After earning fast finishes against Jake Collier, Alan Baudot, former champion Andrei Arlovski and most recently Sergey Spivak in his first four UFC appearances since debuting last July, there’s a clamour from many to witness Britain’s Tom Aspinall face much tougher opposition in a division lacking true prospects. Currently ranked #11, he doesn’t see the need to rush. Continue reading
Tag: Francis Ngannou
UFC 265: Gane outclasses Lewis with R3 TKO, becomes new interim HW champion
Ciryl Gane (#3) improved to 10-0 after another impressive win – this time in enemy territory from Houston’s Toyota Center – blasting Derrick Lewis (#2) with a third-round TKO finish to seize the UFC’s interim heavyweight title. Beforehand, there were impressive victories for a determined bantamweight contender in Jose Aldo as well as welterweight title hopeful Vicente Luque.
Continue reading
UFC 265: Derrick Lewis, Ciryl Gane preview their interim heavyweight title fight
Ahead of their interim heavyweight title fight headliner at this weekend’s UFC 265 PPV, Derrick Lewis (#2) and Ciryl Gane (#3) have previewed an intriguing matchup that could either be a boring 25-minute affair or live up to the billing: one of the pair landing a devastating knockout.
Continue reading
UFC Vegas 30: Composed Ciryl Gane passes Alexander Volkov test, remains unbeaten
After five tests of increasing difficulty, Ciryl Gane knew the Volkov challenge was a necessary litmus test to see whether he was more than the UFC’s rapidly-growing hype machine. During an entertaining striking battle, the Frenchman passed with flying colours and won all five rounds on two of the three judges’ scorecards, before eyeing a title shot vs. Francis Ngannou. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 30: Ciryl Gane, Alexander Volkov welcome a pivotal main event task
In a division that has been deemed imbalanced for a while, this matchup pits two of the top five heavyweights against one another – something they both expect will help produce the best version of themselves with the lure of a potential title shot dangling for Saturday night’s winner.
Continue reading
UFC 260: Ngannou wants more activity, targets July-August for Jon Jones fight
Newly crowned champion Francis Ngannou had plenty to say at the post-fight press conference, from reflecting on his arduous journey to world title gold in an unforgettable rematch, if there should be a Stipe Miocic trilogy, to when he’ll be ready for his first defence against Jon Jones. Continue reading
UFC 260: Francis Ngannou knocks out Stipe Miocic, is new heavyweight champion
Francis Ngannou (#1) showed the requisite adjustments, was measured and importantly picked his moments methodically before dethroning Stipe Miocic during their main event rematch with a devastating second-round knockout – becoming the UFC’s new heavyweight champion.
Continue reading
UFC Vegas 20: Gane dominates Rozenstruik in his first main event, remains undefeated
French heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane (#7) extended his unbeaten streak to 8-0 with a dominant decision win over #4 ranked Jairzinho Rozenstruik, earning some welcome Octagon time in his first main event matchup, before revealing he’s willing to be the backup for UFC 260’s PPV event – Francis Ngannou rematches defending champion Stipe Miocic this time next month. Continue reading
Crazy or not, Derrick Lewis has opportunity to justify unlikely title ambitions
Three years after his first UFC title shot, Derrick Lewis (#4) is under no illusions about how much work lies ahead should he finally earn another crack at becoming the heavyweight champion. But after their initial November matchup was rescheduled following a positive COVID-19 test, the Black Beast has a real chance to stake his claim against Curtis Blaydes (#2) tomorrow. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 18: Alexander Volkov embracing spotlight, feels he’ll be future HW champ
As he prepares for his fourth UFC main event tomorrow night, former Bellator champion Alexander Volkov (#6, 32-8 MMA) admits he doesn’t like the added media obligations given his reserved personality but believes a win over a seasoned veteran in Alistair Overeem (#5, 47-18) this weekend sets him on his way to becoming the future heavyweight champion, eventually. Continue reading
Curtis Blaydes’ heavyweight warning to Jon Jones speaks volumes
#2 ranked heavyweight Curtis Blaydes, slated to face Derrick Lewis (#4) during this weekend’s UFC Vegas 15 card this weekend, tested positive for COVID-19 and the bout will be rescheduled. Nonetheless, the 29-year-old had plenty of compelling comments regarding Jon Jones’ heavily-anticipated move up in weight and has a title shot on his agenda in the not-too-distant future. Continue reading
UFC 256: Usman-Burns to be rescheduled again, so what’s next?
After recent news confirmed UFC 256 will not feature Kamaru Usman’s scheduled welterweight title defence against #1 contender Gilbert Burns – a fight once again postponed for a later date – it now begs the question: what’s next for 2020’s final PPV card on December 12? Continue reading
