Tag: UFC Fight Night 196

Alex Caceres ‘not necessarily impressed’ with Seungwoo Choi ahead of UFC Fight Night 196

Alex Caceres didn’t know much about Seungwoo Choi when the matchup was offered to him for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 196 event.

[autotag]Alex Caceres[/autotag] didn’t know much about Seungwoo Choi when the matchup was offered to him for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 196 event.

That was fine with Caceres (18-12 MMA, 13-10 UFC), because anyone who has followed his career knows the longtime octagon veteran isn’t picky when it comes to opponents. Caceres doesn’t follow MMA very closely, nor does he enjoy the world of sports. He’s all about the martial arts journey and evolving as a human and fighter.

When the contract was signed and the preparation began for the featherweight matchup at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, though, Caceres does his homework. He doesn’t think Choi (10-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) is a bad fighter by any means, but for someone who has shared the cage with the likes of Yair Rodriguez, Sergio Pettis, Urijah Faber, and more – there’s nothing that has Caceres overly concerned.

“He’s a great striker,” Caceres told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 196 media day. “We’ve seen fights where it seems like he doesn’t like to grapple, which is cool. I don’t necessarily like to grapple if I don’t have to either. It could be a good stand up fight. I do feel like my grappling is better if we go there. Not necessarily impressed with anything. Not to say he’s nothing. I’ve been in this thing – this is my 10th year in the UFC and I’ve fought some of the highest level guys from all ranges. I’ve seen it all.”

To hear more from Caceres, watch the video above for his UFC Fight Night 196 media day interview.

[listicle id=1378940]

[vertical-gallery id=424005]

[listicle id=1378457]

[pickup_prop id=”13567″]

Paulo Costa says he’s 212 pounds less than 48 hours from weigh-ins, needs catchweight with Marvin Vettori

If the UFC Fight Night 196 headliner with Marvin Vettori and Paulo Costa is going to happen, it doesn’t seem it will be at middleweight.

LAS VEGAS – If Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 196 headliner is still going to happen, it doesn’t seem it will be at middleweight.

Brazilian contender [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] today confirmed that he isn’t within striking distance of the 186-pound non-title limit and will need for opponent [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] to agree to a catchweight in order to compete at this weekend’s event.

“I think this fight will happen – it just will not happen if he does not want to fight me,” Costa told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s media day. “Maybe we can do a catchweight. Ninety kilos (approximately 198 pounds), maybe. I think making this fight (at a catchweight) could be more exciting to the fans – more explosive fight because I want to go bring the fight for him. Maybe he wants to bring the fight to me. So, I think with both guys heavy, this knockout can happen easily.”

Costa (13-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and Vettori (17-4-1 MMA, 7-3-1 UFC) are scheduled to meet in the main event of UFC Fight Night 196, which streams live on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex.

Earlier in the media day session, Vettori had warned of Costa’s potential weight struggles, and the Brazilian admitted he was 96 kilos (approximately 212 pounds) as he sat down to address the media and that hitting the middleweight limit was simply not going to be possible. He also said his manager, Wallid Ismail, was already in contact with Vettori’s team about the need to make a change.

“It’s not on the schedule to make 185 anymore,” Costa said. “It’s another weight above that, but I’m not exactly sure which weight yet.”

As for the reason why he’s currently struggling to make weight, Costa was a little less forthcoming.

“I will tell after the fight,” Costa said with a smile.

[lawrence-related id=1345478,1366758]

Vettori previously indicated he was willing to take the matchup at any weight, including all the way up to 205 pounds. However, there will certainly be some discussion about financial penalties paid to Vettori for the privilege of the change. If an agreement can be made, the fight is a big one between two fighters who have proven themselves to be in the upper echelon of the 185-pound division with Costa checking in at No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie middleweight rankings, and Vettori just behind at No. 7.

Costa said he hasn’t spent much time really breaking down his opponent but believes if he focuses on his own game, victory is guaranteed.

“I really don’t think about (Vettori’s style),” Costa said. “I even don’t watch his fights and his style to study him, to study his movement. I just focus on me. I know he sometimes goes to striking, sometimes he’s grappling. I’m prepared for all situations.”

Vettori’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, was not immediately available for comment, and promotion officials have yet to announce any changes to the bout’s status. So now, we wait word of an agreement.

While it seems a potential career setback for Costa, he doesn’t believe his time at 185 pounds is done and thinks he’ll challenge again for the belt in the near future rather than move up to 205 pounds.

“I can fight at light heavyweight, but I think it’s not the moment,” Costa said. “I can fight for the title again and take the belt.”

[vertical-gallery id=433393]

 

Marvin Vettori says Paulo Costa ‘a lot overweight,’ wants change in division for UFC Fight Night 196

Marvin Vettori claims Paulo Costa won’t make middleweight for their UFC Fight Night 196 main event.

[autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] claims Paulo Costa won’t make middleweight for UFC Fight Night 196 and that he’s asking for additional pounds for the matchup.

Vettori (17-5-1 MMA, 7-3-1 UFC) arrived at Wednesday’s media day and revealed there’s some ongoing drama behind the scenes stemming from Costa’s inability to make the contracted 186-pound limit for Saturday’s headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, which streams on ESPN+.

“There’s some sh*t going on – he had some problems with weight,” Vettori told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “I said I’ll fight him at any weight, but at the end of the day we still have to all be professional. He’s not professional. F*ck, we all go through weight cuts. He has to do some of it. So, we’ll see.

“The last thing I want is for the fight to be scratched, so I’ll fight him at any weight. With that being said, he needs to suffer a little bit making weight. All of us go through that. That shows. He’s a lot overweight.”

Vettori said neither Costa (13-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC), his team nor UFC brass have officially asked him to change the weight division, but it appears some complications could need sorting through.

In Vettori’s mind, though, he’s fighting no matter what. He’s desperate to rebound from his title-fight loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 263 in June, and he wants to get himself back in the mix with a win over Costa.

By the time they step in the octagon, it might no longer be a middleweight contest, but Vettori said so long as things are reasonable, he’s in for any adjustments.

“Nothing’s official, I just know he’s a lot overweight,” Vettori said. “He’s a lot overweight. We’ll have to find some solution. I’ll say, ‘Yes, let’s do it at 205.’ He should be able to do better than that, but worst case I’ll still fight him at 205.”

[listicle id=1378457]

[listicle id=1378940]

UFC Fight Night 196 commentary team, broadcast plans: Paul Felder calls Marvin Vettori’s main event

See who will serve as the three-man commentary duo for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 196 event.

[mm-video type=video id=01f1vf8eh8rzc5rz0f playlist_id=01eqvpne7c1q486dvv player_id=01eqvpqbw4ymnv0rjh image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f1vf8eh8rzc5rz0f/01f1vf8eh8rzc5rz0f-5a1172b3ca270c4a9845bb7145e4e9c1.jpg]

The UFC schedule continues this week with UFC Fight Night 196 on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

As always, some marquee on-air talent will be there to help guide viewers through the experience.

Details of who will work as commentators and analysts for each event have been acquired by MMA Junkie through a person with knowledge of the situation, and you can see the scheduled broadcast team below.

UFC Fight Night 196: Make your predictions for Paulo Costa vs. Marvin Vettori (Updated)

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 196 event in Las Vegas.

(Updated at noon ET on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, to add new fight between Mason Jones and David Onama.)

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 196 event in Las Vegas.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Thursday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the UFC Fight Night 196 main card staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. UFC Fight Night 196 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

Make your picks for the fights below.

Spinning Back Clique: World’s best light heavyweights, Fedor’s GOAT status, Jon Jones, more

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week, we look at the best light heavyweights in the world, the return of Fedor Emelianenko, Jon Jones’ ban from his longtime gym, Aspen Ladd’s coach’s tactics and the UFC Fight Night 196 main event.

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of “Gorgeous” George Garcia, Nolan King and Danny Segura discuss these topics along with host John Morgan.

  • [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] picked up a big knockout of former champion Ryan Bader to move into the light heavyweight tournament final for a shot at Bellator champ [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag]. He also proclaimed himself the best 205-pounder in the world – which UFC champ [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] took issue with. But are Bellator’s light heavyweights better than the UFC’s?
  • [autotag]Fedor Emelianenko[/autotag] returns Saturday at Bellator 269 to take on Tim Johnson in Moscow in his home country of Russia. Fedor long was considered the best heavyweight of all time, but that GOAT status has come into question in recent years. So is he the best heavyweight in MMA history?
  • Former UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag], considered arguably the greatest fighter of all time, has been banned from training at his longtime JacksonWink MMA gym in Albuquerque, N.M., in the wake of his latest arrest – this time on domestic violence-related charges. Our panel reacts to that news.
  • [autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag] returned for the first time in nearly two years, but never could get rolling against Norma Dumont in a unanimous decision loss in the UFC Fight Night 195 headliner. Before the fourth and fifth rounds, her coach was particularly harsh with her verbally, and it drew a lot of criticism in the MMA world. Did he go too far?
  • [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] takes on [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] in the UFC Fight Night 196 main event Saturday. Does the winner have a fast track for a title shot against middleweight champ Israel Adesanya?

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Tuesday on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch the full episode in the video above.

[listicle id=1341387]

[vertical-gallery id=1351004]

[vertical-gallery id=1350765]

MMA Junkie Radio #3201: Guest Julia Budd, UFC and Bellator recaps, Conor and more

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 3,201, the fellas welcome guest [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag]. The former Bellator women’s featherweight champion has moved on to the PFL and fights Kaitlin Young next week. They also look back at this past Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 196 and Bellator 268 events and break down the latest MMA news – including more Conor McGregor controversy.

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.

Marvin Vettori still convinced he’s superior to UFC champ Israel Adesanya: ‘He wasn’t better at all’

Despite two losses to Israel Adesanya in head-to-head matchups, Marvin Vettori has no doubt he’s superior to the UFC middleweight champ.

Despite two losses to [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] in head-to-head matchups, [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] has no doubt he’s superior to the UFC middleweight champ.

After losing a split decision to Adesanya (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) in April 2018, Vettori (17-5-1 MMA, 7-3-1 UFC) spent years claiming he should’ve won and he would solidify it in a rematch. He finally got his chance this past June, but things didn’t go his way again. He lost by unanimous decision in the UFC 263 headliner.

Vettori was very confident going into the second encounter with Adesanya. He was the first to get a winning scorecard over “The Last Stylebender” in the first bout, and thought he possessed the tools to get his hand raised when they ran it back. He came up short in the official result, but Vettori doesn’t think that tells the whole story.

The Italian fighter admits he was frustrated with media and fan perception of how the rematch unfolded. He thought he did enough for it to be considered a closer outcome – if not a win in his favor – and argues he should get more credit. Additionally, Vettori said he didn’t fight to his best due to some unexpected realities inside the octagon.

“He was very smart in there and he fought a very smart fight,” Vettori said. “With that being said, he wasn’t better. He wasn’t better at all in general. He wasn’t mored skilled, he didn’t have more cardio, he didn’t have more like anything, really. He was smart. He knew he was a champion. He didn’t really want to engage with me in a lot of things. Exchanges in general. One thing he was good at, he was able to play the crowd and kind of like almost be his own cornering in a sense. He had his own cornering, obviously, but he also had his like, he was his own corner. He was able to see the situation a little bit more from outside, from a third eye, almost.

“I did I mistake I think that maybe it was because it was the first time in front of the crowd for a while, or for a number of reasons. But with that being said, he used that to his advantage. Meanwhile, I didn’t use it or almost I let it played against me because I had like blinders on. That, most of the time would be the right thing to do. But in a situation like this it’s not. Especially when you’re fighting for a title.”

Vettori will get his chance to rebound from the title-fight loss on Oct. 23 when he faces Paulo Costa (13-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in the UFC Fight Night 196 main event. The card takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streams on ESPN+.

Although Costa is a matchup Vettori has wanted for some time – and he has expectations for a brutal victory – he said it’s all just a building block toward getting back to Adesanya. It’s not typical for a fighter to be granted a third opportunity to face a standing champion if they’ve already lost twice, but Vettori hopes his performances show he can be an exception.

“I did a mistake and I paid for it,” Vettori said. “But, you know, I really realized I can really beat this guy and I’m actually better than this guy. Two days after it’s like, ‘If we redo this fight, I’m going to beat this guy. Clean.’ But that’s it. Now I have to just reclaim my spot, and I feel like this is a fight (against Costa) that regardless of being champion or not, I would have won. I would have won this fight.

“I’m definitely thinking title and I know for a fact I’m going to face again Adesanya. I just want to fight the best, be the best and eventually claim my spot to be the best and win the title.”

[vertical-gallery id=616959]

[vertical-gallery id=315547]