MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the co-main event for UFC 276.
UFC 276 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
“You’ve got to do something more. Show me something. Like I said, depends on how he beats Costa.”
LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] needs to see more out of [autotag]Luke Rockhold[/autotag] before fighting him.
Rockhold (16-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC) will return from an layoff of more than three years when he faces [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City on Aug. 20.
The former Strikeforce and UFC middleweight champion told MMA Junkie in a recent interview that he’s the only man who can dethrone Adesanya (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC), and “The Last Stylebender” is willing to put that theory to the test if Rockhold beats Costa in impressive fashion.
“Costa, depends how (Rockhold) beats him,” Adesanya told reporters Wednesday at UFC 276 media day. “But yeah, he’s getting on so I’d like to get that under my belt, as well. When is the last time he fought? You can’t just fight Costa. You’ve got to do something more. Show me something. Like I said, depends on how he beats Costa.
“I just want to kill all these guys, all these names, and Rockhold’s definitely one of those names that can be on that list.”
Adesanya aims to notch his fifth title defense against Jared Cannonier in Saturday’s UFC 276 headliner, which takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
Check out the full media day interview with Adesanya in the video above.
Our “Spinning Back Clique” discusses the potential for a matchup in the ring.
[autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag]’s future is uncertain.
Over the past few months, the UFC veteran has repeatedly called for the UFC to book the final fight on his current contract to no avail.
In one of his most recent pleas, Diaz included a video of [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag] knocking out Tyron Woodley, which left many to believe he was hinting at the possibility of a boxing matchup with the YouTuber who is a professional boxer on the side.
UFC president [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] weighed in on the post, suggesting that if Diaz wants to go fight Paul, he should go and do exactly that. Furthermore, White said the fight “makes sense.” The UFC boss also said he will make sure to find a fight for Diaz soon.
What are the chances that Diaz vs. Paul becomes a reality? Could it happen before Diaz fights out the final fight on his UFC contract? Would the promotion even want to see one of its biggest stars fighting elsewhere?
Our panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Danny Segura, and Simon Samano discuss this topic with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia in the video above.
“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Tuesday on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch the full episode in the video below.
Check out the results from the official UFC 276 fighter weigh-ins.
LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Friday’s official UFC 276 fighter weigh-ins, which kick off at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).
The early weigh-ins take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and precede the ceremonial weigh-ins for the fans, which take place at 7 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The same venue hosts Saturday’s event, which has a main card on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
Among those weighing in are middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) and Jared Cannonier (15-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC), who meet in the main event, and featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski (24-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC) and former titleholder Max Holloway (23-6 MMA, 19-6 UFC), who fight in a trilogy rematch in the co-feature.
The full UFC 276 weigh-in results include:
MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET)
Champ Israel Adesanya () vs. Jared Cannonier () – for middleweight title
Champ Alexander Volkanovski () vs. Max Holloway () – for featherweight title
Check out a live video stream of the UFC 276 weigh-ins with Israel Adesanya vs. Jared Cannonier and Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway.
LAS VEGAS – UFC 276 ceremonial fighter weigh-ins take place Friday, and you can catch a live video stream of the proceedings here on MMA Junkie at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT).
The weigh-ins take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The same venue hosts Saturday’s event, which has a main card on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”
Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.
On Episode 3,273, the fellas are joined by special guest [autotag]Kenny Florian[/autotag] to discuss the greatest division of all time in MMA. They also preview International Fight Week’s main attraction, UFC 276, and the fight night watch along. Tune in!
Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.
Yes, cartoon porn was brought up and threats were made at the UFC 276 pre-fight news conference.
LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] vs. Jared Cannonier and Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira.
Those are the two matchups at the forefront of the majority of conversations in the lead-up to UFC 276, which takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. All three men will compete on the main card. At a pre-fight news conference Thursday, [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] reminded those who may have forgotten there is a fourth man in the mix.
Seated behind the champion Adesanya on stage at the event which featured all 10 main card participants, Strickland took a subtle jab at the titleholder when asked who the best striker on stage was. From there, things went off the rails, as Adesanya turned around and clapped back. The two exchanged words, threats, and insults before things settled down the questions from reporters including MMA Junkie resumed.
Read a transcript of the exchange below, or check it out in the video above.
Strickland: “I would say me, but that man was the one who slept that man. Next to me, next to me, probably Alex. What was it? 2-0 against Izzy? What is it 2-0?”
Adesanya: “Did you watch the whole fight?”
Strickland: “No, I don’t watch fights.”
Adesanya: “Exactly, do your f*cking job next time.”
Strickland: “Oh, man. I made the champion mad with his f*cking frosted tips and his gay little watch. Oh no. I’m just joking. Izzy is a savage, bro. No doubt.”
Adesanya: “What happened before I walked on stage? I smacked you on the ass like my b*tch.”
Strickland: “Bro, your Pornhub is just filled with cartoons, bro. No man that beats off to cartoons is going to beat me. Calm down. Calm down.”
Adesanya: “I’ll tell you what. When you win this fight and when we fight, I’ll knock you out and do a TikTok dance over your grave.”
Strickland: “Oh, f*ck it. Look at this grown-ass man on f*cking TikTok. Maybe that’s the problem, bro. This guy is the champion. Bro, any day. Bro, I will walk outside with you right now. Right now. You want my number. Come on.”
Adesanya: “Do something about it, then. … I smacked you on your ass and what the f*ck did you do?”
Strickland: “Listen, bro. You’re going to break a f*cking nail. Calm down. Calm down.”
Adesanya: “I’ll break your f*cking face. I’ll break my nail on your face.”
Strickland: “Alex, get this man. Get this man.”
Adesanya: “You better focus on your guy. Otherwise, he’s going to f*ck you up, too.”
Strickland: “Not the way he slept your ass. Nah, but, no, no. Izzy is a solid guy. He’s a good guy. I don’t judge his cartoon porn addiction. I’m not going to be that guy.”
Adesanya: “It’s hentai. Get used to it. It’s hentai.”
Strickland: “It’s called hentai. I’m a grown-ass man. Calm down. I’m not watching cartoons.”
Adesanya: “I like him like the stepbrother I never wanted. Guess what? Focus on this guy. He’s a tough opponent. You focus on him as well.”
Strickland: “Hey, Izzy. Why don’t you tell me what not to do. Tell me what not to do, Izzy. What shouldn’t I do, take a f*cking nap?”
Adesanya faces Cannonier in the UFC 276 main event Saturday, two fights after Strickland battles Pereira. UFC president Dana White has indicated the winners of the two fights will face each other in the following middleweight title bout.
Check out the full UFC 276 pre-fight news conference video below:
Check out photos from the UFC 276 pre-fight news conference that included Israel Adesanya, Max Holloway, Sean O’Malley and more.
LAS VEGAS – The UFC 276 pre-fight news conference took place Thursday at T-Mobile Arena and featured all 10 main card competitors including [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag], [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag], [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag], [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag], [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag], [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag], [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag], [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag], [autotag]Bryan Barberena[/autotag], and [autotag]Robbie Lawler[/autotag].
Check out the best photos from MMA Junkie and Getty Images below.
We often talk about speedy wide receivers like Henry Ruggs III as “home run hitters,” players who can turn a simple slant route into a huge play in the blink of an eye. Aiyuk is that kind of player. His ability to maintain speed into and out of his cuts is among the best in this class, and the Packers would undoubtedly benefit from that type of threat, adding another receiver across from Davante Adams. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
The defending Super Bowl champions don’t have a ton of glaring needs, and to be honest, a quarterback as good as Patrick Mahomes can mask most deficiencies. But cornerback is a position they need to address, and that brings us to Auburn’s Noah Igbinoghene. He is a long, explosive cornerback who posted a 4.48 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, coupled with a 37-inch vertical, and is also a physical, press cornerback who would be a fit in what Steve Spagnuolo calls for the Chiefs defense. (Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports)
The San Francisco 49ers, lacking another pick until the fifth round, are a prime candidate to trade out of this selection. But with the chance to grab a player like this, they’ll sit tight and turn in a card. Laviska Shenault is a wide receiver in name only. In reality, he is an offensive weapon, who has been used by Colorado as an outside receiver, a slot receiver, a tight end, a running back, and even at quarterback. In the Pro Football Focus draft guide, lead draft analyst Mike Renner compared him to Saquon Barkley, of all people. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Familiar foes came face-to-face when Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway stared each other down at the UFC 276 press conference.
LAS VEGAS – Familiar foes once again came face-to-face on Thursday when [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] and [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] linked up at the UFC 276 pre-fight press conference.
Volkanovski (24-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC) and Holloway (23-6 MMA, 19-6 UFC) are set for a highly anticipated featherweight trilogy fight in Saturday’s co-main event at T-Mobile Arena, but before they get there, they engaged in their first fight week staredown.
The champion Volkanovski and the former titleholder Holloway have kept things cordial throughout their entire rivalry, but the intensity cranked up multiple notches as they traded many words at the press conference and carried that over to the staredown.
The significance of this fight isn’t lost on anyone, though. After Volkanovski took the 145-pound belt from Holloway then defended it in back-to-back fights, “Blessed” has worked his way back to a rare third contest when one side is down 0-2.
Watch the video above to see the Volkanovski vs. Holloway faceoff from the UFC 276 pre-fight press conference.
UFC 276’s main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and ESPN+. MMA Junkie will have complete on-site coverage for the event all week.
UFC champ Israel Adesanya and Jared Cannonier crossed path for the first time on fight week the UFC 275 pre-fight press conference.
LAS VEGAS – UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] and top contender [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag] officially crossed path for the first time on fight week at Thursday’s UFC 276 pre-fight press conference.
Adesanya (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC), who will put his belt on the line for the fifth time in Saturday’s International Fight Week headliner at T-Mobile Arena, engaged in his initial staredown with Cannonier (15-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) in front of fans and media.
The pair were unsurprisingly intense as they battled to break a handshake before UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby stopped things from escalating.
Check out the video of the Adesanya vs. Cannonier faceoff above.
UFC 276’s main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and ESPN+. MMA Junkie will have complete on-site coverage for the event all week.
