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Former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane picked his strikes well and showed improved takedown defence in an assertive R2 TKO win over Serghei Spivac, a year after successfully headlining a similarly raucous Accor Arena. What about Rose Namajunas’ flyweight debut, or the resurgence of Volkan Oezdemir? Read on, for five thoughts from Saturday’s Fight Night card. Continue reading “UFC Paris 2: Five big takeaways, as Gane gets what he ordered in Spivac stoppage”
Having made the necessary changes within his entourage and learning some painful lessons after Jon Jones humbled him in just two minutes to become the new UFC heavyweight champion in March, former interim titlist Ciryl Gane wants to produce a masterclass showing on his Paris return vs. Serghei Spivac – a year on from a back-and-forth battle with Tai Tuivasa, one he won via R3 TKO. Continue reading “UFC Paris 2: After being humbled by Jones, Gane targets Spivac masterclass on return”
Aljamain Sterling makes the fourth defence of his UFC bantamweight title overnight, and has said plenty in the build-up about how Sean O’Malley – a growing star within the promotion – has purposely been matched up in a way allowing him to fast-track his way to a championship shot. So now, only he stands between Suga Show becoming the second DWCS alum to seize gold…
Continue reading “UFC 292: Sterling says the onus is on him to humble O’Malley tonight, and he’s right”
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos has this week confirmed he’ll stay at welterweight for the remainder of his career – unless a superfight tempts a 155lb return – stressing future possibilities are endless and another title shot could figure, especially with an impressive win over perennial contender Vicente Luque in tonight’s UFC Vegas 78 main event overnight. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 78: dos Anjos still bullish, as he continues welterweight return vs. Luque”
Perennial bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen is now riding a three-fight win streak for the first time since 2019, but completed the achievement with an underwhelming albeit comfy decision win over short-notice replacement Rob Font in their catchweight clash at 140lbs. Should he be rewarded with a title shot next – depending on how UFC 292 unfolds – or does he need another scalp?
Continue reading “UFC Nashville: Sandhagen nullifies Font to dominant decision win in drab main event”
The recently-retired two-division UFC world champion spoke about being surprised by having a burning desire to rest and recover, after accruing damage aplenty across her body given the gruelling training camps and various fights over the years. Yet the Lioness didn’t close the door on a return, even aged 35… Continue reading “Amanda Nunes confirms she has nerve damage in her legs, doesn’t rule out return”
12 months after his Curtis Blaydes matchup was cruelly cut short by a serious knee injury, Tom Aspinall again announced himself as a serious player in the heavyweight division after making short work of perennial contender Marcin Tybura in the UFC London card on July 22. Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is set for November, and the 30-year-old has his sights set on securing a title shot soon. Continue reading “UFC London: Rewind back to Aspinall’s rapid return, a R1 TKO win vs. Tybura”
Five years and three months after a Fight of the Year battle against Dustin Poirier, one he ultimately lost via fourth-round TKO, one-time interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has an opportunity to right the wrong this weekend. Considering the pot of gold which hangs in the balance for Saturday night’s main event winner, the stakes couldn’t be any higher for The Highlight.
Continue reading “UFC 291: Revenge and another title push motivating Gaethje before Poirier rematch”
35 next month and forced to impatiently wait for his next matchup, #9 ranked featherweight contender Giga Chikadze has spoken of his frustration at multiple fights falling out as he continues to ready himself for a long-awaited return. He’s not the only ranked fighter in this position, though it reiterates how little they can control outside of getting themselves to the cage fully healthy. Continue reading “Giga Chikadze’s UFC inactivity concerns shine light on issues out of their control”
Mayra Bueno Silva was understandably overcome with emotion after Saturday night’s UFC headliner, as the size of her latest achievement dawned on her. The 31-year-old Brazilian became the first since her compatriot and former two-division champion Amanda Nunes to stop Holly Holm, sending the future Hall of Famer closer to retirement – before calling for a shot at bantamweight gold. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 77: Mayra Bueno Silva scores a massive scalp as 135lb title talk resumes”
Since losing to Holly Holm (UD3) at UFC 246 in January 2020, Raquel Pennington [2] has won five straight and looks set for a second crack at UFC gold later this year. Amanda Nunes’ recent retirement leaves a long-awaited matchup vs. former champon Julianna Pena the most likely play for the promotion, but will Holm have a say when she returns on Saturday night? Continue reading “Raquel Pennington expects Julianna Pena matchup to be for newly-vacant 135lb title”
Featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski returned to his natural weight class and decimated the interim titlist in style, after Dricus du Plessis’ division-altering display at middleweight and Alexandre Pantoja overcame adversity against a familiar face as a new world champion was crowned in the co-main.
Continue reading “UFC 290: Volkanovski bullies Rodriguez, after big wins for Pantoja and du Plessis”
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