Minutes after his loss, he took to Instagram to say he had to collect his thoughts before saying anything.

“Hey guys, I’ll write a longer message later when I collect my thoughts, but for the people who care about me as a person, I’m 100% okay. I was mentally broke before I even got In there and already accepted defeat. I lost the fight before the fight,” Parisian wrote.

Twelve days later, we got that message. Josh Parisian again took to social media, giving a detailed account of what transpired heading into the fight.

“I’ve had 2 weeks to think about my fight and where I think the problem laid. I wrote a very long (much longer than this already is believe it or not) and detailed post about every single thing, but truth be told, none of that really matters to anyone, but me. The only thing that matters is what I’m going to do about it. About 10 days before the fight, I realized something felt different and there was something wrong with my mindset. I tried to quickly fix the issue with writing and repeating self affirmations. I even went as far as hiring a hypnotist 4 days before to try and fix me, but there just wasn’t enough time,” Parisian wrote.

“As far as the physical side, I worked really hard on creating more power and movement in my striking. I had never seen one of my opponents fights where he wrestled and tried to get takedowns. I thought we were going to slug it out. Smart on my opponent. Grappling endurance is different than striking endurance and I made the mistake of putting all my chips in one place. All I can do is learn and do better. I probably wouldn’t be so upset about it if it was at least an exciting fight, not just some dude laying on me. In MMA, you usually wait for your opponent to create space to do damage, then try to capitalize on that opportunity to use that space to move.”

“It saves a lot of energy to do that, rather than to create your own space while they’re trying to just control you, but my opponent never tried to create any space to do damage. The worse injury I got that week was when I accidentally scraped my heel in the hot tub 2 days before lol. Of course that’s on me and that’s part of the game. It’s my job to not be there and I own that. It’s time for some extreme accountability going forward and I promise my friends, family, fans, and the UFC that I’ll do everything in my power to fix what needs to be fixed so I can keep my fights exciting and fun to watch.”

After years of grinding and busting his ass to get to the UFC, Parisian sees himself 1-2 in the promotion. He picked up his first UFC win in June by winning a very close split decision over Roque Martinez, but lost his UFC debut to Parker Porter and most recently fell to Mayes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYIb9aar65F/

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Pennington (13-8) picked up her second win in 2021 at UFC Vegas 45 on Saturday, as she became the first person to finish Macy Chaisson. Pennington submitted her opponent via guillotine, up a weight class at featherweight.

“Rocky” is now on a three-fight winning streak, and the last time she when on a three-plus fight winning streak, she went on to fight for the title. Unfortunately, she lost but has been working her way back ever since, never dropping out to the top 15, other than during her suspension.

Pennington told Cageside Press following Saturday’s bout that she expects to fight for the bantamweight championship again in 2022, and if she keeps winning, it is very plausible. It just so happens that the champion right now is Peña, someone that Pennington is very familiar with as the two competed on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate.

“Rocky” has her own opinion on Pena that stems back from their time on the show, and she didn’t appreciate Peña’s comments about Nunes not being the first mom actually to give birth.

“I have my own overall opinion on Julianna, I mean, we went on The Ultimate Fighter together, and it stems from way back then. I don’t know, man. I just feel like Amanda [Nunes] was a true champion, a professional champion. I feel like Julianna definitely believes in herself and everything, but half of the sh*t that is coming out of her mouth is extremely frustrating. Especially with the LGBTQ community and like the whole pregnancy thing, being the first mom champ, I don’t know. It is what it is,” Pennington said during her UFC Vegas 45 post-fight interview.

“I remember years ago Dana [White] always thought me and Julianna would be the ones to meet up in the finale for The Ultimate Fighter. In my fight with Jessamyn Duke, I took a lot of injuries in that; we won fight of the season; it was a great fight. In that short period of time, I had no chance to heal, and I went into my semifinals fight with a broken hand. So, my journey has been different, but hey, maybe we’ll align for the world title now.”

Watch the rest of Raquel Pennington’s UFC Vegas 45 post-fight interview above. More coverage from the event can be found below.

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Derrick Lewis

After his first-round victory this past weekend, Lewis said that he doesn’t want to be the main event in his next fight. Adding that he does not want to fight in a five-round fight. While some might think this is Lewis being funny, it is entirely possible that Lewis is serious and doesn’t want to take part in a main event bout if it means the potential of five rounds. You can never really tell with Derrick Lewis.

If that is the case, however, he should be looking for the most exciting, barn-burning fight he can get. One that probably wouldn’t go five rounds, or even three, anyway. Lewis has yet to fight Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Rozenstruik would be a perfect fit for Lewis because he is predominantly a kickboxer. Although Rozenstruik is more of a methodic striker, it is better than Lewis fighting a grappler.

Lewis’ next fight: Jairzinho Rozenstruik 

Belal Muhammad

Belal Muhammad defeated Stephen Thompson by unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 45. Muhammad hasn’t lost a fight since his decision loss to Geoff Neal in January of 2019. Since that loss, Muhammad is 6-0-1 and has wins over Takashi Sato, Dhiego Lima, Demian Maia, and now Stephen Thompson.

After the fight, Muhammad called out the welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, and Leon Edwards. Muhammad fought Edwards in March but the fight ended in no contest due to an accidental eye poke. Leon Edwards and Viente Luque are the two fighters that are closest to a title shot. Therefore Muhammad should fight whoever doesn’t get the next title shot. With a win in that fight, he would definitely be next in line for a shot at the title himself.

A lot of this boils down to what the UFC does with Edwards, but either fighter makes for a solid match-up.

Muhammad’s next fight: Leon Edwards or Vicente Luque 

Amanda Lemos

Amanda Lemos won a razor-close split decision over Angela Hill this past weekend. This win makes Lemos 5-1 in the UFC and puts her on a five-fight win streak. Michelle Waterson is set to fight Amanda Ribas in March. Waterson is a crafty veteran and Ribas is an up-and-coming prospect in the UFC’s women’s strawweight division. Both women are ranked above Lemos in the rankings. If either one of these women were to pull from this fight, Lemos would be a great short-notice replacement as that would give her three months off. If the fight goes through as planned, give Lemos the winner.

Lemos’ next fight: Winner of Waterson vs. Ribas 

Ricky Simon

With three straight wins, Ricky Simon is likely to be back in the bantamweight rankings this week. His KO of Raphael Assuncao, who was ranked #12, almost certainly ensures that.

Following the fight, Simon called for a rematch between himself and Rob Font, or for a crack at Sean O’Malley. With his performance at UFC 269, O’Malley is himself in the bantamweight rankings at long last. A fight between them was nearly booked earlier this year. It makes even more sense when both have a number next to their name.

Simon’s next fight: Sean O’Malley

Mateusz Gamrot

Mateusz Gamrot finished Carlos Diego Ferreira in the second round due to a knee to the body while Gamrot had Ferreira’s back on the ground. Gamrot is now 3-1 in the UFC with three straight finishes. He just defeated number 12 ranked, Diego Ferreira and will likely be in the top 15 when the rankings are updated. Gregor Gillespie is coming off a TKO victory over Diego Ferreira in May and is currently ranked number 10 in the UFC’s lightweight division.

Gamrot’s striking has been on display in all of his UFC fights but his grappling has only been shown in his submission victory over Jeremy Stephens. Gillespie would be a good fight to test Gamrot’s world-class grappling. A fight with Gillespie will also give Gamrot a chance to continue climbing the lightweight rankings.

Gamrot’s next fight: Gregor Gillespie 

Cub Swanson

“Killer” Cub Swanson added to his highlight reel with his finish of Darren Elkins at UFC Vegas 45.

Following the fight, the veteran revealed he was considering a drop to bantamweight moving forward. Let’s pump the brakes on that idea for now. Swanson has won three of his last four at featherweight. Following his own win on Saturday’s card, Canada’s Charles Jourdain called out Cub. Seems like there’s a little bit of bad blood there. Both men are very creative strikers. It sounds like a lot of fun, and Swanson was open to the idea, so that’s the direction to go in.

Swanson’s next fight: Charles Jourdain

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This time out, the victim in question was Chris Daukaus, who had been riding an impressive four-fight winning streak under the UFC banner into the event. In the co-main event, meanwhile, Stephen Thompson suffered his second consecutive loss — and now finds himself teetering at the edge of a precipice career-wise.

What’s next for Daukaus, “Wonderboy,” and the other main card talents who fell short on Saturday? Read on.

Chris Daukaus

There was a question heading into UFC Vegas 45 as to whether Daukaus was biting off more than he could chew facing the #3-ranked Lewis so early into his UFC run. That question was answered decisively; simply put, it was too much, too soon for the former Philadelphia police officer.

This isn’t the end of the road for Daukaus, obviously, as it’s just his first loss under the promotional banner. He had been riding a four-fight winning streak, with three straight Performance of the Night bonuses in that span. But a more measured approach to his development is needed. The smart play here is to forget the rankings and book Daukaus against a fighter with name value and experience, but one who isn’t currently among the top 10 — or even ranked at all. Andrei Arlovski is a former heavyweight champion who is 4-1 in his last five fights. He never says no to a fight, he’s been competitive win or lose of late, and he’s got tons of name value.

It’s either a bounce back fight for Daukaus, or Arlovski gets back in the rankings.

Daukaus’ next fight: Andrei Arlovski

Stephen Thompson

Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is on the opposite side of the coin compared to Daukaus. The 38-year old is nearing the end of his active fighting career, and never mind that talk about fighting until he’s 50. The reality is, it was now or never for Thompson to get back into title contention. With two consecutive losses in 2021, it may very well be never.

That’s not saying you should write Thompson off entirely. MMA is a wild sport where just about anything can happen. But more than likely, he’s going to act as a high-level gatekeeper for at least a few more fights. Belal Muhammad passed the test at UFC Vegas 45; let’s see if the winner of Muslim Salikhov vs. Michel Pereira on January 15 can next. Salikhov is ranked #15, but Thompson is likely to drop a few spots after Saturday’s loss. And Pereira? Should he win, the striking between himself and “Wonderboy” would be mind-blowing.

Thompson’s next fight: Muslim Salikhov vs. Michel Pereira winner

Angela Hill

Raise your hand if you had Angela Hill winning her fight with Amanda Lemos at UFC Vegas 45.

Hill lost a close split decision which many, including UFC President Dana White, saw in her favor. Generally, when White sides with you, the loss doesn’t hurt you too much in terms of booking your next fight. Add to that the fact that Hill took the fight on short notice, and you can treat it as a wash.

Next up for Hill? It would be tempting to say Jessica Penne based on the rankings, but the two are friends and training partners. So that’s not likely. Brianna Van Buren is sitting at #15 in the strawweight rankings, however. She didn’t fight at all in 2021 and is looking to return in the first half of 2022 after getting married and becoming a mother. She’s coming off a loss to Tecia Torres last year.

Hill’s next opponent: Brianna Van Buren

Raphael Assuncao

Raphael Assuncao has now lost four in a row after being knocked out by Ricky Simon at UFC Vegas 45. That’s after being knocked out by Cody Garbrandt, who himself has fallen off a steep cliff of late.

Chances are, Assuncao’s time in the UFC is at an end. Should the promotion opt to keep the Brazilian around and give him one more chance, it’s likely going to come against another unranked fighter. Tony Kelley has won a couple, so that could be interesting if you rid yourself of the notion that winning fighters face winning fighters. They’re five years apart in age, Assuncao has the obvious experience edge, and a win would do wonders for Kelley’s profile.

Assuncao’s next fight: Outside the UFC, or at least outside the rankings.

Diego Ferreira

Carlos Diego Ferreira has lost three straight, all coming in a disastrous 2021 for the fighter, which also saw his son involved in a serious motorcycle accident.

He’s rather far removed from the fighter who compiled a six-fight winning streak, capping it off with a victory over former lightweight champ Anthony Pettis, prior to his recent struggles. That said, a rib injury against a very underrated Mateusz Gamrot (if you know, you know) shouldn’t be enough to hand him his walking papers.

Ferreira had been ranked #12 at lightweight heading into UFC Vegas 45. That won’t be the case moving forward, and he’ll likely be fighting down once again. Outside the rankings almost certainly. Chris Gruetzemacher has been with the UFC since 2015, and has been inconsistent at best. He’s coming off a loss earlier this month, so the timing works out. It’s tempting to pair Ferreira up with a fighter with a bigger head of steam rather than one trading wins and losses, but being honest, Ferreira still has some upside, and two of his three losses (and three of his last four fights) earned bonuses. A bounce back fight feels right.

Ferreira’s next fight: Chris Gruetzemacher

Darren Elkins

Darren Elkins lived up to his nickname of “The Damage” against Cub Swanson, just not the way he wanted to. Rather than dishing out some damage, he absorbed a ton of it, and was put away early. Elkins has already overcome a four-fight skid in his UFC run, and had put together a couple of wins prior to the Swanson fight. He’s 37, and nearing the end of his career, but likely to keep fighting a bit longer.

Andre Ewell’s featherweight debut was spoiled on this very same card. That’s three losses in a row for Ewell, which could spell doom. If not, pair these two up.

Elkins’ next fight: Andre Ewell

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On Saturday, “GM3” pulled off a third-round submission win over Dustin Stolzfus after potentially being down two rounds. With that win, he went 3-0 in 2021 with three submission wins, earning Performance of the Night for two of them.

Meershaert plans to take some time off, and in a perfect world, he would like to get back in the octagon in late April or May; however, he knows the UFC may call before that.

During his UFC Vegas 45 backstage interview, Meerschaert revealed some scary details about what happened after his knockout loss last year to Chimaev.

“I got put out pretty bad [against Chimaev]. That was a scary one to watch for me later because I saw that I was up in the cage and everything. I didn’t wake up until I was back here somewhere. So, that whole thing where I was standing there, I don’t remember any of that,” Meershaert told Cageside Press.

“That’s when I was like, okay, I need to take a break and make sure my head is good. Credit to the UFC because they had no problem with that, and were like ‘yeah, get your head right and make sure everything is functioning.’ That seemed to do the trick,” he continued. “I got my head square on my shoulders, and I knew I had a lot of really hard work to do and kept my nose to the grindstone.”

Meershaert is now on the first three-fight win streak of his UFC career and is close to a top 15 match-up. So, it would not be surprising if the next time we see “GM3” back in the octagon, he is fighting someone with a number next to their name. Or, he will fight another killer prospect, like he tends to do.

Watch the rest of Gerald Meerschaert’s UFC Vegas 45 post-fight interview above. More coverage from the event can be found below.

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On Saturday, Canada’s Jourdain got back into the win column and picked up his second win in 2021. He spoiled Andre Ewell’s featherweight debut, defeating him via unanimous decision.

As soon as the fight ended, Jourdain let out an emotional scream. He told Cageside Press that he screamed because the fight with Ewell was the last fight on his contract, and he is now a free agent. So he felt like he needed to go out with a bang, and that he did.

“Air” Jourdain wants to stay with the UFC and hopes to sign a new contract in the near future, and when he does, he wants his first fight on his new deal to be UFC legend Cub Swanson.

“I was not a big fan of calling [people] out, but I want to fight Cub. I had a little bit of an interaction with him, and he was looking down at me— we had a couple of interactions back and forth, and I was always doing that Canadian thing stuff like, ‘yeah, I apologize, hahaha, being too nice to the guy. But now, f*ck it, I want to f*ck him up and put my hands on him,” Jourdain revealed during his UFC Vegas 45 post-fight interview.

“I just had a crazy fight, and I would like to fight him right now. If Darren Elkins pulled out, I would go in and fight that guy; I don’t know. I don’t mean any disrespect to the man because he is fighting tonight but win or lose, I want to get my hands on him. That’s the goal with my new contract.”

When Swanson was asked about the potential fight later in the night, he said that is always an option and said he respected the call out.

If Jourdain vs. Swanson were to go down next year, a guaranteed Fight of the Night check would almost certainly be awarded.

Watch the rest of Charles Jourdain’s UFC Vegas 45 post-fight interview above. More coverage from the event can be found below.

The post UFC Vegas 45’s Charles Jourdain Wants To Fight Cub Swanson Next: “I Want To Get My Hands On Him” appeared first on Cageside Press.

She also secured a Performance of the Night bonus in her second UFC victory, improving her overall record to 8-0-2 in the process.

“We practised the kicks a lot. All my entire training camp, we did it so many times in the locker room, it truly was natural for me,” Gatto told the media when asked about the kick that set up the finish following the bout. “I waited for the right time, and I don’t even remember throwing it. When it landed, I started celebrating like crazy, because it really worked.”

Eubanks had missed weight for the fight, but in the end, “nothing really surprised me,” Gatto said of her opponent. “I knew she was a physically strong opponent. I knew she would come really hard and fast in the first round. I expected that, I expected her to get tired so I can get my work done in the second and third rounds.”

The end came less than a minute into the third and final round.

Looking ahead, Gatto said that she’d like to get back in the octagon in March. “Spend a little time with my family, but I want to get busy and have at least three or four fights next year.”

There’s no one in particular she has in mind for an opponent, however. Instead, she’s focusing on herself moving forward — especially after returning to MMA in 2021 after a multi-year absence from the sport. “I want to get my own rhythm, my own groove back. It’s been a long time. I took a hiatus for about two years, so I want to improve my skills, and whoever the UFC throws at me, I welcome.”

Watch the full UFC Vegas 45 post-fight press appearance with Melissa Gatto above. More coverage from the event can be found below.

The post UFC Vegas 45: Melissa Gatto Looking to Get Her Groove Back appeared first on Cageside Press.

It was a third-round TKO, with Mayes (9-4) trapping opponent and fellow Contender Series veteran Josh Parisian in a crucifix before pounding him out. In the end, however, those weren’t the strikes fight fans were talking about.

Rather, it was those strikes that had tongues wagging. Earlier in the fight, to put in nicely, Mayes appeared to attempt to finish Parisian with his pelvis. To put it less eloquently, he was basically throwing hump strikes.

“I was doing the north-south, I was like ‘sh*t, he’s right there, and it’s gotta hurt,'” Mayes said with a laugh when asked about that particular attack. Needless to say, it’s not something he practices in the gym.

“No, no, can’t say I do [practice them]. But he was right there. You know, by any means,” he added. While he didn’t win with the strikes, they certainly got people talking.

After starting his UFC run 0-2, Don’Tale Mayes is now on a two-fight win streak inside the octagon. That had his spirits up backstage at the UFC Apex on Saturday. “I feel good. And I just want to let everybody know, I’m the best heavyweight on this card. So you gotta put that out there. And if anybody else has got something to say, we can fight about it.”

If someone does have something to say about it, they’ll need to be ready soon. Mayes is hoping to fight again “as soon as possible,” he told Cageside Press. “They’ve got a January card, I don’t know if they’d let me turn around that fast, but February, March I’ll be ready.”

Asked whether he had any names in mind, Mayes suggested he was open to anyone. “I don’t turn down no fights. Every time they come with an opponent, I say ‘let’s do it.’ So really, whoever Dana [White] wants me to beat up.”

Watch the full UFC Vegas 45 post-fight press appearance with Don’Tale Mayes above. More coverage from the event can be found below.

The post UFC Vegas 45: No, Don’Tale Mayes Doesn’t Practice Those Pelvis Strikes in the Gym appeared first on Cageside Press.

Lemos (11-1-1) battled to a split decision win against short notice replacement Angela Hill — a back-and-forth fight that secured Fight of the Night honors in the end.

“It was great for me. It was a very tough fight. I proved to everybody that I can go three rounds and I can keep my pace, keep my composure,” Lemos went on to add. “I wanted to go three rounds, and it was a good fight for me. I proved to everybody that I can go the distance, and I’m looking to move forward.”

She didn’t exactly get the fight she was expecting against Hill, Lemos admitted. “It’s confusing. She came with a different game plan. We were expecting to strike but she came to wrestle, and do the clinch. Got me off-balance a couple of times. We’re prepared for everything, so I was able to adapt, overcome, and got the victory.”

Despite knocking Hill down during the opening round, Lemos wasn’t surprised that the fight was allowed to continue. “She took the shots, but she wasn’t really out. She kept on fighting, kept on moving. It didn’t surprise me, her toughness, so I just kept on fighting.”

Looking ahead to what comes next, Amanda Lemos is hoping to return to action in “February or March,” and has a name or two in mind.

“Nina [Nunes] first, she pulled out of the fight. I still would like to fight that fight,” the #11-ranked Lemos stated. If that doesn’t work out, she’s also interested in a bout with Yan Xiaonan.

Watch the full UFC Vegas 45 post-fight press appearance with Amanda Lemos above. More coverage from the event can be found below.

The post Amanda Lemos Looking to Rebook Nunes Fight Following UFC Vegas 45 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Simon (19-3) knocked out Raphael Assuncao in the second round, securing his first KO in the UFC in the process. That sort of finish has been a long time coming for Simon, who was a finishing machine early in his career, but who hadn’t won by knockout since a 2018 fight back in LFA.

“It’s funny because everyone just thinks of me as a wrestler, because I put that wrestling pace on,” Simson told Cageside Press backstage at the UFC Apex following the fight. “But I have some power too, and I have had some knockouts in the past. I said once I get more comfortable in that UFC octagon, that’s going to start shining through some more. The more comfortable I’ve gotten and the more I put the right coaches around me, it’s going to keep happening.”

In all likelihood, Simon will land in the bantamweight rankings later this week — a position he’s been in before. Being ranked “feels right,” said Simon. “I was ranked two years ago, and then I suffered some losses and had to build myself back up on a four fight win streak. I belong with the best in the division, I belong in the rankings, so it feels right.”

Simon has been vocal about calling out Sean O’Malley, and nearly found himself booked against the “Suga Show” fighter earlier this year. It’s a bout he called for again on Saturday, but he also made clear that he’s not trying to bully O’Malley into the fight.

“I know he has a plan and a vision for whatever he’s doing. All I’m trying to do is move up the rankings and become the UFC’s bantamweight world champion,” stated Simon. “If it’s not him, punch up. Someone in the top 10 would be great. I had a super close fight with Rob Font as well, so maybe a rematch in the future. I don’t know. I feel like the bantamweight division’s so stacked, that there’s so many options.”

Asked to reflect on his 2021, Simon was clearly upbeat. “Damn, 3-0 this year, it was pretty good! January, February, bam! Signed a new UFC contract before this one. Second round knockout— it’s going good, man. Things are good. Looking up.”

Watch the full UFC Vegas 45 post-fight press appearance with Ricky Simon above. More coverage from the event can be found below.

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