Tag: UFC News

Zhang Weili After UFC 268 Defeat: “I Will Get My Belt Back”

Former UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili isn’t giving up on her pursuit of a second stint with UFC gold after her UFC 268 defeat.

Weili and UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas went back-and-forth for five rounds at UFC 268, but in the end, i…

Zhang Weili

Former UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili isn’t giving up on her pursuit of a second stint with UFC gold after her UFC 268 defeat.

Weili and UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas went back-and-forth for five rounds at UFC 268, but in the end, it was Namajunas who earned the victory on the scorecards. Weili had significant moments throughout the fight, but many believed Namajunas was the more active fighter in the exchanges.

It was a completely different fight from their first matchup at UFC 261, which ended in a Namajunas head kick knockout. Weili showed vast improvements with her grappling and hit Namajunas with heavy shots.

Despite the disappointing second loss to Namajunas, Weili says she’s keeping her head up moving forward.

Zhang Weili Isn’t Ruling Out A Third Fight With Rose Namajunas

Rose Namajunas def. Zhang Weili at UFC 268: Best photos | MMA Junkie
Image Credit: Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports

“I think today’s fight (was) a close fight. I think we both performed the best of ourselves,” Weili said during the post-fight press conference. “I’m very much looking forward to a rematch with Rose. And also, I believe that I will get my belt back if I have the opportunity.”

Many believe that a Namajunas/Weili third bout isn’t completely out of the question moving forward. Namajunas will more than likely face top contender Carla Esparza for her next title defense but could meet Weili again down the line.

After getting word of Weili’s post-fight comments, Namajunas praised her determination and desire for a third bout.

“She’s committed to martial arts and being the best, so I’m sure she’s gonna do whatever it takes to try to contend for that title again,” Namajunas said during her post-fight presser. “So I wouldn’t be surprised, but we’ll see.”

Namajunas and Weili are arguably two of the best strawweight champions in UFC history. Both have accumulated massive star power worldwide and a third fight is sure to entice the interest of fans once again.

Do you think Zhang Weili will be a UFC champion again at some point?

Continue Reading Zhang Weili After UFC 268 Defeat: “I Will Get My Belt Back” at MMA News.

Rose Namajunas Looking Forward To Rematch With Carla Esparza

UFC Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas has her eyes set on a rematch with Carla Esparza following her UFC 268 victory.

Namajunas earned another win over Zhang Weili in the UFC 268 co-main event, but it was a different fight from their first bout. …

Rose Namajunas

UFC Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas has her eyes set on a rematch with Carla Esparza following her UFC 268 victory.

Namajunas earned another win over Zhang Weili in the UFC 268 co-main event, but it was a different fight from their first bout. It was a back-and-forth war from start to finish, with Namajunas getting the split-decision victory.

While it’s possible that Namajunas could fight Weili for the third time in the future, she has her eyes set on an old foe in Carla Esparza. The two strawweight stars met for the inaugural strawweight title in 2014, with Esparza earning the late submission win.

After her win over Weili, Namajunas spoke about what’s next for the UFC strawweight division and specifically about Esparza being the next possible challenger.

Rose Namajunas Thinks Carla Esparza Is Next For Title Shot

“I mean, she was on my mind before going into this one,” Namajunas said during her post-fight press conference. “So that seems that’s the logical step. But I gotta see what the UFC’s thinking, I guess. But yeah, I would love to fight Carla.”

Namajunas began her second stint as strawweight queen by knocking out Weili in the first round at UFC 261 earlier this year. Before that, she had earned her first title by earning back-to-back wins over Joanna Jedrzecjzyk.

Esparza has been on a tear with five straight wins, including most recently against Yan Xiaonan at UFC Vegas 27. She’s also earned wins over top contenders such as Marina Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson on her way to the potential title shot.

Namajunas and Esparza got the UFC’s strawweight division started with their bout in 2014, and they could certainly meet for a rematch shortly. Both fighters have drastically improved since their first bout and could put on an entertaining fight for the masses.

How do you think a Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza title rematch would play out?

Continue Reading Rose Namajunas Looking Forward To Rematch With Carla Esparza at MMA News.

Even Nice Guy Stephen Thompson Wanted To Slap Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa’s weight class shenanigans were enough to upset one of the nicest guys in the sport. 

Stephen Thompson is known for his cordial demeanor. In fact, Ariel Helwani gave “Wonderboy” a “NMF” belt in the wake of Jorge Masvidal winning th…

Paulo Costa, Stephen Thompson

Paulo Costa’s weight class shenanigans were enough to upset one of the nicest guys in the sport. 

Stephen Thompson is known for his cordial demeanor. In fact, Ariel Helwani gave “Wonderboy” a “NMF” belt in the wake of Jorge Masvidal winning the “BMF” title a couple of years ago. But even for a friendly fighter like Thompson, Costa’s fight-week fiasco prior to UFC Vegas 41 was a bit much. 

“Well, knowing that I have handled that situation before, fighting Darren Till. He didn’t make weight,” Thompson told MMA News. “He was like five pounds overweight or whatever. I was there, did it for the fans, man. We had a good time. But when you’re coming in saying, ‘Alright, can we do 185?’ and then 205, it’s like, what the heck?

Stephen Thompson vs. Darren Till
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson meets Darren Till in UFC Liverpool main event

“But I think Vettori was so mad at that point he just wanted to go out there and beat him up.

“When you talk so much trash like Costa does and then you come in not making weight, not being the professional you should be, it’s like, come on, man. Go somewhere else with that, crap. So yeah, man, very disappointing for sure and shows who, out of the two, is the most professional out of the bunch. And that’s Vettori. Costa, I wanted to slap him.”

Thompson went on to say that he’s looking to return to the Octagon in December but couldn’t give too many details before the contract was signed. But it seems likely we’ll see the karate fighter on Dec. 18th. 

In his last outing, Thompson fell short to Gilbert Burns’ grappling heavy gameplan at UFC 264. The loss snapped a two-fight win streak for the South Carolina native. He still resides in the top 5 but will have to work his way back into the title picture.

Are you surprised to hear this harsh take on Paulo Costa from “NMF” Stephen Thompson?

Continue Reading Even Nice Guy Stephen Thompson Wanted To Slap Paulo Costa at MMA News.

Jon Jones Test

Jon JonesJon Jones has revealed that he is currently looking for a new team. This comes after the former UFC light-heavyweight champion was asked to stay away from his long-time gym after his most recent arrest. In September, Jones was taken into custody after an alleged incident of domestic violence took place just hours after he […]

Jon Jones

Jon Jones has revealed that he is currently looking for a new team.

This comes after the former UFC light-heavyweight champion was asked to stay away from his long-time gym after his most recent arrest.

In September, Jones was taken into custody after an alleged incident of domestic violence took place just hours after he was inducted into he UFC Hall of Fame.

Less than a month later, ‘Bones’ was banned from his long-time gym by Mike Winkeljohn but the door was not completely closed on the UFC great returning to Jackson-Wink MMA after an indefinite period of time.

Mike Winkeljohn Explains Why He Barred Jon Jones From His Gym

“This is a tough one,” Winkeljohn said on The MMA Hour. “There’s definitely no doubt about it. It’s one of the toughest ones. It broke my heart that I was even put in that position where I felt I had to do it. I will stick by my guns and stay true to the guy that I want to be.”

“I said, ‘Jon, here’s the deal, man. You’re like my little brother. You have to stop drinking and fix these things for a certain period of time until you come back to the gym,’” Winkeljohn added.

Jones has now revealed that he will not be returning to his former gym and is now on the lookout for a new team.

“definitely won’t be going back but I will continue to root for all the fighters that are training there,” Jones wrote on social media this Saturday. “I do believe my training methods and sessions have improved significantly since changing environments. Grateful for all the time I got to spend there, everything has its time”

Jones added that his old gym was not at the standard it once was, suggesting that could’ve been a contributing factor to him not returning.

“I don’t feel like I carried the team, we have lots of guys doing amazing things out of that gym,” Jones wrote. “I will admit the program isn’t at the level it used to be, and hasn’t been for a while now”

The 34-year-old is quickly becoming tired of training in his garage and says he is currently on the hunt for a new tea,

“I know I won’t be able to train in my garage forever, eventually I’m going to need more training partners. Mainly wrestling partners and kickboxers. I’m on the lookout for teams that I’ll be able to visit and come train with, maybe get some sparring sessions in”

Who do you think Jon Jones should train with moving forward?

O’Malley Claims Inevitable Yan Fight Will Be A Pay-Per-View Headliner

UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley thinks a fight with interim champion Petr Yan is inevitable, and believes it will be a “massive” pay-per-view main event when it happens.

Last Saturday, Yan took a sizable step towards reversing the damage done by the…

Petr Yan, Sean O'Malley

UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley thinks a fight with interim champion Petr Yan is inevitable, and believes it will be a “massive” pay-per-view main event when it happens.

Last Saturday, Yan took a sizable step towards reversing the damage done by the illegal knee he delivered to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259. In March this year, “No Mercy” was hoping to make his first title defense. After a comfortable and controlled three rounds, he looked minutes away from doing just that. However, after connecting a knee to a downed Sterling’s head, Yan was disqualified and watched “Funk Master” leave the Octagon with the 135-pound belt.

After his chance to exact revenge last month was delayed due to the champion’s withdrawal from their scheduled rematch, Yan faced top contender Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267. After a five-round war, the Russian had his hand raised via unanimous decision, and had UFC gold wrapped around his waist again, albeit an interim one strap.

O’Malley: Sandhagen Fight Helps Us Develop Yan Gameplan

One man who was incredibly impressed with Yan’s performance was Sean O’Malley. Despite being unranked and having never faced an opponent inside the top 15, “Sugar” has managed to keep himself in conversation with the champion and top contenders through his personality and presence on social media. He’d even thrown his name into the hat to replace Sterling at UFC 267.

Discussing Yan on a recent episode of the TimboSugarShow, O’Malley attributed the Russian’s success to his adaptability. According to the rising bantamweight star, “No Mercy” belongs with the likes of Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya in the pound-for-pound top three.

“Adaptability (is his biggest strength). I mean, his boxing obviously, but the way he can fucking adapt to losing to Aljo in the first, losing to Cory in the first, losing to José Aldo in the first. Getting outstruck massively… He’s gotta be pound-for-pound top three, right? I think Kamaru’s probably #1, Izzy’s up there right now. It probably goes Kamaru, Izzy, Petr.”

As well as lauding Yan for his performance, O’Malley suggested seeing the interim champ go five rounds with Sandhagen has allowed him and his coach Tim Welch to prepare a better gameplan for when he’s matched up with Yan. According to the 26-year-old, that clash is certain to happen, and will be a “massive” pay-per-view headliner.

“So, it’s cool though, it’s good to see all this, it just gives us a better gameplan. ‘Cos me and Petr are gonna fight someday and it’s gonna be a massive fight. It’s gonna be a fucking pay-per-view headliner; massive fight. Whether it’s 2023, 2024, whatever the fuck, whenever the fuck, it is, it’s gonna be massive.”

How do you think Sean O’Malley would fare against Interim UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan?

Continue Reading O’Malley Claims Inevitable Yan Fight Will Be A Pay-Per-View Headliner at MMA News.

Jon Jones ‘Definitely Won’t Be Going Back’ To Jackson-Wink MMA

Jon JonesJon Jones has revealed that he is currently looking for a new team. This comes after the former UFC light-heavyweight champion was asked to stay away from his long-time gym after his most recent arrest. In September, Jones was taken into custody after an alleged incident of domestic violence took place just hours after he […]

Jon Jones

Jon Jones has revealed that he is currently looking for a new team.

This comes after the former UFC light-heavyweight champion was asked to stay away from his long-time gym after his most recent arrest.

In September, Jones was taken into custody after an alleged incident of domestic violence took place just hours after he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

Less than a month later, ‘Bones’ was banned from his long-time gym by Mike Winkeljohn but the door was not completely closed on the UFC great returning to Jackson-Wink MMA after an indefinite period of time.

Mike Winkeljohn Explains Why He Barred Jon Jones From His Gym

“This is a tough one,” Winkeljohn said on The MMA Hour. “There’s definitely no doubt about it. It’s one of the toughest ones. It broke my heart that I was even put in that position where I felt I had to do it. I will stick by my guns and stay true to the guy that I want to be.”

“I said, ‘Jon, here’s the deal, man. You’re like my little brother. You have to stop drinking and fix these things for a certain period of time until you come back to the gym,’” Winkeljohn added.

Jones has now revealed that he will not be returning to his former gym and is on the lookout for a new team.

“definitely won’t be going back but I will continue to root for all the fighters that are training there,” Jones wrote on social media this Saturday. “I do believe my training methods and sessions have improved significantly since changing environments. Grateful for all the time I got to spend there, everything has its time”

Jones added that his old gym was not at the standard it once was, suggesting that could’ve been a contributing factor to him not returning.

“I don’t feel like I carried the team, we have lots of guys doing amazing things out of that gym,” Jones wrote. “I will admit the program isn’t at the level it used to be, and hasn’t been for a while now”

The 34-year-old is quickly becoming tired of training in his garage and says he is currently on the hunt for a new team.

“I know I won’t be able to train in my garage forever, eventually I’m going to need more training partners. Mainly wrestling partners and kickboxers. I’m on the lookout for teams that I’ll be able to visit and come train with, maybe get some sparring sessions in”

Who do you think Jon Jones should train with moving forward?