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About a year ago at this time, a rejuvenated Conor McGregor had big plans in store following a quick finish of Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.

An active 2020 calendar didn’t come to fruition for the Irish star, however, and it was a much more somber atmosphere following his first appearance since then, a second-round technical knockout loss to Dustin Poirier in the UFC 257 headliner at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night. A victory could have opened the door for numerous possibilities for the biggest star in the sport. Instead, McGregor must figure out how to rebound from perhaps the most damaging loss of his career to date.

“It’s the whole shebang, but I have no excuses here. It was a phenomenal performance by Dustin. I don’t know what to say,” McGregor said at the post-fight press conference. “I’m going to go back. I’m going to chill out. I’ll watch the full fight and get a better grasp on it. The leg was compromised. I was rushing the shots a little bit, and I d…

For years, Michael Chandler was the unofficial face of Bellator MMA.

Even as he enjoyed multiple reigns as the California-based promotion’s lightweight champ, he couldn’t help but consider what it might be like to square off against the UFC’s best at 155 pounds. On Saturday, Chandler showed what he could do in front what was likely a massive pay-per-view audience, as he defeated Top 10 lightweight Dan Hooker via first-round technical knockout in the UFC 257 co-main event.

“I spent 12 years outside of this company thinking about this possibility, thinking about these matchups, thinking about fighting the best guys in the world. Now I’m here,” Chandler said. “I’m going to be ranked inside the Top 5 now, that might knock Conor out of No. 4, maybe put me on No. 3 or 4… I have no idea where the rankings are going to go, doesn’t really matter. Anybody can get a title shot as long as they are in the Top 5, Top 10 actually, so… Just feeling great.

“Pure elation, tons of…

Dustin Poirier is coming off arguably the biggest win of his career to date — on the biggest stage possible. Meanwhile, Michael Chandler had one of the most impressive UFC debuts in recent memory.

According to Poirier, these things are not the same. “The Diamond” avenged a 2014 loss to Conor McGregor in the UFC 257 headliner on Saturday night, as he stopped the Irish superstar via technical knockout in the second round to put himself in prime position for a lightweight title opportunity. Chandler, a long-time Bellator MMA star, scored a first-round stoppage of Dan Hooker in the evening’s co-main event to insert himself into the championship discussion as well.

With Khabib Nurmagomedov looking less and less likely to return by the day, the promotion’s 155-pound belt should be up for grabs in the near future. Poirier is almost virtually assured of being part of that equation. However, he knows one opponent he isn’t interested in facing next.

“I can guarantee I wo…

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first pay-per-view of 2021 was not without some issues.

Early on in the pay-per-view broadcast, many ESPN+ subscribers who had purchased UFC 257 — including many professional fighters — experienced difficulty getting the streaming service to work properly.

Ultimately, those issues were resolved and viewers were able to witness Dustin Poirier defeat Conor McGregor via second-round technical knockout in Saturday’s main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. And as with most McGregor events, it appears to have been big business.

“It was mostly on the West Coast. The West Coast had some problems,” White said of the troubles with the ESPN+ stream. “But they got it fixed and it was a good night. It was a really good night. One of the Top 2 all-time.

“It’s either No. 2 or No. 3 all-time.”

McGregor’s loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in October 2018 reportedly sold in the neighborhood of 2.4 million pay-per-views, mak…

Conor McGregor’s aura took a hit in the UFC 257 main event on Saturday night.

The Irish superstar succumbed to strikes for the first time in 27 professional outings, falling to Dustin Poirier via second-round technical knockout at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. After the event’s conclusion, Khabib Nurmagomedov offered a reaction to McGregor’s performance from his Twitter account.

“This is what happened, when you change your team, leave the sparring partners who made you a champion and sparring with little kids, far away from reality,” Nurmagomedov wrote.

This is what happened, when you change your team, leave the sparring partners who made you a champion and sparring with little kids, far away from reality.

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 24, 2021

Had McGregor emerged victorious at UFC 257, the promotion still had hopes that it could convince Nurmagomedov to return for one final bout against the “Notorious” one. Their first …

Michael Chandler had an Ultimate Fighting Championship debut to remember, and it helped make his payday that much better.

The former Bellator MMA lightweight king made short work of Dan Hooker in the UFC 257 co-main event, an effort that netted him a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus. The finishing sequence began when Chandler floored his foe with a right hand to the body followed by a left hook upstairs. From there, he unloaded with right hands until the bout was stopped 2:30 into Round 1.

Meanwhile, Dustin Poirier gained revenge and a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” check for his second-round stoppage of Conor McGregor in the lightweight main event. Poirier attacked his foe’s calf with low kicks and backed him into the fence, where he dropped the Irishman with a right hook and sealed his win with a barrage of follow-up strikes at the 2:32 mark of the frame.

Earlier, Marina Rodriguez garnered a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” award for her upset victory …

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC 257 live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. Dustin Poirier was the better man the second time around. The American Top Team mainstay avenged his 2014 defeat to Conor McGregor and did so in style, as he punched out the former two-division Ultimate Fighting Championship titleholder in the second round of their UFC 257 headliner on Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Poirier (27-6, 19-5 UFC) closed the deal 2:32 into Round 2, becoming the first man to stop the Irishman with strikes.

From beginning to end, all class this time

[ #UFC257 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/E5TFQvCChA

— UFC (@ufc) January 24, 2021 McGregor (22-5, 10-3 UFC) was forced to play defense from the start. Poirier executed an early takedown, trapped the SBG Ireland star in the clinch and chipped away at his base with repeated kick…

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC 257 live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. Sherdog's live UFC 257 coverage will begin Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below. Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tristen Critchfiel…

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC 257 live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. Sherdog's live UFC 257 coverage will begin Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below. Round 1 Welcome to the big show. We end this brief stint on Fight Island with a massive pay-per-view event capped off by a rematch years in the making. Before we get there, we have ten fights to plow through, starting with a matchup in the flyweight division. In a classic battle of Sweden vs. Kazakhstan, Albazi (13-1, 1-0 UFC) looks to keep to his finishing ways against a man in Zhumagulov (13-4, 0-1 UFC) that has only lost once inside the distance. Referee Jason Herzog will oversee the opening bout, and with no touch of gloves, it’s on! Albazi opens up with a leg kick as Zhumagulov bears down on him quickly, so Albazi reaches out with a few long punches to the chest and stomac…

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC 257 live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

Arman Tsarukyan appears to be well on his way to relevance in the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight division.

The Khabarovsk MMA rep executed repeated takedowns and paired them with positional advances and ground-and-pound, as he cruised to a unanimous decision over Matt Frevola in the featured UFC 257 prelim on Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Tsarukyan (16-2, 3-1 UFC) swept the scorecards with 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26 nods from the judges.

Despite his best efforts, Frevola (8-2-1, 2-2-1 UFC) was out of his depth. Tsarukyan was a step ahead on the feet, on the ground and in the clinch. Clearly ahead on the scorecards, the 24-year-old continued to apply maximum pressure and pursued the finish until the final horn.

Rejuvenated Tavares Handles Carlos Jr. Searing leg kicks, stout c…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SnkcDn3nrE&w=560&h=315] Update: Due to their opponents failing to weigh-in, Frevola and Tsarukyan will now meet in a catchweight bout on the card. The Ultimate Fighting Championship puts on its first pay-per-view of 2021, and its third card in eight days, on Saturday. UFC 257 is headlined by the return of former two-weight champion Conor McGregor, who will take on a familiar foe in lightweight contender Dustin Poirier. The weigh-ins weren't without drama as three fighters failed to make contracted weight and the card had to be changed as a result.

Both Ottman Azaitar and Nasrat Haqparast didn't weigh-in at all and their respective bouts against Matt Frevola and Arman Tsarukyan have been canceled as a result. Tsarukyan also blew weight by coming over the lightweight limit by one pound.

McGregor (22-4) wants to finish "The Diamond" even quicker than he did the first time. The two first met at UFC 178, where "Notorious" knocked h…

Kayla Harrison will not be the only female Olympic judo champ that decided to move to MMA.

Brazilian Rafaela Silva, the 2013 world judo champion and former 2016 Olympic gold medalist below 57 kgs (125 pounds), has officially started her MMA training. Joining the new MMA academy led by Professional Fighters League lightweight fighter Joilton Lutterbach, she has already begun picking up striking fundamentals. According to Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Claudio Silva, who held mitts for her for the first time, the judoka's future looks bright.

“An Olympic champion is a different animal,” "Hannibal" said confidently. “Rafaela is world and Olympic [champion]. In less than one hour holding mitts [for] her, it was easy to recognize her focus and power. I bet in a few more months, we are going to have another prospect in [the] flyweight division.”

According to “Peregrino,” Silva made a deal to be part of the team, training every day with the professionals. She will…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGUX-begfxo&w=560&h=315] One Championship is staging its return to U.S. airwaves in April with a tentpole card.

The organization announced via press release on Friday that it would be holding an event on April 7 that will be shown in prime time on American television. The card, which will take place on a Wednesday night for U.S.-based audiences, will contain a title fight and several major names. The currently unnamed show draws a headliner of Adriano Moraes (18-3) vs. Demetrious Johnson (30-3-1) for the One flyweight title. The two were originally slated to meet in February, but the promotion pushed it back for undisclosed reasons.

Moraes recaptured his title in 2019 against Geje Eustaquio by decision, winning it back from a man that took it from him in 2018. Moraes became a three-time champ at the One flyweight division by beating Eustaquio, and his first defense will come against a pound-for-pound ranked opponent. “Mikinho” has…

Capitan CRUSHES Alaverdi Ramazanov in Round 2 to claim the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship! #ONEUnbreakable #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship pic.twitter.com/yuCArNk5BE

— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) January 22, 2021 Capitan Petchyindee Academy showed once again that there are levels to the fight game.

One Championship saw its first title change in 2021 as One: Unbreakable went down on Friday morning. The main event saw Alaverdi Ramazanov put his bantamweight kickboxing championship on the line against Capitan. Right out of the gate, Capitan relentlessly pursued his opponent with a flurry of kicks and punches. Ramazanov attempted his best to contain his opponent’s offense, but nothing seemed to slow down the ferocious challenger.

In the second stanza, Capitan chopped down his opponent with many low kicks, opening a window that he capitalized on. The Thai landed a powerful combination, putting Ramazanov down to the canvas.…

"It's bad, he's gone, he's no longer a UFC fighter."

Dana White explains why Ottman Azaitar has been cut from the UFC following a health and safety breach at #UFC257. pic.twitter.com/UO3aJbLUWO

— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) January 22, 2021 Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC 257 live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. The entire MMA community is waiting on pins and needles wondering what was in the bag that cost ex-Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight Ottman Azaitar his career.

Azaitar was not present for the UFC 257 weigh-ins, and the promotion announced on Friday morning that his main card match with Matt Frevola had been canceled. As it turned out, the Moroccan was not pulled due to COVID or a weight cut-related reason, but instead for violating the promotion's health and safety protocols.

In a statement, the UFC wrote that, “UFC is aware of a recent …

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. Another big matchup in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s stacked lightweight division is in the works for the end of February. The news first coming by way of MMA Junkie on Thursday, a lightweight scrap between Alexander Hernandez (12-3) and Thiago Moises (14-4) has been set for the UFC Fight Night card on Feb. 27. The two 155ers will square off at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, in a bout both fighters wanted as they called each other out in the past. Moises has since confirmed the pairing on his Instagram.

The Texas native has alternated wins and losses in his last five bouts, most recently drubbing Chris Gruetzemacher in 106 seconds in October. Second-round knockout losses to Donald Cerrone and Drew Dober were interspersed between decision victories over Francisco Trinaldo and Olivier Aubin-Mercier. “The Great” made his ma…

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. Ultimate Fighting Championship pioneer and repeat heavyweight title challenger Pedro Rizzo weighed in on Jon Jones’ upcoming move to Rizzo’s old division. Speaking to Sherdog on Wednesday night, Rizzo, the leader of the Brazilian MMA team Usina de Campeos RVT, went to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to corner two of his fighters. Both Douglas Silva de Andrade and Warlley Alves competed on UFC on ESPN 20 with varied results, as Silva de Andrade dropped a decision while Alves scored a knockout over Mounir Lazzez that made his coach proud.

“We are glad that Warlley was finally able to recover from a sequence of injuries and surgeries and show a great performance,” an elated Rizzo told Sherdog. “[The] first time he showed me that sequence of three quick [kicks] it was even hard to hold the pads, and I told him to invest [in] that, …

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. Two Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters on a combined 20-fight unbeaten streak are coming to blows at lightweight in March. On Wednesday, Grant Dawson (16-1) posted on Instagram that he had news of his new opponent, hinting that his prospective foe was unbeaten in the promotion. MMA Junkie revealed hours later that this opponent was Leonardo Santos (18-3-1), and that the two would be squaring off at 155 pounds at the UFC Fight Night card on March 20.

“Contract signed,” Dawson wrote. “He’s undefeated in the UFC. And his run is coming to an end. Fight News coming soon!”

Dawson fought twice in 2020, tapping out Darrick Minner in February and capturing a unanimous verdict over Nad Narimani a few months later. Getting signed off the first season of Dana White's Contender Series, “KGD” landed a submission on Adrian Diaz…

One of the more beloved stars in the sport has been hospitalized due to the coronavirus, and he claims he is currently in recovery.

On Thursday morning, RT Sport first reported that Fedor Emelianenko has come down with COVID-19, and as a result, he has been sent to the hospital. Taken to Clinical Hospital No. 52 in Moscow, his specific condition has not been specified but the Russian took to Instagram to reassure the public that he is in good spirits.

“Thanks to all who are genuinely concerned for my health,” Emelianenko posted per a translation from RT Sport. “I feel fine, I am going into recovery. I’m grateful to the doctors and medical staff for their care and hard work.”

Widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights to ever compete in mixed martial arts, the 44-year-old has won five of seven since emerging from retirement in 2015. The Russian said farewell to the sport for the first time back in 2012, leaving the Strikeforce promotion to rattle off a tr…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpSuH6_ntc0&w=560&h=315]

Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to have a different interpretation of his recent meeting with Dana White than the UFC president did.

In a recent interview with Russian outlet Sport24, Nurmagomedov didn’t show much interest in the outcome of the top two fights on Saturday’s UFC 257 card. White, after talking with the lightweight champ last week, suggested that if something spectacular happened in Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier or Michael Chandler vs. Dan Hooker, Nurmagomedov could be lured back into the Octagon for one more fight.

“There must be some motivation, some hunger,” Nurmagomedov said via translated text on the video. “If you’re not hungry, you know, I’ve been in sports for so many years. I’ve been doing it all my life. I have achieved almost everything in this sport, and there isn’t someone who I would like to fight now.

“I know that there are many fighters who would like to earn money, who…

Moments after Michael Chiesa completed a dominant performance against Neil Magny in the UFC on ESPN 20 headliner, he turned his attention to perhaps the welterweight division’s most reviled star.

“The election is over,” Chiesa said in his post-fight interview. “Colby Covington, your schtick is done. I want you next, boy.”

That Wednesday happened to be the end of Donald Trump’s term in the White House and the official inauguration of new U.S. President Joe Biden made the timing that much more perfect, especially considering that Covington has been an avid Trump supporter the past few years.

For Chiesa, the callout was more about achieving his goals in 2021 than it was about one-upping Covington. He believes that a matchup with the controversial former interim champion could propel him closer to the top of the 170-pound division.

“I want two more fights this year, I want to end this year as the No. 1 contender,” Chiesa said. “I want fights in the Top 5. I th…

Warlley Alves returned to the win column in emphatic fashion at UFC on ESPN 20.

Alves’ assault of prospect Mounir Lazzez in the evening’s welterweight co-main event earned him a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” award. The Brazilian veteran was aggressive from the outset before flooring his foe with a series of kicks to the body. From there, Alves sealed the victory with ground-and-pound at the 2:35 mark of Round 1.

Elsewhere, Mike Davis and Mason Jones shared “Fight of the Night” honors and $50,000 apiece for their preliminary lightweight scrap. The two combatants combined to land 225 significant strikes, but it was Davis who connected with more authority throughout the contest to secure a unanimous decision triumph.

Earlier, Umar Nurmagomedov delivered in his Octagon debut, receiving the card’s other $50,000 “Performance of the Night” check thanks to a submission of Sergey Morozov in a preliminary bantamweight clash. After displaying a well-rounded standup at…

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. Michael Chiesa imposes his will as well as anyone in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 15 winner rode repeated takedowns, smooth positional advances and crushing top control to a unanimous decision over Neil Magny in the UFC on ESPN 20 headliner on Wednesday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. All three judges scored it 49-46 for Chiesa (18-4, 11-4 UFC), who improved to 4-0 since relocating to the welterweight division.

Called out!@MikeMav22 had only one name in mind after that!

[ #UFCFightIsland8 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/dXBQcdShL8

— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2021 Magny (24-8, 17-7 UFC) looked hapless at times, frustrated at others. Chiesa did just enough on the feet to give the Elevation Fight Team mainstay pause, pursued h…

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. Sherdog's live UFC on ESPN 20 coverage will begin Wednesday at 9 a.m. ET. Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below. Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tudor Leonte scores the round:John Brannigan scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tudor Leonte scores the round:John Brannigan scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tudor Leonte scores the round:John Brannigan scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tudor Leonte scores the round:John Brannigan scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tudor Leonte scores the round:John Brannigan scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tudor Leonte scores the round:John Brann…