Tag: UFC 295

Henry Cejudo on what makes Jiri Prochazka dangerous: ‘He’s a rhythm fighter’

Henry Cejudo sees Jiri Prochazka’s go-with-the-flow fighting style as a big threat.

[autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] sees [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag]’s go-with-the-flow fighting style as a big threat.

Former champion Prochazka (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) meets Alex Pereira (8-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) for the vacant light heavyweight title in the UFC 295 co-headliner Nov. 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Cejudo helped train Prochazka prior to his title fight against Glover Teixeira at UFC 275. Prochazka ended up submitting Teixeira late in Round 5, in what was a back-and-forth barnburner. Cejudo recalls advising Prochazka to be tactical, but Prochazka ended up engaging in a wild brawl.

“I’ve trained Jiri – Jiri’s come out here for a few weeks to train with me,” Cejudo said on his YouTube channel. “Jiri Prochazka, he’s a different style of fighting. There’s a belief in him that makes him dangerous, you know? The fact that he’s a fighter that literally goes off of rhythm – he’s a rhythm fighter. He’s a guy that’s going to go out there and use all the rhythm that he has in order to start getting his striking and his wrestling to eventually look for these MMA finishes.

“When I was speaking to Jiri here, it was almost like, ‘Yeah, I’m just going to go all MMA with Glover.’ I was thinking more like, ‘No, let’s kick his legs, let’s defend his wrestling.’ And he’s like, ‘No, I’m just going to fight him in every position.’ I think looking at Jiri in that perspective, that’s what makes Jiri dangerous. That’s what makes Jiri Prochazka extremely dangerous.”

After dethroning Teixeira, Prochazka wound up relinquishing his belt after undergoing surgery to repair a severe shoulder injury. But with the title now vacant again after champion Jamahal Hill relinquished his belt due to an injury of his own, Prochazka will get an opportunity to reclaim the title he never lost.

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Stipe Miocic: ‘It definitely sucks’ to lose out on Francis Ngannou trilogy

Stipe Miocic admits he would have loved to settle the score with Francis Ngannou.

[autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] admits he would have loved to settle the score with [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag].

Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) hasn’t competed since losing his heavyweight title to Ngannou in a knockout loss in March 2021. Ngannou was able to avenge his loss to Miocic after getting battered in their first title fight in January 2018.

But with Ngannou now signed with PFL after parting ways with the UFC, Miocic knows a rubber match is highly unlikely.

“It definitely sucks. I definitely wanted that trilogy,” Miocic said in an interview with the New York Post. “But unfortunately, that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Listen, he’s on to bigger and better things.”

Ngannou makes his professional boxing debut in a non-title, 10-round bout against WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury Oct. 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Having fought Ngannou twice, Miocic knows just how devastating “The Predator’s” power is.

“On paper, Tyson Fury is one of the best boxers of all time, amazing at what he does. But Francis hits really hard,” Miocic said. “It’s a fight. Anything can happen. I wish him nothing but the best. I hope he shocks the world.”

Meanwhile, former two-time champ Miocic challenges heavyweight champion Jon Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) in the UFC 295 headliner Nov. 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

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Jamahal Hill: Jiri Prochazka stronger than Alex Pereira, needs to mix it up to win vacant title at UFC 295

Jamahal Hill thinks Jiri Prochazka will have to use all his tools to beat Alex Pereira.

[autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] will have to use all his tools to beat [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag].

Prochazka (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and Pereira (8-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) will battle for the promotion’s vacant light heavyweight title in the UFC 295 co-headliner Nov. 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The belt was relinquished in July by Jamahal Hill, who suffered an Achilles tendon injury in a pickup basketball game.

As he awaits the winner, Hill isn’t sure who he will be fighting upon his return. But, if former champion Prochazka wants to get his hand raised, Hill says he can’t just stand and trade with Pereira.

“I think that one’s a tossup, if I’m being completely honest,” Hill said on the “Believe You Me” podcast. “I think that fight can truly go either way. I think Jiri, the way he strikes – yeah, he has the wild, kind of loose style, but Alex isn’t going for that. He’s not going for the tricks. He’s not going for all the out there (stuff) because he has a specific mission and specific points in places he wants to be when he’s striking and when he’s engaging, and I think Alex is better at getting to those spots than Jiri is.

“But I think physically, Jiri will be the more physical, more physically strong fighter. I think Jiri has more MMA experience. I think if he can use his unorthodox-ness to, instead of trying to strike, to actually get in and mix and be rounded around in mixed martial arts, clinch him up, beat him up in the clinch, drag him to the ground, I think that’d moreso be his best way – making it an all-round mixed martial arts fight.”

Hill doesn’t have a preference on who wins, and sees the two matchups as entertaining scraps. He looks forward to fighting both.

“Honestly, if I had my choice and I had my pick, I would have not gotten hurt,” Hill said. “I would have had them both be in the position that they are and I’d have whooped their ass one by one.”

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Francis Ngannou sees Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight at UFC 295 as ’50-50′

Francis Ngannou gives Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic an equal chance to win in their fight.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] gives [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] an equal chance to win in their fight.

Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) defends his heavyweight title against Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in the UFC 295 headliner Nov. 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Having fought Miocic twice – losing their first title bout by unanimous decision in 2018 then avenging his loss by knockout in March 2021, Ngannou knows first hand that Miocic is not to be underestimated.

“I put 50-50 on that fight,” Ngannou said during Tuesday’s open workout media scrum in Las Vegas. “I fought Stipe twice, and I know Stipe is pretty good. I know he doesn’t look like it, but I know how tough he is, I know how good he is. I know very well.”

After knocking Miocic out in their rematch then defending his UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane, Ngannou was gearing towards a fight with Jones until he opted to part ways with the UFC.

Jones submitted Gane to capture the vacant UFC heavyweight title, and with Ngannou now a PFL fighter, facing Jones is unlikely. But Ngannou is OK with that.

“I don’t feel like I need, I feel like I want,” Ngannou said on fighting Jones. “I want – it’s not a need.”

Ngannou makes his professional boxing debut in a non-title, 10-round bout against WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury Oct. 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Jamahal Hill on Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira: We’ll see who sits on the throne ‘until the king returns’

Now officially a former champion, Jamahal Hill gives his thoughts on the vacant UFC light heavyweight title matchup.

[autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag]’s UFC light heavyweight title is officially vacated.

Hill (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) suffered an Achilles tendon injury in a pickup basketball game in July which required surgery. He opted to relinquish his belt, which was just made official when [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) were booked in a vacant light heavyweight title bout this week in the UFC 295 co-headliner.

Hill explains how the process went down.

“We’ll see who will sit as the steward on the throne until the king returns,” Hill said on his YouTube channel. “It brings up some feelings. Now, this would officially vacate me as the champion. I believe a lot of people were confused about the process and how that works. The reason being is whenever Jiri vacated the belt, it was pretty much immediate because they already had a fight announced to fill that vacancy.”

Hill was planning on defending his belt against both Prochazka and Pereira, and is bummed out that one of them could be eliminated from the title picture after UFC 295.

“They’re definitely two fighters that I wanted to meet in my reign as champion,” Hil said. “And I do still plan to meet upon my return. I just kind of hate the fact that one kind of has to cancel the other out. For me personally, the best thing that could happen would be like, I don’t know, a controversial type deal, something weird happening.

“I don’t know. So, that way they kind of keep their value intact for both to where I can just come back and do my thing, but it is what it is. I’m healing up, I’m coming along, doing physical therapy twice a day, just getting back to it.”

Hill says he will be in attendance for Prochazka vs. Pereira at Madison Square Garden in New York, and plans on reminding the winner that he’s not going anywhere.

“I plan on being there,” Hill said. “I’m going to go, I’m going to watch, I’m going to see what happens, and I’ll look the next man in the eye and let him see what’s coming. I don’t really have to say nothing. I can give you a look and you know everything you need to know. I just can’t wait to be back.”

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Alex Pereira on Jiri Prochazka: ‘I don’t think anyone will regret watching this fight’

Alex Pereira promises fireworks in his title fight against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295.

[autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] promises fireworks in his title fight against [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] at UFC 295.

Pereira (8-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and Prochazka (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) will battle for the promotion’s vacant light heavyweight title in the Nov. 11 co-headliner at Madison Square Garden in New York. The belt was relinquished in July by Jamahal Hill, who suffered an Achilles tendon injury in a pickup basketball game.

Pereira has had a fast rise since joining the UFC roster, needing just four fights in the octagon to dethrone then middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. After losing his belt to Adesanya in their title-fight rematch at UFC 287, Pereira made his light heavyweight debut just three months later and defeated former champ Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 to emerge as a title challenger.

“I feel like I’m being well received in this sport where many doubted me like, ‘He won’t make it – too much of a striker … can’t defend … can’t grapple,'” Pereira said on his YouTube channel. “I’ve been proving those skeptics wrong, earning their respect and today, I see those doubters have flipped and are now fans. Those who were negative before, I see how they’ve changed their mind. But also, it’s my actions that are helping change their thoughts.

“So it makes sense, but big thanks to everyone for the messages, the motivation, and I’m just so stoked. OK, so it’s going to be a fight, a real spectacle, because it’s different styles. But it’s a style everyone loves, and I’m super stoked to have booked this fight. I’m sure it’s going to be a blast. I don’t think anyone will regret watching this fight.”

Pereira is aware of former champion Prochazka’s unique style, but doesn’t think it’s anything he hasn’t seen before.

“Talking about Jiri, he’s a seasoned guy everyone knows – former champ, strong guy,” Pereira said. “His style can be a bit tricky to figure out, but I’ve got loads of experience. I’m used to this kind of fighter, especially a striker. We know he’s no slouch on the ground. He’s a seasoned fighter, and I’m ready for anything.”

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Streaking lightweights Matt Frevola, Benoit Saint-Denis set for UFC 295 clash

Matt Frevola and Benoit Saint-Denis will look to extend their streaks of octagon finishes when they meet at UFC 295 in New York.

[autotag]Matt Frevola[/autotag] and [autotag]Benoit Saint-Denis[/autotag] will attempt to add another win – and another finish – to their current streaks when they meet at UFC 295 in a fight with fireworks written all over it.

Frevola (11-3-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC) and Saint-Denis (12-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) will fight on the promotion’s 30th anniversary event, which takes place Nov. 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims expected on ESPN and ESPN+.

The matchup was first announced by Frevola on his “Two to Tango” podcast, and MMA Junkie subsequently verified the news with two people close to the situation, who requested anonymity because the UFC has yet to make an official announcement.

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Frevola, 33, has won his past three fights by first-round knockout. “The Steamrolla” had a rocky 2-3-1 start to his octagon tenure, but has sine found his stride, with his most recent win against Drew Dober being the high point of his career to date.

He’ll need to keep that form going in order to get past Saint-Denis, who after dropping his UFC debut in October 2021, has been on fire. The Frenchman has finished his past four opponents – two by submission and two by knockout – with his second-round TKO of Thiago Moises in their Fight of the Night earlier this month in Paris being a breakthrough moment.

The latest UFC 295 lineup now includes:

  • Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic – for heavyweight title
  • Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira – for vacant light heavyweight title
  • Jessica Andrade vs. Mackenzie Dern
  • Kevin Borjas vs. Joshua Van
  • Stephen Erceg vs. Matt Schnell
  • Jared Gordon vs. Mark Madsen
  • Diego Lopes vs. Pat Sabatini
  • Nurullo Aliev vs. Mateusz Rebecki
  • Dennis Buzukja vs. Jamall Emmers
  • Matt Frevola vs. Benoit Saint-Denis

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.

Daniel Cormier says Stipe Miocic has ‘never looked better’ ahead of Jon Jones title fight at UFC 295

Daniel Cormier is confident in the version of Stipe Miocic that will face Jon Jones.

[autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] is confident in the version of [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] that will face [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag].

Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) challenges Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) for the heavyweight championship in the UFC 295 headliner Nov. 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Miocic hasn’t competed since losing his belt in a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in March 2021, but the former two-time UFC heavyweight champion says he has since added some muscle mass. Cormier recently spoke to someone from Miocic’s team and likes what he’s hearing.

“I think the best Miocic is in the mid 240s, and he’s saying now that he’s back around that weight,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “I spoke to someone in the Miocic camp and they told me he’s never looked better. He looks huge, he looks big, he looks strong.

“Now, is that going to be enough? I don’t know. I’m just giving you this information. I’m pulling the curtain back so that you guys can understand that expect the Stipe Miocic from the title run (as) opposed to the guy we saw later – the small guy, the skinny guy.”

Cormier faced Miocic three times in his career, with Cormier winning their first fight by knockout, and Miocic going on to win the next two by TKO and unanimous decision.

Cormier recalls Miocic being underestimated in their fights, and thinks the same is being done to him against Jones.

“I remember sitting at press conferences with Miocic and he would say these things like that, ‘OK, doubt me,’ and he would almost smirk because he knew what most in the public didn’t know: the way he was training, the way he was preparing, and his intent in the fight.

“Obviously, he beat me two times back-to-back when he was saying those things, and I would almost brush them off because you take his personality and you almost take Miocic for granted. You forget he’s one of the most dangerous men on the planet. But again, he’s carrying that chip.”

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UFC 295 co-main event set: Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira for vacant light heavyweight title

After weeks of being asked what it would be, Dana White finally revealed the UFC 295 co-main event.

Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is no longer the only UFC title fight on the promotion’s 30th anniversary event.

After weeks of speculation as to what the UFC 295 co-headliner could be,  promotion CEO Dana White officially announced [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] will take place for the vacant light heavyweight title. The card takes place Nov. 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Prochazka (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and Pereira (8-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) will compete for the promotion’s light heavyweight title, which was vacated in July by then-champion Jamahal Hill, who suffered an Achilles tendon injury in a pickup basketball game.

Like Hill, Prochazka was a UFC champion who never lost his title. After he defeated Glover Teixeira for the strap in June 2022, Prochazka forfeited the championship after he was forced out due to injury. The fight at UFC 295 will be his first in 17 months. He rides a 13-fight winning streak into the matchup.

Pereira is a former UFC middleweight champion who looks to become a titleholder in a second weight class. Following his title loss to Israel Adesanya in April, Pereira elevated to light heavyweight. He won his divisional debut over former champion Jan Blachowicz by split decision at UFC 291 in July.

With the addition, the UFC 295 lineup includes:

  • Champ Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic – for heavyweight title
  • Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka – for vacant light heavyweight title
  • Jessica Andrade vs. Mackenzie Dern
  • Kevin Borjas vs. Joshua Van
  • Stephen Erceg vs. Matt Schnell
  • Jared Gordon vs. Mark Madsen
  • Diego Lopes vs. Pat Sabatini
  • Nurullo Aliev vs. Mateusz Rebecki
  • Dennis Buzukja vs. Jamall Emmers

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.

Stipe Miocic before Jon Jones fight at UFC 295: ‘I hit a lot harder than people think’

Stipe Miocic is aware that many people are doubting him heading into his UFC 295 showdown with Jon Jones, but that doesn’t faze him.

[autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] is unfazed by the betting odds ahead of his UFC title fight against [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag].

Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) challenges Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) for the heavyweight championship in the UFC 295 headliner Nov. 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The former two-time UFC heavyweight champ has scored knockouts in 15 of his 20 professional wins, including finishes of former champs Daniel Cormier, Junior Dos Santos and Fabricio Werdum. Miocic believes his power is being overlooked in this fight with Jones.

“Throwing bombs, having fun, and just do what I do, bring the fight,” Miocic said in an interview with BetOnline.ag. “I think (Jones needs to worry about my) speed, my angles. I think punching power. I hit a lot harder than people think. And then I think I have great IQ. I always change it up and when something happens, I figure a way out.”

According to BetMGM, Miocic is a +290 underdog, meaning a $100 bet on the former champion would net a $290 profit. Jones is a -375 favorite, meaning a $375 bet would be needed on the champion to return $100 profit.

Miocic is being heavily underestimated against Jones and the odds are reflective of that. But Miocic has been there before and has learned not to let it get to him over the years.

“It took me a couple fights, but after a while, I just stopped caring what everyone thought,” Miocic said. “I just don’t care anymore. You think I’m going to lose? Good for you. You’re going to waste a lot of money now. (If) you’re going to bet against me, you’re going to waste some money. Sorry for that, but on to the next.”

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