MMA News

Author: Harvey Leonard

  • Conor McGregor Takes Issue With ESPN’s List Of Top 10 Women’s MMA Fighters: ‘Cyborg Is A Convicted Steroid Cheat!’

    Conor McGregor Takes Issue With ESPN’s List Of Top 10 Women’s MMA Fighters: ‘Cyborg Is A Convicted Steroid Cheat!’

    Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor was seemingly not pleased to see one name high up a recent list of top women’s MMA fighters.

    This week, ESPN has released two lists ranking the top 10 male and female mixed martial artists of the 21st century. UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones took top spot above runner-up Georges St-Pierre for the men.

    The women’s list, meanwhile, was topped by former two-division titleholder Amanda Nunes, who brought her career to an end following a successful defense of the bantamweight belt last June.

    The “Lioness” pipped Cris Cyborg and Ronda Rousey to the post, with the pair of ex-champs coming in at second and third, respectively.

    The entries included a description of each woman’s accomplishments in the game. For Cyborg, that’s currently occupying the Bellator featherweight throne and formerly holding UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC gold, making her the only fighter to win championships in four major MMA promotions.

    McGregor, however, thinks ESPN missed out a key piece of information.

    McGregor Sends Cyborg Reminder After Seeing ESPN List

    The former featherweight and lightweight UFC champ was a point of discussion following the release of the men’s top 10, having missed out on a spot among the likes of Chuck Liddell and Kamaru Usman.

    Perhaps agitated by his omission or simply keeping up with his habit of targeting fellow fighters on social media, McGregor looked to take away from Cyborg’s accomplishments and high placement on ESPN’s list with a reminder about her past drug failure.

    Conor McGregor
    Image: @TheNotoriousMMA on X

    “Cyborg is a convicted steroid cheat let’s not forget,” McGregor wrote in a now-deleted post on X.

    Cyborg tested positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid commonly used as a performance-enhancing drug, in December 2011. The California Athletic State Commission suspended Cyborg’s license for one year and fined her $2,500 for the indiscretion.

    The Brazilian’s drug test failure remained a topic of conversation in the years that followed, with UFC CEO Dana White making reference to it prior to Cyborg’s bitter split from the promotion in 2019.

    “We brought in her after she tested positive for steroids and we made her a clean athlete with the best drug testing policy in all of sports the entire time she was here,” White said during a media scrum. “When she talks about her legacy and her brand, her legacy and her brand, nothing’s better than knowing she’s a clean athlete after testing positive for steroids and all the negativity that surrounded her about being a dirty athlete. We bring her in here, we do all this stuff, and she was just never happy.”

    Cyborg hasn’t tested positive for banned substances aside from the 2011 case.

    When it comes to her legacy and spot in women’s MMA greatness, Cyborg appears far from done. While Nunes remains on the sidelines pondering a return from retirement, Cyborg has been pushing for her PFL debut since the promotion acquired Bellator.

    By all accounts, the Bellator featherweight champ is being lined up to face her PFL counterpart, Larissa Pacheco, at a pay-per-view event in Saudi Arabia this fall.

  • Former Opponent Of Jon Jones’ Believes Tom Aspinall Would Be ‘Too Much’ For Him: ‘He Has All The Weapons To Beat Jon’

    Former Opponent Of Jon Jones’ Believes Tom Aspinall Would Be ‘Too Much’ For Him: ‘He Has All The Weapons To Beat Jon’

    A notable ex-rival of Jon Jones’ believes the UFC heavyweight champion’s interim counterpart “has all the weapons” to get the job done.

    Tom Aspinall was crowned interim champ at UFC 295 last November after being placed in a short-notice matchup with Sergei Pavlovich. That bout came together after an injury to Jon Jones forced his planned defense opposite Stipe Miocic off the card.

    With the presence of another titleholder, many suggested the promotion would look to book a logical unification showdown upon Jones’ return. But both the Rochester native and the UFC have remained firm on plans to reschedule the Miocic fight.

    After months of backlash from both Aspinall and the fanbase, the Brit will instead defend his interim strap at this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view, where a rematch with Curtis Blaydes awaits him in the co-main event.

    Should he put in an emphatic performance on Saturday night, the likes of Daniel Cormier have theorized that pressure on the UFC to abandon plans for Jones vs. Miocic will only increase.

    And if that potential “fan uprising” results in Jones vs. Aspinall for undisputed status, one fighter familiar to the former two-time light heavyweight kingpin thinks a loss could be on the cards for him…

    Gustafsson Backs Aspinall To Get The Better Of Jones

    During an interview with Top Offshore Casinos, Alexander Gustafsson spoke on Aspinall’s rise toward the top at heavyweight and assessed how he would fare against the throne’s current occupier.

    The Swedish standout is well-versed in the game of Jones, having shared the cage with him twice, narrowly losing out to him in their Fight of the Year clash 11 years ago.

    While he was ultimately unable to have his hand raised at the expense of “Bones” at 205 pounds, “The Mauler” believes Aspinall would have a great shot of doing so up in Jones’ new weight class.

    “Aspinall is on fire right now and he is a very, very good heavyweight. I don’t see anyone beating Aspinall right now,” Gustafsson said. “I understand why Tom wants to fight Jon, it’s because Jon is the GOAT, he is the biggest UFC star right now. If Tom was to beat Jon, it would be bigger than winning any UFC belt. The biggest achievement in the UFC right now is to beat Jon Jones. I understand why Aspinall is chasing the fight. I think he is ready for Jon. He’s on fire right now. If he fights Jon Jones, it should be now. 

    “Yes, I think Tom will be too much for Jon. He has all the weapons to beat Jon. Jon hasn’t been that active, but he’s still the GOAT. You can never count this guy out, he’s so freaking good at what he does. He’s handled every opponent and everybody knows how good he is, but Aspinall right now, I see him as very dangerous for Jon,” Gustafsson continued. “He’s dangerous on his feet, he’s fast, he has great footwork, and he’s a smart fighter. He has the tools to do good against Jon and even beat him. If they will fight, now is the time for Aspinall. He could go down as one of the best heavyweights ever.”

    Jones claims to see things very differently, however.

    While some have suggested that his avoidance of Aspinall serves as an acknowledgement of the Brit’s threat, the UFC heavyweight champ has instead claimed that the decision comes down to drawing power and relevancy, something he states the interim titleholder lacks outside of the UK.

    And in terms of Aspinall’s claim to being heavyweight’s best right now, Jones suggested in the lead-up to UFC 304 that he wouldn’t be surprised to see Blaydes finish him in Saturday’s co-headliner.

  • Israel Adesanya Gives One-Sided Prediction For Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘He’s On A Massacre Right Now…’

    Israel Adesanya Gives One-Sided Prediction For Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘He’s On A Massacre Right Now…’

    Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has a strong idea of how Saturday’s main event title fight in Manchester will play out.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back across the pond this week to stage its first card in the English city of Manchester in close to a decade. And among the home fighters looking to thrill the UK crowd is reigning welterweight kingpin Leon Edwards.

    Following successful defenses of his gold opposite Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington in 2023, “Rocky” is next tasked with getting the better of Belal Muhammad at the second time of trying.

    While their first fight back in 2021 ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke, the champ believes he was firmly en route to a knockout at the Apex. And with that in mind, the Jamaica-born Brit expects to finish the job inside the Co-op Live this weekend.

    In that regard, he has the support of one notable former two-time UFC champ…

    Adesanya ‘Not Hating On Belal’, But Sees A Finish For Edwards At UFC 304

    During a video recently uploaded to his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Adesanya provided his breakdowns and predictions for the major title fights set to play out in Manchester on July 27.

    When it comes to the main event, Adesanya had little doubt backing his fellow Chosen Advisory-managed fighter to emerge with the gold still in his possession at UFC 304, even predicting that he’ll get the job done before the championship rounds.

    “Belal’s got pressure, man. It just seems like he’s able to get to people and put his will on them,” Adesanya said. “But I’ll tell you one thing, this is a different version — Leon just seems like he’s on a massacre right now; he’s on a run. Leon might finish him. I think Leon finishes this fight.

    “I’m trying to see how Belal can win this fight. This seems like a bad match for Belal. I’m not hating on Belal or anything, I’m just trying to see what’s his path to victory in this,” Adesanya continued. “Striking, Leon’s got it. Grappling, you wanna lean towards Belal but Leon is right up there. It’s Leon’s fight to win, Leon’s fight to lose. … Leon’s too crisp compared to Belal. He’s just too sharp. … Leon by knockout in the third round, second or third round.”

    Edwards will look to make Adesanya’s prediction a reality come fight night, when he’s vowed to end Muhammad’s championship ambitions inside the distance with an emphatic performance and stoppage on home soil.

  • Manel Kape, Eric Nicksick Suggest Hotel Fight Was Planned Attack From Muhammad Mokaev’s Team Ahead Of UFC 304

    Manel Kape, Eric Nicksick Suggest Hotel Fight Was Planned Attack From Muhammad Mokaev’s Team Ahead Of UFC 304

    UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape and his coach believe it was Muhammad Mokaev and his team’s intention to start a brawl days out from their showdown in Manchester, England.

    The pair of top 125lbers are set to do battle at UFC 304 this weekend, with their matchup marking one of the most important when it comes to direct implications to a divisional title picture.

    And more than just their career ambitions, it would appear that both are being driven by some bad blood in this one.

    That boiled over on Wednesday night at the fighter hotel, where the two fighters and their teams got into a brawl. Footage was posted by the @Home_of_Fight page on X and showed security personnel frantically attempting to pull the two sides apart.

    Spur-of-the-moment brawls are nothing new in the UFC, but that’s not what one side of the scrap believes happened…

    Kape & Nicksick Claim Hotel Fight Was A Set-Up

    Following the incident, Kape took to social media to give his side of the story.

    The former Rizin champion claimed Mokaev had respectfully asked to take a picture with him before attempting to sucker-punch him. “Starboy” berated his UFC 304 opponent for the “betrayal,” insisting his actions weren’t befitting of their shared religion and promising “carnage” from here on out.

    Interestingly, Kape also made note of an altercation in Las Vegas, admitting to hitting Mokaev but doing so in a fairer way. The Angola-born Portuguese flyweight had previously denied rumors of a physical clash with “The Punisher” at the UFC’s Performance Institute.

    “What kind of Muslim are you? You gave me Salam asked to take a picture and then tried to punch me in the betrayal, i can see now you are not a child of the (Dagestan), because there are created men you are just a poor bastard raised on a low income in Manchester without honor and principles,” Kape wrote. “When I hit you in Vegas I went alone and I told you to be ready, I don’t hit men with their guard down or distracted or on the back. I thought everything was solved, but now the carnage will continue… Shaytan!”

    Kape’s claim was quickly corroborated by his coach, Xtreme Couture’s Eric Nicksick. The renowned trained told MMA Junkie that Mokaev had approached Kape under the guise of taking a photo with a “Muslim brother.” Nicksick stated that Kape was then attacked by the opposition team.

    The image posted by Kape showing a cut to Mokaev’s head would appear to be from the aftermath of their Vegas clash, with the Dagestan-born Brit posting a clean-faced picture to refute suggestions he emerged damaged from their hotel fight.

  • Manel Kape Claims Muhammad Mokaev Stopped Training At ATT After Being Constantly Submitted By Alexandre Pantoja

    Manel Kape Claims Muhammad Mokaev Stopped Training At ATT After Being Constantly Submitted By Alexandre Pantoja

    UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape has heard some things regarding past training sessions between his upcoming opponent Muhammad Mokaev and champion Alexandre Pantoja.

    Having had a weight miss and an injury keep him out for the entirety of 2024 thus far, Kape is set to finally make his return to action at this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    To stake his claim for a first title shot on MMA’s biggest stage and rematch with Pantoja, “Starboy” is tasked with blemishing the perfect UFC and professional record of Britain’s Mokaev.

    Given what he’s seen from “The Punisher’s” recent fights, Kape has appeared extremely confident about his chances of doing so.

    While yet to taste defeat in the cage, Mokaev’s latest victories have seemingly left plenty to be desired in the eyes of some fans and peers. That includes in the mind of Pantoja, who has requested to see more from the former IMMAF champion if he’s to challenge for the belt.

    And when it comes to Mokaev’s chances against “The Cannibal,” Kape recently explained why he expects “The Punisher” to be exposed against the division’s elite…

    Kape: Mokaev ‘Tapped A Lot’ To Pantoja At ATT

    During his appearance at UFC 304 media day on Wednesday, Kape looked ahead to his battle with Mokaev on Saturday night.

    When discussing the champ’s comments about his opponent, “Starboy” referenced their history training together at American Top Team. Kape claimed that Mokaev no longer heads to the Coconut Creek-based facility to train due to the struggles he had on the ground against Pantoja.

    “Pantoja can say a lot of things of him because they trained before together, and I know Pantoja had been submitting him a lot, a lot,” Kape said. “He (Mokaev) tapped a lot. It’s the reason that Mokaev don’t go train more at ATT.”

    If that’s true, it seemingly wouldn’t be a surprise for Kape, whose analysis of Mokaev’s game has led to him identifying plenty of mistakes for high-level flyweights to exploit inside the Octagon.

    “There is a lot of mistakes. He’s been struggling a lot. A lot, a lot of mistakes. If he faces somebody in the top three of the UFC (flyweight) rankings, he’s gonna get finished. So it’s gonna be fun.”

    Kape will hope that also applies to some further down the pecking order, with the Angola-born Portuguese flyweight currently occupying the #8 position on the 125-pound ladder.

    He’ll be looking to climb further toward contention and perhaps secure a top five spot by putting on a standout performance on UK soil this weekend.

  • Belal Muhammad Outlines Where He’s Being ‘Underrated’ Ahead Of UFC 304 Title Fight

    UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad believes the masses aren’t giving some aspects of his game the attention they deserve.

    Muhammad is in Manchester, England, this week in pursuit of the 170-pound title, which he’ll have his first career shot at in the main event of the UFC 304 pay-per-view on Saturday night.

    To return back across the Atlantic with a sizable piece of gold added to his luggage, “Remember the Name” must bring the reign of Leon Edwards to an end in enemy territory.

    Muhammad has long awaited his opening opportunity to win the belt, having won five straight since a no contest against Edwards in their 2021 fight and remained on the sidelines for the 14 months since his most recent triumph over Gilbert Burns.

    During that time and in the lead-up to UFC 304, the Chicago standout hasn’t been short of detractors when it comes to his chances of reaching the welterweight mountaintop.

    But having seen the waves of criticism that arrive at his feet, Muhammad is confident that his doubters — including the champion and his team — aren’t aware of just how good he really is in certain areas…

    Muhammad Claims To Be ‘One Of The Most Complete Fighters’ In The UFC

    During a recent interview with Zac Pacleb for UFC.com, Muhammad looked ahead to his title opportunity across the pond this weekend.

    “Remember the Name” has frequently acknowledged the dismissive attitude toward his chances held by some fans and those in Edwards’ camp, outlining the areas they are all underestimating him in.

    “I think that my IQ is underrated,” Muhammad said. “My style is underrated. The way that I go into fights, people don’t understand the strategy. I beat these guys where they’re weakest. I take them to the weakest point. That’s where I beat them at. I could do it all.

    “I think that people are starting to realize I am truly one of the best complete fighters in the UFC,” Muhammad added.

    Muhammad will look to prove as much come fight night in Manchester by achieving what both Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington failed to in 2023.

    And more than just having his hand raised and the belt wrapped around his waist on Saturday night, “Remember the Name” has vowed to dominate the welterweight kingpin and finish him before the championship rounds.

  • Beneil Dariush Brands Teammate Giga Chikadze The ‘Best In The World When He’s On’ Ahead Of UFC 304

    Beneil Dariush Brands Teammate Giga Chikadze The ‘Best In The World When He’s On’ Ahead Of UFC 304

    UFC featherweight contender Giga Chikadze has received a glowing endorsement from his teammate Beneil Dariush ahead of his return this weekend.

    Chikaze will head to enemy territory for his first assignment of 2024, clashing with England’s own Arnold Allen in the opening fight on the UFC 304 pay-per-view main card at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on Saturday.

    The Georgian previously had his fast charge toward a title shot violently stalled by Calvin Kattar at the start of 2022, with the brutal nature of that setback keeping him out for 19 months.

    But having returned successfully in Singapore last August and defended his spot in the top 10 at 145 pounds against Alex Caceres, “Ninja” has his sights back on those above him in the pecking order in pursuit of a title clash with Ilia Topuria.

    And when it comes to the July 27 matchup and any other bout for him in the division, Dariush sees Chikadze at his best as a step above the competition…

    Dariush Speaks Highly Of Fellow Kings MMA Standout Chikadze, Including His Grappling

    During episode two of the UFC 304 Embedded: Vlog Series, Chikadze can be seen putting in the work alongside lightweight contender Beneil Dariush over at Kings MMA in Huntington Beach, California.

    Speaking to the camera, Dariush praised not just Chikadze’s well-known striking, but also his ever-improving grappling game. And with those developments in mind, the veteran 155lber sees the Georgian as featherweight’s top fighter when he’s firing on all cylinders.

    “It’s obvious to see how great his striking is, right? But I think the place he’s improved the most is his grappling. I think there’s been a shift in Giga’s mindset,” Dariush said. “His game is just, it’s changed so much since his days in kickboxing. When Giga’s on, he’s the best in the world. We’re gonna show up (at UFC 304) and we’re make sure he’s on.”

    With that in mind, perhaps Allen — who is coming off a wrestling-heavy defeat to Movsar Evloev — isn’t in for the preferred striking battle he’s after and has preached about in the lead-up to UFC 304.

    “Almighty” got exactly that the last time he competed on home soil, with lightweight contender Dan Hooker falling to a flurry of strikes early into their clash at a London-held UFC Fight Night in 2022.

    Having slipped from title contention with consecutive losses, Allen will no doubt be hoping to deliver a similar statement display on home soil this weekend.

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Curtis Blaydes Smashing Jailton Almeida With Hammerfists To Secure Interim Title Shot At UFC 304 

    UFC Full Fight: Relive Curtis Blaydes Smashing Jailton Almeida With Hammerfists To Secure Interim Title Shot At UFC 304 

    UFC 304 co-headliner Curtis Blaydes’ latest triumph inside the Octagon came in memorable fashion four months ago.

    The #4-ranked heavyweight contender is set to feature in the co-main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, where he’ll challenge for the division’s interim title against Tom Aspinall.

    To earn that opportunity, which marks his first shot at UFC gold, “Razor” stalled the charge of the highly touted Jailton Almeida in violent fashion at UFC 299 in Miami this past April.

    Off the back of a grappling-heavy decision win over Derrick Lewis in Brazil last November, “Malhadinho” picked up where he left off by attempting early takedowns on Blaydes. But after a round of control, Almeida’s grappling entry seconds into the second round was met with hammerfist after hammerfist from the American for the TKO stoppage.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Blaydes vs. Almeida fight from UFC 299 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xdh-kxt5N8

    Blaydes will hope to deliver a similarly emphatic finish at the expense of Aspinall this weekend.

    Should he accomplish that feat, “Razor” will not only head back to the United States with gold in his possession for the very first time, but he will also add a more definitive victory over the Brit to his record following the unfortunate ending to their 2022 bout.

  • Paddy Pimblett Praises ‘Big Sister’ Molly McCann’s Training Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘She’s Coming To Take Bruna’s Soul!’

    Paddy Pimblett Praises ‘Big Sister’ Molly McCann’s Training Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘She’s Coming To Take Bruna’s Soul!’

    UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett is confident of Molly McCann starting the night off in strong fashion for their team this weekend.

    Both Pimblett and McCann will be in action at UFC 304, set for the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on July 27. The pair will look to recreate their double does of success at two London-held UFC Fight Nights back in 2022.

    First to the cage will be “Meatball,” who is slated to throw down with Bruna Brasil on the preliminary portion of the event. The bout marks her sophomore strawweight outing, having moved down following consecutive defeats at 125 pounds.

    In her divisional debut, McCann impressed by showing new wrinkles to her game in a gruesome armbar submission victory over Diana Belbiţă this past February.

    And having seen her preparation pre-UFC 304, Pimblett is expecting a similarly emphatic performance in a few days’ time…

    Pimblett: McCann In ‘Best Shape Of Her Life’ Ahead Of UFC 304

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Pimblett broke down and predicted the matchups set to play out in Manchester this weekend.

    When it came to his teammate and friend’s second fight since dropping to strawweight, the Liverpudlian unsurprisingly backed McCann to get the job done in convincing fashion.

    More than just a Next Generation MMA bias, “The Baddy” touted McCann’s work behind closed doors as justification for his one-sided pick.

    “Next fight, my big sister, Molly the ‘Meatball’ McCann. … Yous know I don’t need to give a prediction for this,” Pimblett said. “Molly is in the best shape of her life. I’ve never seen her look so good in sparring and in strength and conditioning and everything.

    “She’s coming to take Bruna’s soul. I’m predicting a TKO for Molly in this fight,” Pimblett continued. “You never know though. Just like last time, she could get a submission. People are sleeping on her jiu-jitsu game.”

    McCann will look to prove Pimblett’s prediction correct when she makes the walk on Saturday’s preliminary card and in doing so set the stage for “The Baddy” to record a crucial victory of his own over Bobby “King” Green on PPV.

  • Fans React As Belal Muhammad Says UFC 304 Win Puts Him Right Below GSP: ‘People Who Believe The Moon Is Made Of Cheese Are Less Wrong’

    Fans React As Belal Muhammad Says UFC 304 Win Puts Him Right Below GSP: ‘People Who Believe The Moon Is Made Of Cheese Are Less Wrong’

    UFC welterweight challenger Belal Muhammad’s bold claim regarding his division’s GOAT contention drew out plenty of reactions on social media.

    Muhammad is currently across the pond ahead of his first opportunity at winning gold on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage. He’ll headline Saturday’s UFC 304 pay-per-view in competition for Leon Edwards’ title inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    Riding a 10-fight unbeaten streak, “Remember the Name” has been firm in stating that a crowning is inevitable. He’s made claims of superiority over Edwards, whose skillset he’s frequently downplayed. He even recently placed the champ down at fourth in his welterweight rankings.

    Despite that, though, Muhammad stated during a fight week interview with MMA Fighting that a victory over “Rocky” at UFC 304 will put him directly below the great Georges St-Pierre in the division’s GOAT discussion.

    “That belt doesn’t belong on his shoulder, it belongs on my shoulder,” Muhammad said. “My goal isn’t just to be the champion; my goal is to be the best welterweight to ever do it. For me to go out there and beat Leon, who beat Usman twice who everybody thought was the best welterweight to do it, then I’m ahead of him and right underneath GSP.

    “When you look at both of our lineups, it’s like, I beat ‘Wonderboy,’ I beat this guy, I beat that guy, then I get these next young killers,” Muhammad continued. “You give me the Shavkats, you give me the JDMs, the Ian Garrys, and (if) I walk through all of them, there’s nothing else, right? I’m just going to be cemented as the best to ever do it.”

    Fans React To Muhammad’s Claim To Second In Welterweight GOAT Debate: ‘Complete Insanity’

    Unsurprisingly, those remarks from a polarizing figure in Muhammad led to plenty of pushback from his detractors on social media, with many branding the top welterweight contender “delusional.”

    https://twitter.com/Glade2meetU/status/1815790603076043124
    https://twitter.com/Paulthefig/status/1815761913642639540
    https://twitter.com/CovertBetsMMA/status/1815758612758667394
  • Curtis Blaydes Dismisses Notion He’s Planning To Target Knee Tom Aspinall Injured: ‘I Can’t Even Tell You Which One It Is’

    Curtis Blaydes Dismisses Notion He’s Planning To Target Knee Tom Aspinall Injured: ‘I Can’t Even Tell You Which One It Is’

    UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes plans to defeat Tom Aspinall without the aid of a severe injury second time around.

    Blaydes is back in enemy territory this week to run it back with Aspinall in competition for his interim title in the co-main event of UFC 304, set for the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, on Saturday night.

    The pair previously shared the cage in the country’s capital two years ago, headlining a UFC Fight Night at The O2. On that night, Aspinall had his previously perfect UFC record blemished courtesy of a freak injury just 15 seconds into the very first round.

    In that regard, Blaydes is hoping that lightening doesn’t strike twice…

    Blaydes Doesn’t Want Help From An Injury At UFC 304: ‘That Stains The Win’

    During a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Blaydes looked ahead to his second dance with Aspinall and first chance to capture gold on MMA’s biggest stage.

    While many would perhaps be inclined to put additional focus on the limb that gave way 15 seconds into their first fight, Blaydes dismissed any suggestion that he’ll employ such a strategy in Manchester.

    “I mean, not unless it’s something I can immediate target or there’s a read, I see him with a limp,” Blaydes said. “But that’s not like, the gameplan, ‘Oh, attack his lead leg.’ I’ll be honest, I can’t even tell you which one (leg) it is, off the dome. No, that’s not part of the gameplan.

    “I don’t want to win by an injury. That stains the win. You can’t really brag about a win when the guy got injured,” Blaydes continued. “if it happens, it happens. I’ll take the belt. But it’s not the plan.”

    With that said, Blaydes will be looking to have his hand raised at the expense of Aspinall thanks to his arsenal of weapons inside of the Octagon.

    While that’s conventionally been his smothering wrestling game, the likes of Chris Daukaus and most recently Jailton Almeida have felt the full force of “Razor’s” striking power.

  • Francis Ngannou Provides Positive Update On PFL Debut: ‘I Think It’s Going To Be Him…’

    Francis Ngannou Provides Positive Update On PFL Debut: ‘I Think It’s Going To Be Him…’

    It appears that all systems are finally go for Francis Ngannou’s debut under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner.

    Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, hasn’t competed in mixed martial arts since his successful title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022. Since then, he’s departed the UFC off the back of a lengthy contractual dispute and found a new home.

    “The Predator” put pen to paper on an exclusive MMA deal with the PFL last May, which also sees him as the chairman of PFL Africa, set to launch in 2025. He’s yet to enter the SmartCage, however, instead using the freedom granted to him to complete a long-desired venture to the boxing ring.

    And after shocking the world with his performance against then-WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, Ngannou remained in the boxing world for a blockbuster matchup with former two-time unified champ Anthony Joshua.

    A brutal knockout loss to “AJ” in Saudi Arabia this past March appeared to put a stop to his charge in the ring for the time being, and it now appears that Ngannou’s sights are back on the sport in which he made his name…

    Ngannou Says PFL Debut In The Works For October

    During a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, Ngannou revealed that his MMA return and PFL debut is in the works over a year on from his signing.

    “The Predator” confirmed that the promotion’s second pay-per-view is targeted for October 19 in Saudi Arabia, and that the current plan is for him to share the cage with 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira.

    “We have a good relationship. I have a fight. I will be fighting by the end of the year,” Ngannou said. “I think Renan Ferreira is the guy. I’ve been telling people about this guy for almost two years. Very athletic, fast hands, one-two…very athletic. I think it’s going to be him.

    “That’s what the PFL is working on. … They’re working on October. It’s not finalized yet, but they (were) talking about October 19,” Ngannou added.

    Ngannou’s remarks come as the second indication that the PFL will stage a major card in Riyadh on Oct. 19. Earlier this month, former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero claimed he’s set to challenge Corey Anderson for the Bellator light heavyweight title on that date.

    While the date comes as a fresh update for “The Predator’s” MMA return, Ferreira has been lined up as the opposition ever since his standout performance in the main event of the PFL vs. Bellator PPV card this past February.

    In the main event, “Problema” knockout out Bellator Heavyweight Champion Ryan Bader just 21 seconds into the very first round. He now looks in line to be rewarded for that performance with the kind of handsome payday set to come with fighting Ngannou in the PFL.

  • Belal Muhammad Ranks Leon Edwards As Fourth-Best Welterweight In The UFC Right Now

    Belal Muhammad Ranks Leon Edwards As Fourth-Best Welterweight In The UFC Right Now

    UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad doesn’t believe he’s fighting for the title against the division’s best this weekend.

    Muhammad’s long-awaited chance to reach the mountaintop on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage is now just days away, with the 36-year-old set to challenge for Leon Edwards’ gold in the main event of UFC 304.

    The pay-per-view card will be staged inside the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, this Saturday night, with Edwards and Muhammad’s second dance set to follow another title rematch between interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.

    “Remember the Name” will make the walk through a hostile crowd as the underdog on July 27, tasked with achieving a feat that both Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington have failed to since “Rocky’s” 2022 crowning.

    But Muhammad has unwavering confidence when it comes to upsetting the odds. And to do so, the challenger doesn’t think he even needs to beat a top-three welterweight in the UFC…

    Muhammad Puts Himself, Usman, Rakhmonov Above UFC 304 Opponent Edwards

    During a recent interview with Kaz Crossley for Title Sports Network, Muhammad looked ahead to his first title opportunity in enemy territory this weekend and assessed the man looking to stall his championship ambitions.

    When asked to rank his current top five in the welterweight division, Muhammad put Edwards all the way down at fourth, below a man the champ has beaten consecutively in recent years, ex-titleholder Usman.

    “I would be one. Then I would put Kamaru two, Shavkat (Rakhmonov) three. I would put Leon four. And then number five, I would put Jack Della (Maddalena),” Muhammad said. “Man, you’re gonna lose the last couple fans you have left once I take the belt away from you. sorry bro. … I don’t like Leon. My other opponents, I didn’t wanna fake it (trash talk) with like, a ‘Wonderboy’ or a Maia. … It’s easier to bully him (Edwards).”

    Muhammad will look to prove his claim to superiority over Edwards come fight night in Manchester this weekend and secure the division’s top spot in the process.

    Should he accomplish that feat, all signs point toward a first defense against the undefeated Rakhmonov. And given Muhammad’s rankings, he’d no doubt be confident of a successful title retention.

  • Jon Jones Reacts After ABC Officially Approves Removal Of Ban On 12-6 Elbows

    Jon Jones Reacts After ABC Officially Approves Removal Of Ban On 12-6 Elbows

    Some big changes are coming to the Unified Rules of MMA later this year.

    The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC) is holding its annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky, this week. The latest rule vote took place on Tuesday, and it saw a couple of long-awaited changes approved.

    The first surrounds the ban on fighters throwing “12-6” elbows. The linear downward elbow is notably responsible for the sole defeat on the record of light heavyweight legend and reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones.

    Debate has long raged on over the prohibition on the move, with the direction of the elbows perceived to be more dangerous than a conventional, angled strike by some. But after many in the community argued against that claim, committee members unanimously voted on the ban’s removal this week.

    Jones, who was handed a disqualification defeated against Matt Hamill back in 2009, reacted to the news on Instagram. Alongside an image of his bout with Hamill, “Bones” tagged Dana White and reiterated his desire to get the blemish scrubbed from his record.

    “Undefeated then, undefeated now,” Jones wrote. “@danawhite we gotta get that loss out of the history books.”

    While Ariel Helwani has reported that Jones will be able to retroactively appeal the defeat, it would appear unlikely for the result to be overturned given that the ban was in place at the time.

    Changes To Definition Of A Grounded Fighter Also Approved By ABC

    Removing the ban on “12-6” elbows wasn’t the only successful rule change at this year’s ABC conference. The committee also looked to rectify the confusion and disagreement regarding what constitutes a grounded fighter.

    The topic notable reared its head this year when Arnold Allen fired off knees to the head of Movsar Evloev at UFC 297 this past January. The blows were deemed illegal owing to the Russian placing one hand on the ground.

    Many suggested that the Englishman was unfairly robbed of a potential finish, and from November 1 onwards, he’ll now be able to utilize that offense.

    Previously, the language in the rulebook stated that any part of the body other than the sole of the feet touching the floor would make a fighter grounded. The new language approved this week is as follows:

    “A fighter shall be considered grounded and may not be legally kneed or kicked to the head when any part of their body other than their hands or feet is in contact with the canvas (ground).”

    Both the new definition for a grounded fighter and the removal of the ban on “12’6” elbows officially come into place on November 1, 2024.

  • VIDEO: UFC 304 Co-Headliner Tom Aspinall’s Brutal Finishes Inside The Octagon

    VIDEO: UFC 304 Co-Headliner Tom Aspinall’s Brutal Finishes Inside The Octagon

    In four years competing on the sports’ biggest stage, UFC 304 co-headliner Tom Aspinall has added to his mixed martial arts highlight reel in a big way.

    The interim heavyweight champion will return in the co-main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view card at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, where he’s tasked with defending his belt in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes.

    Aspinall captured the title with a thunderous knockout of Sergei Pavlovich in their short-notice championship bout on the Madison Square Garden-held UFC 295 card last November.

    While perhaps the most destructive of his UFC finishes, it was just the latest in a string of stoppage victories for the Mancunian behemoth, who is yet to require the scorecards inside the Octagon.

    To put himself in position to receive the late-notice call eight months ago, Aspinall returned from injury with a bang by knocking out Marcin Tybura just 73 seconds into their London headliner last July.

    That marked Aspinall’s second finish in a main event staged in England’s capital. His headline debut came the previous year opposite veteran contender Alexander Volkov, whom the Brit put away with a gruesome Americana lock.

    And prior to entering title contention, Jake Collier, Alan Baudot, Andrei Arlovski, and Serghei Spivac all fell to either Aspinall’s strikes or submission prowess.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has uploaded a video showcasing Aspinall’s brutal finishes inside the Octagon to its official YouTube channel.

    Aspinall will hope to further add to his highlight reel this weekend at UFC 304, where he’ll no doubt get a raucous reception as he walks out in front of fans in his home city for the first time since his professional debut back in 2014.

    • Read More: Curtis Blaydes Defends UFC 304 Opponent Tom Aspinall Against Overconfident Claims: ‘Can You Really Blame Him?’ 
  • Curtis Blaydes Suggests Jon Jones Likely Turned Down ‘Harder Fight’ Against Him For Heavyweight Debut: ‘Smart Decision…’ 

    Curtis Blaydes Suggests Jon Jones Likely Turned Down ‘Harder Fight’ Against Him For Heavyweight Debut: ‘Smart Decision…’ 

    UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes wasn’t surprised to see Ciryl Gane get the call for Jon Jones’ heavyweight debut last year.

    Having spent three years away from the Octagon following his final defense of the light heavyweight title in 2020, Jones successfully arrived in a new weight class at UFC 285 in March 2023.

    The all-time MMA great achieved his two-division ambitions by submitting former interim champion Ciryl Gane in the first round of their clash for the then-vacant heavyweight title.

    Many questioned the decision to place “Bon Gamin” opposite Jones given that he boasted a sole win over Tai Tuivasa since falling short against Francis Ngannou in early 2022. Blaydes was among those branded a logical candidate by a portion of the community, with “Razor” coming off three straight wins.

    But the American didn’t get the opportunity, and he believes Jones’ desire for a more comfortable heavyweight debut played a part in that…

    Blaydes: A Lot Of Heavyweights ‘Would Have Been Harder’ For Jones Than Gane

    During an interview with ESPN MMA’s Andreas Hale, Blaydes looked back on his path to the title shot that awaits him at UFC 304 in Manchester, England, this Saturday night, including the snub he received for the vacant championship bout that followed Ngannou’s exit.

    “Razor” insisted that the decision to go a different route for Jones’ first foray into the weight class was not a shock, both down to the marketing edge for French star Gane and the increased difficulty he has no doubt the light heavyweight legend would have had against him at UFC 285.

    “I wasn’t surprised (that UFC booked Gane vs. Jones). I’ve been with the UFC for eight years now. Like, I get it,” Blaydes said. “Marketing. He’s French, which means he brings in all the fans over there. He has an aesthetically pleasing style. A lot of people don’t like wrestling, so I get that. He does all the fancy karate stance and all that. It’s easy to market his highlights versus the highlights that I have.

    “Also, i think they asked Jon and were probably like, ‘Jon, do you wanna go against this guy who doesn’t know how to wrestle? Or this guy, who knows how to wrestle?’ I think he did the business, smart decision,” Blaydes continued. “I am a harder fight for him than Gane; I think a lot of guys are a harder fight for him than Gane.”

    With the chance to win the interim belt this weekend, the state of the division would suggest that a Jones fight would be back on the cards for Blaydes given the Rochester native’s status as the other heavyweight titleholder.

    But with both Jones and the UFC remaining firm on him facing the returning Stipe Miocic instead of unifying the titles, as well as “Razor’s” belief that the champ will likely retire soon after, the UFC 304 co-main event challenger doesn’t see any chance of that coming to fruition.

    And that’s despite Jones seemingly expecting Blaydes to occupy the throne adjacent to him soon enough.

  • Coach Claims Belal Muhammad ‘Has Hands Like’ Canelo Álvarez Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘Leon Better Be Ready!’ 

    Coach Claims Belal Muhammad ‘Has Hands Like’ Canelo Álvarez Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘Leon Better Be Ready!’ 

    According to Belal Muhammad’s coach, UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards should be ready for some elite Mexican-style boxing this weekend.

    Edwards is set to headline a pay-per-view event on home soil for the second straight year, as he tops the UFC 304 lineup at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, on Saturday night.

    In addition to familiar surroundings, it’ll be a familiar foe for “Rocky,” who will share the Octagon with 2021 opponent Muhammad. The pair’s first bout ended in a no contest after an accidental eye poke rendered “Remember the Name” unable to continue.

    Given the success renowned striker Edwards had on the feet in the first fight, many are backing him to overwhelm Muhammad with kicks and punches in their upcoming rematch.

    But according to his coach, the challenger is bringing a new and improved standup arsenal with him across the pond…

    Muhammad’s Coach Praises ‘Fast & Sharp’ Striking Ahead Of Second Edwards Showdown

    During episode one of the UFC 304 Embedded: Vlog Series, Muhammad can be seen putting in the striking work with his coach, Horacio Gutierrez.

    While speaking to the camera, the trainer touted his man’s standup skills highly, even suggesting that he’s adopted a “Mexican style” of boxing akin to the great Canelo Álvarez.

    “We have been waiting for this opportunity for a couple of years already. There’s a little unfinished business with Leon,” Gutierrez said. “His hands are really, really good right now; they’re sharp, they’re fast. We’ve got him the Mexican boxing style. If you guys watch Canelo…all those guys, Belal has hands like that right now. So Leon better be ready for that.”

    Muhammad previously impressed with his ever-improving striking when he shared the Octagon with Brady at UFC 280 in 2022, stopping the grappling specialist on the feet in round two.

    However, Edwards no doubt marks a much tougher test in the striking realm, something the Jamaican-born Brit will look to prove come fight night in Manchester this weekend.

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Leon Edwards & Belal Muhammad’s 2021 Fight Ahead Of UFC 304 Rematch

    UFC Full Fight: Relive Leon Edwards & Belal Muhammad’s 2021 Fight Ahead Of UFC 304 Rematch

    UFC 304 headliner Leon Edwards is on a 13-fight unbeaten streak, but that run does boast one blemish in the form of a No Contest against upcoming opponent Belal Muhammad.

    Edwards is set to main event this weekend’s pay-per-view card at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, where he’ll put the UFC’s welterweight championship on the line against a familiar foe in Muhammad.

    The pair first collided in a UFC Fight Night headliner back in 2021, with Muhammad filling in for Khamzat Chimaev on a few weeks’ notice. After finding some early success, Edwards inadvertently poked “Remember the Name” in the eye 18 seconds into round two, rendering him unable to continue.

    Both men have since experienced nothing but victory inside the Octagon, with “Rocky” winning the 170-pound gold and successfully defending it twice at the expense of Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington. Muhammad, meanwhile, has won five straight over Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and Gilbert Burns.

    That run has earned “Remember the Name” his long-awaited first title opportunity and, in the process, a second shot at handing “Rocky” his first defeat since 2015.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Edwards vs. Muhammad fight from UFC Vegas 21 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDmfuhNJ_A8

    Given the success he had early on when they first shared the cage, many are expecting Edwards to finish the job second time around. Others, however, have highlighted Muhammad’s evolution as a fighter to dismiss the 2021 bout as a relevant guide to how the UFC 304 main event might play out.

    We’ll find out on July 27 which camp is correct with their assessment.

  • Kayla Harrison Describes Teaching Judo To Alex Pereira: ‘It’s Crazy How Fast He Picks Things Up…’

    Kayla Harrison Describes Teaching Judo To Alex Pereira: ‘It’s Crazy How Fast He Picks Things Up…’

    Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, was impressed by how quickly UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira got to grips with the martial art.

    Both Harrison and Pereira have found significant success in mixed martial arts after originally making their names in other sports.

    While the 34-year-old Ohio native followed two-time glory on the Olympic stage in judo with a pair of championships under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner, the Brazilian has added two UFC titles to a trophy cabinet that already boasted middleweight and light heavyweight Glory Kickboxing belts.

    Thanks to Jake Paul’s recent callout, talk is currently floating around regarding a potential boxing crossover for “Poatan” in the future.

    But judging by Harrison’s comments after hitting the mats with “Poatan” last month, a career in a grappling discipline is seemingly not that far-fetched…

    Harrison Reflects On Training With UFC Peer Pereira

    During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Harrison reflected on her training session with the UFC light heavyweight kingpin.

    The bantamweight contender lauded how quickly Pereira was able to learn judo techniques. That no doubt adds context to how the Brazilian has been able to transition from kickboxing to mixed martial arts and achieve unprecedented success in less than three years under the UFC banner.

    “He was showing me the videos of him training and he was kicking — dude, I wish he would release this one. Oh my god, he like, did the move I taught him and then did the move you do if the (first) move doesn’t work,” Harrison said. “I was like, ‘Dude, you look like a judo (athlete).’ It’s crazy how fast he picks stuff up. He looked like a legit judo (athlete).

    “I also grappled with Alex. Dude, he’s a strong mothertrucker,” Harrison continued. “Obviously he didn’t really grapple with me, but I just felt his natural — f*cking fixing tyres must build like, a different kind of (strength).”

    Harrison was in attendance at UFC 303 for Pereira’s second successful title defense. In the aftermath of the result, she jokingly wrapped a yellow belt — which is not usually given to adults — around “Poatan” backstage.

    The former middleweight and reigning light heavyweight champ was previously awarded his legitimate black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu following his knockout of Hill at UFC 300.

  • UFC 304’s Paddy Pimblett Bemoans Jared Gordon ‘Robbery’ Still Being Brought Up: ‘People Need To Watch Khabib vs. Gleison Tibau!’ 

    UFC 304’s Paddy Pimblett Bemoans Jared Gordon ‘Robbery’ Still Being Brought Up: ‘People Need To Watch Khabib vs. Gleison Tibau!’ 

    UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett believes fans are focusing more on his controversial decision victory over Jared Gordon than some actual “robberies.”

    Pimblett is set to return to action for his first assignment of 2024 at this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event, where the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, will play host to his first opportunity to crack the rankings at 155 pounds.

    To do so, “The Baddy” must extend his perfect Octagon record at the expense of King Green. The Liverpudlian will enter the contest as an underdog and with significant portions of the MMA community doubting his chances.

    That trend has been evident ever since a narrow victory over Jared Gordon at UFC 282 in December 2022. Having boosted his stock to an all-time high with back-to-back highlight reel submission in London that year, a controversial decision going in his favor appeared to turn a strong chunk of the fanbase against Pimblett.

    And the fact that his win over Gordon is still used as a way to detract from his UFC career thus far remains a point of frustration for the ex-Cage Warriors champion…

    Pimblett: Gordon Fight Was ‘Close’, Not A ‘Robbery’

    During an interview with the New York Post Sports’ Erich Richter, Pimblett looked ahead to his first outing on home soil since 2022 and discussed the two results he’s had in the United States since.

    While he’s another fight on from the widely debated decision against Gordon, Pimblett noted that he still gets plenty of comments about it. “The Baddy” bemoaned that fact, pointing to what sees as legitimate robberies that don’t get the level of scrutiny as his “close” bout with Gordon does 19 months later.

    “It was a close decision. I do regret saying in the cage after, ‘No way, that wasn’t close!’ But lad, I just fought for 15 minutes,” Pimblett said. “I still get comments on my YouTube to this day, ‘It seems like Paddy’s got more humble now since he fought Jared Gordon.’ Like, what? I’m still the same person. … The fact I said, ‘I think I won that fight,’ people turned on me. I found that absolutely crazy.

    “I ended up watching the fight back and was like, ‘Yeah, that was a close fight.’ … But I think if you watch it with commentary, that sways you a lot more towards Jared,” Pimblett continued. “It was a close fight, but I don’t get to this day why it still gets brought up and people still say that it’s a robbery. If that’s a robbery, people need to go watch Khabib vs. Gleison Tibau! Even Jared’s last fight, that’s more of a robbery.”

    Nevertheless, while he’s struggled to escape the memory of that controversy in the year and a half since, Pimblett has insisted that the fanbase will be back on his side after he dispatches King Green in violent fashion come fight night in Manchester.

    The pair are tasked with setting the stage for two championship headliners, as Pimblett’s fellow countrymen Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall put their titles on the line.

  • Patchy Mix Main Events Bellator Champions Series Paris On Nov. 16, ‘Baki’ Co-Headlines

    Patchy Mix Main Events Bellator Champions Series Paris On Nov. 16, ‘Baki’ Co-Headlines

    For the second time this year, Patchy Mix will put his Bellator bantamweight title on the line in the French capital.

    After unifying the titles and securing undisputed status with a submission of Sergio Pettis at Bellator 301 last November, Mix returned for his first defense — and first appearance following the PFL’s acquisition of his organization — this past May.

    At the second Bellator Champions Series event, the 30-year-old retained possession of his gold by narrow margins inside Paris’ Accor Arena, falling on the right side of a split decision verdict in a rematch against Magomed Magomedov.

    He’ll be looking for a more definitive victory when he returns to France this November, where a first-time matchup with Brazil’s Leandro Higo awaits him at the Adidas Arena.

    The Bellator main event was announced in a PFL press release this week, alongside a co-headliner between Oliver Enkamp and the highly regarded and undefeated Baissangour “Baki” Chamsoudinov, who look set to be the main attraction for the home crowd.

    Mix vs. Higo Headlines In Paris, ‘Baki’ Makes Bellator Champions Series Debut

    When Mix and “Baki” appear in the headline positions on November 16, both will be looking to secure their second Paris triumphs of 2024.

    Mix (20-1) faced a tougher than predicted challenge from Magomedov in their rematch, going the distance in a competitive affair almost two years on from his second-round submission of the Russian at Bellator 289 in Connecticut. Nevertheless, “No Love” had his hand raised and remained among the names outside of the UFC who are heralded as being in the world’s elite at 135 pounds.

    In Higo (23-6), Mix will face an opponent looking to achieve title glory at the second time of trying. “Alter” previously fell short of the bantamweight gold against Darrion Caldwell back in 2018. Since a loss to Aaron Pico that same year, the Brazilian has won five of six, most recently winning back-to-back outings against Nikita Mikhailov and James Gallagher to secure number one contender status.

    Leandro Higo & James Gallagher
    Image: PFL MMA

    While headliner Mix emerged victorious at a Bellator Champions Series event in Paris this year, co-main event star Chamsoudinov (8-0) extended his undefeated record in controversial fashion under the PFL Europe banner. “Baki” competed in a highly anticipated main event against fellow French standout Cédric Doumbé this past March, but their bout came to an anticlimactic end in round three after the former Glory Kickboxing champion’s calls to remove a splinter from his toe resulted in Marc Goddard waving the contest off.

    In the aftermath of that win, “Baki” appeared to take issue with the time it took for the PFL to pay him fully, and reports subsequently suggested a UFC signing was on the cards for the free agent. That ultimately didn’t come to fruition, with the Frenchman instead putting pen to paper on a deal with the PFL instead.

    To record a more definitive win on home soil this year in what will be his Bellator Champions Series debut, “Baki” is tasked with getting past Enkamp (11-4). The Swedish 32-year-old competed six times for Bellator following an 0-2 run in the UFC. Among a number of notable highlights is the rare buggy choke he secured at Bellator 281 in London just over two years ago.

    Baissangour Chamsoudinov & Cedric Doumbe
    Image: PFL MMA
  • Curtis Blaydes Defends UFC 304 Opponent Tom Aspinall Against Overconfident Claims: ‘Can You Really Blame Him?’ 

    Curtis Blaydes Defends UFC 304 Opponent Tom Aspinall Against Overconfident Claims: ‘Can You Really Blame Him?’ 

    Curtis Blaydes sees no issue with Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall believing his own hype, as a select few have suggested.

    The pair of hard-hitting behemoths are set to run it back in the co-headliner of this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event, with Aspinall putting his interim title on the line at the Co-op Live arena in his home city of Manchester, England.

    The Brit captured the belt with a thunderous and quick knockout of Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 inside Madison Square Garden last November. That result has unsurprisingly given Aspinall a major boost in confidence, especially given the circumstances he competed under on the night.

    Since then, Aspinall has called for a unification showdown with Jon Jones and received plenty of flak from the champ, who has branded his interim counterpart a possible “hype train” and irrelevant to audiences outside of the United Kingdom.

    But while Jones and his supporters have branded Aspinall overconfident, the Englishman’s upcoming opponent has leapt to his defense…

    Blaydes: ‘Nothing Wrong’ With Aspinall Drinking His Own Kool-Aid

    During an interview with ESPN MMA’s Andreas Hale, Blaydes looked ahead to his first opportunity to capture gold on MMA’s biggest stage and assessed some of the narratives flying around the heavyweight title picture.

    “Razor” was specifically asked about talk of Aspinall’s potential and the belief held by the likes of Jones that the interim titleholder may be buying into his own hype too much.

    Blaydes insisted only those close to Aspinall would know if that’s true, and even if it is, he pointed out that there is nothing wrong with elite athletes claiming to be the best. In fact, he suggested that level of self-belief is a must.

    “I mean, I can’t say as to whether he is or he isn’t (drinking his own Kool-Aid). I don’t think anybody would be able to tell that besides people in his own inner circle,” Blaydes said. “But if he is, can you really blame him? Like, he knocked out Sergei and Jon seems — I don’t want to say scared, but he seems apprehensive about the prospect of potentially fighting Aspinall.

    “I would be a little gassed up also. Ain’t nothing wrong with that,” Blaydes continued. “I think you have to have that mindset. You’ve got to be feeling yourself. That goes for any sport. Like, if you ask Joe Burrow right now if he thinks he’s the best in the league in his position, he’ll say yeah. Even though we probably wouldn’t agree, he has to think that way.”

    Nevertheless, Blaydes will look to show that the interim champ’s confidence regarding their own matchup is misplaced when they share the Octagon for the second time at UFC 304 this weekend.

    Having had a win over Aspinall added to his record in 2022 courtesy of a freak knee injury suffered by the Brit, “Razor” will look to add a more definitive triumph to his résumé at UFC 304.

  • Leon Edwards Expects Layoff To Affect 36-Year-Old Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘He Was Slow Anyway!’ 

    Leon Edwards Expects Layoff To Affect 36-Year-Old Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘He Was Slow Anyway!’ 

    UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards believes he’ll have the advantage of more recent activity over Belal Muhammad this weekend.

    Edwards will put his 170-pound title on the line for the third time at the UFC 304 pay-per-view event on Saturday night, headlining the card in front of his home fans at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    Having retained possession of the gold at the expense of Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington in 2023, Edwards is next tasked with revisiting his history with Muhammad over three years on from their first fight.

    The pair had a UFC Fight Night main event back in 2021 end in disaster after an accidental eye poke rendered “Remember the Name” unable to continue.

    While “Rocky” went on to achieve title glory, Muhammad has worked his way to first shot at the belt and rematch with the Brit courtesy of five straight wins over Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and Gilbert Burns.

    Some have pointed to that impressive run to justify their predictions for ‘and new’ in the UFC 304 main event. Edwards, however, believes the wait to extend the streak will be to Muhammad’s disadvantage…

    Edwards: 14-Month Layoff Could Impact Muhammad At UFC 304

    During a recent interview with Sportsnet’s Aaron Bronsteter, Edwards looked ahead to his third defense of the welterweight title and second on home soil since capturing it at the expense of Usman almost two years ago.

    “Rocky” pointed out that Muhammad has been awaiting his opportunity ever since outpointing Burns in May 2023. And with the champ having got the better of Covington last December, he expects the seven-month disparity in their layoffs to show itself at UFC 304.

    “Come next Saturday, he hasn’t fought for more than a year. He’s 36 years old now? 37 years old? Whatever he is. And he was slow anyway,” Edwards said with a laugh. “I feel like me now coming out, I fought in December and been training ever since. I feel like I’ve had the harder fights. I’ve had similar style matchups my last three or four fights. So I feel like it’s all playing out well, you know?”

    When he enters the cage on July 27, Muhammad will be looking to break a record and prove a notable stat regarding age wrong. A victory would mark him as the oldest title challenger to win gold in the 170-pound division or lower.

    Nevertheless, while stats would point to his age as a significant advantage for the champ, Edwards insisted he is preparing for and ready to dispatch the best possible Muhammad come fight night in Manchester.

  • UFC Rankings Report: Virna Jandiroba Replaces Maycee Barber On P4P List, Pedro Munhoz Out At Bantamweight

    UFC Rankings Report: Virna Jandiroba Replaces Maycee Barber On P4P List, Pedro Munhoz Out At Bantamweight

    As always, the latest action on offer inside the Octagon has seen some climb the ladder toward contention and others fall away.

    And in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night: Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

    Men’s Pound-For-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Pound-for-Pound: Jandiroba’s submission of Lemos in Saturday’s main event has advanced both her divisional and P4P ambitions. The Brazilian has debuted in the latter list at #13, one spot behind the climbing Kayla Harrison. The defeated Lemos, meanwhile, has dropped three positions to #15, while flyweight contender Maycee Barber has fallen out entirely.

    Women’s Strawweight: At 115 pounds, Jandiroba finds herself two spots better off at #3 courtesy of her efforts at the Apex. Lemos has made way for that rise and now occupies her recent opponent’s formerly occupied #5 place.

    Women’s Flyweight: No changes.

    Women’s Bantamweight: No changes.

    Flyweight: Bruno Silva mounted a memorable comeback this past weekend to knock out fellow American Top Team standout Cody Durden. He’s been rewarded with an entry into the 125-pound rankings at #15, with his defeated teammate now out of the top 15.

    Bantamweight: While he’s had to wait an extra week, Montel Jackson’s 18-second knockout of Da’Mon Blackshear in Denver has netted him the #15 position in the division. His arrival has led to the removal of longtime veteran contender Pedro Munhoz.

    Featherweight: No changes.

    Lightweight: No changes.

    Welterweight: No changes.

    Middleweight: No changes.

    Light Heavyweight: No changes.

    Heavyweight: No changes.

    You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

  • Tom Aspinall Describes Confidence Boost From Sergei Pavlovich Win Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘Took The Fight On Short Notice, Injured…’ 

    Tom Aspinall Describes Confidence Boost From Sergei Pavlovich Win Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘Took The Fight On Short Notice, Injured…’ 

    Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall won’t be short on self-belief when he enters the cage for his first defense this weekend.

    Aspinall is set to co-headline the UFC 304 pay-per-view event in his home city of Manchester, England, on July 27. He’ll make the walk in the early hours in pursuit of a first title defense and redemption opposite the man against whom he suffered his sole Octagon setback to date.

    The Brit briefly shared the cage with Curtis Blaydes in London two years ago, with their UFC Fight Night main event lasting just 15 seconds before Aspinall suffered a freak knee injury.

    The 31-year-old has now been presented with the chance to right that wrong, and given the manner with which he captured UFC gold last November, he’s extremely confident in his chances of doing so…

    Aspinall Full Of Self-Belief After Pulling Off UFC Title Win In ‘Worst Circumstances’

    During a recent interview with Karyn Bryant, Rashad Evans, and Alan Jouban for ESPN MMA, Aspinall looked ahead to his upcoming defense of the interim title and second dance in the cage with Blaydes.

    When it comes to his evolution as a fighter since their first clash in 2022, Aspinall believes the differences are night and day. That includes when it comes to confidence, in large part down to how the Brit was able to dispatch Sergei Pavlovich in less than ideal circumstances eight months ago.

    “(I’ve improved) absolutely everywhere (since the first fight against Blaydes),” Aspinall said. “Every fight is different anyway, but I think now, everything is way different about me. Especially after my last performance; I took so much confidence from that. I took the fight on short notice, I took the fight injured, and I still managed to pull it off in the worst circumstances. Feeling pretty confident after that one, feeling pretty good.”

    Aspinall will look to prove as much by having his hand raised on home soil this Saturday, avenging his unfortunate setback opposite “Razor” and maintaining his grip on the interim heavyweight gold in the process.

    His defense will mark the first of two championship rematches set for UFC 304, with fellow UK titleholder Leon Edwards running it back with Belal Muhammad in defense of his welterweight strap.