Tag: Makwan Amirkhani

UFC 267 video: Lerone Murphy hits perfectly timed knee, KOs Makwan Amirkhani

Lerone Murphy used perfect timing to viciously knock out Makwan Amirkhani on the UFC 267 prelims.

[autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag] used perfect timing to viciously knock out [autotag]Makwan Amirkhani[/autotag] at UFC 267.

After getting controlled by Amirkhani (16-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in the clinch and on the mat in the opening round of their featherweight bout, Murphy (11-0-1 MMA, 3-0-1 UFC) had no intention of going back to the canvas in the second round at the Etihad Arena on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.

When Amirkhani shot for a takedown right off the bat in the second round, Murphy countered with a perfectly timed stepping right knee that caught Amirkhani clean on the jaw. He went flying back to the ground, and the fight was instantly over.

Check out the highlight of the finish (via Twitter):

Amirkhani was down on the ground receiving medical attention for several minutes after the fight-ending blow connected. He eventually got back to his feet under his own power.

Murphy, for his part, adds to his undefeated record with a stellar highlight and gained further momentum as a name to watch at 145 pounds.

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Tristan Connelly out of UFC 267 fight against Makwan Amirkhani

Makwan Amirkhani will need a new opponent for UFC 267.

[autotag]Makwan Amirkhani[/autotag] will need a new opponent for UFC 267.

According to Amirkhani, [autotag]Tristan Connelly[/autotag] (14-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is out of their Oct. 30 fight in Abu Dhabi due to undisclosed reasons. MMA Junkie confirmed the news with a person with knowledge of the situation who asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Amirkhani (16-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC), who is expected to remain on the card, took to Instagram to react to the news.

“Yes he is out. It’s a sad story cause it would have been a great matchup between me and Tristan. He said in a interview that he is not expecting that same Makwan what we have been seeing in my last fights. “We will see a hungry Amirkhani. Tristan you where right on that one brother and now I’m even more hungrier! I’m the flow. 30.10.2021 #ufc.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CThF4YMNX6E/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Amirkhani is looking to snap a two-fight losing skid after dropping back-to-back unanimous decision losses to Edson Barboza and Kamuela Kirk. Prior to that, “Mr. Finland” picked up a first-round submission of Danny Henry at UFC 251.

Canada’s Connelly was also looking to get back in the win column. After upsetting Michel Pereira in his promotional debut, Connelly returned from a 19-month layoff due to injury, but fell short in his featherweight debut when he was defeated by former CFFC champion Pat Sabatini at UFC 261 in April.

With the change, the UFC 267 lineup includes:

  • Champ Jan Blachowicz vs. Glover Teixeira – for light heavyweight title
  • Champ Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan – for bantamweight title
  • Rafael dos Anjos vs. Islam Makhachev
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Volkan Oezdemir
  • Marcin Tybura vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Khamzat Chimaev vs. Li Jingliang
  • Virna Jandiroba vs. Amanda Ribas
  • Ricardo Ramos vs. Zubaira Tukhugov
  • Damir Ismagulov vs. Magomed Mustafaev
  • Makwan Amirkhani vs. TBA
  • Alen Amedovski vs. Hu Yaozong
  • Allan Nascimento vs. Tagir Ulanbekov
  • Shamil Gamzatov vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
  • Walt Harris vs. Tai Tuivasa
  • Damir Ismagulov vs. Magomed Mustafaev

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Kamuela Kirk steps in to fight Makwan Amirkhani at UFC Fight Night 189

With Nate Landwehr off UFC Fight Night 189, a promotional newcomer steps in to fight “Mr. Finland.”

[autotag]Makwan Amirkhani[/autotag] has a new opponent for UFC Fight Night 189.

With Nate Landwehr out due to injury, “Mr. Finland” Amirkhani (16-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) will now face off against promotional newcomer and Dana White’s Contender Series alum [autotag]Kamuela Kirk[/autotag].

Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking, but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

UFC Fight Night 189 takes place June 5 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

Amirkhani, 32, is looking to get back on track after a unanimous decision loss to Edson Barboza at UFC Fight Night 179 this past October. After a 3-0 start to his promotional tenure, Amirkhani has gone 3-3 with wins over Danny Henry, Chris Fishgold and Jason Knight.

Kirk (11-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) signed a UFC deal on the heels of back-to-back wins in the LFA. In his most recent fight, Kirk won his first LFA headliner when he defeated Daniel Swain by retirement TKO. Kirk competed on Dana White’s Contender Series, Season 3 in 2019, but lost to Billy Quarantillo.

With the change, the UFC Fight Night 189 lineup now includes:

  • Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Augusto Sakai
  • Muslim Salikhov vs. Francisco Trinaldo
  • Walt Harris vs. Marcin Tybura
  • Tanner Boser vs. Ilir Latifi
  • Manon Fiorot vs. Maryna Moroz
  • Sean Woodson vs. Youssef Zalal
  • Montana De La Rosa vs. Ariane Lipski
  • Gregory Rodrigues vs. Dusko Todorovic
  • Roman Dolidze vs. Laureano Staropoli
  • Miguel Baeza vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
  • Antonio Arroyo vs. Tom Breese
  • Mason Jones vs. Alan Patrick
  • Jordan Leavitt vs. Claudio Puelles
  • Makwan Amirkhani vs. Kamuela Kirk

UFC in 2020: A ridiculously robust look at the stats, streaks, skids, and records

Check out a full recap of 2020’s most significant footnotes and milestones from the events, the fights and individual performances.

Now that the year has come to a close, and with a major assist from UFC research analyst and live statistics producers Michael Carroll, here are some of 2020’s most significant milestones from the events, the fights and individual performances.

UFC on ESPN+ 37 medical suspensions: Cory Sandhagen’s win comes with a potential cost

Cory Sandhagen was victorious in the UFC on ESPN+ 37 main event, but his win came at a cost.

[autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] was victorious in the UFC on ESPN+ 37 main event, but his win came at a cost.

Taking on fellow top bantamweight contender [autotag]Marlon Moraes[/autotag] on Saturday, Sandhagen (13-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) picked up a second-round TKO via a spinning wheel kick and punches. Against Moraes (23-7-1 MMA, 5-3 UFC), however, Sandhagen sustained an eye injury that could put him out of action for 180 days.

On Monday, MMA Junkie obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

Also receiving potential six-month suspensions are [autotag]Tom Breese[/autotag], [autotag]Rodrigo Nascimento[/autotag], [autotag]Impa Kasanganay[/autotag], [autotag]Tony Kelley[/autotag], and [autotag]Omar Morales[/autotag] for injuries suffered in their fights Saturday.

UFC on ESPN+ 37 took place at Flash Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The event streamed on ESPN+.

Below is the full list of UFC on ESPN+ 37 medical suspensions:

  • Cory Sandhagen: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by an ophthalmologist; Also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • Marlon Moraes: Suspended 45 days for TKO with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Edson Barboza[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Makwan Amirkhani[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for “hard bout” with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for “hard bout” with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Ben Rothwell[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days for a right eyebrow laceration with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days for a knockout with no contact for 45 days.
  • [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Alan Baudot[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for TKO with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for left eyelid laceration with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • Tom Breese: Suspended 180 days or until right knee MRI and left tibia/fibula x-rays are cleared by a doctor; Also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]K.B. Bhullar[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days for TKO with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Chris Daukaus[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • Rodrigo Nascimento: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by an ophthalmologist; Also suspended for 30 days with no contact for 21 days for right scalp laceration.
  • [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • Impa Kasanganay: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by an ophthalmologist; Also suspended 60 days for knockout with no contact for 45 days.
  • Tony Kelley: Suspended 180 days or until right elbow MRI is and right tibia/fibula x-ray are cleared by doctor; Also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Ali Alqaisi[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • Omar Morales: Suspended 180 days or until right elbow MRI, left tibia/fibula X-ray, and left ankle X-ray are cleared by a doctor; Also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Stephanie Egger[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Tagir Ulanbekov[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest.
  • [autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for right eyebrow laceration with no contact for 21 days.

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UFC on ESPN+ 37 results: Edson Barboza dominates Makwan Amirkhani to snap 3-fight skid

Edson Barboza is finally back on the winning track with a solid effort against Makwan Amirkhani at UFC on ESPN+ 37.

[autotag]Edson Barboza[/autotag] is finally back on the winning track after a solid effort against [autotag]Makwan Amirkhani[/autotag] on Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 37.

Barboza (21-9 MMA, 15-9 UFC) snapped a three-fight losing streak with a complete performance against Amirkhani (16-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC), landing multiple knockdowns en route to a clear unanimous decision decision by scores of 30-26, 30-27 and 29-28

The featherweight bout was the UFC on ESPN+ 37 co-main event at Flash Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It streamed on ESPN+.

“I want to be a champ, I’m here to be a champ,” Barboza said in his post-fight interview with Dan Hardy. “Give me anybody in the top five, top six.”

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Both men came out with a measured approach, tentative to commit to more than one strike at a time in the opening minutes. Barboza looked to connect on his patented low kicks and mixed punches to the body, while Amirkhani worked behind the jab. Amirkhani finally shot for a takedown with a little less than two minutes remaining, but Barboza easily stuffed it, as well as a clinch attempt that followed. Barboza landed a nice straight right, his best punch of the opening round, and Amirkhani answered with a successful takedown, but it came with under 10 seconds remaining.

Barboza opened with a nice right hand followed by a low kick, but Amirkhani was able to evade taking anything clean. Amirkhani’s output remained low, with his jab and lead uppercut the most effective weapons. Barboza countered by continuing to chip away at the body of Amirkhani before going upstairs with a straight right that floored his opponent. Barboza tried to get an anaconda choke on top, but Amirkhani was able to stray out of it and get back to his feet. He tried to take Barboza down and turn the table, but his advances were shut down. The Brazilian landed another huge right hand that floored Amirkhani again, and he went back to the anaconda choke. Again, though, he couldn’t finish before the end of the round.

Amirkhani came out desperate to turn the tide. He put pressure on Barboza, who used good footwork to stay away in the opening minute. Amirkhani was relentless, though, and finally put Barboza’s back on the mat. He established position within the guard, but Barboza wisely held on and did his best to avoid sudden shifts. He couldn’t do much, and the referee ultimately decided to stand them up late in the round. Barboza kept a good striking volume, closing the fight out strong.

With the win, Barboza got his hand raised for the first time since December 2018 and netted his first victory since dropping down to the featherweight division earlier this year.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN+ 37 results include:

  • Edson Barboza def. Makwan Amirkhani via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27 29-28)
  • Marcin Tybura def. Ben Rothwell via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
  • Dricus Du Plessis def. Markus Perez via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:22
  • Tom Aspinall def. Alan Baudot via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:35
  • Ilia Topuria def. Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Tom Breese def. K.B. Bhullar via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:42
  • Chris Daukaus def. Rodrigo Nascimento via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:45
  • Joaquin Buckley def. Impa Kasanganay via knockout (spinning back kick to the face)
  • Tony Kelley def. Ali Alqaisi via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Giga Chikadze def. Omar Morales via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Tracy Cortez def. Stephanie Egger via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Tagir Ulanbekov def. Bruno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

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John Morgan previews UFC on ESPN+37: Moraes vs. Sandhagen

MMA Junkie’s John Morgan checks in from “UFC Fight Island” as he tees up the weekend’s fights to follow at UFC on ESPN+37 in Abu Dhabi.

MMA Junkie’s John Morgan checks in from “UFC Fight Island” as he tees up the weekend’s fights to follow at UFC on ESPN+37 in Abu Dhabi.

Makwan Amirkhani eager to achieve full potential after setting aside distractions

No more distractions for Makwan Amirkhani, who says his full focus is now on his fighting career.

[autotag]Makwan Amirkhani[/autotag] feels like a new man.

The UFC featherweight has made several life changes in recent months, in order to maximize and put himself in the best position possible to succeed in his professional fighting career.

Amirkhani (16-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) returns to the octagon Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 37 in Abu Dhabi. He takes on seasoned veteran Edson Barboza (20-9 MMA, 14-9 UFC) in the co-main event.

Amirkhani fought in July, submitting Danny Henry at UFC 251. “Mr. Finland” feels he’s carrying good momentum entering UFC on ESPN+ 37, much of which he attributes to some of the choices he’s made outside of the sport.

“I have not so many friends around me anymore,” Amirkhani told reporters at the UFC on ESPN+ 37 media day. “I told my family just to leave me alone and let me do my thing, and when I’m done, I’ll come back. I’m not coming to your job and interrupting your work and stuff like that, so just give me peace and let me focus on this. Let me be fully me and let me see how far it can take me. This is just the beginning.”

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Amirkhani said he felt people were distracting him and shifting his focus to things which weren’t helping his career. The 31-year-old had to cut many friendships so he can set his sight on what truly matters for him – MMA.

“I was one day looking at the mirror and I started to cry,” Amirkhani said. “I think it was because I was thinking, ‘How could I let these people, who I thought were people who took care of me always pushing me to the right direction and helping me to go forward, how can these people let me do these things that harm my career and all that I have built?’

“Then I had to burn all those bridges with those people. I just wanted to make my life simple. To be honest with you guys I haven’t hurt a bee or not even a small ant for two years just because I wanted to be OK with myself. Whatever comes to me, I’ve earned that.”

Amirkhani said now he is focused on Barboza, his fighting career and nothing else.

“I spent like six or seven hours in the gym every day,” Amirkhani said. “I’m not interested in anything else. All I want to do is train hard and fight.”

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With Sodiq Yusuff out, Edson Barboza meets Makwan Amirkhani on UFC’s Oct. 10 card

A switch to one of UFC’s October cards that has resulted in a featherweight matchup between Edson Barboza and Makwan Amirkhani.

The UFC has made a switch on one its October cards that has resulted in a featherweight matchup between [autotag]Edson Barboza[/autotag] and [autotag]Makwan Amirkhani[/autotag].

Barboza (20-9 MMA, 14-9 UFC) was originally supposed to fight Sodiq Yusuff on the card, but he’s out of the matchup due to undisclosed reasons. He’s being replaced by Amirkhani (16-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) on the Oct. 10 card, which takes place at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

MMA Junkie confirmed the switch with multiple people close to the situation following an initial repot from Combate. The people requested anonymity because UFC has yet to make an official announcement.

Barboza will be looking for his first victory at 145 pounds after a failed featherweight debut at UFC on ESPN 8. The Brazilian came up short in a controversial split decision to Dan Ige. Barboza is currently on a three-fight skid and 1-5 in his past six outings.

Amirkhani, meanwhile, has won three of his past four fights. He’s coming off a first-round submission of Danny Henry at UFC 251 in July.

The latest lineup for UFC’s Oct. 10 card now includes:

  • Marlon Moraes vs. Cory Sandhagen
  • Edson Barboza vs. Makwan Amirkhani
  • Dricus Du Plessis vs. Markus Perez
  • Seungwoo Choi vs. Youssef Zalal
  • Ben Rothwell vs. Marcin Tybura
  • Thomas Almeida vs. Alejandro Perez
  • Tracy Cortez vs. Bea Malecki
  • Chris Daukaus vs. Rodrigo Nascimento
  • Tom Aspinall vs. Serghei Spivac
  • Ali Alqaisi vs. Tony Kelley
  • Giga Chikadze vs. Omar Morales
  • Bruno Silva vs. Tagir Ulanbekov
  • Joaquin Buckley vs. Impa Kasanganay

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