Tag: UFC 274

UFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje – Results

UFC 274LowKick MMA will be bringing you UFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje results throughout the night (Sat. May 8. 2022) live from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Taking main event honors in the organization’s return to a pay-per-view schedule, an undisputed lightweight title fight between Charles Oliveira, and the #1 ranked contender, former interim champion, Justin Gaethje. Entering fight […]

UFC 274

LowKick MMA will be bringing you UFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje results throughout the night (Sat. May 8. 2022) live from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Taking main event honors in the organization’s return to a pay-per-view schedule, an undisputed lightweight title fight between Charles Oliveira, and the #1 ranked contender, former interim champion, Justin Gaethje.

Entering fight week as the undisputed lightweight champion, Sao Paulo native, Oliveira unfortunately missed championship weight for his title defense against Gaethje, coming in beyond the limit at 155.5lbs, and upon the beginning of tonight’s main event, he will be stripped of the undisputed lightweight championship.

As a result, the bout will proceed, however, with only challenger, Gaethje, eligible to win lightweight gold. Should Oliveira defeat Gaethje, the lightweight championship will remain vacant.

In the night’s co-headliner, an undisputed strawweight championship rematch will take place as defending gold holder, Rose Namajunas meets inaugural division best, Carla Esparza.

Namajunas first met with Esparza in the finale of The Ultimate Fighter 20 finale in December 2014, where Esparza submitted Namajunas with a rear-naked choke to become the first strawweight champion in UFC history.

UFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje – Results

UFC 274 Main Card Results: (ESPN+/PPV 10 p.m. ET)

Lightweight: Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje *

Strawweight: Rose Namajunas (c) vs. Carla Esparza

Lightweight: Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson

Light Heavyweight: Mauricio Rua vs. Ovince Saint-Preux

Lightweight: Donald Cerrone vs. Joe Lauzon

UFC 274 Preliminary Card Results (ESPN/ESPN+ 8 p.m. ET)

Welterweight: Randy Brown vs. Khaos Williams

Welterweight: Francisco Trinaldo vs. Danny Roberts

Catchweight (145.6lbs): Macy Chiasson vs. Norma Dumont

Flyweight: Brandon Royval vs. Matt Schnell

UFC 274 Early Preliminary Card Results: (ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass 5:30 p.m. ET)

Heavyweight: Blagoy Ivanov vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima

Welterweight: Andre Fialho vs. Cameron VanCamp

Flyweight: Tracy Cortez vs. Melissa Gatto

Flyweight: Kleydson Rodrigues vs. C.J. Vergara

Strawweight: Ariane Carnelossi vs. Lupita Godinez

Bantamweight: Journey Newson def. Fernie Garcia via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 29-28)

* Only Justin Gaethje is eligible to win the undisputed UFC lightweight championship after Charles Oliveira missed weight for the headlining bout.

Andrade Lends Thorough Analysis & Prediction For Namajunas/Esparza 2

Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Jéssica Andrade has given her prediction for tonight’s 115-pound title fight between Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza. After a split decision defeat to “Thug Rose” in 2020, Andrade ventured back to flyweight for three outings as a 125lber. After two victories and a failed crack at dethroning Valentina Shevchenko, the…

Continue Reading Andrade Lends Thorough Analysis & Prediction For Namajunas/Esparza 2 at MMA News.

Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Jéssica Andrade has given her prediction for tonight’s 115-pound title fight between Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza.

After a split decision defeat to “Thug Rose” in 2020, Andrade ventured back to flyweight for three outings as a 125lber. After two victories and a failed crack at dethroning Valentina Shevchenko, the Brazilian returned to her old stomping ground in some style last month.

In the UFC Vegas 52 main event, Andrade submitted rising contender Amanda Lemos with the first standing arm-triangle choke in UFC history.

Having returned to the division and firmly announced herself as a part of the strawweight title picture, Andrade will have a close eye on the next championship fight in the weight class, which is set for less than two weeks’ time.

Andrade: People Underestimate Namajunas’ Ground Game

At UFC 274 tonight in Phoenix, Arizona, the sophomore defense of Rose Namajunas’ second reign on the strawweight throne will co-feature, and will see her look to avenge a past loss to number one contender and former titleholder Carla Esparza.

Despite holding a submission victory over the reigning queen and riding a mightily-impressive five-fight win streak into her third championship fight in the UFC, Esparza is being widely regarded as a large underdog. According to Jéssica Andrade, there’s good reason for that.

During her appearance at the UFC Vegas 52 post-fight press conference, “Bate Estaca” provided some analysis and a prediction for the UFC 274 co-main event. After claiming that Namajunas’ ground game, which was on display in her rematch against Zhang Weili last November, is underrated by most, Andrade suggested that the champ will comfortably retain the belt on the scorecards.

“As much as Carla is relentless with her takedowns, she has an amazing top game, people sometimes maybe underestimate how good Rose is on the ground,” claimed Andrade. “She has been for a long, long time. When I was fighting her, there were like 10 takedown attempts that I tried, that she would go straight to a submission from there. She brings danger no matter where she is.

“She (Namajunas) does have the reach advantage. She’s gonna be fighting on the bigger cage, so I think it’s gonna be tough for Carla to find her there,” added Andrade. “I don’t see her finishing Carla, but I see this fight going the five rounds, with a wide margin for Rose.”

Having jumped straight back into the strawweight mix at #5 following her dominant victory over compatriot Lemos, Andrade will be looking to secure a date with the champ soon enough. Given that her series with Namajunas is tied at 1-1, perhaps she’ll be supporting “Thug Rose” on May 7 in the hope of securing a future trilogy showdown.

Do you agree with Jéssica Andrade? Will Rose Namajunas successfully defend the strawweight gold at UFC 274?

Continue Reading Andrade Lends Thorough Analysis & Prediction For Namajunas/Esparza 2 at MMA News.

Michael Chandler Expects To Go Into “Enemy Territory” At UFC 274

Despite coming off of an instant classic against Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler thinks he’ll be the target of hostility at UFC 274 tonight in Phoenix. Chandler will face former interim UFC lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson, in a three-round bout on the UFC 274 main card. It’s been dubbed by some fans as the ‘people’s main…

Continue Reading Michael Chandler Expects To Go Into “Enemy Territory” At UFC 274 at MMA News.

Despite coming off of an instant classic against Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler thinks he’ll be the target of hostility at UFC 274 tonight in Phoenix.

Chandler will face former interim UFC lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson, in a three-round bout on the UFC 274 main card. It’s been dubbed by some fans as the ‘people’s main event’ featuring two top-tier contenders.

But Chandler knows that Ferguson has a larger UFC fanbase than he does just a few fights into his promotional tenure. During his UFC 274 media day press conference, he alluded that he’s not just prepared for Ferguson, but a potentially hostile reception from Ferguson’s fans.

“I will say that I remember how big of a support he (Ferguson) had in May when I fought Oliveira for the title (in Texas),” Chandler said. “The dude’s got a following, and his following travels. So, I expect there to be—and it’s the fact that it’s Arizona, obviously, there’s gonna be a Mexican heritage contingency,… Cinco de Mayo, you know. Turns out I’m going into enemy territory. I didn’t even realize that until just now.”

Chandler went on to address if this fight night will feel any different than some of his past appearances.

“Competition to me, hand-to-hand combat, is the same, whether it’s in front of a couple hundred people at the Hearnes Center back in Missouri or at these sold-out arenas. I’m gonna go out there and do what I do best.”

Chandler is looking to stay in the lightweight title chase following back-to-back losses to Gaethje and Charles Oliveira last year. He earned a lightweight title shot against Oliveira at UFC 262 after knocking out Dan Hooker in his UFC debut at UFC 257.

Chandler is no stranger to the big stage. Before signing with the UFC, he enjoyed multiple reigns as the Bellator lightweight champion, earning wins over the likes of Benson Henderson and Patricky Pitbull.

Chandler and Ferguson are both looking to get back in the win column after recent struggles, and Chandler is looking to seize the moment tonight at UFC 274.

What is your prediction for Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson at UFC 274?

Continue Reading Michael Chandler Expects To Go Into “Enemy Territory” At UFC 274 at MMA News.

Saint Preux Looks To Make Statement Against Rua That No One Else Has

UFC light heavyweight Ovince Saint Preux has his eyes on an MMA first when it comes to defeating fellow veteran Maurício Rua. On the main card of tonight’s UFC 274 pay-per-view, Rua and Saint Preux will run it back. The pair first shared the Octagon in the main event of UFC Fight Night 56, held…

Continue Reading Saint Preux Looks To Make Statement Against Rua That No One Else Has at MMA News.

UFC light heavyweight Ovince Saint Preux has his eyes on an MMA first when it comes to defeating fellow veteran Maurício Rua.

On the main card of tonight’s UFC 274 pay-per-view, Rua and Saint Preux will run it back. The pair first shared the Octagon in the main event of UFC Fight Night 56, held in Uberlândia, Brazil, back in 2014. On that night, “OSP” made short work of the former champion, knocking him out in just 34 seconds.

Now, with both men reaching the back-end of their careers, they’ll collide again in one of two veteran bouts set for Saturday’s main slate, the other being Donald Cerrone vs. Joe Lauzon.

At the age of 40, and given the way he was beaten by Paul Craig last time out, it seems another convincing defeat could mark the end of “Shogun” Rua’s in-cage career.

During his appearance at UFC 274 media day on Wednesday, Saint Preux drew laughter by dismissing any notion that potentially being Rua’s final opponent adds any emotion or feeling to the bout, on his side at least…

“I guess it sucks for him?”

If “OSP” gets the kind of victory he’s targeting on Saturday in Arizona, it will indeed “suck” for the UFC legend.

Saint Preux Envisions Another Emphatic Finish

Throughout “Shogun” Rua’s 40-fight professional MMA career, only one man has been able to record two victories over him, former middleweight and light heavyweight title challenger Dan Henderson.

But while the rematch ended in a TKO win for “Hendo,” their first bout went to the judges’ scorecards. With that in mind, Saint Preux is looking to become the first man to make two emphatic statements against Rua.

“I mean, I understand. You want to go out on top or whatnot. But at the end of the day, it’s just like, I’m trying to make another statement,” asserted Saint Preux. “And I don’t think anybody that ever fought Shogun made a statement back to back like that, and that’s what I’m trying to do. That’s what I’m gonna do.”

While it’s widely believed that a defeat could put an end to Rua’s Octagon career, the bout is also an important one for the status of Saint Preux. The 39-year-old is riding a two-fight losing skid, having suffered back-to-back KO defeats at the hands of Jamahal Hill and Tanner Boser.

Should Rua exact revenge on him tonight, the future of “OSP” will also be called into question. Either way, the stakes will be high in Phoenix in a matter of hours.

UFC Fight Night: Rua vs. Saint Preux
UBERLANDIA, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 08: Ovince Saint Preux of the United States punches Mauricio Shogun Rua of Brazil in their light heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night at Sabiazinho Gymnasium on November 8, 2014 in Uberlandia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 274, Ovince Saint Preux or Maurício Rua?

Continue Reading Saint Preux Looks To Make Statement Against Rua That No One Else Has at MMA News.

Esparza Explains Why She’ll Feel Like A Winner Regardless Of UFC 274

Former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza is past the point of taking losses too harshly at this stage of her career. Esparza will face strawweight queen Rose Namajunas in the UFC 274 co-main event tonight. The matchup has been in the works for months, and Esparza has a win over Namajunas from earlier in their…

Continue Reading Esparza Explains Why She’ll Feel Like A Winner Regardless Of UFC 274 at MMA News.

Former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza is past the point of taking losses too harshly at this stage of her career.

Esparza will face strawweight queen Rose Namajunas in the UFC 274 co-main event tonight. The matchup has been in the works for months, and Esparza has a win over Namajunas from earlier in their careers.

Esparza is also scheduled to get married next week, just days after her long-awaited strawweight title shot.

During a recent interview with ESPN, Esparza explained how her perspective has changed since her previous strawweight title reign.

“Yeah, most definitely. It’s really reassuring to know that, hey, no matter what, I’m still committing to the person that I love and I get to spend the rest of my life with,” Esparza said. “It is a really special moment for me. Hopefully, I have these two huge victories, but I mean, either way, I just feel really grateful with everything that I have in my life.”

Esparza defeated Namajunas for the then-vacant strawweight title at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale back in 2014. She would go on to lose her title to Joanna J?drzejczyk in her first defense at UFC 185 via second-round knockout.

More than seven years later, Esparza has managed to work her way back to potentially earning UFC gold. She’s won five in a row, including most recently against Marina Rodriguez and Yan Xiaonan.

Regardless of the outcome at UFC 274, it’s safe to say that Esparza is in a great place in her life and doesn’t need another strawweight title for long-term happiness.

Do you think Carla Esparza will pull off the upset against Rose Namajunas?

Continue Reading Esparza Explains Why She’ll Feel Like A Winner Regardless Of UFC 274 at MMA News.

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Controversial Weigh-In Video Resurfaces After Charles Oliveira Misses Weight For UFC 274

Khabib NurmagomedovAn old video of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov weighing in has been doing rounds on the internet after Charles Oliveira missed weight for UFC 274. This past Friday, Charles Oliveira added another record to his resume when he missed weight for his upcoming bout with Justin Gaethje. The most decorated submission artist of […]

Khabib Nurmagomedov

An old video of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov weighing in has been doing rounds on the internet after Charles Oliveira missed weight for UFC 274.

This past Friday, Charles Oliveira added another record to his resume when he missed weight for his upcoming bout with Justin Gaethje. The most decorated submission artist of the UFC now has the unfortunate honors of being the first champion to be stripped of his belt due to not making weight.

Coming in one-half a pound over the championship weight limit of 155 lbs, Oliveira will be forced to vacate the title when the match starts. While Gaethje is eligible to claim the gold if he wins the contest, Oliveira will only be considered the top contender if he wins the fight.

Another notable champion who looked debilitated during the weigh-ins was the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov. Before his retirement fight against the same opponent, Khabib was declared to have made weight under dubious circumstances.

Ariel Helwani did not take long to chime in with the reference after finding out about Oliveira’s missed weight cut.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Khamzat Chimaev & more weigh-in debacles

Despite the many progressions made in the sport, cutting weight to ghastly proportions has managed to stay around. Khabib Nurmagomedov being allowed to compete against Gaethje when he looked to step over the division limit is not a sole incident. In the case of the Dagestani fighter, the scale can be clearly seen moving up before the official weigh-in is announced.

Ahead of his bout with Li Jingliang at UFC 267, Khamzat Chimaev pushed through a tough weight cut. He missed weight on the first attempt and returned an hour later, only to strip down naked in order to lose some additional fluff. He appeared to step on the scale holding onto the towel which makes the reading invalid.

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the accuracy of the scale used. In what’s being referred to as “scale-gate” now, some athletes complained of improper calibration of the equipment. ‘Do Bronx’ had tweeted that he made weight on the morning of the weigh-ins only to then officially miss the mark by half a pound.

Do you think Charles Oliveira is being treated too harshly?