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#8 ranked UFC heavyweight Marcin Tybura headlines this weekend’s under-the-radar Fight Night card in a Serghei Spivac rematch and the Pole, who was another of Tom Aspinall’s quick victims last year, revealed his surprise at the Brit’s latest stoppage win over longtime contender Curtis Blaydes. Continue reading “Tybura: UFC interim champ Aspinall proved he’s most dangerous heavyweight”
Belal Muhammad boxed brilliantly, utilised suffocating pressure and recorded a new career-high takedown count to overwhelm Leon Edwards and snatch UFC welterweight gold from the Birmingham resident on an exceedingly late Manchester night to cap a busy PPV card. Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and rising lightweight Paddy Pimblett logged first-round finishes prior. Continue reading “UFC 304: Muhammad mauls Edwards to win gold, Aspinall avenges Blaydes blip”
Alex Pereira sent Jiri Prochazka into another pressing phase of self-reflection after a definitive head kick knockout finish in their rematch, as the light-heavyweight champion made defence #2 of his 205lb title to headline a second UFC PPV in 11 weeks – after Las Vegas resident Dan Ige stepped up on four hours’ notice and produced a spirited effort vs. Diego Lopes in the co-main. Continue reading “UFC 303: Pereira’s switch kick sends Prochazka packing, Lopes-Ige saves card”
Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler was set to headline UFC 303 this weekend, before the former withdrew with a broken toe injury earlier this month. Two-division champion Alex Pereira has again stepped into the breach to save the card and is aware time isn’t on his side, another motivating factor for his refreshing activity as he prepares for a short-notice Jiri Prochazka rematch. Continue reading “UFC 303: Alex Pereira aware of his activity timeline, adds another short-notice save”
Continue reading “Dana downbeat about Chimaev, Whittaker aware of short-notice Aliskerov’s danger”
Islam Makhachev outstruck Dustin Poirier on the feet, and gave the three-time title challenger a familiar sense of deja vu as Khabib watched on after beautifully transitioning to a D’Arce choke submission midway through the final round of their tense, entertaining lightweight championship clash. Then, he doubled down on his ambitions to become a two-weight world titlist post-fight.
Continue reading “UFC 302: Makhachev masterful as he scores R5 sub title win vs. spirited Poirier”
He came close with a guillotine choke against Khabib Nurmagomedov during his first title shot five years ago, and would’ve felt even closer before succumbing to defeat the same way – a round earlier – against Charles Oliveira in 2021. Now, Dustin Poirier’s final chance to rewrite legacy comes against Khabib’s prized pupil, with the man himself set to be in the corner this weekend. Continue reading “UFC 302: Poirier’s final push for gold ends here, but will Makhachev make him 0-3?”
Almost three months after his R2 KO defeat by upcoming title challenger Dustin Poirier at UFC 299, #13 ranked lightweight contender Benoit Saint-Denis has spoken of his desire to climb the ladder and targets two fights in Europe by year’s end. UFC 302 sees Poirier have his third shot to clinch championship gold on Saturday, and plenty is at stake for the highly-regarded veteran….
Continue reading “UFC 302: Saint-Denis itching for summer return, makes Makhachev-Poirier pick”
After contrasting victories over Billy Quarantillo and Sodiq Yusuff in 2023, long-standing contender Edson Barboza – both at feather and lightweight – prepares to defend his top-15 ranking at 145lbs against a surging unbeaten hopeful in Lerone Murphy to headline UFC Vegas 92 this weekend. Will he make it three in a row for the first time since 2017, or will the Brit pass his toughest career test? Continue reading “UFC Vegas 92: Barboza expects a war with Murphy as he again defends 145lb ranking”
Former heavyweight title challenger Derrick Lewis scored a record-extending 15th knockout win at the weekend, while Joaquin Buckley shone – without a stoppage – on home soil at the weekend to defend his #12 ranking at 170lbs… Continue reading “UFC St. Louis: Derrick Lewis’ R3 KO sleeps Nascimento, as Buckley’s star rises again”
He’s found himself on the outside looking in – largely for reasons out of his control – but former UFC interim title challenger Cory Sandhagen is looking forward to the prospect of a title eliminator with considerable proportions on a third trip to Saudi Arabia this summer against highly-regarded contender Umar Nurmagomedov [10] at 135lbs. Naturally, it won’t be an easy task either… Continue reading “Sandhagen declares Nurmagomedov headliner on Aug. 3 a 135lb title eliminator”
Surprise flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg exceeded expectations but left Rio empty-handed and heartbroken after going the championship distance against a savvy Alexandre Pantoja, who overcame adversity and some shaky moments en route to making a second title defence on his return to Brazil. Continue reading “UFC 301: Pantoja tested but Erceg’s inexperience costly in flyweight title fight”
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