Latest news with #ESPN69
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Kris Moutinho returns at UFC on ESPN 69, gets undefeated Malcolm Wellmaker on short notice
Kris Moutinho returns at UFC on ESPN 69, gets undefeated Malcolm Wellmaker on short notice A fan-favorite scrapper is back in the UFC and gets a tough matchup on short notice. At UFC on ESPN 69, Kris Moutinho gets another shot in the promotion on very short notice, as he will face undefeated Malcolm Wellmaker next weekend. The event takes place on June 14 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. MMA Junkie confirmed the news with two sources familiar with the matchup. MMA Mania was first to report the news. Moutinho (14-6 MMA, 0-2 UFC) didn't get his hand raised during his first UFC run, but his fighting style made an impression on fans. In his debut at UFC 264, he faced former champion Sean O'Malley in an incredible Fight of the Night. Moutinho was finished in the third round, but made the most of his debut by leaving it all in the octagon. After his exit from the promotion in 2022, he took one boxing fight, and then got back on track with MMA, winning five fights in a row, all by stoppage. Wellmaker (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) has been quick to make an impression with the UFC fanbase for his finishing ability. In his appearance on Dana White's Contender Series, he finished Adam Bramhald by knockout in the first round to earn a UFC contract. In his debut in April, he knocked out Cameron Saaiman in the opening round, earning a Performance of the Night bonus. Wellmaker's sophomore appearance takes place in his home state of Georgia, where he will aim to keep his unblemished record intact. Current UFC on ESPN 69 lineup
USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Miranda Maverick: History with Rose Namajunas makes for 'tough fight mentally' in Atlanta
Miranda Maverick: History with Rose Namajunas makes for 'tough fight mentally' in Atlanta Show Caption Hide Caption UFC Atlanta: Miranda Maverick previews fight with Rose Namajunas Miranda Maverick opens up about the challenges of facing former training partner Rose Namajunas at UFC on ESPN 69 on June 14. Miranda Maverick is happy to put her friendship with Rose Namajunas aside for one night at UFC on ESPN 69, and she is fully confident that the feeling is mutual. Maverick (15-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) is set to face longtime training partner and former UFC titleholder Namajunas (13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC) in the women's flyweight co-main event of the June 14 card at State Farm Arena in Atlanta (ESPN, ESPN+). Although past instances of this situation have led to awkwardness in the pre-fight build or poor contests inside the cage, Maverick thinks is a different circumstance. She said this possibility has been discussed personally between and with their immediate coaches for some time, and believe UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard catching wind of that is what led to the booking. "I think both of us are professional enough – it's not like we have to go in there and sh*t talk and hate each other to really win," Maverick told MMA Junkie Radio. "It's just a matter of going in (and) showing our skills. We've always said we would fight each other. When we spar, we said it would be a heck of a charity event to just put on live sparring where people could come in and watch the fighters get rounds. (I'm) really excited to show the fans what we've both been working on." With both women training out the Denver area, Blanchfield said a respectful pact was put forth to maintain the integrity of the bout. She has split her training camp at Easton Training Center and Pound for Pound Muay Thai, while Namajunas has worked out of Genesis Training Academy and a private facility for her preparation. According to Maverick, coaches from both sides agreed to keep on their side of the line, which she said is for the betterment of everyone. Still, though, there are many vivid memories of past time training together, and Maverick said that is part of the challenge around this particular fight. "I think this may be the toughest, not necessarily because she's the toughest fighter, but because we know each other so much better," Maverick said. "We've sparred and trained so much together that we know each other's weaknesses and strengths. We know how each other fight. Each of our camps know exactly what the other's game plan is likely going to be, but it's one of those that's going to be a tough fight mentally on us, and we're going to have to use our fight IQ more than anymore." For Maverick, the opportunity to face a former UFC champion with the notoriety of Namajunas is a potentially career-altering moment. It will put her into the upper echelon of the 125-pound weight class, so her focus can be on nothing else other than getting the job done.
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC's Joaquin Buckley says he's 'worst nightmare' for Islam Makhachev at welterweight
UFC's Joaquin Buckley says he's 'worst nightmare' for Islam Makhachev at welterweight Joaquin Buckley warns Islam Makhachev of his move to the UFC's welterweight division. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that, upon vacating his lightweight title, Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) will get an immediate shot at newly crowned welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena at a date to be determined. Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) will look to emerge as the next title challenger when he takes on former champion Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) on June 14 in the UFC on ESPN 69 headliner at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. If the stars align and he gets an opportunity to face Makhachev, Buckley is confident that he has the style to pose him the most problems. "Even though Islam and I have never had a connection, I'll tell you right now, he's going to know a lot about me if we ever get booked to fight," Buckley said in an interview with Parry Punch. "The people he has struggled with and the people that have shown a couple of holes in his game, I'm going to be his worst nightmare, not JDM. JDM has a lot of holes that Islam can exploit. "We've seen that with the Gilbert Burns fight. Actually, we've seen it with several fights from JDM where he was struggling in the grappling. But with me, and what I did to Colby, and what I'm going to do to Kamaru Usman, Islam, it's going to be in his head. Even Khabib is probably going to tell him maybe moving up ain't a good idea. I bet you, but I'm hunting for that. I want that pound-for-pound." Buckley has shined since dropping back down to 170 pounds. He is 6-0 as a welterweight in the UFC, most recently stopping Colby Covington by TKO in the UFC on ESPN 63 headliner this past December.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ali Abdelaziz won't stand in the way of potential Islam Makhachev vs. Kamaru Usman fight
Ali Abdelaziz sees big things on the horizon for Kamaru Usman if he can rebound against Joaquin Buckley. Former welterweight champion Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) will look to snap a three-fight losing skid when he takes on Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) June 14 in the UFC on ESPN 69 headliner at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. If Usman beats Buckley, Abdelaziz can see him emerging as the next title challenger to face the winner of welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev. But with Abdelaziz managing both Usman and Makhachev, could a potential fight between his clients happen? "He's the greatest welterweight of all time," Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie of Usman. "He's Dana White's favorite fighter. Dana loves Kamaru Usman, 100 percent. Like, they have a very unique relationship. Listen, Kamaru is one of the biggest names in the division. "Guess what? If Kamaru wins, Islam wins, they want to fight, I'm going to stay home, and I'm going to be watching from home. You know, I can see this fight happening too. But listen, Buckley's tough, he's been on a good run, and you have to kind of focus on Buckley first before you think anything else." Usman returns for the first time since a majority decision loss to No. 1 middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev on short notice in October 2023. Despite the long layoff, Abdelaziz ensures that Usman is in peak form. "I was in Denver last week. I went and trained with Kamaru. He's an absolute specimen," Abdelaziz continued. "He's an absolute nightmare. I'm 195 pounds, and we always grapple. I did OK with everyone in the gym. He's a beast right now. He is focused, he's healthy, I can't ask for more. He's ready. Buckley is going to have a long, long night if he's not ready. A long one, like a (Tyron) Woodley night." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Manager sheds light on potential Islam Makhachev vs. Kamaru Usman bout
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC books Charles Jourdain vs. Ricky Simon for Atlanta event
UFC books Charles Jourdain vs. Ricky Simon for Atlanta event Seasoned UFC bantamweights will collide in Atlanta. Charles Jourdain and Ricky Simon will throw down in a three-round bout June 14 at UFC on ESPN 69, the promotion officially announced Thursday. The event takes place at State Farm Arena. Jourdain (16-8-1 MMA, 7-7-1 UFC) aims to extend his winning streak to two after a submission victory over Victor Henry in November. The bout was his UFC bantamweight debut. Simon (21-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) snapped a three-fight skid when he knocked out Javid Basharat in violent fashion in February. The knockout won him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. The current UFC on ESPN 69 lineup
