Tag: UFC 297

Paulo Costa calls for title fight eliminator with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 297: ‘Give me the Chechen for dinner’

Paulo Costa calls for title eliminator with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 287 give me the Chechen for dinnerOne-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa has once more called for a rescheduled fight with the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev…

Paulo Costa calls for title eliminator with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 287 give me the Chechen for dinner

One-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa has once more called for a rescheduled fight with the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev following their cancelled pairing at UFC 294 back in October, suggesting the duo should share the Octagon in January. 

Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, was slated to feature in the co-main event of UFC 294 back in October against the surging, Chimaev, until a bursitis infection in his elbow forced his withdrawal from the bout on just 10 days’ notice in the Middle East.

Debuting at number nine in the official middleweight rankings off the back of his feature at the flagship event, Chimaev turned in a close, majority decision win over former titleholder, Kamaru Usman – with the latter making a short-notice move to the middleweight ranks.

Paulo Costa eyes title eliminator with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 297

And tonight, the promotion have confirmed how a middleweight title fight between champion, Sean Strickland, and challenger, Dricus du Plessis is set to headline UFC 297 on January 20. in Toronto, Canada – leading to a definite call out from Costa to face Chimaev in the same month.

“Give me [the] Chechen for dinner in January with some secret juice,” Paulo Costa posted on his official X account. “There’s no reason to protect him from me, force him to sign it again, otherwise he gonna still ducking. Let’s go mtfk!”

Himself sidelined from the promotion since August of last year, Belo Horizonte native, Costa most recently snapped a two-fight losing run to former champion, Israel Adesanya, and Marvin Vettori – landing a unanimous decision win over former UFC middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold in Salt Lake City. 

Once fighting for undisputed middleweight gold during his Octagon tenure, Costa suffered a second round knockout loss to City Kickboxing staple, Adesanya back in September 2020 in the main event of UFC 253 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Who wins in a future fight: Paulo Costa or Khamzat Chimaev? 

Breaking – Sean Strickland set to headline UFC 297 against Dricus du Plessis in title fight in January

Sean Strickland set to headline UFC 297 in title fight against Dricus du Plessis in JanuaryAn undisputed middleweight championship fight between division titleholder, Sean Strickland, and streaking number two ranked middleweight challenger, Dricus du…

Sean Strickland set to headline UFC 297 in title fight against Dricus du Plessis in January

An undisputed middleweight championship fight between division titleholder, Sean Strickland, and streaking number two ranked middleweight challenger, Dricus du Plessis, is set to take main event honors at UFC 297 on January 20. – with the pay-per-view event currently targeted to take place in Toronto, Canada.

Strickland, the current undisputed middleweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 293 in a reworked headliner against former two-time middleweight gold holder, Israel Adesanya – landing a spectacular unanimous decision upset win to clinch the middleweight title at the first time of trying.

As for South Africa native, du Plessis, the surging middleweight contender has been sidelined since he featured on the main card of UFC 290 back in July during International Fight Week, landing a second round TKO win over former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker.

Sean Strickland meets Dricus du Plessis in UFC 297 headliner

UFC CEO, Dana White confirmed the booking of a middleweight championship fight between Sean Strickland, and Dricus du Plessis during a video posted on his official social media today.

Initially expected to defend his middleweight title against undefeated contender, Khamzat Chimaev after the Chechen’s close, majority decision win over former undisputed welterweight champion and former pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman last month in the co-main event of UFC 294, Chimaev has been sidelined through a torn hand ligament, requiring the use of a supportive brace for a number of weeks. 

In the midst of a stunning run of six consecutive victories since he landed in the Octagon back in 2020, during his brief tenure with the UFC, du Plessis has landed notable victories over former welterweight title challenger, Darren Till, as well as perennial contender, Derek Brunson, and the above-mentioned former champion, Whittaker. 

As well as Sean Strickland’s title fight with Dricus du Plessis, UFC 297 is also set to feature a vacant bantamweight title fight between former title challenger, Raquel Pennington, and Brazilian contender, Mayra Bueno Silva in ‘The Great White North’. 

Who wins at UFC 297: Sean Strickland or Dricus du Plessis?

Coach eyes Conor McGregor title fight with UFC star Islam Makhachev: ‘He gets to do what Khabib Nurmagoemdov did’

Islam Makhachev eyes future fight with UFC star Conor McGregor he gets to do what Khabib didAmerican Kickboxing Academy head coach, Javier Mendez has revealed that a potential future fight between his student, undisputed lightweight…

Islam Makhachev eyes future fight with UFC star Conor McGregor he gets to do what Khabib did

American Kickboxing Academy head coach, Javier Mendez has revealed that a potential future fight between his student, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, and UFC star, Conor McGregor – is most definitely something he would back, with the view of landing the Russian champion a hefty payday.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 294 back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, landing a stunning opening round win over featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s rematch – launching a massive high-kick and follow-up strikes knockout win in the Middle East.

As for McGregor, the former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion has been sidelined from the Octagon since he fractured his left tibia and fibula in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO defeat to former interim champion, Dustin Poirier. 

Islam Makhachev backed to fight Conor McGregor in the future?

And despite links with Islam Makhachev to a championship rematch against former titleholder, Charles Oliveira as soon as January of this year at UFC 297 in Toronto, Canada, the Russian’s head coach, Mendez claimed that a potential showdown with sport star, McGregor would be an interesting fight for his student.

“I see that [Conor McGregor fight] as a fight that would be interesting for Islam (Makhachev),” Mendez told Red Corner MMA. “Because he gets to do what Khabib (Nurmagomedov) did and finish [the rivalry], I guess you could say. He gets to come back and get on the same journey that Khabib did. It’s a great payday for Islam. I think it’s great if Islam wants it.”

“If he doesn’t, then maybe going for the welterweight title is more appealing for him to create the legacy that he wants,” Mendez explained. “Because beating Conor is not gonna create the legacy that Islam wants, right? Going after the welterweight title is. That’s a legacy-type moment. With Conor, it’s a money and it’s a hype thing.” (H/T MMA News)

Who wins in a future fight: Islam Makhachev or Conor McGregor?

Charles Oliveira still planning UFC return in January amid axing of title fight with Islam Makhachev: ‘That’s the timeline’

Charles Oliveira plans January return to the UFC despite cancelled title rematch with Islam MakhachevFormer undisputed ligthweight champion, Charles Oliveira has revealed he still plans to make a return to the Octagon in…

Charles Oliveira plans January return to the UFC despite cancelled title rematch with Islam Makhachev

Former undisputed ligthweight champion, Charles Oliveira has revealed he still plans to make a return to the Octagon in January of next year – despite Dana White recently axing reported plans for him to take on Islam Makhachev at UFC 297 that month in Toronto, Canada.

Oliveira, the current number one ranked lightweight contender and former undisputed division champion, withdrew from a scheduled rematch with the above-mentioned, Makhachev atop a UFC 294 pay-per-view card last month in Abu Dhabi, UAE, after suffering a nasty laceration during his final sparring session ahead of the bout.

Sidelined since June of this year, Oliveira, the most prolific finisher in the history of the promotion and also the most prolific all-time submission threat, turned in a stunning first round ground strikes TKO win over perennial contender, Beneil Dariush in the pair’s championship eliminator in ‘The Great White North’.

And over the course of the weekend, reports from Ariel Helwani revealed how currently the plan was to host a lightweight title rematch between Makhachev and Oliveira at UFC 297 on January 20. next in Canada.

However, yesterday evening, UFC CEO, White rubbished that report, claiming that the bout would not be taking place at UFC 297 in January of next year, claiming it would only happen when both teams were ready.

Furthermore, Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz claimed that his client would be ready to compete again as soon as March 9. instead. 

Charles Oliveira addresses a potential January return

Appearing in his native Sao Paulo over the course of the weekend to attend and corner at a UFC Fight Night billed card, Oliveira revealed he currently had no fight booked as he continues to recover from his laceration, however, confirmed plans to fight in January.

“It was quite a deep cut,” Charles Oliveira told ESPN. “We don’t have any scheduled fights at the moment, so we can take our time to get a good recovery. So, I might go back into [training] within a week or so.”

“We just heard this in the locker room [reports of a rematch with Islam Makhachev at UFC 297],” Charles Oliveira explained. “People were asking us in messages. This is the first time we’ve heard about it. But that’s the timeline, January maybe, so who knows?”

Do you expect to see Charles Oliveira fight at UFC 297 regardless?

Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev Sidelined until March Amid Rumors of a Return at UFC 297

Islam MakhachevDespite recent reports claiming that Islam Makhachev would headline UFC 297 in January, the reigning UFC lightweight world champion…

Islam Makhachev

Despite recent reports claiming that Islam Makhachev would headline UFC 297 in January, the reigning UFC lightweight world champion is not expected to return to the Octagon until March at the earliest.

Following his first-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 last month, fight fans were hoping to see Islam Makhachev make a quick turnaround to defend his title against his originally scheduled opponent, Charles Oliviera, or current BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje. Unfortunately, that no longer appears to be the case.

After rumors surfaced that the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ would defend his title against ‘Do Bronx’ at the promotion’s first pay-per-view of 2024, Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz revealed that his fighter won’t be ready to defend until March.

“Makhachev’s manager @AliAbdelaziz00 tells ESPN he has informed the UFC the earliest Makhachev will be ready to defend his title is March 9,” Okamoto wrote on X.

In a follow-up post, Okamoto added that, according to Dana White, Makhachev will not headline UFC 297 in January as previously reported. “Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2 will not headline UFC 297 next month in Toronto, per Dana White. As of now, Oliveira does appear to be the most likely 155 challenger, although White tells ESPN, ‘Anything is possible, it’s whenever both are ready.’”

There were eight months between Islam Makhachev’s back-to-back title defenses against Alexander Volkanovski.

Charles Oliveira Ready to Even the Odds with Islam Makhachev

Makhachev was expecting to defend his title against Charles Oliveira at UFC 294, but after suffering a cut above his right eye while sparring, ‘Do Bronx’ was forced to bow out of the bout, paving the way for Volkanovski to step in on just 11 days’ notice.

Oliveira has not returned to training as of yet but was all for making his return in January with the hopes of becoming a two-time lightweight champion after surrendering the title to Makhachev at UFC 280 last year. It sounds like the promotion’s most prolific finisher will still get his opportunity, but he’ll have to wait just a little bit longer to try and cash in on the long-awaited rematch.

“You’ll see the Charles you always see, always going forward, always going for the submission, for the knockout, going for the win,” Oliveira said backstage following the UFC’s return to Sao Paulo on Saturday. “I want to be champion. I want to be the next champion. That’s what I want.”

Breaking – Dana White denies Islam Makhachev – Charles Oliveira title fight rematch will headline UFC 297 in January

Dana White denies Islam Makhachev will fight Charles Oliveira in title rematch at UFC 297 in JanuaryDespite an initial report overnight claiming a planned lightweight title fight rematch between defending champion, Islam Makhachev, and former…

Dana White denies Islam Makhachev will fight Charles Oliveira in title rematch at UFC 297 in January

Despite an initial report overnight claiming a planned lightweight title fight rematch between defending champion, Islam Makhachev, and former divisional gold holder, Charles Oliveira would headline UFC 297 on January 20. from Toronto, Canada, promotional boss, Dana White has claimed those reports are firmly wide of the mark.

Last night, Ariel Helwani reported how a lightweight championship fight between Makhachev and rival, Oliveira is currently planned to take main event honors at UFC 297 in January of next year – with an initially earmarked featherweight title fight between Alexander Volkanovski, and Ilia Topuria subsequently pushed a month later to UFC 298 in February.

However, Makhachev’s manager, Dominance MMA leader, Ali Abdelaziz rubbished those reports from Helwani, describing them as inaccurate. 

Dana White denis Islam Makhachev x Charles Oliveira 2 will feature at UFC 297

And this evening, as per ESPN reporter, Brett Okamoto, UFC CEO, White has informed him how Makhachev and Oliveira will not be featuring next January at UFC 297 in ‘The Great White North’.

“Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2 will not headline UFC 297 next month (sic) in Toronto, per Dana White,’ Okamoto posted on his official X account. “As of now, Oliveira does appear to be most likely 155 (pound) (title) challenger, although White tells ESPN, “Anything is possible, it’s whenever both are ready.” 

“Makhachev’s manager @AliAbdelaziz00 tells ESPN he has informed the UFC the earliest Makhachev will be ready to defend his title is March 9.” 

Scheduled to headline UFC 294 last month in a championship rematch with Makhachev, Sao Paulo finishing ace, Oliveira was forced out of the title bout in Abu Dhabi, UAE – after he suffered a nasty laceration over his right eye during the final sparring session of his training camp.

In October of last year, Makhachev minted himself as the undisputed lightweight champion, landing the vacant crown with a stunning second round arm-triangle submission win over the above-mentioned, Oliveira in the Middle East. 

Who wins in a future title rematch: Islam Makhachev or Charles Oliveira?