Having recovered from serious injuries, Aspen Ladd’s long-awaited UFC return unfolded with little more than a whimper as the #3 bantamweight made her featherweight debut and was thoroughly outworked by Norma Dumont in a main event matchup that felt jarring to watch.
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Tag: UFC
Casey O’Neill’s patient progression stance is one more UFC prospects should follow
Across the promotion’s four female weight classes, only four fighters – including an impressive flyweight still in her debut UFC year – are unbeaten with 3-0 records or better. The conscious decision to reject their fast-track route attempts speak to the 24-year-old’s desire for more well-rounded growth with time, something many rising stars before her skipped to their detriment.
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UFC Vegas 38: Santos outlasts Walker in five-round clash, calls out Prochazka
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.
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UFC Vegas 38: Thiago Santos finally feels 100% again after injury-plagued losing run
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
Time to think: Volkanovski happy to have won gruelling Ortega war, discusses future
After more than 400 days out of the Octagon, Alexander Volkanovski successfully defended his UFC featherweight title with a UD win over Brian Ortega in a memorable thriller over the weekend. The 32-year-old is eager to return soon – and didn’t rule out the possibility of a move to 155lbs, with former champ Max Holloway (#1) vs. Yair Rodriguez (#3) set for mid-November. Continue reading
UFC 266: Volkanovski outlasts Ortega, retaining featherweight title in frenetic thriller
Alexander Volkanovski survived a R3 frenzy, where he was knocked down with a bullet left-hand and recovered from two tight submission manoevures before outlasting Brian Ortega (#2) via UD to retain his featherweight title: 49-46, 50-45, 50-44. Valentina Shevchenko made the sixth defence of her flyweight crown against Lauren Murphy, while there were other big winners too.
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UFC Vegas 37: Anthony Smith submits Ryan Spann in R1, calls out Aleksandar Rakic
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
No rush: UFC heavyweight prospect Tom Aspinall happy for gradual growth
After earning fast finishes against Jake Collier, Alan Baudot, former champion Andrei Arlovski and most recently Sergey Spivak in his first four UFC appearances since debuting last July, there’s a clamour from many to witness Britain’s Tom Aspinall face much tougher opposition in a division lacking true prospects. Currently ranked #11, he doesn’t see the need to rush. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 36: Derek Brunson submits Darren Till in R3, on a five-fight win streak
Armed with welterweight champion Kamaru Usman among his circles, confidence brewing on a five-fight win streak and a maiden UFC middleweight title shot in the offing, Derek Brunson has plenty to be happy about after earning a third-round submission win over Darren Till overnight.
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UFC 269: Dustin Poirier vs. Charles Oliveira lightweight title fight in the works
Per a recent report from MMAFighting.com, the promotion is targeting Charles Oliveira’s first lightweight title defence to be against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 on December 11 – verbal agreements are already in place, though contracts haven’t yet been issued. That PPV already has a title bout slated: Amanda Nunes defending her bantamweight strap vs. Julianna Pena. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 35: Giga Chikadze produces statement finish, dismantles Edson Barboza
Giga Chikadze earned another key victory, knocking out perennial contender Edson Barboza in three rounds to reaffirm his standing among the promotion’s best featherweights – before calling out former champion Max Holloway afterwards. Prior, two TUF winners were crowned while Daniel Rodriguez gave Kevin Lee a rude welcome back to the UFC in a new weight class.
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UFC Vegas 35: Edson Barboza, Giga Chikadze itching for their exciting main event
After successive POTN bonuses with first-round TKO victories over Jamey Simmons and veteran Cub Swanson, rising featherweight talent Giga Chikadze has an even tougher challenge ahead this weekend in his first UFC main event: the ageless 145-lb contender Edson Barboza.
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