Tag: UFC on ESPN 40

Serghei Spivac ready for big leap if he gets quick finish of Augusto Sakai

With four wins in his past five fights, Serghei Spivac may be ready to take the jump to the next level after UFC on ESPN 40.

LAS VEGAS – With four wins in his past five fights, [autotag]Serghei Spivac[/autotag] may be ready to take the jump to the next level.

Spivac was up and down to start his UFC career, but then went on a three-fight winning streak. In September 2021, that streak was halted by the surging Tom Aspinall. But in March, Spivac bounced back and gave Greg Hardy his walking papers with a UFC 272 TKO win.

Now Spivac (14-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) thinks he may be ready to take the leap to the next tier of heavyweights if he has an impressive win over Augusto Sakai (15-4-1 MMA, 4-3 UFC) at UFC on ESPN 40, which takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

Check out Spivac’s full media day interview in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 40.

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Ariane Lipski predicts exciting showdown with Priscila Cachoeira at UFC on ESPN 40

After a delay in her quest to put together a winning streak, Ariane Lipski returns Saturday.

LAS VEGAS – After a delay in her quest to put together a winning streak, [autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag] returns Saturday.

Lipski (14-7 MMA, 3-4 UFC) takes on Priscila Cachoeira (11-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC) in a women’s flyweight bout to open the main card at UFC on ESPN 40 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

Lipski was supposed to fight J.J. Aldrich in March, but had to miss that fight. Now she hopes her fight with fellow Brazilian Cachoeira can be the kind of exciting showdown that not only gets her back on the division’s radar, but puts her on a winning streak.

Lipski beat Mandy Bohm in September 2021 to snap a two-fight skid of TKO losses to Antonina Shevchenko and Montana De La Rosa.

Check out Lipski’s full media day interview in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 40.

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Mohammed Usman loves comparisons with brother Kamaru ahead of UFC on ESPN 40

Mohammed Usman doesn’t mind regularly being linked to his brother, UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman. In fact, he loves it.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Mohammed Usman[/autotag] doesn’t mind regularly being linked to his brother Kamaru. In fact, he loves it.

Usman (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is the younger brother of UFC welterweight champion and No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag], something that the Season 30 “Ultimate Fighter” finalist is very proud of.

“I love it,” Usman told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 40 media day. “He’s an Usman. It’s our last name. I’m here because of my brother for the aspect of he started fighting before me.”

Make no mistake about it though, Usman says his brother’s name and success  didn’t grant him any undeserved opportunities or an easier path than the rest of the fighters. Usman has experience competing for Titan FC and PFL and now finds himself in the “TUF 30” heavyweight final against Zac Pauga (5-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), which takes place Saturday at UFC on ESPN 40.

“I had to put the work in to get here,” Usman said. “Fighting is fighting. It’s not, ‘Oh, Kamaru’s your brother. Now let’s just push you up here. You’re in the “Ultimate Fighter” finale. , you don’t have to fight these two hard monsters that are coming in at 265 pounds to be here. We’ll just put you here because your brother is Kamaru Usman.’

“That’s false. Everything about fighting is yourself. That’s why I love it so much, because as much as people speak about my brother, that’s why I love it because I’m still the one that has to go out there and compete and have to fight and have to win for you guys to even be up here and talk crap to me and tell me about my brother. If I don’t win, I’m not even getting up here and looking at you guys.”

UFC on ESPN 40 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 40.

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Zac Pauga expected to face Mohammed Usman in ‘TUF’ final: ‘He knows I’m better than him’

Zac Pauga and Mohammed Usman had history before joining the UFC’s Season 30 of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Zac Pauga[/autotag] and [autotag]Mohammed Usman[/autotag] had history before joining Season 30 of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

The pair will battle for the “TUF 30” heavyweight crown on Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 40 main card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

Pauga (5-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) says he and Usman (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) trained together prior to the show, so he wasn’t surprised to see him make the final. However, Pauga is confident that he’ll get the better of him when they fight.

“I know Mohammed really well, actually,” Pauga told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 40 media day. “We trained together for two years before the show and we’re on the same team on the show. He’s super explosive and he’s super strong, and so at heavyweight, he has what every heavyweight has. He can put your lights out at any second.

“I knew this is what the finals were going to be. Day 1, when we both got accepted to the show, I knew this is what it was going to be unless they made us fight each other on the show. And the knowledge favors me, in my opinion, because I know how fast he is, I know how strong he is, and that’s what he brings to the game. He knows I’m better than him, and there’s nothing he can do about that.”

All of Pauga’s fights prior to “TUF 30” were at light heavyweight, so he doesn’t see heavyweight in his foreseeable future. But if he wins the show, he plans on taking out specific heavyweights before making the move back down.

“There’s a lot of heavyweights that were signed during COVID that I’d really like to beat up and I don’t think are very good,” Pauga said. “But when I say that I want to be the UFC champion, I mean the light heavyweight champion.

“I’ll tell you their names right now: Parker Porter, Jake Collier. They got lucky that they had the fights when COVID was going and they just needed anyone who could show up and fight. And after I beat Mohammed, I would love to come in and beat those guys, too.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 40.

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MMA Junkie Radio #3283: PFL and UFC previews, McGregor in the movies and more

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


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

On Episode 3,283, the guys look ahead to Friday’s first night of 2022 PFL playoffs and Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 40 card. They discuss Conor McGregor’s upcoming movie debut and Colby Covington’s poker tournament success. And they break down all the latest MMA news. Tune in!

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.

UFC on ESPN 40’s Brogan Walker using Amanda Nunes’ performance vs. Julianna Peña as inspiration

Brogan Walker is looking to make Juliana Miller’s pressure work against her.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Brogan Walker[/autotag] is looking to make [autotag]Juliana Miller[/autotag]’s pressure work against her.

Walker (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) meets Miller (2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 40 main card at the UFC Apex, where the Season 30 “Ultimate Fighter” women’s flyweight winner will be crowned.

After watching her coach on the show, [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag], use her precision to make Julianna Peña pay with every entry in their bantamweight title fight at UFC 277, Walker plans on implementing a similar game plan.

“There’s a storm coming for sure,” Walker told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 40 media day. “I’m prepared for that. But going back to the styles, with the styles that we have here in this matchup with Juliana and I, I see it as just one of those highlight-reel finishes – that pressure coming in, me timing it. You guys watched the Amanda and Julianna (Peña) fight. My coach fought a lot like me in that fight.

“She fought southpaw, she took her time, she adjusted with the pressure and she just remained patient and got that good timing, good connections on everything and real responsive. I either see it going just like that, except more blood, or I see one of those highlight-reel knockouts coming in against that pressure.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 40.

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Juliana Miller wants to teach Brogan Walker a lesson for ‘talking smack’ ahead of UFC on ESPN 40

Juliana Miller plans on surprising Brogan Walker just like she has everyone else.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Juliana Miller[/autotag] plans on surprising [autotag]Brogan Walker[/autotag] just like she has everyone else.

With just three professional bouts, Miller (2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) was not expected to make it to the Season 30 “Ultimate Fighter” women’s flyweight final. But she finds herself across from the more experienced Walker for a shot at a UFC contract on Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 40 main card.

Walker (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) said she aims on mimicking Amanda Nunes’ dominant title-winning performance against Julianna Peña at UFC 277 and put Miller on her highlight reel, but Miller is ready to make her pay for her words.

“As I’m sure you all have heard time and time again, she has so much more experience than me. She’s been fighting forever and said is going to knock me the F out as soon as I step forward,” Miller told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 40 media day. “Almost all of that is true. She is a more experienced fighter. She’s been in here forever. She’s incredibly strong. She’s got a brick-like body – from top to bottom, just absolutely solid. However, she’s not a fan favorite because she’s not entertaining to watch.

“I’m here to bring the entertainment, to bring the fun, to bring a dogfight, to show you guys why you’re fans of this sport. We’re here for war. It’s not just about winning. It’s about your energy and your showmanship throughout the entirety of the process. And to be quite frank, I like teaching people a lesson – so I’m here to humbly give that to Brogan about all the mean things she’s been saying, because I’ve been nothing short of respectful. I do think she’s an incredible fighter and there’s a reason we’re face to face here in the finale, and I’m quite excited to put on that show.”

Miller would love to reciprocate Walker’s prediction and say she will starch her early, but sees Walker avoiding a fight and trying to grapple her way to a decision.

“She talked so much smack about knocking me out,” Miller said. “I would love the alternative where I land and I stand and look over her like, ‘Oh, look where you’re at now’ – just that moment of satisfaction of, ‘Hey, you said you’re going to do this to me, look what I’m going to do to you.’ I’ve also seen the altercation of us on the ground and getting the dominant finish with a TKO. I’ve watched myself submit her. There is endless options.

“However, realistically, on paper, how I believe going to go is this is going to be a three-round fight. Brogan is going to throw one or two punches, circle away, run away. When she feels my power, I think she’s going to try and clinch and hold me on the cage. If she can get a snap down, she’ll do her double overs, stick her tummy right to the dirt and try to hold me there until infinity because this is what she does every single fight.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 40.

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Juliana Miller wants to teach Brogan Walker a lesson for ‘talking smack’ ahead of UFC on ESPN 40

Juliana Miller plans on surprising Brogan Walker just like she has everyone else.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Juliana Miller[/autotag] plans on surprising [autotag]Brogan Walker[/autotag] just like she has everyone else.

With just three professional bouts, Miller (2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) was not expected to make it to the Season 30 “Ultimate Fighter” women’s flyweight final. But she finds herself across from the more experienced Walker for a shot at a UFC contract on Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 40 main card.

Walker (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) said she aims on mimicking Amanda Nunes’ dominant title-winning performance against Julianna Peña at UFC 277 and put Miller on her highlight reel, but Miller is ready to make her pay for her words.

“As I’m sure you all have heard time and time again, she has so much more experience than me. She’s been fighting forever and said is going to knock me the F out as soon as I step forward,” Miller told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 40 media day. “Almost all of that is true. She is a more experienced fighter. She’s been in here forever. She’s incredibly strong. She’s got a brick-like body – from top to bottom, just absolutely solid. However, she’s not a fan favorite because she’s not entertaining to watch.

“I’m here to bring the entertainment, to bring the fun, to bring a dogfight, to show you guys why you’re fans of this sport. We’re here for war. It’s not just about winning. It’s about your energy and your showmanship throughout the entirety of the process. And to be quite frank, I like teaching people a lesson – so I’m here to humbly give that to Brogan about all the mean things she’s been saying, because I’ve been nothing short of respectful. I do think she’s an incredible fighter and there’s a reason we’re face to face here in the finale, and I’m quite excited to put on that show.”

Miller would love to reciprocate Walker’s prediction and say she will starch her early, but sees Walker avoiding a fight and trying to grapple her way to a decision.

“She talked so much smack about knocking me out,” Miller said. “I would love the alternative where I land and I stand and look over her like, ‘Oh, look where you’re at now’ – just that moment of satisfaction of, ‘Hey, you said you’re going to do this to me, look what I’m going to do to you.’ I’ve also seen the altercation of us on the ground and getting the dominant finish with a TKO. I’ve watched myself submit her. There is endless options.

“However, realistically, on paper, how I believe going to go is this is going to be a three-round fight. Brogan is going to throw one or two punches, circle away, run away. When she feels my power, I think she’s going to try and clinch and hold me on the cage. If she can get a snap down, she’ll do her double overs, stick her tummy right to the dirt and try to hold me there until infinity because this is what she does every single fight.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 40.

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Despite setback, Vicente Luque thinks he’s closer than ever to title ahead of UFC on ESPN 40

Vicente Luque predicts he’ll earn a Fight of the Night bonus, finish, and solidification of top contender status at UFC on ESPN 40.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag] has had bumps in the road, even as recently as April when he lost to Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision.

Entering Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 40 co-main event with Geoff Neal, however, Luque (21-8-1 MMA, 14-4 UFC) thinks he’s closer than ever to UFC welterweight gold. With the focus on the short-term, Luque told reporters at Wednesday’s media day he’d be lying if he said the long-term wasn’t on his mind, too.

“It’s hard for me not to think about it, but that’s not the focus,” Luque told MMA Junkie. “The focus right now is beating Geoff. He’s the man. He’s the guy I’ve got to go past to move back into that title conversation, which I was (in) and I can get back to. I see I’m closer to the title fight than I’ve ever been, even with a setback. It didn’t set me that back. A win over Geoff can put me back into the mix. That’s the focus right now, get back into that mix, get a big win. It’s got to be a big one against Geoff. Then, we can think about what’s next.”

Luque, No. 8 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie welterweight rankings, is positioned for another contender against No. 15-ranked Neal (14-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) on the card at the UFC Apex, which airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+. Many fans have it circled on their bout sheets, and Luque plans to live up to the hype.

“Geoff is a guy I watched even before I was lined up to fight him. I like his style,” Luque said. “I enjoy watching his fights. I think we match perfectly. It’s going to be possibly and most likely the Fight of the Night. We’re going to out there and do what we do which is try to knock each other out. He’s tough (and) I’m tough, so that’s not going to be a quick one. But I do believe I can finish him and I think that he believes he can finish me, so it’s going to be nice to watch that challenge.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 40.

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UFC on ESPN 40 headliner Jamahal Hill proudly calls himself best Dana White’s Contender Series fighter so far

Sean O’Malley, Kevin Holland, and Alex Perez have been good – but not as good – according to Jamahal Hill.

LAS VEGAS – When [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] looks over the fighters who came off Dana White’s Contender Series, one name sits atop the list – his own.

Ahead of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 40 and what will be his second main event, Hill (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) voiced his confidence he is the best alumnus from the series, which is currently in the midst of Season 6.

“I just put it out there because I feel like, to me, it’s true,” Hill told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 40 media day. “I don’t think anybody that’s come of the Contender Series has beat the level of competition repeatedly that I have in the fashion that I have, or have the trajectory that I have. … I don’t know anybody off Contender Series who got (two main events).”

The claim Hill made Wednesday wasn’t the first time. He recently expressed his self-ranking on Twitter, and entered Sean O’Malley into the conversation. While Hill still thinks he’s a step above, O’Malley is on his short-list behind him.

“Outside of myself, the top three Contender Series alums I’d say would be Sean O’Malley, Kevin Holland, and Alex Perez,” Hill said. “… Not so much in that order, but just like that.”

Regardless if he’s the best, worst, or most middle DWCS alum of all time, Hill has a task in front of him Saturday in the form of former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos (22-10 MMA, 14-9 UFC).

The spot is big and it’s possible Hill could set himself up to be in the title discussion with a victory. Even though Santos is 1-4 in his most recent five, Hill is preparing for the best version of his opponent yet.

“I feel like he is a dangerous guy,” Hill said. “I feel like he still possesses that danger and he’s still to be respected. People always talk about the Paul Craig thing (with me). I learned to respect the game. He’s going to get that respect. Know with that respect comes with a lot of f*cking pain and punishment.

“… I don’t give a f*ck, for the simple fact of I’m not going to sit here and be like… what do you think I’m in the gym training like, ‘Oh, he’s not who he used to be, so I don’t have to worry.’ No. I train for him to be the best fighter in the world. It goes with that respect for the game. I’ve heard people say, ‘Oh, he’s not the Thiago he used be, the old Thiago.’ Even if he was still the Thiago Santos that stepped in front of Jon Jones, I’d still whoop his ass. Period. It’s not going to change what’s going to happen – at all.”

UFC on ESPN 40 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 40.

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