UFC on ESPN+ 24 – Page 7 – Syndication Server

Michael Chiesa keeps it real on Rafael dos Anjos fight: ‘Yeah, this is the toughest one’

“This is a guy that’s still in his groove, but I’ve got to go out there and derail him.”

RALEIGH, N.C. —[autotag]Michael Chiesa[/autotag] has been in the cage with some of the sport’s best, but he sees this Saturday as his biggest test yet.

Chiesa (16-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) takes on former UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] (29-12 MMA, 18-10 UFC) in the co-main event of UFC on ESPN+ 24 as he looks to continue his rise following his move from lightweight to welterweight.

“Yeah, this is the toughest one,” Chiesa told MMA Junkie ahead of the fight. “Out of anybody I fought in the UFC, this is the stiffest test I’ve fought to date. The proof is in the pudding. I mean, the guy is a former world champion, (he) fought for a belt at 170, and he’s still very relevant.”

Dos Anjos also recently made the move up to 170 pounds but, after a strong start, he’s had a rough stretch in his last four outings. But Chiesa still thinks dos Anjos is in his prime, and will present a tough test for anyone.

“He beat Kevin Lee, and Kevin Lee is seven years younger than him, so for him to be at the age he’s at and still beating these young guys – I feel like the toughest guys to compete against are the guys that are at the veteran status that have seen it all and that are in their mid 30’s,” Chiesa said. “This is a guy that’s still in his groove, but I’ve got to go out there and derail him. I’m really excited for the opportunity to compete against him but I’ve got to get my hand raised on Saturday night.”

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Since moving up to welterweight, Chiesa has scored back-to-back wins over Carlos Condit and Diego Sanchez, adding two notable veteran names to his resumé.

“This is the fifth guy that I fought in a row that’s been in a title fight or has been a champion,” Chiesa said. “So these are the fights I want and that’s how you become a champion. I’ve got to beat these guys.”

A win over dos Anjos would be a big step forward in Chiesa’s career as a welterweight, but he knows it won’t be easy. But, despite facing a well-rounded, world-class opponent, “Maverick” believes he’s identified opportunities to exploit the Brazilian’s relentless fighting style on Saturday night.

“For as well-rounded and complete of a fighter he is, everybody’s got holes in their game,” he said. “Nobody’s perfect. Everybody’s got holes that can be exploited by another man. There are things we’re going to look to capitalize on but I’m expecting a three-round fight.”

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MMA Junkie Radio #3020: Does McGregor vs. Gaethje make sense at 170?, Cub Swanson (guest)

“Gorgeous” George and “Goze” discuss the latest MMA news and notes, including (surprise!) Conor McGregor, and Cub Swanson joins the show.

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Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here!

On Episode No. 3,020 of the podcast, the fellas react to the latest MMA news and notes. Surprise, surprise! [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] comes up!

THE RUNDOWN

Coach John Kavanagh says, if it was up to him, McGregor would fight [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] next. But here’s the catch: The SBG Ireland head coach would like it to happen at welterweight, even though McGregor and Gaethje are regular lightweights. Does this make any sense?
[autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] initially said he had no interest in fighting [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag], but as it turns out, the two of them will headline UFC London in March. Woodley’s manager, Abe Kawa, shed some light on what changed in an interview with MMA Junkie. What do we think of Woodley’s mindset here?
You’ll recall that [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag] made headlines a couple of weeks back when he used the N-word during a Twitter spat with African-American actor Michael Jai White. In that same interview with MMA Junkie, Kawa, who manages Perry, offered some insight into Perry’s mind when it comes to using the slur. How do we feel about this?
Former UFC welterweight title challenger [autotag]Thiago Alves[/autotag] signed with Bare Knuckle FC. Good move for him?
UFC veteran [autotag]Cub Swanson[/autotag] joins the show for an interview to talk about his ongoing recovery from a torn ACL, how the UFC is taking care of him after the injury suffered during Quintet Ultra, when he’d like to return to the octagon, what he has left for his career, and more.

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio, or check it out above. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.

Rafael dos Anjos detached himself from rankings when choosing UFC on ESPN+ 24 opponent

On paper, the matchup between Rafael dos Anjos and Michael Chiesa at UFC on ESPN+ 24 doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Looking at the UFC’s official rankings, Saturday’s matchup between [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] and Michael Chiesa at UFC on ESPN+ 24 doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Dos Anjos (30-12 MMA, 18-10 UFC) holds the No. 5 spot, while Chiesa (16-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) doesn’t have a top-15 position.

So, why is this fight happening? The former UFC lightweight champion claims it’s because he’s embracing the old-school mentality of the sport, where factors such as rankings played far less of a role in matchmaking.

“I’m not too attached to the rankings anymore,” Dos Anjos told MMA Junkie at UFC on ESPN+ 24 open workouts Wednesday. “Back in the day everybody fought everybody, so we don’t have those. Michael is a guy who is coming off two good victories against Carlos Condit and Diego Sanchez. He usually competes in lightweight, too, so he’s coming up a division. I’m happy to welcome him to the division.”

Dos Anjos is coming off a stretch of three losses in his past four fights. The common theme in all those defeats was an inability to overcome the size and grappling of opponents Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington.

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Chiesa is a grapple-first type of fighter, as well, so dos Anjos doesn’t see much mystery in what’s coming his way. This time, though, he intends to stop it.

“It’s not surprising he’s going to try to tie me up and work his body lock like he always does in his fights,” dos Anjos said. “Of course, it’s a fight. It starts standing, so I’ve got to make sure I don’t get caught with any shots, open by eyes and see everything and bring my A-game. I think what he brings is good jiu-jitsu. He’s got some good submissions and I’ve just got to work hard on my defense, and my attacks as well, in case the fight goes to the ground I feel I’ll be pretty covered.”

UFC on ESPN+ 24, which takes place at PNC Arena and streams on ESPN+, will snap a streak of five consecutive main events for dos Anjos. He hasn’t been scheduled for a three-rounder since September 2017, when he scored a first-round finish of Neil Magny at UFC 215.

A similar performance would be big for dos Anjos, who said he’s looking to make 2020 a memorable year.

“2020 is going to be a great year for me,” dos Anjos said. “I’m sure of it. I want to keep active. It’s good to be fighting January. Start off the year with a great win this Saturday, and I’m looking to be active this year. More active. Do at least three fights.”

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UFC on ESPN+ 24 free fight: Curtis Blaydes bloodies Alistair Overeem with elbows for finish

Ahead of his return at UFC Raleigh, relive Curtis Blaydes’ brutal finish of Alistair Overeem at UFC 225.

They don’t call him “Razor” Blaydes for nothing.

[autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] was heading into his highest profile fight to date, when he took on [autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] in June 2018 at UFC 225. He entered having won his last three in a row, or quite possibly five, if his second-round TKO over Adam Milstead hadn’t been overturned because of a positive drug test for marijuana.

Blaydes (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) put on his best performance, using his strong wrestling to get Overeem on the mat and brutalizing him with heavy ground-and-pound in Round 3.

After a feeling-out process early, Blaydes eventually landed the takedown midway through Round 1, finishing the round on top. Overeem started Round 2 a little more aggressively, landing a knee and clipping Blaydes with an overhand right, forcing him to shoot. Overeem latched onto a guillotine, but Blaydes was able to break free. The two would make their way back to their feet before Blaydes took it right back to the mat.

But in Round 3, Blaydes started to open up more, backing Overeem to the cage with some hard shots that appeared to hurt him. He decided to change levels and take down Overeem, signaling the beginning of the end.

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After some top control, Blaydes postured up and dropped one elbow after the other, which opened a nasty gash on Overeem’s head. A couple more elbows, and the referee was forced to stop the fight.

The finish earned Blaydes a “Performance of the Night” bonus, and the two would later end up becoming training partners, as Overeem made the trip to Colorado to train with Blaydes at “Elevation Fight Team.”

Blaydes returns to action this Saturday, when he headlines UFC on ESPN+ 24 against former UFC heavyweight champion, Junior dos Santos. Blaydes’ only two career losses have come to the same man, Francis Ngannou, as Blaydes will attempt to solidify himself as a top heavyweight contender with a win over dos Santos.

In the meantime, watch the video above to check out one of Blaydes’ finest performances.

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Alex Perez sees ‘Fight of the Night’ with Jordan Espinosa at UFC on ESPN+ 24

Alex Perez is putting the onus on Jordan Espinosa to bring the fight at UFC on ESPN+ 24.

RALEIGH, N.C. – [autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag] is putting the onus on [autotag]Jordan Espinosa[/autotag] to bring the fight at UFC on ESPN+ 24, because it could bring both some extra cash.

Perez (22-5 MMA, 4-1 UFC) considers himself an action fighter, and said he sees Espinosa (14-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in the same light. Should both men live up to their reputations, Perez said they have good odds at getting an extra $50,000 each for “Fight of the Night” honors after Saturday’s card.

“He’s dangerous, a good wrestler, has good ground game,” Perez told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “If we come out to fight it could be ‘Fight of the Night’ for sure. If we come out there and what we’re supposed to do. If you guys watch his fights on (Dana White’s) Contender Series, he comes out swinging. I do, too, so wherever the fight goes we’ll be ready.”

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Perez’s flyweight matchup with Espinosa, which takes place at PNC Arena and streams on ESPN+, will mark his first action since March. He earned a victory in that fight to rebound from his TKO loss to Joseph Benavidez at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale in November 2018, an outcome which stands as his only octagon defeat.

With Benavidez favored in his fight for the vacant 125-pound belt against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC on ESPN+ 27 in February, the plan for Perez is to eventually get that rematch.

If he wants to make that happen, starting his 2020 campaign with a win over Espinosa is crucial.

“First goal is obviously to win this fight,” Perez said. “Win this fight and win two other fights this year. I want to get back to being active. I want to win two of three fights this year and go from there.”

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Herbert Burns expects to submit Nate Landwehr in classic grappler vs. striker matchup at UFC Raleigh

Herbert Burns predicts submission finish over Nate Landwehr at UFC Raleigh.

Just like his brother Gilbert, [autotag]Herbert Burns[/autotag] possesses a strong grappling background.

A longtime jiu-jitsu practitioner, Burns (9-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) earned his way into the UFC with a first-round triangle-choke over Darrick Minner on “Dana White’s Contender Series” last August.

Now Burns is set to make his official UFC debut this Saturday, when he takes on fellow newcomer [autotag]Nate Landwehr[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC on ESPN+ 24 in Raleigh, N.C.

Burns, who’s notched every pro finish by way of submission, is looking to add another one to his collection.

“It’s a classic matchup of grappler vs. striker,” Burns told MMA Junkie. “He’s experienced, the former champion of M-1 Challenge. He’ll look to strike, and I’ll look to use my jiu-jitsu. His last loss was via submission, and I don’t think he’s ever faced someone like me – on my grappling level. He’ll bring his striking, but I’ve fought guys like him, guys with one-punch (knockout) power like Banario and Nastyukhin. I see myself getting him down to the mat and submitting him.”

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Burns, a ONE Championship and Titan FC veteran, has faced strong competition throughout his young MMA career, and has been preparing alongside his brother, Gilbert, at both Sanford Mixed Martial Arts and Combat Club with renowned striking coach Henri Hooft.

Herbert is looking to replicate his brother’s activity by competing numerous times this year in hopes of emerging as Brazil’s next 145-pound star.

“My plan is to stay at featherweight and fight my way to the top, one step at a time,” Burns said. “I want to remain active. The UFC is supposed to be back in Brazil, in Sao Paulo, on May 9. That would be a perfect card for me, too. I’d like to fight four times in 2020. Renato Moicano went up to lightweight, so I’d like to be the next big name from Brazil in the featherweight category. Of course, I’m focused on Nate Landwehr now, but I’m ready to run him over, and over anyone else who stands in my way.

“Now my brother Gilbert and I are both in the UFC. He’s scheduled to face Demian Maia, who’s a very respectful guy. Both are world jiu-jitsu champions. It’s going to be amazing fight. The Burns brothers are ready to dominate in the UFC. We’re going to make a lot of noise in 2020.”

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UFC on ESPN+ 24 breakdown: How will Junior Dos Santos handle Curtis Blaydes’ wrestling attack?

MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom takes a closer look at the keys in the UFC Raleigh headliner between Junior Dos Santos and Curtis Blaydes.

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MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main event for UFC on ESPN+ 24.

UFC on ESPN+ 24 takes place Saturday at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. The card streams on ESPN+.

Curtis Blaydes (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC)

Staple info:

Height: 6’4″ Age: 28 Weight: 251 lbs. Reach: 80″
Last fight: TKO win over Shamil Abdurakhimov (Sept. 7, 2019)
Camp: Elevation Fight Team (Denver, Co.)
Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
Risk management: Fair

Supplemental info:

+ NJCAA national heavyweight wrestling title
+ Amateur MMA accolades
+ 9 KO victories
+ 2 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Aggressive pace and pressure
+ Diligently working striking
^ Shows fight-to-fight improvements
+ Explosive power-double takedown
^ Changes level well
+ Strong inside the clinch
^ Body locks, trips, suplexes
+ Solid top game
^ Floats, wrist-rides, strikes

Junior Dos Santos (21-6 MMA, 15-5 UFC)

Staple info:

Height: 6’4″ Age: 35 Weight: 249 lbs. Reach: 77″
Last fight: TKO loss to Francis Ngannou(June 29, 2019)
Camp: American Top Team (Florida)
Stance/striking style: Orthodox/boxing
Risk management: Fair

Supplemental info:

+ Former UFC heavyweight champion
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ Multiple grappling accolades
+ 15 KO victories
+ 1 submission win
+ 4 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Solid feints and footwork
+ Consistent pace and pressure
+ Excellent boxing ability
^ Accurate shot selection
+ Good counter wrestler
+ Underrated grappling ability
^ Shows solid positional awareness

Point of interest: Familiar fisticuffs

The main event in Raleigh features a fun heavyweight fight with familiar themes for both parties on the feet.

[autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag], a wrestler who carries a bit of amateur kickboxing experience, shows consistent fight-to-fight improvements each time out. From his developing footwork to his commitment to combination striking, the 28-year-old talent seems to be right at home when pressuring forward.

Whether Blaydes is working behind his jab or rolling his head off of his crosses, his time spent training at the Elevation Fight Team and BANG Muay Thai has 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 what makes this matchup with a similarly-themed opponent so interesting.

Enter the old guard, [autotag]Junior Dos Santos[/autotag].

Fighting out of a more boxing-centric stance, Dos Santos has long been known as one of the heavyweight’s crisper strikers, formerly ruling the division with an iron fist. Working behind the pressure of his jabs and left-handed feints, Dos Santos will set up devastating overhands and uppercuts (strikes that comprise the majority of the former champion’s highlight reel).

Though the Brazilian’s right hand is often known as the clean-up hitter, his left is arguably more accurate, particularly when applying his hooks offensively off of his jabs and feints. Dos Santos also does a deceptively good job of placing check hooks to cover his tracks or drawing his opponents into them through baiting fakes –– both of which will serve him will on paper against Blaydes.

That said, Dos Santos will have to be careful about over-committing to his power shots if he means to maintain the high ground.

Next point of interest: Repaving wrestling paths

Pages: 123

Junior Dos Santos still thinks another UFC title reign is in the cards

A bummer of an end to 2019 hasn’t put a damper on Junior Dos Santos’ spirits or his goals for 2020.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The second half of 2019 won’t go down as the most favorable time in [autotag]Junior Dos Santos[/autotag]’ mixed martial arts career.

In June, the former UFC heavyweight champion suffered a swift stoppage loss to Francis Ngannou. Then, as he was getting ready to return to the cage, Ngannou suffered from a nasty bacterial infection in his leg and had to withdraw from a planned UFC Moscow main event against Alexander Volkov.

But then, Dos Santos (21-6 MMA, 15-5 UFC) has a well-earned reputation for his sunny disposition, and you can’t keep a good man down long. So it should come as no surprise that Dos Santos has brushed aside the concerns as he gets set to headline UFC on ESPN+ 24 against Curtis Blaydes.

“Sometimes, you know, it’s not your day – things don’t happen the way you want,” Dos Santos told MMA Junkie after a Wednesday open workout session. “And what? Are you going to cry for that? C’mon. Keep moving forward – that’s what I’m doing. I believe in me. I can see the truth I see in my head. You guys would be amazed, and that’s what I’m trying to show you guys. That’s why I am here. I really believe I deserve the top of this division, and I will get it. I got there once, I’ll get there again.”

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Dos Santos takes no credit away from Ngannou for his win, but he’s going right back to work to prove that his name still belongs in discussion of the most elite fighters at heavyweight.

“I was coming from two, three great victories and supposed to fight for the title again, and then I got someone who is coming from a good moment, too, with a lot of power. Francis Ngannou has a lot of power. He got the victory that night – he was better than me that night. But I am here to have that rematch and prove that I am better than him.”

Dos Santos knows a victory against Blaydes (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) won’t enable him to cut the line for a heavyweight title shot. But he does think that if he takes care of business Saturday, things could start falling back into place.

And he also thinks current champion Stipe Miocic and former champ Daniel Cormier should fight other opponents first before meeting in their heavyweight title trilogy fight, though he acknowledges this idea will fall on deaf ears.

“I think they both are phenomenal fighters, but I don’t think they should do this fight now,” Dos Santos said. “I think they should fight again (against other opponents), so then they could have this third fight – because it doesn’t really make sense. But it is on the UFC. Whatever they say they, we have to follow. But I don’t think it is right. I think they should do one more fight, then fight again if they keep the position they earned right now.”

UFC on ESPN+ 24 takes place Saturday at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. The card streams on ESPN+.

To hear more from Dos Santos, watch the video above.

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Tag: UFC on ESPN+ 24