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Magomed Ankalaev in another title defence? Going up another division to challenge Tom Aspinall at heavyweight? There are options aplenty for reigning UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, after making quick work of Jamahal Hill at a historic UFC 300 card earlier this month. If you ask the 36-year-old though, he’s not too fussed on who or when – but wants continuity. Continue reading “Alex Pereira open to various possibilities, wants activity after early night at UFC 300”
It’s a much-anticipated matchup more than five years in the making, and in six weeks’ time, we’ll finally crown an undisputed king at 175lbs when unified champion Artur Beterbiev boxes long-reigning WBA titlist Dmitry Bivol in a battle of two unbeaten Russians. Even as time has passed, the general public appear split on who will prevail and how this fight will be won and lost.
Continue reading “Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol: At long last, light-heavyweight will have one undisputed king”
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”
Super-middleweight contender Zach Parker has been saying all of the right things lately, but needs to lure prospective opposition into the ring with him. While an unfortunately-timed broken right hand stifled his momentum and saw John Ryder snatch the shine he’d worked steadily to build himself, the 29-year-old still has a big platform he can benefit from, with more assertive displays. Continue reading “Ambitious Zach Parker must make up for lost time in a big way, starting on Saturday”
In the absence of a Canelo Alvarez showdown at 168lbs, two-time world champion David Benavidez will instead move up a weight division to test himself against former titlist Oleksandr Gvozdyk, who returned after a three-year retirement. While a compelling duel, it shouldn’t be for interim champion status in a class where the two kings will unify in little over three months’ time. Continue reading “Benavidez-Gvodzyk for interim LHW title deemed disrespectful, and it’s clear why”
Billed as a crossroads clash, this quickly proved anything but. Rising middleweight contender Hamzah Sheeraz wasted no time scoring a marquee maiden main event win and let his boxing talk for him, needing less than a full round to complete a stunning demolition job against former world title challenger Liam Williams as a shocked Copper Box Arena crowd watched on. Continue reading “Sheeraz swarms Williams, scores two knockdowns en route to fantastic R1 finish”
Much has been placed on Hamzah Sheeraz’s shoulders as the rising middleweight faces his toughest test to headline the Copperbox Arena this weekend, but Frank Warren has a clear plan of action involving him and a highly motivated Anthony Yarde. So, will all go to plan? Continue reading “Frank Warren eyes Heaney-Sheeraz, Buatsi-Yarde if his plans prove successful”
Joshua Buatsi started sharp, invested in body attacks well and logged a pair of knockdowns in round 11 en route to a wide unanimous decision win over friend and former sparring partner Dan Azeez, inflicting his first professional defeat to unify domestic titles at light-heavyweight – as the clamour to see him finally tested at world level vs. long-reigning WBA champion Dmitry Bivol resumes.
Continue reading “Buatsi scores two knockdowns, outboxes Azeez and inches closer to world title shot”
105 days after the original date, the light-heavyweight division duel between domestic rivals Dan Azeez and Joshua Buatsi will finally take place on Saturday night. One man’s unbeaten record has to go and with it, so does their world championship ambitions. Azeez has gone the scenic route to this point but been increasingly bullish about what’s at stake for him too aged 34, underdog or not. Continue reading “Dan Azeez isn’t just the defending champ – he’s a dangerous, determined underdog”
Magomed Ankalaev promised a statement showing and delivered a beautiful second-round knockout finish of Johnny Walker in their light-heavyweight main event, extending his unbeaten streak to 12 before calling for a shot at Alex Pereira’s newly-earned UFC title. Elsewhere, there were big wins for Brunno Ferreira, Mario Bautista and lightweight veteran Jim Miller on the main card. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 84: Ankalaev stakes claim for LHW title shot after R2 KO win vs. Walker”
One-time title challenger Magomed Anklaev and the unpredictable Johnny Walker are both talking a good game ahead of Saturday’s Fight Night main event at light-heavyweight, but which contender will reign supreme once and for all this time around to banish the controversy from their UFC 294 matchup? Continue reading “Ankalaev-Walker rematch headlines UFC Vegas 84 – both are saying the right things”
Relive my live fight-by-fight commentary as UFC 295 unfolded from New York’s Madison Square Garden overnight, with Manchester’s Tom Aspinall looking to score interim heavyweight gold – on short-notice no less – against the fearsome finisher Sergei Pavlovich in the night’s co-main event before former champions Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira did battle for the vacant light-heavyweight title.
Continue reading “UFC 295: Relive live commentary as Pereira becomes two-division champion, after Aspinall wins interim HW gold”
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