Tag: Khabib Nurmagomedov

Edson Barboza Responds To Will Brooks’ Call Out

No. 6-ranked UFC lightweight contender Edson “Junior” Barboza picked up arguably the biggest victory of his career this past weekend (Sat., July 23, 2016), scoring a decisive decision win over former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez. With back-to-back victories over former champions under his belt, Barboza has made it clear that he’d next like to take

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No. 6-ranked UFC lightweight contender Edson “Junior” Barboza picked up arguably the biggest victory of his career this past weekend (Sat., July 23, 2016), scoring a decisive decision win over former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez. With back-to-back victories over former champions under his belt, Barboza has made it clear that he’d next like to take on one of the division’s top contenders next. He was, however, also called out by No. 12-ranked former Bellator champion “Ill” Will Brooks.

Check out Barboza’s response to brooks below:

“If the UFC says you have to fight this guy to get close to the title shot, why not? But like I said, I prefer to fight somebody above me in the rankings,” Barboza said according to MMAjunkie. “If I have a choice, I’d prefer to fight somebody ahead of me. There are five guys ahead of me, and I hope the UFC gives me these guys. If you see the rankings, it’s better for my career. I have to fight the best.”

Brooks, who has been considered to be amongst the best 155 pounders in the world for a few years now, recently made his Octagon debut earlier this month, scoring a decision victory over Ross Pearson. “Ill” Will does possess solid name value, but Barboza may have a point, as a higher ranked fighter could be more suitable at this point in his career.

As far as who he would like to fight next, the Brazilian has previously expressed interest in facing off with former champion Rafael dos Anjos, top contender Khabib Nurmagomedov, or the surging Tony Ferguson. “Junior”, however, feels as if Ferguson should receive the next shot at gold so perhaps a bout with RDA or “The Eagle” would make sense:

“In my opinion, the guy who deserves it the most is Tony Ferguson. He’s busy all the time fighting everybody. Khabib stayed out for a long time, and I think he has to fight a couple more guys to get the chance.”

Who would you like to see Barboza meet next time out?

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Edson Barboza Wants Main Event With RDA, Khabib, Or Ferguson Next

No. 6-ranked UFC lightweight Edson “Junior” Barboza scored a convincing decision victory over returning former Strikeforce champion Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez in the co-main event of UFC on FOX 20 last night (July 23, 2016) from Chicago, Illinois. Barboza battered Melendez over the course of three rounds with his arsenal of devastating leg kicks, and

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No. 6-ranked UFC lightweight Edson “Junior” Barboza scored a convincing decision victory over returning former Strikeforce champion Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez in the co-main event of UFC on FOX 20 last night (July 23, 2016) from Chicago, Illinois. Barboza battered Melendez over the course of three rounds with his arsenal of devastating leg kicks, and he should be in line for a marquee matchup after the victory.

In fact, the Brazilian, who spoke at the post-fight show, has his eyes set on a main event bout next time out:

“I have five guys in front of me in the rankings. If the UFC gives me one of those guys I’m ready. I think I’m ready to fight five rounds. That’s my fourth co-main event. Please UFC, give me a chance to fight five rounds. I’m ready for this.”

Barboza also has a list of possible opponents in mind, specifically citing former champion Rafael dos Anjos, longtime No. 1 contender Khabib Nurmagomedov, and former foe Tony Ferguson. “Junior” came up short against “El Cucuy” when the two met in December 2015, but he appears to have revenge on his mind:

“I say dos Anjos is a good fight or Khabib or Ferguson. I think a rematch with Ferguson is going to be a good fight. Of course no excuse, but I fought him on just five weeks’ camp…I think if I fight with him three or five rounds it’d be a big war and everybody would see a good fight.”

A fight with any of the aforementioned contenders would likely make since for Barboza, who could be nearing a title shot of his own. One key fact to note, however, is that Barboza is a friend and teammate of reigning 155-pound champion Eddie Alvarez which could provide for a tricky situation.

Who would you like to see the Brazilian striker face off with next?

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Tony Ferguson Calls Out Eddie Alvarez For Title Shot

It’s been quite the ride for Tony Ferguson this year, as he’s had opponents pull out left and right throughout the course of his 2015 season. Ferguson was originally set to meet grappling phenom Khabib Nurmagomedov at The Ultimate Fighter Season 22 Finale (TUF 22 Finale), however, the Russian was forced to pull out of the

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It’s been quite the ride for Tony Ferguson this year, as he’s had opponents pull out left and right throughout the course of his 2015 season.

Ferguson was originally set to meet grappling phenom Khabib Nurmagomedov at The Ultimate Fighter Season 22 Finale (TUF 22 Finale), however, the Russian was forced to pull out of the contest due to an injury.

Michael Johnson was briefly scheduled to meet ‘El Cucuy’ at UFC 196, but Johnson was also forced to pull out due to injury and was replaced by Nurmagomedov at UFC on FOX 19. Unfortunately Ferguson suffered an injury of his own that forced him out of the Nurmagomedov contest, and would later be scheduled against Michael Chiesa at UFC Fight Night 91.

Alas the injury bug would strike again, as Chiesa injured his back during training camp and would be replaced by UFC newcomer Landon Vannata. Vannata and Ferguson put on quite the show at last night’s (July 13, 2016) UFC Fight Night 91, as Vannata almost got the better of the lightweight veteran with a thunderous head-kick in the first round.

USATSI_9382945_168382968_lowresFerguson would ultimately go on to submit Vannata after surviving the rookie’s striking clinic in the first round, and proceeded to call out the newly-crowned UFC lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez, as well as Nurmagomedov whom he has missed two previous set dates with.

Following the contest Ferguson joined FOX Sports, courtesy of MMA Fighting, to discuss his performance against Vannata as well as crediting the Jackson-Wink product for his impressive performance:

“We were preparing for Michael Chiesa,” Ferguson said. “So, I think if anything, I was just more prepared for a wrestler and I underestimated his [Vannata] standup, but after just getting hit a couple of times, it’s exactly what I wanted and that’s just the type of fighter I am, and I battled through it, and took some of his hardest shots, and put fear in his face.”

120415-ufc-Tony-Ferguson-pi-mp.vresize.1200.675.high.3With his victory over Vannata, ‘El Cucuy’ is ready for title contention and proceeded to call out 155-pound champ Alvarez and the No. 2-ranked Nurmagomedov to throw down with him next:

“All my performances are right there to put me on title contention,” said Ferguson. “This fight was a short-notice fight. I know he wasn’t ranked, but it was a very risky chance to come in there and take the short-notice fight.

Props to Lando Vannata and props to JacksonWink over in Albuquerque, but every single fight is there and I’m ready for it. If Eddie Alvarez wants to sign that dotted line, or if he wants an easy fight, go ahead and fight Conor [McGregor], but I’m a hard type fight.

I’m not someone to joke around with. And with [Rafael dos Anjos], you have Khabib Nurmagomedov. I’d love to get that fight against Khabib and maybe we’ll go on The Ultimate Fighter show and put on a show for the fans.”

Who do you think Ferguson should step into the Octagon next, has he done enough to earn a shot at the coveted UFC lightweight strap?

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Eddie Alvarez Auto-Responds To Tony Ferguson & Khabib Nurmagomedov

Eddie Alvarez has had a wild seven days. He capped things off with a dominating performance over Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night 90 last Thursday to become the new UFC lightweight champion. Now, Alvarez has been traveling and going back to his roots. Hey Philadelphia, @EAlvarezFight has a message for you! #ChampionsParade @Eagles

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Eddie Alvarez has had a wild seven days. He capped things off with a dominating performance over Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night 90 last Thursday to become the new UFC lightweight champion. Now, Alvarez has been traveling and going back to his roots.

Alvarez addressed No. 2-ranked Khabib Nurmagomedov and No. 4 Tony Ferguson, who both recently called him. Alvarez took to Twitter to respond to the two fighters and wow did he give a great response.

“Auto Response: @TonyFergusonXT @TeamKhabib Out of the office right now sipping pina colada’s I get back to You At “My” earliest convenience.”

Now, the UFC has some decisions to make. Do they give Nurmagomedov a title shot, who is currently on a 23 fight winning streak and last competed in April of this year against Darrell Horcher and won by second-round TKO? Or do they give Ferguson a title shot, who is on an eight fight winning streak and is fresh off a win over Landon Vannata at UFC Fight Night 91 by second round TKO? Or does the UFC give dos Anjos a rematch with the new champion? Lots of decision to be made.

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Eddie Alvarez Auto-Responds To Tony Ferguson & Khabib Nurmagomedov

Eddie Alvarez has had a wild seven days. He capped things off with a dominating performance over Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night 90 last Thursday to become the new UFC lightweight champion. Now, Alvarez has been traveling and going back to his roots. Hey Philadelphia, @EAlvarezFight has a message for you! #ChampionsParade @Eagles

The post Eddie Alvarez Auto-Responds To Tony Ferguson & Khabib Nurmagomedov appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Eddie Alvarez has had a wild seven days. He capped things off with a dominating performance over Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night 90 last Thursday to become the new UFC lightweight champion. Now, Alvarez has been traveling and going back to his roots.

Alvarez addressed No. 2-ranked Khabib Nurmagomedov and No. 4 Tony Ferguson, who both recently called him. Alvarez took to Twitter to respond to the two fighters and wow did he give a great response.

“Auto Response: @TonyFergusonXT @TeamKhabib Out of the office right now sipping pina colada’s I get back to You At “My” earliest convenience.”

Now, the UFC has some decisions to make. Do they give Nurmagomedov a title shot, who is currently on a 23 fight winning streak and last competed in April of this year against Darrell Horcher and won by second-round TKO? Or do they give Ferguson a title shot, who is on an eight fight winning streak and is fresh off a win over Landon Vannata at UFC Fight Night 91 by second round TKO? Or does the UFC give dos Anjos a rematch with the new champion? Lots of decision to be made.

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Khabib Blasts Tony Ferguson – For Doing The Same Thing He Did

Top-ranked UFC lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently without a fight, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to take time off from calling out other contenders in the stacked 155-pound arena. And interestingly enough, in this instance, it’s for doing something that he did himself, and not all that long ago. News arrived yesterday (Tues., June 28,

The post Khabib Blasts Tony Ferguson – For Doing The Same Thing He Did appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Top-ranked UFC lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently without a fight, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to take time off from calling out other contenders in the stacked 155-pound arena.

And interestingly enough, in this instance, it’s for doing something that he did himself, and not all that long ago.

News arrived yesterday (Tues., June 28, 2016) that No. 3-ranked Tony Ferguson would take on undefeated newcomer Landon Vannata in the new co-main event of July 13’s UFC Fight Night 91 from South Dakota after his original opponent, No. 10-ranked Michael Chiesa, withdrew with a back injury.

But “The Eagle” apparently isn’t impressed with “El Cucuy’s” opponent, quickly calling out Ferguson for taking on a debutant on Twitter:

While some initial skepticism of Ferguson’s level of opponent may be understandable, it’s also an odd choice of words given that Nurmagomedov also took on newcomer Darrell Horcher at April’s UFC on FOX 19 when Ferguson was forced out of their oft-scheduled (and oft-canceled) main event bout with blood in his lung. Ferguson hoped that Nurmagomedov would wait for him to soon return to the Octagon, but after two years out of the cage, “The Eagle” decided that he needed a paycheck (and perhaps a win) more.

Nurmagomedov also stated he would be unable to fight at any of the UFC’s many midsummer cards due to religious obligations. It’s no surprise to see a bit of shade thrown Ferguson’s way by the dominant Dagestani, but given that he essentially fought in exactly the same circumstances just over two months ago – also by no fault of his own – perhaps he should have given “El Cucuy” a bit of understanding.

After all, he wasn’t willing to give Ferguson the fight for a third time.

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