At one point, Ronda Rousey was the most beloved figure in MMA, a trailblazer who broke barriers and dominated the sport like no other female fighter before her. But as quickly as she rose, public sentiment shifted. Today, Rousey’s legacy is often met with mixed reactions—praised by some, dismissed by others.
Her longtime coach, Edmond Tarverdyan, believes the negativity is overblown. Speaking with VICE for Dark Side of the Cage, he suggested that the backlash isn’t about genuine dislike, but rather, absence.
“They don’t hate her—they miss her,” Tarverdyan said. “If she came back, did interviews, showed up at events, people would love her again.”
Rousey’s meteoric rise meant she was everywhere—on talk shows, magazine covers, and the big screen. But after her devastating losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, she largely withdrew from the MMA world.
Unlike other fighters who continue engaging with the sport after retirement, Rousey shifted her focus to WWE, family life, and personal ventures, leaving a void that fans have filled with criticism.
Tarverdyan sees this as part of a larger pattern in combat sports.
“She changed the game, but when you become that big, that fast, some people will always turn on you,” he explained.
The internet has amplified this divide, with social media allowing for both admiration and hostility in equal measure. But in reality, Rousey remains a pioneering figure in MMA history.
If she ever decides to return to the fight world in any capacity—even just as a spectator—Tarverdyan believes she would be embraced once again.
Conflict with Media
Criticism of MMA Media: Rousey has repeatedly accused the MMA media of unfairly tarnishing her reputation.
Joe Rogan and Others: She expressed disappointment with Joe Rogan and others, who she felt distanced themselves after her defeats, despite previously praising her.
Behind-the-Scenes Allegations: Former UFC broadcaster Jimmy Smith criticized Rousey for being difficult to work with during her UFC tenure, alleging that many behind-the-scenes staff disliked her due to her attitude.
Fan Backlash
Rousey has stated that the hostility from fans after her losses turned her appreciation for them into resentment. She believes they quickly dismissed her legacy, reducing it to her defeats rather than celebrating her groundbreaking achievements.
During her WWE career, Rousey reportedly struggled with negative fan reactions, which she took personally despite being positioned as a top star during her runs there.
Public Perception
Rousey’s public image remains polarizing. While many respect her achievements as a trailblazer in MMA and professional wrestling, others scrutinize her for perceived arrogance and controversial statements. Her memoir Our Fight has further fueled debates about her career and personal struggles.
Ronda Rousey’s fall from grace in the eyes of some fans and media has been marked by feelings of betrayal on all sides. While she remains an iconic figure in combat sports, the complexities of fame and public scrutiny have left a lasting impact on her legacy.
Ronda Rousey’s former coach, Edmond Tarverdyan, has admitted that accepting a $4.5 million payday for Rousey to fight Holly Holm on short notice was a critical mistake. Speaking on Dark Side of the Cage, Tarverdyan revealed that financial incentives played a major role in the rushed decision—a choice that ultimately led to one of the most shocking upsets in UFC history.
The fight, which took place in November 2015, ended in devastating fashion, with Holm delivering a brutal head-kick knockout in the second round. Rousey, who had dominated the women’s bantamweight division up until that point, was left physically and emotionally shattered. Many fans and analysts speculated at the time that she wasn’t at her best, and now Tarverdyan has confirmed those concerns, admitting that insufficient preparation played a key role in her downfall.
“I regret it,” Tarverdyan said, acknowledging that the decision to take the fight so soon was influenced by the massive financial offer on the table. “We should have waited.”
This revelation highlights the difficult choices fighters and their teams must navigate—balancing lucrative opportunities with the need for proper training and recovery. In Rousey’s case, the rushed timeline didn’t just cost her a fight; it altered the trajectory of her career.
As Dark Side of the Cage continues to explore the highs and lows of MMA’s biggest names, Tarverdyan’s candid admission offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at a decision that changed the landscape of women’s MMA forever.
The UFC is set to strengthen its presence in Perth, Australia, as part of a new deal between TKO Group Holdings—the parent company of both the UFC and WWE—and the Western Australian Government.
According to The West Australian, this agreement will bring five major events to the region over the next 18 months, solidifying Western Australia as a key destination for combat sports.
Under the terms of the deal, RAC Arena will host a UFC Fight Night later this year, building on the success of previous UFC events in Perth. This marks a significant step forward for the promotion in Australia, as Perth continues to emerge as a premier location for international MMA events.
The agreement also includes four additional events, with WWE set to hold multiple shows at RAC Arena as part of the partnership.
This development reflects the growing demand for high-profile combat sports in Australia and highlights TKO Group Holdings’ commitment to expanding its footprint in the region. With Perth already playing host to memorable UFC cards in the past, fans can expect more thrilling action in the months ahead.
UFC in Perth
Perth, Australia, has hosted three major UFC events to date, each making a significant impact on the city’s reputation as a destination for mixed martial arts:
UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold (February 11, 2018)
This was Perth’s first UFC event and marked the city’s debut on the global MMA stage after Western Australia lifted its ban on cage fighting. The main event featured Yoel Romero defeating Luke Rockhold via third-round KO in a catchweight bout after Romero missed the middleweight limit. The event drew 12,437 spectators to RAC Arena and showcased rising stars like Israel Adesanya, who made his UFC debut with a TKO victory over Rob Wilkinson.
UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski (February 12, 2023)
This record-breaking event featured a lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski, with Makhachev winning via unanimous decision. UFC 284 set attendance and revenue records at RAC Arena and delivered an estimated $42.8 million in economic benefits to Perth. It also included key fights like Yair Rodríguez defeating Josh Emmett for the interim featherweight title.
UFC 305: du Plessis vs. Adesanya (August 18, 2024)
The third event in Perth featured a historic middleweight title bout between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, with du Plessis winning via submission in the fourth round. This event marked the start of a multi-year partnership between the UFC and the Western Australian Government to bring more events to Perth.
Following the successful launch of the first Sphere in Las Vegas, Sphere Entertainment is building a second venue in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Sphere will be similar in size to the Las Vegas venue, which has a capacity of 20,000 people.
Unlike the wholly owned Las Vegas Sphere, the Abu Dhabi venue will be financed by Abu Dhabi and operate under a franchise model. The Abu Dhabi Sphere will utilize Sphere Entertainment’s designs, technology, and intellectual property (original immersive experiences).
The Las Vegas Sphere has already proven successful, hosting a diverse range of events, including September’s UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche UFC O’Malley vs Dvalishvili event.
Sphere Entertainment sees this as a step towards creating a global network of Sphere venues, and touts the facility as ‘redefining live entertainment.’
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism believes the Sphere will be a major attraction, playing a key role in establishing Abu Dhabi as a leading cultural and entertainment destination.
The UFC, part of TKO Group Holdings, has announced a revised agreement to settle the Le and Johnson antitrust lawsuits.
The updated settlement addresses concerns raised by Judge Richard Boulware, following his rejection of a previous $335 million agreement. UFC boss Dana White slammed that decision, and suggested the judge may have a personal vendetta against him and business partner Lorenzo Fertitta.
TKO has now agreed to settle all claims in the Le case for a total of $375 million – $75 million more than the initially offered sum – which will be paid out through instalments. The company expects this settlement amount to be tax-deductible.
While the Le case settlement is moving forward, the Johnson case remains in its early stages. A motion to dismiss remains pending.
75 mil more than the original settlement. Wonder if that will suffice for the judge. And can’t wait to hear why the fighters decided to settle (again) rather than go to trial. https://t.co/MFClB1TbYh
LAS VEGAS, SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 – UFC, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today issued the following statement regarding the Le and Johnson antitrust lawsuits: We have reached a revised agreement with Plaintiffs to settle the Le case with terms that we believe address Judge Boulware’s stated concerns. While we believe the original settlement was fair — a sentiment that was also shared by Plaintiffs — we feel it is in the best interest of all parties to bring this litigation to a close. As for the Johnson case, that process is in very early stages, and a motion to dismiss the complaint remains pending.
On September 26, 2024, TKO reached an agreement with the plaintiffs to settle all claims asserted in the Le case for an aggregate amount of $375 million payable in installments over an agreed-upon period of time by the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Updated Settlement Agreement”), following the court’s denial of an earlier proposed settlement agreement. The terms of the Updated Settlement Agreement have been memorialized in a long form agreement, which will be submitted to the court for approval. The Company anticipates that the settlement amount will be deductible for tax purposes.
UFC 303 is now only a couple of days away, and what better way to get hyped for the upcoming pay-per-view than with some MMA News staff predictions for the International Fight Week card?
The event will be available exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view on Saturday, June 29, 2024. The main card begins at 10 PM ET, while the preliminary card kicks off at 6 PM ET.
Also colliding with little preparation will be former two-time featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega and surging jiu-jitsu specialist Diego Lopes in the co-main event, as well as 205-pound veteran Anthony Smith and ranked middleweight Roman Dolidze.
Elsewhere on the main card, Mayra Bueno Silva will be backing action for the first time since falling short of the bantamweight title at UFC 297 this past January. While she’s tasked with defending her spot on the ladder against Macy Chiasson, it’ll be a similar story for undefeated welterweight Ian Garry, who fights down the pecking order against Michael “Venom” Page in Saturday’s PPV opener.
UFC 303: MMA News Staff Predictions
Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 303 event, Kyle Dimond, Ryan Jarrell, Thomas Albano, Tyriece Simon, and Andrew Starc have provided their picks for the five-fight main card, which you can see below.
Light Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Alex Pereira (C) vs. Jiří Procházka
Featherweight: Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes
Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze
Women’s Bantamweight: Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson
Welterweight: Ian Garry vs. Michael Page
Welterweight: Ian Garry vs. Michael Page
Ian Garry, Michael Page
Images: Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports & UFC/Zuffa LLC
Kyle Dimond: It’s hard to see this fight being anything other than lots of feints for me personally. While Page is a very good striker at a distance, his biggest weapon is his unorthodox movement and timing in combination with his blitz attack and creative offense. When I picture a few of those happening per round, I think Garry might just be sharp enough to land effectively in these moments as Page comes in.
It’s going to be a very hard fight to call and I think there’s a decent chance of “MVP” landing a shot that ends the fight. If he can’t do that, I think the Irishman edges out a razor-close decision, which seems just ever so slightly more likely. (Prediction: Ian Garry)
Ryan Jarrell: Garry and Page will be Fight of the Night. Mark my words, this one is going to be fun. I know I’m not really going out on a limb here as these guys styles should lead to a back-and-forth standup battle that should be very exciting for as long as it lasts. “Venom” will have a five-inch reach advantage, and if he fights technically, he could put Garry in some very difficult situations. Ultimately, I expect the younger fighter in the Irishman to outlast any early adversity and finish this fight late. (Prediction: Ian Garry)
Thomas Albano: The idea of this matchup seemed to be tossed around with nothing coming out of the potential of Garry vs. Colby Covington bout. On the surface, with Garry’s rise among the ranks and popularity and Page’s popularity from his explosive knockout past, this seems like it would be a barnburner to start off the PPV card. And yet, both could use a noteworthy performance despite coming off wins. Garry hasn’t looked great in his last couple of outings against the likes of Neil Magny and Geoff Neal, while Page’s UFC debut against Kevin Holland proved to be forgettable.
This matchup could go one of two ways. It either ends up being explosive with both men firing off their best shots or it will be slow fight with plenty of clinch work that will end up proving unpopular to the live crowd. Unfortunately, I foresee more of the latter, which the UFC probably isn’t hoping for after all the moving and shaking surrounding this card’s structure. And if the fight goes in that direction, and the longer the might goes on, the more it tips in Garry’s favor. (Prediction: Ian Garry)
Tyriece Simon: This matchup has the potential to be the best fight on the card. Garry and Page have been taking jabs at each other in interviews and on social media, so fans should expect both to be extra motivated to win decisively. That said, I believe Garry will be victorious. The critical factor will be the Irishman attacking the legs of the former Bellator standout early on. I think “The Future” will utilize leg and oblique kicks to slow down the movement of “MVP.”
Another potential issue for Page is that he likes to rush into his opponent with punches. In his fight with Magny, Garry showed he can fight well in the clinch, and I think he can time a body lock when the Brit rushes in. In these moments, the Dubliner could try to fight “Venom” against the cage and possibly look for sweeps to take the fight to the ground, which he has done in past fights. I’m not sure if Garry can finish Page, but I do think he has shown to be more of a diverse fighter to outpoint his opponent on Saturday. (Prediction Ian Garry)
Andrew Starc: This is going to be a tough test for Garry, who’ll need to contend with an opponent who has a longer reach and years of experience. Having earned a unanimous decision against Holland on his UFC debut in March, Page has all the tools to match or eclipse the Irishman in the striking department, and he’s surely a step up in caliber from what “The Future” has faced in the past. I think this will be the fight that ends Garry’s undefeated record. (Prediction: Michael Page)
Consensus: 4-1 Ian Garry
Bantamweight: Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson
Mayra Bueno Silva, Macy Chiasson
Images: UFC/Zuffa LLC & Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Dimond: Bueno Silva has got some questions to answer in this one. Her vacant title fight against Raquel Pennington last time out was not a particularly inspiring display, which makes me second guess whether she can close the gap on Chiasson. However, if she does, I expect her to have the grappling advantage, so my pick is a second-round submission for “Sheetara.” (Prediction: Mayra Bueno Silva)
Ryan Jarrell: The lone female fight on the main card should be a fun one. But it’s also the fight I am least confident when it comes to picking a winner. I think this one could go either way, to be honest. Chiasson has a large height and reach advantage in the bantamweight bout, but will she be able to utilize it? I’m not so sure she will be able to do so because of how well rounded of a fighter Bueno Silva is. I believe we will see a close fight here, but in the end, give me “Sheetara” to get her hand raised. (Prediction: Mayra Bueno Silva)
Thomas Albano: Bueno Silva started a run upon her return to bantamweight in 2022, winning three straight fights. Things seemed to continue to go that route with a good performance against Holly Holm last year. But that win’s overturning due to a failed drug test – combined with a lackluster outing in a title fight loss (an opportunity she probably didn’t deserve) – has left a bitter taste in the mouths of some in the MMA world.
Chiasson wasn’t on the best of runs either, but the year-and-a-half away from the Octagon she had seemed to do her wonders. She looked great in her return to bantamweight, with her first-round submission of Pannie Kianzad proving to be an eye-catching performance. Chiasson may not have the same glare about her as she did winning The Ultimate Fighter, but she still has plenty of potential. And when you match these two up side by side, it’s pretty clear which is the better all-around fighter. (Prediction: Macy Chiasson)
Tyriece Simon: I think Bueno Silva will be a tough matchup for Chiasson. Although the New Orleans native has a significant height and reach advantage, I don’t believe she can keep her opponent at a distance. “Sheetara’s” striking has continued to improve, as she showed in her fight against Holm. I expect Bueno Silva to pressure Chiasson and try to grapple with her against the cage. If she can consistently get on the inside and use her grappling, the Brazilian should be able to win on the scorecards. However, I believe she will get it done inside the distance with a submission. (Prediction: Mayra Bueno Silva)
Andrew Starc: Chiasson definitely has the height and reach advantage in this one, so she’ll likely have the advantage on the feet. She is coming off a first-round submission win against Kianzad in March, and she’s only been submitted once in her career. However, I think Bueno Silva’s strong grappling could pose problems. She was on a four-fight unbeaten streak prior to losing her championship bout with Pennington in January. I think “Sheetara” will get back in the win column here. (Prediction: Mayra Bueno Silva)
Consensus: 4-1 Mayra Bueno Silva
Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze
Anthony Smith, Roman Dolidze
Images: Jim Dedmon/Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Dimond: Where to even start with this pick-and-mix fight. It seems that it has worked out pretty well for Smith, at least on paper I’d say. Dolidze moving back up a weight class on late notice off the back of two losses feels a long way away from the momentum that was behind him after the Jack Hermansson win back in December of 2022. Not to mention, Smith just secured his best win in a long time when he submitted Vitor Petrino in Brazil last month.
I think “Lionheart” might take it. He’s got some losses on his record but I can’t really see either man getting a finish in this fight, and without seeing the Georgian compete at light heavyweight against a top name with a full camp, Smith seems like the safer bet. (Prediction: Anthony Smith)
Ryan Jarrell: Dolidze steps in on short notice to replace Carlos Ulberg and take on Smith. This is a great thing for “Lionheart” and gives him a much better chance of winning in my opinion. But the Georgian is no slouch, so Smith must stay technical and away from the power of his opponent. This is a very important fight for Smith if he hopes to climb back to the top of the division, as a loss to a middleweight moving up on late notice could be damaging. This is a tough fight to pick but I have a hunch that the veteran will get in done and stay a relevant part of the 205-pound roster. (Prediction: Anthony Smith)
Thomas Albano: This matchup is…weird. I still can’t believe we went from Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree to this. Anyway, Smith is trying to prove he still has something left in the tank, and he did that in a big way against Petrino in Brazil last month. He’s now won two of three and is looking to maintain – and elevate – his spot in the top 10 of the light heavyweight rankings. Dolidze, meanwhile, was riding high with a 6-1 Octagon record entering 2023. But back-to-back losses against Marvin Vettori and Nassourdine Imavov have placed a bit of a setback for him at middleweight.
Dolidze may be a grappling world champion, but he could be in for a tougher time trying to focus on that in his gameplan against someone like Smith, who has 15 submission victories in his career. If the Georgian keeps the fight standing, he possesses the power (maybe not so much speed, but I’d still give him the speed edge over Smith) to finish “Lionheart” at a moment’s notice. The question might be where does Dolidze go from here? Is he taking a light heavyweight fight simply because it’s a fight he’s taking on mere days’ notice? Or, if he gets an impressive performance, could he be thinking about a move to 205 pounds? Dolidze did compete at light heavyweight prior to joining the UFC, mind you. (Prediction: Roman Dolidze)
Tyriece Simon: This fight is the hardest on the main card to predict. Both are stepping up to compete on short notice, with Dolidze returning to light heavyweight. It’s important to note that the Georgian is undefeated at 205 pounds with seven wins. I don’t believe readjusting to fighting at light heavyweight will be an issue for him.
“Lionheart” had a great victory over Petrino in his last fight, but I’m still unsure if he can have similar success on Saturday. I think a big factor for me is whether Smith can still endure strikes at this stage of his career against Dolidze, who has knockout power. If the veteran American can use his grappling and sap away at the energy of his opponent, who is fighting on shorter notice, he can win by decision. That said, I think Dolidze will still be undefeated at light heavyweight, and I wouldn’t be shocked if that’s by way of a knockout. (Prediction: Roman Dolidze)
Andrew Starc: It’s hard to see Dolidze overcoming the odds here. Smith’s recent record is patchy, but he’s coming off a submission win against Petrino in May. Dolidze, meanwhile, is stepping up to light heavyweight on eight days’ notice and he’s on a two-fight skid. I think Smith’s experience and grappling nous will get him the win. (Prediction: Anthony Smith)
Consensus: 3-2 Anthony Smith
Featherweight: Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes
Brian Ortega, Diego Lopes
Images: Tom Szczerbowski/Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Dimond: This has bonus money written all over it and might be the toughest one to call on this main card. Ortega is a bit of a strange case because he always seems to surprise people with how good he actually is purely because he isn’t very active. But at the same time, even in his impressive wins, he tends to take a decent amount of damage, and Lopes is a finisher. The question is whether his fight with Movsar Evloev was a true reflection of where he belongs in this division.
Ortega does seem relatively checked out at this weight class for the time being, so this could be the right fight at the right time for Lopes. I’ve gone back and forth on this one but I am going to back “T-City” via decision. I don’t see it hitting the floor and I think, with his toughness keeping him in the fight, Ortega may have just that bit more in him. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)
Ryan Jarrell: The UFC has to be very excited about the young phenom Lopes, and rightfully so. He is 3-1 thus far in the largest promotion in the world and has faced some stiff competition. Ortega, however, is by far his toughest test to date. I truly believe Lopes will be a title contender at some point down the line, but the time is not now. Give me “T-City” to use his veteran tactics and outpoint the young lion. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)
Thomas Albano: The madness of UFC 303’s shuffling has led to a huge opportunity for Brian Ortega – and an even bigger opportunity for Diego Lopes. Over a year-and-a-half after suffering a shoulder injury against Yair Rodríguez, Ortega returned in a big way by submitting him in spectacular fashion in February. Spectacular is also the word to describe Lopes’ time in the Octagon thus far. Just four fights into the UFC, he’s had a narrow loss to Evloev and highlight finishes of Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, and Sodiq Yusuff.
This should be one of the best fights on the card, even with how quick and sudden it’s come together. It’s a big step up to be taking on a two-time title challenger on less than a month’s notice, but it’s the biggest opportunity of Lopes’ life – and he needs to make the most of it. And the thing is, he has the capability to get it done. “T-City” might be tough to finish with a solid chin, but Lopes possesses some explosive speed and power with his striking. Even on the ground, the up-and-comer could be able to duel in grappling with Ortega with his jiu-jitsu experience. Lopes, in fact, has more wins via submission in his MMA career than he holds KO/TKOs. If he continues his run with the kind of circumstances he’s facing here, one can only imagine the kind of major doors that will open for him. (Prediction: Diego Lopes)
Tyriece Simon: The question coming into this fight is if the UFC is pushing Lopes to the top of the division too soon. He is coming off an incredible knockout win over Yusuff at UFC 300, but Ortega is a big challenge on short notice. “T-City” has continued to evolve on the feet and has a tested chin that has held up against the likes of Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.
An important key to the fight will be if Lopes wants to engage in grappling with Ortega. The featherweight prospect tends to stay on his back if taken down because he has great jiu-jitsu ability to be a threat. However, the former title challenger is equally capable, and I believe Lopes could find himself on his back for too long, similar to his fight against Evloev. Ultimately, I lean toward Ortega getting the win by decision. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)
Andrew Starc: This is a huge step up in competition for Lopes. Ortega is coming off a submission win against Rodríguez in February, while Lopes has racked up three first-round finishes in the past year. The Mexican-based Brazilian is the bigger man with huge KO power, and both fighters have good grappling. However, I think if “T-City” survives a first-round onslaught from Lopes, his experience will see him get the win. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)
Consensus: 4-1 Brian Ortega
UFC Light Heavyweight Title: Alex Pereira vs. Jiří Procházka
Alex Pereira, Jiří Procházka
Images: Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports & UFC/YouTube
Kyle Dimond: My big question going into the first fight was whether the unorthodox movement and angles of Procházka would cause even someone like Pereira some issues. While the Czech star had his moments, the fight was effectively a ticking time bomb due to the leg kicks that he was taking. His movement is one of his biggest weapons but his stance leaves him so open to them.
Procházka is also not the kind of fighter who you can imagine coming in with a game plan of tying “Poatan” up to get the win. With that in mind, despite being a huge fan or “BJP,” it’s hard to see him having much more success than last time unless he lands something big early on before the kicks take their toll. I envision the champ landing a knockout blow in round three. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Ryan Jarrell: With the unreal power that “Poatan” possesses, it is extremely hard to pick against current the champ. I did like what I saw from Procházka in his most recent win over Aleksandar Rakić, but Pereira is a whole different animal. I think we will see a more cautious Czechia native this time around, and he will do a better job of staying away from KO shots. Ultimately, however, I don’t think he will do enough to wrestle the belt away from Alex. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Thomas Albano: Pereira and Procházka have the hearts and spirits of warriors, as evident by the fact the former is now stepping up a second time in about three months to take a main event at a major UFC pay-per-view on short notice – as well as this is the second time these two are competing in a main event when they weren’t originally scheduled to. The sudden nature of this fight, combined with the fact that both men contain destructive power, are excellent kickboxers, and have very similar bodies, makes this one really hard to predict.
With both men having experience against one another, this should be a fight that lasts longer than their last outing. Both men can be technical with their power, looking for openings on their opponents, even from range, and we’ll probably end up seeing a mix of technical striking and brawl-like trading in this bout. While I know many people are rooting for Procházka to gain revenge and the title – and I hope one day he does wear UFC gold again – we’ve seen what “Poatan” can do on short notice before, and that’s why I’m going to side with the champ on this one. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Tyriece Simon: In their 2023 fight, Pereira was able to finish Procházka in the second round. Both had their moments, but the result came down to “BJP” making defensive errors against “Poatan,” and I think it’ll happen again. Although the champion got caught with punches from Procházka, he used his head movement to evade most of them. I also think Pereira hurt his rival early with leg kicks and could implement the same game plan in their rematch.
Procházka had a good game plan in their first fight, as he grappled with Pereira early and took him down. This decision made “Poatan” cautious of getting dragged to the mat, which I think the challenger could do on Saturday. That said, it will take more than that strategy to beat the Brazilian knockout artist. I also believe Pereira may look to throw a knee because Procházka dips his head low when he tries to go for feints to get on the inside. The fight could go either way because both are incredible on the feet, but I think Pereira will retain his title again this Saturday. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Andrew Starc: I can’t see this fight turning out differently from their first encounter. Both fighters have KO power but, in my opinion, Pereira has the better striking. Procházka managed to take down the Brazilian in their last fight, so he could have some success if he can do this again. However, the challenger’s tendency to eat shots to the head is something you can’t do against “Poatan,” and I think he’ll also have trouble with the un-telegraphed leg kicks coming from the champ. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Consensus: 5-0 Alex Pereira
That’ll do it for our UFC 303 staff picks! What do you think? Do your picks look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the UFC 303 undercard below.
Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Joe Pyfer vs. Marc-André Barriault
Featherweight: Cub Swanson vs. Andre Fili
Featherweight: Charles Jourdain vs. Jean Silva
Bantamweight: Payton Talbott vs. Yanis Ghemmouri
Early Preliminary Card:
Women’s Strawweight: Michelle Waterson-Gomez vs. Gillian Robertson
Heavyweight: Andrei Arlovski vs. Martin Buday
Flyweight: Rei Tsuruya vs. Carlos Hernandez
Bantamweight: Ricky Simón vs. Vinicius Oliveira
Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com tomorrow for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 303!
Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall sees Alex Pereira’s patented left hook as a step above the rest when it comes to the current crop of strikes in mixed martial arts.
Following the withdrawal of Conor McGregor from his scheduled clash with Michael Chandler, “Poatan” accepted the call offering a rematch with Jiří Procházka in the June 29 main event.
And when “BJP” is stood across from the Brazilian again, Aspinall believes he’ll squaring off with the most dangerous strike in the sport…
Aspinall On Pereira: ‘Literally Touches Anybody With The Left Hook & They Go Over’
During the latest episode of his Fight Lab show on TNT Sports’ YouTube channel, Aspinall previewed this weekend’s PPV event and assessed the two men tasked with closing out proceedings inside the T-Mobile Arena.
The Englishman paid particular attention to the champ’s leading weapon, which has helped him close the show against the likes of Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Jamahal Hill.
“If we can just add in about Alex Pereira with his left hook. It is probably the best strike in MMA at the moment,” Aspinall said. “He literally touches anybody with the left hook and they go over. Look at that…he has absolute dynamite in it.”
Having slept “Sweet Dreams” with it last time out, Pereira will look to further prove why he’s become renowned for the power in his left hook when he runs it back with Procházka at T-Mobile Arena this weekend.
The pair will top a lineup in Las Vegas that also features the likes of former title challengers Brian Ortega, Anthony Smith, and Mayra Bueno Silva, as well as undefeated welterweight contender Ian Garry.
We’re deep into UFC 303 fight week, meaning it’s time for the top fighters set to be in action on June 29 to take to the stage and answer some questions.
Setting the stage for the headliners will be a pair of top featherweights, with former two-time title challenger Brian Ortega looking to continue the momentum from his comeback win over Yair Rodríguez earlier this year by stalling the ambitions of the rising Diego Lopes.
As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the pre-fight press conference. The UFC 303 edition saw every fighter on the main card with mic in hand.
Check out a replay of the presser below via the UFC”s official YouTube channel, followed by the highlights and faceoffs.
The fight card and running order has been officially announced for the Most Valuable Promotions event that takes place on July 20 in Florida and features Jake Paul and Mike Perry at the top of the bill.
The show has been hurriedly put together following the postponement of the bout that was originally scheduled to take place in Arlington, Texas, on the same date between Jake Paul and heavyweight great Mike Tyson. “Iron” Mike was forced to withdraw due to health issues and the fight, which was set to be aired on streaming giant Netflix, has now been rebooked for November.
We are excited to announce that Jake Paul vs Mike Perry on Saturday, July 20th in Tampa, FL live on DAZN will feature a full night of ELECTRIC matchups ️ ️
PPV CARD: Jake Paul vs Mike Perry Amanda Serrano vs Stevie Morgan H2O Sylve vs Lucas Bahdi … pic.twitter.com/eckxWg3O0q
— Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) June 27, 2024
Darren Till Replaces Another UFC Alum, Uriah Hall
And former WBC champion Julio César Chávez Jr., who had been in line to fight former UFC middleweight Darren Till on the Texas card, still has a fight against a former mixed martial artist…but it isn’t Till.
Uriah Hall, who fought in the UFC’s middleweight division between 2013 and 2022 steps in to fight Chavez. ‘Prime Time’ amassed a 10-9 record inside the Octagon and made a successful boxing debut in 2023 on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva,which took place in Glendale Arizona.
Till last fought in the UFC in December of 2022 and parted company with the promotion on mutually agreed terms.
He revealed in an interview earlier this month that he is under contract with Most Valuable Promotions and is aiming to fight on the rescheduled November 15 card, although it is unclear if the announcement of the Chávez Jr./Hall fight will mean a change of opponent for the Scouser.
The 25-year-old has extended his perfect record to 8-0 with wins over Nick Aguirre and Cameron Saaiman inside the Octagon thus far. Next up, the Las Vegas native is tasked with dispatching Yanis Ghemmouri on the preliminary card of UFC 303 this Saturday.
Given his two performances in the UFC to date, it’s no surprise that Talbott will make the walk at T-Mobile Arena as the favorite. What has shocked some, though, is the fact that he could close as the biggest favorite in the promotion’s history…
Talbott On ‘Crazy’ UFC 303 Odds: ‘If You Don’t Absolutely Demolish The Person…’
During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Talbott was asked about the lopsided betting lines, which currently have him at -1600 on DraftKings compared to his opponent’s +900 figure.
The rising bantamweight admitted the odds were “crazy,” and he went on to note that the heavy favorite status leaves him in a difficult position should he not run through his French opponent with ease on fight night.
“Yeah, I’ve seen a little bit (about the odds). People send me all kind of stuff,” Talbott said. “It’s kind of crazy. … It’s kind of funny. It kind of sets you up for failure, though. Because it’s like, if you don’t absolutely demolish the person in the first round, it’s like, ‘Why were you such a big favorite, you know?
“Not really,” Talbott continued when asked whether his favorite status adds pressure. “But it is one of those things where it’s like, you are expected to absolutely outclass the guy and demolish the dude. And if you don’t — I think if you remember, in my debut fight I was like, a -900 favorite. I didn’t finish him until the third round and you can see how much the betting line swayed.”
Nevertheless, Talbott will look to push the expectations of fans and pundits to the back of his mind and focus on the task at hand on Saturday night.
PFL 6 takes place on Friday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!
The Professional Fighters League is back this week, as the organization concludes its latest global regular season with the next round of welterweight and featherweight matchups taking place at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
In the main event, 2022 PFL featherweight champ Brendan Loughnane returns to action following a successful start to his campaign at PFL 3 April, where the Brit secured 6 points courtesy of a controversial first-round stoppage against Pedro Carvalho. To ensure he features in the playoffs, Loughnane is next tasked with getting the better of Justin Gonzales, who is coming off a buzzer-beating knockout defeat in round one to Gabriel Braga.
The biggest attraction at 170 pounds, meanwhile, will see former interim Bellator champion Logan Storley return to the cage in his home state. After a losing start to his debut PFL campaign against Shamil Musaev, “Storm” will need an emphatic performance against late-notice replacement opponent Luca Poclit if he’s to make the postseason.
Nevertheless, every fight is intact, and all that remains on Thursday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the PFL 6 ceremonial weigh-ins.
Check out a live stream below via the PFL’s official YouTube channel, commencing at 7 PM ET.
One of the biggest advancements in MMA in this time has been the attitude towards the use of performance enhancing drugs and clamping down on it.
Right before he sat down for his media day interviews ahead of his clash with Roman Dolidze this Saturday, Smith received his jacket from the UFC’s anti-doping department for submitting 50 clean tests.
Anthony Smith Says He Wouldn’t Be Able To Compete Without The UFC’s Anti-Doping Programs
As someone that has spoken out plenty of times in the past about how damaging the use of PEDs is for this sport, Smith was incredibly proud to have been presented with this jacket as a sign of keeping MMA clean.
When he sat down to talk to the media, the first question he received was about the moment that had just transpired.
Smith spoke about how he has never been the kind of fighter that possesses natural physical advantages over his opponents.
With that in mind, he believes that keeping the playing field even through the UFC’s anti-doping programs allows fighters like himself to compete at the highest level by making the most of their other attributes.
“This means a lot to me. You guys know I’ve always been the anti-PED guy and really holding people accountable and holding their feet to the fire. Guys like me wouldn’t survive without this program. I’m not the most gifted athlete, I never have been the most gifted athlete and I’ve just always been committed. It’s not like there wasn’t opportunities early on in my career, just like a lot of people in my era.
“That could have all been very different but without Jeff [Novitsky] and Donna [Marcolini] keeping it clean, guys like me aren’t going to make it. We’re already a little bit behind and we make up for it by being dogs and having a better work ethic and being able to go through the fire a little more than other people but if people are getting a head start on us, the guys like me aren’t going to make it.”
UFC 303 has gone through several changes lately. However, as originally planned, Ian Garry vs. Michael ‘Venom’ Page will feature.
Following Conor McGregor’s withdrawal, Garry claims to have lost all interest in fighting Page. This is largely because of the difference in their positions in the UFC welterweight rankings.
Michael Bisping, though, thinks Page has all the tools to shut down Garry’s offence. He also laid down the best-case scenario for the Londoner if he wins at UFC 303…
Bisping Excited To See Edwards vs. ‘Venom’ Page For The UFC Welterweight Title
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping revealed his UFC 303 picks in a video uploaded to his YouTube channel. While talking about the first fight on the main card, “The Count” claimed that Page is better than Garry at his own game.
Looking at the bigger picture, Bisping wants “MVP” and Leon Edwards to fight for the UFC welterweight title. Yet again, it would be an exciting striking matchup and a British fighter will walk out as the champion regardless of who wins.
“There’s my pick, Michael ‘Venom’ Page gets the victory and I’m telling you right now, we might see Leon Edwards vs. Michael Page and all British affair going down In London, the Millennium Stadium, who knows where?”
“The Future” has outclassed most of his UFC opponents with crisp striking and by picking them apart from range. However, Bisping thinks he won’t be able to do it against Page due to the former Bellator standout’s superior range, speed, and power.
“The Count” admitted Garry is the better conventional striker who throws neat combinations. He has more regard for Page’s scary knockout power and timing, though.
The first British UFC champ advised Garry to also rely on his wrestling. But he’s still confident that “MVP” can avoid being controlled on the ground and get back up comfortably.
“The problem is, Kevin Holland is a legitimate black belt in jiu-jitsu, and he got him down. He took his back, had him mounted, and Michael ‘Venom’ Page was able to get back up. So it’s not an easy path to victory but I wouldn’t be surprised if Ian Garry tries that.”
For now, Bisping’s all-British welterweight title fight dream depends on the outcome of Garry vs. Page at UFC 303.
UFC bantamweight contender Brady Hiestand has explored the reasons behind the delay in scheduling the Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili fight, asserting that this highly anticipated clash is inevitable.
After securing a dominant unanimous decision win in his rematch against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this past March, O’Malley initially put forward a champion vs. champion showdown with UFC featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria. However, the fans appeared to dismiss this proposal, leading “Sugar” to redirect his focus toward a matchup with Dvalishvili.
The Georgian is a logical opponent for the reigning UFC bantamweight champion. “The Machine” boasts an impressive 10-fight win streak and holds the #1 spot in the divisional rankings, firmly establishing himself as a frontrunner for a title opportunity.
Initially opting to remain on the sidelines as his close friend Aljamain Sterling ruled the bantamweight division, the Georgian has shifted his approach. With Sterling’s move to featherweight, Dvalishvili is now actively seeking a fight with O’Malley. He’s even using humorous skits on social media to encourage his prospective opponent to sign the contract.
Rumors swirled that O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili could headline UFC 306 on September 14 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, the UFC has yet to officially confirm the matchup for the event.
During a recent interview with InsideFighting, Heistand confidently asserted that the O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili bout is destined to take place.
“It’s for sure gonna happen,” Heistand said. “From them [UFC], not making that fight is Merab becoming the superstar he is and being so funny with everything; now they don’t need O’Malley. I mean, Merab’s the star, too, so making that fight just makes sense. And I think Merab’s going to get that fight; it just depends on when they set it up.”
“Bam Bam” further suggested that O’Malley is hesitant about fighting Dvalishvili and is adamant about leaving no stone unturned in his preparation.
“I think O’Malley is just not ready to fight. I don’t know because I mean, why else haven’t they fought anytime soon? I think O’Malley’s maybe a little scared. I think Merab f**ks him up, honestly.”
Despite his unwavering affection for this technique, “The Diamond” is yet to win a fight by this specific method. However, things could have been very different.
The fight had just about everything with both men having their moments in a true battle of wills that eventually went the way of the Louisiana native via unanimous decision.
New details from Hooker himself suggest that Poirier could have got his hand raised even earlier had he and the referee noticed something in the middle of the fight.
Dan Hooker Says Dustin Poirier Choked Him Out With A Guillotine But No One Noticed
In the third round of their incredible clash at the Apex, New Zealand’s Hooker looked to switch up his approach by shooting for a takedown on Poirier.
As he has been known to do, “The Diamond” caught his opponent in a guillotine and looked to wrap up the submission to close the show.
Hooker was able to survive the choke and make his way out after it appeared to be tight, or so it seemed.
On a recent episode of mainevent for Fox Sports, Hooker and Alexander Volkanovski came onto the topic of close calls with submission attempts.
As Volkanovski reflected on his own nail-biting moment against Brian Ortega, his fellow Kiwi shared a never-before-heard story.
“A funny one, in the Poirier fight, he had me in a guillotine and I might have been the first guy that he ever submitted in the guillotine but he just didn’t even realize I was out so I actually woke up.
“It was the third round, I shot for a takedown and he jumped the guillotine and then he must have just run out of steam squeezing because I woke up and I was like, ‘Oh the fight’s still going’, I was like, ‘This is cool’. So he did finish a guillotine, just no one realized.”
Whilst it’s exciting to see two of the best strikers in the welterweight division come up against one another, some styles don’t always gel well with one another.
Both men are known for being counter strikers that wait for their opponents to make the first move, before looking to strike and move.
This can lead to fights, like when Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson fought Darren Till, for example, where there’s not a lot of action to separate the two men.
Garry believes that this is how his opponent will approach the fight this Saturday based on some of his previous fights.
Ian Garry Uses Michael ‘Venom’ Page’s Approach To Fighting Douglas Lima To Predict UFC 303
In order to do this, he needs to be able to draw reactions from his opponents by utilizing his feints and movement. Garry made reference to this during his media day interviews,where he specifically named one fight from Page’s time in Bellator.
Having been stopped by Douglas Lima in their first encounter, Page fought very strategically in their rematch to win the fight via split decision.
The undefeated Irishman believes that his fellow 170-pound striker is going to look to fight in a similar way this time out.
“I think he’s going to very patient and cautious. I use the example of MVP versus Douglas Lima 2 where in the first two and a half minutes, it was a lot of feinting, a lot of moving, a lot of trying to get Douglas to open up or throw and respond.
“He [MVP] only threw two shots and I think he’s going to respect me and I think he’s going to understand how talented I am and he’s going to come out with a similar style to that. If he doesn’t, I’m going to finish him even faster.”
Henry Cejudo thinks that the rising bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott possesses all the attributes necessary to become a formidable contender in the division.
Talbott is poised to make his pay-per-view debut against Yanis Ghemmouri on the preliminary portion of UFC 303, scheduled to take place this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 25-year-old Nevada native hadn’t trained in MMA until his late teens but now shows promising potential to emerge as a standout star in the UFC in the years ahead.
Talbott made his professional debut in November 2021 and competed primarily under Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat banner until last August. His standout performance against Reyes Cortez on Dana White’s Contender Series led to a commanding unanimous decision victory, which paved the way for him to secure a coveted UFC contract.
In his promotional debut three months later, Talbott showcased his skills with an impressive third-round submission victory over Nick Aguirre at UFC Vegas 82 in November 2023, making a significant statement in his arrival.
Fresh off a spectacular TKO victory over Cameron Saaiman at UFC Vegas 89 this past March, Talbott’s performance has captured the interest of former two-division UFC champion Cejudo, who believes he has a promising future ahead in the MMA organization…
Cejudo Envisions Talbott’s Ascent Up The Bantamweight Ladder
During a recent episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast alongside former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, “Triple C” expressed anticipation for Talbott’s upcoming bout against Ghemmouri at UFC 303, highlighting it as a matchup he eagerly anticipates.
“I’m gonna have to go with Payton Talbott, man,” Cejudo said. “He’s 5’10,’ he’s undefeated, he’s a wreck, man, he’s mentally a strong kid, and he’s been finishing people in the UFC. That dude’s got crazy talent… he’s a prospect. He’s definitely like a high-profile prospect that’s kind of going under the radar, man.”
Cejudo further highlighted that Talbott exhibits the potential to ascend as a serious threat in the UFC bantamweight division, citing his versatile skills inside the Octagon.
“He has really good striking; you know he has takedowns and submissions. We’re talking about a guy who’s well-rounded, yet he is still growing, and I think there’s a reason why the UFC is putting him on this card.
“That being said, this guy is a threat for any for any of us in the top 10. I mean, that dude gonna come up, and the dude’s going to make a statement.”
The 2024 Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place in Las Vegas on Thursday night, and MMA News has you covered with all interviews and speeches.
Having rolled out a strong list of inductees during pay-per-view cards throughout this year, six prominent names appeared on stage at T-Mobile Arena as part of one of International Fight Week’s marquee events.
Three fighters entered the Modern Wing, with former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, ex-strawweight queen Joanna Jędrzejczyk, and Pride standout Maurício “Shogun” Rua receiving recognition for their illustrious careers inside the Octagon.
The Pioneer Wing, meanwhile, expanded with the addition of a legend in “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva.
And Anderson Silva found himself getting inducted into the HOF for the second straight year. After joining the Pioneer Wing in 2023, “The Spider” is now in the Fight Wing following the induction of his first showdown with Chael Sonnen at UFC 117 in 2010.
Thursday’s ceremony saw multiple high-profile figures from MMA, past and present, feature on the red carpet. See below for interviews and appearances from them, plus highlights from the inductee speeches.
UFC Hall Of Fame Red Carpet Interviews
"I have to close a chapter of my life, which is fighting, so I'm not super happy."
Joanna Jędrzejczyk opens up on the mixed emotions around her UFC Hall of Fame induction. pic.twitter.com/Trp3gChr2W
Kayla Harrison responds to "the twerker" Ailín Pérez
"Sometimes it's just a little outrageous. I don't really know what to say. You're twerking. I don't know how to handle this. Yes, I will fight you." pic.twitter.com/7xJatnYC94
For “MVP,” the contest marks the chance to climb close to the top five at 170 pounds in just his second Octagon outing. After signing with the UFC late last year, the Londoner debuted successfully at the expense of Kevin Holland in Miami this past March.
Having broken into the rankings immediately, Page is set for a tougher test in the form of Garry, who has won all of his UFC fights to date and most recently climbed to #7 with a victory over Geoff Neal.
Whether because of that or his experience watching and briefly training with his unique striking style, the former title challenger is envisioning a rise into title contention for Page at Garry’s expense…
Thompson: Garry Must ‘Mix It Up’ Or Risk Getting Knocked Out
“Wonderboy” had a particularly vested interest in the main card opener owing to the comparisons drawn between his style and that of Page, as well as his own continued presence in the welterweight rankings.
Garry has vowed to prove his superiority in all aspects on Saturday night. Thompson, however, doesn’t think the Irishman can come out on top should things stay on the feet at UFC 303.
“Both of these guys are at the highest level, especially when it comes to the striking game. Now, is it smart for Ian Garry to go out there and just strike with ‘MVP?’ I don’t think so,” Thompson said. “I don’t think he’s on the same level as Michael ‘Venom’ Page, especially when it comes to the distance management, the blitzing, the speed. I think Michael ‘Venom’ Page is really, really fast, very accurate, and very versatile. But I think Ian Garry is a very intelligent fighter.
“If I was him, I would be mixing it up. Not just striking, but obviously working my grappling, trying to lay and hang on this guy against the fence if I can…just to try and somehow fatigue this guy,” Thompson continued. “I’m definitely leaning towards my man Michael ‘Venom’ Page. … I do think if ‘MVP’ touches Ian Garry on that chin, he’s gonna be able to put him out.”
Page will look to prove Thompson’s prediction correct come fight night. Should he accomplish that feat, “Venom” would be a sizable step closer toward an all-British title showdown with Leon Edwards.
Given the controversial nature of the stoppage in that fight, Pereira has vowed to deliver a more definitive finish second time around. And one notable mixed martial arts coach is seemingly expecting him to do just that…
Welch: Procházka ‘Can’t Get Away’ With His Style Against ‘Expert Puncher’ Pereira
Welch touched on the elements of Procházka’s unique style that he sees as undesirable for a fighter, noting that they aren’t something he can get away with against a veteran striker like Pereira.
“Alex Pereira is too sharp, he’s got too much experience kickboxing. Jiří’s style is too unorthodox; dropping his hands, throwing punches, not having good balance after he punches. His hands come back to his armpits,” Welch said. “Pereira’s too sharp for that, he’s too good of a power puncher. I think he’s gonna put one on the lips and put him down.
“Dude, Jiří is f*cking — he drops his hands down by his armpits, he doesn’t have his hands up. Alex Pereira, I mean, I feel like you can’t fight like that against him,” Welch continued. “When you’ve got an expert puncher like that, you can’t afford to get away with that sh*t, I feel like.”
“Poatan” will look to prove Welch and his other backers’ predictions correct come fight night on June 29, where a second successful title defense this year while saving a major event will no doubt add to his stardom and ever-growing legacy on the sport’s biggest stage.
Ortega, a former two-time title challenger, and Lopes, one of the fastest-rising names at 145 pounds, will share the Octagon on short notice following the collapse of the original co-headliner.
With much being made of their respective skillsets on the ground in the lead-up to UFC 303 — abilities that have helped them record a combined 20 submissions wins between them inside the cage — the #14-ranked contender was asked how he thinks a straight jiu-jitsu clash with Ortega wild play out.
Although “T-City” is a first-degree black belt under Rener Gracie, Lopes doesn’t believe the featherweight veteran boasts the kind of high-level experience in BJJ matches and competitions as he’s amassed since starting at the age of just five.
“I don’t know how much Brian has actually competed at a high level, jiu-jitsu-only,” Lopes said. “I have been doing this since I was five years old; talking about regional competitions, national, international competitions when I was back in Brazil.
“I think that if we’re gonna go straight up jiu-jitsu, I think I would be the one,” Lopes concluded.
Whether or not that prediction come close to getting tested inside the Octagon on Saturday remains to be seen, with many expecting the kind of typical striking match between two strong grapplers to rear its head in the UFC 303 co-main event.
The pair were then expected to collide in a trilogy bout at UFC 289 in Vancouver, Canada, last June. Weeks out from the event, however, Peña withdrew after sustaining an injury.
As the legend gave an emotional speech, Peña didn’t hesitate to let her disdain be known from cageside, booing and heckling her longtime rival.
While those actions drew plenty of criticism online, the former champ insists she’s been proven right when it comes to her decision to boo Nunes’ retirement at UFC 289…
Peña Plans To Resume Nunes Callouts After Regaining The Title
During an interview with ESPN MMA while the red carpet for Thursday’s UFC Hall of Fame Ceremony, Peña spoke about the possibility of running it back with Nunes now that the former two-division queen appears to be on the cusp of a comeback.
“If you recall, when I was cageside for that fight I was supposed to fight (at UFC 289), I was booing pretty heavily, and it was because I thought that she was retiring prematurely,” Peña said. “Then when I saw Kayla Harrison win and she didn’t call out Amanda and Amanda made a big stink about it, I thought, ‘Yeah, why would you make a big stink? Because you know that you’re not ready to retire.’
I was absolutely right to be booing because it was premature and she just didn’t want a third fight with me,” Peña continued. “Maybe that will eventually happen. I’ll definitely be calling for it after my fight with Raquel.”
I scared you so bad into retirement. Personally, Congratulations. Professionally, wtf was that? #UFC289
While their expected title fight hasn’t been officially announced, “Rocky” said during her own red carpet interviews that her first defense is being targeted for the potential October pay-per-view event in Salt Lake City.
Rua will have impacted so many different people during his career, and Smith is certainly one of them.
“Lionheart” filled in on short notice to replace Volkan Oezdemir and face the legendary Brazilian in his first main event back in 2018.
Having made his light heavyweight debut the month prior where he stopped Rashad Evans, it was a huge opportunity for Smith, which he capitalized on with a first round finish.
Smith would go on to beat Oezdemir in his next fight to earn a shot at Jon Jones’ light heavyweight title at UFC 235.
Anthony Smith Thanks ‘Shogun’ Rua For Giving Him An Opportunity
During his media day interviews ahead of his late-notice fight against Roman Dolidze this weekend, Smith spoke about the significant role that “Shogun” played in his career.
He shared how the former UFC champion didn’t need to take the fight because he was seemingly on the cusp of earning his own title shot following a run of three wins.
Smith said that he is eternally grateful to his former opponent for giving him this opportunity to change his life for the better, stating that it shows exactly the kind of person that the new Hall of Famer is.
“Legend is not a good enough word to describe ‘Shogun.’ In terms of my history with ‘Shogun,’ I wish there was a way that I could repay him for what he did for me. He gave me an opportunity when he didn’t have to, you know? They were talking about him going into a title fight following a win, that’s all he needed was a win. He took a big risk and I think that says a lot about his character and just who he is and that opportunity skyrocketed me.
“It was my first main event, it was on short notice, and a lot of really good things happened for me and my family and my earning ability. Where I am as a fighter today started with ‘Shogun.’”
Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For June 28, 2024, we’re taking a look at:
McGregor has found it difficult watching fight week play out without him
Anpo goes from sparring Strickland to boxing “Pac Man”
Thompson gives “MVP” the striking edge over Garry
Conor McGregor Says Watching On During UFC 303 Fight Week Has Been A Tough Experience
With the significant changes that UFC 303 underwent, it can be easy to forget that Conor McGregor was set to make his long-awaited return on Saturday night.
His withdrawal due to a broken toe saw major adjustments made to the event that have allowed it to become something completely different.
He took the moment to thank all of his supporters who have wished him a speedy recovery as he watches on as UFC 303 goes down this weekend.
“I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t in deep pain right now watching fight week take place. Deep mental pain. Thank you for the messages of support and encouragement, my peers and fans”
Rukiya Anpo, Who Recently Sparred Sean Strickland, Steps In To Box Manny Pacquiao At Super RIZIN 3
Boxing great Manny Pacquiao is set to compete in a special three-round exhibition bout at Super RIZIN 3 on July 28 at the Saitama Super Arena.
Unfortunately, following his boxing bout with Takanori Gomi last week, his original opponent has withdrawn from the contest and been replaced.
Chihiro Suzuki broke his hand and as a result, former K-1 kickboxing world champion Rukiya Anpo will now take his place.
Stephen Thompson Gives Michael ‘Venom’ Page The Striking Advantage Against Ian Garry At UFC 303
Elite welterweight strikers meet in the main card opener for UFC 303 as the undefeated Ian Garry takes on Michael “Venom” Page in his second Octagon outing.
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson previewed the fight during a recent YouTube video where he gave the edge to “MVP” in this fight.
Thompson feels that in order for the Irishman to extend his winning streak, he needs to switch up his approach rather than trying to outstrike Page.
“Both of these guys are at the highest level, especially when it comes to the striking game. Now, is it smart for Ian Garry to go out there and just strike with ‘MVP?’ I don’t think so,” Thompson said. “I don’t think he’s on the same level as Michael ‘Venom’ Page, especially when it comes to the distance management, the blitzing, the speed. I think Michael ‘Venom’ Page is really, really fast, very accurate, and very versatile. But I think Ian Garry is a very intelligent fighter.
“If I was him, I would be mixing it up. Not just striking, but obviously working my grappling, trying to lay and hang on this guy against the fence if I can…just to try and somehow fatigue this guy,” Thompson continued. “I’m definitely leaning towards my man Michael ‘Venom’ Page. … I do think if ‘MVP’ touches Ian Garry on that chin, he’s gonna be able to put him out.”
UFC 303 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!
We’re deep into International Fight Week, meaning the headline act at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is just a day away. The venue will host a number of intriguing matchups on Saturday, with the championship rematch between Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka leading the way in main event.
Like those two, co-headliners Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes will also do battle on short notice, with the latter looking to make the most of an opportunity to climb into the top five at the expense of a former two-time title challenger in “T-City.”
That contest was originally scheduled for 145 pounds, but Jon Anik announced at the start of the weigh-ins that it will now take place at lightweight. Ariel Helwani subsequently reported that the issue was on the side of “T-City,” who had to stop cutting at 151 pounds over fears he would not be able to compete had he continued. Prior to getting the call for UFC 303, Ortega was already bulking up ahead of a planned move up to 155 pounds.
UFC 303 takes place Saturday, June 29, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.
See above for a live stream of the UFC 303 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below!
Main Card:
Light Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Alex Pereira (204.5lbs) vs. Jiří Procházka (204.5lbs)
Lightweight: Brian Ortega (155lbs) vs. Diego Lopes (155lbs)
Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith (206lbs) vs. Roman Dolidze (205lbs)
Women’s Bantamweight: Mayra Bueno Silva (136lbs) vs. Macy Chiasson (135.5lbs)
Welterweight: Ian Garry (170lbs) vs. Michael Page (171lbs)
Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Joe Pyfer (185.5lbs) vs. Marc-André Barriault (185lbs)
Featherweight: Cub Swanson (146lbs) vs. Andre Fili (145.5lbs)
Featherweight: Charles Jourdain (146lbs) vs. Jean Silva (147.5lbs)*
Bantamweight: Payton Talbott (135.5lbs) vs. Yanis Ghemmouri (136lbs)
Early Preliminary Card:
Women’s Strawweight: Michelle Waterson-Gomez (115lbs) vs. Gillian Robertson (116lbs)
Heavyweight: Andrei Arlovski (245lbs) vs. Martin Buday (264.5lbs)
Flyweight: Rei Tsuruya (125.5lbs) vs. Carlos Hernandez (125lbs)
Bantamweight: Ricky Simón (136lbs) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (136lbs)
*Jean Silva missed the featherweight limit by 1.5 pounds, fined 20 percent of his purse
