MMA News

Author: Andrew Ravens

  • Dana White Explains Why The UFC Didn’t Fire Bryce Mitchell Over Pro-Hitler Comments

    Dana White Explains Why The UFC Didn’t Fire Bryce Mitchell Over Pro-Hitler Comments

    Dana White has reiterated his stance on free speech following Bryce Mitchell’s controversial podcast comments, in which the UFC featherweight praised Adolf Hitler and denied the Holocaust.

    While the UFC CEO strongly condemned Mitchell’s statements as “beyond disgusting,” he defended the fighter’s right to express them, sharing his belief in protecting free speech — even when he strongly disagrees with what Mitchell said.

    Speaking to Piers Morgan, White made it clear that while he finds Mitchell’s views abhorrent, he stands by the principle of free speech.

    “What I said was, what he said was disgusting,” White stated. “You have to be an absolute moron to think that Adolf Hitler was a good guy. You look at World War II and how many people were killed, how many civilians were killed because of Adolf Hitler. The fact that he tried to annihilate an entire group of people is disgusting for anybody to speak remotely good about Hitler. But I do believe in free speech, and even though I don’t like what he said, and even though what he said makes me sick, free speech is real. It lives and exists, and we have to protect free speech.”

    White emphasized that free speech is a core principle within the UFC, which manages a roster of hundreds of fighters. According to him, free speech cannot be applied selectively.

    “I think probably the most important free speech to protect is hate speech,” White said. “Because when a government or a certain person can come out and determine, ‘This is hate speech,’ it’s a very slippery slope, and it’s dangerous, in my opinion. Listen, I’m American. I was born and grew up in America. I believe in the American dream, I believe in free speech, I believe in all these things. You can’t just say it and not live it.”

    White’s stance on free speech has come under fire due to past instances of media members being denied credentials to cover events due to their coverage of the promotion.

    The UFC CEO made it clear that UFC fighters are not subject to termination, fines, or other forms of punishment based solely on their speech — no matter how offensive it may be.

    “You’ve got guys that pop up like Bryce Mitchell that say ignorant, stupid things, and I will exercise my right to free speech and say I don’t agree with what he said,” White said. “But he can say what he wants to say. We don’t have to agree with it or believe in what he says, but he has the right to say it. It’s the disgusting, despicable things like what he said that truly define what free speech is.”

  • UFC Vet Sends Israel Adesanya Advice After Latest Loss: ‘Got To Go Back To Getting Up At 5 AM On Your Silk Sheets’

    UFC Vet Sends Israel Adesanya Advice After Latest Loss: ‘Got To Go Back To Getting Up At 5 AM On Your Silk Sheets’

    Former fighter Matt Brown has weighed in on Israel Adesanya’s recent loss at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia.

    The defeat marked Adesanya’s third consecutive defeat and has sparked widespread speculation about his future. According to Brown, having lost four of his last five fights, Adesanya may need to reconsider his championship aspirations in the UFC.

    “He’s got to be thirsty again,” Brown explained on the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer. “He’s got to go back to getting up at 5 a.m. on your silk sheets and not going out on Saturday night. You’ve got to go back to those things you did as a youth.

    “That’s a hard thing to do. It’s not easy. He’s comfortable. He’s had an amazing career. That’s hard to forget all that and go back to training, going back to those day-one things. Should he retire? I think that’s the big question. That’s going to be up to himself, but I would have to agree that he’s probably not getting back to title fights any time soon. Probably never again.”

    Adesanya must make adjustments if he hopes to contend for a championship again. However, the middleweight division, unlike some others in the UFC, lacks an abundance of established stars.

    This raises questions about Adesanya’s long-term goals, as Brown suggests.

    “He’ll have to decide for himself if he wants to retire because he’s held the title for so long. It’s like, do you want to keep fighting middle-of-the-road fights or whatever?” Brown said. “I was trying to think of some fun fights that would just be fun for him. Nothing really came up in my head. I’m sure there are always options out there that would be fun. The other option, if the UFC would let him do it — I know we would all love to see him in some influencer boxing stuff. I’d love to see him fight Jake Paul or something.

    “But what’s he going to do in the UFC? What are you going to do? How excited are you going to get to just fight [random] guys? If you’re not working towards a goal, working towards the title, you’re just putting yourself at risk all the time. Now if he needs the money, that’s a different thing. I’m hoping he doesn’t.”

    As Adesanya approaches his 36th birthday, he may need to reinvent his fighting style. Brown points out that Adesanya’s current approach relies heavily on quick reactions, precise striking, and impeccable timing — attributes that will naturally decline with age.

  • Chael Sonnen Thinks Khamzat Chimaev Is Backup Fighter For UFC 312 Headliner

    Chael Sonnen Thinks Khamzat Chimaev Is Backup Fighter For UFC 312 Headliner

    Chael Sonnen believes that Khamzat Chimaev will serve as the backup fighter for the UFC 312 main event on Saturday night, where Dricus Du Plessis is set to defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland.

    Sonnen’s reasoning stems from the UFC 311 event, which lost its main event at the last minute. Given that UFC 312 only features one middleweight bout, the former title contender suspects the promotion wouldn’t risk another title fight cancellation.

    “I think Chimaev’s the backup fighter,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “I don’t believe that Chimaev is just the No. 1 contender. I don’t believe that the proximity of this fight is something that you would not book Chimaev, who allegedly has Western travel issues.”

    Chimaev, who recently secured citizenship in the United Arab Emirates, is coming off a dominant first-round submission victory over former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 last October. This further solidifies Sonnen’s belief that Chimaev will be involved in some capacity at UFC 312.

    “I don’t think you would do that without bringing him. I’m confident that Chimaev will be there, I’m confident he will be in attendance, so why, if you’re flying him out, would you not put him on the scale the day before? I’m asking. I don’t know that answer.”

  • Michael Bisping Advises Michael Page To Stay At Middleweight After UFC Saudi Arabia Win

    Michael Bisping Advises Michael Page To Stay At Middleweight After UFC Saudi Arabia Win

    Following Michael Page’s victory over Shara Magomedov at UFC Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1, Michael Bisping has suggested that Page might be better suited for the middleweight division.

    Despite the Brit’s stated intention to return to welterweight, Bisping believes the 185-pound weight class offers more favorable matchups for “MVP.”

    The former UFC middleweight champion shared his thoughts on his YouTube channel, highlighting the abundance of wrestlers in the welterweight division as a potential challenge for Page.

    “Of course, you’ve got Belal Muhammad, you’ve got Shavkat Rakhmonov that you’d think would definitely wrestle ‘MVP’ if he was to fight him. There’s Kamaru Usman and many, many others.”

    Bisping also analyzed Page’s performance against Magomedov, acknowledging his dominance in the fight.

    “I’ve got a lot of respect for (Magomedov), but I’ve got to call it like I see it. ‘MVP’ was by far the better man tonight,” Bisping said. “He was the better striker, he was in control, he was dominant, and he was owning the octagon. More importantly, he was frustrating Shara ‘Bullet.’ Shara is a really good striker. He’s very aggressive, and he’s got really fast kicks, but he’s kind of conventional.

    “That is why ‘MVP’ probably called him out because he’s seen that style a thousand times. ‘MVP,’ with the traditional sport karate background, with the hands low, with the precision striking, with the one-shot kind of power — ‘MVP’ has seen that style many, many times. But Shara ‘Bullet’ hasn’t seen that style. And not many people who have that style can deliver it and execute it with the precision that Michael ‘Venom’ Page can.”

    Page has primarily competed at welterweight throughout his career. While his overall record is impressive, his record at 170 pounds in the UFC stands at 1-1.

    He secured a decision victory over Kevin Holland on debut at UFC 299 but later lost to Ian Garry by decision at UFC 303.

  • Darren Till Defends Israel Adesanya Amid UFC Losing Skid: ‘He Should Be Worshipped!’

    Darren Till Defends Israel Adesanya Amid UFC Losing Skid: ‘He Should Be Worshipped!’

    Darren Till has come to Israel Adesanya’s defense following the former two-time champ’s latest loss.

    The defeat in the main event of UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia marked Adesanya’s third consecutive setback and has led to some criticism from corners of the fanbase. Having lost four of his last five fights, Adesanya faces increased scrutiny. Till, who also endured a losing streak before exiting the UFC, has dismissed any negative talk about “The Last Stylebender” as unwarranted.

    In a passionate social media post, Till responded to claims that Adesanya’s supposed “downfall” should be analyzed, expressing frustration with his lack of appreciation for Adesanya’s accomplishments.

    “I have just read a comment on an MMA page saying the downfall of Israel Adesanya needs to be studied!!!!!!!!! Can everyone on here who is not an absolute moron understand that statement!!!!!! I am trying so hard to understand it but can’t… I’m so confused… What downfall????”

    Till acknowledged that his career didn’t meet expectations but strongly disagreed with applying the same narrative to Adesanya.

    “I’ve seen people comment about downfalls, studies, etc.… all that sh*t like ‘the downfall of Darren Till needs to be studied.’ I get that. I should have excelled more in the UFC than I did, but some certain factors didn’t let me… But now, I swear I cannot even fathom that I have just seen a comment saying Israel Adesanya’s downfall needs to be studied. Me and Izzy aren’t friends, I wouldn’t even say I’m his biggest fan outside of the octagon, but that’s got f*ck all to do with what that man has achieved in this sport. He was a f*cking wrecking machine at middleweight. No one could beat him. At one stage, he looked unbeatable in his title reign. He made Paulo Costa look like a baby—who, by the way, had a war with Yoel Romero. He absolutely bodied Robert Whittaker. IZZY was an absolute wrecking machine in his day. He is without a doubt one of the middleweight GOATs, and it’s not even up for debate. In fact, he could lose his next five fights, and it wouldn’t change a f*cking thing about his GOAT status.”

    Till also criticized modern MMA fans, arguing that they let personal biases affect their opinions of fighters.

    “But these MMA fans today are so f*cking dumb. IQ of about 10. I just look and think, oh my f*cking god. Hope is lost. A man like IZZY should be worshipped among MMA fans and the UFC. He’s literally one of the all-time greats. You don’t have to like him. No one gives a f*ck, in fact. But we pay to watch fighting, and if it’s fighting we are talking about—MMA as per se—Izzy was one of the best.”

    Till also pointed to Colby Covington as another example of a fighter whose skills are often overlooked due to his polarizing personality.

    “Problems nowadays are all these dumb c*nts on here let their emotions take over the facts. So if someone doesn’t like a fighter’s personality, they say they’re sh*t. Prime example: Colby Covington. You all hate him, so you all say he’s sh*t. He’s this, he’s that. Colby Covington is a top-tier f*cking division wrestler. The motherfcker runs up mountains. He lives and breathes the sport. He’s an absolute savage. Cardio for days like I’ve never seen. But because he acts like a complete fool, everyone likes to say he’s sh*t, acting on their own personal emotions towards him. Use are all f*cking dumb. Dumb as fck. Over and out!”

    As for Adesanya, he has remained quiet about his fighting future following the loss.

  • Dricus Du Plessis On Why He’s UFC Champion: I Am ‘Willing To Kill A Man In Front Of His Family’

    Dricus Du Plessis On Why He’s UFC Champion: I Am ‘Willing To Kill A Man In Front Of His Family’

    UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus du Plessis recently shared a brutally intense perspective on fighting, taking the idea of giving it all for victory to another level.

    In an interview with Mark Bouris, Du Plessis revealed his ruthless in-cage mentality:

    “When I go in there, if the ref doesn’t stop it, I’m not stopping. I can be sitting on you for 10 minutes bashing your face, and if the ref doesn’t say stop, I’m not stopping.”

    He then posed a chilling question.

    “Am I still willing to die? Absolutely. That’s easy. It is, are you willing to kill a man in front of his family? Yes, I am, and that’s why I’m the world champion, because I say yes to that question every single time.”

    Despite his stark words, the South African emphasized the distinction between his fighting persona, Dricus “Stillknocks” Du Plessis, and his everyday self.

    Up next, the champ faces Sean Strickland in a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 312 on February 8. Their previous bout at UFC 297 ended in a razor-thin split decision victory for Du Plessis, leaving both fighters eager to settle the score.

    With both competitors vocal about their intentions, this showdown promises to be a must-watch for MMA fans.

  • Tatiana Suarez Says Title Fight Against Zhang Weili Is The ‘Real’ UFC 312 Main Event

    Tatiana Suarez is set to challenge Zhang Weili for the UFC women’s strawweight championship on February 8 at UFC 312. A middleweight title rematch between Dricus du Plessis and former champ Sean Strickland will headline the event.

    For Suarez, however, her fight feels like the true main event of the night. She believes the matchup will deliver non-stop action, making it one of the most exciting bouts on the card.

    “I think it’s going to be fireworks. I think we’re both go-getters. She doesn’t stand around. I don’t stand around. So it doesn’t make for a boring fight, I don’t think at all,” Suarez said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “I think we’re both going after it. We both want to win. We both work really, really hard. I think it makes for a good co-main event. I think it’s the real main event, but we’re not big dudes, so we didn’t get the main event slot.”

    Despite not being in the headlining position, Suarez remains focused on the task at hand.

    “I don’t care. We could be the first fight,” she continued. “Obviously, that would never happen because we’re a title fight, but you know what I mean. I think this makes for a great fight. It’s going to be amazing. I’m going to go out there and win the world title in a dominant fashion.”

  • Michael Bisping Says ‘Israel Adesanya’s Time At The Top Is Done’ After UFC Saudi Arabia Defeat

    Michael Bisping Says ‘Israel Adesanya’s Time At The Top Is Done’ After UFC Saudi Arabia Defeat

    Israel Adesanya aimed to get his career back on track in his latest fight but suffered his third consecutive loss after a brutal knockout at the hands of Nassourdine Imavov in the UFC Saudi Arabia main event.

    The former two-time UFC middleweight champion fell to the rising French contender following previous losses to reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis and ex-titleholder Sean Strickland.

    Another former middleweight champ in Michael Bisping acknowledged Adesanya’s achievements in the aftermath but expressed doubts about his ability to reclaim the title.

    “The biggest takeaway is that it’s over,” Bisping said on the UFC Saudi Arabia post-fight show (h/t MMA Fighting). “Israel Adesanya’s reign as champion, I don’t think will come again. I say that with the greatest of respect, and I truly mean that. An original. An incredible fighter. A legend of the sport. A future Hall of Famer. But his time at the top is done.”

    Bisping pointed to the cumulative toll of years of fighting and training as a major factor in his decline. 

    “A long career at the highest level brings a lot of wear and tear, not just from fights but from training camps,” Bisping explained. “The training camps are worse than the fights. A fight might last a few rounds, and we’ve seen Adesanya dominate opponents with leg kicks and precise striking. But that’s not how training works. You don’t improve unless you’re pushed — getting taken down, wrestling, dealing with ground and pound, getting choked out.

    “You tweak ankles, take punches, and endure constant physical strain. When you train at the highest level, it takes its toll. Yes, he’s absorbed some tough shots in the octagon, including tonight, but it’s the years of preparation leading up to this that become the real challenge.”

    Adesanya outlined his intention to take some time away from the sport before deciding his next step.

  • ‘That’s How The Game Goes’ – Israel Adesanya Watches Back Knockout Loss To Nassourdine Imavov

    ‘That’s How The Game Goes’ – Israel Adesanya Watches Back Knockout Loss To Nassourdine Imavov

    Israel Adesanya sought to get his career back on track in his latest fight after suffering losses to reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland.

    However, the former two-time UFC middleweight champion suffered his third consecutive defeat after a brutal knockout at the hands of Nassourdine Imavov in the UFC Saudi Arabia main event.

    “The Last Stylebender” looked sharp early but was ultimately caught with a decisive blow seconds into round two.

    Late in the fight, an inadvertent eye poke from Imavov occurred. Adesanya had the option to take time to recover, but instead, the Nigerian-New Zealander chose to continue fighting. Moments later, he was rocked by a massive punch, which marked the beginning of the end.

    In the immediate aftermath, Adesanya appeared unhappy with the stoppage. Following his third straight loss, he shared a video on social media where he rewatched the fight’s finish.

    “Fair. Fair game,” Adesanya said after reviewing the stoppage. “Fair game. F*ck. … I’m still alive. That’s how the game goes.”

  • Ex-Fighter Says Israel Adesanya Has ‘Something To Prove’ At UFC Saudi Arabia After 2 Straight Losses

    Ex-Fighter Says Israel Adesanya Has ‘Something To Prove’ At UFC Saudi Arabia After 2 Straight Losses

    Israel Adesanya’s UFC journey has been filled with highs and lows, but his career is far from over — not just in his eyes, but also in the eyes of Matt Brown.

    Adesanya is coming off back-to-back losses, first dropping a decision to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 before suffering a submission defeat to Dricus Du Plessis last August in an attempt to reclaim the middleweight title.

    Now, he is set to face Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of the second UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia. When he does, Brown believes the former champion has something to prove.

    “He’s still there,” Brown said on the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer. “I think him going back to feeling like he has something to prove again is going to pay a lot of dividends for him.”

    Brown sees Adesanya’s mindset as a key factor in his return and believes it signals what could happen on Saturday.

    “I think he just loves to compete,” Brown said. “Doesn’t really care who it’s against, and you’ve got to love that. Obviously, the UFC loves that. The fans love that. But what it tells me is that he has a good mentality of not letting other people’s opinions affect him [mentally].

    “That’s a gigantic thing, especially at the level where he’s at, where everybody’s in his ear. Everybody has an opinion on what he’s doing. He’s getting pulled left and right all the time, and to be able to block all that out and stay true to being a martial artist—that’s a powerful dude right there.”

  • Dana White Admits UFC Could ‘Move On’ From Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall

    Dana White Admits UFC Could ‘Move On’ From Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall

    Fight fans were caught off guard when UFC CEO Dana White made a rare on-the-record ‘guarantee’ that Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall for the unified heavyweight championship would take place in 2025.

    Two months later, the fight remains far from finalized.

    Talks of this potential bout began after Jones defended his title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November. However, Jones dismissed the idea of facing the interim champion unless he received “f*ck you money” from the UFC, while also teasing retirement. Despite this, White has remained confident the fight will happen.

    Speaking to Oscar Willis of The Mac Life, White confirmed that discussions are ongoing. But although the UFC boss previously stated they would get the fight done, he acknowledged that nothing is guaranteed.

    “One hundred percent,” White said. “If we don’t get the fight done, we move on and make another fight. But not last night, but the night before, I was up in my room with my people until like 6 in the morning. We’re working on lots of stuff right now. There’s lots of really good sh*t going on right now.”

    Negotiations are still underway regarding Jones’ payout, which remains a key sticking point. White reaffirmed that this is the biggest fight the UFC can put together.

    “There’s no situation. It’s the biggest fight we can make,” White said. “I know the fans like to mess with Jon or whatever. Jon Jones isn’t afraid of anybody, and Jon Jones will fight anybody. It’s just a matter of getting the fight done now. That’s our job.”

  • Yoel Romero Claims He Put Lyoto Machida Into A Coma With UFC Knockout

    Yoel Romero Claims He Put Lyoto Machida Into A Coma With UFC Knockout

    Yoel Romero has made a startling claim regarding former opponent Lyoto Machida.

    While he’s now nearly 50 and past his prime, Romero was once regarded as an extremely dangerous competitor. Throughout his career, the Cuban faced some of the biggest names in MMA but never secured a championship, though he came close on multiple occasions.

    During an appearance on Mike Perry’s OverDogs Podcast, Romero revealed that his knockout victory over Machida had serious, lasting consequences for “The Dragon.” They met in June 2015 at a UFC Fight Night event, where Romero finished him in the third round.

    “Lyoto was too worn out,” he said. “Let’s put it this way — after he fought me, he wasn’t the same. He suffered brutal damage. You know he was in a coma, right? He was in a coma. I was worried about him. I kept talking to his managers because he was in a coma. That’s why I respect any gladiator that does this, because your life is at risk, bro.”

    Following his loss to Romero, Machida went on to compete nine more times as a professional, winning four of those bouts. He retired from MMA in 2022 after a knockout loss to Fabian Edwards in Bellator.

    “Soldier of God,” meanwhile, is coming off a knockout win in Dirty Boxing and is currently part of the Global Fight League roster.

  • Dana White On GFL: ‘I Think These Guys Are Blowing Real Cash’

    Dana White On GFL: ‘I Think These Guys Are Blowing Real Cash’

    Dana White has made it clear that he does not see the Global Fight League (GFL) as a serious competitor to the UFC empire he has built over the past 24 years.

    Since its launch, GFL has signed several former UFC fighters, including Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Tyron Woodley, Alexander Gustafsson and Urijah Faber. The promotion is structured as a team-based league, set to begin in April, featuring a regular season, semifinals, and finals. GFL held its draft last Friday.

    Following a recent Power Slap event, White was asked for his thoughts on the GFL.

    The promotion has touted a 50-50 revenue split with fighters, along with retirement and insurance funds aimed at enhancing financial security and professional well-being. GFL claims to offer unprecedented profit-sharing opportunities to support both male and female athletes throughout their careers.

    “I don’t think it’s blowing smoke — I think these guys are blowing real cash,” White said. “These guys are throwing a lot of money around, and I love it. Good for the fighters—it’s good for them. I don’t know anything about their business plan or what the deal is, but no, I don’t consider any combat sports my competition. My competition is the NFL, college football, soccer, big movies that come out on Saturday. I don’t look at other combat sports as competitors.”

  • Daniel Cormier: UFC Light Heavyweight Division Is Going To Have Alex Pereira Problem For A ‘Long Time’

    Daniel Cormier: UFC Light Heavyweight Division Is Going To Have Alex Pereira Problem For A ‘Long Time’

    Daniel Cormier has witnessed firsthand what Alex Pereira can do inside the Octagon, showcasing dominant performances against some of the light heavyweight division’s best.

    Pereira is set to make his fourth title defense against former title challenger Magomed Ankalaev on March 8, at UFC 313. He won his first UFC title in just his eighth professional MMA fight and claimed his second championship in his 11th bout.

    UFC color commentator Cormier, who previously held both the light heavyweight and heavyweight titles, made it clear that he would not doubt Pereira’s abilities. In fact, he believes Pereira will be a force in the division for years to come.

    “Now one thing I won’t do is question Alex,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “I’m done. I won’t question whether or not he can wrestle, I won’t question any of that anymore, because he has proven it time and time again that whatever he’s doing is right and it’s allowed for him to become one of the greatest fighters of all time.

    “Yes, he is one of the greatest fighters of all time in the shortest amount of time I have ever seen anyone building a legacy that is that strong or a résumé that is that strong, never seen it.

    “I’ve never seen someone do what Pereira has done, and he’s a free spirit—maybe that free spirit allows for him to be as good as he’s been. This dude’s the man, and if he gets through this next challenge, if he gets through Ankalaev, I’m going on the record and saying that light heavyweight is going to have a ‘Poatan‘ problem for a really long time.”

  • Daniel Cormier Explains Why Alex Pereira Cornering Sean Strickland Is ‘Risky’

    Daniel Cormier Explains Why Alex Pereira Cornering Sean Strickland Is ‘Risky’

    Daniel Cormier has given his take on the growing partnership between UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira and former middleweight titleholder Sean Strickland. He recently cautioned Pereira about overextending himself.

    Pereira is set to defend his title for the fourth time against former title challenger Magomed Ankalaev on March 8 at UFC 313. Meanwhile, Strickland is scheduled to compete for the 185-pound belt in a rematch against current champion Dricus du Plessis on February 8 at UFC 312.

    “Poatan” will be in Strickland’s corner for the fight, marking the second time he has taken on that role.

    He was also part of Strickland’s team at UFC 297, where the American lost the middleweight title to du Plessis via a close split decision. Pereira and Strickland formed a friendship after their fight in 2022, which the Brazilian won by knockout.

    Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cormier highlighted the depth of their bond.

    “We don’t know what those training sessions look like, but I think what you don’t understand as people on the outside is it’s more than just the training,” Cormier said. “It’s the bond that’s built outside of the training. How much time are these guys spending together to build a relationship once they are outside of the gym? This, to me, tells me that Pereira and Strickland are building a relationship that’s very strong. Why? Because we already know that Pereira has a fight on the books. Las Vegas. UFC 313.

    “What we do know is that Alex Pereira is going to be fighting a guy who could be his most formidable opponent because of the style. But we also have to take into effect that his relationship with Strickland is so strong that he’s willing to travel across the world to corner him. To me, it seems dangerous. To me, it seems risky for Alex to go all the way to Australia knowing everything that goes into a training camp and how hard that travel can be on your body when you’re preparing to continue to defend your world championship. So how strong is that bond? How much does Sean Strickland now mean to Alex Pereira for him to take that risk? Because trust me, it is a risk.”

  • Joe Rogan Recalls Proposal He Made To Ari Emanuel When Endeavor Bought UFC: ‘The Fights Would Be Better…’

    Joe Rogan Recalls Proposal He Made To Ari Emanuel When Endeavor Bought UFC: ‘The Fights Would Be Better…’

    Weight cutting in MMA has been a problem for decades. Joe Rogan, for one, wants to see a significant rule change in the UFC to eliminate it for good. 

    The longtime UFC color commentator has talked about this problem frequently and did so yet again while speaking with former light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka on his podcast.

    He sees the dangers it causes to fighters’ bodies. Rogan said he’d prefer the UFC to implement more weight classes to prevent significant cuts, an idea he pitched to Ari Emanuel when Endeavor bought the promotion’s parent company, Zuffa.

    “I think weight cutting should be eliminated,” Rogan said on The Joe Rogan Experience. “I said this to Ari Emanuel when they first bought the UFC. I said, ‘Listen, man, you know what we should do? Get rid of weight cutting. Just stop it.’ Look, if you can randomly test people for drugs, you can randomly test their weight.

    “Show up with a scale. ‘Hey, buddy, step on the scale. You’re 190 pounds? How the f*ck are you making 145?’ Do something like that and come up with more weight classes. There should be a weight class every 10 pounds. This idea of these giant gaps like 185 to 205, that’s a 20-pound gap. That’s huge. That doesn’t exist in boxing. They should have every 10 pounds: 85, 95, 205, 225, and then unlimited.”

    Rogan believes that it should be where the weight cuts are catered around the UFC champions and what they walk around at. That would eliminate wild cuts where fighters lose dozens of pounds. 

    “Instead of having weight cuts, just take the champions, find out what the champion weighs – like don’t get rid of the championship belts,” Rogan said. “Find out what does Islam Makhachev weigh. Islam Makhachev is a UFC champion, best pound-for-pound fighter on Earth. Find out what he weighs.

    “What do you weigh if you were healthy, if weight cutting didn’t exist? Would it be 185, 190? Whatever that is, that’s how you fight now, and we’re not going to weigh you in the day before and let you rehydrate. That’s crazy talk. Fight people your size. The fights would be better because too many people get depleted horribly.”

  • Kevin Holland Gets Quick Turnaround With London Fight After Submission Loss At UFC 311

    Kevin Holland is wasting no time getting back into action, returning to welterweight to face Gunnar Nelson at the UFC Fight Night on March 22 at The O2 in London, England.

    Holland confirmed the fight on Instagram by reposting a graphic of the matchup. In his caption, he wrote, “Got rid of the ex, back at Welterweight/lock in twin. Imma see you around.”

    Nelson, meanwhile, continues his trend of fighting once a year in London, as he did in both 2022 and 2023. In his last outing, “Gunni” submitted Bryan Barberena in the first round. Before that, he defeated Takashi Sato after a three-year layoff. He’ll now return from two years away to face “Big Mouth.”

    Holland is coming off a quick loss to Reinier de Ridder at UFC 311, where he was submitted in under four minutes. The defeat marked his second consecutive defeat, prompting a move back down to 170 pounds — a division in which he previously found success with wins over Michael Chiesa and Santiago Ponzinibbio.

    With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at UFC London on March 22 are as follows:

    • Leon Edwards vs. Jack Della Maddalena
    • Jan Blachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg
    • Kevin Holland vs. Gunnar Nelson
    • Molly McCann vs. Istela Nunes
    • Mick Parkin vs. Marcin Tybura
    • Felipe Dos Santos vs. Lone’er Kavanagh
    • Alonzo Menifield vs. Oumar Sy
    • Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Andrey Pulyaev
    • Morgan Charriere vs. Nathaniel Wood
    • Nathan Fletcher vs. Caolan Loughran
    • Jai Herbert vs. Chris Padilla
    • Shauna Bannon vs. Puja Tomar
  • Nassourdine Imavov Predicts Israel Adesanya’s Mindset Heading Into UFC Saudi Arabia Main Event

    Nassourdine Imavov Predicts Israel Adesanya’s Mindset Heading Into UFC Saudi Arabia Main Event

    Nassourdine Imavov is preparing for his next challenge as he faces Israel Adesanya in the main event of the second UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1.

    Imavov is currently on a three-fight winning streak, with his most recent victory coming against Brendan Allen in Paris, France last September.

    “The Sniper” thought Adesanya looked good against Dricus Du Plessis before getting submitted in round four at UFC 305 the previous month.

    Days ahead of their fight in Riyadh, the Frenchman stated that he doesn’t buy into the narrative that the former UFC king’s ability and motivation has depleted with age. Instead, he expects a very dangerous opponent. 

    “I don’t think he’s getting older,” Imavov said media day. “If you look at his fight against DDP, he was doing very well. In my opinion, he was winning the fight before the submission. So, I think he’s going to come very focused, very hungry.

    “Even though I don’t focus too much on him, I focus more on myself, what I’m going to do, the shape I’m going to be in the fight, and I hope he’s going to be in the best shape so I can beat the best Israel Adesanya.”

  • Israel Adesanya Insists Lack Of Title Doesn’t Make Nassourdine Imavov Fight At UFC Saudi Arabia Unimportant

    Israel Adesanya Insists Lack Of Title Doesn’t Make Nassourdine Imavov Fight At UFC Saudi Arabia Unimportant

    Israel Adesanya’s journey in the UFC has been marked by triumph and adversity. Now, he will look to get back on track when he fights Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of the second UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia. The bout is scheduled for Feb. 1 in Riyadh.

    After dropping his first pro-MMA loss at UFC 259 against Jan Błachowicz in an attempt to claim the light heavyweight title, he rebounded by successfully defending his middleweight belt against Marvin Vettori, Robert Whittaker, and Jared Cannonier.

    However, he was dethroned by Alex Pereira at UFC 281, only to win it back thanks to a knockout victory over Pereira at UFC 287. He would suffer a decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and then a submission defeat to Dricus Du Plessis last August in his bid to reclaim the middleweight crown.

    “Just because there’s not a belt on the line, I don’t want to diminish this fight like it’s not important,” Adesanya said during Wednesday’s media day. “This is still an important fight for me. Again, I’m saying I’m doing this for myself. I’m kind of being selfish.

    “Like, I fight for myself, I fight for my team, my family, and my real fans, but this one I’m putting myself first. I’m trying to do this one for myself, so it’s really important to me.”

  • Alex Pereira Claims He’s A ‘Bigger Achievement’ Than Tom Aspinall For Jon Jones

    Alex Pereira Claims He’s A ‘Bigger Achievement’ Than Tom Aspinall For Jon Jones

    The MMA world is buzzing with speculation over UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones’ next fight. Fans are debating whether Jones should face interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall or light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira in his next appearance inside the Octagon.

    While Jones has been dismissive of a potential unification bout with Aspinall, citing a desire for better pay, the prospect of a fight with Pereira has garnered significant attention. Pereira and Jones have maintained a respectful dynamic, with “Poatan” recently discussing the possibility of a matchup between the two champions.

    In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Pereira revealed that he and Jones had previously spoken about fighting, though their conversation was casual.

    “I’m the champ, I want to fight the champ. Let’s make the fight with Jon Jones … Before Jon’s last fight, we actually talked about fighting. More random talk, not too much about fighting. [He’s] not a friend or someone I talk with on the regular, but someone I respect. I know he respects me, and there’s mutual respect.”

    Pereira believes a fight between him and Jones carries greater stakes and legacy value than a matchup with Aspinall.

    “I think [Jon wants to fight me], because of the momentum and the risk. It’s a risk fighting Aspinall. There’s not a lot to gain there; it’s another title fight. But fighting Alex is a much bigger achievement… It’s a bigger fight. We saw the fight [with Miocic] later. It was an impressive win and impressive performance.”

    As for Pereira, he’s currently focused on defending his light heavyweight title against former title challenger Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8.

    However, a champion vs. champion showdown with Jon Jones remains an enticing possibility that could shape both fighters’ legacies.

  • UFC Veteran On Conor McGregor Potentially Fighting In BKFC: ‘That’s A No-Brainer’

    UFC Veteran On Conor McGregor Potentially Fighting In BKFC: ‘That’s A No-Brainer’

    Conor McGregor has continued to tease his return to combat sports in recent years, with speculation surrounding potential matchups in various disciplines.

    Along with rumors of a boxing bout against Logan Paul, McGregor has also been linked to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), where he became a part-owner last year and has made appearances at multiple events.

    At this past weekend’s BKFC KnuckleMania 5, McGregor intensified the buzz by facing off with Jeremy Stephens after the American’s victory over Eddie Alvarez. During the event, McGregor reiterated his interest in competing in bare-knuckle boxing, saying he wants to “take off the gloves and throw down.”

    Former UFC welterweight Matt Brown, speaking on the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer, weighed in on the possibility of McGregor stepping into the BKFC ring.

    “I would love to see him do it,” Brown said. “I think it would be amazing. Even though it’s probably not going to happen, I would love to see it. Him and Jeremy Stephens, I think there would be a lot of great hype for that, and I think it would be a good fight, too. I think it would be a really interesting fight, especially in a bare-knuckle style.”

    While the prospect of McGregor fighting in BKFC is intriguing, it seems unlikely that the UFC would allow one of its biggest stars to compete in another promotion. Nonetheless, Brown believes that bare-knuckle boxing is the most exciting opportunity currently available to the former two-division champion.

    “I think that’s a no-brainer. That’s by far the most exciting Conor McGregor fight out there right now,” Brown argued. “Does that happen? I guess it’s a little bit unlikely, but maybe the UFC gets behind it. He did the boxing match with Floyd Mayweather—maybe [the UFC] gets behind this, too. I think Conor would love to do it, primarily for the reason you don’t have to get in the same shape, right? You’ve only got to throw hands, and it’s five, two-minute rounds. He would love that. The conditioning is completely different.

    “Stylistically, I don’t think he has a terrible style for bare-knuckle. It would be interesting. You don’t really know until they get in there. Like, I would have never thought Ben Rothwell had a great style for bare-knuckle. Jeremy Stephens obviously has a great style for it, but he’s one of those guys I’d be concerned about breaking his hands. He throws for the fences every time, and I’m like, ‘Dude, you are definitely going to break your hands in bare-knuckle.’”

    Although a McGregor vs. Stephens bare-knuckle fight remains unlikely, the potential matchup continues to generate discussion and excitement within the combat sports community.

  • Robert Whittaker Shares What Israel Adesanya Must Avoid ‘At All Costs’ In Nassourdine Imavov Fight

    Robert Whittaker Shares What Israel Adesanya Must Avoid ‘At All Costs’ In Nassourdine Imavov Fight

    Israel Adesanya is preparing for his next challenge as he faces Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of the second UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia. The bout is scheduled for Feb. 1 at the anb Arena in Riyadh.

    Adesanya’s journey in the UFC has been marked by both triumph and adversity. His first professional loss came at UFC 259 against Jan Błachowicz in an ambitious attempt to claim the light heavyweight title. Despite the setback, he rebounded by successfully defending his middleweight belt against Marvin Vettori, Robert Whittaker, and Jared Cannonier.

    However, his reign faltered at UFC 281 when Alex Pereira dethroned him. Adesanya later regained the title in spectacular fashion with a knockout victory over Pereira at UFC 287. More recently, his momentum stalled again, first with a decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and then with a submission defeat to Dricus Du Plessis last August in his bid to reclaim the middleweight crown.

    Ahead of this crucial fight, Robert Whittaker, a former champion and two-time opponent of Adesanya’s, has been working with the Nigerian-New Zealander to prepare. On his MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker offered insight into his former rival’s next matchup and Imavov’s strategy.

    “Imavov’s grappling is very good,” Whittaker explained. “He gets the back of just about every opponent he fights. That’s kind of where the fight wins for him. He doesn’t beat Izzy in a five-round striking contest. He takes him down, tries to get his back, and then it’s about whether Izzy defends that position and escapes. Obviously, Adesanya’s game plan will focus on not giving up his back at all costs.

    “Granted, it’s such a clear-cut direction for Imavov to try to achieve,” Whittaker continued. “Just about every fight he’s had, he gets the back, locks in that body triangle, and works from there. I think that’s the fight we’re going to see: Adesanya trying to keep his distance and outstrike him, while Imavov looks to close the distance, push him up against the fence, take him down, and get his back.”

    This highly anticipated bout will test Adesanya’s resilience and ability to adapt as he looks to regain momentum against a dangerous grappler in Imavov.

  • Aljamain Sterling Eyes April Return, Identifies 2 Opponent Options: ‘I’m Still Chasing That Gold’

    Aljamain Sterling Eyes April Return, Identifies 2 Opponent Options: ‘I’m Still Chasing That Gold’

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is determined to reclaim gold as he prepares for his next fight.

    Sterling recently suffered a setback at UFC 310, where he fell to Movsar Evloev in a closely contested bout, temporarily halting his pursuit of two-division success.

    Sterling’s journey took a positive turn earlier in 2024 when he defeated Calvin Kattar at UFC 300 in April, a victory that revived his momentum after losing the bantamweight title to Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 in 2023.

    Now, the former champion is eyeing a return to the Octagon in April and has named Arnold Allen or Brian Ortega as potential opponents.

    “A lot of fans don’t think I lost that fight,” Sterling told MMA Junkie, referring to his loss against Evloev. “I watched it back a couple times now, and I still don’t think I lost the fight. Obviously, the judges are the judge, so whatever they say is going to stay in the history books. I would love to run it back with him. If not, maybe fight Arnold Allen [or] Brian Ortega.”

    Sterling also shared his thoughts on the path to another title shot.

    “I’d say [I’m] maybe one or two fights away,” he explained. “It just really depends on the landscape, how I look in the fight, [and] what Topuria’s going to do. If he’s going to vacate, then that puts two new challengers to fight for a vacated belt. So, it really depends.”

    Looking ahead, Sterling hopes to fight in April, potentially followed by another bout in August or September.

    “I don’t really know what’s going to happen in the future, but I’m patiently waiting. Hopefully, I can make my return in April.”

  • Charles Oliveira: UFC Was ‘Straight Up Disrespectful’ Before Justin Gaethje Fight

    Charles Oliveira: UFC Was ‘Straight Up Disrespectful’ Before Justin Gaethje Fight

    Charles Oliveira was stripped of the UFC lightweight title in 2022 before his scheduled title defense against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. The controversy arose when Oliveira weighed in 0.5 pounds over the championship limit at the official weigh-ins.

    While “do Bronx” went on to submit Gaethje in the first round, he was unable to walk away with the belt and the incident left a lasting impression on him.

    In a recent appearance on the JAXXON Podcast, Oliveira expressed his frustration with how the situation was handled, insisting that he had made weight the night before.

    “What the UFC did was straight up disrespectful,” Oliveira said through an interpreter. “I always like to make weight on Thursday, the night before. I already had the confidence, I already checked the weight, I was already on weight. But I was hearing rumors — not just me, but other fighters too — that the scale wasn’t calibrated properly.”

    Oliveira claimed the test scale fighters used during fight week was inaccurate until it was recalibrated on Friday morning. After coming in 0.5 pounds over the 155-pound championship limit, he was given one hour to cut the remaining weight.

    Despite his efforts during that hour, Oliveira weighed in at 155.5 pounds again, resulting in him being stripped of the title.

    “I felt like I should have been the first person to know if the scale was messed up or not,” Oliveira said. “I felt disrespected by them not doing that. So, when they told me to lose the 0.5 pounds, I went back to the hotel room to try to sweat it out. I had to do one of the things I hate the most — soaking in the hot tub. When I went back to weigh in, my underwear was wet, and they told me to take it off because it could affect the weight. Even without the underwear, I was still 0.2 pounds over. That’s when I knew something was wrong with the scale.”

    Several fighters at UFC 274 reportedly experienced similar issues with the test scale, further fueling Oliveira’s frustration.

    “I just thought the UFC did an injustice to me, and I wish I had a fair chance,” he said.

  • Clay Guida Confirms UFC Departure After 37 Fights, 19 Years

    Clay Guida Confirms UFC Departure After 37 Fights, 19 Years

    Clay Guida has parted ways with the UFC after an incredible 19-year run with the promotion.

    Guida’s name was recently removed from the UFC’s online roster and he later confirmed the news in a heartfelt Instagram post.

    The lightweight veteran had been the longest-tenured fighter on the promotion’s active roster. It remains unclear whether his departure was due to a release or the expiration of his contract.

    In his statement, Guida expressed gratitude to his friends, family, training partners, and coaches, acknowledging their support throughout his career.

    “There is nothing I enjoy more than stepping into the octagon and fighting for our fans,” he wrote. “I am truly grateful to Dana White and his outstanding staff for giving a kid with average skills but above-average work ethic the opportunity to fulfill his dreams as a wrestler and mixed martial artist.”

    The 43-year-old emphasized that this is not a retirement announcement but rather a moment of gratitude and reflection.

    “This is simply a thank-you for now and a passing of my UFC torch to the next generation of warriors and wrestlers. We were built to last. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The best is yet to come! Straight to the top, because wrestling is life! Now let’s go fishing!”

    Guida made his UFC debut on October 14, 2006, at UFC 64, where he secured a victory over Justin James. Over his career, he competed 37 times under the UFC banner, facing some of the best fighters in the lightweight and featherweight divisions, including Nate Diaz, Benson Henderson, Kenny Florian, Brian Ortega, and Chad Mendes. His thrilling The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale bout against Diego Sanchez earned a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing in 2019.

    The veteran fighter’s final UFC bout was a submission loss to Chase Hooper in December 2023 at UFC 310. Reflecting on a career spanning 38 years in combat sports, Guida remains optimistic about the future and ready for his next chapter.