Tag: TA block

MMA Junkie Radio #3553: Dan Hardy previews PFL 2025, UFC Mexico, Velasquez sentence

Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”

Monday’s episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,553, the dudes bring on former UFC title challenger Dan Hardy, no a PFL analyst, to look at the 2025 PFL season, which kicks off this week. Plus, they look at the fallout from UFC Mexico, discuss the latest news – including Cain Velasquez’s prison sentence – and much more. Tune in!

UFC on ESPN 64 loses Joe Pyfer vs. Kelvin Gastelum hours before Mexico event

One of the biggest fights on UFC Mexico has been canceled.

(Editor’s note: This story was updated with comment from Joe Pyfer at 1:55 p.m. ET)

One of the most notable fights expected for UFC on ESPN 64 is off.

Hours before Saturday’s event in Mexico, [autotag]Joe Pyfer[/autotag] was removed from his bout vs. [autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag] due to illness, the promotion announced.

The welterweight fight was the featured bout on the main card planned for CDMX Arena. Both fighters made weight seemingly without issue during Friday’s weigh-ins. The card continues with 12 fights.

“Just wanna say my heart is broken I couldn’t fight today I got super sick and hopefully we can reschedule this fight for a few weeks from now,” Pyfer wrote in an Instagram story after news of the cancellation broke. “Unfortunately comes with the territory of traveling outside the states. Never again my apologies guys. We’ll be back.”

With the change, UFC on ESPN 64 lineup now includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN2/ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg
  • Drew Dober vs. Manuel Torres
  • Vince Morales vs. Raul Rosas Jr.
  • David Martinez vs. Saimon Oliveira
  • Kevin Borjas vs. Ronaldo Rodriguez

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN2/ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)

  • Edgar Chairez vs. CJ Vergara
  • Ateba Gautier vs. Jose Daniel Medina
  • Melquizael Costa vs. Christian Rodriguez
  • Loopy Godinez vs. Julia Polastri
  • Rafa Garcia vs. Vinc Pichel
  • Jamall Emmers vs. Gabriel Miranda
  • Austin Hubbard vs. MarQuel Mederos

UFC on ESPN 64 video: Brandon Moreno reps Mexico, Steve Erceg keeps it cool during faceoff

Brandon Moreno and Steve Erceg were locked in at the final faceoff for Saturday’s UFC Mexico main event.

MEXICO CITY – [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] and [autotag]Steve Erceg[/autotag] crossed paths for the final time before their UFC on ESPN 64 main event at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins.

Ahead of their flyweight encounter on Saturday at Arena CDMX (ESPN2, ESPN+), former champion Moreno (22-8-2 MMA, 10-4-2 UFC) and one-time title challenger Erceg (12-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) engaged in a final pre-fight staredown.

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Moreno audibly had the full backing of the Mexican crowd as he was draped in the country’s flag. Erceg remained cool, calm, and collected – with a big smile on his face. The two fighters remained respectful and shook hands.

Check out the video above to see the Moreno vs. Erceg faceoff from UFC on ESPN 64 ceremonial weigh-ins.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 64.

MMA Junkie Radio #3552: Guest Kelvin Gastelum, UFC Mexico preview, more

Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”


Thursday’s episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,550, the dudes welcome on guest Kelvin Gastelum, who fights on the main card at UFC Mexico. Plus, they preview Saturday’s card, talk about the latest MMA news and more. Tune in!

UFC books Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber main event

A big fight in the UFC women’s flyweight division is set to headline a May event.

A key women’s flyweight matchup will headline a UFC event this spring.

At a UFC Fight Night card scheduled for May 31, top contenders [autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag] and [autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] will clash in a long-awaited matchup. The card will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, the promotion announced Tuesday.

Blanchfield (13-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) and Barber (14-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) were set to fight each other in December 2021 in what was expected to be a battle of two highly-touted prospects. However, Barber withdrew.

In the time that’s passed since they were initially aligned, both women have established themselves as contenders.

Blanchfield has won all but one of her UFC fights. After a unanimous decision loss to Manon Fiorot in March, Blanchfield defeated Rose Namajunas by unanimous decision in November.

Barber has won six fights in a row including a unanimous decision win over Katlyn Cerminara in March. She withdrew from a fight vs. Namajunas in July due to health issues.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night lineup for May 31 includes:

  • Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber
  • Dusko Todorovic vs. Zachary Reese
  • Jafel Filho vs. Allan Nascimento
  • Dustin Jacoby vs. Bruno Lopes

Cain Velasquez sentenced to prison after pleading no contest to attempted murder

Former UFC star Cain Velasquez has been sentenced for the 2022 shooting of an alleged child molester.

(Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect new information)

Former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Cain Velasquez[/autotag] has been sentenced to five years in prison, minus time served, for a 2022 shooting.

Velasquez, 42, appeared at a sentencing hearing Monday at Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif., after pleading no contest to charges, including attempted murder, and was handed a five-year sentence, according to NBC Bay Area.

Five years from the day of his arrest is Feb. 28, 2027.

According to multiple reporters in the courtroom, including veteran MMA journalist Josh Gross, Judge Arthur Bolcanegra said Velasquez will be credited with 1,283 days. That means he’ll have to serve 542 days behind bars.

Seventy spectators were on hand in the courtroom, according to KTVU FOX 2. Impact statements from Velasquez, his 15-year-old daughter, and his wife were read, in addition to statements from shooting target Harry Goularte and his family.

While prosecutors asked the judge for 30 years to life, the defense requested no prison time. An emotional Judge Bocanegra handed out his final ruling after a lunch recess.

In a statement, District Attorney Jeff Rosen said: “One man’s decision to take the law into his own hands left an innocent man wounded and endangered schoolchildren, teachers, and many others in our community. If you want to do justice in Santa Clara County, please apply for a badge.”

The charges stemmed from a February 2022 incident when Velasquez drove his truck in a high-speed pursuit of another vehicle. Velasquez fired a handgun at the vehicle, which was later revealed to be carrying Goularte and family, who ran the daycare Velasquez’s then-4-year-old son attended. Goularte had been arrested days prior for allegedly molesting the young boy repeatedly.

The gunfire from Velasquez penetrated the Goularte’s vehicle and struck Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, causing an injury to the man’s arm. The Goularte family has repeatedly voiced fear for their lives.

Outside the courthouse after the verdict, Patricia Goularte and Bender spoke to reporters.

“The sentence is extremely disappointing. It’s based on an alleged allegation that has no basis,” Patricia Goularte said. “It is unfounded. We are looking for the opportunity in Harry’s case to prove that as we do have ample amount of evidence to do that. It’s sad that the court system and the public can be influenced by simply somebody stating something with no facts. We do look forward to that. I’m glad that we’re supported by all of our family members, friends, and multiple years of daycare children. If you notice (that are here) young children that grew up in that facility, none of which will back any of those allegations made by the Velasquez family.”

Velasquez spent nearly nine months incarcerated in a jail cell and was denied bail until an appeal resulted in a different judge’s approval of conditional release. Judge Bocanegra pointed to Velasquez’s standing in the community and the swell of public support and protest as boosting his decision.

Velasquez had remained on GPS monitoring and was permitted to partake in various professional wrestling matches and MMA-related events.

In an interview days prior to the sentencing, Velasquez said he fully accepted responsibility for his actions and was willing to face the music.

“What I did was not correct,” Velasquez said. “I understand that. I paid, and I’ll pay whatever else as far as what I have to do to pay all that back. I don’t think I can pay it back, but I can always learn from my mistakes and help others. It’s just information that you never know anybody. Trust your kids. Have that open communication with your kids. When you do go to the bathroom with them when (they’re) very young, you can work your way in there as far as talking to them about what’s appropriate and what is not, so they know to tell you and they can always tell you whenever something is not correct. So as far as that goes, it’s basically that the more we get consciously aware of ourselves, the more that light shines on dark things, especially things like that.”

“… Even with that family and what they’ve done, I can’t have hate like that for them because there are things that I have to move on to and give love to my kids and give love to the people around. I’ve got to share this with everybody, so I can’t give hate to them at all. I wish them healing in the best way, whatever that is. I wish that for them. I understand that they have traumas, as well. It’s not right to spread it – no. I’m glad they themselves have stopped because they can’t practice any more as far as daycare. With my own time, I’ve forgiven them and everything else, and I know my kids are great.”

In addition to attempted murder, Velasquez had been charged with shooting at a motor vehicle or aircraft (one count), assault with a firearm (three counts), assault with a deadly weapon (three counts), willfully discharging a firearm from a vehicle (one count) and carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (one count). He faced 20 years to life for the attempted murder charge alone.

Goularte has pleaded not guilty to one charge of lewd acts with a minor and is set for a June 2 trial.

There is also a separate civil lawsuit filed by the Velasquezs against the Goularte family and their associated businesses. The daycare, which was run by Goularte’s mother Patricia, has shut down.

MMA Junkie Radio #3551: Guest Mario Bautista, UFC London recap, Cain Velasquez sentencing and more

Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”


Monday’s episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,551, the lads bring on UFC guest Mario Bautista, look back at UFC London, discuss Cain Velasquez’s 5-year sentence for attempted murder, talk about the latest MMA news and more. Tune in!

‘How good is Belal?’: Fighters react to Sean Brady’s finish of Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night 255

The MMA community reacted to Sean Brady becoming the first to finish Leon Edwards in the UFC London main event.

[autotag]Sean Brady[/autotag] entered the next tier of the welterweight title conversation Saturday when he beat former champ [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] in the UFC Fight Night 255 main event.

Brady (18-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC), who has only lost to current champ Belal Muhammad in his career, went to hostile territory at The O2 in London and handed Edwards (21-5 MMA, 13-4 UFC) a fourth-round submission defeat to propel himself toward the top of the weight class.

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Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Brady beating Edwards at UFC Fight Night 255.

* * * *

Boxing legend George Foreman dead at 76; combat sports community mourns

Legendary boxer George Foreman has died at 76 and combat sports notables have offered condolences.

(This story originally appeared on USATODAY.com)

Legendary boxer George Foreman has died at 76, according to a statement released by his family Friday night on his official Instagram account.

The cause of death was not initially revealed by the family.

Foreman was a two-time world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist who is regarded as one of the hardest punchers in boxing history. One his most memorable punches was the knockout blow he landed against Michael Moorer in 1994 when Foreman became the oldest heavyweight champion in history at 45.

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He was inducted into both the World Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

“But my life is much more than boxing – I’ve been knocked out more outside the ring than in the ring,” Foreman told USA TODAY in 2023.

He was married five times. He had 12 children, and one of them, Freeda, died in 2019 by apparent suicide.

One of his most famous fights came against Muhammad Ali in the so-called “Rumble in the Jungle” that took place in 1974 in Zaire. He vowed to kill Ali in the ring. Instead, it was Ali who knocked out Foreman.

But Foreman said he was less demoralized by being knocked out than failing to knock out Ali.

“I just knew no one could stand up to my punch,” Foreman told USA TODAY in 2014. “But Muhammad did. His taking those punches, I went away thinking, ‘What is going on here? That’s not supposed to happen.’ That bothered me more than anything.”

A late friendship with Ali

Just three years later, he retired from boxing. But in 1979, he returned to the ring at 39 – and eventually stunned the boxing world.

In 1994, two decades after his loss to Ali, Foreman fought Michael Moorer, then 26, for the world championship. He won by knockout in the 10th round and news of the feat elevated him to champion for the second time of his career.

But his life outside the ring marked a striking transformation in the public eye.

Foreman evolved from a villainous boxer who once promised to kill Ali in the ring. A few years later, Foreman experienced what he referred to as a religious awakening, and he later became a preacher and businessman who sold millions of George Foreman Grills.

And Foreman and Ali, who died in 2016, went from bitter enemies to close friends.

After becoming the oldest heavyweight champion, Foreman said he received a congratulatory letter from his old nemesis.

“Can you imagine that?” Foreman said during a 2014 interview with USA TODAY. “Who would think almost 20 years later, there’s Muhammad, my conqueror, congratulating me in fighting for the championship of the world and winning it. …

“I was pretty close to hating him; I wanted revenge. He became the best, and one of the longest friends, I’ve ever had. I love him to this day.”

An Olympic gold medal, 40-0 record

Foreman was born Jan. 10, 1949 in Marshall, Texas and, by his own admission, was a troubled youth. He dropped out of school at 15. Boxing provided salvation. He took up the sport at 16 and a mere three years later he won an Olympic gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

He turned pro in 1969 and his power became legendary. He knocked out 10 of his first 11 opponents, and most of his fights ended with opponents on the canvas. In 1973, he became heavyweight champion for the first time when he beat Joe Frazier by second-round TKO.

His record improved to 40-0 before Foreman suffered his first defeat – against Ali in the “Rumble in the Jungle.”

The loss to Ali became a defining moment, but during a 2014 interview with USA TODAY, Foreman recalled another moment with Ali.

In 1989, Foreman said, he and Ali were in England with Frazier, Kenny Norton and Larry Holmes as part of a “Champions Forever” tribute. It was five years after Ali had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

“He was still mouthy,” Foreman said. “And he made a statement, and it was on the front of some London paper, that ‘God is Black.’ They had a picture of him on the front page, and Frazier didn’t like it. Frazier didn’t like Muhammad.”

Later, Foreman recalled, the boxers were putting on tuxedos for a photo shoot.

“(Ali) came down and he was alone,” Foreman said. “He couldn’t put on his cuff links. He couldn’t even put the bow tie around his neck. And I made certain there wasn’t any cameras around and I took him in the room and I fixed him up because I wanted to make sure they see the beautiful Muhammad Ali.”

Frazier saw what happened, and on a ride back from the event that night, he was livid, according to Foreman.

“Frazier said, ‘Don’t help him. Don’t help him. Where are all those people that were screaming Ali? Where are all those hangers-on now? Nobody better help him. Leave him alone,'” Foreman said. “And I remember telling him, ‘Joe, we are our brother’s keeper.’

“There I was for the first time protecting what I was trying to destroy.”

As a boxing analyst for HBO, Foreman further cultivated his likable persona and he was engaging and readily available for interviews. Although as Mike Tyson prepared to fight Jake Paul on Nov. 15, Foreman communicated by text message.

“If he gets in shape like he’s in now, and then gets his timing back, and all the other things fall into place, he can have an opportunity to fight for the title,” Foreman said before Tyson lost to Paul by unanimous decision.

While Foreman withdrew from the public eye, lawyers were fighting on his behalf.

At the time of his death, Foreman faced civil lawsuits from three woman who said he sexually abused them in the 1970s. He denied the charges.

Athletes and boxing figures from across the world paid tribute to Foreman as news of his death spread Friday night.

“Tonight I am flooded with tears after learning of the death of my dear friend and broadcast partner George Foreman,” Hall of Fame boxing announcer Jim Lampley said in a statement. ” I loved him. He was a great fighter and a far, far greater human being. Every great thing that ever happened to him, and there were many extraordinary blessings, was richly deserved. My thoughts and prayers tonight are with his family and his friends and his congregation. It’s a massive loss, but I feel blessed and privileged to have known him and spent countless hours in his presence. He’s with Ali now, and they are at peace with each other.”

“Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten,” Tyson wrote on X.

“George was a great friend to not only myself but to my entire family. We’ve lost a family member and are absolutely devastated,” Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said in a statement.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHe5UtIJ4IQ/

Our hearts are broken. With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose.

A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected — a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name— for his family.

We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers, and kindly ask for privacy as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own.

Notable from throughout the combat sports community mourned Foreman’s death:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHfAl7rRNX4/?igsh=NGNqM3J6bDhybDlu

UFC CEO Dana White on Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall: ‘It’s done, but it’s not done’

UFC CEO Dana White has revealed that Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall is close to the finish line.

UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] has revealed that [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] is close to the finish line.

White has spent the months since Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) defended his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November claiming that he would make good on booking a unification bout with interim champion Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC).

There has been impatience displayed by Aspinall and the fans waiting for an answer on whether Jones would agree to the fight or vacate and retire, allowing Aspinall to become undisputed champion.

White, however, has been largely steadfast in his confidence it would get done, recently telling MMA Junkie that he’s focused on a summer timeline. Now he’s dropped another promising teaser, claiming that the only remaining object – albeit a massively significant one – is putting pen to paper.

“It’s going to happen,” White told TNT Sports on Friday. “It’s done, but it’s not done. Not done enough to sit right here now and announce it and give you a date. But fight’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of getting it signed now.

“If we pull this off and actually make the fight, announce it and start leading up to it, this will be the biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history.”

In December, White said he 100 percent guaranteed everyone would get what they want and Jones would face Aspinall in the highly anticipated contest. The primary question, though, was whether Jones in particular would get what he wants.

After stating he wanted “f*ck you money” to fight Aspinall after UFC 309, the rumored and unconfirmed price tag demands from Jones have be tabbed at as high as $30 million.

Whatever is ultimately negotiated remains to be seen, but White once against expressed stern adamance that the heavyweight title picture will get its resolution sooner than later.

“I said it when we first started talking about it and I’ve said it many times in between, and I’ll say it now,” White said. “The fight’s going to happen.”

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