Latest news with #HablemosMMA
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 316's Waldo Cortes-Acosta plans Serghei Spivac KO, enter heavyweight title contention
Waldo Cortes-Acosta feels he's on the cusp of title contention, and it's hard to disagree. The Dominican heavyweight has quietly put together an impressive run in the UFC, picking up six wins in the seven fights he's had since joining the promotion. These victories include two knockouts, and several notable names such as Ryan Spann, Robelis Despaigne, Chase Sherman and former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. Advertisement This Saturday at UFC 316, Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) looks to continue to bolster that resume and go on a five-fight winning streak when he takes on top-10 ranked heavyweight Serghei Spivac. He thinks a win over Spivac (17-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) will open up big opportunities for him in the division. "Yeah, I do feel the attention and the importance of the event," Cortes-Acosta told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "This fight can push me, can catapult me to the top, and put me in the title conversation. Maybe I win this one, one more after that, and I'm ready for a title shot, God willing." Cortes-Acosta has his path to victory mapped out for Spivac. Avoid the ground game and keep the fight in his realm. "I see it as a striker vs. wrestler," Cortes-Acosta said. "I don't think he has the hands to match me in the octagon. Like I've said, every fight I'm evolving. I never stop evolving. I feel stronger and I'm heavier now." Advertisement There are high expectations for Cortes-Acosta in this matchup. He sees himself finishing the "Polar Bear" "I expect the knockout," Waldo-Acosta said. "Come Saturday, I'll be knocking on the door, and it will be opened." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 316's Waldo Cortes-Acosta plans to KO Serghei Spivac
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 316's Waldo Cortes-Acosta plans Serghei Spivac KO, enter heavyweight title contention
UFC 316's Waldo Cortes-Acosta plans Serghei Spivac KO, enter heavyweight title contention Waldo Cortes-Acosta sees a big opportunity at UFC 316. Waldo Cortes-Acosta feels he's on the cusp of title contention, and it's hard to disagree. The Dominican heavyweight has quietly put together an impressive run in the UFC, picking up six wins in the seven fights he's had since joining the promotion. These victories include two knockouts, and several notable names such as Ryan Spann, Robelis Despaigne, Chase Sherman and former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. This Saturday at UFC 316, Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) looks to continue to bolster that resume and go on a five-fight winning streak when he takes on top-10 ranked heavyweight Serghei Spivac. He thinks a win over Spivac (17-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) will open up big opportunities for him in the division. "Yeah, I do feel the attention and the importance of the event," Cortes-Acosta told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "This fight can push me, can catapult me to the top, and put me in the title conversation. Maybe I win this one, one more after that, and I'm ready for a title shot, God willing." Cortes-Acosta has his path to victory mapped out for Spivac. Avoid the ground game and keep the fight in his realm. "I see it as a striker vs. wrestler," Cortes-Acosta said. "I don't think he has the hands to match me in the octagon. Like I've said, every fight I'm evolving. I never stop evolving. I feel stronger and I'm heavier now." There are high expectations for Cortes-Acosta in this matchup. He sees himself finishing the "Polar Bear" "I expect the knockout," Waldo-Acosta said. "Come Saturday, I'll be knocking on the door, and it will be opened."
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Coach Jorge Climent details 'gentleman agreement' to split with Ilia Topuria
Coach Jorge Climent details 'gentleman agreement' to split with Ilia Topuria Coach Jorge Climent explains why he's no longer working with Ilia Topuria. Jorge Climent has been met with mixed emotions in recent days following his split with former UFC champion and longtime alumni Ilia Topuria. Climent, along with his brother Agustin, coached Topuria throughout his fighting career—from his early days as a teenager debuting in amateur MMA to defending the UFC featherweight title with a historic knockout over Max Holloway. Climent has been there every step of the way in Topuria's MMA journey. That's why their recently announced split comes with a wide range of emotions. "Professionally, it's painful," Climent told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "But in another way, I feel liberated and good. I know everything is going to workout for him and for us as well. This is positive for them and us." The news of Topuria parting ways with Climent Club caught many by surprise, given their history and vast success in recent years. However, for both parties, it was something that was brewing for some time, as Topuria's stardom pushed him to move from Alicante, Spain – where Climent Club is based, to Madrid, the country's capital. A superstar in Spain, Topuria had many obligations and business that pulled him to Madrid, so he packed his thing and relocated with his family almost a year ago. "These things game up little by little, like 'We're not going to be able to this, we're not going to be able to that,'" Climent said. "Every time I have more and more trips. Last week, I was in PFL. In a little I'm going to Madrid because we have someone fighting, the week after that, Cage Warriors. We have almost 30 professional MMA fighters, and he needs something else. I have to be a little selfish because I've invested so much time in the gym, and all my life is here. So it was something that over time arose, and we treated it like adults and friends." Climent assures that the relationship with Topuria remains in good standing, and that there were no bad feelings in the split. It just didn't make sense logistically for either party. "There's a lot of people that like to give their opinions without knowing the reality," Climent explained. "This was a consensus. We have a lot of years of friendship. The management team came out saying that we were splitting, and all that, but the truth is that we're in Alicante, and they're in Madrid. I have my family, my gym, my students, and tons of projects that I have invested time in. I have my reality series, my MMA promotion. So Ilia left Alicante last year, he built a gym at his house, we got to accompany him in the camps, but had so many things to do in Madrid. His brother went with him. He has certain needs that I can't fulfill because I can't be permanently with him in Madrid like Javi did, the boxing trainer that is now living with them. "So we talked about it, we had a gentlemen agreement, we shook hands, and I'm proud of everything we did together. I'm very grateful to Ilia for everything he did in the sport and everything he gave us because it's true we also benefited from the point like our gym is full, the promotion is rolling, everything is good due to all we built. It was a great journey, and now he continues in search of another belt, and I'll continue forming champion. That's it." Topuria's rise in MMA has been meteoric in both it's impact and speed. Climent is amazed at how things have played out, and is very thankful for the experience. "What we've been through has been a roller coaster and super enriching," Climent said. "I've learned so much these last few years and lucky all this knowledge that I've gained I now can apply it to everyone that's here. We've all learned together. It wasn't a path that I carved, or he carved. Yes, we were older, and they were kids, but this journey we've done it together. We've opened so many doors. Actually, we've knocked down doors because nobody would open those doors for us. We came out of a place where there was nothing to having the best fighter in the world, created by our work. That's crazy." Topuria is scheduled to go for his second divisional title. After vacating the featherweight belt, Topuria was paired against Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight title in the main event of UFC 317 – which goes down at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on June 28.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gilbert Burns on why he accepted Michael Morales fight: 'Everyone needs an opportunity'
It's tough to find someone as willing to fight young, up-and-coming contenders. In an individualistic sport like MMA, where everyone fends for themselves and their best interests, few fighters with big names and high-ranked spots are willing to put their careers and future opportunities on the line against a lesser name but still dangerous opponent. Well, that's not Gilbert Burns. Advertisement His record and upcoming schedule reflect a somewhat uncommon and fresh approach to the game. "Michael Morales won this spot," Burns said in Spanish speaking to Hablemos MMA. "He deserves this spot. He's been doing a very good job, 25 years old, 17 fights unbeaten. He deserves this kind of opportunity." Burns, a former UFC welterweight title challenger and a long-time staple for the company, takes on young, rising contender Michael Morales this Saturday in a five-round main event bout at UFC Fight Night 256 – which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It's a tough fight for Burns, or anyone in the division, yet, the Brazilian veteran had no second thoughts in answering the call. Advertisement "I was like Michael Morales years ago," Burns explained." I was making noise and making my way to the top and Damian Maia, Gunnar Nelson gave me the opportunity. I feel like I have to do the same. It's a test. If I go and win, I knock him off, and he can have another opportunity in the future. But he needs an opportunity, and who am I to say no? "I'm here to fight the best. If they think he's next, let's fight then. I respect everyone and I think everyone needs an opportunity. If he's good, then he will win. But for me, I don't have that, 'Oh, I'm No. 5, I have to fight against No. 3 and 4.' No, no, no, no. I'm going to fight who the UFC and the fans want me to fight." Burns is coming off three straight defeats to then rising contenders Belal Muhammad, Jack Della Maddalena, and Sean Brady. Although he's only lost to what's now the very top of the division, Burns knows he's in dire need of a win, especially because he sees himself still game to challenge for the belt once again, but this time becoming champion. "I see this as a movie," Burns said. "I think I can win this one, win one more, and then fight and win the title. Just like a movie, you know. That's where my mind is at. I'm not down like, 'I'm not training well, I'm losing,' No. I see it as real. I've worked so hard and I think beating Michael Morales changes everything. One more fight and I'm being talked about for fighting for the title again. Saturday I need a win, but more importantly, I want to win. I'm hungry." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Vegas 106: Gilbert Burns on why he accepted Michael Morales fight
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gilbert Burns on why he accepted Michael Morales fight: 'Everyone needs an opportunity'
It's tough to find someone as willing to fight young, up-and-coming contenders. In an individualistic sport like MMA, where everyone fends for themselves and their best interests, few fighters with big names and high-ranked spots are willing to put their careers and future opportunities on the line against a lesser name but still dangerous opponent. Well, that's not Gilbert Burns. His record and upcoming schedule reflect a somewhat uncommon and fresh approach to the game. "Michael Morales won this spot," Burns said in Spanish speaking to Hablemos MMA. "He deserves this spot. He's been doing a very good job, 25 years old, 17 fights unbeaten. He deserves this kind of opportunity." Burns, a former UFC welterweight title challenger and a long-time staple for the company, takes on young, rising contender Michael Morales this Saturday in a five-round main event bout at UFC Fight Night 256 – which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It's a tough fight for Burns, or anyone in the division, yet, the Brazilian veteran had no second thoughts in answering the call. "I was like Michael Morales years ago," Burns explained." I was making noise and making my way to the top and Damian Maia, Gunnar Nelson gave me the opportunity. I feel like I have to do the same. It's a test. If I go and win, I knock him off, and he can have another opportunity in the future. But he needs an opportunity, and who am I to say no? "I'm here to fight the best. If they think he's next, let's fight then. I respect everyone and I think everyone needs an opportunity. If he's good, then he will win. But for me, I don't have that, 'Oh, I'm No. 5, I have to fight against No. 3 and 4.' No, no, no, no. I'm going to fight who the UFC and the fans want me to fight." Burns is coming off three straight defeats to then rising contenders Belal Muhammad, Jack Della Maddalena, and Sean Brady. Although he's only lost to what's now the very top of the division, Burns knows he's in dire need of a win, especially because he sees himself still game to challenge for the belt once again, but this time becoming champion. "I see this as a movie," Burns said. "I think I can win this one, win one more, and then fight and win the title. Just like a movie, you know. That's where my mind is at. I'm not down like, 'I'm not training well, I'm losing,' No. I see it as real. I've worked so hard and I think beating Michael Morales changes everything. One more fight and I'm being talked about for fighting for the title again. Saturday I need a win, but more importantly, I want to win. I'm hungry." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Vegas 106: Gilbert Burns on why he accepted Michael Morales fight
