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Almost a year to the day since their original matchup was scheduled and shelved after a pectoral muscle tear, UFC heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones finally faces two-time former titleholder Stipe Miocic in an encounter no-one asked for – yet we’re getting it nonetheless – while interim champion Tom Aspinall will watch cageside after defending his status against Curtis Blaydes in late July. Continue reading “UFC 309: Oh yeah, Jon Jones returns again this weekend… but Stipe’s an easy target”
Former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane stayed composed and rallied from the first knockdown of his UFC career en route to a third-round TKO finish against Tai Tuivasa during a fun headliner, capping an electric Fight Night card in Paris leaving many talking points – including Robert Whittaker’s future after a masterful decision win over Marvin Vettori and Nassourdine Imavov now riding a three-fight win streak, what’s his next move at 185lbs? Continue reading “UFC Paris: Five things we learned from a memorable Fight Night card in new surroundings”
Light-heavyweight contender Jamahal Hill relished the challenge in his first UFC main event and quickly made it a memorable one against Thiago Santos, earning a fourth-round TKO finish against a former title challenger who thoroughly tested him. Elsewhere, there were impressive wins for Geoff Neal and Terrance McKinney among others on the main card. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 59: Jamahal Hill overwhelms Thiago Santos in back-and-forth LHW duel”
Title shot next? It wasn’t an electrifying main event, but light-heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev took Thiago Santos’ best strikes – R2 knockdown included – and weathered the Brazilian’s storm over 25 minutes. Prior, featherweight Sodiq Yusuff (#12) returned to winning ways, while bantamweight contender Song Yadong (#14) blasted Marlon Moraes (#10) in the co-main event.
Continue reading “UFC Vegas 50: Ankalaev thoroughly tested, but eventually outworks Santos in title eliminator”
Since a last-second submission defeat vs. Paul Craig on his UFC debut four years ago this month, Dagestani light-heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev (16-1, 9 KOs) has justified the high hopes for his progression with six consecutive victories. Now, he faces former title challenger Thiago Santos tonight, targeting another scalp in his first main event opportunity. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 50: Thiago Santos, Magomed Ankalaev excited before LHW title eliminator”
It wasn’t a vintage performance, but former light-heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos produced a vitally important decision win (48-47 x 3) over Johnny Walker in the main event on the final fight of his existing contract. Afterwards, he called out Jiri Prochazka (#2) – who is the alternate for this month’s championship fight between Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira.
Continue reading “UFC Vegas 38: Santos outlasts Walker in five-round clash, calls out Prochazka”
After fighting through injuries but ultimately losing a split decision to Jon Jones for UFC light-heavyweight gold two summers ago, Thiago Santos stressed he’ll be better than his more recent outings – successive defeats – when facing Brazilian compatriot Johnny Walker tonight. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 38: Thiago Santos finally feels 100% again after injury-plagued losing run”
After making championship weight as a back-up fighter for last month’s UFC 259 pay-per-view, Glover Teixeira has been granted a second opportunity to become light-heavyweight champion: seven years after his unsuccessful challenge against Jon Jones in April 2014. It’ll also be Jan Blachowicz’s second title defence, having ended Israel Adesanya’s unbeaten streak on March 6. Continue reading “UFC 266: Jan Blachowicz to defend his LHW title vs. Glover Teixeira on September 4”
Jan Blachowicz defended his light-heavyweight strap for the first time with a UD win after a closely-fought duel against middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, following Amanda Nunes’ ruthless decimation of her latest featherweight challenger in Megan Anderson. Prior to that, bantamweight Petr Yan’s R4 illegal knee on Aljamain Sterling saw the Russian lose his title.
Continue reading “UFC 259: Blachowicz, Nunes win big after controversial bantamweight title finish”
After blasting uncrowned champion Dominick Reyes to bits in September, Jan Blachowicz (27-8 MMA, 10-5 UFC) makes the first defence of his light-heavyweight strap against an undefeated middleweight star in Israel Adesanya – going up a weight class and looking to make his own history this weekend. An underdog perhaps, Jan offers Izzy’s most dangerous challenge yet. Continue reading “Caution up ahead: Why Jan Blachowicz presents Israel Adesanya’s biggest test yet”
Originally scheduled to take place at UFC 256 this past month, Amanda Nunes will defend her featherweight strap vs. Megan Anderson as the main event at UFC 259 on March 6 next year. Barring cancellations, the card is expected to also feature two-time bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and light-heavyweight contender Aleksandar Rakic (#4), among others. Continue reading “UFC 259: Nunes-Anderson featherweight title fight rebooked to headline March 6 card”
Glover Teixeira (#3) survived two knockdowns to earn a big win over compatriot, #1 light-heavyweight contender Thiago Santos in a back-and-forth main event. Beforehand, there were impressive victories for Giga Chikadze and Raoni Barcelos among others, while strawweight Yan Xiaonan (#8) proved her mettle with a disciplined showing against Claudia Gadelha (#4). Continue reading “UFC Vegas 13: Glover Teixeira recovers to beat Thiago Santos, new #1 LHW contender”
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