MMA News

Author: Andrew Ravens

  • Reinier de Ridder Includes Khamzat Chimaev On List Of ‘How To Get To Rome’ In The UFC

    Reinier de Ridder Includes Khamzat Chimaev On List Of ‘How To Get To Rome’ In The UFC

    Reinier de Ridder has plenty of options for his next fight, with several intriguing names on his radar.

    The 34-year-old fighter, who previously held both the ONE middleweight and light heavyweight titles, has made an impressive start in the UFC since signing with the promotion in 2024.

    De Ridder has finished both of his UFC bouts via submission, including a recent victory over Kevin Holland at UFC 311 last weekend. Feeling healthy and confident after his latest win, the Dutchman is eager to take on his next challenge.

    “I think I can hang with those guys, and that’s what I’m hoping for rather sooner than later,” de Ridder told MMA Junkie Radio. “There’s always a lot of stuff to work on, of course. I’m going to keep growing, keep evolving. But that’s what I’m here for. I want to be part of the top five. I want to see if I can get my hands on the belt.”

    De Ridder has his sights set on a title shot, but he knows he’ll need to face tougher competition to reach that goal. He already has a few potential opponents in mind that could help propel him to the top of the division.

    “There are multiple ways to get to Rome. I think there are a lot of options to get there,” de Ridder said. “All of them would be amazing. All of the ones you mentioned would be amazing. Khamzat (Chimaev) would be a great fight. I don’t think he has anything booked, so why not? But also (Robert) Whittaker would be great. (Israel) Adesanya-(Nassourdine) Imavov winner. I’m ready for whatever. If I can land a big fight like that, finish it like I did this one, then I think there’s no denying me.”

    De Ridder is excited by the possibilities, regardless of the style matchup.

    “It doesn’t really matter. Like a Khamzat fight would be great to see the best grapplers match up. A striker matchup with Adesanya would be amazing, as well. He’s a guy I’ve looked up to for a very long time. I’m ready to show it up.”

  • Renato Moicano Shares His Payday For Saving UFC 311 Main Event On Short Notice

    Renato Moicano Shares His Payday For Saving UFC 311 Main Event On Short Notice

    Renato Moicano’s latest fight didn’t go his way, but he seems pleased with the payday he walked away with.

    Moicano stepped in as a last-minute replacement to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 this past weekend, following an injury that forced Arman Tsarukyan to withdraw from the event. Originally scheduled to fight Beneil Dariush, Moicano seized the championship opportunity but lost via D’Arce choke submission midway through the opening round.

    After the loss, the Brazilian revealed on the Show Me The Money podcast that his earnings for the fight surpassed $950,000. He expressed frustration with California’s high taxation while discussing his payday.

    “The taxation is crazy. Crazy. I don’t know how people survive,” Moicano said. “California is one of the biggest GDPs in the world. If you took their state, it’s like a country, but why? Because f*cking big tech. Silicon Valley, startups, and all that stuff, but these motherf*ckers don’t pay taxes. … You know what’s up. Jeff Bezos motherf*cker is not paying any f*cking money or taxes.”

    Moicano also addressed criticism, particularly from Paddy Pimblett, who took issue with him tapping out rather than enduring the submission.

    Moicano, however, has no regrets about accepting the fight on short notice.

    “I don’t get mad, but I was kind of surprised with the takes of everybody,” Moicano said. “People say so much dumb stuff, even some people were saying, ‘You should not have accepted the fight. You should have fought with Dariush.’ I say, ‘Man, you don’t know what you’re talking about. You don’t know how much money I made. You don’t know how much the opportunity means to me.’”

    Moicano defended his decision to step up, emphasizing the importance of taking risks in life.

    “Imagine, Hunter [Campbell] called me and said, ‘You’re fighting for the title.’ I say, ‘No, you know what? I think Islam is better than me, and I think I’m going to lose tomorrow.’ If you think like that, that’s why you’re working a nine-to-five job — because you don’t take chances, you don’t take risks. You know what? You’re going to be a piece of sh*t for the rest of your life. That’s the f*cking truth.”

    For Moicano, the opportunity to fight for a title — even under challenging circumstances — was too meaningful to pass up, regardless of the outcome.

  • Nassourdine Imavov Demands Khamzat Chimaev’s Title Shot With UFC Saudi Arabia Win

    Nassourdine Imavov Demands Khamzat Chimaev’s Title Shot With UFC Saudi Arabia Win

    Nassourdine Imavov remains focused on his title aspirations, confident that his path to a middleweight championship is clearer than ever — despite past comments from UFC CEO Dana White.

    Imavov is scheduled to face former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at the second UFC Fight Night event in Saudi Arabia. The bout will take place on Feb. 1 at anb Arena in Riyadh.

    Currently boasting a 15-4 record, “The Sniper” has been on a strong run, winning three consecutive fights, including a decision victory over Brendan Allen in Paris last September. A win against Adesanya would mark the biggest triumph of his career and firmly place him in the middleweight title conversation.

    Although White has indicated that Khamzat Chimaev is likely next in line for a title shot, Imavov remains optimistic about his chances, particularly with middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis set to defend his title against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 on Feb. 8 in Sydney.

    “Of course, depending on the performance, I can get the next title shot,” Imavov told MMA Junkie through an interpreter. “It can be Khamzat. The fact that I went for four fights in one year, two top five, two top 10, that’s something very significant.

    “I’m never turning down any fights, and that’s something the UFC likes a lot. So we’ll see what happens. For now, I’m focusing on my next fight, and we’ll see after that.”

    Imavov’s consistent willingness to take on all challengers and his growing momentum make him a compelling contender in the middleweight division as he prepares for the toughest fight of his career.

  • Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes Added To UFC 314 On April 12

    Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes Added To UFC 314 On April 12

    The UFC has bolstered the lineup for UFC 314 with a pivotal light heavyweight matchup between Nikita Krylov and Dominick Reyes.

    The two fighters have agreed to meet at the pay-per-view event, which is expected to take place at the Kaseya Center in Miami on April 12.

    The matchup was first reported by MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin.

    Krylov is set to return to action after being sidelined since March 2023. He enters the fight riding a three-fight winning streak with victories over Ryan Spann, Volkan Oezdemir, and Alexander Gustafsson. Despite his hiatus, the veteran contender will look to extend his momentum against a tough opponent.

    Reyes, meanwhile, has been enjoying a career resurgence. After enduring a challenging four-fight losing streak, including title defeats to Jon Jones and Jan Blachowicz, “The Devastator” bounced back in 2024 with knockout victories over Anthony Smith and Dustin Jacoby. Now, Reyes aims to continue his climb back into title contention. 

    With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 314 on April 12 are as follows.

    • Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales
    • Virna Jandiroba vs. Yan Xiaonan
    • Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes
  • TJ Dillashaw On Kevin Holland After UFC 311: ‘He Will Never Be A Champion, I Promise You That’

    TJ Dillashaw On Kevin Holland After UFC 311: ‘He Will Never Be A Champion, I Promise You That’

    TJ Dillashaw, a former UFC champion, knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level and believes he can identify fighters with championship potential.

    Unfortunately, he doesn’t see that potential in Kevin Holland.

    The retired bantamweight recently shared his perspective following Holland’s loss to Reinier de Ridder at UFC 311 this past Saturday. Holland was submitted in the first round after struggling to counter de Ridder’s grappling, eventually succumbing to a rear-naked choke.

    This critique from Dillashaw aligns with Holland’s own remarks on the JAXXON Podcast, where “Trailblazer” admitted that he doesn’t see himself becoming a UFC champion. The ex-titleholder, appearing on the same podcast, weighed in on Holland’s performance against de Ridder and his overall mindset toward the sport.

    “He’s fun,” Dillashaw said. “He’s entertaining, he’s fun. … I heard him in here talking — I commented on one of the posts you guys put out there about him not caring about being a champion, saying there’s too much politics in it. Like, alright dude, that’s just an excuse because you’ll never be a champion. But he’s a very entertaining fighter. He talks a lot, but he will never be a champion, I promise you that.”

    Dillashaw’s main criticism of Holland centers on what he perceives as a lack of willingness to evolve and improve his game. He pointed to specific moments during Holland’s fight with de Ridder as examples.

    “It’s the truth,” Dillashaw explained. “He has some holes in his game, and we saw it here. He’s got a guy on top of him, and he keeps trying to hold him in his guard. Right now, he’s going for attacks — it’s great — but when the attacks stop working, you’ve got to escape and get back to your feet, especially when you’re better on your feet. He doesn’t even try to put his feet on the hips and push off. Later in the fight, RDR’s standing above him doing ground-and-pound, and [Holland] is trying to hold on to guard rather than create space and stand up. That’s basic stuff. It shows he doesn’t have the skills on the ground or the mindset to fight to his strengths.”

    Despite the criticisms, Dillashaw clarified that there’s nothing wrong with Holland being satisfied with where he is in his career. However, he stressed that championship success requires a certain obsessive mindset — one he doesn’t see in Holland.

    “You sat here and let him say he doesn’t give a shit,” Dillashaw said. “Are you going to be a champion if you don’t care? No, you ain’t ever going to be. You need to obsess about it every day of your life. You need to be OCD about training, about being the best, not losing one practice. He was talking about bringing in training partners, going home, and smoking weed. Just sitting here listening to him talk and watching his skills on TV, he doesn’t have the mindset for it. He’s just happy being on TV.”

  • Michael Chandler: Paddy Pimblett Fight Might Be ‘More Dangerous’ Than Conor McGregor

    Michael Chandler: Paddy Pimblett Fight Might Be ‘More Dangerous’ Than Conor McGregor

    While Paddy Pimblett is expected to make his Octagon return in the coming months, the rising UFC star has yet to secure an opponent.

    Pimblett recently hinted at a potential clash with Michael Chandler, who is also in search of his next fight after his highly anticipated bout against Conor McGregor fell through last year.

    Chandler, who has lost four of his last five fights, spent two years pursuing the McGregor matchup before finally moving on. Now, he’s eyeing other opportunities, including a showdown with “The Baddy.”

    “You might talk to a lot of people from a fight perspective that (think) Paddy might be more dangerous than Conor at this point,” Chandler told InstantCasino.com (via Newsweek). “We haven’t seen Conor in three years. Name-wise? Yeah, you’re not gonna get a bigger name than Conor, but when it comes to training for an opponent (like Paddy), it brings me back to the Bellator days.”

    Pimblett is undefeated in the UFC with a 6-0 record. His most recent victory was a submission win over King Green at UFC 304 last summer in London. Despite the Liverpudlian’s streak, Chandler believes many fans see him as the heavy favorite in this matchup.

    “I’m supposed to beat Paddy Pimblett in a lot of people’s eyes, so that wells up even more motivation in me,” Chandler continued. “He’s a young and hungry guy. He’s got his whole career ahead of him, whereas I’ve been doing this for 10 years longer than him, so I like it, man. Whether I’m a 1000-1 underdog or a 1000-1 favorite, I put in all the work necessary to be successful on fight night.”

    Chandler also acknowledged the financial and stylistic appeal of the fight, while maintaining his respect for Pimblett.

    “I like the idea of fighting Paddy Pimblett and making a ton of money,” Chandler said. “I don’t want to say it’s an easy fight, because I could go out there and slip on a banana peel and get knocked out in front of everybody, but let’s just say I like the fight stylistically. I like Paddy as a human. I think he’s one of the good ones. And with that being said, that does not stop me from wanting to separate him from consciousness.”

  • Michael Page Provides Update On Divisional Future Ahead Of Middleweight Fight At UFC Saudi Arabia

    Michael Page Provides Update On Divisional Future Ahead Of Middleweight Fight At UFC Saudi Arabia

    Michael “Venom” Page doesn’t plan to make middleweight his permanent home despite preparing for a high-profile bout in the division.

    Page is set to face Shara Magomedov in a middleweight co-headliner at the UFC Fight Night on Feb. 1 at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, airing on ESPN+. The fight follows Magomedov’s callout of Israel Adesanya after UFC 308, prompting Page to suggest a matchup with him instead, which the UFC quickly booked.

    While excited for this one-off fight, Page clarified that middleweight is not his long-term focus.

    “To be fair, for me anyway, it’s back to work at welterweight,” Page told MMA Junkie. “If there is another opportunity at middleweight that looks good, looks juicy, looks tasty, 100 percent I’ll be there to do it again. For me, timing-wise, going to middleweight, knowing I had to go through Christmas and everything, it helped. It helped a lot.”

    Page explained that moving up to middleweight allowed him to enjoy the holiday season without the pressures of cutting weight. However, he emphasized that his ambitions remain in the welterweight division.

    “In general, I’ve still got a lot of business that I want to handle at welterweight. So for me, this is a one-off, exciting fight at that weight. Maybe in the future, you’ll see me there, but for now, I still find it comfortable to get to welterweight, and I’ve still got people I’d love to fight.”

    One fight, in particular, stands out for Page: a matchup with former welterweight champion and fellow countryman Leon Edwards, who is scheduled to headline UFC London against Jack Della Maddalena at The O2 this March.

    “I still think the fight with me and Leon would be great – in the U.K. though,” Page said. “I wouldn’t take it anywhere else. It does a disservice to our country. I think that fight needs to be over here. I know we’ve got the U.K. card coming, obviously we’ve missed that boat. Let’s say that’s the only one they do this year, then that wouldn’t happen. Again, I’m saying all this with all due respect.”

    Page believes the welterweight division is undergoing significant changes, making it an exciting time for potential matchups.

    “I just think it’s a great fight to have. I would have loved for it to have been for a belt, but just in general, I think it’s a great fight anyway. The division is wide open. I think we’re going through a bit of a change. Colby [Covington] didn’t look too good in his last fight and obviously lost. There’s a change of the guard that’s happening in that division at the moment, so I think it’s wide open for everybody, and I just want to be in the mix of it.”

  • Netflix Co-CEO Staying Quiet About Rumors Of Interest In UFC Broadcast Deal

    Netflix Co-CEO Staying Quiet About Rumors Of Interest In UFC Broadcast Deal

    The UFC is preparing for a new media rights deal as its blockbuster contract with ESPN, signed in 2018, nears its end.

    This agreement followed FOX’s $200 million bid to retain broadcasting rights to the leading mixed martial arts promotion. With the deal set to expire, other networks and streaming platforms will soon have the opportunity to bid for UFC rights, and Netflix is expected to be among the contenders.

    Netflix, which recently signed a lucrative deal with WWE for Monday Night Raw and WWE Network rights in several international markets, has remained tight-lipped about its potential interest in the UFC. Speaking on a quarterly financial call, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos declined to comment directly on UFC negotiations but offered insights into the success of their WWE deal.

    “Not going to comment anything specifically like the UFC, but WWE is off to a great start,” Sarandos said (h/t MMA Fighting). “The first week we drew about five million views, which is about two times the audience that Monday Night Raw was getting on linear television. Pretty consistent with how we modeled it, how we’d hope to build the audience for the league. We also saw that non-live viewings and the day after the live event grew by 25 percent, mostly outside of the U.S. time zones.”

    Sarandos highlighted international markets where the WWE deal has gained traction.

    “This is new viewing in the U.K. and Canada, Mexico, Australia, Brazil in particular, which are really big markets,” he said. “In the U.S., our viewing of Monday Night Raw was as big as it has been in five years. So we’re super thrilled with how that’s going and how that’s coming out.”

    The WWE deal, worth $5 billion over 10 years, is an indicator of Netflix’s willingness to invest in sports entertainment. With UFC now operating under the TKO Group Holdings banner — following its financial merger with WWE — negotiations for the UFC’s media rights are expected to be led by TKO President Mark Shapiro and CEO Ari Emanuel.

    ESPN retains an exclusive negotiating window for the UFC media rights, which will expire on April 15, 2025. After that, the bidding war for one of the premier properties in combat sports is expected to intensify.

  • Patricio Pitbull’s Brother Also Gets PFL Release, Signs With Global Fight League

    Patricio Pitbull’s Brother Also Gets PFL Release, Signs With Global Fight League

    After joining his brother in departing the PFL, former Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull has signed with the Global Fight League (GFL).

    According to MMA Fighting, Pitbull secured a deal with the promotion following his exit from the PFL. The GFL is set to hold its 2025 season draft on Friday night, where Pitbull’s next chapter in professional MMA will begin.

    The 39-year-old Brazilian took to social media to express gratitude for his time with previous promotions.

    “Former Bellator lightweight champion, most wins in the lightweight division, and most KOs in company history,” he wrote. “I’ll never forget all the amazing moments I had with the organization. And a couple of fun fights on PFL. I’m excited for what will be coming next.”

    Pitbull had an impressive tenure with Bellator before the organization ceased operations. During his 16-10 run, he set the record for most knockouts in company history with 11, scoring key victories over notable fighters such as Benson Henderson, Josh Thomson, Ryan Couture, and Peter Queally.

    The Brazilian captured the lightweight championship but eventually lost the title to Usman Nurmagomedov.

    Internationally, he made his mark in Japan as part of Bellator’s collaboration with RIZIN. He delivered memorable knockouts against fighters like Luiz Gustavo, Tatsuya Kawajiri, and RIZIN champion Roberto Satoshi. His final fight under the Bellator banner was a decision loss to Alexander Shabliy.

    After joining the PFL for its 2024 season, Pitbull faced challenges, dropping both of his lightweight bouts to Clay Collard and Bruno Miranda.

    Despite these setbacks, he remains optimistic about his future in the GFL, which offers him a fresh start as he continues his storied career.

  • Robert Whittaker Can’t See How Sean Strickland Does Anything ‘Differently’ To Beat Dricus Du Plessis In Rematch

    Robert Whittaker Can’t See How Sean Strickland Does Anything ‘Differently’ To Beat Dricus Du Plessis In Rematch

    Sean Strickland is set to face middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis in a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 312 on February 8 in Sydney.

    This bout comes after Du Plessis narrowly defeated Strickland via split decision at UFC 297 last January, a razor-close contest that has sparked debates and fueled speculation about the possibility of the title changing hands again.

    Former champion Robert Whittaker, who faced Du Plessis in a title eliminator at UFC 290, shared his doubts about the American’s chances in the rematch. The Australian was stopped by Du Plessis in their fight and doesn’t believe Strickland has what it takes to reclaim the belt.

    “People will argue with me, saying it [the decision] was controversial anyway, and I thought so too,” Whittaker said on the MMArcade Podcast, referencing Strickland’s loss at UFC 297. “But that was when he was champion, and he still lost a controversial [decision] to the challenger. What is going to happen differently in their next fight?”

    Whittaker expressed skepticism about Strickland’s ability to adapt his approach, pointing out the predictable nature of his fighting style.

    “Because I don’t see Sean fighting any different way. That’s how Sean fights, and that’s how Dricus fights,” Whittaker explained. “I don’t know — maybe Dricus gets more takedowns because he had decent enough success with it, but honestly, I don’t see how Sean does anything different to eke out the victory.”

    As UFC 312 approaches, fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see if “Tarzan” can defy expectations or if Du Plessis will cement his reign as middleweight champion.

  • UFC Legend Suggests Arman Tsarukyan’s UFC 311 Withdrawal More To Do With ‘Insane’ Weight Cut Than Back Injury

    Arman Tsarukyan was initially scheduled to headline UFC 311 in a lightweight title fight against reigning champion Islam Makhachev. However, the Armenian withdrew from the bout due to a back injury, costing him a highly anticipated title opportunity.

    Renato Moicano stepped in as a late replacement but was defeated by Makhachev via first-round submission.

    The circumstances surrounding Tsarukyan’s withdrawal have drawn attention, especially after a video surfaced on social media showing him performing a series of neck-spinning movements during a training session. The clip, shared in a Nina Drama video, has sparked speculation about its connection to his injury.

    Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett weighed in on the situation, suggesting that extreme weight-cutting may have been the root cause of Tsarukyan’s injury. On The Ariel Helwani Show, Barnett theorized that the rigorous weight cut likely triggered a severe back spasm, ultimately forcing Tsarukyan to pull out.

    “You don’t get Arman Tsarukyan having back problems if you don’t have insane weight cutting,” Barnett explained. “I truly believe that in doing his weight cut, he probably hit a huge back spasm out of nowhere that completely took him by surprise. It was bad enough that it impacted his ability to cut weight, so how’s he gonna make the weight class? And it could be severe enough that he wouldn’t feel up to competing the next day.”

    Barnett also criticized the culture of extreme weight-cutting in MMA, arguing that it creates unnecessary risks for fighters.

    “This all comes from fighting under a ruleset that encourages you to game the system because everyone is doing it and there’s no way around it really,” he added.

    While Tsarukyan has not directly addressed the weight-cut speculation, the incident has reignited discussions about the dangers of drastic weight reductions in combat sports.

  • UFC Vet Says Paddy Pimblett Is Looking For Attention With Renato Moicano Criticism

    UFC Vet Says Paddy Pimblett Is Looking For Attention With Renato Moicano Criticism

    Paddy Pimblett had harsh words for Renato Moicano following his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 this past weekend.

    “The Baddy” criticized Moicano for tapping out to a D’Arce choke midway through the opening round, rather than enduring the submission and passing out. Pimblett took to social media, repeatedly urging Moicano to “go to sleep” and accusing him of tapping “after like two seconds like a b*tch.”

    Veteran fighter Matt Brown weighed in on the controversy, attributing Pimblett’s remarks to a desire for attention while speaking on MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast.

    “I’m betting it’s just Paddy trying to talk and be in the news and get his voice out there and just say things.”

    Brown, a seasoned jiu-jitsu practitioner, dismissed the notion that going to sleep in a submission proves anything.

    “You start seeing the tunnel close — that’s what happens when you almost go to sleep. What’s the point at that stage? We all do jiu-jitsu. We know when we’re caught and when the end is inevitable. You either tap or go to sleep. Just tap. There’s no shame in it. You got caught. That’s it.”

    Brown also suggested Moicano likely understands where he went wrong and doesn’t need criticism for choosing to tap. He called the Liverpool native’s remarks “utter nonsense,” emphasizing that there’s no added respect or benefit to losing consciousness in a fight.

    “In training, you’re working to avoid getting caught in a submission—not testing how long your joints can hold out,” Brown explained. “It’s just silly. I think Paddy’s trying to start something with Moicano, maybe angling for a fight. Which is fine, but he knows better. When you’re caught, you’re caught. Tapping or going to sleep doesn’t change that.”

    Brown concluded by reiterating that there’s no advantage to enduring a submission.

    “No one respects you more for going to sleep. You’re not getting a bonus for it. There’s literally nothing you gain by not tapping.”

  • Daniel Cormier: Dana White Is Wrong, Arman Tsarukyan Should Get Next Title Shot Despite UFC 311 Pullout

    Daniel Cormier: Dana White Is Wrong, Arman Tsarukyan Should Get Next Title Shot Despite UFC 311 Pullout

    Arman Tsarukyan was originally set to headline UFC 311 in a lightweight title fight against reigning champion Islam Makhachev. However, an injury forced the Armenian to withdraw, costing him a chance to compete for the championship.

    Renato Moicano stepped in as a last-minute replacement, but the Brazilian was defeated via first-round submission.

    Following the event, UFC CEO Dana White stated that Tsarukyan would now have to work his way back up for another title shot. Tsarukyan himself appeared to agree, as he expressed on social media.

    However, not everyone agrees with this assessment.

    In his post-fight reaction, UFC commentator Daniel Cormier argued that Tsarukyan still deserves to be next in line for a shot at the title.

    “I believe it still needs to be Tsarukyan,” Cormier said. “Because I believe Tsarukyan, even though it’s a rematch and even though we know Charles [Oliveira] is supposed to be next, I still feel like Tsarukyan’s size, his abilities, his skill set, could present the biggest problems for Islam Makhachev.”

    Cormier also highlighted Makhachev’s dominance over the lightweight division.

    “Look at what he does to the rest [of the contenders],” Cormier said. “He has submitted or finished so many of the best lightweights in the world. Think about this — he finished Oliveira to become the champ. He finished [Alexander] Volkanovski in the rematch. He finished Dustin Poirier in his last title defense and now he finished Renato Moicano.”

    Cormier continued to praise Makhachev for accepting a short-notice fight against a surging contender.

    “Once again, Islam Makhachev proves to be the best lightweight in the world, submitting Renato Moicano in the very first round with a D’arce choke. I run out of ways to describe who Islam Makhachev is. This guy is a champion in every sense of the word. Not many guys would have accepted a fight for their belt on 24 hours’ notice against a guy that was on a four-fight win streak that you did not train for. He’s the best and he’s proving that time and time again.”

    As Tsarukyan works to regain his spot in the title conversation, the debate over who should challenge Makhachev next continues to intensify.

  • Henry Cejudo Admits Merab Dvalishvili Is The Bantamweight GOAT After UFC 311

    Henry Cejudo Admits Merab Dvalishvili Is The Bantamweight GOAT After UFC 311

    Henry Cejudo has expressed admiration for Merab Dvalishvili’s accomplishments in the UFC bantamweight division, even going so far as to call his former opponent the greatest of all time (GOAT) in the division.

    Dvalishvili has built an impressive résumé, defeating top-tier opponents such as José Aldo, Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo and Sean O’Malley.

    “The Machine” captured the bantamweight title at UFC 306 last September by defeating O’Malley. He successfully defended his title for the first time this past weekend at UFC 311, where he faced undefeated contender Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili won the bout by unanimous decision, earning another Fight of the Night award in the process.

    Speaking on the latest episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast alongside Kamaru Usman, Cejudo explained why he considers Dvalishvili the bantamweight GOAT.

    “You have to, man,” Cejudo said. “Yan, O’Malley, Cejudo, Umar, (Marlon) Moraes, Aldo. I mean, he’s fought everybody, dude. He’s beat everybody in this division, you could say in their prime. You just can, man. Merab is the bantamweight GOAT, at least in my eyes. He only has one title defense, but the people who he has beaten is great. Great top-five résumé, maybe in UFC period, right now.”

    Dvalishvili’s dominance and ability to defeat elite contenders during their prime have solidified his reputation as one of the best fighters in UFC history. As his career continues, the debate over his legacy in the bantamweight division is likely to grow even stronger.

  • PFL Chairman Donn Davis Lays Out Expectations For Francis Ngannou In 2025

    PFL Chairman Donn Davis Lays Out Expectations For Francis Ngannou In 2025

    Francis Ngannou has an exciting year ahead as he balances his pursuits in both boxing and MMA.

    In his return to MMA, Ngannou delivered a dominant victory over Renan Ferreira at PFL: Battle of the Giants, reigniting fan interest in what the former UFC heavyweight champion will do next.

    Ngannou has expressed his openness to competing in both sports, though his next move hinges on discussions with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). The promotion’s founder and chairman, Donn Davis, confirmed that Ngannou remains under contract with the organization and shared insights into their collaborative planning process.

    “He is still under the same contract with us,” Davis explained during a Town Hall-style interview with MMA Fighting. “We’re happy, he’s happy. No. 2, we work very partner-like with Francis. We plan, ‘What does he want to do? Why does he want to do that? What are the full options?’ We sit down with him like you would any real partner.”

    Davis indicated that Ngannou is likely to compete in both boxing and MMA in 2025 but suggested the former could come first due to the lucrative opportunities available.

    “If I had to guess, I would think boxing will be first, given the opportunities he has,” Davis said. “I don’t want to say anything about that. That’s his business for him to announce, but he has unbelievable boxing opportunities. So I think that’s more likely to come first, and MMA is likely to come second.”

    According to Davis, Ngannou’s fans can expect to see him compete in one fight in each sport this year.

    “What I believe you’ll see from Francis this year is one MMA in PFL and one boxing from Francis,” Davis concluded. “So I think fans of Francis will see him do one of each this year.”

    As Ngannou’s next steps unfold, the combat sports world will eagerly anticipate his dual-sport ambitions and the challenges that lie ahead.

  • Manager: ‘No Excuse’ But Umar Nurmagomedov Suffered Broken Hand In UFC 311 Title Fight

    Manager: ‘No Excuse’ But Umar Nurmagomedov Suffered Broken Hand In UFC 311 Title Fight

    Umar Nurmagomedov’s bid to become a UFC champion fell short this weekend, and he also sustained an injury that will likely keep him sidelined for the foreseeable future.

    In the co-main event of UFC 311, Nurmagomedov faced Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title. The fight was highly competitive, with both fighters having their moments. “The Machine” ultimately earned the decision victory, retaining his belt.

    Following the fight, Nurmagomedov initially questioned the decision but admitted that he needed to rewatch the contest before giving a full assessment. The Dagestani also revealed that he may have broken his hand early in the bout.

    Injuries are a common talking point among fighters, often surfacing before, during, and after bouts. Nurmagomedov’s situation was no exception.

    A post from his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, highlighted the extent of the damage, showing a photo of the injury.

    “@UNmgdv broke his hands first round no excuse no excuse Alhamdulillah for everything.”

    This loss for the challenger put an end to his undefeated run as a pro, which had reached 18 straight wins. He earned the title shot after beating Cory Sandhagen via decision last August in a bantamweight title eliminator.

  • Dana White Finally Concedes Defeat In Controversial Debate: ‘Are You Happy? Is Everybody Happy Now?’

    Dana White Finally Concedes Defeat In Controversial Debate: ‘Are You Happy? Is Everybody Happy Now?’

    For years, Dana White has hailed Jon Jones as the UFC’s pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter. However, following UFC 311 on Saturday night, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has finally claimed top spot in the UFC CEO’s eyes.

    The recognition came after Makhachev submitted late replacement opponent Renato Moicano in the first round of the main event at Intuit Dome — an accomplishment White acknowledged to reporters.

    “Yeah, I’ll give it to him,” White said during the UFC 311 post-event press conference. “Are you happy? Is everybody happy now? One hundred percent, there’s no doubt about it. He’s the pound-for-pound best in the world, and he’s definitely the best to ever do it in that division.”

    Makhachev’s victory marked his fourth consecutive title defense, surpassing legends Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, and BJ Penn for the most in lightweight division history. Additionally, it was Makhachev’s 15th straight win in the UFC, placing him second only to Anderson Silva’s record of 16 consecutive victories.

    Makhachev was initially scheduled to face Arman Tsarukyan in a highly anticipated rematch. However, Tsarukyan withdrew during Friday’s weigh-ins due to a back injury.

    Despite the sudden change, White commended Makhachev for his readiness to compete against anyone.

    “Islam was willing to fight anybody,” White said. “He’s stayed active, and he went out tonight and performed the way a guy should on a short-notice fight when you’re the best in the world, and you’re the champion.”

  • Islam Makhachev Welcomes Dricus Du Plessis Title Fight After UFC 311, Says Alex Pereira Is ‘Too Much’

    Islam Makhachev Welcomes Dricus Du Plessis Title Fight After UFC 311, Says Alex Pereira Is ‘Too Much’

    Islam Makhachev is eyeing another championship belt after successfully defending his lightweight title with a first-round submission win over Renato Moicano in the UFC 311 main event.

    This victory marked Makhachev’s fourth consecutive title defense, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters and fueling speculation about a move to another weight class to pursue dual-champion status.

    While not rushing the decision, Makhachev is clear about his long-term goal of holding another title.

    “I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but I told them I’m not [going to] leave this sport without [a] second belt,” Makhachev said during the UFC 311 post-fight press conference. “I need the second belt to be, and after I’ll talk like, ‘I’m the greatest’ or something. But right now, my goal is to be double champion. I don’t know if it’s going to be next fight or when, [but] I’m still fighting, still winning. I defend my belt how many times the UFC wants; I will defend. When they give me [a] chance, I want to be double champion.”

    Makhachev, an occasional teammate and training partner of current welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, has ruled out fighting his friend. However, he has expressed openness to facing middleweight titleholder Dricus Du Plessis. The South African is scheduled for a rematch with Sean Strickland at UFC 312, with the winner expected to face Khamzat Chimaev next.

    “I can be three-division also,” Makhachev said, referring to his ambitions beyond a second title. “Just give me the chance, that’s it. I will fight with [Dricus] Du Plessis. If they give me the chance, I will fight with him also. I swear, if Dana White sends me [the] contract, I will fight with him.”

    When asked about potentially facing light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, however, Makhachev dismissed the idea with humor.

    “No, it’s too much [laughs],” he said. “I need the [Daniel Cormier] diet program to be 200 pounds [laughs].”

  • Dana White Says Arman Tsarukyan Must Earn Another Title Shot After UFC 311 Dropout

    Arman Tsarukyan was forced to withdraw from UFC 311, costing him a chance to compete for the lightweight championship.

    A back injury prevented him from facing lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev in the originally scheduled main event. The UFC secured Renato Moicano as a last-minute replacement, with the Brazilian ultimately losing to the Dagestani via first-round submission. The victory marked Makhachev’s fourth consecutive title defense.

    At the UFC 311 post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White addressed Tsarukyan’s situation.

    “He’s not getting a title shot,” White stated. “That means he’s going to have to fight his way back to the title.”

    White further elaborated on the circumstances of Tsarukyan’s withdrawal.

    “He’s going back to the drawing board. I don’t want anybody to ever fight hurt, ever. We’ve been in these positions before. Went down there with the doctor, went down there with Heather [Linden] from the [UFC Performance Institute], who you can ask any fighter or anybody else, she’s the best in the world. You miss opportunities sometimes, and he did. So we’ll see how this plays out for him next year.”

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov Explains Why Coaching Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier Was Harder Than Fighting Him

    Khabib Nurmagomedov and current UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev share a notable common opponent in Dustin Poirier. Both fighters secured submission victories over “The Diamond” during their respective UFC careers.

    Khabib defeated Poirier at UFC 242 in September 2019, winning via submission in a dominant performance. Makhachev’s most recent title defense also came against Poirier, ending with a fifth-round submission. Reflecting on these encounters, “The Eagle” admitted that fighting Poirier himself was much easier than cornering Makhachev against him.

    “Inside the cage was much better,” Nurmagomedov told ESPN in a recent interview. “When I was inside, I didn’t have to talk. Only a couple of times I spoke with him. I remember during my fight with Dustin, after the first round, I asked him how he felt, and he said, ‘Nothing, you win the first round.’”

    Nurmagomedov explained that coaching from the outside presented an entirely different challenge.

    “When I was outside with Islam, for almost 25 minutes I was just talking. I couldn’t do anything. To be honest, I don’t like this. But it was an amazing fight—an amazing finish in the fifth round and a very good experience for Islam.”

    Coach Javier Mendez also weighed in, calling Poirier the toughest opponent Makhachev has faced to date.

  • Jiří Procházka Warns Jamahal Hill About ‘Big Mistake’ Ahead Of UFC 311 Clash

    Jiří Procházka Warns Jamahal Hill About ‘Big Mistake’ Ahead Of UFC 311 Clash

    Jamahal Hill is set to face fellow former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka this weekend at UFC 311. Hill has made it clear that he believes a victory would solidify his claim to the next title shot.

    Hill’s rivalry with current 205-pound kingpin Alex Pereira has added extra intrigue to his journey back to the top. The two were involved in a controversial altercation at the UFC Performance Institute last month, a situation that drew criticism toward “Sweet Dreams.” This incident has further motivated him to prove his worthiness for another championship opportunity.

    For Procházka, the focus remains firmly on the task at hand. He has warned his opponent that overlooking him in favor of thoughts about a title shot or Pereira would be a costly mistake.

    “I would just say that it is a big mistake when you are not focused on what’s before you, and you’re looking at another opponent — it will cost you a lot,” Procházka said during the UFC 311 media day. “So, it’s just about staying humble and focused on what’s before you. I don’t speak about other opponents, about who will be the next. Even if I did say I want to fight Alex Pereira for a third time because I believe in myself and the changes in my style.

    “No, this is not the time or place right now. There is Jamahal Hill this Saturday, and I want to win,” he continued. “And I’m going to win this fight. Then we can talk about others.”

  • Jamahal Hill ‘100 Percent’ Expects Title Shot With UFC 311 Victory: ‘Ankalaev Fought No. 5’

    Jamahal Hill believes he has earned the right to be back in the title conversation in the UFC light heavyweight division, believing a victory in his next fight will guarantee him a shot at reclaiming the championship.

    Hill is set to face fellow former 205-pound kingpin Jiří Procházka on Jan. 18 at UFC 311. Hill, no stranger to championship glory, captured the vacant title at UFC 283 by defeating Glover Teixeira via decision. However, in July 2023, he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a basketball game at the UFC’s International Fight Week, forcing him to relinquish the belt.

    The American’s road back to the top has been challenging. He faced Alex Pereira for the gold in the main event of UFC 300 last April but suffered a first-round knockout loss. Despite this setback, “Sweet Dreams” is determined to work his way back to the title.

    “Yeah, 100 percent,” he said at UFC 311 media day when asked about earning the next title shot. “I feel a win here, especially a dominant, impressive win, next fight is title. Next is the championship. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be. Ankalaev fought No. 5, No. 4 or something like that last, then that just says title? So, I’m fighting No. 2 in the world. I don’t see me going backward from that.”

    Hill’s rivalry with Alex Pereira extends beyond the Octagon, as they were involved in a controversial altercation at the UFC Performance Institute last month.

    That incident has only added fuel to his determination to prove himself worthy of another championship opportunity.

  • Belal Muhammad Willing To Fight Sean Strickland: ‘He’s Literally The Definition Of Trailer Trash’

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad is eyeing a potential clash with Sean Strickland to settle their long-standing feud and hold the middleweight accountable for his controversial remarks.

    The two fighters have exchanged heated words, with Muhammad taking particular issue with Strickland’s openly Islamophobic comments. For “Remember the Name,” these remarks represent a sign of weakness that he is eager to exploit in the Octagon.

    Before any potential bout with Muhammad, Strickland is set to face middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis in a rematch. The fight headlines UFC 312 on February 8 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

    In a candid interview with Submission Radio, Muhammad didn’t hold back in his assessment of the upcoming challenger in the weight class above him.

    “I hope he loses, and I hope he gets knocked out and put unconscious and doesn’t wake up,” he said. “But regardless, I would always still want to move up and fight him whether he has the belt or not. That will always be a fight I say yes to. It’s personal.

    “The guy’s just an airhead. He’s literally the definition of trailer trash. That’s what he is. So when he says all this dumb stuff, people need to make him pay for it. The Twitter people are happy to see it, and he knows it because he can’t get attention other than saying dumb things.”

    Muhammad went on to compare Strickland’s behavior to that of fellow UFC fighter Colby Covington.

    “He has to say stupid, wild stuff because nobody cares about him without it. It’s kind of like Colby Covington. Nobody cared about him before he started saying dumb stuff. Strickland is trying to level it up even more so he could have that wow factor because his fights suck. He always talks about, ‘I’m going to kill this guy. We’re going to go to war,’ and it’s literally just a teep fest. I think he knows that he sucks, so that’s why he goes out there and he says this dumb stuff.”

    Meanwhile, Muhammad is preparing for his first title defense, which is expected to be against rising star Shavkat Rakhmonov. While the fight has not been officially confirmed, Muhammad’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has hinted that it could take place in May.

  • Dana White Dismisses Talk Of Conor McGregor vs. Logan Paul Boxing Match

    Dana White Dismisses Talk Of Conor McGregor vs. Logan Paul Boxing Match

    Speculation surrounding a potential boxing match between Conor McGregor and Logan Paul has recently gained traction, but the former UFC champion’s employer isn’t keen.

    The Irishman hinted at ongoing discussions for a showdown, sparking widespread interest among fight fans. Reports suggest the bout could be financed by India’s Ambani family, headed by Mukesh Ambani, one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. If the fight were to materialize, it would mark McGregor’s first return to the boxing ring since his high-profile bout with Floyd Mayweather in 2017.

    Rumors have escalated to suggest that the Irishman and Ohio native might earn an extraordinary $250 million from the event. However, UFC CEO Dana White dismissed the possibility of the fight during an appearance on Pardon My Take, responding with a definitive “no” when asked if McGregor’s highly anticipated comeback would occur in the form of a boxing match against Paul.

    It’s worth noting that McGregor’s exclusive UFC contract grants the organization control over any of his competitive engagements.

    White previously co-promoted McGregor’s fight with Mayweather, highlighting a precedent for UFC’s involvement in cross-promotional bouts. Despite the speculation, White has consistently indicated that the star fighter’s return will eventually happen, aiming for a comeback this fall.

    “The Notorious” has not fought since his 2021 bout against Dustin Poirier, which ended with a severe leg injury in their trilogy fight. While originally scheduled to face Michael Chandler in July, that matchup was postponed due to McGregor suffering a broken toe.

  • UFC 311: Volkanovski Explains Why He’s Predicting Ex-Opponent Islam Makhachev To Beat Arman Tsarukyan

    UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev is set to defend his title in a highly anticipated rematch against Arman Tsarukyan this weekend.

    The bout headlines UFC 311 on Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Fans are eager to see how both fighters have evolved since their competitive first encounter in 2019.

    Ahead of the fight, ex-UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski shared his thoughts on the matchup. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Australian analyzed their styles and gave the edge to his former two-time opponent.

    “Islam is safe enough,” Volkanovski said. “I think the majority of his scrambles end up with him in better positions, and striking-wise, he’s a lot more safe. Arman, on the other hand, is a lot more aggressive and probably takes more risks, which could leave openings for Islam to land shots and score points.”

    Volkanovski still praised both fighters, noting the challenge Tsarukyan presents for Makhachev.

    “It’s a very fun fight – very competitive. But I think Islam edges him. Arman shouldn’t be that much of an underdog. Islam is that good, but so is Arman. I’m going to go with Islam as the heavy favorite here, rightfully so. Both great fighters, but Islam is still pound-for-pound No. 1 right now.”

    The fight is poised to showcase the technical evolution of both men, with Makhachev looking to solidify his dominance and Tsarukyan seeking redemption from their first meeting.