Tag: Brian Ortega

UFC

UFC 284: Makhachev outlasts spirited Volkanovski showing in instant classic, Rodriguez stops Emmett

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Islam Makhachev of Russia punches Alexander Volkanovski of Australia in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC 284 event at RAC Arena...

Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was thrust into deep waters and finished an arduous first title defence on his back, but did enough over 25 minutes to outpoint featherweight titlist Alexander Volkanovski in a clash of two champions which lived up to the billing in-front of a manic 14,124 strong RAC Crowd in Perth, western Australia. Volkanovski will face new interim titleholder Yair Rodriguez at 145lbs, after his second-round submission win over Josh Emmett. Continue reading “UFC 284: Makhachev outlasts spirited Volkanovski showing in instant classic, Rodriguez stops Emmett” →

UFC

UFC 284: Interim featherweight title or not, Emmett and Rodriguez now have a career-best showcase

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Opponents Yair Rodriguez of Mexico and Josh Emmett face off during the UFC 284 press conference at RAC Arena on February 10, 2023 in Perth, Australia.

Sure, you would much rather fight reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski for the undisputed championship. However, an interim title shot is the biggest honour either Yair Rodriguez or Josh Emmett have managed in their respective careers and given the 145lb division remains in flux, both would be wise to seize it during tonight’s co-main event. Continue reading “UFC 284: Interim featherweight title or not, Emmett and Rodriguez now have a career-best showcase” →

UFC

Rewind: Before Arnold Allen main event, a look back at Kattar’s split decision loss vs. Emmett on Jun. 18

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Calvin Kattar punches Josh Emmett in their featherweight bout during the UFC Fight Night: Kattar v Emmett event at June 18 Moody Center on in Austin,...

Calvin Kattar looks to defend his top-five ranking against a surging contender in Britain’s Arnold Allen later tonight, a matchup serving as an unofficial 145lb title eliminator. Before their Fight Night main event clash from the UFC’s Apex, here’s a look back at a contentious split decision Kattar suffered vs. Josh Emmett five months ago – before his fifth straight headliner. Continue reading “Rewind: Before Arnold Allen main event, a look back at Kattar’s split decision loss vs. Emmett on Jun. 18” →

UFC

UFC Long Island: What’s next for Volkanovski after Rodriguez’s anticlimactic main event victory?

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Yair Rodriguez of Mexico and Brian Ortega talk after their featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UBS Arena on July 16, 2022 in...

As he continues recovery from the broken thumb sustained during his dominant title defence over former champ Max Holloway earlier this month, featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski wants the winner of UFC 280’s lightweight title headliner: Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev. Based on last weekend’s result, should he attend to the business awaiting him at 145lbs first? Continue reading “UFC Long Island: What’s next for Volkanovski after Rodriguez’s anticlimactic main event victory?” →

UFC

UFC 273 Preview: Two title fights, bad blood and compelling matchups to settle

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Alexander Volkanovski of Australia interacts with fans and media during the UFC 266 Press Conference at Park Theater at Park MGM on September 23,...

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 273 Preview: Two title fights, bad blood and compelling matchups to settle” →

UFC

Staying ready: Calvin Kattar keen for UFC 273 back-up role ahead of Volk-Zombie title fight

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Calvin Kattar reacts after his victory over Giga Chikadze of Georgia in their featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on...

Fresh from his impressive decision win over rising contender Giga Chikadze last month, the #5 ranked featherweight has revealed he is staying ready as he looks to secure a reserve role, which could see him potentially fight for gold at UFC 273 on April 9 after former champion Max Holloway withdrew from his proposed Alexander Volkanovski trilogy with an undisclosed injury. Continue reading “Staying ready: Calvin Kattar keen for UFC 273 back-up role ahead of Volk-Zombie title fight” →

UFC

UFC 272: Volkanovski-Holloway 3, Sterling-Yan 2 title fights to headline March 5 PPV

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Opponents Alexander Volkanovski of Australia and Max Holloway face off prior to their UFC featherweight championship fight during the UFC 251 event...

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 272: Volkanovski-Holloway 3, Sterling-Yan 2 title fights to headline March 5 PPV” →

Archives

UFC Vegas 42: Max Holloway outworks Yair Rodriguez in featherweight war

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Max Holloway punches Yair Rodriguez of Mexico in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 13, 2021 in Las...

Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway (#1) added another victory to his ever-increasing pile in the 145lb division (18) but needed to dig deep, recovering from a shaky start to eventually outstrike the returning Yair Rodriguez (#3) and earn a hard-fought decision win.
Continue reading “UFC Vegas 42: Max Holloway outworks Yair Rodriguez in featherweight war” →

Archives

Time to think: Volkanovski happy to have won gruelling Ortega war, discusses future

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Alexander Volkanovski of Australia cheers on the Las Vegas Raiders against the Miami Dolphins during the game at Allegiant Stadium on September 26,...

After more than 400 days out of the Octagon, Alexander Volkanovski successfully defended his UFC featherweight title with a UD win over Brian Ortega in a memorable thriller over the weekend. The 32-year-old is eager to return soon – and didn’t rule out the possibility of a move to 155lbs, with former champ Max Holloway (#1) vs. Yair Rodriguez (#3) set for mid-November. Continue reading “Time to think: Volkanovski happy to have won gruelling Ortega war, discusses future” →

Archives

UFC 266: Volkanovski outlasts Ortega, retaining featherweight title in frenetic thriller

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Brian Ortega and Alexander Volkanovski of Australia trade punches in their UFC featherweight championship fight during the UFC 266 event on September...

Alexander Volkanovski survived a R3 frenzy, where he was knocked down with a bullet left-hand and recovered from two tight submission manoevures before outlasting Brian Ortega (#2) via UD to retain his featherweight title: 49-46, 50-45, 50-44. Valentina Shevchenko made the sixth defence of her flyweight crown against Lauren Murphy, while there were other big winners too.
Continue reading “UFC 266: Volkanovski outlasts Ortega, retaining featherweight title in frenetic thriller” →

Archives

UFC 266: Alexander Volkanovski insists Brian Ortega doesn’t deserve featherweight strap

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Australian UFC fighter Alex Volkanovski poses during a portrait session at Kirribilli on September 18, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Alex 'The Great'...

Ahead of an overdue second title defence this weekend, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski insists Brian Ortega (#2) isn’t deserving of the 145lb title and guaranteed he won’t lose it after witnessing the 30-year-old’s sloppy conduct on the Ultimate Fighter. Continue reading “UFC 266: Alexander Volkanovski insists Brian Ortega doesn’t deserve featherweight strap” →

Archives

UFC Vegas 35: Giga Chikadze produces statement finish, dismantles Edson Barboza

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Giga Chikadze of Georgia punches Edson Barboza of Brazil in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 28, 2021 in...

Giga Chikadze earned another key victory, knocking out perennial contender Edson Barboza in three rounds to reaffirm his standing among the promotion’s best featherweights – before calling out former champion Max Holloway afterwards. Prior, two TUF winners were crowned while Daniel Rodriguez gave Kevin Lee a rude welcome back to the UFC in a new weight class.
Continue reading “UFC Vegas 35: Giga Chikadze produces statement finish, dismantles Edson Barboza” →