Tag: UFC 281

Watch: Alex Pereira nails trick shot with bow and arrow

Alex PereiraAlex Pereira has been getting some target practice done, but probably not with the type of targets you’re thinking of. The two-division GLORY kickboxing world champion is showing off his skills with a bow and arrow in a recent clip uploaded to the UFC on BT Sport Twitter account. In the video, Pereira is seen […]

Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira has been getting some target practice done, but probably not with the type of targets you’re thinking of.

The two-division GLORY kickboxing world champion is showing off his skills with a bow and arrow in a recent clip uploaded to the UFC on BT Sport Twitter account. In the video, Pereira is seen kicking a soccer ball into the air and then hitting it with an arrow before it lands on the ground. It’s just another impressive feat for the man who will attempt to add UFC gold to his mantle on November 12th.

Of course, when Alex Pereira challenges Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight world championship, it will technically be a trilogy bout. The two combatants have met on two separate occasions with ‘Poatan’ emerging victorious in both outings and famously knocking out ‘The Last Stylebender’ in their 2017 rematch.

Israel Adesanya Believes That The Universe Has Served Him Alex Pereira

Coming off of three straight wins against Sean Strickland, Bruno Silva, and Andreas Michailidis since joining the UFC, Alex Pereira will face a familiar foe, but in a very different setting. Carrying the moment of defeating Adesanya on two separate occasions in the world of kickboxing, many suggest that ‘The Last Stylebender’ is living the final days of his world title reign. The champ doesn’t quite see it that way.

In an interview with ESPN, Israel Adesanya sees this as an opportunity presented by the universe. Never looking to avenge his losses to Alex Pereira in GLORY, Adesanya sees this as fate and he has no intentions of squandering the universe’s offering to bring Pereira’s hype train to a crashing halt.

“After he beat me you know, in Brazil, I never had any plans of trying to get revenge or anything like that because I don’t hold on to things. I let go of things but again I’m telling you the universe has presented this to me and it’s right there. It’s the perfect alley-oop and I’m gonna slam this.”

Michael Chandler welcomes Conor McGregor clash, admits he would take title shot first ahead of UFC 281 return

Michael ChandlerMaintaining a blockbuster lightweight fight against former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor appeals to him, incoming UFC 281 feature, Michael Chandler insists he would have to accept a title shot over a potential lucrative payday against the Dubliner. Chandler, who is set to return to the Octagon on November 12. at Madison Square Garden, is […]

Michael Chandler

Maintaining a blockbuster lightweight fight against former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor appeals to him, incoming UFC 281 feature, Michael Chandler insists he would have to accept a title shot over a potential lucrative payday against the Dubliner.

Chandler, who is set to return to the Octagon on November 12. at Madison Square Garden, is slated to feature against former interim titleholder, Dustin Poirier in a long-anticipated showdown in New York.

As for McGregor, the 34-year-old Crumlin native is expected to make his Octagon return in the opening months of 2023, after suffering a fractured left tibia in the opening round of his trilogy rubber match with Poirier back in July of last year.

Michael Chandler still remains open to a fight with Conor McGregor

Constantly chomping at the bit to share the Octagon with McGregor in the future, Chandler, who even offered to make a welterweight division charge in order to welcome the striker back to active competition, maintains, however, he would have to take a title shot over a bout with the former first and foremost. 

“Honestly, I fight for the title (first) – I win the title,” Michael Chandler told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “I started this journey in 2009, I fell short of becoming a national champion in wrestling at Missou (Missouri), obviously I was a multiple time Bellator champion, but I was never the number one guy in the world.”

“I go out there I win the UFC title, I’m the number one guy in the world,” Michael Chandler explained. “I can rest my head on my pillow for the rest of my life, knowing I was a champion. Knowing that – I’ve always put it on the line, I’ve always acted and treated this like a profession. And always stayed disciplined, but never become the number one guy in the world. I wanna become the number one guy in the world. And that’s my ultimate goal. I think that’s gonna happen, I think that’s on the cards for me. And then I fight Conor (McGregor) after that. And it’s an even bigger show.”

Snapping a two-fight losing skid against both former champion, Charles Oliveira, and Justin Gaethje in his last Octagon appearance, Kill Cliff FC mainstay, Chandler stopped recent UFC 279 headliner, Tony Ferguson with a brutal second round front kick KO back in May.

UFC 281 Betting Preview – Dustin Poirier opens as decent favorite over Michael Chandler ahead of MSG clash

Dustin PoirierWith this week’s confirmation of a blockbuster, long-anticipated lightweight showdown between former interim UFC lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier, and veteran contender, Michael Chandler at UFC 281 on November 12. – betting lines have already opened across multiple markets ahead of the massive Madison Square Garden matchup.  Poirier, who currently sits as the #2 ranked lightweight […]

Dustin Poirier

With this week’s confirmation of a blockbuster, long-anticipated lightweight showdown between former interim UFC lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier, and veteran contender, Michael Chandler at UFC 281 on November 12. – betting lines have already opened across multiple markets ahead of the massive Madison Square Garden matchup. 

Poirier, who currently sits as the #2 ranked lightweight contender, sits just beneath former opponent and most recent division champion, Charles Oliveira in the division pecking order – following their December showdown.

Headlining UFC 269 against Oliveira, the Sao Paulo native successfully defended his lightweight title with a third round, standing rear-naked choke win over Poirier, dispatching the Lafayette striker in a back-and-forth battle.

The loss snapped an impressive run of three consecutive victories for Dustin Poirier atop the lightweight division – including a pair of wins over former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor last year, the second of which courtesy of a doctor’s stoppage TKO win in July – after the Dubliner fractured his left tibia. 

Earlier this week, the UFC Chief Business Officer, Hunter Campbell confirmed that the promotion are set to field a mouth-watering, three round lightweight fight between Poirier and Chandler to take place on November 12. at the penultimate flagship event of the year; UFC 281, sending fans and pundits alike into raptures as a result. 

Speculation has been rife regarding a potential future fight between both Dustin Poirier and Chandler since the latter’s May knockout win over Tony Ferguson, with the two almost coming to unsanctioned blows on fighter row at UFC 276 back in July during International Fight Week – with security and officials well-placed to prevent a spill out.

Poirier has made his feelings toward Chandler’s quick ascension through the lightweight pile known, particularly ahead of the latter’s title challenge against the aforenoted, Oliveira back in May of last year, questioning his demeanour to boot.

Naturally, the two have the perfect opportunity to settle their rather leftfield rivalry in an end-of-year clash, with the former interim gold holder initially placed as a betting favorite over Chandler out the blocks in many markets.

Viewed as decent value for money – to the tune of -200 on many bookies markets, Dustin Poirier – whose sole other losses in the five years, have only come against Oliveira, and the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov. 

Dustin Poirier opens as decent betting favorite ahead of UFC 281

As for Chandler, the Kill Cliff MMA staple and Henri Hooft product has brought fireworks in abundance to the Octagon since his landing in the promotion in January of last year, however, punters will have to part with underdog money of +170 if they choose to back Missouri underdog Chandler – which they can do over at Ignition Casino. 

Enjoying a gold-laden and hugely-successful spell since his 2015 lightweight division move, Dustin Poirier, who holds an impressive 12-3(1) record at 155lbs, had only failed to see his hand raised against both Michael Johnson and Eddie Alvarez – the latter of which he turned right with a rematch knockout win.

Exercising 2014 featherweight demons against McGregor on ‘Fight Island’ in January of last year, Poirier turned in a splendid striking display against the 34-year-old Crumlin star with a brutal barrage of second round strikes in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

With the victory, Dustin Poirier added the Dubliner to prior victories over other former high-level champions including Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje, Anthony Pettis, and the above-mentioned, Alvarez.

Landing in the promotion off the back of three separate title reigns under the Scott Coker-led Bellator MMA banner, Chandler got off the mark in the organization in spectacular fashion of his own with his own ‘Fight Island’ knockout win against Dan Hooker. 

Giving up back-to-back losses to Oliveira and common-foe, Gaethje, Chandler set up his blockbuster bout with Dustin Poirier courtesy of a massive front kick KO win over Ferguson earlier this year.

Dropping the opening round against the incoming UFC 279 co-headliner, Chandler sprang with a huge second round front kick in the early goings of the second round in Phoenix, Arizona – becoming the first fighter to finish Ferguson with strikes in professional mixed martial arts.

The addition of Poirier x Chandler to UFC 281 in November further adds firepower to a card which features an undisputed title doubleheader – with Israel Adesanya, and Alex Pereira clashing for middleweight spoils. In the night’s co-main event, strawweight queen Carla Esparza featured opposite former titleholder, Zhang Weili.

Israel Adesanya Gives Alex Pereira A Rating On The ‘Threat Meter’

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has given his thoughts on Alex Pereira’s recent performances in MMA ahead of UFC 281. Adesanya will face Pereira in a rematch of their two fights in Glory Kickboxing. Pereira defeated the middleweight cha…

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has given his thoughts on Alex Pereira’s recent performances in MMA ahead of UFC 281. Adesanya will face Pereira in a rematch of their two fights in Glory Kickboxing. Pereira defeated the middleweight champion twice in Glory and is the only fighter in any combat sport to knock him out….

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya Gives Alex Pereira A Rating On The ‘Threat Meter’ at MMA News.

Michael Chandler vs Dustin Poirier Official For UFC 281 At Madison Square Garden

Michael ChandlerMichael Chandler and Dustin Poirier will face off in a three round bout at UFC 281 in Madison Square Garden. The fight had been in the works for some time now, but has finally been made official. The two have been linked to each other since they had to be separated from one another at […]

Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier will face off in a three round bout at UFC 281 in Madison Square Garden.

The fight had been in the works for some time now, but has finally been made official. The two have been linked to each other since they had to be separated from one another at UFC 276. After that scrum, Chandler and Poirier were taking shots back and forth at each other. Chandler told Poirier that he needs to act like a professional, while Poirier claims he only said what was on his chest.

Chandler is coming off of a brutal front kick KO victory over Tony Ferguson, that ended up sending Ferguson into the welterweight division. Since debuting in the UFC, Chandler has had an enormous amount of hype behind him, and he has done more than live up to it.

Chandler has come the closest to beating Charles Oliveira, as he almost captured gold in just his second fight with the organization. He also had one of the best fights in recent memory, when he went toe to toe with Justin Gaethje, but lost. His knockouts over Ferguson and Dan Hooker are incredible highlight finishes as well, cementing him as one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC.

Michael Chandler has also signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC

According to reports, it seems as if Chandler will be staying for the one haul, as he has inked a new multi-fight deal with the UFC.

Porter’s last fight came eight months ago, when he lost to Charles Oliveira, in what was ‘Do Bronx’s’ first title defense of his career. Poirier came up short once again as he was submitted in the third round, in the same way he lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov, the first time he challenged for the title.

Who do you think wins this fight, Poirier or Chandler?

Abus Magomedov reveals plot to ‘smash’ Israel Adesanya following explosive UFC Paris victory

Abus MagomedovOff the back of his spectacular 19-second front kick and strikes knockout win over Dustin Stoltzfus at UFC Fight Night Paris last weekend, German promotional newcomer, Abus Magomedov has claimed he and his team have a plan in place to “smash” middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya already.  Magomedov, who improved to 25-4-1 as a professional last […]

Abus Magomedov

Off the back of his spectacular 19-second front kick and strikes knockout win over Dustin Stoltzfus at UFC Fight Night Paris last weekend, German promotional newcomer, Abus Magomedov has claimed he and his team have a plan in place to “smash” middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya already. 

Magomedov, who improved to 25-4-1 as a professional last weekend in his quickfire knockout win over the aforenoted, Stoltzfus – grabbed the Philadelphia native’s attention with a massive front kick in the opening exchange of their UFC Paris matchup before storming forward – landing a series of strikes and securing a breathtaking 19-second knockout win. 

Abus Magomedov previews a future fight with Israel Adesanya

Speaking with assembled media following his UFC Paris win, Abus Magomedov, a prior contender under the PFL and KSW banner, previewed a potential future fight against current middleweight titleholder, Adesanya – explaining how he and his coaches have a plan in place already, on how to topple the champion.

“I will wrestle him,” Abus Magomedov said of a potential fight with Israel Adesanya. “I will smash him in wrestling, yeah. If he wants to stand up, I can also fight in the stand-up. It’s not (something) I’m afraid of, a stand-up fight. But you have to be smart and know how to smash this guy.” 

While Magomedov retains one eye on a future matchup with Adesanya, the City Kickboxing native is touted to have his proverbial hands full with former kickboxing rival, Alex Pereira in November – as the two headline UFC 281 in a Madison Square Garden title showdown. 

The Nigerian-Kiwi has scored an impressive five successful defenses of his middleweight crown against Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, Robert Whittaker, and Jared Cannonier. And has been called to tackle the likes of Khamzat Chimaev, and Andre Muniz in the future in the form of fresh competition atop the middleweight standings.