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+ 12 event in South Carolina, 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.
Luis Pena
Wants to fight: Whoever I need to get in the title picture
The callout: “I just want whoever Dana (White) and Sean Shelby put in front of me – whoever I need to make it to the top-10. Whoever I need to get in the title picture. That’s all I want. I don’t care who it is.”
The reality:
Dan Ige
Wants to fight: Bryce Mitchell
The callout: “I’m just working to the top, man – humbly, respectfully. I’m going to come in here and keep working hard, keep winning. I really feel like I deserve a top-15 opponent. I’m not one to call people out. I’m going to keep going and keep winning. But if the UFC wants me to fight a top-15 guy, I will, but if not, there’s a guy out there – apparently he’s a thug from Arkansas. I’d love to put a nice butt-whooping on him and show him what a real thug is. Let’s do it, Bryce.
The reality: Dan Ige turned in an impressive performance against a durable Kevin Aguilar, getting out to a quick start and then digging deep in the third round to wobble his foe and claim a clear decision win.
Afterward, Ige (12-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) nearly went with the overriding theme of the night in refusing to call someone out but eventually circled back around and called for a fight with undefeated contender Bryce Mitchell (11-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), citing some previous online chatter. For his part, “Thug Nasty” seemed up to the booking.
Two young fighters, both on the rise, with a little bit of heat added to the mix? Sign me up.
Next up, let’s check out the main card.
Andrea Lee
Wants to fight: Whoever the UFC picks for me
The callout: “I don’t really like to call people out, so I’m just happy with whoever the UFC picks for me. I’m enjoying the journey and working my way up to the top. That’s what I’m here for; I’m a fighter and that’s what I love to do, so whoever they give to me next.”
The reality:
Randy Brown
Wants to fight: Somebody in the top-15
The callout: “I just want to fight somebody in the top-15. I’m slowly growing, man. I’m young. I’m learning on the job. Every time you see me – every freaking time you see me in here – I guarantee you, I’m brand (expletive) new. Every time.”
The reality:
Chan Sung Jung
Wants to fight: Anyone Sean Shelby matches
The callout: “It doesn’t matter. Anyone Sean Shelby matches, I’m keen to go.”
The reality:
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