UFC

Sandhagen declares Nurmagomedov headliner on Aug. 3 a 135lb title eliminator

Cory Sandhagen prepares to fight Rob Font in a 140-pound catchweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Bridgestone Arena on August 05, 2023...

He’s found himself on the outside looking in – largely for reasons out of his control – but former UFC interim title challenger Cory Sandhagen is looking forward to the prospect of a title eliminator with considerable proportions on a third trip to Saudi Arabia this summer against highly-regarded contender Umar Nurmagomedov [10] at 135lbs. Naturally, it won’t be an easy task either… Continue reading “Sandhagen declares Nurmagomedov headliner on Aug. 3 a 135lb title eliminator”

UFC

After impressive bantamweight debut, former flyweight champ Figueiredo trending upwards again

Deiveson Figueiredo of Brazil punches Rob Font in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Moody Center on December 02, 2023 in...

Former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo made a winning Octagon return Saturday night, on a Fight Night card headlined by two first-round finishes for lightweight duo Arman Tsarukyan and Jalin Turner. While what’s next for Deus Da Guerra is unclear, his showing reminds just how quickly the divisional landscape – as well as the title picture – can change in an instant.
Continue reading “After impressive bantamweight debut, former flyweight champ Figueiredo trending upwards again”

UFC

UFC Vegas 72: What’s next at 135lbs, after Song Yadong’s TKO5 win vs. Ricky Simon?

Song Yadong of China punches Ricky Simon in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on April 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Song Yadong produced a statement showing against Ricky Simon, snapping the fellow top-10 contender’s five-fight win streak in Saturday’s main event before calling out Sean O’Malley [1] and former foe Marlon Vera [5]. The Chinese talent is still only 25 and a firm fixture at bantamweight, so who should be next? Continue reading “UFC Vegas 72: What’s next at 135lbs, after Song Yadong’s TKO5 win vs. Ricky Simon?”

UFC

Calvin Kattar calls Holloway vs. Allen true #1 contender fight at 145lbs – he’s right

Max Holloway and Arnold Allen of England face off during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at T-Mobile Center on April 14, 2023 in Kansas City,...

Having shared the cage with both of tomorrow’s main event fighters, albeit finishing in contrasting circumstances, #7 ranked featherweight contender Calvin Kattar today shared his opinion on the landscape at 145lbs. Still recovering from a torn ACL injury, the 35-year-old remains excited about the future in a division bound to continue shifting at the top before his return. Continue reading “Calvin Kattar calls Holloway vs. Allen true #1 contender fight at 145lbs – he’s right”

UFC

UFC 287: Adesanya regains title with R2 KO in Pereira rematch, after Burns retires Masvidal

Israel Adesanya of Nigeria reacts after knocking out Alex Pereira of Brazil in the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 287 event at...

With his back to the wall and in danger, Israel Adesanya produced a second-round KO win over long-time rival Alex Pereira to regain his UFC middleweight title, after Gilbert Burns beat Jorge Masvidal into submission over 15 minutes before the two-time welterweight title challenger retired in his hometown. Continue reading “UFC 287: Adesanya regains title with R2 KO in Pereira rematch, after Burns retires Masvidal”

UFC

UFC 287: Adrian Yanez aware of the golden opportunity that lies ahead vs. Rob Font

Opponents Rob Font and Adrian Yanez face off during the UFC 287 press conference at Miami-Dade Arena on April 06, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

It feels like just yesterday, Adrian Yanez was merely the Contender Series graduate with a penchant for highlight reel finishes. Now, the 29-year-old has a fantastic chance to leapfrog a few in the top-15 and establish himself as a genuine player at 135lbs against perennial contender Rob Font this weekend. Continue reading “UFC 287: Adrian Yanez aware of the golden opportunity that lies ahead vs. Rob Font”

UFC

Rewind: Ahead of Dominick Cruz main event, a look back at Marlon Vera UD5 Rob Font on Apr. 30

Marlon Vera of Ecuador battles Rob Font in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on April 30, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Marlon Vera faces former bantamweight king and future Hall of Famer in fellow championship contender Dominick Cruz this weekend in an unofficial 135lb title eliminator, but before their Fight Night main event matchup from San Diego, here’s a look back at the Ecuadorian’s decision win over Rob Font four months prior – sowing the seeds for his latest headliner. Continue reading “Rewind: Ahead of Dominick Cruz main event, a look back at Marlon Vera UD5 Rob Font on Apr. 30”

Archives

UFC Vegas 53: Vera vaults up at bantamweight, as knockdowns help him outpoint Font

Marlon Vera of Ecuador returns to his corner after the second round of his bantamweight fight against Rob Font during the UFC Fight Night event at...

Despite absorbing a record-breaking amount of damage on Saturday night, Marlon Vera – armed with multiple knockdowns – comprehensively outpointed Rob Font over 25 minutes in the evening’s main event, a result that has seen his bantamweight ranking rise to #5 in this week’s update and will undoubtedly and attract attention of other budding title contenders. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 53: Vera vaults up at bantamweight, as knockdowns help him outpoint Font”

Archives

UFC Vegas 44: Aldo rolls back the years with commanding decision win vs. Font

Jose Aldo of Brazil punches Rob Font in their bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 04, 2021 in Las Vegas,...

It feels like just yesterday, critics were starting to get worried about Jose Aldo’s career trajectory after suffering three contrasting defeats for the first time in his 17-year pro stint. Now, he’s flipped the script: three consecutive UD wins against hopeful contenders – a first since 2014 – and his potential has risen again, in a bantamweight division packed with uncertainty.

Continue reading “UFC Vegas 44: Aldo rolls back the years with commanding decision win vs. Font”

Archives

UFC Vegas 27: Carla Esparza dominates Yan Xiaonan, calls for title shot vs. Rose Namajunas

Armed with five straight victories, it might be difficult to deny Carla Esparza another shot at strawweight gold for much longer after a commanding display like this one…

Continue reading “UFC Vegas 27: Carla Esparza dominates Yan Xiaonan, calls for title shot vs. Rose Namajunas”
Archives

UFC 262: Chandler-Oliveira announced for vacant lightweight title

UFC news: Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler set for vacant title

Dana White has finally thrown in the towel on his stance to try convincing undefeated lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0) out of retirement for one more fight, with ESPN reports confirming an in-form Charles Oliveira (#3) will next face three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler (#4) in the UFC 262 headliner on May 15 for a vacant belt. Continue reading “UFC 262: Chandler-Oliveira announced for vacant lightweight title”

Archives

UFC Vegas 17: Stephen Thompson masterful against Geoff Neal, ends 2020 in style

Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson puts on striking clinic to dominate Geoff Neal  in UFC Vegas 17 main event - MMA Fighting

It was a night for two seasoned veterans as Stephen Thompson finished 2020 with a dominant UD win against Geoff Neal to prove he’s not a gatekeeper – before calling out Jorge Masvidal (#4) in 2021. Jose Aldo proved he was a class above determined contender Marlon Vera in the co-main event, after Rob Font enjoyed an impressive first-round KO over Marlon Moraes (#3). Continue reading “UFC Vegas 17: Stephen Thompson masterful against Geoff Neal, ends 2020 in style”