Tag: UFC on ESPN 43

UFC on ESPN 43 reactions: Winning and losing fighters on social media

UFC on ESPN 43 winners and losers react on social media outlets such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Since the early days when the sport was anything but a mainstream endeavor, the MMA industry has thrived and survived through various websites, forums, and – perhaps most importantly – social-media platforms.

Fighters interact with fans, each other and many more through the likes of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, which helps outsiders get a deeper look into the minds of the athletes.

Following Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 43 in San Antonio, several of the winning and losing fighters, along with their coaches, training partners or family members, took to social media to react to the event or share a message with supporters.

Check out some of those reactions.

The defeated

Video: Did Corey Sandhagen impress or Marlon Vera disappoint in UFC on ESPN 43 main event?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” gives their thoughts on Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera’s performances in the UFC on ESPN 43 main event.

The bantamweight division’s top contender picture became a little clearer after UFC on ESPN 43, but it’s still crowded at the top.

In the main event at AT&T Center in San Antonio, [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] put his unique offense to work over 25 minutes to pick up a split decision win over [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag]. The official result was a questionable one, as a rogue Texas judge somehow saw the fight in Vera’s favor. Luckily for Sandhagen, the other two judges recognized the fight was pretty much one-way traffic.

Given that Sandhagen styled on Vera over the course of five rounds, how should this fight be viewed? Was this an impressive display by Sandhagen, who now finds himself on the short list of names vying for a shot at Aljamain Sterling’s title, or was this a disappointing effort from Vera, who may have not brought his best stuff to the cage?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” of Mike Bohn, Nolan King, and Brian “Goze” Garcia gave their thoughts along with host Simon Samano. Check out their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s full episode below.

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel.

 

Emotional Lucas Alexander opens up about fighting at UFC on ESPN 43 after friend’s death

Lucas Alexander sent Steven Peterson into retirement at UFC on ESPN 43, but he was thinking about his tribute to the death of a friend.

SAN ANTONIO – [autotag]Lucas Alexander[/autotag] beat Steven Peterson with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 43 at AT&T Center in San Antonio.

Take a look inside the fight with Alexander, who sent Peterson into retirement with the win.

Henry Cejudo rips Marlon Vera’s takedown defense in loss to Cory Sandhagen: ‘Get to the back of the line’

Henry Cejudo was not impressed with Marlon Vera at UFC on ESPN 43.

[autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] was not impressed with [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag]’s takedown defense at UFC on ESPN 43.

Cory Sandhagen (17-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) landed three takedowns en route to a split-decision win over Vera (20-8-1 MMA, 14-7 UFC) in this past Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 43 headliner in San Antonio.

In the lead-up to the fight, Vera said Cejudo is likely returning because he’s broke, and the former UFC dual champion’s reaction to “Chito’s” loss wasn’t a kind one.

“Hey @chitoveraUFC your takedown defense is almost as bad as that p*ssy on the back of your head. Get to the back of the line 🏆🏆🏆 #UFCSanAntonio.”

One of the judges scored the fight in favor of Vera, which had Cejudo outraged.

“Five rounds to zero,” Cejudo said he scored the fight on his YouTube channel. “Even though he (Vera) was aggressive at the end, five rounds to zero, Cory ‘The Sandman’ Sandhagen.”

He continued, “Dude these judges are so stupid, man.”

Cejudo challenges champion Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title in the UFC 288 main event on May 6. When criticizing the judges, Cejudo took a jab at Sean O’Malley, who edged out Petr Yan in a close decision at UFC 280.

“With these judges losing their dam minds. I’m coming prepared for May 6th. #andnew.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 43.

Michael Bisping: Marlon Vera a slow starter by nature, and that really cost him vs. Cory Sandhagen

Michael Bisping thinks Marlon Vera needed to get going a lot sooner against Cory Sandhagen at UFC on ESPN 43.

[autotag]Michael Bisping[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] needed to get going a lot sooner against [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag].

Vera (20-8-1 MMA, 14-7 UFC) dropped a split decision to Sandhagen (17-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) in this past Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 43 headliner in San Antonio, losing Rounds 1 and 2 on all three judges’ scorecards.

Vera is notorious for being a slow starter, but he’d been able to prevail regardless during a four-fight winning streak. But against Sandhagen, “Chito” appeared tentative and wasn’t able to rally with a finish.

“Marlon Vera took his time just like always,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “He is a slow starter by nature, and that really cost him tonight. Listen, I’m not taking away from Sandhagen. Sandhagen was sensational, certainly at the start.

“He forced the takedowns at the beginning, always got a smart game plan. He’s a very sophisticated fighter, sophisticated striker, did fantastic work, put it on ‘Chito’ right from the beginning. (Jason) Parillo was imploring Marlon, ‘Come on, you can’t go two rounds down’ and then he played catchup.”

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Vera started to put his foot on the gas pedal in the latter rounds, but Sandhagen’s constant movement and varied attack with takedowns threw him off. Bisping credited his good friend Vera for showing a sense of urgency as the rounds went by, but acknowledged that it was too late.

“The first two rounds, Sandhagen got really far ahead,” Bisping said. “I think he was something like 120 strikes to 30 or something like that, and that’s what cost him the fight. Marlon just took his time. Parillo was like, ‘What is wrong with you? Is everything OK? Is there an issue? Something I need to know about?’ Marlon afterward said he was very flat. In the third round, he came alive. Certainly started to put more pressure on, started to land some shots, and I love ‘Chito.’

“He’s a good friend of mine, but he actually started to fight. Didn’t fight in Rounds 1 and 2. Round 4 did better, Round 5 did better, but it was too little too late. Sandhagen, you can’t do that. You can’t allow someone like that to get that kind of advantage. He moves so well, he overloads you with information. He’s constantly switching stances, throwing varied attacks, beautiful shots, beautiful jabs, fantastic uppercuts.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 43.

Merab Dvalishvili responds to ‘dangerous’ Cory Sandhagen’s callout: ‘I would love to clean the division’

Merab Dvalishvili welcomes Cory Sandhagen’s callout after UFC on ESPN 43.

[autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] welcomes [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag]’s callout.

After defeating Marlon Vera in this past Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 43 headliner in San Antonio, Sandhagen (17-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) issued the streaking Dvalishvili (16-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) a callout, dubbing him the best fighter in the division outside of the title fight.

Speaking to ESPN, Dvalishvili accepted Sandhagen’s challenge and gave the former interim title challenger high praise.

“I love the match because he’s great,” Dvalishvili said. “He’s a high-level fighter. Now he will be ranked maybe No. 3, so I love the fight. This guy (Sterling) is my friend. He’s the champion for a reason, and I would love to clean the division. I would love a new challenge. He called me. It makes sense, and I would love to fight him anytime.

“He’s good, he’s very technical, footwork, he has jiu-jitsu and everything. Even (though) I beat Petr and Petr beat him, I don’t overlook him. He’s dangerous, he’s a good fighter, he proved today by beating a tough ‘Chito’ Vera, and I would love to fight him.”

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Dvalishvili has made his stance clear that he will not fight for the title as long as his friend and teammate, Aljamain Sterling, is champion. Dvalishvili earned the No. 1 spot in the UFC’s bantamweight rankings after scoring a shutout of former champion Petr Yan earlier this month.

Sterling defends his title against former dual champ Henry Cejudo in the UFC 288 main event on May 6, and Dvalishvili thinks Sterling has the edge everywhere.

“Aljo will dominate everywhere, even striking,” Dvalishvili said. “And if the fight lands to the bottom, even if Henry takes Aljo down or Aljo takes him down, it’s Aljo’s game on the ground. I see wherever the fight goes, Aljo will dominate this fight. Big respect for Henry Cejudo – even Aljo doesn’t like him too much, but as a fighter I respect him. He’s an Olympic champion, a two-division champion, but now is Aljo’s time, and Aljo is king of this division.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 43.

Spinning Back Clique: UFC on ESPN 43 fallout, Cerrone to HOF, Texas commission blunders, more

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique” live stream covering the biggest topics from MMA, including a lookahead to Bellator and PFL events.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week’s panel of Mike Bohn, Nolan King and Brian “Goze” Garcia will join host Simon Samano live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:

  • UFC on ESPN 43 this past Saturday was headlined by a marquee bantamweight matchup between Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera. The fight went the distance in a puzzling split decision result in Sandhagen’s favor. It shouldn’t have been a split, but that’s a discussion for later on. Were you more disappointed by “Chito” or impressed by Sandhagen?
  • Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm dominated Yana Santos in clear unanimous decision in the co-main event. There aren’t many logical options next for Holm, which makes you wonder about how her new six-fight contract will play out. At 41 and beyond, do you buy Holm reclaiming the title before she’s done?
  • Saturday, the UFC announced Donald Cerrone was added to 2023 Hall of Fame class. He’s joining an incredible inductee group that includes Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo and Jens Pulver. Unlike those guys, Cerrone never won a UFC or WEC title, but has always been a fan-favorite fighter. Is his spot in the Hall deserved?
  • Dana White responded to Leon Edwards’ comments about Colby Covington, doubling down on the decision to give “Chaos” the next shot at the welterweight title. The division’s title picture got interesting when Jorge Masvidal told MMA Junkie Radio that he has “insider information” that if he beats Gilbert Burns at UFC 287, he’ll get the shot over Covington. What do we make of Masvidal’s claim? Where does Belal Muhammad fit into all of this? And why is White so convinced Covington is a “no-brainer” for a title shot?
  • Unfortunately, Texas lived up to its reputation for bad judging and other issues. The Texas commission came under fire after a pair of blunders in San Antonio this past weekend, when a referee failed to recognize when a fighter was choked unconscious, and that same referee turned around the next night to judge fights at the UFC event. In addition, a Texas judge turned in a bizarre 48-47 scorecard in favor of Vera in the UFC on ESPN 43 main event. It’s time to figure this out. Why is Texas consistently bad at this? How can it get better?
  • Bellator and PFL are in action on a non-UFC weekend, and there are some fun fights to take in. Bellator 293 in Temecula, Calif. is headlined by a heavyweight bout between Marcelo Golm and Daniel James, and also features the return of Cat Zingano, who faces Leah McCourt. In Las Vegas, 2023 PFL 1 starts the regular season with featherweights and light heavyweights, and we’ll see Brendan Loughnane vs. Marlon Moraes and Rob Wilkinson vs. Thiago Santos. What’s the most intriguing matchup on these cards?

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch this week’s episode in the video above.

MMA Junkie Radio #3347: Guest Brendan Loughnane, UFC San Antonio recap, ‘Cowboy’ HOF, more

Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”


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

On Episode 3,347, the fellas welcome in guest [autotag]Brendan Loughnane[/autotag], the reigning PFL lightweight season winner who returns at the PFL’s first event of the season Saturday. Plus, they look back at UFC on ESPN 43 in San Antonio and discuss the latest news from the UFC, Bellator, BKFC and more. 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.

The interview part is being sent directly to Gabe to be included in the show.

CJ Vergara on insane comeback win at UFC on ESPN 43: ‘It feels like deja vu’

CJ Vergara needed an absolutely ridiculous comeback to win at UFC on ESPN 43 in San Antonio in front of his home fans.

SAN ANTONIO – [autotag]CJ Vergara[/autotag] beat Daniel Lacerda with a second-round TKO Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 43 at AT&T Center in San Antonio.

Take a look inside the fight with Vergara, who mounted an insane comeback after a 10-8 first round to get the win in the second.

Victor Altamirano wants UFC Mexico: ‘I want to be there with my people’

Victor Altamirano, a Texas resident, ignited his home fans to jerk the curtain on UFC on ESPN 43 in San Antonio.

SAN ANTONIO – [autotag]Victor Altamirano[/autotag] beat Vinicius Salvador with a unanimous decision Saturday to open up the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 43 at AT&T Center in San Antonio.

Take a look inside the fight with Altamirano, a Texas resident who ignited his home fans to jerk the curtain on the event.