Tag: UFC Fight Night 191

UFC Fight Night 192 faceoff video: Ryan Spann won’t look at Anthony Smith

UFC Fight Night 192 headliners Anthony Smith and Ryan Spann had their sole staredown before sharing the octagon on Saturday.

LAS VEGAS – Light heavyweight contenders [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag] got a final good look at one another on Friday ahead of UFC Fight Night 192.

After both men successfully made weight, Smith (34-16 MMA, 10-6 UFC) and Spann (19-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) engaged in one last faceoff before stepping into the octagon with one another. It was a unique faceoff, as Spann refused to look at Smith once they came face-to-face.

UFC Fight Night 192 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card streams on ESPN+.

Watch the video above to see the first and final staredown between Smith and Spann ahead of fight night.

It’s an important bout for both men. Smith will attempt to push his winning streak to three fights as he pursues his second UFC title shot. Spann, meanwhile, looks to secure a signature win in the light heavyweight division in his first headlining opportunity.

UFC Fight Night 191 medical suspensions: Darren Till one of eight facing potential six months

Darren Till could be facing a lengthy layoff – and that’s without factoring in his reported torn ACL at UFC Fight Night 191.

[autotag]Darren Till[/autotag] is one of eight fighters facing a potential six-month medical suspension coming out of UFC Fight Night 191.

Till, who was dominated before losing to Derek Brunson by third-round submission this past Saturday, must receive doctor’s clearance after having a facial CT scan before he can return to action otherwise he must sit out six months. This is according to medical suspensions handed out by the Nevada Athletic Commission and obtained through MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commission’s official record keeper.

There is no mention of a knee injury after Till’s coach, Colin Heron, told ESPN that his fighter suffered a torn ACL roughly nine weeks ago but decided to fight anyway.

Brunson, meanwhile, received a clean bill of health coming out of his fifth consecutive win and is required to sit out only a minimum of 21 days.

Also of note, [autotag]Modestas Bukauskas[/autotag] is looking at six months out after the fight-ending knee injury he sustained. Bukauskas (11-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC) was on the receiving end of an oblique kick to his left knee in the second round of his main card bout with Khalil Rountree, which immediately sent him tumbling to the ground.

Bukauskas’ scream forced the referee to wave the fight off as the former Cage Warriors champion is scheduled to undergo an MRI as soon as he flies home.

The full list of UFC Fight Night 191 medical suspensions can be seen below:

USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, Sept. 7: Behold blond Brunson

Five-fight winning streaks in the UFC don’t come easy, but Derek Brunson is currently enjoying just such a run.

Five-fight winning streaks in the UFC don’t come easy, but [autotag]Derek Brunson[/autotag] is currently enjoying just such a run.

After Brunson (23-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC) scored an impressive submission win over Darren Till at UFC Fight Night 191, the middleweight contender is unbeaten since his November 2018 loss to now-champ Israel Adesanya. Brunson believes his next fight should be for the UFC title, pending the result of a planned matchup between Adesanya and Robert Whittaker.

Whether or not that pans out remains to be seen, but it’s hard to argue with his results. His latest victory also sees Brunson rise to No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie middleweight rankings, settling in just behind the two men set to clash next.

After his latest win, check out the new look of the middleweight rankings, with Till dropping slightly to No. 12. Additionally, check out other divisions using the dropdown menu above.

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Derek Brunson wants to make Israel Adesanya ‘eat his words’ in UFC title rematch

Derek Brunson wants a rematch with Israel Adesanya so badly that he’s willing to go into enemy territory.

[autotag]Derek Brunson[/autotag] wants a rematch with [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] so badly that he’s willing to go into enemy territory.

Brunson (23-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC) earned his fifth consecutive victory since a humiliating first-round TKO loss to Adesanya at UFC 230 in November 2018 when he overwhelmed, shut down and submitted Darren Till (18-4-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) in this past Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 191 main event in Las Vegas.

The turnaround has been strong for Brunson in the three years since he shared the octagon with Adesanya (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC), and he’s made it clear all along the way that his goal is to get that rematch and redeem what he considers to be one of his worst performances. The fact that Adesanya became champion in the fallout of their fight just makes the possibility of a rematch sweeter.

Brunson wants to run it back so badly with Adesanya, in fact, that he’s willing to go into enemy territory. It might be pipe dream in the COVID-19 world, but if the stars could somehow align, Brunson said his “perfect” world scenario would be to challenge Adesanya in New Zealand and take the title away in front of his people.

“I was just thinking how bad I want that fight, how I know I can get the job done,” Brunson told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “Shock everybody, surprise everybody. I’m so good at going in somebody’s backyard and just silencing the crowd. I’m not an A-hole with it, but I’m going to go enjoy the moment. That’s like the perfect scenario is fight Izzy in his backyard, avenge the loss, take the title for all the marbles. That would be lit.”

Brunson said he has no real-world beefs with Adesanya. The champion has what Brunson wants to elevate his career, and only one man can hold that belt at a time, making them natural opposing forces.

In addition, Brunson wants to show that he can do better than the first time. He’s changed teams to Sanford MMA in Florida and has a better grip on who he is as a fighter and person at 37 years old, and he craves for the rematch to show how much he’s grown.

“It’s all purely competitive,” Brunson said. “I want to make him eat his words. I want to give him a nickname that’s going to stick with him also. I think this could be one of the biggest fights in UFC middleweight history. I think the action is going to be there. I’m going to be up for that fight. I’ll put in a great training camp, the buildup will be great. I think it has a lot of potential.

“I would definitely like to fight Izzy again. I just know that fight – it left a sour taste in my mouth. It wasn’t a good representation of myself. Izzy has a lot of hype, a lot of momentum. So I would like to cool that.”

If all things were equal, Brunson has done more than enough to earn a UFC title shot. Unfortunately when it comes to the reality, there are many complicating factors involved.

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This particularly scenario is tough for Brunson because of timing. Robert Whittaker is the true No. 1 contender at 185 pounds, and he’s expected to have a rematch of his own with Adesanya in the first quarter of 2022. Because of that, Brunson is stuck between a rock and a hard place in that he could choose to sit on the sidelines and hopes a title shot comes to him within a reasonable timeframe, or he could stay active and further solidify his spot.

Brunson has already said a matchup with Jared Cannonier (14-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) could be an option, but he’s also discussing the possibility of being a back up fighter for Adesanya vs. Whittaker. It’s too soon after his win over Till to know exactly how everything will play out, Brunson said, but right now he’s not closing the door to anything.

“Obviously I want the title shot and I’m like, ‘Hey, I can wait,'” Brunson said. “I’ve got a lot of businesses and stuff going on that I’m not hurting for money. I like to invest my money smartly. But at the same time I like to fight. I just know, I’m really confident – and who’s to say Adesanya will even win the rematch? Whittaker’s going to be able to make some adjustments and it’s going to be a closer fight. But I’m just confident in my myself and what I can do and where I’m headed. So I really want to get my hands back in there.

“I talked to my management yesterday and I asked for the option to have me training just in case somebody gets injured, or somebody gets COVID. What I won’t do is I won’t throw myself in there properly prepared or training. I would like to be training for the fight and if somebody gets injured then I’ll fill in. Then let’s say it was a quick fight then two months after that we book my fight. Or somebody gets injured and it drags out, then maybe we book another fight a month after that and I’ll already be in shape.”

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‘Never give up!’ Charles Oliveira offers advice to Darren Till after Derek Brunson loss

UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira can relate to Darren Till’s recent skid.

UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] can relate to [autotag]Darren Till[/autotag]’s recent skid.

Till (18-4-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) dropped his second straight bout and fourth in five fights when he was submitted by Derek Brunson in the main event of UFC Fight Night 191 on Saturday.

Oliveira (31-8 MMA, 19-8 UFC), who once lost four of six in a two-year stretch, was able to completely turn his career around in 2018. He won nine straight en route to the 155-pound strap.

So as a fighter who’s experienced ups and downs throughout his career, Oliveira offered words of advice to the struggling Till after he used him as an example of someone who never stopped fighting for his championship dreams.

“Keep you head up, never give up! God knows everything. Return home, get back to the gym – train and dedicated yourself. Hey @darrentill2we’re here my ma’, if you need our support, lets train together. Right-facing fistLeft-facing fist“

One of the most popular fighters on the roster, Till was seeking new life when he moved up to 185 pounds, but hasn’t been able to get a run going. After edging out Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 244, the native of Liverpool, England, dropped two straight to former champion Robert Whittaker and, most recently, Brunson on Saturday.

Till had no answer for Brunson’s ground game and after showing toughness to survive Brunson’s ground-and-pound barrage, ultimately was submitted in Round 3.

Another fighter who offered Till advice was rising star Khamzat Chimaev, who extended him a hand to come out and train with him.

“@DerekBrunson Congratulations good job 👏@darrentill2 Come to Sweden I will help you with wrestling.”

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MMA Junkie Radio #3190: UFC Fight Night 191 and ONE Championship review, Triller Fight Club preview

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,190, the guys react to the latest headlines in MMA – including [autotag]Evander Holyfield[/autotag] stepping in to face [autotag]Vitor Belfort[/autotag] in a boxing bout this weekend, as well as reviewing the results from UFC Fight Night 191 and “ONE Championship: Empower” – as well as debating the role of the oblique kick in MMA and looking toward the future for [autotag]Darren Till[/autotag]. Tune in!

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.

Michael Bisping suggests Darren Till move back down to welterweight after Derek Brunson loss

Michael Bisping thinks Darren Till needs to make multiple changes after his recent skid – including a change in weight class.

[autotag]Michael Bisping[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Darren Till[/autotag] needs to make multiple changes after his recent skid – including a change in weight class.

Till (18-4-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) currently is enduring a rough patch in his career after dropping his second straight bout, a submission loss to Derek Brunson in the main event of UFC Fight Night 191 on Saturday.

Having lost four of his past five, former UFC middleweight champion Bisping thinks Till needs to work on his ground game. Brunson was able to inflict heavy damage on Till after taking him down multiple times. He submitted him in Round 3.

“It’s another loss on his record and it’s further halting his progression to becoming champion of the world,” Bisping told BT Sport. “But what I will say is this in terms of encouragement: He’s only 28 years old. I had many ups and downs throughout my career and maybe some tweaks. I’m not suggesting he leaves Team Kaobon, but maybe go somewhere where they have a heavier influence on wrestling, certainly on jiu-jitsu as well.

“With absolute respect, the ground game could have been a little better tonight. No shame in the takedowns – Derek Brunson is a strong wrestler. He’s built his entire career on that. But I thought when it hit the ground, (Till) could have done some things a little better.”

After dropping two straight at welterweight, including a stoppage loss in a title fight against Tyron Woodley, Till moved up to middleweight. But the native of Liverpool, England, struggled to string a title run together, going 1-2 in the division.

Having missed weight on two occasions, it’s no secret Till had a hard time making 170 pounds. But despite that, Bisping thinks “The Gorilla” needs to return to his original home.

“I think perhaps a move back down to welterweight (is what he needs),” Bisping said. “When you look at Derek Brunson compared to him, Derek Brunson is a much bigger guy. I’m not talking height-wise. Height-wise, they’re very similar. But when you look at the frame – and with the frame and with that muscle, comes a lot of strength – certainly when you’re fighting guys like Derek Brunson when their whole M.O. is to take you down. Of course, technique comes into play. But a lot of what comes into play is strength. Once you get into these clinch positions … it comes down to power, and Derek kind of outmuscled him in those situations, as well.”

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VIDEO: Tom Aspinall breaks down in tears after $50,000 bonus at UFC Fight Night 191

Tom Aspinall got very emotional when he found out that he was going to be $50,000 richer.

You don’t often see too many emotions from the mild-mannered [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag], but he couldn’t help but react when he found out he was going to be $50,000 richer.

Aspinall scored his seventh straight victory when he stopped Serghei Spivac in the first round in the UFC Fight Night 191 co-main event Saturday and was delivered some great news during his post-fight photo session.

When the heavyweight prospect was told he earned a “Performance of the Night” bonus, his jump for joy quickly turned into tears.

The Team Kaobon fighter has finished all 11 of his pro wins and has earned three bonuses in his four UFC wins. Following his finish of Spivac, Aspinall called out Blagoy Ivanov, who’s ranked one spot ahead of him in the UFC’s heavyweight rankings.

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

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5 biggest takeaways from UFC Fight Night 191: Is Darren Till destined for mediocrity?

Thoughts and analysis of the biggest storylines coming out of UFC Fight Night 191, which took place Saturday in Las Vegas.

What mattered most at UFC Fight Night 1911 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas? Here are a few post-fight musings …

Modestas Bukauskas defends Khalil Rountree’s fight-ending oblique kick: ‘That kick was all good’

Modestas Bukauskas won’t call for a ban on oblique kicks despite having his knee shredded by one in a UFC Fight Night 191 loss.

A debate around the legality of the oblique kick has come to life in the fallout of [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag]’s vicious TKO win at UFC Fight Night 191.

One person who doesn’t have a problem with the technique? [autotag]Modestas Bukauskas[/autotag], the man finished by Rountree on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

After landing some head head shots in the first round and taking control in the second of the light heavyweight bout, Rountree (9-5 MMA, 5-5 UFC) fired off a right oblique kick to Bukauskas’ (11-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC) left knee. The stomping motion had immediate effect, with Bukauskas crumbling to the ground in agony and forcing the bout to be waved off.

The oblique kick is a sometime frowned-upon technique since it can cause career-altering damage. Quinton Jackson said he was never the same after taking one from Jon Jones in their UFC 135 title fight in September 2011, and more recently Darren Till had to undergo a knee surgery courtesy of a kick taken from Robert Whittaker.

According to the current unified rules, though, there’s nothing outlawing the use of oblique kicks, and Bukauskas isn’t one to complain. He provided a Sunday morning health update where he said it was fair play by Rountree. Bukauskas said he shoulders the blame for the result for not using better defense (via Twitter):

“Getting MRI when I get home … probably ligament damage … And yo please give my opponent some slack, that kick was all good, it was my job to defend and I didn’t. Let the man enjoy his victory.”

The upside is Bukauskas does not appear to have any long-term damage to his knee, but said more tests are required to confirmed the extent of any injuries.

Although there only are a handful of instances of the oblique kick causing long-term, lasting effects, it’s clear the move ruffles a lot of feathers within the MMA community. There was a vocal section of fighters who reacted to the result on social media, and bans of the technique were even suggested by the likes of Belal Muhammad, Jamahal Hill and Vinc Pichel.

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