Former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane stayed composed and rallied from the first knockdown of his UFC career en route to a third-round TKO finish against Tai Tuivasa during a fun headliner, capping an electric Fight Night card in Paris leaving many talking points – including Robert Whittaker’s future after a masterful decision win over Marvin Vettori and Nassourdine Imavov now riding a three-fight win streak, what’s his next move at 185lbs? Continue reading
Tag: Jon Jones
UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane – Long-awaited heavyweight unification bout upon us
The heavyweight champion makes his first title defence this weekend against a familiar foe, with a well-documented backstory and storyline that has plenty invested. Will interim titlist Gane – who knows him intimately – prove spoiler? Or can the Cameroonian reign supreme? Continue reading
UFC Vegas 38: Thiago Santos finally feels 100% again after injury-plagued losing run
After fighting through injuries but ultimately losing a split decision to Jon Jones for UFC light-heavyweight gold two summers ago, Thiago Santos stressed he’ll be better than his more recent outings – successive defeats – when facing Brazilian compatriot Johnny Walker tonight. 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.
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UFC 266: Jan Blachowicz to defend his LHW title vs. Glover Teixeira on September 4
After making championship weight as a back-up fighter for last month’s UFC 259 pay-per-view, Glover Teixeira has been granted a second opportunity to become light-heavyweight champion: seven years after his unsuccessful challenge against Jon Jones in April 2014. It’ll also be Jan Blachowicz’s second title defence, having ended Israel Adesanya’s unbeaten streak on March 6. 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
Caution up ahead: Why Jan Blachowicz presents Israel Adesanya’s biggest test yet
After blasting uncrowned champion Dominick Reyes to bits in September, Jan Blachowicz (27-8 MMA, 10-5 UFC) makes the first defence of his light-heavyweight strap against an undefeated middleweight star in Israel Adesanya – going up a weight class and looking to make his own history this weekend. An underdog perhaps, Jan offers Izzy’s most dangerous challenge yet. 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
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
UFC 253: Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz speak ahead of LHW title fight
Ahead of their UFC light-heavyweight title fight in the early hours on Sunday at Fight Island, both contenders revealed there’s no bad blood between them. Dominick Reyes (#1, 12-1) narrowly lost in his previous opportunity for gold at UFC 247, while Blachowicz (#3, 26-8) earned his third successive win the weekend afterwards to insert himself into the title picture. Continue reading
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