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Check out the MMA Junkie’s Dan Tom’s analysis and predictions for the UFC 256 co-main event between Tony Ferguson and Charles Oliveira.
Check out the MMA Junkie’s Dan Tom’s analysis and predictions for the UFC 256 co-main event between Tony Ferguson and Charles Oliveira.
Renato Moicano wants to surpass the success he had at featherweight going into his second lightweight fight at UFC 256.
[autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag] found himself ranked in the top five at featherweight at one point. His goal is rise even higher, and that quest starts at UFC 256.
After spending his first eight octagon appearances at 145 pounds, Moicano (14-3-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC) jumped up a division in March. He scored a 44-second submission of Damir Hadzovic at UFC Fight Night 170 in March for a near-flawless debut at 155 pounds.
The performance and subsequent training has Moicano feeling right at home in his new division, he said. He hasn’t ruled out ever cutting those extra 10 pounds again, but said it would have to be for a truly worthwhile cause.
“I don’t have to cut weight and I’m feeling stronger,” Moicano told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at UFC 256 virtual media day on Wednesday. “I think this is the right division, but if UFC offers me a really good fight at 145, a top-five contender, I would go back. I’m feeling the best moment of my life, I’m feeling in shape and I feel I can do even better at ’55 than ’45.”
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Moicano will attempt to make it 2-0 at lightweight Saturday when he meets Rafael Fiziev (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) in a main card matchup at UFC Apex in Las Vega. The fight airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
Fiziev is only three fights into his UFC career, but has proven to be dangerous thus far due to his striking background. Moicano said he’s not underestimating his opponent, but thinks a difference is going to reveal itself inside the octagon.
“He has a great experience in combat sports, and I think the best man will win,” Moicano said. “I think this man is going to be me. … I think this fight is going to be who wants it more, and I want it more.”
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UFC 256: Rafael Fiziev virtual media day
UFC 256: Rafael Fiziev virtual media day
Check out the key facts, figures and footnotes for UFC 256, which is headlined by Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno.
Check out the key facts, figures and footnotes for UFC 256, which is headlined by Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno.
Tony Ferguson already has a UFC belt in his fight week hotel room and says the thought of adding another doesn’t entice him all that much.
Former interim UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] already has a UFC belt in his fight week hotel room, and he says the thought of adding another really doesn’t entice him all that much.
“I’ve got the belt in my room,” Ferguson said at a virtual media day session ahead of UFC 256. “I could go after another belt, but how much greed is that? I’ve got an ‘Ultimate Fighter’ trophy. I’ve got a Fighters Only award trophy. I’ve got a UFC belt. I’ve got medals, and I’m Lord of the Rings with all my championship rings. How much greed can you want? You want to be like Khabib (Nurmagomedov) and hold on to it?”
It’s an interesting take from Ferguson, but then again, “El Cucuy” has built a career on his unique flavor. And it’s true, while most fighters are constantly focused on securing a UFC title, Ferguson is already considered must-see TV by MMA fans for an all-action style that has seen him establish himself as a perennial contender at 155 pounds for most of his nine-year run in the UFC.
Ferguson came up short in a bid for a second interim belt when he was defeated by Justin Gaethje via fifth-round TKO in a thrilling “Fight of the Night” back in May.
Ferguson knows exactly what type of reputation he’s built along the way, and he’s content with where he stands – even rebranding his “champ (expletive) only” acronym for a new usage.
“I’m the CSO of the UFC,” Ferguson said. “CSO means ‘chief security officer.’ If you need something done, count on me. Reliable. I go out there and I make it happen. Name another (expletive) that’s out there in the top-five that does that (expletive). Top 15 or top 30. You’ve got to go lower in the bracket to have fighters that are barely making it to have that attitude.”
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Saturday, Ferguson (25-4 MMA, 15-2 UFC) returns to action in the co-main event of UFC 256 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. He takes on Brazilian finisher Charles Oliveira (29-8 MMA, 17-8 UFC) in a meaningful battle in the 155-pound division, with Ferguson sitting at No. 4 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie lightweight rankings, and “Do Bronx” sitting at No. 6.
But Ferguson isn’t interested in discussing whether or not he’ll get another title shot with a victory. After all, he famously was 12-1 in the promotion before he was given his interim title shot, which he won, and then that belt was stripped from him due to injury.
He has yet to compete for an undisputed title despite his track record of success.
“Man, that title is a wet dream,” Ferguson said. “Like that Farmers Insurance commercial: ‘Oh, you almost got it. Keep it going. We’re just going to keep dangling it in front of you.’
“I don’t know what the problem is. I don’t know if it’s because I’m Mexican. I’m American with Mexican parts. Twelve-fight win streak. Eight years in the making, before women’s sports were even in. Conor (McGregor) was on welfare. … All these different things, and I still didn’t earn a title shot.”
Ferguson and Oliveira are almost certain to be in contention for another “Fight of the Night” bonus on Saturday night. After all, they are two of the most prolific bonus earners in the promotion’s history.
At 36, Ferguson knows exactly where he stands in the sport, and he promises to put on another show for his loyal fans. As for the belt, his message is clear.
“I don’t give a (expletive),” Ferguson said.
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Check out the key facts, figures and footnotes for UFC 256, which is headlined by Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno.
Check out the key facts, figures and footnotes for UFC 256, which is headlined by Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno.
Kevin Holland says he was never COVID-19 positive and that’s why he’s able to fight Ronaldo Souza at UFC 256.
[autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] says he was never COVID-19 positive and that’s why he’s eligible to fight Ronaldo Souza at UFC 256.
Holland (20-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC) was forced out of the UFC on ESPN 19 headliner vs. Jack Hermansson on Dec. 5 after he tested positive for coronavirus. Shortly thereafter, though, he was positioned into a middleweight matchup with “Jacare” (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) just seven days later.
How is this possible? Holland said it’s because of a false positive. Holland said he turned in multiple negative tests in the days around his original result, and that’s why the promotion was able to throw him back in.
“I’m not worried about anymore bad tests on my end,” Holland told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at UFC 256 virtual media day on Wednesday. “Somebody else’s end? I don’t know. But on my end, (I’m) healthy as an ox.”
After Holland was forced out of his first scheduled UFC headliner, he was replaced by Marvin Vettori against Hermansson. The pair put on one of the best five-rounds fights of the year, with Vettori getting his hand raised by unanimous decision. Despite that, Holland said he has no envy and is appreciative of still getting a chance to compete.
“It was never mine to begin with, so therefore it was never mine to cry about when it got taken away,” Holland said. “It was an opportunity that was presented to me and it was an opportunity that was taken away. Another opportunity has presented itself and I’m happy with the opportunities that I get.”
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Holland said he did much of his revised training solo in his garage gym. It has him feeling prepared enough to beat Souza, who is one of the best middleweight in MMA history, when they meet at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The fight airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
Souza’s ground game is as dangerous as it gets, and his striking has caught up along the way. No matter where it goes, though, Holland said he’s comfortable.
“Whatever ‘Jacare’ brings to the table is perfectly fine,” Holland said. “When we’re talking about the striking aspect, I definitely have the advantage. When we’re talking about the fight overall, if I do things more technical, that might be my downfall. I think if I press fast-forward I might just run through ‘Jacare.'”
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Ciryl Gane spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s UFC 256 in Las Vegas.
Ciryl Gane spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s UFC 256 in Las Vegas.
The former Strikeforce champion says his situation is different than the recently released Yoel Romero.
Ronaldo Souza is not concerned about his standing with the UFC.
The longtime middleweight contender doesn’t think his job with the Las Vegas-based promotion will be on the line on Saturday night when he takes on Kevin Holland at UFC 256.
There’s been plenty of speculation on which fighters could potentially lose their job with the UFC before the year’s end, as UFC president Dana White told the media the organization was planning to cut 60 fighters from their inflated roster.
One of the recent casualties was top contender Yoel Romero, a man to whom Souza (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) once lost. Like Romero, Souza is in his 40s and coming off losses.
Yet despite the similarities, the 41-year-old Souza is says his situation is much different than Romero’s.
“No, for me it’s normal, I’m in a different situation,” Souza told reporters Wednesday at the UFC 256 virtual media day. “I have a fight coming up, Romero turned down many fights and many events because he couldn’t fight. So I’m in a different situation, but I’m ready for whatever the UFC puts in front (of me).
“I’m working, I did a very hard and good training camp and I’m going to show to the UFC and everyone who I am and the champ.”
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Souza was originally scheduled to take on Marvin Vettori at UFC 256. Vettori ended up fighting a week earlier against Jack Hermansson and Holland was moved back a week to meet Souza as he was unable to compete earlier due to a positive COVID-19 test.
Swapping Vettori for Holland is a big style change, but Souza is ready to prove he still belongs among the best middleweights in the world.
“Vettori is left handed, Holland is a right handed,” Souza said. “Vettori has short arms, Holland is a tall, long guy, but I did a very hard training camp for this guy. I brought big guys that helped me so I trained gard. I’m ready to fight against Holland. Lets go.”
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Renato Moicano spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s UFC 256 in Las Vegas.
Renato Moicano spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s UFC 256 in Las Vegas.
