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Analysis – UFC Vegas 43: Vieira, Brady victories pose more questions than answers

Ketlen Vieira of Brazil punches Miesha Tate in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 20, 2021 in Las Vegas,...

It’s been a full week since Ketlen Vieira (#6) seized her main event opportunity vs. Miesha Tate (#8), derailing the former bantamweight champion’s return in a gritty UD win. In the co-main event, welterweight prospect Sean Brady stifled perennial contender Michael Chiesa to overtake him in the rankings. Where do these results leave the big losers as they pursue gold?
Continue reading “Analysis – UFC Vegas 43: Vieira, Brady victories pose more questions than answers”

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UFC 269: Julianna Pena on Amanda Nunes’ privilege, ahead of next month’s title fight

Julianna Pena walks on stage during the Hispanic Heritage Month Athlete Panel at the UFC Fan Experience at The Park & Toshiba Plaza on September 24,...

After leaving UFC 265 unsatisfied, UFC women’s bantamweight contender Julianna Pena (#4) has needed to keep herself composed and in shape while waiting for a rescheduled title fight date. Now that the Dec. 11 date is finalised, the 32-year-old is itching to make up for lost time against two-division champion Amanda Nunes – who she says has been avoiding her for years.
Continue reading “UFC 269: Julianna Pena on Amanda Nunes’ privilege, ahead of next month’s title fight”

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UFC 265: Gane outclasses Lewis with R3 TKO, becomes new interim HW champion

Ciryl Gane punches Derrick Lewis in the third round of their Heavyweight bout at Toyota Center on July 7, 2021 in Houston, Texas.

Ciryl Gane (#3) improved to 10-0 after another impressive win – this time in enemy territory from Houston’s Toyota Center – blasting Derrick Lewis (#2) with a third-round TKO finish to seize the UFC’s interim heavyweight title. Beforehand, there were impressive victories for a determined bantamweight contender in Jose Aldo as well as welterweight title hopeful Vicente Luque.
Continue reading “UFC 265: Gane outclasses Lewis with R3 TKO, becomes new interim HW champion”

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UFC 265: Vicente Luque expects big rankings boost, if he beats Michael Chiesa

Vicente Luque reacts after his victory over Tyron Woodley in their welterweight fight during the UFC 260 event at UFC APEX on March 27, 2021 in Las...

Placed right in the centre of the UFC 265 PPV main card this weekend, two top-six welterweight contenders clash when former lightweight Michael Chiesa (#5) ends a seven-month layoff against Vicente Luque (#6) on Saturday night – both hoping to improve their winning streaks.
Continue reading “UFC 265: Vicente Luque expects big rankings boost, if he beats Michael Chiesa”

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Gilbert Burns targets October/November return, names Leon Edwards as top choice

Gilbert Burns reacts after winning his welterweight bout against Stephen Thompson by unanimous decision during UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena on July 10...

The one-time welterweight title challenger believes that while potentially facing Leon Edwards (#3) excites him, the Brit – enjoying a 10-fight unbeaten streak – is more deserving of the next title shot against Kamaru Usman by virtue of principle, rather than Colby Covington (#1). Continue reading “Gilbert Burns targets October/November return, names Leon Edwards as top choice”

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UFC 264: Stephen Thompson believes he is Kamaru Usman’s worst matchup

Stephen Thompson has his hands wrapped prior to his fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ahead of his pivotal co-main event matchup vs. a fellow former welterweight title challenger in Gilbert Burns (#2) this coming weekend, Stephen Thompson (#4) feels like he’s currently the freshest and most tough matchup for reigning champion Kamaru Usman. While still going strong at 38, will Wonderboy earn a third crack at UFC gold before his fighting days are over?
Continue reading “UFC 264: Stephen Thompson believes he is Kamaru Usman’s worst matchup”

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Kamaru Usman eyeing UFC 263 return, according to his manager Ali Abdelaziz

Kamaru Usman of Nigera reacts after knocking out Jorge Masvidal of the United States during the Welterweight Title bout of UFC 261 at VyStar Veterans...

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.

Continue reading “Kamaru Usman eyeing UFC 263 return, according to his manager Ali Abdelaziz”

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Kamaru Usman: Jorge Masvidal win left me unsatisfied, why I called for UFC 261 rematch

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 13: Kamaru Usman of Nigeria prepares to fight Gilbert Burns of Brazil in their UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

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 “Kamaru Usman: Jorge Masvidal win left me unsatisfied, why I called for UFC 261 rematch”

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UFC 258: Gilbert Burns confident, vows to wipe out welterweight division if he wins title

Gilbert Burns of Brazil is interviewed backstage during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 30, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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 258: Gilbert Burns confident, vows to wipe out welterweight division if he wins title”

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UFC Fight Island 8: Michael Chiesa eases past Neil Magny, calls out Colby Covington

UFC Fight Night results, highlights: Michael Chiesa earns decisive win over  Neil Magny on Fight Island - CBSSports.com

Michael Chiesa (#8) delivered on his vow to impress and went the full 25 minutes for the first time in his professional career against Neil Magny (#9). He earned a comfortable decision win (49-46 on all three judges’ scorecards), maintaining a perfect 4-0 welterweight record before calling out former interim champion Colby Covington (#1) as the man he wants next. Continue reading “UFC Fight Island 8: Michael Chiesa eases past Neil Magny, calls out Colby Covington”

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UFC Fight Island 8: Michael Chiesa confident ahead of Neil Magny main event

UFC Fight Island 8: Head-to-head look at Michael Chiesa vs. Neil Magny - Bloody Elbow

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 Fight Island 8: Michael Chiesa confident ahead of Neil Magny main event”