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#UFC #ufc319 #UFCCountdown
UFC 319 Countdown previews the promotion’s return to Chicago, where middleweight king Dricus du Plessis looks to defend his crown against Khamzat Chimaev. Plus, featherweights collide as Lerone Murphy welcomes newcomer Aaron Pico to the division.
UFC 319 Countdown previews the promotion’s return to Chicago, where middleweight king Dricus du Plessis looks to defend his crown against Khamzat Chimaev. Plus, featherweights collide as Lerone Murphy welcomes newcomer Aaron Pico to the division.
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00:00Chicago's United Center, a cathedral of competition, has long been the stage for iconic sporting
00:11moments. United Center, an arena long on championship history. For over a decade,
00:16the UFC has added to that legacy. An absolute championship classic. Showcasing legends
00:22and crowning champions. Get him a second belt! On August 16th, the next chapter will be written
00:29at UFC 319. In the main event, South African powerhouse Dracus Duplessis puts his middleweight
00:39title on the line against the division's boogeyman, Hamzat Shmaev. I can't think of a more chaotic
00:45matchup. Duplessis' rise saw him inflict his unique style to battle his way to a UFC title.
00:52A legacy-defining run has seen his arm raised in back-to-back defenses.
01:00Oh, he's got the jump! There's the top!
01:02And an open challenge to the rest of the division.
01:10Is there no one else? Where's Hamzat Shmaev at?
01:15Hamzat Shmaev!
01:19A few title runs have rivaled that of Hamzat Shmaev.
01:29The undefeated Chechen phenom has bulldozed every opponent in this path.
01:34He's such a terrifying talent. With relentless wrestling and raw intensity.
01:41Oh, he's out!
01:44Oh my goodness!
01:45A force unlike anything the fight game has ever seen.
01:50Yeah!
01:52I have to jump! I have to kick it!
01:54Ah!
01:55His first shot at UFC gold lies in weight.
01:58Against a fearless champion who relishes in the opportunity to derail the Shmaev hype train.
02:04I don't want the legacy of somebody who defended his belt.
02:07I want the legacy of somebody who beat the best of the best.
02:10He wants to be the greatest of all time.
02:13If you want to win, you have to prepare for a kill.
02:16He's just going to go for his head and take off.
02:19This fight is going to be unreal.
02:22In a co-main event, Aaron Pico makes his highly anticipated UFC debut against top-ranked featherweight contender,
02:29Lerone Murphy.
02:30Manchester's starting to really turn out. Some championship-level talent.
02:34The Brit aims to keep his undefeated record intact.
02:38Oh!
02:40Still undefeated!
02:42Let's go, man. That's what I'll keep this train going.
02:44An edge closer to a title shot against a wrestling prodigy looking to make a statement in his first octagon appearance.
02:51And in a featured welterweight bout, it's a striker's delight.
02:57This is a massive fight with a lot of heat on it.
02:59It's Brazilian Muay Thai ace, Carlos Pontes.
03:02Oh! That'll do it!
03:05The walk-off kill!
03:07Collides with hard-hitting, battle-tested veteran, Jeff Neal.
03:11This dude has some finishing instincts.
03:13Hands of steel, Jeff Neal!
03:16Oh, my goodness.
03:18The odds of the fight ending in the finish is 100%.
03:21Jeff Neal has never looked better.
03:23That's gonna do it!
03:24They seem to get the victory and the arm back from top.
03:27We're gonna be two really dangerous strikers.
03:30Try to kill each other.
03:31Oh, my God!
03:33Before the octagon returns to the Windy City,
03:36we delve into the journeys of our main attractions.
03:39Chicago coming up.
03:41How bad you want it, brother?
03:43This is UFC 319.
03:45Oh, my God!
03:47He's right, boys.
03:48What's that?
03:49What's that?
03:53Countdown.
03:54How good is that for your main event?
03:55We've been warning this fight.
03:57Yo, is do or die?
03:58The emergence of middleweight superstar Dracus Duplessis put Team CIT on the MMA map.
04:11Three minutes, let's cry.
04:12Then we're gonna scramble.
04:14The Pretoria-based gym has become world-renowned for producing a UFC champion
04:19that is on his way to carving out a legacy that would place him amongst the sports greats.
04:24The proud South African has remained loyal to his team throughout his career.
04:29This is the power I have.
04:31This is useless.
04:32Now look at the power.
04:33And under the guidance of head coach Mornay Visser, Duplessis developed a unique style
04:38that took him all the way from the regional scene to a UFC world title.
04:43When you get put down, you immediately get back on your feet.
04:47You don't wait for him to trap you.
04:49Team CIT has been my first team.
04:51He's waiting for him to not use one of his tools.
04:55And that's when he's gonna capitalize.
04:57Coach Mornay has been my first coach and the only one I've ever had.
05:00This hand's doing nothing, he's gonna go for the back anyway.
05:02Either blocking there or I'm there.
05:04And what's the most important here?
05:05Hips.
05:06The team means absolutely everything to me because it's under that banner that I've achieved so much.
05:11Dead leg, this way.
05:13Yes!
05:15Drikas loves MMI.
05:18Right there, he can't breathe.
05:20I've set up so many things from here.
05:21You see what I'm here?
05:22The darts has come, the guillotine's come, the strides come.
05:26He only wants to try and he just wants to be the best at everything.
05:29If he shoots in, I'll be waiting.
05:32Boom!
05:33There's so many things.
05:34He's the hardest workout I've ever seen.
05:36I'm going to murder you from here.
05:38I'm probably gonna knock you out.
05:40And he's always had this amazing ability and style.
05:45Duplessis has such an odd style.
05:47The way he moves, it's difficult to gauge because it's awkward.
05:51But it's very effective.
05:53My fighting style, I would describe that as very effective.
05:59It may not be traditional.
06:01That is what really does suit his fighting style.
06:04I mean, if you look at how the Russians fight, how the Americans fight, how the Brazilians fight,
06:09these big fighting nations, it's very similar in style.
06:13Wants to show the world all about South African mixed martial arts and their style.
06:17And I believe that in me, we are seeing the first out of South Africa on this level.
06:22He hits you from all kinds of different angles.
06:24It's South African style of fighting, of going, let's go for it, full speed.
06:28A real knockout striker with an odd style.
06:31Drake is 2 plus C, is a madman.
06:33He kicks and punches at the same time.
06:35No, we're just throwing caution to the wind, almost.
06:38I think that's the way we do things.
06:40He is unorthodox, but he's also a very talented striker.
06:43Even though so many people almost looking down at it and saying,
06:46that's a terrible way to fight, you can't fight that way.
06:48In between the strikes, he looks exhausted.
06:50It seems to be effective.
06:52But he's obviously in fantastic shape.
06:54He really is like a dog on a boat.
06:56Yeah!
06:57I'm not there to look pretty when I fight.
07:00I'm there to fight and win at all costs.
07:03I disagree with the narrative that he doesn't look good.
07:06I think he looks phenomenal.
07:08I'm there to try and kill the guy in front of me.
07:10He's just going so crazy, he's doing so many things that you're not supposed to do,
07:14and he just kept winning.
07:15Because I train that way, I can fight like a crazy person,
07:18because I train like a crazy person.
07:20Duplessis throwing different direction with his strikes.
07:23Drake's Duplessis is about to win a world championship.
07:27Becoming champion, it's not something that I wanted.
07:29It's something that I had to have.
07:31Conditioning is not a factor, because he's swinging with everything he's got.
07:34For me, going out there and proving the system and the coaching works.
07:39He really is a special fighter.
07:41I love it.
07:42South Africa, Drake is Duplessis!
07:45That's what sets South Africans apart, that's why we are both different.
07:48Tell us we can't do it, and we'll show you that we can.
07:52Nobody can beat this guy.
07:53My story is a one of legacy.
07:55I want to become the greatest of all time, and that will always be the goal.
08:00Time to put some respect on this man's name.
08:02It's something that I knew I'm willing to give my life to achieve.
08:06He's an incredible champion.
08:08After a successful second title defense, the champion immediately switched focus to a legacy-defining choice for his next opponent.
08:17I want to make sure that there's no question that I'm the GOAT.
08:20Amsar is next.
08:21He deserves a hiding.
08:23High in the mountains of Russia's Northern Caucasus region, lies the UG Sport Training Facility.
08:35The internal walls are a tribute to a decorated sporting history.
08:40And the characters that feature serve as motivation to aspiring champions.
08:45Including first-time UFC title challenger, Hamzat Shemaev.
08:50It's an amazing place, being a lot of great people here, like in sports, you know.
08:54All Olympic sports.
08:57A lot of wrestling, boxing, like champions, being here.
09:03All this is like a lot of work, you know.
09:08These guys, sweat, blood, you know.
09:12It's not easy work, but you see them smiling, but behind that smile, a lot of work.
09:21I didn't see that picture.
09:24It's three times gold medal.
09:26I know him like from since I was kid.
09:29Boes Arsatir is one of the legends in the wrestling.
09:41It was my dream to train with him.
09:45And he showed me a lot of things.
09:48Like a person, he was an amazing guy.
09:50Like a sportsman, he was greatest.
09:52So, not so many people could be like him, you know.
09:59When I was young, freestyle wrestling, make my health tough I am.
10:03Amzat's competitive drive, combined with his talents in wrestling,
10:06led to a path into mixed martial arts.
10:11Not so many fighters, like, grow up like me.
10:13Making his way to the cage, Tasmar Chimbayev.
10:19That's why we all have a different mindset.
10:23From day one, I felt like a champion.
10:29I had my dreams.
10:32Since I started to be a fighter, MMA fighter.
10:37If I see the UFC champion that time,
10:42I said to my manager, I can beat them.
10:44After six fights, six finishes, I get to the UFC.
10:57Kamzachi Maia, an exciting fighter, an exciting debut.
11:01Walking out here looking very relaxed.
11:02The wrestling is where it's at for this guy.
11:05Ready, ready, ready.
11:06I was ready from day one.
11:11Oh, man!
11:13If you're Hamzat, this is where you want to be.
11:16Oh, goodness gracious.
11:17He's really going to work here.
11:19Oh, no, Joe, wait for it.
11:21There's the attack.
11:22There's the attack.
11:23Kamzachi Maia by submission.
11:26I feel amazing.
11:27I'm gonna be champion here.
11:29I'm having fun just having my UFC gloves on me.
11:33It's a relentless attack here from Chimayev.
11:36There he goes.
11:37One is my belt, two.
11:39And I smash everybody.
11:41Oh, that's it.
11:42It's over.
11:43One shot.
11:45Kamzachi Maia, one and done.
11:48I'm running into the cage.
11:50I'm not sure there's a man or woman on the roster
11:52that enjoys competing more than Kamzachi Maia.
11:56This man loves to stage up.
11:57And I get different emotion when I dare.
12:00I love it.
12:03Like everyone knows,
12:04they have to deal with Hamzachi Maia.
12:07Oh, my goodness.
12:08Oh, he's under the neck.
12:09Oh, that's it.
12:10Under the chin here.
12:11Could be the end.
12:12It's over.
12:13That's it.
12:14That is it.
12:15I got hit by everybody.
12:16I have to jump.
12:17I have to kick it.
12:18And it will be a fight.
12:20To be uncommon amongst uncommon men,
12:23that is Hamzachi Maia.
12:25The guy looks to be a future UFC champion.
12:28He's such a terrifying talent.
12:29Yup.
12:30There's the tap.
12:31Comes out.
12:32He got him.
12:33Wow.
12:34If you want to fight someone,
12:35you have to be a warrior.
12:36And you have to be a killer.
12:38A force unlike anything the fight game has ever seen.
12:42I prepare for that.
12:43Oh, that's right.
12:44Oh, that's right.
12:45A tremendous fight.
12:46That's a scary guy.
12:47Unreal.
12:48So that's why I have a different guy there.
12:51In the cage.
12:53Shamayev's win over Kamaru Usman
12:56set up his biggest test to date
13:00against another former champion
13:03in Robert Whitaker.
13:04The eyes of the mixed martial arts world
13:07are set upon the undefeated
13:10Kamzachi Maia.
13:11Certain athletes bring an electricity
13:14into a combat sports arena
13:16that is indescribable.
13:18Leading that class for me
13:19is Kamzachi Maia getting back
13:21on the proven ground here tonight.
13:23I was ready.
13:24I was ready for a war.
13:26I knew I was different level than him.
13:28I knew I could finish that guy.
13:32Oh, man.
13:33Back, back, back.
13:34Scoot back, scoot back.
13:36Ready?
13:37Ready?
13:38Swipe!
13:39I worry all right.
13:40He wants to kill me.
13:41I wants to kill him.
13:43Early shot from Chimayev
13:44and a sprawl from Whitaker.
13:45He goes across the octagon
13:47and shoots that double leg so fast.
13:49Oh, nice scramble by Whitaker to escape.
13:51Back down.
13:52I prepared good to take his head off.
13:55A lot of fans and pundits felt
13:57as though this would be the night
13:58upon which we find out
13:59just how good Kamzachi Maia is.
14:02Oh!
14:03Oh, he tapped!
14:04Oh, he tapped!
14:05Still undefeated!
14:06And likely come into a title fight near you!
14:09Kamzachi Maia is that good?
14:13Is that how strong that grip is?
14:15That he got that jump?
14:16I have no idea.
14:17He tapped fast.
14:18I broke his jaw.
14:19Oh, I think he messed up his jaw.
14:21Oh, dude.
14:22He just crushed it.
14:23That is amazing that he did that
14:24to Robert Whitaker.
14:26What are you going to say about him now?
14:30That was an amazing performance.
14:32Yeah!
14:33Yeah, man.
14:34I'm going for the belt.
14:35All the champions running from me.
14:36Give me the belt!
14:37Woo!
14:39Now is my time.
14:44He's got to fight for the title next.
14:46He has to.
14:47If you're able to get rid of a former champion like Robert Whitaker,
14:51give Hamzat Shemaev that damn.
14:53Title shot!
14:54More than ever, now he'll be sore.
14:56Nobody can talk anything about it anymore.
14:58Let's go, boys!
15:00UFC 319!
15:01The fight you've all been waiting for.
15:03The middleweight champion, Dreykus Di Plessis,
15:06will defend his belt against Hamzat Shemaev.
15:10Hamzat Shemaev, guys.
15:12Finally fighting for a title.
15:13God, I can't wait.
15:14That's the best fight we're ever going to get.
15:16Congratulations.
15:18That was awesome.
15:19This is going to be an amazing fight.
15:20It's going to be a tough fight.
15:21That's a phenomenal fight.
15:22Both guys, extremely tough.
15:24So that's one of the fights I'm looking forward to the most this year.
15:27It's going to be a very exciting fight.
15:29I hope the best man wins.
15:30I wish best luck to both.
15:31When I get the goal, I felt like a champion.
15:35I was excited.
15:36I was happy.
15:37All right.
15:38Have a safe trip home.
15:39See you, kid.
15:40Can't take anything away from Hamzat.
15:42Everything he's done is done and installed.
15:44I always hoped that nobody would beat him,
15:45because now I can be the guy to beat him.
15:48One of the most savage contenders to ever compete in any division.
15:54UFC middleweight champion Drikus Duplessis' competitive edge stretches beyond fighting in the octagon.
16:07Taking time away from UFC 319 preparations,
16:11the South African hits the race track to further test himself in a sport that has fascinated him since his youth.
16:18I've been exposed to racing from a very young age.
16:21My mom's family, they used to race.
16:24Where I grew up, on weekends we would go to the race track.
16:31For me, I just love cars.
16:33Always have.
16:34Now I have the opportunity.
16:36Let's build a race car just for fun.
16:47I drive Dirt Oval racing.
16:49It's a fairly entry level of racing.
16:52But it's highly competitive.
16:53It's a bunch of people with no fear at all.
17:00It gets my heart right up.
17:02It helps me with my career.
17:04And it's just fun.
17:05I mean, who doesn't like to go fast?
17:07You're going to be a lot of racing.
17:08You're going to be a little bit on a bike, right?
17:09Yeah.
17:10You're going to be a little bit on a bike.
17:16We're in Rottenburg right now, it's actually a national qualifying race.
17:19What's up?
17:22There's some very, very good cars here.
17:25Because this is a qualifier for a national title.
17:29So I'm really looking forward to it.
17:31My car, as bad as I have to say, obviously my racing alter ego, Dricky Bobby, is the fun car.
17:49The car looks rad, but it doesn't stay that beautiful for very long.
18:01The biggest similarities between fighting and racing is you're in control.
18:11When the night comes, you can be as good as you want. When the ref says fight, when the green flag goes, it's about rising to the occasion.
18:26You can be as good as you want in training. It's about on the night who's the fastest.
18:32Being involved in racing himself is absolutely brilliant.
18:44He isn't standing out doing nothing. He's actually getting into a car and he's actually racing with the guys.
18:49Having somebody like him here brings the crowd, brings people and families.
19:03People wanting autographs, people wanting to come through the gate to see him.
19:16I had a lot of fun and it's a great family environment.
19:18It's great to see how all these drivers just help each other out and doing what we all love. So that was very cool. It was very good.
19:25He's very good.
19:35For first time title challenger Hamzat Shumayev, the rigors of fight camp are balanced by a return to his home in Chechnya.
19:42While his success in combat sports have elevated him to international fame, Shumayev has never lost sight of the community that forged him.
19:52Chechnya is a special place because I'm born here.
19:56If you say Chechnya people's thinking like still you have a war here. No, it's not war.
20:01We have a lot of students from different countries. We have a lot of athletes who's coming here.
20:06It's become a total different place.
20:11UK Bozolsky. This is my house. You can stay there.
20:15I grew up here. Had tough time. Had good time. My family lives here. My friends live here.
20:22One house will be there. One is almost ready. The other one is ready already.
20:27My brother has that house. This is my mom's house. This one is my house. He's going to be here.
20:33There has a small, like, gym stuff, you know.
20:38All Chechnya village are the same. People helping each other to become a good people.
20:45Now it's my time to give back. That's why I'm building the gym.
20:50This gym I'm building in my village for the young people, boys, to become good wrestlers here.
21:01I don't want to put the cage because of the kids, you know, so first they have to become a wrestler.
21:08Then after 50 years, after 20 years, I don't know, they're going to choose what they want to do.
21:13So it's not gym for me. I'm building for the kids.
21:16A lot of young people over here every evening, we're here playing football.
21:22They're training wrestling as well. They're explaining to me, like, I'm going to be, he says, I'm going to be like you.
21:28I say, you're going to be better than me if you start to train right now.
21:33It's an amazing place for me to be here. I grow up here, you know, playing, fighting, or if you have some problems,
21:39be if somebody come from whole the village, come here and fight.
21:48Everyone knows me. I know everyone here.
21:50If I go out, they don't see me like Hamza Chimaya Superstar.
21:54They see me like their brother.
21:57They love me. I love them as well.
22:00Kids has to be safe, so it has to be not the streets.
22:04Better has to be in the gym.
22:06Gyms makes you a stronger guy. Mentally, like physically.
22:11I need good people in my village. Strong people.
22:15This is my work.
22:17I got to do the best way.
22:19Because I love that place.
22:30Ahead of his UFC 319 title fight against Drikas Duplessis,
22:35Hamza Chimayev and his team utilize Russia's iconic UG training center.
22:41The isolated facility provides the perfect environment to prepare for his first shot at UFC gold.
22:48There is everything for recovery, for training, for all of the athletes.
22:55It's like far away from the city as well.
23:00So you can't go and enjoy the life.
23:04You won't focus only on training.
23:10Good place for me, for fighters.
23:13I know how to do my training, how I need to walk.
23:19I'm focused on me.
23:21I'm ready for everything.
23:30I do my work.
23:32I wrestle with the guys.
23:34I know how to box with the guys.
23:37Same thing, preparing for a fight.
23:40Work hard.
23:42People say it's like,
23:44Likus has good cardio, he has good this.
23:46And people watching me,
23:47oh, Hamza thought about this, about this, he is hype.
23:51How many years I've been in UFC,
23:53still people say he's hype.
23:57I beat the world champion.
23:59I beat the guys I've been,
24:01Paul Hupan, number one long time.
24:03Usman and Robert Whittaker.
24:06He fought Drikus how many minutes?
24:09Left, left, left, left, left.
24:10Yes.
24:13Drikus being taken down from Robert Whittaker.
24:17Robert, he didn't get me in one punch.
24:20There's one, I thought, there's like,
24:23I'm preparing for the war.
24:25Why should prepare for the war?
24:27If you want to win, you have to prepare for a kill.
24:30To destroy the guy.
24:31I'm ready for him.
24:33Everyone say like,
24:34oh, this is for a title fight for you,
24:35how this feels.
24:36Like, it feels the same, man.
24:38Doesn't matter.
24:40Drikus.
24:41He's a strong guy.
24:43A lot of good skills,
24:44but not my level.
24:46Striking, wrestling, grappling,
24:48I don't see anywhere he can be better than me.
24:51He's a strong guy.
24:53A lot of good skills,
24:54but not my level.
24:56Striking, wrestling, grappling,
24:58I don't see anywhere he can be better than me.
25:02So, I'm going for him.
25:04Going for the war.
25:06Take one more head home.
25:10I will be going for Big Gold.
25:18Training for a world-class opponent in a UFC title fight
25:21is nothing new for the champion, Drikus Duplassi,
25:24who once again places his trust in the team at CIT
25:27to prepare him for the unique skill set that Hamzat Shmaev presents.
25:32Grab your partner.
25:33When you disengage, you shoot or you clinch.
25:35Go in a clinch and take something.
25:37Okay, let's go.
25:39This fight camp, just like every other fight camp,
25:44I'll be training right here in Victoria,
25:46South Africa with my team.
25:48I don't have to change anything that's working.
25:51My team is incredible.
25:52My coaches are incredible.
25:54And I truly believe there's no one on earth
25:55that can get me ready for a fight better than my coaching team.
25:58I'm getting training partners in from all over.
26:02World-class wrestlers like Hamzat to train for him specifically.
26:09Hamzat doesn't know what it is when people want to wrestle him.
26:13He's only facing guys who's trying to get away from his wrestling.
26:19We don't want to try to get away from his wrestling.
26:21We want to f*** him up in his game.
26:24You're stupid, you think this is wrestling.
26:27It's MMA wrestling.
26:28So you cannot pick your head up.
26:31You cannot drop your hands.
26:33Drop your f*** jaw and pick your hands up.
26:36Okay, let's go, let's go.
26:40You can't think that you're going to beat my guy
26:44coming with one thing and that's wrestling.
26:50That guy's one-dimensional.
26:52Have you seen me stand up?
26:55I won't even give him a pro license for his s*** stand up.
27:01He doesn't present any problem for us.
27:03We are the problem.
27:09Obviously this for me is the most important fight of my life.
27:12Like everyone before that.
27:13So we are preparing like we've never prepared before.
27:17I'm not going in there to fight his fight.
27:19I'm fighting my fight.
27:20Just like I dealt with Adesanya's striking,
27:22I dealt with street lens boxing,
27:24I'm going to deal with Hamza's wrestling.
27:26Okay, one more on the wall.
27:29You can be as smart as you want.
27:30You can have all the systems in the world.
27:31And when a fight comes, it's about the fight in your heart.
27:35And I truly know and believe that I outwork any and everybody
27:38that I've ever stepped into the octagon with.
27:40Guys, attack, attack, attack.
27:43I cannot wait to prove to this God and to the world,
27:46I am the greatest.
27:47A force unlike anything the fight game has ever seen.
27:56Hamzat, Shimaev, intensity personified.
28:02He carries this aura about him.
28:04I've seen a lot of fighters like him.
28:06Tricks Duplessis, this man is on a mission.
28:08Ain't no use him praying.
28:11But the next man off is Hamzat.
28:13It's nothing special.
28:15Dude's scary, man.
28:18All the guys he fought, no one of them was undefeated.
28:23It's his wrestling.
28:24It's his aggressiveness.
28:25It's his self-belief that makes him very special.
28:32He beats Adesanya who is already lost.
28:35Sean Strickland, he don't know how to fight.
28:38I'm gonna take you down.
28:40He's such a terrifying talent.
28:42I don't know how to lose.
28:44The hype is real!
28:45You can't come from me.
28:49Drickus is a finisher.
28:51He's an incredible champion.
28:54Hamzat.
28:55He hasn't been beaten.
28:57But all of that doesn't matter anymore.
28:59What matters is this next fight.
29:01He feels like he is the best on the planet
29:03and no one is taking that belt.
29:05I know he's a strong guy,
29:06but you can face me in the first and second round with that strength.
29:09But when round three and four and five comes,
29:12I'm still gonna have that strength
29:13and I'm still gonna be there.
29:14That's where I'm better.
29:15Whatever he says, he has to come to the Cajun fight.
29:23He can't say whatever he wants.
29:25But he has to deal with my hands.
29:27Still undefeated!
29:28Cajun Chimayev is that good!
29:31Give me the belt!
29:33Whoo!
29:35If we name our title for the third time,
29:36it will be something spectacular.
29:39It's gonna be a very special fight.
29:41There's a lot of bad blood.
29:42There's big rivalry.
29:43And we're gonna see tremendous action.
29:45At UFC 319, one of the world's most promising featherweight prospects
30:04will make his octagon debut.
30:07Former wrestling phenom Aaron Pico garnered a reputation as a future contender
30:13when he transitioned to MMA.
30:15And his arrival on the sport's biggest stage
30:18brings the California native one step closer
30:21to a lifelong goal of capturing UFC gold.
30:24I've always been attracted to combat sports.
30:31That's a huge part of my life.
30:34I was four years old when I found wrestling.
30:38As a kid, I remember when the practices got hard,
30:40it made me more excited.
30:43The harder I pushed, the more I enjoyed life.
30:49It was just something that's inside me.
30:51I've set out big goals for myself since I've been a young kid.
30:59And for years now, I've been working towards them.
31:03My goal was never to be a lifelong wrestler.
31:07I wanted to be a fighter.
31:08I wanted to be a UFC champion.
31:13I've never lost sight of that goal.
31:15And it's led me to great places.
31:17After finding success early in his career,
31:22unexpected setbacks led him to seek help from a championship caliber team.
31:27I've always liked Greg Jackson's coaching style.
31:32And I know he can help me get to where I want to be in fighting.
31:36I will never forget the first thing that he said to me is,
31:42you need to be fighting like a Ferrari, but you're fighting like a minivan.
31:46I got straight to work and set out on a goal to be the best fighter in the world.
31:50I am getting better every single day.
31:54And I'm going to be a huge problem for everybody.
31:59I'm dangerous everywhere.
32:02We've gone on a journey. We've had a lot of great wins.
32:05I feel that I am the best fighter in the world in the featherweight division.
32:09And that's why I'm in the UFC.
32:10Mancuni and Lerone Murphy's undefeated run began in 2016.
32:14When a chance meeting with a former fighter led to a partnership that would shape one of the world's elite featherweight.
32:28Mancuni and Lerone Murphy's undefeated run began in 2016.
32:34When a chance meeting with a former fighter led to a partnership that would shape one of the world's elite featherweight.
32:43I was competing myself and 10 years ago stopped training and just started working with fighters individually.
32:48Let's go guys. Find yourself a partner. Find yourself some space.
32:52Lerone was my first ever professional that I started with.
32:55Busy man this morning. Let's try and make it realistic.
32:58We have a very similar obsession with the sport.
33:00We've made a connection that way in the fact that I'm a dedicated individual.
33:03He's a super dedicated individual.
33:05Keep moving around, checking those defenses and flow it.
33:08He wants to be the best in the world. I want to work with the best in the world.
33:11So it's been a mutual beneficial prophecy.
33:13He is 8-0 making his UFC debut.
33:15This is a very tough man. There, nice right hand lands behind the double jab.
33:19When I started fighting my goal was to reach the UFC.
33:22Don't wait on the spot for a strike to come. Move and flow, move and flow.
33:26As soon as I got in, I realized it was a different level.
33:30Nice take down here.
33:32Oh my God!
33:33Big right hand splits the guard!
33:34Heavy shots!
33:35That's it!
33:36Lerone Murphy! Still undefeated!
33:38Don't forget about moving into open stance sometimes when you're recovering.
33:42Moving around, little face to get there.
33:44This young man has all the skills to carry him to the top of the division.
33:48After a few fights, I knew I belonged in the UFC.
33:53Nice feet.
33:58Still undefeated! Lerone Murphy!
34:01The thing that's kept me undefeated is just my heart and determination.
34:05Listen, everybody in my division is killers.
34:08Every matchup is a big matchup. Just give me any one of them and we'll go.
34:12I live and breathe this game so I'm forever learning, forever growing and I get better and better with each fight.
34:17This man is extremely talented. No weak areas but on the feet, that is where he does the best work.
34:23Oh!
34:24There you go!
34:25So now I feel at home in the UFC and I know that I'm championship level and ready to take over the world.
34:32Lerone Murphy maintains the zero in his own lost column.
34:35He's fought some great competition and he's shown brilliance.
34:38Aiming to become the UK's fourth UFC champion,
34:42Murphy now looks to solidify his status as a top contender.
34:45With a statement performance against a hyped newcomer.
34:49RMP causes an elite fighter, he's a quality fighter I've been watching for years.
34:53He's a solid wrestler and he's got good boxing so I'll be putting together a game plan to negate that.
34:58If you want to have a fight with this man, he's gonna come in there and he's gonna give it to you.
35:01His potential is lining up with his credentials.
35:04Oh, he's a buddy kick!
35:06Every fighter comes with a different look, with a different area of expertise.
35:10So by trying to angle in on what we believe are Aaron Pico's deficits, what we believe are Aaron Pico's strengths.
35:15He comes with a good resume and he comes with a good skill set.
35:18Lerone has many advantages over Aaron Pico for this fight.
35:21Lerone Murphy fully believes he can compete with the best that the featherweight division has to offer.
35:27Just in terms of athleticism.
35:29Murphy showing up here in phenomenal shape.
35:31In terms of his diverse striking set.
35:34Oh, big right for Murphy and he keeps swinging big.
35:37In terms of experience within Oxygen.
35:39Switching up all the attacks.
35:40Now he's southpaw, now he's conventional.
35:42That's a lot to take in.
35:43Oh man, punches and punches coming for the miracle Murphy.
35:46Well and good being on the major organizations that aren't the UFC.
35:49But being in the UFC is a different animal all in itself.
35:52I'm out here grinding bro.
35:54I deserve the recognition now.
35:55I've been in there with the best of the best.
35:57I just showed my worth.
35:58Just believe it's destiny that this fight's come across and we'll push forward and maximize the most of this opportunity and show Aaron Pico what the UFC is all about.
36:06He can do everything.
36:08He's got powerful strikes.
36:09He's got great timing.
36:10He's passed every test the UFC has put at him so far.
36:13This is the time for him to prove that this is where he belongs.
36:17I'm fit, ready to go.
36:19This fight is a life-changing fight.
36:2116-0, what easy work.
36:25I can go out there and beat Aaron Pico.
36:27I'm next in line for the title for sure.
36:29So it's a big test, big risk and big reward.
36:33Watch out for him.
36:34He's undefeated.
36:35I think we're going to see the best version of Lerone Murphy.
36:40You only get one chance to make a first impression.
36:44That sentiment rings true for UFC newcomer Aaron Pico.
36:48Who embraces the opportunity to prove his worth against one of the division's top contenders.
36:57For my UFC debut, I think it's a big challenge.
37:00I'm happy to take on the toughest guys in the division right off the bat.
37:07That just goes to show the expectation that the UFC has for me.
37:14I love training hard.
37:16Thinking about what's the game plan this guy is going to use against me.
37:21Good hippo man.
37:23And figuring out with my coaches and game planning and pushing my body to the limit.
37:28I just love everything about that.
37:31What I think does well is his striking and his cardio.
37:36He's very, very relentless.
37:38A very tough fighter.
37:40He's undefeated for a reason.
37:44But nobody's unbreakable and I definitely can break him.
37:47I'm a different fighter than anybody else he's ever faced in his career.
37:57I'm dangerous everywhere.
37:59I can wrestle, I can strike.
38:01I love to knock people out.
38:04I'm willing to go as far and deep as I have to go mentally and make it as brutal as I can to win a fight.
38:16I don't think a lot of people are willing to go there.
38:18I want to make this a rough night for him.
38:22I want him to step out of the octagon and say, I never want to fight Aaron Pico ever again.
38:26At UFC 319, welterweight veteran Jeff Neal will step into the octagon with Brazilian sensation Carlos Prates.
38:47For the Texan, facing one of the division's hottest prospects is an opportunity to build on recent momentum.
38:55And live up to the potential that was recognized early in his career.
38:59I started MMA 15 years ago.
39:02And my coach saved at one of my fights.
39:03It was actually my first pro-loss.
39:07I'm watching this kid.
39:08I mean, he was clearly better than the kid he lost to.
39:11But he gassed out.
39:12He just wasn't in shape.
39:13And I just remember being like, man, that guy's got so much potential.
39:18I'm like, hey, man.
39:19You got a lot of talent.
39:20You need to try to come to Dallas.
39:21I think we can really make it happen.
39:22And the rest is kind of history.
39:25Under the guidance of Coach Saul, Neal would refine his skill set and quickly prove his worth in the UFC.
39:31Have fun. Do your thing. You're ready.
39:33He is one of the most promising guys in this division.
39:40He's a coach's dream. And Jeff loves to fight.
39:43Oh, it's under the chin. And there's the tap.
39:45Those are the guys that go to the highest level.
39:48Oh, head kick.
39:50Walk-off KO for Jeff Neal.
39:53Coach Saul, we have the same mentality when it comes to fighting.
39:55He has made so many strides in a short amount of time.
39:58Never misses practice.
39:59An absolute workhorse.
40:01That's it.
40:02He's hardworking.
40:03He's always in here, constantly grinding.
40:05And what you see inside the octagon is the fruits of labor.
40:09You the best in the world.
40:10Yes, sir.
40:11I try to emulate that the best I can.
40:13And what a job Safe Saud has done down there in Dallas, Texas.
40:18Very much looks the part of future title contender.
40:21He's beaten some of the best.
40:24A victory over a guy like Bilal Muhammad really shows you how good this guy is.
40:29And I just want to see him make that run and have that shot at the title.
40:33He has regained his welterweight traction after disposing of Papayal Dos Anjos.
40:38That's always been our goal, so we want to make that a reality.
40:40I think this is a fantastic opportunity for him to make another run at the title.
40:48Neil's path towards the title now runs through a talented striker that emerged from a gym on the rise.
40:55After cultivating a stable of Brazil's most promising prospects, the fighting nerds have ascended to prominence in recent years.
41:07Former kickboxer Carlos Prontez credits the team for his transformation into a world-class mixed martial artist.
41:17This means to me a lot being part of the fighting nerds.
41:21It's iron sharpens iron. That fighting nerds team, it's so elite.
41:26Oh!
41:28Rufi, Bahalio, Silva, I mean these guys are so good.
41:33They teach me a different way to see the fight. It's making me a little bit more intelligent, more smart.
41:40The fight nerds are a team that improves you.
41:44And that's what was done with Carlon.
41:46He's a guy who already has this...
41:48...magnitude inside his body, very aflourable.
41:52He had a Muay Thai extremely strong.
41:55Then you're going to go down here, look.
41:57From the bottom of the cotovelo.
41:59Then it's the fight.
42:01The violence.
42:03And what we did was hit some of his weapons.
42:05Let's go!
42:06Energia!
42:08Nice!
42:10Out of Sao Paulo, Brazil, welcome to the Octagon, Carlos Protes.
42:13Oh, the left staggers him!
42:16My style is excited because I like to knock people out.
42:19I watched the fight on Dana White's Contender Series.
42:22This guy is a legitimate fighter.
42:24He's always so calm and ready to throw down.
42:26Oh!
42:28Giles is out!
42:30Carlos Protes turns the tables with one giant shot!
42:36My first year in UFC was amazing.
42:39This guy's fun, man.
42:41Standing back, admiring his work.
42:43The nightmare may be just that for the rest of the welterweights.
42:48Four fights.
42:50The walk-off KO!
42:52This dude!
42:54Four knockouts.
42:56It's a main event for one of the fastest rising contenders in the UFC.
42:59Four bombs of the night.
43:01Carlos Protes is on a rocket ship to the top of the fight game.
43:06It's like he...
43:08All the hard work I did before, paying off now.
43:11Does this look like a fighter that is intimidated by the spotlight?
43:17Joga pra fora esses demônios, rapaz!
43:20Vamos agredir eles!
43:22O Carlão, ele tem a cabeça de ser campeão.
43:24Ele entra na arena pra matar o seu oponente.
43:27Ajoelhadinhas, mãozinha, pegadinha, perninha.
43:31Perfeito.
43:33Todas as estratégias que ele faz de luta não são estratégias de vitórias.
43:36Let's go, guys!
43:38Vai, vai, vai, vai!
43:39São estratégias de nocaute, de finalizações, de bônus.
43:44E a gente tá buscando isso e pra essa próxima luta dele a gente vai ter isso.
43:47Mata o braço.
43:48Vai colar na cabeça, vai colar na cabeça.
43:50O Jeff Newell é um cara extremamente perigoso, né?
43:53Ele pode nocautear você.
43:54Só que o Carlão pega muito forte também.
43:56O Carlão pega muito forte com todas as...
43:58Com as duas mãos, com as duas pernas, com o joelho.
44:01A gente vai levar pra ele um arsenal de golpes.
44:05A gente vai tocar ele, não vai ser tocado.
44:09O Carlos Prates vai acabar com o corpo do Jeff Newell.
44:15E mandar uma mensagem pra categoria que o campeão tá chegando aí.
44:17O campeão tá chegando aí.
44:18Andando!
44:19O que é, você vai perder!
44:20O campeão tá chegando aí.
44:21O campeão tá chegando aí.
44:22O campeão tá chegando aí.
44:23E o campeão tá chegando aí.
44:24The clear and present danger that Protas brings to a fight is not lost on Jeff Neal and the
44:32team at Fortas MMA.
44:39We're readying for the challenge that lies ahead.
44:41When you're looking at the Protas-Neal matchup, these are both incredible strikers, they're
44:48both southpaws, both knockout power.
44:52These are not point fighters, these are guys that are in there trying to finish fights.
44:55Yup, yup, yup.
44:56Nice, Jeff.
44:57Beautiful start, Jeff.
44:59So this is going to be an explosive matchup.
45:01Way to move your feet, Jeff.
45:02That's what the fans want to see.
45:04Nice uppercut, brother.
45:06Protas is a guy that's lost for this last fight, so he's going to be very motivated.
45:10We're going to have to expect Protas to be even better than he's ever been.
45:13He can't handle your .
45:14Be a dog right here.
45:16But Jeff is just not a guy that you can take lightly in there.
45:19Get on him.
45:20Make him get up.
45:21Jeff has a lot of power in his hands.
45:23Good, Jeff.
45:24That's exactly what I want.
45:26We want to show his striking ability.
45:29And when he's on point, he can be like a sniper.
45:32This is an educated, polished striker at perfect technique, beautiful execution.
45:37And he's proven that with some really devastating knockouts.
45:40Hands up, steal!
45:42Jeff!
45:43Neal!
45:44He's looking to do that again.
45:47I'm excited for this fight.
45:48We're going in there.
45:49We're standing and banging.
45:50Yeah, there you go.
45:51I'm not planning on fighting a three-round fight.
45:53I'm planning on a one-round fight.
45:55He has tremendous boxing.
45:57I feel like my boxing is going to shine.
45:59Push, Jeff.
46:00I'm quicker and I'm more powerful.
46:02I'll throw more volume than him.
46:03I just got to make sure my mind's ready and my reflexes and my defense is on point.
46:07Yeah, I'm going to knock him out.
46:08Time.
46:09Yes.
46:18Carlos' protest has turned heads.
46:20His striking is among the best that it gets.
46:22He is the nightmare of the welterweight division.
46:25Jeff knew he was a good fighter, but I have more skills to move.
46:31One of the fastest rising contenders regardless of division.
46:35To hurt him and knock him out.
46:37He puts guys out.
46:40The fight is going to aim by no call.
46:42He is something else.
46:43Dangerous man.
46:44I'm 100% sure.
46:45Jeff Neal has finishing instincts.
46:48It's going to be a high octane and the odds of the fight ending and it finishes 100%.
46:52Jeff Neal can stunt toe to toe with anybody in the division.
46:57UFC 319 is going to be my night.
46:59He's very, very, very good.
47:01I just got to go out there and I got to show that I could be a champion.
47:04The high stakes welterweight clash adds to a star-studded main card life.
47:09Headlined by a title fight between middleweight king Drikus Duplessis.
47:13Leads the league in willpower, cardio.
47:15He's an undeniable finisher.
47:17And the undefeated Chechen wrecking machine, Hamzat Shemayev.
47:21Hamzat Shemayev, is that good?
47:24Destiny hangs in the balance when the octagon touches down in Chi-town.
47:29For UFC 319.
47:31Negatives.
47:32Caluela.
47:33Stranger Speed.
47:36Take a seriously
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