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Category: UFC

Latest UFC news articles, interviews and more covering the world’s top Mixed Martial Arts promotion.

  • The Pulse of MMA: Fans Brace For The Impact of Ngannou vs. Gane

    The Pulse of MMA: Fan Reactions To The Sport’s Biggest Stories

    MMA fans prepare for the heavyweight collision that awaits at UFC 270 when the UFC heavyweight title is unified between undisputed champion Francis Ngannou and interim champ Ciryl Gane.

    Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane Headline UFC 270

    Ciryl Gane Francis Ngannou
    (via USA TODAY Sports & Getty)

    Tonight at UFC 270, Ciryl Gane will put his undefeated record on the line when he attempts to decrown Francis Ngannou as the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion. We have offered our staff predictions for the bout and our comprehensive preview for the entire card. Now, let’s find out what The Pulse of MMA had to say about the main event below!

    Want to weigh in on the sport’s biggest stories? Be sure to follow us on Twitter and let your voice be heard!

  • WATCH: UFC 270 Post-Fight Press Conference Live Stream

    The UFC 270 post-fight press conference will be live once the action concludes.

    In the headliner, Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane in a heavyweight title bout goes down. UFC 270’s co-main event will see Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo in a flyweight title bout. More action will also be featured on the main card as Michel Pereira shares the Octagon with Andre Fialho. 

    The fighters from both the main and co-main events are expected to attend the post-fight press conference barring any hospital visits. Of course, anyone else on the card who has a breakout performance could also attend the presser.

    MMA News will be providing live coverage of the UFC 270 card. Be sure to check back here for the post-fight presser with a tentative start time of 12:45 a.m. ET.

    Let us know your big takeaways once the UFC 270 post-fight press conference.

  • UFC 270 Bonuses: Brandon Moreno & Deiveson Figueiredo Earn FOTN Honors

    The UFC 270 bonuses have been released.

    The event took place in Anaheim, California at the Honda Center. Headlining the card was a clash between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane in a heavyweight title bout. Francis was wearing knee pads. In the first round, they did a lot of clinching and that made for a lackluster round. The second round was slow, but Gane did start letting his hands go and landing some kicks. 

    In the third round, Francis caught a kick and slammed him down hard right into side control. Ngannoudid get two more takedowns, but Gane kept getting up. The fourth round saw Ngannou get a few more takedowns, but Gane did a nice job of defending transitions and wrist control. 

    The final round saw Ngannou get a takedown to open the fifth round, but Gane went for a leg submission only for Ngannou to get out and got on top in half guard. Francis was awarded the decision win and revealed he tore his MCL in training and injured his ACL in training for this fight. 

    The co-main event saw more action between Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo in a flyweight title bout. This fight saw an action-packed pace. While Figueiredo did get a takedown and got his back, Moreno rolled through to his feet. Moreno did stun him with a right cross when Figueiredo landed a leg kick in the first round. 

    The second frame saw Figueiredo continue to go for takedowns, but was stuffed twice. The third round featured both of them hurting each other, but most notably, Figueiredo dropped him with a massive right hand then went for a guillotine choke, but the bell sounded. The fourth round was a close striking match. They had a wild exchange with 30 seconds left in the fifth round. Figueiredo got the decision to win the flyweight title. 

    Peep the full list of performance bonus winners below: 

    Performance of the Night: Said Nurmagomedov and Vanessa Demopoulos

    Fight of the Night:: Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

    Were the right choices made for the UFC 270 bonuses?

    UFC 270 Results & Highlights: Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane 

    MMA News is providing ongoing coverage of UFC 270. We’ve got you covered with live results, video highlights, and post-fight tidbits.

  • Check Out Last-Minute Betting Odds For UFC 270

    The final UFC 270 betting odds are in for as this event is quickly approaching for the Las Vegas-based promotion. 

    The event is here, and it goes down tonight (Saturday, January 22, 2022) from Anaheim, California at the Honda Center.

    Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane in a heavyweight title bout will headline the show. In the co-main event, Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo in a flyweight title bout will take place.

    Rounding out the main card is Michel Pereira vs. André Fialho in a welterweight fight, Cody Stamann vs. Said Nurmagomedov in a bantamweight bout, and Rodolfo Vieira vs. Wellington Turman in a welterweight bout. 

    According to oddsmakers, Gane is a -150 favorite over Ngannou, who is a +130 underdog. Other odds for the main card include Figueiredo being a +155 underdog against Moreno, who is a -180 favorite. Here are the full betting odds: 

    Cyril Gane (-150) vs. Francis Ngannou (+130)

    Brandon Moreno (-180) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (+155)

    Michel Pereira (-290) vs. Andre Fialho (+230)

    Said Nurmagomedov (-180) vs. Cody Stamann (+155)

    Michael Morales (-130) vs. Trevin Giles (+110)

    Raoni Barcelos (-450) vs. Victor Henry (+340)

    Jack Della Maddalena (-320) vs. Pete Rodriguez (+250)

    Tony Gravely (-240) vs. Saimon Oliveira (+195)

    Kay Hansen (-225) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (+185)

    Vanessa Demopoulos (-140) vs. Silvana Gomez Juarez (+120)

    Matt Frevola (-190) vs. Genaro Valdez (+160)

  • UFC 270 Storylines & Final Comprehensive Preview

    We’ve got a full, comprehensive breakdown of all the storylines heading into tomorrow night’s UFC 270 event along with the final face-offs.

    UFC 270 goes down tomorrow night, January 22, 2022. The action kicks off at 6:15 PM ET on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass, followed by the ESPN2 prelims at 8:00 PM. The main card begins at 10:00 PM ET on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

    We’ve got a preview of the entire card and the storylines attached to each fight below capped off with the face-offs. And be sure to check out our staff predictions for the event right here!

    Kay Hansen (7-4) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (6-1)

    Canada’s Jasmine Jasudavicius has called herself the female GSP due to her wrestling ability and top game. Her only career loss came against the UFC’s Sijara Eubanks. You can check out some of Jasudavicius’ highlights here.

    Kay Hansen’s boxing background makes this somewhat of a grappler vs. striker bout, but Hansen also has proven to have some strong takedown defense. In 2020, Hansen won performance of the night over Jinh Yu Frey at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Hooker. Hansen will be entering this fight as the -240 favorite.

    You can view the face-off for this bout below.

    Matt Frevola (8-3) vs. Genaro Valdez (10-0)

    Matt Frevola is in need of a win here coming off back-to-back losses and he’s going to have to go through some serious heat that Genaro Valdez is known to throw in order to get it. Frevola has never shied away from a firefight, though, so fans should brace for impact in the second fight of the night.

    Undefeated Genaro Valdez makes his UFC debut after earning a contract last year on Dana White’s Contender Series. Every win by Valdez was a finish, seven of the three by TKO. Frevola enters the fight at -180, with the comeback on Valdez at +160.

    Check out the friendly face-offs between these competitors below.

    Vanessa Demopoulos (6-4) vs. Silvana Gomez Juarez (10-3)

    Vanessa Demopoulos and Silvana Gomez Juarez will also be competing on the early preliminary card. Demopoulos enters as the small favorite at -145. You can view some of her highlights here. Demopoulos lost in her UFC debut to JJ Aldrich and will now try to dance onto the victory stage in front of a pay-per-view audience.

    Silvana Gomez also was unsuccessful in her UFC debut, losing to Lupita Gomez via submission. Gomez is actually 0-3 against fighters who have competed in the UFC, also losing to Poliana Botelho and Ariana Lipski in other promotions. You can view her fight against Lipski here.

    Here are the face-offs between these two strawweights.

    Tony Gravely (21-7) vs. Saimon Oliveira (18-3)

    Kicking off the ESPN2 preliminary card is Tony Gravely facing the debuting Saimon Oliveira. Both of these fighters earned their UFC contracts through Dana White’s Contender Series. Since arriving in the UFC, Gravely has gone 2-2. An interesting factoid about Gravely is that four of his seven career losses have come by choke (three rear-naked choke, one guillotine). Most recently, Gravely lost to Nate Maness last September.

    Saimon Oliveira makes his UFC debut while on a five-fight winning streak. He earned a contract through the Contender Series last September, and you can view that full fight right here. The more experienced Gravely will enter the fight as -240 favorite, with the comeback on Oliveira at +200.

    You can view the face-offs between these two bantamweights down below.

    Jack Della Maddalena (10-2) vs. Pete Rodriguez (4-0)

    With only four professional fights under his belt, 25-year-old Pete Rodriguez has earned himself a UFC contract. For his first task, he’ll have to deal with a man whose 10 career victories have all come consecutively and all but one of those wins being stoppages. You can check out Maddalena’s Contender Series appearance right here.

    Each of Rodriguez’s four career wins came by KO/TKO, including his victory last year over Jose Luis Rios Nava, which you can view here. Maddalena is favored in this fight at -310, with the comeback on Rodriguez at +255.

    Check out the face-offs between these two finishers below.

    Raoni Barcelos (16-2) vs. Victor Henry (21-5)

    Raoni Barcelos is very well-rounded. He can strike, wrestle, and submit. The Brazilian is coming off a majority decision loss to Timur Valiev last June but has won 9 of his last 10 fights. He is also 5-1 in the UFC, including a win over prospect Said Nurmagomedov, who will also be competing on this card. You can check out some of Barcelos’ highlights here.

    Awaiting Barcelos is Victor Henry, who has won 8 of his last 9 fights. He also holds a victory over the UFC’s Kyler Phillips in another promotion. You can catch some of Henry’s career highlights right here. And here is his latest performance against Albert Morales.

    Barcelos is the largest favorite on the card, listed at -430. The comeback on Victor Henry is +350.

    You can peep the face-offs between these two bantamweights below.

    Trevin Giles (14-3) vs. Michael Morales (12-0)

    And now we move on to the main card! Kicking things off we have Trevin Giles making his welterweight debut against Michael Morales. Giles has won three of his last four fights prior to this move, but he most recently lost to Dricus Du Plessis via ground and pound last September.

    Morales will be putting his undefeated record on the line in this contest. 10 of Morales’ 12 victories have been stoppage. You can relive the moment he earned his UFC contract right here.

    Below, you can check out face-off of these two welterweights.

    Cody Stamann (19-4) vs. Said Nurmagomedov (14-2)

    UFC veteran Cody Stamann is in need of a win here after losing two consecutive fights. His last victory was an emotional one, when he defeated Brian Kelleher after the death of his brother in 2020. With a victory to kick off 2022, Stamann can show that his 2021 woes are a thing of the past as he begins to work his way back into the UFC rankings he is known to occupy throughout his career.

    He’ll be going up against Said Nurmagomedov, the winner of eight of his last nine contests. Nurmagomedov will be coming into this bout as a -190 favorite, and some of these highlights help explain why.

    You can check out the face-off between these two below.

    Michel Pereira (26-11) vs. Andre Fialho (14-3)

    Expect the unexpected in this one when showstopper Michel Pereira takes on KO artist Andre Fialho, who will be making his UFC debut in this bout. Pereira will enter the bout as a healthy -275 favorite, no doubt in large part due to him being on a three-fight winning streak. You can get a glimpse into why Pereira has developed a reputation for being one of the most unpredictable performers in the UFC by checking out some of his highlights here.

    Andre Fialho will enter the bout on a four-fight winning streak. 11 of his 14 wins have come by KO/TKO, so it’s no secret what he considers to be his path to victory here. To see how Fialho looked against UFC competition in a bout against Chris Curtis in 2019, you can view that full fight right here.

    You can catch the face-offs between these two welterweights below.

    Brandon Moreno (19-5-2) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (20-2-1)

    It’s the trilogy to end the competitive rivalry between two of the best flyweights on planet Earth. Moreno and Figueiredo took part in an instant classic at UFC 256 in 2020, but Moreno pulled away with a huge statement win over Figueiredo when he captured the championship via third-round rear-naked choke. The stage is now set for the trilogy fight Figueiredo pleaded for and that opened up after Alexandre Pantoja was unavailable to be booked against Moreno.

    As the first Mexican-born champion in UFC history, Dana White believes that Brandon Moreno is already a huge star. If that’s the case, this is not only Moreno’s first title defense but his first contest having gone from underdog to star. How far up would his star continue to rise with a win here? And how much would it dim if Figueiredo succeeds in his mission to take Moreno’s head in Anaheim, California to avenge his new mentor Henry Cejudo for Moreno’s alleged “betrayal?”

    With Figueiredo having cleaned up his weight-cutting issues of the past and looking shredded and ready to roll on the scales this morning, we may see the best version of the former champion tomorrow.

    For Moreno’s part, he is expecting to face a smarter version of the wilder Figueiredo fans have become accustomed to. But in the end, the “Assassin Baby” expects to kill Figueiredo’s time at flyweight and send him packing to the 135lb division.

    You can check out the face-off of tomorrow’s co-main eventers below along with their closing remarks.

    Francis Ngannou (16-3) vs. Ciryl Gane (10-0)

    This fight is arguably the most compelling if not the flat-out best heavyweight fight of all time in terms of stylistic clash, unpredictability, and overall competitive intrigue. Both men are completely in their primes, even Gane, who somehow managed to get there only 10 fights into his professional career. This right here is a perfect example of a fight where something has got to give.

    Before the two became opponents, they were once sparring partners with the same coach, Fernand Lopez. Lopez has placed himself right smack dab in the center of the pre-fight build-up, making several strong accusations and remarks towards Ngannou. One of the accusations is that if Ngannou had it his way, Gane wouldn’t have even been signed to the UFC in the first place and that the champion even advised the UFC not to bring him in. Ngannou called Lopez a “fucking liar” for making this claim.

    Lopez and Ngannou have also disagreed about the sparring history between Gane and Ngannou. Ngannou believed that leaked sparring footage was made to make Gane look superior, though Lopez believed it told the true story of how the sessions went. Even Gane himself admitted that the sessions made him look good, yet he also said that he learned that he can manage Ngannou’s power through these sessions.

    One of the most peculiar and unexpected moments in the build-up, however, took place when Ngannou walked right past Lopez and Gane backstage at UFC 268.

    Gane shared his thoughts on this incident, stating that he felt it was wrong, given that he and Ngannou used to train together. For Ngannou, it was more of a snub of Lopez after the many comments Lopez has made in the media about him more so than anything directed at Gane. In fact, Ngannou believed the UFC staged the entire incident to help promote the fight, a theory that Gane has publicly disagreed with.

    For Gane, the fact that Lopez is on his side has only boosted his confidence, seeing as how he considers Lopez to be the man “who made” Francis Ngannou. Still, the interim champion is very much aware of the challenge at hand, likening “The Predator” to the final boss of a video game. When the two meet, he says that what fans will witness is a clash that goes beyond power vs. technique but two well-rounded and elite fighters determining who is the best in the world.

    As noted, Gane expects to be able to “manage” the undeniable power that Ngannou does have, a prediction that Ngannou did not take seriously at all. He would later warn Gane about trying to point-fight his way to victory because of the many risks that approach would carry. Meanwhile, he teased viewers that he will have many surprises in store for the viewing audience come tomorrow night.

    Francis Ngannou has claimed that he knocked out Ciryl Gane in a sparring session. Whether that is true or not, he’ll have a chance to prove he can do it in a real fight tomorrow night. He will need to accomplish this as the underdog of the fight, a designation he believes was brought about by the UFC’s heavy promotion of Gane while underpromoting him.

    This leads us to the final and arguably biggest storyline heading into tomorrow night’s megafight, which is that it could be the last fight Ngannou ever has in the UFC if he and the promotion are unable to come to terms after the event. With a loss, Ngannou will be a free agent. With a win, he could theoretically sit out until an agreeable contract has been signed. If that does not happen, he will ultimately become free to sign with another promotion.

    With so many skills, storylines, and possibilities, the drama couldn’t be higher as we determine who is the baddest man on the planet tomorrow night. Below, you can check out the final face-off of the night, featuring the UFC 270 headliners, along with their closing remarks.

    To view the full UFC 270 Ceremonial Weigh-in, you can do so right here. And please be sure to keep it locked on MMANews.com tomorrow for full, live coverage of UFC 270!

  • Covington: There’s Nobody On The UFC Roster Masvidal Can Beat

    UFC welterweight Colby Covington has suggested there’s nobody on the roster his upcoming opponent and former teammate Jorge Masvidal is capable of beating.

    Last week, it was announced that a blockbuster grudge match would be headlining the UFC 272 pay-per-view in March. With Alexander Volkanovski’s next defense and Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan 2 moved back to April, Masvidal and Covington will settle their score in the March 5 main event.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CYmtFxEprrX/

    For both men, the clash will represent an opportunity to rebound from defeats to current welterweight king Kamaru Usman and shoot back into title contention.

    Masvidal will ride back-to-back losses against “The Nigerian Nightmare” into his first appearance of 2022. Having been beaten on the scorecards after traveling to Fight Island as a late-notice replacement in 2020, “Gamebred” had his chance to challenge for gold with a full camp last April. But in the UFC 261 main event, he was knocked out cold.

    Similar to Masvidal, Covington has also lost twice to Usman. In a memorable first fight in 2019, “Chaos” provided the toughest test to the champion’s throne to date but was finished in the fifth round. In their rematch at UFC 268 two-and-a-half months ago, the former interim titleholder threatened once more. But despite taking Usman the distance, Covington fell on the wrong side of a unanimous decision verdict.

    Covington Brands Masvidal “Fragile”

    Covington has never lost two fights in a row. Masvidal has never lost three contests in a row. At UFC 272, one of those stats will be broken. According to the #1-ranked contender, it’s obvious which it will be.

    Speaking prior to his second failed attempt at reaching the welterweight mountaintop, Covington discussed Masvidal’s chances of successfully rebounding from his latest setback in an interview with BT Sport.

    According to “Chaos,” who used to train with Masvidal at American Top Team, the Miami native isn’t capable of beating anybody on the UFC roster anymore.

    “I don’t think there’s anybody on the roster that Street Judas Masvidal can beat anymore. Whoever they put him in there with will get their hand raised. I’ve seen the lifestyle that Street Judas Masvidal lives. The guy’s fragile and he’s not disciplined, he’s not in the gym working hard every single day. So it doesn’t really matter who the UFC matches him up with, he’ll get beat by anybody.”

    Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington
    Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington

    Now that he’s set to enter the Octagon with Masvidal, Covington will have the chance to prove his theory right by sending his former friend further away from welterweight gold. On the other side of the coin, Masvidal will have the chance to “bash” Covington’s face in, something he’s long desired to do.

    Who do you think will win the grudge match at UFC 272, Colby Covington or Jorge Masvidal?

  • Neil Magny To Return Against Max Griffin At UFC Columbus

    UFC welterweight contenders Neil Magny and Max Griffin will square off at the upcoming Fight Night event in Columbus, OH on March 26.

    MMA journalist Marcel Dorff was among the first to report news of the booking.

    Magny was expected to face fast-rising welterweight Khamzat Chimaev next, but negotiations never materialized. Now, he’ll face a tough test in the form of Griffin as the UFC slowly returns to hosting fights outside of Las Vegas.

    Magny has won four of his last five inside the Octagon, including most recently against Geoff Neal at UFC Vegas 26. He’s been a mainstay in the welterweight division and has earned recent wins over the likes of Robbie Lawler and Li Jingliang.

    Griffin has managed to resurrect his UFC career with three-straight wins, including arguably the biggest win of his tenure against Carlos Condit at UFC 264. He put a beating on Condit, a former title challenger who announced his retirement shortly after the bout.

    The UFC is planning a big card for the promotion’s return to Ohio. The event will be headlined by a light heavyweight bloodbath between former champion Jan Blachowicz and Aleksandar Rakic. A flyweight matchup between Askar Askarov and Kai Kara-France will also be featured, along with the return of fan-favorite Matt Brown against Bryan Barberena.

    Magny has a legitimate opportunity to put on an impressive performance against a solid challenger in Griffin. With a win, he could earn a fight against a top-5 welterweight for his next Octagon appearance.

    As for the unranked Griffin, he’s looking to make a statement and continue his rise at 170 pounds. A win could put him right in the thick of things in the welterweight division.

    What is your prediction for Neil Magny vs. Max Griffin?

  • Dana White Teases Virtual Fights In The Metaverse

    UFC President Dana White has big plans for the UFC going forward, including an unorthodox way of hosting fights.

    White and the UFC are set to host their first string of pay-per-views to begin the 2022 calendar year. It all begins with UFC 270, featuring a heavyweight clash for the ages between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane.

    But White has always looked ahead to what’s next for the sport of MMA, more specifically his promotion. During a recent interview on the Full Send Podcast, White raised eyebrows when he iterated plans to combine MMA fights with virtual reality.

    “We’re looking to do a fight in the metaverse,” White said. “We’ve been working on it for a while. It’ll be a live fight, an actual fight that takes place inside the metaverse.”

    When further pushed on what that would look like, White described how it would play out.

    “It’d be kids at home, you put on your fuckin’ goggles and you can fuckin’ get up and go walk around. We’re still working it out, but yeah, it’ll be soon. We’ll be doing a fight in the metaverse. It’ll be a real fight.”

    White even stated that fans would be able to buy tickets and experience these events virtually.

    The metaverse is a network of virtual worlds of the internet, most prominently linked to the Oculus Quest virtual reality headset. Devices such as the Oculus have become more popular in recent months.

    As virtual reality becomes more prominent in the current technological evolution, White and the UFC are looking to adjust to the times. It’s unclear when this will all take place, but it sounds like it has been in the works for a while and could happen as soon as this year.

    What do you think of Dana White’s claims? Would you attend a fight virtually?

  • Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Announces Major Partnership With UFC

    Fighters at UFC 270 will pioneer representation of the UFC’s new official footwear: Project Rock.

    On January 21 the famous actor, former professional wrestler, and entrepreneur Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced via Twitter his athletic gear, Project Rock, will be the official footwear of the UFC.

    As a huge fan of the UFC, “The Rock” could not be more grateful for the opportunity.

    https://twitter.com/therock/status/1484567487203012610?s=21

    “Historic. I’m honored & proud, @ProjectRock is the official global footwear partner of the @ufc. Starting this weekend at #UFC Ngannou vs Gane, all athletes & teams will rep @ProjectRock footwear,” tweeted “The Rock”.

    In 2019, the former WWE wrestler helped promote UFC 244 at the weigh-ins and on the night of the event, wrapping the BMF belt around Jorge Masvidal‘s waist after he defeated Nate Diaz.

    Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Jorge Masvidal, and Nate Diaz
    Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jorge Masvidal, and Nate Diaz/ Photo Credit: Getty Images

    And now, he gets to witness MMA fighters wearing his design at the first UFC PPV of the year on January 22. Since the endorsement for Under Armour in 2016, this is another major accomplishment for “The Rock” and his athletic brand.

    You can view the entire Under Armour Project Rock collection here.

  • Francis Ngannou Expects Big Wrestling Advantage Over Ciryl Gane

    UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is teasing the use of his vastly improved grappling against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270.

    Ngannou earned the heavyweight title by knocking out Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 last year. While he’s mainly known as an elite striker with knockout power, he showcased superb takedown defense and stifled Miocic’s advances in the grappling department.

    Ngannou will likely never be known as an elite wrestler as he is a striker, but he isn’t counting out the use of that toolbox in his matchup with Gane. During a recent interview with Michael Bisping on BT Sport, he explained why he feels he holds the advantage when it comes to grappling.

    “I’ve gotta admit that it’s gonna be a tough fight, regarding his style,” Ngannou said. “But (this is) one of the first times that I worked to a fight and like, I feel pretty confident about like, ‘Okay, let’s say this guy will attempt a takedown or wrestling,’ I’m like, ‘This is not a fight, this is not a game.’ It’s not like when I was preparing for the Stipe fight, I (was like), ‘You better don’t let him touch your legs,’ you know?

    “So, Ciryl has a good striking, but he kind of lacks in that area (wrestling), which is all in my favor because I have a little bit of experience there. When I look at him and his record, he hasn’t fought a wrestler, a good wrestler, yet. I was hoping sometime that he’d get Curtis Blaydes. Before you get past Curtis Blaydes, I don’t sign you off [LAUGHS].”

    Gane has arguably the most unique skillset out of all the heavyweight contenders. He’s able to use his movement on the feet like a welterweight to go with his power as a heavyweight.

    Ngannou and Gane used to train together briefly at MMA Factory in France before Ngannou parted ways with coach Fernand Lopez and moved to the United States. The two of them are familiar with one another’s strengths and weaknesses through their time under Lopez.

    The Ngannou vs. Gane matchup has been pinned as a prototypical ‘power vs. technique’ matchup, but Gane has played that down. While striking will be the main form of attack from both men, expect the unexpected in this heavyweight battle.

    What is your prediction for UFC 270?

  • Brandon Moreno Expects Smarter Version Of “Wild” Figueiredo In Trilogy

    UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno is expecting a completely different version of his rival Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 270.

    Moreno earned the title over Figueiredo at UFC 263 last year in a dominant performance that led to a submission victory. He and Figueiredo fought to a majority draw in their first matchup, with Figueiredo retaining the belt.

    UFC 256: Champ Figueiredo finally finds a rival in draw against Moreno - CGTN

    Now that Moreno is the flyweight champion, he appears extra focused ahead of his massive trilogy with Figueiredo. It’s arguably one of the biggest trilogies in UFC history and the first of its kind in the flyweight division.

    But Moreno’s game plan might change a bit entering UFC 270. During his UFC 270 pre-fight press conference, he alluded to expecting a different Figueiredo this time around.

    “I’m expecting, maybe a combination of both. You know, with Figueiredo trying to be a little bit more smart,” Moreno said. “But at the same time, trying to get that skill… I feel like the biggest ability of Figueiredo is he’s big, he punch hard, and he’s very intimidating, you know, he tried to intimidate all of his opponents in the Octagon. So I’m expecting the same wild fighter, but a little bit more smart, at the same time.”

    Brandon Moreno Had A Long Road To The Title

    After falling short of a championship on The Ultimate Fighter, Moreno had to take the long journey to the title shot in the UFC. He went on to win his first few UFC bouts, before back-to-back losses to Alexandre Pantoja and Sergio Pettis.

    This would prove to be a turning point in Moreno’s career. He would go on to earn dominant wins over the likes of former LFA champion Brandon Royval, Kai Kara-France, and Jussier Formiga in the Octagon.

    Moreno also used to train with former flyweight champion Henry Cejudo, before their alleged falling out. Figueiredo now trains with Cejudo and has called for revenge on behalf of the former flyweight king.

    Moreno’s journey to champion status has been unique, but arguably the toughest part of his quest looms ahead of his trilogy with Figueiredo. With another win over the former champion, he can cement himself as an all-time great flyweight.

    What is your prediction for Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo 3?

  • UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane Official Weigh-In Results, Two Cancellations

    The weigh-in results for UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane are complete, and we’ve got you covered with the intel below.

    Tomorrow night, UFC 270 takes place from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The main event will see the UFC world heavyweight championship unified when champion Francis Ngannou takes on interim champion Ciryl Gane. The co-main event will feature a trilogy bout for the flyweight championship when Brandon Moreno defends against Deiveson Figueiredo.

    You can check out our staff predictions for the main card right here.

    UFC 270 Weigh-In Results

    Before the weigh-ins even kicked off, there were two cancellations to the UFC 270 lineup, including one main card bout.

    Eurosport España broke the news that Ilia Topuria was out of his fight against Charles Jourdain after not being medically cleared to compete. This comes after Jourdain was selected to replace Movsar Evloev after Evlowev contracted COVID-19. 

    ESPN Deportes also reported that the main card bout between Rodolfo Vieira and Wellington Turman was canceled due to Vieira withdrawing due to undisclosed reasons.

    Outside of those two cancellations, every fighter who took to the scales successfully made weight, including Deiveson Figueiredo, who was second up to the scales with weight issues of the past seeming to be in the rearview.

    Prior to Figueiredo’s entrance, the first fighter up to the scales was the flyweight champion, Brandon Moreno.

    Also of note is the champion Francis Ngannou coming in 10 pounds heavier than Ciryl Gane ahead of their unification bout. Check out how the main eventers looked on the scales down below.

    The UFC hosted a live UFC 270 weigh-in show, which you can view right here. And you can catch the full card for UFC 270 as well as all the viewing information below, courtesy of UFC.com.

    MAIN CARD (ESPN+ PPV, 10:00 PM ET)

    Main Event – Heavyweight Title Bout: Francis Ngannou (257) vs Ciryl Gane (247)

    Co-Main Event – Flyweight Title Bout: Brandon Moreno (124) vs Deiveson Figueiredo (124)

    Welterweight Bout: Michel Pereira (170) vs Andre Fialho (169.5)

    Bantamweight Bout: Cody Stamann (135.5) vs Said Nurmagomedov (136)

    Welterweight Bout: Michael Morales (170) vs Trevin Giles (170)

    PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN 2/ESPN+, 8:00 PM ET)

    Bantamweight Bout: Raoni Barcelos (135) vs Victor Henry (135.5) 

    Welterweight Bout: Jack Della Maddalena (170.5) vs Pete Rodriguez (170.5)

    Bantamweight Bout: Tony Gravely (135.5) vs Saimon Oliveira (136)

    EARLY PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, UFC Fight Pass, 6:15 PM ET)

    Women’s Strawweight Bout: Silvana Gomez Juarez (115.5) vs Vanessa Demopoulos (115.5)

    Lightweight Bout: Matt Frevola (154.5) vs Genaro Valdez (155.5)

    Women’s Flyweight Bout: Kay Hansen (125) vs Jasmine Jasudavicius (125)

    Be sure to keep it locked on MMANews.com tomorrow for full coverage of tomorrow night’s UFC 270 event!

  • Gane: Ngannou Didn’t Follow The Game Plan In 2018 Miocic Defeat

    Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane has suggested Francis Ngannou lost to Stipe Miocic in 2018 because he didn’t follow the game plan.

    When Ngannou reached the mountaintop by brutally knocking Miocic out at UFC 260 last March, he wasn’t just building his legacy by becoming a champion, but he was also avenging the first UFC defeat of his career.

    Heading into the opening pay-per-view of 2018, Ngannou was 6-0 in the UFC and was expected to secure his place on the throne. In his run in the promotion up to that point, he’d finished all of his opponents inside the opening two rounds, five by KO or TKO.

    But at UFC 220, Ngannou faced a step-up in competition that he had perhaps not fully appreciated. Across five rounds against the consensus heavyweight GOAT Miocic, “The Predator” was taken down, controlled, and fatigued. After 25 minutes, Ngannou fell on the wrong side of a lopsided unanimous decision verdict.

    Gane Explains Why Ngannou Fell Short At UFC 220

    At UFC 260 last March, Ngannou had the chance for redemption. The big question heading into the pay-per-view was could the Cameroonian powerhouse keep the fight standing and defend against Miocic’s wrestling and takedown attempts? That query was answered emphatically.

    With the gold now around his waist, Ngannou will look to defend it for the first time in a unification showdown against interim titleholder Gane. Ahead of the UFC 270 main event this Saturday, “Bon Gamin” discussed the improvements Ngannou made between his two championship fights.

    Speaking to former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping for BT Sport, Gane suggested Ngannou failed in his first crack at dethroning Miocic because he didn’t follow the game plan, something the champ’s team at Xtreme Couture were able to rectify heading into the rematch.

    “He was really better (in the Miocic rematch). I think his coach did something good because the problem with Francis is about the game plan,” said Gane. “He don’t like to follow the game plan. So that’s why he was wrong in the first fight with Stipe. Now, he improved on that and that was really better.”

    With Ngannou’s wrestling visibly improved and developed last time out, and with his belief that he’ll have a firm advantage over Gane in that department, it certainly wouldn’t be surprising to see the much-talked-about battle between power and striking technique venture to the ground at some point at UFC 270.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 270, Ciryl Gane or Francis Ngannou?

  • Ngannou Believes The UFC Is Responsible For Gane Being The Betting Favorite

    Francis Ngannou is blaming the UFC for the betting odds on his upcoming main event against Ciryl Gane.

    UFC 270 is just one day away and it will be headlined by a massive heavyweight title unification fight. Champion Francis Ngannou will be taking on his former training partner, interim champion Ciryl Gane. leading up to this fight the betting odds are swinging in favor of Gane, who is currently a very small betting favorite at around -120.

    Ngannou disagrees with this line and is blaming the UFC’s hard push on Gane as the reason.

    “Well, usually, I don’t look (at) those stuff, and I don’t care about it because the first time that I lost against Stipe, I was the favorite, by far the favorite,” Ngannou said in an interview with Max Kerllerman on ESPN’s This Just In. “And it didn’t go (my way). So those doesn’t matter much.

    “And honestly, I think right here, the reason is just because in the past month, they’ve been doing everything to promote him and technically, I would say dispromote me. And people cannot sleep on my performance and forget about me.”

    There has been a rough relationship between Ngannou and the UFC ever since he won the title. Just months after he was crowned that champion, the UFC set up an interim title fight.

    Following that, there have been some contract negotiation issues that have placed Ngannou’s post-UFC 270 status in question. Although Dana White has been doing his best to downplay the severity of the disagreement, Ngannou still seems unhappy and could possibly leave the UFC with a loss on Saturday night. If he were to win, however, the ball would be in his court and perhaps he could get what he wants.

    You can catch Ngannou’s full ESPN interview below.

    Do you think the UFC has been promoting Ciryl Gane more than Francis Ngannou?

  • Brandon Moreno: It’ll Be Nice To Send Figueiredo To The 135lb Division

    Brandon Moreno is looking to send Deiveson Figueiredo packing.

    A flyweight title fight is set for the co-main event of UFC 270 this Saturday night. Champion Brandon Moreno will be looking to defeat former champion Deiveson Figueiredo and hopefully put this feud behind him. This fight will be the third time these two have fought consecutively, and Moreno is hoping the third time is a charm and he can finally move past this opponent and continue defending his title against the rest of the 125 pound division.

    The first time these two fought each other the bout ended in a majority draw in which Figueiredo kept the title. The second time Moreno won decisively with a third-round submission. The UFC surprisingly decided to run this back for a third time immediately.

    The fight could have never been made at all because there were rumblings of Figueiredo moving to bantamweight after the loss and brutal weight cut prior to UFC 263. Moreno was surprised to learn this but remains willing to help Figueiredo with the move this Saturday.

    “Yes, at first I was a little bit surprised, but at the end of the day, the first fight was incredible, second fight was total domination, but maybe the trilogy can be nice to finish the job in the third fight and put Deiveson in the 135-pound division,” Moreno told MMA Fighting.

    Figueiredo has been teasing a move to bantamweight. He has historically had a difficult time making the 125-pound limit in his time at flyweight. For his first title fight against Joeseph Benavidez, Figueiredo missed weight and although he was victorious, he was unable to win the belt due to missing weight.

    If he loses to Moreno once again, he might have an easier time gaining another title shot if he does make the jump up ten pounds, at least as long as Moreno is on top.

    Do you think Deiveson Figueiredo will leave the flyweight division with a loss at UFC 270?

  • Jéssica Andrade Makes SW Return Against Amanda Lemos In April

    Former UFC strawweight champion Jéssica Andrade will be making her return to the division when she takes on Amanda Lemos on April 23.

    News of the bout was first reported by MMA journalist Guilherme Cruz on Friday. This will be Andrade’s first fight at 115lbs since her split-decision loss to Rose Namajunas in 2020.

    That bout against Namajunas took home Fight of the Night and was a rematch of Andrade’s UFC 237 title win in 2019. That bout also earned Fight of the Night, with Andrade winning Performance of the Night as well after KOing Namajunas with a vicious slam to the canvas.

    Jessica Andrade Talks About Her UFC 237 Slam Knockout Win Over Rose Namajunas

    With Rose Namajunas now back at the strawweight throne, Andrade may not be far away from a potential trilogy fight against “Thug Rose” now that she’s back down at 115.

    After Andrade dropped the title to Zhang Weili and came up short in the Namajunas trilogy, she tried her hand at flyweight, where she went 2-1, with both wins being finishes.

    First, she defeated Katlyn Chookagian via TKO in October 2020. Then, she defeated Cynthia Calvillo via TKO at UFC 266. Sandwiched between those bouts was a title shot against Valentina Shevchenko, a bout that saw Andrade on the wrong end of the TKO against the dominant champion.

    Amanda Lemos accepts two-year suspension from USADA for banned steroid

    Fellow Brazilian Amanda Lemos has a professional record of 11-1 and is 5-0 in the UFC. Her only loss came five years ago against MMA vet Leslie Smith. Upon entering the UFC, three of Lemos’ first four wins were stoppages. And in her most recent bout against Angela Hill, she earned a very tight split-decision victory over Angela Hill. Lemos is currently ranked #10 in the strawweight division.

    MMA News will continue to bring you additional updates on this April 23 UFC Fight Night card as they become available.

    Do you think Jéssica Andrade will be successful in her strawweight return against Amanda Lemos on April 23?

  • O’Malley Understands Why Sterling Took Offense To PPV Comments

    Sean O’Malley understands why he recently came under fire from Aljamain Sterling for comments he made about the UFC bantamweight champion’s rematch with Petr Yan not being a main event.

    Sterling and Yan were initially set to run it back at UFC 272 in March. But when Max Holloway withdrew from his scheduled trilogy clash with Alexander Volkanovski and the Australian’s next featherweight title defense was pushed back to UFC 273 in April, the bantamweight unification fight went with it.

    Responding to news of the re-arranged schedule on a podcast episode, O’Malley said it was surprising that the two titleholders in arguably the most stacked division in the promotion aren’t seen as headline-worthy, a comment that didn’t sit well with the reigning champion.

    Sterling was quick to fire back, throwing O’Malley’s ‘not big enough’ claim right back at him. “Funk Master” suggested “Sugar” should fight some top opponents before opening his mouth.

    O’Malley Sympathizes With Sterling’s Frustrations

    During the latest episode of the YouTube podcast he hosts alongside his brother, O’Malley briefly addressed Sterling’s reaction to his remarks.

    The Montana native said he understands why the champ took offense to his words, especially given the way his champion status has been discredited because of the way he won the belt last March.

    “When I said I’m surprised that Petr and Aljo can’t main event (on) their own, I was saying that like, I’m genuinely surprised the UFC doesn’t just have them (headline). It’s a main event in the most stacked division in the UFC,” said O’Malley. “And he (Sterling) took that as an offensive comment, which I get. But then he also agreed. He’s like, ‘blah, blah, blah… but he’s right.’

    “So I was saying it like, I’m surprised they don’t just main event (UFC 272). They could, 100%. Would it do crazy numbers? No, but they could be its own main event, that’s what I was saying, and he did not like that,” added O’Malley. “He got offended and started going off. But he also agreed. He’s like, ‘Yeah well, they would have to build a big card around (us),’ which means put me on the card. But I get it. It would be frustrating to be the champ and not be respected as the champ, and the way he won; I get it. I like Aljo, he seems like a good dude.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CYLfci5rx4x/

    While it may not have main event status, the second clash between champion Sterling and interim titleholder Yan is sure to bring heat and fireworks during fight week and fight night.

    Given that it’ll have been over a year since their first meeting when they collide at UFC 273, it’ll be interesting to see if Sterling has made the necessary adjustments to match Yan inside the Octagon, something he largely failed to do at UFC 259 despite emerging with the title.

    Do you agree with Sean O’Malley? Was it surprising that the UFC didn’t bump Sterling vs. Yan 2 to main event status at UFC 272?

  • Moreno: Kara-France Defense Better For Fans, Askarov Better For Legacy

    While he’s got the challenge of long-time rival Deiveson Figueiredo in front of him this weekend, UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno is also aware of the other threats to his reign the 125-pound division boasts.

    Moreno ascended the flyweight mountain in his second attempt at UFC 263 last June. In his first shot at gold in December 2020, “The Assassin Baby” fought then-champ Figueiredo to a majority draw. In doing so, he earned an immediate rematch seven months later.

    Making the most of his opportunity, and riding the confidence he gained in his five-round FOTY contender with the Brazilian, Moreno delivered one of the best performances of 2021 inside Arizona’s Gila River Arena.

    After taking control of the contest in the opening two rounds, the 28-year-old made history in the third frame by becoming the first Mexican-born UFC champion. To achieve the feat, he forced Figueiredo to tap out to a tight rear-naked choke.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CY7aoomvbgE/

    Moreno Takes A Look Beyond UFC 270

    Now, completing a unique trilogy featuring three consecutive fights for the title, Moreno and Figueiredo will look to end their rivalry and this chapter of their careers in the UFC 270 co-main event this weekend.

    After his performance last time out, the champion will head into the PPV clash as the favorite. Nevertheless, Figueiredo’s form before meeting the Mexican in 2020 was remarkable, and he appears to be in the best shape of his career and without the weight-cutting issues that have previously hampered his camp.

    While “The Assassin Baby” is certainly not taking “Deus Da Guerra” lightly and acknowledges the challenge he has in front of him, as an analyst as well as a fighter, he’s not afraid to take a quick look towards the future.

    During his appearance at UFC 270 media day on Wednesday, Moreno assessed the landscape of the flyweight division and named four possible next contenders for the title should he get past his Brazilian foe on January 22.

    “I mean, Askar Askarov has an important fight against Kara-France. So, the winner of that fight can be the next one,” said Moreno. “Pantoja is definitely a possibility; he beat me twice in the past. Alex Perez is there too. Kara-France needs to beat Askar Askarov, but his last performance against Cody Garbrandt looked impressive. So, man, right now I’m very focused on Figueiredo, but I’m a Spanish analyst too, so I love to watch the other contenders in my division, and I can see these names (challenging for the title) in the future.”

    Out of the top flyweights he named, Moreno has fought all but one, with the only omission on his record being Alex Perez.

    The Mexican fought Askarov and Kara-France in his first two appearances back in the UFC after being re-signed in 2019. After a split draw against the Russian, Moreno took a big step towards title contention by recording a unanimous decision victory over the New Zealander less than three months later.

    Prior to those triumphs and before his surge to the top, Moreno was released from the UFC following a loss on the scorecards to Pantoja. The setback represented his second defeat to the Brazilian, having been submitted by him on The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions in 2016.

    Discussing the idea that the victor of Askarov vs. Kara-France, set to go down on March 26, could be next, Moreno broke down which rematch would be best. For the fans, the champ believes another clash with Kara-France would be more appealing. But for himself and his legacy, Moreno believes a victory over “Bullet” would do more.

    “So, the thing between (Askarov and Kara-France), I fought against Kai Kara-France before and I beat him, like, very clearly. But for the fans, I think the style of Kai Kara-France is better (than Askarov),” added Moreno. “Askarov’s, kind of, these kind of fighters who don’t like, too much, to impress the fans [LAUGHS]. But, I mean, he is winning. So if you talk about which fight is better for the fans, I think (Kara-)France, but I think Askarov is better for my legacy.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CY4JkiBpsBC/

    First and foremost, Moreno must add another loss to the resume of Figueiredo. While he had little trouble doing that last year, the Mexican titleholder may be facing the best “Deus Da Guerra” to date on Saturday night.

    One thing for certain is that whoever emerges victorious will have a plethora of worthy contenders ready to try and unseat them from the flyweight throne later this year.

    Who do you think Brandon Moreno should defend the title against next if he can defeat Deiveson Figueiredo again this weekend?

  • Dana White: You Will Never Hear Me Talk About Jake Paul Again

    Dana White is chucking up the deuces to his lengthy feud with YouTuber turned boxing star, Jake Paul.

    Over the past year, UFC President Dana White has been involved in a war of words with Jake Paul. After it was announced that Floyd Mayweather would be fighting Logan Paul, White trashed all the fans who had any interest in watching either of the Paul brothers compete in legitimate sports. It was at this time that White also stated Amanda Nunes would leave Jake Paul comatose.

    The feud didn’t really kick-off, however, until Paul vs. Askren was announced last year. In an appearance on the “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson” podcast leading up to the April fight, White said he would be willing to bet $1 million on Askren. Paul then challenged White to double up the bet and make it $2 million.

    White claims he never actually bet any money on Askren, but that did not stop “The Problem Child” from rubbing his KO win over Askren in White’s face.

    Ben Askren's reaction post-match goes viral after getting knocked out by Jake Paul | Fox News

    Of course, this was only the beginning of this odd feud. White would again figuratively bet against Paul by predicting that his former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley would knock Paul out.

    Instead, it was Paul who would knock Woodley out last month after defeating him via split decision in August. Paul would then talk much more trash than he did after his Askren KO, telling White that he had just embarrassed his entire promotion.

    But of course, the biggest theme of the White/Paul feud has been the topic of UFC fighter pay. Paul has continued to criticize White and the UFC for the way the promotion compensates its fighters, and he hasn’t stopped at just talking. The YouTuber even took money out of his own pocket to help UFC women’s flyweight Sarah Alpar pay for her training-camp expenses.

    White/Paul Drama Reaches Its Climax

    Another subject that has risen multiple times during the White/Paul feud is Paul’s claim that White is a “cokehead.” In fact, the former Disney actor opted to dress up as a “coked-up Dana White” for Halloween accompanied by “his hookers.”

    After Paul made this accusation one time too many, the UFC boss decided to make Paul a little offer. He would allow Jake Paul to drug test him for cocaine for the next 10 years if he, in turn, could drug test Paul for performance-enhancing drugs for two. Paul would respond by agreeing to be tested by USADA in a UFC fight if White agreed to a list of terms regarding improving the pay and benefits of the UFC roster.

    White considers Paul’s counterproposal to be a non-response. And not only did it terminate his original offer, but it also killed any desire the UFC president had to address Paul ever again.

    During an appearance on The Full Send Podcast, White was asked what Paul would have to do to earn his respect. It was at this point White broke some news about his feud with the outspoken YouTuber.

    “It’s not that he doesn’t have my respect. I don’t even know the kid, at the end of the day,” White said. “I don’t even know the kid. And you know what? To be honest with you, I’ll tell you right here right now: This is the last time you’ll hear me talk about him. I’m done.

    “I put out the challenge, he said, ‘You do coke,’ I said, ‘I think you use performance-enhancing drugs. Let’s do it.’ He never responded to it, so fire away, kid. Do your thing.”

    White went on to say that his decision was made after he realized that his feud with Paul, with whom he has no professional ties with whatsoever, is going nowhere.

    “I’m sitting here, I’m arguing with this kid that doesn’t fight for me and is never gonna fight for me, so what’s the point of he and I going back and forth with each other?” White asked.

    White may be done addressing Paul, but it’s highly unlikely Paul is done talking about White, UFC fighters, or the subject of fighter pay. Therefore, it would seem inevitable that reporters will continue to ask White to chime in on Paul’s latest antics and statements. Therefore, White may become very well-acquainted with the phrase “no comment” heading into the future.

    On the other hand, he might get worked into breaking this promise by inquiring media members or directly by the king troll himself, “The Problem Child” Jake Paul.

    Do you believe Dana White when he says he will never talk about Jake Paul ever again?

  • UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane Staff Predictions

    UFC 270 is now one sleep away, and to get you even more hyped for the event than you already are, we’ve got some staff predictions locked and loaded for ya!

    UFC 270 will be available exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view, with the main card beginning at 10:00 PM ET, the ESPN2 preliminary card kicking off at 8:00 PM, and the early preliminary card starting at 6:00 PM.

    The main event will see the heavyweights collide in a title unification bout between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane. Then, in the co-main event, we will see Brandon Moreno taking on Deiveson Figueiredo in an exciting conclusion to their flyweight trilogy.

    Also on the main card will be decorated submission artist Rodolfo Viera taking on Wellington Turman, veteran Cody Stamann facing touted prospect Said Nurmagomedov, and the always unpredictable Michel Pereira facing the debuting Andre Fialho.

    UFC 270 Staff Predictions

    MMA News is the place to be for all the latest UFC 270 updates. Andrew Ravens, Ed Carbajal, and I have provided predictions for the main card.

    Here is the full main card lineup for tomorrow night:

    UFC Heavyweight Championship Bout: Francis Ngannou (c) vs. Ciryl Gane (ic)

    UFC Flyweight Championship Bout: Brandon Moreno (c) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

    Welterweight: Michel Pereira vs. Andre Fialho

    Bantamweight: Cody Stamann vs. Said Nurmagomedov

    Middleweight: Rodolfo Vieira vs. Wellington Turman (Canceled)

    Rodolfo Vieira vs. Wellington Turman (Canceled)

    https://www.photojoiner.net/image/NNUo39gp
    Rodolfo Vieira, Wellington Turman

    Clyde Aidoo: After gassing out the likes of which UFC fans have rarely seen in his loss to Anthony Hernandez at UFC 258, Rodolfo Vieira was able to show that he’s not worth writing off yet and his hype train still has some steam in the engine. In fact, it had more than enough to earn him Performance of the Night in his last outing, featuring a submission victory over Dustin Stoltzfus. It’ll take a while for me to build back the confidence I had in picking Vieira heading into 2021, but I think that he’s still more dangerous and lethal than Turman, who has lost two of his last three. (Prediction: Rodolfo Vieira)

    Andrew Ravens: While this is a late addition to the main card, it should be a really fun fight. Turman is someone the hardcore fans know, and while he has struggled as of late, things won’t get easier against Vieira, who is a real prospect with an 8-1 record. Vieira has been submitting nearly everyone, and I see that happening here for the win. (Prediction: Rodolfo Vieira)

    Ed Carbajal: Viera is a heavy favorite here and considering his 8-1 record, it’s easy to see why. Seven of his eight wins came by way of submission, with his last win earning a Performance of the Night bonus for his third-round rear-naked choke win over Dustin Stoltzfus. Still, Turman brings more experience and while he has some losses on his record, he’s never lost by submission, the bread and butter of Vieira. I think Turman can pull off a win here. (Prediction: Wellington Turman)

    Consensus: 2-1 Vieira

    Cody Stamann vs. Said Nurmagomedov

    https://www.photojoiner.net/image/kN6AsRCG
    Cody Stamann, Said Nurmagomedov

    Clyde Aidoo: Cody Stamann presents the kind of style that will reveal his opponent’s ability to problem-solve and show his work. You can never expect an easy night at the office with Stamann’s grinding fight style standing in your way. Nurmagomedov has finished two of his last three fights, but I’m not convinced he’s a lethal enough finisher to put Stamann away, something only Alamain Sterling has done in the UFC.

    However, with Stamann losing two straight and Nurmagomedov being a bit hungrier, more versatile on the feet, and having good enough takedown defense to likely win the majority of the rounds, I’m going to give the very slight swing in his direction. (Prediction: Said Nurmagomedov)

    Andrew Ravens: Nurmagomedov is the real deal despite a bump in the road against Raoni Barcelos and with Stamann losing back-to-back fights, I think this is a perfect time for Nurmagomedov to make a statement against the always game Stamann. Nurmagomedov walks away with the decision win. (Prediction: Said Nurmagomedov)

    Ed Carbajal: Coming off two losses, Stamann has a lot of motivation to start the main card off with a win. However, with someone like Nurmagomedov in his path, that will be easier said than done. Most of Stamann’s wins come by way of decision, and Nurmagomedov’s only two losses are by decision, but that does not mean it can be done easily. That last name coming from Dagestan in MMA usually makes it hard to pick against. (Prediction: Said Nurmagomedov)

    Consensus: 3-0 Nurmagomedov

    Michel Pereira vs. Andre Fialho

    https://www.photojoiner.net/image/cD2FcXuC
    Michel Pereira, Andre Fialho

    Clyde Aidoo: Andre Fialho steps in on short notice in a main card bout on a big PPV to kick off the year. You have to wonder if the UFC jitters will get a hold of Fialho, especially when facing a showman like Pereira, who has gained valuable experience inside the Octagon.

    Stylistically, I believe Pereira presents more ways to win this fight. Fialho is a knockout artist, but he can be very flat-footed and could let Pereira dictate the pace and flow of the fight. Plus, Pereira has the ability to take the fight to the mat and win that way also if he wants to fight more conservatively here. (Prediction: Michel Pereira)

    Andrew Ravens: What a way to make your promotional debut for Fialho, who has won his last four fights. On the flip side, Pereira has won his last three. I’ll side with Pereira here with his experience getting it done by decision. (Prediction: Michel Pereira)

    Ed Carbajal: I expect a knockout here and I expect a possible Fight of the Night candidate as well. Both men are on win streaks and have on their résumés a hefty number of knockouts on their win records. This is Fialho’s UFC debut and enough fighters have talked about “UFC jitters” to make me think this is a big ask for the first fight in the UFC in the first pay-per-view of the year. (Prediction: Michel Pereira)

    Consensus: 3-0 Pereira

    Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

    Deiveson Figueiredo, Brandon Moreno
    Deiveson Figueiredo & Brandon Moreno

    Clyde Aidoo: It’s common for the sports world to have a short memory and only base predictions on the most recent outcome in terms of a rematch or trilogy. While it’s true that Moreno has continued to improve and has a tremendous career trajectory at the moment, let’s not forget that Figueiredo was one foul and point deduction away from holding a victory over him as well.

    This time around, I believe Figueiredo will come with a different, more balanced style after putting in time over at Fight Ready with Henry Cejudo. Provided the weight cut goes better this time and we get a healthy and fit God of War, I believe he’ll mix in the right amount of chaos with the cerebral to outgun Moreno this time out. (Prediction: Deiveson Figueiredo)

    Andrew Ravens: This is a must-win situation for Figueiredo, as he already lost to Moreno and with them already going to a draw, it would be hard to make the case as to why he should get another title shot as long as Moreno is champion. With that focus and Figueiredo correcting his mistakes in their last fight, I see that adding up to just enough for him to pull off the win. Figueiredo gets it done by split decision. (Prediction: Deiveson Figueiredo)

    Ed Carbajal: Nobody asked for this fight, but I’m 100% here for it. The first one was a draw; the second a finish that had Moreno crowned champion via submission. This one will take the cake, but I find it hard to pick against Moreno. As good as Figueiredo was as a champ, preparedness always seemed to be an issue for him in the past, and it never seemed like something he resolved in the last fight. I think Moreno puts a stamp on the flyweight title this time around (Prediction: Brandon Moreno)

    Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane

    Francis Ngannou, Ciryl Gane
    Francis Ngannou, Ciryl Gane

    Clyde Aidoo: Stylistically and also in terms of unpredictability, this has my vote for the best heavyweight fight ever. I also have a hunch that the fight can go more ways than people may think. We’ve never seen Ngannou in a drawn-out back-and-forth fight in the UFC. This could be the first time for that. Conventional wisdom says that if that were to happen, Gane would be the easy pick. After all, he moves around with cat feet and has a fight IQ far beyond his MMA years, even superior to most veterans of the game. Additionally, he is a superb technical striker with a cardio that doesn’t quit.

    Even still, what we learned from Ngannou in his dominant UFC 260 win over Stipe Miocic is that he doesn’t need just one shot. He can win a round against a great striker and competitor with intelligent shot selection and multiple striking attacks. And he also proved that he has continued to evolve and work on his overall game, as he demonstrated with his heavily improved takedown defense and grappling.

    So for me, there are two reasons to side with Ngannou. First, we still don’t know exactly what he’s capable of and how much he’s improved since losing to Miocic in 2018. Therefore, he may indeed be capable of defeating Gane in a prolonged battle. And even if that’s completely off, there’s still the proven truth that all he needs is one shot to close the show. And if this fight is won or lost on the feet, which I highly expect it to be, then that one shot is all he needs over the tactician. (Prediction: Francis Ngannou)

    Andrew Ravens: Gane seems like the right opponent to beat Francis if he can avoid being knocked out. Francis showed off his takedown defense improvement in his last fight with Stipe, and Gane is a much better wrestler than Ngannou. But I just don’t see Gane beating Francis. I think Francis has continued to improve his weaknesses, which he will have the world talking about come Saturday night. I have Francis knocking out Gane in the third round. (Prediction: Francis Ngannou)

    Ed Carbajal: There’s a lot to look at in this match-up, especially since the two men have a history of training with one another. Ngannou is a power puncher with the speed to make him just as dangerous, and Gane is a very technical striker that went undefeated in Muay Thai. Both men like to hit, so that might be the contest we see, or it could make one of these heavy hitters test their grappling against each other. That’s where I think Gane has the edge. He may also have the technical edge in striking, but Ngannou has more than a puncher’s chance in any fight. It’s a coin toss, but I think Gane can win this. (Prediction: Ciryl Gane)

    Consensus: 3-1 Ngannou

    That’ll do it for our UFC 270 staff picks! What do you think? Do your picks look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the UFC 270 undercard below.

    UFC 270 Preliminary Card

    • Bantamweight: Raoni Barcelos vs. Victor Henry
    • Welterweight: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Pete Rodriguez
    • Bantamweight: Tony Gravely vs. Saimon Oliveira
    • Strawweight: Vanessa Demopoulos vs. Silvana Gomez Juarez
    • Lightweight: Matt Frevola vs. Genaro Valdez
    • Women’s Flyweight: Kay Hansen vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius

    Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com tomorrow for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 270!

  • UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane Pre-Fight Press Conference Highlights

    The UFC 270 pre-fight press conference took place earlier tonight, and we’ve got the highlights for you right here!

    UFC 270 takes place this Saturday, January 22, from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. In the main event, Francis Ngannou will face Ciryl Gane in a heavyweight title unification showdown. The co-main event will see the trilogy bout between flyweight champion Brandon Moreno and his opponent, Deiveson “Deus Da Guerra” Figueiredo.

    Each of the above fighters was present during Thursday’s pre-fight press conference. Here were some of the most memorable moments and exchanges from the event.

    The Arrivals

    Memorable Moments

    Extended Highlights & Face-Offs

    You can find the extended highlights from the UFC 270 pre-fight press conference below along with the face-offs!

    Full Replay

    Finally, if you’d like to experience the full UFC 270 pre-fight press conference uncut, you can do so right below!

    Be sure to stick with MMA News for all your UFC 269 coverage leading up to, during, and after the event!

  • Report: Tom Aspinall vs. Alexander Volkov To Headline UFC London

    Rising heavyweight Tom Aspinall and divisional veteran Alexander Volkov are expected to headline UFC’s return to London, England later this year, per a report.

    Volkov and Aspinall are set to serve as the main event for a March 19th UFC “Fight Night” event from the O2 Arena, per a report from Brett Okamoto of ESPN.

    The matchup gives Aspinall a chance to compete in his first UFC main event fight. His short run with the promotion has been explosive thus far, stopping all four of his opponents in the cage. This includes two wins from last year, which came against Andrei Arlovski and Serghei Spivac.

    Aspinall was first initially booked to face Shamil Abdurakhimov in a non-headlining fight on this card. It is not known what the plan is for Abdurakhimov now that this matchup has been booked.

    Volkov Returns To Familiar Headlining Position

    Alexander Volkov, Alistair Overeem
    Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    Volkov has fought some of the top names at heavyweight for most of his 11-fight UFC career. He is no stranger to headlining cards, as the new booking is scheduled to be his sixth time in the main event spot.

    Volkov is coming off a win, as his last fight was a unanimous decision victory over Marcin Tybura in October at UFC 267. His last main event fight was in June 2021, when he lost to now-interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane.

    Aspinall is just one of the many England-based fighters that are expected for the show. Earlier today, it was reported that Paddy Pimblett will also return on the card against Kazula Vargas.

    The event marks UFC’s first time in London in over three years, as the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the number of locations they can travel to.

    With this main event announced, here is the updated lineup for UFC London:

    Heavyweight Bout: Alexander Volkov vs. Tom Aspinall

    Lightweight Bout: Paddy Pimblett vs. Kazula Vargas

    Featherweight Bout: Mike Grundy vs. Makwan Amirkhani

    Bantamweight Bout: Jack Shore vs. Timur Valiev

    Flyweight Bout: Molly McCann vs. Luana Carolina

    Flyweight Bout: Muhammad Mokaev vs. Cody Durden

    Strawweight Bout: Elise Reed vs. Cory McKenna

    Flyweight Bout: Jake Hadley vs. Allan Nascimento

    How do you think Tom Aspinall will do in his very first UFC main event fight?

  • Report: Paddy Pimblett Booked For UFC London Against Kazula Vargas

    Paddy Pimblett’s return to the UFC cage is set.

    “The Baddy” Pimblett is scheduled to make his second UFC appearance on March 19, facing Kazula Vargas in a lightweight bout. The fight is expected to take place at UFC’s return to the O2 Arena in London England. News of the fight was first reported by MMA Fight Club and later confirmed by multiple sources.

    It was previously mentioned by UFC President Dana White that Pimblett would make his return this year against Jared Gordon. However, that matchup was later denied by the management team of both Pimblett and Gordon.

    Pimblett Coming Off Strong UFC Debut

    Paddy Pimblett
    Credit: Dolly Clew, Cage Warriors

    Pimblett will be attempting to follow up his hectic UFC debut. He won his UFC debut in September 2021, stopping Luigi Vendramini late in the first round of a quick back-and-forth battle.

    Pimblett is known for his entertaining fighting style and his charisma as a person. He had a long run in Cage Warriors before his UFC run, resulting in numerous title fights between 2016 to 2018.

    Vargas is also coming off his first UFC victory. The former Combate Americas fighter snapped a two-fight skid in April, returning to the cage against Rongzhu for a unanimous decision win.

    Pimblett is joining a card that already has a strong lineup of fighters that train out of England. The event is reportedly also expected to include names like Tom Aspinall and Molly McCann, along with the UFC debuts of Muhammad Mokaev and Jake Hadley.

    Here’s the updated lineup for UFC’s March 19th show:

    Heavyweight Bout: Alexander Volkov vs. Tom Aspinall

    Lightweight Bout: Paddy Pimblett vs. Kazula Vargas

    Featherweight Bout: Mike Grundy vs. Makwan Amirkhani

    Bantamweight Bout: Jack Shore vs. Timur Valiev

    Flyweight Bout: Molly McCann vs. Luana Carolina

    Flyweight Bout: Muhammad Mokaev vs. Cody Durden

    Strawweight Bout: Elise Reed vs. Cory McKenna

    Flyweight Bout: Jake Hadley vs. Allan Nascimento

    What do you think about Paddy Pimblett’s matchup at UFC London?

  • Quote: Colby Covington Has The Best Wrestling At Welterweight

    MMA veteran Gleison Tibau has faced some of the best grapplers in the sport, but he thinks Colby Covington is the best at 170 pounds.

    Tibau and Covington used to train together at American Top Team before Covington left the gym for MMA Masters. His dismissal was mostly due to ongoing feuds with teammates such as Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier.

    Covington has managed to alienate himself from most of his former ATT teammates, but Tibau is not one of them. In a recent Instagram comment on a post by MMA Uncensored, Tibau praised Covington as the best grappler in the welterweight division.

    Screenshot courtesy of SportsKeeda

    Tibau’s praise of Covington comes despite the two-time UFC title challenger’s stance regarding his previous comments about Brazil. Following his win over Demian Maia, Covington called out the Brazilian crowd as “filthy animals” and was blasted by many of his colleagues.

    Covington most recently fell to UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 268. Despite losing two of his last three to Usman, Covington remains ranked #1 at 170 pounds.

    Tibau’s first season in the PFL featured a controversial win over Rory MacDonald. He is planning on contending for the league title for the 2022 season.

    While it’s unclear if Covington will ever earn a UFC title, big fights with names such as Masvidal and Poirier remain on the table in 2022 and beyond.

    Do you think Colby Covington is the best wrestler in the welterweight division?

  • Gane Breaks Down Ngannou Fight: ‘It’s Not Exactly Power vs. Technique’

    Ciryl Gane thinks his fight against Francis Ngannou isn’t as easy as two styles colliding.

    Many have billed the upcoming heavyweight title fight as a clash of two different types of a fighter. On Gane’s side, many see his technical skills and his variety of abilities as his main strength. But on Ngannou’s end, people say his one-punch knockout power is what could earn him the win on Saturday.

    Gane doesn’t see the fight that way. Instead, he sees both power and technique in both him and Ngannou. When the idea of the different styles was proposed to Gane, this is what he said:

    “This is not just only the power versus the technique. He’s not only the power, he [has] a fight IQ. So he’s technical. I’m more than him [too], and I have power also, you see?” said Gane at the UFC 270 media day on Wednesday. “So, this is not exactly the power against the technique. But we will see.”

    Does Ngannou vs. Gane = Power vs. Technique?

    Francis Ngannou, Ciryl Gane
    Getty Images and MMA Junkie

    While Gane says the fighters aren’t incredibly different in their strengths, it is worth noting how explosive Ngannou is as a fighter.

    Ngannou is a frequent finisher to his fights, as only three of his 19 pro appearances have gone the distance. The majority of his wins have come in the first round, with others coming only a round later.

    Ngannou added another explosive knockout to his résumé last year, beating Stipe Miocic to become the UFC Heavyweight Champion. On Saturday, he will attempt to defend his belt for the first time since then.

    On the other hand, Gane is more experienced with going deeper into fights. He has already fought five rounds twice as a pro, defeating both Jairzinho Rozenstruick and Alexander Volkov in headlining bouts last year.

    But as Gane stressed, he has striking power as well. He became the interim UFC heavyweight champion in August of last year, finishing former title challenger Derrick Lewis in the third round.

    Do you agree with Gane’s assessment of the matchup?