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UFC Rankings for Sunday, Week 3 of July 2021

UFC Fight Night 188: Holm vs. Pena UFC Fight Night 188: Holm vs. Pena Date: Saturday of Week 3 of July 2021 Location: Nebraska Attendance: 6,714 Gate: $1,477,080 Critical Rating: 77% Commercial Rating: 87% Commentary Team: Jon Anik, Dan Hardy and Brendan Fitzgerald Preliminary Card Welterweight: Gilbert Burns (19-5) vs. Bartos Fabinski (15-1, 1NC) The night started with Gilbert Burns putting in a commanding performance against Bartos Fabinski, who was replacing an injured Jack Marshman. Burns’ ground game was simply too much for Fabinski, and even a powerbomb couldn’t force Burns to release the triangle choke that led to the tap. Result: Gilbert ‘Durinho’ Burns beat Bartosz Fabinski by submission due to a triangle choke in 4:28 of Round 2 Middleweight: Antonio Carlos Junior (11-5, 1NC) vs. Deron Winn (10-0) The clinch-work of Deron Winn was more than Antonio Carlos Junior could deal with, as Winn was able to slam and smother his way to victory, Winn also employing some dirty boxing. Winn was never in trouble and eased to a unanimous decision victory, a victory which maintained his unbeaten record. In the post-fight interview, Winn called for a fight with Roman Kopylov when Kopylov returns from his drug suspension; the two have been engaged in a war of words for quite some time. Result: Deron Winn beat Antonio ‘Cara De Sapato’ Carlos Junior by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 and 30-27) Light Heavyweight: Justin Ledet (11-4, 1NC) vs. Alonzo Menifield (10-0) Ledet may have come into this fight as the underdog but he also came into it with a significant size edge, and that would eventually pay off when Ledet landed a powerful uppercut that dropped Menfield; although Ledet couldn’t get the finish right away, he soon locked on a kimura to get the tap and end Menifield’s undefeated record. Result: Justin ‘El Blanco’ Ledet beat Alonzo Menifield by submission due to a kimura in 3:43 of Round 1 Heavyweight: Todd Duffee (10-4, 1NC) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (8-1) Todd Duffee lived up to his ill-advised nickname, rocking Nascimento with a right hook and then dropping a bomb of a right hand to knock Nascimento out cold with just over a minute gone in the first round. Duffee was understandably delighted with the outcome of the fight, and in his post-fight interview Duffee said that he was very happy with the finish, which he said landed perfectly, something Duffee said was a testament to his training. Result: 'The Irish Car Bomb' Todd Duffee beat Rodrigo 'Ze Colmeia' Nascimento by knockout (punch) in 1:19 of Round 1 Flyweight: Jordan Espinosa (14-8, 1NC) vs. Brandon Moreno (17-6-1) When you feel the need to grab the cage within twenty seconds, that’s probably not a good sign, and Espinosa’s early infraction, which earned him a stiff rebuke from the referee, set the stage for a fight where he was on defence throughout. Espinosa had a few moments but they were few and far between, and his resistance was finally broken late in the third round when Moreno forced the tap with a north-south choke. Result: Brandon 'The Assassin Baby' Moreno beat Jordan Espinosa by submission due to a north-south choke in 3:31 of Round 3 Flyweight: Alexandra Pantoja (23-5) vs. Tagir Ulanbekov (13-1) Pantoja, the former flyweight champion, faced a tough test in his first fight since losing the title, a test he needed to pass to prove that he deserved a rematch against Demetrious Johnson. But Tagir Ulanbekov proved to be a very tough test indeed, giving Pantoja all he could handle, and it took until the third round for Pantoja to finally have Ulanbekov in trouble. Ulanbekov was rocked almost right away after a right hand and Pantoja went for the kill with a tight guillotine choke; but Ulanbekov passed his particular test, managing to escape and quickly get back into the fight. Although Ulanbekov edged ahead of Pantoja overall, the fight was very competitive, and it was something of a surprise that Ulanbekov didn’t just win, but did so by taking all three rounds on the judges’ scorecards. The former champion looked surprised, but it would be Tagir Ulanbekov who would get the win and remain unbeaten thus far in the UFC. Result: Tagir Ulanbekov beat Alexandre ‘The Cannibal’ Pantoja by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 and 30-27) Women’s Bantamweight: Sarah Moras (6-5, 1NC) vs. Marion Reneau (9-6-1) The next fight pitted the grappling of Moras against the striking of Reneau, and it made for tight and competitive contest, one where the advantage ebbed and flowed. The ending came early in the third round when Reneau floored Moras with a vicious right cross, Reneau then pounding away on Moras to force the stoppage. After the fight, Reneau, who was returning from suspension, announced her retirement. Result: Marion ‘The Belizean Bruiser’ Reneau beat Sarah ‘Cheesecake’ Moras by TKO due to strikes in 0:45 of Round 3 Women’s Strawweight: Aleksandra Albu (3-3) vs. Loma (6-3) This was another fight where the underdog upset the odds and, in this case, it was the Muay-Thai specialist Loma Lookboonmee who shocked the oddsmakers with a display of precise and pinpoint striking that ended with a stunning right hook late in the first round that left Albu totally unconscious. Lookboonmee acknowledged her underdog status in her post-fight interview, and Lookboonmee said that upsets like this show what can happen when you believe in yourself. Result: Loma Lookboonmee beat Aleksandra ‘Stitch’ Albu by knockout (punch) in 4:05 of Round 1 Women’s Featherweight: Alesha Delcastillo (27-3) vs. Amari Penton (26-6, 1NC) The ever-improving ground game of Amari Penton was a big factor in her dominating this fight, with Alesha Delcastillo having little answer for the brutal ground-and-pound she was subject to. Delcastillo did well in the second round when the fight was standing, landing some great strikes, but once the Penton took her down, Delcastillo just couldn’t make a fight of it, and Penton got the submission early in the third round with an americana. Result: 'Fireball' Amari Penton beat 'Rapid Fire' Alesha Delcastillo by submission due to an americana in 1:27 of Round 3 Light Heavyweight: Michal Oleksiejczuk (15-5) vs. Adam Yandiev (10-2) The first round of the final preliminary fight saw Yandiev dominant with clinching and grappling, Yandiev taking Oleksiejczuk down twice and controlling him on the ground. Oleksiejczuk came back strong in the second round, battering Yandiev in the stand-up and nearly finishing him with a submission after dropping him with a stunning left hook, with Oleksiejczuk doing well to see the round out. Yet the fight didn’t last too much longer once it resumed, and a crunching head kick from Oleksiejczuk knocked Yandiev out cold. Result: Michal ‘The Hammer’ Oleksiejczuk beat Adam ‘Boroda’ Yandiev by knockout (kick) in 0:31 of Round 3 Main Card Women’s Featherweight: Amanda Lemos (8-2-1) vs. Caoimhe Vizcarra (28-3) The main card kicked off with TUF 29 winner Caoimhe Vizcarra taking some solid strikes right away from Amanda Lemos. But Caoimhe was quickly ablt te the fight to her domain, the ground, where the takedown that took Lemos down also put Caoimhe in side-control; one swiftly applied kimura later, and Lamos was furiously tapping out to give Caoimhe a very decisive victory. It was a great showing in by Vizcarra, who was now 2-0 in the UFC and moving up the featherweight ladder at a fair clip. Vizcarra, perhaps taking notes from her TUF coach, Conor McGregor, and showing shades of his liveliness and charisma, called out Norma Dumont, with Vizcarra saying that she’d love to fight Dumont if Dumont has the guts to face her. Result: Caoimhe ‘Twinkle Toes’ Vizcarra beat Amanda Lemos by submission due to a kimura in 1:35 of Round 1 Women’s Bantamweight: Irene Aldana (14-6) vs. Macy Chiasson (8-2) The female bantamweights provided their own highlight-reel finish in the second fight of the main card, a great all-action affair between Irene Aldana and Macy Chiasson. It was non-stop action all the way, with the only negative being that we didn’t get more of the action, but such is the nature of the MMA game. A wild exchange of blows saw Chiasson evaded a right hook and then drill Aldana with a wicked right uppercut. Aldana tried to remain upright but her legs betrayed her and she was collapsing to the mat. Chiasson went in for the kill and unleashed a barrage of punches that destroyed Aladana and gave the referee no option but to jump in and stop the carnage. In her post-fight interview, Chiasson said that she’d like to fight Bethe Correira, as she believed that that would make for a great contest. Result: Macy Chiasson beat Irene 'Robles' Aldana by TKO due to strikes in 2:06 of Round 1 Heavyweight: Sergey Pavlovich (15-2) vs. Adam Wieczorek (12-2) Sergey Pavlovich picked Adam Wieczorek apart throughout this fight, with Wieczorek getting rocked and/or dropped a few times. Wieczorek did well just to survive, but survive is all Wieczorek did, and Pavlovich was in total control for the whole fight. Result: Sergey Pavlovich beat Adam ‘Siwy’ Wieczorek by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26 and 30-26) Light Heavyweight: Jan Blachowicz (28-9) vs. Mauricio Rua (28-12-1) The fight opened up with Rua immediately trying to take Blachowicz down and, despite some stout resistance, Rua was finally able to get Blachowicz down with an outside leg sweep. Rua ended up in side-control and began working Blachowicz over with some methodical knees to the ribs, and it was clear that Rua was pacing himself. Rua went for an armbar but Blachowicz defended well, and the Pole was able to slow things down enough force a stand-up. Blachowicz pressed forward but Rua countered with some well-timed punches and then another takedown attempt, and this time Rua got Blachowicz with a single leg. Rua’s submission skill was in full display as he tried to secure a north-south choke; Blachowicz blocked the attempt, however Rua was able to land some big punches before the round ended, giving the veteran the momentum after a first round that had to surprise people with how ineffective Blachowicz seemed to be. Rua was soon grabbing a hold of Blachowicz in the second round and Blachowicz was forced back up against the cage before a leg sweep had the fight back on the ground. Blachowicz pulled half-guard, which Rua tried to pass, but Blachowicz kept the Brazilian in position. Rua made a concerted effort to pass the half-guard, resulting in a scramble that ended with Blachowicz having to pull guard, and the fight was not going the way anyone expected. The fighters remained in this position for the rest of the round, with Rua doing enough to both keep busy to stop a stand-up and keep Blachowicz from scrambling free, and when the round ended, Blachowicz looked stunned when he returned to his corner, as he too couldn’t believe how the fight was playing out, Blachowicz now needing a finish if he wanted to win the fight. Rua was looking shattered in the third round, the exertion of the first two rounds clearly having taken its toll on his stamina. This gave Blachowicz the chance to physically impose himself on Rua, Blachowicz tying Rua up in a Muay-Thai clinch; Blachowicz landed a nice knee and a good looking elbow, but Rua, with his experience in Muay-Thai, was able to wrestle his way free from the grip of his opponent. Rua was continuing to breath quite heavily, but he gained a respite when an errant finger caught Blachowicz in the eye, forcing the fight to come to a temporary halt while Blachowicz recovered. The fight resumed and Blachowicz, mindful of how the fight had gone, pushed forwards for a finish, but Rua was able to evade all of Blachowicz’s efforts, at least until late in the round when Blachowicz once again locked Rua in a Muay-Thai clinch; Blachowicz landed a series of strikes from this position, but Rua took them well and was able to survive the rest of the round. When it came to the result of the judging, the only surprise was that one judge had given Rua a 10-8 round, which raised a few eyebrows. What didn’t raise eyebrows, at least in any kind of negative way, was the outcome of the fight, as Mauricio Rua had earned a surprising unanimous decision victory. Result: Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua beat Jan Blachowicz by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27 and 29-28) Women’s Bantamweight: Holly Holm (14-6) vs. Juliana Pena (10-4) Holm was noticeably bigger than Pena when they faced off before the fight, but that additional weight didn’t seem to affect Holm too badly, who used a lot of forward pressure and quick combinations to keep Pena off-step. Yet despite being the aggressor, Holm was unable to do any real damage to Pena; she landed some decent shots, but nothing that seriously troubled ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’. Holm had clearly won the first round, but hadn’t really troubled Pena, who was still in the fight. And that was evident when Pena opened up the second round with single leg takedown, and took Holm down to the mat, Holm quickly pulling guard. Holm tried to sweep Pena but Pena remained firmly in place; Holm threw some wild swings from the bottom but Pena easily avoided them. Pena tried to pass the guard of Holm and, while this allowed Holm to scramble to her feet, Pena soon had a hold of Holm again and drove her back up against the cage. Pen was able to smother Holm against the cage for around a minute, working her over with short punches, before Holm wrestled her way free. Holm was soon firing off some strikes, and, whilst she did land, Holm was now breathing a little heavier, and it seemed that Pena had been able to wear Holm down. The round ended soon after, and Pena, after being on the backfoot in the first round, was now back in the fight. The third round opened with Pena once again going for the leg of Holm, although she couldn’t get Holm down and Holm soon worked her way free. Holm started to mix up her punches with some creative kicks, her kickboxing background coming to the fore. But Pena was up to the task of countering this and she was able to again take Holm down, again with a single leg, and again Holm had to pull guard. Pena went to pass the guard of Holm but lost control of her opponent and Holm was able to scramble back to her feet. Both women were soon coming forward, neither one willing to back down, and Holm and Pena both landed some decent strikes, yet nothing with any serious power, and the round ended with Pena making another takedown attempt, Pena powering Holm down to the mat to firmly stamp her authority on the round. The fourth round saw Holm opened up aggressively, ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ clearly feeling she needed to re-establish herself in the fight. Holm landed some nice jabs and kicks, and despite clearly slowing down, she landed some good shots, including a crunching left hook. After taking a flurry of punches and then a kick, Pena went in for another takedown, and was successful in taking Holm back down to the mat. Pena was content to throw body punches and maintain her position, Pena mindful of what happened in earlier rounds when she tried to pass the guard of Holm. Yet her passiveness ended up slowing down the pace enough that the referee ordered a stand-up, and, with less than a minute left in the round, Holm landed beautiful left uppercut that dropped Pena to the mat! Holm seized her chance to finish the fight and she unloaded on Pena with some heavy shots to the head; with Pena getting battered, the referee was left with no choice but to step in and stop the fight, and Holly Holm had survived the domination of Pena to come back and score a win that she desperately needed. In her post-fight interview, Holm called for a fight with Beth Correria, which was a curious call-out given that Holm had previously beaten Correira, and in a fight that nobody was enthused by the first time around. Result: ‘The Preacher's Daughter’ Holly Holm beat Julianna ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ Pena by TKO due to strikes in 4:23 of Round 4 Post-Fight Bonuses Fight of the Night: Holly Holm vs. Juliana Pena Performance of the Night: Loma Lookboonmee Knockout of the Night: Loma Lookboonmee Submission of the Night: Gilbert Burns Predictions CageRage: (11/14) CageRage (Overall): (266/433; 61.43%)

News Blast + UFC Fight Night 188 preview Tuesday of Week 3 of July 2021 Wednesday of Week 3 of July 2021 Audrey Whitworth, Beatrice Farr and Kathleen Caraway have all been sent to Invicta FC in order to gain experience. Thursday of Week 3 of July 2021 Friday of Week 3 of July 2021

News Blast Saturday of Week 2 of July 2021 Amanda Nunes has been stripped of the UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship. Megan Anderson vs. Cris Cyborg will now be for the vacant title, and that fight has been moved from UFC 265 to the co-main event spot of UFC on ESPN 14. As a result of this change, Anthony Johnson vs. Stipe Miocic has been moved from UFC on ESPN 14 to UFC 265. Sunday of Week 2 of July 2021 Monday of Week 3 of July 2021

<p>Okami vs. Weidman to headline UFC Fight Night 190</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="cG1mhfY.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cG1mhfY.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> <span style="font-size:18px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Okami vs. Weidman to headline UFC Fight Night 190</span></strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <em>Saturday of Week 2 of July 2021</em></p><p> </p><p> Yushin Okami, the Japanese legend, returns to the UFC to headline UFC Fight Night 190, and Okami, never one to turn down a challenge, faces one of his toughest to date when he takes on Chris Weidman, the former UFC Middleweight Champion.</p><p> </p><p> Okami is a wily and crafty veteran of fifty fights, many more than his opponent, but Weidman has achieved something Okami has not, the status of UFC champion; will Weidman be Okami’s first victim on his road to finally achieving UFC gold, or will Weidman sour the return of Japan’s greatest middleweight?</p><p> </p><p> In the heavyweight division, Ciryl Gane continues his journey up the heavyweight rankings against the hard-hitting Aussie, Tai Tuivisa. Gane is a well-rounded striker, with a 13-0 record in Muay Thai, but Tai Tuivisa has some of the heaviest hands of anyone in the heavyweight division. In the co-main event, will diversity defeat power, or will heavy hands have the edge?</p><p> </p><p> ‘Raging’ Al Iaquinta faces Arman Tsarukyan in what could a serious contender for Fight of the Night honours, while Ariane Carnelossi will try to hand Angela Lee her first loss since arriving in the UFC, Lee having won her debut fight in convincing fashion.</p><p> </p><p> And in what is sure to start the main card off with a bang, a featherweight contest sees Andre Fili step into the Octagon against Brian Ortega.</p><p> </p><p> It’s a great main card, with a tasty preliminary card as the appetiser, one that includes the UFC debut of Logan Storely, and it takes place on Saturday of Week 2 of September in Montana.</p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Arial Black';"><span style="font-size:24px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="color:#2F4F4F;">UFC Fight Night 190: Okami vs. Weidman</span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Arial Black';"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="color:#2F4F4F;">Main Card</span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="MXO6B7v.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MXO6B7v.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="0ZxIGaT.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/0ZxIGaT.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Middleweight:</strong></span> Yushin Okami <em>(#21, 38-12)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Chris Weidman <em>(#12, 15-6)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="wzJ1nDO.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wzJ1nDO.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="4459DV4.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/4459DV4.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Heavyweight:</strong></span> Ciryl Gane <em>(#13, 11-1)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Tai Tuivisa <em>(#6, 10-4)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="OOlPzyT.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/OOlPzyT.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="bZxDokP.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bZxDokP.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Lightweight:</strong></span> Al Iaquinta <em>(#18, 14-6-1, 1NC)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Arman Tsarukyan <em>(#20, 17-3)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="tup1fQR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tup1fQR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="rWru5h0.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rWru5h0.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Women’s Strawweight:</strong></span> Ariane Carnelossi <em>(13-3)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Angela Lee <em>(12-3)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="8QLb5lM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/8QLb5lM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="AMYjNgC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AMYjNgC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Featherweight:</strong></span> Andre Fili <em>(#8, 21-7)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Brian Ortega <em>(#5, 15-3, 1NC)</em></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Arial Black';"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="color:#2F4F4F;">Preliminary Card</span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="B2UFcmA.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/B2UFcmA.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="nzQxpAm.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nzQxpAm.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Middleweight:</strong></span> Andre Muniz <em>(21-4)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Markus Perez <em>(13-3)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="oSHwP94.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/oSHwP94.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="sjrr0Je.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sjrr0Je.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Welterweight:</strong></span> Phillip Rowe <em>(8-2)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Logan Storley <em>(14-0)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="2wZIlNo.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2wZIlNo.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Z7kSzss.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Z7kSzss.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Welterweight:</strong></span> Emil Meek <em>(10-6, 1NC)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Brok Weaver <em>(16-5)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="h75bTKe.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/h75bTKe.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="7zbRMt1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7zbRMt1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Lightweight:</strong></span> Paul Felder <em>(#13, 19-7)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Yancy Medeiros <em>(16-8, 1NC)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="LabMzbB.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LabMzbB.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="MwydssD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MwydssD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Women’s Flyweight:</strong></span> Sabina Mazo <em>(10-1)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Polyana Viana <em>(11-5)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="bCniTuK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bCniTuK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="2ANdwQ1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2ANdwQ1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Women’s Bantamweight:</strong></span> Tracy Cortez <em>(#21, 9-2)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Lara Procopio <em>(#22, 8-1)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="TpZIMgu.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/TpZIMgu.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="z6kkqG3.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/z6kkqG3.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Bantamweight:</strong></span> Brad Katona <em>(10-3)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Diego Perieira <em>(9-3)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="DvbOjln.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/DvbOjln.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="egZjnan.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/egZjnan.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Featherweight:</strong></span> Gabriel Benitez <em>(22-8)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Darrick Minner <em>(25-12)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="bTPRDPm.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bTPRDPm.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="e5Rwukq.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/e5Rwukq.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Flyweight:</strong></span> Jenel Lausa <em>(#24, 9-5)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Shohei Masumizu <em>(#23, 12-3)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="aCzp1so.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/aCzp1so.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ka2V17P.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ka2V17P.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Heavyweight:</strong></span> Davion Franklin <em>(#24, 4-1)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Delroy Masemola <em>(2-0)</em></p></div><p></p><p></p>

News Blast Wednesday of Week 2 of July 2021 Thursday of Week 2 of July 2021 Friday of Week 2 of July 2021

News Blast Saturday of Week 1 of July 2021 Sunday of Week 1 of July 2021 Monday of Week 2 of July 2021 Tuesday of Week 2 of July 2021

UFC returns to ESPN; Shevchenko to defend against Barber UFC returns to ESPN; Shevchenko to defend against Barber Saturday of Week 1 of July 2021 The UFC today announced their return to ESPN, featuring the company’s 14th special on the sporting network, and it will be headlined by Valentina Shevchenko defending the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship against Maycee Barber, the number one contender to the title, and the next woman facing the seemingly impossible challenge of finding a way to unseat the greatest female flyweight of all time. Barber is on quite the roll, but will it be enough to unseat a champion who seems to have no equal? In the co-main event, Stipe Miocic returns to action for the first time since losing the UFC Heavyweight Championship, and he faces the hardest hitting opponent of his career as he steps into the Octagon against Anthony Johnson. Johnson has hit fantastic form coming into this fight, and a big win over the former heavyweight champion would surely put Johnson in line for a shot at the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Can Miocic stop the freight train that is Anthony Johnson? In the women’s bantamweight division, former title challenger Bethe Correia takes on rising starlet Aspen Ladd. TUF 29 finalist Sheila Blakey takes on Larissa Pacheco as Blakey seeks to bounce back from the first loss of her career, which she suffered at the hands of Caoimhe Vizcarra in the TUF 29 final. And the main card opener, Shana Dobson looks to build on the momentum of her upset win over Joanna Calderwood at UFC Fight Night on HBO 3, as she takes on Ariane Lipski. The UFC’s big return to ESPN, as well as a top-quality preliminary card, takes place on Saturday of Week 1 of September in Kentucky. UFC on ESPN 14: Shevchenko vs. Barber Main Card UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion: Valentina Shevchenko © (#1, 22-3) vs. Maycee Barber (#2, 11-1) Heavyweight: Anthony Johnson (#2, 25-7) vs. Stipe Miocic (#7, 20-4) Women’s Bantamweight: Bethe Correia (#4, 13-5-1) vs. Aspen Ladd (#7, 10-2) Women’s Featherweight: Sheila Blakey (#16, 34-1) vs. Larissa Pacheco (#10, 16-4) Women’s Flyweight: Shana Dobson (7-5) vs. Ariane Lipski (#14, 14-6) Preliminary Card Middleweight: Brendan Allen (16-3) vs. Trevin Giles (13-3) Middleweight: Anthony Hernandez (7-2, 1NC) vs. Karl Roberson (9-4) Middleweight: Marceo Guimaraes (10-2-1) vs. Antonio Braga Neto (9-5, 1NC) Middleweight: Marc-Andre Barriault (12-5) vs. Makhmud Muradov (24-7) Welterweight: Maki Pitolo (13-5) vs. Alexander Yakolev (26-10-1) Welterweight: Miguel Baeza (8-1) vs. Takashi Sato (16-3) Welterweight: Brian Camozzi (8-6) vs. Kenan Song 16-6) Welterweight: Ramazan Emeev (19-4) vs. Laurean Staropoli (9-3) Women’s Strawweight: Mallory Martin (6-5) vs. Vivian Pereira (14-6) Women’s Strawweight: Virna Jandiroba (#23, 17-3) vs. Natalia Silva (13-5-1)

<p>UFC Rankings for Sunday, Week 1 of July 2021</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="LQTO025.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LQTO025.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <img alt="8iLsPbG.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/8iLsPbG.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="sFBUkZ4.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sFBUkZ4.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="z5Gq9lO.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/z5Gq9lO.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="Pb6gREk.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Pb6gREk.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="pPnrIM4.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/pPnrIM4.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="20mw53R.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/20mw53R.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="OYgeIw0.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/OYgeIw0.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="juoeEDR.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/juoeEDR.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="MqeSseq.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MqeSseq.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="thBhhiB.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/thBhhiB.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="yw8qTlM.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yw8qTlM.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p>

UFC on Fight Pass 5: Guida vs. Pettis II UFC on Fight Pass 5: Guida vs. Pettis II Date: Saturday of Week 1 of July 2021 Location: Tennessee Attendance: 2,321 Gate: $440,990 Critical Rating: 76% Commercial Rating: 69% Commentary Team: John Gooden and Dan Hardy Preliminary Card Women’s Flyweight: Ji Yeon Kim (#13, 12-2-2) vs. Maryna Moroz (#16, 11-4) Result: ‘Fire Fist’ Yeon Kim beat ‘The Iron Lady’ Maryna Moroz by submission due to an armbar in 3:48 of Round 2 Women’s Flyweight: J.J. Aldrich (#21, 9-6) vs. Jessica-Rose Clark (#18, 10-7, 1NC) Result: J.J. Aldrich beat Jessica-Rose ‘Jessy Jess’ Clark by TKO due to strikes in 1:18 of Round 2 Women’s Flyweight: Diane Belbita (12-5) vs. Barb Honchak (#24, 10-6) Result: ‘Little Warrior’ Barb Honchak beat ‘The Warrior Princess’ Diana Belbita by submission due to an armbar in 2:44 of Round 1 Women’s Strawweight: Felice Herrig (14-10, 1NC) vs. Mizuki Inoue (#22, 16-7) Result: Mizuki Inoue beat Felice ‘Lil’ Bulldog’ Herrig by TKO due to strikes in 2:33 of Round 3 Main Card Welterweight: James Krause (28-9) vs. Geoff Neal (#17, 14-3) Result: Geoff ‘Handz of Steel’ Neal beat ‘The’ James Krauseby knockout (punch) in 0:43 of Round 2 Welterweight: Erik Koch (17-7) vs. Tim Means (31-12-1, 1NC) Result: Tim ‘The Dirty Bird’ Means beat Erik ‘New Breed’ Koch by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 and 29-28) Lightweight: Dustin Poirier (#15, 25-8, 1NC) vs. Matt Wiman (18-9) Result: Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier beat ‘Handsome’ Matt Wiman by knockout (punch) in 0:35 of Round 2 Lightweight: Clay Guida (36-20) vs. Anthony Pettis (#17, 23-10, 1NC) Result: Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis beat Clay ‘The Carpenter’ Guida by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47 and 48-47) Post-fight interview notes Ji Yeon Kim challenged Lucie Pudilova Geoff Neal challenged Carlos Condit Tim Means challenged Michael Hill Post-Fight Bonuses Fight of the Night: Ji Yeon Kim vs. Maryna Moroz Performance of the Night: J.J. Aldrich Knockout of the Night: Geoff Neal Submission of the Night: Barb Honchak Predictions CageRage:*(6/8) CageRage (Overall):*(255/419; 60.85%)

News Blast + Preview of UFC on Fight Pass 5 Tuesday of Week 1 July 2021 Wednesday of Week 1 of July 2021 Thursday of Week 1 of July 2021 Friday of Week 1 of July 2021

News Blast Saturday of Week 4 of March 2021 Monday of Week 1 of April 2021

<p>Max Holloway returns home to defend featherweight title; will face Yair Rodriguez</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="cG1mhfY.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cG1mhfY.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Arial Black';"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Max Holloway returns home to defend featherweight title; will face Yair Rodriguez</span></strong></span></span></p><p> </p><p> <em>Saturday of Week 4 of March 2021</em></p><p> </p><p> The UFC will make its first ever stop in Hawaii, and the main event will be a major one for the Hawaiians as their favourite son, Max Holloway, will defend the UFC Featherweight Championship against Yair Rodriguez.</p><p> </p><p> After losing the featherweight title to Alexander Volkanovski, Holloway rebounded in style with a 59-second demolition of the highly touted Zabit Magomedsharipov, before going on to reclaim his title with a win over Chan Sung Jung. Now, Holloway makes the first defence in his title, in front of his home fans, but it won’t be easy to retain the title against Yair Rodriguez.</p><p> </p><p> Yair Rodriguez stunned fans with one of the most spectacular knockouts of 2018 against Chan Sung Jung. A no-contest with Jeremy Stephens followed, but, after beating Stephens in the rematch, Rodriguez registered back-to-back first round knockouts over Brian Ortega and Shane Burgos, putting Rodriguez in position to receive his first title shot in the UFC. </p><p> </p><p> Rodriguez is one win away from achieving his dream, of becoming a UFC champion, yet he must beat an opponent who many consider the greatest featherweight fighter of all time.</p><p> </p><p> Who will win when the UFC makes its debut in The Aloha State?</p><p> </p><p> In the co-main event, the dominant UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentine Shevchenko faces the next challenger who is faced with the challenge of beating a seemingly unbeatable champion, when she defends her title against Montana de la Rosa.</p><p> </p><p> After beating Joanna Jedrzejczyk to claim the vacant title, Shevchenko has reeled off five successful title defences, giving her a seven-fight winning streak, and at UFC 262, she puts that tremendous run of form on the line against the well-rounded Montana de la Rosa.</p><p> </p><p> Montana de la Rosa heads into her title fight on the back of four straight wins, with one of those victories against Antonina Shevchenko, the older sister of the champion. Rosa has as much momentum behind her as she’s ever had in her career, and she’ll need it when she takes on the toughest challenge of her career, by far.</p><p> </p><p> Can Montana de la Rosa upset the odds and become the new UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion?</p><p> </p><p> After seeing his unbeaten UFC run come to a crashing halt at the hands of the then-former champion Max Holloway, Zabit Magomedsharipov bounced back with decisive wins over Brian Ortega and Frankie Edgar. Magomedsharipov now could be one win away from a title fight when he takes on former champion Chan Sung Jung, who must himself bounce back after losing the featherweight title to Max Holloway.</p><p> </p><p> Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum had one of the greatest fights of all time at UFC 236, a fight which saw Adesanya beat Gastelum to become the interim UFC Middleweight Champion. Since that fight, Adesanya has lost the middleweight title, and Gastelum has had a rather poor run of form. With Adesanya looking to re-establish himself after losing the middleweight title, and Gastelum in desperate need of a win, both men will feel they have a lot to prove heading into this highly anticipated rematch.</p><p> </p><p> And the main card kicks off with fight in the women’s featherweight division, as TUF 29 finalist Sheila Blakey goes up against Zarah Fairn Dos Santos.</p><p> </p><p> This great night of action, and a loaded preliminary card that’s headlined by a rematch between Derek Brunson and Yoel Romero, takes place on Saturday, Week 4 of May in Hawaii.</p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Arial Black';"><span style="font-size:24px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="color:#8B0000;">UFC 262: The Homecoming</span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Arial Black';"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="color:#8B0000;">Main Card</span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="aW2ke8a.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/aW2ke8a.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="7fjT0cX.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7fjT0cX.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>UFC Featherweight Champion:</strong></span> Max Holloway <strong>©</strong> <em>(#1, 23-5)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Yair Rodriguez <em>(#3, 15-2)</em> <em>for the UFC Featherweight Championship</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="2kPEEeJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2kPEEeJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6kqVEo7.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6kqVEo7.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion:</strong></span> Valentina Shevchenko <strong>©</strong> <em>(#1, 21-3)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Montana de la Rosa <em>(#2, 14-5)</em> <em>for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="xdxj0tq.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xdxj0tq.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="PEFSwXQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/PEFSwXQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Featherweight:</strong></span> Zabit Magomedsharipov <em>(#4, 20-2)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Chan Sung Jung <em>(#8, 17-6)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="FRL7ZpH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/FRL7ZpH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="CptHRMv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/CptHRMv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Middleweight:</strong></span> Israel Adesanya <em>(#4, 20-1)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Kelvin Gastelum <em>(#13, 17-6, 1NC)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="l86n1VV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/l86n1VV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="n1c4s2j.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/n1c4s2j.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Women’s Featherweight:</strong></span> Sheila Blakey <em>(#16, 33-1)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Zarah Fairn Dos Santos <em>(#10, 7-4)</em></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Arial Black';"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="color:#8B0000;">Preliminary Card</span></span></strong></span></span></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="XjlCKEU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XjlCKEU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="bVQBjEW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bVQBjEW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Middleweight:</strong></span> Derek Brunson <em>(#10, 21-8)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Yoel Romero <em>(#9, 13-6)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="HNFIbjd.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HNFIbjd.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="B58afeF.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/B58afeF.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Heavyweight:</strong></span> Anthony Johnson <em>(#6, 24-7)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Marcin Tybura <em>(#13,19-7)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="PrlGv8o.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/PrlGv8o.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="SCp82qi.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/SCp82qi.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Welterweight:</strong></span> Alex Oliveira <em>(#25, 29-1-2, 1NC)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Niko Price <em>(#17, 16-3, 1NC)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="iJdMrzN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iJdMrzN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="0iA3zbN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/0iA3zbN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Flyweight:</strong></span> Joseph Benavidez <em>(#9, 28-7)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Jussier da Silva <em>(#4, 24-7)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="DBfb4ER.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/DBfb4ER.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="asj9htW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/asj9htW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Bantamweight:</strong></span> Rob Font <em>(#8, 18-5)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Brett Johns <em>(#13, 19-2)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="9xqqjS2.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/9xqqjS2.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="rSf2pVh.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rSf2pVh.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Light Heavyweight:</strong></span> Jim Crute <em>(#10, 13-1)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Jiri Prochazka <em>(#22, 27-4-1)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="bsiLJqb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bsiLJqb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="dhW17YK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dhW17YK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Light Heavyweight:</strong></span> Ion Cutelaba <em>(#16, 17-6, 1NC)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Thiago Santos <em>(#12, 21-9)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="abX4Fp1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/abX4Fp1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="2ANdwQ1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2ANdwQ1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Women’s Bantamweight:</strong></span> Sarah Alpar <em>(#23, 10-4)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Lara Procopio <em>(#24, 7-1)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="abX4Fp1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/abX4Fp1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Dak68dm.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Dak68dm.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Women’s Bantamweight:</strong></span> Sijara Eubanks <em>(#18, 4-5, 1NC)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Liana Jojua <em>(#20, 8-4)</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="iXYf9pW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iXYf9pW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jd3Ws5b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jd3Ws5b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ZOvqvoq.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZOvqvoq.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Women’s Flyweight:</strong></span> Izabela Badurek <em>(8-6)</em> <span style="color:#A0522D;"><strong>vs.</strong></span> Miranda Granger <em>(8-1)</em></p></div><p></p><p></p>

UFC Rankings for Sunday, Week 4 of March 2021

UFC 260: The Buckeye Brawl UFC 260: The Buckeye Brawl Date: Saturday of Week 4 of March 2021 Location: Ohio Attendance: 21,148 Gate: $5,329,296 PPV Revenue: $271,512 Critical Rating: 71% Commercial Rating: 95% Commentary Team: Jon Anik, Joe Rogan and Dan Hardy Preliminary Card Lightweight: Paul Felder (#16, 18-7) vs. Arman Tsarukyan (#14, 17-2) The opener was a decent fight, a fairly competitive one on the whole, with Felder looking better in the stand-up and Tsarukyan controlling things on the ground. Felder busted Tsarukyan open in the first round, which is what caused Tsarukyan to take things to the mat in the second round. The competitive nature of the fight meant that, when it went the distance, nobody was sure how the judges would see things. In the end, the judges wound up split, and Felder was the one who came away the winner. Result: ‘The Irish Dragon’ Paul Felder beat Arman Tsarukyan by split decision (29-28, 29-28, and 28-29) Lightweight: Bobby Green (25-11-1) vs. James Vick (#10, 14-5) This was a great fight, one with constant action due to the forward pressure both fighters tried to put on their opponents. Green and Vick were mixing up punches and kicks, although it seemed like Vick was favouring kicks over punches. And you saw why early in the second round, when a stinging right high kick had Green backing up and covering up, Green clearly hurt badly by the strike. Green was slumped against the cage, and easy prey for Vick, who drilled Green with a right cross, followed by another big right hand, and, despite Green remaining upright, he was getting rocked and offering little in the way of intelligent defence and the referee jumped in to stop the contest. Result: ‘The Texecutioner’ James Vick beat Bobby ‘King’ Green by TKO due to strikes in 0:53 of Round 2 Lightweight: Mark Madsen (11-0) vs. Omar Morales (10-0) Somebody’s 0 had to go and, here, it was the favourite, Mark Madsen, who would taste defeat for the first time. Morales was edging ahead of Madsen before landing a head kick that had Madsen on unsteady feet; a big right hook dropped him and Morales pounded him out to get the stoppage. Morales was asked who he wanted to fight next, and he said he was interested in fighting Nasrat Haqparast. Result: Omar Morales beat ‘The Olympian’ Mark Madsen by TKO due to strikes in 3:36 of Round 1 Featherweight: Doo Ho Choi (#20, 16-4) vs. Darren Elkins (#23, 24-9) Although this wasn’t a bad fight, it also wasn’t a very exciting fight due to Elkin’s strategy of smothering Choi against the cage or the mat for prolonged periods. It was effective, and earned Elkins the unanimous decision victory, but it didn’t make for thrilling viewing, and it did nothing to make you interested in seeing Elkins fight again. Result: Darren ‘The Damage’ Elkins beat ‘The Korean Super Boy’ Doo Ho Choi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 and 30-27) Featherweight: Ricardo Lamas (#12, 19-9) vs. Cub Swanson (#19, 6-12) Ricardo Lamas and Cub Swanson brought the fans back to life with a great fight, a hard-hitting all-action affair that was everything the previous fight wasn’t. It was a very bruising encounter for Lamas, who was rocked early in the second round by a head kick, Lamas then taking a big right hand before managing to circle away and gaining the time he needed to recover. Lamas was competitive for the remainder of the round, but it was clear heading into the third round that he needed a finish to win this one. A finish was had in third round, but Lamas was on the wrong end of it, with Swanson showing good boxing to land a flurry of three punches that ended with a right hook that had Lamas reeling. A huge right hand caught Lamas behind the ear and dropped him, and Swanson began raining down punches, Swanson landing some powerful shots before the referee felt he’d seen enough and interceded to stop the fight. Result: Cub Swanson beat Ricardo Lamas by TKO due to strikes in 1:21 of Round 3 Featherweight: Khalid Taha (#21, 15-1) vs. Sodiq Yussuf (#16, 13-1) The first round was strongly contested, especially with Yussuf trying hard to take Taha down and Taha making a spirited defence against this. Yussuf was eventually successful, but Taha was quickly able to get back to his feet, although he was unable escape the grip of Yussuf, who displayed little in the way of effective offence. Taha dropped Yussuf early in the second round and Yussuf was on defense trying to fend off Taha’s attempts to finish him for the remainder of the round, Yussuf on his back for almost the entire round. The third round was all stand-up, was just as competitive as the previous two rounds, and, late on, Taha landed a three-punch combination that ended with a right cross, a right cross that also ended the night for Yussuf, who was knocked out. Result: Khalid ‘The Warrior’ Taha beat ‘Super’ Sodiq Yusuff by knockout (punch) in 3:13 of Round 3 Bantamweight: Merab Dvalishvili (10-5) vs. Sean O’Malley (12-0) The rising bantamweight superstar 'Sugar' Sean O'Malley needed less than a minute to put away his more experienced opponent, O'Malley dropping and finishing Merab Dvalishvili in only 53 seconds. In a lively interview, and showing great charisma, O’Malley said he was going out to celebrate his win; it’s worthy of celebration. And his fans are welcome to join him. Result: ‘Sugar’ Sean O'Malley beat Merab Dvalishvili by TKO due to strikes in 0:53 of Round 1 Women’s Bantamweight: Macy Chaisson (#2, 8-1) vs. Ketlen Viera (#12, 11-2) The stifling top-game of Ketlen Viera was too much for Macy Chiasson, who found herself getting thrown to the ground judo-style repeatedly, with Veira doing a masterful job of controlling her once she was down. Chiasson was playing defence virtually the entire way, and was almost finished in the second round, making the lone 29-28 score rather puzzling. Ketlen had good post-fight interview, and she definitely knows how to work a crowd and get them onside. Result: Ketlen ‘Fenomeno’ Vieira beat Macy Chiasson by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 and 30-27) Women’s Flyweight: Maycee Barber (#6, 10-1) vs. Ariane Lipski ( #11, 14-5) Next up was a fantastic flyweight fight, with both Barber and Lipski leaving it all in the cage in their attempt to win. It was a very physical and brutal fight, one that would certainly make fan favourites of both women, and it was almost a shame that somebody had to lose. On this night, it was Lipski who was the unlucky one; Barber wobbled her with a right cross and then floored her with a vicious right uppercut. Barber then pounded away on Lipski, not letting up until the referee stepped in stop the fight, the fans roaring in appreciation of a terrific contest. Barber was a class-act in her post-fight interview, coming off as a real star. She said she wanted to fight Joanne Calderwood, Barber saying that she respected Calderwood and believed that they would have a great fight. Result: Maycee ‘The Future’ Barber beat ‘Violence Queen’ Ariane Lipski by TKO due to strikes in 3:59 of Round 2 Women’s Strawweight: Hannah Cifers (#22, 12-4) vs. Virna Jandiroba (#17, 17-2) Most of the fight saw Cifers and Jandiroba taking turns at smothering each other up against the fence, and there were nice strikes thrown by both women from this position, albeit intermittently. The end came after they were separated by the referee; Cifers landed a massive right head kick that felled Jandiroba, and Cifers unleashed a barrage of blows, battering Jandiroba and leaving the referee no choice but to stop the fight, giving Cifers the upset victory. Not one to let momentum go to waste, Cifers had her next fight in mind as she challenged Jessica Penne. Cifers said that she’d always respected Penne and thought that their fight would be a great one for the fans. Result: ‘Shockwave’ Hannah Cifers beat Virna ‘Carcara’ Jandiroba by TKO due to strikes in 4:15 of Round 2 Main Card Heavyweight: Walt Harris (#3, 15-7, 1NC) vs. Alistair Overeem (#12, 45-19, 1NC) This was a bruising encounter between two heavy-handed heavyweights. Harris and Overeem were both aggressive, as you’d expected, but it was Harris who landed the first major blow of the fight, avoiding a right hook from Overeem and landing a vicious right cross that dropped the Dutchman. Harris went for the finish but Overeem was able to avoid enough of Harris’s punches to make Harris slow down, less he burn himself out, and Harris had to settle for remaining in Overeem’s half-guard for the rest of the round. Harris didn’t take long to pick up from where left off and, early in the second round, he dropped Overeem again, once more avoiding a right hand, this time countering with a wicked right uppercut. Harris went for the finish but, as with the previous round, Overeem was able to keep from being stopped. Overeem tried to get Harris into half-guard and, in the resultant scramble, Overeem managed to end up on top and it was Harris who was now pulling guard. The action slowed, both men wary of giving the other an opening. Overeem tried to pass the guard of Harris but Harris was ready and started to scramble and he ended up back in top-position and the action slowed until the end of the round. In the third round, Overeem managed to open a cut under the eye of Harris, who was appearing to be slowing down a little. Overeem didn’t really pick up the pace though as he was also slowing down and the brawling was replaced with heavy clinch work, Overeem pressing Harris up against the cage. Overeem’s experience in Muay Thai helped him to keep Harris in place as he worked him over with some dirty boxing. Harris looked exhausted, but he had enough to block Overeem’s strikes and he was able to see the round out. Because of the knockdowns in the first and second rounds, Harris was the easy winner on the scorecards, with two of the judges giving Harris a 10-8 round. Harris came off very well in his post-fight interview; he always does, not least of all because he’s a good talker. Result: Walt ‘The Big Ticket’ Harris beat Alistair ‘Demolition Man’ Overeem by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28 and 29-27) Welterweight: Colby Covington (#7, 16-3) vs. Tyron Woodley (#2, 20-5-1) This fight was a true grudge match, with Covington and Woodley having a serious dislike of each other, one that had been well noted. And, unlike most grudge fights, this one wasn’t a disappointment. Covington was quick to try and take Woodley down, but the former welterweight champion was not only able to block the takedown, but Woodley used double underhooks to set up a leg sweep and take Covington down instead. Covington pulled guard, and Woodley began trying to pass that guard; as Covington defended against this, the two began scrambling for position, and Woodley ended up holding Covington down from behind with a waist-lock. Woodley landed some decent punches from here, but they weren’t doing much damage, and Covington was once more scrambling for a better position; Covington got what he was after and Woodley was forced to turtle, with Covington having a firm grip of his opponent while he was facing him. Covington hurriedly began wrapping his arms around the neck of Woodley and, before Woodley had time to fend him off, Covington had secured a a D'Arce choke; Woodley began kicking and trying to escape, rolling around the mat, but Covington had the hold on too tight and Woodley was forced to tap out, the first submission loss of his career. Covington was as brash as you’d expect in his post-fight interview, as the reaffirmed his intent on fighting Leon Edwards, with Covington expressing his belief that Edwards is still ducking him. Result: Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington beat Tyron ‘The Chosen One’ Woodley by submission due to a D’arce choke in 3:57 of Round 1 Women’s Strawweight: Angela Hill (#8, 14-7) vs. Rose Namajunas (#6, 9-5) The action began with Namajunas landing some strikes before taking Hill down, Namajunas knowing that Hill was a very proficient striker. Yet Hill showed her ground game by blocking Namajunas’ attempt to pass her guard, and, in the scramble that followed, a failed guillotine attempt from Namajunas saw Hill end up in the guard of her opponent. Hill tried to land some punches on Namajunas but Namajunas defended them well before managing to sweep, albeit a little sloppily, Hill, and another scramble saw Namajunas end up in half-guard. Namajunas slowed things down from here, content to catch a breath and deliver a few short punches to the ribs of Hill, although she did manage to gain side-control before the round ended. Hill and Namajunas exchanged some nice jabs, with Namajunas also able to land a nice kick to the rib cage. Just under minute into the second round, Namajunas shot in fast and took Hill down before Hill could even attempt to block her, and Hill was forced to pull guard. Namajunas tried to pass the guard of Hill, and Hill allowed this to happen to give her an opening to attempt to scramble free, but it was a serious error because Namajunas ended up on top of Hill in north-south control. Hill tried to scramble free, but there was no budging Namajunas, who sunk in a north-south choke, and Hill made a few attempts to kick free before quickly tapping out, giving ‘Thug’ a well-earned victory. Result: ‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas beat Angela ‘Overkill’ Hill by submission due to a north-south choke in 2:03 of Round 2 Light Heavyweight: Corey Anderson (#9, 14-6) vs. Alexander Gustafsson (#4, 19-6) Alexander Gustafsson had made a successful return to action with a win over Mauricio Rua, and now he would be facing an opponent who was no stranger to Rua, with Anderson losing to Rua last year, but having since resumed his winning ways. Gustafsson was walking Anderson down right from the beginning, the Swede coming forward with punches and kicks, putting Anderson on the backfoot, Anderson seemingly unable to get into his rhythm. But Gustafsson was firmly in his rhythm and, just over a minute in, he dropped Anderson with a massive right to the ribs. Defenceless, Anderson was easy prey for the follow up barrage, one of which put Anderson’s lights out and had the referee quickly stopping the fight. In his post-fight interview, Gustafsson said that he can always rely on his punches, which Gustafsson feels is a big advantage for him. Result: Alexander ‘The Mauler’ Gustafsson beat Corey ‘Overtime’ Anderson by knockout (punch) in 1:21 of Round 1 UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion: Zhang Weili © (#1, 23-1) vs. Tatiana Suarez (#3, 10-0) for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship It was time for the first title fight of the evening as Zhang Weili defended her strawweight title against the undefeated TUF 23 winner Tatiana Suarez. Weili was coming off a decisive win over Rose Namajunas, while Suarez had the momentum of going undefeated in her career so far, a run that included wins over Cynthia Calvillo and two-time strawweight title challenger Cláudia Gadelha. Unsurprisingly, Suarez opened up with a takedown attempt and, although she couldn’t complete the single leg, Suarez was able to force Weili back up against the cage, and both women stayed in this position for an extended period, neither taking the risk of leaving an opening for the other, and only exchanging in some dirty boxing. Eventually, the referee ordered a separation and brought the action back to the center of the ring. It didn’t take long, though, for Suarez to try and push Weili back up against the cage again; when that wasn’t successful, Weili blocked the follow up takedown attempt and tried to use a whizzer to turn Suarez around, but Suarez blocked it and was also able to finally get Weili back up against cage. But the champion wasn’t there for long before breaking free and circling back to the center of the cage. With the round coming to an end, Suarez shot in for another takedown, but Weili landed a well-timed and powerful straight right to the jaw; it dropped Suarez, but before Weili could follow up, the round ended, and the fans were now buzzing after that stunning and unexpected end to the round. The second round saw Suarez get a hold of Weili early, the challenger getting double underhooks on the champion, and, after a big struggle, both women jockeying for control, Suarez was able to take Weili down to the mat, getting side-control in the process. Suarez took a few moments to catch a breather before working for a kimura, which Weili was able to defend against despite Suarez really going for it. With time running out in the round, Suarez tried to work her way into the mount, but the champion defended resolutely, and the action stalled enough for the referee to order a stand-up. There wasn’t much time left in the second round, but Suarez didn’t need much time to once more take Weili down, with a single leg, and the challenger was able to control the champion for the final thirty seconds of the second stanza. In the third round, Weili used some well-timed punches to keep Suarez at bay, the challenger once more looking to take down the champion. Suarez took a number of punches before she was finally able to get a hold of Weili, Suarez snatching a single leg, although she was only able to back Weili up against the cage again. There was a lengthy stalemate as neither fighter was willing to take any risks, Suarez simply grinding Weili against the cage to try and wear her down. Eventually the referee restarted the fight in the center of the cage, and Weili was able to tag Suarez with some more precise punching, and she landed some great punches, as well as a vicious right roundhouse kick to the ribs, and, as the round ended, it was increasingly clear that the fight was going to be dominated by which ever fighter could keep the action in their preferred position. The fourth round opened up with Weili using strikes to both damage Suarez, and, more importantly, keep her at a distance. Suarez repeatedly tried to get in close to get her hands on Weili, but the champion had found her rhythm and was able to keep the challenger at bay for over a minute before Suarez finally got a hold of her. Suarez got double underhooks and tried to take Weili down, but she couldn’t do it, Weili showing stout defence, and Weili was able to use the whizzer this time and turn Suarez enough so that she was able to break free from her grip and circle away. But a kick by Weili was caught by Suarez, and this allowed the challenger got a hold of the champion and take her down again, Weili forced to pull guard. Suarez was quick to try and pass her guard, but Weili was ready for this and she was able to scramble to her feet, yet not out of the grip of Suarez who pushed her back up against the cage, Suarez once again grinding Weili against the cage to wear her down, and that’s how the reset of the round played out. As both fighters went back to their respective corners, Weili was the one who was breathing the heavier of the two; although Suarez had exerted herself with a wrestling-heavy strategy, it didn’t appear to be tiring her out, at least not yet. Weili opened the fifth round aggressively and, with little over fifteen seconds gone, she cracked Suarez with a crunching right hook that had Suarez covering up and slumped against the cage looking dazed and unsteady. Weili went under the guard of Suarez to deliver a blistering uppercut, yet Suarez remained upright, and, when Weili went for a big right hook, Suarez somehow avoided it and circled back out to the center, no doubt looking to regain her composure. Weili came forward, determined to maintain her advantage and perhaps get a finish, but Suarez seized the opening and clinched up with Weili and push her back up against the cage. Suarez looked to go for some dirty boxing, but Weili kept Suarez close enough to stop that from happening. Yet she couldn’t escape from her predicament, with Suarez peppering the side of her head with short punches. The action slowed down again, and another separation was ordered by the referee, and we saw Suarez breathing a little deeper, the fight looking to have finally started taking a toll on her stamina. Weili managed to keep Suarez at bay, even opening up a small gash under her eye, until late in the round when Suarez finally got a hold of her once more, although Suarez couldn’t do anything more than push Weili back up against the cage before the round ended. There was a smattering of polite applause, the fight not having been the most exciting of affairs despite the taxing nature of it, both women now breathing heavily. The commentators were in agreement in how they felt the fight would be judged, that it would come down to control vs. damage. Suarez had clearly controlled the majority of the fight, yet Weili had undoubtedly done more damage, and was far more aggressive in that regard as well, with Suarez happy to grind Weili out and wear her down as opposed to actively going for the finish. In the end, the judges all favoured aggression and damage; they had all given the fight to Zhang Weili, and, surprisingly, two of them had even given her four of the five rounds. Suarez’s corner looked disappointed, perhaps understandably so given her dominance. Yet it was undeniable that Weili had been far more aggressive throughout the fight in terms of trying to inflict damage, and that’s what the judges were looking for. In any event, Zhang Weili was victorious, and had made the third defence of the UFC Womens Strawweight title. Result: ‘Magnum’ Zhang Weili beat Tatiana Suarez by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47 and 49-46) to retain the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship UFC Light Heavyweight Champion: Jon Jones © (#1, 27-1, 1NC) vs. Jan Błachowicz (#2, 28-8) for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship It was now time for the main event of the evening, the long-time light heavyweight kingpin, Jon Jones, widely considered to be the greatest of all time, defending the gold against the latest challenger tasked to achieve the seemingly impossible and take the title from him. It took Jones almost no time at all to establish his dominance as he quickly took hold of Błachowicz, taking no shots in the process, and muscling his opponent back up against the cage. Jones then quickly changed levels and took the unsuspecting Błachowicz down, and, unfortunately for Błachowicz, getting side-control in the process. From this position of dominance, Jones took hold of Błachowicz’s arm and began working for a kimura, and, with alarming ease, Jones locked the hold on tight and Błachowicz was forced to tap...but the drama had only just begun because Jones refused to let go of the hold right away, and it took several seconds, and continued shouting by the referee before Jones finally let go. The fans were livid, showering Jones with boos, their reaction so loud that the commentators made a point to note that they could barely hear each other, even with headphones. Błachowicz’s corner had to be held back by security from storming the cage, their anger clear to see. Jones seemed nonplussed, as if he didn’t understand what the fuss was about, even as the referee was seen to be questioning Jones about what he’d done. Even in his post-fight interview, the boos of the fans still raining down, Jones was acting like nothing untoward had happened, and he brushed off being questioned over his actions. Jon Jones had retained the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, but his actions at the end of the fight called everything into question. Jones was undoubtedly going to have to face the consequences over his refusal to let go of the kimura; even Jones, who was notorious for sliding by, couldn’t dispute or downplay what he had done. The only question was just how severe those consequences would be. Result: Jon 'Bones' Jones beat Jan Blachowicz by submission due to a kimura in 1:29 of Round 1 to retain the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship Post-Fight Bonuses Fight of the Night: Maycee Barber vs. Ariane Lipski Performance of the Night: Omar Morales Knockout of the Night: Alexander Gustafsson Submission of the Night: Colby Covington After the regional athletic commission announced their suspension of Jon Jones, the UFC released the following statement; “After the events of UFC 260, and the ruling by the regional athletic commission, the UFC has also suspended Jon Jones from all activities for 18 months, in support of the regional athletic commission. In addition to this, the UFC has stripped Jon Jones of the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, with the vacant title to be decided at the next available opportunity. We will be making no further comment on this matter.” Predictions Majster_93: (9/16) Majster_93 (overall): (61/90; 67.77%) McDojoDelux: (8/16) McDojoDelux (Overall): (22/35; 62.85%)