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Islam Makhachev raced through short-notice replacement Renato Moicano to stand on the brink of history, after his proposed Arman Tsarukyan rematch was dramatically shelved late. Prior in the co-main, Merab Dvalishvili was defiant and diligent en route to a successful first championship defence against the anointed one in Umar Nurmagomedov. The Georgian didn’t read the memo.
Continue reading “UFC 311: Merab thrives in Umar firefight, Makhachev makes quick work of Moicano”
#11 ranked lightweight contender Renato Moicano is aware of the test awaiting him on enemy soil in Paris this weekend, but the bullish Brazilian intends to seize Benoit Saint Denis’ rising star status – even if the 28-year-old is ranked one spot below him – after the Frenchman was agonisingly close to a stunning stoppage win over former interim champion Dustin Poirier last time out.
Continue reading “Moicano knows Saint Denis isn’t ‘easy money’ but he’s in Paris to prove himself”
Almost three months after his R2 KO defeat by upcoming title challenger Dustin Poirier at UFC 299, #13 ranked lightweight contender Benoit Saint-Denis has spoken of his desire to climb the ladder and targets two fights in Europe by year’s end. UFC 302 sees Poirier have his third shot to clinch championship gold on Saturday, and plenty is at stake for the highly-regarded veteran….
Continue reading “UFC 302: Saint-Denis itching for summer return, makes Makhachev-Poirier pick”
Former middleweight champion-turned-analyst Michael Bisping made his feelings clear, as have many of the regular UFC watching public as far as the stakes for this weekend’s flyweight title fight headliner in Rio. Alexandre Pantoja should win emphatically, against a plucky contender given an unlikely shot of a lfietime to win gold just four bouts into his promotional stint. Will he? Continue reading “UFC 301: Bisping favours Pantoja to topple Erceg, Moicano questions low fight buzz”
Having previously stated an openness to face English lightweight Paddy Pimblett, the asking price has gone up for Renato Moicano after his second-round recovery stoppage win over Jalin Turner saw the bullish Brazilian rise into the top-10 at 155lbs on a weekend where there was plenty of change across many divisions. With two victories in two months, he doesn’t want to stop there. Continue reading “Activity now key for Moicano as recovery win sees him ranked #10 at lightweight”
Alex Pereira made the first defence of his light-heavyweight title, avenging teammate and close friend Glover Teixeira’s punishing five-round defeat vs. former titlist Jamahal Hill in the UFC 300 headliner to cap an unforgettable night’s action from Las Vegas after contrasting championship victories for strawweight queen Zhang Weili and new BMF titleholder Max Holloway.
Continue reading “UFC 300: Pereira flattens Hill to retain 205lb title as Weili and Holloway win big”
Alex Pereira and Zhang Weili reigned supreme as two new champions were crowned at UFC 281 during a memorable PPV card that exceeded expectations last weekend, with seven first-round finishes and surprise results galore – as well as a Fight of the Year contender at lightweight.
Continue reading “Unpacking last weekend’s unforgettable UFC 281 as Pereira, Weili emerge the evening’s biggest winners”
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.
Continue reading “UFC 271: Adesanya efficiency proves key in Whittaker rematch, retains middleweight title”
After five tests of increasing difficulty, Ciryl Gane knew the Volkov challenge was a necessary litmus test to see whether he was more than the UFC’s rapidly-growing hype machine. During an entertaining striking battle, the Frenchman passed with flying colours and won all five rounds on two of the three judges’ scorecards, before eyeing a title shot vs. Francis Ngannou. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 30: Composed Ciryl Gane passes Alexander Volkov test, remains unbeaten”
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