Tag: UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen Vs. Nurmagomedov

Tony Ferguson Reacts To Dana White’s Retirement Pleas Ahead Of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Return

Former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson was unsurprisingly dismissive of Dana White’s recent retirement suggestion. Ferguson is among the notable names set to make the walk at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, with the Etihad Arena playing host to his latest outing on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage. The TUF 13 winner […]

Continue Reading Tony Ferguson Reacts To Dana White’s Retirement Pleas Ahead Of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Return at MMA News.

Former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson was unsurprisingly dismissive of Dana White’s recent retirement suggestion.

Ferguson is among the notable names set to make the walk at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, with the Etihad Arena playing host to his latest outing on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

The TUF 13 winner has been competing inside the Octagon since 2011, with much of his stint spent toward the top of the UFC’s lightweight ladder. But while he entered 2020 riding a 12-fight win streak, he’s fallen on hard times in recent years.

Since having his run of victories emphatically ended at the hands of Justin Gaethje, “El Cucuy” has lost a further six fights, most recently failing to stall the surge of Paddy Pimblett last December.

Following that result, White suggested Ferguson hang up his gloves. And after the veteran had his next assignment scheduled for welterweight opposite Michael Chiesa this weekend, the UFC CEO once again suggested he shouldn’t fight beyond August 3.

According to Ferguson, though, White has his own decisions to make…

Ferguson Turns The Tables On White’s Retirement Advice: ‘We Want Dana To Do A Lot Of Things Last Too!’

During his appearance at media day ahead of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, Ferguson looked ahead to his latest chance to break a lengthy losing skid and reacted to White’s retirement pleas.

“El Cucuy” was firm in rejecting the UFC CEO’s comments, insisting he is feeling rejuvenated up at 170 pounds and is confident this weekend’s event won’t mark his farewell.

“Well, we want Dana to do a lot of sh*t last for him too. So, I mean, we can’t discredit that either. I’m just being real with it,” Ferguson said. “At 170 pounds, I’m not killing myself to get to 155. I do feel fresher. 155 pounds is closer to my high school wrestling weight. … I’m 40 f*cking years old. … Wrestled in college at 165. 170 is what I won The Ultimate Fighter at. We do the math, we do the numbers, you’re not supposed to go backwards.

“170 pounds, I feel comfortable. I don’t feel like this is gonna be my last fight,” Ferguson continued. “I have to do some extraordinary sh*t, is what I’m planning to do. So that’s why I feel sharp. I did two practices already this morning. … I love this company and I have plenty of fights left. This is not a fight, last or first or how everybody wants to see it. I feel so f*cking fresh.”

Ferguson will look to show that he has more left in the tank on Saturday night at the expense of Chiesa, a fellow veteran who is also pursuing a return to the winner’s circle in the Middle East.

Continue Reading Tony Ferguson Reacts To Dana White’s Retirement Pleas Ahead Of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Return at MMA News.

Marlon Vera Reveals Change In Approach For Deiveson Figueiredo After Loss To Sean O’Malley: ‘I’ve Got To Do Something Different’

UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera begins his pursuit of a second title shot this weekend, and he’ll seemingly do so with a fresh strategy. Vera is set to make the walk on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main card in Abu Dhabi, where the Etihad Arena plays host to some key contests at 135 pounds. While […]

Continue Reading Marlon Vera Reveals Change In Approach For Deiveson Figueiredo After Loss To Sean O’Malley: ‘I’ve Got To Do Something Different’ at MMA News.

UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera begins his pursuit of a second title shot this weekend, and he’ll seemingly do so with a fresh strategy.

Vera is set to make the walk on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main card in Abu Dhabi, where the Etihad Arena plays host to some key contests at 135 pounds.

While that most notably includes the main event title eliminator between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov, “Chito” will be looking to revive his championship ambitions earlier on in proceedings opposite former two-time UFC flyweight kingpin Deiveson Figueiredo.

The Ecuadorian had his first shot at gold end unsuccessfully at UFC 299 in Miami this past March. He was unable to repeat his 2021 victory over Sean O’Malley, falling to a lopsided decision defeat in their rematch.

As has been a trend for much of his career, Vera was criticized in the aftermath for a low-volume approach that was focused on landing a fight-ending blow.

While such a strategy saw him come from behind to knock out the likes of Dominick Cruz in the past, Vera knows that change is needed if he’s to reach the mountaintop.

Vera On Figueiredo Fight: ‘Maybe You Will See Me Throw More…’

During a recent interview with former UFC champion Michael Bisping and light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith, Vera looked ahead to his first outing since O’Malley exacted revenge at his expense earlier this year.

“Chito” acknowledged some of the well-known flaws in his fight style, but noted that work has been done to address them as he gears up to share the cage with “Deus Da Guerra” on August 3.

“Some adjustments on the conditioning and getting my feet a bit more mobile. I’ve been feeling great,” Vera said. “What I personally think was like, okay, I have great grappling but I’m not the fighter that wants to take you down and hold you down. For this time, we did a lot of grappling so I can get back kind of to my roots. But I also want to like, put all my numbers together instead of just looking for power.

“I know I hit hard and that sometimes makes me stay in the mud. Because I have great defense. But it’s like, I need to do something different. I didn’t win the (title) fight; I need to do something different,” Vera continued. “Maybe in this fight you will see me throw more. Instead of just looking for that big one, I’m gonna do a little more.”

Vera will look to show the improvements he’s made in recent months come fight night in the Middle East, as he looks to show that his title ambitions didn’t fizzle away entirely at the hands of O’Malley at UFC 299.

Continue Reading Marlon Vera Reveals Change In Approach For Deiveson Figueiredo After Loss To Sean O’Malley: ‘I’ve Got To Do Something Different’ at MMA News.

Marlon Vera Reveals Change In Approach For Deiveson Figueiredo After Loss To Sean O’Malley: ‘I’ve Got To Do Something Different’

UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera begins his pursuit of a second title shot this weekend, and he’ll seemingly do so with a fresh strategy. Vera is set to make the walk on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main card in Abu Dhabi, where the Etihad Arena plays host to some key contests at 135 pounds. While […]

Continue Reading Marlon Vera Reveals Change In Approach For Deiveson Figueiredo After Loss To Sean O’Malley: ‘I’ve Got To Do Something Different’ at MMA News.

UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera begins his pursuit of a second title shot this weekend, and he’ll seemingly do so with a fresh strategy.

Vera is set to make the walk on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main card in Abu Dhabi, where the Etihad Arena plays host to some key contests at 135 pounds.

While that most notably includes the main event title eliminator between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov, “Chito” will be looking to revive his championship ambitions earlier on in proceedings opposite former two-time UFC flyweight kingpin Deiveson Figueiredo.

The Ecuadorian had his first shot at gold end unsuccessfully at UFC 299 in Miami this past March. He was unable to repeat his 2021 victory over Sean O’Malley, falling to a lopsided decision defeat in their rematch.

As has been a trend for much of his career, Vera was criticized in the aftermath for a low-volume approach that was focused on landing a fight-ending blow.

While such a strategy saw him come from behind to knock out the likes of Dominick Cruz in the past, Vera knows that change is needed if he’s to reach the mountaintop.

Vera On Figueiredo Fight: ‘Maybe You Will See Me Throw More…’

During a recent interview with former UFC champion Michael Bisping and light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith, Vera looked ahead to his first outing since O’Malley exacted revenge at his expense earlier this year.

“Chito” acknowledged some of the well-known flaws in his fight style, but noted that work has been done to address them as he gears up to share the cage with “Deus Da Guerra” on August 3.

“Some adjustments on the conditioning and getting my feet a bit more mobile. I’ve been feeling great,” Vera said. “What I personally think was like, okay, I have great grappling but I’m not the fighter that wants to take you down and hold you down. For this time, we did a lot of grappling so I can get back kind of to my roots. But I also want to like, put all my numbers together instead of just looking for power.

“I know I hit hard and that sometimes makes me stay in the mud. Because I have great defense. But it’s like, I need to do something different. I didn’t win the (title) fight; I need to do something different,” Vera continued. “Maybe in this fight you will see me throw more. Instead of just looking for that big one, I’m gonna do a little more.”

Vera will look to show the improvements he’s made in recent months come fight night in the Middle East, as he looks to show that his title ambitions didn’t fizzle away entirely at the hands of O’Malley at UFC 299.

Continue Reading Marlon Vera Reveals Change In Approach For Deiveson Figueiredo After Loss To Sean O’Malley: ‘I’ve Got To Do Something Different’ at MMA News.

Marlon Vera Reveals Change In Approach For Deiveson Figueiredo After Loss To Sean O’Malley: ‘I’ve Got To Do Something Different’

UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera begins his pursuit of a second title shot this weekend, and he’ll seemingly do so with a fresh strategy. Vera is set to make the walk on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main card in Abu Dhabi, where the Etihad Arena plays host to some key contests at 135 pounds. While […]

Continue Reading Marlon Vera Reveals Change In Approach For Deiveson Figueiredo After Loss To Sean O’Malley: ‘I’ve Got To Do Something Different’ at MMA News.

UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera begins his pursuit of a second title shot this weekend, and he’ll seemingly do so with a fresh strategy.

Vera is set to make the walk on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main card in Abu Dhabi, where the Etihad Arena plays host to some key contests at 135 pounds.

While that most notably includes the main event title eliminator between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov, “Chito” will be looking to revive his championship ambitions earlier on in proceedings opposite former two-time UFC flyweight kingpin Deiveson Figueiredo.

The Ecuadorian had his first shot at gold end unsuccessfully at UFC 299 in Miami this past March. He was unable to repeat his 2021 victory over Sean O’Malley, falling to a lopsided decision defeat in their rematch.

As has been a trend for much of his career, Vera was criticized in the aftermath for a low-volume approach that was focused on landing a fight-ending blow.

While such a strategy saw him come from behind to knock out the likes of Dominick Cruz in the past, Vera knows that change is needed if he’s to reach the mountaintop.

Vera On Figueiredo Fight: ‘Maybe You Will See Me Throw More…’

During a recent interview with former UFC champion Michael Bisping and light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith, Vera looked ahead to his first outing since O’Malley exacted revenge at his expense earlier this year.

“Chito” acknowledged some of the well-known flaws in his fight style, but noted that work has been done to address them as he gears up to share the cage with “Deus Da Guerra” on August 3.

“Some adjustments on the conditioning and getting my feet a bit more mobile. I’ve been feeling great,” Vera said. “What I personally think was like, okay, I have great grappling but I’m not the fighter that wants to take you down and hold you down. For this time, we did a lot of grappling so I can get back kind of to my roots. But I also want to like, put all my numbers together instead of just looking for power.

“I know I hit hard and that sometimes makes me stay in the mud. Because I have great defense. But it’s like, I need to do something different. I didn’t win the (title) fight; I need to do something different,” Vera continued. “Maybe in this fight you will see me throw more. Instead of just looking for that big one, I’m gonna do a little more.”

Vera will look to show the improvements he’s made in recent months come fight night in the Middle East, as he looks to show that his title ambitions didn’t fizzle away entirely at the hands of O’Malley at UFC 299.

Continue Reading Marlon Vera Reveals Change In Approach For Deiveson Figueiredo After Loss To Sean O’Malley: ‘I’ve Got To Do Something Different’ at MMA News.

Marlon Vera Reveals Change In Approach For Deiveson Figueiredo After Loss To Sean O’Malley: ‘I’ve Got To Do Something Different’

UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera begins his pursuit of a second title shot this weekend, and he’ll seemingly do so with a fresh strategy. Vera is set to make the walk on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main card in Abu Dhabi, where the Etihad Arena plays host to some key contests at 135 pounds. While […]

Continue Reading Marlon Vera Reveals Change In Approach For Deiveson Figueiredo After Loss To Sean O’Malley: ‘I’ve Got To Do Something Different’ at MMA News.

UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera begins his pursuit of a second title shot this weekend, and he’ll seemingly do so with a fresh strategy.

Vera is set to make the walk on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main card in Abu Dhabi, where the Etihad Arena plays host to some key contests at 135 pounds.

While that most notably includes the main event title eliminator between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov, “Chito” will be looking to revive his championship ambitions earlier on in proceedings opposite former two-time UFC flyweight kingpin Deiveson Figueiredo.

The Ecuadorian had his first shot at gold end unsuccessfully at UFC 299 in Miami this past March. He was unable to repeat his 2021 victory over Sean O’Malley, falling to a lopsided decision defeat in their rematch.

As has been a trend for much of his career, Vera was criticized in the aftermath for a low-volume approach that was focused on landing a fight-ending blow.

While such a strategy saw him come from behind to knock out the likes of Dominick Cruz in the past, Vera knows that change is needed if he’s to reach the mountaintop.

Vera On Figueiredo Fight: ‘Maybe You Will See Me Throw More…’

During a recent interview with former UFC champion Michael Bisping and light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith, Vera looked ahead to his first outing since O’Malley exacted revenge at his expense earlier this year.

“Chito” acknowledged some of the well-known flaws in his fight style, but noted that work has been done to address them as he gears up to share the cage with “Deus Da Guerra” on August 3.

“Some adjustments on the conditioning and getting my feet a bit more mobile. I’ve been feeling great,” Vera said. “What I personally think was like, okay, I have great grappling but I’m not the fighter that wants to take you down and hold you down. For this time, we did a lot of grappling so I can get back kind of to my roots. But I also want to like, put all my numbers together instead of just looking for power.

“I know I hit hard and that sometimes makes me stay in the mud. Because I have great defense. But it’s like, I need to do something different. I didn’t win the (title) fight; I need to do something different,” Vera continued. “Maybe in this fight you will see me throw more. Instead of just looking for that big one, I’m gonna do a little more.”

Vera will look to show the improvements he’s made in recent months come fight night in the Middle East, as he looks to show that his title ambitions didn’t fizzle away entirely at the hands of O’Malley at UFC 299.

Continue Reading Marlon Vera Reveals Change In Approach For Deiveson Figueiredo After Loss To Sean O’Malley: ‘I’ve Got To Do Something Different’ at MMA News.

‘Dern Is All Gas, No Breaks’ – Fans React After Mackenzie Dern Bounces Back Against Loopy Godinez At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi

After a couple of fights down that earned her pretty heavy criticism, Mackenzie Dern appeared to bounce back at UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi, earning a unanimous decision win over Loopy Godinez. The grappling prowess of Dern was on full display in the first round, nearly locking in an armbar attempt that appeared it’d be […]

Continue Reading ‘Dern Is All Gas, No Breaks’ – Fans React After Mackenzie Dern Bounces Back Against Loopy Godinez At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi at MMA News.

After a couple of fights down that earned her pretty heavy criticism, Mackenzie Dern appeared to bounce back at UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi, earning a unanimous decision win over Loopy Godinez.

The grappling prowess of Dern was on full display in the first round, nearly locking in an armbar attempt that appeared it’d be tight and could have snapped Godinez’s arm. The Mexican, however, battled back in the second round, with the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist’s lack of striking defense, which has earned her the previously mentioned criticism, rearing its head again.

The third round was closely contested, with Dern landing stronger strikes — though some may feel Godinez landed cleaner ones — and landing another takedown.

Ultimately, Dern took the decision with 29-28 scores on all three judges’ scorecards.

Mackenzie Dern Gets Nod In Close Battle With Loopy Godinez At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi

The result marks Dern’s first win in just over a year after back-to-back troubling performances against Jéssica Andrade and Amanda Lemos.

Godinez, meanwhile, has now lost back-to-back fights herself after a four-fight win streak.

Continue Reading ‘Dern Is All Gas, No Breaks’ – Fans React After Mackenzie Dern Bounces Back Against Loopy Godinez At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi at MMA News.