MMA News

Author: Mike Reichlin

  • Chael Sonnen ‘Not Convinced’ Alex Pereira Has A ‘Meaningful Advantage’ Over Jiří Procházka At UFC 303

    Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen doesn’t see much in it when it comes to this weekend’s championship main event between Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka.

    Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight titleholder, will run it back with former divisional kingpin Procházka in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 303 pay-per-view event at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

    The bout comes seven months on from their previous showdown at Madison Square Garden, where “Poatan” captured the then-vacant belt to achieve two-division glory in record time.

    Following their respective wins at UFC 300 this past April, Pereira pointed to “BJP” as his targeted next opponent. And with that in mind, there was little hesitation to accept the rematch for June 29 on just a couple of weeks’ notice following the cancellation of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.

    That willingness seems to have surprised Sonnen, who believes he may have a vastly different recollection of how the UFC 295 main event unfolded than Pereira…

    Sonnen: Finishing Sequence In First Pereira vs. Procházka Fight Could Have Gone Either Way

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen looked ahead to the second chapter in Pereira and Procházka’s rivalry, paying close attention to why “Poatan” accepted another battle with “BJP” on late notice.

    From what he saw in New York City, “The Bad Guy” sees no major advantage for the champ over his Czech counterpart at UFC 303.

    “That is so wildly close,” Sonnen said of the current odds for Pereira vs. Procházka 2. “Do you remember what a great fight it was (at UFC 295)? Do you remember how close it was? Do you remember Procházka implementing some grappling? … (Pereira) knocked him out in an exchange which could have gone his way or against him. … Am I remembering it differently? Does anybody dispute that? They (odds) are favoring Pereira, but it is ever so slight. -120 to +110. It is ever so slight.

    “I am not convinced that Pereira has a meaningful advantage. There are things that Pereira brings to the table unlike anybody else that’s done this sport, that’s true,” Sonnen continued. “But there’s things within the style of Procházka that when you have somebody like Pereira that is so willing, anyone, anytime, short notice, this weight class — but he knows fully what he’s getting into, that’s the difference. Pereira knows what he’s getting into with Procházka. He knows full well that’s a guy to avoid…and without hesitation, Pereira is going to revisit that. … I would love to know why what I thought was a very back-and-forth battle that went your way with a good punch…why was there no hesitation? Where was the fear?”

    With the manner by which the first fight came to an end causing controversy, “Poatan” will look to deliver a definitive victory over Procházka’s in tomorrow night’s main event.

  • UFC 303’s Macy Chiasson Pitches Next Fight For Kayla Harrison Before Earning First Title Shot

    UFC 303 main card fighter Macy Chiasson wants to see Kayla Harrison face another ranked bantamweight before challenging for the division’s gold.

    On this weekend’s pay-per-view main card, Chiasson has the chance to climb into championship contention at 135 pounds when she shares the Octagon with Mayra Bueno Silva, the division’s most recent title challenger and #3-ranked contender.

    If she achieves that feat, the 32-year-old will join a queue below champ Raquel Pennington that is currently led by Julianna Peña and Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time title winner under the PFL banner.

    Harrison debuted on MMA’s biggest stage in style at UFC 300 this past April, dominating an ex-bantamweight queen in Holly Holm en route to a second-round submission.

    That performance left some calling for the Ohio native to immediately challenge for the gold. But Chiasson wants to see Harrison face another contender, one ranked four spots below “The Preacher’s Daughter.”

    Related: UFC 303: Staff Predictions For Pereira vs. Procházka 2, Ortega vs. Lopes, Garry vs. Page, & More

    Chiasson Wants Harrison To Fight Dumont Before Getting Title Shot

    During a fight week interview for UFC.com, Chiasson discussed Harrison’s arrival in the weight class earlier this year and assessed her current standing in the title conversation.

    The #7-ranked contender praised the newcomer but pushed back on the notion that she has already earned a shot at the belt. Before getting the champ, Chiasson would like to see Harrison face the #10-ranked Norma Dumont.

    “Kayla Harrison is amazing. She put on a great performance against Holly,” Chiasson said. “I’d like to see her fight somebone else before, you know, a title shot. Preferably Norma Dumont. I would like to see here fight Norma Dumont.”

    The 303 fighter outpointed Dumont by way of split decision at UFC 274 in 2022, a fight that was contested at a catchweight after the Brazilian missed the 146-pound featherweight limit.

    Chiasson later repeated and expanded on that pitch during her appearance at UFC 303 media day on Wednesday, outlining her wish to see Harrison share the cage with a more physical presence than was the case in her debut fight.

    “I really want to see Kayla fight Norma Dumont. I think that would be an awesome matchup. They’re both very like, bigger, physical women,” Chiasson explained. “I really wanna see how Kayla does against someone with that kind of caliber of power and physicality to them.”

    Since losing to Chiasson, Dumont has won four straight inside the Octagon. However, only one of those results came at bantamweight, with the Brazilian defeating returning former champ Germaine de Randamie this past April.

    While Harrison and Dumont await their next assignments, Chiasson has business to attend to this weekend in the form of Bueno Silva. Perhaps a quick win for the American will put her name in the hat for Harrison’s sophomore UFC fight.

  • PFL’s Alex Polizzi On Coaching Sean Strickland & Potential Robert Whittaker Fight: ‘No Matter Who Sean Fights Next…’ (Exclusive)

    PFL light heavyweight contender Alex Polizzi returned to the win column this past week when he defeated Antônio Carlos Júnior via unanimous decision.

    As always, he prepared for the contest at the consistently highly populated Xtreme Couture gym under head coach Eric Nicksick.

    Though there are always world-class fighters in and out of the doors at the Las Vegas facility, if there’s anyone that has defined that team in recent times. it’s Sean Strickland.

    He has been able to make the most out of the sheer amount of bodies and top-tier talent that comes through Las Vegas to feed his appetite for sparring.

    In an exclusive interview with MMA News, Polizzi spoke about what it is like to have Strickland as a training partner. He said that the UFC star first pointed him out one day and asked if he was a wrestler, potentially due to his cauliflower ears.

    After Polizzi said yes, he was informed that he would now be Strickland’s sparring partner for the day and from that moment on, the two men have had a great training relationship.

    Polizzi said that Strickland is always asking him to help improve his wrestling whilst he hopes that some of the former UFC middleweight champion’s striking will rub off on him.

    “Anyone who watches Sean knows he’s got some really great striking and I told him, after a couple times training, he’s like, ‘You know you really got to teach me how to wrestle.’ I’m like, I’m more than willing to teach you how to wrestle if you teach me how to not get jabbed 12 times before moving my head.” 

    Alex Polizzi Looks Forward To Sean Strickland’s Next Camp, Whoever The Opponent Is

    Polizzi is sure to be called back into action by Strickland in the near future even if the former champion purposefully sidelines himself.

    He has stated that he intends to sit and wait to face the winner of the upcoming middleweight title fight at UFC 305 rather than fighting again in the meantime.

    During the interview, Strickland’s teammate said that whilst he can’t weigh in on what a fight against Robert Whittaker may look like, he did say that he’s excited for whenever his training partner does want to get back to work.

    “Outside of watching him specifically, watching his opponents for the wrestling, I’m gonna say I’m not knowledgeable enough to know. However, I will say that no matter who Sean fights next, it’s always a blast when Sean’s in camp.

    “He brings the energy, brings the fun and it’s always good to get some matches in with him and every time, he’s like, ‘Polizzi I need you there to coach me in wrestling’. I go, ‘Sean, you haven’t wrestled the past four matches, I don’t know what you want me to tell you.’”

  • Tom Aspinall Responds To Jon Jones’ Narrative That He Was Getting His ‘A** Kicked’ In First Curtis Blaydes Fight

    Tom Aspinall fired back at Jon Jones’ attempt to mock his loss to Curtis Blaydes, and he also asserted that he is prepared to bide his time for his shot at the undisputed title after UFC 304.

    Jones was scheduled to defend his undisputed heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 last November. Unfortunately, a torn pectoral tendon forced him out, resulting in the cancellation of the bout.

    As a result, Aspinall stepped up on short notice to face Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight title. The British fighter claimed the belt with a stunning knockout just over a minute into the opening round.

    After his triumph, Aspinall called for a title unification bout with Jones through numerous interviews and lively exchanges on social media. However, “Bones” declined, expressing his preference to reschedule his bout with Miocic instead.

    Feeling frustrated by the lack of activity, the Englishman has opted to defend his interim title against former Blaydes in the co-main event of UFC 304, set for July 27 in Manchester.

    The two formidable heavyweights initially clashed at UFC Fight Night London in July 2022. The matchup was marked by Aspinall’s TKO defeat following an unexpected knee injury just 15 seconds into the bout.

    Earlier this month, Jones replied to a fan on X who predicted that Aspinall would knock him out within three rounds in a potential fight. In his response, the former longtime UFC light heavyweight contended that Aspinall was “getting that a** kicked” by Blaydes before his knee gave out.

    Instead of responding to Jones’ many verbal jabs, Aspinall is now directing his focus toward avenging his loss against “Razor.”

    Aspinall Looks Beyond Jones, Aims for Undisputed Gold After UFC 304

    During a recent appearance on Michael Bisping’s BELIEVE YOU ME podcast, Aspinall emphasized that he remains unfazed by Jones’ verbal taunts and has no immediate interest in fighting him.

    Instead, he highlighted his current focus on his upcoming bout against Blaydes at UFC 304.

    “This is actually the first rematch of my entire career, amateur and professional. I’ve never fought the same guy twice before,” Aspinall said. “I mean, the first one wasn’t really a fight. You can’t really judge your 15 seconds and a quick exchange… Honestly, I’m not really bothered about it at the moment. Curtis Blaydes is all that really matters to me right now.”

    “I’m not really thinking about that. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. I know that some people want me to smack talk… So I’ll be focused on Curtis Blaydes until the fight’s over with.”

    The interim heavyweight champion also stated his readiness to await the opportunity for the undisputed title after a potential victory over Blaydes in their rematch.

    “If I win this win one in an impressive fashion, then the next thing for me is the undisputed, and there’s no two ways around. I’m happy to wait or do whatever after that [UFC 304]. After this one, mate, it has to be undisputed next because I deserve it.”

  • 2024 PFL 6 Results & Highlights: Brendan Loughnane TKOs Justin Gonzales After Gruesome Cut

    2024 PFL 6 Results & Highlights: Brendan Loughnane TKOs Justin Gonzales After Gruesome Cut

    The 2024 PFL Regular Season had its sixth event on Friday night, and MMA News has you covered with all the action!

    The Professional Fighters League was back this week, as the organization concluded its latest global regular season with the second round of welterweight and featherweight matchups going down from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

    In the 145-pound main event, 2022 champ Brendan Loughnane returned to action following a successful start to his pursuit of gold in April. The Brit stopped Pedro Carvalho at PFL 3 for a six-point finish.

    In his final stop before the playoffs, Loughnane was tasked with getting the better of Justin Gonzales, who was coming off a first-round knockout loss to Gabriel Braga.

    The top offering at welterweight, meanwhile, saw former interim Bellator champion Logan Storley look to notch his first win under the PFL banner in his home state. Following a losing start to his debut season, “Storm” met late-notice replacement opponent Luca Poclit in Friday’s co-headliner.

    See below for the results from the event, followed by all the highlights.

    2024 PFL 6 Results & Highlights

    Main Card:

    • Featherweight: Brendan Loughnane def. Justin Gonzales via TKO (doctor stoppage): R2, 3:34
    • Welterweight: Logan Storley def. Luca Poclit via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
    • Welterweight: Magomed Umalatov def. Brennan Ward via submission (anaconda choke): R1, 3:43
    • Featherweight: Gabriel Braga def. Bubba Jenkins via TKO (arm injury): R2, 1:48

    Preliminary Card:

    • Welterweight: Lorenz Larkin def. Alan Domínguez via TKO (punches): R1, 4:46
    • Welterweight: Shamil Musaev def. Murad Ramazanov via KO (punches): R2, 1:51
    • Featherweight: Kai Kamaka III def. Pedro Carvalho via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28)
    • Welterweight: Andrey Koreshkov def. Goiti Yamauchi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
    • Featherweight: Timur Khizriev def. Enrique Barzola via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
    • Welterweight: Neiman Gracie def. Don Madge via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
    • Featherweight: Tyler Diamond def. Brett Johns via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

    Tyler Diamond Def. Brett Johns

    Neiman Gracie Def. Don Madge

    Timur Khizriev Def. Enrique Barzola

    Andrey Koreshkov Def. Goiti Yamauchi

    Kai Kamaka III Def. Pedro Carvalho

    Shamil Musaev Def. Murad Ramazanov

    Lorenz Larkin Def. Alan Domínguez

    Gabriel Braga Def. Bubba Jenkins

    Magomed Umalatov Def. Brennan Ward

    Logan Storley Def. Luca Poclit

    Brendan Loughnane Def. Justin Gonzales

  • Randy Brown Includes UFC 303 Star, Former Strawweight Champion In His Mount Rushmore Of Strikers: ‘I Used To Watch Her…’

    UFC welterweight contender Randy Brown has handpicked those he deems to be the ultimate masters of the striking craft in the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion.

    “Rude Boy” has placed himself among four other esteemed veterans of the sport on his personal Mount Rushmore of UFC strikers.

    Considering Brown’s extensive experience as a seasoned welterweight fighter and his mastery as a skilled striker, it’s rational that the 33-year-old Jamaican possesses a profound understanding of the fight game.

    Although Mount Rushmore traditionally includes four names, Brown expanded his selection to five, also including himself among the lineup of top-tier strikers…

    Brown’s Mount Rushmore Of UFC Strikers

    During a recent interview with renowned MMA journalist The Schmo, “Rude Boy” was tasked with naming his top UFC strikers. 

    His list featured UFC Hall of Famer and former longtime middleweight champion Anderson Silva, former strawweight queen Joanna Jędrzejczyk, promotional newcomer Michael “Venom” Page — who is scheduled to fight Ian Garry on the UFC 303 card this Saturday — and former welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson.

    “I’m going to say Anderson Silva, for sure, at the top,” Brown said. “I’m going to say Joanna Jędrzejczyk. I’m gonna say I think Randy Brown, you know, we’re building… Right now, I like MVP, and I like his range management. I like what he’s doing, even though there’s a lot of craziness, but honestly, beneath that, there’s a lot of good sh*t going on. I like ‘Wonderboy’ as well.”

    Brown also recognized Jędrzejczyk’s recent induction into the modern wing of UFC Hall of Fame, citing her as a significant source of inspiration for him.

    “She’s the GOAT man. She’s one of the GOATs. She was doing something incredible; I used to watch her and just be so impressed and in awe of some of the things that she was able to do. Those combinations she was able to put together were incredible.”

    Brown is fresh off a commanding unanimous decision victory over Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC 302 and boasts a UFC record of 13-5, with an impressive 9-2 tally in his last 11 fights.

    Despite his diligent efforts in the welterweight division, Brown has not yet cracked the top 15 rankings, often facing tough competition that has resulted in notable losses.

  • ‘Why Does The Person Running This Account Think It’s A Good Idea To Post This? SELL THE FIGHT’ – Fans React To Heartwarming Backstage Interaction Between ‘MVP’ & Ian Garry’s Son

    Welterweight contenders Ian Garry and Michael “Venom” Page have not had many nice things to say about one another in the build-up to UFC 303.

    The two elite strikers are set to meet in the main card opener this Saturday night in what is sure to be one of the most talked about fights of the evening.

    Ahead of June 29, Garry and Page have exchanged words with this coming to a head at the fight week press conference and subsequent stare down.

    The undefeated Irishman is incredibly confident in this match-up and believes that whilst he wasn’t particularly interested in the fight a first, it gives him the chance to make a statement.

    Page, on the other hand, has called his opponent fake amongst other insults before he steps inside the Octagon for a second time.

    Given their back-and-forth comments on stage at the press conference, fans were surprised to see a video that went up on social media just moments after the war of words.

    MMA Fans React To Footage Of Ian Garry & Michael Page Sharing Warm Moment Backstage

    Backstage at the press conference, ESPN MMA captured footage of an interaction between Garry and Page before they compete on Saturday night.

    The two opponents shared a warming encounter in which Garry’s son and “MVP” embraced and waved hello to one another.

    Fans on social media reacted to the huge contrast in the interactions between the welterweight rivals. 

    “Why does the person running this account think its a good idea to post this? SELL THE FIGHT”

    “Wait I could’ve sworn they was beefing”

    “Can you not and wait after the damn fight”

    “Gonna look back on this and realize the kid landed the best punch of the fight between these two”

    “that’s a sweet moment”

    “PPV sales after the fans see this clip:”

    “Realizing I was lied to”

    “Ian in dad mode is so hard not to like. He’s so cool like that. Big ups to the chap hope he makes his dreams come true, he surely has the talent.”

    “This is how it should be… on stage you make a show…back stage you are professionals. It is entertainment … these guys do not have to hate each other to make a good fight!”

    Read More: Stephen Thompson Says Ian Garry’s Striking ‘Not On The Same Level’ As Michael Page’s: ‘If MVP Touches That Chin…’

  • UFC 303: Alex Pereira vs. Jiří Procházka 2 Ceremonial Weigh-In Faceoffs & Full Stream

    UFC 303 takes place on Saturday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

    The upcoming pay-per-view event at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena provides a chance for UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira to further enhance his legacy on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    After recording a first successful defense at the expense of Jamahal Hill in the UFC 300 headliner, “Poatan” will square off against the man he knocked out to win the then-vacant belt last November, Jiří Procházka.

    The co-main event, meanwhile, will see two-time featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega back in action, as he looks to stall the charge of rising fan favorite Diego Lopes. While their clash was originally set for 145 pounds, a late change means they’ll now do battle at lightweight.

    Elsewhere on the UFC 303 main card, Anthony Smith welcomes Roman Doldize back to 205 pounds, Mayra Bueno Silva hopes to rebound from her title defeat in January by getting the better of Macy Chiasson, and undefeated welterweight Ian Garry looks to prove his claim to superiority over Michael “Venom” Page.

    Ahead of the event, 25 out of the 26 fighters successfully made weight, with Jean Silva’s 1.5-pound miss of the featherweight limit marking the sole indiscretion on the scale.

    Nevertheless, every fight has remained intact, and all that remained on Friday was for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins!

    Check out a replay via the official UFC YouTube channel below, followed by all the faceoffs.

    UFC 303 Ceremonial Weigh-In Stream

    UFC 303 Ceremonial Weigh-In Faceoffs

  • UFC 303: 3 Under-The-Radar Fights That Will Deliver

    From a matchmaking perspective, UFC 303 has been a monumentally challenging fight card for the promotion to piece together. Aside from the headline-making collapse of the fight between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, the UFC has also had to deal with a carousel of fighters falling out of the original co-main event slot.

    Jamahal Hill, Khalil Rountree, and Carlos Ulberg have all been matched (and subsequently pulled out) of the fight which has evolved into Anthony “Lionheart” Smith facing Roman Dolidze. The bout has also been moved down the pecking order and replaced in the co-main event slot by the lightweight clash between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes.

    While the high-profile fights at UFC 303 have garnered the majority of the headlines, there are some intriguing matchups on the rest of the card that could have major implications for the fighters involved.

    Bantamweight: Payton Talbott vs. Yanis Ghemmouri

    Payton Talbott has been attracting attention during his short stint in the UFC so far. The Dana White’s Contender Series alum, who has drawn comparisons with bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, has proved to be an exciting addition to the 135-pound division.

    Talbott is unbeaten and has finished seven of his eight professional bouts inside the distance. He faces a step up in competition this weekend when he squares off against Yanis Ghemmouri.

    “The Desert Warrior” was on a long winning streak coming into his UFC debut in Paris last September but had some issues making 135 pounds and had to be hastily switched into a featherweight bout with fellow Frenchman William Gomis. Ghemmouri was stopped in the third round in somewhat controversial circumstances and will be looking to get back in the win column this weekend.

    Featherweight: Cub Swanson vs. Andre Fili

    Two of the most experienced, tenured fighters in the UFC meet on Saturday night in what should be an entertaining featherweight clash. Swanson, 40, will be making his 24th appearance inside the Octagon and Fili, 34, his 22nd.

    “Killer” has been fighting in the UFC since 2011 and is coming off a win over Hakeem Dawodu in his last fight. ‘Touchy’ Fili was last in action in February when he was stopped by Dan Ige in the first round of their clash at the Apex in Las Vegas.

    Bantamweight: Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson

    Bueno Silva will be looking to rebound from her unsuccessful attempt at winning UFC gold when she takes on Macy Chiasson during the pay-per-view main card this Saturday. 

    “Sheetara” came up short against Raquel Pennington when they fought for the vacant bantamweight title in January, and a win here over Chiasson in such a high-profile place on the fight card would go some way toward reestablishing her as a serious contender.

    Related: UFC 303: Staff Predictions For Pereira vs. Procházka 2, Ortega vs. Lopes, Garry vs. Page, & More

  • Kevin Holland Sets Condition For Shara ‘Bullet’ Showdown: ‘I’ll Fight Anybody In The USA’

    Kevin Holland is always someone that the UFC can rely on when they need a fighter to step up on short notice.

    The promotion’s upcoming card on July 13 in Denver has gone through some significant changes this past week, with multiple high-profile fights falling off the event.

    Holland has been trying to get an opponent in order to make the quick turnaround following his first-round finish over Michal Oleksiejczuk at the start of June.

    One name that has been linked with his over the past week is Sharabutdin “Bullet” Magomedov, who maintained his undefeated winning streak in Saudi Arabia this past weekend.

    After Magomedov called Holland out, all the signs on social media pointed to the fight being a possibility.

    Kevin Holland Says He’s Happy To Fight As Long As It’s In The United States

    During a recent interview with Helen Yee, Holland gave an update on his plans hopeful plans to fight on July 13 and the potential of him facing off with Shara “Bullet”.

    Dana White stated during the post-fight press conference following the event in Saudi Arabia that they will likely keep the middleweight contender in the Middle East for the foreseeable future.

    Though he was believed to have restrictions regarding where he is eligible to fight, Magomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, recently stated that this is not an issue.

    Holland himself was surprised when he was told that “Bullet” had called him out while being in attendance at UFC 303 fight week in Las Vegas.

    “He’s out in Vegas? Oh well we can just fight July 13, I don’t understand what’s going on here.”

    The fan favorite then said that his only request when taking a fight is that he remains in the United States, going as far as to say that in an interview with The Schmo that if his opponent can’t fight in American due to his eye, they could maybe do it in Mexico.

    Holland said that as long as an opponent is happy to meet him on US soil, he’s happy to throw down whether it’s “Bullet” or someone else.

    “Yeah I mean he said July 13 and the boss liked it so I thought we were going to be fighting July 13 but then they told me no fight July 13, so I think that makes good sense. I mean it’s like if somebody wants to fight me here in the USA, I’ll fight anybody in the USA.

    “When it comes to all that flying real far and stuff like that, your boy Kev is just, I ain’t gonna lie, it just doesn’t really work out. I’m not trying to tell anybody what I’m going to do it just doesn’t work out. Mentally, spiritually, I’m just not with the long fights.”    

  • Kayla Harrison Lauds Breakout PFL Star As The ‘Future’ Of MMA: ‘I Think The Sky Is The Limit For Her!’

    The rise to prominence of Dakota Ditcheva since her addition to the PFL roster has been nothing short of meteoric.

    “Dangerous” has won all seven of her fights in the promotion and has finished each of those bouts inside the distance, with six being knockouts within the opening round. Her overall record sits at 12-0, and the former Muay Thai world champion has never lost a mixed martial arts bout at either amateur or professional level.

    The UK-based flyweight dispatched of Malin Hermansson and Cornelia Holm during the 2023 PFL Europe tournament to reach the finals, where she demolished Valentina Scatizzi last December in Dublin, Ireland, to get her hands on a championship belt and a check for $100,000.

    This year, Ditcheva has entered the PFL’s global tournament — the winner of which will walk away with a cool $1 million — and has dispatched of both Lisa Mauldin and Chelsea Hackett to qualify for the playoffs, where Jena Bishop lies waiting.

    With Taila Santos and Liz Carmouche both also in the bracket, the level of competition Ditcheva is facing is gradually becoming more challenging, and the rewards are becoming more enticing.

    Harrison Predicts Big Things For Ditcheva

    Speaking to MMA Fighting immediately before the UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this week, two-time PFL champion and current UFC bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison gave her thoughts on Ditcheva’s potential.

    “She’s a killer. She’s a killer. She’s the future of MMA, and I think that she’s only getting better,” said Harrison, who made her UFC debut earlier this year when she submitted Holly Holm at UFC 300. “She’s young, she’s hungry, she’s disciplined, she’s motivated, she’s got a good head on her shoulders, she’s got a great team around her. I think that the sky is the limit for her.”

    Harrison, a two-time Judo Olympic gold medalist, fought in the PFL between 2018 and 2023, twice winning the $1 million grand prize for capturing the women’s lightweight championship.

  • Brandon Moreno Highlights Where Diego Lopes Has The Edge Over Brian Ortega In UFC 303 Fight: ‘I Did Sparring With Him Last Week…’

    Sometimes you get a fight that is such an exciting clash of styles that from the minute it’s made, people are dying to see it.

    That was the case for UFC 303 when former featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega was announced to be taking on rising star Diego Lopes in the co-main event.

    Lopes has become a serious player at 145 pounds seemingly out of nowhere, and his status as a fan favorite only seems to increase each time out.

    While Ortega hasn’t been the most active fighter on the roster in recent years, he brings it every time so fans know they’re in for a good fight when “T-City” does step inside the Octagon.

    Both men’s jiu-jitsu skills are clearly their best attributes, but as is often the case when you get two elite grapplers matched up, they may cancel each other out in what could become a fascinating striking contest. 

    Brandon Moreno Backs Diego Lopes To Come Out On Top In A Striking Clash With Brian Ortega

    Should the fight become a battle of striking between the two featherweight contenders, Brandon Moreno is backing Lopes to come away with the win.

    The former UFC flyweight champion trains with the Mexico-based Brazilian, so knows that he is capable of winning fights wherever they take place.

    Fight fans have already seen glimpses of the power that Lopes possesses in his hands, but Moreno is also keen to point out how technical he can be also.

    He told The Schmo in a recent interview that  Lopes has what it takes to outstrike Ortega on the feet.

    “I think the jiu-jitsu is going to be canceled in this fight. I think both are really good in jiu-jitsu, I think it’s going to be a striking matchup. Diego is my guy, I really like Diego. He’s been very cool with me in the last couple of months and I believe his striking is more technical. I think his striking is more sharp and, man, he punches really hard. I did sparring with him last week actually and man, the guy punches really hard.”  

  • Jiří Procházka On What He Plans To Do Different Against Alex Pereira At UFC 303: ‘One Of The Most Important Things In This Short Preparation…’

    Jiří Procházka will look to reclaim the light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 303 tonight in Las Vegas. 

    In order to do so, he will need to avenge his loss to Alex Pereira after being stopped by the current champion last November at UFC 295.

    Though he was able to bounce back with a win over Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 300, he did have to weather some adversity in that fight before finding the finish.

    Both Pereira and Rakić were able to take advantage of the former champion’s stance by targeting his legs with kicks to take away some of his unpredictable movement and explosiveness.

    He was able to overcome this last time out by completely disregarding them and continuing to be incredibly aggressive. But against “Poatan,” this is what led to the finish.

    Jiří Procházka Has Placed Emphasis On Defending Leg Kicks Ahead Of Alex Pereira Rematch

    In an interview with ESPN MMA during fight week, Procházka was asked what adjustments he will be looking to make in the rematch.

    He directly referenced the approach to defending leg kicks, stating that he wasn’t too badly damaged at UFC 295 but is still cautious of them going into this weekend. 

    “It was not so bad but I really understand it’s not okay to absorb a lot of kicks, especially with an opponent like now, Alex. So that was one of the most important thing in this short preparation.” 

    The Czech star said that despite the leg kicks being a crucial aspect of the fight, he still believed he was in control of the bout.

    With the adjustments that he plans to make in order to improve upon his performance, Procházka is confident of reclaiming the 205-pound throne. 

    “Sure, I changed a few things, I changed but like last time, I was not satisfied with my performance but I thought like, the first round and the half of the second round was in my hands, all in my hands, so I just need to keep it in that way, be more careful in the leg kicks, and bring the perfect storm in the cage.”  

  • UFC 303 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Alex Pereira vs. Jiří Procházka, Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes, Ian Garry vs. Michael Page, & More

    UFC 303 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup.

    The upcoming pay-per-view 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.

    Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, who is tasked with repeating his feat from last November’s event in New York City when the cage door closes behind him and Jiří Procházka for the second time.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see former two-time featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega in action for the second time this year. Off the back of a come-from-behind submission win over Yair Rodríguez, “T-City” will look to stall the rapid rise of Diego Lopes.

    Also set to make the walk on Saturday night will be light heavyweight veteran Anthony Smith, recent bantamweight title challenger Mayra Bueno Silva, and undefeated welterweight Ian Garry, who marks the sophomore Octagon opponent for striking specialist Michael “Venom” Page.

    Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the UFC 303 main card here.

    UFC 303: Pereira vs. Procházka Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 303 (as of 6/29), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Alex Pereira (-148) vs. Jiří Procházka (+124)
    • Brian Ortega (+130) vs. Diego Lopes (-155)
    • Anthony Smith (+124) vs. Roman Dolidze (-148)
    • Mayra Bueno Silva (-110) vs. Macy Chiasson (-110)
    • Ian Garry (-162) vs. Michael Page (+136)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Joe Pyfer (-310) vs. Marc-André Barriault (+250)
    • Cub Swanson (+185) vs. Andre Fili (-225)
    • Charles Jourdain (-130) vs. Jean Silva (+110)
    • Payton Talbott (-1600) vs. Yanis Ghemmouri (+900)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Michelle Waterson-Gomez (+145) vs. Gillian Robertson (-175)
    • Andrei Arlovski (+220) vs. Martin Buday (-270)
    • Rei Tsuruya (-410) vs. Carlos Hernandez (+320)
    • Ricky Simón (-250) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (+205)

  • ‘Casuals In For A Shock When MVP Knocks Out Ian Garry’ – Final Thoughts & Predictions On UFC 303 From The MMA Community

    UFC 303 is almost upon us, and many in the mixed martial arts community have been posting some late takes on the event.

    The promotion hosts its latest pay-per-view card from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, tonight, where International Fight Week will conclude with championship stakes inside the Octagon.

    Headlining UFC 303, ex-titleholder Jiří Procházka is tasked with getting the better of light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, a feat that former kingpin Jamahal Hill most recently failed to achieve at UFC 300 and that “BJP” himself fell short of last November.

    The co-main event, meanwhile, will see two-time featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega serve as the toughest test to date for surging Brazilian Diego Lopes. They’ll compete at lightweight after “T-City’s” weight cut struggles forced a late divisional switch. 

    Also on the lineup, light heavyweight veteran Anthony Smith faces a Roman Dolidze who is returning to the division in which he went undefeated before dropping to 185 pounds, Mayra Bueno Silva makes the walk for the first time since failing to capture the bantamweight gold, and undefeated welterweight Ian Garry looks to back up his claims of superiority over knockout artist Michael “Venom” Page.

    To prepare yourself for tonight’s event, catch up on the latest betting odds here, look back on the faceoffs from Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins here, and follow along with the results and highlights here, live from 6 PM ET.

    MMA Community Gives Final Thoughts On UFC 303: ‘Jiří Fights Against The Evil Spirits Today’

    UFC 303 will get underway shortly, meaning the buildup and time for talking is almost over.

    The MMA community is sure to be locked in and engaged in hot discussion over the events that unfold in the coming hours, but throughout today, plenty have been getting in their late predictions and final thoughts on the momentous occasion. 

  • ‘Someone’s Cutting Onions’ – Fans React To UFC’s Touching Tribute Promo As Michelle Waterson-Gomez Retires Following UFC 303 Beatdown

    Michelle Waterson-Gomez announced her retirement at UFC 303 following a unanimous decision loss to Gillian Robertson.

    “The Karate Hottie” reflected on her decision to retire and the career she leaves behind in an emotional post-fight interview which featured a video package that looked back at what she has accomplished in the sport.

    After making her pro debut in 2007, Waterson-Gomez eventually made her way to Invicta FC where she became the atomweight champion.

    Her UFC debut came in 2015 and since then, she has been a staple of both the strawweight and flyweight divisions.

    Five consecutive losses brings her 31-fight pro career to an end having headlined four UFC Fight Night events during her time with the promotion.

    MMA Fans React To Michelle Waterson-Gomez’s Emotional Retirement

    Despite her tough night at the office in having to deal with the grappling of Robertson, fight fans will remember Waterson-Gomez’s outing at UFC 303 for her emotional retirement.

    Even UFC commentators Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier got choked up following her words about the support she has received from her family.

    The MMA fans responded and paid tribute to her career on social media.

  • ‘DC Just Said He Didn’t Know Who Payton Talbott Was…’ – Fans React As Talbott Smashes Opponent In Second-Fastest Bantamweight Finish Of All Time At UFC 303

    Payton Talbott is known for producing highlights in his fights, and he may have just had his best performance ever against Yanis Ghemmouri at UFC 303.

    Talbott threw a right jab and a powerful left hand that dropped Ghemmouri. A couple of follow-up shots led to the referee stepping in, with Talbott putting “The Desert Warrior” away officially in 19 seconds.

    This quick finish earned Talbott the second-fastest finish in UFC bantamweight history.

    Payton Talbott Stays Unbeaten With Lightning Quick Finish Of Yanis Ghemmouri During UFC 303 Prelims

    After a series of impressive performances in Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat promotion, Talbott defeated Reyes Cortez via decision last August on Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Talbott’s performances in the Octagon prior to tonight saw him submit Nick Aguirre and TKO Cameron Saaiman.

    Talbott called out Adrian Yañez in his in-cage post-fight interview.

    Ghemmouri is now 0-2 in the UFC.

  • UFC Books Last-Minute Diego Lopes vs. Dan Ige Fight At UFC 303 After Brian Ortega Out ‘Sick’

    The path to UFC 303 has been filled with chaos all around from the withdrawal of Conor McGregor to Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree devolving into Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze. After Hill’s injury, the UFC booked Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes on just a couple of weeks’ notice to fill in as the new co-main event of UFC 303. 

    But, as it turns out, even on fight night we’re not safe. There was one major twist we were not prepared for.

    On the very day of the card, Dan Ige will be stepping in to face Lopes in the co-main event.

    These initial rumors were fueled by tweets from the likes of Ige, Lopes, Ali Abdelaziz, and Erik Nicksick of Xtreme Couture.

    Ortega has suffered an illness that has forced him off the card.

    Dan Ige Weighed In To Make 165-Pound Fight 

    The plan was first reported by Ariel Helwani during the UFC 303 prelims. Ige had to execute a last-minute weigh-in at 165 pounds, making the fight a catchweight bout. 

    This marked the second time the fight has had its weight limit moved after it began as a featherweight contest and moved to 155 pounds when it became untenable for Ortega to make weight.

    Ige last fought in February, knocking out Andre Fili. He had been scheduled to face Chepe Mariscal on July 20 at UFC Vegas 94.

    Lopes has won three straight since dropping his UFC debut last year, most recently knocking out Sodiq Yusuff at UFC 300.

  • ‘Jean Silva Looks Crazy Powerful, I’m Not Saying He’s On Steroids But…’ – MMA Fans React As Jean Silva Executes Nasty Uppercut KO Of Charles Jourdain At UFC 303

    The finish floodgates appear to have been burst wide open with Jean Silva delivering UFC 303’s second impressive knockout.

    Silva’s devastating striking was on display throughout his second Octagon appearance against Charles Jourdain.

    After hurting his opponent in the first round, the Brazilian continued to look for the final shot that would close the show.

    That shot eventually came in the second when he landed a perfectly timed uppercut on the break, dropping Jourdain with referee Marc Goddard stepping in before any follow-on shots were required.

    Silva continues a big year for The Fighting Nerds team out of Brazil, with a one-hitter-quitter to make it back-to-back knockout wins for him in the UFC. 

    MMA Fans React To Jean Silva’s One-Shot Knockout Over Charles Jourdain

    The power of Silva was a serious threat once again and as pointed out on commentary, he even appeared to have his opponent flinching with each strike that was thrown.

    On the other hand, the Brazilian was largely unfazed by anything that came back at him from Jourdain.

    The MMA world reacted on social media to another impressive display from the featherweight contender – who did miss weight for this fight.

  • ‘I Wanna See Joe Pyfer vs Bo Nickal But It May Be Too Soon For Bo’ – MMA Fans React After Pyfer Faceplant KOs Marc-André Barriault At UFC 303

    Joe Pyfer wanted to rebound in a big way after his first loss in the Octagon, and he did just that with a big finish of Marc-André Barriault to wrap up the UFC 303 prelims.

    Just over a minute into the fight, Pyfer landed a hook on Barriault that seemed to rock him. Pyfer followed that up with a flurry near the fence before landing a right hand that caused Barriault to faceplant, giving him the knockout victory.

    Joe Pyfer Needs Just 80 Seconds To Put Away Marc-André Barriault At UFC 303

    Pyfer earned a UFC contract after his 2022 appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series. He scored finishes of Alen Amedovski, Gerald Meerschaert and Abdul Razak Alhassan before a loss to Jack Hermansson in February.

    Barriault has now dropped back-to-back fights, after losing a split decision to Chris Curtis at UFC 297.

  • ‘Send Ian Garry To PFL’ – MMA Fans Left Unhappy After Garry Ekes Out Narrow Decision Win Over Michael ‘Venom’ Page At UFC 303

    Ian Machado Garry maintained his undefeated record in the PPV opener at UFC 303 with a unanimous decision win over Michael “Venom” Page.

    Like many expected, the fight was a tense affair where “MVP” got the better of the fight whilst it stayed standing.

    Garry heavily utilized his grappling for the first time inside the Octagon to take the first and third rounds on the scorecards.

    The Irishman was able to take his opponent’s back in both rounds with Page unable to escape the body triangle on both occasions.

    In his post-fight interview, Garry spoke about knowing that he would need to mix up his approach in this fight and made it clear that he wants to continue working his way towards the welterweight title. 

    MMA Fans React To Ian Garry’s Closely Contested Win Over Michael ‘Venom’ Page

    Given the words that were exchanged ahead of this fight and Garry’s already somewhat controversial reputation, this fight was always going to be divisive.

    Though it wasn’t necessarily the striking stalemate that some believed their styles would make it, the grappling-heavy focus from Garry didn’t make for the most entertaining of clashes either.

    Some even believed that “MVP” should have got his hand raised for his efforts where he was able to somewhat consistently land strikes on his opponent.

    MMA facts reacted to this meeting of 170-pound strikers that was decided by takedowns and control.

  • ‘I’m Old Enough To Remember Nate Diaz Soaked In Blood…’ – MMA Fans Split After Gnarly Cut Stops Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson At UFC 303

    Macy Chiasson will be hoping for a big contender matchup in her next fight, finding herself one step closer to a potential bantamweight title shot after defeating Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 303.

    Both women brought their striking out in the first round, with Chiasson landing more in terms of quantity, while Bueno Silva looked to do damage and land the powerful strike that could end the fight.

    Chiasson controlled the grappling portion of the battle, and it was on the ground where the strike that brought the fight to an end happened.

    Chiasson landed a nasty elbow that split open Bueno Silva’s head. Referee Chris Tognoni called for a timeout during the second round to have the cut be looked at.

    Ultimately, the cut was deemed too deep to allow Bueno Silva to continue, giving Chiasson a TKO win.

    MMA Fans React To Cut Stopping Bueno Silva vs. Chiasson At UFC 303

    Chiasson has now won back-to-back bouts since returning from a near year-and-a-half-long layoff. Chiasson submitted Pannie Kianzad in March.

    Bueno Silva is now winless in her last three fights. A win against Holly Holm last year was overturned to a No Contest, and she lost a disappointing bantamweight title fight with Raquel Pennington at UFC 297.

  • ‘Your Biggest Win In UFC Is Losing To Me’ – Movsar Evloev, Aljamain Sterling, Belal Muhammad, & Others React To Diego Lopes’ Win Over Dan Ige At UFC 303

    ‘Your Biggest Win In UFC Is Losing To Me’ – Movsar Evloev, Aljamain Sterling, Belal Muhammad, & Others React To Diego Lopes’ Win Over Dan Ige At UFC 303

    Diego Lopes secured the decision win over Dan Ige at UFC 303 following one of the most unique builds to a fight in the history of the promotion.

    The Brazilian won the first two rounds fairly convincingly with a mix of his combinations and grappling control but his opponent was able to keep himself in the fight.

    Ige, who agreed to the bout on the very same day after Brian Ortega withdrew due to illness, was able to stay competitive and rally in the third round which was where he had the most success by a considerable distance.

    It was a rollercoaster ride to get to the Octagon for both men with the defining characteristic of the fight being the incredible attitudes of both Lopes and Ige to make it happen. 

    MMA World Reacts To Diego Lopes’ Hard-Fought Win Over Dan Ige

    MMA fans reacted to a co-main event that is sure to go down in the history books because of how we got to that point on June 29.

    Both men stepped up in a fight where despite Lopes getting the win via unanimous decision, neither came away as the loser.

  • UFC 303 Results & Highlights: Alex Pereira TKOs Jiří Procházka

    UFC 303 Results & Highlights: Alex Pereira TKOs Jiří Procházka

    UFC 303 took place tonight from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    In the main event, light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira took on former titleholder Jiří Procházka. While in the co-main event, Dan Ige stepped in on four hours notice to replace an ill Brian Ortega and face the streaking Diego Lopes in a 165-pound catchweight bout.

    UFC 303 Results: Main Card

    • Light Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Alex Pereira def. Jiří Procházka via TKO: R2, 0.13
    • Catchweight (165 pounds): Diego Lopes def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Light Heavyweight: Roman Dolidze def. Anthony Smith via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28×2)
    • Women’s Bantamweight: Macy Chiasson def. Mayra Bueno Silva via TKO (injury stoppage): R2, 1.58
    • Welterweight: Ian Garry def. Michael Page via unanimous decision (29-28×3)

    Preliminary Card

    • Middleweight: Joe Pyfer def. Marc-André Barriault via KO: R1, 1.25
    • Featherweight: Andre Fili def. Cub Swanson via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
    • Featherweight: Jean Silva def. Charles Jourdain via KO: R2, 1.22
    • Bantamweight: Payton Talbott def. Yanis Ghemmouri via KO: R1, 0.19

    Early Preliminary Card

    • Women’s Strawweight: Gillian Robertson def. Michelle Waterson-Gomez via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-26)
    • Heavyweight: Martin Buday def. Andrei Arlovski via split decision (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)
    • Flyweight: Rei Tsuruya def. Carlos Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Bantamweight: Vinicius Oliveira def. Ricky Simón via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Preliminary Card Highlights:

    Payton Talbott def. Yanis Ghemmouri

    Getting the first finish of UFC 303, Payton Talbott took just 19 seconds to KO Yanis Ghemmouri in their bantamweight bout.

    Jean Silva def. Charles Jourdain

    In this featherweight bout, Jean Silva earned huge KO of Charles Jourdain in the second round.

    Joe Pyfer def. Marc-André Barriault

    Joe Pyfer took just over a minute to KO Marc-André Barriault in their middleweight matchup.

    Main Card Highlights

    Ian Garry def. Michael Page

    Ian Garry kept his undefeated record in tact with a unanimous decision against Michael Page.

    Macy Chiasson def. Mayra Bueno Silva

    After Mayra Bueno Silva sustained a huge cut above her right eye, the ringside doctor determined she couldn’t continue, resulting in Macy Chiasson being handed a TKO victory in the second round.

    Roman Dolidze def. Anthony Smith

    Stepping up to light heavyweight on short notice, Roman Dolidze pulled off a unanimous decision win against Anthony Smith.

    Diego Lopes def. Dan Ige

    With Brian Ortega forced to pull out of the co-main event some three hours prior, Dan Ige stepped in to face Diego Lopes, who earned a unanimous decision win.

    Alex Pereira def. Jiří Procházka

    In the main event, Alex Pereira retained his light heavyweight crown with a TKO of Jiří Procházka courtesy of a stunning head kick early in the second round.

  • Conor McGregor, Jamahal Hill, Dricus Du Plessis, & Other MMA Fighters React To Alex Pereira Sending Jiří Procházka To The Shadow Realm At UFC 303

    Conor McGregor, Jamahal Hill, Dricus Du Plessis, & Other MMA Fighters React To Alex Pereira Sending Jiří Procházka To The Shadow Realm At UFC 303

    When Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka faced each other at UFC 295, Pereira’s light heavyweight title win had a tinge of controversy, with debating ensuing over the legitimacy of the stoppage.

    There was no controversy at UFC 303, however.

    With both men taking the fight on just a few weeks’ notice, following the collapse of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, Pereira scored a huge knockout to keep the light heavyweight championship in the evening’s main event.

    “Poatan” did damage to Procházka’s leg early on before dropping the Czech star right before the end of the first round with a solid left hook.

    Procházka was on wobbly legs but continued on into round two. And in just 13 seconds, Pereira dropped him again, this time with a massive head kick, before delivering ground-and-pound until the fight was halted.

    Alex Pereira Secures Another Jaw-Dropping Highlight To Retain Light Heavyweight Title At UFC 303

    This is the second time since becoming champion that Pereira has defended the light heavyweight title on short notice. He and Jamahal Hill were quickly booked as the UFC 300 main event, with “Poatan” winning that fight via first-round stoppage just a couple of months ago.

    Pereira and Procházka’s first fight at UFC 295 had always been booked for that card but was elevated to main event status on short notice following UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones suffering a torn pec.

    Pereira teased a move up to heavyweight eventually in his post-fight interview.