Tag: MMA News

Michael Chandler Calls For 2022 Clash With Conor McGregor In His UFC Return

Michael ChandlerTasked with bringing an end to a two-fight losing skid following UFC 268 last weekend — Michael Chandler has sights firmly planted on welcoming former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor back to the Octagon next year — with the Dubliner sharing the same sentiment it appears. Chandler, who opened the main card of UFC 268 on […]

Michael Chandler

Tasked with bringing an end to a two-fight losing skid following UFC 268 last weekend — Michael Chandler has sights firmly planted on welcoming former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor back to the Octagon next year — with the Dubliner sharing the same sentiment it appears.

Chandler, who opened the main card of UFC 268 on Saturday — turned in a Fight of the Year contender against former interim lightweight titleholder, Justin Gaethje, eventually suffering a unanimous decision loss to the Trevor Wittman student. 

The defeat came as Chandler’s second consecutively since his move from Bellator — where he clinched undisputed lightweight gold on three separate occasions. 

In his promotional bow earlier this year, Chandler made a massive splash — stopping recent UFC 267 feature, Dan Hooker with an explosive first round knockout victory. The win catapulted Chandler into a May vacant lightweight title challenge against Charles Oliveira — who stopped him with a second round rallying knockout effort.

The January debut came beneath a lightweight rematch between McGregor and former interim titleholder, Dustin Poirier, where the Dubliner suffered the first knockout loss of his professional mixed martial arts career — before he would find himself on the receiving end of a July doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Poirier after suffering a first round fracture of his left tibia.

In his time away from the Octagon, McGregor has been limited in regards to his ability to train whilst he recovers from his surgical procedure to address his leg injury. And is slated to feature in a charity wheelchair boxing match next month in his native Ireland.

Conor McGregor welcomes future showdown against Michael Chandler

Posting on his official Twitter account following his defeat to Gaethje — Chandler shared a fanmade picture of himself and the aforenoted, McGregor in a face-off, paired with the caption, “2022“.

In response to Chandler, McGregor praised his performance against Arizona native Gaethje on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, as well as maintaining his interest in eventually meeting with the Missouri native.

“I’m down at some stage for sure,” McGregor tweeted. “Great fight the other night Mike [Michael Chandler], congrats!“

Replying to McGregor soon thereafter, Chandler thanked McGregor for his praise, as well as claiming he would be seeing him in the not too distant future.

“Thank you sir,” Chandler tweeted. “It would be my pleasure. See you soon.“

Rose Namajunas Defends Title In Close Decision Win Over Zhang Weili – UFC 268 Highlights

Rose NamajunasAnd Still. Two-time UFC strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas has secured the first successful strawweight title defense of her second reign as champion — narrowly edging out former titleholder, Zhang Weili with a split decision (49-48, 48-49, 49-46) triumph in the co-headliner of UFC 268. Taking the opening round against the Hebei native with her accurate […]

Rose Namajunas

And Still. Two-time UFC strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas has secured the first successful strawweight title defense of her second reign as champion — narrowly edging out former titleholder, Zhang Weili with a split decision (49-48, 48-49, 49-46) triumph in the co-headliner of UFC 268.

Taking the opening round against the Hebei native with her accurate striking, Namajunas managed to score a lot more with her volume striking — with Weili looking to get the fight to the ground whenever possible.

Still entirely dangerous in the pocket and in close quarters, Weili managed to wobble Wisconsin native, Namajunas, and without dropping the champion — Weili’s striking especially during drawn-out exchanges seemed to grab the attention of the defending champion, as did the constant flurry of leg kicks.

Controlling the fight for some considerable time in the fifth round, Namajunas, under the tutelage of Trevor Wittman and Pat Barry took Weili down early in the fifth and final frame — controlling the challenger for some significant time on top prior to the final klaxon.

Below, catch the highlights from Namajunas’ successful defense against Weili.

VIDEO | Francis Ngannou, Ciryl Gane Have Awkward Run-In At UFC 268

Francis NgannouAhead of their upcoming UFC 270 heavyweight title unification clash at the turn of next year, division champions, Francis Ngannou and the interim gold holder, Ciryl Gane had somewhat of an awkward run-in backstage at UFC 268 tonight. Division kingpin, Ngannou, is scheduled to headline UFC 270 in January against brief former training partner, Gane […]

Francis Ngannou

Ahead of their upcoming UFC 270 heavyweight title unification clash at the turn of next year, division champions, Francis Ngannou and the interim gold holder, Ciryl Gane had somewhat of an awkward run-in backstage at UFC 268 tonight.

Division kingpin, Ngannou, is scheduled to headline UFC 270 in January against brief former training partner, Gane in a heavyweight title unification bout — after the introduction of a hugely-controversial interim title back in August.

Undefeated in his last five consecutive outings, Batie bruiser, Ngannou managed to snatch the undisputed heavyweight title back at UFC 260 in March of this year — stopping two-time foe and two-time champion, Stipe Miocic with a thunderous second round knockout.

In the time since, Ngannou was forced to remove himself from a planned heavyweight title rematch with Derrick Lewis due to scheduling conflicts, while a suggested pairing with former two-time light heavyweight best, Jon Jones fell to the wayside, ultimately.

As a result, the UFC introduced an interim title to the heavyweight fold — with the aforenoted, Gane handing common-foe, Lewis a one-sided third round knockout loss in the main event of UFC 265 in August to set up a title unification bout with his brief former training partner, Ngannou in January coming.

Whilst much has been made of Ngannou and Gane’s past relationship, particularly as training partners, it’s paramount to note that the pair of heavyweight forces briefly trained together, under the tutelage of the mastermind head coach, Fernand Lopez in Paris, France at the MMA Factory prior to Ngannou’s move to Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas under the guidance of Erik Nicksick. 

With the pair in attendance tonight at UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, footage emerged across Twitter detailing a quite awkward run-in between the two with Ngannou making his way through the backstage corridor — passing Gane and the aforenoted, Lopez — with the latter watching on suggesting Ngannou has spotted them, but elected against interacting. 

Alex Pereira Stops Andreas Michailidis With Stunning Flying Knee – UFC 268 Highlights

Alex PereiraWhat a spectacular finish for former GLORY Kickboxing light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira who makes his UFC debut in splendid fashion courtesy of a stunning second round flying knee knockout win over Andreas Michailidies in the featured preliminary bout of UFC 268. Struggling with the wrestling of Michailidis early in the opening frame, Pereira was […]

Alex Pereira

What a spectacular finish for former GLORY Kickboxing light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira who makes his UFC debut in splendid fashion courtesy of a stunning second round flying knee knockout win over Andreas Michailidies in the featured preliminary bout of UFC 268.

Struggling with the wrestling of Michailidis early in the opening frame, Pereira was taken down at the first attempt from the Greece native — before spending the majority of the remaining four minutes of the first round trapped in the clinch as Michailidis tied up at the fence.

Seeing a second round, Pereira launched with a staggering flying knee inside just 15-seconds of the opening frame, catching Michailidis flush — before landing a couple more strikes before referee, Dan Miragliotta eventually stepped in and saved Michailidis from further punishment.

Below, catch the highlights from Pereira’s successful UFC victory.

Nassourdine Imavov Slices Through Edmen Shahbazyan With Crucifix Elbows – UFC 268 Highlights

Nassourdine ImavovFactory MMA trainee, Nassourdine Imavov continues to impress in the UFC — handing the highly-touted, Edmen Shahbazyan his third consecutive loss following a series of slicing and slashing elbows from the mounted crucifix position late in the second round of his late preliminary card opener at UFC 268. Threatening with a series of submission attempts […]

Nassourdine Imavov

Factory MMA trainee, Nassourdine Imavov continues to impress in the UFC — handing the highly-touted, Edmen Shahbazyan his third consecutive loss following a series of slicing and slashing elbows from the mounted crucifix position late in the second round of his late preliminary card opener at UFC 268.

Threatening with a series of submission attempts before the eventual finish, Imavov, under the tutelage of the renowned, Fernand Lopez, looked to latch onto a trio of anaconda and D’Arce chokes as well as a high elbow guillotine, ultimately to no avail

As Shahbazyan attempted to secure his own guillotine by pulling guard, Imavov scrambled and eventually moved to a mounted crucifix position, continually opening up Shahbazyan with a series of slashing elbow strikes.

Below, catch the highlights from Imavov’s stoppage victory over Shahbazyan.

Chris Barnett Stops Gian Villante With Huge Wheel Kick, Celebrates With Frontflip – UFC 268 Highlights

Chris BarnettWhat a method to score your first UFC victory for Chris Barnett — who stops New York favorite, Gian Villante with a massive wheel kick and subsequent strikes in the second round of his UFC 268 preliminary bout. Spinning midway though the second round with a massive wheel kick, Barnett connected on the button — […]

Chris Barnett

What a method to score your first UFC victory for Chris Barnett — who stops New York favorite, Gian Villante with a massive wheel kick and subsequent strikes in the second round of his UFC 268 preliminary bout.

Spinning midway though the second round with a massive wheel kick, Barnett connected on the button — dropping the retiring Villante, before landing a slew of ground strikes as the latter shelled up.

Following the knockout victory — Barnett celebrated with a spectacular frontflip before encouraging the New York crowd to applaud the retiring Villante.

Below, catch the highlights from Barnett’s knockout victory.