Tag: UFC 274

Michael Chandler Dislocated Finger Minutes Before UFC 274 Knockout

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler was at a bit of a disadvantage just minutes before making the walkout for his fight at UFC 274. Chandler finished former interim champion Tony Ferguson with a vicious head kick in Round 2. He earned a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus after arguably one of the most brutal knockouts…

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UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler was at a bit of a disadvantage just minutes before making the walkout for his fight at UFC 274.

Chandler finished former interim champion Tony Ferguson with a vicious head kick in Round 2. He earned a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus after arguably one of the most brutal knockouts in UFC history.

But as he was in the back warming up for his fight, Chandler suffered a nasty finger injury during a routine drill.

During a recent interview with The Pat McAfee Show, Chandler revealed what happened just before his UFC 274 knockout of Ferguson.

“I dislocated my [ring] finger about 20-30 minutes before the fight, blocking a kick,” Chandler said. “My buddy Marquez, great training partner of mine, he was throwing kicks. I had this great idea. Warmup was already done, I’m going out in about 10-20 minutes, and I go, ‘Hey, throw some high kicks at me and I’ll block them and go body shot.’ And he threw a normal kick like he’s done 1,000 times at me and I ended up going fingernail all the way back, bent it all the way back.”

Chandler went on to dismiss the idea that he considered pulling out of the fight.

“At this point, we keep the adrenaline going, I said ‘this ain’t a hand, it’s a hammer. We gotta go.’”

Despite Chandler’s injury, he’s open to a quick turnaround to the Octagon later this year. He called out Conor McGregor in his post-fight interview and also seems open to a welterweight bout against Nate Diaz.

Chandler has emerged as one of the most entertaining fighters in the UFC, and his toughness can’t be questioned after the injury he suffered just before his ‘Knockout of the Year’ candidate.

Is Michael Chandler’s knockout the best you’ve ever seen?

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Oliveira Invites Ferguson To Train Together, Chimaev Also Shows Support

Charles Oliveira and Khamzat Chimaev reached out to Tony Ferguson on social media following the former interim champion’s UFC 274 loss. Ferguson suffered his fourth-straight loss to Michael Chandler at UFC 274 after getting his with a vicious front-kick to the face in Round 2. He had returned following a year away from the sport…

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Charles Oliveira and Khamzat Chimaev reached out to Tony Ferguson on social media following the former interim champion’s UFC 274 loss.

Ferguson suffered his fourth-straight loss to Michael Chandler at UFC 274 after getting his with a vicious front-kick to the face in Round 2. He had returned following a year away from the sport and cited tensions with UFC president Dana White and the rest of the UFC brass.

Ferguson, who at one point was considered one of the top lightweights in the world, has struggled since falling to Justin Gaethje in an interim lightweight title fight at UFC 249. One of those losses came at the hands of Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira who defeated Gaethje in the UFC 274 main event.

In a post-UFC 274 tweet, Oliveira wrote a message of support for his former adversary Ferguson.

“We’re among big dogs, up&downs are part of our jorneys. I admire you a lot [Tony Ferguson],” Oliveira tweeted. “You’ve the history inside the Octagon. Head up “El Cucuy”! If you wish, let’s train together in ChuteBoxe’s hedquarter in São Paulo for your nxt fight. You’re a brother!”

Chimaev, a rising star in the UFC, also reached out to Ferguson to remind him of his cemented status in UFC history.

“Keep your head up you are already a legend in this sport [Tony Ferguson],” Chimaev said.

Despite the obvious frustrations that come with defeat, Ferguson seems intent on moving forward and returning to the Octagon later this year. Leading up to the knockout from Chandler, Ferguson looked in peak shape and knocked down Chandler with a punch earlier in the fight. UFC President Dana White has also assured that despite the four-fight skid, Ferguson’s spot on the company’s roster remains secure.

Ferguson’s last UFC win came against Donald Cerrone at UFC 238 via doctor’s stoppage. Before that, he had earned the interim lightweight title over Kevin Lee and picked up a stoppage win over Anthony Pettis.

What do you think should be next for Tony Ferguson’s UFC career?

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Photo: Dana White Has Canelo Fight On Monitor During Rose/Esparza 2

UFC President Dana White was more concerned with the Canelo Álvarez fight during Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza’s women’s strawweight title fight at UFC 274 this past weekend. White was pictured cageside during the title bout watching the Canelo Álvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol light heavyweight title bout on one of his monitors. Check that photo…

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UFC President Dana White was more concerned with the Canelo Álvarez fight during Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza’s women’s strawweight title fight at UFC 274 this past weekend.

White was pictured cageside during the title bout watching the Canelo Álvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol light heavyweight title bout on one of his monitors. Check that photo out here below.

In White’s defense, Namajunas and Esparza put on one of the most uneventful UFC title fights in recent memory. Both women were reluctant to engage, in regards to striking, for the majority of the contest. Esparza did, however, manage to get some takedowns during the fight.

It is also possible that White’s primary focus was still on the Esparza/Namajunas fight, as his gaze in the above photo appears to be situated on the strawweight title fight. However, White himself did admit during the post-fight press conference that he ‘zoned out’ during the title fight.

When it was all said and done, Esparza got her hand raised via split decision to unseat Namajunas from the 115-pound throne. Esparza again defeated Namajunas to become a UFC strawweight champion, as she did back in 2014 to win the inaugural title.

Despite the title change, the crowd was not impressed, booing both during and after the fight, voicing their frustration with the lack of action. After the fight, Esparza spoke on the lack of action during the bout, stating that Namajunas’ reluctance to engage was to blame for the lackluster contest.

“I believe my coaches told me that I was winning, I think they said she was going to be a little bit safe in that last round,” Esparza explained.

“I’m not too sure, in that last round I was just like ‘oh my gosh, I wanna do more, I really want to set in the eyes of the judges’. I hate to say it this way, but it’s hard to fight someone who doesn’t wanna fight.”

Canelo vs. Bivol certainly contained a lot more action. Bivol became the first man to defeat Álvarez inside the boxing ring since Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013. The Russian retained his light heavyweight titles over Álvarez via unanimous decision to improve his perfect record to 20-0.

What do you think about Dana White having Canelo vs. Bivol on his monitor during the Namajunas vs. Esparza fight? Sound off in the comments!

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Ferguson Responds To McGregor’s Mocking, “There’s My B**ch”

Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson isn’t amused by Conor McGregor mocking him for his UFC 274 loss to Michael Chandler. Ferguson made his return to the Octagon this weekend at UFC 274, losing to Chandler via second-round head kick knockout. It was his fourth-straight loss in the UFC after suffering defeats to the…

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Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson isn’t amused by Conor McGregor mocking him for his UFC 274 loss to Michael Chandler.

Ferguson made his return to the Octagon this weekend at UFC 274, losing to Chandler via second-round head kick knockout. It was his fourth-straight loss in the UFC after suffering defeats to the likes of Justin Gaethje, Beneil Dariush, and Charles Oliveira.

Ferguson has tabbed McGregor as “McNuggets” for years, and McGregor recently used Ferguson’s latest loss to throw his mockery back at him.

In a reply, Ferguson hit back at the former UFC double champion.

“Ahhh There’s my bitch,” Ferguson responded. “Next time tag me pussy. Comin’ after you & ur crew. McNugget stays with you fake, can’t take what not your ya anymore thief. Still got no sauce & no balls McNuggets. I’ll see you & your crew soon comin after your gold leprechaun.”

In the leadup to UFC 274, Ferguson aired a series of frustrations he’s had with UFC president Dana White and the promotion in recent years. This prompted the Irishman to analyze the issues and downplay Ferguson’s grievances.

Ferguson and McGregor have been linked to a potential fight for years, but negotiations have never materialized. McGregor is anticipating a return to the Octagon later this year, most likely at welterweight based on his most recent updates.

What are your thoughts on the latest Tony Ferguson/Conor McGregor Twitter banter?

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White Confirms Oliveira Will Receive PPV Points Despite Weight Miss

UFC President Dana White has confirmed that Charles Oliveira will still receive pay-per-view points for UFC 274 despite his weight miss. In this past weekend’s main event, Oliveira was set for the second defense of his lightweight championship against top contender Justin Gaethje. But after a 0.5-pound weight miss, the PPV headliner effectively became a…

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UFC President Dana White has confirmed that Charles Oliveira will still receive pay-per-view points for UFC 274 despite his weight miss.

In this past weekend’s main event, Oliveira was set for the second defense of his lightweight championship against top contender Justin Gaethje. But after a 0.5-pound weight miss, the PPV headliner effectively became a title eliminator for the Brazilian, with the gold either leaving with “The Highlight” or remaining vacant.

Inside one round, the belt’s fate was secured. Despite suffering two early knockdowns, which is beginning to be expected in his fights, Oliveira once again overcame adversity to secure victory, this time with a quick rear-naked choke.

Ahead of the contest, many had questioned the status of Oliveira’s PPV points, especially given that the situation was mostly unprecedented in the UFC. During his appearance at the post-fight press conference, White confirmed that despite the weight miss and the title vacancy, “Do Bronx” will still receive PPV points.

White did, however, admit that he’s uncertain whether the same will apply when Oliveira fights for the vacant title.

With an 11th victory added to his win streak, the name of another elite lightweight written on his résumé, and confirmation that he’ll be taking home a share of the PPV revenue, it seems that Oliveira left UFC 274 with everything but gold.

Nevertheless, believing he remains on the throne, it was and will remain all smiles for Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira.

Charles Oliveira vs…

With the victory, Oliveira has cemented his place in one of two spots for the vacant title fight likely for later this year. As for the other place? It seems there’s a logical option, a recency bias option, and a “Notorious” option…

Elsewhere on the UFC 274 main card, Michael Chandler shot back towards contention with a memorable front-kick knockout of Tony Ferguson. Despite going 2-2 in the promotion and defeating the #7-ranked contender, “Iron” believes he’s in line for a rematch with Oliveira and a second crack at ascending the 155-pound mountain.

But battling with him for the position is top-three lightweight Islam Makhachev, who has won 10 straight inside the Octagon. The Dagestani sent a message to Oliveira after UFC 274, telling the Brazilian he’d meet him in Abu Dhabi, where the UFC is scheduled to be for UFC 281 in October.

Of course, would it be a lightweight title conversation without the presence of Conor McGregor?

While the Irishman’s return timeline is still uncertain, and it appears he’s got his sights set on welterweight, should the former champ-champ decide he wants a second taste of gold at 155 pounds, it’s hard to imagine him being denied.

That’s especially true given Oliveira’s clear willingness to brush aside other challengers for a money fight with the sport’s biggest superstar.

Who should Charles Oliveira face later this year for the vacant lightweight strap?

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Michael Chandler Offers To Fight Nate Diaz At UFC 277: ‘Spin Your Head On It’s Axis’

Michael ChandlerOff the back of a spectacular front kick knockout win over former interim UFC lightweight titleholder, Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 on Saturday – Michael Chandler has offered to make a blistering turnaround and fight Nate Diaz at the welterweight limit at UFC 277 on July 30. Chandler, a former three-time Bellator lightweight champion, turned […]

Michael Chandler

Off the back of a spectacular front kick knockout win over former interim UFC lightweight titleholder, Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 on Saturday – Michael Chandler has offered to make a blistering turnaround and fight Nate Diaz at the welterweight limit at UFC 277 on July 30.

Chandler, a former three-time Bellator lightweight champion, turned in his second Octagon victory at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday night, rallying from an opening round knockdown to finish Ferguson with a devastating 17 second knockout in the second round courtesy of a brutal front kick.

The victory snapped a run of two losses for the Sanford MMA staple, who had dropped defeats to UFC 274 headliners, Charles Oliveira, and Justin Gaethje last year – following a successful Octagon landing against Dan Hooker in January on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Michael Chandler makes surprising offer to fight Nate Diaz at UFC 277 on July 30.

Initially calling for a title rematch against either Gaethje or Oliveira next, Chandler also offered to make the welterweight limit for a long-rumored fight against former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor, however, has since switched focus to Stockton veteran, Diaz – who himself hinted at a summer Octagon return at UFC 277.

“I’m there,” Michael Chandler replied to Diaz who tweeted, “July 30. 170lbs,” “Quick turn around. Spin your head on it’s axis. @natediaz209.” 

In a second tweet aimed at The Ultimate Fighter 3 victor, Chandler urged him to keep his mouth shut until UFC president, Dana White booked him a fight – claiming that he just might find himself staring across from him next time out.

“Hey, @natediaz209… shut up and stop complaining,” Michael Chandler tweeted. “Keep your mouth shut. Keep your head down until your daddy books a fight for you to get your sacrificial dome bounced off the canvas again. Maybe it’ll be me… if you’re lucky. See you at the top.”