Tag: Neil Magny

Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales prediction, pick, start time, odds for UFC on ESPN 62

How will Michael Morales handle the veteran experience of Neil Magny on the UFC on ESPN 62 main card?

[autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Morales[/autotag] meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 62 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 1-4
UFC main cards, 2024: 70-61-3

Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales UFC on ESPN 62 preview

Magny (29-11 MMA, 22-10 UFC) has undoubtedly seen a variety of styles in the UFC. As of late, he’s been tasked with testing young upstarts with big potential, which is the case again here. In his last fight, Magny stopped Mike Malott in the final round at UFC 297 to return to the win column. Magny has traded wins and losses over his past six. … Morales (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) hasn’t lost in his professional career. He enters his toughest test yet on the heels of a unanimous decision victory over Jake Matthews in November. This is the type of matchup that will set the tone for Morales’ immediate trajectory in the welterweight division.

Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales UFC on ESPN 62 expert pick, prediction

Serving as a solid attraction at welterweight is a battle between Magny and Morales.

Morales is a young, undefeated prospect, but he’s yet to face “the Magny test.”

Playing the spoiler for nearly a decade now, Magny – while not having the craziest highlight reel in the world – has figured out how to effectively win fights in the octagon as the UFC’s welterweight wins leader. That said, Magny has arguably looked less potent in recent years and the playbook on how to beat him remains the same: target his legs and body.

Morales has been a bit better about mixing in leg kicks since moving shop to Entram Gym, but he still doesn’t attack the lower levels vigorously enough for money to be confident enough in him to do it to Magny.

Add in the fact that Morales doesn’t seem to be a man who comes in with a game plan, and I suspect that he makes this fight much harder on himself than he needs to.

It’s dog or pass from a betting perspective, but I’ll semi-reluctantly pick Morales to edge a dicey decision with the more emphatic moments.

Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales UFC on ESPN 62 odds

The oddsmakers and the public are heavily favoring the Ecuadorian, listing Morales -850 and Magny +540 via FanDuel.

Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales UFC on ESPN 62 start time, how to watch

As the second fight on the main card, Magny and Morales are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 10:35 p.m. ET. The fight will air on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

Neil Magny channels Vin Diesel in ‘Fast and Furious’ ahead of UFC on ESPN 62 bout vs. Michael Morales

UFC veteran Neil Magny draws on a unique expereince-based comparison ahead of his UFC on ESPN 62 bout vs. Michael Morales.

LAS VEGAS – UFC welterweight mainstay [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] is tasked with taking on another rising star, but believes his experience will be something like Vin Diesel behind the wheel of a fast car on the silver screen.

Magny (29-11 MMA, 22-10 UFC), who holds the record for most wins in the UFC’s welterweight division with 22, meets undefeated Michael Morales on the main card of UFC on ESPN 62 at the UFC Apex. It will be Magny’s third consecutive opponent with one or no losses.

Whether it’s Ian Machado Garry, Mike Malott, or Morales (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC), the 30-plus fight UFC veteran Magny approaches every training camp with the same intensity. Since there’s so much film on him, he feels pressure to bring new things to the table.

“I need training camp to be as difficult as possible to prepare me emotionally, physically, mentally for what’s going to happen on fight night,” Magny said at Wednesday’s media day. “I feel like this training camp did just that. There’s literally been days that I was walking out of the gym in tears, head down, not wanting to deal with anyone because of how difficult the training was. For me, I feel like that’s a recipe for success.”

Not getting complacent in the training room has been a big focus for Magny. He understands that he will be the target for up-and-comers who try to establish their own name from his, but ultimately, he believes his experience is a key advantage. He compares it to the steel composure of Vin Diesel in the long-running action movie series “Fast and Furious.”

“My last fight, I used the analogy of watching Vin Diesel in a ‘Fast and Furious’ movie, where it’s like he’s always racing the other guy and other guy has that slight edge and he hits that NOS button,” Magny explained. “Then it’s like, ‘Oh, no! Vin Diesel’s going to finally lose a race!’ Then Vin Diesel always sits back and says, ‘Ha. Too soon. I got you.’ Then just sprints off to the finish line.

“I feel like that’s what this fight’s going to be exactly. I’m going to go out there and really showcase my entire skillset. From grappling to striking to wrestling, just go out there and be a really evolved version of myself on Saturday night.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

Michael Morales vs. Neil Magny verbally agreed for UFC’s Aug. 24 Fight Night

A welterweight bout pitting Michael Morales vs. Neil Magny has been verbally agreed to for a UFC Fight Night event Aug. 24.

UFC welterweight prospect [autotag]Michael Morales[/autotag] is stepping up in competition.

The unbeaten Ecuadorian is being targeted to take on crafty veteran [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] at a UFC Fight Night event Aug. 24 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Both parties have verbally agreed to the bout, MMA Junkie confirmed with multiple people with knowledge of the matchup. The people requested anonymity because the UFC has not yet made a formal announcement of the fight.

Morales (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has yet to taste defeat in his professional MMA career. The 25-year-old most recently fought in November 2023 and beat Jake Matthews with a unanimous decision. Morales had been out nursing an injury, now is training and healthy.

Magny, who recently had his 40th professional fight, continues to face the young blood of the division. Magny most recently fought in January and picked up a TKO win over prospect [autotag]Mike Malott[/autotag] – which stands as one of the best comebacks in 2024.

With the addition, the UFC’s Aug. 24 lineup now includes:

  • Bruno Ferreira vs. Roman Kopylov
  • Gerald Meerschaert vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
  • Dennis Buzukja vs. Danny Silva
  • Jose Medina vs. Zach Reese
  • Viacheslav Borschev vs. James Llontop
  • Jacqueline Cavalcanti vs. Josiane Nunes
  • Felipe dos Santos vs. Andre Lima
  • Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales

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MMA Junkie’s Fight of the Month for January: DWCS rematch thrills at UFC 297 in Toronto

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best fights from January 2024.

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best fights from January 2024: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s Fight of the Month award for January.

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

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Nominees

MMA Junkie’s Knockout of the Month for January: Neil Magny shocks Canada with epic comeback

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best knockouts from January 2024.

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best knockouts from January 2024: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s Knockout of the Month award for January.

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

Nominees

5 biggest takeaways from UFC 297: Is UFC relieved to see Sean Strickland’s title reign end?

Analysis of the biggest storylines coming out of UFC 297, including whether Sean Strickland being dethroned is a relief to the UFC brass.

What mattered most at UFC 297 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto? Here are a few post-fight musings …

Neil Magny thinks UFC 297 comeback win over Mike Malott proved he’s not done

Neil Magny reacts to his incredible comeback TKO win at Saturday’s UFC 297.

TORONTO – [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag]’s return to the octagon, this past Saturday, seemed to many like the inevitable course most veterans go through in MMA.

The 36-year-old veteran was matchup against a younger [autotag]Mike Malott[/autotag]. Their fight took place on the pay-per-view main card of UFC 297, and it was in Malott’s home country of Canada. It seemed like a set-up opportunity for Malott (10-2-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) to shine and take his career to the next level.

And that’s what it looked like for the first 12 minutes of the 15-minute. Malott dominated Magny (28-11 MMA, 21-10 UFC) and was en route to a clear win. However, in the final minutes, Magny stepped on the gas and overwhelmed Malott to get an incredible comeback TKO win.

“Tonight was a great win, a great victory,” Magny told the media backstage at UFC 297. “I’m not completely satisfied with what I accomplished just yet. I still have more hunger in me, I still have more in the tank to accomplish more. I’m definitely content with tonight’s victory, but I have a lot more that I’m capable of and that I’m able to show. On Monday, I’m right back to the drawing board and continue to move forward.”

Magny was coming off a dominant loss to highly touted undefeated contender Ian Garry in August. Although that wasn’t his night, Magny thinks the win over Malott proved he’s game to compete with anyone in the UFC’s welterweight division.

“At the end of the day, I’ve beat the who’s-who in MMA, but the sport of MMA is very unforgiving,” Magny said. “It’s more so ‘what have you done for me lately?’ Sure, I beat the Carlos Condits, the Johny Hendricks, the Robbie Lawlers of the sport – but the sport of MMA has a very short memory.

“So to go out there and get a finish on a young up-and-coming guy who was undefeated in the UFC prior to tonight, I feel like it was a great statement. I feel like I’m still able to hang with the best of them – young guys, old guys, whoever. I feel like I went out there and did what I was supposed to do.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 297.

UFC 297 post-event facts: Dricus Du Plessis, Raquel Pennington make history in title wins

The best facts to come out of UFC 297, which saw two new champions crowned with historic achievements attached to both new reigns.

The UFC’s first pay-per-view of the year is likely to prove to be far from the most memorable, but UFC 297 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto did prove significant with two new champions crowned.

In the main event, [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) edged [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) by split decision in the Fight of the Night to claim the middleweight championship. In the co-headliner, [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (16-8 MMA, 13-5 UFC) outlasted [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag] (10-3-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC) for a unanimous decision for the vacant women’s bantamweight title.

For more on the numbers behind the title fights, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts for UFC 297.

UFC 297 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Sean Strickland’s $42,000 tops card

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 297 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $285,500.

TORONTO – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 297 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $285,500.

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 297 took place at Scotiabank Arena in Canada. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

The full UFC 297 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

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[autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag]: $42,000

[autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Mike Malott[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Chris Curtis[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Marc-Andre Barriault[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Movsar Evloev[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Arnold Allen[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Garrett Armfield[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Brad Katona[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Sean Woodson[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Charles Jourdain[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Ramon Taveras[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Serhiy Sidey[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Gillian Robertson[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Polyana Viana[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Sam Patterson[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Yohan Lainesse[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Jasmine Jasudavicius[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Priscila Cachoeira[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Jimmy Flick[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Malcolm Gordon[/autotag]: $6,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’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 $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

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 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $445,000
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $23,152,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 297.

UFC 297 results: Neil Magny TKOs Mike Malott for ridiculous buzzer-beating comeback

After 10-plus minutes of utter domination at UFC 297, Neil Magny pulled off an insane comeback to TKO red-hot prospect Mike Malott.

All was going well for [autotag]Mike Malott[/autotag] at UFC 297 – until it wasn’t.

After a dominant opening two rounds, Malott (10-2-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) was finished with ground-and-pound strikes by opponent [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] 28-11 MMA, 21-10 UFC) in what will likely be a Comeback of the Year candidate at the end of 2024. The stoppage came at 4:45 of Round 3.

The welterweight bout took place on the UFC 297 main card Saturday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

Out to “Fat Lip” by Sum 41 came Malott, viewed by many as the next major torch-bearing fighter for Canada. His entrance was met by a loud ovation, much the opposite of his opponent Magny, who was met with “F*ck Neil Magny” chants early in Round 1.

Malott continued the success of Magny’s previous opponent Ian Garry with effective kicks that chewed up the lead leg of Magny. After one kick in particular, Magny did a little pogo hop, which was audibly picked up on by the crowd.

Magny came out more aggressive in Round 2 and pressed Malott with a combination. The move backfired as the two fighters bumped into the fence. The recoil gave Malott the momentum he needed to seamlessly transition into a takedown. Magny rose to his feet after a short period on the ground.

Malott dragged him back down again shortly thereafter and hopped into mound. Just before the horn, Malott rained down big ground-and-pound.

In the final round, Malott went back to the well of success: the grappling department – but there was a plot twist.

Magny swept Malott and ended up on top. Big punches landed on Malott, who tried to grab hold of a leg for a submission. Magny defended and went back on the offensive. Big punch after big punch landed. Eventually, Malott turned to his side.

Referee Kevin MacDonald gave Malott plenty of opportunity to show him something, but the something never came. The fight was waived off.

Magny moves to 2-1 in his most recent three and bounces back from a loss to Ian Garry in August. A member of the UFC roster since 2013, Magny has alternated wins and losses over the span of his most recent seven outings.

The loss was Malott’s first in the UFC, but second as a professional. Malott didn’t lose in his previous seven outings, dating back to a 2014 unanimous decision defeat to Hakeem Dawodu under the WSOF banner.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 297 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 297.