UFC - The Art of Fighting

[maxicheezestick]

Main Event

Heavyweight Championship Bout: © Stipe Miocic vs. (#1) Francis Ngannou

 

Co-Main Event

Featherweight Championship Bout: © Alexander Volkanovski vs. (#2) Brian Ortega

 

Main Card

Welterweight Bout: (#8) Tyron Woodley vs. (#11) Vicente Luque

 

Light Heavyweight Bout: (#11) Johnny Walker vs. (#14) Jimmy Crute

 

Bantamweight Bout: Sean O’Malley vs. Thomas Almeida

 

ESPN Preliminary Card

Lightweight Bout: Joe Lauzon vs. Lando Vannata

 

Welterweight Bout: Court McGee vs. Mickey Gall

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout: Randa Markos vs. Luana Pinheiro

 

ESPN+ Early Preliminary Card

Light Heavyweight Bout: Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Modestas Bukauskas

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout: Jessica Penne vs. Hannah Goldy

 

Featherweight Bout: Julian Erosa vs. Nate Landwehr

[McDojoDelux]

Main Event

Heavyweight Championship Bout: © Stipe Miocic vs. (#1) Francis Ngannou

 

 

Co-Main Event

Featherweight Championship Bout: © Alexander Volkanovski vs. (#2) Brian Ortega

 

 

Main Card

Welterweight Bout: (#8) Tyron Woodley vs. (#11) Vicente Luque

 

Light Heavyweight Bout: (#11) Johnny Walker vs. (#14) Jimmy Crute

 

Bantamweight Bout: Sean O’Malley vs. Thomas Almeida

 

 

ESPN Preliminary Card

Lightweight Bout: Joe Lauzon vs. Lando Vannata

 

Welterweight Bout: Court McGee vs. Mickey Gall

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout: Randa Markos vs. Luana Pinheiro

 

ESPN+ Early Preliminary Card

Light Heavyweight Bout: Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Modestas Bukauskas

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout: Jessica Penne vs. Hannah Goldy

 

Featherweight Bout: Julian Erosa vs. Nate Landwehr

[rodrigoviolim]

Main Event

Heavyweight Championship Bout: © Stipe Miocic vs. (#1) Francis Ngannou

 

 

Co-Main Event

Featherweight Championship Bout: © Alexander Volkanovski vs. (#2) Brian Ortega

 

 

Main Card

Welterweight Bout: (#8) Tyron Woodley vs. (#11) Vicente Luque

 

Light Heavyweight Bout: (#11) Johnny Walker vs. (#14) Jimmy Crute

 

Bantamweight Bout: Sean O’Malley vs. Thomas Almeida

 

 

ESPN Preliminary Card

Lightweight Bout: Joe Lauzon vs. Lando Vannata

 

Welterweight Bout: Court McGee vs. Mickey Gall

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout: Randa Markos vs. Luana Pinheiro

 

ESPN+ Early Preliminary Card

Light Heavyweight Bout: Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Modestas Bukauskas

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout: Jessica Penne vs. Hannah Goldy

 

Featherweight Bout: Julian Erosa vs. Nate Landwehr

[vladjarca]

Main Event

Heavyweight Championship Bout: © Stipe Miocic vs. (#1) Francis Ngannou

Co-Main Event

Featherweight Championship Bout: © Alexander Volkanovski vs. (#2) Brian Ortega

 

Main Card

Welterweight Bout: (#8) Tyron Woodley vs. (#11) Vicente Luque

 

Light Heavyweight Bout: (#11) Johnny Walker vs. (#14) Jimmy Crute

 

Bantamweight Bout: Sean O’Malley vs. Thomas Almeida

 

ESPN Preliminary Card

Lightweight Bout: Joe Lauzon vs. Lando Vannata

 

Welterweight Bout: Court McGee vs. Mickey Gall

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout: Randa Markos vs. Luana Pinheiro

 

ESPN+ Early Preliminary Card

Light Heavyweight Bout: Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Modestas Bukauskas

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout: Jessica Penne vs. Hannah Goldy

 

Featherweight Bout: Julian Erosa vs. Nate Landwehr

[Majster_93]

Main Event

Heavyweight Championship Bout: © Stipe Miocic vs. (#1) Francis Ngannou

 

Co-Main Event

Featherweight Championship Bout: © Alexander Volkanovski vs. (#2) Brian Ortega

 

Main Card

Welterweight Bout: (#8) Tyron Woodley vs. (#11) Vicente Luque

 

Light Heavyweight Bout: (#11) Johnny Walker vs. (#14) Jimmy Crute

 

Bantamweight Bout: Sean O’Malley vs. Thomas Almeida

 

ESPN Preliminary Card

Lightweight Bout: Joe Lauzon vs. Lando Vannata

 

Welterweight Bout: Court McGee vs. Mickey Gall

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout: Randa Markos vs. Luana Pinheiro

 

ESPN+ Early Preliminary Card

Light Heavyweight Bout: Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Modestas Bukauskas

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout: Jessica Penne vs. Hannah Goldy

 

Featherweight Bout: Julian Erosa vs. Nate Landwehr

[Luna]

Main Event

Heavyweight Championship Bout: © Stipe Miocic vs. (#1) Francis Ngannou

 

 

Co-Main Event

Featherweight Championship Bout: © Alexander Volkanovski vs. (#2) Brian Ortega

 

 

Main Card

Welterweight Bout: (#8) Tyron Woodley vs. (#11) Vicente Luque

 

Light Heavyweight Bout: (#11) Johnny Walker vs. (#14) Jimmy Crute

 

Bantamweight Bout: Sean O’Malley vs. Thomas Almeida

 

 

ESPN Preliminary Card

Lightweight Bout: Joe Lauzon vs. Lando Vannata

 

Welterweight Bout: Court McGee vs. Mickey Gall

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout: Randa Markos vs. Luana Pinheiro

 

ESPN+ Early Preliminary Card

Light Heavyweight Bout: Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Modestas Bukauskas

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout: Jessica Penne vs. Hannah Goldy

 

Featherweight Bout: Julian Erosa vs. Nate Landwehr

[Pontarii]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><img src=https://i.imgur.com/52XBiXl.png></p><p>

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/4GsGaY5.png></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>WEEK 4 - MARCH 2021</strong></span></p><p> </p><p>

<strong><span style="font-size:14px;">UFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou II</span></strong></p><p>

<strong><span style="font-size:10px;">Critical Rating: 76%</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:10px;">

Commercial Rating: 100%</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:10px;">

Profit/Loss: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:10px;"><span style="color:#008000;">$5.724.778</span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Main Event</strong></span></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Francis Ngannou def. Stipe Miocic by Knock Out (Punch) in 3:32 of Round 1 to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Co-Main Event</strong></span></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Alexander Volkanovski def. Brian Ortega by TKO (Strikes) in 1:02 of Round 5 to retain the UFC Featherweight Championship</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Main Card</strong></span></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Tyron Woodley def. Vicente Luque by Unanimous Decision </strong><strong><span style="font-size:8px;">(30-27 x3)</span></strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Jimmy Crute def. Johnny Walker by Submission (Kimura) in 4:59 of Round 1</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Sean O’Malley def. Thomas Almeida by TKO (Strikes) in 2:39 of Round 1</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ESPN Preliminary Card</strong></span></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Joe Lauzon def. Lando Vannata by Submission (Kimura) in 1:45 of Round 1</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Court McGee def. Mickey Gall by Unanimous Decision </strong><strong><span style="font-size:8px;">(30-27 x2, 29-28)</span></strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Randa Markos def. Luana Pinheiro by Split Decision </strong><strong><span style="font-size:8px;">(30-27, 29-28, 28-29)</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>ESPN+ Early Preliminary Card</strong></span></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Modestas Bukaukas def. Michal Oleksiejczuk by Unanimous Decision </strong><strong><span style="font-size:8px;">(30-27 x2, 29-28)</span></strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Jessica Penne def. Hannah Goldy by Knock Out (Knee) in 3:53 of Round 3</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Nate Landwehr def. Julian Erosa by Submission (Triangle with Armbar) in 3:04 of Round 2</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Summary</strong></span></p><p>

It’s always a special feeling when the UFC Heavyweight title is on the line as you never know what to expect. The phrase “anything can happen” is often misused and rarely accurate, but with the Heavyweights it truly is a feeling of anything can and will happen. This was certainly the aura of the UFC 260 main event featuring a much anticipated rematch between perhaps the Greatest Heavyweight of all time in Stipe Miocic and the dangerous challenger Francis Ngannou. Despite winning the first encounter between the two, the defending champion was the betting underdog heading into the fight with a +150 betting line attached to his name – something many experts questioned heading into the fight. The challenger Ngannou had undoubtedly looked incredible in his last bouts, especially against fellow top ranked fighters Curtis Blaydes and Jairzinho Rozenstruik, but to be a -100 favorite against someone like Stipe Miocic, who is the consensus Greatest UFC Heavyweight champion of all time, is nothing short than amazing, and it’s also a fact that puts a lot of pressure on the shoulders of the 34-year old. Therefore, the spotlight was firmly on the two goliaths when referee Dan Miragliotta gave his final instructions before the main event of the evening and you could feel the tension between Miocic and Ngannou when they stared into each other’s eyes. The fight started out with the two fighters feeling each other out, keeping a relatively safe distance. A few checking jabs and feints were thrown, mostly from the champion Miocic, but neither was really threatening at all. Both fighters advanced to the center of the Octagon, trading shots with the champion landing some sweet hooks while the contender looked to throw one punch knockouts as a follow-up for his few jabs. Halfway through the first round, it was clear that we were witnessing an incredibly even bout between two elite level fighters; at least it was until roughly around one and a half minute left of the first round. With Stipe shooting for the first takedown of the bout, Francis telegraphed the tactic and landed one of the nastiest uppercuts we’ve ever witnessed in the history of the UFC that knocked the champion out completely out cold. No more punches were needed as Miragliotta acknowledged the situation and waved off the fight immediately, thus making the Cameroonian-French Francis Ngannou the new UFC Heavyweight Champion of the world. It’s an astonishing accomplishment for “The Predator” considering he’s only been in the sport for less than eight years and you can only imagine how far the new champion can go in his still young career. Ngannou wasted no time after the title win, calling out the Heavyweight newcomer and perhaps the best athlete to ever grace the Octagon in Jon "Bones" Jones for his first title defense this summer.</p><p> </p><p>

The UFC Featherweight title was also on the line during the UFC 260-event as the champion Alexander Volkanovski defended it against the challenger Brian Ortega. A close fight was expected according to the betting lines as the Australian was the slight betting favorite with a -100 betting line while Ortega came in to the bout as a +100 underdog, and close it was. Using his superior BJJ skills, Ortega dominated the first round with calculated, tactical takedowns and slick grappling against the powerful, stocky Volkanovski that unquestionably surprised the champion. With confident oozing after a clear advantage on the scorecards, the 30-year old challenger continued his early dominance with a quick takedown and control on the ground but without any advancing in positioning, the referee Mark Smith stood the fighters up. As Ortega looked for another takedown, the champion Volkanovski calculated it and stuffed it with excellent sprawl. This in turn gave the Australian a dangerous position as he transitioned to take the back of Ortega, from which he inflicted great damage on the challenger with heavy strikes. It wasn’t enough to put Ortega away that time, but it certainly was enough to earn him the round in the eyes of the judges. It was also the turning point of the fight since Volkanovski took over the fight completely, utilizing both effective leg strikes and even taking Ortega down followed by pressuring punches both in third and the fourth round. The only dangerous moment the champion found himself in after the two first rounds was late in the fourth when a clash of heads opened up a deep cut above the left eye on Volkanovski, which could potentially be a fight-ender but the Octagon doctor thankfully deemed the cut not worthy of a stoppage in-between the fourth and fifth round. One minute and two seconds later, the bout was all over as Alexander Volkanovski knocked Ortega down with a straight jab and followed up with indefensible strikes which forced the referee Mark Smith to end the fight. Securing his second title defense since winning the title, Alexander Volkanovski celebrated with his teammates and used the post-fight interview with Joe Rogan to both welcome any worthy challengers as well as teasing a potential move up to the Lightweight division to become a simultaneous double champion. With Khabib Nurmagomedov seemingly retired, a potential title bout featuring Alexander Volkanovski would not be unthinkable, even though there’s many deserving Lightweights standing in his way of this potential move. For the challenger Ortega, this was a heartbreaking moment as he was unsuccessful in his second title opportunity in the Featherweight division. With a teary demeanor the 30-year old said that "perhaps it's time to step away from the sport and reevaluate my position in the sport", which opened questions regarding a potential early retirement, a lengthy hiatus or maybe even a change of weight class for "T-City".</p><p> </p><p>

The former Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley returned to winning ways after losing three straight fights, dominating the Brazilian Vicente Luque in a clear Unanimous Decision victory. It wasn’t a particularly pretty win, but it was a clear and controlled victory for “T-Wood” who refused a callout after the fight saying that “he still needs to work on things in his game before calling someone out”. During the main card portion, we witnessed big victories for two of the biggest prospects in Sean O’Malley, who finished the Brazilian Thomas Almeida, and Jimmy Crute, who submitted Johnny Walker with one second left of the first round. While the prospects got their shine there, it was the experienced fighters that reigned supreme during the prelims where veterans Joe Lauzon, Court McGee, and Jessica Penne defeated their younger counterparts. To summarize, UFC 260 certainly lived up to the hype and will most likely be held as one of the best events of the year when 2021 comes to an end.</p><p> </p><p>

After the event had ended, UFC announced that they had released Thomas Almeida after losing his fourth straight bout. The 29-year old went 5-5 in the company, but 1-5 in his last six bouts including losses against Cody Garbrandt, Rob Font and, as previously mentioned, Sean O’Malley. Almeida himself thanked UFC for his tenure and made a promise to return to the company in the future, which is not unlikely for the Bantamweight who once went 21-0 in his professional MMA career.</p><p> </p><p>

<span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Bonus Awards</strong></span></p><p>

<strong><span style="font-size:10px;">Fight of the Night: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:10px;">

Performance of the Night: Francis Ngannou, Jimmy Crute, and Jessica Penne</span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/8oB5evv.png</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Prediction Table</span></strong></span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;">

vladjarca = 9 out of 11</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;">

McDojoDelux = 9 out of 11</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;">

CageRage = 8 out of 11</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;">

maxicheezestick = 7 out of 11</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;">

Majster_93 = 7 out of 11</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;">

Luna = 7 out of 11</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;">

rodrigoviolim = 5 out of 11</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;">

</span></em></p></div><p></p>

[McDojoDelux]

<div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">I know I predicted Francis to beat him but Stipe getting knocked out cold in the 1st hurt not gonna lie, but at least a potential super fight between Jones and Ngannou is on the table. I Hope Miocic retires though as I only see him getting KO'd even worse from here on out. On the bright side from 3 out of 11 to 9 out of 11 on my predictions </div><img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p>

[Pontarii]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="McDojoDelux" data-cite="McDojoDelux" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="52654" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">I know I predicted Francis to beat him but Stipe getting knocked out cold in the 1st hurt not gonna lie, but at least a potential super fight between Jones and Ngannou is on the table. I Hope Miocic retires though as I only see him getting KO'd even worse from here on out. On the bright side from 3 out of 11 to 9 out of 11 on my predictions </div><img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> For me who predicted a Stipe victory, it was quite the shocker to see him getting one punch knocked out in the first round. Credit to Francis though, with him as champion it opens up a lot of great and interesting fights in a booking perspective. Francis vs. Jones, the trilogy against Stipe, fighting his friend and teammate Gane, the rematch against Derrick Lewis e.t.c. The only person beside Stipe that this doesn't benefit is Curtis Blaydes, hard to justify a trilogy fight with the two one-sided fights in their previous two bouts <img alt=":o" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/redface.png.900245280682ef18c5d82399a93c5827.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> Great job on the predictions, McDojo! Way to bounce back after the not-so-great predictions in the last event <img alt=":rolleyes:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/rolleyes.png.4b097f4fbbe99ce5bcd5efbc1b773ed6.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> And as always, thank you for the comment, it's always appreciated!</p>

[Pontarii]

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/52XBiXl.png>

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/4GsGaY5.png>

 

RANKINGS UPDATE - FEBRUARY & MARCH

 

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/Y6ooKlx.png>

 

[Pontarii]

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/52XBiXl.png>

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/4GsGaY5.png>

 

WEEK 4 - MARCH 2021

UFC News Announcement

 

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/KmQbWjA.png>

 

TUF 29: Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington confirmed as coaches for series return

 

Fans of the iconic MMA show The Ultimate Fighter, also known as TUF, received a late Christmas present from the UFC President Dana White this week as it was finally announced which fighters would coach the upcoming return of the series. No other than Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal (35-14) and Colby “Chaos” Covington (16-2) will lead their respective teams this spring in the highly anticipated return of the show that has produced some of the biggest names in the history of the sport. Rumors about the season and the coaches has been brewing ever since Dana White announced the 29th season of the show back in late October of last year, and it was no secret that the UFC wanted two big names to attract the fans.

 

“Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington was always our number one choices for the coaching spots this season. The animosity, hatred and despise this guys have for each other are on another level. They went from being training partners, friends and even roommates at one point to having perhaps the fiercest rivalry in all of MMA today, which undoubtedly will spill over on to the show. Not only is it bad blood between them, they are also two of the best fighters in the world with Masvidal being the number three ranked Welterweight and Colby being the number one ranked behind the champion [Kamaru] Usman. It’s a big fight not only for the show, but for the future landscape of the Welterweight division”, said Dana White during the official announcement.

 

Both Masvidal and Covington took to social media after the news broke and proclaim their intentions. “The day of reckoning is upon us. I will baptize this motherf*cker so bad, he will pay for everything he has said and done. Don’t blink”, tweeted Masvidal while Covington poured his part of gasoline onto the fire that is their rivalry; “Remember when you cried about losing to a 40-year old Demian Maia? Remember when I destroyed him and you showed your jealousy? Remember when I rag dolled you for an hour at ATT? Remember when you never won one second in one round against me in the eight years we trained together? I remember, and so do you”, wrote Covington in an Instagram post referring to when the two was training at American Top Team a few years ago.

 

The season will feature 16 fighters from the Middleweight division around the world with the minimum demand of 2 wins in 3 professional fights. UFC made the decision to only focus purely on one weight class per season to toughen the road to the final, in contrast to many previous seasons in which two divisions are featured with 8 fighters in each. “We believe this is the way to go to determining the true best fighter of the bunch”, said Dana White in a press release. Fighters like Kamaru Usman, Tony Ferguson, Nate Diaz, and T.J. Dillashaw as well as retired icons like Rashad Evans, Forrest Griffin, and Michael Bisping got their UFC start on the show which certainly puts the importance and value of TUF in high regards and therefor it’s a big opportunity for glory for the sixteen lucky men who qualify for the show later in the spring.

 

The Ultimate Season 29: Team Gamebred vs. Team Chaos are expected to take place in late April or early May.

 

[Pontarii]

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<img src=https://i.imgur.com/4GsGaY5.png>

 

WEEK 1 - APRIL 2021

USADA Athlete Sanctions

 

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/yluMj3o.png>

 

Breaking News: Nate Landwehr suspended 1 year for USADA Violation, victory over Julian Erosa overturned

 

The lively and charismatic UFC Featherweight Nate “The Train” Landwehr (14-3-1 NC) has been suspended for one year following his first USADA Violation, according to the UFC’s official website as well as USADA’s official website. The former M-1 Featherweight champion tested positive for the banned substance anastrozole in a post-fight drug test following his Submission victory over Julian Erosa at UFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou II, a victory that will now be overturned to a No Contest. The world’s leading anti-doping testing agency USADA released the following statement on its website;

 

“USADA announced today that Nate Landwehr, of Clarksville, TN., has been given a one-year sanction for a violation of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy. Landwehr, 32, tested positive for anastrozole as the result of a sample collected in-competition at UFC 260 on Mar 27, 2021. Anastrozole is a Specified Substance in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators and is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and UFC Prohibited List. Landwehr’s one-year period of ineligibility began on March 27, 2021, the date his positive sample was collected”.

 

According to the man in question, this is not something he did on purpose and he’s looking at the possibility of suing the supplement company at fault. “I am as innocent as a man can get, don't even ask me about that bs. I have never cheated in my life, hell I even despise the ones who do that kind of shit. This is clearly a tainted supplement issue in which someone has to take accountability for because this has destroyed part of my reputation unjustifiably. I, my manager and a team of investigators we’ve hired will look into this and see who’s at fall, and believe me when I say that they will pay for this. I wholeheartedly deny any involvement with this crap. I am a clean fighter. You haven’t heard the last word about this situation, I guarantee you that”, said Nate Landwehr during an interview with Ariel Helwani following the suspension announcement.

 

Nate Landwehr will be eligible for return March 27, 2022.

 

[Pontarii]

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WEEK 1 - APRIL 2021

DWCS Preview

 

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/lryVCdI.png>

 

Former UFC-fighters José Torres and Joseph Morales this Tuesday's DWCS 41 four-fight card

 

The highly anticipated Dana White Contender's Series returns this Tuesday for its 41th show, taking place at the Apex Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada as always. This will be the second episode of 2021 with the first one taking place back in the first week of March, in which we saw the undefeated Bantamweight sensation Khusein "Lion" Askhabov score his 24th professional career win that ultimately earned him a lucrative three fight-deal with the organization. We also saw Lupita "Loopy" Godinez, the then LFA Women's Strawweight Champion, win her bout against the tough prospect Valesca Machado, which also earned the the undefeated Mexican fighter her spot on the roster. Other winners included Theo Christakos, Fernie Garcia and Tony Laramie but their performances didn't warrant a UFC-contract this time.

 

Episode 41 will feature a Flyweight headliner between two former UFC-fighters that was part of the infamous "Flyweight purge" the company was issuing following the Demetrious Johnson/Ben Askren-trade back in 2018. Jose "Shorty" Torres (9-1-1) and Joseph "Bopo" Morales (9-2) has been granted a way to earn back their spot on the roster, which would definitely strengthen the rather shallow Flyweight division. Torres has defeated the current 13 ranked Amir Albazi before Albazi signed with the UFC while Morales has had several bouts being cancelled and postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic since getting released from the company. It's a great opportunity for both fighters and perhaps it's also a signal from the UFC that we can expect more ex UFC-fighters to get another opportunity of getting signed with the world's leading MMA organization.

 

Co-main event of DWCS episode 41 will be an interesting Heavyweight bout between the current LFA Heavyweight Champion Brett "Big Dog" Martin (9-1) and the M1-Global veteran Oleg Popov (10-1). With the Heavyweight division needing some new and exciting talents, it's an intriguing bout between the 26-year old American Martin and the 28-year old Russian Popov in which the former is the slight betting favourite. Martin has a wide variety of finishes on his records, both in KO/TKO and Submissions, while Popov is a classic KO-artist even though his last victory over Sergey Alekseevich was via a Triangle Choke. This was Popov's first Submission victory in his 6 year long professional MMA career.

 

Two other bouts fills up the 4-fight card; one of the brightest Brazilian Bantamweight prospects Herbeth "Indio" Reus de Sousa (15-1) will face the 29-year old Bantamweight Justin Wetzell (6-1), who is currently signed to the UFC-affiliated organization LFA. Despite being 2 years younger than his upcoming opponent, Reus de Sousa has more than double the experience over the American Wetzell and is the clear betting favourite with a -200 betting line, but considering that both fighters is riding a 5-fight win streak it's a close one to predict. The fourth and final bout of this Tuesday evening is a Women's Strawweight bout between Magdalena Sormova (10-3), who is from the Czech Republic, and Patricia "El Angel" Alujas (7-2), who is from Paraguay. Sormova is six years older than Alujas but the odds makers has the younger Paraguayan as the slight favourite.

 

Main Event

Flyweight Bout: Jose Torres vs. Joseph Morales

 

Co-Main Event

Heavyweight Bout: Brett Martin vs. Oleg Popov

 

Main Card

Bantamweight Bout: Herbeth Reis de Sousa vs. Justin Wetzell

 

Women's Strawweight Bout: Magdalena Sormova vs. Patricia Alujas

 

[maxicheezestick]

Main Event

Flyweight Bout: Jose Torres vs. Joseph Morales

 

Co-Main Event

Heavyweight Bout: Brett Martin vs. Oleg Popov

 

Main Card

Bantamweight Bout: Herbeth Reis de Sousa vs. Justin Wetzell

 

Women's Strawweight Bout: Magdalena Sormova vs. Patricia Alujas

[vladjarca]

Main Event

Flyweight Bout: Jose Torres vs. Joseph Morales

 

Co-Main Event

Heavyweight Bout: Brett Martin vs. Oleg Popov

 

Main Card

Bantamweight Bout: Herbeth Reis de Sousa vs. Justin Wetzell

 

Women's Strawweight Bout: Magdalena Sormova vs. Patricia Alujas

[Majster_93]

<p>Main Event</p><p>

Flyweight Bout: <strong>Jose Torres</strong> vs. Joseph Morales</p><p> </p><p>

Co-Main Event</p><p>

Heavyweight Bout: <strong>Brett Martin</strong> vs. Oleg Popov</p><p> </p><p>

Main Card</p><p>

Bantamweight Bout: <strong>Herbeth Reis de Sousa</strong> vs. Justin Wetzell</p><p> </p><p>

Women's Strawweight Bout: Magdalena Sormova vs. <strong>Patricia Alujas</strong></p>

[CageRage]

<p>Main Event</p><p>

Flyweight Bout: Jose Torres vs. <strong>Joseph Morales</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Co-Main Event</p><p>

Heavyweight Bout:<strong> Brett Martin</strong> vs. Oleg Popov</p><p> </p><p>

Main Card</p><p>

Bantamweight Bout: <strong>Herbeth Reis de Sousa</strong> vs. Justin Wetzell</p><p> </p><p>

Women's Strawweight Bout: Magdalena Sormova vs. <strong>Patricia Alujas</strong></p>

[Pontarii]

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/52XBiXl.png>

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/4GsGaY5.png>

 

WEEK 1 - APRIL 2021

 

DWCS 41

 

Main Event

Joseph Morales def. Jose Torres by Submission (D’Arce Choke) in 4:15 of Round 3

 

Co-Main Event

Brett Martin def. Oleg Popov by TKO (Strikes) in 0:56 of Round 1

 

Main Card

Herbeth Reis de Sousa def. Justin Wetzell by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)

 

Patricia Alujas def. Magdalena Sormova by Knock Out (Kick) in 3:03 of Round 3

 

Summary

Dana White’s Contender Series season five is well and truly under way in search for the next big talents in MMA. The second episode of the season featured four fights with the headliner consisting of two former UFC-fighters fighting for a second chance in the promotion as Jose Torres and Joseph Morales met inside the Apex Centre's Octagon. The two Flyweights was vocal about wanting to be part of the best organization in the world again, but only one would do enough to secure a return in the three round main eventer. After two close rounds in which Torres won the first and Morales won the second, it was a Tony Ferguson-esque D’Arce Choke that secured the victory for the 26-year old Joseph “Bopo” Morales with only 45 seconds left of the bout. UFC-president Dana White loved the finish and awarded Morales a new contract with the company, which brought Morales to tears as this was his dream all along. “To get a second chance with the UFC after the worst period of my life is nothing short than amazing and I want to thank Dana and everyone for this opportunity. I won’t let you down”, said Morales following the earned contract. For Torres, who arguably was winning the fight up until the finish, it was truly a heartbreaking moment but "Shorty" is still young and has many years left in his professional career so this is most likely not the last time we'll see him at this level. Two other fighters also earned contracts tonight. Heavyweight Brett Martin, who finished Oleg Popov early in the first round with hard-hitting shots, and Women’s Strawweight Patricia Alujas, who scored a big head kick knockout in the third round on Magdalena Sormova, was rewarded with UFC-contracts after their impressive victories. For the Brazilian Herbeth Reis de Sousa, it was a good showing against a tough and durable opponent in Justin Wetzell that gave him the Ultimate Decision victory, but it wasn’t enough to warrant a UFC-contract this time around.

 

Contracts Awarded

Joseph Morales – Flyweight

Brett Martin – Heavyweight

Patricia Alujas - Women's Strawweight

 

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/LH8OFUw.png

 

 

Prediction Table

CageRage = 4 out of 4

Majster_93 = 3 out of 4

vladjarca = 2 out of 4

maxicheezestick = 2 out of 4

[Pontarii]

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/52XBiXl.png>

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/4GsGaY5.png>

 

WEEK 1 - APRIL 2021

UFC Event Announcement

 

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/NRTrI7u.png>

 

UFC 261 officially announced including two title fights, Weili vs. Namajunas main events

 

After some speculations, UFC has finally announced that UFC 261 will take place at the Apex Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada at the end of April. The event had been scheduled for a while but no official confirmations about the featured bouts had been named, at least that was until today when the company announced through social media that the event will be headlined by a much-anticipated Women’s Strawweight title bout between the defending champion Weili Zhang (21-1) and the former champion “Thug” Rose Namajunas (9-4). The 31-year old Chinese title holder has made a huge impact during her short but eventful UFC career, scoring victories over former champions Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Jessica Andrade, and many has named Weili as the best Women’s Strawweight fighter of all time, a big accomplishment this early in her career. Standing in front of her is none other than Rose Namajunas, who also have victories over Jessica Andrade and Joanna Jedrzejczyk twice. One of the most popular female fighters of all time, Namajunas has overcome many obstacles in her life and career before earning gold in UFC a few years back. She eventually lost the title to the Brazilian powerhouse Jessica Andrade, a loss many see as a fluke. So when she finally got her rematch against her former foe and avenged it, Namajunas was the clear number one contender for Weili’s title. The early betting lines have this fight as close at it can realistically get, with both fighters standing at -100 odds and it’s certainly one of, if not the most hard to pick Women’s Strawweight title bout in UFC history. Can Weili Zhang continue her reign as champion or will “Thug” Rose add another enormous win on her record and reclaim the strap?

 

As if the Women’s Strawweight title wasn’t enough, the Flyweight title will also be defended at UFC 261 when champion Deiveson Figueiredo (20-1-1) puts his belt on the line in the rematch against the unorthodox Mexican volume striker Brandon “The Assassin Baby” Moreno (18-5-2). This will be the second time in four months these two fighters will face off inside the Octagon with the first one ending in a Majority Draw back at UFC 256 in December of 2020, in which the champion was deducted a point due to groin strikes in round 3. Moreno put on a great effort and came relatively close to winning the title on some occasions in their first bout, but Figueiredo left Las Vegas that night still the champion making his second title defence in less than a month as the rules state that the championship is rewarded to the champion in case of a draw. As expected, a rematch was quickly negotiated by the UFC and the fighters and therefor, it’s finally taking place as the co-headliner for UFC 261. With the undefeated Askar Askarov waiting in line for the next title shot, it will most certainly be interesting to see if he gets to face the Brazilian Deiveson Figueiredo or perhaps a rematch against Brandon Moreno, who he has faced once earlier in a Split Draw two years ago in Moreno’s UFC-return following a year away from the company.

 

The rest of the card is also filled with exciting matchups that will have great impact on the rankings of each division. A Light Heavyweight bout between the number four ranked former title challenger Dominick Reyes (12-2) and the number six ranked former Rizin Light Heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka (27-3-1) will be contested inside the Octagon and the winner has a big claim of either earning a shot at the title or at least earning a title eliminator against the number two ranked Aleksandar Rakic, that’s if the UFC will go on the Israel Adesanya vs. Glover Teixeira-route many predict them to take. We’ll also see a rematch eleven years in the making when the former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman (15-5) takes on the former TUF 17-runner up Uriah Hall (16-9). Weidman handed Uriah his first professional loss back in 2010 at Ring of Combat and the two has been rumoured to cross paths ever since without it coming to fruition, at least until now. Hall is on his best streak in his 16-fight UFC-career with three wins over the likes of Anderson Silva and Antonio Carlos Junior while Weidman recently return to the Middleweight division with a win over Omari Akhmedov following a disappointing Light Heavyweight run in which he was finished by no other than his UFC 261-colleague Dominick Reyes. A win is much needed for both fighters with Weidman trying to reclaim his title and Hall aiming for one final run at the same belt. Last but not least, a great Lightweight scrap between Gregor Gillespie (13-1) and the 42-year old veteran Francisco Trinaldo (26-7) opens up the main portion of the event. Gillespie is returning to the Octagon following his first professional career loss to Kevin Lee back at UFC 244 that ended in a hellacious head kick knockout, and the man they call “The Gift”, who has a notable victory in NCAA Wrestling over top-ranked Michael Chandler, is looking to show the world why he was named as a potential future champion. For Trinaldo, this is a big opportunity to end his long and storied career with a scalp against a highly touted prospect, although the Brazilian veteran has said he "may have a few more fights in him".

 

Main Event

Women’s Strawweight Championship Bout: © Weili Zhang vs. (#1) Rose Namajunas

 

Co-Main Event

Flyweight Championship Bout: © Deiveson Figueiredo vs. (#1) Brandon Moreno

 

Main Card

Light Heavyweight Bout: (#4) Dominick Reyes vs. (#6) Jiri Prochazka

 

Middleweight Bout: (#11) Chris Weidman vs. (#9) Uriah Hall

 

Lightweight Bout: (#15) Gregor Gillespie vs. Francisco Trinaldo

 

[McDojoDelux]

The main and co-main are two potential fight of the year contenders if they both live up to the hype plus the rest of the card has some pretty appealing fights too. This could be a card of the year contender at least on paper it is, can't come soon enough.

[Pontarii]

The main and co-main are two potential fight of the year contenders if they both live up to the hype plus the rest of the card has some pretty appealing fights too. This could be a card of the year contender at least on paper it is, can't come soon enough.

 

I 100% agree with you, a rather stacked card with many interesting fights especially with the two headliners. I haven't played it yet, but I have a good feeling about it living up to the hype.

[Pontarii]

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/52XBiXl.png>

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/4GsGaY5.png>

 

WEEK 2 - APRIL 2021

UFC Event Preview

 

<img src=https://i.imgur.com/MBaobX7.png>

 

Marvin Vettori: “My destiny is to avenge the Split Decision loss to fake champion Adesanya and become the new UFC Middleweight champion”

 

The “Italian Dream” Marvin Vettori (16-4-1), who headlines this Saturday’s UFC on ESPN-event against the former Welterweight title challenger Darren Till (18-3-1), has been very vocal about his distain of the current Middleweight champion as well as the double champion Israel Adesanya. During the UFC on FOX: Poirier vs. Gaethje-event back in 2018, the champion scored a Split Decision victory over the current number five ranked Middleweight Marvin Vettori in his closest bout to date, and many including Vettori himself argues that the judging in that fight was biased towards the then highly touted prospect Israel Adesanya.

 

“He [israel Adesanya] was the big up-and-coming guy, who transitioned into MMA from Glory kickboxing and he was marketed as the next big thing. Undefeated and everything the UFC could ask for, you know. They put me up against him in his second bout to try and make him a star on my expense, but I wasn’t having it. I promised myself to end him right there and I truly believe that I did just that. In my eyes, I dominated him for two rounds and was the clear winner and one judge agreed with that assessment, but the other two didn’t. How? I don’t know. You can re-watch that fight 100 times and most people that aren’t kissing that fake champion’s ass say I won it. But it is what it is, he won and became the champion, which is good for him I guess but it won’t last a long time. After I beat the loud-mouth Darren Till this Saturday, I will rematch Adesanya and avenge the Split Decision loss. It’s my destiny. I will bring home the UFC Middleweight title back to Italy for a big celebration you’ve never seen before”, said Marvin Vettori during the pre-fight press conference.

 

His opponent this Saturday, the enormously popular Darren Till said during the same pre-fight press conference that Marvin Vettori is “only a stepping stone in his path to gold” and that he has his eyes firmly set on the champion. “The fight against Israel Adesanya is happening next after I beat Marvin [Vettori] this Saturday. It’s not a question of “if”, it’s a question of “when”. No one can deny me that fight, not Marvin, not Israel, not the UFC, no one. It’s all fun and entertaining on social media and before fights, but when it’s time to go, I deliver every single time”, said Till to the journalists heading into this Saturday’s main event.

 

The rest of the card is filled with potentially entertaining bouts as the prospects take centre stage at the Apex Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada. Featherweights Arnold Allen (16-1) and Sodiq Yusuff (11-1) co-headlines the event in a "clash of styles" type of bout that most certainly will have a big impact on the wide-open division. It would not come as a surprise if the eventual winner would be granted a top 5-ranked opponent in their next bout, provided that the victory itself is an impressive one. The number seven ranked Englishman Allen is the close betting favourite against the Nigerian Yusuff with the line coming in at -150 against +100- The biggest favourite on the main portion of the event is the Serra-Luongo standout Merab Dvalishvili (12-4) with his -300 betting line against the +250 underdog Cody Stamann (19-3-1).

 

UFC on ESPN: Till vs. Vettori, which also features names like Mackenzie Dern (10-1) against the returning Nina Ansaroff (10-6) and the undefeated prospect Sean Brady (13-0) versus the tough Jake Matthews (17-4) looks like this;

 

Main Event

Middleweight Bout: (#4) Darren Till vs. (#5) Marvin Vettori

 

Co-Main Event

Featherweight Bout: (#7) Arnold Allen vs. (#10) Sodiq Yusuff

 

Main Card

Bantamweight Bout: (#12) Merab Dvalishvili vs. (#13) Cody Stamann

 

Women's Strawweight Bout: (#6) Nina Ansaroff vs. (#12) Mackenzie Dern

 

Welterweight Bout: Sean Brady vs. Jake Matthews

 

ESPN2 Preliminary Card

Flyweight Bout: (#11) Tim Elliott vs. Jordan Espinosa

 

Middleweight Bout: Zak Cummings vs. Sam Alvey

 

Heavyweight Bout: Yorgan de Castro vs. Jarjis Danho

 

Lightweight Bout: John Makdessi vs. Ignacio Bahamondes

 

Middleweight Bout: Kyle Daukaus vs. Aliashkhab Khizriev

 

Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Norma Dumont vs. Bea Malecki

 

Featherweight Bout: Jordan Griffin vs. Luis Saldana

 

[CageRage]

Main Event

Middleweight Bout: (#4) Darren Till vs. (#5) Marvin Vettori

 

Co-Main Event

Featherweight Bout: (#7) Arnold Allen vs. (#10) Sodiq Yusuff

 

Main Card

Bantamweight Bout: (#12) Merab Dvalishvili vs. (#13) Cody Stamann

 

Women's Strawweight Bout: (#6) Nina Ansaroff vs. (#12) Mackenzie Dern

 

Welterweight Bout: Sean Brady vs. Jake Matthews

 

ESPN2 Preliminary Card

Flyweight Bout: (#11) Tim Elliott vs. Jordan Espinosa

 

Middleweight Bout: Zak Cummings vs. Sam Alvey

 

Heavyweight Bout: Yorgan de Castro vs. Jarjis Danho

 

Lightweight Bout: John Makdessi vs. Ignacio Bahamondes

 

Middleweight Bout: Kyle Daukaus vs. Aliashkhab Khizriev

 

Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Norma Dumont vs. Bea Malecki

 

Featherweight Bout: Jordan Griffin vs. Luis Saldana

[vladjarca]

Main Event

Middleweight Bout: (#4) Darren Till vs. (#5) Marvin Vettori

 

Co-Main Event

Featherweight Bout: (#7) Arnold Allen vs. (#10) Sodiq Yusuff

 

Main Card

Bantamweight Bout: (#12) Merab Dvalishvili vs. (#13) Cody Stamann

 

Women's Strawweight Bout: (#6) Nina Ansaroff vs. (#12) Mackenzie Dern

 

Welterweight Bout: Sean Brady vs. Jake Matthews

 

ESPN2 Preliminary Card

Flyweight Bout: (#11) Tim Elliott vs. Jordan Espinosa

 

Middleweight Bout: Zak Cummings vs. Sam Alvey

 

Heavyweight Bout: Yorgan de Castro vs. Jarjis Danho

 

Lightweight Bout: John Makdessi vs. Ignacio Bahamondes

 

Middleweight Bout: Kyle Daukaus vs. Aliashkhab Khizriev

 

Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Norma Dumont vs. Bea Malecki

 

Featherweight Bout: Jordan Griffin vs. Luis Saldana

[McDojoDelux]

Main Event

Middleweight Bout: (#4) Darren Till vs. (#5) Marvin Vettori

 

Co-Main Event

Featherweight Bout: (#7) Arnold Allen vs. (#10) Sodiq Yusuff

 

Main Card

Bantamweight Bout: (#12) Merab Dvalishvili vs. (#13) Cody Stamann

 

Women's Strawweight Bout: (#6) Nina Ansaroff vs. (#12) Mackenzie Dern

 

Welterweight Bout: Sean Brady vs. Jake Matthews

 

 

ESPN2 Preliminary Card

Flyweight Bout: (#11) Tim Elliott vs. Jordan Espinosa

 

Middleweight Bout: Zak Cummings vs. Sam Alvey

 

Heavyweight Bout: Yorgan de Castro vs. Jarjis Danho

 

Lightweight Bout: John Makdessi vs. Ignacio Bahamondes

 

Middleweight Bout: Kyle Daukaus vs. Aliashkhab Khizriev

 

Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Norma Dumont vs. Bea Malecki

 

Featherweight Bout: Jordan Griffin vs. Luis Saldana