Almost a year removed from an unforgettable final second knockout loss by Max Holloway at UFC 300, former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje believes that with an impressive performance in his Rafael Fiziev rematch this weekend, he’ll put himself in contention for another chance at 155-pound gold. Continue reading “UFC 313: Justin Gaethje knows win puts him ‘in consideration’ for third title shot”
Tag: Justin Gaethje
Din Thomas’ delivery was vulgar, but his Dustin Poirier sentiment is painfully true
Dustin Poirier could’ve easily retired last summer after falling short in another courageous, albeit unsuccessful world title attempt against Islam Makhachev. Instead, he’ll be back for another but would be wrong in thinking the promotion he’s proudly represented over the past 15 years wants a storybook ending. Continue reading “Din Thomas’ delivery was vulgar, but his Dustin Poirier sentiment is painfully true”
UFC 302: Poirier’s final push for gold ends here, but will Makhachev make him 0-3?
He came close with a guillotine choke against Khabib Nurmagomedov during his first title shot five years ago, and would’ve felt even closer before succumbing to defeat the same way – a round earlier – against Charles Oliveira in 2021. Now, Dustin Poirier’s final chance to rewrite legacy comes against Khabib’s prized pupil, with the man himself set to be in the corner this weekend. Continue reading “UFC 302: Poirier’s final push for gold ends here, but will Makhachev make him 0-3?”
UFC 300: Pereira flattens Hill to retain 205lb title as Weili and Holloway win big
Alex Pereira made the first defence of his light-heavyweight title, avenging teammate and close friend Glover Teixeira’s punishing five-round defeat vs. former titlist Jamahal Hill in the UFC 300 headliner to cap an unforgettable night’s action from Las Vegas after contrasting championship victories for strawweight queen Zhang Weili and new BMF titleholder Max Holloway.
Continue reading “UFC 300: Pereira flattens Hill to retain 205lb title as Weili and Holloway win big”
Max Holloway aware of the risks in Justin Gaethje clash, but that typifies who he is
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway competes at lightweight for the second time in his career this weekend, fighting #1 contender Justin Gaethje for the latter’s BMF title at UFC 300. Given the risk-reward and ever-changing landscape at 145lbs, Holloway could’ve chosen another option – but welcoming this risk is emblematic of the man many have loved through it all, win or lose. Continue reading “Max Holloway aware of the risks in Justin Gaethje clash, but that typifies who he is”
Poirier pushing for Makhachev title shot in June, after his gutsy Saint-Denis display
Dustin Poirier’s comeback win to dismiss rising contender Benoit Saint-Denis at the weekend did exactly what he hoped it would: not only restore the winning feeling and rebuild confidence after his stunning second-round KO loss to Justin Gaethje last summer, but gain momentum in a delicate lightweight division without a clear #1 contender for Islam Makhachev’s championship gold too. Continue reading “Poirier pushing for Makhachev title shot in June, after his gutsy Saint-Denis display”
UFC 299: Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis a worthy co-main, given the stakes
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has been applauded for taking on one of the division’s fast rising contenders in Benoit Saint-Denis tomorrow. Not much movement has occurred since his stunning second-round knockout defeat by Justin Gaethje last summer, but he knows he can’t afford to lose another non-title matchup at this delicate stage of his career. Continue reading “UFC 299: Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis a worthy co-main, given the stakes”
Alexander Volkanovski needs rest, but right now? Good luck getting him to agree
The long-reigning former UFC featherweight champion has suffered devastating knockout defeats in consecutive bouts, barely four months apart, and is adamant about rematching Ilia Topuria in Spain before 2024 ends to regain his crown as the 145lb king. Eugene Bareman’s health update speaks volumes, but will he listen at a stage of his career where he’s fighting time too?
Continue reading “Alexander Volkanovski needs rest, but right now? Good luck getting him to agree”
UFC Vegas 79: Fiziev feels he can handle Gamrot’s wrestling on Saturday night
#6 ranked lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev believes he’s grown stronger for the experience after being outpointed by former interim champion Justin Gaethje six months ago, and enters tomorrow’s Fight Night headliner against Mateusz Gamrot [7] aware of the heavy grappling game his opponent presents. Can the 30-year-old successfully nullify those dangers over 25 minutes though? Continue reading “UFC Vegas 79: Fiziev feels he can handle Gamrot’s wrestling on Saturday night”
UFC 291: Revenge and another title push motivating Gaethje before Poirier rematch
Five years and three months after a Fight of the Year battle against Dustin Poirier, one he ultimately lost via fourth-round TKO, one-time interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has an opportunity to right the wrong this weekend. Considering the pot of gold which hangs in the balance for Saturday night’s main event winner, the stakes couldn’t be any higher for The Highlight.
Continue reading “UFC 291: Revenge and another title push motivating Gaethje before Poirier rematch”
UFC 289: Dariush, coach Firas Zahabi give their say on Makhachev-Oliveira rematch
It’s been a week and change since Beneil Dariush’s eight-fight win streak was soundly snapped inside a round by the returning Charles Oliveira, emphatically making his claim for another lightweight championship challenge at UFC 289. The perennial contender and a highly-regarded coach gave their views on what a rematch would look like, against reigning champion Islam Makhachev. Continue reading “UFC 289: Dariush, coach Firas Zahabi give their say on Makhachev-Oliveira rematch”
UFC 274: Key observations, five things we learned from May 7’s PPV card
With no UFC card for fans to digest this past weekend, I look back at the five things we learned from May’s electric UFC 274 PPV card – where one championship was controversially stripped on the scale beforehand, another title fight changed hands and plenty more happened besides. Continue reading “UFC 274: Key observations, five things we learned from May 7’s PPV card”
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