Tag: Top Stories

Dricus Du Plessis To Israel Adesanya: ‘I’m Glad You Took Up Golf, Because That’s A Retirement Sport’

UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis had some strong words for Israel Adesanya when they went face to face for the first time since confirmation of their upcoming fight. In a bout that has been a long time in the making, Du Plessis will put his 185-pound gold on the line against the division’s former […]

Continue Reading Dricus Du Plessis To Israel Adesanya: ‘I’m Glad You Took Up Golf, Because That’s A Retirement Sport’ at MMA News.

UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis had some strong words for Israel Adesanya when they went face to face for the first time since confirmation of their upcoming fight.

In a bout that has been a long time in the making, Du Plessis will put his 185-pound gold on the line against the division’s former two-time champ at UFC 305 on August 17.

The contest in Perth, Australia, will mark Adesanya’s long-awaited return to action almost a year on from his shock setback at the hands of Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in Sydney last September.

That matchup came about after number one contender “Stillknocks” was unable to make the turnaround after his victory over Robert Whittaker through injury. While that delayed the settling of Du Plessis and Adesanya’s grudge, the South African’s subsequent title crowning in Toronto, Canada, this past January brought it back to the surface.

And ahead of their showdown at RAC Arena next month, the pair went face to face in Perth this week for an on-sale press conference, where they were joined on stage by UFC 305 flyweight opponents Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg.

Du Plessis Uses Golf Jibe To Outline Plan To ‘Retire’ Adesanya

As expected, the historical and sensitive nature of Du Plessis and Adesanya’s heated rivalry was a topic of conversation on stage, with the latter again commenting on the South African’s claim regarding African champs.

After reiterating his defense of that controversy from last year, Du Plessis went in a different direction, using Adesanya’s apparent newfound fondness for golf to predict his impending retirement.

“I’m glad you took up golf, because that’s a retirement sport,” Du Plessis said.

During the presser, the pair also engaged in one of the lengthiest and most intense faceoffs in recent memory on stage.

Suffice to say, there will be plenty more of that when the pair cross paths for promotional events during UFC 305 fight week in August, at the end of which Adesanya will hope to emerge with a third middleweight rule underway.

Continue Reading Dricus Du Plessis To Israel Adesanya: ‘I’m Glad You Took Up Golf, Because That’s A Retirement Sport’ at MMA News.

UFC 305 On-Sale Press Conference Highlights: Dricus Du Plessis & Israel Adesanya Have Tense Faceoff In Perth

The top fighters confirmed to be in action at UFC 305 on August 17 took to the stage for an on-sale press conference in the event’s host city this week. Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will return to Perth next month for the first time since last February. On that occasion, the RAC Arena played […]

Continue Reading UFC 305 On-Sale Press Conference Highlights: Dricus Du Plessis & Israel Adesanya Have Tense Faceoff In Perth at MMA News.

The top fighters confirmed to be in action at UFC 305 on August 17 took to the stage for an on-sale press conference in the event’s host city this week.

Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will return to Perth next month for the first time since last February. On that occasion, the RAC Arena played host to local favorite Alexander Volkanovski’s competitive lightweight title challenge against Islam Makhachev.

This time around, the venue will mark the location for the long-awaited comeback of another standout from the Oceanic region, former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.

Having not competed since his second reign came to a sudden end at the hands of Sean Strickland in Sydney last September, “The Last Stylebender” will look to return to the throne at the expense of rival Dricus Du Plessis, who unseated Strickland at UFC 297 in Toronto this past January.

Also on the lineup is a teammate of Adesanya’s in Kai Kara-France. With concussion issues keeping him out of a fight close to home 10 months ago and leaving him without Octagon action since a narrow loss to Amir Albazi last May, “Don’t Blink” will look to reinsert his name into the title conversation at flyweight.

He likely won’t have the backing of the crowd on August 17, however, as he goes up against Perth’s own Steve Erceg. The contest will mark “Astroboy’s” first since falling short of Alexandre Pantoja’s 125-pound gold at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro a couple of months ago.

With Fight Club Pre-Sale starting on Tuesday, the promotion hosted a press conference in Perth, where Du Plessis, Adesanya, Kara-France, and Erceg all had mics in hand.

See below for a full replay of the presser, followed by all the highlights and one of the longest, most intense faceoffs in recent memory between the two UFC 305 headliners.

UFC 305 Press Conference Replay

UFC 305 Press Conference Highlights

UFC 305 Press Conference Faceoff

Continue Reading UFC 305 On-Sale Press Conference Highlights: Dricus Du Plessis & Israel Adesanya Have Tense Faceoff In Perth at MMA News.

UFC Rankings Report: Alex Pereira Surpasses Jon Jones On Pound-For-Pound List After UFC 303

As always, the latest action on offer inside the Octagon has seen some climb the ladder toward contention and others fall away. And in the aftermath of UFC 303, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings. Men’s Pound-For-Pound: Given how firm he’s been in laughing off suggestions that Islam Makhachev […]

Continue Reading UFC Rankings Report: Alex Pereira Surpasses Jon Jones On Pound-For-Pound List After UFC 303 at MMA News.

As always, the latest action on offer inside the Octagon has seen some climb the ladder toward contention and others fall away.

And in the aftermath of UFC 303, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

Men’s Pound-For-Pound: Given how firm he’s been in laughing off suggestions that Islam Makhachev should be ranked above Jon Jones in the P4P pecking order, Dana White likely won’t be pleased with the latest update. As first reported by renowned journalist John Morgan, the UFC heavyweight champion has dropped a further position to #3.

Now in his place at #2 is Alex Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight kingpin who cemented his grip on the crown with a second victory over Ji?í Procházka at UFC 303. That result has boosted “Poatan” above both Leon Edwards (#4) and Jones on the P4P list.

Women’s Pound-for-Pound: TBA

Women’s Strawweight: TBA

Women’s Flyweight: TBA

Women’s Bantamweight: TBA

Flyweight: TBA

Bantamweight: TBA

Featherweight: TBA

Lightweight: TBA

Welterweight: TBA

Middleweight: TBA

Light Heavyweight: TBA

Heavyweight: TBA

You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

Continue Reading UFC Rankings Report: Alex Pereira Surpasses Jon Jones On Pound-For-Pound List After UFC 303 at MMA News.

VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Reacts To Longtime Rival Alex Pereira’s Knockout Of Ji?í Procházka At UFC 303

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya had a stoic reaction as Alex Pereira rendered Ji?í Procházka unconscious. Pereira headlined this past weekend’s UFC 303 pay-per-view in defense of his light heavyweight title. The Brazilian, who previously held the belt at 185 pounds, was once again tasked with stalling Procházka’s pursuit of two-time status. While […]

Continue Reading VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Reacts To Longtime Rival Alex Pereira’s Knockout Of Ji?í Procházka At UFC 303 at MMA News.

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya had a stoic reaction as Alex Pereira rendered Ji?í Procházka unconscious.

Pereira headlined this past weekend’s UFC 303 pay-per-view in defense of his light heavyweight title. The Brazilian, who previously held the belt at 185 pounds, was once again tasked with stalling Procházka’s pursuit of two-time status.

While the finish of their first fight back at UFC 295 last November left many dissatisfied and bemoaning the stoppage as early, that was not the case second time around, as “Poatan” brutally knocking “BJP” out with a head kick and follow-up punches on the ground.

As has become a common occurrence whenever he enters the cage, Pereira’s latest triumph once again had fans in the arena and at home on their feet yelling Joe Rogan-esque screams.

But one man’s reaction was a far cry from that…

Adesanya Reacts To Pereira vs. Procházka 2: ‘Damn, That’s Bad’

In a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Adesanya and some of his training partners can be seen reacting to the events that unfolded at the International Fight Week event on June 29.

The Nigerian-New Zealander had a strong connection to the main event, having faced Pereira four times across mixed martial arts and kickboxing, defeating him once by way of KO last April.

Since the pair last faced off, Pereira has flattened his opponents three times with his renowned power. With that, Adesanya was seemingly not at all shocked by Saturday’s finish and remained stoically reclined on his couch as “Poatan” floored his Czech counterpart with a head kick.

“Damn, that is bad. Oh, that is bad,” Adesanya said in the immediate after of the finish. “This card was cursed”

Much has been made about the potential of Pereira and Adesanya competing their MMA trilogy up at light heavyweight down the line.

For now, “The Last Stylebender” has his sights set on regaining the middleweight gold and settling his grudge with another rival in Dricus Du Plessis, whom Adesanya has gone back and forth with for well over a year.

They’re set to headline the upcoming UFC 305 event in Perth, Australia, on August 17.

Continue Reading VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Reacts To Longtime Rival Alex Pereira’s Knockout Of Ji?í Procházka At UFC 303 at MMA News.

VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Reacts To Longtime Rival Alex Pereira’s Knockout Of Ji?í Procházka At UFC 303

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya had a stoic reaction as Alex Pereira rendered Ji?í Procházka unconscious. Pereira headlined this past weekend’s UFC 303 pay-per-view in defense of his light heavyweight title. The Brazilian, who previously held the belt at 185 pounds, was once again tasked with stalling Procházka’s pursuit of two-time status. While […]

Continue Reading VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Reacts To Longtime Rival Alex Pereira’s Knockout Of Ji?í Procházka At UFC 303 at MMA News.

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya had a stoic reaction as Alex Pereira rendered Ji?í Procházka unconscious.

Pereira headlined this past weekend’s UFC 303 pay-per-view in defense of his light heavyweight title. The Brazilian, who previously held the belt at 185 pounds, was once again tasked with stalling Procházka’s pursuit of two-time status.

While the finish of their first fight back at UFC 295 last November left many dissatisfied and bemoaning the stoppage as early, that was not the case second time around, as “Poatan” brutally knocking “BJP” out with a head kick and follow-up punches on the ground.

As has become a common occurrence whenever he enters the cage, Pereira’s latest triumph once again had fans in the arena and at home on their feet yelling Joe Rogan-esque screams.

But one man’s reaction was a far cry from that…

Adesanya Reacts To Pereira vs. Procházka 2: ‘Damn, That’s Bad’

In a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Adesanya and some of his training partners can be seen reacting to the events that unfolded at the International Fight Week event on June 29.

The Nigerian-New Zealander had a strong connection to the main event, having faced Pereira four times across mixed martial arts and kickboxing, defeating him once by way of KO last April.

Since the pair last faced off, Pereira has flattened his opponents three times with his renowned power. With that, Adesanya was seemingly not at all shocked by Saturday’s finish and remained stoically reclined on his couch as “Poatan” floored his Czech counterpart with a head kick.

“Damn, that is bad. Oh, that is bad,” Adesanya said in the immediate after of the finish. “This card was cursed”

Much has been made about the potential of Pereira and Adesanya competing their MMA trilogy up at light heavyweight down the line.

For now, “The Last Stylebender” has his sights set on regaining the middleweight gold and settling his grudge with another rival in Dricus Du Plessis, whom Adesanya has gone back and forth with for well over a year.

They’re set to headline the upcoming UFC 305 event in Perth, Australia, on August 17.

Continue Reading VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Reacts To Longtime Rival Alex Pereira’s Knockout Of Ji?í Procházka At UFC 303 at MMA News.

UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Brandon Royval Decisions Tatsuro Taira

UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!  In the main event, top-five flyweights Brandon Royval (#1) and Tatsuro Taira (#5) clashed. While in the co-main event, Brad Tavares faced JunYong Park in a middleweight matchup.  UFC Fight Night Results: […]

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Brandon Royval Decisions Tatsuro Taira at MMA News.

UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

In the main event, top-five flyweights Brandon Royval (#1) and Tatsuro Taira (#5) clashed. While in the co-main event, Brad Tavares faced JunYong Park in a middleweight matchup. 

UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

  • Flyweight Main Event: Brandon Royval def. Tatsuro Taira via split decision (48-47×2, 47-48)
  • Middleweight Co-Main Event: JunYong Park def. Brad Tavares via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
  • Welterweight: Chidi Njokuani def. Jared Gooden via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
  • Lightweight: Grant Dawson def. Rafa Garcia via TKO: R2, 1.42
  • Welterweight: Daniel Rodriguez def. Alex Morono via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29) 
  • Flyweight: Ramazonbek Temirov def. CJ Vergara via TKO: R1, 2.50

Preliminary Card

  • Featherweight: Pat Sabatini def. Jonathan Pearce via submission: R1, 4.06
  • Welterweight: Themba Gorimbo def. Niko Price via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
  • Heavyweight: Junior Tafa def. Sean Sharaf via TKO: R2, 2.15
  • Women’s Strawweight: Julia Polastri def. Cory McKenna via split decision (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)
  • Bantamweight: Cody Haddon def. Dan Argueta via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

Flyweight: Clayton Carpenter def. Lucas Rocha via submission: R2, 2.12

Preliminary Card Highlights

Clayton Carpenter def. Lucas Rocha

In this flyweight bout, Clayton Carpenter locked in a rear-naked choke to get the win against Lucas Rocha.

Junior Tafa def. Sean Sharaf

Junior Tafa got it done with a TKO of Sean Sharaf in round two of their heavyweight bout.

Pat Sabatini def. Jonathan Pearce

Pat Sabatini earned a first-round submission against Jonathan Pearce in their featherweight bout.

Main Card Highlights

Ramazonbek Temirov def. CJ Vergara

Making his UFC debut, Ramazonbek Temirov earned a first-round TKO against CJ Vergara in their flyweight matchup.

Daniel Rodriguez def. Alex Morono

In this welterweight matchup, Daniel Rodriguez earned a split decision win against Alex Morono.

Grant Dawson def. Rafa Garcia

Grant Dawson got it done with a TKO of Rafa Garcia in the second round of their lightweight bout.

Chidi Njokuani def. Jared Gooden

Chidi Njokuani earned a unanimous decision against Jared Gooden in their welterweight matchup.

JunYong Park def. Brad Tavares

In the co-main event, JunYong Park earned a split decision win against Brad Tavares.

Brandon Royval def. Tatsuro Taira

In the main event, Brandon Royval earned a split decision victory against Tatsuro Taira.

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Brandon Royval Decisions Tatsuro Taira at MMA News.