Tag: UFC 276

Video: UFC 276 pre-fight press conference live stream

Watch the UFC 277 pre-fight press conference on MMA Junkie.

LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on the scene for the UFC 276 pre-fight news conference, which took place at T-Mobile Arena, which also hosts Saturday night’s pay-per-view event.

At Thursday’s news conference were headliners [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] and [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag], co-headliners [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] and [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag], as well as main-card fighters [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag], [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag], [autotag]Robbie Lawler[/autotag], [autotag]Bryan Barberena[/autotag], [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag], and [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag].

Check out the video above.

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UFC 276 ‘Embedded,’ No. 34: ‘There’s no time to smell roses’

The UFC returns for International Fight Week and a big pay-per-view. “Embedded” is back to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

The UFC is back in Las Vegas for its latest International Fight Week and a big pay-per-view, which means the “Embedded” fight-week video series is back to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 276 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

UFC 275 features a title-fight doubleheader. In the main event, middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) takes on challenger [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC). In the co-feature, featherweight champ [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (24-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC) meets former titleholder [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (23-6 MMA, 19-6 UFC) in a trilogy rematch.

Additionally, [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] (19-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) takes on rising bantamweight standout [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) on the main card.

The fourth episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Sean O’Malley sightsees in style. Champs Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski bask in team spirit. Jared Cannonier greets his opponent. Max Holloway gets honored by UFC and teased by DC. Stars talk matchups at media day. UFC 276 is on Saturday, July 2.

Watch the episode in the video above check out the previous episodes below:

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UFC 276 breakdown: Can Jared Cannonier dethrone Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title?

Does Jared Cannonier have a real chance of beating Israel Adesanya? Read our technical breakdown of the UFC 276 main event to find out.

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main event for UFC 276.

UFC 276 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

UFC 276 ‘Embedded,’ No. 3: Sean O’Malley arrives to Las Vegas in expensive transportation

The UFC returns for International Fight Week and a big pay-per-view. “Embedded” is back to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

The UFC is back in Las Vegas for its latest International Fight Week and a big pay-per-view, which means the “Embedded” fight-week video series is back to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 276 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

UFC 275 features a title-fight doubleheader. In the main event, middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) takes on challenger [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC). In the co-feature, featherweight champ [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (24-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC) meets former titleholder [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (23-6 MMA, 19-6 UFC) in a trilogy rematch.

Additionally, [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag] (19-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) takes on rising bantamweight standout [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) on the main card.

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Sean O’Malley wraps his camp and dyes his locks. Champion teammates Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski take over the PI, then Max Holloway gets his turn. Jared Cannonier starts his business trip. UFC 276 is on Saturday, July 2.

Watch the episode in the video above check out the previous episodes below:

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Debunking ‘Tittygate’: Israel Adesanya issues $3 million challenge to anyone who can prove steroid use

Have proof UFC 276 headliner Israel Adesanya knowingly took steroids? Well, you could just be a multimillionaire.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] may have brushed off steroid accusations at the time, but it turns out he didn’t take them lightly after all.

Gynecomastia is a medical condition that occurs sometimes as a result of steroid use. So when UFC 253 opponent Paulo Costa and other MMA fans began to call out Adesanya’s gynecomastia, accusations became more populous – an influx he now refers to simply as “Tittygate.” Through it all, Adesanya denied and kept a level head. He had his swollen breast checked by a physician to make sure there were no health issues.

Fast forward nearly two years later to the UFC 276 pre-fight news conference held Wednesday and Adesanya indicated the accusations are still something he hears – and it bugs him. He sees it as a mechanism by which haters and doubters try to discredit him.

In order to combat and disprove what he calls baseless accusations, Adesanya challenged anyone who has proof of his intentional steroid use to come forward and let the world know. If they do, Adesanya promised to make them a multimillionaire.

“When you’re great, they talk about ‘Tittygate,'” Adesanya told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “At the same time, I’m like, ‘How the f*ck?’ They just need to find excuses to take away my greatness. I understand this is what people are supposed to do, so I let them. Look, I will give $3 million to anyone who can ever have concrete evidence that I even know what the f*ck I’m doing with steroids or how to take steroids. I promise you… $3 million if you can find anyone who has concrete evidence that I’ve ever even purchased, touched, or done any kind of performance-enhancing drugs or whatever. I watched Icarus. That’s how much I know about steroids, from that documentary. It opened my eyes. It shocked me.

“So yeah, $3 million for anyone who can ever find any concrete evidence that I’ve been using performance-enhancing drugs. Pull up. This is easy. It’s easy to talk and type online, but really it got to me a little after the Costa fight. I was like, ‘These f*cking c*nts are just trying to take away my greatness, because I had a f*cking spectacular performance.’ I’m like, ‘How the f*ck are you trying to take that away with accusations based on nothing.’ I’m like, yeah, pull up. Show me what’s up. Three million. I know you don’t have that in the bank. I do.”

Adesanya, 32, takes on Jared Cannonier (15-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) in the UFC 276 main event Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. The event streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view after prelims on MMA Junkie. If Adesanya wins, it’ll mark his fifth title defense as undisputed champion.

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How Ian Garry’s ‘pissed off’ email to Sean Shelby landed him a spot on UFC 276

Ask and you shall receive. Ian Garry learned that in securing a fight at UFC 276.

LAS VEGAS – Ask and you shall receive. [autotag]Ian Garry[/autotag] learned that in securing a fight at UFC 276.

Garry (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), an undefeated Irish prospect, meets Gabe Green (11-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) on Saturday’s card at T-Mobile Arena. The fight airs on the ABC/ESPN prelims following early prelims on ESPN+ and prior to the pay-per-view main card.

After picking up a win he wasn’t happy with against Darrian Weeks at UFC 273 in April, Garry said he wanted to get back in the octagon as soon as possible. He reached out to UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby with a plea, and his wish was quickly granted.

“I emailed Sean Shelby a couple days, maybe a week after that fight, and said I want to get in there straight away again,” Garry told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at UFC 276 media day. “I’m not happy, I’m kind of pissed off win with that fight. I didn’t get what I want. Myself. I wasn’t happy with myself and my performance in that fight, and then he said July 2, and I was ready to cut weight in two weeks. So, here we are.”

Although Garry wasn’t pleased with his previous fight, he said he couldn’t be too upset because he left with his perfect record intact and set himself up for a bigger opportunity.

“You can win and learn – I’ve only won in my career and I’ve learned so f*cking much,” Garry said. “That’s what I’m going to continue to do. I’m going to continue to learn, continue to grow. No matter what happens in the cage, once I come out there victorious I’ve done my job right. I’m happy to get the win, the performance is always going to be better. I’m never going to sit there and say the performance was perfect.”

Garry said he’s looking to show out at UFC 276. He wants to deliver a statement victory, and thinks Green is a good opponent to set him up for that.

“I think he will bring it,” Garry said. “I don’t think this is going to be an easy fight. I know he’s going to be ready, he’s going to be great. He’s coming off of two wins. … I want the best Gabe Green we’ve ever seen so that when he stands there and he’s lost it, there’s no excuses.”

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Israel Adesanya explains how he knew UFC 276 opponent Jared Cannonier was special – before anyone else did

“The Last Stylebender” identified Jared Cannonier long before their UFC 276 matchup was on the table. It just took a little longer than expected.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] remembers a few years back at Madison Square Garden. He knew before anyone else did.

That night, Adesanya (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) met the man who eventually turned out to be his UFC 276 opponent, [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC). The two were cordial and Adesanya promised they’d meet eventually. He’d seen Cannonier fight before. There were a couple of special traits that shined through.

“Spirit, if I’m being honest. His fighting spirit and his essence,” Adesanya told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “I recognize that because I’m an empath myself. I can kind of feel the energy from a great man and a great fighter. Yeah, I like to take care of these guys. I call out all the greats. I saw that early on in him before all you guys did. I try to boost him up. He fell short once and then came back and proved his worth as the next contender.”

As Adesanya referenced, Cannonier was on the verge of a title fight in 2020. However, a unanimous decision loss in which he injured his arm against Robert Whittaker sent him back a few steps. Since, consecutive wins over Kelvin Gastelum and Derek Brunson have him right back in the mix.

“I feel like he poses a danger the same way all my past opponents pose dangerous threats,” Adesanya said. “They keep talking about, ‘Power, power, power.’ Have you ever heard that before when someone fights me? ‘Oh, power this. Power that.’ It’s the same old song. F*cking get it off repeat. Pick a new song. I’m just glad I have a new blood to fight in this fight. Yeah, it’s time to eat.”

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Record-stacking usually has a negative connotation, but in this case, Adesanya is giving new meaning to the phrase. He’s picking and choosing his opponents to build his resume – with nothing but straight killers.

“Not in the sh*t sense, but I’ve always picked my opponents,” Adesanya said. “Yeah, people pick and choose their opponents on the way up to the UFC because they want to pad their records. When I’m in the UFC, I pick and choose my opponents because I want to pad my records with legit contenders. So I pick and chose them a while back. I’m glad they didn’t fumble this time and he made it to the dance, so here we are. Let’s go.”

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Joe Biden, Mazdas, and anime rants aside, Sean Strickland says he can ‘f*cking bang’ with any Glory kickboxer

The UFC 276 pre-fight news conference with Sean Strickland went totally off the rails, as expected, though there was a little fight talk.

LAS VEGAS – Seemingly, [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] much preferred the non-fight-related chatter at a UFC 276 pre-fight news conference Wednesday.

President Joe Biden, Mazdas, Canadian women, the seating arrangement in the room, anime, you name it. A whole host of random topics were all touched upon, but with the little fight talk that occurred – one thing was clear. Strickland isn’t afraid to strike with Glory Kickboxing champion Alex Pereira (5-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) on the pay-per-view main card Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.

“He’s a big, scary Brazilian, we can all say it,” Strickland said. “The guy is massive. He walked in and I’m like, ‘Maybe I should go to welterweight again.’ Isn’t he the current Glory champion? I know he lost, but by default, they took all their belts so does that default him back to the champion? F*cking Glory cowards.”

On paper, Strickland understands why the promotion made a title eliminator fight against a relatively-unproven MMA commodity. In his eyes, the UFC wanted to give Pereira the highest-ranked fighter least likely to use wrestling. If that’s the case, sorry, UFC. Strickland said he might have to let you down.

“You could eventually go and have him fight a wrestler who will take him down and beat him and then he’ll never get the Izzy shot,” Strickland said. “Or they can be like, ‘Hey, why don’t we have him fight Sean? Sean doesn’t like to wrestle. Maybe if he beats him, then we can float him to the top.’ This is purely a ploy by the UFC putting him against someone who likes to strike to potentially get him an Izzy shot. UFC, I applaud you, but I might f*cking wrestle.”

“… I don’t know what the f*ck I’m going to do. I never walk in there with a plan. … We’ll find out. I don’t really go in with a game plan. Obviously, if I go in there and he starts hurting me, yeah. I’m going to take the coward’s way out and wrestle. Hopefully, I can stand and bang with this gigantic, scary f*cking Brazilian.”

If the opportunity to wrestle doesn’t present itself, Strickland will strike against an already-proven, championship striker. It’s no sweat off his back, though. Strickland thinks he can hang with the best of them.

“There’s not one Glory f*cking kickboxer in any f*cking weight class that I can’t stand and bang with,” Strickland said. “So don’t f*cking tell me, just because you’re some big, f*cking Brazilian and you knocked out Izzy 20 f*cking years ago, that I can’t stand and trade with you. Come on, motherf*cker. Get out of here.”

Check out Sean Strickland’s full UFC 276 pre-fight news conference in the video above.

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Alexander Volkanovski respects Max Holloway’s ‘legendary chin,’ but confident ‘it can’t hold up forever’

UFC champ Alexander Volkanovski explains what it would mean to finish Max Holloway at UFC 276.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] firmly believes Max Holloway’s durability has an expiration date.

The UFC featherweight champion respects Holloway’s historic chin and ability to withstand damage, but wants to put it through a test once again on Saturday night. The two meet in the co-main event of UFC 276. It’s a trilogy bout that’s so far 2-0 in favor of the champion, with both fights being close decisions.

Volkanovski (24-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC) wants to notch a third win over Holloway (23-6 MMA, 19-6 UFC), and if possible, be the first to stop the Hawaiian with strikes.

“That would be incredible,” Holloway said. “It’s a legendary chin that he has. I’ve always said, ‘You don’t want to be known for your granite chin,’ but at the same time, it is legendary at the moment.

“And if I could take that chin and put him out, that would really be sending a statement because no one has done that. But again, he obviously takes damage, and I’ve touched on the fact that it can’t hold up forever, so let’s see if it holds up this time.”

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Holloway has never been even knocked down in any of his 25 UFC fights. Volkanovski is sure that at some point, Holloway’s ability to take a hit will have to diminish. Volkanovski is hoping to put away Holloway before the championship rounds.

“I want to end it and end it early, and I think I definitely can,” Volkanovski said. “And again, I feel like that chin has to go soon. That’s no disrespect to him, but it’s got to go soon. I know I’m landing on it and landed on it big many times. We’ll see what happens. But if it ends inside the three, that’s me getting the finish.”

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Sean O’Malley doesn’t see doubters going away after UFC 276: ‘I could submit Khabib, and people would be like, ‘Yeah, but…”

Ahead of his first “big” test at UFC 276, Sean O’Malley says he doesn’t think haters will ever give him credit – not that he cares.

LAS VEGAS – By many people’s assessments, [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] will face his first “big” test Saturday at UFC 276 in the form of Pedro Munhoz.

O’Malley (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) took the stage at the UFC Apex for a pre-fight news conference Wednesday where he unsurprisingly arrived in an eye-catching attire and funkily colored hair. He sported two watches, one on each wrist, and a pair of gemmed-out eyeglasses.

The test might be a larger ask, but O’Malley’s trajectory of self-promotion and uniqueness remained the same as he fielded questions. In his estimation, even if he passes with flying colors, however, O’Malley doesn’t think the doubters and haters will disappear at the sight of a knockout against a top 10 UFC-ranked opponent.

“I could submit Khabib and people would be like, ‘Yeah, but… something.’ I pay no attention to what the negative fans say,” O’Malley told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “It doesn’t matter to me. Yes, I’ll go out there and finish Pedro, and yes, it’ll be like, ‘Yeah, but…’ It doesn’t matter.”

O’Malley has always said he doesn’t care what the masses think. However, this week it seems like the thoughts of both fighter and fans run parallel. O’Malley recognizes a step up in competition. Fighting Munhoz (19-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) on a massive pay-per-view card at T-Mobile Arena is a big deal.

“Yeah, beating Pedro will be a big deal,” O’Malley said. “I think he’s only lost to former world champions. Not just beating Pedro, but finishing Pedro would be a massive deal. He’s fought and only lost to former world champions. With that being said, I do believe I’ll be his toughest fight. I think he’s my toughest fight, as well.”

With a big victory likely comes an even bigger opportunity on the other side. If he wins at UFC 276, O’Malley thinks a top contender fight awaits him. He might even call his shot in his post-fight interview if he makes it there.

“I’m a couple fights away from a title fight, especially if I can get the finishes I’ve been doing. People want to see that. People want to see me be champion. I’ve just got to go out there, perform, and do what I’m capable of doing. That’s putting Pedro’s lights out. … There’s a little Russian dude (Petr Yan) running around saying no one wants to fight him. Fob Font might be an option. He got beat up a couple times, so it might not be. The division is crazy right now.”

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