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Alexandre Pantoja made quick work of a promotional newcomer and former Rizin champion Kai Asakura last weekend in his third successful UFC flyweight title defence. While a Demetrious Johnson callout felt inevitable and the incoming Hall of Famer refused to oblige, there’s something to be said about how the Brazilian is full steam ahead enhancing his legacy, fight-by-fight. Continue reading “UFC 310: Pantoja punishes Asakura in style but Demetrious Johnson callout rebuffed”
A feeling of strong justification will have overwhelmed a beaming Brandon Moreno, who outboxed #2 ranked flyweight contender Amir Albazi en route to a UD5 win in their UFC Edmonton headliner. After a self-imposed six month break, the former champion is eyeing a seat atop the championship elite once more. Continue reading “Moreno pleased after redeeming himself in dominant UD5 win at Albazi’s expense”
Brandon Moreno’s self-enforced hiatus from the sport of MMA, in the middle of his prime years, is a decision many wouldn’t have the luxury to do. Glad to have earned that freedom of choice during a successful second stint as a two-time UFC flyweight champion, the 30-year-old spoke about the renewed energy brewing within before his main event matchup vs. #2 contender Amir Albazi. Continue reading “UFC Edmonton: Brandon Moreno on his newfound energy, after eight-month break”
Dricus du Plessis defiantly embraced the chaos and emerged stronger for the experience to make a successful first UFC middleweight title defence against longtime champion Israel Adesanya in the early hours Sunday, inflicting another career-altering defeat as the 185lb division has shaken up once more. Continue reading “UFC 305: Dricus defies doubters again, retains title with R4 sub win vs. Adesanya”
Having unified the flyweight championship, ending his three-year long tetralogy series with Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283 on January 21, reigning titlist Brandon Moreno has publicly insisted his wish to remain an active champion in 2023: two more fights – one in June and another in November or December – including a title defence vs. former foe Alexandre Pantoja. Continue reading “UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno wants two more fights in 2023 – and Alexandre Pantoja next”
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”
After a rare week off last Saturday, the promotion returns with the heavily-anticipated UFC 273 PPV this weekend from Jacksonville featuring two title fights. However before then, it’s time to reflect and unpack proceedings from an eventful Fight Night card attended by 18,630 in Columbus, Ohio as Curtis Blaydes reasserted his heavyweight title aspirations and much more. Continue reading “UFC Columbus: Key observations, five things we learned from Mar. 26’s Fight Night card”
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”
Per a recent report from MMAFighting.com, the promotion is targeting Charles Oliveira’s first lightweight title defence to be against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 on December 11 – verbal agreements are already in place, though contracts haven’t yet been issued. That PPV already has a title bout slated: Amanda Nunes defending her bantamweight strap vs. Julianna Pena. Continue reading “UFC 269: Dustin Poirier vs. Charles Oliveira lightweight title fight in the works”
Israel Adesanya retained his middleweight strap against Paulo Costa in style with a second-round TKO victory, after Jan Blachowicz’s resurgence continued – delivering a similarly excellent display to capture the vacant light-heavyweight championship at Dominick Reyes’ expense during the UFC 253 co-main event. Continue reading “UFC 253: Israel Adesanya, Jan Blachowicz reign supreme with statement title wins”
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