Tag: Pedro Munhoz

UFC 276 ‘Embedded,’ No. 34: ‘There’s no time to smell roses’

The UFC returns for International Fight Week and a big pay-per-view. “Embedded” is back to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

The UFC is back in Las Vegas for its latest International Fight Week and a big pay-per-view, which means the “Embedded” fight-week video series is back to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 276 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

UFC 275 features a title-fight doubleheader. In the main event, middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) takes on challenger [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC). In the co-feature, featherweight champ [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (24-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC) meets former titleholder [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (23-6 MMA, 19-6 UFC) in a trilogy rematch.

Additionally, [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] (19-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) takes on rising bantamweight standout [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) on the main card.

The fourth episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Sean O’Malley sightsees in style. Champs Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski bask in team spirit. Jared Cannonier greets his opponent. Max Holloway gets honored by UFC and teased by DC. Stars talk matchups at media day. UFC 276 is on Saturday, July 2.

Watch the episode in the video above check out the previous episodes below:

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UFC 276 ‘Embedded,’ No. 3: Sean O’Malley arrives to Las Vegas in expensive transportation

The UFC returns for International Fight Week and a big pay-per-view. “Embedded” is back to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

The UFC is back in Las Vegas for its latest International Fight Week and a big pay-per-view, which means the “Embedded” fight-week video series is back to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 276 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

UFC 275 features a title-fight doubleheader. In the main event, middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) takes on challenger [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC). In the co-feature, featherweight champ [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (24-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC) meets former titleholder [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (23-6 MMA, 19-6 UFC) in a trilogy rematch.

Additionally, [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] (19-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) takes on rising bantamweight standout [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) on the main card.

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Sean O’Malley wraps his camp and dyes his locks. Champion teammates Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski take over the PI, then Max Holloway gets his turn. Jared Cannonier starts his business trip. UFC 276 is on Saturday, July 2.

Watch the episode in the video above check out the previous episodes below:

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UFC 276 ‘Embedded,’ No. 2: ‘The main event should have been the co-main’

The UFC returns for International Fight Week and a big pay-per-view. “Embedded” is back to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

The UFC is back in Las Vegas for its latest International Fight Week and a big pay-per-view, which means the “Embedded” fight-week video series is back to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 276 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

UFC 275 features a title-fight doubleheader. In the main event, middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) takes on challenger [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC). In the co-feature, featherweight champ [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (24-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC) meets former titleholder [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (23-6 MMA, 19-6 UFC) in a trilogy rematch.

Additionally, [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] (19-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) takes on rising bantamweight standout [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) on the main card.

The second episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Max Holloway does a sit down at T-Mobile and a shakeout at the PI. Champs Alex Volkanovski and Israel Adesanya cheer on a teammate in the Octagon. The Kiwis push hard in the gym. UFC 276 is on Saturday, July 2.

Watch the episode in the video above check out the previous episodes below:

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UFC 276 ‘Embedded,’ No. 1: Israel Adesanya gets pranked in a ‘stripper room’

The UFC returns for International Fight Week and a big pay-per-view. “Embedded” is back to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

The UFC is back in Las Vegas for its latest International Fight Week and a big pay-per-view, which means the “Embedded” fight-week video series is back to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 276 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

UFC 275 features a title-fight doubleheader. In the main event, middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) takes on challenger [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC). In the co-feature, featherweight champ [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (24-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC) meets former titleholder [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (23-6 MMA, 19-6 UFC) in a trilogy rematch.

Additionally, [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] (19-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) takes on rising bantamweight standout [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) on the main card.

The first episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Champ Israel Adesanya shoots hoops and gets pranked. Champion Alexander Volkanovski and rival Max Holloway both question their travel plans. Sean O’Malley uses breath to stay focused.

Watch the episode in the video above and be on the lookout for more throughout fight week.

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Marlon Vera says UFC intentionally gave Sean O’Malley favorable top-10 matchup in Pedro Munhoz

Marlon Vera says “everything is to benefit” Sean O’Malley and explains why that’s the case with his UFC 276 fight.

[autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] thinks the UFC is trying to protect [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag].

O’Malley (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC), who hasn’t lost since getting stopped by Vera at UFC 252, has knocked out his past three opponents. His impressive run has led to a matchup with perennial contender [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] (19-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) in July at UFC 276.

Although Vera (21-7-1 MMA, 11-6 UFC) respects Munhoz, he thinks the UFC purposely offered him to O’Malley because of his significant height and reach disadvantage.

“They couldn’t find him a better fight in the top 10,” Vera told Brendan Schaub on “Food Truck Diaries.” “They find the smaller guy with the shorter reach. Everything is to benefit ‘Sugar’ because even if he lost, he’s gonna make an excuse. ‘Oh, I fought a tough guy,’ which who f*cking cares? I’ve beat him. When people come to me about it, I’m like, ‘I don’t need that. I’m not looking for hype, I’m not looking for more followers, I don’t give two f*cks.’ I’m making my money, I’m getting up, I’m going after the belt. I’m not going after the hype. I’m not looking to be cool because I know I’m cool. I know I’m funny, I don’t need to chase that sh*t. When you try too hard, you won’t get it.”

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Vera revealed that he was offered a rematch with O’Malley a few fights ago and while he doesn’t see a point in running things back, he was open to it at the time. However, he never heard back.

“The UFC three fights ago offered me this fight,” Vera said. “And I called my coach, and we went like this: ‘Let’s do this.’ Sean Shelby, call him first. Don’t call us, you know what’s up with us. … They called him, and they never called back.”

He continued, “I already beat you. Say whatever you want. I beat you. You want it, you can come get it. You and any f*cking body.”

Vera finds himself in the UFC’s top five bantamweight rankings after scoring back-to-back wins over ex-lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and most recently Rob Font in his first UFC headliner in April.

Sean O’Malley gets step up, meets Pedro Munhoz at UFC 276 on July 2

Sean O’Malley will get the step up in competition the world has been pining for when he meets Pedro Munhoz at UFC 276.

[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] will get the step up in competition the world has been pining for when he meets [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] at UFC 276.

A key bantamweight matchup between Munhoz (19-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) and O’Malley (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has been added to the promotion’s International Fight Week slate, which revolves around the July 2 event.

MMA Junkie verified with multiple people close to the situation that verbal agreements for the bout are in place. Those people requested anonymity because the UFC has yet to make an official announcement. ESPN.com first reported the booking.

O’Malley is currently in the midst of a three-fight knockout streak. The run came on the heels of his first and only career loss, which was a TKO defeat to Marlon Vera in a bout where O’Malley claims he suffered an in-fight injury that hampered his performance.

“Suga” has built back up since that August 2020 contest, though, and will now get a shot at Munhoz, who is No. 10 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie bantamweight rankings. The Brazilian is currently on a 1-4 slump, but his losses came to former champions Dominick Cruz, Jose Aldo, Frankie Edgar and current 135-pound kingpin Aljamain Sterling.

With the addition, the UFC 276 lineup now includes:

  • Pedro Munhoz vs. Sean O’Malley
  • Lauren Murphy vs. Miesha Tate
  • Bryan Barberena vs. Robbie Lawler
  • Dricus Du Plessis vs. Brad Tavares
  • Jessica-Rose Clark vs. Julija Stoliarenko
  • Uriah Hall vs. Andre Muniz
  • Maycee Barber vs. Jessica Eye

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22 fights on our MMA wishlist for 2022: Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 3, Jon Jones, Jorge Masvidal

What are some of your dream matchups for 2022? Here are 22 fights MMA Junkie hopes to see happen in 2022.

Amidst a tumultuous global pandemic there were many grim realities humans had to endure in 2021. One thing was consistently good, however, and that’s combat sports.

Although just five fights of 21 fights from the 2021 MMA wishlist came to fruition, the sport was extremely hot and gave fans many memorable moments. The world leader of MMA – the UFC – had a particularly great year, and that momentum doesn’t seem to be slowing heading into 2022.

It’s not just UFC fights that are taking attention, either. There’s also plenty happening in Bellator, PFL, Eagle FC and many other promotions.

MMA is in a great spot, and with much excitement we present MMA Junkie’s wishlist of 22 fights we’d like to see in 2022.

UFC 269 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Second highest payout in program history

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 269 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $323,500.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 269 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $323,500.

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 269 took place at T-Mobile Arena. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

The full UFC 269 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Julianna Pena[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag]: $42,000

[autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Santiago Ponzinibbio[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Kai Kara-France[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Cody Garbrandt[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Raulian Paiva[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Josh Emmett[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Dominick Cruz[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Augusto Sakai[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jordan Wright[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Andre Muniz[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Miranda Maverick[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Ryan Hall[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Tony Kelley[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Randy Costa[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Gillian Robertson[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Priscila Cachoeira[/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 2021 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $5,929,000
Program-to-date total: $5,929,000

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UFC 269 results: Dominick Cruz survives early adversity, puts on clinic in win vs. Pedro Munhoz

Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz was nearly finished in the opening minutes, but somehow survived and rallied to victory.

LAS VEGAS – In the early moments of his UFC 269 bout, things looked grim for former bantamweight champion [autotag]Dominick Cruz[/autotag].

But somehow someway, Cruz (24-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) overcame great adversity in the opening minutes to rally and dominate fellow contender [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] (19-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) en route to a unanimous decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) victory.

UFC 269 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

The first round was action-packed, with the most significant damage being unleashed by the hands of Munhoz, who stunned and dropped Cruz on multiple occasions. Cruz someone survived in a grappling scramble and the momentum shifted slightly thereafter. Most of the exchanges that followed were either 50-50 or slightly in Cruz’s favor. While he may not have won the round, he showed heart and rebounded nicely.

In Round 2, Cruz continued to find his range and pick apart Munhoz on the feet. As the round progressed, so did Cruz’s offense. Big shots connected for the former champion, but Munhoz stayed on his feet and absorbed them. Late in the frame, Cruz landed a series of approximately 10 straight punches to the head of Munhoz, which got a pop out of the crowd.

Likely tied at one round apiece, it was anyone’s fight entering the final round. Cruz was aggressive like in Round 2, as he rocked Munhoz on a few occasions. As he sported a cut under his left eye, Cruz dipped in and out as he avoided danger in vintage fashion. Munhoz hung tough, but it wasn’t enough to sway the judges.

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With the win, Cruz extends his winning streak to two, which also includes a split decision victory over Casey Kenney. A former UFC bantamweight champion, Cruz went winless from December 2016 to March 2020. During that stretch he only competed twice. Both were title fights losses, one against Henry Cejudo and one against Cody Garbrandt.

As for Munhoz, the defeat marks his fourth loss in five appearances. Other losses in the stretch include Aljamain Sterling, Frankie Edgar, and Jose Aldo. Munhoz has now lost back-to-back fights.

Up-to-the-minute results of UFC 269 include:

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Twitter reacts to Dominick Cruz’s comeback win over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 269

See the top Twitter reactions to Dominick Cruz’s victory against Pedro Munhoz at UFC 269.

[autotag]Dominick Cruz[/autotag] showed he belongs in the conversation at bantamweight Saturday when he beat [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] at UFC 269.

Cruz (24-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC), a former two-time UFC champ, has put together back-to-back victories after he defeated Munhoz (19-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) by unanimous decision in their crucial divisional matchup, which took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Cruz’s victory over Munhoz at UFC 269.