Welcome to the MMA India show’s weekly MMA round up. We take a look at the biggest stories of the past week, which includes big names like Israel Adesanya, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Georges St-Pierre etc.
Last week concluded the biggest fight card of 2020 featuring Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman. The promotion also delivered staggering three-fight cards over a span of a week.
UFC 251 becomes the highest selling PPV of ESPN+ era
Jorge Masvidal established himself as one of the biggest stars of the UFC as the PPV numbers for UFC 251 eclipsed 1 Million buys. Masvidal stepped in on short notice to save the main event after Gilbert Burns tested positive for COVID-19.
While Masvidal may have lost the fight, his stock hasn’t gone down at all.
According to Mike Coppinger of The Athletic, UFC 251 sold a staggering 1.3 Million PPV buys making it the sixth highest selling PPV of all time and the most selling PPV of the ESPN+ era.
Previously Conor McGregor held the record for ESPN+ PPV numbers. His fight against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 sold 1 Million PPV buys earlier this year in January.
You can read the full article from the MMA India Show here.
Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa set for UFC 253
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will take on top contender Paulo Costa on September 19 in a highly anticipated match-up. It will be the featured fight of UFC 253.
The location of the fight hasn’t been revealed and it was first reported by Combate and confirmed by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.
Paulo Costa was supposed to fight Israel Adesanya in March earlier this year. But the Brazilian had to undergo an arm surgery last year that forced him to remain out of the Octagon for almost eight months.
Both fighters are coming off of decision wins over Yoel Romero.
You can read the full article from the MMA India Show here.
Deiveson Figueiredo becomes the new flyweight champion
Brazil’s Deiveson Figueiredo became the new UFC flyweight champion after brutally destroying Joseph Benavidez in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 30.
Benavidez knocked down Figueiredo three times in the opening round and tried three submission attempt until he had Benavidez in a tight rear-naked choke submission position and strangulated the American into unconsciousness.
You can read the full article from the MMA India Show here.
Kamaru Usman vs GSP?
Last week, Kamaru Usman successfully defended his title for the second time against Jorge Masvidal in the main event of UFC 251. Usman completely dominated the fight and executed 11 of his 16 attempted takedowns.
Masvidal was never able to get his way in the fight and as a result, the judges offered a wide unanimous decision score to Usman. With this win, the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ is now tied with former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre for the most wins in the UFCs welterweight division.
Following his win, Usman called out GSP for a fight in an interview with TMZ.
“Honestly, I would have to say Georges St-Pierre,” he told TMZ Sports.
“I think Georges St-Pierre can be that guy and that’s what I’m looking for. Those are what champions are made of. When you get that feeling, ‘I’m not sure. This one’s a tough one. I don’t know how this one is gonna go but I’m gonna damn well go out there and compete and see what happens.’
“I think Georges St-Pierre can be that guy and if Georges wants to do it, Georges can get it too.”
You can read the full article from the MMA India Show here.
PVZ to try free agency
Paige VanZant completed the last fight in her UFC contract and will now be testing free agency. Her last fight on the contract came up against up and coming star Amanda Ribas in the main card of UFC 251.
It took Ribas less than three minutes in the opening round to submit PVZ. Paige has always been very vocal about fighters pay and on numerous occasion has said that she makes more money from Instagram than fighting.
Following her loss, Dana White encouraged PVZ to try for free agency.
“I like Paige,” White said. “I like Paige … it’s like Blaydes, when Blaydes fought last. When you talk all that stuff, ‘I’m not being paid enough,’ you know? Fighting inconsistently, one time in the last year. Injuries, and then got smoked in the first round of the fight? She should definitely test free agency.”
You can read the full article from the MMA India Show here.
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:%20UFC%20251%20breaks%20PPV%20record,%20Figueiredo%20becomes%20the%20new%20king%20at%20125lbs%20and%20more "MMA India's Weekly Roundup (13 July - 20 July): UFC 251 breaks PPV record, Figueiredo becomes the new king at 125lbs and more - UFC 251")
