Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Thoughts and analysis on the biggest storylines coming out of UFC Fight Night 186, which saw eight of nine fights end in a decision.
What mattered most at UFC Fight Night 186 at the UFC Apex on Las Vegas? Here are a few post-fight musings …
Bantamweight contender Pedro Munhoz wants to welcome former champion T.J. Dillashaw back to the UFC after a two-year USADA suspension.
LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] is targeting a big name at 135 pounds.
The UFC bantamweight contender wants to take on former champion [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] following his win Saturday at UFC Fight Night 186. Munhoz (19-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) avenged his 2015 loss to Jimmie Rivera (23-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC) with a unanimous decision on the main card. The win put Munhoz back in the win column after a controversial split decision loss to Frankie Edgar in August 2020.
Now, with a win under his belt, Munhoz wants to be Dillashaw’s return fight. The former champ is eligible to compete after serving a two-year suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
“I heard some rumors that T.J. Dillashaw is coming back,” Munhoz told reporters at the UFC Fight Night 186 post-fight news conference. “The possibility of fighting Marlon (Moraes) – it wont happen so soon. Besides training partners, we became friends. We wouldn’t fight unless it was for the title.
“We also have so many big names out there in the mix that I want to fight. I think a fight with T.J. Dillashaw would make sense. T.J. Dillashaw is coming back. I heard some stuff that he’s coming back. I have nothing against him. I’m nobody to judge him or whatever. If the UFC thinks that fight makes sense, I would be willing to fight him or anyone else.”
[lawrence-related id=591747,591770]
Dillashaw’s USADA suspension ended in late January. He was suspended in January 2019 after testing positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) in an in-competition test prior to his loss in a flyweight title fight against then-champion Henry Cejudo. Dillashaw relinquished his UFC 135-pound title with the suspension looming.
Munhoz, who’s ranked in the top 10 of the UFC’s official bantamweight rankings, has no problem with Dillashaw diving right into the top of the division. The Brazilian steered away from any criticism toward Dillashaw.
“I think (he should fight the best in his return). I’m not looking to point and judge him for anything,” Munhoz said. “When he got off from the game, he was the champion. So he’s coming back, I think they’re going to give him a big name or a big fight. I’ll be willing to fight anyone the UFC offers me.”
[listicle id=591357]
[listicle id=591702]
[vertical-gallery id=591504]
Pedro Munhoz wants T.J. Dillashaw after UFC Fight Night 186 win
Pedro Munhoz wants T.J. Dillashaw after UFC Fight Night 186 win
Check out all the facts and figures from UFC Fight Night 186, which saw Ciryl Gane beat Jairzinho Rozenstruik in Las Vegas.
The UFC’s final event of February took place Saturday with UFC Fight Night 186 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The heavyweight main event saw [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] (8-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) continue to flourish as a potential future title challenger when he outpointed [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) to a unanimous decision.
For more on the numbers to come out of the card, check below for 30 post-event facts to come out of UFC Fight Night 186.
UFC Fight Night 186: Pedro Munhoz post-fight interview
UFC Fight Night 186: Pedro Munhoz post-fight interview
Pedro Munhoz’s calf kicks were the difference in his rematch with Jimmie Rivera at UFC Fight Night 186.
[autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag]’s calf kicks were the difference in a dominant win over [autotag]Jimmie Rivera[/autotag] in their rematch at UFC Fight Night 186.
Munhoz’s offensive repertoire revolved primarily around punishing Rivera’s lead leg, and it gave him a convincing lead after just a few minutes all the way until the final bell for a unanimous decision by scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 on Saturday night.
The bantamweight bout, which was a rematch of Rivera’s unanimous decision victory from November 2015, was part of the UFC Fight Night 186 main card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It streamed on ESPN+.
“That was the second time we were able to do this battle inside the octagon,” Munhoz said in his post-fight interview with Paul Felder. “We did it six years ago, and it was a war, and this time it was a war again.”
Both men came out firing to start off the bout, with Rivera (23-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) stinging Munhoz (18-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) with multiple shots. The Brazilian got some respect back with a clean blow of his own, but Rivera was relentless with his hands. Munhoz committed to the calf kicks, and the damage quickly accumulated, forcing Rivera to wince and collapse multiple times upon impact.
"My left leg is killing me, I don't know what to do with it."
Problems in the Rivera corner after one. #UFCVegas20 pic.twitter.com/NPNtSTAGYj
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) February 28, 2021
Rivera told his corner between rounds that his calf was toast and he “didn’t know what to do with it.” He came out punching to start Round 2, though, but needed to be cautious in taking further damage. They briefly spilled to the ground and traded heel hook attempts, but the fight quickly returned standing and Munhoz went back to battering the leg. Rivera essentially was disarmed due to the leg damage by late in the second round, and it allowed Munhoz to deliver a measured output and take complete control.
With all the momentum on Munhoz’s side going into Round 3, Rivera swung for the fences trying to make something big happen. Munhoz wasn’t there to be caught in a mistake, though, and he cruised to the final bell with more punches and kicks. Rivera found a late moment in landing a heavy shot in the final minute, but he couldn’t hurt Munhoz badly enough to pull off the stunning turnaround.
As a result, Munhoz snapped his two-fight losing skid and got his hand raised for the first time since a knockout of former UFC champ Cody Garbrandt in March 2019.
Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 186 results include:
Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC Fight Night 186 main card, featuring Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Ciryl Gane.
| Rozenstruik vs. Gane |
Ankalaev vs. Krylov |
De La Rosa vs. Silva |
Munhoz vs. Rivera |
Hill vs. Yoder |
Caceres vs. Croom |
|
| MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2021: 14-15 |
 Gane (63%) |
 Ankalaev (81%) |
 Silva (52%) |
 Munhoz (57%) |
 Hill (78%) |
 Caceres (72%) |
| Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2021: 18-11  2020 Champion |
Gane |
Ankalaev |
Silva |
 Rivera |
Hill |
Caceres |
| Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 2021: 18-11 |
 Rozenstruik |
Ankalaev |
Silva |
Munhoz |
Hill |
Caceres |
| George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2021: 17-12 |
Rozenstruik |
Ankalaev |
 De La Rosa |
Munhoz |
 Yoder |
Caceres |
| Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2021: 16-13 2018 Champion |
Gane |
Ankalaev |
Silva |
Rivera |
Hill |
Caceres |
| Brian Garcia @thegoze 2021: 16-13 2017 Champion |
Rozenstruik |
Ankalaev |
De La Rosa |
Rivera |
Hill |
Caceres |
| John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2021: 16-13 |
Gane |
Ankalaev |
Silva |
Rivera |
Hill |
Caceres |
| Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2021: 15-14 |
Gane |
Ankalaev |
Silva |
Rivera |
Hill |
 Croom |
| Simon Head @simonhead 2021: 15-14 2019 Champion* |
Gane |
Ankalaev |
De La Rosa |
Rivera |
Hill |
Croom |
| Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2021: 15-14 2014 Champion |
Rozenstruik |
Ankalaev |
Silva |
Rivera |
Hill |
Caceres |
| Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2021: 14-15 |
Gane |
Ankalaev |
Silva |
Rivera |
Hill |
Caceres |
| Simon Samano @SJSamano 2021: 14-15 |
Gane |
Ankalaev |
De La Rosa |
Munhoz |
Hill |
Caceres |
| Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2021: 13-16 |
Rozenstruik |
Ankalaev |
De La Rosa |
Munhoz |
Hill |
Caceres |
| Nolan King @mma_kings 2021: 11-18 |
Gane |
Ankalaev |
Silva |
Munhoz |
Hill |
Caceres |
(This story was updated at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, to reflect the addition of Angela Hill vs. Ashley Yoder to the main card.)
The UFC has a big heavyweight fight in the headlining spot for the second straight week.
UFC Fight Night 186 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event streams on ESPN+.
(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)
In the main event, [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) takes on the unbeaten [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC). The winner is expected to stay in the hunt for a title shot. Gane is the third biggest favorite on the card at -250 at BetMGM, but he’s only got an 8-5 picks lead from our 13 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts.
In the co-feature, [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) is a prohibitive -350 favorite at light heavyweight against [autotag]Nikita Krylov[/autotag] (27-7 MMA, 8-5 UFC), and Ankalaev is our lone unanimous pick on the main card.
It’s a close fight from a betting perspective between [autotag]Montana De La Rosa[/autotag] (11-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) and [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at women’s flyweight. Silva is a slight favorite at -145, and she’s got an 8-5 lead in the picks.
[autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) and [autotag]Jimmie Rivera[/autotag] (23-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) meet in a crucial bantamweight rematch. They fought more than five years ago and Rivera won a split decision. Rivera is a -155 favorite this time around and has an 8-5 picks lead.
It’s not unanimous, but 4-1 favorite [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag] (12-9 MMA, 7-9 UFC) has a big picks lead over [autotag]Ashley Yoder[/autotag] (8-6 MMA, 3-6 UFC) in their women’s strawweight fight. Hill is the choice of all but one of our staff members.
And to open the main card, [autotag]Alex Caceres[/autotag] (17-12 MMA, 12-10 UFC) meets [autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag] (21-12 MMA, 0-0 UFC) in a featherweight fight. Caceres is a 2-1 favorite and has a big 11-2 lead in our picks.
In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Gane (63 percent), Ankalaev (81 percent), Silva (52 percent), Munhoz (57 percent) and Caceres (72 percent) are the choices.
Check out all the picks above.
[listicle id=591142]
[listicle id=591242]
[listicle id=590883]
[vertical-gallery id=591437]
[vertical-gallery id=391998]
The best facts and figures about UFC Fight Night 186, which features a Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Ciryl Gane main event.
The UFC returns again Saturday for another event as UFC Fight Night 186 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streams on ESPN+.
February’s third heavyweight headliner tops the card. This time it’s contenders [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) who are set to clash in a matchup scheduled for five rounds.
For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 40 pre-event facts about UFC Fight Night 186.
This is the third event the rematch has been scheduled to take place on.
Once again, the rematch between [autotag] Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] and [autotag]Jimmie Rivera[/autotag] has a new date.
The bout between the two bantamweight contenders has been rescheduled for a second time and is now set for Feb. 27 at UFC Fight Night 186 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Two people with knowledge of the booking recently informed MMA Junkie of the rescheduling but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA Fighting was the first to mention the rescheduling.
The rematch between Munhoz (18-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) and Rivera (23-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) was originally scheduled for Jan. 30, then it was moved to UFC 258 on Feb. 13. The most recent switch was due to a positive COVID-19 test.
[lawrence-related id=589106,589072,589055]
In November 2015, Rivera defeated Munhoz in a back-and-forth battle at UFC Fight Night 77. Since then, Rivera has gone 5-3. He most recently snapped a two-fight losing skid with a unanimous decision win over Cody Stamann at UFC on ESPN 13 in July.
After notching three straight wins, including a knockout over former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt, Munhoz has dropped two in a row to current title challenger Aljamain Sterling and former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.
With the addition, the UFC Fight Night 186 lineup includes:
[vertical-gallery id=547338]
The bantamweight fight will be rescheduled at the first available opportunity after a reported COVID positive.
UFC 258 is down a fight, and COVID-19 is the reported culprit.
A bantamweight bout between [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] and [autotag]Jimmie Rivera[/autotag] has been pulled from the card due to a positive coronavirus test result by one of the competitors, who was not identified.
MMA Fighting initially reported the news Tuesday. Both UFC.com and UFC promotional partner ESPN have since yanked the bout from their UFC 258 lineup pages.
The bout is expected to rescheduled as soon as possible.
An 140-pound catchweight fight between Andre Ewell and Chris Gutierrez, which had been originally moved from UFC Fight Night 184 to the UFC 258 prelims, has now been bumped up to the main card.
UFC 258 will he be held Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and will be headlined by welterweight champion Kamaru Usman’s title defense against Gilbert Burns.
[vertical-gallery id=391998]
