Despite absorbing a record-breaking amount of damage on Saturday night, Marlon Vera – armed with multiple knockdowns – comprehensively outpointed Rob Font over 25 minutes in the evening’s main event, a result that has seen his bantamweight ranking rise to #5 in this week’s update and will undoubtedly and attract attention of other budding title contenders. Continue reading
Tag: Aljamain Sterling
UFC 273: Volkanovski’s vicious statement, after Sterling and Chimaev edge razor-thin wins
Alexander Volkanovski produced a striking clinic against the Korean Zombie to retain his featherweight strap with perhaps his best display yet. Prior, bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling bested Petr Yan in their long-awaited rematch and the highly-anticipated Burns-Chimaev matchup exceeded expectations with what quickly turned into a pulsating classic. Continue reading
UFC 273 Preview: Two title fights, bad blood and compelling matchups to settle
It’s taken longer than expected, but as the saying goes: good things come to those who wait. So, will April 9 prove another successful title defence for Alexander Volkanovski? What about the eagerly-anticipated bantamweight unification battle between Aljamain Sterling and interim titlist Petr Yan, a rivalry left to fester after their controversial ending last March? We will see. Continue reading
UFC 272: Volkanovski-Holloway 3, Sterling-Yan 2 title fights to headline March 5 PPV
A pair of compelling championship fights are scheduled to headline the UFC 272 PPV card from the T-Mobile Arena on March 5, when Alexander Volkanovski prepares to make the third defence of his featherweight title vs. former champ Max Holloway in their trilogy, while Aljamain Sterling faces interim titlist Petr Yan in a long-awaited rematch for the bantamweight strap. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 44: Aldo rolls back the years with commanding decision win vs. Font
It feels like just yesterday, critics were starting to get worried about Jose Aldo’s career trajectory after suffering three contrasting defeats for the first time in his 17-year pro stint. Now, he’s flipped the script: three consecutive UD wins against hopeful contenders – a first since 2014 – and his potential has risen again, in a bantamweight division packed with uncertainty.
Are you watching? UFC 267 a sleeper PPV card setting up 2021’s big finish in style
With six more promotional events to round out an eventful year after tonight’s card from Abu Dhabi, the fanfare surrounding future matchups should not detract from an overseas event featuring a compelling title fight without the unsavoury trash talk at 205lbs, alongside a rightful interim belt and more intriguing bouts that promise to move the needle ahead of 2022. Continue reading
UFC 262: Chandler-Oliveira announced for vacant lightweight title
Dana White has finally thrown in the towel on his stance to try convincing undefeated lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0) out of retirement for one more fight, with ESPN reports confirming an in-form Charles Oliveira (#3) will next face three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler (#4) in the UFC 262 headliner on May 15 for a vacant belt. Continue reading
UFC 259: Blachowicz, Nunes win big after controversial bantamweight title finish
Jan Blachowicz defended his light-heavyweight strap for the first time with a UD win after a closely-fought duel against middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, following Amanda Nunes’ ruthless decimation of her latest featherweight challenger in Megan Anderson. Prior to that, bantamweight Petr Yan’s R4 illegal knee on Aljamain Sterling saw the Russian lose his title.
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Caution up ahead: Why Jan Blachowicz presents Israel Adesanya’s biggest test yet
After blasting uncrowned champion Dominick Reyes to bits in September, Jan Blachowicz (27-8 MMA, 10-5 UFC) makes the first defence of his light-heavyweight strap against an undefeated middleweight star in Israel Adesanya – going up a weight class and looking to make his own history this weekend. An underdog perhaps, Jan offers Izzy’s most dangerous challenge yet. Continue reading
UFC 256: Amanda Nunes withdraws from title defence with undisclosed injury
As reported overnight via ESPN, two-weight UFC champion Amanda Nunes (20-4) has withdrawn from her scheduled featherweight title defence against Megan Anderson (11-4) next month through an undisclosed injury. The promotion are preparing to move the matchup to a date early next year, but haven’t yet announced a new main event for 2020’s final pay-per-view. Continue reading
UFC 256: Petr Yan to face Aljamain Sterling in first bantamweight title defence
At long last, bantamweight challenger Aljamain Sterling gets his wish. After watching Cory Sandhagen flatten previously top-ranked contender Marlon Moraes on Saturday night, the 31-year-old will now face Petr Yan in the Russian’s first title defence at UFC 256 on December 12. Continue reading
UFC 250: Amanda Nunes dominant again, while Cody Garbrandt returns with style
Amanda Nunes was again outstanding in victory, making history as the UFC’s first double champion to defend both belts simultaneously against Felicia Spencer, who was ultimately no match for her. There were also big wins for Cody Garbrandt on his return and Aljamain Sterling, justifing his bantamweight title credentials.
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