The UFC is finalizing a welterweight fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Nate Diaz to headline UFC 279 on Sept. 10, UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell told ESPN on Tuesday. Contracts have not been signed, but both fighters have verbally agreed to the matchup and date according to Campbell. UFC 279 will take place at … Read more
In October, the UFC lightweight championship is officially up for grabs in Abu Dhabi. The vacant 155-pound title will have former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira fighting Islam Makhachev for the strap. Oliveira, who recently earned the ESPY for MMA fighter of the year, has won 11 consecutive bouts, including the past 10 by way of … Read more
One moment, Brian Ortega was bringing the fight into his world. The next moment, Yair Rodriguez was celebrating. But it wasn’t the thrilling finish the sellout crowd of 16,979 fans at UBS Arena hoped for from the UFC’s return to Long Island, as a suspected Ortega shoulder dislocation secured Rodriguez a first-round TKO after just … Read more
What were the biggest moments at UFC Fight Night in Long Island? Marc Raimondi and Jeff Wagenheim offer up their takeaways from a fun-filled event in Elmont, New York. There is plenty to unpack from a disappointing UFC Long Island main event. How does Yair Rodriguez’s victory following a Brian Ortega injury affect the UFC … Read more
The UFC has booked a lightweight title fight between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev to headline UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The UFC 280 pay-per-view event takes place on Oct. 22 at Etihad Arena. Officials announced the lightweight contest Saturday. Officially, the fight will be for the UFC’s vacant 155-pound title, although … Read more
LAS VEGAS — Rafael Fiziev proved to be one step ahead of Rafael dos Anjos over the course of four lightweight rounds on Saturday. And then in the fifth, he put the former champion away for good measure. Fiziev (12-1) continued his ascent of the UFC’s lightweight rankings with a blistering, left hook knockout 18 … Read more
UFC’s resident cowboy is hanging it up. After 55 fights in MMA and the second-most wins in UFC history (23), UFC legend Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone has decided to retire. Cerrone, 39, has fought some of the best that the UFC has had to offer like, Conor McGregor, Rafael Dos Anjos, Justin Gaethje, Leon Edwards, and … Read more
Earlier this week, Israel Adesanya had an epiphany. Pro wrestling theme songs are a constant part of his workout soundtrack. He enjoys the music, particularly from the vaunted era of the late 90’s that featured “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Rock, D-Generation X and The Undertaker. Remembering those awe-inspiring entrances from The Undertaker, Adesanya decided … Read more
LAS VEGAS — Pedro Munhoz suffered a right corneal abrasion from an accidental eye poke by Sean O’Malley at UFC 276 on Saturday night, Munhoz told ESPN on Sunday. Munhoz said he was taken to the hospital after the fight, which ended in a no-contest in the second round when he could not continue because … Read more
LAS VEGAS — In a clinical, albeit unspectacular, performance, Israel Adesanya outpointed Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision to retain his middleweight title in the main event of UFC 276 on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena. The judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46 and 50-45. Adesanya’s superiority in striking was evident throughout the bout. Cannonier landed … Read more