Aljamain Sterling Uses O’Malley vs. Vera To Justify Merab Dvalishvili’s Preferred Next Opponent

Despite the UFC’s attempt to get the ball rolling toward the next bantamweight title fight, Merab Dvalishvili has other plans in mind. The 135-pound weight class crowned a new champion in the main event of UFC 306, where Dvalishvili comfortably defeated Sean O’Malley. It was known going into the fight that Umar Nurmagomedov was likely […]

Continue Reading Aljamain Sterling Uses O’Malley vs. Vera To Justify Merab Dvalishvili’s Preferred Next Opponent at MMA News.

Despite the UFC’s attempt to get the ball rolling toward the next bantamweight title fight, Merab Dvalishvili has other plans in mind.

The 135-pound weight class crowned a new champion in the main event of UFC 306, where Dvalishvili comfortably defeated Sean O’Malley.

It was known going into the fight that Umar Nurmagomedov was likely going to be next, and that was only solidified when he was there in-person for the new champ being asked about the prospect of facing him.

Dvalishvili, however, believes that it is Deiveson Figueiredo who is the most deserving contender because he has more wins over top bantamweight contenders.

Aljamain Sterling Says Merab Dvalishvili Has Strong Case For Deiveson Figueiredo Being Next

In an interview with Submission Radio, Aljamain Sterling weighed in with his thoughts on Dvalishvili’s stance on his first title challenger.

The former bantamweight champion and long-term friend and training partner of the Georgian titleholder believes that his reasoning makes a lot of sense.

“Funk Master” pointed to how there have been many more instances where a title challenger was less deserving of this opportunity than Figueiredo currently is.

With this in mind, Sterling hopes that his teammate will get to have some input into deciding what will be the first step of his title reign.

“I don’t know who the UFC actually wants to push. I know Merab wants to face Deiveson Figueiredo based on his merit of what he’s done in the bantamweight division. I believe he’s beaten Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, submitted him, and ‘Chito’ Vera. So it’s kind of hard to argue Merab’s point. I do understand that Umar did beat Sandhagen, who was ranked #2 at the time, so there’s an argument there. But I think I can see both sides, and if the champ wants to fight Deiveson Figueiredo, I mean, O’Malley got to fight a guy that wasn’t even ranked in the top five (Marlon Vera).

“So I don’t think it’s that crazy of a matchup. I don’t think the guy’s undeserving. I don’t think anyone could say he’s undeserving. But, you know, the UFC is going to do what makes the most money for them and hopefully the champ has a say in that.”

Continue Reading Aljamain Sterling Uses O’Malley vs. Vera To Justify Merab Dvalishvili’s Preferred Next Opponent at MMA News.

Report – Marlon Vera vs. Cory Sandhagen now slated to headline UFC San Antonio on March 25.

Marlon Vera Cory Sandhagen UFC San AntonioInitially booked to take main event honors at UFC Vegas 69 later this month, the bantamweight championship-eliminator between surging contenders, Marlon Vera, and Cory Sandhagen has been upped and relocated to San Antonio, Texas on March 25. next at the AT&T Center – taking main event honors. First booked to headline UFC Vegas 69 on […]

Marlon Vera Cory Sandhagen UFC San Antonio

Initially booked to take main event honors at UFC Vegas 69 later this month, the bantamweight championship-eliminator between surging contenders, Marlon Vera, and Cory Sandhagen has been upped and relocated to San Antonio, Texas on March 25. next at the AT&T Center – taking main event honors.

First booked to headline UFC Vegas 69 on February 18. at the UFC Apex facility, according to an initial report from Sports Illustrated, Ecuadorian finisher, Marlon Vera will now face Colorado technician, Cory Sandhagen in front of a capacity crowd in ‘The Lone Star State’ on March 25. instead. 

Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera vs. Cory Sandhagen has shifted and will now headline #UFCSanAntonio on March 25, multiple sources tell @MikeBohn and me,MMA Junkie reporter, Nolan King tweeted. “First reported by @SINow. Story headed to @MMAJunkie.

At the time of publication, an official headlining event for UFC Vegas 69 on February 18. has yet to be determined. 

Marlon Vera currently rides a stunning four-fight winning streak

In the midst of an impressive run of four-fight winning spree which has seen him land at #4 in the official bantamweight rankings, last time out, Chone native, Vera stopped former two-time bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz with a stunning high kick KO in the main event of UFC San Diego.

Prior to that win, Marlon Vera stopped former undisputed lightweight champion, Frankie Edgar with a front kick knockout at Madison Square Garden, adding to a decision win over Rob Font, and avenging a prior career loss to Davey Grant.

Sitting at #5 in the official bantamweight pile, Sandhagen rebounded from consecutive career losses to former division champions, T.J. Dillashaw, and Petr Yan – with an impressive fourth round doctor’s stoppage TKO win over Song Yadong at UFC Vegas 60 back in September of last year – scoring his fifteenth professional victory. 

UFC Fight Night San Antonio takes place on March 25. from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Photo – Marlon Vera inks new back tattoo ahead of UFC Vegas 69 headliner with Cory Sandhagen

Marlon Vera back tattoo UFCAhead of his upcoming UFC Vegas 69 main event clash with fellow bantamweight contender, surging division challenger, Marlon Vera has detailed a stunning new back piece tattoo – inked by the world-renowned artist, Mister Cartoon.  Vera, who currently boasts the #5 rank in the official bantamweight pile, is slated to headline UFC Vegas 69 on […]

Marlon Vera back tattoo UFC

Ahead of his upcoming UFC Vegas 69 main event clash with fellow bantamweight contender, surging division challenger, Marlon Vera has detailed a stunning new back piece tattoo – inked by the world-renowned artist, Mister Cartoon. 

Vera, who currently boasts the #5 rank in the official bantamweight pile, is slated to headline UFC Vegas 69 on February 18. next – tackling fellow division contender, Cory Sandhagen in a potential title-eliminator at 135lbs.

In the midst of an impressive run of four-fight winning run, Chone native, Marlon Vera will make his first Octagon walk since he headlined UFC Fight Night San Diego back in August of last year – earning a Performance of the Night bonus off the back of a fourth round high kick KO win over former undisputed champion, Dominick Cruz.

Marlon Vera tackles Cory Sandhagen next month in ‘Sin City’

Matching with Colorado tactician, Sandhagen, Vera will be tasked with returning the Eliot Marshall mainstay to the losing enclosure, following a prior, dominant doctor’s stoppage win over Song Yadong back in September at the UFC Apex facility.

Getting some new ink ahead of his Octagon comeback against Sandhagen in February, Ecuadorian fan-favorite, Vera shared his experience with iconic tattoo artist, Mister Cartoon.

“He tattooed some pretty heavy names back in the day,” Marlon Vera said on The MMA Hour. “Not just big names, big names at their prime. Eminem, when he was blowing up in the whole entire world, Mr. Cartoon did his tattoos. Eminem would say in interviews, ‘I only get tattoo’d by Cartoon because you can’t afford it.’ He would say that in a video to the world and I’m like, ‘Holy sh*t, that guy did my whole entire back.’” 

“It’s a big rooster in the middle that represents the fighting and me growing up going to rooster fights with my grandfather when I was a little kid, and my father,” Marlon Vera explained. “The crazy environment I got to live in. There’s a sign of the town I was born, which is Chone, it says, ‘Welcome to Chone.’ There’s orange trees because it’s called the ‘City of Orange’ where I was born because there’s orange trees everywhere, and there’s a road that goes around my lower back and then you start seeing buildings, a clown mask – which is Cartoon’s speciality – and a oman behind the clown.”

“The clown part is me doing all the crazy sh*t to be where I am,” Vera continued. “The woman in the back is the lady that pushed me to be man I am today. It’s little things like that, and there’s a sign up the street of the first house I bought.”

“Then he just put clouds and lights around the whole thing, that’s kind of what he’s famous for,” Vera said. “Those beautiful f*cking lights coming down, clouds and sh*t. I love it. Ten out of ten back piece.”

Jose Aldo remains confident of UFC title success at bantamweight despite September retirement

jose aldoFormer WEC and UFC featherweight champion, Jose Aldo, said there was still a UFC run left in him if he didn’t retire. During the UFC 283 broadcast, it was announced that Aldo would be inducted into the UFC’s hall of fame later this year. This comes after a long, illustrious career that saw him take […]

jose aldo

Former WEC and UFC featherweight champion, Jose Aldo, said there was still a UFC run left in him if he didn’t retire.

During the UFC 283 broadcast, it was announced that Aldo would be inducted into the UFC’s hall of fame later this year. This comes after a long, illustrious career that saw him take on the best the sport had to offer across two weight classes spanning two weight classes, from his WEC debut in 2008 to his retirement last year.

Jose Aldo ‘flattered’ by news of UFC Hall of Fame induction

The announcement was made in front of Aldo’s home crowd in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with the 36-year-old was brought to tears as the video package was played. Talking to assembled media about the news of his UFC Hall of Fame induction this summer, Aldo expressed his gratitude for the honour.

“I was flattered,” Aldo said at the press conference. “I was not expecting it. I had no idea. It just brought it home. I was raised here. I was (called) the ‘King of Rio.’ I’ve got nothing but gratitude to the UFC and all the fighters who sent a message to me (in the video package). I’m flattered.”

Aldo is set to make his boxing debut on February 10., but said he could continue to fight in the UFC, even make a run for the title.

“I think if I carried on, I could have developed and had a good run for the belt,” Aldo said. “But I think it was time to end the career. I was very happy with the streak and the run that I had (at bantamweight).” (H/T MMAJunkie)

Aldo was on an impressive three-fight win streak over Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz and Rob Font before meeting Merab Dvalishvili in his final fight.

Aldo is undoubtedly one of the greatest to ever compete in the sport, at one point being on a 10-year undefeated streak, holding wins of names such as Frankie Edgar, Chan Sung Jung, Chad Mendes and Urijah Faber.

Jose Aldo discusses Hall of Fame induction

If Jose Aldo was to compete in one last UFC fight, who would it be against?

‘Chito’ Marlon Vera calls new age UFC champions: “Petty little b*tches” with Aljamain Sterling bicep tear news.

Marlon Vera Chito SterlingBantamweight fighter ‘Chito’ Marlon Vera is less than impressed with the new age UFC champions. It appeared as though Henry Cejudo would be coming out of retirement to battle the reigning UFC bantamweight champion ‘Funkmaster’ Aljamain Sterling. Recent reports indicate that ‘Funkmaster’ will not be meeting the former champion in the octagon due to a […]

Marlon Vera Chito Sterling

Bantamweight fighter ‘Chito’ Marlon Vera is less than impressed with the new age UFC champions.

It appeared as though Henry Cejudo would be coming out of retirement to battle the reigning UFC bantamweight champion ‘Funkmaster’ Aljamain Sterling. Recent reports indicate that ‘Funkmaster’ will not be meeting the former champion in the octagon due to a bicep tear.

With this news, the Ecuadorian fighter Marlon Vera took to Twitter and said:

“We don’t have a champ.”

‘Chito’ Marlon Vera sounds off on UFC champions.

While speaking with John Morgan of the MMA Underground, Ecuador’s ‘Chito’ Marlon Vera compared today’s titleholders to a bygone era, he said:

“I’m going to be a great champion. I’m going to fight whoever is next in line. All these guys get the belt, they start acting like b—ches. Get the belt and be a f—king savage. Be a f—king king. Go and do the thing. Defend. Anderson Silva, B.J. Penn, Georges St-Pierre, they did it like that. They got the belt, they fought No. 1. They kicked their asses. That’s why they’re greats now.”

He added that today’s champion will likely not go down in history, ‘Chito’ continued:

“Today’s champions probably won’t be that great because now they’re petty little b—ches that are acting like they’re Hollywood superstars. Pick a side. You get the money fighting. Jon Jones, all those guys made a lot of money because they fought consistently. They made their legacy huge.” [Transcript courtesy of MMA Mania]

Catch the full interview below:

UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Odds: Current Favorites For Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov, Vera vs. Figueiredo, Ferguson vs. Chiesa, & More

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup. The upcoming event takes place on Saturday, August 3, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main card begins at 3 PM ET/12 PM PT, […]

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Odds: Current Favorites For Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov, Vera vs. Figueiredo, Ferguson vs. Chiesa, & More at MMA News.

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup.

The upcoming event takes place on Saturday, August 3, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main card begins at 3 PM ET/12 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 12 PM ET/9 AM PT.

Topping the lineup will be former interim bantamweight title challenger Cory Sandhagen, who is tasked with getting the better of undefeated Dagestani Umar Nurmagomedov if he’s to successfully defend his spot in the top five and stake his claim for shot at the undisputed gold.

Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see another unbeaten name in action as Sharabutdin Magomedov meets Micha? Oleksiejczuk on short notice, while Marlon Vera looks to revive his bantamweight championship ambitions at the expense of ex-flyweight kingpin Deiveson Figueiredo.

Also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of lightweight veteran Tony Ferguson, strawweight submission specialist Mackenzie Dern, and rising light heavyweight contender Azamat Murzakanov.

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov Betting Odds

Listed below are the latest betting odds for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi (as of 8/2), courtesy of DraftKings.

Main Card:

  • Cory Sandhagen (-270) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (+340)
  • Sharabutdin Magomedov (-238) vs. Micha? Oleksiejczuk (+195)
  • Marlon Vera (+120) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (-142)
  • Tony Ferguson (+440) vs. Michael Chiesa (-600)
  • Mackenzie Dern (-118) vs. Loopy Godinez (-102)
  • Joel Álvarez (-166) vs. Elves Brener (+140)

Preliminary Card:

  • Azamat Murzakanov (-218) vs. Alonzo Menifield (+180)
  • Mohammad Yahya (+310) vs. Kaue Fernandes (-395)
  • Shamil Gaziev (-270) vs. Don’Tale Mayes (+220)
  • Guram Kutateladze (-230) vs. Jordan Vucenic (+190)
  • Victoria Dudakova (-175) vs. Sam Hughes (+145)
  • Jai Herbert (-130) vs. Rolando Berdoya (+110)
  • Sedriques Dumas (-130) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (+190)

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Odds: Current Favorites For Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov, Vera vs. Figueiredo, Ferguson vs. Chiesa, & More at MMA News.