+ NJCAA national heavyweight wrestling title
+ IKF national champ
+ 10 KO victories
+ 2 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Aggressive pace and pressure
+ Improved striking and footwork
^ Shifts stances/moves well off strikes
+ Explosive power-double takedown
^ Changes level well
+ Strong inside the clinch
^ Bodylocks, trips, suplexes
+ Solid top game
^ Floats, wrist-rides, strikes
+ M-1 heavyweight title
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt
+ Kyokushin karate brown belt
+ 19 KO victories
+ 3 submission wins
+ 15 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Accurate right hand
^ Coming forward and off the counter
+ Well-balanced combination attack
+ Deceptively effective knees
+ Improved defensive wrestling
^ Head and hip position/over and underhooks
+ Serviceable grappling ability
Point of interest: Staying on the feet
The main event in Las Vegas features a fun styles matchup that will have all the heavyweight feels for as long as it stays standing.
Despite coming from a wrestling base, [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] is no stranger to kickboxing, showing solid fight-to-fight improvements each time out.
Blaydes moves well for a big man, demonstrating the ability to shift his stance to take angles that encourage corralling scenarios. He has also done a lot better at putting together his punches, as the 29-year-old talent seems to be right at home whenever pressuring forward.
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Whether Blaydes is working behind his jab or rolling his head off of his crosses, his time spent training at the Elevation Fight Team has really come through in recent years. However, as we saw in both of his fights with Francis Ngannou, Blaydes is not beyond being countered for his aggressive approaches – which is why a matchup with [autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag] is so intriguing.
The kickboxing heavyweight comes from a traditional martial arts background in kyokushin and tsu shin gen, styles of karate that emphasize more on the sparring and sporting aspects. Making the jump into MMA from a young age, Volkov has done well in regards to translating his style.
Taking more of a squared stance than most traditional martial artists, Volkov opens up his offensive options from both sides, all while still carrying the in-and-out abilities typically associated with karate fighters. A diverse striker who is effective coming forward and off of the counter, Volkov keeps an accurate right hand at the ready and can also be sharp from a southpaw stance.
When feeling in stride, Volkov will come forward in combination, punctuating his presence off of his lead leg like many Eastern European and Russian kickboxers. However, he will need to mind his kick retractions given the looming takedown threats that it could potentially cost him.
Max Roshkopf was always expected to end up competing in the octagon, so when the call finally came, he didn’t let himself get too worked up.
LAS VEGAS – UFC newcomer [autotag]Max Roshkopf[/autotag] was always expected to end up competing in the octagon, so when the call finally came, he didn’t let himself get too worked up.
“I was excited, but I’m not going to really be happy until I get in there and get my first win and start accomplishing what I’ve been setting out to do, and that’s never been just to get to the UFC but to thrive in the UFC,” Roshkopf told MMA Junkie. “Everyone was super excited. I’m just kind of like, ‘I’ve got work to do. I don’t really have time to be excited.'”
Rohskopf (5-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) earned his UFC invite by agreeing to step up on one week’s notice to face Austin Hubbard (11-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 event, which takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The two kick off the night’s broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+.
The 25-year-old Roshkopf has been touted as a top prospect since his professional debut. Training previously with Xtreme Couture and now exclusively under Robert Drysdale, Roshkopf slick grappling abilities have earned him five first-round submissions in his first five trips to the cage.
Roshkopf said he knows the type of expectations that surround him – and in no small part because he feels exactly the same – and that it doesn’t any burden to the appearance.
“I definitely feel the added pressure, but I’ve felt that – and I kind of put that on myself – but I felt that for all my fights, and I’m really good at being able to warm up an hour or two before and once I start getting into my fight mode, that kind of goes away,” Rohskopf said. “I haven’t felt that in any of my fights. I definitely feel it just walking around day to day.”
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Roshkopf said he didn’t care what opponent was being offered when the call came and that he told his manager, Brian Butler of SuckerPunch Entertainment, to sign him up, regardless. However, it turned out to be a name with whom he was somewhat familiar.
“He was LFA champ when I was signed to LFA, so I knew who he was and stuff,” Rohskopf said. “I trained with Mark O. Madsen a little bit, so I watched him fight Mark O. Madsen. I follow jiu-jitsu a lot, too, so I watched him fight Davi Ramos, but I haven’t went back and watched anything. I’ve been leaving that to my coaches. I know he’s tough and he’s game.
“Obviously, for anyone who’s 5-0, coming into the UFC, nothing is going to be a gimme fight. This is going to be a tough challenge for me, and if I’m able to get a finish, especially with a submission, I think that’s going to say a lot.”
It’s certainly the biggest opportunity of Rohskopf’s career to date, and one that he doesn’t take lightly, but it’s hardly the goal. The former North Carolina State University wrestler is ready to make good on the prospect label he’s carried through his impressive start.
He insists he’s ready for the moment, even as he continues to put in the work.
“I’ve got to be able to go 15, but just with my skillset, I’m able to get finishes with my jiu-jitsu and my wrestling and stuff,” Rohskopf said. “So if that comes, it comes, but I’m going to be ready for 15 minutes, man. This isn’t a gimme. Hubbard’s a tough dude.
“I might do some weird sh-t you haven’t seen before. It’s going to be exciting.”
The best facts and figures about UFC on ESPN 11, which features a Curtis Blaydes vs. Alexander Volkov main event.
The UFC puts on its eighth card since the coronavirus pandemic on Saturday with UFC on ESPN 11, which takes place at the UFC Apex and airs on ESPN/ESPN+.
In the main event, heavyweight contenders [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) and [autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag] (31-7 MMA, 5-1 UFC) will battle to see who moves one step closer to a title shot.
For more on the numbers behind the card, check below for 70 pre-event facts about UFC on ESPN 11.
* * * *
Main event
Curtis Blaydes
Blaydes’ three-fight UFC winning streak at heavyweight is tied for the third longest active streak in the division behind Francis Ngannou (four) and August Sakai (four).
Blaydes has earned 10 of his 13 career victories by stoppage. That includes five of his eight UFC victories.
Blaydes absorbs 1.86 significant strikes per minute in UFC heavyweight competition, the best rate among active fighters in the weight class.
Blaydes’ 45 takedowns landed in UFC heavyweight competition are most in divisional history.
Blaydes has achieved 43:03 of top control time in UFC heavyweight competition, the second most in divisional history behind Randy Couture (51:19).
Blaydes completes 55.6 percent of his takedown attempts in UFC heavyweight competition, the second-highest rate in divisional history behind Cheick Kongo (63.2 percent).
Blaydes’ takedown rate of 7.05 per 15 minutes of fighting is third highest in UFC history.
Blaydes’ 10 takedowns landed against Mark Hunt at UFC 221 tied the record for second most in a single UFC heavyweight fight behind Cain Velasquez’s 11 takedowns landed at UFC 155.
Blaydes’ three knockout victories stemming from elbow strikes in UFC competition are tied with Paul Felder for most in company history.
Alexander Volkov
Volkov is a former Bellator heavyweight champion.
Volkov is 7-1 since his final Bellator bout in June 2015.
Volkov’s average fight time of 15:00 in UFC heavyweight competition is tied for second longest in divisional history behind Blagoy Ivanov (17:00).
Volkov has earned 23 of his 31 career victories by stoppage.
Volkov lands 6.19 significant strikes per minute in UFC heavyweight competition, the second highest rate in divisional history behind Cain Velasquez (6.48).
Volkov defends 59.5 percent of all opponent significant strike attempts in UFC heavyweight competition, the best rate among active fighters in the weight class.
Volkov defends 82.8 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC heavyweight competition, the best rate in divisional history.
Co-main event
Josh Emmett
[autotag]Josh Emmett[/autotag] (15-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is 4-1 since he dropped to the UFC featherweight division in October 2017.
Emmett has landed eight knockdowns in his past five fights.
Emmett’s eight knockdowns landed in UFC featherweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Jeremy Stephens (11).
Emmett’s four knockdowns of Felipe Arantes at UFC Fight Night 118 are tied for third most in a UFC fight. Only Stephens (five) at UFC 215 and Forrest Petz (five) at UFC Fight Night 6 have scored more knockdowns in a fight.
Emmett is the only fighter in UFC history to land four knockdowns in a single round. He accomplished the feat against Arantes at UFC Fight Night 118.
Emmett defends 72 percent of all opponent significant strike attempts in UFC featherweight competition, the best rate in divisional history.
[autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag] (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) defends 90.9 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC featherweight competition, the second best rate in divisional history behind Jose Aldo (91 percent).
Burgos lands 7.09 significant strikes per minute in UFC featherweight competition, the highest rate in divisional history.
Remaining main card
Raquel Pennington at UFC 246. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
[autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (10-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC) competes in her 13th UFC women’s bantamweight bout, the most appearances in divisional history.
Pennington’s total fight time of 2:52:33 in UFC women’s bantamweight competition is most in divisional history.
Pennington’s seven victories in UFC women’s bantamweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Amanda Nunes (11).
Pennington’s two submission victories in UFC women’s bantamweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Ronda Rousey (three).
Pennington is one of six fighters in UFC history to earn a bulldog-choke submission victory. She accomplished the feat against Ashlee-Evans Smith at UFC 181.
[autotag]Marion Reneau[/autotag] (9-5-1 MMA, 5-4-1 UFC), 43, is the oldest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.
Reneau competes in her 11th UFC women’s bantamweight bout, tied for the third most appearances in divisional history behind Pennington (12) and Nunes (12).
Reneau, at 40, became the oldest female fighter to earn a UFC victory when she defeated Sara McMann at UFC on FOX 28.
Reneau’s four stoppage victories in UFC women’s bantamweight competition are third most in divisional history behind Nunes (eight) and Rousey (six).
Reneau defends 65.2 percent of all opponent significant strike attempts in UFC women’s bantamweight competition, the third highest rate in divisional history behind Germaine de Randamie (66.5 percent) and Liz Carmouche (65.8 percent).
Reneau’s two submission victories in UFC women’s bantamweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Rousey (three).
Reneau’s victory at the 4:54 mark of Round 3 against Talita Oliveira at UFC Fight Night 115 is the second latest stoppage in a three-round UFC women’s bantamweight fight behind Lauren Murphy’s win at 4:55 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 83.
Reneau fought to the first draw in a women’s UFC fight when she met Bethe Correia at UFC Fight Night 106.
Jim Miller
[autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag] (31-14 MMA, 20-13 UFC) competes in his 35th UFC bout, tied with Donald Cerrone for the most appearances in company history.
Miller’s total fight time of 5:21:47 in UFC lightweight competition is most in divisional history.
Miller’s 20 victories in UFC competition are tied with Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre and Michael Bisping for third most in company history behind Cerrone (23) and Demian Maia (22).
Miller’s 19 victories in UFC lightweight competition are the most in divisional history.
Miller’s 12 stoppage victories in UFC lightweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Joe Lauzon (13).
Miller’s nine submission victories in UFC lightweight competition are most in divisional history.
Miller’s 42 submission attempts in UFC competition are the most in company history.
Miller’s 11 fight-night bonuses for UFC lightweight bouts are tied with Nate Diaz for third most in divisional history behind Cerrone (15) and Lauzon (15).
[autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag] (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) makes his second UFC appearance in a 21-day stretch. He defeated Brok Weaver at UFC on ESPN 9 on May 30.
Preliminary card
Clay Guida
[autotag]Clay Guida[/autotag] (35-19 MMA, 15-13 UFC) is 3-2 since he returned to the UFC lightweight division in June 2017.
Guida’s 51 takedowns landed in UFC lightweight competition are third most in divisional history behind Gleison Tibau (84) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (57).
Guida has achieved 1:41:52 of control time in UFC lightweight competition, the most in divisional history. His 1:18:00 of top position time of also most in divisional history.
[autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] (24-10-1 MMA, 5-5-1 UFC) is 1-5 (with one no contest) in his past seven fights dating back to November 2014.
[autotag]Tecia Torres[/autotag]’ (10-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC) competes in her 12th UFC strawweight bout, the fourth most appearances in divisional history behind Angela Hill (15), Randa Markos (14) and Joanna Jedrzejczyk (13).
Torres’ four-fight losing skid is the longest of her career. She hasn’t earned a victory since December 2017.
Torres’ four-fight losing skid in UFC strawweight competition is tied with Kailin Curran for longest in divisional history.
[autotag]Marc Andre Barriault[/autotag]’s (11-4 MMA, 0-3 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since September 2018.
[autotag]Oskar Piechota[/autotag] (11-3-1 MMA, 2-3 UFC) has suffered three consecutive losses after starting his career on a 12-fight unbeaten streak.
Cortney Casey
[autotag]Cortney Casey[/autotag] (9-7 MMA, 5-6 UFC) makes her second UFC appearance in a 35-day stretch. She beat Mara Romero Borella at UFC on ESPN 8 on May 16.
[autotag]Gillian Robertson[/autotag] (7-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) competes in her seventh UFC women’s flyweight bout, tied with Katlyn Chookagian for the most appearances in divisional history.
Robertson’s average fight time of 5:49 in UFC women’s flyweight competition is the shortest in divisional history.
Robertson’s four victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Chookagian (five) and Valentina Shevchenko (five).
Robertson’s four stoppage victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are most in divisional history.
Robertson’s three submission victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are tied with Montana De La Rosa for most in divisional history.
[autotag]Frank Camacho[/autotag] (22-8 MMA, 2-4 UFC) is 2-2 since he dropped to the UFC lightweight division in November 2017.
Mexanne Modafferi
[autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag] (24-16 MMA, 3-4 UFC) competes in her seventh UFC women’s flyweight bout, tied with Chookagian for the most appearances in divisional history.
Modafferi’s average fight time of 15:35 in UFC women’s flyweight competition is longest in divisional history.
Modafferi has earned 34:09 of control time in UFC women’s flyweight competition, the most in divisional history.
Modafferi has alternated wins and losses over her past seven fights. She won her most recent bout at UFC 246 in January.
[autotag]Lauren Murphy[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC) is 3-1 since she dropped to the UFC flyweight division in December 2017.
Murphy is one of five female fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a knee strike. She accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN 5.
[autotag]Max Rohskopf[/autotag] (5-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), 25, is the youngest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.
UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.
MMA Junkie’s George Garcia and John Morgan walk you through the aftermath of an exciting night of fights in Las Vegas.
[autotag]Cynthia Calvillo[/autotag] had a strong debut in the UFC women’s flyweight division on Saturday night, and that’s saying something, since she was a legitimate contender in the strawweight division before deciding to move up.
Calvillo turned heads with her unanimous decision victory over former title challenger Jessica Eye in the main event of the June 13 card in Las Vegas, putting in a solid 25 minutes of work.
That means change in the flyweight division, and in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings, too, considering the Sacramento native now has a body of work in two weight classes.
But that’s not all. There were fights which impacted the middleweight division and the women’s bantamweight class as well.
Fortunately, MMA Junkie’s “Gorgeous” George Garcia and John Morgan are here to tell you what this all means for the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings. So make sure to watch the video above to catch up with the aftermath of a fun night of fights in Sin City.
With Alexander Volkov about to return to action, here’s a reminder what the former Bellator champion can do.
The matchup between Fabricio Werdum and [autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag] was a battle of former heavyweight champions.
Werdum, the former UFC titleholder, was looking to get back to a title shot when he met Volkov, his former Bellator counterpart, in the main event of a March 2018 card at the O2 Arena in London.
Volkov (31-7 MMA, 5-1 UFC), for his part, was 3-0 in the UFC at the time, and looking to make a statement with his biggest win to date.
Turns out, the night was Volkov’s time to shine. In a grueling battle that went into the championship rounds, Volkov prevailed, wearing down Werdum and then finishing him in the fourth for his 20th career knockout and a “Performance of the Night” bonus.
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Saturday, the 31-year-old Russian returns to action, as he’ll meet Curtis Blaydes (13-2 MMA, 802 UFC) in the main event of UFC on ESPN 11 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, in a fight with solid implications on the 265-pound weight class.
As you wait for Saturday night’s main event to roll around, you can relive Volkov’s impressive finish of Werdum in the video above.
Ahead of his main event on Saturday, relive Curtis Blaydes’ finish over Junior dos Santos at UFC on ESPN+ 24.
[autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] has proved that he’s not just a wrestler.
Blaydes (13-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) faced former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Junior dos Santos[/autotag] in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 24 in January, and showed the world that he had striking skills to back up his powerful wrestling credentials.
Blaydes came out looking to exert early pressure on the former champion, but was unable to take down dos Santos in his first two takedown attempts. He then switched to his kicks and connected with some powerful efforts, while dos Santos used his jab to keep Blaydes at bay as he prevented “Razor” from taking him to canvas.
In Round 2, Blaydes ramped up the aggression and countered a dos Santos uppercut with a cracking overhand right that left the Brazilian badly rocked. Blaydes then swarmed all over a wobbled dos Santos as he backed him up against the fence and unleashed a barrage of knees and punches until the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
Blaydes returns this Saturday in his second-straight main event when he faces Russia’s Alexander Volkov at UFC on ESPN 11.
Before he faces Volkov, relive Blaydes’ stoppage win over dos Santos in the video above.
Winner of six of his last seven, Belal Muhammad will hoping to continue building momentum with a win over Lyman Good.
Winner of six of his last seven, [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] has been on an impressive run at 170 pounds.
Muhammad (16-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) faces [autotag]Lyman Good[/autotag] this Saturday at UFC on ESPN 11 and has been inspired by the recent surge of No. 1 contender and next welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns, who has fully capitalized on the UFC’s schedule during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Muhammad hopes to do the same.
“I can’t wait to just honestly get back out there and get back to work,” Muhammad told MMA Junkie. “Especially you’ve seen all these guys fighting and you’ve seen how guys’ lives are changing within a year. Gilbert Burns literally just – the momentum shift, all it takes is three or four fights that change the momentum and bang you’re fighting for a title, it could happen like that quick. So for me, I just want to go out there and make a statement and then hopefully get a good run going.”
Muhammad and Good were initially slated to face off at UFC 249 on April 18, but Good was forced out after testing positive for COVID-19. The event was then later postponed due to the ongoing pandemic.
When Muhammad returns to the cage Saturday it will have been over nine months since he last competed when he steps into the cage Saturday and should he come out relatively unscathed, he hopes to make a quick turnaround and continue building momentum.
“God willing, if I’m healthy after this fight, I want to just hop right back in there and keep it going,” Muhammad said. “In this sport, I feel like it’s more so the more active you are, the better you fight and a lot of guys where it could go one way or another way where if they go back-to-back they could lose the second one or they’ll cut too much weight and it’ll hurt them.
“For me, I don’t cut a lot of weight anyway, so I’m usually light and around weight so if I could just stay around there and be ready to pop in and at any moment with all these injuries happening … a big fight can come my way.”
Muhammad is coming off a “Performance of the Night” finish over Takashi Sato at UFC 242 last September. He also holds big wins over the likes of Tim Means and Randy Brown, but he is yet to draw a ranked opponent.
Good may not be ranked, but Muhammad is just focused on racking up wins until the big opportunities naturally come his way.
“You always want to fight a ranked guy (and) get your name up there, but I felt like Lyman got a good run going, people are excited about his last couple of fights and then no ranked guy wants to fight,” Muhammad said. “Everybody’s using that excuse, ‘I don’t want to fight below me or I want to wait,’ but like I said now with the times we’re in, it’s just guys that are willing to fight. Dana White’s looking for guys that are trying to fight. … You can’t wait anymore. You gotta be willing to say yes.
“I just want to be that guy that I don’t care who they put in front of me, I’m willing to say yes to anybody.”
It appears undefeated lightweight prospect Max Rohskopf is UFC-bound.
It appears undefeated lightweight prospect [autotag]Max Rohskopf[/autotag] is UFC-bound.
MMA Junkie today learned from multiple people with knowledge of the agreement that Rohskopf (5-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has agreed to face [autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 event at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Those people requested anonymity because the UFC has yet to make an official announcement.
Bout agreements are expected to be finalized shortly.
A Las Vegas resident, Rohskopf trains under grappling legend Robert Drysdale at Zenith Jiu-Jitsu. A former standout wrestler at North Carolina State University, Rohskopf made his professional MMA debut in February 2018 and has since kept his record unblemished through five outings, most recently with a 53-second submission win over Paulo Silva earlier this year under the Titan FC banner.
Meanwhile, Hubbard fights for the fourth time under the UFC banner, suffering decision losses to world-class grapplers Mark Madsen and Davi Ramos on either side of a decision win over Canadian lightweight Kyle Prepolec. Prior to his UFC run, Hubbard was the LFA lightweight champion.
