UFC 239 (and International Fight Week 2019) has wrapped up, and I think it’s far to say that Jon Jones escaped with a split decision win over Thiago Santos. I scored it 48-47 for Jones but can see how you’d get to 48-47 Santos, as the Brazilian’s vaunted power and kicks remained a danger even after he messed up his left knee in the opening round.
Daniel Cormier might be the reigning heavyweight champion, but the general consensus is that Cameroonian knockout artist Francis Ngannou is ‘the baddest man on the planet’ right now.
Amanda Nunes vs. Holly Holm co-headlines UFC 239 this July 6, 2019 at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
In this exclusive SBN MMA Feature, Bloody Elbow Interviewer, Shakiel ‘Shak’ Mahjouri speaks to UFC fighters who analyze and predict UFC 239’s championship clash between Jon Jones and Thiago Santos, plus the co-main event title fight between Amanda Nunes and Holly Holm, this Saturday, July 6, 2019 in Las Vegas.
The UFC took their Octagon to Minneapolis last weekend for a big ESPN show, and while there was a lot of action in the cage, there wasn’t a ton when it came to rankings changes in the aftermath. With that being said, there are two new top contenders in the lower weight classes - though both of them have occupied that spot before.
On a card featuring Ben Askren and Jon Jones, you might think it a bit strange to choose Jorge Masvidal to highlight in a wrestling breakdown.
Cutting through the large amounts of white noise that the UFC offers on a weekly basis, UFC 239 stands out as an event of real significance where high-stakes bouts can be seen up and down the card. Who isn’t excited to see one of the best martial artists of all time, Jon Jones, step back inside the cage? Who doesn’t want to see if Amanda Nunes can take out the only former women’s bantamweight champion she hasn’t defeated yet? Who wouldn’t want to see if Ben Askren can back up all of the trash talk and overcome another top welterweight on the roster?
UFC 239 is almost here, and as usual, Embedded is here as well. The show that gives you an inside look at the marquee contestants on PPVs has issued the fifth episode for this weekend’s big show in the Vegas, and it serves as a brief introduction to the fighters at the top of the card.
The UFC’s latest ESPN offering wrapped up with some top shelf heavyweight violence. Francis Ngannou may have fallen short against Stipe Miocic, and may have flubbed his fight with Derrick Lewis, but he’s otherwise an absolutely terrifying contender for all comers at 265. In the co-main event, Joseph Benavidez left no doubt that he’s flyweight’s only title challenger—for whatever that may be worth. And Demian Maia showed that he’s still not a man to be called out lightly.
