We present the results of the UFC on ESPN 55 tournament, which took place on the night of April 28 in Las Vegas, USA. The event was headlined by a featherweight bout between Mateus Nicolau and Alex Perez.
The preliminary card:
Lightweight: Hayisaer Maheshat defeated Gabriel Benitez by split decision of the judges (28-29, 29-28, 29-28);
Women's flyweight: Ivana Petrovic defeated Na Lian by choke, 3rd round;
Intermediate flyweight, up to 71 kg: Chris Padilla defeated James Llontop by choke hold, round 1;
Women's Featherweight: Kathleen Souza defeated Marnica Mann by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27);
Heavyweight: Dontale Mays defeated Caio Machado by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28);
Lightweight: Austin Hubbard defeated Michal Figlak by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28);
Flyweight: Victor Henry defeated Rani Yayu by technical knockout, 3rd round.
Main card:
Welterweight: Uroš Medić defeated Tim Means by technical knockout, Round 1;
Interimweight, under 67.4 lbs: David Onama defeated Jonathan Pierce by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28);
Heavyweight: Jonatha Diniz defeated Austin Lane by knockout, Round 2;
Women's flyweight: Karin Silva defeated Ariane Lipsky by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28);
Bantamweight: Bogdan Guskov defeated Ryan Spann by technical knockout, 2nd round;
Flyweight: Alex Perez defeated Mateusz Nicolau by knockout, 2nd round.
WBA light heavyweight titleholder Hilberto Ramirez said he sees Oleksandr Usyk as the favorite in the fight for the world heavyweight title against Tyson Fury.
"I'm going to pick Usik. I like Usik, I like the way he moves and everything else. I think he can win this fight.
Will Fury's size play a role in this fight? I don't know. But I like Usik's style. Alexander needs to keep moving and getting closer, because Fury is big, tall and works well from distance. I think it's an interesting fight," said Ramirez in an interview with YouTube channel Pro Boxing Fans.
Recall that the fight Usik vs. Fury will take place on May 18 in the capital of Saudi Arabia Riyadh.
Former unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua predicts that his former rival Oleksandr Usyk will take on Tyson Fury in an upcoming fight for all the belts in the division
"I fought Usik, so I can only speak about what I experienced with him. A phenomenal fighter, he does everything perfectly. I will say he's going to do a very good job.
I've never fought Fury, so I can't really talk much about how he'll perform or what it's like to fight him. So I can only talk about what I know. I would say that Alexander will win," - quotes the British talkSPORT.
Recall that Usik and Fury will fight on May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ryan Garcia, a famous American boxer, marked another high-profile statement. This time Ryan said that he wants to fight with former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. According to Ryan, he would be ready to face the Brit in three years.
"I want to fight Joshua, I really do, I want it bad. Let's make it happen. I'll move up to super featherweight. Give me three years and I'll kick his ass. If I knock Joshua out, what are you gonna say? I won't have any haters left after that," Sportskeeda quoted Garcia as saying.
Garcia had his last fight in the welterweight division, beating Devin Haney by majority decision.
Max Holloway, former UFC featherweight champion, admitted to being knocked out in his fight against Justin Gaethje.
"That moment didn't count as a knockdown, that's crazy. ESPN thinks no one has dropped me so far. That's bullshit - Gaethje deserved that accomplishment. I wouldn't be me if I didn't admit that Gatji sat me on my ass. I remember being on the floor and thinking, "What did he hit me with? Fucking hell of a punch." I managed to get up, but my legs gave out at the moment of impact. So now I don't even know what counts as a knockdown," said Holloway in the podcast Joe Rogan.
Recall, Holloway beat Gaethje by knockout at the last second of the last round.
Brazilian mixed martial arts veteran and former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo expressed hope that his former opponent Merab Dvalishvili will be able to conquer the lightweight division.
American mixed martial arts veteran Chel Sonnen shared his memories of his fight with Jon Jones, the current holder of the UFC heavyweight title.
"I had the confidence to win. For that fight, it was my first time competing at featherweight and I had more juice in me than Tropicana! He threw me across the octagon, that's when I started looking for a way out. By feel - imagine being trapped in a cage with a bear.
This is the only defeat after which I had no desire for a rematch. I didn't need a second fight, we're doing well. You proved your point, young man," - quotes Sonnen BJ Penn.
Recall that in April 2013, Jones knocked out Sonnen in the first round.
Renowned British promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed when unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua could have his next fight.
Ukrainian lightweight Denis Berinchik (18-0, 9 KOs) assessed his nearest opponent Emanuel Navarrete (38-1-1, 31 KOs), with whom he will challenge for the vacant WBO title on May 18 in San Diego, USA.
- In what are you unequivocally stronger than the Mexican? What will you offer him?
- First of all, it's a solid amateur school, which he doesn't have. Second, it's defense. Third, it's a variety of shots.
Navarrete, he's very uncomfortable. He doesn't "breathe" very well in 12-round fights. He has a weak defense. Although he gets back to his feet, he still falls down a lot. That's about his weaknesses.
When it comes to his strengths, it should be noted that he is a real fighter with a blazing heart. He is the kind of man who will fight to the end.
WBC super heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury shared his opinion about WBA, WBO and IBF belt holder Oleksandr Usyk.
The long-awaited bout between the Briton and the Ukrainian will take place on 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
"I don't have any animosity towards the fighters I've fought or will fight in the future. Usik seems to be a decent guy. He's a God-fearing man who has young children. What else is there to do? I can envision us having 10 beers each because he seems like that kind of character. We need to spend the Saudi money on something," Yahoo News quoted Fury as saying.
