Tag: UFC on ESPN 19

UFC vet Matt Wiman makes ‘oddly easy’ decision to retire after slam KO loss

“It was all a gift, one I’ll be forever grateful to have played a apart of.”

[autotag]Matt Wiman[/autotag] is deciding to call it a career after suffering one of the more brutal knockouts in recent memory at UFC on ESPN 19.

Wiman’s career comeback hit what appeared to be its final snag last week when he was on the receiving end of a devastating slam knockout courtesy of Jordan Leavitt at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It was a scary scene, but fortunately Wiman (16-10 MMA, 10-8 UFC) left the octagon under his own power.

The outcome dropped Wiman to 0-3 since he returned from a nearly five-year hiatus in June 2019. Although he managed to go the distance in his previous fights, he apparently has taken the 22-second knockout as a sign he should be done.

His most recent bout marked the final fight on his UFC contract, and with that, Wiman, 37, has decided to retire from the sport, he confirmed to MMA Junkie on Thursday following an initial report from MMA Fighting.

“The decision was oddly easy,” Wiman told MMA Junkie. “I could have retired happily after my 10th win in the big show but hadn’t stored enough nuts for winter, to be honest. Coming back was a love story to my family – a bloody, sweaty, teary one. I’m grateful to have gotten to play the role.”

After spending his first eight career bouts on regional scene, Wiman made his octagon debut at UFC 60 in May 2006. He would go on to fight 18 times for the promotion, earning notable victories over Thiago Tavares, Mac Danzig, Cole Miller, and more along the way.

After picking up a unanimous decision win over Isaac Vallie-Flagg at UFC Fight Night 157 in November 2014, Wiman disappeared from the MMA scene for years.

It was a challenge to get back, and although things didn’t go his way at the end, Wiman said he relishes his time in the sport.

“My fondest memory has to be beating Tavares a week before getting married,” Wiman said. “I really wanted to make it at the highest level of fighting and not put limits on our capabilities but proving it is hard, mentally, spiritually and everything. It was all a gift, one I’ll be forever grateful to have played a apart of.”

UFC on ESPN 19 medical suspensions: Jack Hermansson, Jamahal Hill facing six months

Five fighters face potential six-month layoffs following UFC on ESPN 19.

[autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag] heads a list of five fighters facing potential six-month suspensions after their respective bouts at UFC on ESPN 19, per commission records.

Hermansson (21-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC), who lost a unanimous decision to short-notice replacement [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] (16-4-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC), was given a 180-day term after suffering a fractured left orbital bone during the night’s main event.

Co-headliner [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), who picked up his biggest win to date with a second-round finish of [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag] (25-15 MMA, 13-10 UFC), requires his left hand to be cleared by a doctor or he may also face a 180-day suspension.

MMA Junkie obtained the full list of medical suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com for UFC on ESPN 19, which took place this past Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Other fighters facing possible six-month medical suspensions include [autotag]John Allan[/autotag], [autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag], and [autotag]Jake Collier[/autotag].

The full list of UFC on ESPN 19 medical suspensions includes:

  • Jack Hermansson: Suspended 180 days or until fractured left orbital is cleared by a doctor; also suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days.
  • Marvin Vettori: Suspended 45 days or until cut to left eyelid is cleared by a doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • Ovince Saint Preux: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Jamahal Hill: Needs clearance of left hand with x-ray, otherwise suspended 180 days.
  • [autotag]Gabriel Benitez[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with 7 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • John Allan: Needs clearance of right knee with MRI and right ankle with x-ray, otherwise suspended 180 days. Suspended minimum 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Matt Wiman[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Jordan Leavitt[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Louis Smolka[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to cut on right eyebrow.
  • [autotag]Jose Quinonez[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • Damon Jackson: Suspended 180 days or until possible nasal fracture is cleared by a doctor; also suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days.
  • [autotag]Gian Villante[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to contusions.
  • Jake Collier: Suspended 180 days or until possible non-displaced fracture of left lateral orbital wall is cleared by an ophthalmologist; also suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days.

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Dana White addresses rise of fight-week bout cancellations due to positive COVID-19 tests

Dana White weighs in on recent bout cancellations due positive COVID-19 tests.

The UFC is having tough time keeping its fight cards intact in the ongoing global pandemic.

The Las Vegas-based promotion has been forced to cancel many bouts ahead of 2020 events due to the fighters or camps testing positive for COVID-19, but there has been a recent rise in the number of fights getting scrapped during fight week – and even on fight day – while the organization continues to operate under its COVID-19 protocol.

On Saturday, two fights were removed from UFC on ESPN 19 the day of the fight due to positive coronavirus tests: Montana De La Rosa vs. Taila Santos, Movsar Evloev vs. Nate Landwehr (a third fight was also removed for reasons unrelated to COVID-19).

While the fighters all passed pre-screenings, weighed-in and faced off against their opponents, UFC officials reported “positive COVID-19 tests” in the camps just hours before the event. For his part, UFC president Dana White said he thinks the rise of fight-week cancellations is reflecting the increase of cases in the U.S.

“Who knows?” White asked following the event. “I have no idea; the COVID thing is more rampant now. Another friend that I talked to today, who lives on an island in Alaska, somewhere where they have a population of 4,000 people, over 40 people have COVID there now, and it’s like a huge deal.

“This stuff is definitely spreading. When we were first going through this stuff, I didn’t know anybody that had it. And then, you know, one employee came up with it and got through it quick. But personally, somebody that I was friends with hadn’t had it yet, and now everyone’s got it, you know what I mean?”

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Saturday’s cancellations weren’t the only ones in recent times. At the previous week’s UFC on ESPN 18 event, heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the weigh-in. Blaydes went through early fight week and media day before having to withdraw from his main event bout against Derrick Lewis.

And like Blaydes and Saturday’s cancellations, there have been several other fights scrapped deep into fight week due to the UFC’s COVID-19 protocol.

White was also asked about the effectiveness of the protocol’s implementation in terms of keeping fighters COVID-free during fight week, especially in light of the recent cancellations.

“People show up with it, or I think what happened this time, somebody had had contact with somebody else and was training their fighter and then gave it to them,” White said. “I don’t know exactly what the deal was, but – I don’t know.”

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Louis Smolka: UFC on ESPN 19 win was another vindication of 20 years of hard work

Louis Smolka recaps his second-round TKO of Jose Quinonez at UFC on ESPN 19.

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LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Louis Smolka[/autotag] used ground-and-pound to end his fight vs. [autotag]Jose Quinonez[/autotag] on Saturday to close out the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 19 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Smolka as he discusses his gameplan entering the fight, recaps the TKO finish, and reflects on his 20 years of dedication to combat sports.

UFC on ESPN 19’s Jordan Leavitt recaps slam KO, first time removing someone from consciousness

Jordan Leavitt picked up the second-fastest slam knockout in the promotion’s history when he drove Matt Wiman into the mat.

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LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Jordan Leavitt[/autotag] finished [autotag]Matt Wiman[/autotag] in speedy, emphatic fashion in the UFC on ESPN 19 main card opener Saturday at the UFC Apex.

Take a look inside the fight with Leavitt as he expresses his excitement in picking up his first knockout win, opens up about fighting a role model, and reflects on a crazy 2020.

Who’s next for Marvin Vettori after beating Jack Hermansson? | UFC on ESPN 19 matchmaker.mov

MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn plays matchmaker and looks ahead to what makes sense for Marvin Vettori in this edition of “Sean Shelby’s Shoes.”

MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn plays matchmaker and looks ahead to what makes sense for Marvin Vettori in this edition of “Sean Shelby’s Shoes.”

Ilia Topuria: UFC on ESPN 19 was a more accurate representation of my game than my debut

Ilia Topuria breaks down his highlight-reel knockout of Damon Jackson at UFC on ESPN 19.

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LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] defeated [autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag] with a brutal knockout combination during Saturday’s preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 19 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Topuria, as he reveals his gameplan entering Saturday, recaps his brutal knockout, and speaks on what’s next.

UFC on ESPN 19 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Ovince Saint Preux nets most money

UFC on ESPN 19 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 19 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $120,000.

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 on ESPN 19 took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card aired on ESPN2 and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 19 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag]: $20,000

[autotag]Gabriel Benitez[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]John Allan[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Louis Smolka[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Jose Quinonez[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Jordan Leavitt[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Matt Wiman[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jake Collier[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Gian Villante[/autotag]: $20,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’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 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.

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 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,153,000
2019 total: $7,370,500
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $37,207,500

Fight Tracks: The walkout songs of UFC on ESPN 19, including AC/DC, Skrillex, more

Check out all the fighter walkout songs from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 19 event.

While it takes intense training, world-class skills and maybe even a bit of luck to register a UFC win, picking the right song to accompany you to the cage is a key talent, as well.

See what the fighters from UFC on ESPN 19 went with as their backing tracks in Las Vegas.