Tag: UFC 292

Brad Tavares’ UFC wish list includes rematch with Dricus Du Plessis or ‘far-fetched’ Conor McGregor fight

Brad Tavares knows his wish list isn’t too realistic, but that didn’t stop him from laying it out.

[autotag]Brad Tavares[/autotag] knows his wish list isn’t too realistic, but that didn’t stop him from laying it out.

Tavares (20-9 MMA, 15-8 UFC) snapped a two-fight losing skid by spoiling Chris Weidman’s return in a unanimous decision win less than two weeks ago at UFC 292 in Boston.

The longtime middleweight contender has fought just about every notable name in the division, from current middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, to former champ Robert Whittaker, and top contender [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag], who he would love to avenge his loss to. Du Plessis defeated Tavares at UFC 276 by decision – the only opponent he was unable to finish throughout his career.

“Obviously, I would love to get it back with some of the people I dropped to, one of those being Dricus,” Tavares told MMA Junkie Radio. “After me, he went on a run, and if I could get that fight back, I would love that.

“Obviously where he is and where I’m at – well, I’m coming off a win, but before that two losses, it doesn’t make a lot of sense. … But somewhere in the near future, if somehow I could run that back, oh yeah, I would love that.”

During Tavares’ fight with Weidman, [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] provided some commentary on his social media. He was actively rooting for Weidman, who suffered the same leg break as him. He also called Tavares a “little arse wipe,” and the Hawaiian would love the opportunity to fight McGregor – even if it’s wishful thinking.

“I’m serious, I would love to fight the juiced-up Conor McGregor,” Tavares said. “I know that’s far-fetched. I know that will never happen. But if you’re asking me my wishlist, that would be on it.”

[lawrence-related id=2672498,2671436,2558882]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 292.

Spinning Back Clique LIVE: UFC Singapore fallout, from Holloway to ‘Zombie,’ plus six $1 million PFL finals

This week’s “Spinning Back Clique” panel discusses and debates Max Holloway, the PFL finals and more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts, with a new special start time of 11 a.m. ET, which will lead straight into our live-streamed coverage of the Dana White’s Contender Series 60 weigh-ins in Las Vegas.

This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Farah Hannoun and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at 11 a.m. ET (8 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:

  • Max Holloway’s main event KO in Singapore and his future title aspirations
  • “The Korean Zombie” hung up his gloves. What’s his legacy?
  • The PFL’s six $1 million finals are set. How’s the format working?
  • UFC featherweight champ Volkanovski has had some interesting thoughts
  • New UFC champ Sean O’Malley’s opening odds vs. Marlon Vera
  • Plus, the panel members will discuss the Tommy Fury press conference melee and their favorite fight of the year so far.

Sean O’Malley gets ‘CHAMP’ tattooed on his forehead after UFC 292 title win

Sean O’Malley got a new face tattoo in remembrance of his UFC 292 title win.

[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag]’s UFC title win was a memorable one, but he’s now made sure to never forget it.

The newly crowned UFC bantamweight champion got “CHAMP MMXXIII” tattooed on his forehead in remembrance of his TKO win over Aljamain Sterling to win the UFC belt at UFC 292 earlier this month in Boston.

O’Malley (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) told MMA Junkie’s Danny Segura at the post-fight press conference that a “CHAMP” tattoo was coming, and now he’s picked a spot and got it done.

You can watch O’Malley getting the new ink in the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/d5pIWgCngk8

O’Malley is currently unbeaten in his last six fights. He’s looking to return in December against Marlon Vera, who also competed at UFC 292 defeating veteran Pedro Munhoz in a unanimous decision.

Vera stands as the only man to defeat O’Malley. The two fought back in 2020 in the co-main event of UFC 252. That night in Las Vegas, ‘Chito’ stopped O’Malley in a first-round TKO. Vera, 5-1 in his past six fights, has also expressed interest in rematching O’Malley.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

Marlon Vera sees Sean O’Malley title fight as obvious next move for UFC: ‘How do you not do it right now?’

Marlon Vera confident the UFC will make Sean O’Malley rematch after UFC 292.

[autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] doesn’t think he really needs to make a push to get the next title shot at 135 pounds. The work is already done.

The UFC bantamweight contender thinks a rematch against [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] is the obvious next move for everyone –  himself, O’Malley, fans and the UFC.

Vera (21-8-1 MMA, 15-7 UFC) defeated Pedro Munhoz at this past Saturday’s UFC 292 in Boston. O’Malley (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) stopped Aljamain Sterling to become champion.

After the bout, the new champ expressed interest in fighting Vera for his first title defense. With history between the two, big fan bases and aligned schedules, “Chito” is confident he’s the fight to make.

“After the fight, I just texted Dana (White) and Hunter (Campbell): ‘You guys know where I am. I’m ready to go. If there’s something to talk, let’s talk it out, but I’m all in for (O’Malley),'” Vera told Morning Kombat. “I’m sure they’ll come with something. To me, it just seems like, how do you not do it right now? There’s no way they’re not going to do it right now.

“Business wise, it’s the best time to do it … money wise, eye wise. That’s why I’m not even pushing myself. I don’t need to push. It’s already served. It’s as ready to go as it can be.”

[lawrence-related id=2673676,2673206,2672835]

Vera stands as the only man who’s been able to defeat O’Malley in a professional context. Vera stopped O’Malley in the first round of their contest back in 2020.

The 30-year-old acknowledges O’Malley is good, but he knows he’s got the tools to beat him again.

“Very explosive guy and really strong in one thing,” Vera said when asked about O’Malley’s skills. “He fakes a lot and moves, and it’s kind of awkward. It’s not like an easy fake, using his athletics and high level. He’s really bouncy and moves a lot his head. He looks at the other side and punches. You just have to find a way to ignore those things. You have to find a way to not buy into those things.

“And honestly, with a guy like that, you can’t open up too much. You can’t go crazy because he’s really good at throwing right after you throw. That’s his best thing, in my opinion: strong kicks, really big. But a guy like that, you guys have to draw on him. You have to be in his face and show him you don’t give a f*ck.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

Sean O’Malley adamant on ‘Chito’ Vera being next opponent: ‘It’s a big fight. I think it does big pay-per-views’

Sean O’Malley is fixed on defending his title against ‘Chito’ Vera in December.

[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] is adamant the fight to make is against [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag].

“Sugar,” who won the bantamweight title this past Saturday in the main event of UFC 292 in Boston, is set ton defending his title in December against the only man who’s defeated him. O’Malley (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) sees the rematch with Vera as an interesting fight from all angles.

“The ‘Chito’ rematch is a very interesting fight,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel. “It’s interesting to me, interesting for the fans – it’s the next biggest fight. He needs to chill out and quit acting. He needs to chill out.”

[lawrence-related id=2673676,2673190,2672835]

O’Malley stopped Aljamain Sterling in the second round to become champion. A few fights earlier, Vera opened up the main card with a unanimous decision over Pedro Munhoz. Vera now is 5-1 in his past six fights.

O’Malley has discarded the idea that he lost to Vera many times in the past, so doesn’t see it like a rematch. However, he does think it’s the biggest fight that can be made right now in the weight class, which is why he wants it.

“The ‘Chito’ rematch gets me excited too because I think it’s a fan favorite fight right there,” O’Malley said. “I think it’s a big fight. I think it does big pay-per-views, and now that I get pay-per-view points, I really feel like now it’s game time.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

Sean O’Malley responds to Alexandre Pantoja’s sparring claims: ‘Does he forget how it played out?’

Sean O’Malley and Alexandre Pantoja go at it publicly over past sparring session.

Probably few saw this coming, but it looks like UFC champions [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] and [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] have beef.

Pantoja, the UFC’s flyweight champion, posted on Instagram on Wednesday to say he’s interested in fighting O’Malley. He also mentioned that they’ve sparred before and wonders why O’Malley never sent him the footage.

“I’m talking about Sean O’Malley,” Pantoja said. “If there’s something that makes me go to bantamweight, it is this guy. He talks too much. He talks a lot of sh*t. I already trained with him before, and he recorded the sparring and never sent me the video. I wonder why?”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CwTf1AUhJbm/

O’Malley, who’s fresh off a TKO win over then champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 in Boston this past Saturday, confirmed that they did spar in the past and that he has a video of it.

“Does he want me to post it? I finished him in the first round,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel. “Is that what he wants? I can post that. I wasn’t going to even bring it up. Is that what he wants? That’s funny.”

[lawrence-related id=2673676,2673190,2672835]

O’Malley said that he sparred Pantoja, helping him ahead of his UFC debut in 2017. “Sugar” claims he knocked out Pantoja, but then was submitted when they forced him to spar an extra round against the Brazilian.

“That’s funny. Does he forget how it played out?” O’Malley said. “I will say in the third round, he choked me. But I was like 1-0 or 2-0, and he was coming off ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ making his UFC debut, two weeks out from his UFC debut.

“I was f*cking smoking a joint the night before, just not expecting. Henry Cejudo and him just roll into the gym. They write my name down for two rounds, so I have to do two rounds in a row, and I’m not in camp – I’m not in shape. I finish him in the first round, and they’re f*cking pissed. I sparred him again in the second round. I’m 100 percent gassed from already whooping his ass. Henry is yelling, ‘We want him for three. We want him for three.’ In the video, I’m not sure if you can hear it – maybe you can – but he says to hold off on the punches because I was punching too hard.

“So they get me to go a third round. Benson (Henderson) is in the corner going from the second to third round yelling, ‘They don’t come to this gym, and we don’t get f*cking tired,’ and I’m gassed the f*ck out. I’m dying. He does choke me in the third round. This (has) got to be like 2015. This was a long time ago.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

Video: Dana White’s Contender Series has produced two UFC champs, but who did it best?

Dana White’s Contender Series has produced a second UFC champion, but who did it best between Sean O’Malley and Jamahal Hill?

Dana White’s Contender Series began as a new entry for regional prospects to make it to the big stage, but it has now become a serious contender pipeline that has produced more than one UFC champion.

[autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] was the first DWCS veteran to become a UFC champ by defeating Glover Teixeira in a gutsy unanimous decision win at UFC 283. “Sweet Dreams” displayed a cool, confident demeanor as he took out the world’s best light heavyweights on the way to the title.

The second was none other than “Sugar” [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag], who always believed he would become one of the sport’s biggest stars, way before the colorful hair and vibrant wardrobe. At UFC 292, he achieved his crowning moment by stopping Aljamain Sterling.

With two DWCS veterans etching their names in the history books, it raises the question: Which fighter did it better?

Was it O’Malley, who captured gold in his ninth UFC victory or Hill who only needed six wins to reach champion status? Furthermore, which fighter has a brighter future from this point forward?

[lawrence-related id=2672835,2672814,2661267]

MMA Junkie’s “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Brian Garcia, Nolan King and Mike Bohn joined host “Gorgeous” George Garcia and debated which DWCS veteran did it best.

Watch the segment above, and Monday’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below.

 

Marlon Vera: Sean O’Malley’s UFC 292 win was ‘picture-perfect,’ but Aljamain Sterling made a big mistake

“Chito” Vera grades Sean O’Malley’s title-winning TKO win over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292.

[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag]’s title win was great, but so was the mistake that Aljamain Sterling made, according to top contender [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag].

UFC 292 this past Saturday was host of one of the biggest championship upsets of the year. Sterling saw his record-setting title run come to an end, as he was stopped by O’Malley, who entered the fight as a significant underdog.

While Vera (21-8-1 MMA, 15-7 UFC) doesn’t want to take any credit away from O’Malley’s win, he does think Sterling made a crucial mistake by rushing “Sugar.”

“It was great. That’s picture-perfect,” Vera told Morning Kombat when asked about O’Malley’s win. “You’re fighting a guy that’s a really clean striker, that has really good sit in the punches, and you just run to the guy? What do you think it’s going to happen?”

[lawrence-related id=2673676,2673206]

“Chito,” who defeated Pedro Munhoz that same night in Boston, is hoping to get a title shot, and thinks he’s one to hang with O’Malley (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) on the feet. After all, Vera did stop O’Malley in 2020, and is currently the only fighter in the promotion that holds a win over the new champion.

“I’m at that level. I can hang with anyone in the standup,” Vera explained. “I can be in front of you. I can make reads. Sterling is just, a great f*cking champion and good wrestling, but he just don’t have that standup to be right there eye to eye playing chess. He just doesn’t have that. I do have that.

“I fought every single world-class striker and neither, no one has put me in a bad position just because I’m in there and I have a good base. Going back to the coach (Jason Parillo), he’s the one that brought me to the next level: The eyes, the coordination, the striking. Just growing my toughness and hard work ethic and polishing everything. I can hang with anyone. I already fought Sean. I was already in front of him. Now it’s a good time to do it. Sterling made a big mistake. You cannot run to someone – even if the guy is not a good striker.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

Merab Dvalishvili wants title shot after O’Malley-Sterling rematch: ‘I’m just going to wait’

Merab Dvalishvili doesn’t plan to fight again unless it’s for the UFC title.

The path to the UFC bantamweight title just got more complicated for [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag], but that’s fine with him.

The streaking UFC bantamweight contender has been labeled by many as the No. 1 contender in the division and was expected to fight for the belt in the near future. However, things didn’t go according to plan this past Saturday, and now it looks like Dvalishvili (16-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) will have to wait longer.

[autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] was hoping to defend his belt against [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] at UFC 292 in Boston, and then move up to featherweight, leaving his friend and teammate with the opportunity to fight for the vacant belt. Unfortunately for Dvalishvili, Sterling was stopped by O’Malley, and it seems he’s out to get an immediate rematch.

Dvalishvili wants to see his friend get the opportunity. If the rematch does happen, the 32-year-old doesn’t want to fight any other contenders. Dvalishvili plans to wait for the next title shot.

“After Aljamain Sterling, I am the No. 1 contender. We all know that,” Dvalishvili told MMA Junkie. “I have a nine-fight winning streak and I beat two former champions back to back. I fought everybody who they put in front of me. … I think the right way is that Aljo comes back, beat O’Malley, get his belt back, and I think after that he may go up a weight class.

“If he vacates the belt and takes a vacation or something, I will fight for the belt with whoever will be next. Now, I don’t want to rush. I just don’t want any stupid fight, you know, because the fight doesn’t make sense. I don’t want to fight somebody that has a loss. What does this fight get me?

“I want to fight the top guys. I don’t want to test, I’m tested already. I proved it. My last opponents I dominated. … I’m the next guy after Aljo. So a good way would be to give Aljo a rematch and after that, I’m just going to wait for my title fight, and we’ll figure it out after. But I’m just going to fight for the title next – even if I have to wait a year or more.”

[lawrence-related id=2673190,2673187]

Dvalishvili hasn’t lost since suffering a technical submission loss to Ricky Simon in his second UFC fight back in 2018. Since, has picked up nine consecutive victories, defeating notable names such as Jose Aldo, Marlon Moraes, John Dodson, and Brad Katona.

“The Machine” last competed in March, when he dominated former champion Petr Yan in a unanimous decision. Dvalishvili has been recovering from a hand surgery since.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

Why Daniel Cormier would rather see Zhang Weili defend UFC title vs. Yan Xiaonan over Tatiana Suarez

Daniel Cormier thinks Yan Xiaonan should be next for UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili.

[autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag] should be next for UFC strawweight champion [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag].

After retaining her title in a dominant performance against Amanda Lemos in this past Saturday’s UFC 292 co-headliner at TD Garden in Boston, Weili (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) said she’d be open to facing Xiaonan or Tatiana Suarez next.

Both Xiaonan (15-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) and Suarez are coming off finishes of former champ Jessica Andrade. But, with the UFC rumored to make it’s return to China at the end of the year, Cormier says they can’t miss out on having an all China headliner between Weili and Xiaonan.

“Even though I love Tatiana, she’s a wrestler. Zhang Weili calling her out is surprising to me because she knows that Yan Xiaonan has won what she has won and she knows that Yan Xiaonan is Chinese, also,” Cormier said on his ESPN show “DC & RC.”

“So, the prospects of a female championship fight between two Chinese women in China is exciting to me. That’s the one I want to see, and I think they’ve got me working that Chinese fight card. If I’m going all the way to China, they better have Zhang Weili fight Yan Xiaonan.”

Undefeated Suarez (10-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) recently said she thinks she’s deserving of the next shot at Weili, but is open to taking another fight if necessary.

[lawrence-related id=2672784,2672345,2670935,2671444]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 292.