Last update on. From the section Mixed Martial Arts
In the second round, Jan Blachowicz was submitted by Glover Teixeira
Glover Teixeira made history by winning the UFC light-heavyweight title at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night.
Teixeira (42 years old) set a new record by becoming the oldest fighter to win the UFC title. He defeated Jan Blachowicz, the defending champion, in the main event at Etihad Arena.
Teixeira won his second attempt at championship silver. His first resulted in a unanimous decision defeat to Jon Jones in UFC 172 in 2014.
Seven years later, the Brazilian-based in the US submitted Blachowicz in round two with a rear-naked choke. This set off wild celebrations in the octagon.
Teixeira brought Blachowicz from Poland to the mat. He dominated proceedings through round one. The challenger was stunned on his feet in round 2, and then took Blachowicz back to the mat.
Blachowicz seemed to be unable to grapple with Teixeira, so Teixeira moved into mount and flattened the champion. He then locked up a rear-naked choke for his 33rd win in professional MMA. This made him the second-oldest UFC champ.
Teixeira stated that he had won his first championship title in his 40s. This was contrary to common belief about the ability of older fighters to compete at the highest levels.
He said, "We were discussing Dana [White] today. How he promotes UFC, and how he violates the rules. That's why UFC is what It is."
"I am breaking the rules, 42 years old. I will continue to break those rules!"
After a week of mutual respect, Teixeira had kind words for Blachowicz, 38 years old. This included when Blachowicz presented Teixeira with a bottle Polish beer on his birthday.
"He's an incredible champion. Teixeira said that he is a great champion.
He beat Israel Adesanya undefeated and beat everyone to get there. He is a hard worker. He is a man I love and will always have my respect."
After losing his title, Blachowicz, a crestfallen Blachowicz, was philosophical. He said, "Everything goes wrong in me, you know?"
"I believe I left the 'Legendary Polish Power’ in the hotel room. That's exactly what happened.
"But this isn't the end of the story. This book isn't over. I am not a quitter and I won't be going anywhere. "I will return, I know."
Yan takes back bantamweight gold from Yan after five rounds
Petr Yan (right), who defeated Cory Sandhagen to win the interim bantamweight title, won it.
After a five-round battle with American Cory Sandhagen, Russia's undisputed bantamweight champion Petr Yan won the interim title.
Sandhagen, 29 seemed to be the stronger of the two, but Yan, 28 got better and Yan won the unanimous decision with scores of 49-46.
Yan, also known as "No Mercy", was disqualified in March by Aljamain Sterling for an illegal knee. The American champion was crowned.
They were scheduled to meet again in Abu Dhabi. However, Sterling's neck surgery left him with lingering issues. Sandhagen was then drafted in and an interim title was created.
Sterling received a message from the Russian fighter, declaring himself the champion of the UFC's 135 pound division.
Yan said, "Everyone knows that I am the real champion."
"I'm here [and] ready to fight anybody. It will either be TJ Dillashaw, the former champion, or Sterling.
Sandhagen received applause from the Abu Dhabi crowd before paying tribute Yan for his performance and vowing to return better in a future match.
He said, "He's an awful fighter, man," after the fight. He was much better tonight, man. "I have nothing to add."
Makhachev calls for title shot after first-round submission
Islam Makhachev, a Russian lightweight contender, displayed his impressive grappling skills to defeat Dan Hooker from New Zealand. The UFC then called for him to fight for the undisputed lightweight title.
Makhachev, 30, a number five contender, submitted Hooker, 31, world number six, with a Kimura shoulderlock in just two minutes and 25 seconds. He then called for a chance at the 155-pound title.
"That was the number six position in the world." Makhachev said, "Now I have to speak." His record now stands at 21-1. "Nine-fight win streak. Now, I'm ready to fight for the title. Anyone, doesn't matter."
Charles Oliveira, the current champion, will face Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 in December 11. Former interim champion Justin Gaethje is due to meet former Bellator champion Michael Chandler at UFC 268 next week.
Islam Makhachev holds a record of 21-1
Alexander Volkov, another former Bellator champion, returned to the win column with an important unanimous heavyweight victory over Marcin Tybora of Poland. He bounced back from his June loss in Las Vegas to interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Ganes.
Khamzat Chimaev, a Swedish welterweight from Checheny, served notice to the elite competition of the UFC's 170-pound division with a dominant technical submission win over Li Jingliang.
The 27-year old had enough time to even carry his opponent across the cage for a conversation with UFC president Dana White. After taking his man to the mat, Li was rendered unconscious by a rear-naked choke less than three minutes into the first round.
Chimaev's win improves his record to 10-0. All 10 victories were via finish.
The first main card fight of the evening saw Magomed Ankalaev, a Russian light heavyweight competitor, defeat Volkan Oezdemir, a former title challenger from Switzerland.
England's Murphy continues his unbeaten streak with huge KOs
Lerone Murphy, an undefeated English featherweight, made his reputation even better with a second-round knockout against Makwan Amirkhani, a Finnish grappler.
Murphy, 32, tried to lure Amirkhani into a takedown by operating from the southpaw position. However, Amirkhani dived in and Murphy responded with a perfectly timed knee that immediately knocked him out.
Murphy improved his record to 11 wins and 1 draw. He called upon the UFC for a reward: he would fight against ranked opposition in his next bout.
"We are here. He said, "We're here for the top fifteen."
"Everybody in my Division are killers, and each matchup is big.
"Just give me any of them and we'll go!"
