Tag: UFC Fight Night 218

UFC free fight: Serghei Spivac submits Derrick Lewis with ease

Ahead of his return Saturday at UFC Fight Night 226 in Paris, watch Serghei Spivac make quick work of Derrick Lewis.

[autotag]Serghei Spivac[/autotag] is coming off arguably the best win of his career.

In February, the Maldovan fighter headlined UFC Fight Night 218 against former UFC title challenger Derrick Lewis. Spivac took Lewis down, controlled him, then locked in an arm-triangle choke for a first-round submission win.

It was a swift and flawless performance by Spivac, and you can watch the video of the full fight above.

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Spivac returns to the octagon Saturday in the main event of UFC Fight Night 226 at Accor Arena in Paris. Spivac takes on former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane.

Spivac (16-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) currently is on a three-fight winning streak and 6-1 in his past seven fights. His lone defeat during that current stretch came against top contender Ton Aspinall in 2021. Gane (11-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) is coming off a submission loss to Jon Jones in March for the vacant heavyweight title. [lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 226.

MMA Junkie’s Knockout of the Month for February: Lorenz Larkin’s vicious elbow

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best knockouts from February 2023.

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best knockouts from February 2023: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s Knockout of the Month award for February.

At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice.

Nominees

USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, Feb. 7: Johnny Eblen nearing middleweight elite

Bellator middleweight champ Johnny Eblen and UFC heavyweight Serghei Spivac lead the biggest moves in this week’s rankings update.

Bellator middleweight champion [autotag]Johnny Eblen[/autotag] continues his ascent in the division.

In the co-main event of Bellator 290, Eblen recorded his first title defense by defeating Anatoly Tokov. Entering the week at No. 7, Eblen’s performance was worthy of a bump up to the No. 6 spot.

After a week that saw many ranked heavyweights in action such as Bellator champion [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag], it was [autotag]Serghei Spivac[/autotag] who made the biggest jump towards the top. In the main event of UFC Fight Night 218, Spivac finished former title challenger Derrick Lewis by submission in the first round. Spivac entered the week at No. 14, but settles in at No. 10, while Lewis falls from No. 6 to No. 11.

Check out all the latest pound-for-pound and divisional USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings above.

Jeong Yeong Lee expected that split call that left him unsatisfied

Jeong Yeong Lee beat Yi Zha with a split decision for a contract at UFC Fight Night 218. He said the divergent scores didn’t surprise him.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Jeong Yeong Lee[/autotag] beat Yi Zha with a split decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 218 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Lee, who won the “Road to the UFC” featherweight tournament.

Sung Hyun Park: Jet lag the culprit for longer-than-wanted submission win

Sung Hyun Park learned a valuable lesson about acclimatizing when he’s on the other side of the world for UFC Fight Night 218.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Sung Hyun Park[/autotag] beat Seung Guk Choi with a third-round submission Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 218 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Park, who won the “Road to the UFC” flyweight tournament.

Adam Fugitt’s upset submission was ‘every bit of what I imagined’

Adam Fugitt said his upset win over Yusaku Kinoshita at UFC Fight Night 218 was the culmination of a dream. Now he’s ready for new ones.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Adam Fugitt[/autotag] beat Yusaku Kinoshita with a first-round TKO Saturday to open up the main card at UFC Fight Night 218 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Fugitt, who pulled off an upset for his first UFC win.

Junyong Park still staying patient in UFC career after submission of Denis Tiuliulin

Eight fights into his career with the promotion, Junyong Park still thinks he’s an amateur when it comes to the UFC.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Junyong Park[/autotag] beat Denis Tiuliulin with a first-round technical submission Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 218 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Park, who won for the third straight time and second straight time by rear-naked choke.

Rinya Nakamura explains that extra Henderson-on-Bisping-like punch on Toshiomi Kazama

Rinya Nakamura put away Toshiomi Kazama with a first-round knockout Saturday at UFC Fight Night 218 – and a little extra on the side.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Rinya Nakamura[/autotag] beat Toshiomi Kazama with a first-round knockout Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 218 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Nakamura, who won the “Road to the UFC” bantamweight tournament.

Tatsuro Taira not interested in rankings, but focused on path to UFC title

Tatsuro Taira was the biggest betting favorite at UFC Fight Night 218. He lived up to the hype with a first-round finish.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Tatsuro Taira[/autotag] beat Jesus Aguilar with a first-round verbal submission Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 218 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Taira, who lived up to the promise of being the biggest betting favorite on the card at -1250.

MMA Junkie Radio #3333: Guest Jimmy Crute, Fedor Emelianenko’s final fight, more

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.


Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,333, the lads welcome in UFC light heavyweight [autotag]Jimmy Crute[/autotag] for a chat. In addition, they take a look back at Bellator 290 which featured two title fights and the final bout of Fedor Emelianenko’s career, and UFC Fight Night 218 at the UFC Apex. 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.