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PFL CEO John Martin already has Thad Jeans first title defense in mind

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PFL CEO John Martin already has Thad Jean's first title defense in mind

Professional Fighters League CEO John Martin saw several
fighters make a statement at
PFL Washington D.C.

The PFL put on a show at CareFirst Arena in the American capital,
where Thad Jean
(12-0) and Ernesto
Rodriguez (11-2) fought for the vacant welterweight title in
the main event. Rodriguez accepted the matchup on 48 hours' notice
after Jean's original opponent, Shamil
Musaev, pulled out due to weight cut issues.

The PFL CEO believes Shamil Musaev deserves the next title
shot

Jean survived a knockdown scare in the second round and pounded out
an exhausted Rodriguez to earn a stoppage win in the third period.
Martin appreciates Rodriguez for stepping up to save the main
event, although the Cuban was originally supposed to fight Aaron
McKenzie on the same card. Martin also praised Jean for
accepting a sudden change of opponent and would like to see him
defend his title against Musaev next.

“Let's start with Ernesto… 48 hours ago, he was preparing for a
different fight,†Martin said in an interview. “We approached him,
we gave him a huge opportunity and right on the spot he recognized
it and he wanted to do it. And he fought a pretty courageous fight.
He wasn't training to fight someone who is 6-foot-2 and he also
wasn't training to fight five rounds. Which is a different level of
preparation. You could also say the same about Thad Jean.
Obviously, he came out on top and fought a great fight. But he was
training for Shamil, who is a completely different fighter… I would
like to see him do that fight with Shamil.â€

Martin notes that the event was a great night for African talent as
Nkosi
Ndebele defeated Brandon
Davis via a dominant decision and Eliezer
Kubanza made Chris Mixan
tap to a Brabo choke. He was also impressed with Rasul
Magomedov’s hard-fought decision win over Sullivan
Cauley and Rafael
Xavier's first-round buzzer-beater knockout of Tyson
Pedro.

“Tonight was a good night for PFL Africa,†Martin added. “We had
two African fighters represent, and both of them came out with
really, really stellar victories… And then Magomedov — that was a
close fight, and Cauley fought very valiantly… And Xavier, that was
impressive — also can fight standing up, fight on the ground.
These weight classes are still evolving, but you see nights like
tonight, the winners are really putting themselves in positions for
title contention.â€

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MMA

Renato Moicano hails Raoni Barcelos as ‘warrior’ after UFC Vegas 121

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Renato Moicano hails Raoni Barcelos as ‘warrior’ after UFC Vegas 121
Renato
“Money†Moicano believes Raoni
Barcelos embodies the Brazilian fighting spirit.

Barcelos (22-6) took on one of the hottest prospects in the

Ultimate Fighting Championship, Raul Rosas
Jr. (13-1), in the main event of
UFC Vegas 121 in Las Vegas. Barcelos was ahead on the
scorecards entering the final round, but suffered a concerning
stoppage loss.

Moicano praises Barcelos after his stoppage loss to Raul Rosas
Jr.

Their brutal back-and-forth war was seemingly up for grabs heading
into the final frame. Rosas Jr. started strong, and during a clinch
up against the cage wall, Barcelos suddenly went limp. The former
was declared the winner, while the latter was removed on a
stretcher from the Octagon.

“Moicano†lauded Barcelos for going out on his shield like a
warrior. The UFC lightweight felt proud to be a Brazilian after
watching Barcelos' performance and believes the 39-year-old
bantamweight veteran should be a role model for the coming
generations.

“Raoni Barcelos yesterday showed the essence of what it means to be
a Brazilian fighter, a warrior,†he posted on X. “He left carried
on his shield, but he left with all honor and all glory. Raoni
Barcelos fills me with pride and hope in being Brazilian, not just
in the fight. We have to make these Brazilians be an example for
the young people.â€

Barcelos was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he regained
consciousness. His coach, Davi Ramos,
on Saturday night confirmed that he is responsive and moving
around. He is still under supervision and awaiting test results to
determine the exact issue.

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MMA

UFC gives update on Raoni Barcelos after scary stoppage

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UFC gives update on Raoni Barcelos after scary stoppage
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship has provided an update on
Raoni
Barcelos following his concerning loss to Raul Rosas
Jr. at
UFC Vegas 121.

Barcelos was ahead on the scorecards entering the final round.
However, during a wrestling exchange against the Octagon wall, the
Brazilian veteran appeared to go limp, prompting the referee to
stop the fight. He was later taken out of the Octagon on a
stretcher and transported to a hospital. The UFC has since released
an update on his condition.

Raoni Barcelos stable and responsive after UFC Vegas 121 loss
to Raul Rosas Jr.

In a statement released hours after the event, the
UFC said Barcelos was transported to a Level 1 trauma center for
further evaluation. The promotion confirmed that the 39-year-old is
stable and responsive after his coach initially revealed the
same.

“Following his fight tonight, Raoni Barcelos was immediately
transported to a Level 1 trauma center for evaluation,†the
statement read. “The hospital medical team conducted a CT scan and
comprehensive assessment, and he is currently being monitored.
Barcelos is stable, alert and responsive, with full movement. He
will remain under medical supervision. We will provide updates on
his condition as they become available.â€

Barcelos both sustained and dished out significant damage against
Rosas Jr., with their high-paced, back-and-forth bout later earning
Fight of the Night honors.

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MMA

Henry Cejudo targets Dean The Great following Misfits Boxing win over Javon Walton: "It's time for me to put that duck to sleep"

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Henry Cejudo targets Dean The Great following Misfits Boxing win over Javon Walton: "It's time for me to put that duck to sleep"

Henry Cejudo isn't moving on from a showdown with Nurideen “Dean The Great†Shabazz.

Cejudo was expected to face Sabazz this past Saturday, but “Deen The Great†suffered an injury and was removed from the event. “Triple C†ended up facing Javon Walton in Miami, and he earned a split decision victory in the Misfits Boxing headliner. Tony Ferguson competed on that same card, stopping Mahmoud Sebie to retain his middleweight title.

Speaking to Fred Beck of “Fred Talks Fighting,†Cejudo said he's still targeting a clash against Shabazz, and even accused him of ducking (via MMAJunkie).

“First and foremost, I think Deen ‘The Duck' owes me a f*cking fight,†Cejudo said. “That's what he does, and it's time for me to put that duck to sleep. You guys have to stop calling him ‘Deen The Great,' it's ‘Deen The B*tch.' Why don't we call him that? He needs to show up, and we have to throw down because that was the original plan. If he can't do that, then just stream; don't talk your sh*t. You're not a boxer then. If you're not willing to fight, then just stream and have fun kissing your boyfriend Adrien ‘Boner' (Adrien Broner).â€

Since retiring from pro MMA competition, Cejudo has returned to his freestyle wrestling roots under the RAF banner in addition to his influencer boxing stint. The former two-division UFC champion has been staying busy, and he hopes to secure a fight with “Deen The Great†in the near future.

Shabazz had a late 2025 boxing match against Amado Vargas, which resulted in a unanimous decision loss. Whether or not he'll look to rebook a clash against Cejudo remains to be seen.

What do you make of Henry Cejudo dabbling in the world of influencer boxing? Sound off in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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