Thursday’s promotional press conference was energetic with bad intentions in equal measure, as expected, but UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman knows he needs to make clear improvements – just as he did in the rematch with Jorge Masvidal – against an increasingly determined Colby Covington if he’s to make the fifth defence of his 170lb strap this weekend. Continue reading “UFC 268: Kamaru Usman promises more flawless display in Colby Covington rematch”
Tag: Rose Namajunas
UFC Vegas 39: Marina Rodriguez ruins Mackenzie Dern’s showcase night with harsh lesson
Surging strawweight contender Marina Rodriguez has dented two hype trains in 2021, first knocking out Amanda Ribas on Fight Island in January and now outlasting Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Mackenzie Dern on the scorecards during her second successive main event, after which she stressed a readiness to fight for UFC gold – displays like this make it feel inevitable.
Continue reading “UFC Vegas 39: Marina Rodriguez ruins Mackenzie Dern’s showcase night with harsh lesson”
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”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”
UFC 261: Kamaru Usman knocks out Jorge Masvidal, retains welterweight strap
Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman vowed to produce a better display in their rematch and did exactly that: being the first to KO Jorge Masvidal (#4), retaining his 170lb strap for the fourth time with a devastating right-hand. Beforehand, Rose Namajunas made history becoming a two-time champion while Valentina Shevchenko completed another dominant title defence.
Continue reading “UFC 261: Kamaru Usman knocks out Jorge Masvidal, retains welterweight strap”
UFC 261: Usman-Masvidal 2 set to headline full crowd PPV in Jacksonville
Kamaru Usman will make the fourth defence of his welterweight strap against #4 ranked Jorge Masvidal, headlining next month’s UFC 261 PPV with three title fights – Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili the other champions scheduled for title defences. Set to be held at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, it’ll be the first event with fans since UFC 248 on March 7 last year. Continue reading “UFC 261: Usman-Masvidal 2 set to headline full crowd PPV in Jacksonville”
UFC 261: Valentina Shevchenko to defend flyweight title vs. Jessica Andrade next
Reports today have confirmed UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (20-3) will make the fifth defence of her title against former strawweight title-holder Jessica Andrade (21-8) in two months’ time, an intriguing bout expected to headline their UFC 261 PPV event on April 24. Continue reading “UFC 261: Valentina Shevchenko to defend flyweight title vs. Jessica Andrade next”
UFC 251: Usman, Volkanovski with contrasting title defences after Yan wins bantamweight strap
There were contrasting title defences for Kamaru Usman and Alexander Volkanovski, while Petr Yan became Russia’s second-ever UFC champion with an impressive TKO victory during a stacked card – kicking off the first of four Fight Island events in Abu Dhabi this month. Continue reading “UFC 251: Usman, Volkanovski with contrasting title defences after Yan wins bantamweight strap”
UFC 251: Three title fights, Dana confirms Abu Dhabi as Fight Island location

The first ever Fight Island card is set to feature a trio of exciting title fights on July 11 at UFC 251. Dana White confirmed a welterweight title bout between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns will headline the card, on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
Continue reading “UFC 251: Three title fights, Dana confirms Abu Dhabi as Fight Island location”
Dana’s determination was admirable, but this was inevitable from the first bell

Irresponsible or opportunist? Arrogant or defiant? Call it what you want but ultimately the correct decision has been made – what’s to come is a bigger question.
Continue reading “Dana’s determination was admirable, but this was inevitable from the first bell”
UFC 249 cancelled as ESPN, Disney convince Dana White to reconsider

UFC 249 was officially cancelled overnight, after ESPN and parent company Disney intervened to thwart Dana White’s defiant plan to continue fighting amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading “UFC 249 cancelled as ESPN, Disney convince Dana White to reconsider”
Dana White says he’s close to securing private island for UFC fights

UFC president Dana White said he’s ‘a day or two away’ from completing a deal for a private island that he can hold fights on, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The news comes as UFC 249 will go on as planned, in a secret location.
Continue reading “Dana White says he’s close to securing private island for UFC fights”