Author: Dan Hiergesell

Vasyl Lomachenko (15-2, 11 KO) reminded the boxing world just how good he is last night (Sat., June 26, 2021) live on ESPN+ from inside Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada, as “Matrix” worked beautifully to finish Masayoshi Nakatani (19-2, 13 KO) via ninth-round TKO.

Lomachenko, who lost his WBA (Super), WBO, and The Ring lightweight titles to Teofimo Lopez back in Oct. 2020, was out to prove a point in this fight. He broke Nakatani down from the opening bell and eventually score a knockdown in the fifth. Lomachenko continued his onslaught in the later rounds and lined up for the finish in the ninth. Nakatani was busted up and tired so his chances were slim. “Matrix” would find a home for a beautifully combination that toppled Nakatani and forced the referee’s hand.

Check out the video highlights below:

Fedor Emelianenko is headed back to the Bellator MMA cage and former UFC champion Jon Jones is taking notice.

On Friday, it was revealed that Emelianenko will be making his return to MMA and headlining Bellator’s upcoming card in Moscow, Russia, this October. Fedor’s opponent has yet to be announced, but Bellator president Scott Coker believes heavyweight legends Alistair Overeem and Junior dos Santos are in the running.

After learning of Fedor’s upcoming return to action Jones decided to Facetime “The Last Emperor” to pay his respects. Watch the video below, which was provided by Bellator MMA:

“Hey what’s up? How are you man?” – Jones asked.

“Thank you sir. Thank you. Very good.” – Fedor replied.

“Hey, I just want to say congratulations and welcome back.” – Jones said.

“Thank you my brother.” – responded Fedor.

“Yea I am very excited for you. I will talk to you later.” – replied Jones.

“Thank you my brother.” – Emelianenko finished.

This is pretty cool considering Jones didn’t have to reach out to the legendary heavyweight to congratulate him on his return to action. Emelianenko, who turns 45 this September, hasn’t competed since a win over Quinton Jackson back in Dec. 2019. In five fights under the Bellator banner Fedor has managed to compile a 3-2 record with finishes over Chael Sonnen, Frank Mir, and the aforementioned “Rampage.”

As for Jones, he hasn’t competed since a light heavyweight title defense over Dominick Reyes back at UFC 247 in Feb. 2020. Since then “Bones” has relinquished his title, announced his move to heavyweight, and is currently trying to lock down a superfight with UFC heavyweight king Francis Ngannou if he can land the payday he believes he deserves.

The action delivered earlier today (Sat., June 26, 2021) at UFC Vegas 30 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, as Ciryl Gane went toe-to-toe with Alexander Volkov in a massive heavyweight main event. In the end, it was Gane who commanded the center of the Octagon and walked away with the dominant win (highlights HERE).

In addition to the main event showdown, UFC Vegas 30’s main card and “Prelims” undercard produced memorable action throughout. Check them out below and let us know your favorite:

• Heavyweight contender Tanner Boser toppled veteran fighter Ovince Saint Preux with a vicious second-round knockout (see it HERE)
• Renato Moicano scored another lightweight win with a second-round submission victory over Jai Herbert
• Light heavyweight prospect Kennedy Nzechukwu scored another comeback stoppage with a knockout finish over Danilo Marques (see it HERE)
• Bantamweight contenders Timur Valiev and Raoni Barcelos battled it out in an exciting main card matchup with Valiev recovering from some knockdowns to earn the win
• Undefeated welterweight sensation Shavkat Rakhmonov finished another hard-nosed UFC veteran with a second-round submission over former lightweight Michel Prazeres
• Short-notice replacement Jeremiah Wells shocked welterweight veteran Warlley Alves with a brutal second-round knockout (highlights HERE)
• Light heavyweight veteran Marcin Prachnio earned another win with a come-from-behind liver kick against Ike Villanueva
• Julia Avila reminded the women’s bantamweight division that she’s a contender on the rise with an impressive submission finish over Julija Stoliarenko (watch it HERE)

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 30 bonus winners below:

• Fight of the Night: Timur Valiev vs. Raoni Barcelos
• Performance of the Night: Kennedy Nzechukwu
• Performance of the Night: Marcin Prachnio

For complete UFC Vegas 30 results and coverage click here.

Ciryl Gane took another step towards a UFC heavyweight title shot earlier today (Sat., June 26, 2021) at UFC Vegas 30 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the undefeated contender outlasted veteran Alexander Volkov in the main event to the tune of a unanimous decision.

Gane commanded the cage early with good distance control, leg kicks, and in-and-out punches. Volkov stood his ground and launched some counter shots, but he was backing up quite a bit and that took some pop out of his punches. Gane certainly had the speed advantage when the two heavyweights exchanged, but Volkov really started to pile up on lower leg kicks to keep the scoring close.

In Round 3, Gane came out a little more aggressive and mixed in some flying kicks and stiff punches to the body. That opened up some upper cuts inside and lead jabs as Volkov began to tire. Volkov came back alive in the fourth and finally found a home for his punches, but Gane shook it off and kept pushing forward to return his own offense.

The fifth and final frame saw Gane keep the hand speed up, utilize his lead jab, and work in some hard kicks to the body. Volkov proved tough and hung in the pocket, but he simply fell too far behind on the scorecards.

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

For complete UFC Vegas 30 results and coverage click here.

As soon as UFC Vegas 30 wraps up later tonight (Sat., June 26, 2021) live on 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 heavyweight main event between surging contender Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov, a co-headliner pitting for UFC title challenger Ovince Saint Preux against Tanner Boser, and an enticing bantamweight scrap featuring Raoni Barcelos and Timur Valiev, there will be a lot to discuss when the action winds down.

The post-fight presser is scheduled to go live about 30 minutes after the conclusion of the fights. It will feature the biggest winners and losers from the card.

For complete UFC Vegas 30 results and coverage click here.

Tanner Boser returned to the heavyweight win column earlier today (Sat., June 26, 2021) at UFC Vegas 30 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the rising contender finished veteran Ovince Saint Preux via second-round knockout (knee and punches).

Saint Preux took his time like he usually does and it didn’t bode well for the 38-year-old. Boser landed heavy leg kicks and combinations that stole the momentum early. When ‘OSP’ scored a takedown in Round 2 Boser was able to work his way back to his feet and land a crisp knee inside. Saint Preux was hurt and that allowed Boser to land a powerful right hand followed by some ground-and-pound to secure the finish.

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

This was the win Boser was hoping for after coming up short against Ilir Latifi in his last trip to the Octagon. The win pushes Boser’s overall UFC record to 4-3 as he tries to punch his way into the division’s top 15 by year’s end.

For complete UFC Vegas 30 results and coverage click here.