UFC 2020: When Sven Took Charge II

Fantabulous · November 30, 2020

Kamaru Usman and Nate Diaz to collide in California headliner

Kamaru Usman and Nate Diaz to collide in California headliner; Nick Diaz in co-main event

Saturday of Week 4 of September 2020

The heat of California will be matched by the heat of the Octagon in November as Kamaru Usman will defend the UFC Welterweight Championship against Nate Diaz in the main event of UFC 256. Usman makes the third defence of his welterweight championship when he clashes with the Californian Diaz in the main event of UFC 256, titled Nightmare in Stockton.

Usman retained his title against Colby Covington at UFC 245, and then again at UFC 251 when he defeated Jorge Masvidal, and Usman will hoping to end 2020 as still the welterweight champion. Yet Usman won’t find it easy against the always-dangerous Diaz, whose jiu-jitsu makes him just as much a threat on the ground as Usman’s wrestling does, and it may be a fight than turns into a battle of wrestling versus jiu-jitsu.

And it will be family affair at UFC 256 because the co-main event will see Nate’s brother Nick in action, and Nick will have his hands full against Geoff Neal. Nick Diaz made his long-awaited return to the UFC at UFC 252 when he blitzed Damian Meia in the first round, and Diaz will be trying to repeat that feat at UFC 256, but to do that he’ll have to get past Geoff Neal, who is rising fast after his victory over the red-hot Gilbert Burns at UFC 250. If Neal can upset the home favourite, it would place him firmly among the best of the welterweight division, making this a fight with a lot on the line for both fighters.

We’ll see another big return at UFC 256 when Alexander Gustafsson comes out of retirement to take on a familiar foe, as Gustafsson will take on the resurgent Mauricio Rua. Gustafsson elected to retire after a heartbreaking loss in his home country, but a lengthy period of reflection has seen Gustafsson re-evaluate his position and the Swede will return to action against someone he’s faced before, but who is having a tremendous renaissance.

Mauricio Rua has scored decisive and dominant wins over Corey Anderson and Sam Alvey this year, and if Rua can spoil the return of Gustafsson, the former lightweight champion, Rua a champion in both the UFC and PRIDE, may just find himself with the chance to regain UFC gold.

UFC 256 sees another return as Lorenz Larkin will once again step foot inside the Octagon and Larkin will be taking on Carlos Condit, and a win for either man will surely cement them among the top ranked welterweights. Jarod Cannonier faces Ian Heinsch in a great middleweight encounter, and the main card kicks off with a battle of two of the most outspoken fighters in the UFC when Colby Covington tangles with Jorge Masvidal.

This night of great action, which includes a tremendous preliminary card, takes place on Saturday of Week 4 of November in California.

Main Card

UFC Welterweight Champion: Kamaru Usman © (17-1) vs. Nate Diaz (21-12)

Welterweight: Nick Diaz (27-9, 2 NC) vs. Geoff Neal (14-2)

Light Heavyweight: Alexander Gustafsson (18-6) vs. Mauricio Rua (28-11-1)

Welterweight: Carlos Condit (31-13) vs. Lorenz Larkin (24-7, 1NC)

Middleweight: Jarod Cannonier (13-4) vs. Ian Heinsch (14-3)

Welterweight: Colby Covington (15-3) vs. Jorge Masvidal (35-14)

Preliminary Card

Bantamweight: Rob Font (18-4) vs. Casey Kenny (15-2-1)

Middleweight: Derek Brunson (20-8) vs. Andrew Sanchez (11-6)

Welterweight: Matt Brown (23-16) vs. Vincente Luque (18-7-1)

Featherweight: Kevin Aguilar (17-3) vs. Ryan Hall (9-1)

Heavyweight: Tanner Bosser (17-7-1) vs. Salimgirey Rasulov (19-7)

Welterweight: Claudio Henrique de Silva (14-1) vs. Michel Pereria (24-11, 2NC)

Lightweight: David Teymur (8-2) vs. Khama Worthy (15-6)

Women’s Bantamweight: Veronica Macedo (6-4-1) vs. Ketlen Viera (10-2)

Women’s Flyweight: Viviane Araujo (8-3) vs. Wu Yanan (10-4)

Middleweight: Alem Amedovski (9-2) vs. Andre Muniz (20-4)

CageRage · November 30, 2020

Main Card

UFC Welterweight Champion: Kamaru Usman © (17-1) vs. Nate Diaz (21-12)

Welterweight: Nick Diaz (27-9, 2 NC) vs. Geoff Neal (14-2)

Light Heavyweight: Alexander Gustafsson (18-6) vs. Mauricio Rua (28-11-1)

Welterweight: Carlos Condit (31-13) vs. Lorenz Larkin (24-7, 1NC)

Middleweight: Jarod Cannonier (13-4) vs. Ian Heinsch (14-3)

Welterweight: Colby Covington (15-3) vs. Jorge Masvidal (35-14)

Preliminary Card

Bantamweight: Rob Font (18-4) vs. )Casey Kenny (15-2-1

Middleweight: Derek Brunson (20-8) vs. Andrew Sanchez (11-6)

Welterweight: Matt Brown (23-16) vs. Vincente Luque (18-7-1)

Featherweight: Kevin Aguilar (17-3) vs. Ryan Hall (9-1)

Heavyweight: Tanner Bosser (17-7-1) vs. Salimgirey Rasulov (19-7)

Welterweight: Claudio Henrique de Silva (14-1) vs. Michel Pereria (24-11, 2NC)

Lightweight: David Teymur (8-2) vs. Khama Worthy (15-6)

Women’s Bantamweight: Veronica Macedo (6-4-1) vs. Ketlen Viera (10-2)

Women’s Flyweight: Viviane Araujo (8-3) vs. Wu Yanan (10-4)

Middleweight: Alem Amedovski (9-2) vs. Andre Muniz (20-4)

Fantabulous · December 2, 2020

News Blast

<div style="text-align:center;">Saturday of Week 4 of September 2020

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Sunday of Week 4 of September 2020

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Monday of Week 1 of October 2020

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Luke Rockhold has revealed that he is returning to fighting. Rockhold had been on hiatus since losing to Jan Błachowicz at UFC 239 last year.

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The UFC today announced that it has begun finalizing the names for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, and that they expect to begin revealing those names shortly.

Tuesday of Week 1 of October 2020

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Fantabulous · December 4, 2020

News Blast

Wednesday of Week 1 of October 2020

Thursday of Week 1 of October 2020

Friday of Week 1 of October 2020

Saturday of Week 1 of October 2020

Tim Means will replace Salikhov against Sean Brady.

The UFC has signed eight fighters ahead of their upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, and we’ve been able to confirm that one of those names is noted world-class Muay Thai fighter Riley Spooner. Whilst there’s been no confirmation that she’s going to be part of TUF, you would expect that Spooner has been signed with the intention of putting her on the show, and, were she to take part, Spooner would be one of the bigger names, and possibly the favourite to win the season.

From the author: UFC Fight Night 180 will be posted tomorrow, and here’s a reminder of the card;

UFC Fight Night 180: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo II

Main Card

Flyweight: Joseph Benavidez (28-6) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (18-1)
Featherweight: Shane Burgos (14-1) vs. Yair Rodriguez (14-2)
Bantamweight: John Dodson (22-11) vs. Eddie Wineland (25-13-1)
Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes (13-3, 1NC) vs. Sergey Pavlovich (15-1)
Women’s Strawweight: Nina Ansaroff (10-6) vs. Marina Rodriguez (12-1-2)
Women’s Featherweight: Leah Letson (6-1) vs. Reina Miura (12-3)

Preliminary Card

Women’s Flyweight: Katlyn Chookagian (13-3) vs. Gillian Robertson (8-4)
Heavyweight: Chi Lewis-Perry (9-0-2, 2NC) vs. Raphael Pessoa (10-2)
Heavyweight: Greg Hardy (5-3, 1NC) vs. Chris de la Rocha (5-3)
Flyweight: Manel Kape (15-5) vs. Jenel Lausa (8-4)
Middleweight: Brendan Allen (14-3) vs. Bevon Lewis (7-2)
Middleweight: Charles Byrd (11-6) vs. Rodolfo Viera (8-0)
Light Heavyweight: Gokhan Saki (1-3) vs. Ryan Spann (17-6)
Light Heavyweight: Klidson de Abreu (16-4) vs. Aleksander Rakic (13-2)
Lightweight: Nasrat Haqparast (11-3) vs. Teemu Packalan (9-3)
Lightweight: Roman Bogatov (10-2) vs. Eric Wisely (31-9-1)

Fantabulous · December 5, 2020

UFC Fight Night 180: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo II

UFC Fight Night 180: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo II

Date: Saturday of Week 1 of October 2020 Location: Wyoming

Attendance: 2,695 Gate: $441,980

Critical Rating: 79% Commercial Rating: 70%

Commentary Team: Jon Anik, Dan Hardy and Brendan Fitzgerald

Preliminary Card

Lightweight: Roman Bogatov (10-2) vs. Eric Wisely (31-9-1)

Wisely busted Bogatov open very early in the first, a straight right opening up a cut above the hairline, but that was as good as it got for Wisely because Bogatov went on to completely dominate him with an impressive display of his ground game.

Result: Roman Bogatov beat Eric 'Little Lee' Wisely by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 and 30-27)

Lightweight: Nasrat Haqparast (11-3) vs. Teemu Packalan (9-3)

Packalen tried to take Haqparast down right away, starting a first round that was dominated by the grappling of Haqparast, although Packalen was able to take him down late in the round.

The second round was short and sweet, with Haqparast rocking Packalen with a crunching right hook and, as Packalen staggered back, Haqparast dropped him with a right hand and delivered a series of punches that quickly had the referee pulling him away to stop the fight.

Haqparast was still wanting a challenge, and he took his time in the spotlight to ask for a fight with Omar Morales.

Result: Nasrat Haqparast beat Teemu 'Pacu' Packalen by knockout (punch) in 0:49 of Round 2

Light Heavyweight: Klidson de Abreu (16-4) vs. Aleksander Rakic (13-2)

Klidson de Abreu came into the fight as a significant underdog, but he also came into the fight with a significant weight advantage, one he put to good use as he quickly powered Aleksandar Rakic to the mat. Rakic defended as best he could but it wasn’t long before de Abreu muscled his way into a rear naked choke to get the tap.

de Abreu embraced his underdog status in his post-fight interview, saying that he knows the result is a shock but it shows what happens when you believe in yourself.

Result: Klidson 'Russian Terror' de Abreu beat Aleksandar Rakic by submission due to a rear naked choke in 3:57 of Round 1

Light Heavyweight: Gokhan Saki (1-3) vs. Ryan Spann (17-6)

It would have taken longer to eat your popcorn than watch this match; Saki rocked Spann with the first big punch he landed, a right hook. Saki then secured the Muay-Thai clinch and blasted Spann with an incredible elbow strikes that knocked Spann clean out, and the fight was over in just 33 seconds.

Saki clearly had confidence, saying in his post-fight interview that he always believed in himself; based on his performance, Saki was right to do so.

Result: 'The Rebel' Gokhan Saki beat Ryan 'Superman' Spann by knockout (elbow) in 0:33 of Round 1

Middleweight: Charles Byrd (11-6) vs. Rodolfo Viera (8-0)

Vieira was always the favourite, and he came in much bigger than his opponent to boot, so it wasn’t the biggest surprise to see Vieira dominate Charles Byrd with an overpowering ground game, Vieira getting the win late in the second round by way of an armbar.

Viera’s post-fight interview saw him express some well-earned confidence in his submission game.

Result: Rodolfo 'The Black Belt Hunter' Vieira beat Charles 'Kid Dynamite' Byrd by submission due to an armbar in 4:15 of Round 2

Middleweight: Brendan Allen (14-3) vs. Bevon Lewis (7-2)

Brendan Allen opened up aggressively, getting hold of Lewis very quickly before slamming him to the mat, with Lewis put up a decent defence before giving up his back; Allen then applied a tight body triangle to set up a rear naked choke, Allen flattening Lewis out before getting the submission.

Result: Brendan 'All In' Allen beat Bevon 'The Extraordinary Gentleman' Lewis by submission due to a rear naked choke in 3:00 of Round 1

Flyweight: Manel Kape (15-5) vs. Jenel Lausa (8-4)

A brief exchange of strikes was followed by Kape pushing Lausa up against the cage and then tripping him to get him to the ground. Lause had ended up seated against the cage, and Kape used his position to snatch Lausa in a guillotine choke and Lausa had no way out and was forced to tap.

Result: Manel 'Prodigio' Kape beat Jenel 'The Demolition Man' Lausa by submission due to a guillotine chokein 2:24 of Round 1

Heavyweight: Chris de la Rocha (5-3) vs. Greg Hardy (5-3, 1NC)

A weight advantage and cocky attitude did Greg Hardy no good in a fight that he was comprehensively dominated in. Hardy was gassed badly by the end of the fight, and submitted by a leglock late in the third round.

de la Rocha’s post-interview was somewhat memorable, as the heavyweight announced that he had decided to retire, de la Rocha’ feeling it was time to walk away from the sport.

Result: Chris de la Rocha beat Greg Hardy by submission due to a kneebar in 4:43 of Round 3

Heavyweight: Chi Lewis-Perry (9-0-2, 2NC) vs. Raphael Pessoa (10-2)

Despite giving up at least 20lbs, Chi Lewis-Parry continued his hot run of form, and even being taken down by his bigger opponent provided little challenge as Lewis-Parry bided his time and, at the right moment, threw up his legs to lock in a triangle choke and he had the move in so deep that Pessoa had to tap out before he passed out.

Result: Chi 'Chopper' Lewis-Parry beat Raphael Pessoa by submission due to a triangle choke in 3:52 of Round 1

Women’s Flyweight: Katlyn Chookagian (13-3) vs. Gillian Robertson (8-4)

Simply put, Katlyn Chookagian walked right through Gillian Robertson, who provided scant resistance before being dropped and pounded out in 91 seconds.

Chookagian already had her next opponent in mind as, in her post-fight interview, she called for a fight with Jessica Eye.

Result: 'Blonde Fighter' Katlyn Chookagian beat Gillian 'The Savage' Robertson by TKO due to strikes in 1:31 of Round 1

Main Card

Women’s Featherweight: Leah Letson (6-1) vs. Reina Miura (12-3)

A combination of being the underdog and this being her debut in the UFC made Reina Miura the natural crowd favourite, and, in the first round, Reina rewarded that support with a performance that belied her underdog status. She was able to use her superior strength to control Letson, forcing her back up against the cage and wearing her out with gruelling clinch-based attack. It was exciting to watch because both women remained active, neither of them willing to just bide their time, and, when the round ended there was a buzz in the air, both because it was a good fight and because an upset was looking a distinct possibility.

Letson came out aggressively in the second round, and understandably so given how the first round went, with Letson determined not to give Reina the chance to take up where she left off. It spelled the difference, and when Letson landed a quick flurry of three punches, a follow up right high kick left Rein covering up and retreating back, Reina ending up backed up against the cage. Sensing the time was now, Letson landed a right hook that had Reina clearly being held up by the cage, and, before the referee could step in, Letson landed a massive head kick that left Reina out cold.

It had developed into a fantastic fight; in her post-fight interview, Letson even called the fight one of the best of her career. And while Reina had made a good impression, it was Letson who made the best impression, literally, and Letson who was moving higher up the ladder in the women’s featherweight division

Result: Leah 'Nidas' Letson beat 'King' Reina Miura by knockout (kick) in 1:51 of Round 2

Women’s Strawweight: Nina Ansaroff (10-6) vs. Marina Rodriguez (12-1-2)

This was a solid fight, and a rather competitive one. A fairly even first round saw Rodriguez control Ansaroff with clinch-work late on, but early in the second round, Ansaroff dropped Rodriguez with a brutal spinning back kick; Rodriguez survived the follow-up ground-and-pound, and saw the round out. The third round saw both fighters display some decent striking, although neither really stood out.

To no real surprise, the fight went to a split-decision, and it was Nina Ansaroff whom fate smiled on, and Ansaroff used her interview time to challenge Tatiana Suarez, which would be the toughest challenge of her career so far.

Result: Nina 'The Strina' Ansaroff beat Marina Rodriguez by split decision (30-27, 30-27 and 28-29)

Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes (13-3, 1NC) vs. Sergey Pavlovich (15-1)

This was another all-action fight where the underdog started out with a strong showing, and, in this case, it was Pavlovich who came out hot, with an aggressive pace that seemed to give Blaydes real trouble. Pavlovich landed some really good punches, including a flurry of punches that culminated with a crunching right hook. Blaydes was by no means ever out of the fight, but it was a clear round for Pavlovich.

However, like in the same situation early in the night, with the underdog putting on a strong showing in the first round, the favourite came out stronger in the second round and, with only thirty seconds gone, Blaydes landed a powerful right that dropped Pavlovich; Blaydes quickly knelt by the prone Pavlovich and began unloading with some big right hands; Pavlovich was taking a pasting, and the referee quickly jumped in to save him and Blaydes had gained the TKO victory.

Result: Curtis 'Razor' Blaydes beat Sergey Pavlovich by TKO due to strikes in 0:58 of Round 2

Bantamweight: John Dodson (22-11) vs. Eddie Wineland (25-13-1)

Wineland’s early attempts to take the fight to the ground were unsuccessful, and what followed from that exchange was fairly competitive stand-up fight, with neither fighter making any serious attempt to take the other down. The fight featured more hooks than a tackle shop, with that particular type of punch being greatly favoured by both men. Wineland appeared to be edging things over the course of the first two rounds, and, just over a minute into third round, Wineland responded to a left cross with a left jab and then a right cross that saw Dodson collapse to the mat, out cold, and Eddie Wineland had delivered a spectacular knockout victory.

Wineland had one more blow to deliver in his post-fight interview, at least to his fans, as he announced that he had decided to retire from the sport, feeling that the time was right to hang up the gloves.

Result: Eddie Wineland beat John 'The Magician' Dodson by knockout (punch) in 1:35 of Round 3

Featherweight: Shane Burgos (14-1) vs. Yair Rodriguez (14-2)

The co-main event of the evening gave us another destructive finish, with Rodriguez dropping Burgos with a superb right kick to the head, Rodriguez then destroying Burgos with a series of right hands that forced the referee to jump in and halt the fight after a mere 62 seconds.

Rodriguez showed a lot of star power in his post-fight interview, and he could be a superstar in the making.

Result: Yair 'El Pantera' Rodriguez beat 'Hurricane' Shane Burgos by TKO due to strikes in 1:02 of Round 1

Flyweight: Joseph Benavidez (28-6) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (18-1)

Benavidez started off hot, and he had Figueiredo rocked inside of a minute after landing a stinging left high kick. Benavidez tried to capitalize by grabbing Figueiredo in the Muay-Thai clinch, but the knee he delivered from that position failed to land at the right angle and Figueiredo had soon recovered enough that Benavidez felt it was better to let him go. The two continued to exchange punches for the rest of the round, but neither fighter landed anything of significance.

Benavidez continued to be the aggressor in the second round, and, while Figueiredo gave as good as he got, it was still Benavidez who landed the first visual damage when he opened up a cut on the forehead of Figueiredo. Benavidez kept coming forward, mixing up punches and kicks to great effect, and, when the round was over, it was Benavidez who was in firm control of the fight.

The third round started in a similar vein to the previous two, with Benavidez taking the fight right to Figueiredo. Figueiredo was trying to fight back, and, whilst he wasn’t totally on the defensive, Benavidez was just too quick for Figueiredo, so a lot of what he threw didn’t land, with Benavidez was almost landing at will.

Then, out of nowhere, with the cut on his forehead having been re-opened just moments before, Figueiredo landed a massive right hook to the jaw of Benavidez and Benavidez hit the floor. Figueiredo jumped, almost literally, at his chance to go for the finish, and he began hammering Benavidez with a series of powerful right hands; with Benvidez getting pasted, Marc Goddard was quick to intercede and pull Figueiredo off of Benavidez, and Figueiredo had scored what, just moments before, had seemed like the most improbable of victories.

Result: Deiveson 'Daico' Figueiredo beat Joseph 'The Beefcake' Benavidez by TKO due to strikes in 4:03 of Round 3

Post-Fight Bonuses

Fight of the Night: Leah Letson vs. Reina Miura

Performance of the Night: Klidson de Abreu

Knockout of the Night: Gokhan Saki

Submission of the Night: Chris de la Rocha

Fantabulous · December 6, 2020

UFC Rankings for Sunday, Week 1 of October 2020

Fantabulous · December 7, 2020

News Blast

Sunday of Week 1 of October 2020

We can reveal that the UFC has signed six more fighters for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, and that the official announcement of the full line-up is imminent.

Monday of Week 2 of October 2020

I didn’t see that one coming.

The UFC today announced that they have cut Greg Hardy. They released the news in a simple, one-line statement;

“The UFC has released Greg Hardy.”

Tuesday of Week 2 of October 2020

Nikita Krylov will be moving up the heavyweight division in the UFC. This follows the events of UFC 254, where Krylov missed weight for his light heavyweight fight with Paul Craig by 3lbs.

Fantabulous · December 9, 2020

UFC Fight Pass series travels to eastern Europe

UFC Fight Pass series travels to eastern Europe

Saturday of Week 2 of October 2020

The UFC today announced the second of their Fight Pass-exclusive series of events, with the Octagon is going to eastern Europe for the next UFC on Fight Pass. The card will be headlined by a heavyweight collision between Blagoy Ivanov and Adam Wieczorek, with a co-main event in the women’s strawweight division as Hannah Cifers faces Istela Nunes.

The action takes place on Saturday of Week 2 of December in Iberia

Main Card

Heavyweight: Blagoy Ivanov (18-4, 1NC) vs. Adam Wieczorek (11-2)

Women’s Strawweight: Hannah Cifers (11-4) vs. Istela Nunes (8-1, 1NC)

Flyweight: Aleksander Doskalchuk (11-2) vs. Tyson Nam (17-11-1)

Bantamweight: Bruno Gustavo da Silva (12-5-2) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (8-1)

Lightweight: Francisco Trinaldo (26-7) vs. Arman Tsarukyan (16-2)

Welterweight: Bryan Barbarena (14-8) vs. Gilbert Burns (18-5)

Preliminary Card

Welterweight: Luan Chagas (15-3-1) vs. Ramazan Emeev (18-4)

Bantamweight: Francisco Rivera (11-7, 1NC) vs. Louis Smolka (16-6)

Featherweight: Charles Rosa (12-3) vs. Khalid Taha (14-2)

Lightweight: Rafael Fiziev (7-1) vs. Nad Narimani (12-3)

Bantamweight: Martin Day (8-3) vs. Patrick Williams (8-6)

Lightweight: Omar Morales (9-0) vs. Daniel Teymur (7-4)

Featherweight: Danny Henry (12-3) vs. Kyle Nelson (13-3)

Bantamweight: Danaa Batgerel (7-2) vs. Su Mudaerji (12-4)

Bantamweight: Joey Gomez (6-2) vs. Luke Sanders (13-3)

Bantamweight: Mark de la Rosa (11-4) vs. Benito Lopez (10-1)

CageRage · December 10, 2020

Heavyweight: Blagoy Ivanov (18-4, 1NC) vs. Adam Wieczorek (11-2)

Women’s Strawweight: Hannah Cifers (11-4) vs. Istela Nunes (8-1, 1NC)

Flyweight: Aleksander Doskalchuk (11-2) vs. Tyson Nam (17-11-1)

Bantamweight: Bruno Gustavo da Silva (12-5-2) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (8-1)

Lightweight: Francisco Trinaldo (26-7) vs. Arman Tsarukyan (16-2)

Welterweight: Bryan Barbarena (14-8) vs. Gilbert Burns (18-5)

Preliminary Card

Welterweight: Luan Chagas (15-3-1) vs. Ramazan Emeev (18-4)

Bantamweight: Francisco Rivera (11-7, 1NC) vs. Louis Smolka (16-6)

Featherweight: Charles Rosa (12-3) vs. Khalid Taha (14-2)

Lightweight: Rafael Fiziev (7-1) vs. Nad Narimani (12-3)

Bantamweight: Martin Day (8-3) vs. Patrick Williams (8-6)

Lightweight: Omar Morales (9-0) vs. Daniel Teymur (7-4)

Featherweight: Danny Henry (12-3) vs. Kyle Nelson (13-3)

Bantamweight: Danaa Batgerel (7-2) vs. Su Mudaerji (12-4)

Bantamweight: Joey Gomez (6-2) vs. Luke Sanders (13-3)

Bantamweight: Mark de la Rosa (11-4) vs. Benito Lopez (10-1)

Fantabulous · December 11, 2020

News Blast <div style="text-align:center;"> Wednesday of Week 2 of October 2020 <img alt="tKnq9nJ.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tKnq9nJ.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Thursday of Week 2 of October 2020 <img alt="HQJy6Sh.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HQJy6Sh.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="gIInowR.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/gIInowR.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Sunday of Week 1 of October 2020 <img alt="tUJHw92.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tUJHw92.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="50712" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div style="text-align:center;"><div>From the author: UFC Fight Night 181 will be posted tomorrow night, and here is a reminder of the card; <div style="text-align:center;">UFC Fight Night 181: Dos Santos vs. Latifi</div> Main Card Heavyweight: Junior Dos Santos (22-7) vs. Ilir Latifi (15-8, 1NC) Welterweight: Erik Koch (17-6) vs. Niko Price (15-3, 1NC) Women’s Flyweight: J.J Aldrich (9-4) vs. Ji Yeon Kim (10-2-2) Flyweight: Askar Askarov (12-0-1) vs. Eric Shelton (14-6) Middleweight: Marc-Andre Barriault (12-4) vs. Deron Winn (7-2) Middleweight: Eden Shahbazyan (12-0) vs. Gerald Meerschert (32-12) Preliminary Card Middleweight: Brian Camozzi (8-5) vs. Brandon Thatch (12-5) Featherweight: Zabit Magomedsharipov (18-2) vs. Brian Ortega (14-2, 1NC) Bantamweight: Tony Gravely (19-6) vs. Jonathan Martinez (11-3) Middleweight: Roman Kopylov (8-1) vs. Jun Yong Park (11-4) Welterweight: Takashi Sato (15-3) vs. Kenan Song (16-5) Lightweight: Alex Munoz (6-0) vs. Claudio Puelles (9-2) Featherweight: Austin Lingo (7-1) vs. Sean Woodson (7-0) Women’s Flyweight: Miranda Granger (7-1) vs. Shanna Young (7-3) Bantamweight: Merab Dvalishvili (10-4) vs. Montel Jackson (9-1) Lightweight: Devonte Smith (10-2) vs. Jalin Turner (9-5)</div></div></blockquote></div>

Fantabulous · December 12, 2020

UFC Fight Night 181: Dos Santos vs. Latifi

UFC Fight Night 181: Dos Santos vs. Latifi

Date: Saturday of Week 2 of October 2020 Location: North Dakota

Attendance: 3,428 Gate: $521,056

Critical Rating: 77% Commercial Rating: 81%

Commentary Team: Jon Anik, Dan Hardy and Brendan Fitzgerald

Preliminary Card

Lightweight: Devonte Smith (10-2) vs. Jalin Turner (9-5)

Turner somehow survived a tremendous uppercut from Devonte early on, but a powerful right head kick just over a minute later was enough to put Turner down; the expected ground-and-pound soon followed from Smith and it got the finish.

Result: 'King Cage' Devonte Smith beat Jalin 'The Tarantula' Turner by TKO due to strikes in 2:34 of Round 1

Bantamweight: Merab Dvalishvili (10-4) vs. Montel Jackson (9-1)

A combination of precise striking and occasional overzealousness on the part of his opponent allowed Montel Jackson to take a fairly comfortable unanimous decision victory. Just over half-way into the third round, Jackson dropped Dvalishvili with a powerful left hook, but Dvalishvili held on, literally at times, to see the round out, but that was a good as it got for him.

Result: Montel 'Quik' Jackson beat Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 and 30-27)

Women’s Flyweight: Miranda Granger (7-1) vs. Shanna Young (7-3)

The ground game of Granger was too much for Young; as soon as Granger dragged Young to the mat, she delivered a knee to the side of the head to help set up an anaconda choke and Young had no choice but to tap out.

Granger displayed real star power in her post-fight interview, and it probably helped that she invited fans to help her celebrate her victory at a local club.

Result: Miranda 'Danger' Granger beat Shanna 'The Shanimal' Young by submission due to an anaconda choke in 4:38 of Round 1

Featherweight: Austin Lingo (7-1) vs. Sean Woodson (7-0)

Woodson opened up cautiously and this initially served him in good stead, with his clinch-work proving most effective. But when the fighters were separated by the referee, it allowed Lingo the chance to deliver a crunching straight right that dropped Woodson. Lingo rained down punches on Woodson and the referee was forced to jump in and stop the fight.

Result: Austin 'Lights Out' Lingo beat Sean 'The Sniper' Woodson by TKO due to strikes in 3:41 of Round 1

Lightweight: Alex Munoz (6-0) vs. Claudio Puelles (9-2)

It didn’t take long for Alex Munoz to take care of business, landing a nice right hook to rock Puelles, delivering a right hand to drop Puelles and pounding him out to get the stoppage, and the fight was over in barely a minute.

Munoz’s post-fight interview showcased his charisma as he really knows how to sell himself.

Result: Alex Munoz beat Claudio 'El Nino' Puelles by TKO due to strikes in 1:01 of Round 1

Welterweight: Takashi Sato (15-3) vs. Kenan Song (16-5)

Song’s sole success in this fight came in the third round when, at around the half-way mark, after smothering Sato against the cage, he was able to take him down and take his back and keep working for a rear naked choke. But he couldn’t the hold applied and that dominance wasn’t even enough to win him the round in a fight that he was otherwise fairly well dominated in.

Sato became the first fighter of the night to use his post-fight interview to set up his next fight, Sato throwing out a challenge to Randy Brown.

Result: Takashi 'Ten' Sato beat Kenan 'The Assassin' Song by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 and 30-27)

Middleweight: Roman Kopylov (8-1) vs. Jun Yong Park (11-4)

This was a decent fight with Kopylov the aggressor throughout. The ending came when Park missed a big right hand, putting him off balance and leaving him open to a wicked right uppercut from Kopylov that knocked Park out cold.

Kopylov already had his next opponent in mind during his post-fight interview, Kopylov declaring an interest in fighting Deron Winn.

Result: Roman Kopylov beat Jun 'The Iron Turtle' Yong Park by knockout (punch) in 1:33 of Round 2

Bantamweight: Tony Gravely (19-6) vs. Jonathan Martinez (11-3)

This was a great action fight with a lot of kicks from both fighters, which made this something a kickboxing contest. Gravely rocked Martinez late in the first round with a quick head kick but he couldn’t get the finish on the follow up. The same thing happened again the second round, twice, and it was on that second occasion that Gravely finally finished Martinez, rocking him with a high roundhouse kick, dropping him with a right hook, and then pounding away with punches until the referee stepped in.

Result: Tony Gravely beat Jonathan 'Dragon' Martinez by TKO due to strikes in 4:58 of Round 2

Featherweight: Zabit Magomedsharipov (18-2) vs. Brian Ortega (14-2, 1NC)

Even though Ortega initiated the grappling battle in the first round, it was Magomedsharipov who took control of the grappling and dominated Ortega, with Magomedsharipov thwarting Ortega’s attempts to take him down and then dominating in a clinch battle. Ortega had much better success with his strategy in the second round, with Magomedsharipov very much on the defensive and finding little success in his attempts to escape the grip of Ortega. The third round saw more clinch work and Magomedsharipov wrested back control of the fight, with Ortega playing defence for much of the round.

It wasn’t the most exciting of fights, but it was the victory that Magomedsharipov needed in order to begin rebuilding his momentum after his fight earlier in the year with Max Holloway.

Result: Zabit Magomedsharipov beat Brian 'T-City' Ortega by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28 and 29-28)

Middleweight: Brian Camozzi (8-5) vs. Brandon Thatch (12-5)

Brandon Thatch was keen to make an impression in his return to the UFC and he certainly did that, making an impression on both the fans and Brian Camozzi. Thatch’s striking was on point throughout the fight, with Thatch ending the fight in the first round with a right hook and the requisite ground-and-pound follow-up.

Result: Brandon 'Rukus' Thatch beat Brian 'The Mantis' Camozzi by TKO due to strikes in 3:17 of Round 1

Main Card

Middleweight: Eden Shahbazyan (12-0) vs. Gerald Meerschert (32-12)

Edmen Shahbazyan came into this fight as the heavy favourite, and he put in a performance that showed that distinction to be deservedly warranted. Shahbazyan was relentless with his attack, moving forward and putting Meerschaert under tremendous pressure. Meerschaert did well to hang in there, and it wasn’t until past the half-way mark of the third round that he was in any serious trouble. But Meerschaert was never in this fight to any real degree, and the fact he got one round at all, while one judge even had at 30-26 in favour of Shahbazyan, was hard to understand.

Result: 'The Golden Boy' Edmen Shahbazyan beat 'GM3' Gerald Meerschaert by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 and 30-26)

Middleweight: Marc-Andre Barriault (12-4) vs. Deron Winn (7-2)

This fight was an absolute barnburner, one that showed that a clinch-heavy contest can be exciting. For much of the first round, Barriault and Winn were clinched up, jockeying for position as they exchanged a lot of dirty boxing. Both fighters landed some strong blows, with Barriault opening up a cut under the eye of Winn to deliver the most significant strike of the round.

The second round was somewhat similar to the first with a lot of clinch-work being done with Barriault being pressed up against the cage. The two exchanged some hard shots and it was looking like nothing could separate them, although the referee had to when the action slowed down. When the fight resumed, Barriault tried going for strikes and ended up throwing a kick that was caught by Winn, who then took Barriault down and controlled him on the ground for the rest of the round.

The clinching was back early in the third round, but not for too long because just over a minute in, Winn got hold of Barriault in a Muay Thai clinch and, after a short struggle, Winn delivered a powerful knee to the cheek of Barriault and Barriault dropped to the canvas in a crumpled heap.

Deron was delighted with the fight, describing it as fantastic and a career highlight during his post-fight interview, which was quite lively thanks to Deron’s charisma.

Result: Deron Winn beat Marc-Andre 'Power Bar' Barriault by knockout (knee) in 1:56 of Round 3

Flyweight: Askar Askarov (12-0-1) vs. Eric Shelton (14-6)

Eric Shelton put on great display of striking that was mixed in good footwork and head movement, to overwhelm Askar Askarov, who, at times, did well to just to stay in the fight. Although the action was competitive at times, there was never any sense that Shelton was in danger. Askarov’s only significant moment of offence came at the open of the third round when he immediately took Shelton down. But in his wariness over being caught with a submission, Askarov ended up getting caught with a submission as Shelton was able to reach up and grab the arm of Askarov and then quickly throw his legs up to secure an armbar and force the tap.

Result: Eric 'Showtime' Shelton beat Askar 'Bullet' Askarov by submission due to an armbar in 1:02 of Round 3

Women’s Flyweight: J.J Aldrich (9-4) vs. Ji Yeon Kim (10-2-2)

This was a great fight, one with a lot of action and real excitement to it, especially at the end. An early exchange of strikes ended with Kim trying to take Aldrich down, but a grab of the fence by Aldrich made this impossible. This got Aldrich a stern warning from the referee, although Kim was still able to keep Aldrich pressed up against the fence for a minute, grinding down and wearing her out.

The action slowed enough for the referee to order a separation and that was when things kicked into high gear. Aldrich came forward aggressively, hitting a left jab and then a high kick, the latter of which had Kim on wobbly legs. A brutal right hand resulted in Kim stumbling backwards before falling to the floor. Aldrich pounced, and delivered a series of big punches as she desperately looked to finish the fight.

Aldrich had Kim in serious trouble, and it was looking bad for Kim. But Aldrich overcommitted to her punches and Kim somehow managed to sweep Aldrich and, in the resultant scramble, Kim ended up behind Aldrich with Aldrich turtled up. It was now Kim’s turn to deliver the massive right hands, and Kim didn’t let her chance to end the fight slip through her fingers as she so brutally battered Aldrich that even Mario Yamasaki decided that it was enough for the stoppage.

Kim had revenge on her mind during her post-fight interview, as she said she wanted to take on former opponent Lucie Pudilova, who had beaten Kim back in 2017.

Result: Ji 'Fire Fist' Yeon Kim beat J.J. Aldrich by TKO due to strikes in 4:46 of Round 1

Welterweight: Erik Koch (17-6) vs. Niko Price (15-3, 1NC)

For the first round-and-a-half, Niko Price looked like the heavy favourite that he came into the fight as, Price employing some great striking to land consistent blows on Koch. But early in the second round, it appeared as if the heavy output was starting to wear Price out because he slowed down, albeit just a little. Price was still displaying effective striking, but now Koch was able to do the same and the fight was becoming a lot more competitive heading into the third round.

Price came out for the third round looking very tired, but he still had enough to grapple with Koch and keep him pressed up against the cage for about a minute. Remarkably, Price was subsequently able to sweep Koch to the mat, and the rest of the round saw both fighters exchanging short elbows as they held on tight to avoid giving the other any opening to go for anything bigger.

The judges were all in agreement in judging the fight, with all three scoring it 29-28 for Price.

Price was keen to celebrate his victory, as he said he was off to party a local club, and if his fans wanted to join him, they were welcome to do so.

Result: Niko 'The Hybrid' Price beat Erik 'New Breed' Koch by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28 and 29-28)

Heavyweight: Junior Dos Santos (22-7) vs. Ilir Latifi (15-8, 1NC)

The fight started at a pretty good pace and Latifi was keen to show that he could stand and trade with dos Santos, and the stand-up was competitive in the early going, with both fighters landing blows and also able to effectively deal with the blows their opponent was throwing. Dos Santos started coming forward more, perhaps looking to put pressure on Latifi who was in, easily, the biggest fight of his career, taking on the former heavyweight champion.

Dos Santos slowly seemed to edge ahead of Latifi in the striking game, as his striking continued to land while Latifi was starting to miss a little more with each flurry of punches and kicks.

Then, with just under a minute to go, dos Santos landed a powerful right hook to the body of Latifi that dropped the Swede, and he was completely immobile, the punch taking everything out of him, and as Latifi rolled to his side, still out of it, the referee waved off the fight and ‘Cigano’ had delivered a first-round finish.

JDS was very complementary towards Ilir Latifi in his post-fight interview, with JDS showing the charisma that had made him a firm fan favourite.

Result: Junior 'Cigano' dos Santos beat Ilir 'The Sledgehammer' Latifi by TKO due to a body shot in 4:47 of Round 1

Post-Fight Bonuses

Fight of the Night: Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Deron Winn

Performance of the Night: Ji Yeon Kim

Knockout of the Night: Deron Winn

Submission of the Night: Miranda Granger

Fantabulous · December 13, 2020

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Fantabulous · December 15, 2020

News Blast

Sunday of Week 2 of October 2020

Monday of Week 3 of October 2020

Tuesday of Week 3 of October 2020

From the author: Thursday will see the announcement of cast of The Ultimate Fighter, including who the coaches will be.

Fantabulous · December 17, 2020

Announcement of The Ultimate Fighter 29

The Ultimate Fighter 29 will pit Team Ferguson against Team McGregor

Monday of Week 3 of October 2020

The UFC today announced the fighters and coaches for The Ultimate Fighter 29, which begins airing on Thursday’s

The coaches for this upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter will be UFC Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson and ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor. The two adversaries, who are expected to clash over the lightweight title at the end of the year, will be coaching teams of female featherweights.

The full list of participants, and a short biography of each of them, is listed below;

Name: Ailbhe Krauss

Age: 42

Height: 5’7”

Reach: 67”

Pro Record: 23-7

Bio: 'Buster' Ailbhe Krauss is an American featherweight fighter who has been competing for twenty-four years. She is a high level jiu-jitsu competitor, and is currently training with the Karate Mafia MMA team.

Name: Alesha Delcastillo

Age: 32

Height: 5’9”

Reach: 68”

Pro Record: 26-3

Bio: 'Rapid Fire' Alesha Delcastillo is an American featherweight fighter who has been competing for fourteen years. She is a national calibre taekwondo fighter, and is currently training with the Jackson Wink MMA team.

Name: Amari Penton

Age: 36

Height: 5’9”

Reach: 69”

Pro Record: 26-6

Bio: 'Fireball' Amari Penton is an American featherweight fighter who has been competing for eighteen years. She is a high level kick boxer, and is currently training with the Strong Style Fight Team.

Name: Ariella Albright

Age: 34

Height: 5’8”

Reach: 68”

Pro Record: 27-8

Bio: 'Queen Of The Cage' Ariella Albright is an American featherweight fighter who has been competing for sixteen years. She is a high level kick boxer, and is currently training with the Jackson Wink MMA team.

Name: Ariya Watts

Age: 34

Height: 5’8”

Reach: 70”

Pro Record: 26-4

Bio: 'The Total Package' Ariya Watts is an American featherweight fighter who has been competing for sixteen years. She is a high level judoka, and is a long-term member of the Millennia MMA team.

Name: Audrey Whitworth

Age: 18

Height: 5’5”

Reach: 66”

Pro Record: 1-0

Bio: Audrey 'Crossbones' Whitworth is an American featherweight fighter who is in her rookie year. She is a national calibre wrestler. She is infamous for her plodding, low-risk, grinding tactics, and is currently training with the Team Oyama team.

Name: Beatrice Farr

Age: 20

Height: 5’8”

Reach: 69”

Pro Record: 3-0

Bio: 'The Human Arsenal' Beatrice Farr is an American featherweight fighter who has been competing for two years. She is a high level wrestler, and is currently training with the Black House MMA team.

Name: Caoimhe Vizcarra

Age: 37

Height: 5’6”

Reach: 66”

Pro Record: 27-3

Bio: Caoimhe 'Twinkle Toes' Vizcarra is an American featherweight fighter who has been competing for nineteen years. She is a national calibre jiu-jitsu competitor, and her vice-like guillotine choke is one of her most deadly weapons. Vizcarra is currently training with the Bodyshop MMA team.

Name: Elaina Nipper

Age: 23

Height: 5’7”

Reach: 68”

Pro Record: 12-4

Bio: Elaina 'Lizard' Nipper is an American featherweight fighter who has been competing for five years. She is an accomplished wrestler. She is noted for her high-intensity, high-pressure grappling tactics. Nipper is currently training with the Pro Buhawe team.

Name: Everly Runge

Age: 23

Height: 5’9”

Reach: 70”

Pro Record: 8-2

Bio: Everly 'The Vampire' Runge is an American featherweight fighter who has been competing for five years. She is a high level wrestler, and prefers to start fast and aggressively, going right after her opponent. Runge is currently training with the Wand Fight Team team.

Name: Jaida Odling

Age: 32

Height: 5’8”

Reach: 68”

Pro Record: 20-4

Bio: 'Mongoose' Jaida Odling is an American featherweight fighter who has been competing for fourteen years. She is a high level boxer, and is currently training with the Millennia MMA team.

Name: Janay Harding

Age: 28

Height: 5’10

Reach: 69”

Pro Record: 6-5

Bio: Janay Harding is an Australian featherweight fighter, who has been competing for six years. She is an accomplished Muay-Thai fighter. Before signing with the UFC, Harding competed in a number of promotions, mainly in Australia, although she has fought in Bellator where she defeated vaunted SBG Ireland standout Sinead Kavanagh. Harding is currently affiliated with Australian Top Team.

Name: Kathleen Caraway

Age: 19

Height: 5’6”

Reach: 64”

Pro Record: 1-0

Bio: 'The Monkey' Kathleen Caraway is an American featherweight fighter who has been competing for one year. She is a high level taekwondo fighter, and is currently training with the Team Vision team.

Name: Londyn Ochs

Age: 29

Height: 5’9”

Reach: 70”

Pro Record: 18-2

Bio: Londyn 'Meltdown' Ochs is an American featherweight fighter who has been competing for eleven years. She is a national calibre Muay Thai fighter, and is currently training with American Top Team.

Name: Sadbh Kuehn

Age: 21

Height: 5’9”

Reach: 68”

Pro Record: 9-2

Bio: 'Deadeye' Sadbh Kuehn is an American featherweight fighter who has been competing for three years. She is a high level wrestler, and is well known for trying to break opponents with constant takedown attempts. Kuehn is a long-term member of the UFC Gym Winter Springs team.

Name: Sheila Blakey

Age: 36

Height: 5’5”

Reach: 64”

Pro Record: 33-0

Bio: Sheila Blakey is an American featherweight fighter who has been competing for eighteen years. She is a national calibre kick boxer. A noted head hunter, Blakey is always looking for that one strike KO, and is noted for starting fights fast and hard. Blakey is currently training with the Midwest Training Center.

From the author: As you might be quick to notice, most of the fighters taking part in The Ultimate Fighter are AI generated; the only listed fighter who is real is Janay Harding. When it came to filling the ranks of female featherweights, the AI’s spawning of new fighters never came close to making up the numbers, even after six months, so I manually generated enough fighters to fill two teams. Of the fighters I spawned for TUF, only one of them was of such poor quality, both in terms of ability and marketability, that they didn’t make the cut, hence the inclusion of Janay Harding.

I had wanted Riley Spooner, another generated fighter, whose signing has been mentioned in the dynasty, to be part of TUF, but she refused to take part because she felt she was too popular, so she’ll be going straight to the main roster.

The only changes I’ve made to the fighters that were generated are their display pictures, as some of them were, for a variety of reasons, unsuitable.

Fantabulous · December 18, 2020

Announcing the teams for The Ultimate Fighter 29

Team Ferguson

#1: Sheila Blakey #3: Alesha Delcastillo #5: Janay Harding #7: Ariya Watts #9: Everly Runge #11: Sadbh Kuehn #13: Ailbhe Krauss #15: Beatrice Farr

Team McGregor

#2: Londyn Ochs #4: Caoimhe Vizcarra #6: Audrey Whitworth #8: Ariella Albright #10: Jaida Odling #12: Amari Penton #14: Elaina Nipper #16: Kathleen Caraway

From the author: I assessed all 16 fighters and put them in what I thought would be the most likely order of seeding. I tossed a coin to decide who would get to pick first, and Tony won the toss. I then assigned the fighters to each team in the order of their seeding, which meant that Team Ferguson got the odd numbered seeds and Team McGregor got the even numbered seeds. An in-game recap of the first episode will be part of the next News Blast, which will be posted on Sunday.

Fantabulous · December 20, 2020

News Blast

Wednesday of Week 3 of October 2020

Thursday of Week 3 of October 2020

Friday of Week 3 of October 2020

Women’s Featherweight: Airya Watts (#7) (26-4) vs. Audrey Whitworth (#6) (1-0)

Result: Audrey 'Crossbones' Whitworth beat 'The Total Package' Ariya Watts by TKO due to a cut

Saturday of Week 3 of October 2020

Fantabulous · December 22, 2020

News Blast

<div style="text-align:center;">Sunday of Week 3 of October 2020

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Monday of Week 4 of October 2020

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Wednesday of Week 4 of October 2020

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Matt Brown vs. Vincente Luque has been moved from the UFC 256 prelims and will now be the opening fight of the main card of UFC Fight Night 182.

Thursday of Week 4 of October 2020

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Fantabulous · December 24, 2020

Friday of Week 4 of October 2020

Women’s Featherweight: Jaida Odling (20-4) vs. Everly Runge (8-2)

Result: Everly ‘The Vampire’ Runge beat ‘Mongoose' Jaida Odling by submission

Saturday of Week 4 of October 2020

Claudia Gadelha vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk III is the new main event of UFC on ESPN 11. Alexander Gustafsson vs. Mauricio Rua II replaces it as main event of UFC Fight Night 182.

From the author: UFC 255 will be posted on Saturday, and here is a reminder of the card for predictions, comment, etc;

UFC 255: Cruz Control

Main Card

UFC Bantamweight Champion: Dominick Cruz © (23-2) vs. Aljamain Sterling (19-3)
Bantamweight: Cody Garbrandt (13-3) vs. Pedro Munhoz (19-4, 1NC)
Lightweight: Beneil Dariush (19-4-1) vs. Anthony Pettis (23-10)
Women’s Flyweight: Jessica Eye (16-7, 1NC) vs. Andrea Lee (12-4)
Women’s Strawweight: Mizuki Inoue (16-6) vs. Syuri Kondo (8-3)
Light Heavyweight: Jan Błachowicz (27-8) vs. Antônio Rogério Nogueira (24-9)

Preliminary Card

Women’s Flyweight: Izabela Baldurek (7-6) vs. Shana Dobson (5-4)
Heavyweight: Ciryl Gane (8-0) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (8-0)
Lightweight: Paul Felder (18-6) vs. Matt Wiman (17-9)
Middleweight: Tom Breese (11-3) vs. Trevin Giles (12-3)
Heavyweight: Todd Duffee (10-3, 1 NC) vs. Stefan Struve (29-12, 1NC)
Light Heavyweight: Eryk Anders (13-5) vs. Ed Herman (24-15, 1NC)
Light Heavyweight: Corey Anderson (13-6) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. (9-4, 1NC)
Welterweight: Jack Marshman (25-9) vs. Mike Perry (13-7)
Women’s Bantamweight: Tracy Cortez (7-1) vs. Melissa Gatto (6-0-2)
Light Heavyweight: Devin Clark (11-5) vs. Khadis Ibragimov (8-3)

Fantabulous · December 26, 2020

UFC 255: Cruz Control

UFC 255: Cruz Control

Date: Saturday of Week 4 of October 2020 Location: North Carolina

Attendance: 13,330 Gate: $2,026,160 PPV Revenue: $111,259

Critical Rating: 70% Commercial Rating: 89%

Commentary Team: Jon Anik, Joe Rogan and Dan Hardy

Preliminary Card

Light Heavyweight: Devin Clark (11-5) vs. Khadis Ibragimov (8-3)

Clark was in complete control of this fight, taking Ibragimov down with ease early in the first round and smothering him on the ground. From there, Ibragimov eventually got hold of Clark’s arm and manoeuvred his way into an armbar to secure the submission.

It was something of an upset victory, which Ibragimov noted in his post-fight interview, although he also said that he always believed that he could win here tonight.

Result: Khadis Ibragimov beat Devin 'Brown Bear' Clark by submission due to an armbar in 3:53 of Round 1

Women’s Bantamweight: Tracy Cortez (7-1) vs. Melissa Gatto (6-0-2)

This was a fairly competitive fight for two-and-a-half rounds, although Gatto was doing more damage thanks to her willingness to mix things up, utilizing punches and kicks, whilst Cortez struck to her boxing. But a divergent attack doesn’t guarantee success and, early in the third round, Cortez landed a vicious right cross that knocked Gatto down. Sensing her time was now, Cortez pounced and rained punches down on Gatto, one of which knocked her out and brought the fight to a violent end.

With her next fight already on her mind, Cortez used her mic time to issue a challenge to Veronica Macedo. The camera really loves Tracy Cortez, which is good because she isn’t the best of talkers.

Result: Tracy Cortez beat Melissa Gatto by knockout (punch) in 0:58 of Round 3

Welterweight: Jack Marshman (25-9) vs. Mike Perry (13-7)

This was the second fight in the row with a comeback finish as, after being outstruck for two rounds and change and looking set for defeat, Mike Perry pulled out the last-second victory when he stunned Marshman with a quick headkick and then knocked him out with the follow-up right hand.

Never one for tact and diplomacy, Perry’s post-fight interview saw him call Takashi Sato too much of a coward to face him, which Perry felt was a shame because they’d have a great fight.

Result: ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry beat Jack ‘The Hammer' Marshman by knockout (punch) in 4:54 of Round 3

Light Heavyweight: Corey Anderson (13-6) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. (9-4, 1NC)

Rountree Jr. was dominant in the first round, using a variety of kicks to wear Anderson down, although he may have been wearing himself down too because was seen to be breathing a little heavy late in the round. Rountree’s stamina issues were confirmed when he came out for the second round looking tired and Anderson immediately took advantage of this by taking Rountree down with a huge slam. Rountree put up a decent defence from here, fending off Anderson’s attempts to pass the guard, but he just didn’t have the gas to keep it up, and when Anderson passed the guard, he quickly took the mount. Rountree gave up his back and it was all over after that, with Anderson effortlessly getting both hooks in and then getting Rountree in a rear naked choke and forcing the tap.

Anderson, mindful of putting together a meaningful run, especially coming off a loss, threw out a challenge to Misha Cirkunov in his post-fight interview.

Result: Corey 'Overtime' Anderson beat Khalil 'The War Horse' Rountree Jr. by submission due to a rear naked choke in 3:44 of Round 2

Light Heavyweight: Eryk Anders (13-5) vs. Ed Herman (24-15, 1NC)

This fight was a pure stand-up affair, and a good one. Anders got the better of things in the first round, so Herman tried to take the fight to the ground, but Anders was able to block the takedown attempt. But Anders may have wished he’d been taken down because just over a minute later, Herman avoided a right hook from Anders and countered with one of his own that dropped Anders to the canvas. The expected ground-and-pound followed and when Anders went limp, that was all she wrote and the fight was over.

Result: Ed 'Short Fuse' Herman beat Eryk 'Ya Boi' Anders by knockout (punch) in 3:06 of Round 2

Heavyweight: Todd Duffee (10-3, 1 NC) vs. Stefan Struve (29-12, 1NC)

The first round of this fight was a battle on the ground, which you don’t often see in the heavyweight division. Duffee ended up in top position and, while he didn’t do much damage, he at least dominated what action there was. In the second round, it was all stand-up, with Duffee looking good early, rocking Struve with a flurry of three punches, a series of blows that had Struve backing up. Duffee followed up by initiating a Muay-Thai clinch, but he could only landed one vicious knee, with Struve blocking the rest and using the blocking of one knee to escape the grip of Duffee.

Seconds later, Struve made the most of his escape, delivering a powerful straight right that knocked Duffee out, sending the fans crazy.

Result: Stefan 'Skyscraper' Struve beat ‘The Irish Car Bomb' Todd Duffee by knockout (punch) in 3:32 of Round 2

Middleweight: Tom Breese (11-3) vs. Trevin Giles (12-3)

Although Breese opened up Giles almost right away, with a well-timed punch, that was as good as it got for Breese, who was comprehensively dominated in this outing. Breese was never in serious trouble, but he was never a serious threat and gave Giles nothing to worry about.

Clearly confident after his win, Giles, when asked who he wanted to face next, said he’d love to face Andre Muniz.

Result: Trevin 'The Problem' Giles beat 'Fearless' Tom Breese by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 and 30-27)

Lightweight: Paul Felder (18-6) vs. Matt Wiman (17-9)

This fight was decent, and highly competitive, with the veteran Wiman giving Felder a serious run for his money. In fact, Wiman dominated the first round after taking Felder down, and the Felder did well just to keep Wiman in half-guard for the remainder of the round. Felder came on a lot stronger in the second round, which was much more competitive, although Wiman wasn’t one for backing down, so, when the round ended, it wasn’t obvious if Felder have evened things up or if he was now in need for a finish to guaranteed victory.

The third round saw Wiman stun Felder almost right away, but Felder’s defensive game was such that Wiman couldn’t get the finish he was gunning for. The remainder of the round was similar in nature to the second, and when it ended, the result of the fight was up in the air; the only thing people could be sure of was that Wiman had won the first round.

In a result that was sure to upset at least some, Wiman walked away the victor, but only by split-decision, with each fighter getting a 29-28, and Wiman also getting a 30-27 from the third judge.

Result: 'Handsome' Matt Wiman beat 'The Irish Dragon' Paul Felder by split decision (29-28, 30-27 and 29-28)

Heavyweight: Ciryl Gane (8-0) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (8-0)

Ciryl Gane continued his ascent up the heavyweight ladder with a commanding performance against Rodrigo Nascimento. Gane put a lot of pressure on Nascimento during the fight round, delivering quite a bit of punishment, and Nascimento did well to see out the first round, but he didn’t last long in the second round as he was dropped inside of ten seconds and pounded out soon after.

Result: Ciryl 'Bon Gamin' Gane beat Rodrigo 'Ze Colmeia' Nascimento by TKO due to strikes in 0:30 of Round 2

Women’s Flyweight: Izabela Baldurek (7-6) vs. Shana Dobson (5-4)

Dodson opened the fight every aggressively, and it immediately put Badurek on the backfoot. Dodson ended up giving Badurek a cut above, the eye and it looked bad enough that, when the action slowed, the referee stopped the action so that the cageside doctor could take a look. The doctor said the fight could keep going and the round ended soon after.

Despite the obvious fatigue that was starting to creep in, Dodson maintained her aggressive pace in the second round. Badurek responded by repeatedly trying to clinch up with Dodson, but ‘Danger’ was always able to fend Badurek off. Heading into the third round, things were not looking good for Badurek, who had also had her cut re-opened.

As with the previous two rounds, Dodson came out aggressively, but this time, Badurek was ready for it and, after dodging some vicious looking punches, Badurek got a hold of Dodson and took her to the mat with a spectacular looking judo throw. Badurek landed in side-control, and she wasted no time in working for a kimura; Dodson tried to fend her off but the exhaustion finally got the better of her and Badurek locked the hold in tight and Dodson had no choice but to tap out.

Badurek gave a decent post-fight interview, and, whilst it wasn’t the best, the camera definitely loves her.

Result: Izabela Badurek beat Shana 'Danger' Dobson by submission due to a kimura in 1:36 of Round 3

Main Card

Light Heavyweight: Jan Błachowicz (27-8) vs. Antônio Rogério Nogueira (24-9)

The main card got off to a great start with an all-action fight that saw both competitors mix it up with punches and kicks. Blachowicz came into the fight as the heavy favourite, but Nogueira more than held his own, especially with the way he worked the body of Blachowicz, to make this a very competitive fight.

The second round was very similar to the first, with lots of competitive action, but with just over a minute to go, we saw the turning point of the fight; Blachowicz landed a nice high roundhouse kick that had Nogueira dazed. Nogueira managed to duck the follow up kick but the kick seemed to rattle Nogueira and take him out of his gameplan, and, with the round almost over, Blachowicz landed a picture-perfect straight right hand that turned Nogueira’s lights out.

Although Błachowicz gave a fine post-fight interview, all the attention went on Nogueira, who, when he was interviewed, because he looked especially deflated, announced that it was the right time to hang it up and Nogueira said he was now retired from MMA.

Result: Jan Blachowicz beat Antonio 'Minotoro' Rogerio Nogueira by knockout (punch) in 4:58 of Round 2

Women’s Strawweight: Mizuki Inoue (16-6) vs. Syuri Kondo (8-3)

Both fighters were very aggressive in this one, Inoue and Kondo both coming forward and showing no inclination to back down. That’s not say that they were only looking to strike; Kondo, early on, kept trying to bait Inoue into trying something reckless so she could counter with some grappling, but Inoue wasn’t falling for it.

One of Inoue’s best weapons was her leg kick, which she focused on the lead leg of Kondo, and while Inoue had success with it, Kondo wasn’t letting that keep her from coming forward with offense of her own, and Kondo clearly took the second round, making it even going into the third.

Although she was now noticeably limping, Kondo was still coming forward and making a real fight of things. Inoue continued to utilize a lot of kicks, while Kondo mixed up punches and kicks. At one point, Kondo made another attempt at taking Inoue down, but Inoue was able to pull free from the grip of Kondo. However, moments later, Kondo was able to finally get a hold of Inoue and push her back up against the cage. Kondo’s first attempt to take Inoue down failed, but her second was successful and, unfortunately for Inoue, she ended up turtle up and with Inoue on top of her. Kondo flattened Inoue out and began delivering a series of powerful shots, and it didn’t take long for Mario Yamasaki to intercede and put an end to the fight.

In her post-fight interview, Kondo, through an interpreter, said that for her next night she’d like to face Loma Lookboonmee.

Result: Syuri Kondo beat Mizuki Inoue by TKO due to strikes in 3:41 of Round 3

Women’s Flyweight: Jessica Eye (16-7, 1NC) vs. Andrea Lee (12-4)

This fight barely had time to start going before Eye rocked Lee with a right head kick, Eye then dropping Lee with a big right hand and then pounding her out to get the stoppage in just 49 seconds.

Buoyed by her emphatic victory, Eye threw out a challenge during her post-fight interview as she called for a fight against Katlyn Chookagian.

Result: Jessica 'Evil' Eye beat Andrea 'KGB' Lee by TKO due to strikes in 0:49 of Round 1

Lightweight: Beneil Dariush (19-4-1) vs. Anthony Pettis (23-10)

Dariush had the early success in the first round, landing a couple of counter jabs and then avoiding the two-punch combination that came back at him. Pettis continued to come forward though, but he was met with a kick to the ribs. As the fight went on, the action became a little more even, with both fighters landing their share of strikes and countrstrikes, although Pettis seemed to be edging ahead as the round started to wind down, and he was able to avoid a takedown as the round entered the final minute.

But perhaps Pettis was getting too confident, as he went for a big right hook, missing badly and Pettis left himself to get drilled with a powerful left hook that dropped him. Believing victory was now at hand, Dariush began unloading on Pettis with a number of big punches and with Pettis putting up no real defence, the referee was forced to step and call the fight off.

Result: Beneil Dariush beat Anthony 'Showtime' Pettis by TKO due to strikes in 4:42 of Round 1

Bantamweight: Cody Garbrandt (13-3) vs. Pedro Munhoz (19-4, 1NC)

The bad blood was evident from the beginning as neither fighter made an attempt to touch gloves, and the commentary noted that Garbrandt was determined to avenge his previous loss to Munhoz.

Garbrandt was coming forward right from the start, intent on immediately putting pressure on an opponent he clearly had no love for, as it were. And it was a strategy that paid clear dividends as Munhoz was put on the backfoot, allowing Garbrandt to use feints to great effect and set up counterpunches when Munhoz would take the bait. Garbrandt seemed to having little trouble with Munhoz, who was putting a strong defence, but seemed unable to really get going with his own offence.

And Munhoz finally paid the price when Garbrandt dropped him with a massive right hook to the jaw. Smelling blood, Garbrandt went for the kill, unleashing a rapid series of punches that destroyed Munhoz and saw the referee jumping in quickly before any unnecessary damage was done.

Never one to mince his words, Garbrandt practically demanded a fight with Dominick Cruz, the current bantamweight champion, with Garbrandt telling Cruz that he better get prepared for their confrontation.

Result: Cody 'No Love' Garbrandt beat 'The Young Punisher' Pedro Munhoz by TKO due to strikes in 3:11 of Round 1

UFC Bantamweight Champion: Dominick Cruz © (23-2) vs. Aljamain Sterling (19-3) for the UFC Bantamweight Championshp

The first round of this championship fight opened up with the champion looking to establish his dominance, Cruz wanting to stamp his authority as soon as possible. An early blow appeared to have rocked Sterling, although Cruz, perhaps out of a sense of caution for a tough foe, decided not to go for the kill. A short time later, Sterling initiated a clinch and the challenger took down the champion with a belly-to-belly suplex, with Cruz hurriedly pulling half-guard.

Sterling began working Cruz over with body punches as he figured out his next move. Meanwhile, Cruz tried to manoeuvre himself into full guard, but Sterling was having none of that and kept the champion right where he was. However, the champion had more than one trick up his sleeve, and he was able to work in an underhook which he then used to work his way up to standing position.

The two remained clinched; Cruz tried to pick Sterling up for a slam but Sterling defended against it and pulled away from Cruz as the round ended.

Despite how the first round went for him, Cruz came out very confidently for the second round and landed a quick series of punches that caught Sterling off-guard, Sterling not helped by taking a crunching right hook that followed that flurry. Understandably, Sterling tried to clinch up with Cruz, but the champion was ready and took the initiative himself and fired off another series of punches, punctuated with a roundhouse kick to the body.

Cruz continued to press the attack and Sterling was starting to have real trouble in dealing with the way Cruz was coming forward with some slick footwork. Then Cruz landed a right cross that landed flush and Sterling looked almost punch drunk as he staggered backwards; with Sterling now covering up, Cruz landed tremendous right uppercut and Sterling was now out on his feet. Cruz landed a big right hand that snapped Sterling’s head back but the referee, Mario Yamasaki made no move to step in. Cruz kept going and delivered one more big right that saw Mario Yamasaki finally decided to step in and he pulled Cruz away, leaving Sterling slumped against the cage, dazed and wobbling, and looking to be in terrible shape.

Result: Dominick Cruz beat Aljamain 'Funk Master' Sterling by TKO due to strikes in 4:06 of Round 2 to retain the UFC Bantamweight Championship

Post-Fight Bonuses

Fight of the Night: Jan Błachowicz vs. Antônio Rogério Nogueira

Performance of the Night: Jan Błachowicz

Knockout of the Night: Beneil Dariush

Submission of the Night: Corey Anderson

Fantabulous · December 27, 2020

UFC Rankings for Sunday, Week 4 of October 2020

Fantabulous · December 28, 2020

UFC to end 2020 with Conor McGregor challenging Tony Ferguson

UFC to end 2020 with Conor McGregor challenging Tony Ferguson; UFC 257 to feature a championship triple-header

Saturday of Week 4 of October 2020

The UFC is ending the year with a literal bang, with a PPV entitled Out With A Bang, as UFC 257 will be a triple-header of title fights, the biggest of which will see Tony Ferguson make the first defence of the UFC Lightweight Championship against the biggest superstar in the sport, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor.

Tony Ferguson became the first man to ever beat Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 249 and, in doing so, claimed the UFC Lightweight Championship, a title that Ferguson has been pursuing for many years. But he won’t be given an easy challenger in his first title defence, as he will be defending his hard won title against the biggest name in combat sports, the man who he is currently opposing on The Ultimate Fighter, Conor McGregor.

McGregor returned to MMA earlier in the year and delivered a stunning knockout of Justin Gaethje, and in doing so didn’t just become the first person to ever knock Gaethje out cold, but affirmed his status as the most dangerous striker in the lightweight division. Pitting Ferguson against McGregor on TUF was a prelude to a fight many considered inevitable, and it’s now official that the UFC’s final PPV of 2020 will see the charismatic superstar attempt to regain the lightweight title, yet in order to do so he must defeat the man who did what he could not, and that was beat the seemingly unbeatable Khabib Nurmagomedov.

In the co-main event is one of the hardest hitting heavyweight title fights of all time as reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic defends his title against one of the biggest power punches in the sport, ‘The Black Beast’ Derrick Lewis. Miocic regained the heavyweight crown from Daniel Cormier at UFC 241 before retaining it against Cormier in their trilogy-making fight at UFC 250. Yet, as one challenger fell by the wayside another rose to take his place, and it may be the most dangerous challenger Miocic as ever faced.

Derrick Lewis combines destructive punching power with a never-say-die attitude, a refusal to back down even when all seems lost, and that combination makes for an opponent who can never be counted out, who is always a threat no matter how the fight is going. Lewis has had a chance at the heavyweight title before, challenging Daniel Cormier at the famed Madison Square Garden. Lewis’s efforts fell short on that night but, at UFC 257, Lewis will be looking to make sure that this opportunity doesn’t slip through his fingers.

Completing the trifecta of title fights is the dominant Amanda Nunes, who will putting her UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship on the line against the next challenger tasked with the seemingly impossible challenge of wresting the title away from a champion who seems to have no peer. Stepping into the firing line is the plucky and resourceful Aspen Ladd, a challenger with all the heart in the world, and Ladd will need that heart, and every other tool at her disposal, if she hopes to overcome the apparently insurmountable challenge of Amanda Nunes.

UFC 257 also sees Khabib Nurmagomedov return to the Octagon since losing the lightweight title, and with it his unbeaten record, when he faces Kevin Lee. Lee is a potent striker, and a fighter who has survived when it seemed like he was a beaten man, and he’ll need that resilience against the formidable former champion, a former champion who may come into their fight feeling like he has something to prove.

Former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold returned from a lengthy self-imposed hiatus earlier in the year, and his first fight in over a year will see him take on Johnny Walker. Rockhold found it rough going during his first foray into the light heavyweight division, but a period of reflection may be just what Rockhold needs to find a firm footing in one of the most competitive divisions in the UFC. However, Rockhold is facing an opponent with so many weapons at his disposal, including one of the most versatile striking games in the sport, and Johnny Walker may very well spoil Rockhold’s UFC return.

Kicking the PPV off is the UFC debut of Britain’s Linton Vassell. Vassell, after having impressed on the regional circuit, has made the move to the biggest stage in the sport, the UFC, and at UFC 257, it will be Shamil Abdurakhimov who is tasked with showing whether or not Vassell truly has what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of the sport.

The biggest PPV of the year, complete with a stacked undercard, rolls into Nevada on Saturday of Week 4 of December.

Main Card

UFC Lightweight Champion: Tony Ferguson © (26-3) vs. Conor McGregor (23-4) for the UFC Lightweight Championship

UFC Heavyweight Champion: Stipe Miocic © (20-3) vs. Derrick Lewis (24-7, 1NC) for the UFC Heavyweight Championship

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion: Amanda Nunes © (20-4) vs. Aspen Ladd (10-1) for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship

Lightweight: Kevin Lee (19-6) vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov (28-1)

Light Heavyweight: Luke Rockhold (16-5) vs. Johnny Walker (19-5)

Heavyweight: Shamil Abdurakhimov (22-5) vs. Linton Vassell (21-8, 1NC)

Preliminary Card

Heavyweight: Chi Lewis-Perry (10-0, 2NC) vs. Justin Tafa (5-1)

Women’s Flyweight: Maycee Barber (9-1) vs. Emily Whitmore (4-4)

Middleweight: Oskar Piechota (12-3-1, 1NC) vs. Karl Roberson (9-3)

Middleweight: Omari Akhmedov (21-5-1) vs. Bradley Scott (12-6)

Light Heavyweight: Modestas Bukaukas (10-3) vs. William Knight (8-1)

Lightweight: Maxim Divnich (14-2) vs. Rodrigo Vargas (12-4)

Flyweight: Rogerio Bontorin (16-3) vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (13-4)

Featherweight: Steve Garcia (12-4) vs. Zubaira Tukhugov (20-4-1)

Women’s Bantamweight: Bethe Correira (12-4-1) vs. Lina Lansberg (10-6)

Welterweight: Tristan Connoly (14-7) vs. Callan Potter (19-9)

Fantabulous · December 29, 2020

Chiesa vs. Magny to headline UFC’s return to Manitoba

Chiesa vs. Magny to headline UFC’s return to Manitoba

Saturday of Week 4 of October 2020

The UFC takes the Octagon to the cold of the north, Manitoba, for a Fight Night event that will be headlined by a great fight in the welterweight division, as Michael Chiesa faces Neil Magny.

Chiesa finds himself regrouping after a tough loss to Nate Diaz back in June in another ESPN main event, but he hasn’t shied away from a challenge in his efforts to regroup, because Neil Magny is a threat to everyone in the welterweight division. Magny was himself scheduled to headline a ESPN spectacular, against Robbie Lawler in just over a week. But injury took Lawler out of the equation and, with no suitable replacement available, Magny was taken off the card, but not out of the main event position, and he’s set for another headline attraction, against a foe just as dangerous as Lawler yet one who utilizes a completely different style.

How will Magny fare now that he must face a dangerous ground fighter instead of a dangerous stand-up fighter?

The co-main event sees the ‘California Kid’ Urijah Faber finding himself far from the heat of California when he steps foot inside the Octagon, but he’ll be facing an opponent in Jimmie Rivera who will bring all the heat that Faber can handle in a bantamweight clash that will undoubtedly see the winner firmly establish themselves in the divisional top ten.

A middleweight showdown will pit Jack Hermansson against the unbeaten Edmen Shahbazyan. Shahbazyan has maintained his undefeated record against some tough competition, but can he keep that perfect record against an opponent who can provide a serious threat wherever the fight may go?

In the women’s bantamweight division, Macy Chiasson takes on former title challenger Raquel Pennington. Pennington will no doubt be trying to fight her way back to title contention, but it won’t be easy against Chiasson, who has title aspiration of her own.

Over in the women’s strawweight division, Alexa Grasso meets Amanda Ribas, while the main card kicks off with a major lightweight fight as Carlos Diego Ferreira goes up against Gregor Gillespie. Ferreira and Gillespie both find themselves edging closer towards the higher end up of the lightweight top ten, and a victory here, especially an impressive one, could see the victor needing just one more in the win column to secure themselves a shot at the lightweight crown.

A great card, and a loaded preliminary card that is headed by a bonecrushing heavyweight fight between Curtis Blaydes and Jair Rozenstruik, will touch down in Manitoba on Saturday of Week 3 of December.

Main Card

Welterweight: Michael Chiesa (17-5) vs. Neil Magny(23-7)

Bantamweight: Urijah Faber (35-11) vs. Jimmie Rivera (22-5)

Middleweight: Jack Hermansson (21-5) vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (13-0)

Women’s Bantamweight: Macy Chiasson (7-1) vs. Raquel Pennington (12-8)

Women’s Strawweight: Alexa Grasso (11-4) vs. Amanda Ribas (10-1)

Lightweight: Carlos Diego Ferreira (18-2) vs. Gregor Gillespie (15-1)

Preliminary Card

Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes (14-3, 1NC) vs. Jair Rozenstruik (11-1)

Women’s Strawweight: Cynthia Cavillo (8-2-1) vs. Yan Xiaonan (12-2, 1NC)

Women’s Flyweight: Mariya Agapova (9-1) vs. Sabina Mazo (9-1)

Welterweight: Alan Jouban (16-8) vs. Diego Lhima (15-8)

Light Heavyweight: Kildson Abreu (17-4) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (14-5)

Middleweight: Marvin Vettori (15-4-1) vs. Rodolfo Vierra (9-0-1)

Welterweight: Maki Pitolo (12-5) vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov (12-0, 1NC)

Lightweight: Christos Giagos (17-8) vs. Damir Ismagulov (19-1)

Featherweight: Gabriel Benitez (21-8) vs. T.J Brown (14-7)

Bantamweight: Raoni Barcelos (15-1) vs. Kyler Phillips (7-1)

Fantabulous · December 30, 2020

News Blast

Saturday of Week 4 of October 2020

Sunday of Week 4 of October 2020

Tuesday of Week 1 of November 2020

Wednesday of Week 1 of November 2020

Thursday of Week 1 of November 2020

Petr Yan has replaced him.

Bantamweight: Casey Kenney (15-2-1) vs. Petr Yan (15-2)

Fantabulous · January 1, 2021

News Blast

Friday of Week 1 of November 2020

Women’s Featherweight: Ariella Albright (27-8) vs. Alesha Delcastillo (26-3)

Result: ‘Rapid Fire’ Alesha Delcastillo beat ‘Queen of the Cage’ Ariella Albright by unanimous decision

Saturday of Week 1 of November 2020

From the author: UFC on ESPN 11 will be posted tomorrow night, and here is a reminder of the card for predictions, comment, etc;

UFC on ESPN 11: Gadelha vs. Jedrzejczyk III

Main Card

Women’s Strawweight: Claudia Gadhela (18-5) vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (17-5)
Lightweight: Michael Johnson (20-15) vs. Islam Makhachev (19-1)
Women’s Bantamweight: Irene Aldana (13-5) vs. Yana Kunitskaya (15-6)
Women’s Flyweight: Jessica-Rose Clark (13-5) vs. Ariane Lipski (10-6, 1NC)
Bantamweight: Raphael Assuncao (28-7) vs. Henry Cejudo (15-4)
Featherweight: Josh Emmett (15-3) vs. Sodiq Yussuf (12-1)

Preliminary Card

Light Heavyweight: Gadzhimurad Antigulov (20-7) vs. Anthony Smith (32-15)
Light Heavyweight: Marcin Prachnio (14-4) vs. Jiri Prochazka (26-4-1)
Women’s Bantamweight: Pannie Kianzad (13-6) vs. Sara McMann (12-6)
Bantamweight: Brett Johns (17-2) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (13-0)
Flyweight: David Dvorak (18-4) vs. Raulian Paiva (19-4)
Welterweight: Alex Morono (18-6, 1NC) vs. Sheldon Westcott (10-3-1)
Heavyweight: Tyler East (16-6) vs. Ben Sosoli (8-3, 2NC)
Middleweight: Punahele Soriano (8-0) vs. Antonio Braga Neto (9-4, 1NC)
Lightweight: Joe Lauzon (28-15) vs. Nik Lentz (30-11, 2NC)
Featherweight: Spike Carlyle (10-1) vs. Luis Pena (8-2)

CageRage · January 1, 2021

UFC on ESPN 11: Gadelha vs. Jedrzejczyk III

Main Card

Women’s Strawweight: Claudia Gadhela (18-5) vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (17-5)

Lightweight: Michael Johnson (20-15) vs. Islam Makhachev (19-1)

Women’s Bantamweight: Irene Aldana (13-5) vs. Yana Kunitskaya (15-6)

Women’s Flyweight: Jessica-Rose Clark (13-5) vs. Ariane Lipski (10-6, 1NC)

Bantamweight: Raphael Assuncao (28-7) vs. Henry Cejudo (15-4)

Featherweight: Josh Emmett (15-3) vs. Sodiq Yussuf (12-1)

Preliminary Card

Light Heavyweight: Gadzhimurad Antigulov (20-7) vs. Anthony Smith (32-15)

Light Heavyweight: Marcin Prachnio (14-4) vs. Jiri Prochazka (26-4-1)

Women’s Bantamweight: Pannie Kianzad (13-6) vs. Sara McMann (12-6)

Bantamweight: Brett Johns (17-2) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (13-0)

Flyweight: David Dvorak (18-4) vs. Raulian Paiva (19-4)

Welterweight: Alex Morono (18-6, 1NC) vs. Sheldon Westcott (10-3-1)

Heavyweight: Tyler East (16-6) vs. Ben Sosoli (8-3, 2NC)

Middleweight: Punahele Soriano (8-0) vs. Antonio Braga Neto (9-4, 1NC)

Lightweight: Joe Lauzon (28-15) vs. Nik Lentz (30-11, 2NC)

Featherweight: Spike Carlyle (10-1) vs. Luis Pena (8-2)

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