MMA News

Author: Andrew Ravens

  • Javier Mendez Picks Islam Makhachev’s Toughest Fight To Date, Doesn’t Choose First Tsarukyan Clash

    Javier Mendez Picks Islam Makhachev’s Toughest Fight To Date, Doesn’t Choose First Tsarukyan Clash

    UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has established himself as one of the most dominant fighters in the division, with only a single loss in his career — a knockout defeat to Adriano Martins in 2015.

    Makhachev has consistently showcased his skillset against top-tier opponents and continued to get better with each bout, but coach Javier Mendez believes his toughest test so far came in his most recent victory over Dustin Poirier.

    “Dustin was the biggest challenge,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “Dustin brought it, man. That was a Dustin I’d never seen before. That was an unbelievable Dustin, so, for me, it’s Dustin. I don’t know about Arman because it hasn’t happened yet. But right at this particular juncture, it’s Dustin. Dustin was the biggest challenge.”

    Makhachev secured a fifth-round submission victory over Poirier at UFC 302, a fight some consider one of his most grueling yet. His ability to withstand Poirier’s pressure and secure a decisive finish only added to his reputation as a dominant champion.

    Next, Makhachev is set to defend his lightweight title in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311. The fight will take place in the main event on Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Their first meeting in 2019 was a competitive bout, and fans are eager to see how both fighters have evolved since.

  • UFC Analyst Predicts ‘Pressure’ Will Be Too Great For Umar Nurmagomedov To Overcome At UFC 311

    UFC Analyst Predicts ‘Pressure’ Will Be Too Great For Umar Nurmagomedov To Overcome At UFC 311

    While Din Thomas acknowledges the skillset Umar Nurmagomedov brings to the Octagon, he doesn’t see him dethroning UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili.

    The pair are set to meet in the co-main event of UFC 311 on Jan. 18 in Los Angeles. Thomas believes the reigning titleholder’s relentless style and ability to handle high-pressure situations will give him the edge over Nurmagomedov.

    “I think Merab wins against Umar,” Thomas told MMA Junkie. “I think Merab beats Umar. I just think that somewhere in that division, it catches up to him. I’m not sure Umar’s the guy though, and it’s not because I don’t think Umar is good enough. I just think that fighting comes down to moments and being able to deal with the pressure. Umar has a lot of weight to carry. The name, there’s a lot going on.”

    The former fighter-turned-analyst highlighted the unique challenges that Dvalishvili presents as a fighter, explaining that his ability to exploit small weaknesses in opponents could be the deciding factor.

    “For him to go out there and fight a guy like Merab — if it was anybody else, I would pick Umar. But a guy like Merab, who has built a career on finding these small, little holes in fighters — he finds these small, little holes and just exposes them with his pressure and his comfortability inside the cage. I think Umar has to watch out for that. I think Merab finds these little moments and breaks him.”

    Despite Thomas’ doubts, Nurmagomedov has expressed unwavering confidence ahead of the fight, claiming he doesn’t see himself losing to Dvalishvili.

    However, the ex-fighter views this confidence as potentially problematic, emphasizing the mental toll that the Georgian’s relentless style can take on an opponent.

    “Those are the things that I try to pay attention to with fighters,” Thomas continued. “The more confidence Umar has, when Merab keeps coming, and he’s like, ‘Damn, I thought this was going to be over,’ and you start to break, that’s when it really exposes itself. I just feel like he’s got all that confidence, and when he realizes that Merab is not going to stop, and he’s like, ‘I’m better, but this guy will not stop,’ you start to lose confidence, you start to break. I can see that happening in this fight.”

  • UFC 311: Aljamain Sterling Promises Merab Dvalishvili Will ‘Shut A Lot Of People Up’ vs. Umar Nurmagomedov

    UFC 311: Aljamain Sterling Promises Merab Dvalishvili Will ‘Shut A Lot Of People Up’ vs. Umar Nurmagomedov

    Umar Nurmagomedov is set to challenge UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event of UFC 311 on Jan. 18 in Los Angeles.

    As the highly anticipated fight approaches, former champion Aljamain Sterling, a teammate of the current titleholder’s, has added his perspective and sparked debate among fight fans.

    In a recent UFC 311 breakdown video shared on his YouTube channel, Sterling offered his analysis, questioning whether Nurmagomedov has truly proven himself at the elite level.

    Sterling believes that Dvalishvili’s performance in this fight will solidify his status as the best the division has to offer.

    “I think if we can keep the fight where we want it, Merab is gonna shut a lot of people up and prove a lot of people right that he is who he says he is,” Sterling remarked. “No disrespect to Umar by any means. For me, it just comes down to one guy who has done the work and another being propped up by the accolades of what his relative has done.

    “I understand he’s trying to carve out his own name in history, but facts are still facts. The jury’s still out on Umar. We don’t really know if he’s really that guy just yet.”

    Sterling’s comments carry weight, with the former champ having been a part of Dvalishvili’s camp and preparation.

  • Merab Dvalishvili Addresses Injury Concerns Ahead UFC 311: ‘I Don’t Want To Panic People…’

    Merab Dvalishvili Addresses Injury Concerns Ahead UFC 311: ‘I Don’t Want To Panic People…’

    UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili is set to defend his title for the first time against undefeated contender Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 this Saturday night.

    Heading into the highly anticipated co-main event, Dvalishvili has revealed that he dealt with significant injury issues during his training camp but assured fans that he is now fully prepared for the fight.

    In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, as part of his role as a Stake ambassador, Dvalishvili spoke candidly about the challenges he faced.

    “I’m good now, I will post the injury or whatever after the fight, but before, I don’t want to show and panic people,” Dvalishvili said. “You know, the injury was serious, like, not a joke. Because I took the fight on six weeks’ notice, I was training hard, and I got a lot of pain, banged up, and I was dealing with some other injuries too. But thank God now I’m OK and ready to go.”

    Despite the setbacks, “The Machine” remains confident in his ability to perform on fight night. He emphasized that he was prepared to take more time to recover but stepped up when the UFC asked him to fight in January to accommodate Nurmagomedov’s schedule.

    “I was ready to fight and come back after five or six months, like every champion does,” Dvalishvili continued. “They even take more time. But when I said I was going to fight February or March, Umar started complaining and blaming me and disrespecting me.”

    The Georgian champ explained that his initial timeline was misunderstood by Nurmagomedov.

    “When I said fight February or March, he said February’s fight was in Australia and March was Ramadan. I had no idea because last year, Ramadan was in May. It’s not my problem also – I’m a champion. So Umar wanted to fight January, and UFC asked me. Then I went to UFC and I said, OK, I will step up. I love UFC, so no problem.”

    The bout between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov represents a clash of styles, with Dvalishvili’s relentless pace and wrestling prowess facing the calculated and undefeated Nurmagomedov.

    The champion is determined to prove his resilience and solidify his position as the division’s best.

  • Jan Blachowicz: ‘I Won Against Alex Pereira…I Deserve This Rematch’

    Jan Blachowicz: ‘I Won Against Alex Pereira…I Deserve This Rematch’

    Jan Blachowicz is eager to return to the title picture and reclaim his status as a UFC champion.

    The former UFC light heavyweight titleholder has faced some of the division’s toughest opponents and now aims to remind fans of his legacy.

    Błachowicz captured the vacant title at UFC 253 with a dominant TKO win over Dominick Reyes, a display that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. He successfully defended his belt against then-middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 259 before losing the title to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267.

    Later, at UFC 282, he fought Magomed Ankalaev for the vacant title, ending in a draw. And he most recently came up short against current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira before “Poatan” became the champion at UFC 291. The contest ended in a narrow split decision loss for the Polish veteran.

    On March 22 this year, Blachowicz will face Carlos Ulberg at UFC London, determined to reassert himself in the division. Speaking with MMA Fighting, the former champ expressed his desire to make a statement.

    “I want to remind people how tough I am,” Blachowicz said. “Because I think people forget that I won against Alex Pereira. He just won because the referee helped him, in my opinion. I have a draw with (Magomed) Ankalaev — those are the most dangerous fighters in our division right now. I think people just forgot about me.”

    Blachowicz attributed some of the lack of recognition to his inactivity.

    “I’m not surprised because I stopped. One and a half years, I’m not fighting so this is where I will remind them about the legendary Polish power to the people in the whole world.”

    Despite his respect for Ulberg, Blachowicz is already setting his sights on a rematch with Pereira.

    “Of course, I have a lot of respect for him and what he’s done but this doesn’t change anything,” Błachowicz explained. “I want a rematch against him and after this fight — I’m focused on this fight right now — but if I win and I believe I’m going to win the fight, the next one will be against him. I deserve this rematch, like nobody else in this division.”

  • Umar Nurmagomedov: Sean O’Malley Hopes Merab Dvalishvili Wins At UFC 311 For ‘Easier’ Fight

    Umar Nurmagomedov: Sean O’Malley Hopes Merab Dvalishvili Wins At UFC 311 For ‘Easier’ Fight

    Umar Nurmagomedov is preparing to challenge UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event of UFC 311 on Jan. 18 in Los Angeles. If Nurmagomedov wins the title, he expects Sean O’Malley to be next in line for a shot at the 135-pound gold.

    Dvalishvili claimed the championship by defeating O’Malley in the main event of UFC 306 at the Sphere in Las Vegas last September. O’Malley later disclosed that he fought that bout with a torn labrum, which he said hindered his performance.

    With that in mind, this weekend’s challenger anticipates that O’Malley will get his wish for an immediate shot at reclaiming the belt after UFC 311. And in his mind, it’s clear why “Suga” would rather a second dance with “The Machine.”

    “I think they’re going to do this match, and who will win this fight, I think O’Malley is next,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie. “I think like that. He wants Merab to win, not because he wants a rematch. He thinks Merab is going to be more easy than me. With Merab, he has some chance. With me, he knows.”

    As the UFC bantamweight division heats up, Nurmagomedov’s analysis adds intrigue to his potential championship reign and the implications for O’Malley’s comeback.

  • Tom Aspinall Says He’s ‘Back Training For Biggest Fight In MMA’

    Tom Aspinall Says He’s ‘Back Training For Biggest Fight In MMA’

    Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall has returned to training, potentially preparing for a highly anticipated unification bout against Jon Jones.

    Although the exact date of the long-awaited fight remains uncertain, Aspinall remains optimistic about it taking place sometime in 2025.

    In a new video posted on his YouTube channel, the Brit confirmed his focus is back on preparation.

    “Got to get back to reality now and get back training for the biggest fight in MMA at the moment,” he stated.

    Aspinall earned the interim heavyweight belt after a knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023. He then defended hthe gold with another knockout win, this time against a familiar foe in Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 last July.

    When asked for updates on the fight with Jones, Aspinall admitted there wasn’t much progress to share.

    “I don’t have any latest on the Jones fight, unfortunately,” he explained. “Just waiting at the moment. I’ve said yes to the fight. I’ve agreed to it, obviously, and that’s it. I’m just waiting for his side now and [for] the UFC to sort it out.”

    In the meantime, Aspinall remains committed to staying in peak condition.

    “Yeah, I’m just training and getting everything focused to be as fit and ready as I possibly can because, who knows, they might spring the date on me quick,” he said. “Or they might say the date is in six months, I don’t know. But that’s always kind of what happens between fights anyway — you never really know when your next one is.”

  • Merab Dvalishvili ‘Grateful’ Dana White Defended Him Over UFC 310 Fan Incident

    Merab Dvalishvili ‘Grateful’ Dana White Defended Him Over UFC 310 Fan Incident

    UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili found himself in the middle of an altercation with a fan shortly after cornering Aljamain Sterling for his bout against Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 last month.

    Security intervened to separate Dvalishvili from the individual. However, tensions flared further when the fan began exchanging punches with Dennis Buzukja, a UFC featherweight and another member of Sterling’s team.

    UFC CEO Dana White addressed the incident during the post-fight press conference with a mix of frustration and understanding.

    “He’s my mini-Strickland — without the mouth,” White said of Dvalishvili. “What do you do? Let him buy the pay-per-view, I guess. You can’t keep fighting with f*cking fans. You can do it, but it’s going to cost you a lot of money. I say it all the time: we’re in the f*cking fight business. This happens. We’ve got to deal with it.”

    Dvalishvili shared his perspective in an interview with MMA Fighting, expressing gratitude for White’s support and addressing the situation in detail.

    “He defended me,” Dvalishvili said. “Before, the media would always ask him weird questions about me, like, ‘What about Merab doing this?’ They do that to get a bad answer from him. But this time, he defended me. The media again says, ‘Merab is scared of Umar.’ Bro, Dana knows I’m not scared. Every time they mention his name, I say yes, and Dana knows that’s true.”

    Describing the incident with the fan, Dvalishvili explained his side of the story.

    “Yeah, so Umar’s friend tried to provoke me and make me look bad. I’m a professional fighter. I love people. Usually, when I walk through the crowd, I show everyone love and support. But this guy was recording me [on his phone]. I thought he was being friendly, so I went closer. I was smiling, but then he started speaking Russian, using bad words. I know those words. He provoked me, and I wanted to fight the guy, but security jumped in.”

    He also reflected on the negative energy surrounding some fans and media members.

    “Thank you to Dana for defending me. I love the UFC; I’m grateful for this company. But there are so many haters and so many people — also in the media — who aren’t professional. Drama sells more, and that’s why they ask crazy questions. But I have a good relationship with the UFC, and we have no problems.”

    Dvalishvili will now shift his focus to defending his title for the first time against undefeated contender Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 this Saturday night.

  • Mackenzie Dern In No Rush For Title Fight After UFC Vegas 101 Win: ‘I Want To Be A Dominant Champion’

    Mackenzie Dern secured an impressive victory at UFC Vegas 101 on Saturday night, submitting Amanda Ribas in the third round of the main event.

    The win improved Dern’s UFC record to 11-5 and marked a strong step forward in her career resurgence. Despite her momentum, though, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist emphasized that she isn’t rushing toward a title shot.

    Instead, the strawweight contender is focused on continued growth to ensure long-term success when she eventually claims the belt.

    “I think I’m very hard on myself,” Dern told reporters at the post-fight news conference. “I’m always trying to get better. Even when I have a great performance, I think I did so many things wrong. I think it’s a lot of play messing in your head, so it can take your journey and maybe make it a little longer. But I think in the end, it really helps you evolve to be the best fighter possible if you can really look back and have constructive criticism on yourself.

    “My idea isn’t to go fight for the belt and then lose it fast. My idea is to get the belt, and I want to be a dominant champion. I’m not in a rush to get there. I want to have good fights and I want to make a statement.”

    UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili is scheduled to defend her title against Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 in February. Dern, meanwhile, continues to rebuild her path to contention after rebounding from back-to-back losses to Jessica Andrade and Amanda Lemos.

    Before her latest win, Dern earned a decision victory over Loopy Godinez in August, showcasing her improved all-around game.

    With her focus on gradual improvement, Dern remains determined to evolve into a fighter capable of not just winning the title, but holding it for an extended reign.

  • VIDEO: Khabib Nurmagomedov Gets Kicked Off Flight Ahead Of UFC 311

    VIDEO: Khabib Nurmagomedov Gets Kicked Off Flight Ahead Of UFC 311

    After being removed from a flight, Khabib Nurmagomedov will need to find alternative transportation to Los Angeles ahead of UFC 311.

    At the event, he is set to corner both lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and bantamweight challenger Umar Nurmagomedov in the title fights scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18.

    The incident reportedly occurred during a flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Khabib was asked to leave the plane following an argument with a flight attendant regarding his seating in an emergency exit row.

    Passengers seated in these rows are required to understand and comply with crew commands and may be asked to assist in operating the emergency door if necessary. According to reports, Khabib initially did not understand the flight attendant’s instructions, which prompted her to request that he either switch seats or get off the plane. 

    In a video of the incident, the flight attendant explained the situation.

    “Okay, so what we’re gonna do is either have you switch your seat, because my flight attendants are not allowing you to sit in the exit row, or you’re gonna have to get off this plane.”

    Khabib responded by questioning the decision.

    “When I was in check-in, they asked me, ‘Do I know English?’ And I say yes. Then why you guys do this?”

    The flight attendant replied by repeating the options.

    “I understand that, but it’s also off of their judgment. I’m not going to do this back and forth. I’ll go call a supervisor. You can either take a different seat or we can go ahead and escort you off the plane.”

    Khabib’s current travel status is unclear.

  • Dan Hooker On UFC Resurgence: ‘I Asked Myself Where I Wanted To Be In My Career…’

    Dan Hooker On UFC Resurgence: ‘I Asked Myself Where I Wanted To Be In My Career…’

    Dan Hooker has learned valuable lessons from his past mistakes in his fighting career and has worked to capitalize on them in recent years.

    After enduring a tough stretch, losing four out of five fights between June 2020 and March 2022, Hooker has since turned things around. He’s now on a three-fight winning streak, highlighted by a thrilling Fight of the Night victory over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 last August.

    “Who knew actually training for UFC fights is a great idea? These are things you learn,” Hooker joked during an interview on Israel Adesanya’s YouTube channel.

    Reflecting on his mindset during his rough patch in 2020, Hooker admitted that his focus was on the wrong goal.

    “At that stage in my career, I just wanted money, and [UFC] capitalized on that, and I sold my title shot. At the end of the day, that’s what it came down to. I just wanted money, then I got money, and I was like, ‘That’s not cool! I want a world title,’ and you can’t trade money for a world title.”

    Hooker revealed that a shift in mentality was key to his resurgence. He began focusing on his long-term goals rather than financial gain.

    “I asked myself where I wanted to be in my career and admitted that where I had been wasn’t where I wanted to be.”

    He later elaborated on the evolution of his ambitions.

    “You want to be a ranked UFC fighter, but then you want more. Then you want to be a main event fighter. Then you win a main event, and you’re like, ‘This is shit as well, I want something else.’ At the end of the day, chasing the goal is the extra fun part. It’s not sitting back and holding on to that goal. Once you do that, you’re trading order.”

  • Islam Makhachev Outlines His Mistakes In Dustin Poirier Win: ‘When I Watch The Highlights…’

    Islam Makhachev Outlines His Mistakes In Dustin Poirier Win: ‘When I Watch The Highlights…’

    UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has built a reputation as a dominant force in the Octagon, but he remains introspective about his performances.

    Reflecting on his third title defense at UFC 302, where he submitted Dustin Poirier, Makhachev acknowledged the challenges “The Diamond” presented and admitted to making mistakes during the bout.

    Speaking with Demetrious Johnson on his YouTube channel, Makhachev praised Poirier’s preparation and competitiveness, noting that Poirier even managed to win two rounds on one judge’s scorecard.

    “Last time I fought Poirier, he prepared for this fight very well,” Makhachev said. “He did good homework, and he defended my wrestling. I did like, a lot of mistakes. I also had the kimura, and when I closed, I thought it was finished.

    “I did mistakes a couple of times, you know, and he gave me a (gash). But when I watch the highlights, I like this fight. If you ask me which fight I want to watch again, I’m going to say with Poirier because I watched this fight many times, and I was enjoying it. I know what I did wrong, what I did right, what I have to change.”

    Makhachev’s focus now shifts to UFC 311, where he will face Arman Tsarukyan in a highly anticipated rematch. The bout will take place on Jan. 18 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

  • Dominick Cruz Confirms Status Of Potential Retirement Post-UFC Seattle Return

    Dominick Cruz Confirms Status Of Potential Retirement Post-UFC Seattle Return

    Dominick Cruz is set to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon next month at a UFC Fight Night event in Seattle, where he will face Rob Font. This marks Cruz’s first fight in two years, sparking speculation among fans that this might be his retirement bout.

    The bantamweight legend, while speaking with ESPN, admitted this could very well be the case.

    “For me, it is,” Cruz said. “(It’s) not because of my mentality, not because of my skillset. Yeah, I lost my last fight, but I was in that fight every minute of the fight. When I got finished, I was going for the kill, which got me hurt. It wasn’t one of those situations where I was bowing out of the fight. It was that I was in the fight trying to kill the guy, and I hurt myself, and that led to the finish eventually.

    “I looked at that fight. I go, ‘OK, don’t be too harsh on yourself. This is part of the game. You get hit. You get caught. These things happen.’”

    Reflecting on his 2022 knockout loss to Marlon Vera, Cruz maintained confidence in his abilities.

    “I wasn’t slower. I wasn’t looking behind a step. I wasn’t not choosing the good techniques. Those are all things I add to my mindset before moving into this last nine months as well. The skills are still there. It’s just a matter of all the injuries and stuff. Can I keep them together to get through the camp? The camp is the hard part. We all know that. It’s not really the fight.”

    The Seattle event will also feature a high-profile bantamweight clash between former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo and rising contender Song Yadong, which is scheduled to headline at the Climate Pledge Arena.

  • Daniel Cormier Unsure Jon Jones Will Get His Rumored Price Tag For Tom Aspinall Fight

    Daniel Cormier Unsure Jon Jones Will Get His Rumored Price Tag For Tom Aspinall Fight

    Although Daniel Cormier doubts that UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones will secure his rumored $30 million asking price for a fight with Tom Aspinall, he believes his former rival could still earn a substantial payout for the bout.

    The speculation about Jones’ desired payday for a title unification fight began when UFC commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan mentioned the figure during a podcast episode. The clash, which would pit the heavyweight titleholder against his interim counterpart, has been ‘guaranteed’ by UFC CEO Dana White to take place in 2025.

    Cormier shared his perspective on what negotiations between Jones and the UFC might entail during a video uploaded to his YouTube channel.

    “I’ll tell you guys, as a person who has been involved in big fights, a person who has sold pay-per-views, a person who at his time was at the top of the pay scale in the UFC as the heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, $30 million was literally a world away from anything we were making.

    “I remember when I got paid in New York, I got a big bump to take a fight on three weeks’ notice, which ultimately became my salary, and people were astounded with the number. But I will tell you, it was a fraction of what that number that he’s asking for is. It was nowhere near that. But I’ve heard now rumors that the higher-end guys are making more. The Israel Adesanya, the Jon Jones, the Stipe Miocic. I heard that Stipe Miocic made big money for the last fight.”

    Cormier believes that while Jones may not achieve the full $30 million, he could still negotiate a lucrative deal to make the fight happen.

    “Rogan thinks that the UFC will pay the $30 million to get Jon Jones in there with Tom Aspinall,” Cormier said. “I’m not sure he gets to 30, but if you ask for 30 and you end up with 20 or you get 15, that’s a win for Jon Jones on his way out.”

  • Usman Nurmagomedov ‘More Stressed’ For Umar & Makhachev’s UFC 311 Fights Than His Own Title Defense

    Usman Nurmagomedov ‘More Stressed’ For Umar & Makhachev’s UFC 311 Fights Than His Own Title Defense

    Usman Nurmagomedov may display nerves of steel in his own fighting career, but when it comes to the bouts involving his brother Umar Nurmagomedov and teammate Islam Makhachev, his composure begins to waver.

    A lightweight title fight between current champ Islam Makhachev and challenger Arman Tsarukyan is set to headline UFC 311. Meanwhile, the co-main event will see a UFC bantamweight championship bout between reigning kingpin Merab Dvalishvili and the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov.

    As for Usman, he will defend his Bellator lightweight title against Paul Hughes at PFL’s Champions Series: Road to Dubai event on Jan. 25, just one week after UFC 311.

    “Honestly, I’m more nervous about these guys fighting than my own,” Usman told MMA Junkie. “My fights, I don’t care even. I know what I can do, and I know my skills. I just have to go in the cage and [the] referee will say, ‘Let’s start guys.’ I love this.

    “I am more stressed and more nervous about Umar, about Islam, about Tagir (Ulanbekov) and these guys. But with these guys, Khabib is there. Even if Khabib wasn’t there, it’s because I love these guys so much. That’s why I’m nervous. They will win, I believe.”

    Usman confirmed that he would not attend UFC 311 due to logistical challenges.

  • Kevin Lee: I Offered To Fight For $5K On Dana White’s Contender Series, But The UFC Weren’t Interested

    Kevin Lee: I Offered To Fight For $5K On Dana White’s Contender Series, But The UFC Weren’t Interested

    Kevin Lee was eager for another opportunity to compete in the UFC, where he fought from 2014 to 2021. The lightweight gained prominence in 2017 when he challenged Tony Ferguson for the interim title but fell short.

    In 2021, Lee was released from the UFC. He returned briefly in 2023, but his comeback ended in a quick and brutal submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov.

    Later that month, Lee announced his retirement from MMA but returned to action the following year, securing a submission victory at Lights Out Championship 17. Most recently, “The Motown Phenom” signed with the newly created Global Fight League (GFL) and continues to pursue fighting. 

    In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Lee revealed that he offered to fight on Dana White’s Contender Series for a modest $5,000, but his proposal was rejected.

    “I really want to compete. For me, money isn’t necessarily the biggest issue; I said I’d take that fight for $5K on (Dana White’s) Contender Series against the best contender they got,” Lee said. “They weren’t interested in that. Why? I don’t know. I didn’t have much conversation with the UFC besides Sean Shelby, and he said he wasn’t really interested in something like that.”

    Lee also shared his frustration with the UFC’s lack of interest.

    “When I talk with Ali [Abdelaziz], and he tells me anything about the UFC, he says they’re not interested at all. Why that is? I couldn’t tell you. I’ve been in some of the biggest fights in UFC history. I finished off their Fox deal going into the ESPN deal, and I’m a pretty easy guy to work with. I feel like I’m professional, I do what I need to do, and I don’t rub too many people the wrong way.”

    Despite the setback, Lee remains determined to prove his worth.

    “Why they didn’t want me to go on (Dana White’s) Contender Series to prove I’m still one of the best 155ers out there, I don’t know, but I’ll make sure this next time, there is no doubt.”

    Lee’s resilience underscores his commitment to competing at the highest level, leaving fans to wonder if another UFC opportunity may still be on the horizon.

  • Colby Covington: Arman Tsarukyan Has The Power To Knock Out Islam Makhachev At UFC 311

    Colby Covington: Arman Tsarukyan Has The Power To Knock Out Islam Makhachev At UFC 311

    A UFC lightweight championship bout between current kingpin Islam Makhachev and challengerArman Tsarukyan is set to headline UFC 311. The pay-per-view event will take place on Jan. 18 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    While Tsarukyan enters the fight as the underdog, former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington believes an upset is possible. “Chaos” noted that if Tsarukyan can keep the fight on the feet, he has a realistic shot at dethroning the reigning champion.

    Tsarukyan trains at American Top Team, Covington’s former gym, which is now preparing for its second consecutive lightweight title fight. “Chaos” expressed confidence in the challenger during an interview with Submission Radio.

    “I do think he can get it done. I think he’s an athlete. Look how flexible he is. Look how he got out of that choke with Charles (Oliveira). That was impressive. He dug deep for that, and you know he’s got a better coach. He’s got a great coach. I believe in Arman. He’s an athlete. He’s got big power in his hands. If he believes in his hands, I think he can knock out Makhachev.”

    This fight marks a rematch between Makhachev and Tsarukyan. They first faced off in April 2019 at a UFC Fight Night event in Moscow, where Makhachev secured a unanimous decision victory.

  • Chael Sonnen On Khamzat Chimaev vs. Bo Nickal: ‘Can’t Keep These Guys Separated Forever’

    Chael Sonnen has pushed the idea of having the UFC book a fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Bo Nickal in the not-too-distant future. 

    Chimaev faced Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 last October, winning the fight via face-crank submission in the first round. As a result, it earned “Borz” another Performance of the Night award for his efforts. 

    Nickal, meanwhile, is still learning the world of MMA in his early career, as he holds an undefeated record and is coming off a decision win over Paul Craig at UFC 309. Despite that, though, Sonnen thinks the fight must happen as their paths are going to eventually cross. 

    ”I’ve got to get Bo Nickal and Chimaev,” Sonnen said during an interview with Nickal himself. “I can’t keep these guys separated forever. We’re told that we don’t get to see this fight because of the discrepancy in the rankings. Now, Chimaev has put himself in a spot to go fight for a title.

    “Those two have been aligned from Jump Street. … Chimaev’s undefeated, Bo’s undefeated. Chimaev’s good with the wrestling, Bo’s good with the wrestling, Chimaev’s got a bunch of fans, that’s up and coming as a future title contender. Check, check, and check for Bo. I don’t know why we’re keeping them apart when we got guys under contract. Make the fight.”

  • Michael Bisping Calls Jon Jones’ Negotiation Tactics For Tom Aspinall Fight A ‘Stroke Of Genius’

    Michael Bisping Calls Jon Jones’ Negotiation Tactics For Tom Aspinall Fight A ‘Stroke Of Genius’

    Michael Bisping is impressed by the negotiation tactics that UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones appears to be using regarding whether he will fight Tom Aspinall.

    The top UFC fighter has been dismissive about a potential encounter with the interim titleholder and has expressed his desire to be paid well for a potential unification bout. 

    Jones is coming off an impressive finish victory over Stipe Miocic. Following the UFC 309 fight last November, UFC CEO Dana White has guaranteed he can make the fight happen this year. 

    Joe Rogan first noted that he heard “Bones” wanted $30 million for the fight. For ex-UFC middleweight king Bisping, Jones’ plan is coming right along. 

    “As we know, Jon Jones kind of shied away from fighting Tom Aspinall leading up to the Stipe fight, which was an absolute stroke of genius in terms of marketing, because it drove the demand through the roof, sky high, made it the fight that everybody wants to see,” Bisping said. “Well, guess what? The man is going to get paid properly more than likely. That’s the rumor.”

  • Sean O’Malley Sets Ideal Scenario For His Journey To Reclaiming UFC Bantamweight Title

    Sean O’Malley Sets Ideal Scenario For His Journey To Reclaiming UFC Bantamweight Title

    Sean O’Malley is determined to reclaim his place on the UFC’s bantamweight throne.

    The former champion, one of the UFC’s top stars, is coming off a decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 last September, a setback that ended a three-fight winning streak that included capturing and defending the bantamweight title.

    “Suga” was largely outgrappled by Dvalishvili inside the Sphere but showed flashes of his striking prowess, including a body kick that hurt the Georgian late in the fight. Now, O’Malley is already eyeing a path back to the title.

    Speaking at a pre-fight press conference ahead of RIZIN 49, O’Malley expressed his hopes for a rematch with Dvalishvili, who is set to defend the bantamweight title against undefeated rising star Umar Nurmagomedov on Jan. 18.

    “Ideally, Merab beats Umar and I get the rematch,” O’Malley said. “But if Umar wins, it’ll be Umar. That’s what I want next: a title fight. Hopefully mid-next year. So, the winner of that one. That fight’s coming up very, very soon.”

  • UFC 311: Beneil Dariush Explains The Key To Beating Islam Makhachev

    Beneil Dariush believes that defeating UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev requires mastering the striking game and has shared his insights on how he would approach such a challenge.

    Makhachev is set to defend his title in a highly anticipated rematch against Arman Tsarukyan later this month in the UFC 311 main event at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    Makhachev has been nearly unstoppable in his career, boasting a 14-fight winning streak since his sole loss — a knockout defeat to Adriano Martins in October 2015. His dominance in grappling and pressure-heavy style has made him one of the most formidable fighters in the division.

    “You have to meet his feints,” Dariush explained to Inside Fighting. “He does a lot of feints and fakes. If you don’t meet those, he’s going to push you back and put pressure on you just with that. If you can meet his feints, you start to see his reactions and understand what he wants to do.”

    Dariush emphasized the importance of being a well-rounded fighter but suggested that a specialization in striking, combined with solid grappling skills, could be the key to dethroning the champion.

    “He specializes in grappling, so it’s going to cancel out [if you’re also a good grappler]. But if you specialize in striking and are good enough to grapple, I think you can put more pressure on him.”

    The UFC veteran will also be in action at UFC 311, facing Renato Moicano in a lightweight bout on the same main card.

  • Daniel Cormier Thinks Ilia Topuria Is Poised To Become ‘Global Superstar’ In 2025

    Daniel Cormier Thinks Ilia Topuria Is Poised To Become ‘Global Superstar’ In 2025

    Ilia Topuria had an extraordinary 2024, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the UFC featherweight division.

    The undefeated fighter’s knockout victories over Alexander Volkanovski to claim the title in February and Max Holloway in October’s title defense have caught the attention of UFC Hall of Famer and commentator Daniel Cormier.

    For Cormier, Topuria’s skill and dominance are undeniable, but he acknowledges that the rising star doesn’t yet have the same name recognition as Volkanovski or Holloway. However, “DC” believes the Spaniard’s recent victories and growing exposure could propel him to superstardom.

    “You have to beat the prior generation to take from it,” Cormier explained to MMA Junkie. “It’s like [professional] wrestling. The old champion gets pinned by the new champion to build. That’s why The Ultimate Warrior pinned Hulk Hogan, and Hogan didn’t like to get pinned. But they needed him to get the rub. Now, what Ilia is going to do is take a lot of that shine from Volkanovski and Max — especially if Volk gets a rematch and he beats him again — and turn that into global superstardom.”

    Cormier emphasized that Topuria’s ability to draw numbers will be tested in fights against less established names.

    “I think he’s still got work to do at 145,” Cormier said. “Unfortunately, he’s going to beat the guys that sell early, so he’s going to have to carry Diego Lopes, he’s going to have to carry [Movsar] Evloev to numbers. Because the numbers in the weight class now for the last nine years have belonged to Volkanovski and Holloway. He’s going to have to carry those new guys because they don’t have the cache that these last two had.”

    As Topuria continues to dominate, his ability to grow into a marquee star will depend on how effectively he can translate his in-cage success into broader fan appeal, particularly against up-and-coming opponents.

  • Umar Nurmagomedov Interview Revealing Broken Arm Ahead Of UFC 311 Fight Gets Pulled

    Umar Nurmagomedov Interview Revealing Broken Arm Ahead Of UFC 311 Fight Gets Pulled

    Umar Nurmagomedov recently hinted that Merab Dvalishvili might withdraw from their UFC 311 co-main event title fight, scheduled for Jan. 18 in Los Angeles. However, some fight fans speculate the opposite — that Nurmagomedov could be the one to pull out.

    The speculation stems from Nurmagomedov’s broken arm sustained late last year. Initially, he deemed the injury too severe to compete in January, but he eventually agreed to the bout. In an interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, Nurmagomedov admitted he is not fully recovered.

    “After I was in Dagestan, I punched my arm,” Nurmagomedov said. “I went to the doctor, got an X-ray, and they said, ‘You broke [your arm].’ Even after that, 20 days later, I started running and doing shadowboxing to stay in shape. The pain was still there, but I kept training. Over time, it felt better.”

    Nurmagomedov detailed how he resumed training despite concerns from his team.

    “I started grappling, wrestling, and even throwing punches,” he continued. “I told my manager Ali [Abdelaziz], ‘I want to fight.’ He reminded me I was injured, but I insisted. Even my brother said, ‘Are you crazy? You can’t fight like this.’ But when the UFC asked again, I told Ali to make it happen. I want to fight in Ramadan if Merab agrees.”

    Interestingly, UFC has since removed Nurmagomedov’s interview from YouTube, further fueling speculation.

    As of now, it remains unavailable, though it could be reuploaded at a later time.

  • Darren Till Reacts To Khabib Nurmagomedov Dismissing Dagestan vs. Ireland Rivalry: ‘For Him To Sit There & Say…’

    Darren Till Reacts To Khabib Nurmagomedov Dismissing Dagestan vs. Ireland Rivalry: ‘For Him To Sit There & Say…’

    Bellator Lightweight Champion Usman Nurmagomedov aims to further cement his legacy when he faces Ireland’s Paul Hughes on Jan. 25 in Dubai. Hughes earned his shot at the title after a victory over AJ McKee in October, setting the stage for this high-stakes clash.

    The fight has sparked comparisons to the legendary rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, which peaked in 2018 when Khabib secured a dominant submission victory over McGregor. However, Khabib dismissed the notion of a deep rivalry between Ireland and Dagestan in MMA, making some blunt remarks about the talent disparity.

    “Ireland don’t have fighters, brother,” Khabib said in a recent interview posted by PFL. “Let’s be honest. How many fighters do you know from Ireland? Paul Hughes and Conor [McGregor], and who else? There are no fighters. You come to Dagestan, you understand. So many organizations don’t even sign Dagestan fighters because they worry everybody can become champion. Dagestan’s level of MMA is up here. But Ireland’s level? Not even half of Dagestan’s level.”

    This comment sparked a response from former UFC contender Darren Till, who defended Irish MMA on X.

    “I’ve always respected Khabib and his team a lot, they are fantastic fighters,” Till wrote.” But for him to sit there and say fighters from Ireland are low level. In comparison of sizes of countries and production, Ireland is actually way ahead. Ireland is so f*cking small and Russia is so f*cking big. Ireland has produced amazing fighters over the years. I would said just over size and production of the country, Ireland wins every time, and this is not me being biased because I am neither friends with khabib’s side or Ireland’s side I’m just stating my opinion.”

    The contrasting views have ignited debate among fans, further heightening interest in the Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes matchup.

    While Khabib Nurmagomedov’s remarks highlight Dagestan’s dominance in MMA, Till’s defense of Ireland emphasizes the remarkable achievements of Irish fighters given their country’s size.

  • Daniel Cormier On His 2024 Fight Of The Year Pick: ‘I’m Not Falling Victim To The Name’

    Daniel Cormier On His 2024 Fight Of The Year Pick: ‘I’m Not Falling Victim To The Name’

    When selecting his Fight of the Year candidate, UFC Hall of Famer and current color commentator Daniel Cormier prioritized performance over star power.

    While many fans have pegged high-profile bouts like Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 — featuring Holloway’s dramatic last-second knockout — or Dricus Du Plessis’ stunning submission win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 as contenders, Cormier opted for a less mainstream choice. For him, Esteban Ribovics’ thrilling battle with Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306 stood out as the year’s best.

    The bout, held at the Sphere, was a back-and-forth war filled with momentum swings. Ultimately, Ribovics emerged victorious via split decision.

    “I’m not falling victim to the name,” Cormier explained during his an episode of his Good Guy/Bad Guy show with Chael Sonnen. “As pundits, as fans, and as people who watch the sport, we often fall in love with big names. That’s why you see main event fighters earning Fight of the Night or Performance of the Night bonuses, even when there are undercard fights that are better. Just because they’re the main attraction and making more money doesn’t mean the fight itself was superior. I’m not buying into the blockbuster names.

    “My pick is Zellhuber vs. Ribovics at UFC 306,” he continued. “Remember how badly Daniel Zellhuber hurt Ribovics early? And how Ribovics turned the tables and had Zellhuber in serious trouble late? The grit and determination these two young fighters showed on Mexican Independence Day — on a huge card at the Sphere — was remarkable. It was all stand-up action, barely any wrestling, and tit-for-tat exchanges. It was as good as any fight we’ve seen this year, regardless of the names involved.”