UFC pioneer Paul Varelans died on Saturday, Jan. 16, following a month-long battle against COVID-19.

Varelans had been feeling ill in early December, confirming in social media posts that he had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

“So it’s official, I am COVID-19 positive. And I feel like hell,” Varelans tweeted on Dec. 12.

A day later he added, “The best way I can compare the feel(ing) of COVID-19 in my experience is it’s like fighting a guy who specializes in kidney punches. They never stop coming.”

On Dec. 17, UFC co-founder Art Davie stated that Varelans’s health had worsened. He added that Varelans had been put in a medically induced coma and placed on a ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit.

A month later, on Jan. 16, Varelans lost his battle with COVID-19.

Paul “The Polar Bear” Varelans: 1969-2021

Most newer mixed martial arts fans probably aren’t all that familiar with Varelans, but he was an easily identifiable character when it comes to the origins of the UFC.

Varelans was six-foot-eight and 300 pounds, a rather imposing figure in the Octagon; though his nickname was “The Polar Bear.”

He first fought at UFC 6, where he defeated Cal Worsham and then lost to Tank Abbott. Varelans is probably most remembered for his 13-minute battle in the finals of an eight-man tournament at UFC 7, where he lost to the legendary Marco Ruas after suffering numerous crippling leg kicks.

His final UFC bout was opposite Kimo Leopoldo at Ultimate Ultimate 1996. Varelans went on to fight several more times outside of the UFC, fighting for the final time Feb. 8, 1998, in the Netherlands. He was 9-9 overall in his fighting career.

Paul Varelans was born on Sept. 17, 1969. He passed away on Jan. 16, 2021. Varelans was 51 years old at the time of his death.

TRENDING Rankings Review: Does Conor McGregor deserve his UFC ranking?

UFC 7: Marco Ruas vs. Paul Varelans

Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-pioneer-paul-varelans-dies-after-battling-covid-19

ABU DHABI – Coach Mike Brown sees an advantage in play for Dustin Poirier against Conor McGregor going into UFC 257.

Brown, who is Poirier’s (26-6 MMA, 18-5 UFC) head coach at American Top Team in Florida, doesn’t think there are many secrets entering Saturday’s main event rematch with McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC). He said they are preparing for all scenarios, but think it’s clear that the more minutes tick off the clock, the greater percentage his fighter wins.

“Anybody that knows this sport will realize quickly that the longer it goes, the better it is for Dustin,” Brown told MMA Junkie. “Conor’s obviously struggled with conditioning. This is not his strong suit. Obviously he’s got great timing, good power and good precision, a very good striker, but we’ve seen him more than once struggle with conditioning, and this is also Dustin’s strong suit. He’s got some of the best natural conditioning I’ve ever seen.

“He could be drinking beers and eating cheeseburgers and he can come off the couch and be sparring with world-class fighters that are peaking and he’s in better shape than them. He’s definitely got some gifts and a talent there, and it’s one of his gifts.”

But conditioning means little if a fight doesn’t go beyond the early rounds. McGregor stopped Poirier by knockout in less than two minutes in their first encounter at UFC 178 in September 2014. Brown said he can only put so much stock in that first bout because he knows from his personal relationship with Poirier he’s not the same man.

“A lot has changed,” Brown said. “So much has changed. They’re really different people at this point. Six years of development in a sport, you’re almost a completely different athlete. I would say besides all the technique and technical improvements, it’s mostly about the mindset – the ability to relax in certain situations and suppress emotion and things of this nature. I think this is really where the biggest changes are made, are major technical changes that we don’t want to get into too much.”

Although Brown doesn’t put much weight on Poirier’s first loss to McGregor, the outside world doesn’t see it the same way. One of the major narratives leading into fight night is how Poirier will mentally absorb what happened in the past. Brown admitted that’s an aspect that’s in play, but said it’s not something he can control as much as other elements involving his athlete.

“That’s not on me – that’s kind of on him in his own head,” Brown said. “I think he’s in a good place. I think he’s very confident. I think he believes in himself 100 percent, and that’s what’s most important. I think he knows he can win this fight, and he knows he’ll win this fight, and he has that mindset coming in. He’s in great shape and he’s ready.”

UFC 257 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

Brown has worked closely with Poirier as he’s risen up the ranks at 155 pounds to become interim champion, fight for the undisputed belt and more. He thinks the team has put together a good game plan to exact revenge over McGregor, and once again pointed to pace and conditioning as a potentially result-altering key.

“It’s a rematch of a blemish – he doesn’t have many of them – that he’d like to erase,” Brown said. “(McGregor) always comes with something new and something fresh and something different. Honestly, we see some technical holes in the game. But most importantly, we see a lot of what everybody sees: He definitely has a weakness in conditioning. That’s something we’d be smart to exploit if possible.

“(Poirier is) a guy that’s great conditioning, a volume puncher with big power in both hands and both legs, and it doesn’t go away. He can knock you out with either hand or either leg in Round 1 or Round 5, and it doesn’t go away. That’s what makes him the world-class monster that he is.”

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/01/ufc-257-mike-brown-breakdown-conor-mcgregor-conditioning-rematch

Calvin Kattar absorbed a tremendous amount of punishment when he stepped into the cage against Max Holloway in the UFC on ABC 1 main event Saturday.

Monday, less than 48 hours after his unanimous decision loss to Holloway (22-6 MMA, 18-6 UFC), Kattar released a statement on the defeat on his Instagram page.

“Success in life comes when you simply refuse to give up,” Kattar wrote. With goals so strong that obstacles, failure and loss only act as motivation. Props to Max on a hell of a fight he deserves all the praise. Thankful for my team’s commitment for this fight. On to the next. There is no stopping the man who doesn’t quit.”

Despite absorbing a UFC record-breaking 445 significant strikes, Kattar (22-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) refused to quit – the attitude he aims to carry going forward.

A post shared by calvinkattar (@calvinkattar)

Kattar, 32, suffered a broken nose in his losing effort. In an exchange with MMA Junkie on Sunday, his manager and coach Tyson Chartier, Kattar also received eight staples in his head. One half of the UFC’s New England Cartel tandem, Kattar has never been finished in his UFC tenure.

UFC on ABC 1 took place Saturday at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The main card simulcasted on ABC and ESPN+ after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/01/ufc-on-abc-1-calvin-kattar-releases-statement-following-max-holloway-loss-no-quit

By Matt Erickson |

January 18, 2021 1:15 pm

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC 257 event in Abu Dhabi.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Thursday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the UFC 257 event staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. UFC 257 takes place Saturday at Etihad Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

Make your picks for the five main card fights below.

Amanda Ribas vs. Marina Rodriguez

Records: Amanda Ribas (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Marina Rodriguez (12-1-2 MMA, 2-1-2 UFC)
Past five: Ribas 5-0, Rodriguez 2-1-2
Division: Women’s strawweight
Rankings: Rodriguez No. 9, Ribas No. 10
Odds (as of 01.18.21): Ribas -350, Rodriguez +260

Ottman Azaitar vs. Matt Frevola

Records: Ottman Azaitar (13-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Matt Frevola (8-1-1 MMA, 2-1-1 UFC)
Past five: Azaitar 5-0, Frevola 3-1-1
Division: Lightweight
Rankings: Azaitar honorable mention
Odds (as of 01.18.21): Azaitar -165, Frevola +140

Joanne Calderwood vs. Jessica Eye

Records: Joanne Calderwood (14-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC), Jessica Eye (15-8 MMA, 5-7 UFC)
Past five: Calderwood 3-2, Eye 3-2
Division: Women’s flyweight
Rankings: Eye No. 8, Calderwood No. 11
Odds (as of 01.18.21): Eye -120, Calderwood +100

Michael Chandler vs. Dan Hooker

Records: Michael Chandler (21-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC), Dan Hooker (20-9 MMA, 10-5 UFC)
Past five: Chandler 4-1, Hooker 3-2
Division: Lightweight
Rankings: Hooker No. 8
Odds (as of 01.18.21): Hooker -140, Chandler +115

Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor

Records: Dustin Poirier (26-6 MMA, 18-5 UFC), Conor McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC)
Past five: Poirier 4-1, McGregor 3-2
Division: Lightweight
Rankings: Poirier No. 2, No. 10 pound-for-pound; McGregor No. 6
Odds (as of 01.18.21): McGregor -275, Poirier +225

Full UFC 257 fight card

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

• Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor
• Michael Chandler vs. Dan Hooker
• Joanne Calderwood vs. Jessica Eye
• Ottman Azaitar vs. Matt Frevola
• Amanda Ribas vs. Marina Rodriguez

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

• Nasrat Haqparast vs. Arman Tsarukyan
• Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Brad Tavares
• Sara McMann vs. Julianna Pena
• Marcin Prachnio vs. Khalil Rountree

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6:15 p.m. ET)

• Makhmud Muradov vs. Andrew Sanchez
• Movsar Evloev vs. Nik Lentz
• Amir Albazi vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov

Amanda Ribas, Breaking, Conor McGregor, Dan Hooker, Dustin Poirier, Jessica Eye, Joanne Calderwood, Marina Rodriguez, Matt Frevola, Michael Chandler, Ottman Azaitar, UFC 257, Featured, News, UFC

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-257-conor-mcgregor-vs-dustin-poirier-reader-predictions-picks

ABU DHABI – Punahele Soriano beat Dusko Todorovic with a first-round TKO Saturday to open up the main card at UFC on ABC 1 in Abu Dhabi.

Take a look inside the fight with Soriano, who stayed unbeaten and handed Todorovic his first career loss.

Punahele Soriano vs. Dusko Todorovic

Result: Punahele Soriano def. Dusko Todorovic via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:48
Updated records: Soriano (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Todorovic (10-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Key stat: Soriano has seven of his eight career wins by stoppage.

Soriano on the fight’s key moment

“I feel like I black out in every fight and I really don’t know what happened. I trust my body and I trust my instincts. My body somehow just makes the proper corrections in every fight no matter what. I just trust that and I’m going to ride it out as long as I can.”

PUNA!!! 🤯

That’s how you start the main card!

[ #UFCFightIsland7 continues on @ABCNetwork #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/Hh1wbStskd

— UFC (@ufc) January 16, 2021

Soriano on feeling the fans’ energy

“It felt amazing. It was great to have the crowd there. It was empowering, especially after the win. I couldn’t control myself. I just kept yelling. I saw the crowd, I saw the commentators and I felt all that power.

“I was nervous. My heart just felt like a speaker. I swear I could hear it beating, like just standing there. It almost hurt. It felt like a side pain in my chest, but I just fought through it. I knew as soon as the cage door closes, I’m going to be at my best no matter what.”

HOW IS HE TAKING THESE HITS!?! #UFCFightIsland7 pic.twitter.com/cYY8dQpiuw

— UFC (@ufc) January 16, 2021

Soriano on what he wants next

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 17: (L-R) Punahele Soriano punches Dusko Todorovic of Serbia in a middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 17, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

“I’m never one to say names. I just say yes to whoever I come across.”

To hear more from Soriano, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

Breaking, Punahele Soriano, UFC on ABC 1, video, News, UFC, Videos

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/punahele-soriano-ufc-on-abc-1-win-on-instinct-black-out-every-fight-mma-video