Tag: UFC 296

Stephen Thompson reveals he has signed to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296: ‘I can’t wait’

Stephen Thompson confirms UFC 296 fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov I've acceptedFormer two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson has revealed tonight that upon an offer from promotional brass – the Simponsville native has put pen to paper on a bout agreement to fight the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 on December 16. Thompson, a former title chaser under the banner of the organization, has been […]

Stephen Thompson confirms UFC 296 fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov I've accepted

Former two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson has revealed tonight that upon an offer from promotional brass – the Simponsville native has put pen to paper on a bout agreement to fight the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 on December 16.

Thompson, a former title chaser under the banner of the organization, has been sidelined since forced a fourth round corner’s stoppage TKO against recent feature Kevin Holland in the main event of UFC Orlando back in December of last year in ‘The Sunshine State’.

Expected to return at UFC 291 back in July against Brazilian striker, Michel Pereira, Thompson elected against fighting the former after he missed weight for the non-title welterweight clash, removing himself from the card.

Stephen Thompson reveals he’s accepted a fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov for UFC 296

And despite finding himself linked with a welterweight striking battle against the unbeaten, Ian Machado Garry before the close of this year, Thompson has confirmed he is set to fight the Dubliner’s training partner, the above-mentioned, Rakhmonov at UFC 296 in December.

“UFC offered and I’ve accepted, @Rakhmonov1994 (Shavkat Rakhmonov) let’s close out the year strong,” Stephen Thompson posted on his official X account. “Dec 16 can’t wait.” 

Himself yet to return since he landed a third round rear-naked choke win over common-foe, Geoff Neal at UFC 285 back in March, Uzbekistan-born contender, Rakhmonov recently saw a planned Noche UFC co-headliner against former interim middleweight title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum shelved.

Boasting a stunning 100 percent finish rate over the course of his undefeated 17-0 professional career, Rakhmonov, the current number six ranked welterweight contender has notched eight knockout wins and a further nine submission victories.

UFC 296 takes place on December 16. from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – with an undisputed welterweight championship fight between reigning division champion, Leon Edwards, and former interim gold holder, Colby Covington slated to take main event honors.

Who wins at UFC 296; Stephen Thompson or Shavkat Rakhmonov?

Stephen Thompson reveals he has signed to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296: ‘I can’t wait’

Stephen Thompson confirms UFC 296 fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov I've acceptedFormer two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson has revealed tonight that upon an offer from promotional brass – the Simponsville native has put pen to paper on a bout agreement to fight the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 on December 16. Thompson, a former title chaser under the banner of the organization, has been […]

Stephen Thompson confirms UFC 296 fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov I've accepted

Former two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson has revealed tonight that upon an offer from promotional brass – the Simponsville native has put pen to paper on a bout agreement to fight the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 on December 16.

Thompson, a former title chaser under the banner of the organization, has been sidelined since forced a fourth round corner’s stoppage TKO against recent feature Kevin Holland in the main event of UFC Orlando back in December of last year in ‘The Sunshine State’.

Expected to return at UFC 291 back in July against Brazilian striker, Michel Pereira, Thompson elected against fighting the former after he missed weight for the non-title welterweight clash, removing himself from the card.

Stephen Thompson reveals he’s accepted a fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov for UFC 296

And despite finding himself linked with a welterweight striking battle against the unbeaten, Ian Machado Garry before the close of this year, Thompson has confirmed he is set to fight the Dubliner’s training partner, the above-mentioned, Rakhmonov at UFC 296 in December.

“UFC offered and I’ve accepted, @Rakhmonov1994 (Shavkat Rakhmonov) let’s close out the year strong,” Stephen Thompson posted on his official X account. “Dec 16 can’t wait.” 

Himself yet to return since he landed a third round rear-naked choke win over common-foe, Geoff Neal at UFC 285 back in March, Uzbekistan-born contender, Rakhmonov recently saw a planned Noche UFC co-headliner against former interim middleweight title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum shelved.

Boasting a stunning 100 percent finish rate over the course of his undefeated 17-0 professional career, Rakhmonov, the current number six ranked welterweight contender has notched eight knockout wins and a further nine submission victories.

UFC 296 takes place on December 16. from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – with an undisputed welterweight championship fight between reigning division champion, Leon Edwards, and former interim gold holder, Colby Covington slated to take main event honors.

Who wins at UFC 296; Stephen Thompson or Shavkat Rakhmonov?

Colby Covington confident ahead of Leon Edwards fight at UFC 296: ‘My prediction is complete domination’

Colby Covington predicts complete domination Leon Edwards at UFC 296Former UFC interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington speaks on upcoming Leon Edwards fight, predicts total domination.  Just the week, the UFC finally announced that Covington and Edwards would face each other, headlining UFC 296 on December 16. The matchup have been brewing for months and while some have been critical of Covington receiving a title […]

Colby Covington predicts complete domination Leon Edwards at UFC 296

Former UFC interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington speaks on upcoming Leon Edwards fight, predicts total domination. 

Just the week, the UFC finally announced that Covington and Edwards would face each other, headlining UFC 296 on December 16. The matchup have been brewing for months and while some have been critical of Covington receiving a title shot over other contenders, the American will attempt to make the build-up interesting and has been a part of memorable fights.

Colby Covington talks Leon Edwards matchup

Talking to James Lynch, Covingotn disucssed his upcoming title bid and seems confident heading into this one. 

“It’s a great matchup, I love fighting southpaws,” Covington said to James Lynch. “There’s a reason he’s delaying this matchup, he knows it’s the hardest stylistic fight for him and for me, it’s just another fight, another big pay-per-view main event. I don’t remember the last time I fought a f****** three-round prelim fight like some of these other bums that call out my name.” (H/T MMA Fighting)

In typical Covington fashion, he fully says he fully expects to win comfortably and of course had to get a dig at Edwards in there.

“My prediction is complete domination, just from second one to however long it goes,” Covington continued. “He’s not going to have a glimmer of hope in this fight. I want to go out there and really set an example that he isn’t going to want to fight me in a rematch. He’s going to probably want to retire or go fight someone else where he knows he has a chance against them. He’s going to find out on Dec. 16 live on pay-per-view.”

Colby Covington speaks with James Lynch and discusses his upcoming UFC welterweight title fight.

Who wins come UFC 296, Colby Covington or Leon Edwards?

Colby Covington confident ahead of Leon Edwards fight at UFC 296: ‘My prediction is complete domination’

Colby Covington predicts complete domination Leon Edwards at UFC 296Former UFC interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington speaks on upcoming Leon Edwards fight, predicts total domination.  Just the week, the UFC finally announced that Covington and Edwards would face each other, headlining UFC 296 on December 16. The matchup have been brewing for months and while some have been critical of Covington receiving a title […]

Colby Covington predicts complete domination Leon Edwards at UFC 296

Former UFC interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington speaks on upcoming Leon Edwards fight, predicts total domination. 

Just the week, the UFC finally announced that Covington and Edwards would face each other, headlining UFC 296 on December 16. The matchup have been brewing for months and while some have been critical of Covington receiving a title shot over other contenders, the American will attempt to make the build-up interesting and has been a part of memorable fights.

Colby Covington talks Leon Edwards matchup

Talking to James Lynch, Covingotn disucssed his upcoming title bid and seems confident heading into this one. 

“It’s a great matchup, I love fighting southpaws,” Covington said to James Lynch. “There’s a reason he’s delaying this matchup, he knows it’s the hardest stylistic fight for him and for me, it’s just another fight, another big pay-per-view main event. I don’t remember the last time I fought a f****** three-round prelim fight like some of these other bums that call out my name.” (H/T MMA Fighting)

In typical Covington fashion, he fully says he fully expects to win comfortably and of course had to get a dig at Edwards in there.

“My prediction is complete domination, just from second one to however long it goes,” Covington continued. “He’s not going to have a glimmer of hope in this fight. I want to go out there and really set an example that he isn’t going to want to fight me in a rematch. He’s going to probably want to retire or go fight someone else where he knows he has a chance against them. He’s going to find out on Dec. 16 live on pay-per-view.”

Colby Covington speaks with James Lynch and discusses his upcoming UFC welterweight title fight.

Who wins come UFC 296, Colby Covington or Leon Edwards?

Colby Covington eyes title fight with Sean Strickland after UFC 296 return: ‘That guy is a punk’

Colby Covington eyes title fight with Sean Strickland UFC 296 he's a punkOfficially slated to make his own return to the Octagon at UFC 296 at the end of the year, former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington may already find himself pre-occupied with a title bout against Leon Edwards, however, has claimed he would fight Sean Strickland for middleweight gold in the immediate future. Covington, who is […]

Colby Covington eyes title fight with Sean Strickland UFC 296 he's a punk

Officially slated to make his own return to the Octagon at UFC 296 at the end of the year, former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington may already find himself pre-occupied with a title bout against Leon Edwards, however, has claimed he would fight Sean Strickland for middleweight gold in the immediate future.

Covington, who is set to return at UFC 296 on December 16. next – takes on undisputed welterweight champion, Edwards in the pair’s respective returns to the Octagon for a long-awaited grudge match between the duo. 

Sidelined since last year, Clovis native, Covington has yet to feature since he defeated former two-time welterweight title challenger, Jorge Masvidal – scoring a one-sided unanimous decision win over the Miami native in the pair’s scintillating rivalry. 

Colby Covington weighs up title fight with Sean Strickland after UFC 296

And fresh off the news of his title fight return in December at UFC 296, Covington claimed that if the opportunity presented itself, he would like to snatch the middleweight crown from Strickland – labelling his fellow Californian as a “punk”.

“(Israel) Adesanya overlooked him (Sean Strickland),” Colby Covington told James Lynch in a recent interview. “He thought that he was just gonna be able to breeze through this guy and he probably didn’t train very hard and I think he’s getting a little comfortable up there. He’s made some big paychecks and he’s just not hungry like he used to be.”

“It just opens up the door for all the middleweights because that’s the easiest guy in the division to beat,” Colby Covington said of Sean Strickland. “Honestly, it opens up the door for me. I might go up and beat his ass. That guy’s a f*cking punk. He got his ass knocked out by (Kamaru) Usman like a little scrub – f*cking out, unconscious. So, imagine what I would do to him as America’s champ.”

Would you like to see Colby Covington fight Sean Strickland in the future?

UFC stars Conor McGregor, Sean O’Malley see plans for December fights axed as three title bouts confirmed

Conor McGregor and Sean O'Malley out until 2024 as UFC 296 title fights confirmedDespite both tirelessly clamoring for a return to headline UFC 296 on December 16. – promotional stars, Conor McGregor and Sean O’Malley are now all but ruled out of competition until next year, with UFC CEO, Dana White confirming both headlining and co-headlining title fights for the promotion’s final flagship event of 2023. McGregor, a […]

Conor McGregor and Sean O'Malley out until 2024 as UFC 296 title fights confirmed

Despite both tirelessly clamoring for a return to headline UFC 296 on December 16. – promotional stars, Conor McGregor and Sean O’Malley are now all but ruled out of competition until next year, with UFC CEO, Dana White confirming both headlining and co-headlining title fights for the promotion’s final flagship event of 2023.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the promotion, has been sidelined since he fractured his left tibia and fibula back in July 2021, dropping a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss against former interim champion, Dustin Poirier.

Conor McGregor was planning a December return fight at UFC 296

However, earlier this year, Conor McGregor – who served as an opposing coach on The Ultimate Fighter 31 against Michael Chandler, announced plans for a December fight with the Missouri veteran at UFC 296 on December 16. – ultimately to no avail

And as for Montana striker, O’Malley, the newly-minted bantamweight champion, who struck gold back in August with a spectacular second round TKO win over Aljamain Sterling in Boston, Massachusetts.

Targeting a quickfire turnaround at UFC 296 in December, Dana White’s Contender Series product, O’Malley had set sights on fighting former-foe, Marlon Vera at the end of the year, however, those plans have now been axed by the above-mentioned, White.

Overnight, the promotional leader announced the booking of three championships fights for the penultimate and final pay-per-view cards of the year.

In November, former middleweight kingpin, Alex Pereira returns to challenge for vacant light heavyweight spoils against former division champion, Jiri Prochazka – with the striking duo co-headlining UFC 295.

And as for UFC 296, the final pay-per-view of the annum will see long-time foes, Leon Edwarda and Colby Covington in a welterweight championship affair – with a flyweight title clash containing both Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval set to take co-headlining status. 

When do you expect to see Conor McGregor make a return to the UFC?