UFC Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas will reportedly defend her title against Carla Esparza next in a rematch years in the making at UFC 274. News of the booking was first reported by Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated. Namajunas is coming off of back-to-back wins over Zhang Weili in 2021, including most recently in an immediate…
Namajunas is coming off of back-to-back wins over Zhang Weili in 2021, including most recently in an immediate title rematch at UFC 268. She reclaimed UFC gold by knocking Weili out with a head kick at UFC 261.
Namajunas has won three straight fights since losing her strawweight title to Jéssica Andrade at UFC 237, before getting revenge against Andrade in a non-title bout at UFC 251.
Carla Esparza, Image Credit: Getty Images
Esparza makes her return to the strawweight title fight following five-straight wins. She most recently earned a dominant second-round submission of Yan Xiaonan last May after winning a close split decision over Marina Rodriguez.
Esparza won the then-vacant strawweight championship following a win over Namajunas on The Ultimate Fighter 20. She went on to lose to Joanna J?drzejczyk in her first title defense at UFC 185.
Namajunas hasn’t had many stumbles since the loss to Esparza. She has earned dominant wins over J?drzejczyk, Paige VanZant, and Michelle Waterson, to name a few.
UFC 274 will be headlined by a lightweight title bout between Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. It’s expected that Namajunas vs. Esparza 2 will serve as the co-main event.
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler has revealed he’s picking champion Charles Oliveira to emerge victorious over Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. Despite riding an eight-fight win streak this time last year, which included triumphs over Kevin Lee and Tony Ferguson, not many would have expected Oliveira to accomplish the feats he did in 2021. After…
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler has revealed he’s picking champion Charles Oliveira to emerge victorious over Justin Gaethje at UFC 274.
Despite riding an eight-fight win streak this time last year, which included triumphs over Kevin Lee and Tony Ferguson, not many would have expected Oliveira to accomplish the feats he did in 2021.
After Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement, “Do Bronx” found himself opposite relative newcomer Chandler in a battle for 155-pound gold at UFC 262. After five minutes of main event action, Oliveira had been knocked down, beaten, and almost finished. Less than 20 seconds into round two, though, and the Brazilian turned the tide and TKO’d the former Bellator champion.
Gaethje secured his position as number one contender over the likes of Beneil Dariush and Islam Makhachev by getting the better of Chandler in a Fight of the Year-worthy contest last November at UFC 268. Having failed to reach the undisputed throne in a unification showdown against Khabib in 2019, “The Highlight” will hope it’s second-time lucky later this year.
But in his way will be a veteran of the sport who has proven everyone wrong in his recent outings. During an episode of DC & RC, Chandler praised Oliveira’s resurgence from a 10-8-1 record in his first 19 Octagon appearances to 10-0 since his loss to Paul Felder in 2017.
“I think a lot of people would agree with me when I say that I would not have given Charles Oliveira a chance at beating Justin Gaethje up until about the last 12 months,” said Chandler. “Charles Oliveira has come back, essentially from the dead; resurrected his career from the dead.
Sports Illustrated
“He was spotty up and down, could never be relied upon when it came to performances, and just, the way that he has turned into a deadly striker, as well as one of the greatest submission artists that the sport has ever seen, as well as going out there and finishing myself, going out there and finishing Dustin Poirier; that kind of stuff comes with a little bit of added extra confidence with each time he steps inside of the Octagon,” added Chandler.
Having faced both men in 2021, the #5-ranked Chandler is in a unique position to provide a prediction for the next lightweight title clash. While he knows full well how dangerous Gaethje can be, “Iron” believes Oliveira has “too many tools.”
“I think he’s gonna be the most confident Charles Oliveira that we have ever seen, after the year of 2021 that we just saw and him gaining that title and then defending that title, when he steps inside the Octagon against Justin Gaethje. But Justin Gaethje, we all know he’s a killer.
“I think it’s an extremely exciting fight. I still think I give the edge to Charles Oliveira, to be honest. He just has too many tools. And we all know how Justin Gaethje can win. But Charles Oliveira has also proven a lot of us and a lot of the doubters wrong, that he can be in there in those wars. He’s a lot tougher and a lot more resilient than we thought he was,” concluded Chandler.
While Oliveira’s reign advances towards a date with the #1-ranked lightweight on May 7, Chandler will be hoping to secure a potential rematch against either man in his own next appearance against Tony Ferguson on the same date.
Should the 35-year-old’s prediction come true at UFC 274, perhaps he’ll have the chance to exact revenge on Oliveira for their UFC 262 clash before the year is out.
Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 274, Charles Oliveira or Justin Gaethje?
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler knows what he’s getting into with Tony Ferguson ahead of their targeted fight at UFC 274. Chandler and Ferguson are looking to get back in the UFC lightweight title picture after a series of losses from both fighters. Chandler most recently fought against Justin Gaethje in an all-time classic at…
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler knows what he’s getting into with Tony Ferguson ahead of their targeted fight at UFC 274.
Chandler and Ferguson are looking to get back in the UFC lightweight title picture after a series of losses from both fighters. Chandler most recently fought against Justin Gaethje in an all-time classic at UFC 268, losing via a unanimous decision.
Ferguson has lost three in a row, including most recently to Beneil Dariush. Although he still has his trademark toughness and ability to take damage, he’s been beaten up badly in losses to Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.
“The thing about Tony is he’s unbreakable,” Chandler said. “He’s a little bit crazy, got a screw loose. He’s not gonna be a guy that I’m going to be able to break, he’s not going to be a guy that I’m going to be able to wear out and tire out. But, I’m going to get in his face and put hands on him very quickly.”
One example of Ferguson’s toughness was his fight with Gaethje. Despite being blitzed on the feet by Gaethje early and often, he was still able to throw damaging shots and withstand the barrage into Round 5.
Ferguson has also only been finished twice in the entirety of his MMA career. Once against Jamie Tony back in 2009 for NFAMMA, and then the recent fifth-round TKO to Gaethje. Even in lopsided defeats to Oliveira and Dariush, Ferguson has managed to be a tough out for most of the top UFC lightweights.
Tony Ferguson
Chandler and Ferguson had been interested in fighting one another back in 2020, but negotiations never materialized. Chandler would go on to earn a vicious knockout over Dan Hooker at UFC 257 before losing to Oliveira for the vacant title at UFC 262.
Chandler and Ferguson will be on the same card as Oliveira and Gaethje at UFC 274. The winner of Chandler vs. Ferguson will look to move forward in the lightweight division and potentially enter the title shot conversation in 2022.
What is your prediction for Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson?
Michael Chandler has promised to put on a show for the fans against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 this May 7 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Talking to Helen Yee Sports about his next bout, Chandler revealed Ferguson to be the first guy his team had approached when he made the switch from […]
Michael Chandler has promised to put on a show for the fans against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 this May 7 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Talking to Helen Yee Sports about his next bout, Chandler revealed Ferguson to be the first guy his team had approached when he made the switch from Bellator last year. Although UFC announced the fight last week, no contracts have been signed with only a verbal agreement in place between the two.
In his relatively short run in the organization so far, Chandler has become a fan favorite following his Fight of the Year performance against Justin Gaethje.
He’s become known for the signature ‘Michael Chandler in your face flair’ and is sure to put on a show for the fans as he tends to throw the game plan out the window in favor of a less surgical brawl.
“There’s not a fan on earth who wouldn’t want to see me re-match either of those guys (Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira),” said Chandler on the possibility of getting a title shot. Chandler and Ferguson have shared both opponents as he looks determined to become the UFC champion by the year-end given he beats Ferguson at UFC 274.
Michael Chandler confident Gilbert Burns will get the win
On fellow Sanford MMA teammate Gilbert Burns fighting Khamzat Chimaev on the same card, Michael Chandler said, “There’s not a lot of guys that I would tote as people who live a championship lifestyle. When I see the way Gilbert Burns carries himself, the way he shows up early to practice, he stays late, the way he also leads with a servant’s heart.”
“Khamzat is a beast. It’s a great test but I think it’s a very dangerous fight for Khamzat because I think Gilbert Burns is championship material. He’s unbreakable and I think he’s going to go out there and win,” said Chandler as he showed his support for Burns.
Who do you think will come out victorious at UFC 274, Michael Chandler or Tony Ferguson?
A lightweight showcase between former title challengers Tony Ferguson and Michael Chandler has been agreed on for UFC 274. Sports Illustrated was the first to report the fight’s booking. Chandler vs. Ferguson had been hinted at by UFC President Dana White during a recent Q+A on ESPN+ with Laura Sanko. The fight will take place…
Chandler vs. Ferguson had been hinted at by UFC President Dana White during a recent Q+A on ESPN+ with Laura Sanko. The fight will take place the same night as the lightweight title matchup between Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira.
Chandler last fought against Gaethje at UFC 268, losing via a unanimous decision in arguably the best fight of 2021. Before that, he had lost his first UFC title shot against Oliveira for the vacant belt at UFC 262. A win over Ferguson could get Chandler back into the lightweight title picture.
Ferguson is looking to snap a three-fight losing skid and hasn’t won since defeating Donald Cerrone via doctor’s stoppage at UFC 238. He lost to Beneil Dariush in a lopsided bout at UFC 262 after dropping fights to Gaethje and Oliveira in 2020.
Chandler made his UFC debut back at UFC 257 after a long, accomplished career in Bellator. He passed his first UFC test with flying colors, earning a first-round knockout of Dan Hooker.
Ferguson has been a mainstay of the lightweight division and earned the interim title over Kevin Lee at UFC 216. He was slated to face Khabib Nurmagomedov on five different occasions during his career but the fight was canceled due to various circumstances.
The Chandler vs. Ferguson winner will move one step closer to a title shot. UFC 274 takes place on May 7 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ.
What is your prediction for Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson?
UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley has revealed an event and opponent he’s targeting for his first Octagon appearance of 2022. After suffering his first defeat in 2020, O’Malley made a splash last year, finishing all three of his opponents and collecting a trio of $50,000 bonuses along the way. Having secured a place in the rankings…
UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley has revealed an event and opponent he’s targeting for his first Octagon appearance of 2022.
After suffering his first defeat in 2020, O’Malley made a splash last year, finishing all three of his opponents and collecting a trio of $50,000 bonuses along the way. Having secured a place in the rankings with his first-round victory over Raulian Paiva in December, it appeared 2022 was set to be a big one for “Sugar.”
Potentially giving up his nine-fight Las Vegas streak, the 26-year-old hinted that his first bout of 2022 could come at UFC 274, which is set to be held on May 7 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Interestingly, the last time O’Malley fought outside of Nevada was five years ago in Phoenix. On that night, he knocked out David Luzzo at LFA 11. He’ll be hoping for a similar result on his return to the city, but if his hopes come to fruition, he’ll be facing his toughest opponent to date, by far.
When asked if he has a name in mind for the event, O’Malley revealed he’s targeting a clash with veteran Brazilian Pedro Munhoz, who is currently ranked three places above the Montana native at #9.
“I’m thinking Pedro (Munhoz) but we will see. I’m going to make sure I can f*****g train full time and my f*****g s**t feels good,” said O’Malley. (h/t BJPenn.com)
Elsewhere, UFC mainstays Shogun Rua, Ovince Saint Preux, and Donald Cerrone are expected to be in action, along with exciting names like Brandon Royval, Khaos Williams, and Michael Johnson.
While more fights will undoubtedly be announced over the coming weeks and months, fans will certainly now be keeping an eye out for the addition of “Sugar” Sean O’Malley to the PPV.
Michael Chandler has promised to put on a show for the fans against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 this May 7 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Talking to Helen Yee Sports about his next bout, Chandler revealed Ferguson to be the first guy his team had approached when he made the switch from […]