Tag: Rose Namajunas

UFC Edmonton review: Is Brandon Moreno still a title threat? Did Erin Blanchfield show evolution?

Brandon Moreno and Erin Blanchfield both came through with big wins at UFC Edmonton. We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

Big things are happening in both the UFC men’s and women’s flyweight divisions.

This past Saturday at UFC Fight Night 246, former UFC champion [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] returned after taking a break from MMA competition to defeat streaking contender [autotag]Amir Albazi[/autotag] in the main event. In the co-main, [autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag] got her hand raised after going toe to toe in a hard-fought decision with former champion [autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag].

What’s next for Moreno and, more importantly, is he still a threat to the title? Did Blanchfield show evolution, and should UFC grant her wish to fight Alexa Grasso?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Nolan King, Danny Segura and host Gorgeous “George” discuss the performances and what should come next for the fighters involved.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/G_MvMlbjAX0

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Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: Brandon Moreno’s return, Belal Muhammad out of UFC 310, Max Holloway’s move

On “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses Brandon Moreno’s return, Belal Muhammad’s UFC 310 withdrawal and much more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Nolan King and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate the following topics:

  • UFC Fight Night 246 went down Saturday in Canada and left us with two key results at men’s and women’s flyweight. In the main event, former champion [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] successfully returned to action after taking a break from the sport by dominating [autotag]Amir Albazi[/autotag] in a unanimous decision win. Also, [autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag] outpointed [autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag] in a hard-fought decision to cement herself as a top title contender. What happens next? We discuss.
  • Bad news. UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] suffered a foot injury and was forced out of his title bout against [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] in the main event of UFC 310. This leaves a big hole to fill since the bout was scheduled to headline the final pay-per-view of the year. Should the UFC implement an interim title? If so, who should fight for it? We react to Muhammad’s injury and how it impacts both UFC 310 and the welterweight division.  
  • A lot of news went down this past week, including fight bookings and retirements. Former UFC champion [autotag]Germaine de Randamie[/autotag] announced her retirement from the sport; the UFC booked a key welterweight bout between [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] and [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] for December; and featherweight all-time great [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] revealed he is moving back up to lightweight. We analyze those headlines and more.
  • We close out the show by previewing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 247 event in Las Vegas. We break down the welterweight bout between [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] and rising contender [autotag]Carlos Prates[/autotag] headlining the card, along with other standout bouts.

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UFC Fight Night 246 post-event facts: Edmonton return produces third-longest card in UFC history

Check out all the facts from UFC Fight Night 246, which was the third-longest event in UFC history in terms of fight time.

UFC Fight Night 246 on Saturday opened the promotion’s November event schedule with a 13-fight lineup that went down at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

In the main event, former flyweight champion [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] (22-8-2 MMA, 10-4-2 UFC) returned from a self-imposed hiatus with force to batter and bloody [autotag]Amir Albazi[/autotag] (17-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) for five rounds en route to a unanimous decision.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC Fight Night 246.

* * * *

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The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $196,500.

[autotag]Dustin Stoltzfus[/autotag], [autotag]Jasmine Jasudavicius[/autotag], [autotag]Charles Jourdain[/autotag], [autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag]. earned $50,000 UFC Fight Night 246 fight-night bonuses.

UFC Fight Night 246 had an announced attendance of 16,439 for a live gate of $2,600,463.

Betting favorites went 11-2 on the card.

Betting favorites improved to 27-10 in UFC headliners this year.

Total fight time for the 13-bout card was 3:06:38.

The 3:06:38 of total fight time marked the third-longest event in UFC history behind UFC 263 (3:19:32) and UFC 251 (3:07:27).

Moreno improved to 7-3-2 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in September 2019.

Moreno’s 10 victories in UFC flyweight competition are tied for fourth-most in divisional history behind Demetrious Johnson (13), Joseph Benavidez (13) and Alexandre Pantoja (12).

Moreno has earned four of his 10 UFC victories by decision.

Albazi has suffered both of his career losses by decision.

Albazi has completed at least one takedown against all six of his UFC opponents.

[autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has earned four of her seven UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag] (13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC) fell to 2-2 since she moved up to the women’s flyweight division in September 2023.

Namajunas has suffered five of her seven career losses by decision.

[autotag]Brendson Ribeiro[/autotag] (16-7 MMA, 1-2 UFC) earned the first decision victory of his career.

[autotag]Caio Machado[/autotag] (8-4-1 MMA, 0-3 UFC) was unsuccessful in his light heavyweight debut.

Machado has suffered all four of his career losses by decision.

[autotag]Jasmine Jasudavicius[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) has earned both of her UFC stoppage victories by submission.

[autotag]Ariane da Silva[/autotag] (17-10 MMA, 6-7 UFC) suffered the first submission loss of her career.

[autotag]Dustin Stoltzfus[/autotag] (15-7 MMA, 2-6 UFC) has earned two of his three UFC victories by stoppage.

[autotag]Mike Malott[/autotag] (11-2-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) earned the first decision victory of his career.

[autotag]Trevin Giles[/autotag] (16-7 MMA, 7-7 UFC) fell to 2-4 since he dropped to the welterweight division in January 2022.

Giles suffered the first decision loss of his career.

[autotag]Aiemann Zahabi[/autotag]’s (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) five-fight UFC winning streak at bantamweight is tied for the third-longest active streak in the division behind Merab Dvalishvili (10) and Mario Bautista (seven).

Zahabi has earned four of his six UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] (20-10 MMA, 10-10 UFC) fell to 1-5 with one no contest in his past seven fights dating back to August 2021.

Munhoz has suffered all 10 of his career losses by decision.

[autotag]Charles Jourdain[/autotag] (16-8-1 MMA, 7-7-1 UFC) was successful in his UFC bantamweight debut.

Jourdain has earned 14 of his 16 career victories by stoppage.

[autotag]Victor Henry[/autotag] (24-7 MMA, 3-2 UFC) suffered his first stoppage loss with a submission defeat.

[autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag] (16-5-1 MMA, 6-3-1 UFC) improved to 3-0 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in March 2024.

Zalal has earned 13 of his 16 career victories by stoppage.

[autotag]Jack Shore[/autotag] (17-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) fell to 1-2 since he moved up to the featherweight division in March 2023.

Shore has suffered all three of his career losses by stoppage.

Shore has suffered two of his three career losses by submission.

[autotag]Chad Anheliger[/autotag] (13-8 MMA, 1-3 UFC) has suffered two of his three UFC losses by decision.

[autotag]Jamey-Lyn Horth[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has earned both of her UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Ivana Petrovic[/autotag] (7-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) has suffered both of her career losses by decision.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 246.

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

UFC Fight Night 246 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: 2024 total passes $7 million

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program has now paid out more than $7 million to athletes in 2024.

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 246 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $196,500.

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 Fight Night 246 took place at Rogers Place. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC Fight Night 246 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Amir Albazi[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Brendson Ribeiro[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Caio Machado[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jasmine Jasudavicius[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Ariane da Silva[/autotag]: $11,000

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

[autotag]Mike Malott[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Trevin Giles[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Aiemann Zahabi[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Charles Jourdain[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Victor Henry[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jack Shore[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Alexandr Romanov[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Rodrigo Nascimento[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Serhiy Sidey[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Garrett Armfield[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Cody Gibson[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Chad Anheliger[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Jamey-Lyn Horth[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ivana Petrovic[/autotag]: $4,000

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 2461 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: $7,092,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $29,829,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 246.

UFC Fight Night 246 results: Erin Blanchfield rallies to beat Rose Namajunas, calls out Alexa Grasso

After a rough first two rounds, Erin Blanchfield turned things around to beat Rose Namajunas at UFC Edmonton.

[autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag] turned up the volume, aggression and damage just in time to get the victory.

After a lackadaisical opening two rounds, Blanchfield (13-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) rallied in the final three of the UFC Fight Night 246 co-main event Saturday to defeat former strawweight champion [autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag] (13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC) by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47). The women’s flyweight bout was the co-main event at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Namajunas puzzled Blanchfield with footwork, jabs, and movement in the first 10 minutes. Blanchfield appeared the much slower fighter and seemed to be stuck on a similar loop as to the unsuccessful game plan execution that transpired in her loss to Manon Fiorot in March.

Blanchfield began to come alive in Round 3, however, when she took Namajunas down and controlled her. In Round 4, Blanchfield’s striking found its home as Namajunas appeared to slow in volume and attack of her own.

Round 5, Blanchfield’s corner lit a fire under its fighter and she came out swinging with full aggression. She took Namajunas down and entered the crucifix position. Namajunas defended well, but ended up in a non-dominant position for the remainder of the fight.

When the dust settled, Blanchfield had swept the judges. She was emotional on the microphone, but still issued a challenge to former champion Alexa Grasso, who she’d like to fight next.

Blanchfield bounces back from her first UFC loss, which came against Fiorot in March. The defeat was a fairly lopsided unanimous decision. Prior to that bump in the road, Blanchfield racked up wins over Sarah Alpar, Miranda Maverick, JJ Aldrich, Molly McCann, Jessica Andrade and Taila Santos.

As for Namajunas, her two-fight winning streak is snapped. She moves to 2-2 since moving to flyweight in 2023.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 246 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 246.

Erin Blanchfield def. Rose Namajunas at UFC Fight Night 246: Best photos from Edmonton

Check out the best photos from Erin Blanchfield’s unanimous decision win over Rose Namajunas at UFC Fight Night 246.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag]’s unanimous decision win over [autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag] at UFC Fight Night 246 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photos by Perry Nelson, USA TODAY Sports; MMA Junkie; UFC)

UFC Fight Night 246: Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 246 odds between Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas, with MMA picks and predictions.

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In a 5-round women’s flyweight bout in the co-main event, Erin Blanchfield and Rose Namajunas meet Saturday at UFC Fight Night 246 — also known as UFC on ESPN+ 104 — at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s UFC odds around the UFC Fight Night 246: Blanchfield vs. Namajunas odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims begin at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+, while the main card begins at 8 p.m. ET.

Records: Blanchfield (12-2-0) | Namajunas (14-6-0)

Blanchfield suffered a unanimous-decision loss against Manon Fiorot March 30 in a Fight Night main event. It was her first loss at the UFC level after winning her first 6 fights with the company. She has ended up going the distance in 4 of her 7 UFC fights, while recording 3 submission victories.

Namajunas has recorded 2 straight unanimous-decisions wins over Amanda Ribas and Tracy Cortez, and she has ended up going the distance in 5 consecutive fights.

Blanchfield has a slight 1-inch reach advantage over “Thug,” and she has a 5.47-to-3.70 significant strikes landed per minute advantage. Blanchfield is much more accurate with those strikes, too, hitting at a 54.04% clip, while Namajunas lands just 46.66% of those significant strikes.

In the takedown average, Blanchfield has managed a 2.05 mark, while Namajunas checks in at 1.55. Namajunas is much more accurate in takedown accuracy, posting an impressive 53.19% mark, while Blanchfield has a solid 1.02 submission average.

Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC Fight Night 246: Blanchfield vs. Namajunas odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of UFC odds. Lines last updated at 12:20 p.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Blanchfield -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Namajunas +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -250 | No +175)

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UFC Fight Night 246: Blanchfield vs. Namajunas picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

BLANCHFIELD (-140) is an outstanding play straight up. As long as she can avoid going to the mat with Namajunas (+115) — where the former 2-time strawweight champ is at her best — Blanchfield will get the job done.

This is a fight that should be able to go the distance. Backing BLANCHFIELD BY DECISION/TECHNICAL DECISION (+125) at plus-money to win on points has good value, too, if you want to get specific. However, playing the moderate favorite straight isn’t terrible and gives you a win if she gets a KO/TKO or submission, too. It really depends on how conservative of a bettor you are.

Over/Under (O/U)

Yes: Fight to go the distance (-250) will cost you 2½ times your potential return, and that’s quite expensive straight up. However, as part of a multi-leg parlay, it can be excused tossing it in.

However, AVOID playing this prop by itself.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.

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Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas prediction, pick, start time for UFC Fight Night 246

How will Erin Blanchfield respond after her first UFC loss in the UFC Figtht Night 246 co-main event against former champion Rose Namajunas?

[autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag] and [autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag] meet Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 246 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 1-4
UFC main cards, 2024: 90-85-3

Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas UFC Fight Night 246 preview

Blanchfield (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) returns to action after her first loss in the UFC, which came against Manon Fiorot in a March main event clash. The flyweight title hopeful won her first six UFC bouts, including stoppages of JJ Aldrich, Molly McCann and former strawweight champ Jessica Andrade. … Standing in Blanchfield’s way will be another former 115-pound champ, Namajunas (13-6 MMA, 11-5 UFC). “Thug’s” last loss also came against Fiorot last September in her flyweight debut. Since then, Namajunas rebounded with a pair of unanimous decision wins over Amanda Ribas and Tracy Cortez, bringing her 125-pound UFC record to 2-1.

Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas UFC Fight Night 246 expert pick, prediction

The co-main event in Canada is an important women’s bantamweight bout between Blanchfield and Namajunas.

Despite one fighter coming off a win and the other coming off of a loss, I like the matchmaking here.

Namajunas has looked much healthier up at flyweight, so I’m still leaving some room to be surprised about having a statement performance in this division.

Blanchfield, on the other hand, is coming off her first loss in a long time and will be looking to show out in an important bounce-back spot.

From a stylistic perspective, I believe Blanchfield should have a straightforward path in this fight.

As long as Blanchfield doesn’t get stuck outside of Namajunas’ jab, then the New Jersey native’s consistent work rate and grappling pressure should be able to tip the tempo and scorecards in her favor.

Namajunas has the striking and wrestling to keep Blanchfield off of her, but the former strawweight champ still shows some lapses in focus during five-round affairs.

The pick is Blanchfield by decision.

Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas UFC Fight Night 246 odds

The oddsmakers and public favor the younger fighter, listing Blanchfield -138 and Namajunas +112 via FanDuel.

Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas UFC Fight Night 246 start time, how to watch

As the co-main event, Blanchfield and Namajunas are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 10:05 p.m. ET (7:05 p.m. PT). The fight will stream on ESPN+.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 246.

UFC Edmonton weigh-in video: Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas official for five-round clash

Erin Blanchfield and former champ Rose Namajunas made weight for their five-round UFC Edmonton co-main event.

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada – A high-stakes matchup in the women’s flyweight division is one step close to reality after [autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag] and [autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag] made weight for UFC Fight Night 246.

Blanchfield (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC), a 25-year-old standout, will look to rebound from her first octagon loss when she takes on two-time strawweight champion Namajunas (13-6 MMA, 11-5 UFC), who has won two of three since changing divisions, in a five-round bout Saturday at Rogers Place (ESPN+).

Both women had to make weight Friday at the UFC host hotel before they can share the octagon, though, and they did their part. Blanchfield stepped on the scale at 125.5 pounds, while Namajunas was 1 25 pounds even.

Check out the video above to see Blanchfield and Namajunas make weight for the UFC Fight Night 246 co-headliner.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 246.

UFC Edmonton preview: Moreno vs. Albazi winner gets title shot? Can Blanchfield bounce back vs. Namajunas?

Could the winner of Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi get the next title shot at flyweight? We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

UFC returns this weekend with a Fight Night event in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, which features two very important flyweight bouts.

On the men’s side, former champion [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] returns from a short break from MMA to welcome [autotag]Amir Albazi[/autotag] back to competition after a series of surgeries. On the women’s side, ex-UFC strawweight titleholder [autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag] looks to extend her winning streak by taking on young contender [autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag].

Who will leave UFC Fight Night 246 with their hands raised? Could the respective winners in each flyweight bout potentially get the next shot at the title in their divisions?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Dan Tom, Danny Segura, and host “Gorgeous” George preview the main and co-main event of UFC Fight Night 246 and look at the potential upside for the winners of Saturday’s card.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/h6-QMNMPZ9A

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