In the latest round of cuts (or in some cases, contracts expiring, plus a retirement), Tristan Connelly and TJ Laramie, two Canadian talents, have been removed from the promotion’s active roster. Additionally, Felipe Colares, Louis Smolka, Andreas Michailidis, Alex Da Silva,
Frank Camacho, and Niklas Stolze have been removed, per automated service UFC Roster Watch.

Felice Herrig is also out, though that should come as no surprise — the strawweight veteran announced her retirement this past weekend, after a loss to Karolina Kowalkiewicz.

Smolka (17-9) confirmed his exit from the promotion recently. It’s the second time “Da Last Samurai” has been shown the door by the company, but he’s not letting that get his spirits down.

“I’m kinda excited to test free agency, the MMA landscape is changing a lot and pretty soon it might be like boxing where huge entities are roaming the globe to take each other out,” Smolka wrote on social media in response to the news. “Sounds like it has the potential to be really lucrative to me.”

Tbh I’m kinda excited to test free agency, the MMA landscape is changing a lot and pretty soon it might be like boxing where huge entities are roaming the globe taking each other out. Sounds like it has the potential to be really lucrative to me https://t.co/zrvTZR1gPF

— Louis Smolka (@LouisSmolkaMMA) June 7, 2022

Connelly (14-8) came into the UFC on a high, defeating Michel Pereira in an upset at welterweight at UFC Vancouver in 2019. After an extended layoff, he moved to featherweight to face Pat Sabatini last year, coming up short. Following another year on the sidelines, he returned this past April, losing a decision against Darren Elkins.

Laramie (12-5), a Contender Series winner in 2020, was unable to pick up a win inside the octagon, losing both of his fights. The Windsor, Ontario native also suffered a loss against Sabatini, after losing his promotional debut to Darrick Minner.

Niklas Stolze fought this past weekend, and told Cageside Press going into the fight that he knew his back was against the wall. Alex Da Silva fought and lost on the very same card, falling to 1-3 through four UFC fights.

The post Nine Fighters Removed from UFC Roster, Including Two Canadians appeared first on Cageside Press.

Aleksandar Rakic

In terms of divisional relevance and position, Aleksandar Rakic really isn’t hurt by his loss to Jan Blachowicz. His knee gave out, plain and simple. Rakic later revealed he’d suffered an injury in camp three weeks prior that was virtually identical. Actually, he said it was the same, but hey, how often do we get to say that?

Rakic is probably going to be out a while. He has an MRI planned for Monday, which will probably have happened by the time you read this. Is it an ACL tear? How bad? That will determine his time off, but a year wouldn’t be surprising in the least.

Rakic is gunning for a rematch upon his return. Depending on where Blachowicz stands at that point, it’s not the worst idea. That said, it’s hard to play matchmaker in the face of so much uncertainty, and it’s equally hard to make a title fight for Rakic should Blachowicz go on to win the belt. So, this one is essentially, Blachowicz if he’s not holding gold, otherwise, wait and see.

Rakic’s next fight: injury rehab, then maybe Jan Blachowicz

Ion Cutelaba

Ion Cutelaba did what Ion Cutelaba does in the UFC Vegas 54 co-main event. He came out swinging hard. A little too hard. Ryan Spann caught him off-balance and out of position, and locked up a guillotine choke. That’s an unfortunate ending for Cutelaba, who apologized for the loss after the fact. As an aside, fighters should stop doing that: losses are part of the sport, and you don’t owe anything to anyone.

What’s next for Cutelaba? Let’s put him in a fight where swinging for the fences can pay off. Johnny Walker has lost his last two fights. Both these guys can get a bit crazy at times. Might as well have some fun with it.

Cutelaba’s next fight: Johnny Walker

Louis Smolka

Louis Smolka is flirting with disaster in his second run with the UFC. He’s 3-4 since coming back to the fold in 2018, this time as a bantamweight after competing as a flyweight the first time around. He’s also been knocked out in his last two fights.

Khalid Taha is another fighter who badly needs to pick up a win. He was supposed to fight back in February, but had to pull out. If he’s ready to go say, four to five months down the road, book it.

Smolka’s next fight: Khalid Taha

Amanda Ribas

Speaking of fighters coming into UFC Vegas 54 with injuries, we give you exhibit B: Amanda Ribas. After suffering a split decision loss to Katlyn Chookagian in a move to flyweight, Ribas’ father revealed she had torn her bicep ahead of the fight.

Unlike with Rakic, the injury didn’t have an obvious effect on the fight, but who knows what might have happened otherwise? In any case, Ribas fell just short to Chookagian, and must now determine if she wants to stay at flyweight, or move back to strawweight, where the path to a title shot is unquestionably longer.

In this case, probably strawweight. Unless she can no longer handle the cut. Because frankly, the loss to flyweight’s gatekeeper will dog her in terms of getting a push there. At strawweight, meanwhile, book her opposite Angela Hill, who fell short on the prelims at UFC Vegas 54.

Ribas’ next fight: Angela Hill

Frank Camacho

Frank “The Crank” Camacho returned from a lengthy layoff at UFC Vegas 54, which had been forced upon him due to injuries suffered in a car crash. Frank “The Crank” (such a simple, yet fantastic nickname) did not see things go his way, falling by TKO for his third straight loss.

With the loss to Manuel Torres, Camacho is 2-6 in the UFC and may be shown the door. That might sound cold, and circumstances may buy him a stay of execution. If the UFC opts to give him one more fight, it should probably be against another newcomer/relatively new guy. That either gets him a win, or builds up a potential future player. In this case, Trey Ogden is 0-1 in the UFC and looking to bounce back. He has losses from earlier in his career to a couple of current/former UFC guys, as well as a win over prospect Lucas Clay.

Camacho’s next fight: Trey Ogden, or a newcomer

Jake Hadley

Contender Series alum Jake Hadley nearly didn’t make it to the UFC, reportedly due to attitude issues, but Dana White opted to give him a chance. Now, he’s lost his debut, and will need to tread very carefully, and ensure that he gets his hand raised next time out.

Hadley fell to Allan Nascimento, who has roughly three times the experience of Hadley himself. That feels like a bit much in retrospect. Let’s see how he does against Carlos Candelario, who also came up short in his UFC debut this past Saturday. Their records are 8-1 (Hadley) and 8-2 (Candelario), and the timing works out perfect.

Hadley’s next fight: Carlos Candelario

The post What’s Next: UFC Vegas 54 Losers appeared first on Cageside Press.

Torres spoke on his feelings following such a violent fight.

“I think the feeling is the same as any fighter. The nerves, little beat of fear, emotions, but that’s what I want, that’s what I’m doing. Very happy to just have won the fight,” Torres said to reporters through a translator at his post-fight scrum.

The fight had moments where Torres and Camacho seemed to decide to brawl with both men throwing looping punches, and wild techniques at times.

“The plan was actually to change it up a little bit and just always try to punch, always find holes, because that’s my style of fighting. That’s what I always want. I want to just find the holes and just try and knock them down,” Torres said.

“All of the sudden it became that, and we just went with it.”

As wild as the fight became Torres still managed to keep an eye out for the holes he was looking for and he took advantage of one to finish the fight.

“As I said, I was going to try and to find the holes while he was moving his hands, and specially when he was opening up his guard. When I just found it, it was there. I took it,” said Torres.

Referee Herb Dean seemed to stop the fight as soon as Camacho hit the ground leaving many to wonder if this was an early stoppage.

“I got surprised a little bit (by the stoppage) and actually when he got down to the ground I was kind of hesitant. Do I stay or do I go (to the ground) and when I got close I remembered he’s a black belt so I kind of stayed back a little bit,” Torres said.

Torres mentioned that it was surprising at the moment, but that he knew Camacho was badly hurt.

‘El Loco’ mentioned he wants to get back in the octagon as soon as possible

As for the nickname of ‘El Loco’ Torres revealed it’s origin for reporters.

“It was a friend of mine from my childhood, from my hometown of Chihuahua, he’s been with me for quite some time. He supported me way back, and he just put the nickname there,” Torres said.

“El Loco because I’m crazy.”

Watch Manuel Torres’ full UFC Vegas 54 post-fight media scrum above. More coverage from the event can be found below.

The post UFC Vegas 54: Manuel Torres Surprised By Stoppage, Reveals ‘El Loco’ Nickname appeared first on Cageside Press.

Camacho had been out since June of 2020 after losing a second consecutive bout, that time against Justin “Guitar Hero” Jaynes. Camacho was set to take on Matt Frevola at UFC 263, but was involved in a car pile-up in Los Angeles. The Guam native suffered injuries that kept him out of action for nearly two years, but returned at the UFC APEX on Saturday.

Torres made his UFC debut coming off a TKO finish of Kolton Englund on Dana White’s Contender Series in October 2021.

Right out of the gate Torres wobbled Camacho a bit with a left hook. Both guys responded by throwing some heavy leather. Camacho did try to get the takedown but it didn’t happen. Camacho then landed a one-two right on the chin of Torres. Torres was really having success with his hands putting Camacho in a lot of danger. From the uppercuts and rights and lefts, everything from Torres was landing. Torres slipped a right hand and counted with a right-left dropping Camacho and Herb Dead stepped in. Beautiful finish from Torres.

A bit of chatter about an early finish after the fact — but Camacho had eaten some seriously heavy blows.

Official Result: Manuel Torres def. Frank Camacho via TKO, Round 1, 3:27

The post UFC Vegas 54: Manuel Torres Stuns Frank Camacho in Debut appeared first on Cageside Press.

“Two years off. A lot of things that I can’t control. I got COVID 2020. Was so stoked to get on the card against Matt Frevola. Then I got into a car wreck on the 405….you know really just soaking it in dude. I’m just so grateful for the opportunity,” Camacho told reporters on Wednesday.

“I’m walking through the fighter hotel and seeing everyone and just feeling the vibe. Grateful that I can go out there and showcase my hard work, but at the same time this right here, talking in front of all of you guys. This is so precious and a lot of fighters don’t understand that…and they take it for granted. Until you lose a loved one or until you lose something, until you really appreciate it. I lost it for two years. F*ck, everyone knows I love to fight so I’m super stoked!”

Losing two years of his career made Camacho wonder if he’d ever be able to get back into the cage and fight. He credited the team around him for helping him get back.

“Yeah a lot of questions, right? Internally, but really stoked to have a really good team. A really good support system. My wife day in, day out. Man what are we doing? Are we going to do this? It’s my stream of income, but I’m very fortunate that I can make money in other things. But I still wake up every day and I’m like, ‘Man, I love this thing, babe.’ I still want to wake up and I still want to fight. It really just helped having that support system. Just to kind of keep me on,” Camacho said.

“Let’s just say I prefer positivity over negativity so that’s definitely helped. I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. I used to see a lot of guys worse, worse injuries that come back and become world champions. It was a long journey. Fortunately I’m still young and I still love it. Can’t wait to perform.”

For a veteran fighter taking on a UFC debutant would make most fighters a little sour, but Camacho was nothing but grateful to just fight.

“Honestly, I haven’t really been thinking about it like that. Everyone that gets signed is tough. Everyone is strong, everyone is fast, everyone is good. I’m really just grateful bro. Just really grateful to walk through these doors and stand in front of everyone. Yeah crazy, two years and I’m on the main card, on the APEX show, but freaking right on! I was looking forward to even just fighting on the first fight! Get in, get out,” Camacho said.

“But I want to earn my keep. Let me earn my way back to maybe like a PPV where I can fight in front of a big crowd.”

Watch the full UFC Vegas 54 Media Day appearance by Frank Camacho above. More coverage from the event can be found at CagesidePress.com

The post UFC Vegas 54: Frank Camacho After Two Years Away, Grateful To Be Back Fighting appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I’m really excited to be part of the biggest promotion in the world, and it’s still like a dream to me,” Torres told reporters through a translator on Wednesday.

Torres is coming off a TKO win over Kolton Englund on Dana White’s Contender Series back in Oct. 2021. He will be making his debut in the same building he earned a UFC contract in.

“It is exciting to fight here again to come back since Contender Series, but obviously I would love to fight in front of a packed arena soon,” Torres said.

With the long lay-off since his DWCS bout Torres used the time to improve and prepare for his UFC debut.

“It was plenty of work. We practically been in camp for 7 months so I feel prepared for this moment,” said Torres.

To get such a tough first fight against a UFC veteran in Camacho would seem like a tall task for any debutant. Torres is more excited than anything to face a fighter who likes wars.

“I think he’s a tough opponent. I know he has a lot of experience, and he it’s really exciting to fight someone like him in my debut. I love exchanges. I’d love to be in a war with him,” Torres said.

Regardless of opponent Torres is coming into UFC Vegas 54 to get the knockout.

“I always respect my opponents, but I’m here to knockout people. That’s what I like, that’s what I love. I love to knockout my opponents,” said Torres.

Come Saturday night it’s about a dream and the goal of getting the win in his first UFC bout.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, and only thing I can see is me winning and having a victory on Saturday.”

Watch the full UFC Vegas 54 Media Day appearance by Manuel Torres above. More coverage from the event can be found at CagesidePress.com

The post UFC Vegas 54: Manuel Torres Look For A War Against Frank Camacho appeared first on Cageside Press.

Torres confirmed the booking on social media Tuesday, following an initial report by ESPN Deportes’ CC Legaspi. Guam’s Camacho also spoke to the Pacific Daily News about the fight.

“I was supposed to fight in 2020, tested positive for COVID, fight got scratched, such a bummer. And then last year June, supposed to fight again, the week of, got into a car wreck on the freeway in the states and was going through rehab the rest of the year,” he said. “I finally got cleared in October of last year and I’ve been training since. And finally, I’m so stoked to get on a card, and I have a dancing partner.”

It’s been, as Camacho noted, a roller coaster of a few years for “The Crank.” Prior to his time on the sidelines, he’d posted a 2-5 record inside the octagon. But three of those fights, consecutively no less, resulted in Fight of the Night bonuses.

In May, however, Camacho will attempt to bounce back from two straight losses to Justin Jaynes and Beneil Dariush.

Manuel Torres will be making his promotional debut on the strength of a three-fight win streak. He defeated Kolton England on Dana White’s Contender Series to make the UFC.

Thus far, no venue, location, or broadcast plan has been revealed for the UFC’s May 14, 2022 event. Currently expected for the card are the following match-ups:

• Lauren Murphy vs. Miesha Tate
• Viviane Araújo vs. Andrea Lee
• Frank Camacho vs. Manuel Torres
• Daniel Pineda vs. Jamall Emmers

The post Frank Camacho vs. Manuel Torres Joins May 14 UFC Fight Night appeared first on Cageside Press.

Fighterpath.com was the first to report that Matt Frevola will fight Frank Camacho at UFC 263 on June 12. UFC 263 is expected to be headlined by the rematch of Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno.

Both fighters would later confirm the bout on social media.

After not fighting in 2020, Frevola (8-2-1) had his two-fight win streak snapped in January at UFC 257 against top prospect Arman Tsarukyan. Frevola lost a unanimous decision. He was supposed to fight Ottman Azaitar at that same event; however, on the day of weigh-ins, Azaitar was pulled from the card due to breaking COVID-19 protocols, aka backpack gate. Befoe his loss at UFC 257, Frevola had great wins over Jalin Turner and Luis Pena.

Camacho (22-9) will most likely be fighting for his job come June. “The Crank” is coming off losses to Beneil Dariush and a 41-second TKO loss to Justin Jaynes. He was supposed to fight Brok Weaver last September, but a positive COVID-19 test put a halt to that.

UFC 263 takes place June 12, 2021. While no official location or venue have been announced for the PPV card, the following fights have been reported:

• Deiveson Figueiredo (c) vs. Brandon Moreno – for the UFC flyweight championship
• Demian Maia vs. Belal Muhammad
• Carlos Felipe vs. Jake Collier
• Luigi Vendramini vs. Fares Ziam
• Movsar Evloev vs. Hakeem Dawodu
• Lauren Murphy vs. Joanne Calderwood
• Frank Camacho vs. Matt Frevola

The post Frank Camacho vs. Matt Frevola Set For UFC 263 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Weight-cutting is the ultimate test of discipline and willpower. Many fighters in the sport consider it very unprofessional to miss weight. In this series, we will shine a light on fighters who cut a massive amount of weight, who have missed weight multiple times in the past, who have made weight-class changes, along with how the weight-cut and weigh-in could affect possible upcoming match-ups. Basically, every aspect of weight-cutting and how it affects the fight game.

Justine Kish (7-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC)

Strawweight (115lbs): 2-1 (UFC), Missed weight one time in the UFC

Flyweight (125lbs): 1-1 (UFC)

Justine Kish got her start in the UFC back in January of 2016 when she beat Nina Ansaroff by unanimous decision in the UFC’s women’s strawweight division.

In her sophomore bout at the end of the year, Kish missed weight for her fight against Ashley Yoder, weighing in at 116.4lbs. Kish would go on to win the fight, but in her next bout against Felice Herrig, she would finally lose her perfect record.

The weight miss, compounded with the loss, compelled Kish to move up to the women’s flyweight division where she dropped a very close split decision in her debut match at 125lbs. to Ji Yeon Kim. However, back in January, Kish finally got back in the win column with a unanimous decision win over Lucie Pudilova.

She faces Sabina Mazo at UFC Vegas 10.

The post The Weight Cutting Chronicles: UFC Vegas 10 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Camacho (22-9) and Weaver (15-5) are expected to face off at a UFC event scheduled for September 12. Although not officially announced, the card is expected to take place in Las Vegas, NV.

The Fight Bananas podcast was first to report news of the booking.

Prior to his loss against Jaynes, Camacho had been submitted by Beneil Dariush at UFC Singapore last October. That leaves the Guam native badly in need of a win next month. Camacho is just 1-4 in his past five bouts, with the lone win coming against Nick Hein, and additional losses to Drew Dober and Geoff Neal.

Upon entering the UFC, Camacho became famous for thrilling, downright nasty wars, earning three consecutive Fight of the Night awards. However, he’s missed weight twice in the promotion, including in the bout against Jaynes.

Brok Weaver (15-5) won his way into the UFC as part of the Contender Series. A Native American, from the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, Weaver picked up a win in his octagon debut after being illegally kneed by opponent Rodrigo Vargas. That resulted in the DQ victory. Months later, Weaver was submitted by Roosevelt Roberts at UFC Vegas 1.

Weaver missed weight for the bout, as Camacho did in the Jaynes fight.

Catchweight anyone?

The post UFC: Frank Camacho to Face Brok Weaver on September 12 appeared first on Cageside Press.