To all the readers, fans and enthusiasts! After a lengthy break, your beloved combat sports author is back with your favorite MMA news!
2022 is going to be an excellent year for all MMA fans and no better way to start the year with covering the most anticipated featherweight fight between ranked number 8 Giga ‘Ninja’ Chikadze and ranked number 4 Calvin Kattar.
The first fight card of the year, UFC Vegas 46 also featured Brandon Royval who took on Rogerio Bontorin and Katlyn Chookigian who fought the tough Jennifer Maia.
TWTW: The Week That Was
The main event of the evening was to decide who climbs up the ladder and eventually gets a shot at UFC Gold. The contest between #8 Georgian kickboxer Chikadze and #4 Calvin Kattar looked excellent on paper and at the press con. But it all changed once the cage doors shut and the two combatants put their skills to the test.
On a 9 fight winning streak and spectacular finish of Edson Barboza, Chikadze showed he had enough fire power in his arsenal to take out Kattar and eventually talk his way to the title shot. Kattar on the other hand, had been handed over the beating of a lifetime in his last contest versus Max Holloway (who eventually sealed the deal in securing a title shot) in January 2021. Kattar has been out of action since and scheduled his return to face a high-on-confidence Chikadze.
The fight went to the decision with a clear winner handed to Kattar. With a staggering 144 significant strikes over 25 minutes, Kattar had caused severe damage to Chikadze for him to recover or retaliate in time. Katlyn Chookagian had another impressive win on her roster facing the dangerous Jennifer Maia. Chookagian is on a 3 fight win streak and from what we hear, this was her last fight on the current contract. We hope the UFC re-sign her and she has the opportunity to work her way back to the title.
Another impressive much needed win for top flyweight contender Brandon Royval was on display versus the tough Brazilian Rogerio Bontorin. Both the fighters were coming in on a 2 fight losing skid and desperately needed a victory to stay relevant. The fight itself showed a lot of back and forth with both contenders putting on their best foot forward. The fight was so close that it went to a split decision in favor of Royval. A much deserved win for the Factory X loyalist!
WCU: What's Coming Up?
We have the most anticipated heavyweight title fight between friends-turned-foes Francis Ngannou taking on fellow Frenchman Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 happening at Honda Centre on 23/January/2022 (Indian Standard Time). The card also features the trilogy between Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo for the Flyweight belt.
Find the entire fight card below:
The unusual 4 fight main card looks stacked with Andre Fialho making it to the main card to make the most of his opportunity. The 2 major battles on UFC 270 would be the co-main event of the evening for the Flyweight belt and the main event of the evening for the heavyweight belt. It's also an odd co-main and main event as the lightest weight category in the UFC is followed by the heaviest weight category in the promotion. It's surely going to be a treat for all the fans as they will witness the fastest fighters on the roster and the hardest hitting fighters on the same card.
In the flyweight division, Mexican champion Moreno is looking to defend his belt versus the man that beat him in a close majority draw in their encounter in December 2020. A fight that post people thought should have gone to Moreno. Their rematch was booked at UFC 263 in June 2021 where Figueiredo was deemed favorite to retain the belt. From the bell go, Moreno showed a revived approach to the game and dominated from the very first bell. The movement and odd angle strikes were sufficient to tire out the champ and it was evident the end would be near.
In round 3, Moreno upped the pace and pressured Figueiredo, pushed him against the cage, eventually locking in a nasty rear naked choke to seal the deal and become Mexico’s first UFC champ. This time around at 1 fight win each, Moreno and Figueiredo will aim to put their best foot forward and look to show the world who is the best Flyweight walking on planet earth. It will be an interesting contest and a clash between speed and power.
Crystal Ball Prediction: Moreno retains the belt as the flyweight champion of the world.
The main event of the evening is the battle of former teammates and training partners turned foes Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane, both coached by Fernand Lopez. While Francis was already in the UFC and had his first title shot against Stipe, Ciryl Gane entered the same stable looking to make a mark in MMA after a decorated career in Kickboxing.
Not only have these two heavyweights sparred, but they have been in such close proximity with each other, they have studied each other and are very familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses. However, a lot has changed since Francis left MMA Factory in 2018 and made Xtreme Couture as his new Gym.
The contest is going to be a classic war between friends turned foes but the backstory of Francis’s issue with fighter pay, being on his last fight on the current contract and the swiftness of his opponent is not going to be an easy task for him to deal with. Fernand Lopez, who coached Francis initially, clearly will utilize all his knowledge of his former student and help the current loyalist Ciryl Gane capture the belt that often is synonymous to being the Baddest Man on the Planet.
Who will reign supreme at UFC 270? Only time will tell.
Crystal Ball Prediction: Ciryl Gane defeats Ngannou and becomes the New Heavyweight Champion of the world.
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About the author
Somesh Kamra is a professional mixed martial artist specializing in Muay Thai. He has designed many effective training programs for Superhuman Gym and the Police Academy. His knowledge of hand to hand combat is unbeaten and has been a success story for many students. Somesh Kamra is educated from the University of Gold's Gym in the field of physical fitness that includes strength training, plyometrics & cardiovascular training for muscular conditioning.
He works closely with the UFC for India and serves as the panelist for the TV Show – The Ultimate Guide to UFC and Pit Stop on Sony Sports Network. Somesh runs India’s first combat podcast – The Fighting G.O.A.T produced exclusively by the IVM Podcast Network.
Instagram: Somesh.Kamra
Twitter: Somesh_Kamra
