Author: Dan Hiergesell

It all goes down tomorrow night (Sat., May 15, 2021) at UFC 262 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Toyota Center in Houston, Tex., as Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler collide in the main event for the vacant UFC lightweight title.

On paper this is an awesome matchup to determine the next 155-pound champion. Obviously some would say Chandler hasn’t earned his shot having defeated Dan Hooker in his Octagon debut back at UFC 257, but the guy has been one of the best lightweights in the world over the past 10 years. There’s a reason he was able to steamroll “Hangman” and earn this matchup with “Do Bronx.” Chandler is the real deal.

Oliveira, who is coming off a dominant decision win over Tony Ferguson back at UFC 256 in Dec. 2020, is looking to lock down his ninth-straight win inside of the Octagon. The Brazilian veteran has been competing in UFC for over a decade and is finally on the cusp of his first ever title shot. There’s no doubt fight fans will see the most dangerous Oliveira to date when he meets Chandler this weekend at UFC 262.

In preparation for UFC 262, the promotion has released the latest and greatest episodes of UFC 262 “Embedded.” Both episodes focus on final weight cuts and last-minute preparation as Oliveira and Chandler enter the biggest fight of their respective careers. The “Embedded” team also followed co-main event participants, Tony Ferguson and Beneil Dariush, as they gear up for a crucial 155-pound clash.

The forth episode of UFC 262 “Embedded” can be seen below:

Here is the fifth episode:

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 262 fight card HERE, starting with the early Fight Pass/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

There are some things you don’t see everyday in the sport of MMA. Former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz training alongside heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury is one of them.

Luckily, fight fans got a glimpse of a sparring session between Diaz and Fury on Friday. The footage was brief, but it’s still an interesting interaction involving two of the more unique personalities in combat sports. Check it out in the above video player.

From the outside looking in this seems like an odd meeting between two guys that normally wouldn’t cross paths. But considering Nick Diaz is preparing for his return to UFC later this year and “Gypsy King” has already expressed his interest to one day compete in MMA things become a little clearer.

While Diaz hasn’t competed in UFC in over six years he’s still one of the more experienced and intelligent fighters around. Coming to him for some training tips can’t hurt, especially since he’s gearing up for his return to the sport. Smart play by “Gypsy King.”

As for Fury, he’s currently scheduled to fight fellow heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua this August. If the undefeated English boxer is able to capture a victory in the massive boxing match it could mean a crossover into the Octagon sometime in 2022.

The next UFC lightweight champion will be crowned tomorrow night (Sat., May 15, 2021) live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Toyota Center in Houston, Tex., as perennial contender Charles Oliveira takes on former Bellator MMA champion Michael Chandler in the main event.

This fight didn’t come to fruition until Khabib Nurmagomedov officially vacated his 155-pound crown and Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor decided to fight in a trilogy, but Oliveira vs. Chandler should produce some really good action from start to finish. After all, the winner will be crowned champion of the deepest and most difficult division to ascend in all of MMA.

For Oliveira, this is his chance to cash in on a UFC title shot 11 years in the making since his promotional debut back in 2010. The Brazilian finisher has won his last eight in a row and has never looked more well-rounded. Chandler, on the other hand, will be stepping inside of the Octagon for just the second time as he tries to prove he’s been one of the best lightweights in the world over the past decade as a member of the Bellator roster.

In advance to UFC 262’s main event the two lightweights came head-to-head for a final weigh-ins staredown. Things got pretty intense. Check it out in the above player. An alternant angle can be seen below:

In addition, lightweight veterans Tony Ferguson and Beneil Dariush also locked eyes in a final faceoff. They will meet in UFC 262’s co-main event.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 262 fight card HERE, starting with the early Fight Pass/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Canelo Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KO) captured another major boxing title last night (Sat., May 8, 2021) live on DAZN from inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex., as the Mexican sensation finished Billy Joe Saunders (30-1, 14 KO) in the eighth round to claim the WBO super middleweight title.

Alvarez was able to get off to an early lead but it seemed as if Saunders’ movement and jab work allowed him to get back into the fight in the middle rounds. It didn’t matter in the end because Alvarez’s offense eventually put Saunders out of business, but it’s interesting to note that Saunders was significantly behind on all three of the judges’ scorecards.

The official scores can be seen above courtesy of DAZN.

For complete ‘Canelo vs. Saunders’ results and coverage click here.

Canelo Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KO) worked over English southpaw Billy Joe Saunders (30-1, 14 KO) last night (Sat., May 8, 2021) live on DAZN from inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex., to claim the WBO super middleweight title. Alvarez came into this main event affair as the defending WBA (Super), WBC, and The Ring super middleweight champion.

Canelo opened up with early work to the body of Saunders. He kept out of trouble with quick head movement and landed the most meaningful shot early into the fight with a uppercut that nearly knocked Saunders’ mouthpiece out. Saunders fought back with unpredictable movement, a quick lead jab, and some solid power shots to surprise many in the middle rounds.

Canelo regained full control in the eighth round as he took a more aggressive approach on offense. He connected with heavy combinations to the head and body as Saunders tracked back around the large ring. Alvarez kept the pressure up until the last second of the frame.

In between rounds, Saunders had some damage appear on his right eye and seemed to have trouble seeing. His corner took a good look and eventually threw the towel in.

Check out the full fight video highlights below:

For complete ‘Canelo vs. Saunders’ results and coverage click here.

Marina Rodriguez delivered the goods in her main event bid last night (Sat., May 8, 2021) at UFC Vegas 26 live on ESPN/ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, earning a unanimous decision win over “Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson (highlights HERE).

In addition to the women’s flyweight headliner, a collection of ESPN main card and “Prelims” matchups produced memorable action. Check them out below and let us know you’re favorite:

• Lightweight contender Gregor Gillespie made a huge return to the Octagon with a second-round TKO finish over Brazilian veteran Carlos Diego Ferreira (highlights HERE)
• Donald Cerrone suffered another loss when welterweight veteran Alex Morono beat him down with a first-round TKO stoppage
• Octagon newcomer Carlston Harris came up big in a “Prelims” bout with Christian Aguilera when he scored a first-round anaconda choke finish (see it HERE)
• Middleweight prospect Phil Dawes outlasted Kyle Daukaus in a back-and-forth war to spark the ESPN main card

In order to sift through the action and see which fighters took home an extra $50,000, we take a closer look at the official UFC Vegas 26 bonus winners below:

Fight of the Night: Gregor Gillespie vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira

Performance of the Night: Alex Morono

Performance of the Night: Calrston Harris

*Gillespie gets the entire $100K purse for FOTN due to Ferreira missing weight by 4.5 pounds

For complete UFC Vegas 26 results and coverage click here.