‘Highlight’ might be too strong a word. Johnson suffered a very nasty shot to the groin at the exact same time as he landed a big left hook dropping Marques to the ground. What ensued was a confusing couple of minutes.

WOAH! 1st time I see this in MMA! That was NUTS!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/SzZYZ2wzRL

— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 13, 2024

“I haven’t been hit in the groin like that ever. In practice, in a fight, that was a instant,” Johnson told reporters including Cageside Press on Thursday.

“I ate two good kicks from Danilo. That body kick and that really…I thought I was going to go down it took a lot for me to stay on my feet.”

Johnson (18-9) then took the shot to the groin and everything was just painful at that point.

“It was a instant pain, didn’t even know I rolled, didn’t even know that I landed a shot until everybody was talking about it afterwards. Hopefully that doesn’t happen again. Don’t like that,” Johnsons said with a smile.

At the end of the day alls well that ends well with Johnson scoring the finishing TKO shortly after the groin shot.

“After absorbing the shot it kind of motivated me, it kind of pissed me off a little bit, maybe worked out,” he said.

Now he’s in the playoffs and set to take on Denis Goltsov in August.

“Hopefully no injuries or (anything) too bad and things line up score wise. I got to skip half of it,” he said.

“Don’t have to wait till next season to maybe sneak my way into a million dollars. Hopefully I found a home (PFL), and able to stay here. Give it actual real try one more time.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Tim Johnson above.

The post Tim Johnson Details Groin Shot, Hopes To Be With PFL Longterm appeared first on Cageside Press.

“You almost said finish right? You seen that,” Fortune joked with reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.

“It feels good. Anytime you get back in the cage and get a win, specially after 14 months, I’m not used to having this much time off in the cage. I was at a point where I was fighting four times a year. I’m just excited to get back here and get back in the cage and get a win.”

Fortune (14-2) nearly finished the fight int he first round which would have netted him more points, but it likely would have left him on the outside of the playoffs.

“You’ve got to let it go. I got to get ready to get back in there and he’s going to try and get that finish too. It just like let it go, I didn’t get it, the ref said it wasn’t that. You can’t let your mind go too far,” he said.

“I think he thought I got his ass out of there, you know what I’m saying? Everybody in here thought he was done. It was kind of like nerve-wrecking real quick to see. Never had that happen before. You’ve got to let it go and get back to work.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Tyrell Fortune above.

The post Tyrell Fortune Thought He Had First Round Finish Victory appeared first on Cageside Press.

Heavyweight is in the spotlight on week three of this year’s Challenger Series. Last year, it was Ante Delija of Croatia returning to the heavyweight final, defeating Matheus Scheffel to claim the title and million dollar prize.

Delija had made it to the tournament championship in 2021, only to come up short against Bruno Cappelozza. There was no denying him a second time, however.

Looking to join the heavyweight field with Delija this year are a number of heavyweight standouts, including former UFC fighter Danilo Marques. Marques went 2-2 inside the octagon, competing as a light heavyweight, but will move back up in weight for this Challenger Series opportunity. He features in the main event this Friday, opposite Ras Hylton, a regular on the New England fight circuit with the quirky nickname of “Rasquatch The Jamaican Shamrock.”

Weigh-ins went down Thursday for the PFL Challenger Series Week 3 card, with nary a miss in the bunch. The biggest weight differential comes in the card’s opening fight, with Alton Meeks nearly 30lbs lighter than Louie Sutherland.

PFL Challenger Series 2023 Week 3 Weigh-In Results

Heavyweight: Danilo Marques (247 lbs)  vs. Ras Hylton (255.2 lbs)
Heavyweight: Vitor Resende (243.2 lbs)  vs. Isaiah Pinson (235.2 lbs)
Heavyweight: Abraham Bably (245.6 lbs) vs. Hassan Graham (250.2 lbs)
Heavyweight: Louie Sutherland (254 lbs)  vs. Alton Meeks (228.8 lbs)

The post PFL Challenger Series 2023 Week 3 Weigh-In Results: Full Card Makes Weight appeared first on Cageside Press.

On Thursday, Professional Fighters League officials announced the heavyweight lineup for next year’s Challenger Series, which will run from late January through to mid-March. Among the names in action, Giacomo Lemos and Danilo Marques will face off atop the four-fight card.

Both men hail from Brazil, with Lemos sporting an undefeated 8-0 record. He appeared on the Challenger Series last year, defeating Billy Swanson by TKO in the second round. Despite that success, Lemos has not fought since, and will get a second chance at cracking the regular season roster come February.

Marques (12-4) is a former UFC athlete who went 2-2 for that promotion, losing to rising prospect Jailton Almeida this past February. After exiting the promotion, he picked up a win under the Gladiator Challenge banner just weeks later.

The 37-year old has not fought since, meaning both men will have been out of action for roughly a year by the time their fight rolls around.

“As the PFL looks ahead to the new year, we are thrilled to reveal our Heavyweight division for the 2023 PFL Challenger Series, which will be held for a second straight year at Universal Studios Florida,” said PFL President of Fighter Operations, Ray Sefo, in Thursday’s press release.

The full 2023 PFL Challenger Series heavyweight lineup shapes up as follows:

• Giacomo Lemos vs. Danilo Marques
• Greg “The Viking King” Velasco vs. Vitor Resende
• Abraham Bably vs. Hassan Graham
• Louie Sutherland vs. Alton Meeks

The post Heavyweight Lineup Set for 2023 PFL Challenger Series appeared first on Cageside Press.

Davis, and light heavyweight Danilo Marques, have both exited the company. In both cases, it appears the fighters completed their contracts, and were not re-signed. UFC Roster Watch, an automated service that monitors changes to the UFC’s fighter database, first took note of the news.

An additional report by MMA Fighting noted that it was unlikely either fighter would be brought back at this time.

It’s particularly surprising in the case of Davis (21-11), who had posted a 2-1 record in her last three fights. After a failed run at flyweight, Davis had returned to the 135lb division last year, winning a unanimous decision against Sabina Mazo. She then dropped a decision to Pannie Kianzad, before bouncing back earlier this month with another unanimous decision win, this time over Julija Stoliarenko.

Davis originally joined the UFC in 2013, having previously competed for Strikeforce. A three-fight win streak saw her earn a shot against then-champ Ronda Rousey. It was over in 16 seconds, with Rousey winning by KO.

If she opts to continue her career, the 37-year old Port Colbourne, Ontario native could be an immediate contender for the likes of Bellator MMA — though whether she’d consider another drop to flyweight remains to be seen.

Danilo Marques (11-4) went 2-2 in his four-fight UFC run. While the Brazilian started strong with two consecutive wins in the light heavyweight division, he’d lost his last two. Most recently, Marques was stopped via TKO by promotional newcomer Jailton Almeida.

The post Despite Coming Off Win, Alexis Davis No Longer on UFC Roster, Danilo Marques Also Out appeared first on Cageside Press.

With a nine-fight win streak, and plenty of grappling experience as well, light heavyweight Almeida was paired up with fellow Brazilian Danilo Marques. Marques was looking to bounce back from a loss to Kennedy Nzechukwu, after getting his hand raised in his first two bouts inside the promotion.

As the bout got underway, it didn’t take Dana White’s Contender Series winner Almeida long to take Marques down. From there, Almeida transitioned to the mount quickly. Marques tried to roll away, but Almeida threatened the rear-naked choke. Marques went back to his back and Almeida went off landing a barrage of hammer fists.

This pattern repeated itself several times: the hammer fists forced Maques to give up his back, the danger of a choke forced him to roll back over. As the shots continued raining down and Marques didn’t move in one particular return to his back, the ref stepped in and called it.

😳😳😳

🇧🇷 Scary hammer fists from @JRMalhadinho gets him the first round finish!

[ #UFCVegas47 is LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/cyNYpaHTfr

— UFC (@ufc) February 5, 2022

“I want to fight Shogun [Rua]. I’ve admired him forever,” Almeida said followed the fight when asked about who he wanted to fight next.

Official result: Jailton Almeida def. Danilo Matques by TKO (ground and pound), Round 1, 2:57

The post UFC Vegas 47: Jailton Almeida Impresses, Puts Away Danilo Marques In Debut appeared first on Cageside Press.

Kennedy Nzechukwu was hoping to make it three in a row on Saturday after knocking out City Kickboxing’s Carlos Ulberg in his last outing. Opponent Danilo Marques was also looking to make it three straight inside the octagon and improve his overall win streak to five.

Come the bellt, there was no glove touch, and Marques immediately took the center and shot for a takedown. Marques got him down, but Nzechukwu got to his feet; however, Marques jumped on his back. Marques locked upstanding body triangle. Three minutes into the fight and Marques was still on Nzechukwu’s back. Marques locked up a standing rear-naked choke, but Nzechukwu defended. With under a minute left in the fight, and Marques finally started to fall off Nzechukwu’s back. Marques jumped right back on however, and the round came to a close.

Almost four minutes of Marques on Nzechukwu’s back while standing. Crazy stuff.

Both men took the center of the octagon to start round two. Marques landed a nasty body kick, and Nzechukwu landed a very nice left hand. Marques shot for two takedowns, and Nzechukwu defended both times. A third attempt was blocked. Marques shot for the fourth takedown and got it. Marques went straight for Nzechukwu’s back and got it with a body triangle. Nzechukwu got to his feet with 90 seconds or so left. Once Nzechukwu got to his feet, he started swinging and landed a combo, making Marques shoot again. Marques put Nzechukwu against the fence. Nzechukwu landed a hook on Marques that hurt him to end the second round. Marques was saved by the bell.

Nzechukwu took the center in the third and immediately started firing combos on Marques. Nzechukwu did not stop with the combos, pouring on the offense, and the referee stepped in to save Marques.

What a comeback! 🤯

[ #UFCVegas30 live on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/QfQuwg1sRj

— UFC (@ufc) June 26, 2021

On a night where several fighters mounted failed comebacks, Nzechukwu got the job done.

Official Result: Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Danilo Marques by TKO (punches) Round 3, 0:20

The post UFC Vegas 30 Results: Kennedy Nzechukwu Mounts Third-Round Comeback, Stops Danilo Marques appeared first on Cageside Press.

MMA Junkie was first to report the news that Marques will now fight Kennedy Nzechukwu on June 26. Marques was originally scheduled to face Ed Herman. Both fighters would confirm the booking on social media.

Marques (11-2) made his UFC debut in 2020 after not fighting for two years. He defeated Khadis Ibragimov at UFC 253 on ‘Fight Island’ in a very underwhelming fight. Most recently, the Brazilian also fought Rodriguez and ended putting him to sleep in the second round. If Marquez keeps up this pace, it will be the most active he has been since 2017.

After sitting out all of 2020, Nzechukwu (8-1) halted the Carlos Ulberg train by knocking him out in the second round at UFC 259. The Nigerian fighter is on a two-fight win streak. He defeated Darko Stošić in 2019 at UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Lawler.

UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov will take place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas and will be broadcast on ESPN+.

With the latest addition, the UFC’s June 26 fight card now includes the following match-ups:

• Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
• Raoni Barcelos vs. Timur Valiev
• Maxim Grishin vs. Ovince Saint Preux
• Tim Elliott vs. Su Mudaerji
• Michel Prazeres vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
• Justin Jaynes vs. Charles Rosa
• Danilo Marques vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
• Isaac Villanueva vs. Marcin Prachnio
• Warlley Alves vs. Ramazan Emeev
• Renato Moicano vs. Jai Herbert
• Nicolas Dalby vs. Tim Means
• Julija Stoliarenko vs. Julia Avila
• Daniel Pineda vs. Andre Fili
• Yancy Medeiros vs. Damir Hadžović

The post Danilo Marques Now Faces Kennedy Nzechukwu At UFC Vegas 30 appeared first on Cageside Press.

First reported by Evy Rodrigues of Combate, Ed Herman will fight Danilo Marques on June 26 at a yet-be-announced UFC event. Marques later announced the booking on his Instagram story.

After losing three straight, long-time UFC vet Ed Herman (26-14-1) is on a three-fight win streak. He defeated Patrick Cummins and Khadis Ibragimov in 2019 and had a very eye-brow raising win in 2020. At UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill in September, “Short fuse” fought Mike Rodriguez and was hit with a knee to the stomach in the second round. At the time, Herman was very much on the ropes. However, the referee deemed the strike a low blow. Herman would come back in the third round and submit Rodriguez.

Marques (11-2) made his UFC debut in 2020 after not fight for two years. He defeated Ibragimov at UFC 253 on ‘Fight Island’ in a very underwhelming fight. Most recently, the Brazilian also fought Rodriguez and ended putting him to sleep in the second round. If Marquez keeps up this pace, it will be the most active he has been since 2017.

No location or venue has been reported for the UFC’s June 26 event. The only other fight reported to date is another light heavyweight fight in Ovince Saint Preux vs. Maxim Grishin.

The post Ed Herman vs. Danilo Marques Set For June 26 UFC Event appeared first on Cageside Press.

Not unnoticed, mind you. The referee clearly saw the fouls and occasionally warned Ibragimov for them. Yet even after using fence grabs to prevent takedowns, he went unpunished.

Post-fight, speaking to Cageside Press in a virtual media scrum, Marques (10-2) wasn’t sweating it. “I keep my focus on the fight. It was a hard fight. He defended my takedowns very well,” he said. “I’m glad to be here, more glad to win.”

His corner did speak to the ref regarding the infractions. Marques didn’t even realize what had happened, the first time. While expressing a desire to go back and watch the fight over, he added “If that happens, and [the ref] didn’t see or didn’t do anything in the fight, of course it’s wrong. He had to do [something]. Deduct a point or something like that.”

Marques came close to finishing the fight with a choke at several points. And he admitted post-fight that he was shocked to see Ibragimov defend the submission. “The first time, yes, I was surprised,” said Marques. “But I saw he was turning his head for the same way that I hold. He did good.”

Moving forward, he added, “I have to fix that for the next one.” Ultimately, however, the Brazilian is happy with the result, given he had just “one week and a half to train. I didn’t have a camp for this fight. Of course that’s not an excuse from me.”

“I’m very happy, I had a short time, so I did good work,” he added.

Watch the full UFC 253 virtual post-fight press scrum with Danilo Marques above.

The post UFC 253: Danilo Marques Addresses Fence Grabs in Ibragimov Fight appeared first on Cageside Press.