Tag: UFC on ESPN 9

Gabriel Green very familiar with UFC on ESPN 9 opponent Daniel Rodriguez, reveals past booking

Gabriel Green was familiar with Daniel Rodriguez when he got the UFC call. The two were supposed to fight each other in late 2018.

[autotag]Gabriel Green[/autotag] will be making his UFC debut on Saturday, but five days ago, he wasn’t even on the roster.

At UFC on ESPN 9, Green (9-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will make the walk to the promotion’s cage for the first time, when he takes on UFC sophomore Daniel Rodriguez (11-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in a welterweight bout.

Green hasn’t competed since August 2018, spending the better half of two years struggling with a reoccurring shoulder injury. In a bizarre twist of fate, a shoulder injury to Rodriguez’s originally scheduled opponent, Kevin Holland, is actually what paved the way for Green to enter the promotion.

“We heard that there was a possibility (Monday) night and that they were going to let us know by the end of the night or early morning,” Green told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “I got a call at 4:30 in the morning that said, ‘We’re ready. We’re rolling out.’ So that was it. My coach came by. We all jumped in his truck and we took off to Vegas.”

“It definitely feels really good to be here. When I had my first fight, the only place I wanted to go was in the UFC. It feels really good to be there now.”

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Though his opponent Rodriguez has only had one UFC fight, he isn’t an unfamiliar name to Green. In fact, Green had been lined up to fight Rodriguez outside the UFC after his most recent fight. However, a broken hand derailed those chances. Almost two years later, the bout will finally come to fruition.

“I was supposed to fight him back in 2018,” Green said. “I was supposed to fight him right after my last fight. When I broke my hand, I had to pull out of the fight with him. I was already pretty much scheduled. I watched film on him back then. I liked the matchup back then, and I thought it was going to be a fun fight. When they offered him right now, I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.'”

Saturday marks the first time UFC fans will be introduced to Green. For those who have never seen him fight, Green expects to put on a memorable performance.

“I bring fireworks,” Green said. “I’ve got nine wins, and they’re all finishes. I go out there and I try to finish. I usually do. I’ve only been to the third round once.

“I think it’s definitely not going the distance. I’m just going to take whatever he gives me.”

UFC on ESPN 9 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

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Roosevelt Roberts promises ‘fight to the death’ with Brok Weaver at UFC on ESPN 9

Friday’s most spirited staredown was no accident.

Friday’s most spirited staredown was no accident.

While masks covered the faces of lightweights [autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag] and [autotag]Brok Weaver[/autotag] at Friday’s UFC on ESPN 9 fighter faceoffs, the two were audibly bickering while standing nose-to-nose.

The two would continue to be heard going back and forth even after they left the stage.

It was an entertaining exchange, though it was a bit unexpected. Afterward, Roberts took to social media to explain the reasoning for his aggression while promising to make Weaver pay for some alleged transgressions.

Make no mistake my beef with @BWeaverufc is very personal, is nothing I hate more then a dog abuser, I want him to feel how it is to be locked in a cage like a dog and forced to fight to the death because this will be to the death.

Weaver recently posted a video of his dog with blood smeared across its face, adding the text “Will make it.” He later messaged another Instagram user who inquired about the dog’s injuries and said that he and his friend put their animals against each other, seemingly suggesting an organized dog fight.

“One of my homies thought his dog could take mine so we put them to the test lol mine won but lost a lil bit of his ear,” Weaver wrote.

Weaver recently told Bloody Elbow that there was a misunderstanding, and that he would never take part in the illegal act of dogfighting.

“I was really not thinking no harm was done because I know dog-fighting is illegal,” Weaver told Bloody Elbow. “A sanctioned dog fight. Where we brought them to each other and made them fight and betted money. That’s animal cruelty. I sent my dog to play with your dog because they lived together for a week.

“It bled a lot but it was just a little clip. A little clip on his ear. He didn’t even care about it. He didn’t even feel it.”

That explanation apparently wasn’t enough for Roberts, and the two made it clear to expect some vicious work in the cage Saturday night.

UFC on ESPN 9 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

Contender Series watch: Meet the nine DWCS alums set for action at UFC on ESPN 9

Take a look at the nine Dana White’s Contender Series alum that will be competing on this Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 9 card in Las Vegas.

The UFC on ESPN 9 card features nine fighters who previously have competed on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Not all of them earned contracts from their appearance on the show, but those who didn’t certainly remained on the UFC’s radar until they eventually got the call.

Some of the former Contender Series athletes will get to revisit a familiar place when they compete Saturday at the UFC Apex, which has been the home of the talent-finding series since Season 3.

Here are the nine Contender Series alums who will be in action Saturday:

Augusto Sakai (vs. Blagoy Ivanov)

[autotag]Augusto Sakai[/autotag] earned a UFC contract on the first edition of Dana White’s Contender Series Brazil in 2018 when he stopped Marcos Conrado Jr. in the second round.

Since then, Sakai (14-1-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has scored three big wins over Chase Sherman, Andrei Arlovski and Marcin Tybura, earning a spot in the UFC’s top 15 heavyweight rankings as a result.

He will take on Bulgarian veteran Blagoy Ivanov in the co-main event as he looks to establish himself as one of the rising contenders in the division.

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Who are these masked fighters? Check out the UFC on ESPN 9 faceoffs in Las Vegas

Check out the faceoffs from the UFC on ESPN 9 fighter weigh-ins in Las Vegas – where masks were mandatory, but social distancing was not.

LAS VEGAS – With all fighters masked up, the faceoffs for UFC on ESPN 9 went down Friday in Las Vegas.

The UFC must follow strict protocols in conjunction with the Nevada Athletic Commission in order to have its next two events at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Masks are among the requirements.

That made Friday’s UFC on ESPN 9 weigh-ins a unique situation that we saw play out in similar fashion earlier this month in Jacksonville, Fla. But the Nevada rules are more strict, meaning unlike Florida, everyone was masked up.

Check out the video highlights from the faceoffs in the video above.

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UFC on ESPN 9 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

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Gilbert Burns has no issue fighting friend Kamaru Usman for title: ‘We’re talking about opportunities’

Despite being friends with Kamaru Usman, Gilbert Burns says they’re definitely fighting if he emerges as the No. 1 contender.

[autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] could find himself on the cusp of title contention with a win Saturday.

Burns (18-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) faces former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in the UFC on ESPN 9 headliner looking to enter the title race.

But sitting on the 170-pound throne is his good friend and teammate, [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag]. And while it may complicate their training situation, Burns said he would have zero hesitation fighting him.

“I’m professional. He’s professional,” Burns told MMA Junkie. “The numbers, being a No. 1 contender, being a champion – we’re talking about opportunities. I have a family. He has a family. … It’s going to be awkward because I don’t know where we’re going to train. I don’t know if one guy will have to move out to do a camp. But yeah, for sure. We’re fighting. It’s on me. He’s already the champion. I’ve got to go out there and perform my best against Tyron Woodley to get the shot, but yeah, for sure we’re fighting.”

It was just a few weeks ago that the two were sharing a practice room, where Burns was taking insight from Usman on Woodley, the man he dethroned to win the title.

“The last time that we worked was when we sparred the week of the Jacksonville fight,” Burns said. “That Tuesday, we sparred a couple of rounds. I asked a lot of things about Tyron Woodley. We talked and he gave me a lot of great insight. I still have a great relationship with Kamaru.”

UFC on ESPN 9 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

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UFC on ESPN 9 weigh-ins video highlights, photos from Las Vegas

Check out our exclusive official weigh-in highlights video and photo gallery for UFC on ESPN 9 in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – The weigh-ins for UFC on ESPN 9 are in the books in Las Vegas.

Former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (19-4-1 MMA, 9-3-1 UFC) takes on Gilbert Burns (18-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) in the main event. Blagoy Ivanov (18-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) meets Augusto Sakai (14-1-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in the co-feature.

Friday morning, the fighters on the card stepped on the scale to make weight at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, which hosts Saturday’s card – without fans in attendance. Only one fighter, Brok Weaver, missed weight.

Check out the video highlights from all the fighters on the scale above, and don’t miss our exclusive photo gallery below.

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UFC on ESPN 9 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

UFC on ESPN 9 predictions: Do our Woodley-Burns picks match up with our readers?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN 9 main card in Las Vegas, featuring Tyron Woodley vs. Gilbert Burns.

Woodley
vs.
Burns		 Ivanov
vs.
Sakai		 Carlyle
vs.
Quarantillo		 Roberts
vs.
Weaver		 Cifers
vs.
Dern
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2020: 44-29		 woodley2020
Woodley
(60%)		 ivanov2020
Ivanov
(51%)		 carlyle2020
Carlyle
(57%)		 roberts2020
Roberts
(62%)		 dern2020
Dern
(86%)
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2020: 55-18		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 quarantillo2020
Quarantillo		 roberts2020
Roberts		 dern2020
Dern
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2020: 53-20		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 roberts2020
Roberts		 dern2020
Dern
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2020: 53-20		 burns2020
Burns		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 quarantillo2020
Quarantillo		 roberts2020
Roberts		 dern2020
Dern
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2020: 52-21
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 weaver2020
Weaver		 dern2020
Dern
Simon Head
@simonhead
2020: 52-21
trophy copy 2019 Champion*		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 roberts2020
Roberts		 dern2020
Dern
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2020: 52-21
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 quarantillo2020
Quarantillo		 weaver2020
Weaver		 dern2020
Dern
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2020: 51-22		 burns2020
Burns		 sakai2020
Sakai		 quarantillo2020
Quarantillo		 weaver2020
Weaver		 dern2020
Dern
Dave Doyle
@davedoylemma
2020: 50-23		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 weaver2020
Weaver		 dern2020
Dern
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2020: 50-23
trophy copy 2018 Champion		 woodley2020
Woodley		 sakai2020
Sakai		 quarantillo2020
Quarantillo		 weaver2020
Weaver		 dern2020
Dern
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2020: 50-23		 burns2020
Burns		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 roberts2020
Roberts		 dern2020
Dern
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2020: 48-25		 burns2020
Burns		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 quarantillo2020
Quarantillo		 roberts2020
Roberts		 dern2020
Dern
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2020: 46-27		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 roberts2020
Roberts		 dern2020
Dern
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2020: 43-30		 woodley2020
Woodley		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 weaver2020
Weaver		 dern2020
Dern
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2020: 32-41		 burns2020
Burns		 ivanov2020
Ivanov		 carlyle2020
Carlyle		 weaver2020
Weaver		 cifers2020
Cifers

The UFC is back in Las Vegas this week for the first time since March for the start of what could be many shows closed to fans at its own facility.

UFC on ESPN 9 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

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In the main event, former welterweight champion [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] (19-4-1 MMA, 9-3-1 UFC) takes on contender [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC). Woodley is the favorite in the fight at around -185, and he’s got a decent 9-5 edge in the picks from our 14 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts.

In the co-main event, [autotag]Blagoy Ivanov[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) meets [autotag]Augusto Sakai[/autotag] (14-1-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in a heavyweight bout. It’s a pick’em fight with the oddsmakers, but a total blowout from our staff members, who are taking Ivanov at a heavy 12-2 clip.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Spike Carlyle[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) meets [autotag]Billy Quarantillo[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in a 150-pound catchweight bout. Quarantillo is the slight favorite, but Carlyle has a slim 8-6 edge in our picks.

[autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) takes on [autotag]Brok Weaver[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in a lightweight bout that has Roberts installed as a heavy favorite around -350. But in our staff picks, it’s a dead heat at 7-7.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Hannah Cifers[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has a big challenger on her hands in [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who is the biggest favorite at the event at more than 4-1. Only one of our pickers is taking the soft-spoken Cifers in an upset.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Woodley (60 percent), Ivanov (51 percent), Carlyle (57 percent), Roberts (62 percent) and Dern (86 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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