Initially, the bout saw Mitch Ramirez and Ahmad Sohail Hassanzada facing off. After Ramirez withdrew, Elder stepped in. Then, just days ago, Hassanzada was accused of sexual assault and released by the promotion. That brought in newcomer Gauge Young.

In round one, Young came out with early forward pressure, but it was Elder who got the better of the exchanges. Elder landed a sharp combination that briefly forced Young to clinch. He followed up with a chopping leg kick and a powerful right hand. Young responded, but an accidental eye poke from him caused a brief pause in the action. When they resumed, Young continued pressing forward, but Elder was doing the cleaner work, forcing Young backward with every throw, even if not everything was landing clean. Elder landed a spinning back kick and a pair of heavy outside leg kicks to close a strong first round, winning what was essentially an early kickboxing battle. Young had pressure but wasn’t doing much with it.

In round two, both fighters came out more aggressive, and Elder started to get drawn into more of a brawl. Once the action settled, Elder returned to chopping at the legs. Young managed to press Elder against the cage and landed a nice body shot but couldn’t string anything together afterward. Elder shot for a takedown but Young defended well. As the round went on, Young began finding more success, landing a nice jab and picking up momentum, especially with body shots that visibly slowed Elder down. It was a much better round from Young — close, and perhaps closer than it might seem at first glance.

In the final round, Young again pushed forward but was much more active compared to round one, mixing his attacks well. Still, Elder was landing the heavier shots — you could hear the impact of his leg kicks, body kicks, and right hand every time they connected. Elder might have benefited from throwing more combinations, as his single shots were allowing Young to keep pressing. Nonetheless, Elder picked his spots well and consistently won the striking exchanges, often off his back foot. In the final seconds, Young timed a nice knee, and both fighters swung hard to the horn, capping off a competitive fight.

It was Elder taking the win on all three scorecards in the end, spoiling the debut of Gauge Young.

Official Result: Evan Elder def. Gauge Young by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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Kicking off this UFC Kansas City edition of TTP is our interview with UFC lightweight, Evan Elder. Elder discusses his long layoff leading to his fight this weekend and why he trusts that things are going the way that they were intended to go. Plus, he talks about some of the training he’s done to prepare for this hometown fight. He also gives a shoutout to a teammate and training partner who appears later on in the show.

Fights, Dogs, and Parlays: UFC Kansas City (12:17)

Now two weeks removed from UFC 314, we are back on the road for UFC Kansas City. The main event will help determine the pecking order at welterweight as Ian Machado Garry tries to solidify his spot against Carlos Prates. Plus, in the co-main event, Anthony Smith gets his retirement fight against Zhang Mingyang. Will Smith ride off into the sunset following a win or is Mingyang going to build his name on the veteran’s back? We’ll break down those fights as well as some of our other favorite fights on the main card. Plus, as always, we’re hitting you with an underdog and a plus-money parlay that we think will make your wallet fat this weekend. For this segment, all odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani Interview (19:55)

Closing out this UFC Kansas City edition of TTP is our interview with LFA welterweight, Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani. Lebosnoyani is coming off a huge with in the LFA 206 main event over Keegan Gennrich. He picked up a triangle choke and now has himself in the perfect position to call his next shot. He talks to us about what that shot might just be. Plus, he reacts to the kind words shared earlier in the episode by UFC veteran Evan Elder.

The post TTP Ep. 477: Evan Elder, Jean Paul Lebosnoyani and UFC Kansas City appeared first on Cageside Press.

Despite Evan losing his first two UFC fights, one loss was up a weight class and the other was to a talented Nazim Sadykhov in a ‘Fight of the Night’ showing which Elder may have won if not for a cut that caused a doctor’s stoppage. He got his first UFC win just under a year ago, which is what Darrius Flowers sought coming in after his own 0-2 start in the promotion.

Though both men are usually lightweights, this bout was contested at 170-lbs due to being short notice as the UFC scrambled to find one last matchup to fill out the card.

The action got hot soon after the opening bell. Flowers stalked forward while Elder used movement to set up his boxing attacks, mixing up attacks from the head to the body. Darrius had some success, but he swung big at air too often early while Evan connected almost at will, especially to the body. After eating a particularly big right hand, Flowers began jabbering at him even as blood leaked from his lips. He continued to do so but found no more success. Halfway through the round both men level changed simultaneously; Elder almost got taken down but managed to toss his foe over and scramble out.

Soon after, Elder pushed Flowers who actually fell down and welcomed Elder into his guard. On the ground, Flowers initially had success by reversing position but Evan got back on top and landed a lot of ground strikes as Darrius worked to get up. He did so, but ended up on his back again after a tired-looking shot was utterly shut down. He fell over again and Elder spent the final half-minute of the round on top.

After seeming tired to end the first round, Flowers told his corner between rounds, “I can’t breathe.” However, he got a lucky break when a teep kick struck his groin incidentally. After a ninety second break he seemed somewhat more rested, and landed a well-timed reactive takedown on an Elder blitz. However, Elder scrambled to a leg lock and used it to sweep. Evan then got on top, where he rained down powerful ground and pound to the body. That softened up Flowers even more, and it was then a relatively small matter for Elder to pass his guard and submit him with an arm triangle choke.

With his first finish in the UFC coming in front of a big crowd, at age 27, Elder must be realizing that the world is his oyster. Now with a two-fight winning streak in hand, he can begin to carve his path towards the top.

Official Result: Evan Elder def. Darius Flowers by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 2, 1:46

The post UFC Denver: Evan Elder Earns First UFC Finish, Submits Darrius Flowers appeared first on Cageside Press.

Valdez, an Entram Gym athlete, was still looking for his first UFC win. He had come into the UFC with an undefeated record but lost his two bouts to Matt Frevola and Genaro Valdez. Evan Elder had also lost both of his UFC fights, but one of his bouts was up a weight class on short notice and he was winning the other before a nasty cut forced the doctor to call it off before the final round. A loss here may spell the end of the loser’s UFC run.

The first twenty seconds saw Elder land a counter right hand that dropped Valdez. Elder jumped on a guillotine but Valdez was able to twist and escape. They got back to striking, where Elder landed a nice body kick. Valdez recovered well from being hurt, but Elder seemed to have an advantage in the striking still. Inside leg kicks from Evan constantly knocked Valdez off of his stance and did attritional damage. Body work also served to mix up the targets. The jab of Valdez was constantly pumping out as a range-finder, sometimes marking Elder’s face and setting up the right hand as well. The latter stages of the round were competitive but due to the knockdown in the opening moments it was impossible to score the round anything but 10-9 Elder, surely.

The opening seconds of round two saw Valdez get dropped once again, this time by a jab. However, he did not seem badly hurt, moreso off balance. Elder stayed on the front foot thereafter though, he worked the body of Valdez under the high guard and made Genaro’s nose begin to bleed. However Valdez turned the tables as two minutes into round two he dropped Evan Elder. Elder got back to his feet but got dropped to a knee again. He recovered well but Valdez had gained the upper hand in the round. Unfortunately for him it was brief; his momentum was halted by an inadvertent eye poke. Valdez took about two minutes to recover and when the fight resumed Elder seemed fully recovered, though Valdez was more confident after scoring his knockdown.

The striking was more competitive than the first, but the leg kicks of Elder constantly gave him a bit of an edge as the fight went on. Body kicks and powerful hooking rips also did damage, making a difference as Valdez head-hunted. Elder had a big moment late when he landed a massive step-in knee, which Valdez somehow survived, throwing back massive punches of his own before the bell.

The final round represented only the second third round of Genaro Valdez’s entire career. Again in the opening seconds Elder rocked Valdez with a power jab, though Genaro stayed on his feet. Evan pressed forward hard, pushing Valdez back against the fence and landing well. The toughness of Valdez was a sight to behold, as the jab of Elder swelled up his nose something fierce he refused to back down even a little. He landed right hands too, and was mostly able to get out of the way for Valdez’s returns in the last round. The head movement was a big difference between the two as Elder avoided many blows while Valdez’s head was on the center line to eat every straight punch. Elder did headhunt more in the final round than previously, but he was cleanly out-striking Valdez through four minutes before landing a takedown. However Valdez was fierce off of his back and Elder let him to his feet. The final minute saw Elder really pour it on and hurt Valdez, making a statement before the judges had to render their decision.

When the judges scorecards were read it was no surprise that Evan Elder won on all three. The only surprise may be that he had one 30-26 scorecard while the others were both 29-28.

Official Result: Evan Elder def. Genaro Valdez by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)

The post UFC Vegas 77: Evan Elder’s Jab and Body Work Carry Him to Exciting Win Over Genaro Valdez appeared first on Cageside Press.

Following that fight, Elder dealt with the reality of the unfortunate outcome.

“It’s definitely not anything easy to deal with. I felt like I was four and a half minutes away from getting my first win in the UFC, which is obviously a huge milestone,” Elder said. “Even now, whenever I look back and watch the fight, I feel like my heart gets ripped out of my chest when they stop the fight.”

While it’s not an easy thing to deal with, the UFC lightweight believes that everything happens for a reason and this will only help him get where he’s going.

“I’m such a firm believer in God’s plan and what he has for me that I try my best not to question what happens,” he said. “To do my best to take what’s given to me because I know ultimately that it’s going to work out the way it’s supposed to.”

An extra 50k also didn’t hurt in dealing with the circumstance. That, along with many lessons that have made him better for his upcoming fight this weekend at UFC Vegas 77.

“Later that night we got notified that we got fight of the night. Things worked out – there was a ton of good that came from that fight even though it resulted in a loss,” Elder said. “Got right back to work. Let that cut heal up and assessed what I needed to work on – the things I did good and the things I did bad. I improved a lot during this fight camp and I’m ready to right my wrongs and get my hand raised.”

Elder will look to get that elusive first UFC win against Genaro Valdez. That fight will take place during the ESPN+ prelims, which start at 7pm EST.

You can hear the entire audio of this interview at 2:23.

The post UFC Vegas 77’s Evan Elder: Ready to Right the Wrongs appeared first on Cageside Press.

Evan Elder Interview (2:23)

Kicking off this edition of TTP is our interview with UFC lightweight, Evan Elder. He discusses the tough luck of having two rounds banked against Nazim Sadykov and then having a cut stop the fight. However tough that was, Elder shares his positive outlook and that everything happens for a reason. Now he looks to right the ship against Genaro Valdez at UFC Vegas 77 this upcoming Saturday. He breaks down why he likes that fight and how he sees it going.

Fights, Dogs, and Parlays: UFC Vegas 77 (22:37)

After a huge night of fights at UFC 290, we get a bit of a come down to a much more modest UFC Vegas 77. The Apex card features a women’s bantamweight bout at the top between Holly Holm and Mayra Bueno Silva. With the title picture wide open, this fight has all kinds of implications for the divsion. We’ll be breaking that one down as well as some of our other favorite fights on this fight card. Then, as always, we’re giving you an underdog and a parlay that we think will make your wallet fat this weekend. For this segment, all odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Jamal Pogues Interview (31:08)

Closing out this edition of TTP is our interview with UFC heavyweight, Jamal Pogues. He discusses what it felt like to finally get his hand raised in the octagon after his long MMA journey. Plus, he shares how special it was to be able to have his parents in the Apex for the experience. Now with one win under his belt, he’s not ready to settle. He looks ahead to his UFC London bout with Michael Parkin as his next big step in the UFC’s heavyweight division. He shares his thoughts on the fight itself, fighting in London with a live crowd and getting to travel a bit.

The post TTP Ep. 386 with Evan Elder, Jamal Pogues, and UFC Vegas 77 appeared first on Cageside Press.

“Feeling great. First UFC victory, UFC debut, feel amazing,” Sadykhov told Cageside Press among other media at his post-fight scrum.

Sadykhov (8-1) had spoken about feeling the UFC “jitters” during his post-fight interview, but he cleared that up when speaking with reporters.

“Overall I know first fights for people’s careers can go worse you know? People lose the first fights, or whatever may be. I’m coming off a win, a finish, and that always makes you happy,” he said.

Despite the fight officially being a finish Sadykhov wasn’t completely happy with the fight.

“I hold myself to a high standard. I want to be dominant. I wanted tonight to be like a big introduction, you know, for the lightweights to know who I am. I’m sure I did that, but not the way that I would have liked to, but it’s ok. We’re going to get better from here,” he said.

“Keep training, and make that statement next time I’m in the cage.”

Sadykhov mentioned he was aware of how the cut happened during the fight and it wasn’t due to any strikes he threw.

“It was a head butt. We clashed heads. Like I said he was leading with his head and it was going in an unpredictable direction then we collided. He hit on the side of the head. We butt heads,” he said.

Sadykhov gave credit to his gym, LAW MMA, with head coach Ray Longo for the way his skills have developed.

“You know about the puke drills, huh,” Sadykhov said to Cageside Press. “Yeah man puke drills…that’s what prepares you in a crazy way.”

His home country of Azerbaijan was also a source of motivation for the lightweight.

“I’m representing a nation. I represent New York as well. I’ve seen some feedback that like well if you like Azerbaijan so much go back. Don’t say that. I love Brooklyn. I love New York. I love America. I represent my people, I’m Azerbaijani, that’s my ethnicity,” Sadykhov said.

“But that doesn’t mean that I hate something else. I represent USA and Azerbaijan. If you give me two flags on each shoulder to walk out in I’d gladly do that. I grew up in this country, but I don’t forget where I came from, where my parents came from. Azerbaijan has a rough history, a rich history, so I’m going to represent. So if anybody has a problem, if anybody’s not with us, then they’re not with us.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Nazim Sadykhov above.

The post Nazim Sadykhov Admits Head Butt Caused Cut, Praised LAW MMA appeared first on Cageside Press.

Evan Elder, meanwhile, showed off the nasty gash that ended his fight with Nazim Sadykhov at UFC Vegas 69 following the bout. We’re back with your Sunday MMA Quick Hits!

Did Conor McGregor boot fighters off TUF 31 in favor of his own guys?

A supposed cast list for the upcoming Ultimate Fighter 31 began making the rounds on social media on Friday — only for noted MMA manager Daniel Rubenstein to claim that three of the fighters had been pulled off the show. By none other than Conor McGregor.

According to Rubenstein, that was to bring three of Conor’s fighters onto the show.

Ken Cross, Mitch Ramirez and Brandon Jenkins all got pulled off to make room for 3 of Conor’s guy to be on the show.

— Daniel Rubenstein (@dannyrube) February 17, 2023

The original cast list has not been verified. McGregor will coach TUF 31 opposite Michael Chandler, with the coaches expected to face off later this year.

McGregor Fires Back

Conor McGregor himself was quick to dispel the notion that he’d kicked anyone off TUF 31. In a since-deleted response to Chris Curtis, who stated that the rumors of McGregor kicking fighters off the show to make room for his own guys were “definitely true,” McGregor had this to say:

“[Chris Curtis] not true. I only know one guy on this show and he put himself forward for it. And he is now, after today, set to fight the number 1 seed! I didn’t ask nor request nothing! And I certainly didn’t have people removed. I’m just tryna get back in the mix myself so f*ck off.”

https://twitter.com/ftblcozza/status/1626782672382046208

Wrestling Standout Pat Downey Cut by Bellator

Decorated amateur wrestler Pat Downey has been given the axe by Bellator MMA. Posting a 1-1 record in the promotion, Downey was coming off an ugly loss against the virtually unknown Christian Echols. Downey had been nearly a -2000 favorite in the fight.

In his brief stint with Bellator, the NCAA Division I All-American also pulled out of two bouts.

MMA Junkie was first to report news of Downey’s release.

Greg Hardy Gets Rude Welcome to Bare-Knuckle Realm, Sent to Shadow Realm

Good night, Greg Hardy.

The former NFL Pro Bowl defensive end and ex-UFC heavyweight made his bare-knuckle boxing debut at BKFC KnuckleMania 3 on Friday night in Albuquerque, NM. Placed high up the main card, Hardy’s debut didn’t last long — and ended with him put to sleep.

Hardy, who went 2-0 in traditional boxing in 2022, found out the hard way that bare-knuckle is a different endeavor. After knocking Hardy down at the end of round one, the essentially unknown Josh Watson knocked the big man out 19 seconds into round number two.

Watson, age 40, wrapped up an MMA career that began in 2007 in 2013, finishing with a 6-4 record. He re-emerged on the combat sports scene in 2021 and has now posted a 2-1 record under the BKFC banner.

Greg Hardy messed around and found out. Bare knuckle ain’t for everybody. https://t.co/qDTkdLMcoV

— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) February 18, 2023

John Dodson To Get Title Shot Next?

Another UFC alum with a much better showing at BKFC KnuckleMania 3 was John Dodson. The former two-time UFC flyweight title challenger knocked out Jared Grant inside of a round. At times, Grant appeared to be standing still next to the speed of “The Magician.”

Following the win, Dodson called for a flyweight title shot. BKFC has yet to introduce the belt, but Dodson called for a fight with 135lb champ Reggie Barnett Jr., who is expected to fight next month.

“Yo Reggie, I know you already got a fight, but you know what my name is! And I’m the flyweight champion already, so let’s go! You want to knuckle up? Knuckle up with me!”

https://twitter.com/FukingCasuals/status/1626793672078401538

From the sounds of it BKFC President David Feldman is on board with Dodson getting a title shot. No word on if that will come against Barnett or someone else.

Evan Elder Shows Off Nasty Cut That Led to UFC Vegas 69 Stoppage

He may have lived to fight another day after his bout with Nazim Sadykhov was stopped by the doctor, but Evan Elder just wants to bang.

Sadykhov vs. Elder was a thriller until the doctor halted this one — but it’s hard to cry foul. That’s a nasty gash Evan is sporting. Their effort took home Fight of the Night honors.

I just wanna bang @ufc @danawhite pic.twitter.com/IVqameesyo

— Evan (@ElderEvan) February 19, 2023

The post Sunday MMA Quick Hits: Elder Shows Off Cut, McGregor Pulling Strings? appeared first on Cageside Press.

A card rather thin on paper, UFC Vegas 69 had some snoozers, and some bangers. Sadykhov vs. Elder belonged in the banger column, with both men rocking the other in the opening round. The foot hit the gas pedal from the opening bell, with the action progressing at a break-neck pace. Where Elder held the edge in power, Sadykhov appeared to have superior shot selection and accuracy, plus an advantage in overall volume.

The pair didn’t seem to slow down much in the second round, with the frantic pace continuing. It wasn’t until the third that anything changed — following two close, back-and-forth, exceptionally violent rounds, a kick by Sadykhov saw his knee catch Elder in the head. A cut immediately opened up, which ref Mark Smith was quick to alert the doctor to. The cageside physician didn’t like what he saw, and that was a wrap — Sadykhov had the TKO win.

The extra $50,000 for Fight of the Night should help soften the blow for Elder.

Main event flyweight Erin Blanchfield picked up 50K of her own, care of her second-round submission of Jessica Andrade. The night was a star turn for Blanchfield, who called for the winner of next month’s title fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso. She may just get it.

The second Performance of the Night bonus went to Mayra Bueno Silva, who dominated a game Lina Lansberg before submitting her in the second via kneebar. Silva then questioned why Raquel Pennington was apparently next in line for a title shot at bantamweight.

The post UFC Vegas 69: Sadykhov vs. Elder Earns Fight of the Night for Memorable, Violent Affair appeared first on Cageside Press.

Sadykhov, following in the footsteps of Rafael Fiziev as only the second Azerbaijani fighter in UFC history, had finished his last four opponents, including a knockout that earned him a contract on the sixth season of Dana White’s Contenders Series. The well-rounded 28-year old had a tough test opposite him though in Evan Elder, who was undefeated at 7-0 before his loss in his short notice debut last year. As the octagon doors closed the two young men faced off and went to war.

Nazim instantly took the center with his southpaw stance against the orthodox Elder. Sadykhov stalked his American opponent around the cage and at times had to eat a few shots to do so on the way in. Elder switched to southpaw and then got seemingly hurt by a right hand, but he recovered quickly despite eating a partial head kick afterwards. The body kicks from Elder were a good attack but the pressure of Sadykhov was clearly making him uncomfortable. Evan shot a takedown which was stuffed but then a big overhand right landed a flash knockdown on Nazim. Sadykhov got back to his feet and got back to stalking Elder. The debutant used a variety of strikes which belied his youth. Yet, even while being pressured Elder showed clear skill too, ripping to the body and circling out at times. The dynamic of Nazim pressuring continued till the end of the round, when a high kick caught Elder somewhat. That emboldened him to rush forward with a combo attempt right before the bell sounded.

Evan Elder came out for round two with a clear intention to stay off the fence as he made sure to meet Nazim in the center. Both fighters landed good strikes in the opening stages of the round, with their talent and durability being on clear display. Just past one minute into the round, Elder shot a great double leg takedown which got Nazim down into full guard. Sadykhov worked his way to the fence though, and was able to stand up. Elder lifted him to take him down again but Nazim got up again.

Still, Elder was then able to hold Sadykhov in the clinch and just knee his torso for a while, until Nazim got off the fence halfway through the round. Sadykhov seemed newly determined though as for a minute and a half he landed the only clean shots, and then tackled Elder to the ground with one minute left in the round. He then held him in the clinch until he could land a big break strike. Elder focused on the body after that but he ate a clean head kick in return, which he somehow absorbed without falling, and was then able to control his foe for the last twenty seconds of the round.

Going into the final round the score could have been virtually anything. Both fighters’ coaches hyped them up in the minute break between rounds and they got at it immediately when the round started. The pace was insane. Elder landed a body shot, Nazim landed a head kick, Elder shot a takedown, and Nazim stuffed it so he could knee Elder in return. Somewhere in the chaos a cut had opened up on the right eyebrow of Evan Elder. The full extent was not clear at first but when Mark Smith stopped the fight so the doctor could take a look, fans watching on TV could see the cut was about three inches long with blood pouring into Elder’s eye. The doctor told Mark Smith to wave the fight off and he did so, putting a slightly sour end on an amazing contest, which had an early shot for ‘Fight of the Night’ honors.

This banger is over! The doctor calls this one off due to a cut above Evan Elder's eye.@Naz_MMA is leaving #UFCVegas69 with the victory in his Octagon debut 👏 pic.twitter.com/5cgS2KaCuX

— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2023

On review, it could be seen that Sadykhov’s head kick had resulted in his knee landing cleanly and cutting open elder, making him a deserving winner as he directly caused the cut.

Official Result: Nazim Sadykhov def. Evan Elder by TKO (Doctor’s Stoppage), Round 3, 0:38

The post UFC Vegas 69: Nazim Sadykhov Earns Doctor’s Stoppage TKO After Head Kick Cuts Evan Elder appeared first on Cageside Press.