Author: Dan Hiergesell

Jiri Prochazka put the MMA world on notice last night (Sat., May 1, 2021) at UFC Vegas 25 live on ESPN2/ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nev., when the former RIZIN champion toppled UFC light heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes via second-round knockout (spinning back elbow).

The first round saw early body kicks by Reyes before Prochazka caught him with a big right hand. Reyes returned the favor to score the first takedown of the fight. Prochazka powered his way back to his feet and unloaded on Reyes with powerful combinations. Reyes hung in the pocket for the most part and scored some good counter shots, but Prochazka was relentless with his attacks.

Prochazka kept the same pace in the second as Reyes had to retreat along the cage and launch spinning back fists. Reyes really started to bloody as Prochazka plodded forward, but “Devastator” was able to land a massive punch that stung Prochazka. Reyes used that to lock in a guillotine choke, but Prochazka broke loose and landed heavy ground-and-pound. Once Reyes returned to his feet Prochazka got him along the cage and landed a brutal elbow, which was quickly followed by a spinning back elbow that put Reyes into a deep sleep.

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

For complete UFC Vegas 25 results and coverage click here.

Giga Chikadze captured the biggest win of his MMA career earlier tonight (Sat., May 1, 2021) at UFC Vegas 25 live on ESPN2/ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the rising featherweight scored a vicious first-round TKO (liver kick) over veteran contender Cub Swanson.

Swanson came with a smart gameplan as he tried to work his way inside to eliminate Chikadze’s kicking game. It worked for a few exchanges before Chikadze adjusted and launched a snapping kick to Swanson’s body. Swanson instantly covered up and fell to the canvas. Chikadze followed with a few punches to the side of the head before the referee waved the fight off.

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

This was the defining performance that Chikadze needed to make his move toward the featherweight top 10. The Georgian fighter is now 6-0 since joining UFC back in 2019 and has earned himself a pretty significant fight his next time out, which Chikadze hopes is a matchup with former UFC champion Max Holloway.

For complete UFC Vegas 25 results and coverage click here.

As soon as UFC Vegas 25 wraps up later tonight (Sat., May 1, 2021) live on ESPN2/ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nev., 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 former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes and rising newcomer Jiri Prochazka, a co-headliner pitting veteran fighter Cub Swanson against streaking featherweight Giga Chikadze, and a light heavyweight collision featuring finishers Ion Cutelaba and Dustin Jacoby, 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), featuring the biggest winners and losers from the card.

For complete UFC Vegas 25 results and coverage click here.

The debut of Brazilian prospect Luana Pinheiro did not go as planned earlier tonight (Sat., May 1, 2021) at UFC Vegas 25 live on ESPN2/ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nev., as the 27-year-old was struck with an illegal upkick by veteran Randa Markos in the first round.

Both women’s strawweight fighters came out firing with Pinheiro landing the more meaningful shots. The Brazilian eventually scored some beautiful throws to score some damage from top position. Markos proved tough and even caught Pinheiro on the feet. That was until Pinheiro poked Markos in the eye and the fight was briefly stopped.

Markos took some time to regroup but continued the fight and blitzed Pinheiro with a flurry of punches. Pinheiro regained control with another throw, but as she postured up in top position Markos was there for a vicious illegal upkick. It connected flush with Pinheiro’s chin and the prospect fell back in a tizzy. Doctors came in and the fight was eventually stopped with Markos losing by disqualification.

Check out the aftermath of the fight below, which includes Pinheiro’s coach, Andre Pederneiras, carrying her backstage:

This wasn’t the result that Pinheiro was looking for, but the “Contender Series” standout looked really dangerous leading up to the illegal upkick. Markos is a veteran who has fought a long list of top contenders so it was impressive to see Pinheiro in control so early. It was unfortunate she couldn’t cap off a solid UFC debut.

For complete UFC Vegas 25 results and coverage click here.

Jiri Prochazka will be taking a massive step up in competition later this evening (Sat., May 1, 2021) at UFC Vegas 25 live on ESPN2/ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nev., as the former RIZIN light heavyweight champion takes on former UFC title challenger Dominick Reyes in the main event.

Prochazka, 29, is coming off a fabulous Octagon debut at UFC 251 in July 2020 when he finished Volkan Oezdimir via second-round knockout. It was Prochazka’s 11th-straight win and his ninth-straight finish by way of knockout or TKO. The performance allowed “Denisa” to showcase his skills and prove he can carry his success from RIZIN over into the Octagon.

Leading into his main event clash with Reyes later this evening at UFC Vegas 25 the promotion has released Prochazka’s entire fight with Oezdimir. It can be seen in the above video player and features the one-punch finish by Prochazka that put the entire UFC light heavyweight division on notice.

If Prochazka is able to get past Reyes and begin his UFC career with a 2-0 mark then he may find himself in a No. 1 contender’s bout by the end of the year. The guy is a proven top-flight finisher who goes for the kill from the opening bell. He’s a dream addition for UFC and a guy that could create quite the buzz with a win tonight in his first main event spot.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 25 fight card HERE, starting with the ESPN2/ESPN+ preliminary card bouts at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the ESPN2/ESPN+ main card start time at 10 p.m. ET.

After dismantling Jorge Masvidal last month at UFC 261 current UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has officially run through the top of 170-pound division. With victories over Masvidal, Colby Covington, and Gilbert Burns, “Nigerian Nightmare” is open to all challengers moving forward.

While Usman has already made it known that he’d be interested in a fun fight with a returning Nick Diaz the champion may have different plans for the immediate future. According to Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, Usman is now targeting a clash with No. 7-ranked welterweight contender Michael Chiesa at UFC 263 this coming June.

“Kamaru in the last 10 months fought three times, Colby in the last three years, fought three times. After Kamaru destroyed his jaw and disfigured his face, Kamaru went and fought three times, defend against very tough opponents,” Abdelaziz told ESPN about Usman. “He (Colby Covington) went and fought Woodley, the guy is not even in the UFC anymore, he’s 40-years-old and beat him. Maybe Colby Covington is good for business, who cares. Chiesa, four-fight winning streak, Vicente Luque three-fight winning streak, Leon Edwards, nine-fight winning streak? Why (is) Colby Covington so special? What about Kamaru, if Marvin Vettori beats Israel Adesanya, why (doesn’t) Kamaru go up and fight Marvin Vettori for the middleweight title?

“Listen, Kamaru earned every right to do what he wants right now. But, we are respectful to Dana and his wishes and we are going to work together regardless,” Abdelaziz continued about Usman wanting to fight right away. “We will make it happen. Kamaru called me yesterday, he said June 12, let’s do Michael Chiesa. He asked me who had the longest winning streak in the division in the top five or six, I said Chiesa, he said June 12, (Chiesa) doesn’t have a fight. It doesn’t really matter who. He said let’s do Michael Chiesa, ask the UFC if I can fight on June 12. I told the UFC, Kamaru can fight three more times this year.”

If UFC decided to grant Usman his wish and book his next title fight against Chiesa for UFC 263 then it would put the long-awaited rematch between “Nigerian Nightmare” and Covington on ice. We’re not sure if that is a move the promotion wants to make considering Covington is coming off a dominant win over Tyron Woodley and is the clear-cut No. 1 contender in the division.

However, Usman has been on an absolute tear and UFC may very well give him what he wants. While a matchup with Covington makes more sense at this point in time it’s not like Chiesa is undeserving of a high-profile bout. The former Ultimate Fighter winner has produced a 4-0 record since moving up to welterweight in 2018. And with Leon Edwards already booked to fight Nate Diaz at UFC 262 later this month that leaves “Maverick” as the only other viable contender at 170 pounds other than “Chaos.”

Only time will tell if UFC books Usman vs. Chiesa and forces Covington to wait a little longer for his second title shot. Usman plans to fight at least two more times this year so maybe the welterweight champion can do both.

What do you think, Maniacs? Should UFC book Usman vs. Chiesa or find a way to schedule the rematch with Covington?

Let us know!