UFC on ESPN 62 – Page 6 – Syndication Server

Get to know TUF finalist Kaan Ofli, who wants Ortega-Lopes backup spot at UFC 306

Featherweight finalist Kaan Ofli goes inside his experience on “The Ultimate Fighter” ahead of his UFC debut.

Kaan Ofli

Age: 31
Record: 11-2-1
Nickname: “Genghis”
Division: Featherweight
Opponent: Mairon Santos
Path to final: Decision win over Nathan Fletcher, first-round submission of Roedie Roets

On getting to the UFC

“Now it feels real. Before, in the “Ultimate Fighter” house, that whole experience still didn’t feel real. But it feels real now. Now I believe in myself. Now I believe that I was meant to be here this whole time.”

On his TUF experience

“For me, for me it was probably the best experience I’ve had in my whole life. Being able to have no distractions, complete focus, just martial arts, you know, training, fighting, eating, martial arts, no phone electronics that to me, that was the best experience that I could have had. I don’t think I’ll ever about experience that again, but so I thrived from it and it’s really leveled me up both in, in, in many ways. There was nothing hard about it.”

On opponent Mairon Santos

“I respect Mairon. I think that he’s young, talented. He was already meant to be signed to the UFC before, so he’s already been on the UFC’s radar. I’m happy to be in the finale with the with the prospect. I didn’t really picture anyone in the finals with me going into the house. I was prepared to fight anybody. I had a thought that I could be fighting my own teammates, as well. As much as we Team Grasso kept it friendly and family, I still knew in the back of my mind that I could have been fighting any one of these guys.”

On his ambitions in the UFC

“I’ve already pre-planned my career. I’m 31 years old. I’ve been doing this for a long time. After this fight, I’d like to be a backup fight for Diego Lopez and (Brian) Ortega (at UFC 306). It’s pretty soon. It’s only like three weeks after, but I’m here. When we’re talking about this fight, I thought it was going to be in The Sphere and I always had a dream of fighting on the moon. When The Sphere ended up happening and, (Alexa) Grasso and (Valentina) Shevchenko were fighting on it, I was like, Cool, you know, the (TUF) finale is going to be at The Sphere. Amazing. My dreams have come true.’ Not the case, but hey, I’m down for it. If I’m healthy, I’m all good. If something does happen with them, I respect the both of them. But I’m here and I don’t know if the UFC will do something like that, but I just want to let them know that I’m up for it.

“I think becoming ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ is spectacular on its own. Put that aside. I want to be fighting in the top 15, top 10 guys right away. You know, I don’t care about fighting my contract out or anything like that, and renegotiating, I I simply just want to climb the ranks as fast as possible. I believe in myself. I believe I’m a top 10 fighter already, so no time to waste.”

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

Caio Borralho on Dricus Du Plessis’ UFC 305 title defense: ‘Crazy how bad he is, but how he makes it work’

UFC middleweight contender Caio Borralho reacts to Dricus Du Plessis’ title defense at UFC 305.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Caio Borralho[/autotag] was impressed, but at the same time, not really by [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag]’ first UFC title defense.

Borralho (16-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC), who fights Jared Cannonier (17-7 MMA, 10-7 UFC) in the main event of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 62, is in awe of how much success Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is having, despite his lack of skill, at least according to Borralho.

“It’s crazy this one because whenever Dricus fights, I always bet against him, you know,” Borralho told reporters on Wednesday at the UFC on ESPN 62 media day. “It’s crazy how bad he is, but how he makes it work, you know. It’s crazy how he makes it work.

“Props to him. I just need to congratulate him because even with bad technique, bad game plan, crazy style, he always makes it work, and he’s winning. He’s undefeated in the UFC, so he deserves this spot that he is right now. For sure, I just think about Jared – I don’t want to think bout anything else – but looking forward to getting this fight.”

Du Plessis is unbeaten since joining the UFC and is currently on a 10-fight winning streak. He won the UFC middleweight title by defeating then-champion Sean Strickland back in January and defended it this past Saturday by submitting Israel Adesnya in the main event of UFC 305 in Australia.

It looks like Strickland is up next as a challenger, but Borralho would like to offer another name deserving of the opportunity.

“If I’m being honest, I think Brendan Allen is one of the guys that deserves the shot because I think he has like seven or eight straight victories,” Borralho said. “He as supposed to fight a top five guy for his last fight, and the guy got injured. He then took a fight against (Chris) Curtis, who was No. 15. He took a lot of risk on that, and I think he’s going a great job inside the octagon.

“I just think he needs to do a better job outside the octagon in marketing, social media, and other stuff. … I think he’s the guy that really deserves that. I think Sean Strickland) deserves it too because he already faced Adesanya and Dricus, and I think with Dricus he won the fight. I think he deserves the rematch, too. I think these are the two guys that deserve it most.”

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

UFC on ESPN 62: How to watch Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho, start time, Las Vegas fight card, odds, more

Here’s what you need to know to watch UFC on ESPN 62 on ESPN and ESPN+.

After a trip to Australia, the UFC is back on its home turf this week with a pair of ranked middleweights at the top of the lineup.

Here’s how to watch UFC on ESPN 62 with 185-pounders in the headlining spot, plus women’s strawweights in the co-feature.

Jared Cannonier on ‘clubber’ Dricus Du Plessis’ win vs. Israel Adesanya: ‘His sh*t was effective’

One particular aspect of Dricus Du Plessis’ game impressed Jared Cannonier.

One particular aspect of [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag]’ game impressed [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag].

Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) retained his middleweight title with a Round 4 submission of Israel Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 305 headliner.

Du Plessis continues to surprise people having now beaten former champions Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, and Adesanya in a row. Cannonier wasn’t counting Du Plessis out, but enjoyed the full striking arsenal that he displayed.

“I wouldn’t say I was too surprised,” Cannonier told MMA Junkie. “It was one of the results that I envisioned, but it was still a competitive match. I thought Israel looked good having been out for a year. Maybe there may have been a little bit of rust involved. I don’t know. Maybe a lack of sense of urgency when (Du Plessis) was taking his back. But I thought it was a good match. I thought both of those guys looked good.

“Of course, (Adesanya is) one of the best at managing distance and countering and throwing some long strikes and stuff like that, and I thought DDP’s kicks looked really well. His kicks for me were the highlight of this fight – caught Izzy off guard. They were really quick, really strong, and even some of his punches were probably heavier than some people may have given him credit for.”

Du Plessis’ style has often been dubbed as awkward, but Cannonier has his own description of the champion’s approach.

“He seems like a clubber in there,” Cannonier said. “That’s the term that comes to mind when I see him: like a clubber, a big, heavy, strong who knows how to grapple and be heavy, be weighted when he’s grappling you. So, yeah, it was a good fight. Good for him, congratulations to him, he remains the champion, and still. The future of the middleweight division is definitely intriguing. … I can see the effects of his fighting style. He explodes in toward you, but he’s not crashing into you like uncontrollably.

“He’s fast, he’s explosive, he’s strong, and his kicks are really good. It’s mixed martial arts, it’s not just one refined style that’s going to be successful in this game. I think everybody is looking for that aesthetic, and that’s not the game we play. That’s not the game I’m playing. I’m not trying to be pretty in there. I do want my sh*t to be pretty, don’t get me wrong, but it ain’t got to be pretty. It just has to be effective, and his sh*t was effective enough to retain the title.”

Cannonier (17-7 MMA, 10-7 UFC) will look to re-enter the title picture when he meets rising contender Caio Borralho (16-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 62 (ESPN/ESPN+) main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 305.

Angela Hill working on putting together a strong case for UFC title shot: ‘That’s the main goal’

Nearing 40, Angela Hill is not giving up on the UFC strawweight title.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag] remains on the hunt for a UFC championship belt.

A decade into her professional MMA career and nearing 40, Hill (17-13 MMA, 12-13 UFC) has not given up and is still determined on fighting for the UFC strawweight belt before it’s all said and done. This involves putting together a strong resume, so she can be worthy of the opportunity, and she’ll get to do that on Saturday when she takes on Tabatha Ricci in the co-main event of UFC on ESPN 62.

“It’s going to take a lot of convincing for people to really get behind the fact that I could potentially fight for the belt eventually, despite my age or any wins and losses I have in the UFC,” Hill said. “It’s all a matter of putting together a strong portfolio in the last couple of years, and I think I’ve been able to do that.

“I’m just focusing on the fight ahead of me and making sure that every time I’m out there I’m focusing on the present and in the moment, and not thinking too far ahead.”

Hill (17-13 MMA, 12-13 UFC) is on a two-fight winning streak and 4-1 in her past five outings. She believes a win over Ricci (10-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) will do a lot for her title campaign. Getting the belt is the main goal for Hill, but she’s also not going to let that spoil what she’s already achieved in MMA.

“I’m just hoping I eventually get that shot,” Hill said. “If I don’t I think I’ll be able to retire pretty happy with what I’ve accomplished, but that’s the main goal, work my way to the top and see what happens.”

Hill has been working on her mentality and being present in the cage. Through that, she’s become a better fighter, and that’s given her plenty of confidence at this late stage in her career.

“I feel like I can beat anyone, it’s just a matter of coming in with the right mindset, training hard, and being ready that day,” Hill explained. I feel like I can do that with anyone, it’s just a matter of putting that on paper and actually showing up and doing what I think I can do.”

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

Caio Borralho questions ‘scary dude’ Jared Cannonier’s hunger to be best middleweight at 40

Caio Borralho isn’t sure Jared Cannonier has the same motivation ahead of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 62 main event in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – ‘Fighting is a young man’s sport’ is one of MMA’s oldest and most true sayings. For [autotag]Caio Borralho[/autotag], it’s one that will be in play for his next career move.

This Saturday, the rising Brazilian contender takes on 40-year-old veteran [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag] in the main event of UFC on ESPN 62, which takes place at the UFC Apex.

Borralho (16-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC), who’s nine years younger than Cannonier (17-7 MMA, 10-7 UFC), wonders how much hunger and fight Cannonier has left in him at this stage in his career. He thinks that will be a determining factor in whether he finishes the former UFC title challenger.

“I think it can go either way (decision or finish),” Borralho said on Wednesday at the UFC on ESPN 62 media day. “It just depends on how prepared he is and how much he wants it. At 40 years old, let’s see how much he wants to stay in the position that he is and to go again for the belt and something like that.

“I’m prepared. I worked my ass off for this fight, and I think I deserve this victory. Let’s just see how prepared he’s going to come, and see how prepared he comes for me. I’m going to push the pace, I’m going to make the rhythm high at all times and let’s see how he behaves in the fight. It all depends on him and if he came very well-prepared. … I’m prepared to knock him out or finish him because I have the ground game, and he doesn’t have that much, so let’s see how Jared comes.”

Despite questioning his hunger to be the best at 185 pounds, Borralho still finds his opponent a formidable challenge. He does not underestimate Cannonier and has plenty of respect for him.

“I think he’s a very experienced guy, very explosive and has power in his hands,” Borralho said. “He knows how to take the fight where he wants it to go. Definitely an experienced guy. He’s faced a lot of tough opponents. All respect to Jared, but it’s my time now.”

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

Jared Cannonier feels ‘weight lifted off’ him entering UFC on ESPN 62 headliner vs. Caio Borralho

Jared Cannonier is done fighting “not to lose” ahead of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 62 main event against Caio Borralho.

[autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag] has altered his mindset entering Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 62 main event against Caio Borralho.

After putting together back-to-back wins over Sean Strickland and Marvin Vettori, the quest for a second middleweight title shot for Cannonier (17-7 MMA, 10-7 UFC) was somewhat derailed in June when he suffered a fourth-round TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov that was heavily criticized as an early stoppage across the MMA community.

It was a frustrating outcome for Cannonier, because ultimately it was a step backward regardless of the controversy. He wanted to return to action as soon as possible to put it behind him, and the promotion obliged in the form of headlining bout against Borralho (16-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas (ESPN, ESPN+).

“Sometimes for me, being so high in the rankings, being so close to another title shot, I think I put a little bit of pressure on myself,” Cannonier told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “There was always conversations with randoms like, ‘Title shot next.’ I was focusing more on what could be, as opposed to what was next. Not to say that I wasn’t focused on my opponents or focused in camp or focused on my fight. It feels like there’s been a weight lifted off me not having to worry about the implications of this fight.

“Not to say that there aren’t bad implications if I lose. Not to say that I’m not concerned about the dangers that each of these contests present. But I’m planning to just go in there and instead of trying not to lose, focus more on doing my thing and getting that win.”

Cannonier, 40, said he didn’t hesitate to accept the fight with Borralho when it was offered. He has kept an eye on the Brazilian as he’s carved out a spot for himself at 185 pounds with six consecutive wins to begin his UFC tenure, and has mentioned his desire to face “The Killa Gorilla” inside the octagon.

Borralho gets his wish this weekend, and Cannonier intends on making him regret it.

“He called me out last year or something so he’s been wanting to get a fight with me,” Cannonier said. “At the time I was in a different place. Had a different point of view. That’s changed, especially after the last fight. He’s kept his winning ways and now we get to meet. So all the stuff he’s said about me, anything that he’s ever said he’ll get to answer for it. See if he can make it come true, or not.”

Borralho has proven to be a dangerous fighter on the ground with improving standup skills. Cannonier thinks he’s more complete, and thinks his opponent is in for a rude awakening on fight night.

“I think he’s going to be in trouble even if he does get me down, because he’s not going to be able to keep me down,” Cannonier said. “And if he ends up on the bottom, it’s not going to be too good for him down there. So I’ve got all the confidence in my ground game. I don’t know why people think my ground game isn’t good. I haven’t been submitted in the UFC. I haven’t been submitted in my career.

“When I was green I fought Glover Teixeira and I spent a lot of time underneath him and didn’t get tapped. And I was green as far as my grappling goes back then. I’m much better now. If you guys are thinking of taking me down – you’re more than welcome to try.”

Cannonier said he’s not trying to look ahead of this fight, especially given his newfound approach. However, he has yet to fight current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, and with the list of fresh names to fight at the top of the division getting shorter as time goes on, Cannonier sees a path to once again become a contender.

“I’m going to be doing my thing Saturday night to try to raise some eyebrows,” Cannonier said. “Wow the crowd and put my name back in the mix.”

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

Caio Borralho: UFC on ESPN 62 finish of Jared Cannonier makes me ‘next contender’ for Du Plessis vs. Adesanya winner

Caio Borralho says he will “deserve a shot” at the middleweight title if he impressively finishes Jared Cannonier at UFC on ESPN 62.

[autotag]Caio Borralho[/autotag] has been waiting for his opportunity to break through as a middleweight contender, and now he’s on the doorstep as he closes in on the UFC on ESPN 62 main event with Jared Cannonier.

Borralho (16-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) has put together a 16-fight unbeaten streak in MMA competition, including six straight wins in the octagon after earning a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. He now draws former title challenger Cannonier (17-7 MMA, 10-7 UFC) in the Aug. 24 headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas (ESPN, ESPN+), and he thinks this is the right opponent for him to prove he’s ready for the next level.

“He’s very experienced guy, he’s very consistent,” Borralho told MMA Junkie. “He can take the fight where he wants all the time, he can explode when he wants. I think he’s a very tricky guy. Very explosive, very strong. I think it’s going to be an awesome fight to watch.”

Although it might seem like Cannonier is especially vulnerable to be picked off in this situation because of a roughly two-month turnaround from a controversial stoppage loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC on ESPN 57 in June, Borralho doesn’t see it that way.

Borralho credited Cannonier for the way he takes care of his body at 40 years old, and said the potential damage taken from the loss to Imavov – however debatable – shouldn’t come into the narrative of their fight.

“I thought it was an early stoppage,” Borralho said. “I thought he was winning the fight, he as doing very good. He thought he was taking the fight where he wanted. I think it was an early stoppage. He was already recovered from the shot. … I don’t think he took that much damage from the fight.”

If Borralho is able to beat Cannonier at UFC on ESPN 62, it would alter his stock at 185 pounds in a major way. And if Borralho can finish his first UFC headliner in a highlight-reel fashion? He thinks it would be a hell of an argument to challenge the winner of the next divisional title fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, which takes place at UFC 305 in Australia one week prior to his fight vs. Cannonier.

“Just winning is going to put me in the mix with all these contenders in the top five,” Borralho said. “After winning in extremely impressive fashion, if I knock out Jared Cannonier or if I finish him on the ground or anything like that – I think it puts me right away to the next contender. My last mantra in the last fight with Paul Craig is that I was going to KO Paul Craig. And I did it. Now the mantra for this fight is I’m going to show the new champ has arrived. That’s what I’m going to show to everybody and that’s what I think I’m going to win in a good fashion and be the next contender for sure.

“But anything the UFC wants to give me, I’m a company man. I know what I have all my steps to go, but I know that I will deserve a shot if I finish a guy that was never finished in the right way in the middleweight division. He only lost to Robert Whittaker by decision, and he lost to Adesanya by decision, and that early stoppage against Imavov. If I finish him, definitely people are going to look at me as the next contender. That’s my mantra.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 61.