Demetrious Johnson: I have no problem working back to ONE Championship rematch vs. Adriano Moraes

Losing may be an unfamiliar feeling for Demetrious Johnson, but he’s willing to climb back up the ladder.

Losing may be an unfamiliar feeling for [autotag]Demetrious Johnson[/autotag], but he’s willing to climb back up the ladder.

Johnson (30-4-1) suffered the first stoppage loss of his career when he was knocked out by flyweight champion [autotag]Adriano Moraes[/autotag] (19-3) at ONE on TNT I in April.

Following his monumental win, Moraes said he’s willing to give Johnson a rematch, but while the former longtime UFC flyweight king would like to run things back, he wouldn’t be surprised if the promotion went in a different direction.

“It’s always been my preference in all my career, even when I beat people and they’ve lost to me – I have no problem working may way back up to a title shot,” Johnnson told MMA Junkie Radio. “But if they offer it to me, I’ll take it.”

Check out Johnson’s interview in the video above, in which he touched on what it will be like to work back from the rare loss, training during the pandemic and more.

[vertical-gallery id=601481]

[listicle id=601308]

Christian Lee: Eddie Alvarez ‘hasn’t done anything’ to earn ONE Championship title shot

Christian Lee wants to carry out his ONE Championship title reign “the right way,” and that means shutting Eddie Alvarez out of a fight.

[autotag]Christian Lee[/autotag] wants to carry out his ONE Championship title reign “the right way,” and that means shutting [autotag]Eddie Alvarez[/autotag] out of a fight.

Lee (15-3), the reigning lightweight champ, has been the recipient of endless callouts from former UFC titleholder Alvarez (30-8). It would be a high profile fight for ONE Championship, but Lee doesn’t think Alvarez is deserving of the opportunity due to his recent record.

On paper, Alvarez has just one win in four fights since joining ONE Championship in March 2019. Alvarez thinks that’s deceptive, though, because he argues he should’ve won the decision in his most recent bout with Rae Yoon Ok, then also feels robbed of a victory in his no contest with Iuri Lapicus one fight prior.

Lee said he’s not buying into all that, though, and doesn’t intend to let Alvarez get the title shot without the results.

“In terms of Eddie, it’s a fight that the company really wanted,” Lee told MMA Junkie Radio. “They wanted to send the ONE champion in to face the former UFC champion, to beat him. I think Eddie’s a great opponent, but he’s on a three-fight losing streak. Aside from his win over Eduard Folayang, he hasn’t won inside the promotion. I know they overturned his fight with Iuri to a no contest because he was making a big deal out of it, but then he went in there with a decision loss to Rae Yoon Ok. As much as people want that fight to happen, it’s not going to happen anytime soon because Eddie hasn’t done anything to prove he’s earned his way up to the top.”

Lee did ease up a bit on his stance, admitted that he’s “never turned down a fight” once the ONE Championship brass send him a bout agreement. That hasn’t happened though yet, he said, and he thinks the organization understands his position.

That position can change, Lee said, but it falls on Alvarez to do the work.

In terms of where the company’s at, I think they want that fight to happen,” Lee said. “But it just doesn’t make sense right now and if he can do his job and win a few more fights over ranked opponents, then sure. I’m all for it. But for now I think he’ just running his mouth over social media because he wants this fight. He’s in a race against time, he’s getting older every day and he’s on a losing streak. He’s hoping he’ll just do a few callouts and to get his way there, but I think it’ll take a bit more time.”

In the meantime, Lee said he sees a viable alternative to Alvarez, and that’s the man who just beat him.

“In my eyes there’s only one real contender who could be worthy for a title shot: That’s Rae Yoon Ok,” Lee said. “Because he beat (Marat) Gafurov, who was No. 5 at the time. (He) took his spot there. Then from there he went on to get a decision win over Eddie Alvarez, so he’d be up there and the only guy who is really deserving of a shot.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr3zP5OVJCM

USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, June 8: Marcin Tybura climbs back into list

Marcin Tybura is no stranger to the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, but he’d spent more than two years without his name on them.

Poland’s [autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag] is no stranger to the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie heavyweight rankings, but he’d spent more than two years without his name on them.

Tybura (22-6, 9-5 UFC) battled through a 1-4 stretch between 2017 and 2019, and he slid down the list and eventually completely out of the heavyweight rankings. However, he’s since put together an impressive five-fight win streak, including a “Performance of the Night” win over Walt Harris (13-10 MMA, 6-8 UFC) at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night 189 event.

With his most recent victory, Tybura returns to the rankings at No. 15 and hopes to continue rising back up the list.

Of course, Tybura and Harris weren’t the only heavyweights in action on the card, with [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) also scoring a first-round stoppage of [autotag]Augusto Sakai[/autotag] (15-3-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) in the night’s main event.

With UFC Fight Night 189 in the books, take a peek at the new look of the heavyweight rankings. Additionally, check out the remaining divisions ahead of an incredibly busy weekend of upcoming action.

‘ONE Championship: Full Blast’ results: Xie’s flying knee cuts Agasa, ends fight between rounds

Check out the results from Friday’s “ONE Championship: Full Blast” event in Singapore.

ONE Championship returned to action on Friday at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore for “ONE Championship: Full Blast.” The tape-delayed event, which streamed on B/R Live, featured three mixed martial arts bouts.

The feature MMA bout on the card was between India’s [autotag]Kantharaj Agasa[/autotag] (11-3) and China’s [autotag]Wei Xie[/autotag] (7-4).

An aggressive wrestler, Agasa’s game plan was on display from the onset as he came out of the gates looking to secure takedowns. However, Xie was ready and successfully defended the first attempts to bring the action to the mat. Most of the first round was spent in the clinch as Agasa tried to bring the fight to the ground. Xie was able implement his own game plan and land a few sharp strikes between defending takedowns. It was apparent that Agasa was not interested in trading strikes with the sharp kickboxer.

[lawrence-related id=611570]

In the second round, Xie kept the pressure high, forcing Agasa to circle on the outside of the cage while he searched for openings to land strikes. Midway through the round, Xie landed a hard leg kick that knocked his opponent off his feet briefly. Agasa almost completed a single leg takedown with just over a minute remaining in the round, but Xie immediately returned to his feet. Agasa did not give up on the attempt and continued to pressure against the fence, but it was to no avail. In the closing moments of the round, Xie landed a flying knee to counter a takedown attempt, which caused a deep cut on the forehead of Agasa.

Between rounds, Agasa did not get off the stool and his corner called for a stop to the bout, giving Xie the win by TKO.

Kelly takes split decision

The second bout on the card saw [autotag]Edward Kelly[/autotag] (13-8) face [autotag]Ahmed Faress[/autotag] (16-4). Early on, Faress looked to utilize his striking power while Kelly wanted to bring the fight to the canvas. Despite a pair of deep triangle attempts from Faress, Kelly survived and continued to find success on the feet and in superior positions on the mat.

Two of the judges saw the fight for Kelly, who earned a split decision victory that snapped a two-fight skid.

Do sleeps Liang with triangle choke

In the first fight of the event, [autotag]Anthony Do[/autotag] (8-4) took on [autotag]Hui Liang[/autotag] (5-7-1) in a catchweight bout. The first round was filled with back-and-forth action on the mat, with both fighters having successful moments. Late in the second, Liang attempted a takedown, but it was immediately countered by a triangle attempt by Do – and it was deep.

Do returned to the win column in spectacular fashion with a slick triangle that put his opponent to sleep.

‘ONE Championship: Full Blast’ results:

MAIN CARD

  • Xie Wei def. Kantharaj Agasa via TKO (corner stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00
  • Edward Kelly def. Ahmed Faress via split decision
  • Anthony Do def. Hui Liang via triangle submission – Round 2

Arjan Bhullar eyes double-champ status at ONE Championship – but not until he defends heavyweight title

Newly crowned ONE heavyweight champion Arjan Bhullar has aspirations of hoisting up two belts someday.

Newly crowned ONE heavyweight champion [autotag]Arjan Bhullar[/autotag] has aspirations of hoisting up two belts someday.

Bhullar (11-1) recently made history by becoming the first fighter of Indian descent to win a title in mixed martial arts when he stopped Brandon Vera in the second round to claim the heavyweight belt at “ONE Championship: Dangal” in Singapore.

Having competed at heavyweight for his entire pro career, Bhullar is now seeking a move down to light heavyweight to chase after a second belt – but not until he’s defended his heavyweight title first.

“I’m always looking for another challenge and to make history and grow,” Bhullar told MMA Junkie. “Vera tried to go down and was unsuccessful, so there’s never been anyone from ONE that’s gone down and got the light heavyweight belt. Definitely that’s on the radar, and that’s something that I would want to do.

“Immediately, no. I want to defend this, and we actually got some stuff cooking in the oven with pro wrestling, as well, but that is on the radar. I’m always looking for new and exciting stuff, rather than rinse and repeat.”

[lawrence-related id=610684]

When Bhullar made the walk against Vera, it was his first fight since October 2019, marking the longest time away from competition since childhood for the lifelong wrestler. Currently riding a four-fight winning streak, the 35-year-old Bhullar aims to be an active champion.

“This is the longest layoff I’ve had of my entire life since I was a little toddler from competition,” Bhullar said. “I’m not used to sitting around for a year, year-plus. I want to compete, so that’s going to happen, and that’s going to happen quick. I just want to enjoy this for now. I finally got out of quarantine, and get some fresh air and sunlight, and we’ll get back into it.”

[vertical-gallery id=610681]

USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, May 18: Charles Oliveira takes lightweight throne

Not all that long ago, Charles Oliviera wasn’t even listed in the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie lightweight rankings, and now he sits atop it.

Not all that long ago, [autotag]Charles Oliviera[/autotag] wasn’t even listed in the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie lightweight rankings, and now he sits atop all of his peers.

In late 2017, after suffering a TKO loss to Paul Felder, Oliveira wasn’t in the top 15 of our list. He wasn’t among the three honorable mentions, either. But with nine consecutive wins since – eight of them by finish – and an astounding seven “Performance of the Night” bonuses, Oliveira has now ascended to the top of the lightweight list, while also making his debut on the pound-for-pound charts, as well.

Oliveira (31-8 MMA, 19-8 UFC) claimed the UFC lightweight title with his latest win, a stunning TKO over former Bellator lightweight champion [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] (22-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at UFC 262. Of course, those two weren’t the only top lightweights in action at this past weekend’s card, with [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] (21-4-1 MMA, 15-4-1 UFC) also scoring a decision win over [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] (25-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC).

Check out the new look of the 155-pound division in the latest edition of the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, as well as a few other changes made following UFC 262.

[vertical-gallery id=610744]

ONE Championship: Dangal results: Arjan Bhullar stops Brandon Vera to win title

Arjan Bhullar became the first fighter of Indian descent to win a major MMA title at ONE Championship: Dangal.

The truth is, [autotag]Arjan Bhullar[/autotag] has made history.

Bhullar became the first fighter of Indian descent to win a major MMA title on Saturday when he defeated [autotag]Brandon Vera[/autotag] by second-round TKO to claim heavyweight gold at ONE Championship: Dangal in Singapore.

Bhullar, a Canadian by birth who had a four-fight UFC tenure, put pressure on Vera right from the opening bell and dictated the pace for as long as the fight lasted. He secured a takedown with about two minutes remaining in Round 1 but couldn’t do much with it.

In Round 2, Bhullar (11-1) continued with pressure that forced Vera (16-9) to fight from the outside. Bhullar hurt Vera with two hard punches before securing another takedown, again with about two minutes remaining. This time, Bhullar smothered Vera from behind and rained punches on him. At one point, Vera got back to his feet only to be dragged down immediately. With Vera unable to escape and Bhullar’s punches raining from behind, the referee stepped in to stop the fight at the 4:27 mark.

After his victory, Bhullar, 35, issued a callout – not to any MMA fighters but rather pro wrestlers.

“I have reached the pinnacle of this sport,” Bhullar said. “Now I want to attack the pro wrestling industry. AEW, WWE, I’m coming for you guys next. Consider this a warning shot.”

Vera, 43, a former longtime UFC competitor, had reigned as ONE’s inaugural heavyweight champ since December 2015.

[vertical-gallery id=610681]

Brandon Vera previews ONE heavyweight title defense vs. Arjan Bhullar

Brandon Vera previews his upcoming heavyweight title defense at ONE Championship: Dangal.

[autotag]Brandon Vera[/autotag] previews his upcoming heavyweight title defense at ONE Championship: Dangal.

Vera (16-8) meets fellow former UFC fighter Arjan Bhullar (10-1) in a five-round championship bout Saturday at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. The ONE Championship: Dangal main card streams on B/R Live.

Listen to Vera discuss the advantages he has over Bhullar, their contrasting styles, and much more in the video above.

[vertical-gallery id=365392]

How to watch ONE Championship: Dangal – fight card, start time, live stream for Vera vs. Bhullar

ONE Championship is back Saturday with the heavyweight title on the line between champ Brandon Vera and challenger Arjan Bhullar.

ONE Championship is back Saturday with the heavyweight title on the line in the main event.

Here’s how to watch the card from Singapore, which includes heavyweight champion Brandon Vera vs. challenger Arjan Bhullar.

Brandon Vera defends ONE heavyweight title vs. Arjan Bhullar on May 15

Brandon Vera scheduled to defend his ONE Championship heavyweight title on May 15.

[autotag]Brandon Vera[/autotag] will return to the cage for his first fight since the pandemic.

The ONE Championship heavyweight titleholder is set to defend his belt against former UFC heavyweight [autotag]Arjan Bhullar[/autotag] in the main event of ONE Championship: Dangal on May 15 in Singapore, the promotion announced.

Vera (16-8) hasn’t competed since October 2019, when he suffered a TKO loss to light heavyweight champion Aung La N Sang in an attempt to become a two-division champion. Prior to the defeat, Vera was on a four-fight winning streak, which included the capture of the ONE Championship heavyweight title and two title defenses.

Bhullar (10-1) gets his first opportunity at ONE Championship gold since joining the promotion in 2019. Bhullar only has one bout for the promotion – a win over Mauro Cerilli in 2019. Before joining ONE Championship, Bhullar went 4-1 in the UFC.

The ONE Dangal lineup includes:

  • Champ Brandon Vera vs. Arjan Bhullar – for heavyweight title
  • Bi Nguyen vs. Ritu Phogat
  • Rayane Bastos vs. Ayaka Miura
  • Roshan Mainam vs. Gurdarshan Mangat
  • Anthony Do vs. Liang Hui

[vertical-gallery id=365392]