Tag: Editorials

UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington Staff Predictions

UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington is almost here and we’ve got you covered with our expert Staff Predictions.

Arguably the best card of 2021 goes down in The World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden in New York tomorrow, November 6. The event wi…

UFC 268 Poster

UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington is almost here and we’ve got you covered with our expert Staff Predictions.

Arguably the best card of 2021 goes down in The World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden in New York tomorrow, November 6. The event will be available exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view, and the lineup in store for fans will be worth every penny. The main card begins at 10:00 PM ET, with the ESPNews preliminary card kicking off at 8:00 PM and the early prelims starting at 5:00 PM.

The UFC 268 main event will be a rematch of our 2019 Fight of the Year between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington. There will be another rematch with gold on the line when “Thug” Rose Namajunas puts up her strawweight title against Zhang Weili. And who could ever overlook the lightweight banger between Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler?

Also on the main card will be former champion Frankie Edgar facing Marlon “Chito” Vera. Plus, Shane Burgos will also be in action against Billy Quarantillo.

UFC 268 Staff Predictions

MMA News is the place to be for all the latest UFC 268 updates. Staff members Andrew Ravens, Ed Carbajal, and Harvey Leonard have provided predictions for the main card. Here is the full main card lineup for tomorrow night:

UFC Welterweight Championship Bout: Kamaru Usman (c) vs. Colby Covington

UFC Strawweight Championship Bout: Rose Namajunas (c) vs. Zhang Weili

Frankie Edgar vs. Marlon Vera

Shane Burgos vs. Billy Quarantillo   

Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler

Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler

Justin Gaethje Michael Chandler
Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler

Andrew Ravens: This is the people’s main event right here. Two elite fighters that should take part in a war inside of the Octagon. Both fighters are coming off losses to the division’s bests so that’s nothing to take away from them. I see Chandler wanting it more and will find a way around Gaethje. If we’re being honest, it really could go either way, so I have Chandler winning the last two rounds to get the decision win. (Prediction: Michael Chandler)

Ed Carbajal: If any fight is for the harcore fans, this is it. This is their main-event. The former WSOF lightweight champion versus the former Bellator MMA lightweight champion. No one is more game than these two lightweights, but Chandler has lost to leg kicks in the Garden before. Leg kicks is something Gaethje is very good at and if luck has anything to do with it, Gaethje’s luck in The Garden has been good and Chandler’s, not so much. (Prediction: Justin Gaethje)

Harvey Leonard: This really is a coin flip. While the current Gaethje is a different iteration than the one who was finished by Alvarez and Poirier, he was still floored by Ferguson last year. With the power of Chandler, that could certainly happen on Saturday. In the same vein, “Iron” was finished by Oliveira, who is by no means a striking phenom or powerhouse. There’s no doubt “The Highlight” could get the job done with his hands.

Ultimately, I’d expect Gaethje to avoid Chandler’s takedown attempts, which, despite the pre-fight narrative, I think are inevitable. I’m not confident in backing either to finish the other. With that in mind, it comes down to who I believe will have the advantage across three rounds on the feet, and that’s Gaethje. (Prediction: Justin Gaethje)

Consensus: 2-1 Gaethje

Shane Burgos vs. Billy Quarantillo   

https://www.photojoiner.net/image/E6zEvk5E
Billy Quarantillo vs. Shane Burgos

Andrew Ravens: This is a really fun fight that is flying under the radar, but we have two finishers whether that’s knocking someone out or submitting them. Based on their recent histories, they do have a track record of finishing a fight then going to a decision, and they’re both coming off finishes so it will likely go to the judges. Burgos has been on a losing streak in his last two fights, but he’s faced tougher competition. Burgos rebounds with a decision win. (Prediction: Shane Burgos)

Ed Carbajal: This is a really good featherweight matchu,p with Burgos coming off two losses in a row and Quarantillo trying to keep his win streak going. Burgos will want to break the losing streak, and being the hometown fighter against a slow starter like Quarantillo makes me think he can do just that. (Prediction: Shane Burgos)

Harvey Leonard: Despite losing his last two, Burgos continues to entertain every time he enters the Octagon. This fight should see him maintain that reputation but also return to the win column. While Quarantillo is dangerous on the feet, “Hurricane” is just that bit slicker and sharper. If Burgos trust his chin too much like he did against Edson Barboza, and allows himself to get picked apart with kicks, that could be all she wrote for his place in the rankings.

However, I expect this to essentially be a flip of the script from Burgos’ defeats to Emmett and Barboza. While the fights were entertaining and competitive, Burgos was narrowly worse off from the exchanges. I expect that to be the opposite this time around. (Prediction: Shane Burgos)

Consensus: 3-0 Burgos

Frankie Edgar vs. Marlon Vera

Frankie Edgar Marlon Vera
(via Zuffa LLC)

Andrew Ravens: Both guys are entering this fight with a roller coaster of past performances as of late. Edgar is an aging fighter who is past his prime, and I just see a way he beats the younger Vera, who will be in the division to stay for the next five years as a notable fighter. Vera makes a statement with a first-round KO win. (Prediction: Marlon Vera)

Ed Carbajal: This one’s tough because Edgar’s not only a favorite for NY/NJ MMA but has fought some legendary fights. He’s the older fighter, in a weight class that has not been kind to him when he went lighter. His career was originally at lightweight, and his last loss at that weight class was a knock out. Vera might be able to pick up the win here if there are no issues on fight week (Marlon Vera).

Harvey Leonard: Edgar no longer has the volume and output that gave him the edge over so many on the feet. Against a young, hard-swinging contender like “Chito,” Edgar might find himself taking more damage than he wants. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be surprising to see “The Answer” try and take the fight to the ground to secure a couple of rounds in a fashion similar to José Aldo’s victory over Vera last December.

However, we saw Munhoz defend a few takedowns against Edgar and I’d expect Vera to keep the majority of the fight on the feet. In that scenario, I believe his vicious body and leg attacks will do the damage. (Prediction: Marlon Vera)

Consensus: 3-0 Vera

Rose Namajunas vs. Zhang Weili

Andrew Ravens: This fight answers the question of whether Rose is truly back or not. While yes, she dominated Jéssica Andrade and did beat Weili in their past fight, some could argue that Zhang just got caught. Let’s find out. MSG is also the same spot where Rose won the strap, so there’s that. I think Zhang just had an off-night. And as much as I would love to see Rose be the dominant fighter she once was, I see Zhang edging her out by split decision to reclaim her title. (Prediction: Zhang Weili)

Ed Carbajal: One thing Namajunas has proven in her career is that when she gets a rematch, she wins the rematch. All of her rematches are to former champions an bothl of them she won. This is her third rematch, and it’s hard to see it going any differently. Maybe it will go the distance, but Namajunas’ track record and evolution as a mixed martial artist are hard to ignore. (Prediction: Rose Namajunas)

Harvey Leonard: Zhang hadn’t been knocked out like she was against UFC 261 in her 22 fights prior. That’s not to say Namajunas’ victory was a fluke. But given Zhang’s record and the war she went through with J?drzejczyk, in which she ate the hardest shots the Pole had to offer, I’m confident to assume a KO like that won’t happen again, especially considering how clear her errors were.

I expect this weekend’s co-main event to go the distance. If Zhang can stay in range and maintain the level of volume she did against J?drzejczyk, I can’t see her being outpointed across five rounds. It’s always tough to bet against “Thug Rose” but before April, I believed Zhang was set for a long reign. That KO loss hasn’t changed my view on her ability to dominate the division. (Prediction: Zhang Weili)

Consensus: 2-1 Zhang

Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington

Andrew Ravens: A highly anticipated rematch, but not much has changed with these two fighters as Covington got one impressive win over an aging Tyron Woodley while Usman continues to be the best fighter in the division and backing up that statement every time he fights. While I think Covington is the best fighter to give Usman a real challenge, Usman will overcome that challenge en route to a unanimous decision win. (Prediction: Kamaru Usman)

Ed Carbajal: Usman has evolved into a beast as of late. To the point he is rematching opponents he has already beaten. First it was Jorge Masvidal, who he finished after winning the decision in their first outing, and now Covington. He finished Covington in the final round in their first fight; he probably does it sooner at UFC 268. (Prediction: Kamaru Usman)

Harvey Leonard: Given what Covington’s done since UFC 245 and what Usman’s done in comparison, I can’t see any logical explanation for suggesting “Chaos” will beat the champion. Not only has Usman been far more active and comfortably turned away the challenges of top contenders, but he’s grown exponentially under the tutelage of Trevor Wittman.

Covington has recorded a sole win over a declining Woodley, and whilst we’re yet to see a real demonstration of “Covington 2.0” since his ATT departure, I can’t see a way his growth will have surpassed Usman’s in the same period. The pair engaged in a stand-up war in 2019 before the champ’s striking was polished. As we saw against Masvidal, “The Nigerian Nightmare” is now lethal on the feet. If the fight stays standing, Usman ends it before the final horn. (Prediction: Kamaru Usman)

Consensus: 3-0 Usman

That’ll do it for our UFC 268 staff picks! What do you think? Do your picks look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the UFC 268 undercard below.

Preliminary Card (ESPN+ & ESPNews, 8:00 PM ET)

  • Al Iaquinta vs. Bobby Green (Lightweight)
  • Alex Pereira vs. Andreas Michailidis (Middleweight)
  • Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Nassourdine Imavov (Middleweight)
  • Ian Garry vs. Jordan Williams (Welterweight)

Early Preliminary Card (ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass, 6:00 PM ET)

  • Gian Villante vs. Chris Barnett (Heavyweight)
  • Aleksa Camur vs. John Allan (Light Heavyweight)
  • Dustin Jacoby vs. John Allan (Light Heavyweight)
  • Melsik Baghdasaryan vs. Bruno Souza (Featherweight)
  • Ode Osbourne vs. CJ Vergara (Flyweight)

Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com tomorrow for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 268!

Continue Reading UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington Staff Predictions at MMA News.

Kamaru Usman Sets His Sights On MSG & All-Time Michael Jordan Status

“It’s amazing to see places like Madison Square Garden on the schedule again.” – Roger Andrew Taylor

In a time where the world continues to be widely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s nothing that feels more normal than a big fight in The …

Kamaru Usman, November 3

“It’s amazing to see places like Madison Square Garden on the schedule again.” – Roger Andrew Taylor

In a time where the world continues to be widely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s nothing that feels more normal than a big fight in The Mecca, Madison Square Garden. At UFC 268, Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington will join the ranks of great fighters who have stepped onto sports’ grandest stage when they do battle in a rematch of their 2019 classic.

When you go to war in an MSG epic, it just might take years off of your life, but it also adds decades to your legacy.

Kamaru Usman has already become one of the greats in MMA before our very eyes. We’ve seen the in-cage supremacy rise out of The Nigerian Nightmare since winning The Ultimate Fighter in 2015 all the way to him having welterweight gold wrapped around his waist in 2019. As champion, he’s been the opposite of complacent, remaining hellbent on improvement and sleeplessly advancing his already uncompromising skill set.

But if you really want to take your game to the next level, there’s no better place to do it than the grand stage of Madison Square Garden.

Madison Square Garden: Where Legends Are Born

“How do you top what I’ve done in this sport so far? You top it by going to MSG.” – Kamaru Usman

For decades, we’ve seen the best fighters in the world compete at MSG: Ali, Frazier, Marciano, Jones Jr., Holyfield, the list goes on and on. And in other sports, perhaps no visitor of The Mecca made MSG his second home more than Michael Jordan.

How Michael Jordan owned the Knicks: A devastating legacy, by the numbers | Sporting News

Jordan himself said that MSG was his favorite arena to play in, and it showed in countless great performances in the arena and being a curse for Spike Lee and his beloved New York Knicks year after year. Today, with Air Jordan form, Kamaru Usman is currently flying in a class by himself.

There are many comparisons to be made between Usman and Jordan. For starters, like Jordan, Usman is known to use the words of his opponents as motivational fuel.

“I remember watching The Last Dance with Michael Jordan and I was like ‘This guy thinks like I do’ because when I go into competition with these guys, that’s how I think,” Usman told reporters in the UFC 258 post-fight press conference after defeating Gilbert Burns. “My mind is different than these guys when we get in there. I see no face. That is my Octagon. He said I have something he wants and I’m coming to get it. What’s more personal than that?”

Additionally, both men are record-setters. For Jordan, it’s scoring records and NBA Finals MVPs. For Usman, it’s most consecutive welterweight wins and the highest winning percentage in the company’s history. But the one thing that perhaps Usman and Jordan have most in common is their clutch gene.

Kamaru Usman: 'Being born in a place like Nigeria helped mold me into the man I am' - CNN Video
Kamaru Usman. Image Credit: Getty Images

Time after time, Usman coolly makes his Octagon entrance and goes through the steps that transform him from Kamaru Usman to The Nigerian Nightmare. And without fail, his composure remains steady as a stone as he flows with the moment, unbothered by pressure, and effortlessly sinking every big shot the UFC has ever given him.

Saturday night, Kamaru Usman will have an opportunity to join all the greats who shook The Mecca to its foundation with their love of competition. What better place for Usman to put a stamp on his place as the pound-for-pound king than by beating his top rival in his first bout since reaching #1?

A case can be made that UFC 268 will be Kamaru Usman’s most high-pressure fight to date. He’s a sizable betting favorite against his toughest opponent and biggest rival. With another big-time performance, Usman can further prove that he is indeed the Michael Jordan of the UFC today. And at this rate, especially if the ol’ MSG magic gives him the rub, he may very well someday go down as the UFC’s Michael Jordan past and future: as the greatest of all time.

Continue Reading Kamaru Usman Sets His Sights On MSG & All-Time Michael Jordan Status at MMA News.

“Heel” Covington Can Turn Into A Conservative Superhero At UFC 268

DISCLAIMER: The following editorial contains some political material that may be considered sensitive to some readers.

The culmination of The Colby Covington 2.0 Project will take place at UFC 268 in Madison Square Garden.

There were two words …

Colby Covington

DISCLAIMER: The following editorial contains some political material that may be considered sensitive to some readers.

The culmination of The Colby Covington 2.0 Project will take place at UFC 268 in Madison Square Garden.

There were two words that started it all: “filthy animals.” After defeating Demian Maia in 2017, Covington got on the microphone and labeled the jeering Brazilian audience “filthy animals” who live in a “dump.” In Covington’s own words, this was the turning point of his career. Because from that moment on, he became widely viewed as a “heel” who was playing a character.

Since that night, Covington has gone on to have many other controversial moments, making deeply personal remarks about family members of ex-teammates; sharing NSFW details about an alleged rendezvous with Polyana Viana, who called the remarks “revolting;” mocking the traumatic injury of UFC legend Matt Hughes; and numerous other chaotic moments. The entire time, there was a common understanding in the MMA community that Covington was pouring every ounce of blood into his role as a villain, and he was plastered with attention for his efforts.

Then, there was a second turning point for Covington: his allegiance to Donald Trump and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.

Image via Covington’s Twitter account

To many people, this only adds more fuel to Covington’s heel persona. After all, Trump is widely regarded as the most polarizing president of this generation, if not ever. His name alone conjures up intense emotion on opposite ends of the spectrum, from blind hatred to unshakable fealty.

At first, some considered Trump to be a rebel, a leader of a fringe sect of the Republican Party. Today, Trump and the Republican Party have become practically synonymous, which means that a celebrity embracing Trump often means getting embraced in return by millions of his followers.

Is Colby Covington still a villain? The answer to that question might seem clear to some. However, ever since joining the MAGA movement, there could be over 74 million Americans alone who view otherwise. Because as polarizing figures like Donald Trump and many others have historically proven, one man’s “heel” is another man’s hero. And Covington himself is now a prime example of this, as he now has a fanbase that rivals if not exceeds his haters.

If you look at the feedback on a Covington interview on YouTube pre-MAGA vs. post-MAGA, you’ll get a glimpse of how his “approval rating” has skyrocketed between 2017 to today. And Covington continues to grow that fanbase by strengthening his ties to prominent conservatives like Donald Trump Jr. and Candace Owens.

Colby Covington on Twitter: "@realcandaceowens is the Ultimate Fact Champion!!! Facts don't care about your feelings. I will always stand for the flag and I will always stand by fellow patriots! God

After Covington lost to Kamaru Usman at UFC 245, there were some large liberal platforms and media figures that celebrated what they felt Usman’s win represented. For Usman, a Nigerian immigrant, to defeat a prominent “Trump supporter” was considered by them to be poetic justice.

On Saturday, Covington says he will carry Donald Trump’s “dragon energy” with him into battle where he’ll become a demon for The Nightmare. Left unchecked, the spirit of this moment would proceed to allow diehard conservatives to throw their guy’s win in the faces of those who celebrated the UFC 245 outcome. Score one for The Red Team.

There is currently no other conservative athlete who has the potential to garner that kind of sharp reaction right now. Sure, there are other open conservatives who have larger followings than Covington, but none as provocative and whose behavior falls in such lockstep with modern right-wing tendencies.

Huh? Colby Covington? Offensive?

“People shouldn’t be so concerned with the things I’m saying on social media or what I’m saying to other fighters,” Covington said in a BT Sport interview. “You’re watching us go into a fight to try to kill each other. So, you’re bloodthirsty savages on one token, and you wanna see a guy die inside the Octagon, but on the other thing, you’re hurt by some words I’m saying? Like, what is this, the Ultimate Feelings Championship? I thought this was the Ultimate Fighting Championship.”

Translation: “Fuck your feelings, snowflakes.”

What’s that you say? Colby Covington lost to Kamaru Usman at UFC 245?

“He beat me? Oh, you think that’s beating me? By cheating? Oh, OK, yeah, that’s how a real Democrat would think,” Covington said in an interview with Yahoo Sports. “They’ve got to cheat. They’ve got to rig the elections to win. They can’t beat us fair and square.”

Translation: Rigged. Fake News.

Watch Colby Covington Confront Dana White over Lack of Title Shot at UFC 235 | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights
Image Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Like any group of people, conservatives are not a monolith. There are quiet voters, public endorsers, regular donators, and then are those who shout out their team’s battle cries with a megaphone, thus amplifying their appeal and attracting a vocal fan support that matches the volume. So if it’s attention that Covington strived for when he became Colby Covington 2.0, then he could win a title at UFC 268 that might mean more to him than the UFC welterweight championship: the title of “Posterboy Conservative Athlete.”

There are many outspoken liberal athletes in the mainstream, one of whom Covington made it a point to target, but very rarely will you find an outspoken far-right conservative who is still active in their athletic career. In two days, what if a pronounced, in-your-face conservative in his athletic prime were to get his “revenge” and defeat the UFC’s best pound-for-pound fighter in Madison Square Garden? That would be the moment where Colby Covington’s star power became all he hoped it would be. And like it or not, it would turn this “textbook villain” into a conservative superhero.

Continue Reading “Heel” Covington Can Turn Into A Conservative Superhero At UFC 268 at MMA News.

What In The World Are We Witnessing With Khamzat Chimaev?

“It’s a Khabib!”

“It’s a hype train!”

“It’s Khamzat Chimaev!”

After the latest tour de force from MMA juggernaut Khamzat Chimaev, people are doing less squinting and eye rubbing because it’s becoming clear that they are seeing something speci…

Khamzat Chimaev

“It’s a Khabib!”

“It’s a hype train!”

“It’s Khamzat Chimaev!”

After the latest tour de force from MMA juggernaut Khamzat Chimaev, people are doing less squinting and eye rubbing because it’s becoming clear that they are seeing something special—whatever the heck it is.

Khamzat Chimaev, able to bind together two wins in a single week.

Khamzat Chimaev, able to string together four wins while only suffering a single hit.

Is this real? Are we living within a video game world with the sickest player alive controlling this cheat code of a monster? What in the world is going on here?

“I never felt in trouble. I do this with all my opponents – I smash them all, first round, second round. I have seven wins, seven finishes” – Khamzat Chimaev after defeating john phillips

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: JOHN PHILLIPS vs KHAMZAT CHIMAEV full fight - YouTube
Khamzat Smesh. UFC Victim #1- John Philips

When Khamzat Chimaev burst onto the scene as a gust of fire smoke when smashing John Phillips on July 16, 2020, the general reaction was, ‘Heh, that guy looks pretty dang good. But then again, Phillips doesn’t really have a ground game, so…”

OK then. Onto the next smashing.

“I love how talented this guy is. We threw the hottest prospect out of the U.K. at him and that kid is a badass. That kid is a legit great fighter. (Chimaev) made it look like he didn’t belong there. … The kid is legit. He’s real and he knows it and I love it” – Dana White after chimaev’s victory over rhys mckee

UFC results Fight Island 3: Rhys McKee loses debut bout to an impressive Kmamzat Chimaev in Abu Dhabi - Belfast Live
Khamzat Smesh. UFC Victim #2- Rhys McKee

One week later, Chimaev then upped the intensity of his own Smesh Machine™ to another level on its apparently infinite barometer and smashed Rhys McKee via TKO three minutes into the first round.

But Borz wanted more. Borz was still hungry. So much so that there were thoughts of having two opponents ready to be fed in advance, much to the displeasure of the next opponent, Gerald Meerschaert.

“There is no doubt now. @KChimaev is THE TRUTH.” – Joe Rogan moments after Chimaev’s third UFC victory.

VIDEO: Khamzat Chimaev Wins 17-Second Knockout at UFC Vegas 11
Khamzat Smesh. UFC Victim #3 – Gerald Meerscheart

Borz wanted more.  Borz was still hungry.

Unfortunately, one of the many side effects of COVID-19 is that it stunts your appetite. So Chimaev had to sit, wait, and lick his chops before feasting again as he said he would.

And oh, that he did after devouring The Leech at UFC 267.

Khamzat Chimaev submits Jingliang Li at UFC 267 | Asian MMA
Khamzat Smesh. UFC Victim #4 – Li Jingliang

“I Become The Borz Now. I Eat Everyone.” – Khamzat Chimaev After Defeating Li Jingliang

So OK, enough is enough. It’s obvious we’re not dealing with a normal human being, let alone a normal MMA fighter. But still, the question remains, what the heck are we witnessing?

Are we witnessing the tale of the most promising hype train of all that will be shockingly derailed?

Are we witnessing the groundwork being laid to the biggest, most thrilling dream match in the history of the welterweight division when we look back on it someday, in Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev.

Khamzat Chimaev, Kamaru Usman
Khamzat Chimaev, Kamaru Usman (Image Credits: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC & Alex Menendez/Getty Images)

Or are Usman, fans, and each of Chimaev’s future victims all just playing a part in what will be a career story unlike any other in the history of our sport?

Right now, no one really can answer that, but like any good suspenseful, drama, it’s going to be fun to find out. In the meantime, it’s OK, buy into the hype. It’s free, and it’s delicious.  

There’s no amount of superlatives that can do Khamzat Chimaev justice at this stage of this hype train’s route.  So my advice: Don’t fight it. Just enjoy the well-deserved hype.

Yes, rationally speaking, there are still a ton of questions about Khamzat Chimaev, but it’s OK. Join the hype now, avoid the rush.

Because hype is fun, my friends. It feeds the imagination. And both Chimaev and our imaginations are feasting every time he enters the Octagon.

Continue Reading What In The World Are We Witnessing With Khamzat Chimaev? at MMA News.

7 Takeaways From UFC 267: B?achowicz vs. Teixeira

UFC 267 featured two title fights that crowned a new interim champion in Petr Yan and a new light-heavyweight champion in Glover Teixeira. The return of Khamzat Chimaev did not disappoint, and one of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s proteges made his claim in th…

UFC 267 featured two title fights that crowned a new interim champion in Petr Yan and a new light-heavyweight champion in Glover Teixeira. The return of Khamzat Chimaev did not disappoint, and one of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s proteges made his claim in the lightweight division.

There was a lot to take away from UFC 267, here are some things that stood out.

Return to Fight Island

UFC Fight Island
UFC Fight Island

The UFC returns to the Etihad Arena at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It seems like it’s been a while since the UFC had to use the location, but as the fight business moves forward in this “new normal”, the location will likely become a regular part of the UFC’s operations for a while, especially with the vaccine mandate required for anyone coming into the U.S. and not everyone on the same page when it comes to getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

All ESPN+

It’s still a pay per view but ESPN+ subscribers only had to pay their regular monthly fee and not a separate cost on top of their monthly subscription, like they normally do. This is likely due to the UFC mega card going on next weekend from Madison Square Garden that is UFC 268 and not to do UFC fans any favors. No one is going to buy two in a row. 

Referee Vyacheslav Kiselev

Vyacheslav Kiselev Removed from Second Officiating Assignment at UFC 267

You know it’s bad when you’re pulled from your assignment during a live event. The sport is violent, so safety has to be paramount and with the news of fighters dying recently in combat sports, pulling him was definitely the right move. It may have taken away from the win that Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos got over Benoît St. Denis, but it’s best if the problem gets solved now rather than later.

Khamzat Chimaev

UFC 267 results, highlights: Khamzat Chimaev submits Li Jingliang in first round in dominant showing - CBSSports.com
Credit: Chris Unger

He may have been sick but anyone that doubted Chimaev and the hype he has behind him got a reminder when he returned in this event. Kamaru Usman has to deal with Colby Covington next week, but if he is only going to beat him again, who else is there left for him to fight but a guy like Chimaev?

Petr Yan Captures Interim Title

UFC 267 results: Petr Yan claims interim title with unanimous decision over Cory Sandhagen in instant classic - MMA Fighting

A five-round war ensued between Yan and Cory Sandhagen. Sandhagens’ reach advantage seemed troubling to Yan at the start but as he weathered the storm, his strategy of catching and returning fire would prove useful as he picked up the unanimous decision victory. 

Islam Makhachev

UFC 267 card: Islam Makhachev vs Dan Hooker full fight preview - MMAmania.com

The next great lightweight, it seems, is Makhachev, but there is always an asterisk next to the name of someone fighting someone that has any label like coming in on short notice. His original opponent was supposed to be Rafael dos Anjos but withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Dan Hooker. Hooker coming off a recent win and ranked at number six according to the UFC lightweight rankings made more sense for Makhachev than it did Hooker, but Hooker’s not a fan favorite because he turns down fights. 

Still, the question of who is next always comes up after a win, and while Daniel Cormier thinks it should be Justin Gaethje, Gaethje has his own plans for UFC 268. 

And New!!!

Yes, Yan won his interim bantamweight title but he is 28 years old and making his way in MMA. Dana White said in the post-fight press conference, “Glover Teixeira is and has been one of the toughest guys in the division.” So, to put in the time and get to this point at 42-years old, just after his birthday he accomplished what many thought he could not. What he does next, is up to him but for now, he proved that never giving up will always deliver. 

There’s obviously more to take away from this event than what is listed here. With Teixeira now the king at light-heavyweight, does he defend or retire? Either would likely be fine for fans, and Yan holding the interim title, White confirmed it will be he and Aljamain Sterling for the undisputed title. UFC 268 goes down next week, so don’t get too cozy.

What did you take away from the event?

Continue Reading 7 Takeaways From UFC 267: B?achowicz vs. Teixeira at MMA News.

Exploring Styles: Khamzat Chimaev & Khabib Nurmagomedov

Despite the retirement of Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020, fans still salivate at the idea of a super fight between the former champion and rising UFC star Khamzat Chimaev. A match-up one could only dream of, it makes you wonder, how would a fight between Chimaev and Nurmagomedov go? First, some parameters have to be established. […]

Continue Reading Exploring Styles: Khamzat Chimaev & Khabib Nurmagomedov at MMA News.

Despite the retirement of Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020, fans still salivate at the idea of a super fight between the former champion and rising UFC star Khamzat Chimaev.

A match-up one could only dream of, it makes you wonder, how would a fight between Chimaev and Nurmagomedov go? First, some parameters have to be established. Since “The Eagle” reigned over the lightweight division and Chimaev fights at 170 and 185 pounds, the bout would ostensibly need to happen at welterweight. While Nurmagomedov never competed at 170 pounds in the UFC, he appeared to be one of the bigger lightweights on the roster.

The UFC fighters have been regularly compared since Chimaev’s debut performance. In a span of just ten days, Chimaev would ignite a storm amongst MMA fans after finishing two opponents consecutively. Advancing his unbeaten record to 8-0, “Borz” attracted comparisons to Nurmagomedov’s style with a ground-and-pound victory against Rhys McKee. While rumors of a feud between the two stars circulated, the rising UFC welterweight expressed that there was no beef between the two.

Equipped with a suffocating style of forward pressure and wrestling, Nurmagomedov separated himself from the pack in the UFC. Unblemished, holding a record of 29-0, very seldom has anyone been able to steal a single round from the indomitable former champion. Unbeaten fighters have an aura around them and these two, in particular, have accumulated quite a following during their respective tenures with the company.

Comparing The Styles Of Khamzat Chimaev And Khabib Nurmagomedov

Following comparisons to “The Eagle”, Chimaev threw fans off the scent with a one-punch knockout of Gerald Meerschaert. A contest that would only last 17-seconds, Chimaev uncorked a short-range right hand as “GM3” circled into his punch. Despite making his way up the UFC ladder with groundwork, Chimaev emerged as a double threat after this performance.

While the Chechen-born Swede hasn’t had a lot of cage time in the Octagon, some of his earlier fights in Brave Combat Federation (Brave CF) illuminated a few of his strengths. Chimaev’s grappling toolbox looks similar to Khabib’s, but the two systems operate differently. “Borz” is opportunistic. If a fighter is comfortable while striking, Chimaev goes to the well with grappling.

In the opening frame against Mzwandile Hlongwa, Chimaev threw a kick, closed distance, and got a takedown right out the gate. The 27-year-old sliced through his opponent’s guard by transitioning to side control.

Despite being unable to mount effective ground and pound for much of the first round, Chimaev got the job done in the second stanza with a D’arce choke. By the end of his Brave CF run, Chimaev earned four finishes in less than two years with the company.

At UFC 223, Khabib captured the vacant lightweight title against Al Iaquinta. Out of the former champion’s last five fights with the UFC, “The Eagle” clocked the most time against “Ragin” Al.

Nurmagomedov and Iaquinta took the fight on less than 24-hours’ notice. This, of course, happened last-minute as the NYSAC deemed Max Holloway unfit to compete on the PPV in New York, U.S.

During the contest, Khabib established the threat of the takedown early by ‘running the pipe’ or what’s typically referred to as a single-leg takedown. Khabib’s takedowns are not as camouflaged as Chimaev’s. However, the former lightweight champion is far more aggressive in his pursuit of getting the fight to the canvas.

Unlike many opponents before him, Iaquinta, while reactive, still gave Khabib confusing signals during the contest. In fact, the New York native teased a couple of single-leg takedowns of his own in the first round. Taking a wide stance, the former title challenger laid the blueprint on how to fight effectively against Nurmagomedov.

Khabib averages an astonishing 5.32 takedowns per fifteen minutes. With a larger sample size than “Borz”, the former 155-pound titleholder’s ability to implement his wrestling speaks volumes. Granted, Chimaev has the style to disrupt Khabib, but the UFC 267 combatant would be tasked with defending takedowns if the two were ever to meet in the cage.

Chimaev’s versatile striking is a good attribute in a potential fight against Khabib. With apt ground ability, the fight is no doubt intriguing. Rounded out as a mixed martial artist, the rising 170-pound star from Fight Island 1 would be a challenging match-up for one of the greatest to ever wear UFC gloves.

Who would you favor in a potential match-up between Khamzat Chimaev and Khabib Nurmagomedov?

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