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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”
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”
2020 Olympic gold medallist Galal Yafai needed just 100 seconds to dispatch former British champion Tommy Frank as the Birmingham-born flyweight contender wasted no time in his maiden main event, producing an assertive display which will again accelerate his own path towards world title contention. Continue reading “Olympic flyweight champion Galal Yafai blasts past Tommy Frank within a round”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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