International fight week has lived up to expectations once again, we had two great UFC events as two more fighters won The Ultimate Fighter, and the coaches went head to head to decide who would become the baddest man on the planet and obtain the UFC heavyweight title. In this article, I’m going to take you through some of the key highlights of the week and I plan on making this a weekly article to keep everyone updated on whats going on in the world of MMA.
Light heavyweight titleholder Daniel Cormier becomes a two-division champ!
Daniel “DC” Cormier set the world alight with his main event performance over Stipe Miocic. It took Cormier just four minutes to knock out the heavyweight champion and became only the second man to hold two belts in two divisions at the same time. In the post-fight interview “DC” called out former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar who was in attendance and made an appearance inside the octagon with the two division champ. Brock was his usual bullish self. At the post-fight press conference, Dana White confirmed this was the next fight for Cormier and that Lesnar is back in the USADA pool.
The UFC has two new Ultimate Fighters
Mike Trizano won the lightweight bracket of this season of the ultimate fighter, he came through the show fairly unscathed and was faced with a tough test as he was set to fight Joe Giannetti in the finale. In a good back and forth fight it was Trizano who emerged victorious by split decision after the fighters were unable to seal their own fate inside the allotted 15 minutes. The whole lightweight division should be excited to gain another great fighter and despite losing, I am certain we will see Joe Giannetti back in mixed martial arts greatest proving ground in due course.
Brad Katona won the featherweight bracket of The Ultimate Fighter. Being the sixth pick seemed to stick in the Canadians mind as he always felt he had something to prove. The SBG stand out was never in any trouble throughout the tournament and the same applied when he fought England’s Jay Cucciniello in the finale. Katona remained in control for the entire fight and scored a couple of knockdowns against the tough Brit. The fight went to the judges and all three of them declared Katona the winner.
Paulo Costa adds Uriah Hall to his growing list of victims
Paulo Costa once again made light work of his opponent as he knocks out UFC veteran Uriah Hall in the second round. Hall did well in the opening round to suppress the onslaught from Brazil’s brightest prospect but in the end, Costa proved to be too much once again. Costa is now 12-0 and wants to fight Chris Weidman next. Now that’s an intriguing fight that I’m sure everyone would enjoy.
Max Holloway pulled from title defence with concussion-like symptoms
UFC featherweight champion Max “Blessed” Holloway was scheduled to fight Brian Ortega at UFC 226 but just days before the fight “Blessed” was forced off the card due to concussion-like symptoms which ended up admitting the 145lbs torch holder to the hospital on two occasions. The UFC tried setting up a replacement fight for Ortega and despite interest from Jeremy Stephens and Frankie Edgar the number one contender decided he wanted to wait for his shot at Holloway.
It was what it was. Respect to Ortega and his team. Thank you @danawhite and the @UFC staff for making my health priority. Also thank you to @lilheathenmma and @frankieedgar for being about that champ life and stepping up. I see you. To all the fans I know this rollercoaster can pic.twitter.com/I094Gv74CK
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) 6 July 2018
be frustrating because my team is also on it with you. All I can say is I’m truly sorry and I hope you guys stay buckled in because it is far from being over. Don’t let the bad surprises distract you from the good surprises in this great sport. The best is still blessed.
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) 6 July 2018
Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum to coach the next series of The Ultimate Fighter
Two fighters who emerged from the show are returning back to their roots but this time to coach the new up and coming talent before meeting in the octagon to decide the fate of Whittakers middleweight belt. Filming of the show begins next week as heavyweights and woman’s featherweights prepare to fight in sports hardest tournament as the show returns for its 28th series.
Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz are really going to war one more time
After so many rumours and much speculation, it has been confirmed that mixed martial art legends Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz are to fight one final time. Both fighters have been signed by Oscar De La Hoya’s promotion Golden Boy and the fight is expected to happen later this year. The fighters hatred for one another has never seemed to go away and I’m sure they are both extremely eager to return to fighting.
Ryan Cambridge
MMAMotion 