Tag: UFC 223

UFC 223 live results: Khabib vs. Iaquinta, Namajunas vs. Jedrzejczyk

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 223: Khabib vs. Iaquinta, emanating from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

What a last few days it has been for the UFC.

The event is headlined by a bout for the UFC Lightweight Championship as Khabib Nurmagomedov, sporting a perfect 25-0 record, is taking on Al Iaquinta, in a fight that was put together just 24 hours ago. Iaquinta replaced Max Holloway, who was pulled from the fight due to concerns with his weight cut, just days after Holloway replaced Interim UFC Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson, who was forced to pull out this past Sunday due to a knee injury.

Nurmagomedov and Iaquinta both look to capture the championship, which is expected to be stripped from current UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor at the event. Nurmagomedov looks for the impressive 26th straight win, while Iaquinta looks to shock the world and win his sixth straight fight.

In the co-main event, UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas makes her first title defense against the woman she defeated to become the champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Jedrzejczyk not only is looking to regain the championship, but she’s also looking to erase the first loss on her record. Namajunas looks to stake her undisputed claim as the woman to beat at 115 pounds.

Also on the main card, featherweights Renato Moicano and Calvin Kattar do battle, featherweight Zabit Magomedshapirov looks for his eleventh straight win against Kyle Bochniak, and bonus king Joe Lauzon looks for another one as he takes on Chris Gruetzemacher in lightweight action. The preliminary card is headlined by women’s strawweights Karolina Kowalkiewicz, looking for her second straight win, going against Felice Herrig, winner of four straight fights.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 8 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].

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

> Devin Clark (8-2, 2-2 UFC) vs. Mike Rodriguez (9-2, 0-0 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Clark landed a good combo to start and gets a takedown after they clinch. They get to their feet. They trade knees in the clinch. They are broken up and Rodriguez dropped Clark with a leg kick but Clark got right back up and they clinch against the fence. Rodriguez with some punches inside the pocket. Clark trying a takedown in the clinch but being defended and they break. Rodriguez with a flying knee and Clark is able to grab him and get a takedown. Clark in side control. He gets into the full guard. Rodriguez gets to the fence but Clark is able to keep him down and lands some punches and a knee to the body. Stong finish to the round for Clark. 10-9 Clark.

Rodriguez with a body kick. Rodriguez with another after a straight left. They clinch and Rodriguez hurts Clark with an elbow on the break. Clark looking tired. Rodriguez with a left hand and another leg kick. They are clinched and Rodriguez with a hard knee to the body. They remain clinched against the fence. They break and Clark lands a body kick but eats a combo. Clark lands a left hook and gets a takedown and lands a bunch of punches but Rodriguez gets to his feet. They clinch and Clark lands some. He may have stolen it late again but I give the round to Rodriguez. 10-9 Rodriguez, 19-19.

Both guys look tired. Clark shoots for an early takedown but it is defended. They are clinched and battling for position. Clark gets Rodriguez down and takes the back. Clark lands punches from the back. They get to their feet. Clark gets another takedown and is working in the full guard of Rodriguez. Clark with a knee to the body. They get to their feet. Rodriguez with a knee to the body. Clark with more punches in controlling position. Clark definitely gets the last round and might have gotten all three. 10-9 Clark, 29-28 Clark.

Official Result- Devin Clark def. Mike Rodriguez by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Bec Rawlings (7-7, 2-4 UFC) vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith (5-3, 2-3 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

Evans-Smith with a leg kick and they trade inside the pocket. Evans-Smith with some kicks. Evans-Smith with a good series of punches. Rawlings unable to get anything going. Rawlings with a leg kick and they trade punches. Evans-Smith with a spin kick and Rawlings lands a right hand. They trade punches. They clinch and Evans-Smith with some good knees to the body. Evans-Smith lands a good combo but Rawlings lands a right hand. Evans-Smith with a late takedown. 10-9 Evans-Smith.

Evans-Smith with a front kick followed by a leg kick. Evans-Smith with a body kick and one to the leg. They trade punches and Rawlings landed a good right hand. Rawlings with another right hand. She is starting to land more. Rawlings with more right hands and is landing the jab. Evans-Smith with some punches in close range. Rawlings landing more punches but Evans-Smith starting to land more. Evans-Smith with a spinning back fist. Evans-Smith misses a late takedown. Close round. 10-9 Evans-Smith, 20-18 Evans-Smith.

Evans-Smith with some low kicks and then a combo. Evans-Smith with a body kick but Rawlings counters with a right hand. They trade and Evans-Smith looking to land an elbow but lands a kick instead. Evans-Smith with some more kicks. They trade punches. Evans-Smith lands some punches. Rawlings just misses a big right hand but lands to the body. They trade in the pocket. Rawlings landing more punches and looking to steal the round. Evans-Smith with a combo at the end. Rawlings with some punches at the end. 10-9 Evans-Smith, 30-27 Evans-Smith.

Official Result- Ashlee Evans-Smith def. Bec Rawlings by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Evan Dunham (#14, 18-6-1, 11-6-1 UFC) vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier (10-2, 6-2 UFC)
Lightweights

Dunham landed a solid combo followed with a left hand to start the action. They traded. Aubin-Mercier was landing and then landed a big knee to the body that dropped Dunham and finished him off with a few more punches on the ground. Big and impressive win for Aubin-Mercier.

Official Result- Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Evan Dunham by TKO (knee & punches) at :53 of Round 1

> Karolina Kowalkiewicz (#4, 11-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Felice Herrig (#8, 14-6, 5-1 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights

They are trading early. Kowalkiewicz with a right hand and Herrig counters with a right hand. They trade in close range. Herrig with a flush left hand that lands big. They trade punches. Herrig lands some nice punches. They traded big punches in close range and clinched. Herrig had double underhooks and was working hard for a takedown but it was defended. Kowalkiewicz with some big punches and they clinch and Herrig lands a big knee to the body. Kowalkiewicz tried to roll for a kneebar but Herrig was able to get into the guard. Kowalkiewicz used a triangle to sweep to the top and ended the round in the guard of Herrig. 10-9 Kowalkiewicz.

They trade punches early. Herrig with a leg kick but Kowalkiewicz with a knee to the body. They trade in close range. Kowalkiewicz with a big knee to the body and an elbow. They trade punches. They each land big strikes and Kowalkiewicz hurt Herrig with a big elbow. Kowalkiewicz lands a spinning back fist. Kowalkiewicz with some elbows in the clinch. They break the clinch. Kowalkiewicz grabs the thai clinch and lands some knees and elbows. They clinch against the fence. They trade punches. Kowalkiewicz with a couple right hands at the end. 10-9 Kowalkiewicz, 20-18 Kowalkiewicz.

Herrig lands a right hand. They trade punches. Kowalkiewicz with a leg kick. Herrig with a left jab. Kowalkiewicz lands a right hand. Kowalkiewicz lands a solid combo and is slipping away from Herrig trying to counter. Kowalkiewicz with an elbow. Herrig with a slow leg kick followed by a left hand. Kowalkiewicz with a right hand but Herrig counters with a hard left hand. They trade punches and Herrig lands a body kick. Herrig with a leg kick and lands a big left hand that rocks Kowalkiewicz. They clinch and Herrig tries for a takedown. She had Kowalkiewicz rocked but went for the clinch instead of capitalizing. They break and have a wild exchange at the end. Close final round. 10-9 Kowalkiewicz, 29-28 Kowalkiewicz.

Official Result- Karolina Kowalkiewicz def. Felice Herrig by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Joe Lauzon (27-14, 14-11 UFC) vs. Chris Gruetzemacher (13-3, 1-2 UFC)
Lightweights

Lauzon comes out firing early with some good punches. Lauzon with some more punches. Lauzon with a good elbow. Lauzon goes for a takedown but Gruetzemacher sprawls and ends up in the guard of Lauzon. Gruetzemacher landing some punches as Lauzon is looking to grab the leg and looking for a heel hook. They get to their feet. Lauzon with a front kick. Gruetzemacher lands some punches in the clinch range. Lauzon with an elbow over the top. Gruetzemacher landing some punches. They trade in close range. Lauzon lands some punches. Gruetzemacher with some big punches and a big uppercut. Gruetzemacher with some big punches at the end. 10-9 Gruetzemacher.

Gruetzemacher pressing forward to start the second and is landing punches. Lauzon shoots for a takedown but is unable to get it. Lauzon bleeding under his right eye. Gruetzemacher with some punches to the body and is landing lots of punches and has Lauzon on the ropes. Grueztemacher with some hard punches and a knee. They trade punches. Lauzon lands a big combo. Gruetzemacher with some body punches. Lauzon keeps firing back. Grueztemacher lands a good combination. Grueztemacher with some hard strikes at the end and Lauzon is a bloody mess. 10-8 Gruetzemacher, 20-17 Gruetzemacher.

Lauzon’s corner threw in the towel after the fight and Gruetzemacher gets the win by corner stoppage after the second round.

Official Result- Chris Gruetzemacher def. Joe Lauzon by TKO (corner stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 2

> Zabit Magomedshapirov (14-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Kyle Bochniak (8-2, 2-2 UFC)
Featherweights

Bochniak being very aggressive early on. Bochniak looking to land the punches. Bochniak lands a right hand after a Magomedshapirov leg kick. Magomedshapirov lands a left hook. They are throwing big punches. Magomedshapirov with a big body kick. Bochniak lands a right hand. Magomedshapirov with a spin kick to the body. Bochniak lands the jab but Magomedshapirov comes back with a spin kick and a jumping switch kick. Magomedshapirov with a head kick and then a spinning back fist. Magomedshapirov with a hard right hand at the end. 10-9 Magomedshapirov.

Bochniak comes out with a combo to start the second. Magomedshapirov with a body kick. Magomedshapirov grabs the back and is looking for a takedown. Magomedshapirov gets the takedown but they get back to their feet. Magomedshapirov lands some punches but Bochniak lands some of his own. Magomedshapirov with a leg kick. Magomedshapirov with an uppercut and then gets a big takedown into side control. He flips to the full guard of Bochniak. They scramble to their feet. Magomedshapirov with a body kick. Bochniak goes for a takedown but it is defended. Zabit with a spinning back fist at the end. 10-9 Magomedshapirov, 20-18 Magomedshapirov.

They both come out swinging to start the third round. Magomedshapirov lands a left hook. Magomedshapirov with a spin kick to the body and he then gets a takedown. Bochniak is bleeding heavily from the side of his head as Magomedshapirov has his back. Magomedshapirov gets the fight back to the mat and is in the full guard of Bochniak. Bochniak able to scramble to his feet. Magomedshapirov grabs the back again but Bochniak able to shake him off as they get to their feet. Bochniak coming forward in the final minute. Magomedshapirov lands a left hand. Bochniak tagged Zabit. Bochniak lands a few punches towards the end. Zabit with a spinning back elbow. They have a slugfest at the end of the fight with both landing. A tremendous fight. 10-9 Magomedshapirov, 30-27 Magomedshapirov.

Official Result- Zabit Magomedshapirov def. Kyle Bochniak by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Renato Moicano (#11, 11-1-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Calvin Kattar (#13, 18-2, 2-0 UFC)
Featherweights

They trade early. Moicano with a leg kick. Moicano with a leg kick and Kattar also lands a leg kick. Kattar with a left hand. They land left hands at the same time. Slow pace to this fight. Moicano lands a right hand and then follows with a body kick. Moicano with a leg kick and then another. He lands another leg kick. Moicano lands the jab. Moicano with another inside leg kick. They trade wild punches. Moicano lands a right hand. Kattar isn’t checking the leg kicks. 10-9 Moicano.

Moicano with a big flurry of punches ending with a body kick. Kattar unable to land any punches. Moicano with a leg kick. Moicano with a head kick. Moicano with a leg kick followed by a straight right hand and then follows with some more leg kicks. Moicano with a leg kick and Kattar lands a right hand. Kattar lands a left hand. Moicano with some more leg kicks. He keeps attacking the legs. Moicano with another inside leg kick. Kattar can’t stop the leg kicks. 10-9 Moicano, 20-18 Moicano.

Moicano tries a leg kick but Kattar grabs it and Moicano goes to the mat for a brief second. Moicano lands a big right hand. Moicano with a leg kick. Moicano with a solid combination. Kattar trying to jab but Moicano ducking away. Moicano with a big combination ending with a body kick. Moicano with another inside leg kick. Moicano with more big combinations and he lands a big right hand. Moicano with an uppercut and he keeps swarming on Kattar. Kattar lands a right hand but Moicano back with leg kicks. Moicano with a big right hand and a nasty elbow. Moicano cruising to the win here. 10-9 Moicano, 30-27 Moicano.

Official Result- Renato Moicano def. Calvin Kattar by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Rose Namajunas (C, 7-3, 5-2 UFC) vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (#1, 14-1, 8-1 UFC)
UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship

Jedrzejczyk with a leg kick. Jedrzejczyk with a combo. Namajunas controlling the distance right now and using good footwork. Namajunas lands a right hand. They trade punches. Jedrzejczyk with a leg kick. She lands another. Namajunas lands a good combo. They trade punches. They trade again. They trade once again. Jedrzejczyk with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a good combo and then lands a big right hand. Jedrzejczyk with a body kick. They trade in close range. Namajunas with a left hand but Jedrzejczyk counters with a right hand. They trade big punches at the end. Close round. 10-9 Namajunas.

Namajunas lands a solid combo to start the second. Jedrzejczyk lands a hard jab. Jedrzejczyk with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a left hand. Namajunas lands another big left hand. Jedrzejczyk with a hard leg kick. Namajunas with a combo. They clinch and Jedrzejczyk with a knee to the body and she lands a left hand on the break. Namajunas did poke her in the eye but the referee missed it. Namajunas with a left hand. They clinch and both landing inside the clinch. Jedrzejczyk with some knees in the clinch. 10-9 Namajunas, 20-18 Namajunas.

Namajunas clips Jedrzejczyk early but Joanna smiles at her. Jedrzejczyk just misses a head kick. She lands an inside leg kick. Jedrzejczyk lands a big combo and a leg kick. Jedrzejczyk with a head kick followed by a right hand. Joanna with another leg kick but it is checked. Jedrzejczyk lands a left hand and then two hard leg kicks. They trade punches. Jedrzejczyk with a hard leg kick. They trade punches. Jedrzejczyk with another leg kick. Jedrzejczyk lands a right hand and then follows up with a combo. Joanna coming on strong now. 10-9 Jedrzejczyk, 29-28 Namajunas.

Jedrzejczyk with a hard inside leg kick. She lands another leg kick. Jedrzejczyk lands a right hand. Left hand to the body from Jedrzejczyk. Namajunas has slowed down while Joanna has picked up her pace. Jedrzejczyk with another leg kick. Namajunas lands a right hand. Jedrzejczyk with a high kick followed by a left hand. Joanna lands another left hand. They trade punches. Jedrzejczyk lands a combo. Namajunas’ left leg is big-time red. Jedrzejczyk lands another leg kick and Namajunas wobbles. Namajunas lands a punch. They trade punches. Jedrzejczyk with another inside leg kick. This is going to be interesting headed to the final round. 10-9 Jedrzejczyk, 38-38.

Jedrzejczyk with a couple of big leg kicks. Namajunas lands the left hook. They trade punches. Namajunas with a right hand. They trade right hands. They are trading big punches and Jedrzejczyk with a knee. They trade kicks. Jedrzejczyk with a left hand. She lands again. They trade again. Jedrzejczyk with an inside leg kick. Joanna with a right hand. They trade right hands. Jedrzejczyk with a head kick. Joanna with a combo and then another. Jedrzejczyk with a high front kick. This is super close. Jedrzejczyk lands a couple of left hands. They exchange and Namajunas gets a late takedown. They both hit each other on the mat. Close fight.10-9 Namajunas, 48-47 Namajunas.

Official Result- Rose Namajunas def. Joanna Jedrzejczyk by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46), Namajunas remains the UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion

> Khabib Nurmagomedov (#2, 25-0, 9-0 UFC) vs. Al Iaquinta (#11, 13-3-1, 8-2 UFC)
UFC Lightweight Championship

Khabib goes for a takedown but Iaquinta slips away. Nurmagomedov gets the leg and gets a takedown. Iaquinta gives up the back but he is able to scramble up. Khabib with another takedown. He gets into the mount. They get to their feet. Khabib talking trash while punching Iaquinta. Khabib has the back as they are on the mat. Nurmagomedov gets another takedown. Nurmagomedov landing lots of punches as Iaquinta gets up but they go back down. 10-9 Nurmagomedov.

Iaquinta lands a right hand. Iaquinta ducking under Nurmagomedov’s punches. Nurmagomedov dives for the single leg but Iaquinta gets away. For a moment, though, as Khabib gets a takedown. Nurmagomedov with some ground and pound. Khabib gets the back. He lands some punches. Nurmagomedov gets him back down. Khabib has the back and has the neck and is looking for the choke but Iaquinta escapes. Khabib still has the back and is still working for the choke. Iaquinta survives the round again. 10-8 Nurmagomedov, 20-17 Nurmagomedov.

Slow start to the third round. They trade punches and Khabib with a big body kick. Nurmagomedov with some left hands. Iaquinta taunting Khabib. Nurmagomedov lands a right hand. Iaquinta lands a right hand that stuns Khabib. Iaquinta lands another. They are trading. Nurmagomedov is landing the jab and not looking for a takedown. They are talking to each other. Khabib with a leg kick and Iaquinta counters with a right hand. Nurmagomedov with a combo. Better round for Iaquinta. 10-9 Nurmageomedov, 30-26 Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov landing the jab early. Khabib went for a single leg but Iaquinta got away. Iaquinta lands a right hand. Nurmagomedov with the jab. They are trading punches. Khabib misses another takedown attempt. Khabib with a leg kick and then follows it up with a combo. Nurmagomedov with the jab. Khabib misses all of his attack. Iaquinta goes for a takedown but lands a left hand after Khabib escapes from him. Khabib with a right hand. Nurmagomedov lands a combo. Iaquinta lands a right hand. Khabib is slowing down. Iaquinta lands a right hand. Nurmagomedov with a combo followed by a head kick. 10-9 Nurmagomedov, 40-35 Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov goes for a takedown but Iaquinta gets away. Iaquinta with a left hand to the body and one to the head. Iaquinta lands a left hand. Iaquinta lands a combo. He lands another left hand. Iaquinta is landing the punches and is working to find an opening to finish. Nurmagomedov goes for a takedown but Iaquinta defends it. Nurmagomedov landing some punches and Khabib with a flying knee. Khabib takes Iaquinta down, his first takedown since round two. Nurmagomedov with some punches from the back. They get to their feet. They go back down and Nurmagomedov works for the choke.Iaquinta survives the fight. 10-9 Nurmageomedov, 50-44 Nurmagomedov.

Official Result- Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Al Iaquinta by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-43, 50-43) to become the UFC Lightweight Champion

Our questions about UFC 223: Khabib vs. Ragin’ Al

Posted on by Josh Nason

Heard enough about the last few days of catasrophes leading to tonight’s UFC 223? Yeah, me too. Let’s do this.

Joining me, as always, is Paul “I watched the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony for five hours” Fontaine and “Ragin'” Ryan Frederick.

First, The Card

  • UFC (apparently vacant) lightweight championship: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Ragin’ Al Iaquinta
  • UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk
  • Calvin Kattar vs. Renato Moicano
  • Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Kyle Bochniak
  • Joe Lauzon vs. Chris Greutzmacher
  • Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Felice Herrig
  • Evan Dunham vs. Olivier Aubin Mercier
  • Bec Rawlings vs. Ashlee-Evans Smith
  • Devin Clark vs. Mike Rodriguez

What fight(s) are you most looking forward to?

Ryan: I’m most looking forward to stuff actually happening inside of the Octagon instead of outside it. I’m really looking forward to the main event between Nurmagomedov and Iaquinta, and the co-main event between Namajunas and Jedrzejczyk. The card took a hit after the craziness that happened on Thursday followed by the changing of the main event on Friday, but it is still a good show with some intriguing fights.

Paul: I was really looking forward to Artem Lobov vs. Alex Caceres and Ray Borg vs. Brandon Moreno, but thanks to Conor McGregor losing his mind, those fights are no longer happening. For me, it’s the main event. I was also stoked for either Ferguson or Holloway to try and hand Nurmagomedov his first loss, but neither of those are happening either. Of what’s left, I guess it would be the co-main as I’m surprised that Namajunas is only a slight underdog. I think she retains her belt.

Nason: At this point, I’m most intrigued by the co-main between Namajunas and Joanna Non-Champion. We’ll get answers to whether a previously dominant champion that says she slipped up can beat the person she says is mentally weak. It’s a truth serum fight in a lot of ways that will shape both fighter’s immediate future.

Any fights being overlooked?

Ryan: I don’t think it will be overlooked now since it got moved to the main card, but having Zabit Magomedshapirov vs. Kyle Bochniak as the opening bout at the start of the week was bad placement. Magomedshapirov is one of the best prospects in the sport, and he has future title challenger at featherweight written all over him. Bochniak is a tough opponent, but this is tailor made for a Magomedshapirov victory.

Paul: Lauzon has 15 performance of the night bonuses in his UFC career so his fight with Greutzemacher could steal the show.

Nason: The Kowalkiewicz vs. Herrig fight is interesting. Herrig seems destined to always be overlooked, but she’s comes in here on a nice winning streak. Kowalkiewicz recently snapped a two-fight losing streak, but is mainly a decision fighter that hasn’t turned the corner for me. However, she does have a past win over Namajunas so if both ladies win tonight, there’s that.

Any featured fights/”pushed” fighters not doing it for you?

Ryan: I actually like all of the fights on this card and where they are placed, so everything is doing it for me. It has been well put together by Sean Shelby, Mick Maynard, and everyone involved.

Paul: Herrig vs. Kowalkiewicz is the featured FS1 prelim because both ladies are easy on the eyes, have some name recognition, and they are both legit top 10 contenders in the division. That said, the fight really has the potential to suck. Hopefully it doesn’t because that’s the fight UFC is counting on to sway those last-minute impulse buys.

Josh: With three fights knocked off the show and complete shitshow that was the last week, this card is what it is and the UFC has to be happy they are still going to get some PPV buys out of it.

What’s the big intrigue with this show for you?

Ryan: After what happened on Thursday, it’s really what happens next if Nurmagomedov wins. As much as people don’t want to see it right now, if he wins, you have to have McGRegor fight him next if McGregor is going to fight again. I know a lot of people want the UFC to stop doing business with him, but that isn’t going to happen if we are being honest. Jon Jones has done far more damage at various times and they’ll still do business with him, and they will with McGregor. It’s what happens next with all of them that is the big intrigue.

Paul: My numbers say this show “should” do about 250,000 PPV buys. If it does higher than that, it means one of two two things: 1) either Khabib Nurmagomedov is a potential big PPV draw or 2) the controversy from Thursday brought more eyeballs and interest to this show than it otherwise would have had. There are some who feel that the surprising number for UFC 219 (Holm vs Cyborg) was partially due to Nurmagomedov in the co-main event. This is the first time the unbeaten Russian will headline a UFC card and we should know soon whether or not he’s a potential big PPV draw for the company.

Josh: Given the Conor McGregor stuff, Nurmagomedov really has the chance to raise his profile with a dominant win, but how fun would it be to see the UFC try to figure out how to handle an Iaquinta win given what Dana White said about the title Friday if he does? Between that and the co-main, that’s what I’m most intrigued by.

At the end of the year, what will make this show matter looking back at it?

Ryan: The event will certainly be remembered forever with what happened on Thursday. It’s the actions of McGregor, Nurmagomedov, and everyone involved that is going to keep this event fresh on everyone’s minds, and the end result of the fights will have the UFC looking to do some decent business for the rest of the year. As bad as the situation is, it has garnered plenty of attention this weekend.

Paul: With two title fights, it has to matter. There is the potential big money bout between the winner of the main event and McGregor looming. I really hope that he isn’t rewarded for his idiotic and criminal behaviour on Thursday, but I’m realistic enough to know he probably will be. If Joanna Non-Champion regains her belt, a rubber match between her and Thug Rose should be able to headline a PPV on its own later this year. Other than potential future stars in Kattar and Magomedsharipov, there’s not much else of significance on this card though. If Iaquinta pulls off the upset of the century, he absolutely deserves a shot at…I guess Tony Ferguson? Who knows who the actual champion would be then?

Josh: It all is resting on the top two fights. If they are two duds, this show will be remembered in infamy. If they are bangers, it will live in slightly less infamy.

Who wins?

Lightweight championship: Khabib vs. Ragin’ Al

– Iaquinta: Paul
– Nurmagomedov: Nason, Ryan

Strawweight champion Thug Rose vs. Double J

– Namajunas: Paul
– Jedrzejczyk: Ryan, Nason

Double K vs. Felice Herrig

– Kowalkiewicz: Paul, Ryan
– Herrig: Nason

Evan Dunham vs. Olivier Aubin Mercier

– Dunham: Ryan, Nason
– Mercier: Paul

‘UFC Embedded’ captures Conor McGregor’s backstage madness

Posted on by Josh Nason

Even though it’s WrestleMania weekend, UFC star Conor McGregor stole most of the headlines the past few days with his assault on a van filled with UFC 223 combatants and subsequent surrendering to the New York Police Department.

UFC put out a video Friday night as part of their Embedded series that shows the antics that McGregor and his entourage took part in Thursday that got the sports world talking.

Before that, let’s catch you up to speed on McGregor’s Friday in case you missed any of the details:

– He did a “perp walk” out of a Brooklyn, NY, police precinct on Friday morning after being arrested late Thursday night.

– He and stablemate Can Cowley appeared in court Friday where McGregor was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief. His bail was set at $50,000 which was covered by teammate and Bellator rookie Dillon Danis. He’ll have to return to court on June 14th to answer for the charges.

Cowley was charged with one count of assault and one count of criminal mischief. His bail was set at $25,000.

– It’s still unclear whether McGregor has been officially stripped of the title. For all intents and purposes, it appears that if Khabib Nurmagomedov wins Saturday, he’ll leave with the lightweight gold. If Al Iaquinta wins, the UFC may recognize him as the champion but the NY Athletic Commission may have something to say about that.

And now, the video:

UFC 223 finally gets a main event: Nurmagomedov vs. Iaquinta

Posted on by Josh Nason

First, it was Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson for a version of the UFC lightweight title. Then, it was Nurmagomedov vs. UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway for a version of the UFC lightweight title when Ferguson tore up his knee last week.

Now, following the New York State Athletic Commission pulling Holloway this morning due to medical reasons related to his weight cut, it will be Nurmagomedov vs. Al Iaquinta in the main event of UFC 223 for the “official” UFC lightweight title.

Got all that?

The fight was confirmed late-Friday afternoon after chaos ensued this morning when the commission announced Holloway wouldn’t be allowed to weigh in or compete. Three men on the card: Anthony Pettis, Al Iaquinta, and Paul Felder were all under consideration. Pettis found himself free when Michael Chiesa was removed due to cuts suffered when Conor McGregor threw a metal dolly through a window of a van he was sitting in Thursday.

Pettis was the front runner for the spot, but he weighed in .2 pounds over the 155 pound limit and then with two hours to make the weight, the commission pulled the scales for an unknown reason.

Paul Felder was also interested in the fight, but because he is unranked in the UFC’s flawed ranking system, the commission wouldn’t allow that to move forward. This was the same state commission that allowed McGregor to fight for the lightweight title at Madison Square Garden despite being unranked at lightweight.

That left New Yorker Iaquinta who weighed for his fight with Felder at 155.2 pounds, but the UFC decided to move forward with his as opposed to Pettis. However, because he “missed” championship weight, only Nurmagomedov can win the UFC lightweight title Saturday.

However, Dana White said at a Friday press conference that the commission weighed the trunks and they’re at .2 pounds so it’s a championship fight. White alluded to the fact that Iaquinta would be considered the champion if he wins, but did so in a way that opened up more questions about that process and how the commission plays into it.

The remaining question is exactly what version of the lightweight title is on the line for Nurmagomedov as McGregor has yet to officially be stripped of the title he has never defended. That might be clarified at a UFC media event scheduled for later tonight, but in the press release linked above, they call it “the official UFC lightweight title.”

Max Holloway out of UFC 223 main event, UFC yet to announce replacement

Posted on by Josh Nason

This story was updated at 2 PM EST.

According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway will not compete on Saturday’s UFC 223 show as he was declared medically unfit to fight, likely due to having to cut a massive amount of weight in just six days notice.

Reports are that Holloway wanted to keep trying to make weight, but was told by the New York State Athletic Commission that he could not.

The LA Times’ Lance Pugmire tweeted that Dana White told him the new main event will be Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Anthony Pettis for the what would be the vacant lightweight championship. MMA Junkie reported that is the working plan, but it hasn’t been officially announced yet.

Pettis attempted to make weight, but hit 155.2 pounds. .2 over what it would take to make the fight. He had two hours to lose that .2 of a pound, but NY State officials later pulled the scale and UFC officials said he wasn’t going to weigh back in. 

Paul Felder and Al Iaquinta threw their hats in the ring as well, but the commission shut down Felder due to, of all things, the rankings because he is unranked. Helwani said Iaquinta is the front runner but he weighed in .2 over as well, so that causes an issue for a title shot.

Pettis was set to face Michael Chiesa on the main card, but Chiesa was forced by the athletic commission to withdraw due to cuts on his face suffered when Conor McGregor threw a metal dolly through a van window Thursday.

We’ll have more on this confusing situation as it develops.

Conor McGregor in police custody after Thursday incident

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: MMAFighting.com

UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor is in New York police custody Thursday night following a day in which he threw a metal dolly through a van window, injuring several fighters that resulted in multiple fights being canceled. 

Both TMZ and Newsday’s Marc La Monica reported the news with La Monica tweeting an NYPD statement that read, “Mr. McGregor is in the custody of the New York Police Department. No formal charges have been filed and our investigation is ongoing.”

NBC News tweeted that McGregor is at the “NYPD’s 78th precinct where he is expected to be charged with assault following an incident in Brooklyn, New York, according to two senior New York City law enforcement officials.”

The 29-year-old made news as he and a large group of men crashed the Barclays Center Thursday afternoon, apparently in an effort to gain a measure of revenge against Khabib Nurmagomedov following a confrontation he had with McGregor teammate Artem Lobov. Lobov was removed from Saturday’s UFC 223 after today’s events.

Also removed from the show was Michael Chiesa vs. Anthony Pettis and Ray Borg vs. Brandon Moreno due to glass-related injuries suffered by Chiesa and Borg. 

Three UFC 223 fights canceled in wake of McGregor melee

Posted on by Josh Nason

Conor McGregor’s backstage antics after the UFC 223 media day Thursday have resulted in three fights being scrapped from the card for various reasons.

Earlier in the day, Dana White told reporters that McGregor teammate Artem Lobov was removed from his fight against Alex Caceres that was scheduled for the Fight Pass prelims. There will be no late replacement for Careers.

On Thursday night, Ariel Helwani reported that a PPV main card bout between Michael Chiesa and Anthony Pettis was canceled partially due to various cuts Chiesa suffered when McGregor threw a dolly through a van window Chiesa was sitting in. 

On Twitter, Chiesa alluded to a state commission decision not allowing him to fight and that he’d like to fight Pettis on June 9th.

ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported earlier that Chiesa had multiple small cuts on the bridge of his nose and hairline and that his hospital visit to treat the cuts threw off his weight cutting routine.

Okamoto and MMA Junkie reported Thursday night that a flyweight bout between contenders Ray Borg and Brandon Moreno is also off the show. Borg got pieces of glass in his eye that began to give him problems after the incident.

McGregor and his entourage gained access to the backstage area of the Barclays Center Thursday in an effort to get to Khabib Nurmagomedov and chaos ensued. 

JNPO: A look at UFC 223 and McGregorMania

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: MMA Junkie

Even though WrestleMania week is here, there’s a fairly important UFC event happening Saturday night which has changed a lot this week due to, well, circumstances.

While the injury to interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson decimated his fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov for a fourth time, Nurmagomedov has a big challenge in front of him with featherweight champion Max Holloway, fresh off an ankle injury and on just six days notice.

The winner thought they had a clear line to lightweight champion Conor McGregor, but that situation changed a lot on Thursday with the champion’s bum rush into the Barclays Center.

Joining me this week to help look at UFC 223 is MMA commentator, one of the key figures behind Sherdog Radio, and co-founder of Between Rounds Radio, TJ De Santis. We also talked about his new Patreon-backed venture that is in the middle of a free week for prospective listeners.

Note that the conversation was recorded on Wednesday night before all the madness of Thursday. Following the De Santis talk, I included my Thursday appearance on Wrestling Observer Live where I talked about the Day of McGregor.

Enjoy this look at UFC 223, the founding of Between Rounds Radio, and some McGregorMania talk.

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Conor McGregor’s wild UFC 223 media day

Posted on by Josh Nason

The Conor McGregor crazy train made a stop in Brooklyn, NY, Thursday at UFC 223 media day and the ramifications for that visit might be more significant than he planned.

According to reports that Ariel Helwani received, McGregor and his entourage arrived at the Barclays Arena shortly after media day had wrapped up. As the fighters were leaving the arena and getting into a van, McGregor and team had some words with several of the fighters that resulted in McGregor or part of his entourage throwing a chair through one of the van’s windows.

According to Helwani’s sources, Michael Chiesa, who is scheduled to face Anthony Pettis on Saturday night, suffered a laceration — but it’s unclear if that changes his status for Saturday. Footage of that aftermath has also surfaced.

Helwani said he was told the van also had Khabib Nurmagomedov in it, someone that has positioned himself for a McGregor fight if he can win this Saturday night. Footage has surfaced showing McGregor throw a bike rack backstage, but it’s unclear if this was before or after the van incident.

According to reports, teammate Artem Lobov has been removed from the card.

Dana White told reporters the incident “was the most despicable thing in UFC history” and that a warrant is out for McGregor’s arrest and he’s unable to leave the city. However, ESPN’s Brett Okamoto said that ABC News reported that a warrant has not been issued yet. 

Okamoto asked White if he still wants to be in the McGregor business. His reply: “Would you?”

UFC loses Ferguson vs. Khabib, gains Max Holloway instead

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

The fourth time ended up not being the charm as the biggest fight so far this year in UFC — Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title — is now off for this coming Saturday night at UFC 223 in Brooklyn, NY.

According to MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, Nurmagomedov will instead be facing featherweight champion Max Holloway in the main event for the interim lightweight title or the “real” title if current champion Conor McGregor is stripped.

No, this is not an April Fool’s joke.

UFC president Dana White told ESPN that Ferguson suffered a torn LCL and needs surgery. The fight had been scheduled three times before, but were scrapped due to injuries or a bad weight cut in the case of Nurmagomedov.

The idea from UFC will be to try and set the winner of Holloway-Nurmagomedov up with a match against McGregor. The latter has been on the sidelines since November 2016, save for his boxing match against Floyd Mayweather. McGregor and Holloway have battled before with McGregor earning a decision victory in August 2013 in a fight where he tore up his knee.

We’ll have more about this on the next edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.

Dana White: Tony Ferguson-Khabib Nurmagomedov is a go for Brooklyn’s UFC 223

Posted on by Josh Nason

On a Boston sports radio show Wednesday morning, Dana White said that interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov is a go for UFC 223 in Brooklyn, NY, on April 7th.

On the Toucher & Rich show, White was asked about lightweight champion Conor McGregor’s plans, but didn’t have any update other than that he couldn’t “hold the division hostage” if he wasn’t going to fight. 

White didn’t clarify whether the fight would be for the interim title or if it would be for the title that would need to be stripped from McGregor first.

The two were scheduled to fight three times with injuries and bad weight cuts canceling the fight every time, most recently at UFC 209 in March.

White put over Nurmagomedov quite a bit, saying that a fight between he and McGregor would be big in the U.S. and in Russia, they couldn’t find a stadium big enough to hold it. 

He also said he isn’t interested in a Floyd Mayweather-McGregor boxing rematch but would love to do it in the Octagon. However, he doesn’t believe the amount of money it would take to make the fight, especially given he’s not an MMA fighter, would be worth it to Mayweather.

White discussed his plans for the next few days in Boston, his relationship with the local sports team owners, and addressed some of Stipe Miocic’s comments about how he feels the UFC wants him to lose.