Tag: UFC Fight Night 212

‘Different’ Askar Askarov focused solely on UFC Fight Night 212 opponent Brandon Royval, not title gold

Ahead of his UFC Fight Night 212 clash, Askar Askarov reflects on his first professional loss and previews his fight vs. Brandon Royval.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Askar Askarov[/autotag] concedes his most recent performance was not his best, but he has his reasons for that.

In March, Askarov (14-1-1 MMA, 3-1-1 UFC) lost for the first time as a professional when Kai Kara-France defeated him by unanimous decision. Askarov isn’t totally bummed out by the performance, but admits he wasn’t fully healthy – as he indicated he is Wednesday ahead of his UFC Fight Night 212 matchup Saturday vs. Brandon Royval (14-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) at the UFC Apex.

“The fight was good last time, but I felt that I wasn’t ready 100 percent because I wasn’t fighting for one year before my fight with Kai Kara-France,” Askarov told MMA Junkie and other reporters through an interpreter at a pre-fight news conference. “But this fight, you’re going to see me different. I’m going to put my everything into this fight and this time will be different.”

“… Brandon is a really tough guy, tough opponent. I watched a lot of his fights. He’s good, but I’ve fought with tougher guys. I’ve fought with better guys. I’m going to show this, this Saturday. I’m ready.”

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The loss to Kara-France in March was difficult, not just because of the results but the stakes, too. An unofficial title eliminator, Kara-France earned a crack at Brandon Moreno in July – with an interim title up for grabs.

One fight removed from a title eliminator opportunity, Askarov remains focused. Gold is on the long-term agenda, but the short term is solely the task at hand.

“I don’t want to think about the title shot for now because Brandon is a really tough guy,” Askarov said. “When I win this fight, I’ll see. I was ready for a title fight for a long time. Because of my injury, surgery, it took a long for me. I just want to concentrate (on) Brandon for now, then we’ll see what’s going to happen.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 212.

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Viviane Araujo realistic about title chances ahead of UFC Fight Night 212: ‘I see other opponents in a better spot’

Viviane Araujo won’t allow herself to be delusional about her career ahead of the UFC Fight Night 212 main event.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag] is realistic about her place in the women’s flyweight title picture ahead of her first octagon headliner at UFC Fight Night 212.

Araujo (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) meets Alexa Grasso (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in a five-round bout at the UFC Apex, which streams on ESPN+. It’s a key bout for the division, and one that will put the winner in the conversation for a future showdown with longtime champion [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag].

Brazil’s Araujo said it won’t place her at the front of the queue, though. She knows there are other names with stronger resumes gunning for a title shot, so she goes into UFC Fight Night 212 with the belief another win will be needed to secure the opportunity.

“I’m pretty sure that whoever wins this fight is going to be in a really good position and really good spot to be in the top of the division,” Araujo told MMA Junkie and other reporters through an interpreter at UFC Fight Night 212 media day. “But to be honest, I see other opponents in a better spot, better situation than me. Like Taila Santos, Lauren Murphy, Jessica Andrade and Katlyn Chookagian. Maybe a rematch with her. So yeah, I don’t think my next fight will be a title shot.”

Araujo, 35, and Grasso, 29, were originally scheduled to fight in August. However, Araujo was forced to withdraw due to injury. She doesn’t love the fact she hasn’t fought since May, but Araujo admits the additional time between fights was beneficial for this moment.

“I am my best version right now,” Araujo said. “I’m happy, motivated and I’m sure I’m going to be able to perform. I want to perform very well and my victory is going to be exceptional.”

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With all that time came more opportunity for Araujo to scout and prepare for Grasso’s game. The Mexican has a slick boxing-oriented offense, and is unbeaten in three fights since moving up from the strawweight division.

Araujo will openly admit it’s her intention to neutralize Grasso’s striking by taking the fight to the mat, and it’s there she thinks openings will arise to secure a stoppage win.

“We did study her a lot,” Araujo said. “I know her boxing is very good and she moves pretty well. But I’m ready. I’ve been training a lot of boxing and wrestling as well. My wrestling is sharp and I’m ready to take her down and keep her on the ground.

“I’m ready to fight five rounds for sure. I’m going to have to be patient. I know how dangerous she is, but I want to finish this fight in the second round.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 212.

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MMA Junkie Radio #3301: Guest Marlon Moraes, UFC preview, Alistair Overeem, more

Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”


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

On Episode 3,301, the guys welcome in guest [autotag]Marlon Moraes[/autotag] to discuss his recent free agent signing with the PFL. In addition, they look ahead to Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 212 card, discuss Alistair Overeem’s Glory Kickboxing win, break down Islam Makhachev vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov and more. 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.

UFC Fight Night 212 free fight: Viviane Araujo gets knocked down, but rallies back to beat Andrea Lee

Watch Viviane Araujo get knocked down, but rally back to beat Andrea Lee at UFC on ESPN 36 in May.

[autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag] sure got tested in her most recent outing.

The UFC women’s flyweight contender almost was stopped in her fight against Andrea Lee, but rallied back to get her hand raised in the end. Araujo (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) defeated Lee with a unanimous decision after getting dropped by a right hand, then a head kick, in the first 30 seconds of their contest.

It was an incredible comeback by the Brazilian, who proved to be resilient. You can rewatch Araujo’s win over Lee in the video above.

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Araujo returns to the cage Saturday in the UFC Fight Night 212 main event against Mexico’s Alexa Grasso in Las Vegas.

Grasso (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) currently is enjoying her best octagon run. The 28-year-old has won three straight and most recently scored her first career submission over Joanne Wood at UFC on ESPN 33.

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UFC Fight Night 212: Make your predictions for Alexa Grasso vs. Viviane Araujo

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 212 event in Las Vegas, which features Alexa Grasso vs. Viviane Araujo at flyweight.

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 212 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 212 main card staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. UFC Fight Night 212 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

Make your picks for the fights below.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 212.

UFC Fight Night 212 free fight: Alexa Grasso taps Joanne Wood for first submission win

Watch UFC Fight Night 212 headliner Alexa Grasso get her first submission win – a finish of Joanne Wood in March.

[autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] proved she’s more than just a striker.

The UFC women’s flyweight contender picked up her first submission win in her most recent trip to the octagon. Grasso (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) tapped Joanne Wood with a rear-naked choke in the co-main event of UFC on ESPN 33 in March.

Not only was it an historic win for Grasso’s career, but also an important one in the 125-pound women’s division. With the victory, Grasso improved her winning streak to three and remained undefeated since moving up from strawweight in 2020.

You can watch Grasso’s win over Wood in the video above.

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Grasso returns to the cage Saturday in the UFC Fight Night 212 main event against Brazil’s Viviane Araujo in Las Vegas.

Winner of three of her past four, Araujo is coming off a unanimous decision win over Andrea Lee at UFC on ESPN 36 in May. Prior to that, she dropped a decision to former title challenger Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 262.

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Joanderson Brito vs. newcomer Lucas Alexander targeted for UFC Fight Night 212

This week’s UFC return has a late change to the lineup in Las Vegas.

This week’s UFC return has a late change to the lineup in “Sin City.”

[autotag]Joanderson Brito[/autotag] (13-3-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) was set to fight [autotag]Melsik Baghdasaryan[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) until he suffered a broken hand. Now Brito will fight promotional newcomer [autotag]Lucas Alexander[/autotag] (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 212.

MMA Junkie confirmed the targeted new matchup with a person with knowledge of the booking, who asked to remain anonymous since it hasn’t been formally announced by the UFC. UFC Fight Night 212 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

Alexander, from Brazil, got some eyeballs on him in February with a TKO win on UFC Fight Pass at the debut fight card of Anthony Pettis’ new MMA promotion. The win was the 27-year-old’s fifth straight.

Brito made his way to the UFC starting on Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2021. In January, he dropped a decision to Bill Algeo in his promotional debut, which snapped a 12-fight unbeaten streak. But in April, he bounced back in a big way with a 41-second knockout of longtime UFC fighter Andre Fili and picked up a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.

Baghdasaryan has been out of action for 11 months. After a DWCS win in 2020, he picked up 2021 UFC wins over Collin Anglin, which won a $50,000 bonus, and Bruno Souza. He was set to return against T.J. Laramie in April, but pulled out. And for the Brito fight, he’s out again.

With the change, the UFC Fight Night 212 lineup now includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Alexa Grasso vs. Viviane Araujo
  • Jonathan Martinez vs. Cub Swanson
  • Askar Askarov vs. Brandon Royval
  • Dusko Todorovic vs. Jordan Wright
  • Misha Cirkunov vs. Alonzo Menifield
  • Brandon Davis vs. Mana Martinez

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)

  • Lucas Alexander vs. Joanderson Brito
  • Jacob Malkoun vs. Nick Maximov
  • Raphael Assuncao vs. Victor Henry
  • Sam Hughes vs. Piera Rodriguez
  • Tatsuro Taira vs. CJ Vergara
  • Mike Jackson vs. Pete Rodriguez

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 212.

Daniel Rodriguez injured, out of UFC Fight Night 212 matchup vs. Neil Magny

The next UFC event has taken a hit after Daniel Rodriguez withdrew due to injury.

[autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag] won’t be getting a quick turnaround after all.

A rising UFC welterweight, Rodriguez (17-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) announced Thursday on social media his withdrawal from his UFC Fight Night 212 bout vs. [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] (26-9 MMA, 19-8 UFC), which takes place Oct. 15 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

According to an Instagram Stories post, Rodriguez withdrew from the bout due to a laceration suffered in his Sept. 10 bout vs. Li Jingliang that has not healed. Rodriguez won that bout by split decision.

“Got a little bit of bad news,” Rodriguez said. Woke up this morning, elbow f*cking throbbing. I got this in the last fight and it kind of spread. So it looks like I’m out of the fight.”

Meanwhile, Magny has struggled to find opponents for the Oct. 15 date. He most recently competed in June when he had a two-fight winning streak snapped vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov.

It’s unknown at this time if the UFC will seek a replacement opponent for Rodriguez, but he said he hopes the matchup gets rescheduled for November. Magny reacted to the news, and said he also hopes for a new date (via Instagram):

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjY7DguszSd

Damn! I was really looking foward to this fight, hopefully we can get it rebooked soon

The latest UFC Fight Night 212 lineup now includes:

  • Viviane Araujo vs. Alexa Grasso
  • Jonathan Martinez vs. Cub Swanson
  • Askar Askarov vs. Brandon Royval
  • Dusko Todorovic vs. Jordan Wright
  • Neil Magny vs. opponent TBA
  • Misha Cirkunov vs. Alonzo Menifield
  • Brandon Davis vs. Mana Martinez
  • Jacob Malkoun vs. Nick Maximov
  • Raphael Assuncao vs. Victor Henry
  • Sam Hughes vs. Piera Rodriguez
  • Tatsuro Taira vs. CJ Vergara
  • Mike Jackson vs. Pete Rodriguez

Daniel Rodriguez’s quick turnaround vs. Neil Magny in the works for UFC Fight Night 212

After a wild week at UFC 279, Daniel Rodriguez will make a quick turnaround.

After a wild week at UFC 279, [autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag] will make a quick turnaround.

Rodriguez (16-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) faces [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag] (26-9 MMA, 19-8 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 212 on Oct. 15, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

A person with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie that the booking is in the works but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA Island was first to report the news, which Rodriguez has since confirmed on his social media.

Rodriguez competed on the re-shuffled UFC 279 card less than two weeks ago. Originally scheduled to face Kevin Holland, Rodriguez drew Li Jingliang instead after Holland was pulled to face Khamzat Chimaev. Rodriguez edged out Jingliang by split decision to notch his fourth straight win.

Meanwhile, Magny will look to rebound from his submission loss to unbeaten prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC on ESPN 38 in June. Prior to that, the 35-year-old veteran scored back-to-back wins over Geoff Neal and Max Griffin.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night 212 card includes:

  • Viviane Araujo vs. Alexa Grasso
  • Askar Askarov vs. Brandon Royval
  • Jonathan Martinez vs. Cub Swanson
  • Misha Cirkunov vs. Alonzo Menifield
  • Raphael Assuncao vs. Victor Henry
  • Tatsuro Taira vs. CJ Vergara
  • Brandon Davis vs. Mana Martinez
  • Mike Jackson vs. Pete Rodriguez
  • Jacob Malkoun vs. Nick Maximov
  • Loopy Godinez vs. Angela Hill
  • Melsik Baghdasaryan vs Joanderson Brito
  • Dusko Todorovic vs. Jordan Wright
  • Neil Magny vs. Daniel Rodriguez

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