Tag: UFC 254

Who’s next for Robert Whittaker after beating Jared Cannonier? | UFC 254 matchmaker.mov

MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn plays matchmaker and looks ahead to what makes sense for Robert Whittaker in this edition of “Sean Shelby’s Shoes.”

MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn plays matchmaker and looks ahead to what makes sense for Robert Whittaker in this edition of “Sean Shelby’s Shoes.”

Michael Chandler pitches lightweight title tournament after Khabib’s retirement

Michael Chandler is ready to see the lightweight division move on from Khabib Nurmagomedov, and has an idea of how it can do so.

[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] is ready to see the UFC’s lightweight division move on from Khabib Nurmagomedov, and has an idea of how it can do so.

Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA Saturday following his successful title defense against Justin Gaethje in the UFC 254 main event. The decision left the 155-pound weight class in disarray, but could set up some potentially exciting opportunities.

Chandler (21-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who was the backup fighter for Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje but was not needed, would like to see the UFC put together a tournament involving himself, Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Tony Ferguson to determine the next champion.

“When a man says he’s going to go, he’s going to go – but here we are,” Chandler told BT Sport after UFC 254. “I’m excited to be a part of the UFC lightweight division right now at the top when there is no UFC lightweight champion. So we’ll see what happens next. … I did mention Tony Ferguson’s name and we were talking about January, but now we’ve got Justin Gaethje in here talking about eight weeks from tonight wanting to fight for a title. Let’s be honest: I’m the new guy. I’m not going to come in here and say, ‘Hey guys I deserve a title shot.’ I’d love my name to be thrown into the mix.”

Although the UFC hasn’t been a proponent of tournaments since the earliest days of the sport, the lightweight belt being left up for grabs offers some good options. Chandler isn’t the only person to have suggested a tournament after UFC 254, and he said he’d like to see it materializing.

“I’d love the opportunity to fight in a four-man tournament for that title,” Chandler said. “Conor, Poirier, myself, Ferguson. There’s some names that need to be fighting for a title, so let’s make it happen.”

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UFC 254 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Khabib, Gaethje combine for $80k total

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 254 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $215,000.

ABU DHABI – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 254 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $215,000.

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 254 took place at Flash Forum at Yas Island. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

The full UFC 254 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag]: $40,000
def. [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag]: $40,000

[autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag]: $15,000
def. [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Walt Harris[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Phil Hawes[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Jacob Malkoun[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Lauren Murphy[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Liliya Shakirova[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Stefan Struve[/autotag]: $20,000

[autotag]Casey Kenney[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Nathaniel Wood[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Alex Oliveira[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Da Un Jung[/autotag]: $3,500
vs. [autotag]Sam Alvey[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Miranda Maverick[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Liana Jojua[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Joel Alvarez[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Alexander Yakovlev[/autotag]: $5,000

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: $5,405,500
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: $36,410,000

Draymond Green reacts to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s title win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254

Following Khabib Nurmagomedov’s lightweight title defense against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, Draymond Green chimed in on Twitter to congratulate the champion.

On Saturday, the UFC’s Fight Island in Abu Dhabi played host to one of the most highly anticipated bouts of the year. Interim champion Justin Gaethje challenged defending champion Khabib Nurmagomedov for the 155 lb lightweight title belt at UFC 254.

After a dominant first round from Nurmagomedov to start the bout, the Russain fighter locked in a triangle choke early in the second round that forced Gaethje to tap out. Nurmagomedov’s second-round submission pushed his MMA career record to a perfect 29-0.

Following his victory at Fight Island, a member of the Golden State Warriors chimed in on social media. Draymond Green took to Twitter to congratulate the lightweight champion.

Via @Money23Green on Twitter:

Before the bell sounded for the start of the fight, the former Defensive Player of the Year shared a message of support for Nurmagomedov in his match against Gaethje.

During his post-fight interview with Jon Anik, Nurmagomedov laid down his gloves to announce his retirement from MMA. After three clean title defenses and a 13-0 record since joining the UFC, Nurmagomedov will go down as one of the best to ever step into the Octagon.

Via @UFC on Twitter:

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Georges St-Pierre surprised, wishes Khabib Nurmagomedov well after ‘perfect career’

“Khabib, follow your heart. Follow what makes you happy and what makes people who love (you) happy.”

Many viewers were caught off-guard when UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] took off his gloves and placed them in the center of the cage Saturday after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.

Among them was former UFC welterweight champion and UFC middleweight champion, [autotag]Georges St-Pierre[/autotag], who was watching closely as part of the UFC’s French broadcast team.

“I was surprised,” St-Pierre told ESPN moments after the fight. “I was not expecting that at all. … I thought he wanted to do, and all the people in the media said he wanted to do 30-0. That’s his choice. What a great way to finish a career. He left an incredible legacy. One of the best to have ever done it – maybe the best to have ever done it.”

Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) and St-Pierre have been long linked to a potential super fight with both fighters expressing varying levels of interest these past few years.

Thirty was dubbed by many as the “magic number” for Nurmagomedov’s career. An idea floated in recent weeks held that the Russian champion, should he beat Gaethje to reach 29-0, would fight St-Pierre to try to reach the 30-0 milestone.

St-Pierre was interviewed by various outlets in the lead-up to UFC 254 and had become a side narrative of the fight’s buildup. Despite admitting he would’ve considered ending his own retirement, St-Pierre is happy that Nurmagomedov made the decision that was best for him.

“It did not happen,” St-Pierre said. “I’m good where I am. Khabib is invincible now. He’s undefeated. It was a perfect career. There’s nothing we can say bad about him. It’s a perfect career, like 29-0 and you retire on top with the best performance of his career. What do you want more? It was incredible. It was a perfect fight in a perfect career – as close as it gets.

“… I always see an athlete taking too many fights. … That’s something I really don’t wish (on) someone. Khabib did an amazing decision (to retire). Like everything in life, everything has a beginning and has an end. The life of a professional athlete, even an elite athlete, has a window. If we fight past that window, that’s when the problems arrive and appear.”

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When asked what message he had for Nurmagomedov, a fighter whom he falls alongside on a short list of UFC champions with minimal-to-no blemishes on their record, St-Pierre gave a heartfelt response.

“Khabib, follow your heart,” St-Pierre said. “Follow what makes you happy and what makes people who love (you) happy. No pressure. Take the right decision at the right time, and the possibilities for you are limitless. You can do whatever you want. Congratulations. What an amazing career. Man, it was a perfect fight and a perfect career that you have.”

So what’s next for GSP? The 39-year-old former champion said for now, he’s comfortable being retired – but never say never. Things could change.

“I retired three years ago,” St-Pierre said. “It’s only people who speculate about it. For me, I’m happy with where I am, you know what I mean? You’d never say never in life. … I have a different mentality than certain other people. For some people, it’s white or black. For me, it’s always gray in my life. I don’t believe there are things that are not tangible. There’s all possibility. I’ll leave the door open but for now, it’s not. I retired three years ago and I’m good where I am.”

UFC 254 took place Saturday at Flash Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The main card streamed on pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN 2/ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

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Dana White says Khabib Nurmagomedov broke his foot before UFC 254

Khabib Nurmagomedov broke his foot weeks before UFC 254 and never told anyone, according to Dana White.

Khabib Nurmagomedov cemented his legacy as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time with a dominant submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, and then announced in his post-fight interview that he will not fight again.

Nurmagomedov unified the UFC Lightweight Championship with his win, and improved his record to a still-perfect 29-0 with a third successful title defense. The fight was Nurmagomedov’s first after losing his father in July, and Numagomedov revealed that he promised his mother he would not fight again, and that he will not return to the octagon to fight without his father.

In Dana White’s press conference following UFC 254, the UFC president revealed that Nurmagomedov’s stellar performance came just weeks after he broke bones in his foot. White said that Nurmagomedov suffered the injury three weeks ago, but never told anyone about it.

“Apparently he was in the hospital, he broke his foot. Three weeks ago. So he has two broken toes and a bone in his foot that’s broken, or something like that. That’s what his corner was telling me. [He] never told anybody.”

Yahoo’s Kevin Iole reports that the foot injury wasn’t even the first serious setback Nurmagomedov weathered. Before the broken foot, Nurmagomedov had the mumps and missed weeks of his training camp.

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Dana White confident Khabib Nurmagomedov will stay retired after UFC 254

UFC president Dana White is confident Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement announcement at UFC 254 is definitive.

ABU DHABI – UFC president Dana White is confident [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag]’s retirement announcement at UFC 254 is definitive.

Following his submission victory over Justin Gaethje (22-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) to defend the lightweight title in Saturday’s headliner at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) announced he’s going to hang up his gloves and move on from MMA competition.

Citing the recent death of his father and head coach, Abdulmanap, as well as a promise to his mother not to continue fighting, Nurmagomedov made the choice to exit the sport with his perfect record intact.

MMA retirements have proven to be consistently flimsy over the course of the sport’s history, but given the circumstances, White said he thinks Nurmagomedov’s will stick.

“I do (think he’ll stay retired),” Nurmagomedov told reporters, including MMA Junkie, post-fight at UFC 254. “What this guy’s been through – we’re all lucky that we got to see him fight tonight. I’m hearing rumors of other things that I didn’t know about that you guys will hear about when he comes out later. Apparently he was in the hospital – he broke his foot three weeks ago. So he has two broken toes and a bone that was broken in his foot. (He) never told anybody walking around. He is one of the toughest human beings on the planet and he is the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Seriously, you have to start putting him up there in GOAT status.”

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Considering the personal hardships he endured leading up to fight night, Nurmagomedov’s performance against what was widely considered his most dangerous challenge was nothing short of sensational.

Nurmagomedov more than held his own in the striking department, then when the fight hit the mat, he was on a different level. He put Gaethje to sleep with a triangle choke in the second round, putting a lid on an effort that had White raving.

“He is the baddest mother(expletive) on the planet,” White said. “I can tell it almost smelled like an upset tonight the way that he reacted at the weigh-ins, the way that he acted when he was walking out tonight. He didn’t look like himself. Breathing heavy and taking deep breaths. But wow.”

Although White thinks Nurmagomedov’s announcement that his time as a UFC fighter is over will stick, he’s not counting out a change of heart. He’s not going to apply any pressure, but insinuated the door is always open.

“When guys want to fight, they fight,” White said. “When guys don’t want to fight, they don’t want to fight. Let him take some time off. Let him heal – not physically, but emotionally heal with what he’s going through from losing his father.”

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Justin Gaethje stays positive in wake of UFC 254 defeat: ‘Just because you lose, it’s not over’

Justin Gaethje looks forward to what’s next after losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254.

[autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] didn’t win Saturday at UFC 254, but his battle isn’t over yet.

Happy and relatively healthy afterward, Gaethje (22-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) reflected on his second-round submission loss to [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] through an optimistic lens. Gaethje has suffered losses before, so as hard as the feeling is, it’s nothing new. He doesn’t see one as a defining moment.

“I posted earlier that I would never let my nephew down,” Gaethje said. “Just because you lose, it’s not over. I lost twice and look at me. I was just fighting for a belt. There are not a lot of people in the sport – not experts, not non-experts, not the (expletives) at home – that would’ve ever thought I’d be here after I lost to (Dustin) Poirier that night (in 2018). My coaches believe it. I believed it, because I love competing so much. Why not? Let’s go.”

The sting of losing always exists. Despite the defeat, however, Gaethje had fun inside the cage – and embraced an emotional Nurmagomedov in the moments after the finish. Gaethje said he’s proud of the successes he had, even if they’re small consolation prizes.

“I’m happy to have had that billing,” Gaethje said. “When the bell rings, it’s a special feeling. I love it. I don’t think there’s anybody that loves that more than I do. I knew that if I was going to lose that I’m not scared of getting choked out. Getting knocked out does suck because there is consequences – health-wise to that. Getting choked out, you get a nice little dream, and it’s on to the next one. It sucks. I’m hurt.”

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As for what’s next, Gaethje is interested in whichever opportunity comes his way. Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) announced his retirement after the fight, likely opening the door to a vacant title fight.

“With him retiring, I’m No. 1,” Gaethje said. “Poirier and (Conor) McGregor are going to fight (Jan. 23). They haven’t made it official, so if McGregor wants to bounce out and get the belt, then I’m right here. If they want to give it to someone else, then so be it. But I’ll be ready. I’m ready to fight again. This is my job. This is my life. I love it so much.”

UFC 254 took place Saturday at Flash Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The main card streamed on pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN 2/ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

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Jon Jones refutes Khabib Nurmagomedov’s top pound-for-pound push after UFC 254

Jon Jones doesn’t seem completely willing to give Khabib Nurmagomedov the position of top pound-for-pound fighter after UFC 254.

[autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] doesn’t seem completely willing to give [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] the position of top pound-for-pound fighter.

Following his submission win over Justin Gaethje on Saturday at UFC 254 to defend the lightweight title, Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) announced his retirement from MMA. During his exit interview, “The Eagle” said he should be considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world on his way out.

Jones (25-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC), who is No. 1 in the UFC’s official rankings after an unprecedented run atop the light heavyweight divison, originally stepped back for Nurmagomedov. Moments later, however, he changed his mind (via Twitter):

Jones gave up his 205-pound title earlier this year to pursue a long-awaited move up to heavyweight. If Nurmagomedov does indeed take him over in the UFC rankings, there’s a good chance claiming a second belt would put “Bones” back in the lead position.

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Conor McGregor sends ‘respect and condolences’ to Khabib Nurmagomedov after retirement

Conor McGregor took the high road with his longtime rival after UFC 254.

[autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] wasted no time in wishing longtime rival [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] well after the UFC lightweight champion announced his retirement Saturday at UFC 254.

Taking to Twitter moments after the conclusion of the pay-per-view broadcast, McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) sent a message to Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) from “The McGregors.”

“Good performance @TeamKhabib,” McGregor wrote. “I will carry on. Respect and condolences on your father again also. To you and (your) family. Yours sincerely, The McGregors.”

Following his second-round technical submission victory Saturday over Justin Gaethje, Nurmagomedov took off his gloves inside the cage. Speaking into Jon Anik’s microphone, Nurmagomedov announced the fight would be his last.

“Today I want to say it was my last fight. No way I’m gonna come here without my father,” Nurmagomedov said. “It was first time after what happened with my father. When UFC called me with Justin, I talked with my mother three days. She don’t (want me) to go fight without father, but I promised her it’s gonna be my last fight. And if I give my word, I have to follow this.”

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McGregor and Nurmagomedov competed once against each other – at UFC 229 in October 2018. After a heated buildup, which included McGregor throwing a dolly through a bus window, Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor via rear-naked choke in Round 4. Following the finish, Nurmagomedov leaped out of the cage and onto McGregor’s cornermen. The move resulted in an all-out brawl.

The bad blood didn’t end there. McGregor and Nurmagomedov exchanged words on social media and in interviews in the months that followed, though McGregor issued a respectful statement after the death of Khabib’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, in July.

McGregor is expected to take on Dustin Poirier in January, though no contracts have been signed.

Check out McGregor’s tweet below:

UFC 254 took place Saturday at Flash Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The main card streamed on pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN 2/ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

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