Earning wins in the UFC is certainly no easy task, but what comes next is often even more important: the post-fight callout.
So after Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 13 event in Sacramento, Calif., who took advantage of their time on the mic? See below for this week’s Callout Collection – and just how realistic each one is.
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First up, let’s take a look at the night’s prelim winners.
Brianna Van Buren
Wants to fight: Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard
The callout: “Well, Sean Shelby, Mick Maynard, Dana White, a little birdie told me you guys are coming to San Francisco in October. That’s literally an hour-and-a-half away from my hometown. It would be stupid if you didn’t get me on that card. I want a top-10 (opponent). I know I’m asking for too much, so if you can give me whoever is willing to step up and fight me, let’s get the ball rolling.”
The reality: Brianna Van Buren (9-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) was making her UFC debut on Saturday night, but her performance was incredible, dominating a durable Livinha Souza en route to a clearcut decision win. Her time on the mic was just as impressive, as well, not backing down from telling UFC brass exactly what she wants – a spot on October’s UFC on ESPN+ 19 card, which is rumored to take place at San Francisco’s Chase Center, a brand new arena slated to open later this year.
Van Buren’s request for a top-10 opponent may fall on deaf ears – after all, the strawweight division has a long list of talented fighters – but her request to fight near her hometown should not. This is a no-brainer for the UFC matchmakers, and I doubt either of them wants to be on the bad side of this 5-foot-tall firecracker. So if they want to avoid a fight with “The Bull,” they should put someone else in the way.
Jonathan Martinez
Wants to fight: Rani Yahya
The callout: “I want Rani Yahya next. That’d be a good fight for me. He’s ranked up there and a real known guy. I think it would be fun.”
The reality: Look, the truth is Jonathan Martinez (11-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) doesn’t even really like talking to anyone at all, so the fact that he called anyone out should be enough reason for the UFC to book it. There’s no telling if it will ever happen again.
But honestly, the fight makes some sense. With his “Performance of the Night” finish of Liu Pingyuan, Martinez was one of the brightest highlights of the night’s preliminary card, and the 34-year-old Yahya (26-10 MMA, 11-4 UFC) has never been afraid to back down from a challenge, even if it’s from a fighter relatively new to the organization. With the Brazilian submission ace coming off a February loss to Ricky Simon, he’s not really in a position to call the shots, so why not answer the one fired his way?
Ryan Hall
Wants to fight: ‘Someone in the top-10’
The callout: “There’s a card in D.C. at the end of the year that’s about five minutes away from my house. I’d be excited to be on that, and I’d love to fight someone in the top-10.”
The reality: The UFC is expected to visit Washington D.C. in December for UFC on ESPN 7, and Ryan Hall (8-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) would be a natural fit. That gives the grappling ace six months before he needs to step back into the cage, which seems about right for a fighter who wants to fight more frequently than he has been, but not at a “Cowboy” Cerrone pace.
Hall is a unique figure in MMA, His game of wild, spinning kicks and constant Imanari rolls make him a true one-of-a-kind opponent. At its best, as it was over the first two rounds of his decision win over Darren Elkins, it can be incredibly fun to watch. At its worst, which it started to lean toward in the third, when the crowd started to get really tired of him turning his back to scamper away and reset, it can be a little less visually appealing.
Elkins entered the contest at No. 13 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA featherweight rankings, so Hall looking a little higher up the list doesn’t seem too far-fetched. Perhaps a matchup with Renato Moicano, who currently sits at No. 10, would prove an interesting matchup.
Next up, let’s check out the main card.
Marvin Vettori
Wants to fight: Paulo Costa
The callout: “I want to get right back in there. I want to be back as soon as possible, and I really want to fight Paulo Costa. I think it would be a really good fight. Let’s do it. He doesn’t take a step back, and I don’t step back. We both throw hands. Let’s do it. It’s going to be fireworks.”
The reality: In today’s filing from the “careful what you wish for” department, Marvin Vettori (13-3-1 MMA, 3-2-1 UFC) makes a strong case for why he would be interested in a fight with the man known as “Borrachinha.” Truthfully, Vettori is going to need to wait until next month’s UFC 241 event to find out if the matchup is possible. Should Costa (12-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) beat Yoel Romero, a title shot probably lies in the Brazilian’s future. But if the “Soldier of God” is victorious, then Costa might be looking for a different type of fight, a rebuilding contest of sorts, and his name value would likely mean a matchup with Vettori could headline a Fight Night card in either Brazil or Europe.
In short, it’s not out of the realm of possibility, but if Costa wins at UFC 241, Vettori is most likely going to have to find a different dance partner.
Karl Roberson
Wants to fight: Brad Tavares or Uriah Hall
The callout: “I’m looking for a tougher fight to move up in the division. My boy Brad Tavares always comes to fight. I want to give one for the fans. Uriah Hall is another one. I want to fight someone who likes to stand up and get flashy. I want one of those guys.”
The reality: Karl Roberson (8-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) said he wanted to prove his jiu-jitsu skills against UFC newcomer Wellington Turman, and the decision nearly backfired. Still, Roberson did just edge out Turman on the judges’ cards, and he made up for any shortcomings by not having just one potential opponent on his mind but two.
Tavares (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) has been inactive while healing a broken arm suffered in a July 2018 clash with now-interim champ Israel Adesanya and should be looking to get back to work later this year. Meanwhile, Hall (14-9 MMA, 7-7 UFC) is currently booked to face Antonio Carlos Junior is September, but plans change all the time.
Tavares seems like the more plausible option, but Roberson and Hall could definitely provide an opportunity to “get flashy.”
Urijah Faber
Wants to fight: Henry Cejudo
The callout: “I heard Henry Cejudo challenged me to a fight. Henry, I remember 10 years ago when you challenged me as a friendly gesture. I’m down to get in there and mix it up. I do this to test myself against the best in the world.”
The reality: As a UFC Hall of Famer, Urijah Faber (35-10 MMA, 11-6 UFC) knows how to play the game, and when he heard UFC double champ Henry Cejudo call his name out earlier this summer, it must have been music to his ears.
Returning from a brief retirement, Faber looked as good as ever, but at 40, he knows time isn’t necessarily on his side. “The California Kid” is a true MMA legend, but he was never able to capture a UFC belt. With his starpower, Faber could most certainly cut the line if that’s truly the fight Cejudo wants – though both top bantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling and top flyweight contender Joseph Benavidez may have some say in that matter.
For complete coverage of UFC on ESPN+ 13, check out the UFC results.
