Tag: UFC 283

UFC champ Aljamain Sterling addresses backlash from Andrew Tate photo: ‘We are so quick to condemn people’

Aljamain Sterling said he “never” blamed rape victims in follow-up tweets defending his hanging out with controversial figure Andrew Tate.

UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] recently found himself in the middle of a social media firestorm ahead of one of the biggest fights of his career.

Last week, Sterling posted a photo of himself and controversial online figure Andre Tate, who was recently banned from YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other prominent social media platforms for hate-speech and making misogynistic comments.

Sterling, who goes for his second title defense against T.J. Dillashaw on Saturday at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, captioned the post: “Top G’s never die! Good chopping it up with you fellas.”

Sterling’s tweet sparked an uproar from some MMA fans, who scoffed at him hanging out with Tate given the controversy surrounding him. Sterling (21-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) did not stay quiet and further stirred the pot this week as he went on a lengthy back-and-forth with many people on Twitter.

Sterling addressed the situation Wednesday during his UFC 280 media day news conference.

“So I quote-tweeted somebody that said what everybody else was saying that they were coming down on me for, and I was agreeing with the tweet,” Sterling told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “And I said, ‘You’re right. I 100 percent agree with you that Andrew Tate should not ever say that it is the responsibility of a victim.’ So people that were coming at me were completely wrong, and I was trying to explain that you misread the tweet and then they would show me the same tweet, and I would say you’re not understanding what I’m saying. You’re misreading the tweet, because I’m quoting and I’m agreeing. I am on your side.”

In one of Tate’s many infamous controversial takes, Tate believes women who are rape victims “should take some personal responsibility.”

“If I left a million dollars outside my front door – when it got stolen people would say. ‘Why was it there? Irresponsible’,” Tate wrote on Twitter in 2017. “I can say ‘NOBODY SHOULD STEAL ITS WRONG’ and everyone will agree. But still. Very little sympathy per my bad decision pre thievery.

“Sexual assault is the same. WHY were you there. With this guy. Drunk. You don’t even know. Why? ‘NOBODY SHOULD RAPE’ yes I agree. But why?

“Take some personal responsibility. This zero blame game is damaging to the female cause as a whole. Protect yourselves.”

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Sterling tried to distance himself from some of Tate’s beliefs while responding to backlash on Twitter, saying, “No, not everything they’ve said I agree with.” He again doubled down at media day, clarifying his comments made online.

“I have 14-plus sisters,” Sterling said. “I love my mom. I would never tell my mom that if anything like that happened to them that, ‘It’s your fault.’ That’s just the craziest thing to ever say to anybody.

“That’s like, if you’re in the hood, and you’re walking down a nice neighborhood or something, and you’re a person of color, and you get shot because you have a hoodie on, that I’m telling you it’s your fault because you’re walking down the street. That doesn’t even make any sense. Why would I ever blame the victim? No, it’s the person that’s not taking the time to understand.

“So the clarity on that is I never victim-blamed anybody. I think that’s the craziest thing to even make an assumption like that and if you don’t understand what I said, ask me to clarify. Don’t start jumping the gun and start throwing labels and sh*t like that.”

Sterling went on to express what he perceives to a problem with today’s internet culture, which reflected on the public backlash for posting a picture with Tate.

“I think people are really crazy, and I think that’s the problem with the world today,” Sterling said. “We are so quick to condemn people instead of actually giving people a chance to reason and analyze what people are saying vs. assuming and just making a judgment and being completely wrong.

“That’s just the world that we live in today. I don’t think it’s going to change anytime soon. With that said, hopefully T.J. Dillashaw moves the needle this weekend at UFC 280.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 280.

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Jessica Andrade vs. Lauren Murphy booked for UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro

Former UFC strawweight champion Jessica Andrade is moving back up to flyweight to face Lauren Murphy.

[autotag]Jessica Andrade[/autotag] is going back up a division.

The former UFC strawweight champion is taking another crack at flyweight as she’s been booked to fight [autotag]Lauren Murphy[/autotag] on Jan. 21 at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie following an initial report by MMA Fighting on Tuesday.

Andrade (23-9 MMA, 14-7 UFC) is coming off an impressive submission win over Amanda Lemos back in April in the main event of UFC Fight Night 205. Her finish was the first-ever standing arm triangle submission win in the history of the UFC. The bout was also Andrade’s return to 115 pounds following a short 2-1 run at flyweight where she challenged and lost to champion Valentina Shevchenko.

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With the booking against Murphy, the Brazilian is making a second move up to 125 pounds.

Murphy (16-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) will attempt to add another former UFC champion to her resume. Murphy last fought in July whern she spoiled former UFC and Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate’s debut at 125 pounds. That performance was a bounce-back win from her defeat to Shevchenko back in September 2021. Murphy is 6-1 since 2019 with her only defeat to Shevchenko.

With the addition, the UFC 283 lineup includes:

  • Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno – for flyweight title
  • Jessica Andrade vs. Lauren Murphy
  • Gabriel Bonfim vs. Mounir Lazzez
  • Zarah Fairn vs. Josiane Nunes
  • Gregory Rodrigues vs. Brad Tavares
  • Ihor Potieria vs. Mauricio Rua
  • Paul Craig vs. Johnny Walker

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Johnny Walker vs. Paul Craig targeted for UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro

A light heavyweight bout between Johnny Walker and Paul Craig is being targeted for UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro.

[autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag] is coming home.

The UFC light heavyweight is being targeted to take part in the UFC’s return to Brazil. He’s expected to take on [autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag] at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro. The event is set to go down Jan. 21 at Jeunesse Arena.

MMA Junkie confirmed the matchup Sunday following an initial report by Ag Fight.

UFC 283 marks the UFC’s 11th trip to Rio and 38th visit to Brazil overall. It will be the UFC’s first event in Brazil since the start of the pandemic.

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Walker (19-7 MMA, 5-4 UFC) is coming off a submission win over Ion Cutelaba at UFC 279 in Las Vegas. It was a much-needed win for Walker, who entered UFC 279 on a two-fight skid and only 1-4 in his past five outings. Following the event, Walker asked to be placed on the Rio de Janeiro card.

Craig (16-5-1 MMA, 8-5-1 UFC) most recently fought at UFC Fight Night 208 in London, where lost a unanimous decision to former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir. The loss snapped a six-fight unbeaten streak for Craig, which included five wins and a draw.

With the addition, the UFC 283 lineup now includes:

  • Champ Deiveson Figueiredo vs. interim champ Brandon Moreno – to unify flyweight title
  • Gregory Rodrigues vs. Brad Tavares
  • Ihor Potieria vs. Mauricio Rua
  • Gabriel Bonfim vs. Mounir Lazzez
  • Zarah Fairn vs. Josiane Nunes
  • Paul Craig vs. Johnny Walker

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Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua returns against Ihor Potieria at UFC 283 in Brazil

Mauricio Rua will return in his home country in what could be his final fight.

[autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] will return in his home country in what could be his final fight.

“Shogun” (27-12-1 MMA, 11-10-1 UFC) meets [autotag]Ihor Potieria[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at UFC 283, which takes place on Jan. 21 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

A person with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA Mania was first to report the news.

Rua, 40, will look to rebound from back-to-back losses to Paul Craig and Ovince Saint Preux. Prior to that, the former PRIDE and UFC light heavyweight champion defeated Antonio Rogerio Nogueira for a third time. Heading into his fight with Saint Preux in May, Rua hinted at two final fights before retirement. If that’s the case, UFC 283 could mark the last fight of his career.

Meanwhile, Contender Series graduate Potieria will be in search of his first UFC win. The 26-year-old Ukrainian fighter dropped his octagon debut to Nicolae Negumereanu by knockout at UFC 277 in July.

With the addition, the current UFC 283 lineup includes:

  • Champion Deiveson Figueiredo vs. interim champion Brandon Moreno – for flyweight title
  • Gabriel Bonfim vs. Mounir Lazzez
  • Zarah Fairn vs. Josiane Nunes
  • Gregory Rodrigues vs. Brad Tavares
  • Ihor Potieria vs. Mauricio Rua

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Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua returns against Ihor Potieria at UFC 283 in Brazil

Mauricio Rua will return in his home country in what could be his final fight.

[autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] will return in his home country in what could be his final fight.

“Shogun” (27-12-1 MMA, 11-10-1 UFC) meets [autotag]Ihor Potieria[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at UFC 283, which takes place on Jan. 21 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

A person with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA Mania was first to report the news.

Rua, 40, will look to rebound from back-to-back losses to Paul Craig and Ovince Saint Preux. Prior to that, the former PRIDE and UFC light heavyweight champion defeated Antonio Rogerio Nogueira for a third time. Heading into his fight with Saint Preux in May, Rua hinted at two final fights before retirement. If that’s the case, UFC 283 could mark the last fight of his career.

Meanwhile, Contender Series graduate Potieria will be in search of his first UFC win. The 26-year-old Ukrainian fighter dropped his octagon debut to Nicolae Negumereanu by knockout at UFC 277 in July.

With the addition, the current UFC 283 lineup includes:

  • Champion Deiveson Figueiredo vs. interim champion Brandon Moreno – for flyweight title
  • Gabriel Bonfim vs. Mounir Lazzez
  • Zarah Fairn vs. Josiane Nunes
  • Gregory Rodrigues vs. Brad Tavares
  • Ihor Potieria vs. Mauricio Rua

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Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno 4 booked for UFC 283 title-unification bout

Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno will meet for a fourth time to unify the UFC flyweight titles this January in Rio de Janeiro.

[autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] and [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] will unify the flyweight titles at UFC 283.

Flyweight champion Figueiredo (21-2-1 MMA, 9-2-1 UFC) meets interim champ Moreno (20-6-2 MMA, 8-3-2 UFC) on Jan. 21 in Rio.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Reporter Rodrigo Del Campo was the first to report the news. Figueiredo also announced the signing of the bout Monday on Instagram.

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Moreno and Figueiredo will square off for the fourth time. In their first fight at UFC 256 in December 2020, Figueiredo retained the flyweight title when the bout ended in a majority draw. The pair rematched at UFC 263, but Figueiredo was dethroned when Moreno submitted him by rear-naked choke in Round 3. However, Figueiredo regained the title when he edged out Moreno in a trilogy bout at UFC 270 this past January.

A quadrilogy was expected to take place next, but the promotion opted to create an interim title after Figueiredo was sidelined due to injury. Moreno faced Kai Kara-France at UFC 277 in July and captured part of the belt back when he shut down the Kiwi fighter by a body kick TKO, setting up a fourth showdown with Figueiredo.

With the addition, the current UFC 283 lineup includes:

  • Champion Deiveson Figueiredo vs. interim champion Brandon Moreno – for flyweight title
  • Gabriel Bonfim vs. Mounir Lazzez
  • Zarah Fairn vs. Josiane Nunes
  • Gregory Rodrigues vs. Brad Tavares

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Gregory Rodrigues vs. Brad Tavares booked for UFC 283 event in Rio

After suffering a gruesome cut earlier this month, Gregory Rodrigues has already been booked for his next fight.

[autotag]Gregory Rodrigues[/autotag] isn’t looking to waste any time.

Just weeks after suffering a gruesome cut in a TKO win over Chidi Njokuani at UFC Fight Night 210, Rodrigues (13-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC) has been booked for his next fight. He meets perennial middleweight contender [autotag]Brad Tavares[/autotag] (19-7 MMA, 14-7 UFC) at UFC 283 on Jan. 21 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie after an initial report by Super Lutas.

Rodrigues has knocked out three of his past four opponents. In his most recent outing earlier this month, “Robocop” rallied to finish Njokuani in Round 2, but was on the receiving end of a big knee which caused a nasty gash between his eyes. His back-and-forth battle took home the Fight of the Night bonus.

Meanwhile, Tavares will look to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 276 in July. Prior to that, the Season 11 “Ultimate Fighter” alum scored back-to-back wins over Antonio Carlos Junior and Omari Akhmedov.

With the addition, the current UFC 283 lineup includes:

  • Champion Deiveson Figueiredo vs. interim champion Brandon Moreno – for flyweight title
  • Gabriel Bonfim vs. Mounir Lazzez
  • Zarah Fairn vs. Josiane Nunes
  • Gregory Rodrigues vs. Brad Tavares

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Mounir Lazzez vs. Gabriel Bonfim added to UFC 283 in Rio

UFC 283 has its first official fight: Mounir Lazzez vs. Gabriel Bonfim.

UFC 283 has its first official fight.

[autotag]Mounir Lazzez[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will take on [autotag]Gabriel Bonfim[/autotag] (13-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) on Jan. 21 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie after an initial report by Bonfim’s management on social media.

Winner of four of his past five, Tunisia’s Lazzez rebounded from his loss to Warlley Alves in January 2021 by sweeping the judges’ scorecards against Ange Loosa in a striking clinic at UFC on ESPN 34 in April.

Bonfim will make his UFC debut at home against elite striker Lazzez. The undefeated Brazilian punched his ticket to the UFC earlier this month when he submitted Trey Waters by Von Flue choke at Dana White’s Contender Series 53.

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Mounir Lazzez vs. Gabriel Bonfim added to UFC 283 in Rio

UFC 283 has its first official fight: Mounir Lazzez vs. Gabriel Bonfim.

UFC 283 has its first official fight.

[autotag]Mounir Lazzez[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will take on [autotag]Gabriel Bonfim[/autotag] (13-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) on Jan. 21 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie after an initial report by Bonfim’s management on social media.

Winner of four of his past five, Tunisia’s Lazzez rebounded from his loss to Warlley Alves in January 2021 by sweeping the judges’ scorecards against Ange Loosa in a striking clinic at UFC on ESPN 34 in April.

Bonfim will make his UFC debut at home against elite striker Lazzez. The undefeated Brazilian punched his ticket to the UFC earlier this month when he submitted Trey Waters by Von Flue choke at Dana White’s Contender Series 53.

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Brandon Moreno ready to unify titles with Deiveson Figueiredo in Brazil: ‘It’s like Rocky IV’

Brandon Moreno is excited at the idea of fighting Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283 in Brazil in a flyweight title unification bout.

SALT LAKE CITY – [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] is excited at the idea of fighting [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] in Brazil.

Moreno (20-6-2 MMA, 8-3-2 UFC) captured the interim flyweight title with a body kick finish of Kai Kara-France at UFC 277 in July and is expected to unify the titles with champion Figueiredo (21-2-1 MMA, 10-2-1 UFC) next.

Moreno and Figueiredo have fought three times already. Their first fight was ruled a majority draw. Moreno won the second fight, and Figueiredo edged him out in the trilogy bout to reclaim the title. The UFC announced a return to Rio de Janeiro for UFC 283 on Jan. 21, and Moreno admits he initially was a little skeptical to face Figueiredo in enemy territory. But now he welcomes it.

“Let’s go,” Moreno told MMA Junkie and other reporters at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City, where he was a guest fighter. “It’s like ‘Rocky IV,’ man. I want to go to Rio now. First of all, I was like, ‘Ugh, man,’ because it’s hard to go to another far country. I don’t know – like nine-hour flight, then go there different hours, different food. Everything is very hard when you go to a whole different country. But I’m just trying to (look at) the positive things. Now I’m so excited to go to Rio, the ‘Uh vai morrer.’ ‘Rocky IV’ is in my mind right now when the people say Rio.”

Moreno has competed in Brazil once in his career, but it was during the pandemic when the UFC hosted a show behind closed doors in March 2020. When asked about facing the Brazilian fans, Moreno said he’s fully aware of how hostile it can be.

“Don’t forget, I’m from Latin America,” Moreno said. “Definitely, all the fans from Latin America are very passionate – sometimes can be a little bit aggressive. I’m agreeing with that and especially talking about Brazil, they go completely deep with their fighters. They go, ‘You’re going to die,’ ‘Uh vai morrer,’ all that stuff. Right now, I don’t know how to feel about it because the last time I went to Brazil was the first event with the pandemic, so no crowd. But I’ll be ready for that.”

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