Former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas lost her belt to Jessica Andrade at UFC 237. After a year outside of the cage, Namajunas returned for the rematch at UFC 251.

Andrade had already lost the title to Zhang Weili, but Namajunas avenged the loss.

Take a look back at Namajunas’s victory over Andrade at UFC 251 on Fight Island.

(Video courtesy of UFC)

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UFC 251 Highlights Recap: Kamaru Usman defends against Jorge Masvidal

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Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/watch-rose-namajunas-avenge-loss-to-jessica-andrade-at-ufc-251

See how the leader in combat athletics set a new bar for sports performance with the development of the UFC Performance Institute. With Forrest Griffin, Claudia Gadelha, Kevin Lee, Joanne Calderwood and more.

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Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/what-is-the-ufc-performance-institute-and-why-is-it-so-important

The UFC’s return to “Fight Island” has lost another bout.

Jeffrey Molina has withdrawn from his scheduled UFC Fight Night bout Jan. 20 vs. Zarrukh Adashev. The promotion is seeking a replacement to keep Adashev (3-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) on the card, which will take place in Abu Dhabi.

Two people with knowledge of Molina’s withdrawal confirmed the news to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. TASS was first to report the news Tuesday, citing a positive COVID-19 test as the reason.

Molina (8-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is a member of Glory MMA and Fitness and was signed to the UFC after a unanimous decision win over Jacob Silva on Dana White’s Contender Series in August. He has won eight straight fights.

A former kickboxer, Adashev won three straight fights en route to his UFC signing in mid-2020. Adashev lost his UFC debut in June when he was brutally knocked out by Tyson Nam.

With the change, the UFC Fight Night lineup for Jan. 20 includes:

• Leon Edwards vs. TBD
• Michael Chiesa vs. Neil Magny
• Viviane Araujo vs. Roxanne Modafferi
• Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell
• Francisco Figueredo vs. Jerome Rivera
• Dean Barry vs. Mike Jackson
• Pedro Munhoz vs. Jimmie Rivera
• Matt Brown vs. Carlos Condit
• Zarrukh Adashev vs. TBA
• Lerone Murphy vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade
• Vinicius Moreira vs. Ike Villanueva
• Manon Fiorot v. Victoria Leonardo
• Mike Davis vs. Mason Jones
• Isi Fitikefu vs. Dalcha Lungiambula

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/ufc-news-jeffrey-molina-out-zarrukh-adashev-needs-opponent-january-20

Jiri Prochazka put the 205-pound division on notice in his UFC debut.

Prochazka, a former Rizin FF light heavyweight champion, drew a stern test in former UFC title challenger Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 251 in July.

The bright lights didn’t faze Prochazka one bit, who came out confident, switching stances and taunting Oezdemir early. He used his unorthodox movement and defense to throw off Oezdemir, who had some success landing in Round 1 by briefly wobbling Prochazka.

But in Round 2, Prochazka continued to press forward and less than a minute into the frame, he caught Oezdemir with a high kick, followed shortly by a huge overhand right that put his lights out.

Prochazka (27-3-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) returns to action on Feb. 27, when he takes on Dominick Reyes (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in the headliner of a UFC Fight Night event, which is expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Before he faces Reyes, relive Prochazka’s finish of Oezdemir in the free fight video above.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/ufc-free-fight-jiri-prochazka-knocks-volkan-oezdemir-out-cold

Another year is in the books, and while it didn’t go according to plan, Bellator provided a number of memorable moments in 2020.

Among the year’s story lines for the promotion was its pivot away from signing older fighters with big names to instead adding athletes with potentially high ceilings.

Numerous prospects and highly touted fighters brought in from other promotions made their Bellator debuts in 2020 – but some were more memorable than others.

Here are the 10 Bellator debut performances that stood out above the rest.

Note: Factors in determining the ranking included skills displayed, flare, by how much expectations were exceeded, potential ceiling of athlete, and level of statement made.

10. Alex Polizzi def. Rafael Carvalho via unanimous decision | Bellator 245

One of the more under-the-radar debuts of 2020, Alex Polizzi’s first Bellator fight didn’t end in a finish. However, Polizzi did something that’s not easy to do. For his first Bellator fight, Polizzi was matched up with former middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho. Despite the difference in promotional accolades, Polizzi dominated the fight en route to a unanimous decision win. Shortly after the fight, Carvalho was released from the promotion.

9. Sumiko Inaba def. Jessica Ruiz via TKO (ground-and-pound), Round 1 | Bellator 251

On Nov. 5 at Bellator 251, Sumiko Inaba made her first professional walk to the cage. The 29-year-old fighter-mom needed less than a round to dispose of opponent Jessica Ruiz, whom she finished in 4:59 via TKO with ground-and-pound. After the fight, an emotional Inaba voiced her pride in her performance and journey, and looked toward the future.

8. Sullivan Cauley def. Jason Markland via knockout (punches), Round 1 | Bellator 253

Sullivan Cauley was a late addition to Bellator 253 on Nov. 19. But once he arrived inside the Bellator cage for his professional debut, he made the most of his short-notice opportunity. In the event’s curtain jerker, Cauley starched opponent Jason Markland. The Ryan Bader underling finished the fight with punches in just 28 seconds and solidified a lightning-fast debut victory.

7. Corey Anderson def. Melvin Manhoef via TKO (ground-and-pound), Round 2 | Bellator 251

One of Bellator’s most high-profile (and surprising) signings of 2020, Corey Anderson entered Bellator 251 on Nov. 5 as a massive favorite. Over the span of his 7:34-long bout against Melvin Manhoef, Anderson showed why the oddsmakers backed him so heavily. After he dragged the fight to the mat in Round 2, Anderson unleashed an onslaught of punches and elbows to finish the fight and leave the Dutch combat sports legend covered in his own blood.

6. Yves Landu def. Terry Brazier via knockout (flying knee), Round 1 | Bellator 248

Prior to one of the most viral post-fight celebrations of 2020, Yves Landu landed a massive flying knee to separate Terry Brazier from consciousness at Bellator 248. In a matchup of veteran European-based professionals, Landu and Brazier went toe to toe. But in the end, it was Brazier who woke up on the canvas. From there, Landu unleashed his dance moves – to the delight of those in attendance in his native France.

5. Monika Chochkliova def. Jade Jorand via submission (scorpion crunch), Round 2 | Bellator 247

Image via Bellator MMA

What better way to make your name known than to pull off a super-rare submission in your Bellator – and professional – MMA debut. That’s exactly what Monika Chochkliova did at Bellator 247 on Oct. 1. Against fellow debutant Jade Jorand, Chochkliova won via “scorpion crunch” as Round 2 wound down. The maneuver instantly went viral and added value to the 24-year-old atomweight’s name.

4. Roman Faraldo def. Pat Casey via knockout (flying knee), Round 2 | Bellator 252

If you don’t believe Roman Faraldo is a friend of Jorge Masvidal’s, go back and watch his Nov. 12 flying knee knockout of Pat Casey from Bellator 252. An undefeated American Top Team prospect, Faraldo flew onto Bellator fans’ radars when he leaped, cranked, and brutalized New England’s Casey in his promotional debut. After the fight, Faraldo discussed how he has the same striking coach as Masvidal – so the similarities make sense.

3. Taylor Johnson def. Ed Ruth via submission (heel hook), Round 1 | Bellator 245

Not many Bellator debutants win their first promotional fight by heel hook. Even fewer do it against the caliber of an opponent like Ed Ruth on a main card. But Sept. 11 at Bellator 245, Taylor Johnson accomplished that feat in 59 seconds. A former LFA standout who suffered his first career loss on Dana White’s Contender Series the year prior, Johnson inserted himself into the welterweight discussion when he dragged Ruth to the mat, snatched a leg, and twisted until a tap came.

2. Sergio Pettis def. Alfred Khashakyan via submission (guillotine choke), Round 1 | Bellator 238

Sergio Pettis

Do you want violence? Then, go back and watch Sergio Pettis’ Bellator debut. On Jan. 25 at Bellator 238, Pettis flattened Alfred Khashakyan with a brutal combination and follow-up strikes. The fight appeared as if it could’ve been stopped but referee Frank Trigg didn’t see what he needed to to waive off the fight. Seeing an opportunity for a submission. Pettis pulled Khashakyan’s half-conscious body into a guillotine choke, giving Trigg no choice but to intervene.

1. Cris Cyborg def. Julia Budd via TKO (strikes), Round 4 | Bellator 238

By almost every account imaginable, Cris Cyborg entered Bellator as one of MMA’s all-time greats. In her promotional debut on Jan. 25 at Bellator 238, Cyborg added to her laundry list of accolades when she became the first fighter ever to hold UFC, Invicta FC, Strikeforce, and Bellator titles – a career grand slam champion. Against longtime champ Julia Budd, Cyborg appeared a level above and finished the Canadian by strikes in Round 4.

Honorable mentions

• Callum Murrie def. Dylan Logan via submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 1 at Bellator 240 (Feb. 22)
• Mark Lemminger def. Jake Smith via TKO (ground-and-pound) in Round 2 at Bellator 242 (July 24)
• Charlie Campbell def. Nainoa Dung via TKO (leg kicks) in Round 2 at Bellator 243 (Aug. 7)
• John De Jesus def. Vladyslav Parubchenko via unanimous decision at Bellator 244 (Aug. 21)
• Cat Zingano def. Gabrielle Holloway via unanimous decision at Bellator 245 (Sept. 11)
• Luke Trainer def. Alex O’Toole via TKO (ground-and-pound) in Round 1 at Bellator Europe 8 (Sept. 26)
• Uros Jurisic def. Walter Gahadza via submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 1 at Bellator 247 (Oct. 1)
• Marek Jakimowicz def. Curtis Dodge via TKO (elbows) in Round 1 at Bellator Europe 9 (Oct. 3)
• Alan Omer def. Ryan Scope via TKO (strikes) in Round 1 at Bellator 248 (Oct. 10)
• Mads Burnell def. Darko Banovic via TKO (ground-and-pound) in Round 1 at Bellator 248 (Oct. 10)
• Da’Mon Blackshear def. Mike Kimbel via submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 2 at Bellator 249 (Oct. 15)
• Cody Law def. Orlando Ortega via submission (ground-and-pound) in Round 1 at Bellator 250 (Oct. 29)
• Jaylon Bates def. Joe Supino via unanimous decision at Bellator 251 (Nov. 5)
• Jeremy Kennedy def. Matt Bessette via unanimous decision at Bellator 253 (Nov. 19)
• Jaleel Willis def. Mark Lemminger via unanimous decision at Bellator 253 (Nov. 19)
• Shamil Nikaev def. Kemran Lachinov via unanimous decision at Bellator 254 (Dec. 10)
• Magomed Magomedov def. Matheus Mattos via unanimous decision at Bellator 254 (Dec. 10)

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/bellator-2020-top-10-debut-performances-cris-cyborg