Tag: UFC Fight Night 209

MMA Junkie Radio #3292: UFC Paris recap, UFC 279 look-ahead, Paul-Silva, more

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


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

On Episode 3,292, the lads look back at UFC Fight Night 209 in Paris and big wins for Ciryl Gane and Robert Whittaker. They also look ahead to Saturday’s UFC 279 pay-per-view, which is likely to be Nate Diaz’s last fight in the UFC. Plus, they talk about the latest news, including the Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva boxing match. 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.

Stephanie Egger after UFC Paris win over Ailin Perez: ‘In the cage it’s about fighting, not twerking’

Stephanie Egger is no-nonsense when it comes to fighting, and that shined through at UFC Paris.

PARIS – In the build-up to UFC Fight Night 209, promotional newcomer Ailin Perez caught everyone’s attention with her on-stage twerking during ceremonial weigh-ins, which apparently is her thing.

Coming out of it, [autotag]Stephanie Egger[/autotag] has grabbed headlines.

Egger (8-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) made history Saturday as the first UFC fighter to win on French soil when she submitted Perez by rear-naked choke in the second round of their women’s featherweight fight at Accor Arena.

Afterward, Egger told reporters that she simply was “really happy” with her performance. And she had a little something to say about Perez’s pre-fight conduct when asked about it.

“I have a judo background. I learned respect for my opponents,” Egger said. “If she wants to twerk, she can twerk. But when we are in the cage, it’s all about fighting and not twerking. I don’t like to talk much. I prefer to go in the cage and fight.”

[lawrence-related id=2578160,2578155,2578112]

Making this victory extra special is the fact that it made up for her armbar submission loss to Mayra Silva Bueno just four weeks ago at UFC on ESPN 40. Egger, who was on a two-fight winning streak before that defeat, jumped at the short-notice opportunity to fight at UFC Fight Night 209.

“I had a fight three weeks ago, and I wasn’t happy with the result,” the Swiss fighter said. “It was a bullsh*t result in my opinion, so I’m really happy that I could step in on short notice. When I got the call, I immediately said yes. It was the perfect timing for me.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 209.

[vertical-gallery id=2577455]

Abus Magomedov left speechless by 19-second TKO win in UFC debut – but knows what he wants

UFC debuts don’t get much better than Abus Magomedov’s at UFC Paris.

PARIS – How’s this for a UFC debut?

[autotag]Abus Magomedov[/autotag] needed just 19 seconds to dispatch Dustin Stoltzfus on Saturday at UFC Fight Night 209, landing a front kick to the face and following up with punches for the quick TKO win in their middleweight bout.

Magomedov (25-4-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) hadn’t competed since December 2020, and the way his UFC debut played out left him speechless.

“I’m very happy for my debut, that I finally get the chance to fight here,” Magomedov told reporters at Accor Arena. “I can’t say. I don’t have words to describe what I feel. I’m just happy.”

Magomedov, 32, isn’t a stranger to a big stage, having fought for both KSW and PFL. His dream, however, was always to get to the UFC.

“Of course, this is why I work all my life,” Magomedov said. “Everybody knows UFC is the biggest organization in the world. For me personally, it’s like Olympics. There is nothing more. I know around the world everyone look at the UFC, and it was a little bit pressure of course. But I’m a long time in this business, and I know how to manage it.”

After waiting for so long, Magomedov hopes he gets the opportunity for a quick turnaround. Specifically, he’d like to fight again in seven weeks at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi since he took zero damage Saturday night. Anyone in the top 15 would do.

“I hope UFC will call me and says, ‘Hey, Abus, let’s go Abu Dhabi,’ Magomedov said. “I am ready.”

[lawrence-related id=2578043,2577784]

Looking down the line, Magomedov, who is on a three-fight winning streak, was asked about some day facing reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Magomedov’s answer would suggest that he certainly doesn’t lack confidence.

“I will wrestle him. I will smash him in wrestling, yeah. If he wants to stand up, I can also fight in the standup. It’s not something I’m afraid of. You have to be smart and know how to smash this guy.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 209.

[vertical-gallery id=2577649]

Mick Maynard’s Shoes: What’s next for Ciryl Gane after UFC Fight Night 209 win?


See who Ciryl Gane should fight next after his victory over Tai Tuivasa in the UFC Fight Night 209 headliner.

(ALSO SEE: Mick Maynard’s Shoes: What’s next for Tai Tuivasa after UFC Fight Night 209 loss?)

[autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] overcame the difficult hurdle of rebounding from his first loss on Saturday when he emerged victorious against Tai Tuivasa in the UFC Fight Night 209 headliner.

Gane (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) had the honor of headlining the UFC’s debut fight card in his native France, and he sent the crowd home happy when he knocked out Tuivasa (15-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) in the third round of the heavyweight main event at Accor Arena in Paris.

Prior to the event, Gane was already No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie heavyweight rankings. There’s not much more room to move upward, but that’s all Gane is focused on, because the former interim UFC champ wants another shot to win undisputed gold.

How does he get there, though? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on Gane’s future after UFC Fight Night 209.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 209.

[vertical-gallery id=2577955]

[listicle id=2577132]

Mick Maynard’s Shoes: What’s next for Tai Tuivasa after UFC Fight Night 209 loss?

See who Tai Tuivasa should fight next after his loss to Ciryl Gane in the UFC Fight Night 209 headliner.

(ALSO SEE: Mick Maynard’s Shoes: What’s next for Ciryl Gane after UFC Fight Night 209 win?)

[autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag]’s winning streak and surge up the heavyweight rankings was brought to an abrupt end by Ciryl Gane in the UFC Fight Night 209 main event.

After putting together five consecutive knockouts inside the octagon, Tuivasa (15-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) ran into an opponent that had too much for him. He suffered a third-round knockout loss to Gane (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) in the headlining at at Accor Arena in Paris.

Although it was an unwanted setback, Tuivasa’s stock didn’t drop much in the Fight of the Night battle. He had his chances to win, and now he must regroup and figure out how to close the gaps in his game.

What should be next for Tuivasa? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future after UFC Fight Night 209.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 209.

[vertical-gallery id=2577955]

[listicle id=2577132]

UFC Paris winner Nasrat Haqparast downplays pre-fight beef with John Makdessi: ‘It was nothing personal’

Whatever beef there might’ve been between Nasrat Haqparast and John Makdessi heading into UFC Paris, consider it squashed.

PARIS – Whatever beef there might’ve been between [autotag]Nasrat Haqparast[/autotag] and [autotag]John Makdessi[/autotag] heading into UFC Fight Night 209, Haqparast considers it squashed after his unanimous decision win in their lightweight bout Saturday at Accor Arena.

“Honestly, it was just like, we trained together seven years ago in 2015 at TriStar,” Haqparast told reporters afterward. “We were like training partners. Then he split the team. It can happen, you know. He found his own way. We got matched in 2019; three years ago I had some visa issues. I pulled out then I wanted to get the fight rescheduled. It didn’t happen. Then we were supposed to fight in February, (but) he got injured. Now this was the third time (being booked).

“In between that, we had a little bit of Twitter trash talk, but it was nothing personal. He didn’t say something against my family, me either. We didn’t cross the line. Just a little bit of trash talk to hype the fight a little bit. Now we squashed the beef, and everything is fine.”

[lawrence-related id=2578112,2578099,2578043]

It seemed like more than that when Haqparast (14-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC) and Makdessi got in each other’s faces at the end of Round 1, but Haqparast simply chalked that up to being in the heat of the moment.

“It’s just a fight,” Haqparast said. “Excites me so much.”

With the win, Haqparast snapped a two-fight skid – losses to Dan Hooker and Bobby Green. He’s looking forward now that’s happy with what he showed against Makdessi.

“We close the book, and we head to the next challenge,” Haqparast said. “He had a lot of experience. He’s a very experienced guy, mature guy, awkward style. Everybody’s fighting like him. I wanted to show a little bit of my real skill set against him, and I’m proud what I did today.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 209.

[vertical-gallery id=2577613]

Nassourdine Imavov calls out Paulo Costa after UFC Fight Night 209 win

Rising UFC middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov takes aim at Paulo Costa.

PARIS – [autotag]Nassourdine Imavov[/autotag] has a big name in mind for his next trip to the octagon.

The rising UFC middleweight contender wants to mix it up with former title challenger [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag]. Imavov (12-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 209. The victory put him on a three-fight winning streak, and he believes it’s time to take a step up in the rankings.

“I have to heal first, and I have some injuries. I might need surgery,” Imavov told reporters at Accor Arena. “But as I said, I would like a top-five or top-10 guy, so why not Costa? It’s going to be a completely different fight, so let’s go.”

[lawrence-related id=2578112,2578119]

Costa is coming off a wild, Fight of the Night performance against former champion Luke Rockhold last month at UFC 278. Imavov wasn’t impressed with the Brazilian’s return to the cage.

“I watched the fight, but it was nothing special,” Imavov said. “They both got tired. They got really tired during the fight … In a way, challenges motivate me, and I think it will be a good fight for me.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 209.

[vertical-gallery id=2577918]

Nathaniel Wood ‘a lot more happy and healthier’ at featherweight after UFC Fight Night 209

Nathaniel Wood is enjoying life a lot more as a featherweight.

PARIS – Life is good for [autotag]Nathaniel Wood[/autotag] at featherweight.

The Englishman picked up his second consecutive win since moving up from bantamweight as Wood (19-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC) defeated Charles Jourdain by unanimous decision Saturday at UFC Fight Night 209.

It was an exciting and dominant showing by Wood, who is high on what he can do in this new division.

“I think I can go all the way,” Wood told reporters at Accor Arena. “I think I can go all the way at 135, but it just wasn’t happening. I just wasn’t active enough. The UFC doesn’t always give me the most amount of notice. I rather be asked to take a fight on six weeks, eight weeks notice, but 135 I just needed too much time to make weight.

“So yeah, I feel quick at 145. The weight cuts are a little easier, which means I can focus on my opponents and actually have a life, not be sitting there thinking about food all the time. So yeah, I feel a lot more happy and healthier at this weight.”

[lawrence-related id=2577170,2578071]

As far as what’s next, Wood has no opponent in mind, but he intends to stick around at featherweight. He’s been having a lingering issue with one of his hands and believes he’ll need to take some time off to address the issue.

“I do need to get my hand sorted,” Wood said. “My hand has been giving me grief for about two years now. I think it needs operating on, but I just been having to crack on with it.

“I hurt it on Charles’ head tonight, so I might actually have to get this thing sorted out for once. But I’m hearing stories that next year there’s maybe going to be a stadium card or something like this in London. I’m a London boy, so I need to be on that. So yeah, I won’t be looking to take too much time off.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 209.

[vertical-gallery id=2577723]

Junior Dos Santos calls Ciryl Gane ‘a dirty fighter,’ points out illegal hammerfist vs. Tai Tuivasa

Given his own history with Ciryl Gane, Junior Dos Santos is not happy with what he saw at UFC Paris.

[autotag]Junior Dos Santos[/autotag] didn’t stay quiet.

The former UFC heavyweight champion took to Twitter on Sunday morning to call out [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] for an illegal strike used in his finish of Tai Tuivasa on Saturday at UFC Fight Night 209.

Gane stopped Tuivasa in the third round of the main event after a thrilling back-and-forth war. In the final sequence, Gane appears to strike Tuivasa in the back of the head with a right hammerfist. Upon replay, cageside commentator Michael Bisping described the strike as being to “the back of the head.”

Dos Santos lost to Gane in December 2020 at UFC 256 and complained afterward back then about getting hit in the back of the head. He wasn’t happy with what he saw in the Tuivasa fight.

“What a dirty fighter this Gane is,” Dos Santos wrote on Twitter. “Again hitting the back of the head. And now what are those ‘fight experts’ [sic] will say about it?”

[lawrence-related id=2578099,2577980]

It’s worth noting that Tuivasa was badly hurt prior to the shot. Still, the illegal strike is pretty clear. There was no mention of the shot by referee Marc Goddard or even a protest by Tuivasa following the fight.

In his own experience, Dos Santos was upset about his loss to Gane and claimed the TKO was the result of an illegal elbow to the back of his head.

“I feel bad that this situation takes away the shine of this victory, but it’s also not OK,” Dos Santos said back in December 2020. “(It’s) not right to expect me to take a loss from an illegal blow. I hope you guys agree with me. I know my situation isn’t good in the organization, but that’s not the reason to suddenly stop enforcing rules or stop ensuring my safety inside the cage.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 209.

[vertical-gallery id=2577955]

Ciryl Gane after UFC Fight Night 209: Tai Tuivasa ‘100 percent’ hardest puncher I’ve faced

Ciryl Gane had never been dropped inside the cage until Tai Tuivasa did it with one punch at UFC Paris.

PARIS – It’s undeniable that [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] has faced some of the hardest-hitting heavyweights on the UFC roster. And that list keeps growing.

Gane, the former UFC interim heavyweight champion, picked up an impressive knockout win over [autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag] in the UFC Fight Night 209 headliner Saturday at Accor Arena, the first event on French soil for the promotion. It was a definitive finish, but Gane (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) had to endure plenty to get the knockout. The Frenchman was dropped by Tuivasa in the second round of their contest and had to weather a big storm in order to regroup and rally back.

Gane, who’s faced Francis Ngannou, Derrick Lewis, Junior Dos Santos, and other knockout artists, said Tuivasa is the hardest hitter he’s faced.

“Yeah, 100 percent (heaviest puncher),” Gane told reporters at the UFC Fight Night 209 post-fight press conference. “Ngannou never touched me during the fight, so it’s impossible to compare. But today, Tai Tuivasa touched me. Francis Ngannou can touch very well. That’s not a question. But today, (Tuivasa) was the first guy to put me on my ass.”

[lawrence-related id=2578071,2577980]

UFC Fight Night 209 was the first time Gane was seen visibly hurt in a fight. The 32-year-old is usually very agile and known for his movement around his opponent’s attacks. The experience was a first for Gane.

“Nothing,” Gane said recalling the feeling of getting dropped. “I don’t have time to put question in my head. I just react. So I felt nothing, then I felt the ground with my hands, and after that I saw his legs, so I grabbed the legs, and that’s it. This was my feeling. And after a few seconds I was back.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 209.

[listicle id=2577127]

[vertical-gallery id=2577955]