Tag: UFC 292

Zhang Weili welcomes title fight with Tatiana Suarez after UFC 292 victory: ‘She can be a challenger next’

Zhang Weili welcomes title fight with Tatiana Suarez after UFC 292 she could be nextSuccessfully defending her undisputed strawweight championship over the course of last weekend in the co-main event of UFC 292, Chinese favorite, Zhang Weili has welcomed the possibility of a showdown against unbeaten grappler, Tatiana Suarez next.  Co-headlining last Saturday’s pay-per-view return to the TD Garden, Hebei native, Weili turned in her first successful title defense […]

Zhang Weili welcomes title fight with Tatiana Suarez after UFC 292 she could be next

Successfully defending her undisputed strawweight championship over the course of last weekend in the co-main event of UFC 292, Chinese favorite, Zhang Weili has welcomed the possibility of a showdown against unbeaten grappler, Tatiana Suarez next. 

Co-headlining last Saturday’s pay-per-view return to the TD Garden, Hebei native, Weili turned in her first successful title defense of her second strawweight title reign, knocking back Brazilian contender, Amanda Lemos over the course of five rounds in a relatively dominant unanimous decision (50-43, 50-44, 49-45) win over the surging Belem native.

Moving to 24-3 as a professional, Weili, who has struck undisputed strawweight gold for the second time back in November of last year, laid waste to inaugural division champion, Carla Esparza with a stunning second round rear-naked choke win.

Zhang Weili welcomes title defense against Tatiana Suarez next

And with a host of strawweight talent laying in the wings awaiting a title fight with Weili, the Chinese all-rounder has welcomed the prospect of sharing the Octagon with undefeated Ultimate Fighter winner, Suarez next.

“She’s good,” Zhang Weili told assembled media of Tatiana Suarez following UFC 292. “She’s undefeated. She’s a very good fighter. I think she can be a potentially challenger next.”

“I started my training camp this time since March, so I left my home for a couple months – such a long time,” Zhang Weili explained. “The only thing in my mind right now is just returning to home together with my family.” 

Improving her undefeated record to 10-0 this year following her return from an over three year layoff, Californian grappling ace, Suarez returned with a guillotine choke win over Montana De La Rosa back in February, before submitting former champions and common-foe, Jessica Andrade with the same choke at UFC Nashville just earlier this month. 

Would you like to see Zhang Weili fight Tatiana Suarez in her next UFC outing?

Ian Machado Garry plans Ireland homecoming fight with UFC star Khamzat Chimaev: ‘I want that f*cking wolf’

Ian Machado Garry plans Dublin fight with UFC star Khamzat Chimaev I want that wolfOff the back of his one-sided unanimous decision win over veteran welterweight contender, Neil Magny over the course of last weekend, undefeated division challenger, Ian Machado Garry has laid out a “dream” fight in an Irish homecoming, in the form of a showdown with fellow unbeaten challenger, Khamzat Chimaev. Machado Garry, the current number eleven […]

Ian Machado Garry plans Dublin fight with UFC star Khamzat Chimaev I want that wolf

Off the back of his one-sided unanimous decision win over veteran welterweight contender, Neil Magny over the course of last weekend, undefeated division challenger, Ian Machado Garry has laid out a “dream” fight in an Irish homecoming, in the form of a showdown with fellow unbeaten challenger, Khamzat Chimaev.

Machado Garry, the current number eleven ranked welterweight contender, featured on the main card of UFC 292 in Boston, Massachusetts last Saturday night, lodging his sixth consecutive Octagon win with a shutout unanimous decision win over the above-mentioned, Magny.

And targeting an end-of-year battle against former two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson at UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden, Machado Garry has also been earmarked to earn a UFC homecoming in his native Dublin, if he can achieve a seventh straight Octagon win. 

Ian Machado Garry lays out plan for Khamzat Chimaev fight in Dublin

In terms of sought-after opponents for a return to the Emerald Isle for the Portmarnock native, Machado Garry has made no bones about his intention of standing opposite the above-mentioned, Chimaev in the near future.

“It would have to be in the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland as my dream venue because they’re [the UFC] never going to go to Croke Park,” Ian Machado Garry told Sporting Post during a recent interview. “And the gream opponent would be me versus Khamzat Chimaev, because everyone talks about him like he’s this badman and this boogeyman, but in the time I’m going to get a chance to lay hands on him – if he’s the baddest man that everyone is afraid of, I’m going to show the world what’s up.”

“He’d be my dream opponent in Ireland,” Ian Machado Garry explained. “I want that f*cking wofl. I want that badman. I want to be baddest man on earth, and everyone considers it to be him at the moment, but let me punch the mouth off him and we’ll see what’s up.” 

At the time of publication, the current number four ranked welterweight, Chimaev is set to make a middleweight division return at UFC 294 in October, taking on one-time division title challenger, Paulo Costa in a long-awaited grudge match.

Who wins between Ian Machado Garry and Khamzat Chimaev? 

Sean O’Malley opens as betting favorite to defeat Marlon Vera in potential title rematch against UFC 292 win

Sean O'Malley opens as betting favorite to defeat Marlon Vera in rematch after UFC 292Minting himself as the new undisputed bantamweight champion last weekend at UFC 292, Sean O’Malley has opended as a significant betting favorite to avenge his sole professional career loss, in a potential rematch with Ecuadorian finisher, Marlon Vera. O’Malley, who headlined UFC 292 over the couse of the weekend at the TD Garden in Boston, […]

Sean O'Malley opens as betting favorite to defeat Marlon Vera in rematch after UFC 292

Minting himself as the new undisputed bantamweight champion last weekend at UFC 292, Sean O’Malley has opended as a significant betting favorite to avenge his sole professional career loss, in a potential rematch with Ecuadorian finisher, Marlon Vera.

O’Malley, who headlined UFC 292 over the couse of the weekend at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, managed to land the undisputed bantamweight title with a stunning second round TKO win over dominant gold holder, Aljamain Sterling.

As for Vera, the Chone native returned to the winner’s enclosure in the main card opener of the same event, defeating common-foe, Pedro Munhoz in a hotly-contested unanimous decision win in ‘Bean Town’.

And in the immediate aftermath of his title victory, Montana native, Sean O’Malley called for a title defense re-run with Jason Parillo trainee, Vera, suggesting a matchup as soon as UFC 296 in December.

Sean O’Malley opens as betting favorite to defeat Marlon Vera

With odds for a potential championship rematch between O’Malley and Vera already available, the newly-minted gold holder has opened as an impressive -198 betting favorite to defeat Ecuador native, Vera, who is sitting as a +164 betting underdog. 

A host of markets and bookies are already taking wagers and punts on a future fight between O’Malley and Vera, including real money online casino Canada – as the newly-minted gold holder attempting to get off the mark in the wake of his championship reign. 

Initially meeting back in 2020, O’Malley, then in the midst of his initial run through bantamweight contenders, suffered an eventual first round ground strikes TKO loss to Vera, who capitalized after landing a debilitating leg kick on the Montana native, limiting his movement throughout the frame early on. 

Following his win, Vera used his momentum to land a high-profile fight with former featherweight champion and former bantamweight title chaser, Jose Aldo, ultimately dropping a decision loss to the Manaus native.

However, in the time since, Vera has landed wins in five of his last six, including Saturday’s judging win over Munhoz. Seeing his four-fight winning run halted earlier this year, Vera was outworked by Cory Sandhagen over the course of five rounds, having landed prior decision wins over both Davey Grant, and Rob Font – as well as brutal high-kick KO wins over both former champions, Frankie Edgar, and Dominick Cruz. 

17-1(1) as a professional, in the midst of a six-fight undefeated run since his first career loss against Vera, O’Malley managed to earn his title clash with Sterling off the back of a close split decision win over former undisputed champion, Petr Yan in October of last year. 

Along with initial odds favoring O’Malley in a title fight rematch with Vera, the latter has also gazumped other bantamweight contenders as the favorite to first and foremost face the newly-crowned titleholder in his first outing as champion – beating out the likes of Merab Dvalishvili, Aljamain Sterling, Cory Sandhagen, Henry Cejudo, and Petr Yan. 

At the time of publication, markets are offering Vera as short as a +140 to come as O’Malley’s first opponent during the Dana White’s Contender Series alum’s first walk as undisputed bantamweight champion.

Would you like to see Sean O’Malley rematch Marlon Vera next? 

Video – Alex Pereira stone faced after Sean O’Malley’s stunning title winning KO stoppage at UFC 292

Alex Pereira unbothered by Sean O'Malley knockout win at UFC 292 in reaction videoIn typical Alex Pereira fashion, the former undisputed middleweight champion appeared particularly unbothered following Sean O’Malley’s stunning second round knockout win over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 over the course of last weekend. Pereira, who debuted at number three in the official light heavyweight rankings following his weight class bow at UFC 291 back in […]

Alex Pereira unbothered by Sean O'Malley knockout win at UFC 292 in reaction video

In typical Alex Pereira fashion, the former undisputed middleweight champion appeared particularly unbothered following Sean O’Malley’s stunning second round knockout win over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 over the course of last weekend.

Pereira, who debuted at number three in the official light heavyweight rankings following his weight class bow at UFC 291 back in July, returned to the winner’s enclosure for the first time in his Octagon tenure in Salt Lake City, Utah, defeating former champion, Jan Blachowicz in a split decision win.

And expected to challenge for vacant light heavyweight spoils in his return to the Octagon – potentially as soon as UFC 296 in December, Pereira has welcomed a pairing with former titleholder and Czech Republic native, Jiri Prochazka – predicting an easier go around against the former gold holder. 

“I think – and some people won’t agree [with me] – but I think Jan (Blachowicz) is a tougher fight [than Jiri Prochazka] because he has the grappling game, and it makes it a bit harder for me, makes my striking less effective,” Alex Pereira said. “But, I think it will be different with Jiri. I think he’ll come to fight on the feet.”

“I don’t think he’s the kind of guy who will come to grapple,” Alex Pereira explained. “Everyone says that everyone who fights me will want to take me down. He might do that, but I’m not believing it yet. He’s a guy who will expose himself more, and I think it will be a dangerous fight. But, I believe the matchup is better for me than against Jan.”

Alex Pereira unbothered by Sean O’Malley’s title victory at UFC 292

Appearing at fighter row during UFC 292 over the course of the weekend at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, footage has emerged of Pereira – seated next to welterweight contender, Belal Muhammad, remaining entirely unbothered following O’Malley’s shocking knockout victory.

Furthermore, fans have noted a massive comparison in emotions between Pereira’s expression and that of surging bantamweight contender, Cory Sandhagen, who appeared shocked by the Montana native’s title win over their common-foe, as did featherweight grappler, Ryan Hall. 

Who would you like to see Alex Pereira fight in his return?

Alexander Volkanovski shuts down Aljamain Sterling fight after UFC 292 title loss: ‘That’s not happening’

Alexander Volkanovski shuts down fight with Aljamain Sterling after UFC 292 it's not happeningUndisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has shut down a long-rumored fight between him and Aljamain Sterling, after the Uniondale native suffered a bantamweight title fight loss to Sean O’Malley over the weekend at UFC 292. Volkanovski, the current undisputed featherweight champion and joint pound-for-pound number one alongside incumbent heavyweight best, Jon Jones, has been sidelined […]

Alexander Volkanovski shuts down fight with Aljamain Sterling after UFC 292 it's not happening

Undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has shut down a long-rumored fight between him and Aljamain Sterling, after the Uniondale native suffered a bantamweight title fight loss to Sean O’Malley over the weekend at UFC 292.

Volkanovski, the current undisputed featherweight champion and joint pound-for-pound number one alongside incumbent heavyweight best, Jon Jones, has been sidelined since he successfully unified the featherweight titles in a TKO win over interim gold holder, Yair Rodríguez at UFC 290 back in July during International Fight Week.

And yet to book a return to the Octagon, the New South Wales tactician had been linked with a title defense against the surging Georgian contender, Ilia Topuria, however, also welcomed a title defense against the above-mentioned, Sterling in the future.

Alexander Volkanovski vetos future fight with Aljamain Sterling

However, off the back Sterling’s stunning second round TKO loss to O’Malley at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts over the weekend, Joe Lopez product, Volkanovski has now shut the door firmly on a future championship fight with the Uniondale wrestling ace.

“Gotta feel for Aljo (Aljamain Sterling), man,” Alexander Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel after UFC 292. “I mean, what does he want to do? He’s definitely going to want that rematch [with Sean O’Malley]. That’s a big, big fight. [Him vs. me] that’s not happening. You never know, if he would have had a big win he could have took Ilia’s [Topuria] spot, but [he didn’t win].”

As for Sterling, the Serra-Longo MMA staple heaped praise on long-time rival, O’Malley following his shocking title win over the weekend, and also claimed that he would reassess his options, weighing up a move to the featherweight limit with his team before he makes a definitive decision on his future. 

At the time of publication, Volkanovski has yet to be booked since he landed his title unification win over Rodríguez – as he recovers from arm surgery following his headliner at UFC 290 back in July. 

Who do you want to see Aljamain Sterling fight next after UFC 292?

Chris Weidman shuts down pleas for retirement despite one sided UFC 292 loss: ‘I’ll be back better than ever’

Chris Weidman shuts down calls from Dana White for his retirement after UFC 292 better thsn everFormer undisputed middleweight champion, Chris Weidman has shut down suggestions from promotional president, Dana White to retire from combat sports with immediate effect following his one-sided unanimous decision loss to Brad Tavares at UFC 292 over the weekend. Making a return to the Octagon for the first time in over two-years, Baldwin native, Weidman made […]

Chris Weidman shuts down calls from Dana White for his retirement after UFC 292 better thsn ever

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Chris Weidman has shut down suggestions from promotional president, Dana White to retire from combat sports with immediate effect following his one-sided unanimous decision loss to Brad Tavares at UFC 292 over the weekend.

Making a return to the Octagon for the first time in over two-years, Baldwin native, Weidman made his comeback from a ghastly injury, suffering a compound fracture of his right tibia and fibula in the opening round of his UFC 261 rematch with Uriah Hall back in April 2021. 

Returning from injury at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, Weidman turned in a tentative performance over the course of three rounds against the above-mentioned Hawaiian veteran, Tavares, dropping a unanimous judging loss.

Likely suffering a cruciate ligament injury in his left knee during the outing in his return, Weidman was urged to consider retiring from professional mixed martial arts competition by UFC leader, White. 

“I love Chris Weidman – I love him,” Dana White said. “I love his family, I think he should retire. We talked to Dr. [Davidson], he thinks he [Chris Weidman] blew his ACL, MCL – he blew one of his CLs. The guy is just coming back from a gruesome injury and, listen, man, father time is not our friend at all. But definitely, if you’re a professional athlete.”

“Depending on the damage to the knee, you’re talking another year,’ White explained. “So I would say, ‘Chris, I love you, please, please retire.”

Chris Weidman shuts down calls for him to retire after UFC 292

However, according to Weidman, despite the apparent “ring rust” he displayed in his return, he plans to make another outing under the UFC banner, claiming he will be “back better than ever”. 

“There was hesitancy,” Chris Weidman said during the post-fight show following UFC 292. “There was probably a little bit og ring rust. No excuses, I told Brad (Tavares) after the fight, he’s an awesome dude, and we kind of stood there the first round. I guess he was kind of worried about my takedown and I was just kind of getting a feel to be in there again.”

“I’m not done,” Chris Weidman explained. “I’ll be back better than ever, but this was a good opportunity for me to get back in the Octagon.” 

Would you like to see Chris Weidman retire after his UFC 292 loss?