What’s Next For Dustin Poirier After UFC 281?

It was good to see Dustin Poirier return to the UFC Octagon where he was born to be. Poirier put himself at the front of the pack for Lightweight title contusion but we don’t think a title will be next for the Louisiana native but we do have some fights we’d like to see Poirier fight. The first fight we’d love to see Justin Gaethje take on Porier in the Octagon. One other opponent that would make for an interesting fight is high level Grappler Beneil Dariush. This is a long shot, but we’d love to see Poirier move up and fight Colby Covington, the pair hate each other and it’d make for high drama.

We’d love to see Porier fight Gaethje, and so does Gaethje who said in an interview before Chandler and Poiriers fight at UFC 281 “Ideally, Poirier beats Chandler, I’d like to fight Poirier. I mean, he beat me. That’s one win I’d like to get back. It was Fight of the Year, Fight of the Decade — Fight of a Couple Years, probably. That was a hell of a fight. That’s ideal” we certainly agree that this would be fireworks just like Porier’s fight with Chandler. It’d be a great fight to watch because Gaethje is a human highlight as his nickname implies because it’s true this would be a great fight.

One fight that makes sense for Louisiana’s Poirier is a matchup between him and Beneil Dariush. Dariush is coming off a win against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280 in October he is riding an amazing eight fight win streak which I think Poirier could snap in the UFC cage. But it would definitely be super competitive as Dariush and an amazing grappler who much like poirier is a Brazilian Jiu jitsu Black Belt, but he is on another level in grappling in terms of Grappling for MMA as Dariush in that division is up their with guys like Charles Oliveira.

Another good fight would be a matchup between Colby Covington and Poirier. The smack talk would be epic. This would be a move up for Poirier, but I think the diamond could manage this matchup very well. Covington is a wrestler and is quite boring; he barely backs up his smack talk in the cage with his lackluster striking and boring wrestling style and was almost cut by the promotion till he turned heel. Poirier on the other hand is a top tier fighter who will bring the fight to Covington. Just remember Poirier’s only two losses in the last six years were to Charles Oliveira and Khabib Nurmagomedov are two of the best Lightweights of all time.

These are some fights that would make sense for Dustin Poirier after his win against Michael Chandler at UFC 281. We can’t wait to see what comes next for the Diamond.

Three Great MMA Fights Coming Up In May

The MMA world has some killer cards coming up in the month of May with some of the sport’s most talented fighters facing off in the major promotions’ cages. The PFL, Bellator, and The UFC have some major fights this month, but these are three of the fights that we are excited for at the moment.

Kayla Harrison Vs. Marina Mokhnatkina PFL 3

Marina Mokhnatkina is a Sambo fighter hailing from Russia. This will be her second fight in the PFL. She has previously fought in Bellator and has a career record of 6-2. She will have her work cut out for her in Kayla Harrison. Harrison is a two time Judo Olympic Gold Medalist and back to back PFL Women’s Lightweight Champion. Harrison recently resigned to the PFL after a lengthy free agency period where she was pursued by both the UFC and by Bellator. Bellator made an impressive offer, but the PFL matched their offer forcing Harrison to sign with the Promotion. The undefeated Harrison is a heavy favorite to win the PFL’s new season title as she’s a very big fish in a very small pond.

Justin Gaethje Vs. Charles Oliveira UFC 274

The UFC Lightweight title is up for grabs in a bout that will feature Justin Gaethje facing off with Submission Specialist the Reigning Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira. Gaethje is no stranger to big fights as he is the Former World Series of Fighting Lightweight Champion and is also a former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion he hopes to take Oliveiras belt. Oliveira will do everything in his power to stop this. The Brazilian grappler has been on an awesome ten fight winning streak two of those wins were title fights where he beat Michael Chandler vacant UFC Lightweight Championship. Broke the UFC record for most finishes (17). And a great title defense against one of the best Lightweights in the world Dustin Poirier. This matchup between Gaethje and Oliveira is going to be must-see TV and we are excited to watch how this goes down.

Update: Charles Oliveira missed weight and has been stripped of his UFC Lightweight title and will not be eligible to win the Lightweight title if he is victorious at UFC 274

Michael ‘Venom’ Page vs. Logan Storley Bellator 281

Former four-time All-American wrestler will face off against #1 ranked British Kickboxer Michael ‘Venom’ Page for the Bellator Welterweight title at the OVO Arena in London. Storley is coming off back to back victories against Dante Schiro and Jiu Jitsu ace Neiman Gracie. It will be interesting to see how this one shakes out for Storley who will face Page’s ferocious striking. MVP is riding a six fight win streak and looked very good in his last fight against Douglas Lima who was previously considered the best Welterweight outside of the UFC.

UFC 274 Preview

UFC 274 is right around the corner, and the main card is must watch TV. The first fight of the night features MMA veteran and all around badass Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone facing off against another badass UFC veteran Joe Lauzon. The next fight of note is between former interim Champ Tony Ferguson and former Bellator Champ Michael Chandler. Both Ferguson and Chandler are both in need of a win. The Card is then headlined by two title fights the first title fight is between Strawweights former champ Carla Esparza will face current champ Rose Namajunas. The final fight of the night will be between Justin Gaethje and Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira.

Donald Cowboy Cerrone has made a career out of taking short notice fights and fighting all comers. Some think that this will be Cerrone’s last fight in the UFC cage. Cerrone has had a couple of rough outings over the last three years most notably a Knockout loss to Conor McGregor. Joe Lauzon is on the back nine of his career; he got back in the win column in his last outing when he faced off against Jonathan Pearce winning by TKO. This was after a very rough patch in his career when he dropped three in a row to Stevie Ray, Clay Guida, and Chris Gruetzemacher. It will be Lauzon’s first bout in the UFC since before the Pandemic in 2019.

The next bout we’re really excited for is a matchup between Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson. Chandler put on one of the best fights last year when he squared up against Justin Gaethje in the UFC Octagon. The pair traded shots for a long time with Gaethje coming up the victor in the end. Chandler is now set to face Tony Ferguson with the pair being on losing streaks both are hoping to get back to their winning ways. Ferguson in his last three outings has faced top tier competition but was unable to secure victories against Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Beneil Dariush. It should be interesting to see who comes out of this matchup with a win.

The final two bouts on this card are title fights. The first being a rematch between Carla Esparza and Rose Namajunas. The pair faced off during The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale for the inaugural UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship. Esparza walked away with the belt in their first meeting and will hope to reclaim the title from Namajunas. Namajunas is on her second stint as UFC Champion and hopes to make her second title defense this go around when she faces off against Esparza.

The final bout of UFC 274 is for The Lightweight title and will feature Justin Gaethje facing off with Submission Specialist Charles Oliveira. Gaethje is no stranger to big fights as he is the Former World Series of Fighting Lightweight Champion and is also a former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion he hopes to take Oliveiras belt. Oliveira will do everything in his power to stop this. The Brazilian grappler has been on an awesome ten fight winning streak two of those wins were title fights where he beat Michael Chandler vacant UFC Lightweight Championship. Broke the UFC record for most finishes (17). And a great title defense against one of the best Lightweights in the world Dustin Poirier. This matchup between Gaethje and Oliveira is going to be must-see TV and we are excited to watch how this goes down.

You can catch UFC 274 on ESPN+ PPV on May 7th.

Update: Charles Oliveira missed weight and has been stripped of his UFC Lightweight title and will not be eligible to win the Lightweight title if he is victorious at UFC 274

Fighter Profile: Tony Ferguson

UFC news: Dana White says Tony Ferguson not eager to fight right now — Photo Courtesy Of Getty Images

Although he is currently on a three fight losing streak, the former interim Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson is still one of the best fighters in that division. Let’s face it he’s one of the most entertaining fighters in that division in and outside the cage. Ferguson who is a Black Belt Under 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu’s founder and conspiracy expert Eddie Bravo. Needless to say he has many submission victories, but most of his wins have come by Knockout, pretty impressive for a grappling expert.

Ferguson was born February 12, 1984 In Oxnard, California. Ferguson would later relocate with his family to Michigan where he would grow up. He is of Mexican and Scottish descent. He would attend high school at Muskegon Catholic Central High School. He would compete in three sports while in school including football, baseball, and wrestling. In wrestling he was an All-State Selection and in football he started and won the state championship. Ferguson would go on to wrestle in college and would win the 2006 National Collegiate Wrestling Association national wrestling championship.

Ferguson would go back to California after college and began working in Marketing and bartending at night. It was at this point he started training MMA after a patron at the bar he was working at saw his cauliflower ear and invited him to his MMA gym. Ferguson would start training and would make his MMA debut against Steve Avalos for the California Xtreme Fighting: Anarchy at the Arena promotion in April of 2008 Ferguson would win via TKO (submission to punches). He’d then go on to face Brandon Adams winning by TKO (Punches) in July of 2008. He’d then face Joe Schilling winning by Submission (rear-naked choke) Ferguson would then go on to compile a 10-2 professional record before getting the call to go on The Ultimate Fighter.

Ferguson would win season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter making his official debut for the promotion on the show’s live finale in June of 2011 with a Knockout win over Ramsey Nijem. He’d then face Aaron Riley at UFC 135 he would win via TKO (jaw injury.) He’d then fight Yves Edwards winning by Unanimous Decision. He’d then face David Johnson which would lead to Ferguson’s first loss in the promotion He’d then go on a 12 fight win streak including victory over Kevin Lee for the Lightweight Interim Title, this title would later be stripped due to injury. Ferguson has not been lucky as of late in his last three fights he’s lost to assassins in the Lightweight Division with names like Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Beneil Dariush.

It is not known who Ferguson will face next, but we hope he returns to his winning ways as soon as possible.

Fighter Profile: Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler plays the respect card in bid to fight Conor McGregor - MMAmania.com — Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Michael Chandler had one of the best UFC debuts on one of the biggest cards of the year in 2021 which led to him going straight into a title fight in his next outing and the straight to another title eliminator which was one of the best fights of the year. Chandler puts on a show and I think fans love the former All-American wrestler.

Chandler was born on April 24, 1986 in High Ridge, Missouri and lived there his whole childhood. Chandler was a standout student and played football and was on the wrestling team. Chandler graduated High School and went to University of Missouri where he walked onto the wrestling team and would compile a 100–40 overall record in his four years as a starter which earned him DI All-American honors, an impressive feat for someone that walked on to the team and wasn’t there on an athletic scholarship.

Chandler decided to pursue MMA after finishing his Collegiate wrestling career. He began his training at Xtreme Couture, a gym owned by six time UFC champion Randy Couture. Chandler would make his debut against Kyle Swadley winning by TKO (punches) in round one. He would make his debut at Welterweight and compile a 3-0 record before making it to Bellator. Chandler would fight two bouts in Bellator at Catchweight (165) before moving down to Lightweight entering the Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament, which consisted of three fights which he won all of, thus winning the tournament. He’d then fight Eddie Alvarez for the Bellator Lightweight title which Chandler would win. Chandler Would lose and win that Lightweight Bellator belt three times.

Chandler eventually landed at the UFC, he was first called on as an alternate for the Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmogamedov and Justin Gaethje. Chandler was not needed, but would make his UFC debut at UFC 257 in January of 2021 and secured an awesome victory against Dan Hooker via TKO (punches.) Chandler had made his arrival and the UFC brass liked what they saw in Chandler, and put him in the Octagon against Charles Oliveira for the vacant Lightweight title. Unfortunately for Chandler he would lose via TKO(punches.) Chandler would then face Justin Gaethje in November at UFC 268 unfortunately for Chandler he would drop this fight, but not before putting in one hell of a performance.

Chandler is an electric fighter to watch, it is not known who he will face. Considering he absorbed 86 significant strikes to the head I doubt it will be anytime soon.

What’s Next For ‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas?

Photo Courtesy of Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas made her return to the UFC octagon where she successfully defended her title against Weili Zhang. This was a great fight where Namajunas showed her abilities both on the feet and on the ground. Putting on a clinic for her first title defense this go around. But this brought many to question what is next for Namajunas? She has beaten most of the big names in her division and has faced and beaten all of the divisions’ former champions besides Carla Esparza.

Namajunas made her way to the UFC in 2014 when she fought for a title on season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter. She was ranked 7th on the show and would earn her spot to the final fight of the season where she faced Carla Esparza. Namajunas has gone on to have an excellent career in the UFC where she’s had two stints as champion.

Namajunas really has two options I think most fans would love to see. The first one I think that makes sense is another rematch with former Strawweight Champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk. Rose has beaten Jędrzejczyk twice already but Jędrzejczyk is one of the best Strawweights of all time. I think it’d be great to see a third fight. Jędrzejczyk has been removed from the rankings at the current moment, but said she was waiting to face the winner of the Strawweight Championship at UFC 268. Namajunas won so I think they could definitely make this fight.

The other option for Namajunas in my opinion would be a rematch against Carla Esparza. Esparza is coming off a victory to Yan Xiaonan at UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt in May of 2021. Esparza is on a five fight win streak and is often talked about as one of the best Strawweights of all time. Esparza Won the inaugural UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship and also Won The Ultimate Fighter Season 20 in 2014. Esparza lost the title to Jędrzejczyk in her next fight. This would be a great match between a current champion and a former champion. I think the fans would love to see it too.

Dana White and the UFC matchmakers do a great job making fights. I think Namajunas with the excellent coaching of Trevor Wittman will definitely have a way longer reign than her first time as champion. She’s a truly inspirational fighter who believes they are the best then puts on dominant performances that prove she’s the best. We will have to wait and see what is next!

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FIGHTER PROFILE: Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman says crossover mega-fight with Canelo "only makes sense" and would be combat sports' 'biggest event ever' | DAZN News UK — Usman embraces victory. Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

Kamaru Usman will face Colby Covington at UFC 268 in a rematch of their 2019 fight which was Usman’s first title defense. Usman will again be defending the 170 pound title at UFC 268 the world will be watching as these two great wrestlers face off in the UFC Octagon at Madison Square Garden. But what makes the welterweight champion and #1 pound for pound ranked fighter is his story and how he got to the UFC.

Usman was born May 11, 1987 in Auchi, Nigeria to his parents who were both of Nigerian descent. His father was in the Nigerian army and his mother was a teacher. Usman’s father would eventually become a Pharmacist and would move his family to the US when Usman was eight years old. This would get Usman an American education.

During his sophomore year Usman would begin wrestling at Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas. It would be a start of something special for young Usman who ended up with a 53–3 record and would place third at the Texas State Wrestling Championships. Usman who is the same age as Jon Jones would wrestle besides the future Light Heavyweight champion at the Senior National Tournament.

Usman would go on to wrestle in college at William Penn University. Usman would later transfer to the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Usman would place top 3 in wrestling in the country in all his years at UNK. Usman would become a NCAA Division II national champion at 174 pounds in 2010 in Omaha. After College Usman decided to pursue Olympic Wrestling but decided not to take part after injuries derailed his dreams.

This led Usman to pursue MMA. In 2011 Usman made his first step into the MMA world when he served as the wrestling coach for Team Miller during The Ultimate Fighter season fourteen. Usman made his professional MMA debut in November of 2012 fighting for the RFA promotion he won by TKO (punches.) Usman would lose his next fight, and would fight for more times in smaller promotions and would then make his way to the UFC. He’d end up in the UFC via The Ultimate Fighter. Usman would win the show and it would be his first win in the promotion.

After The Ultimate Fighter, Usman went on a serious run, dominating the Welterweight Division. Beating fighters like Leon Edwards, Demian Maia, and Rafael dos Anjos. This would earn Usman a title shot, where he would face defending Welterweight Champion, Tyron Woodley. Usman would win by Unanimous decision. Since then Usman has defended the Welterweight Championship 4 times once against Colby Covington and Gilbert Burns and twice against Jorge Masvidal. Usman will be facing Colby Covington in a rematch at Madison Square Garden as the main event of UFC 268.

What makes Usman’s story all the more amazing is that when Usman was doing all of these amazing things in the cage, he had turmoil at home. His father was in Jail for most of his run due to a health care fraud and money laundering scheme. Usman’s father is now out of jail and has seen his son fight. Usman recently bought his parents a nice home for them to retire in.

We shall see if Usman retains his title after UFC 268 it is sure to be a great fight, and it should be interesting because Usman and Covington don’t really like each other which adds so much drama to the fight. We shall see!

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FIGHTER PROFILE: JUSTIN GAETHJE

Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier trade barbs over Islam Makhachev

Justin Gaethje will make his return to the UFC Octagon on Saturday against Michael Chandler. It will be Gaethje’s first fight in over a year. Gaethje will be cornered by Trevor Whitman and will be the first of three of Whitman’s top level fighters fighting that evening. It will be good to see the Former interim Lightweight Champion fight against top level contenders like Chandler, and Gaethje hopes to out wrestle Chandler and put his last fight, a loss to UFC Lightweight Great Khabib Nurmagomedov behind him.

Gaethje was born in Safford Arizona on November 14, 1988 to Carolina and John Ray Gaethje. Gaethje is of German and Mexican descent. Gaethje is one of four children and happens to have a twin brother. Fighting is in Gaethje’s blood; his Grandfather on his father’s side boxed while enlisted in The U.S. Army.

Gaethje started wrestling at the age of four he’d wrestle all through High School and College. In High School Gaethje excelled at wrestling becoming a four-time finalist and two-time state champion. He’d go on to wrestle in college at University of Northern Colorado. He’d go on to do very well in his collegiate career which led him to get inducted into the University of Northern Colorado Athletics Hall of Fame.

Gaethje would start MMA while in college he said of his first experiences with MMA in an interview with SB Nation’s Bloody elbow “I started wrestling at 4 years old. It was never a dream of mine but I knew I always wanted to compete in something. When I was wrestling in college I took 7 amateur fights without ever being in a street fight, without sparring, without even training MMA. I won those and then decided to find a gym and turn pro”

Gaethje Would turn pro on August 20, 2011 when he would fight Kevin Croomat at ROF 41: Bragging Rights. Gaethje would win by KO in the first round. After a few more fights with that promotion he then moved on to the Rage in the Cage promotion. He’d win his three fights with the promotion winning once by submission, once by KO, and once by TKO.

Gaethje would then move on to the World Series of Fighting promotion. He’d win his first three fights which led him to the inaugural World series of Fighting Lightweight Championship. He’d win the title against Richard Patishnock by TKO (punches and elbows.) He’d defend that title five times which would lead Gaethje to be one of the biggest free agent signings to the UFC ever.

Gaethje Would make his UFC debut against Michael Johnson on July 7, 2017. He’d win by TKO (punches and knees.) This would lead Gaethje to fight against Eddie Alvarez at UFC 218. Alvarez would win by KO (Knee.) This would lead Gaethje to the biggest challenge of his career thus far and that was future interim Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier. He’d lose by TKO but Gaethje was down but not out he’d go on to win his next four fights including an Interim Title fight against Tony Ferguson. He’d go on to try to unify that title against undisputed Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. He unfortunately wast able to beat the Lightweight G.O.A.T.

Gaethje will make his return to the UFC octagon on November sixth. He will be facing Michael Chandler, and hopefully with a win will cement a title shot with the winner of Oliviera vs Poirier at UFC 269.

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What’s Next For Islam Makhachev?

UFC 267 results, highlights: Islam Makhachev inches closer to title shot with dominant win vs. Dan Hooker - CBSSports.com — Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

One of the UFC’s new rising stars is Islam Makhachev. Makhachev has an impressive ground game that was on full display at UFC 267 against Dan Hooker. Makhachev who is rightfully compared to the UFC’s greatest Lightweight of all time Khabib Nurmagomedov put on a clinic with a first round Kimura finish at UFC 267 to earn his ninth consecutive win, a streak he’s been on since 2016. With his win against Hooker it made one think what’s next for Islam Makhachev? Is a title shot in the cards for the Dagestani International Master of Sport in Combat Sambo?

Islam Makhachev got his start in the UFC in 2015 when he faced Leo Kuntz and won by Submission (rear-naked choke.) Since then Makhachev has only had one loss, the only career loss he had was his next fight against Adriano Martins. Since then has been on a war path to the top of the Lightweight Division.

When Makhachev beat Dan Hooker he was asked by Daniel Cormier if he thought he was next in line for the title. He responded “Now it’s time, before, it was like top 11 or top 15 but this guy is No. 6. Now I have to talk. Nine-fight win streak, I am ready for title fight. Please, anyone, it doesn’t matter because this division now is a little bit sleep. I am working hard and have worked this division.” But who knows what the matchmakers will do? I think Makhachev will have a few options.

The first option would be be a fight with the loser of Gaethje vs. Chandler at UFC 268. Chandler would be an interesting matchup as it would be interesting to see Chandler’s wrestling work against Makhachev’s skills both on the ground and striking. Gaethje would also be an interesting matchup as Gaethje is also a wrestler.

The other option would be the loser of Dustin Poirier vs Charles Oliveira. We’ve seen a similar fight between Poirier and Nurmagomedov, but Nurmagomedov and Makhachev are completely different fighters and it would be a matchup that fight fans would love to see. Olivera would be an interesting fight for Makhachev as Oliveira is a submission specialist. It’d be interesting to see Makhachev’s Sambo skill versus Olivera’s Jiu Jitsu.

No matter what the UFC matchmakers decide to do, UFC fans have a plethora of different fights that Makhachev could fight next. Hell, who knows? He might even get a title shot although that seems unlikely.

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