Tag: UFC 263

UFC 263 video: Leon Edwards, Nate Diaz keep cool and calm during faceoff

Leon Edwards and Nate Diaz locked eyes for the first time during UFC 263 fight week.

PHOENIX – The UFC 263 pre-fight news conference took place Thursday, and MMA Junkie was on the scene for the festivities.

The news conference took place at Arizona Federal Theater. Afterward, traditional fighter faceoffs were held with all six fighters, including [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] and [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag], who meet in a five-round welterweight fight on the main card. When it came time to stand across from each other, both men simply locked eyes without exchanging words.

You can watch that in the video above.

UFC 263 takes place Saturday at Gila Rivera Arena in Glendale, Ariz. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view followed by prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

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UFC 263 breakdown: How will Deiveson Figueiredo-Brandon Moreno rematch unfold?

MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC 263 co-main bout for the flyweight title between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno.

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MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the co-main event for UFC 263, a rematch for the UFC flyweight title between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno.

UFC 263 takes place Saturday at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ESPN+ and early prelims on ESPN+.

Video: UFC 263 press conference live stream (7 p.m. ET)

Check out the UFC 263 pre-fight press conference from Phoenix with Israel Adesanya, Nate Diaz, and more.

PHOENIX – You can watch today’s press conference from the Arizona Federal Theater in advance of UFC 263 here on MMA Junkie at 7 p.m. ET.

UFC president Dana White hosts the event, which features middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] and [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag], flyweight champion [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] and [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag], as well as welterweights [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] and [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag], who meet in the promotion’s first five-found fight that isn’t a main event or for a title.

All six fighters will field questions from the media with fans in attendance.

UFC 263 takes place Saturday at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view followed by prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

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UFC 263 ‘Embedded,’ No. 4: Security has to separate Jamahal Hill and Paul Craig

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the featured fighters during UFC 263 fight week.

The UFC returns to pay-per-view this Saturday with UFC 263, which means the popular “Embedded” fight week series is back as well.

[autotag]UFC 263[/autotag] takes place at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. The main card airs live on ESPN + pay-per-view, with prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

The main event is middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (20-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) facing [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] (17-3-1 MMA, 7-2-1 UFC) in a rematch from their split decision in 2018. This time, the stakes are much higher with the title on the line.

The co-main event is a title rematch in the flyweight division, as champ [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] (20-1-1 MMA, 9-1-1 UFC) looks to defend his title against [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] (18-5-2 MMA, 6-2-2 UFC). Their first meeting was one of the best fights of 2020, resulting in a draw.

The third featured bout is a non-title, five-round fight between fan favorite [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] (20-12 MMA, 15-10 UFC) and [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC), which was originally scheduled to take place at UFC 262.

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured competitors during fight week. Here’s the description from YouTube:

Champ Deiveson Figueiredo gets back to BJJ basics. Leon Edwards preps for a scrap; Marvin Vettori trains his lungs. Champ Israel Adesanya crosses paths with his opponent. Paul Craig absorbs basketball culture. Brandon Moreno arrives to waiting fans.

Also watch:

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Nate Diaz says he’s fighting for a title after UFC 263 – even ‘if I lose’

Nate Diaz thinks a title shot is coming his way regardless of the result against Leon Edwards at UFC 263.

[autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] thinks a title shot is coming his way regardless of the result against Leon Edwards at UFC 263.

Diaz (20-12 MMA, 15-10 UFC), who is one of the biggest names in the fight game, returns to the octagon for the first time since November 2019 on Saturday when he meets Edwards (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in a five-round welterweight featured bout of the pay-per-view event at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Prelims air on ESPN and stream on ESPN+.

Edwards is a top contender at 170 pounds and in the midst of a nine-fight unbeaten streak. Diaz ending his run would be huge credibility to push for a bout with champ Kamaru Usman, but he thinks he’ll be in the mix no matter what.

“I don’t care if I lose, I’m fighting for the title,” Diaz told Rolling Stone. “The plan is win here and then we’ll see who’s next for me.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr7jqcG3e2A

Even if Diaz is being unrealistic about fighting for a belt if he doesn’t win, it’s not his intention to put himself in that scenario. He said he picked the fight with Edwards because he likes the work the Brit is doing amidst his current streak, and taking out “Rocky” would do wonders for his already powerful stock.

“He’s the top guy, he’s the guy who has been beating everybody, so why wouldn’t I fight the best guy?” Diaz said. “It’s impressive when somebody can win that many times in a row in the big show.”

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The fight with Edwards will mark another historic moment in Diaz’s career, as it’s scheduled as the first five-round bout in company history that’s neither a title fight nor a main event.

Although it’s not technically the headliner with two other title fights teed up at UFC 263, Diaz said he feels like the spotlight is brightest on him.

“History just happens for me, huh?” Diaz said. “I was just like, ‘I’m trying to fight a main event for five rounds.’ They’re just like, ‘We got a main event with these guys.’ I’m like, ‘Whatever, I’m the main event either way. Let’s do it.”

Diaz said he’s not overthinking the stakes or the circumstances involved with this fight. Winning has a way of solving everything at times, and for someone with Diaz’s credentials, it opens a plethora of options for him.

“It’s good to be in action and be able to handle business like I like to do.” Diaz said. “I’m looking forward to getting the job done. Just get it done, however it’s going to happen it’s going to happen. … He knows how to win and he knows how to get it done, so it’s going to be a serious, but not serious fight. I gotta kill the motherf*cker.”

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MMA Junkie Radio #3165: Guest Demetrious Johnson, plus PFL, Bellator, UFC previews

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

Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here and will be live on SportsCastr at noon ET.

On Episode 3,165, the boys bring on ONE Championship’s [autotag]Demetrious Johnson[/autotag]. Plus, they’ll preview the next three straight days of fight cards with 2021 PFL 4, Bellator 260 and UFC 263. Tune in!

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.

UFC 263: Nate Diaz’s expletive-ridden take about manners on ‘SportsCenter’ was too good

Nate Diaz is the best.

UFC 263 is this Saturday night in Arizona and while the main card will be closed out with two title fights, the bout before those could be the most highly anticipated of the evening as fan-favorite Nate Diaz makes his return against Leon Edwards in a five-round welterweight showdown.

We haven’t seen Diaz since a doctor stopped his fight with Jorge Masvidal way back in November of 2019.

Diaz is beloved by fans both because how he fights inside the Octagon and how he carries himself outside of it. He keeps things realer than real all of the time and isn’t concerned about how others feel about that.

This week he made an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter and was asked what he thought of other fighters picking him to lose to Edwards.

His answer was classic Diaz:

He also had this hilarious moment:

Fans loved it:

Brad Riddell not looking for ‘Fight of the Night’ at UFC 263, intends on ‘murking’ Drew Dober

Brad Riddell looking for an emphatic statement, not a “Fight of the Night” battle with Drew Dober.

PHOENIX – [autotag]Brad Riddell[/autotag] spoke to the media ahead of UFC 263 at Wednesday’s media day.

Riddell (9-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) answered questions from MMA Junkie and other media members ahead of his lightweight bout with [autotag]Drew Dober[/autotag] (23-10 MMA, 9-6 UFC) about wanting to make a statement with a finish, sharing the card with his teammate Israel Adesanya and much more.

UFC 263 takes place Saturday at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ESPN+ and early prelims on ESPN+.

Watch the video of Riddell’s complete pre-fight media availability above.

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Joanne Calderwood explains why she and Lauren Murphy are ‘going to come out looking like lobsters’ at UFC 263

Joanne Calderwood and Lauren Murphy meet in an important clash, and “JoJo” believes it’s going to provide some pretty memorable scenes.

PHOENIX – [autotag]Joanne Calderwood[/autotag] and [autotag]Lauren Murphy[/autotag] meet in an important clash in the UFC women’s flyweight division, and “JoJo” believes it’s going to provide some pretty memorable scenes.

“I love it,” Calderwood said of the matchup. “She’s tough. We’ve both never been stopped. I’ve only been submitted, so I can see this as both going the distance and putting on a great performance because we’re both going to go in there let our s*it go, and it’s going to be a great fight for the fans.”

Calderwood (15-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) and Murphy (14-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) meet on the ESPN-broadcast prelims of Saturday’s UFC 263 at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. It’s a big fight at 125 pounds, with Murphy currently ranked No. 9 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie women’s flyweight rankings, and Calderwood just behind at NO. 10.

Murphy had hoped to get a title shot rather than this booking, but a win would likely net her that assignment. Meanwhile, Calderwood had a title shot in her hands recently but chose to fight rather than wait on an injured champ, and it backfired with a defeat.

With an impressive performance, it’s not unthinkable that Calderwood would get a shot at champ Valentina Shevchenko, as well.

“Obviously Lauren was very vocal that she wanted to be next, and that didn’t happen for her, so I think everything happens for a reason, and I’m glad to get this challenge,” Calderwood said. “Luckily we have a champion in our division that wants to stay active, and she wants to fight all of us, so that’s great for me.”

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First, of course, Calderwood must get through Murphy, and that’s exactly what she plans on doing this Saturday. She knows it won’t be easy, of course, and she agrees with Murphy’s assessment that it’s likely to be a violent, bloody contest.

“We’re both pale-skinned,” Calderwood said. “We’re both going to go in there and hit each other, and we’re going to come out looking like lobsters with blood or just our skin being pink.”

To hear the full interview with Calderwood, check out the video above.

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Belal Muhammad knows Demian Maia won’t ‘fold or break’ at UFC 263

Belal Muhammad isn’t expecting an easy night at the office at UFC 263, even if he’s facing a 43-year-old version of Demian Maia.

PHOENIX – [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] isn’t expecting an easy night at the office at UFC 263, even if he’s facing a 43-year-old version of Demian Maia.

Muhammad (18-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) gets another big fight opportunity on Saturday when he meets Maia (28-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) in a welterweight main card matchup at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. The bout airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

Although Maia has mentioned the possibility of retirement around this fight, Muhammad doesn’t view that as a sign of weakness or vulnerability. He knows Maia will want to go out of a high, and for that reason, he expects a very tough fight.

The Brazilian is known for his durability in addition to an elite grappling game, and if Muhammad wants the statement victory he wants, he’s got to be on his A-game.

“I’m going to have to put him to sleep if I want to finish this fight,” Muhammad told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the UFC 263 media day on Wednesday. “He’s not one of those guys that’s going to fold or break. He’s gone five-round fights with the world’s best. I’ve got to show the world like, ‘Yo, this guy’s contender.'”

Maia was not the matchup Muhammad wanted most at UFC 263. His preference would’ve been to rematch Leon Edwards, who he fought to a no contest at UFC Fight Night 187 in March after an accidental eye poke ended the bout in the second round.

Muhammad was campaigning to run it back with Edwards, and while the Brit is also fighting at UFC 263, it’s against Nate Diaz in the featured bout. Muhammad admits he’s a bit bothered by that setup, but said the fact he’s in such close proximity to Edwards could lead to fireworks.

“There’s a little salt on my shoulders right now, but it’s all good. For me right now,” Muhammad said. “I’ve got to get past Demian Maia. I don’t want to get distracted with Leon and then see Leon in the back and give him a three-piece and the soda, then that’ll get me my rematch.”

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Whether Muhammad and Edwards end up fighting in the future again remains to be seen. Right now he’s focused on Maia, though, and the difficulty of the task at hand isn’t lost on him.

Maia might be the oldest active fighter in the 170-pound division, but his game has aged gracefully over the years and he’s still winning more than he’s losing. The scenario is such that it’s on Muhammad to make him look his age and usher Maia out the door, and he said he’s willing to do it for the upside of moving into the title discussion.

“He’s still a huge name, a great name, big name and he’s a legend respected by all fighters,” Muhammad said. “To have a guy like that on my resume before he retires? It’s going to be great. People say, ‘He’s 42 he’s at the end of his career.’ He’s literally 3-1 out of his last four and he literally almost beat Gilbert Burns. He had him a bad spot, mounted him, took his back. So, he’s still dangerous.

“I don’t want to look past Maia, but when you beat a guy liked that you’re looking at a No. 1 contender fight or guys that are in that title picture.”

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