Sean O’Malley prepares to fight Petr Yan at UFC 280. | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
“People want me to be champ, so it’s going to happen sooner or later.”
Sean O’Malley is oozing with confidence after his Fight of the Night victory over Petr Yan at UFC 280 and believes it’s only a matter of time until he becomes champion.
The surging bantamweight defeated former champ Yan in a razor-close split decision that saw both men showcase a tremendous display of heart in a thrilling three-round affair that could have easily gone five rounds.
O’Malley believes he answered a lot of questions surrounding his durability and ability to compete at the championship level but was disappointed that he absorbed so many punches.
“It’s inevitable,” O’Malley said at the UFC 280 post-fight press conference (h/t MMA Junkie). “I turn 28 (Sunday), and I’m going to be in this sport for a long time. People want me to be champ, so it’s going to happen sooner or later.” “‘Kick his legs,’ was the first one. Now it’s ‘You can’t just kick his legs and take him down.’ Petr kicked my legs and took me down, and still (I) won. So yeah, I’m answering questions little by little.”
“I don’t want to get hit ever,” he added. “It’s not healthy. It’s not good to get punched on the head. It’s not good for you to have headaches. Ideally, I go in there and not get hit. But I think it makes it even sweeter, the story – I really had to show my heart.
“I got to go deep. I had to go somewhere mentally and physically I’ve never been before, and that’s what happens when you fight the best guys in the world.”
Many fighters disagreed with the decision but O’Malley outlanded Yan 84 to 58 in significant strikes overall and proved that he belongs in the upper echelon of the bantamweight division. His next fight will likely be against Aljamain Sterling, who TKO’d T.J. Dillashaw in the UFC 280 co-main event to retain his bantamweight championship.
Alexander Volkanovski confronts Islam Makhachev at UFC 280. | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
It looks like Alexander Volkanovski is next for Islam Makhachev.
Islam Makhachev’s first title defense will probably be against Alexander Volkanovski, according to UFC president Dana White.
Makhachev submitted Charles Oliveira yesterday at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi to win the vacant lightweight championship, cementing himself as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. After the fight, he was confronted by Volkanovski, with both fighters agreeing to a champ vs. champ showdown to determine the #1 P4P fighter in the world.
White likes the idea of the matchup and thinks it makes sense considering Volkanovski is just one weight class below Makhachev at featherweight and served as the backup for yesterday’s blockbuster main event.
“It looks like Volkanovski is next,” White told reporters at the UFC 280 post-fight press conference (h/t MMA Junkie). “Volkanovski never ceases to amaze me. Another incredible fight.”
As for Makhachev’s performance, White was blown away by how quickly he disposed of Oliveira after dropping him in the second round.
“Incredible,” White said. “I’ve been saying all week, you have two of the absolute best in the world facing in their prime and facing off. And when I went up in the octagon after, Khabib said, ‘I told you. I told you he’s the best in the world.’
“I mean, to beat Oliveira is one thing, to beat him the way he beat him is another. And as fast as he did it, he looked incredible tonight. The big question tonight was how is he going to deal with the pressure. And he dealt with it just fine.”
UFC 280 also saw Aljamain Sterling defend his bantamweight title with a clubbing TKO win over a compromised T.J. Dillashaw and Sean O’Malley upset Petr Yan in a Fight of the Night that seemed to cause quite a stir online.
U23 Wrestling World Championships live stream, highlights, results and updates – Day 1-6 | United World Wrestling
Check out the wrestling stars of tomorrow, competing in Ponteverda, Spain from October 17 to the 23rd. # WrestlePontevedra
The cream of the crop of the world’s young wrestling talent are gathered in Pontaverda, Spain this week to compete at the U23 Wrestling World Championships. Over the next week hundreds of athletes will battle it out for medals in freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling.
You can see all the results, along with highlights and other updates right here for the duration of the competition.
To watch the action live, go to United World Wrestling’s official event page. They have a multiple-screen set-up there that is free to view if you register on the site using your email address.
Day 1 Results
Greco-Roman
55kg
Semifinals: Nihad Guluzade (AZE) df. Ken Matsui (JPN) by VSU, 8 – 0 Poya Soulat Dad Marz (IRI) df. Denis Florin Mihai (ROU) by VPO1, 9 – 4
Poya DAD MARZ pinched his way to the 55kg U23 world finals with a 9-4 win over Denis MIHAI . He’ll wrestle Nihad GULUZADE in Tuesday night’s finals.#WrestlePontevedra | #TheHomeOfWrestling pic.twitter.com/R6DaPiK4d6
— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) October 17, 2022
Quarterfinals: Ken Matsui (JPN) df. Camden Noah Russell (USA) by VPO1, 8 – 2 Poya Soulat Dad Marz (IRI) df. Nurzat KABDYRAKHIMOV (KAZ) by VPO1, 8 – 1 Nihad Guluzade (AZE) df. Giorgi Tokhadze (GEO) by VPO1, 9 – 7 Denis Florin Mihai (ROU) df. Ilias Zairkakis (GRE) by VSU, 10 – 0
Qualification: Giorgi Tokhadze (GEO) df. Artiom DELEANU (MDA) by VPO1, 15 – 11 Nurzat Kabdyrakhimov (KAZ) df. James Castano Argueaga (ESP) by VSU1, 10 Camden Noah Russell (USA) df. Abduvali Rahimbayev (TKM) by VPO1, 11 – 5 Poya Soulat Dad Marz (IRI) df. Ahmet Ekrem Taskinoglu (TUR) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Ken Matsui (JPN) df. Taalaibek Beishenbek Uulu (KGZ) by VSU1, 18 – 10 Denis Florin Mihai (ROU) df. Mykola Havrychkin (UKR) by VPO1, 8 – 4
World champ Ken MATSUI returns to international competition at 55kg with a 18-10 win at #WrestlePontevedra #uww #wrestling pic.twitter.com/F5kXkMDTf4
— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) October 17, 2022
63kg
Semifinals: Giorgi Shotadze (GEO) df. Maksym Liu (UKR) by VP01, 5 – 2 Iman Hossein Khoon Mohammadi (IRI) df. Ziya Babashov (AZE) by VP01, 5 – 1
Quarterfinals: Maksym Liu (UKR) df. Ermek Kanybek Uulu (KGZ) by VPO1, 5 – 1 Giorgi Shotadze (GEO) df. Hrachya Poghosyan (ARM) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Iman Hossein Khoon Mohammadi (IRI) df. Ryuto IKEDA (JPN) by VPO1, 7 – 1 Ziya Babashov (AZE) df. Mustafa Safa Yildirim (TUR) by VPO1, 3 – 1
1/8: Mustafa Safa Yildirim (TUR) df. Andrea Setti (ITA) by VSU, 9 – 0 Giorgi Shotadze (GEO) df. Abere Fetene (ISR) by VPO, 5 – 0 Ermek Kanybek Uulu (KGZ) df. Yonaiker Javier Martinez Cravo (VEN) by VSU, 9 – 0 Iman Hossein Khoon Mohammadi (IRI) df. Ahmed Fouad Fouad Hussein Baghdouda (EGY) by VPO1, 6 – 1 Maksym Liu (UKR) df. Ilia Dimitrov Mustakov (BUL) by VPO1, 5 – 1 Hrachya Poghosyan (ARM) df. Vitalie Eriomenco (MDA) by VPO1, 1 – 1 Ziya Babashov (AZE) df. Andy Juan Such (ESP) by VSU, 9 – 0 Ryuto Ikeda (JPN) df. Krisztian Kecskemeti (HUN) by VPO1, 4 – 2
Qualification: Maksym Liu (UKR) df. Tino Tapio Ojala (FIN) by VPO1, 14 – 9 Ahmed Fouad Fouad Hussein Baghdouda (EGY) df. Mason Alan Carzino Hartshorn (USA) by VPO, 6 – 0 Vitalie Eriomenco (MDA) df. Yerzhet Zharlykassyn (KAZ) by VPO, 4 – 0
Alexandrin GUTU dominated his way past Dmytro VASETSKYI in the semifinals and setup a 77kg Tuesday-night finals meeting against senior world champion Malkhas AMOYAN .#WrestlePontevedra | #TheHomeOfWrestling pic.twitter.com/E0id4gM4Lf
— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) October 17, 2022
1/8: Malkhas Amoyan (ARM) df. Emmanuel Alexis Benitez Castro (MEX) by VPO, 3 – 0 Nao Kusaka (JPN) df. Junior Gustavo Benitez Ortiz (ESP) by VFA, 7 – 0 Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df. Sajan Sajan (IND) by VSU, 8 – 0 Akylbek Talantbekov (KGZ) df. Abdurrahman Kalkan (TUR) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Lamjed Maafi (TUN) df. Edvin KIN (EST) by VIN, 4 – 3 Rassul Zhunis (KAZ) df. David Zhytomyrsky (ISR) by VPO1, 4 – 2 Idris Hanpasaevic Ibaev (GER) df. Aleksa ILIC (SRB) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Dmytro VASETSKYI (UKR) df. Attila Tamas Toesmagi (HUN) by VSU, 9 – 0
Qualification Malkhas Amoyan (ARM) df. Mohammad Reza Hojatollah Mokhtari (IRI) by VPO1, 1 – 1 Nao Kusaka (JPN) df. Akseli Elias Yli Hannuksela (FIN) by VSU, 10 – 0 Sajan Sajan (IND) df. Aistis Liaugminas (LTU) by VPO, 3 – 0 Abdurrahman Kalkan (TUR) df. Patryk Adam Bednarz (POL) by VSU, 8 – 0 Lamjed Maafi (TUN) df. Britton Wayne Holmes (USA) by VSU1, 10 – 1 Idris Hanpasaevic Ibaev (GER) df. Davit Sologashvili (GEO) by VSU1, 11 – 2 Attila Tamas Toesmagi (HUN) df. Daniel David Bello Vegas (VEN) by VSU, 9 – 0
87kg
Semifinals: Gevorg Tadevosyan (ARM) df. Maksat Sailau (KAZ) by VP01, 6 – 4 Istvan Takacs (HUN) df. Szymon Szymonowicz (POL) by VP01, 4 – 1
Quarterfinals: Szymon Szymonowicz (POL) df. Lachin Valiyev (AZE) by VSU, 8 – 0 Gevorg Tadevosyan (ARM) df. Marcel Sterkenberg (NED) by VPO, 4 – 0 Istvan Takacs (HUN) df. Filip Smetko (CRO) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Maksat Sailau (KAZ) df. Abolfazl Ali Choubani (IRI) by VFA, 9 – 4
1/8: Gevorg Tadevosyan (ARM) df. Azat Salidinov (KGZ) by VSU, 9 – 0 Maksat Sailau (KAZ) df. Kumar Sunil (IND) by VFA, 4 – 0 Istvan Takacs (HUN) df. Beka Melelashvili (GEO) by VPO, 6 – 0 Marcel Sterkenberg (NED) df. Zahari Rosenov ZASHEV (BUL) by VSU1, 9 – 1 Lachin Valiyev (AZE) df. Andreas Vaelis (EST) by VPO1, 4 – 2 Filip Smetko (CRO) df. Michial James Foy (USA) by VPO, 4 – 0 Abolfazl Ali Choubani (IRI) df. Muhutdin Saricicek (TUR) by VPO1, 4 – 4 Szymon Szymonowicz (POL) df. Nikolaos Iosifidis (GRE) by VSU1, 9 – 1
Qualification: Abolfazl Ali Choubani (IRI) df. Christian Max Zemp (SUI) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Szymon Szymonowicz (POL) df. Satoki Mukai (JPN) by VPO1, 4 – 2 Marcel Sterkenberg (NED) df. Daniel Alejandro Veliz Perez (MEX) by VFA, 8 – 0 Istvan Takacs (HUN) df. Vitalii Andriiovych (UKR) by VSU, 9 – 0
130kg
Semifinals: Mykhailo Vyshnyvetskyi (UKR) df. Sarkhan Mammadov (AZE) by VP01, 6 – 3 Fatih Bozkurt (TUR) df. Dariusz Attila Vitek (HUN) by VP01, 6 – 1
Quarterfinals: Mykhailo Vyshnyvetskyi (UKR) df. Aliakbar Hossein Yousofiahmadchali (IRI) by VPO1, 7 – 1 Fatih Bozkurt (TUR) df. Nikolaos NTOUNIAS (GRE) by VSU, 8 – 0 Sarkhan Mammadov (AZE) df. Cohlton Michael Schultz (USA) by VPO1, 5 – 1 Dariusz Attila Vitek (HUN) df. Giorgi Tsopurashvili (GEO) by VPO, 4 – 0
Qualification: Aliakbar Hossein Yousofiahmadchali (IRI) df. Paul Baltazar Morales Bojorquez (MEX) by VPO, 6 – 0 Cohlton Michael Schultz (USA) df. Jonovan Darius Smith (PUR) by VSU, 9 – 0 Fatih Bozkurt (TUR) df. Marcel Albini (CZE) by VSU, 8 – 0 Mykhailo Vyshnyvetskyi (UKR) df. Marin Nishimura (JPN) by VFA, 4 – 0 Giorgi Tsopurashvili (GEO) df. Geronimo Camara Sanchez (ESP) by VSU, 9 – 0 Sarkhan Mammadov (AZE) df. Damir Zuparov (KAZ) by VSU, 8 – 0 Dariusz Attila Vitek (HUN) df. Tomasz Jacek Wawrzynczyk (POL) by VPO, 5 – 0
Day 2 Results
Greco-Roman
55kg
Gold Poya Soulat Dad Marz (IRI) df. Nihad Guluzade (AZE) by VPO1, 5 – 1
Bronze Ahmet Ekrem Taskinoglu (TUR) df. Denis Florian Mihai (ROU) by VPO1, 8 – 3 Giorgi Tokhadze (GEO) def. Ken Matsui (JPN) by VSU, 8 – 0
Repechage Ahmet Ekrem Taskinoglu (TUR) df. Nurzat Kabdyrakhimov (KAZ) by VP01, 7 – 6
60kg
Semifinals: Nihat Zahid Mammadli (AZE) df. Nurmukhammet Abdullaev (KGZ) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Kerem Kamal (TUR) df. Irakli Dzimistarishvili (GEO) by VPO1, 4 – 4
Kerem KAMAL emptied the ⛽️ but reached the world finals after beating Tigran MINASYAN , Melkamu FETENE and Iraki DZIMISTARISHVILI .#TheHomeOfWrestling | #WrestlePontevedra pic.twitter.com/eSZRMHfV1x
— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) October 18, 2022
Quarterfinals: Nurmukhammet Abdullaev (KGZ) df. Phillip James Moomey (USA) by VSU, 8 – 0 Irakli Dzimistarishvili (GEO) df. Kaito Inaba (JPN) by VSU, 9 – 0 Nihat Zahid Mammadli (AZE) df. Vladyslav Kuzko (UKR) by VPO1, 4 – 1 Kerem Kamal (TUR) df. Melkamu Fetene (ISR) by VPO1, 5 – 4
1/8: Melkamu Fetene (ISR) df. Ronaldo Sanchez Ramirez (COL) by VPO, 3 – 0 Phillip James Moomey (USA) df. Georgios Scarpello (GER) by VPO1, 7 – 5 Irakli Dzimistarishvili (GEO) df. Tigran Minasyan (ARM) by VPO1, 8 – 3 Kerem Kamal (TUR) df. Omid Hossein Arami (IRI) by VFA, 5 – 1 Nihat Zahid Mammadli (AZE) df. Sumit Sumit (IND) by VSU, 9 – 0 Kaito Inaba (JPN) df. AserEbro Rodriguez (ESP) by VFA, 6 – 0 Nurmukhammet Abdullaev (KGZ) df. Grzegorz Kunkel (POL) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Vladyslav Kuzko (UKR) df. Jui Chi Huang (TPE) by VPO1, 6 – 1
Qualification: Nihat Zahid Mammadli (AZE) df. Olzhas Sultan (KAZ) by VPO, 5 – 0
63kg
Gold Iman Hossein Khoon Mohammadi (IRI) df. Giorgi Shotadze (GEO) by VSU, 8 – 0
Bronze Ryuto Ikeda (JPN) df. Ziya Babashov (AZE) by VPO1, 1 – 1 Hrachya Poghosyan (ARM) df. Maksym Liu (UKR) by VPO1, 3 – 1
Repechage Hrachya Poghosyan (ARM) df. Abere Fetene (ISR) by VSU, 9 – 0 Ryuto Ikeda (JPN) df. Ahmed Fouad Fouad Hussein Baghdouda (EGY) by VP01, 12 – 11
67kg
Semifinal Seyed Danial Seyed Shamsollah Sohrabi (IRI) df. Diego Chkhikvadze (GEO) by VPO1, 6 – 3 Gagik Mishai Snjoyan (FRA) df. Kyotaro Sogabe (JPN) by VSU1, 9 – 1
Quarterfinal Seyed Danial Seyed Shamsollah Sohrabi (IRI) df. Amanat Samat Uulu (KGZ) by VFA, 9 – 2 Kyotaro Sogabe (JPN) df. Peyton Louis Omania (USA) by VSU1, 13 – 4 Diego Chkhikvadze (GEO) df. Krisztian Istvan Vancza (HUN) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Gagik Mishai Snjoyan (FRA) df. Ivo Krasimirov Iliev (BUL) by VPO, 6 – 0
1/8 Gagik Mishai Snjoyan (FRA) df. Sahak Hovhannisyan (ARM) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Seyed Danial Seyed Shamsollah Sohrabi (IRI) df. Vilius Savickas (LTU) by VSU, 9 – 0 Kyotaro Sogabe (JPN) df. Ramazan Can Aktas (TUR) by VPO1, 9 – 5 Ivo Krasimirov Iliev (BUL) df. Begmyrat Nobatov (TKM) by VPO, 7 – 0 Diego Chkhikvadze (GEO) df. Haavard Joergensen (NOR) by VSU1, 9 – 2 Peyton Louis Omania (USA) df. Abdelrahman Ahmed Aly Mohamed Omar (EGY) by VPO, 7 – 0 Amanat Samat Uulu (KGZ) df. Elmer Joakim Mattila (FIN) by VSU, 8 – 0 Krisztian Istvan Vancza (HUN) df. Alexei Hahlovschi (MDA) by VSU, 8 – 0
Qualification Peyton Louis Omania (USA) df. Aleksander Juliusz Mielewczyk (POL) by VFA, 4 – 0 Elmer Joakim Mattila (FIN) df. Almatbek Amanbek (KAZ) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Sahak Hovhannisyan (ARM) df. Niklas Jan Olov Pontus Oehlen (SWE) by VPO1, 6 – 5 Seyed Danial Seyed Shamsollah Sohrabi (IRI) df. Julian Stiven Horta Acevedo (COL) by VFA, 4 – 0 Ivo Krasimirov Iliev (BUL) df. Dmytro Miroshynk (UKR) by VPO1, 4 – 4 Diego Chkhikvadze (GEO) df. Ashu Ashu (IND) by VSU, 8 – 0
72kg
Semifinal: Pavel Pukalavec (CRO) df. Vikas Vikas (IND) by VSU, 9 – 0 Gurban Gurbanov (AZE) df. Irfan Mirzoiev (UKR) by VPO1, 7 – 1
Quarterfinal: Gurban Gurbanov (AZE) df. Amir Ali Abdi (IRI) by VPO1, 1 – 1 Vikas Vikas (IND) df. Marcos Sanchez Silva Meijas (ESP) by VSU1, 10 – 1 Irfan Mirzoiev (UKR) df. Valentin Petic (MDA) by VPO1, 6 – 1 Pavel Pukalavec (CRO) df. Daigo Kobayashi (JPN) by VPO1, 11 – 5
1/8: Gurban Gurbanov (AZE) df. Randel Uibo (EST) by VSU, 8 – 0 Pavel Pukalavec (CRO) df. Georgios Theodoros Sotiriadis (GRE) by VPO1, 5 – 2 Marcos Sanchez Silva Meijas (ESP) df. Kamil Aleksander Czarnecki (POL) by VPO1, 5 – 3 Valentin Petic (MDA) df. Edsson Rafael Olmos Gutierrez (MEX) by VSU, 11 – 0 Daigo Kobayashi (JPN) df. Yerassyl Nurbossynov (KAZ) by VPO1, 8 – 5 Amir Ali Abdi (IRI) df. Shant Khachatryan (ARM) by VPO, 6 – 0 Irfan Mirzoiev (UKR) df. Benjamin Davis Peak (USA) by VSU, 9 – 0 Vikas Vikas (IND) df. Adilkhan Nurlanbekov (KGZ) by VSU, 11 – 0
Qualification: Gurban Gurbanov (AZE) df. Yanis Driss Nifri (FRA) by VPO1, 7 – 2 Georgios Theodoros Sotiriadis (GRE) df. Jose Alejandro Varela Garcia (GUA) by VSU, 9 – 0 Marcos Sanchez Silva Meijas (ESP) df. Miru Jerry Olsson (SWE) by VPO1, 3 – 2 Valentin Petic (MDA) df. Samuel Bellscheidt (GER) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Yerassyl Nurbossynov (KAZ) df. Muhammetnazar Jumayev (TKM) by VPO1, 10 – 6 Shant Khachatryan (ARM) df. Giorgi Chkhikvadze (GEO) by VPO1, 8 – 5 Irfan Mirzoiev (UKR) df. Furkan Zirin (TUR) by VSU1, 9 – 1 Adilkhan Nurlanbekov (KGZ) df. Eimantas Vilimas (LTU) by VIN, 7 – 6
After winning 77kg gold in Spain , Malkhas AMOYAN is now a U20, U23 and senior world champ.#WrestlePontevedra | #TheHomeOfWrestling pic.twitter.com/awrOpT9opx
— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) October 18, 2022
Bronze: Sajan Sajan (IND) df. Dmytro Vasetskyi (UKR) by VPO1, 10 – 10 Nao Kusaka (JPN) df. Mohammad Reza Hojatollah Mokhtari (IRI), by VPO1, 3 – 1
Repechage: Sajan Sajan (IND) df. Rassul Zhunis (KAZ) by VPO1, 9 – 6 Mohammad Reza Hojatollah Mokhtari (IRI) df. Akylbek Talantbekov (KGZ) by VSU, 8 – 0 Mohammad Reza Hojatollah Mokhtari (IRI) df. Emmanuel Alexis Benitez Castro (MEX) by VSU, 11 – 0
Bronze: Szymon Szymonowicz (POL) df. Beka Melelashvili (GEO) by VPO1, 4 – 1 Marcel Sterkenburg (NED) df. Maksat Saliu (KAZ) by VSU1, 9 – 1
Repechage: Beka Melelashvili (GEO) df. Filip Smetko (CRO) by VPO1, 4 – 4 Marcel Sterkenburg (NED) df. Azat Salidinov (KGZ) by VPO1, 9 – 9 Beka Melelashvili (GEO) df. Vitali Andriiovych (UKR) by VPO1, 5- 3
97kg
Semifinal: Markus Ragginger (AUT) df. Giorgi Katsanashvili (GEO) by VPO1, 4 – 1 Alex Gergo Szoke (HUN) df. Igor Fernando Alves de Queiroz (BRA) by VPO, 3 – 0
Quarterfinal: Igor Fernando Alves de Queiroz (BRA) df. Valentyn Skhliarenko (UKR) by VPO1, 5 – 3 Markus Ragginger (AUT) df. Mustafa Olgun (TUR) by VPO1, 6 – 3 Alex Gergo Szoke (HUN) df. Nitesh Nitesh (IND) by VSU, 8 – 0 Giorgi Katsanashvili (GEO) df. Yuri Nakazato (JPN) by VPO1, 5 – 1
1/8: Igor Fernando Alves de Queiroz (BRA) df. Apostolos Panagiotis Tsiovolos (GRE) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Yuri Nakazato (JPN) df. Islam Umayev (KAZ) by VPO, 5 – 0 Mustafa Olgun (TUR) df. Hayk Khloyan (ARM) by VPO1, 6 – 3 Alex Gergo Szoke (HUN) df. Luka Katic (SRB) by VSU, 9 – 0 Giorgi Katsanashvili (GEO) df. Aybegshazada Kurrayev (TKM) by VSU, 9 – 0 Valentyn Skhliarenko (UKR) df. Mindaugas Venckaitis (LTU) by VPO1, 1 – 1 Nitesh Nitesh (IND) df. Sami Elsayed Ali Ibrahim Samra (EGY) by VPO1, 10 – 5 Markus Ragginger (AUT) df. Ali Ramezanali Abedidarzi (IRI) by VSU, 8 – 0
Qualifcation: Igor Fernando Alves de Queiroz (BRA) df. Tyrone Sterkenberg (NED) by VPO1, 7 – 2 Yuri Nakazato (JPN) df. Anton Erich Vieweg (GER) by VIN, 3 – 0 Alex Gergo Szoke (HUN) df. Nicholas Allen Boykin (USA) by VSU, 9 – 0 Giorgi Katsanashvili (GEO) df. Richard Karelson (EST) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Nitesh Nitesh (IND) df. Jose Ferrandiz Arribas (ESP) by VSU1, 10 – 2 Ali Ramezanali Abedidarzi (IRI) df. Ionut Florin Cristinel Gosa (ROU) by VPO1, 4 – 3
130kg
Gold: Fatih Bozkurt (TUR) df. Mykhailo Vyshnyvetskyi (UKR) by VSU1, 9 – 1
Fatih BOZKURT was in a league of his own in Spain. The Turkish heavyweight outscored his four opponents 31-2 en route to the 130kg U23 world title.#WrestlePontevedra | #TheHomeOfWrestling pic.twitter.com/Odxdh0HTj6
— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) October 18, 2022
Bronze: Dariusz Attila Vitek (HUN) df. Nikoloas Ntounais (GRE) by VPO1, 12 – 2 Aliakbar Hossein Yousofiahmadchali (IRI) df. Sarkhan Mammadov (AZE) by VSU1, 10 – 1
Seyed SOHRABI put on a 17-point show in the 67kg finals and helped Iran win the Greco-Roman team title at the U23 World Championships.#WrestlePontevedra | #TheHomeOfWrestling pic.twitter.com/IuS0C8MhMR
— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) October 19, 2022
Bronze: Diego Chikhikvadze (GEO) df. Julian Stiven Horta Acevedo (COL) by VPO1, 3 – 1 Kyotaro Sogabe (JPN) df. Sahak Hovhannisyan (ARM) by VPO1, 3 – 1
Repechage: Julian Stiven Horta Acevedo (COL) df. Amanat Samat Uulu (KGZ) by VPO1, 7 – 3 Sahak Hovhannisyan (ARM) df. Ivo Krasimirov Iliev (BUL) by VSU, 10 – 0 Julian Stiven Horta Acevedo (COL) df. Vilius Savickas (LTU) by VSU, 8 – 0
72kg
Gold: Gurban Gurbanov (AZE) df. Pavel Puklavec (CRO) by VPO1, 8 – 2
Bronze: Vikas Vikas (IND) df. Daigo Kobayashi (JPN) by VPO, 6 – 0 Amir Ali Abdi (IRI) df. Irfan Mirzoiev (UKR) by VPO1, 3 – 1
Repechage: Amir Ali Abdi (IRI) df. Yanis Driss Nifri (FRA) by VSU, 8 – 0 Daigo Kobayashi (JPN) df. Georgios Theodoros Sotiraidis (GRE) by VPO1, 6 – 1 Yanis Driss Nifri (FRA) df. Randel Uibo (EST) by VPO1, 6 – 1
82kg
Gold: Exauce Mukubu (NOR) df. Karlo Kodric (CRO) by VSU1, 10 – 1
Bronze: Mats Ola Lukas Ahlgren (SWE) df. Ranet Kaljola (EST) by VPO1, 7 – 1 Beka Guruli (GEO) df. Ali Halil Hunc (TUR) by VSU, 9 – 0
Repechage: Ali Halil Hunc (TUR) df. Tesshin Higuchi (JPN) by VSU1, 10 – 1 Ranet Kaljola (EST) df. Erik Loeser (GER) by VPO1, 6 – 2 Ranet Kaljola (EST) df. Rohit Dahiya (IND) by VFO, 0 – 0
97kg
Gold: Alex Gergo Szoke (HUN) df. Markus Ragginger(AUT) by VPO1, 3 – 2
Bronze: Ali Ramezanali Abedidarzi (IRI) df. Giorgi Katsanashvili (GEO) by VPO1, 1 – 1 Nitesh Nitesh (IND) df. Igor Fernando Alves de Queiroz (BRA) by VSU, 10 – 0
Repechage: Ali Ramezanali Abedidarzi (IRI) df. Mustafa Olgun (TUR) by VPO1, 6 – 3 Nitesh Nitesh (IND) df. Luka Katic (SRB) by VPO1, 13 – 4 Luka Katic (SRB) df. Nicholas Allen Boykin (USA) by VPO1, 7 – 4
.@yui0630susaki made wrestling history by becoming the first wrestler to win wrestling’s ‘Grand Slam.’ She now has won gold at the Olympic Games and world titles at the U17, U20, U23 and Senior World C’ships.
Tatiana RENTERIA improved her silver medal from last year and became Colombia’s first-ever U23 world champions.#WrestlePontevedra | #TheHomeOfWrestling pic.twitter.com/J4AxeSnmv7
— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) October 20, 2022
Gold: Amit Elor (USA) df. Wiktoria Choluj (POL), 11-0
Amit ELOR has won three world titles in the past three months. Since August, she’s won U20, U23 and senior world golds.#WrestlePontevedra | #TheHomeOfWrestling pic.twitter.com/1vZhZYNiUB
— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) October 21, 2022
Semifinal: Ahmet Duman (TUR) df. Giorgi Gegelashvili (GEO) by VSU, 10 – 0 Aman Aman (IND) df. Bekzat Almaz Uulu (KGZ) by VPO1, 10 – 5
Quarterfinal: Bekzat Almaz Uulu (KGZ) df. Munkh Erdene Batkhuyag (MGL) by VFA, 8 – 1 Giorgi Gegelashvili (GEO) df. Horst Justin Junior Lehr (GER) by VPO1, 11 – 5 Ahmet Duman (TUR) df. Kamil Kerymov (UKR) by VSU1, 14 – 4 Aman Aman (IND) df. Toshiya Abe (JPN) by VSU1, 13 – 2
1/8: Bekzat Almaz Uulu (KGZ) df. Vitali Arujau (USA) by VPO1, 11 – 6 Horst Justin Junior Lehr (GER) df. Ahmad Masoud Mohammadnezhadjavan (IRI) by VPO1, 9 – 4 Toshiya Abe (JPN) df. Thomas Epp (SUI) by VPO, 6 – 0 Ahmet Duman (TUR) df. Tofig Aliyev (AZE) by VSU, 10 – 0 Giorgi Gegelashvili (GEO) df. Tadeu Francisco Mputu de Deus (ANG) by VSU, 10 – 0 Aman Aman (IND) df. Hansana Madushanka Rodrigo Ganegodage (SRI) by VSU, 11 – 0 Munkh Erdene Batkhuyag (MGL) df. Adrian Lopez Gomez (ESP) by VSU, 10 – 0 Kamil Kerymov (UKR) df. Diego Armando Zuluaga Cuevas (COL) by VSU, 10 – 0
Qualification: Ahmad Masoud Mohammadnezhadjavan (IRI) df. Manvel Khndzrtsyan (ARM) by VPO1, 5 – 4 Toshiya Abe (JPN) df. Logan James Sloan (CAN) by VSU, 10 – 0 Munkh Erdene Batkhuyag (MGL) df. Daulet Temizhanov (KAZ) by VPO1, 7 – 2
65kg
Semifinals: Hamza Alaca (TUR) df. Erik Arushanian (UKR) by VPO1, 14 – 8 Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM) df. Adlan Askarov (KAZ) by VPo1, 7 – 6
Quarterfinals: Adlan Askarov (KAZ) df. Cole Reed Matthews (USA) by VPO1, 6 – 4 Erik Arushanian (UKR) df. Dominik Laritz (SUI) by VSU1, 16 – 4 Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM) df. Ryoma Anraku (JPN) by VPO1, 4 – 3 Hamza Alaca (TUR) df. Samuel Eddie Alvarez Jr. (PUR) by VSU1, 15 – 5
Erik ARUSHANIAN has put up 36 offensive points in three matches. #TheHomeOfWrestling | #WrestlePontevedra pic.twitter.com/CS7x0Utp84
— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) October 21, 2022
1/8: Cole Reed Matthews (USA) df. Gia Ugrelidze (GEO) by VPO1, 6 – 2 Ryoma Anraku (JPN) df. Leon Gerstenberger (GER) by VPO, 8 – 0 Hamza Alaca (TUR) df. Said Islam Hosseini (FIN) by VFA, 6 – 0 Adlan Askarov (KAZ) df. Joe Fer Callado (PHI) by VSU, 10 – 0 Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM) df. Ross Taylor Connelly (GBR) by VSU, 10 – 0 Dominik Laritz (SUI) df. Maduwantha Sandaruwan Gunawardana Kankanamlage (SRI) by VSU, 11 – 0 Samuel Eddie Alvarez Jr. (PUR) df. Ikromzhon Khadzhimurodov (KGZ) by VPO1, 12 – 4 Erik Arushanian (UKR) df. Gurbanmuhammet Charyyev (TKM) by VSU, 10 – 0
Qualification: Gia Ugrelidze (GEO) df. Ayub Muratovitch Musaev (BEL) by VIN, 2 – 2 Ikromzhon Khazhimurodov (KGZ) df. Khamzat Timourovitch Arsamerzouev (FRA) by VPO, 5 – 0 Erik Arushanian (UKR) df. Ivan Stiliyanov Badavrov (BUL) by VSU, 10 – 0 Leon Gerstenberger (GER) df. Felipe Ferrusola Milla (ESP) by VSU1, 12 – 2 Hamza Alaca (TUR) df. Kian Hosseinali Mahmoudjanloo (IRI) by VPO1, 8 – 7 Adlan Askarov (KAZ) df. Constantin Chirilov (MDA) by VSU, 11 – 0 Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM) df. Daniel Troy Coles (CAN) by VSU, 10 – 0 Dominik Laritz (SUI) df. Gamzatgadzsi Halidov (HUN) by VPO1, 6 – 6
70kg
Semifinal: Amirmohammad Babak Yazdanicherati (IRI) df. Yahya Abdullah Thomas (USA) by VPO1, 4 – 2 Giorgi Elbakidze (GEO) df. Orozobek Toktomambetov (KGZ) by VSU, 10 – 0
Elkin Espana Santa (COL) df. Intigam Valizada (AZE) by VSU1, 12 – 2 Arsen Harutyunyan (ARM) df. Joseph Andres Silva (PUR) by VSU, 11 – 0 Emrah Ormanoglu (TUR) df. Antonio Marcos Margiotta (PHI) by VSU, 10 – 0 Taiyrbek Zhumashbek Uulu (KGZ) df. Aaron Santos Nagao (USA) by VPO. 9 – 0 Ramaz Turmanidze (GEO) df. Nils Leutert (SUI) by VPO1, 8 – 4 Andrii Dzhelep (UKR) df. Kodai Ogawa (JPN) by VPO1, 11 – 4 Assyl Aitakyn (KAZ) df. Armin Mehdi Habibzadehsaroukolaei (IRI) by VPO1, 9 – 1 Stilyan Yanchev Iliev (BUL) df. Jason Guy Luneau (CAN) by VPO1, 11 – 5
Qualification: Intigam Valizada (AZE) df. S Rajapaksha Mohottalalage Oshanda Matheesha Samaradivakara (SRI) by VSU, 10 – 0 Arsen Harutyunyan (ARM) df. Yousef Mohamed Yousef Eissa (EGY) by VSU, 10 – 0 Kodai Ogawa (JPN) df. Adam Visrailovitch Biboulatov (FRA) by VSU, 10 – 0 Ramaz Turmanidze (GEO) df. Nico Mergerle (GER) by VPO1, 4 – 1
65kg
Gold:
Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM) df. Hamza Alaca (TUR) by VPO1, 8 – 4
Bronze:
Ryoma Anraku (JPN) df. Adlan Askarov (KAZ) by VPO1, 7 – 7 Erik Arushanian (UKR) df. Kian Hosseinali Mahmoudjanloo (IRI) by VPO1, 11 – 8
Repechage:
Ryoma Anraku (JPN) df. Daniel Troy Coles (CAN) by VSU1, 11 – 1 Kian Hosseinali Mahmoudjanloo (IRI) df. Samuel Eddie Alvarez Jr. (PUR) by VPO1, 9 – 4 Kian Hosseinali Mahmoudjanloo (IRI) df. Said Islam Hosseini (FIN) by VSU, 10 – 0 Daniel Troy Coles (CAN) df. Ross Taylor Connelly (GBR) by VSU1, 12 – 1
Zane Simon & Eddie Mercado are back to breakdown this Saturday’s, October 22nd, UFC 280: ‘Oliveira vs. Makhachev’ PPV event. The guys will have hot takes, possible next fights, as well as reactions to the overall event.
Bloody Elbow fight experts, Zane Simon & his cohort, Eddie Mercado recorded for you on Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, with a breakdown of the UFC 280: ‘Oliveira vs Makhachev’ 12-bout PPV (pay-per-view) event; which took place at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, aka: ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
June M. Williams
The guys have hot takes, possible next fights, as well as reactions to the overall event in the player above, or they can be caught on our Bloody Elbow Presents YouTube Channel or any platform in our BE Presents Podcast Network.
For all the results, reactions and a plethora of details about the main card, and plenty of tidbits about all the prelims, be sure to hit play on the show to hear what our fight experts have to say!
Overall, this now 12-bout card saw one exciting first round finish, two thrilling KO/TKO’s, two sweet submissions, and eight hard-fought decisions; one controversial split, one majority. Rounding things out, our fighters who were awarded for putting forth BONUS efforts included — POTN: Belal Muhammad and Islam Makhachev. FOTN: Sean O’Malley vs Petr Yan.
Here’s a look at the UFC 280: ‘Oliveira vs Makhachev’ fight card & current records —
Main & co-main events scheduled for five rounds. All other bouts scheduled for three rounds. | Official 280 Scorecards
MAIN CARD | SAT. OCT. 15 12. UFC Vacant Lightweight Championship: Islam Makhachev (23-1) DEF. Charles Oliveira (33-9) — via submission (arm triangle choke) at 3:17 of Round 2
11. UFC Bantamweight Championship: Aljamain Sterling (22-3) DEF. T.J. Dillashaw (17-5) — via TKO (strikes) at 3:44 of Round 2
10. Sean O’Malley (16-1) DEF. Petr Yan (16-4) — via controversial split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
3. Armen Petrosyan (7-2) DEF. AJ Dobson (6-2) — via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2. Muhammad Mokaev (8-0) DEF. Malcolm Gordon (14-6) — via submission (armbar) at 4:26 of Round 3
1. Karol Rosa (16-4) DEF. Lina Landsberg (10-7) — via majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)
Be sure to follow Zane – @TheZaneSimon& Eddie – @TheEddieMercado; and follow @BloodyElbow on twitter as well, for all the latest in MMA happenings.
If you enjoy our wide variety of shows, give us a shout out in the comments here on Bloody Elbow, and give us a “like”, share & subscribe on your BE Presents Podcast platform of choice: SoundCloud, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, OverCast, Player FM, & Amazon Music– For previous episodes, check out our playlists on any of our BE Presents channels.
Join us again for another episode of the ‘6th Round’ next Saturday, October 29th, for the UFC Vegas 63: ‘KATTAR VS ALLENFIGHT NIGHT event!
A day after UFC 280, the promotion will continue with the “Road to UFC” semi-final rounds. These four tournaments are designed to find Asian talent and will have fighters from China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, India and Indonesia represented.
The opening rounds started with 32 fighters back in June, and after this event, they’ll determine the two finalists on each of the four divisions. Toshiomi Kazama already managed to earn himself a free slot to the bantamweight finals a day earlier, with his opponent Min Woo Kim badly missing weight.
Road to UFC will be available to be streamed live on UFC Fight Pass. Join us live on Sunday, October 23, starting at 7 a.m. ET for Episode 5 of Road to UFC, with Episode 6 starting after at 9 a.m. ET.
Seen below are everything you need about the card, including full results, fight card, videos, and the tournament brackets.
How to watch:
Road to UFC will be streamed live on UFC Fight Pass internationally at 7 a.m. ET and 9 a.m. ET for Episodes 5 and 6, respectively. For other Asian countries, you can also catch them here:
China: MIGU, Hong Kong: NOW SPORTS, India: SONY TEN 2, Indonesia: MOLA, Japan: WOWOW, Malaysia: ASTRO SUPERSPORT 5, UNIFI TV, MOLA, Myanmar: CANAL+, Philippines: TAP GO, PREMIER SPORTS, Singapore: HUB SPORTS, MIO SPORTS, MOLA, South Korea: TVN, TVN SHOW, TVN SPORTS, TVING, Thailand & Cambodia: TRUE SPORTS HD3, Vietnam: K+ SPORTS
Brackets:
Full Results:
Episode 5: Sunday, October 23, 7 a.m. ET
Featherweight Semis: Yi Zha vs Koyomi Matsushima
Flyweight Semis: Qui Lun vs Seung Guk Choi
Lightweight Semis: Won Bin Ki vs Jeka Saragih
Non-tournament featherweight: Balajin vs Keisuke Sasu
Episode 6: Sunday, October 23, 9 a.m. ET
Featherweight Semis: Jeong Yeong Lee vs Lu Kai
Bantamweight Semis: Rinya Nakamura vs Shohei Nose
Flyweight Semis: Topnoi Kiwram vs Hyun Sung Park
Lightweight Semis: Anshul Jubli vs Kyung Pyo Kim
Non-tournament welterweight: Samandar Murodov vs Gian Siqueira
* Toshiomi Kazama vs Min Woo Kim was cancelled after weigh ins. Kazama advanced to the finals.
Sean O’Malley defeated Petr Yan at UFC 280. | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Sean O’Malley defeated Petr Yan at UFC 280. On Twitter, pro fighters did not agree with the result.
In a thrilling three-round battle, Sean O’Malley emerged victorious against former champion Petr Yan at UFC 280. After 15 minutes of mostly striking, ‘Suga’ scored a split decision win in Abu Dhabi. However, professional fighters did not agree with the judges’ call on Twitter.
Massive spot for O’Malley! Lotta questions answered tonight ladies and gentlemen
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 22, 2022
WAAAAAR YAN! Constant pressure from bell to bell
LET’S GOOOOO!#UFC280
— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) October 22, 2022
Don’t blink. It’s going to be one clean shot
— LERONE MURPHY (@LeroneMurphy) October 22, 2022
Gahhh damn!!!!
— Jalin Turner (@JalinTurner) October 22, 2022
“Hes too fast for you” lol?
— David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) October 22, 2022
REVERSE UNO CARD FROM YAN WHAT A FIGHT!! #UFC280
— Jeff Molina (@jmolina_125) October 22, 2022
Let’s go O malley #UFC280
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) October 22, 2022
O’malley is good I’ll admit that but he is a pussy , I’ve seen him quit at least twice in that round #UFC280
— Javid Basharat (@JavidBasharat) October 22, 2022
Great showing for O’Malley regardless of the results.
— Randy Brown (@TouchNgo_) October 22, 2022
What a performance by both fighters. Fight of the night !!!
— Aleksandar Rakic (@rakic_ufc) October 22, 2022
I donno about that
— Eryk Anders (@erykanders) October 22, 2022
You’ve got to be kidding me.
— Juan Adams mma (@chosenjuan285) October 22, 2022
Wtf just happened!!! Yan won that fight. That’s insane
— Cody Stamann (@CodyStamann) October 22, 2022
Terrible!
♂️
— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) October 22, 2022
What?! #UFC280
— Justin Tafa (@justin_tafa) October 22, 2022
Idk about that great fight tho congrats to Sean
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) October 22, 2022
Told y’all O’Malley was getting that dub #UFC280
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) October 22, 2022
All I can say is WOW #UFC280
— Jornel A1 Lugo (@Aunolugo) October 22, 2022
Don’t know about that #UFC280
— Neil 2 Tap Seery (@NeilSeeryMMA) October 22, 2022
THERE’S NO EFFING WAY
— Mike “Beast Boy” Davis (@MikeDavisMMA) October 22, 2022
Yan won this fight!!#UFC280
— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) October 22, 2022
Judges in Abu Dhabi are fucking careers up #ufc280
— BMF.eth (@GamebredFighter) October 22, 2022
Wow talk about UFC privilege this is getting outta hand.
— Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) October 22, 2022
Wowwwwwww. I had Yan winning 30-27 but none the less, O’Malley showed he’s an elite bantamweight. I’m sold that he’ll get his hands on a belt someday. #UFC280
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) October 22, 2022
When they want someone to be at the top it seems to always go that way. Tough to see what the thought process on that decision was.
— Chris Wade (@CWadeMMA) October 22, 2022
Wow great fight amazing by both but the was pure robbery!!!#UFC280
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) October 22, 2022
Wow that was the worst call I’ve seen in a long time! Yan definitely won that fight
— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) October 22, 2022
Wow! don’t leave it to the judges the judges will make you cry…… @BurtWatson4real
— Daniel Pineda (@DanielPitPineda) October 22, 2022
Shame the judges ruined such a good fight but the good news is we might see it again. I bet O’Malley is even better when it happens too, sheesh that was a banger. What did y’all think?
Charles Oliveira at the UFC 280 ceremonial weigh-ins in Abu Dhabi. | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Charles Oliveira promises to make a statement in the UFC 280 main event.
Charles Oliveira is fired up ahead of his UFC 280 lightweight title fight with Islam Makhachev, threatening to ‘kill this guy’ after their intense face-off at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins.
LET’S. F’N. GO. @CharlesDoBronxs vs. @MakhachevMMA is as good as it gets! #UFC280 pic.twitter.com/8dJ72P9zTm
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 21, 2022
“I will kill this guy,” an irate Oliveira said as he walked backstage after his staredown with Makhachev.
Makhachev, by comparison, seemed energized and excited about Saturday’s matchup, telling the UFC: “I see big support, big support from [the crowd]. And tomorrow night is gonna be crazy. All people who support me, thank you so much.”
Oliveira heads into this fight riding an eleven-fight win streak while Makhachev has won his last ten in a row and is tipped as the -190 favorite to get his hands raised on Saturday and leave Etihad Arena with the UFC lightweight championship around his waist.
Both men will headline the blockbuster UFC 280 card in Abu Dhabi which features a co-headlining bantamweight title fight between Aljamain Sterling and T.J. Dillashaw as well as a No. 1 contender’s matchup between bantamweights Petr Yan and Sean O’Malley. Safe to say, this is one of the biggest events of the year, so be sure to tune in when the action kicks off at 10:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. PT (prelims) and 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT (main card).
Charles Oliveira ahead of his UFC 280 lightweight title fight with Islam Makhachev | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Check out the live results and highlights for the UFC 280 PPV main card.
Keep up with what’s happening today on the highly anticipated UFC 280 PPV main card, which is going down from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. at a special early start time.
In this post, we are going to cover the first-two matchups of the PPV portion of the event. We will be starting with the UFC’s #1 ranked women’s strawweight, Katlyn Chookagian, who will be tangling with the #6 ranked, Manon Fiorot. After that, we’ll be covering the promotion’s #6 rated lightweight, Beneil Dariush, who is dancing with the #9 rated, Mateusz Gamrot.
The PPV main card is slated for 2:00pm ET/11:00am PT, and can be purchased on ESPN+. The preliminary bouts begin at an extra early 10:30am ET/7:00am, PT, which can be streamed on ESPN+.
Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279. | Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
The UFC is giving Chimaev one more chance to hit the welterweight limit, but against who?
UFC president Dana White is giving Khamzat Chimaev ‘one more opportunity’ at 170 pounds.
In what would have been his first UFC headliner, Chimaev missed weight by 7.5 pounds for his fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 279 this past September. Because of the weight miss (and the circumstances around it), ‘Borz’ and his team hinted at a return to middleweight for his next appearance. However, it appears as though the UFC has decided to give him the go-ahead to stay at welterweight — for now.
“Khamzat wants to fight at 170,” White told BT Sport. “I’m gonna give him one more opportunity to fight at 170. He needs to deliver and make the weight. I would love to do that fight in England, too. I’m telling you, I’m going to bring a badass card to England.”
In its return to England, the UFC has set its sights on the trilogy between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman for the headliner. As for the co-headliner, White told Oscar Willis of The Mac Life that he would be open to Chimaev vs. Colby Covington.
“I’ll get it done,” said White.
White wanted Chimaev to share the Octagon with Covington following his fight with Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 in April. The UFC president said with a win, the undefeated upstart would get ‘Chaos’ next. That never happened, but the fight could be on the horizon again.
Covington has not fought since his unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal earlier this year.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is widely considered the greatest UFC lightweight champion of all time. | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
“Because all my life, it was on my hands, not inside my heart. It was never inside my heart.
UFC lightweight GOAT turned MMA coach Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed that he doesn’t miss fighting because ‘it was never inside my heart’.
Nurmagomedov, widely considered one of the greatest fighters of all time, retired in 2020 following the death of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who coached him from an early age in Dagestan.
The undefeated Russian, who retired a perfect 29-0 with three title defenses under his belt, once again reiterated his desire to stay retired despite repeated calls for him to make a comeback and reclaim his lightweight championship.
“Honestly no [I don’t miss it],” Nurmagomedov told The Muslim Money Guys in a recent interview (h/t BJPenn.com). “When I miss something like competition, I go to the gym and wrestle, grapple, train. I spend my energy there. Like comeback? Go to the cage? No, I don’t miss it.”
“Because all my life, it was on my hands, not inside my heart. It was never inside my heart. Of course I like it, you have to love what you’re doing. I was a very big fan of sports because my goal was to become the best, to become the champion like everybody has to do. But when I’m finished, I’m finished.”
“It’s easy. It’s very easy [to walk away],” he added. “If it’s inside your heart, to leave this alone it’s very hard. It was inside my heart. Now finished, I go do other things. Nothing [would make me return]. Never. I leave this sport alone, without myself. There is always going to be some champion without my name, too. It’s going to be Charles Oliveira, it’s going to be Islam [Makhachev] or another name after Islam because Islam is not going to be there all his life. Short time, a couple of years, finished.”
“This is a high-level sport. I was champion. Right now, I’m not champion and this is normal. You can never be champion all like seven years, eight years. There is a couple of years, that’s your prime time. Finished, bye-bye. You can stay just to make money but you’ll never be champion.”
Since retiring in 2020, Khabib has shifted his attention toward coaching, following in the footsteps of his father. He is the coach and mentor of No. 4-ranked lightweight Islam Makhachev, who has promised ‘more title defenses’ than Khabib and a move up to welterweight if he defeats Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.
That PPV, which features Oliveira vs. Makhachev as the main event, takes place tomorrow afternoon at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
June M. Williams 
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