Tag: Mauricio Rua

UFC 274: Quick picks and prognostications

MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom gives quick breakdowns and his predictions for the main card of UFC 274.

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main card for UFC 274.

UFC 274 takes place Saturday at Footprint Center in Phoenix. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

Last event’s results: 3-3

Overall picks for UFC main cards in 2022: 41-17

Welcome to MMA Junkie’s quick picks and prognostications, where I’ll be giving brief, fight-day breakdowns for UFC main cards.

With that in mind, I hope these write-ups don’t come off as curt or dismissive, as my goal here is to offer quick picks and analysis in a digestible format. All odds listed are provided by Tipico Sportsbook.

If you’d like more detailed analysis from me, then feel free to check out my weekly show, The Protect Ya’ Neck Podcast.

So, without further ado…

Ovince Saint Preux plans rough MMA exit for ‘Shogun’ Rua at UFC 274: ‘It sucks for him’

If MMA legend Mauricio Rua retires from competition at UFC 274, Ovince Saint Preux plans to send him out in devastating.

PHOENIX – If MMA legend [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] retires from competition at UFC 274, then [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag] plans to send him out in devastating fashion once again.

Saint Preux (25-16 MMA, 13-11 UFC) and Rua (27-12-1 MMA, 11-10-1 UFC) are set to rematch on Saturday’s card at Footprint Center in a light heavyweight bout that airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

After OSP won the first fight by 34-second knockout in November 2014, the pair will finally run it back. Saint Preux has the goal of upstaging his previous performance and is paying no mind to the fact this could be the final time “Shogun” steps into the octagon.

“I fought him one time and beat him. If I do it again, it will probably be a staple,” Saint Preux told MMA Junkie and other reporters at UFC 274 media day on Wednesday. “It sucks for him. At the end of the day, I’m trying to make a statement.”

Although he wants to do better than his last fight with Rua, Saint Preux said he’s not leaning on the past matchup to lead him to victory.

“It’s pretty much pointless (to watch the first fight),” Saint Preux said. “People change, fighters change and styles change over time.”

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Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, Ovince Saint Preux to rematch at UFC 274

Two UFC light heavyweight staples will rematch nearly eight years after their first meeting.

[autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag] and [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] are running it back.

Nearly eight years after their first meeting, “OSP” and “Shogun” will meet May 7 at UFC 274 for their second time fighting inside the promotion’s cage. MMA Junkie confirmed the signing of the bout. AG Fight was first to report the news.

The two fighters first fought at UFC Fight Night 56 in November 2014. The fight served as the card’s headliner and took place in Rua’s home country of Brazil. Saint Preux spoiled the party when he flattened Rua and finished the fight with strikes just 34 seconds into the bout.

They were expected to rematch in Japan in 2017, but Rua suffered a knee injury and withdrew from the bout.

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At UFC 274, Saint Preux looks to snap a two-fight skid. In recent years, he’s bounced between light heavyweight and heavyweight with mixed results. Over the span of his past 12 fights, Saint Preux has gone 6-6. Wins in that stretch include Corey Anderson, Tyson Pedro and Alonzo Menifield.

Rua (27-12-1 MMA, 11-10-1 UFC) has not competed since a November 2020 loss to Paul Craig. After the fight, UFC president Dana White voiced uncertainty about Rua’s future, despite it being his first loss in four outings. Since the loss to Saint Preux in 2014, Rua has gone 5-2-1.

With the addition, the UFC 274 lineup includes:

  • Champion Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka
  • Champion Charles Oliveira def. Justin Gaethje
  • Macy Chiasson vs. Norma Dumont
  • Ariane Carnelossi vs. Lupita Godinez
  • Blagoy Ivanov vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
  • Kleydson Rodrigues vs. C.J. Vergara
  • Mauricio Rua vs. Ovince Saint Preux

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UFC 255 medical suspensions: Alex Perez, Jennifer Maia among nine with potential six-month shutdowns

A total of nine fighters are facing potential six-month shutdowns after their UFC 255 fights, including two from atop the card.

A total of nine fighters are facing potential six-month shutdowns after their UFC 255 fights, including the two who fell short in title bouts atop the card.

[autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag] (24-6 MMA, 6-2 UFC) needs an X-ray to clear his right hand, otherwise he’ll be suspended for 180 days after his submission loss to flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (20-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) in the main event this past Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

And [autotag]Jennifer Maia[/autotag] (18-7-1 MMA, 3-3 UFC) is looking at a potential six-month sit, as well, following her decision loss to women’s flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko (20-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in the co-feature. Maia can return quicker if a nasal fracture is cleared by a doctor, but will be out a minimum of 45 days with 30 days of no contact.

MMA Junkie on Monday obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

Other fighters facing possible six-month medical suspensions unless they get cleared for earlier returns are [autotag]Cynthia Calvillo[/autotag] (9-2-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) following her loss to Katlyn Chookagian; [autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC) after his TKO loss to Brandon Moreno; [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) after his knockout of [autotag]Jordan Wright[/autotag]; [autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag] (13-6 MMA, 2-3 UFC) following her TKO loss to Antonina Shevchenko; [autotag]Nicolas Dalby[/autotag] (19-4-1 MMA, 3-3-1 UFC) after his decision win over [autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag]; and [autotag]Alan Jouban[/autotag] (17-7 MMA, 8-5 UFC) after his decision win over [autotag]Jared Gooden[/autotag].

The full list of UFC 255 medical suspensions includes:

  • Alex Perez: Needs X-ray and clearance of right hand, otherwise suspended 180 days.
  • Jennifer Maia: Needs clearance of nasal fracture, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Tim Means[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to a right knee injury.
  • [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact due to contusions.
  • Cynthia Calvillo: Needs clearance of right shoulder with MRI, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Brandon Royval: Needs clearance of right shoulder with MRI, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Joaquin Buckley: Needs clearance of right shoulder with X-ray, otherwise suspended 180 days.
  • Jordan Wright: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Ariane Lipski: Needs clearance of orbital fracture, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Nicolas Dalby: Needs clearance of right foot and right elbow with X-rays, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Daniel Rodriguez: Needs clearance of right hand with X-ray, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Alan Jouban: Needs clearance of nasal bone fracture, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Jared Gooden: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Dustin Stoltzfus[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Sasha Palatnikov[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact due to cuts.
  • [autotag]Louis Cosce[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.

UFC 255 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Program total nears $37 million

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 255 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $275,000.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 255 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $275,000.

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 255 took place at UFC Apex. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

The full UFC 255 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag]: $40,000
def. [autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag]: $30,000

[autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag]: $40,000
def. [autotag]Jennifer Maia[/autotag]: $30,000

[autotag]Tim Means[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Cynthia Calvillo[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag]: $20,000

[autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Jordan Wright[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Antonina Shevchenko[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Nicolas Dalby[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Alan Jouban[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Jared Gooden[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Kyle Daukaus[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Dustin Stoltzfus[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Sasha Palatnikov[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Louis Cosce[/autotag]: $3,500

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: $5,939,500
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: $36,994,000

UFC 255 results: Paul Craig makes ‘Shogun’ Rua tap to strikes in rematch

Paul Craig left no questions in his rematch with former UFC champion Mauricio Rua.

[autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag] left no questions in his rematch with former UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] at UFC 255 on Saturday.

Craig (14-4-1 MMA, 5-5-1 UFC) used a wrestling-heavy game plan and eventually got “Shogun” (27-12-1 MMA, 11-10-1 UFC) in an inescapable back mount, where he reigned down shots until it was waved off at the 2:36 mark of Round 2.

The light heavyweight bout opened up the UFC 255 main card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2/ESPN+.

Craig started the fight with a kick-heavy strategy. Rua bided his time to explode with big combinations, but his aggression led him right into Craig’s takedowns. Craig threatened with multiple submission attempts, but Rua managed to get a key reversal that gave him top control for the remainder of the round.

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Rua connected with a big right hand in the opening stages of the second round. Craig didn’t like it, so he went back to the wrestling and got a takedown. Rua scrambled upright, but got taken back down to the mat in short order. Craig advanced position, and eventually made the Brazilian give up his back. He locked down the rear mount, then battered Rua into a submission from the punches.

“He’s a legend and we’ve seen that tonight,” Craig said in his post-fight interview. “I’m very glad for the win.”

With the victory, Craig gets resolution to his first encounter with Rua in November 2019, which ended in a split draw.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 255 results:

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UFC 255 pre-event facts: Valentina Shevchenko’s resume is downright scary

The best facts and figures about UFC 255, which features champs Deiveson Figueiredo and Valentina Shevchenko.

The UFC makes its return to pay-per-view Saturday with UFC 255 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

A championship doubleheader is atop the card. In the main event, flyweight champ [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] (19-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) looks to get his reign off to a positive start when he meets challenger [autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag] (23-5 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who stepped in as a replacement for Cody Garbrandt.

The co-headliner sees all-time great [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] (19-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) look to extend her women’s flyweight reign with a fourth defense when she takes on Brazilian challenger [autotag]Jennifer Maia[/autotag] (18-6-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC).

For more on the numbers behind the two title fights, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 60 pre-event facts about UFC 255.

‘Shogun’ Rua vs. Paul Craig rematch added to UFC 255 on Nov. 21

Will there be a winner this time?

[autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] and [autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag] are running it back.

At UFC 255, Rua (27-11-1 MMA, 11-9-1 UFC) and Craig (13-4-1 MMA, 5-4-1 UFC) will square off for the second time. The event is expected to take place Nov. 21 at a location and venue to be determined.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie on Tuesday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. ESPN was the first to report the news.

The first matchup between Rua and Craig took place in November 2019. Serving as the co-main event of UFC on ESPN+ 22 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The two fighters fought the full 15 minutes in the hopes of determining a winner. However, after the fight got to the judges’ scorecards, it was declared a split draw.

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Since their first meeting, each fighter has gone his next fight. Both fighters competed on July 25 in Abu Dhabi. Craig defeated Gadzhimurad Antigulov by first-round submission before Rua defeated Antonio Rogerio Nogueira by split decision.

With the addition, the UFC 255 lineup includes:

  • Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt – for the UFC flyweight title
  • Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jennifer Maia – for the UFC women’s flyweight title
  • Brandon Moreno vs. Alex Perez
  • Ariane Lipski vs. Antonina Shevchenko
  • Paul Craig vs. Mauricio Rua

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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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

* * * *

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.

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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.”

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