Tag: UFC 267

Alexander Volkov Waiting To See How Heavyweight Division Plays Out Before Returning

Alexander VolkovAlexander Volkov will not be in any rush to compete again for now. Volkov returned to the win column with a unanimous decision victory over Marcin Tybura in their heavyweight contest at UFC 267 last night in Abu Dhabi. Although it wasn’t the most exciting fight by any means, it was important for Volkov to […]

Alexander Volkov

Alexander Volkov will not be in any rush to compete again for now.

Volkov returned to the win column with a unanimous decision victory over Marcin Tybura in their heavyweight contest at UFC 267 last night in Abu Dhabi.

Although it wasn’t the most exciting fight by any means, it was important for Volkov to return to winning ways after his last outing against Ciryl Gane saw him suffer defeat.

As for his next fight? Volkov doesn’t have any names in mind for two reasons.

First, his wife gave birth to a son just over a week ago which means it’s family time for the Russian next. However, Volkov is also in a weird situation with three of his recent defeats coming to contenders ranked above him in Gane, Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis.

That is why he will wait for the division to play out in the near future.

“Right now, I don’t have any names because how I told in the octagon, 11 days ago, my youngest son was born,” Volkov said at the post fight news conference (via MMA Junkie). “Right now, I just want to take a little bit of rest to be with my family. After maybe a month, we’ll see what happened in heavyweight, who will be in the rankings because I lost some fights to guys upward from me.

“Maybe we’ll see if one of them wants to make a rematch with me. We will see but I’m ready for any challenge the UFC will give me. I’m here just to do my job.”

A rematch with Lewis seems fitting at the moment.

Who should Alexander Volkov face next?

Islam Makhachev Hoping For Title Shot Next, Believes Dustin Poirier Will Become Champion

Islam MakhachevIslam Makhachev believes he is more than ready for a title shot. Makhachev made short of work of Dan Hooker as he quickly submitted him with a kimura lock in the first round of their lightweight contest at UFC 267 last night. The nature of the win as well as the fact that he is […]

Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev believes he is more than ready for a title shot.

Makhachev made short of work of Dan Hooker as he quickly submitted him with a kimura lock in the first round of their lightweight contest at UFC 267 last night.

The nature of the win as well as the fact that he is now on a nine-fight winning streak gives Makhachev more than a good case of getting the next title shot.

He certainly feels that way.

“I feel good because I show my level – I don’t know how many minutes (it took),” Makhachev said at the UFC 267 post-fight news conference (via MMA Junkie). “Now everybody going to talk like Hooker is an easy opponent, he don’t have grappling or wrestling. Hooker is tough. He beat a lot of wrestling, grappling guy took. He beat Gilbert Burns, many guys.

“I think I deserve now. When (Michael) Chandler beat Hooker they give him title fight. Why not (me)? I am ready, too. I’m here not to beat 15 people and fight. I have nine fights (in a row now).”

Makhachev Predicts Poirier Over Oliveira

Of course, it’s not set in stone.

Justin Gaethje battles Michael Chandler at UFC 268 next week and an emphatic victory for either could earn themselves the next crack at the title.

However, Makhachev still feels he has done more than enough to face the winner of the upcoming lightweight title fight between current champion Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 on December 11.

Should he get the opportunity, Makhachev also expects to be facing Poirier next.

“I think Poirier is gonna beat Oliveira,” Makhachev added. “Many things going to change in next couple months. That’s why I’m going to wait.”

Dana White Touts “Special” Khamzat Chimaev After Win At UFC 267

UFC President Dana White didn’t hold back when discussing Khamzat Chimaev’s flawless performance at UFC 267 against Li Jingliang.

Chimaev, who was making his return to the UFC Octagon after nearly a year away due to a severe case of COVID-19, ragdo…

Khamzat Chimaev Dana White

UFC President Dana White didn’t hold back when discussing Khamzat Chimaev’s flawless performance at UFC 267 against Li Jingliang.

Chimaev, who was making his return to the UFC Octagon after nearly a year away due to a severe case of COVID-19, ragdolled Jingliang with his wrestling to earn the first-round finish. In addition to earning the submission, Chimaev also showed his confidence by attempting to have a full-on conversation with White while grappling with Jingliang.

Chimaev will more than likely enter the UFC welterweight rankings this week after his UFC 267 victory, and could get a top contender for his next Octagon appearance. During his UFC 267 post-fight press conference, White had a lot to say about the talented Russian fighter.

Dana White Certain Khamzat Chimaev Will Break Into The Top 10

“Last time we were here [in Abu Dhabi], we knew this guy was special,” White said. “It’s tough once you start to break into the top 10, which he will do on Tuesday. But yeah, listen, if he wants to stay busy, I’m a big believer in that anyway, especially with the huge layoff he’s had. We would figure it out if that’s really what he wanted to do.”

Chimaev called out top welterweight contenders such as Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz for his next fight. Masvidal is slated to face Leon Edwards at UFC 269, while Diaz is still awaiting a fight booking and appears at odds with the UFC brass.

Chimaev rose to prominence in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, earning three-straight finishes within just over two months. Before signing with the UFC, Chimaev made a name for himself in Brave CF, with an undefeated record with the promotion.

Chimaev is known to want to keep busy, and he didn’t suffer virtually any damage against Jingliang. We could see the UFC star return to the Octagon sooner rather than later.

Do you think Khamzat Chimaev is a future UFC champion?

Continue Reading Dana White Touts “Special” Khamzat Chimaev After Win At UFC 267 at MMA News.

Glover Teixeira Posts Statement Following UFC 267: ‘Feels Pretty Damn Good’ To Be Champion

Glover TeixeiraGlover Teixeira is enjoying life as a champion. Teixeira made headlines last night after he became the new light heavyweight king following a second-round submission win over Jan Blachowicz in the UFC 267 headliner in Abu Dhabi. In the process, he became the second-oldest UFC champion at 42 as well as the oldest first-time undisputed […]

Glover Teixeira

Glover Teixeira is enjoying life as a champion.

Teixeira made headlines last night after he became the new light heavyweight king following a second-round submission win over Jan Blachowicz in the UFC 267 headliner in Abu Dhabi.

In the process, he became the second-oldest UFC champion at 42 as well as the oldest first-time undisputed UFC champion.

It was a feel-good moment in the MMA world especially given the nature of Teixeira’s win and how far he had come to achieve this goal.

The Brazilian reflected on what it meant to achieve his goal on Sunday as he sent a message to his fans.

“I always wondered what it would be like to be champion… and how i would feel the day after the fight. Now I know, and It feels pretty damn good! Thank you to everyone for the love, support, tweets… Love you all!”

Teixeira notably failed in his first attempt at becoming a light heavyweight champion back in 2014 when he was outpointed by Jon Jones over five rounds.

It took him over seven years since to get another title shot — and without a doubt, his last title shot — and he made sure not to let it slip this time.

His first title defense is expected to be against exciting contender and former RIZIN champion Jiri Prochazka sometime next year.

What did you make of Teixeira winning UFC gold at the age of 42?

Makhachev Makes Case For Title Shot After Speaking With Dana White

Islam Makhachev has his eyes set on the UFC lightweight title after earning another submission win over Dan Hooker at UFC 267.

Makhachev has emerged as one of the best lightweights in the world, with nine straight wins, and has gone without a defea…

Islam Makhachev Dana White

Islam Makhachev has his eyes set on the UFC lightweight title after earning another submission win over Dan Hooker at UFC 267.

Makhachev has emerged as one of the best lightweights in the world, with nine straight wins, and has gone without a defeat since 2015. His relentless grappling has overwhelmed his opponents, and he passed the toughest test of his career with relative ease against Hooker.

Makhachev wants to continue the legacy of his teammate and mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and earn the lightweight belt. He made his desires clear during his UFC 267 post-fight press conference.

“Next fight, it has to be for the title or contender fight because I have a nine-fight win streak,” Makhachev said. “Who in my division [is] like this? Just champion? That’s why and you know, I feel my division is a little bit asleep right now. I have to wake up my division because I have to change some things. All guys from the top 5, already fight for the title: Chandler, Gaethje. That’s why we have to change something.”

Makhachev had the chance to speak with UFC president Dana White following his dominant win, and White was non-committal when asked whether or not Makhachev would get the next title shot.

“He said, ‘I have to go back and we’ll see,” Makhachev said.

Gaethje vs. Chandler UFC 268 Bout Looms Large

Michael Chandler Justin Gaethje
(via Zuffa LLC)

Top lightweight contenders and former title challengers Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler will fight on the UFC 268 main card this weekend. Despite the highly-anticipated matchup, Makhachev doesn’t think either of them warrant another shot at the belt.

“But these guys already fight for the title,” Makhachev said. “Chandler, last fight he fought for the title. Gaethje, many times he fought for the title. That’s why I think it’s my time. They have to give me a chance. Dana [White] has to give me a chance.”

Chandler lost to UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight belt at UFC 262 earlier this year, and before that knocked out Hooker at UFC 257. Makhachev thinks that he deserves the same path to the title.

Michael Chandler Punches Dan Hooker
Credit: Jeff Bottari, Zuffa LLC

“When Chandler beat Hooker, they give him the title fight. But why not?” Makhachev said. “I’m ready, too. I’m here not to beat 15 people and fight. I have nine fights now. That’s why I think I deserve it.”

Many believe that it’s almost a foregone conclusion that Makhachev is a UFC lightweight champion in the making, as he continues his dominant streak over top contenders such as Hooker. Makhachev was also supposed to fight former champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 267 before dos Anjos pulled out due to injury.

Regardless, it’s only a matter of time until Makhachev finally gets the lightweight title shot he deserves. When that happens, it could be a while until another contender rises to truly challenge him in the Octagon.

Do you think Dana White should award Islam Makhachev with the next lightweight title shot?

Continue Reading Makhachev Makes Case For Title Shot After Speaking With Dana White at MMA News.

Jan Blachowicz: “I Will Come Back; I Am Not A Quitter; I Am Not A Coward”

Jan Blachowicz isn’t wasting much time thinking about what’s next for his career after losing to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267.

In arguably one of the biggest upsets of 2021, the 42-year-old Teixeira finally broke through during his legendary career t…

Jan Blachowicz

Jan Blachowicz isn’t wasting much time thinking about what’s next for his career after losing to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267.

In arguably one of the biggest upsets of 2021, the 42-year-old Teixeira finally broke through during his legendary career to submit Blachowicz in the second round and earn the UFC light heavyweight title. He became the oldest first-time UFC champion in modern history.

Blachowicz seemed to take the loss in stride during his Octagon interview with Daniel Cormier, and that carried over to the post-fight press conference. Speaking with reporters following the defeat, Blachowicz explained what he feels went wrong for him at UFC 267.

Jan Blachowicz Vows To Return After Stunning Loss

“It wasn’t me. I don’t want to explain myself,” Blachowicz said. It is what it is. But it’s not over. I am not a quitter. I will not go anywhere I will come back. I need to rest, think a little bit.”

“I am not a coward. I will not quit,” Blachowicz continued. “And you’re gonna see me in the Octagon again.”

Blachowicz went on to tease a potential return to fighting in March of next year, against another top contender in the light heavyweight division. As for Teixeira, he’ll more than likely face Jiri Prochazka for his first title defense at a later date.

He also issued the following statement on Instagram following the loss:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVq8GrFBPRy/

“Today I left the legendary polish power in the hotel room. Congrats to Glover, who won fair and square, well deserved. Remember that the last pages of my story are still unwritten. Thank you for all the support.”

Blachowicz earned the vacant title over Dominick Reyes at UFC 253, before successfully defending the belt against Israel Adesanya earlier this year. Leading up to his loss to Teixeira, he had won five fights in a row in a career resurgence.

The light heavyweight division is deep with talent, and Blachowicz may have to work his way back to another title shot with a couple of wins. But, Blachowicz sounds optimistic about his chances of eventually earning UFC gold once again.

Who do you think Jan Blachowicz should fight next for his return to the Octagon?

Continue Reading Jan Blachowicz: “I Will Come Back; I Am Not A Quitter; I Am Not A Coward” at MMA News.