Wow, that was a wonderful night of fights. I’ll be on Twitch at 1pm EST talking about all the fights on the main card as there were quite a number of performances! All the best moments will become part of my next book of MMA art & essays. If you’re interested in collecting my MMA artwork I’ve revamped my patreon page to allow for digital, book, ebook, and print collection now.
Take care of yourself and I’ll talk to you Wednesday.
Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Another action-packed weekend of fights has come and gone as UFC 270 went down last Sat. (Jan. 22, 2022) inside Honda Center in Anaheim. California. Plenty …
Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Another action-packed weekend of fights has come and gone as UFC 270 went down last Sat. (Jan. 22, 2022) inside Honda Center in Anaheim. California. Plenty of fighters were left licking their wounds, including Brandon Moreno, who lost his Flyweight title to Deiveson Figueiredo in their trilogy bout (see it here).
And Cody Stamann, who suffered his third straight defeat after he was submitted by Said Nurmagomedov in just 47 seconds. But which fighter is suffering from the worst post-fight hangover, now a few days removed from the show?
Ciryl Gane.
Coming into his headlining title fight against his former training partner and division king, Francis Ngannou, Gane was riding high of his knockout win over Derrick Lewis, which earned him the interim title and his tenth straight win. Plus, since he spent some time training with “The Predator,” Gane had a bit of an idea what to expect come fight night.
What I don’t think he was prepared for, though, was Ngannou’s grappling.
For the first few rounds, Gane was executing a beautiful gameplan, sticking and moving to avoid the champion’s huge bombs that have left a trail of destruction in the Octagon. After the first few rounds, it seemed as if “Bon Gamin” has the perfect blueprint to walk away with a win. Especially because it Ngannou was already breathing heavy.
But then, the tides slowly started turning in Ngannou’s favor after a big slam. From there, the 265-pound champion started opening up his strikes and mixing in more takedowns to take control of the pace. After 25 minutes, “The Predator” had done enough to unify the titles to once again become the undisputed king of the big men.
While the loss was a tough blow for the Frenchman, it may not be as bad as it seems depending on how everything works out with UFC and Ngannou. The two sides will likely have several meeting in the coming months to see if they can come to some sort of contract extension that will keep all involved happen, especially “The Predator.”
“If he leaves like that, I don’t want that,” Gane said at the evening’s post-fight press conference. “I want my rematch. I want to do this fight a second time. I want this fight, I want this rematch. All the stories around this fight were just stories and it was not a burden for me, I was just focused on my target. If we have a rematch, I’m gonna be focused, but I’m gonna improve on my weaknesses.”
Should that not happen and Ngannou opt to sit out a year to let his contract expire after it was automatically extended due to the promotion’s championship clause, that’s when things will get very interesting for the 265-pound division, in particular Gane.
UFC could very well agree to let Ngannou walk if he’s not happy, though that is unlikely to happen. But if it does, then the title will be vacated, paving the way for Gane to step right back in for another title fight, perhaps against former Light Heavyweight champion, Jon Jones.
If Gane opts to fight again before UFC and Ngannou resolve their issues, then perhaps a fight against former 265-pound champion Stipe Miocic is in order. Not much has been heard or seen from Stipe since he got knocked out by Ngannou almost a year ago.
Miocic desperately wants another chance to win his belt back, and taking out Gane would be a sure-fire way to get back in there sooner, rather than later. And the same goes for Gane. After all, It’s not like the top half of the Heavyweight division is screaming with contenders on great win streaks worthy enough to earn a title shot.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 270: “Ngannou vs. Gane” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.
The Pulse of MMA: Fan Reactions To The Sport’s Biggest Stories
In this installment of The Pulse of MMA, we dive into the raw, unfiltered reactions of MMA fans after Dana White bounced after Francis Ngannou retained the UFC heavyweight championship …
The Pulse of MMA: Fan Reactions To The Sport’s Biggest Stories
In this installment of The Pulse of MMA, we dive into the raw, unfiltered reactions of MMA fans afterDana White bounced after Francis Ngannou retained the UFC heavyweight championship over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270.
Dana White Abruptly Exits After Francis Ngannou Tops Ciryl Gane At UFC 270
Dana White (Image Credit: Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC)
All things considered, Dana White kept a pretty solid poker face heading into UFC 270 if his post-fight reaction is any indication of how he felt about the prospect of Francis Ngannou retaining the heavyweight title.
By now, it’s no secret that Ngannou and the UFC are in the middle of very tense, if not historic contract negotiations that could potentially see a sitting champion exit the promotion with the title if a new deal is not met.
Yet, after Ngannou was declared the victor via unanimous decision, White was conspicuous in his absence both in wrapping the title around Ngannou’s waist and also at the post-fight press conference. Just how conspicuous was his absence? Well, let’s allow The Pulse of MMA to fill you in on that…
Dana white left the building as soon as Ngannou was announced winner ??? didn’t put the belt on him, didn’t even turn up to do his own press conference
Not so long ago, Dana White appeared on a show where he was asked about Ariel Helwani and Dana called him a "pussy". Dana refused to put the belt on Ngannou tonight and then avoided media. Is there a bigger pussy than Dana White? #UFC270
Now we’re probably gonna get a tweet in a few months from Brett Okamoto: “Per Dana White, Ngannou has relinquished the belt to pursue something else, Ciryl Gane will fight Curtis Blaydes for the vacant heavyweight belt” ?
UFC president Dana White is confident that Conor McGregor will compete in 2022 and hopeful that ‘Notorious’ will return to action in the summer. The Irishman is currently healing up after suffering a fractured tibia and fibula in the first round of his third fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. McGregor […]
UFC president Dana White is confident that Conor McGregor will compete in 2022 and hopeful that ‘Notorious’ will return to action in the summer.
The Irishman is currently healing up after suffering a fractured tibia and fibula in the first round of his third fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.
McGregor stayed in the limelight following his injury by ranting at his fellow fighters on social media and getting into physical altercations with multiple musicians.
As of late, the Irishman has been uncharacteristically quiet and that could mean he is starting to get to work ahead of his eagerly anticipated comeback fight.
During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, White spoke with confidence when asked if McGregor will fight in 2022 and even gave a timeline for the former dual-weight champs comeback.
“I think so, yeah,” White said when asked if McGregor fights this year. ‘He’s doing all the right things with his leg. I’m hoping that he can come back this summer.”
Dana White Is Struggling To Keep His Biggest Stars Happy
The UFC boss may have a great relationship with McGregor, but it seems he is facing a revolt from a lot of his other stars.
Jon Jones hasn’t fought since February 2020, as he tries to seal an improved contract ahead of his move to heavyweight which could see him face Francis Ngannou in 2022.
‘The Predator’ is also at odds with the UFC. Ngannou became the undisputed heavyweight champion when he beat Ciryl Gane over five rounds at UFC 270 this past weekend. Unfortunately for fight fans that may be the final time we see Ngannou inside the Octagon. The Cameroonian KO artist finished up his current contract at UFC 270 and is now only tied to the promotion due to a championship clause that extends his deal for three fights or one year, whatever comes first. Ngannou says he will not be fighting again for his current pay packet and will instead sit out for a year until he is a free agent.
McGregor’s long-time rival, Nate Diaz, is also on the verge of becoming a free agent. The Stockton, California native has one fight on his UFC deal and has shown no desire to re-sign. Diaz could well become one of the biggest free agents in sport this year and will be hoping to cash in by booking a lucrative fight with YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul.
Do you think Dana White will book a fight for Conor McGregor this summer?
The often polarizing YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul isn’t letting UFC President Dana White off the hook for his previous remarks.
White has recently alluded to being done with his back-and-forths with Paul on social media and in interviews. Howeve…
The often polarizing YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul isn’t letting UFC President Dana White off the hook for his previous remarks.
White has recently alluded to being done with his back-and-forths with Paul on social media and in interviews. However, Paul doesn’t appear to be done with White just yet.
Paul has hinted at a future move to MMA after a few more boxing fights and has allegedly contacted American Kickboxing Academy to train there. Promotions such as Bellator and the PFL have reportedly been interested in Paul’s services.
Despite White’s calls of a cease-fire between him and Paul, “The Problem Child” isn’t willing to oblige as evidenced in a recent tweet.
. @danawhite when I make my MMA debut, I could cut 20 pounds & do it at Welterweight / 170 pounds. That’s what all UFC fighters do and many have destroyed their bodies & minds doing it.
But I’m gonna do it at Middleweight (185). Health first.
“[Dana White] when I make my MMA debut, I could cut 20 pounds and do it at welterweight/170 pounds,” Paul said. “That’s what all UFC fighters do and many have destroyed their bodies and minds doing it. But I’m gonna do it at Middleweight (185). Health first. PS Conor [McGregor] walking around at 190.”
Paul wrapped up his stellar 2021 boxing calendar year with back-to-back wins over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley. He also knocked out former UFC welterweight Ben Askren in seconds last spring.
Paul has criticized White and the UFC for their treatment of fighters. He has specifically targeted the issue of fighter pay as a primary focus of his outside of the ring.
It had appeared that the White/Paul drama had briefly died down, but it didn’t take long for Paul to take shots at his combat sports adversary.
Do you think the Jake Paul/Dana White drama will ever end?
Dan Hooker will make his return to featherweight when he takes on 145-pound contender Arnold Allen at UFC London on March 19.
The event, expected to take place at the O2 Arena, will mark the UFC’s first trip to England’s capital since before the CO…
Dan Hooker will make his return to featherweight when he takes on 145-pound contender Arnold Allen at UFC London on March 19.
The event, expected to take place at the O2 Arena, will mark the UFC’s first trip to England’s capital since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The promotion confirmed the addition of Hooker vs. Allen to the card on Monday.
While the March 19 card will represent the UFC’s return to across the Atlantic, it will mark an even bigger homecoming for Hooker (22-11), who will be returning to featherweight for the first time since 2016.
After a 3-3 start in the UFC at 145 pounds, “The Hangman” made the move to lightweight. There, he initially went 7-1 and defeated the likes of Gilbert Burns, Jim Miller, Al Iaquinta, and Paul Felder. But since a main event victory over “The Irish Dragon,” Hooker has seen his form plummet.
After a successful trial weight cut to 145 pounds late last year, Hooker made it clear he was pursuing a return to featherweight. Now, with his desired matchups against “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung and Brian Ortega not coming to fruition, “The Hangman” will be welcomed back to the division by a surging Englishman.
At UFC London, Hooker will be looking to score one for the internationals when he faces Ipswich native “Almighty” Allen (17-1). The 28-year-old is widely considered the hottest prospect at 145 pounds and has found himself at #7 in the rankings after a perfect 8-0 start in the UFC.
Allen’s record on MMA’s biggest stage includes triumphs over Makwan Amirkhani, Gilbert Melendez, and Nik Lentz. Most recently, he established himself as the top rising contender in the division by getting past Sodiq Yusuff in April 2021.
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UFC president Dana White is confident that Conor McGregor will compete in 2022 and hopeful that ‘Notorious’ will return to action in the summer. The Irishman is currently healing up after suffering a fractured tibia and fibula in the first round of his third fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. McGregor […]
