Israel Adesanya made the fifth defence of his middleweight title against Jared Cannonier, on an evening where the champion’s next challenge presented itself: former kickboxing foe Alex Pereira, who thunderously ended #4 ranked Sean Strickland’s four-year unbeaten run. In the co-main event, featherweight titlist Alexander Volkanovski closed the chapter on his Max Holloway trilogy with a one-sided UD win before stressing a desire to move up to lightweight. Continue reading
Tag: middleweight
Golovkin earns R9 TKO win vs. Murata, but some serious questions remain unanswered
A day after his 40th birthday, the legendary middleweight made history against Japan’s Ryota Murata by becoming only the second boxer to unify world titles at that age. However, the first few rounds proved far from straightforward and foreshadowed what could likely happen in a proposed Canelo Ălvarez trilogy this September, a familiar fiery matchup he so badly craves. Continue reading
UFC 271: Adesanya efficiency proves key in Whittaker rematch, retains middleweight title
Tense and competitive, but the same result: Israel Adesanya defended his middleweight crown a fourth time, this time against an old foe in determined former champion Robert Whittaker. He then called for a June title defence against ‘fresh meat’ in the form of Jared Cannonier, who recovered from first-round adversity himself to convincingly end Derek Brunson’s title hopes.
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UFC Vegas 47: Strickland outworks hesitant Hermansson, calls for Adesanya-Whittaker winner
He apologised for letting the pressure get to him, ‘fighting like a chump’ in his own words, but Sean Strickland’s winning streak improved to six as he exposed Jack Hermansson’s gameplan en route to a split decision win. Elsewhere, there were contrasting wins for welterweight prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov and TUF middleweight winner Bryan Battle among others.
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Eubank Jr scores four knockdowns, eases past Williams with wide decision victory
After an impressive start, it was an underwhelming finish as world title hopeful Chris Eubank Jr scored three knockdowns in the first four rounds, en route to retaining his #1 WBA middleweight ranking with a comfortable decision win (116-109, 116-109, 116-108) against Liam Williams. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 47: Jack Hermansson targets early-but-perfect display vs. Sean Strickland
After rebounding from his Fight of the Night loss by Marvin Vettori with a UD win against Edmen Shahbazyan last May, #6 ranked middleweight contender Jack Hermansson is looking for a statement performance this weekend – ending Sean Strickland’s impressive streak at 185lbs – which he believes will help propel him into the stakes for title contention once more. Continue reading
Bad blood and egos aside, Eubank Jr must shine on enemy territory in Cardiff this weekend
After two delays forced this domestic duel back a few months, #1 WBA middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr prepares to make his third appearance under a promotional deal that believes he can clean out the 160lb division. Next up? A credible challenge on enemy shores who last year managed to do something he is longing for: challenging for a version of the world title. Continue reading
UFC 271: Ahead of rematch, Whittaker says ego cost him in knockout loss to Adesanya
Ahead of a highly-anticipated middleweight title rematch against Israel Adesanya on February 12, former champion Robert Whittaker hasn’t been shy in admitting his ego got in the way during their first meeting in October 2019 – something that won’t be a problem this time. Continue reading
Tough domestic duel: Chris Eubank Jr vs. Liam Williams scheduled for December 11
Having promised to atone for a topsy-turvy 2021, #1 WBA middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr will face a stiff test of his world championship aspirations when looking to silence domestic rival Liam Williams in enemy territory at the Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff on December 11.
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UFC Vegas 41: Burning questions remain as Vettori outworks Costa in fiery LHW clash
Paulo Costa embraced the heel role, having revealed his inability to make the scheduled 185lb limit during fight week. Despite explosive moments aplenty and a flurry of furious head kicks that would’ve ended most other nights, he was outworked by a smart Marvin Vettori showing in a highly-anticipated battle between two former middleweight title challengers at 205lbs.
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Take two: Eubank Jr vows for spiteful display vs. Germany’s Wanik Awdijan
After his originally scheduled bout was twice cancelled a fortnight ago, #1 ranked WBA middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr finally makes his in-ring return tomorrow night as part of a Newcastle Fight Night event card against Germany’s Wanik Awdijan, who claims he will have the same heat and energy his social media comments had come this weekend.
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Eubank Jr: Beat Anatoli Muratov this weekend; big fight awaits in December
Having ended his 16-month layoff with a comfy but uninspiring unanimous decision win over compatriot Marcus Morrison on May 1, middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr (#1 WBA) feels he could have three fights by the year’s end if all goes to plan vs. Anatoli Muratov this weekend. Continue reading