Tag: Steven Nguyen

UFC on ESPN 53 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Main event combines for $22,000

UFC on ESPN 53 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 53 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $148,000.

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

The full UFC on ESPN 53 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Karl Williams[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Justin Tafa[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]AJ Dobson[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Payton Talbott[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Cameron Saaiman[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Billy Quarantillo[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Fernando Padilla[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Luis Pajuelo[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Trey Ogden[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Kurt Holobaugh[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Julian Erosa[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Ricardo Ramos[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Miles Johns[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Cody Gibson[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Jarno Errens[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Steven Nguyen[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Dariya Zheleznyakova[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Montserrat Rendon[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Andre Lima[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Igor Severino[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Mick Parkin[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Mohammed Usman[/autotag]: $4,500

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 $4,530; 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 $53,000 while title challengers get $53,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-53 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $1,669,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $24,406,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 53.

Matchup Roundup: New UFC fights announced in the past week (Jan. 1-7)

All the UFC fight announcements that were first reported or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past week.

MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.

But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.

Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie or officially announced by the promotions from Jan. 1-7.

Fresh Ink: Meet the 25 fighters the UFC signed in September 2023

Find out who joined the UFC in September and learn more about them here.

The UFC roster is bigger than ever – and it continues to expand.

Fresh faces appear on nearly every card, whether onboarded as short-notice opening fillers, “Dana White’s Contender Series” signees, or rare straight-up additions. Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of the hustle and bustle of the mixed martial arts news beat, but here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got you covered.

“Fresh Ink” is your list of fighters added to the UFC roster the previous month and provides background on who they are and where they came from.

Check out the September 2023 list below.

DWCS 62 winner Steven Nguyen relieved to earn UFC contract on third try: ‘It’s been a very long road’

A Fortis MMA product, Steven Nguyen was starting to lose hope he’d never get into the UFC.

LAS VEGAS – The third time was the charm for [autotag]Steven Nguyen[/autotag] to finally realize his UFC dream.

Nguyen (9-1) earned a UFC contract Tuesday at Dana White’s Contender Series 62 after he finished A.J. Cunningham (10-3) in their featherweight bout by Round 2 TKO.

Nguyen had already competed twice on DWCS, getting knocked out by Aalon Cruz in July 2019 then defeating Theo Rlayang by unanimous decision in September 2021. After getting his third opportunity at a contract on Tuesday, Nguyen knew winning wasn’t enough.

“The contract aspect, it’s been a very long road for me,” Nguyen told reporters during the DWCS 62 post-fight news conference. “It’s been, I think, four years since my first Contender Series fight, so I just had to keep going. That was the main thing. I knew there was a lot of pressure coming into this fight. I had to finish this fight. It was my third time around, so I went in there with that mindset: Kill or be killed.”

Like recent contract winner Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady, Nguyen watched numerous of his Fortis MMA teammates make it to the UFC. After two failed attempts on DWCS, Nguyen admits he was starting to lose hope but credits those around him for always believing in him.

“Obviously I’ve seen my teammates. Everybody’s in the UFC at Fortis. And being on Contender’s twice and winning and still not getting the contract, I was in a dark, dark space for a little bit,” Nguyen said. “I didn’t really know where to go at that point, but I have the best coach, I have the best manager, Jason House, coach Sayif, my family, my girlfriend. Everybody that has supported me and said, ‘Just keep going.’ Because of them, I’m where I’m at now.”

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

Dana White’s Contender Series 62 results: Five UFC contracts awarded on all-time episode

Season 7, Week 6 of Dana White’s Contender Series may have been one of the best in history. Five fighters will join the UFC as a result.

LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was at Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 62 event at the UFC Apex.

Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC president Dana White on hand to make the decisions.

The sixth episode of Season 7 saw 10 fighters compete for their shots at UFC contracts. When the dust settled, UFC CEO White offered contracts to all five winners: bantamweight Jean Matsumoto, strawweight Julia Polastri, featherweight Steven Nguyen, heavyweight Jhonata Diniz, and lightweight James Llontop.

The action, particularly through the first three fights, had White and the matchmakers on their feet. White even entered the cage following the conclusion of the opening bout between JeaMatsumoto and Tanner, which was a three-round striking war.

Two losing fighters, Tanner and A.J. Cunningham, were paid their win bonuses for their efforts, according to White.

Full results of Dana White’s Contender Series 62 include:

  • James Llontop def. Malik Lewis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
  • Jhonata Diniz def. Eduardo Neves via TKO (punch) – Round 1, 3:15
  • Steven Nguyen def. A.J. Cunningham via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:06
  • Julia Polastri def. Patricia Alujas via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:05
  • Jean Matsumoto def. Kasey Tanner via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Dana White’s Contender Series 40 weigh-in results, live video stream (12 p.m. ET)

MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Monday’s official Dana White’s Contender Series 40 fighter weigh-ins.

LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Monday’s official Dana White’s Contender Series 40 fighter weigh-ins, and you can catch a live video stream of the action, beginning at noon ET.

Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC president Dana White on hand to make the decisions.

In the featured bout, a pair of undefeated middleweights clash, with Jordan’s [autotag]Hashem Arkhagha[/autotag] (6-0) taking on Ohio’s [autotag]A.J. Dobson[/autotag] (5-0).

The early weigh-ins take place at the UFC host hotel in Las Vegas. The UFC Apex hosts Tuesday’s card, which streams on ESPN+.

The full Dana White’s Contender Series 40 weigh-in results include:

  • Hashem Arkhagha () vs. A.J. Dobson ()
  • [autotag]Michael Morales[/autotag] () vs. [autotag]Nikolay Veretennikov[/autotag] ()
  • [autotag]Steven Nguyen[/autotag] () vs. [autotag]Theo Rlayang[/autotag] ()
  • [autotag]Santo Curatolo[/autotag] () vs. [autotag]Kleydson Rodrigues[/autotag] ()
  • [autotag]Victor Martinez[/autotag] () vs. [autotag]Jacob Rosales[/autotag] ()

LFA 100 results: Victor Altamirano earns flyweight gold at milestone event

LFA hit a milestone on Friday – and crowned a new champion.

LFA 100 marked a big milestone for the promotion, which, for the entirety of its existence has served as an unofficial feeder league for the UFC, Bellator and more.

LFA launched in January 2017 following a merger between RFA and Legacy FC. Since that time, LFA has promoted fights involving numerous competitors who went on to sign contracts with the UFC and Bellator.

A vacant flyweight title fight between [autotag]Victor Altamirano[/autotag] and [autotag]Nate Smith[/autotag] headlined Friday’s card. The bout was a one-way championship fight. Altamirano (9-1) was the only fighter of the two who could walk away with LFA gold because Smith (6-2), who took the fight on five days’ notice, missed weight by 2.6 pounds.

Altamirano won a unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 50-44) after 25 minutes of competition. It was Altamirano’s striking that proved to be the difference. Although Smith had his moments and secured a few takedowns, he wasn’t able to muster up any significant offense.

As LFA title gold was wrapped around his waist, things came full circle for Altamirano, who competed as an amateur at LFA 1 in January 2017.

Altamirano, 30, has won three straight fights. His only professional loss came to former UFC flyweight Jarred Brooks in October 2019.

The co-main event was a back-and-forth scrap and the finishing sequence was a turning of the tides. When [autotag]Charles Johnson[/autotag] was dropped by [autotag]Karlee Pangilinan[/autotag], he not only got back to his feet; he found a way to win. Johnson got up, grabbed hold of Pangilinan, and submitted Johnson with an anaconda choke.

In the card’s most violent moment, [autotag]Steven Nguyen[/autotag] returned from a nearly two-year layoff and violently face-planted opponent [autotag]Jorge Juarez[/autotag] with a brutal knockout punch. As Juarez’s unconscious body laid facedown on the canvas, Nguyen followed up with a vicious hammerfist. The fight was stopped 30 seconds into the opening round.

Earlier in the night, Tony Ferguson protege [autotag]Tommy Aaron[/autotag] channeled his inner “El Cucuy” flinging a barraged of wild and whacky strikes at opponent [autotag]Gerald Scott[/autotag]. A high-paced battle ended in Round 3 when Aaron (7-4) submitted Scott (4-1) via rear-naked choke.

On the Facebook prelims, [autotag]Maria Henderson[/autotag], wife of former UFC lightweight champion and current Bellator fighter Benson Henderson, won her amateur MMA debut. She defeated fellow debutant [autotag]Amanda Mitchell[/autotag] by unanimous decision.

LFA 100 took place Friday at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kan. The main card streamed on UFC Fight Pass after prelims on Facebook.

Full LFA 100 results include:

  • Victor Altamirano def. Nate Smith via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 50-44)
  • Charles Johnson def. Karlee Pangilinan via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 2, 1:41
  • Steven Nguyen def. Jorge Juarez via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:30
  • Tommy Aaron def. Gerald Scott via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:57
  • Christian Natividad def. Evan Woolsey via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
  • Emmanuela Moliere def. Amber Danielson-Smith via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-26)
  • Maria Henderson def. Amanda Mitchell via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) – amateur bout

Steve Nguyen faceplants LFA 100 opponent, hammerfists unconscious body

Steven Nguyen pulled off one of the most violent knockouts you’ll ever see.

[autotag]Steven Nguyen[/autotag] entered LFA 100 having not fought since a brutal knockout loss on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019.

Friday, there was another brutal knockout in his fight. However, this time, Nguyen (7-1) wasn’t on the receiving end of the punishment. Nguyen knocked out opponent Jorge Juarez 30 seconds into their fight.

The finishing sequence began when Juarez (5-3) threw a left hook, which whiffed. Nguyen countered with a hard right hand that faceplanted Juarez. From there, Nguyen landed a Dan Henderson-esque follow-up hammerfist, but the damage had already been done.

The finish was Nguyen’s sixth in seven professional victories. He recently made the switch to Fortis MMA and is training under esteemed coach Sayif Saud.

LFA 100 took place Friday at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kan. The main card streamed on UFC Fight Pass after prelims on Facebook.

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LFA 100 announced: Flyweight title fight headliner, tournament bout featured

MMA’s premiere feeder league has announced a milestone event.

LFA is on the verge of a milestone event.

The unofficial UFC and Bellator feeder league will host its 100th event, LFA 100, on Friday, Feb. 19 at the Hartman Arena in Park City, Kan., the promotion announced Wednesday. The event’s main card will stream on UFC Fight Pass after prelims on Facebook.

LFA launched in January 2017, following a merger between Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Legacy FC. Since that time, LFA has promoted fights involving numerous competitors who went on to sign contracts with the UFC and Bellator.

LFA 100’s main event will have the vacant LFA flyweight title on the line. American [autotag]Victor Altamirano[/autotag] (8-1) and undefeated Brazilian [autotag]Carlos Mota[/autotag] (5-0) will square off for title gold.

UFC flyweight Jimmy Flick was the last man to hold the promotion’s 125-pound title, but he vacated after a UFC contract-earning performance on Dana White’s Contender Series.

In LFA history, there have been five 125-pound champions. None of them have needed to put forth a successful title defense to get a call to the big show. Roberto Sanchez, Casey Kenney, Brandon Royval and Brandon Moreno all were signed by the UFC before putting their belts on the line.

Joining the flyweight title challengers at LFA 100 is a middleweight tournament semifinal fight between DWCS alumni [autotag]Anthony Adams[/autotag] (8-2) and [autotag]Gregory Rodrigues[/autotag] (7-3). The winner will take on Josh Fremd (7-1), who was victorious at Friday’s LFA 98, for the LFA middleweight title later this year.

Additionally, DWCS alum [autotag]Steven Nguyen[/autotag] (6-1) takes on [autotag]Raihere Dudes[/autotag] (8-1) at featherweight. The fight will be Nguyen’s first since he was knocked out by Aalon Cruz on DWCS in 2019.

The current LFA 100 lineup includes:

  • Victor Altamirano (8-1) vs. Carlos Mota (5-0) – for vacant flyweight title
  • Anthony Adams (8-2) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (7-3) – middleweight tournament semifinal
  • Steven Nguyen (6-1) vs. Raihere Dudes (8-1)
  • Charles Johnson (7-2) vs. Karlee Pangilian (6-0)
  • Christian Natividad (2-0) vs. Evan Woolsey (1-1)

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