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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?
17:07I'm really not a big fan.
17:08I'm not a big fan.
17:09You're going to get out of here.
17:10You're going to get out of here.
17:11I'm not a big fan.
17:16We're in Rottenberg right now.
17:18It's actually a national qualifying race.
17:19I know.
17:20I know.
17:21I know.
17:22There are some very, very good cars here.
17:24Because this is a qualifier for a national title.
17:28So I'm really looking forward to it.
17:30My car, as bad as I have to say, obviously my racing alter ego, Dricky Bobby.
17:39It's the fun car.
17:49The car looks rad, but it doesn't stay that beautiful for very long.
17:52The biggest similarities between fighting and racing is you're in control.
18:11When the night comes, you can be as good as you want.
18:13When the ref says fight, when the green flag goes, it's about rising to the occasion.
18:22You can be as good as you want in training.
18:28It's about, on the night, who's the boss?
18:38Being involved in racing himself is absolutely brilliant.
18:45He isn't standing out doing nothing.
18:47He's actually getting into a car and he's actually racing with the guys.
18:52It's a great family environment.
18:53It's a great family environment.
18:54It's great to see all these drivers.
18:55It's just helping him.
19:00Having somebody like him here brings the crowd, brings people and families.
19:08People wanting autographs.
19:09People wanting to come through the gate to see him.
19:15I had a lot of fun and it's a great family environment.
19:18It's great to see all these drivers just helping him.
19:21The drivers just help each other out and doing what we all love.
19:24So that was very cool.
19:25It was very good.
19:26For first time title challenger Hamzat Shumayev, the rigors of fight camp are balanced by a return to his home in Chechnya.
19:45While 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.
19:55If you say Chechnya people thinking like still you have a war here.
20:00No, it's not war.
20:01We have a lot of students from different countries.
20:04We have a lot of athletes who's coming here.
20:07It's become a totally different place.
20:10UK Bozowski.
20:12This is my house, UK.
20:13You can stay there.
20:15I grew up here.
20:16Had tough time.
20:17Had good time.
20:18And my family lives here.
20:20My friends live here.
20:21One house will be there.
20:23One is almost ready.
20:24The other one is ready already.
20:26My brother has that house.
20:29This is my mom's house.
20:31This one is my house.
20:32He's gonna be here.
20:33There it has a small like gym stuff, you know.
20:38All Chechnya village are the same.
20:41People helping each other to become a good people.
20:45Now it's my time to give back.
20:47That's why I'm building the gym.
20:49This gym I'm building in my village for the young people, boys.
20:59Become a good wrestlers here.
21:01I just want to put a cage because of the kids, you know.
21:04So first they have to become a wrestlers.
21:07Then after 50 years, after 20 years, I don't know.
21:11They're gonna choose what they want to do.
21:13So it's not gym for me.
21:14I'm building for the kids.
21:16A lot of young people over here every evening.
21:20We're here playing football.
21:22They're training wrestling as well.
21:24They're explaining to me like,
21:26I'm gonna be, he says, I'm gonna be like you.
21:28I say, you're gonna be better than me
21:30if you start to train right now.
21:33It's an amazing place for me to be here.
21:35I grow up here, you know.
21:36Playing, fighting, or if you have some problems,
21:39if somebody come from Hall, the village, come here and fight.
21:43What's good?
21:45Go away here.
21:47Everyone knows me.
21:49I 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.
21:58I love them as well.
22:00Kids have to be safe, so it has to be not the streets.
22:03Better has to be in the gym.
22:05Gyms makes you a stronger guy.
22:07Mentally, like physically.
22:09Now I work.
22:10I need good people in my village.
22:13Strong people.
22:14This is my work.
22:16I gotta do the best way.
22:18Because I love that place.
22:20Ahead 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
22:44to prepare for his first shot at UFC gold.
22:48There is everything.
22:50for recovery, for training, for all of the athletes.
22:56It'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.
23:17I focus on me.
23:21I'm ready for everything.
23:25I do my work.
23:31I wrestle with the guys.
23:33I know how to box with the guys.
23:37Same thing, preparing for a fight.
23:39Work hard.
23:41People say it's like Drikas has good cardio.
23:45He has good this.
23:46And people watching me, oh, Hamza has bad this, bad this.
23:49He's hype.
23:51How many years I've been in UFC?
23:53Still people say he's hype.
23:55I beat the world champion.
23:57I beat the world champion.
23:59I beat the guys.
24:00I've been number one in a long time.
24:03Usman and Robert Whitaker.
24:06He fought Drikas.
24:07He fought Drikas.
24:08How many minutes?
24:09Left, left, left, left, left.
24:10Yes.
24:13Drikas being take down from Robert Whitaker.
24:16Robert, he didn't get me in one punch.
24:20There's one I fought.
24:22There's like, I'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.
24:32I'm ready for him.
24:37Everyone say like, oh, this is for a title fight for you.
24:43How does it feel?
24:44Like, it feels same, man.
24:46Doesn't matter.
24:48Drikas.
24:49He's a strong guy.
24:51A lot of good skills, but not my level.
24:55Striking, wrestling, grappling.
24:57I don't see any way he can be better than me.
25:02So, I'm going for him.
25:04Going for the war.
25:05Take one more head home.
25:10I'll be going for big gold.
25:18Training for a world-class opponent in a UFC title fight
25:21is nothing new for the champion Drikas Duplessis,
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.
25:31Grab your partner.
25:33When you disengage, you shoot or you clinch.
25:35Go in a clinch and take something.
25:37Okay, let's go.
25:38This fight camp, just like every other fight camp,
25:43I'll be training right here in Victoria,
25:45South Africa with my team.
25:48I don't have to change anything that's working.
25:50My team is incredible.
25:51My coaches are incredible.
25:53And 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.
26:01World-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.
26:20We don't want to try to get away from his wrestling.
26:22We want to him up in his game.
26:24You're stupid.
26:25You think this is a wrestling.
26:27It's MMA wrestling.
26:28So you cannot pick your head up.
26:31You cannot drop your hands.
26:33Drop your 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
26:43coming with one thing and that's wrestling.
26:50That guy's one-dimensional.
26:52Have you seen me stand up?
26:53I won't even give him a pro license for his stand up.
27:01He doesn't present any problem for us.
27:03We are the problem.
27:08Obviously this for me is the most important fight of my life.
27:11Like everyone before that.
27:12So we are preparing like we've never prepared before.
27:15I'm not going in there to fight.
27:17He's fired.
27:18I'm fighting my fight.
27:19Just like I dealt with Adesanya's striking,
27:22I dealt with Strickland's 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're going to have all the systems in the world.
27:31And when a fight comes, it's about the fight in your heart.
27:34And 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.
27:50A force unlike anything the fight game has ever seen.
27:55Kamzat Shimaev, intensity personified.
27:59I will take you down.
28:01He carries this aura about him.
28:03I've seen a lot of fighters like him.
28:05Jacob Duplessis.
28:06This man is on a mission.
28:08Ain't no use him praying.
28:10But the next man of his comes out.
28:12It's nothing special.
28:14Dude's scary, man.
28:16You got nowhere to run.
28:18All the guys he fought, no one of them was undefeated.
28:22It's his wrestling.
28:24It's his aggressiveness.
28:25It's his self-belief that makes him very special.
28:28You can run from me.
28:31He beats a designer who has already lost.
28:35Sean Strickland.
28:36He don't know how to fight.
28:37I'm gonna take you down.
28:39He's such a terrifying talent.
28:41I don't know how to lose.
28:43The hype is real.
28:45You can run from me.
28:49Drickus is a finisher.
28:51He's an incredible champion.
28:53Hamzat.
28:54He hasn't been beaten.
28:56But 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 up hell.
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, I'm still gonna have that strength and I'm still gonna be there.
29:14That's where I'm headed.
29:19Whatever 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.
29:33Woo!
29:35If he named my title for the third time, it 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.
29:57At UFC 319, one of the world's most promising featherweight prospects will make his octagon debut.
30:08Former wrestling phenom Aaron Pico garnered a reputation as a future contender when he transitioned to MMA.
30:16And his arrival on the sport's biggest stage brings the California native one step closer to a lifelong goal of capturing UFC gold.
30:27Always 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, it made me more excited.
30:43The harder I pushed, the more I enjoyed life.
30:49It was just something that's inside me.
30:53I've set out big goals for myself since I've been a young kid.
30:58And 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. I wanted to be a UFC champion.
31:13I've never lost sight of that goal.
31:16It's led me to great places.
31:17After finding success early in his career, unexpected setbacks led him to seek help from a championship caliber team.
31:27I've always liked Greg Jackson's coaching style.
31:31And I know he can help me get to where I want to be in fighting.
31:40I will never forget it. The first thing that he said to me is, you need to be fighting like a Ferrari, but you're fighting like a minivan.
31:45I 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.
31:53And I'm going to be a huge problem for everybody.
31:57I'm dangerous everywhere.
32:00We've gone on a journey. We've had a lot of great wins.
32:04I feel that I am the best fighter in the world in the featherweight division, and that's why I'm in the UFC.
32:09Mancuni and Lerone Murphy's undefeated run began in 2016, when a chance meeting with a former fighter led to a partnership.
32:12I feel that I am the best fighter in the world in the featherweight division, and that's why I'm in the UFC.
32:28Mancuni and Lerone Murphy's undefeated run began in 2016, when a chance meeting with a former fighter led to a partnership.
32:39That would shape one of the world's elite featherweight.
32:43I was competing myself, and 10 years ago, I stopped training and just started working with fighters individually.
32:48Let's go guys, find yourself a partner, find yourself some space.
32:51Lerone was my first ever professional that I started with.
32:54Busy 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 flowing.
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.
33:16There, nice right hand lands behind the double jab.
33:18When I started fighting, my goal was to reach the UFC.
33:21Don't wait on a spot for a strike to come.
33:24Move and flow, move and flow.
33:26As soon as I got in, I realized it was a different level.
33:29Nice take down here.
33:31Oh!
33:32Oh my God!
33:33Big right hand splits the guard!
33:34Heavy shots!
33:35That's it!
33:36Lerone Murphy!
33:37Still undefeated!
33:38Don't forget about moving into open stance sometimes on your recovery and moving around.
33:42Little 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!
33:59Lerone 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.
34:09Just give me any one of them and we'll go.
34:11I 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.
34:20No 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.
34:31Lerone 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, Murphy now looks to solidify his status as a top contender.
34:45With a statement performance against a hyped newcomer.
34:48Rn Pico is an elite fighter, he's a quality fighter.
34:51I've been watching him 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 wanna 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 Rn Pico's deficits, what we believe Rn Pico's strengths,
35:15he comes with a good resume and he comes with a good skill set.
35:18Lerone has many advantages over Rn 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, now he's southpaw, now he's conventional.
35:42That's a lot to take in.
35:43Oh man, punches and bunches coming for the miracle Murphy!
35:46Well and good being on the major organizations that aren't the UFC.
35:50But being in the UFC is a different animal all in itself.
35:53I'm out here grinding, bro. I deserve the recognition now.
35:56I've been in there with the best of the best. I just show my worth.
35:59I just believe it's destiny that this fight's come across and we'll push forward
36:02and maximize the most of its opportunity and show Rn Pico what the UFC is all about.
36:07He can do everything. He's got powerful strikes. He's got great timing.
36:11He's passed every test the UFC has put at him so far.
36:14This is the time for him to prove that this is where he belongs.
36:18I'm fit, ready to go. This fight is a life-changing fight.
36:2216-0! What? Easy work!
36:25If I can go out there and beat Rn Pico, I'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. He's undefeated.
36:35I think we're going to see the best version of Lerone Murphy.
36:37Lerone Murphy.
36:41You only get one chance to make a first impression.
36:45That sentiment rings true for UFC newcomer, Aaron Pico,
36:49who embraces the opportunity to prove his worth
36:53against one of the division's top contenders.
36:56For 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.
37:10I love training hard.
37:15Thinking about what's the game plan this guy is going to use against me.
37:22Good hip movement.
37:23And figuring out with my coaches and game planning
37:25and pushing my body to the limit.
37:30I just love everything about that.
37:32What 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.
37:46And I definitely can break him.
37:52I'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.
38:03I love to knock people out.
38:04I'm willing to go as far and deep as I have to go mentally.
38:11And make it as brutal as I can.
38:14To win a fight.
38:16I don't think a lot of people are willing to go there.
38:19I want to make this a rough night for him.
38:21I want him to step out of the octagon and say,
38:24I 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.
38:35For the Texan, facing one of the division's hottest prospects is an opportunity to build on recent momentum and live up to the potential that was recognized early in his career.
38:44I started MMA 15 years ago.
38:45And my co-saved at one of my fights.
38:46It was actually my first pro-loss.
38:47I'm watching this kid.
38:48I mean, he was clearly better than the kid he lost to.
38:49But he gassed out.
38:50And he just wasn't in shape.
38:51And I just remember being like, man, that guy's got so much potential.
38:53So again, ah, I'm like, hey man, you know you got a lot of talent.
38:56You need to try to come to Dallas.
38:57I think we can reach you to Dallas.
38:58career i started mma 15 years ago and i met coach saved at one of my fights it was actually my first
39:04pro loss i'm watching this kid i mean he was clearly better than the kid he lost to but he
39:11gassed out he just wasn't in shape and i just remember being like man that guy's got so much
39:15potential i'm like hey man you got a lot of talent you need to try to come to dallas i think we can
39:21really make it happen and the rest is kind of history under the guidance of coach saoud neil
39:27would refine his skill set and quickly prove his worth in the ufc have fun do your thing you're
39:32ready he is one of the most promising guys in this division he's a coach's dream and jeff
39:41loves to fight oh it's under the chin and there's the tap those are the guys that go to the highest
39:46level oh head kick walk off ko for jeff noose we have the same mentality when it comes to fighting
39:55he has made so many strides in a short amount of time never misses practice an absolute workhorse
40:01that's it he's hard working he's always in here constantly grinding and what you see inside the
40:06octagon is the fruits of labor you're the best in the world yes sir i try to emulate that the best i
40:12can and what a job safe saoud has done down there in dallas texas very much looks the part of future
40:19title contender he's beaten some of the best a victory over a guy like balal muhammad really
40:27shows you how good this guy is and i just want to see him make that run and have that shot at the
40:32title he has regained his welterweight traction after disposing of papayal dos sanjos that's always
40:38been our goal so we want to make that a reality i think this is a fantastic opportunity for him to make
40:46another run at the title neil's path towards the title now runs through a talented striker
40:52that emerged from a gym on the rise
41:00after cultivating a stable of brazil's most promising prospects the fighting nerds have
41:05ascended to prominence in recent years
41:09former kickboxer carlos prontes credits the team for his transformation
41:15into a world-class mixed martial artist this 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
41:30silva i mean these guys are so good they teach me a different way to see the fight
41:36it's making me a little bit more intelligent more smart
41:39the fight nerds are a team that helps you to improve and that's what was done with
41:45the carlon he's a guy who has this magnitude inside of his body that's very afloat
41:50like
41:52he had a Muay Thai extremely strong
41:54and then he's going to fall down here and down here and down here and down here and down here
41:59and that's how the fight ended
42:00violence
42:01and what we did was to break some of his weapons
42:05let's go let's go let's go
42:06energy
42:07nice out of sao paulo brazil welcome to the octagon carlos protest
42:13oh the left staggers him my style is excited because i like to knock people out i watched
42:19the final dainwise contender series this guy is a legitimate fighter he's always so calm and ready
42:25to throw down oh giles is out carlos protest turns the tables with one giant shot
42:36my first year in ufc was amazing this guy's fun man standing back admiring his work
42:43the nightmare may be just that for the rest of the welterweights four fights
42:49the walk-off ko this dude four knockouts it's a main event for one of the fastest rising contenders
42:57in the ufc four bombs of the night carlos protest is on a rocket ship to the top of the fight game
43:06it's like he all the hard work i did before paying off now does this look like a fighter that is
43:13intimidated by the spotlight
43:17joga pra fora esses demônio rapaz vamos agredir eles carlos tem a cabeça de ser campeão ele entra na
43:24arena pra matar o seu oponente joelhadinhas mãozinha pegadinha perninha perfeito todas as estratégias que ele
43:33faz de luta não são estratégias de vitórias let's go guys vai vai vai vai vai vai são estratégias de
43:40nocaute de finalizações de bônus ea gente está buscando isso e pressa próxima luta dele a
43:46gente vai ter isso mata o braço vai colar na cabeça vai colar na cabeça o dia o final é um cara
43:51extremamente perigoso né pode nocautear você só que o cara não pega muito forte também o cara não
43:56pega muito forte com todas as duas mãos com as duas pernas com o joelho a gente vai levar pra ele um
44:02arsenal de golpes a gente vai tocar ele não vai ser tocado carlos prates vai acabar com o corpo de off
44:12neil e mandar uma mensagem para a categoria que o campeão tá chegando aí
44:27the clear and present danger that protest brings to a fight is not lost on jeff neil and the team at
44:33fortis mma
44:38or readying for the challenge that lies ahead
44:43when you're looking at the protest neil matchup these are both incredible strikers they're both
44:48southpaws both knockout power these are not point fighters these are guys that are in there trying
44:54to finish fights yep yep yep nice jeff beautiful star jeff so this is going to be an explosive matchup
45:01way to move your feet jeff that's what the fans want to see nice uppercut brother protest is a guy
45:06that's lost for this last fight so he's going to be very motivated we're going to have to expect
45:11protest to be even better than he's ever been he can't handle your be a dog right here but jeff is
45:16just not a guy that you can take lightly in there and on him make him get up jeff has a lot of power
45:22in his hands good jeff that's exactly what i want we want to show his striking ability
45:28and when he's on point he can be like a sniper this is an educated polished striker a perfect
45:35technique beautiful execution and he's proven that with some really devastating knockouts hands up
45:41steel jeff neil he's looking to do that again i'm excited for this fight we're going in there we're
45:49standing and banging yeah yeah there you go i'm not planning on fighting a three-round fight i'm
45:53planning on a one-round fight he has tremendous boxing i feel like my boxing is going to shine
45:59push jeff i'm quicker and i'm more powerful i'll throw more volume than them i just got to make
46:04sure my mind's ready and my reflexes and my defense is on point yeah i'm gonna knock him out time
46:08carlos protest has turned heads his striking is among the best that it gets he is the nightmare of the
46:24welterweight division jeff knew he's a good fighter but i have more skills to move one of the fastest
46:32rising contenders regardless of division to hurt him and knock him out he puts guys out the fight
46:40when i aim by no call he is something else dangerous man i'm 100 sure jeff neil has finishing instincts
46:48it's gonna be a high octane and the odds of the fight and it finishes 100 jeff neil can stand
46:54toes to toe with anybody in the division ufc 319 is gonna be my night he's very very very good i just got
47:01to go out there and i got to show that i could be a champion the high stakes welterweight clash
47:06adds to a star-studded main card line headlined by a title fight between middleweight king drickus
47:12duplessis leads the league in willpower cardio he's an undeniable finisher and the undefeated
47:18chechen wrecking machine kamzat shimayam kamzat shimayam is that good destiny hangs in the balance
47:26when the octagon touches down in shi town for ufc 319
47:38you
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