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It’s been a week and change since Beneil Dariush’s eight-fight win streak was soundly snapped inside a round by the returning Charles Oliveira, emphatically making his claim for another lightweight championship challenge at UFC 289. The perennial contender and a highly-regarded coach gave their views on what a rematch would look like, against reigning champion Islam Makhachev. Continue reading “UFC 289: Dariush, coach Firas Zahabi give their say on Makhachev-Oliveira rematch”
Alex Pereira and Zhang Weili reigned supreme as two new champions were crowned at UFC 281 during a memorable PPV card that exceeded expectations last weekend, with seven first-round finishes and surprise results galore – as well as a Fight of the Year contender at lightweight.
Continue reading “Unpacking last weekend’s unforgettable UFC 281 as Pereira, Weili emerge the evening’s biggest winners”
With no UFC card for fans to digest this past weekend, I look back at the five things we learned from May’s electric UFC 274 PPV card – where one championship was controversially stripped on the scale beforehand, another title fight changed hands and plenty more happened besides. Continue reading “UFC 274: Key observations, five things we learned from May 7’s PPV card”
Colby Covington’s wrestling proved key en route to a dominant decision win against Jorge Masvidal, in a grudge match between friends turned foes. Elsewhere, there were big wins for surging featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell and Kevin Holland on his debut at 170lbs, while Marina Rodriguez (#3) asserted her case for a shot at Rose Namajunas’ strawweight strap.
Continue reading “UFC 272: Covington mauls Masvidal, after big victories for Mitchell and Holland”
The final UFC PPV event of 2021 certainly lived up to the billing, as Charles Oliveira rallied from a frenetic first-round to make the first defence of his lightweight strap against Dustin Poirier. Prior, his compatriot Amanda Nunes was stunned by a fierce Julianna Pena display – who similarly recovered from a slow start to shock the world with a round two rear-naked choke. Continue reading “UFC 269: Pena dethrones Nunes, before Oliveira submits Poirier on crazy night”
Regardless of who you ask, Dustin Poirier is the UFC’s overwhelming uncrowned champion and Dec. 11 in Las Vegas will be his title coronation. Charles Oliveira, who won the lightweight belt six months prior vs. Michael Chandler at UFC 262, is relishing the chance to silence that noise – making his first title defence and heading into 2022 with a whole host of contenders circling. Continue reading “UFC 269: Oliveira relishes chance to play spoiler in first title defence vs. Poirier”
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”
Per a recent report from MMAFighting.com, the promotion is targeting Charles Oliveira’s first lightweight title defence to be against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 on December 11 – verbal agreements are already in place, though contracts haven’t yet been issued. That PPV already has a title bout slated: Amanda Nunes defending her bantamweight strap vs. Julianna Pena. Continue reading “UFC 269: Dustin Poirier vs. Charles Oliveira lightweight title fight in the works”
After an electric start, Dustin Poirier landed vicious ground and pound strikes, raining down on Conor McGregor up against the fence as they exchanged various attacks before an anti-climactic finish. The former two-weight world champion landed awkwardly on his left leg and has a suspected fracture, contorting it after they both missed punches in the final seconds of R1.
Continue reading “UFC 264: Dustin Poirier beats Conor McGregor in trilogy, R1 TKO doctor stoppage”
The niceties surrounding their rematch in January made for uncomfortable viewing at times, but manufactured heat or otherwise, the door will definitively close on their rivalry Saturday night with a title shot looming for the winner. Continue reading “UFC 264: Bad guy Conor vs. a bullish Poirier – Time to finally settle this”
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 262: Chandler-Oliveira announced for vacant lightweight title”
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After earning one of the biggest wins of his career by avenging his 2014 loss with a second-round knockout victory, Dustin Poirier had plenty to say – about the magnitude of this win over Conor McGregor, his unhappiness pre-fight while stressing newcomer Michael Chandler shouldn’t be next for a title shot: as an undisputed lightweight belt is all that eludes him now.
Continue reading “UFC 257: Poirier happy after big win but uninterested in Chandler fight”
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