Tag: UFC Vegas 66

Deron Winn released from UFC contract following fall, injury suffered at promotion’s Performance Institute

Deron WInnUFC middleweight, Deron Winn has been handed his release from the organization this Thursday night according to reports – a week removed from a fall and subsequent injury suffered at the promotion’s Performance Institute which forced him from a UFC Vegas 66 fight with Julian Marquez.  Winn, who boasts a 7-3 professional record, last featured […]

Deron WInn

UFC middleweight, Deron Winn has been handed his release from the organization this Thursday night according to reports – a week removed from a fall and subsequent injury suffered at the promotion’s Performance Institute which forced him from a UFC Vegas 66 fight with Julian Marquez. 

Winn, who boasts a 7-3 professional record, last featured at UFC Fight Night Austin back in June, suffering a one-sided second round TKO loss to Phil Hawes.

Expected to make his Octagon return at last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 66 event, which marked the end of scheduled for 2022 for the Dana White-led organization, Winn suffered a fall on a stairs at the Performance Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada – suffering a minor concussion. 

And as per an initial report from MMA Fighting reporter, Damon Martin, Missouri native, Winn has now been handed his release from the UFC. 

“Deron Winn has been released from the UFC, per officials,” Martin tweeted. “Winn was originally supposed to compete at UFC Vegas 66 but dropped off the card after he fainted and fell down some stairs at the UFC PI.” 

Addressing his own release from the organization on his official Twitter account, amateur wrestling talent, Winn expressed his disappointment at learning of his departure during Christmas week.

Deron Winn has voiced his displeasure at the timing of his UFC release

“Being released after a freak accident on their (the UFC) property the week before Christmas,” Deron Winn tweeted. “Man, “it’s business not personal” has never been more real (face palm emoji).” 

Landing victories over both Antonio Arroyo, and Eric Spicely during his Octagon tenure in between back-to-back defeats against Darren Stewart, and Gerald Meerschaert, Winn tested positive for amphetamines following his 2020 loss to latter, while missing weight by eight and a half pounds for his fight with Stewart. 

Winn has previously competed under the banners of the LFA, and Bellator MMA, and featured against UFC alum, Tom Lawler in a winning performance at Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 back in 2018.

Opinion | Fights to make after UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland

UFC Vegas 66UFC Vegas 66 concluded the year for the UFC with the promotion taking a break over the festive period and returning in mid-January. Middleweight contenders headlined the card as they looked to end their years on a high and set themselves up for a promising 2023. For the final time this year, let us put […]

UFC Vegas 66

UFC Vegas 66 concluded the year for the UFC with the promotion taking a break over the festive period and returning in mid-January. Middleweight contenders headlined the card as they looked to end their years on a high and set themselves up for a promising 2023.

For the final time this year, let us put on our matchmaking caps and suggest what could be next for the winners from UFC Vegas 66.

Jared Cannonier

Jared Cannonier etched out an extremely close decision victory in the main event of the evening. Two judges scoring the bout in his favor was enough to see the former title challenger secure a victory.

With a large portion of the top middleweight contenders either having recently fought or being scheduled to fight, Cannonier may have to look down the rankings for his next opponent. Next for Cannonier, I would like to see him take on a rising contender and undefeated UFC fighter, Dricus Du Plessis.

Arman Tsarukyan

Arman Tsarukyan took down one of the highly-rated new contenders in the lightweight division with his victory over Damir Ismagulov. Tsarukyan is a highly touted prospect himself and I would not be opposed to seeing him jump the ladder and fight one of the higher-ranked lightweights in the division. That is why for his next matchup I would like to see him take on former title contender, Michael Chandler.

Amir Albazi

Amir Albazi scored a late KO victory at UFC Vegas 66 to see off short-notice opponent Alessandro Costa. For his next matchup, I would like to see him take on the man one spot above him in the rankings at the time of writing, Matt Schnell.

Alex Caceres

Alex Caceres delivered a perfectly executed head kick to dispatch Julian Erosa inside the first round. I would like to see Caceres get a shot at someone in the rankings and who better than for him to take on the always-game 14th-ranked Edson Barboza?

Drew Dober

Drew Dober delivered dynamite in his final outing of 2022 as he knocked out fan-favorite Bobby Green. Dober himself made this call extremely easy for me when he asked for Jalin Turner, and I believe he should be granted his wish early in the new year.

Micha? Oleksiejczuk

Micha? Oleksiejczuk made quick work of Cody Brundage as he picked up his second finish since dropping down to middleweight. The Poland native called for Chris Curtis in his post-fight interview and similarly to Drew Dober that is a fight I can fully get behind.

Fights To Make Following UFC Vegas 66

Cory McKenna

Cory McKenna scored a decision victory over Cheyanne Vlismas in the 7th matchup of the evening. Two victories in 2022 to close out her year should see her earn a shot at someone with a number next to their name.  Next for McKenna, I would match her up against 13th-ranked strawweight, Emily Ducote.

Matthew Semelsberger

Matthew Semelsberger knocked down Jake Matthews three times in their bout en route to his unanimous decision victory at UFC Vegas 66. For his next fight, I would like to see him take on a man he shared the card with who will be looking to bounce back from a defeat in Bryan Battle.

Said Nurmagomedov

Said Nurmagomedov was able to secure a ninja choke over Saidyokub Kakhramanov after being dominated in the opening round of their UFC Vegas 66 matchup. Having just earnt a ranking himself it is time for him to attempt to ascend up the bantamweight table and therefore I would like to see him take on ‘El Guapo’, Chris Gutierrez.

Rafa Garcia

Rafa Garcia battled through a cut artery to secure himself a victory over Hayisaer Maheshate at UFC Vegas 66. Despite the bout being contested at a catchweight after Maheshate missed the 155-pound limit. I believe Garcia’s gutsy performance should earn him a crack at someone in the rankings. Dan Hooker currently sits 11th in the rankings and would make for a fascinating opponent for the 28-year-old.

Rinat Fakhretdinov

Rinat Fakhretdinov set a record for the most control time in a 3-round fight as he cruised to a decision victory over Bryan Battle. This man has all the makings to cause serious problems in the welterweight division. Given his dominant performance, I would like to see him too face someone in the rankings, and believe Li Jingliang would make for an excellent opponent.

Manel Kape

Manel Kape styled on David Dvorak and was unlucky to not secure a finish in the cards’ second bout of the evening. A threat from all areas Kape has looked better with every outing since signing with the UFC. 30-fight veteran Tim Elliot is without a scheduled matchup, and I feel would be a fine choice of an opponent as Kape looks to ascend the flyweight division in 2023.

Sergey Morozov

Sergey Morozov opened the card at UFC Vegas 66 and called upon his wrestling to secure a decision victory over Journey Newson. Back-to-back victories to close out 2022 for Morozov. Next for the Kazakhstan native should be Montel Jackson as the two men both look to etch themselves closer to a spot in the bantamweight rankings.

That concludes the final ‘fights to make column’ of 2022. As always be sure to let me know whether you agree or disagree with any of the matchups I have suggested. Leave your opinion in the comments below and also share what you thought of UFC Vegas 66 itself.

We shall return to play matchmaker in the new year following the promotions opening card which will see Nassourdine Imavov attempt to take down former title challenger, Kevin Gastelum.

Sean O’Malley touts Sean Strickland as future ‘Murderer’, claims he’ll feature in true crime Netflix documentary

Sean O'MalleyIn rather jokingly fashion, UFC bantamweught contender, Sean O’Malley has claimed middleweight challenger, Sean Strickland would not shock him if it transpired the outspoken contender turned out to a murderer in years to come, touting him to feature in a true story crime documentary on streaming platform, Netflix. O’Malley, the current #1 ranked bantamweight contender […]

Sean O'Malley

In rather jokingly fashion, UFC bantamweught contender, Sean O’Malley has claimed middleweight challenger, Sean Strickland would not shock him if it transpired the outspoken contender turned out to a murderer in years to come, touting him to feature in a true story crime documentary on streaming platform, Netflix.

O’Malley, the current #1 ranked bantamweight contender under the banner of the UFC, earned his spot atop his fellow challengers with a split decision win over former undisputed titleholder, Petr Yan on the main card of UFC 280 back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

For Strickland, the middleweight contender headlined UFC Vegas 66 on Saturday against Jared Cannonier – suffering his second consecutive loss in the form of another criticized split decision (49-46, 46-49, 49-46) loss. 

A high-profile contender at 185lbs, Strickland had amassed a seven-fight winning run prior to his July knockout loss to current middleweight champion, Alex Pereira, however, rose to prominence with some outspoken thoughts and comments on the transgender community – which seen him lose his official Twitter account.

Infamously, last year, Strickland claimed he had dreamt of potentially killing an opponent inside the Octagon during the course of a fight, leading to an outcry of criticism, with the UFC electing against sanctioning the North Carolina striker. 

Sean O’Malley speculates Sean Strickland will land himself on a Netflix true crime feature

Sharing his thoughts on Strickland’s personality and persona, the aforenoted Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Sean O’Malley claimed the former would not surprise him if it transpired he had murdered someone before.

“If someone’s going to be a murderer in a Netflix series in a couple of years, it’s going to be Sean Strickland,” Sean O’Malley said on his podcast. “He’ll be like, ‘I’m going to have a series come out where I killed my wife.’” (Transcribed by Sportskeeda) 

Prior to his judging win over Yan earlier this year on ‘Fight Island’ – O’Malley managed to land consecutive victories over Raulian Paiva, Kris Moutinho, and Thomas Almeida – before an official ‘No Contest’ with veteran, Pedro Munhoz.

Manel Kape Didn’t Want To Hurt Opponent At UFC Vegas 66

Manel Kape has suggested he could have finished the submission he secured against David Dvo?ák if he’d been willing to cause his opponent serious harm. “Starboy” met Dvo?ák in a flyweight bout on the prelims of UFC Vegas 66, which was the promoti…

Manel Kape has suggested he could have finished the submission he secured against David Dvo?ák if he’d been willing to cause his opponent serious harm. “Starboy” met Dvo?ák in a flyweight bout on the prelims of UFC Vegas 66, which was the promotion’s final event of the year. On paper, the fight appeared to be…

Continue Reading Manel Kape Didn’t Want To Hurt Opponent At UFC Vegas 66 at MMA News.

4 Positives & 2 Negatives From UFC Vegas 66

On Saturday night, the MMA leader returned for its final card of 2022, UFC Vegas 66. While the promotion closed out its pay-per-view calendar for this year with UFC 282 last weekend, the Octagon offerings weren’t quite finished. And alt…

On Saturday night, the MMA leader returned for its final card of 2022, UFC Vegas 66. While the promotion closed out its pay-per-view calendar for this year with UFC 282 last weekend, the Octagon offerings weren’t quite finished. And although much of the attention this month was on the T-Mobile Arena-held event, which included a title fight…

Continue Reading 4 Positives & 2 Negatives From UFC Vegas 66 at MMA News.

Arman Tsarukyan Calls Out Two Fighters After UFC Vegas 66

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan wants a big step up in competition following his win at UFC Vegas 66. Tsarukyan handed Damir Ismagulov his second career loss at UFC Vegas 66 on Saturday via unanimous decision. The loss snapped a 19-fight winn…

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan wants a big step up in competition following his win at UFC Vegas 66. Tsarukyan handed Damir Ismagulov his second career loss at UFC Vegas 66 on Saturday via unanimous decision. The loss snapped a 19-fight winning streak for Ismagulov that included recent wins over Rafael Alves and Thiago Moisés….

Continue Reading Arman Tsarukyan Calls Out Two Fighters After UFC Vegas 66 at MMA News.