Tag: TA block

UFC 279 official weigh-in highlights and photo gallery: Three fighters miss

Official weigh-ins for UFC 279 are complete following Friday’s session. Check out our photo gallery and video highlights.

LAS VEGAS – The UFC 279 fight card is now official following Friday’s weigh-in session, where 23 of 26 athletes scheduled to compete successfully hit their marks on the scale.

The session was a disaster, with multiple fighters missing weight, including planned headliner Khamzat Chimaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) ahead of his intended bout with Nate Diaz (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC), as well as multiple undercard fighters.

Check out the weigh-in highlights in the video above, and a photo gallery from all of Friday’s happenings below.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 279.

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UFC 279 weigh-in video: Tony Ferguson on point for welterweight return vs. Li Jingliang

Tony Ferguson weighed in as a welterweight for the first time in 11 years ahead of his UFC 279 fight with Li Jingliang.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] is officially a welterweight for the first time in more than a decade after he and opponent [autotag]Li Jingliang[/autotag] hit the divisional mark at UFC 279 weigh-ins.

Ferguson (25-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC), a former interim UFC lightweight champion, is seeking a fresh start by moving up a weight class following a four-fight losing skid. He gets a tough re-introduction in his first welterweight fight since September 2011, though, in the form of the heavy-handed Jingliang (19-7 MMA, 11-5 UFC).

The path to the contest is now clear, because at Friday’s UFC 279 official weigh-ins, Jingliang hit his mark at 170.5 pounds, while Ferguson registered at 171 pounds on the scale.

Check out the video of Jingliang and Ferguson weighing in above.

UFC 279 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. Jingliang vs. Ferguson co-headlines the pay-per-view main card, which following prelims on ESPNNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 279.

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UFC 279 video: Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez press conference faceoff

Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez had their first staredown at the UFC 279 pre-fight press conference.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] and [autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag] squared up for the first time on fight week at the UFC 279 pre-fight press conference on Thursday.

Ahead of their 180-pound catchweight clash at T-Mobile Arena, which airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNNews and ESPN+, Holland (23-7 MMA, 9-4 UFC) and Rodriguez (16-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) answered questions from media then engaged in a faceoff for the cameras.

Both men exchanged words, but kept things civil as they each look to extend their respective winning streaks.

Watch the video above to see Holland and Rodriguez stare each other down at the UFC 279 pre-fight press conference.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 279.

 

Thiago Santos departs UFC, signs multifight deal with PFL

Former UFC title challenger Thiago Santos is the second contender to sign with PFL in recent weeks.

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger [autotag]Thiago Santos[/autotag] is headed to PFL.

Santos (22-11 MMA, 14-10 UFC) recently signed a multifight with PFL, ending a 10-year, 24-fight tenure with the promotion. Santos will compete in the 2023 PFL light heavyweight season.

MMA Junkie confirmed the signing with a person with knowledge of the situation after an initial report by ESPN.

Santos is the second UFC contender to make the jump to PFL in recent weeks. In August, featherweight contender Shane Burgos joined PFL after his UFC deal expired – a company mistake according to Dana White.

“It was an amicable separation with the UFC,” Santos’ manager Alex Davis told ESPN. “Thiago is very grateful for everything the UFC did for him, and he’s very grateful toward the PFL for signing with him. He’s looking forward to winning a million dollars.”

Santos, 38, departs the UFC with five losses in his most recent six fights. He headlined numerous UFC events since his debut in 2013, most notably a light heavyweight title challenge at UFC 239 in July 2016 when he lost a split decision to then-champ Jon Jones.

Notable UFC wins include Jan Blachowicz, Kevin Holland, Jack Hermansson, Johnny Walker, Jimi Manuwa, Nate Marquardt, and Anthony Smith.

He most recently competed in August when he lost by fourth-round knockout to Jamahal Hill in a back-and-forth slugfest.

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Michael Chandler vs. Dustin Poirier grudge match on tap for UFC 281 in New York

Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier will settle their differences inside the octagon at UFC 281.

[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] and [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] will settle their differences inside the octagon this fall at UFC 281.

After tensions have been mounting between the pair since Chandler (23-7 MMA, 2-2 UFC) made his UFC debut nearly two years ago, a three-round grudge match with Poirier (28-7 MMA, 20-6 UFC) will unfold on the Nov. 12 card at Madison Square Garden in New York.

MMA Junkie confirmed that both fighters have agreed to the lightweight bout after a Wednesday report by UFC broadcast partner ESPN, which cited UFC chief legal officer Hunter Campbell.

Chandler, No. 9 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie lightweight rankings, will attempt to produce an encore to his insane Knockout of the Year contender against Tony Ferguson this past May at UFC 274.

After suffering back-to-back losses against Charles Oliveira in a vacant title fight in May 2021 then a Fight of the Year with Justin Gaethje at UFC 268 last November, the three-time Bellator champ bounced back with the incredible front-kick finish of Ferguson.

He will attempt to secure the biggest win of his UFC career when he meets No. 2 Poirier, who hasn’t fought since UFC 269 in December, when he suffered a submission loss to then-champion Oliveira. That fight came on the heels of back-to-back stoppage wins over rival Conor McGregor.

Following his knockout victory over McGregor at UFC 257, Poirier opted to go with a trilogy bout with “The Notorious” rather than a championship fight. That allowed Chandler to slide into his spot, which prompted some friction between the two.

At UFC 276 in July, Chandler and Poirier were caught on camera being restrained after a cageside argument, laying the final piece of groundwork for them to get into the octagon.

With the addition, here’s the updated UFC 281 linuep:

  • Champion Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira – for middleweight title
  • Champion Carla Esparza vs. Zhang Weili – for strawweight title
  • Michael Chandler vs. Dustin Poirier
  • Erin Blanchfield vs. Molly McCann
  • Dominick Reyes vs. Ryan Spann
  • Seungwoo Choi vs. Michael Trizano
  • Silvana Gomez Juarez vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz
  • Renato Moicano vs. Brad Riddell
  • Ottman Azaitar vs. Matt Frevola
  • Dan Hooker vs. Claudio Puelles
  • Nicolae Negumereanu vs. Carlos Ulberg
  • Andre Petroski vs. Wellington Turman

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UFC 279 pre-event facts: A final look at Nate Diaz’s resume potential farewell fight

Take a look at the numbers behind Nate Diaz’s resume as he enters his likely final UFC bout vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279.

The final UFC pay-per-view of the summer goes down Saturday with UFC 279 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

A highly-anticipated and polarizing matchup serves as the main event of the card in “Sin City.” Undefeated rising star [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) will attempt to stay undefeated when he meets a legend of the game in [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC), who will fight out the final bout on his current UFC contract.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about UFC 279.

Dricus du Plessis, Darren Till verbally agree to UFC 282 fight

After a streak of misfortune, Darren Till looks to return at UFC 282. Verbal agreements are in place for a bout vs. Dricus du Plessis.

[autotag]Darren Till[/autotag] has his next target in his crosshairs.

After a string of withdrawals and a loss, Till (18-4-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) looks to return to the cage Dec. 10 at UFC 282 against [autotag]Dricus du Plessis[/autotag] (17-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC). The UFC has offered the bout and verbal agreements are in place with contracts expected to be signed in the coming days. The event takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Two people knowledgeable about the targeted matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. ESPN was first to announce the matchup.

Till, 29, most recently competed in September 2021 when he lost to Derek Brunson via submission. Out of his most recent six bookings, it’s the only fight that actually took place. Due to injuries and other unforeseen circumstances, Till has been snake-bit. He’ll look to pick up his second victory in six appearances in Las Vegas this December.

Du Plessis, 28, rides a five-fight winning streak into the bout. Three of those victories have been in the UFC, including knockouts of Markus Perez and Trevin Giles. In his most recent outing, he defeated Brad Tavares via unanimous decision at UFC 276.

With the addition, the UFC 282 lineup includes:

  • Robbie Lawler vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
  • Alexander Hernandez vs. Billy Quarantillo
  • Dalcha Lungiambula vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
  • Dricus du Plessis vs. Darren Till

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UFC 279 commentary team set: Joe Rogan on call for Nate Diaz’s final contracted fight

Joe Rogan will be on commentary for a Nate Diaz fight one last time in the UFC 279 headliner vs. Khamzat Chimaev.

The 10th numbered UFC event of the year is rapidly approaching with UFC 279 on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

As always, some marquee on-air talent will be there to help guide viewers through the experience.

Details of who will be working as commentators and analysts for the event have been acquired by MMA Junkie through a person with knowledge of the plans – and you can see the scheduled broadcast team below.

Mick Maynard’s Shoes: What’s next for Tai Tuivasa after UFC Fight Night 209 loss?

See who Tai Tuivasa should fight next after his loss to Ciryl Gane in the UFC Fight Night 209 headliner.

(ALSO SEE: Mick Maynard’s Shoes: What’s next for Ciryl Gane after UFC Fight Night 209 win?)

[autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag]’s winning streak and surge up the heavyweight rankings was brought to an abrupt end by Ciryl Gane in the UFC Fight Night 209 main event.

After putting together five consecutive knockouts inside the octagon, Tuivasa (15-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) ran into an opponent that had too much for him. He suffered a third-round knockout loss to Gane (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) in the headlining at at Accor Arena in Paris.

Although it was an unwanted setback, Tuivasa’s stock didn’t drop much in the Fight of the Night battle. He had his chances to win, and now he must regroup and figure out how to close the gaps in his game.

What should be next for Tuivasa? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future after UFC Fight Night 209.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 209.

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UFC Fight Night 209 post-event facts: Ciryl Gane rebounds on home soil

Check out all the facts and figures from UFC Fight Night 209, which saw Ciryl Gane knock out Tai Tuivasa in the main event.

The UFC’s debut event in France was nothing short of spectacular on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 209 at Accor Arena in Paris being a memorable show.

The hometown hero emerged with a stellar win in the main event, as [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) broke down and eventually finished [autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) with a third-round knockout in the headlining act between heavyweight contenders.

For more on the numbers, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC Fight Night 209.