Helwani: Hard to hate on it since Perry won and looked good. I have actually spoken with fighters who have actually said they dont put a great deal of focus on corners during battles, so I guess Perry backed that claim up tonight. In all seriousness, I do not think this is something that must be reproduced, and its a little weird that a week after telling me they d examine the Robert Drysdale-Max Rohskopf situation, Nevada was OK with this. In any occasion, it exercised for Perry, and it generated attention, but I believe he knows this isnt sustainable. I suspect Perry will join another team before his next fight. Maybe its American Top Team, as his manager Malki Kawa recommended on Twitter, or maybe its elsewhere. Who knows with Mike Perry. He constantly keeps us thinking, whichs why a lot of love him. One thing is specific: Latory Gonzalez is undefeated as a corner woman. Put some regard on her name.
Okamoto: You understand what? I am 100 percent good with it. I believe it was a brilliant relocation, actually.
Now, Ill add to that: I do not think its the most intelligent thing moving on. At the end of the day, is it a great idea for a UFC fighter to enter into a high-caliber matchup with no one in his corner who can use recommendations, acknowledge injury or provide competence? Obviously not. However I think the majority of us would agree that Perry looked … different … all week. Perhaps he required to do this one time– show a point, do it for himself, whatever the case was– so that he could head out on his own and get a win this weekend.
If he progresses with this peculiar technique, once again, I do not think its a good idea, but the truth is Perry is probably never ever going to win a championship. Hes a performer. To borrow his words, “He knows how to fight.” If, from a mental standpoint, he feels most confident entering there with his girlfriend, that isnt something I would ever recommend somebody to do, but I dont believe its the end of the world, either.
With less than a weeks notice, @juicyj_erosa pushed the speed for three rounds and sunk in this Darce choke to complete it off at #UFCVegas 4 pic.twitter.com/kIdxwdzB9q— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 28, 2020.
Mike Perry goes back to his corner and gets some words of encouragement from his girlfriend, Latory Gonzalez.
Poirier, hurt and exhausted, outlasted him as the fight went on. Wagenheim: Perry fought a more disciplined battle than I d ever seen from him. Helwani: I know Tanner Boser is now 18-6-1 following his vicious, first-round knockout of Philipe Lins on Saturday, however hes only 28, and that was just his third UFC fight, so Ill go with the native of Bonnyville, Alberta. I enjoy stories such as Erosas: Former “The Ultimate Fighter” alum, launched in 2016 after going 1-1, gets a second chance on Contender Series two years later, wins that fight, gets signed again, goes 0-3 in the UFC, gets cut, wins a battle on the regional scene and then capitalizes on this chance after a visa problem prevented Canadian Kyle Nelson from competing Saturday. Taking everything into factor to consider– battling on four days notice, the most significant wagering underdog on the card, losing the very first round, the reality that he has actually been cut from the UFC before– its extremely impressive.
Of all, the fact that he took this fight on 4 or so days notification and was a +400 underdog against the formerly undefeated Sean Woodson is impressive in its own. That DArce was as slick as can be and came at the end of an extraordinary fight. I love stories such as Erosas: Former “The Ultimate Fighter” alum, launched in 2016 after going 1-1, gets a second opportunity on Contender Series 2 years later, wins that fight, gets signed once again, goes 0-3 in the UFC, gets cut, wins a fight on the regional scene and then capitalizes on this chance after a visa problem prevented Canadian Kyle Nelson from contending Saturday.
Okamoto: Julian Erosa. Four days notification against arguably the most appealing prospect on the card in Sean Woodson. Was it the “highlight reel” KO we usually consider when it pertains to best finish? No. Not, in fact. But taking whatever into consideration– combating on 4 days notification, the biggest betting underdog on the card, losing the preliminary, the truth that he has actually been cut from the UFC before– its exceptionally remarkable. Erosa knew after that preliminary against Woodson that he needed to bite down, eat shots and make the fight ugly, which is way much easier stated than done. Not just did he have the intelligence to acknowledge that, however he likewise had the nerve and heart to do it. Its tough to not rejoice for him.
Raimondi: I wont quickly forget Tanner Boser, sporting an absolutely remarkable mullet, starching previous PFL heavyweight champ Philipe Lins with a punching combination for a knockout win. Boser, from Alberta, Canada, is simple. Possibly he captured Lins by surprise. Boser let loose with a fast combination and clanged numerous punches off Lins head. Lins was out when he hit the ground, stimulating referee Herb Dean to dive in and hit a near-judo throw to get Boser off an unconscious Lins. It was a remarkable knockout for a fight– and a fighter– numerous people didnt have circled around coming into this event.
Wagenheim: The second- or third-best surface on this night would have been in the running for top honors on numerous fight nights. At one point, there were 5 straight surfaces, each a thing of beauty. However I have to go with Julian Erosas third-round DArce choke, which handed prospect Sean Woodson his very first profession defeat. Erosa, who two times has actually been cut by the UFC, came in on 4 days notification and was the most significant underdog on the card. He looked the part in the very first round, absorbing a steady diet of straight left hands. However he consumed them all and kept coming for more, and when he finally got Woodson on the canvas, he did not squander the opportunity, efficiently and strikingly eliciting a tapout.
Its safe to say that a familiar face is back in UFC title contention.
In what could be a fight of the year candidate, Dustin Poirier won a harsh fight versus Dan Hooker in the UFC Fight Night centerpiece on Saturday in Las Vegas. Both fighters traded wicked shots from the opening bell, and Poirier took control of the fight in the later rounds.
The win was critical for Poirier, who was coming off a loss in September to world champ Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov is anticipated to deal with interim champ Justin Gaethje in a title-unification bout later this summer.
Mike Perry also had an outstanding win, and obviously all he required were his physical tools and support at the UFC Apex.
Perry looked sharp and fit in beating Mickey Gall by unanimous decision, and he won with just his girlfriend, Latory Gonzalez, in his corner.
ESPNs professional panel of Ariel Helwani, Brett Okamoto, Marc Raimondi and Jeff Wagenheim weigh in on the wins for Poirier and Perry and more.
Whats your most significant takeaway from the main occasion?
Chris Unger/Zuffa LLCHelwani: That battle was every bit as good as we thought it was going to be. What a fight. These are the battles that make us enjoy this sport so much.
Okamoto: We need more consistent light-weight title fights. This cant continue. Since Conor McGregor won the lightweight champion in November 2016, there have been 4 undisputed 155-pound title battles. 4. Thats not fair. This department has lots of deserving and gifted title challengers. Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, Justin Gaethje was as frustrated as anybody. It took Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson falling apart again for him to get a chance to eliminate for an interim belt and set himself up for a real title shot. I hate seeing a battle such as Saturdays, in which both guys leave a piece of themselves therein, and not understanding whats next for the winner because this division never ever moves. The UFC has to do everything in its power to get this division running more consistently.
All battles from UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Hooker will be available to enjoy on ESPN+.
– Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker – Mike Perry vs. Mickey Gall – Gian Villante vs. Maurice Greene – Brendan Allen vs. Kyle Daukaus – Jason Witt vs. Takashi Sato – Sean Woodson vs. Julian Erosa – Luis Pena vs. Khama Worthy – Philipe Lins vs. Tanner Boser – Jinh Yu Frey vs. Kay Hansen
– Jordan Griffin vs. Youssef Zalal
Watch the total card on ESPN+.
My preferred minute in the battle was when he had Hooker in a Khabib-esque leg flight in the fourth round. Not only is Poirier one of the best people in the sport– honored Friday with the UFCs inaugural Forrest Griffin Community Award– however hes likewise one of the most difficult and most cerebral, a real ambassador for the game, and he isnt going anywhere any time soon. Poirier, hurt and exhausted, outlasted him as the fight went on.
Wagenheim: If Im a UFC matchmaker, Im looking to book somebody from American Top Team versus a fighter from across the Pacific. Back in March, the promos lone champion from China, strawweight Zhang Weili, was put through the fight of the year by ATTs Joanna Jedrzejczyk. That bout got a run for its cash from Poirier, who likewise trains in the South Florida fitness center, and Hooker.
Whos next for the winner of the primary occasion?
Helwani: I need to see Dustin Poirier vs. Tony Ferguson next. It makes all the sense in the world. Poirier lost to Nurmagomedov just recently, and Ferguson simply lost to Gaethje. Plus, on paper, it would be extraordinary, with high stakes connected to it. Lets go. As for whats next for Hooker, that a person is a little trickier. Hell undoubtedly need a long time off. Possibly Kevin Lee, who is presently rehabbing a hurt knee? Charles Oliveira would be fun, but he last battled (and won) in March, so the timing doesnt work. A Drew Dober-type would be fun, however Im unsure Hooker would take that. And you understand what? I would not hate seeing Paul Felder vs. Dan Hooker 2, thinking about that I thought Felder directly won their first meeting in February.
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Perrys strength and athleticism were simply too much for Gall, and that had nothing to do with who was in Perrys corner. Yes, his girlfriend, Latory Gonzalez, was in his corner, however it was clear that Perry took his conditioning and training seriously.
Overall, though, one inexperienced person in a fighters corner is a bad precedent. It was funny tonight due to the fact that Perry is such an over-the-top character. It must be taken seriously by the commission, with those licenses going to skilled individuals who are there to take care of their fighter.
Wagenheim: Perry combated a more disciplined fight than I d ever seen from him. Possibly coaching complicates things for the person, gets him out of his instinctual rhythm. Again, perhaps what we saw was something of a mirage, a deceptive byproduct of a knowledgeable veteran of top-level opposition being in the Octagon with an opponent who had fewer than half as numerous pro fights. Would Perry have been able to get by without coaches in his corner if he were competing versus someone the quality of Donald Cerrone or Paul Felder, to cite 2 names on his résumé? Who knows? Lets chalk this as much as Mike Perry being Mike Perry.
Which prospect made the greatest statement?
Okamoto: For Dustin Poirier, why not Conor McGregor? Why the heck not? When I spoke with Poirier this week, he stated he has a practice of living and passing away with every lead to his battle career, and it has actually put a great deal of pressure on him for many years. Having stated that, he also believes that way of thinking affected him negatively before the McGregor fight in 2014, when he lost by means of first-round knockout. McGregor has apparently been irritated with the UFC since he desires to combat. Well, here it is. Poirier is ranked above him. This is the one. McGregor desires to show hes still elite? Combat Poirier.
Raimondi: Poirier is still on the outside looking in as far as the upper echelon at light-weight goes. Nurmagomedov will safeguard the title versus interim champ Gaethje next. McGregor is still out there prowling, with the UFC wanting him to combat Nurmagomedov as quickly as its practical. Maybe McGregor would be interested in a Poirier rematch. That might be a great deal of enjoyable. If not, Poirier is most likely stuck to another rising contender next, somebody like Hooker. Charles Oliveira comes to mind as a possibility.
Considering that Poirier lost to the champ less than 10 months back, Im thinking he will be passed over if Nurmagomedov maintains his throne. If the challenger wins the belt, maybe the storyline of Gaethje attempting to avenge a 2-year-old TKO loss to Poirier will carry the day, however an instant Khabib rematch appears more likely. Poirier might be left to battle a person ranked above him whos coming off a loss (Tony Ferguson) or one ranked below him whos on a seven-fight winning streak (Charles Oliveira).
What did you believe of Mike Perrys corner experiment?
Kay Hansen and Jinh Yu Frey trade huge blows to each others faces early in the third round of their bout at UFC Fight Night.
Thanks Perry, now my spouse thinks shes leaving with me next fight– Ricky Simón (@RickySimonUFC) June 28, 2020.
Damn !! Let me rest bruh!!! https://t.co/RgP5aOV0Co— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) June 28, 2020.
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It wasnt simply that she beat former Invicta FC atomweight champ Jinh Yu Frey with a slick armbar in the third round of her UFC debut. Hansen, to her credit, stuck to her strategy, finally got Frey down in the third and ended up the bout that was tied heading into the final round. Hansen is simply 20 years old, the second-youngest fighter in the UFC.
Wagenheim: Its hard to go against Kay Hansen, who at 20 years old took out a far more experienced fighter who has been a champion in another battle organization. This time, he took on Luis Pena, who came in with six fights in the UFC, including wins over some seriously genuine opponents. Worthy stood firm, and when the fight went back to the canvas in Round 3, he was all set.
Which fighter had the finest finish?
Helwani: I understand Tanner Boser is now 18-6-1 following his vicious, first-round knockout of Philipe Lins on Saturday, however hes just 28, and that was just his third UFC battle, so Ill go with the native of Bonnyville, Alberta. Now, if we desire to talk about who has the highest ceiling of the bunch, Ill go with 20-year-old Kay Hansen. It was a fantastic win for her Saturday against former Invicta atomweight champ Jinh Yu Frey.
Okamoto: I have to go with Kay Hansen, and it isnt particularly close for me. I would not say her success over Jinh Yu Frey was one of the most remarkable of the card– there were plenty of other finishes on Saturday that stood out more– a 20-year-old, making her UFC debut, against a challenger with much more experience versus better opposition?
