Latest news with #welterweight
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mailbag: In UFC's crowded welterweight division, what's the next move for every contender?
What should the UFC do about all these welterweight contenders thinking they deserve the next title shot? Would we be better off with finish bonuses instead of win bonuses? And what can Khalil Rountree Jr.'s customized fight shorts tell us about the state of MMA fashions and so forth? All hat and much more in this week's mailbag. To ask a question of your own, hit up @benfowlkesMMA or @ @SLefkaditis: Welterweight. Who against who next? Advertisement First of all, can we all agree that Kamaru Usman is living in some alternate reality with all his title shot talk? I get it, that was a big win for him on Saturday. He needed it and he got it. But the reason he needed it is because he was 0-3 coming into the fight and his last win came in 2021. You don't win one fight and jump immediately to the front of the line. I know his argument is that a 170-pound title fight between the former pound-for-pound best (himself) and the current pound-for-pound best (Islam Makhachev) would be a guaranteed blockbuster. My counter to that is: Would it though? Usman wasn't a massive draw even when he was champ. Makhachev's biggest potential fight is still Ilia Topuria at lightweight. Usman still has work to do to get back in the conversation at welterweight, which is why he should stop playing and accept Belal Muhammad's offer to fight next. As for what should happen with the title, I say Shavkat Rakhmonov should get the winner of Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena. He earned it. That title shot that "JDM" got out of nowhere was supposed to be Rakhmonov's. So as soon as he's healthy, let's find out if he's really as inevitable as he seems at 170 pounds. That leaves Sean Brady and Ian Machado Garry without dance partners, so put them in there with each other and let's see who's next in line. Advertisement Whatever happens, one rule I'd like us to agree on moving forward is this: The next person to call out Colby Covington automatically falls three spots in the rankings. This simply must stop, you guys. @Mike_Fierce_: Light Heavyweight was once considered the UFC's marquee division with some of the biggest names and greatest fights in the history of the sport. Now ruled by a lackluster champion in Ankalaev, are those days of walking amongst giants now long gone…? First of all, let's tap the brakes on phrases like 'ruled by' when referring to the guy who won the UFC light heavyweight title in March and has yet to defend it. Let's also not forget that for the past year and change the champ was Alex Pereira, who's still one of the vanishingly few actual stars on the UFC roster. We all had fun with that, right? Some of the best and most popular fighters in the short history of this sport have come out of the 205-pound class, from Jon Jones to Chuck Liddell to Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson. Sometimes the division is better than others, but I still think it has the potential to be the UFC's glamour division. Advertisement The fighters who populate the division are big enough to be scary tough guys to the general public, but not necessarily big enough that all the good ones already got scooped up by the NFL. And who knows, maybe Magomed Ankalaev will turn out to be more fun as a champion than we think. Though I will admit, the fact he's basically disappeared from view and from the conversation entirely since winning the title doesn't make me terribly hopeful just now. @BTM99_MMA: Should the fight/win bonus structure be replaced with a generous fight/finish bonus? The last UFC for example was very poor - x2 DQ chasers several bouts resembled sparring sessions I don't hate that idea at all. I think the show/win pay structure sucks for a few different reasons, not the least of which is that there are so many ways for a fighter to put on a great performance and still end up with only half their money. Incentivizing wins above all else can result in some boring fights — and especially some boring final rounds, once a fighter knows he's up on the cards and just has to coast home. Incentivizing finishes seems like it would lead to more exciting fights, and you still end up paying the winner anyway. But as long as we're looking at antiquated pay structures, how about those UFC 'performance' bonuses? It used to be Knockout of the Night, Submission of the Night and Fight of the Night. Then I'm guessing some legal egghead saw the NFL's concussion lawsuits and figured that explicitly incentivizing knockouts could come back to bite the UFC in the butt, so we changed the names but kept the same basic concept. Advertisement Thing is, those bonuses weren't always worth $50,000. For instance, UFC 106 in 2009? Bonuses were $70,000 each. For UFC 142 in 2012 they were $65,000. That was not only a different time for the value of the U.S. dollar (that $70,000 bonus in 2009 is equivalent to about $106,000 today), but also a very different time for the UFC. This promotion makes so much more money now than it did back then. Like, a boatload more. So tell me why the bonus amounts settled at $50,000 and then never budged, except for rare special occasions like UFC 300? How have fighters just accepted that their bonus-worthy finishes are basically worth less than half what Josh Koscheck got for choking out Anthony Johnson at the Mandalay Bay in 2009? Now that's a question they ought to be asking themselves. @JedKMeshew: What if, instead of some fighters getting custom shorts occasionally, every fighter got to make their own custom shorts? Do you think that would be cool? I do, Jed. I think it would be very cool. Also sometimes dumb and weird, but at least interesting. Advertisement That's why I couldn't understand the contingent of fans who, upon seeing Khalil Rountree Jr.'s shorts for Saturday's main event, got hung up on the question of whether or not Rountree was a big enough deal in the UFC to merit his own special shorts. They should all get their own individual shorts! It's an individual sport, and helping people stand out from the crowd should be part of a promoter's goal! Remember back before any of these outfitting deals, when fighters could wear whatever shorts they wanted within the limits of good taste? (Shouts out to Dennis Hallman.) Tito Ortiz had the flame shorts. Liddell had his whole 'Iceman' motif. People got to show some personality. We need more and not less of that. Plus, as Rountree's shorts showed us, some of these fighters actually have some good ideas. @NeedXtoseePosts: How bad is it I sorta of want Charles Oliveira to fall out of the Ilia Topuria fight with the news Arman Tsarukyan is the back up I do feel very bad about it FWIW For my money, Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira has the makings of a more exciting fight. You could argue that Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan would be the more meaningful fight at lightweight right now, and I wouldn't disagree. But I also think people are forgetting that 'Do Bronx' can still do the damn thing and might spoil everyone's party at UFC 317. @CrooklynMMA: If you had to go to a club in a UFC fight kit, whose would you choose? Advertisement I would go with a vintage "Giblert" Melendez Reebok kit. Lets people know you're not some newb casual. Shows you have a sense of humor. Plus it's got to be worth something by now, the same way those baseball cards with minor defects are. @Bengonzz01: Will Payton Talbot be the next edmen shabazyan/sage Northcutt considering how the ufc just booked him coming off a loss You're over here acting like Edmen Shahbazyan didn't just win a fight on Saturday. But fine, I see your point. The UFC can sometimes get excited about a young prospect one month only to feed him to the wolves the next. But what's happening with Payton Talbott seems more like the UFC matching up a couple young fighters with similar experience and letting them decide for themselves who's for real. Felipe Lima is newer to the UFC, but has a few more fights and only one loss, like Talbott. Lima is 27, while Talbott is 26. I know it's not a setup fight to help Talbott stack easy wins, but is that what we want out of the UFC? I'm not so sure. When you make fights with one specific outcome in mind, eventually you get disappointed. @ProFightsInfo: What would you think if all the non-UFC MMA companies got together and announced that once a year they will do a joint show that is branded like the World Cup? PFL, ONE, RIZIN, KSW and Cage Warriors (maybe not them w/ the UFC connections). Would fans be excited? Would it succeed? Advertisement I think it would be super exciting and you'd have a good chance of getting every promoter on board except the UFC. It has more to lose than to gain from that, and company execs know it. Would something like this help build the sport? Absolutely. But the UFC is not in the building phase right now. It is in the cash-out phase. One of the reasons it keeps hundreds of fighters under contract is so those other promoters have a harder time getting anything interesting going. The UFC isn't going to ruin that plan by flinging open the door just because fans would love it.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kamaru Usman: 'Everybody wants to watch' me fight Islam Makhachev for title after UFC Atlanta win
Kamaru Usman went out and taught Joaquin Buckley a thing or two about elite-level welterweight wrestling at UFC Atlanta. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC) ATLANTA — Kamaru Usman is back, just as if he never left. The former UFC welterweight champion strolled into the UFC Atlanta on Saturday on the heels of a career-long 20-month layoff and three-fight losing skid that dated back to 2022. Yet tasked with surging top contender Joaquin Buckley, Usman showed no signs of slowing down at age 38, winning a one-sided unanimous decision. Advertisement Speaking after the win, Usman described the performance as his "y'all must have forgot" moment. "I know it's been a while," Usman said, "and after the last one [against Khamzat Chimaev], going up against a young, strong, hungry guy, one of the most dangerous and terrifying guys — I was dealing with some things going into that one, but I took the fight with short notice. And because of that fight, it's almost like they forgot I could f***ing wrestle, and they got dismissive and borderline disrespectful. So I just had to pull out the skill and just let them know, 'Hey, respect every aspect of my game.'" Usman made his ambitions clear during fight week — and that was to claim another title before his time is up. Obviously that goal starts with his old welterweight strap, which is now in the possession of Jack Della Maddalena. The new champion will have his work cut out for him in his first title defense, as Della Maddalena is expected to face now-former lightweight king — and Uncrowned's No. 1-ranked pound-for-pound fighter — Islam Makhachev sometime in the second half of 2025. Advertisement While the fight has yet to be made official, Usman is expecting it to unfold, and he wants to challenge the winner. "I only had to really use one skill tonight, and everyone knows I can knock you out with my hands," Usman said. "But if you're going to give me that [takedown], I'm going to take it. So let's be honest — I'm the biggest [name] in the division. This is about entertainment. The UFC is an entertainment company. You want to make the biggest fight? It's going to be [me versus] the winner of 'JDM' and Islam. "If Islam pulls that one out, former pound-for-pound [versus] current pound-for-pound — who doesn't pay for that? "I was able to come in there and really utilize one skill," Usman continued, "but hey, I still possess what it takes to be the best in this division. It's only up from here." For Usman, while the prospect of a Makhachev matchup is understandably more enticing than the young-gun champion from Australia, he's not doubting Della Maddalena's chance to pull off an upset. Advertisement "'JDM' is no slouch, let's not look past 'JDM,'" Usman said. "I said that in his last fight, and he went out there and showed you guys, don't look past him. He's very, very talented. Islam is extremely talented. I love Islam. I think him coming in makes that division a lot more interesting. "So if he's able to get in there and wrestle that belt away from 'JDM,' current pound-for-pound [versus] former pound-for-pound, I think everybody wants to watch that [fight between us]." Della Maddalena's bout to win the title came against Belal Muhammad in one of the best fights of the year at UFC 315 this past May. Long before Usman's title reign ended at the hands of Leon Edwards three years ago, Usman vs. Muhammad appeared to be a collision that was destined to happen. With the UFC welterweight division as loaded as ever with fresh contenders, an Usman title shot doesn't feel like a guarantee despite Usman's confidence. So what about finally making that Muhammad matchup if the title shot eludes him? Advertisement Well, let's say Usman isn't too interested. "Who? Who is that? Next. I forgot it," he said.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC news: Worrisome report about Kamaru Usman's health emerges days before return at UFC Atlanta
Kamaru Usman's manager recently revealed some worrisome information about his client that is not a good sign ahead of his long-awaited UFC return fight this Saturday. 'I can tell you, Kamaru — for the last seven, eight years — he had to get six, seven injections to be able to fight,' Ali Abdel-Aziz revealed during an appearance on Submission Radio. 'Knee, shoulder, you name it. He always got something.' Advertisement Related: UFC schedule – Get a look at Saturday's complete UFC Atlanta card Abdel-Aziz also claimed the one-time welterweight champion is in some of the best shape he has seen him in over the last few years. Unfortunately, every fighter, coach, or agent always seems to say things are great health-wise ahead of a fight. The agent's revelation, however, is a fact and is the clearest evidence that the UFC great's best days are way behind him. Usman will go down as one of the greatest welterweights of all time. 'The Nigerian Nightmare' went on an absolute tear after winning Season 21 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2015. He would win 15 straight to begin his UFC career, including five successful title defenses after defeating Tyrone Woodley for the belt in 2019. Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-Imagn Images Kamaru Usman record: 20-4 (9 KOs, 1 submission) But over the last three years, the father time has started to hover over Kamaru Usman's shoulder. The former champ has suffered three straight losses. While the setbacks came against elite talent like Leon Edwards and a middleweight clash with Khamzat Chimaev, he has shown obvious signs of age. Advertisement He is no longer the dominant wrestler he once was, and his hand speed has understandably slowed down. Match that with never being a heavy puncher, and now the competition has quickly caught up to him. The injections over the last few years show his body is quickly breaking down at 38, and after a long career in mixed martial arts and amateur wrestling before that. Usman will face fast-rising welterweight stud Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Atlanta this Saturday. Buckley is right in the middle of his prime at 31, and he is a deadly striker. This is the former champ's first fight in close to two years. Also Read:: Updated UFC welterweight rankings: Michael Morales literally knocks Gilbert Burns out of top 10 Related Headlines
Arab News
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Hattan Alsaif returns for 2025 PFL MENA 2 in Riyadh
RIYADH: The Professional Fighters League on Wednesday announced the full card for PFL MENA 2, to be held at Riyadh's Green Halls arena on Friday, July 4. In the main event, 2024 PFL MENA welterweight champion Omar 'God First' El-Dafrawy (13-5-0) returns to the city of his title win to face 2024 PFL Europe welterweight finalist Daniele 'The Cyborg' Miceli (13-6-0) in the SmartCage. The co-main event features a welterweight clash between Kuwaiti Mohammad Alaqraa (7-1-0) and Palestinian Omar '187' Hussein (11-6-0). Alaqraa, a 2024 PFL MENA finalist and current division leader, is seeking redemption after suffering the first loss of his professional career in last year's finals. Hussein, a former PFL Europe standout, is aiming to hand Alaqraa a second defeat and make a strong statement on the Middle Eastern MMA scene. In a highly anticipated bantamweight quarterfinal bout, Algeria's Mokthar 'Le Kabyle' Benkaci (24-9-0) will face Lebanon's Marcel Adur (19-7-0). Both fighters are known for their explosive striking and finishing power, making this a strong contender for the most thrilling bout of the night. Local favorite Hattan Alsaif (AM 3-0-0) returns to the SmartCage for what is likely to be another exciting amateur showcase. The rising Saudi talent faces her toughest opponent yet in Nour Al-Fliti (AM 1-1-0), a three-time Lebanese MMA champion and IMMAF Asian Championship silver medalist. Rounding out the card, Abdulaziz Bin Moammar (AM 1-0-0) will represent the Kingdom in a catchweight 160 pound showcase amateur bout against Egypt's Hassan Ahmed (AM 3-1-0).
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Who is Ekow Essuman? Fight record, stats, next bout and more
Josh Taylor makes a foray into the welterweight division to fight Ekow Essuman at the OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow this weekend live on DAZN. The Scot leaves his former 140lbs kingdom behind after back-to-back losses to Teofimo Lopez and Jack Catterall. Ahead of him is staunch opposition in the form of WBO European titleholder, Ekow Essuman, a former British champion with only one blemish on his record. DAZN has everything you need to know about Essuman ahead of his clash with Taylor. Who is Ekow Essuman? What is Ekow Essuman's record? Before turning pro, Essuman was a well-regarded amateur who boxed internationally alongside studying for a marketing, design and communications degree. But the Nottingham man was destined for the professional ranks with his coaches telling him had a style suited for the paid game. Essuman told FightPos t in 2020: 'As an amateur, coaches always regarded my style as more of a professional style than an amateur point scoring style.' The Botswanan-born Brit made his debut in 2016 by beating Andrej Cepur on points in Birmingham. He would continue unbeaten, claiming the English welterweight title in 2018 by knocking out Andy Keates in the fifth round. After four fights, including two defences of his English title, Essuman collected another belt by outpointing Cedrick Peynaud at York Hall to become the IBF European welterweight champion in 2020. The British and Commonwealth titles were next for Essuman who broke Chris Jenkins's ribs on his way to an eighth-round stoppage at Wembley Arena. Now in possession of three titles and becoming a name in the welterweight division, the Nottingham fighter made four successful defences of his trinkets before he suffered an upset defeat to Harry Scarff on points in 2023. Essuman took eight months out of the ring before returning in 2024 to claim the WBO European title by stopping Owen Cooper in the tenth round. He has since beaten Ben Vaughan to remain in possession of his title. When is Ekow Essuman's next fight? Ekow Essuman returns to the ring this weekend to initiate Josh Taylor into the welterweight ranks, away from home, at the OVO Hydro Arena. The pair will headline the card promoted by Queensberry Promotions. The fights will be shown live on DAZN with coverage for the main card starting at 7pm BST. Watch the very best boxing with a DAZN subscription DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.
