Anchorage’s Jared Cannonier made a triumphant return to the octagon with a five-round unanimous decision over Arizona’s Kelvin Gastelum in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. Fighting for the first time in nine months, the 37-year-old Cannonier delivered a sharp performance to prevail in a battle between top-10 contenders in the… Read more »
Eagle River’s Lauren Murphy used a dominating second-round performance to carry her to a split decision over Scotland’s Joanne Calderwood at UFC 263 in Phoenix, Arizona. The 37-year-old Alaskan picked up her fifth straight victory in the women’s flyweight division, moving to 15-4 for her pro career and 7-4 in the UFC, the world’s premier… Read more »
World Cup ski race champion Rosie Brennan of Anchorage, Olympic Trials wrestling qualifier Sydnee Kimber of Sitka and UFC fighter Lauren Murphy of Eagle River were named by the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors as finalists for the 2021 women’s Pride of Alaska Award. The winner will be announced Wednesday, May 5… Read more »
Anchorage’s Gina Mazany doled out plenty of punishment to earn a third-round TKO in the women’s flyweight division at UFC Vegas 15. The 32-year-old Alaska fighter landed more significant strikes and finished off Rachael Ostovich with a lethal left leg front kick to the midsection with just 10 seconds left. This was Mazany’s first UFC… Read more »
Austin Vanderford of Ninilchik got the win he wanted – he just didn’t win the way he wanted. The fourth-year pro scored a unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Vinicius De Jesus at the Bellator 251 main card at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. Vanderford won 30-26, 30-27, 30-27 on the judges’ scorecard. “Man, honestly,… Read more »
The UFC is taking a chance on Soldotna’s Victor Rodriguez. The 28-year-old Alaskan was called on to fill in as an emergency substitute against Adrian Yanez for UFC Vegas 12 on Halloween. Both UFC newcomers bring four-fight win streaks into the fight. Rodriguez (7-2) is believed to be the sixth Alaskan to fight in the… Read more »
Facing an unorthodox, unknown newcomer as a late replacement didn’t bother Eagle River’s Lauren Murphy at UFC 254. She came prepared for anything to happen. A technical fighter who normally wins with supreme striking skills, Murphy this time got her opponent to tap out after using a wicked rear naked choke in the second round… Read more »
Palmer’s Jake Heun loves to fight. It’s his lifestyle and his livelihood. For the last 10 years, the former University of Hawaii football player has fought professionally in mixed martial arts and traveled the world doing what he loves most. “Yeah, it’s been a hell of a ride and I feel like it’s just starting… Read more »
UFC fighter Lauren Murphy from Eagle River outboxed her opponent with supreme striking skills to win by unanimous decision in a match shown on ESPN. Murphy defeated 24-fight winner Roxanne Modafferi in a battle between top-10 flyweight contenders. The Chugiak High grad is 7th ranked in the world and improved her professional record to 13-4 after… Read more »
A clean and technical fighter, Lauren Murphy of Eagle River outboxed her opponent with supreme striking skills to win by unanimous decision in a UFC fight shown on ESPN. The judges all agreed as she scored a 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 decision over 24-fight winner Roxanne Modafferi in a battle between top-10 flyweight contenders at an… Read more »
