The one-time welterweight title challenger believes that while potentially facing Leon Edwards (#3) excites him, the Brit – enjoying a 10-fight unbeaten streak – is more deserving of the next title shot against Kamaru Usman by virtue of principle, rather than Colby Covington (#1). Continue reading
Tag: welterweight
UFC 264: Stephen Thompson believes he is Kamaru Usman’s worst matchup
Ahead of his pivotal co-main event matchup vs. a fellow former welterweight title challenger in Gilbert Burns (#2) this coming weekend, Stephen Thompson (#4) feels like he’s currently the freshest and most tough matchup for reigning champion Kamaru Usman. While still going strong at 38, will Wonderboy earn a third crack at UFC gold before his fighting days are over?
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UFC 263: Adesanya eases past Vettori in shutout, retains middleweight strap
Israel Adesanya produced the third defence of his UFC middleweight strap and handily beat Marvin Vettori (#3) in their rematch, after flyweight Brandon Moreno made history by becoming the promotion’s first Mexican champion – dethroning Deiveson Figueiredo in the co-main event. Continue reading
UFC 263: Leon Edwards eyeing big weekend win over Nate Diaz
After enduring a forgettable return in mid-March, can the welterweight contender cement his standing as a top dog gunning for a Kamaru Usman rematch against a true fan favourite? Continue reading
Dare to be great: Manny Pacquiao vs Errol Spence Jr set for August 21
After a 25-month layoff, former eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao will next face unbeaten WBC, IBF welterweight titlist Errol Spence Jr in a compelling battle this August with plenty up for grabs beyond the latter’s two belts.
Continue readingKamaru Usman eyeing UFC 263 return, according to his manager Ali Abdelaziz
Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is itching for more activity and wants to make the fifth defence of his 170-lb strap at UFC 263, on what would be another stacked card with three title fights, per an ESPN interview with his manager Ali Abdelaziz. While promoter Dana White said a Colby Covington rematch is next, they’re targeting others like Michael Chiesa (#7) instead.
Bob Arum: Pacquiao-Crawford title bout fell through over money issues
A deal and terms on both sides were agreed for Terence Crawford to make his latest WBO welterweight world title defence against all-time great eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao on June 5 in an ESPN PPV from Saudi Arabia, but money expected by the Abu Dhabi government wasn’t issued by a specific deadline – according to Top Rank boss Bob Arum.
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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: 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.
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Kamaru Usman: Jorge Masvidal win left me unsatisfied, why I called for UFC 261 rematch
Ahead of his fourth welterweight title defence this weekend against Jorge Masvidal on a stacked UFC 261 card, Kamaru Usman (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC) has vowed to break the #3 divisional contender while saying 170-lb challengers aren’t exciting him – hinting that he may retire if he gets to a point where the landscape doesn’t motivate the same way anymore. Continue reading
Patience is the key: Jaron Ennis looking ahead after impressive Lipinets win
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Fresh from his sixth-round KO win over Sergey Lipinets on Saturday, blossoming welterweight contender Jaron Ennis (27-0, 25 KOs) knows while his latest victory was commendable, it probably hasn’t helped further aspirations of becoming a world champion by the beginning of 2022 – he might have to become a mandatory challenger to one of the division’s titlists first. Continue reading
Conor Benn’s brilliant R1 finish kickstarts busy night of boxing for prospects
Conor Benn needed just 80 seconds to retain his WBA Continental welterweight strap with a devastating TKO win over Samuel Vargas, proving the launchpad for a busy night of boxing across American soil as there were also big wins for two heavyweight prospects before 23-year-old welterweight talent Jaron Ennis earned a R6 KO vs. Sergey Lipinets in his main event debut.
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