Tag: UFC Fight Night 245

Emotional Austen Lane dedicates first UFC win to son

Austen Lane got his first UFC win against Robelis Despaigne – and was the third biggest underdog on the card.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Austen Lane[/autotag] beat Robelis Despaigne with a unanimous decision Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 245 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Lane, who got his first UFC win – and was the third biggest underdog on the card.

Austen Lane def. Robelis Despaigne

Austen Lane

Result: Austen Lane def. Robelis Despaigne via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Lane (13-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Despaigne (5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Key stats: Lane had three takedowns and nearly 9 minutes of control time.

Lane on the fight’s key moment

Austen Lane def. Robelis Despaigne, UFC Fight Night 245 (via UFC)

“This was a long time coming – definitely an emotional experience. The first couple of fights haven’t gone my way, but I think I found the right formula. I think I found the right team and I found the right routine to put me in a flow state and get that win.

“It’s funny: I was actually going to go to (American Top Team), and my opponent went there (to train), so I couldn’t go there. I go to Xtreme Couture, and Eric (Nicksick) and everybody open their doors to me, and I couldn’t be happier there. There’s a bunch of killers in there.”

Lane on his son at the fight

“It’s definitely been a long journey. Everyone’s been through a lot, right? But I’ve been through a lot the past couple of years, and a lot of that, I felt like, carried over to my fighting a little bit – which I never intended it to. It’s mental sometimes. So (winning) meant everything. I had my son in attendance. This is my first time my son’s ever seen me fight. He spent the whole week with me, and talking about that right combination, that right formula – that’s what I needed. I needed him here. He’s always been my biggest support system.”

Lane on what he wants next

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 19: (R-L) Austen Lane and Robelis Despaigne of Cuba trade kicks in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

“I’m not meant to really sit around. I don’t like sitting around. When you sit around, your mind starts to wander and everything. I’m just the guy that’s always back in the gym, always pushing forward, always keeping moving. … You can play football, you can play basketball, you can play baseball – but you can’t play fighting because this is a lifestyle, and this and this has to be a lifestyle. That’s what I’ve made it. So as soon as I’m back in Jacksonville, I’m back training.”

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

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

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Cameron Smotherman details wild short-notice UFC debut week after thoughts of quitting MMA

Cameron Smotherman was across the globe when he got a fight-week call to compete at UFC Vegas 99 for his debut.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Cameron Smotherman[/autotag] was in Saudi Arabia to corner a teammate when he got a call that changed his life.

Just a few days ahead of UFC Fight Night 245, Smotherman (12-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) received a call from his manager asking him about his weight because Jake Hadley’s original opponent, Brady Hiestand, could no longer compete.

Smotherman did everything he could to ensure the opportunity wouldn’t pass him.

“I run to another hotel to check my weight, and then I’m like, “Oh, this sh*ts a little heavy,'” Smotherman said with a laugh during a post-fight news conference. “I’m not about to let this chance go to waste, and so I take a picture, but I grabbed the wall, and I just gave myself a little DC boost and took the picture, sent it.”

Smotherman said he immediately went to start cutting weight. A few minutes later, Smotherman received word he was in to face Hadley (11-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC), and needed to get on a plane immediately. He didn’t know who he would be facing, but he packed his bags and let his teammate know he was leaving.

“They were like, ‘Well, you know you’re not going to get here until Wednesday night?’ Smotherman said. “So, I’m like, ‘I don’t give a f*ck when I get here. I could get here Friday morning, and I’m going to f*cking make the weight.’ I got here Wednesday night and had to cut 20 pounds or some sh*t in a day and a half.”

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It was all worth it. Smotherman weighed in at 135.5 pounds for the bantamweight bout against Hadley and fought to an impressive unanimous decision win as a sizable short-notice underdog.

Everything moved so fast that things really didn’t start to hit Smotherman until he was in the middle of a post-fight interview in the octagon. It was then he could barely contain himself that he was now a winning UFC fighter, a dream that seemed bleak after being finished on Dana White’s Contender series last August.

That loss to Charalampos Grigoriou nearly sent Smotherman down a different path, but he stuck fighting, even though it was hard. He won his next three fights on the regional scene, stopping two of those opponents.

Despite winning three in a row, a path to the UFC didn’t seem realistic. So, how did he stay positive after the DWCS loss?

“Easy answer: You don’t stay positive,” Smotherman said. “I was negative as f*ck. I was about to quit every day. We were talking about this a few weeks ago. It was a running joke at the gym, ‘Oh, you know Cameron, he’s always about to quit.’ I’m like, because I am, motherf*cker! I’m not about to just – for me, I like fighting, but I don’t just love the sh*t to where I’m not about to just be fighting to fight.

“I’m fighting because I think I have a future in it, and I feel like I can do something with it. But yeah, it was hard as f*ck. I was depressed for a year and I didn’t even know it. … But I also realized in the back, that the reason I wanted to quit so much is because I was scared of failing.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

Charles Johnson wants Kai Kara-France or Manel Kape next: ‘I’ve done enough to show I’m ready for that’

Charles Johnson wants a big name following his victory over Su Mudaerji at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 245.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Charles Johnson[/autotag] is calling for a step up in competition.

Now on a four-fight winning streak, Johnson (17-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC) is hoping to get one of the bigger names in the flyweight division – Kai Kara-France or Manel Kape. This request comes after Johnson defeated Su Mudaerji (16-7 MMA, 3-4 UFC) in a unanimous decision on the main card of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 245.

“I would love to fight a Kai – not Asakura, but the other one: Kara-France,” Johnson said at the UFC Fight Night 245 post-fight press conference. “I would love to fight a Manel Kape. I would love to fight those guys in the top eight. I think I’ve done enough to show I’m ready for that.”

Johnson is hoping the UFC pushes him more in opportunity and promotion. He believes he could make big noise at 125 pounds, a division needed of big names.

“It feels like I’m getting every undefeated guy, every tough challenge before I get that opportunity and I just want to show them I’m an American, I can talk, I’ve got the swag,” Johnson said. “I’ve got everything this weight class needs. Y’all need somebody to market? These guys can’t speak English. Just because they’re foreign, I’ve got nothing against them. But they don’t know how to market themselves. Nobody is talking. … I just think I’m in a prime position to take over and do what needs to be done to make this a weight class people are excited about.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

UFC veteran Darren Elkins in awe of his MMA longevity: ‘I never thought I’d be 40 and still doing this’

UFC featherweight veteran Darren Elkins discusses his longevity in MMA and where he’s at today in his career.

LAS VEGAS – At 40, [autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag] is still racking up wins in the premiere MMA promotion on the planet. Elkins has not only impressed fans with his longevity, but he’s also impressed himself.

“When I was the young me, the young, beginning UFC Darren, I’d always make fun of the old guys,” Elkins said at a post-fight news conference. “‘Oh this old guy still messing with them,’ and calling them old guys. I never thought I’d be 40 and still doing this, but man, am I glad I am.”

Elkins (29-11 MMA, 19-10 UFC) completed his 29th UFC performance this past Saturday at UFC Fight Night 245. He defeated veteran Daniel Pineda (28-17 MMA, 5-8 UFC) in a hard-fought unanimous decision win that won him a Fight of the Night bonus.

This was also his first fight in 2024. With almost two decades of professional fighting, the once very active UFC featherweight is content with this current pace at this stage in his career.

“I don’t like to go any more than two (fights),” Elkins said. “I had one last year and one this year. Last year I got hurt, this year I got hurt, I mean, which is fine. Both times I came back when ,my body was recovered, so one of two fights (a year). I shoot for two, but if I don’t get two, one is OK, too in my life. Now, I don’t have to be the guy that’s fighting every weekend anymore.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

Video: What’s next for Anthony Hernandez after decimation of Michel Pereira at UFC Fight Night 245?

What should be next for middleweight Anthony Hernandez after his dominant win over Michel Pereira at UFC Fight Night 245?

[autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] made a major statement Saturday, and the UFC’s middleweight division may have a new contender on its hands.

Hernandez (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) dominated Michel Pereira (31-12 MMA, 9-3 UFC) and eventually put him away with a fifth-round TKO in his first UFC main event. The duo headlined UFC Fight Night 245 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and after a slowish start, “Fluffy” Hernandez took over and battered the Brazilian for the finish.

Hernandez won for the sixth straight time, five of which have been by stoppage. His finish of Pereira earned his third bonus in that stretch and took Pereira’s name out of the list of contenders. So who should be next for Hernandez on his current run? Check out the video above for thoughts and analysis on Hernandez’s surge into the title picture.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

Rob Font relieved by Kyler Phillips win at UFC Fight Night 245 after camp switch: ‘I put a lot of pressure on me’

Rob Font discusses his camp switch to Tristar following his decision win over Kyler Phillips at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 245.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] had his back against the wall entering UFC Fight Night 245, but the recent changes he’s made in his MMA career helped him get out of that situation.

Font (21-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC), 37, was coming off two consecutive losses and was 1-4 in his past five outings prior to Saturday’s co-main event bout at the UFC Apex. Defeating young, rising contender [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag] was a must, and that he did. Font’s unanimous decision win over Phillips (12-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) came at a much-needed time, and also a time of change.

“Yeah, losing two in a row, a new camp, you obviously hope you made the right decisions,” Font told reporters at the UFC Fight Night 245 post-fight press conference. “I put a lot of pressure on me. I want to win. I want to win, and I want to get as many wins as possible, and I want to look good doing it. I was to represent my family the right way. So yeah, there was a lot of pressure, but this is what we do, and this is what we want. We want those moments, and I’m not afraid of that.”

This was Font’s first fight under seasoned coach Firas Zahabi at Tristar, most notably the home of MMA legend Georges St-Pierre. Font believes the switch to Tristar was key to his career and will continue to train there for the foreseeable future.

“It was a whole new camp and a whole new scenario,” Font said. “I was in Montreal basically all summer. I trained with all the guys out there. Firas has been a huge help in my career, and they took me in, and they opened up the red carpet for me, and I just want to give a shout-out back to everybody in Montreal.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

Anthony Hernandez holds Dricus Du Plessis in high regard – as he would a fight against him

How far away is Anthony Hernandez from a title shot? He thinks at least two more fights are likely.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] isn’t one for callouts because he doesn’t really watch fights.

However, the undeniable and sometimes inexplicable danger of UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] has broken the barrier of disinterest.

Following his UFC Fight Night 245 win, Hernandez (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) voiced confidence in his own ability to put on pressure and drown opponents, as he did Michel Pereira on Saturday at the UFC Apex.

Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is the only other guy he thinks is the ballpark of putting forward that cardio-heavy attack.

“I think it would be a great fight realistically who mixes it up really well would be Du Plessis,” Hernandez told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “He mixes it very f*cking well, and that’s why he’s champion right now. He’s just a tough motherf*cker and he goes. He looks like he’s gassed and he keeps pushing. I’d love to fight him. I’m just going to keep climbing the ladder so I can get to him. Great job to him. Keep up the great work, man.”

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That’s not the next step, though. Hernandez knows it.

So what’s next? Hernandez thinks it’ll be at least two more fights before he comes within a direct arm’s reach of UFC gold.

“Hopefully, but probably not,” Hernandez said. “There are guys ahead of me. I’m not stupid. I know how this sh*t works. Those guys have … it’s all about timing and sh*t. I’m just going to keep doing what I do. I’m going to stay ready and when my time comes, I’m going to show the f*ck out and I’ll get it eventually.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

UFC Fight Night 245 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Darren Elkins’ $21,000 leads card

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program has now paid out more than $29 million to athletes since its deal began with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 245 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $155,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC Fight Night 245 took place at the UFC Apex. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC Fight Night 245 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

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[autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Michel Pereira[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Rob Font[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Charles Johnson[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Su Mudaerji[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Cameron Smotherman[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jake Hadley[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Asu Almabayev[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Matheus Nicolau[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Jean Matsumoto[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Brad Katona[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Joselyne Edwards[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Tamires Vidal[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Elise Reed[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jessica Penne[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Melissa Martinez[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Alice Ardelean[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Austen Lane[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Robelis Despaigne[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2451 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,644,000
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $29,381,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

UFC Fight Night 245 bonuses: 9 decisions + 11 fights = Only 3 $50,000 checks

The UFC handed out three bonuses after Saturday’s card – one less than is customary.

The UFC handed out three bonuses after Saturday’s card – one less than is customary.

After UFC Fight Night 245, three fighters picked up an extra $50,000 for their performances in Las Vegas. Check out the winners below.

Performance of the Night: Anthony Hernandez

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 19: (R-L) Anthony Hernandez punches Michel Pereira of Brazil in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Anthony Hernandez def. Michel Pereira via TKO (strikes) – Round 5, 2:22

[autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) absolutely destroyed Michel Pereira (31-12 MMA, 9-3 UFC) and eventually finished him with a fifth-round TKO. But the fight really could’ve been stopped well before that. Hernandez landed 10 takedowns for more than three full rounds of control time. He set a new record for takedown attempts and called for fights at the next level at middleweight.

Fight of the Night: Darren Elkins def. Daniel Pineda

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 19: (L-R) Daniel Pineda knees Darren Elkins in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Darren Elkins def. Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

[autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag] (29-11 MMA, 19-10 UFC) and [autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag] (28-17 MMA, 5-8 UFC) put on a classic Elkins fight, with blood all over the canvas by the time things were done. This time, most of it was Elkins’ opponent and not his own, though. Elkins and Pineda had a grinder of a scrap, and after 15 back-and-forth minutes, Elkins had his third win in four fights – and Pineda hung up his gloves.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

UFC Fight Night 245 results: Anthony Hernandez wears down Michel Pereira, gets TKO

In the UFC Vegas 99 main event, Anthony Hernandez relentlessly took Michel Pereira down and eventually got the stoppage.

[autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] believed cardio and pace would be the difference against [autotag]Michel Pereira[/autotag] and while the stoppage may have come later than he expected, his general sentiment proved accurate.

It took him nearly five full rounds, but Hernandez (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) got the job done inside the distance as he finished Pereira (31-12 MMA, 9-3 UFC) with strikes Saturday in the UFC Fight Night 245 main event. The stoppage came at 2:22 of Round 5 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Hernandez repeatedly took down Pereira, landed ground-and-pound and eventually exhausted the Brazilian. Pereira’s defense was almost enough to survive for the entirety of the fight, but almost doesn’t count.

The victory marks Hernandez’s first UFC main event win. The victory was his sixth in a row and his fifth stoppage in that stretch.

Pereira has an eight-fight winning streak snapped. His previous loss was to Diego Sanchez by disqualification in February 2020.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 245 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.