After passing the toughest test of his career to date in May, WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney needs to maintain independence if he’s to make the biggest fights possible. That’s according to father and coach Bill, discussing the benefits of his son’s position as a network free agent, while also highlighting Eddie Hearn and DAZN who will continue to work alongside him.
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Tag: lightweight
Time to think: Volkanovski happy to have won gruelling Ortega war, discusses future
After more than 400 days out of the Octagon, Alexander Volkanovski successfully defended his UFC featherweight title with a UD win over Brian Ortega in a memorable thriller over the weekend. The 32-year-old is eager to return soon – and didn’t rule out the possibility of a move to 155lbs, with former champ Max Holloway (#1) vs. Yair Rodriguez (#3) set for mid-November. Continue reading
UFC 269: Dustin Poirier vs. Charles Oliveira lightweight title fight in the works
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 Vegas 31: Islam Makhachev mauls Thiago Moises in his first main event slot
Makhachev Mania? Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protege Islam thrived in his first main event against Thiago Moises, earning a fourth-round submission. Elsewhere, there were big wins for Billy Quarantillo and Mateusz Gamrot before returning former women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate sent Marion Reneau into retirement with a R3 TKO finish in the co-main.
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UFC 264: Dustin Poirier beats Conor McGregor in trilogy, R1 TKO doctor stoppage
After an electric start, Dustin Poirier landed vicious ground and pound strikes, raining down on Conor McGregor up against the fence as they exchanged various attacks before an anti-climactic finish. The former two-weight world champion landed awkwardly on his left leg and has a suspected fracture, contorting it after they both missed punches in the final seconds of R1.
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UFC 264: Bad guy Conor vs. a bullish Poirier – Time to finally settle this
The niceties surrounding their rematch in January made for uncomfortable viewing at times, but manufactured heat or otherwise, the door will definitively close on their rivalry Saturday night with a title shot looming for the winner. Continue reading
Teofimo Lopez’s assistant coach: Beat Kambosos Jr, then Devin Haney next?
Vasiliy Lomachenko or Devin Haney next? According to Jorge Rubio, Teofimo Lopez’s assistant coach, the unified lightweight champion should face the latter next while both are unbeaten – provided he retains his titles against mandatory challenger George Kambosos Jr on August 14.
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Gervonta Davis entering enemy territory at 140lbs as Mario Barrios awaits
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Saturday night presents Gervonta Davis’ biggest test yet, as the two-division world champion goes up two weight divisions looking to seize Mario Barrios’ WBA (Regular) super-lightweight title at 140lbs. Considering the lightweight logjam that stalled his first appearance of 2021 until the final week of June, Tank can’t afford to falter with a lot more eyes on him this weekend. Continue reading
Teofimo Lopez tests positive for COVID-19, Kambosos Jr fight rescheduled for August 14
After the original June 5 date was shelved, Triller’s June 19 title fight date has been rescheduled for mid-August. News broke this afternoon confirming unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez had tested positive for COVID-19 and was described as symptomatic – again delaying the first defence of his new titles against Australia’s George Kambosos Jr until later this summer. Continue reading
Devin Haney’s gutcheck win over Jorge Linares suits the lightweight division nicely
He had to absorb some dangerous moments in the final three rounds, but Devin Haney (26-0, 15 KOs) successfully retained his WBC strap during an entertaining main event matchup against Jorge Linares at the weekend – a display that rightly has the lightweight division on notice. Continue reading
Devin Haney vows to wear Jorge Linares down, earn dominant win
With the biggest fight of his career to come vs. Jorge Linares on May 29, WBC world lightweight titlist Devin Haney has stressed the belief he’ll win convincingly among home comforts in the 22-year-old’s third title defence.
UFC 262: Oliveira overcomes adversity, beats Chandler to win lightweight gold
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
