Tag: UFC 268

Listen to Trevor Wittman’s Cornering During 3-Win UFC 268

Trevor WittmanMMA coach Trevor Wittman had quite the showing at UFC 268, with each of his three fighters earning main card victories during the event. UFC champions Rose Namajunas and Kamaru Usman defended their belts in the final two bouts of the night, with both of them going the distance in back-and-forth wars. Wittman also coached […]

Trevor Wittman

MMA coach Trevor Wittman had quite the showing at UFC 268, with each of his three fighters earning main card victories during the event.

UFC champions Rose Namajunas and Kamaru Usman defended their belts in the final two bouts of the night, with both of them going the distance in back-and-forth wars. Wittman also coached lightweight contender Justin Gaethje to a unanimous decision win over Michael Chandler in a Fight of the Year contender to kick off the main card.

Wittman is the coach and owner of ONX Sports in Colorado, which has quickly become one of the best gyms in the world. His approach to striking is regarded as revolutionary by many athletes in the UFC and beyond.

Listen in to Wittman’s incredibly eventful night at UFC 268 below.

Coach Trevor Wittman Had a Memorable Night at UFC 268

Gaethje could get the next lightweight title shot to face the winner of Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier which will take place at UFC 269 next month. Wittman could quickly get another opportunity to coach one of his fighters in a UFC title bout just months after his wild night at UFC 268.

Wittman has also changed the way that gloves are approached in the UFC. The gloves that he developed were infamously featured on an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience and allegedly help eliminate eye pokes and other hand-related injuries.

Wittman’s gym in Colorado is one of many MMA hotspots in the state, which features other top talents such as TJ Dillashaw and Cory Sandhagen.

Wittman continues to develop some of the most exciting fights in the UFC today, and his cornering and his ability to transition quickly in between bouts at UFC 268 is a testament to his hard work and prestige as a coach.

Where do you think Trevor Wittman ranks with some of the best coaches in MMA today?

Derek Brunson Calls For ‘Legend’ Frankie Edgar To Bring An End To His MMA Career

Derek BrunsonUFC middleweight contender, Derek Brunson has called for former undisputed lightweight champion and multiple-time featherweight championship challenger, Frankie Edgar to bring an end to his professional mixed martial arts career, off the back of his most recent loss to bantamweight striker, Marlon Vera last weekend. Featuring on the main card of UFC 268 at Madison […]

Derek Brunson

UFC middleweight contender, Derek Brunson has called for former undisputed lightweight champion and multiple-time featherweight championship challenger, Frankie Edgar to bring an end to his professional mixed martial arts career, off the back of his most recent loss to bantamweight striker, Marlon Vera last weekend.

Featuring on the main card of UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden, Toms River native, Edgar was en route to a likely decision loss to Ecuadorian finisher, Vera before the beginning of a championship doubleheader, before he was finished in the third round with a brutal front kick knockout.

The defeat came as Edgar’s second consecutively since his move to the bantamweight ranks back in August of last year where he managed to take Fight of the Night honors in a close split decision victory over Pedro Munhoz in a UFC Apex facility headliner.

1-4 in his last five UFC outings, Edgar brought an end to his extended featherweight run with a pair of losses to then-champion, Max Holloway, and a knockout loss to former title challenger, Chan Sung Jung. Before his loss to Vera on Saturday last weekend, the New Jersey veteran suffered a brutal 28-second flying knee knockout loss to recent interim bantamweight title chaser, Cory Sandhagen. 

Derek Brunson calls for Frankie Edgar to end his MMA career following recent UFC 268 loss

Reacting to Edgar’s loss Vera at UFC 268, upcoming UFC 270 main card feature, the veteran middleweight mainstay, Brunson claimed that he hoped Edgar would now hang up his gloves off the back of another knockout defeat — or at least limit his future to just one last fight.

“Random thought,” Derek Brunson tweeted. “I do not want to see Frankie Edgar compete in MMA anymore. At best once more. He carried the sport for years, former UFC champ, competed at 3 different weight classes. He has nothing else to prove or achieve. A complete legend of the sport. (praying hands emoji) #JustMyOpinion“

Over the course of his decorated UFC career — which began all the way back in February 2007, and has included a lightweight title triumph against former two-weight champion, B.J. Penn. Scoring three successful title defenses, Edgar has defeated the likes of Cub Swanson, Jeremy Stephens, Chad Mendes, Urijah Faber, Charles Oliveira, Gray Maynard, Sean Sherk, Hermes Franca, Spencer Fisher, and upcoming headliner, Yair Rodriguez to name a few. 

As for North Carolina native, Derek Brunson, the streaking contender is slated to feature on the main card of UFC 270 in January in a potential title-eliminator against fellow contender, Jared Cannonier. 

Dana White Bet Six Figures On Canelo Alvarez KO

Dana White was caught in 4k watching Canelo Alvarez vs Caleb Plant in the middle of UFC 268, but now we know why.

White has had a ton of respect for Canelo, and the skills that he possesses. So much so in fact, that when UFC welterweight champ said…

Dana White Canelo

Dana White was caught in 4k watching Canelo Alvarez vs Caleb Plant in the middle of UFC 268, but now we know why.

White has had a ton of respect for Canelo, and the skills that he possesses. So much so in fact, that when UFC welterweight champ said that he wanted to box Canelo ahead of his title fight with Colby Covington at UFC 268, the UFC President said that there was essentially no way his guy was taking on the pound-for-pound best boxer in the world.

It seems that White had so much faith in Canelo’s ability to beat Plant that he was willing to put his money where his mouth is, and a lot of it. According to a betting slip that he posted to his Instagram Stories, before being re-uploaded to Twitter by Damon Martin, White made a massive bet to the tune of $100,000 on the champ to win by knockout, which he was able to do in the 11th round, netting White a profit of $41,666.

This explains why Dana White was seen watching the Canelo Alvarez fight on his screen, while sitting cage side at UFC 268, as Rose Namajunas vs Weili Zhang went down in front of him. While this six figure amount does not mean the same to the UFC President as it would for most people, that is still not a small amount to gamble on.

In any case, White makes a good point when he says that it would not make the most sense for Kamaru Usman to try fighting Canelo Alvarez in his next. While that payday would be huge for the welterweight champ, Canelo proved with his win over Caleb Plant, that his boxing technique, speed, and power are unmatched in the world of boxing, as it stands today.

Continue Reading Dana White Bet Six Figures On Canelo Alvarez KO at MMA News.

Namajunas Reveals What Was Said During Zhang Rematch At UFC 268

UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas has revealed what was said during her rematch with Zhang Weili at UFC 268.

At UFC 261, Namajunas became the only woman in UFC history to regain a belt after losing it. After a slam at the hands of Jés…

Rose Namajunas, Zhang Weili

UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas has revealed what was said during her rematch with Zhang Weili at UFC 268.

At UFC 261, Namajunas became the only woman in UFC history to regain a belt after losing it. After a slam at the hands of Jéssica Andrade saw her dethroned in 2019, “Thug Rose” secured a chance at redemption against Weili earlier this year after emerging victorious in a rematch against Andrade. Making the most of her title shot, Namajunas knocked “Magnum” out less than a minute-and-a-half into the opening round.

Having snapped the Chinese star’s 21-fight winning streak and unbeaten UFC record, Namajunas began her second reign on the 115-pound throne with a rematch against Weili. As many expected, their second clash this past weekend was a much more competitive affair and went the full 25-minute distance. In the end, it was the champion who fell on the right side of a tight split decision.

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Namajunas’ “I’m The Best” Affirmation Rings True At MSG

Following UFC 261, a clip of Namajunas repeatedly saying to herself “I’m the best” went viral, with sports teams around the world using the affirmation in their own endeavours. Even UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno was inspired ahead of his own title crowning against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 263.

During her Madison Square Garden walkout on Saturday, “Thug Rose” looked to motivate herself with the same words again. She also brought the phrase out inside the Octagon during the co-main event clash. But this time, Weili had a response. Speaking at the UFC 268 post-fight press conference, Namajunas shared a verbal interaction she had with her rival during their five-round championship rematch.

“I was saying, ‘I’m the best,’ and then she was saying, ‘I’m the champion!’ [LAUGHS] And then she came out, and I was like, ‘I’m the best!’ So yeah, we was going back and forth.”

While Weili looks to rebound back into title contention in her next outing, Namajunas will be hoping to successfully record the second defense of her second strawweight reign when she returns to action. Despite both the commentary team and UFC President Dana White seemingly dismissing her title credentials, the obvious next contender is Carla Esparza.

Not only has “Cookie Monster” built a five-fight win streak that includes victories over Marina Rodriguez, Yan Xiaonan, Michelle Waterson, and Alexa Grasso, she also defeated Namajunas to become the inaugural 115-pound champ when they collided in 2014, leaving a ready-built storyline for a rematch. After Namajunas expressed her own desire to run it back with Esparza, it seems unlikely the promotion can turn a blind eye to that rematch.

Who should Rose Namajunas defend her strawweight title against next?

Continue Reading Namajunas Reveals What Was Said During Zhang Rematch At UFC 268 at MMA News.

Michael Chandler Jokingly Dons Ice Mask To Hide UFC 268 Cuts

Michael ChandlerUFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler poked fun at himself following his three-round bloodbath against Justin Gaethje at UFC 268. Chandler and Gaethje put on an instant classic to kick off the main card at UFC 268, with back-and-forth heavy shots on the feet. Both men were sent to a nearby New York hospital to undergo […]

Michael Chandler

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler poked fun at himself following his three-round bloodbath against Justin Gaethje at UFC 268.

Chandler and Gaethje put on an instant classic to kick off the main card at UFC 268, with back-and-forth heavy shots on the feet. Both men were sent to a nearby New York hospital to undergo treatment for the sheer amount of damage each suffered ruing the bout.

Chandler and Gaethje reunited at the hospital and even shared a picture together. While Gaethje ended up earning the unanimous decision win, Chandler had plenty of impressive moments and earned the respect of MMA fans who might’ve not been too familiar with him beforehand.

Chandler seemed in good spirits after the affair and joked around with his children while wearing a mask that looked like it was straight out of the movie ‘Frozen’.

Michael Chandler Donned A ‘Frozen’ Themed Mask To Hide Cuts From The Hands Of Justin Gaethje

Chandler entered UFC 268 looking to get back in the title picture after losing to Charles Oliveira at UFC 262 earlier this year for the vacant belt. He signed with the UFC last year after a long tenure in Bellator which included a lightweight title reign.

Gaethje will more than likely get the next title shot with his win over Chandler after Oliveira and Dustin Poirier go to battle at UFC 269. Despite the loss, Chandler remains a star in the UFC’s lightweight division.

Chandler nearly finished Gaethje on multiple occasions during the fight and had him stunned with a series of hard right hooks midway through. But, a stiff uppercut by Gaethje turned the tide in his favor and ended up earning him the decision win.

Chandler will more than likely need some time off to recover from a wild night at UFC 268 but could return to the Octagon sometime in the first quarter of 2022.

What was your reaction to Michael Chandler vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 268?

Jorge Masvidal Claims Colby Covington Will ‘Burn’ MMA Masters Following UFC 268 Loss

Jorge MasvidalFollowing his UFC 245 loss to Kamaru Usman back in December 2019, in tandem with his outlandish nature and comments about teammates, former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington split from Coconut Creek facility, American Top Team.  In the time since, Covington has been plying his trade alongside head coach, Cesar Carneiro at MMA Masters in […]

Jorge Masvidal

Following his UFC 245 loss to Kamaru Usman back in December 2019, in tandem with his outlandish nature and comments about teammates, former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington split from Coconut Creek facility, American Top Team. 

In the time since, Covington has been plying his trade alongside head coach, Cesar Carneiro at MMA Masters in Florida, however, once best friend and American Top Team stablemate, Jorge Masvidal has theorized that Covington will likely cut ties with the facility off the back of his Saturday rematch defeat to Usman. 

Headlining UFC 268 against Auchi native, Usman, the #1 ranked, Covington suffered a unanimous decision loss as well as a pair of second round knockdowns before rallying in quite spectacular fashion to claim the third and fourth rounds. 

The defeat came as Covington’s second in his three most recent UFC walks — with his last win coming against former welterweight champion and common-foe, Tyron Woodley back in September of last year at UFC Vegas 11 after the former kingpin suffered a fifth round rib injury. 

Jorge Masvidal predicts Colby Covington will financially “burn” his coaches at MMA Masters

Reacting to Covington’s loss to Usman, Masvidal, a two-time welterweight title challenger as well, claimed that his past teammate would similarly cut ties with MMA Masters and “burn” them financially.

“2021-2022 prediction:” Jorge Masvidal tweeted. “Colby [Covington[ burns MMA Masters like he has every gym and every coach he ever had by not paying and talking sh*t on the way out. Rinse, wash, repeat.“

The origins of Masvidal and Covington’s rift stems from the latter’s 2018 interim welterweight title fight against former lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos — where Covington is alleged to have failed to pay boxing coach, Paulino Hernandez following his welterweight title victory.

Covington would split from American Top Team following his first career loss to Usman the following year, but made headlines for comments made regarding teammates, Masvidal, former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier, and former strawweight champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

For Masvidal, the Floridian returns to the Octagon next month at UFC 269 in a high-stakes pivotal welterweight showdown against rival, Leon Edwards as he looks to begin en route to a third siege toward welterweight spoils.