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Alexander Volkanovski Targets 2023 UFC Lightweight Title Pursuit In Australia Homecoming

Recovering from a fractured hand suffered in his UFC 276 co-headlining win against former featherweight champion, Max Holloway, reigning division champion, Alexander Volkanovski has confirmed he will likely sit out until a proposed Australia event lands for the UFC in 2023 – as he hopes to pursue a lightweight title fight. Alexander Vokanovski, who turned […]

Alexander Vokanovski, who turned in his third career win against former featherweight titleholder, Holloway earlier this month on July 2. – handed the Hawaiin standout a one-sided unanimous decision loss in Las Vegas, Nevada – scoring his fourth successful defense of the undisputed featherweight crown.

Off the back of his shutout victory, however, Volkanovski offered to challenge for lightweight gold in the future, eyeing double-champion status under the banner of the organization.

The New South Wales technician also offered to fight for the lightweight crown upon the culmination of October’s UFC 280 headliner between former champion, Charles Oliveira, and contender, Islam Makhachev – with the duo competing for vacant spoils.

Over the course of last weekend, the lie of the featherweight land failed to become much clearer following UFC Long Island, with Yair Rodriguez landing a TKO victory over Brian Ortega, after the latter suffered a dislocated shoulder in the closing stages of their opening round main event.

Alexander Volkanovski reveals the UFC are targeting a 2023 return to Australia

Sharing his thoughts on the introduction of an interim title to his division – potentially featuring Rodriguez and the surging heavy-hitter, Josh Emmett – Alexander Volkanovski revealed the UFC are currently targeting an Australia landing pad for the first quarter of next year. And he wants to headline that card in a lightweight title pursuit.

“They’re (the UFC) looking at coming to Australia in the early quarter of the year – the first quarter of the year, next year,” Alexander Volkanovski told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “I need to defend my belt and I need to fight in Australia. Whether I try squeeze something in before that, or that’s just me rushing things. …”

“The UFC would be very happy to have me headline a card over there,” Alexander Volkanovski explained. “That’s probably what will happen, you know. Me fighting for the lightweight title in that early quarter of the year.”

Before his victory over Holloway earlier this month, Volkanovski turned in another dominant bludgeoning of Chan Sung Jung earlier this year, as well as defeating the aforenoted Ortega following a rematch title knockback success against Holloway to boot.

Hasim Rahman Jr. Issues ‘Final’ Prediction For August Jake Paul Fight: ‘I’m Gonna Whoop His Ass’

Ahead of his anticipated August 6. Madison Square Garden showdown against the undefeated, Jake Paul – professional boxer, Hasim Rahman Jr. has providedd his “final” prediction for the summer matchup. Rahman Jr., the son of former heavyweight world champion, Hasim Rahman, suffered his first professional loss earlier this year – slipping to 12-1 as a […]

Rahman Jr., the son of former heavyweight world champion, Hasim Rahman, suffered his first professional loss earlier this year – slipping to 12-1 as a professional with a controversial TKO loss against James Morrison.

As for polarizing puncher, Paul, the Ohio native currently boasts an unbeaten 5-0 professional record, stopping former UFC welterweight champion, Tyron Woodley with a sixth round knockout back in December in the pair’s rematch in Florida.

Initially scheduled to fight Tommy Fury – the younger half-brother of WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury in August, Paul has since drawn Rahman Jr. – as Fury deals with travel issues.

Sharing a series of harsh words apiece ahead of their August 6. Madison Square Garden headliner at a press conference last week, Rahman Jr. promised to end the career of Paul – which he labelled a “facade”.

“All this BS about going back and forth about the money – I’m going to be the lowest-paid opponent but I’m giving you any credibility, so why shouldn’t I get more? Hasim Rahman Jr. said. “But I’m not here to negotiate, I’m here to end this facade that he’s calling a career. We’re going to see on August 6. when Jake Paul falls.”

Hasim Rahman Jr. has offered his “final”, certain prediction for his August 6. headliner with Jake Paul

Sharing his “final” prediction for his matchup with Paul, Rahman Jr. claimed he would land a certain, definitive victory and knockout over the outspoken Ohio native.

“My final prediction is victory, inshallah,” Hasim Rahman Jr. told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour.” …I’m not here to entertain him (Jake Paul), I’m here to beat him up. On August 6. – I’m coming. I’m gonna whoop his ass.”

Frankie Edgar Eyes UFC 281 Swansong, Welcomes MSG Clash With Dominick Cruz

Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Frankie Edgar is targeting his decorated career swansong for UFC 281 on November 12. at Madison Square Garden, welcoming the opportunity to bow out of the sport against fellow former promotional champion, Dominick Cruz. Edgar, a former undisputed lightweight champion under the promotion’s banner, featured most recently on the main […]

Edgar, a former undisputed lightweight champion under the promotion’s banner, featured most recently on the main card of UFC 268 back in November at MSG, suffering a brutal, third round front kick knockout to streaking Ecuadorian finisher, Marlon Vera.

In the time since, Edgar, who currently sits at #11 in the official bantamweight rankings, has been linked with a slew of potential comeback fights later this year, including a bout with polarizing striker, Sean O’Malley.

Embarking on a run of 1-2 from three outings at the bantamweight limit, off the back of a close-fought decision win over Pedro Munhoz, Edgar suffered a brutal, 28-second flying knee knockout loss to Cory Sandhagen before his defeat to Vera.

Weighing up his future in the sport, Toms River veteran, Edgar admitted that UFC 281 on November 12. in the ‘Big Apple’ will likely come as his final professional outing.

“I think that would be cool,” Frankie Edgar said. “It would be a pretty cool sendoff at Madison Square Garden, it’s pretty much in my backyard. I trained up in Renzo’s (Gracie) for so many years, it would be a pretty cool sendoff.”

Frankie Edgar welcomes the chance to share the Octagon with Dominick Cruz

As far as opponents are concerned, Edgar mentioned the possibility of a “legacy” fight against former two-time bantamweight best, Cruz.

“I’m never one to call anybody out or pick anybody, I usually let the UFC and Ali (Abdelaziz) kind of figure that out,” Frankie Edgar said. “But, I’ll say a name just because I think it’s more of a legacy fight and I know he has a fight coming up and who knows how it could happen, but I think Dominick Cruz. He was a champion at 135 when I was the champion at 155. We were both pretty much top of the division, I think that could be an interesting fight.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

Mentioning a potential matchup with fellow veteran, Cruz, the Californian is already scheduled to headline an upcoming UFC Fight Night San Diego event on August 13. – tackling soon to be common-foe, Vera.

Islam Makhachev Opens As Betting Favorite Against Charles Oliveira Ahead Of UFC 280 Title Clash

Ahead of his premier promotional title fight at UFC 280 on October 22. – streaking lightweight contender, Islam Makhachev has opened as a quite decent – surprising betting favorite against former undisputed division champion, Charles Oliveira. Islam Makhachev, currently riding a 10-fight winning run, enters the Octagon headliner as the #4 ranked lightweight contender, most […]

Islam Makhachev, currently riding a 10-fight winning run, enters the Octagon headliner as the #4 ranked lightweight contender, most recently headlining against Bobby Green on short notice in February – stopping the veteran with a first round series of ground strikes.

As for Oliveira, the promotion’s most recent undisputed lightweight champion, headlined UFC 274 back in May against former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje – submitting the Arizona native with a dominant first round rear-naked choke.

The victory would have come as Oliveira’s second successful defense of the 155lbs crown, however, the Sao Paulo native tipped the scales by half a pound during fight week, resulting in his official stripping as undisputed lightweight champion.

During the broadcast for UFC Long Island over the course of the weekend, the broadcast team confirmed the October 22. UFC 280 headliner on ‘Fight Island’ – with Oliveira and Makhachev set to square off for the vacant lightweight crown.

With odds for the matchup officially released to boot, according to online bookmaker, SportsBetting.ag – Oliveira, who is riding a division-best 11-fight winning spree, has opened as a quite the surprising +195 betting underdog.

Islam Makhachev is in the midst of a seven-year unbeaten run

As for the dominant Islam Makhachev, who has yet to suffer defeat since a 2015 knockout loss to Oliveira’s compatriot, Adriano Martins, sits as a betting favorite – with lines placing him at -230 against the former lightweight kingpin.

In his sole successful defense of the undisputed lightweight crown, Oliveira, the promotion’s most prolific submission threat, stopped another former interim champion, Dustin Poirier with a third round standing rear-naked choke back in December at UFC 269.

Lauren Murphy Reflects On Bloody Win Over Miesha Tate At UFC Long Island: ‘I’m A Bad Motherf*cker’

Landing one of the most impressive victories of her Octagon tenure to date, one-time flyweight title challenger, Lauren Murphy has labeled herself as a “bad motherf*cker” off the back of a dominant unanimous decision win over former bantamweight best, Miesha Tate. Murphy, who challenged flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko for undisputed divisional gold last September in […]

Murphy, who challenged flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko for undisputed divisional gold last September in the co-headliner of UFC 266, suffered a one-sided fourth round knockout loss.

Returning to the Octagon for the first time since in Saturday’s main card opener at UFC Long Island, Murphy bloodied and battered divisional newcomer, Tate over the course of three rounds to land a unanimous decision win over the Washington veteran.

Slicing Tate with a series of strikes, Murphy appeared to break the former’s nose in the second round, as well as cause severe damage to her left orbital bone, landing a bruising elbow on the break of a clinch exchange.

Reflecting on her impressive win over former undisputed bantamweight best, Tate, Murphy told assembled media how good it felt to mix all her weapons at the UBS Arena event.

“I feel good,” Lauren Murphy said. “I feel good that I was able to take her down, feel good about the elbows I landed. It felt good that she couldn’t take me down. Soon as my butt hit the ground, I was right back up. I wrestled hard. I stayed focused. A lot of the stuff that we did in practice happened tonight, and it just feels good to come back and get a win over a former champion. Nobody’s going to walk over me in this division. And like I said in the interview, when I’m healthy and I’m focused, I’m a force.”

Lauren Murphy welcomes a title-eliminator at 125lbs next

Eyeing a potential title-eliminator against UFC Paris features, Katlyn Chookagian, or Manon Fiorot next, Murphy donned herself as a “bad motherf*cker” in the division.

“There’s been big victories that I’ve had where I’m almost in disbelief like, ‘Oh, I can’t believe I won that. That’s f*cking amazing.’” Lauren Murphy explained. “And right now, I feel like. ‘Yeah, I won that because I’m a badass. I’m a bad motherf*cker. I should’ve (won).’ I had the ability to win fights like that, and I feel like I’m right where I belong.” (Transcribed by BloodyElbow)

Stephen Thompson Reviews Israel Adesanya, Alex Pereira Kickboxing Fights: ‘Both Haven’t Changed A Lot’

Decorated veteran welterweight striker, Stephen Thompson has taken time to review UFC middleweight titleholder, Israel Adesnaya’s previous kickboxing matches against likely next title chaser, Alex Pereira – claiming that neither have changed their styles drastically in the years since. Thompson, a two-time title challenger under the UFC banner, competed for welterweight gold against then-champion, Tyron […]

Thompson, a two-time title challenger under the UFC banner, competed for welterweight gold against then-champion, Tyron Woodley in 2016 and 2017 – failing to dethrone the St. Louis promotional alum.

In the midst of a two-fight losing skid, Thompson has suffered a pair of back-to-back unanimous decision defeats to the duo of Belal Muhammad, and one-time title challenger, Gilbert Burns.

Breaking down the pair of GLORY Kickboxing matchups between UFC middleweight best, Adesanya, and the #6 ranked, Pereira back in 2016 and 2017 to boot.

Sharing his thoughts on Adesanya’s first matchup with Pereira; a contentious 2016 judging loss to the Brazilian, Thompson claimed that the former likely should have landed a victory on the judge’s scorecards.

“I did not see that at all,” Stephen Thompson said on his YouTube channel. “I did not see Alex (Pereira) winning that. That was definitely an Izzy (Israel Adesanya) fight (win). … What were the judges looking at? I have no idea.”

Fast forward a year in the pair’s subsequent rematch, Adesanya, once more likely winning the bout, found himself on the receiving end of quite the left hook from Pereira, felling him and rendering him unconscious for the first time in combat sports – and the last time since.

“He (Alex Pereira) throws that one and two, and if you notice, it was a real tight left hand,” Stephen Thompson said. “Izzy put his hand up to block, but instead of coming right onto the side, it became more of a straight in, which him him right on the jaw, putting him out.”

“Both guys haven’t changed a lot dramatically when it comes to their standup,” Stephen Thompson explained. “This is MMA. Anything can happen, anybody can look for a takedown. You’ve also got to go into the fight thinking that as well. You’ve got to prepare for that. Do I think Alex Pereira is going to look for a takedown? No. I think this fight’s going to to stay standing. I think it’s going to be a classic Muay Thai fight, including the elbows and more knees. … I think it’s going to be a great fight.”

Stephen Thompson picks Israel Adesanya to defeat Alex Pereira

Predicting a victory for Adesanya this time around, Thompson believes third time will prove the charm for the reigning middleweight kingpin.

“No matter what, I want to see this fight,” He said. “Who else is Izzy going to fight but Alex Pereira? These guys have history together. This is the only guy to put Izzy to sleep. I think they’ve got to run it back a third time, third time’s the charm. Izzy’s got to win it, that’s how I see it.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)