UFC

UFC 287: Adesanya regains title with R2 KO in Pereira rematch, after Burns retires Masvidal

Israel Adesanya of Nigeria reacts after knocking out Alex Pereira of Brazil in the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 287 event at...

With his back to the wall and in danger, Israel Adesanya produced a second-round KO win over long-time rival Alex Pereira to regain his UFC middleweight title, after Gilbert Burns beat Jorge Masvidal into submission over 15 minutes before the two-time welterweight title challenger retired in his hometown. Continue reading “UFC 287: Adesanya regains title with R2 KO in Pereira rematch, after Burns retires Masvidal”

Analysis, feature pieces

Questions asked as Colby Covington mooted as Edwards’ next title defence

Colby Covington is seen in attendance during the UFC 286 event at The O2 Arena on March 18, 2023 in London, England.

UFC president Dana White says he doesn’t make fights immediately after cards, but declared former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington is the next challenger for Leon Edwards’ 170lb belt. Considering the 35-year-old’s relative inactivity and underwhelming resume, a myriad of questions have been asked. Continue reading “Questions asked as Colby Covington mooted as Edwards’ next title defence”

UFC

UFC 283: Gilbert Burns keen to leave judges out, wants emphatic finish vs. Neil Magny on Jan. 21

Gilbert Burns appears at the UFC 282 post-fight press conference on December 10 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.

After falling narrowly short in a Fight of the Year contender clash against rising star Khamzat Chimaev last April, perennial welterweight contender Gilbert Burns hasn’t been as active as he would have liked – but the experienced Brazilian knows he needs a series of impressive finishes if he wants to earn another title shot and realise his dream of becoming world champion.
Continue reading “UFC 283: Gilbert Burns keen to leave judges out, wants emphatic finish vs. Neil Magny on Jan. 21”

UFC

UFC 278: Usman at peace with shock KO defeat, welcomes trilogy clash in England next year

Kamaru Usman of Nigeria reacts after being defeated by Leon Edwards of Jamaica in the UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 278 event at...

Kamaru Usman has revealed a readiness to travel to Leon Edwards’ home comforts, as he looks to regain his welterweight title in 2023 – with London’s Wembley Stadium mooted as a possible venue – having led 3-1 on all three judges’ scorecards but ultimately suffering a dramatic final-minute leg kick KO defeat at the weekend during their rematch in the UFC 278 main event. Continue reading “UFC 278: Usman at peace with shock KO defeat, welcomes trilogy clash in England next year”

Archives

UFC 272: Covington mauls Masvidal, after big victories for Mitchell and Holland

Colby Covington punches Jorge Masvidal in their welterweight fight during the UFC 272 event on March 05, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Colby Covington’s wrestling proved key en route to a dominant decision win against Jorge Masvidal, in a grudge match between friends turned foes. Elsewhere, there were big wins for surging featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell and Kevin Holland on his debut at 170lbs, while Marina Rodriguez (#3) asserted her case for a shot at Rose Namajunas’ strawweight strap.
Continue reading “UFC 272: Covington mauls Masvidal, after big victories for Mitchell and Holland”

Archives

UFC 272: Chimaev? Win some big fights then I’ll destroy you like Masvidal, Covington insists

Colby Covington is seen on stage during the UFC 272 press conference on March 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ahead of his main event headliner against best friend turned fierce foe Jorge Masvidal on Saturday night, #1 ranked welterweight Colby Covington has issued a warning to highly-rated contender Khamzat Chimaev: win some big fights, then he’ll destroy Borz’s hype in its tracks. Continue reading “UFC 272: Chimaev? Win some big fights then I’ll destroy you like Masvidal, Covington insists”

Archives, Specials

After a productive 2021, Belal Muhammad seizing his chance in flimsy 170lb division

Belal Muhammad has his hands wrapped prior to his fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

After logging a productive 2021 in the Octagon, Belal Muhammad has now entered rarefied air at 170lbs – the welterweight’s top five rankings. Having called out rising two-weight star Khamzat Chimaev as well as a rematch against Leon Edwards after their short-notice date ended with an inadvertent eye poke in March, it feels like the 33-year-old will soon get his wish. Continue reading “After a productive 2021, Belal Muhammad seizing his chance in flimsy 170lb division”

Archives

UFC 265: Vicente Luque expects big rankings boost, if he beats Michael Chiesa

Vicente Luque reacts after his victory over Tyron Woodley in their welterweight fight during the UFC 260 event at UFC APEX on March 27, 2021 in Las...

Placed right in the centre of the UFC 265 PPV main card this weekend, two top-six welterweight contenders clash when former lightweight Michael Chiesa (#5) ends a seven-month layoff against Vicente Luque (#6) on Saturday night – both hoping to improve their winning streaks.
Continue reading “UFC 265: Vicente Luque expects big rankings boost, if he beats Michael Chiesa”

Archives

UFC Vegas 33: Sean Strickland keen to solve the Uriah Hall puzzle in main event

Opponents Uriah Hall of Jamaica and Sean Strickland face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at UFC APEX on July 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

On a rare weekend overshadowed by Bellator’s featherweight title main event, this is far from a sexy main event on paper but Uriah Hall (#9) vs Sean Strickland (#11) feels like a middleweight matchup with implications aplenty for both – especially considering the latter has won four straight and will be targeting the top guns should he pass this latest acid test at 185lbs. Will he? Continue reading “UFC Vegas 33: Sean Strickland keen to solve the Uriah Hall puzzle in main event”

Archives

Gilbert Burns targets October/November return, names Leon Edwards as top choice

Gilbert Burns reacts after winning his welterweight bout against Stephen Thompson by unanimous decision during UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena on July 10...

The one-time welterweight title challenger believes that while potentially facing Leon Edwards (#3) excites him, the Brit – enjoying a 10-fight unbeaten streak – is more deserving of the next title shot against Kamaru Usman by virtue of principle, rather than Colby Covington (#1). Continue reading “Gilbert Burns targets October/November return, names Leon Edwards as top choice”

Archives

Kamaru Usman eyeing UFC 263 return, according to his manager Ali Abdelaziz

Kamaru Usman of Nigera reacts after knocking out Jorge Masvidal of the United States during the Welterweight Title bout of UFC 261 at VyStar Veterans...

Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is itching for more activity and wants to make the fifth defence of his 170-lb strap at UFC 263, on what would be another stacked card with three title fights, per an ESPN interview with his manager Ali Abdelaziz. While promoter Dana White said a Colby Covington rematch is next, they’re targeting others like Michael Chiesa (#7) instead.

Continue reading “Kamaru Usman eyeing UFC 263 return, according to his manager Ali Abdelaziz”