MMA News

Author: Andrew Ravens

  • UFC Seattle Headliner Henry Cejudo Reiterates Plan For Potential Return To ‘Dry’ Flyweight Division

    UFC Seattle Headliner Henry Cejudo Reiterates Plan For Potential Return To ‘Dry’ Flyweight Division

    Henry Cejudo hasn’t ruled out a return to the flyweight division, but for now, his attention is fully on his upcoming bantamweight fight against Song Yadong.

    The former two-division champion will headline UFC Fight Night Seattle this Saturday at Climate Pledge Arena.

    Cejudo, who once held both the flyweight and bantamweight titles simultaneously, is often credited with saving the UFC’s 125-pound division. Snce coming out of retirement in 2023, he has suffered back-to-back decision losses at 135 pounds — first in a competitive fight against then-champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288 and then in a dominant defeat to current champ Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298.

    Despite these setbacks, Cejudo sees a potential future at flyweight.

    “I’ve got to cut the weight, but there is a potential thing that I could be going back down,” Cejudo said during media day this week. “With a victory here, I don’t think there’s anybody at flyweight that could really sell the division.

    “I think there’s too many dry people at that weight division. I feel like what I’ve done in combat sports, particularly the flyweights, is saving that division back in 2020. There could be a resurrection there.”

    Cejudo’s recent comments about the flyweight division weren’t necessarily a slight toward current champion Alexandre Pantoja. Instead, “Triple C” believes he could help bring more attention and excitement to the weight class.

    “I love Pantoja, and that’s another thing, too,” Cejudo said. “I spent New Year’s (with him)—I’m super close to Pantoja. He’s a great fighter, but sometimes I think he can create storylines because everybody is kind of dry at flyweight. There’s no tussle. There’s no storylines.”

    He then reflected on how he once convinced UFC CEO Dana White to keep the flyweight division alive after winning the title from Demetrious Johnson.

    “When I became champion, it was my responsibility. It was my responsibility when I talked to Dana. They were going to get rid of the division. He told me, ‘Hey man, I just want to let you know that I’m going to grant you your decision.’

    “After I beat Demetrious (Johnson), I wanted to go up and become a double champ because the whole storyline was Demetrious Johnson vs. T.J. Dillashaw. I said, ‘I’m going to beat this dude, and I’m challenging the winner of Cody (Garbrandt) and T.J.’ Exactly what happened. He said, ‘We’re going to grant you, but we’re going to get rid of the division.’ I remember my heart just sunk. It just didn’t feel right. … I said, ‘Let’s bring (Dillashaw) down.’ So T.J. wanted to go down. I’m just like, ‘Let’s give him what he wants.’ So I beat him at 125 and then go up to 35 and then do it again.”

    A win could set him up for another title push — whether at bantamweight or in a return to 125 pounds.

  • Alexander Volkanovski Reacts To Confirmation Of Vacant Title Fight vs. Diego Lopes At UFC 314

    Alexander Volkanovski Reacts To Confirmation Of Vacant Title Fight vs. Diego Lopes At UFC 314

    Alexander Volkanovski is eager to make a statement when he faces Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314 on April 12 at the Kaseya Center in Miami.

    With Ilia Topuria vacating the championship to move up to lightweight, Volkanovski now can reclaim the belt he once defended five times. The former champion revealed that he had been aware of the April fight date for some time but was uncertain about his opponent or the fight’s full significance.

    Now fully locked in, Volkanovski is motivated and has a clear message for Lopes.

    “I’m feeling great, and I’m only going to get better from here, so that’s a scary thing — especially for Lopes,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “I think Lopes is in for a very, very hard fight. He’s a gamer. He’s a great dude. I’ve got a lot of respect for him —very nice fella.

    “I’m sure he’s expecting to go out there and win the belt, but I’m sorry, mate. That ain’t happening. Good on you for being in this position. (I’m) happy you’re getting the opportunity to fight for the belt, but I’m still here. You ain’t having it. Sorry, mate.”

    Volkanovski is coming off two consecutive knockout losses: one to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and, more recently, to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 last February.

    With questions surrounding his durability and future, the Australian is determined to prove he remains an elite force in the division.

    “I’m really looking forward to this one — very excited, excited to show everyone,” Volkanovski said. “Obviously, people are like, ‘Oh, he’s old — he’s done.’ I hope people are thinking that. Everyone knows I love the underdog story. Everyone knows I love to prove people wrong.

    “I still think a lot of people believe in me, and I’m going to go out there and look great, anyway. But, for those who don’t, you have every right to think that until I change your opinion, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do April 12.”

    With a legacy already cemented as one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history, Volkanovski now seeks to reclaim his place at the top. However, rising star Diego Lopes stands in his way, looking to seize his own moment of glory.

  • Dana White Explains Ilia Topuria’s Decision To Vacate UFC Featherweight Title

    Dana White Explains Ilia Topuria’s Decision To Vacate UFC Featherweight Title

    At the start of the UFC 314 main event, Ilia Topuria’s reign as featherweight champion will officially end.

    UFC CEO Dana White recently announced several upcoming fights, including significant news regarding the featherweight division. Topuria has decided to relinquish his title to move up to the lightweight division, paving the way for a vacant title fight at UFC 314 in Miami on April 12 between former champion Alexander Volkanovski and rising contender Diego Lopes.

    “Topuria has felt like he’s done all he can in that division, and he feels like he’s cemented his legacy, and his body cannot make the weight anymore,” White said during an Instagram Live session. “So Topuria will be moving up to 155 pounds and will be vacating the featherweight title. … As soon as the first punch is thrown in (Volkanovski vs. Lopes), the title is vacated. We will announce what Topuria’s next fight will be when we get it done.”

    Topuria’s move comes after a stellar 2024 campaign in which he captured the featherweight title by knocking out Volkanovski at UFC 298 and then defended it with another knockout victory over Max Holloway at UFC 308. His performances solidified him as one of the UFC’s most dangerous strikers.

    Now, he is set on an even more significant challenge — lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

    “I really believe that I can beat the current champion, Islam,” Topuria said on the Full Send Podcast. “I really think that. He’s a great champion. You can’t be a world champion by chance; you have to do things great. He’s a beast.

    “I don’t like to be a bully and fight with people that I know 100 percent that I’m going to whoop his ass, you know? I like to fight with people that the fans think that it’s going to be very competitive. That kind of expectation I like to create. With Islam, I’m going to have that. Doing the rematch with people that I already fought, I don’t think that I’m going to have the same kind of expectations, you know, for the fans.”

    While his next opponent has yet to be announced, Topuria’s move to lightweight will add another intriguing contender to one of the most talent-rich divisions in the UFC.

  • Stephen Thompson Explains Why He Wants To Be Donald Cerrone’s UFC Return Opponent

    Stephen Thompson Explains Why He Wants To Be Donald Cerrone’s UFC Return Opponent

    Stephen Thompson is interested in a potential matchup with fellow UFC veteran Donald Cerrone, who recently announced his plans to return for two more fights after re-entering the drug-testing pool.

    Thompson, a longtime UFC welterweight contender, sees Cerrone as a logical opponent. “Wonderboy” has consistently faced elite competition throughout his career but is currently on a tough stretch. He has lost four of his last five fights, including consecutive stoppage defeats to Shavkat Rakhmonov and Joaquin Buckley.

    “I’m thinking April, May time, I think would be cool just because I’m a huge fan of Cerrone, and he comes from that old-school era that I kind of came from almost 13, 14 years ago,” Thompson said on the OverDogs Podcast. “So, it’s cool that he wants to jump back out there.

    “I thought it would be awesome if he doesn’t want to cut the weight to 155 maybe to make that fight at 170. I thought it would be really cool to have two veterans like that step back out there and face off against each other, but nothing booked yet. But that’s what I’m kind of shooting for, that April, May time.”

    Despite his recent setbacks, the former two-time UFC welterweight title challenger remains confident in his ability to compete at a high level against any opponent. A fight with Cerrone — who last competed in July 2022 before retiring — would be a high-profile veteran showdown that could generate significant fan interest.

    With Thompson targeting a return in April or May, whether the UFC will book this potential clash of fan-favorite strikers remains to be seen.

  • Anthony Smith Gets Defended By UFC Veteran From TJ Dillashaw’s Harsh Criticism

    Anthony Smith Gets Defended By UFC Veteran From TJ Dillashaw’s Harsh Criticism

    King Green strongly disagrees with T.J. Dillashaw’s assessment of Anthony Smith.

    Dillashaw recently claimed that “Lionheart” lacks the heart to become a UFC champion, accusing him of tending to quit in fights — though he notably failed to mention Smith’s title fight against Jon Jones.

    Green, however, pushed back against Dillashaw’s remarks, arguing that Smith’s extensive fight record is proof of his toughness and resilience.

    “When you said he wasn’t a champ or he wasn’t going to be a champ, I get that, brother, I get it, but there’s other parts to that,” Green said on the JAXXON PODCAST. “You’re not going to understand. I was looking up your record. You’re 18-5, is it? OK, so that’s 23 fights. You see how many fights Anthony Smith has? He has like 50-something, crazy number.

    “I’m not comparing the two. What I’m trying to get you to understand is this: When you say he don’t have no heart, you don’t walk that walk 50-something times against the UFC’s best.”

    In March 2019, Smith fought Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight championship. During the fight, Jones struck the challenger with an illegal knee to a downed opponent, a foul that could have led to a disqualification. Instead, “Lionheart” chose to continue, ultimately losing by unanimous decision — a moment many see as proof of his warrior mentality.

    Green continued his defense of Smith, emphasizing the toll that years of fighting take on a competitor.

    “One thing that you’ve been dealing with—injuries—you can understand that part,” Green said, addressing Dillashaw. “For you to go out there 50-something times, you have to go out there busted up a lot. I think we don’t take into consideration some of the things that maybe happen behind the scenes.

    “Yeah, I see what you were saying, too. Sometimes there’s a little quit in him, but sometimes you don’t know, bro. My nose is already broke four times, and he just hit me right in my sh*t again.”

    Anthony Smith is set to step into the octagon one last time before retiring from professional MMA. His farewell fight will be against Zhang Mingyang at UFC Fight Night in Kansas City on April 26.

    After this bout, Smith will officially retire, closing the book on a career that has spanned more than 50 professional fights.

  • Dan Hooker ‘100 Percent’ Knows He’s Going To The Hospital After Justin Gaethje Fight

    Dan Hooker ‘100 Percent’ Knows He’s Going To The Hospital After Justin Gaethje Fight

    Dan Hooker is preparing for an all-out war when he faces Justin Gaethje in a five-round co-main event at UFC 313 in Las Vegas. Regardless of the outcome, “The Hangman” expects the fight to be so grueling that he’ll need medical attention afterward.

    Currently riding a three-fight win streak, Hooker sees this as a massive opportunity. A victory over Gaethje could launch him into lightweight title contention, but he’s also fully aware of the brutal nature of the matchup ahead.

    “I think that’s why God put me on this Earth — to get into fist fights,” Hooker told ESPN Australia. “If I’m finally going to get to this fight and change my tune, this is what I’ve been calling for the whole time. Live by the sword, die by the sword is just the way you have to approach life. I’m going to go out there, and it’s going to go one of two ways. It doesn’t matter what happens, I’m prepared.”

    Known for his durability and aggressive fighting style, Hooker embraces the reality of stepping into the octagon with Gaethje, one of the most violent fighters in UFC history.

    “I know full well, 100 percent, this fight is going to end — no matter whether his hand gets raised, my arm gets raised — I’m going straight on a stretcher, straight into the back of an ambulance, and I’m going to the hospital,” Hooker said. “I’ve accepted [that]. I’ve come to terms with that’s how this night is going to end. I’ve come to terms with that. I’ve embraced that. So if someone is not willing to go to the lengths I’m willing to go to, they’re going to have a bad night.”

    While Gaethje expects a brutal fight, Hooker remains confident in his ability to win. Gaethje’s last fight, the BMF title bout against Max Holloway at UFC 300, ended in a devastating Knockout of the Year loss. The New Zealander is looking to replicate that success when they meet in the octagon next month.

    “If I wake up on fight day, no matter what’s going on, if I look down and my left arm is attached to my body, I’m confident, baby,” Hooker said. “I know I can send any man walking the face of the planet to Mars. So I’m not worried about it.”

    With both fighters known for their relentless styles, UFC 313’s co-main event promises to be one of the most violent fights of the year.

  • Dricus Du Plessis On Potential Belal Muhammad Fight: ‘I Step On His Head And It’s Over’

    Dricus Du Plessis On Potential Belal Muhammad Fight: ‘I Step On His Head And It’s Over’

    Dricus Du Plessis has responded to Belal Muhammad’s recent criticism of the middleweight division, dismissing the comments and taking jabs at the UFC welterweight champion.

    Muhammad recently downplayed the strength of the 185-pound weight class, calling it the easiest (aside from Khamzat Chimaev) and citing the UFC 312 main event as evidence.

    In an interview with The Ariel Helwani Show, Du Plessis didn’t hold back in his response.

    “Belal Muhammad, I can’t even remember the way he fights, I don’t know,” Du Plessis said. “Has he ever finished anyone? … I mean, I like how he acts as if he has a choice to ever go up to 185. The UFC will never let him. If he wanted to, he’d have to abandon his belt, give up his belt, vacate, and go up to 185, and there’s no way they give him a direct title shot. There’s no way. The UFC doesn’t even like Belal Muhammad. He hasn’t even defended his belt once. He’s definitely better on Twitter than he is when he fights; let’s just say that.”

    While Du Plessis and Muhammad have dismissed the idea of fighting each other, both are on impressive career runs. Du Plessis defended his middleweight title for the second time, defeating Sean Strickland in a rematch at UFC 312, extending his UFC record to 9-0. Meanwhile, Muhammad boasts an 11-fight unbeaten streak since 2019, culminating in a dominant title-winning performance against Leon Edwards at UFC 304 this past July.

    While a champion-vs-champion bout would undoubtedly be a significant draw, Du Plessis believes such a matchup would be one-sided.

    “No, that would be unfair,” Du Plessis said. “If I fight Belal Muhammad, it would be unfair. One hundred percent. Have you seen the size of the man? What is he going to do? Is he going to get somebody to help him? Is he going to sit on somebody’s neck? How is it going to work? I couldn’t believe that he fights at 170 when I saw him.”

    When asked how the fight would go, Du Plessis didn’t mince words.

    “I step on his head, and it’s over,” he said.

    Belal Muhammad Responds to Dricus Du Plessis

    Du Plessis’ comments quickly spread across social media, prompting a response from Muhammad.

    “He can barely walk without tripping over his own feet,” Muhammad said. “He ain’t touching me.”

    While there’s no real movement toward a potential fight between the two champions, their back and forth has added an extra layer of intrigue to their respective title reigns.

  • Concern Raised About Alex Pereira’s UFC 313 Training Ahead Of ‘Hardest Fight Of His Title Reign’

    Concern Raised About Alex Pereira’s UFC 313 Training Ahead Of ‘Hardest Fight Of His Title Reign’

    Daniel Cormier has expressed concern over Alex Pereira’s preparations for his upcoming light heavyweight title defense against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8 in Las Vegas.

    Cormier’s worry stems from Pereira’s recent trip to Australia, where he was seen supporting and cornering Sean Strickland in his unsuccessful middleweight title fight at UFC 312. The former two-division champion and current UFC commentator believes this has distracted “Poatan” from his own training and could hinder his performance against Ankalaev.

    “This dude was seen in Australia last week still, and he was shaking the hand of Drake as Drake went on stage for his concert,” Cormier said on Good Guy/Bad Guy with Chael Sonnen. “One, Drake constantly loses millions of dollars betting on people, so you kind of don’t want Drake to bet on you because he doesn’t have the greatest track record for winning. But what is Pereira still doing in Australia? He fights in two weeks! Ankalaev’s already here, he’s in Vegas, I ran into him at the UFC PI last week. He is honestly so locked in, ready to win this fight against Alex Pereira.”

    Cormier also pointed out the potential impact of travel on the Brazilian’s fight readiness, emphasizing the difficulty of adjusting to multiple time zones so close to fight week.

    “I got back from Australia, and all last week I’m up at 3 o’clock in the morning,” Cormier continued. “I don’t care that Pereira’s got weeks to get ready, he’s going to be prepared, but even those two to three extra days when he’s adjusting his clock to get back on schedule in Connecticut, then once he’s done in Connecticut to fly to Vegas the week of the fight, get adjusted to two more hours — he’s going to have to deal with all that travel and all that difference in time. And where’s Glover (Teixeira)? Is Glover just in Australia with him? Is it just him and Plinio (Cruz)?”

    Despite Ankalaev’s claim that he won’t rely on wrestling, Cormier warns Pereira that grappling should have been a central focus of his training camp.

    “Glover’s the guy, honestly, that should be doing the most work with Alex right now because of the wrestling,” Cormier said. “Plinio is a great grappler. Plinio needs to be overseeing Glover just shooting on Pereira because I don’t care what Ankalaev says — he has to be smarter than to go out there and try to just stand with Pereira for 25 minutes. He has to know that he’s got to secure takedowns. Pereira better get home. He needs to get home and make sure he’s locked in because he does have the hardest fight of his title reign to this point.”

    With UFC 313 fast approaching, Pereira’s late-stage preparation choices will soon be tested against Ankalaev, a dangerous challenger who is already locked in and training in Las Vegas.

  • Justin Gaethje: Islam Makhachev Is A Better Matchup For Me Than Khabib Nurmagomedov

    Justin Gaethje has his sights set on another shot at the UFC lightweight championship and hopes the opportunity comes against current titleholder Islam Makhachev.

    Before he can earn that chance, Gaethje must first get past Dan Hooker in their five-round co-main event at UFC 313 on March 8 in Las Vegas. The fight is a pivotal moment for “The Highlight,” as it represents a chance to solidify himself once again as a top contender in the division.

    The former interim lightweight champ has come close to claiming true UFC gold twice but fell short on both occasions, suffering submission losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 and Charles Oliveira at UFC 274.

    Despite these setbacks, his hunger to climb back to the top remains strong.

    “I want to fight Makhachev. He is the champ, and I do believe that he is a better matchup for me than Khabib,” Gaethje said during a Q&A on his YouTube channel. “But he’s good.”

    While Gaethje is one of the few fighters to have won a round against Nurmagomedov, he doesn’t believe he could have ultimately beaten that version of “The Eagle.”

    “I think Khabib was probably the one that I felt even if I performed better, I’m not sure that if I could’ve beaten him that night specifically,” Gaethje admitted. “That night that I fought Khabib, I would say he is my toughest opponent to date.”

    With a high-stakes matchup against Hooker ahead, Gaethje remains focused on securing another shot at the title — this time against Makhachev, a challenge he believes he is better suited for than his past title fights.

  • UFC Vet On Sean Strickland-Eric Nicksick Fallout: ‘A Coach Shouldn’t Criticize Their Fighter Publicly’

    UFC Vet On Sean Strickland-Eric Nicksick Fallout: ‘A Coach Shouldn’t Criticize Their Fighter Publicly’

    Sean Strickland’s lackluster performance at UFC 312, where he suffered a one-sided loss to Dricus Du Plessis, has led to public friction between him and his head coach, Eric Nicksick.

    Since the fight, Nicksick has openly criticized Strickland’s performance, calling it “underwhelming” and “uninspiring.” He cited the challenger’s lack of offensive output and the broken nose he sustained in the fourth round as key factors in the loss.

    Strickland responded by releasing a video detailing the physical struggles he endured leading up to the fight. He also stated that while he still considers Nicksick a friend, he “probably” won’t have him in his corner for future bouts.

    Former UFC fighter Matt Brown discussed the situation during the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer, focusing on that public criticism from a coach can feel like a betrayal.

    “First and foremost, we have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes,” Brown said. “There could be a million different things that we’re basing all this off—a couple of paragraphs. Who knows? That’s all we can base it off of, [the way] it looks. It’s unfortunate. I don’t think you should criticize your fighter publicly.”

    While Strickland’s performance is open to critique, Brown believes Nicksick’s approach could have been handled better. He compared the coach-fighter dynamic to a personal relationship built on trust.

    “A coach-athlete relationship is like boyfriend/girlfriend,” Brown explained. “You’ve got their back until you don’t when it’s all said and done. More like a marriage, I guess. It’s to the death. You’ve got their back, and you’re there for them. You’re not fighting for them. All you’re doing is giving your belief on what you think they need to do. They’re trusting you with that belief. It doesn’t mean they’re going to do it, or they have to do it, or they’re bad if they don’t do it, or there’s something wrong if they don’t do it. You don’t know what they’re going through. You don’t know what it’s like standing in front of someone trying to kill you, especially guys that have never fought.”

    Brown also touched on a broader debate in MMA — whether coaches who have never fought professionally can truly understand what their fighters experience inside the cage.

    “I try not to be overly critical,” Brown said. “I like guys like Eric Nicksick, but if you’ve never fought, you’re literally just giving an opinion. I think someone who’s fought, their opinion goes a lot farther. But it’s still an opinion. It’s like if you want to teach someone how to drive a car and you’ve never driven a car before. Do you really want to learn from that person? My 14-year-old son could tell you how to drive a car. He could teach someone how to drive a car, but do you want to learn from him? It doesn’t really make sense.”

    Brown acknowledged that non-fighter coaches can still bring value to a training camp but believes that if they are going to strongly critique a fighter’s performance, they should have firsthand experience in the sport.

    “I try not to be too much of a hater for guys who have never fought, because they can bring a lot of value to a camp, also,” Brown added. “But if you’re going to sit there and act like your opinion is so good, and your belief of what they did was so good, I hope you’ve at least fought before so you can say, ‘OK, I did that, and I believe that you should.’”

    With Strickland’s future cornering situation now in question, it remains to be seen whether he and Nicksick will be able to mend their relationship or if he will seek a new coaching team moving forward.

  • Belal Muhammad: Aside From Khamzat Chimaev, Middleweight Division Is The UFC’s Easiest

    Belal Muhammad: Aside From Khamzat Chimaev, Middleweight Division Is The UFC’s Easiest

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad believes his division is significantly more challenging than the middleweight division, which Dricus Du Plessis currently rules.

    Those are strong words from Muhammad, who has yet to defend his title. He was initially set to face Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in December but was forced to withdraw due to injury. Rakhmonov defeated Ian Garry and is expected to challenge for the welterweight title later this year.

    In a recent interview with Barstool Chicago, Muhammad was asked about possibly fighting his occasional training partner, UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev. “Remember the Name” reiterated that he has no interest in fighting Makhachev, a stance he has previously made clear.

    Instead, he has a broader goal — potentially moving up in weight and fighting for another championship. That means targeting the middleweight division.

    “For me, I’d rather go to 185 and let [Makhachev] just take 170,” Muhammad said. “Since I’ve already had to fight my way up to 170 — I’ve beaten five top-10 guys — I’m two fights away from being able to challenge for [the middleweight title] and saying, ‘Hey, I want to be double champ.’

    “I think 185 is probably the easiest weight class — besides Khamzat [Chimaev]. When you look at that [UFC 312] main event, you’re like, ‘Bro, Strickland and Du Plessis suck.’”

  • GFL Team Manager Lyoto Machida Doesn’t Rule Out MMA Comeback At 46

    GFL Team Manager Lyoto Machida Doesn’t Rule Out MMA Comeback At 46

    Lyoto Machida will serve as a team manager in the debut year of the Global Fight League (GFL) — but that doesn’t mean he has ruled out a return to competition as a fighter.

    A former UFC light heavyweight champion, Machida made his mark with a unique fighting style heavily influenced by Shotokan karate, which he began training in at a young age. He reached the pinnacle of his career in 2009 when he captured the UFC light heavyweight title by defeating Rashad Evans. Throughout his career, Machida secured wins over notable opponents such as Rashad Evans, Tito Ortiz, Randy Couture, Mark Coleman and Dan Henderson.

    After a successful run at 205 pounds, Machida moved down to middleweight, where he remained a top contender but never reclaimed championship gold. Toward the end of his career, he also competed in Bellator MMA. Now, he takes on a new role with GFL, a team-based MMA league set to launch in April 2025.

    “They invited me as an athlete, but I said, ‘No, I’m away for some time, and I’d rather come in as a manager,’” Machida told MMA Fighting. “I want to see how it goes, the changes in the organization. I saw the signings—a lot of people getting signed—but we want to see it happening.

    “I believe it’s going to be a great league, and it will help the sport. You can’t just have one [organization], right? Competition is good, and that’s what we hope for as fighters and coaches. It opens more doors. For example, ‘Dede’ [Pederneiras] has several athletes who aren’t in the UFC but have the skills to be there, so maybe another door opens. But it’s all very new to me, just like it is for you.”

    Although Machida is embracing his managerial role, he isn’t completely closing the door on a return to the cage.

    “I came in as a manager, but I’m not taking away the possibility of fighting,” Machida said. “I’m not saying I won’t fight again. It’s not like that. But it’s not a priority for me. It’s a new promotion, I want to see it happen, so I wanted to come in as a manager first to see how it works. I’ve never been on this side before. What would make me fight again is maybe a challenge, something that made sense for me,” Machida said. “Someone from the same generation? OK, it could happen, but it can’t just be anything or any fight. You have to know your place and moment. This is not the time to fight a 25-, 30-year-old. Not that. It’s the moment to do the right fight, if it has to happen. But right now, it’s not a priority.”

  • Alexander Volkanovski Trains With Fellow Former UFC Champion In Thailand Ahead Of Return

    Alexander Volkanovski Trains With Fellow Former UFC Champion In Thailand Ahead Of Return

    While a rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and featherweight champion Ilia Topuria remains speculative, the Australian is already preparing as if it’s happening.

    Reports suggest that UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami is the likely target for the potential rematch. Volkanovski recently released a video documenting the start of his training camp, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at his preparations.

    The footage features “Alexander the Great” training alongside former bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling, adding to the anticipation of an official fight announcement.

    “We just got here in Thailand — Phuket. … Got in last night,” Volkanovski said. “Obviously, I’m here to do a bit of training camp. Hopefully, a fight announcement soon. But we’re in camp. We’ve been in camp for a while, doing a pre-camp camp. So now we’re pretty much in camp.

    “Good bodies here for us already. At Bangtao, you’ve always got good bodies, but I’ve got Craig Jones that’s come with us. … We’ve got a heap of good guys to work with over here. I think Aljo is over here as well, so maybe we’ll get some training in. So it’s going to be a good trip.”

    Volkanovski and Sterling both held UFC gold in overlapping reigns — the former as featherweight champion from 2019 to 2024 and the latter as bantamweight titleholder from 2021 to 2023. Now, both fighters are focused on the featherweight gold, and Sterling is making the most of the opportunity to train alongside one of the division’s all-time greats.

    “I don’t know what we’re doing, but we’re sparring,” Sterling said. “More for him than for my own personal gain. That’s just kind of the way we do things back home. … Just try to give the looks of our opponents to make it as practical as possible, so we can get that fight feel.

    “This is actually my first time training with Volk. We’ve seen each other in passing a bunch of different times, at the UFC PI, fighting events, and things like that. This has been a cool experience to kind of work with one of the other greatest guys of all time in the featherweight division. So this is really nice.”

    With Volkanovski deep in training and speculation growing, fans eagerly await an official confirmation of his highly anticipated rematch with Topuria.

  • Former UFC Champion Miesha Tate Announces Her Next Fight, Implores Doubters To ‘Stick Around’

    Former UFC Champion Miesha Tate Announces Her Next Fight, Implores Doubters To ‘Stick Around’

    Miesha Tate’s next fight is set, as the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion will face Yana Santos at an upcoming UFC Fight Night event.

    Tate announced the fight on Instagram, with Santos also confirming the matchup. While the UFC has yet to formally announce the bout, the event is expected to take place on May 3 in Des Moines, Iowa.

    “It’s Official: May 3rd vs @yanamma,” Tate wrote. “I’ve still got what it takes and if you doubt me, please stick around. Mark your calendars 🗓️”

    Tate last competed in December 2023, securing a third-round submission victory over Julia Avila. The win snapped a two-fight losing skid for the former champion. Since returning from retirement in 2021, “Cupcake” has gone 2-2, including a brief stint at flyweight before moving back to bantamweight, where she once held the title.

    Santos is also coming off a much-needed victory. She earned a unanimous decision over Chelsea Chandler in August 2024, a result she described as “career-saving.” The win halted a three-fight skid that began in 2021 and brought her UFC record to an even 5-5.

    With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night on May 3 are as follows:

    • Yana Santos vs. Miesha Tate
    • Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez
    • Gillian Robertson vs. Marina Rodriguez
    • JeongYeong Lee vs. Trevor Peek
    • Serhiy Sidey vs. Cameron Smotherman

  • Chael Sonnen Predicts UFC 313 Will Mark Alex Pereira’s Final LHW Fight, Win Or Lose

    Chael Sonnen believes Alex Pereira’s time at light heavyweight may be nearing its end following his upcoming title defense against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313.

    UFC CEO Dana White has expressed interest in booking a heavyweight title unification bout between Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall in 2025. But with Jones himself previously favoring a superfight with Pereira, “Poatan” appears to have other options to explore.

    One new possibility seems to be boxing, as unified heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk recently expressed interest in facing the UFC star as part of his retirement plans.

    Regardless of the outcome of the Ankalaev fight, Sonnen predicts the light heavyweight kingpin will seek new opportunities.

    “If Pereira wins, he’s going to be looking for something else to do, and if Pereira loses, he’s gone,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “I feel like many of you have forgotten how Pereira got to 205 pounds. He did not get to 205 by cleaning out 185. He got to 205 by losing at 185. That’s what opened the door — no belt, no vacate, a move right up.

    “So no matter what happens after Ankalaev, things are going to be very different for Pereira. I predict he’s moving up, and the ticking time bomb of Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall carrying this on and dragging this out — that time bomb reaches midnight as soon as Pereira is done with his piece of business with Ankalaev, win or lose.”

  • Francis Ngannou Blames Dana White For Being ‘Massive Obstacle’ Blocking Jon Jones Fight

    The ongoing tension between Francis Ngannou and UFC CEO Dana White continues to unfold.

    After vacating his heavyweight title to explore free agency, Ngannou secured highly lucrative boxing matchups against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua following his UFC departure in 2023.

    In his return to MMA, the former UFC heavyweight champion made a statement with a dominant finish over Renan Ferreira at PFL: Battle of the Giants. However, White suggested after the fight that financial incentives primarily influenced Ngannou’s career decisions.

    “The Predator” believes White struggles to accept how things played out and even questions whether the UFC boss wants to see him fail outside the promotion. Regardless, Ngannou remains focused on his own path forward.

    One fight he still hopes for — but doesn’t believe will happen — is a long-awaited clash with Jon Jones. According to Ngannou, White remains the biggest obstacle in making that fight a reality.

    “If you can get past Dana White, it could happen, [but] that’s a massive obstacle,” Ngannou told Sportsbook Review. “But personally, I don’t care. I’m doing well. I’m doing my stuff at my pace. I don’t care. That won’t change my sleep for me.

    “Finishing my career without fighting Jon Jones would be OK. I have tried to fight Jon Jones for four years since I fought Jairzinho Rozenstruik [at UFC 249] back in 2020. I’ve been trying to fight Jon Jones, and then they were holding it out like a trap until the moment that I was about to leave. Then they said, ‘OK, here’s the Jon Jones fight.’ But it was bait. I felt they were very tricky.”

    While Ngannou acknowledges that a fight with Jones would be an incredible spectacle, he has gradually let go of the expectation.

    “Yes, Jon Jones would be a great fight, a fantastic fight,” Ngannou said. “I have always hoped for that fight, but my hope and my expectation for that fight has faded over time.

    “I have a lot of fights to get a measurement of his light heavyweight career, and I have way less to look at with him as a heavyweight. I think he’s by far the best light heavyweight. His cage time as a light heavyweight was over a decade. At heavyweight, he has two fights. He has barely done three rounds.”

  • Belal Muhammad Predicts ‘Worst-Case Scenario’ For Shavkat Rakhmonov In UFC Title Fight: ‘I See Holes…’

    Belal Muhammad Predicts ‘Worst-Case Scenario’ For Shavkat Rakhmonov In UFC Title Fight: ‘I See Holes…’

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad is confident in his ability to break Shavkat Rakhmonov mentally when they face off.

    Muhammad, who claimed the title by dominating Leon Edwards at UFC 304, is expected to defend it against the undefeated Rakhmonov. This matchup comes after the Kazakh secured a five-round decision victory over Ian Garry at UFC 310 — a fight that originally had “Remember the Name” slated to compete in before he withdrew due to a foot infection.

    While the champ acknowledges Rakhmonov as a formidable challenge, he believes he has the ability to push him to his limits and ultimately prevail.

    “When you’re fighting a guy like Shavkat, where they put him on this pedestal as this undefeated crazy guy, I see holes in his game the same way I saw holes in Leon’s game,” Muhammad said in an interview with Barstool Sports Chicago. “I think Leon’s a better striker than Shavkat, but mentally, I think Shavkat’s a lot stronger. I don’t see him breaking mentally.

    “The biggest thing for him is, now you’re fighting a guy that’s not afraid of you. Everybody he fights comes in there with nerves and fear: ‘Oh, he’s crazy. He’s a robot. He’s this, this and that.’ A lot of guys just fold because of that fear.

    “For me, I’m going to be in his face the whole time, and it’s going to be the same resolve — another guy breaking. A lot of guys like him, when you’ve never felt that, where a guy is not afraid of you, or a guy is still with you this whole time for five rounds, pushing a different pace that you’ve never seen before — and you’re supposed to be the undefeated guy — you’ve never had to experience that before. It’s going to be the worst-case scenario for him.”

  • Daniel Cormier Pushes Back On Francis Ngannou’s Planned Boxing Return: ‘We Cannot Ignore The Visuals Of What We Saw…’

    Although Francis Ngannou has yet to secure a victory in professional boxing, holding a 0-2 record, the former UFC heavyweight champion plans to return to the ring for his next fight.

    This decision comes after his brief return to MMA, where he made his successful PFL debut last October. He comfortably defeated 2023 heavyweight season winner Renan Ferreira.

    As for potential boxing opponents, Ngannou has mentioned former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder as a possibility. However, Daniel Cormier isn’t thrilled about that possibility, particularly after “The Predator’s” brutal knockout loss to Anthony Joshua.

    “There were people picking Francis to beat Joshua,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “I love Francis, but not to insult him — Anthony Joshua felt so little threat [from Ngannou] that he, who is traditionally one of the most passive boxers in the world for a heavyweight champion, went after Francis. He didn’t feel the threat because of the lack of experience that Francis had in boxing.

    “Sure, he’s going to make a boatload of money, he always does, but at what point do you go, ‘I don’t know?’ Because if you ask me, it would seem like he’s up against it again. Maybe he’s just the biggest, baddest man on the planet that we all believe, and he doesn’t care that he’s up against it. He wants to prove everyone wrong like he did the first time when he fought Tyson Fury and took him to a very close fight. But we cannot ignore the visuals of what we saw the last time, especially when he came back to MMA and fought so well.”

    “DC” continued, explaining that a potential fight against Wilder presents significant challenges due to “The Bronze Bomber’s” renowned knockout power.

    “People don’t hurt Francis Ngannou, but when it happened in the [Joshua] fight, he looked lost,” Cormier said. “That’s what’s concerning to me. Because I know there will be moments in that fight with Deontay Wilder, the way that he punches, where [Ngannou] is going to need to find safety.”

    While Wilder isn’t known for his technical skill, his career has been defined by his devastating punching power. However, recent performances paint a different picture.

    Currently on a two-fight losing skid and with only one win in his last five fights, speculation is growing about Wilder’s future. A lucrative opportunity against a less experienced boxer like Ngannou could reignite his motivation.

    Cormier, who trained alongside Wilder on the U.S. Olympic team, understands firsthand the danger the former WBC heavyweight champ presents when at his best.

    “I thought the most dangerous fight for Francis was Deontay Wilder because Deontay Wilder, who I was on the Olympic team with, is more free and also less technical,” Cormier said. “That’s the nice way to say Deontay Wilder’s boxing style. He’s less technical.

    “So the punches may be loopy. He may throw them from odd angles. But he has this unbelievable power that allows you to go to sleep.”

  • Anthony Smith Expected To Face Knockout Artist With 11 Straight First-Round Finishes In UFC Retirement Fight

    Anthony Smith Expected To Face Knockout Artist With 11 Straight First-Round Finishes In UFC Retirement Fight

    Anthony Smith’s final walk to the Octagon is targeted for UFC Kansas City in April.

    Multiple sources familiar with the UFC’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that Smith is expected to face Zhang Mingyang at the event. The matchup was initially reported by @Kangzif on X.

    This fight will mark the end of Smith’s career, serving as his 59th professional bout and 25th UFC appearance. He started 2024 on a high note with a submission victory over Vitor Petrino at UFC 301 last May. But the former light heavyweight title challenger is now coming off back-to-back losses to Roman Dolidze and Dominick Reyes.

    Following his loss to the latter, “Lionheart” hinted at possible retirement, a sentiment echoed by UFC CEO Dana White, who suggested it might be time for him to step away.

    Mingyang, on the other hand, enters this high-profile matchup riding an impressive 11-fight win streak, with every victory coming via finish in the first round. The bout presents a major opportunity for the rising Chinese fighter to break into the UFC light heavyweight rankings. Mingyang earned his contract with a highlight-reel knockout on Road to UFC in 2022.

    His official UFC debut came at UFC 298, where he delivered a first-round knockout of Bendson Ribeiro. In November, he followed up that performance with another quick first-round finish over Ozzy Diaz at UFC Macau. Now, the 26-year-old looks to extend his momentum and make a statement against the veteran Smith.

    UFC Kansas City is scheduled for April 26, at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. This marks the promotion’s third visit to Kansas City and its first since UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen in April 2023.

  • Jared Cannonier Assesses Options After UFC Vegas 102 Win, Always ‘Ready’ For Dricus Du Plessis

    Jared Cannonier Assesses Options After UFC Vegas 102 Win, Always ‘Ready’ For Dricus Du Plessis

    Jared Cannonier finds himself in a positive yet somewhat uncertain position following his recent victory at UFC Vegas 102.

    His fourth-round TKO win over Gregory Rodrigues — a comeback after a tough first round — snapped a two-fight losing skid and provided a much-needed boost to his career.

    Cannonier acknowledged the personal and professional challenges he faced leading up to the fight. While the victory brought him a sense of peace, the 40-year-old remains unsure about his next move.

    He is aiming for higher-ranked opponents, but his long-standing contender status complicates his options in the middleweight division.

    “If you were to look at the rankings, I would like a ranked opponent for sure,” Cannonier said. “I think for sure, I’m going to get a ranked opponent after that victory. I would like to fight a ranking higher than me. Unfortunately, all the people ranked higher than me are either in line for a title shot, on their way to a title shot, or just beat me. But I’m not going to rule anything out.

    “If they say, ‘Hey, Jared, we need you to fight Dricus for the belt,’ I’m like, ‘Hell yes. I’m ready.’”

  • Jared Cannonier On ‘Gatekeeper’ Position Ahead Of Gregory Rodrigues Fight: You Can Consider Me The Sacrificial Lamb

    Jared Cannonier On ‘Gatekeeper’ Position Ahead Of Gregory Rodrigues Fight: You Can Consider Me The Sacrificial Lamb

    Jared Cannonier acknowledges that some may view him as a “gatekeeper” in the UFC middleweight division, though he doesn’t personally subscribe to that label.

    Since his unsuccessful title challenge against Israel Adesanya in 2022, Cannonier has posted a mixed record, going 2-2 with back-to-back losses in 2024.

    Now, he looks to bounce back in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night against the surging Gregory Rodrigues, who enters the bout on a three-fight win streak. The matchup represents a significant step up in competition for Rodrigues.

    “I think he’s pretty much earned what he’s done,” Cannonier said during media day. “I guess you can consider me the sacrificial lamb in that regard, right? This is the name of the game: we fight each other. I try to separate the emotional aspect from what we’re doing here. This is a business. We’re doing business. So that’s just it. Plus, my last two fights were of the same essence, if you will… same situation again.”

    While Cannonier acknowledges the perception of him as a “gatekeeper,” he doesn’t embrace the label.

    He cites his most recent fight against No. 12-ranked Caio Borralho — the largest ranking disparity in a fight since his title shot — as an example of why some may see him in that role.

    “I don’t know, that onus will be put on the guys who are facing off against the contenders, i.e., myself,” Cannonier said. “I’m losing these fights against the up-and-comers and opening the door for them. I don’t want to say it, but it’s not that I’ve found myself in a gatekeeper sort of position, but it kind of smells like it if you’re on the outside, you know what I mean?

    “I’m just analyzing it for you. You’re asking the question; I’m doing some analysis on it. This isn’t how I feel. I don’t really consider all this sh*t when I’m thinking about what I’m doing on a daily basis or when I’m matching up with these guys. I’m just getting prepared to go to war with another big up-and-comer.”

  • Rampage Jackson On Podcast Beef With Anthony Smith: I’m Going To ‘Smack The F*ck Out Of’ Him If I See Him

    Rampage Jackson On Podcast Beef With Anthony Smith: I’m Going To ‘Smack The F*ck Out Of’ Him If I See Him

    A recent episode of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s JAXXON Podcast, has sparked a heated feud between the veteran and UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith.

    The controversy began when Jackson and guest TJ Dillashaw discussed Kevin Holland’s career trajectory, with the latter stating that Holland’s lack of discipline will prevent him from ever becoming a champion.

    Smith, who co-hosts the On Paper podcast, took issue with the episode — but not because of Dillashaw’s comments about Holland. Instead, his criticism stemmed from Jackson’s recent interview with controversial UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell. That episode was later removed from the podcast’s YouTube channel after Mitchell made pro-Nazi remarks.

    However, Smith went beyond that specific interview, accusing the hosts of repeatedly disrespecting fighters, potentially jeopardizing their ability to book future guests.

    “You bring fighters on, you sh*t on them — it happened to me,” Smith said. “You brought me on, you were super cool to me. I had a good time. I love Rampage, he’s my favorite fighter, I’ve said that for years. You’ve heard me say that a hundred times — Rampage is my favorite fighter. You bring me on, I have an amazing time, and several months later, you’re on there with Dillashaw f*cking making fun of me.

    “That’s what they do, that’s their thing. Honestly, it’s less Rampage — he’s just kind of the funny ‘ha ha’ guy, and he just laughs about stuff. They’re just not great to fighters, they make fun of a lot of people. They did the same shIt to Ian Garry when he was supposed to go on the show, and then they spent the show before that calling him a cuck. Whether you think Ian Garry’s a cuck or not, you can’t bring the motherf*cker on the show the next episode after calling him a cuck and making fun of his family dynamic or him and his wife and his kids… I don’t agree with that.”

    Jackson Fires Back

    Smith’s comments didn’t sit well with Jackson, who responded with an explosive rant on his YouTube channel. The former UFC champion was visibly angry, going so far as to threaten “Lionheart” with a physical confrontation.

    “I love doing this podcast. This podcast got me back into MMA, and I’ve met a lot of fighters since I started doing this f*cking podcast,” Jackson said. “I saw this f*cking post that Anthony Smith did, I saw it this morning, f*cking pissed me off. When TJ sat right motherf*cking here and said you’ll never be champion and said that you f*cking gave up, Bear and I f*cking had your back. That’s why we were saying, ‘Lionheart,’ with a f*cking nickname like Lionheart? Not ‘Lying Heart.’”

    Jackson claimed that he reached out privately to Smith via direct message to clarify that he wasn’t mocking him, but Smith ignored the message.

    “I DM’d you. I looked at it, and I could see how you could think that I was making fun of you, too. So I DM’d you. I f*cking said to you in the DM, ‘Look here, I wasn’t making fun of you.’ Because I could have made fun of you,” Jackson continued. “Fighters, we make fun of each other. Yeah, I’m a comedian pretending to be a motherf*cking fighter, but the problem is motherf*cker, I really can fight. I hope I calm down before I see you, because motherf*ckers like you get b*tch-smacked for real.”

    Jackson also pointed out that he refrained from mocking Smith’s knockout loss to Khalil Rountree in December 2023 despite having the opportunity to do so. He compared it to his own career, which ended with a brutal TKO loss to Fedor Emelianenko in 2019.

    “I’m telling y’all, b*tch-ass motherf*ckers, soft-ass motherf*ckers out there, y’all need to chill the f*ck out and quit being little b*tches,” Jackson said. “Yeah, T.J. shouldn’t say somebody shouldn’t be a f*cking champion, but that’s TJ, and I respect him for that. He’s standing on business. He’s one of the greatest to ever do it in his motherf*cking weight class. Some of you guys are just bitches.

    “This sh*t got me pissed off. I’m going to tell you — tell that Anthony Smith motherf*cker, call that motherf*cker up, tell him to keep my motherf*cking name out of his motherf*cking mouth. If I see his b*tch ass, I’m going to smack the f*ck out of him.”

    With tensions at an all-time high, it remains to be seen whether this feud will escalate further or if cooler heads will prevail.

  • Dustin Poirier On Ilia Topuria’s Lightweight Hopes: ‘I Think Islam Is Too Much, But…’

    Dustin Poirier On Ilia Topuria’s Lightweight Hopes: ‘I Think Islam Is Too Much, But…’

    Dustin Poirier is intrigued by a potential showdown between UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria and lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev.

    The 145-pound titleholder has expressed interest in moving up to challenge Makhachev, who is currently ranked as the UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.

    Poirier is torn on who he believes would win the fight. “The Diamond,” coming off a fifth-round submission loss to Makhachev at UFC 302, questions whether the Spaniard has the necessary size to counter the Dagestani’s grappling.

    “He definitely does have a shot,” Poirier told Sports Illustrated regarding Topuria vs. Makhachev. “I think from ’45 to 170, Topuria has the power and the skills to knock anybody out. His timing, his rhythm, his power is incredible, but the size difference is with Islam’s wrestling.

    “I’ve never seen Topuria in person. Obviously, I fought Islam; he’s a big guy. Islam can’t make ’45. I know they say Topuria might walk around 190 (pounds) outside of fights and stuff, but I just think Islam is just too much. But I don’t know. Like I said, if Ilia does connect, he can put anybody out.”

    Topuria’s most recent victory was a knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308, which saw him successfully defend the featherweight title.

    Meanwhile, Makhachev is fresh off a swift submission win over Renato Moicano at UFC 311. This victory marked his fourth successful title defense, setting a new record for the most in UFC lightweight history.

  • Tatiana Suarez Shows Off Graphic Stitched-Up Knee Gash After UFC 312 Fight

    Tatiana Suarez’s UFC 312 strawweight title fight against Zhang Weili took a dramatic and painful turn when she suffered a significant knee injury.

    The issue occurred early in the second round as Suarez attempted a takedown. In an unusual sequence, it appeared that her knee was sliced open against the base of the cage — an uncommon injury compared to those typically sustained through striking or grappling exchanges.

    The severity of the wound became evident during the break between rounds, as cameras captured the deep gash. Adding to the concern, the challenger expressed her worries to her corner about the extent of the damage and even avoided looking at it directly.

    Despite a strong start, winning the first round on all judges’ scorecards, the injury visibly affected Suarez’s performance. Weili took advantage, dominating the remaining rounds and securing a unanimous decision victory to retain her title.

    This loss marked a pivotal moment in Suarez’s career, as it ended her previously undefeated professional MMA record. A graphic photo she later shared on social media highlighted the severity of the cut and the stitches required, serving as a lasting reminder of the fight.

  • Brandon Royval Describes ‘Severe’ Health Issue That Led To UFC Fight Night Main Event Withdrawal

    Brandon Royval Describes ‘Severe’ Health Issue That Led To UFC Fight Night Main Event Withdrawal

    Brandon Royval has gone into detail on why he withdrew from his scheduled UFC Fight Night main event against Manel Kape early next month.

    The former title challenger is riding a two-fight win streak following his loss to flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja. With Royval out, Kape will now face Asu Almabayev on March 1 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

    Royval revealed that consecutive concussions forced him to prioritize his health and pull out of the fight, a decision he discussed on his YouTube channel.

    “Maybe a couple months back, I had a concussion,” Royval said. “I was just playing it safe, playing it smart. A couple weeks later, when I was recovered, I accepted this fight, which was awesome. Fight Manel Kape. I respect his skills, I respect him as a striker and all that.

    “I was training hard for this fight, and being a little reckless and being kind of in the zone for camp, I got another concussion. This one was severely worse,” Royval continued. “It’s been over a week at this point, and I’m still dealing with the repercussions of it and the symptoms of a bad concussion. And because of that reason — adding a weight cut, Manel Kape being a good striker, and this being a predominantly striking match — we felt this would be the safest move. Take some time, recover, recover the right way this time, and fight at a later date. Fight when I can fully train, fully take a punch, and give you guys the best of my ability.”