UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier has underscored the remarkable transformation within the UFC light heavyweight division, emphasizing the stark contrast between its current state and that of just half a decade ago. For years, the UFC light heavyweight belt was held by some of the sport’s most iconic figures, such as Jon Jones, Chuck
Month: July 2024
After seven years, Travis Browne is no longer under UFC contract. Promotional officials confirmed to MMA Fighting on Tuesday that the UFC has released the 17-fight veteran after his contract was completed. “Hapa” hasn’t competed inside the octagon since getting submitted by Aleksei Oleinik at UFC 213 in July 2017. Per officials, Browne didn’t notify
Dan Ige did the unimaginable at UFC 303 this past weekend (June 29, 2024). Mixed martial arts (MMA) fans around the globe expected to see Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes in an exciting Featherweight co-main event showdown heading into International Fight Week 2024. Unfortunately for Ortega, that all changed at the latest second possible. The
While his power rightfully gets top billing, two other pieces that make Pereira so dangerous are the fact that he’s technically sharp and possesses an insane ability to synthesize information on the fly, as well. The kick that short circuited Prochazka’s system was swift, clean, and the correct tactical choice, as well — a strike he
The opening betting odds have been released for the matchup many expect to serve as UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira’s next title defense, and they’ve certainly split opinion. Pereira further cemented his grip on the crown at this past weekend’s UFC 303 pay-per-view. “Poatan,” a former two-weight Glory Kickboxing kingpin, headlined International Fight Week
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley gets his first taste of commentary duty after joining the broadcast team for the upcoming boxing card headlined by Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz. O’Malley is set to call the fights alongside veteran play-by-play man Mauro Ranallo and former boxing champion Shawn Porter. Of course, O’Mallley has quickly become one
Welcome to Midnight Mania! 2024 might just be the year of Alex Pereira. “Poatan” picked up his second Light Heavyweight title defense over the weekend by knocking out Jiri Prochazka (watch here), stepping up on short-notice to save the UFC 303 fight card … not long after he stepped up to headline UFC 300 with
Like Harrison, Michael “Venom” Page arrived in the UFC as an already established star, so he was thrown into the deep end of the welterweight pool with matchups against Kevin Holland and Ian Machado Garry. And while he emerged with a 1-1 record in those bouts, beating Holland and losing a decision to Machado Garry,
Alex Pereira saved UFC 303 by knocking out Jiří Procházka in the second round with a vicious head kick. He walked out of the Octagon with minimal damage, and fans are already discussing his next fight. At light heavyweight, Magomed Ankalaev is seemingly the only fighter with a case for a title challenge. However, more
The Mixed Martial Arts Hour is back in your life! Below is a rundown of Monday’s show, which begins at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. UK time. 1 p.m. ET: We kick things off by recapping a chaotic weekend at UFC 303. 2 p.m.: Top prospect Payton Talbott returns following
Jon Jones will have to start making some decisions in the second half of 2024. It’s been over one full year since Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight champion, Jones, fought in the Octagon. The bout saw “Bones” return from a three-year absence to win the vacant title in his divisional debut opposite Ciryl Gane in
Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff WriterJun 29, 2024, 08:34 PM ET Close MMA columnist for ESPN.com Analyst for “MMA Live” Covered MMA for Las Vegas Sun Open Extended Reactions Michelle Waterson-Gomez, one of the most influential figures in women’s mixed martial arts history, retired at UFC 303 on Saturday in Las Vegas. Waterson-Gomez, 38, announced her
Lopes came out fast and aggressive as always, taking the fight to Ige, who agreed to step in for Brian Ortega on Saturday afternoon. The two traded throughout the opening two rounds, with Lopes getting the better of things, before Ige had his best moments in the third as the Brazilian rising star began to
UFC’s next trip to Australia is filling up fast. The promotion formally announced seven bouts for UFC 305 on Sunday, several of which were previously reported but not official. Among the additions are two battles between ranked contenders, flyweights Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg and heavyweights Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Joining them are women’s
Well, it wasn’t pretty. But Ian Machado Garry walked away from UFC 303 with a win over Michael “Venom” Page. Page quickly established himself as the faster and more dangerous striker, but unfortunately for “MVP,” this is mixed martial arts. Garry turned to his grappling and jiujitsu skills to overpower his stylish opponent, taking him
Andreas Hale, ESPNJun 30, 2024, 01:01 AM ET Open Extended Reactions LAS VEGAS — The legend of Poatan continues to grow. Alex Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) scored a vicious second-round knockout of Jirí Prochazka (30-5-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) with a devastating head kick and brutal follow-up strikes to retain his light heavyweight championship in
MAIN CARD Main Event – Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira (204.5) vs Jiri Procházka (204.5) Co-Main Event – Lightweight Bout: Brian Ortega (155) vs Diego Lopes (155) Light Heavyweight Bout: Anthony Smith (206) vs Roman Dolidze (205) Saturday’s Full Fight Card Preview Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Mayra Bueno Silva (136) vs Macy Chiasson (135.5) Welterweight Bout: