Tag: Roxanne Modafferi

Roxanne Modafferi cites pursuit of evolution as key to MMA longevity

Roxanne Modafferi cites pursuit of evolution as key to MMA longevity

Roxanne Modafferi cites pursuit of evolution as key to MMA longevity

Andrea Lee inspired by Roxanne Modafferi’s longevity ahead of UFC on ESPN+35 clash

Andrea Lee had a lot of nice things to say about her UFC on ESPN+ 35 opponent in advance of their second meeting.

[autotag]Andrea Lee[/autotag] won’t do any trash talk in the lead-up to her next UFC bout.

The 31-year-old flyweight contender returns to the octagon Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 35 in a rematch against veteran [autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag]. Lee (11-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) fought Modafferi in 2014 for her third professional fight. Although Lee was new to the game at the time, Modafferi had already been fighting for more than 10 years and had almost 30 professional fights.

Six years later, they meet again, this time with both in the UFC flyweight top 10. Lee is impressed and admires Modafferi’s longevity in the sport.

“Roxanne does surprise me, but she does inspire me,” Lee told MMA Junkie at the UFC on ESPN+ 35 virtual media day. “The fact that she’s still in the UFC, has been in the top 10, like, she came back. She was cut from the UFC, went to Invicta FC, went on a winning streak and then got called back to the UFC, and she’s been in the UFC ever since — that’s super impressive and very inspiring to me.”

Lee, who lost to Modafferi via split decision in their first bout, is not surprised to be getting booked against “The Happy Warrior.” Lee had a feeling the two would get matched up again at some point.

“It doesn’t surprise me that her and I are matched up again,” Lee said. “I knew that was going to happen eventually. I’ve had people that are always asking me at the end of every fight, ‘You need to call out Roxanne,’ and I’m like, ‘No, because I don’t like to call out people.’

[lawrence-related id=551037,551021,550836]

“But people have been wanting for this match to happen and I always thought it was going to happen on its own time and it worked out perfectly. We both lost to Lauren (Murphy), she was our last opponent, and I had a feeling that they were going to match us up. When I got the call and the name was Roxy I was like, ‘I knew it. I knew it. I knew it.’ But I’m ready and I think it’s time. We’re both in the top 10 and I think it’s time we rematch. It’s in the UFC and we’re getting paid a lot more, can’t ask more than that.”

[lawrence-related id=550716,551021]

Lee is now a veteran compared to when she first fought Modafferi. “KGB” hopes to change the outcome this time around and prove she’s a much-improved fighter.

“I don’t feel like I’m going out there to avenge anything because that was so long ago, but it’s exciting to get to rematch with Roxy and show how much better I have gotten since then because when I fought Roxy that was my third pro fight,” Lee said. “She had already something like 20 pro fights so I was a young up-and-comer and we took that fight on short notice because we thought it was going to be a great fight and it was.

“I lost a split decision, it was close. I learned a lot about that fight and I learned a lot about my career and I feel like I’ve gotten so much better because I feel like I learned a lot from that loss alone and every loss since then. I’m excited to go out there and prove that I could win that fight, that night just wasn’t my night.”

[vertical-gallery id=531299]

Andrea Lee, Roxanne Modafferi agree to Sept. 12 UFC Fight Night bout

Andrea Lee and Roxanne Modafferi both will look to get back in the win column when they square off.

The UFC is already beginning to map out its September slate.

A women’s flyweight matchup between [autotag]Andrea Lee[/autotag] and [autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag] is expected to take place Sept. 12 in Las Vegas. Although the fight is not finalized, verbal agreements are in place.

Two people with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the targeted booking Wednesday but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an announcement.

No other Sept. 12 UFC fights have been made public or reported at this time, and the promotion has not made an official announcement pertaining to the event date or location.

[lawrence-related id=531238,531233,531107]

Lee (11-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) will look to snap a two-fight losing streak. After winning her first three promotional outings, Lee has dropped back-to-back split decisions to Joanne Calderwood and Lauren Murphy.

Modafferi (24-17 MMA, 3-4 UFC) competed as recently as June 20, losing a unanimous decision to Murphy at UFC on ESPN 11. Since her UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale in December 2017, Modafferi has alternated wins and losses during her promotional tenure.

[vertical-gallery id=344563]

[vertical-gallery id=481454]

UFC on ESPN 11 salaries: Jim Miller leads the pack with six-figure payday

Jim Miller walked away with a six-figure payday after UFC on ESPN 11.

[autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag] walked away with a six-figure payday after UFC on EPSN 11.

After choking out rising lightweight fighter [autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag] in the first round of their main card bout Saturday, Miller (32-14 MMA, 21-13 UFC) pocketed $208,0000.

MMA Junkie today acquired a list of fighter salaries from the Nevada Athletic Commission for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 event, which took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, airing on ESPN and streaming on ESPN+.

Miller, 36, was not the only fighter to earn a six-figure paycheck at the event.

Headline victor [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] earned $180,000 for his unanimous decision victory over [autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag]. Co-headliner participant [autotag]Josh Emmett[/autotag] took home $152,000 as a result of his back-and-forth brawl win over [autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag]. [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] earned $100,000 for his unanimous decision victory against [autotag]Lyman Good[/autotag]. Former UFC women’s bantamweight title challenger [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] collected $126,000 for her unanimous decision win against [autotag]Marion Reneau[/autotag].

The total disclosed pay for the 12-fight card was $1,655,000.

The full list of UFC on ESPN 10 salaries includes:

  • Curtis Blaydes: $180,000 (includes $90,000 win bonus) def. Alexander Volkov: $80,000
  • Josh Emmett: $152,000 (includes $76,000 win bonus) def. Shane Burgos: $75,000
  • Raquel Pennington: $126,000 (includes $63,000 win bonus) def. Marion Reneau $38,000
  • Belal Muhammad: $100,000 (includes $50,000 win bonus) def. Lyman Good: $28,000
  • Jim Miller: $208,000 (includes $104,000 win bonus) def. Roosevelt Roberts: $25,000
  • [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag]: $72,000 (includes $36,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Clay Guida[/autotag]: $73,000
  • [autotag]Tecia Torres[/autotag]: $96,000 (includes $48,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Brianna van Buren[/autotag]: $14,000
  • [autotag]Marc-Andre Barriault[/autotag]: $28,000 (includes $14,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Oskar Piechota[/autotag]: $20,000
  • [autotag]Gillian Robertson[/autotag]: $50,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Cortney Casey[/autotag]: $53,000
  • [autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag]: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Frank Camacho[/autotag]: $25,000
  • [autotag]Lauren Murphy[/autotag]: $76,000 (includes $38,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag]: $50,000
  • [autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag]: $50,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus) def. [autotag]Max Rohskopf[/autotag]: $12,000

The figures do not include deductions for items such as insurance, licenses and taxes. Additionally, the figures do not include money paid by sponsors, including the official UFC on ESPN 11 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay. They also do not include any other “locker room” or special discretionary bonuses the UFC sometimes pays. They also do not include pay-per-view cuts that some top-level fighters receive.

For example, UFC officials also handed out a “Fight of the Night” bonus to Emmett and Burgos – and two $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonuses to Jaynes and Miller.

In other words, the above figures are simply base salaries reported to the commission and do not reflect entire compensation packages for the event.

[vertical-gallery id=528526]

[vertical-gallery id=528604]

UFC on ESPN 11 post-event facts: Curtis Blaydes’ takedowns make history

Check out all the facts and figures from UFC on ESPN 11, which saw Curtis Blaydes defeat Alexander Volkov in Las Vegas.

The UFC’s run of events continued Saturday with UFC on ESPN 11, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and aired on ESPN/ESPN+.

The main event featured a historic performance from [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who beat [autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag] (31-8 MMA, 5-2 UFC) by unanimous decision with the help of a record number of takedowns landed.

It was one of several notable happenings to occur on the card. For more on the numbers, check below for 55 post-event facts to come out of UFC on ESPN 11.

[lawrence-related id=528787,528750]

* * * *

General

[vertical-gallery id=528604]

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $178,500.

Debuting fighters went 1-1 at the event.

[autotag]Josh Emmett[/autotag], [autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag], [autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag] and [autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag] earned $50,000 UFC on ESPN 11 fight-night bonuses.

UFC on ESPN 11 drew an announced attendance of zero for a live gate of $0.

Betting favorites went 7-5 on the card.

Betting favorites improved to 9-6 (currently 8-6) in UFC headliners this year.

Total fight time for the 12-bout card was 2:32:32.

Main card

[vertical-gallery id=528526]

Blaydes’ four-fight UFC winning streak in heavyweight competition is tied with Francis Ngannou and Augusto Sakai for the longest active streak in the division.

Blaydes’ 14 takedowns landed set the single-fight record for a UFC heavyweight bout.

Blaydes’ 14 takedowns landed are tied for the third most in a single UFC fight behind Khabib Nurmagomedov (21 at UFC 160) and Sean Sherk (16 at UFC 73).

Blaydes’ 59 takedowns landed in UFC heavyweight competition are most in divisional history.

Volkov fell to 7-2 since his final Bellator bout in June 2015.

Volkov has suffered four of his seven career losses by decision.

Emmett (16-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) improved to 5-1 since he dropped to the UFC featherweight division in October 2017.

Emmett has landed 10 knockdowns in his past six fights.

Emmett’s 10 knockdowns landed in UFC featherweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Jeremy Stephens (11).

Burgos (13-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) suffered the first decision loss of his career.

[autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag]’s (11-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC) eight victories in UFC women’s bantamweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Amanda Nunes (11).

Pennington’s total fight time of 3:07:33 in UFC women’s bantamweight competition is most in divisional history.

Pennington has earned six of her eight UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Marion Reneau[/autotag]’s (9-6-1 MMA, 5-5-1 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of her career. She hasn’t earned a victory since February 2018.

Reneau has suffered all six of her career losses by decision.

[autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] (17-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) improved to 7-1 in his past eight fights dating back to February 2017. His lone defeat came against Geoff Neal at UFC on ESPN+ 1.

Muhammad has earned 12 of his 17 career victories by decision. That includes six of his eight UFC wins.

[autotag]Lyman Good[/autotag] (21-6 MMA, 3-3 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over his past six fights.

Good has suffered five of his six career losses by decision.

Miller’s (32-14 MMA, 21-13 UFC) 21 victories in UFC competition are third most in company history behind Donald Cerrone (23) and Demian Maia (22).

Miller’s 10 submission victories in UFC competition are tied with Royce Gracie for third most in history behind Charles Oliveira (14) and Demian Maia (11).

Miller’s 43 submission attempts in UFC competition are the most in company history.

[autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag] (10-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) suffered the first submission loss of his career.

Preliminary card

[autotag]Clay Guida[/autotag] (35-20 MMA, 15-14 UFC) fell to 3-3 since he returned to the UFC lightweight division in June 2017.

Guida’s 54 takedowns landed in UFC lightweight competition are third most in divisional history behind Gleison Tibau (84) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (57).

[autotag]Tecia Torres[/autotag]’ (11-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) snapped her four-fight losing skid for her first victory since December 2017.

Torres’ seven victories in UFC strawweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Joanna Jedrzejczyk (10).

Torres has earned 10 of her 11 career victories by decision.

[autotag]Brianna Van Buren[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has suffered all three of her career losses by decision.

[autotag]Marc-Andre Barriault[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 1-3 UFC) snapped his three-fight losing skid for his first victory since September 2018.

[autotag]Oskar Piechota[/autotag] (11-4-1 MMA, 2-4 UFC) has suffered four consecutive losses after starting his career on a 12-fight unbeaten streak.

Piechota has suffered all four of his career losses by stoppage.

[autotag]Gillian Robertson[/autotag]’s (8-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) five victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are tied with Valentina Shevchenko and Katlyn Chookagian for most in divisional history.

Robertson’s five stoppage victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are most in divisional history.

Robertson’s four submission victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are most in divisional history.

[autotag]Cortney Casey[/autotag] (9-8 MMA, 4-7 UFC) fell to 1-1 since she moved up to the UFC women’s flyweight division in May.

Casey fell to 2-4 in her past six fights since January 2017.

Casey has suffered both of her career stoppage losses by submission.

[autotag]Frank Camacho[/autotag] (22-9 MMA, 2-5 uFC) fell to 2-3 since he dropped to the UFC lightweight division in November 2017.

Camacho has suffered seven of his nine career losses by stoppage.

[autotag]Lauren Murphy[/autotag] (13-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) improved to 4-1 since she dropped to the UFC flyweight division in December 2017.

Murphy’s three-fight UFC winning streak at women’s flyweight is tied for the second longest active streak in the division behind Shevchenko (five).

Murphy’s four victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are tied for fourth most in divisional history behind Shevchenko (five), Chookagian (five) and Robertson (five).

[autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag] (24-17 MMA, 3-5 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over her past eight fights.

Modafferi has suffered 13 of her 17 career losses by decision. That includes all five of her UFC defeats.

[autotag]Max Rohskopf[/autotag] (5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) had his five-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of his career.

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

UFC on ESPN 11 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: 2020 total passes $2.5 million

UFC on ESPN 11 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $178,500.

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 on ESPN 11 took place at the UFC Apex. The card aired on ESPN and ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 11 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Josh Emmett[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Marion Reneau[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Lyman Good[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Clay Guida[/autotag]: $20,000

[autotag]Tecia Torres[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Brianna Van Buren[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Marc-Andre Barriault[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Oskar Piechota[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Gillian Robertson[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Cortney Casey[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Frank Camacho[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Lauren Murphy[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Max Rohskopf[/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: $2,603,000
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: $33,607,500

Fight Tracks: The walkout songs of UFC on ESPN 11

Check out all the fighter walkout songs from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 event.

While it takes intense training, world-class skills and maybe even a bit of luck to register a UFC win, picking the right song to accompany you to the cage is a key talent, as well.

See what the fighters from UFC on ESPN 11 went with as their backing tracks in Las Vegas.

* * * *

Curtis Blaydes def. Alexander Volkov via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46)

[autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag]: “Encounter The Ultimate (Theme From Mortal Kombat)” by The Immortals

[autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag]: “25/17” by Zima Mama

Josh Emmett def. Shane Burgos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

[autotag]Josh Emmett[/autotag]: “Pain”/”Refuse 2 Lose”/”Sky Is The Limit” by Pusha T/Brotha Lynch Hung/Rebelution

[autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag]: “Invincible” by Machine Gun Kelly feat. Ester Dean

Raquel Pennington def. Marion Reneau via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

[autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag]: “Until We Rich” by Ice Cube feat. Krayzie Bone

[autotag]Marion Reneau[/autotag]: “Sprinkle Me” by E-40 feat. Suga-T

Belal Muhammad def. Lyman Good via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

[autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag]: “Remember Me” by Boss Sayf

[autotag]Lyman Good[/autotag]: “Destiny” by NF

Jim Miller def. Roosevelt Roberts via verbal submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:25

[autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag]: “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” by Kiss

[autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag]: “Thug Life” by Rod Wave

RESULT

[autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag]: “On God” by RJMrLA

[autotag]Clay Guida[/autotag]: “5 Minutes Alone” by Pantera

Tecia Torres def. Brianna Van Buren via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

[autotag]Tecia Torres[/autotag]: “Ivy Queen” by Vamos A Guerrear feat. Nengo Flow

[autotag]Brianna Van Buren[/autotag]: “Strong Will Continue” by Nad & Damian Marley

Marc-Andre Barriault def. Oskar Piechota via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:50

[autotag]Marc-Andre Barriault[/autotag]: “Grateful” by NEFFEX

[autotag]Oskar Piechota[/autotag]: “Nowiny” by Paktofonika

Gillian Robertson def. Cortney Casey via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:32

[autotag]Gillian Robertson[/autotag]: “P.I.M.P.” by 50 Cent

[autotag]Cortney Casey[/autotag]: “Mr. Officer” by Tee Grizzley feat. Queen Naija

Justin Jaynes def. Frank Camacho via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:41

[autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag]: “People Back Home” by Florida Georgia Line

[autotag]Frank Camacho[/autotag]: “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor

Lauren Murphy def. Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

[autotag]Lauren Murphy[/autotag]: “Time For Sum Aksion” by Redman

[autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag]: “Run” by Foo Fighters

Austin Hubbard def. Max Rohskopf via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00

[autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag]: “At My Leisure (Freestyle)” by Steelo Bass

[autotag]Max Rohskopf[/autotag]: “Pony” by Ginuwine

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

UFC on ESPN 11 results: Lauren Murphy downs Roxanne Modafferi for third straight win

Don’t look now, but Lauren Murphy is blitzing her way up the UFC women’s flyweight division.

[autotag]Lauren Murphy[/autotag] has been doing this for a decade, and her veteran experience is finally starting to pay off.

Murphy (13-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) met up with a fellow veteran Saturday night in a flyweight bout when she faced [autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag]. Murphy used a patient but effective approach to earn the unanimous decision on the undercard of UFC on ESPN 11.

The judges’ scores at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas were 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28, as Murphy won for the third consecutive time and fourth in her past five fights.

Murphy set the tone in the opening round, landing at a higher volume than her opponent. A clean right hand late in the round that stunned Modafferi (24-17 MMA, 3-4 UFC) was the round’s most telling blow.

Modafferi rebounded with her best round in the second. While Murphy wasn’t without her moments, Modafferi was the one who pressed the action, moved forward, outgrappled Murphy, and outworked her in the clinch.

[lawrence-related id=528520,528223]

Murphy, however, doubled down in the third round and appeared to be the fighter with more gas left in the tank. This time around, Murphy once again pressed the action, countered well when Modafferi tried to pick up the tempo, stymied her opponent’s grappling attempts, and added a late takedown to seal the deal.

The victory was the fifth via decision in Murphy’s career. Modafferi has now dropped two of her past three bouts.

Up to the minute UFC on ESPN 11 results:

  • Lauren Murphy def. Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Austin Hubbard def. Max Rohskopf via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00

Top 10 fighters meeting on prelims? Roxanne Modafferi excited for an early dinner

While bout orders aren’t always an exact science, Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 has one fight that seems in a bit of an odd spot.

LAS VEGAS – While bout orders aren’t always an exact science, Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 has one fight that seems in a bit of an odd spot.

[autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag] (24-16 MMA, 3-4 UFC) and [autotag]Lauren Murphy[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC) face off in just the second fight of the night in a prelim that airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+ from UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

According to the UFC’s own rankings, Modafferi sits at No. 6 in the women’s flyweight division, with Murphy checking in behind at No. 7, and the winner could very well be in discussion for an upcoming No. 1 contender bout. Yet two will meet at approximately 2:30 p.m. PT local time, some five hours before the night’s headliners enter the cage.

“I’ve gone back and forth on that,” Modafferi told MMA Junkie. “At first, when I heard about it, I was very surprised and I was disappointed, and then I thought, ‘It’s fine. Whatever. You’re still going to beat her, and you’re going to make your money. You’re going to rise in the ranks, and it doesn’t matter.’

“I’m not on any media day. I don’t have any interviews. I don’t really feel that important. But I’m kind of used to it. I’m not a super cute, young, up-and-comer star. I think I’m going to have a hard path back up to the title. Lauren’s probably about the same. We’re both veterans. I don’t know. I’m just going to operate in the UFC system and take what fights and cards that they offer me, and since I’m early, I’ll be able to get out early and go eat Mexican food with my team. Fiesta Mexicana, here I come.”

It’s the type of positivity you’d expect from Modafferi, the 17-year veteran known as “The Happy Warrior.” In fact, even that matchup, itself, was booked largely because she and Murphy have such respect for each other’s body of work, they asked to be paired together.

“As I looked at the top-10, five of them have missed weight, and I don’t do well with women that miss weight,” Modafferi said. “I’m not saying that I lost because they missed weight, but to be real, my only losses outside of the title fight were to women who missed weight. I beat everybody else.

“We’re ranked next to each other, so we’re both like, ‘Yeah, this seems good.’ Let’s do it. That’s how that came on.”

Modafferi looks to build on the strength of a decision win over formerly undefeated prospect Maycee Barber in January. The upset result caught plenty of attention at the time, but Modafferi said she doesn’t put too much stock in one performance.

[lawrence-related id=527974,527759]

“I think every win is huge at this point for me,” Modafferi said. “I don’t know. It’s very interesting how people’s perspectives are different. It felt like a good win, I’ll say that.”

It wasn’t the first time Modafferi has unseated a rising contender, having downed a then-undefeated Antonina Shevchenko in 2019. She’s been a bit of a “prospect killer” as of late, but Modafferi said she hasn’t made that a priority.

“I guess cool if I’m known like that,” Modafferi said. “That’s fine. I just want to keep winning and keep beating up other ladies in my division.”

To that end, Modafferi has used her time in isolation during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to better herself as a martial artist. At 37, Modafferi appears to be physically in the best shape of her life, and she credits added strength training with Lorenzo Pavlica, wrestling sessions with Neil Melanson and Tywan Claxton and continued striking training with A.J. Matthews for her improvement during quarantine.

Now that Syndicate MMA is operational once again, Modafferi believes her work is all coming together under the watch of John Wood.

“I try to put on a strong front, but things are really crazy,” Modafferi said. “Up and down. Huge emotional rollercoaster all the time. I was super stressed. I wasn’t sure if I should leave the house, but man, I think it’s been one of the best times in my life, to be honest with you.

“I really got to focus 100 percent on myself. I feel like I really made strength gains, and I couldn’t wait to get back to Syndicate to try out all this new and improved stuff on my teammates, which finally happed, thank goodness. So part one of my training camp was basically in a garage and at the park. Then part two was Syndicate opened up again, and I got to back back in the cage and train with the team again.”

Modafferi will get to put her work to the test on Saturday. Is the fight scheduled where it should be on the night’s lineup? Perhaps not. But that doesn’t matter once the bell sounds.

Nearly two decades into her professional career, Modafferi believes she’s reached a new level and is anxious to prove it.

“I’ve always felt like just a martial artist who fights, but nowadays, people have become athletes,” Modafferi said. “UFC fighters are athletes. I finally feel like I’m not behind. Before, I felt behind. … Now I feel like I’ve caught up and can hold my own, so we’ll see. Maybe I’ll feel super strong in this fight. It will be cool. I’m excited to see what happens, actually.”

[vertical-gallery id=481454]

UFC on ESPN 11 pre-event facts: Jim Miller matches Donald Cerrone’s record for most fights

The best facts and figures about UFC on ESPN 11, which features a Curtis Blaydes vs. Alexander Volkov main event.

The UFC puts on its eighth card since the coronavirus pandemic on Saturday with UFC on ESPN 11, which takes place at the UFC Apex and airs on ESPN/ESPN+.

In the main event, heavyweight contenders [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) and [autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag] (31-7 MMA, 5-1 UFC) will battle to see who moves one step closer to a title shot.

For more on the numbers behind the card, check below for 70 pre-event facts about UFC on ESPN 11.

* * * *

Main event

Curtis Blaydes

Blaydes’ three-fight UFC winning streak at heavyweight is tied for the third longest active streak in the division behind Francis Ngannou (four) and August Sakai (four).

Blaydes has earned 10 of his 13 career victories by stoppage. That includes five of his eight UFC victories.

Blaydes absorbs 1.86 significant strikes per minute in UFC heavyweight competition, the best rate among active fighters in the weight class.

Blaydes’ 45 takedowns landed in UFC heavyweight competition are most in divisional history.

Blaydes has achieved 43:03 of top control time in UFC heavyweight competition, the second most in divisional history behind Randy Couture (51:19).

Blaydes completes 55.6 percent of his takedown attempts in UFC heavyweight competition, the second-highest rate in divisional history behind Cheick Kongo (63.2 percent).

Blaydes’ takedown rate of 7.05 per 15 minutes of fighting is third highest in UFC history.

Blaydes’ 10 takedowns landed against Mark Hunt at UFC 221 tied the record for second most in a single UFC heavyweight fight behind Cain Velasquez’s 11 takedowns landed at UFC 155.

Blaydes’ three knockout victories stemming from elbow strikes in UFC competition are tied with Paul Felder for most in company history.

Alexander Volkov

Volkov is a former Bellator heavyweight champion.

Volkov is 7-1 since his final Bellator bout in June 2015.

Volkov’s average fight time of 15:00 in UFC heavyweight competition is tied for second longest in divisional history behind Blagoy Ivanov (17:00).

Volkov has earned 23 of his 31 career victories by stoppage.

Volkov lands 6.19 significant strikes per minute in UFC heavyweight competition, the second highest rate in divisional history behind Cain Velasquez (6.48).

Volkov defends 59.5 percent of all opponent significant strike attempts in UFC heavyweight competition, the best rate among active fighters in the weight class.

Volkov defends 82.8 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC heavyweight competition, the best rate in divisional history.

Co-main event

Josh Emmett

[autotag]Josh Emmett[/autotag] (15-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is 4-1 since he dropped to the UFC featherweight division in October 2017.

Emmett has landed eight knockdowns in his past five fights.

Emmett’s eight knockdowns landed in UFC featherweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Jeremy Stephens (11).

Emmett’s four knockdowns of Felipe Arantes at UFC Fight Night 118 are tied for third most in a UFC fight. Only Stephens (five) at UFC 215 and Forrest Petz (five) at UFC Fight Night 6 have scored more knockdowns in a fight.

Emmett is the only fighter in UFC history to land four knockdowns in a single round. He accomplished the feat against Arantes at UFC Fight Night 118.

Emmett defends 72 percent of all opponent significant strike attempts in UFC featherweight competition, the best rate in divisional history.

[autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag] (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) defends 90.9 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC featherweight competition, the second best rate in divisional history behind Jose Aldo (91 percent).

Burgos lands 7.09 significant strikes per minute in UFC featherweight competition, the highest rate in divisional history.

Remaining main card

Raquel Pennington at UFC 246. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

[autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (10-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC) competes in her 13th UFC women’s bantamweight bout, the most appearances in divisional history.

Pennington’s total fight time of 2:52:33 in UFC women’s bantamweight competition is most in divisional history.

Pennington’s seven victories in UFC women’s bantamweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Amanda Nunes (11).

Pennington’s two submission victories in UFC women’s bantamweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Ronda Rousey (three).

Pennington is one of six fighters in UFC history to earn a bulldog-choke submission victory. She accomplished the feat against Ashlee-Evans Smith at UFC 181.

[autotag]Marion Reneau[/autotag] (9-5-1 MMA, 5-4-1 UFC), 43, is the oldest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

Reneau competes in her 11th UFC women’s bantamweight bout, tied for the third most appearances in divisional history behind Pennington (12) and Nunes (12).

Reneau, at 40, became the oldest female fighter to earn a UFC victory when she defeated Sara McMann at UFC on FOX 28.

Reneau’s four stoppage victories in UFC women’s bantamweight competition are third most in divisional history behind Nunes (eight) and Rousey (six).

Reneau defends 65.2 percent of all opponent significant strike attempts in UFC women’s bantamweight competition, the third highest rate in divisional history behind Germaine de Randamie (66.5 percent) and Liz Carmouche (65.8 percent).

Reneau’s two submission victories in UFC women’s bantamweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Rousey (three).

Reneau’s victory at the 4:54 mark of Round 3 against Talita Oliveira at UFC Fight Night 115 is the second latest stoppage in a three-round UFC women’s bantamweight fight behind Lauren Murphy’s win at 4:55 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 83.

Reneau fought to the first draw in a women’s UFC fight when she met Bethe Correia at UFC Fight Night 106.

Jim Miller

[autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag] (31-14 MMA, 20-13 UFC) competes in his 35th UFC bout, tied with Donald Cerrone for the most appearances in company history.

Miller’s total fight time of 5:21:47 in UFC lightweight competition is most in divisional history.

Miller’s 20 victories in UFC competition are tied with Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre and Michael Bisping for third most in company history behind Cerrone (23) and Demian Maia (22).

Miller’s 19 victories in UFC lightweight competition are the most in divisional history.

Miller’s 12 stoppage victories in UFC lightweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Joe Lauzon (13).

Miller’s nine submission victories in UFC lightweight competition are most in divisional history.

Miller’s 42 submission attempts in UFC competition are the most in company history.

Miller’s 11 fight-night bonuses for UFC lightweight bouts are tied with Nate Diaz for third most in divisional history behind Cerrone (15) and Lauzon (15).

[autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag] (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) makes his second UFC appearance in a 21-day stretch. He defeated Brok Weaver at UFC on ESPN 9 on May 30.

Preliminary card

Clay Guida

[autotag]Clay Guida[/autotag] (35-19 MMA, 15-13 UFC) is 3-2 since he returned to the UFC lightweight division in June 2017.

Guida’s 51 takedowns landed in UFC lightweight competition are third most in divisional history behind Gleison Tibau (84) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (57).

Guida has achieved 1:41:52 of control time in UFC lightweight competition, the most in divisional history. His 1:18:00 of top position time of also most in divisional history.

[autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] (24-10-1 MMA, 5-5-1 UFC) is 1-5 (with one no contest) in his past seven fights dating back to November 2014.

[autotag]Tecia Torres[/autotag]’ (10-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC) competes in her 12th UFC strawweight bout, the fourth most appearances in divisional history behind Angela Hill (15), Randa Markos (14) and Joanna Jedrzejczyk (13).

Torres’ four-fight losing skid is the longest of her career. She hasn’t earned a victory since December 2017.

Torres’ four-fight losing skid in UFC strawweight competition is tied with Kailin Curran for longest in divisional history.

[autotag]Marc Andre Barriault[/autotag]’s (11-4 MMA, 0-3 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since September 2018.

[autotag]Oskar Piechota[/autotag] (11-3-1 MMA, 2-3 UFC) has suffered three consecutive losses after starting his career on a 12-fight unbeaten streak.

Cortney Casey

[autotag]Cortney Casey[/autotag] (9-7 MMA, 5-6 UFC) makes her second UFC appearance in a 35-day stretch. She beat Mara Romero Borella at UFC on ESPN 8 on May 16.

[autotag]Gillian Robertson[/autotag] (7-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) competes in her seventh UFC women’s flyweight bout, tied with Katlyn Chookagian for the most appearances in divisional history.

Robertson’s average fight time of 5:49 in UFC women’s flyweight competition is the shortest in divisional history.

Robertson’s four victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Chookagian (five) and Valentina Shevchenko (five).

Robertson’s four stoppage victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are most in divisional history.

Robertson’s three submission victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are tied with Montana De La Rosa for most in divisional history.

[autotag]Frank Camacho[/autotag] (22-8 MMA, 2-4 UFC) is 2-2 since he dropped to the UFC lightweight division in November 2017.

Mexanne Modafferi

[autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag] (24-16 MMA, 3-4 UFC) competes in her seventh UFC women’s flyweight bout, tied with Chookagian for the most appearances in divisional history.

Modafferi’s average fight time of 15:35 in UFC women’s flyweight competition is longest in divisional history.

Modafferi has earned 34:09 of control time in UFC women’s flyweight competition, the most in divisional history.

Modafferi has alternated wins and losses over her past seven fights. She won her most recent bout at UFC 246 in January.

[autotag]Lauren Murphy[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC) is 3-1 since she dropped to the UFC flyweight division in December 2017.

Murphy is one of five female fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a knee strike. She accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN 5.

[autotag]Max Rohskopf[/autotag] (5-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), 25, is the youngest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

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