Author: By Mike Straka

In what could be one of the greatest stand-up matchups seen in the UFC lightweight division in years, Edson “Junior” Barboza will take on former champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis at UFC 197 Jones vs Saint Preux on April 23 in Las Vegas.For Barboza, currently ranked No. 8 in the division, a win over the third-ranked Pettis puts him into the title contention conversation, and that fact isn’t lost on the Brazilian fighting out of New Jersey under Team Frankie Edgar and UFC veteran Ricardo Almeida.“I want to win this fight because it will get me closer to the t … Read the Full Article Here

It’s been a long two years for Khabib Nurmagomedov after consecutive injuries that required three surgeries, but this weekend he takes on UFC newcomer Darrell Horcher at UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs Evans, and as far as he’s concerned, his entire career hangs in the balance.“This is a risky fight for me,” he said. “This guy is a no name and it’s his first fight in the UFC, and I asked the UFC for this fight. I said ‘please give me somebody.’ I am number two ranked in the world. He has nothing to lose and he wants to show to his fans that he can b … Read the Full Article Here

Raquel “Rocky” Pennington knows that when she steps into the Octagon against Bethe “Pitbull” Correira on Saturday, April 16, at UFC Fight Night: Texeira vs Evans, that many people will have already counted her out of the fight. But to hear her tell it, those people don’t know who she is and what she’s been through in life.

 
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“I’m proud of myself (and) where I am right now because I’ve never had one person who has truly helped me build a career,” she said. “I’ve been through so many different coaches and h … Read the Full Article Here

Ross “The Real Deal” Pearson has been fighting since he was 17. At 31 years old now, the British boxing ace has seen it all as he enters UFC Fight Night: Mir vs Hunt against former TUF winner Chad Laprise this weekend in Brisbane, Australia.“In my personal life, a lot has changed since I started fighting,” Pearson said. “I’m a married man, I moved to Australia, I have a family. But in my fighting life, nothing has changed. I still have the same dream to be the UFC champion. I’m pushing to the top.”
RELATED CONTENT: Pearson fighter bio |&nbs … Read the Full Article Here

Hector “Showeather” Lombard faces Neil Magny at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Mir on Saturday, March 19 (March 20 in Australia) in Brisbane, Australia. The co-main event will mark the Cuban judo fighter’s return to the Octagon after more than a year on sidelines due to a suspension.“I’m ready to get back in there,” Lombard, who will be giving up a nine-inch reach advantage to the 6’3” Magny, said. “He’s very tall and hits really hard, but so do I. I’ve fought much bigger guys than him. I’ve fought heavyweights, so his size doe … Read the Full Article Here

Frank Mir has been in the fight game over 15 years, and the former UFC heavyweight champion has had several career highs – like headlining the historic UFC 100 against Brock Lesnar – and lows, like when he vacated his belt after a motorcycle accident that nearly ended his career.Listening to Mir speak, one comes away with the impression that he has nothing left to prove to anyone, and it is this attitude that will serve him well in his main event bout against Mark Hunt on March 19 in Brisbane, Australia (March 20 in Australia).“I really don’t know when I will fight for … Read the Full Article Here