The new issue of the Observer is up on the site right now featuring two very in-depth stories:
Judge Richard Boulware refuses to accept the $335 million TKO settlement in the Cung Le case, why, lawyers react, lots of inside ramifications of the case, how different settlements would work out for the biggest name fighters and the average fighters and what comes next and why they still can’t risk a trial.
AEW rights fees talks and what they mean, how much talent earns by percentage of revenues compared to other sports, estimating annual income at different rights points, cutbacks why the deal length is so important, noticeable TV cutbacks and ROH potential going forward.
SummerSlam preview, ticket sales, secondary market, expectations for finishes and favorites.
All In, update on new matches being teased, ticket sales, can they reach the next goal, PPV thoughts and promotion of the event.
Update on the G-1 Climax tournament
UFC 304 full coverage, what’s next for the fighters, new storylines, business notes, match-by-match rundown
What matches you need to see from G-1
A look at the retirement and career of Meiko Satomura
A detailed look at ROH Death Before Dishonor and the ROH brand
The life and career of longtime prelim wrestler Pete Sanchez/Gino Caruso
The most detailed look at the ratings from the past two weeks including where the top shows placed, breakdown on who is watching and changes, how badly the Olympics changed viewership and much more.
Death Triangle go to the hottest arena in the world and how the crowd reacted
One of the best high flyers in the world is almost ready to return
A look at two Stardom PPV shows and major title changes
Oldest male wrestler ever to do a match
Marigold tag team title decided and Grand Prix singles tournament
Death of former Crockett wrestler who had a short career but was in with the biggest names in wrestling at the time
Modern legend retirement tour first main event announced
Dijak and MJF to RevPro
Bloodsport with talent from WWE, ROH and TNA
Update on PPV numbers from WWE, AEW, TNA and Diaz-Masvidal and Paul-Perry
Tony Khan and Shane McMahon
Top star returns to AEW
Lots of injury updates
Bill Goldberg talks Tony Khan
Merch sales
Highest ticket prices ever for an MMA event at The Sphere
Updates on Brock Lesnar
This Week’s Wresting Observer Newsletter Back Issue
We have two weekend shows up on the site right now. My show with Garrett Gonzales on the week’s news including a talk with John Nash about the Cung Le vs. TKO lawsuit is up along with last night’s show with Bryan talking SummerSlam, G-1, MJF at Arena Mexico, UFC, and lots of other WWE and AEW news.
Regarding the injuries last night, we don’t have any updates past that Jacob Fatu was supposed to be selling the leg after the splash, to keep him away from any confrontation with Roman Reigns. He was in a walking boot last night and people were talking about an ankle injury but nobody in WWE at the top level who would know has confirmed to us the nature of any injury or if it was just the planned angle. Logan Paul was injured in some form.
The show set all kinds of records and was the biggest money WWE event aside from a WrestleMania in history. Except for total attendance, where the largest SummerSlam was the 1992 show at Wembley Stadium, it was the second biggest ever. Wrestletix has it at 55,858. It wasn’t sold out as readers noted the South side of the highest deck was tarped and some other sections were tarped where tickets were sold and people were given lower and better tickets that hadn’t been sold. But in no way was this anything but an excellent crowd.
There was nothing of note at the press conference. There were no questions about Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon or anything, although there was one on Stephanie McMahon, who was there and shown during the show in the front row. Paul Levesque said she loves wrestling but has no official role in WWE and basically gave a you never know type answer regarding the future. Brandon Thurston was there but wasn’t called on for a question to Levesque. There were fans allowed in but they were not allowed to ask questions. There were a number of reporters also not allowed in due to space limitations with John Pollock being among them.
We’re looking for your thoughts on the show. You can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
Announced for Raw tomorrow night in Baltimore, which is basically sold out, is Sheamus vs. the returning Ludwig Kaiser, Miz & R-Truth vs. Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, New Day vs. AOP, Dakota Kai vs. Sonya Deville and Wyatt Sicks vs. Chad Gable & The Creeds. Obviously the show will be built around follow-ups from the Judgment Day and CM Punk-Seth Rollins angles. The show is basically sold out.
Bron Breakker was acting as a babyface in his post-show interview. Drew McIntyre said that he was done with Punk, which means he’s not. Coming off the show I could see Gunther vs. McIntyre for Berlin, as Gunther has to be in the main event, and he’ll likely be a babyface in Germany. That’s just speculation as we’ll have a better idea after tomorrow night’s show.
A&E bios tonight are Trish Stratus at 8 p.m. and Becky Lynch at 9 p.m.
Tony Ferguson, at one point among the most popular fighters in the UFC, hinted at retirement after losing yesterday. Ferguson submitted in the first round yesterday against Michael Chiesa on the UFC show in Abu Dhabi, hinted at retirement. He left one glove in the ring, but not the other. It was his eighth straight loss
Terrence Crawford who appeared on Smackdown twice in recent weeks, defeated Israil Madrimov at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113. A lot of the rounds were close. We don’t have a breakdown but many had Madrimov as the winner.
Olympic wrestling will be all over Peacock over the next week. They have a session from 9-11 a.m. Eastern tomorrow morning for women’s freestyle and men’s Greco Roman. Amit Elor of the U.S., a medal favorite and multi-time world champion, has her first match in that session. Tuesday has stuff from 5 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and again from 12:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. There will be wrestling every day through next Sunday.
NOAH’s N- 1 tournament started today in Yokohama. Titus Alexander beat WWE’s Tavion Heights, who returned to Japan where he competed in the 2021 Olympics, while Josh Briggs beat Ryohei Oiwa. NOAH’s top star, Kaito Kiyomiya, lost in the main event to former Open the Dream Gate champion Luis Mante of Dragon Gate.
Mina Shirakawa at last night’s Stardom show said that she would be leaving for a while to the U.S., so that would indicate maybe being back with AEW.
Tuesday 10/8 will be a major night for pro wrestling as Dynamite and NXT will go head-to-head. Dynamite is being moved that week. We don’t know the reason but it’s presumably the baseball playoffs. The last time this happened, both companies loaded up and I’m sure that will happen again.
G-1 continues with Tuesday & Wednesday shows at Korakuen Hall.
The final day of the TMart Charlotte wrestling convention is today with tons of major names including Mick Foley, Masahiro Chono, Jerry Lawler, Missy Hatt, Kevin Von Erich, Paul Wight, Sid Vicious, Nasty Boys, Al Perez, Jimmy Valiant, Velvet Sky, Angelina Love, Ken Resnick, Bill Irwin, Tommy Young, Len Denton and Thunderbolt Patterson.
There was a show last night at The Gathering before about 400 fans: Justin Kindred b Jovannsi, Big Vito b Andy Anderson, Psycho Boy Fodder & Angelina Love b Bozworth & Samantha Starr, Colby Corino b Movie Myx, Ricky Morton b George South with Tommy Young as referee (South apparently cut some hilarious promos on the fans) Marti Belle & Allysin Kay b Emily & ?, Pitbull Gary Wolfe b CW Andeson, Nate the Great b Kerry Morton, Court Montgomery and Bam Bam Bundy for the TMart promotion championship when Nate speared Bundy. Nate seemingly retired after the match. (thanks to Jamie Combs)
Bryan Danielson vs. Jeff Jarrett will be a no time limit no DQ match with Ricky Steamboat as a special guest at ringside on Wednesday. No time limit is notable because that would indicate the match will be of some length.
Troy Waugh, an MMA referee from 2008 to 2014 who worked on UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator and World Series of Fighting shows in that period , passed away over the weekend due to brain cancer.
Earlier in the week, Sheamus and Sonya Deville were at Major League Soccer’s All-Star Skills Challenge in Columbus, OH and presented the Crown Legacy’s Chituru Odunze with a title belt for winning the Goalie Wars competition. (thanks to Brian Henke)
The King Bees defend the NWA women’s world tag titles at the NWA 76th anniversary show on 8/31 in Philadelphia against Ella Envy & Ms. Starr.
Kirk White’s Big Time Wrestling from Friday night in Newark, CA, which was sold out: Kaka Meng b Dom Cirrus, Ishmae Vaughn b Jiah Jewell, Toa Liona (AEW) b Juicy Finau, Journy Fatu and Lossefa Parisi in a South Pacific War party match featuring lots of chair smashing, Starboy Charlie b Lince Dorado, Too Fresh b Vinnie Massaro & Levi Shapiro, Viva Van b Jada Stone, Marcus Lewis & Big Fonz b Aaron Solo & Robbie Eagles. Lewis vs. Solo will headline the building for the BTW title on 10/18 (thanks to Jim Davis).
James Storm and Marti Belle appeared on Saturday’s Memphis Wrestling TV show.
ESW Keystone debuts on 8/17 at the Saga Club in Erie PA with Spencer Slade vs. Channing Decker as the main event.
Wrestler Bulldog Dan Hansen passed away on Thursday due to kidney failure. The CAC reported his death yesterday.
In a fight that wasn’t previously scheduled two days before, Nate Diaz submitted Tony Ferguson in the fourth round in what is expected to be his final UFC fight.
The fight was the headliner of Saturday’s UFC 279 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and one of three fights that were changed around due to original Diaz opponent Khamzat Chimaev missing weight by nearly eight pounds on Friday.
The end came when Ferguson went for a takedown as Diaz was punching him. Diaz countered with a guillotine choke and finished it in quick order.
This was Diaz’s final fight on his UFC deal, giving him the contractual freedom he has desired for years. It’s expected he will not re-sign with the UFC and will go into boxing with a Jake Paul fight likely in 2023.
During his post-fight comments, Diaz did say that he’s had a love/hate relationship with the UFC but loves the UFC, Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and Hunter Campbell. He said he is going to go into another sport and show people how it’s done.
Ferguson was originally slated to face Li Jingliang in a welterweight co-main event. Jingliang instead faced Daniel Rodriguez after his opponent, Kevin Holland, was moved up to face Chimaev instead.
Chimaev dispatched Holland easily, submitting him in the first round. Rodriguez, carrying a notable weight advantage against Jingliang, picked up a unanimous decision win.
Diaz and Ferguson had a competitive fight with Diaz showing his prowess on the feet by battering Ferguson while also throwing in some leg kicks for good measure. One Diaz checked kick bloodied up Ferguson’s shin in the first round.
Ferguson, however, was able to do damage on Diaz’s lead leg using his own kicks.
The fight featured the usual theatrics he and brother Nick have been known for. At one point in the third, Diaz took a quick break and rested his arm on the top of the cage which got a hero’s reaction from the crowd.
The 37-year-old Diaz now has his first win since August 2019 and snapped a two-fight losing streak in the process.
The 38-year-old Ferguson has now lost five straight fights dating back to May 2020. Tonight was just his second fight since June 2021.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 279: Diaz vs. Ferguson, emanating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It has been a crazy week in Las Vegas as the Octagon is back home with a fight card that saw numerous changes just 24 hours before the event, ending up with a welterweight headliner featuring one of the most popular fighters in UFC history in perhaps his final UFC fight.
Nate Diaz steps inside the Octagon for perhaps the final time when he takes on Tony Ferguson in the five-round headliner after a crazy series of events saw this fight made on Friday. Diaz was originally slated to fight Khamzat Chimaev in the main event, but Chimaev missed weight by seven-and-a-half pounds and Diaz refused to fight him, so Ferguson was moved into the headline slot.
Chimaev will remain on the card, but he will now fight Kevin Holland in the co-main event, which will also be five rounds. Holland was scheduled to fight Daniel Rodriguez in a 180-pound catchweight fight, but was shifted to fight Chimaev after the two had a heated exchange that nearly led to blows backstage at the UFC 279 press conference on Thursday, and because they weighed within a pound of each other as well.
Two fighters impacted by those changes, Li Jingliang and Daniel Rodriguez, will now fight each other after agreeing despite an eight-and-a-half-pound weigh-in difference between the two. Also on the main card is a women’s catchweight bout pitting Irene Aldana against Macy Chiasson, and an exciting light heavyweight bout between Johnny Walker and Ion Cutelaba.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru 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].
They’re trading to start and Lainesse lands some leg kicks then Weeks lands some leg kicks. Weeks grabs the neck and is looking for something but Lainesse escapes. They’re trading and Lainesse works the jab but Weeks is landing more. Weeks with some kicks as he’s chasing Lainesse around. Close round. 10-9 Weeks.
They trade to start the second and both are landing looping shots. Weeks lands a left hand. Lainesse with a leg kick. Weeks pushes it against the fence looking for a takedown and scores a brief takedown but they’re right up and they break. Weeks continues to land more as the round ends. 10-9 Weeks, 20-18 Weeks.
They’re both looking for openings in the third but neither really landing much. Weeks is looking for takedowns but is unable to score them, but he pushes Lainesse against the fence looking to score one. Lainesse lands a leg kick. Lainesse with the jab but Weeks is the one pressuring and pushing the pace. Lainesse with a body kick and Weeks returns with a right hand. They trade and Lainesse grabs the neck late and looks for a guillotine. Lainesse with a flying knee late. Close fight. 10-9 Lainesse, 29-28 Weeks.
Official Result- Yohan Lainesse def. Darian Weeks by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Martinez throwing some side kicks to start out her UFC debut. Reed attacks the lead leg with a kick and Martinez lands a right hand. Martinez lands a check left hook. Reed lands a right hand and Martinez briefly goes down but gets up and they trade. Martinez grabs the body and pushes it against the fence and is looking for the takedown. They break and Reed with a high kick. They clinch late. 10-9 Reed.
They trade punches to start the second. Martinez lands a leg kick and Reed lands a high kick. Martinez with a body kick. She lands a leg kick. Reed with a leg kick. They clinch against the fence and Reed has the advantage and they break. Martinez with a leg kick that Reed checks. They trade at the end. 10-9 Martinez, 19-19.
Reed lands a right hand that slowed Martinez down. Reed is pressuring Martinez down and lands a leg kick and Martinez scores a takedown. Martinez stands and lands a leg kick before Reed gets to her feet. They clinch against the fence and Reed lands a knee. Reed gets a takedown and has the mount at first but transitions to the back as they work their way up. Reed gets it back down but they get right back up. Reed with some knees at the end. 10-9 Reed, 29-28 Reed.
Official Result- Elise Reed def. Melissa Martinez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Bantamweights- Chad Anheliger (12-5, 1-0 UFC) vs. Alatengheili (15-8-2, 3-1-1 UFC)
Heili with a leg kick as both are looking to land the right hand. Anheliger with a leg kick. Heili lands a heavy right hand that pushes Anheliger back against the fence and he lands a combo. Heili lands a right hand that hurts Anheliger again and Heili with a leg kick. Anheliger is still running away as Heili hurts him again. Anheliger with a counter punch as he’s busted open and Heili with a leg kick. Heili with some shots late. 10-9 Heili.
Heili landing more to start the second as he is landing and circling around. Anheliger lands a right hand and Heili lands a left hand. Heili lands a left hand. Heili is pressuring and lands a combo. Heili lands a right hand. Heili with a combination. Anheliger with a body kick. Heili with a combo and Anheliger lands an uppercut. 10-9 Heili, 20-18 Heili.
Heili gets an early takedown and lands before standing and Anheliger is throwing kicks from the back but is ordered up. Anheliger with a leg kick. Anheliger landing slightly more in this round. Anheliger with an uppercut with the left hand. Heili gets a takedown and lands from the top and lands some hammerfists late as he gets the back. 10-9 Heili, 30-27 Heili.
Official Result- Alatengheili def. Chad Anheliger by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Women’s Featherweights- #15 WBW Norma Dumont (7-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Danyelle Wolf (1-0, 0-0 UFC)
Dumont landing some leg kicks early on. Wolf lands a combo. Wolf lands a nice right hand. She lands another. She then lands a left hand and then a combo. Wolf lands a left hand and then a jab. Dumont lands a right hand. Wolf with a left hand then Dumont lands a right hand and a jab. 10-9 Dumont.
Dumont with a leg kick. She lands another. Dumont with another leg kick. Wolf lands a right hand and they clinch and Dumont is able to get the takedown. They get to their feet and break. Dumont lands a right hand that hurts Wolf badly but then decides to clinch instead of taking advantage. They break. Dumont drops Wolf with a right hand and gets into the guard as the round ends. 10-9 Dumont, 20-18 Dumont.
Wolf lands a left hand and Dumont gets a big takedown. Dumont with some shots from the top and she lands some right hands before standing. Dumont with a big left hand from the top and she moves into side control. Dumont landing and she moves to the mount. Dumont in the half-guard and lands as she looks to set up a choke. Dumont with more punches from the top. She lands more from the top at the end. 10-8 Dumont, 30-26 Dumont.
Official Result- Norma Dumont def. Danyelle Wolf by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
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> Heavyweights*- Jake Collier (13-7, 5-6 UFC) vs. Chris Barnett (22-8, 1-2 UFC)
(*Barnett missed weight by 1.5 pounds)
They have a little bit of a slugfest to start before Barnett circles away. Collier with a body kick then drops Barnett with a punch. Barnett gets up and both are throwing and Collier lands a head kick. They are having a war right now. They clinch but break. Barnett’s left eye is closed. Barnett with a leg kick. Barnett lands a nice combo. Collier lands a left hand. Barnett with a leg kick. Collier with a leg kick. Barnett with a combo. Collier gets a takedown right into mount. Collier gets the back and has Barnett flattened out and is landing punches. Collier gets the neck and looks for the choke. It’s not under the chin and Barnett gives a thumbs up. Barnett gets to his feet and they break. Collier with a left hand. Wild round. 10-9 Collier.
Barnett lands a jab then a follow-up right hand. Barnett with a right hand. Both are landing punches inside the pocket. They clinch and Collier with a knee. Barnett lands and they go to the ground and Barnett gets the mount and is landing lots of big punches. Collier is in trouble as Barnett keeps landing lots of punches. Barnett landing more and it is stopped. What a fight! Great finish by Barnett.
Official Result- Chris Barnett def. Jake Collier by TKO (punches) at 2:24 of Round 2
Pickett with a side kick to the body. Pickett with a combo. They trade punches. Pickett with a body kick. Pickett grabs the body and tries for a takedown against the fence. Tiuliulin escapes and they break. Tiuliulin with a right hand. They trade punches. Tiuliulin lands a right hand then a flurry to the body. Tiuliulin with a pair of right hands then lands a combo. Pickett with a body kick. We have a timeout for a groin strike on Pickett. They get back to action and trade and Tiuliulin with a right hand and a leg kick. 10-9 Pickett.
They trade to start the second and Tiuliulin with some body kicks. Tiuliulin landing with more volume as he’s pushing the pace. Tiuliulin throws a kick and the knee lands to the groin and we have a timeout. A point is taken away from Tiuliulin. Tiuliulin comes out firing and is landing more. Tiuliulin with an elbow. They go to the mat after Tiuliulin lands some shots and Tiuliulin is in side control and lands some elbows and they stand. Tiuliulin with some standing elbows. Tiuliulin lands a knee and Pickett goes down and Tiuliulin is landing punches and it is stopped. Big finish from Tiuliulin.
Official Result- Denis Tiuliulin def. Jamie Pickett by TKO (strikes) at 4:52 of Round 2
> 220-pound Catchweights- Jailton Almeida (16-2, 2-0 UFC) vs. Anton Turkalj (8-0, 0-0 UFC)
Almeida immediately gets the takedown. He gets the back and Turkalj is trying to scramble out. They get up for a moment but Almeida slams it back down. Almeida lands from the top as he remains on top. Almeida gets some right hands thru. Almeida still landing big shots as he passes to the mount and looks for the arm-triangle choke. He lets go and is landing big shots. He gets the back and locks in a rear-naked choke and Turkalj taps! This was just an absolute mauling.
Official Result- Jailton Almeida def. Anton Turkalj by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:27 of Round 1
Dawodu lands some leg kicks early on. They trade and Erosa lands a spinning back fist. Dawodu with a body kick and Erosa grabs the leg but Dawodu is able to escape. Dawodu with a leg kick. Erosa with a body kick then a leg kick. Dawodu with the jab. Erosa lands a combo and then an uppercut. Erosa lands a big right hand and Dawodu is hurt. They clinch and Erosa with some knees before they break. Dawodu lands a right hand. Erosa lands a right hand then a couple of uppercuts. Dawodu with an elbow. Dawodu with a head kick. Erosa with a knee then rocks Dawodu again with a right hand and lands a flying knee. 10-9 Erosa.
Dawodu with a right hand and Erosa lands a knee. Dawodu with the jab. Dawodu with a right hand. They clinch for a moment and Dawodu lands a big elbow as they break. Dawodu lands the jab and Erosa with a counter left hand. Erosa gets a takedown. He gets the back and Dawodu stands with Erosa on his back. Erosa has the body triangle locked in standing. They go to the mat with Erosa landing from the back. Erosa working for a choke. They stand and Erosa still has the back but Dawodu escapes. Erosa lands some knees to the body. 10-9 Erosa, 20-18 Erosa.
Erosa with a right hand. Dawodu with the jab and Erosa with a right hand. They trade kicks and Erosa with a right hand. Erosa lands a couple of uppercuts. Dawodu lands a body shot and Erosa lands a combo. Dawodu with the jab. Erosa with a right hand. Erosa with a knee up the middle. Erosa gets the takedown and gets the back and locks in the body triangle. Erosa landing from the back. Dawodu able to spin into the guard of Erosa and lands some right hands but they stand at the end. 10-9 Erosa, 30-27 Erosa.
Official Result- Julian Erosa def. Hakeem Dawodu by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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> Light Heavyweights- #13 Johnny Walker (18-7, 4-4 UFC) vs. Ion Cutelaba (16-7-1 1 NC, 5-6-1 UFC)
Cutelaba with a leg kick and Walker lands a high kick. Cutelaba grabs the leg and gets the takedown. Walker has grabbed the fence a couple of times from the bottom. Cutelaba stands but works back into the guard of Walker. Cutelaba looks for an armbar but Walker escapes, gets the takedown and gets the back and is looking for a rear-naked choke but Cutelaba gets out. Walker gets the choke locked in and he has it in deep and Cutelaba taps! Big win for Walker as he gets the submission.
Official Result- Johnny Walker def. Ion Cutelaba by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:37 of Round 1
Aldana with a left hook. Chiasson with a body kick. They trade punches and leg kicks and Chiasson shoots for a takedown but Aldana defends against the fence. They break and Chiasson with a left hand to the body. Aldana with the jab and then a right hand. Aldana with a leg kick. Aldana lands a right hand. Chiasson lands a right hand. Chiasson tries a takedown but Aldana is able to grab the arm and lock in an armbar but Chiasson gets out and Aldana gets the mount and lands punches and locks the armbar back in but loses it. Aldana gets side control and lands some big punches. Strong close to the first. 10-9 Aldana.
Chiasson with a combo and Aldana lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Chiasson gets a takedown and Aldana gets the leg and goes for a leg lock. Chiasson is looking to take the back. Aldana with some back elbows. They scramble to the feet and Chiasson drags it back down. Chiasson has the back and looks to get the hooks in. Chiasson with some elbows. Chiasson has the body triangle in from the back. Chiasson gets the mount and lands some punches. Chiasson with some right hands. 10-9 Chiasson, 19-19.
Chiasson with a leg kick. Aldana lands a couple of jabs. Chiasson shoots for a takedown but Aldana slips away. Aldana lands a right hand and Chiasson fires back with a left hand. Chiasson lands a nice left hand. Chiasson gets a takedown. Chiasson stands and all of a sudden goes down in pain holding her body and the fight is stopped. It appears that Aldana landed an upkick to the liver that shut Chiasson off and it is all over. That is a first. What a finish and win for Aldana.
Official Result- Irene Aldana def. Macy Chiasson by TKO (kick) at 2:21 of Round 3
> 180-pound Catchweights- #14 WW Li Jingliang (19-7, 11-5 UFC) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (16-2, 6-1 UFC)
Jingliang with a leg kick and Rodriguez lands a left hand. Rodriguez lands a body kick. Jingliang with a leg kick. Jingliang with a body kick. Jingliang with some leg kicks and Rodriguez lands the jab. Jingliang with a left hand and then lands a body kick. Rodriguez with a body kick. Jingliang with a right hand. Rodriguez with a high kick. Jingliang lands a left hand. Rodriguez lands a left hand. Jingliang with a low kick and then lands another leg kick and a right hand. 10-9 Jingliang.
They trade to start the second. Both land leg kicks. Rodriguez lands a left hand. Jingliang with a leg kick. Rodriguez lands the jab. Jingliang with a right hand. Jingliang with an inside leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Rodriguez with a leg kick as Jingliang lands a left hook. They trade punches. Rodriguez with a leg kick. Rodriguez with a high kick and Jingliang with a leg kick. Jingliang with a leg kick and lands a right hand. Jingliang lands a left hand then hurts Rodriguez with a right hand. Jingliang then lands some kicks. Rodriguez with the jab. Rodriguez with a head kick and Jingliang gets a late takedown. 10-9 Jingliang, 20-18 Jingliang.
Both looking for openings to start the third and Jingliang with some leg kicks. Rodriguez starting to land more in the third but the pace is slowing a little. Rodriguez with some left hands. Jingliang with a leg kick. Rodriguez is landing the jab. Lots of booing from the crowd but they shouldn’t. Rodriguez pressuring and Jingliang is looking tired. Rodriguez lands more at the end. 10-9 Rodriguez, 29-28 Jingliang.
Official Result- Daniel Rodriguez def. Li Jingliang by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> 180-pound Catchweights- #3 WW Khamzat Chimaev (11-0, 5-0 UFC) vs. Kevin Holland (23-7 1 NC, 10-4 1 NC UFC)
Chimaev gets an immediate takedown and Holland scrambles up. Chimaev gets it back down. They get up and Chimaev gets it right back down and looks for the D’Arce choke. Holland trying to slip out but Chimaev still has control of the neck. He has it locked in, though, and he gets Holland to tap! That was quick and dominant.
Official Result- Khamzat Chimaev def. Kevin Holland by submission (D’Arce choke) at 2:13 of Round 1
> Welterweights- Nate Diaz (20-13, 15-11 UFC) vs. #11 LW Tony Ferguson (25-7, 15-5 UFC)
Ferguson just misses a spinning elbow and then trips Diaz to the mat. Ferguson with a leg kick. Diaz pressing forward. Diaz with a leg kick. Ferguson is bleeding from his shin. Ferguson misses an elbow. Diaz lands a left hand. Ferguson is landing with more volume here. Diaz lands a right hand and a kick and Ferguson lands a left hand. Diaz lands a nice right hand. Ferguson with a leg kick. Ferguson misses a spinning back fist. Diaz with a left hand. 10-9 Diaz.
Diaz lands a leg kick early in the second. Ferguson with a left hand then a right hand. Diaz lands a combo. Ferguson lands a nice combination. They trade in close range. Ferguson with a leg kick. Diaz with a combo ending with a leg kick. Diaz lands a combo. Diaz with a combo and he tags Ferguson with a left hand. Diaz with a left hand. Ferguson with an inside low kick. Diaz with a right hand. 10-9 Diaz, 20-18 Diaz.
Diaz with a right hand. Ferguson throwing kicks and some are getting checked or blocked. Ferguson lands a solid leg kick. Diaz started circling the cage like he didn’t want to fight but then started and Ferguson lands some big leg kicks. Ferguson with a right hand. Diaz lands a flurry then puts his hand on top of the cage and takes a break. Ferguson continues to land the leg kicks and Diaz’ leg is getting beaten up. Ferguson lands some kicks and a right hand. Diaz chases Ferguson down and lands some punches. Diaz with a body kick then a combination. He lands a flurry against the fence. Ferguson lands the jab. Ferguson with a leg kick. Diaz with a left hand. 10-9 Diaz, 30-27 Diaz.
Diaz lands some body kicks. Ferguson with a left hand and an inside leg kick. Ferguson with a short uppercut. Diaz with a left hand and lands again. Diaz with a combination and then lands a big body shot. Ferguson with a leg kick. Diaz with a combo to the body. Ferguson with a body punch on Diaz. Diaz lands to the body then grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke and Ferguson taps! What a fitting end to what could be the final UFC fight for Diaz.
Official Result- Nate Diaz def. Tony Ferguson by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:52 of Round 4
Following a brutal back-and-forth fight that will be among the finalists for the year’s best, Justin Gaethje won the interim lightweight title by fifth round TKO over Tony Ferguson at Saturday’s UFC 249.
The end came when Gaethje landed a powerful left jab that made Ferguson stumble, the culmination of nearly 25 minutes of absorbing damage. Referee Herb Dean stopped the fight seconds later after another Gaethje punch.
Both men gave as good as they got with Ferguson standing out for taking Gaethje’s near-legendary punches repeatedly and still walking him down.
Gaethje threw off the title afterward, saying he wanted the real one. That is owned by current divisional kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov (28-0) who Gaethje is expected to fight by year’s end.
The 31-year-old Gaethje (22-2) came into the fight riding a three-fight win streak with consecutive first round knockout finishes over James Vick, Edson Barboza, and Donald Cerrone.
The 36-year-old Ferguson (25-4) was riding a 12-fight win streak dating back to October 2013 which included one interim lightweight title win in 2017 over Kevin Lee.
The event was held in front of an empty arena in Jacksonville, Florida, due to the pandemic. It was originally slated to take place in April in Brooklyn, NY, with Ferguson facing Nurmagomedov in a fight that was attempted to be put together five times.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje, emanating from the Vystar Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
The UFC returns to action after nearly two months off during the COVID-19 pandemic, returning with a stacked card that features two title fights and lots of former champions and title challengers sprinkled throughout the deep lineup.
In the main event, the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship is on the line as Tony Ferguson looks to become a two-time interim champion when he takes on Justin Gaethje. Ferguson was originally going to have his long-awaited fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov, but when Nurmagomedov returned to Russia during the pandemic, in stepped Gaethje to get a title shot he’s been chasing since signing with the UFC. Ferguson has won his last twelve fights while Gaethje is on a three-fight win streak, with all of those wins coming by first-round knockout.
In the co-main event, UFC Bantamweight Champion Henry Cejudo defends the title for the first time against former champion Dominick Cruz, who returns from being out of action for over three years due to various injuries. Cruz is considered the best bantamweight of all-time, a title that Cejudo would like to take from him, and Cruz is looking to become the first fighter to be a three-time champion at 135 pounds.
Also on the main card is a heavyweight top contender fight as sluggers Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik collide. Exciting featherweights Jeremy Stephens and Calvin Kattar will do battle, and the main card opens with another heavyweight bout as Greg Hardy takes on Yorgan De Castro.
A stacked preliminary card is topped off with Donald Cerrone taking on former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis in a rematch of a 2013 bout won by Pettis. Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum returns from a two-year suspension layoff to take on Aleksei Oleinik. The first-ever UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza will battle Michelle Waterson, as well as a welterweight bout between Vicente Luque and Niko Price.
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
> Ryan Spann (17-5, 3-0 UFC) vs. Sam Alvey (33-13 1 NC, 10-8 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Alvey was acknowledging the non-existent crowd. Spann gets an early takedown. Alvey works to his feet but Spann has a standing arm-triangle locked in. Alvey with some body punches. It is in deep and Alvey is turning red. Spann lets go and then lands a knee. They are trading and Alvey lands the right hook. Spann lands a right hand and a knee and is looking for a takedown. Alvey with a knee to the body. 10-9 Spann.
Spann with a head kick to start the second. Spann with a combo as he shoots in for a takedown. They break. Alvey lands a right hook and Spann counters with a right hand. Spann lands a right hand. Spann pressing the action and lands a body kick. Alvey lands a left hand followed by a right hand. Spann with a right hand. Alvey with some low kicks. Spann lands a left hand. 10-9 Spann, 20-18 Spann.
They quickly clinch as Spann pishes Alvey against the fence. They break and Spann lands a high kick and starts unloading punches on Alvey but Alvey is able to circle away. Alvey lands a short uppercut that stuns Spann. Spann lands a combo and then a hard right hand. Spann with a right hand and Alvey counters with a right hook. Alvey with a high kick. Alvey stuns Spann with a right hook and Spann tries for a takedown. Alvey grabs the neck and is looking for a choke but doesn’t have it in. Spann gets to his feet and they are clinched. They break and Spann is exhausted. Alvey with a left hand and then a right hand and hurts Spann again. Alvey with a strong end to the fight. 10-9 Alvey, 29-28 Spann.
Official Result- Ryan Spann def. Sam Alvey by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Bryce Mitchell (12-0, 3-0 UFC) vs. Charles Rosa (12-3, 3-3 UFC) Featherweights
Mitchell gets an early takedown against the fence. Mitchell gets the back and now gets on top and has an arm-triangle locked in deep. Rosa is breathing heavy. Rosa escapes and Mitchell has the back. Mitchell landing from the back and he is now going for another twister. He has it locked in but not in good position and lets go and moves to full mount. Mitchell landing big punches and now gets another arm-triangle choke locked in deep. Rosa gets out and has Mitchell in his guard. Rosa survives the round. Dominant from Mitchell. 10-8 Mitchell.
Mitchell gets another takedown to start the second and is working for another arm-triangle choke. He has full mount and is still working hard to find chokes. Mitchell has the mount and lands a big elbow and now some punches from the mount. Mitchell trying to transition as Rosa is grabbing a leg and Mitchell now going for the arm-triangle again. He has it in pretty good here. Mitchell with some body punches. Mitchell going for the twister again and lands some big elbows to the body. He had it but the round ended. 10-8 Mitchell, 20-16 Mitchell.
Mitchell gets a quick takedown to start the third and is going for the twister again. Rosa escapes and Mitchell moves to side control. Rosa tries to get to his feet but Mitchell retains side control. Mitchell now gets the back and moves to the mount. Mitchell working for the arm-triangle again. Mitchell scrambling every time Rosa tries to defend the position. Mitchell with an elbow. Rosa told him to stand and Mitchell stood for a split-second and got back on top. Mitchell with the crucifix position. They stand late. 10-8 Mitchell, 30-24 Mitchell.
Official Result- Bryce Mitchell def. Charles Rosa by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-24)
> Vicente Luque (#13, 17-7-1, 10-3 UFC) vs. Niko Price (14-3 1 NC, 6-3 1 NC UFC) Welterweights
They trade early and Luque landing some leg kicks. Luque with a leg kick and Price lands a right hand. They trade punches. They trade combos. Luque with some punches and body kicks. Price with a leg kick and follows with a right hand. Luque with a right hand. They trade kicks and Luque with a right hand. They trade right hands. Price with a hook to the body. Luque with a right hand and Price counters with a right. Luque with a combo. Price with a front kick and follows it with a right hand. Price throwing some big punches and then gets a takedown. Price goes for a D’arce choke but Luque escapes to his feet. Luque with a left hook and ends with a hard right hand. Wild round. 10-9 Luque.
Price with a leg kick and Luque lands a leg kick. Price with a right hand. We have a low blow and a timeout. Back to action and Luque lands a hard combo. They trade leg kicks. Price with a crescent kick and Luque counters with a right hand. They trade kicks and punches. Price with a combo and elbow against the fence and a knee to the body. Price swinging wildly and then Luque drops him to his knees with a punch. Price gets up and they separate and Price is wobbly. They clinch against the fence. They break and Luque with a snapping jab. Price with a front kick to the body and they trade punches. Price with a right hand and Luque returns a hard leg kick. They trade at the end. 10-9 Luque, 20-18 Luque.
Luque with some big leg kicks as the third starts. Price is throwing leg kicks as well. Luque lands some good punches and Price lands some counters. Price’s face is a mess. They are trading in the pocket. Luque landing some hard punches. Luque with an uppercut and Price fires back with a right hand. Luque with a big left hand and Price falls to the ground. Luque goes down into his guard. Price tries for a triangle and lands some elbows. They stand. A timeout is called to check on the cuts on Price’s face and the fight is stopped. This was a great fight.
Official Result- Vicente Luque def. Niko Price by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 3:37 of Round 3
A lot of feeling out each other in the first minute. Waterson with some leg kicks and Esparza isn’t doing much in the way of offense. Waterson with a leg kick. Esparza tries to rush in and close the distance but Waterson escapes. Esparza with a right hand. Waterson with a leg kick. Waterson with a body kick. Waterson with a leg kick followed by a quick round kick. Esparza having trouble closing the distance. Esparza able to get a takedown. Waterson showing good defense on the ground. 10-9 Waterson.
They are feeling each other out to start the second. Waterson with some body kicks. They trade punches and Esparza not doing a lot of offense. Waterson with a leg kick. Esparza goes for a takedown but Waterson defends and they break and Waterson with a knee to the body. Esparza shoots in again but Waterson defends and lands another knee to the body. Waterson with a leg kick. Esparza lands a combo as Waterson circles away. Waterson with a high kick. 10-9 Waterson, 20-18 Waterson.
Waterson with a high kick to start the third. Esparza tries a takedown but Waterson easily defends. Esparza with a right hand but doesn’t follow up on it. Waterson with a leg kick. Esparza lands a leg kick. Esparza attempts a takedown but Waterson changes levels and defends but Esparza lands a few knees to the body. Waterson with some leg kicks. Waterson with a leg kick and Esparza grabs it and tries a takedown against the fence but Waterson defends. Waterson with a body kick as Esparza rushes in. Big right hand from Esparza. Esparza tries a takedown but Waterson defends with a knee to the body. Esparza rushes in with a combo. Waterson with a roundhouse kick and Esparza tees off with a combo but separates. 10-9 Waterson, 30-27 Waterson.
Official Result- Carla Esparza def. Michelle Waterson by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 30-27)
> Aleksei Oleinik (#12, 58-13-1, 7-4 UFC) vs. Fabricio Werdum (23-8-1, 11-5 UFC) Heavyweights
Werdum returns from a USADA suspension. Oleinik with a right hand. Werdum lands a right hand. Oleinik throws a combo but Werdum is covering up. Werdum with a step-in knee to the body. Oleinik with a right hand. Oleinik is just teeing off on Werdum. Oleinik with some hard right hands that are hurting Werdum. Werdum with a right hand and a knee. They are tied up and trading. Oleinik with a jab. They are tied up and Oleinik is landing body shots. They break. Oleinik with some body punches. Oleinik with a left hand. Oleinik with an overhand right. Oleinik grabs the back at the end. 10-9 Oleinik.
Oleinik with a right hand and they clinch. Werdum grabs the neck and looking for a standing guillotine. They break. They trade and both land some punches. Werdum with some knees to the body. They trade right hands. Werdum with a leg kick. Oleinik with a right hand. Werdum with a head kick that lands. Oleinik breathing heavy. Werdum gets a takedown and is in side control. Werdum lands from side control and then takes the back but was high and Oleinik got out from under and they stand. They both throw winging punches and Werdum lands a knee. Oleinik lands a right hand. 10-9 Werdum, 19-19.
Werdum with a leg kick. Werdum gets a sloppy takedown and is in the half-guard. Oleinik is able to sweep to the top and is in the closed guard of Werdum. Werdum looking for the arm trying to find the kimura from the bottom. He pops the arm out and rolls to the top and Werdum had a straight armbar but lets that go. Werdum is now in full mount and looks to take the back. Werdum looks for an armbar. He lets go but goes back to mount. They slip to their feet. They quickly clinch. Werdum with a knee to the body. Oleinik lands some good punches. Werdum with a big knee. Werdum gets a late takedown. Oleinik has a cut open and Werdum goes for a late guillotine but time runs out. 10-9 Werdum, 29-28 Werdum.
Official Result- Aleksei Oleinik def. Fabricio Werdum by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Donald Cerrone (#6 LW, 36-14 1 NC, 23-11 UFC) vs. Anthony Pettis (#15, 22-10, 9-9 UFC) Welterweights
Cerrone with a front kick to the body. Cerrone lands a left hand. Pettis with a right hand to the body. Cerrone with a right hand and then a leg kick. Cerrone with a right hand and then grabs the back standing. Pettis with a right hand. Cerrone with a combo. Pettis with a jump kick and Cerrone turns it into a takedown and is in side control. They get to their feet. Cerrone with a good combo and Pettis lands a left hand. Cerrone with a combo and Pettis lands a cracking right hand counter. Cerrone with a left hand. 10-9 Cerrone.
Pettis with a right hand to start the second. Pettis with a leg kick. They both throw kicks as the same time. Cerrone with a left hand. Pettis stuns Cerrone with a left hand. Cerrone with a leg kick and Pettis almost caught him with a spinning back fist. Cerrone with a leg kick. Pettis with a jumping switch kick. Pettis with a good combo ending with a left hand. They trade in close range. They trade and Cerrone scores a takedown. Pettis with short punches from the bottom and they stand and Cerrone lands a knee to the body. Cerrone with a body kick. 10-9 Pettis, 19-19.
Cerrone with a body kick. Pettis lands a left hand. Cerrone with a high kick and then lands a nice combo. Cerrone with a body kick. Cerrone grabs the leg but lets go. Cerrone with a combo ending with a body kick. Pettis with a big body kick and Cerrone grabs it and they clinch against the fence. Cerrone lands a knee to the body on the break. Pettis with a high kick. Cerrone with a low kick. They trade and Cerrone complains he got poked in the eye but the ref says it was a punch and Pettis teed off for a moment. Pettis just barely misses a high kick. Cerrone with a big high kick that lands clean and Pettis somehow takes it. Pettis with a left hand. Pettis with a big body kick. A wild exchange to end the fight. Close fight. 10-9 Cerrone, 29-28 Cerrone.
Official Result- Anthony Pettis def. Donald Cerrone by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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> Greg Hardy (5-2 1 NC, 2-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Yorgan De Castro (6-0, 1-0 UFC) Heavyweights
De Castro coming out firing. He lands a low kick. De Castro with a left hook. Hardy with a left hand. De Castro with a combo. Hardy with a high kick. De Castro landing when Hardy comes in close. Hardy with a leg kick. De Castro stuns Hardy with a right hand. De Castro with a leg kick. They trade kicks and punches in close range and both stun the other. Hardy with a high kick as De Castro is backed up against the fence. 10-9 De Castro.
De Castro with a leg kick. Hardy lands a leg kick of his own. De Castro rushes in with a nice combo. De Castro with more leg kicks. De Castro lands another leg kick and Hardy checks it and De Castro may have hurt his foot. Hardy with a leg kick followed by a jab. Hardy with another leg kick. De Castro is doing nothing. 10-9 Hardy, 19-19.
Hardy with a big right hand to start the third. De Castro with a body kick. Hardy with an inside leg kick. Hardy with a hard leg kick. Hardy is landing more as not much is going on and De Castro has slowed down considerably. This fight wasn’t good. 10-9 Hardy, 29-28 Hardy.
Official Result- Greg Hardy def. Yorgan De Castro by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Jeremy Stephens (#7, 28-17 1 NC, 15-16 1 NC UFC) vs. Calvin Kattar (#9, 20-4, 4-2 UFC) Featherweights* (Stephens missed weight by 4.5 pounds)
Stephens with a quick combo and a body kick. Stephens with some leg kicks. Stephens with a body punch followed by a leg kick. Kattar with a body punch. Kattar with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Stephens with a body kick followed by a leg kick. Kattar with a leg kick. Stephens with some leg kicks. Stephens with a quick combo and is still attacking with leg kicks. They trade leg kicks. Stephens with a right hand. Stephens with a couple of body kicks. Stephens with a hard leg kick and Kattar’s leg is hurting. Stephens with a jab and Kattar fires back with a massive right hand. They trade late. Stephens with a hard body punch. 10-9 Stephens.
Stephens with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Kattar lands a right hand and then lands a low kick. Stephens with a body kick. They trade punches in close range. Stephens with a right hand. They are trading in close range. Kattar with a good combo. Kattar pouring it on. Kattar lands another combo and Stephens tries for a takedown and lands an elbow as they break. Kattar then lands a huge elbow that knocks Stephens down and then Kattar lands a huge elbow on the ground that cuts Stephens open and the fight is stopped. What a finish by Kattar and a huge win.
Official Result- Calvin Kattar def. Jeremy Stephens by knockout (elbows) at 2:42 of Round 2
> Francis Ngannou (#2, 14-3, 9-2 UFC) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (#6, 10-0, 4-0 UFC) Heavyweights
Rozenstruik with an early inside leg kick. Ngannou then throws a combo and lands a left hook that knocks Rozenstruik out cold. It went less than twenty seconds. Ngannou is ridiculous.
Official Result- Francis Ngannou def. Jairzinho Rozenstruik by knockout (punches) at :20 of Round 1
> Henry Cejudo (C, 15-2, 9-2 UFC) vs. Dominick Cruz (22-2, 5-1 UFC) UFC Bantamweight Championship
Cejudo with a heavy leg kick. Cejudo with another. Cejudo lands another. Cruz using his movement but Cejudo is landing the leg kicks. Cejudo lands another and they scramble for a moment. Cruz with a knee and Cejudo gets a takedown but they get right back up. Cejudo with another leg kick. Cruz with a short uppercut to the body. Cejudo lands a combo. Cejudo with more leg kicks. Cruz lands a nice shot at the end. 10-9 Cejudo.
Cejudo with more leg kicks to start the second. Cruz lands a leg kick. Cejudo with another leg kick. They exchange punches in close range. Cejudo with another leg kick. Cruz lands a nice right hand. Cruz lands a nice combo in close. They trade in close range. Cejudo lands a nice right hand. Cejudo with a body kick and follows it with a right hand. Cruz with a nice inside kick that caught Cejudo’s attention. There was a clash of heads and a cut is open on Cejudo’s head. We have a timeout. We get back to action. Cejudo then lands a knee right to the jaw and Cruz stumbles to the mat and Cejudo starts to land punches and was landing a lot and it is stopped as Cruz was working to his feet. It was a close, questionable stoppage but Cejudo gets the win and remains the champion.
Official Result- Henry Cejudo def. Dominick Cruz by TKO (strikes) at 4:58 of Round 2 to retain the UFC Bantamweight Championship
> Tony Ferguson (#1, 25-3, 15-1 UFC) vs. Justin Gaethje (#4, 21-2, 4-2 UFC) Interim UFC Lightweight Championship
Gaethje with a leg kick. Ferguson lands a kick followed by a punch. Ferguson with a combo. They trade punches. Ferguson lands a leg kick as Gaethje lands a left hand. Ferguson with a leg kick after Gaethje lands some punches. Gaethje with a leg kick. Ferguson with a high kick followed by a jab. They trade punches but neither one really landed. Gaethje lands a combo. Gaethje lands a right hand as Ferguson was coming in. They both land left hooks at the same time. Gaethje lands another left hook. 10-9 Gaethje.
Gaethje with a right hand to start the second. They both throw and Gaethje lands the left hook. Gaethje lands a left hand. Ferguson’s chin is something else. Gaethje with a couple of leg kicks. Gaethje landing way more right now. Ferguson lands a right hand. Gaethje lands a right hand. Gaethje with a left hook. Ferguson not getting a lot of offense. Ferguson lands a high kick. Gaethje lands some more hard punches and Ferguson is just eating them. Ferguson lands a few leg kicks. Gaethje missing more punches right now but then lands a left hook. Ferguson lands a combo. Ferguson lands an uppercut that drops Gaethje right at the end. 10-9 Gaethje, 20-18 Gaethje.
Ferguson coming out strong to start the third. Gaethje lands a right hand. Ferguson lands a combo but Gaethje land a left hook. Ferguson is cut around both of his eyes. Ferguson with a short uppercut. Gaethje stuns him with a right hand. Ferguson lands a right hand and then a left hook. Gaethje with another right hand and then lands a hard combo. Gaethje keeps spitting blood onto the Octagon mat. Ferguson’s face is a mess. Ferguson with a sweeping leg kick. They trade in close range. 10-9 Gaethje, 30-27 Gaethje.
They trade leg kicks to start the third. Gaethje lands a right hand. Gaethje lands a left hook. Gaethje lands some good shots in close. Ferguson with a leg kick and Gaethje lands a counter left hand. They trade in close range. Gaethje hurts Ferguson with a right hand. Gaethje lands a hard right hand. A groin strike from Ferguson and we have a timeout. Ferguson with a jab and then a left hook. Gaethje with a leg kick. They trade in close range. They trade high kicks at the end. 10-9 Gaethje, 40-36 Gaethje.
Gaethje lands a right hand and then lands a combination. Gaethje with a leg kick. Ferguson is limping. Gaethje lands the jab and then a huge left hook that hurts Ferguson. Gaethje with the jab. Ferguson with a leg kick. They trade and Gaethje lands some huge punches. Gaethje with the jab that sends Ferguson to one knee for a brief second. Gaethje with a big combo. Gaethje lands a punch that hurts Ferguson and he is hurt standing and Herb Dean stops the fight. An unreal showing from Gaethje as he ends Ferguson’s win streak and wins UFC gold.
Official Result- Justin Gaethje def. Tony Ferguson by TKO (strikes) at 3:39 of Round 5 to win the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship
Dana White announced Monday afternoon that former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson will face former World Series of Fighting lightweight champion Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at UFC 249 on Saturday, April 18th.
The location for the fight? “Somewhere on EARTH!!!!!”, White said in his tweet. A location on tribal ground somewhere in/around the West Coast is reportedly where the company will aim to run shows for the forseable future, according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.
It’s assumed the event will be in front of an empty arena and is still scheduled for pay per view on ESPN.
The original main event was scheduled to be Ferguson challenging current champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, but Nurmagomedov is stuck in Dagestan, Russia, due to the coronavirus related travel bans around the world. He said UFC had told him the fight was going to be in Abu Dhabi, but those plans changed after his arrival there.
The 31-year-old Gaethje has won three straight, all by first round finish while the 36-year-old Ferguson has won twelve straight dating back to October 2013.
On Sunday, White said he was going to announce the full card for the event on Monday, which is expected to feature only those fighters who live in the United States due to the travel ban. He and the Endeavor-owned UFC have come under scrutiny for continuing to push on having events despite the global pandemic and without a documented plan on testing fighters, staffers, and arena personnel for COVID-19.
One of the most anticipated fights in recent history has also been one of the toughest to book and for a fifth time, it appears it will carry that mantle once again.
On a social media chat Monday, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov said he is unable to leave his home in Dagestan, Russia, due to the coronavirus pandemic related travel ban, thus putting his UFC 249 main event against Tony Ferguson on ice once again.
Nurmagomedov said the UFC told him the event was “100%” happening in the U.S, and was “99%” going to be in Abu Dhabi. He then moved his camp from San Jose, California, based AKA to the United Arab Emirates in preparation only to be told the borders were going to close, so they went home to Dagestan instead. He said he continues to train, but is unsure for what fight and when.
While UFC has not commented publicly on this development, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that they are looking for an alternative which could be fellow top lightweight contender Justin Gaethje. Nurmagomedov alluded to the fact UFC was looking for other options and Gaethje is a managerial teammate of the champion’s.
Helwani’s sources say the UFC 249 pay-per-view will likely be somewhere in the U.S., but would have to feature all fighters based in the U.S. due to the various travel bans. The show was originally slated for Brooklyn, NY.
The face of the Endeavor-owned company, Dana White, has been unrelenting in his efforts to put on events while other major sports have shut down. Various state regulations surrounding mass assemblies of people have ensured any event in the short term will have to be held in front of no fans, but there are questions surrounding COVID-19 testing procedures and related medical testing that White has yet to answer outside of saying “the less the media and fans know, the better.”
According to Dana White, the UFC is hoping the fifth time is the charm for a long anticipated fight between UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.
White told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto Monday they are looking to book the fight for an April 18th pay-per-view at Brooklyn, New York’s Barclays Center, two years and in the same location where they tried to make the fight for the fourth time.
Nurmagomedov’s manager tweeted a photo of a signed deal from the champion and that they are waiting for Ferguson.
Nurmagomedov (28-0) returned after nearly a year’s absence to successfully the title against Dustin Poirier in September. The 35-year-old Ferguson (25-3) has won his last 12 dating back to October 2013. Due to injuries, he has only fought once a year dating back to 2017 but returned in June to defeat Donald Cerrone by TKO due to a doctor’s stoppage.
Conor McGregor had been petitioning to face Nurmagomedov ever since he was defeated by him, but he claims he is going to fight for the UFC this January with Cerrone or Justin Gaethje as the rumored opponents. However, the UFC hasn’t announced any January PPV as of yet.
F4W NEWSLETTER: NXT moving to USA Network Joseph Currier looks at the implications of NXT going head-to-head with AEW. Plus, Vinny’s TV reviews and live NJPW report.
The early stages of the modern-day pro wrestling war between WWE and AEW picked up last week as NXT’s move to the USA Network was officially announced.
The move will begin on Wednesday, September 18, meaning that NXT on USA will get a two-week head start before AEW premieres on TNT on October 2. NXT will become a two-hour show and will be live on USA Network, with NXT and AEW going head-to-head and airing from 8-10 p.m. Eastern time.
After debuting on USA, the NXT episodes will be made available on demand on the WWE Network every Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern. TakeOver events will continue to stream live exclusively on WWE Network.
Full Sail University will also remain the home venue of NXT, with WWE announcing NXT TV dates at Full Sail through the remainder of the year.
“The move to USA Network provides an opportunity to deepen our relationship with NBCUniversal and further build the NXT brand,” Vince McMahon said in a press release. “Over the long term, our goal is to develop a following that can be monetized to the same level as our flagship programs, Raw and SmackDown.”
“Can’t describe this announcement in any other word than PROUD,” Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted. “Proud of everyone involved from day one. Proud you’ve let your voice be heard and carried the banner of this brand. Proud you’ve loudly & clearly said #WeAreNXT. And I’m proud to say, we’re just getting started.”
WWE has denied that NXT going to USA is a response to AEW, with a WWE spokesman telling Deadspin that “It isn’t called counter-programming if you continue to air a series on the same day/time as it has been on for nearly five years.” Though it may be spin, the statement has enough truth to it that WWE doesn’t look completely ridiculous. NXT (in its one-hour taped format on the WWE Network) has long been a Wednesday night show, but it’s hard to believe that WWE wouldn’t have counter-programmed AEW regardless of what night it aired on.
It’s a smart business move for WWE to give AEW competition on Wednesday nights. It’s been estimated that USA is paying WWE $30-50 million per year, though the length of the deal isn’t known. When TNA would face any competition from WWE, the ratings for Impact would decrease. AEW is going to need to put on a must-see show that has a broad coalition of viewers. They have a significant core fanbase made up of those who are already invested in The Elite, but they have to go beyond that and draw casual fans, lapsed fans, people who are dissatisfied with WWE, and others who like WWE but are willing to try out a new product. The most important thing for the future of AEW is that they build their audience and make as much money as possible on their second TV deal. Having to go against NXT is inevitably going to cannibalize some of their viewership. The only question is how big of a hit AEW is going to take.
Questions regarding NXT vs. AEW’s upcoming showdown that will determine the wrestling landscape is the lead topic of discussion in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We raise fourteen questions regarding the Wednesday Night War, and discuss what the answers will tell us about the global pro wrestling scene, as well as when we might have those answers.
We also break down what Google searches over the last 90 days in the United States can tell us about the upcoming Wednesday Night War, as well as what oddsmakers think about who will win in the ratings.
Along those lines, we also look at the AEW ticket sales information for their fourth and fifth weeks of television, and talk about what they might indicate.
Also in the new issue, we have full coverage of the Super-J Cup, including star ratings from the San Francisco show of the tour.
The issue also features an update on the upcoming Clash of Champions show, including an updated card, and a look at how the show is doing on the secondary ticket market.
We also have a historical piece covering Harley Race’s key years on top, 1977-1981.
Dragon Gate’s Dangerous Gate show is also covered in the issue.
We also have news and notes on all of the top wrestling and MMA promotions in the world.
We have full coverage of all the WWE television shows from the past week.
As always, we have in-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows,the key demos for the WWE shows and what can be learned from them.
We also have the results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
by Bryan Rose and Joseph Currier
WWE
SmackDown tonight takes place Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. The last two quarterfinal matches in the King of the Ring tournament will take place, as Elias will face Ali and Chad Gable will take on Andrade. WWE is also pushing once gain that Daniel Bryan is looking for an apology from Roman Reigns after being blamed for his recent incidents.
On 205 Live, Humberto Carrillo will face Lince Dorado. Tony Nese vs Mike Kanellis is also set.
Batista will be a playable character in the upcoming Xbox One game Gears 5 starting September 15 following WWE Clash of Champions.
Actor Lin-Manuel Miranda attended the NXT UK Takeover: Cardiff event this past weekend and had praise for Cesaro’s performance.
Triple Crown champion Kento Miyahara said that the 10th defense of his title will soon be realized by the end of the year. He currently has seven defenses. A tenth title defense would tie him with Toshiaki Kawada as having the most Triple Crown title defenses.
Brandi Rhodes posted a video of the AEW Women’s title up close.
This week’s MLW Fusion episode has been uploaded to YouTube. Jacob Fatu defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Tom Lawlor in the main event.
Tickets are now on sale for the NWA’s television tapings that take place on September 30 and October 1.
Trenesha Sims, who worked as Rhaka Khan in Impact Wrestling back in 2008-9, is currently listed as one of El Paso’s Texas most wanted fugitives. She is charged with interference with child custody.
UFC/MMA
The first and second episodes of UFC 242 Embedded are now up.
Tony Ferguson is saying that the UFC told him he’ll be fighting the winner between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier.
Grigorii Popov vs. Davey Grant is being worked on for UFC’s Moscow event.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 238: Cejudo vs. Moraes, emanating from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
The Octagon heads back to the Windy City with a stacked fight card featuring two title fights, a lightweight fight that is eagerly anticipated which could produce one of the best fights of the year, and nine total fights pitting ranked fighters against each other.
In the main event, the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship is up for grabs as UFC Flyweight Champion Henry Cejudo looks to become a two-division champion when he takes on Marlon Moraes. Cejudo beat TJ Dillashaw in a flyweight title fight in January, and was expected to challenge Dillashaw for the 135-pound title until Dillashaw was stripped of the title due to a failed drug test. In steps Moraes to challenge for the championship, and he comes in riding a four-fight win streak in which he has finished his last three fights in the first round.
In the co-main event, the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship is on the line as champion Valentina Shevchenko defends against challenger Jessica Eye. Shevchenko defeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the title in December and makes her first title defense against Eye, who has won three straight fights since dropping back down to 125 pounds last year.
Also on the main card, in the most-anticipated fight of the night, Tony Ferguson looks to extend his 11-fight win streak when he takes on Donald Cerrone, fresh off a win over Al Iaquinta a little over a month ago. The winner of this fight would likely be next in line to challenge for the UFC Lightweight Championship. Other fights on the main card include a bantamweight bout between Jimmie Rivera and Petr Yan, and a heavyweight bout between Tai Tuivasa and Blagoy Ivanov.
The preliminary card is also stacked with ranked fighters, capped off with a potential title eliminator bout in the women’s strawweight division as Tatiana Suarez puts her undefeated record up against Nina Ansaroff. Also, bantamweights Aljamain Sterling and Pedro Munhoz look to show their next in line at 135 pounds when they square off, and former title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz looks to get back in the win column against Alexa Grasso in women’s strawweight action.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:15 PM 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].
Calderwood starting off with leg kicks. Chookagian goes high with a kick. They trade kicks. Calderwood with a right hand followed by a body kick. Calderwood just misses a big overhand right. Calderwood with more leg kicks. Chookagian lands a right hand followed by a body kick. Calderwood lands a grazing head kick. Chookagian with a hard left hand and follows with a leg kick. They trade kicks. They trade in close range. Calderwood with a body kick. They trade leg kicks. They keep trading kicks. Calderwood with a right hand. They each land in a late flurry. 10-9 Calderwood.
Chookagian with a leg kick. Her lead leg is bright red. Chookagian with a high kick followed by a right hand. Calderwood takes Chookagian down following a right hand. Chookagian looks for an arm but scrambles up and Calderwood lands an elbow on the way up. Calderwood has the clinch advantage. They break. Calderwood attacking the lead leg again. Chookagian with a nice combo but Calderwood fires back with a body kick. Chookagian with an overhand right. Chookagian lands a combo. Calderwood tries to shoot but Chookagian defends. Chookagian tries a front kick but Calderwood catches it and dumps her to the mat. Calderwood goes into her guard. Both working on the mat but Calderwood maintains top position as the round ends. 10-9 Calderwood, 20-18 Calderwood.
Chookagian with a leg kick and they both land punches. Calderwood with a leg kick. Calderwood lands a right hand. They trade strikes. Calderwood with some leg kicks. Chookagian lands an overhand right. Chookagian lands a combo. Calderwood gets another takedown off a kick attempt from Chookagian. Calderwood with a right hand standing and they get to their feet. Chookagian with a kick. They trade leg kicks and Chookagian lands a left hook. Chookagian with a combo and a leg kick. Calderwood with an inside leg kick. They trade leg kicks. They begin to taunt each other. They trade late. Close fight. 10-9 Chookagian, 29-28 Calderwood.
Official Result- Katlyn Chookagian def. Joanne Calderwood by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Eddie Wineland (23-13-1, 5-7 UFC) vs. Grigory Popov (14-2, 0-0 UFC) Bantamweights
Wineland coming out firing. Popov with a front kick to the jaw. They trade kicks. Crowd chants for Wineland. Wineland lands a right hand and then another. Wineland with a combo. Wineland with a hard left hand. Popov with a leg kick. Wineland lands a right hand. They trade punches. Wineland lands a right hand. Wineland stuns Popov with a right hand. Popov lands a knee. Wineland looking for a big punch. Wineland with two right hands followed by a body kick. 10-9 Wineland.
They trade right hands. Popov lands a right that causes Wineland to drop to a knee. Wineland lands a right hand. Wineland tries a takedown but Popov defends though he stumbles a bit. Wineland lands a combo. Popov just misses a head kick. Wineland with a leg kick. They trade punches. Popov with a body kick but eats a right hand counter from Wineland. Popov with a leg kick. Wineland gets a brief takedown but they roll right up. Wineland with a body kick. Wineland lands some right hands that drop Popov and he’s going for the finish on the mat. They get up but Popov still hurt. Wineland lands another big right hand. Wineland lands a right hand that drops Popov again and finishes him off as the referee stops it. Big win for Wineland in front of the home crowd.
Official Result- Eddie Wineland def. Grigory Popov by knockout (punches) at 4:47 of Round 2
> Bevon Lewis (6-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Darren Stewart (9-4 1 NC, 2-4 1 NC UFC) Middleweights
Stewart with a hard leg kick. He trips Lewis up with another leg kick. Lewis gets up and they clinch. They remain tied up as both look for wrist control. Stewart lands a knee. Lewis with a knee to the body but Stewart lands body punches. They break and Stewart lands a right hand and they clinch. Lewis with a knee. Stewart lands a combo as they break. He rushes in and Lewis tries a takedown but they clinch. They break. They trade kicks. Stewart with a leg kick that trips Lewis up. Lewis lands a punch that may have been thrown after the horn. 10-9 Stewart.
Stewart with a leg kick. Stewart with another leg kick and just barely lands a spinning back fist. Stewart with another leg kick. They trade punches and Lewis ducks under and gets the back but Stewart reverses and they break. They each land a punch. They trade punches and Stewart gets the better of the exchange and is controlling the Octagon. Stewart with a right hand. The crowd beginning to boo the relative lack of action. They trade late. 10-9 Stewart, 20-18 Stewart.
Neither man landing to start the third. They clinch and trade positions. They break. Stewart with a leg kick. Stewart with another. The crowd is booing this one. Lewis tries a takedown and gets the back of Stewart. Lewis with some knees. Stewart is able to reverse position. They remain tied up. They continue to battle in the clinch. Both landing short knees. Boring fight. 10-9 Lewis, 29-28 Stewart.
Official Result- Darren Stewart def. Bevon Lewis by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
> Yan Xioanan (10-1 1 NC, 3-0 UFC) vs. Angela Hill (9-6, 4-6 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
They trade leg kicks early. Xiaonan with a leg kick but Hill lands a punch. They each land punches and Hill lands a knee to the body. Xiaonan with a leg kick. Hill with a Superwoman punch and then gets a takedown and is in the guard. They scramble to their feet. They trade punches and Hill tries a takedown but loses position and gets Xiaonan in her guard. Hill looking for a triangle and may have it locked in but Xiaonan defends. Hill had it locked in but time runs out. 10-9 Hill.
Xiaonan hurts Hill with a body kick and Hill goes to her butt but gets up. Xiaonan with a leg kick. Xiaonan with a body kick. They trade punches. They trade again and Xiaonan lands a harder shot. They trade again in close range. Hill tries a takedown but it is defended by Xiaonan. Xiaonan with a leg kick. Hill with a body kick. Xiaonan with a combo. Hill lands a right hand. Xiaonan gets a takedown but Hill scrambles right up into the clinch. Hill with a knee and misses a spinning elbow. 10-9 Xiaonan, 19-19.
They both look to land punches. Hill tries a kick but is blocked as Xionan lands a combo. Hill lands a right hand. They continue to trade. Xiaonan with a side kick. They trade and clinch and Hill lands a right hand on the break. Xiaonan with a leg kick. Xiaonan with a right hand. Xiaonan with a leg kick. Hill with a leg kick and follows with a right hand. Hill with a right hand and lands a knee to the body. They trade and Hill with a body kick. Hill with a right hand. Hill lands a late right. 10-9 Hill, 29-28 Hill.
Official Result- Yan Xiaonan def. Angela Hill by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lamas with a leg kick. Lamas with another leg kick. Lamas keeps attacking the leg as Kattar is looking for an opening. Lamas tries to shoot but Kattar too far away. Kattar with a combo to the body. Lamas with a body kick. Kattar with a high body kick. Kattar stuns Lamas with a left hand. Kattar lands an uppercut. Lamas with a high kick that is blocked. They trade. Lamas with a body kick. Kattar drops Lamas with a right hand and then swarms on him on the mat and then finishes him off on the ground with more punches. Huge finish by Kattar!
Official Result- Calvin Kattar def. Ricardo Lamas by knockout (punches) at 4:06 of Round 1
Grasso coming out firing first and lands a right hand. They both land punches. Grasso lands a right hand. They trade in close range and Kowalkiewicz with a knee. Grasso with a right hand. They trade punches and Grasso circles away. They kick at the same time. Kowalkiewicz with a body kick. Grasso lands a right hand and then the jab and then a hard right. Grasso definitely the faster fighter. Grasso with the jab and a leg kick. Grasso with a combo and lands a head kick. They trade body kicks. They tie up and Grasso lands to the body. They each land punches at the end. 10-9 Grasso.
Grasso starts off the round with two body kicks. They both trade and Kowalkiewicz lands a body kick. Grasso with a high kick. Grasso with a body kick. She is still much quicker than Kowalkiewicz. Grasso with a right hand. Grasso with a combo. They continue to trade but Grasso is just much quicker. They clinch and Kowalkiewicz has the advantage. Grasso with a knee to the body. Grasso starting to slow down a little. They both land punches. They both land again against the fence. Grasso with a combo. Kowalkiewicz lands a combo at the end. 10-9 Grasso, 20-18 Grasso.
Grasso with a head kick early on in the third. Grasso with a body kick. They trade in close range. Grasso with some knees in the clinch and Kowalkiewicz is able to escape. Grasso with a leg kick. Kowalkiewicz has been unable to find many openings. Grasso with a spin kick. Grasso with a combo. Grasso with a body kick. They clinch and Grasso with more knees to the body. Kowalkiewicz still coming forward. Grasso with the jab and follows it with a combo and leg kick. Grasso with a quick combo. Grasso stuns Kowalkiewicz with a left hand. Grasso with another combo. They trade punches in close. Grasso throwing all kinds of strikes. Both ladies swinging hard at the end. Grasso with a standing guillotine as the fight ends. Fun fight, great performance from Grasso. 10-9 Grasso, 30-27 Grasso.
Official Result- Alexa Grasso def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Aljamain Sterling (#3, 17-3, 9-3 UFC) vs. Pedro Munhoz (#4, 18-3 1 NC, 8-3 1 NC) Bantamweights
Sterling firing kicks right away but Munhoz lands a left. Sterling still throwing kicks. Sterling with a left hand followed by a body kick. Sterling landing punches. Sterling with a body kick. Both land punches. Sterling with a left to the body but Munhoz fires back some kicks. Sterling with some kicks and lands a right hand after a taunt. Munhoz lands a punch. Munhoz lands a body kick. Sterling with a body kick followed by a short right hand. Sterling lands two right hands. Sterling fakes a takedown attempt and just misses landing a knee. Munhoz with a body kick. Lots of output going on here. Sterling still landing punches but eats a hard body kick from Munhoz. 10-9 Sterling.
Munhoz tries a kick but Sterling grabs the leg but eventually lets go. Munhoz chasing Sterling around now and lands some kicks. Sterling with some kicks now. Sterling tries a unique takedown but Munhoz slips away. Sterling lands a left hand. Sterling with a right hand. Sterling lands some strikes. Still lots of output from both men. Sterling with a right hand followed by a body kick. Munhoz lands a high kick but eats a counter right from Sterling. Sterling lands a few more punches as Munhoz is a little stunned. Sterling landing lots to the head of Munhoz. They each land a right hand. Munhoz with a leg kick that trips Sterling up and he drops down for a guillotine but Sterling rolls out. Sterling with a spin kick to the body. Sterling with two right hands and then a left. Sterling landing more punches to Munhoz’ head and cracks him with a left hand. 10-9 Sterling, 20-18 Sterling.
Both throwing hard shots. Munhoz backing Sterling up against the fence. They trade leg kicks. Sterling with a left hand that trips Munhoz up. Sterling witha combo. They trade body kicks. Sterling landing big punches to the head of Munhoz. They trade punches and short body kicks. Munhoz just misses a head kick. Sterling with the double jab. Sterling landing with more volume. Sterling with a high body kick. Sterling with a combo and Munhoz lands a couple of punches. Munhoz with a high kick. They trade leg kicks. Sterling lands a couple of punches. They continue to trade strikes. Sterling land leg kicks. Sterling witha right hand. They trade at the end. Real good fight. 10-9 Sterling, 30-27 Sterling.
Official Result- Aljamain Sterling def. Pedro Munhoz by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Suarez with a leg kick. Suarez going for the takedown but Ansaroff defending against the fence. Suarez gets her down though. Suarez gets in her guard. Suarez now grabs the neck to retain position but they get to their feet. Suarez gets another takedown against the fence. Suarez just dominant from the top but not doing much to get herself into better position. Suarez stands to improve but Ansaroff is throwing upkicks. Suarez gets back in her guard. Suarez has the neck late. 10-9 Suarez.
They trade dual leg kicks. Suarez lands a left hand. Suarez shoots from a mile away and Ansaroff defends but Suarez still has the legs looking for the takedown. Suarez completes it but Ansaroff scrambles out from the bottom. Suarez now has control of the back. Suarez gets her back down. Suarez working in the guard of Ansaroff now. Suarez with a hammerfist. Suarez still in complete control from the top as she stands. Ansaroff tries to stand but Suarez grabs her against the fence. Suarez trying a takedown but Ansaroff defending. Suarez lands a knee below the belt and we have a timeout. Ansaroff with a body kick. Suarez with a side kick. 10-9 Suarez, 20-18 Suarez.
Ansaroff with a body kick and Suarez drops down for a takedown but it is defended. Ansaroff lands a right hand. Suarez with a high kick. Suarez with some leg kicks. Suarez with a left hand. Suarez with a body kick and then goes for a takedown but Ansaroff defends. Suarez with a high kick. Suarez goes for a takedown and has the body lock against the fence but Ansaroff scrambles away. Ansaroff with a spin kick that lands. Suarez with a body kick. Ansaroff with a head kick but Suarez still pushing forward. Suarez with a leg kick. Ansaroff with a body kick followed by a right hand. Ansaroff lands late punches. 10-9 Ansaroff, 29-28 Suarez.
Official Result- Tatiana Suarez def. Nina Ansaroff by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT
> Tai Tuivasa (#11, 8-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Blagoy Ivanov (#13, 17-2 1 NC, 1-1 UFC) Heavyweights
Ivanov with a right hand. Tuivasa with a leg kick. They trade punches. Tuivasa with a right hand. They clinch against the fence. They break and Ivanov hurts Tuivasa with a punch and they go to the mat for a moment but get up and clinch. Tuivasa with a hard elbow as they reverse position. Ivanov grabs the neck and switches. They break. Tuivasa with a left hand as they break. Tuivasa with a right hand. Tuivasa with a leg kick but eats a right hand from Ivanov. Tuivasa lands a combo. Ivanov with a short right hand. Ivanov lands a left hand and another at the end. 10-9 Ivanov.
Tuivasa with a leg kick. He lands another. Ivanov lands a left hand. They clinch for a second and Tuivasa lands an uppercut on the rbeak. Tuivasa stuns Ivanov with a right hand. Tuivasa now with an elbow against the fence as they clinch. They each land as they break. Ivanov with the jab. Tuivasa lands a right hand. Tuivasa lands a couple of jabs. Ivanov lands a combo. Tuivasa misses a right hand but lands a leg kick. Tuivasa with a right hand followed by a leg kick. They both land close punches. Ivanov with a short right hand. Ivanov with a combo. Tuivasa with a leg kick. They clinch and Ivanov has the eck as the round ends. 10-9 Tuivasa, 19-19.
Tuivasa with a short left hand. They trade in close. They trade leg kicks. Tuivasa with some more leg kicks. Tuivasa with a hard right hand. Ivanov now gets Tuivasa down for a second but they get up and Ivanov has clinch position. They both are hugging each other against the fence. Tuivasa reverses. Ivanov grabs the neck and lands some knees. They break and Tuivasa with a leg kick. Ivanov lands a left hand. Tuivasa with a right hand. They both land a hard punch. Tuivasa with a leg kick. They trade punches. Tuivasa with a leg kick but Ivanov counters with a combo. Ivanov with a left hand. Tuivasa with another leg kick. They trade at the end. 10-9 Ivanov, 29-28 Ivanov.
Official Result- Blagoy Ivanov def. Tai Tuivasa by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
> Jimmie Rivera (#7, 22-3, 6-2 UFC) vs. Petr Yan (#9, 12-1, 4-0 UFC) Bantamweights
Yan with a heavy leg kick. Yan lands a right hand. Rivera with a leg kick. Yan misses a right hand and Rivera ties up with him but they break and Yan just misses a punch. Yan misses a right and Rivera lands a counter punch. They clinch and Rivera lands a knee as they break. They trade in the clinch. Yan with the jab. Yan just misses an uppercut. Rivera with a leg kick. Yan lands a right hand. Rivera with a leg kick. Yan goes for a takedown but Rivera defends. Yan then drops Rivera with a left hand and tries to finish but runs out of time. 10-9 Yan.
Both landing to start the second and Rivera lands a nice left hand. Yan with a right hand. Rivera with a hard leg kick that hurts Yan a little. Yan with a left hand to the body. Yan with a hard body kick. Yan with another hard body kick. They trade punches. Yan misses a right hand. They trade inside the pocket. Yan with a head kick that cracks Rivera but Rivera grabs the leg and pulls Yan against the fence. Rivera tries a takedown but they break. They trade punches. Yan drops Rivera again at the end of the round but runs out of time going for the finish. 10-9 Yan, 20-18 Yan.
Yan backs Rivera up with a punch and Rivera drops to his butt but gets up. Yan with a head kick and Rivera searching for a takedown but Yan defends it with ease. Rivera with a body kick. Rivera with a high kick. Yan with a couple of body kicks. Yan with a body kick. Rivera lands a right hand. Yan with a head kick. They each land punches inside the pocket. Rivera lands a right hand but Yan counters with a left hook. RIvera with a combo. Rivera pokes Yan in the eye and with have a timeout. Back to action and Rivera looking to turn up the pressure. They clinch and Yan with short knees. Rivera lands a hard left hook. Yan tries a late takedown and sort of gets it. 10-9 Rivera, 29-28 Yan.
Official Result- Petr Yan def. Jimmie Rivera by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
> Tony Ferguson (#2, 24-3, 14-1 UFC) vs. Donald Cerrone (#4, 35-11 1 NC, 23-8 UFC) Lightweights
Cerrone with a leg kick. He then goes high. Ferguson with a high kick. Cerrone with a left hand. They trade punches. Loud chants for both men. Ferguson with a left hand then a leg kick. They trade punches. Ferguson lands a combo. Cerrone lands a combo. Both men landing punches. Ferguson with a leg kick and Cerrone fires back a leg kick. Cerrone lands a left hand and Ferguson fires back with one. Cerrone with a head kick. They continue to trade. Cerrone with a left hand. They continue to trade punches. Ferguson is cut somewhere as there is blood on his face. Cerrone with a left hand to the body. Ferguson moving around nicely and it’s frustrating Cerrone. Cerrone lands a left hand and a body kick. They exchange wild punches at the end. Close round. 10-9 Cerrone.
The crowd is big time into this. Cerrone with a body kick. Ferguson stuns him with a jab. Ferguson with a body kick. Ferguson with another body kick and then a sharp left hook. Ferguson with a running leg kick. Cerrone lands a right hand. Ferguson with the jab and a head kick. They are throwing punches in the center. Both men land nice punches. Ferguson misses a spinning back fist. Cerrone with a head kick. Ferguson comes back with a running leg kick and lands a spinning elbow. Cerrone bleeding from the nose. Ferguson with a spinning back fist as Cerrone rushes in. Cerrone gets the back and takes Ferguson down but they scramble up. Ferguson with a body kick. Cerrone with a leg kick. Cerrone with a head kick. Ferguson with a right hand. They continue to trade and Ferguson with a short elbow. Cerrone with some kicks late. Ferguson landed a right hand after the horn and the crowd loudly boos. This is fantastic. 10-9 Ferguson, 19-19.
The fight is stopped in between rounds. Cerrone’s eye swelled up between rounds and the doctors waved it off. Cerrone wanted to go on. The crowd is not happy. Ferguson is going to be the winner.
Official Result- Tony Ferguson def. Donald Cerrone by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 2
Eye firing right away. Shevchenko with a body kick. They trade kicks. Shevchenko ducks under a punch and gets a takedown. Shevchenko not doing much from the top. Shevchenko moves to side control and looking for the mount but not doing much of anything else. Eye with body punches from the bottom. The crowd is booing the lack of action. Not much going on. Shevchenko lands a couple of punches. Eye looking to sweep and now has Shevchenko in her full guard. They scramble up. Shevchenko has the clinch and gets a trip takedown. Shevchenko in side control but again not doing much. Eye with backwards knees to the body. Shevchenko gets the crucifix position but Eye reverses to the top to end the round. 10-9 Shevchenko.
They trade kicks. Shevchenko with a hard leg kick. Shevchenko then knocks Eye out cold with a head kick. Brutal finish.
Official Result- Valentina Shevchenko def. Jessica Eye by knockout (head kick) at :26 of Round 2, retains UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship
> Henry Cejudo (FLW C, 14-2, 8-2 UFC) vs. Marlon Moraes (#1, 22-5-1, 4-1 UFC) UFC Bantamweight Championship
Moraes goes for a head kick but Cejudo checks it. Moraes with a leg kick. Moraes with a leg kick and they trade punches. Moraes with a hard leg kick. Moraes with a leg kick and Cejudo grabs it trying to take him down but Moraes escapes. Cejudo with a high kick and Moraes fires back a combo. Moraes with a leg kick. Moraes with a leg kick and then another. They trade in close range. Moraes with a leg kick. Moraes with another leg kick. 10-9 Moraes.
Moraes misses a high kick. Moraes with another inside leg kick. They trade punches and Moraes stumbles a little. Moraes with a head kick as Cejudo throws a right hand. Moraes just misses a spinning head kick. Moraes with a punishing leg kick. Cejudo with a leg kick. Moraes trips Cejudo up with another leg kick. They trade punches and Cejudo lands an uppercut. They are both firing punches. Cejudo lands some right hands and Moraes with an uppercut. They trade again. Cejudo turning it on right now. Cejudo with some knees in the clinch that hurt Moraes. He lands another big one followed by a right hand. Moraes tries a takedown but Cejudo easily blocks it. Cejudo with another knee. They trade late. Big end to the round for Cejudo. 10-9 Cejudo, 19-19.
They are throwing and Cejudo clinches up with Moraes. They continue to trade and Cejudo lands a knee. Timeout after Cejudo pokes Moraes in the eye. Cejudo tries a takedown but Moraes quickly gets up. They are both landing big punches. Cejudo lands a knee. Moraes with a right hand and they clinch. Cejudo grabs the neck and they go to the mat and Cejudo is looking for an anaconda choke. Moraes gets out but eats a knee to the body from Cejudo. Cejudo now on top and is landing punches and Moraes grabs him down into the half-guard. Cejudo with some big shots from the top. Cejudo with elbows from the top and is trying to finish and he does! Cejudo with the big win and he becomes the two-division champion. Wow, what a performance.
Official Result- Henry Cejudo def. Marlon Moraes by TKO (strikes) at 4:51 of Round 3, wins UFC Bantamweight Championship
We’re looking for reports from Raw tonight in Marseilles, France, Smackdown in Helsinki, Finland, Revolution Pro at York Hall in London (Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Aussie Open, David Starr vs. Phantasmo ladder match), Evolve in Livonia MI and NXT in Sebring, FL to [email protected].
Kassius Ohno & Harlem Bravado vs. AR Fox & Leon Ruff
JD Drake vs. Joe Gacy for WWN title
Austin Theory vs. Adam Cole non-title
NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING AT 8 P.M. EASTERN ON AXS TV
Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Evil & Sanada
Dragon Lee vs. Taiji Ishimori for IWGP jr. title
CMLL FROM ARENA MEXICO AT 9:30 P.M. ON CMLL FACEBOOK AND YOU TUBE (after show)
Magia Blanca & Stigma vs. Espanto Jr. & El Hijo del Signo
Drone & Fuego & Guerrero Maya Jr. vs. Kawato San & Polvora & Vangellys
Kaho Kobayashi vs. Amapola
Atlantis & Atlantis Jr. & Soberano Jr. vs. El Hijo de Villano III & Villano IV & Rey Bucanero
Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero & Euforia vs. Mascara Ano 2000 & Sanson & Cuatrero
Dragon Lee & Volador Jr. & Mistico vs. Negro Casas & Cavernario & Mr. Niebla
Saturday has WWE Raw in Newcastle, UK, Smackdown in Stockholm, Sweden, ROH in Grand Rapids, MI, and NXT in St. Augustine, FL. We’re looking for reports on these shows to [email protected].
ROH WAR OF THE WORLDS SATURDAY NIGHT IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN AT 6 P.M. EASTERN ON HONOR CLUB
Coast 2 Coast vs. Alex Coughlin & Karl Fredericks
Cheeseburger vs. Clark Conners
Evil & Sanada vs. Beer City Bruiser & Brawler Milonas
Kelly Klein vs. Stacy Shadows for WOH title
PCO vs. Mask Haskins
Tracy Williams vs. Rush vs. Eli Isom vs. P.J. Black for ROH title shot
Jeff Cobb & Jay Lethal & Yuji Nagata & Hirooki Goto & Satoshi Kojima vs. Bully Ray & Shane Taylor & Mark & Jay Briscoe & Silas Young
Matt Taven & TK O’Ryan & Vinny Marseglia vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Hikuleo
UFC 237 ON SATURDAY FROM RIO DE JANEIRO
ESPN+ at 6:15 p.m. Eastern
Vivane Araujo vs. Talita Bernardo
Said Nurmagomedov vs. Raoni Barcelos
Sergio Moraes vs. Warlley Alves
Priscila Cachoeira vs. Luana Carolina
ESPN AT 8 p.m. Eastern
B.J. Penn vs. Clay Guida
Bethe Correia vs. Irene Aldana
Thiago Moises vs. Kurt Holobaugh
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Ryan Spann
ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. Eastern
Francisco Trinaldo vs. Diego Ferreira
Laureano Staropoli vs. Thiago Alves
Jose Aldo vs. Alexander Volkanovski
Anderson Silva vs. Jared Cannonier
Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade for strawweight title
EVOLVE FROM SATURDAY NIGHT AT 7 P.M. FROM INDIANAPOLIS
Anthony Greene vs. Seven Pena
Leon Ruff vs. Stephen Wolf vs. Juntai
Shotzi Blackheart vs. Natalia Markova
Curt Stallion vs. Ace Perry
Adrian Jaoude vs. Harlem Bravado
Eddie Kingston & Joe Gacy vs. JD Drake & Anthony Henry for Evolve tag title
Austin Theory vs. Nate Webb for Evolve title
Kassius Ohno vs. Josh Briggs
Adam Cole vs. AR Fox
BELLATOR ON DAZN AT 9 P.M. EASTERN
Tywan Claxton vs. James Bennett
Jake Hager (Jack Swagger) vs. T.J. Jones
A.J. McKee vs. Pat Curran
Douglas Lima vs. Michael Venom Page in welterweight tournament semifinal
Michael Chandler vs. Patricio Pitbull Freire for lightweight title
Sunday has WWE Raw in Liverpool, UK, Smackdown in Oslo, Norway and ROH TV tapings in Chicago (Allysin Kay vs. Marti Belle for NWA women’s title, Evil & Sanada & Yuji Nagata & Satoshi Kojima, Colt Cabana vs. James Storm for NWA National title, Jeff Cobb vs. Rush vs. Jay Lethal vs. PCO, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa vs. Mark & Jay Briscoe for ROH tag titles).
NEW JAPAN BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS DAY ONE IN SENDAI ON MONDAY AT 5:30 A.M. EASTERN ON NEW JAPAN WORLD
A brother vs. brother match will be one of the key pieces of All Elite Wrestling’s Double or Nothing card.
After weeks of teases, Dustin Rhodes was confirmed as his brother Cody’s opponent for Double or Nothing at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, May 25. Dustin issued a statement about his status with WWE after the announcement was made, revealing that he had requested his release from WWE and was granted it. Dustin also posted a video where he said goodbye to his Goldust character.
An update on AEW distribution, PPV, television and streaming, is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Look at the full distribution around the world for Double or Nothing, as well as updating where things stand when it comes to television.
Look at pricing, preshow, who is carrying it, how strong ITV 4 is, how this compares with WWE’s distribution and probable viewership, where things stand with U.K. television, details on Casino Battle Royale plans, the main championship, updating the show and lots of new signings.
Go in-depth on not just the XFL television deal and finances, but the lessons of the deal and how the deal is a 180 from the UFC deal.
Also look at the changes in Raw and Smackdown this past week, why they were made, where NBC Universal and FOX stand, WWE star power, how the European tour affected this week’s television, how it affects touring, plus updates on the Money In The Bank show.
Also look at the 2019 Best of the Super Juniors tournament, including what matches to watch out for, the schedule, the positioning of Will Ospreay, and the schedule.
Look at the two New Japan Dontaku events, what the events say about both Japan and U.S. popularity, the story behind Okada vs. Sanada, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
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.
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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
by Bryan Rose, Ethan Renner and Joseph Currier
WWE
The Bret Hart vs. Tom Magee match and documentary special is listed as airing on the WWE Network from 11 to 11:30 p.m. Eastern time on Monday night.
WWE put out a press release saying that Kofi Kingston will be visiting his home country of Ghana, West Africa from May 30 through June 2. It will include a courtesy call from the President of Ghana H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. A WWE film crew will be there to document the trip for a future documentary.
Kingston wrote on Instagram: “Well it’s officially official. For the first time since 1993, I’m going back to my home country! Though it was 26 years ago, I still have so many vivid memories of my last visit to Ghana. I’m beyond excited to make many more in a few short weeks!”
The WWE Network will no longer be available on the following devices as of May 21: Amazon Fire Tablets, Apple TV 3rd Generation and earlier models, LG 2016 and earlier models, PlayStation 3, Samsung 2016 and earlier models, Samsung and Sony Blu-Ray Players, Sony non-Android TVs, Windows 10 Desktop, and Xbox 360.
WWE stock closed the week at $84.03 per share, up slightly from yesterday.
Nikki Cross says she needs to change in an interview after a loss on Main Event, saying it may be time to step out of the dark.
Paige talked to Comic Book about how she became the manager for the new tag team of Kairi Sane and Asuka. “I pitched to manage Ronda Rousey, kind of like the Paul Heyman-Brock Lesnar thing,” she said. “And then also be with Asuka, because Asuka had trouble speaking on the mic sometimes. As much as she’s an amazing athlete, an incredible wrestler, and I was like, ‘I’ll help her, give me the microphone, I’ll talk for her.’ And then Paul Heyman called me one day and said, ‘We have a great role for you. You can be the next me with these two women.’ I was like, ‘Wow, what a crazy tag team, they’re incredible…. Absolutely, I’ll take it!'”
Comic Book also talked to Becky Lynch about Money in the Bank and SmackDown Live.
Goldberg has started to train in preparation for his match next month in Saudi Arabia.
Pro Wrestling
Tickets are still available for the F4W/Wrestling Observer Live Q&A featuring Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez that will take place the morning of Double or Nothing (May 25) in Las Vegas, Nevada. More information can be found here.
Willie Mack told Wrestling Inc that he wasn’t sure of his Lucha Underground status, saying “I’m not sure because I’m still a part of them. If they want me, they can call me. But I’m just trying to do other stuff and keep everything going and positive because I’m a chill dude and I’m just gonna sit this thing out and see what happens.”
A falls count anywhere match between Sami Callihan and Mance Warner is set for MLW’s TV tapings in Waukesha, Wisconsin on June 1. In storyline, the match between the two friends was made by Salina de la Renta.
Jerry Lawler and Baron Von Raschke will be at Crusherfest, which will take place on June 8 and 9. The event is centered around an unveiling of a statue of The Crusher in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Memorial services for Florida promoter Paul Spiegel will will be at 2:00 pm on this Saturday at Memorial Park 5750 49th. St. in St .Petersburg.
UFC/MMA
ESPN reported that the UFC is close to finalizing Tony Ferguson vs. Donald Cerrone for UFC 238, which will be held in Chicago on June 8. Cerrone had challenged Conor McGregor after winning at a UFC Fight Night event this past Saturday. As recently as Tuesday, when appearing on The Jim Rome Show, Dana White had said that a fight between the two made sense to put together.
Ariel Helwani tweeted about Cerrone’s decision to face Ferguson: “Credit to Cerrone on this one. They sent out feelers about the McGregor fight after the Iaquinta win, but there wasn’t much movement so they moved on again. Justin Gaethje was also discussed a potential return fight for Ferguson but didn’t materialize, obviously. The beauty in this for Cerrone is the fight is in 29 days. So if all goes well, it’s not like he took himself out of the running for McGregor. Wouldn’t be surprised if the winner of this fight ends up becoming the McGregor frontrunner when it’s all said and done, too.”
Bethe Correia weighed in at 141 for her UFC 237 bantamweight fight against Irene Aldana, and will forfeit 30 percent of her purse.
The scheduled UFC 237 Diego Ferreira vs. Francisco Trinaldo lightweight fight has been called off by the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission. Ferreira fell ill with kidney stones and could not weigh in. Trinaldo had already successfully made weight before the fight was called off.
All other fighters for Saturday’s UFC 237 card made weight. The ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC 237 can be found here.
British heavyweight MMA fighter and former Glory kickboxer Chi Lewis-Perry had a verbal exchange with Jon Jones at a fitness expo in Birmingham, England. The two have had issues dating back to when Daniel Cormier brought Lewis-Perry in as a sparring partner before their scheduled 2016 fight, according to MMA Fighting. There is a video of the exchange here.
Frankie Edgar issued a challenge to UFC Featherweight Max Holloway on Instagram. The two have been scheduled to face off twice before, but injuries caused changes to opponents both times.
Bloody Elbow’s John Nash has an interesting tweet thread here, with some informed speculation on the finances of the UFC/ESPN PPV deal.
The Bellator 221 weigh-ins were held today. A prelim bantamweight fight between Askar Askar and Taylor Moore was called off when Askar missed weight by five pounds. A prelim bantamweight bout between Jose Leon and Christian Rodriguez was changed to a 140-pound catchweight fight after Rodriguez missed weight. Leon agreed to the catchweight, but Rodriguez will give up half of his purse.
Jake Hager does an interview with MMA Fighting here. He says he should be ready to fight for the Bellator Heavyweight Championship by next year.
The Professional Fighters League kicked off their 2019 season last night. Kayla Harrison beat Larissa Pacheco in the main event, 30-25, 30-27, 30-27. Lilian Garcia debuted as the cage announcer for the PFL. Full results from the show are here
Ed in San Antonio presents PODER~! at the FSW arena on Friday 5/24 – Showtime is at noon – Main event: Bryan Alvarez vs. Logan Stunt
Empire dinner on Friday 5/24 at 8:30 p.m. at Texas de Brazil – Price is $82 – All you can eat meat and salad, sodas, tea, and coffee, plus dessert included
Empire suite party on Friday 5/24 for those who were not able to get the Q&A package – Price is $25
Though the road getting here was as convoluted as possible, WWE has finally confirmed Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch for WrestleMania 35.
Storyline suspensions, injuries, and even an “arrest” for Lynch, the McMahons getting involved and Vince replacing Lynch with Charlotte, Charlotte fully turning heel and Rousey turning against the crowd, and dozens of tweets all led to Lynch facing Charlotte at Fastlane. The stipulation was that if Lynch won, the Raw Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania would officially become a triple threat.
One of the two biggest issues of the year, the awards issue, is out right now.
The awards issue contains not only the award winners, but also top placeholders in every category and an all-time history of award winners dating back to 1980.
Have a look at the career and life of Dick “The Destroyer” Beyer, from football to college wrestling to TV stardom in Japan to teaching school. It’s really an amazing story of one of the first Americans to become a TV celebrity in Japan and the greatest American masked wrestler of all-time.
Read full coverage of the road to WrestleMania with most of the card as well as full coverage of Fastlane with a match-by-match rundown with star ratings, poll results and business notes.
Look at SummerSlam tickets, WWE creative, Bruce Prichard, Jeff Jarrett, AEW vs. WWE, Takeover Brooklyn’s complete card, newcomers to WWE this week, Dwayne Johnson award, Harlem Heat Hall of Fame notes, WrestleMania 2020 week updates, new WWE hire, WWE ticket sales, WWE stock price, most watched shows of the past week no the WWE Network plus notes from all the weekend house shows with results, angles and business.
This issue has updated coverage of the New Japan Cup, with this week’s shows, a rundown of every match so far in the tournament and an updated look at the brackets.
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.
THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I are back today with the awards show on Wrestling Observer Radio.
AXS will have a two-hour New Japan special from 8-10 p.m. with matches from the 3/6 anniversary show including Jay White vs. Will Ospreay (awesome match, one of the best of this year), Taiji Ishimori vs. Jushin Liger for the IWGP jr. title, Shingo Takagi & Bushi vs. Sho & Yoh for the IWGP jr. tag titles and Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto vs. Evil & Sanada & Tetsuya Naito.
In the New Japan Cup, it is now official that Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada will meet this coming Wednesday in a quarterfinal match. Also on Wednesday is Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yoshi-Hashi in another quarterfinal match.
WWE stock closed at $90.63 due to Wolfe Research saying the stock should be hitting $157 per share. This brought the average price value among analysts to $100 and caused the stock to hedge toward $100.
Cristina Ferguson, the wife of Tony Ferguson, filed for a restraining order against Tony in Orange County Superior Court. Police have been called to the house three times in the past month. Six police units came to their home on Friday night in Santa Ana according to police reports covered by MMA Junkie.
People have asked about Bryan Danielson wrestling Hiroshi Tanahashi. They did wrestle once when both were much younger here. (thanks to Paul Sosnowski)
A preview of the Kenny Omega documentary can be seen here. The documentary will air in Canada on TSN on 3/27.
WWE
Aleister Black and Zelina Vega are headed to Amsterdam for their honeymoon.
While this probably doesn’t mean much, the local advertising for Chicago on Monday for Raw lists Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin and Finn Balor vs Bobby Lashley vs. Drew McIntyre for the IC title. Roman Reigns, Both Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey are all scheduled. (thanks to Brett Robertson)
SoCal Pro has its 12th anniversary show on 4/13 in Vista, CA at the Vista Boys & Girls Club with Jeff Jarrett, Dr. Wagner Jr., Super Crazy and SoCal Crazy appearing.
The AAA Rey de Reyes show airs live on Twitch at 10 p.m. Eastern Saturday.
Killer Kross and Eli Drake will be appearing for CWE. Drake will be working Canadian shows from 4/13 to 4/24.
KSW 48 on 4/27 in Lublin, Poland with Salahdine Parnasse (12-0-1) from France vs. Roman Szymanski (11-4) for the interim featherweight title.
Tickets are on sale for the annual Grapple at the Garden show which takes place on 5/6 at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden.
IWF on 4/13 in Nutley, NJ at the Parks and Rec Center. Appearing include Tito Santana, Brian Blair, Gilberg and Gary Cappetta.
Warrior Wrestling on Friday night in Chicago Heights, IL at Marion Catholic High School at 7:15 p.m. has Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky vs. Dave & Jake Crist & Sami Callihan, Jordynne Grace vs. Lisa Marie Varon, L.A. Park vs. Sam Adonis, Austin Aries vs. Eddie Edwards, Brian Cage vs Dezmond Xavier vs. Trey Miguel vs. Zachary Wentz, Britt Baker vs. Kylie Rae, DJZ vs. Sammy Guevara, Rich Swann vs. Andrew Everett vs. Ace Austin vs. Gringo Loco vs. Isaias Velazquez vs. Matt Knicks vs. Bryce Benjamin, Robert Anthony vs. Brian Pillman Jr., Moose vs.Wardlow, Ethan Page & Space Pirates vs. Hornswoggle & Kongo Kong & Jungle Boy and more.
Dynamo Pro Wrestling on 3/23 in DeSoto, MO at the Knights of Columbus Hall and 3/30 in St. Louis at the Concordia Turners Gym.
MoTownMania on 4/6 in Morristown, NJ at the Talley Ward Rec Center.
Combate Americas on 4/26 at the Galen Center in Los Angeles with Melissa Martinez (5-0) vs. Caroline Gallardo (3-2) and Kyra Batara (7-4) vs. Angela Magana (11-10).
Due to a visa issue, Psicosis is off Saturday’s AAW show in Chicago at the Logan Square Auditorium. In his place, AAW has added Trent Baretta, Gringo Loco, Moose and Larry D. The card has Sami Callihan vs. Jake Something for the AAW title Kylie Rae vs. Jessicka Havok for the women’s title, Jimmy Jacobs vs. Mance Warner, Eddie Edwards vs. Fred Yehi and more. Jake Atlas also debuts on that show.
PCW and MCW are both running in Melbourne with major shows on Saturday night. PCW is claiming 1,200 tickets sold in advance.
El Hijo de L.A.Park vs. Gringo Loco has been added to MLW’s 4/4 show at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens.
OTT’s ScapperMania on Saturday night in Dublin: Angelico & Rey Hours vs. Aussie Open vs. Besties in the World vs. Lads From the Flats, Dan Barry vs. David Starr, Session Moth Martina vs. Meiko Satomura, Darren Kearney & LJ Cleary & Nathan Martin vs. Charlie Sterling & Sha Samuels & Zack Gibson, Jushin Liger vs. Scotty Davis, and an OTT title match with Walter vs. Jordan Devlin.
Jerry Lawler and Doug Gilbert appear on 5/11 in Hanover, IN at Southwestern High School. Jacob the Carpetbagger vs. Mortimer Blankenship III meet in a loser must shave his mutton chops match.
Bar Wrestling from last night in Los Angeles at the Bootleg Theater: Tessa Blanchard b Heather Monroe, Taya Valkyrie & PJ Black b Luchasaurus & Penelope Ford, Brandon Cutler b Joey Ryan, Tyler Bateman & Jake Atlas & Delilah Doom & Eli Everfly b Watts & Ryan Taylor & Yuma & BHK, Brian Cage b Andy Brown, Priscila Kelly & Darby Allin b Ray Rosas & Peter Avalon. (thanks to Shannon Walsh and Wrestling with Demons)
Michael Elgin and Tommy Dreamer headline A Night of Extreme on 4/12 in Sarnia, ONT at the River City Vineyard.
The NBC Detroit station Local 4 did a story on Andre the Giant. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
Gabby Ortiz from Ring of Honor did an interview with The Wrestling Estate discussing her participation in the ECWA Super 8 Chickfight this Saturday in New Castle, Delaware. The other participants include Scarlett Bordeaux, Zoey Skye, Nikki Addams, Quinn McKay, Sammi Pandora, Gemma Cross and ECWA Women’s Champion Miss Jasmine.
Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Events (more to be added):
Saturday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!
It appears that Tony Ferguson will return from injury at the UFC’s biggest show of the year.
MMA Junkie first reported last night that Ferguson will face Anthony Pettis at UFC 229. That pay-per-view is taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 6 and is being headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor for the lightweight championship.
The UFC has yet to officially announce Ferguson vs. Pettis.
Ferguson, who was then interim champion, was supposed to face Nurmagomedov in an undisputed title fight at UFC 223 this April with McGregor being stripped of his belt, but Ferguson suffered a knee injury while promoting the event and had to be replaced. Max Holloway initially stepped in to face Nurmagomedov, but problems with his short-notice weight cut led to Nurmagomedov instead defeating Al Iaquinta to become champion.
With Ferguson on the same card as Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor, he would likely be the backup plan for the main event if anything were to cause Nurmagomedov or McGregor to be unavailable to fight. Ferguson tweeted yesterday that he has three opponents to train for.
On a Boston sports radio show Wednesday morning, Dana White said that interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov is a go for UFC 223 in Brooklyn, NY, on April 7th.
On the Toucher & Rich show, White was asked about lightweight champion Conor McGregor’s plans, but didn’t have any update other than that he couldn’t “hold the division hostage” if he wasn’t going to fight.
White didn’t clarify whether the fight would be for the interim title or if it would be for the title that would need to be stripped from McGregor first.
The two were scheduled to fight three times with injuries and bad weight cuts canceling the fight every time, most recently at UFC 209 in March.
White put over Nurmagomedov quite a bit, saying that a fight between he and McGregor would be big in the U.S. and in Russia, they couldn’t find a stadium big enough to hold it.
He also said he isn’t interested in a Floyd Mayweather-McGregor boxing rematch but would love to do it in the Octagon. However, he doesn’t believe the amount of money it would take to make the fight, especially given he’s not an MMA fighter, would be worth it to Mayweather.
White discussed his plans for the next few days in Boston, his relationship with the local sports team owners, and addressed some of Stipe Miocic’s comments about how he feels the UFC wants him to lose.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 216: Ferguson vs. Lee, emanating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As the city of Las Vegas continues to mourn after the horrific events of this past Sunday, the UFC will do their part in entertaining the fans in “The Fight Capital of the World” by bringing a night full of bouts inside the Octagon.
The event is headlined by a battle for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship as Tony Ferguson takes on Kevin Lee in one of the best fights, on paper, made this year. Both men are on long win streaks, as Ferguson has won nine straight and Lee has won five straight, and both are looking to wrap UFC gold around their waists, and perhaps more importantly, secure a shot against Conor McGregor when he returns.
The semi-main event looks to see history made as UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson will attempt to set the record for most consecutive title defenses as he defends against Ray Borg. They were pushed back a month after Borg was forced to pull out of UFC 215 last month, leaving Johnson having to wait to stamp his position as the best fighter in the sport.
Also on the main card is an intriguing heavyweight matchup as former UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum takes on Derrick Lewis, and lightweights Beneil Dariush and Evan Dunham kick off the main card.
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].
BREAKING: The heavyweight bout between Fabricio Werdum and Derrick Lewis was a last-minute scratch from the card due to a back injury suffered by Lewis. Werdum is staying on the card as Walt Harris is going to replace Lewis, which means Mark Godbeer is now off the card.
Tavares was coming out as the aggressor early one attacking the legs and utilizing his jab. Leites landed a right hand but Tavares was firing back with more volume. Tavares got Leites in trouble with a left hand and Leites was backtracking before grabbing a leg and forcing Tavares against the fence looking for a takedown. They broke the action due to stalling by Leites but Leites went right back for a takedown against the fence. They were broken up again. Tavares hurt Leites with punches late in the round. 10-9 Tavares.
They traded leg kicks to start the second before Tavares started landing more punches. Tavares is clearly the better striker and has been blocking Leites’ attempts to grapple. They traded kicks but Tavares landing more and then landing the jab. Leites finally got a brief takedown but Tavares got right back to his feet. They separated. They were trading punches and Tavares was landing hard leg kicks. 10-9 Tavares, 20-18 Tavares.
They both came out swinging as this round could determine the winner. Tavares was landing so Leites grabbed a clinch against the fence. Both men were working to take down the other. They broke and Tavares was working the jab until Leites got poked in the eye. Leites’ face is a mess. Tavares started landing even more and Leites went to the mat. Leites was inviting Tavares down but Tavares wasn’t having any of it. Tavares dropped Leites with a leg kick. Leites got up and went working hard for a takedown. Leites whiffed on a takedown and Tavares was landing punches and kicks to a downed Leites. Big round for Tavares. 10-8 Tavares, 30-26 Tavares.
Official Result- Brad Tavares def. Thales Leites by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
> John Moraga (#11, 17-6, 6-5 UFC) vs. Magomed Bibulatov (#15, 14-0, 1-0 UFC) Flyweights
Moraga was attacking the legs early to keep Bibulatov at a distance. Moraga landed a right hand. Moraga then rocked Bibulatov and then dropped him with a left hand that knocked Bibulatov out cold! Great finish by Moraga and he hands Bibulatov his first career loss.
Official Result- John Moraga def. Magomed Bibulatov by knockout (punch) at 1:36 of Round 1
FX PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Matt Schnell (10-4, 0-2 UFC) vs. Marco Beltran (8-5, 3-2 UFC) Flyweights
Schnell looking to control the distance at the start. Beltran has a head kick checked by Schnell. Front kick by Beltran. Schnell with a leg kick as he backs Beltran up to the fence. Beltran lands a heavy leg kick. Both men still feeling each other out. They each landed some good punches and kicks but neither man did much to convincingly win the round. 10-9 Schnell.
Beltran coming out aggressive to start the second round with a leg kick. Beltran with a leg kick but Schnell fired back with a right hand followed by a leg kick. Schnell ducking under Beltran’s punches and he’s controlling the action. Beltran landed a solid head kick. He tried another but Schnell grabbed the leg and kick the other leg of Beltran. Beltran now pushing the pace a little more as Schnell is just looking for counters. Schnell with a right hand. They trade and Schnell lands more in close range. Another close round. 10-9 Schnell, 20-18 Schnell.
They quickly clinch to start the third round. They quickly broke and got back to the center of the Octagon. Neither man landing much thru the first bit of this round. Schnell then kicked Beltran low to force a timeout. Beltran just misses a high kick. They both landed in a close exchange. Beltran with a head kick. Schnell lands a right hand. Schnell lands another and then a combo that stumbles Beltran. Beltran got a late takedown. Close fight. 10-9 Beltran, 29-28 Schnell.
Official Result- Matt Schnell def. Marco Beltran by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
> Pearl Gonzalez (6-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Poliana Botelho (5-1, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
Gonzalez rushing right to Botelho. Gonzalez with a series of leg kicks and then clinches up against the fence. Botelho with some elbows as Gonzalez is looking for a takedown. Botelho with more elbows but not much is happening otherwise. They are broken apart by the referee. Both come out kicking but Gonzalez landing better. They clinch again and battle for position. Botelho has the underhooks but they are just not doing anything. Botelho with more elbows. 10-9 Botelho.
Gonzalez went right back to trying to take Botelho down against the fence. This fight is not good so far. Botelho landing punches and more elbows as Gonzalez is just relentless on looking for a takedown. They are finally broken up by the referee. Gonzalez looking tired. Botelho lands the jab and then a leg kick. Botelho misses some big right hands. Boring fight. 10-9 Botelho, 20-18 Botelho.
Gonzalez attacking the legs at the start of the third. Gonzalez grabs the leg of Botelho and pushes her against the fence but Botelho lands a punch. Gonzalez back to working hard for a takedown against the fence. The crowd is booing this one big. Botelho landing more punches and now knees to the body. They are broken up again. Gonzalez back to the clinch and the crowd immediately boos. They are broken up quicker and Botelho goes right on the attack. She just misses a head kick and Gonzalez goes back to the clinch. Botelho reverses into a takedown to end the fight. 10-9 Botelho, 30-27 Botelho.
Official Result- Poliana Botelho def. Pearl Gonzalez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Lando Vannata (9-2, 1-2 UFC) vs. Bobby Green (23-8, 4-3 UFC) Lightweights
Ryan’s internet kicked out in Vegas so Paul Fontaine taking over from here.
This was a crazy fight. Vannata was docked a point in the first and it turned out to be crucial. He threw an illegal knee while Green was down. The replay showed it didn’t land but the ref docked him a point anyway. That made it a 9-9 first.
The next two rounds were wild with both guys going all-out for a win and somehow managing to stay in till the end. Vannata appeared to land the harder shots but his face was a crimson mask by the end as Green’s shots obviously did more damage. The last two rounds could’ve gone either way and the first was an obvious 9-9. I scored it 29-27 Green and Ryan had it 29-27 Vannata
Official result – split draw on scores of 29-27 Vannata, 29-27 Green and 28-28
> Tom Duquesnoy (15-1 1 NC, 1-0 UFC) vs. Cody Stamann (15-1, 1-0 UFC) Bantamweights
Nothing could follow that last fight. This wasn’t bad but the crowd got restless at the end. I thought Duquesnoy pretty clearly won the first round and the last two Stamman took over with his wrestling as he got numerous takedowns and then the thread of the takedown allowed him to do more on the feet. It wasn’t a blowout but Stamman clearly won the last two and I had it 29-28 for him.
Official result – Cody Stamman by split decision on scores of 29-28, 28-29 and 30-27
On most nights, this would’ve been fight of the night but nothing is likely to top the Green/Vannata fight from earlier. Dariush had a great first round, nearly finishing Dunham with great punches and elbows on the feet and doing a lot of damage when it went to the ground. But he seemed to tire himself out trying to finish by the end of the round. Dunham stayed in it and did much better in the last two rounds. They were fairly close but Dunham did enough to take both rounds in my book and I gave a 10-8 to Dariush in round 1 meaning it was a 28-28 draw
Official result – majority draw (29-28 Dariush, 28-28 x 2)
> Mara Romero Borella (11-4 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) vs. Kalindra Faria (18-5-1, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Flyweights
Both women making their UFC debuts on a PPV main card is almost unprecedented. Borella made the most of it as she got an early takedown and eventually worked her way into mount. Faria gave up her back, allowing Borella to secure a rear naked choke for the win.
Official result – Mara Romero Borella by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:54
> Fabricio Werdum (#2, 21-7-1, 9-4 UFC) vs. Walt Harris (10-5, 3-4 UFC) Heavyweights
Very similar to the last fight, only faster. Werdum got a takedown 30 seconds in. He quickly moved into mount. Harris gave up his back and instead of going for the choke, Werdum grabbed an arm and Harris quickly tapped.
Official result – Fabricio Werdum by submission (armbar) at 1:05
> Demetrious Johnson (C, 26-2-1, 14-1-1 UFC) vs. Ray Borg (#3, 11-2, 5-2 UFC) UFC Flyweight Championship
Johnson targeted Borg’s lead leg with kicks early. Borg had a couple of failed takedown attempts and one on of them Johnson stuffed it and ended up on top. He was workmanlike on the ground with several different submission attempts. At one point the strike count was 23-0 and I’m not sure Borg did land a strike in the round. 10-8 Johnson on my card
Borg started off a little strong, getting a takedown but Johnson got right up. Borg took his back standing and had a choke for a bit but Johnson shook him off and ended up on top on the ground. Johnson took over from there, landing all kinds of punches and elbows on the ground and a few more submission attempts. At one point the strike count was 62-1. Another 10-8 round for Johnson.
More of the same here. Borg got a takedown but Johnson got right up. Borg attempted another and Johnson just fell on top of him. He maintained top control for the whole round, with several submission attempts. Strike count was 95-7 at one point. 10-8 Johnson
Borg got an early takedown but Johnson got right up and then got one of his own. He was all over him on the ground, constantly advancing and working for subs. Strikes count was 125-11 and Johnson landed many more after that. Another 10-8, although I suspect there’s no way the judges will have this score, I have 40-32 after 4
Johnson got an early takedown but Borg managed to get to his feet. Borg was stuffed on a takedown attempt and then Johnson got another takedown and moved right into side control. Borg managed to get almost to his feet but Johnson landed hard knees to the body. Borg briefly to his feet and Johnson picked him up and started a suplex but grabbed an armbar on the way down. He looked like he was going to rip his arm off and Borg tried to fight it off before tapping. Best performance I think I’ve ever seen in a title fight. Johnson is the best ever, at any weight class.
Official result – Demetrious Johnson by submission (armbar) at 3:15 of the 5th round
> Tony Ferguson (#2, 22-3, 12-1 UFC) vs. Kevin Lee (#7, 16-2, 9-2 UFC) Interim UFC Lightweight Championship
Despite the awesome last fight, the crowd was pretty hot for this one. Ferguson clearly the crowd favorite but Lee had a better first round. He was landing more often on the feet but it was fairly close. Lee got a late takedown and quickly took side control. He get mount with about 30 seconds left and landed a ton of punches and elbows and Ferguson was in real trouble but managed to get to his feet before the round ended. Lee had a punch after the bell and was warned by ref Herb Dean. 10-9 Lee
Round 2 was entirely on the feet. It was pretty close but Ferguson was more active and probably did more damage as well. Lee had cuts on his cheek and forehead and was bleeding from his nose. Significant strikes were 24-16 for Ferguson and it’s all tied up after 2.
Lee was very tired coming out for the third and clearly wanted to take things to the ground. He got an early takedown but Ferguson had a really tight triangle attempt and then nearly finished Lee with an armbar. Lee had a nice escape and maintained top control for about a minute afterward. Ferguson got to his feet but Lee got another takedown. It was almost a replay of the first time as Ferguson immediately secured a triangle. Lee tapped out right before he passed out and the ref stopped it.
Official result – Tony Ferguson by submission (triangle choke) at 4:02 of the 3rd round
Ferguson, of course, called out Conor McGregor after the fight, telling him to defend, or vacate. The crowd had been behind Ferguson all night but booed him after that one.
Lee was despondent after the fight. He admitted he had a staph infection and that’s why he had such a hard weight cut. He put over Ferguson and said he didn’t give him enough credit prior to the fight.
