91 advantage in takedown average, although submissions aren’t the biggest arrow in his quiver.

Looking at the 7-way Method of Victory lines, rolling with DIAKIESE BY DECISION/TECHNICAL DECISON (+125) is worth a roll of the dice, while taking YES (-162): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is also a sound play.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2559]

UFC on ESPN+ 30 predictions: Can Joseph Benavidez top Deiveson Figueiredo in rematch?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN+ 30 main card in Abu Dhabi.

	Figueiredo vs. Benavidez	Gastelum vs. Hermansson	Diakiese vs. Fiziev	Carolina vs. Lipski	Askarov vs. Pantoja
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2020: 60-36	Figueiredo (58%)	Gastelum (57%)	Diakiese (78%)	Lipski (51%)	Pantoja (71%)
Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2020: 78-28	Benavidez	Gastelum	Diakiese	Lipski	Pantoja
Nolan King @mma_kings 2020: 78-28	Figueiredo	Hermansson	Diakiese	Lipski	Pantoja
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2020: 77-29	Figueiredo	Hermansson	Diakiese	Lipski	Pantoja
Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2020: 75-31 2014 Champion	Benavidez	Gastelum	Diakiese	Lipski	Pantoja
Simon Samano @SJSamano 2020: 74-32	Benavidez	Gastelum	Diakiese	Carolina	Askarov
Simon Head @simonhead 2020: 73-33 2019 Champion*	Benavidez	Gastelum	Diakiese	Lipski	Askarov
Brian Garcia @thegoze 2020: 72-34 2017 Champion	Benavidez	Gastelum	Diakiese	Carolina	Askarov
Dave Doyle @davedoylemma 2020: 70-36	Benavidez	Hermansson	Diakiese	Lipski	Pantoja
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 2020: 70-36	Figueiredo	Gastelum	Diakiese	Lipski	Pantoja
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2020: 70-36 2018 Champion	Benavidez	Hermansson	Diakiese	Lipski	Askarov
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2020: 67-39	Benavidez	Gastelum	Diakiese	Carolina	Pantoja
John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2020: 67-39	Benavidez	Gastelum	Diakiese	Lipski	Pantoja
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2020: 65-41	Benavidez	Gastelum	Diakiese	Lipski	Askarov
Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2020: 41-65	Benavidez	Hermansson	Fiziev	Lipski	Askarov

The UFC’s third of four straight events on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi goes down Saturday with a vacant flyweight title fight getting a redo in the main event.

UFC on ESPN+ 30 takes place Saturday at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The card streams on ESPN+.

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

In the main event, [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) takes on [autotag]Joseph Benavidez[/autotag] (28-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC) in a rematch for the vacant 125-pound title. Figueiredo knocked out Benavidez in February, but was not eligible to win the title because he missed weight. But Friday, he hit the title-fight limit on the scale. He’s more than a 2-1 favorite, but it’s the underdog, Benavidez, with a big 11-3 lead in the picks from our 14 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts.

In the co-main event, [autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag] (16-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) meets [autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag] (20-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) in a middleweight bout. The fight is a pick’em with the oddsmakers, but Gastelum has a sizable 9-5 lead from our pickers.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Marc Diakiese[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) is a -160 favorite in his lightweight fight against [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), and he’s the closest thing we have to a unanimous pick with 13 of 14 of our staff members taking him to win.

[autotag]Luana Carolina[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) takes on [autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC) in a women’s flyweight fight that has Lipski as just a slight favorite. But she’s a heavy favorite in the picks at 11-3.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] (22-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is more than a 2-1 favorite against [autotag]Askar Askarov[/autotag] (11-0-1 MMA, 1-0-1 UFC) at flyweight. He’s hoping to get the next title shot with a win, but he’s got just an 8-6 picks lead.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Figueiredo (58 percent), Gastelum (57 percent), Diakiese (78 percent), Lipski (51 percent) and Pantoja (71 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

[vertical-gallery id=391998]

[vertical-gallery id=388806]

Marc Diakiese: Rafael Fiziev perfect foe to gauge how I’ll do against ranked opposition

“I do feel I’m ready for rankings, but he’s a perfect opponent for me to really find out how I can do in the rankings.”

ABU DHABI – For [autotag]Marc Diakiese[/autotag], UFC on ESPN+ 30 is an opportunity to see where he stands in the lightweight division.

Diakiese (14-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) faces [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] this Saturday at Yas Island, looking to make it three wins in a row.

After dropping three straight, the once highly-touted prospect Diakiese was able to turn things around by picking up back-to-back wins over Joseph Duffy and, most recently, Lando Vannata last September in Copenhagen.

His matchup with Fiziev (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) pits two of the most entertaining strikers in the lightweight division, and Diakiese is ready to prove that he belongs in the top-15.

“I’ve had like three opponents; I just wanted to fight,” Diakiese told MMA Junkie and other reporters Thursday. “When I seen this guy, he brings heat. He comes to fight, and that’s the kind of fights I want now, just to test myself, to know where I’m at before I start to enter these rankings because I do feel I’m ready for rankings, but he’s a perfect opponent for me to really find out how I can do in the rankings.”

[lawrence-related id=535213,535867,535835]

Diakiese has traveled around the world to get different looks in training, but ultimately found a recipe for success back home in the U.K., where he was able to get a lot more individual attention.

“Just my mindset and coming back home,” Diakiese said on his recent success. “Be more organized than I was. I’ve come back, I’ve really set my team together, it’s all about me and each coach, individual got input in my team so I feel that’s what I needed.

“Because before, I felt I was just going out there and fighting obviously without a brain to be honest. I felt a bit stupid because I had no game plan, just going in and being crazy which I feel when I go out now, I’ve got a game plan and try and implement it nicely.”

To hear more from Diakiese, check out the video above.

UFC on ESPN+ 30 takes place at Flash Forum. The night’s main card streams live on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

[vertical-gallery id=446447]