Tag: UFC 293

Laura Sanko set for commentary duty at UFC 293 in Australia, lands pay-Per-View debut

Laura Sanko set for commentary duty at UFC 293 PPV debutWith UFC 293 taking place this weekend in Sydney, Australia – veteran color-commentator, Joe Rogan has taken a step back from continued international pay-per-view duty, allowing fan-favorite analyst and former professional fighter, Laura Sanko to make her long-awaited debut in a flagship booth. Sanko, a former atomweight fighter, competed once under the Invicta FC banner […]

Laura Sanko set for commentary duty at UFC 293 PPV debut

With UFC 293 taking place this weekend in Sydney, Australia – veteran color-commentator, Joe Rogan has taken a step back from continued international pay-per-view duty, allowing fan-favorite analyst and former professional fighter, Laura Sanko to make her long-awaited debut in a flagship booth.

Sanko, a former atomweight fighter, competed once under the Invicta FC banner back in 2013, landing a submission win over Cassie Rob under the scrutiny of the Shannon Knapp-led promotion. 

Laura Sanko makes PPV commentary bow this weekend at UFC 293

And since switching her talents to broadcasting and analyst work, Sanko, who has already served in a commentary booth for ‘Fight Night’ billed cards this year, as well as on Dana White’s Contender Series most notably – will handle microphone duty from the booth this weekend at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia. 

Alongside the Kansas City native we have former two-weight UFC champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Daniel Cormier providing color-commentary, while stalwart caller, Jon Anik returns to the booth, replacing John Gooden as the play-by-play lead.

UFC 293 features the first of two championship fights for the promotion in the month of September, with undisputed middleweight kingpin, Israel Adesanya headlining ‘Down Under’ once again, as he takes on surging divisional contender, Sean Strickland over the course of five scheduled rounds.

In the night’s co-headliner, hometwon favorite, Tai Tuivasa makes his Octagon return as he welcomes towering Russian striker, Alexander Volkov to Sydney this weekend. 

While Laura Sanko provides commentary duty, fellow broadcasting staple, Megan Olivi makes her return to a rovering reporter role as per MMA Junkie, prodiving real-time updates throughout the event at the Qudos Bank Arena, as well as conducting both pre and post-fight interviews with athletes competing on the UFC 293 card.

Travelling internationally last weekend for UFC Fight Night Paris at the Accor Arena, veteran Octagon announcer, Bruce Buffer is also slated to make the trip to Australia to provide fighter introductions before each and every clash. 

Are you happy to see fan-favorite Laura Sanko call the action at UFC 293?

Israel Adesanya ‘Rooting’ for arch rival Khamzat Chimaev to win at UFC 294: ‘I like new blood’

Israel Adesanya backs Khamzat Chimaev to win at UFC 294 I like new bloodAhead of his undisputed middleweight title defense at UFC 293 this weekend, Israel Adesanya has already announced plans for a third Octagon walk later this year – weighing up a potential clash with undefeated phenom, Khamzat Chimaev to boot.  Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to return on Saturday night in Sydney, Australia […]

Israel Adesanya backs Khamzat Chimaev to win at UFC 294 I like new blood

Ahead of his undisputed middleweight title defense at UFC 293 this weekend, Israel Adesanya has already announced plans for a third Octagon walk later this year – weighing up a potential clash with undefeated phenom, Khamzat Chimaev to boot. 

Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to return on Saturday night in Sydney, Australia – taking on surging division contender, Sean Strickland in an attempted title defense.

Reclaiming the divisional crown at UFC 287 back in April, Adesanya managed to secure his first combat sports career win over common-foe, Alex Pereira, defeating the Brazilian with a thunderous one-punch KO victory in the second round in Miami, Florida.

Israel Adesanya flirts with fight against Khamzat Chimaev in the future

Announcing plans for a potential third outing this year ahead of his second walk this weekend at UFC 293, Adesanya has warned Chimaev about the ability of former foe, Paulo Costa ahead of his own respective return in October – however, expects him to eventually prevail with a win.

“I don’t know who’s going to win but I think if I’m favoring, I might be favoring Khamzat (Chimaev) a little bit more,” Israel Adesanya told MMA Fighting during a recent interview. “Because I like new blood.”

“I just made Paulo (Costa) look easy but trust me, he’s a hard fight,” Israel Adesanya explained. “He’s a hard fight but I made him look easy. But I think I’m rooting for Khamzat more in that fight.” 

Slated to make his comeback fight at UFC 294 in October, Chimaev has been sidelined since he submitted Kevin Holland with a one-sided first round D’Arce choke submission win over the Californian striker in the co-main event of UFC 279 in September of last year. 

Drawing Costa in his comeback to the Octagon, Chimaev has weighed up the pursuit of a middleweight title fight with Adesanya in the past, and is expected to land in and around championship contention with a successful outing against Brazilian rival, Costa in an October return. 

Would you like to see Israel Adesanya fight Khamzat Chimaev in the future?

Israel Adesanya ‘Rooting’ for arch rival Khamzat Chimaev to win at UFC 294: ‘I like new blood’

Israel Adesanya backs Khamzat Chimaev to win at UFC 294 I like new bloodAhead of his undisputed middleweight title defense at UFC 293 this weekend, Israel Adesanya has already announced plans for a third Octagon walk later this year – weighing up a potential clash with undefeated phenom, Khamzat Chimaev to boot.  Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to return on Saturday night in Sydney, Australia […]

Israel Adesanya backs Khamzat Chimaev to win at UFC 294 I like new blood

Ahead of his undisputed middleweight title defense at UFC 293 this weekend, Israel Adesanya has already announced plans for a third Octagon walk later this year – weighing up a potential clash with undefeated phenom, Khamzat Chimaev to boot. 

Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to return on Saturday night in Sydney, Australia – taking on surging division contender, Sean Strickland in an attempted title defense.

Reclaiming the divisional crown at UFC 287 back in April, Adesanya managed to secure his first combat sports career win over common-foe, Alex Pereira, defeating the Brazilian with a thunderous one-punch KO victory in the second round in Miami, Florida.

Israel Adesanya flirts with fight against Khamzat Chimaev in the future

Announcing plans for a potential third outing this year ahead of his second walk this weekend at UFC 293, Adesanya has warned Chimaev about the ability of former foe, Paulo Costa ahead of his own respective return in October – however, expects him to eventually prevail with a win.

“I don’t know who’s going to win but I think if I’m favoring, I might be favoring Khamzat (Chimaev) a little bit more,” Israel Adesanya told MMA Fighting during a recent interview. “Because I like new blood.”

“I just made Paulo (Costa) look easy but trust me, he’s a hard fight,” Israel Adesanya explained. “He’s a hard fight but I made him look easy. But I think I’m rooting for Khamzat more in that fight.” 

Slated to make his comeback fight at UFC 294 in October, Chimaev has been sidelined since he submitted Kevin Holland with a one-sided first round D’Arce choke submission win over the Californian striker in the co-main event of UFC 279 in September of last year. 

Drawing Costa in his comeback to the Octagon, Chimaev has weighed up the pursuit of a middleweight title fight with Adesanya in the past, and is expected to land in and around championship contention with a successful outing against Brazilian rival, Costa in an October return. 

Would you like to see Israel Adesanya fight Khamzat Chimaev in the future?

Israel Adesanya teases submission win against Sean Strickland at UFC 293: ‘He’s gonna crotch sniff’

Israel Adesanya plans submission win Sean Strickland he's gonna crotch sniff at UFC 293Yet to ever rack up a professional submission victory over the course of his career, undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has laid out plans to potentially pursue a stoppage via that method in this weekend’s championship defense opposite Sean Strickland at UFC 293. Adesanya, the current and two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, […]

Israel Adesanya plans submission win Sean Strickland he's gonna crotch sniff at UFC 293

Yet to ever rack up a professional submission victory over the course of his career, undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has laid out plans to potentially pursue a stoppage via that method in this weekend’s championship defense opposite Sean Strickland at UFC 293.

Adesanya, the current and two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, is slated to make his return to the Octagon for the second time this year this weekend in a comeback to Sydney, Australia for the promotion.

Standing opposite the City Kickboxing striker is surging middleweight contender, Strickland – who rides a two-fight winning run over both Nassourdine Imavov, and Abusupiyan Magomedov into his first championship foray inside the Octagon.

Israel Adesanya plans submission win over Sean Strickland at UFC 293

Predicting an easy victory against the outspoken Covina native ‘Down Under’ this weekend, Adesnaya has teased his desire to land a submission win before calling time on his illustrious mixed martial arts career. And claims the opportunity to pursue such a stoppage may be presented as soon as Saturday night. 

“What do I want in my career? Submission – I definitely want a submission,” Israel Adesanya told TSN reporter, Aaron Bronsteter. “It might be [in] this fight [against Sean Strickland]. “I know he’s going to wrestle. He’d be dumb not to, so I know he’s going to mix it up.”

“He’s doing this whole thing, ‘Oh, man dance, man dance’ – he’s going to crotch sniff, that’s what he’s going to do,” Israel Adesanya explained. “I mean, he’s got smart coaches and they’ll definitely beat it [a wrestling approach] into him. I know they’ve been talking about it, and he’s like, ‘What, crotch sniff? I’m gonna box.’ He’s gonna box with me. The (Alex) Pereira fight I told him, ‘Focus on your job ‘cause he’s gonna knock you out.’ What did he do? He knocked him out, because he wasn’t focused on his job, he was focused on me. But, yeah, he’s gonna crotch sniff, but I get down too. So it’s whatever.” 

Can Israel Adesanya land his first submission victory this weekend in Australia?

Alexander Volkanovski says Sean Strickland is in for a world of hurt at UFC 293: ‘Izzy is going to put it on him’

Sean StricklandAlexander Volkanovski doesn’t see things going well for Sean Strickland in the outspoken standout’s first UFC title opportunity. On September 9, ‘Tarzan’ will step into the main event spotlight inside Australia’s sold-out Qudos Bank Arena for a highly anticipated title tilt with reigning middleweight world champion Israel Adesanya. As we enter fight week, fans are […]

Sean Strickland

Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t see things going well for Sean Strickland in the outspoken standout’s first UFC title opportunity.

On September 9, ‘Tarzan’ will step into the main event spotlight inside Australia’s sold-out Qudos Bank Arena for a highly anticipated title tilt with reigning middleweight world champion Israel Adesanya. As we enter fight week, fans are eagerly anticipating the pre-fight media event where Sean Strickland is expected to deliver his special brand of trash-talk in front of members of the media and his opponent.

But no matter what creative quips Strickland comes to The Land Down Under armed with, Israel Adesanya’s friend and teammate, Alexander Volkanovski, believes it will ultimately cost ‘Tarzan’ once he steps inside the Octagon with ‘The Last Stylebender.’

“Obviously Sean is gonna talk, Sean is gonna try and get under his skin,” Volkanovski said in a video on his YouTube channel. “So that’s gonna make it fun. But I feel Izzy is going to really really put it on him. Especially with the talk that’s gonna happen. I think Sean Strickland is gonna definitely pay for some of the things he’s gonna say. Stylistically, I feel like he’s definitely gonna get hurt” (h/t BJPenn.com).

Israel Adesanya Ready to Show Off His Grappling Skills Against Sean Strickland

While Sean Strickland is mostly known for his crisp striking skills, many anticipate that ‘Tarzan’ will attempt to flex his solid grappling game in hopes of securing a massive upset against Israel Adesanya on Saturday night.

Speaking with Stake.com in a recent interview, the ‘Stylebender’ suggested that game plan may backfire on Strickland, referencing his own evolution on the mat in recent months.

“It’s coming. I promise you, it’s coming. I’m getting the neck from these motherf*ckers,” Adesanya said. “I’m taking their breath away, romantically. I can’t wait, it’s coming. You should see me in the gym, I’m nice with it, but I’m still learning. Under the lights, there is going to be a moment that I take a neck. I’m a purple belt by color but I still feel like a white belt.”

In 24 career wins, Israel Adesanya has never once submitted an opponent. Will that change at UFC 293, or will ‘Stylebender’ get the job done with his fists as he has done 16 times before?

Israel Adesanya downplays Sean Strickland’s ability ahead of UFC 293: ‘Threat meter: I’ll give him a 3’

Israel Adesanya plays down Sean Strickland threat he's about a 3 ahead of UFC 293Predicting a hugely one-sided victory over incoming middleweight championship challenger, Sean Strickland later this month at UFC 293, incumbent division kingpin, Israel Adesanya has downplayed the ability and threat on show from the Californian, quite significantly.  Adesanya, a two-time and current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to headline UFC 293 next weekend in Sydney, Australia […]

Israel Adesanya plays down Sean Strickland threat he's about a 3 ahead of UFC 293

Predicting a hugely one-sided victory over incoming middleweight championship challenger, Sean Strickland later this month at UFC 293, incumbent division kingpin, Israel Adesanya has downplayed the ability and threat on show from the Californian, quite significantly. 

Adesanya, a two-time and current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to headline UFC 293 next weekend in Sydney, Australia – taking on Strickland in his first attempted title defense since capturing the throne once more.

Last time out, the Nigerian-Kiwi headlined an April pay-per-view event against former champion and common-foe, Alex Pereira – avenging an Octagon loss to the Brazilian with a spectacular second round one-punch KO victory in Miami, Florida.

Israel Adesanya downplays Sean Strickland threat ahead of UFC 293

Seeing a planned title affair with the number one contender, Dricus du Plessis fall to the wayside, Adesanya has instead drawn Strickland for UFC 293, and expects less than a threatening challenge to his reign this month to boot.

“Threat meter, (Sean) Strickland?” Israel Adesanya told CombatTV during a recent interview. “To be honest, skills wise, I’ll give him a three. But a man with nothing to lose and everything to gain is a dangerous man. So that’s why I take him seriously and that’s why I’ve put the work in this camp. I’ve been grinding. Even right now, I’m a little bit tired. But I say skills-wise, [we’re] not even close… I’m going to show him that I’m the dangerous man.” 

And earlier this month to boot, Strickland claimed that he would bring the undisputed middleweight crown back in the United States of America, once more poking Adesanya’s prior allegiance to China whilst the City Kickboxing staple fought in Asia.

“I’m fighting Izzy (Israel Adesanya) the Chinese man, you guys,” Sean Strickland said. “And here’s the thing, I’ve always called Izzy the Chinese champion, but Izzy’s not the Chinese champion, Izzy is the modern-day man. Izzy is the Chinese sl*t.”

“He sold himself for a dollar,” Sean Strickland explained. “And you guys, we’re gonna bring that belt back to America. Let’s f*cking go.”

Can Israel Adesanya remain champion post-UFC 293 this month?