MMA News

Author: Harvey Leonard

  • ‘It’s Over For The Diamond’ – Fans React As Islam Makhachev Reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov Will Return To His Corner At UFC 302

    ‘It’s Over For The Diamond’ – Fans React As Islam Makhachev Reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov Will Return To His Corner At UFC 302

    For the first time since his title crowning in 2022, UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev will have Khabib Nurmagomedov’s guidance on fight night.

    Makhachev was long touted as a sure-fire successor to his mentor upon “The Eagle’s” retirement from active competition following a third successful defense of the 155-pound gold back in 2020.

    And the Dagestani completed the journey laid out for him by his coaches and teammates with Khabib close by, submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. That began the reign of Makhachev, but it also signaled the end of something.

    Months later, as Makhachev prepared to meet a test from below in the form of Alexander Volkanovski, Khabib announced that he would be stepping back from cornering members of his team.

    While he’s remained visible in some fight camps and has still lent a helping hand, the Russian legend has stayed true to his words and not appeared in a corner since.

    That, however, comes to an end this weekend at UFC 302.

    “News, ‘Eagle’ is landed in Jersey City,” Makhachev told UFC cameras during fight week. “He’s gonna be in my corner. Honestly, I’m very happy because he’s one of the best corner (coaches), brother, friend.”

    Fans React To Khabib’s Confirmed Corner Return At UFC 302: ‘Bet All Your Money On Makhachev’

    Unsurprisingly, the announcement of Khabib’s corner return saw many members of the MMA community flock to social media to give their thoughts. 

    Given Khabib’s history with Poirier, which saw him submit “The Diamond” in their unification title clash back in 2019, as well as the veteran’s renowned coaching abilities, plenty suggested that more odds just got stacked against the challenger in Newark.

    There are some, though, who predict that Khabib’s presence inside the Prudential Center on fight night will spur the underdog on and provide added motivation. Only time will tell…

    https://twitter.com/LakazMMA/status/1795676534923280554https://twitter.com/Tarticle21/status/1795674058379735279

  • Date Revealed For Undisputed Champion Oleksandr Usyk’s Rematch With Tyson Fury

    Date Revealed For Undisputed Champion Oleksandr Usyk’s Rematch With Tyson Fury

    A second chapter will be added to the rivalry between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury later this year.

    Usyk was triumphant in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, earlier this month, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years by defeating the previously undefeated Fury. 

    The Ukrainian and British heavyweights collided in a thrilling 12-round affair in the Middle East, with a memorable flurry that included a knockdown in round nine aiding Usyk’s ultimately successful bid to add the WBC title to his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and The Ring belts.

    The highly anticipated fight was the topic of intense discussions in the aftermath, with some believing that “The Gypsy King” had done enough to be the one succeeding Lennox Lewis as heavyweight’s next undisputed king.

    Regardless, any unfinished business will be settled in a rematch, which now has a confirmed date attached to it…

    Usyk vs. Fury 2 Set For December 21 In Riyadh

    With a rematch clause revealed ahead of their meeting this month, it appeared only a matter of time until a second dance between Usyk and Fury was announced. And on Wednesday, Turki Alalshikh took to social media with news of it.

    Saudi Arabia’s Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority confirmed that the two heavyweight stars will do battle once again on December 21 during Riyadh Season.

    “The rematch between the Undisputed Champion Oleksandr Usyk and the Champion Tyson Fury is now scheduled on the 21 of December 2024 during Riyadh Season…The world will watch another historical fight again…Our commitment to boxing fans continues…We hope you enjoy it…”

    The bout appears unlikely to be for the undisputed crown, however, with talk of the IBF stripping Usyk in the coming weeks being fanned by Eddie Hearn.

    The Matchroom Boxing head suggested that plan remains in place to Boxing Social, meaning Anthony Joshua is likely to fight the Filip Hrgović vs. Daniel Dubois winner for the vacant belt at Wembley Stadium in London, England, this coming September.

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Dustin Poirier’s Savage KO Of Benoît Saint Denis To Secure UFC 302 Title Shot

    UFC 302 headliner Dustin Poirier delivered a finish worthy of a surprise shot at championship glory at the expense of Benoît Saint Denis this past March.

    The former interim UFC lightweight champion will feature in the main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view card in Newark, New Jersey, where he’s tasked with bringing the reign of Islam Makhachev to an end in the Russian’s third defense.

    Poirier entered 2024 seemingly out of title contention following a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje last July. In his return to action at UFC 299 in Miami, however, “The Diamond” maintained his top five spot by turning away the challenge of one of the division’s most highly touted up-and-comers in Saint Denis.

    After a difficult first round that saw the Frenchman on top, Poirier showed that he’s far from lost a step by stopping “God of War” with strikes in the second. As it turns out, that win netted the Louisianan another opportunity at the belt thanks to results going his way at UFC 300 the following month.

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

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ciOQjock_g

    With that result being enough to book Poirier the next place opposite Makhachev inside the cage, “The Diamond” will look to replicate that performance in Miami to achieve undisputed glory this weekend.

    Should he achieve that feat, the Louisianan will have checked the final box in his illustrious career on MMA’s biggest stage.

  • Kayla Harrison: UFC Debut Against Holly Holm First Time In ‘A While’ I Was Excited To Fight

    Kayla Harrison: UFC Debut Against Holly Holm First Time In ‘A While’ I Was Excited To Fight

    Two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison regained her joy for mixed martial arts competition when she entered the UFC Octagon for the first time.

    Harrison jumped into the deep end in 2024, committing to a weight drop that appeared unrealistic in the eyes of many in order to realize her dream of competing on MMA’s biggest stage.

    Having won a pair of gold medals in judo and found championship success inside the PFL SmartCage, Harrison set her sights on a long-discussed pursuit of UFC gold. And that got underway in the perfect way.

    At the milestone UFC 300 pay-per-view event in Las Vegas last month, the Ohio native made a splash on debut, dominating former bantamweight queen Holly Holm en route to a second-round submission.

    Harrison has since acknowledged her enjoyment throughout fight week and inside the Octagon. That feeling, as it turns out, was something she was missing during the latter part of her PFL stint.

    Kayla Harrison Relished UFC ‘Challenge’ After Unexciting Period 

    During a recent appearance on UFC Unfiltered, Harrison looked back on her first taste of the UFC experience, both outside the cage and opposite “The Preacher’s Daughter” on fight night.

    In addition to advancing her competitive goals by immediately breaking into the bantamweight rankings at #4, Harrison spoke about the positive impact the change of scenery has had on her.

    Put simply, she is enjoying fighting again.

    “It’s tough because, first of all, I f*cking love the UFC. I am a company girl now, through and through,” Harrison said. “The level of professionalism, the level of excitement, the energy, the employees’ enthusiasm, their kindness. I was just like, ‘Hell yeah!’ I was cutting a bunch of weight, so I was kind of riding that energy high all week.

    “It felt a lot like the Olympics. Not as big… but it felt very similar,” Harrison continued. “Like, ‘Oh sh*t, here I am. This is what I’ve been training my whole life for. Every single part of my story led me to this moment.’ And when I stepped in the cage, man, (I was) calm, cool, and collected… I enjoyed the whole process. I was super pumped to fight Holly. Listen, I’ve fought a lot of tough fighters, but I think it had been a while since I was excited to fight. I don’t really fight for money. I wanted a challenge.”

    While Harrison focuses on journey toward another piece of gold in combat sports, her former employer continues to take digs at her.

    During a recent appearance on the Weighing In podcast with John McCarthy and Josh Thomson, PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis branded Harrison a “follower who needs validation.”

  • Coach Explains Why Fans Will See A ‘Different’ Paulo Costa In ‘People’s Main Event’ At UFC 302

    Coach Explains Why Fans Will See A ‘Different’ Paulo Costa In ‘People’s Main Event’ At UFC 302

    The coach of UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa has promised fans that a new and improved version of the Brazilian will take to the Octagon this weekend.

    After contractual disputes and injuries kept him out of action for a considerable period, Costa made his first walk to the octagon since 2022 at UFC 298 in Anaheim this past February.

    While he emerged from the Honda Center without a victory, the former title challenger’s performance in defeat against ex-champion Robert Whittaker signaled that he remains a strong threat at 185 pounds.

    “Borrachinha” will now look to go a step further by having his hand raised at the UFC 302 pay-per-view on June 1, where he’s set to co-headline opposite another former divisional kingpin in Sean Strickland.

    More than just looking to repeat the competitive display he had earlier this year, Costa’s team is seemingly expecting the best “Borrachinha” to date in Newark…

    Coach Albarracin Touts Costa’s UFC 302 Preparation

    During episode one of the UFC 302 Embedded: Vlog Series, cameras caught up with Costa and his team as they trained at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Coach Eric Albarracin was complimentary toward his student’s progress, claiming that the UFC 302 camp is the first time he’s seen Costa find a “rhythm” pre-fight. 

    “One week out before UFC 302 in Newark. Co-main event, but the people’s main event,” Albarracin said. “You know, I’ve never seen Paulo in a rhythm. So now he’s in a rhythm, and you’re gonna see a different Paulo Costa; refocused, recalibrated, and reloaded.”

    Whether or not that translates into a standout performance inside the Prudential Center this weekend remains to be seen.

    But given that Strickland only lost the title this past January, a triumph over “Tarzan” will go a major way to earning “Borrachinha” a second opportunity at achieving champ status himself on MMA’s biggest stage.

  • Michael Bisping Sees UFC 302 Headliner Islam Makhachev As ‘New & Improved’ Version Of Khabib Nurmagomedov

    Michael Bisping Sees UFC 302 Headliner Islam Makhachev As ‘New & Improved’ Version Of Khabib Nurmagomedov

    Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping believes Islam Makhachev boasts traits that the great Khabib Nurmagomedov did not.

    Having long been touted as a successor to Khabib following his retirement as an undefeated lightweight champion back in 2020, Makhachev completed his ascension to the 155-pound mountaintop in 2022.

    And since submitting Charles Oliveira to be crowned champ in Abu Dhabi, the Dagestani has enhanced his legacy and cemented his reign with a pair of successful defenses against now-former featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski. 

    With a victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 this weekend, Makhachev will make it three defenses, tying him for the division’s all-time lead with Khabib and Benson Henderson. 

    Such a feat would no doubt only increase the comparisons between “The Eagle” and his title-holding protégé. But not everyone is waiting for Makhachev to surpass his mentor before branding him superior…

    Bisping Compares Makhachev & Khabib: ‘Look At The KO Of Volkanovski…’

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbCZ2P30wK0

    During the Preview Show for UFC 302 on TNT Sports’ YouTube channel, Bisping assessed Makhachev’s divisional rule to date and the champ’s ever-developing skillset.

    Pointing to the Dagestani’s renowned grappling game and always-improving striking, which he used to finish Volkanovski in one round last October, “The Count” suggested that Makhachev’s overall ability has already cleared that of Khabib.

    “Khabib came first and he’ll always be remembered for that, for what he did to the sport, how he represented Dagestan, and implemented that style. It took over the sport, let’s be honest,” Bisping said. “But his time has gone. It has passed… Islam is a new, improved version.

    “Look at the head kick knockout of Alexander Volkanovski. He’s much, much smoother on the feet. His grappling’s just as good as Khabib’s, or it’s certainly up there,” Bisping continued. “He’s really moulding into this champion. He feels it. He walks and talks with a certain bravado and assurance that comes not from confidence or ego, it comes from knowing what he’s capable of.”

    Makhachev will have the chance to further prove his talent in the main event of Saturday’s numbered event in Newark, where he’s tasked with defeating Poirier — a feat achieved by Khabib via submission back in 2019.

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Sean Strickland’s Upset Title Win Over Israel Adesanya Ahead Of UFC 302 Return

    UFC 302 co-headliner achieved a surprise dose of championship glory when he dethroned Israel Adesanya in Sydney, Australia, last September.

    The former middleweight kingpin will feature in the co-main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view card in Newark, New Jersey, where he’s tasked with getting the better of fellow contender Paulo Costa. 

    Strickland is in pursuit of a second reign atop the 185-pound mountain following a brief stint there courtesy of his efforts Down Under last year. Off the back of consecutive wins over Nassourdine Imavov and Abus Magomedov, “Tarzan” capitalized on a short-notice chance to challenge Adesanya at UFC 293.

    Against the odds and predictions of many, “Tarzan” dropped the then-champ early before putting on a striking masterclass across five rounds. The title win went down as one of the promotion’s greatest upsets, and it was enough to net MMA News’ Performance of the Year award for 2023.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Strickland vs. Adesanya fight from UFC 293 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uZiZHsPSaE

    Strickland was unable to cement his grip on the crown in his first defense this past January, with Dricus Du Plessis instead ensuring that he’d emerge from UFC 297 in Canada with the title in his possession.

    Having had his calls for an immediate rematch dismissed, Strickland must return to winning ways at the expense of “Borrachinha” if he’s to earn an opportunity to achieve two-time champ status.

  • Henry Cejudo Alleged To Have Rejected UFC Main Event Against Sean O’Malley’s Teammate

    Henry Cejudo Alleged To Have Rejected UFC Main Event Against Sean O’Malley’s Teammate

    According to coach Tim Welch, former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo closed the door on a possible main event against a rising contender.

    Cejudo hasn’t had the best time of things since returning from a short-lived retirement last May. After narrowly falling short of regaining the bantamweight crown against Aljamain Sterling, “Triple C” fell to 0-2 since his comeback at UFC 298 in Anaheim this past February, where he was beaten by Merab Dvalishvili. 

    While the latest setback sparked talk of a return to retirement for the veteran, he was quick to commit to the continuation of his fighting career. He’s since been assessing his options, calling to fight the likes of Petr Yan and Rob Font.

    He’s also been dismissing some matchups. That was publicly evident in the case of Song Yadong, whose invitation to Cejudo for a showdown in China was shut down by the former champ-champ on social media.

    And when it comes to being rejected by the 2008 Olympic gold medalist, “The Kung Fu Kid” is seemingly not alone…

    O’Malley’s Coach Claims Cejudo Turned Down Phillips Headliner

    A recent report from @MagicM_MMABets on social media claimed that Cejudo was being lined up to headline a UFC Fight Night opposite #11-ranked contender Kyler Phillips.

    Phillips, a teammate of bantamweight kingpin Sean O’Malley’s, has won three straight since a controversial loss to Raulian Paiva in 2021, most recently getting the better of divisional veteran Pedro Munhoz at UFC 299 in Miami.

    While “Matrix” is pursuing a spot inside the top 10 that a matchup with Cejudo would present an opportunity for, “Triple C” has been accused of rejecting the clash.

    “(Cap) Henry turned it down,” Phillips’ coach Tim Welch wrote in response to the report.

    Despite going 0-2 since his return to active competition, Cejudo still currently occupies the #5 spot in the bantamweight pecking order.

    Given his focus on the likes of Yan and Font, he’s evidently pursuing a more prominent name than Phillips for his next outing.

  • Islam Makhachev Doesn’t Want To See Dustin Poirier Retire After A Defeat At UFC 302: ‘He Can Beat Everybody’

    Islam Makhachev Doesn’t Want To See Dustin Poirier Retire After A Defeat At UFC 302: ‘He Can Beat Everybody’

    UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev fully intends on stalling Dustin Poirier’s ongoing title ambitions this weekend, but he hopes it won’t be the end of the road for his latest challenger. 

    After cementing his grip on the 155-pound crown with a pair of defenses against then-featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski in 2023, Makhachev is days away from his first threat from an established lightweight contender.

    Having returned to winning ways with an emphatic knockout of Benoît Saint Denis at UFC 299 this past March, some favorable results at UFC 300 last month paved the way for Poirier to receive a third shot at undisputed status.

    By the sounds of things, “The Diamond” is expecting it to be his last opportunity — and potentially even his final fight overall, win or lose.

    Makhachev Hopes Poirier Pours Cold Water On Retirement Talk

    During a recent interview with NBC Sports, Makhachev acknowledged the recent remarks regarding retirement to come from Poirier ahead of their collision on Saturday night.

    Some have questioned the Louisianan’s decision to speak on such a topic prior to a title fight, with Daniel Cormier pointing to his experience of doing the same to suggest that “The Diamond” is making a mistake.

    Makhachev appears to share that sentiment, but for a different reason. While plenty have simply suggested that Poirier should keep retirement thoughts to himself until post-fight, the Dagestani doesn’t want to see them reach the surface at all.

    “He’s talking about (retirement), but I don’t want him (to) retire after this fight if I beat him,” Makhachev said. “This guy is dangerous. He can beat everybody. He’s number, like, top five in the world, you know? That’s why I don’t think it’s a good idea (to talk) about retiring, because he’s still a very dangerous guy. That’s why I’m preparing very hard for him.”

    Fans will have to wait and see when it comes to Poirier’s future in the sport. For now, “The Diamond” will have his sole focus on upsetting the odds to bring Makhachev’s lightweight reign to an end.

    Whether that would be followed by a defense or a departure from the sport remains to be seen.

  • Conor McGregor Posts Defiant Message After Party Video Sparks Worry About UFC 303 Return: ‘Records & Jaws Are Getting Smashed’

    Conor McGregor Posts Defiant Message After Party Video Sparks Worry About UFC 303 Return: ‘Records & Jaws Are Getting Smashed’

    As fans and pundits express concern over his continued partying ahead of UFC 303, Conor McGregor has reasserted his confidence when it comes to dealing significant damage to Michael Chandler.

    McGregor is set to headline proceedings during International Fight Week in Las Vegas late next month. The Irishman, who once simultaneously held the featherweight and lightweight titles, hasn’t competed since 2021.

    Having been out of action after breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier, the long wait for McGregor’s comeback will reach its end on June 29 when he shares the Octagon with Chandler.

    In the lead-up, the pair appear to be having drastically different camps…

    McGregor: ‘Some Are Just Built Different’ 

    This week, those predicting defeat for McGregor at UFC 303 had their thoughts on the fight cemented when footage emerged of the Dubliner partying into the early hours at his Black Forge Inn pub.

    While there’s no evidence that McGregor was consuming alcohol, the posts still led to many branding it a less than ideal sign when it comes to the former champ-champ’s preparation.

    The Irishman, unsurprisingly, disagrees.

    “Some are just built different,” McGregor wrote on X. “I am only now coming into my own. June 29th, records and jaws are getting smashed! Onwards and upwards! #fightingirish”

    McGregor has vowed to have his way with Chandler inside the Octagon ever since the pair coached opposite one another on last year’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter.

    “Iron” Mike, a former three-time Bellator champion, has gone 2-3 since joining the UFC, defeating Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson but falling to losses against Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier. 

    He’ll look to even up his Octagon record at the expense of McGregor, who hasn’t had his hand raised since a 40-second knockout of Donald Cerrone back in January 2020.

  • VIDEO: Justin Gaethje Shares First Training Footage Since Brutal KO Loss To Max Holloway At UFC 300

    Former interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje is back in light training a month and a half on from a devastating defeat in Las Vegas.

    While it appeared last year that a memorable victory over Dustin Poirier had netted Gaethje a third shot at undisputed title glory, his subsequent assignment was instead a defense of the symbolic BMF belt.

    On the main card of last month’s milestone UFC 300 pay-per-view, “The Highlight” put the strap on the line in a highly anticipated clash with Max Holloway. While the featherweight legend’s previous venture to 155 pounds left many favoring Gaethje pre-fight, “Blessed” put on a masterclass.

    And after moving ahead on the scorecards, Holloway ultimately closed the show in emphatic fashion with a buzzer-beating knockout that left Gaethje face down on the Octagon canvas.

    Gaethje Back In Training 6 Weeks On From UFC 300 Defeat

    Given the brutal nature of the finish, fans aren’t expecting to see Gaethje back inside the cage anytime soon. The ex-interim champ has admitted that it would be ill-advised for him to return to sparring within six months of the UFC 300 loss.

    “The Highlight” has, however, been letting his fists fly again. In a recent video on social media, Gaethje shared footage of his return to light training. He donned the boxing gloves to hit the heavy bag, which you can watch here.

    “Trying to get back in the routine,” he wrote in the caption.

    The 35-year-old Arizona native has appeared to remain positive despite the setback, which stalled his plans to finally reach the lightweight throne at the expense of current kingpin Islam Makhachev.

    In the immediate aftermath, Gaethje reassured his fans that he was still in “great spirits” and offered his congratulations to Holloway, who became the third BMF champ on April 13.

    With his defeat, former two-time opponent Poirier will mark the next challenge for Makhachev to overcome. The pair will collide in the main event of this weekend’s UFC 302 event in Newark, New Jersey.

    Holloway, meanwhile, is in hot pursuit of Ilia Topuria’s featherweight gold.

  • Anthony Pettis & Jeremy Stephens Feature As PFL 1 Pairings Announced

    The Professional Fighters League is set to return with a bang on April 20 as the light heavyweights and lightweights take center stage for PFL 1.

    After a successful 2021 season, which came after the postponement of the previous lineup due to COVID-19, the PFL is looking to go even better with its fourth season in the sport.

    To do so, the rising promotion has bolstered its ranks with a number of new faces, some of which will be on display right from the off when the 155 and 205lbers look to open the season with a bang next month.

    The card, which was confirmed by the promotion on Tuesday, includes a host of widely-recognized names and intriguing clashes.

    On the ESPN+ card, slated for 5:30PM ET, long-time UFC veteran Stevie Ray (22-9) will enter the cage for the first time since 2019. The Scotsman, who has faced the likes of Michael Johnson, Paul Felder, and Joe Lauzon during his 32-fight career, has come out of retirement for the 2022 PFL lightweight season. He’ll face Alexander Martinez (8-2), who went 1-2 in last year’s competition.

    Elsewhere, former UFC middleweight Omari Akhmedov (21-7) hopes to make up for his unsuccessful PFL debut at last year’s finale when he opens his first full 205-pound season against former GCF heavyweight champion Viktor Pešta (18-6). Olivier Aubin-Mercier (13-5), meanwhile, will hope to keep his perfect PFL record intact as his season gets underway against a yet-to-be-announced 155-pound opponent.

    At 9:00 PM ET, four quality bouts are set to grace ESPN and ESPN+. Clay Collard (20-9-1), who recorded a victory over Anthony Pettis last year before falling in the lightweight semifinals, will welcome renowned MMA veteran Jeremy Stephens (28-19-1) to the PFL cage. “Lil Heathen” has made the move over from the UFC, where he shared the Octagon with names like Josh Emmett, Renan Barão, Max Holloway, Yair Rodriguez, José Aldo, Frankie Edgar, and Charles Oliveira.

    2021 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Antonio Carlos Jr. (13-5-2) also has his pairing set. He’ll hope to follow in the footsteps of Kayla Harrison and record back-to-back titles. His journey to doing so begins against his compatriot Delan Monte (8-1). Another 2021 champion in action will be lightweight king Raush Manfio. To start his defense of last year’s championship on the right foot, “Cavalo de Guerra” has to dispatch South Africa’s Don Madge (10-3-1), who is riding a seven-fight win streak into this year’s season.

    Finally, hoping to make up for a lackluster 0-2 arrival in PFL last year, former UFC lightweight champion Pettis (24-12) has been dealt the hand of Ireland’s Myles Price (11-7), who enters his first PFL season having not competed since a 2019 victory over Peter Queally under the Bellator banner.

    The announced PFL 1 card is currently as follows:

    5:30PM ET/ESPN +

    Alexander Martinez vs. Stevie Ray (lightweight)

    Robert Wilkinson vs. Bruce Souto (light heavyweight)

    Omari Akhmedov vs. Viktor Pešta (light heavyweight)

    Marthin Hamlet vs. Teodoras Aukstuolis (light heavyweight)

    Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. TBA (lightweight)

    Emiliano Sordi vs. Josh Silveira (light heavyweight)

    9PM ET/ESPN & ESPN+

    Clay Collard vs. Jeremy Stephens (lightweight)

    Antonio Carlos Jr. vs. Delan Monte (light heavyweight)

    Anthony Pettis vs. Myles Price (lightweight)

    Raush Manfio vs. Don Madge (lightweight)

    Which fight are you most looking forward to seeing go down at PFL 1 on April 20?

  • Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo 4 Reportedly Targeted For July

    UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo is reportedly set to face familiar foe Brandon Moreno in the first title defense of his second reign.

    Per Ariel Helwani’s Substack, the promotion have settled on the pair, who have shared the Octagon three times across the past year-and-a-half, as the next championship clash at 125 pounds.

    The tetralogy, which is being targeted for July, will represent the flyweight division’s fourth consecutive championship collision between Moreno and Figueiredo.

    After seeming unstoppable following two brutal victories over the now-retired Joseph Benavidez, as well as first-round opening defense against Alex Perez, Figueiredo hoped to close out 2020 with a fourth comfortable triumph when he met Moreno at UFC 256.

    While he left Las Vegas’ Apex with his reign in tact and the gold still in his possession, it was far from an easy night for the Brazilian, whose win streak was halted thanks to the Mexican’s grit to fight for a majority draw. That, as expected, forced a rematch between the elite flyweight duo six months later.

    At UFC 263 last June, Moreno shocked the word by securing a heart-warming title crowning. He did so by submitting “Deus Da Guerra” in the third frame via rear-naked choke inside Arizona’s Gila River Arena.

    After top contender Alexandre Pantoja couldn’t make the UFC’s desired December date, Figueiredo was given an immediate chance at redemption, which went down one month later than planned on January 22 earlier this year. In a five-round war at UFC 270, the Brazilian chose power over volume, a strategy that paid off in the form of a unanimous decision verdict and the sound of ‘and new’ in front of a Moreno-supporting California crowd.

    Despite the pair’s saga sitting at 1-1-1 across three outings, some in the MMA community will undoubtedly be surprised at the latest revelation, with many previously expecting this weekend’s bout between Askar Askarov and Kai Kara-France at UFC Columbus to determine the next contender.

    It won’t come as a shock, however, to Figueiredo’s manager, who suggested an immediate fourth fight was likely following his client’s January success.

    Usman/Edwards 2 & Figueiredo/Moreno 4 In International Fight Week?

    If the targeted July date comes to fruition, fans may be in store for a blockbuster championship double-header. The UFC 276 pay-per-view appears set to go down from Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena during International Fight Week on July 2.

    If Moreno vs. Figueiredo 4 is added to the card, it may well slot in behind the rematch between reigning welterweight king Kamaru Usman and top contender Leon Edwards.

    “The Nigerian Nightmare” is currently recovering from hand surgery, but both Ali Abdelaziz And UFC President Dana White have identified July as the likely return of the 170-pound king.

    Having shared the UFC 270 card with the heavyweight unification clash between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane, Moreno and Figueiredo are certainly used to providing an exciting appetizer for a fellow championship fight.

    If the rumors are to be believed, their tetralogy may well be in as similar spot this summer.

    Who do you think will win if this fight comes to fruition, Deiveson Figueiredo or Brandon Moreno?

  • Darren Till Details Prank Khamzat Chimaev Pulled At The UFC PI

    While we would expect Darren Till and Khamzat Chimaev to be up to no good in the gym, it turns out the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas isn’t safe, either.

    While their interactions on social media and hilarious Instagram Live session had teased a budding ‘bromance’ between the two UFC stars, not many would have been expecting the pair’s link up to have gone as well as it has.

    What started as an offer from Chimaev to help train Till following the Englishman’s devastating loss to Derek Brunson last September has blossomed into an unlikely friendship.

    It has since seen the pair spend weeks together at Stockholm’s Allstar Training Center, travel to the US, and even go to dinner as a fearsome threesome with UFC President Dana White.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbWuMfNO6ky/

    Having spent so much time in each other’s company, it’s unsurprising there are some hilarious tales to be told. One of those was revealed last week, and it perhaps won’t please UFC staff…

    Till Snitches On Chimaev’s PI Prank

    Having traveled to London to support teammate Tom Aspinall’s main event clash with Alexander Volkov this past weekend, Till completed a Q&A session with his home fans during fight week.

    When asked to disclose the craziest thing he’s done alongside “Borz,” the Liverpudlian suggested that would have to stay behind closed doors.

    “I can not say on the mic [LAUGHS]. I’ll be surprised if we make it through this year though,” joked Till. “He told me he wants to come back to Liverpool and train and live.”

    However, there was one moment Till was willing to narrate, and it perhaps demonstrates the kind of shenanigans most would expect from the pair’s ventures.

    “I’ve got a brilliant story that I think is funny. So, we’re training at the UFC PI in Vegas, and obviously, all fighters eat free and stuff like that, but they have a fridge full of like, protein drinks and monsters and like, these nice milk drinks they do,” recalled Till. “So me and Khamzat were getting our food the other day and he looks at me, and he’s got like, his big UFC bag, and he goes—starts just ruffling everything into his UFC bag.

    UFC 267: Khamzat Chimaev has championship talent, says Dana White
    Khamzat Chimaev

    “So the next day, I was coming out to the changing rooms and I heard one fighter say to his friend, ‘F*cking hell, I’ve been coming here everyday for the past week and there’s no drinks [LAUGHS]. So yeah, there’s a good story. He’s probably messaging me right now.”

    I think we can expect the UFC to add some additional cameras around the drinks fridge moving forward…

    Are Darren Till and Khamzat Chimaev the best duo in MMA right now?

  • Tom Aspinall: Tai Tuivasa Will Pop My Cherry

    UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall has offered fellow contender Tai Tuivasa the chance to pop a certain alcohol-related cherry of his.

    If anyone was uncertain of Aspinall’s credentials as a member of the heavyweight elite in the UFC prior to this past weekend, it stands to reason they aren’t anymore.

    In the main event of UFC London, which took place inside the O2 Arena in England’s capital, Aspinall thrilled the home crowd by submitting former Bellator champion and six-time UFC headliner Alexander Volkov. The finish, which came via a straight armbar, represented the Russian’s first submission loss since 2010.

    Having breezed past “Drago” and risen five spots to #6 in the rankings, Aspinall has set his sights on a member of the top five, and a charismatic and entertaining one, at that.

    After calling out the #3-ranked Tuivasa in his Octagon interview, Aspinall channeled his inner “Bam Bam” by chugging some beer on his way to the back. But one thing was missing… a shoe.

    Aspinall: Only Tuivasa Can Take My Shoey Virginity

    In less than a year, Tuivasa’s brand as a fighter has expanded into the shoey business. What started after a victory over Greg Hardy last July at UFC 264 has quickly become a mainstream topic, and even a profitable one for the Australian powerhouse, even if the UFC did keep the most recent shoey celebration at UFC 271 off our screens…

    Given the questions directed towards Tuivasa and Derrick Lewis ahead of their clash last month, it seems inevitable that shoey talk will be an integral part of the 29-year-old’s pre-fight buildups from now on. And while a clash with Aspinall is far from official, the drinking practice is already on the agenda.

    During his appearance at the UFC London post-fight press conference, Aspinall revealed he’s yet to lose his ‘shoey virginity’. The Englishman also praised Tuivasa for developing the shoey into a business in the form of the ‘Shoeyvasa’.

    “I’m a shoey virgin at the moment, but if Tai wants to do one, I will,” confirmed Aspinall. “Big shout out to Tai for doing his thing with the shoey. I started seeing that he’s making money off that as well so, respect man.”

    When MMA journalist Oscar Willis wanted in on the shoey action then and there, Aspinall revealed there’s only one man who can pop his shoey cherry.

    “I’ll only do one with Tai… When Tai comes to the UK, Tai will pop my cherry,” said Aspinall.

    While the prospect of post-fight shoeys is always a bonus for the fans in attendance, the one constant that’s remained alongside Tuivasa’s celebrations is his brutal knockouts that have come prior to them.

    With Aspinall now experiencing a similar rise up the heavyweight ranks and recording a victory over a high-ranked perennial contender, a matchup with Tuivasa is sure to bring fireworks if it comes to fruition.

    UFC London: Aspinall vs. Tuivasa later this year anyone?

    How do you think a fight between Tai Tuivasa and Tom Aspinall would play out? Would we see “Bam Bam” complete another victory shoey?

  • Volkanovski Admits Regret Over “Silly” Tweet About Holloway’s Injury

    UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski has looked back on his response to Max Holloway’s injury and subsequent recovery, describing his remarks as “silly.”

    After securing a decision victory over Yair Rodriguez in a FOTY contender last November, a win that secured his second headlining triumph of 2021, Holloway appeared set for a third crack at adding the opening blemish to Volkanovski’s UFC record, a feat he’d failed to manage in 2019 and 2020.

    In January, it was announced the pair would headline UFC 272 this month. But after agitating a previous injury, “Blessed” was forced to withdraw, paving the way for “The Korean Zombie” to step in for the Australian’s next defense, which was moved to UFC 273 in April.

    But after making a fast recovery, Holloway was reportedly keen to serve as backup for the April 9 pay-per-view main event, something that clearly agitated the 145-pound champ, who took to Twitter to accuse his rival of faking the injury.

    After many came out in support of Holloway, suggesting the former titleholder would never create an excuse to pull out, Volkanovski has now admitted his tweet was out of line.

    Volkanovski Walks Back Holloway Accusations

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Volkanovski was asked whether he’d received any more information about Holloway’s apparent willingness to be the backup fighter for UFC 273.

    In his response, “The Great” took the opportunity to address his previous remark. Volkanovski admitted he let his frustration and confusion get the better of him, something he says he’s been working to avoid moving forward.

    “I didn’t get clarification (on Holloway’s willingness to be backup for UFC 273). Obviously, I heard about it, and obviously, it was frustrating,” said Volkanovski. “At the time, you know, I really wanted that fight. So once he got injured after they’d already announced it early, it was all a little bit confusing and frustrating. So you’ve seen my frustration. I wanted to tweet and get that—have a little shot at Max and his fans. But that was the only reason, which was pretty silly on my behalf, to be honest. That just shows you where my head was at back then. That’s something that I’ve really been working on lately.

    Alexander Volkanovski Max Holloway
    Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway (Image Credit: Louis Grasse/PxImages & Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

    “I bring that up just purely because, as you could see, it obviously, things that I’d say—I don’t know if he (Holloway) even asked for that (backup slot), let’s be real,” added Volkanovski. “That could’ve just been, I think it was Brett Okamoto who put it out there? I was like, ‘What, how is this gonna work? As if we’re gonna have out trilogy on a late-replacement.’ So I was a little frustrated. But for me to even let it get to me, and we don’t even know the real story behind it, it just shows me how much I was diving into the wrong sh*t, if that makes sense? I felt like I had to say something about it when I didn’t even know if it was true.”

    With Holloway seemingly ready to go in April and beyond, it stands to reason the victor of next month’s PPV main event will be standing opposite the Hawaiian in the Octagon soon after.

    If Volkanovski manages to secure his third title defense and 21st consecutive MMA victory in Jacksonville next month, the much-awaited trilogy should be a go.

    Do you agree with Alexander Volkanovski? Were his comments directed to Max Holloway unnecessary?

  • White Names One Major Thing That Could’ve Improved UFC London

    UFC President Dana White has named the one thing missing from the promotion’s return to the UK this past weekend.

    For the first time since 2019, MMA’s premier promotion crossed the Atlantic to put on a stellar card. In England’s capital, the renowned O2 Arena played host to a card stacked with British talent and well-known international names.

    From Tom Aspinall’s memorable main event triumph over veteran contender Alexander Volkov to Paddy Pimblett’s sophomore outing to “Meatball” Molly McCann’s knockout of the year contender, UFC London certainly delivered, and it did so in droves.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbVIHAtouyF/

    Nevertheless, while the event was unbelievably successful for the UFC, both in terms of fights and performances, and gate and revenue, Dana White believes there’s one thing that could have made it even better.

    Speaking in a post-event interview with BT Sport’s Caroline Pearce, the UFC president suggested a welterweight title shot for hometown favorite Leon Edwards was the only thing missing from Saturday’s memorable card.

    “The only thing that kills me tonight is that it would have been awesome for the main event to be Leon and (Kamaru) Usman,” said White. “That would have been incredible here. That was the only thing tonight that’s missing, if tonight is missing anything.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

    White Reiterated Edwards’ #1 Contender Status

    After a 10-fight unbeaten run, Edwards has firmly secured a rematch with Usman and a shot at 170-pound gold in the eyes of many. While White confirmed as much earlier this year, he reiterated it during UFC London fight week while in the #3-ranked welterweight’s home country.

    During BT Sport’s Fight Week Live, White and Edwards were in attendance to answer questions from analysts and fans. When the topic of the Englishman’s potential championship opportunity came up, the UFC kingpin once again confirmed Edwards’ place as the number one contender.

    “He absolutely deserves the next title shot, and yes, I’m wishing for nothing but good luck for Edwards this year, he’s had a rough run,” said White. “Usman, we’re waiting for his hand to get cleared. His hand gets cleared and he’s got the fight.”

    With July’s UFC 276 event reportedly the target for Usman vs. Edwards 2, it appears UK fans won’t have to wait long for their man to finally fight for gold. If “Rocky” succeeds, he’ll join Michael Bisping as the second member of the UK’s UFC champions’ club.

    How do you think the expected fight between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman will play out?

  • Vicente Luque Reveals He Was Offered London Fight Against Chimaev

    UFC welterweight Vicente Luque has revealed he accepted a matchup with rising star Khamzat Chimaev for UFC London.

    Since arriving in the UFC, Chimaev has quickly grown from prospect to a contender and future champion in the eyes of many pundits and fans. In his four victories in the Octagon to date, “Borz” has knocked out Gerald Meerschaert and choked ranked 170lber Li Jingliang unconscious.

    With his 10-0 record and fast ascension up the UFC ladder, the anticipation for Chimaev’s fifth walk to the Octagon is high. And while fans are now looking forward to that appearance next month, it turns out if alternate plans had come to fruition, we’d be discussing another concluded Chimaev fight this week.

    This past weekend, MMA’s premier promotion returned to the UK for the first time since 2019. Thanks to memorable victories for Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann, Ilia Topuria, and Paul Craig, the event will undoubtedly go down as one of the best of 2022.

    But according to the #4-ranked Vicente Luque, fans could have seen a crucial welterweight bout go down towards the top of the card.

    During a recent interview with The AllStar, the Brazilian claimed to have accepted an offer from the UFC to share the Octagon with Chimaev in London. While he’s unsure the reasoning for the matchup ultimately not coming together, Luque assured that he was more than willing to scrap with the Chechen-born Swede inside the O2.

    “I did get offered to fight Chimaev in London,” Luque revealed. “And I told the UFC that I was ready for that. I think Belal (Muhammad) was also offered that fight as well. But it didn’t work out… I don’t really know why it didn’t. They offered me the fight and I said I would take it. I don’t know if there was some sort of issue with Chimaev or if they wanted to wait and make the fight at another moment.”

    While White believes a title clash between English contender Leon Edwards and reigning welterweight king Kamaru Usman is the only thing that could have made UFC London any better, it’s hard to deny that a Luque vs. Chimaev fight would have also added something to the memorable event.

    Crucial April Outings On The Horizon For Vicente Luque & Khamzat Chimaev

    With a collision in England’s capital this month not happening for either man, Luque and Muhammad will come together for the second time in a five-round headliner on April 17.

    With both sitting inside the welterweight top five and riding impressive win streaks, their UFC Fight Night main event will be crucial in determining a future challenger for the champion.

    Meanwhile, after missing out on the chance to fight in his home continent for whatever reason, Chimaev’s attention will now solely be on the toughest test of his career to date.

    A week prior to Luque vs. Muhammad, “Borz” will look to join them at the top of the division when he faces former title challenger and #2-ranked contender Gilbert Burns. The pair will meet on a stacked UFC 273 pay-per-view card set for Jacksonville, Florida on April 9.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Cav4XoOszBO/

    With Edwards likely next in line for a championship opportunity, it stands to reason we’ll have a much clearer look at the queue for a shot behind “Rocky” at the conclusion of next month’s key welterweight fights.

    How do you think a fight between Vicente Luque and Khamzat Chimaev would have played out?

  • Dana White Rejects Narrative Of UFC London “Set-Up Fights”

    UFC President Dana White has rejected the narrative that this past weekend’s London event featured hometown “set-up fights.”

    For the first time in three years, the Octagon returned to England’s capital on Saturday. With it came a host of UK stars, contenders, and prospects all looking to put on a show in front of their home crowd inside the famed O2 Arena.

    While Mike Grundy, Jai Herbert, and Cory McKenna fell short in their respective clashes, the night was certainly a fruitful one overall for British MMA, with Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann, Arnold Allen, Paul Craig, Jack Shore, and Muhammad Mokaev all emerging victorious.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbTcu42P3nv/

    While the likes of Alexander Volkov, Dan Hooker, and Nikita Krylov undoubtedly represented tough competition, many have suggested certain matchups were engineered for the hometown favorites to comfortably secure their moment.

    At the post-fight press conference, White rejected that sentiment, claiming every local name fought “tough” competition.

    “They were all fighting real people,” asserted White. “These weren’t like, hometown set-up fights. They fought tough guys.”

    White further shared that view later in his interaction with the media when assessing the performance of one of the card’s most popular names.

    White: Pimblett Showed He’s The Real Deal

    After a first-round knockout against Luigi Vendramini on debut, the anticipation for Paddy Pimblett’s sophomore UFC appearance was certainly high. That only increased after the Liverpudlian’s fight week altercation with Ilia Topuria and usual confident mindset.

    And despite appearing hurt early, as he also did last September against Vendramini, “The Baddy” recovered to once again finish it before the first round-ending horn. The ensuing celebrations saw the O2 erupt and merseyside friends Pimblett and McCann parading with each other in the cage.

    While some have suggested Pimblett was gifted a low-level opponent in order to secure a memorable main card moment in front of a home crowd, Dana White believes the former Cage Warriors champion showed the MMA community that he’s the “real deal.”

    “This week, I was getting tired of hearing, ‘Oh, wait ’till you see his walk, wait ’till you see this and that.’ I’m like, ‘I wanna see him fight. He needs to win.’ But he did. And he did spectacularly,” said White. “And when he was in trouble, he came back, and turned the fight around, and won.

    “All the talk going into this fight about his walk-in and all this sh*t, listen, it’s real. This kid’s got a ton of hype behind him. Tonight he showed everybody that he’s the real deal,” concluded White.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbTRy4CgRKv/

    While Pimblett’s rising stardom is undeniable, as was proven by the fact his pre-fight face-off with Vargas did nearly double the numbers of the main event on social media, it appears the jury is still out for many when it comes to his credentials in a stacked UFC lightweight division.

    With his plan being to fight at least two more times in 2022, “The Baddy” will hope to turn more heads by continuing his perfect start on MMA’s biggest stage.

    What did you make of the matchups at UFC London?

  • Dana White Reveals The Two Fights He Wants To Book In 2022

    UFC President Dana White has revealed which two potential fights he wants to book the most in 2022.

    With a host of stars, rivalries, and top stylistic matchups on the minds of fans every year, the role of White and the UFC matchmakers can’t be easy. But despite organizing over 10 weight classes that comprise a total roster of over 600 fighters, certain future bouts undoubtedly stand out.

    That’s certainly the case for the UFC president, who recently revealed the top two fights he’s hoping to put on at some point this year during a recent appearance on BT Sport’s Fight Week Live in London.

    “Well, let’s get Leon (Edwards) his (title) fight, that’d be great to get that done,” said White. “But the other one, it’d be good to see Jon Jones back this year. He says he wants to fight heavyweight. I’d like to get a Jon Jones fight at heavyweight this year if that’s possible.”

    Jon Jones, a former two-time UFC light heavyweight champion and arguably the leading contender in the race for GOAT status, hasn’t been in action since a successful title defense against Dominick Reyes in February 2020.

    After vacating the title and targeting gold in a second division, Jones went to work in the gym, looking to bulk up and transition to heavyweight. But after a monetary dispute with the UFC and yet another run-in with the law, “Bones” is still on the sidelines. White is clearly hoping to change that in the coming months.

    Edwards, meanwhile, has firmly staked his claim for a shot at Kamaru Usman’s welterweight title with an active 10-fight unbeaten streak. In his last appearance, “Rocky” comfortably defeated fan favorite Nate Diaz on the scorecards at UFC 263.

    Ahead of UFC London this week, White, who has traveled to Edwards’ home country for Saturday’s event, reiterated that the Englishman is next for “The Nigerian Nightmare,” potentially during International Fight Week in July.

    Blockbuster PPV Fights Lined Up In 2022

    If Usman vs. Edwards 2 and Jones’ heavyweight debut are agreed for later this year, they’ll only add to what is already a stacked pay-per-view lineup in 2022.

    So far, we’ve seen Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane collide in a heavyweight unification showdown, Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker share the Octagon for the second time, and Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal take their bitter feud to the cage.

    Next up on the PPV calendar is UFC 273 on April 9. In the two top spots, gold will be on the line. First, the heated feud between bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and interim titleholder Petr Yan will finally be settled. Then, in the event’s headliner, Alexander Volkanovski will put his belt on the line against “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung.

    At UFC 274 on May 7, Charles Oliveira will look to continue his reign atop the lightweight mountain. In his way of doing so will be Justin Gaethje, who’s coming off a FOTY-worthy war with Michael Chandler. In the co-main, Rose Namajunas will put her title on the line in a rematch eight years in the making versus Carla Esparza.

    Opening the summer schedule will be UFC 275, which is set to play host to a light heavyweight collision between veteran champ Glover Teixeira and unpredictable brawler Jiří Procházka. Dominant women’s flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko is also set to be in action at the event, which is targeted for Singapore. The next challenger to her lengthy rule will be Brazil’s Taila Santos.

    Add Usman’s next defense and Jones’ comeback to the mix soon after, and that’s a mighty fine calendar…

    Which fight do you most want to see go down before the end of 2022?

  • Marlon Vera Says Aljamain Sterling Fight Is “Easy” On Paper For Petr Yan

    UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera has given a prediction for his division’s upcoming unification title showdown, set for UFC 273 next month.

    At the April 9 pay-per-view, reigning champion Aljamain Sterling and interim titleholder Petr Yan will look to finally settle their bitter rivalry over a year after it ignited.

    The pair first collided at UFC 259 in March 2021. While Yan, the then-champ, was expected to extend his reign and was well on his way to doing so after three rounds, a fourth-frame disqualification crowned a new 135-pound king inside Las Vegas’ APEX.

    After surgery kept him out and forced a withdrawal from his scheduled defense at UFC 267 opposite “No Mercy,” Sterling has been on the sidelines with the belt for 12 months. At UFC 273, he’ll be hoping to finally legitimize his reign by adding another blemish to the Russian’s record.

    While some, including the #12-ranked Sean O’Malley, expect Sterling to arrive to the cage with an improved game plan from last time out, “Chito” Vera, the current #8 man in the division, doesn’t have high hopes for “Funk Master.”

    Vera Expects To Hear ‘And New!’

    During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, the Ecuadorian gave his assessment of the April 9 bantamweight championship rematch. While he gives Sterling the kind of puncher’s chance that always exists in a sport with as many disciplines as MMA, he ultimately said it should be an “easy” win on paper for Yan.

    “That fight, on paper, it’s pretty easy (for) Yan. He just has way better striking,” said Vera. “But that’s the thing with MMA. Sometimes you don’t need to be Israel Adesanya to win a fight. MMA, the speed is different, the range is different. You fucking throw three hooks in a row and oops, you won. It’s not a sport like boxing or kickboxing, (where) most guys are like, perfect technique.

    “You see a guy who comes from jiu-jitsu not give two fucks and just start swinging from the fences, it’s hard to read those punches” Vera continued. “That’s why you gotta spread across a little bit of everything. But, you know, everybody can punch in MMA. And there’s so many things you can do; clinch, fight on the fence. On paper, I do believe Yan kicks his ass. Because Sterling gets tired every time he’s not able to get a hold of you. He gets tired quick; he gets anxious. Yan is pretty calm in there.”

    Given his own form in the 135-pound weight class, Vera will certainly be keeping a close eye on proceedings come UFC 273 fight night. Having secured a second consecutive win by brutally knocking out Frankie Edgar last November, “Chito” is set for his first chance to enter the main event spotlight.

    A few weeks after Yan vs. Sterling 2, Vera will headline a UFC Fight Night opposite top-five contender Rob Font. With a victory, the 29-year-old will likely move to within just one triumph of a meeting inside the Octagon with the bantamweight kingpin.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca8eSMHLvrH/

    Do you agree with Marlon Vera? Is the UFC 273 co-main event “easy” to predict on paper?

  • Ben Askren On Covington’s Poirier Callout: “Huge Name, Easy Win”

    Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren has given his take on Colby Covington’s post-fight callout to lightweight star Dustin Poirier at UFC 272.

    Inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on March 5, Covington accomplished a lot. Not only did he successfully rebound from a second loss to Kamaru Usman, but he also cemented his #1 spot at 170 pounds, emerged victorious in a bitter grudge match with former teammate Jorge Masvidal, and added a third name to his list of beaten ATT foes.

    As his push for a third crack at dethroning “The Nigerian Nightmare” gets underway, Covington has his next rival in mind. Unsurprisingly, it’s another with a built-in backstory that would allow for his usual level of insults and trash talk.

    In his Octagon interview with Joe Rogan, Covington made it clear he wanted Poirier next. At the post-fight press conference, “Chaos” hammered the point home by indulging in his usual personal attacks on the Louisianan and his family.

    In the aftermath, the fanbase has been largely split. While some have praised the move and called for Poirier to accept the fight, others, including Usman, who is arguably the man who matters most, have suggested a victory over Poirier would do nothing to further Covington’s cause in the welterweight division.

    Nevertheless, Covington will at least have the support of one fellow wrestling extraordinaire.

    Askren Credits Covington For “Great Callout”

    During an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Ben Askren, a former Bellator and ONE welterweight titleholder, gave his assessment of Covington’s decision to call out Poirier over any of his fellow 170-pound contenders.

    Praising it as a “great” move, “Funky” described a Poirier fight as one that would generate high interest, but would also be low risk. For Askren, that should always be the goal when targeting opponents.

    “Great callout. Because it’s a fight that—obviously, (from) in the gym, he probably knows he’s really, really likely to win,” said Askren. “Poirier is probably a top-10 name in the UFC at this point given the fact that he’s beaten McGregor twice. So, huge name, easy win. You can’t ask for anything better than that, right?

    “If Dustin loses, he kind of looks like a chicken. Colby also can’t call anyone out above him because he’s had two shots at Marty (Usman), so it’s gonna take him a while to get that shot,” added Askren. “Dana said he can get that shot again, but it’s gonna take a little bit; it’s not gonna happen right away. So it’s like, who else you gonna call out?”

    When asked whether Covington would be better served requesting the victor of UFC 273’s Gilbert Burns vs. Khamzat Chimaev clash, Askren noted that a contest against either man, especially a victorious “Borz,” would pose a lot more risk for the former interim champion.

    “Big attention, easy win, that’s what you want. Neither one of those guys, yet, is as popular as Poirier… It’s also really risky (fighting Chimaev if he beats Burns). Burns is good. So, if he beats Burns, he’s really good, too. I think Covington went the right way with that one,” Askren concluded.

    As Covington’s tear through his group of former ATT teammates continues, Poirier is in his crosshairs. However, while “The Diamond” maintains that “it’s on sight” if he sees the controversial welterweight, he’s consistently asserted that a collision inside the Octagon is never going to happen.

    With that in mind, Covington’s post-fight callout doesn’t seem likely to bear the fruits “Chaos” was hoping for. Therefore, the 34-year-old may need to turn his attention to Burns vs. Chimaev after all.

    Do you agree with Ben Askren? Was Dustin Poirier the smart callout for Colby Covington to make?

  • Pimblett Explains Why UFC London Fight Is A “Lose-Lose” For Him

    Rising UFC lightweight star Paddy Pimblett has described his upcoming fight at UFC London this weekend as a “lose-lose” situation.

    In 2021, Pimblett burst onto the scene in MMA’s leading promotion with a memorable debut. After much anticipation for his first walk following a March signing, Pimblett was matched up with Luigi Vendramini on the main card of UFC Vegas 36 last September.

    Despite appearing to be hurt early on, “The Baddy” found his rhythm as the first round developed, eventually making good on his pre-fight prediction by knocking the Brazilian out before the end of the opening frame.

    Now, with his stock risen and his name firmly established as a hot prospect, Pimblett will take to the Octagon for the second time today at UFC London. With a home crowd behind him, the Liverpudlian is certain he’ll draw the loudest cheers of the night when he shares the cage with Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas inside the O2 Arena.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbK4f1Ss6Tq/

    But despite looking forward to his first outing of 2022, Pimblett also sees his sophomore clash on the sport’s biggest stage as a lose-lose scenario.

    During an interview with BT Sport’s Nick Peet, Pimblett suggested that because most fans expect him to dispatch Vargas with ease, there’s little upside to a comfortable victory. On the flip side, a defeat would be extremely damaging.

    “I’ve said this, this fight’s a lose-lose for me,” claimed Pimblett. “Everyone’s like, ‘Ah, he should be winning anyway.’ But if I lost the fight, they’d be like, ‘Ah, he’s a hype train.’ If I win the fight, ‘Ah, he should’ve won anyway.’ For him (Vargas) lad, it’s a win-win. He comes over and beats me, ‘Ah, [MUTED].’ He gets beat, ‘Ah, he was meant to lose anyway.’ Know what I mean?”

    Pimblett: All I Know Is I’m Beating This Mexican Up

    Nevertheless, Pimblett isn’t focusing too much on people’s opinions. That’s true now and whatever the result of the main card today will be. All the Liverpudlian is thinking about is getting his hand raised after a second consecutive first-round triumph.

    “Opinions mean nothing lad. As Paul (Reed) says, opinions mean nothing. Actions mean something,” asserted Pimblett. “So people’s opinions, they can stick them up their arse lad. I don’t care. All I know is I’m getting in this cage and I’m beating this Mexican up for half-a-round before the referee stops it or he goes to sleep.”

    With aspirations of grandeur for 2022 and beyond, it’s certainly important for Pimblett to establish his dominance over lower-level lightweight names like Vargas.

    Do you think Paddy Pimblett will record his second UFC victory when he shares the Octagon with Kazula Vargas today?

  • Dana White Touts Talent On UFC London Card As Best-Ever In The UK

    You’d be hard-pressed to find someone in the MMA fanbase not excited for today’s UFC London card, and that includes Dana White.

    Today, the UFC will return to England’s capital for the first time since 2019. After being deprived of action throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, UK fans are finally set to see top-draw Octagon scraps live in the flesh once again.

    Delivering a card worth of the occasion, the promotion has stacked the event, set to take place inside the renowned O2 Arena, with a host of exciting international and British names.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbFtqHPP8tP/

    During an appearance on BT Sport’s Fight Week Live on Thursday, the UFC President gave his thoughts on his organization returning across the Atlantic and the exciting lists of bouts slated to go down at UFC London.

    Despite the likes of Leon Edwards, Michael Bisping, Jorge Masvidal, Carlos Condit, Dan Hardy, Mirko Cro Cop, Anderson Silva, and Fabricio Werdum all taking to the cage in the UK in previous visits, White suggested no British event has been as stacked with talent as this weekend’s card.

    “I’m excited. We’re not gonna need a roof on Saturday night. Believe me, the roof is gonna blow off this place,” said the UFC president. “We haven’t been here in three years and, like I was just saying to Mike (Bisping), the talent on this card is probably the best we’ve ever had out of the UK, so I’m excited to see what these guys can do on Saturday night.”

    12 Fights Set For Stacked UFC London Card

    Headlining Saturday’s UFC London card will be home favorite Tom Aspinall. The surging heavyweight prospect has gone 4-0 in the promotion so far, a record that includes a second-round submission of former champion Andrei Arlovski and a first-round TKO against the ranked Sergey Spivak.

    In the Manchester native’s way of a rise into the title picture will be Alexander Volkov, a perennial UFC contender and former Bellator titleholder who’s featured in five main events on MMA’s biggest stage. He’ll be hoping to prove he’s a step above the rising names in his sixth headliner this weekend.

    Setting the stage for the heavyweight behemoths will be a co-main event clash between fan-favorite UFC mainstay Dan Hooker and England’s own Arnold Allen.

    While the Ipswich native, currently ranked #7 at 145 pounds, will be targeting a top-five slot and a step towards the gold at UFC London, “The Hangman” will be looking to make a successful return to featherweight following a 1-3 record across his last four lightweight bouts.

    The current bout order for Saturday’s UFC London card is as follows:

    Preliminary Card

    Muhammad Mokaev vs. Cody Durden (flyweight)

    Cory McKenna vs. Elise Reed (women’s strawweight)

    Jack Shore vs. Timur Valiev (bantamweight)

    Paul Craig vs. Nikita Krylov (light heavyweight)

    Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Sergei Pavlovich (heavyweight)

    Mike Grundy vs. Makwan Amirkhani (featherweight)

    Main Card

    Jai Herbert vs. Ilia Topuria (lightweight)

    Molly McCann vs. Luana Carolina (women’s flyweight)

    Gunnar Nelson vs. Takashi Sato (welterweight)

    Paddy Pimblett vs. Kazula Vargas (lightweight)

    Arnold Allen vs. Dan Hooker (featherweight co-main event)

    Tom Aspinall vs. Alexander Volkov (heavyweight main event)

    All fighters were successful on the scale at Friday’s weigh-ins.

    Which fight are you most looking forward to at UFC London?

  • Aspinall: If I Look Past Volkov, I’m Waking Up Under The O2 Lights

    UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall knows that if he looks beyond upcoming opponent Alexander Volkov, their clash at UFC London won’t end well for him.

    This weekend, MMA’s premier promotion is set to return to England’s capital for the first time since before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. On that card in 2019, Darren Till, long thought to be the country’s most promising star, headlined alongside Jorge Masvidal.

    This time, a new Englishman making waves in the UFC is ready for his time to shine. Aspinall, a teammate of Till at Liverpool’s Team Kaobon, has made his name known in the heavyweight division since arriving in 2020.

    After an unbeaten 4-0 start, which includes a submission of former champion Andrei Arlovski and a brutal TKO of the ranked Sergey Spivak, the 28-year-old is ready for his opportunity to break into the elite.

    That chance comes this Saturday inside London’s famed O2 Arena, where he’ll stand toe-to-toe with perennial contender Alexander Volkov.

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    Given his impressive form in the Octagon so far and rapid rise up the heavyweight ladder, Aspinall would be forgiven for looking ahead to what the future might hold with a victory over “Drago.” But for the #11-ranked Brit, the Russian behemoth is the only thing on his mind.

    Aspinall Fully Focused On The Task At Hand

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Aspinall assessed his upcoming rival. While he’s preparing for his first headline spot in the UFC, Volkov will be topping the card for an incredible sixth time tomorrow.

    That experience, along with the Russian’s abilities, has Aspinall acknowledging Volkov as his clear toughest test to date in professional MMA.

    “He’s by far the biggest, literally the biggest, and the biggest and best opponent that I’ve ever fought,” admitted Aspinall. “I know this is an absolutely enormous step up for me from my other opponents, I know that. Obviously, I feel like I’m ready for that. He brings so much to the table. He’s so good everywhere.”

    With that in mind, the 28-year-old knows he has to invest his complete attention on “Drago” if he’s to have his hand raised in front of his home crowd.

    When asked what a victory might do for his career moving forward, Aspinall claimed that if his sights stray beyond his immediate challenge, he’ll be waking up with the lights of the O2 above him.

    “Do you want a boring answer? I’m not looking too far forward. Because I know that if I take my eye off this guy, man, I’m fucking waking up under them lights with them smelling salts under my nose, you know what I mean?” Aspinall asserted. “I ain’t thinking past this guy. This guy is seriously dangerous, seriously skilled, and seriously experienced. He’s far beyond anyone that I’ve ever fought before, so I can’t think past this guy.”

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    While the heavyweight title picture is unclear at the moment, with champion Francis Ngannou facing a lengthy time on the sidelines following surgery and the uncertain status of Jon Jones, a victory over Volkov would undoubtedly add Aspinall to the conversation.

    Who do you think will move closer to title contention at UFC London, Tom Aspinall or Alexander Volkov?