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Joaquin Buckley looks to stay perfect at 170lbs against a two-time former title challenger in Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson and edge closer towards serious championship contention, while the women’s bantamweight division features moving parts – Ketlen Vieira feels Kayla Harrison’s MMA resume is overstated before their title eliminator on a night where the title may again change hands. Continue reading “UFC 307: Buckley eyes Wonderboy scalp at welterweight, Vieira critical of Harrison”
Two-time Olympic judo champion and PFL star Kayla Harrison has signed with the UFC, per Dana White’s surprise announcement earlier this week, and is already set to face a former champion at 135lbs in April on a stacked UFC 300 card in Las Vegas. Given where she trains, the outside noise and criticism of her opposition in recent years, this move felt inevitable. Is the timing right now? Continue reading “Kayla Harrison’s UFC deal felt inevitable but recent events means arrival falls flat”
Dricus du Plessis got the job done as promised, mixing wrestling and subtle striking adjustments to outpoint Sean Strickland and become the new middleweight king before an inevitable Israel Adesanya callout. Prior, Raquel Pennington outsmarted Mayra Bueno Silva to seize the vacant women’s bantamweight title after Movsar Evloev’s career-best win over Arnold Allen. Continue reading “UFC 297: Dricus du Plessis seizes Sean Strickland’s middleweight title via split decision, Pennington claims vacant gold”
The recently-retired two-division UFC world champion spoke about being surprised by having a burning desire to rest and recover, after accruing damage aplenty across her body given the gruelling training camps and various fights over the years. Yet the Lioness didn’t close the door on a return, even aged 35… Continue reading “Amanda Nunes confirms she has nerve damage in her legs, doesn’t rule out return”
Since losing to Holly Holm (UD3) at UFC 246 in January 2020, Raquel Pennington [2] has won five straight and looks set for a second crack at UFC gold later this year. Amanda Nunes’ recent retirement leaves a long-awaited matchup vs. former champon Julianna Pena the most likely play for the promotion, but will Holm have a say when she returns on Saturday night? Continue reading “Raquel Pennington expects Julianna Pena matchup to be for newly-vacant 135lb title”
Former light-heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith earned another R1 win, as he stormed Ryan Spann (#11). Immediately post-fight, the 33-year-old agreed a December rematch with Aleksandar Rakic (#3) as he plots a return to the top table at 205lbs. Elsewhere, there were big finishes for lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, middleweight Joaquin Buckley and others. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 37: Anthony Smith submits Ryan Spann in R1, calls out Aleksandar Rakic”
Thrust into her first UFC fight week for almost five years, Miesha Tate was unequivocal about being where she belongs after retiring. The former women’s bantamweight champion praised upcoming opponent Marion Reneau but also hopes this weekend ultimately proves the important first step en route to achieving gold once more in future as her comeback trail starts. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 31: Tate eyes UFC title in comeback, but refuses to rush ahead of Reneau matchup”
A one-off or necessary acid test as she targets becoming a two-time champion? After a four-and-a-half year retirement, former UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate (18-7, 5-4 UFC) makes her return on July 17 against Marion Reneau in the latter’s final professional fight.
Continue reading “Coming out of retirement, former UFC champion Miesha Tate returns on July 17”
Curtis Blaydes broke the record for most takedowns in a single fight in UFC heavyweight history, enroute to a UD win over Alexander Volkov – proving he remains among the best in his division. Josh Emmett beat Shane Burgos in the Fight of the Night, before claiming he’s ready for a title eliminator at featherweight. Continue reading “UFC on ESPN 11: Curtis Blaydes outpoints Alexander Volkov, Josh Emmett with big win”
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