Latest news with #AtebaGautier
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Street fighter too: UFC 318 winner Ateba Gautier opens up on his past experience
NEW ORLEANS – Ateba Gautier has been fighting for a long time, but not always professionally. The Cameroonian powerhouse needed just 70 seconds to take out Robert Valentin in Saturday's UFC 318 prelims at Smoothie King Center. Gautier (8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has now finished his past seven opponents in a row, six of them in the first round. Just 23, Gautier says he garnered experience from fighting in the streets – something his mother heavily disapproved of. "I always used to fight, but not like proper fight," Gautier told reporters during his post-fight news conference. "I don't have much experience like competition fights. But I always used to fight in the street in my country. Even when I was in (university), I used to fight in uni. So, for me, it was normal. I wanted to fight, but my mom, 'Oh no, you can't fight if you don't get a degree in university.' "That's why I went to uni. I did physics just to make her (think) OK, like I'm smart. I'm not stupid, but fighting is not for stupid people. I'm smart, but I want to fight. I just enjoy the feelings, adrenaline, how you feel. Always you feel like you're in danger. I like this feeling." Gautier is happy to prove that he can also be a threat on the ground but doesn't think it's necessary to show off that part of his game. "My camp was focused on wrestling a lot," Gautier said. "We did a lot of striking and a lot of wrestling. Too much, but I can't show my wrestling level, my grappling level in a few minutes. It will take time. If someone wants, OK, we're going to go. But if you don't get there, what's the point?" This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Street fighter too: UFC 318 winner opens up on past experience
USA Today
14 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Street fighter too: UFC 318 winner Ateba Gautier opens up on his past experience
NEW ORLEANS – Ateba Gautier has been fighting for a long time, but not always professionally. The Cameroonian powerhouse needed just 70 seconds to take out Robert Valentin in Saturday's UFC 318 prelims at Smoothie King Center. Gautier (8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has now finished his past seven opponents in a row, six of them in the first round. Just 23, Gautier says he garnered experience from fighting in the streets – something his mother heavily disapproved of. "I always used to fight, but not like proper fight," Gautier told reporters during his post-fight news conference. "I don't have much experience like competition fights. But I always used to fight in the street in my country. Even when I was in (university), I used to fight in uni. So, for me, it was normal. I wanted to fight, but my mom, 'Oh no, you can't fight if you don't get a degree in university.' "That's why I went to uni. I did physics just to make her (think) OK, like I'm smart. I'm not stupid, but fighting is not for stupid people. I'm smart, but I want to fight. I just enjoy the feelings, adrenaline, how you feel. Always you feel like you're in danger. I like this feeling." Gautier is happy to prove that he can also be a threat on the ground but doesn't think it's necessary to show off that part of his game. "My camp was focused on wrestling a lot," Gautier said. "We did a lot of striking and a lot of wrestling. Too much, but I can't show my wrestling level, my grappling level in a few minutes. It will take time. If someone wants, OK, we're going to go. But if you don't get there, what's the point?"
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 318 video: Ateba Gautier stalks and rocks Robert Valentin for TKO
Ateba Gautier has looked nothing short of terrifying thus far in his UFC career. A new chapter of horror was written Saturday at UFC 318, as Gautier (8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) stalked and rocked Robert Valentin en route to a TKO stoppage at 1:10 of Round 1. The middleweight bout took place on the prelims at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Gautier's power was evident from the open exchanges. He rocked Valentin (10-6 MMA, 0-3 UFC) quickly, who was thereafter on the retreat for as long as the fight lasted. A left hook, right uppercut, overhand right combination were the final blows that put Valentin down before ground-and-pound put a stamp on an impressive outing. Cameroon's Gautier is only 23. He's won both of his UFC fights by first-round TKO, having debuted successfully vs. Jose Medina in March. Switzerland's Valentin falls to 0-3 in his UFC career after a stint on "The Ultimate Fighter 32." Up-to-the-minute UFC 318 results: Ateba Gautier def. Robert Valentin via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:10 Islam Dulatov def. Adam Fugitt via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:06 Jimmy Crute def. Marcin Prachnio via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:42 Ryan Spann def. Lukasz Brzeski via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 2:47 Brunno Ferreira def. Jackson McVey via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:35 Carli Judice def. Nicolle Caliari via TKO (knee, punches) – Round 3, 1:30 This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 318 video: Ateba Gautier stalks and rocks Robert Valentin for TKO
USA Today
30-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC Mexico bonuses include two thrilling promotional debuts
The UFC handed out four bonuses after Saturday's card, including a pair to fighters who were making their promotional debuts. After UFC on ESPN 64, four fighters picked up an extra $50,000 for their performances in Mexico City. Check out the winners below. Performance of the Night: Ateba Gautier Ateba Gautier def. Jose Daniel Medina via knockout (knee) – Round 1, 3:32 Ateba Gautier (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) had a scintillating UFC debut when he drilled Jose Daniel Medina (11-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC) with a brutal knee in the first round to announce his presence in the middleweight division. Performance of the Night: David Martinez David Martinez def. Saimon Oliveira via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:38 David Martinez (12-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) joined his sister Melissa as members of the UFC ranks – and members who each are doctors, no less – and took out Saimon Oliveira (18-6 MMA, 0-3 UFC) with a first-round TKO. Performance of the Night: Edgar Chairez Edgar Chairez def. CJ Vergara via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:30 Edgar Chairez (12-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC) was fighting CJ Vergara (12-7-1 MMA, 3-5 UFC) on the prelims when the day started, but found his fight on the main card in a key spot toward the top. He took advantage with a thrilling first-round submission in front of his home fans that he said was emotional because of the death of his grandfather. Performance of the Night: Manuel Torres Manuel Torres def. Drew Dober via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:45 Manuel Torres (16-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) picked up the biggest win of his career when he pounded out Drew Dober (27-15 MMA, 13-11 UFC) quickly into the first round of the co-main event. Torres hit Dober with more than a dozen hammerfists, most of which appeared to be unnecessary had referee Mike Beltran stepped in to stop things sooner. After Dober stumbled to his feet, Beltran then stood in front of him to make sure he didn't keep fighting, giving direct evidence to the official of the unnecessarily late finish. UFC Mexico galleries Gallery UFC on ESPN 64: Best photos from Mexico City View 157 photos Gallery UFC on ESPN 64: Official scorecards from Mexico City View 83 photos For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC on ESPN 64.
