Adesanya Decisions Cannonier to Defend Middleweight title
Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya (23-1-0), delivered a strong performance as he successfully defended his UFC middleweight title against Jared “The Killa Gorilla” Cannonier (15-6-0) at The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The opening two rounds featured many of Adesanya’s patented leg kicks, with Cannonier also attempting to establish his own rhythm. The champion continued to utilize his reach and striking ability to break down the #1 contender, and through three more rounds, did not let up on his pressure. Cannonier, although not deterred, could not find an answer for “The Last Stylbender.” Nonetheless, Adesanya cruised to a resounding victory, reaffirming his position as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC. Israel Adesanya defeated Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision, 49-46, 49-46, and 50-45.
Volkanovski Decisions Holloway to Defend Featherweight crown
The night’s co-main event saw the highly anticipated rematch between undisputed featherweight champion Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski (25-1-0) and #1 ranked contender Max “Blessed” Holloway (23-7-0). The first round opened with both fighters testing and gauging the reactions of the other. As the round progressed, the champion showcased his elite level of striking, touching the chin of the challenger multiple times to start the contest. The second round featured much of the same, with Volkanovski able to cut open the left eye of Holloway, restricting his vision. In the third round, both fighters exchanged punches and kicks. The champion, however, would leave nothing to chance. The jab, in particular, worked well for him, setting up the rest of his shots en route to a resounding victory. Holloway seemingly did not have an answer for “The Great,” with the 145 lb champ dominating all 5 rounds of their title match. Alexander Volkanovski defeated Max Holloway via unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the contest 50-45 in favor of the Australian.
“I want to be busy, and this division doesn’t keep me busy,” Volkanovski said. Don’t be surprised if we see a possible attempt at double champ status by “The Great.”
Pereira Stops Strickland in 1
In a highly anticipated middleweight-bought, up-and-comer Alex “Poatan” Pereira (5-1-0) faced #4 ranked Sean “Tarzan” Strickland (25-3-0). The Brazilian showcased why he is one of the most exciting prospects in the UFC, knocking out Strickland within one round. The former Glory kickboxing champion landed a powerful left hook to his opponent’s chin, sending him to the canvas and finishing it with two resounding right crosses. Unsurprisingly, Pereira called for the next opportunity at the middleweight title, citing his kickboxing bouts with current champion Israel Adesanya. Alex Pereira defeated Sean Strickland via TKO at 2:36 of Round 1.
Babarena Stops Lawler in 2
The second fight of the main card showcased UFC legend and former welterweight champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler against the tough Bryan “Bam Bam” Barbarena. The contest opened with both fighters throwing and landing powerful shots attempting to establish dominance. The second round did not see a decrease in pace, as Lawler and Barbarena both began to bleed following multiple exchanges. Following a back and forth between the two, Barbarena unleashed a flurry of strikes on the former champion, prompting referee Mark Smith to get in between the two and stop the fight. Bryan Barbarena defeated Robbie Lawler via TKO at 4:47 of round 2.
O’Malley and Munhoz fight to a No-Contest
The main card opener featured ranked bantamweight contenders “Sugar” Sean O’ Malley (15-1-0) against Pedro “The Young Punisher” Munhoz (19-7-0). O’ Malley outstruck Munhoz in the opening round, taking advantage of his length and speed to land strikes on Munhoz. The second round featured much of the same, with the taller O’Malley taking advantage of the reach discrepancy to reach Munhoz’s body and head with strikes. With less than 2 minutes left in the round, O’Malley unintentionally poked the Brazilian in the left eye. Following confirmation from medical officials, referee Jason Herzog called the match. The fight ended in a no contest and as a disappointing opener for the main card
The final fight of the preliminary card featured lightweights Jalin “The Tarantula” Turner (13-5-0) and #14 ranked Brad “Quake “ Riddell (10-3-0). The lengthy Jalin Turner opened the fight using his reach advantage to hurt Riddell with an overhand right. After a flurry of punches, Turner took full mount over Riddell and sank in a guillotine, forcing Riddell to tap. Jalin Turner defeated Brad Riddell via submission at 0:45 of Round 1.
The third fight of the prelims pitted UFC legends Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (36-17-0) against Jim “A-10 “ Miller ( 35-16). Both fighters entered this fight seeking the title of winningest fighter in the history of the UFC. The contest proved to be high-paced from the very start, with both fighters attempting submission attempts in the first round. In the second round, Miller would find an opening on Cerrone’s neck and cinched in the guillotine choke. Miller defeated Cerrone via submission at 3:28 of round 2. Following the contest, Donald Cerrone announced his retirement from the UFC.
The second fight of the prelims pitted welterweight prospect Ian Garry (10-0-0) against the durable Gabe Green (11-4-0). Garry scored another resounding win, adding to the hype train of the young fighter, who many say bears a strong resemblance to another, legendary, Irish martial artist. The undefeated self-proclaimed “future” of the UFC showcased his striking abilities from the opening bell, outlanding Green 113-78 throughout the contest. Ian Garry defeated Gabe Green via unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the fight 30-27.
In the prelim card opener, middleweight contender Dricus Du Plessis (17-2-0) scored an important win against #12 ranked Brad Tavares (19-7-0) In a bloody showcase of upper weight power, both fighters took large shots in the three-round matchup. Du Plessis however, landed the more dangerous shots, laying the damage on Tavares. Dricus Du Plessis defeated Brad Tavares via unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the fight 29-28.
VIDEO: UFC 276 Embedded: Vlog Series – Episode 1
VIDEO: UFC 276 Countdown: Full Episode
10TH ANNUAL UFC INTERNATIONAL FIGHT WEEK™ HEADLINED BY UFCÒ 276: ADESANYA vs. CANNONIER ON SATURDAY, JULY 2
Las Vegas – The 10th Annual UFC International Fight Week™ takes place from Tuesday, June 28 through Sunday, July 3, with several events taking place throughout Las Vegas, including in the Las Vegas Convention Center – South Hall, T-Mobile Arena, and Resorts World Las Vegas.
UFC International Fight Week is highlighted by the prestigious UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and its newly enhanced and fully interactive two-day UFC X. The week-long celebration is anchored by the highly anticipated UFCÒ 276: ADESANYA vs. CANNONIER, presented by Modelo, which takes place on Saturday, July 2, at T-Mobile Arena. Tickets for UFC 276 are available via AXS.
On Thursday, June 30, UFC hosts the 2022 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Toyo TiresÒ, at 7:30 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena. Hosted by Jon Anik, the annual ceremony honors contributors and athletes that helped shape UFC and left an indelible mark on the sport of mixed martial arts. Tickets to the induction ceremony are priced at $25.00 (not including fees), with all proceeds benefitting the UFC Foundation. Tickets are available via AXS. The ceremony will be streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASSÒ.
Spanning more than 60,000 square feet, UFC X, a newly enhanced evolution of UFC’s popular Fan Expo, will elevate the traditional Fan Experience with larger brand and partner activations, live stage programming, an esports tournament, expanded autograph sessions, and increased athlete participation—all of which will provide fans with unparalleled access to UFC champions and Hall of Famers, top-ranked contenders, and other UFC personalities.
UFC X takes place Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, one of the premier meeting and conference venues in Las Vegas. Tickets for UFC X start at $20 for one-day access and $40 for two-day access. All children ages 12 and under will receive free entry. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. UFC X is produced by global full-service cultural marketing agency 160over90.
Fans who attend UFC X will also be able to purchase exclusive merchandise at the UFC Store, while also having the opportunity to participate in numerous activities with brand partners such as Air Force, Battle Motors, Dapper Labs, ESPN+, GameDay Ready, Howler Head, Hyperice, Jose Cuervo, Modelo, Panini, Toyo Tires, UFC Gym and more!
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, in partnership with UFC, hosts The Ultimates Invitational amateur tournaments, immediately adjacent to UFC X. This invitational will begin Thursday, June 23, and conclude Sunday, July 3, and features the following sports entities:
- International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (2022 American National Jiu-Jitsu Championship, June 30 – July 2)
- USA Boxing (2022 Battle Born Showdown; sanctioned by USA Boxing, July 1 – July 2)
- USA Weightlifting (2022 National Championships, June 23 – July 3)
Fans who converge on Las Vegas from around the world for International Fight Week will also be able to enjoy ceremonial weigh-ins, press conferences and live entertainment of a traditional Fight Week leading to the schedule’s culminating event, UFCÒ 276: ADESANYA vs. CANNONIER.
In addition, Resorts World Las Vegas, the 3,506-room hotel complex and “Official Partner of UFC International Fight Week,” hosts three official parties and one concert during the week. On Friday, July 1 at 8 p.m., Latin superstar Anuel AA headlines the Official International Fight Week Concert at AYU Nights. On Saturday, July 2, the Official UFC 276 Viewing Party takes place at RedTail at 5 p.m., followed by the Official UFC 276 After Party at Zouk Nightclub beginning at 10 p.m. On Sunday, July 3, the Official UFC Pool Party takes place at AYU Dayclub beginning at 11 a.m.
On Sunday, July 3, UFC will host the UFC FIGHT PASS Invitational 2, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament featuring four teams led by superstar coaches and fan favorite athletes competing for a grand prize of $25,000 in a submission only, no draw contest. Teams include Jorge Masvidal’s iKon MMA, Anthony Pettis Fighting Championship (APFC), Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat, and James Krause’s Fighting Alliance Championship (FAC). Tickets are available via AXS.
For more information on all the week’s activities and events, please visit UFCINTERNATIONALFIGHTWEEK.
BLOCKBUSTER CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER HEADLINES UFC® INTERNATIONAL FIGHT WEEK 2022
Las Vegas – UFC International Fight WeekÔ returns to Las Vegas and will be capped by a stacked card headlined by a blockbuster championship double header. In the main event, reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya defends his crown against No. 2 ranked contender Jared Cannonier. In the co-main event, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has his sights set on successfully defending his title once again against No. 1 ranked contender Max Holloway.
UFC® 276: ADESANYA vs. CANNONIER takes place Sat., July 2 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with the main card at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ PPV. The prelims will be seen on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with the night’s action starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with Early Prelims on ESPN+ (English and Spanish) and UFC Fight Pass.
UFC® 276: ADESANYA vs. CANNONIER tickets will go on sale Friday, May 13 at 10 a.m. PT and are available for purchase at axs.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, May 11 at 10 a.m. PT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, May 12 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.
Arguably the most popular champion in the UFC today, Adesanya (22-1, fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand) goes for his fifth consecutive title defense against one of his most dangerous opponents to date. Undefeated at middleweight in his MMA career, he has delivered impressive victories over former champions Robert Whittaker (twice) and Anderson Silva, as well as Marvin Vettori and Paulo Costa. Adesanya now plans to further extend his legacy as champion by taking out another top contender in stylish fashion.
Cannonier (15-5, fighting out of Anchorage, Alaska) intends to make the most of his first UFC title shot with another signature KO. A former heavyweight and light heavyweight, Cannonier has proven that he can knock out anyone in any weight class, but it’s at middleweight where he’s been at his most devastating, with his victories over Derek Brunson, Jack Hermansson and David Branch as proof. He now aims to dethrone Adesanya and add his name to the list of middleweight champions.
Surging UFC featherweight king Volkanovski (24-1, fighting out of Windang, New South Wales, Australia) has cemented himself as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Undefeated in UFC in 11 fights, he is currently riding the momentum of two sensational championship victories over Brian Ortega and Chan Sung Jung. Volkanovski now expects to leave no doubt in his trilogy with Holloway that he is the true champion of the division.
Fan favorite Holloway (23-6, fighting out of Waianae, Hawaii) is gunning to regain his title and further his legacy as one of the best featherweights in UFC history. The record holder for most featherweight wins, finishes and strikes landed, Holloway has entertained fans with wins over Yair Rodriguez, Calvin Kattar and Jose Aldo (twice). He now looks to make a statement in his third fight with Volkanovski and secure another impressive stoppage.
Additional bouts on the card include:
- An intriguing middleweight battle with title implications sees No. 4 ranked contender Sean Strickland (25-3, fighting out of Corona, Calif.) battle Alex Pereira (5-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil)
- A compelling bantamweight bout sees No. 10 ranked contender Pedro Munhoz (19-7, 1 NC, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) aim to silence No. 13 ranked Sean O’Malley (15-1, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.)
- Ranked middleweights collide as elite striker No. 9 Uriah Hall (18-10, fighting out of Queens, N.Y.) locks horns with submission ace Andre Muniz (22-4, fighting out of Minas Gerais, Brazil)
- Jessica Rose-Clark (11-7, 1 NC, fighting out of Innisfail, Australia) returns to action against Julija Stoliarenko (9-7-1, fighting out of Utena County, Lithuania)
- No. 12 ranked middleweight contender Brad Tavares (19-7, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) plans to defend his spot in the Top 15 against Dricus du Plessis (16-2, fighting out of Gauteng, South Africa)
- No. 2 ranked women’s flyweight Lauren Murphy (15-5, fighting out of Houston, Texas) intends to steal the show against former bantamweight champion Miesha Tate (19-8, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.)
- No. 12 ranked women’s flyweight contender Jessica Eye (15-10, 1 NC, fighting out of Cleveland, Ohio) meets Maycee Barber (10-2, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) in a pivotal bout
- Former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler (29-16, 1 NC, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) and Bryan Barberena (17-8, fighting out of Gastonia, N.C.) go head-to-head in an early Fight of the Night contender
For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.
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UFC® is a premium global sports brand and the largest Pay-Per-View event provider in the world. UFC boasts 278 million fans worldwide and has produced over 460 events in 24 countries since its inception in 1993. Acquired in 2016 by global sports, entertainment and fashion leader Endeavor (formerly WME | IMG), together with strategic partners Silver Lake Partners and KKR, UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas with a network of employees around the world. UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe, while programming is broadcast in over 165 countries and territories to 1.0 billion TV households worldwide in over 40 different languages. UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, delivers exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content to fans around the world. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.
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