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UFC en Directo-Resultados del UFC 192: Cormier vs Gustafsson

UFC en Directo-Resultados de UFC 192

Por Daniel “Mr. Clutch” Mercado Castro

          Hace mucho no había una verdadera pelea estelar en UFC donde no reinaran los abrazos ni perdieran tiempo en el piso. Daniel Cormier (17-1) y Alexander Gustafsson (16-4) dieron un magistral evento estelar por la faja Light Heavyweight de UFC en el Toyota Center en Houston, Texas. Fueron cinco asaltos de palo va y palo viene entre ambos peleadores que en su cuerpo eran visibles las heridas de guerra producto de la intensa batalla. Cormier, medallista de bronce en las Olimpiadas en Grecia (2004), retuvo su faja en una decisión dividida (48-47, 47-48 y 49-46) ante el retador Gustafsson. “Tú me hiciste mejor hombre esta noche”; exclamó Cormier luego de darle las gracias a Gustafsson por tremenda pelea. Cormier dominó el primer asalto luego de un impresionante takedown y con buen ground and pound. Gustafson se llevó el segundo asalto al lastimar el ojo derecho de Cormier con buen striking y logrando dos takedowns. El tercero se lo llevo Cormier continuando con sus ganchos en el clinch, cortando el octágono y usando con poder su derecha. Gustafsson se lleva el cuarto logrando poner en malas condiciones a Cormier con su fuerte striking y casi logrando la victoria. Cormier salió fuerte en el quinto con un buen ataque para llevarse la victoria. En mis tarjetas lo vi ganando cerradamente 48-47. “Peleas como esta hacen a un campeón”; sentenció Cormier. Gustafson ha perdido tres de sus últimas cuatro peleas. Sin duda alguna esta fue la pelea galardonada como Fight of the Night.

          Lo próximo para Cormier pudiera ser una batalla con Ryan Bader (20-4), quien ganó su quinta pelea al hilo al derrotar vía decisión unánime (30-27, 30-27 y 30-27) al veterano Rashad Evans (19-4-1). Bader demostró gran movilidad, buena defensa, solido striking y buen uso del takedown para dominar un Evans que no peleaba desde noviembre del 2013 cuando noqueo a Chael Sonnen (UFC 167).  Bader vs Cormier sería un interesante pareo.

          El peso pesado Ruslan Magomedov (14-1) sigue haciendo ruido en esa división al vencer a Shawn Jordan (18-7) vía decisión unánime (30-27, 29-28 y 30-27). Joseph Benavidez (23-4) se apuntó su cuarta victoria consecutiva al vencer vía decisión unánime (30-27, 29-28 y 30-27) al difícil Ali Bagautinov (13-4). A pesar de una batalla difícil, Benavides nuevamente demostró sus calibres en el peso mosca y que está listo para vengar sus únicas cuatro derrotas. Dos ante Dominick Cruz y dos ante el campeón Demetrious Johnson. La venezolana Julianna Peña (7-2), ganadora del TUF 18, se apuntó una victoria por decisión unánime (29-27, 29-27, 29-27) ante Jessica Eye (11-4). Luego de la pelea, Peña, se le ocurrió la brillante idea lanzarle un reto a Ronda Rousey. “Estoy aquí”; gritó.

          En las batallas preliminares; El mexicano Yair Rodriguez (6-1) derrotó vía decisión unánime (30-27, 30-27 y 30-26) a Dan Hooker (12-6). Albert Tumenov (16-2) derrotó al welterweight Alan Jouban (12-4) por TKO a los 2:55 del primer asalto. Ese TKO se llevó el bono de Performance of the Night. ¡Devastadora patada a la cabeza! Adriano Martins (28-7), quien también se llevó el bono de Performance of the Night, al propinarle un KO a los 1:46 del primer asalto a Islam Makhachev (12-1). Rose Namajunas (3-2) derrotó con un Standing Rear Naked Choke/Sumisión a los 2:47 del primer asalto a Angela Hill (2-2). Sage Northcutt (6-0), quien apenas tiene 19 años, impresionó con un TKO a los 57 segundos del primer asalto sobre Francisco Treviño (12-2). El boricua-mexicano Sergio Pettis (13-2) derrotó vía decisión unánime (29-27, 29-27 y 29-28) a Chris Cariaso (17-8). Derrick Lewis (13-4) le propinó un TKO a los 1:15 del tercer asalto a Viktor Pesta (10-2).

UFC en Directo: Notas recientes del UFC

TICKETS FOR UFC^® 192: CORMIER vs GUSTAFSSON

AT TOYOTA CENTER

ON SALE FRIDAY, JULY 31

Las Vegas –UFC^® brings a light heavyweight title bout to the Lone Star State as newly crowned champion Daniel Cormier makes his first title defense against former title challenger and second-ranked Alexander Gustafsson in a five-round main event. UFC^® 192: CORMIER vs. GUSTAFSSON takes over Toyota Center on Saturday, October 3. UFC returns after three consecutive sellout events, the most recent a heavyweight championship bout in 2013 between Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos.

Cormier (15-1, fighting out of San Jose, Calif.), the second U.S. Olympian to become a UFC champion (women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey was the first) captured the vacant 205-pound world title after submitting No. 1 contender Anthony Johnson at UFC 187. Looking to begin his reign atop the light heavyweight division, Cormier gladly welcomes his next opponent, Gustafsson, to center stage. Having defeated legends and former champions in Dan Henderson, Frank Mir and Josh Barnett, “DC” plans to add another name to his near perfect record.

Gustafsson (16-3, fighting out of Stockholm, Sweden), a deadly striker who rose to title contention with 10 knockout victories and eight first-round finishes, makes his way back to the Octagon^® with his eyes locked on UFC gold. Almost two years removed from a thrilling back-and-forth battle against former champion and pound-for-pound best Jon Jones, which earned Fight of the Year honors in 2013, the Swede will finally get a second chance at the championship title.

Additional bouts to be announced soon.

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

Visit the UFC^® Press Portal for information and content to support your UFC coverage.

Tickets for UFC^® 192: CORMIER vs. GUSTAFSSON on sale Friday, July 31 at 10 a.m. CT and are priced at $350, $250, $150, $100, $75, $50. Tickets are available for purchase at www.HoustonToyotaCenter.com and at select Houston area Randalls locations. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call (866) 4-HOU-TIX. Tickets will also be available at the Toyota Center box office beginning Monday, August 3 at 9 a.m. CT. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges.

UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, July 29 at 10 a.m. CT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, July 30 starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

UFC^® 192: CORMIER vs. GUSTAFSSON will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Vubiquity, and in Canada on BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, Rogers and Canal Indigo for a suggested retail price of $49.99 US/CAN for Standard Definition and $59.99 US/CAN for High-Definition. 

UFC^® ANNOUNCES ERIC WINTER AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF UFC FIGHT PASS^®

Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced the appointment of Eric Winter as its Senior Vice President and General Manager of UFC FIGHT PASS^®. Winter will oversee and manage the continued global expansion of UFC FIGHT PASS and ensure the over-the-top platform continues to deliver exclusive content while providing fight fans with the best possible user experience.

On the appointment, Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer Marshall Zelaznik said: “Eric’s unmatched experience in developing emerging programming platforms and leveraging key partnerships will be vital to the development of UFC FIGHT PASS. With the continued expansion of exclusive content and the leading digital fight library in the world, UFC is excited about the future of UFC FIGHT PASS for our passionate fans.”

Winter joins the team of Zelaznik and Craig Borsari, Executive Vice President of Operations and Production, helping oversee business development and identifying key initiatives to drive the digital platform’s global growth.

Winter added: “UFC is not only the leader in the sport of mixed martial arts, but it is a leader in the area of programming and content distribution. I am thrilled to join UFC and build key partnerships that will ensure UFC FIGHT PASS is the premier destination for fight fans around the world.”

Previously, Winter led the unprecedented development of the Yahoo-owned Rivals.com, revolutionizing college football and basketball recruiting and the coverage of elite student-athletes. Overseeing a staff of 360 writers, editors, videographers and technologists, Winter transformed Rivals.com into the premier digital community featuring the most sought-out prospects and created the nation’s premier football camp series, showcasing the best athletes from across the country.

Before leading Rivals.com, Winter was the co-head of the global Yahoo! Sports partnership team, developing and directing key partnerships with the National Football League, National Football League Players Association, National Hockey League, National Hockey League Players Association, UFC, NBC Sports, HBO, Showtime, Fanatics, SeatGeek and more.

During his time at Yahoo, Winter conceived and launched Yahoo Sports Radio, now a network of more than 500 affiliates across the US. He also launched and managed Yahoo Sports’ ecommerce business, including the Yahoo Sports Store, Yahoo Sports’ ticketing and its digital Pay-Per-View business.

Prior to Yahoo, Winter spent more than eight years at DIRECTV Sports, leading the Pay-Per-View events marketing team where he forged relationships with UFC and Pride Fighting Championships.


Winter received Yahoo’s esteemed CEO Excellence Award in 2014, honoring him for his significant contributions to the organization, and was named to the 100 People of Power & Influence list in 2012 by The Hockey News. A San Diego State University alumnus, Winter will be based out of UFC headquarters in Las Vegas.

UFC^® FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION DEMETRIOUS JOHNSON MEETS RIVAL

JOHN DODSON IN HIGHLY ANTICIPATED REMATCH

Plus:

(#1) ANTHONY JOHNSON vs. (#12) JAN BLACHOWICZ

(#8) PAIGE VANZANT vs. ALEX CHAMBERS

TICKETS FOR UFC^® 191: JOHNSON vs. DODSON 2

AT MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA

ON SALE FRIDAY, JULY 31

Las Vegas – UFC flyweight champion and No. 3 pound-for-pound fighter Demetrious Johnson collides with rival John Dodson in a highly anticipated rematch Saturday, September 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Johnson narrowly defeated Dodson in their first bout in 2013, with the champion surviving several knockdowns from the heavy-handed New Mexico native. Two years later, the rivalry has grown bitter, and the pair of flyweight standouts will look to settle the score once and for all at UFC^® 191: JOHNSON vs. DODSON 2.

Since his first showdown with Dodson, Johnson (21-2-1, fighting out of Parkland, Wash.) has gone on to defend his belt five more times, scoring impressive finishes in four of those contests. He now looks for a seventh consecutive successful title defense which would put him in a tie for third place on the all-time list behind only Anderson Silva (10) and Georges St-Pierre (9).

Meanwhile, Dodson (18-6, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) is riding a three-fight winning streak with two finishes and believes that the next knockdown he scores over the champion will be the last.

Also, top-ranked light heavyweight Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (19-4, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla.) returns to the Octagon for the first time since his title fight with Daniel Cormier and meets Polish striker, No. 12 Jan Blachowicz (18-4, fighting out of Poznan, Poland).

Plus, No. 8 women’s strawweight Paige VanZant (5-1, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) looks to continue her ascent up the UFC’s newest division when she meets Australia’s Alex Chambers (4-2, fighting out of Sydney, Australia). VanZant, who is 2-0 inside the Octagon, has quickly become one of the faces of the division thanks to thrilling victories over Kailin Curran and Felice Herrig. Chambers, a cast member on season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, is coming off a third-round submission of Curran earlier this year. She looks to end the meteoric rise of VanZant when the two collide in Las Vegas.

Also announced for UFC 191: No. 11 bantamweight Francisco Rivera (11-4, fighting out of Buena Park, Calif.) welcomes proven finisher John Lineker (25-7, fighting out of Paranagua, Parana Brazil) to the 135-pound division.

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

Visit the UFC^® Press Portal for information and content to support your UFC coverage.

Tickets for UFC^® 191: JOHNSON vs. DODSON 2 on sale Friday, July 31 at 10 a.m. PT and are priced at $603, $403, $303, $203, $103 and $78. Tickets are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges.

UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, July 29 at 10 a.m. PT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, July 30 starting at 1 p.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

UFC^® 191: JOHNSON vs. DODSON 2 will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Vubiquity, and in Canada on BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, Rogers and Canal Indigo for a suggested retail price of $49.99 US/CAN for Standard Definition and $59.99 US/CAN for High-Definition. 

UFC en Directo: Notas recientes de la UFC

Witness the Road to the Octagon as UFC Bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, his number one rival Renan Barao, top women’s bantamweight title contenders Miesha Tate and Jessica Eye, and knockout artists Edson Barboza and Paul Felder ready for a blockbuster UFC FIGHT NIGHT in Chicago.

"UFC Road to the Octagon: Dillashaw vs. Barao 2" premieres Sunday, July 19 at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT on FOX. 

INTERIM UFC^® FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION

conor mcgregor to lead europe against urijah faber and the americans on

the ultimate fighter^®

New season debuts Wednesday, September 9 on FOX Sports 1

Las Vegas – The next season of The Ultimate Fighter ^® will feature no shortage of star power as interim UFC^® featherweight champion “The Notorious” Conor McGregor coaches opposite Team Alpha Male’s Urijah Faber on the 22^nd edition of the UFC’s storied reality television series.

The Ultimate Fighter^®: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber will feature 16 competitors in the lightweight division and, in addition to a UFC contract; national pride will be on the line as McGregor leads eight European hopefuls against the Faber-led American squad. The sixth season to air on FOX Sports 1 will kick-off on Wednesday, September 9 with a two-hour season premiere airing at 10 p.m. ET. The season will continue with 11 one-hour shows Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET. The series is the highest rated and most watched original program since the network’s inception in August 2013.

Since bursting onto the scene in 2013, McGregor (18-2) has taken the MMA world by storm. Declaring in July 2014 “we’re not here to take part; we’re here to take over” when referring to the Irish presence in MMA, the Irish sensation has done exactly that. Originally scheduled to fight Jose Aldo at UFC^® 189, McGregor defeated Faber’s friend and training partner Chad Mendes to claim the interim UFC featherweight title last night by second-round TKO. Now he awaits his next fight, a highly anticipated title unification bout with the Aldo in the coming months.

The former WEC featherweight champion, Faber (32-8) has been vocal in his disdain for McGregor. Long considered a pioneer for the lighter weight classes, Faber has assembled one of the top gyms in the sport, Team Alpha Male, featuring UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, No. 2 flyweight Joseph Benavidez and Mendes. Now, he’ll bring his high-powered team to Las Vegas in hopes of leading the Americans past the Europeans.

UFC^® Unveils New Brand Identity

UFC launches a transformed visual identity, from its signature logo

mark to its broadcast package, ahead of UFC 189: MENDES vs. MCGREGOR

Las Vegas – As the doors swing open on the 2015 UFC Fan Expo^®, UFC^® will unveil a completely transformed visual identity – the first since the mixed martial arts (MMA) organization was purchased by Zuffa, LLC in 2001. The biggest transformation will be experienced by fans watching UFC^® 189: MENDES vs. MCGREGOR this Saturday, with the launch of a completely redesigned graphics package. 

UFC’s new visual identity, designed in partnership with Hollywood-based branding and marketing agency Troika, celebrates the UFC position as an undeniable force in the world of sport. It further brings to life the UFC brand attributes: premium, electric and lionhearted, while also elevating UFC athletes as larger-than-life heroes. 

The broadcast will feature innovations throughout the on-screen information system, enabling depth of storytelling while enhancing the viewing experience with a low profile footprint that does not distract from the action in the famed Octagon^®. UFC also moves to center clock in broadcast – a first in combat sports.

“UFC has and always will be true to its DNA,” UFC Chief Global Brand Officer Garry Cook said. “We didn’t set out to reinvent ourselves, we looked at ways to build on our solid foundation and better deliver on a broad range of storytelling components, providing more context and meaning, and further enhancing the viewing experience for our fans.”

With an increasing slate of content available across a wide range of platforms, design elements where heavily focused on providing navigational clarity and product differentiation for fans. The newly designed logo architecture and brand signatures, which include an ownable tab system utilized across all UFC properties, will be especially prominent in marketing and promotional materials serving to distinguish Pay-Per-View (PPV) events from broadcast and those exclusive to UFCFIGHTPASS.com. 

An overview of UFC’s new visual identify can be viewed here: http://media.ufc.tv/PR/UFC_BRAND.pdf 

For a full look at the transformed UFC broadcast identity tune-in on Saturday, July 11 as UFC 189: MENDES vs. MCGREGOR goes live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. 

For additional information please visit UFC.com, and follow UFC on Twitter @ufc.

Anthony Johnson sorprende a Gustafsson en UFC on Fox 14

Johnson sorprende a Gustafsson en UFC on Fox 14
Por Daniel "Mr. Clutch" Mercado Castro

Ya Jon Jones tiene un rival para su próxima defensa de la faja semi completa. Anthony "Rumble" Johnson (19-4) daño los planes de una posible segunda pelea entre Jones y Gustafsson cuando destrozó vía TKO a los 2:15 del primer asalto al hijo de Sweeden y en su propia casa. Gustafsson (16-3) no se espera que "Rumble" viniera como un toro a destrozar al Rey en la "casa del trompo". Johnson, de Estados Unidos, mando al suelo a fuerza de golpes a Gustafsson y lo remató en el suelo con dos bestiales ganchos cortos de derecha directo a la cabeza que obligaron al arbitro detener el encuentro. Es la segunda derrota en su casa para Gustafsson, la anterior fue contra Phil Davis. Ahora esperar que "Rumble" le callé la bocota al mejor en esa división y posiblemente en la UFC. Ahora Gustafsson tendrá que secar sus lagrimas y esperar su turno para verle la cara por segunda vez al campeón Jon Jones o quién sabe si aun nuevo campeón llamado Anthony "Rumble" Johnson. 

En la semi-estelar, el veterano de 44 años Dan Henderson (30-13) recibió una dolorosa derrota al caer vía TKO a los 1:10 del primer asalto ante Gegard Mousasi (36-5-2). Tal vez el arbitro detuvo prematuramente la pelea, algo que vimos varias veces en esta cartelera desde Stockholm, Sweden, pero la realidad es que Mousasi le conectó una derecha a la cabeza que tambaleo a Henderson, este cae al suelo y luego de recibir un palo más, el arbitro la detiene. Los días en UFC para Henderson están contados y no se ve una faja en su futuro. Mis respetos al veterano y su talento.