What’s Poppin Fight Fans!!!?!!
Hope you all enjoyed the weekend, I was busy working behind the scenes of a Celebrity Boxing event but I’ve finally caught up from the weekend! Make sure to like, subscribe, comment, and share! Means the world to me when I hear feedback.
This weekend we had UFC Fight Night 38: Santos vs Walker. A couple of fights I was looking forward to but this card was a tad bit lackluster and the main event didn’t help. But instead of putting down a card, I want to highlight a couple of things.
Holland vs Daukus Clash Heads (Literally)!
First, I wanted to speak in regards to the head clash/headbutt, whatever you want to call it. In the fight between Kevin Holland and Chris Daukus, there was a clash of heads that led to Daukus submitting Holland in the very first round. The incident was then reviewed after the fight and Dan Miragliotta ended up calling it a No Contest after discussing it with Herb Dean. When the head clash happened the referee didn’t see it, he just saw Holland go down and continued to let the fight go on. I feel if the referee would’ve seen the clash of heads he would’ve immediately put a stop to the fight. If I were Daukus in this situation I would argue with the NC because it wasn’t his fault the fight wasn’t stopped. MMA is still in development when it comes to rules and the lack of consistency is hurting the sport. I like that they can watch a replay but that needs to happen at the moment and not after the fight. Hopefully, this rule is changed but Holland vs Daukus II was booked for November 13th. Having that fight rebooked so soon concerns me a little because I feel Holland needs some time to rest his brain after almost being knocked out from a head clash.
All Hail The King
Let’s talk about the star of the card, King Casey O'Neill. She continues her rise in the UFC Women’s Flyweight division. She dominated current UFC Flyweight Champion’s sister Antonina Shevchenko and finished with strikes in the 2nd round. We often struggle to find that contender who can give Valentina a run for the money and I feel we have a future contender in O’Neill. I spoke to former UFC Flyweight contender Joseph Benavidez and he said “ One of the best girls I’ve ever trained with for real”. Her all-around game is something that Valentina has yet to see in the division. Casey might have a little bit of a way to go but she fights frequently and in the UFC Flyweight division it’s not extremely difficult to get into title contention. I see O'Neill making her way to the top and challenging Valentina sometime next summer or fall. Keep your eye on this contender!
Gypsy King vs The Bronze Bomber III
This weekend we get the trilogy between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder for WBC Heavyweight Championship. Though I feel Fury won the first fight and he won the second finishing Wilder by corner stoppage, this feels a little bit necessary. This allows Wilder to show the boxing world that he still belongs, changing his team and taking a different direction. Apparently, Deontay is going back to the basics here but I just don’t see that making a difference. Wilder has made way too many excuses blaming his body suit on his loss and other points that didn’t make too much sense. Fury’s style is just too elusive for Wilder, for a man who stands 6’9, he’s too quick and smart to fall for winging punches thrown by Wilder. Wilder once again has a puncher's chances but I only see it getting worse here. I think Fury finishes Wilder earlier this time around and goes on to take on Oleksandr Usyk so we can have one Heavyweight Champion. Fury by KO.
Shields vs Mystic!
Last week I attended the PFL Championship Press Conference and it ended up going a little bit different than I expected. Usually, before heading to these conferences I write a couple of things I possibly want to ask and back up thoughts as well. I ended up asking Claressa Shields a question, “ Would you want to be on a boxing card with Jake Paul, like Amanda Serrano did so it would bring more eyes to your craft”. Her response was something I didn’t expect.
This clip ended up going viral with some people saying that I asked a dumb question. The question wasn’t dumb at all and responded to those twitter finger junkies below.
I just wanted to say to Claressa, you’re welcome because that’s the most press she’s gotten in a very long time. A journalist like me can help and clearly, it did as she was the talk of the town for a week. I’ll have Claressa on my show in the next week and we can have an open conversation about this topic. Stay Tuned!!
Dern’s Biggest Challenge
This weekend Mackenzie Dern headlines against rising contender Marina Rodriguez which should be a barn burner of a fight. I feel Dern has reached a different part of her career. Coming off an amazing first-round submission victory over Nina Nunes, we can see it in the transformation in her body that she’s taking this seriously now. Dern used to struggle with making weight but I feel she has finally gotten the hang of it. Her move to RVCA Gym with coach Jason Parillo has done her wonders. In her striking, she is not afraid to trade with some of the best of them. Though her BJJ is her bread and butter, Dern is now more relaxed on the feet rounding out her game. I see her adding on to her submission record and calling for a top-three opponent leading to a title shot next year around summertime. I even think she can give Valentina a run for her money at 125, I might be speaking too soon but I see it! Tune in this Saturday on ESPN + before the Wilder vs Fury card!
Mystic Music!
Of course, I have to leave you all with an album or music I’ve been listening to this last week. My mood has been very calming and Brazilian Bossa Nova does that for me so well. Click the link below for a playlist of my favorite Bossa Nova tunes!