All articles tagged with #middleweight
Sean Strickland ended Anthony Hernandez’s win streak with a third‑round TKO in the UFC Fight Night 267 main event in Houston, marking his return from a yearlong layoff and putting him back into the middleweight title conversation as reactions roll in.
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland returns from a year-long layoff to fight Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night in Houston, promising a five-round grappling-heavy battle as he seeks to climb back up the division with strong support from his Xtreme Couture teammates.
Anthony Hernandez responds to Sean Strickland’s racist post by saying he’ll “torture” him in the five‑round UFC Houston main event, which could determine the next middleweight title challenger for Khamzat Chimaev. Hernandez isn’t offended, cites support from the Mexican community, and remains focused on winning to push back into title contention even as he recognizes the fight’s significance.
UFC has booked a marquee middleweight showdown in Seattle: Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer headlines UFC Fight Night on March 28 at Climate Pledge Arena, with Adesanya aiming to snap a winless run since his KO of Pereira and Pyfer seeking to prove he belongs among the division's elites, alongside a flyweight title rematch between Alexa Grasso and Maycee Barber.
Reinier de Ridder's recent weight update and fight schedule at UFC Vancouver have sparked fan debates about his weight management and potential struggles with weight cuts, amid concerns and humorous comments about his clothing and weight fluctuations, though his past fighting at higher weights suggests he is experienced with weight management.
Khamzat Chimaev expressed his desire to fight Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title, citing Pereira as a good matchup and a potential second belt opportunity, while also being open to other contenders if the fight pays well.
Reinier de Ridder will now face Brendan Allen at UFC Vancouver on October 18 after Anthony Hernandez withdrew from their scheduled bout, which was part of a middleweight title eliminator. The change raises questions about the title shot implications, with de Ridder aiming to continue his winning streak in the UFC.
Kelvin Gastelum missed weight by five pounds for his UFC fight at Noche UFC, marking his fourth such failure, which has led to criticism from fighters and fans. The bout will proceed as a catchweight with Gastelum paying a fine, but the incident has further tarnished his reputation among the MMA community.
Nassourdine Imavov won his UFC Fight Night main event in Paris, calling out Khamzat Chimaev for a title shot after a dominant decision over Caio Borralho, positioning himself as a top contender in the middleweight division.
Nassourdine Imavov secured a decisive victory over Caio Borralho in Paris, strengthening his claim for a UFC middleweight title shot and calling for a fight against Khamzat Chimaev, amid a night of notable UFC performances and retirements.
Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho face off in the UFC Paris main event, with Imavov aiming to rebound from recent setbacks and Borralho undefeated in the UFC, both vying for a shot at the middleweight title.
Nassourdine Imavov is preparing for his upcoming UFC Paris main event against Caio Borralho, with the winner potentially earning a shot at Khamzat Chimaev and the UFC middleweight title. Imavov respects Chimaev's impressive performance and is confident that a victory in Paris will position him as the top contender, emphasizing his unique qualities and readiness to face Chimaev.
Luke Rockhold has stated he won't return to the UFC unless he is offered a title shot, significant money, and a compelling reason, highlighting his current financial stability and focus on other fighting ventures. He also discussed potential challengers for Khamzat Chimaev, favoring Reinier de Ridder as a top threat.
Robert Whittaker predicts Reinier de Ridder has the best chance to beat Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 319, citing de Ridder's ground game and unconventional style as potential challenges for Chimaev, who recently became the UFC middleweight champion.
Khamzat Chimaev won the UFC middleweight title in Chicago with a dominant performance and is now targeting potential challengers like Nassourdine Imavov, Caio Borralho, and Reinier de Ridder, with upcoming fights and rankings shaping the next title contenders.