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00:00She fights with a crazy pace, she's insanely strong, and when she really does have that I don't give a
00:05bleep attitude, she is as dangerous as they come.
00:09That's how she fought Alexa in the third round of that first fight.
00:11If she fights like that at the very start, she will be a handful for Alexa Grasso tonight to try
00:17to get a victory.
00:18This is a big moment for both of these women, but for Macy Barber, this is the last step in
00:23earning a championship opportunity.
00:25Yeah, and I think what supports her the most is that 7-5 win streak.
00:28If there's ever anything that's going to give you confidence moving into a fight, it's that kind of a streak.
00:33And not just that, but the way that she's shown up in this streak, she's been very decisive in how
00:39she fights, using her footwork, using her striking.
00:41And this is a perfect rematch for her to really get that back what she lost in the past.
00:46Still very popular among the UFC fans, now she awaits Alexa Grasso.
00:56And Grasso, a fan favorite in her own right, and like her opponent tonight, a former strawweight that moved up
01:01to the flyweight division,
01:02and experienced unprecedented success in her fighting career, and included a giant upset over Valentina Shevchenko to capture the belt.
01:10It was part of a three-fight series that included a draw as well.
01:16But Alexa Grasso, she went up to Las Vegas to train alongside Brandon Moreno.
01:20She really tried to get some different looks, then go back to Guadalajara, her home team in Mexico, under her
01:25uncle Francisco Grasso,
01:26to really put the pieces together to mount another run to a chance at gold.
01:30And you know what makes her successful is her boxing fundamentals, her kickboxing basics, the way that she stays super
01:37tight with her defense.
01:38And she's going to need that against Macy Barber, but also her jiu-jitsu is very good.
01:43I mean, she's good at getting your back and finishing you if she does so.
01:46I think also her mindset is so sharp right now.
01:50You could hear in the meeting when we spoke to her that she really dealt with the mindset issues moving
01:54into a couple of these losses that she had.
01:56She said, look, I had to get my mind back on track, and I'm there.
02:00I know I could beat this person.
02:01You could see in her eyes that she's really focused on the mindset of winning again.
02:05I'm excited to see how she shows up.
02:07And if she can get back on track in the winning ways.
02:09Part of a wave of Mexican champions in the early 2020s, Yair Rodriguez held the interim featherweight title.
02:16He's here in support of Alexa Grasso.
02:19And then, of course, the man who broke through and shattered that ceiling for Mexico, Brandon Moreno, who's also in
02:27the house, much to the delight of these fans here in Seattle.
02:33And I just love how all these fighters support each other, right?
02:37Champions from their great country.
02:38But for Alexa Grasso, she has got to get everything going back in the right direction.
02:43She took some time off, but if she hasn't gotten better at the grappling and wrestling after those fights with
02:49Valentina, I don't know what to tell you.
02:51She's going to face it again tonight.
02:52She says she's ready.
02:53Well, Alexa Grasso trying to hold off Macy Barber and end her winning streak tonight in the co-main event.
03:00Grasso, a small underdog, five years older than Macy Barber out of Denver, Colorado.
03:04So, both athletes, five feet, five inches tall, small one-inch edge and reach for Grasso.
03:11For the introductions, here is Bruce Buffer.
03:14Ladies and gentlemen, this is the co-main event of the evening.
03:24This fight is three rounds in the UFC flyweight division.
03:29Introducing first, fighting out of the blue corner, a freestyle fighter, holding a professional record, 15 wins, two losses.
03:39She stands, five feet, five inches tall, weighing in at 125 pounds, fighting out of Denver, Colorado.
03:48Presenting the number five-ranked UFC flyweight contender in the world, Macy, the future, Barber.
04:06And now, introducing your opponent, fighting out of the red corner, a big special artist, holding a professional record.
04:15Sixteen wins, five losses, one draw.
04:19She stands, five feet, five inches tall, weighing in at 126 pounds, fighting out of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
04:30Presenting the former flyweight champion and the number three UFC flyweight contender in the world, Alexa Grasso!
04:48And when the action begins, a referee in charge, Mike Beltran.
04:54Their first meeting came in February of 2021.
04:58It was the second flyweight appearance of the UFC for each of them.
05:04And it was Macy Barber returning from her knee injury that she suffered against Roxanne Montefiore.
05:11We didn't know what each of them would do.
05:13In the 125-pound weight class, Alexa Grasso went on to achieve a UFC championship.
05:19Macy Barber still chasing that dream.
05:26Opposite stances as Barber, in white, works from the southpaw.
05:38Grasso has always been a boxer first.
05:41High shell.
05:43She fires a one-two and a leg kick.
05:44Impact.
05:55Rock simple, Rock simple, Rock simple,ain of hurtful...
06:08Alexa Grasso has its hands.
06:11the best hands in this division in terms of just pure boxing nobody boxes like
06:15Alexa Grasso the key is gonna be having the range and they're both trying to
06:19find that now once they once Grasso can get the range yes but right now neither
06:24of them have that so they've got to find that before they can really start
06:27getting on rhythm Macy looks much more comfortable in her stand-up right now
06:35the kicks are where they're finding their range instead of the hands which
06:38is respect for each other so once you start landing the hands without
06:42missing then you know you got the range then everything starts to work better
06:48being is because they're boxers that works the opposite with kickboxers
07:01chance of Mexico for those in support of Alexa Grasso three-piece combination
07:07there both of them are going to do best when they throw combinations three four
07:12punches at a time punches and bunches we call it oh Barber getting aggressive as
07:17she advances and forces cross over the fence three punch combination or counter
07:21from Grasso to get herself back to space
07:27that's that's the one thing I love about watching these women fight neither one of them are
07:31afraid to engage they both will step into the fire throw their hands and extend those combinations
07:58to go to the choke like that was gorgeous she didn't even skip a beat till she got that choke
08:05she didn't need a choke she was out
08:07whoa that's crazy and then sits down out of respect that sportsmanship right there
08:14Macy's out that's martial arts sportsmanship
08:20my goodness how quick did she take her back and that one two was beautiful she was rocked in the
08:25way that she
08:26didn't hesitate is pure training right there that's how you know she didn't even think it was just reaction
08:32but every time she would lean in she would get hit Barber seems like she's up now she's okay way
08:39in there
08:39she's okay she's just got to get it together but I think the reality is setting in now like my
08:46goodness this win streak's done
08:48one of the craziest finishes I've ever seen in women's mixed martial arts was that one
08:52dude every time they came together Alexa would hit hit her with shots and it was a counter right hand
08:58I think
08:59or left hand it was a hook that put her down they got to sit her up though man
09:04I mean I don't know why they're not other than they're the doctors and we're not
09:08right here watch look at Grasso old boom oh it was a straight left but
09:16on the butt it was a left hand it jumped the neck I mean this fight is over
09:22check hook left hand I mean nasty South Paul of her South Paul stance I mean she just jumps her
09:28back
09:29strangles her but the fight's already over like Macy Barber's done the moment Macy hits the ground she's done
09:36but sometimes they wake back up so you gotta go for the kill the way that you just saw Grasso
09:41do that you have to
09:42because if she wakes back up you got a long fight on your hands and that's the ref's job to
09:47stop everything else
09:51and of course Grasso jumped the back of Valentina Shevchenko when she threw the spin
09:55kick and you saw how quick she was able to do it to Macy Barber she holds her place in
10:02the top five
10:04in impressive fashion still showing respect for her fallen opponent we'll make it official we'll hear from
10:11Alexa Grasso when we come back
10:44so
10:51so
10:52so
10:56so
10:56so
11:19Paramount Plus unlocks the UFC vault with more than 1,400 UFC fights along with epic curated collections from every
11:26decade.
11:26Iconic knockouts, the best from UFC legends, and so much more that UFC's history streams on Paramount Plus.
11:35Let's make it official, and for that, here is Bruce Bufford.
11:40Ladies and gentlemen, referee Mike Beltran has called a stop to this contest at 2 minutes, 42 seconds in the
11:46very first round.
11:47Declared the winner by knockout Alexa Grosso!
12:05I'm here with Alexa Grosso. Alexa, that might have been the finish of the year. That was tremendous.
12:11How good does it feel to get back in the win column with a statement win like you just had?
12:16First of all, thank you so much, everyone that's here. I hope you enjoy the fight. Thank you for the
12:21love.
12:23I'm back. Alexa, without injuries, it's different, Alexa, and I'm so happy.
12:30Alexa, let's take a look at your work. You are the best boxer in this division.
12:33Were you surprised she wasn't trying to grapple with you, and she was willing to stand and train?
12:38I mean, how fast did you jump on that choke? That was crazy.
12:42I mean, of course, my striking is always the first weapon, but I was training so hard to get a
12:48finish by submission because I trained jiu-jitsu a lot, so I wanted to finish.
12:54You just said that without injuries, you're a different Alexa Grosso.
12:58Now you're healthy. You just knocked out Macy Barber, ended her seven-fight win streak.
13:03How quickly would you like to fight back, and is there someone in particular you would like to share the
13:07octagon with next?
13:08I mean, I know it's, again, to climb the wrong time, and I'm here, anything that UFC says, but I
13:14would truly love to, you know, Dana, Hunter, please, let's bring UFC to Guadalajara.
13:19No, you have to say to my city. That's my biggest dream. Please, please.
13:25Well, that was an amazing performance, champ.
13:27Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for a former champion, Alexa Grosso.
13:35Trying to bring the octagon back home.
13:38You still can't believe how that went down for Alexa Grosso. Unbelievable.
13:43She said a healthy Alexa Grosso is a dangerous one.
13:47It was a frustrating appearance ten months ago, but she said, I trained hard. I got much better.
13:52She's a commentator on our UFC Spanish broadcast team, so her mind's always in the game, and she showed it
13:59tonight.
14:01Well, getting ready for his heavyweight title fight, Alex Pereira will see him in June.
14:09The White House South Lawn, and the Super Bowl champion, Seattle Seahawks, enjoying the festivities tonight.
14:17Great to have him here, and the 12s certainly appreciate him as well.
14:33Great to have him here, and I'll see you next time.
14:55The it factor.
14:58I knew I had it, and a lot of people have had it, but you burn them down.
15:03But I just knew how to firebend.
15:05So here is the Nigerian-born, New Zealand-based Israel Adesanya.
15:12It's pretty rare you see a guy make his UFC debut with this kind of hype.
15:18It's very unique, my MMA career.
15:21I was just being myself.
15:23That was what was able to captivate the fans.
15:25Israel Adesanya!
15:27That's the last stylebender, folks.
15:29I did it my way.
15:30I set my intentions.
15:32I knew what I wanted.
15:34Israel Adesanya has that thing.
15:36And then I had the title.
15:37Watch him all bow down.
15:39Oh!
15:41Let it go nearly out on his feet.
15:42Adesanya trying to close it out.
15:44It's over.
15:44It's over.
15:45Israel Adesanya is the undisputed king of the middleweights.
15:51And this is a game when you're on top for so long, you just have people lie everywhere
15:55with the green light monster.
15:56What if it falls?
15:58They just want to see it.
15:59I'm the champ.
16:00You want it?
16:00Come get it.
16:02This man is a fighter.
16:03His greatness personified.
16:04It's one of the greatest middleweights you've ever seen inside the octagon.
16:07Oh!
16:08Knock out for Adesanya!
16:10They can stop this fight.
16:11I'm the king.
16:13I'm fighting Joe Pai Fod.
16:15I think Trey with me would be the smartest king.
16:19Oh!
16:21Israel Adesanya!
16:25If you want to get into the UFC and this is where you want to be...
16:29Oh!
16:31That is it.
16:32Act like Joe Piper.
16:34Be Joe Piper.
16:37There was a lot of hype.
16:38You know, I was a new kid on the block.
16:41I had the story.
16:42I had the fans, you know, really invested in me.
16:44And I had a lot of hype from the UFC.
16:48It's not just that he has the power.
16:50It's that he puts himself in a position to land.
16:53Oh!
16:54Down and out!
16:55True, legitimate one-punch knockout power.
16:59I've always believed that if you put me in the cage against any man that I have the chance
17:03to win, and I have the power to be able to put anybody out.
17:08Watch him all bounce down.
17:10Oh!
17:11Big knockout for Piper!
17:13He's one of the hardest hitters in any division.
17:15Oh, my goodness.
17:16Face first to the canvas.
17:18I'm coming here to bang.
17:19I told you I ain't scared of nobody.
17:21I want to be known to be the guy that goes out there and is just going for broke every
17:25time.
17:26Like, I'm not here to win a point game, bro.
17:28I'm here to cause damage and get you out of there.
17:30He's got it.
17:31He's the top!
17:33This is a big moment.
17:34Could have been anybody, but it's me.
17:37So I can't wait to go out there and perform, get to share the octagon with one of the greatest
17:42guys to ever do it.
17:45Dismantling another trained martial artist, you know, shutting them down.
17:49Oh!
17:50Big knockdown!
17:51And showing that in front of the world.
17:53That's why I like to fight.
17:56I think I'm the more complete mixed martial artist, and that's what I look to show in
17:59this fight and go out there and put hands on them.
18:02Joe Piper!
18:03I believe in myself, and I'm going to go out there and show it.
18:20I believe in myself, and I'm going to go out there and show it to me.
18:43I've learned to be alone, and I'm going to go out there and show it to me.
18:49And your heart has just changed, and I want to believe that the truth is all I want to believe.
19:04And I'm going to go out there and show it to me.
19:15I mean, my heart is good.
19:22I'm going to go out there and show it to me.
19:26I want to go out there, and I wite it, and I'll come out there and show it to me.
19:45The comeback story of Joe Piper is not as well known, but make no mistake, a gruesome elbow
19:51dislocation injury ended his night back in 2020. His first appearance on Dana White's
19:56Contender Series. He had to wait two long years, but that's when a TKO victory and a
20:01big one at that. The Braves beat Joe Piper, uttered by Dana White was born. The way that
20:06he wins and the way that he fights will get him attention. But when you also do that, you
20:11come from Philadelphia, D.C., that's going to color your color a little darker blue. And
20:16people love the way that he just brings the aggression. His three-fight win streak has earned
20:21of the opportunity of a lifetime against Israel on a sign. And what a chance to build off of
20:26something he learned the last time he was in a main event. He took note of what happened
20:31there. He has improved from it, and he's looked better every single time he stepped in the
20:36octagon since. Joe Piper is a powerhouse. He can knock you out with both hands. He's ultra-aggressive.
20:43But I believe we will see a smarter Piper. He is very aware of the challenge ahead of him,
20:47and he knows that he will need to use all of his skills in order to get past the last
20:52top into Israel at a sign. But if he wins his fight tonight now, he will put himself solely
20:57in the conversation for one of the guys in terms of who's next to challenge the great Hamza
21:03Achimaya. Are you kidding me? If he wins tonight, he's on blast off. He's on a rocket ship back
21:07here. Yes, he is. He really is. And you know, that's what people don't talk about is watch
21:11out for that, too. When you get on that rocket ship, it's quite a ride. But for now, he's still
21:15got to get there, and you've got to face it. It's almost like a Cobra versus Among Us, and
21:21Israel Adesanya would be the Among Us. You know how hard it is to find that guy? It's like you
21:25can be as fast as you want, but to actually get your hands on him is a totally different story
21:29because he plays trickery. He'll pull you back into power shots. He'll push you back. He'll push you
21:36back into head shots with kicks. Everything that he does is a setup. I mean, this guy is
21:41record in kickboxing is 75-4 with 29 knockouts. And we put no sheet guards, tiny gloves on
21:48this guy. We're going to put him in a cage with Joe Piper. But Joe Piper is a guy with
21:53the big power. This guy can land any shot at any time, and that's how he got here. So
21:57we're betting that he can land that shot at one of the greatest ever, and he's betting on
22:02himself. I can't wait to see what happens. How high does he go if he beats Adesanya? That's
22:07the question. He's 14 now. This is the biggest spot he has ever been in. And I can't imagine
22:14he figured it would have come this fast against a guy of the stature of Israel Adesanya.
22:20Spoke a lot this week about his renewed faith. Reborn, feeling great. When's the last time
22:25you saw him with like kind of a smile, right? He's just so comfortable with whatever the result
22:29will be. He believes it'll be his. The challenge is a big one, but a new version of Joe Piper,
22:36at least by personality, he says it won't affect his ferocious fighting style, which will
22:42be on display soon.
23:06So
23:06so
23:06he's
23:06so
23:07so
23:08so
23:09so
23:10I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
23:40No, no, no!
24:27In a sport that offers some of the toughest challenges life could ever throw at you.
24:32It's tough to describe how tough it is to deliver on expectations when they're placed upon you like they were.
24:39Israel Adesanya when he entered the UFC in 2018, but he did that.
24:44And it's also really tough to come back when you've fallen.
24:48He did that too when he got the belt back in dramatic fashion against his rival Alex Pareda.
24:54Does he have another comeback in him after the longest layoff of his career?
24:59We'll find out tonight.
25:01Yeah, you know, I like how you put that.
25:03Does he have another comeback in him?
25:04When you're Israel Adesanya, you believe you never left.
25:07He just had some slip-ups, and he keeps that in his head.
25:09And when you talk to him, he knows that.
25:11Yes, you got this, you got that, but I'm sure he's dealt with that in his head, and now he's
25:15here.
25:15And we've got the champion that we've always had.
25:17I truly believe that.
25:18When you go through a kickboxing resume like him, he's got four losses in his kickbox.
25:24He came back and found more knockouts after that.
25:27Don't ever get it twisted.
25:28With a guy like this, a loss doesn't end up.
25:30Same with Pareda.
25:31He's lost.
25:32He came back, got back on the bike.
25:34That is what a champion is about.
25:36It's not just being undefeated and always being perfect.
25:38It's about getting back on after you fall off and staying on after that, believing in yourself.
25:43Israel Adesanya lives in that, and we're going to see tonight.
25:47And if he can get through Viper here, he's going to prove it again.
25:50Now, I will tell you this right now.
25:52I agree with everything you're saying, but in reality, Israel Adesanya has lost four or five fights, right?
25:58He's fought some of the best guys in the world, but he's lost four or five.
26:02It's a big time for him to answer some questions as to whether or not he's still got it.
26:08Because even the greats, we all have a time.
26:11Let's see if Adesanya's time is up.
26:14He's doing like Oba Femi.
26:16Look at that, the WWE guy walking like Oba.
26:19But if he is going to show tonight whether or not he's still Viper, I believe he is.
26:25He seems clear of mind.
26:26His intentions are clear.
26:28His life is mine.
26:30Everything seems like it's in the right spot for Adesanya to have a very, very normal or a classic Adesanya
26:37performance.
26:37Signature performance.
26:38They say every great champion has one great night.
26:40It feels like tonight Adesanya believes that he has that performance inside of him.
26:45He headlined 11 straight UFC-numbered events before his last fight at UFC in Saudi Arabia.
26:53That layoff, the longest of his career, ends here and now in the headliner against Joe Piper.
26:58Israel Adesanya is seven years older than the 29-year-old from Philadelphia.
27:03Adesanya, too much is taller.
27:05We highlight the discrepancy in reach, a five-inch advantage, with a small betting favorite, Israel Adesanya.
27:13Here's Bruce Buckley.
27:14Ladies and gentlemen, this is the main event of the evening.
27:25Sancted by the state of Washington Department of Licensing.
27:28Our three judges scoring this octagon side are Mike Bell, Sal Diomato, and Eric Cohen.
27:35And when the action begins, our referee in charge of the octagon, Herb Dean.
27:45And now, for those in attendance and UFC fans watching around the world,
27:56this is the moment you've all been waiting for.
28:03Live from the sold-out Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington!
28:20It's time!
28:25Five rounds in the UFC middleweight division.
28:30Introducing first, fighting out of the blue corner.
28:34A big martial artist holding a professional record.
28:3715 wins, 3 losses.
28:39He stands, 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing in at 186 pounds,
28:45fighting out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
28:50Joe Barney-Bergs Pipe Rocks!
29:00And now, introducing his opponent, fighting out of the red corner.
29:05A freestyle fighter, holding a professional record.
29:0924 wins, 5 losses.
29:12He stands, 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighing in at 186 pounds,
29:18fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand, by way of Lagos, Nigeria.
29:22Presenting the former UFC middleweight champion and the number four ranked UFC middleweight contender in the world,
29:34Israel, the last style bender!
29:43Anasanya!
30:08Anasanya!
30:09Because I love fight fans in Seattle, Washington.
30:11They are so loud.
30:13Yeah.
30:14They have been all night long.
30:15The fights have delivered.
30:17Propelled by the 12th man octagon version.
30:23Their chin for Israel Adesanya, who Joe Piper calls the greatest UFC middleweight of all time,
30:29based on his body of work, but also hopes his time is now.
30:34Joe Piper, the small underdog, first time he's an underdog in his UFC career.
30:38He's in red.
30:39Israel Adesanya, the special fight kit.
30:42You can find that at UFC store.
30:44Piper wanted to slap hands, and Israel said,
30:46We're fighting, bro.
30:46No rangefinders for you.
30:48Joe's gonna have to hide that kick.
30:51He's not gonna throw blind kicks and get to Adesanya.
30:53He's gotta throw something in front of him.
30:56I've said that so much, you can't be a friend.
30:58You just gotta get in there and fight.
31:00Israel says that, does that, and here we are.
31:02Well, talking to Joe Piper, he's got a different, or he's adopted a different attitude.
31:07He's not as angry as he used to be.
31:10Look, he's in on that single leg.
31:12He's got a body lock now.
31:13It seems like Piper's gonna get him here.
31:15Piper should be tripping.
31:16It's gonna be very difficult to just whip Adesanya down to the mat.
31:20Again, two inches taller.
31:22There it is.
31:23Now he's gonna get him.
31:24If he can get to that angle, that'll make it much easier to try to get that takedown.
31:28People are booing, but this is game planning.
31:30You can't just stand at range with Israel Adesanya in the beginning.
31:33Wear him out a little.
31:34Try something.
31:34Put him on the fence.
31:35This is what you gotta do with your Piper.
31:37Doc, there's some little details in here, right?
31:39When you get to that body lock, you gotta move that lock to the far side,
31:43and then you gotta start stepping.
31:44You move the lock to the far hip, then you start stepping.
31:48Yeah, he's framing, and he got out of it.
31:50No takedown points.
31:55So an early wrestling attack for Piper, the team at Marquez MMA in Philadelphia.
32:00They are strong game planners.
32:03It's what's led to the success of Sean Brady as well.
32:05Fights Joaquin Buckley coming up shortly.
32:09Piper with a table foul.
32:11Swing out of the 3-2.
32:13Yeah, that was fast.
32:14Piper is fast.
32:15He looked good in that combo, at least.
32:17Piper.
32:17I called him Piper.
32:18I'm thinking of Roddy Piper.
32:20That's what's more on his highlight reel, the big swings like that.
32:23Adesanya said this week, I want to make him punch fresh air, and he just dodged that one.
32:28Probably felt the breeze, though.
32:29No, he got hit with that one.
32:32And that's also how he counters, though.
32:35Like, you saw him versus Whitaker.
32:36That's how he counters.
32:37He slides right off, but he holds his ground.
32:40We'll see if he, once he gets the range, once he gets the timing, he does that with these feints.
32:44Watch, watch, watch, watch.
32:45And he starts piecing it together.
32:46Watch, watch.
32:47He's conventional, Dom.
32:48He's coming up, too.
32:48When he, oh, step in, knee, found the target for Izzy.
32:52Dom, look at, look at his lead hand.
32:54Even when he's conventional, conventional, he still measures like they do in their softball.
32:59The lead, the lead hand is constantly pawing at Piper.
33:03It just moves.
33:05Rage finding.
33:07He's trying to set Piper up.
33:09Oh, that's a big left hook from Piper.
33:12Man, Piper hits hard.
33:13He hits hard.
33:14It's really hard.
33:15It's a real serious thing.
33:18That's the knee landed by Adesanya.
33:19Got to the floor.
33:20Piper with a big swing of the elbow.
33:22When you're watching this in person, it looks like a completely different speed than on TV.
33:26I'll tell you that right now.
33:27I'll tell you this much.
33:28Piper's trying to put him out.
33:30Yeah.
33:32Dangerous fight here.
33:34So you get, you get guys like Piper.
33:37You know you better be ready to defend because that dude is trying to put you out.
33:48Another takedown attempt.
33:50That right hand Piper threw that looked like it landed.
33:53It skimmed off of his body.
33:55Right off the back of the neck.
33:57You were right, Pitsy.
34:01Thing is, when those get that close, though, that's a lot.
34:07Oh, that question mark kick is scary.
34:10He showed it to him.
34:11He fainted the, he threw the inside, fainted the question mark.
34:14Set ups.
34:15Piper can't throw big every time, though.
34:18If he throws big every time, he'll find himself starting to get tired.
34:21As the fight gets down the stretch, he's got to slow it down a little bit and pace himself.
34:30See how, you see Israel sliding to the weak side here.
34:33He's weak side meaning the lead leg, lead hand.
34:36That keeps him away from the right hand of Piper.
34:38He's making the right moves, but he pulls you back and forth.
34:41Israel.
34:42And he's trying to take away whatever power he can from Piper.
34:44Because when Piper's on the center line, he is strong.
34:49He is just, but he's just mixed up the target.
34:51Yep.
34:52And Asanya's hitting him with the punches, but then he kicks him.
34:55And he's showing him all these fates.
34:57That's one thing these guys do at City Kickboxing really well.
34:59It's a lot of fates.
35:03Asanya to the body then switches back to Orthodox.
35:06And lands a leg kick.
35:07He's got to start checking those cap kicks.
35:09It's going to be a long night.
35:10Piper trying to clinch him.
35:12Oh, no.
35:12Asanya gets the takedown.
35:14He went knee-fick there.
35:15He went knee-fick there right there.
35:17Classic.
35:17You need a knee-fick there by Piper.
35:20See if Israel can get up.
35:23Short time.
35:24Ends the round on bottom, it looks like.
35:27Well, the great Joe Rogan has described his sport as high-level problem-solving
35:31with dire physical consequences.
35:34That's what we have through five minutes.
35:36No commercial breaks for the duration of the main event.
35:44All right.
35:44All right.
35:44There you go.
35:45Water.
35:46Give me a mouth, please.
35:47I breathe.
35:49That's it.
35:51Inside.
35:51In and out, you know.
35:52In and out.
35:53In your nose.
35:58Let's not stare at him so much, okay?
36:01Listen, look at me.
36:02We're here.
36:03We're here.
36:03It's a fight, right?
36:04Yeah.
36:05Let's not stare at him too much.
36:07Move a little bit.
36:09You're catching him.
36:10The shot is there.
36:11Let's take a look at some of these replays.
36:12Nice inside kick.
36:13He's trying to take away the right hand of Pfeiffer here.
36:16That's why he's landing that inside kick.
36:18He just skims on the chin there.
36:20And let's see this Pfeiffer knee tap.
36:22He goes for the double and transitions to the knee tap here.
36:25Very clean technique.
36:26Love the way through that arm up, that under.
36:29Next Saturday, a clash of styles in the headliner
36:31from the meta apex Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert,
36:34Hanato Moikano.
36:35Battles hard-charging finisher, Chris Duncan.
36:38The main card begins at 8 Eastern.
36:40Prelims at 5 only on Paramount+.
36:43Second round here and now.
36:55Pfeiffer's corner told him,
36:56Hey, you can't watch him too much.
36:57We're here now.
36:59We can't stand on the outside and watch.
37:01He can't back up either.
37:03You do not want to back up on Israel
37:04because he's going to start controlling the tempo.
37:07Adesanya nearly landed that right hand.
37:10That leg kick looked like it had an effect.
37:12And then I think there was a finger to the eye.
37:16So that's why the halt in the action, Herb Dean saw it.
37:19Oh, Pfeiffer's starting to walk gingerly on that lead leg.
37:22Dom, look at him.
37:23Can't use that word.
37:24He's got red hair.
37:25Oh, my back.
37:27My back, Dom.
37:30Here's another look at the eye poke.
37:32It looked like the pinky of the left hand of Adesanya got in there.
37:37Not enough to make the fans agree.
37:39Luckily, Pfeiffer seems good to go after a 25-second stoppage.
37:42That lead leg is already starting to show a lot of bruising-cruising.
37:46Oh, yeah, that's bad news.
37:47You can't eat a lot of those cupcakes, and Israel knew it.
37:49That's how you take away the power of a right hand.
37:51You attack the lead leg, and that's what Israel's doing.
37:55That's very smart.
37:56Watch your fingers, Joe.
37:57And then as the fight goes on, these big power strikers,
38:00the danger level just keeps going down.
38:03Whoa.
38:04I mean, that right hand is just so powerful and fast.
38:07Joe is so strong.
38:09Yeah, he really is.
38:09When he gets to the body, man,
38:11but he's got to take Adesanya down in the transition.
38:16Adesanya's takedown defense is good enough.
38:18He's so tall.
38:19He's like the frame we were talking about all night.
38:21It's a problem to take people down that are this lanky.
38:25Good hand fight.
38:26Oh!
38:26Left hand and some dirty boxing from Pfeiffer.
38:29Adesanya drew him into that trademark right hand.
38:33Nice.
38:36Oh!
38:37Another one-two from Izzy.
38:39Oh, he's got him hurt.
38:39And now he's got Pfeiffer in retreat.
38:44No!
38:45Adesanya tried an inside trip!
38:47Ha-ha-ha-ha!
38:48Brian locked in.
38:49Inside trip.
38:49Good try there.
38:50That was crazy.
38:51Adesanya's starting to feel good then.
38:53If he's doing stuff like that, he's starting to feel good.
38:58Pfeiffer has got to get a takedown.
39:00Oh!
39:01That didn't land.
39:01He was able to push him off just in time.
39:03Nice timing in the double.
39:05Nice double.
39:05It's good that he's doing this.
39:06You've got to do it on Izzy.
39:08You have to threaten the takedown.
39:09Oh!
39:11That's a lot of energy.
39:13Oh, my God!
39:14A clubbing three-punch combination from Adesanya!
39:17Pfeiffer checks the chin right back!
39:19Oh!
39:20And then a left for Pfeiffer!
39:22Oh!
39:22Oh!
39:23We've got a fight on our hands.
39:25Adesanya's just right in front of him!
39:27Oh, my God!
39:28He's sick of me!
39:29He's sick of me!
39:29He's sick of me!
39:31Oh!
39:32Oh!
39:32It's like they're just training with their hands down.
39:37Nice body shot.
39:39I love him with that one.
39:40Oh!
39:41Shoot!
39:43Oh, no!
39:43Power!
39:44Joe Piper's starting to go on!
39:45Adesanya covering up!
39:47Is he playing possum, though?
39:50Oh, my goodness!
39:52And he spills him.
39:54Gets to the top.
39:56Two-plus minutes to go in what's been an epic second round.
39:59Oh!
40:00Oh!
40:00Uh-oh!
40:02Two minutes.
40:02Well-mounted.
40:04Not what he wanted to do.
40:05No!
40:06Joe Piper!
40:07Oh!
40:08That one was behind the head!
40:10Oh!
40:11Piper's gonna choke him!
40:19Piper just needs to take his time here.
40:22Oh!
40:39Oh!
40:39Oh!
40:39Oh!
40:39Oh!
40:41Oh!
40:43He's got to try to use his feet because right now it's all hand fighting.
40:48If you're flat on his back, it's peeled and sealed, peeled and sealed.
40:52Switch the body triangle.
40:56There's an arm triangle here too. Nice transition.
40:59Nice job by Piper.
41:02Now, Elasanya's got to choose between two back positions.
41:05Mount it or give his back.
41:08Yeah, that's a nightmare position.
41:09He's giving his back and he's flattened out here.
41:11Now Piper will try to land some shots.
41:14Double hooks in.
41:15Oh man, Elasanya not good body language here as he covers up.
41:19Piper now hands on the wall.
41:20He just can't move. He's flattened out.
41:22That's the problem.
41:25He's got to get his hips out.
41:27He's got to get his hips out.
41:29B. Joe Piper because he's in the top five now.
41:34Powerful.
41:41He believed in himself and that's where you become champion when you start that belief system and Piper just started
41:49that track right now.
41:51This is where you start to believe you're a champion.
41:54Yes, and honestly, hey, Joe Piper was behind.
41:58He was getting pieced up and Elasanya decided to fight a brawl.
42:02And you can't brawl with Joe Piper.
42:04He's too good at it.
42:06He's too powerful.
42:07And he hurt Elasanya bad.
42:11Respect to Adesanya for taking the fight.
42:13Respect to Adesanya for actually going to try to fight like that.
42:16He made a choice to stand in front of a very dangerous man and Joe Piper made him pay for
42:22it.
42:22That was amazing.
42:24What a scrap.
42:29What a scrap.
42:38Let's take a look at this hand fight to a left hook.
42:41Throws the uppercut.
42:43But, man, the power that this man has in Piper is crazy.
42:49Look at him right here.
42:50That hook, they're trading punches here in the boxing range.
42:53Nasty power.
42:55Nasty right hand.
42:57For Piper.
42:58That sits Izzy back.
43:00Gets that respect.
43:00And then the body lock takedown.
43:02He gets straight to mount.
43:03I mean, the grappling was just at another level for Piper, comparatively speaking.
43:07We kind of knew that would be the case.
43:08But it's so hard to take Israel down.
43:10And he got it done.
43:11Straight to mount.
43:12And then he made him play back and forth between mount and back take.
43:16Mount and back take.
43:17And here he got double hooks in and just started unloading power shots.
43:21And, you know, when you're Izzy, you want to move, but you're just flat.
43:23You can't roll.
43:24You can't defend.
43:25Irving did the right thing.
43:27Stepped in.
43:28He just couldn't get out of that position.
43:30He could have sat there all day and ate those shots.
43:32John Marquez, the head coach of Marquez MMA in Philadelphia.
43:35Dean Thomas, our colleague.
43:37And a great coach that's linked up with that camp in Philadelphia.
43:42Joe Piper.
43:44He's living that rocky story right now.
43:47As he's entered the big time officially.
43:52One more 30-second break before we make it official.
43:55And hear from Joe Piper next.
43:58Joe Piper.
44:00Come on.
44:04He's living that own place.
44:08He's living that own place.
44:09Oh, man.
44:10Let's go.
44:11Let's go.
44:30coming up next we'll miss a recap of all the action and there was a lot of it the UFC
44:35fight
44:35night post show right here on Paramount Plus Alan Jovan and Paul Felder are here they joined
44:39Megan Olivi to recap all the action Heidi Andrell has exclusive interviews with the big winners
44:44that's coming up next in just moments on Paramount Plus one final time tonight we send it into Bruce
44:51Buffer ladies and gentlemen referee Herb Dean has called a stop to this contest at four minutes
44:5718 seconds of round number two declared the winner by TKO Joe Bodybags
45:18I'm here with Joe Pfeiffer Joe Pfeiffer the biggest winner of your career tell me how you are feeling
45:24right now you got to be walking on cloud nine I am it's weird DC it's like I could see
45:30this moment
45:31happening I almost took my own life like a couple weeks ago and I found God and I ain't crying
45:38man
45:39so I'm gonna keep it together God restored me baby that's the only reason I'm here USA baby let's go
45:49Joe the start of the fight you guys are trading you get a takedown at the end of the first
45:53round
45:54second round it seems like he's getting off let's take a look right here then you guys start to trade
45:59and it was almost like your eyes just opened up and you said okay this is the fight and you
46:04went to
46:04work I mean I just want to say one more thing I don't forget your question all glory to God
46:11for this
46:11win the reason in the second the second round we knew I had the bigger firepower so you know we
46:19were
46:19just gonna keep that pressure on him I was super sloppy yet again getting my leg beat up but I
46:24just
46:24kind of had this mentality that I don't care I'm gonna search and destroy and you better put me out
46:28because I'm not stopping I could see your eyes light up when he stood in front of you because you
46:33knew
46:34you had the power advantage you just beat a former champion though this has to matter to you for a
46:39guy
46:39that in the last time you were in a main event it didn't go well but tonight you get the
46:44biggest win
46:44in your career speak about what you prepared for your team and how you guys got ready for such a
46:49massive moment
46:50I mean Izzy is not the most powerful guy in the world we know that he's one of the highest
46:55IQ
46:56champions of all time two-time champion there's nobody better than him in my book he's the greatest
47:02middleweight of all time he's so successful outside of the sport now whatever he does I support him
47:08I love you as a champion I love you as a person congratulations to Israel what I will say
47:15hey baby my man was number four I'm in the top five as Izzy said they need me and I
47:23am here
47:23I'm 16 and three I'm 29 years old I got the most beautiful woman at home waiting for me to
47:30marry
47:31her Ashlyn I love you all glory to God for this victory we're all time to be dead in the
47:36ditch somewhere
47:36let's go and that's a bonus congratulations on a massive victory ladies and gentlemen give it up
47:43for body bags Joe Pfeiffer
47:52I'm here with the former champion Israel Adesanya Izzy fantastic fight a lot of action in the second
47:59round was there anything surprising in that fight with Joe Pfeiffer that we just saw no I expected the
48:05best Joe Pfeiffer I knew this was his biggest fight his biggest fight ever so he's gonna bring his best
48:10that he did and there was nothing surprising I expected the best and he brought the best
48:13he brought a lot of pressure in the second round you seemed to have had him hurt and then you
48:18kind
48:18of started to brawl with him what went into that decision I said before coming into this fight
48:23it's been 13 months I wanted to feel like I've been in the fight and he gave me just that
48:28so
48:29like I said to him at the weigh-ins they gave me a shot now it's my time to give
48:34him a shot
48:34and he earned it and he did so great so congrats to Joe Pfeiffer for this
48:39Izzy you are one of the greatest champions this organization has ever seen how do you move forward
48:44after a fight like this after another great you keep going again and again and again and again and again
48:53I'm not fucking leaving you'll never stop me I might I might get beaten but I'll always remain
49:00undefeated Jamie Vandekule you say you're not going anywhere we sure don't want to see you out the door
49:05ladies and gentlemen give it up for the former champ Israel the last stylebender Edisonia
49:13well this is the respect that they've shown each other all week long so nice to see the respect
49:18continues afterwards and why would it not fight of the year's got another candidate patty the patty
49:23adjusted gate she started it in January this one added to the list it's tough because you like
49:28everybody when they get in there and you respect him but there can only be one and Joe somebody's
49:33got to pay the Piper Piper yes they got it done unbelievable win for Joe Piper said he learned his
49:40lessons against Jack Ramanson in his main event he had early success in that fight but he kind of wilted
49:45after he got hit with a bad punch he had to take some to give some but ultimately round two
49:51the win
49:52goes to Joe Piper action-packed
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