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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”
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”
Downgraded from main event to co-main event, the story still remains the same at light-heavyweight this weekend when perennial contenders Anthony Smith [5] and Johnny Walker [7] collide. Can the former title challenger return to form after sustaining a freak injury last July, or is now finally Johnny’s time to shine? Continue reading “UFC Charlotte: Must-win stakes at 205lbs for different reasons in Saturday’s co-main”
Magomed Ankalaev thought he was the new light-heavyweight champion. Jared Gordon felt he did enough to derail Paddy Pimblett’s hype train in the co-main event. Yet both left empty-handed, albeit in contrasting circumstances, as the UFC’s final PPV of 2022 ended with drama and anger after dubious judging scorecards soured an excellent night at the T-Mobile Arena. Continue reading “UFC 282: Blachowicz-Ankalaev title fight, Pimblett-Gordon co-main both surrounded by controversy”
Jiri Prochazka’s serious shoulder injury saw the Czech vacate his 205lb title, keen not to hold the division up in his absence. While unfortunate, Jan Blachowicz called the news an early Christmas gift, and now the former light-heavyweight champion suddenly has an opportunity to regain the strap he lost against Glover Teixeira 14 months ago. Up against a clearly favoured Magomed Ankalaev though, which man will have the last laugh in the early hours on Sunday? Continue reading “UFC 282: Blachowicz juggles underdog tag and Ankalaev’s ascent, but will he claim gold 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”
Title shot next? It wasn’t an electrifying main event, but light-heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev took Thiago Santos’ best strikes – R2 knockdown included – and weathered the Brazilian’s storm over 25 minutes. Prior, featherweight Sodiq Yusuff (#12) returned to winning ways, while bantamweight contender Song Yadong (#14) blasted Marlon Moraes (#10) in the co-main event.
Continue reading “UFC Vegas 50: Ankalaev thoroughly tested, but eventually outworks Santos in title eliminator”
Since a last-second submission defeat vs. Paul Craig on his UFC debut four years ago this month, Dagestani light-heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev (16-1, 9 KOs) has justified the high hopes for his progression with six consecutive victories. Now, he faces former title challenger Thiago Santos tonight, targeting another scalp in his first main event opportunity. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 50: Thiago Santos, Magomed Ankalaev excited before LHW title eliminator”
French heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane (#7) extended his unbeaten streak to 8-0 with a dominant decision win over #4 ranked Jairzinho Rozenstruik, earning some welcome Octagon time in his first main event matchup, before revealing he’s willing to be the backup for UFC 260’s PPV event – Francis Ngannou rematches defending champion Stipe Miocic this time next month. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 20: Gane dominates Rozenstruik in his first main event, remains undefeated”
Khabib Nurmagomedov retained his UFC lightweight title with a second-round submission win over Justin Gaethje, before retiring in the Octagon post-fight to pull the curtain on an illustrious career where he finishes 29-0 – undefeated and undisputed champ with 13 UFC victories. Before then, Robert Whittaker outstruck Jared Cannonier to win their middleweight title eliminator. Continue reading “UFC 254: Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Justin Gaethje in R2, then retires at 29-0”
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