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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

MIAMI — A retiring Joanne Wood reflects on her UFC 299 win over Maryna Moroz and her memorable 12-year MMA career.

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After a stunning victory at UFC 299 over Benoit St. Denis, Dustin Poirier may have casually dropped major fight news on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Dustin Poirier was as big as a +184 underdog leading into the matchup, while fans, media, and fellow fighters highly criticized that line. The fight itself was a complete war. Benoit St. Denis pursued ‘The Diamond’ relentlessly, and at times it was all Poirier could do to cover up and weather the storm.

The Diamond’ kept jumping for guillotines and placing himself in bad positions on the ground, but his wrestling and jiu-jitsu game spoke for itself. Each time Poirier landed in those spots, he would go on to defend very well.

In the second round, Poirier could almost touch St. Denis at will, and St. Denis did not take his power well at all. Each shot seemed to stumble the ‘God of War’, and eventually, Poirier’s pure power and accuracy sealed the deal and landed him another stunning KO finish to add to the collection.

Dustin Poirier Casually Hints At Potential Big Fight News

After the monumental victory, Dustin Poirier wasted no time before letting the fight world in on his potential next move. Responding to Makhachev’s manager who first offered the fight on X, Poirier would seemingly confirm the fight on his own channel.

“Islam in June,” Poirier posted on X. Nothing less, and nothing more. Of course, this is not proof in itself of the fight coming to fruition. Such things are often bantered about, and Poirier would no doubt love to end his career as a UFC champion. However, could one speculate that the matchup itself makes a lot of sense? Yes, absolutely.

Dustin Poirier, despite his age, remains one of the greatest lightweights in the UFC’s history. A fight with Islam Makhachev is almost destined to be, especially when factoring in Poirier’s history with Khabib Nurmagomedov (who is like a brother to Islam).

Regardless of what happens, a fight between the two would be of monumental proportions. While not inked in stone, it could be safe to assume the fight will be a done deal sooner, rather than later.

Who would you like to see Islam Makhachev defend his lightweight title against?

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

MIAMI – UFC newcomer Michael Page spoke to reporters after his UFC 299 win, his first time fighting in the octagon, his entrance, what “Venom” wants next, and more.

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Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley put his title on the line for the first time on Saturday against a familia foe in Marlon “Chito” Vera.  Vera handed O’Malley his first and only career loss in their first fight at UFC 252 in August 2020. 

O’Malley entered the bout coming of a TKO win over former champion Aljamain Sterling.  Vera was coming off a decision win over Pedro Munhoz.

There was no touch of gloves between the two, and no one expected there to be.  The two exchanged leg kicks to start the fight.  O”Malley connected with a front kick to the body.  He followed up with a spinning back kick to the body.  Vera was very patient waiting for an opening.  O’Malley connected with a right hand.  Vera responded with a kick to the body.  O’Malley switched stances and switched back.  He landed a straight left hand.  Vera landed a kick to the body followed by a left hand.  

O’Malley was efficient with his strikes and had more output than Vera.  O’Malley went to the body with two punches.  Vera exploded forward with a left.  MMAWeekly scored the first round 10-9 for O’Malley.    

O’Malley unloaded a kick and Vera blocked to start the second round.  O’Malley landed a right hand and went to the body.  Vera connected with a strong leg kick.  O’Malley continued to target the body.  He went high with a kick that partially landed.  O’Malley stepped into the pocket with a stiff jab.  Vera landed to the body with a kick.  O’Malley answered with a right hand.  O’Malley started to let his hands go.  He connected with a combination.  O’malley appeared to be much faster than Vera.  

Vera connected with a left hand with two minutes remaining in the round.  O’Malley connected with a huge knee on the chin of Vera.  Vera retreated but absorbed it.  O’Malley landed a right hand.  Vera’s face was busted up.  O’Malley continued to land right hands.  Vera responded with a right hand.  O’Malley connected with a counter right hand.  A right hand knocked Vera to a knee in the closing seconds.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for O’Malley.

The two took the center of the cage to start the third.  Vera pressed forward but O’Malley moved out of range.  O’Malley connected with a right hand.  O’Malley had a higher output than Vera.  Vera exploded forward but O’Malley avoided taking anything significant.  O’Malley delivered a straight left hand.  O’Malley went to the body with a right hand.  O’Malley landed a combination.  Vera responded with a left hand.  O’Malley had a higher output.  Vera connected with a right hand that go O’Malley’s attention.  MMAWeekly scored the round for O’Malley.

Vera came out aggressive in the fourth.  He landed a right and and leaped in with a knee.  O’Malley pawed with his jab.  Vera connected with a left hand.  Vera pressed forward.  O’Malley circled away and delivered a combination.  Vera popped O’Malley’s head back with a jab.  Vera landed a left hand.  O’Malley tripped Vera and then let him stand.  O’Malley began bleeding from the nose.  

Vera landed a combination.  O’Malley responded with a right hand to the body.  O’Malley continued to have a higher output than Vera.  Vera connected with a left hand.  O’Malley delivered a combination.  O’Malley targeted the body as he’s done the entire fight.  Vera pressed O’Malley and landed a right hand.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for O’Malley, but it was Vera’s best round.

O’Malley came out in the final round working behind his jab.  He landed a straight right hand that hurt Vera.  O’Malley pressed Vera looking for the finish.  O’Malley jumped in with a knee.  O’Malley took his time and picked Vera apart.  Vera’s left eye began severely swollen.  He hit O’Malley with a left hand with two minutes remaining in the bout.  O’Malley continued to land to the body.  Vera landed a knee and O’Malley responded with a flurry of punches.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for O’Malley  

All three judges scored the fight for O’Malley by unanimous decision.  The scorecards read 50-45, 50-45, and 50-44.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Ilia Topuria was impressed by Sean O’Malley’s dominant performance against Marlon Vera at UFC 299, but he believes the bantamweight champion has another hurdle to leap over before moving up to challenge for the 145-pound title.

O’Malley retained the bantamweight belt with a scorecard-sweeping unanimous decision on Saturday night in Miami. Speaking with Joe Rogan following his victory, he called for a fight against Topuria as his top choice, but he also said that if the UFC preferred that “Sugar” defend his 135-pound belt against No. 1 contender Merab Dvalishvili next, he would be fine with that option.

Topuria reacted to O’Malley’s first title defense, and responded to the callout on Twitter.

“Suga, congrats… was a beautiful performance,” Topuria said. “There is a fight chasing you with Merab. Get that done first.”

Topuria captured the UFC featherweight title with a “Knockout of the Year” contender, delivering a second-round finish of longtime champion Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 298 in February. The new champ and UFC CEO Dana White are hopeful that Topuria’s first title defense will take place in Spain later this year.

Following Saturday’s event, White said there is no official timeline for the promotion’s first trip to the area at the moment.

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