Abdullah Ouazri

The UFC is back with a Fight Night at the APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mackenzie Dern faces off against Chinese star Yan Xiaonan in the main event. The co-main sees rising Welterweight prospect Randy Brown take on the Francisco Trinaldo test. Let’s see how the fighters weighed in:

## MAIN CARD (7:00 PM EST on ESPN+)

Strawweight: *Mackenzie Dern (115.5) vs. Yan Xiaonan (115.5)*

Welterweight: *Randy Brown (170.5) vs. Francisco Trinaldo (170)*

Bantamweight: *Raoni Barcelos (135.5) vs. Trevin Jones (135)*

Featherweight: *Sodiq Yusuff (145.5) vs. Don Shainis (146)*

Catchweight, 140 lbs: *John Castaneda (139.5) vs. Daniel Santos (138.5)*

Lightweight: *Viacheslav Borshchev (155.5) vs. Mike Davis (155)*

## PRELIMINARY CARD (4:00 PM EST on ESPN+)

Heavyweight: *Ilir Latifi (253) vs. Aleksei Oleinik (254)*

Lightweight: *Jesse Ronson (155.5) vs. Joaquim Silva (155)*

Middleweight: *Brendan Allen (186) vs. Krzysztof Jotko (185.5)*

Light Heavyweight: *Maxim Grishin (205.5) vs. Philipe Lins (205.5)*

Catchweight, 140 lbs: *Chelsea Chandler (140) vs. Julija Stoliarenko (139.5)*

Bantamweight: *Guido Cannetti (135.5) vs. Randy Costa (135)*


**Jessica Penne vs. Tabatha Ricci has been cancelled after the hospitalization of Penne due to illness (bronchitis)**

*All other fighters have weighed in successfully and the card will proceed as planned*

UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan Weigh-In Results

Douglas Vegas Bets

This weekend from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, we get a Strawweight headliner between top contenders Mackenzie Dern and Xianon Yan. This card also features other great matchups to bet on, including a Bantamweight showdown between Raoni Barcelos -244 and Trevin "5 Star" Jones +185 and a Middleweight bout between Brendan Allen -101 and Krzysztof Jotko -125.

**All Odds Provided By Stake.com Accurate as of 3:10 PM 9/28/2022 EST**

# Mackenzie Dern -244 vs. Xianon Yan +185

Our main event this week features a clash of styles at Strawweight. Mackenzie Dern has some of the best BJJ in the UFC and has put it on display in her UFC run with four submission wins. Xianon Yan is up there with the top-tier strikers of this division as she is coming off a very close fight with Marina Rodriguez. However, she was dominated when taken down by Carla Esparza, which is a significant concern. 

I will pick Dern here, but I do not want to bet it because I feel she will get the submission once it gets to the ground. Still, if she can't get it to the ground or fails to capitalize like the Rodriguez fight, she will likely lose, and the price to bet the submission is too much for me. 

Pick: Dern O/U: Under 2.5 +109

# Randy Brown -345 vs. Francisco Trinaldo +250

An exciting matchup here at Welterweight between two veterans looking to keep their win streaks alive. Randy Brown is a long striker who is good at keeping opponents at range and slipping punches, although he has been caught before, which is cause for concern. Francisco Trinaldo is a stocky, powerful guy, but at this late stage in his career, he has very little other than one-shot power and toughness. 

I've got Randy Brown in this one; if he can avoid the big power, he should get this win. I bet on Brown to win by decision against Khaos Williams, and I will do so against here. 

Pick: Brown O/U: Over 2.5 -152

# Raoni Barcelos -244 vs. Trevin Jones +185

This is a fun one at Bantamweight. Raoni Barcelos was highly touted before his last two fights, which he lost; however, I still believe he is very good and can compete with high-level competition. Trevin Jones has shown he is a very powerful puncher, as he showed in his upset win over Timur Valiev, although he has lost against fast strikers and good grapplers. 

I am going to bet Barcelos here as I think he is levels above Trevin Jones, whose only chance would be a finish against Barcelos, who has never been knocked out before and has the grappling advantage. 

Pick: Barcelos O/U: Over 2.5 -147

# Sodiq Yusuff -1000 vs. Don Shainis +560

Here we see Sodiq Yusuff get a short-notice replacement in which he is a huge favorite. Sodiq Yusuff is an excellent prospect at Featherweight with a great UFC record, and his only loss in the organization came in a great fight with Arnold Allen. Don Shainis makes his UFC debut here, coming off a five-fight win streak. 

I am picking Yusuff as he is well ahead in his career at this point; however, this price is far out of the betting range. 

Pick: Yusuff O/U: Under 1.5 +114

# John Castaneda -200 vs. Daniel Santos +155

This is a Catchweight fight between two usual Bantamweights. John Castaneda is a solid fighter with good power and the ability to grind out opponents. Daniel Santos is a good striker who has never been finished in his career. 

I've got Castaneda here as I believe he is more well-rounded, although if the fight ends inside the distance, it is more likely that Santos will get the win as he has never been finished and will likely have the power advantage. 

Pick: Castaneda O/U: Over 2.5 -172

# Mike Davis -192 vs. Viacheslav Borshchev +148

This is a banger between two powerful and tough strikers at Lightweight. Mike Davis is back here after a long layoff since his war with Mason Jones, which earned him many fans for good reason as he showed high-level skill and toughness in that win. Viacheslav Borshchev is a very dangerous kickboxer who trains with Team Alpha Male, although he does not seem to have picked up the wrestling yet, as it cost him his last fight when he was unable to defend takedowns or get up. 

I'll take Davis to win the fight as there are clear holes in Borshchev's game to exploit. I am going to bet the over in this matchup, as the durability on both guys is there.

Pick: Davis O/U: Over 2.5 -102

# Aleksei Oleinik +143 vs. Ilir Latifi -185

Here we may finally get to see this matchup that was booked for a while back and canceled. Aleksei Oleinik is one of the most credentialed grapplers in Heavyweight history. Ilir Latifi is a short, stocky fighter with good power and top control. 

I have Latifi winning this as he is challenging to submit with his wrestling skills, and if it stays standing, I do not trust Oleinik to deal with the power of Latifi well at his age. 

Pick: Latifi O/U: Over 2.5 

# Jesseca Penne +170 vs. Tabatha Ricci -227

This is a fun grappling matchup between a veteran and an up-and-comer. Jessica Penne is a solid veteran who has used her grappling to compete at a high level for a long time. Tabatha Ricci has shown the ability to win fights with her grappling, whether by submission or control, and her only loss comes against Manon Fiorot, who used her striking, which will not be a factor against her here. 

I am taking Ricci in this one as she has all the physical advantages and has the momentum coming into the fight. 

Pick: Ricci O/U: Over 2.5 -294

# Joaquim Silva -145 vs. Jesse Ronson +114

Here we get a nice matchup at Lightweight. Joaquim Silva has shown some flashes as a dangerous striker, but he has also been finished in his last two and lost three of his previous four. Jesse Ronson has looked good at times, showing well-rounded skills and finishing ability; however, in his previous fight, he couldn't get going after a long layoff, which is very concerning.

I will lean toward Silva as my pick for the winner, but I am most confident that this fight will not go the distance as both men have good power and questionable durability. 

Pick: Silva O/U: Under 2.5 -143

# Brendan Allen -101 vs. Krzysztof Jotko -125

This is a fun matchup at Middleweight between two solid fighters looking to move up in the division. Brendan Allen has often impressed me; however, he has also frustrated me by being defensively irresponsible, which has cost him. Krzystof Jotko is a solid kickboxer who can keep a good pace for three rounds with no issue. 

I have a hard time picking this fight, but I believe if Allen shows up focused and ready, he is the better fighter. I want to bet the over in this matchup, as both men have shown limited finishing ability and good cardio. 

Pick: Allen O/U: Over 2.5 -200

# Maxim Grishin -182 vs. Philipe Lins +142

Good matchup here between well-rounded Light Heavyweights. Maxim Grishin came into the UFC with a lot of experience and has faced some solid names since entering the organization, looking alright at times, especially since his move down from Heavyweight. Philipe Lins also made a move down in weight and has seen solid results; however, he has not succeeded against the level of competition Grishin has. 

I will pick Grishin here as I believe he is just a bit better everywhere, but I am not confident enough to bet on him at this price. 

Pick: O/U: Over 2.5 -139

# Julija Storliarenko -120 vs. Chelsea Chandler -105

Here we get a matchup at a Catchweight of 145 lbs. Julija Storliarenko is a submission specialist with a particular love for the armbar, which she has used very effectively. Chelsea Chandler comes in with little experience but has shown a good grappling game in her career.

I will lean with Chandler here as I think she is likely to be in the top position, and if she can avoid the armbar, I expect her to control the fight from there. 

Pick: Chandler O/U: Over 2.5 -164

# Randy Costa -312 vs. Gudio Cannetti +230

This is a great matchup to get the night off to an electric start with two power punchers who waste no time going at it. Randy Costa has been highly touted as he has shown tremendous power; however, his cardio has failed him several times. Guido Cannetti showed his power is still there despite his old age in his last fight as he finished the tough-as-nails Kris Moutinho.

I like Costa to get it done early in this one as we have seen Cannetti finished several times early on, and with his old age becoming more relevant by the fight, I think he is way outmatched here. 

Pick: Costa O/U: Under 1.5 -175

# DougLasVegasBets.net Plays

Raoni Barcelos -244

Randy Brown By Decision 

Mike Davis Viacheslav Borshchev Over 2.5 -101 

Brendan Allen Krzysztof Jotko Over 2.5 -200 

Randy Costa Round 1 

UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan Odds Breakdown

Former UFC Lightweight champion and Welterweight interim title challenger Rafael Dos Anjos will face Bryan Barberena at UFC Orlando on December 3rd at the Amway Center per Combate.

‘RDA’ (31-14-0) competes in the Lightweight (155 lbs) division where he is currently ranked #8. The fight, however, will take place at Welterweight (170 lbs) against Bryan Barberena (18-8) who is currently unranked.

Dos Anjos last competed against Rafael Fiziev in a 5-round main event on July 9th. He lost the bout by 5th-round TKO in what was a close battle until then. Following the loss, he stated that his title aspirations have come to an end and he wishes only to compete in fun fights or against fellow legends of the game. 

Bryan ‘Bam Bam’ Barberena showed out massively in his last outing. He scored a 2nd-round TKO win over former UFC Welterweight champion Robbie Lawler. He became the first man to knock Lawler out since Tyron Woodley at UFC 201 in 2016. Barberena threw over 300 strikes in under 2 rounds.

Dos Anjos looks to go out on his shield within the next few fights while Barberena will try to make the most of an opportunity to face another UFC legend.

Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Bryan Barberena Set For UFC Orlando At Welterweight

Fight number 4 between Deiveson Figuieredo and Brandon Moreno is in its “final arrangements” to take place at UFC 283 on January 21st in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to unify the Flyweight belt according to Rodrigo Gonzalez.

This fight will take place at Flyweight (125 lbs) where Figuieredo is the champion and Moreno is the interim champion.

There is more history between these two than potentially any fighters today, and with their 4th fight coming up, they will set the record for the most times any two fighters have faced each other in UFC history.

Deiveson Figuieredo is coming off of his 1st win against Brandon Moreno at UFC 271 where he regained his title via split decision. The fight was extremely close, with many scoring it the other way, but 3 knockdowns were enough for ‘Figgy’ to earn the victory. 

![E516A822-C2F8-40C2-AF7A-D5AEE77F02E5.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/7be17345-1084-4c4e-e549-bcd7a5465d00/pub "Deiveson Figuieredo earns his title back from Brandon Moreno. Credits to: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports.")

Moreno’s last fight took place at UFC 277 against another familiar foe, Kai Kara-France. They first met at UFC 245 in 2019 where Moreno would win a unanimous decision over 3 rounds. The fight was shorter this time with Moreno scoring a 3rd-round TKO via nasty liver kick to win the interim Flyweight title. 

With their first fight ending in a draw, Moreno winning the 2nd, and Figuieredo winning the 3rd, the pair are 1-1-1 in the UFC and the winner of this fight will try to settle their rivalry forever. 

Deiveson Figuieredo vs. Brandon Moreno IV in the works for UFC 283

Kevin Holland recently revealed on his Instagram that he may have retired from mixed martial arts following his loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279.

> (I) had a good run. (I’ll be) 30 in a little over a month. Got paid, I’m out. -Kevin Holland via Instagram 

This news is highly unexpected as Holland showed interest in fighting multiple opponents just weeks ago. He has been very active and was on a hot streak prior to his last fight, with finishes over Alex Oliveira and Tim Means. 

A perfect 2-0 record at 170 in the UFC is what gave him the opportunity to fight on a PPV main card, and after a string of bad luck and losses, things were starting to turn around for The Trailblazer.

Holland was a fan-favorite fighter for his entertaining fighting style and his willingness to take on anyone, anywhere, and at any notice. This was displayed in his last bout as he accepted to fight Khamzat Chimaev on just 24 hours' notice. Chimaev dominated Holland and submitted him in minutes without absorbing a single strike. 

Holland recently expressed frustration with the referee for his fight with Chimaev, believing the Chechen held his shorts illegally and without consequence. His frustrations continued as the man he was asking to face, Daniel Rodriguez -his original opponent for UFC 279- has been rumored to fight Neil Magny instead of holding his word and facing Holland.

No one knows what exactly prompted this decision, but fans around the world wish Holland the best in his future endeavors.

Kevin Holland Teases Retirement At Age 29

Verdict MMA

# Nate Diaz lists Jake Paul as an option for his next fight after leaving the UFC

Free agent Nate Diaz has said that fighting Jake Paul in a boxing match is now an option for him. 

“_Yeah, he’s (Paul) for sure one of the options. He’s doing big stuff, he’s doing big things, and he has a big fight ahead of him, and if he gets the win, I think people would really be impressed by it_” Diaz told iD Boxing backstage at the Canelo Alvarez vs Gennadiy Gennadyevich Golovkin Trilogy fight less than a week ago.

Diaz was originally scheduled to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279, but the fight was cancelled after Chimaev failed to make the Welterweight limit. Diaz was matched up against Tony Ferguson instead. After finishing Tony Ferguson at UFC 279, Diaz said in his post-fight speech with Joe Rogan that he was leaving the UFC to take over another sport and do it better than Conor McGregor did, signalling his professional boxing debut.

“_From 17 or 18 years old, I was starting to fight, I was boxing with my boxing coach. I got stuck in a cage this whole time with contracts and stuff. Now everything is open for the taking. I never stopped training for a boxing fight since I started fighting. When the right opponent or right thing comes, we’re going to take it_” Diaz said.

As Nathan Diaz said, Jake Paul will impress a lot of people if he defeats Anderson Silva regardless of how old he is. Paul holds boxing wins against former MMA fighters, Bellator Champion Ben Askren and former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley. If defeats Silva on October 29th, a fight against Nate Diaz would be a blockbuster event.

```twitter
https://twitter.com/NateDiaz209/status/1539105271460827136
```

Diaz first teased the news of a possible boxing fight against Jake Paul in a tweet while he was trying to get out of his UFC contract this summer. The tweet read “I have bigger shit to do” with a video of Jake Paul finishing Tyron Woodley.

With Diaz a free agent and Jake Paul making it known that he wants to fight him, the next few months should be interesting. 

Nate Diaz lists Jake Paul as an option for his next fight

Cory Sandhagen called out Chito Vera this past weekend after a successful main event showing vs. Song Yadong. 

The fight was action-packed and showcased all aspects of mixed martial arts. Cory won the fight via 4th-round TKO due to a doctor's stoppage. In his post-fight interview, he asked for a fight with Chito Vera or Merab Dvalishvilli in December. 

Vera gave his response at the event:

> If he wants it, he can get it. I'm not shying away from any fight. I'm a fighter, I'll fight anybody. . . Whatever the f*ck the UFC wants. - Chito Vera on a fight with Sandhagen

Chito is coming off of a 4th-round KO win as well. He knocked out Dominick Cruz with a spectacular head kick in San Diego. This was his 2nd UFC main event and the 2nd fight in a row he recorded 3 knockdowns in.

![E94F91CF-7565-471A-922A-B048EB476518.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/f5677dad-f1b0-46da-5f56-425fc109c700/pub "Chito Vera knocks out Dominick Cruz at UFC San Diego. Credits to: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports")

The top of the Bantamweight division is foggy at the moment with no clear #1 contender. The champion Aljamain Sterling defends his title at UFC 280 vs TJ Dillashaw. Petr Yan fights Sean O'Malley that same night but recently lost to the champion. Chito could very well be in line for a title shot should the right opportunity show itself. Merab Dvalishvilli is a top 5 contender but has refused to fight the champion due to their close friendship.

Should this fight go down, the winner will certainly bring some clarity to the top 5 and may earn themselves a shot at gold.

Cory Sandhagen Calls out Chito Vera, Vera Responds

Taylor Dow

Following a pivotal matchup between Cory Sandhagen and Song Yadong that saw Sandhagen take the victory via doctor stoppage, it's time to play matchmaker in what seems like an everlasting UFC Bantamweight Grand Prix.


# Javid Basharat vs. Adrian Yanez

These 2 Dana White's Contender Series alumn are two of the most exciting up-and-comers in the Bantamweight division. Both men are undefeated in the UFC and have showcased some flawless striking techniques in their young UFC careers. They are both on the cusp of entering the stacked Bantamweight top 15. Basharat put on a masterclass at UFC Fight Night: Cory Sandhagen vs. Song Yadong, where he defeated Tony Gravely and moved to 13-0 as a professional. I believe Yanez would be a great test to see if Basharat is ready to take a step into the upper end of the Bantamweights and potentially see if both men are fit to face someone in the top 15 in the year to come.
Adrian Yanez is one of the most exciting fighters in the entire UFC and has been the star of the Apex era. His crisp striking and ability to hit and not get hit made many fans get on board his hype train. Basharat is quite a similar striker who also can get in and out and land shots before his opponent can counter. This fight would be a marvel to see to find out who could lead the dance.


# Dominick Cruz vs. the loser of Petr Yan vs. Sean O'Malley
 
The loser of this fight would make a great matchup for Dominick Cruz in the potential final fight of his historic career. During Cruz’s previous bout against Marlon Vera, he proved he can still hang with the next generation of MMA despite losing by knockout late in the fight. Cruz was winning leading up to the knockout loss, exercising fancy footwork and skillful striking with finesse. Either option would not be an easy task for Cruz, as both men are some of the best strikers the division has to offer. But I believe he deserves to go out in a big fight, for instance, O’Malley or Yan.
“Suga” Sean O’Malley has been calling for a Dominick Cruz fight for quite some time now. If he doesn’t get passed Petr Yan, this could be a perfect opportunity to have this fight for both of them. 
If Yan were to lose to O’Malley, a big win over a big name like Cruz could be just what he needs to get back onto the title track.

# Song Yadong vs. Rob Font

Yadong started strong in his fight with Cory Sandhagen and was landing big shots which looked like he could hurt Sandhagen until physicians instructed referee Herb Dean to stop the match just before round 5 started because of a deep cut on his eyebrow. Yadong should not be counted out for this loss as he was still putting on a good performance and was willing to fight despite being unable to see. Rob Font has faced two of the best opponents of his career in his last two fights and came up short but proved he never gives up. These two always show they have the heart and determination to win. I believe a matchup between the two would be an exciting fight, no matter who gets their hand raised. I'm sure both are looking to bounce back after some minor setbacks.

# Marlon Vera vs. the winner of Aljamain Sterling vs. TJ Dillashaw

My pick for the next shot at the Bantamweight title; Vera has been beating up everyone at the top of the Bantamweight division and doing it with style. Vera is a super exciting fighter who has never been finished in his career and is always ready to put on a show whether he wins or loses. In his last outing, we saw Vera finish Dominick Cruz by head-kick KO in a fight he was losing on the judges' scorecards. A matchup between either man in the Bantamweight title fight coming at UFC 280 would be a gift for the fans moving into 2023. But if Dana White and the UFC wanted him to take one more fight in the meantime, I'm sure Vera would happily oblige. 


# Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen

Sandhagen and Dvalishvili always seem to be in bloody and brutal fights but are yet to have faced one another. With Sandhagen's win over Song Yadong at UFC Vegas 60, this puts him 1 or 2 bouts removed from another title shot. Although Sandhagen lost to both men in the upcoming title fight, he proves time and time again that he is constantly getting better. Dvalishvili is on an 8-fight win streak where he is potentially only one fight away from Bantamweight gold, and with a win over Sandhagen, he can do just that. I believe Dvalishvili needs one more victory before fighting for the title, as Marlon Vera is right on the edge of said title after coming off a huge KO victory against one of the Bantamweight greatest of all-timers in Dominick Cruz. I don't think Dvalishvili is willing to fight his friend and teammate Aljamain Sterling if he gets passed a potential matchup with Sandhagen and Sterling retains his title. If not, I'm sure he and the team at Serra-Longo would love to have their two fighters as the champion and number 1 ranked fighter for both to defend their top spots over the years to come.


With how stacked and exciting the Bantamweight division is right now, all of these fights are interchangeable, and they would still be awesome. The most exciting thing about Bantamweight is that everyone is willing to fight anyone to be the next in line for a title shot, and most are only 1 or 2 away. No matter how the matchmakers plan these fights going forward, it will be the fans who win at the end of the day.

5 fights to make in the Bantamweight division

ROUNDHOUSE MMA

The UFC wrapped up another exciting event at the Apex, with a great night of fights. Cory Sandhagen and Song Yadong put on an extremely competitive main event, while the co-main event between Chidi Njokuani and Gregory Rodrigues was short but sweet and produced massive fireworks. Let’s recap what went down. 

# Cory Sandhagen finishes Song Yadong

![1424765997.0.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/12f44219-00a2-4def-5a81-8c6494931400/pub "The main event was declared a doctor's stoppage because of a cut above Song Yadong's eye. Credits to: Chris Unger-Zuffa LLC")

Going into the fifth round of yesterday’s Bantamweight main event, Cory Sandhagen and Song Yadong were tied at two rounds apiece until the doctor called a stop to the contest due to a very large cut on Song’s eyebrow. The cut opened early into the fight, and right when it happened, the commentary team knew that it could hinder the result of the fight. Despite the fight being very competitive, the damage Sandhagen did to that cut affected Song’s vision as the blood trickled into his eye. Cory Sandhagen proved that with this win, he still belongs amongst the Bantamweight elite, and called out Merab Dvalishvili for a fight afterward. 

# Gregory Rodrigues fights back from the brink of being finished

![344A58CE-75C6-46B2-AEC1-E329F7B2DFF6.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/25e0d1c5-bff8-489a-16ad-a92d1c79a800/pub "Gregory Rodrigues gets treated in between rounds of his fight with Chidi Njokuani. Credits to: Chris Unger-Zuffa LLC")

In the co-main event, Gregory Rodrigues proved exactly why his nickname is Robocop. Early into the first round, Njokuani landed a flush knee that opened up a massive gash on Rodrigues’ forehead. Blood gushed out of the wound into Rodrigues’ eyes, but he showed his extreme toughness by staying composed after a massive shot that rocked him. Rodrigues’ injury did not seem to affect him throughout the fight, as he went on to finish Njokuani in the second round by ground and pound, despite a high possibility that the doctor would stop the fight after the first. It was a huge win for Gregory, stopping the massive hype train of Chidi Njokuani, and he rightfully deserves a top fifteen opponent next. 

# Andre Fili Earns a Razor Close Decision Win

![6898A3C9-F296-464A-A3E7-CE201FD2A965.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/aa61031f-f400-4a4d-6631-6e37a08d4200/pub "Andre Fili reacts after narrowly defeating Bill Algeo by Split Decision. Credits to: Chris Unger-Zuffa LLC")

Andre Fili and Bill Alvey had a very competitive back-and-forth fight, in which all three judges could not agree on a winner. Two judges gave the fight to Fili, while one gave the fight to Algeo. According to the Verdict Scorecard, Fili narrowly won the first and third rounds to win the fight. Fili utilized a lot of grappling, with one takedown but almost a full round of control time. 

# Be Joe Pyfer!

![C381CEC2-620A-416A-A690-578B10F28DF1.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/65ce1f31-1c35-4c62-39fc-c3f1f9bc6800/pub "Joe Pyfer drops Alen Amedovski in the first round. Credits to: Chris Unger-Zuffa LLC")

Joe Pyfer impressed on his lone Dana White’s Contender Series appearance and earned a contract after winning by knockout. Pyfer made his UFC debut this weekend against Alen Amedovski, who badly needed a win, and landed a massive shot in the first round that finished Amedovski. I’m very excited to see what the UFC does with Joe Pyfer. 

# Damon Jackson Earns Big Win After An Emotional Week

![54DF5B11-7278-485E-9330-D1663B04E94D.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/a7eaf98c-af4a-4cac-5eeb-cf9e3efdce00/pub "Damon Jackson gets emotional following his first round knockout over Pat Sabatini. Credits to: Chris Unger-Zuffa LLC")

Damon Jackson had a very tough fight week, as it was revealed that he lost his brother one week ago. Losing a family member is extremely difficult, but adding that pressure on you and preparing for a cage fight is something not a lot of people can do. Jackson went out and dominated Pat Sabatini in honor of his brother. Jackson earned the first-round knockout and is now on a four-fight win streak. 

Overall, it was a very solid night of fights. Cory Sandhagen earned a much-needed win to snap a two-fight losing streak, and Gregory Rodrigues looks ready to face a ranked Middleweight next after derailing the Chidi Njokuani hype train. In addition, Joe Pyfer impressed in his UFC debut, and Damon Jackson earns the first-round knockout following the loss of his brother. The UFC will have a week off, aside from the usual Dana White’s Contender Series, but they will be back at the APEX on October 1st for another Fight Night card headlined by Mackenzie Dern and Yan Xionan. 

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Song Post Fight Review

Jose Aldo has retired from the sport of MMA indefinitely and has been granted a full release by the UFC. He is no longer under any sort of contract and is free to explore other sports, per Combate.

This news was accentuated by the birth of a newborn child in the Aldo family. Jose Aldo lll was welcomed to the world earlier today.

There is no 'greatest of all time' conversation without mentioning Jose Aldo in it. He holds numerous records inside the UFC and is undoubtedly one of the greatest mixed martial artists ever. 

His notoriety began when he rose through the ranks of the WEC and became the Featherweight champion at just 23 years old, the youngest in history. Following the fastest knockout in WEC history, against Cub Swanson, Jose Aldo won the title vs. Mike Brown and notched his first defense in a classic vs. Urijah Faber. Aldo would pioneer leg kicks in MMA and use them as a weapon to defeat opponents, helping him remain undefeated for over 10 years.

![AA06A116-4A5D-43FD-92C5-2571DCF814D1.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/8b9f023e-8822-405a-c0c1-30cbaec87300/pub "Jose Aldo uses destructive leg kicks vs. Frankie Edgar. Credits to: Esther Lin-MMA Fighting, Zuffa LLC")

In those 10 years he won 11 title fights and set the record for most titles defenses at 145 with 7 in the UFC, and 9 including his WEC accomplishments. During this time he accrued wins over fighters such as Frankie Edgar, Chad Mendes x2, and The Korean Zombie.

Aldo would lose his title to Conor McGregor and see mixed results inside the octagon for his next few fights before building a 3-fight winning streak after moving down the Bantamweight division. 

He faced off against Merab Dvalishvilli in a title-eliminator bout at UFC 278. Although it was close, Aldo lost the fight by unanimous decision and reportedly chose to retire that night inside the octagon.

Aldo will never be forgotten as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time and fans look forward to his eventual Hall of Fame induction. 