Tag: UFC 266

Kamaru Usman Responds To Nick Diaz’s Comments Ahead Of UFC 266

Kamaru UsmanKamaru Usman has responded to Nick Diaz‘s claims that he would “beat the s— out of him””. Diaz is set to take on Robbie Lawler in a five-round fight at UFC 266. It will be a rematch of a contest won over 17 years ago. However, in the lead-up to their contest, Diaz has said […]

Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman has responded to Nick Diaz‘s claims that he would “beat the s— out of him””.

Diaz is set to take on Robbie Lawler in a five-round fight at UFC 266. It will be a rematch of a contest won over 17 years ago. However, in the lead-up to their contest, Diaz has said he shouldn’t be fighting Lawler, but instead Usman. He even went so far as to say that he has a better shot at beating Usman than Lawler.

Usman has since taken to social media to respond to Diaz’s comments. The UFC welterweight champion appears to be amused by the statement, and willing to put it to the test.

I like that Energy!!!

While Diaz may have his eyes set on a bigger prize, he’s be best off not to overlook Lawler. Though ‘Ruthless’ is on a four-fight losing streak and dropped their first meeting, Diaz hasn’t competed sine the Obama presidency. Before he took a nearly 7 year break from the sport, he lost three in a row to Carlos Condit, Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva.

As for Usman, he’ll next defend his title in a rematch with Colby Covington at UFC 268. On top of his title, he will also be putting his sparkling 14-0 UFC record on the line as he draws closer to Anderson Silva’s win-streak record. Usman and Covington first met back at UFC 245 in December 2019. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ defended his title in a closely fought, back-and-forth affair, eventually getting the stoppage in the fifth and final round.

A fight between Usman and Diaz should both men prove victorious in their upcoming bouts might not make sense on paper, the Stockton native is a proven draw, and both Usman and the UFC have been willing to give title opportunities to whoever brings the most eyeballs to the fight.

while a number of things would have to fall into place, an Usman-Diaz title fight could come to fruition in 2022, and you most likely won’t see a whole lot of MMA fans complaining about it.

Do you wan to see Kamaru Usman take on Nick Diaz? Let us know!

Lauren Murphy Shares A Potential Path To Victory Against Shevchenko

Lauren Murphy will challenge for Valentina Shevchenko’s 125-pound belt this weekend and believes she may have found a kink in the armor of the “Bullet.” Flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko will look to make history against Lauren Murphy this Saturday with a potential sixth title defense. The Kyrgyzstan native captured UFC gold in 2018 and has […]

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Lauren Murphy will challenge for Valentina Shevchenko’s 125-pound belt this weekend and believes she may have found a kink in the armor of the “Bullet.”

Flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko will look to make history against Lauren Murphy this Saturday with a potential sixth title defense. The Kyrgyzstan native captured UFC gold in 2018 and has laid waste to the 125-pound division since wearing the crown. While many thought Jéssica Andrade would present the stiffest test for Shevchenko with her violent slams and jousting hooks, Shevchenko won in utter dominance and showed why she believes she will sit atop the throne forever.

Nonetheless, accolades will not matter to Lauren Murphy who has been cutting her teeth on the MMA scene since 2010. In Murphy’s claim to her first shot at gold, the Alaskan fighter has notched five wins in a row against all UFC-ranked opponents at 125 pounds.

Speaking to MMA News reporter James Lynch, Murphy illuminated a possible avenue of success when she offered to put her clinch game on the line against anybody—including “The Bullet”.

“I just have a lot of respect for her as a champion. Obviously, she’s known for her kickboxing, but I think she has probably the best clinch in all of women’s MMA. And I’ve always said I’m willing to put my clinch on the line with anybody. So I’m really excited to see how it matches up against Valentina because I truly believe her clinch is one of the best in the world. Her ground game is actually super-underrated.

“So just watching her, I mean, she does have a submission win over Julianna Peña, who’s known for her ground game. I watched the way that she dealt with Jennifer Maia on the ground, who’s a black belt. Valentina has super, super, super good hips, and she knows how to move.” Murphy said.

Lauren Murphy will have the chance to fight and become only the third flyweight champion in UFC history. Inside a packed T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, UFC 266: Volkanovski vs. Ortega will not only feature two title fights but the return of the one and only Nick Diaz. In a rematch seventeen years in the making, Diaz will face Robbie Lawler right before Murphy attempts to rip the title from the hands of one of the most dominant champions in UFC history.

Do you think Lauren Murphy can pull off the upset at UFC 266?

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Jessica Andrade Open To Changing Weight Classes After UFC 266

AndradeJessica Andrade says she’s willing to return to either of her former weight classes if the opportunity is right. Andrade is the first women in UFC history to win a fight in three different weight classes. After starting her career at bantamweight, she won the title at strawweight before challenger for the flyweight title in […]

Andrade

Jessica Andrade says she’s willing to return to either of her former weight classes if the opportunity is right.

Andrade is the first women in UFC history to win a fight in three different weight classes. After starting her career at bantamweight, she won the title at strawweight before challenger for the flyweight title in just her second fight in the division.

She now meets Cynthia Calvillo on the main card of UFC 266. Despite appearing to be at home in the flyweight division, Andrade says she is willing to fight at strawweight or bantamweight again if it means a better opportunity.

“It was the opportunity – Cynthia called me out and it worked out,” Andrade told MMA Junkie at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “But I’m still considering fighting at strawweight at 115 (pounds), and even if the UFC wants me to fight at 135, I’m ready to.

“I’m ready to make a statement. This Saturday is not going to be different. I want people to talk about me the next day, and I’m sure they will talk about me.”

Two women that Andrade is quite familiar with, Rose Namajunas and Zhang Weili, are set to fight for the UFC strawweight title at UFC 268. Regardless of who wins, ‘Bate Estaca’ would be more than happy to face the champion in a rematch if the UFC is willing to make it happen.

“I’d fought both, but Weili was very quick (when she lost to Namajunas),” Andrade said. “I think this time the fight is not going to be that quick. I think it’s going to be a five-round fight and maybe Rose is going to win by points. Maybe the UFC will give me the chance to fight Rose again or Weili, whoever wins the fight. A third fight against Rose or Weili.”

A fight against either woman would be sure to grab MMA fans attention. Andrade is 1-1 against Namajunas; she defeated her by second-round TKO in their first meeting to claim the championship, but lost a three-round decision in the rematch. However, the second fight was a back-and-forth affair that had Andrade looking like she was in complete control towards the end of the fight. A five-round fight between the two is almost guaranteed to produce fireworks.

As for Weili, she quickly ran through Andrade in their fight, taking the title away from her in less than a minute. The quick nature of the fight has had many fans wondering what a rematch between the two would look like ever since.

Andrade’s style has long made her a fan favourite, and her willingness to change weight classes for the best fight is sure to only endear her even more so. Should she come out victorious on Saturday night, it will be interesting to see what the UFC offers her going forward, and what weight class she next appears in.

What division do you think Jessica Andrade should compete in? Let us know!

Quote: Nick Diaz’s Requested Weight Swap Is Foul Play, Almost Cheating

Former UFC lightweight Din Thomas has slammed Nick Diaz for requesting a weight class swap for his fight against Robbie Lawler less than a week before the event. Diaz is set to return this weekend at UFC 266 in what will be the UFC’s second ever non-title and non-main event five-round fight. The first featured […]

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Former UFC lightweight Din Thomas has slammed Nick Diaz for requesting a weight class swap for his fight against Robbie Lawler less than a week before the event.

Diaz is set to return this weekend at UFC 266 in what will be the UFC’s second ever non-title and non-main event five-round fight. The first featured his younger brother Nate, who took on Leon Edwards across 25 minutes at UFC 263 in June. In a rematch 17 years in the making, the Stockton native will take on Lawler. The pair first met at UFC 47 in 2004, where Diaz emerged victorious via a second-round knockout.

Despite fight week being well underway for the September pay-per-view, the matchup ran into a late hurdle. Diaz, who’s last fight was a middleweight clash against Anderson Silva, requested that the weight class for his return be changed from 170 to 185 pounds. Despite some trepidation about why the change was necessary, “Ruthless” has agreed to fight at middleweight.

Diaz’s request has drawn criticism from all corners of the MMA community. The latest to voice their dismay at the situation is Din Thomas. During an episode of MMA Today on MMA on SiriusXM, the fighter-turned-analyst said the difference in weight Lawler is now expected to make is far too big for such short notice.

“I don’t like it, honestly. I don’t like the fact he would pull this on Robbie so close to the fight. There’s a 15-pound difference. That’s a big deal. We’re not talking a five-pound, ‘Yo, let’s make it a catchweight.’ We’re talking a 15-pound difference. And Robbie’s not a big guy anyway. So the fact that Nick Diaz is probably like, ‘Yeah, you know what? I don’t feel like making the weight. So I’m just gonna ask for 185. If they don’t take it, then screw ’em.’”

Thomas went on to suggest that the move is almost cheating on the part of Diaz. The 44-year-old added that if he was Lawler, he wouldn’t have accepted the change.

“To me, that’s foul play, man. That’s almost like cheating, to be honest. I mean, we put so much on weight-cutting. I mean, that’s the one thing that everyone puts a lot of value into, and that’s making weight. Making weight. But then, when two days before the fight or weigh-in, you go, ‘Nah, I want 15 pounds?’ To me, that is almost like cheating or just saying, ‘Yo, I didn’t want to make the weight.’ I think it’s unfair to Robbie. If I was Robbie, I don’t think I would’ve took it.”

Nevertheless, barring any other late incidents, the return of Nick Diaz looks set to go down this weekend inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. The 38-year-old hasn’t fought since his no contest against Silva in 2015 (originally a decision win for Silva), and is without a win since his victory over BJ Penn in 2011.

Lawler, meanwhile, became the UFC Welterweight Champion in 2014. He successfully defended the title against Rory MacDonald and Carlos Condit, before dropping it to Tyron Woodley at UFC 201. Despite riding a four-fight losing skid into Saturday’s fight, “Ruthless” has fought eight times since Diaz’s last appearance.

What do you make of Nick Diaz’s late request to change the fight from welterweight to middleweight?

Continue Reading Quote: Nick Diaz’s Requested Weight Swap Is Foul Play, Almost Cheating at MMA News.

Brian Ortega Doesn’t Care For Volkanovski’s Trash Talk

Brian Ortega is fired up ahead of UFC 266. Just days before their featherweight title bout, Brian Ortega ripped into Alexander Volkanovski for some of his comments leading up to their UFC 266 main event. Wednesday, Ortega spoke with MMA Junkie and went on an expletive-filled tirade when discussing his opponent’s verbal attacks on him.  […]

Continue Reading Brian Ortega Doesn’t Care For Volkanovski’s Trash Talk at MMA News.

Brian Ortega is fired up ahead of UFC 266.

Just days before their featherweight title bout, Brian Ortega ripped into Alexander Volkanovski for some of his comments leading up to their UFC 266 main event. Wednesday, Ortega spoke with MMA Junkie and went on an expletive-filled tirade when discussing his opponent’s verbal attacks on him. 

“I’m not here to talk sh*t. If he has something to say, I’ll talk to him one-on-one when there’s no cameras. F*ck the bullsh*t. I’ll come get you in person if you really want to go there. I’ll come get you in the elevator if you want. I think if me and him were to be in a room and actually hang out for real, we’d be good acquaintances. But other than that I’m going to let him f*cking butcher the sales pitch for this fight.”

Ortega burst onto the scene finishing his first six opponents in the UFC. His seventh victory, a crushing knockout over a perennial contender in Frankie Edgar, led to Ortega’s first title shot in 2018. In that bout, Max Holloway would completely demolish “T-City.” Ortega overcame the beating and a knee injury and stepped back into the Octagon last year. 

Then, Ortega put on an impressive performance of his own over Chan Sung Jung and earned another crack at the belt. Ortega looked like a different fighter and credits lifestyle changes for the feat. 

“I’ve changed everything about my life, down to where I live to the way I eat to the way I train, the people that are in my corner,” Ortega said. “Everything is new and improved. The only thing you can do after a loss is see if you can get better. Pick yourself up. That’s what I did. That’s the journey. You fight and you win, or you fight and you lose, and then you get better or get worse. And if you get worse you’ve got to keep getting better. That’s the sport that we’re in.”

Brian Ortega and Alexander Volkanovski will get the chance to settle their beef this weekend at UFC 266. The pair were originally scheduled to meet in March, but COVID-19 and filming The Ultimate Fighter delayed their meeting.

Continue Reading Brian Ortega Doesn’t Care For Volkanovski’s Trash Talk at MMA News.

Cynthia Calvillo Shares Her Thoughts On A Valentina Shevchenko Fight

The #5-ranked UFC flyweight Cynthia Calvillo believes a pairing with Valentina Shevchenko would highlight the potency of her ground game. Ahead of UFC 266 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, flyweight champ Shevchenko is on a violent quest for a sixth title defense. In her destructive path will be Lauren Murphy, who enters […]

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The #5-ranked UFC flyweight Cynthia Calvillo believes a pairing with Valentina Shevchenko would highlight the potency of her ground game.

Ahead of UFC 266 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, flyweight champ Shevchenko is on a violent quest for a sixth title defense. In her destructive path will be Lauren Murphy, who enters the contest on a five-fight winning streak. However, also performing in the same building will be the rising contender Cynthia Calvillo, who faces Shevchenko’s last opponent, Jéssica Andrade.

Ahead of her pairing with “Bate Estaca” at UFC 266, Calvillo is confident her ground game would give the “Bullet” fits. The flyweight maintained that her training in Las Vegas is paying dividends toward her development as an elite UFC fighter.

Speaking with MMA News’ James Lynch, the 9-fight UFC veteran explained that her grappling strength poses serious threats to the division’s titleholder.

“I think it’s gonna be your typical stylistic striker vs. grappler match. Obviously, I gotta be really careful with the striking. We know that she also has a good ground game as well. And I feel like I have the best ground game in the division, and I really feel like that’s gonna give her the worst trouble there. I know Jennifer Maia tried to hold her against the fence and stuff but couldn’t really hold her down for too long, but she’s probably the closest to doing it.

“So yeah, that’s how I see the fight. I think I have a really good chance. Cynthia Calvillo said. I’ve leveled up a ton while being here in Las Vegas, and I’m extremely confident in myself facing Valentina in the future.”

Calvillo was last seen in the Octagon against Katlyn Chookagian in November of 2020. The California native suffered a unanimous decision defeat. Preceding her loss to Chookagian, Calvillo was certainly gathering steam as she managed to outpoint Jessica Eye en route to a decision win in a headlining bout for UFC Vegas 2.

The flyweight will seek to erase memories of defeat at UFC 266 and reinstate herself as the next most viable contender for the champion that many are viewing as the UFC’s current boogeywoman.

Do you think Calvillo’s ground game will give Shevchenko problems?

Continue Reading Cynthia Calvillo Shares Her Thoughts On A Valentina Shevchenko Fight at MMA News.