UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira has questioned how Justin Gaethje came to the conclusion that he’s a ‘quitter’. This weekend, the lightweights will take center stage at a UFC pay-per-view for the first time in 2022. In the UFC 274 headliner, Oliveira will look to defend his title for the second time and add an…
In the Brazilian’s way of doing so will be Gaethje, a former WSOF lightweight titleholder who has entertained like no other during his time in the Octagon, collecting nine bonuses in nine appearances.
Having rebounded from his first failed attempt at capturing undisputed status in 2019 thanks to victory in a Fight of the Year with Michael Chandler last November, “The Highlight” will look to reach the lightweight mountaintop at the second time of trying.
During a UFC 274 media day interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, Oliveira once again addressed Gaethje’s “quit” hypothesis, asking him how he could possibly know, unless, of course, he is Jesus Christ.
“I’m asking him, like, if he knows so much about me, if he knows all this, is he Jesus?” Oliveira asked. “Can he predict the future? Does he know everything about me? Does he know that much, really, about me? He’s made a mistake, because if somebody knows that much, they must be Jesus.”
While he can’t walk on water, Gaethje can certainly walk through punches. We know he’s known for memorable moments, but an unveiling as Jesus would be quite the “Highlight.”
Although when it comes to resurrections, not much tops the current trajectory of Oliveira’s career…
Who will prove themselves right this weekend, Charles Oliveira or Justin Gaethje?
UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira has questioned how Justin Gaethje came to the conclusion that he’s a ‘quitter’. This weekend, the lightweights will take center stage at a UFC pay-per-view for the first time in 2022. In the UFC 274 headliner, Oliveira will look to defend his title for the second time and add an…
In the Brazilian’s way of doing so will be Gaethje, a former WSOF lightweight titleholder who has entertained like no other during his time in the Octagon, collecting nine bonuses in nine appearances.
Having rebounded from his first failed attempt at capturing undisputed status in 2019 thanks to victory in a Fight of the Year with Michael Chandler last November, “The Highlight” will look to reach the lightweight mountaintop at the second time of trying.
During a UFC 274 media day interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, Oliveira once again addressed Gaethje’s “quit” hypothesis, asking him how he could possibly know, unless, of course, he is Jesus Christ.
“I’m asking him, like, if he knows so much about me, if he knows all this, is he Jesus?” Oliveira asked. “Can he predict the future? Does he know everything about me? Does he know that much, really, about me? He’s made a mistake, because if somebody knows that much, they must be Jesus.”
While he can’t walk on water, Gaethje can certainly walk through punches. We know he’s known for memorable moments, but an unveiling as Jesus would be quite the “Highlight.”
Although when it comes to resurrections, not much tops the current trajectory of Oliveira’s career…
Who will prove themselves right this weekend, Charles Oliveira or Justin Gaethje?
In the co-main of the upcoming UFC 274, strawweight champion Rose Namajunas will take on Carla Esparza, in a rematch eight years in the making. When Namajunas and Esparza fight fought, in the Ultimate Fighter season 20 finale, it was Esparza who walked away with her hand raised. ‘The Cookie Monster’ was able to lock […]
In the co-main of the upcoming UFC 274, strawweight champion Rose Namajunas will take on Carla Esparza, in a rematch eight years in the making.
When Namajunas and Esparza fight fought, in the Ultimate Fighter season 20 finale, it was Esparza who walked away with her hand raised. ‘The Cookie Monster’ was able to lock up a rear-naked choke in round three, forcing the tap.
However, since then, Rose Namajunas has teamed up with Trevor Wittman, immensely improving her game to the point where she was able to capture, and defend, the UFC strawweight title. Esparza has also continued to improve, and how sits on a five-fight winning streak.
Rose Namajunas goes into this fight as a heavy betting favorite, with the bookies clearly backing her to avenge her early loss to Esparza. Let’s see what the LowKickMMA staff have to say:
LowKick MMA Staff Predictions for Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza
Frank Bonada
I feel that this fight has a relatively simple dynamic to it, in that for Esparza to win, she must be able to implement her dangerous high-level wrestling game. Failure to do so will be catastrophic for the ‘Cookie Monster.’ Namajunas is an extremely well-rounded fighter, with lethal kickboxing that will likely light Espaza up if the fight remains on the feet. She also demonstrated her ability to deal with strong wrestlers in her most recent rematch with Weili Zhang. If Esparza cannot get her game going early, one has to think that Namajunas will run away with the fight, and as a result, I have to take ‘Thug’ Rose for this one.
Prediction: Rose Namajunas
Ross Markey
By now, we’re all well aware of the incredible story of Rose Namajunas to not just rise to strawweight supremacy – but, to do it twice in a record-setting fashion. However, the story shared by co-headline feature, Carla Esparza matches Namajunas’ tenfold. The first Invicta FC and UFC strawweight champion, Torrance native, Esparza is a trailblazer in every sense of the word. The first champion in one of the toughest divisions in the sport. Toppled by a common opponent, Joanna Jedrzejczyk soon after her UFC reign began, Esparza’s re-emergence as a title challenger, once again, is nothing short of commendable. It must also be said first and foremost, both Namajunas and Esparza have come on leaps and bounds since their first matchup back in 2014 in an inaugural title offing. Namajunas has rounded out her game splendidly, under the watchful eye of ONX Labs technician, Trevor Wittman, while Esparza has continued to stack high a résumé containing notable contenders under the guidance of Colin Oyama on the west coast. Namajunas has herself showcased those ever-developed skills in her pair of successes against Jedrzejczyk, and Zhang Weili – the latter of which last November most notably. Dynamism and creativity from Rose gets her my nod in this old-school strawweight stylistic sequel.
Prediction: Rose Namajunas
Lewis Simpson
A classic striker vs. Grappler matchup. Esparaza will have the mental edge I feel leading into this one, having already beaten Rose in the past. However, that was a long time ago, and Rose’s game has evolved massively since then. It’s worth mentioning that this was a fight Rose campaigned to get back to avenge her loss, highlighting her competitive spirit. I expect Esparza to have a successful start to the fight, utilizing her wrestling and landing takedowns frequently. As the fight plays into the later rounds, I expect Esparza’s gas tank to run out of fuel due to the constant wrestling allowing Rose to open up her striking more and put it on Esparza. As Rose has shown, she can shut anybody’s lights out in these big fights. I’m going with Rose by knockout in the late rounds after a strong start by Esparza.
I see Rose winning this one quite comfortably. Although Esparza can pressure her and bring something new to the table with her wrestling, Rose is just too well-rounded, she’s good off her back, can’t be held down, and is a threat with her submission. Maybe Esparza does something unexpected but I am going with Rose on this one.
Prediction: Rose Namajunas
Michael Gingrich
I got ‘Thug’ Rose winning this one. She’s on another level this time around, but I do think it will be a closer fight than many believe. I don’t think Esparza will be able to match Namajunas’s striking, but if she can get the fight to the ground we got a fight on our hands. On the mat with Esparza is the last thing Namajunas wants in this fight. This fight will most likely go the distance with Namjunas’s hand being raised at the end.
Prediction: Rose Namajunas
Ollie Brockett
Although Carla Esparza drew first blood against Rosa Namajunas in their Ultimate Fighter finale, I don’t see anything past Bruce Buffer screaming out “AND STILL” the only thing in question would be, by which method? Can Rosa get the job done without the need of the judges or will Esparza manage to drag the fight out for 25-minutes with her notorious wresting? Not to discredit Esparza – since she’s never looked better in her pro career – however, Namajunas’s elite boxing and much-improved ground game will end up being too much for Carla and as a result, I can confidently say she will continue her Strawweight reign.
Prediction: Rose Namajunas
Alex Nikollaj
This is a rematch 8 years in the making and it is a rematch from the Ultimate Fighter season 20 when the strawweight title was introduced. In this matchup I believe that Esparza has fewer routes to victory, in fact I think she has one route to victory and that is securing takedowns and controlling Namajunas. I believe Rose has elevated her game both physically and mentally and we’re going to see her remain the strawweight champion, Namajunas will most likely win a unanimous decision using her movement and crisp striking while defending Esparza’s takedowns.
Prediction: Rose Namajunas
Keelin McNamara
Easiest fight of the night to predict for me – I think Rose is going to absolutely walk through Carla Esparza here. Truthfully, Esparza is only getting this shot because of how thin the women’s strawweight division is. Plus, Rose is WAY better than the last time they fought. First round KO for ‘Thug.’
Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov has responded to recent criticizm from former interim titleholder, Tony Ferguson – urging the Oxnard native to focus on his own career ahead of UFC 274 this weekend, and leave him alone. Khabib, who was booked to fight Ferguson on no less than five separate occasions, most recent […]
Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov has responded to recent criticizm from former interim titleholder, Tony Ferguson – urging the Oxnard native to focus on his own career ahead of UFC 274 this weekend, and leave him alone.
Khabib, who was booked to fight Ferguson on no less than five separate occasions, most recent of which in April 2020, never shared the Octagon with the former interim gold holder – in arguably the most awaited fight in promotional history to never occur.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson is considered one of the biggest failed fights in the sport’s history
The Dagestan native would retire from professional mixed martial arts in October of that year following a successful title unification victory over Justin Gaethje, calling time on his professional career, boasting an undefeated 29-0 record.
In the time since his most recent cancelled fight with Khabib, Tony Ferguson has slumped to three consecutive losses, dropping defeats to common-foe, Gaethje, current champion, Charles Oliveira, and the streaking, Beneil Dariush. Ferguson returns this weekend in Phoenix, Arizona this weekend against Michael Chandler.
Speaking on his failed prior matchups with Khabib ahead of UFC 274 this weekend, Ferguson told the former champion’s teammate, Daniel Cormier that his training partner had continued to run away and avoid a fight with him.
“I’m gonna be real, the last few fights I didn’t prepare like I should have,” Tony Ferguson said. “I didn’t take the opportunities I wanted to . I’m not gonna say on purpose, but I wanna be real. There was enough film out there for Khabib (Nurmagomedov) to take a fight and the p*ssy’s still running.” Replying to Ferguson’s comments on Cormier’s official Instagram account, Khabib pointed to Ferguson’s recent skid of three losses, and urged him to just focus on his own fighting career.
“Last 3 years, Tony (Ferguson) has not won a single round in the UFC,” Khabib Nurmagomedov posted. “Leave me alone and focus on yourself stupid guy.”
Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov has responded to recent criticizm from former interim titleholder, Tony Ferguson – urging the Oxnard native to focus on his own career ahead of UFC 274 this weekend, and leave him alone. Khabib, who was booked to fight Ferguson on no less than five separate occasions, most recent […]
Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov has responded to recent criticizm from former interim titleholder, Tony Ferguson – urging the Oxnard native to focus on his own career ahead of UFC 274 this weekend, and leave him alone.
Khabib, who was booked to fight Ferguson on no less than five separate occasions, most recent of which in April 2020, never shared the Octagon with the former interim gold holder – in arguably the most awaited fight in promotional history to never occur.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson is considered one of the biggest failed fights in the sport’s history
The Dagestan native would retire from professional mixed martial arts in October of that year following a successful title unification victory over Justin Gaethje, calling time on his professional career, boasting an undefeated 29-0 record.
In the time since his most recent cancelled fight with Khabib, Tony Ferguson has slumped to three consecutive losses, dropping defeats to common-foe, Gaethje, current champion, Charles Oliveira, and the streaking, Beneil Dariush. Ferguson returns this weekend in Phoenix, Arizona this weekend against Michael Chandler.
Speaking on his failed prior matchups with Khabib ahead of UFC 274 this weekend, Ferguson told the former champion’s teammate, Daniel Cormier that his training partner had continued to run away and avoid a fight with him.
“I’m gonna be real, the last few fights I didn’t prepare like I should have,” Tony Ferguson said. “I didn’t take the opportunities I wanted to . I’m not gonna say on purpose, but I wanna be real. There was enough film out there for Khabib (Nurmagomedov) to take a fight and the p*ssy’s still running.” Replying to Ferguson’s comments on Cormier’s official Instagram account, Khabib pointed to Ferguson’s recent skid of three losses, and urged him to just focus on his own fighting career.
“Last 3 years, Tony (Ferguson) has not won a single round in the UFC,” Khabib Nurmagomedov posted. “Leave me alone and focus on yourself stupid guy.”
Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov has responded to recent criticizm from former interim titleholder, Tony Ferguson – urging the Oxnard native to focus on his own career ahead of UFC 274 this weekend, and leave him alone. Khabib, who was booked to fight Ferguson on no less than five separate occasions, most recent […]
Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov has responded to recent criticizm from former interim titleholder, Tony Ferguson – urging the Oxnard native to focus on his own career ahead of UFC 274 this weekend, and leave him alone.
Khabib, who was booked to fight Ferguson on no less than five separate occasions, most recent of which in April 2020, never shared the Octagon with the former interim gold holder – in arguably the most awaited fight in promotional history to never occur.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson is considered one of the biggest failed fights in the sport’s history
The Dagestan native would retire from professional mixed martial arts in October of that year following a successful title unification victory over Justin Gaethje, calling time on his professional career, boasting an undefeated 29-0 record.
In the time since his most recent cancelled fight with Khabib, Tony Ferguson has slumped to three consecutive losses, dropping defeats to common-foe, Gaethje, current champion, Charles Oliveira, and the streaking, Beneil Dariush. Ferguson returns this weekend in Phoenix, Arizona this weekend against Michael Chandler.
Speaking on his failed prior matchups with Khabib ahead of UFC 274 this weekend, Ferguson told the former champion’s teammate, Daniel Cormier that his training partner had continued to run away and avoid a fight with him.
“I’m gonna be real, the last few fights I didn’t prepare like I should have,” Tony Ferguson said. “I didn’t take the opportunities I wanted to . I’m not gonna say on purpose, but I wanna be real. There was enough film out there for Khabib (Nurmagomedov) to take a fight and the p*ssy’s still running.” Replying to Ferguson’s comments on Cormier’s official Instagram account, Khabib pointed to Ferguson’s recent skid of three losses, and urged him to just focus on his own fighting career.
“Last 3 years, Tony (Ferguson) has not won a single round in the UFC,” Khabib Nurmagomedov posted. “Leave me alone and focus on yourself stupid guy.”
In the co-main of the upcoming UFC 274, strawweight champion Rose Namajunas will take on Carla Esparza, in a rematch eight years in the making. When Namajunas and Esparza fight fought, in the Ultimate Fighter season 20 finale, it was Esparza who walked away with her hand raised. ‘The Cookie Monster’ was able to lock […]
Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov has responded to recent criticizm from former interim titleholder, Tony Ferguson – urging the Oxnard native to focus on his own career ahead of UFC 274 this weekend, and leave him alone. Khabib, who was booked to fight Ferguson on no less than five separate occasions, most recent […]