Latest news with #2024SubmissionoftheYear
USA Today
27-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mick Maynard's Shoes: What's next for Robert Whittaker after UFC on ABC 9 loss?
Robert Whittaker suffered a critical loss at an important time in his career Saturday against Reinier de Ridder in the UFC on ABC 9 headliner. Just as he voiced his intention to make a final title push before retirement, the former middleweight champion Whittaker (26-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC) dropped a split decision to de Ridder (20-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, and he's now dropped consecutive fights for the first time in more than a decade. Whittaker was hoping to rebound strong from a 2024 Submission of the Year loss to Khamzat Chimaev in October, but instead he's in uncharted territory after falling on the wrong side of the scorecards against an opponent who was ranked No. 12. What does the future hold for Whittaker? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis after the UFC on ABC 9 main event.
USA Today
13-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dricus Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev title fight booked for UFC 319 in Chicago
Dricus Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev title fight booked for UFC 319 in Chicago UFC returns to Chicago for first time since 2019 Perhaps the most anticipated UFC middleweight championship fight in recent memory will take center stage toward the end of the summer. Dricus Du Plessis will attempt to make the third defense of his title reign when he meets undefeated Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 on Aug. 16 at United Center in Chicago (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). UFC CEO Dana White announced the Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) vs. Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) championship clash, along with other big summer fights, Tuesday on Instagram. After claiming the 185-pound strap from Sean Strickland in January 2024, Du Plessis firmly has established himself as the division's top dog with successful defenses over Israel Adesanya and a rematch with Strickland. The 31-year-old South African, who is No. 1 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie middleweight rankings and No. 5 pound-for-pound, called for a matchup with No. 2-ranked Chimaev in late 2024, but was instead booked for the rematch with Strickland at UFC 312 in February, which he won by unanimous decision. He will now get his wish to face Chimaev, who gets his long-awaited first crack at UFC gold. The 30-year-old has had title expectations since he splashed on the UFC scene in emphatic fashion in July 2020, but the road to the top has been slowed by injuries and other health issues. Chimaev claims to have made beneficial adjustments to his training regiment, however, and that's what led to his first-round finish of former champ Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October, which was named MMA Junkie's 2024 Submission of the Year. The victory over Whittaker left no doubt that a title shot was next, and now Chimaev can become the 15th fighter in UFC history to claim an undisputed belt with an undefeated record.
USA Today
16-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Roman Dolidze 'being realistic' with Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker callouts after UFC Fight Night 254
LAS VEGAS – Roman Dolidze has set his sights on a pair of former champions after emerging from the UFC Fight Night 254 main event with his hand raised. Dolidze (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) avenged a key career loss on Saturday when he outworked Marvin Vettori (19-7-1 MMA, 9-5-1 UFC) to a unanimous decision in their middleweight rematch at the UFC Apex. In the octagon, the Georgian said he is looking for a top five fight next, and called out ex-titleholders Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. After taking some time to digest the result, Dolidze went backstage to speak to reporters and doubled down on the callouts, explaining that he feels both matchups are logical given the state of the 185-pound division. 'Why not? All these guys need opponents,' Dolidze told MMA Junkie and other media members. 'They need to find somebody. They need to have some opponent. I don't care if it will be somebody else from top five, I'm also ready. I don't really care much. But I said more realistic fights because both of them lost. That's why I said I don't really care who it will be from the top five. '(I'm) being realistic of who is ready and who needs opponent. There are some guys who really deserve to fight for title, like Caio (Borralho), like (Nassourdine) Imavov, also. There are a couple guys – good guys, and they are waiting and in line. If they will give me these guys, I'm ready. But there are most realistic fights and that's why I said those names.' Adesanya (24-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) is currently sitting on a three-fight losing skid with defeats to Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis and most recently, a second-round knockout vs. Imavov in February. Whittaker (26-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC), meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from a 2024 Submission of the Year loss to Khamzat Chimaev in October. Either fight coming to fruition would be a massive opportunity for Dolidze to put a signature win on his resume, but if he was given a choice, thinks Adesanya brings more value to his resume. 'Both of these guys have good names,' Dolidze said. 'More important for me is the name. Of course Adesanya was more on the top and it would be better for me as a name to fight Adesanya, but Whittaker also was champion. He's very good fighter. It's not about personality or something. It's all about name and quality of opponent. Adesanya will of course be better if we are talking about the more loud name.' For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 254.
