Tag: UFC on ESPN 35

Shanna Young got past ‘nerves and dread’ for first UFC win at UFC on ESPN 35

Without a win in more than two years, and losses in her first two UFC fights, Shanna Young could be forgiven if her confidence was waning.

LAS VEGAS – Without a win in more than two years, and losses in her first two fights in the UFC, [autotag]Shanna Young[/autotag] could be forgiven if her confidence was waning.

And that’s exactly what the women’s flyweight said was going on in her career after UFC losses to “Ultimate Fighter” winner Macy Chiasson and Stephanie Egger in 2020 and 2021. Throw in a loss on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019, and Young was in big-time need of a win.

That’s what she got Saturday to open UFC on ESPN 35 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. As a slight underdog, Young (8-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) finished Gina Mazany (7-6 MMA, 1-6 UFC) with a second-round TKO for her first win in the promotion.

After the fight, Young said her confidence was ramped up, despite the rough start to her UFC tenure.

“I felt really good coming into this one,” Young said at her post-fight news conference. “I felt confident. I made some changes in my training and my camp. Just going in, I felt completely different. I had gotten to the point where – I’m sure a lot of people get to that point you feel, just nerves and dread when you walk in the cage. It’s almost like you don’t want to be there anymore, and I had gotten to that point.

“It was a totally different feeling and totally different vibes this time. It felt good walking in, so I knew from the start it was going to be different.”

Young’s win was her first since November 2011 under the Invicta FC banner. She handed Mazany her sixth loss in nine fights.

Check out the full interview with Young in the video above.

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MMA Junkie Radio #3255: Recapping Vera, Arlovski, Dawson and more at UFC on ESPN 35

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.


Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,255, the lads took a look back at UFC on ESPN 35 and Marlon Vera’s big win, Andrei Arlovski’s controversial victory in the co-main event and Grant Dawson’s rise. They also discussed judging issues, referee issues and the return of Henry Cejudo to the USADA pooll

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

Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Rob Font after UFC on ESPN 35 loss?

See whom Rob Font should fight next after his loss to Marlon Vera in the UFC on ESPN 35 headliner.

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Marlon Vera after UFC on ESPN 35 win?)

[autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] toughness was on display in the UFC on ESPN 35 main event, but ultimately he couldn’t find a path to victory against Marlon Vera.

After being on a four-fight winning streak just five months ago, Font (19-6 MMA, 9-5 UFC) is now stuck on back-to-back losses after dropping a unanimous decision to Vera (19-7-1 MMA, 13-6 UFC) in the matchup of bantamweight contenders at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Font’s inability to avoid getting rocked by big shot proved problematic in his past two fights against Vera and Jose Aldo. Now he must determine his best path forward to get back on track.

What does the loss mean for Font? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future after UFC on ESPN 35.

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With share of UFC wins record, Andrei Arlovski had nervous moment vs. Jake Collier

Andre Arlovski tied the UFC wins record Saturday at UFC on ESPN 35 – but not without a scary moment when the scores were read.

LAS VEGAS – There have been a few moments in [autotag]Andrei Arlovski[/autotag]’s career that he’s had to endure calls from critics that it’s time to hang up the gloves.

In fact, the most recent time wasn’t that far back, when the former UFC heavyweight champion was in a rough stretch of nine losses in 12 fights. But since a 29-second KO loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik in late 2019, Arlovski mostly has been on a tear.

These days, the 43-year-old has four straight wins and victories in six of his past seven during the pandemic era, all by decision. After a split call over Jake Collier (13-7 MMA, 5-6 UFC) in the UFC on ESPN 35 co-main event Saturday, Arlovski (34-20 MMA, 23-14 UFC) finds himself in legitimate title contention, which may have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago.

Saturday’s win tied Arlovski for the most victories in UFC history. But when Collier got a 30-27 scorecard, Arlovski had a panicked moment while Bruce Buffer was reading the scores.

“It means a lot, but I was scared, and my coaches were scared (that I wouldn’t get the decision),” Arlovski said in his post-fight news conference. “I mentioned in an interview before (the fight) that I had to stick with the game plan, and I didn’t stick with the game plan, even like 99 percent. I’m super upset, and I was really worried when the first judge gave three rounds to Jake.”

Arlovski said he hopes to improve his wrestling in the near future, then implement that better his next fight.

He appears to be cognizant that at 43, the clock’s ticking on his opportunity to fight for the UFC title he most recently held 16 years ago.

“I have great coaches … I just have to put everything together,” Arlovski said. “I just have a small window, some small period of time. C’mon, guys: Be serious. Do what you have to do.”

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UFC on ESPN 35 bonuses: Marlon Vera gets $100,000 because of Font’s weight miss

The UFC handed out post-fight bonuses after Saturday’s card, and one fighter got to double dip.

The UFC handed out four post-fight bonuses after Saturday’s card, and one fighter got to double dip.

After UFC on ESPN 35, two fighters picked up an extra $50,000 for their performances in Las Vegas, and another cashed a $100,000 check. Check out the winners below.

Twitter reacts to Marlon Vera’s bloody win over Rob Font at UFC on ESPN 35

See the top Twitter reactions to Marlon Vera’s win over Rob Font in the UFC on ESPN 35 main event.

[autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] achieved his first octagon main event win on Saturday when he defeated [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 35.

Vera (19-7-1 MMA, 13-6 UFC) continued to elevated in the bantamweight division courtesy of a bloody unanimous decision victory over Font (19-6 MMA, 9-5 UFC) in the headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Vera’s victory over Font at UFC on ESPN 35.

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Relentless Marlon Vera loses statistical battle to Rob Font, but takes decision with Font a bloody mess

Rob Font had issues with the scale this week. Then he had issues with a relentless Marlon Vera on Saturday.

[autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] had issues with the scale this week. Then he had issues with a relentless [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] on Saturday.

Font looked great for the first 10 minutes and landed a near-record amount of significant strikes for a UFC bantamweight fight. But Vera came on strong in the later rounds and got his hand raised thanks to four big moments, a lot more visible damage inflicted, and the ability to walk through Font’s constant pressure.

Font’s output was some of the best in UFC bantamweight history in terms of significant strikes. He landed more than 200 in that department. But Vera wasn’t that far behind and landed at a higher percentage. In addition, by the time 25 minutes were through, Font’s face looked like it had been put through a meat grinder – and Vera’s was reasonably clean.

Vera (21-7-1 MMA, 11-6 UFC) beat Font (19-6 MMA, 9-5 UFC), who missed the bantamweight limit on the scale Friday, with a pair of 49-46 scores and a 48-47. The catchweight bout was the UFC on ESPN 35 main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It aired on ESPN.

Vera worked calf kicks early, but Font fired back with a body kick and a left hand. Just 45 seconds in, Font was on the money with a 1-2 punch. His combinations were on point early, and Vera had to continue to look for low kicks to try to keep Font at bay.

But Font pressed forward unencumbered by the kicks and threw punches and elbows. The left jab was there for him, as was a right uppercut. Font peppered in punches to the body, as well, to keep Vera unsure of where to keep his hands.

Vera tried to turn things around in the second by pushing forward with jabs and kicks. But Font made sure that surge didn’t lead to momentum. Font got moving again and kept Vera guessing with a regular stance change. With two minutes left, Vera landed a heavy body kick, but it didn’t seem to slow Font down much. And while Vera had more output in the second, Font continued to throw at will – and to be first with the majority of his strikes.

But with 25 seconds left in the round, Vera landed a left hook that hurt Font and put him on the canvas. He went for a single-leg takedown, purely in defensive mode, and Vera drilled him with hammer fists and punches while he covered up. If the second round was close with the judges, Vera’s late surge likely gave him the frame.

In the third, Font abandoned his striking early and went for a takedown. He couldn’t get Vera to the canvas, though, and the fight went back to the middle. Font worked kicks to the body, and even though his output was high, Vera continued to walk through the offense.

Late in the third, Vera landed a jumping knee that wobbled Font. And after a couple seconds of dizziness, Font fell to the canvas. With less than 10 seconds left, Vera landed a few short elbows, but not enough to get referee Jason Herzog to stop the fight. Still, it may have been enough to sway the judges in Vera’s favor.

Vera was light on his feet in the fourth and looked much fresher than Font. He also looked a lot less damaged than Font, whose face was beat up and cut up.

But with two minutes left in the fourth, Vera landed a kick to the face. Font’s reaction was delayed, but after a couple seconds he fell to the canvas. Instead of a big piece of offense with just a few seconds left, Vera had plenty of time to work with his best land of the night. Vera worked kicks to Font’s legs, but didn’t drop to the canvas with him. It may have given Font time to recover, and after a minute, Herzog let Font back to his feet for the rest of the round.

Font kept coming forward in the fifth, but Vera had the energy and continued to land punches of his own. And while Font may have landed more in the round, Vera landed the harder shots. With a minute left, Vera showed his confidence with a little dance and showboating.

With 20 seconds left, Vera did what he had done several times previously in the fight. He landed a kick that wobbled Font – and once again may have stolen the round.

Vera, from Ecuador, won for the third straight time. That streak is on the heels of a loss to former champion Jose Aldo. After his own decision loss to Aldo this past December, Font lost for the second straight time. Before that, he had four straight wins.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 35 results include:

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UFC on ESPN 35 results: Andrei Arlovski edges Jake Collier, ties ‘Cowboy’ and Jim Miller for most UFC wins

At 43, Andrei Arlovski now finds himself tied for the most wins in octagon history after UFC on ESPN 35.

At 43, [autotag]Andrei Arlovski[/autotag] now finds himself tied for the most wins in UFC history after UFC on ESPN 35.

Arlovski (34-20 MMA, 23-14 UFC), a former UFC heavyweight champion, edged [autotag]Jake Collier[/autotag] (13-7 MMA, 5-6 UFC) by split decision in their heavyweight matchup Saturday. “The Pitbull” traded strikes with his opponent for the majority of three rounds, and ultimately landed on the right end of the judges with a pair of 29-28 scorecards. A third judge had the fight 30-27 for Collier.

The heavyweight bout was the UFC on ESPN 35 co-main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It aired on ESPN.

Collier pushed forward immediately into the clinch to start Round 1, and pressed Arlovski against the fence. They finally broke up almost half way into the round, and from there the striking exchanges picked up. Collier landed some hard shots, but Arlovski kept his composure and returned with his own offense with his punches, knees and kicks in a closely contested opening round.

Both men were fully committed to striking for the first three minutes of Round 2. Arlovski and Collier found a home for the boxing at close range, each landing but failing to stagger each other and take the momentum of the fight. Collier scored his first takedown with less than two minutes remaining, but he couldn’t do anything effective with it before Arlovski stood up. They got into a brief slugfest to close another close round, bringing the small crowd on hand to a raucous cheer.

Collier came out ultra-aggressive to start Round 3. He put Arlovski on he back foot with his pressure and punching output, but just as momentum was swinging his way, there was a third inadvertent head butt of the fight that caused referee Marc Smith to halt the action and issue a warning to both men. Both men showed desperation as the fight entered the final three minutes. There were solid flurries on both ends, but fatigue started to show and the power behind the shots faded. It became a points game at that point, and there were meaningful strikes landed on each side. Collier scored a late takedown, too, but there was no time remaining to do anything.

In the end, two of the three judges valued Arlovski’s work as the more significant, and as a result he got his 23rd UFC win, which ties him with Donald Cerrone and Jim Miller for most on the all-time list.

“It was a hell of a fight,” Arlovski said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “I have a lot of respect for him. Good luck in the future.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 35 results include:

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Joanderson Brito stuns Andre Fili with 41-second finish at UFC on ESPN 35

Andre Fili was the biggest favorite on the UFC on ESPN 35 main card. But Joanderson Brito apparently didn’t care.

[autotag]Andre Fili[/autotag] was the biggest favorite on the UFC on ESPN 35 main card. But [autotag]Joanderson Brito[/autotag] apparently didn’t care.

Brito (13-3-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC) drilled Fili (21-9 MMA, 9-8-1 UFC), who was near 3-1 favorite status, with a right hand early in their featherweight fight. Fili fell to the canvas, and Brito wasted no time following him down.

He only needed about 10 hammer fists, first from his feet, then from his knees, to get referee Herb Dean to step in just 41 seconds into the bout.

Afterward, Brazil’s Brito said learning of the death of an uncle earlier in the day made the win extra special.

The win was Brito’s first in the UFC after coming up short against Bill Algeo in January. Fili’s loss was the first time he’d been finished since a knockout setback to Yair Rodriguez six years ago. His losses since then all had been by decision until Brito stunned him.

UFC on ESPN 35 video: Grant Dawson becomes first to submit Jared Gordon, demands respect

Grant Dawson improved to 18-1-1 in MMA competition with a submission of Jared Gordon at UFC on ESPN 35.

[autotag]Grant Dawson[/autotag] wanted to deliver a strong performance at UFC on ESPN 35 after switching gyms to American Top Team. He did exactly that by finishing [autotag]Jared Gordon[/autotag].

Dawson (18-1-1 MMA, 6-0-1 UFC) remained flawless inside the octagon during his career when he became the first to submit Gordon (18-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in MMA competition courtesy of a rear-naked choke in the third round of their lightweight bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

After taking Gordon’s back repeatedly throughout the fight, Dawson finally locked it in deep enough to force a tap with less than a minute remaining in the final round. Check out his handiwork below (via Twitter):

After extending his unbeaten streak, Dawson said he thinks he’s deserving of more attention at 155 pounds.

“A quick notice to everyone I’m fighting: That’s always going to be my game plan,” Dawson said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “The last time I lost a fight, Barrack Obama was president. I am the most under-appreciated lightweight in the UFC. Put some respect on my name.”

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