Tag: alexander volkanovski

Alexander Volkanovski Feels UFC 305 Main Card Fighter Is ‘Due’ For A ‘Big KO Finish’: ‘Very Dangerous On The Feet…’

The UFC is headed back down under this weekend for UFC 305 which takes place in Perth, Australia on August 17. As expected, there’s a lot of Australasian representatives on the card in some big fights and that’s certainly the case for heavyweight fan favorite Tai Tuivasa. The Aussie slugger was on a great run […]

Continue Reading Alexander Volkanovski Feels UFC 305 Main Card Fighter Is ‘Due’ For A ‘Big KO Finish’: ‘Very Dangerous On The Feet…’ at MMA News.

The UFC is headed back down under this weekend for UFC 305 which takes place in Perth, Australia on August 17.

As expected, there’s a lot of Australasian representatives on the card in some big fights and that’s certainly the case for heavyweight fan favorite Tai Tuivasa.

The Aussie slugger was on a great run of results heading into his main event clash with Ciryl Gane in September of 2022, following five consecutive stoppage victories.

Since suffering a defeat to Gane, he is winless inside the Octagon and has lost four in a row with two coming via knockout and the other two by submission.

Tuivasa now finds himself in a spot where he needs to get back in the win column and fortunately for him, he’s in a match-up that should suit him.

Alexander Volkanovski Picks Tai Tuivasa To Bounce Back In A Big Way At UFC 305

Tuivasa is set to meet fellow heavyweight striker and knockout artist Jairzinho Rozenstruik this weekend as top 15 heavyweights throw down in Perth.

During his recent breakdown of the card, former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski predicted a big win for Tuivasa to silence the critics.

He highlighted how despite “Bam Bam” coming in as the underdog this time around, he’s in a good position to cause an upset with his back against the wall and the Australian fans behind him.

“Home crowd, against a striker, I like them odds. I like them odds. Again, Rozenstruik is an incredible striker, I think he did a lot of kickboxing even before UFC so he’s no easy fight but I mean I feel like Tai Tuivasa is going to come out and land a finish. I think he can get the big KO finish. He’s due for one so I’m going to go ‘Bam Bam’. Again, everyone loves ‘Bam Bam’ and another way to keep this big day of fights in Perth rolling is a big ‘Bam Bam’ knockout and shoey afterwards.”

Read also: Serghei Spivac Gives Short & Sweet Response To Jailton Almeida’s Callout Following His UFC Fight Night Main Event Win

Continue Reading Alexander Volkanovski Feels UFC 305 Main Card Fighter Is ‘Due’ For A ‘Big KO Finish’: ‘Very Dangerous On The Feet…’ at MMA News.

MMA News Today: Sean O’Malley Criticizes Conor McGregor’s ‘Slow & Sloppy’ Pad Work, Amped Up Belal Muhammad & Alexander Volkanovski Trade Barbs After UFC 304, & More

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For August 2, 2024, we’re taking a look at: Sean O’Malley Critiques Conor McGregor’s Latest Pad Work Video On Social Media After taking some time to recover from his injury that led to the cancellation of his […]

Continue Reading MMA News Today: Sean O’Malley Criticizes Conor McGregor’s ‘Slow & Sloppy’ Pad Work, Amped Up Belal Muhammad & Alexander Volkanovski Trade Barbs After UFC 304, & More at MMA News.

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For August 2, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

  • O’Malley reviews latest McGregor footage
  • Muhammad and Volkanovski trade words after UFC 304 comments
  • Former strawweight champion set to return at UFC 307

Sean O’Malley Critiques Conor McGregor’s Latest Pad Work Video On Social Media

After taking some time to recover from his injury that led to the cancellation of his return at UFC 303, Conor McGregor appears to be getting back to work.

“The Notorious” is hopeful of returning later this year but he appeared to have taken his foot off the gas once June 29 was ruled out.

His latest training footage came courtesy of his own social media accounts, with the Irishman seen working on his boxing and hitting pads.

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, who has engaged in some interactions with McGregor as of late, gave his review via a reply to the post.

McGregor also commented in response, calling for O’Malley to try and do better whilst telling him to “cheer up”.

Belal Muhammad & Alexander Volkanovski Beef After Pre-Fight Comments

During a recent episode of Remember The Show, Belal Muhammad hit back at all his fellow fighters that doubted him ahead of UFC 304.

The new welterweight champion specifically referenced Alexander Volkanovski, who was in attendance this past weekend in Manchester, and suggested that Muhammad would be a good style clash for him.

“You guys were hating, all these guys wanted to come out. Volkanovski, ‘Man I think Belal’s a good match-up for me if I fight him.’ Shut up bro, I’ll smack the hell out of you. All these guys right, there’s nobody in the UFC that will beat me.”

Volkanovski responded on social media where he doubled down on his previous statement and told Muhammad to say that to him the next time they cross paths.

“@bullyb170 you have every reason to hate on what I said about you being a good stylistic match up for me but I truly believe that, even after your last fight, you didn’t show me anything different. You still mad because I accidentally missed your call…pathetic! Say ‘shut up, I’ll smack the shit out of you’ to my face and see what happens.”

“Remember The Name” had the final word on the matter in a follow-up post with a short and to the point message.

Carla Esparza Set To Return At UFC 307 In Utah Against Former Foe

Former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza is expected to return for the first time since losing her title to Weili Zhang in November of 2022.

She took the majority of 2023 and 2024 off after giving birth to her son and is now targeted to compete in a rematch at UFC 307 on October 5.

Esparza and Tecia Pennington first met back on The Ultimate Fighter a decade ago with “Cookie Monster” getting the nod in that quarterfinal clash before going on to win the series.

MMA Junkie’s Nolan King reported the fight which will see both women look to return to the win column for the first time in several years.

Read more on the story here.

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Continue Reading MMA News Today: Sean O’Malley Criticizes Conor McGregor’s ‘Slow & Sloppy’ Pad Work, Amped Up Belal Muhammad & Alexander Volkanovski Trade Barbs After UFC 304, & More at MMA News.

B/R Pound-for-pound UFC Rankings: August 2024

July was an action-packed month for the UFC, with a handful of exciting Fight Night cards across the U.S. and a stacked pay-per-view in Manchester, England.…

July was an action-packed month for the UFC, with a handful of exciting Fight Night cards across the U.S. and a stacked pay-per-view in Manchester, England.…

Charles Oliveira Lists 8 Opponent Options For Fans To Choose From For His UFC Return: ‘Who Would You Like To See?’

Charles Oliveira lost a razor-close decision to Arman Tsarukyan last time out at UFC 300, and he’s now looking for a new opponent. With 19 post-fight bonuses, the Brazilian’s easily one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC and there are several intriguing matchups for him. Oliveira bagged the UFC lightweight championship by beating […]

Continue Reading Charles Oliveira Lists 8 Opponent Options For Fans To Choose From For His UFC Return: ‘Who Would You Like To See?’ at MMA News.

Charles Oliveira lost a razor-close decision to Arman Tsarukyan last time out at UFC 300, and he’s now looking for a new opponent.

With 19 post-fight bonuses, the Brazilian’s easily one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC and there are several intriguing matchups for him.

Oliveira bagged the UFC lightweight championship by beating Michael Chandler in May 2021. He defended it against Dustin Poirier before being stripped after missing weight prior to his victory over Justin Gaethje.

Since failing to regain the title in his clash with Islam Makhachev, he’s defeated Beneil Dariush and is looking for another high-profile win to get a another shot at the gold.

From Makhachev to Colby Covington, here are all the fighters that Oliveira is open to facing in his UFC return…

Oliveira Eyes Rematch Against Makhachev, Also Open To Money Fights With McGregor, Covington, Poirier

Oliveira recently posted training footage on Instagram and asked his fans to choose his next opponent. He’s willing to fight the following names on the UFC roster:

  • Islam Makhachev
  • Arman Tsarukyan
  • Dustin Poirier
  • Conor McGregor
  • Max Holloway
  • Justin Gaethje
  • Alexander Volkanovski
  • Colby Covington

Alongside the list, Oliveira declared his intention to fight shortly.

“Who would you like to see me fight next? The Lion is ready!!”

“Do Bronx” has already fought Tsarukyan, Makhachev, Poirier, Gaethje, and Holloway. While Makhachev submitted him in the second, he fought through adversity to beat “The Diamond” and “The Highlight.” The fight with Holloway ended due to the Brazilian sustaining a shoulder injury, and fans could look forward to seeing the rematch more than ever now.

The other matchups on the list won’t necessarily move the needle in the UFC lightweight division. McGregor has lost three out of his last four fights and will most likely return to face Michael Chandler. Volkanovski, meanwhile, is 0-2 in the lightweight division and has yet to rematch Ilia Topuria for the UFC featherweight title.

Covington is another opponent that “Do Bronx” would fight to entertain the fans. The former interim UFC welterweight champion decisively lost to Leon Edwards in his last fight and appears unlikely to fight for the title again.

Regardless of the opponent, it is safe to assume that Oliveira will bring the fight to the Octagon and give fans another gritty performance.

Continue Reading Charles Oliveira Lists 8 Opponent Options For Fans To Choose From For His UFC Return: ‘Who Would You Like To See?’ at MMA News.

Alexander Volkanovski ready to be late replacement for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway

Alexander Volkanovski vows to land UFC Spain rematch with Ilia Topuria it'll be different next timeFormer UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will be ready to step in on short notice if anything happens to…

Alexander Volkanovski vows to land UFC Spain rematch with Ilia Topuria it'll be different next time

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will be ready to step in on short notice if anything happens to either Ilia Topuria or Max Holloway.

Topuria is set to make his first defense of his featherweight title when he takes on Holloway, however, the fight has not been made official but both have hinted at it on social media. With Volkanovski not getting the title shot, he says he will be on standby and ready to fill in in case anything happens.

“It’s a situation obviously, again, I’m going to be getting antsy but you know, we’ve got plenty of good content coming. I’m going to, you know, I will stay ready and Ash [manager] ain’t going to like this one. I’ll be training really hard and fight fit cuz if there is a late notice, cuz that s*** excites me man, it gets me going but I’ll actually be ready for it this time. I’ll make sure I’m in good nick all year round because I want, so even me having that in my head that if you have to save the day here or there, it’s going to help in training, keep things exciting,” Volkanovski told TheMacLife (via MMANews).

It would make sense for Volkanovski to serve as a backup fighter for the featherweight title fight as he would likely be next in line to face the winner of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway.

Alexander Volkanovski doubts UFC forced Holloway to face Topuria

Although the UFC has yet to officially announce the featherweight title fight between Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway, the champ took to social media to claim that the UFC had to force ‘Blessed’ to take the fight.

Topuria had said Holloway was trying to get out of fighting him, but Alexander Volkanovski doubts that was the case at all.

“Let’s be real, you’re not forcing Max to fight,” Volkanovski said to MMAFighting. “I think it’s common knowledge that Max wants to fight him and I think he wanted to fight him sooner rather than later. There’s holdups. I’m pretty sure there’s holdups, and I don’t think it’s on Max-I’m not trying to pick sides, I’m just stating facts. I’ve got nothing against Ilia, but you’re not forcing Max in this one. Let’s be real.”

Luckily, the fight is agreed to as Topuria vs. Holloway is one of the more highly-anticipated bouts to make this year.

Alexander Volkanovski ready to be late replacement for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway

Alexander Volkanovski vows to land UFC Spain rematch with Ilia Topuria it'll be different next timeFormer UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will be ready to step in on short notice if anything happens to…

Alexander Volkanovski vows to land UFC Spain rematch with Ilia Topuria it'll be different next time

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will be ready to step in on short notice if anything happens to either Ilia Topuria or Max Holloway.

Topuria is set to make his first defense of his featherweight title when he takes on Holloway, however, the fight has not been made official but both have hinted at it on social media. With Volkanovski not getting the title shot, he says he will be on standby and ready to fill in in case anything happens.

“It’s a situation obviously, again, I’m going to be getting antsy but you know, we’ve got plenty of good content coming. I’m going to, you know, I will stay ready and Ash [manager] ain’t going to like this one. I’ll be training really hard and fight fit cuz if there is a late notice, cuz that s*** excites me man, it gets me going but I’ll actually be ready for it this time. I’ll make sure I’m in good nick all year round because I want, so even me having that in my head that if you have to save the day here or there, it’s going to help in training, keep things exciting,” Volkanovski told TheMacLife (via MMANews).

It would make sense for Volkanovski to serve as a backup fighter for the featherweight title fight as he would likely be next in line to face the winner of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway.

Alexander Volkanovski doubts UFC forced Holloway to face Topuria

Although the UFC has yet to officially announce the featherweight title fight between Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway, the champ took to social media to claim that the UFC had to force ‘Blessed’ to take the fight.

Topuria had said Holloway was trying to get out of fighting him, but Alexander Volkanovski doubts that was the case at all.

“Let’s be real, you’re not forcing Max to fight,” Volkanovski said to MMAFighting. “I think it’s common knowledge that Max wants to fight him and I think he wanted to fight him sooner rather than later. There’s holdups. I’m pretty sure there’s holdups, and I don’t think it’s on Max-I’m not trying to pick sides, I’m just stating facts. I’ve got nothing against Ilia, but you’re not forcing Max in this one. Let’s be real.”

Luckily, the fight is agreed to as Topuria vs. Holloway is one of the more highly-anticipated bouts to make this year.