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Denies release
Willis is disputing his release from his promotion with UFC, Steven Marrocco of MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
According to Marrocco, the promotion has yet to release "Big Pretty", and Willis stated that "it was a big miscommunication and a technical difficulty between me and the UFC." He's optimistic to schedule a fight by August, though it remains to be seen whether he'll remain with the promotion.
According to Marrocco, the promotion has yet to release "Big Pretty", and Willis stated that "it was a big miscommunication and a technical difficulty between me and the UFC." He's optimistic to schedule a fight by August, though it remains to be seen whether he'll remain with the promotion.
Released by UFC
Willis has been released from his promotion with UFC, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Willis got off to a hot start with UFC, winning his first four bouts to earn a top 10 ranking in the division before losing his most recent outing to Curtis Blaydes in March at UFC Fight Night 148. While an exact reason hasn't been given for his release, he had dropped out of the ratings in mid-May and reportedly turned down a July 20 fight against Walt Harris due to concerns of his to reach the 266-weight class. He'll now on the lookout for a new promotion after beginning his pro fighting career at 8-2.
Willis got off to a hot start with UFC, winning his first four bouts to earn a top 10 ranking in the division before losing his most recent outing to Curtis Blaydes in March at UFC Fight Night 148. While an exact reason hasn't been given for his release, he had dropped out of the ratings in mid-May and reportedly turned down a July 20 fight against Walt Harris due to concerns of his to reach the 266-weight class. He'll now on the lookout for a new promotion after beginning his pro fighting career at 8-2.
Puts up little resistance in loss
Willis lost to Curtis Blaydes via unanimous decision (27-30, 26-30, 25-30) at UFC Fight Night 148 in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Willis simply never got going Saturday as we saw him stand flat-footed for most of the fight, which allowed Blaydes to easily get his hands on the opponent to attempt takedowns. We've seen Willis methodically work behind a jab and even employ some of his own wrestling to win fights in the UFC, but it looked as though he simply wasn't ready for the pace that Blaydes was willing to put on him. Willis falls to 8-2 in professional MMA as a result of the loss.
Willis simply never got going Saturday as we saw him stand flat-footed for most of the fight, which allowed Blaydes to easily get his hands on the opponent to attempt takedowns. We've seen Willis methodically work behind a jab and even employ some of his own wrestling to win fights in the UFC, but it looked as though he simply wasn't ready for the pace that Blaydes was willing to put on him. Willis falls to 8-2 in professional MMA as a result of the loss.
Facing Blaydes at UFC Nashville
Willis will fight against Curtis Blaydes at UFC Nashville on Mar. 23, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Willis is coming off a lackluster victory over Mark Hunt, though the 31-year-old is still undefeated in the UFC promotion. However, he'll be put to the test in March, as Blaydes has more experience in UFC and held a five-fight win streak before his defeat in November.
Willis is coming off a lackluster victory over Mark Hunt, though the 31-year-old is still undefeated in the UFC promotion. However, he'll be put to the test in March, as Blaydes has more experience in UFC and held a five-fight win streak before his defeat in November.
Sends Mark Hunt into free agency with victory
Willis defeated Mark Hunt via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Adelaide, Australia.
ANALYSIS
It was a pretty lousy effort from Willis, but he did what he had to do win against a 44-year-old opponent who appeared to be checked out mentally. Willis never had Hunt in any sort of trouble and he was never close to earning a stoppage. In what was a very classy move, Willis immediately turned the floor over to Hunt in his post-fight interview. Of course, Hunt proved us with no update on his future. Willis has nearly zero long term potential despite the fact is he undefeated in the UFC (4-0) and riding an eight-fight winning streak overall.
It was a pretty lousy effort from Willis, but he did what he had to do win against a 44-year-old opponent who appeared to be checked out mentally. Willis never had Hunt in any sort of trouble and he was never close to earning a stoppage. In what was a very classy move, Willis immediately turned the floor over to Hunt in his post-fight interview. Of course, Hunt proved us with no update on his future. Willis has nearly zero long term potential despite the fact is he undefeated in the UFC (4-0) and riding an eight-fight winning streak overall.