Gilbert Burns earned his shot at the UFC welterweight title with a dominating performance over former champion Tyron Woodley in May.

Burns challenges UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC 258 on Saturday, February 13.

Take a look back at Burns’s domination of Woodley ahead of his UFC 258 title shot.

(Video courtesy of UFC)

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Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/watch-gilbert-burns-dominate-tyron-woodley-en-route-to-ufc-258-title-shot

While the first half of 2020 was a wash for light-heavyweight Fabio Cherant, he was able to rebound and have a productive second half of the year, picking up back-to-back wins.

For Cherant, who was coming off a loss in only bout of 2019, to salvage 2020 with two straight wins made the struggles he faced worthwhile.

“It was a stressful year, but a good year at the same time,” Cherant told MMAWeekly.com. “A lot of good things came with the fights.

“I think performance-wise there are still some things I need to work on. It’s learning process. I’m on year five of doing MMA, going on my third year as a pro, so I still have a lot to learn. I’m just enjoying the ride as I go.”

Though he’s still young in his career, Cherant realizes he’s not going to make huge jumps in his game on an everyday basis, but as long as he’s making the incremental steps to get better he’s pleased.

“I’d be lying if I said (I’ve grown) leaps and bounds, but obviously I’ve grown mentally since the last two fights,” said Cherant. “Physically I’m getting better every day.”

On Friday, Feb. 12, in Park City, Kansas, Cherant (6-1) will look to add a title to his resume when he faces Myron Dennis (18-7) in the 205-pound championship main event of LFA 99.

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“It’s a great test against a Glory veteran, an Ultimate Fighter veteran, and a guy who has a big record,” Cherant said of Dennis. “It’s an awesome opportunity to showcase that I’m ready to be at the next level.

“In watching and studying the film the more I realize it’s going to be a fun match-up. We have a great game plan and the only thing now is to capitalize (on it).”

For Cherant, continuing to build off the momentum he had created for himself in the second half of last year with an impressive performance against Dennis is a goal he’s had in mind for some time.

“I’ve been saying since December that I wanted to start this year off with a bang,” said Cherant. “This is going to be a big statement year for me. I want to make big statements and start this year off right.”

Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/fabio-cherant-looking-to-show-hes-next-level-in-lfa-99-title-bout

By Mike Bohn |

February 7, 2021 3:30 pm

The UFC returned to Las Vegas for the first time in 2021 on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 184, which took place at the UFC Apex and streamed on ESPN+.

A heavyweight contender emerged in the main event when Russian striker Alexander Volkov (33-8 MMA, 7-2 UFC) picked apart the legendary Alistair Overeem (47-19 MMA, 12-8 UFC) en route to a second-round TKO victory, elevating him to 3-1 when competing in headlining bouts.

There were some other sensational performances on the card, too. For more on the numbers, check below for 35 post-event facts to come out of UFC Fight Night 184.

Event stats

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $186,500.

Debuting fighters went 0-1 at the event.

Volkov, Cory Sandhagen, Beneil Dariush and Diego Ferreira earned $50,000 UFC Fight Night 184 fight-night bonuses.

UFC Fight Night 184 drew an announced attendance of zero for a live gate of $0.

Betting favorites went 8-4 on the card.

Betting favorites improved to 2-2 in UFC headliners this year.

Total fight time for the 12-bout card was 2:11:30.

Alexander Volkov def. Alistair Overeem

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 06: Alexander Volkov of Russia reacts after his knockout victory over Alistair Overeem of the Netherlands in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Volkov improved to 9-2 since his final Bellator bout in June 2015.

Volkov has earned 25 of his 33 career victories by stoppage. That includes all four of his UFC stoppage wins

Overeem’s 15 knockout losses in MMA competition are the most of any active member on the UFC roster.

Overeem’s 13 knockout losses in UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce competition are the most in combined organizational history.

Cory Sandhagen def. Frankie Edgar

Sandhagen (14-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has earned nine of his 14 career victories by stoppage. That includes five of his seven UFC wins.

Sandhagen’s 28-second knockout victory marked the second fastest flying knee finish in UFC history behind Jorge Masvidal’s five-second win at UFC 239

Frankie Edgar (24-9-1 MMA, 18-9-1 UFC) fell to 1-1 since he dropped to the bantamweight division in August 2020.

Edgar has suffered all three of his career stoppage losses by knockout.

Edgar’s total fight time of 7:41:18 in UFC competition is the most in company history.

Clay Guida def. Michael Johnson

Clay Guida (36-20 MMA, 16-14 UFC) improved to 4-3 since he returned to the UFC lightweight division in June 2017.

Guida’s 57 takedowns landed in UFC lightweight competition are third most in divisional history behind Gleison Tibau (84) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (59).

Michael Johnson’s (19-17 MMA, 11-13 UFC) four-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since October 2018.

Johnson fell to 0-3 since he returned to the lightweight division in October 2019. He hasn’t earned a victory in the weight class since September 2016.

Johnson fell to 3-9 in his past 12 fights dating back to August 2015.

Beneil Dariush def. Diego Ferreira

Dariush’s (20-4-1 MMA, 14-4-1 UFC) six-fight UFC winning streak at lightweight is tied for the second longest active streak in the division behind Charles Oliveira (eight).

Dariush has earned 14 UFC lightweight victories since 2014 are most in the division.

Ferreira (17-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) has suffered two of his three career losses by decision.

Danilo Marques def. Mike Rodriguez

Danilo Marques (11-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has earned nine of his 11 career victories by stoppage.

Mike Rodriguez (11-6 MMA, 2-4 UFC) has suffered four of his six career losses by stoppage.

Devonte Smith def. Justin Jaynes

Devonte Smith (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has earned all 11 of his career victories by stoppage. He’s finished 10 of those wins by knockout.

Justin Jaynes (16-7 MMA, 1-3 UFC) has suffered all three of his UFC losses by stoppage.

Karol Rosa def. Joselyn Edwards

Karol Rosa’s (14-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC) three-fight UFC winning streak in women’s bantamweight competition is tied for the second longest active streak in the division behind Amanda Nunes (nine).

Rosa has earned both of her UFC victories by decision.

Lara Procopio def. Molly McCann

Molly McCann (10-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) has suffered three of her four career losses by decision.

Seungwoo Choi def. Youssef Zalal

Seungwoo Choi (9-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has earned both of his UFC victories by decision.

Youssef Zalal (10-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) has suffered all four of his career losses by decision.

Timur Valiev def. Martin Day

Martin Day’s (8-6 MMA, 0-4 UFC) four-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since August 2018.

Ode Osbourne def. Jerome Rivera

Ode Osbourne (9-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has earned eight of his nine career victories by stoppage.

Jerome Rivera (10-5 MMA, 0-3 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since August.

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.

UFC Fight Night 184: Best photos

UFC Fight Night 184: Official scorecards

Alexander Volkov, Alistair Overeem, Beneil Dariush, Breaking, Clay Guida, Danilo Marques, Devonte Smith, Diego Ferreira, Jerome Rivera, Justin Jaynes, Karol Rosa, Martin Day, Michael Johnson, Mike Rodriguez, Molly McCann, Ode Osbourne, Seungwoo Choi, UFC Fight Night 184, Youssef Zalal, News, UFC

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-fight-night-184-post-event-facts-cory-sandhagen-knee-knockout-history-record-books

Aljamain Sterling vs. Cory Sandhagen

Should fight: Winner of Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259
Why they should fight: I mean, come on? Does this one really need much of an explanation? Cory Sandhagen has made about as good of a case for a bantamweight title shot as you can possible ask for his in past two fights, with his killer knockout of Frankie Edgar being his crowning achievement.

Listen to Sandhagen’s (14-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) argument below from the post-fight press conference, where he perfectly brushes off the notion he should fight T.J. Dillashaw next instead of waiting to see what happens in the UFC 259 title fight between Yan and Sterling on March 6 (via Twitter):

Cory Sandhagen (@cors_life) says talk for the next title shot starts and stops with him after flattening Frankie Edgar. 🗣️#UFCVegas18 | Full interview: https://t.co/ce2jHRjEs3 pic.twitter.com/8KMQwMhzWc

— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) February 7, 2021

Where is the gap in logic here? I don’t see one. Unless something freaky happens in Yan (15-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) vs. Sterling (19-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC), such as a draw, an utterly astonishing judging robbery, some sort of bizarre referee blunder or injury finish that demands an immediate rematch, Sandhagen should be the guy to slide in to fight the winner for the 135-pound belt.

Yeah, the likes of Dillashaw, Cody Garbrandt and Jose Aldo might be more marketable, but none of them have the worth of Sandhagen at this point, even when taking his quick loss to Sterling at UFC 250 in June into account.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-fight-night-184-next-fight-matchmaker-cory-sandhagen-frankie-edgar-beneil-dariush

Division: Flyweight
Result: Alexandre Pantoja def. Manel Kape via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Record: 15-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC
Grade: C

Manel Kape’s eagerly anticipated arrival in the octagon may not have delivered a debut victory, but the fact he looked competitive against a top contender despite not seeming at his best should be considered an encouraging sign for the former Rizin FF bantamweight champion’s UFC career.

Kape started out working the outside and presented a constantly-moving target for Pantoja to pin down as he circled the outer reaches of the octagon and looked to counter as the Brazilian moved in. He also looked very wary of Pantoja’s takedowns as he kept his distance and dipped his hips in anticipation of takedown attempts.

When Kape did throw, he connected with some decent strikes, but looked to be too much on the back foot as Pantoja dictated terms through much the opening round.

Kape looked to up his output in Round 2 as he loosened up and let his strikes – including a few unorthodox techniques – flow. But despite looking more active, Pantoja looked the busier man in the exchanges, and was more often the man to initiate the striking exchanges. Kape did a good job of staying out of too much danger, but his output level wasn’t enough to give him a chance of stealing the round.

With his first two UFC rounds, and any potential octagon jitters, in the rearview mirror, Kape looked much improved in Round 3 as he turned up the pressure and connected far more effectively with his strikes. Rather than working off the back foot, Kape held the center of the octagon a lot better in the final frame and edged the striking in the final five minutes to earn the nod from two of the three judges in that round.

Unfortunately, Kape’s slow start cost him on the scorecards overall, with the judges scoring the fight 29-28, 29-28, 30-27 in Pantoja’s favor. While the defeat probably won’t prove too damaging to Kape’s reputation or potential in the UFC flyweight division, it likely shook off any possible pre-fight nerves.

It wasn’t quite the same powerful, all-action Kape we’ve seen in the past in Rizin FF but, despite not being at his explosive best, “Star Boy” showed plenty to suggest that if he steps into the octagon and hits the gas pedal from the opening bell from his next bout onward, he’ll quickly become a serious threat in the UFC’s 125-pound division, and possibly at bantamweight, too.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-fight-night-184-rookie-report-grading-manel-kape-las-vegas