Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Joaquin Buckley looks to stay perfect at 170lbs against a two-time former title challenger in Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson and edge closer towards serious championship contention, while the women’s bantamweight division features moving parts – Ketlen Vieira feels Kayla Harrison’s MMA resume is overstated before their title eliminator on a night where the title may again change hands. Continue reading “UFC 307: Buckley eyes Wonderboy scalp at welterweight, Vieira critical of Harrison”
Two-time Olympic judo champion and PFL star Kayla Harrison has signed with the UFC, per Dana White’s surprise announcement earlier this week, and is already set to face a former champion at 135lbs in April on a stacked UFC 300 card in Las Vegas. Given where she trains, the outside noise and criticism of her opposition in recent years, this move felt inevitable. Is the timing right now? Continue reading “Kayla Harrison’s UFC deal felt inevitable but recent events means arrival falls flat”
The recently-retired two-division UFC world champion spoke about being surprised by having a burning desire to rest and recover, after accruing damage aplenty across her body given the gruelling training camps and various fights over the years. Yet the Lioness didn’t close the door on a return, even aged 35… Continue reading “Amanda Nunes confirms she has nerve damage in her legs, doesn’t rule out return”
Mayra Bueno Silva was understandably overcome with emotion after Saturday night’s UFC headliner, as the size of her latest achievement dawned on her. The 31-year-old Brazilian became the first since her compatriot and former two-division champion Amanda Nunes to stop Holly Holm, sending the future Hall of Famer closer to retirement – before calling for a shot at bantamweight gold. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 77: Mayra Bueno Silva scores a massive scalp as 135lb title talk resumes”
Since losing to Holly Holm (UD3) at UFC 246 in January 2020, Raquel Pennington [2] has won five straight and looks set for a second crack at UFC gold later this year. Amanda Nunes’ recent retirement leaves a long-awaited matchup vs. former champon Julianna Pena the most likely play for the promotion, but will Holm have a say when she returns on Saturday night? Continue reading “Raquel Pennington expects Julianna Pena matchup to be for newly-vacant 135lb title”
Two-weight world champion Amanda Nunes made her sixth bantamweight title defence against Irene Aldana, then announced she would retire aged 35 after tying compatriot and impending Hall of Famer Anderson Silva’s record for championship wins (11). Prior, Charles Oliveira’s long-awaited return was electrifying – snapping Beneil Dariush’s eight-fight win streak in the co-main.
Continue reading “UFC 289: Nunes retires with dominant Aldana win, after Oliveira blasts Dariush”
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”
Amanda Nunes looks to right last year’s wrong against Julianna Pena in the latter’s first title defence at women’s bantamweight, while there’s an interim strap up for grabs at flyweight between two familiar foes: former champion Brandon Moreno and a streaking Kai Kara-France, almost three years after their first meeting. They all had plenty to say ahead of Saturday’s PPV. Continue reading “UFC 277: Nunes’ passion reignited before Pena rematch, Moreno keen to derail Kara-France”
Seven days on from a split decision result that sparked social media debate at the UFC Vegas 55 main event, I take a deeper look at a women’s bantamweight matchup between two top-ranked contenders which may have significant implications in the division’s title picture. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 55: Lingering questions persist, a week after Holm-Vieira disputed decision”
Ahead of next month’s PPV event in Singapore, with two championship fights and a highly-anticipated title eliminator at strawweight, the six headline fighters spoke on a virtual press conference with a variety of answers – from what’s to come for them respectively in June and potentially beyond, like double-champ status and one fighter eyeing another title rematch. Continue reading “UFC 275 Virtual Presser: Santos keen to wrestle, Joanna targeting revenge and more”
The final UFC PPV event of 2021 certainly lived up to the billing, as Charles Oliveira rallied from a frenetic first-round to make the first defence of his lightweight strap against Dustin Poirier. Prior, his compatriot Amanda Nunes was stunned by a fierce Julianna Pena display – who similarly recovered from a slow start to shock the world with a round two rear-naked choke. Continue reading “UFC 269: Pena dethrones Nunes, before Oliveira submits Poirier on crazy night”
After leaving UFC 265 unsatisfied, UFC women’s bantamweight contender Julianna Pena (#4) has needed to keep herself composed and in shape while waiting for a rescheduled title fight date. Now that the Dec. 11 date is finalised, the 32-year-old is itching to make up for lost time against two-division champion Amanda Nunes – who she says has been avoiding her for years.
Continue reading “UFC 269: Julianna Pena on Amanda Nunes’ privilege, ahead of next month’s title fight”
Mo and Sports 