MMA News

Author: Andrew Ravens

  • Bo Nickal On Khamzat Chimaev: I Have A Lot Of Catching Up To Do

    Bo Nickal’s next challenge inside the Octagon is set for November 16th at UFC 309, where he’ll face Paul Craig on the main card at Madison Square Garden.

    Nickal has already secured impressive victories and continues to look better in every fight inside the Octagon. As the middleweight prospect continues to garner attention among fight fans, he’s now looking for his biggest win to date against the experienced Craig.

    While Khamzat Chimaev is often mentioned as a potential future opponent, Nickal believes that matchup is getting closer to becoming a reality. Still, he is focused on improving before taking on such a challenge.

    “It’s definitely getting closer,” Nickal told reporters on Wednesday. “Khamzat’s last performance was incredible — probably his best yet. Submitting a former champion is an incredible feat. He’s definitely in line for a title shot. I have a lot of catching up to do, and I’m still fighting unranked guys. Those are the kinds of fights I want in the future, but my main focus right now is to improve, develop, and get better at fighting. We’ll make that fight happen in time,” Nickal concluded.

  • Michael Chandler Reiterates Expectation For Title Shot With UFC 309 Victory

    Michael Chandler is not only looking to get his hand raised this Saturday but also aiming for a title shot.

    Chandler, who has gone 1-3 in his last four fights, will step back into the cage at UFC 309, a pay-per-view event held at Madison Square Garden, where he faces Charles Oliveira.

    Currently, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is expected to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan in early 2025, although the UFC has yet to officially confirm the matchup.

    Chandler believes he’s proven himself within the UFC, taking on some of the toughest fighters the promotion has to offer. He’s confident that come Sunday morning, he will be seen as the third-highest-ranked fighter in the lightweight division.

    “I obviously knocked out Dan Hooker, but now he’s ranked ahead of me because of his recent resurgence,” Chandler said at UFC 309 media day. “This is the most violent and exciting division in the UFC, and I’m so blessed to be a part of it. On Saturday night, I’ll be very blessed to be the highest-ranked guy in it — not named Arman Tsarukyan or Islam Makhachev — and solidify myself as the No. 1 contender.”

    Chandler and Oliveira first fought in May 2021 for the vacant UFC lightweight title. This is where Oliveira stopped Chandler in the second round.

  • Renato Moicano Reacts To UFC London Announcement With Fresh Paddy Pimblett Callout

    Renato Moicano Reacts To UFC London Announcement With Fresh Paddy Pimblett Callout

    Renato Moicano has built an impressive record inside the Octagon, winning six of his last seven fights and currently riding a four-fight winning streak.

    Aside from a decision loss at catchweight in March 2022, he has been undefeated in his last four appearances. His recent victories include a submission win over Brad Riddell at UFC 281, a decision over Drew Dober at a Fight Night event in February, a TKO of Jalin Turner at UFC 300, and a dominant finish over Benoit Saint Denis in September.

    The UFC recently announced its return to London for a Fight Night at the O2 Arena on Saturday, March 22, which immediately caught Moicano’s attention. He quickly took to social media, calling out popular British fighter Paddy Pimblett for a potential main event showdown.

    “UFC London Main event!? Moicano vs. Pimblett!? What do you guys think!? #mma #ufc #ufclondon,” Moicano posted on Twitter.

    Pimblett has won his last eight fights, with his most recent outing being against King Green at UFC 304 in July. Both fighters have previously expressed interest in facing each other, sparking excitement among fans.

    Now, the decision rests with the UFC to see if they’ll make the matchup official.

  • Michael Chandler Looking To Break ‘MSG Curse’ With UFC 309 Win

    Michael Chandler hasn’t fought in two years, but he’s just days away from making his long-awaited return to the Octagon. After going 1-3 in his last four fights and missing out on a high-profile bout with Conor McGregor, Chandler will step back into the cage this Saturday at the UFC 309 pay-per-view event at Madison Square Garden.

    Unfortunately, Chandler faces more than just the top champion this weekend; he’ll also need to break his losing streak at the world’s most famous arena. Chandler has fought—and lost—twice at Madison Square Garden. The first loss came at UFC 268 in November 2021, where he earned Fight of the Night honors despite a decision loss to Justin Gaethje. In his most recent bout there, he was submitted by Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022.

    Before joining the UFC, Chandler also lost at Madison Square Garden to Brent Primus during his Bellator career. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Chandler reflected on his winless record at the storied venue.

    “I’m 0-3 at MSG,” Chandler said. “I actually just ran into a guy who’s been to all three of my fights there, and he was like, ‘Hey dude, we gotta break the MSG curse.’ But I also look at this as another layer where I’m like, of course, this is how it’s supposed to be: I’m fighting the guy who already beat me, who shattered my dreams, at the arena that’s done the same every single time. I’ve never won there, and now it’s time to right that wrong.”

    When asked if he had any regrets about fighting at MSG, Chandler replied, “No, not even a little bit. I asked for this card. We wanted to fight in October, but I needed to do a serious, legit weight cut. I’d been preparing my mind and body for 170 lbs for the last year and a half, and I only had 10 weeks to get down to 155 for October. It wasn’t going to happen; it was too soon, so I wanted MSG, and we got it.”

  • Brandon Moreno Eyes Potential Fights On Path To Reclaim UFC Title

    Brandon Moreno Eyes Potential Fights On Path To Reclaim UFC Title

    Brandon Moreno is determined to reclaim UFC gold but acknowledges that the journey back to the top may be more challenging than winning it initially. Moreno first clashed with Deiveson Figueiredo for the flyweight title at UFC 256, ending in a draw. He claimed the title in their rematch at UFC 263 in June 2021 via submission. However, he lost the belt to Figueiredo in a close decision at UFC 270. Moreno rebounded with an interim title win over Kai Kara-France at UFC 277 by TKO and unified the flyweight title in a trilogy fight with Figueiredo at UFC 283, winning via TKO.

    In July 2023, Moreno lost the title to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 by split decision, followed by another decision loss to Brandon Royval in February 2024. Earlier this month, he bounced back with a decision win over Amir Albazi.

    In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Moreno affirmed his commitment to reclaiming the championship and believes he has what it takes to wear the belt again. “Being very honest with myself, I think that, sporting-wise, Royval is likely the one who most deserves the opportunity,” Moreno said. “I have no problem saying that at all. He’s done a very good job, and in his last fight against Tatsuro (Taira), he looked very good. It was a great fight.”

    He added, “There’s also Kai (Kara-France), but he’s in a weird position. He deserves it after his knockout against (Steve) Erceg, but I think my performance was very good, and Royval is right there, too. Kai has the most awkward position.”

    Moreno acknowledged that he likely needs one more fight to earn his title shot. “As far as names, there’s Tatsuro Taira, Manel Kape, and maybe Kai Asakura, depending on his fight with Pantoja at UFC 310,” he said. “I’m just going to stay healthy and be ready for whatever comes next.”

  • Jake Paul Eyes ‘Biggest Upset’ In Boxing Fight With Canelo Alvarez

    Jake Paul is just days away from facing off against Mike Tyson this Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. But even as he prepares for this high-profile fight, he’s already eyeing his next challenge: Canelo Alvarez.

    As a pro, Paul has a record of 10-1 with seven knockouts, with many of his wins coming against YouTubers and former MMA fighters. If he manages to defeat Tyson, Paul plans to call out Alvarez, who is fresh off a dominant win over Edgar Berlanga in September.

    “I do (have a callout). It’s Canelo,” Paul said. “This moment will prove that I’m the face of boxing, the biggest attraction. Me vs. Canelo at 200 pounds for the cruiserweight championship of the world is the biggest fight—arguably even bigger than me vs. Tyson. It just makes sense. Canelo is on his way out, and he’ll want a payday. I want to show the world that all the talk about me beating Canelo is real.”

    Paul believes he can pull off what he calls “the biggest upset in the sport of boxing.” He’s determined to challenge Alvarez as a way to settle who is the true “face of boxing.”

    “After this event, I’m going to claim that title,” he said. “I beat his gate record in Texas; I’m beating ticket sales—all of that. The numbers and the data back it up. I have more followers than him, and this will be the most-watched fight of the century. I’m going to be the new money magnet.”

  • Alexa Grasso Asks For Support After Breaking Her Leg in Training

    Alexa Grasso Asks For Support After Breaking Her Leg in Training

    Former UFC Flyweight champion Alexa Grasso shared some unfortunate news with her followers on Monday evening. Grasso revealed in an Instagram post that she suffered a broken leg during training. To accompany the announcement, she posted a picture of her leg in a cast, confirming she won’t be back in the Octagon in the near future.

    “I broke my leg training. But I’m fine… everything heals… time by time. Send me a lot of love so that the bone heals well, please.”

    Alex Grasso on Instagram (translated)

    This injury follows her title loss in September at UFC 306, where she fought Valentina Shevchenko in a hard-fought trilogy bout. Grasso had previously defeated Shevchenko by submission and fought to a draw in their second matchup. However, in their most recent fight, Shevchenko won by unanimous decision, leaving Grasso without a clear path back to the title.

    Now pushed back in the contender lineup, Grasso faces a significant recovery period. At 31, she still has time to bounce back from this setback, but with the year coming to a close, her return in 2024 seems unlikely. Due to limited details on the injury, a specific timeline for her comeback remains uncertain.

  • Jon Jones Open To Vacating Heavyweight Title For ‘BMF’ Fight With Alex Pereira

    Jon Jones Open To Vacating Heavyweight Title For ‘BMF’ Fight With Alex Pereira

    Jon Jones is set to defend his UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Yet, many fight fans are also speculating about a potential showdown between Jones and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

    In a recent interview with Aaron Bronsteter of Fox Sports, Jones expressed his opposition to the idea of an interim heavyweight title, saying it was unnecessary and created confusion for fans. Jones believes the interim title was introduced mainly to add hype to the Madison Square Garden event while he recovered from an injury.

    “Well, the interim championship shouldn’t have been there in the first place. The only reason there was an interim championship fight was because I got hurt, and they needed to keep the importance of that Madison Square Garden event (UFC 295). But Sergei [Pavlovich] and Aspinall shouldn’t have been fighting for an interim title in the first place. They should’ve just been a replacement fight, a main event. I think making it an interim fight was premature, and now you have a bunch of confused people.”

    Jones also hinted at a possible fight with UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, noting his long history in the 205-pound division. Jones even indicated he’d be open to vacating his heavyweight title to fight Pereira for the “BMF” (Baddest Motherf*****) title.

    “It’d be cool to fight [Pereira] for the heavyweight championship, but I would also willingly give up the heavyweight championship. I walked away from the light heavyweight championship, and I’d love to walk away from this one, as well, on top, on (my) own terms, good head on (my) shoulders, making lots of money. I love the position that I’m in right now.”

    Jones suggested that a cross-division clash with Pereira would generate considerable attention as it would bring together two elite fighters from different weight classes in a high-stakes showdown.

  • Jake Paul Guarantees KO Win Over Mike Tyson: ‘It’s Already Written’

    Jake Paul Guarantees KO Win Over Mike Tyson: ‘It’s Already Written’

    Jake Paul is just days away from facing off against Mike Tyson this Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The highly anticipated fight will air live exclusively on Netflix.

    Tyson initially retired from boxing in 2005 after a loss to Kevin McBride, in which he failed to answer the bell for the seventh round. Now, he’s stepping back into the ring for his first professional bout in 19 years.

    Paul has boldly predicted a knockout victory over the legendary boxer, though he acknowledges it might be a “bittersweet” achievement. “When it happens, it’s going to be a little bittersweet because I have love for him, but at the current moment, we’re meant to go to war,” Paul said. “He’s trying to take the food off my plate, and I’m trying to take the food off of his plate—that’s what warriors do.”

    Reflecting on the significance of the fight, Paul sees it as the culmination of his 12-year career across entertainment and now boxing. “I dreamed this, manifested it, and this fight will mark the start of my career in boxing. This is my moment to shine, and I’m going to show the world who I am,” Paul continued.

    “Everyone’s doubted me. Everyone’s had something to say. Nothing was ever given to me; I’ve had to work for it all. I’ve been kicked off YouTube, kicked off platforms, canceled five times, and here I am, throwing the biggest event in entertainment. Now, this moment proves to the world what hard work and perseverance can do. I’m just happy to show that to other kids who may face adversity and need to keep proving themselves.”

    As a pro, he has gone 10-1 with seven knockouts against opponents. Many of those wins have come over YouTubers and former MMA fighters.

  • Valentina Shevchenko Challenges ‘Ill-Mannered’ Manon Fiorot  To ‘Loser Leaves UFC’ Match

    Fight fans are in store for an old-fashioned “loser leaves the promotion” match between Valentina Shevchenko and Manon Fiorot, with tension already building from a heated war of words.

    Fiorot, eager for her shot at the women’s flyweight title, is done waiting. She last fought in March, defeating Erin Blanchfield, and many fans believe this victory should have earned her a title opportunity. However, the title picture has been stalled due to the ongoing rivalry between Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso.

    Grasso claimed the title from Shevchenko in early 2023, only for their rematch at the end of the year to end in a split draw. The UFC capitalized on the rivalry, having them coach opposing teams on The Ultimate Fighter, culminating in a September fight where Shevchenko reclaimed the belt.

    Growing impatient, Fiorot took to Twitter, writing, “Stop making people wait! Let’s do it soon enough so I can send you to retirement and move on.”

    Shevchenko replied with a challenge: “You lose, you retire. Deal?!! Ill-mannered first-grader.” Fiorot responded swiftly, “Deal. I’ll take you seriously when you’ve signed the contract, damn teacher’s pet.”

  • Michael Chandler Looks Sharp In UFC 309 Training Footage

    Michael Chandler is looking sharp as he trains ahead of his expected return at UFC 309 in just six days, where he will face UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira for the second time.

    For Chandler, this fight represents a huge opportunity to claim the UFC championship—possibly his last chance—after pivoting from a potential mega-fight with Conor McGregor to this title bout against his old rival. In his last five fights, Chandler is 2-3, with his most recent victory coming by way of a knockout against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 in May 2022, which earned him Performance of the Night honors. Later that year, he was awarded Fight of the Night after a hard-fought bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 281, where he ultimately lost by submission.

    Chandler recently shared a clip of his training, where he looks sharper than ever. With peak conditioning and a determined mindset, Chandler is ready to pursue his goal of holding the UFC lightweight title in less than a week. He captioned the post, “Keep it simple. Keep it devastating. #ufc309 @henrihooft.”

    For Chandler, he has a tall task in front of him, as oddsmakers have him as a sizeable underdog. He is a +200 dog against the worthy champion at -250.

  • Jon Jones Admits Retirement Decision Will Depend On His UFC 309 Performance

    Jon Jones Admits Retirement Decision Will Depend On His UFC 309 Performance

    The UFC 309 heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, set to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, is now less than a week away. Leading up to the event, it appeared that Jones—who has previously been called by UFC CEO Dana White the greatest of all time—might be nearing the end of his pro-MMA career and considering retirement after this fight.

    However, Jones may be reconsidering his plans, with a potential matchup against interim champion Tom Aspinall now on the horizon. In a recent interview with KetoneIQ, he shared his thoughts on his future in the sport.

    “I feel like whether I retire or not will depend on this next performance,” Jones stated. “One of my main goals is to make it look really easy. If I can accomplish that, then curiosity will keep me in the game—just to see how far we can really take this thing.”

    Jones continued, “But at the same time, I’m really happy with my career. It’s been unbelievable, truly unbelievable. I work on looking in the mirror and reminding myself that I am enough, that I’ve accomplished enough, and that I don’t have anything left to prove. Sometimes, you can get caught up in always needing more and more.”

    This will be Jones’ second heavyweight fight following his victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. It’s also only his second fight in the past four years due to his move to heavyweight and injuries.

  • Jon Jones: I’m ‘Grateful’ For Dana White’s Strong Support Of No. 1 P4P Status

    For years, Dana White has praised Jon Jones as the greatest fighter of all time. The UFC 309 heavyweight title fight between Jones and Stipe Miocic, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, has been promoted as the bout that could finally settle who deserves the title of greatest heavyweight fighter ever. UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly referred to Jones as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the promotion.

    However, some fight fans believe Jones doesn’t deserve that top spot due to his inactivity, arguing that fighters like Alex Pereira and Islam Makhachev might be more deserving. For Jones, though, just being mentioned in this conversation is an honor.

    “It’s just an honor, that’s all,” Jones told Kevin Iole with a smile. “It’s a huge honor to even be considered, at 37 years old, one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport. I’m just very grateful that my boss—a man who’s sat front row for all our fights—sees that in me.”

    Jones went on to share White’s sentiments: “For [Dana] to say, ‘Hey, listen guys, trust me. I know what I’m watching. I know what I’m looking at, and in my opinion, if Jon was the same size as a lot of these other guys, Jon would be in the mix,’ is just incredible.”

    Jones recognizes that with many new fans entering the sport, there’s a “what-have-you-done-lately” mentality. He appreciates that White acknowledges his full body of work, not just his recent performances.

    “I’m grateful that he’s not letting the naysayers or some fans push me to the side. I’ve done a tremendous amount of work for this company—at a very young age, at middle age, and now even at an older age. I’m just grateful to be recognized.”

  • Charles Oliveira: Islam Makhachev is ‘A Little Step Ahead’ Of Arman Tsarukyan

    Charles Oliveira: Islam Makhachev is ‘A Little Step Ahead’ Of Arman Tsarukyan

    Charles Oliveira will join fans in watching Islam Makhachev’s anticipated title defense against Arman Tsarukyan. The bout is expected to showcase the lightweight champion Makhachev facing the rising contender at UFC 311 on January 18, though the UFC has not yet officially confirmed the fight.

    Oliveira is familiar with both fighters, having suffered losses to each. He lost to Tsarukyan by decision at UFC 300 after previously falling to Makhachev by submission in their title fight at UFC 280. Speaking to New York Post Sports, Oliveira shared that, if the fight is finalized, he would lean toward Makhachev as the likely victor.

    “They have very similar styles, and I think each has to watch for the same things,” Oliveira said. “They need to be cautious with the striking, as both have some striking ability, but they also need to be very mindful of each other’s ground game.”

    He continued, “It’s a very close matchup style-wise, but I think Islam has a slight edge over Arman. He’s just a bit stronger. But when it comes down to it, either of them could come out on top.”

    Oliveira is set to face Michael Chandler next Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

  • Ilia Topuria’s Coach: Potential Paddy Pimblett Fight Would Be ‘Abuse’

    Ilia Topuria’s Coach: Potential Paddy Pimblett Fight Would Be ‘Abuse’

    Ilia Topuria’s coach, Jorge Climent, believes a fight between Topuria and Paddy Pimblett would be a complete mismatch, lacking any real competition. There was discussion two years ago about the potential outcome if the UFC featherweight champion were to face the lightweight star.

    Tensions between the two fighters escalated in March 2022 when they got into a scuffle at a Fight Night event in London. This altercation followed a series of exchanges on social media, where Pimblett made inflammatory remarks about the Russo-Georgian War.

    In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Climent revealed that despite Pimblett’s trash talk, he wasn’t interested in the fight, and that the UFC has seemingly protected him as a rising star, even though Topuria pushed to make the matchup happen. “I don’t know if that kid is ready to fight someone at a championship level right now,” Climent stated. “Who has he beaten? They keep putting average opponents in front of him just so he can stay relevant. He’s popular because of his personality and the way he talks, but I don’t see him having the skill to face Ilia, and I don’t think he’s earned it.”

    When asked how he thinks a potential fight would go, Climent added, “What would that be—abuse?”

  • Jon Jones ‘Really Looking Forward’ To Using Once-Illegal Move at UFC 309

    Jon Jones ‘Really Looking Forward’ To Using Once-Illegal Move at UFC 309

    Fight fans are inching closer to the much-anticipated showdown between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. The UFC 309 heavyweight title fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City has been promoted as the bout that could finally determine the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time.

    A significant change to the fight’s rulebook will allow the controversial 12-6 elbow strike, as New York has adopted the updated MMA Unified Rules. Jones is especially enthusiastic about this rule shift, as it directly relates to the only official loss on his record. In December 2009, he was disqualified in the first round by referee Steve Mazzagatti after using a 12-6 elbow against Matt Hamill—without a prior warning, despite dominating the fight until that moment.

    Reflecting on the change, Jones told Kevin Iole, “It just makes me wish that the disqualification was overturned. That’s my biggest thought since I learned the rule is no longer banned. But on the other hand, I’ve accepted it, and I’ve been training extensively on different 12-6 elbow attacks. It’s funny because it’s been such a big no-no, and you train yourself not to go there. Now, being able to use that strike – it’s a very devastating move. It opens up so many more options, both standing and in the top position. I’m excited to hopefully be one of the first UFC athletes to legally display it at Madison Square Garden.”

    Since the rule change in July, Jones has been preparing to make the most of this weapon against Miocic. “In this next fight, I feel like I will be putting myself in some really great positions to land the technique, and I’m really looking forward to it,” Jones said.

  • Brandon Royval: Brandon Moreno’s Latest Win Cleared Way For My UFC Title Shot

    Brandon Royval: Brandon Moreno’s Latest Win Cleared Way For My UFC Title Shot

    Brandon Royval was hoping for Brandon Moreno to have his hand raised in victory when he faced Amir Albazi at UFC Fight Night 246 this past Saturday in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. And that’s exactly what happened. The former champion returned to peak form, delivering a dominant performance against Albazi.

    Royval himself has two recent wins over Moreno, followed by an impressive victory against Tatsuro Taira in a “Fight of the Night” showing. In his view, these achievements position him as the new #1 contender for a title shot.

    “I think the only thing that was cleared up completely was that I’m next for the title shot,” Royval told MMA Junkie. “That’s what this fight did: It cleared the way for me. I thought he [Moreno] looked amazing. I had such a good time watching him. The moment he walked out, I was like, ‘All right, cool, this is what I want to see: a fired-up Brandon Moreno, ready to go.’”

    Royval continued, “He fought with attitude and a chip on his shoulder, and I loved that. I really believe the flyweight division has been more exciting than ever. People often criticize us, saying the top three or four guys are just clearing out everyone else, but I think the division is at its peak.”

    Royval will now have to wait for the outcome of flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja’s title defense against former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura on Dec. 7 at UFC 310. Regardless, he expects to face the winner.

  • Bo Nickal: I Want My First UFC Title Fight To Look Like A Masterclass

    Bo Nickal knows he’s destined for greatness and is determined to claim the UFC middleweight title. His journey continues on November 16th at UFC 309, where he’ll face Paul Craig on the main card at Madison Square Garden.

    Nickal has demonstrated dominant performances so far, and he’s committed to maintaining his winning streak. To do so, he’s taken extended time between fights to focus on skill development and preparation—a choice that has sparked some criticism from fans who want to see him compete more frequently.

    This approach has paid off, however, as Nickal has already secured impressive victories over notable opponents, including former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill and top contender Magomed Ankalaev.

    “For me, the most important thing is developing, and I don’t want to skip steps,” Nickal explained. “You mentioned Diego Lopes… These guys have 20-plus pro fights. I’ve fought six times in just over two years. Is that infrequent? I wouldn’t say so. People might forget that I’ve only been fighting professionally since the summer of 2022.

    “But with that said, it’s a good thing that people want to see me fight. I want to compete as much as I can, but I also want to make sure I’m improving. Let’s say I fight a ranked guy next, then a top-five opponent, and then for the title. It’s not a long road to where I want to go.”

    For Nickal, the emphasis remains on training to reach a level where his fights aren’t just victories—they’re masterclasses. “I feel like I can compete with and beat the best right now, but I don’t want it to be competitive when I reach the title fight,” he said. “I want it to look like a masterclass where the opponent isn’t even on my level.”

    He acknowledges that his rapid path to title contention doesn’t allow him the luxury of a 20-fight experience base, but he’s committed to maximizing each training camp. “I’ll probably be in title contention by the time I have 10 or 11 fights,” Nickal noted, confident that his approach will ultimately lead him to the championship.

  • Mike Tyson On Career Struggles Ahead Of Jake Paul Fight: ‘I Don’t Wish My Life On No One’

    Mike Tyson has experienced both the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in the world of boxing. Despite his setbacks, he remains one of the sport’s most popular and enduring stars.

    Now, at 58 years old, Tyson is set to add another chapter to his legendary career. He initially retired from boxing in 2005 after a loss to Kevin McBride, in which he failed to answer the bell in the seventh round.

    Next Saturday night, Tyson will step into the ring for his first professional boxing bout in 19 years, facing influencer boxer Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The fight will air live exclusively on Netflix.

    In a recent conversation with fellow boxing legend Andre Ward on The Art of Ward podcast, Tyson reflected on his struggles and hardships.

    “I don’t wish that on no one,” Tyson said. “I don’t wish that, no. I don’t wish my life on no one. As a whole. I wanted it all. I wanted to be the biggest fighter in the history of life. That’s what [Tyson’s former coach and mentor] Cus [D’Amato] put in my mind. How do I know to say those words, he put that in my mind.”

    Tyson has faced profound personal challenges throughout his life. In addition to his own struggles, he endured the tragic loss of his four-year-old daughter in a home accident in 2009. Yet, despite these hardships, Tyson has continued to move forward.

  • UFC 309: Sonnen Outlines Miocic’s Key Advantages Over Jon Jones

    UFC 309: Sonnen Outlines Miocic’s Key Advantages Over Jon Jones

    Chael Sonnen will join the world in watching the highly anticipated showdown between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. The UFC 309 heavyweight title fight at Madison Square Garden in NYC has fans buzzing about who will emerge as the greatest heavyweight of all time.

    Jones is heavily favored to win, but Miocic, a former UFC heavyweight champion, is eager to prove his doubters wrong. Unlike Jones’ swift submission of Ciryl Gane to capture the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285, Sonnen believes Jones might face a much tougher challenge in Miocic.

    “Well, Stipe’s old, but not much older than Jon,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “I won’t argue with you if you tell me that Stipe is old by fighter standards, but I would argue if you told me Jon was young.

    Do you believe that Jon can just take Stipe down whenever he wants? If you do believe that, remember, that’s something Daniel Cormier couldn’t do. In one of their fights, there were two takedowns, and Stipe got them both. I’m just reminding you: Do you believe that Jon can just take Stipe down?”

    Sonnen also believes the stand-up advantage lies with Miocic, who he thinks has more power in his strikes than Jones.

  • Dustin Poirier Seemingly Approves Of Max Holloway Trilogy Fight For ‘The Last Dance’

    A recent tweet from Dustin Poirier hints that he’s interested in facing Max Holloway for his final UFC fight. Holloway, coming off a tough loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, made history as Topuria became the first fighter ever to finish him.

    Poirier hasn’t stepped into the Octagon since his lightweight title shot at UFC 302 in June, where he lost to Islam Makhachev via fifth-round submission. After that bout, Poirier teased retirement but later confirmed plans for one more fight. The question remains: who will he face?

    In recent months, Poirier has considered a range of opponents for his swan song, including Nate Diaz and Justin Gaethje. However, in a Twitter exchange suggesting a bout with Holloway for the “BMF” title, Poirier seemed to approve, sparking excitement over a potential showdown.

    The two first faced off at UFC 143 in February 2012, which saw Holloway fall short to Poirier via submission. Seven years later, they met for the interim lightweight title at UFC 236, which saw Poirier hand Holloway a unanimous decision loss.

  • Shavkat Rakhmonov Wants To Fight Kamaru Usman For Interim Title At UFC 310

    Shavkat Rakhmonov Wants To Fight Kamaru Usman For Interim Title At UFC 310

    Shavkat Rakhmonov is determined to stay on the UFC 310 card and has floated the idea of an interim title fight against Kamaru Usman. Rakhmonov was initially set to headline UFC 310 in a welterweight title bout against Belal Muhammad, but the reigning champion withdrew due to injury.

    Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Rakhmonov’s manager confirmed that negotiations are underway to keep Rakhmonov on the UFC 310 lineup, potentially in an interim title fight. The manager mentioned that Usman has reportedly been offered the fight, as he’s seen as the most logical replacement.

    Rakhmonov himself expressed readiness to step in, saying, “I believe there is a worthy opponent available. I’m ready to save the card, too, if it’s for the interim title. I believe Usman is the worthy opponent who’s also probably ready to jump in and face him.”

    Rakhmonov, who boasts an 18-0 record, is coming off a submission victory over Stephen Thompson last December and has won all his UFC fights by stoppage. Usman, on the other hand, is currently on a three-fight losing streak, most recently dropping a majority decision to Robert Whittaker in a middleweight contest on short notice. Before that, he suffered two consecutive losses to Leon Edwards.

  • Javier Mendez: Khamzat Chimaev Is On Same Level As Khabib Nurmagomedov & Islam Makhachev

    Javier Mendez: Khamzat Chimaev Is On Same Level As Khabib Nurmagomedov & Islam Makhachev

    American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez has high praise for Khamzat Chimaev, placing him in elite company among MMA fighters.

    The UFC middleweight contender has quickly gained attention, with many calling for him to skip ahead of Sean Strickland for a title shot against the current champion, Dricus du Plessis. Interestingly, du Plessis himself has expressed interest in facing Chimaev next, suggesting it would be a more exciting matchup.

    During an interview with Red Corner MMA, Mendez compared Chimaev’s skill level to that of UFC legends Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, though he acknowledged the distinct styles among them.

    “I think they’re the same level, but they’re different [styles]… They’re not the same fighter. They’re just different, just like Khabib and Islam – they’re the same level but they’re different, and Khamzat’s different.”

    Earlier this year, du Plessis claimed the middleweight title by defeating Strickland via split decision, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling showdown with Chimaev.

  • Daniel Cormier Fires Back At ‘Moron’ Rinat Fakhretdinov Over Commentary Criticism

    Daniel Cormier Fires Back At ‘Moron’ Rinat Fakhretdinov Over Commentary Criticism

    Rinat Fakhredinov recently criticized the UFC 308 commentary team for their work during his fight against Carlos Leal. The bout ended in a controversial unanimous decision win for Fakhredinov, which commentator Daniel Cormier openly disagreed with.

    Following the fight, Fakhredinov spoke out during a post-fight press conference, saying the commentators were biased and that he felt he had clearly won the second and third rounds.

    Daniel Cormier Responds

    While doing a Q&A session before UFC Fight Night 246, Cormier was asked about Fakhredinov’s remarks.

    “I don’t know what this dude was talking about,” Cormier said. “Listen, bro, he lost. I don’t care how many times he complains – that’s the thing. These fighters, they go and fight, and it was so clear that the guy lost the fight. He gets a microphone and goes and sticks his foot in his mouth. That’s the problem. He’s a moron, and he just needs to recognize he lost.”

    Cormier continued, “Take it. Just take it. You got gifted a win. Take it, keep your head tucked down until you fight somebody next time.”

  • Dricus Du Plessis: Beating Khamzat Chimaev ‘Warrants A Double Title Fight’

    Dricus Du Plessis: Beating Khamzat Chimaev ‘Warrants A Double Title Fight’

    Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev appear to be on a collision course after Chimaev’s latest statement-making performance. At UFC 308, the undefeated contender submitted former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the first round, breaking Whittaker’s jaw in the process. With this dominant victory, many believe Chimaev is now next in line for a title shot against Du Plessis.

    However, the title picture also includes Sean Strickland, who remains a viable contender. Speaking with ESPN, Du Plessis explained that a win over Chimaev could open the door for a double title fight.

    Double Title Fight Ambitions

    “If I beat Khamzat Chimaev – I beat Robert Whittaker, then I beat Sean Strickland, then I beat Israel Adesanya, then I beat Khamzat Chimaev, that warrants a double title fight,” Du Plessis told ESPN. “I have a vision, and I can’t picture something more perfect than that.”

    Though Du Plessis is open to fighting anyone the UFC presents, he believes fans are more excited about a matchup with Chimaev.

    “But if you go on what the fans want right now, it’s definitely not the Strickland fight,” Du Plessis added. “If you ask what I want, I want to fight the best guy. I want to fight the guy the fans want me to fight, and that 100 percent is Khamzat. If they give me the Strickland fight, great, I’ll fight Strickland in February, March, or whenever, and then fight Khamzat.”