MMA News

Author: Kyle Dimond

  • European Promotion Set To Break The UFC’s Attendance Record On October 12

    European Promotion Set To Break The UFC’s Attendance Record On October 12

    European promotion OKTAGON have previously been described by Ariel Helwani as “MMA’s best kept secret”.

    They may not have the household names that every fan in the United States would know but this had no impact on their seismic growth in Europe.

    This weekend at OKTAGON 62, they’re set to host their second event of the year that will take place in an outdoor football stadium.

    The Deutsche Bank Park will host the promotion on October 12 and by hitting huge numbers, the event will bring the fourth largest crowd in the history of the sport and the biggest ever to take place outside of Japan.

    OKTAGON 62 Is Set To Break Records In Frankfurt, Germany

    Japanese promotions PRIDE and K-1 hold the current reported records for attendance through three events that took place between 2000-2003.

    The UFC’s current attendance record stands at 57,127 for UFC 243 where middleweight champions Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker collided at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

    Deutsche Bank Park is the home of German Bundesliga team Eintracht Frankfurt and with additional capacity added due to the lack of needing a football pitch in the middle, will house 60,000 this Saturday night.

    The main event features two favorites of the home crowd colliding as Christian Eckerlin and Christian Jungwirth battle it out to see who is the King of Germany.

    Co-owner and co-founder Pavol Neruda spoke about how this event has exceeded even their own wild ambitions for the promotion at this stage in it’s life.

    “We sold 40,000 within the first 3 weeks, before we even announced many fights, and I think that that shows how we have built a brand that the public can trust. They know that an OKTAGON event is a great experience – somewhere they can go with their friends and have six hours of fun.

    We were very ambitious at the beginning, but I have to be honest, I did not see us selling out football stadiums in Germany after only 8 years! We were dreaming, but now it is a reality, and we are super excited.”

    Read also: Michael Chandler Would ‘Bet The Farm’ On Conor McGregor Fight Happening In 2025

  • Former Title Challenger Among Nine Seemingly Cut From The UFC Roster

    Former Title Challenger Among Nine Seemingly Cut From The UFC Roster

    The UFC Roster Tracker account on X has been very busy in the days following UFC 307 in Salt Lake City with nine posts about fighters exciting the UFC.

    Though the following releases are yet to be confirmed by other sources with knowledge of the situation, the promotion has been known to issue these mass cuts from time to time.

    By far the most notable of the reported releases is former interim light heavyweight title challenger Ovince St. Preux.

    “OSP” suffered a loss at this past weekend’s PPV card where he was submitted by Ryan Spann in the opening round.

    St. Preux previously faced a returning Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 197 where he replaced Daniel Cormier and came up short.

    Seemingly ending his UFC career with 28 fights inside the Octagon, the 41-year old is perhaps best known for his signature Von Flue choke that was at one point being coined the “Von Preux”.

    As for the other names included in the posts, Kleydson Rodrigues exits the promotion following back-to-back losses at bantamweight.

    Heavyweight Karl Williams won three in a row before his last fight, a loss to Jhonata Diniz so his departure would certainly be a surprising one.

    Mexico’s Victor Altamirano is winless in his last three at 125-pounds and Da Woon Jung has hit similar form with four consecutive losses at 205.

    Kaynan Kruschewsky exits without a win inside the Octagon after coming up short in both of his appearances following a first-round finish on Contender Series.

    Finally, three female fighters are also said to be leaving as Brianna Fortino, Victoria Leonardo and Danyelle Wolf make up the nine total names.

    Despite going 1-1 inside the Octagon with some clear potential, Fortino hasn’t fought since 2020 where she faced Tecia Pennington.

    Consecutive first round losses ended Leonardo’s time in the promotion and finally, Wolf hasn’t fought in over two years after being unable to turn her boxing pedigree into a debut win at UFC 279.

    Once again, these releases are yet to be confirmed after being posted by the Roster Tracker account.

    Read also: Larissa Pacheco Sticks Up For Kayla Harrison After PFL’s ‘Uncalled For’ Fight-Day Dig

  • Former Champion Pushes For UFC Lawsuit Settlement, Cites Urgent Need for Financial & Medical Aid

    Former Champion Pushes For UFC Lawsuit Settlement, Cites Urgent Need for Financial & Medical Aid

    In the latest update of the ongoing Le vs Zuffa lawsuit, there have been declarations written by many of the former UFC fighters that are involved in the case.

    The declarations talk about how they have been affected and whether they’re for or against the proposed settlement fee of $375 million over the case continuing and why.

    There could be more money in a settlement if the lawsuit continues but that comes with the risk of it not being reached at all.

    In the declarations posted by John S. Nash, a former UFC champion is passionately against the idea of the lawsuit continuing due to serious concerns.

    Shane Carwin Issues Worrying Reasoning Behind His Need For The UFC Settlement To Be Approved

    Shane Carwin fought just six times inside the Octagon and retired early on in his career due to several serious injuries.

    He is the former interim heavyweight champion, stopping Frank Mir before going on to face Brock Lesnar at UFC 116.

    Carwin notes in his declaration that the proposed settlement of $375 million is an “excellent result”, stating that he fought once under the UFC banner in the specific timeframe.

    His reasoning for wanting this settlement to be agreed upon is due to several key issues in his life that could be solved by this payment that he would recieve.

    The following statements from Carwin himself are disappointing and upsetting to read for long time fans who remember him at his peak.

    “While fighting for the UFC, I suffered many significant injuries, including concussions. I fear that during my career I have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI) and am noticing symptoms common with TBI and CTE including addiction, depression, mood swings, and irritability.”

    Carwin goes on to say that he has had tests done at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and Concussion Legacy Foundation at Boston University among others that point to damage to his pre-frontal cortex and left hemisphere.

    He also points out several other health issues including paranoia, fear and anxiety which has been so severe that he was bed bound.

    On top of his health conditions, he says that his time as a fighter has also impacted his ability to work outside of the sport so that he can support himself.

    “Despite having a degree in engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, I have been unable to maintain adequate focus to hold down an engineering job. I face serious challenges in meeting basic everyday expenses for food, shelter, and transportation and in basic life skills necessary to function.”

    Carwin is saying all of this because he doesn’t want the lawsuit to continue if there’s a feeling that the settlement payment could increase.

    He makes it very clear that this result would be a great one and that he cannot afford to wait for this income if the case continues rather than the settlement being agreed upon.

    “This would truly be life-changing money for me and for other members of the class. These funds would also allow me to obtain the healthcare I need and keep a roof over my head and food on my table. The sad reality is that finds years from now may be of no use to me. I desperately need these funds now.”

    One of Carwin’s final statement clarifies his stance once again.

    “For me, a significant recovery in the near future is much more appealing than the possibility of a large recovery several years from now, especially in light of the possibility that there would be no recovery at all if this settlement were not approved. In my situation, a bird in the hand truly does beat two (or three, or even nine) in the bush.”

    Read also: Leon Edwards’ Brother On Loss To Belal Muhammad: ‘Always Had Unfair Situations Given To Him!’

  • Anthony Smith Took Pride In Rountree’s Success vs. Pereira At UFC 307

    Anthony Smith Took Pride In Rountree’s Success vs. Pereira At UFC 307

    A lot of fight fans felt that if Khalil Rountree was going to have success at UFC 307, it would need to come early.

    Alex Pereira is so efficient and effective at setting traps that the fight was always going to get tougher for him in the later rounds and this ended up being the case.

    Perhaps what many didn’t expect is how competitive the first few rounds would be before Rountree’s gas tank and the damage he was taking started to catch up to him.

    As a former opponent of Rountree’s, Anthony Smith was able to take a lot away from watching this fight play out this past weekend in Salt Lake City.

    Anthony Smith Says That Watching Khalil Rountree At UFC 307 Made Him More Positive

    Though he has recently buried the hatchet with Pereira over their previous feud, Smith still took a lot of enjoyment after seeing how well Rountree did against “Poatan”.

    The challenger’s last victory before he fought for the title was against “Lionheart” where he viciously stopped him in the third round.

    Smith was happy that his performance against Rountree clearly wasn’t a one-off after seeing how well he did against Pereira who is a whole different level in the striking.

    “To be very honest, there was a lot of me those first two rounds that felt really good watching Khalil, like f***, at least it ain’t just me.

    “I was like oh thank God. It would have really hurt my heart if Pereira had went out there and just dusted Khalil in like a round but watching him have some real serious success and land big on, you know how it is as a fighter. You kind of sit back and go, ‘S*** he didn’t land on me like that till the third round’. It was cool and it made he happy for Khalil.”

    Read also: ‘How Scary Is It?’ – Daniel Cormier Imagines ‘Amateur’ Alex Pereira With A Well-Rounded MMA Skillset

  • Brandon Royval Sees ‘Strong Possibility’ UFC Newcomer Could Beat Alexandre Pantoja

    Brandon Royval Sees ‘Strong Possibility’ UFC Newcomer Could Beat Alexandre Pantoja

    Brandon Royval is set to return this weekend at the UFC Apex where he faces the undefeated Tatsuro Taira in the main event.

    Even after beating Brandon Moreno last time out to cement his status as the #1-ranked flyweight in the division, handing Taira his first win may not be enough for him to secure a second title shot.

    “Raw Dog” has already suffered two defeats to the current champion, Alexandre Pantoja, which makes it significantly harder to put him straight back in.

    Royval spoke in a recent interview with Inside Fighting about how the talk of who will be Pantoja’s next challenger has been pretty quiet.

    After he faced a surprising opponent in Steve Erceg last time out, it would have likely been Muhammad Mokaev as the next in line if he was still with the promotion.

    Royval, however, believes that it could be a new arrival into the division that is next for the champ.

    Brandon Royval Says That Kai Asakura Could Be The Man To Beat Alexandre Pantoja

    Earlier this year in June, the UFC was announced to have signed RIZIN bantamweight champion Kai Asakura.

    The 30-year old Japanese star has got a huge fan following back in his native country and by all accounts, would be jumping in at the deep end once he arrived inside the Octagon.

    Royval took this as him facing Pantoja down at 125-pounds, as he told Inside Fighting.

    “I mean I thought it was Kai Asakura. I thought that was who the next fight would be and I was like, if I win this fight, I’m just gonna call out Pantoja or Asakura. But I mean I’ve still never heard anything so maybe it’s like I’m just starting these rumours myself.”

    Royval was also asked how he would feel about someone new entering the promotion and jumping right into a title shot.

    His response was that someone new being the champion would help his case for another title shot and in his opinion, Asakura would have a good chance of beating Pantoja.

    “Oh I don’t give a s***, as long as it doesn’t affect my road, it would be dope if he wins because if he wins, I for sure get the next title shot. In my opinion, I don’t really care. I just try to get in there when I fit in there so I think if he wins and beats Alexandre Pantoja, which I think is a strong possibility, then I could go fight Kai Asakura.” 

    Read also: Leon Edwards’ Brother On Loss To Belal Muhammad: ‘Always Had Unfair Situations Given To Him!’

  • Khalil Rountree Delivers Motivational Speech To His Teammates

    Khalil Rountree Delivers Motivational Speech To His Teammates

    Khalil Rountree gave a good account of himself in the main event of UFC 307 despite being a sizable underdog.

    Many expected that Alex Pereira would defend his lightweight title in Salt Lake City but the feeling was that the fight would be entertaining for however long it lasted.

    In the end, the challenger made it competitive in the first three rounds but started to slow down and when he did, an incredible display of toughness kept him in there as “Poatan” looked to close the show.

    Just days after the biggest fight of his career, Rountree returned to his home base of Syndicate MMA where his coach, John Wood, used his fighter as a role model for others to follow.

    “As a coach guys, there’s not much more, obviously the best thing is always to go out and get a win and that’s what we’re always looking to do and have that success but all I ask for you guys, one way or the other, is go out and fight your a** off. Go out on your shield like this man did the other night. Shock the world, proved to a lot of people that he deserves to be there, proved to himself, proved to all of us what we already knew, that he’s one of the best in the world so congratulations.”

    Khalil Rountree Tells His Teammates That UFC 307 Setback Had Motivated Him And Should Do The Same For Them

    Rountree then gave his own speech where he reflected on the fight and his performance against one of the biggest stars in the sport.

    His interviews on fight week both before and after the contest featured a lot of talk about self belief and gratitude.

    This was still the case in the words he said days after UFC 307, telling his teammates that he wanted to thank them for their support and share the positives that he was able to take away from the defeat.

    “I’ve gone out there and like represented Syndicate. I think that like not only was I the underdog but it just shows like I’ve been training out of this place for so long and we don’t need all this crazy s***, we don’t need all these guys from all around the world. We just need us, we got enough people here on the mats to make sure that we can go and fight for a title and show who we are so yeah. I just wanted to swing by, I saw everybody’s support in the IG group so I thought let me just go say what’s up to everybody.

    “But yeah, hell of a fight. Dude was big. Dude was big, I tried to use whatever tools I can but it motivated me. I think like just to know that I went in there and put up the fight that I had but I’m not done. We’re not done here, I know Syndicate we’re gonna keep going so yeah, appreciate you guys.”

  • Jon Jones Nearly Lands Devastating Knee On Gable Steveson In UFC 309 Training

    Jon Jones Nearly Lands Devastating Knee On Gable Steveson In UFC 309 Training

    UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is underway with his preparations for his long awaited return at UFC 309 in November.

    “Bones” will be making the first defense of his title against the former champion Stipe Miocic in what is likely to be the final fight of his career. Jones has been able to build a small but closely knit team around him since moving up to heavyweight but in order to keep it fresh, he was seen getting some new looks in a recent video.

    The former light heavyweight champion was seen working alongside Olympic gold medallist Gable Steveson who has hinted at competing in MMA in the past.

    After winning gold in wrestling at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Steveson has tried his hand at professional wrestling and football but is clearly taking an interest in mixed martial arts. If this is going to be a potential career move for him, why not jump in at the deep end by grappling with the consensus greatest that MMA has ever seen.

    Jon Jones Trains With Gable Steveson

    In the multiple training videos posted by Jones on social media, one particular exchange nearly ends very badly for Steveson.

    “Bones” goes for a single leg and when Steveson escapes, he goes immediately for the same technique on Jones, lunging towards his legs. Whether he did it instinctually or didn’t mean to actually connect, Jones throws a knee as a counter which lands but fortunately, doesn’t do much damage.

    The heavyweight champion immediately asks him if he’s okay and breaks the clinch as the two men laugh about it. It certainly would have been a rough welcome to mixed martial arts if Steveson had been hit by a knee that had even a little bit more power behind it.

  • VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Reacts To Former Rival Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 Win

    VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Reacts To Former Rival Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 Win

    Israel Adesanya watched closely as UFC 307 went down this past weekend, where a former foe of his was back in action.

    The former two-time middleweight champion is always able to offer unparalleled analysis when Alex Pereira is stepping inside the cage.

    They’ve faced each other on four occasions in various rule sets, and despite his prior losses to “Poatan,” Adesanya is the only man to beat him in the UFC.

    Via the reactions video on his YouTube channel, FREESTYLEBENDER, fans got the chance to watch “The Last Stylebender” enjoy a fun fight and devastating performance from Pereira to cap off the night.

    Israel Adesanya Reacts To Alex Pereira’s Ruthless Display At UFC 307

    Now that he’s not competing against him and they’re in different weight classes, Adesanya is able to join the ranks of all the fans that enjoy watching Pereira do what he does best.

    Throughout his reaction, he constantly drew attention to things that Pereira is doing or thinking based on his experiences of fighting and studying “Poatan.”

    Despite a strong start to the fight from the challenger, Adesanya believed that Pereira was only going to get stronger as the fight went on.

    “Round two, if ‘Poatan’ gets past this or doesn’t get knock him out, I think he’ll be fine. Khalil is better early on… I think he has to. If not, ‘Poatan’ is gonna get those leg kicks going again.”

    Adesanya also pointed out in-between rounds how well the champion is able to recover in tough fights, whispering about how he knows all too well about this.

    “He’s a f****** demon bro. I felt it.”

    The third round came to a close and the former champ made the call that Pereira was going to close out proceedings in the fourth round now that he had really found his groove in Salt Lake City.

    “I can feel it, I can feel it. Now it’s gonna be ‘Chama’ time.”

    Throughout the fourth round, Adesanya repeatedly called for Pereira to switch up his approach and target the body which he eventually did, ending the fight after a barrage of strikes that Rountree somehow withstood.

    “Good on him, he lasted longer than I thought he would but at least someone else took him to the fourth round, shows how good Khalil is.”

    Adesanya rounded out his thoughts on the fight by talking about what is in front of both Pereira and Rountree going forward.

    “He’s got some hard fights in front of him but he’s that guy right now, he’s on… honestly, that’s how I called it but I thought it was going to be early but shout to Khalil ’cause heart. Fighting with a broke nose, f***** eye and intelligence not to blow his nose in the fight, respect and his stock goes up after this, so yeah, what a moment.”

  • Ali Abdelaziz: O’Malley Deserves Title Shot Once Umar Nurmagomedov Is Champion

    Ali Abdelaziz: O’Malley Deserves Title Shot Once Umar Nurmagomedov Is Champion

    Umar Nurmagomedov is looking increasingly likely to be the next contender for the bantamweight title that changed hands at UFC 306.

    Merab Dvalishvili wasn’t sold on the idea following his win over Sean O’Malley last month but with several other top contenders either booked or coming off of losses, it doesn’t look like he will have much choice in the matter.

    Nurmagomedov has only fought one contender in the top 15, Cory Sandhagen, meaning that his first title defense if he was to win the belt would open up a lot of opportunities. With the biggest name in the division in “Suga” returning to the role of contender, it’s not likely to be long before he’s back in a big fight even if the fighters around him in the rankings stay active.

    Ali Abdelaziz Says Sean O’Malley Would Deserve To Fight Umar Nurmagomedov When He’s Champion

    There’s a strong chance that O’Malley finds himself in a title fight unless the likes of Deiveson Figueiredo or Petr Yan are able to make a statement when they meet.

    During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz spoke about how O’Malley would be at the top of their priorities if he’s successful against Dvalishvili.

    “Suga” has recently undergone surgery but if the timelines end up working out, which you’d imagine they will given his recent update, Abdelaziz said that O’Malley deserves this opportunity even if he is coming off a loss.

    “Sean O’Malley just have a surgery. The plan was Umar beat Merab and after that Umar gives Sean O’Malley a title shot coming off a loss because I believe Sean O’Malley deserves it. He built the division, he made everybody money, why not give the guy love for making the 135 (division) exciting as it is today.”

    Read also: Sean O’Malley’s Coach Called ‘Hypocrite’ For Supporting Mario Bautista’s UFC 307 Win After Bashing Merab Dvalishvili

  • Ankalaev’s Manager: ‘Embarrassing’ If Pereira Avoids Next Fight

    Ankalaev’s Manager: ‘Embarrassing’ If Pereira Avoids Next Fight

    Alex Pereira made it clear in his post-fight interview at UFC 307 that he has no plans to leave the light heavyweight division right now.

    “Poatan” has flirted with both moving up to heavyweight and returning to middleweight but said himself that competing at 205-pounds is a sweet spot for him right now. Though his clash with Khalil Rountree in the main event delivered an entertaining fight, many expected Magomed Ankalaev to be his opponent in Salt Lake City.

    The #2-ranked contender will instead face Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308 later this month where if he wins, there surely can be no denying him.

    Ali Abdelaziz Says Magomed Ankalaev Has To Be Next For Alex Pereira

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Ankalaev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz gave his thoughts on the current title picture at 205-pounds. He believes that Pereira’s statement on remaining at light heavyweight gives him no option but to face Ankalaev if he defeats Rakić in Abu Dhabi.

    Abdelaziz also pointed to some of his other fighters that have also had to campaign for a long time in order to get their title shots. He said that like the examples he gave, Ankalaev will make up for this long period of waiting by being champion for a significant period of time.

    “It would be embarrassing if he did this. He clearly said he’s not running, it would be clearly running but listen, let’s see what happens. Ankalaev needs to focus on Rakić but if I’m a champion and I believe I’m the best in the world, I’m going to fight anybody and listen, remember Islam Makhachev take him a long time to get there but when he’s there, he’s there for a long time.

    Khabib, Kamaru, these guys wait for a long time to become a champion, they hang around for a while and I believe this is going to be the deal for Ankalaev.” 

    Read also: Khalil Rountree Reflects On Brutal Loss To Alex Pereira At UFC 307: ‘Didn’t Win The Title But I Grew’ 

  • PFL Founder Touts Superior Women’s Division After UFC 307 Harrison, Peña Wins

    PFL Founder Touts Superior Women’s Division After UFC 307 Harrison, Peña Wins

    UFC 307 was a big night for the women’s bantamweight division due to two match-ups that took place right at the top of the rankings.

    Julianna Peña was able to reclaim the 135-pound title by defeating Raquel Pennington via split decision in the co-main event.

    Earlier on in the night, Kayla Harrison cemented her status as the next in line by defeating Ketlen Vieira via a unanimous decision.

    Harrison’s return to the Octagon wasn’t without comment from her former home, the PFL, who received some criticism for posting about her loss to Larissa Pacheco on the same evening.

    The use of Harrison’s time spent in the PFL didn’t stop being talking point there after the promotion’s founder commented once again on the day after UFC 307.

    Donn Davis Says PFL’s Women’s Division Would ‘Crush’ The UFC’s, Lays Down A Challenge To Prove It

    In a post on X, PFL founder Donn Davis made a statement that was followed by a challenge to the UFC regarding the strength of their female roster.

    He took Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco, who are set to face off on October 19, and put them up against the champion and top contender in the UFC’s 135-pound division.

    Davis makes it clear that he would back Cyborg and Pacheco over Peña and Harrison and even offers to put money on it.

    Following Dana White’s harsh comments regarding the success of the PFL in his post-UFC 307 press conference, Davis wrote “#DanaScared” underneath the post.

    “It is clear from UFC 306 that @PFLMMA female division would crush @UFC. I am so confident… winner take all. PFL: Cyborg + Pacheco. UFC: Harrison + Peña. $2m to each fighter… losing company pays $8m total fighter purses”

    Read also: Kayla Harrison On Being Bloodied For The First Time At UFC 307: ‘That Threw Me…’

  • Alex Pereira’s Last Kickboxing Rival Claims He’s Not MMA’s Top Striker

    Alex Pereira’s Last Kickboxing Rival Claims He’s Not MMA’s Top Striker

    The main event of UFC 307 was a fun fight but ultimately, the elite level striking of Alex Pereira was too much for Khalil Rountree. As a former two-weight world champion in GLORY kickboxing, the current light heavyweight champion is one of the best strikers in the history of MMA.

    Ahead of his latest title defense, “Poatan” was asked about other kickboxers following in the footsteps of him and Israel Adesanya and there was one name that was mentioned specifically. Artem Vakhitov was the last man to beat Pereira in kickboxing, winning a majority decision back in 2021 after the Brazilian got the nod the first time around.

    Now, he’s hoping to carve out his own path in mixed martial arts.

    Artem Vakhitov Says That Alex Pereira Is Too Limited To Be Considered The Best Striker In MMA Today

    After suffering an injury on his MMA debut, Vakhitov has earned consecutive first-round finishes and will now fight for a spot on the UFC roster.

    He faces Islem Masraf on this week’s edition of Dana White’s Contender Series where his 2-1 pro record will be overlooked due to his kickboxing background and history with the current light heavyweight champion.

    Despite now having his own experiences with adapting to MMA, Vakhitov doesn’t believe that his former foe is the best striker in the sport today.

    He said to Submission Radio that “Poatan” can’t be in the conversation due to his reliance on his signature strike, the left hook.

    “I don’t think he’s really the best striker because to have just one good punch, it doesn’t mean that he’s really good striker. The real striker is someone who has a lot of combinations, very different opportunities. He just taught well one punch and delivering it but it doesn’t mean that having good distance and other stuff so I think he’s not really good striker because of it.”

    When asked who he would pick as the best striker in MMA today if it isn’t Pereira, he provided one name who will headline UFC 308 later this month.

    “I like the style of Max Holloway but I really couldn’t say who’s really the best one. I like who he’s fighting and I believe he could be the best one.”

    Read also: Tom Aspinall Significant Favorite For Potential Alex Pereira Fight After UFC 307

  • ‘Save Us Amanda Nunes’ – Fans React As Julianna Peña Overcomes Knockdown To Win Bantamweight Title Again At UFC 307

    ‘Save Us Amanda Nunes’ – Fans React As Julianna Peña Overcomes Knockdown To Win Bantamweight Title Again At UFC 307

    Julianna Peña regained the UFC women’s bantamweight title with a split decision victory over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307.

    The judges saw the fight 48-47 across all three cards, though they differed on the victor. In the end, it was the closely contested opening round that decided the fight, with two of the three cageside scorers leaning the way of the challenger.

    The two fighters were very competitive with one another, with Peña’s highlight being a back take in the third round that ended with a face crank attempt.

    By far the most significant strike of the bout was landed in the fourth frame by “Rocky,” who — after having success with her hands — dropped the challenger.

    Pennington followed up this big moment by attempting a submission that allowed Peña to recover, but she maintained the pressure to win the fifth round on all of the cards.

    MMA Fans React To Julianna Peña’s Title-Winning Performance At UFC 307

    The fight saw Peña return from a long layoff, having not fought since her rematch with Amanda Nunes, which she emphatically lost in July 2022.

    During the post-fight interview, Joe Rogan prompted the new champion to talk about Kayla Harrison and her win earlier on in the night. Instead, Peña spoke about bringing “The Lioness” back to the Octagon for a trilogy fight.

    MMA fans reacted to the close fight that stayed in one gear for the majority of the duration on social media.

    https://twitter.com/jonerici/status/1842783071428338101
    https://twitter.com/JayLawdog1562/status/1842785412437229919
  • Conor McGregor Lays Into Kevin Holland After Rib Injury Cuts UFC 307 Fight Short: ‘Didn’t Even F**king Try?’

    Conor McGregor Lays Into Kevin Holland After Rib Injury Cuts UFC 307 Fight Short: ‘Didn’t Even F**king Try?’

    Kevin Holland’s second fight since returning to the middleweight division ended in unfortunate circumstances at UFC 307.

    “Trailblazer” met Roman Dolidze, who was able to secure a takedown in the opening round after taking this fight as a replacement for Chris Curtis.

    During a scramble on the ground, Holland injured his rib and was in clear pain but was able to make it to the horn following some heavy ground-and-pound from the Georgian fighter.

    In-between rounds, “Big Mouth” spoke to his coach Bob Perez about the injury as his corner asked him whether he could continue.

    Referee Jason Herzog gave them some time to make the call and before the second stanza got underway, the Holland corner confirmed that he couldn’t continue.

    Conor McGregor Criticizes Kevin Holland For Mid-Fight Injury Stoppage

    In a quickly deleted post on X, Conor McGregor reacted to Holland’s injury and criticized the fan favorite for not attempting to continue.

    “The Notorious” is no stranger to having fights stopped due to an injury and, in his opinion, “Big Mouth” should have at least tried to resume the contest before withdrawing.

    The call wasn’t made by Holland, who undoubtedly would have tried to continue if the decision was up to him.

    “Didn’t even f*cking try? Nah that is ridiculous! Go out again and see how is. If folds up again then you end it with the towel. Nah that’s not it for me folks. Holland is a solid veteran he well should have went out and gave it shot to see how he was. Wrong move.”

  • VIDEO: Joaquin Buckley Knocks Out Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson With Late Leaping Hook At UFC 307

    VIDEO: Joaquin Buckley Knocks Out Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson With Late Leaping Hook At UFC 307

    Joaquin Buckley earned his biggest win to date at UFC 307 as he stopped Stephen Thompson in dramatic fashion in the third round.

    “New Mansa” extended his winning streak in the welterweight division to five after becoming the second man to finish “Wonderboy” with strikes in the UFC.

    After many in the community had Buckley down two rounds following a vintage performance from Thompson — only one judge agreed, with the others having it 19-19 and 20-18 Buckley entering the final frame — the 30-year-old threw everything he had into a big leaping right hand that landed clean against the fence, ending the fight instantly.

    In his post-fight interview, Buckley called to face former champion Kamaru Usman, who has been out of action since his late-notice fight with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 last October.

    Buckley Stops Thompson In Display Of Explosive Power At UFC 307

    Buckley was able to turn the tide of the fight with one big shot. Now, he will likely compete in a big matchup toward the top of the ladder next time out amid his win streak at 170 pounds.

    Check out the highlight reel finish below, as Buckley teed up the main card in Salt Lake City perfectly.

    https://twitter.com/Haduuuucken/status/1842745719347704013
  • VIDEO: Ryan Spann Snatches Quick Guillotine To Club & Sub ‘OSP’ At UFC 307

    VIDEO: Ryan Spann Snatches Quick Guillotine To Club & Sub ‘OSP’ At UFC 307

    Ryan Spann closed out the featured preliminary card at UFC 307 with a first-round submission win over Ovince Saint Preux.

    “Superman” and “OSP” engaged in some wild exchanges early on in the fight, which Spann got the better of.

    After hurting his veteran opponent with a clean right hand, he transitioned into a guillotine choke and was able to secure the tap in ruthless fashion.

    The submission saw Spann bounce back from a three-fight losing skid, making this his most recent win since he brutally finished Dominick Reyes at Madison Square Garden in 2022.

    Ryan Spann Follows Up Powerful Strikes With Quick Guillotine At UFC 307

    It was an impressive display from Spann, who got to showcase his striking and submission skills in the opening stanza.

    UFC 307 in Salt Lake City is well underway, kicking off with a first-round submission for Court McGee in the opening contest, Carla Esparza’s final UFC bout, and Spann’s fast triumph.

  • Daniel Cormier Remembers Tough Training Session With Khalil Rountree

    Daniel Cormier Remembers Tough Training Session With Khalil Rountree

    Khalil Rountree has had a truly remarkable journey through life and martial arts that has led him all the way to UFC 307 this weekend. In his 15th Octagon appearance, he will look to leave Salt Lake City as the light heavyweight champion by dethroning Alex Pereira.

    Rountree has really come into his own in recent years as one of the division’s most dangerous strikers who doesn’t let opponents off the hook once he has them hurt.

    Though he doesn’t plan on using his grappling at the Delta Center, a former UFC champion recently told a story about how a bad experience in training, which ended up being a vital lesson, had Rountree questioning what he was doing.

    Training With a Young Khalil Rountree

    On their last preview of UFC 307 before fight night, Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen got together in Salt Lake City for another episode of ESPN MMA’s Good Guy / Bad Guy.

    During the episode, Cormier revealed that he had trained with Rountree over ten years ago but couldn’t remember it whatsoever.

    He recapped the story of how he went hard on the newcomer to the sport with his wrestling pedigree which after some wise words from his coach, ended up being a positive experience for Rountree who was at the very beginning of his career.

    “I got a story about me and Khalil, I guess we trained together and I just didn’t know it. Way back in 2011, Wanderlei Silva’s gym. Brett Okamoto told me that Khalil told him that he had just started, guy walks in, we start sparring. I obviously don’t know how to spar at that time, it’s 2010.

    He goes, I completely just started wrestling him and he said that when it was over, he was like, ‘I think I’m done fighting forever.’ He said his coach goes up to him and goes, ‘go and Google his name,’ saw my credentials in wrestling and was like, ‘okay, now I understand.’ But it taught him get better everywhere so this can never happen again.”

  • Daniel Cormier: Alex Pereira’s Rapid Development Could Change The Game At UFC 307

    Daniel Cormier: Alex Pereira’s Rapid Development Could Change The Game At UFC 307

    There aren’t many fighters in the history of MMA who have achieved the kind of success Alex Pereira has.

    A victory over Khalil Rountree this weekend at UFC 307 would allow Pereira to break the record for the fewest days needed to defend a UFC title three times.

    What makes this even more remarkable is that heading into this fight, his overall MMA record stands at just 11-2.

    When Pereira entered the UFC after a legendary kickboxing career, it was clear he would be a dangerous matchup for anyone in striking exchanges. However, questions arose about how quickly he could round out his overall game with limited time in the sport.

    “Poatan,” as he’s known, believes that he’s developing even faster than his competition because he still has so much to learn.

    Daniel Cormier Says Alex Pereira Believes He’s Catching Up Quickly

    On the final episode of ESPN MMA’s Good Guy / Bad Guy before UFC 307, Daniel Cormier shared insights from his conversations with Pereira during fight week.

    “DC” explained that while Pereira was still essentially an amateur when he arrived in the UFC, Pereira feels like he’s covering a lot of ground between fights.

    Cormier described how Pereira is able to improve more than most elite fighters during his training camps, despite already being the top 205-pound fighter in the world.

    “We keep saying he’s an amateur, he recognizes that but also says, ‘If I’m the best in the world now, imagine what I can be.’ Isn’t that a crazy thought? He was an amateur and became the world champ. Our improvements are usually incremental—like footwork adjustments—but he’s getting better in wrestling, cardio, and the clinch. He’s literally improving leaps and bounds every time, and he’s already the world champion.”

    Read also: UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Weigh-In Live Stream & Results

  • UFC 307: Bold Prediction From Alex Pereira’s Training Partner For Main Event

    UFC 307: Bold Prediction From Alex Pereira’s Training Partner For Main Event

    Fight fans tuning into UFC 307 this weekend are in for a high-stakes clash in Saturday night’s main event. Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will meet the division’s other most ruthless fight finisher when he defends the title against Khalil Rountree.

    A lot has been made about how neither man is going to look to grapple in this fight, given their specialist styles.

    Rountree hasn’t attempted a single takedown during his UFC career, and Pereira has only shot for one, which was against fellow striking specialist Israel Adesanya.

    However, someone who knows the champion’s game well believes that if needed, Pereira could shock the world with his developing skill set.

    Renato Valente Says Alex Pereira Could Submit Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    Anyone betting money on a submission in this fight, particularly from “Poatan”, is sure to get some stellar odds.

    Renato Valente, who is a training partner of Pereira’s, believes this possibility is worth considering before the main event gets underway.

    In a recent interview with The Scrap, Valente predicted that the champ could retain his belt via his first-ever submission win.

    “I’m really confident in that. Definitely, everyone expects a KO from Alex. Really, I can see that, dream about it. If I close my eyes, I can see it, but also, I can see Alex submitting him. I think that’s something to consider if you want to bet, you can put it there.”

    Valente went on to give his own estimation of the odds of Pereira finishing Rountree by knockout or submission.

    “KO for Alex or submission, let’s say 70:30 this time. 70% chance for a KO, 30% for a submission.” 

    Read also: Max Holloway Projects Khalil Rountree To Stop Alex Pereira’s Leg Kicks In Jon Jones Style At UFC 307

  • Du Plessis’ Coach Reveals His Fight Plans, Predicts Strickland Won’t Be Next Opponent

    Du Plessis’ Coach Reveals His Fight Plans, Predicts Strickland Won’t Be Next Opponent

    Following his latest title defense at UFC 305, middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis seems to have his next few targets lined up.

    Many presumed that former champion Sean Strickland would be his next challenger in a rematch of their bout at UFC 297 earlier this year.

    The two fought to a split decision, with Strickland rebounding with a win over Paulo Costa in June.

    Additionally, the upcoming fight between former champion Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev later this month could also influence the title picture.

    That’s exactly what Du Plessis’ coach believes, as he provided a recent update on the return plans for “Stillknocks”.

    Morne Visser Thinks Robert Whittaker in February Is Next for Dricus Du Plessis

    Visser told Submission Radio that Du Plessis’ next opponent isn’t as guaranteed as many assume, though he does have a date in mind.

    The CIT Performance Institute head coach revealed that in his latest conversation with the champion, they discussed a February fight in Sydney, which looks almost certain.

    “I had a conversation with Dricus yesterday, and I told him there’s only one thing certain at this stage: we need to be ready to fight in Sydney in February. My opinion is Sean’s overselling it—he’s had one win after Dricus, against Costa. Whittaker has two, and I think he’s going for number three now.”

    Visser added that he believes Whittaker is the most likely opponent for Du Plessis, provided he defeats Chimaev.

    “The Reaper” was defeated by Du Plessis at UFC 290, but he’s bounced back with wins over Costa and Ikram Aliskerov.

    “My honest opinion is that next in line for us will be Whittaker in Sydney in February. I think he’s going to beat Khamzat, and I honestly believe they’ll give him the title shot.”

    Visser also mentioned that while the UFC will likely wait to see the outcome of Whittaker vs. Chimaev, he doesn’t think Chimaev will leapfrog Strickland for the title shot if he wins.

    Read also: Kevin Holland Dismisses Israel Adesanya As Exciting Opponent: ‘Now He’s Just Some Guy Who Can’t Stop Running Backwards’

  • Alex Pereira’s Training Partner Describes Glover Teixeira’s Coaching Style: ‘He’s Playing Video Games’

    Alex Pereira’s Training Partner Describes Glover Teixeira’s Coaching Style: ‘He’s Playing Video Games’

    It cannot be overstated how Alex Pereira’s success in MMA is partly down to the company that he chooses to keep.

    Early on in his transition from kickboxing, “Poatan” started to work closely with the former UFC light heavyweight champion, Glover Teixeira.

    As a 42-fight veteran, Teixeira was the perfect person to pass knowledge on to Pereira and the two men have become very close as a result.

    The skill set that saw him become the UFC’s oldest first-time champion is also the perfect counter balance to the striking skills that the current 205-pound champion possesses.

    Alex Pereira’s Training Partner Says Glover Teixeira Coaches Him Like A Video Game

    In a recent interview with The Scrap, Pereira’s training partner Renato Valente provided some insight into what the relationship between “Poatan” and Teixeira is like.

    He said that having Teixeira in his corner has proven to be massively beneficial for the champion because he gives him the confidence he needs in all areas of mixed martial arts.

    Not only that, they have a great understanding and working dynamic with one another, which brings the best out of Pereira – something we are likely to see when he returns at UFC 307 this weekend to face Khalil Rountree.

    With Teixeira’s extensive knowledge of the game being channelled into one of the most dangerous strikers we have ever seen inside the Octagon, Valente jokingly remarked that it’s like watching the now-retired former champion control a video game character.

    “Definitely Glover is the guy behind the scenes, the big guy behind the scenes because he’s the guy that passed all his [knowledge] , makes him feel comfortable when he’s grappling. We used to say like Glover never play video games in his life, with Alex, that’s what he does, looks like he’s playing video games.

    “They have a really, really good relationship and that helps Alex because Alex feels comfortable with him and he’s the guy right now. Alex is a busy guy so he goes everywhere but they have a connection really good like Alex don’t any train with any other gym, talk to any other coach, he makes videos and sends them to Glover and says, ‘Hey, what do you think about that?’”

    Read also: Alex Pereira On Chances Of Ex-Kickboxing Foe Finding UFC Success: ‘They Are Not Me, They Are Not Adesanya’

  • Kevin Holland’s ‘Bum’ Take On UFC Fighter Pay Stirs Argument Online

    Kevin Holland’s ‘Bum’ Take On UFC Fighter Pay Stirs Argument Online

    Kevin Holland is one of the most active fighters on the UFC roster and that’s something that he’s very proud of.

    “Big Mouth” is back in action this weekend at UFC 307, where he will face Roman Dolidze up at middleweight.

    Following his bout in Salt Lake City this upcoming weekend, he will have fought 18 times since 2020 which means he has fought, on average, every three months over the past four years.

    Holland spoke about this during his media day interviews where he was asked what kind of legacy he wants to leave behind.

    He used this opportunity to call out the fighters who complain about their pay but aren’t as active.

    “That I’m an active m***********. At the end of the day it’s like I did a little electrical work before, my Gran and Grandpa own a janitorial business so I understood the 9-5 and clocking in hours and getting done with the job to get paid. Half these people running around talking about, ‘We don’t get paid enough, we don’t get paid enough, we don’t get paid enough.’ You don’t even fight enough. It’s like at the end of the day, you wanna get paid for s*** that you don’t do. F****** sounds like a bum to me. So just remember I wasn’t the bum like the rest of these guys.”

    Social Media Reacts To Kevin Holland’s Comments On Fighter Pay & Activity

    This comment caused some controversy online with people both agreeing with Holland and arguing against his point that fighters who complain about pay should simply fight more often.

    The following post from Al Zullino (Phre on X) shows why that might not be an option for every fighter on the roster considering the sheer number of athletes that want to be active.

    This conversation continued with Zullino posting several more times to explain why some of the counterpoints to his initial statement aren’t relevant.

    Many responses pointed to things like the UFC being contractually obliged to offer a fighter three bouts per year but as Zullino explained, fulfilling that demand if every signed fighter agreed to take those offers, isn’t a possibility.

    Read also: José Aldo Explains Recommitting To UFC Despite Having Boxing Request Rejected

  • Kayla Harrison Says She Could Beat Ketlen Vieira, Raquel Pennington, & Julianna Pena On The Same Night

    Kayla Harrison Says She Could Beat Ketlen Vieira, Raquel Pennington, & Julianna Pena On The Same Night

    Kayla Harrison injected some much-needed new blood into the women’s bantamweight division with her debut win at UFC 300.

    After the way she was able to dominate a former champion in Holly Holm, there was a serious conversation regarding whether she should go right into the next title fight.

    Instead, Raquel Pennington will look to defend the belt for the first time this weekend at UFC 307 against former titleholder Julianna Peña.

    Harrison will be looking to make a statement on the same night as she faces fellow top contender Ketlen Vieira in an opportunity to prove that she is undeniable.

    Kayla Harrison Says She Could Beat All Three Women On The Same Night

    Harrison has been full of confidence since she arrived in the UFC and the former PFL star certainly isn’t here to make up the numbers.

    Though she was disappointed to not get the title shot in her second fight, she has remained clear on the idea that whoever leaves Salt Lake City with the belt will simply be looking after it for her, until her time comes.

    In another example of her supreme confidence that becoming the champion is a matter of if and not when, she said in a recent interview with ESPN MMA that she would come out on top even if you lined up the other three bantamweights on this card one after the other.

    “That’s because nobody cares about that fight. I mean I feel like, whatever, let’s let them fight. I honestly believe that I could fight all three girls in the same night and be champion. When you’re the best in the world, you’re the best in the world and my time is now. I hope they hold on to that title real tight while they can cuz I’m coming.” 

    Read also: PFL Founder Continues To Bash Kayla Harrison For UFC Signing: ‘She Ran’

  • MMA Legend Receives 2-Year Prison Sentence For Importing Drug-Infused Chocolate

    Former UFC and PRIDE fighter Enson Inoue has received a 2-year prison sentence for importing drug-infused chocolate.

    The sentence is currently on a 4-year suspension meaning that if Inoue does not commit an offense in this time, he will not be imprisoned.

    Inoue was responsible for obtaining chocolate bars that contained psilocybin and was initially facing jail time as a result.

    He has previously spent time in jail 16 years ago where he was arrested for being in possession of marijuana in Tokyo, Japan.

    After spending just under a month in prison, he was given a suspended sentence of two years with four on probation, where he couldn’t leave Japan.

    Enson Inoue Learned A Lot From This Short Experience In Prison

    In a piece by John Morgan for MMA Junkie back in 2008, Inoue reflected on how this experience of spending 28 days in prison had changed his outlook on life.

    “It was a bad experience, but it turned very good,” Inoue said. “If I had to rewind this life, I think this is what I needed.

    “My life was like a leaf that falls into the river and flows down the river. That’s what my life was. I was flowing with the river. No guidance. I was headed for bad things. So it was good. It set me right. It got me thinking on a whole different perspective.”

    The MMA pioneer is one of the true originals of the sport, having faced off with fellow legends like Frank Shamrock, Mark Kerr and Igor Vovchanchyn.

    Not to mention arguably his most impressive win when he submitted Randy Couture at Vale Tudo Japan back in 1998.

    Providing that he is able to stay out of trouble in the next several years, there may not be any further updates on this story.

    Read also: PFL Founder Continues To Bash Kayla Harrison For UFC Signing: ‘She Ran’

  • Israel Adesanya Gives ‘Dumb Game Plan’ Advice For Khalil Rountree Ahead Of UFC 307: ‘It’s a Matter Of Time Because You’re Drowning’

    Israel Adesanya Gives ‘Dumb Game Plan’ Advice For Khalil Rountree Ahead Of UFC 307: ‘It’s a Matter Of Time Because You’re Drowning’

    Khalil Rountree has got a tough task ahead of him at UFC 307 where he will be walking into the biggest fight of his career.

    The #8-ranked light heavyweight contender will be challenging Alex Pereira for the title in Salt Lake City.

    Rountree’s striking has proven to be very dangerous, but implementing that against someone as technical as the former two-weight GLORY kickboxing world champion will not be easy.

    One man knows about facing Pereira better than anyone else and he had some thoughts to pass onto the challenger ahead of Saturday night.

    Israel Adesanya Lays Out Flawed Game Plan For Khalil Rountree

    During his UFC 307 predictions on his YouTube channel, Israel Adesanya spoke about how Rountree can win this fight.

    “The Last Stylebender” has faced off with “Poatan” twice in kickboxing and twice in MMA, winning their last encounter at UFC 287 via knockout.

    He said that Rountree’s best route to victory is getting it done early before Pereira can start to break him down and set traps.

    However, Adesanya then corrected his own point by stating that being overly aggressive against Pereira can also play into the Brazilian’s hands.

    If Rountree is to take one piece of advice from this, it’s to back his opponent up to avoid what the former two-time UFC middleweight champion describes as “drowning”.

    “Khalil has to just go at him, can’t be scared, just press him back. You can, it’s possible, press him back. Watch out for the low kicks cuz that’s what he’s gonna use to stop him… Khalil attack the body, attack the legs too cuz Pereira will take them but he doesn’t get affected by them till later, much later. If Khalil is gonna win, he’s gonna have to win or try and win early but that’s a dumb game plan so don’t listen to me. Don’t try and win early cuz that’s how you get caught as well with Pereira. He can catch him with anything. Catch him with hook coming in, knee, leg kicks and then eventually, when you feel like the third one, you’re like, ‘Oh s***,’ then I can’t press him back anymore. Then it’s like a matter of time as you’re drowning.”

    Adesanya would, however, go on to pick Alex Pereira to win the fight at UFC 307, in his official predictions.

    Read also: Alex Pereira On Chances Of Ex-Kickboxing Foe Finding UFC Success: ‘They Are Not Me, They Are Not Adesanya’