Tag: UFC on ESPN 41

UFC in 2022: A ridiculously robust look at the stats, streaks, skids and record-setters

Check out a full recap of 2022’s most significant footnotes and milestones from the events, the fights and individual performances.

Now that the year has come to a close, and with a major assist from UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll, here are some of 2022’s most significant milestones from the events, the fights and individual performances in the octagon.

Video: See the all-too-real immediate aftermath of Marlon Vera’s win over Dominick Cruz

Check out the all-too-real aftermath, as Marlon Vera and Dominick Cruz process what happened, as they sit in their locker rooms.

The energy of a UFC main event is always palpable, as was the case with UFC on ESPN 41 in San Diego. Add a big knockout into the combustibility and the rush of cheers is deafening.

When [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] knocked [autotag]Dominick Cruz[/autotag] out with a nose-breaking head kick Aug. 13, the venue was shot into a frenzy. Supporters of Vera and Cruz had opposite levels of elation in the final result, but many across the board were sent home with a level of awe and appreciation.

For the two men involved in the main event, the polar-opposite emotions were magnified, as seen in a recently-released behind-the-scenes video by UFC broadcast partner ESPN.

The video begins during the cage exits. Cruz, devastated, appears to be trying to come to grips with what happened from his first true knockout defeat. He checks out his newly-dented nose and largely sits in silence, with the exception of a few expletives. Meanwhile, it’s a family affair for Vera, who celebrates with his wife, children, parents, and management in the locker room and hotel.

Check out the video entitled “UFC Journey” above.

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Video: Is Marlon Vera a legitimate UFC bantamweight title contender after his Dominick Cruz KO?

Marlon Vera picked up his signature win this past Saturday at UFC on ESPN 41. But is he a bonafide bantamweight title contender?

[autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] picked up his signature win this past Saturday at UFC on ESPN 41.

Vera was in a highly competitive fight with former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz in the main event in front of Cruz’s home fans in San Diego. In fact, Cruz was up 2-1 on the scorecards heading into the fourth round.

But almost out of nowhere, Vera found an opening and landed a left kick to Cruz’s face that put the ex-champ on the canvas and knocked out for just the second time in his career.

The 29-year-old Vera now has knockout wins over Cruz and another former champ, Frankie Edgar, as part of his four-fight winning streak, and also has a TKO win over Sean O’Malley on his resume. He’s now No. 5 in the UFC’s official bantamweight rankings.

So is it time for the MMA world to take Vera seriously as a bantamweight title contender? That’s what we asked our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Simon Samano, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Danny Segura, along with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia.

Check out their reaction in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s full episode below.

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Tuesday on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch the full episode in the video below.

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Yazmin Jauregui flattered by hype, but refuses to let it affect her: ‘My work needs to speak for itself’

Yazmin Jauregui staying grounded despite career hype.

[autotag]Yazmin Jauregui[/autotag] is grateful the MMA world took notice of her talent, but that’s as far she’s going to let her hype go.

The 23-year-old UFC strawweight prospect made her debut last Saturday at UFC on ESPN 41 in San Diego and it was clear it wasn’t any ordinary debut in the octagon.

The UFC placed Jauregui (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) on the main card of the event and had her fight in the last bout before the main and co-main event fights. The Mexican fighter also received a good initial contract, better than the standard newcomer UFC deal, and even got a personal greeting from UFC president Dana White after her unanimous decision win over Iasmin Lucindo.

Jauregui is happy that both fans and the UFC are high on her ceiling, but she refuses to let that hype get to her head.

“Yeah, in many ways I do see it, but my work needs to speak for itself,” Jauregui told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I love what I do. I love being in the gym. I love training and fighting. The cage is mine, the cage is mine.

“So regardless of what the fans are saying or the contract, it’s based on the work and dedication that I have put in. So yeah, I’m very happy and thankful because many of you know, I’m a mother and I have someone that depends on me, someone I have to look out for. So, I’m happy that (the UFC) admires my work, and they reward me in that manner.”

Jauregui feels the support from fans after an impressive debut performance, but won’t rest on her first impression to the UFC audience.

“I don’t get caught up in that,” Jauregui said. “I’m just doing my job. Like I’ve said before, I’m taking things step by step. The public are in my favor and I adore that, and I’m very motivated by it, but I’m still doing my work little by little and that’s what’s important to me.”

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Jauregui is currently undefeated in her MMA career. She’s been competing since late 2018 and has notched now nine consecutive wins. Although this might be her first UFC fight, Jauregui is not shy to make her intentions known.

“Yeah, I think about (the UFC belt) because it’s a goal that I have set for myself,” Jauregui said. “I didn’t say it in the octagon because I don’t want to come off like, ‘I’m already going to be champion,’ you know what I mean?

“I want to remain grounded, but that’s one of the goals – that’s the goal. Right now, I see myself having two more fights, winning, then entering the rankings, winning, and like that. And at some point fight for the belt. That’s the biggest goal and that’s my dream.”

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Yazmin Jauregui praises Iasmin Lucindo after tough UFC San Diego win: ‘We’re the future of the division’

Yazmin Jauregui gives Iasmin Lucindo her due after sharing the UFC octagon with her for 15 minutes.

[autotag]Yazmin Jauregui[/autotag] has nothing but respect for the first opponent of her UFC career.

The highly touted Mexican prospect made her debut with the UFC this past Saturday, taking on fellow newcomer [autotag]Iasmin Lucindo[/autotag] in a strawweight matchup on the main card of UFC on ESPN 41 in San Diego, Calif. Jauregui (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) won the fight by unanimous decision, and in the process, put on a non-stop war that had fans raving about her performance.

However, it takes two to put on a good fight, and Jauregui is happy to give Lucindo her due.

“Of course, we’re the future of the division, I add Lucindo in there as well,” Jauregui told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “Lucindo is a young fighter with a lot of heart, gritty, so I don’t have a doubt that we’re going to be fighting the top girls in the future, and we’re going to give the public a show. I agree with the fans and Dana White, who were saying the same thing.”

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Jauregui is happy with her showing in her octagon debut. She feels she could’ve done far better, but she takes pride in giving the fans an exciting fight and keeping her unbeaten record.

“I’m happy with the work Lucindo and I did in the cage,” Jaurgi said. “I already analyzed the fight. I began analyzing the fight as soon as it was over.

“I didn’t even have my hand raised, and I knew I had won. I had the better boxing and I connected more. I think maybe I could’ve finished her, but maybe I lacked commitment in the final round. And in the first round, I think it would’ve been better for me to wait for her a bit more and be more cautious rather than come out with everything just to see how she reacts, because hey, Lucindo had a sh*t ton of power in her hands.

“So maybe I would’ve like to be a bit more patient in that area, but regardless, I wasn’t going to let the moment beat me. I was ready for war, and I was taking that win.”

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UFC’s Loopy Godinez doesn’t regret fighting Angela Hill on short notice but wants full camp for return

Loopy Godinez isn’t making any excuses for losing to Angela Hill and vows to improve greatly for her next UFC fight.

UFC strawweight prospect [autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag] is keeping her head held high.

Godinez is staying positive following her defeat to former Invicta FC champion Angela Hill at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 41 in San Diego. Godinez (8-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) lost a competitive, hard-fought unanimous decision to Hill, which snapped a two-fight winning streak for the Mexican.

Godinez, who took the fight on 10 days’ notice, said she learned plenty and is ready to make improvements to her game.

“She’s up there for a reason, she’s fought the best in the division, and she’s got her experience  – you can feel it,” Godinez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I’m very happy I got the opportunity to fight her. I learned a lot, and my career is just getting started. It was a good test for me to improve.”

Godinez had been preparing for an October return when she got the call to fight Hill. The 28-year-old doesn’t want to take anything away from Hill’s performance, but she did admit she didn’t enter UFC on ESPN 41 in peak condition.

“I don’t want to make excuses, but since you’re asking, yeah, it affected a bit (to take the fight on short notice),” Godinez said. “I was told I was fighting in October, so the coaches and I have a timing geared towards fighting in October. I’m not going to start killing myself three months or four months before obviously.

“We started to work little by little, and in my last fight I had also hurt my hip, and I was recovering, so I was just little by little getting back to training. … So to put it simply, I got the opportunity to fight before (October), and we said yes. You know I like to fight and be up there.

“Many people have asked me if I regret taking the fight on short notice, like the ones I have lost, and no. I’m going to return to the gym and work. Angela did an excellent job, and for my next fight I’m going to be even better and much improved. So it’s all about learning. There’s nothing left to do but learn and move forward.”

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Godinez would like to get a third fight in sometime in November or December before 2022 is over. The only caveat is that she would like to have a full camp to prepare. The fight against Hill was her fourth short-notice bout.

“For this next fight, I need to improve a lot, so I deserve a (full camp),” Godinez said. “I’ve said yes to everything they’ve offered me. I think I deserve one or two complete camps. I deserve it, and I hope I get them.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 41.

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Henry Cejudo encourages Dominick Cruz to keep fighting: ‘I think there’s still a lot in you’

Henry Cejudo doesn’t think Dominick Cruz should retire after his knockout loss at UFC on ESPN 41.

[autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] doesn’t think [autotag]Dominick Cruz[/autotag] should retire after his loss at UFC on ESPN 41.

Cruz (24-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) was on the receiving end of a head-kick knockout courtesy of Marlon Vera in Round 4 this past Saturday at Pechanga Arena in San Diego for his third loss in his past five fights.

Cejudo (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) was the first man to finish Cruz by strikes when he scored a TKO victory in their title fight at UFC 249 in May 2020. But despite the former champion’s recent mixed results, Cejudo had him winning the fight before the stoppage and so did the judges.

“What can I say about Dominick? I thought he looked good,” Cejudo posted on social media. “I don’t think he should retire. I think there’s the fight with Frankie Edgar. I think there’s Jose Aldo. I think there’s a legendary fight. So, Dominick, I thought you looked good. I thought you were winning the fight. So, I wouldn’t retire, man. As much as I don’t compliment you, I think there’s still a lot in you.”

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Cruz released a positive statement following his knockout loss to “Chito,” but he didn’t directly address his fighting future. He will return to the commentary desk for UFC 279 on Sept. 10.

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Nate Landwehr: Wild UFC on ESPN 41 win over David Onama ‘was a great time’

Nate Landwehr had a blast during his win over David Onama, which was a brutal and frenetic Fight of the Year contender at UFC San Diego.

[autotag]Nate Landwehr[/autotag] stole the show this past Saturday at UFC on ESPN 41.

The UFC featherweight put himself on the map with his gutsy, Fight of the Night win over David Onama at Pechanga Arena in San Diego. Landwehr (16-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) won a majority decision after going back-and-forth in an all-out war with Onama (10-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) in the co-main event.

The fight was one of the most talked-about moments of the weekend and should be considered a Fight of the Year contender. And Landwehr enjoyed every minute of it.

“Yeah, I’ve had a lot of fun,” Landwehr said on “The MMA Hour.” “All my fights in Russia were badass fights. I also had some badass fights on the regional scene, and I’m glad I brought that to the UFC.”

Landwehr got tagged bad in the first round and looked close to succumbing to Onama’s power. The 34-year-old admits he had it tough early, but there was no way he was quitting.

“I mean, he caught me with a good one,” Landwehr said. “All you can do is keep going. What was I going to say? ‘Mama I can’t go?'”

He later added, “I got the heart of a champion, and everyone that’s around me knows that. There ain’t no stopping me.”

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Landwehr bounced back in Round 2 to put a beating on Onama. Two of the three judges scored the round 10-8 for Landwehr, who believes he could’ve stopped Onama but got caught up entertaining the crowd.

“It was half my fault too,” Landwehr said. “I mean, I was having a good time. It was a great time. I think everything played out well. ..

“I could’ve finished it a couple of times, but that’s in the past and onto the next. I think anytime I would’ve started rapid fire for 10 seconds straight and the ref would’ve called it. In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have let his ass up the last time because he clocked my ass. … But no, I think I got more notoriety doing it how it went.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 41.

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Dominick Cruz stays positive after UFC San Diego knockout loss to ‘Chito’ Vera

Dominick Cruz appears to be in good spirits in the aftermath of a difficult loss to Marlon Vera at UFC on ESPN 41.

[autotag]Dominick Cruz[/autotag] appears to be in good spirits in the aftermath of a difficult loss to Marlon Vera in the UFC on ESPN 41 main event.

Cruz (24-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC), a former two-time UFC bantamweight champion, was knocked out by Vera (20-7-1 MMA, 14-6 UFC) this past Saturday in his hometown of San Diego, bringing the end to his two-fight winning streak and push toward the top of the division for another title reign.

Although he’d been stopped with strikes previously, the head kick from “Chito” put him down unlike any previous defeat, and as a result raised questions about his fighting future at 37.

Cruz is seemingly taking the outcome in stride, however, and on Monday issued his first statement, which revolved around noting that he’s in good health (via Instagram):

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChStxCSPsyZ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

I’m grateful to all of you who came out on Saturday, and for all the love and support here! The body feels great and I’m thankful for my health. I’ll be seeing you all next up on September 10th at the desk
☯️🙏 #TeamCruz

Cruz said his body is in good shape but made no mention of damage to his nose by Vera’s nasty kick.

“The Dominator” also failed to provide any clear directive about what the future holds, other than noting he will be on commentary for UFC 279 on Sept. 10 in Las Vegas.

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UFC on ESPN 41: Marlon Vera noquea a Dominick Cruz con patada a la cabeza, Twitter reacciona

El sábado, Marlon Vera obtuvo su más grande victoria hasta la fecha cuando derrotó a Dominick Cruz en el evento principal de UFC on ESPN 41 . Con una victoria por KO en el cuarto round contra el antiguo campeón de la UFC/WEC Cruz (24-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) …

El sábado, Marlon Vera obtuvo su más grande victoria hasta la fecha cuando derrotó a Dominick Cruz en el evento principal de UFC on ESPN 41.

Con una victoria por KO en el cuarto round contra el antiguo campeón de la UFC/WEC Cruz (24-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) en el Pechanga Arena de San Diego, Vera (20-7-1 MMA, 14-6 UFC) continuó añadiendo puntos a su caso para tener una oportunidad para pelear por el título de peso gallo.

“Chito” ahora lleva 10 victorias en sus últimas 12 peleas y añadió un segundo campeón de UFC a su nombre, junto con Frankie Edgar.

Vean aquí abajo las principales reacciones en Twitter sobre la victoria de Vera sobre Cruz en UFC on ESPN 41.

Traducción: ¡Es hora! Marlon Vera vs Dominick Cruz empieza AHORA en el evento principal de #UFCSANDIEGO.
Sigue el paso a paso en: bit.ly/3PneWEY

 

Traducción: El héroe de casa hace su entrada.

 

Traducción: ¿Quién está listo para el SHOW DE CHITO?

 

Traducción: Que empiece la batalla.

 

Traducción: Cruz — gran presión, golpes al cuerpo, movimiento
Vera — paciente, no cae, buenas patadas al centro
Cruz 20-19 después de dos rounds.

 

Traducción: Es tan extraño ver a Cruz así de agresivo.

 

Traducción: Vera acaba de acelerar motores. Los últimos dos rounds estarán MUY interesantes.

 

Traducción: Pasamos a los rounds de campeonato.

 

Traducción: Marlon Vera le pone el alto a Dominick Cruz con una patada a la cabeza y se convierte en el primer peso gallo en la historia con 10 victorias en la UFC.

 

Traducción: Resultados #UFCSanDiego: Marlon Vera (@ChitVeraUFC) derrotó a Dominick Cruz con un nocaut (patada a la cabeza, golpes) – Round 4, 2:17.

 

Traducción: ¡¡¡¡¡OOOOHHHH POOOOOR DIOOOOOOOOS!!!!

 

Traducción: NO. NECESITAMOS. PALABRAS.

 

Traducción: EL SHOW DE CHITO CUMPLIÓ.

 

Traducción: ¡Chito Vera no tiene ni 30 años! ¡Debería tener muy buenos años frente a él!

 

Traducción: Dominic estaba ganando esa pelea fácilmente (4-0), baja mucho la cabeza y esa es la misma forma en la que yo también lo noqueé. Chito ganó, pero su desempeño no me dejó impresionado. Retrocede mucho y obtiene punto peleó toda la pelea. Chito pudo haber terminado con él un para de veces y no lo hizo.

 

Artículo traducido por Ana Lucía Toledo

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