Tag: Erin Blanchfield

UFC

O’Malley and Dvalishvili headline but Grasso-Shevchenko 3 the real main event: finally they settle their flyweight score

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Opponents Alexa Grasso of Mexico and Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan face off during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC press conference at...

Valentina Shevchenko felt she did enough to edge a competitive rematch with Alexa Grasso last September, having had UFC flyweight championship gold skillfully snatched away after a costly mistake backfired in their first meeting. Now, they settle their score in the co-main of a card the promotion are billing as the greatest live sporting event of all-time. This trilogy bout fits it perfectly. Continue reading “O’Malley and Dvalishvili headline but Grasso-Shevchenko 3 the real main event: finally they settle their flyweight score” →

UFC

UFC Atlantic City: Blanchfield has a big problem, Buckley boosted by Luque scalp

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Manon Fiorot of France punches Erin Blanchfield in a flyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Boardwalk Hall Arena on March 30, 2024 in...

Erin Blanchfield’s boxing deficiencies were painfully laid bare under the lights over 25 minutes against an economical Manon Fiorot display in their main event title eliminator, while Joaquin Buckley’s move down a weight class continues to pay off as he’ll have a number next to his name at 170lbs this coming week after making longtime contender Vicente Luque look ordinary en route to a R2 finish.
Continue reading “UFC Atlantic City: Blanchfield has a big problem, Buckley boosted by Luque scalp” →

UFC

Luque taking a leaf out of the Poirier playbook with unranked Buckley next

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Opponents Vicente Luque and Joaquin Buckley face off during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at Boardwalk Hall Arena on March 29, 2024 in...

No-one likes to fight down in the rankings, not least seasoned veterans more eager to boost their championship credentials and especially on short-notice. While not indirectly, Dustin Poirier’s stoppage win over Benoit Saint-Denis has resonated with others in a similar situation – including longtime contender Vicente Luque, facing unranked Joaquin Buckley in New Jersey this weekend. Continue reading “Luque taking a leaf out of the Poirier playbook with unranked Buckley next” →

UFC

UFC Vegas 89: Namajunas poses more questions than answers after Ribas win

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Rose Namajunas punches Amanda Ribas of Brazil in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on March 23, 2024 in Las Vegas,...

Former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas outpointed Amanda Ribas over five rounds to snap her losing streak and notch a first win at 125lbs as she targets becoming a two-weight titlist. However, their main event matchup underwhelmed and did little to dismiss regression concerns with head trainer Trevor Wittman again not in her corner as she laboured to victory here.
Continue reading “UFC Vegas 89: Namajunas poses more questions than answers after Ribas win” →

UFC

UFC Vegas 89: Namajunas motivated by falling short vs. Fiorot, Ribas now awaits

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Rose Namajunas gets her hands wrapped backstage during the UFC Fight Night event at The Accor Arena on September 02, 2023 in Paris, France.

After two contrasting decision defeats in her last two bouts, two-time former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas outlined the burning motivation behind a desire to conquer a new weight division at 125lbs. She gets a showcase opportunity this weekend against a highly-regarded ranked opponent in Amanda Ribas, with the flyweight landscape still navigating choppy waters. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 89: Namajunas motivated by falling short vs. Fiorot, Ribas now awaits” →

UFC

Tracy Cortez targets a title tilt, and given the women’s flyweight picture – why not?

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Tracy Cortez battles Jasmine Jasudavicius of Canada in a flyweight fight during the Noche UFC event at T-Mobile Arena on September 16, 2023 in Las...

After ending a 16-month layoff, women’s flyweight contender Tracy Cortez improved to 5-0 in the Octagon with a UD3 win over Jasmine Jasudavicius but wasn’t satisfied being stashed on the Noche UFC card’s early prelims – headlined by a title fight in her division. With more activity, a steady step-up in opposition and more composure, she could soon make a title push of her own. Continue reading “Tracy Cortez targets a title tilt, and given the women’s flyweight picture – why not?” →

UFC

UFC Paris 2: Five big takeaways, as Gane gets what he ordered in Spivac stoppage

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Ciryl Gane of France punches Serghei Spivac of Moldova in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at The Accor Arena on September 02,...

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” →

UFC

Rewind: Alexa Grasso’s UD win over Viviane Araujo on Oct. 15, is she ready for Shevchenko shot?

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Opponents Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan and Alexa Grasso of Mexico face off during the UFC 285 ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on...

After outpointing Viviane Araujo with slick boxing back in mid-October, Alexa Grasso [6] faces the toughest challenge of her 11-year professional career this weekend against long-reigning flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. Riding a four-fight winning streak at 125lbs, is she ready for the Bullet?
Continue reading “Rewind: Alexa Grasso’s UD win over Viviane Araujo on Oct. 15, is she ready for Shevchenko shot?” →

UFC

A week on: UFC Vegas 69 – Blanchfield’s R2 submission win over Andrade opens up possibilities

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Erin Blanchfield reacts after her submission victory over Jessica Andrade of Brazil in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX...

Tatiana Suarez’s long-awaited return to the Octagon is scheduled for tonight after nearly four years on the sidelines. So, what better time than now to reflect upon an career-best victory last week for flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield over a former strawweight champion in Jessica Andrade last weekend? Continue reading “A week on: UFC Vegas 69 – Blanchfield’s R2 submission win over Andrade opens up possibilities” →

UFC

Title talk? Erin Blanchfield and Jessica Andrade ambitious before tomorrow’s Fight Night headliner

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Taila Santos out, Jessica Andrade in: Erin Blanchfield isn’t as phased by the late-notice change to her first UFC main event opponent this weekend as critics would expect, given the former champion awaiting her. Is nonchalance a good thing here, or should she be more concerned? Continue reading “Title talk? Erin Blanchfield and Jessica Andrade ambitious before tomorrow’s Fight Night headliner” →

UFC

#1 contender Manon Fiorot aims to avoid Murphy, Santos misstep before Shevchenko title shot

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Manon Fiorot of France prepares to fight Katlyn Chookagian in a flyweight fight during the UFC 280 event at Etihad Arena on October 22, 2022 in Abu...

She toppled long-standing number one contender Katlyn Chookagian to earn top spot at 125lbs at UFC 280 in October. Now in a division ruled by dominant champion Valentina Shevchenko, France’s Manon Fiorot – who underwent successful knee surgery – has this week spoken about a return timeline and a readiness to welcome former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas to the weight class, should speculation about her future prove true. Continue reading “#1 contender Manon Fiorot aims to avoid Murphy, Santos misstep before Shevchenko title shot” →

Archives

UFC Vegas 37: Anthony Smith submits Ryan Spann in R1, calls out Aleksandar Rakic

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Anthony Smith punches Ryan Spann in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Former light-heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith earned another R1 win, as he stormed Ryan Spann (#11). Immediately post-fight, the 33-year-old agreed a December rematch with Aleksandar Rakic (#3) as he plots a return to the top table at 205lbs. Elsewhere, there were big finishes for lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, middleweight Joaquin Buckley and others. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 37: Anthony Smith submits Ryan Spann in R1, calls out Aleksandar Rakic” →