All articles tagged with #bantamweight
Originally Published 2 months ago — by MMA Fighting
Umar Nurmagomedov emphasizes that his rivalry with Merab Dvalishvili is not personal and is confident about a future rematch, despite Dvalishvili's dismissive attitude. Nurmagomedov is preparing for his upcoming fight against Mario Bautista and hopes to stay active in the UFC, potentially fighting again early 2026 if both he and Dvalishvili win their next bouts.
Originally Published 3 months ago — by MMA Fighting
Saimon Oliveira missed weight by eight pounds at UFC Rio weigh-ins, leading to a catchweight bout with Luan Lacerda and a purse penalty, while other fighters like Charles Oliveira and Deiveson Figueiredo made weight successfully.
Originally Published 3 months ago — by MMA Fighting
Merab Dvalishvili defended his UFC bantamweight title with a dominant five-round unanimous decision over Cory Sandhagen, showcasing relentless pressure and ground control, leading to questions about his dominance and potential GOAT status in the division.
Originally Published 3 months ago — by Bloody Elbow
Henry Cejudo predicts Cory Sandhagen will defeat Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 320, praising Sandhagen's striking and technique, and suggests Dvalishvili's fight should headline the event instead of the current main event. Cejudo also highlights Dvalishvili's status as a top bantamweight and the importance of composure for Sandhagen to succeed.
Originally Published 5 months ago — by UFC.com
The article reviews UFC Fight Night performances, highlighting Matsumoto's challenging fight and upcoming bout against Miles Johns, emphasizing the need for Matsumoto to rebound and improve, and also mentions Elijah Smith's promising UFC debut and potential in the bantamweight division.
Originally Published 5 months ago — by Bloody Elbow
Petr Yan, a former UFC Bantamweight Champion, predicts a 60-40 favorability for Merab Dvalishvili over Cory Sandhagen in their upcoming fight, expressing his interest in facing the winner after his recent victory and emphasizing his desire to stay active and provide for his large family.
Originally Published 6 months ago — by Bloody Elbow
Sean O'Malley, a top UFC bantamweight star, faces criticism from rival Cory Sandhagen who suggests he needs to make technical adjustments beyond his striking to compete effectively with top fighters, especially after consecutive losses. Sandhagen believes O'Malley can improve his game to climb back into title contention, particularly if the current champion Merab Dvalishvili loses his title, opening a potential matchup between them.
Originally Published 7 months ago — by Bloody Elbow
Sean O'Malley plans to return to UFC competition around December after a recent loss at UFC 316 to Merab Dvalishvili, with potential consideration of moving up to featherweight, where he could face top contenders like Alexander Volkanovski or Yair Rodriguez. Despite setbacks, O'Malley remains focused on future marquee fights and is not ruling out a move to featherweight.
Originally Published 7 months ago — by MMA Fighting
Merab Dvalishvili's coach discusses his dominant victory over Sean O'Malley at UFC 316, highlighting Dvalishvili's relentless pressure, strategic grappling, and the psychological impact of a key takedown that contributed to O'Malley's defeat. The coach also suggests that Dvalishvili is capable of finishing fights via submissions and knockouts, and while a third fight with O'Malley is unlikely soon, future matchups at bantamweight are being considered.
Originally Published 7 months ago — by Yahoo Sports
Merab Dvalishvili celebrated a dominant victory over Sean O'Malley in their UFC rematch, improving his winning streak and expressing openness to future fights, including a potential superfight with flyweight champion Pantoja, as he continues to dominate the bantamweight division.
Originally Published 7 months ago — by Bloody Elbow
Merab Dvalishvili continues his winning streak in the UFC, with Joe Rogan questioning who can beat him, and Sandhagen suggesting the only way to defeat him is by knocking him out, as Dvalishvili nears a divisional record.
Originally Published 7 months ago — by Bloody Elbow
Patchy Mix's UFC debut at UFC 316 was disappointing, with heavy criticism from fans due to his performance against Mario Bautista, but he remains optimistic about returning stronger after reflecting on the tough night.
Originally Published 7 months ago — by Bloody Elbow
Merab Dvalishvili remains a top contender in the UFC bantamweight division after defeating Sean O'Malley at UFC 316, with plans for his next fight possibly against Cory Sandhagen. Sandhagen was surprised by O'Malley's increased movement in their rematch and believes the key to beating Dvalishvili is to knock him out, given his relentless work rate.
Originally Published 7 months ago — by Bloody Elbow
Sean O'Malley's attempt at reclaiming the UFC bantamweight title ended in a third-round submission loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316, marking his second defeat to Dvalishvili in nine months and removing him from the title picture. Former rival Petr Yan criticized O'Malley on social media, suggesting he was handed opportunities he didn't earn. O'Malley has not yet announced his future plans, with some considering a move to featherweight due to increasing difficulty with weight cuts.
Originally Published 7 months ago — by talkSPORT
Merab Dvalishvili defeated Sean O'Malley via submission at UFC 316, extending his winning streak to 13 and tying him with UFC legends for the longest undefeated streaks, while solidifying his status as a top bantamweight. The fight showcased Dvalishvili's relentless pressure and grappling skills, earning praise from commentators and setting up a potential title defense against Cory Sandhagen.