Tag: UFC News

Former interim UFC lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje has claimed that should he defeat fellow contender, Michael Chandler at UC 268 next month, he will then challenge for undisputed lightweight gold in the form of a tilt against Charles Oliveira, or a rematch with Dustin Poirier.

Gaethje, who currently holds the #2 rank in the official lightweight pile, headlined UFC 254 in October of last year in his most recent Octagon walk — dropping an eventual second round triangle submission loss to then-champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov in a title unification loss. 

The November 6. outing against most recent title chaser, Chandler at Madison Square Garden will mark Gaethje’s first outing in over 13 months, however, he believes he, and not the former Bellator lightweight best should have faced Oliveira for vacant gold in May at UFC 262.

Headlining the May event at the Toyota Center against Oliveira, Chandler ultimately dropped an early second round knockout loss to the Sao Paulo native, having started brightly in the opening round.

Chandler’s inclusion in a vacant title bout despite featuring just once in the Octagon drew notable displeasure from the likes of former interim gold holders, Poirier and Tony Ferguson, with the latter coining the phrase, “Dana White privilege” to describe Chandler’s quickfire title shot. 

With Oliveira slated to attempt his first defense of the lightweight title at the promotion’s final flagship event of the year at UFC 269 in headlining bout against Poirier, Gaethje believes he’ll follow suit into a title shot with a win over Chandler next month.

“Absolutely, I go out there and get the W on November 6. and I will be fighting for the title next,” Justin Gaethje told The Schmo. “I’ll be fighting the winner of (Dustin) Poirier and (Charles) Oliveira, that’s definitely the plan.“

“#1 fought #5, #3 fought #4, and if you were #2, you got f*cked,” Justin Gaethje explained. “It just so happened that my name was next to that #2 spot, so it is what it is. The opportunity is ahead of me to get what I want, so I gotta capitalize.“

Prior to October’s submission defeat to the now-retired, Khabib, Gaethje has embarked on an eye-catching winning streak of four consecutive knockouts — stopping the quartet of James Vick, Edson Barboza, Donald Cerrone, and the above mentioned, Ferguson — the last of which earned him the interim lightweight crown in a short notice UFC 249 main event back in May of last year.

Gaethje has previously voiced his interest in a future title re-run with Poirier, as well as claiming he would like to share the Octagon with Oliveira — calling the promotion’s most prolific submission artist, a “quitter“.

Former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Junior dos Santos is slated to bring his talents to professional wrestling following his release from the Dana White-led promotion back in March — debuting under the AEW (All-Elite Wrestling) banner on the weekend of October 15. and 16. — in an event in Miami, Florida.

dos Santos, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the UFC’s banner, was, along with past-foe and decorated Dutch kickboxing icon, Alistair Overeem, handed their walking papers from the promotion in March of this year. 

The Brazilian last competed professionally against current interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane in December of last year, dropping a second round knockout loss. The defeat came as the veteran’s fourth consecutively, following a trio of previous knockout defeats to current heavyweight titleholder, Francis Ngannou, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Curtis Blaydes. 

According to a report from ESPN MMA reporter, Marc Raimondi, dos Santos is scheduled to feature in a six-man tag team professional wrestling match next weekend, with fellow American Top Team trainee, former two-time UFC welterweight title challenger, Jorge Masvidal slated to be in the Brazilian’s corner.

Speaking with the outlet this week, dos Santos expressed his excitement at making the transition to professional wrestling.

“I love it,” Junior dos Santos said. “It’s very different from MMA, but just as exciting. The reactions from the fans are amazing. I’m having a lot of fun and look forward to kicking (Chris) Jericho and (Jake) Hager’s asses next week.“

A former undisputed heavyweight champion, the Santa Carina knockout-artist is best remembered for his trilogy of fights with fellow former heavyweight champion turned professional wrestler, Cain Velasquez — and holds victories over four former heavyweight gold holders; Frank Mir, Stipe Miocic, Fabricio Werdum, and Shane Carwin. 

In his most recent professional mixed martial arts win, dos Santos headlined a UFC Fight Night Wichita card in March 2019 — stopping recent interim title challenger, Derrick Lewis with a second round knockout. 

Over the course of recent weeks, American Top Team trainees, including the aforenoted, Masvidal, Bellator middleweight, Austin Vanderford, BKFC flyweight, Paige VanZant, and former UFC heavyweight champion, Andrei Arlovski have featured in AEW segments — with the facilities founder and owner, Dan Lambert serving as a manager on-screen.

Ahead of her UFC Vegas 39 headliner this weekend, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace, Mackenzie Dern has not ruled out a leap to the flyweight ranks in the future from her current strawweight home, even suggesting it may take a seasoned grappler to stop the dominant reign of current flyweight queen, Valentina Shevchenko. 

Arizona-born grappling maestro, Dern has won her last four on the bounce. And makes her headlining bow under the promotion’s banner this weekend at the UFC Apex facility — taking on Rio Grande do Sul-born Muay Thai talent, Marina Rodriguez in pivotal, potential strawweight title-eliminator. 

11-1 as a professional, Dern’s sole professional blemish came in the form of a unanimous decision to fellow strawweight talent, Amanda Ribas — lodged an impressive six UFC victories since her organizational bow back in March 2018.

Dern, who plys her trade alongside the renowned Jason Parillo at California-based facility, RVCA, managed a statement win over the returning Nina Nunes back in April at UFC on ABC 2 — submitting the American Top Team staple with a late opening round armbar win, becoming the most prolific strawweight grappler in the history of the promotion with four submission stoppages.

Currently clutching the #4 rank at strawweight, Dern, a nine-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion across her decorated grappling career, suggested a grappling force, as proficient as herself may prove to be the kryptonite of flyweight pack leader, Shevchenko.

“I’m working with Rogerio Camoes — he’s making me stronger, just feeling good,” Mackenzie Dern told assembled media at the UFC Vegas 39 media day. “I fought at 125(lbs) before, but it was not a very strong Mackenzie. I was like of like a little bit lazy Mackenzie, like not so professional.“

“Definitely just watching Valentina (Shevchenko), you know, she’s a long time at the belt,” Mackenzie Dern continued. “The girls are trying, we’re trying, but I’m like, we need someone to fight her. Maybe a Jiu-Jitsu girl is the one to beat her. Who knows, you know? But definitely. I can see myself getting to 125(lbs), but as a fit Mackenzie, you know? That idea is getting more and more attractive to me, to go in and try and just make history.” (H/T MMA Junkie)

As for Shevchenko, the Kyrgyzstan native turned in a record-setting fifth successful title defense at UFC 266 earlier this month — eventually stopping challenger, Lauren Murphy with fourth round ground strikes. Shevchenko has since been linked with a trilogy bout against current two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes.