Tag: UFC on ESPN 62

‘TUF 32’ winner Mairon Santos hopes to draw a striker in next UFC bout

“The Ultimate Fighter 32” winner Mairon Santos wants to test his standup against a high-level UFC striker next.

[autotag]Mairon Santos[/autotag] wants to test his standup against a high-level striker next.

Santos (14-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) knocked out Kaan Ofli in the second round to win Season 32 of “The Ultimate Fighter” August at UFC on ESPN 62 from the UFC Apex.

Santos was able to fend off the grappling of Edwin Cooper Jr., Guillermo Torres, and Ofli to win “TUF 32.” But now, Santos seeks a different challenge.

“I would like to fight a striker,” Santos told MMA Junkie Radio. “I already faced three wrestlers in a row – Edwin Cooper, All-American; ‘Memo’ (Torres) is an Olympic wrestler; and this guy (Ofli), Brazilian blackbelt in jiu-jitsu, a lot of submissions. So I want to fight with a striker next. I think it will be fun, and that’s what I want next.”

Santos’ exciting style has helped him build plenty of momentum coming off “TUF 32,” but the 24-year-old Brazilian featherweight is in no hurry to be fast tracked.

“I would like to go step by step, because I believe that I still have a lot to learn, a lot to grow,” Santos said. “I don’t want to rush things because I know a lot of fighters that want to rush things, and they end up not getting the wins and things don’t go their way.

“I want to go slow, enjoy the process, learn. I have a lot to learn. I don’t have black belt in muay Thai or kickboxing or jiu-jitsu, so I want to learn a lot before I go to the top, to the rankings. I just want things to happen naturally.”

[lawrence-related id=2766285,2765962]

USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, Aug. 27: Caio Borralho makes major move at middleweight

Check out the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings following UFC on ESPN 62, where Caio Borralho got a massive middleweight win.

Following UFC on ESPN 62 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas this past Saturday, the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings required updating.

That’s primarily because of the main event result, where middleweight [autotag]Caio Borralho[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) raised his stock more so than anyone else on the card. The Brazilian further added to his undefeated octagon record with a unanimous decision win over former title challenger and perennial contender Jared Cannonier in the Fight of the Night.

Previously slotted at the No. 11 spoke, Borralho’s performance moves him all the way to the cusp of the top-five in the No. 6 spot at 185 pounds.

Check out all the latest pound-for-pound and divisional USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings above.

Video: Does Caio Borralho have a championship ceiling after UFC on ESPN 62 main event win?

Caio Borralho claims he’s ready for a UFC title shot after beating Jared Cannonier, but is he good enough to actually win the belt?

[autotag]Caio Borralho[/autotag] achieved a breakthrough moment in his career Saturday when he put on a shining performance against Jared Cannonier in the UFC on ESPN 62 main event.

Borralho (17-1 MMA, -0 UFC) has now opened his octagon tenure with seven consecutive victories, but none have been bigger than his unanimous decision triumph over Cannonier (17-8 MMA, 10-8 UFC) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas in what was deemed the Fight of the Night.

After the win, Borralho rightfully declared himself as a contender on the rise and thinks he could be fighting for the belt in short order, if not next against the winner of the expected 185-pound title bout between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland.

[lawrence-related id=2766263,2766164]

Does Brazil’s Borralho have what it takes to not only fight for the belt, but win it?

The was a topic of discussion on the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” where panelists Matt Wells, Mike Bohn and Nolan King joined host “Gorgeous” George Garcia to debate Borralho’s place in the middleweight title picture after besting Cannonier over five rounds.

Check out the video segment above, or view the complete Aug. 26 episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below.

https://www.youtube.com/live/qNIbTNfY2Rk

Viacheslav Borshchev wants Chase Hooper rematch after UFC on ESPN 62 win: ‘I did not tap last fight’

Viacheslav Borshchev turns his attention back to Chase Hooper, claiming he never tapped in their first UFC showdown.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Viacheslav Borshchev[/autotag] wants his next fight to be one he’s already had.

Following his UFC on ESPN 62 win Saturday, Borshchev (8-4-1 MMA, 3-3-1 UFC) said his main goal is to re-up with the promotion on a new contract. It was unclear if his previous fight marked the end of a deal or if the next one will.

Regardless, Borshchev is fixated on trying to get a rematch of the fight prior, a submission loss to [autotag]Chase Hooper[/autotag] – one he said was not officiated properly.

“I really want a rematch with Chase Hooper,” Borshchev told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference Saturday. “… I know I might not really deserve it yet because my last opponent was… I hope you enjoyed it, but it wasn’t that good as I expected. So I might need to deserve this rematch and I’m OK with this, as long as the UFC will give me this opportunity.”

The initial fight between Borshchev and Hooper (14-3-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC) took place in May. The official result was Hooper by second-round D’Arce choke. Borshchev appeared to slap the back of Hooper as the choke sank in and the two fighters rolled. Referee Keith Peterson saw the solo pat as a sign of submission and waved off the fight, but Borshchev immediately protested.

“With all respect to Chase, I wish him only the best, no complaining,” Borshchev said. “But I did not tap last fight. I know he knows it. I know it. I did not tap. This keeps bothering me but it also keeps me going.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

Zach Reese disappointed in UFC on ESPN 62 ‘Waffle House fight’ vs. Jose Medina

Zach Reese got the job done at UFC on ESPN 62, but likened the fight to a midnight brawl instead of a professional performance.

LAS VEGAS – UFC middleweight [autotag]Zach Reese[/autotag] swept the scorecards in his third appearance in the promotion, but he was “a little disappointed” with how things played out in the octagon.

On the prelims of UFC on ESPN 62 at the UFC Apex, Reese (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) faced newcomer Jose Medina. It was a one-sided affair, one that Reese won 30-27 on all scorecards. He repeatedly dug in hard kicks to Medina (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who simply would not go away.

“I hope everyone enjoyed it, but that was one of those Waffle House fights I feel like,” Reese told reporters at a post-fight news conference. “I wanted to come in here and be patient, try to pick him apart, but I hurt Jose with a lot of stuff.

“He has a chin and a half, and he must not have a liver, because I kicked the sh*t out of his liver and he took it. … Strongest liver in the UFC, for sure.”

It was the first fight of Reese’s professional career to go the distance. In fact, it was the first fight to make it out of the first round, including his one loss. Reese didn’t necessarily prove anything to himself by going the full 15 minutes, but says it was good to get the work in against a tough opponent.

“I’m definitely not a one-trick pony, I’m a one-trick mustang, you know what I’m saying?” Reese joked. “Coming for the finish every time. It’s cool. I’ll take it.”

Reese hopes to return to the octagon in December when the UFC makes its expected trip to Tampa, Fla. Although a date and venue has not yet been officially announced, Reese is looking forward to getting a spot on the card so he can take his kids to Disney World afterward.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

Dana White grants Wang Cong’s request for $50K bonus: ‘You looked AMAZING’

Wang Cong was initally snubbed on the UFC on ESPN 62 bonuses, but UFC CEO Dana White fixed that Sunday evening.

UFC newcomer [autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag] will get her first bonus after all.

After impressing on Road to UFC, Cong (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) debuted at UFC on ESPN 62 in the first fight of the night against Victoria Leonardo. The women’s flyweight bout didn’t last long.

China’s Cong crushed Leonardo (9-6 MMA, 1-4 UFC) with a devastating punch, ending the fight with a walkoff knockout in 62 seconds. Not only did Cong impress with her skills in the cage, but she also stood out on the mic, stating she had no business being the first fight of the night but instead deserves a spot on the main card.

That’s not to forget that “The Joker” made waves on social media with her faceoff at weigh-ins. She wore Joker-themed facepaint and told Leonardo in English, “I will win. I’m crazy.” She then hand-mimed three shots at her opponent before walking off.

Speaking of bullets, she has a win over former UFC flyweight champion Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko in kickboxing, too.

Cong ticked all necessary boxes in her debut, but was snubbed when bonuses were announced.

“Wake up and find out there is no POTN,” Cong wrote on Instagram. “Next fight you will see more spectacular finish @ufc. Don’t play with Joker again!”

UFC CEO Dana White was not present for UFC on ESPN 62, as he has often skipped attending shows at the UFC Apex this year. However, he says he did see Cong’s fight and sent her a reply she was delighted to read.

“I was out of town and watch the fight @mystiqueboston on TV,” White replied on Instagram. “You looked AMAZING. I’m adding another PON bonus for u. Congrats u get 50k.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_GbLcKPb0d/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

“I love you Dana,” Cong replied with multiple heart-eyed emojis.

One fight down, one bonus for “The Joker,” who is certainly someone to keep an eye on going forward.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

UFC on ESPN 62’s Francis Marshall: Short-notice fight vs. Dennis Buzukja was a ‘do-or-die situation’

Francis Marshall stepped up on a week’s notice to compete at UFC on ESPN 62, returning to the win column with a split decision.

LAS VEGAS – UFC lightweight [autotag]Francis Marshall[/autotag] stepped up on short notice a week out, but felt his job was on the line.

Marshall (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) signed up to fight Dennis Buzukja seven days before UFC on ESPN 62. After coming up short in his second and third UFC appearances, Marshall needed to get back in the win column, or perhaps find himself back on the regional scene.

Buzukja (12-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC) proved to be a tough out, but Marshall emerged a winner by split decision. Now, he can rest a little easier about his job status.

“It was definitely a do-or-die situation in there,” Marshall told reporters at a post-fight news conference. “But I had the confidence. I knew if I lost this fight, my UFC career, right now, was probably going to be over. So I was going to have to fight to get back in here, but with that pressure, I kind of honed it in. I was able to come in here and perform.”

Marshall credits his training partners at American Top Team for helping him to prepare for short notice opportunities and all that comes along with taking a fight on a week’s notice.

After impressing in his debut with a stoppage of Marcelo Rojo, Marshall dropped a split decision to William Gomis and then was stopped by Isaac Dulgarian. The Dana White’s Contender Series veteran bounced back on short notice to get his hand raised, and back to .500 in the UFC.

Check out the full post-fight interview with Marshall in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

Michael Morales aims for UFC welterweight championship in two years after finishing Neil Magny

Michael Morales wants to capture the UFC welterweight title by the time he’s 27, and after finishing Neil Magny, he’s on the right track.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Michael Morales[/autotag] has his sights set on UFC welterweight gold and has a timeline in mind for his goal.

On the main card of UFC on ESPN 62, Morales (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) passed the toughest test of his career thus far by stopping Neil Magny in the first round. As of late, Magny (29-12 MMA, 22-11 UFC) has been tasked with taking on young upstarts, but the undefeated Ecuadorian was too much to handle.

“I wanted to finish him in the first round,” Morales told reporters through an interpreter at a post-fight news conference. “It wasn’t the strategy, but I wanted to do it, obviously.”

After a pair of unanimous decision wins, questions were swirling about Morales’ ability to finish fights against tougher competition, considering he started his UFC career with two stoppage victories. However, after smashing Magny in the first round, a different set of questions will be asked.

Morales, 25, is young, undefeated, and appears to be a real problem for the top names in the division. So, where does he go from here?

“As far as names are concerned, I think there’s a couple of names out there,” Morales said. “I think (Vicente) Luque is somebody that would be an opportunity to fight. Michael Chiesa, I saw him around here, so that was something. Also, Ian Garry. We call him out, I don’t know where he is. So those are some opportunities to fight.”

Beyond having a few names at the tip of his tongue for his next challenge, Morales believes he will capture the division’s title in the coming years. For now, he’s focused on climbing the ladder, but aims to be the best in the world very soon.

“I’ve always said by 27, I want to be a champion,” Morales said. “You never know. Listen, at 25, Here I am. I never thought I was going to come in the UFC that early, and here I was at 21. Maybe top five, top 10 at the end of the year, and let’s see what happens.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

Jacqueline Cavalcanti baffled UFC on ESPN 62 decision was split: ‘I lost three rounds?’

Jacqueline Cavalcanti wonders if one UFC Vegas 96 judge wasn’t watching her fight.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Jacqueline Cavalcanti[/autotag] couldn’t wrap her head around the scorecards as they were read at UFC on ESPN 62.

One judge awarded all three rounds to her opponent Josiane Nunes. The other two judges ruled in her favor, two and three rounds, respectively. It was a closer call than Cavalcanti (7-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) wanted, but she still notched a split decision over Nunes (10-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC).

“I was thinking, ‘Oh my God. (Did) this guy watch the fight?’ Because I think I won two rounds or three rounds,” Cavalcanti told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference Saturday. “But I’m lost. I lost three rounds? Maybe these judges are watching another fight or a different fight or not my fight. But it’s OK. I try not to give the choice for the judges.”

A win is a win, however. Cavalcanti should take another step up the divisional ladder and could potentially even end up ranked. Regardless of whether or not she’ll have a number next to her name, she’s proud of her 2-0 start in the UFC.

“Josiane, she’s a very good fighter,” Cavalcanti said. “She’s stronger. She’s very strong. All the time, she goes the front-front-front. Me and my time, we worked for this. We worked the punch. We worked the kicks. But my objective is to knock down her but she’s stronger. The last fight she (beat) the No. 13-ranked (fighter) in the world in UFC. This is my second fight UFC. I’m so proud of myself and my team.

[lawrence-related id=2766285,2766279]

Cavalcanti signed with the UFC in mid-2023. She’s only competed twice and hopes to significantly increase her activity going forward.

“I want to fight more two times (this year), take a short notice,” Cavalcanti said. “I’m ready all the time. I stay ready now. I want one day the champion but I want to make step by step. I want to fight other girls. I don’t give a f*ck who is my next opponent. I’ll stay ready. The guys call me, I’m ready.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

Why ‘TUF 32’ featherweight winner Mairon Santos couldn’t believe his knockout was real

Mairon Santos surprised himself with his powerful highlight knockout to become the featherweight winner of “The Ultimate Fighter 32.”

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Mairon Santos[/autotag] needed to pinch himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

Santos (14-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) cracked Kaan Ofli with a counter left hand in the second round of their featherweight Season 32 finale of “The Ultimate Fighter,” took place on the main card of UFC on ESPN 62 at the UFC Apex.

The punch connected, and Ofli (11-3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) crashed face-forward into the canvas. But Santos didn’t stop punching.

“I was like, this can’t be real,” Santos said at a post-fight news conference. “The way that it was, like him going face-first, I was like, this can’t be real. That’s why I kept punching him because I didn’t believe it. Right now, I’m still thinking that’s a dream, but at the same time, I’m trying to think, OK, this is it. You are The Ultimate Fighter and one day you can be a champion. … It’s a dream come true.”

There was no dream. Santos is now a UFC fighter and became one with a highlight-reel finish in an unfamiliar fashion. Sure, Santos has finished opponents with strikes on the regional scene, but this one was different.

“I’m not used to knocking people out like that,” Santos said. “I didn’t know that I had this power. That’s why I kept punching him, because it was unreal to me.”

Now that he’s accomplished the first step in his goal of becoming a UFC champion, Santos can’t wait to enjoy some good food before preparing for his next fight, which he hopes occurs before the end of the year since he and his wife have a baby on the way.

Aside from getting in his next fight soon, he doesn’t want to rush his progression in the UFC.

“When I have to be in the top 15, it will happen naturally,” Santos said. “I don’t want to force it. I know I have a long way to go. So, I just want to fight before the end of the year and then fight again, fight again. Top 15, top 5, but without rushing anything.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.