Tag: UFC on ESPN 43

Albert Duraev wants Andre Muniz after UFC on ESPN 43 victory: ‘I’m going to win’

Following his UFC on ESPN 43 win, Albert Duraev revealed he has jiu-jitsu ace Andre Muniz on his mind as a next opponent.

SAN ANTONIO – [autotag]Albert Duraev[/autotag] already has his sights set on a potential next opponent.

Minutes after his UFC on ESPN 43 win over Chidi Njokuani on Saturday, Duraev (16-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) told MMA Junkie in a post-fight news conference he hopes to get matched against Brazilian middleweight and jiu-jitsu specialist [autotag]Andre Muniz[/autotag] (23-5 MMA, 5-1 UFC).

“I want my next fight in June or July,” Duraev said. “I want to fight Brazilian guy Andre Muniz. He’s held 15 ranking. I want a top 15. I can show a good fight.”

Muniz, 33, does not currently have a fight scheduled and currently sits at No. 13 in the promotion’s official rankings. Muniz tore through the ranks of the UFC middleweight division until he was submitted by Brendan Allen on Feb. 25. He has 19 finishes in 23 victories including 15 submissions.

Some fans may look at the fight as jiu-jitsu vs. wrestling, but Duraev reminded it’s an MMA fight. He plans to bring all disciplines to the table.

“It’s striking if (I) need,” Duraev said. “I can (use) wrestling, jiu-jitsu, sambo. I’m going to win.”

Duraev, 34, returned into the win column when he Chidi Njokuani (22-9 MMA, 2-2 UFC) by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28). Prior to that, Duraev lost by TKO to Joaquin Buckley in June 2022.

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

Dana White gives thoughts on Sandhagen vs. Vera decision, Holm’s legacy, UFC in Mexico and more

Dana White addressed a number of topics after UFC on ESPN 43 in San Antonio, including next moves for Cory Sandhagen and Holly Holm.

SAN ANTONIO – UFC president [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] touched on a number of topics after UFC on ESPN 43.

After 10 fights at AT&T Center, White answered questions from reporters about main event winner [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag], former women’s bantamweight champion [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag], [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag]’s Hall of Fame announcement, plans for a UFC event in Mexico and more.

Check out White’s comments and responses below:

UFC on ESPN 43 winner Nate Landwehr pinpoints specific decision he thinks turned career around

Following his UFC on ESPN 43 win in San Antonio, Nate Landwehr explained how a switch to MMA Masters has made all the difference.

SAN ANTONIO – [autotag]Nate Landwehr[/autotag] is on a roll and he tacks it up to MMA Masters.

Saturday, following his UFC on ESPN 43 submission win over Austin Lingo, Landwehr (17-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) expressed his gratitude for the Miami gym run by coaches Daniel Valverde and Cesar Carneiro. He credited the switch to MMA Masters for his recent streak of success that includes a three-fight winning streak, three $50,000 performance bonuses, and an uptick in popularity.

“I feel like we’re on the cusp of greatness,” Landwehr told MMA Junkie at a post-fight news conference. “I’ve got the right people around me. … Ever since I moved to MMA Masters, you can see the switch. The game is getting better. I’m more fluid with my emotions. I have this independency and this isolation where it’s just my mind. I don’t have any other things coming in. It’s just my mind. It’s broadcasting outward.”

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Landwehr plans to soon return to MMA Masters to further better himself. But first, he wants a little time off to heal his body. Perhaps a rebooking against Alex Caceres, an opponent who withdrew from Saturday’s fight for undisclosed reasons, will be in the cards. But with the ever-evolving landscape of the UFC featherweight division, Landwehr will be open-minded when it comes time for him to field offers for his next opponent.

“I was going to break that guy,” Landwehr said. “He’s good. We’ll see. We’ll see if the UFC still wants that fight. If they want that fight, I’m willing to do it. Whatever the UFC wants, I feel like the top 15 is about to change. In the next month, Alex Caceres probably won’t even be in the top 15 any more. We’ll see what the UFC wants and I’ll give it to them.”

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

Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Marlon Vera after UFC on ESPN 43 loss?

See who Marlon Vera should fight next after his loss to Cory Sandhagen in the UFC on ESPN 43 headliner.

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Cory Sandhagen after UFC on ESPN 43 win?)

[autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] was unable to capture magic once again on Saturday, and it cost him in the form of a loss to Cory Sandhagen in the UFC on ESPN 43 main event.

After putting together a four-fight winning streak in the bantamweight division, Vera (20-8-1 MMA, 14-7 UFC) met his match at AT&T Center in San Antonio, giving Sandhagen (16-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) the split decision win and sending “Chito” back to the drawing board.

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Vera took full ownership of the result in the aftermath of the fight, admitting her didn’t do enough in the early rounds to make a difference. Slow starts have been a consistent problem for Vera, and now he has to figure out how to solve it.

What should Vera’s next step be? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future after UFC on ESPN 43.

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

Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Cory Sandhagen after UFC on ESPN 43 win?

See who Cory Sandhagen should fight next after his victory over Marlon Vera in the UFC on ESPN 43 headliner.

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Marlon Vera after UFC on ESPN 43 loss?)

[autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] won for the third time in four tries as a UFC headliner on Saturday when he put on one of his best performances to date against Marlon Vera at UFC on ESPN 43.

Sandhagen (16-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) backed up all his pre-fight talk when he essentially styled on Vera (20-8-1 MMA, 14-7 UFC) for the majority of five rounds to win a split decision in the bantamweight main event at AT&T Center in San Antonio.

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After the win, Sandhagen made a direct callout of Merab Dvalishvili (16-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC). He said he wants the “perfect challenge” at 135 pounds, but will the UFC agree with his position and give the fight?

Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on Sandhagen’s future after UFC on ESPN 43.

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

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Marlon Vera reacts to ‘lil’ bump in the road’ loss to Cory Sandhagen at UFC on ESPN 43

Marlon Vera appears to be taking his main event loss to Cory Sandhagen at UFC on ESPN 43 in stride.

[autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] came up short in the UFC on ESPN 43 main event, but appears to be taking the loss in stride.

Vera (20-8-1 MMA, 14-7 UFC) lost to Cory Sandhagen in a key bantamweight bout at AT&T Center in San Antonio. Although the official result was somehow a split decision, the bout was a masterful performance by Sandhagen (16-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC), who now finds himself hunting for No. 1 contender status.

“Chito” isn’t taking the loss too hard, though, and vows to get right back on track after his four-fight win streak was halted Saturday evening.

“Lil bump in the road, it’s only over if I decide it,” Vera wrote on Instagram. “And we far from that. Be back soon.”

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During his post-fight interview in the cage, Vera made no excuses for his performance while giving Sandhagen props.

“I was as ready as I can get, I was feeling good during training, and I just couldn’t get it started,” Vera told Michael Bisping. “This one is on me. No excuses.”

Vera entered as a winner of his four previous bouts, which included stoppages of former champions Dominick Cruz and Frankie Edgar. Unanimous decision wins over Davey Grant and Rob Font were also a part of Vera’s best stretch since a five-fight winning streak from 2018-19.

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

UFC flyweight contender Maycee Barber aims to ‘wreck’ everyone on her path to Alexa Grasso rematch

Now on a four-fight win streak, UFC women’s flyweight contender Maycee Barber wants a rematch with now-champion Alexa Grasso.

SAN ANTONIO – UFC flyweight [autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] wants to avenge her loss to now-champion [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag], and plans to do whatever it takes to get there.

At UFC on ESPN 43, Barber (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) won a split decision against Andrea Lee. It was a close fight in which two official judges turned in dueling 29-28 scores, while another saw every round for Barber.

Lee (13-7 MMA, 5-5 UFC) racked up a lot of control time on the mat, but when the fight was on the feet, Barber won striking exchanges.

“I was a little bit frustrated, obviously, she’s strong and she’s been working her wrestling, but the thing is, she took me down and she was able to hold, but wasn’t doing any damage,” Barber told reporters at the post-fight news conference. “So, that was a little bit frustrating because it just felt like we’re just sitting here just to sit here.

“So, I was trying to figure out a way to cause damage and do some damage, but at the same time, I think if she was trying to do some damage herself, it would have created a little bit more opening for us to have some scrambles. I think it would have been a little bit more exciting of a fight, but I’m happy with the performance for sure.”

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After her fourth straight win, Barber now turns her focus to reaching a rematch against Grasso, who became champion at UFC 285 by submitting the long-reigning Valentina Shevchenko. Grasso defeated Barber in the UFC 258 co-main event by unanimous decision, and it’s a fight she wants back more than anything. Whether or not that’s what’s next, Barber will do what it takes to make sure it happens.

“If they give me the spot, then I’ll take it,” Barber said. “At the same time, the next girl they put in my way, I’m going to wreck her too. … Obviously, I lost to her, so obviously, I want that fight back. But at the same time, I’m never going to create excuses because Alexa Grasso is an amazing athlete and fighter, but that was a camp I’m not proud of. I’m not proud of that at all.

“I had a lot of outside factors, but I was training, and I was working hard, and I was going as though I was going to win that fight. She was the better fighter that night, so obviously, there’s a little bit of bitterness in my mouth. I want that fight back.”

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

UFC on ESPN 43 post-event facts: Charles Oliveira’s longstanding record under threat

Charles Oliveira hasn’t competed at featherweight in six years, and someone is finally closing in on his record after UFC on ESPN 43.

The UFC made its return to Texas on Saturday with UFC on ESPN 43, which took place at AT&T Center in San Antonio and, after a number of fight week fallouts, saw a 10-bout card unfold.

The most high-profile result came from the main event, where [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) proved his worth as a bantamweight contender with a split decision victory over the streaking [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] (20-8-1 MMA, 14-7 UFC) after five rounds.

For more on the numbers behind Sandhagen’s win, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC on ESPN 43.

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Alex Perez says a seizure while warming up caused UFC on ESPN 43 cancelation vs. Manel Kape

Former UFC flyweight title challenger said he had a seizure while warming up to take on Manel Kape in San Antonio.

[autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag] has revealed why he could not compete at UFC on ESPN 43.

Just minutes before he was scheduled to fight Manel Kape on the main card at AT&T Center in San Antonio, the commentary team announced the fight was off due to an undisclosed medical issue with Perez (24-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC).

In a pair of tweets after the event, Perez addressed what happened, revealing a seizure occurred during his pre-fight warm up, which led to the medical team pulling him out of the fight against Kape (18-6 MMA, 3-2 UFC).

“First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for all the support and concerns,” Perez wrote on Twitter. “I was doing my pre-fight warm up and had a seizure. I immediately received medical attention. My hydration, electrolytes, etc were all more than adequate. This has nothing to do with weight cut. It was one of the easiest cuts of my career. I will be undergoing further testing in the upcoming weeks to determine the cause. I would appreciate privacy. My apologizes to my opponent and fans. Thank you to the UFC medical team for their help and support.”

Kape, who may or may not have been aware of the medical issue, shared some harsh words for Perez on social media after the cancelation of the bout, calling Perez a “coward” for not making it to the cage.

Perez, a former UFC flyweight title challenger, has had a string of unfortunate events that has prevented him from competing. Since his title shot against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 255 in November 2020, Perez has been scheduled to fight a total of 10 times, yet only made it to the cage once due to both his or his opponents’ issues.

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