UFC

UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno wants two more fights in 2023 – and Alexandre Pantoja next

Brandon Moreno celebrates his victory over Deiveson Figueiredo in their Flyweight title fight during the UFC 283 event at Jeunesse Arena on January...

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”

UFC

Before Jessica Andrade matchup, Lauren Murphy believes Shevchenko isn’t going to win forever

Lauren Murphy reacts after the conclusion of her flyweight fight against Miesha Tate during the UFC Fight Night event at UBS Arena on July 16, 2022...

Ahead of her main card matchup against former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade this weekend in Brazil, former title challenger Lauren Murphy spoke about Taila Santos’ split decision defeat by reigning titlist Valentina Shevchenko – whose last display reinforces the belief she’s not untouchable after finding herself in danger against the Brazilian last summer. Continue reading “Before Jessica Andrade matchup, Lauren Murphy believes Shevchenko isn’t going to win forever”

UFC

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

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”

UFC

UFC 277: Nunes exacts revenge on Pena in gruelling title rematch, Moreno bests Kara-France again

Amanda Nunes of Brazil grapples with Julianna Pena in their bantamweight title bout during UFC 277 at American Airlines Center on July 30, 2022 in...

Amanda Nunes regained her double champion status with a one-sided decision victory over Julianna Pena in a bloody, exhausting, frenetic rematch after Brandon Moreno’s brilliant third-round liver kick against Kai Kara-France secured his status as new interim flyweight champion. Elsewhere, there were big wins for Alexandre Pantoja, Magomed Ankalaev and more besides.
Continue reading “UFC 277: Nunes exacts revenge on Pena in gruelling title rematch, Moreno bests Kara-France again”

Archives

Analysis – UFC Vegas 43: Vieira, Brady victories pose more questions than answers

Ketlen Vieira of Brazil punches Miesha Tate in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 20, 2021 in Las Vegas,...

It’s been a full week since Ketlen Vieira (#6) seized her main event opportunity vs. Miesha Tate (#8), derailing the former bantamweight champion’s return in a gritty UD win. In the co-main event, welterweight prospect Sean Brady stifled perennial contender Michael Chiesa to overtake him in the rankings. Where do these results leave the big losers as they pursue gold?
Continue reading “Analysis – UFC Vegas 43: Vieira, Brady victories pose more questions than answers”

Archives, Specials

Casey O’Neill’s patient progression stance is one more UFC prospects should follow

Casey O'Neill of Australia celebrates her TKO victory over Antonina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan in their women's flyweight bout during the UFC Fight...

Across the promotion’s four female weight classes, only four fighters – including an impressive flyweight still in her debut UFC year – are unbeaten with 3-0 records or better. The conscious decision to reject their fast-track route attempts speak to the 24-year-old’s desire for more well-rounded growth with time, something many rising stars before her skipped to their detriment.
Continue reading “Casey O’Neill’s patient progression stance is one more UFC prospects should follow”

Archives

UFC Vegas 34: Jared Cannonier outworks gamely Kelvin Gastelum in tense main event

Jared Cannonier punches Kelvin Gastelum in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 21, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The striking differential between the pair was razor-thin over five rounds, but middleweight contender Jared Cannonier (#3) returned to winning ways vs. Kelvin Gastelum. Prior to this, there was a big win for possible new flyweight title challenger Alexandre Pantoja after lightweight prospect Ignacio Bahamondes’ crazy spinning wheel kick knockout on the prelims. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 34: Jared Cannonier outworks gamely Kelvin Gastelum in tense main event”

Archives

UFC Vegas 34: Alexandre Pantoja looking to seize spot in flyweight title conundrum

Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil celebrates after defeating Brandon Moreno of Mexico in their flyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Movistar...

39 months after earning his second win over the new UFC flyweight champion on the Maia-Usman Fight Night prelims in Chile, Alexandre Pantoja (#3) hopes to skip the queue and will boost his chances of that with a highlight reel showing this weekend vs. Brandon Royval (#6). Continue reading “UFC Vegas 34: Alexandre Pantoja looking to seize spot in flyweight title conundrum”

Archives

UFC 263: Adesanya eases past Vettori in shutout, retains middleweight strap

Israel Adesanya of Nigeria kicks Marvin Vettori of Italy in their UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 263 event at Gila River Arena on...

Israel Adesanya produced the third defence of his UFC middleweight strap and handily beat Marvin Vettori (#3) in their rematch, after flyweight Brandon Moreno made history by becoming the promotion’s first Mexican champion – dethroning Deiveson Figueiredo in the co-main event. Continue reading “UFC 263: Adesanya eases past Vettori in shutout, retains middleweight strap”

Archives

UFC Vegas 26: Marina Rodriguez dominates Michelle Waterson in flyweight scrap

Marina Rodriguez of Brazil knees Michelle Waterson in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 08, 2021 in Las Vegas,...

On an evening which was impacted by multiple card cancellations, not least the original Sandhagen-Dillashaw main event, #6 strawweight Marina Rodriguez produced a dominant display and almost finished a durable Michelle Waterson in their flyweight headliner before calling out former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk (#2) as a potential new challenge to come. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 26: Marina Rodriguez dominates Michelle Waterson in flyweight scrap”

Archives

Alexa Grasso motivated, targeting top-10 ranked flyweight opponent next

Alexa Grasso speaks to the media during the UFC 258 Media Day at UFC APEX on February 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Nearly three weeks removed from her impressive unanimous decision win over a returning Maycee Barber at last month’s UFC 258 PPV, #10 ranked flyweight Alexa Grasso is motivated and itching to get back into the Octagon before long – with sights set on facing another oppponent above her in the rankings as she continues her promising ascent in a new division. Continue reading “Alexa Grasso motivated, targeting top-10 ranked flyweight opponent next”

Archives

UFC 261: Valentina Shevchenko to defend flyweight title vs. Jessica Andrade next

Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan celebrates her victory over Jennifer Maia of Brazil in their women's flyweight championship bout during the UFC...

Reports today have confirmed UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (20-3) will make the fifth defence of her title against former strawweight title-holder Jessica Andrade (21-8) in two months’ time, an intriguing bout expected to headline their UFC 261 PPV event on April 24. Continue reading “UFC 261: Valentina Shevchenko to defend flyweight title vs. Jessica Andrade next”