Tag: UFC 288

Leon Edwards welcomes all challengers following UFC 288: ‘I don’t care who I fight, this division is light work’

Leon Edwards welcomes all comers UFC 288 I don't care who I fight division is light workA keen observer at UFC 288 last night, undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards reveals he is ready to take on all comers to his crown – as he awaits a grudge match with Colby Covington, and potential rematch with event co-headliner, Belal Muhammad.  Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion under the promotion’s banner, managed to […]

Leon Edwards welcomes all comers UFC 288 I don't care who I fight division is light work

A keen observer at UFC 288 last night, undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards reveals he is ready to take on all comers to his crown – as he awaits a grudge match with Colby Covington, and potential rematch with event co-headliner, Belal Muhammad. 

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion under the promotion’s banner, managed to successfully defend his division title for the first time in March in the main event of UFC 286 on home soil, defeating three-time foe, Kamaru Usman in their championship trilogy rubber match.

Expected to draw former interim division gold holder, Colby Covington off the back of his London homecoming win against Usman, Edwards has yet to officially book a fight with the outspoken Clovis native, as he prefers an October return at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. 

Last night, however, surging contender, Belal Muhammad punched his ticket for a welterweight title tilt for the first time in his Octagon tenure, turning in a dominant unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) win over an injury-ridden, Gilbert Burns.

Leon Edwards mocks welterweight competition ahead of UFC return

Facing Muhammad previously in a 2021 official ‘No Contest’, Edwards claimed the welterweight division was “light work” for him following the culmination of UFC 288 last night in Newark, New Jersey.

“Honestly I don’t care who I fight next,” Leon Edwards tweeted. “This whole division is light work #KingLeon.” 

Rejecting the opportunity to headline a targeted pay-per-view event return to the UK for the UFC in July this summer, Edwards revealed he had yet to receive an official bout agreement to fight Colby Covington – who most recently turned in a one-sided unanimous decision win over arch-rival, Jorge Masvidal back in March of last year UFC 272. 

Conor McGregor rips Belal Muhammad following UFC 288 win against Gilbert Burns: ‘That was piss poor’

Conor McGregor rips Belal Muhammad following UFC 288 win that was piss poorFormer duel-weight champion, Conor McGregor has criticized what he described as a “piss poor” fight between Belal Muhammad and one-time welterweight title challenger, Gilbert Burns at UFC 288 in a co-headlining, slot, poking fun at the Chicago native’s lopsided victory. Taking co-main event status on a little over two weeks’ notice, Muhammad managed to extended […]

Conor McGregor rips Belal Muhammad following UFC 288 win that was piss poor

Former duel-weight champion, Conor McGregor has criticized what he described as a “piss poor” fight between Belal Muhammad and one-time welterweight title challenger, Gilbert Burns at UFC 288 in a co-headlining, slot, poking fun at the Chicago native’s lopsided victory.

Taking co-main event status on a little over two weeks’ notice, Muhammad managed to extended his undefeated streak at the welterweight limit to 10 straight fights, landing a one-sided unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) victory over the streaking, Burns in Newark, New Jersey.

Conor McGregor trashes Belal Muhammad following UFC 288 victory

Criticized largely across social media for his cruising display against a clearly hampered and injured Niteroi native, Burns – Muhammad, who is now lined up to take on the winner of an expected welterweight title fight between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington later this year, was blasted by former two-division kingpin, McGregor on social media.

“That was a very poor bout,” Conor McGregor tweeted. “Piss poor.” 

Sharing his thoughts in the immediate aftermath of his judging success against Kill Cliff FC staple, Burns, Muhammad claimed that he could defeat heavyweight champion, Jon Jones with an eight week training camp – before taking aim at the state of New Jersey.

“You give me eight weeks, I’ll beat Jon Jones,” Belal Muhammad told Joe Rogan during his Octagon interview at UFC 288. “You give me three weeks, I’ll beat any welterweight in the world… My first thoughts are; New Jersey, you suck. Leon (Edwards), Colby (Covington), I’m coming for both of you.”

Also taking aim at event headliner and fellow former two-weight champion, Henry Cejudo in the wake of his split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) loss to Aljamain Sterling in their championship headliner, McGregor labelled the Olympic gold medalist a “stripper” in a heated post-event tirade on his official social media. 

Brandon Moreno calls for Henry Cejudo to halt retirement following UFC 288: ‘F*ck belts, just you and me’

Brandon Moreno calls for fight with Henry Cejudo no retirement following UFC 288 f*ck beltsUndisputed flyweight champion, Brandon Moreno has urged former duel-weight champion, Henry Cejudo to refrain from a potential second retirement from mixed martial arts following last night’s bantamweight title challenge loss, offering to settle their rivalry at 135lbs in a main event clash in Mexico City. Moreno, the current undisputed flyweight champion, is himself slated to […]

Brandon Moreno calls for fight with Henry Cejudo no retirement following UFC 288 f*ck belts

Undisputed flyweight champion, Brandon Moreno has urged former duel-weight champion, Henry Cejudo to refrain from a potential second retirement from mixed martial arts following last night’s bantamweight title challenge loss, offering to settle their rivalry at 135lbs in a main event clash in Mexico City.

Moreno, the current undisputed flyweight champion, is himself slated to co-headline UFC 290 in July during International Fight Week – taking on past opponent, Brazilian contender, Alexandre Pantoja in their championship rematch. 

As for Cejudo, the Olympic gold medalist snapped his three-year Octagon retirement last night in the main event of UFC 288, suffering a close, split decision (48-47, 47-48, 47-48) loss to defending gold holder, Sterling at the Prudential Center.

Weighing up his fighting future off the back of his championship fight loss, Cejudo remained coy on the topic of him competing professionally once again.

“I just don’t know Joe (Rogan), I just don’t know,” Henry Cejudo said following UFC 288. “You tell me. It was close but Aljamain (Sterling) did his jo, he got the victory. It sucks man. I hate losing but it’s also been three years. I just don’t know where to take it from here, Joe. I’m a little confused right now. Whether I continue, it’s like Ricky Bobby, if I’m not first, I’m last. If I can’t beat Alja, my biggest goal was to go to 145 pounds. If I can’t get the victory over him then I just know where that puts me.”

Brandon Moreno calls for bantamweight clash against Henry Cejudo after UFC 290 return

Offered a lifeline to a potential bantamweight title siege in the future once more, Cejudo has been called out by rival, Brandon Moreno – who has offered to meet him at 135lbs in a bid to settle their grudge.

“@henry_cejudo don’t retire yet, please wait for me,” Brandon Moreno posted on Instagram. “I’m going to win my fight in July [at UFC 290] and then we can finish business, main event in Mexico City. I go to 135lbs, f*ck belts, just you and me in the Octagon.” 

Aljamain Sterling scoffs at UFC 292 fight with Sean O’Malley in Boston: ‘I wanna go back to the West Coast’

Aljamain Sterling scoffs at Boston fight with Sean O'Malley UFC 282 I wanna go back West CoastDespite welcoming an immediate title defense against the surging, Sean O’Malley off the back of last night’s win over former duel-weight champion, Henry Cejudo, undisputed bantamweight kingpin, Aljamain Sterling is less than interested in a potential Boston, Massachusetts showdown in August at UFC 292. Headlining at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey last night […]

Aljamain Sterling scoffs at Boston fight with Sean O'Malley UFC 282 I wanna go back West Coast

Despite welcoming an immediate title defense against the surging, Sean O’Malley off the back of last night’s win over former duel-weight champion, Henry Cejudo, undisputed bantamweight kingpin, Aljamain Sterling is less than interested in a potential Boston, Massachusetts showdown in August at UFC 292.

Headlining at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey last night in the main event of UFC 288, Sterling managed to successfully defend his bantamweight crown for the third straight occasion, landing a close, competitive split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) victory over former undisputed bantamweight and flyweight champion, Cejudo.

Becoming the first bantamweight champion in Octagon history to successfully defend his championship on three consecutive occasions, Uniondale native, Sterling was immediately joined in the cage by the #2 ranked contender, O’Malley – setting up a fight with the Montana native later this summer.

And according to UFC president, Dana White, the idea of an August 19. pairing of the duo at a targeted UFC 292 card in Boston, Massachusetts – fits the bill.

Aljamain Sterling prefers West Coast battle with Sean O’Malley next

However, as per Sterling, the opportunity to fight in Boston – giving his New York home base has been scoffed at, with the Serra-Longo MMA staple preferring a trip to Las Vegas for his next bantamweight title defense. 

“That is news to me, man – I dont’t wanna go to Boston,” Aljamain Sterling told TSN reporter, Aaron Bronsteter. “Dana (White), I’ve been trying to fight at the T-Mobile [Arena] for God know’s how long. Can we just fight in [Las] Vegas?”

“I wanna fight in Vegas where it’s nice and hot, go to a pool party,” Aljamain Sterling explained. “Boston’s cool, but, you know, I wanna go back to the West Coast. And he’s (Sean O’Malley) gonna be a [fan] favorite – he’s gonna be a favorite over there. I know there’s a big Irish crowd over there. So, whatever, it is what it is 

Henry Cejudo weighs up second MMA retirement in wake of UFC 288 title loss

Henry CejudoHenry Cejudo may be calling it quits once again after coming up short in his return to the Octagon on Saturday night. ‘Triple C’ fell short in his bantamweight title bid at UFC 288, dropping a debatable split decision to reigning 135-pound champion Aljamain Sterling. Following the contest, Cejudo spoke with Joe Rogan inside the […]

Henry Cejudo

Henry Cejudo may be calling it quits once again after coming up short in his return to the Octagon on Saturday night.

‘Triple C’ fell short in his bantamweight title bid at UFC 288, dropping a debatable split decision to reigning 135-pound champion Aljamain Sterling. Following the contest, Cejudo spoke with Joe Rogan inside the Octagon where he admitted to feeling confused, not only about the decision, but about his future in the sport.

“Yeah, I mean it was close, but Aljamain did his job. He got the victory,” Cejudo said. “It sucks [because] I hate losing, but it’s also been three years and I just don’t know where to take it from here Joe. I’m a little confused right now. It’s like Ricky Bobby. If I’m not first, I’m last. If I can’t beat Aljo… My biggest goal was to go up to 145 pounds. If I can’t get the victory over [Sterling], I just don’t know where that puts me.”

Asked if Saturday night’s main event would be his last appearance inside the Octagon, Henry Cejudo was non-committal, suggesting that he needed to think about his future before making an emotional decision.

“I think we go back and think about it. Like I said, if I’m not first, I’m last,” Cejudo continued. “I want to talk to Dana, but I gotta talk to my wife. Who knows. This may be the last of me in the Octagon.”

Henry Cejudo Speaks on Potential Retirement at Post-Fight Press Event

Appearing at the UFC 288 post-fight press conference, Henry Cejudo was still understandably dejected following his defeat. Asked by a media member if he had any more thoughts on retirement during the minutes it took him to go from the cage to backstage, ‘Triple C’ was once again uncertain about his future, but expressed a strong desire to spend more time with his daughter.

He also revealed that he and his wife are currently expecting their second child, something that will undoubtedly play into his decision once he makes it.

“I don’t know, man. I gotta lay back. My wife’s pregnant, we’re getting ready to have another kid and even these last two to three months, not being able to give my kid that attention… I’m a good father,” Cejudo said. “I love spending time with my kid. I love playing with them and it’s just cutting weight, not holding her. Kind of neglecting that. Having a lot of my training partners play with her. A lot of you people don’t give a f*ck, but my time with my kid means the world to me, especially the fact that I have another on the way.”

If Henry Cejudo chooses to retire, he will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most successful competitors in the history of the sport. As an Olympic gold medalist, ‘Triple C’ is already part of an elite group of world-class athletes. Matched with his status a two-division UFC champion, Cejudo is an undeniable icon in combat sports and should be recognized as such.

Conor McGregor rips Henry Cejudo after UFC 288 loss: ‘He done the splits like a stripper’

Conor McGregorConor McGregor took a dig at fellow former two-division champion Henry Cejudo following Saturday night’s UFC 288 main event. ‘Triple C’ came up short in his quest to become a three-time champion, suffering a closely-contested split decision loss to the reigning 135-pound king, Aljamain Sterling. Following the announcement, Conor McGregor took to Twtter in order […]

Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor took a dig at fellow former two-division champion Henry Cejudo following Saturday night’s UFC 288 main event.

‘Triple C’ came up short in his quest to become a three-time champion, suffering a closely-contested split decision loss to the reigning 135-pound king, Aljamain Sterling. Following the announcement, Conor McGregor took to Twtter in order to take a shot at the Olympic gold medalist.

“Easiest money I’ve ever made. Not a scratch on Aljo! Congrats Funkmaster! Good little fighter is Henry but give it a rest with these agendas all the time. The guy is sub 20 fights in his career. His little feints an all ahaha omg please teach me mastermind lol. Done the splits like a stripper and got dumped on his ass he did hahaha oh lord it’s tasty, @ProperWhiskey,” McGregor tweeted.

Conor McGregor Had Aljamain Sterling Up Four Rounds to One at UFC 288

While the bout was incredibly close with some suggesting Henry Cejudo did enough to dethrone ‘Funk Master’, the majority of fans online appeared to agree with the decision, as does Conor McGregor who revealed in another social media post that he had Sterling winning the bout 4-1, or 49-46.

Walking out of his third UFC title defense with gold still wrapped around his waist, Aljamain Sterling will now turn his attention to No. 2 ranked contender Sean O’Malley. Following Saturday night’s main event, O’Malley stepped inside the Octagon for a heated face off with ‘Funk Master’ that nearly got out of hand. During their profanity-laced exchange, the two men appeared to agree on a September setting for their highly anticipated bantamweight title fight.

While it won’t be September, Conor McGregor is also slated for a fall return to the Octagon as he is expected to square off with high-octane lightweight striker ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler. Before the two men strap on the four-ounce gloves, they will coach opposite one another on the 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter, set to begin airing later this month.