Author: Dan Hiergesell

Giga Chikadze captured his seventh-straight UFC win last night (Sat., Aug. 28, 2021) at UFC Vegas 35 live on ESPN/ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when “Ninja” stopped veteran striker Edson Barboza via third-round TKO (punches) in the main event.

Both men landed solid leg kicks in the early going, but it was Chikadze who did a little more damage with his hands. Barboza returned favor in the second with beautiful work to the body and a few piercing calf kicks.

In Round 3, Chikadze came out firing and leveled Barboza with a sharp right hand. Chikadze chased Barboza around the Octagon before scoring a knockdown. That’s when “Ninja” landed heavy ground-and-pound and an anaconda choke attempt that nearly ended the fight. Barboza somehow survived and returned to his feet before Chikadze scored the eventual finish.

Check out the video highlights below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:

For complete UFC Vegas 35 results and coverage click here.

The upcoming UFC 268 card expected to go down on Nov. 6 live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Madison Square Garden in New York City just added a ton of fire power.

Already being headlined by a welterweight title rematch between current UFC champion Kamaru Usman and top contender Colby Covington, UFC 268 will now showcase a reboot featuring UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas and former titleholder Zhang Weili. The news was announced during last night’s broadcast of UFC Vegas 35 (results HERE).

The two women fought at UFC 261 back in April and “Thug” ended up shocking Weili with a first-round head kick knockout. Namajunas walked away with the belt and Weili was forced back to the drawing board. Former 115-pound champion Carla Esparza was expected to earn the next title shot, but UFC has ultimately opted for the rematch.

In addition to the Namajunas vs. Weili 2 booking, UFC also announced the official matchup between lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler. The two fighters were already expected to fight at UFC 268 but Chandler’s availability was put in doubt due to New York’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. That has since been settled and the lightweight dream fight seems to be a go.

Stick with Mania for more UFC 268 fight card news.

As soon as UFC Vegas 35 wraps up later tonight (Sat., Aug. 28, 2021) live on ESPN/ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, fight fans can check out the live post-fight press conference video above for all the best reaction and official bonus winners.

On a night that features a main event clash between featherweight contenders Edson Barboza and Giga Chikadze, two Ultimate Fighter finale fights, the return of former UFC lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee, and rising middleweight sensation Makhmud Muradov, there will be a lot to discuss when the action winds down.

The post-fight presser is scheduled to go live at 1:15 a.m. ET (Sunday). It will feature the biggest winners and losers from the card.

For complete UFC Vegas 35 results and coverage click here.

Middleweight prospect Andre Petroski pulled off a late TKO finish over Ultimate Fighter teammate Micheal Gilmore earlier tonight (Sat., Aug. 28, 2021) at UFC Vegas 35 live on ESPN/ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Gilmore landed a few good shots early but this fight was dictated by Petroski’s aggression and movement. He did tire half way through the fight but his pressure proved too much in the third round as Pretroski scored a slamming takedown and launched heavy ground-and-pound as Gilmore tried to cover up. The referee eventually stepped in for the stoppage.

Check out the video highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

For complete UFC Vegas 35 results and coverage click here.

Middleweight contender Gerald Meerschaert dug deep to score a comeback finish over rising prospect Makhmud Muradov earlier tonight (Sat., Aug. 28, 2021) at UFC Vegas 35 live on ESPN/ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, as “GM3” stopped Muradov via second-round submission (rear-naked choke).

Meerschaert was in trouble in the early going as Muradov unloaded heavy punches that wobbled “GM3.” Luckily for Meerschaert, he was able to stomach the damage and returned his own offense on the feet. Muradov felt it and began to tire entering the second.

Muradov kept firing nonetheless, but Meerschaert was there to counter and ended up gaining back control on the ground. That’s where Meerschaert does his best work and he instantly locked in a rear-naked choke. A quick adjustment and “GM3” was able to apply the squeeze and force Muradov to tap.

Check out the video highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

For complete UFC Vegas 35 results and coverage click here.

Abdul Razak Alhassan banked an insane 17-second finish earlier tonight (Sat., Aug. 28, 2021) at UFC Vegas 35 live on ESPN/ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when he finished veteran middleweight Alessio Di Chirico via first-round knockout (head kick).

Alhassan needed a big performance coming into this fight riding a three-fight losing streak. The knockout sensation recently moved up to middleweight to regain some momentum, but came up short against Jacob Malkoun in his return to 185 pounds this past April. Luckily for Alhassan, he was able to take full advantage of his “Prelims” headliner.

Moments into the fight Alhassan had Di Chirico backed up along the cage and launched a massive head kick that struck the Italian fighter right on the head. Di Chirico instantly tumbled to the canvas as Alhassan admired his work. It was an incredible knockout that now leaves Alhassan breathing new life in the UFC’s middleweight division.

Check out the video highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

For complete UFC Vegas 35 results and coverage click here.