Tag: UFC on ESPN+ 34

Dana White: UFC discussing Khamzat Chimaev vs. Demian Maia for ‘Fight Island’

According to Dana White, the UFC is considering Khamzat Chimaev vs. Demian Maia for the promotion’s return to “Fight Island.”

It took a few extra weeks, but [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] has acquired his U.S. working visa.

At a short news conference following the UFC on ESPN+ 34 weigh-ins, UFC president Dana White said Chimaev (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) will be arriving on American soil in the next few days. The UFC had planned on turning Chimaev around for an August fight, but his visa issues interfered.

White also said the promotion plans on having Chimaev fight in Las Vegas before a second fight during its upcoming return to “Fight Island” at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

“I think he gets here this weekend,” White said. “… He’ll fight here and he’ll fight on ‘Fight Island.’ This guy wants to (fight). I love that mentality.”

As for possible opponents for the two fights, White didn’t reveal who the promotion is planning on Chimaev fighting in Las Vegas. But a former UFC welterweight title challenger might be Chimaev’s opponent on “Fight Island.”

“We’re working on a fight for him here that’s still being worked,” White said. “We’re talking about him and Demian Maia on ‘Fight Island.'”

Chimaev, 26, made his promotional debut July 15 at UFC on ESPN 13, defeating John Phillips in dominant fashion. Ten days later, Chimaev picked up his second promotional victory, finishing Rhys McKee in the first round at UFC on ESPN 14. Chimaev became the first fighter in the modern UFC era to win two fights in 10 days.

Maia (28-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) most recently competed at UFC on ESPN+ 28 in March, when he was knocked out by Gilbert Burns. Prior to that fight, Maia had won three straight over Ben Askren, Anthony Rocco Martin and Lyman Good.

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Video: Alistair Overeem, Augusto Sakai bring 500+ pounds to UFC on ESPN+ 34 scale

Check out the official weigh-in highlights for UFC on ESPN+ 34 headliners Alistair Overeem and Augusto Sakai.

LAS VEGAS – The weigh-ins are done and dusted for UFC on ESPN+ 34, and the headliners had no issues.

Then again, they’re heavyweights, so non one expected them to have any problems. That also meant they could take their time waking up Friday – they were the last two fighters to weigh in during the two-hour window at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The same venue hosts Saturday’s card, which streams on ESPN+.

In the main event, former heavyweight title challenger [autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] (46-18 MMA, 11-7 UFC) takes on [autotag]Augusto Sakai[/autotag] (15-1-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC). Overeem was 252.5 pounds. Sakai was 261.5.

Check out the highlights of their trips to the scale in the video above.

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UFC on ESPN+ 34: Overeem vs. Sakai official weigh-in highlight

The main event for UFC on ESPN+ 34 weighs in successfully. Watch Alistair Overeem and his opponent Augosto Sakai step on the scale to make their bout official

The main event for UFC on ESPN+ 34 weighs in successfully. Watch Alistair Overeem and his opponent Augosto Sakai step on the scale to make their bout official

Ray Rodriguez signs with UFC, will serve as UFC on ESPN+ 34 backup fighter

Ray Rodriguez weighed in this morning and will serve as a backup fighter for Saturday’s card.

The UFC has signed a backup fighter for Saturday’s card.

Ahead of UFC on ESPN+ 34, the promotion has inked bantamweight [autotag]Ray Rodriguez[/autotag], who will serve as a standby replacement should [autotag]Kevin Natividad[/autotag] or [autotag]Brian Kelleher[/autotag] be deemed unfit to compete.

Rodriguez (16-6 MMA, 0-0 UFC) was signed due to concerns over fight week COVID-19 tests taken by Natividad (9-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), multiple sources have informed MMA Junkie.

Natividad partook in Thursday’s UFC on ESPN+ 34 virtual media day from his hotel room instead of the multi-purpose room from where the rest of the fighters streamed. He asked about why he was in his room and said he was waiting for his COVID-19 test results.

However, Friday, Natividad weighed in with the rest of the fighters, making weight, which implies he’s in the clear. Rodriguez also weighed in and was announced as a backup fighter.

As for Rodriguez, the Texas-based fighter will make his promotional debut on a little over 48 hours’ notice. He competed at DWCS in 2019, losing to current UFC fighter Tony Gravely in a back-and-forth affair. Rodriguez, 32, has won 11 out of 13 entering Saturday.

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UFC on ESPN+ 34 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event streams on ESPN+.

The current UFC on ESPN+ 34 lineup includes:

  • Alistair Overeem vs. Augusto Sakai
  • Alonzo Menifield vs. Ovince Saint Preux
  • Sijara Eubanks vs. Karol Rosa
  • Zelim Imadaev vs. Michel Pereira
  • Brian Kelleher vs. Kevin Natividad
  • Thiago Moises vs. Jalin Turner
  • Viviane Araujo vs. Montana De La Rosa
  • Bartosz Fabinski vs. Andre Muniz
  • Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Alexander Romanov
  • Hunter Azure vs. Cole Smith

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UFC on ESPN+ 34 weigh-in results and live video stream

Check out the results from the official UFC on ESPN+ 34 fighter weigh-ins.

LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Friday’s official UFC on ESPN+ 34 fighter weigh-ins, which kick off at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

The weigh-ins take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The same venue hosts Saturday’s card, which streams on ESPN+.

Among those weighing in are former heavyweight title challenger Alistair Overeem (46-18 MMA, 11-7 UFC) and Augusto Sakai (15-1-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC), who meet in the main event, and Alonzo Menifield (9-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) and Ovince Saint Preux (24-14 MMA, 12-9 UFC), who fight in the co-feature.

The full UFC on ESPN+ 34 weigh-in results include:

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Alistair Overeem () vs. Augusto Sakai ()
  • Alonzo Menifield (204) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (205.5)
  • Zelim Imadaev (171) vs. Michel Pereira (170.5)
  • Brian Kelleher (146) vs. Kevin Natividad (144.5)
  • Thiago Moises (155.5) vs. Jalin Turner (155)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Bartosz Fabinski (184.5) vs. Andre Muniz (185.5)
  • Viviane Araujo (126) vs. Montana De La Rosa (125.5)
  • Marcos Rogerio de Lima (260.5) vs. Alexander Romanov (259)
  • Hunter Azure (135.5) vs. Cole Smith (135)

Sijara Eubanks loses UFC on ESPN+ 34 bout vs. Karol Rosa, now meets Julia Avila on Sept. 12

The removal of Sijara Eubanks vs. Karol Rosa changes up two UFC cards.

[autotag]Sijara Eubanks[/autotag] has a new date and opponent for her next UFC bout.

Eubanks was scheduled to compete Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 34 in Las Vegas, but her opponent, Karol Rosa, was forced to withdraw from the bout due to complications cutting weight. Eubanks will no longer fight Saturday and instead will compete next week, Sept. 12, at UFC on ESPN+ 35 against replacement Julia Avila.

The news was first reported by MMA Fighting and later confirmed by MMA Junkie.

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Eubanks (5-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC), who completed her UFC on ESPN+ 34 virtual media day obligation Thursday, is looking for her second win in 2020. The 35-year-old last fought in May when she defeated Sarah Moras by unanimous decision. The victory over Moras snapped a two-fight losing streak for Eubanks.

Meanwhile, Avila (8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) picked up a TKO win over Gina Mazany back in June. She was scheduled to compete against Nicco Montano on Oct. 3 but that bout was scratched after the former UFC champ withdrew. Avila is currently on a four-fight winning streak.

With the removal, the UFC on ESPN+ 34 lineup includes:

  • Alistair Overeem vs. Augusto Sakai
  • Alonzo Menifield vs. Ovince Saint Preux
  • Zelim Imadaev vs. Michel Pereira
  • Brian Kelleher vs. Kevin Natividad
  • Thiago Moises vs. Jalin Turner
  • Bartosz Fabinski vs. Andre Muniz
  • Viviane Araujo vs. Montana De La Rosa
  • Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Alexander Romanov
  • Hunter Azure vs. Cole Smith

With the addition, the Sept. 12 card now includes:

  • Angela Hill vs. Michelle Waterson
  • Andrea Lee vs. Roxanne Modafferi
  • Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell
  • Bruno Silva vs. Tagir Ulanbekov
  • Frank Camacho vs. Brok Weaver
  • Kyle Nelson vs. Billy Quarantillo
  • Bryan Barberena vs. Anthony Ivy
  • Matt Frevola vs. Roosevelt Roberts
  • Bobby Green vs. Alan Patrick
  • Ed Herman vs. Mike Rodriguez
  • Justine Kish vs. Sabina Mazo
  • Ottman Azaitar vs. Khama Worthy
  • Julia Avila vs. Sijara Eubanks

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Augusto Sakai ready to prove elite status against Alistair Overeem at UFC on ESPN+ 34

Augusto Sakai recognizes Alistair Overeem’s legend status and hopes Saturday’s headliner will help build his own reputation.

[autotag]Augusto Sakai[/autotag] isn’t the most well known name in the UFC heavyweight division. On Saturday night at UFC on ESPN+ 34, however, Sakai hopes to take one step closer to changing that.

Paired up against legendary heavyweight Alistair Overeem, Sakai (15-1-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) will compete in what is widely considered his first marquee matchup. Though Sakai admits he didn’t watch Overeem’s career play out in real time, he recognizes the Dutch fighter’s stature in the sport as one of the all-time heavyweight greats.

“It means that I’m ready to become also a legend and write my own history inside the heavyweight division,” Sakai told reporters at a virtual pre-fight media day held Thursday.”

Recognizing Overeem’s standing, Sakai thinks he has the opportunity to build off of his opponent’s name with a win. Sakai has no doubt a victory against Overeem (46-18 MMA, 11-7 UFC) will push him into the elite of the UFC heavyweight rankings.

“I know that if I have a great performance Saturday night, everyone’s eyes will be on me,” Sakai said. “I will be one of the top five guys in my weight class. That’s the goal. … After winning against Overeem, the top five is where I’ll be, absolutely.”

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UFC on ESPN+ 34 marks Sakai’s first main event since signing with the promotion. Despite having never competed in the championship rounds, Sakai didn’t voice concern about competing late in a 25-minute fight.

“It’s a big accomplishment for my career, fighting in a main event in the UFC and seeing my face on the poster,” Sakai said. “I worked very hard to be here. Now is my time. … We trained a lot to fight for five rounds in this camp, thinking about it all the way. Fans and everyone can expect this to be a great fight. If we reach the championship rounds, I will be ready to keep my rhythm going and keep up with the fight.”

UFC on ESPN+ 34 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event streams on ESPN+.

Check out Sakai’s full UFC on ESPN+34 virtual pre-fight media day in the video above.

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Alistair Overeem open to welcome Jon Jones to heavyweight: ‘I would feel honored’

Alistair Overeem likes the idea of Jon Jones joining the UFC heavyweight division and would gladly fight his former training partner.

[autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] is down to fight [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag].

Overeem, the former Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1 champion, is interested in welcoming Jones, the former UFC light heavyweight champion and arguably greatest fighter of all time, to the heavyweight division. Jones recently vacated his 205-pound championship after years of dominating the division and announced his move up.

Overeem (46-18 MMA, 11-7 UFC) is a former training partner of Jones’, having trained for some years under at Jackson Wink MMA in Albuquerque, N.M., the gym Jones calls home.

“The Demolition Man” respects Jones and his skillset and thinks it would be an honor to share the cage with him.

“Yes, I would do it,” Overeem said. “I think it would be a great fight, and I would feel honored.”

Jones has been dominating the UFC’s 205-pound division since he became champion in 2011. Many wonder how Jones’ dominance would translate against bigger opponents.

“I think he’s a great addition to the heavyweight division,” Overeem said. “I’m actually excited. It’s fresh blood. I’ve trained with him. He’s very capable, he’s tough, he’s good, so I’m excited about that development.”

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Jones hasn’t discussed a potential date or timetable for his move to heavyweight. And although UFC president Dana White hasn’t shed light either, White did mention it’s likely Jones will challenge for the heavyweight title in his divisional debut.

Overeem, who’s trying to earn one last shot at the belt before calling it quits, is not worried about Jones potentially skipping the contender line.

“I’m not too worried about that,” Overeem explained. “(I’m) just focused on the task at hand, and with that being said, I just need to focus on winning my fights, and after that I believe I will get what I want.”

Overeem fights this Saturday in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 34 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. He takes on rising contender Augusto Sakai. The 40-year-old Overeem is confident he could be a win or two away from fighting for the title if successful against the Brazilian.

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UFC on ESPN+ 34: Alistair Overeem media day interview

Alistair Overeem spoke with the media ahead of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 34 in Las Vegas.

Alistair Overeem spoke with the media ahead of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 34 in Las Vegas.