UFC

Whittaker surprised by Cannonier’s dominant win vs. Vettori – he shouldn’t be

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker predicted Jared Cannonier would win last weekend’s main event matchup against Marvin Vettori, in a battle of two contenders he’s previously beaten. However, he spoke of his surprise at how things played out – something that has been brewing for a while as far as the Italian is concerned. Continue reading “Whittaker surprised by Cannonier’s dominant win vs. Vettori – he shouldn’t be”

UFC

UFC Africa: As Senegal is named frontrunner destination, how viable is this project in 2024?

View of the court during the game between the US Monastir and the AS Douanes on March 21, 2023 at the Dakar Arena. NOTE TO USER: User expressly...

BBC Africa ran a story earlier today after being told by the UFC’s chief operating officer Lawrence Epstein the promotion aims to host an event in Africa sometime next year, with Senegal’s Dakar Arena the most likely destination. All things considered, how probable is this and will it live up to the billing?
Continue reading “UFC Africa: As Senegal is named frontrunner destination, how viable is this project in 2024?”

UFC

Belal Muhammad only looking upwards – wants Edwards, Usman or Covington next

Belal Muhammad prepares to fight Sean Brady in a welterweight fight during the UFC 280 event at Etihad Arena on October 22, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United...

#4 ranked welterweight Belal Muhammad has reaffirmed a desire to fight up, eager to finally earn a #1 contender spot with potential fights against former champion Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington or a rematch with current titlist Leon Edwards – rather than having to fight down the rankings once more against Shavkat Rakhmonov [6]. Whether that will materialise, is the question. Continue reading “Belal Muhammad only looking upwards – wants Edwards, Usman or Covington next”

UFC

UFC’s 135lb division shuffles once more, after Cory Sandhagen punishes lethargic Marlon Vera

Cory Sandhagen reacts after his bantamweight fight against Marlon Vera of Ecuador during the UFC Fight Night event at AT&T Center on March 25, 2023...

He apologised to the fans, aware they would’ve been underwhelmed by what they saw: but it wasn’t his fault. Cory Sandhagen scored a decision win over Marlon Vera – split scorecards notwithstanding – before calling out Merab Dvalishvili after the Georgian’s impressive win over former champion Petr Yan two weeks prior. The bantamweight division is bubbling up nicely again… Continue reading “UFC’s 135lb division shuffles once more, after Cory Sandhagen punishes lethargic Marlon Vera”

UFC

UFC 285: Jon Jones dismantles Ciryl Gane in R1, Alexa Grasso submits Valentina Shevchenko in stunner

Jon Jones reacts to his win in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 04, 2023 in Las Vegas,...

Jon Jones needed less than three minutes to clinch UFC heavyweight gold as he ended a three-year layoff in style, submitting Ciryl Gane on his long-awaited return. That finish came after Alexa Grasso’s stunning submission win over long-reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko, crowning her the new women’s flyweight queen after big wins for Shavkat Rakmonov and more in Las Vegas. Continue reading “UFC 285: Jon Jones dismantles Ciryl Gane in R1, Alexa Grasso submits Valentina Shevchenko in stunner”

UFC

A week on: UFC Vegas 69 – Blanchfield’s R2 submission win over Andrade opens up possibilities

Erin Blanchfield reacts after her submission victory over Jessica Andrade of Brazil in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX...

Tatiana Suarez’s long-awaited return to the Octagon is scheduled for tonight after nearly four years on the sidelines. So, what better time than now to reflect upon an career-best victory last week for flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield over a former strawweight champion in Jessica Andrade last weekend? Continue reading “A week on: UFC Vegas 69 – Blanchfield’s R2 submission win over Andrade opens up possibilities”

UFC

Moving on up: Jailton Almeida vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik heavyweight clash booked for May 13

Brazilian Jailton Almeida celebrates after defeating Russian Shamil Abdurakhimov during their heavyweight bout at the Ultimate Fighting Championship...

Jailton Almeida’s heavyweight ascent continues, and not long after his UFC 283 stoppage victory over the recently-released Shamil Abdurakhimov… the heavy-handed Brazilian will soon be in training camp again before facing a stern test in the form of another power puncher: Jairzinho Rozenstruik next – after news today confirmed the matchup is slated for mid-May. Continue reading “Moving on up: Jailton Almeida vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik heavyweight clash booked for May 13”

UFC

Title talk? Erin Blanchfield and Jessica Andrade ambitious before tomorrow’s Fight Night headliner

Taila Santos out, Jessica Andrade in: Erin Blanchfield isn’t as phased by the late-notice change to her first UFC main event opponent this weekend as critics would expect, given the former champion awaiting her. Is nonchalance a good thing here, or should she be more concerned? Continue reading “Title talk? Erin Blanchfield and Jessica Andrade ambitious before tomorrow’s Fight Night headliner”

UFC

UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno wants two more fights in 2023 – and Alexandre Pantoja next

Brandon Moreno celebrates his victory over Deiveson Figueiredo in their Flyweight title fight during the UFC 283 event at Jeunesse Arena on January...

Having unified the flyweight championship, ending his three-year long tetralogy series with Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283 on January 21, reigning titlist Brandon Moreno has publicly insisted his wish to remain an active champion in 2023: two more fights – one in June and another in November or December – including a title defence vs. former foe Alexandre Pantoja. Continue reading “UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno wants two more fights in 2023 – and Alexandre Pantoja next”

UFC

Before Jessica Andrade matchup, Lauren Murphy believes Shevchenko isn’t going to win forever

Lauren Murphy reacts after the conclusion of her flyweight fight against Miesha Tate during the UFC Fight Night event at UBS Arena on July 16, 2022...

Ahead of her main card matchup against former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade this weekend in Brazil, former title challenger Lauren Murphy spoke about Taila Santos’ split decision defeat by reigning titlist Valentina Shevchenko – whose last display reinforces the belief she’s not untouchable after finding herself in danger against the Brazilian last summer. Continue reading “Before Jessica Andrade matchup, Lauren Murphy believes Shevchenko isn’t going to win forever”

UFC

Leon Edwards: Khamzat Chimaev is not the untouchable monster UFC built him to be

Khamzat Chimaev speaks to the media following their UFC 279 win on September 9 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.

UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards believes unbeaten contender Khamzat Chimaev has been overvalued by the promotion, and in a recent interview with Michael Bisping, said as much as he prepares for his first title defence against former titlist Kamaru Usman in March.
Continue reading “Leon Edwards: Khamzat Chimaev is not the untouchable monster UFC built him to be”

UFC

UFC 283: Jailton Almeida eyes top-15 HW rankings in rescheduled Shamil Abdurakhimov matchup

Jailton Almeida of Brazil prepares to fight Anton Turkalj of Sweden in a 220-pound catchweight fight during the UFC 279 event at T-Mobile Arena on...

Third time lucky? Heavyweight prospect Jailton Almeida hopes his patience will be rewarded on home soil come January 21, as his matchup against Shamil Abdurakhimov – twice scratched – has been tentatively scheduled for the UFC 283 prelims as part of a 15-fight card this month.
Continue reading “UFC 283: Jailton Almeida eyes top-15 HW rankings in rescheduled Shamil Abdurakhimov matchup”