Tag: UFC 268

Khamzat Chimaev Congratulates, Warns Kamaru Usman After UFC 268

UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev congratulated his potential future opponent, Kamaru Usman on his UFC 268 victory.

Usman put on another gritty performance against Colby Covington at UFC 268, earning a unanimous decision victory in another…

Khamzat Chimaev

UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev congratulated his potential future opponent, Kamaru Usman on his UFC 268 victory.

Usman put on another gritty performance against Colby Covington at UFC 268, earning a unanimous decision victory in another five-round classic. Many around the UFC community, including Chimaev, were in awe of Usman’s latest showcase.

Chimaev is fresh off his dominant first-round finish over Li Jingliang at UFC 267 and is inching closer to a shot against Usman. He entered the rankings this week as the 10th-best UFC welterweight.

While Chimaev took the time to congratulate Usman, he also used the opportunity to warn Usman of his rise towards title contention.

Khamzat Chimaev Is A Rising UFC Star At Welterweight

“Congraulations good job bro, [Kamaru Usman],” Chimaev tweeted. “I’m coming for you brother, I’m coming.”

Chimaev has taken the UFC by storm since signing with the promotion in 2020. After a successful career overseas competing in Brave CF, Chimaev has earned four straight stoppages in the UFC at welterweight and middleweight.

Chimaev rose to prominence by earning three finishes within two months last year, earning wins over Gerald Meerschaert, John Phillips, and Rhys McKee.

UFC President Dana White has made it clear that Chimaev still has a long way to go before earning a title shot, after just recently moving into the top 10 in rankings. Usman will await his next title challenger after seemingly closing the chapter on his rivalry with Covington.

Khamzat Chimaev, Kamaru Usman
Khamzat Chimaev, Kamaru Usman (Image Credits: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC & Alex Menendez/Getty Images)

A matchup between Usman and Chimaev would feature two of the best grapplers in the UFC. Usman, a former NCAA world champion wrestler, would easily be Chimaev’s toughest test of his young UFC career. Usman’s striking has also vastly improved over time, including with his knockout of Jorge Masvidal earlier this year.

Chimaev still likely needs to pick up a few more wins before entering the title conversation, but he has his eyes set on UFC gold and a future battle with Usman.

How close do you believe Khamzat Chimaev is to a UFC welterweight title shot?

Continue Reading Khamzat Chimaev Congratulates, Warns Kamaru Usman After UFC 268 at MMA News.

Michael Chandler Sends Message To Fans From Ambulance Following UFC 268

Michael ChandlerAlthough he didn’t get a post-fight interview, Michael Chandler sent a message to the fans from an ambulance following UFC 268. Chandler suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Justin Gaethje after their back-and-forth three-round war at UFC 268 last night in New York’s Madison Square Garden. It was a violent and chaotic affair as advertised […]

Michael Chandler

Although he didn’t get a post-fight interview, Michael Chandler sent a message to the fans from an ambulance following UFC 268.

Chandler suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Justin Gaethje after their back-and-forth three-round war at UFC 268 last night in New York’s Madison Square Garden.

It was a violent and chaotic affair as advertised with Chandler having some big moments during the contest. However, Gaethje landed the bigger shots including an uppercut which dropped Chandler emphatically.

In the end, it was clear that Gaethje had won the affair.

Chandler Stock Goes Up

Despite his second defeat in a row, Chandler’s stock increased exponentially as he certainly gained a whole new legion of fans for his performance.

He made sure to thank everyone who tuned in on an Instagram Live session after the fight while he was in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

He used a Yoda filter to hide the damage on his face.

“Trying not to release what my face looks like so I look super human to you guys. I’m an alien in an ambulance. … Hope you guys enjoyed that. I appreciate you guys. I don’t know what you guys are doing on Instagram right now, the fights are live. I love you guys, I’ll see you at the top.”

You can watch it below:

The former Bellator lightweight champion also got to take a picture with Chandler while at the hospital.

Are you a fan of Michael Chandler following that performance?

Zhang Weili After UFC 268 Defeat: “I Will Get My Belt Back”

Former UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili isn’t giving up on her pursuit of a second stint with UFC gold after her UFC 268 defeat.

Weili and UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas went back-and-forth for five rounds at UFC 268, but in the end, i…

Zhang Weili

Former UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili isn’t giving up on her pursuit of a second stint with UFC gold after her UFC 268 defeat.

Weili and UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas went back-and-forth for five rounds at UFC 268, but in the end, it was Namajunas who earned the victory on the scorecards. Weili had significant moments throughout the fight, but many believed Namajunas was the more active fighter in the exchanges.

It was a completely different fight from their first matchup at UFC 261, which ended in a Namajunas head kick knockout. Weili showed vast improvements with her grappling and hit Namajunas with heavy shots.

Despite the disappointing second loss to Namajunas, Weili says she’s keeping her head up moving forward.

Zhang Weili Isn’t Ruling Out A Third Fight With Rose Namajunas

Rose Namajunas def. Zhang Weili at UFC 268: Best photos | MMA Junkie
Image Credit: Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports

“I think today’s fight (was) a close fight. I think we both performed the best of ourselves,” Weili said during the post-fight press conference. “I’m very much looking forward to a rematch with Rose. And also, I believe that I will get my belt back if I have the opportunity.”

Many believe that a Namajunas/Weili third bout isn’t completely out of the question moving forward. Namajunas will more than likely face top contender Carla Esparza for her next title defense but could meet Weili again down the line.

After getting word of Weili’s post-fight comments, Namajunas praised her determination and desire for a third bout.

“She’s committed to martial arts and being the best, so I’m sure she’s gonna do whatever it takes to try to contend for that title again,” Namajunas said during her post-fight presser. “So I wouldn’t be surprised, but we’ll see.”

Namajunas and Weili are arguably two of the best strawweight champions in UFC history. Both have accumulated massive star power worldwide and a third fight is sure to entice the interest of fans once again.

Do you think Zhang Weili will be a UFC champion again at some point?

Continue Reading Zhang Weili After UFC 268 Defeat: “I Will Get My Belt Back” at MMA News.

Rose Namajunas Looking Forward To Rematch With Carla Esparza

UFC Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas has her eyes set on a rematch with Carla Esparza following her UFC 268 victory.

Namajunas earned another win over Zhang Weili in the UFC 268 co-main event, but it was a different fight from their first bout. …

Rose Namajunas

UFC Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas has her eyes set on a rematch with Carla Esparza following her UFC 268 victory.

Namajunas earned another win over Zhang Weili in the UFC 268 co-main event, but it was a different fight from their first bout. It was a back-and-forth war from start to finish, with Namajunas getting the split-decision victory.

While it’s possible that Namajunas could fight Weili for the third time in the future, she has her eyes set on an old foe in Carla Esparza. The two strawweight stars met for the inaugural strawweight title in 2014, with Esparza earning the late submission win.

After her win over Weili, Namajunas spoke about what’s next for the UFC strawweight division and specifically about Esparza being the next possible challenger.

Rose Namajunas Thinks Carla Esparza Is Next For Title Shot

“I mean, she was on my mind before going into this one,” Namajunas said during her post-fight press conference. “So that seems that’s the logical step. But I gotta see what the UFC’s thinking, I guess. But yeah, I would love to fight Carla.”

Namajunas began her second stint as strawweight queen by knocking out Weili in the first round at UFC 261 earlier this year. Before that, she had earned her first title by earning back-to-back wins over Joanna Jedrzecjzyk.

Esparza has been on a tear with five straight wins, including most recently against Yan Xiaonan at UFC Vegas 27. She’s also earned wins over top contenders such as Marina Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson on her way to the potential title shot.

Namajunas and Esparza got the UFC’s strawweight division started with their bout in 2014, and they could certainly meet for a rematch shortly. Both fighters have drastically improved since their first bout and could put on an entertaining fight for the masses.

How do you think a Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza title rematch would play out?

Continue Reading Rose Namajunas Looking Forward To Rematch With Carla Esparza at MMA News.

Kamaru Usman Considers Colby Covington To Be The Frazier To His Ali

After their UFC 268 rematch, Kamaru Usman gave Colby Covington some high praise, or a subtle shot, depending on how you interpret his post-fight remarks.

At UFC 268, Kamaru Usman potentially closed the book on his rivalry with Colby Covington once …

Kamaru Usman, Muhammad Ali

After their UFC 268 rematch, Kamaru Usman gave Colby Covington some high praise, or a subtle shot, depending on how you interpret his post-fight remarks.

At UFC 268, Kamaru Usman potentially closed the book on his rivalry with Colby Covington once and for all by extending his lead over “Chaos to 2-0.” Not unlike their first encounter, the rematch was highly competitive. In fact, the two closest fights in Usman’s UFC career have both been against Covington.

It is for this reason that Usman recognized that despite the animosity between the two, there’s no denying that Covington is unlike any opponent he’s faced before and is a worthy rival.

“This guy’s tough as nails,” Usman said of Covington at the UFC 268 post-fight press conference. “He’s very, very tough. Let’s be honest, Ali needed a Frazier. All these guys, you can be the great ones, but there’s always gonna be that one guy that’s gonna be able to push you. And he is that guy. As much of him outside of the Octagon that most people don’t like, myself included, you have to respect him as a competitor.”

Just as Ali and Frazier did, Usman and Covington headlined Madison Square Garden in a blockbuster rematch. In the Ali/Frazier rematch, Ali was able to even the score with Frazier before eventually winning the trilogy 2-1 in the “Thrilla in Manilla.”

Looking Back At Ali's Eight Fights at The Garden - MSGNetworks.com

So in this case, it was Covington who was trying to assume the role of Ali by winning the rematch at MSG before going on to construct an argument as “the greatest.” Instead, all the praise is going to the champion Usman, who was able to add to his legacy at The Garden, much like Ali and so many other greats throughout time.

However, even though Usman is up 2-0 on Covington, as long as both men hang around in the welterweight division, I wouldn’t count out the possibility of these two studs bringing MMA fans one more “thrilla” to remember.

Continue Reading Kamaru Usman Considers Colby Covington To Be The Frazier To His Ali at MMA News.

Covington Says He Won, Was Cheated, & Still Lacks Respect For Usman

When it comes to the rivalry between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

The biggest thing that remained the same between these top welterweights is Usman getting his hand raised against Covington….

Covington, Usman

When it comes to the rivalry between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

The biggest thing that remained the same between these top welterweights is Usman getting his hand raised against Covington. Also like their initial bout in 2019, their UFC 268 bout was very closely contested and Covington remains the only man to push Usman in what was another very tough fight.

There was one noticeable difference between the two rivals, however, which could be found in the immediate aftermath of the fight. To the naked eye, it appeared that Covington was actually gracious in defeat and whispered words of respect into Usman’s ear, a sight that perhaps no one in attendance expected to see.

Speaking to reports at the UFC 268 post-fight press conference, Covington cleared the air, leaving the public to wonder if what they saw was merely an illusion. Then again, perhaps “Chaos” decided to snap right back into “character” by the time he hit the press conference.

“He’s a cheating coward. I have no respect for that guy,” Covington said when asked about the post-fight exchange between him and Usman. “He’s obviously a cheater. He’s cheated in multiple fights. I mean, he was holding my glove tonight against the cage. In the first round, I shot a takedown and he went bom-bom twice to the back of the head.

“I think Dan Miragliotta is top-3 best refs in the game. But I told him before the fight, ‘Hey, do not let this guy hit me in the back of the head.’ And he did right away. If you go back and look at the footage, he clearly hit the back of the head. And when you hit someone in the back of the head, man, it definitely dazes you real quick. So that caught me off guard and just more tactics of him cheating. You’ll never see me cheating or trying to cheat. So I got an unfair shake again, but I still think I got the job done. But I promise you he ain’t seen the last of me.”

Covington Believes He Won The Fight, Says Business Still Unfinished

Usman, Covington UFC 268
Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

In addition to doubling down once again on his assessment of Usman being a cheater, he also believes he was the rightful winner of this fight. You can tally this one in the “things that remain the same” category.

“It was laser thin again. I honestly thought I had it 3-2, and it was very close,” Covington said. “He clipped me, I clipped him a couple times. Whatever media reporter in here saying I went for 11 takedowns and had unsuccessful attempts, fake news. You guys, do real journalism. That’s why you guys aren’t journalists. You don’t have journalism degrees because you put this fake news out. I obviously took him down. So I broke that stat. So you can’t ever hype him up anymore and say he’s never been taken down because I took him down.”

Finally, despite the scorecard reading “2-0 Usman,” just like he did leading into the rematch, Covington maintains there is unfinished business between him and the champion.

“So I think we have unfinished business,” Covington said. “I’ll go five more rounds in the parking lot right now, and I’m serious about that. I will see him again. I’m not done with him. I’ll fight whoever it takes to get back there.”

What do you make of Colby Covington’s post-fight remarks?

Continue Reading Covington Says He Won, Was Cheated, & Still Lacks Respect For Usman at MMA News.