Tag: UFC on ESPN+ 34

Brian Kelleher unfazed by UFC on ESPN+ 34 opponent change, toeing line between weight classes

Brian Kelleher will look to make it three wins in four fights against Kevin Natividad on Saturday.

[autotag]Brian Kelleher[/autotag] won’t fight the UFC on ESPN+ 34 opponent he initially signed up for, but he’s not bothered by that.

Originally scheduled to fight Ricky Simon, Kelleher (21-11 MMA, 5-4 UFC) now faces UFC newcomer Kevin Natividad instead. Simon was removed from the fight after a cornerman tested positive for COVID-19.

“I was excited to fight Ricky,” Kelleher said at a virtual pre-fight media day Thursday. “I think a lot of people were really excited for that matchup. Unfortunately, his cornerman tested positive, I believe, so they had to take the precautions and pull him from the card. I’m just happy to be fighting still. I put the work in to prepare. I got a new opponent who was willing to step up on one week’s notice, which is nice. We’re here and we’re going to fight. That’s what I train to do.”

When Kelleher steps into the cage at UFC on ESPN+ 34, it will be the third time he’s competed since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Staying active, Kelleher, usually a bantamweight, has only fought at 145 pounds during that time. Kelleher said he’s willing to stay at featherweight as long as the UFC will let him, but would move back to bantamweight if he’s given a longer-notice fight.

“I think it makes for a healthy fights, No. 1 – and more exciting fights,” Kelleher said. “I feel stronger. I feel healthier. I’m just taking punches better – stuff like that, going in at 145. I’m going to keep doing this as long as the UFC is down for it. I appreciate them being willing to do this with these circumstances. If I have six, seven, eight weeks’ notice, I can make bantamweight and we can go back down there. Why not? But all that matters is winning. Once you win, that’s all that people notice and you move on and move forward.”

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

Check out Brian Kelleher’s full UFC on ESPN+ 34 virtual pre-fight news conference in the video above.

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Jalin Turner wants to be first to finish Thiago Moises but ready to go distance at UFC on ESPN+ 34

Jalin Turner has finished all his pro wins, but he will be facing a man who’s never been stopped at UFC on ESPN+ 34.

[autotag]Jalin Turner[/autotag] has finished all his professional wins, but he will be facing a man who’s never been stopped in his next fight.

Turner (9-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) faces [autotag]Thiago Moises[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN+ 34 on Saturday, which will take place at the UFC Apex and stream live on ESPN+.

Moises has four blemishes on his record, but all his losses have been by decision. So while Turner is expecting another stoppage win, he knows it won’t be easy.

“I always love calling out my first-round finish, but he’s durable,” Turner told MMA Junkie. “He hasn’t been finished, so I do wanna test that and see if I can finish him in the first round, but first round, third round, I’m ready for whatever comes to the table. I’m ready to go five rounds if need be. First round is what I’m predicting, but I’m ready to go the full 15 (minutes).”

Both men are in a similar position, having split their last four appearances. Turner has aspirations of climbing the lightweight ranks and sees Moises (13-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) as the right fight to propel him one step forward.

“I was willing to fight whoever,” Turner said. “I just wanted to get a fight in. I didn’t care who it was, what style it was. I told my manager just give me a name, I don’t care who. They throw Thiago at me; it is a good fight. I feel like it’s a who-wants-to-go-up-the-ladder type of fight between me and him. We’re both up and down in the UFC, so now it’s time to see who’s going to make it up to that next level.”

Most of Moises’ wins have come by submission. He’s coming off a first-round heel-hook finish of Michael Johnson in May, and Turner expects him to try and drag the fight to the mat.

“I think he’s going to try and stay on the ground. He’s gonna try and take it there no doubt,” Turner said. “If he does partake in the stand-up battle, I don’t think it’s gonna stay there pretty long. He’s probably not gonna enjoy being hit by somebody with a seven-inch reach advantage against him, so he’s gonna resort to what he knows best and what he feels is gonna win him the fight. All that is expected, and I’m prepared for all of that.”

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