Tag: UFC 273

Volkanovski Accuses Holloway Of Faking Injury, Rejects Backup Fight

UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski has sent an emphatic response to rival Max Holloway’s request to be backup for the UFC 273 title fight. Volkanovski and Holloway were set to collide for a trilogy clash at UFC 272 on March 5. However, mere days after news of the matchup broke, “Blessed” was forced to withdraw…

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UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski has sent an emphatic response to rival Max Holloway’s request to be backup for the UFC 273 title fight.

Volkanovski and Holloway were set to collide for a trilogy clash at UFC 272 on March 5. However, mere days after news of the matchup broke, “Blessed” was forced to withdraw after aggravating a previous injury. That led to a search for a new championship challenger and the announcement of a new date for the Australian’s next defense – UFC 273 on April 9.

Late last week, ESPN revealed Holloway had been cleared to return to training and was open to serving as a backup fighter for the UFC 273 main event. It’s fair to say that development hasn’t thrilled the reigning titleholder.

Taking to Twitter, Volkanovski lambasted Holloway, accusing him of faking his injury. He ended the rant by seemingly declining the Hawaiian’s backup request.

“@BlessedMMA wants to be the backup fighter for the fight he was originally scheduled to fight. so in other words…he was never injured. Just hoping he doesn’t have to fight me or fight me while I’m preparing for someone…but hey ‘if you ain’t cheating you ain’t trying’…NO”

Volkanovski and Holloway have already shared the Octagon twice. At UFC 245 in December 2019, “The Great” dethroned “Blessed” via unanimous decision, securing his place on the featherweight throne as an undefeated UFC fighter. Seven months later, the pair met for the second time at UFC 251 on Fight Island. In an even tighter contest, it was Volkanovski who fell on the right side of a split decision.

Despite acknowledging that Holloway’s five-round victories over Calvin Kattar and Yair Rodriguez in 2021 certainly cemented the 30-year-old as the #1 contender, Volkanovski previously suggested Holloway may be keen to avoid a trilogy fight in order to prevent his legacy from being damaged by a third defeat to the Aussie.

Holloway’s injury and subsequent recovery have clearly fueled that hypothesis in the mind of the featherweight king.

Volkanovski Has His Sights Set On The Zombie

After the Holloway scrap fell through, the UFC and Volkanovski were certainly not short on potential replacement opponents. From Giga Chikadze and Yair Rodriguez to Josh Emmett and Henry Cejudo, a heap of names wanted a shot at the 33-year-old’s belt.

The man chosen, however, is a fan-favorite divisional veteran who has thrilled UFC fans since his debut in 2011. At UFC 273, “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung will have his second chance at reaching the top of the featherweight food chain.

While it stands to reason the victor will face the challenge of Holloway later in the year, Volkanovski is clearly skeptical of that happening if he has his hand raised on April 9.

Who do you think will leave UFC 273 with featherweight gold, Alexander Volkanovski or “The Korean Zombie?”

Continue Reading Volkanovski Accuses Holloway Of Faking Injury, Rejects Backup Fight at MMA News.

Max Holloway Cleared To Resume Training, Asks To Be UFC 273 Backup

Max Holloway is ready to get himself back inside the UFC Octagon. The former featherweight champion Max Holloway is on the mend. After suffering an injury that forced him out of a title shot at UFC 272, Holloway is now healed up and ready to get back to training, sources revealed the news to ESPN […]

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Max Holloway is ready to get himself back inside the UFC Octagon.

The former featherweight champion Max Holloway is on the mend. After suffering an injury that forced him out of a title shot at UFC 272, Holloway is now healed up and ready to get back to training, sources revealed the news to ESPN on Friday. According to the report, Holloway will be ready to fight in just a few weeks and would like to serve as the backup for the title fight scheduled between champion Alexander Volkanovski and Chang Sung Jung.

Holloway was originally the first choice to face off against Volkanovski for the title. The two were briefly linked to a fight at UFC 272 before Holloway was injured. “The Korean Zombie” was the man to step up and into the slot. The bout was then moved to UFC 273 after a welterweight matchup between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal was booked as the UFC 272 main event.

Holloway and Volkanovski have quite a history together. The two fought two back to back in 2019 and 2020. Holloway suffered losses both times they met. He is still the #1 contender and the likely choice to stand in next against whoever takes home the belt on April 9.

Volkanovski is undefeated in his UFC career and has not lost since 2013. He is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the 145-pound division. If he can get past Jung, a third go-around with Holloway should be on the docket. However, Jung is a tough opponent who is currently 3-1 in his last four.

UFC 273 is set to take place on April 9 in Jacksonville, Florida. The featherweight title will serve as the main event with a bantamweight title fight between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan as the co-main event.

Do you think Max Holloway will regain the featherweight title in 2022?

Continue Reading Max Holloway Cleared To Resume Training, Asks To Be UFC 273 Backup at MMA News.

O’Malley Expects “Smart” Sterling To Have A Better Plan In Yan Rematch

Rising UFC bantamweight star Sean O’Malley has given his take on the upcoming unification showdown between champion Aljamain Sterling and interim titleholder Petr Yan. Since their controversial clash at UFC 259 last March, which saw Sterling crowned champion via disqualification, a rematch between “Funk Master” and Yan has been inevitable. While it may have been […]

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Rising UFC bantamweight star Sean O’Malley has given his take on the upcoming unification showdown between champion Aljamain Sterling and interim titleholder Petr Yan.

Since their controversial clash at UFC 259 last March, which saw Sterling crowned champion via disqualification, a rematch between “Funk Master” and Yan has been inevitable.

While it may have been initially delayed after Sterling underwent neck surgery and later pulled off the UFC 267 card last October, we finally appear set to see the two rivals settle their score inside the Octagon.

After Alexander Volkanovski’s next defense was moved from UFC 272 to UFC 273, the upcoming bantamweight title fight went with it. Yan and Sterling will now throw down for all the marbles on April 9.

O’Malley Believes Sterling Has The Skills To Beat Yan

Given the fact Yan appeared to be on his way to a comfortable victory in their first clash and has since had interim gold wrapped around his waist following an impeccable performance against Cory Sandhagen in Abu Dhabi, it’s unsurprising that “No Mercy” is being considered the favorite ahead of the rematch.

But while the Russian is in hot form and is yet to be beaten in the UFC outside of his DQ setback, one ranked 135lber is warning against counting Sterling out.

During an appearance on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast earlier this month, O’Malley insisted Sterling is too “smart” to make the same mistakes and follow the same game plan he brought into UFC 259 last year. While “Sugar” doesn’t necessarily believe “Funk Master” will beat Yan, he does believe the champ has the tools to do it.

“I do-ish (see the rematch going down the same way). But I also think Aljamain is smart. He’s not a stupid guy. He’s very, very high level, his résumé speaks for itself,” O’Malley said. “I think he went in with the wrong game plan (at UFC 259). He went in and gassed out in a couple rounds. If you watch Petr’s fights, you know he’s gonna cruise for a little bit, try to figure you out, and then start putting on the pressure in the later rounds. He does that every fight.

“Aljamain Sterling’s gotta see that, gotta recognize that, and come in with a different game plan,” added O’Malley. “I think Aljamain has skills, and he has the skills; he could beat Petr. I don’t necessarily see it happening, but I’m not counting him out. He’s a top, top bantamweight for a reason, and I think it’s gonna be a very interesting fight.”

While his status as champion has been disputed and looked down upon by some, Sterling’s ability can’t be denied, as was proven during his run before facing Yan. His five straight victories prior to UFC 259 included triumphs against Sandhagen, Pedro Munhoz, Jimmie Rivera, and Cody Stamann.

While Yan will be looking to regain the undisputed belt he doesn’t believe he rightfully lost, Sterling will be hoping to prove many in the MMA community wrong at UFC 273 and legitimize his place on the bantamweight mountaintop.

Who do you think will leave UFC 273 as the undisputed bantamweight king, Aljamain Sterling or Petr Yan?

Continue Reading O’Malley Expects “Smart” Sterling To Have A Better Plan In Yan Rematch at MMA News.

Khamzat Chimaev Vs. Gilbert Burns Clash In The Works For UFC 273

Khamzat Chimaev, Gilbert BurnsA welterweight matchup between Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns is being targeted for UFC 273. The two top welterweight contenders were originally open to a slot on the UFC 274 card planned in Brazil, but that card has been moved. If Chimaev’s travel visa is approved, the matchup will be all but finalized. This news […]

Khamzat Chimaev, Gilbert Burns

A welterweight matchup between Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns is being targeted for UFC 273.

The two top welterweight contenders were originally open to a slot on the UFC 274 card planned in Brazil, but that card has been moved. If Chimaev’s travel visa is approved, the matchup will be all but finalized.

This news was first reported by Combate’s Raphael Marinho.

This will easily be the toughest matchup of Chimaev’s career to date, as he moves closer to a potential welterweight title shot. Burns fell to Kamaru Usman last year in his first shot at welterweight gold.

The Khamzat Chimaev/Gilbert Burns Winner Could Get The Next Title Shot

Rumors have claimed that UFC 273 will take place in either Jacksonville, FL or Brooklyn, NY although nothing has been officially announced by the promotion.

Chimaev made his UFC debut back in 2020, earning a second-round submission win over John Phillips. Before that, he enjoyed an unblemished tenure overseas in Brave CF.

Chimaev has risen to stardom after a series of dominant performances in the UFC. In his last outing at UFC 267, he mauled Li Jingliang and eventually earned a rear-naked choke submission for the win.

As for Burns, he’s looking to get back to the title shot after falling short at UFC 258. He followed it up with a solid bounceback performance over Stephen Thompson at UFC 264.

Burns has looked nearly unbeatable since moving up to welterweight from lightweight. He’s earned one-sided wins over the likes of Tyron Woodley, Demian Maia, and Gunnar Nelson since adding weight.

Chimaev and Burns have gone back and forth on social media for months, and it sounds like they’ll finally get their opportunity to fight in the Octagon. A formal announcement by the UFC could be imminent.

What is your way-too-early prediction for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns?

Ian Garry Set To Return At UFC 273 Against Darian Weeks

Former Cage Warriors champion Ian Garry will return for his second act in the UFC against Darian Weeks at UFC 273 on April 9.

MMA journalist Marcel Dorff and Iridium Sports Agency were among the first to report the news of the booking.

Garry pas…

Ian Garry

Former Cage Warriors champion Ian Garry will return for his second act in the UFC against Darian Weeks at UFC 273 on April 9.

MMA journalist Marcel Dorff and Iridium Sports Agency were among the first to report the news of the booking.

Garry passed his first UFC test with flying colors, getting the early knockout with one second left in the first round against Jordan Williams at UFC 268. He was arguably one of if not the biggest signing by the promotion in 2021.

Garry will face a tough test against another welterweight prospect in Weeks. He most recently fell via unanimous decision to Bryan Barberena for the first loss of his professional career after successful stints in LFA and Midwest Fight League.

Garry has been compared to another Irishman and former CW champion, Conor McGregor. After his debut win over Williams, he infamously alluded to a McGregor quote with his “We’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over” declaration.

Garry most recently earned the praise of former UFC title challenger Michael Chandler. The two of them train together down at the world-renowned Sanford MMA gym in Florida.

Before signing with the UFC, Garry earned the CW welterweight championship over Jack Grant at CW 125. He would go on to garner the attention of the UFC brass just weeks later and made his promotional debut at the end of the year.

At 24 years old, Garry is expected to be a welterweight to watch for years to come. If he can earn another impressive win over Weeks, he could move one step closer to a spot in the UFC rankings.

Do you think Ian Garry is a future UFC champion?

Continue Reading Ian Garry Set To Return At UFC 273 Against Darian Weeks at MMA News.

Alexander Volkanovski Vs Korean Zombie Official For UFC 273, Sterling-Yan 2 Moved

Alexander Volkanovski, Chan Sung JungUFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will face Chan Sung Jung, otherwise known as ‘The Korean Zombie’, in the UFC 273 main event. The news was first reported by MMA Fighting. Volkanovski was originally supposed to face Max Holloway in a trilogy matchup at UFC 272, but Holloway withdrew from the bout due to a reaggravated […]

Alexander Volkanovski, Chan Sung Jung

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will face Chan Sung Jung, otherwise known as ‘The Korean Zombie’, in the UFC 273 main event.

The news was first reported by MMA Fighting.

Volkanovski was originally supposed to face Max Holloway in a trilogy matchup at UFC 272, but Holloway withdrew from the bout due to a reaggravated injury. After a few days of speculation, Volkanovski and the UFC opted to go with Jung as the replacement.

Volkanovski most recently defeated Brian Ortega at UFC 266. After surviving a few submission attempts throughout the fight, he put on a gritty performance and earned a unanimous decision victory.

Jung most recently put on a dominant performance against Dan Ige last June, winning a unanimous decision. He rebounded from a lopsided defeat to Ortega and an eight-month layoff.

This will be Jung’s second featherweight title shot after losing to then-champion Jose Aldo at UFC 163.

Alexander Volkanovski/Korean Zombie Will Be Co-Headlined By Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan 2

The co-main event for Volkanovski-Jung will be another highly-anticipated matchup between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan for the unified bantamweight title. Yan defeated Cory Sandhagen for the interim title at UFC 267.

Sterling and Yan were originally supposed to fight on that very same card, but Sterling pulled out of the fight due to lingering health issues. This time, Sterling has alleged that Yan’s decision not to get the COVID-19 vaccine is the main reason for the pushback from UFC 272.

Sterling earned the bantamweight title via disqualification at UFC 259 after Yan landed an illegal knee late in the fight. Sterling opted not to continue and the fight was called.

UFC 273 is planned to take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, although an official location has yet to be finalized by the promotion.

What are your thoughts on Volkanovski/Korean Zombie, and Sterling-Yan 2?