MMA Weekly Round-up: UFC 246, Conor McGregor and his suitors

Plenty of things can happen in the world of MMA in seven days.

From event announcements and the fights on the weekend to the best tweets and latest trash talk between fighters, we’ll keep you in the know at the end of each week with the latest happenings in the sport.

But first off, make sure you read issue 139 of Fighters Only Magazine! It’s now available on all good newsstands and on the Fighters Only app, featuring the likes of Tony Ferguson, Corey Anderson, Douglas Lima, Josh Barnett and more:

MMA News

UFC 246: Conor McGregor knocks out Cowboy Cerrone in 40 seconds

Conor McGregor wasn’t hanging around at UFC 246.

In just 40 seconds, the Irishman totally decimated Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone to announce his return to being his brutal best.

Not only did “The Notorious” triumph upon his return to the Octagon, he also set a record, becoming the first UFC fighter to win by knockout in the promotion’s featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions.

Read the full blow-by-blow report of Conor McGregor’s victory, as well as the UFC 246 main card here.

UFC 246: Holly Holm wins unanimous decision in rematch against Raquel Pennington

It wasn’t the most exhilarating performance of Holly Holm’s career, but she got the job done against Raquel Pennington in their rematch at UFC 246 on Saturday night.

The Albuquerque striker controlled the fight wherever it went, looking comfortable in the middle of the cage and dominant in the clinch.

Holm eased to a unanimous decision which was beyond a foregone conclusion by the time 15 minutes was up, getting her back in the win column.

Read all about Holly Holm’s win, as well as the other UFC 246 main card fights, in more detail here.

Aleksei Oleinik snatches another submission win, this time over Maurice Greene

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1218751132811583488

Aleksei Oleinik has a penchant for the submission spectacular and showed why he is one of the most intriguing heavyweight fighting today in his entertaining win over the towering Maurice Greene.

From Ezekiel choke attempts to cranking on a scarf-hold headlock for over a minute, Ukrainian-born Russian Oleinik is a crafty veteran who initially met his defensive grappling match against Greene.

However, Oleinik’s ground arsenal became too hot to handle for Greene in the second round, who submitted to a classic Russian-style belly-down armbar made famous by compatriot Fedor Emelianenko.

The win saw Oleinik set a record, too. The 42-year-old became the first fighter to win a contest in four consecutive decades, having had his first fight – and win – back in 1996 to start a stellar near-24-year career.

Obviously, Oleinik’s first win was by rear-naked choke – the first of a staggering 46 wins by submission which was added to at UFC 246.

He isn’t known as “The Boa Constrictor” for nothing.

Read more about Aleksei Oleinik’s entertaining win over Maurice Greene at UFC 246 here.

UFC London headliner set to feature Tyron Woodley vs. Leon Edwards

According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, a fight between top-tier welterweights Tyron Woodley, a former champion, and Birminghma’s Leon Edwards is slated to headline the upcoming UFC London event in March.

That’s one intriguing fight sure to make some waves in the UFC’s ever-competitive welterweight division.

Features and Interviews

Who’s next in the Conor McGregor Sweepstakes after UFC 246?

There are plenty of names in the frame to take on Conor McGregor next. We take a look at 10 potential candidates for the Irishman’s next dance partner.

Corey Anderson: Toe to Toe

UFC light heavyweight Corey Anderson is after some respect after abruptly ending the unbeaten run of Brazil’s Johnny Walker. Article featured in this month’s Fighers Only magazine, available on all good newsstands and digitally.

Best Social Media of the Week

Conor McGregor [via UFC]

Conor McGregor looked fresh as a daisy after handily dispatching Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 246.

Kamaru Usman [via UFC]

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman didn’t look all that impressed by McGregor’s win, nor his post-fight interview.

Jorge Masvidal [via UFC]

Meanwhile, Jorge Masvidal appeared to like what he had just seen sat cageside at UFC 246.

Kevin Lee [via Ariel Helwani]

After the fact, McGregor’s fellow UFC lightweight Kevin Lee didn’t hold back on what he thought about McGregor and Masvidal, as well as UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and upcoming challenger Tony Ferguson.

Khabib Nurmagomedov [via UFC]

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1219371018105393157

Speaking of Khabib, it turns out that it’s been eight years since the Dagestan mauler first set foot in the Octagon.

Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping didn’t hesitate to throw a “Billi Strut” but quickly seemed to regret it.

Conor McGregor and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone’s grandma

One of the more touching moments from UFC 246 as McGregor and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone’s beloved grandma embraced in the Octagon.