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Alexandre Pantoja made quick work of a promotional newcomer and former Rizin champion Kai Asakura last weekend in his third successful UFC flyweight title defence. While a Demetrious Johnson callout felt inevitable and the incoming Hall of Famer refused to oblige, there’s something to be said about how the Brazilian is full steam ahead enhancing his legacy, fight-by-fight. Continue reading “UFC 310: Pantoja punishes Asakura in style but Demetrious Johnson callout rebuffed”
Sean O’Malley no longer the bantamweight king? No problem. Alexandre Pantoja admitted he’d been contemplating a move up to 135lbs, but now there seems to be a changing of the guard, the Brazilian is happy to reign over the flyweight division for as long as possible – ala recently-retired Demetrious Johnson, racking up title defences to solidify his legacy as one of the best ever. Continue reading “UFC 310: Pantoja pledges to rule flyweight for a long time, debutant Asakura awaits”
A feeling of strong justification will have overwhelmed a beaming Brandon Moreno, who outboxed #2 ranked flyweight contender Amir Albazi en route to a UD5 win in their UFC Edmonton headliner. After a self-imposed six month break, the former champion is eyeing a seat atop the championship elite once more. Continue reading “Moreno pleased after redeeming himself in dominant UD5 win at Albazi’s expense”
Brandon Moreno’s self-enforced hiatus from the sport of MMA, in the middle of his prime years, is a decision many wouldn’t have the luxury to do. Glad to have earned that freedom of choice during a successful second stint as a two-time UFC flyweight champion, the 30-year-old spoke about the renewed energy brewing within before his main event matchup vs. #2 contender Amir Albazi. Continue reading “UFC Edmonton: Brandon Moreno on his newfound energy, after eight-month break”
A month out before his surprise championship clash with flyweight titlist Alexandre Pantoja on enemy territory in Rio de Janeiro, #10 ranked contender Steve Erceg acknowledges he is fortunate to have been given the opportunity but rightly pushed back on the notion unbeaten youngster Muhammad Mokaev [7] was an overwhelming choice over him for the UFC 301 main event clash.
Continue reading “Mokaev’s last showing cost him, says Erceg before surprise Pantoja title shot”
On a night where Jairzinho Rozenstruik jabbed his way into retaining his top-15 ranking in the heavyweight main event against Shamil Gaziev, the biggest stories unfolded elsewhere in another Apex fight card which saw prospects rise – two in particular – given the existing logjam across fly and bantamweight. Continue reading “Making their case: Mokaev and Umar earn contrasting decision wins at UFC Vegas 87”
In the battle of two Brandons, Royval’s confidence grew and he exacted revenge against former UFC flyweight champion Moreno, utilising volume and sharper head movement during their furious stand-up exchanges to silence the Mexico City crowd. He returns to winning ways just three months after losing an Alexandre Pantoja rematch for 125lbs championship gold before Christmas. Continue reading “UFC Mexico City: Royval ruins Moreno’s homecoming in frantic flyweight rematch”
Former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo made a winning Octagon return Saturday night, on a Fight Night card headlined by two first-round finishes for lightweight duo Arman Tsarukyan and Jalin Turner. While what’s next for Deus Da Guerra is unclear, his showing reminds just how quickly the divisional landscape – as well as the title picture – can change in an instant.
Continue reading “After impressive bantamweight debut, former flyweight champ Figueiredo trending upwards again”
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”
In tomorrow night’s co-main event, Brandon Moreno makes the first defence of his second flyweight title reign against a familiar face in Alexandre Pantoja – who has beaten him twice in the past (2016, 2018). However, the 29-year-old spoke during media day about how he feels good that the Deiveson Figueiredo chapter of his career is now over, having fought him four times in 25 months. Continue reading “UFC 290: Brandon Moreno grateful for ‘fresh air’ without Figueiredo, as Pantoja awaits”
Having unified the flyweight championship, ending his three-year long tetralogy series with Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283 on January 21, reigning titlist Brandon Moreno has publicly insisted his wish to remain an active champion in 2023: two more fights – one in June and another in November or December – including a title defence vs. former foe Alexandre Pantoja. Continue reading “UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno wants two more fights in 2023 – and Alexandre Pantoja next”
Jamahal Hill became the first Dana White’s Contender Series graduate to earn UFC gold after a dominant, exhausting five-round decision win over former champion Glover Teixeira, who announced his retirement post-fight. Elsewhere, Brandon Moreno ended his Deiveson Figueiredo series with a third-round TKO before his rival confirmed he’ll be moving up to bantamweight – while there were emphatic victories for Gilbert Burns and Jessica Andrade. Continue reading “UFC 283: Hill batters Teixeira to become new LHW champ, Moreno ends Figueiredo series with stoppage”
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