Aljamain Sterling got walloped by Sean O’Malley at UFC 292. If “Suga” can replicate that performance at UFC 306 inside The Sphere, where he defends his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili on Sept. 14 in Las Vegas, then it takes some of the sting from “Funk Master’s” wound because it proves O’Malley is just as
Month: September 2024
Islam Makhachev doesn’t have to worry about any other titles popping up in Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) Lightweight contender scene. If Tom Aspinall’s story at Heavyweight is anything to go by, Arman Tsarukyan should be counting his lucky stars. Tsarukyan, 27, is next in line for the 155-pound strap and a rematch with the champion,
If you aren’t cheating, you aren’t trying. UFC Vegas 97 was a memorable night for officiating woes. I mean, can they even be called that in 2024 when fouls go uncalled essentially on a fight-by-fight basis? Warnings are teased, points aren’t taken, and fighters can get away with practically whatever they want. That appeared to
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) changed forever when it was sold by Zuffa LLC to WME-IMG in 2016. What was a smaller change in the grand scheme of things stuck with fans early as longtime play-by-play commentator, Mike Goldberg, was one of the most noticeable on-screen casualties. With UFC fulfilling its final year under Zuffa, UFC
Off then on then on again. Kody Steele (6-0) went through a bit of a rollercoaster of expectations throughout his would-be appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series tonight (Tues., Sept. 10, 2024). The talented Welterweight and Lightweight prospect was originally set to take on the first man to defeat Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight
Welcome to Midnight Mania! UFC 306 anticipation is high. In a bubble, the card is already quite good. It’s hard to argue with two title fights, particularly when one features one of the sport’s bigger stars and a perfect stylistic foil. Furthermore, Diego Lopes vs. Brian Ortega promises to be one of the year’s best
MIAMI – Brandon Moreno has issued his response to Henry Cejudo showing interest in a move back to flyweight and a fight with him. Cejudo (16-4 MMA, 10-4), a former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion, told MMA Junkie last month that he was considering a return to 125 pounds as he sees it tough to
Merab Dvalishvili is out to prove he can hang with Sean O’Malley on the feet at UFC 306. Dvalishvili (17-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) challenges bantamweight champion O’Malley (18-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) in Saturday’s Noche UFC main event (pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+) at Sphere in Las Vegas. Dvalishvili recently spent time in Mexico to develop his boxing
Daniel Cormier appreciates Demetrious Johnson. Johnson, a former UFC flyweight champion who defended the title 11 times, announced his retirement from MMA during the ONE 168 broadcast this past week. “Mighty Mouse” (25-4-1) called it a career as the ONE Championship flyweight (135 pounds) title holder. ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong named Johnson as the first
Stephen Thompson would love to be honored in the UFC Hall of Fame someday. Thompson (17-7-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) never won UFC gold but is a former two-time welterweight title challenger. He battled Tyron Woodley to a draw in their first title fight, then was edged out in a majority decision loss in their rematch.
Check out these photos from the five fights at Dana White’s Contender Series 70, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. (Event photos courtesy of UFC) (Gallery will be updated throughout the event.) John Schriffen, Laura Sanko, Paul Felder – DWCS 71 LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 10: (L-R) John Schriffen, Laura
Nicolle Caliari metaphorically took Corinne Laframboise’s arm home with her Tuesday at Dana White’s Contender Series 71. In the opening bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Brazil’s Caliari (8-2) submitted Canada’s LaFramboise (8-5) with an armbar at 4:45 of Round 1. Referee Kerry Hatley deemed the submission verbal, according to the broadcast. NOW
Yousri Belgaroui fought both Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira in kickboxing and now he may very well join them in the UFC. At Dana White’s Contender Series 71 on Tuesday, Belgaroui (8-3) finished Taiga Iwasaki (9-2) by TKO due to a barrage of strikes at 2:34 of Round 3. WHAT A FINISH 😮💨 Yousri Belgaroui
Is another star emerging out of City Kickboxing? Navajo Stirling took one step closer Tuesday at Dana White’s Contender Series 71 when he slept opponent Phillip Latu with a big left hand in the event’s headlining bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The stoppage came at 2:21 of Round 2. Stirling (5-0) was
LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Tuesday’s Dana White’s Contender Series 71 event. Dana White’s Contender Series cards see prospects fighting for the opportunity to sign a UFC deal, with UFC president Dana White on hand to make the decisions. The fifth week of the eighth season will see
Following Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 242 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and Bellator Champions Series: San Diego at Pechanga Arena, the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings required updating. Headlining UFC Fight Night 242 was a welterweight showdown between Sean Brady and former title challenger Gilbert Burns. Over five rounds, Brady dominated Burns in