Tag: UFC 295

Daily Update: AEW Collision, UFC 295, Google trends

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

We’ve got a very heavy business issue of the Observer focusing on a lot of different breaking stories involving both WWE and AEW:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • The changes in WWE business under TKO
  • UFC & WWE quarterly business updates
  • Behind Vince McMahon selling 8.4 million shares of TKO stock, what he got, what he still owns, what it did to the stock price and what other large sum of money he just received that fell under the radar
  • Why WWE numbers were unexpectedly down, and why TKO actually losing money this quarter is nothing to be concerned over
  • A look at WWE and AEW attendance and how it’s changed over the past year
  • Ari Emanuel talks about competition for WWE and UFC
  • More departments where jobs will be lost
  • Company goals for 2024
  • Changes in the live arena experience
  • Key that makes WWE and UFC attractive for television stations
  • Issues with Vince McMahon
  • The CW deal for NXT
  • Changes for a WWE show next year and other changes talked about
  • Who are the leaders for the Raw rights
  • What are the rankings of the stations with pro wrestling and MMA product
  • Billy Corgan gives comments about the cocaine angle
  • A look at the TV deals that Tony Khan, Dwayne Johnson and Vince McMahon have been part of for wrestling and football
  • Full coverage of Crown Jewel and the booking
  • A look at the Ricochet injury and how it changed the IC title path slightly going into the Survivor Series
  • Early notes on the Survivor Series
  • PPV numbers and what did Crown Jewel buyers watch and not watch when it came to major PPV events this past month
  • The future for Will Ospreay and Giulia
  • Notes on the Tokyo Dome show
  • Great matches and angles at Power Struggle
  • Full Power Struggle coverage
  • UFC from Brazil coverage
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the past week from all shows, including comparison to last year, competition, and how each segment did as well as Dynamite vs. NXT
  • Major rudo turn on sold out Arena Mexico show
  • AAA doing a talent search
  • More injuries and health issues with Stardom
  • Update on Stardom tag team tournament
  • Controversy at Stardom event after changed start time of show
  • All Japan has an incredible match this week and sets up another for New Year’ Eve
  • A look at All Japan’s year end tag team and junior tournaments
  • Lots of injury updates
  • New Japan big events in early 2024
  • DDT has major show this week
  • More on the Von Erich movie
  • Indie star says his indie career is over
  • Indie promotion draws 5,000 fans
  • Contract issues in MLW
  • WBD stock falls
  • Update on Full Gear
  • Notes on Mariah May debut
  • Stardom star under contract to AEW and details
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • UFC signs deal with new TV outlet to return from nearly a decade
  • How Vince McMahon kept UFC off NBC
  • Lots of new UFC title matches
  • Unique facts about this weekend’s UFC show
  • More on Fury vs. Nganou PPV numbers
  • WrestleMania week news
  • CM Punk news
  • YouTube numbers and WWE and TKO value at this point
  • Reports from the WWE house shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

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.

Sunday Update

Bryan and I did our weekend show last night talking the TV shows, weekend news and UFC show. We’ll be back for another show Monday after Raw. Garrett and I will be back on Friday catching up on all the business stuff.

We also talked about the AEW tapings in Oakland on Friday night that I attended live. A lot of interesting notes. AEW has done some of its biggest walk-ups in recent shows in New York (Grand Slam), Houston (for Mistico), Philadelphia (after the Okada announcement) and this show, with Will Hobbs (from Palo Alto) doing the media rounds in the market.

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s WWE show in Roanoke, VA, with results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]

There was WWE crossover at last night’s UFC event in Madison Square Garden. While not on the air, inside the building there were many commercials on the big screen for WrestleMania in Philadelphia. Logan Paul was also shown on the broadcast and his phone had a shoutout for Dominik Mysterio.

Donald Trump was at the show and came out before the PPV started with Dana White, Kid Rock and Tucker Carlson. Trump was cheered like crazy. Interesting that WWE has distanced themselves from Trump because they don’t want to alienate a lot of their fan base even though he and Vince McMahon are friends, while UFC has embraced him. Every time Trump was shown the reaction was louder than for any fighter. They did boo Carlson though.

The only thing on Google searches involving combat sports this week was last night’s UFC show at 250,000, which is very low for a major UFC PPV show. That said, I came out of the show very interested in the idea of Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall for the heavyweight title.

Aspinall said that he would like to face Jones next and said he wanted the fight in Manchester, but said the idea of Wembley Stadium would be great as well.

Dana White said they were going to run Noche 2, in mid-September 2024 which is Mexico’s independence day weekend, for a debut at The Sphere in Las Vegas, a new state-of-the-art concert arena that is the most expensive place in the world to rent. 

Mercedes Mone today said, “I cannot wait to return back into the ring Definitely expect me to be back with some wrestling company in 2024. I cannot wait to be back in that squared circle. It’s where I feel the most at home.”

The University of Iowa’s women’s wrestling team sold out its Carver-Hawkeye Hall today with 8,207 fans. It set the record for the largest crowd for an all-women’s freestyle dual meet. That outdrew every pro wrestling show in the world, whether it be WWE, AEW, or DDT, for this weekend except Friday night’s Arena Mexico.

Hiroshi Tanahashi turned 47 today.

In last night’s Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira main event for the vacant light heavyweight title, ref Mark Goddard stopped the fight with Pereira on top in mount. At first it appeared to be an early stoppage but when seeing the replay, Prochazka did go out for a split second before fighting back. Goddard actually made a good call even though for fans live and watching in real time it didn’t appear to be that way. Prochazka never complained and said that Goddard was right and he did go out. He was very classy saying what happened happened. “I accept that. Watch me now. I’ll be back stronger than ever.” Pereira is expected to make his first title defense against previous champion Jamahal Hill, who had to vacate the title due to injury.

AEW has announced that all active military members can get one free ticket to any live event. For more details go to allelitewrestling.com/post/aew-honor

Will Ospreay posted “I will be the first wrestler on Strictly Come Dancing.” This does not mean he’s scheduled for the show. In fact he is not. But he would like to do the show and has thrown that out.

I haven’t seen the DDT show or the New Japan show from this weekend, but the matches we’ve heard the most this weekend about are Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Mike Bailey from Garland, TX, Shingo Takagi vs. Trent Baretta from the same show, Chris Jericho vs. Konosuke Takeshita from the DDT show earlier today and the Chris Brookes vs. Yuki Ueno main event. Another match getting great reviews was Volador Jr. vs. Soberano Jr. from Friday night at Arena Mexico.

At the DDT show in the retirement ceremony for Saki Akai, there were a number of top stars who sent video messages to her including Hiroshi Tanahashi and Togi Makbe from New Japan. The big surprise was Shinsuke Nakamura did as well, although his was not allowed on the broadcast.

Chris Jericho while in Japan did a press conference for the Takeshita match. He played total foreign heel in the build in Japan. He also said he was interested in doing matches in Japan against Tetsuya Endo, Kota Ibushi and Minoru Suzuki.

WWE results from last night in Johnson City, TN:

  • Gunther retained the IC title over Sami Zayn via choke and referee stoppage.
  • Becky Lynch pinned Zoey Stark with the Man handle slam
  • Kevin Owens pinned Jimmy Uso via stunner
  • LA Knight beat Grayson Waller with a BFT
  • Cody Rhodes pinned The Miz after Cross Rhodes. Rhodes kicked out of the skull crushing finale before the finish.
  • Jey Uso pinned Dominik Mysterio after a spear. JD McDonagh tried to interfere. This was the first interference on the show, so they toned down compared to prior weeks
  • Iyo Sky retained the women’s title in a three-way over Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair. Flair had Belair in the figure eight when Sky then pinned Flair.
  • Seth Rollins pinned Drew McIntyre to keep the world title after two stomps

Some notes from the New Japan Lonestar Shootout on Friday night. After Eddie Kingston retained the Strong title over Satoshi Kojima, Gabe Kidd attacked Kingston. They also officially made Shingo Takagi vs. Tama Tonga for the Never title at the Tokyo Dome on 1/4 when Tonga came out after Takagi beat Trent Baretta. Strong reviews also for KENTA & David Finlay vs. Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta when Moxley pinned KENTA with the death rider. (thanks to Victor Taylor)

DDT, which has had books (the Young Bucks autobiography) and blow up dolls as its heavymetalweight champion, added the IWGP jr. heavyweight title belt on today’s show. Somehow the belt wound up on top of champion Hiromu Takahashi and a three count was given so the belt won the title. Kauzki Hirata then covered the belt to win the title. Mao beat Matt Cardona to win the Universal title. Jericho made Takeshita tap out to the Walls of Jericho and Yeno beat Brooks to win the KO-D title in the main event.

From yesterday’s UFC show, regarding the close decisions, in Loopy Godinez vs. Tabatha Ricci, Godinnez won rounds one and three from Derek Clearly, one and two from Sal D’Amat while Bran Miner had all three rounds for Ricci in what was said to be the worst scorecard in a long time. Media scores were 95 percent for Godinez and more than half gave her all three rounds. In the Vlacheslav Borshchev vs. Nazim Sadykhov fight, which was said to be super exciting, 93 percent had it a draw with Borshcev winning one and three and Badykhov getting a 10-8 second round. 

Author John Cosper is doing a book on former world women’s champion June Byers called “The Great and Inimitable June Byers,” and comes out this month.”

Stardom’s tag team tournament ended with Maika & Megan Bane beat Suzu Suzuki & Mei Seira in the finals today in Nagaoka. The tournament was said to be disappointing due to all the injuries. Both Maika & Bayen and Suzuki & Seira advanced due to forfeits when opponents were injured.

All Japan continues its tag team tournament and junior Battle of Glory tournament on Wednesday with Kento Miyahara & Yuma Aoyagi headlining against DDT’s Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okani. 

Usman Nurmagomedov, Bellator’s lightweight champion, was suspended for six months after testing positive for a banned substance after his fight with Brent Primus a few weeks ago. The win has been changed to a no contest. California State Athletic Commission Executive Director Andy Foster said that the positive test was from a prescription medication but did not name the substance. Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of Nurmagomedov said was not a performance enhancing drug like a steroid, HGH or EPO and that he and Primus would rematch and get back in the tournament. Nurmagomedov was also fined $50,000. Bellator has not made a statement regarding the title or his spot in the tournament. Then again after this coming Friday, we don’t even know if there will be a Bellator.

Insane Championship Wrestling from Thursday night in Monroe, MI: Shane Douglas b Buckeye Sam-DQ, Sam Beale won Battle Royal, Sarah Baer b Gina Marie, ShainBoucher & Jay Mrston b Kenny Urban & Rod Lee, Sami Callihan & Rhino & The DBA b King Latimer & N8 Mattson & Karam, Ace Austin b Dread King Logan, Jackson Stone & Papa Dingo b Solomon Tupu & Malice-DQ, Aaron Orion & Jack Price b Tommy Vendetta & Isaiah Broner in the fInals of the Kangaroo Cup Mean Gia & Kelly Moore b Jessicka Havok & John E.Bravo, Myron Reed b Jason Hotch. Sabu did an autograph signing and helped Callihan & Rhino & DBA win their match. Next show is 12/28 at the P.O.P. Hall in Monroe featuring Billy Gunn (thanks to Leonard Brand)

United Wrestling Coalition on 11/18 in New Egypt, NJ at the American Legion with a Rumble called the New Egypt Rumble as the main event.

Satoshi Kojima, who was the first-ever MLW champion back in 2003, is back 20 years later for the 12/7 show at the Melrose Ballroom in New York. Right now he is scheduled to be a semi-regular with the promotion and not be a one-time deal.

The 12/26 WWE show in Madison Square Garen will be a pure Raw brand show with Seth Rollins, Cody, Rhodes, Beckly Lynch and Rhea Ripley as the headliners. WWE will also be running a Smackdown brand house show that night in Baltimore. They also run Detroit and Boston the next night.

Logan Paul attends UFC 295, shouts out Dominik Mysterio

Posted on by Ian Carey

Logan Paul was on hand for UFC 295. 

The new United States Champion was shown with his title belt on camera during Saturday’s pay-per-view. Paul held up a “shout out” message to Dominik Mysterio on his phone as well, although he misspelled Mysterio’s first name. 

Paul was not the only celebrity in Madison Square Garden for UFC 295. Donald Trump entered the arena flanked by Dana White, Kid Rock, and Tucker Carlson before the show got underway. 

Paul defeated Rey Mysterio to win the United States Championship at WWE Crown Jewel in Riyadh on November 4. It was just his eighth professional match and fifth singles match. His record is 3-2 in singles with wins over The Miz, Ricochet, and now Mysterio. Paul’s losses were to Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. He teamed with The Miz and defeated Rey & Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 38 and also participated in the 2023 Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank matches. 

Wrestling Observer Radio: Dave goes to Rampage and Collision, UFC recap, Smackdown, line-ups, tons of news

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including UFC from Saturday, Dave goes to Rampage and Collision this week, Smackdown with two big angles, line-ups for all the shows this week, ratings, and tons of news. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: Dave’s live perspective on Collision/Rampage, UFC 295 results

17:18: Tag Team of the Year

20:34: WWE Raw NXT, AEW Dynamite previews

26:30: Super Dragon gives update on PWG

27:48: Ratings

34:11: SmackDown recap

49:15: AEW notes, Collision & Rampage recaps

Right Click Save As

Two new champions crowned at UFC 295

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two new champions were crowned at UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden.

In the main event, Alex Pereira defeated Jiri Prochazka by knockout at 4:08 in the second round to become the new UFC light heavyweight champion. Pereira defeated Prochazka after dropping him with a left hook and started to land elbows.

After the match, Joe Rogan revealed that Jamahal Hill, the former champion, was in the crowd and that he would be next for Pereira. Pereira responded by saying that he is an active fighter and an active champion.

Hill had vacated the title back in July after suffering an achilles tendon rupture. Saturday’s match was to determine the new champion.

The co-main event saw Tom Aspinall defeat Sergei Pavlovich by knockout at 1:09 of the first round to win the interim UFC heavyweight title. Aspinall quickly won the match after landing a right punch. After his win, Aspinall said that if you ever get the chance to do something and you’re scared to do it, you “should f****** definitely do it”.

Originally, Jon Jones was set to defend the UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic. However, Jones tore his pectoral muscle during training, putting him out of the match. The match between Apinall and Pavlovich was then announced to determine the interim champion.

UFC 295 live results: Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The World’s Most Famous Arena welcomes the Octagon back for their traditional November stop as Madison Square Garden hosts UFC 295: Prochazka vs. Pereira on pay-per-view.

The card features two title fights and two new champions will be crowned. In the main event, the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship is on the line as Jiri Prochazka looks to regain the title he had to vacate due to injury as he takes on former UFC Middleweight Champion Alex Pereira. Prochazka returns to action after 17 months of inactivity, mainly due to major shoulder surgery, looking to get the title that he never lost back, while Pereira looks for his second UFC title and to get revenge for his mentor, Glover Teixeira, who was the man Prochazka defeated to win the title.

In the co-main event, an Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship is on the line as Sergei Pavlovich goes against Tom Aspinall. This replaces the original main event of the show, which was supposed to be UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones defending against Stipe Miocic, but a torn pec muscle forced Jones out, and Miocic was subsequently pulled. Pavlovich and Aspinall both take this fight on less than two weeks’ notice.

The rest of the main card sees former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Jessica Andrade battle Mackenzie Dern, Matt Frevola takes on Benoit Saint-Denis in an exciting lightweight match-up, and featherweights Diego Lopes and Pat Sabatini square off in the main card opener.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Featherweights*- Dennis Buzukja (11-3, 0-1 UFC) vs. Jamall Emmers (19-7, 2-3 UFC)

*Emmers missed weight by one pound

Buzukja lands a leg kick. Emmers lands a pair of leg kicks. They’re trading against the fence. Emmers drops Buzukja with a right hand and gets on top and starts landing before Keith Peterson steps in and stops it. Nice finish from Emmers to kick off the night.

Official Result- Jamall Emmers def. Dennis Buzukja by TKO (punches) at :49 of Round 1

> Flyweights- Joshua Van (8-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Kevin Borjas (9-1, 0-0 UFC)

They’re trading early as both are landing leg kicks and Borjas is currently landing with slightly more volume on his punches. Van lands a pair of hard calf kicks. Borjas lands a right hand after faking a switch kick. Borjas drops Van with a right hand but Van gets right up and they trade punches. Both are swinging hard and connecting. Borjas lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks then Borjas lands a jab. Van lands a pair of left hands. They clinch late. 10-9 Borjas.

They trade jabs before Borjas lands a leg kick. Van lands a pair of jabs. They trade and Van lands a hard body kick. Borjas just misses a flying knee and Van lands a knee in a brief tie-up. Van lands a combo to the body and Borjas is starting to slow down a little. Van lands a combination against the fence. Van lands another combo. Van lands a combo to the body. Van is getting way ahead on volume as he continues to rip the body of Borjas. Borjas lands a left hand and Van is cut open. Borjas lands a left hand. Van still pressing forward and landing more. 10-9 Van, 19-19.

They’re trading punches to start the third. Van gets a takedown and lands from the top before they get to their feet. Van lands a combo ending with a leg kick. Van is pressing forward and both are landing. Borjas lands a knee to the body. They’re both landing some hard shots and Van gets a takedown. Borjas gets the back and is going for an arm. Van starts to scramble out and ends up on top as they go the distance.

Official Result- Joshua Van def. Kevin Borjas by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> 138-pound Catchweights- John Castaneda (20-6, 3-2 UFC) vs. Kyung Ho Kang (19-9 1 NC, 8-3 1 NC UFC)

Castaneda landing some leg kicks early on. Castaneda mixing kicks to the body as well. Kang lands a combo. Kang lands a nice right hand then a switch kick. Kang lands another right hand. Castaneda continues with the leg kicks and lands to the body. Castaneda with more calf kicks late. 10-9 Castaneda.

Kang lands some punches to start the second as Castaneda lands some leg kicks. Kang lands a right hand. They trade and Castaneda is able to get a takedown. They get back to their feet and Castaneda lands a leg kick. Castaneda lands a grazing groin strike and we have a brief timeout as it looked clean. Castaneda grabs the back of Kang against the fence. They separate and both land solid punches. Castaneda lands a left hand. Castaneda lands a pair of leg kicks. Kang lands a leg kick then Castaneda lands a high kick. Castaneda lands a combination. Kang with a knee to the body. 10-9 Castaneda, 20-18 Castaneda.

Castaneda landing some leg and body kicks to start the third after Kang lands some punches. They trade punches and Kang lands a solid right hand. Castaneda lands a nice left hand. Castaneda lands a combo as Kang lands a left hand. Kang lands a combination but Castaneda is landing bigger punches. Castaneda gets a takedown. They get to their feet and separate. Castaneda lands a combo. Kang lands a body kick. Castaneda grabs the back against the fence. Castaneda gets another takedown. They scramble to their feet. Kang grabs the neck and looks for a guillotine but Castaneda escapes and lands a body kick. Kang lands a body kick and right hand at the end. 10-9 Castaneda, 30-27 Castaneda.

Official Result- John Castaneda def. Kyung Ho Kang by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- Jared Gordon (19-6 1 NC, 7-5 1 NC UFC) vs. Mark O. Madsen (12-1, 4-1 UFC)

Both throwing sloppy punches early as Madsen is looking for a takedown opening. They trade right hands. They clinch and Madsen lands some knees to the body. They separate and Gordon lands a leg kick. Gordon lands another. Madsen lands a right hand then some knees to the body. They separate and trade jabs. They clinch against the fence and Madsen lands a knee before they separate. Madsen landing a flurry of punches. They clinch and Gordon lands an uppercut. Gordon lands another uppercut and Madsen was hurt from it. Gordon drops Madsen with a punch and starts landing and gets the stoppage. What a finish from Gordon!

Official Result- Jared Gordon def. Mark O. Madsen by TKO (punches) at 4:42 of Round 1

ESPN NEWS PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Lightweights- Nazim Sadykhov (9-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Viacheslav Borshchev (7-3, 2-2 UFC)

They trade leg kicks to start. They clinch for a moment and Sadykhov lands a knee. He lands a left hand. Borshchev lands a leg kick. They trade inside the pocket. Borshchev lands a combination. They trade in close range. Sadykhov shoots for a takedown but Borshchev defends and lands as they separate. Borshchev lands another hard leg kick. Sadykhov with some body kicks. Borshchev lands a combo. Sadykhov lands a combo ending with a body kick. Borshchev lands another hard leg kick. Sadykhov lands a combo. 10-9 Borshchev.

They’re trading to start the second and Borshchev is landing more punches. Borshchev lands a body kick then some more combinations before landing an uppercut to the body. Sadykhov lands a leg kick. Borshchev lands a pair of calf kicks. Borshchev lands a knee to the body then Sadykhov lands a left hand that hurts Borshchev. Borshchev is on wobbly legs then gets dropped from a head kick by Sadykhov. Sadykhov gets on top and is landing but Borshchev is recovering. Sadykhov with some elbows from the top. Borshchev is cut open. They get to their feet. They trade punches and Borshchev is still wobbly. Sadykhov lands a knee then gets a takedown. Sadykhov gets the mount for a moment but Borshchev retains half-guard. They get to their feet. They trade some big punches. 10-8 Sadykhov, 19-18 Sadykhov.

Sadykhov gets a takedown to start the third and is landing from the top. Borshchev trying to push kick Sadykhov off and they end up on the feet. Borshchev lands to the body and Sadykhov lands a knee to the body. Sadykhov landing some big punches but Borshchev is finding some openings to land to the body. Sadykhov lands a calf kick. Sadykhov gets a takedown. They work their way to the feet. Borshchev lands a right hand. Borshchev landing with more volume as the round is going on. Borshchev lands a right hand. Borshchev lands a combination. Sadykhov gets a late takedown. Good fight. 10-9 Borshchev, 28-28 DRAW.

Official Result- Nazim Sadykhov vs. Viacheslav Borshchev ends in a majority draw (28-29, 28-28, 28-28)

> Lightweights*- Mateusz Rebecki (18-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Roosevelt Roberts (12-3 1 NC, 4-3 1 NC UFC)

*Roberts missed weight by two pounds

Rebecki swinging for the fences to start and gets a takedown. Rebecki landing from the top. Roberts tried to sweep but it allowed Rebecki to get into side control. They scramble to the feet but Rebecki gets it down and has the back. Rebecki lands some hammerfists to the body. Rebecki looks for an armbar and has it in and Roberts taps! Rebecki gets the submission finish in the first.

Official Result- Mateusz Rebecki def. Roosevelt Roberts by submission (armbar) at 3:08 of Round 1

> Women’s Strawweights- #10 Tabatha Ricci (9-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. #13 Loopy Godinez (11-3, 6-3 UFC)

Ricci lands a right hand. They trade inside the pocket. Godinez lands a right hand. Ricci tries a takedown and pushes it against the fence as she has the body lock. They separate. Godinez lands a combo. Godinez lands a big flurry and Ricci grabs the body lock against the fence. They separate. They trade right hands. Godinez lands a left hand. Ricci hurts Godinez late with a right hand. 10-9 Godinez.

Ricci lands a combination to start. Ricci lands a combo. Ricci lands a leg kick. Godinez lands a left hook. Ricci lands a high kick. Godinez lands a combo. Ricci lands a leg kick. Ricci lands a combo ending with a high kick. Godinez lands a nice right hand. Godinez is landing with more volume. Ricci lands some punches and Godinez lands a right hand. Ricci drops Godinez with a punch late. Close round. 10-9 Ricci, 19-19.

They trade in a quick flurry to start the third. Godinez lands a right hand. They clinch against the fence and Ricci lands an elbow before they break. Ricci looking for a takedown but Godinez defends. Godinez lands a combo. Godinez pouring it on more as the round is going on. They continue to trade with Godinez landing more as it goes the distance. 10-9 Godinez, 29-28 Godinez.

Official Result- Loopy Godinez def. Tabatha Ricci by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- #14 Steve Erceg (10-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Alessandro Costa (13-3, 1-1 UFC)

Costa lands a right hand. Erceg lands a leg kick. Costa lands a right hand. Erceg lands a right hand then a leg kick. Erceg lands a leg kick then they trade leg kicks. Erceg lands a jab. Erceg lands an uppercut but eats a right hand from Costa. Erceg lands a right hand. Costa lands a combo. Erceg lands a knee and follows up with a right hand. Erceg lands a jab and uppercut. Erceg lands a big right hand and Costa shoots for a takedown but Erceg gets the mount. Erceg looking for a choke. It wasn’t fully in and Erceg lets go. They scramble up. 10-9 Erceg.

Erceg lands a left hand. Costa lands a right hand. He lands another. Costa lands some big shots. Costa gets a brief takedown and has the leg as they’re on the feet. Costa has the body lock. Costa gets a takedown and is in the half-guard against the fence. They get to their feet and Erceg has the back. Erceg with some body shots as he has Costa pinned against the fence. Erceg has the back and lands some right hands. Costa lands a big combo that hurts Erceg and they go to the mat. Erceg is on top and lands from there to end the round. 10-9 Costa, 19-19.

They tie up against the fence as Erceg has Costa pushed against the fence. Costa lands an elbow and they separate. Erceg lands a pair of jabs. Erceg gets a takedown and has the back as they get to their feet. Costa lands a right hand after they separate. Erceg has control in the clinch against the fence. Costa lands a pair of knees. Erceg in control as he lands a couple of knees to the body. They go the distance. Close fight. 10-9 Erceg, 29-28 Erceg.

Official Result- Steve Erceg def. Alessandro Costa by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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

> Featherweights- Diego Lopes (22-6, 1-1 UFC) vs. Pat Sabatini (18-4, 5-1 UFC)

They trade kicks. Sabatini lands a nice combo. Sabatini lands a leg kick. They clinch and both land. Lopes hurts Sabatini on the way up and drops Sabatini and knocks him out with some punches on the mat. What a finish from Lopes!

Official Result- Diego Lopes def. Pat Sabatini by knockout (punches) at 1:30 of Round 1

> Lightweights- #14 Matt Frevola (11-3-1, 5-3-1 UFC) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (12-1 1 NC, 4-1 UFC)

Saint-Denis lands a high kick. Saint-Denis lands some leg kicks. Saint-Denis lands a body kick. He lands another and Frevola trips to the mat, but Frevola is able to get Saint-Denis down. Saint-Denis sweeps into side control. They scramble to their feet and Frevola gets a big slam takedown. They get up and Saint-Denis drops Frevola with a head kick as they were chasing each other and it is all over!

Official Result- Benoit Saint-Denis def. Matt Frevola by knockout (head kick) at 1:31 of Round 1

> Women’s Strawweights- #5 Jessica Andrade (24-12, 15-10 UFC) vs. #7 Mackenzie Dern (13-3, 8-3 UFC)

Dern leading off with some leg kicks. Dern lands a body kick and gets a takedown but Andrade is able to scramble up. Dern lands a leg kick. Andrade lands some leg kicks. Dern lands a combo ending with a knee. Dern lands a right hand. Andrade lands a leg kick. Andrade lands and Dern goes to the mat for a moment. Andrade lands a leg kick. Andrade with more leg kicks. Dern shoots for a takedown but Andrade defends. Andrade lands a combo and drops Dern and lands some hammerfists to end the round. 10-9 Andrade.

Andrade landing some big punches in the early moments of the second. Dern is landing with slightly more volume but it is a lot of looping punches while Andrade is doing more damage. Andrade drops Dern again with some punches and lets her up. Andrade is landing as Dern is throwing flailing punches and keeping her chin up. Der lands some big shots then Andrade lands a right hand that puts Dern on the mat. Andrade lets Dern get ordered up. Andrade drops Dern again and it is all over! What a finish from Andrade!

Official Result- Jessica Andrade def. Mackenzie Dern by TKO (punches) at 3:15 of Round 2

> Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship- #2 Sergei Pavlovich (18-1, 6-1 UFC) vs. #4 Tom Aspinall (13-3, 6-1 UFC)

Aspinall lands a leg kick. He lands another but eats a big combo from Pavlovich. Aspinall with a body kick then a jab. He lands a leg kick. Aspinall lands a big right hand that hurts Pavlovich and another right hand that drops Pavlovich and it is all over! What a finish from Aspinall!

Official Result- Tom Aspinall def. Sergei Pavlovich by knockout (punch) at 1:09 of Round 1 to win the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship

> UFC Light Heavyweight Championship- #1 Jiri Prochazka (29-3-1, 3-0 UFC) vs. #3 Alex Pereira (8-2, 5-1 UFC)

Prochazka lands some leg kicks. Prochazka lands an uppercut. Pereira lands a hard leg kick that trips Prochazka up. Pereira lands another leg kick. Prochazka tries for a single leg as Pereira is landing to defend. Pereira has a guillotine choke locked in. Prochazka gets a takedown. Pereira having good defense on the mat. Prochazka lands a pair of big elbows. They work to their feet and separate. Prochazka lands an uppercut. Close round. 10-9 Prochazka.

Pereira circling away to start the second. Pereira lands a body kick. Pereira lands a jab then two leg kicks. Prochazka lands a right hand and a knee to the body. Prochazka lands some big punches then Pereira counters and lands. They clinch for a moment but separate. Pereira lands a couple of leg kicks. Pereira lands a left hand then a knee as they clinch. Pereira drops Prochazka with a left hook and starts landing some elbows and it is stopped. This looked like a quick stoppage but Pereira gets the win and has now won titles in two divisions.

Official Result- Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka by knockout (strikes) at 4:08 of Round 2 to win the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

Daily Update: WWE SmackDown, AEW Rampage, UFC 295

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

We’ve got a very heavy business issue of the Observer focusing on a lot of different breaking stories involving both WWE and AEW:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • The changes in WWE business under TKO
  • UFC & WWE quarterly business updates
  • Behind Vince McMahon selling 8.4 million shares of TKO stock, what he got, what he still owns, what it did to the stock price and what other large sum of money he just received that fell under the radar
  • Why WWE numbers were unexpectedly down, and why TKO actually losing money this quarter is nothing to be concerned over
  • A look at WWE and AEW attendance and how it’s changed over the past year
  • Ari Emanuel talks about competition for WWE and UFC
  • More departments where jobs will be lost
  • Company goals for 2024
  • Changes in the live arena experience
  • Key that makes WWE and UFC attractive for television stations
  • Issues with Vince McMahon
  • The CW deal for NXT
  • Changes for a WWE show next year and other changes talked about
  • Who are the leaders for the Raw rights
  • What are the rankings of the stations with pro wrestling and MMA product
  • Billy Corgan gives comments about the cocaine angle
  • A look at the TV deals that Tony Khan, Dwayne Johnson and Vince McMahon have been part of for wrestling and football
  • Full coverage of Crown Jewel and the booking
  • A look at the Ricochet injury and how it changed the IC title path slightly going into the Survivor Series
  • Early notes on the Survivor Series
  • PPV numbers and what did Crown Jewel buyers watch and not watch when it came to major PPV events this past month
  • The future for Will Ospreay and Giulia
  • Notes on the Tokyo Dome show
  • Great matches and angles at Power Struggle
  • Full Power Struggle coverage
  • UFC from Brazil coverage
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the past week from all shows, including comparison to last year, competition, and how each segment did as well as Dynamite vs. NXT
  • Major rudo turn on sold out Arena Mexico show
  • AAA doing a talent search
  • More injuries and health issues with Stardom
  • Update on Stardom tag team tournament
  • Controversy at Stardom event after changed start time of show
  • All Japan has an incredible match this week and sets up another for New Year’ Eve
  • A look at All Japan’s year end tag team and junior tournaments
  • Lots of injury updates
  • New Japan big events in early 2024
  • DDT has major show this week
  • More on the Von Erich movie
  • Indie star says his indie career is over
  • Indie promotion draws 5,000 fans
  • Contract issues in MLW
  • WBD stock falls
  • Update on Full Gear
  • Notes on Mariah May debut
  • Stardom star under contract to AEW and details
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • UFC signs deal with new TV outlet to return from nearly a decade
  • How Vince McMahon kept UFC off NBC
  • Lots of new UFC title matches
  • Unique facts about this weekend’s UFC show
  • More on Fury vs. Nganou PPV numbers
  • WrestleMania week news
  • CM Punk news
  • YouTube numbers and WWE and TKO value at this point
  • Reports from the WWE house shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

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.

Friday Update

Garrett and I aren’t doing a show today since he’s going to the AEW Collision show in Oakland. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night covering the UFC show and the rest of the weekend activity.

Smackdown is live tonight from Columbus, OH, with Bobby Lashley vs. Carlito. Corey Graves has the night off since his wife Carmella just gave birth so Kevin Owens will be announcing the show. They also announced Bayley will update on Damage Ctrl. There were 7,400 tickets out as of last night. Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso are there, possibly for a dark match.

Rampage is live tonight from Oakland and they are taping Collision. The key stuff tonight is FTR vs El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander on Rampage, and for Collision, it’s Sting & Darby Allin & Adam Copeland vs. Lance Archer & Dutch & Vincent and Rush & Dralistico vs. JD Drake & Anthony Henry.

The UFC 30th anniversary show is tomorrow night from Madison Square Garden.

6 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+

  • Dennis Buzukja (145.5) vs. Jamall Emmers (147) – Emmers missed weight and will forfeit 20 percent of his purse
  • Kevin Borjas (125.8) vs. Joshua Van (125.8)
  • John Castaneda (137.6) vs. Kyung Ho Kang (138) – both agreed to fight at 138
  • Jared Gordon (155.6) vs. Mark O. Madsen (154.6)

8 p.m. on ESPN+ and ESPN News

  • Natim Sadykhov (155.6) vs. Vlacheslav Borshchev (154.8)
  • Meteusz Rebeicki (155.8) vs. Roosevelt Roberts (158) – Roberts missed weight and will forfeit 20 percent of his purse
  • Tabatha Ricci (115.4) vs. Loopy Godinez (115)
  • Stephen Erceg (125.6) vs. Alessandro Costa (125.4)

PPV at 10 p.m. Eastern

  • Pat Sabatini (145.8) vs. Diego Lopes (145.4)
  • Matt Frevola (155.6) vs. Benoit Saint Denis (156)
  • Mackenzie Dern (115.6) vs. Jessica Andrade (116)
  • Sergei Pavlovich (259.8) vs. Tom Aspinall (261.6) for the interim heavyweight title
  • Jiri Prochazka (204.2) vs. Alex Pereira (204) for the vacant light heavyweight title

Khabib Nurmagomedov said that since retiring he’s turned down offers to return that have ranged from $20 million to $40 million. There had been talks around here of foreign governments offering him gigantic money to come out of retirement and him turning down the offers as he has no interest in coming back.

UFC, in honor of its 30th anniversary, made this list of the 30 greatest fighters in UFC history. Aside from the obvious Frank Shamrock omission (go back and watch his fights), the list is Royce Gracie, Matt Hughes, BJ Penn, GSP, Robbie Lawler, Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, Tito Ortiz, Randy Couture, Anderson Silva, Michael Bisping, Frankie Edgar, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charlies Oliveira, Dominick Cruz, Demetrious Johnson, Jose Aldo, Cain Velasquez, Stipe Miocic, Jon Jones, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Valentina Shevchenko, Ronda Rousey, Amanda Nunes, Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Kamaru Usman, Israel Adesanya, Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.

New Japan has a PPV show from Garland, TX starting at 7:30 pm. Eastern and 6:30 p.m. local time. It’ll be on FITE:

  • Matt Vandergriff vs. Barrett Brown
  • Tom Lawlor vs. Fred Rosser
  • Atlantis & Tiger Mask & Mascara Dorada vs. Ultimo Guerrero & Hechicero & Rocky Romero
  • Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Kushida & Kevin Knight vs. Chase Owens & Clark Connors & Gabe Kidd & Alex Coughlin
  • Mistico vs. TJP
  • Toru Yano vs Joey Janela
  • El Phantasmo & Hikuleo vs. Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs for the New Japan Strong tag title
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Mike Bailey for the New Japan World TV title
  • Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta vs. KENTA & David Finlay
  • Shingo Takagi vs. Trent Baretta for the Never open weight title
  • Mayu Iwatani vs. Stephanie Vaquer for the IWGP women’s title
  • Eddie Kingston vs. Satoshi Kojima for the New Japan Strong title
  • There are a lot of interesting matches here. Mascara Dorada is CMLL’s hottest new star so that trios match should be a showcase for him. TJP is a great worker so he and Mistico could deliver a good match. Janela is making his New Japan debut. Sabre vs. Bailey is one of those on paper matches that could be classic. Vaquer really impressed everyone against Mercede Mone, and Iwatani is making a rare U.S. appearance. Kingston has annfinity with working with top Japanese stars from the prior generation and Kojima is that, and can still go. It’s also the first meeting of Moxley and Finlay since last Saturday’s big angle between the two of them and Will Osperay in Osaka.

Chris Jericho vs. Konoske Takeshita takes place Sunday at Sumo Hall in Tokyo for DDT. The show takes place late Saturday in the U.S. The show, which will be long, starts at midnight Eastern and 9 p.m. Pacific on the Wrestle Universe streaming service.

Impact last night did 97,000 viewers and an 0.02 in 18-49.

Robert Seidman of @SportsTVRatings announced he was retiring from posting daly ratings. While we will get all the wrestling ratings this will delay us getting the competition numbers right away although we will get them for the Observer newsletter every week.

 Arena Mexico tonight as new rudo Soberano Jr. facing Volador Jr. in the main event

The Undertaker is doing a one-man show tonight in Cleveland, OH at the Agora Theater.

WAR on 12/2 in Lima, OH at the Bradford Community Center.

WOW will be taping on 12/11 through 12/14 at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles.

Kevin Von Erich will be at The Gathering Final Chapter next August in Charlotte to be honored.

Combate Global has a show on 11/17 in Bogota, Columbia on Univision and Paramount +. The show airs at 10 p.m. Eastern. Stiven Valencia (7-3) faces Javier Reyes (16-3) for their featherweight championship. They also crown a welterweight champion with Jesus Alberto Rangel (3-0) vs. Alexis Campos (3-0). The bantamweight title will be fought for with Andres Leal (15-11) vs. Jefry Gil (4-6), who are both from Bogota. MMA world titles are something else.

J.T. Thorne of West Coast Pro underwent surgery and will be out of action for the foreseeable future.

Great Lakes Championship Wrestling Blizzard Brawl is 12/2 in Waukesha,WI, with Matt Cardona vs. EC 3 as the main event, Backwoods Brown vs. Shawn Spears, and Leila Grey vs. Rene Michelle vs. Harley Jane with Alicia Fox as referee, plus Doug Basham vs. Kal Herro with Basham saying he will retire if he loses, and Drew Hernandez vs Heath Slater. Local news anchor Mike Crukov will be on he show. Also on the show will be Konnan, Angelina Love and there will be a meet and greet that will include Devon Dudley, Barry Darsow, Bill Eadie, Nord the Barbarian, Damian Sandow, Christy Hemme, Jillian Hall, Boogeyman, Shane Dogulas,Francine, Al Snow and Bill Alfonso.

AIW on 11/24 at Force Sports in Eastlake, OH, with Tom Lawlor.

MCW runs tomorrow night in Joppa, MD at the J Meyer Arena with Action Andretti.

Jon Jones out of UFC 295 after suffering pectoral injury

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Jon Jones is out of his UFC 295 fight.

Dana White announced on Wednesday morning that Jones would miss his fight against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 due to a pectoral injury suffered on Monday during training. White said he would need surgery and be out of action for 8 months.

“Jon Jones was training last night, got injured,” White explained. “He was wrestling and tore the tendon that connects your pec to the bone off the bone. Eight months, gonna need surgery, he’s out.”

As a result, the new main event for UFC’s November 11 show at Madison Square Garden will be Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira for the UFC light heavyweight title. A fight between Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall for the interim UFC heavyweight title will co-main event.

Jones has only fought sparingly in recent years. In his first fight since 2020, Jones returned to action in March and defeated Cyril Gane for the vacant UFC heavyweight title in his division debut in two minutes and four seconds.

Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic set for UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden

Posted on by Josh Nason

A long-discussed fight between UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones and former champion Stipe Miocic is official.

Announced Friday night by Dana White, Jones will defend against Miocic at UFC 295 on Saturday, November 11th in the company’s annual trip to New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

Earlier this year, the 35-year-old Jones returned from a lengthy absence and won the vacant title in a fight with Cyril Gane in his first ever trip in the division after a Hall-of-Fame level run at light heavyweight.

In similar fashion, Miocic will return after nearly three years off himself in an effort to kick off his third reign with the belt. The 40-year-old was last seen losing the title to Francis Ngannou in March 2021 which followed his trilogy of fights with Daniel Cormier.

The news comes on the heels of rumblings that Ngannou, who had a very public falling out with UFC and White when they went their separate ways this year, will fight Tyson Fury in the former’s first-ever boxing match. Ngannou also signed with the PFL this year and is expected to return to MMA next year.