Latest news with #KillCliffFC
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
DWCS 77 video: Baysangur Susurkaev 'saves' Dana White's Tuesday with gnarly TKO
"You saved my Tuesday." That's what Dana White told Baysangur Susurkaev after a devastating body kick knockout Tuesday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Susurkaev (9-0) teeped Murtaza Talha (7-2) in the midsection for the TKO stoppage at 3:04 of Round 1. The middleweight bout took place at Dana White's Contender Series 77, the show's season premiere. Susurkaev, 24, is a training partner of Khamzat Chimaev but he also trains at Kill Cliff FC with the likes of training partner Gregory Rodrigues and others. He stepped in on days' notice for this fight and capitalized on it violently. The finish couldn't come at a time where the UFC brass thirsted that violence more. The previous two fights to kick off the season were lackluster decisions. Susurkaev will likely earn a UFC contract as a result of his performance. Up-to-the-minute DWCS 77 results include:
USA Today
13-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Gilbert Burns: Logan Storley's win over Joaquin Buckley shows Kamaru Usman the way
Gilbert Burns: Logan Storley's win over Joaquin Buckley shows Kamaru Usman the way Gilbert Burns advises Kamaru Usman to follow a similar game plan against Joaquin Buckley as their Kill Cliff FC teammate. Former UFC 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) in Saturday's UFC on ESPN 69 (ESPN, ESPN+) main event at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Buckley is unbeaten since dropping back down to welterweight in May 2023. The last time Buckley lost at 170 pounds was against Logan Storley in April 2018, which led to his move up to middleweight. Burns advises Usman to use a heavy grapple approach just like Storley did when he stifled Buckley on the ground. "I want Kamaru to win," Burns said on his "Show Me The Money" podcast. "The guy was at the gym – he was looking very good. At the gym, we had one of the guys that smashed Buckley back in the day. It was a long time ago at Bellator. Logan Storley just outwrestled him, ground-and-pounded him. It shows Kamaru the way. I think Kamaru has to mix it up. I think he was the best at the time when he was mixing it up. Not just striking. I kind of called that he was going to lose to Leon (Edwards). "At that time, he wasn't wrestling anymore. He just stood up with Leon, and I knew it was going to be hard. Whenever he mixes it up – sometimes he'll wrestle not just to wrestle, (but) wrestle just to make this guy think about it and then strike better, get loose. Take this guy down, make this guy tired. Buckley is very muscular, very strong. If Buckley starts putting pressure, Buckley is very, very dangerous. I think the way for Kamaru is to put pressure. I hope he wins, and I think he can." Burns fought Usman for the welterweight title in February 2021 in what was an emotional fight between teammates. After stunning Usman in Round 1, Burns was ultimately finished by TKO in Round 3 at UFC 258.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ian Machado Garry responds to Michael Morales' constant UFC callouts
Ian Machado Garry responds to Michael Morales' constant UFC callouts Ian Machado Garry addresses constant callouts by rising UFC contender Michael Morales Ian Machado Garry has addressed Michael Morales' numerous callouts. Morales, who recently sent shockwaves through the MMA world with his knockout win over Gilbert Burns, has been calling out Machado Garry since 2023, and he now has been given a response. Morales wasn't pleased to hear Machado Garry mention his name in a previus interview, and since has taken exception to the Irishman. Machado Garry doesn't understand where the issue comes from, and frankly, doesn't care. "I don't believe I've ever met the bloke," Machado Garry told Ariel Helwani. "But if he has a problem, keep the problem. It doesn't bother me. I don't believe I've ever met him, said a word to him, or anything at all." Morales took a big step forward in his career Saturday. In his first UFC main event, Morales quickly finished Burns – a long-time contender and former UFC title challenger. Machado Garry, who used to train with Burns at Kill Cliff FC in Deerfield Beach, Fla., watched the fight closely. "I watched the fight against Gilbert. Gilbert is a good friend of mine, so I have to watch it," Machado Garry said. "And yeah, he did what he needed to do. I thought Gilbert looked good early on. I thought he looked a lot more energetic than we've seen him in the past, and against a bigger guy, he looked good early on. But Morales did what he needed to do, and that's the fighter in him." Machado Garry thinks he'll eventually meet Morales inside the cage. Machado Garry's belief is unwavering that he himself is bound to be champion, and he wouldn't mind defending the belt against Ecuador's Morales, should the opportunity arise. "I'm going to fight him at some point in time because when I'm the champion, I'm going to beat everyone that's next contender," Machado Garry said.
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Kamaru Usman reveals moment that took him 'over the edge' prior to fighting Gilbert Burns
Kamaru Usman reveals moment that took him 'over the edge' prior to fighting Gilbert Burns Kamaru Usman says he dealt with the most emotional camp of his career while preparing to fight his friend, Gilbert Burns. Usman, who was UFC welterweight champion at the time, was caught off guard when longtime training partner Burns called him out after beating Tyron Woodley in May 2020. It was during the time Usman was seeking help from Trevor Wittman, and he felt that his gym, Kill Cliff FC, was taking sides when it came to his fight with Burns. Usman and Burns ended up being matched up in a title fight at UFC 258 in 2021, which "The Nigerian Nightmare" won by third-round TKO. Although it was hard for Usman to deal with the emotional build-up, there was one particular moment that helped motivate him to beat Burns. "All of these things were festering, and then I see posts and then what really took me over the edge was watching the 'Countdown,'" Usman said on his "Pound 4 Pound" podcast with Henry Cejudo. "He was walking with Pedro and Josh. They were walking along maybe some little canal, and they're talking, and he asked them – and I love Pedro. I used to love playing with Pedro when he was small, and he says, 'Who's going to be the new champion?' And Pedro and Josh were like, 'Daddy.' "'Who's going to take this belt?' And they were like, 'Daddy, you're going to take the belt.' It just hit me in my heart. I don't know why. Like I say, athletes at the highest level. You find little things to motivate you. I don't know why it triggered me, but it hit me in a way where I was like, I love that little boy. I play with him all the time and the whole time, you start getting paranoid. I'm like, 'The whole time y'all were plotting to take my title, take food away from me'" As soon as he finished Burns, Usman yelled, "Taking what from who?" However, immediately after, the emotions started kicking in for Usman as he watched a deterred Burns in tears. The training partners ended up embracing. "Once the fight took place, it didn't hit me until right after at the end of the fight," Usman said. "I'm being animated, and I'm up, and I'm up and then, out the side of my eye, I see Gilbert down here and then I see my coach, Trevor was like, 'Yeah, fight's over.' I see him and it hit me like, 'Bro, that's my boy, that's my friend,' and I just got crushed."
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales prediction, pick: Are wide odds justified?
Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales prediction, pick: Are wide odds justified? Undefeated Michael Morales enters as a huge favorite against former title challenger Gilbert Burns. Are the oddsmakers dismissing the savvy veteran? Show Caption Hide Caption Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales prediction | UFC Fight Night 256 breakdown MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom offers his breakdown and prediction for the UFC Fight Night 256 in Las Vegas. Dan Tom MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today, he takes a closer look at the UFC Fight Night 256 main event between welterweight contenders Gilbert Burns and Michael Morales. Gilbert Burns UFC Fight Night 256 preview Staple info: Record : 22-8 MMA, 15-8 UFC : 22-8 MMA, 15-8 UFC Height : 5'5" Age: 37 Weight: 125 lbs. Reach: 65.5" : 5'5" Age: 37 Weight: 125 lbs. Reach: 65.5" Last fight : Decision loss to Sean Brady (Sept. 27, 2024) : Decision loss to Sean Brady (Sept. 27, 2024) Camp : Kill Cliff FC (Florida) : Kill Cliff FC (Florida) Stance/striking style : Orthodox/kickboxing : Orthodox/kickboxing Risk management: Fair Supplemental info: + Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt (2nd degree) + 4x Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion + Multiple grappling accolades (in and out of the gi) + 6 KO victories + 9 submission wins + 11 first-round finishes + KO power + Aggressive pace and pressure + Improved overall striking flow ^ Dangerous counter right hand + Strikes well off the breaks + Solid wrestling ability + Superb transitional grappler ^ Works well from top or bottom Michael Morales UFC Fight Night 256 preview Staple info: Record : 17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC : 17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC Height : 6'0" Age: 25 Weight: 170 lbs. Reach: 79" : 6'0" Age: 25 Weight: 170 lbs. Reach: 79" Last fight: TKO win over Neil Magny (Aug. 24, 2024) TKO win over Neil Magny (Aug. 24, 2024) Camp : Entram Gym (Mexico) : Entram Gym (Mexico) Stance/striking style : Orthodox/muay Thai : Orthodox/muay Thai Risk management: Fair Supplemental info: + Regional MMA titles + National champion freestyle wrestling (Ecuador) + National champion in muay Thai (Ecuador) + 12 KO victories + 1 submission win + 8 first-round finishes + Long and stiff jab + Dangerous right hand ^ Coming forward or off the counter + Strong inside the clinch ^ Suplexes to strikes off the break + Solid wrestling ability + Shows solid grappling from topside Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales point of interest: Striking in the small cage The main event in Las Vegas features a potential welterweight war between top 15 fighters. Coming off of three consecutive contests inside the UFC's Apex, Morales is more than familiar with the fighting area of the smaller octagon. Although Morales still seems to be sorting out his stylistic process, the Ecuadorian does a decent job of staying long and fighting to his frame. From stiff jabs to counter crosses, Morales offers up some tricky hurdles for those trying to close the distance on him. When feeling in stride, Morales will also let loose with some explosive flying knees up the centerline. Still, he'll need to be careful about throwing himself out of position, considering his current counterpart, Burns. An accomplished grappler who immersed himself in all facets of martial arts, Burns has steadily become a formidable threat on the feet. Another fighter under the care of coach Hooft, we have seen 'Durinho' build upon his pressuring sensibilities in the striking department. Whether he's working off of his jab or his opponent's, Burns always seems to have a heavy right hook chambered in the rear, as he typically looks to inch his way forward with offense that's wired on a hair-trigger. Burns, who is a solid leg kicker in his own right, has also shown signs of improving his defensive awareness in regards to both checking and countering leg kicks thrown his way. I'm not sure how much Morales will give him to work off of in the kicking department, so I'll be curious to see if Burns looks to fill that vacancy on the feet this Saturday. Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales point of interest: Potential grappling threats Considering where the biggest on-paper disparity lies, no one should be surprised if Burns looks to get this fight to the floor. An IBJJF world champion both in and out of the gi, Burns has smartly sharpened his surrounding skill sets since stepping onto the MMA scene. Working with wrestling influences and standouts like Greg Jones to catch wrestling coaches like Neil Melanson, Burns has been able to develop the groundwork to assist his game during this welterweight run. Integrating these crucial styles into his repertoire, there are now few to no positions that Burns is not comfortable or capable of working from. Whether Burns is defending takedowns along the fence and striking off the breaks or hitting sweet trips and chaining takedowns of his own, the Brazilian's wrestling improvements remain to be one of the things that quietly impresses me most. However, as underrated as that part of his game may be, taking down Morales could be difficult given his strong athletic frame and wrestling background. A freestyle wrestling champion in his home country of Ecuador, Morales reminds me of a young Jon Jones in the way in which opportunistic offense comes to his mind. From spinning elbows off clinch breaks to emphatic suplexes to punctuate rounds, Morales displays the building blocks to justify said claims. That said, Morales, despite otherwise having solid balance and defensive fundamentals, can get a bit lackadaisical at times when fighting in the clinch or off his back, often waiting for opportunistic moments from his opponent's offense before exploding into something. Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales odds The oddsmakers and the public are heavily favoring the younger fighter, listing Morales -950 and Burns +540 via FanDuel. Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales prediction, pick I know there's nothing that MMA gamblers love more than the opportunity to bet a hyped product opposite an aging fighter, but the betting spread listed above is almost criminal at this point. I don't disagree that Morales is favored, but odds north of 8-1 suggest that this is much more of a sure thing than it has any right to be. Aside from the fact that Morales is young and not nearly as experienced as Burns, the product from Ecuador appears to lack any semblance of a reliable process, often relying on opportunistic moments for his skills and athleticism to shine. Still, what Morales does do well might sadly be enough to see him through in this spot. Although Burns could certainly give a veteran lesson if this fight goes to the ground, Morales' clinch presence and range weapons may be too strong and sturdy a force for the Brazilian to break through. Add in the fact that checking jabs and counter-crosses have traditionally been the common culprit for Burns' standing, and I can't help but side with the up-and-comer here. There's nothing I'd love more than to see Burns upset the apple cart as a huge underdog, but the fact that he's yet to beat a fighter in their athletic prime since moving up to welterweight makes my stylistic reads from the sentence prior even harder to ignore. It's dog or pass from a betting perspective, but the official pick is Morales by knockout in Round 2. Prediction: Morales inside the distance Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales start time, how to watch As the main event, Burns and Morales are expected to make their walks to the octagon at approximately 9:10 p.m. ET. The fight streams on ESPN+.
