UFC 308 – Page 4 – Syndication Server

UFC 308 odds for underdog Mateusz Rebecki had him nervous before Fight of Night with Myktybek Orolbai

Mateusz Rebecki bounced back from his first loss in 10 years with his first UFC bonus in a Fight of the Night with Myktybek Orolbai.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Mateusz Rebecki[/autotag] beat Myktybek Orolbai with a split decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Take a look inside the fight with Rebecki, who bounced back from his first loss in 10 years with his first UFC bonus.

Mateusz Rebecki def. Myktybek Orolbai

Result: Mateusz Rebecki def. Myktybek Orolbai via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Updated records: Rebecki (20-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Orolbai (13-2-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Key stats: The numbers were close across the board in one of the bloodiest and most fun fights of the year. Rebecki barely won the striking 93-85 and had only 19 seconds more control time than Orolbai. He had three takedowns, as well, compared to a pair for Orolbai.

Rebecki on the fight’s key moment

“I didn’t expect him to be that tough. He was still defending. I was waiting for the referee to end it. I used all of my power, and I was screaming when I shot on him, but the referee give him a chance. He’s a really tough guy, and he proved he can still fight with me.”

Rebecki on doubts heading in

“Before this fight, I was really scared of my opponent because I was the underdog in this fight. I thought everybody thinks he’s going to win. … But I proved I’m better than everybody thought I am.”

Rebecki on what he wants next

“Right now, I haven’t thought about (what’s next). It’s not important right now. I right now want rest and be happy for this fight.”

To hear more from Rebecki, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

[vertical-gallery id=2781875]

[vertical-gallery id=2781647]

Ismail Naurdiev leaving ‘all the crazy stuff’ out during second UFC stint

Ismail Naurdiev went 2-2 in the UFC before his release in 2020.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Ismail Naurdiev[/autotag] was surprised when the UFC pink slip came through his email in 2020.

He went 2-2 with the promotion before he was released. But a little more than four years later, he’s back on the promotion’s roster – winning fights once again.

At UFC 308 on Saturday at Etihad Arena, Naurdiev (24-7 MMA, 3-2 UFC) dominated seasoned veteran Bruno Silva (23-12 MMA, 4-6 UFC) en route to a unanimous decision victory.

“It feels amazing,” Naurdiev told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “I feel so grateful to be back, especially a win against that kind of opponent. It’s for sure something big and will bring me up in the rankings.”

Naurdiev, 28, went 4-3 during his time between UFC stints, competing mainly for BRAVE CF in the Middle East. Over the course of that time, Naurdiev said he learned a lot and has a much different approach to the fight game.

“I’m much, much stronger,” Naurdiev said. “I’m much more mature (and) much, much better and faster right now. The first run in the UFC, I was too young and too excited. I didn’t really have a right team and right coaches who were telling me how to do, what to do. I was also too naive, doing all that crazy stuff and things. Now, I have a very good team, a great team. I trust them. There was a plan. They told me, ‘Please, man. You remember your last run in the UFC. This time, listen to us. Just follow the plan and you will see everything works out.”

[lawrence-related id=2781642,2781643]

If possible, Naurdiev wants to return Feb. 8 at UFC 312 in Sydney. But there’s a big decision he’ll need to make before accepting a fight. Saturday’s bout was at middleweight, but Naurdiev considers himself more of a welterweight.

“I saw an announcement for February in Sydney,” Naurdiev said. “That will be interesting for me. I wanted always to visit Sydney. … To be honest, no. Actually, I’m a welterweight. First of all, when we go back, I’ve got to discuss with my team. So what do we do next? Stay at middleweight or welterweight? Let’s see how my weight goes, if I’m heavy or not. We will see from there. But first I will enjoy my victory. ”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

[vertical-gallery id=2781700]

Self-proclaimed ‘rising star’ Ibo Aslan wants to test his power against UFC champ Alex Pereira

Turkey’s Ibo Aslan came into UFC 308 with 13 wins, 13 knockouts. His streak continued, and he’s already got sights on the champ.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Ibo Aslan[/autotag] beat Rafael Cerqueira with a first-round TKO Saturday to close out the preliminary card at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Take a look inside the fight with Aslan, who despite one of the fastest finishes in the UFC this year was denied recognition with a post-fight bonus award.

Ibo Aslan def. Rafael Cerqueira

Result: Ibo Aslan def. Rafael Cerqueira via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:51
Updated records: Aslan (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Cerqueira (11-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stats: All 14 of Aslan’s wins have been by knockout.

Aslan on the fight’s key moment

Ibo Aslan def. Rafael Cerqueira, UFC 308 (©Craig Kidwell, special to MMA Junkie)

“Like always, I go inside the cage, I knock my opponent out, and I come out. This is, for me, something normal – not special. ”

Aslan on his family being there to see him fight

“I was in the camp for three months. I didn’t see my family. As soon as my mother (got to the airport), she hugged me. She gave me the energy. She gave me the motivation. If there was an ox in front of me, I would take it down. It doesn’t matter to me. My mother came to watch me fight for the first time in 10 years. She was very motivated, so I was very confident.”

Aslan on what he wants next

“The UFC knows already I am the future rising star. This is just the beginning. I don’t want to rush. Every opponent, everything has its time and step, step, step – then become champion. (Alex Pereira) is a great champion. I like him. I wish him all the best. I don’t know (if I hit harder than him). I don’t know. We must see this in the cage.

“I am ready (to fight often). I have no injuries, nothing. I don’t feel like I fought tonight. My warmup was longer than my fight. I’ll take tomorrow rest, and Monday I start again with training.”

To hear more from Aslan, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

[vertical-gallery id=2781949]

[vertical-gallery id=2781647]

Farid Basharat calls for Jose Aldo after UFC 308 win: ‘I’m better than him everywhere’

UFC 308 winner Farid Basharat says he’s better than Jose Aldo everywhere and wants to prove it in 2025.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Farid Basharat[/autotag] has big plans for 2025 following his UFC 308 win.

After Basharat (13-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) defeated a heavy Victor Hugo on Saturday at Etihad Arena, he called for a fight against one of the consensus greatest fighters of all time.

“Beginning of 2025, I want ‘The King of Rio,’ [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag],” Basharat told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conferencfe. “We could do it in Brazil, America, London, Saudi, wherever. It doesn’t matter. He wins, he proves he belongs with this new generation. I win, he passes me the torch. Let’s see. Generations collide. I’ve been watching him since I was 11 or 12. I think it’s the perfect fight that makes sense.”

[lawrence-related id=2781933,2781634]

Aldo (32-9 MMA, 14-8 UFC) most recently competed Oct. 5 at UFC 307 and lost a controversial split decision against Mario Bautista. After the fight, Bautista found himself under fire from many viewers that criticized his wall-and-stall-heavy approach.

Basharat recognizes the possibility a grindy attack might be the easiest route to victory. But if Basharat ever fights Aldo, he said he doesn’t want that to be the path he takes.

“If I’m being completely honest, I think he won,” Basharat said. “I thought Jose won. But at the same time, how many times has Jose lost like that now where he kind of rests along the cage? Because it’s Jose, everybody loves him so much and they give him the benefit of the doubt. But you can’t just rest on the cage like that and expect to get the benefit of the doubt just because you’re a legend. I think he won. Yeah, he needs to do a little bit more sometimes.

“… I’ definitely try to approach it differently. You never really want to win like that essentially. But at the same time, he has proven to have sure holes there. But that’s not really my style to just lay and pray, lean on somebody along the cage. I’ll take you down and I’ll keep you down, but I’m not just going to lay and pray on you along the cage and keep on you. I’m going to get you down. I’m going to stick and move. I’m going to kick you. Ultimately, I feel like at this stage of my career and this stage of Jose’s career, I have the advantages in most places. Besides experience and maybe power, I think I’m better than him everywhere.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

[vertical-gallery id=2781743]

Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: Topuria, Chimaev and the stars of UFC 308, White’s beef with Ngannou, more

On “Spinning Back Clique,” our panel dives into UFC 308’s fallout, the Dana White-Francis Ngannou beef and much more – LIVE.

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.

This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Dan Tom and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate the following topics:

There was no shortage of storylines to come out of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The biggest came in the main event, when featherweight champ Ilia Topuria backed up his prediction that he’d be the first to knock out Max Holloway. We’ll discuss Topuria’s huge win and what it means for his Fighter of the Year consideration. Plus, what should happen next for Holloway?
In the co-main event at UFC 308, Khamzat Chimaev obliterated former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker with such ease – and broke his jaw – that it’s hard to imagine the UFC sticking with its plan for Sean Strickland to challenge Dricus Du Plessis next. So what do we think will happen at 185 pounds now that there is a true clear top contender in the wings who hasn’t yet fought for the belt?
We may have seen another top contender fall into place with Magomed Ankalaev kept rolling at light heavyweight. We’ll look at his big win, the highlight-reel finishes of Shara Magomedov and Ibo Aslan and more results from Etihad Arena.
The war of words between UFC CEO Dana White and former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou continued when White gave MMA Junkie an earful about why he never liked Ngannou and why he’s glad he left the company – and that he didn’t want to fight champ Jon Jones. White made sure to take a shot at the PFL, Ngannou’s new home, while he was at it. We’ll break down the beef.
Flyweights are at the top of the bill this week when the UFC touches down in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for UFC Fight Night 246. We’ll look at the Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi headliner, the co-main event between Erin Blanchfield and former champ Rose Namajunas, Derrick Lewis’ return and more.

Unbeaten Lerone Murphy calls out Josh Emmett after Dan Ige win at UFC 308

Lerone Murphy stayed unbeaten and made a big callout after his win over Dan Ige at UFC 308.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag] beat Dan Ige with a unanimous decision Saturday on the main card at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Take a look inside the fight with Murphy, who stayed unbeaten and made a big callout.

Lerone Murphy def. Dan Ige

Result: Lerone Murphy def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Murphy (15-0-1 MMA, 7-0-1 UFC), Ige (18-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC)
Key stats: Murphy has won five of his past six by decision.

Murphy on the fight’s key moment

Lerone Murphy def. Dan Ige, UFC 308 (©Craig Kidwell, special to MMA Junkie)

“I’m used to overcoming adversity, so it’s nothing to me. It’s a fight. It was a flash knockdown. I wasn’t really hurt. I got my wits about me again within five, 10 seconds. I knew Dan Ige is a banger and I knew that there was a good chance that he’ll put me down at some point. I do a lot of visualization. I go over the good, the bad in my head, so when it happens, I feel like I’ve been there already. I feel like I should have been better defensively. But you live, you learn. If you swim, you’re going to get wet.”

Murphy on improving as he goes

“I’ll come into that fight a lot better. Josh (Emmett) is a scary man, and you can’t make them kind of mistakes against them guys. They’re the type of fights I want. I want to be switched on in there. I want to perform. I feel like I performed at 60 percent in there today, and I can’t wait to show me at my best. And we’re getting there. We’re learning on the job. I’ve had eight fights in the UFC, 16 pro fights total. So that’s half my pro fights. I’m learning on the job in the best organization in the world against the top, toughest fighters in the world, as well.”

Murphy on what he wants next

Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Josh Emmett (red gloves) reacts after knocking out Bryce Mitchell (blue gloves) during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

“Let’s go (Josh Emmett), man. Let’s go. Let’s go. If you think it’s an easy fight or whatever, let’s go – test me. I’m quiet in (this sport). Maybe I need to be a bit louder. But I’m just being myself in it. I’m just being myself, and I feel like putting on good fights will get the recognition in due time. I’m learning on the job. When it’s my time, it would be my time. And that time’s coming. I’m 15-0 now. They can’t deny me now. They’re going to give me a top-10 opponent and I’ll show how good I am.”

To hear more from Murphy, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

[vertical-gallery id=2782057]

[vertical-gallery id=2781647]

Kennedy Nzechukwu explains changing weight class, gyms for UFC 308

New weight class. New home gym. New Kennedy Nzechukwu.

ABU DHABI – UFC 308 marked a pair of fresh experiences for [autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag].

Nzechukwu (13-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) made his divisional debut Saturday at heavyweight as he defeated Chris Barnett (23-9 MMA, 2-3 UFC) via first-round TKO at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

The fight ended due in part to an injury to Barnett’s leg, but Nzcehukwu was still happy to simply get his feet wet in his new competitive frame.

“It was since my doctors told me that with my frame, my organs were going to hurt me in the long run,” Nzechukwu told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “I was vomiting every time during fight week. Just cutting that last 10 pounds was killing me. I walk around at 245. Just cutting that 40 pounds is too much. I use different nutritionists and it just wasn’t working. The last three days were hell, so we decided to go up in weight. It just felt better here.”

[lawrence-related id=2781991,2781933]

Nzechukwu, who previously needed to hit 206 pounds on the scale at light heavyweight, weighed in at 241 pounds at Friday’s weigh-ins. Nzechukwu said his focus was on strength training during this camp, which he did mostly with a new coach, Steven Wright, of War Room MMA in Forth Worth, Texas. Nzcheukwu’s longtime coach Sayif Saud, of Fortis MMA, also cornered him for Saturday’s fight.

“I just had to focus on my skill set,” Nzechukwu said. “Athleticism can only take you so far in this sport. So just upgrading. That’s when I moved to War Room. That’s my coach right there, Steven Wright. He’s been helping me. We’ve been making tremendous leaps and bounds. I’m just grateful for God.”

“… I just needed to upgrade. I needed someone who is nerdy about the striking game. Ask coach Steve and he just knows it. He’s been training and trains with a lot of different Dutch fighters, Thai fighters. He just has developed a lot of experience over the years. I just need to absorb all that.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

[vertical-gallery id=2781799]

Is the UFC protecting champ Alex Pereira? Magomed Ankalaev thinks so after UFC 308

Magomed Ankalaev has been on the cusp of greatness in the UFC, and the road back, he’s finding, sometimes has unexpected bumps.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] has been on the cusp of greatness in the UFC, and the road back, he’s finding, sometimes has unexpected bumps.

There haven’t been bumps for Ankalaev (20-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC) that involve losses. Saturday, he outworked Aleksandar Rakic (14-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC) at UFC 308 and stayed on track at light heavyweight.

It’s been nearly two years since Ankalaev fought Jan Blachowicz for the then-vacant light heavyweight title. They fought to a draw, and the belt stayed without an owner. Ankalaev fought Johnny Walker 10 months after that and had to deal with a no contest.

But he knocked him out when they ran it back earlier this year, and his win over Rakic, UFC CEO Dana White said, likely makes him next for 205-pound champ [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag]. But Ankalaev thinks the UFC might be trying to keep its busiest titleholder safe.

“Let’s do it: Alex, stop running away from me. … I have heard that he wants to fight during Ramadan. We are not fighting in Ramadan. Otherwise, after Ramadan or before Ramadan, if he says yes, we will fight him.”

There has been talk that Pereira, a former middleweight champion, as well, could move to heavyweight to go after a historic third belt. If that happens before a potential fight with Ankalaev, he thinks it might speak volumes.

“I think he’s being protected,” Ankalaev said. “I’m not sure why the UFC is doing it. I think they’re protecting him. We know that he’s an exciting fighter. We know that he fights in the standup. He’s a great striker. So I think that they’re just saving him, protecting him.”

Ankalaev hasn’t lost since his UFC debt in early 2018 – a submission to Paul Craig that remains the lone loss of his career. Over a nine-month stretch ahead of his vacant title fight with Blachowicz, he had three straight wins over former title challengers Volkan Oezdemir, Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith.

“I don’t care who I fight in this division. I’ve already fought all the top fighters,” Ankalaev said. “If Pereira goes to heavyweight, I don’t care. I’ll fight anyone who is in the UFC. Whoever UFC puts in front of me, that’s who will fight for the title.”

But if some way, somehow, it’s Pereira, Ankalaev thinks the belt is coming home with him.

“It’s MMA, so of course I can strike with him,” he said. “I can wrestle with him. I don’t really think that this is going to be that much of a hard fight for me. I think I’ve had harder fights in the division.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Rafael dos Anjos releases statement after UFC 308 knee injury: ‘It’s a tough game’

Former UFC champion Rafael dos Anjos had a terrible 40th birthday.

[autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag]’ 40th birthday didn’t go as he expected.

Not only did he lose to Geoff Neal on Saturday at UFC 308, he also suffered a devastating knee injury, the extent of which has not been revealed.

Sunday, dos Anjos (32-17 MMA, 21-15 UFC) released a statement on social media in which he apologized to his fans for the outcome and updated the public on his situation, though did not reveal a diagnosis.

“Thank you all fight fans for the support, sorry I let you guys down,” dos Anjos said. “Definitely it was not how I want to celebrate my 40th birthday, it was a tough loss. During my whole UFC career it’s my second time been hospitalized after a fight, it make me feel blessed, it could been worse, it’s a tough game. Time to heal up, enjoy the family. I’m not done yet, I’ll be back soon. God bless you all. I’ll keep you guys updated on my stories.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBn–x1pKDI/

Dos Anjos is admittedly in the latter stages of his competitive career. He’s bounced between lightweight and welterweight in recent years. Saturday’s loss at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi was his third loss in four appearances.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Max Holloway after UFC 308 knockout loss?

Max Holloway admits his time at featherweight is likely over after his knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, so what’s next?

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Ilia Topuria after UFC 308 title defense?)

A sight many people thought they would never see happened in the UFC 308 main event when [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] was knocked out for the first time in MMA against Ilia Topuria.

Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) failed to recapture the featherweight title from Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in Saturday’s headliner at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, when he was stopped by third-round knockout.

After the fight, Holloway displayed pure class and addressed the media about his fighting future. He hinted that a full-time move to lightweight could be on the horizon, and he is still officially in ownership of the BMF belt.

[lawrence-related id=2781371,2782238]

What is the correct next move for Holloway? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future after UFC 308.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.