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Leon Edwards inches closer to title-shot
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards continues on his upwards trajectory as he defeats Nate Diaz at UFC 263.
In a victory that was by no-means an easy task, Leon Edwards displayed his superior striking skills and rock solid grappling throughout. Using his range and precision, Edwards neutralised Diaz’s attacks and tee’d off on the Stockton veteran. Despite controlling the vast majority of exchanges for 4 rounds, Rocky didn’t leave the Octagon unscathed, enduring a late scare in the fifth round. He managed to dig deep, overcome the adversity and survive to claim a 49-46 decision win.
The pair were all-class in victory and defeat, with Edwards calling out for a long overdue title clash in his post-fight interview. Extending his unbeaten streak to 10, the Englishman, along with the vast majority of UFC fans, believes that he is next in line to take on Kamaru Usman. Six years after their previous fight, Edwards and Usman have undoubtedly sharpened their tools and improved drastically in every realm of the game.
Usman is coming off the back of his fourth title defense, and has looked impenetrable. After silencing the masses with a vicious knockout over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261, an aura of invincibility surrounds the welterweight king.
Edwards believes he is the one to dethrone the champion, and with a gritty win over the always-durable Diaz, he certainly showed his skills are ready for such a task.
After years of bad luck, from cancelled bouts and injuries to being cut from the roster entirely, Edwards momentum has finally began to pick up. The welterweight contender has found a firm footing at the top of the welterweight talent pool, and it’s hard to deny a title shot is next for him.
Do you think Edwards performance warrants a title shot? Let us know below!
With the dust settled in Rio de Janeiro, it’s time to take a look at what’s next for the winners and losers of UFC 301.
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(c) Alexandre Pantoja (28-5) – UFC flyweight champion
In another hard-fought performance, flyweight kingpin Alexandre Pantoja retained his title in front of a home crowd in Brazil. With his second defense in the bag, he is already the second most accomplished champion in the history of the division. The scarce amount of deserving contenders makes it hard to pick out a deserving challenger, so I would advocate for ‘The Cannibal’ to take on the winner of an eliminator between Amir Albazi and Muhammad Mokaev.
(#10) Steve Erceg (12-2) – former UFC title challenger
Australia’s Steve Erceg gave a fantastic account of himself in his first UFC title bid, despite being less than a year into his run with the promotion. He will certainly remain in championship contention after this, and I think he should get another major fight after this. Brandon Royval won’t be getting another crack at the belt anytime soon, given his two losses to the champ, so I think this makes lots of sense.
Jose Aldo (32-8) – two-time UFC featherweight champion
What else is there to say about Jose Aldo? The Hall of Famer returned from retirement and put on one of his better performances ever against a top fifteen contender. If he decides to re-sign with the UFC and go on one final run at gold, I think Henry Cejudo is the ideal opponent. Dominick Cruz is obviously another great option, but Cejudo fought for the title a year ago and is closer to title contention. Either way, the King of Rio is back and that’s awesome.
(#12) Jonathan Martinez (19-5) – bantamweight contender
There is no shame for Jonathan Martinez in losing to Jose Aldo. I don’t think a loss to a former champion will harm his stock, though a fight outside of the rankings is likely in order for his next bout. Undefeated prospect Farid Basharat has been on the fringe of bantamweight contention for a while, and Martinez has made a name on beating hyped prospects. Book it for Manchester, if possible!
(#10) Anthony Smith (38-19) – former UFC title challenger
Every few years, Anthony Smith beats a surging contender, steals their hype and reignites his title hopes; that’s what we saw at UFC 301. If he doesn’t fight Bogdan Guskov next, it is a waited opportunity. I don’t even have to explain why this suggestion makes sense. Just search a photo of Smith and Guskov standing beside each other.
Vitor Petrino (11-1) – light heavyweight contender
Coming into this bout, it seemed like Vitor Petrino wouldn’t be stopped, but his inexperience at the highest level seemed to trip him up. Still, he is a solid prospect at 205lbs that has finishing ability. Ryan Spann has been on a small slide lately, but also has power in both hands, much like Petrino. I say that it makes sense.
Michel Pereira (31-11, 2 NC) – middleweight contender
Michel Pereira is bloody amazing inside the ring. His move to 185lbs has only made him a stronger force nature, as demonstrated by his sub-sixty stoppage on Saturday. A ranked middleweight has to be next. I would recommend Roman Dolidze as an opponent and, if it can be organised, it should be done in Brazil. ‘Demolidor’ has star potential in his home country.
Ihor Potieira (20-6) – middleweight contender
Given that he didn’t even get a chance to showcase his arsenal in this 54 second bout, it’s hard to pinpoint where Ihor Potieria should go next. I’m going to suggest Bruno Silva, because why not? It’d be fun, probably.
(#14) Caio Borralho – middleweight contender
The unbeaten run of Caio Borralho continued in Brazil, where he claimed a second round knockout. The showcase gave the impression that ‘The Natural’ is ready for a step up in competition, which I would agree with. He called for Jared Cannonier, but has been slated to take on Nassourdine Imavov later this year. Jack Hermansson, however, is available and riding the hype of crushing the surge of Joe Pyfer. I could see this matchup headlining a card at some point.
(#13) Paul Craig – middleweight contender
Back-to-back losses in three middleweight appearances are not ideal for Paul Craig. I think that questions for retirement will be floated for the 36 year old, but if he wants to continue fighting, a bout with former champion Chris Weidman would work well. The Scot is will be trying to defend his ranking, while the New Yorker will be attempting to re-enter the top fifteen.
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For more UFC content, stay tuned to Violent Money TV.
It’s fight day! Live from Rio de Janeiro, UFC 301 sees flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja make a return to home soil in an attempt to pick up his second title defense. Standing in his way is Australian prospect Steve Erceg, looking to make history by dethroning the champion less than a year after his promotional debut.
In the co-main event, Hall of Famer and two-time featherweight champ Jose Aldo touches down in the Octagon once again. He will look to stall the momentum of contender Jonathan Martinez, who is riding a hot streak in the bantamweight division.
Note: any point deductions will be denoted by an asterisk and explained at the bottom of the page.
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Main card (3am GMT+1 – TNT Sports)
(c) Alexandre Pantoja defeats (#10) Steve Erceg via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) – defends UFC flyweight championship
Jose Aldo defeats (#12) Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – bantamweight bout
(#10) Anthony Smith defeats Vitor Petrino via submission (guillotine – 2:00 – R1) – light heavyweight bout
Michel Pereira defeats Ihor Potieria via submission (guillotine – 0:54 – R1) – middleweight bout
(#14) Caio Borralho defeats (#13) Paul Craig via knockout (punches – 2:10 – R2) middleweight bout
Prelims (1am GMT+1 – TNT Sports/UFC Fight Pass)
Joanderson Brito defeats Jack Shore via TKO (doctor stoppage – 3:35 – R2) – featherweight bout
Iasmin Lucindo defeats (#13) Karolina Kowalkiewicz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – strawweight bout
Myktybek Orolbai defeats Elves Brener via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)* – lightweight bout
Drakkar Klose defeats Joaquim Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – lightweight bout
Early prelims (11pm GMT+1 – UFC Fight Pass)
Mauricio Ruffy defeats Jamie Mullarkey via TKO (punches – 4:42 – R1) – lightweight bout
Dione Barbosa defeats Ernesta Kareckaite via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – flyweight bout
Ismael Bonfim defeats Vinc Pichel via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – lightweight bout
Alessandro Costa defeats Kevin Borjas via TKO (punches – 1:35 – R2) – flyweight bout
*Orolbai was deducted a point in the third round for a fence grab
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For more UFC 301 content, stay tuned to Violent Money TV.
With UFC 301 set to mark a return to Brazil for the MMA leader in just a day, the athletes competing have taken to the scales ahead of their bouts.
Let’s see who weighed in!
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Main card (3am GMT+1 – TNT Sports)
(c) Alexandre Pantoja (125lbs) vs (#10) Steve Erceg (125lbs) – UFC flyweight championship bout
(#12) Jonathan Martinez (136lbs) vs Jose Aldo (136lbs) – bantamweight bout
(#10) Anthony Smith (205.5lbs) vs (#15) Vitor Petrino (206lbs) – light heavyweight bout
Michel Pereira (186lbs) vs Ihor Potieria (185lbs) – middleweight bout
(#14) Paul Craig (185lbs) vs (#15) Caio Borralho (186lbs) – middleweight bout
Prelims (1am GMT+1 – TNT Sports/UFC Fight Pass)
Jack Shore (145.5lbs) vs Joanderson Brito (146lbs) – featherweight bout
(#13) Karolina Kowalkiewicz (116lbs) vs Iasmin Lucindo (116lbs) – strawweight bout
Elves Brener (156lbs) vs Myktbek Orolbai (155.5lbs) – lightweight bout
Jean Silva (146lbs) vs William Gomis (143lbs) – featherweight bout*
Early prelims (11pm GMT+1 – UFC Fight Pass)
Joaquim Silva (155.5lbs) vs Drakkar Klose (156lbs) – lightweight bout
Mauricio Ruffy (156lbs) vs Jamie Mullarkey (156lbs) – lightweight bout
Dione Barbosa (126lbs) vs Ernesta Kareckaite (125.5lbs) – flyweight bout
Ismael Bonfim (156lbs) vs Vinc Pichel (156lbs) – lightweight bout
Alessandro Costa (126lbs) vs Kevin Borjas (125.5lbs) – flyweight bout
*This bout has been cancelled due to Gomis falling ill
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For more UFC 301 content, stay tuned to Violent Money TV.
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