CombatSports.org

submitted by /u/rmma
[link] [comments]
MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Dana White is all for Amanda Nunes returning to the UFC.

This past weekend, Julianna Peña reclaimed the women’s bantamweight title with a split decision victory over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307. Following her win, instead of calling out her most likely next opponent, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, Peña instead called for Nunes to return from retirement for a trilogy fight.

Peña and Nunes have a longstanding rivalry, with Peña scoring one of the biggest upsets in MMA history by beating Nunes at UFC 269, before promptly losing the title to her in their rematch seven months later. And given their history, on Monday, Nunes appeared to respond to Peña’s callout with a social media post telling Dana White to call her.

And for White, that’s good news.

“She looks good,” White told reporters following Tuesday’s episode of Contender Series. “She looks great. Looks like she’s still in shape. So you know where her head is at, and I love that about here. There’s a lot of things I love about her, I love that about her. She’s keeping an eye on who wins the title next and I think she’s teasing that she might be interested in coming back.”

Whether or not Nunes is actually interested in returning remains to be seen. “The Lioness” retired from MMA last year after avenging her loss to Peña and then defeating Irene Aldana at UFC 289.

Of course, Nunes may not be teasing a return for Peña. Prior to her shocking upset defeat to Peña at UFC 269, there were rumors that Peña and Harrison — teammates at American Top Team — were circling a fight with each other. This was back when Harrison was negotiating with PFL, and Harrison was actually in attendance for the bout.

But whoever she might be coming back for, if she actually is at all, Dana White is here for it.

“I love Amanda Nunes,” White said. “I have an incredible relationship with her. I would absolutely love to see her come back.”

MMA Fighting – All Posts

Superstardom
| BJPenn.com

It’s that time!

Contender Series keeps rolling on for two more weeks of mixed martial arts (MMA) action. Week nine goes down tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, in front of UFC CEO, Dana White, and his cadre of matchmakers.

As has become standard for the program of late, all five fighters earned UFC contracts last week.

In the main event this evening, Alex Pereira slayer, Artem Vakhitov (2-1), takes on French viral knockout artist, Islem Masraf (3-0). Vakhitov is the last person to defeat Pereira in kickboxing. In the co-main event, Kody Steele (6-0) — whose opponent quit because of a panic attack — returns to the show, taking on Chasen Blair (6-2). The “Featured” bout sees Heavyweights clash as Mario Pinto (8-0) takes on Lucas Camacho (6-0). Islam Dulatov (10-1) — who was supposed to compete on week one — fights Vanilto Antunes (16-8). Last, and certainly not least, two Australian champions kick off the card as Anthony Drilich (8-1) fights Sean Gauci (9-1), who has a win over Steve Erceg.

‘Contender Series’ Quick Results:

Artem Vakhitov defeats Islem Masraf via knockout (punch) Round 1, 2:23
Kody Steele defeats Chasen Blair via knockout (body punch) Round 2, 4:07
Mario Pinto defeats Lucas Camacho via knockout (punch) Round 1, 1:43
Islam Dulatov defeats Vanilto Antunes via knockout (elbow) Round 1, 2:44
Sean Gauci defeats Anthony Drilich via unanimous decision (29-28×3)

‘Contender Series’ Highlights & Results:

185 lbs.: Artem Vakhitov defeats Islem Masraf via knockout

155 lbs.: Kody Steele defeats Chasen Blair via knockout

265 lbs.: Mario Pinto defeats Lucas Camacho via knockout

170 lbs.: IIslam Dulatov defeats Vanilto Antunes via knockout

125 lbs.: Sean Gauci defeats Anthony Drilich via unanimous decision

For more Contender Series news and notes, be sure to hit up our comprehensive archive right here.

MMAmania.com – All Posts

Kayla Harrison entered the UFC cage for the second time this past Saturday to defeat Ketlen Vieira in Salt Lake City and move one step closer to the bantamweight title, and Larissa Pacheco disapproved the PFL social media game that day.

Harrison started her MMA career under the PFL banner in 2018 and won 15 of her 16 bouts. The lone defeat came against Pacheco, whom she beat twice before, and PFL used Harrison’s big UFC 307 clash to promote Pacheco’s upcoming fight with MMA legend Cris Cyborg on Oct. 19. PFL also posted a clip promoting Harrison later that day.

“I thought that was uncalled for, honestly,” Pacheco said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “I think [PFL] have the champion they deserve, they have a respectful champion, who has defeated Kayla, so why do that? Promote me right. Let’s promote the champion. ‘Oh, but Larissa beat Kayla.’ You don’t need that. I’ve shown [my work] with other results, I’ve proven myself, so you don’t need that.

“But anyway, that’s not on me. I have nothing to do with that. I respect Kayla. Our rivalry is over right now because she’s in another organization. Had she stayed here it would be the two of us and Cris clashing heads here, but there’s no reason to talk [about her now]. I wish her good luck. The more she wins, the bigger my win over her gets, so I’ll always cheer for her.”

UFC CEO Dana White also bashed PFL for the tweet, joking that “when you’re losing as much money as they are, f*cking go for it.”

Cyborg is a legend of the sport with titles won in the UFC, Bellator, Strikeforce and Invicta FC. Pacheco looks to make history by adding the Brazilian to her list of victims after winning belts in two weight classes in the PFL.

Pacheco is riding a 10-fight winning streak and has only lost to Harrison, Germaine de Randamie and Jessica Andrade in 27 professional fights, but feels “it’s clear to everybody” that PFL has promoted Harrison differently.

“I don’t know if it’s because I’m Brazilian, if it’s because I don’t speak English and don’t sell that much, but I feel the difference,” Pacheco said. “She’s not even here anymore and they still [post] a lot about her, you know? She’s gone, she’s already in another organization. I think they can look at people that are in the organization.”

Pacheco hopes the public perception — and actual PFL marketing machine — changes with a win over Cyborg in Saudi Arabia.

“I think it takes me to another level, makes me one of the greats in women’s MMA,” Pacheco said. “To beat two great athletes — one two-time Olympic champion with all the hype now in the UFC, and a legend [in Cyborg]… What else do I need to say? It will take me to another level and give me the credibility promotions still don’t give me. I miss that, I won’t deny. Even from the PFL, to treat me and give credit as their actual champion.”

“People give too much weight to the fact that I’ve lost to Kayla, but I’ve l lost in 2019, when I was broken, and people don’t take that in consideration. And I won when we were both in our primes, the peak of our performances. I’m not saying one win deserves more credit than two, but there’s a huge difference. And beating Cris now would give me the hype and credibility that I need at this stage of my career.”

MMA Fighting – All Posts

submitted by /u/event_threads
[link] [comments]
MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

MMA Fighting has DWCS Season 8, Week 9 results for all the action from season eight, week nine of UFC’s Contender Series on Tuesday night at UFC APEX in Las Vegas.

In the main event, Artem Vakhitov (2-1) faces Islem Masraf in a heavyweight contest. Vakhitov, a former GLORY kickboxer, has competed in the kickboxing ring with current UFC light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira, going 1-1 including a decision victory over “Poatan” in September 2021. Vakhitov enters the bout with back-to-back first-round finishes under his belt.

Masraf has finished all three of his opponents, including a 10-second head-kick knockout in his most recent outing at PFL Europe 1 in March. Masraf has yet to go past the seven-minute mark in any of his pro bouts.

In the co-main event, Kody Steele gets his chance to compete in front of Dana White and crew as he faces Chasen Blair. The undefeated Steele was slated to face Quemuel Ottoni on the Sept. 10 DWCS fight card, but Ottoni withdrew from the bout moments before.

Check out DWCS Season 8, Week 9 results below.

Main card (ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET)

Artem Vakhitov vs. Islem Masraf

Kody Steele vs. Chasen Blair

Mario Pinto vs. Luis Camacho

Islam Dulatov vs. Vanilto Antunes

Sean Gauci vs. Anthony Drilich

MMA Fighting – All Posts

Dustin Poirier is used to being a closing act in the UFC octagon, but on Monday night, he did so during the wildly popular Kill Tony comedy program.

During comedian William Montgomery’s set on the popular comedy show, hosted by Tony Hinchcliffe, he mentioned the former interim lightweight champion. He accused Poirier of talking trash about him and added that he could not stand the popular fighter.

As Montgomery’s voice got higher and higher, “The Diamond” showed up from the backstage area behind Montgomery on stage. After going nose-to-nose, the two hugged it out before simultaneously yelling, “We ain’t ever going to stop” to wide fanfare.

Watch the video of Poirier’s appearance above.

Poirier did his absolute best to put on a mean face, but you could tell he couldn’t hold his laughter back at moments before the friendly payoff.

Following a submission loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June, Poirier hinted at retirement. Since then, Poirier has teased one more fight, which has yet to be announced.

MMA Fighting – All Posts

Warning
| BJPenn.com

WBC, WBO and IBF champion Artur Beterbiev will face WBA titleholder Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight championship this Sat. night (Oct. 12, 2024) at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the winner unifying the 175-pound straps for the very first time in the four-belt era.

The card will stream LIVE on the ESPN+ digital network at 6 p.m. ET.

“When I signed a contract to be a pro boxer, I had a goal to become undisputed champion,” Bivol said at the kickoff press conference back in April. “Everything that I have gone through has been for that. I did it to achieve my goal. Even the fight against Canelo, it was my ticket for big fights. And now I’m happy that I will have this fight on June 1 for all the belts. I believe I can be undisputed champion.”

For more boxing news and notes click here.

MMAmania.com – All Posts