Tag: UFC on ESPN 8

Video: Cortney Casey elicits screaming submission from Mara Romero Borella at UFC on ESPN 8

Cortney Casey picked up arguably the best win of her UFC career at UFC on ESPN 8.

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[autotag]Cortney Casey[/autotag] picked up arguably the best win of her UFC career on Saturday when she finished [autotag]Mara Romero Borella[/autotag] in resounding fashion at UFC on ESPN 8.

Casey (9-7 MMA, 5-6 UFC) not only finished Borella (12-8 MMA, 2-4 UFC) in the first round, but she did it with an armbar that caused the Brazilian to scream out loud while tapping out.

With no crowd in attendance at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., the sound of Borella’s scream was clear and agonizing even for the viewer.

Watch it below (via Twitter):

The victory marked a successful move up to the women’s flyweight division fro Casey after spending her previous 10 octagon appearances at strawweight. She said she intends to stick around the division “for a bit,” especially because of how much easier it is to make weight on short notice.

That showed in her performance, because she became the first to submit Borella since 2014.

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

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Video: ‘SportsCenter’ feature on Walt Harris returning after Aniah Blanchard tragedy

It’s a powerful look at the bond between a father and a daughter,

When heavyweight Walt Harris makes his walk to the octagon at UFC on ESPN 8, he’ll do so with the heaviest of hearts.

Last October, Harris’ stepdaughter, 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard, went missing in Alabama. Roughly one month later, after an intense search that made national headlines and with her accused kidnapper in custody, Blanchard was found dead. Her accused killer, Ibraheem Yazeed, is facing the death penalty.

On Friday, ESPN’s “SportsCenter” premiered a nearly 15-minute profile on Harris’ return to the octagon Saturday night after dealing with unspeakable tragedy, focusing on Harris’ connection with Aniah from the time he entered her life when she was 4 years old.

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“Immediate connection,” Harris’ wife, Angela, said. “Aniah and him had a very, very close bond. It was just like, ‘That’s my dad.’ And he was like, ‘That’s my baby girl.'”

That’s exactly how Harris felt.

“We were attached at the hip everywhere we went,” he said of Blanchard. “She even acted like me. Angela would always say, ‘That’s your baby.’ And I’m like, ‘I know.’ … I didn’t feel like a stepdad. I just felt like a dad who stepped up.”

As the “SportsCenter” feature highlights, the father-daughter bond between Harris and Blanchard only strengthened through the years until her untimely death. Now, Harris is set to return to the cage after dealing with unspeakable tragedy.

You can watch the full “Fighting For Aniah” feature in the video above.

UFC on ESPN 8 play-by-play and live results (6 p.m. ET)

Check out live play-by-play and official results from UFC on ESPN 8 in Jacksonville, Fla.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. ā€“ MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 event, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results beginning at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT).

The event takes place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

In the main event, Alistair Overeem (45-18 MMA, 10-7 UFC) takes on Walt Harris (13-7 MMA, 6-6 UFC) in a heavyweight fight. In the co-feature, former women’s strawweight title challenger Claudia Gadelha (17-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) meets Angela Hill (12-7 MMA, 7-7 UFC).

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 6 p.m. ET for theĀ ESPN/ESPN+ prelims and 9 p.m. ET for the main card on ESPN/ESPN+.

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFCĀ on ESPN 8 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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Don’Tale Mayes vs. Rodrigo Nascimento

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Records: Don’Tale Mayes (7-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Rodrigo Nascimento (7-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast:Ā ESPN/ESPN+
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Mara Romero Borella vs. Cortney Casey

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Records: Mara Romero Borella (12-7 MMA, 2-3 UFC), Cortney Casey (8-7 MMA, 4-6 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast:Ā ESPN/ESPN+
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Darren Elkins vs. Nate Landwehr

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Records: Darren Elkins (24-8 MMA, 14-7 UFC), Nate Landwehr (13-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast:Ā ESPN/ESPN+
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Giga Chikadze vs. Irwin Rivera

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Records: Giga Chikadze (9-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Irwin Rivera (9-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast:Ā ESPN/ESPN+
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Anthony Hernandez vs. Kevin Holland

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Records: Anthony Hernandez (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Kevin Holland (16-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
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Miguel Baeza vs. Matt Brown

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Records: Miguel Baeza (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Matt Brown (22-16 MMA, 15-10 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast:Ā ESPN/ESPN+
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Marlon Vera vs. Song Yadong

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Records: Marlon Vera (17-5-1 MMA, 9-4 UFC), Song Yadong (15-4-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
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Eryk Anders vs. Krzysztof Jotko

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Records: Eryk Anders (13-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC), Krzysztof Jotko (21-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
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Edson Barboza vs. Dan Ige

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Records: Edson Barboza (20-8 MMA, 14-8 UFC), Dan Ige (13-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
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Claudia Gadelha vs. Angela Hill

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Records: Claudia Gadelha (17-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC), Angela Hill (12-7 MMA, 7-7 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast:Ā ESPN/ESPN+
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Alistair Overeem vs. Walt Harris

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Records: Alistair Overeem (45-18 MMA, 10-7 UFC), Walt Harris (13-7 MMA, 6-6 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast:Ā ESPN/ESPN+
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UFC on ESPN 8 discussion thread

UFC on ESPN 8 takes place Saturday inĀ Jacksonville, Fla., and you can discuss the event here.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. ā€“ MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., which kicks off at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT). You can discuss the event here.

Be sure to follow along with the latest card updates in our UFC on ESPN 8 live results post, and then discuss the event in the comments section below.

Round-by-round updates and official results begin at approximately 6 p.m. ET for the preliminary card and 9 p.m. ET for the main card.

Free fight: Watch Walt Harris make quick work of Sergey Spivak

Walt Harris scored another quick finish, running right through Sergey Spivak in under a minute.

[autotag]Walt Harris[/autotag] finishes fights.

Harris (13-7 MMA, 6-6 UFC), a contender in the UFC heavyweight division, has a 100-percent finish rate in his victories, a number which didn’t change when he squared off with [autotag]Sergey Spivak[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN+ 9 in Ottawa.

Harris pressed forward, unleashing a combination on Spivak. Seconds later, he threw another flurry, backing Spivak against the cage and landing brutal knees in the clinch. A few shots later and Spivak tumbled to the ground, with Harris unloading heavy shots, until the referee had seen enough.

In his next outing, Harris topped his 50-second finish of Spivak by dispatching of Aleksei Oleinik in just 12 seconds, for his 11th career first-round finish.

Harris returns to action when he headlines UFC on ESPN 8 vs. Alistair Overeem this Saturday. The event takes place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

Before he faces Overeem, relive Harris’ stoppage win over Spivak in the video above.

Despite aiming higher in the rankings, Marlon Vera not taking Song Yadong lightly

Rising contender Marlon Vera is taking Song Yadong seriously ahead of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 event in Jacksonville, Fla.

[autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] didn’t get the type of opponent he wanted, but he got a fight.

The Ecuadorian competes Saturday in the opening bout of the UFC on ESPN 8 main card, which takes place in Jacksonville, Fla. Vera (17-5-1 MMA, 9-4 UFC) takes on Song Yadong in a featherweight bout. Both men compete at bantamweight, but given the difficulties training during the coronavirus pandemic, both have agreed to fight up 10 pounds.

Prior to the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S., Vera was scheduled to fight top-10 bantamweight Jimmie Rivera and then former WEC champion Eddie Wineland.

The Rivera bout was canceled due to an injury sustained by Rivera and the Wineland fight fell through due to the cancellation of UFC Columbus by coronavirus restrictions.

Yadong, a 22-year-old prospect, might not have the same recognition as Vera’s previous booking, but Vera is just happy to be getting back into action.

“It’s a fight,” Vera said during Thursday’s UFC on ESPN 8 virtual media day. “Given the moment that we’re in, that’s what was available. So right now, I had to take a fight.

“And at the end of the day, the guy has a ranking spot above me, so I have to go up (in rankings) in some way. We have to do it, and work is work. Whoever doesn’t work doesn’t make money. And it’s not an easy fight. He’s got power, wants to win ā€“ so I’m in the same situation. I want to be champion and I want so many things, but first is Saturday. A lot depends on that day.”

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Vera currently enjoys a five-fight winning streak with all victories coming by stoppage. He also sits at No. 15 in the UFC’s bantamweight rankings; Yadong is just ahead at No. 14.

Vera has only been preparing for Yadong for a few weeks, but he feels like he’s done his homework in studying the Chinese fighter.

“I’ve watched I think every single fight of his in the UFC. I even watched his fight in that Chinese company that says it’s kickboxing, but it’s MMA,” Vera said. “I actually like to watch and see who I’m fighting. I don’t get cocky and say, ‘Oh that’s OK, I should be fine.’

“I do that a lot, so I pick one or three days and I watch lot of film by myself. I wait till my wife goes grocery shopping with the kids. I’m alone. I turn off all the lights, focus a little bit, I take a few notes, and I tell my coaches what I think and I let them answer wether I’m right or wrong and we go from there.”

Vera hopes a win over Yadong unlocks matchups in the top 10 and top five of the division. He also hopes his win inspires people back in his home country of Ecuador, since the virus has hit hard there.

“The situation is difficult all over the country,” Vera said. “I would like to bring them some happiness on Saturday and it motivates me because people are having a tough time. Just with the victory and the fight I think that could make people feel good at least for that day.”

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Walt Harris provides update on Aniah’s Law aimed at Alabama bail reform

The bill, named after Walt Harris’ slain stepdaughter Aniah Blanchard, has been held up because of the coronavirus pandemic.

[autotag]Walt Harris[/autotag] is still fighting for justice for his late stepdaughter.

Harris tragically lost his stepdaughter, Aniah Blanchard, after she was kidnapped last October and later confirmed dead Nov. 25 when her remains were found.

Since then, Harris has been working with Alabama government officials on Aniah’s Law, a bill that would allow authorities to hold suspects accused of committing violent felonies without bail.

Blanchard’s accused killer, Ibraheem Yazeed, is facing the death penalty. Last October prior to Blanchard’s disappearance, Yazeed was free on a $295,000 bond on charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, robbery, and possession of marijuana in connection with the beating of two men in a Montgomery hotel in January 2019.

As it stands in Alabama, bond can only be denied in cases of capital murder. The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill, but it has not yet passed, because the coronavirus pandemic has halted the process.

Walt Harris and Aniah Blanchard in an undated photo.

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“Of course, with the pandemic we hit a bit of a snag, but we’re working on a law called Aniah’s Law, which would make sure violent offenders aren’t allowed bond, and It’s a bipartisan effort in the state,” Harris said during Thursday’s UFC on ESPN 8 virtual media day. “I mean, both guys came together like that, this bill, it flew through the judicial system so fast that it was kind of overwhelming to watch.

“I went to all the meetings. I met all the lawmakers and kind of got to see how the process worked, and we were very close to getting the bill passed and going to senate, but then the pandemic happened. So, what’s gonna happen when everything opens back up and everything clears back up, they’re gonna re-introduce the bill. I think it’s gonna go through the same process pretty quickly, and hopefully we’ll have the law before 2020 is over, and other states will grab it and enact it as well to protect people.”

Harris, who understandably took time off when Blanchard disappeared, returns to action this Saturday against Alistair Overeem in the UFC on ESPN 8 headliner.

UFC on ESPN 8 takes place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

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Krzysztof Jotko not worried about Eryk Anders at UFC on ESPN 8: ‘I’m a better fighter’

Krzysztof Jotko isn’t concerned with what Eryk Anders brings to the table at UFC on ESPN 8.

[autotag]Krzysztof Jotko[/autotag] isn’t concerned with what [autotag]Eryk Anders [/autotag]brings to the table.

The two were initially scheduled to fight on April 11, but the event was scrapped due to the coronavirus outbreak and the fight was moved to Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 event.

Jotko (21-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC), who recently underwent shoulder surgery, is happy to finally enter a bout with a clean bill of health. He said he wasn’t at 100 percent in his fights with Uriah Hall and David Branch.

He’s won two in a row and likes his chances against Anders (13-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) in a matchup in which he said he doesn’t see any specific threat.

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“He don’t have something like super jiu-jitsu or very good standup or something that I need to be scared (of),” Jotko said during Thursday’s UFC on ESPN 8 virtual media day. “He’s just a good athlete, top guy, and that’s it. I think I’m a better fighter. I’m a more spectacular fighter and I will show this this Saturday.”

If things go his way, Jotko hopes to run things back with Hall. He was in control of that fight until he got caught midway through Round 2.

“I will be so happy to have a rematch with Uriah Hall ā€“ that’s what I want,” Jotko said.

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Twitter Mailbag: Has MMA media been too critical of UFC operations during the pandemic?

MMA media’s (unfair?) treatment of Dana White, Conor McGregor jumping the lightweight queue, and more in this week’s Twitter Mailbag.

Questions on your mind about recent happenings in MMA or the sport in general? MMA Junkie’s Twitter Mailbag is here ā€“ and this week it’s @simonhead to answer:Ā 

  • Has MMA media been too critical of Dana White and the UFC as they attempted to stage their return during the coronavirus pandemic?
  • With Tony Ferguson out of the picture (for now), does this give [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] an opportunity to jump the queue and get the next title shot, or does [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] now hold all the aces at lightweight?
  • Why have the judges in Jacksonville officially scored rounds that contained knockouts and submission finishes?

Those are answered in the video above.

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To ask a question of your own, follow @MMAjunkie on Twitter and let us know.

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Dan Ige: UFC on ESPN 8 win over Edson Barboza would do wonders for my career

This is the kind of fight Dan Ige has been waiting for so he can make a statement.

[autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag] is facing a featherweight newcomer, but [autotag]Edson Barboza[/autotag] certainly isn’t a nobody.

Ige (13-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) faces Barboza (20-8 MMA, 14-8 UFC) on Saturday at UFC on ESPN 8, which takes place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.

And while a win might not necessarily propel Ige up the rankings, he is confident beating a renowned lightweight will result in a step up in competition.

“Edson’s been in the top 10, top five (at 155 pounds) for the past 10 years,” Ige said during Thursday’s UFC on ESPN 8 virtual media day. “He’s one of the best. He’s fought the best of the best. He’s coming down to featherweight. He’s not currently ranked, but he is still ranked at lightweight. I believe he’s No. 11 right now, but I think it puts me right there. It gives me a … maybe not put me in the top 10, but it gives me a top-10 opponent with a win over Edson for sure.”

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Ige, a “Dana White’s Contender Series” alum, has won his last five fights, most recently edging out Mirsad Bektic at UFC 247.

Despite the winning streak, Ige still thinks he doesn’t get the credit he deserves and hopes people will start considering him as a legitimate threat at 145 pounds, should he beat Barboza.

“I still feel like my name gets brushed under the rug, so I still have something to prove,” Ige said. “Still gotta show that I can put anybody out, I can beat anybody in this division. So, yeah, I still got a little work to do to get that respect I want.”

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