This Week In MMA - Oliveira Claims Gold, Ferguson Falters, And Barboza Bests Burgos

Mandatory Credit: Josh Hedges - Zuffa LLC

Take a look back on a week in MMA which was largely dominated by UFC 262 in Houston, Texas. Headlining an excellent main card, Charles Oliveira bested Michael Chandler to win the vacant UFC lightweight championship, while Beneil Dariush scored a one-sided unanimous decision victory over Tony Ferguson in the co-main event. Opening the main card, Edson Barboza eventually stopped Shane Burgos with a peculiar third round knockout in the event's Fight of the Night. 

Off the back of his UFC Vegas 26 win over Geoff Neal, longtime welterweight contender, Neil Magny maintained his interest in a potential summer outing against the undefeated uber-prospect, Khamzat Chimaev.

Set to return at UFC 264 for his second Octagon outing of the year on July 10th. -- former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor claimed that he expects to feature at least once more this year following his trilogy clash with Dustin Poirier.

Booked for his ONE Championship debut, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace, Gordon Ryan is set to draw fellow grappling standout and former ONE Championship lightweight champion, Shinya Aoki in an openweight grappling 'super match' on August 27th.

Targeting his return from a pair of ACL tears, former interim lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee has noted his intentions to test welterweight waters once more, suggesting showdowns against the likes of Mike Perry, and former welterweight champion, Robbie Lawler at UFC 264 on July 10th. 

UFC welterweight contender, Alan Jouban also confirmed his immediate retirement from professional mixed martial arts this week, citing his interest to focus on his broadcasting career.

Recent Bellator 258 feature, promotional debutante, Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson was arrested and charged with identity theft in relation to an alleged incident dating back to late 2019. 

Reports emerged this week that the promotion had considered the possibility of hosting a UFC event in London, England -- in an attempt to return to the U.K. for the first time since March of 2019 following a cancelled UFC Fight Night London event in March of last year, which was scheduled to feature a headliner between Tyron Woodley and Leon Edwards. 

Granted his release from his UFC fight contract this release upon request, former welterweight title challenger, Dan Hardy called for UFC president, Dana White to release Nick Diaz from his fight contract to boot if the promotional leader doubted Diaz's willingness to follow through with a planned return to the Octagon. 

The above-mentioned, McGregor also topped the Forbes' list for the top-ten highest-paid athletes over the last twelve months.

Booked for a UFC Fight Night event on September 25th. -- an all-Brazilian showdown between light heavyweight strikers, one-time title challenger, Thiago Santos, and Johnny Walker. 

Set to headline a UFC Fight Night event on August 21st. -- a massive middleweight meeting of another one-time title challenger, Paulo Costa, and heavy-hitting contender, Jared Cannonier. 

Slated to make his return on July 17th. -- grappling standout, Islam Makhachev is booked to tangle with fellow grappler, Thiago Moises in an eye-catching lightweight contest. 

Targeted to headline an August event -- possibly in London, England -- a middleweight matchup between long-time contender, Derek Brunson, as well as former welterweight championship chaser, Darren Till.

Joining Makhachev and Moises on the July 17th. card -- Polish contender, Mateusz Gamrot returns for his second Octagon walk of the year as he draws veteran striker, Jeremy Stephens in the latter's lightweight division return. 

In a busy week of fight announcements, recent UFC 261 feature, Uriah Hall is slated to return against the #12 ranked, Sean Strickland in a middleweight matchup on August 7th. at UFC 265. 

Opening the main card of UFC 262 from the Toyota Centre in Houston, Texas -- Edson Barboza notched his second win at featherweight, stopping the #9 rated, Shane Burgos with an eventual third round knockout in the event's Fight of the Night. In quite peculiar circumstances, Burgos was finished with an overhand right shot from the Brazilian, however, his reaction to the strike was quite delayed, resulting in a prolonged knockout. 

In the night's co-headliner, Beneil Dariush handed former interim champion, Tony Ferguson his third consecutive loss, in really one-sided fashion -- scoring a unanimous decision with 30-27 scorecards across the board. 

Sealing the undisputed UFC lightweight championship, Charles Oliveira survived some first round adversity late on, to stop Michael Chandler with an early second round knockout -- scoring him the championship, as well as sitting him atop the list of the most finishes in promotional history with a whopping seventeen.