Tag: UFC on ESPN 44

UFC on ESPN 44 medical suspensions: Three fighters get 60 days after KO losses

The Missouri commission issued medical suspensions after UFC on ESPN 44, the longest of which went to fighters who were knocked out.

Three fighters face 60-day medical suspensions as a result of stoppage losses by strikes at UFC on ESPN 44.

The event took place this past Saturday at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo. The event was overseen by the Missouri Division of Professional Regulation, which suspended 13 of 28 fighters from the card for medical reasons after their bouts, according to a list published Wednesday by the commission.

It’s important to note fighters can return sooner than the expiration date of their medical suspension should they receive proper medical clearance from a doctor. In addition, the commission does not list reasons for medical suspensions – just durations.

Scroll below to see the full list of UFC on ESPN 44 medical suspensions.

Rafa Garcia explains why UFC on ESPN 44 win over Clay Guida ‘a little bittersweet’

Rafa Garcia says of Clay Guida that “he was one of my heroes growing up,” which made it difficult to fight him at UFC on ESPN 44.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – [autotag]Rafa Garcia[/autotag] admits it was hard to fight [autotag]Clay Guida[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 44.

Garcia (16-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) swept the judges’ scorecards in a unanimous decision win over Guida (38-23 MMA, 18-17 UFC) this past Saturday at T-Mobile Center.

While it was special to fight a veteran such as Guida, Garcia has a lot of admiration for him.

“A little bittersweet,” Garcia told reporters, including MMA Junkie, backstage. “It wasn’t like my decision where I was really excited to fight someone like Clay because it’s someone I admire. I had to prepare myself mentally for three months and be like, he’s somebody you look up to – he was one of my heroes growing up.

“When I met him for the first time, I went to a grappler’s quest and a few fighters denied me and my brother a picture. I went up to Clay before he was competing and he gave us a hug, was super nice to us too. We took a picture. It was me, Cub (Swanson) and my brother, and Clay. So, just to have that mentality, going in there and having to be like, ‘I’m going to have to go in there and try to hurt this guy’ was kind of hard.”

After their fight, Guida took off his gloves and faked a retirement announcement, which had Garcia worried for a second.

“Please don’t do this to me, Clay, I told him,” Garcia said. “I was super happy and super emotional that I won, but I also was just kind of like sad because that’s someone I look up to.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 44.

UFC on ESPN 44 winner Zak Cummings ‘couldn’t imagine a better way’ to retire than after TKO at home

Zak Cummings battled with the idea of retiring prior to UFC on ESPN 44, but winning was the deciding factor.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – [autotag]Zak Cummings[/autotag] battled with the idea of retiring prior to UFC on ESPN 44, but winning was the deciding factor.

Cummings (25-8 MMA, 10-4 UFC) took out Ed Herman (26-16 MMA, 13-12 UFC) by third-round TKO this past Saturday in his hometown of Kansas City, and the moment was too good for him not to call it a career. With a performance like that, 38-year-old Cummings wanted to leave the sport on a high note.

“I really wasn’t sure what I was gonna do,” Cummings told reporters, including MMA Junkie, backstage. “I knew this would be special, but I love this stuff. I had so much fun. Having the training camp, having everything, staying healthy to get to the fight. I got all the way to the end, had the war that I wanted, had the finish that I wanted, had a finish in three different weight classes in the UFC, which I know is pretty special.

“Hometown, the way they were – KC fans are insane. Any sporting event here, they’re so loud. They just get behind everybody. It was so special, and I’m not going to taint that. It was fun in there, it was special, and it’s time. I couldn’t imagine a better way for anybody to go out, and I can’t believe it was the way I got to.”

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Cummings wasn’t the only one who retired. His opponent, longtime UFC veteran Herman, also called it a career as the pair shared a special moment in the octagon.

“Bittersweet, it really was,” Cummings said. “I have my emotions. I’m on top of the world right now, and I respect Ed so much. I’ve never said a bad thing about that guy. It was just crazy to be able to be in there with someone like Ed Herman, who’s been in this game for so long. I knew how tough he was and seeing the other end of it, it broke my heart. It broke my heart seeing him beaten and battered and his crying, his tears for the other end.”

He continued, “Being able to lay our gloves down in the middle of the octagon and have a moment with him, it’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 44.

Spinning Back Clique: Max Holloway holds serve, Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz official, more

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique” live stream covering the biggest topics in MMA, including reaction to Max Holloway’s win, Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz and much more.

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 Dan Tom, Brian “Goze” Garcia, and “Gorgeous” George Garcia will join host Mike Bohn live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:

  • [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag]’s future as a featherweight contender after he defeated Arnold Allen in the UFC on ESPN 44 main event in Kansas City, Mo.
  • The announcement of [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] in an eight-round boxing match on Aug. 5 in Dallas.
  • Former UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] confirming his move to the light heavyweight division after a knockout loss in his rematch against Israel Adesanya at UFC 287.
  • The situation around UFC 288 on May 6 after [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] was postponed, and Dana White revealed the promotion is working on a new fight to serve as the co-main event.
  • The significance of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 222 headliner in Las Vegas, where top contenders [autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] and [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] meet in a key clash.

“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.

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MMA Junkie Radio #3353: UFC on ESPN 44 and 2023 PFL 3 reaction, Dana White talks Paul vs. Diaz

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 3,353, the fellas look back at the two big events from the weekend, 2023 PFL 3 on Friday and UFC on ESPN 44 on Saturday. What’s next for Max Holloway? And what about what Dana White had to say about Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz officially being booked? That and much 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.

Azamat Murzakanov says he broke his arm in UFC on ESPN 44 win, wants quickest path to title

Azamat Murzakanov had to push through while severely compromised to secure his UFC on ESPN 44 win.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – [autotag]Azamat Murzakanov[/autotag] had to push through with a broken arm to secure his UFC on ESPN 44 win.

Murzakanov (13-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) revealed that he broke his arm in Round 2 of his unanimous decision win over Dustin Jacoby (18-7-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) this past Saturday at UFC on ESPN 44 at T-Mobile Center.

Murzakanov won the first two rounds. However, he appeared to slow down significantly in Round 3 due to his compromised arm, which he said he broke after dropping Jacoby late in Round 2.

“Jacoby is a great fighter,” Murzakanov told reporters, including MMA Junkie, through an interpreter. “To be honest, I was quite worried because I knew somewhere by the end of the second round that something is really wrong with my arm. I couldn’t attack with my arm at all. I couldn’t throw anything out, and in the third round I was worried because I wasn’t sure who was gonna win, because I could only work with my front hand. I even started throwing out some elbows because I couldn’t at all attack with my left.”

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The unbeaten fighter hopes to draw a top-ranked opponent next as he looks to storm through the light heavyweight ranks.

“I would love to fight somebody in the top 10, even possibly the top five,” Murzakanov said. “I want to do whatever I can to get myself as close and as fast to the title as possible. I’m not here to just stick around, to get some gold points for fighting more and more. I really want to get to the title. That’s what I’m here for. So that’s my goal, is to get to the top 10, top five as soon as possible.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 44.

Brandon Royval asks ‘why am I on a f*cking prelim’ after UFC on ESPN 44 win; Dana White responds

Brandon Royval held nothing back about his placement on the UFC on ESPN 44 prelims, which Dana White agreed with.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – [autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag] went off on the UFC for his placement at UFC on ESPN 44.

Royval (15-6 MMA, 5-2 UFC) returned to action this past Saturday against Brazil’s Matheus Nicolau. Their flyweight bout was part of the event’s preliminary card, which didn’t sit well with Royval, who won the fight by first-round knockout.

“Why am I on any of these prelims?” Royval asked of the UFC’s during his UFC on ESPN 44 post-fight news conference. “I got Fight of the Night every single one of my fights, bonuses on every single one of my fights. Why am I on a prelim?

“I’m a top-five guy in the division. I’m the second-highest ranked on this card. I’m the second-highest ranked on this entire card, and I’m on a prelim. It’s like, why? It’s not like I’m a boring wrestler trying to wrestle f*ck these dudes. I go in for the finish, and I put myself in danger. I don’t need to be doing that. You saw me not do that today, but I went and put myself in danger in every single one of my fights, and I go make statements. Why am I on a f*cking prelim?”

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Later on that night, UFC president Dana White was asked about Royval’s placement on the preliminary card. He agreed with Royval’s criticism and said he should’ve been on the main card.

“He’s not wrong,” White said. “He’s not wrong. Listen, we’re really good at what we do, but we f*ck up sometimes. I literally said in my green room (that) we f*cked this up. This kid should’ve opened the (main card) tonight. He’s right. He should open the show tonight. He’s not wrong. We got a lot of moving parts, and unfortunately sometimes when I got in here today and started looking around I said, ‘Yeah, we f*cked this up. He’s right, sorry.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 44.

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Brandon Royval says he’ll back up Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja title fight at UFC 290

Brandon Royval says he’s the guy the UFC will turn to if Brandon Moreno or Alexandre Pantoja falls out of the UFC 290 co-main event.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It looks like the upcoming UFC flyweight title fight between champion [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] and [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] has a backup opponent.

[autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag] told reporters following his KO win over Matheus Nicolau at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 44 that he’s been assigned the backup role for the 125-pound championship bout, which is set to go down July 8 at UFC 290 in Las Vegas.

“Yeah, I’m going to be the backup for July,” Royval said. “I think that’s already been discussed. Dana White said it himself. He said this is a title eliminator.

“They want statements to be made. I told Mick Maynard, I said, ‘Sign Matheus Nicolau, and I’ll put him away. I’ll make it an exciting fight. There’s no way this is going to be a boring fight. I promise you, and I’ll put him away.’ That’s exactly what I did. I wasn’t sure I was going to do it, but that’s what I was saying.”

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Royval’s only two losses in the UFC have come to both Moreno and Pantoja. He’s hoping that Moreno loses his title against the Brazilian, as he’s hoping to get matched up against Pantoja whenever he gets his shot at the belt.

“It would be cool to see Pantoja win again and get that 3-0 against Moreno, so I can match up with him next and beat his ass,” Royval said. “Nothing against the guy, he’s a really amazing person, but I have a bone to pick with him. I need to get my get back. That’s the game plan, and that’s what I’m going to do, get my lick back against Pantoja.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 44.

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Bill Algeo trashed Kansas City at UFC on ESPN 44 as a nod to WWE, which he doesn’t even like

Bill Algeo blurred the lines between UFC and WWE with his post-fight octagon interview at UFC Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – [autotag]Bill Algeo[/autotag] scored a hell of a victory over TJ Brown in the Fight of the Night at UFC on ESPN 44, but his octagon interview may have commanded everyone’s attention even more than his performance.

Following his second-round submission of Brown, Algeo got on the microphone with color commentator Daniel Cormier, did a retirement fakeout, and then proceeded to trash Kansas City.

“Listen, I would never retire in a dump like Kansas City,” Algeo told the crowd at T-Mobile Center. “I look around here and all I see is a bunch of Croc-wearing’, Uber Eats drivin’, Bud Light drinkin’ … sons of guns. I ain’t never retiring! Woo!”

If the heel turn felt to UFC on ESPN 44 viewers like an attempt at cheap heat, that’s because it was. And so it begins: the blurred lines between UFC and WWE in the wake of Endeavor’s purchase of the world’s biggest pro wrestling promotion.

“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but we recently purchased the WWE, I believe. You know, I’m trying to cross train,” Algeo told reporters, including MMA Junkie, backstage. “Let’s see what’s up with the next couple of years if they need some wrestlers, skinny ones. I know a guy.”

Algeo must be a big fan of pro wrestling then. Right?

“Not at all,” he said.

OK then.

As for his finish of Brown by rear-naked choke, Algeo (17-7 MMA, 4-3 UFC) said he doesn’t “even train any jiu-jitsu whatsoever.”

“Once you’ve reached black belt, you’re good enough,”Algeo said. “It’s all just been wrestling, MMA stuff, striking, because that’s what’s important to me.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 44.

Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Arnold Allen after UFC on ESPN 44 loss?

Arnold Allen had his 10-fight UFC winning streak snapped by Max Holloway at UFC on ESPN 44, but there are still more big fights ahead.

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Max Holloway after UFC on ESPN 44 win?)

[autotag]Arnold Allen[/autotag] met his sternest test on paper in former featherweight champion Max Holloway at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 44, and in practice it turned out to be a test he couldn’t pass.

Allen (19-2 MMA, 10-1 UFC) offered a valiant effort over five rounds at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., but in the end Holloway (24-7 MMA, 20-7 UFC) was a level above and left with the unanimous decision win, giving “Almighty” his first blemish inside the octagon.

It was a setback for Allen, but not one that caused a significant hit to his stock or indicated he can’t reach the very top. It just wasn’t his time yet.

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What does the loss mean for Allen? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future after UFC on ESPN 44.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 44.