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After outpointing Viviane Araujo with slick boxing back in mid-October, Alexa Grasso [6] faces the toughest challenge of her 11-year professional career this weekend against long-reigning flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. Riding a four-fight winning streak at 125lbs, is she ready for the Bullet?
Continue reading “Rewind: Alexa Grasso’s UD win over Viviane Araujo on Oct. 15, is she ready for Shevchenko shot?”
She toppled long-standing number one contender Katlyn Chookagian to earn top spot at 125lbs at UFC 280 in October. Now in a division ruled by dominant champion Valentina Shevchenko, France’s Manon Fiorot – who underwent successful knee surgery – has this week spoken about a return timeline and a readiness to welcome former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas to the weight class, should speculation about her future prove true. Continue reading “#1 contender Manon Fiorot aims to avoid Murphy, Santos misstep before Shevchenko title shot”
Islam Makhachev did what he said he would, winning lightweight gold with a second-round submission win over Charles Oliveira before dedicating it to Khabib and his close friend’s father, late coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Prior, Aljamain Sterling definitively defended his bantamweight title against TJ Dillashaw – a fight that should never have been cleared – after Sean O’Malley stunned critics to earn a split decision victory over former champion Petr Yan. Continue reading “UFC 280: Makhachev claims lightweight gold, after Sterling defends 135lb strap and O’Malley stuns Yan”
Former light-heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz ultimately prevailed against Aleksandar Rakic (#3), though the #1 contender would’ve much preferred a blistering KO than to witness the gruesome injury his Austrian adversary sustained. Elsewhere, there were big wins for fellow 205er Ryan Spann (#13) and women’s flyweight Katlyn Chookagian (#1), among others. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 54: Blachowicz back to winning ways, calls for Teixeira-Prochazka winner”
Despite outside noise suggesting otherwise, Calvin Kattar (#5) defended his ranking with aplomb – producing a brilliant all-round display to earn a shutout victory against surging Georgian Giga Chikadze (#8), inflicting his first UFC loss. Prior, there were contrasting decision wins for flyweight Brandon Royval and women’s flyweight Katlyn Chookagian, among others.
Continue reading “UFC Vegas 46: Calvin Kattar returns in style, earns dominant UD win vs. Giga Chikadze”
Across the promotion’s four female weight classes, only four fighters – including an impressive flyweight still in her debut UFC year – are unbeaten with 3-0 records or better. The conscious decision to reject their fast-track route attempts speak to the 24-year-old’s desire for more well-rounded growth with time, something many rising stars before her skipped to their detriment.
Continue reading “Casey O’Neill’s patient progression stance is one more UFC prospects should follow”
28 fights and eleven years after his UFC debut, Charles Oliveira made good on his promise to leave victorious – rallying from a knockdown and guillotine choke attempt to knock out Michael Chandler in the second round, winning UFC lightweight gold after Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement last October. Beforehand, there were big wins for Beneil Dariush and Edson Barboza. Continue reading “UFC 262: Oliveira overcomes adversity, beats Chandler to win lightweight gold”
At the midway point of this weekend’s UFC 262 card in Houston, #7 ranked women’s flyweight Viviane Araujo has a golden opportunity to do what Cynthia Calvillo (#5) couldn’t late last year – produce a statement display and beat former title challenger Katlyn Chookagian (#2), putting her one step closer to a future title shot against dominant champion Valentina Shevchenko. Continue reading “UFC 262: Viviane Araujo looking to do what Cynthia Calvillo couldn’t”
Reports today have confirmed UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (20-3) will make the fifth defence of her title against former strawweight title-holder Jessica Andrade (21-8) in two months’ time, an intriguing bout expected to headline their UFC 261 PPV event on April 24. Continue reading “UFC 261: Valentina Shevchenko to defend flyweight title vs. Jessica Andrade next”
Deiveson Figueiredo wasted no time at all against Alex Perez (#4) to complete his first flyweight title defence within two minutes of their main event matchup, while Valentina Shevchenko showcased her wrestling en route to a UD win over a gamely Jennifer Maia in the night’s co-main. Elsewhere, there were wins for Brandon Moreno and Katlyn Chookagian, among others. Continue reading “UFC 255: Deiveson Figueiredo, Valentina Shevchenko with contrasting title defences”
#4 ranked women’s flyweight contender Cynthia Calvillo is preparing for an intriguing matchup against Katlyn Chookagian (#2) this weekend. After her UD win over Jessica Eye back in June, she’s itching to continue climbing up the rankings with another impressive showing on PPV against a former title challenger on the same card as defending champ Valentina Shevchenko. Continue reading “UFC 255: Cynthia Calvillo under no illusions ahead of Katlyn Chookagian bout”
Less than two weeks since her impressive first-round stoppage to beat no.1 ranked flyweight contender Katlyn Chookagian on Fight Island, the former strawweight champion has confirmed she doesn’t mind fighting a few more times before ultimately justifying her shot at the 125lb title and instead remains realistic about her prospects in the division going forward. Continue reading “Jessica Andrade reveals her willingness to wait for flyweight title bout”
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