MMA Fighting: All Posts by Eugene Leydonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52789/mma_minimal_navy..jpg2023-10-17T11:00:00-04:00https://www.mmafighting.com/authors/ekc-leydon/rss2023-10-17T11:00:00-04:002023-10-17T11:00:00-04:00Video: MMA judges explain scores backstage at Bellator 300
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ANNBTeXAoYgDYY0haNvfHDG2di8=/98x0:1178x720/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72764533/CSAC.0.png" />
</figure>
<p id="8P2yHQ">SAN DIEGO – The California State Athletic Commission gave MMA Fighting exclusive access to its post-event debriefing at <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/1415/bellator-300">Bellator 300</a>, and MMA judges – including UFC vet <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/367/chris-leben">Chris Leben</a> – and CSAC Executive Andy Foster discussed how they scored fights in a revealing look at the life of officials. </p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/10/17/23920484/video-mma-judges-explain-scores-backstage-at-bellator-300Eugene Leydon2023-05-05T12:30:00-04:002023-05-05T12:30:00-04:00UFC 288 Timeline: Henry Cejudo’s road to Aljamain Sterling
<figure>
<img alt="UFC 288 Press Conference" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5GyO5H2JNMVQgMmUq4GwHOrDNSM=/0x0:5520x3680/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72252631/1487590990.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="32N6m0"><a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/2186/henry-cejudo">Henry Cejudo</a>’s return against <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/1528/aljamain-sterling">Aljamain Sterling</a> at <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/1374/ufc-288">UFC 288</a> is nearly here.</p>
<p id="CXDpEK">Watch MMA Fighting’s <em>UFC 288 Timeline </em>video for an in-depth look into Cejudo’s road through the UFC, from soft-spoken Olympic gold medalist wrestler and blue-clip MMA prospect to a two-division champion and the undisputed King of Cringe.</p>
<p id="jULZ0p">Cejudo returns on Saturday in UFC 288’s main event following a three-year layoff in an attempt to reclaim the UFC bantamweight title he never lost in the cage. The 36-year-old surprised the MMA world in May 2020 when he announced his retirement following a successful defense of the bantamweight title against <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/328/dominick-cruz">Dominick Cruz</a> at <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/1094/ufc-249-ferguson-vs-gaethje">UFC 249</a>. That win capped off an impressive four-fight championship run that saw Cejudo upset <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/208/demetrious-johnson">Demetrious Johnson</a> to claim the UFC flyweight title, defend it with a 32-second knockout of <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/1257/t-j-dillashaw">T.J. Dillashaw</a>, then capture the vacant bantamweight title with a knockout of <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/1463/marlon-moraes">Marlon Moraes</a>.</p>
<p id="YWahiZ">He faces a tough test in Sterling, however. “The Funkmaster” has won eight straight bouts and will become the first UFC bantamweight champion to notch three consecutive title defenses if he’s able to emerge victorious at UFC 288. </p>
<p id="9LGzcG">Will Cejudo continue his quest to eventually become “C-4,” or has he met his match in Sterling?</p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/5/5/23711921/ufc-288-timeline-henry-cejudos-road-to-aljamain-sterlingEugene Leydon2023-04-11T21:15:00-04:002023-04-11T21:15:00-04:00Video: Ryan Garcia open workout
<figure>
<img alt="Davis vs. Garcia open workout" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DVMxrXLIQk0uKvXeq2LicZYW-HE=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72171656/0125_Ryan_Garcia_media_workout.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Esther Lin/SHOWTIME</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="qJV62D">LOS ANGELES – Boxer Ryan Garcia worked out for reporters in advance of his showdown with <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/4170/gervonta-davis">Gervonta Davis</a> on April 22 in Las Vegas. </p>
<p id="eQWf74"></p>
<p id="VMYMU5"></p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/4/11/23679447/video-ryan-garcia-open-workoutEugene Leydon2023-04-06T12:00:00-04:002023-04-06T12:00:00-04:00UFC 287 Timeline: Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2
<figure>
<img alt="UFC 281: Adesanya v Pereira" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/A85UV00vETT6Cnxtb4r1497iee4=/0x0:5504x3669/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72154364/1441088146.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="32N6m0"><a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/5800/alex-pereira">Alex Pereira</a> and <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/4366/israel-adesanya">Israel Adesanya</a> face off again this Saturday at <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/1364/ufc-287-pereira-vs-adesanya-2">UFC 287</a>, the culmination of a grudge that stretches back to long before either man first stepped into the octagon.</p>
<p id="CXDpEK">Watch MMA Fighting’s <em>UFC 287 Timeline </em>video for an in-depth look at the heated rivalry.</p>
<p id="jULZ0p">“Poatan” shocked the world last November at <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/1292/ufc-281">UFC 281</a> when he rallied in the fifth round to put Adesanya away with strikes and claim the UFC middleweight championship in just his eighth pro MMA bout. That was just the continuation of a years-long rivalry though as Pereira had previously defeated Adesanya twice in kickboxing, raising questions as to whether the two-division Glory titleholder simply has Adesanya’s number.</p>
<p id="YWahiZ">Prior to losing to Pereira, Adesanya put together a run at 185 pounds that had him climbing the ranks of the all-time greats. Will finally vanquishing his nemesis allow him to extend that run or is history doomed to repeat itself for “The Last Stylebender?”</p>
<div id="YnNm1R">
<div data-analytics-viewport="video" data-analytics-action="volume:view:article:middle" data-analytics-label="UFC 287 Timeline: Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2 | MMA Fighting|111533" data-volume-uuid="92d91c4db" data-volume-id="111533" data-analytics-placement="article:middle" data-volume-placement="article" data-volume-autoplay="false" id="volume-placement-314" class="volume-video" data-volume-player-choice="youtube"></div>
</div>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/4/6/23672719/ufc-287-timeline-alex-pereira-vs-israel-adesanya-2Eugene Leydon2021-09-24T10:00:00-04:002021-09-24T10:00:00-04:00Video: The best of Nick Diaz
<figure>
<img alt="Nick Diaz" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fXLuHpwlZcTKurjMhp1tbEOiQHA=/0x0:1600x1067/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69902995/402_Nick_Diaz.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Esther Lin, MMA Fighting</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="gyIGpS">In advance of UFC vet <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/108/nick-diaz">Nick Diaz</a>’s return to the octagon for a rematch with <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/91/robbie-lawler">Robbie Lawler</a> at <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/1230/ufc-266">UFC 266</a>, MMA Fighting’s E. Casey Leydon compiled some of the Stockton, Calif., native’s best interviews and moments outside of the cage. </p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/9/24/22690906/video-the-best-of-nick-diazEugene Leydon2021-08-26T15:13:40-04:002021-08-26T15:13:40-04:00Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley press conference staredown
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wrHrfZgig-G9RMUIXjD_iXbsiRo=/142x0:1762x1080/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69780095/PRESSER_FACEOFF_MAIN_EVENT.00_00_26_22.Still001.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p id="XGGGhQ">CLEVELAND – Watch video of Jake Paul and <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/221/tyron-woodley">Tyron Woodley</a> facing off before their Showtime Boxing headliner on Saturday in Cleveland. </p>
<aside id="2zAyQp"><div data-anthem-component="actionbox" data-anthem-component-data='{"title":"<a class=\"ql-link\" href=\"https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-8836606-15020753?sid=MMAFighting\" target=\"_blank\">Tough Test for Jake Paul</a>","description":"Ex-UFC champ Tyron Woodley will try to hand Paul his first loss - <a class=\"ql-link\" href=\"https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-8836606-15020753?sid=MMAFighting\" target=\"_blank\">LIVE HERE</a> - on Sunday.","label":"Watch Live Stream Here","url":"https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-8836606-15020753?sid=MMAFighting"}'></div></aside>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/8/26/22643347/jake-paul-vs-tyron-woodley-press-conference-staredownEugene Leydon2021-07-22T21:00:00-04:002021-07-22T21:00:00-04:00Patricio Pitbull predicts second-round guillotine of ‘long neck’ A.J. McKee at Bellator 263
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fQ4f8IDAfzp5GeYKcoFQ7Z3sB7w=/70x0:1690x1080/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69620343/Open_WK__PITBULL_INT.00_06_07_18.Still001.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p id="jWsq3W">LOS ANGELES – Two-division Bellator champion <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/451/patricio-freire">Patricio Pitbull </a>doesn’t care about <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/3240/a-j-mckee">A.J. McKee</a>’s height and reach advantage. He predicts he’ll tap the undefeated prospect when they meet in the finals of the featherweight grand prix at <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/1227/bellator-263">Bellator 263</a>. </p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/7/22/22589617/patricio-pitbull-predicts-second-round-guillotine-of-long-neck-a-j-mckee-at-bellator-263Eugene Leydon2021-07-22T20:00:00-04:002021-07-22T20:00:00-04:00Video: A.J. McKee on being ‘destined for greatness,’ avoiding pitfalls of Conor McGregor, Anderson Silva
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H8SfJWdz_JGJ1-H2-JoHxzn_CPM=/70x0:1690x1080/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69620201/Open_WK___MCKEE_INT.00_20_59_21.Still001.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p id="R8kcSJ">LOS ANGELES – Ahead of <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/1227/bellator-263">Bellator 263</a>, featherweight title challenger <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/3240/a-j-mckee">A.J. McKee</a> spoke about learning from the GOATs of the sport and avoiding the pitfalls of a $1 million payout and MMA fame should he beat <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/451/patricio-freire">Patricio Pitbull</a> at Bellator 263.</p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/7/22/22589585/video-a-j-mckee-on-being-destined-for-greatness-avoiding-pitfalls-of-conor-mcgregor-anderson-silvaEugene Leydon2021-07-22T18:52:36-04:002021-07-22T18:52:36-04:00Patricio Pitbull vs. A.J. McKee Bellator 263 open workout staredown
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YAvCfg7aP5FQEpOYOaeTqiQP1To=/131x0:1751x1080/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69620029/Open_WK___FACEOFF.00_00_04_01.Still002.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p id="PpSvfb">LOS ANGELES – Bellator two-division champ <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/451/patricio-freire">Patricio Pitbull</a> and <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/3240/a-j-mckee">A.J. McKee</a> worked out for the media and faced off before their featherweight title fight at <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/1227/bellator-263">Bellator 263</a> in the finals of the Bellator featherweight grand prix.</p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/7/22/22589543/patricio-pitbull-vs-a-j-mckee-bellator-263-open-workout-staredownEugene Leydon2021-07-20T19:32:52-04:002021-07-20T19:32:52-04:00Brandon Moreno: Deiveson Figueiredo needs to earn rematch, but Cody Garbrandt a good name
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PF_7uFxr70JrAC_eqDINJX5CPMg=/0x0:2879x1919/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69609187/219448180_799186084132402_2661791935141353720_n.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p id="AFKa5Q">LOS ANGELES – UFC flyweight champion <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/3844/brandon-moreno">Brandon Moreno</a> would like to return to the octagon in November against a new challenger. An immediate rematch with <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/4188/deiveson-figueiredo">Deiveson Figueiredo</a> is not on his immediate wish list. </p>
<p id="PZXZtp">“It’s obvious Figueiredo wants the next one because he lost the last one,” Figueiredo said during a media lunch on Tuesday. “But man, the last fight, I dominated him, in the first round, in striking, in grappling, in wrestling, so obviously I’m open to fight again with him. But I think he needs to fight with somebody.”</p>
<p id="rdeM8B">Figueiredo has called for a third fight after submitting to Moreno in the third round of their <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/1210/ufc-263-adesanya-vs-vettori-2">UFC 263</a> co-headliner. Their first meeting ended in a draw and “Fight of the Year” candidate that Figueiredo said was close because he had a tough weight cut. The Brazilian champ has talked about moving up a division to bantamweight, but recently pivoted back to Moreno. </p>
<p id="W0vxVu">The 27-year-old champ is in the midst of a press tour to celebrate his win, which made him the first native Mexican to win a UFC title. Now, he is interested in avoiding the pitfalls of those before him and holding onto it. </p>
<p id="CjyJT2">“I don’t want to be a one-hit wonder guy,” Moreno said. “I want to build a legacy. I don’t want to be that guy who won the fight against Deiveson, changed his life, and then started to lose. I don’t want to do that. So I need to take care of all the stuff I can control.”</p>
<p id="QAMy0T">Much more interesting to Moreno is a matchup that will provide a manageable matchup while building his star. A former champ might be the prescription for that.</p>
<p id="HM64MY">“<a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/3121/cody-garbrandt">Cody Garbrandt</a> wants to come in to the division, and I know he’s not in the best part of his career, but he’s a good name,” Moreno said. “He’s a former champ. He has a really good brand behind him. He’s an option. </p>
<p id="8V56bN">“The fight between [Alexandre] Pantoja and [Brandon] Royval can be a possibility. Obviously, <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/5064/askar-askarov">Askar Askarov</a>. But he had an injury in his right hand. So he will be out five or six months. Right now, I’m thinking about going back to the gym. I’ll be prepared for October or November. I think November is better. I don’t care the name. I just want to fight in that month.”</p>
<p id="zXfBTM">Garbrandt was an earlier option for Figueiredo, but his team instead pushed for a fight with Moreno, who went on a 4-0-1 streak to get into title contention. When he still held the bantamweight title, Garbrandt pushed the idea of moving down to flyweight and becoming a two-division champion. At one point, he was even in the running to face now-former kingpin <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/208/demetrious-johnson">Demetrious Johnson</a>. He most recently fought in May, when he lost a decision to top contender <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/2918/rob-font">Rob Font</a> for his fourth loss in five recent outings. </p>
<p id="zIVJ7V">Moreno, the No. 1 ranked fighter in the <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/7/6/22562920/mma-rankings-who-are-best-fighters-in-each-division-conor-mcgregor-dustin-poirier-ufc">MMA Fighting Global Rankings</a> and the No. 13 <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/7/7/22565519/mma-rankings-pound-for-pound-best-ufc-dustin-poirier-conor-mcgregor-jon-jones">pound-for-pound fighter</a>, met the president of Mexico during his press tour and appeared well at ease in his first American presser after winning the title. He said he’d taken his cue from past champs on how not to behave. </p>
<p id="tOebTL">“We can see in the history a lot of guys who get the gold and start to change a little bit and start to be assholes,” he said. “I don’t want to be that guy. I was born in a very humble family that taught me a lot of good stuff in my life. I’m trying to have some fun with the people, too. I love to be champion right now. But I can give you the belt right now.”</p>
<p id="2IcOWR"></p>
https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/7/20/22586053/brandon-moreno-deiveson-figueiredo-needs-to-earn-rematch-cody-garbrandt-a-good-nameEugene LeydonSteven Marrocco