Jacare Souza has broken his silence to provide his first update after testing positive for coronavirus at UFC 249.
[autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] has spoken out after testing positive for coronavirus.
Souza (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC), who was scheduled to face [autotag]Uriah Hall[/autotag] last week at UFC 249, received a positive test for COVID-19 one day before the event and, as a result, his bout with Hall was scrapped. Two of Souza’s cornermen also tested positive.
On Wednesday night, Souza released his first statement on social media, saying that he hopes his fight with Hall can be rebooked as soon as he’s medically cleared.
“I was very sad to not be able to fight at UFC 249, but I want you to know that, as soon as I’m medically cleared, I hope to reschedule my fight with Uriah Hall so that I can put on the show that everyone expects,” Souza said. “I thank my corners for the partnership, my opponent for the words of support and the UFC for all the care.
“Thank you all for the kind messages I have received in the last few days. The upcoming weeks I will be secluded with my family and coaches and focused on our health so I can be back soon.”
Upon arriving in Jacksonville last Wednesday, Souza notified the UFC that he’d been in contact with a family member who had COVID-19. Souza wore gloves and a mask at weigh-ins and was visibly distant from Hall at the face-offs. But a couple of hours later, Souza was notified that he tested positive, the second known UFC fighter to be infected with COVID-19 after Lyman Good came forward last month.
Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 249 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $330,500.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 249 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $305,500.
The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.
UFC 249 took place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.
The full UFC 249 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:
Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.
In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.
Full 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:
After UFC 249, Dana White confirmed “Jacare” Souza and Uriah Hall will be taken care of despite bout cancellation.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Middleweight fighters [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] and [autotag]Uriah Hall[/autotag] will be paid despite not competing at UFC 249.
According to UFC president Dana White, the two fighters will be compensated even though the bout was canceled. Both fighters made weight Friday, but the fight was ultimately scrapped when “Jacare” tested positive for COVID-19.
“Yeah, we’ll get them figured out,” White confirmed at the UFC 249 post-fight press conference, when asked if Souza and Hall would be paid.
Upon his arrival in Jacksonville on Wednesday, Souza, 40, notified UFC testing staff a family member had previously had COVID-19. He was tested for the virus by way of nasal swab shortly thereafter.
Friday, Souza, along with the rest of the UFC 249 lineup, weighed in for Saturday’s fights. Then, they were tested for COVID-19 once again. A couple hours later, the fighters paired off and squared off at the ceremonial weigh-ins. Bookending White, Souza and Hall stayed a noticeable distance apart and both wore personal protective equipment. Souza wore a mask and gloves, while Hall only wore a mask.
Friday night, Souza was notified he tested positive, the bout against Hall was canceled, and he was sent home.
Uriah Hall was nothing but class in the fallout of his late-notice scratch from UFC 249.
[autotag]Uriah Hall[/autotag] was nothing but class in the fallout of his late-notice scratch from UFC 249 due to [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag]’s positive coronavirus test.
After already having their planned middleweight bout postponed from April 18 due to the global pandemic, Hall lost out on one of the biggest fights of his career when Souza’s pre-fight test for COVID-19 came back positive, along with two of his cornermen, Friday night.
The bout immediately was pulled from the card, and although the event will still proceed, according to the UFC, Hall will not get the chance to step in the octagon.
He expressed his disappointment on the situation and sent well wishes to “Jacare” over social media (via Twitter).
@JacareMMA Brother I know it sucks I’m sorry you have to go through this I am beyond devastated for the missed opportunity I wish you nothing but recovery for you and your family.
Brother I know it sucks I’m sorry you have to go through this I am beyond devastated for the missed opportunity I wish you nothing but recovery for you and your family.
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Hall trained in isolation for UFC 249. He slept on an air mattress inside the Fortis MMA Gym in Texas, doing virtual training sessions with his head coach Sayif Saud in preparation for a key moment in his career.
Hall won’t get the chance to fulfill that moment, though, and now it remains to be seen what’s next for “The Ultimate Fighter 17” finalist.
With Hall (15-9 MMA, 8-7 UFC) vs. Souza (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) off, UFC 249 will proceed with 11 bouts. The event takes place Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
One of the major fears surrounding UFC 249 has become a reality. A fighter on the card has tested positive for COVID-19.
One of the major fears surrounding UFC 249 has become a reality. A fighter on the card has tested positive for coronavirus.
[autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag], who was scheduled to fight Uriah Hall in a middleweight bout, is the fighter to test positive for COVID-19. While that fight has been pulled, the UFC 249 will proceed.
MMA Junkie verified the news with a UFC official following an initial report from ESPN.com on Friday night. Hunter Campbell, excecutive vice president and chief business officer of UFC, told ESPN that the promotion has received clearance from the Florida State Athletic Commission to move forward with the event, which takes place Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
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According to ESPN’s report, Souza informed UFC officials that a family member had tested positive for coronavirus when he arrived in Jacksonville on Wednesday. He was tested and isolated before the positive test came back.
Both Souza (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) and Hall (15-9 MMA, 8-7 UFC) made weight Friday morning, but both men wore masks. Souza wore gloves in addition to a mask. They faced off standing several feet farther apart than any of the other fighters on the card.
All UFC 249 pre-fight media obligations are complete after Friday’s faceoffs, which featured a wide range of scenes over the 12-fight card.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – All UFC 249 pre-fight media obligations are complete after Friday’s faceoffs, which featured a wide range of scenes over the 12-fight card.
Tony Ferguson brought his belt to his main event staredown with Justin Gaethje, while Henry Cejudo committed some on-brand antics when up close with Dominick Cruz ahead of their co-main event clash.
The standout from the non-title bouts went to the middleweight prelim matchup between [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) and [autotag]Uriah Hall[/autotag] (15-9 MMA, 8-7 UFC), who wore personal protective equipment and stood well apart as the coronavirus pandemic continues to be present in the world. They, of course, won’t have that option on fight night, as they’ll be locked inside the octagon.
Watch the complete UFC 249 pre-fight faceoffs above and check out our gallery below.
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UFC 249 takes place Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
The best facts, figures and footnotes about the UFC 249 prelims, where Donald Cerrone rematches Anthony Pettis in the featured bout.
The UFC’s return from the coronavirus pandemic goes down Saturday with UFC 249, which takes place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., and features a deep preliminary card.
Headlining the action, which airs on ESPN following early prelims on ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass, is a welterweight rematch between two all-time fan favorites. [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] (22-10 MMA, 9-9 UFC) and [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] (36-14 MMA, 23-11 UFC) will run it back after “Showtime” stopped “Cowboy” by first-round TKO when they met at UFC on FOX 6 in January 2013.
It’s an important fight for both men, but it doesn’t represent all the prelim lineup has to offer. For more on the numbers, check below for 70 pre-event facts about the UFC 249 prelims.
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Featured ESPN prelim
Anthony Pettis
Pettis returns to the UFC welterweight division after a one-fight stint at lightweight. He’s 1-1 when fighting in the weight class.
Pettis is one of nine fighters in UFC history to earn victories in three weight classes.
Pettis is 4-8 in his past 12 UFC appearance dating back to when he lost the UFC lightweight title in March 2015.
Pettis has earned 18 of his 22 career victories by stoppage. That includes seven of his nine UFC wins.
Pettis’ five submission victories from a bottom position in UFC/WEC competition are tied with Diaz for most in combined company history.
Donald Cerrone
Cerrone has fought on Spike, Versus, FUEL TV, pay-per-view, FOX, FS1, UFC Fight Pass, ESPN and ESPN+ during his UFC tenure.
Cerrone competes in his 35th UFC bout, the most appearances in company history.
Cerrone makes his 45th UFC/WEC appearance, the most in combined organizational history.
Cerrone’s 45 appearances in UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce competition are most in combined organizational history.
Cerrone makes his 12th UFC welterweight appearance. He’s 6-5 when fighting in the weight class.
Cerrone’s 24 appearances since 2014 in UFC competition are most in the company.
Cerrone’s 23 victories in UFC competition are most in company history.
Cerrone’s 29 victories in UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce competition are most in combined organization history.
Cerrone’s 17 victories in UFC lightweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Jim Miller (19).
Cerrone’s 16 stoppage victories in UFC competition are most in company history.
Cerrone’s 20 stoppage victories in UFC/WEC competition are the most in combined organizational history.
Cerrone’s 20 stoppage victories in UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce competition are tied with Wanderlei Silva for second most in combined organizational history behind Mirko Cro Cop (21).
Cerrone’s 10 stoppage victories in UFC lightweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Joe Lauzon (13) and Miller (12).
Cerrone’s seven knockout victories stemming from kicks in UFC competition are most in company history. No one else has more than four.
Cerrone’s eight submission victories in UFC/WEC lightweight competition are tied for third most in combined divisional history behind Miller (nine) and Nate Diaz (nine).
Cerrone’s 20 knockdowns landed in UFC competition are most in company history.
Cerrone has landed 378 leg kicks in UFC competition, the fourth most in company history behind Joanna Jedrzejczyk (430), Thiago Alves (383) and Jon Jones (380).
Cerrone defends 90 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC lightweight competition, the best rate among active fighters in the weight class and second highest in divisional history behind Gleison Tibau (92 percent).
Cerrone’s 23 fight-night bonuses in UFC/WEC bouts are the most in combined organizational history.
Cerrone’s 18 fight-night bonuses in UFC bouts are most in company history.
Other ESPN prelims
Aleksei Oleinik
[autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag] (58-13-1 MMA, 7-4 UFC), 42, is the oldest active fighter in the UFC heavyweight division and is the oldest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.
Oleinik is the only fighter in MMA history to earn victories in four different decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s).
Oleinik’s average fight time of 5:26 in UFC heavyweight fights is fourth shortest in divisional history behind Cyril Asker (3:24), Todd Duffee (3:26) and Shane Carwin (4:55).
Oleinik has earned 54 of his 58 career victories by stoppage. That includes all seven of his UFC wins.
Oleinik has earned 46 of his 58 career victories by submission.
Oleinik’s six submission victories in UFC heavyweight competition are tied with Stefan Struve for second most in divisional history behind Frank Mir (eight).
Oleinik has earned two of the three Ezekiel-choke submission victories in UFC history. He accomplished the feat at UFC 224 and UFC Fight Night 103. Remco Pardoel also won with the technique at UFC 2.
Oleinik attempts 2.76 submissions per 15 minutes of fighting in UFC heavyweight competition, the highest rate in divisional history.
Fabricio Werdum
[autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] (23-8-1 MMA, 11-5 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since March 17, 2018. The 784-day layoff is the longest of his nearly 18-year career.
Werdum is 9-3 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in February 2012.
Werdum and Marcin Tybura combined for 282 significant strikes landed at UFC Fight Night 121, the second most in a UFC heavyweight bout Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier (304) at UFC 241.
Carla Esparza
[autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC) was the first UFC strawweight champion. She lost the belt to Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 185 in March 2015.
Esparza is 5-3 since losing the UFC strawweight title to Jedrzejczyk in March 2015.
Esparza’s six victories in UFC strawweight competition are tied for fourth most in divisional history behind Joanna Jedrzejczyk (10), Jessica Andrade (seven) and Angela Hill (seven).
Esparza has completed at least one takedown against nine of her 10 UFC opponents.
Esparza’s 33 takedowns landed in UFC strawweight competition are tied with Claudia Gadelha for most in divisional history.
Esparza has earned five of her six UFC victories by decision.
Michelle Waterson
[autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag] (17-7 MMA, 5-3 UFC) has completed at least one takedown against seven of her eight UFC opponents.
Waterson’s two submission victories in UFC strawweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Rose Namajunas (three) and Cynthia Calvillo (three).
Waterson lands 52.9 percent of her significant strike attempts in UFC strawweight competition, the third best rate in divisional history behind Suarez (65.8 percent) and Paige VanZant (53 percent).
[autotag]Uriah Hall[/autotag] (15-9 MMA, 8-7 UFC) is one of three fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a spinning back kick to the head. Renan Barao and Magomed Mustafaev also accomplished the feat.
Ronaldo Souza
[autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) enters the event on the first losing skid of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since November 2018.
Souza returns to the UFC middleweight division after an unsuccessful one-fight stint at light heavyweight.
Souza’s 14 victories in UFC/Strikeforce middleweight competition are tied for third most in combined divisional history behind Michael Bisping (16) and Luke Rockhold (15).
Souza’s 12 stoppage victories in UFC/Strikeforce middleweight competition are second most in combined divisional history behind Rockhold (13).
Souza’s seven fight-night bonuses fo UFC middleweight bouts are tie for third most in divisional history behind Anderson Silva (12) and Yoel Romero (eight).
Vicente Luque
[autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag]’s (17-7-1 MMA, 10-3 UFC) has earned 15 of his 17 career victories by stoppage. That includes nine of his 10 UFC wins.
Luque’s nine stoppage victories since 2015 in UFC welterweight competition are most in the division during that span.
Luque’s nine stoppage victories in UFC welterweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Matt Brown (13) and Matt Hughes (12).
Luque is one of seven fighters in UFC history to earn their first nine victories with the promotion by stoppage. Lauzon, Francis Ngannou, Vitor Belfort, Don Frye, Gabriel Gonzaga and Royce Gracie also accomplished the feat.
Luque and Bryan Barberena combined for 332 significant strikes at UFC on ESPN 1, the third most for a three-round fight in UFC history behind Karol Rosa vs. Lara Procopio (336) at UFC on ESPN+ 15 and Diaz vs. Cerrone (334) at UFC 141.
Luque’s two D’Arce choke victories in UFC competition are tied with Dustin Poirier for second most in company history behind Tony Ferguson (three).
Luque is one of 17 fighters in UFC history to earn a submission victory by anaconda choke. He accomplished the feat at UFC on FOX 17.
Niko Price
[autotag]Niko Price[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over his past five fights. He won his most recent bout at UFC on ESPN+ 19.
Price’s average fight time of 5:35 in UFC welterweight competition is second shortest among active fighters in the weight class behind Abdul Razak Alhassan (4:57).
Price has earned 13 of his 14 career victories by stoppage. That includes all six of his UFC wins.
Price is one of two fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from an upkick. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN+ 19. Jon Fitch also won with the technique.
Price has earned two of the three knockout victories in UFC history stemming from bottom position. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN+ 19 and UFC Fight Night 133.
Bryce Mitchell
[autotag]Bryce Mitchell[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is one of two fighters in UFC history to earn a Twister submission victory. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN 7. Chan Sung Jung also won with the technique.
[autotag]Charles Rosa[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over his past seven fights. He won his most recent bout at UFC on ESPN 6.
Rosa has been awarded four fight-night bonuses in his six-fight UFC career.
Rosa’s submission of Sean Soriano at 4:43 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 59 marked the latest finish in a three-round UFC featherweight bout.
[autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]’s (17-5 MMA, 3-0 UFC) three-fight UFC winning streak at light heavyweight is tied for the third longest active streak in the division behind Jones (four) and Magomed Ankalaev (four).
[autotag]Sam Alvey[/autotag]’s (33-13 MMA, 10-8 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since June 2018.
Alvey is 2-3 since he moved up to the UFC light-heavyweight division in February 2018.
UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.
Identifying the most significant storyline for each UFC 249 prelim matchup.
Every UFC fight has a storyline to it. The general public might not always be deeply invested, but whether it’s for a championship or marks a debut, each fight represents a pivotal moment for the athletes.
With every trip to the octagon comes a narrative. What does a win mean in the short term? The long term? What fights are on the horizon with an impressive performance? What new skills or weaknesses will be revealed?
The potential storylines are endless, and we’re here to help identify the most significant one for each fight, this time at UFC 249, which takes place Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. Today, we look at the prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.
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ESPN prelims
[autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag]
There’s no starvation for narratives in this one as fan favorites Pettis and Cerrone look to shake the public perception of disappointment in their most recent performances and add some stability to their respective careers.
Pettis is coming off arguably his worst loss to date against Diego Ferreira. “Showtime” has bounced around weight classes in hopes of adding some measure of consistency to his results. It’s been to no avail, but now Pettis is being set up to rematch an opponent he already blew past in less than three minutes back in January 2013. It’s critical for Pettis to win if he wants to keep getting big-name fights, because another loss would push his UFC record to sub-.500 territory.
Cerrone is not in danger of having his winning percentage fall below even, but he is facing the longest skid of his career. The last time “Cowboy” lost three straight he rebounded in resounding fashion, but this assignment feels tougher. Cerrone has been stopped in all three of his recent defeats, and the questions have started to come about damage absorbed entering his 35th UFC fight. That’s a concern that’s not going to go away, but Cerrone can evade hard questions about fighting life with a win.
[autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag]
Does former UFC heavyweight champ Werdum still have it after a layoff of more than two years due to a USADA suspension? That is the big question surrounding his return bout against fellow submission ace Oleinik.
Werdum, now 42, was the best heavyweight in the world for a good time. It’s hard to envision him returning to that point at his age and following so much time off. Even if he beats Oleinik, it’s not exactly the most telling litmus test for where he stands.
The Brazilian is a welcomed readdition to the heavyweight ranks, though, and his ability to get future fights of worthy is heavily dependent on his performance against Oleinik, who will try to beat an ex-UFC champ for the first time.
[autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag]
It’s been five years since Esparza’s reign as the UFC’s inaugural 115-pound champ came to an end, and dropping some key bouts have prevented her from getting back to the strap. She’s coming off back-to-back wins, though, and if “The Cookie Monster” is ever going to see another title fight, then getting this one against Waterson is essential.
“The Karate Hottie” enters in a similar situation. She’s fallen just shy of securing a title shot on multiple occasions, and opportunities could soon be running out. Beating a former champion like Esparza would be just the statement she needs to continue to connect her name to title contention.
[autotag]Uriah Hall[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag]
(Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)
At long last Hall has seemingly found his way since linking up with Fortis MMA. Hall has started to really come into his own over the past couple fights, but his opponents haven’t been of Souza’s caliber. Can he get through the challenge and start churning out results that support all the hype he got entering the UFC?
“Jacare,” on the other hand, is trying to hang on to his final bits of relevance as a middleweight contender and reinforce that he shouldn’t be written off entirely. Souza is one of the best to never fight for a UFC title, but at 40, on the first losing skid of his career, and now returning to 185 pounds after an unsuccessful experiment at light heavyweight, it feels like a win is needed to extend his fighting life.
“I think he’s got way better hands than Israel does, and I think Uriah is dangerous on the feet, but that’s not taking anything away from Israel.”
Coach Sayif Saud is confident that [autotag]Uriah Hall[/autotag] would give UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] a run for his money.
Hall (15-9 MMA, 8-7 UFC) previously mentioned that his dream fight would be against Adesanya in a matchup between two of the most dynamic strikers in the sport. And Saud thinks, despite Hall’s early inconsistencies in his career, he’s physically transformed into his best athletic version yet.
“People could say whatever they want about Uriah. He’s had an up-and-down career, (but) look at the guys he’s fought,” Saud told MMA Junkie. “He has fought all of the toughest dudes. Whittaker, Costa, Weidman back in the day – I mean, he’s fought everybody. Mousasi twice. That dude (Hall) has fought some tough competition, so he’s used to fighting the guys at that level.
“But now he’s had this resurgence, and he’s focused. He’s training his ass off, he’s at the gym constantly, staying at the gym (at the time), and I feel like he’s ready, man. He’s mature, and he physically continues to improve in an unbelievable pace because of coach Mike Scaccia, all the strength work and everything else. It’s like physically, the guy is the fastest I’ve ever seen him, the strongest I’ve ever seen him, because he’s dedicated so much time to it.”
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Hall has won three of his last four fights and is coming off back-to-back wins over Bevon Lewis and Antonio Carlos Jr. last September. Despite the losses on his resume, Hall has shown moments of brilliance, and Saud thinks he could deliver against Adesanya.
“I just feel like he could do it, and I think he can beat Israel,” Saud said. “I think he’s got way better hands than Israel does, and I think Uriah is dangerous on the feet, but that’s not taking anything away from Israel. Israel is the champ, and he’s the man, and he’s awesome.
“He had a real close fight with Kelvin (Gastelum), which Uriah had a real close fight with Kelvin back in the day, too, so all those guys at middleweight are super dangerous, and I think Uriah could do it. I think because of his speed, his physicality and how he continues to improve all of his already impressive abilities, he’s dangerous.”
But first Hall faces a stern test in jiu-jitsu ace Ronaldo Souza this Saturday at UFC 249, where a win would certainly propel him one step closer to title contention.
Some fighters head into their bout knowing what fight they want next, and have a name ready to drop, when asked. [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] has two.
Souza (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) takes on [autotag]Uriah Hall[/autotag] this Saturday at UFC 249 looking to avoid a three-fight losing skid.
In a classic striker versus grappler matchup on paper, Souza is aware of Hall’s threat, but is confident he has the skills and gameplan to put him away.
“I have a lot of respect for Hall,” Souza told MMA Junkie. “He’s a great fighter, he’s incredible, he’s a knockout master. But I’m ready to use my skills and beat him. I did a very good training camp for this fight and, on fight day, I want to prove that I’m better than him.
“I believe I’m going to win this fight in the second round. I don’t know why, but I believe I’m going to win in the second.”
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If he successfully gets past Hall, Souza has his eyes on two split decision losses that he hopes to avenge. Souza was narrowly edged by both [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] and [autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag], and said he wants rematches with both of them.
“I’d like to make a rematch against Romero,” Souza said. “I believe it’s gonna be a great fight – or Kelvin Gastelum. I have to prove that I’m the king of the rematch because I never lost a rematch, and I’d like to make a rematch against these fighters. … But right now I have to be focused on my opponent because he’s tough. I have to be smart because he’s tough.”
