Tag: UFC on ABC 6

Kelvin Gastelum’s coach reveals staph infections impacted UFC Saudi Arabia weight cut, acknowledges ‘big f*ckup’

According to his coach, Kelvin Gastelum went through the ringer just to make it to the octagon at UFC Saudi Arabia.

[autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag]’s coach detailed what went wrong with the weight cut for UFC on ABC 6.

Gastelum (19-9 MMA, 13-9 UFC) was scheduled to face Daniel Rodriguez in a welterweight bout this past Saturday in Riyadh, but their bout was shifted to middleweight after Gastelum struggled with his cut down. Gastelum won the bout by unanimous decision.

Considering Gastelum has missed weight several times before, UFC CEO Dana White was far from thrilled. However, Gastelum’s coach, Santino DeFranco, said the former interim title challenger was dealing with quite a bit of adversity in the weeks leading up to the fight.

“First of all, he didn’t accept the fight with D-Rod. He never did. He woke up to Instagram and it was on, and he was like, ‘Whoa, what’s going on here?’ Like that was that,” DeFranco said on his YouTube channel. When he woke up to the news, he had been in a motorcycle accident like a couple days beforehand in Thailand, got all cut up and scraped up, got home, was still all cut up and scraped up, but then he got a staph infection from all of the cuts and everything from the motorcycle accident. So, he had staph, and it got bad.

“It was like three weeks of antibiotics. Then he’s flying out to Saudi Arabia two weeks early to acclimate to the time because he’s fought on Fight Island and that time was really rough. He got set up with a meal prep plan and got stuff set up and got a gym. … Their concept of healthy food for a weight cut is like healthy food for regular people eating healthy, not this is how you cut weight. There was just stuff that wasn’t right, and he was trying to whittle his way through, then he got another staph infection.”

DeFranco acknowledges that it wasn’t professional on the part of Gastelum, who was very apologetic in his post-fight interview.

“I hate it. It’s unacceptable this happened,” DeFranco said. “The other thing people don’t realize is this might have actually saved D-Rod’s career. He had lost two in a row. If he had lost to Kelvin and there were no issues, there’s a good chance he gets cut.

“He got a new contract, they upped his pay, and he got 30 percent of Kelvin’s purse. He got paid, and he got a new contract. Look, I’m not saying any of it was right, but look, D-Rod still has a job, Kelvin still has a job. It was a really big f*ckup, and it’s not excusable. We are where we are, and that’s the situation.”

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USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, June 25: Volkan Oezdemir, Alexander Volkov move up

Check out the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings following UFC on ABC 6, Bellator Champions Series: Dublin, and 2024 PFL 5.

Following UFC on ABC 6, Bellator Champions Series: Dublin, and 2024 PFL 5, the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings required updating.

In the 2024 PFL 5 main event, Mads Burnell picked up a big win over Clay Collard by unanimous decision, but it wasn’t enough to get him to the post season to compete for $1 million.

In the BCS: Dublin headliner, a new welterweight champion was crowned, as [autotag]Ramazan Kuramagomedov[/autotag] defeated Jason Jackson unanimously on the scorecards.

At UFC on ABC 6 in Saudi Arabia, [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] torched short-notice opponent Ikram Aliskerov, but two other fights generated big moves: [autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag]’s decision win over Srgei Pavlovich and [autotag]Volkan Oezdemir[/autotag]’s brutal knockout of Johnny Walker.

Check out all the latest pound-for-pound and divisional USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings above.

Video: Does Robert Whittaker deserve a title shot after his KO win at UFC on ABC 6?

Robert Whittaker continues to prove he’s still elite. What should be next for him? We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

[autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] looks to be undergoing a renaissance in his fighting career.

The former UFC middleweight champion proved once again that he’s still a threat with his vicious knockout of [autotag]Ikram Aliskerov[/autotag] in the main event of Saturday’s UFC on ABC 6. Also on that card, [autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag] defeated [autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] in a unanimous decision, and [autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag] got back in the win column, but with plenty of controversy.

Does Whittaker deserve the next title shot? What’s going on with Pavlovich?

MMA Junkie’s Danny Segura, Brian “Goze” Garcia, Dan Tom, and host “Gorgeous” George Garcia react to the key results from the UFC’s debut event in Saudi Arabia.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube or in podcast form.

https://youtube.com/live/Q5u51oxRGxE

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UFC on ABC 6 winner Nasrat Haqparast ‘coming for the top 15 with violence’

Nasrat Haqparast is A-1 motivated after his hard-fought win over Jared Gordon at UFC on ABC 6.

[autotag]Nasrat Haqparast[/autotag] is eyeing a shot at the lightweight rankings after UFC on ABC 6.

Haqparast (17-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) edged out Jared Gordon (20-7 MMA, 8-6 UFC) by split decision in Saturday’s featured prelim at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 28-year-old extended his winning streak to four, and is ready to start facing higher-ranked opposition again. He has one name in particular that he’s interested in.

“I called out the top 15, Renato Moicano, you are next brother,” Haqparast told reporters at the UFC on ABC 6 post-fight press conference. “Let’s go. …I’m sure he’s going to try and take me down. Look what Drew Dober did with him. Maybe with 10 punches he smashed his head.

“Look what Jalin Turner did with him. Arguably he knocked him out, but it was Jalin Turner’s fault, and I think he’s going to try and take me down, just hold me on the ground. This is his game, but my game is violence and I’m coming for the top 15 now with violence.”

A frustrated Gordon is confident he did enough to win. However, Haqparast thinks he inflicted more damage.

“Honestly not (surprised),” Haqparast said on getting his hand raised. “I landed the more significant strikes, I hurt him. He had a good game plan. He tried to push me back, maybe that’s why one judge gave him the fight, but I think I did enough to win.

“I think it was a good experience. Jared Gordon is a tough guy. He has 14 fights in the UFC, he fought some of the best guys in the world. He fought Charles Oliveira, Bobby Green, Grant Dawson. Like, top 15 guys. He has the quality of a top 15 guy, and I’m entering my prime slowly.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 6.

 

Daniel Cormier: Robert Whittaker as UFC 305 backup for Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya a ‘win-win’

Daniel Cormier thinks Robert Whittaker weighing in as the backup for the next UFC middleweight title fight is the right move.

[autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] weighing in as the backup for the next UFC middleweight title fight is the right move.

Whittaker (26-7 MMA, 17-5 UFC) scored a first-round knockout of Ikram Aliskerov in Saturday’s UFC on ABC 6 main event at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

After the finish, Whittaker expressed interest in serving as the backup for the UFC 305 headliner between champion [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) on Aug. 17 in Perth, Australia.

With Whittaker’s only losses in the past 18 fights coming to Du Plessis and twice to Adesanya, Cormier sees everything to gain for Whittaker as a reserve.

“He’s lost to Izzy twice, so that means it would be hard to get a third title fight,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “He has lost to Dricus. This might honestly be the best position for him, especially when it comes to Dricus. He has only lost to Dricus once. Dricus is the champion.

“If Izzy gets hurt, Robert Whittaker is there as a backup then he would get that second fight against Dricus Du Plessis much sooner than he would’ve expected to get that next fight against Dricus Du Plessis. I think it’s a win-win for Rob and after tonight’s performance, I believe that it should happen.”

UFC CEO Dana White also likes the idea of Whittaker as a backup as he heaped praise on the former champion for his willingness to take on a dangerous Aliskerov (15-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) on short notice.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 6.

Volkan Oezdemir explains callouts of Jan Blachowicz, Jamahal Hill after UFC on ABC 6 knockout

Volkan Oezdemir has two top contenders in mind after his brutal knockout win at UFC on ABC 6.

[autotag]Volkan Oezdemir[/autotag] has two top contenders in mind after his brutal knockout win at UFC on ABC 6.

Oezdemir (20-7 MMA, 8-6 UFC) scored a first-round knockout of Johnny Walker (21-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC) in Saturday’s main card opener at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “No Time” has now won three of his past four fights.

The former title challenger called out [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) and [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) in his post-fight octagon interview.

“To just climb the ranks,” Oezdemir explained to reporters at the UFC on ABC 6 post-fight press conference. “Blachowicz is going to be a fight for the crown of Europe. It’s going to be the top fight for the European fighters, so that’s a fight I want to do. And Jamahal Hill, I want that fight, as well. My goal is to climb the ranks, take over the division. I’m back. ‘No Time’ is back. This is my time now, and I’m here to showcase this.”

With Hill currently healing from a knee injury and Blachowicz from shoulder surgery, Oezdemir isn’t sure if he’ll be able to get those fights anytime soon – especially that he’s targeting a September return in Paris.

“Both are injured right now, so I don’t know really what’s going to happen with this,” Oezdemir said. “I know I want to have a quick turnaround because I’m eyeing Paris. I want to fight in France again. France is also my home crowd, so I would love to be there again end of September.

“I’m going to have my wedding now in three weeks, so, guys, I’m waiting for the 50K. I’m waiting for the 50K so I can have a great, great wedding. I’ll have a big party and enjoy that a little bit before turning around for the fight in Paris.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 6.

UFC on ABC 6 winner Shara Magomedov responds to Bo Nickal’s callout: ‘Wrestling, takedowns, no problem’

Shara Magomedov welcomes Bo Nickal’s challenge.

[autotag]Shara Magomedov[/autotag] welcomes [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag]’s challenge.

Magomedov (13-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) knocked out Antonio Trocoli (12-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in the third round of Saturday’s UFC on ABC 6 main card at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He earned a Performance of the Night bonus for his finish.

Fellow undefeated middleweight prospect Nickal (6-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) took to social media to call out Magomedov, who’s confident he can handle the standout wrestler on the ground.

“Bo Nickal, interesting fight, interesting opponent,” Magomedov told reporters at the UFC on ABC 6 post-fight press conference. “He has good wrestling. Wrestling now, for me, no problem. I’m from Dagestan, you know, brother, Russian. Russian men are icemen. No problem. Wrestling, takedowns, no problem. Dangerous damage, elbow, knee. Let’s go.”

Despite only having two octagon wins under his belt, Magomedov is ready to take on the upper echelon of the division. However, he laid out an array of potential opponents when asked to give names – both notable and rising contenders.

“If we’re taking about big names, then we’re going to talk Kevin Holland, we’re going to talk Nick Diaz, and we’re going to talk Conor McGregor,” Magomedov said. “But if you want to talk regular names, then we’ll call Ihor Potieria, Sedriques Dumas, who was supposed to fight on this card, and Michael Pereira.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 6.

Sergei Pavlovich reflects on ’emotional and tough’ UFC on ABC 6 loss

Sergei Pavlovich opened up about losing two fights in a row for the first time in his career.

[autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] opened up on his second consecutive  loss at UFC on ABC 6.

Pavlovich (18-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) lost a unanimous decision to Alexander Volkov (37-10 MMA, 11-4 UFC) in Saturday’s co-main event at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Volkov tried to pay his respects after the fight, but a visibly upset Pavlovich shoved him away. The former interim heavyweight title challenger took to social media to reflect on the disappointing outcome.

“It wasn’t my day, nothing went according to plan. I was ready for anything, but I was too focused on getting a knockout and took too many unnecessary hits. The result was a loss by points. This was very emotional and tough for me, especially knowing that I didn’t meet your expectations. Thank you all for your support! I promise to come back stronger and wiser..”

Tensions flared during the weigh-ins faceoff when Volkov confronted fellow Russian Pavlovich for allegedly accepting to fight him first. Pavlovich was under the impression that it was the other way around.

Pavlovich has lost back-to-back bouts for the first time in his career – to Tom Aspinall by knockout for the interim title at UFC 295 and now Volkov.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 6.

Turki Alalshikh wants women on next UFC Saudi Arabia card, targets early 2025 return

According to Turki Alalshikh, fans won’t have to wait too long for the next UFC Saudi Arabia event.

According to Turki Alalshikh, fans won’t have to wait too long for the next UFC Saudi Arabia event.

The UFC made its debut in Saudi Arabia this past Saturday with UFC on ABC 6 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. The event was headlined by former champion Robert Whittaker, who knocked out short-notice replacement Ikram Aliskerov in Round 1.

The UFC recently extended its deal with Saudi Arabia, promising more events and even two Power Slap shows. Alalshikh says the next UFC Fight Night card should take place early 2025.

“In the first quarter (of next year),” Alalshikh said during the UFC on ABC 6 broadcast. “A big one. He (White) promised me to have a big card. Let’s see.”

No women competed on Saturday’s event, but Alalshikh wants to change that. He was pleasantly surprised with Saudi Arabia’s enthusiasm for the UFC and wants to up the stakes for the next card.

“I thank Dana. I am in shock,” Alalshikh said. “I know the UFC here has a lot of fans, but you see now, it’s changing my mind. I don’t think there’s a lot of fans like this, 12,000 until 1 a.m., and now I am asking Dana for the next card. We want to make it 30,000 here. We are waiting, and we want women also in the next fight.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 6.

Johnny Walker reacts to brutal knockout loss at UFC on ABC 6: ‘I’m going to have to figure out’

Johnny Walker showed off facial damage after his brutal knockout loss at UFC Saudi Arabia.

[autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag] is back home, spending time with his family after a brutal knockout loss Saturday to Volkan Oezdemir at UFC on ABC 6 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The knockout loss was Walker’s second in as many appearances and he admits it has him rethinking what changes he can make so as to prevent a third-straight.

“I’m good. Just a little scratch on my lips,” Walker said in a video posted to his Intagram account on Sunday. “… I just arrived at home with my little champ. It wasn’t a really good night for me. I don’t know what happened. I’m going to have to figure out and watch the fights again and see what I did. I don’t think I feel my head in the right place for the fight. I was feeling amazing. (I had) a really good camp. I felt really strong. Everything was good.

“The (weight) cut was a little bit hard, but as always. I just didn’t find myself there in the fight. But the most important thing is here, my little baby. I came back safe for him. I’m going to look after him and come back stronger. I’ll take time with my family, enjoy my wife, my baby. … I’ll come back stronger.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8kPFnPNNh6/

Walker (21-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC) was brutalized by a series of Oezdemir punches that ended the fight at 2:28 of Round 1. The final follow-up blow turned Walker stiff as a board. Walker sat on the stool for the final decision reading by Bruce Buffer, as his nose gushed blood.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 6.