Tag: Daniel Cormier

UFC 252 live results: Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier 3

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 252: Miocic vs. Cormier 3, emanating from UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It is arguably the biggest fight of 2020 as the greatest UFC heavyweight of all-time will be determined when two UFC heavyweight legends finish their trilogy.

UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic defends the championship against former two-division champion Daniel Cormier in the biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history in the main event. It is the third time they will fight. Cormier defeated Miocic for the UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 226 in July 2018, and Miocic got revenge when he regained the title by defeating Cormier at UFC 241 in August 2019. This could also potentially be the final fight in the storied career of Cormier.

In the co-main event, Sean O’Malley gets the spotlight as he looks to remain undefeated when he takes on Marlon Vera. They were scheduled to fight once before and have had a heated rivalry leading into this fight. Also on the main card is a heavyweight battle between former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos and Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and a bantamweight fight between John Dodson and Merab Dvalishvili.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].

ESPN PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Kai Kamaka (7-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Tony Kelley (5-1, 0-0 UFC)
Featherweights

Both men are making their UFC debuts. Kelley showing good footwork early on and landing. Kamaka with the jab. Kelley with a leg kick and Kamaka is landing the left hook and lands a right hand. Kelley with a hard leg kick and a straight right hand. Kamaka with a right hand. Kamaka lands a knee as they quickly clinch. Kamaka with a hard body kick and then a right hand. Kelley slowing down a little. Kamaka with a knee. Kamaka with a body kick. Kamaka with a flurry of punches against the fence. Kamaka with a left to the body and he is wearing Kelley down. Kamaka gets Kelley to the mat. He lands from the top as the round ends. Great round for Kamaka. 10-9 Kamaka.

Kelley comes out first with the jab and Kamaka counters with a combo. They trade kicks and Kelley lands a couple of good body kicks. Kamaka with a left hook that staggers Kelley. Kelley with a leg kick and Kamaka counters with a right hand. Kamaka with a counter combo and the right hand lands clean. Kamaka with some body punches. Kelley with a combo and now they are trading in the center of the Octagon. Kelley with a combo and lands a knee to the body. Kamaka gets a takedown against the fence. Kelley is cut along the top of his forehead. Kamaka looking to take the back as Kelley is warned about grabbing the fence. Kamaka gets another takedown. They scramble up and Kelley lands an elbow. Kelley with a combo and lands some knees and elbows at the end. Strong end of the round for Kelley but Kamaka controlled more of it. 10-9 Kamaka, 20-18 Kamaka.

Kelley with a big body kick and a flurry to start the third. Kelley dropped down for a guillotine and lost position as Kamaka is now in his guard. Both men working on the mat as Kelley is looking to scramble out from the bottom. They get up and separate. Kamaka with a jab and right hand and Kelley counters with a right hand. They are trading in close range and Kelley with some knees and elbows. Kamaka pushes Kelley against the fence. Kamaka working for the takedown against the fence and Kelley landing some short elbows and punches. Kelley with an elbow and some knees as they break. Kelley with a body kick and some more knees. We have a timeout for a groin strike by Kelley. They get back to action and trade in close range. They clinch and Kamaka attacks the body as Kelley lands some knees. They trade again. They trade late. Fantastic fight. 10-9 Kelley, 29-28 Kamaka.

Official Result- Kai Kamaka def. Tony Kelley by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Chris Daukaus (8-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Parker Porter (10-5, 0-0 UFC)
Heavyweights

Both men are making their UFC debuts. Porter with a leg kick. They trade in close range and Porter with a right hand and Daukaus with a knee and some punches in the clinch. They push up against the fence. Daukaus with some punches to the body. Porter with an elbow and right hand as they break and then lands a combo. Daukaus with a series of punches. Porter with a leg kick. Daukaus with a leg kick. Porter lands a jab and follows with a right hand. Daukaus drops Porter with a right hand but Porter quickly gets to his feet. Porter with a leg kick. Daukaus then stuns Porter with a combo and Porter starts going down after a right hand and Daukaus lands a big knee right to the jaw as Porter was going down and Herb Dean stops it after a couple more shots. Big knockout win by Daukaus.

Official Result- Chris Daukaus def. Parker Porter by TKO (strikes) at 4:28 of Round 1

> Ashley Yoder (7-5, 2-4 UFC) vs. Livinha Souza (13-2, 2-1 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights

They quickly go to the mat and Souza is on top in the guard of Yoder. Souza with some body punches from the top. Souza postures up and lands a big right hand before they get to their feet. Souza with a right hand. Yoder with a body kick. Souza with an inside leg kick. Souza with a big right hand. They clinch and Yoder with some short knees as she has the head. Souza escaped a guillotine attempt from Yoder. They break and Souza with a right hand and Yoder with a push kick. Souza goes for a late takedown and Yoder grabs the back and lands to end the first. 10-9 Souza.

Yoder with a left hand. Souza with a right hand to the body. Yoder with a left hand and then a body kick. Souza lands a right hand. Yoder keeping a tight grip of Souza in the clinch. They finally break and Souza with a leg kick and then lands a right hand. They trade kicks. Yoder with a left hand. They clinch against the fence. They trade short knees against the fence and break the clinch. Souza with a high kick. Yoder goes for a takedown but Souza slips out and is on top. They get up and are battling for ground position as the round ends. Grueling round. 10-9 Yoder, 19-19.

Souza with a right hand and an inside low kick. Yoder pressures with the clinch against the fence but Souza spins it around. They are battling for clinch position against the fence. They break. Souza with a leg kick and Yoder lands a combo. Yoder with a left hand. We have a timeout for a groin strike but quickly back to action. They trade kicks. Yoder with a left hand. Yoder with a teet kick and a left hand. They trade punches and Yoder landing more. Yoder with a front push kick right to the face. Yoder with a high kick. Souza gets a late takedown and ends up on top. Close fight. 10-9 Yoder, 29-28 Yoder.

Official Result- Livinha Souza def. Ashley Yoder by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> TJ Brown (14-7, 0-1 UFC) vs. Danny Chavez (10-3, 0-0 UFC)
Featherweights* (Brown missed weight by .5 pounds)

They are trading in close range and Chavez with an uppercut and leg kick. Chavez with a leg kick and just misses a head kick. Brown with a body kick. Brown with a low calf kick. Brown rushes in and both land punches. Chavez with a couple of leg kicks. Brown with a body kick. Brown with an inside low kick. Chavez with a quick leg kick and Brown falls to the mat but pops right back up. Chavez with a leg kick as Brown lands a right hand. Chavez with a leg kick and Brown lands a hard counter right hand. Brown with a body kick and goes for a takedown but Chavez defends. Chavez with a late head kick that just misses fully connecting. Good opening round. 10-9 Chavez.

Chavez with some more leg kicks to start the second. Brown with a high kick. Chavez with a head kick and then lands two leg kicks. Brown having trouble putting weight on his lead leg. They trade punches. Brown lands a left hand and then a knee to the body as they clinch but quickly break. Brown with a combo against the fence. Chavez with a body kick and Brown lands a left hand counter. Chavez knocks Brown down for a moment with an elbow and then they rush to the mat as Chavez lands some right hands. Chavez on top and lands and then grabs the neck as Brown tries to scramble up. They get to their feet. Chavez with a right hand and then a snapping straight left. Brown with a body kick. They clinch late after Brown misses a spinning back fist attempt. 10-9 Chavez, 20-18 Chavez.

They scramble to the mat early on but get to their feet. Brown with a left hand and Chavez makes him stumble a little with a short right hand. They trade and both land kicks. They are both throwing and landing against the fence. Brown goes for a takedown but Chavez defends against the fence. Brown with a right hand and a combo. Brown with another overhand right. Brown with a body kick and then goes for a takedown against the fence. Brown with some knees before they break the clinch. They clinch again and Brown with an elbow. Brown with more elbows and Chavez drops down and gets a takedown but Brown has his neck. Chavez escapes and they stand and Chavez gets a trip takedown. They get to their feet and Chavez has the back but Brown rolls out. They get back on the ground and Chavez with some knees to the body. They stand and Chavez gets two late takedowns. Fun fight. 10-9 Brown, 29-28 Chavez.

Official Result- Danny Chavez def. TJ Brown by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Felice Herrig (#15, 14-8, 5-3 UFC) vs. Virna Jandiroba (15-1, 1-1 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights

Jandiroba goes right for a takedown. Jandiroba in the half-guard of Herrig. Herrig now gets Jandiroba in her full guard. Jandiroba now looking to take the back but then moves to the mount. Jandiroba lands from the top and then moves to an armbar and gets Herrig to tap. Jandiroba with complete domination there.

Official Result- Virna Jandiroba def. Felice Herrig by submission (armbar) at 1:44 of Round 1

> Jim Miller (32-14 1 NC, 21-13 1 NC UFC) vs. Vinc Pichel (12-2, 5-2 UFC)
Lightweights

Miller with a left hand. Pichel with an inside leg kick. Miller with a left hand and then an inside leg kick. Miller lands an uppercut and then an accidental groin strike. They quickly get back to work. Pichel lands a hard knee. They trade punches and clinch. Miller has the body lock against the fence. They trade knees. They break after Miller lands a nice elbow. They trade left hands. Miller gets a takedown and works to the back of Pichel. Miller starts to work for a choke. Miller working for an arm-in guillotine. Miller then transitions to a calf slicer but time runs out. 10-9 Miller.

Pichel lands a head kick and Miller runs right through it and gets a takedown. Miller working in the guard of Pichel. Miller pushes Pichel against the fence and looks to transition and lands from the top until Pichel pushes him off. They clinch against the fence. Pichel gets a takedown and Miller grabs the neck. Miller gets Pichel into his guard and is working for a triangle. Pichel passes into side control and then moves to the half-guard. Miller now working to grab a leg of Pichel. Pichel gets back into the half-guard and lands from the top. Pichel lands some big shots late. 10-9 Pichel, 19-19.

Pichel with a quick flurry and gets a takedown against the fence. Pichel landing from the top. Pichel now takes the back of Miller. Miller spins out and then lands a knee to the body and grabs the neck of Pichel. They scramble and Miller takes the half-guard of Pichel. Miller now in good position and lands some punches. Miller has back control and looks for the hooks. Pichel then transitions to taking Miller’s back but they scramble up. Miller with a knee and Pichel lands a couple of elbows and then a knee. Miller has the body lock against the fence. Pichel lands a knee and they separate. Pichel with a right hand and then looks for a takedown against the fence. Pichel with a right hand and then a big knee to the body. They break and Pichel with a big head kick that MIller barely blocks. Miller then grabs a guillotine and has it in tight. Pichel is able to escape and is in the guard of Miller. Pichel with some strikes from the top at the end. Good fight. 10-9 Pichel, 29-28 Pichel.

Official Result- Vinc Pichel def. Jim Miller by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> John Dodson (#12, 21-11, 10-6 UFC) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (#15, 11-4, 4-2 UFC)
Bantamweights

Both are looking for openings in the first minute. Dodson throws a left hand. Dodson with an inside leg kick. Dvalishvili with a right hand and goes in for a takedown but Dodson defends. Dvalishvili has the body lock against the fence and landing knees to the thigh of Dodson. Dvalishvili has the back. Dvalishvili kicking the calves of Dodson from behind. Dvalishvili with more knees to the thighs. They break and Dvalishvili lands a left hand on the break. Dodson with a quick flurry and left hand. 10-9 Dvalishvili.

Dvalishvili with a low kick. Dodson lands a left hand to the body. Dvalishvili grabs a leg but lets go and lands a left hand. Dodson with an inside leg kick. Dodson with a leg kick. Dvalishvili lifts Dodson up and takes him to the center and slams him down but Dodson quickly gets right up. Dvalishvili with a spinning back fist then a left hook. Dodson defends a takedown attempt by Dvalishvili. They clinch again as Dvalishvili goes for a takedown. Dvalishvili gets a brief takedown but Dodson is able to quickly scramble to his feet. Dodson with an inside leg kick. Dvalishvili fakes a takedown and lands a left hook. They trade some short punches. Dvalishvili gets a late takedown. 10-9 Dvalishvili, 20-18 Dvalishvili.

They both yell out loud screams at each other. Dodson lands a left hand. Dvalishvili lands a right hand. Dvalishvili lands a right hand. Dvalishvili lands another right hand as he shoots in for a takedown. Dvalishvili tries for another takedown but Dodson squirms away. They trade punches and Dodson landed a hard left hand. Dvalishvili with a combo against the fence and then a low kick. Dvalishvili with some kicks up the middle. Dvalishvili lands a right hand. Dvalishvili tries for a takedown but Dodson able to defend it. Dvalishvili has Dodson pinned against the fence and lands some hammerfists to the thighs. Dodson lands a left late. 10-9 Dvalishvili, 30-27 Dvalishvili.

Official Result- Merab Dvalishvili def. John Dodson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Herbert Burns (11-2, 2-0 UFC) vs. Daniel Pineda (26-13 2 NC, 3-4 UFC)
Featherweights* (Burns missed weight by 3.5 pounds)

Pineda with a big right hand early. Burns with a takedown but they scramble up and Burns has the back. Pineda is cut open. They scramble up and Pineda lands to the body and gets a takedown. Pineda with some top pressure as he lands body punches and some big elbows. Pineda with some big punches from the top and passes to half-guard. Pineda stands and lands an uppercut to a grounded Burns and then gets back on top and is unloading with punches. Pineda with more elbows from the top. Big round for Pineda. 10-8 Pineda.

Burns with a right hand and immediately scores a takedown. Burns stands and lands some punches and they scramble up and Burns has the back and drags Pineda back down. Burns landing from the top and now Pineda is able to sweep to the top and is in side control. Pineda gets the crucifix position and lands some big elbows. Pineda is unloading and lots of shots landing and it is stopped. Pineda with the big win in his UFC return.

Official Result- Daniel Pineda def. Herbert Burns by TKO (elbows) at 4:37 of Round 2

> Junior Dos Santos (#5, 21-7, 15-6 UFC) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (#6, 10-1, 4-1 UFC)
Heavyweights

Dos Santos with a body shot. Rozenstruik with a low kick. Dos Santos with another body shot and Rozenstruik with a leg kick. Dos Santos with a high kick. They trade right hands. Dos Santos with a right hand and Rozenstruik is landing the inside leg kick. Rozenstruik lands a hard right hand. Rozenstruik with a kick to the groin and we have a timeout. They get back to action with not much time left. 10-9 Dos Santos.

Rozenstruik with a leg kick. Rozenstruik with another leg kick. Dos Santos with a right hand. Dos Santos with another right hand and lands a jab. Dos Santos lands a clean right hand. Rozenstruik with a right hand. Rozenstruik then drops Dos Santos with a right hand after a left hook and then starts landing more punches and it is finished off. Rozenstruik with the big stoppage.

Official Result- Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Junior Dos Santos by TKO (punches) at 3:47 of Round 2

> Sean O’Malley (#14, 12-0, 4-0 UFC) vs. Marlon Vera (15-6-1, 9-5 UFC)
Bantamweights

Vera with an inside leg kick. O’Malley returns with one of his own. O’Malley throwing a lot of kicks in the first minute. O’Malley with a hard leg kick. They are feeling each other out. Vera with a high kick. O’Malley tried to use his footwork and looked to hurt his ankle. His right leg looks done. Vera with a leg kick. Vera with a high kick. O’Malley lands a right hand. O’Malley falls down trying to circle away. Vera then starts landing some elbows and punches from the top and Herb Dean stops the fight. Big upset win by Vera.

Official Result- Marlon Vera def. Sean O’Malley by TKO (strikes) at 4:40 of Round 1

> Stipe Miocic (C, 19-3, 13-3 UFC) vs. Daniel Cormier (#1, 22-2 1 NC, 11-2 1 NC UFC)
UFC Heavyweight Championship

Miocic with an inside leg kick. Miocic with another leg kick. Miocic with a strong leg kick. Miocic with a left hook to the body and then Cormier gets a takedown but Miocic gets up. They break after Cormier lands a knee to the body. Miocic lands a combo. Miocic with a right hand to the body. Cormier with a low calf kick and then a jab. Cormier with an overhand right. Cormier with an eye poke and we have a timeout. They get back to action. They trade leg kicks. Miocic with a right hand followed by a left. Cormier lands a couple of right hands. Cormier rocks Miocic with a right hand late and then lands a couple of leg kicks. 10-9 Cormier.

They trade kicks to start the second and Miocic lands a groin strike. Cormier quickly gets back to work. Miocic with a left hand. Cormier with the jab and lands a couple of right hands. Cormier loading up on his punches. They trade leg kicks. Miocic with a jab. Cormier with the jab. Miocic with a left hook and Cormier counters with a jab. Cormier lands a right hand. Cormier with a combo. Miocic lands a right hand that drops Cormier late. Cormier stumbled to his corner after the round ended. Close round. 10-9 Miocic, 19-19.

They trade right hands to start the third. Miocic with a right hand. Miocic landing more throughout the first minute of the third. They clinch and Miocic pushes Cormier against the fence. They break and Miocic misses a spinning elbow. Cormier with a low kick. Miocic lands a combo and they clinch against the fence. Miocic leaning on Cormier against the fence. Miocic lands a right hand as they break. They trade leg kicks. They trade in close range. Cormier with a heavy leg kick. They trade hard right hands late. 10-9 Miocic, 29-28 Miocic.

Cormier says he can’t see after a late eye poke in the third. Cormier with some leg kicks and lands a right hand. Cormier with a jab and then a combo. They clinch against the fence. They break and Cormier with the jab. Miocic with a right hand. They trade right hands. They clinch against the fence. They break and Cormier with a right hand and then lands a left hook to the body. Miocic with a right hand. Cormier lands a big right hand. They clinch against the fence and break and Miocic lands a left hook. They clinch again but break. Cormier lands two late right hands. 10-9 Cormier, 38-38.

Miocic with a left hook to the body. They trade punches and Cormier lands a right hand. Miocic with the jab. They clinch against the fence and not much is happening. They break and Cormier lands some punches. Miocic lands some punches and they clinch again. Cormier lands a right hand as they break. They clinch again. They break and both land punches. Cormier now initiates a clinch and lands an uppercut but they break. Cormier lands a right hand. They are battling against the fence in the clinch. Both are gassed and the fight ends. Close fight. 10-9 Miocic, 48-47 Miocic.

Official Result- Stipe Miocic def. Daniel Cormier by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) to retain the UFC Heavyweight Championship

Dana White: Miocic-Cormier III set, Conor could have fought at UFC 249

Posted on by Josh Nason

During an appearance on ESPN First Take Tuesday where he made a formal announcement about Fight Island, UFC president Dana White discussed some other topics including the trilogy fight that could determine the best UFC heavyweight of all time.

White said that UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormer III is set for Saturday, August 15th, but doesn’t have a location yet. The two first fought in July 2018 when the then-light heavyweight champion Cormier knocked out Miocic in the first round to become a double champion. They rematched just over a year later and Miocic reclaimed the title with a fourth round TKO win.

Miocic had set the record for most consecutive title defenses (three) before the Cormier loss while Cormier had never been beaten at heavyweight before MIocic beat him.

Other notes from the conversation:

  • White claimed that Conor McGregor could have fought at UFC 249 as a replacement for either lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov or Tony Ferguson, but chose not to because he said “I’m not a replacement fighter. I’m not going to do it.” Justin Gaethje instead moved into Nurmagomedov’s position and defeated Ferguson for the interim lightweight title. White said McGregor was frustrated that he can’t get what he wants, and recommended the former two divison champion sit back and wait to see how things play out. 
  • When asked about the contracts for Jon Jones and Jorge Masvidal, White aired frustration since both signed new deals recently. He said Jones signed a new deal less than a year ago and has eight fights remaining which contradicts what Jones said. With Masvidal, White said he signed a new deal seven months ago.
  • He said Kamaru Usman just signed a new six fight deal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51hKKVlhJug

Daniel Cormier returning to UFC for one more fight against Miocic

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daniel Cormier has confirmed that he’s planning on returning to the Octagon for one more fight.

During an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show today, Cormier said that he’ll return to face Stipe Miocic one more time. “I’m gonna fight this guy again,” Cormier told Helwani. “My intention is to fight him in the right way.”

Cormier said Miocic has to be the opponent and no one else matters to him. Cormier also noted that — win or lose — this will be his last fight.

Cormier told Helwani that there’s no date attached to the potential fight, but he’s ready to go. Cormier said the sooner the better for him and he’d be willing to face Miocic at UFC 245 in Las Vegas on December 14 if it becomes available.

Dana White told Barstool Sports last week that the UFC planned to book the trilogy fight between Miocic and Cormier after Miocic recovers from “bumps and bangs” he suffered in their last matchup.

“I’m not in a place right now where I’m chasing, I’m waiting, I’m begging. I’m not doing any of that stuff — I don’t need to,” Cormier said during his interview with Helwani. “I hope he fights me, run it back like I ran it back for him. I didn’t necessarily have to. I could have took that win last July and said that was beautiful and fought somebody else.”

Miocic won the UFC heavyweight title by defeating Cormier by TKO in the fourth round at UFC 241 this August. Cormier was ahead on the judges’ scorecards heading into that round. The fight was a rematch from UFC 226, where Cormier had knocked out Miocic in the first round to become heavyweight champion.

Cormier told Helwani that he probably would have retired if he defeated Miocic at UFC 241. After the loss, Cormier said he was going to talk to his wife and they would make an educated decision about what’s next.

UFC 241 live results: Cormier vs. Miocic 2, Nate Diaz returns

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 241: Cormier vs. Miocic 2, emanating from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

The Octagon heads back to Southern California for one of the biggest fight cards of the year featuring a heavyweight title fight and the long-awaited return of one of the biggest stars in the sport.

In the main event, UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier defends the championship against the main he defeated to win that title, Stipe Miocic. Cormier returns to action for the first time since a November title defense over Derrick Lewis as he has spent time recovering from a back injury. Miocic is fighting for the first time since losing the championship to Cormier at UFC 226 in July 2018.

In the co-main event, it is the return of Nate Diaz, fighting for the first time in three years, as he takes on former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis. Diaz returns to a lot of fanfare and gets a fight he’s wanted for a while against Pettis, who is looking to go 2-0 at 170 pounds after knocking out former title challenger Stephen Thompson in March.

Also on the main card is a middleweight bout that has been in the makings for a while as former title challenger Yoel Romero takes on undefeated Paulo Costa in what could bring on lots of fireworks.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].

ESPN+/UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT

> Sabina Mazo (6-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Shana Dobson (3-2, 1-1 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

They trade kicks to start. They trade high kicks. Mazo hurts Dobson with a body kick and starts landing punches and then some knees and elbows in the clinch. Mazo gets a takedown against the fence. Mazo with some punches from the top. Mazo with a few elbows from the top. Dobson able to sweep and almost got the back of Mazo but Mazo ends up back in her guard. Mazo landing more and they stand and Mazo lands some knees. Mazo gets another takedown against the fence. Mazo gets the mount. Mazo with some more punches from the top as the round ends. 10-8 Mazo.

Mazo landing some punches and Dobson shoots in for a takedown but Mazo defends and lands some knees. Mazo controlling the clinch as she keeps landing knees against the fence. Dobson lands a couple elbows but is still eating knees from Mazo. Mazo gets Dobson down to the ground. Mazo lands some on top but they get to their feet. Dobson lands a right hand. Mazo with a front kick. 10-9 Mazo, 20-17 Mazo.

Dobson trying to land the right hand but missing. Dobson with a leg kick and Mazo fires back with a body kick. Mazo with a body kick. Mazo with some leg kicks and then a liver kick. Dobson lands a combo. Mazo lands a bunch of knees against the fence, going to the body and the head. Mazo with more knees and Dobson is having trouble defending. Mazo gets a takedown and into side control and lands some knees to the body. Mazo looking for the mount but lands from the top and is in complete control. This fight hasn’t even been close. Mazo lands more punches from the top as the fight ends. 10-8 Mazo, 30-25 Mazo.

Official Result- Sabina Mazo def. Shana Dobson by unanimous decision (30-24, 30-25, 30-25)

> Kyung Ho Kang (15-8 1 NC, 4-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Brandon Davis (10-6, 2-3 UFC)
Bantamweights

They trade leg kicks. Kang with a right hand. They trade right hands. Kang goes for a takedown but Davis defends. Davis with a knee as they break. Kang with the jab. Davis with a leg kick and Kang slips. Kang stuns Davis with a jab. Davis with more low leg kicks. They trade and Kang with a high body kick. Kang is landing the jab and drops Davis with a right hand. Davis quickly gets up and Kang takes the back. They go to the mat and Davis is trying to shake Kang off. Kang gets to mount but loses it and in the half-guard of Davis. Kang ends the round on top. 10-9 Kang.

They both come out firing to start the second. Kang with a leg kick. Kang shoots for a takedown but Davis defends it, goes for an armbar and loses his guard to Kang. Davis able to explode out from the bottom and they get up and break to the center. They trade punches. Davis with a high kick but Kang blocks it. Kang with a combo ending with an inside leg kick. Kang lands a right hand. Davis with a body kick. Davis lands a right hand. Davis with a leg kick and lands a late flying knee. Close round. 10-9 Davis, 19-19.

Davis with a right hand and follows with a leg kick. Davis slips on a kick attempt and Kang takes advantage and gets to side control on Davis. They are stood up from side control as Kang had good positioning. That was a bad stand-up. Kang gets Davis back down and is in side control once again. Kang isn’t doing much here but lands a couple of punches. Davis scrambles to his feet. Kang tries to take the back but Davis slips away and lands a big combo. Kang gets a takedown and is in the guard. Both are landing on the ground. Kang landing from the top and keeping busy. 10-9 Kang, 29-28 Kang.

Official Result- Kyung Ho Kang def. Brandon Davis by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Hannah Cifers (9-3, 1-1 UFC) vs. Jodie Esquibel (6-5, 0-3 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights

Both ladies being patient in the first minute. Cifers lands a right hand. Esquibel lands a right hand. Cifers with a body kick. They trade punches. Esquibel lands a right hand and Cifers lands a counter right. Cifers with a right hand that lands right on the jaw. Esquibel with a head kick. Esquibel lands a left hand. Cifers with a combo. Esquibel shoots for a takedown but Cifers shakes her off. Cifers with a hard leg kick. Cifers with a right hand. Esquibel almost had a takedown at the end. 10-9 Cifers.

They are both throwing to start the second but nothing much is landing. Cifers with a leg kick that hurts Esquibel. Esquibel gets a takedown and is in the guard of Cifers. They are stood up. Cifers gets a takedown and lands a punch to the back of the head and they get up and break and Cifers lands a knee. Esquibel gets a takedown and Cifers is going for a triangle and an armbar but is in a bad position to secure it. They scramble to their feet. They trade late. 10-9 Cifers, 20-18 Cifers.

Esquibel misses a left hand and Cifers lands a leg kick. Cifers with a high kick. There is not a lot of offense going on. Cifers with a leg kick. Cifers with a leg kick and follows with a body kick. They trade punches. Esquibel gets a takedown and is in the guard and lands an elbow. Esquibel with some body punches from the top. They are stood up. Esquibel with a front kick to the chest. Esquibel with a left hand. Cifers with a combo and lands a body kick. Esquibel gets a late takedown but Cifers reverses to the feet. 10-9 Esquibel, 29-28 Cifers.

Official Result- Hannah Cifers def. Jodie Esquibel by unanimous decision (30-28, 30-27, 30-27)

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> Manny Bermudez (14-0, 3-0 UFC) vs. Casey Kenney (12-1-1, 1-0 UFC)
140-pound Catchweight

They are trading early and Bermudez lands a punch and Kenney with a head kick that just barely lands. Bermudez gets a takedown. Kenney is going for a leg. Bermudez gets into the half-guard and moves to the full guard of Kenney. They get up and Kenney gets a takedown. Kenney is locked up in the half-guard of Bermudez. They scramble to their feet. They trade and Kenney with a left hand late. 10-9 Kenney.

Bermudez shooting for a takedown against the fence to start the second. Bermudez gets the back as they go to the mat and Bermudez scrambles to side control. Kenney reverses to the top. Kenney switches and has the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. Bermudez trying to slide out and does. They scramble to their feet. Bermudez lands a punch and they clinch. Kenney is tired. Bermudez gets Kenney to the mat and takes the back and is looking for a choke now. Kenney slips out and gets to his feet and goes back to the ground on top. Close round. 10-9 Kenney, 20-18 Kenney.

Kenney with a leg kick. Bermudez lands a right hand. They both land a combo. Bermudez with a nice combination. Bermudez gets a takedown and is in side control. Bermudez looks for a guillotine from the top but doesn’t have it locked in and he goes back to the half-guard. Bermudez landing from the top. He has big control from the top and ends the round with punches from the top. Close fight. 10-9 Bermudez, 29-28 Kenney.

Official Result- Casey Kenney def. Manny Bermudez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Christos Giagos (17-7, 3-3 UFC) vs. Drakkar Klose (10-1-1, 4-1 UFC)
Lightweights

Giagos with a body kick to start. Klose with some leg kicks. Giagos tags Klose with a left hand. They tie up and Klose lands several knees to the body. They break but then tie up once again. They trade knees and Giagos lands his knee harder. Giagos has been the controlling fighter in the clinch. They break and both miss punches. Klose initiates the clinch and pushes Giagos against the fence. Klose with an elbow as they break. Giagos with a combo late and Klose tags Giagos with a hard right hand at the end of the round. 10-9 Giagos.

Giagos with a big knee to start and they have a wild exchange. Giagos with a body kick and goes into a takedown and in the guard of Klose. Giagos landing from the top and then gets the back of Klose and has a rear-naked choke locked in. It is just on the chin and Klose gets out for a moment. Klose stands and Giagos is still on his back. He loses it and they break. They trade and Giagos lands a nice right hand. Klose with an uppercut and follows it with a hard right and Giagos is hurt. Giagos goes for a takedown but Klose defends. Klose trips Giagos to the mat and gets on top and lands a hammerfist. Klose with big punches from the top. Klose opens up a cut on Giagos. Big end of the round for Klose. 10-9 Klose, 19-19.

They clinch right away but break. Klose with a big leg kick and Giagos went to the ground but got up. Klose with an uppercut but Giagos counters with a left hook. Both throwing punches. Giagos lands a right hand. Giagos lands a combo. Klose clinches and lands a knee to the body followed by an uppercut. Giagos lands a right hand after they break. They both land punches. They trade and clinch and Klose with a foot stomp. They break and trade. Klose shoots for a takedown and picks Giagos up and slams him down but Giagos grabs the arm and tries for an armbar but Klose gets free. They get up and Giagos’ left eye is a mess. Giagos lands a right hand. They exchange late. Really good fight. 10-9 Klose, 29-28 Klose.

Official Result- Drakkar Klose def. Christos Giagos by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Raphael Assuncao (#3, 27-6, 11-3 UFC) vs. Cory Sandhagen (#9, 11-1, 4-0 UFC)
Bantamweights

Sandhagen lands a right hand. Sandhagen lands an uppercut. Assuncao with a left hand. Sandhagen with an inside leg kick. Sandhagen with another inside leg kick. Assuncao with the jab. Sandhagen lands a right hand. Sandhagen with a left hook to the body. They clinch and Assuncao with a couple of knees to the body. They break and Assuncao with a left hand. Sandhagen with a right hand and then a flying knee. Sandhagen with a leg kick. 10-9 Sandhagen.

They trade punches and Sandhagen gets the clinch. Sandhagen with a knee to the head and they break. Sandhagen with a leg kick and Assuncao grabs it and they scramble to the ground and Assuncao has the back. Sandhagen able to reverse to the top and passed guard. They get up and Sandhagen takes Assuncao’s back as they go to the mat. Assuncao goes to the top as Sandhagen grabs the leg. Assuncao gets to the back and lands some punches. They continue to scramble on the mat. They continue to scramble on the mat as the round ends. Close round. 10-9 Sandhagen, 20-18 Sandhagen.

They trade to start the third. Assuncao lands a nice combo. Sandhagen with a right hand to the body. Assuncao gets a single leg and scores a takedown but they scramble to their feet. Sandhagen with an uppercut to the body. They trade body kicks. Assuncao grabs the back against the fence. Assuncao gets a brief takedown. They get up and Assuncao still has the back and lands a knee. Assuncao picks Sandhagen up and delivers a big slam but Sandhagen gets up and gets the clinch advantage. Sandhagen with the jab. Assuncao just slips away from a knee and gets the clinch. Sandhagen with a flying knee. 10-9 Assuncao, 29-28 Sandhagen.

Official Result- Cory Sandhagen def. Raphael Assuncao by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Devonte Smith (10-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Khama Worthy (14-6, 0-0 UFC)
Lightweights

Worthy took this fight earlier this week. Smith with a body kick. Smith lands a right hand. Smith with a high kick and Worthy blocks it. Smith with a leg kick. Worthy with a right hand to the body. Smith with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Smith with a leg kick. Neither able to find much with their punches. Worthy with a leg kick. Worthy then drops Smith with a left hand followed by an uppercut and Smith is in all sorts of trouble and Worthy finishes him off. Wow, what a win for Worthy after taking this fight less than a week ago.

Official Result- Khama Worthy def. Devonte Smith by TKO (punches) at 4:15 of Round 1

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> Derek Brunson (#8, 19-7, 10-5 UFC) vs. Ian Heinisch (#10, 13-1, 2-0 UFC)
Middleweights

Heinisch opening up quick with an uppercut and hurts Brunson with a head kick but Brunson shakes it off and grabs ahold of Heinisch. They break. They trade. Brunson with a body kick. Brunson is landing the straight left hand. Brunson shoots for a takedown but Heinisch defends. Heinisch lands a right hand. Brunson with a combo. Brunson shoots from a distance and pushes Heinisch against the fence. Close round. 10-9 Heinisch.

They trade leg kicks to start. Heinisch with a right hand that Brunson barely blocks. Brunson with a hard combo and Heinisch shoots for the takedown but Brunson sprawls. Brunson with a high kick. Brunson with a left hand and then another and Heinisch is stunned. Brunson with a body kick. Big flurry from Brunson and he takes the back of Heinisch. Brunson lets go and they trade punches. Brunson misses a head kick and slips but gets up. Brunson with some body kicks. Heinisch misses some heavy right hands. Heinisch goes for a takedown but Brunson defends and lands some big left hands. 10-9 Brunson, 19-19.

They are trading punches and Brunson lands a left hand and grabs a leg. He moves to the back and slams Heinisch down but they pop back up. Brunson lands a nice left hand. Heinisch shoots for a takedown but Brunson stuffs it. Brunson gets the body lock and gets a takedown and has the back. Heinisch gets out and grabs the leg but they break. They trade and Brunson getting the better of the exchanges. Brunson landing body kicks but Heinisch lands some punches. Both men are tired with a minute left. They trade late. 10-9 Brunson, 29-28 Brunson.

Official Result- Derek Brunson def. Ian Heinisch by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Gabriel Benitez (21-6, 5-2 UFC) vs. Sodiq Yusuff (9-1, 2-0 UFC)
Featherweights

Yusuff throwing bombs right away and cuts Benitez open within seconds. Yusuff with a hard kick and follows with a right hand. Yusuff with more big punches. Yusuff with a combo. Benitez with a knee to the body followed by a leg kick. Benitez with a leg kick. Benitez with more inside leg kicks and Yusuff lands some punches. Benitez lands two left hands. Benitez drops Yusuff with a left hand but he gets up. Benitez swarms on him as he covers up. Benitez lands another left hand. Benitez with a leg kick. Yusuff drops Benitez with a right hand and then finishes him off with hammerfists on the ground. What a great finish by Yusuff as he gets the first-round stoppage.

Official Result- Sodiq Yusuff def. Gabriel Benitez by TKO (punches) at 4:14 of Round 1

> Yoel Romero (#2, 14-3, 9-2 UFC) vs. Paulo Costa (#7, 12-0, 4-0 UFC)
Middleweights

Costa with a body kick to start. Romero with a left hand and Costa stumbles back. Romero with a head kick. They have a quick scramble. Costa misses a head kick. Costa hurts Romero with a punch and then Romero drops Costa with a left hand. Costa gets up. Costa with a body kick. Romero with another left hand. Costa with a right hand followed by a body kick. Costa with a combo. Romero with a knee to the body. Costa with a knee to the groin of Romero and Romero goes down and we have a timeout. We get back to action. Romero with a left hand. Costa with a head kick that Romero blocks. Romero with a takedown attempt and Costa lands punches and then Romero lands punches. They both land hard punches. Romero with a left hand. Romero with more left hands. Costa applying pressure and lands a wheel kick. 10-9 Costa.

Romero with a body kick. Costa with a combo. Costa with a body kick and Romero counters with a right hand. Costa with a couple of left hooks. Costa with a combo and he is teeing off and Romero is yelling at him while he is eating punches. They trade kicks. They trade punches. Romero has great speed but his footwork has seemed off. They trade punches. Romero with a left hand. Costa lands a right hand but Romero counters with a left hand. Costa with a high kick and Romero sticks his tongue out at him. Romero with an uppercut. Romero with a late takedown. 10-9 Romero, 19-19.

Romero with a left hand and then he lands a big flurry. Romero with a left hand and Costa lands two body kicks. Romero with a straight left hand. Romero pokes Costa in the eye and we have a timeout. Back to action and Costa with a leg kick. Costa keeps landing punches and Romero sticks his tongue out every time. Romero with a combo. Romero with a pair of left hands. Costa with a body punch and one to the head. Romero with an uppercut and a left hand. Costa with a right hand. They are throwing down and Romero lands some big punches. This is wild. Romero with a big flurry of punches and Costa is fading. Costa’s nose is pouring blood. Romero with a combo. Costa with a head kick that Romero eats. Romero gets a takedown but Costa is able to scramble up. Great, great fight. 10-9 Romero, 29-28 Romero.

Official Result- Paulo Costa def. Yoel Romero by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Anthony Pettis (#7, #9 LW, 22-8, 9-7 UFC) vs. Nate Diaz (19-11, 14-9 UFC)
Welterweights

Diaz with a combo to start his attack. They trade kicks. Diaz with some pressure and Pettis lands a right hand. Pettis with a leg kick. They trade punches. They trade and clinch and Diaz lands a knee to the body and some body punches. Pettis lands a combo as they break. Diaz with a front kick to the body. Pettis with a combo and high kick. They clinch and Diaz with some body shots. They break. Diaz with a right hand. Pettis with a knee and Diaz gets a takedown. Pettis looking for a guillotine but Diaz pops out. Diaz in the guard. Diaz takes the back and lands some punches and then gets to the mount. Diaz gets the back again and lands some punches and has back control as the round ends. 10-9 Diaz.

Pettis falls down after they trade leg kicks but gets up and they clinch for a moment. Pettis lands a left hand. Pettis with a combo and lands a right hand. Diaz is cut around his eye and he keeps checking it. We have a timeout so the doctors can check on the eye of Diaz. Back to action. Pettis with a right hand. They trade right hands. Diaz with a knee to the body. Pettis lands a left hand. Diaz gets the back and scores a takedown and has side control. Diaz lands from the top but Pettis scrambles out. Diaz with a knee after they stand. Diaz with a big elbow along with fence. Diaz with a combo. Pettis is running out of gas. Diaz with a knee to the body. Loud chants for Diaz. Diaz with a big knee followed by a right hand. Pettis counters with a right but Diaz with an uppercut. Pettis with an elbow and Diaz is cut open. They trade at the end. 10-9 Diaz, 20-18 Diaz.

Diaz looks the fresher fighter heading to the third. Pettis with an uppercut as they clinch. They trade in phone booth range. Diaz with a combo. Pettis with a high kick. Diaz with a front kick. Pettis lands a right hand. Diaz with a combo and then more punches and lands some knees to the body and head. Pettis goes to the mat and Diaz is on top and landing punches. Diaz has the back and tries to get the hooks in. Crowd is loud for Diaz. Pettis spins into the guard of Diaz. Diaz landing from the bottom and blocking any offense from Pettis. Pettis lands an elbow and stands but goes back into the guard. Diaz landing from the bottom and went for an armbar but Pettis escapes and Diaz ends up on top and then gets the back. Great grappling here. Diaz landing punches from the back and takes the back. Pettis gets to the guard and Diaz throws up a triangle as time runs out. 10-9 Diaz, 30-27 Diaz.

Official Result- Nate Diaz def. Anthony Pettis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Daniel Cormier (C, 22-1 1 NC, 11-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Stipe Miocic (#1, 18-3, 12-3 UFC)
UFC Heavyweight Championship

Miocic with an inside leg kick. Cormier with a pair of leg kicks. Cormier with a left hook. Miocic with an inside leg kick. Miocic with another. Cormier with a right hand. Cormier with another right hand. They trade. Cormier shoots for a single leg and then picks him up and slams him to the ground. Cormier in side control and gets to the half-guard. Cormier with some short punches from the top but Miocic defending well. Cormier being patient from the guard of Miocic. Cormier with a big left hand from the top. Cormier with more punches from the top. Miocic tries an upkick and now Cormier trying for the back. Cormier with hammerfists. They get to their feet. Cormier with late elbows. 10-9 Cormier.

Miocic lands a jab. Miocic with an inside leg kick. Cormier with a hard leg kick. Miocic with a knee to the body. Miocic lands a right hand. Miocic with a combo. Cormier with the jab. Cormier with an elbow. Cormier with an uppercut and then a straight right hand. Cormier with another right hand. They trade punches. Miocic lands a right hand. Cormier with a hard right hand. Cormier with an elbow and they clinch. They break and Miocic lands a combo. Cormier with a right hand. They both land in an exchange. Miocic with a left hand. Cormier with a left hand and they clinch. They break. Miocic lands a right hand. Cormier with a hard uppercut. Cormier with a jab. They trade punches. Miocic with a body kick. Cormier with some punches and a head kick. They trade late. 10-9 Cormier, 20-18 Cormier.

Miocic lands a combo with a hard right hand. Miocic tries a takedown but Cormier easily defends and just misses a head kick. Cormier with the double jab. They are tagging each other in close range. They clinch and Miocic pushes Cormier to the fence. Miocic with a knee to the body. Miocic tried a spinning elbow as they broke but missed. Miocic with a combo. Cormier with the double jab. Cormier with a body kick. Cormier with the jabs again. Cormier lands a right hand. Miocic takes Cormier down but Cormier right back up. Miocic with a knee to the body. Cormier lands a combo. Cormier with a hard right hand. Cormier with a combo but Miocic lands a right hand. They trade punches late. 10-9 Cormier, 30-27 Cormier.

Miocic with an inside leg kick. Cormier with a leg kick. Cormier lands a left hand. Miocic misses a right hand. Miocic with a left hand to the body and then a right hand. The pace has slowed. Miocic is applying pressure but not throwing a lot. Miocic now going with left hands to the body. Cormier with a right hand. Miocic still ripping to the body. Cormier with a right hand. Cormier lands another right hand. Miocic lands another left hand to the body and follows it with a right hand. Miocic then lands a right hand that drops Cormier and he finishes him off in the fourth round. Wow, big win by Miocic as he regains the title.

Official Result- Stipe Miocic def. Daniel Cormier by TKO (punches) at 4:09 of Round 4 to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship

Daily Update: Stephanie McMahon, Terri Runnels, Daniel Cormier

Posted on by Bryan Rose

DAILY UPDATE

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Thoughts on AEW Double or Nothing

This year’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view offered WWE the chance to revitalize one of their best match types.

The Money in the Bank briefcases haven’t been all that much of a factor over the past couple of years. Both men’s winners (Braun Strowman and Baron Corbin) failed on their cash-ins. The women’s winners (Alexa Bliss and Carmella) were successful, but Bliss cashed in on the same night that she won the 2018 ladder match. WWE has missed out on being able to use Money in the Bank as a star-making tool or something to kick off notable angles.

WON NEWSLETTER: May 27, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Death of Ashley Massaro, Double or Nothing preview

A story on Ashley Massaro, the ramifications of her death, mental illness in pro wrestling and the legal fight she was in, the horrible story about Kuwait are all part of an extensive lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Look at her career before wrestling, life after wrestling, rundown the physical toll of pro wrestling, winning Diva Search, comments from those who knew her, her thoughts on a comeback, the concussion lawsuit and all the different questions her career as a swimsuit contest winner being rushed into pro wrestling matches because she got so popular so quickly raise.

Also look at the one debut of a promotion show in history that can compare with AEW’s Double or Nothing, look at the difference between this show and All In, the different fights the promotion has to face, and a detailed rundown of why Pac isn’t on the show, his status with the company, what the company wants out of its PPV shows, where a number of suggested surprise wrestlers are booked on that night, and why putting on the best shows is not the complete or even close to the key factor in a wrestling war.

Also look at the changes in television wrestling in the U.K. in 2020, and what this may mean when it comes to WWE and AEW in that market as far as exposure, and whether that is or isn’t a big issue.

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

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If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE

Additional notes by Joseph Currier

WWE

  • In storyline, Stephanie McMahon condemned Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar for teasing and then not revealing which champion Lesnar would challenge this past Monday on Raw, saying that they disrespected the WWE and the WWE Universe. She said she will officially take this up with the McMahon family and the “Executive Team.”
  • Kofi Kingston arrived in Ghana today for his return visit to the country. It’s Kingston’s first visit to his home country in 26 years, and a WWE film crew is with him to document the trip. WWE posted part one of their “Homecoming” series on the visit.
  • WWE has put up the entire Target: NXT TakeOver episode that premiered on the WWE Network, which takes a look at Johnny Gargano, Adam Cole, Shayna Baszler and Io Shirai ahead of their matches at NXT TakeOver XXV.
  • WWE’s YouTube channel also uploaded The Authors of Pain vs. DIY (ladder match) and Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne from NXT TakeOver: Chicago.

Pro Wrestling

  • Terri Runnels on social media called her arrest a mistake and said that she had the gun in her carry-on bag at the airport because she had spent several days at her mother’s house, which has “armadillos and other critters” that go after her mother’s chickens and garden. She said that she forgot the gun was in her bag that she had been using for carry-on luggage.
  • Samu took to Facebook to thank those who attended his charity event on 5/29. He is currently battling liver cancer.
  • Pro Wrestling Sheet talked to Sick Nick Mondo, aka Matt Burns, about directing the Jon Moxley vignettes
  • Busted Open Radio uploaded their interview with Tony Khan.
  • Alicia Atout interviewed Kenny Omega the day after Double or Nothing.
  • TMZ talked to the former Enzo Amore and Big Cass, who say Ric Flair is indestructible.
  • Ross and Marshall Von Erich talked to Wrestling Inc about their impending arrival in MLW and how they are supportive of them living in Hawaii.
  • Jim Cornette will be available for meet and greets at MLW’s TV tapings in Waukesha, Wisconsin this Saturday.
  • Jonathan Gresham and Eddie Kingston have been announced for PROGRESS Wrestling’s shows in Newcastle on July 6 and Manchester on July 7. This will be Kingston’s PROGRESS debut.
  • Former WWE announcer Todd Pettingill’s radio show, which had been running since the mid 1990s, is ending this Friday due to the radio station, WPLJ in New York City shutting down.
  • Mick Foley has been announced for Starrcast III.
  • The former Damien Sandow, going under the name Aron Stevens, is being advertised for Battle Arts PRO on July 13 in Mississauga.

UFC/MMA

  • Marc Raimondi talked to Daniel Cormier about Brock Lesnar choosing WWE over UFC, saying as a businessman he made the right decision. “He’d have to work his ass off [to fight me] and it’s probably going to go the bad way,” Cormier said. “Whereas with the WWE, it’s usually determined in his favor. So, as a businessman, I think Brock made the right decision.”
  • Jessica Andrade was robbed at gunpoint in Niteroi, Brazil on Thursday. She was with her wife when criminals stopped and robber the car, taking their smartphones. Andrade’s coach said they are both fine despite the incident.
  • Ilir Latifi has pulled out of his Saturday fight against Volkan Oezdemir. The bout will not be replaced.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Terry Gordy becomes first UWF Heavyweight Champion

CONTACT INFORMATION

Daniel Cormier-Stipe Miocic rematch set for August’s UFC 241

Posted on by Josh Nason

Just over a year from when they first fought, UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic will do it again. 

Made official Saturday, Cormier vs. Miocic will headline August’s UFC 241 from Anaheim, CA, in a rematch of last July’s champion vs. champion encounter that saw Cormier knock out Miocic and walk away with two belts.

The fight came together after negotations for Brock Lesnar to return and fight the 40-year-old Cormier fell apart over money according to our Dave Meltzer. According to UFC president Dana White, Lesnar told him he retired. 

The 36-year-old Miocic has been campaigning for a rematch with Cormier for some time and showed little to no interest in fighting anyone else. Cormier didn’t show much interest in the rematch but wasn’t left with a lot of options if he indeed wants to retire this year.

Miocic made UFC heavyweight history with a record three consecutive defenses of the title. Cormier will be looking for his second consecutive defense after submitting Derrick Lewis in November.

Dana White: Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Cormier may not happen

Posted on by Josh Nason

At Friday’s UFC seasonal press conference, Dana White was asked about updates on a long-discussed heavyweight title fight between champion Daniel Cormier and former UFC heavyweight champion and WWE roster member Brock Lesnar.

His answer: Don’t hold your breath.

”Seriously, that fight isn’t even in the works. That fight may not even happen.”

White said he hasn’t spoken to Lesnar about the fight and indicated that former titleholder Stipe Miocic could be next for Cormier, something Miocic has been campaigning for since he was knocked out by Cormier last summer.

White indicated that Cormier was upset that the Lesnar fight isn’t materializing as he would have hoped. Cormier had talked about the Lesnar fight being the final of his career and an expected big payday given Lesnar’s past as a PPV draw.

Cormier was last seen in the cage submitting Derrick Lewis in November while Lesnar hasn’t fought since UFC 200 in July 2016 when he defeated Mark Hunt by decision only to have that changed to a no contest when he tested positive for banned substances.

Lesnar dropped the WWE Universal title to Seth Rollins last Sunday at WrestleMania and isn’t expected back anytime soon outside an anticipated match at the company’s next Saudi Arabia show.

White said Cormier has resumed light training, but gave no indication when he is expected to return.

As always, it should be noted that White is a promoter with a history of fights being made that he previously shot down.

Daily Update: Daniel Cormier, WWE notes, Nick Diaz

Posted on by Bryan Rose

DAILY UPDATE

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F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: WWE’s WrestleMania main event decision

While the first women’s WrestleMania main event is all but official at this point, WWE still has a huge decision to make about who will be in it.

In a sense, WWE is playing with house money. Both options that they have are good ones. Whether the main event is Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship or a triple threat between Rousey, Lynch, and Charlotte Flair for the title, it will be the most heated match on the card and fully deserving of its place in the spotlight on WWE’s most important day of the year. 

WON NEWSLETTER: February 11, 2019: NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo review, more

I have no idea how this issue got done. I had surgery on my left little finger which was broken in three places on 1/30, and it seemingly went well.

NJPW – New Beginnings: The two nights together did 10,957 paid with one sellout up from 10,002 last year. Tanahashi & Okada as The Dream Team vs. Jay White & Bad Luck Fale did the same as Tanahashi vs. Suzuki did last year for the IC title but paid was much higher this year for Naito vs. Taichi in Taichi’s hometown than for Kenny Omega vs. Jay White for the U.S, title last year, although both were sellouts.

At Smackdown on Tuesday, several talents with contracts coming due were asked to sign new long-term deals after Dean Ambrose told the promotion he wasn’t going to sign a new contract. 

Ian Riccaboni signed a new contract with ROH to continue as their play-by-play announcer.

UFC held a press conference today. The big heat seemed to be between Tyron Woodley and Kamaru Usman, building up their Welterweight Title fight at UFC 235 on March 2nd. Jon Jones is facing Anthony Smith on that show.

Conor McGregor will not be fighting Donald Cerrone in April. Khabib still claims he is not fighting for a year.

Jose Aldo defeated Renato Moicano, 44 seconds into the 2nd round. First round was very close. But it was the “old Aldo”, just destroyed him. Aldo is still talking about retiring at the end of this year. 

Filthy Tom Lawlor is the new MLW champion defeating Low Ki at their super fight one hour Bein Sports TV special from the 2300 (ECW) Arena in Philadelphia.

ORDERING INFO:  Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered  via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

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If you order by  mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell,CA  95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • WWE Raw tonight will be held at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The key segment will have Becky Lynch coming back to Raw following another invite from the McMahon family based on her actions from last week. Dana Brooke vs. Natalya was also hinted at last week, but was never made official.
  • PWInsider is reporting that Luke Harper is slated to be at this week’s SmackDown tapings in Toledo, Ohio.
  • WWE has come to an agreement with SKAI that will air Raw and SmackDown in Greece.
  • Stephanie McMahon is on the latest episode of 3.5 Degrees The Power of Connection.
  • John Cena will be releasing a second children’s book called Elbow Grease vs. Motozilla.
  • Monty Brown, who is best known for his run in Impact Wrestling and a brief run on ECW as Marcus Cor Von, resurfaced at a WWE house show in Saginaw over the weekend.
  • They announced today in a press release that they have been voted Best Sporting Event in the SSE Live awards, which are awards held for those who performed at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland.
  • Eva Marie, who was recently voted off Celebrity Big Brother, expressed an interest in returning to the WWE.
  • Riddick Moss talks about the achilles tendon injury that kept him out of action for seven months.

Pro Wrestling

  • A match between the Lucha Bros and the AAA team of Taurus and Laredo Kid is set for MLW Intimidation Games on March 2nd, which will air live on beIn SPORTS.
  • Impact’s Moose was a guest on a recent Comedy Suplex Podcart. 

UFC/MMA

  • Daniel Cormier is pushing back his retirement date, which was originally set to be on his 40th birthday on 3/20 due to injuries. He mentioned that he would like to face Brock Lesnar or Stipe Miocic when he comes back, mentioning a spring or summer return.
  • Nick Diaz isn’t interested in fighting again after Anderson Silva brought up his name during the weekend.
  • Ryan Bader’s coach Jair Lourenco insists that Bader could beat Cormier in a battle of heavyweight champions. “I believe that a five-round fight would be a great scenario for us,” Lourenco said. “Bader does great in five-round fights, but they both have heavy hands. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a war, but I believe Bader has a great chance of finishing him inside five rounds.”
  • Luis Pena will fight Steven Peterson at Ultimate Fight Night Nashville on 3/23.
  • Happy birthday to Ken Shamrock, who turns 55 today.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: NXT TakeOver: Rival

Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Events (more to be added):

  • Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
  • Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!

CONTACT INFORMATION

Daily Update: WWE notes, Sting set for Starrcast, Stipe/Cormier

Posted on by F4W Staff

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News

Latest Audio

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch win Royal Rumbles

For the second straight year, WWE went with two fan-pleasing choices as their Royal Rumble winners. WWE followed up on Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka’s wins from last year by having Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch win their respective Rumble matches on Sunday night. The results were entirely predictable, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t the right choices. While there are other stories that WWE can tell, top babyfaces beginning their road to WrestleMania by winning the Royal Rumble will pretty much always work. 

WON NEWSLETTER: January 28, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Future of Ronda Rousey, Royal Rumble preview, more

A quick note that the format of this issue is different due to the fact I messed up my left hand in a bicycle crash on 1/24 making typing extremely difficult.

This issue has complete Royal Rumble and NXT results with eliminations, stats, and facts, plus Dave’s comments. It also includes star ratings, NXT awards, and notes on the post show angle.

Roman Reigns is going to be in the Rock’s new movie. There were some photos of Roman Reigns last week from where he’s been filming the new sequel of the Fast and the Furious franchise, which had been kept kind of quiet. Reigns is playing Rock’s character Hobbs’ brother…

AEW released a short video with Cody Rhodes talking about signing Jungle Boy and the announcement that on February 7th, there is a Ticket Announcement Party at the MGM from Las Vegas. Brandi teased announcing more women at that event. There is a lot of talent expected at that event. CIMA is likely going to be there…

NJPW is very confident that it will not be an issue by the time the MSG G1 Supercard show comes up, with it being several months away…

From reports of the Dallas, TX Road to G1 Supercard show, Shibata’s students, Clark Connors, Karl Fredericks, and Alex Coughlin are all seemed as really good in the technical aspect, with all their basics down, as they’re being trained with the Japanese New Japan Dojo mentality. Shibata, who is the lead trainer in the US Dojo, has interpreters with him at all time during training…

Matt Sydal’s contract with Impact Wrestling ended January 1st. He should be ready in a couple of months from a minor knee surgery he got last week…

ORDERING INFO:  Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered  via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by  mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell,CA  95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

by Joseph Currier and Bryan Rose

WWE

  • SmackDown tonight takes place at the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. Matches set for tonight include Daniel Bryan vs. Jeff Hardy, Mustafa Ali vs. Randy Orton and the new team of Rusev & Nakamura vs. Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows.
  • The Revival defeated The B-Team, Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik, and Heavy Machinery in a fatal four-way match on last night’s Raw to get a future Tag Team title shot. When they’ll be challenging for Bobby Roode & Chad Gable’s titles wasn’t announced.
  • Heavy Machinery’s names have been tweaked to Otis and Tucker on WWE.com. Their full names were still used on last night’s Raw.
  • Big E tweeted about Otis and Tucker’s apparent name change: “Welcome to the club, boys. Silver lining: autograph sessions are much quicker.”
  • A match between Natalya and Dana Brooke has been teased for next week’s Raw.
  • WWE writer Kazeem Famuyide ‏wrote about finishing up with the company: “I want to thank the wonderful folks at the @wwe for letting a kid get to live his dream for the past year. Never would have thought I would’ve got to write and create for something i grew up watching, and moreso, making some lifelong friends along the way. The journey was incredible, the experience was immeasurable, and the respect that I’ll have for every single man and woman that helps put this show together every week will never ever dissipate. Thank you to the incredible creative writing team for making me feel welcomed and everyone else at WWE for the hell of a ride. It’s on to the next one”
  • The SmackDown roster had to deal with a snowstorm to get to last night’s house show in Yakima, Washington.
  • Kairi Sane tweeted about wrestling at this past weekend’s SmackDown house shows: “Last weekend, I participated in the #SmackDown Live house shows for the first time. Everyone was really kind and it was such a moving experience. Thank you so much for giving me this great opportunity Ahoy‼︎”
  • Dustin Rhodes spoke to Sports Illustrated about the evolution of his Goldust character and his brother Cody being involved with All Elite Wrestling. “Me and Cody talk a lot, and I was on a movie set for a horror film that I’m doing, and we were texting about that AEW rally in Jacksonville. The pyro alone was spectacular. They’re doing it really professionally, from the heads of the company to their big talent to the newer stars. I’m very curious to see what Cody and the Young Bucks can do with All Elite Wrestling,” Rhodes said. “I hope this really takes storm and becomes something formidable. You need places to go and work, competition is great and it is the best thing that can happen for WWE.”
  • Rusev and Lana appeared on this week’s episode of Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia.
  • Brandon Howard Thurston has an article analyzing the popularity of WWE.
  • Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard responded to Road Dogg wearing his jersey on last night’s Raw.

Pro Wrestling

  • Sting will be appearing at Starrcast II, which is taking place (along with AEW Double or Nothing) in Las Vegas during Memorial Day weekend.
  • This week’s Being the Elite includes footage of The Young Bucks’ “handshake agreement” with Pentagon Jr. and Fenix during their appearance for McAloon Productions in Atlanta.
  • ROH tweeted that they’re coming to the Pacific Northwest this June.
  • Brian Milonas has signed a contract with ROH. Milonas & Beer City Bruiser team together as The Bouncers in the promotion.
  • Katsuya Kitamura posted the following after news broke he had left NJPW (via translation): ”Lastly, thank you for your continued support and encouragement over the past three years. Your support meant everything to me. I am thankful and hope you continue to support Katsuya Kitamura when he goes to a new stage.”
  • Austin Theory will defend his EVOLVE Championship against Darby Allin at EVOLVE 121 in Atlanta, Georgia on February 15. Here’s the updated card for the show:
    EVOLVE Champion Austin Theory defending against Darby Allin
    Adam Cole vs. Shane Strickland
    EVOLVE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) defending against AR Fox & DJZ
    Anthony Henry vs. Eddie Kingston
    A Skulk scramble match featuring Leon Ruff, Adrian Alanis, Liam Grey, and other members of the WWA4 School
    Josh Briggs vs. Curt Stallion
    WWN Champion JD Drake vs. Harlem Bravado in a non-title match
  • Here’s the card for EVOLVE 122 in Concord, North Carolina on February 16:
    WWN Champion JD Drake defending against Montez Ford
    EVOLVE Champion Austin Theory defending against Anthony Henry
    Adam Cole vs. Darby Allin
    Angelo Dawkins vs. Eddie Kingston
    AR Fox vs. Shane Strickland
    DJZ vs. Josh Briggs
    Harlem Bravado vs. Curt Stallion
  • MLW announced that Daga will be appearing for them on a regular basis starting with their show in Cicero, Illinois on March 2.
  • MLW is doing an angle where Tom Lawlor was attacked by an unknown assailant during his first press conference as World Heavyweight Champion.
  • Manny Fernandez will team with Tank to take on Sadkampf at Black Label Pro’s Adventures in Wrestling on April 5.
  • Chardonnay defeated Viper to win the WOS Women’s title last night in London.
  • Fight Club: PRO launched an on-demand service.
  • Happy birthday to Pentagon Jr.

UFC/MMA

  • Stipe Miocic posted a video on YouTube explaining why he feels he deserves another shot at the heavyweight title. Cormier responded on Twitter saying: “Do you guys wanna know why I’m not fighting @stipemiocic again? Reason 1: he’s being entitled, why have I fought since and he hasn’t. He lost the fight is he still the champ? Reason 2: I’m hurt  Reason 3: how do I do it better? I beat him in a round last time ?”
  • ESPN+ has surpassed two million paid subscribers.
  • Junior Dos Santos says he hopes to earn a title shot before Cormier retires.
  • With his win this past weekend, Demian Maia has now passed Kenny Florian for having the most rear-naked choke victories in UFC history.
  • A welterweight title match pitting champion Zebaztian Kadestam against Georgiy Kichgan is set for ONE Championship 91 on March 9.
  • The main card for for the UFC event in Philadelphia on 3/30 will have a start time of 7 p.m. ET.
  • Here is the second episode of UFC 234 Embedded.
  • Martin Day will fight Chris Gutierrez at a UFC Fight Night event in Nashville on 3/23.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Andre the Giant vs. Hulk Hogan on The Main Event

Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Events (more to be added):

  • Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
  • Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!

CONTACT INFORMATION

JNPO: 2018 MMA Year In Review, pt. 3

Posted on by Josh Nason

Before the calendar officially flips to the MMA new year with next week’s UFC debut on ESPN/ESPN+, there’s still a bit of business to take care of with the year we just wrapped up. 

In part three of the 2018 MMA year in review series, Paul Fontaine of our site and MMADraws.com returns to sift through the various results and headlines from July, August, and September.

If you missed them, here’s part 1 and part 2.

Among the things that happened:

  • Daniel Cormier knocking Stipe Miocic to win the UFC heavyweight title to go along with his light heavyweight title
  • The post-win confrontation Cormier had with Brock Lesnar and the feeling at the time that UFC was hot again
  • The announcement that Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov was happening in October
  • Max Holloway’s scary medical crisis that saw him pull out of his highly-anticipated title defense against Brian Ortega
  • Tyron Woodley cementing his status as a great UFC welterweight with his dominant win over Darren Till
  • Bellator’s champion vs. champion fight between Rory MacDonald and Gegard Mousasi that was fairly one-sided
  • And, of course, plenty more.

Click below to listen now:

Right click save

UFC 230 live results: Daniel Cormier vs. Derrick Lewis

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 230: Cormier vs. Lewis, emanating from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.

The UFC heads back to the world’s most famous arena as the double champion makes his first defense of the title he won back in July.

UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier defends the heavyweight championship for the first time when he takes on Derrick Lewis in the main event. Cormier is coming off a knockout win over Stipe Miocic in July, and looks to cement his status as one of the best of all-time against Lewis, who has won nine of his last ten and is coming off a come-from-behind knockout win over Alexander Volkov four weeks ago at UFC 229.

In the co-main event, former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman returns from a near 16-month layoff looking to gain a title shot when he takes on Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, who stepped in on short notice for Luke Rockhold.

The rest of the main card is filled out with middleweight bouts as David Branch takes on Jared Cannonier, Karl Roberson battles Jack Marshman, and Derek Brunson takes on the undefeated Israel Adesanya in the main card opener.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].

UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT

> Adam Wieczorek (10-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (15-5-1, 4-3 UFC)
Heavyweights

de Lima going right after the legs with kicks. Wieczorek with a takedown into the half-guard of de Lima. Wieczorek looking to open the guard but de Lima pops up and takes Wieczorek down and is in the half-guard now. de Lima with some short punches from the half-guard as he is trying to pass to side control. de Lima trying to set up an arm-triangle choke but Wieczorek is defending from the bottom. de Lima landing punches as they push up against the fence. de Lima with more punches at the end. 10-9 de Lima.

They trade leg kicks and Wieczorek lands a left hook but eats a right hand from de Lima. de Lima grabs the body lock and is looking for a takedown but pushes the fight against the fence. They break. de Lima with a leg kick. He lands another heavy one. They clinch but neither doing much. They break and de Lima with a couple of leg kicks. de Lima lands a right and they clinch. They break and de Lima with more leg kicks. Wieczorek tries a takedown but de Lima grabs the neck. This fight is very boring. 10-9 de Lima, 20-18 de Lima.

de Lima with a leg kick. They clinch and de Lima gets a takedown towards the center of the Octagon. de Lima in side control. Neither is doing much and are being warned to work. de Lima easily moves into mount. Wieczorek able to slip out and they get to their feet. Wieczorek slips to the mat and de Lima gets into his guard. They don’t do much and are stood up. Wieczorek with a short leg kick and lands a knee to the body. de Lima with a late takedown and he rides the fight out on top. 10-9 de Lima, 30-27 de Lima.

Official Result- Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Adam Wieczorek by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Shane Burgos (10-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Kurt Holobaugh (17-5 1 NC, 0-2 UFC)
Featherweights

Holobaugh with some leg kicks to start. They trade in close range inside the pocket. Burgos lands a right hand. Holobaugh with a leg kick. Burgos lands a combo. Holobaugh lands some punches. They trade punches. They trade again in close range. Burgos with a front kick to the body. Holobaugh drops Burgos with a punch. Burgos throws his legs up for an armbar and has one locked in deep and Holobaugh taps! He recovered quickly from getting dropped and locked that armbar in quick to get the finish.

Official Result- Shane Burgos def. Kurt Holobaugh by submission (armbar) at 2:11 of Round 1

> Matt Frevola (6-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Lando Vannata (9-3-1, 1-3-1 UFC)
Lightweights

Frevola with a head kick and Vannata counters with a high kick. They trade kicks. Vannata just misses a spin kick. Frevola with a head kick. Frevola with more kicks. They trade punches. Vannata drops Frevola with a head kick but Frevola gets to his feet. Vannata lands more punches and Frevola goes for a takedown but it is defended. Frevola lands a flush right hand and then lands another followed by a head kick. Vannata with a head kick followed by a right hand. Frevola lands the jab. Frevola hurts Vannata with a right hand. Frevola with a body kick. Frevola with a short elbow. Frevola hurts Vannata with a left hook followed by a knee. They scramble and Frevola reverses a takedown and has a guillotine locked in but Vannata escapes and Frevola mounts Vannata to end the round. Fun round. 10-9 Frevola.

Frevola coming out for the second with some spin kicks. Vannata with a spin kick to the body of Frevola. Frevola with a leg kick. Vannata lands a right hand followed by a front kick right to the face and then some body kicks. Vannata drops Frevola with a right hand. Frevola recovers to his feet and is swinging but is still hurt. Vannata with a combo and he is teeing off on Frevola. Vannata with some left hooks to the body. Frevola goes for a takedown but it is defended. They break. Frevola lands a straight knee. Vannata lands some punches and then a spin kick. Vannata with a body kick. They are trading in close range. Frevola with a body kick. Vannata with a combo. Frevola goes for a takedown but it is stuffed. Frevola goes for a takedown and Vannata grabs the neck as the round ends. 10-9 Vannata, 19-19.

They trade kicks to start the third. They trade big punches. Frevola lands a kick and Vannata gets a takedown off of it. They get to their feet and trade kicks. They trade punches inside the pocket. Vannata with a body punch followed by a right hand. Vannata with a body kick and then lands an uppercut. He just misses a spin kick. Frevola gets a takedown but Vannata was able to scramble to his feet. Vannata with an inside leg kick. Frevola with a hard right late but Vannata fires away as the fight ends. Close final round. 10-9 Vannata, 29-28 Vannata.

Official Result- Matt Frevola vs. Lando Vannata ends in a majority draw (29-28 Frevola, 28-28, 28-28)

FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Lyman Good (19-4 1 NC, 1-1 UFC) vs. Ben Saunders (22-10-2, 9-7 UFC)
Welterweights

Good with a leg kick to start things off and then just misses a head kick. Saunders with a big body kick. Good with some more leg kicks. Saunders with another body kick. Saunders lands a straight left hand and then follows with a body kick. They clinch and Saunders with some knees. Good with some body punches and uppercuts while Saunders lands more knees. Good then drops Saunders with an uppercut and finishes him with punches on the ground. Brutal finish by Lyman Good.

Official Result- Lyman Good def. Ben Saunders by knockout (punches) at 1:32 of Round 1

> Julio Arce (15-2, 2-0 UFC) vs. Sheymon Moraes (10-2, 1-1 UFC)
Featherweights

Arce lands a solid combination. Moraes drops Arce with a heavy right hand and is teeing off looking for the finish. Arce grabs the leg to hand on but Moraes still landing heavy right hands from standing position. Moraes goes to the ground and Arce is able to get to his feet and has Moraes pinned against the fence. Arce has the body lock and is looking for a takedown against the fence but Moraes keeping the fight upright. Arce trying a trip takedown and jumps up on the back of Moraes. Arce looking for a standing rear-naked choke. Moraes trying to fight it off. Arce landing punches from the back as Moraes is having to fight off the hands and arms. Arce goes for a choke late but runs out of time. 10-9 Arce.

Moraes lands some punches but Arce comes back with combos and punches and they clinch. They break and Arce is bleeding heavily. Moraes with a high kick. They are throwing bombs in this round. Moraes with a big body kick. Moraes with an elbow. They are trading punches and kicks and there is blood everywhere. Both men are covered in it. Moraes drops Arce with a right hand. Moraes is on top and is landing punches as he looks to finish. Arce gets back to his feet and lands a left hand. Moraes with a high kick. 10-9 Moraes, 19-19.

They trade kicks. They trade punches. They both throw kicks. Arce is ranking very high on the Muta scale right now. Arce with the double jab. The center of the Octagon is covered in blood. Arce lands a left hand. Arce lands some punches. Arce has been landing more this round. Arce with a nice left hand. Arce with another left hand. Moraes has been backing up this round. Moraes with a body kick. Arce with a front kick. They clinch late but break. Close fight. 10-9 Arce, 29-28 Arce.

Official Result- Sheymon Moraes def. Julio Arce by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-26)

> Sijara Eubanks (#4, 3-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Roxanne Modafferi (#7, 22-14, 1-2 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights* (Eubanks missed weight by 1.2 pounds)

Modafferi with a right hand. They trade punches. Eubanks with a leg kick. Modafferi with the jab. Eubanks with an overhand right. Eubanks with a combo. They trade right hands. Modafferi lands the jab. Eubanks gets the takedown and is in the guard of Modafferi. Modafferi with an elbow from the bottom. Modafferi with some upkicks as Eubanks goes back into the guard. They get up for a moment but Eubanks takes it back down. Eubanks with some right hands from the top. Eubanks with some hammerfists. Eubanks with some hammerfists as the round ends. 10-9 Eubanks.

Modafferi lands some to start the second round. Eubanks lands a right hand. Modafferi lands some right hands. Modafferi with a leg kick. They trade punches and Modafferi lands a series of punches. She’s landing with more volume but not a lot of power. Eubanks hurts Modafferi with a head kick and then drops her with a right hand. They get back to their feet and Eubanks is tired. Modafferi gets a takedown and is in side control and landing some punches. Modafferi looking to get to the mount. Modafferi ends the round on top as Eubanks has faded. 10-9 Modafferi, 19-19.

They trade punches to start the third round. Both throwing but neither really landing. Modafferi with some punches as she is getting the upper hand right now. Modafferi goes for a takedown but it is defended. Modafferi with an overhand right. They clinch and Eubanks lands a knee. Eubanks lands a right hand. Both landing right hands. They clinch and Eubanks gets a takedown. Eubanks in the half-guard. Eubanks working from the top but still tired and landing short punches. Modafferi gets to her feet and they fall to the mat. 10-9 Eubanks, 29-28 Eubanks.

Official Result- Sijara Eubanks def. Roxanne Modafferi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Jason Knight (20-5, 4-4 UFC) vs. Jordan Rinaldi (13-6, 1-2 UFC)
Featherweights

Knight firing right away with punches and lands a leg kick. Rinaldi clinches but eats a right hand as they break. Rinaldi lands a left hook that stuns Knight. Rinaldi with a head kick and then scores a takedown. Rinaldi landing from the top as Knight trying to throw his legs up. They scramble to the feet and Rinaldi scores another takedown. Knight has mission control. Rinaldi slips out as he is landing from the top. Rinaldi staying on top and is landing but Knight is landing from the bottom as well. Rinaldi with some big ground-and-pound from the top. 10-9 Rinaldi.

They trade punches as Rinaldi is looking to set up a takedown. He gets it and goes into side control. Rinaldi looking to set up a kimura. He gets the back of Knight and now is working for a choke. Rinaldi has the body triangle. Rinaldi working more to set up a rear-naked choke. Knight is doing a good job of fighting it off. Rinaldi with some great back control. Knight is landing punches from having his back controlled. Rinaldi in complete control of this fight. Rinaldi almost had the choke locked in and Knight gives the finger wag letting everyone know he is not in trouble. 10-9 Rinaldi, 20-18 Rinaldi.

They trade early. Rinaldi shoots for a takedown but Knight sprawls and defends it as they get to their feet. Rinaldi with a leg kick and Knight grabs the back and they roll to the mat. Rinaldi sets up a kimura and uses it to sweep to the top and is working for the kimura. Rinaldi gets the back and has the rear-naked choke but Knight slips out. Rinaldi landing punches from the back. Rinaldi still has the back but Knight is working his way out. They stand up and Knight tries to spike Rinaldi but Rinaldi maintains the body lock as they go back to the ground. Rinaldi landing from the back. Excellent performance from Rinaldi in his featherweight debut. 10-9 Rinaldi, 30-27 Rinaldi.

Official Result- Jordan Rinaldi def. Jason Knight by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 30-26)

PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Derek Brunson (#6, 18-6, 9-4 UFC) vs. Israel Adesanya (#9, 14-0, 3-0 UFC)
Middleweights

Brunson goes right for a takedown and they clinch. Brunson is way bigger than Adesanya in the Octagon. Brunson has the clinch taken away from him after he grabbed the shorts of Adesanya twice. Adesanya lands a jab. Brunson goes for a takedown but Adesanya spins out. They clinch again against the fence. They break and Brunson clips him with a left hand and then goes back for a takedown but Adesanya breaks away. Adesanya lands a right hand. Brunson keeps telegraphing the takedown. Adesanya with a head kick. Brunson goes for another takedown but it is defended again. They clinch against the fence. Adesanya shrugs off the takedown. Adesanya hurts Brunson with a punch and then a knee and then knocks Brunson down with a head kick. Brunson to his feet but eating knees from Adesanya. Adesanya drops Brunson with two right hands and this fight is stopped. Wow. Adesanya made it look easy and he looks to be the real deal.

Official Result- Israel Adesanya def. Derek Brunson by TKO (strikes) at 4:51 of Round 1

> Karl Roberson (6-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Jack Marshman (22-7, 2-2 UFC)
Middleweights

Roberson with a hard kick to the arms of Marshman. Roberson lands a left hand. They trade punches. Roberson lights Marshman up with a left hand. Roberson with a leg kick and just misses a left hand. Marshman lands a left as Roberson goes for a body kick. Roberson ducks under Marshman’s punches. They trade kicks. Roberson with a left hand. Roberson with the body kick. They trade punches. Marshman with a right hook to the body. Roberson with a body kick that hits Marshman’s elbow. Roberson with a late left hand. 10-9 Roberson.

Roberson with a straight left hand. Marshman with a body kick then a leg kick. Marshman with a big combination. Roberson is limping. Marshman with a leg kick. Roberson with a straight left hand that stumbles Marshman. Roberson with some left hands. Roberson with another straight left. Roberson with a high kick. Roberson lands the straight left. Marshman with an overhand right. Roberson with a big takedown into side control. Roberson looking to set up a choke but is landing body and head punches from side control. He isn’t working to advance but has dominant position as the round ends. 10-9 Roberson, 20-18 Roberson.

Roberson lands a big left hand. Roberson with an inside leg kick. Roberson with a high kick but it doesn’t land. Roberson with a left hand that Marshman eats. Roberson with another left hand. Marshman is spitting up blood. Roberson with a counter left hand. Marshman is keeping his hands low. Roberson with a big takedown near the fence and he is in side control. Roberson is keeping side control and moves to full mount. Roberson with short punches from the mount. Dominant win from Roberson as he hurt Marshman. Marshman showed a lot of toughness. 10-9 Roberson, 30-27 Roberson.

Official Result- Karl Roberson def. Jack Marshman by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

> David Branch (#7, 22-4, 4-3 UFC) vs. Jared Cannonier (10-4, 3-4 UFC)
Middleweights

Branch gets a quick takedown but Cannonier gets up only to get dumped again by Branch. They get back up. Branch goes right for another takedown against the fence but Cannonier is landing elbows. Branch gets the back for a moment but they reverse into clinch position. Cannonier with a knee to the body and they break. Branch gets another takedown and gets the back. Branch landing punches from the back. They get to their feet but Branch still has the body lock. They break. Branch landing the jab and then lands a leg kick. Branch gets a brief takedown. They break and Cannonier lands some big punches that Branch shakes off. Branch works for a late takedown but time runs out. 10-9 Branch.

Cannonier drops Branch with a huge right hand and has Branch in a lot of trouble. Cannonier has the back of Branch and is landing big punches and the referee stops the fight. Those were big shots by Cannonier as he gets the comeback win in his middleweight debut. He could be a force at 185 pounds.

Official Result- Jared Cannonier def. David Branch by TKO (punches) at :29 of Round 2

> Chris Weidman (#3, 14-3, 10-3 UFC) vs. Ronaldo Souza (#5, 25-6 1 NC, 8-3 UFC)
Middleweights

Weidman with a leg kick. Weidman with a right hand. Souza misses an overhand right. They clinch and Weidman lands a knee before they break. Weidman with a right hand. Souza misses on two right hand attempts. Weidman lands a combo and stuns Souza with a right hand. They trade right hands. Souza with a liver punch. Souza with a leg kick. Weidman misses a right hand. Weidman with a right hand. Weidman lands a combo. Souza with a heavy leg kick. Souza bleeding from the nose. They trade late, Souza to the body. 10-9 Weidman.

Souza with a right hand over the top. Weidman with a leg kick and follows it with a right hand. Souza with a leg kick that gets checked. Weidman with a combo. They trade in close range and are starting to brawl. Souza lands a right hand and then one to the body. Weidman with a leg kick. Souza then lands a right hand and lands more to the body and a front kick. Souza turning it on. Souza with a left to the body followed by an overhand right. They clinch and exchange knees. Weidman with a right hand and he hurts Souza. Weidman ducks under some Souza’s punch. Souza lands a combo. Souza breathing heavy from a broken nose. Souza with an uppercut to the body. They brawl in a clinch. Weidman has slowed down a bit. Souza with a body kick. Weidman lands an uppercut. Souza tries a head kick but Weidman dumps him to the mat. Souza gets up and they clinch against the fence. Weidman with some knees against the fence. Weidman with a brief takedown but Souza rolls to his feet. 10-9 Souza, 19-19.

Souza’s nose is bothering him. Weidman with a leg kick and then a body kick. Weidman then lands a right hand. Souza with a heavy leg kick. They trade in close range. Souza with a right hand. They are brawling. Weidman lands a combo and then a knee up the middle. Weidman with an uppercut and then an overhand elbow. Weidman lands some punches. Souza with a body kick. They trade punches. Souza lands some right hands. Souza then drops Weidman with a huge right hand and Weidman is out. The referee doesn’t stop it and then Weidman tries to grab a leg but is done and Souza lands some punches and Dan Miragliotta finally stops it. Big knockout win for Souza over Weidman in a great fight.

Official Result- Ronaldo Souza def. Chris Weidman by TKO (punches) at 2:46 of Round 3

> Daniel Cormier (C, 21-1 1 NC, 10-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Derrick Lewis (#2, 21-5 1 NC, 12-3 UFC)
UFC Heavyweight Championship

Lewis with a body kick. Lewis with a leg kick. Cormier with a leg kick. Lewis with a big body kick. Cormier goes for a takedown and gets it. Cormier in the half-guard and he made it look easy. Cormier looking to land from the top. Cormier with short punches and elbows. Lewis gives up his back as he tries to get up and he does. Cormier still has control of the body of Lewis. Cormier takes Lewis back down with an easy single-leg. Cormier with big punches and Lewis gives up the back. Cormier landing big punches and Cormier gets to the top. Cormier with more big punches. Lewis is doing nothing. 10-9 Cormier.

Cormier with a body kick. Lewis lands a right hand. Lewis just misses a big right hand. Lewis misses another. Cormier lands a left hand and then a front kick. Cormier with a single leg and just kicks Lewis’ leg out from under. Lewis gets up though. Cormier with an ankle pick and gets Lewis on his back. Cormier in side control and steps over and Lewis gives up his back. Cormier has the rear-naked choke locked in and Lewis taps! Cormier with the dominant win in making it look easy as he remains the UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Official Result- Daniel Cormier def. Derrick Lewis by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:14 of Round 2, Cormier retains the UFC Heavyweight Championship

UFC 230: Our questions, answers, and predictions

Posted on by Josh Nason

The first of the final three UFC PPVs of 2018 comes to us tonight from Madison Square Garden: the snakebit UFC 230 show that has seen more changes than a Broadway show.

Helping me dissect this show a bit for our dear readers is our event recapper duo of Ryan Frederick and Paul Fontaine.

The card:

  • UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier vs. Derrick Lewis
  • Chris Weidman vs. Jacare Souza
  • David Branch vs. Jared Cannonier
  • Karl Roberson vs. Jack Marshman
  • Derek Brunson vs. Israel Adesanya
  • Jason Knight vs. Jordan Rinaldi
  • Sijara Eubanks vs. Roxanne Modaferri (Eubanks missed weight by 1.2 pounds)
  • Julio Arce vs. Sheymon Moraes
  • Ben Saunders vs. Lyman Good
  • Matt Frevola vs. Lando Vannata
  • Shane Burgos vs. Kurt Holobaugh
  • Brian Kelleher vs. Montel Jackson (Kelleher missed weight by 2 pounds)
  • Adam Wieczorek vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima

What are you most looking forward to?

Paul: The main event fascinates me. If both guys were 100%, I feel like the result would be more of a foregone conclusion but Lewis just took one of the worst one-sided beatdowns of any heavyweight in history and then won, while Cormier admittedly couldn’t even make a fist three weeks ago. Conventional wisdom says Cormier wrestles him to death but at some point, Cormier could catch with that overhand right and if so, we have a new heavyweight champion. Even if it’s boring, it won’t be because Lewis could lmake a comeback at any time. And the fact it’s 25 minutes long means he has just that much more time to do.

Ryan: The main event is intriguing especially given the circumstances. Both men clearly aren’t at their peak when it comes to having a proper training camp and proper preparation for this fight. When that happens, you have to favor talent, and that is Cormier all the way. Lewis absolutely has a chance because he hits so hard, but I see Cormier being able to have his way in this one. I also like the fact we have sort of a middleweight tournament going on with the main card.

Josh: I’m going to diverge a bit from the top billing and go to the simmering feud between Israel Adesanya and Derek Brunson which will finally boil over in just a few hours. These two have been at each other for a few months and you can tell it’s not made up; there’s legit heat. I didn’t think Adesanya could get past Brad Tavares and he did. Brunson hits hard but always seems to make a mistake. I’m excited to see how this plays out tonight.

Anything being slept on?

Ryan: I can’t really say it’s being slept on, but Brunson vs. Adesanya should be fireworks and isn’t getting near the amount of attention that I expected. It’s a huge stepping point for Adesanya, but Brunson doesn’t always deliver when there is pressure on him. It definitely could be the fight of the night.

Paul: Julio Arce vs. Sheymon Moraes, both with sparkling records, should be a fun fight with two future contenders at bantamweight. Arce has only lost twice in his career, coincidentally both times to Brian Kelleher, who also fights on this card. Moraes is a former title contender in WSOF.

Josh: For a former champion that defeated one of the greatest of all-time, I don’t sense a lot of buzz about the return of Chris Weidman. There’s just this thing about him where people are either super high or meh on him. Then again, it could be the time off he took or it could be the fight itself which I’ll get to right now…

Anything not doing it for you?

Josh: I am not excited about Weidman-Souza at all. It’s been more than a year since the former champion was back in there with a big win over Kelvin Gastelum and while I understand Luke Rockhold had to pull out due to injury, Souza isn’t the guy I really want to see him fight. In his last outing, Gastelum dominated him and is getting a title shot this February. He’s 3-3 in his last six and I fear his title shot opportunities have passed. So yeah, I’m not excited about the co-main tonight.

Paul: The heavyweight fight opening up the Fight Pass prelims has the potential to put someone to sleep before the card even starts. I’m not expecting much at all from that one.

Ryan: I’m not really looking forward Eubanks vs. Modafferi, and that has a lot to do with Eubanks. She was originally going to be getting an undeserved title shot on this card, but it was then pulled for various reasons. Not only does she start complaining loudly about it, but then she goes and badly misses weight for a non-title fight on this card. Imagine if she had still been in a title fight. Then, she goes and acts like it’s no big deal that she missed weight and continues her act of being mad about having a title shot taken away. Her attitude towards everything has completely taken away any interest in seeing her fight.

What’s the intrigue with the show?

Paul:That Lewis can become the most unlikely UFC champion since Matt Serra would have to be it. If he does, he could be a potential breakthrough star and I think a fight between he and Brock Lesnar would have genuine crossover appeal and do great business.

Ryan: It is definitely the main event. Lewis even said it himself: if he becomes a UFC champion, everyone should be ashamed. It’s not that he doesn’t have heart and ability, he’s just being real with himself about his current standing in the sport. I’m also intrigued in the co-main between Weidman and Souza, mainly to see if Weidman still has what it takes to be a title contender.

Josh: It’s what happens with Brock Lesnar, or even Jon Jones, if Cormier loses. This is a big risk for Cormier and with a loss, his leverage is lessened into picking his spot for one last fight before retirement. I said on my podcast this week that I feel like Cormier is Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon, about to get out of the game but gets unlucky at the wrong time. I hope for our sake that isn’t the case for good ol’ DC, but I have this feeling it will be. If Lewis wins, I don’t think we’re getting Lewis-Lesnar.

What will be people talking about most after the show is done?

Paul: Probably who Lesnar will fight when he returns to the Octagon. After winning back the WWE Universal title at Crown Jewel, it would certainly be unique if he had a chance to pull off the rare double of holding the heavyweight titles in both pro wrestling and MMA. I’d say it’s a virtual lock that he challenges the winner of the main event.

Ryan: It will definitely be whoever wins the main event and what comes next. You assume it’s going to be Lesnar, but you can never be so sure with the amount of money the WWE continues to throw at him for doing minimal amount of work. After that, who knows what could happen. It’s also going to be fun to see how the contenders at middleweight shake out after this is all over.

Josh: That Cormier made a big mistake in taking this fight on short notice and that the Lesnar fight is gone. It sounds crazy, but given all the weird shit surrounding this card and how we got here, I have this feeling that our excitement about Cormier-Lesnar or Cormier-Jones III is going to have some cold water dumped on it. I hope I’m proven wrong.

Who wins?

– Cormier vs. Lewis

Cormier: Paul, Ryan
Lewis: Josh

– Weidman vs. Souza

Jacare: Paul
Weidman: Ryan, Josh

– Brunson vs. Adesanya

Adesanya: All of us

– Sijara Eubanks vs. Roxanne Modafferi

Modafferi: All of us 

– Ben Saunders vs. Lyman Good

Good: Paul, Ryan
Saunders: Josh

Two fighters miss weight for UFC 230

Posted on by Josh Nason

While all of the UFC 230 main card fights are official for Saturday night, two fighters missed weight Friday including one woman who was briefly slotted for the main event at one point.

Sijara Eubanks hit 127.2 on the scale, 1.2 pounds over the flyweight limit for her FS1 fight against Roxanne Modaferri. As the UFC searched for a main event for this Madison Square Garden return, Eubanks was tabbed to face Valentina Shevchenko for the vacant women’s flyweight title. However, they chose to go in another direction and Eubanks lost her opportunity. 

Eubanks also didn’t make weight for her fight against Nicco Montano in the TUF finale for the then-newly created flyweight title. The Modaferri fight will go on, but Eubanks loses 20% of her fight purse.

Bantamweight Brian Kelleher also missed weight for his fight with Montel Jackson, coming in two pounds over. That fight will also go on as scheduled but with Kelleher giving up 20% of his fight purse.

On a positive note, everyone else made weight for the event. UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier notably came in at a career high 251.2 pounds for his fight against Derrick Lewis (264.6 pounds). Both men are coming in on short notice for the fight.

JNPO: UFC 230 preview, trade talk, and MonctonMania

Posted on by Josh Nason

On another newsworthy week in MMA, Josh Nason’s Punch-Out returns to your earbuds with a new show featuring old guest Spencer Kyte of The Sporting News and UFC.com.

On the docket this week:

– This past Saturday’s UFC Moncton event and how Anthony Smith’s submission win over Volkan Oezdemir puts him in the rapidly improving light heavyweight division.

– The recent “trade” that saw Ben Askren sign a deal with the UFC and Demetrious Johnson sign a deal with ONE. We discussed how this came to be, whether the UFC is the ultimate place fighters want to compete now, and the change in business that brought us to this point.

– Finally, we wrap up with a look at Saturday’s UFC 230 show at Madison Square Garden and what the promotion has to do to create some buzz this week. We discussed some of the more interesting fights on the show, how the main event isn’t a given, and how the aura of an MSG show affected this show.

Click below to listen now:

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Daniel Cormier: UFC 230 fight pushed back WWE commentary tryout

Posted on by Josh Nason

Longtime pro wrestling fan Daniel Cormier might fight a former WWE champion in the future and also might call one of his matches one day as well.

During a 35-minute media session to promote his upcoming UFC 230 heavyweight title defense, the 39-year-old admitted that the short notice fight pushed back a planned WWE commentary tryout at the company’s Performance Center in Orlando, FL.

Besides being a two division champion in UFC, Cormier also co-hosts UFC Tonight on FS1 and is a frequent member of the broadcast booth for various UFC events. He is also an unabashed pro wrestling fan and even got into it with the Young Bucks on Twitter this year over spots in a match.

Cormier said he has been talking to WWE because “they wanted me to go in and do an audition as a member of the commentary team. That was my private little thing. But because of the fight, I had to push it back. So there might be some DC in WWE sh*t coming.”

Cormier said that after his fight with Derrick Lewis in a few weeks at Madison Square Garden, he’ll do the tryout but is still planning to finish out his UFC in-ring career and will “never not leave the UFC” in his current on-screen roles. He said he wants to hear Vince McMahon yelling in his ear on the headset telling him what to say as he “freaks out” about the in-ring action.

He joked that if he was to face Brock Lesnar in the ring, he wouldn’t do the job. Cormier is expected to face either Lesnar or Jon Jones in his final career fight if he can win at UFC 230.

To watch the whole session, check out the video below, queued up to when he talks about WWE: