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USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 71 pre-event facts: Neil Magny can join second tier on all-time wins list
For the first time in more than two months, the octagon returns to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday with UFC on ESPN 71. The main event will see Japanese flyweight contender Tatsuro Taira (16-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) take on South Korea's undefeated rising name HyunSung Park (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), who steps in on short notice as a replacement for the injured Amir Albazi. For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie's pre-event facts. Tatsuro Taira vs. HyunSung Park Taira has earned 12 of his 16 career victories by stoppage. Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics Esteban Ribovics' (14-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) 37-second knockout victory at UFC on ESPN 56 marked the fastest head kick finish in UFC lightweight history. Esteban Ribovics (14-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) lands 8.07 significant strikes per minute in UFC lightweight competition, the second-highest rate in divisional history behind Frank Camacho (8.91). Karol Rosa vs. Nora Cornolle Karol Rosa (18-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over her past eight fights dating back to October 2021. She was defeated in her most recent bout in January. Rosa has earned all seven of her UFC victories by decision. Rosa lands 56.7 percent of her significant strike attempts in UFC women's bantamweight competition, the third-best rate in divisional history behind Mayra Bueno Silva (64.8 percent) and Yana Santos (58.3 percent). Rosa lands 6.87 significant strikes per minute in UFC women's bantamweight competition, the second-highest rate in divisional history behind Leslie Smith (7.69). Rosa and Irene Aldana combined for 349 significant strikes landed at UFC 296, the single-fight record for a UFC women's bantamweight fight. Neil Magny vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Neil Magny (29-13 MMA, 22-12 UFC) competes in his 35th UFC welterweight bout, the most appearances in divisional history. Magny's 22 victories in UFC competition are tied for sixth-most in company history behind Jim Miller (26), Andrei Arlovski (23), Donald Cerrone (23), Charles Oliveira (23) and Max Holloway (23). Magny's 22 victories in UFC welterweight competition are most in divisional history. Magny's total fight time of 6:56:48 in UFC welterweight competition is most in divisional history. Magny's 14 decision victories in UFC competition are most in company history. Magny has landed 1,428 significant strikes and 2,561 total strikes in UFC welterweight competition, the most in divisional history. Magny is the only fighter in modern UFC history to make five or more octagon appearances in consecutive years. He went 4-1 in 2015 after going 5-0 in 2014. Magny is one of three fighters in UFC history to earn five victories in a calendar year, as he did in 2014. Kevin Holland (2020) and Roger Huerta (2007) also accomplished the feat. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (25-9-1 MMA, 11-5-1 UFC) is one of three fighters in history to earn UFC knockouts stemming from a flying knee and a spinning wheel kick. Cory Sandhagen and Edson Barboza also accomplished the feat. Rodolfo Vieira vs. Tresean Gore Rodolfo Vieira's (10-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) five submission victories in UFC middleweight competition are tied for third-most in divisional history behind Gerald Meerschaert (nine) and Brendan Allen (six). Vieira's four submission victories by arm-triangle choke in UFC competition are most in company history. Piera Rodriguez vs. Ketlen Souza Piera Rodriguez (10-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) completes 64.3 percent of her takedown attempts in UFC strawweight competition, the best rate in divisional history. UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.
Express Tribune
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Dustin Poirier confirms Lil Wayne walkout at UFC 318 ahead of BMF title fight against Max Holloway
Dustin Poirier won't be the only New Orleans icon walking to the cage for the UFC 318 main event on Saturday at the Smoothie King Center. After teasing it in recent weeks, Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) confirmed Wednesday that rap legend Lil Wayne will walk out with him for his final UFC appearance. However, Poirier said he's not straying from his traditional walkout track. ter'It will be a little bit of James Brown, a little bit of Wayne,' Poirier told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference. 'Yeah, Wayne's walking out with me. … I have to [stick with the James Brown song]. I've paid the cost to be the boss. On my last one, I can't go that far away from it. I need to hear that. I need to feel that vibe before I fight someone.' Lil Wayne has long been a vocal UFC supporter and an avid Poirier fan, often posting about fights on social media. His appearance marks a rare celebrity walkout moment, though it's unclear if he'll perform during the entrance. Historically, the UFC has discouraged live walkout performances, with a few exceptions — most notably at UFC 189, when Conor McGregor walked out to Sinead O'Connor singing 'Foggy Dew.' More recently, celebrities like Jack Black, Kyle Gass (UFC 296), and Mark Zuckerberg (UFC 298) have accompanied fighters. Poirier, 36, will face Max Holloway for the BMF title in Saturday's main event, airing on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Gabriel Bonfim vs. Stephen Thompson prediction, pick, start time for UFC on ESPN 70
Gabriel Bonfim and Stephen Thompson meet Saturday in the co-feature of UFC on ESPN 70 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. Last event: 2-3 UFC main cards, 2025: 64-48-1 Gabriel Bonfim vs. Stephen Thompson UFC on ESPN 70 preview Bonfim (17-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) enters the biggest fight of his career thus far as a winner of back-to-back fights. Last July, he rebounded from his first career loss with a unanimous decision win over Ange Loosa. He followed that up with a second-round submission of Khoas Williams in February. ... Thompson (17-8-1 MMA, 12-8-1 UFC) is in an opposite position, coming after back-to-back losses. "Wonderboy" last won against Kevin Holland in December 2022. Since then, he was submitted by Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 and knocked out by Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307. Gabriel Bonfim vs. Stephen Thompson UFC on ESPN 70 expert pick, prediction The co-main event on ESPN features a potential crossroads fight at welterweight between Stephen Thompson and Gabriel Bonfim. Despite being a longtime Thompson fan, I can see why the betting public isn't too high on his chances against younger competition at this point in his career. On-paper mileage and age gaps aside, Thompson has shown a noted deterioration in his footwork down the stretch of fights, particularly when forced to retreat or maneuver along the fence. Although Thompson's distance management sensibilities were among the elite for a time, every exchange starts to feel like much more of a gamble in recent years. Thompson will have the bigger cage to move around in for this fight, but I'm not sure how safe that will keep him, considering that Bonfim seems to have solid level-changing takedowns both coming forward and off the counter. I wouldn't mind a "Wonderboy" upset, but the pick is Bonfim by submission in Round 2. Gabriel Bonfim vs. Stephen Thompson UFC on ESPN 70 odds The oddsmakers and the public are heavily favoring the younger fighter, listing Bonfim -430 and Thompson +300 via FanDuel. Gabriel Bonfim vs. Stephen Thompson UFC on ESPN 70 start time, how to watch As the co-main event, Bonfim and Thompson are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 11:10 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts live on ESPN and ESPN+.
USA Today
12-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 317 fight
Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 317 fight Joshua Van will get a massive opportunity when he takes on former title challenger Brandon Royval at UFC 317. Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van preview Less than a week after finishing Bruno Silva at UFC 316, Van (14-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) will step in on short notice to replace Manel Kape against Royval. Van has won 12 of his past 13 fights, and is on a four-fight winning streak. Since losing to flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 296, Royval (17-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC) has rebounded with back-to-back wins over former champion Brandon Moreno, and formerly unbeaten Tatsuro Taira in a Fight of the Night battle this past October. Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van odds According to DraftKings, Royval is a slight -125 favorite over the surging Van, who is a +105 underdog. Van opened up as the favorite when the matchup was announced, but the lines have since moved. How to watch Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van at UFC 317
USA Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 317
Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 317 Brandon Royval and Manel Kape will square off in a potential title eliminator at UFC 317. Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape preview After their main event booking for UFC Fight Night 253 fell apart due to a Royval (17-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC) injury, the fight now comes together again on the main card of UFC 317. Kape (21-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC) remained in the headlining slot in March and faced replacement opponent Asu Almabayev. "Starboy" won the fight by third-round stoppage to record back-to-back wins. Kape has also won 6 of his last seven. Since falling short in his title opportunity against flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 296, Royval rebounded with back-to-back split decision wins over former champion Brandon Moreno and Tatsuro Taira at UFC Fight Night 244. Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape odds According to DraftKings, Kape is a larger favorite than the previous booking for UFC Fight Night 253. Kape is now a sizable -298 favorite, when he was just -198. Royval is now a +240 underdog, who was previously listed at +164 going into the March booking. How to watch Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape at UFC 317
