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.
Tag: Leon Edwards
UFC 261: Post-fight presser comments as Shevchenko, Namajunas and Usman talk
Promoter Dana White confirmed that UFC Africa is more than just a fantasy after all, a dominant Valentina Shevchenko spoke about next steps in her division as well as a possible Amanda Nunes trilogy, while Rose Namajunas – rematch aside – is eyeing a few possible contenders and reigning champion Kamaru Usman continues to see the fruits of his labour at welterweight. Continue reading
Kamaru Usman: Jorge Masvidal win left me unsatisfied, why I called for UFC 261 rematch
Ahead of his fourth welterweight title defence this weekend against Jorge Masvidal on a stacked UFC 261 card, Kamaru Usman (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC) has vowed to break the #3 divisional contender while saying 170-lb challengers aren’t exciting him – hinting that he may retire if he gets to a point where the landscape doesn’t motivate the same way anymore. Continue reading
UFC 261: Usman-Masvidal 2 set to headline full crowd PPV in Jacksonville
Kamaru Usman will make the fourth defence of his welterweight strap against #4 ranked Jorge Masvidal, headlining next month’s UFC 261 PPV with three title fights – Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili the other champions scheduled for title defences. Set to be held at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, it’ll be the first event with fans since UFC 248 on March 7 last year. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 21: Edwards-Muhammad ends in tears as eyepoke causes no contest
#3 ranked welterweight Leon Edwards’ Octagon return after a 20-month hiatus lasted little over a round as his main event matchup against Belal Muhammad (#13) ended rather abruptly: an unintentional eye poke rendered Belal unable to continue as his eye swelled up quickly and he was unable to see. Beforehand, there were big first-round finishes for Dan Ige and Ryan Spann.
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Belal Muhammad up next this weekend, Leon Edwards targeting overdue title shot
A year ago this weekend, welterweight contender Leon Edwards (#3) had his highly-anticipated matchup against former champion Tyron Woodley cancelled due to the rapidly-changing COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been 600 days since his last walk to the Octagon but with short-notice opponent Belal Muhammad stepping up, he targets a big return in Saturday’s main event. Continue reading
UFC 258: Gilbert Burns confident, vows to wipe out welterweight division if he wins title
With just two weeks to go before his first title matchup against former training partner Kamaru Usman, Gilbert Burns is confident he’ll be an active UFC welterweight champion – should he win the belt – and has publicly vowed to wipe out each contender rising through the rankings. Continue reading
UFC Fight Island 8: Michael Chiesa confident ahead of Neil Magny main event
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Michael Chiesa (17-4, #8) is hoping to produce a statement display Wednesday against #9 ranked welterweight Neil Magny (24-7), as he makes his Octagon return after undergoing knee surgery last July to repair a troublesome issue that had bothered him since his teenage years. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 17: Leon Edwards vs Khamzat Chimaev to be rescheduled for 2021
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Leon Edwards’ 2020 has been dismal and his bad luck continues after being forced to withdraw from his Dec. 19 headliner against rising star Khamzat Chimaev. The #3 ranked welterweight, 29, was promised the next title shot if he won on the promotion’s final card of an unprecedented year, but after a positive COVID-19 test and severe symptoms, has to wait until the new year. Continue reading
#3 ranked UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal latest to raise concerns over pay
Henry Cejudo, Jon Jones and now #3 ranked UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal has emerged as the latest to raise pay concerns, with the 35-year-old still without a fight – seven months after his R3 TKO win over Nate Diaz at UFC 244.
