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Tag: UFC Vegas 50

  • Song Yadong, Khalil Rountree Among Four UFC Vegas 50 Bonus Winners

    UFC bantamweight prospect Song Yadong and light heavyweight Khalil Rountree earned $50k for their performances at UFC Vegas 50.

    Yadong seized his moment in the UFC Vegas 50 co-headliner against former title challenger Marlon Moraes, knocking him out with a vicious uppercut in the first round. He has now won three straight and appears to be on the verge of a top 10 spot.

    Check out Yadong’s violent knockout below.

    Yadong is a protege of MMA legend Urijah Faber down at Team Alpha Male.

    Yadong wasn’t the only one who shut the lights out on his opponent. Rountree overcame a slow start against Karl Roberson to blitz him with a barrage of strikes in Round 2.

    Rountree landed a stiff body kick along with a series of hooks that sent Roberson collapsing to the canvas.

    Rountree has now won back-to-back fights.

    In one of the most miraculous in-fight comebacks in recent memory, UFC middleweight Cody Brundage survived a near TKO finish from Dalcha Lungiambula to choke him out with a guillotine. He sunk in the choke by allowing Lungiambula into his guard off of a takedown attempt.

    The UFC Vegas 50 prelims began with a wild flying knee knockout by the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov against Tafon Nchukwi in his UFC debut.

    Murzakanov is a former Dana White’s Contender Series standout and could be a light heavyweight to watch in 2022.

    Yadong, Rountree, Brundage, and Murzakanov all cashed in a $50k post-fight bonus check and will look to continue their positive momentum later in 2022.

    Who do you want to see Song Yadong fight next?

  • Thiago Santos On UFC Vegas 50 Defeat To Ankalaev: “No Excuses”

    UFC light heavyweight Thiago Santos isn’t making excuses for his performance after falling to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Vegas 50.

    Santos looked to earn a second straight win in his second straight UFC main event against the upstart Ankalaev. However, it wasn’t meant to be as he appeared hesitant to throw strikes and find his timing throughout the fight with Ankalaev.

    Santos, who previously had gone toe-to-toe with Jon Jones at UFC 239, has failed to recapture the same magic in losses in three of his last four fights. He’s fallen to the likes of Aleksandar Rakic, Glover Teixeira, and now Ankalaev.

    In a recent Instagram post, Santos addressed his fans while also reflecting on the loss to Ankalaev.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbDWw4-piiG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    “No words about yesterday, no excuses, another hard and painful defeat,” Santos said. “Still, my faith in God remains unshakable and my gratitude to him, my family, my friends, coaches and true fans only increases, thank you for everything.”

    Santos had once looked like a world-beater after moving from middleweight to light heavyweight earlier in his UFC career. While he remains a dangerous foe for most 205 pounders, it’s unclear whether or not he’ll still be able to contend for a light heavyweight title.

    Despite the disappointing loss, Santos seems optimistic about his future in the UFC. He’ll look to get back in the win column with his next potential appearance later this year.

    What do you think is next for Thiago Santos?

  • Fighters React To Ankalaev Outlasting Santos At UFC Vegas 50

    Magomed Ankalaev has continued his rise through the UFC light heavyweight division with a victory over Thiago Santos in the main event of UFC Vegas 50 this evening.

    The duo went five rounds at the UFC Apex in what was for the most part a cagey affair. Dagestan native Ankalaev, who went into the bout on a seven-fight win streak, pushed the pace early on before Santos earned a knockdown in round two. But Ankalaev responded by landing the only takedown of the fight in round four and rounding out a unanimous decision win by outstriking Santos 70-60.

    The #6 ranked Ankalaev’s UFC record now stands at 8-1, and with victory over #5-ranked Santos, we’ll likely see the 29-year-old break into the top five in the coming days.

    You can catch the highlights of the main event below.

    This was Ankalaev’s eighth UFC win in a row.

    Ankalaev won the final scorecard of 49-46, 49-46, 48-47.

    Now, let’s see how fighters reacted to the UFC Vegas 50 main event.

    UFC Vegas 50: Santos vs. Ankalaev Results & Highlights

    MMA News is providing ongoing coverage of UFC Vegas 50. We’ve got you covered with live results, video highlights, and post-fight tidbits.

  • Fighters React To Yadong’s KO Of Moraes At UFC Vegas 50

    Song Yadong showed why he’s a future bantamweight title contender in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 50.

    Yadong earned a spectacular first-round KO of former title challenger Marlon Moraes at the UFC Apex this evening, extending his win streak to three. For Moraes, the loss was his fifth in six fights, all of which have come via KO or TKO.

    Still only 24 years old, Yadong has fought in the UFC since 2017. His record in the promotion now stands at 8-1-1, while his overall record reads like that of a fighter far more advanced in years, at 19-5-1. With a victory over #10 ranked bantamweight Moraes, it’s likely we’ll see #14 ranked Yadong enter the top ten in the coming days.

    You can catch the highlights of the co-main event below.

    This was Yadong’s third win in a row.

    Now, let’s see how fighters reacted to the co-main event of UFC Vegas 50.

    UFC Vegas 50: Santos vs. Ankalaev Results & Highlights

    MMA News is providing ongoing coverage of UFC Vegas 50. We’ve got you covered with live results, video highlights, and post-fight tidbits.

  • UFC Vegas 50 Results & Highlights: Ankalaev Decisions Santos

    UFC Vegas 50 took place tonight from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas Nevada, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Tonight’s main event featured former title challenger Thiago Santos taking on surging light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev. The co-main event saw another Brazilian who has competed for a UFC title before, Marlon Moraes, also face a rising star in 24-year-old Song Yadong. Also on the main card was ranked featherweights Sodiq Yusuff and Alex Caceres.

    Check out all the UFC Vegas 50 results and highlights below.

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Azamat Murzakanov def. Tafon Nchukwi

    Light heavyweights Azamat Murzakanov and Tafon Nchukwi faced off in the opening bout of the evening. Making his UFC debut, Murzakanov was down on the cards after two rounds, before landing an impressive flying knee in the third to earn a TKO victory. Catch the end of the fight below.

    Guido Cannetti def. Kris Moutinho

    Argentina’s Guido Cannetti made quick work of Kris Moutinho in this bantamweight bout. Much like he did in his previous outing against Sean O’Malley, Moutinho took heavy damage, but this time the ref stepped in to call off the fight just two minutes into round one, declaring a TKO victory for Canetti. Catch the end of the fight below.

    Cody Brundage def. Dalcha Lungiambula

    Cody Brundage pulled off an impressive come-from-behind win in this middleweight bout with Dalcha Lungiambula. After sustaining heavy damage throughout round one, Brundage locked in a guillotine choke to force a tap from Lungiambula, ending the fight in just under four minutes. Catch the end of the fight below.

    Miranda Maverick def. Sabina Mazo

    In this women’s flyweight bout, Miranda Maverick forced Sabina Mazo to tap in round two after sinking in a rear-naked choke. Catch the end of the fight below.

    Damon Jackson def. Kamuela Kirk

    Damon Jackson took on Kamuela Kirk in this featherweight bout. Jackson dominated in round one, and continued doing so in round two, before ending the fight with an arm triangle with just 18 seconds left in the round. Catch the end of the fight below.

    Main Card Highlights

    Alex Pereira def. Bruno Silva

    The main card opener saw a much-awaited middleweight matchup between former K1 kickboxer Alex Pereira and his fellow Brazilian Bruno Silva. After being taken down briefly, Pereira ended round one unloading on Silva. In round two, Silva continued to hold his own on the feet against Pereira, with both men having success. Round three saw Pereira rock Silva multiple times, defend another takedown, and wrap up a dominant victory. Catch the end of the fight below.

    Drew Dober def. Terrance McKinney

    In this lightweight bout, Drew Dober pulled off a remarkable come-from-behind win against surging prospect Terrance McKinney. McKinney came out of the gates fast and hard, almost putting Dober away with a flurry of ferocious strikes. Dober, however, weathered the storm and turned the tables on McKinney, earning a TKO victory in round one. Catch the highlights below.

    Khalil Rountree def. Karl Roberson

    Khalil Rountree made a statement against Karl Roberson in this light heavyweight clash. Round one saw both men throw heavy leather, with Rountree getting the better of the exchanges. In round two, Rountree dropped Roberson early and swarmed his opponent with a series of devastating strikes and kicks to earn a TKO victory. Catch the highlights below.

    Sodiq Yusuff def. Alex Caceres

    Nigeria’s Sodiq Yusuff marked his return to the Octagon with a convincing win against featherweight Alex Caceres. Yusuff got the better of the grappling exchanges in round one, before Caceres made a hopeful rear-naked choke attempt late on. Round two saw both fighters exchange heavy strikes, with Yusuff landing successive leg kicks that swept Caceres off his feet. In round three, Yusuff landed the more potent strikes to round out a unanimous decision win.

    Song Yadong def. Marlon Moraes

    Song Yadong announced himself as a future title contender in this bantamweight clash with Marlon Moraes. The Chinese proved too fast and explosive for former title challenger Moraes, landing a blistering uppercut to earn a KO victory in round one. Catch the highlights below.

    Magomed Ankalaev def. Thiago Santos

    In the main event of the evening, surging light heavyweight prospect Magomed Ankalaev took on Thiago Santos. A very cagey first round saw Ankalaev get the better of the few striking exchanges between the duo.

    Both men remained tentative in round two, before Santos dropped Ankalaev late on, landing further strikes form on top. In round three, Ankalaev continued to pressure Santos, with both landing strikes, albeit sparingly.

    The action continued in much the same vein in round four, before Ankalaev landed a take down late on. In the final round, Ankalaev controlled Santos against the fence, doing minimal damage, but enough to round out a unanimous decision victory. Catch the end of the fight below.

    MAIN CARD (7:00 PM ET, ESPN+)

    Main Event – Light Heavyweight Bout: Magomed Ankalaev def. Thiago Santos via unanimous decision (49-46×2, 48-47)

    Co-Main Event – Bantamweight Bout: Song Yadong def. Marlon Moraes via KO: R1, 2.06

    Featherweight Bout: Sodiq Yusuff def. Alex Caceres via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)

    Light Heavyweight Bout: Khalil Rountree def. Karl Roberson via TKO: R2, 0.25

    Lightweight Bout: Drew Dober def. Terrance McKinney via TKO: R1, 3:17

    Middleweight Bout: Alex Pereira def. Bruno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    PRELIMINARY CARD (4:00 PM ET, ESPN+)

    Welterweight Bout: Matthew Semelsberger def. AJ Fletcher via unanimous decision (29-28×3)

    Women’s Flyweight Bout: JJ Aldrich def. Gillian Robertson via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    Bantamweight Bout: Javid Basharat def. Trevin Jones via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)

    Featherweight Bout: Damon Jackson def. Kamuela Kirk via submission: R2, 4.42

    Women’s Flyweight Bout: Miranda Maverick def. Sabina Mazo via submission: R2, 2:15

    Middleweight Bout: Cody Brundage def. Dalcha Lungiambula via submission: R1, 3.41

    Bantamweight Bout: Guido Cannetti def. Kris Moutinho via TKO: R1, 2:07

    Light Heavyweight Bout: Azamat Murzakanov def. Tafon Nchukwi via TKO: R3, 0.44

  • Bruno Silva Looks To Steal Alex Pereira’s Hype At UFC Vegas 50

    UFC middleweight Bruno Silva is aiming to make a statement against the highly-touted striker Alex Pereira at UFC Vegas 50.

    Silva has been deserving of some hype of his own following seven-straight wins. He hasn’t lost since 2016 and has earned UFC victories over the likes of Andrew Sanchez and Jordan Wright.

    Silva is the slight underdog against Pereira at UFC Vegas 50. Pereira was one of the biggest signings by the UFC in 2021 following a decorated career in Glory Kickboxing.

    Pereira passed his first test with flying colors with a debut win over Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268. During his UFC Vegas 50 pre-fight press conference, Silva talked about his intentions for making a name for himself against Pereira while stealing his hype.

    “Absolutely, [I will steal his hype with a win], that’s one of the reasons why I took this fight,” Silva said. “According to Alex, 15 guys turned him down, and I was crazy No. 16. A lot of guys have fear. I have fear, but I’m brave, so I will fight him.” (h/t Cageside Press)

    Silva went on to tease an aggressive approach to his fight with Pereira.

    “There is no way to make history if you are not brave enough. So you guys are not going to see me fighting like Khabib [Nurmagomedov] or Damian Maia. If I have to, I will, but I’m going to look for another knockout.”

    Pereira is also the only man to ever knock out UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in any sport, as he’s continued to allude to during his UFC rise.

    Silva could give Pereira plenty of challenges inside the Octagon. He possesses powerful striking and has showcased the ability to finish a fight with a single blow.

    Silva will look to put on a show against Pereira and continue his rise in the middleweight division.

    What is your prediction for Bruno Silva vs. Alex Pereira?

  • UFC Vegas 50: Santos vs. Ankalaev Weigh-In Results, Odds & Faceoffs

    The weigh-ins for UFC Vegas 50: Santos vs. Ankalaev have wrapped up, and we are all clear for the full slate of fights tomorrow.

    UFC Vegas 50 takes place from inside the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. All fighters made weight, and below you can find the betting odds and preview of the main card fights along with the final faceoffs.

    Thiago Santos (+410) vs. Magomed Ankalaev (-575)

    The main event features top-10 light heavyweights Thiago Santos and Magomed Ankalaev going at it, with an opportunity for Santos to prove he’s still in the mix at the top of the division. For Ankalaev, it’s an opportunity to crack into the top 5 and make his biggest statement to the light heavyweight division thus far.

    Thiago Santos was successful in his last main event when he defeated Johnny Walker via unanimous decision last October. For Ankalaev, this will be his first time headlining a UFC card. In the MMA News Top 100 Fighters of 2021 list, Santos came in at #50, with Ankalaev being placed nine spots ahead at #41.

    Ankalaev has the potential of easily being ranked within the top 20 or higher on our 2022 list, and fights like this demonstrate just where a fighter is at this point in their career ascension.

    Meanwhile, Santos can show that he is a proven KO legend and former title challenger for a reason and that he is being disrespected by oddsmakers and anyone else who is considering this fight to be Ankalaev’s coming-out party.

    You can check out the face-off for Santos vs. Ankalaev below.

    Marlon Moraes (+210) vs. Song Yadong (-260)

    The co-main event will see former title challenger Marlon Moraes facing rising contender Song Yadong. Both fighters are ranked within the top 15 at bantamweight, with Mores at #10 and Yadong ranked at #14. The two are on completely different trajectories, though, with Moraes currently on a three-fight losing streak while the 24-year-old Yadong has won two straight and three of his last four.

    Peep the face-off of the co-headliners down below.

    https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1502355941274144770

    Sodiq Yusuff (-240) vs. Alex Caceres (+195)

    Two more ranked fighters coming at you in this featherweight scrap featuring Sodiq Yusuff (#12) and Alex Caceres (#15). Last year, Yusuff did not even know if he would even fight again after a bout with COVID-19, but here he is, ready to bounce back from his first UFC loss to Arnold Allen last April.

    To do so, he’ll need to hand “Bruce Leeroy” his first loss since 2019. Caceres is currently on the longest winning streak of his entire MMA career with five straight wins.

    Win or lose, if Caceres has it his way, you’ll continue to see him for years to come until he makes 20 full years in the UFC.

    On our year-end list last year, Yusuff ranked at #95 while Caceres did not place. Caceres will have an opportunity to show that this sudden surge is not temporary and that he belongs in the conversation with the very best fighters in the world.

    Peep the face-offs between these two samurais below.

    Khalil Rountree Jr. (+110) vs. Karl Roberson (-130)

    Khalil Rountree will enter this bout coming off one of the more “clean yet controversial” tactics in recent memory in his TKO victory over Modestas Bukauskas last September. We’ll see if Rountree makes headlines again this time.

    Roberson will need to guard every limb and stay keen to all of Rountree’s unpredictable attacks. If he gets his hand raised here, that would be his first win since 2019.

    Check out the face-offs between these two below.

    https://twitter.com/danawhite/status/1502365716720209921

    Drew Dober (-170) vs. Terrance McKinney (+150)

    Terrance McKinney followed up his record-setting UFC debut with yet another stellar performance in his first-round submission over Fares Ziam just weeks ago at UFC Vegas 49. Riding hot, the 27-year-old lightweight has already set a timeline for when he’ll become UFC champion. But now he’ll meet his largest test in veteran Drew Dober, and he’ll do it on short notice.

    Peep the face-off below.

    https://twitter.com/danawhite/status/1502364873786683394

    Alex Pereira (-180) vs. Bruno Silva (+155)

    Alex Pereira is the new hype train of the middleweight division. That distinction once belonged to Israel Adesanya. Adesanya lived up to the hype and then some, going on to win the UFC middleweight championship and being one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet.

    Now, Pereira wants to follow that same path to Adesanya, who Pereira believes wants no part of him after being knocked out by him in Glory Kickboxing years ago.

    If Pereira’s path to the champion is to remain steady, the Brazilian will need to amass a winning streak. After a successful debut against Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268, Pereira now faces his second UFC challenge in the much more experienced, 22-6 Bruno Silva.

    Peep the face-off below.

    UFC Vegas 50 Weigh-In Results

    You can view the full card and weigh-in results for UFC Vegas 50 along with the viewing information for tomorrow’s event below, courtesy of UFC.com.

    MAIN CARD (7:00 PM ET, ESPN+)

    Main Event – Light Heavyweight Bout: Thiago Santos (205.5) vs Magomed Ankalaev (205)

    Co-Main Event – Bantamweight Bout: Marlon Moraes (136) vs Song Yadong (135.5)

    Featherweight Bout: Sodiq Yusuff (145.5) vs Alex Caceres (145)

    Light Heavyweight Bout: Khalil Rountree (205) vs Karl Roberson (203)

    Lightweight Bout: Drew Dober (155) vs Terrance McKinney (156)

    Middleweight Bout: Alex Pereira (186) vs Bruno Silva (185.5)

    PRELIMINARY CARD (4:00 PM ET, ESPN+)

    Welterweight Bout: Matthew Semelsberger (169) vs AJ Fletcher (170)

    Women’s Flyweight Bout: JJ Aldrich (125.5) vs Gillian Robertson (125.5)

    Bantamweight Bout: Trevin Jones (135) vs Javid Basharat (136)

    Featherweight Bout: Damon Jackson (145.5) vs Kamuela Kirk (145)

    Women’s Flyweight Bout: Sabina Mazo (125.5) vs Miranda Maverick (125.5)

    Middleweight Bout: Dalcha Lungiambula (186) vs Cody Brundage (185.5)

    Bantamweight Bout: Kris Moutinho (135) vs Guido Cannetti (136)

    Light Heavyweight Bout: Tafon Nchukwi (205.5) vs Azamat Murzakanov (205.5)

    Be sure to keep it locked right here on MMANews.com tomorrow for full coverage of UFC Vegas 50: Santos vs. Ankalaev!