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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Our weekend show with Bryan was up last night and we did a show Friday night with Garrett looking at the business, where it is today, and where it looks to be going. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night to talk Raw and the latest news.
We’re doing weekend polls for both last night’s UFC 270 and tonight’s GCW show from the Hammerstein Ballroom. You can leave a thumbs up, down or middle, along with a best and worst match for each show to [email protected]. We’re looking for reports from tonight’s WWE show in Huntington, WV to [email protected]
Lots of news coming out of last night’s UFC show. Dana White refused to get into the ring and put the belt on Francis Ngannou after his win. Mick Maynard had to do that. White also didn’t attend the press conference. Ngannou talked negatively about White at the press conference. Ngannou’s contract expired, but there was a champion’s clause in the contract that can be extended for three more dates. Ngannou was asked on the broadcast about boxing and said that he wanted to box. Tyson Fury wrote to him saying, “If you want to make some real money come see the GK (Gypsy King).” Ngannou made $600,000 as a base purse and he has previously said he won’t fight for that amount again. Fury earned about $30 million for his last fight. Top Rank President Todd duBoef called making the fight a no-brainer. But if Ngannou is still under any contract with UFC, which he would be, such a fight would need UFC approval.
There are people looking at Ngannou challenging the champion’s clause, or using his knee injury which is legit as a reason to stay one for one year and not fight. What Ngannou does next will be very interesting but he would get killed by Fury in a boxing match, but he’d also make the kind of money he wants to make, and at his age, that would be a move to make. It’s really sad when UFC runs with the idea of making so ridiculous profits that their top stars can make more fighting boxers than defending their world titles.
As far as the judging, in Ngannou’s win over Cyril Gane, judges Derek Clearly and Ron McCarthy gave rounds one and two to Gane and three to five to Ngannou, which is the same as most people. Sal D’Amato only gave Gane round two. Round one was close. 96 percent of media scores went to Ngannou.
In Deiveson Figueiredo’s win over Brandon Moreno to take the flyweight title, which was a very close fight, Moreno would have clearly won rounds three and five had not Figueiredo knocked him down in both rounds. But that happened. Most people I saw had it 38-38 going into the fifth, but the reality was that Moreno needed a finish in the fifth round since two judges at it 39-37 for Figueiredo. Michael Bell gave Figueiredo rounds one, three and four, giving Moreno five. Chris Crill had one, three and five for Figueiredo,which is what most seemed to have. Judge Wade Vierra had one, three and four for Figueiredo. Of the reporter scores we’ve seen, 67 percent had it for Figueiredo and 33 percent for Moreno. Because of how close the fight was, and how great it was, a fourth meeting between the two, unprecedented in UFC history for two guys to have four straight fights, seems to be the logical next step.
Game Changer Wrestling tonight:
Jon Moxley vs. Homicide for GCW title
Jonathan Gresham vs. Blake Christian for ROH title
Briscoes to defend GCW tag title
Ruby Soho vs. Allie Katch
Jeff Jarrett vs. Effy
Joey Janela vs. Matt Cardona
Bandido & Laredo Kid & ASF vs. Gringo Loco & Demonic Flamita & Arez
Ladder match, winner can get a title shot of their choosing at any time with Lio Rush, PCO, Tony Deppen, Jimmy Lloyd, Alex Colon and Jordan Oliver.
Jack Cartwheel vs. Nick Wayne vs. Dante Leon vs. Ninja Mack vs.Alex Zayne vs. Grim Reefer
For Google searches, UFC was No. 2 yesterday with 2 million, which indicates a solid PPV number, probably better than expected really. The only other combat sports related topic that made the top 20 all week was Mike Tyson at No. 11 on Monday with talk of a Jake Paul fight and him kind of denying it.
WWE last night in Corbin, KY: AJ Styles b Austin Theory (said to be best match), Omos b Reggie, Bobby Lashley b Kofi Kingston, Damien Priest b Dolph Ziggler to keep U.S title, Becky Lynch kept Raw tag title in four-way over Doudrop, Bianca Belair and Liv Morgan, Otis b Riddle, Charlotte Flair b Noami to keep Smackdown women’s title with help from Sonya Deville and Roman Reigns & Usos b Big E & Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens.
WWE
Toledo, where Raw is from tomorrow, is under a weather advisory and is supposed to get three to six inches more of snow tomorrow. (thanks to Paul Meade)
UFC
Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Pochazka for the light heavyweight title is being earmarked for a 5/7 show. Prochazka opens as a -180 favorite.
OTHER NOTES
Warrior Wrestling from last night in South Bend, IN: Silas Young b Danny Bang (who replaced an injured Brian Pillman Jr.), Sam Adonis won the Lucha title in a five-way over champion Aramis, Gringo Loco, ASF and Drago Kid, Mil Muertes b Beast Man, KC Navarro b Myron Reed, Warhorse b Rohit Raju, Tom Lawlor b Anthony Henry, Dante Martin & Skye Blue b Kylie Rae & Isaias Velazquez, Will Ospreay b Brian Cage to keep the Warrior title. All night last night I heard people raving about this main event including multiple people saying it was the best match they had ever seen live. Lawlor’s match and the Lucha title match also got high praise. Ospreay talked about bringing the United Empire with him when he returns to the promotion in April. Drago Kid did a dive off a high structure. (thanks to Cory Schimmoeller)
Congratulations to Bob & Jackie Caudle on today being their 73rd anniversary. That is amazing. Bob Caudle was the voice of Mid Atlantic Wrestling and later Smoky Mountain Wrestling
This is the link for Saturday’s Stardom PPV show. The show will be at 3 a.m. Eastern time late Friday night or midnight Pacific.
Northeast Wrestling from last night in Poughkeepsie, NY: Jon Moxley (unadvertised) b Channing Thomas, Jaylen Bradyn & Traveon Jordan & Giovanni Galvano & Wrecking Ball Legursky b Antonio Zambrano & Cam Zagami & RJ Rude & Zane Benardo, Penta won three-way over Bandido and Flip Gordon Thunder Rosa b Megan Bayne, Dan Maff b JT Dunn, Mark & Jay Briscoe b Bateman & Dutch (the mystery team), Hale Collins b Mike Verna to win NEW Live tile, Malakai Black b Christopher Daniels (subbing for Jay Lethal who missed the show due to a health issue), Adam Scherr & Erick Redbeard b Bully Ray & Nzo
St. Louis Anarchy from Friday night in Alton IL: Chase Holliday b Austin Connelly, Anakin Murphy b Adrian Surge, Thoma Shire b Manders, Evan Gelistico b Deacon Cash, Jeremy Wyatt b Christian Rose, Derek Neal b Camaro Jackson, Aaron Williams b Davey Vega, Kody Lane & Matt Kenway & SK Bishop b Victor Analog & Mysterious Q & Marcus Mathers, Mat Fitchett b Arik Cannon, Jake Dirden & Moonshine Mantell b Kevin Lee Davidson & Dak Draper, Gary Jay b Billie Starkz in an Anarchy rules match (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer, Sophia King and Lindsay Hester)
Biff Busick, the former Oney Lorcan, is taking independent dates starting in ten days. You can book him at [email protected]
Southern Territory Wrestling from last night in Western Australia: Del Cano b Julian Ward, Felix Young b Roga Kargus, NC Viper won local legends Battle Royal, Julio Garcia b Kaz Jordan Chris Target b Dizzy Videl, Stella Nyx b Great George & Chadwick Jackson in a handicap match Taylor King b Antonio Corradok Mikey Nicholls b Jarrad Slate. A lot of shows in Eastern Australia have been postponed or canceled due to widespread COVID. RWA in New South Wales canceled their iPPV show this weekend and aren’t going to run until 2/26. Deathmatch Downunder moved their show to 3/5. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
MCW on 2/5 at the Hollywood, MD Fire Department has a convention with Jimmy Hart, Lita, Lex Luger, Kevin Nash, Luke Williams, Adam Cole, Lio Rush, Thunder Rosa, Serena Deeb, Quinn McKay, Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, Taya Valkyrie, Sabu and the Headbangers. Cole will headline a live wrestling show.
MCW on 2/6 in Glen Burnie, MD at La Fontaine Bleue has a convention with Bob Backlund, Lia, Bully Ray, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, Jerry Lawler, Lex Luger, Slick, Bushwhacker Luke, Adam Cole, MJF, Nyla Rose, Danie Garcia, Leila Gray, Eddie Edwards, Lady Frost, Mark & Jay Briscoe, Trevor Murdoch, Al Snow, Killer Kross, Scarlett, Ember Moon, Oney Lorcan, Shane Douglas, Jacques Rougeau Jr., Dan Severn, Marc Mero, Steve Keirn, Warlord and Barbarian. Cole and Rush wrestle on the show late that afternoon.
Big Time Wrestling from last night in Spartanburg,SC: Scotty 2 Hotty b Tedd Goodz, Brock Anderson b Lodi, Scott Steiner b Dirty Joe, Matt hard b Danny Miles, Jerry Lawler b George South in a crown vs. ring jacket match, FTR b Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson in a first-time ever match.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane, emanating from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The UFC kicks off their 2022 pay-per-view schedule with this event as the Octagon returns to California for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic began, bringing two title fights, with one being a major unification bout and the other marking the end of a trilogy.
In the main event, UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou and Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane square off in a unification bout to determine the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion. The story of the two has been well documented, as they’re former training partners. There has also been a lot of talk surrounding Ngannou and his future, as this is the last fight on his current UFC contract.
In the co-main event, it is the trilogy bout for the UFC Flyweight Championship, as current champion Brandon Moreno makes his first title defense against the man he defeated for it, Deiveson Figueiredo. These two first met in December 2020 at UFC 256, a fight that went to a draw. They re-matched in June at UFC 263, where Moreno scored the upset in submitting Figueiredo in the third round.
Also on the main card is a welterweight bout between the always exciting Michel Pereira and newcomer Andre Fialho, a bantamweight bout as Cody Stamann takes on Said Nurmagomedov, and a welterweight bout between UFC newcomer Michael Morales and Trevin Giles.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
ESPN+ PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT
> Women’s Flyweights- Kay Hansen (7-4, 1-1 UFC) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (6-1, 0-0 UFC)
Jasudavicius is making her UFC debut. They clinch right away and Hansen has the body lock. They switch positions and Jasudavicius lands a knee. They break and Jasudavicius lands a glancing elbow. Hansen with a left hand. Jasudavicius lands a jab. Hansen with a combo and Jasudavicius lands a knee. Hansen with a jab. Hansen with a combo. Hansen with a quick uppercut and she shoots for a takedown but Jasudavicius stuffs it. Jasudavicius gets the takedown. Jasudavicius is in the guard of Hansen and lands an elbow to the head and a couple to the body. Hansen pushes her off but Jasudavicius gets back into the guard and lands some nice elbows. 10-9 Jasudavicius.
They trade punches to start the second. Hansen gets Jasudavicius down to the ground. Hansen tries to get the mount but Jasudavicius sweeps to the top. Jasudavicius is working from the top as she’s keeping Hansen on the mat and pressuring with short shots. They get stood up by Jason Herzog and trade leg kicks. Hansen lands a spinning elbow. Hansen shoots for a takedown against the fence but Jasudavicius is defending. Jasudavicius reverses position and is pressuring Hansen against the fence. Jasudavicius gets a takedown and ends the second in the guard and landed some late shots. 10-9 Jasudavicius, 20-18 Jasudavicius.
Hansen lands a body kick to start the third. Jasudavicius with a solid right hand. They trade punches. They trade short punches as Hansen was threatening with a takedown. Hansen with a left hand. Hansen with a combo. Hansen with an inside leg kick then lands a right hand. Hansen lands a big left hand. Hansen with the jab. Jasudavicius isn’t landing or even doing much here. Hansen lands to the body. Jasudavicius lands a glancing knee. They trade punches. Jasudavicius lands some right hands and then Hansen lands an elbow followed by some punches. They trade in close range. They clinch late and Jasudavicius with some knees as the fight ends. 10-9 Hansen, 29-28 Jasudavicius.
Official Result- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Kay Hansen by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Demopoulos with a leg kick. Juarez lands a leg kick but eats a counter right hand from Demopoulos. Juarez with a huge right hand. Juarez with a leg kick. She just misses another right hand. Demopoulos with a leg kick. Juarez drops Demopoulos with a right hand and is on top landing lots of punches and it could be stopped. Demopoulos gets Juarez in her guard. Demopoulos looking to set up an armbar. Juarez trying to defend but is in trouble. Demopoulos gets it locked in and Juarez taps! Nice comeback from Demopoulos after getting dropped to get the win.
Official Result- Vanessa Demopoulos def. Silvana Gomez Juarez by submission (armbar) at 2:25 of Round 1
ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Lightweights- Matt Frevola (8-3-1, 2-3-1 UFC) vs. Genaro Valdez (10-0, 0-0 UFC)
Valdez is making his UFC debut. Both throwing early but missing. Valdez with a right hand then a knee and then Frevola lands a right hand and a strong leg kick. Frevola with a combo and then a body kick. Frevola throws against the fence and Valdez goes down and Frevola lands. Valdez gets up and then Frevola drops him again with a left hand. Valdez goes for a takedown but Frevola defends and lands a lot of big punches. They are now trading big punches and both are hurting each other. Frevola lands a couple of big knees then drops Valdez again with a punch. Frevola has the back and lands but Valdez gets to his feet and lands then Frevola drops him again. Frevola landing punches but Valdez gets up. Valdez is stumbling and Frevola with a big knee. They’re both landing big punches and Frevola drops Valdez again and is landing big punches. Valdez is doing enough to survive. Frevola goes for a choke and is landing big punches from the back. Frevola lands more and it is finally stopped. What a showing from Frevola in a wild fight.
Official Result- Matt Frevola def. Genaro Valdez by TKO (punches) at 3:15 of Round 1
> Bantamweights- Tony Gravely (21-7, 2-2 UFC) vs. Saimon Oliveira (18-3, 0-0 UFC)
Oliveira is making his UFC debut. Oliveira tried for a flying knee as Gravely was attempting a takedown. They scramble to the mat and Oliveira has a guillotine locked in tight. Gravely trying to defend. Gravely pops his head out and lands some right hands from the top. Gravely still landing from the top as they work their way to the feet. Oliveira grabs the neck and Gravely takes him down and gets his neck out and lands from the top. Gravely has the back. They stand. They break and both land. They tie up again and Gravely with pressure as he lands to the body. Oliveira drops down for a guillotine attempt. Oliveira trying for it but can’t get it as the first ends. 10-9 Gravely.
They trade to start the second and Gravely gets a takedown. They get back to their feet and Gravely has pressure against the fence. They break and Oliveira with a right hand then a knee to the body. Gravely gets a takedown but Oliveira has the neck. They scramble to their feet and Gravely pushes it against the fence working for a takedown. Oliveira lands an elbow as they break. Gravely gets a takedown and Oliveira with an elbow from the bottom. Gravely has the body control and lands some left hands from the top. They stand and Oliveira with some knees as Gravely lands an elbow. They trade and Oliveira with an elbow and Gravely gets a takedown. Gravely lands some punches before they stand. Gravely lands a big combo late. 10-9 Gravely, 20-18 Gravely.
Oliveira with a combo trying for a flying knee and Gravely takes him down. Oliveira looks for a guillotine. Gravely in the half-guard and landing from the top. Oliveira throws some elbows from the bottom. Gravely takes the back as they stand at the fence and break. Gravely with a left hand. Oliveira with a body kick. Oliveira lands and then Gravely shoots for a takedown. Oliveira defends but Gravely has the back against the fence. Gravely gets it down and has the back but they work to the feet. Gravely with an uppercut as they break, and then they trade an exchange. Oliveira lands a good amount of punches but eats a right hand from Gravely. Oliveira with a spinning back fist then a knee and Gravely takes it down. Gravely with a knee then a left hook as they stand. They trade late. 10-9 Gravely, 30-27 Gravely.
Official Result- Tony Gravely def. Saimon Oliveira by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Welterweights- Jack Della Maddalena (10-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Pete Rodriguez (4-0, 0-0 UFC)
Both are making their UFC debuts and Rodriguez took the fight earlier in the week. Rodriguez with a leg kick. Rodriguez with another leg kick and a right hand. Maddalena landing the jab. Rodriguez with a combo to the body. Maddalena with a right hand. Rodriguez lands a right hand. Maddalena with a left hand. Rodriguez’ face is starting to become a mess. Maddalena landing some solid shots. He lands a right hand. Rodriguez lands a right hand. They trade jabs. Maddalena with a left hand and Rodriguez goes down and some follow-up shots end it. Maddalena with the big finish!
Official Result- Jack Della Maddalena def. Pete Rodriguez by TKO (punches) at 2:59 of Round 1
> Bantamweights- Raoni Barcelos (16-2, 5-1 UFC) vs. Victor Henry (21-5, 0-0 UFC)
Henry is making his UFC debut. They trade right hands. Barcelos with a teet kick to the body. Barcelos lands an uppercut. Henry with a leg kick and Barcelos with a right hand. Barcelos with a combination. Barcelos with a right hand as Henry lands a body kick. Barcelos with a quick uppercut. Henry lands a left hand. They trade in close range. Henry with a couple of kicks. They trade hard punches. Barcelos with a right hand. Barcelos lands a left hand. Henry lands a right hand. Barcelos lands a couple of hard punches. Henry with a leg kick and Barcelos grabs the leg and sweeps Henry to the ground. Henry gets up and is landing some big shots on Barcelos. Henry with some uppercuts and he rocks Barcelos with a right hand late. Henry with a knee. Crazy and close round. 10-9 Henry.
Henry with some leg kicks to start the second. Barcelos with a leg kick. Henry lands a jab. Barcelos with a combo and lands an uppercut. Henry with some leg kicks. They trade in close range. Barcelos with the jab. Henry continuing to land with more volume. Barcelos lands a left hook. Barcelos with a combo and Henry is landing kicks. Both are landing in close range. Barcelos with a leg kick. Henry with some right hands. Barcelos with a combination. Henry with a right hand. Barcelos tries for a takedown but Henry defends. They trade in close range. Henry with a right hand and leg kick. 10-9 Henry, 20-18 Henry.
Henry firing with punches and lands a body kick to start the third. Barcelos with a right hand. They’re trading in close range. Barcelos with a leg kick. Barcelos lands a nice right hand. Barcelos fakes low and lands an uppercut. Barcelos lands a right hand. Henry lands an uppercut. They’re both landing inside the pocket. They clinch and Henry lands a body kick as they break. Henry with a series of punches. Barcelos lands a right hand. Henry grabs the back against the fence. Henry has the back and is landing knees to the thighs of Barcelos. They separate and Barcelos lands a combo and Henry is backing up. Fun fight. 10-9 Henry, 30-27 Henry.
Official Result- Victor Henry def. Raoni Barcelos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT
> Welterweights- Michael Morales (12-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Trevin Giles (14-3, 5-3 UFC)
Morales is making his UFC debut. Giles with some quick calf kicks. Morales with a leg kick. Giles stuns Morales with a right hand and they clinch against the fence. Giles has the body lock. Giles got a takedown but they got up and Morales shrugged Giles off and has the back but they end up separating. Morales with a leg kick. Morales with another leg kick and Giles lands the jab. Giles lands a right hand then Morales hurts Giles with some punches and is teeing off. Morales with a knock down of Giles and is landing punches on the ground and it is stopped. What a finish by Morales!
Official Result- Michael Morales def. Trevin Giles by TKO (punches) at 4:06 of Round 1
> Bantamweights- Cody Stamann (19-4-1, 5-3-1 UFC) vs. Said Nurmagomedov (14-2, 3-1 UFC)
Nurmagomedov lands some leg kicks early, then a spinning back fist and a spin kick to the body. and they tie up. Nurmagomedov has the neck and locks in a guillotine choke and it’s in deep and Stamann taps! What an impressive showing by Nurmagomedov.
Official Result- Said Nurmagomedov def. Cody Stamann by submission (guillotine choke) at :47 of Round 1
> Welterweights- Michel Pereira (26-11 2 NC, 4-2 UFC) vs. Andre Fialho (14-3 1 NC, 0-0 UFC)
Pereira with a body kick then a leg kick. Pereira with a punch as he jumps off the side of the cage. Fialho lands a nice jab that makes Pereira get off-balance. Pereira with a leg kick. Pereira lands a right hand. Fialho lands a combo against the fence. Pereira just misses a flying knee but lands a right hand. Pereira with a leg kick. Pereira lands a right hand. Fialho lands an uppercut and Pereira lands a knee but slips to the may. Fialho gets in the half-guard and lands from the top at the end. 10-9 Fialho.
Fialho lands a right hand. Pereira with a leg kick. Pereira with a right hand then follows with an inside leg kick. Pereira rocks Fialho with a right hand and is now landing lots of shots as he lands a jumping knee. They clinch but break. Pereira did a rolling thunder that landed. Pereira with a big combination but Fialho lands a counter left hand. Pereira with a right hand. Pereira with a body shot then a combo to the head and lands a flying knee. Pereira with some knees to the body in the clinch. They break. Pereira with a spin kick. Pereira with a right hand. Pereira with some body kicks then a right hand. Pereira with a combo and he’s hurting Fialho a lot. Pereira gets a takedown and ends the round on top. 10-9 Pereira, 19-19.
Pereira with a right hand. Pereira with a leg kick. Fialho lands a right hand. Pereira with a body kick followed by a leg kick. Pereira with a left hand and then a body kick. Fialho with a right hand to the body and Pereira counters with an overhand right. Pereira with a right hand then a body kick then another right hand. They trade in close range. Pereira with some kicks and they trade right hands. Pereira with a right hand. Fialho with the jab and Pereira with a right hand. Pereira lands an inadvertent groin strike and we have a timeout. They get back to action. Pereira with a combo late and lands a big right hand. Fun fight. 10-9 Pereira, 29-28 Pereira.
Official Result- Michel Pereira def. Andre Fialho by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Figueiredo trying to land leg kicks early. Moreno throws a flurry and they clinch against the fence. They remain clinched and Figueiredo lands a knee but not much is going on. They break. Figueiredo with the double jab and a low kick. Moreno with a jab. Figueiredo with a leg kick. Moreno lands a right hand. Figueiredo with a leg kick. Figueiredo ducks under a right hand from Moreno and grabs the back and they go to the mat. Moreno scrambles out to his feet and they trade punches. Figueiredo with a leg kick. Moreno with a spin kick to the leg of Figueiredo. Figueiredo with a right hand and a body kick late. Close round. 10-9 Figueiredo.
They both land to start the second as Figueiredo is looking for a takedown. Moreno landing inside the pocket. Figueiredo with a leg kick and they scramble on the mat for a moment but get up. Figueiredo with another calf kick. Moreno now landing leg kicks. Moreno with a quick combo. Moreno lands a jab and defends a takedown attempt from Figueiredo. Moreno with the jab. Figueiredo with a combo to the body. Moreno lands some punches. Figueiredo with a big right hand. Moreno lands a hard left hand. Moreno with a leg kick. Another close round. 10-9 Moreno, 19-19.
Figueiredo with a heavy leg kick. Moreno with a left hand. Moreno tried a running knee and Figueiredo grabbed him and took him down. Figueiredo gets the back and lands a knee as they break. Figueiredo with a leg kick. Moreno with a leg kick. Figueiredo lands a left hand that stuns Moreno then Moreno stuns Figueiredo as he was coming in. Moreno lands a left hand that hurts Figueiredo. Figueiredo with a leg kick and Moreno lands a jab. Figueiredo with a heavy leg kick. Moreno lands a big left hand and Figueiredo backs up. Moreno with a leg kick and then a combo. He backs Figueiredo up with a right hand. Moreno lands a flurry in close range after Figueiredo landed a left hand. Moreno with a calf kick. Moreno with a combo. Figueiredo with a right hand and Moreno went down at the end. 10-9 Figueiredo, 29-28 Figueiredo.
Figueiredo with an outside leg kick. Figueiredo with another leg kick. Moreno with a leg kick. Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno with a body kick. Moreno with a right hand as he lands a leg kick. They trade and then tie up. Figueiredo has the back against the fence as Moreno is defending the takedown. Figueiredo with some knees to the legs of Moreno. They break and Moreno with a flurry and they have a wild exchange before separating. Moreno with a body kick. They trade late. 10-9 Moreno, 38-38.
Both look for openings and Moreno gets a takedown. Figueiredo able to escape up. Both still being patient. Moreno looks for a takedown but Figueiredo defends. Moreno lands a left hand. Figueiredo lands a right hand and Moreno fell down but got up and Moreno tags Figueiredo with some shots. Moreno pressing forward. They trade punches. Moreno with a leg kick. Figueiredo with a body kick. Figueiredo with a leg kick. Figueiredo with a right hand. Moreno lands a right hand. They are slugging it out late. Moreno rocks Figueiredo late. What a wild exchange at the end. Fantastic fight. Close fight. 10-9 Figueiredo, 48-47 Figueiredo.
Official Result- Deiveson Figueiredo def. Brandon Moreno by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) to win the UFC Flyweight Championship
> UFC Heavyweight Championship- Francis Ngannou (C, 16-3, 11-2 UFC) vs. Ciryl Gane (IC, 10-0, 7-0 UFC)
Gane goes for a takedown but Ngannou defends. They’re clinched and Ngannou with a knee. They break. Neither able to land before they clinch again. Ngannou with a knee as they break. Ngannou lands a body shot and Gane looked hurt but he recovered. Ngannou lands some short punches and Gane circles out. Gane with a spin kick to the body. Gane with the jab. They clinch against the fence. Ngannou with a knee to the body then Gane reverses position. They break. Gane with a body kick. Close round. 10-9 Gane.
Gane with some leg kicks. Ngannou lands a leg kick. Gane with a combo. He lands a leg kick. Gane lands some good kicks and punches in close range. Gane with some body kicks then a leg kick. Gane connects with a wheel kick. Gane with a leg kick. Gane just misses a spin kick to the body. Ngannou with a body kick. Ngannou lands a short left uppercut. 10-9 Gane, 20-18 Gane.
Gane lands a leg kick then Ngannou gets a big slam takedown. Ngannou is in side control. Ngannou is on top and then gets the back and lands some punches. They get to their feet and Gane has position against the fence. Ngannou gets another brief takedown and they get up and are clinched against the fence. Gane lands a spinning elbow. Gane with a side kick. Ngannou with a right hand. Ngannou with a leg kick. Gane with a high kick. Ngannou gets a takedown and Gane is looking for a kimura but Ngannou gets out of it. Ngannou ends the round on top. 10-9 Ngannou, 29-28 Gane.
Gane with a jab and a leg kick. Gane with some leg kicks. Ngannou with a hard leg kick. Gane with a side kick to the body. Gane with a high kick to the body. Ngannou with a body kick and then looks for a takedown as they clinch against the fence. Ngannou gets a takedown. They started to get up but Ngannou keeps Gane down. They get up. Ngannou gets another takedown and looks for the mount. Gane able to play solid defense. Ngannou with a knee to the chest of Gane. Ngannou with some punches from the top. 10-9 Ngannou, 38-38.
Gane with a leg kick. Gane with the jab to the body. Gane with a combination. Gane gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. Ngannou looking to sweep from the bottom. Ngannou sweeps to the top and is now in side control here. Gane looking for a kneebar. Gane still attacking it but Ngannou is fine here. Ngannou escapes and gets back on top and has the mount. Ngannou is looking for an arm-triangle. Gane defends and Ngannou has the neck. Not much being done by either man as Ngannou stays on top. Ngannou with some short left hands. Ngannou with some late punches. Close fight. 10-9 Ngannou, 48-47 Ngannou.
Official Result- Francis Ngannou def. Ciryl Gane by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to retain the UFC Heavyweight Championship
The end of the Wednesday night war is the lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We look at the announcement, international implications, barbs back-and-forth, Paul Levesque’s speech announcing the move to those who work at NXT, the Wednesday night stats with one week left, a look at the final head-to-head battle, advantages each side had going in, what lessons were shown by the Wednesday wars, where each side had the advantage and what lessons it says about what people want out of their wrestling.
NXT’s move to Tuesday, what should happen with the ratings based on past examples, trajectory changes of late, the numbers each show has done in the past unopposed and what should and shouldn’t be expected to happen over the next few weeks. We also look at the 2021 averages for AEW and NXT.
Also in this issue:
How the Endeavor IPO changes the UFC business and how the ESPN deal makes making the big money fights less important to UFC. We look at the value of a Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou fight, but where the big payoff goes and where the big expense goes.l We look at numbers Jones has talked about, the lightweight title, belts losing all credibility, and questions about Jones and Ngannou should a fight take place.
WWE Network shows migrating to Peacock, shows difficult to find, editing of shows, shows that had already been heavily edited, WWE next business report, how the new NFL scheduled affects Raw and WWE, Charly Caruso leaving and ESPN deal, Vince McMahon and Oliver Luck lawsuit update, William Shatner as wrestling fan decades ago, Glenn Jacobs honored, Rhea Ripley talks how she found out about her WrestleMania match, Paige talks wrestling again, writing team member let go, International TV ratings, how wrestling shows did s compared with sports programming this past week, Shawn Michaels talks superkicks, a look at the Hurt Business breakup, William Regal talks Sasha Banks, Hall of Fame news, and WWE market value.
UFC 260, with the background of the show, match-by-match coverage, business notes and poll results.
WWE heading into WrestleMania, the main event story behind the story the build up, business notes, ticket sales, NXT Takeover, plus updated lineups.
Andrade’s different interviews talking why he left, the Charlotte Flair pregnancy test story, the COVID story, the Saudi Arabia trip, where he may wind up, offers made by WWE, what he wants out of his career, and what angle suggested for him that was nixed.
ROH 19th anniversary show, with highlights, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
2021 Hodge trophy award voting and why there were two winners even with the voting not close.
Non-WWE shows during WrestleMania weekend, from AEW to Game Changer, ticket sales and more.
More into detail on ratings than any other source, we have how every segment on NXT and AEW did as well as how it did with different age groups, genders and more, plus a look at all other wrestling shows of the past week.
Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
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For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw, WWE news this week and much more. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]
The TV schedule for the WWE events this week list the Hall of Fame as 90 minutes starting at 8 p.m. tomorrow. NXT Takeover is listed on Wednesday at two hours but probably will go over by a bit. The second night is listed as 8-10:15 p.m. Both nights of WrestleMania are listed at pregame shows at 7 p.m., main card at 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., so they are not looking at long shows as in the past.
Raw tonight goes head-to-head with Gonzaga vs. Baylor in the NCAA championship game, one of the biggest finals in history when it comes to the two teams combined win-loss record. If it was not the go-home for Mania show, it’s almost a lock it would get crushed in the ratings tonight. It still may, but the go-home aspect of the show and WWE having done so well with 18-34 for every show over the last week may help things. The lineup for tonight is:
John Cena will be on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35 p.m. on CBS tonight.
This means nothing most likely, but at a press conference today in Japan, Will Ospreay said he’d like to defend his newly-won IWGP title against Drew McIntyre (the two had a great match years ago) and CM Punk. He said he’d love the idea if McIntyre won the title that it would be IWGP champion vs. WWE champion with both being from the UK.
Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson and Rocky Romero are doing a show called the “Worst Podcast Ever” to Tampa on Friday night at 10 p.m. at Riveters Bar & Restaurant. It will be a podcast, variety show, Q&A and meet and greet. They will be doing their talk show characters on the live show.
Francis Ngannou told TMZ that he wants to box Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua, noting that he was first trained in boxing. The problem is MMA boxing and striking is entirely different from boxing striking. Ngannou said he had no interest in fighting Mike Tyson.
WWE
Booker T talks the A&E special on him that will be out in a few weeks. (thanks to Lee Wall)
Here are the latest WrestleMania odds from BetOnline.ag
Drew McIntyre -200 vs. Bobby Lashley +150
Bianca Belair -300 vs. Sasha Banks +200
A.J. & Omos -300 vs. New Day +200
Braun Strowman -500 vs. Shane McMahon +300
Cesaro -200 vs. Seth Rollins +150
Bad Bunny -850 vs. The Miz +450
Roman Reigns +120 vs. Edge +150 vs. Daniel Bryan +200
Rhea Ripley -400 vs. Asuka +250
Apollo Crews -120 vs. Big E -120
Kevin Owens -250 vs. Sami Zayn +170
The Fiend -950 vs. Randy Orton +500
A Dwayne Johnson 1997 Panini WWF Superstars Stickers #113 The Rock Rookie Card was sold through Golin Auctions for $34,400, which is an all-time record for a Rock trading card.
UFC
Charles Rosa vs. Justin Jaynes has been added to a 6/26 show.
Amanda Ribas vs. Angela Hill was announced for the 5/8 show.
Pat Sabatini vs Tristan Connelly has been added to the 4/24 show.
Alessio Di Chirico vs. Roman Dolidze has been added to the 6/5 show.
OTHER NEWS
ONE airs after AEW on Wednesday night on TNT with a double main event of Adriano Moraes vs. Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title and Eddie Alvarez vs. Iuri Lapicus.
A second man has had his name sent to prosecutors for cyberbullying Hana Kimura. (thanks to Lee Wall)
SWE Fury TV show results:
Niles Plonke beat Adam Asher by DQ
Davey Boy Smith Jr defeated Matthew Justice
Miranda Gordy beat Amber Nova
Charlie Haas beat Frank Stone by Submission to Retain the SWE Fury Championship
Bam Bam Malone and Heart Throb Jayden beat Rivera and Tommy Gun
Texas Champion The Blood Hunter defeated Michael Shafer
Full Show can be seen online at this link.
So here’s some crazy stuff: CamSoda, an adult entertainment company, is hosting another MMA event this Friday. “Fight Circus Vol. 3” will feature Bob Sapp on the mic and an assortment of wild bouts on the card, including:
Former UFC fighter Will Chope vs. two inexperienced brothers.
Thai champion Nong Rose Baan Charoensuk competing
Phone booth brawl with modified Muay Thai rules
Siamese boxing – two man teams tied together
One 10 minute round of bare knuckle boxing
Trinity rules – Three rounds, 1 boxing, 1 Muay Thai, 1 MMA
Lethwei
Indian leg wrestling
Impact debuts on Thursday this week with Kenny Omega & Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson vs Rich Swann & Eddie Edwards & Willie Mack, Alisha Edwards & Tenille Dashwood & Nevaeh vs Havok & Jordynne Grace & Rosemary, Chris Sabin vs. Cody Deaner, Larry D & Acey Romero vs. Sami Callihan & ? and Jazz vs. Susan in the pre-show match at 7:30 p.m.
John Arezzi’s book, “Mat Memories: My Wild Life in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and with the Mets” will be released tomorrow. Garrett Gonzalez and I did a show with Arezzi just a few weeks ago.
We’ve got a huge issue of the Observer this week with a lot of business notes, polls on the biggest shows of the last week, Match of the Week, Performer of the Week, New Japan Cup polls, several bios and updates on the biggest shows.
With WrestleMania upcoming, we run down the show, why certain matches have changed, update on the WWE COVID situation including who was ad wasn’t back, WrestleMana ticket sales updates and the demand, a look at both NXT Takeover shows, the WWE’s new location for filming starting on 4/12, as well as UFC tickets sales for its first show and the current level of demand for tickets for both events.
Also in this issue:
More info on the WWE Network migration to Peacock, what is being edited off and why, the release of Andrade and more background on him, Glenn Jacobs and the Knox County mayor situation, update on Samantha Tavel lawsuit against Matt Riddle, Lots of Hall of Fame news and bios, announcer will no longer appear on TV, Stephanie McMahon talks WWE without Vince McMahon, how wrestling shows ranked among the sports shows this past week, what was planned to happen with the U.S. title this year and why it didn’t happen, Daniel Bryan talks his future, his philosophy on wrestling, who he wants to wrestle with lots of surprises, his current schedule, Randy Orton talks his career, WWE gets new television deal, WWE legend puts home for sale, new WWE video game news, WWE documentary notes, injury updates and WWE stock price update.
A study done in Oslo, Norway which links steroid use to the aging of the brain and previous notes on things that could corroborate that regarding concussion recovery. We also give a background of when steroid use started in sports and how it got started in the U.S.
Fast Lane show, including a unique look in a number of different metro areas between the interest level in Fast Lane, one of WWE’s weakest shows in years for interest, and Revolution, which two weeks earlier set AEW’s PPV record, match-by-match coverage of the show with star ratings and poll results.
New Japan Cup coverage, New Japan Cup match-by-match rankings, star ratings and poll results, why the Bea Priestley angle went down, notes on double standards and why these double standards exist with some of the fan base, who was the New Japan Cup MVP and best performer, as well as the first time an earthquake caused a wrestling match to stop in the middle for 25 minutes, where New Japan goes from here with the big shows in April and May, as well as this week’s show.
Impact moving to Thursday.
A major feature on the life of Barry Orton, his claims that got him on TV in 1992 on Donahue, Geraldo, Larry King and other shows, his thoughts looking back, how he met Mike Tenay and his impact on Mike Tenay’s career and wrestling knowledge, what Orton said under oath and the lie detector test he took, the times Vince McMahon confronted him, as well as Orton sending Vince McMahon a letter with his idea of having a rock & roll gimmick.
Barry Orton on the Donahue show, Tom Cole and Orton, stuff that was and wasn’t taken out of context, Orton’s career ending, life after wrestling, his Calgary run as The Zodiac and where it came from and why it ended, and how his career started.
This past week’s UFC show, the star that filed, where the winners are headed, the age-old weight cutting problem, how the show did in different deos and fight-by-fight coverage.
A story on the death of Ed Farhat Jr., the son of The Sheik. We look at his days as Captain Eddie George as well as his attempts to follow his father in promoting wrestling in Michigan. We look at the heyday of The Sheik, the movie “I Like To Hurt People” that Ed Jr., had a role in, the end of the heyday period and more.
More detail on ratings than any other source, we have how every segment on NXT and AEW did as well as how it did with different age groups, genders and more, plus a look at all other wrestling shows of the past week.
Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Our weekend show, covering UFC, Smackdown, WrestleMania and other subjects is up on the site right now.
Dana White indicated they are looking at 7/10 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for the Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier rematch. That would require Nevada to open up and allow them to run at full capacity. If not, and they were to move the show to a city they can full full capacity, I’m thinking they’d run a different main event.
Tyron Woodley’s contract expired with last night’s fight. Dana White gave the indication that they weren’t looking at signing him. Last night’s loss to Vicente Luque was his fourth straight loss and he’s about to turn 39 years old in two weeks.
UFC 260 was the most searched for topic on the Internet yesterday in the U.S. with 1.2 million searches. The key names were Stipe Miocic, Francis Ngannou, Tyron Woodley and Sean O’Malley. Based on this number, it was not a monster PPV. Besides searches related to UFC 260, the only thing this past week regarding combat sports that made the list was that Ben Askren was No. 8 on Saturday with 200,000 searches.
We pretty much explained the reality behind the weirdness last night where Dana White said he was looking at Derrick Lewis and not Jon Jones for the first title defense by Francis Ngannou. Another aspect of this story is that UFC is trying to pick up profits as much as it can for the likely IPO, and since ESPN gets the PPV money, UFC makes the same either way, whether it’s Jones vs. Ngannou or Lewis vs. Ngannou, but Lewis would take the fight for less money.
Regarding judging last night, almost nobody except the judges thought Michal Oleksiejczuk beat Modestas Bukauskas. I was pretty surprised when Oleksiejczuk won. Based on media scores, they were 95 percent for Bukauskas. Regarding the Miranda Maverick vs. Gillian Robertson fight where only one judge gave Robertson the second round, 96 percent of media scores gave Robertson round two, but that didn’t change the outcome as virtually everyone had it for Maverick either way.
Speaking of Ben Askren, whose interaction with Jake Paul at the Triller press conference is what put him on the list, this is his half comedic training video.
At the Global NAACP TV Awards held last night, they listed prominent sports deaths of black athletes from the past year and included James (Kamala) Harris, Rocky Johnson and Shad Gaspard.
This article explains why such a high percentage of the deaths in wrestling from COVID came from Mexico but why the U.S. numbers are purported to be worse. As one would figure, Mexico’s numbers aren’t quite accurate. I’m sure they aren’t in the U.S. either. The listed death total was 201,429 but the government acknowledged yesterday that the real number is more than 321,000, which per capita, is far worse than the U.S. The government quietly published a report listing the deaths as of 2/14 being 294,287. Mexico’s population is barely one-third that of the U.S. (thanks to Eric Krol)
New Japan runs Korakuen Hall at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow morning on New Japan World:
Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi & Sanada & Bushi vs. Master Wato & Gabriel Kidd & Yota Tsuji & Yuya Uemura
Hiroshi Tanaashi & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Jay White & Gedo & Jado
Will Ospreay & Jeff Cobb & Great O’Khan vs. Kota Ibushi & Yuji Nagata & Tomoaki Honma
WWE
We don’t have details on what role Logan Paul will have in WrestleMania past he is on the show and it will be in the Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens match. This was first reported by Ringside News.
Odds from www.BetOnline.ag for WrestleMania:
Bobby Lashley -115 vs. Drew McIntyre -115
Bianca Belair -300 vs, Sasha Banks +200
Rhea Ripley -200 vs, Asuka +150
A.J. Styles & Omos -160 vs, New Day +120
The Fiend -500 vs. Randy Orton +300
Bad Bunny -850 vs. The Miz +450
Raw tomorrow has Matt Riddle vs Sheamus in a non-title match. If Sheamus wins, one would think he would get a U.S. title match at WrestleMania. There will also be an Asuka contract signing with Rhea Ripley.
UFC
SportsBetting.ag lists Francis Ngannou as a strong -185 favorite if he was to defend against Jon Jones. The original opening odds were -200, but that led to almost all bets coming in for Jones. Last year when the fight was teased, Ngannou was listed at -145.
Joanne Calderwood vs. Lauren Murphy has been added to the 6/12 show.
OTHER NOTES
Billy Corgan and the NWA blocked Thunder Rosa vs. Queen Aminata from airing in a match scheduled for 5/22 in Magnolia TX that was to air on the Title Match Network. The match will take place for the live audience but the NWA would not allow her match to air. Others announced for the show include Sonny Kiss, Nyla Rose, Madi Wrenkowski and Raychell Rose.
SWE Fury TV Show before 1000 fans in Carthage TX:
The OMG’s defeated The Playa’s to earn a shot at the SWE Tag Team Titles
Lacey Von Erich received an Award on behalf of her father Kerry Von Erich
Christi Jaynes defeated Malaya Hosaka with Rosemary coming in after the match attacking Malaya.
Action Jackson defeated Andrew Anderson with The Boogeyman coming into the ring after the match eating worms.
SWE Fury TV Champion Rodney Mac defeated 3 men in a row to retain the Title
Full Show video is online at this link.
Big Cass has joined the SWE Fury roster and appeared on the Inside SWE Fury Podcast this week with James Beard. Full interview can be seen here.
NFL legend Ray Lewis was hired by the PFL to lead its newly created Athlete Advisory Board. Lewis’ job is to identify and recruit new talent and evolve the PFL’s culture and will in this role with Randy Couture.
Absolute intense Wrestling on 4/29 and 4/30 in Cleveland at the Odeon Concert Club
Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling from yesterday in Tokyo at Shinkiba First Ring: Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki & Hyper Misao b Mahiro Kiryu & Mirai Maiumi & Suzume, Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino b Hikari Noa & Sena Shiori, Shoko Nakaima& Nao Kakauta & Haruna Neko b Yuki Kamifuku & Marika Kobashi & Arisu Endo, Sakisama b Moka Miyamoto, Maki Itoh & Miyu Yamashita & Raku b Rika Tatsuimi & Miu Watanabe & Pom Harajuku. This was Itoh’s first match back after going through quarantine from her U.S. trip. She vowed to win the Princess or Princess title from Tatsumi on 4/17 and with her star status as the face of the company move the promotion to bigger arenas (thanks to Shannon Walsh and wrestlingwithdemons.com)
Vincent Carolan will be on WBZ-AM 1030 in Boston this coming Saturday night 4/3 at 9 p.m. at the Morgan White Jr. show previewing WrestleMania as well as previewing the third season of Dark Side of the Ring. Fans can call the station, which can be heard in 38 states and part of Canada.
World League Wrestling from last night in Troy, MO: Brandon Espinosa b Sabotage, Kyle Roberts b Derek Stone, Mike Sydal b Jon Webb, Jayden Dominic Rose b Sean Patrick, Heartthrob Jade won Rumble Battle Royal (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
Stardom from this afternoon in Osaka: Syuri won three-way over Momo Watanabe and Lady C, Bea Priestley & Konami b Mayu Iwatani & Saya Iida, Tam Nakano & Mina Shirakawa & Unagi Sayaka b Utami Hayashishita & AZM & Saya Kamitani, Natsuoka Tora & Saki Kashima & Ruaka b Giulia & Himeka & Maika, Natsupoi b Starlight Kid to keep the High Speed title. The last two trios bouts were the first round of a one-day tournament
Stardom from tonight in Osaka: Bea Priestley b Lady C, Momo Watanabe d Starlight Kid 15:00, Syuri & Natsupoi b Mayu Iwatani & Saya Iida, Giulia & Himeka & Maika d Utami Hayashishita & AZM & Saya Kamitani 15:00, Natsuko Tora & Saki Kashima & Ruaka won the tournament beating Tam Nakano & Saki Kashima & Ruaka. (thanks to Shannon Walsh and Wrestlingwithdemons.com)
Pro Wrestling Phoenix from Friday night in Omaha, NE: Moonshine Russell b Purple, JD Parker b Xander McIntosh, Seto Kobara & Tim Boston b Ryan Romantic & Jamison McGregor, Con Artiest won four-way over Pat Powers, Brett Bishop and Omar Pachecco, Mack Riggs b Joey Daniels, Duke Cornell b Nino Hatcher, Jack Darling b Branden Juarez in a dog collar match. Next show is 4/22 at the Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha)
Just over three years ago, Francis Ngannou was dominated by then-UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 220 in Boston, MA. It was a humbling, one-sided defeat as Ngannou had no answer to Miocic’s wrestling and spent the majority of the fight on his back.
Fast forward to Saturday’s UFC 260 where a more patient Ngannou knocked Miocic out cold in the second round to win the title and potentially set up a mega-fight with former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Ngannou showed he was a much different fighter in the first round as after hurting Miocic, he stuffed a takedown attempt and even landed some hard shots in response. In the second round, a Ngannou power jab put Miocic down and a flurry sent him scrambling. Then after Miocic landed a punch, a short left dropped Miocic cold and a hammer punch while he was on the canvas was the final nail in the coffin.
The 34-year-old is now riding a five-fight win streak with first or second round KO/TKO finishes in all of them. Jones tweeted “Show me the money” after the fight while Ngannou showed interest in the Jones fight during his post-fight talk with Joe Rogan.
The 38-year-old Miocic has lost two of his last four and has only fought either Daniel Cormier or Ngannou dating back to the aforementioned January 2018 fight. Given his other career as a firefighter and infrequent fighting schedule, he may choose to outright retire. He didn’t speak on the broadcast after the fight ended.
UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will return to action against Francis Ngannou at March 27th’s UFC 260 in a rematch of their one-sided clash from January 2018.
This will be Miocic’s first fight since defeating Daniel Cormier last August to finish off their trilogy while Ngannou is riding a four-fight win streak, all by first round knockout or TKO. His total cage time during those four fights is under three minutes.
In their first meeting at UFC 220 in Boston, Miocic (20-3) dominated Ngannou (15-3) en route to a unanimous decision which snapped Ngannou’s ten fight win streak at the time. Miocic is a two-time UFC heavyweight champion with four successful title defenses under his belt.
UFC 260 (location TBA) is also expected to feature a co-main event of featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega. The champion (22-1) will be looking for the second defense of his title while Ortega (15-1-0-1) is coming off a dominant win over “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung last October.
UFC president Dana White did a 25-minute interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto Thursday where he addressed the recent Jon Jones-Francis Ngannou fight rumors, Mike Tyson’s fighting future, and some title fights they are looking to make.
On the prospects of Jones-Ngannou at heavyweight, White said that Jones “couldn’t be asking for a more absurd amount of money at a worse time” and questioned why he was angling for a fight when he’s never wanted to go up a weight class. He said a rematch with Dominic Reyes makes more sense while Jan Blachowicz also remains an option. White put over Jones as the greatest of all time with “no debate”.
On Twitter, Jones retorted that he didn’t ask for a pay increase and that they never made a number off. “Immediately the conversation was that I already made enough,” he tweeted, later adding he’s not mad at White or the UFC but is disappointed this went that route.
On Friday’s ESPN First Take, White said he wasn’t lying and doubled down that he was asking for “an obscene amount of money” and if Jones wants to speak up about what he asked for, that’s up to him. White said they told him if he ever wanted to move to heavyweight, they would do a new deal and that was factored into a new deal he signed.
White also did an interesting, and sometimes contentious, interview with ESPN’s Dan Le Betard Friday where he discussed fighter pay and unions among other news, but also said that their deal with Reebok is coming to an end and that they “are talking to people now”. They will not revert back to letting fighters get their own sponsorship deals for placement on shorts like they used to.
Other notes from the Okamoto interview:
White said he got Mike Tyson a TV show to keep him away from returning to boxing but that he’s a grown man and if he wants to fight again, he will find a way to be there even if no fans are allowed. He said Tyson had something lined up and that it’s something big.
White will stay at Fight Island for a month when it gets up and running with the assumption they will run three or four shows there. The infrastructure being built is for training, food service, and for sleeping arrangements. He was not asked if the facility was in Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
After their next two shows in Las Vegas, White said UFC will be back on track with their 2020 schedule, running Saturdays unless ESPN wanted more shows.
He confirmed that The Ultimate Fighter will return to UFC Fight Pass this year with some changes but the same style of show with coaches, etc.
He confirmed that the Tuesday Night Contender Series will return this year and said he is working on how to combat the issue of regional MMA being on hold for the time being.
He put over Fightlore on Fight Pass as a show people need to see.
While not giving any timeframes, he said flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko vs. Joanne Calderwood, heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier III, middleweight champion Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa, and Petr Yan vs. Jose Aldo for the vacant bantamweight title are all being worked on. Robert Whittaker vs. Darren Till is also a fight they want to make.
As far as welterweight, he said there’s a lot of drama and “social media b.s.” going on and that things should shake out soon.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC on ESPN 3: Ngannou vs. Dos Santos, eminating from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Octagon heads back to Minneapolis for the first time since October 2012 with a heavyweight main event featuring two men looking to lock up the next title shot in the division.
Former title challenger Francis Ngannou takes on former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos in the night’s five-round headliner. Ngannou has won two straight fights by knockout in the first round to get himself back into the title picture while Dos Santos is the winner of three straight fights. The winner should find himself next in line to challenge the winner of the Daniel Cormier-Stipe Miocic title fight that takes place in August.
In the co-main event, it is another potential title eliminator bout, this time in the flyweight division as Jussier Formiga puts his four-fight win streak on the line against Joseph Benavidez, winner of two straight fights. Also on the main card is a welterweight bout between Anthony Rocco Martin and Demian Maia as well as a lightweight bout that sees Roosevelt Roberts put his undefeated record up against Vinc Pichel.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
ESPN PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT
> Maurice Greene (7-2, 2-0 UFC) vs. Junior Albini (14-5, 1-3 UFC) Heavyweights
They trade leg kicks to start. Greene lands a right hand that stuns Albini. Greene landing more kicks but Albini walking thru them. Albini lands a left hand and they clinch. They break and Greene lands a right hand. Albini throwing body punches. Greene lands a combo followed by a front kick to the body. Greene lands a right hand that drops Albini to a knee and then knocks Albini completely down with a combo. Greene gets into side control. Albini gets to his feet but eats a knee and then stuns Greene with a combo. They clinch again. They break and both land sloppy strikes. Greene knocks Albini down with another right hand and starts landing hammerfists and the referee steps in and stops it. Big win for Greene! That was fun while it lasted.
Official Result- Maurice Greene def. Junior Albini by TKO (punches) at 3:38 of Round 1
Ribas is making her UFC debut after a USADA suspension. Whitmire throws a switch head kick to start. Ribas lands a combo and goes for a takedown against the fence. Whitmire defends well. Ribas gets the back and has the body triangle standing and working for a choke. Ribas gets the arm around the neck looking to complete. Whitmire fighting hands. Ribas has the arm across the chin but Whitmire escapes. Ribas landing punches from the back. They go to the ground and Ribas still has the back. Whitmire escapes and gets to her feet. Whitmire gets into Ribas’ guard. Whitmire lands some punches from the top. Ribas throwing elbows from the bottom. They ride the round out there. 10-9 Ribas.
Ribas lands a right hand and then a combo against the fence on Whitmire. Ribas gets a clinch against the fence. Ribas gets a takedown and takes the back of Whitmire again. Ribas landing punches from the back and gets the mount and lands some big ground-and-pound. Whitmire gives up her back and Ribas has the choke locked in deep and Whitmire taps! Impressive showing by Ribas and she looked really good in this one.
Official Result- Amanda Ribas def. Emily Whitmire by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:10 of Round 2
Townsend took this fight earlier this week. Townsend landed a quick jab. Townsend with a leg kick. Lungiambula misses an explosive combo. Lungiambula lands a combo. Lungiambula lands a left hook and stumbles as he tries for a takedown and they clinch against the fence. They trade knees against the fence. Lungiambula with a trip takedown into half-guard. They get up for a second and Lungiambula gets a big takedown. Lungiambula in Townsend’s full guard. Lungiambula with some punches from the top. 10-9 Lungiambula.
Townsend lands a kick and Lungiambula stumbles in for a takedown and completes it and is on top against the fence. They get up and Lungiambula has the back and gets another takedown and is in side control. Lungiambula moes to the half-guard and lands a couple of punches. Lungiambula now back in the full guard. Townsend with a couple of elbows from the bottom. Not much is happening. They are finally stood up by the referee as nothing at all happened. Townsend with a flying knee that just landed. 10-9 Lungiambula, 20-18 Lungiambula.
They trade punches and Lungiambula lands two big punches that drop Townsend. Lungiambula gets in the mount and is reigning down elbows and punches and he finishes it! Brutal finish by Lungiambula as he gets the win in his UFC debut.
Official Result- Dalcha Lungiambula def. Dequan Townsend by TKO (strikes) at :42 of Round 3
> Jared Gordon (14-3, 2-2 UFC) vs. Dan Moret (13-5, 0-2 UFC) Lightweights
Moret lands an early right hand. Moret with a body kick and Gordon counters with a right hand. Moret with a hard left hand. Gordon lands a nice combo in close range. Moret with a head kick and Gordon turns it into a takedown and is in the half-guard of Moret. They scramble to their feet and Gordon has the back. Moret now landing knees to the body and they break and Moret with a big knee to the body. They break and both land punches. Moret with a good combo. Moret has the back and gets a takedown and they scramble up and Moret has the back. They trade knees in the clinch. Gordon lands an elbow as they break. They trade at the end. Close round. 10-9 Moret.
Gordon with a body kick to start the second and then follows with a short left hand. Moret with a step-in knee and Gordon gets the clinch and Moret with a head-and-arm throw into full mount. Gordon gives up his back to escape. Moret looking for a rear-naked choke but Gordon gets out. Gordon turns into Moret and is in his full guard. Gordon with some shots from the top. Gordon landing more shots from the top as he was trying to get the mount but Moret was blocking it. Gordon with punches from the top as he has taken over the second half of this round. Gordon ends the round with more punches from the top. 10-9 Gordon, 19-19.
Gordon lands a body kick and slips and Moret grabs the neck and Gordon is on top and lands some body punches as Moret has the neck. Gordon not in danger. Moret finally lets go and Gordon is in his full guard and landing punches. Moret not doing much to get himself out of danger. They transition to the feet and Gordon has the back and drags Moret back down. They get up and Gordon has the back. Gordon gets another takedown and they stand and Gordon gets the back but Moret slips him off and they stand. Moret with a body kick and then sprawls a takedown and slides to the back. They scramble and Gordon ends up in Moret’s full guard. Gordon now in the half-guard and landing punches as the fight ends. Good fight. 10-9 Gordon, 29-28 Gordon.
Official Result- Jared Gordon def. Dan Moret by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> Eryk Anders (11-4, 3-4 UFC) vs. Vinicius Moreira (9-2, 0-1 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Moreira with a body kick and tries a takedown but misses and Anders gets the mount and takes the back but they scramble up. Moreira still working for a single-leg takedown. Anders escapes and lands big punches and knocks Moreira down and then knocks him out cold with more punches on the ground. Wow, what a huge finish by Anders. The referee was way late in stopping it as Moreira was out cold and ate punches while he was out.
Official Result- Eryk Anders def. Vinicius Moreira by knockout (punches) at 1:18 of Round 1
Newson took this fight on short notice. They trade kicks. Ramos with some leg kicks. Newson with a right hand. Newson with more kicks. Ramos with a head kick. Ramos tries for a flying knee but Newson backs away. Newson with a hard leg kick. Newson with a combo and then another leg kick. Newson tries a takedown but misses and Ramos gets the mount from it and Newson gives up his back and Ramos is now working for a choke. Newson escapes and they scramble to their feet. Newson has the neck looking for a guillotine but Ramos hops out and they stand and Ramos with a knee. Newson with a leg kick. Ramos with a right hand and Newson with a leg kick. Newson with a combo and Ramos with a spinning elbow as Newson was coming in. Good round. 10-9 Ramos.
Newson with a leg kick. Newson lands a right hand. They both look for openings. Ramos tries for a knee but Newson slips away. Both are throwing hands but neither landing much. Both landing leg kicks. They trade front kicks. Both men not doing a lot. Newson with a body kick. Newson with a right hand. Ramos with the jab. Newson with a spinning wheel kick. Close round. 10-9 Ramos, 20-18 Ramos.
Newson with a switch kick. Ramos with a takedown but Newson has the neck and a deep guillotine locked in. Ramos is in a lot of trouble but Newson lost the grip and Ramos popped his head out. Ramos is now on top. They get to their feet and Ramos with some leg kicks. Newson with a leg kick. Ramos then hurts Newson with a spinning elbow and Newson drops down for a moment but walks right through it. That was a hard elbow. Newson now circling away. Newson with a leg kick and Ramos is now hurt from it. Ramos switched stances as Ramos may have hurt his knee from that kick. Time runs out. Very good fight. 10-9 Ramos, 30-27 Ramos.
Official Result- Ricardo Ramos def. Journey Newson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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> Alonzo Menifield (8-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Paul Craig (11-3, 3-3 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Craig walks forward and Menifield gets the clinch. Craig with some knees with his back against the fence. Craig now trying to pull guard against the fence and Menifield escapes and breaks away. Craig tries a takedown but Menifield escapes away. Menifield lands a jab and Craig falls to the ground but gets up. Craig with a high kick. Craig with a spinning wheel kick. Menifield with a leg kick and they clinch. They break away. Craig with another spinning wheel kick. He goes for it again but misses and gets knocked down by a right hand from Menifield and then Menifield knocks him out cold with another right hand on the ground. That was a vicious knockout and impressive win for Menifield.
Official Result- Alonzo Menifield def. Paul Craig by knockout (punches) at 3:19 of Round 1
> Drew Dober (20-8 1 NC, 6-4 1 NC UFC) vs. Polo Reyes (8-4, 4-2 UFC) Lightweights
Dober with a straight left hand. They are throwing in close range and Dober rocks Reyes with a left hand and Reyes goes for the leg but Dober gets away. Dober then lands more big punches and drops Reyes again with a left hand after a barrage and then finishes Reyes off with more punches on the ground. An excellent performance from Dober there as he rebounds in a big way.
Official Result- Drew Dober def. Polo Reyes by knockout (punches) at 1:07 of Round 1
> Roosevelt Roberts (8-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Vinc Pichel (11-2, 4-2 UFC) Lightweights
Roberts with some low kicks to start. Pichel throws a leg kick. Roberts with a combo. They clinch and Pichel lands a knee to the body. They trade positions and Roberts grabs a leg but lets go and they separate. Roberts with the jab. Roberts lands a flying knee as Pichel was coming in. Pichel shoots in for a takedown against the fence. Roberts reverses position. Roberts working hard for a takedown but lets go. Pichel with some low kicks. They trade punches and Roberts closes in looking for a takedown. Roberts with a big slam. Pichel gets back to his feet and misses a late takedown. 10-9 Roberts.
Pichel with some low kicks early. Pichel with another hard leg kick after he ducks under Roberts’ punches. Roberts lands a right hand. Pichel shoots for a takedown but Roberts defends. Pichel gets it against the fence with a trip and is on top. Pichel trying to pull Roberts to where he can get mount. Roberts able to get to his feet and is now working for a takedown. They separate. Pichel with a combo but Roberts fires back with a bigger combo and a knee. Pichel slowing down a little. They trade in close range. Roberts lands a big knee. Roberts tries a takedown but Pichel gets the mount of it but time runs out. 10-9 Roberts, 20-18 Roberts.
Pichel with a right hand. Roberts with a nice combo in return. Pichel gets a takedown but Roberts is trying to push up against the fence to get back to his feet as Pichel is in north-south position. Pichel landing punches and looking for full back control. Pichel with the neck and landing punches. Roberts gets to his feet and Pichel has a standing guillotine. Pichel with a knee and the choke is in tighter but Roberts gets himself out. Roberts switches positions. Pichel with a big elbow on the break and follows with punches. They clinch. Pichel gets another takedown and is in full mount now and looking for a choke. Roberts trying to escape. Pichel in dominant position and landing punches. Roberts gives up his back. They stand and Pichel slides off. They get up at the end. This will be interesting scorecards. 10-8 Pichel, 28-28 DRAW.
Official Result- Vinc Pichel def. Roosevelt Roberts by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Demian Maia (#12, 26-9, 20-9 UFC) vs. Anthony Rocco Martin (16-4, 8-4 UFC) Welterweights
Both men feeling each other out inside the first minute. Maia lands a left hand. Maia grabs the single leg against the fence and completes the takedown. Martin gets to the fence and looking to use the fence to get up but Maia keeping him down. Maia with punches to the body from the top and then to the face. Maia still on top as he has Martin trapped on the bottom. Martin gets to his feet but Maia has the underhooks. Martin reverses. They separate. Martin tries a flying knee but Maia too far away. 10-9 Maia.
Martin with a head kick as Maia was circling around. Maia shoots in and completes a takedown but Martin able to roll to the top. They get up and Maia immediately shoots and gets another takedown. Maia trying to get Martin completely down but Martin gets up and Maia takes him right back down. Maia trying to get to the mount and landing short body punches. Martin can’t get out of the bad positions. They are stood up by the referee. Martin goes right after Maia but Maia gets a takedown. Martin reverses positions to the top and they scramble and Maia ends the round on top. 10-9 Maia, 20-18 Maia.
Martin just misses a head kick. Both men looking for openings as they are just circling around each other. Martin misses a right hand. Martin with a high kick that is checked. Maia doing nothing. Martin with a right hand. Maia circling and dancing around. Maia not taking any chances. Maia shoots but Martin sprawls. They break. Martin with a right hand to the body. Martin lands a hard left hand. Maia circles away. Martin with no sense of urgency. Martin lands a right hand and Maia shoots for a takedown and they are grappling on the ground. Martin in the guard of Maia. Martin lands from the top as the fight ends. 10-9 Martin, 29-28 Maia.
Official Result- Demian Maia def. Anthony Rocco Martin by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
> Jussier Formiga (#1, 23-5, 9-4 UFC) vs. Joseph Benavidez (#2, 27-5, 14-3 UFC) Flyweights
Benavidez with a high kick and then a big body kick. Right hand from Benavidez. Benavidez with another body kick. They trade punches. Formiga just misses a spin kick. Benavidez with a low calf kick. They clinch and Benavidez with some punches from the clinch. Benavidez is cut under his eye. They break and trade and Formiga gets the back of Benavidez. They scramble and get to their feet and Formiga has the neck. Benavidez gets his head out of trouble and lands some punches as they break. They trade punches. 10-9 Benavidez.
Benavidez with a body kick and they trade in close range. Benavidez with a leg kick. They trade and Formiga enters for a takedown and gets a big slam. They scramble and Benavidez is able to end up on top. Benavidez in the guard of Formiga and switches to the half-guard. Benavidez back to the full guard and they scramble to their feet. They break. Benavidez with the calf kick and Formiga’s leg is hurt. Benavidez with a knee to the body followed by a punch. Benavidez lands a left hook. Benavidez with a combo to the body. He goes for a head kick and connects and hurts Formiga, Benavidez with a punch and then unloads with a barrage of punches and Formiga goes down and Benavidez finishes him off! What a win for Benavidez in an impressive showing.
Official Result- Joseph Benavidez def. Jussier Formiga by TKO (strikes) at 4:47 of Round 2
> Francis Ngannou (#2, 13-3, 8-2 UFC) vs. Junior Dos Santos (#3, 21-5, 15-4 UFC) Heavyweights
Ngannou with an immediate leg kick. He lands another. Dos Santos with a leg kick and it trips Ngannou up. Ngannou lands a big right hand. He lands another hard leg kick. Ngannou with a right hand that drops and hurts Dos Santos and he is turtling up and Ngannou lands more punches and it is over. Ngannou with another big win and he is back to being a scary man. Great win for Ngannou.
Official Result- Francis Ngannou def. Junior Dos Santos by TKO (punches) at 1:11 of Round 1
In order to find a main event for its June 29th Minneapolis, MN, event on ESPN, the UFC had to pull a featured fight from UFC 239 during July’s International Fight Week.
While not officially announced by the promotion, ESPN’s Brett Okamoto broke the news Tuesday that former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos vs. former title challenger Francis Ngannou will now headline the UFC’s return to Minnesota.
Former welterweight champions Tyron Woodley and Robbie Lawler were originally set to rematch in the main event, but a hand injury to Woodley and an inability to find a replacement to face Lawler scrapped the fight.
Since returning from a USADA suspension that initially prevented this fight from happening in 2017, the 35-year-old dos Santos has won three straight including two in a row by second round TKO. The 32-year-old Ngannou has won his last two by first round TKO after back-to-back losses.
The fight being removed from UFC 239 is a minor blow as the July 6th show features light heavyweight champion Jon Jones vs. Thiago Santos, two-division women’s champion Amanda Nunes vs. Holly Holm, Jorge Masvidal vs. Ben Askren, Luke Rockhold debuting at light heavyweight, and more.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On ESPN 1: Ngannou vs. Velasquez, which is taking place at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Octagon heads back to Phoenix for the first time in just over two years for their first full main card airing on ESPN headlined by a heavyweight knockout artist welcoming a former UFC champion back to action.
Heavyweight power house Francis Ngannou goes for his second straight win as he takes on former two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez in the five-round main event. Ngannou is coming off a 45-second win over Curtis Blaydes in November. Velasquez fights for the first time since UFC 200 in July 2016, as injuries and contract talks have delayed his return, but arguably the greatest UFC heavyweight of all-time is looking to get back to action and a title shot with an impressive win.
In the co-main event, it will be a lightweight battle between action fighters as James Vick takes on Paul Felder. Also on the main card is a women’s strawweight bout between Cortney Casey and Cynthia Calvillo, as well as a featherweight bout pitting Alex Caceres against the UFC debut of Kron Gracie. Prelims will air on ESPN, as well as ESPN+, capped off by a pivotal bantamweight bout between Jimmie Rivera and Aljamain Sterling.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
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> Aleksandra Albu (3-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Emily Whitmire (3-2, 1-1 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
Whitmire gets a takedown 10 seconds in. She’s the much larger fighter as she used to fight at bantamweight. Albu briefly up. Whitemire takes her back and secures a rear naked choke and gets the quick tap.
Official result – Emily Whitmire (4-2) by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:01
That was the fastest submission in UFC strawweight history. She was so happy in her post-fight promo. She talked about how much she loved Phoenix. She plans to keep training hard and hopes to fight again soon.
> Renan Barao (34-7 1 NC, 9-6 UFC) vs. Luke Sanders (12-3, 2-3 UFC) Bantamweights* (Barao missed weight by 2 pounds)
Barao backs up Sanders with a front kick early. A leg kick from Barao stumbles Sanders. Sanders with a punch combo. Barao with a kick combo, including a hard body kick but slips after throwing another. Sanders lets him up. Sanders’ body is already starting to redden. Sanders bleeding from the forehead after a high kick. Sanders keeps trying to clinch but Barao wants to stay standing. Body strikes landed are 18-4 for Barao through 4 minutes. Barao lands a hard high kick and Sanders has a mouse under his left eye. Sanders throws down Barao at the end of the round but he gets right up. 10-9 Barao
Nice punch exchange 30 seconds in with Sanders landing the hardest one. Barao still throwing a variety of kicks. Sanders lands a nice punch combo that rocks Barao and then an elbow to the head. Sanders knocks Barao down and finishes him with punches. Barao was out cold when he hit the canvas.
Official result – Luke Sanders (13-3) by TKO (punches) at 1:01 of Round 2
Sanders said it’s been a tough camp and he almost didn’t make it to the fight. He put over Barao as a legend of the sport.
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> Scott Holtzman (12-2, 5-2 UFC) vs. Nik Lentz (29-9-2 1 NC, 13-6-1 1 NC UFC) Lightweights
Lentz gets off the first punch combo. Holtzman controlling the center of the Octagon. Another punch combo from Lentz that backs up Holtzman to the cage. Holtzman connecting with leg kicks. Holtzman with a nice punch combo. Lentz with a takedown attempt but Holtzman defends well. Lentz briefly gets him down but Holtzman right up. Lentz controlling the back, though, and landing knees to the back of the legs. Lentz keeps fighting for the takedown but never loses control of the back. He’s tripping Holtzman to get him down and trying to secure a body lock each time nad Holtzman has no answer for it. 10-9 Lentz
Holtzman pushing the pace to start round 2. Both guys landing nice kicks early. Holtzman rocks Lentz with a punch combo and goes for a desparation takedown but misses badly. Lentuz with a mouse under his left eye. Head strikes are 37-16 for Lentz. Lentz landing some hard punches of his own. He’s cut under his right eye now as well. Holtzman landing more punches to the head and Lentz bleeding from the nose. Holtzman defending a takedown attempt but allows Lentz to control the clinch. Lentz gets him down briefly. Holtzman up but Lentz secures a guillotine. It’s a weird angle and Holtzman doesn’t tap and gets up. Lentz controlling the back again though. Lentz gets another takedown with 30 seconds left. Holtzmn up quickly but Lentz still controlling him He’s 5/11 on takedown attempts. Tough round to score. I go 10-9 Holtzman and 19-19 overall
Holtzman’s corner told him he lost both rounds and needs a finish. It’s probably better to say that when you’ve got a close round and he might be right. Holtzman advancing to start and hurts Lentz with some punches to the head. Lentz firing back with punches as well. Holtzman blocks a takedown attempt. Lentz with a punch/kick combo. Holtzman landing hard punches but not even phasing Lentz. Lentz takes the back standing but Holtzman manages to break free. Lentz takes the back and drags Holtzman to the canvas. Hotlzman up but Lentz still controlling his body. Lentz 7/15 on takedown attempts now. Holtzman with elbows to the head as Lentz is working for the takedown. Elbows are doing damage and Lentz is barely holding on. Holtzman advancing and Lentz’ face is a bloddy mess. Holtzman landing hard punches standing and then a flying knee. Lentz with another takedown but Holtzman right up. Lentz controlling the body. 10-9 Holtzman, 29-28 but last two rounds were really tough to score.
Official result – Nik Lentz (30-9-2) by unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
Crowd booed the decision. Lentz said he’s a tough opponent and probably a top 5 guy.
> Ashlee Evans-Smith (#12, 6-3, 3-3 UFC) vs. Andrea Lee (#14, 9-2, 1-0 UFC) Women’s Flyweights
Lee landing the harder punches to start. Smith with front kicks that are landing hard. Lee with a kick/punch combo. Lee with a counter punch combo. Smith almost exclusively throwing kicks and knocks down Lee with one but lets her back up. Lee down again and right up. Lee moves forward with a punch combo. Lee landing a lot of combos but not doing damage and Smith’s kicks are landing harder, making it difficult to score. Smith lands a series of jabs that back up Lee. Lee with a late takeddown and ends the round controlling the back. 10-9 Lee but very close
Significant strikes are 46-30 for Lee. Lee lands some kicks early and then attempts a takedown but stuffed. Lee with a punch/kick combo. Smith fires back with punches. Lee backs up Smith to the cage with punches and landing knees to the body. Smith bleeding from a cut under her left eye. Smith gets a takedown and lands right in side control. Smith just laying on her, not even attempting ground and pound. Lee gives up her back in and gets to her feet with 2 minutes left. Smith did no damage on the ground. Lee blocks a takedown attempt. She has a cut on her nose know as well. Lee with a 30-3 advantage in round 2 in significant strikes landed. Nice punch exchange with 30 seconds left. Lee blocks another takedown attempt and lands punches and knees to the body. 10-9 Lee, 20-18
Lee’s corner said that Smith had a tell when she’s about to shoot for a takedown. Lee lands a hard uppercut 45 seconds in. Smith attempts a takedown and Lee blocks it and lands some strikes in the process. Body punch combo from Lee. Lee with kicks to the legs and body. Smith is landing occasional punches but no combos. Smth stuffed on a takedown and Lee briefly attempted a front choke but let it go. Lee backs up Smith with a punch combo and Smith attempts another takedown but stuffed. Nice punch exchange with a minute left. Lee attempts a takedown and ends up controlling the cage clinch. Lee stuffs a takedown attempt. Smith does end up on top as the round ends. 10-9 Lee, 30-27
Official result – Andrea Lee (10-2) by unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
> Benito Lopez (9-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Manny Bermudez (13-0, 2-0 UFC) Bantamweights* (Bermudez missed weight by 4 pounds)
Bermudez gets an early takedown and working for a rear naked choke but Lopez works him back to guard. Bermudez landing hard punches to the head and body. Lopez to his feet but Bermudez still controlling his body. Lopez takes control of the clinch. Bermudez with a couple of attempts at a standing guillotine. He uses that to drag Lopez to the ground. Bermudez secures a D’Arce choke and gets a quick tap.
Official result – Manny Bermudez (14-0) by submission (D’Arce choke) at 3:09
Bermudez wants to fight another unbeaten bantamweight next and brought up the names of Brad Katona and Shawn O’Malley. Either fight would be good and I could easily see them booking him against Katona.
Sterling with a takedown attempt to strt and ends up controlling the cage clinch. Rivera takes control as the ref warns them to improve position. Crowd booing so they separate, which they like. Both guys throwing kicks from distance while standing. Rivera stuffs another takedown attempt. Rivera with elbows to the head. Ref warning them early to improve so he’s probably not going to let this go ontoo long. Sterling manages to get Rivera into the air but Rivera manages to fight off the takedown. Sterling with foot stomps. Crowd booing heavily again. Ref breaks them up with 90 seconds left. Rivera with a takedown attempt after ducking a head kick. Sterling with light punches to the head and Rivera targeting the body as he works for the takedown. 10-9 Sterling but close round
Sterling lands some kicks to open and Rivera gets a quick takedown. Sterling attempting a triangle from his back and kicks off Rivera to get to his feet quickly. Rivera blocks a takedown. Boos starting already less than a minute into the round. Sterling with knees to the legs. Ref warns them to improve. Rivera takes control and separates. Rivera with a punch combo. Sterling connects hard with a spinning back fist. Sterling has Rivera backed up and hurt. Sterling landing hard jabs and then punch combos. Rivera has dropped his mouth piece three times and the ref warns him if it happens again, he’ll lose a point. Rivera blocks a takedown attempt with a front headlock. Rivera with punches to the body and then lets Sterling up. Sterling with a nice punch/elbow combo and has a 30-8 advantage in significant strikes landed this round. 10-9 Sterling, 20-18 overall
Rivera catches a kick and Sterling slips but Rivera lets him back up. Sterling stuffed on a takedown attempt. Sterling landing jabs from distance and keeping Rivera’s back to the cage. Rivera landing occasional punches but his output has really slowed since hte first. Sterling ahead 74-31 in signficant strikes landed. Sterling slips while throwing a kick and Rivera pounces on him and moves into half guard. Sterling to his knees and then up fairly easily. Punch combo from Rivera. Rivera lands some punches and chases Starling briefly but Sterling regains center control. Rivera blocks a takedown attempt and has a guillotine as the fight ends. 10-9 Sterling, 30-27 overall
Official result – Aljamain Sterling (17-3) by unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
Sterling asked for a rematch with Marlon Moraes, saying he got lucky the first time they fought. He thinks they should be fighting for the next title shot.
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> Andre Fili (18-6, 6-5 UFC) vs. Myles Jury (17-3, 8-3 UFC) Featherweights
Both guys keeping their distance early. Fili is landing occasional jabs from distance. Jury lands a couple punches but Fili way more active. Fili lands a hard jab that may have broken the nose of Jury as he’s bleeding immediately. Jury starting to time his jabs better in the 2nd half of the round. Crowd getting restless as not a lot happening. Fili mixing in leg kicks. Jury lands some shots that hurt Fili in the last 30 seconds. 10-9 Fili
Jury throwing jabs and leg kicks early. Fili answering back with jabs of his own and targeting the nose, which the corner stopped from bleeding between rounds. Head strikes are 16-9 for Fili. Nice punch exchange with both guys landing hard shots. Loud boos from the crowd. Not sure why cause action has picked up. Maybe something going on off camera. Jury has closed the gap this round in significant strikes landed and actually has more in the 2nd. Jury knocks down Fili with a spinning back fist and all over him with punches on the ground. Jury moves into mount but only 30 seconds left. Fili kicks him off and works Jury back to guard. Jury landing punches to the body as the round ends. 10-9 Jury, 19-19
Fili landing jabs to start the round. Jury with body kicks. Jury pushing the action but neither guy landing a ton in the first half. Jury starting to taunt Fili, who is still landing more jabs. Significant strikes are 26-14 Fili in round 3 with a minute left. Jury with a nice punch combo with 15 seconds left but too little, too late. 10-9 Fili, 29-28 overall
Official result – Andre Fili (19-6) by unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
Fili said he loves the sport but doesn’t get paid enough, which surprisingly draws some boos. Says he’ll be a future world champion.
Barberena gets a nice hometown pop as he’s announced as being from Arizona. Barberena gets off the first punch combo while retreating. Barberena landing leg kicks. Luque is pushing the pace. Luque with a kick/punch combo. Luque hurts Barberena with punches but Barberena firing back, which the crowd love. Luque just picking Barberena apart though. Barberena with a nice punch combo. Luque mixing in elbows with his punches to the head now. They clinch in the center and trade body punches. Luque with a 23-8 advantage in head strikes landed with 90 seconds left. Barberena drops Luque with a punch and goes to the ground but Luque takes the back and secures a choke. Angle is not quite wrong but Luque squeezing. Barberena somehow escapes. Luque transitions to a D’Arce choke. Barberena escapes and landing punches and elbows as the round ends. 10-9 Luque
Both guys firing punches at the start of the round. Barberena looks fresher. Barberena with a nice punch combo 45 seconds in. Barberena rocks Luque with punches to the head. Luque answers with elbows to the head. Barberena walking away with his hands down. Barberena with elbows and punches the the head. Luque starting to target the body more. Barberena with a nice punch combo. Crowd exploding every time Barberena lands anything. Barberena cut under his right eye. Barberena with a nice punch combo. Barberena with a 60-54 advantage in significant strikes landed. Head kick lands flush from Luque. Luque cut under his right eye now. Great punch combo from Luque. Barberena with a great punch combo with 30 seconds left. Both guys throwing bombs and crowd going nuts. Barberena down after a body shot. Luque takes the back but Barberena up. Great round. 10-9 Barberena, 19-19
Both trade leg kicks early. Great punch exchange with both guys landing hard shots. Head kick from Luque backs up Barberena. Knee to the body followed by punches from Barberena. Signfiicant strikes landed are 97-95 for Luque. Both guys land hard shots to the head and get rocked. In 40 combined fights, neither has ever been knocked out, which explains a lot. Barberena turning up the pace at 2;00 and lands a ton of unanswered shots. Luque starts to block some of them and then firing back with elbows and punches to the head. Knee to the body from Barberena. Series of elbows to the head from Luque and Barberena fires back with punches. Barberena has a 37-28 advantage in head strikes landed this round with 90 seconds left. Luque with a punch/kick combo and Barberena briefly down but Luque lets him up. Both guys firing bombs with 30 seconds left and the crowd is going nuts. Luque landing hard shots. Barberena down and collapses and the ref stops it. This was one of the best fights you will EVER see and worth going out of your way to see.
Official result – Vicent Luque (15-6-1) by TKO (punches) at 4:54 of the 3rd round
They embrace before the post-fight interview and both are going to get to speak. Luque says he’s getting married next month and his face won’t look too good. Luque says he’s a top ten fighter and just proved it. His 8 wins by finish are tied for 4th most in welterweight history. He may have needed the finish to get the win in a close fight and he pulled it out.
Barberena got a standing ovation from the crowd. He put over Luque as a warrior. He says he’ll keep improving, get better and bounce back.
> Alex Caceres (14-11 1 NC, 9-9 1 NC UFC) vs. Kron Gracie (4-0, 0-0 UFC) Featherweights
Gracie lands the first strike of the fight that backs up Caceres, a punch. Gracie takes the back standing. Gracie drags him to the mat, while still in back control. Gracie with a body lock and working for the rear naked choke. Gracie secures the choke. Caceres fights it for longer than he probably should’ve and taps as he was about to pass out.
Offiical result – Kron Gracie (5-0) by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:06
Gracie started his promo by saying “Whoomp, there it is”. Crowd didn’t quite know how to take that. He says he’d like to fight again as soon as possible. Nick Diaz was shown in his corner but not identified. He swore and the audio was cut out and he apologized for it.
Casey pushing the pace to start. Calvillo with a takedown attempt blocked and then lands a punch/kick combo. Casey with a punch combo. Casey lands a punch combo and tries to push Calvillo to the cage but she breaks away. Nice punch exchange with Casey getting the best of it. A couple of wild exchanges where both women land a bunch at the 3 minute mark. Calvillo with a partial takedown but lets Casey back up without going to the ground with her. Calvillo does some damage with a punch combo. 10-9 Calvillo, close round
Calvillo with an 18-8 advantage in leg kicks landed and that’s her main weapon early in round 2. Both throwing shots from distance and not really engaging and crowd starting to get restless 90 seconds in. Calvillo rocks Casey with a punch and takes her back standing. Calvillo kind of working a head and arm choke but Casey escapes and they separate. Casey blocks a takedown attempt. Calvillo with a punch combo with a minute left. Casey starting to land leg kicks at the end of the round. Crowd doing the wave and Anik thinks they’re reacting to the fight, which they’ve completely lost interest in. Calvillo closes with a great punch combo. 10-9 Calvillo, 20-18
Casey’s lead leg really bothering her between rounds because of all the kicks she’s absorbed. Crowd booing again a minute in as they’re again not egnaging much. Calvillo takes it to the cage clinch after eating some punches. Calvillo catches a kick and attempts a takedown but gives it up fairly quickly. Boos getting really lound at the midway mark of the round. Punch combo from Calvillo at 3;00 as the crowd starts singing the OLE song. Casey starting to throw more in bunches now but missing most of them. Calvillo with a punch combo. Calvillo with punches to the body and another leg kick. Total strikes in round 3 are 19-11 for Casey. Punch/kick combo from Calvillo. Both ladies throwing down like crazy at the end of the fight and the crowd finally cheers. 10-9 Casey, 29-28 Calvillo overall
Official result – Cynthia Calvillo (8-1) by unanimous decision (30-27; 29-28 x 2)
Crowd boos the decision despite the fact that Calvillo and Casey embraced afterward. Boos get louder during her promo even though she was putting over her opponent by saying how tough the fight was. They just didn’t care about her unfortunately. Says she wishes she’d have performed better and asked for a top 5 fighter next. Brought up the name Tatiana Suarez, which drew more boos. Then she spoke in Spansh and they cheered. Weird.
> James Vick (#10, 13-2, 9-2 UFC) vs. Paul Felder (15-4, 7-4 UFC) Lightweights
Both keeping their distance early. Vick lands a body kick for the first contact of the fight. Felder connects with a punch combo that stuns Vick. Vick really targeting the body early. Vick with a punch combo. Vick really making good use of his reach by connecting and backing away before Felder can reach him. Felder does connect with a spinning elbow and also starting to land leg kicks. Crowd getting restless again. Felder takes it to the cage clinch with a minute left. They separate quickly. Felder rocks Vick with 15 seconds left and takes him to the cage. Vick trying to just hold him and ride out the round. 10-9 Felder
Vick grabs the next standing but Felder fights off the choke. Vick in control of a cage clinch. Crowd booing heavily at the clinch work. Felder takes control and separates. Crowd booing so loud you can barely hear the commentators. Nice punch exchange follows with both guys landing hard. Felder continuing to land leg kicks. Felder rocks Vick with a punch combo. Vick lands a nice combo that backs up Felder. Felder with a spinning elbow that gets blocked but looked good. Vick clinches up on the cage. Cue the boos. Separation on their own. Vick lands a flying knee that backs up Felder. Felder with a punch combo. Felder with a hard leg kick that hurts Vick and he switches stances. 10-9 Vick, 19-19
Felder teasing the leg kick and Vick switches stances a couple times in the opening minute. Spin kick from Felder lands to the body of Vick. Felder with a punch combo and then clinches up on the cage. Felder with an elbow to the head and separates. Vick throwing leg kicks now. Felder lands a couple more and Vick is limping. Knee/punch combo from Vick. Nice punch combo from Felder. More leg kicks from Felder, 19 so far in the fight. Felder rocks Vick with a left hook to the body. Vick connects with a punch combo and moves in for a takedown. Felder defending well. They separate on their own. Great punch exchange with both guys landing hard. Felder clinches up on the cage with a minute left. Vick takes control. Separation with 30 seconds left. Felder with a 57-46 advantage in significant strikes landed and 23-14 in the 3rd round. 10-9 Felder, 29-28 overall
Official result – Paul Felder (16-4) by unanimous decision (30-27 x 2; 29-28)
Felder said that UFC is in his hometown of Philadelphia and he won’t be ready to fight but he’ll be working the show and he wants Justin Gaethje, win or lose, for his next fight. Good callout.
> Francis Ngannou (#3, 12-3, 7-2 UFC) vs. Cain Velasquez (14-2, 12-2 UFC) Heavyweights
Cain is the massive crowd favorite here, returning after almost 3 years away and N’Gannou is booed as heavily as Cain is cheered. For the first time I can recall, at least pre-fight, Cain looks old.
Cain bouncing around a lot early and throwing kicks. N’Gannou lands hard punches and knocks Cain down. Cain twisted his knee on the way down and N’Gannou finished him with punches.
Official result – Francis Ngannou (13-3) by TKO (punches) in 26 seconds
Ngannou dedicated the fight to his aunt, who just passed away. He promised the fans that he’s back. Says he’s honored that Cain accepted the fight.
Jon Anik called Cain a future Hall of Famer and Cain asked the fans to give it up for Francis and they gave him a nice ovation. He says he let himself get to close and paid the price. He says he’ll fight again as soon as he feels good again. He apologized to the fans and they gave him an ovation anyway.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez headlined the first-ever UFC main event on Fox and will now headline the first-ever main event on ESPN.
UFC president Dana White confirmed to ESPN’s Brett Okamato late Friday night that Velasquez will face former title challenger Francis Ngannou in the main event of the February 17th UFC Fight Night event in Phoenix — the first full card set for ESPN “linear” TV.
The 36-year-old has been on the shelf since defeating Travis Browne at UFC 200 in July 2016. Injury-prone, Velasquez (13-2) has only fought twice since 2015.
The 32-year-old Ngannou (12-3) is coming off a first round TKO win over Curtis Blaydes last month, snapping a two-fight losing streak that saw him dominated (a January heavyweight title fight vs. Stipe Miocic) and an embarassing decision loss to Derrick Lewis in July in which he barely threw any punches.
Velasquez was in the main event of the UFC’s maiden voyage on another network — Fox — back in November 2011 when he lost the heavyweight title to Junior dos Santos in just 64 seconds.
The UFC will debut on ESPN+ in January, officially kicking off a five year deal.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 141: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2, emanating from the Cadillac Arena in Beijing, China.
The Octagon heads to Beijing for the very first time with a pair of heavyweight bouts at the top of the card including a rematch in the main event featuring a former title challenger looking to derail an opponent looking for a title shot.
The main event sees Curtis Blaydes putting his six-fight unbeaten streak on the line, as well as his hopes for a title shot, as he looks to avenge a prior loss to Francis Ngannou, who is looking to end a two-fight losing skid.
Blaydes and Ngannou squared off previously in April 2016, a fight won by Ngannou via TKO in the second round. Ngannou has gone on to fight for the UFC Heavyweight Championship, which he came up short in claiming, while Blaydes has yet to suffer defeat since that loss, going unbeaten in six fights including four straight wins, which has put him as close as one fight away from a title shot.
In the co-main event, former title challenger Alistair Overeem looks to get back into the win column after two straight losses when he takes on Sergey Pavlovich, who makes his UFC debut sporting a perfect 12-0 record. This entire event will stream on UFC Fight Pass.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 3:15 a.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 3:15 AM ET/12:15 AM PT
> Su Mudaerji (10-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Louis Smolka (14-5, 5-5 UFC) Bantamweights
Smolka goes right for a takedown but Mudaerji defends it against the fence. Mudaerji lands an elbow as Smolka goes back for the takedown and gets the single leg. Smolka working in the guard of Mudaerji and works for a leg. Smolka remains in the full guard and lands some punches. Smolka remains working from the top as he tries to transition to side control. Smolka gets the back and works for the choke but moves to mount for a brief moment. Smolka landing punches from the back again and looking for a choke again. Smolka flattens him out. Elbows and punches from Smolka as Mudaerji covers up. Smolka tries to finish but time runs out. 10-8 Smolka.
Mudaerji lands a flying knee and Smolka counters with a left and gets a takedown. Mudaerji lands some elbows from the bottom. Smolka passes to side control and then into mount and lands some big punches. Mudaerji gives up his back and is able to roll back to defending his guard. Mudaerji looks for a triangle choke but Smolka sweeps and is now on the bottom. Smolka looking for an armbar. He gets it locked in and Mudaerji immediately taps! Smolka gets the submission win in his UFC return.
Official Result- Louis Smolka def. Su Mudaerji by submission (armbar) at 2:07 of Round 2
> Kevin Holland (13-4, 0-1 UFC) vs. John Phillips (21-7 1 NC, 0-1 UFC) Middleweights
Holland with some side kicks and then they trade punches. Holland with a hook kick. They trade punches in close range. Phillips lands a left hand. Holland with a leg kick and Phillips chops him down with a body kick but Holland gets up. Holland with a front kick followed by a right hand. Holland has Phillips in trouble as he lands punches and kicks against the fence. Phillips stuck against the fence. Holland still landing punches and kicks but Phillips gets away from the fence. Holland with some knees in the clinch. Holland with a body kick. Phillps lands a left hand. Holland with a leg kick. Holland with a jumping knee that drops Phillips late. 10-9 Holland.
Holland with some side kicks to the legs. Phillips drops Holland for a brief moment with a left hand. Phillips now landing punches against the fence. Holland defending as he slips away. Phillips lands more punches. Holland with an elbow over the top. They continue to trade. Phillips lands a left hand. Holland lands a combo. Phillips with a leg kick. Phillips lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Holland lands a knee in the clinch followed by an elbow on the break. Holland with a front kick to the body. He lands two more. Holland with a combo and body kick at the end. 10-9 Phillips, 19-19.
Holland gets a takedown off a left hand from Phillips. Holland landing punches from the top and has the back. They get to their feet. Holland gets another takedown. Holland landing more punches. Holland with a big elbow as he has full back control. They get to their feet for a moment but Holland takes it back down and is in side control before moving to mount. Phillips able to get to the guard but Holland scrambles out and gets Phillips back down. Holland then grabs the back of Phillips and locks in the rear-naked choke and gets Phillips to tap out. Holland looked good here in getting the win.
Official Result- Kevin Holland def. John Phillips by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:05 of Round 3
> Yan Xioanan (9-1 1 NC, 2-0 UFC) vs. Syuri Kondo (6-1, 1-1 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
Xiaonan with some kicks and punches to start the fight. Xiaonan with some kicks but Kondo counters with a combo. They trade in close range. They trade kicks. Xiaonan with a combo. Xiaonan with a kick but Kondo counters with a left. They trade punches. Kondo with a front kick. Xiaonan with a right hand. Xiaonan just misses a spinning back fist. Xiaonan with a combo and Kondo with a leg kick. Xiaonan with a spinning back elbow. They trade late. 10-9 Xiaonan.
They trade to start the second round. Xiaonan landing with more volume but Kondo is firing back. They trade and Kondo lands a knee in the clinch. Xiaonan misses a spinning back fist. They continue to trade punch for punch and kick for kick. Xiaonan lands a nice overhand right. Neither able to find a good opening as they end with trading punches. 10-9 Xiaonan, 20-18 Xiaonan.
They trade punches and kicks to start the third. Xiaonan landing with more volume but Kondo continuing to move forward. Kondo lands a right hand as they clinch for a moment. Xiaonan with a spinning back fist. They continue to trade. Kondo with a front kick. Xiaonan with a combo. Xiaonan with an overhand right and a body kick. Xiaonan with a big right hand. She misses some spinning back fists as the fight ends. 10-9 Xiaonan, 30-27 Xiaonan.
Official Result- Yan Xiaonan def. Syuri Kondo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Liu Pingyuan (14-4, 1-0 UFC) vs. Martin Day (9-2, 0-0 UFC) Bantamweights
Pingyuan with some punches as he comes forward and grabs a leg and lands more punches. Day defending against the fence. Day gets away. They trade and Pingyuan lands better. Day with a kick but Pingyuan grabs the leg and pushes him against the fence. They battle in the clinch and Pingyuan has a guillotine locked in. It looks tight but they’re against the fence so that is helping Day defend. Day escapes and is in the guard. They get to their feet. Day with some kicks. They trade punches. Day with a front kick to the body. They trade body kicks at the exact same time. Pingyuan dives for a single leg but Day defends and lands some punches. 10-9 Pingyuan.
Day with some kicks. Pingyuan with a body kick. Day with a front kick to the body. They trade punches. Pingyuan with a right hand as he goes in for a takedown. They scramble and Day ends up on top. Pingyuan looking for a leg. Day with some hammerfists as they get to their feet. Pingyuan lands a left hook and an uppercut. They trade body kicks. Day with a high kick. Day with a switch knee. They continue to trade and Day lands a combo to the body. Pingyuan is backed against the fence and eats a body kick from Day. Day drops Pingyuan with a straight right hand late. 10-9 Day, 19-19.
They trade kicks. Day with a jumping switch kick followed by a right hand and a counter left hook. Pingyuan with a body kick but Day grabs the leg and throws him down for a moment. Pingyuan drops Day with a right hand and then grabs the neck looking for a guillotine as Day tries to roll out. They scramble on the mat as Pingyuan still has the neck but Day pops out and is looking for a D’arce choke himself. Pingyuan escapes and takes the back of Day. Pingyuan still has the back and is looking for a choke but time is going to run out. Interesting round to score. 10-9 Pingyuan, 29-28 Pingyuan.
Official Result- Liu Pingyuan def. Martin Day by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
They trade early. Aguilar grabs the body and they trade knees in the clinch. Both looking for trip takedowns. Zhang able to get the body lock takedown and is in side control. Zhang with some big short elbows. Aguilar is cut open as she is unable to defend on the bottom. They transition and Aguilar in the guard. Zhang looking for a triangle and is landing big elbows from the position. Aguilar has her hands locked together. Zhang moves to an armbar and gets Aguilar to tap out! What a performance from Zhang as she was completely dominant.
Official Result- Weili Zhang def. Jessica Aguilar by submission (armbar) at 3:41 of Round 1
> Hu Yaozong (3-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Rashad Coulter (8-4, 0-3 UFC) Light Heavyweights* (Coulter missed weight by 2 pounds)
Coulter with some kicks early before they clinch. Yaozong with the underhooks against the fence. Coulter with a knee. He lands another and then another. Yaozong lands a right hand on the break. They trade punches and Yaozong with a body punch followed by a leg kick. Coulter lands a left hook. Coulter drops Yaozong with a right hand. Yaozong able to get to his feet but eats another big right hand followed by two more from Coulter. Yaozong turns the tables and pushes Coulter against the fence by landing some punches to the body. Coulter lands a knee as they remain tied up as the round ends. 10-9 Coulter.
Yaozong with a couple of leg kicks. Yaozong lands a right hand as he comes in to clinch. Yaozong with some foot stomps. Yaozong with a knee but just seems to be hanging out in the clinch. Coulter with a hard elbow against the fence. They trade as they break. Coulter with a short right hand. Coulter with a snapping jab. Yaozong with some leg kicks. Coulter lands a right hand. They trade and Yaozong lands a hard right hand as he comes forward. Yaozong with a switch knee followed by a right hand. 10-9 Yaozong, 19-19.
Yaozong lands some punches before clinching against the fence. Yaozong with an overhand right. Coulter with some short uppercuts and they break. Coulter taking some deep breaths. Coulter with a snapping jab. They clinch against the fence and Yaozong lands some body punches as they break. They continue to trade though the pace and power has stalled. Yaozong with some leg kicks. Yaozong with a left hook to the body followed by some right hands. Coulter with a right hand. Coulter lands a right hand. They trade kicks at the end. Close fight. 10-9 Yaozong, 29-28 Yaozong.
Official Result- Rashad Coulter def. Hu Yaozong by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Mueller pushing forward with leg kicks. Yanan with a counter left hook. They both come forward feinting punches. Mueller with a right hand. Yanan shoots for a takedown but easily stuffed. They clinch against the fence. They trade as they break the clinch. Mueller lands a right hand. Mueller drops Yanan with a left hand and gets in the guard. Yanan looking for an armbar and has it and Mueller taps! That came quick as the armbar didn’t even look all the way locked in.
Official Result- Yu Wanan def. Lauren Mueller by submission (armbar) at 4:00 of Round 1
> Song Kenan (14-4, 2-0 UFC) vs. Alex Morono (14-5 1 NC, 3-2 1 NC UFC) Welterweights
Kenan with a front kick. Morono with an overhand right. Morono lands a right hand as he controls the Octagon. They trade in close range. They trade again before clinching. They break and both are throwing wild punches and neither is really landing. Kenan with a spin kick to the body. Morono lands a clean right hand. Morono with a front kick to the body followed by a leg kick. Morono with a leg kick. Kenan with a big body kick. They swing wildly late. 10-9 Morono.
Morono with a spinning back fist. Kenan missed his own spinning back fist. Kenan with a body kick. Morono with a leg kick. They trade in close range and Kenan with a left hook. Both throwing wild punches and neither lands. Morono with a spin kick to the body. Kenan with a body kick. Morono with a combo. Kenan with a leg kick. Morono just misses a spinning back fist. Kenan’s face is really marked up. Kenan lands a right hand but eats a body kick from Morono. Two close rounds. 10-9 Morono, 20-18 Morono.
Morono lands a right hand. They trade punches. Morono sets up a takedown attempt by landing a combo. Morono goes for it but Kenan grabs the fence to block it and gets a big warning. Morono with an elbow. Kenan with an uppercut. Morono with a front kick to the face. They continue to trade. Morono with a right hand but Kenan with a counter left hook. Morono with a right hand. They trade spinning back fists and then we have a big eye poke by Kenan on Morono. Morono might not be able to continue. He is able to. Morono with a leg kick. Morono with a combo ending with a leg kick. They wing punches at the end. 10-9 Morono, 30-27 Morono.
Official Result- Alex Morono def. Song Kenan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
UFC FIGHT PASS MAIN CARD | 6:30 AM ET/3:30 AM PT
> Li Jingliang (15-5, 7-3 UFC) vs. David Zawada (16-4, 0-1 UFC) Welterweights
They feel each other out early with neither landing. Zawada then drops Jingliang with a right hand. Zawada gets on top but Jingliang scrambles out to his feet. Jingliang scores a takedown and is in the half-guard against the fence. Jingliang with some punches from the top. Zawada trying to use the fence to get to his feet and does and they break. Zawada lands a clean right hand. They are throwing against the fence and Jingliang has his hands low. Zawada shoots but Jingliang defends the attempt. Zawada with a combo and then a knee followed by another. They clinch for a moment. Jingliang with wild punches that miss. Zawada goes for a single leg but it is defended as the round ends. 10-9 Zawada.
Jingliang tries a takedown but it is defended though he lands a left hook. Jingliang with a kick. Jingliang with another leg kick. They both throw punches. Zawada with a left hook to the body. Jingliang with a low kick and then another. Jingliang with a leg kick and Zawada counters with a right hand. They swing wildly. Zawada with a knee as they get in close. Zawada with an uppercut but eats a counter right hand from Jingliang. Jinglaing with a leg kick. Jingliang with a left hook. Jingliang with a late flurry and even landed some punches after the horn signaled the end. 10-9 Jingliang, 19-19.
They trade and both are swinging wildly. Jingliang with some leg kicks. Zawada looks for a takedown but Jingliang moves away as he sees it coming. Jingliang with more hard leg kicks. Zawada with an uppercut. Zawada gets a single leg against the fence. Jingliang with an elbow. Zawada lands a right hand as they break. Jingliang then hurts Zawada with a liver kick and Zawada goes to the mat and Jingliang lands a couple more punches before it is stopped. Big late finish by Jingliang as the crowd goes crazy.
Official Result- Li Jingliang def. David Zawada by TKO (body kick, punches) at 4:07 of Round 3
> Song Yadong (12-4 1 NC, 2-0 UFC) vs. Vince Morales (8-2, 0-0 UFC) Bantamweights
Yadong with a body kick. Yadong with a leg kick. Morales circling away and just misses a right hand. Morales lands a right hand. Yadong with a spin kick to the body. Yadong with a jumping knee. Yadong with a body kick. Morales eating everything well. Yadong with a combo and a spin kick to the body. Morales missing on his punches. Yadong with a late flurry and a huge spinning back kick to the body. 10-9 Yadong.
They trade and Morales lands a counter left. Yadong with a leg kick. Both men looking for openings. Yadong with a short right hand. Morales with some dirty boxing in a brief clinch. Morales with a body kick. Both men looking for a big power punch. Yadong with some leg kicks. They are point fighting at this moment. Yadong controlling the Octagon. Morales throws but eats a counter right hand from Yadong. Close round. 10-9 Yadong, 20-18 Yadong.
They trade to start the third round. Morales rushes in and gets taken down by Yadong. Yadong working from the half-guard. Yadong goes to the full guard and lands some punches as he moves back to half-guard. Yadong tries to step over into mount but Morales finds an opening to scramble to his feet. They clinch against the fence. Yadong gets the fight back to the ground and in the guard. They are scrambling and Morales looking for a kneebar. Yadong with a right hand from the top. They get to their feet. Morales just misses a right hand. They trade combos. Morales with some late punches. 10-9 Yadong, 30-27 Yadong.
Official Result- Song Yadong def. Vince Morales by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
They are clinched early. Overeem with some knees. Pavlovich lands some knees as well. Battle for underhooks going on here. They break. Overeem with a front kick as he’s moving around well. Overeem with a right hand and he gets a takedown. Overeem with a punch from the top. Overeem gets in the guard. Overeem with some right hands from the top. Big right hands from Overeem and Pavlovich is in trouble and Overeem finishes him off. Big finish by Overeem and he looked good in this one.
Official Result- Alistair Overeem def. Sergey Pavlovich by TKO (punches) at 4:21 of Round 1
> Curtis Blaydes (#3, 10-1 1 NC, 5-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Francis Ngannou (#4, 11-3, 6-2 UFC) Heavyweights
Ngannou with a leg kick. Ngannou with a big right hand drops Blaydes. Ngannou with big punches and Blaydes is in trouble and Ngannou finishes him off. Went less than a minute. Blaydes was protesting the stoppage but he wasn’t defending himself well and was going to be done rather soon at the rate it was going.
Official Result- Francis Ngannou def. Curtis Blaydes by TKO (punches) at :45 of Round 1
After a fun UFC St. Louis show headlined by a solid Jeremy Stephens 2nd round TKO over DooHo Choi, we launch into a weekend with not only one show but TWO SHOWS GOING HEAD-TO-HEAD. If that’s not worthy of ALL CAPS, I don’t know what is.
Let’s get to a look at what matters and what doesn’t this weekend. Your guides as always: Paul Fontaine, Ryan Frederick, and your friendly neighborhood podcast host.
First, The Cards
UFC 220 (whole card)
Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou
Light heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier vs. Volkan Oezdemir
Shane Burgos vs. Calvin Kattar
Francimar Barroso vs. Gian Villante
Thomas Almeida vs. Rob Font
Kyle Bochniak vs. Brandon Davis
Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Sabah Homasi
Dustin Ortiz vs. Alexandre Pantoja
Julio Arce vs. Dan Ige
Matt Bessette vs. Enrique Barzola
Islam Makhachev vs. Gleison Tibau
Bellator 192 (main card)
Heavyweight Grand Prix Round 1: Chael Sonnen vs. Rampage Jackson
Welterweight champion Douglas Lima vs. Rory MacDonald
Michael Chandler vs. Goiti Yamauchi
Aaron Pico vs. Shane Kruchten
Henry Corrales vs. Georgi Karakhanyan
What fight(s) are you most looking forward to this weekend?
Ryan: There are a lot of good to great fights this weekend, but the big one for me is Miocic vs. Ngannou. It has all the makings of fireworks. Miocic is on his way to being the best UFC heavyweight of all time as he has finished five of the best heavyweights ever in a row, most of them in the first round. Ngannou has finished a few of the same opponents, but in more violent form. Both have knockout power, but the big question is if Miocic can avoid the punches of Ngannou and drag the fight out. The only time Ngannou has been past the second round was his lone loss in his career. I expect a violent finish in this one — one that will have the Boston fans going crazy.
Paul: The heavyweight title fight is the biggest one for sure. Either Miocic stakes his claim as perhaps the greatest heavyweight of all time or UFC potentially gets a new mega-star in Francis Ngannou. It’s a no-lose situation for UFC and especially the fans. On the Bellator side of things, Michael Chandler will be on a mission to steal the show and earn a shot at the lightweight title he doesn’t feel he should’ve lost.
Josh: I mean, it’s got to be Miocic vs. Ngannou for all the reasons Paul and Ryan listed above. Big dudes, big stakes, and a real path toward being what the combat sports world wants: a heavyweight champion to rally behind. I’m bummed that Bellator is running at the same time as I really want to see that MacDonald-Lima fight. For those at home, enjoy using that clicker.
Any dark horse great fights?
Paul: The Chandler-Yamauchi fight is the one that has the potential to steal the show. Both are finishers and both have a great history of exciting fights. The bantamweight fight between Thomas Almeida and Rob Font is also one to watch for from UFC.
Ryan: I’m also going with Chandler vs. Yamauchi. Both are two of the most exciting fighters on the Bellator roster. Chandler is a former two-time champion, but Yamauchi is on the rise and is a dangerous opponent. Yamauchi has dangerous submissions and Chandler has excellent power on his feet. It’s going to be a wild one.
Josh: The Almeida-Font PPV opener should be a lot of fun. Both guys are coming off a loss, but are both young enough to make a run at any time. Font is a local guy and will get a great pop with a big win. This is a good litmus test for where both guys are at at this point in their young career.
What isn’t doing it for you this weekend?
Paul: The entire UFC undercard after the two top fights. Using my scoring system that I employ at MMADraws.com, it’s the weakest FS1 prelims show ever for a PPV. The names on this card are people even hardcore fight fans have a hard time caring about.
Josh: I completely agree. I love going to these shows, but this card is hard to get excited about outside the top two fights and personal interest fights like New Hampshire’s Calvin Kattar.
Ryan: It’s the Bellator “main event” between Chael Sonnen and Rampage Jackson. It shouldn’t be the main event over Lima-MacDonald and has the potential to be very boring. Sonnen hasn’t been the same since he had to get off the performance enhancers, and Jackson hasn’t looked like a good fighter in six years, hanging around just to make money. Jackson has been in some boring fights the last few years, and this will likely be another one.
Why do both shows matter?
Josh: UFC 220 matters for two reasons and that’s the two title fights. It’s been a while since we saw Miocic last do this thing and unless this is a dud of a fight, the promotion is going to come out ahead no matter who wins. This sets up at least one more heavyweight title fight this year and possible two more depending on the damage done. Secondly, we either get the beginning of the latest Daniel Cormier light heavyweight redemption story or a new champion that we’re not necessarily ready for. The division is thin as it is and a Cormier win sets up a fun rematch with Alexander Gustafsson. Now if Oezdemir wins, that adds another promotional challenge but we’ll cross that bridge when he crosses it.
Paul: Both title fights on the UFC show have tremendous stakes both for the short and long-term. Ngannou is the most impressive title challenger to come along since Brock Lesnar and, in fact, Miocic is the first UFC heavyweight champion to go into a title defence as an underdog since Randy Couture (against Lesnar). And in the co-main, Cormier has to prove that he is the best light heavyweight on the planet, and maybe ever, who is not named Jon Jones. If he gets tagged by Oezdemir and goes down, it could wipe away everything he’s done in the division, especially to the segment of UFC fans who already seem to not like him very much.
Ryan: There is a potential for two new champions on the UFC card, and that would shake up both divisions a great deal. Ngannou has the chance to become the next breakout star in the UFC while Miocic can further cement his legacy, so that matters. Cormier has the chance to further his career as the best light heavyweight not named Jon Jones, but has a tough test. Bellator could see a new champion at 170 pounds, and the Heavyweight Grand Prix gets off to a start. It may not be the most-stacked shows, at least on one side, but both have future company plans on the line.
Who wins?
Miocic vs. Ngannou
Ngannou: Paul, Josh
Miocic: Ryan
Cormier vs. Oezdemir
Oezdemir: Paul
Cormier, Ryan, Josh
Font vs. Almeida
Font, Josh, Paul
Almeida: Ryan
Bellator Welterweight Champion Douglas Lima vs. Rory MacDonald
I asked our two intrepid MMA writers — Paul Fontaine and Ryan Frederick — to jot down some thoughts on 2017 while looking ahead to 2018. With the MMA year kicking off this weekend with UFC in St. Louis, MO, let’s take a gander back at the year that was.
When you think about 2017 in MMA, what comes to mind?
Paul:
I think of ‘What could have been?’ UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor didn’t fight in the Octagon. Jon Jones did what Jon Jones does and blew a potential mega-fight with Brock Lesnar. Ronda Rousey proved she still had drawing power at the end of 2016 with a million plus buy PPV and then proceeded to not fight in 2017. The only currently somewhat active person in UFC who is a big draw is Georges St Pierre and he will be out with an injury for the foreseeable future.
Ryan:
I see this as a year of missed opportunities, both when it comes to the UFC and the fighters. The UFC missed out on Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, Nate Diaz, and Brock Lesnar fighting. In the case of Conor, they made the business decision to let him box Floyd Mayweather which made them big money. You can’t fault them for that, but that meant UFC fans missed out on enjoying him in the Octagon.
With the case of Rousey, she appears gone for good. With Diaz, it was simply a matter of money as they tried and failed to get him to fight. With Lesnar, the drug test failure still looms. When it comes to the fighters, weight issues with Khabib Nurmagomedov plagued a fight between him and Tony Ferguson, which had the potential to be great. Demetrious Johnson turned down his biggest payday and the biggest fight of his career with TJ Dillashaw, opting to fight Ray Borg. The middleweight championship was in flux all year, with a lot of good potential title fights being stalled. There were opportunities to have a more action-packed year, but things just couldn’t come to fruition.
Josh:
One word comes to mind: dull. After a completely awesome 2016, the first few months of the year sputtered and every time we thought we were ready to turn a corner, we got more misfires. I think of the bad UFC PPV in Brooklyn where Germaine de Randamie edged out Holly Holm to win a title no one asked for, only to later drop it because she didn’t want to fight Cyborg. I think of a lot of injured champions and good fights that fell through. I think of the word ‘interim’. There were some great moments, but it was a 12 months where more of the fringe fans got shaved off due to boredom.
What was your favorite fight?
Ryan:
I have to go with the non-stop brawl that was Justin Gaethje against Michael Johnson at The Ultimate Fighter Finale in July. Both men landed big punches that likely would have knocked any other opponent out, and yet, they kept coming at each other. Gaethje showed why he was one of the most exciting UFC signings in a long time and one of the most exciting fighters at 155 pounds. Violence was expected, and violence was brought.
Paul:
It wasn’t necessarily the best fight, but my favorite was the Jose Aldo-Max Holloway rematch at December’s UFC 218. Holloway has always been one of my favorite fighters and on that night, he proved that he was the top featherweight in the sport and maybe one of the best of all time with a dismantling of the former dominant champion. Aldo still has it in him to beat just about anyone in the division, as evidenced by his one sided win over Frankie Edgar, but Holloway looked like he was in another league in Detroit.
Josh:
This one is easy: Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson II! Just kidding, everyone. I’m going to go with one that probably isn’t popular due to what happened afterward, but I still loved Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier II. It was the biggest fight of the summer and we got a lot of questions temporarily answered about Jones in his decimation of Cormier. Between the build, the result, and the post fight interviews, Jones appeared to have arrived back on the main attraction stage and we were dreaming about Jones-Gustafsson II and even a Brock Lesnar fight in 2018. Then, USADA checked in and everything went to hell.
What was your favorite event?
Paul:
UFC 217 that featured the return of GSP as he beat Michael Bisping and won the middleweight title. It also featured two other title fights, both with upset title changes, including what may have been the upset of the year with Rose Namajunas stopping Joanna Jedrzejczyk. You can’t ask for much more from a big show.
Ryan:
Honestly, it’s UFC 217, but I wanted to shine a light on the pay-per-view offering that followed it: UFC 218. You had two of the best fights of the year in Yancy Medeiros against Alex Oliveira, and the violence between Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje. You had Max Holloway systematically tearing Jose Aldo apart to declare himself the true king at 145 pounds. Last, but certainly not least, you had the most vicious (and one of the greatest) knockouts of all time when Francis Ngannou earned his shot at championship gold when he took out Alistair Overeem. There were a lot of memorable moments all around.
Josh:
I’m going to stick with UFC 214, headlined by Jones vs. Cormier II. Other than the Woodley-Maia co-main event which wasn’t the most thrilling, this show featured Cyborg Justino winning the women’s featherweight title over Tonya Evinger, the much-anticipated Robbie Lawler-Donald Cerrone fight, and another Volkan Oezdemir first round KO to open the PPV. The prelims were good with some interesting names picking up wins (Brian Ortega, Ricardo Lamas, Aljamain Sterling). There were a few standout candidates (UFC 217, UFC 218, but this was it for me.
Who was your Fighter of the Year?
Josh:
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m going with flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson and perhaps not for a reason that you might think. Yes, he picked up wins over Wilson Reis and Ray Borg, but the way in which he beat Borg was my finish of the year. A German suplex into an armbar for the finish at the end of a fight? Get outta here.
But the big reason was what he did in June by publicly airing his grievances against Dana White and his attempts to make a fight with TJ Dillashaw that he didn’t want. He discussed how White threatened to eliminate the whole division and was open about his contract and other issues. It was refreshing to hear someone clearly bothered by the head of the UFC finally come out and discuss it. He really turned the corner for me after that, helping round out the character for the most dominant champion in the sport right now.
Paul:
I’m going with Francis Ngannou. With two first round KOs over two bonafide MMA legends, he went from obscure prelim fighter to the top heavyweight title contender in just over a year. I give honorable mentions to welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and strawweight champ Rose Namajunas.
Ryan:
It is a tough field as Robert Whittaker, Rose Namajunas, and Tyron Woodley could all earn the nod, but I’m going with Demetrious Johnson for this one. I was cageside for both of his fights this year, and as great as he comes off when viewing on television, he is just another level live. He is the best fighter in the sport, and the way he just outworked both Wilson Reis and Ray Borg on his way to submitting both was world class. Not to mention, he had the most incredible submission of all-time, throwing Borg in the air and locking in an armbar in mid-air. Myself, along with many other media members, lost our minds and were astonished by this cageside. It’s a moment I won’t soon forget.
What was the most disappointing (fighter, trend, event, news story) that happened in 2017?
Paul:
This has to be Jon Jones. He returns from a one year drug failure suspension and beats Daniel Cormier for the title he never lost, promptly fails another PED test, and is now facing a possible four year suspension. Not only did he single handedly destroy the credibility of the light heavyweight title, once the marquee belt in the UFC, he also messed up a potential record-breaking fight in terms of buys with WWE Universal champion Brock Lesnar.
Ryan:
Without question, it is the Jon Jones situation. When he was involved at the press conference for all of the summer fights in May, I was amongst those he talked to backstage. I truly gave him the benefit of the doubt that he was coming back for redemption. He defeated Daniel Cormier, reclaimed gold, and had it all taken away just weeks later in the same situation he has found himself in for the last several years. He could have gone down as the greatest of all-time, but the drug test failures, if they already hadn’t tarnished his legacy, they certainly have now.
Josh:
I’m going a little higher level and say the UFC in general was my most disappointing thing of 2017. We still don’t know what Endeavor (the former WME-IMG) is all about and what they hope to do with the sport. We got two new titles introduced to little to no fanfare. Interim title fights were abound. Head-scratching main events were made. Cards were thin while events were plentiful. Conor McGregor was allowed to box in a strictly financial move. For a group that is supposed to be the stewards of the sport, UFC leadership was often derelict in that duty last year.
What’s your biggest question(s) for the MMA year ahead?
Ryan:
I think, maybe not the biggest question, but one of the most important ones is how the new television deal is going to impact the future. They will announce a new deal this year, but how much they get and for what amount of content, is a big question mark. It is certainly going to have an effect on their business model, whether it’s positive or negative, and it may change how things are run, and how often we get fight cards, and what types of fights are booked. It is an interesting situation that needs to be followed.
Paul:
Can anyone break away from the pack of really good fighters to become a bigger than life star that people will flock to in droves to see fight on PPV? UFC has always had 2-3 such fighters since their business exploded in popularity in 2005. The biggest possibility would seem to be Francis NGannou should he beat Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title. Other contenders would be Rose Namajunas or Sage Northcutt if the latter could string a series of wins together.
Josh:
I really wonder where the sport will be at a year from now. It feels like 2016 was an anomaly and 2017 was the norm with what Endeavor’s vision is: a few loaded PPVs a year, some PPVs reliant on one or two fights, a lot of thin cards on free TV and Fight Pass, and “we gotta fill out a show” booking. I hope we are in a better place a year from now, but we’re going to need a few lucky breaks and some real forward thinking (less events in the new TV deal) in order to get there.
After Francis Ngannou’s highlight-reel knockout of Alistair Overeem at this past Saturday’s UFC 218, it wasn’t a case of ‘if’ but ‘when’ when it came to getting a shot at UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic.
On Wednesday night, we may have found out the ‘when’: Saturday, January 20th at UFC 220 in Boston, Mass., first reported by MMA Junkie and confirmed by MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani.
UFC has not officially announced the bout as of this writing.
Ngannou’s rise to a title shot was accelerated after the Overeem victory, his 10th straight and sixth in the Octagon where he’s finished everyone he’s faced. In Miocic, he’ll face the man who has held the title since May 2016 and has won five straight, including two successful defenses of the gold. He’s one away from setting the UFC heavyweight record.
After downing Junior dos Santos in May, Cleveland, Ohio’s favorite son sat on the sidelines with a contract dispute.
The fight should headline a show with a co-main event of light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier vs. light heavyweight prospect Volkan Oezdemir who burst onto the scene this year with three wins, two by first round knockout. This will be Cormier’s first fight since losing the title to Jon Jones this summer and then being given the title back after another Jones USADA violation.
UFC hasn’t been in Boston since a January 2016 FS1 show headlined by then-bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz vs. TJ Dillashaw.
