They were originally scheduled to face one another in a serious mismatch, but instead Nate Diaz ended his existing UFC deal with a memorable win over a fellow legendary veteran while Khamzat Chimaev leaned into a villainous role – one he carved out for himself after a massive weight miss – easing to another emphatic first-round victory during the night’s co-main event. Continue reading “Wacky, weird and wild: Unpacking UFC 279 as Nate Diaz and villain Khamzat Chimaev win big”
Tag: Nate Diaz
UFC Vegas 33: Sean Strickland keen to solve the Uriah Hall puzzle in main event
On a rare weekend overshadowed by Bellator’s featherweight title main event, this is far from a sexy main event on paper but Uriah Hall (#9) vs Sean Strickland (#11) feels like a middleweight matchup with implications aplenty for both – especially considering the latter has won four straight and will be targeting the top guns should he pass this latest acid test at 185lbs. Will he? Continue reading “UFC Vegas 33: Sean Strickland keen to solve the Uriah Hall puzzle in main event”
Gilbert Burns targets October/November return, names Leon Edwards as top choice
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”
UFC 263: Adesanya eases past Vettori in shutout, retains middleweight strap
Israel Adesanya produced the third defence of his UFC middleweight strap and handily beat Marvin Vettori (#3) in their rematch, after flyweight Brandon Moreno made history by becoming the promotion’s first Mexican champion – dethroning Deiveson Figueiredo in the co-main event. Continue reading “UFC 263: Adesanya eases past Vettori in shutout, retains middleweight strap”
UFC 263: Leon Edwards eyeing big weekend win over Nate Diaz
After enduring a forgettable return in mid-March, can the welterweight contender cement his standing as a top dog gunning for a Kamaru Usman rematch against a true fan favourite? Continue reading “UFC 263: Leon Edwards eyeing big weekend win over Nate Diaz”
Kamaru Usman eyeing UFC 263 return, according to his manager Ali Abdelaziz
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”
UFC 261: Post-fight presser comments as Shevchenko, Namajunas and Usman talk
Promoter Dana White confirmed that UFC Africa is more than just a fantasy after all, a dominant Valentina Shevchenko spoke about next steps in her division as well as a possible Amanda Nunes trilogy, while Rose Namajunas – rematch aside – is eyeing a few possible contenders and reigning champion Kamaru Usman continues to see the fruits of his labour at welterweight. Continue reading “UFC 261: Post-fight presser comments as Shevchenko, Namajunas and Usman talk”
Kamaru Usman: Jorge Masvidal win left me unsatisfied, why I called for UFC 261 rematch
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”
UFC 257: McGregor humble but upset in defeat, highlights Poirier’s calf kicks
Conor McGregor suffered the first knockout loss of his professional career overnight, as Dustin Poirier exacted revenge seven years after their first meeting in 2014. Afterwards, the former two-weight world champion spoke to the press in the UFC 257 post-fight press conference and had plenty to say – from praise for the main event winner, to Khabib Nurmagomedov and next steps. Continue reading “UFC 257: McGregor humble but upset in defeat, highlights Poirier’s calf kicks”
UFC 241: Stipe Miocic reclaims HW title with fourth-round KO win vs. Daniel Cormier
He vowed to reclaim his gold, insisting DC’s knockout win during their previous encounter last July was a lucky one. So despite losing all three previous rounds, Stipe stunned Cormier with a barrage of punches before standing victorious in defiant fashion on Sunday morning. Continue reading “UFC 241: Stipe Miocic reclaims HW title with fourth-round KO win vs. Daniel Cormier”
Is Conor McGregor in danger of turning into the next Ronda Rousey?
A week before the biggest fight of his professional career, Conor McGregor is set to face Floyd Mayweather in a $700m megabout. So yes, we must discuss this question and answer it too. Continue reading “Is Conor McGregor in danger of turning into the next Ronda Rousey?”
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