In this episode of Inside the Octagon, John Gooden and Laura Sanko preview the UFC 258 main event between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns.

The two former teammates go head to head as welterweight champion Usman looks to continue his undefeated streak in the UFC when he takes on Burns.

UFC 258 takes place on Saturday, Feb. 13, in Las Vegas.

(Video courtesy of UFC)

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Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-258-usman-vs-burns-inside-the-octagon-preview

Coming off a 2019 that saw him go undefeated in his first three fights, welterweight Darian Weeks was looking to carry over that momentum into 2020 when the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic put those plans on hold for most of the year.

When he was finally able to get back into MMA, Weeks picked up a solid second round TKO in October to keep his undefeated streak going and regain some of his lost momentum as he headed into 2021.

“2020 was kind of a slow year for everyone,” Weeks told MMAWeekly.com. “The virus thing kind of slowed everything down.

“In October I carried a W over Dustin Parrish, who was 8-3, beating a fighter who had so many more fights than I had I feel like 2020 above all a great year for me. It put real good stock on my name.”

While he only managed to have one MMA bout last year, Weeks was able to use his time to improve his game in ways he feels will help carrying him further in 2021.

“I felt like I had a stronger game plan I would say for my fights I was going into,” said Weeks. “I feel I did a good job of planning and watching my opponent, preparing for my opponent, and maturing in my game as I went along in the year.

“I think every fight is pretty much the same. I’m always trying to make a stamp; I’m always trying to make a mark for my name. I feel like that’s what carried me to this point in my career right now.”

On February 12 in Park City, Kansas, Weeks (4-0) will look to kick off his year in a big way when he faces Craig Fairley (3-4) in a main card 170-pound bout at LFA 99.

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“I’m going to go out there and try to implement everything that I’ve practiced and everything that I’ve planned for and put a stamp on my name and show people I belong here long-term,” Weeks said.

“I take all of my opponents seriously from the very jump. Whether they’re all or long or 5-0 or 3-4 even, everyone can be dangerous. I’m going to go out there and put pressure on (Fairley) and do the things I’m great at. I’m going to find holes in his game and exploit them and look for the finish.”

For Weeks, rather than trying to push his luck by looking too far ahead, he’s choosing to approach each opportunity as it comes and take things one step at a time in 2021.

“I think things tend to open up themselves,” said Weeks. “I feel like opportunities come to those who deserve them. I don’t try to force anything in my career. I try to let things develop.

“Saying that, I do go after things that are going to put a good progress on my career and move it forward.”

Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/darian-weeks-plans-to-put-a-stamp-on-his-name-at-lfa-99

Patricio Freire is open to competing against the UFC’s best.

“Pitbull” won’t be following in the footsteps of former rival Michael Chandler. The Bellator lightweight and featherweight champion, Freire (31-4 MMA, 19-4 BMMA) doesn’t have interest in jumping from Bellator to the UFC right now. However, Freire hopes he can someday be a part of history by competing in a cross-promotion.

“I definitely want to have a shot at those guys – especially the ones that people say I can’t beat or that would beat me easily,” Freire recently told MMA Junkie. “It’s not that the UFC interests me most, actually. I’d like to create history, something new in the sport – to create a big cross-promotion, like in boxing (where) you have the champions sometimes fighting each other. That’s what we’re missing in MMA right now. I’d like to be the guy to start that.”

In order for a major cross-promotion to happen, MMA’s culture would need to shift. Although many in the industry are doubtful a UFC vs. Bellator cross-promotional matchup or event ever will occur, Freire isn’t ruling it out.

“There’s something more that I would like to add to this sport,” Freire said. “I’d like to be part of this big movement to make this change (and) force the UFC. I already beat your future champion. So let’s put everyone together and see who’s really the best. The fans would want that. The sport needs that. No more, ‘This promotion or that promotion?’ There is a business side of things, but people want to see the best fighting the best.”

While Freire would be willing to fight any reputable foe that is in the “best in the world” conversation, “Pitbull” specifically mentioned former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway (22-6 MMA, 18-6 UFC) as a fight that interests him.

“(The future) belongs to God,” Freire said. “We’ll see what’s next. Maybe Max Holloway gets tired of making pennies in the UFC and comes to Bellator so we can make a huge stadium show in Hawaii. We could see a change from the top guys from the UFC (coming) to Bellator.

“If they don’t think there is money here, that’s a lie. Bellator would be willing to pay for those who deserve it. We will see what the future reserves – where I’ll be at, where they’ll be at, and what Bellator will be willing to do. But I don’t have any worries. I know it’s going to do something good.”

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/mma-news-patricio-pitbull-freire-challenges-max-holloway-ufc-bellator-cross-promotion-history

LAS VEGAS – Karol Rosa beat Joselyne Edwards with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 184 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Rosa, who won for the fifth straight time, the past three of which have been decisions.

Joselyne Edwards vs. Karol Rosa

Result: Karol Rosa def. Joselyne Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Updated records: Rosa (14-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Edwards (10-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Key stat: Rosa outstruck Edwards 135-70 and landed four takedowns.

Rosa on the fight’s key moment

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 06: (R-L) Karol Rosa of Brazil punches Joselyne Edwards of Panama in their bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“I’m really happy. I trained four months to get this victory. It was a war, for sure. I’m really happy with my victory. I always knew my opponent was a really tough boxer. So a week before the fight, I decided to take her down and work on the jiu-jitsu.”

Rosa on being versatile

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 06: (R-L) Joselyne Edwards of Panama punches Karol Rosa of Brazil in their bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“My goal is to get in the rankings, maybe even in the top 10 by the end of the year. So every fight I try to show that I’m good on the ground and in my standup. I’m a jiu-jitsu black belt, but I can fight anywhere. It doesn’t matter where the fight goes.”

Rosa on what she wants next

“I’m confident and have the potential to be in the top 15 or top 10 right now. But whoever the UFC puts in front of me, I’m going to fight. It doesn’t matter who.”

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

Breaking, Karol Rosa, UFC Fight Night 184, video, News, UFC, Videos

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/takedowns-part-of-karol-rosa-game-plan-ufc-fight-night-184-video

LAS VEGAS – Devonte Smith beat Justin Jaynes with a second-round TKO Saturday to close out the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 184 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Smith, who got back in the win column for the first time in two years.

Justin Jaynes def. Devonte Smith

Result: Devonte Smith def. Justin Jaynes via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 2, 3:38
Updated records: Smith (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), Jaynes (16-7 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Key stat: Smith outstruck Jaynes 46-19 and kept his streak intact of all his wins by stoppage.

Smith on the fight’s key moment

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 06: (R-L) Justin Jaynes punches Devonte Smith in their 160-pound catchweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“Never did it cross my mind that they were going to stop it. I thought we were going to just keep going. Then I was like, ‘Oh, I won. Cool.’ It was a good feeling.”

Smith on being labeled a prospect

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 06: (R-L) Devonte Smith punches Justin Jaynes in their 160-pound catchweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“I don’t let that prospect stuff weigh on me too much. I appreciate the love and support. That’s just a title prospect today. I just stay grounded and humble.

“No disrespect to him, I just had my mind set on the win. I wasn’t going home without being a victor. Knowing the next time I’m in the octagon it’s going to say 11-2 just feels good. Was that a TKO? Cool, so it’s still by finish.”

Smith on what he wants next

“I pray I get at least three fights this year. By the end of the year, I want top 15 or top 10. I’ve got to really aim for the goal.”

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

Breaking, Devonte Smith, UFC Fight Night 184, video, News, UFC, Videos

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/devonte-smith-prospect-label-humble-ufc-fight-night-184-video