Steve Garcia Interview (1:41)

Kicking off this edition of TTP is our interview with UFC featherweight, Steve Garcia Jr. Garcia discusses the response he got to knocking out fan-favorite Chase Hooper and how it wasn’t as bad as one might think. Plus, he also shares what he wanted to do with the bonus money, but ultimately talked himself out of. Then he gets into his UFC 287 bout coming up wit Shayilan Nuerdanbieke and how he feels the wrestling side of that fight will go.

Fights, Dogs, and Parlays: UFC 287 (22:18)

After a week away, the UFC returns in a big way for UFC 287. This week brings the third pay-per-view in less than two months time. This one is headlined by one of biggest rematches of all time – Israel Adesanya gets his third and perhaps final crack at Alex Pereira. With the middleweight title as well as his legacy on the line, can ‘The Last Stylebender’ get it done? We break it down as well as some of our other favorite fights on the main card. Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal do battle to stake their claim for the 170lbs title shot and more. Plus, we give you and underdog and a parlay that we think will make your wallet fat this weekend. For this segment, all odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Lupita Godinez Interview (35:48)

Closing out this edition of TTP is our interview with UFC strawweight, Lupita Godinez. Godinez discusses the difficulty surrounding the circumstances of her Angela Hill fight, but how it won’t change the way that she takes fighta that work for her. Plus, she shares her excitement about getting to fight on a loaded UFC 287 card in front of a live audience. Not only that, but doing so up against another tough veteran off whom she plans to make her name.

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Josefine Knutsson Interview (2:04)

Kicking off this week’s show is an interview with Josefine Lindgren Knutsson. While UFC 275 is the feast this weekend, the UFC is providing us with some appetizers from Singapore as well. The Road to the UFC series kicks off with four events over two days. Knutsson will be fighting on the third of those events (which takes place early Friday morning). She talks about getting her chance to impress the boss on the show. Plus, she also shares what caused her to switch to MMA after a highly successful Muay Thai and K1 career.

Fights, Dogs, and Parlays: UFC 275 (15:32)

Next on the docket, we’re getting into the nitty gritty of one of the better events of the year, UFC 275. We’ve got title fights in the light heavyweight division and the flyweight division, plus a rematch of a past fight of the year. We’ll be breaking down all of those fights for you. In addition, Gumby and Shockwave also chime in with their favorite underdog on the card – one they’re particularly high on for this card. Then they put together a plus-money parlay sure to pay out big time. For this segment, odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Steve Garcia Interview (31:35)

Closing out this week’s episode of the Top Turtle MMA Podcast is another interview, this time with a fighter off of UFC 275. Steve Garcia looks to put together his first winning streak in the UFC and he’ll try to do it in Singapore on Saturday. He breaks down his fight with popular Chinese prospect Hayisaer Maheshate, including a strong statement of confidence. Then he also digs into what it meant for him to log his first win in the big show after nearly a decade of fighting. He’s also a treat when he pops by the show, so make sure you don’t miss this one.

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In fact, Garcia only vaguely remembers seeing MMA for the first time. What he does remember, is not caring for it.

“I’m going to be real with you – the first time I ever saw an MMA fight, I thought those guys were stupid,” Garcia admitted. “It was one of the most bloody fights that I have ever seen.”

The details to that first fight are a little foggy to him. He has some suspicions based on the fact that it was a bloody fight, but he doesn’t recall all of the details.

“It was probably a Diego Sanchez fight, but I have no idea,” he said. “It might have been a UFC fight, it could have been a Dream fight or something – I’m not sure.”

So, how did a guy who thought MMA was stupid, not only come around to MMA as a sport, but reach it’s highest level? It started, like a lot of other fighters, with self-defense.

“I’ve always been a ballplayer. I like playing baseball, so baseball was always kind of my realm,” he shared. “I got into some issues growing up, in high school. I talked to my dad about how to protect myself, and maybe we can get me to a boxing gym – because MMA wasn’t big at the time.”

However, there wasn’t a place around him that fit what he was looking for. Instead, thanks to a chance encounter between his dad and an old friend, Garcia wound up at an MMA gym. The result, was something he just couldn’t get enough of.

“The first thing he showed me was a rear naked choke and I was landing it on people not knowing anything else but that choke,” Garcia said. “I was just like ‘man, this is so cool.”

That ‘cool’ feeling didn’t pass. As he learned more and more about the sport, he began to love it and need to be a part of it. It also helped that it was so different from his original love – it felt like he was getting into athletics all over again in a completely new way.

“It grew into a passion. There was so much fun and it challenged me in a whole different way,” he said. “I’ve always been a part of team sports and I like the idea of being reliant on myself.”

Garcia will once again be reliant on himself at UFC Vegas 39 where he takes on Charlie Ontiveros. That bout will take place as part of the ESPN+ prelims starting at 1pm EST.

You can hear the entire audio of this interview at 2:11.

The post UFC Vegas 39’s Steve Garcia Thought MMA Was Stupid appeared first on Cageside Press.

Like it or not, weight-cutting is deeply rooted in mixed martial arts. MMA adopted its weight-cutting from the sport of wrestling, where it is presumed to be very advantageous to be the biggest and strongest in your weight class. Known as the ‘fight before the fight,’ most UFC fighters cut anywhere from 5-25 pounds, with some fighters even in excess of 30 pounds.

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.

Steve “Mean Machine” Garcia Jr. (11-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC)

Steve Garcia Jr. is a 6’0″ tall, 27-year-old fighter, with a 73″ reach, that fought at 135lbs just two fights ago. This Bellator veteran has fought the majority of his fights at bantamweight, as crazy as that is. Garcia has also had fights at a catchweight of 140lbs and a few fights at 145lbs.

Garcia missed weight in his last two fights, his most recent one being in the featherweight weight class and the one before that in bantamweight. In August of 2019, Steve was on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series but actually failed to make weight by 3.5lbs, and essentially spoiled his spectacular first-round finish of Desmond Torres. After being passed over by the UFC, Steve moved up to 145lbs to take on Jose Mariscal under the LFA promotional banner in January of 2020. But again, Garcia missed weight even after moving up but, again, he performed well and put on an amazing fight with an impressive finish. Now Garcia is moving up again to the 155lbs weight class for his UFC debut in hopes of focusing less on the weight cut and more on the fight.

Contender Series: Desmond Torres vs. Steve Garcia https://t.co/LNx90lQBDa

— Main Team (@MainTeamSports) August 21, 2019

Luis “Violent Bob Ross” Pena (7-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC)

Featherweight (145lbs): 1-0 (UFC), Missed weight 1 time

Lightweight (155lbs):  2-2 (UFC)

Luis Pena is one of the tallest and longest 155lb fighters in the UFC right now. The Ultimate Fighter Season 27 product has a very complete martial arts game, and coming out of the famed America Kickboxing Academy (and more recently ATT), his grappling game especially shines. Following his split decision loss to Ultimate Fighter Season 27 winner Mike Trizano in November of 2018, Pena announced that he could go down in weight to 145lbs as his cut to 155lbs was “pretty easy.” Unfortunately, Pena would miss weight for his first and only featherweight bout in March of 2019, and looked especially malnourished and unhealthy while doing so. Ultimately however he was able to capture the win the next night in spite of it all.

"Violent Bob Ross" Luis Pena misses weight for his featherweight debut, coming in heavy at 148.5 pounds #UFCNashville pic.twitter.com/VBVrQmAQqj

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 22, 2019

At 26 years old ‘Violent Bob Ross’ should be able to make weight at 155lbs for the time being and look okay doing so. But do not be surprised if we look up in a few years and Luis looks like he is practically on death’s door weighing in, or he announces a move up to welterweight. Realistically Luis just has too big of a frame to be able to stay in the weight class long term and perform at an optimal level.

Spike “The Alpha Ginger” Carlyle (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC)

Spike Carlyle is making his UFC debut on a little over 3 weeks’ notice after Steven Peterson fell out of his bout against Aalon Cruz at UFC Norfolk. Spike is just 26 years old, and at 5’7″ tall with a 71″ reach, he could very well make 145lbs and has. But the million-dollar question is can he do it and continue to compete on the highest level of the sport against some of the best fighters in the world. Spike’s last two fights outside of the UFC were at lightweight and before that, he had a catchweight bout at 150lbs. Carlyle has had a couple of fights at 145lbs with his only professional loss coming at that weight class. ‘The Alpha Ginger’ will definitely be a fighter to watch on the scales and in the octagon when it comes time for his UFC debut.

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Steve “Mean Machine” Garcia Jr.
6’0″
Featherweight
27-years-old
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Jackson Wink MMA
11-3
8 KO/TKOs

How will Garcia Jr. fare in the UFC:

Garcia is fighting at lightweight for the first time, but he’s a big guy standing at 6’0″ so he shouldn’t look any different and may even look better. He’s had problems with his takedown defense in the past but the Jackson-Wink MMA product is improving with time. The tall rangy striker is a dangerous guy with power in his hands. Garcia also has good combinations and some good footwork complimenting his stand-up. He’s already well-tested and very experienced against good competition and let’s not forget he’s only 27-years-old. The sky is the limit as he has a high ceiling.

How Garcia matches up with Pena:

Pena usually has a significant height advantage against his opponents but this time he’s only three inches taller. This is a very interesting style match-up as both are long rangy strikers with a big arsenal. This is a very close fight but it’s one where Garcia edges it out. There’s a good chance this fight will stay on the feet for the most part. Garcia is more accurate, has more power, and a better gas tank. It could go either way but I’m heavily leaning towards Garcia.

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Welterweight, Tyler Ray (6-1)

Tyler Ray fought a very tough fighter in Josh Streacker and he dominated on the way to a second-round finish. The key to victory for Ray was wrestling and control. On the feet, the wrestler did show glimpses of improvement. He throws a good one-two and showed good head movement but doesn’t look fully confident yet. Ray got the finish eventually on the back of Josh sinking in the RNC. Ray is reminiscent of a very raw Ian Heinisch.
Grade: C

Featherweight, Steve Garcia Jr (11-3)

This was a hell of a fight between Steve Garcia and Jose Mariscal. Garcia dropped Jose early in round one and all hell broke loose after that. Mariscal survived and threw like a wild man. As did Garcia but he stayed calmer and picked his spots with head kicks and his left hand. In round two both fighters were throwing a some crazy pace. Garcia eventually finished the fight after some ground and pound. It was a poor stoppage but still a good performance.
Grade: A

Strawweight, Nong Stamp (4-0)

At the beginning of the fight, Stamp Fairtex (Nong Stamp) was way too flat-footed just standing in front of her opponent. Stamp was taken down but quickly got back to her feet and got the takedown herself. From there she did very well and the Muay Thai practitioner seemed at home on the mat. Stamp easily won positions getting the mount/the back and unloading punches until the ref stopped the fight.
Grade: C-

Flyweight, Ayaka Miura (10-2)

Although did get tagged a bit in round one, Ayaka Miura dominated the course of two rounds. She used the head and arm position to pull her opponent down in both rounds one and two. In round one, Miura threatened the whole time with an arm-triangle but couldn’t get the right position. The Americana has been her go-to submission and for the third straight occasion she finished with it, this time in the second round.
Grade: C+

Bantamweight, Shuo Wang (11-3)

This was my first time watching Shou Wang, and he had a really good fight with a decent opponent in Aydin Kodekov. Right away you could tell Wang is a talented fighter on the feet so Aydin tried to get the fight down. He had some success but Wang really showed some solid takedown defense. Wang did a nice job attacking the head, body, and legs up until the second-round finish. He attacked with leg kicks often even landing some nasty oblique kicks. Wang had some solid head movement slipping punches and countering. Both would sit in the pocket trading but Wang had more weapons throwing those kicks, knees, and short elbows.
Grade: A

Middleweight, Abusupyan Alikhanov (12-3)

Abusupyan Alikhanov dominated his opponent. The Russian quickly got the fight to the ground with a hard outside leg kick sweeping his opponent to the mat. Alikhanov would get into the crucifix position and he stuck there. He would land countless elbows and punches until the ref would finally step in. He fought a guy that was 9-4 but he fought like expected.
Grade: C+

Welterweight, Pedro Machado (3-0)

Pedro Machado opened up the fight with a body lock takedown. In half guard, Machado sliced right into mount. Soon after his opponent swept Machado to his back but Machado was still very much in control. He threw up a triangle but would lock in a heel hook to get the eventual tap. Machado showed some very slick jiu-jitsu.
Grade: C+

Lightweight, Mateusz Rębecki (11-1)

Mateusz Rebecki fought a really good Russian prospect in Magomed Magomedov and it was fairly one-sided. Rebecki was wild on the feet throwing looping shots including overhands. He did hit hard with thumping leg kicks and did drop Magomedov with an overhand left. He was at home on the mat winning scrambles and being in control. He almost secured a kimura in round two but instead got the finish with ground and pound. Rebecki in the crucifix position would land nasty elbows cutting up Magomedov s the ref stepped in.
Grade: B-

Middleweight, Phil Hawes (7-2)

Phil Hawes is finally living up to the potential he had when he started his career. In this fight, he displayed a technical game plan with heavy strikes. Hawes fought behind his straight left jab going up top and to the body. He threw the right hook continuously behind the jab landing every time dropping the Brazilian twice. Hawes had his foe hurt and as he fell to his back the third time Hawes forced the ref to come in after some heavy hammer fists.
Grade: C+ 

Light-heavyweight, Jakob Nedoh (3-1)

Jakob Nedoh, known as a submission specialist, got the job done solely with his striking. Every time Nedoh hit opponent Zarko Sedoglavic his head snapped back. The finishing sequence was when Nedoh landed two straight left hands and a right hook for the clean knockout victory.
Grade: B-

Featherweight, Jay-Jay Wilson (5-0)

Bellator MMA’s Jay-Jay Wilson fought Mario Navarro a BJJ black belt and easily out-classed him on the mat. Both round one and two Wilson got the quick takedown. He constantly worked to finish even almost getting his first ground and pound stoppage. Round two he went for a twister but lost position. Wilson was on his back but executed a beautiful sweep to get back on top. While controlling the back he set up an armbar and Navarro tapped. Just beautiful and stellar BJJ from Wilson.
Grade: A+

Featherweight, Collin Anglin (7-1)

It took a bit for Collin Anglin to find his range, throwing a lot of wasted motion and not hitting the target. In the final seconds of the first round, Anglin did drop his opponent with a nice right uppercut. Round two he was much more comfortable as his opponent still seemed a bit rocked. Anglin used a lot of feints and was coming over with the right hook. The right hook is eventually what landed after a feint, putting his opponent out cold.
Grade: B-

Featherweight, Jamall Emmers (17-4)

This was a good fight between two top-notch prospects in Jamall Emers and Rafael Barbosa. Emmers displayed some good fundamentals. He had excellent head movement, used a lot of feints, employed good footwork, and showed understanding of his range. His striking was on point landing counters and hard lead leg kicks. Round three he stepped on the gas landing more. He got Barbosa to the mat and took his back. He went for the RNC but locked in the arm-triangle instead for the technical submission.
Grade: A+

Flyweight, Lito Adiwang (11-2)

Lito Adiwang went completely off in this fight starting off with a thudding head kick that landed on his opponent Pongsiri Mitsatit. After that Lito chased him with wide rights and lefts dropping Mitsatit. Misatit survived for the time being but Adiwang was still in finish mode. Mitsatit did get the back but Adiwang had thekimura grip and eventually separated it from the body and Pongsiri tapped.
Grade: A

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This week on Dana White’s Contender Series, we have Bellator and Invicta veterans, a Ring of Combat champion, and more. All fighters except Steve Garcia Jr. made weight on Monday, so it’s on with the show!

Welterweight: Leon Shahbazyan vs. Philip Rowe

Tale of the Tape

Pros and Cons

Leon Shahbazyan

Philip Rowe

Who has the Advantage?

Striking: Shahbazyan
Speed: Rowe
Knockout Power: Shahbazyan
Chin: Rowe
Kickboxing: Rowe
Footwork: Rowe
Wrestling: Rowe
Grappling: Rowe
Submissions: Rowe
Cardio: Even

Prediction

It’s a hard fight to predict as neither guy really has a ton of footage. Leon has beaten only subpar competition with a combined record (at the time they fought) of 28-68. The one time he fought someone good, he came up short, but it was to a top prospect in Gabriel Green. With that said, you can say the same about Rowe with his level of competition having a record of 6-12, never beating anyone with a winning record. It’s a tough fight to pick but of the footage I’ve seen, I have to side with Leon. If you look at the terrible level of competition Rowe has lost to as a pro and amateur it makes it hard to pick him.

Next: Marcos Brigagao vs. Jamal Pogues

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