The Meta Apex scrap found Petrino surging after moving up to the heavyweight division from 205lbs. Asplund had rather incredibly moved the other direction, losing a massive amount of weight just to make it as a heavyweight in MMA. He’d won his way into the promotion in 2025 via the Contender Series, and was moving to move to 2-0 inside the octagon against Brazil’s Petrino.

As Asplund jokingly put it ahead of the fight, it was the battle of the best physique versus the worst physique in the weight class— though both men had stopping power.

To start round one, Asplund opened on the feet with a few jabs at range, but Petrino quickly answered with a left hook. To no one’s surprise, Vitor Petrino soon changed levels for an explosive double-leg on Asplund, though the American impressed by scrambling effectively with the BJJ black belt.

The two continued trading in the center, with Vitor opening a cut on Asplund’s right cheek just below the eye. Petrino then fired a high kick that partially connected to the head, but Asplund still looked light on his feet in the striking exchanges, eventually dropping Petrino with a clubbing hook.

In response, Asplund then mooned (mimed it anyway) the grounded Petrino as the clock hit zero.

The mutual respect between the two seemed gone as they continued talking before round two began. Petrino flashed another high kick early, causing Asplund to slip and hit the canvas, opening the door for Vitor to enter the grappling exchanges.

Asplund continued to hold his own on the ground, eventually working back to his feet and escaping Petrino’s control. Back standing, both men appeared exhausted, but the striking opened up once again with Petrino landing a series of four hooks to the head of Asplund. As the round came to a close, Petrino blasted a straight left that sent Asplund’s mouthpiece flying across the octagon.

The third round brought even more chaos, as Asplund wobbled Petrino in the center of the cage to kick off another wild exchange. Petrino answered with another burst of hooks to the body of Steven Asplund. He then began attacking the legs, landing a steady stream of low kicks to Asplund’s lead leg. The two continued to stand and trade, with Petrino circling on the outside, darting in and out of the pocket, and reopening the cut on Asplund’s face.

Swinging for the fences, both men left it all in the octagon as the final seconds ticked away. When the fight went to the judges, Vitor Petrino had done enough to earn the unanimous decision victory. The Brazilian heavyweight now moves to 7-2 in the UFC. He’s 3-0 in his new weight class, and told Michael Bisping after the fight that he and Asplund had agreed to keep coming forward and put on an exciting fight.

Official Result: Vitor Petrino def. Steven Asplund by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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“I’m trying to change that narrative. I’m a big dude that never gave up on himself, you know, not a fat kid chasing a dream,” Asplund explained. “I’ve reached this this point and, initially, I didn’t give a f*ck about any of the attention. I was just like, I’m gonna go out here, fight and try to make some money for my family and try to provide and be one of the best in the world, and whatever comes with it comes with it.”

That different reality is that he has become a massive fan favorite. While it was never his intentions, his message has resonated with the public. However, none of that is preplanned or targeted – instead his authenticity and natural self is what has made him a viral success.

“Thank God I have fucking constipation of the brain and diarrhea of the mouth. I got problems f*cking just saying shit, and fortunately, it’s been working out,” he said with a laugh. “I’m just grateful that I get to kind of promote a message of positivity and love amongst people.”

Asplund hopes that what he brings to the sport shows other fighters that you don’t need to invent drama and characters to get a big following. Even if it doesn’t spread the way he hopes, he’s thankful for all of the love that has come his way.

“I think that’s a big thing. I think people want to get behind somebody that’s showing love and spreading love rather than being a f*cking abrasive piece of shit,” Asplund said. “Yeah, I curse a lot and I know I look like a felon, but I’m a good guy. You know what I mean? I’m just so grateful. I’m elated that I get this much love and support. No matter what happens, I’m grateful.”

Asplund’s next chance to share his positive message and fighting style with the world comes on Saturday at UFC Vegas 114. He fights on the main card, which begins at 9pm on Paramount+.

The post UFC Vegas 114’s Steven Asplund Brings the Positivity appeared first on Cageside Press.

That’s a common refrain at this point, with the bulk of the promotion’s talent now ushered in (on entry level contracts) via the show.

Asplund, however, stands out, thanks to his personality, and backstory, having undergone a massive weight loss journey to make it as a professional fighter.

At UFC Vegas 114, he’s landed Vitor Petrino as an opponent. Why? Well, it’s simple, he keeps on asking to fight. “I keep saying anywhere, anybody, any time, and I stand by that,” Asplund (7-1) said during Wednesday’s media day.

There might be an extra reason to watch what is currently slated as the night’s featured preliminary card fight. “There’s a little bit of bad blood on this one too, so as soon as I heard the name Vitor, I was like ‘f*ck yeah!’ So I’m excited,” revealed Asplund.

He would then correct himself. “Not really bad blood, but there’s history. He beat my brother in October, and I feel like Tommy was winning that fight. And I feel like watching Vitor get chinned in that fight, I’ll definitely be able to chin this motherf*cker. I’m excited to go out there and do what I do.”

It was Asplund’s teammate Thomas Petersen who Petrino put away late last year. So when the call came, he immediately accepted. Once he could hear the call anyway.

“I was piss drunk at a Rascal Flats concert when they offered me the fight,” Asplund admitted.

A hand injury kept Steven Asplund for returning right away after his last fight, but he has been itching to get back in the cage. “I want to keep showing up and showing out. I wanted the Sean O’Malley route if I’m being honest, lower level guys, but I’ll take what I get. Just happy to be here.”

Looking at the match-up with Petrino, Asplund exclaimed “Bro he’s a monster. Why is he fighting? He could be a model. What the f*ck? This guy looks like The Rock. It’s like the battle of the worst physique and the best physique in the heavyweight division. I’m excited to show the fat boys love this Saturday.”

Watch the full UFC Vegas 114 media day appearance by Steven Asplund above.

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Kicking off this UFC Vegas 114 edition of TTP is our interview with UFC heavyweight, Steven Asplund. Asplund discusses the outpouring of support following his win over Sean Sharaf in his UFC debut and how surreal it is to see fan-created highlight reels. Plus, he shares his thoughts on being the type of fighter that brings positivity and encouraging messages to the world. Then he digs into his fight with Vitor Petrino and how this one is personal for him.

Fights, Dogs and Parlays: UFC Vegas 114 (18:35)

After a loaded numbered card, the UFC returns to its home inside the Apex. UFC Vegas 114 is headlined by Josh Emmett as he looks to defend his spot in the featherweight rankings against Kevin Vallejos. Plus, strawweights Amanda Lemos and Gillian Robertson do battle in the co-main with serious stakes. 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.

Harry Hardwick Interview (26:24)

Next up on this UFC Vegas 114 edition of TTP is our interview with UFC featherweight, Harry Hardwick. Hardwick discusses the whirlwind that was his UFC debut. From taking the fight on a week’s notice, to all the chaos of getting cleared to fight in Paris. Now with an actual training camp under his belt, he’s ready to make a second impression against Marwan Rahiki.

Jose Miguel Delgado Interview (39:45)

Closing out this UFC Vegas 114 edition of TTP is our interview with UFC featherweight, Jose Miguel Delgado. Delgado shares his thoughts on a close fight with Nathaniel Wood that ultimately did not go his way. Plus, he chats about his work at the MMA Lab and looking to get back to his winning ways this weekend against another veteran in Andre Fili.

The post TTP Ep. 522: Steven Asplund, Harry Hardwick, Jose Delgado, and UFC Vegas 114 appeared first on Cageside Press.

That meant one last round of post-fight bonuses to be awarded prior to them increasing in amount next year (by just how much has yet to be revealed). And one heavyweight bout shucked the trend of boring stallfests, earning Fight of the Night for an absolute slobberknocker of a scrap on Saturday.

That was Steven Asplund versus Sean Sharaf, which saw Asplund making his UFC debut after winning on the Contender Series earlier this year. While it wasn’t always pretty in a technical sense, it was violent, bloody, and all action. A jab from Asplund in the opening round opened up a nasty cut on Sharaf, but a well-placed one in a sense: right between the eyes, bloody but not completely obscuring his vision, and not bad enough for the cageside physician to stop the bout.

Instead, the fight carried on into the second round, where both Sharaf, looking for his first UFC victory after losing his own debut in 2024, and Asplund had their moments. The cardio of Asplund was the difference-maker, however: the man who had once weighed over 500 pounds had plenty in the tank and was able to wear down Sharaf, hemming him in more than once, winging lefts, rights, and uppercuts. Sharaf, tough as nails, wouldn’t go down, and instead the ref finally saved him from his own doggedness with the fight still standing.

Before it was even over, it was all but a lock for Fight of the Night. Not a bad start to Asplund’s career, with an extra $50,000 in his pocket. As for Sharaf, perhaps the loss will sting a bit less, and he’ll likely get another chance for a first UFC victory.

Performance of the Night bonuses at UFC Vegas 112 went to headliner Manel Kape, who knocked out Brandon Royval in the first round, and Kevin Vallejos. Giga Chikadze had promised to send the Argentinian “back to kindergarten,” deeming the co-main event fight too much of a step up for Vallejos, but Vallejos had other plans. He stopped Chikadze in the second round with a spinning back fist and a few follow-up punches.

The post Heavyweight Slobberknocker Earns Fight of the Night at UFC Vegas 112 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Sharaf was looking for his first win inside the octagon after coming up short in his own debut last year. As for Asplund, his story – weighing over 500 pounds, and losing over 300 in his journey to the UFC – had taken off ahead of his DWCS appearance, putting a few extra eyeballs on his preliminary card debut.

Round one opened with heavy forward pressure from Sharaf, but Asplund remained composed and consistently got the better of the exchanges. Asplund mixed his offense well, working behind a sharp jab and adding leg kicks, while Sharaf swung big haymakers in an attempt to make an early statement. As the round progressed, Sharaf tried to settle down and pick his shots more carefully, though his pace appeared to slow.

Midway through the round, Asplund landed a stiff jab straight down the middle that split Sharaf badly, leaving him bloodied and absorbing significant damage. Sensing momentum, Asplund turned up the pressure late in the round, backing Sharaf up and forcing him into survival mode as the horn sounded.

Asplund carried that momentum into round two, immediately reestablishing his jab. Sharaf answered with wild, looping strikes that briefly pinned Asplund against the cage, but Asplund’s continued jab work quickly reopened the cut. During an increase in volume, Asplund landed a low kick that paused the action momentarily, though Sharaf took very little time to recover.

Soon after, Asplund connected with a right hand over the top that visibly wobbled Sharaf. From there, Asplund swarmed him with relentless output, driving him back to the cage and forcing Sharaf to fight for survival. Though Sharaf never hit the canvas, the sustained damage and unanswered strikes prompted the referee to step in and stop the fight.

Official Result: Steven Asplund def. Sean Sharaf via TKO (punches), Round 3, 3:49

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“That was the game plan – pick this motherfucker apart and tag them up. Make them bleed, get them frustrated and then find the finish in the second round,” he said. “But I just had this feeling in my heart and I was like if I go in there and just push the pace, hit him quick and hard to let them know, like, ‘Hey, big man, you haven’t been hit like this before yet’, and just show them what’s up.”

As those thoughts creeped into the back of his head, he began to think about vocalizing them. Instead he turned to his coach and looked for a reminder of what he was supposed to do. However, Invicta- and PFL-veteran Kaitlin “The Striking Viking” Young wasn’t going to give the answer that he expected, and instead was going to give the one he needed.

“I mean, so we changed the game plan right before we went out there,” Asplund explained. “I asked Kaitlin [Young] right before we walked out, like literally right before I said, how do we fight one last time? Like, what do you want out of me? And she said, ‘honestly, you win however you want tonight.'”

To be sure, he asked her to clarify one more time if he was welcome to throw his gameplan to the wind.

“I said, ‘swear to God?’ She said, ‘I swear to God,” he recalled the exchange. “I was like, all right, well, I’m gonna make it a firefight then… She slapped my butt, told me to go out there and do what we do, and we fucking did it.”

After knocking out Anthony Guarascio in just 16 seconds, and then cutting one of the most famous promos in Dana White’s Contender Series history, Asplund secured the contract. Now he looks to make a similar statement in his UFC debut. He fights AJ Frye as part of the ESPN+ prelims of UFC Vegas 112. That fight card starts this Saturday at 7pm EST.

The post UFC Vegas 112’s Steven Asplund Threw Out Gameplan 5 Secs Before DWCS Walkout appeared first on Cageside Press.

Battling obesity for years and topping 500lbs, Asplund has travelled a winding road to this point. His MMA journey has helped him shed hundreds of pounds; he’s also a second-generation fighter whose father, Kevin Asplund, once competed for Bellator MMA.

Asplund (6-1) faced Anthony Guarascio on the Contender Series this week, and despite being a short-notice match-up, it turned into something of a grudge match.

“That guy was a f*cking abrasive d*ckhead all week. I’m a fat boy man, like real sh*t, I’ll own it. Yeah, titties did it again,” Asplund told media outlets including Cageside Press following his win on Tuesday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. “I had so many messages from people in his camp talking sh*t and just saying I was going t to die, messaging my camp, my teammates, my friends, my family. ‘Bet $250 on it,’ da da da da.”

Then there was the little exchange as the pair’s fight was about to kick off. “And then the ugly trailer trash-looking motherf*cker had the audacity to wink at my across the cage,” recalled Asplund. “Okay, let’s make it a show.”

He did just that, finishing the fight in just 16 seconds. Perhaps a warning, or just a reminder: in the heavyweight division, anyone can be knocked out.

“Who the f*ck doesn’t have knock out power? That’s what I want to say. That’s literally all I have to say on that,” stated Asplund. “It made me feel really good to be able to shut him up and then watch… you’re f*cking 32 bro. Grow up.”

Asplund is now ready to get right down to business. When it comes to a debut date in the UFC proper, he’s ready to go any time. “I meant it when I told Dana anywhere, anybody, whoever. I don’t give a f*ck. I want to fight, and I want to prove to everybody on this Earth that ‘Concrete’s’ here to stay.”

Watch the full Contender Series 2025 Week 5 post-fight media appearance with Steven Asplund above.

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Shanelle Dyer vs Carol Foro

Round 1 – Dyer comes out with the low kicks with Foro looking to walk through them for big hooks. The ones up top aren’t landing for Foro so much, but she starts digging to the body and landing a few of those. That softens Dyer up and the head opens up. She cracks her with a few up top and it prompts a shot. The next big left drops her, and then she drops her again. Dyer is bleeding and wobbly with two minutes left on the clock and shes desperate to grab a leg that she just can’t find. Dyer starts to find some jabs and kicks late to keep some distance, but she’s still eating some brutal shots. She ends attempts another unsuccessful takedown attempt. Foro 10-8

Round 2 – Dyer looks more tentative in the second round after being cracked so much in the first. She’s much more focused on keeping the range and finding the jab. Still, Foro keeps getting into range and landing the bigger of the shots. The shots to the body again are working for Foro. Another big right drops Dyer yet again. Dyer gets up and shoots a takedown to try to recover. This one sees a bit more control, but she still isn’t able to finish it. Foro finishes the round moving forward again as Dyer backs up. Foro 10-9

Round 3 – Foro on the gas to start the third again with Dyer trying to get that jab to fend her off. Dyer does find some success with some kicks and then lands a nice three-punch combination. Not to be outdone, Foro lands a big right hook in response, then a body shot. That prompts another couple of failed takedown attempts from Dyer with half a round to go. Foro starting to look like her punches are slowing down and Dyer is looking for the highlight reel kick to steal the fight. Foro finds that second wind with a minute to go and doubles up the left hook. She lands to the body as Dyer tries to land the kick one last time. Foro 10-9

Official Result: Carol Foro def. Shanelle Dyer by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Chasen Blair vs Samuel Sanches

Round 1 – Sanches comes out with a lot of aggression and pops Blair with a straight. That forces Blair to shoot a takedown. After lifting twice and scrambling, Blair winds up briefly having him down and then jumping on his back. With just one hook in, Sanches methodically works out of there and then opens up with a big combination. An uppercut and a right hook both land flush and Blair is out like a light.

Official Result: Samuel Sanches def. Chasen Blair by KO (Punches) – Round 1 (2:01)

Felipe Franco vs Fredy Vidal

Round 1 – They feel each other out for a second and Franco immediately gets in on a single. He gets Vidal down, but Vidal is right back up. He hits a half dozen mat returns, but Vidal is relentless with his will to get back up. Eventually Franco switches to a double and slams Vidal hard in the center of the cage – landing in side control in the process. He drops some bombs from top position, but Vidal moves to his stomach and works back to his feet again. Franco goes for another takedown and Vidal just pancakes him with a counter. Vidal moves right to mount and lands some shots. He briefly has a crucifix and some other advantageous positions. He ends in top half and likely takes the round. Vidal 10-9

Round 2 – Franco comes out more willing to throw after having issues on the ground. He lands an early elbow against the cage. He lands a straight as well and is hanging on Vidal against the cage. As they separate, Vidal finds some success with a couple shots as well. However, he’s slowing and Franco is getting the better of the feet. Vidal looks up at the clock with 2 minutes to go and Franco finds a home for a body shot. Both men look like they don’t have much left, but the control and pace is being set by Franco. Franco scores a takedown in the final minute and makes it to north-south, where the round ends. Franco 10-9

Round 3 – Franco kicks off the round by yelling loudly. In an early exchange, a stumble from Vidal leads to a clinch on the cage. They trade positions with neither getting much of anything. Franco does land a couple elbows. Franco tries to separate, but Vidal is just hanging on him. Franco reverses the position and is looking for a takedown. He breifly has Vidal down, but Vidal is right back up. Franco readjusts and gets his own top half guard. Vidal switches the position and lands a couple shots, which gets Franco moving. He pulls Franco on top of him and takes the back. He puts in a rear naked choke and gets the tap with seconds left.

Official Result: Freddy Vidal def. Felipe Franco by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 3 (4:48)

Cam Teague vs Lerryan Douglas

Round 1 – Douglas rips the legs as Teague tries to pressure. That pressure turns out not to be a good idea as Douglas lands a solid two-punch combo that drops Teague. Teague scrambles to try to survive, but eats another few shots including a left that turns off the lights.

Official Result: Lerryan Douglas def. Cam Teague by KO (Left hook) – Round 1 (0:36)

Anthony Guarascio vs Stephen Asplund

Round 1 – The big boys come out swinging. Asplund immediately tags him with a right and surprises Gaurascio. They throw wild and Asplund lands a tight left hook that floors Guarascio. Asplund falls right into mount and he lands a bunch of elbows to get the stoppage.

Official Result: Steven Asplund def. Anthony Guarascio by TKO (Punch and Elbows) – Round 1 (0:16)

DWCS Contract Winners:

• Carol Foro
• Shanelle Dyer
• Samuel Sanches
• Lerryan Douglas
• Stephen Asplund

And for more Dana White’s Contender Series coverage, check out all of the work here on Cageside Press. We have interviews with the fighters as well as analysis of those getting a second chance on Tuesday.

The post Dana White’s Contender Series 2025: Week 5 – Play-by-Play & Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Once having weighed more than 500lbs, Asplund has used his entry into MMA as a way to get himself in to shape and have something more to fight for. Now he wants to use this opportunity to help those who are in the same place he once was.

“I’m just a fat kid that never gave up on himself, man,” Asplund said. “I’d like to be able to have this platform, I hope to God I get to inspire a few people and I hope a couple of people look at this journey and look at my story like, all right, well, if he if his dumb ass can do it, I can do it.”

However, it’s not just for those who are looking to get off the couch anymore. There are a slew of family and friends that Asplund looks to bring this home for on Tuesday. Amongst them is his dad, who had an incredible 30+ MMA career himself. Getting to tell the original “Concrete” about this chance was yet another big moment for the formerly big man.

“I’m going to start crying here, so don’t make fun of me. But when I got to call my dad and tell him we made it back to the UFC, I was an emotional call,” he said referencing his dad’s long career, which saw him fight on the regional scene for nearly 16 years. “I get to do this for us. It’s not just my heart that’s right. Like, obviously, I’m in this for me – this is this is something I need to do for me. I’m proving to myself that I can fucking do this. I’m proving to everybody else that’s talking shit that I can fucking do this. But to have my fucking dad on my team and like supporting me the way that he has… I’m just honored.”

While getting to this point helps to honor his dad and help inspire others, he knows that there is another step to it all. He has to take it home on Tuesday. With all that he’s fighting for, he’s confident that nobody can take him out.

“I want to be able to wear some UFC shorts the next fight and I want to be able to bring this shit back to my city and do this shit for my family. I want to give my daughter a better life. I want to give my wife a better life,” Asplund explained. “I know Anthony’s got a lot of shit that he’s doing this for too – all of us are fucking psychos. There’s a reason we got into this game. But my will is ironclad, and I think you’re going to have to fucking kill me.”

You can catch that fight with Anthony Guarascio as part of Week 5 of Dana White’s Contender Series this Tuesday. The fight will serve as the main event on ESPN+ with the card starting at 8pm EST.

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