MMA News

Author: Pranav Pandey

  • Marlon Vera Set To Face Opponent On Seven-Fight Win Streak At UFC Fight Night On May 3

    Marlon Vera Set To Face Opponent On Seven-Fight Win Streak At UFC Fight Night On May 3

    Marlon Vera is seemingly set for a showdown with a stylistically challenging opponent in his Octagon return.

    On Wednesday, MMA journalist Marcel Dorff reported on X that former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon Vera is set to clash with Mario Bautista at a UFC Fight Night event on May 3 in Des Moines, Iowa.

    The fight announcement was first revealed by MMA content creator Tuck, who claimed that the matchup would serve as the co-main event for the card.

    “Chito” is looking to bounce back after a one-sided unanimous decision loss to former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Abu Dhabi in August 2024. The defeat marked his second consecutive setback, following a decision loss to Sean O’Malley in their rematch at UFC 299 in March, where he fell short in his bid for the 135-pound title.

    The 32-year-old Ecuadorian was riding the momentum of a four-fight win streak before his run came to a halt against Cory Sandhagen in March 2023. Since then, he has managed just one victory — a unanimous decision over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 292. Vera now finds himself at 6-5 in his last 11 outings.

    Meanwhile, Bautista is riding the wave of a seven-fight win streak. He was last seen in action at UFC 307 this past October, where he secured a hard-fought split decision victory over UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo. The 31-year-old American hasn’t tasted defeat since March 2021, when he suffered a second-round knockout loss to Trevin Jones at UFC 259.

    UFC Des Moines is set to be headlined by a pivotal bantamweight showdown between Sandhagen and Figueiredo. However, while the card is shaping up to be a potential must-watch event, the promotion has yet to announce the official venue.

  • Watch Henry Cejudo Confront Referee Jason Herzog Over FaceTime For Handling Of UFC Seattle Eye Poke

    Watch Henry Cejudo Confront Referee Jason Herzog Over FaceTime For Handling Of UFC Seattle Eye Poke

    Henry Cejudo is seemingly still grappling with the sting of his recent, highly contentious defeat.

    Cejudo made his return to the Octagon last weekend, headlining UFC Seattle against Song Yadong. However, the fight took an unfortunate turn, ending in dispute when an accidental eye poke prematurely halted the bout.

    Late in the third round, “Triple C” was on the receiving end of an accidental eye poke, forcing him to take the allotted five-minute recovery time. Though the fight briefly resumed, the former two-division UFC champion acknowledged that his vision was impaired heading into the next round.

    Consequently, referee Jason Herzog had no choice but to wave off the contest, sending the bout to the judges’ scorecards, where Yadong was awarded a technical decision victory.

    Cejudo didn’t hold back on social media after the fight, voicing his frustration over the way it ended. He claimed to have suffered diplopia, soft tissue damage, and multiple serious injuries as a result of Yadong’s strike.

    And on Wednesday, “Triple C” shared a video on social media of himself calling referee Herzog to challenge his decision not to deduct points from “Kung Fu Kid” for the eye poke. He also criticized the veteran referee for not intervening a second time when Yadong persisted with extended fingers, despite being explicitly instructed to keep them tucked.

    “One, you didn’t take a point,” Cejudo said. “And then two, when I took the five-minute break and we ended up coming back to actually fight, like, I still wasn’t recovered, but that dude still came here [with outstretched fingers], and you didn’t do anything. Luckily, I couldn’t see – or at least I saw four arms – but you never warned him, or you never took away a point.”

    In his defense, Herzog refrained from justifying his decision to stop the fight. Instead, he acknowledged Cejudo’s criticism and even admitted that he should have deducted a point from Yadong for the eye poke.

    “I’m not trying to say that it’s right or wrong and I’ve heard you now and I completely agree,” Herzong said. “Especially afterwards when he came out with his fingers like this [pointing out], why didn’t you [I] then stop it and take a point immediately… I think that’s a very valid criticism and an adjustment that I probably should have made. I think that’s a fair point… I can’t say that you’re wrong and when I watched it again, I’m like ‘Yeah, I should have probably stopped it and taken a point.’”

    Hypothetically, if Herzog had deducted a point from Yadong, the fight’s outcome could have been entirely different. “Kung Fu Kid” won with one judge scoring it 30-27, while the other two had it 29-28.

    However, with a point docked, those 29-28 scores would have shifted to 28-28, resulting in a majority draw instead of a victory.

  • Dan Hooker Confirms Withdrawal from UFC 313 Fight Against Justin Gaethje

    Dan Hooker Confirms Withdrawal from UFC 313 Fight Against Justin Gaethje

    Fight fans may be left disappointed, as Dan Hooker has unfortunately bowed out of his much looked-forward-to matchup.

    Hooker was set to collide with former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje in the co-main event of UFC 313 on March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Originally scheduled for five rounds, Hooker claimed in an interview with Submission Radio that the fight had been shortened to three rounds at Gaethje’s request.

    However, Australia-based MMA content creator Benny P was the first to break the news on X, reporting that “The Hangman” has withdrawn from his scheduled showdown with Gaethje. He also noted that it remains uncertain whether “The Highlight” will receive a new opponent or if the UFC intends to reschedule the bout for a later event.

    Hooker personally confirmed his withdrawal on his daughter Zoe’s YouTube channel on Tuesday morning, revealing that he was forced to pull out after suffering a hand injury.

    “We did have a little break, we have been busy,” Hooker said. “Dad had a fight, or was supposed to have a fight but I’ve busted my paw.”

    “The Hangman” last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 305 this past August, where he secured a gritty split-decision victory over Mateusz Gamrot, pushing his win streak to three. Over his last eight UFC bouts, Hooker has gone 4-4.

    Meanwhile, Gaethje was set to make his return to the Octagon after an 11-month layoff, following his buzzer-beater knockout loss to former featherweight champion Max Holloway in their BMF title clash at UFC 300 in April 2024. “The Highlight” has struggled with consistency in recent years, going 3-3 in his last six fights.

  • Michael Bisping Calls For Stricter Penalties On Eye Pokes After UFC Seattle Controversy

    Michael Bisping Calls For Stricter Penalties On Eye Pokes After UFC Seattle Controversy

    Michael Bisping believes it’s long overdue for the UFC to impose harsh repercussions for eye pokes.

    The UFC Seattle headliner between former two-division champion Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong took a controversial turn last Saturday when an eye poke brought the fight to an abrupt conclusion.

    At the end of the third round, Cejudo suffered an accidental strike, prompting a five-minute recovery period. Although the fight briefly resumed, “Triple C” ultimately admitted that his vision was compromised heading into the next round, leading the judges to award Yadong a victory via technical decision.

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Bisping — who was on commentary for the Fight Night event — shared his thoughts on the polarizing outcome of the Cejudo vs. Yadong fight.

    Drawing from his own experiences, the UFC Hall of Famer argued that “Kung Fu Kid” should have faced some form of penalty for the severe eye poke.

    “No. 1, I think we should have had a point deducted,” Bisping said And I don’t say that because I want to see Song Yadong’s career jeopardized or anything like that. No, I like Song Yadong, I’m very good friends with Urijah Faber, and I have a lot of respect for the whole team.”

    “The Count” further pushed for the UFC to enforce stricter penalties, such as automatic point deductions, to deter fighters from extending their fingers in a way that increases the risk of eye pokes.

    But the eye pokes, people need to know that there’s goddamn f**king consequences. Eye pokes are terrible. You know all about my history with the eyes. Eye pokes are bad. If you start taking points, people will stop stretching their f**king fingers out. Then when the third round started, and there was only a minute left, Song Yadong had his fingers out and so did Henry Cejudo, and I’m like, why isn’t the ref saying anything?”

    If referee Jason Herzog had deducted a point from Yadong, the outcome of the fight could have been drastically different. “Kung Fu Kid” secured the win with one judge scoring the contest 30-27, while the other two scored it 29-28.

    However, with a point deduction, those 29-28s would have shifted to 28-28s, resulting in a majority draw instead of a victory.

  • Bryce Mitchell Cancels Grappling Match Against Israeli Fighter, Teases ‘Big’ Upcoming UFC Fight

    Bryce Mitchell Cancels Grappling Match Against Israeli Fighter, Teases ‘Big’ Upcoming UFC Fight

    Bryce Mitchell certainly has a bigger challenge ahead, as he recently opted to withdraw from his upcoming grappling match.

    Last week, it was announced that Mitchell had agreed to a 180-pound catchweight Pit Submission (grappling) match against Israeli fighter Ilay Barzilay at Karate Combat 53, scheduled for Feb. 28 in Denver, Colorado.

    The matchup was booked amid a storm of controversy surrounding “Thug Nasty,” who recently faced backlash for making anti-Semitic remarks and openly praising Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.

    However, on Monday, Mitchell took to Instagram to reveal that he had decided to pull out of his scheduled showdown with Barzilay, citing a major UFC fight on the horizon.

    “I wanna let y’all know I’m pulling outta my grappling match on Friday,” Mitchell said. “This is my first time announcing it. Karate Combat don’t even know yet. So I’m literally announcing it myself before I tell anybody. I don’t want my words to get twisted, and I don’t quite trust them with my words.

    “Reason being is, the great news is I’ve got a big matchup coming up [in UFC], big fight coming up. I don’t know the exact details on the fight, but I’m just telling y’all, something’s coming up and please be patient with me. I wanna fight too, and I can’t wait for this next fight. I’m prioritizing the fight over a grappling match. It’s not worth it for me knowing I got a fight coming up now to do a grappling match on Friday.”

    “Thug Nasty’s” announcement came just a day after he fired back at Jean Silva, who called him out following his third-round TKO victory over Melsik Baghdasaryan at UFC Seattle this past Saturday.

    Mitchell is fresh off a third-round knockout win over Kron Gracie at UFC 310 in December. The 30-year-old Arkansas native has split his last four fights, going 2-2, and holds a professional record of 17-3, with nine of those victories secured via submission.

  • Dustin Poirier Backs Ilia Topuria For ‘Right Off The Bat’ Title Shot Against Islam Makhachev

    Dustin Poirier Backs Ilia Topuria For ‘Right Off The Bat’ Title Shot Against Islam Makhachev

    Dustin Poirier is all in on the idea of Ilia Topuria stepping straight into a title fight against reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev.

    Last week, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Topuria is vacating the featherweight title to pursue greatness in the lightweight division, aiming to cement his legacy as a two-division UFC champion.

    As a result, former champion Alexander Volkanovski is set to clash with Diego Lopes for the vacant 145-pound title in the main event of UFC 314 this April.

    According to White, “El Matador” opted to move up a weight class, believing he had already accomplished enough at featherweight while also facing an increasingly grueling cut to the 145-pound limit.

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Poirier spoke highly of Topuria’s bold decision to relinquish his UFC featherweight championship.

    “I mean, it’s respectful,” Poirier said. “It’s honorable to vacate the belt, to not hold up the division where guys have been working so hard to get their shot at the title. He’s doing it the right way. I’ve never seen him in person, but everybody says he’s heavy, that he walks around heavy, but if he can make 145, I don’t know how big he is because some of these lightweights are huge.”

    Following White’s announcement regarding Topuria, there has been plenty of discussion among MMA fans and analysts about whether the undefeated Spaniard should receive a fast-tracked title shot against Makhachev.

    While some support the idea, others — including Makhachev’s manager, Rizvan Magomedov — believe he should first face top contenders like Poirier, Charles Oliveira, or Justin Gaethje to earn his shot at the belt.

    However, “The Diamond” sees no need for Topuria to prove himself further, arguing that his knockout victory over current BMF champion Max Holloway speaks for itself.

    “That’s tough to say, especially with all of the contenders, with how the lightweight division’s been over the last few years. But with a guy like him, vacating the belt and moving up, finishing Max Holloway the way that he did, I would give him a crack at the lightweight title right off the bat.”

    “El Matador” boasts a flawless 16-0 professional record, with eight wins by submission and six by knockout. He claimed the 145-pound title in dominant fashion, finishing Volkanovski at UFC 298, before successfully defending it with another knockout victory over Holloway at UFC 308 last year.

  • UFC’s Controversial Fighter Bryce Mitchell Set To Grapple Israeli In Karate Combat

    UFC’s Controversial Fighter Bryce Mitchell Set To Grapple Israeli In Karate Combat

    Bryce Mitchell is set to return to action after stirring up controversy just weeks ago — but this time, it won’t be inside the Octagon.

    Mitchell, known for his outspoken and often controversial views, faced intense backlash last month after making anti-Semitic comments on his newly launched ArkanSanity podcast, where he shockingly spoke favorably of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.

    Although UFC CEO Dana White fiercely condemned “Thug Nasty” for his remarks, he stopped short of taking any formal action against the featherweight fighter.

    Now, Mitchell has signed on for a 180-pound catchweight Pit Submission (grappling) showdown against Ilay Barzilay at Karate Combat 53. The promotion announced on Thursday that the event is set to take place on Feb. 28 in Denver, Colorado.

    https://twitter.com/KarateCombat/status/1892668992151495113

    “Thug Nasty” last competed at UFC 310 in December, where he secured a third-round knockout victory over Kron Gracie. Mitchell has gone 2-2 in his last four bouts and currently boasts a professional record of 17-3, with nine of those wins coming by submission.

    Meanwhile, his opponent, Barzilay, remains unbeaten with a perfect 6-0 record, having competed primarily under the LFA banner. “The Hype is Real” is coming off a dominant unanimous decision victory over Kohl Laren in December.

    Interestingly, hailing from a Jewish background, Israel’s Barzilay was among those who fiercely criticized Mitchell for his Hitler-sympathizing remarks. He even went a step further, warning of serious consequences if the two ever crossed paths.

  • Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo Set For UFC Fight Night Headliner On May 3

    Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo Set For UFC Fight Night Headliner On May 3

    The MMA leader has seen a flurry of fight announcements over the past day or so, with the latest being the main event for a UFC Fight Night in Iowa this coming May.

    On Thursday, MMA reporter Léo Guimaraes first broke the news on X that top bantamweight contenders Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo are set to clash at a UFC Fight Night event on May 3 in Des Moines.

    MMA Junkie further confirmed the update, reporting that the Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo showdown will serve as the main event for UFC Des Moines, though the venue remains undisclosed.

    Sandhagen was last seen in action against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi in August 2024, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss, snapping his three-fight winning streak.

    “The Sandman” has gone 5-4 in his last nine Octagon appearances and will be eager to reignite his title aspirations with a potential statement win over Figueiredo.

    Meanwhile, the former flyweight champion tasted defeat for the first time at bantamweight in his most recent outing against ex-champ Petr Yan at UFC Macau last November. “Deus da Guerra” now holds a 3-1 record in the 135-pound division and will be looking to bounce back in a big way.

    With Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo added to the card, the UFC Des Moines lineup is shaping up as follows:

    • Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
    • Yana Santos vs. Miesha Tate
    • Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez
    • JeongYeong Lee vs. Trevor Peek
    • Serhiy Sidey vs. Cameron Smotherman
    • Gillian Robertson vs. Marina Rodriguez
  • Daniel Dubois Ruled Out Of Title Fight, Joseph Parker’s New Challenger Announced

    Daniel Dubois Ruled Out Of Title Fight, Joseph Parker’s New Challenger Announced

    Daniel Dubois has been officially ruled out of his title clash with Joseph Parker.

    Dubois was set to defend his IBF heavyweight title for the first time against Parker this weekend at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The bout was slated to be part of the undercard for the highly anticipated undisputed light heavyweight rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

    However, rumors swirled on Thursday that “Dynamite” was under the weather and undergoing medical evaluation. As uncertainty loomed over his participation, three potential replacements — Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye, and Mourad Aliev — reportedly emerged as contenders to step in on short notice.

    After much speculation, The Ring, owned by Turki Alalshikh, confirmed after the event’s pre-fight press conference that Dubois had been officially ruled out of his clash with Parker. In a surprising twist, heavyweight contender Martin Bakole was announced as his short-notice replacement.

    Bakole is on a 10-fight winning streak, last showcasing his power in August with a dominant fifth-round knockout over Jared Anderson. The 31-year-old Congolese boxer holds a professional record of 21-1, with 16 of his victories coming by knockout.

    Meanwhile, Parker enters the bout riding a five-fight winning streak, most recently edging out Zhilei Zhang via majority decision in March 2024. The 33-year-old New Zealander last tasted defeat in September 2022 against Joe Joyce. With a professional record of 35-3, Parker has secured 23 of his victories by knockout.

  • Patrício Pitbull Signs With UFC, Debuts Against Yair Rodríguez At UFC 314 In Miami

    Patrício Pitbull is on his way to the UFC at long last.

    After months of being at odds with PFL executives over his frustration with limited fight opportunities, Pitbull was released from his contract last month, officially closing the chapter on his rocky tenure with the promotion.

    The former Bellator featherweight champion has long expressed his eagerness to join the UFC, and that moment has finally arrived.

    After a report from Japanese media outlet MMAPLANET that claimed Pitbull has signed with the UFC was deleted and branded a mistake, CEO Dana White confirmed just hours on that the Brazilian is indeed now under the organization’s banner.

    And the MMA legend already has his debut set, joining a stacked UFC 314 lineup in Miami on April 12 opposite former interim featherweight champion Yair Rodríguez.

    The 37-year-old Brazilian last competed at Bellator Champions Series Belfast in March 2024, where he delivered a dominant third-round knockout victory over Jeremy Kennedy to successfully defend his title.

    Pitbull spent the majority of his career dominating Bellator’s featherweight division, holding the championship on three separate occasions, while also briefly reigning as the promotion’s lightweight titleholder. He currently holds a professional record of 36-7, with 13 wins by knockout and 11 by submission.

  • Conor McGregor Reportedly Appeals Civil Sexual Assault Verdict

    Conor McGregor Reportedly Appeals Civil Sexual Assault Verdict

    Conor McGregor seems to have made initial moves toward resolving his ongoing legal troubles.

    Last November, a jury ruled in favor of Nikita Hand, who had alleged that the former UFC two-division champion sexually assaulted her in December 2018. The Dublin High Court found “The Notorious” responsible for the assault, ordering him to pay €248,000 (roughly $257,000) in damages to the plaintiff.

    Following the court’s ruling, McGregor has consistently denied the allegations, publicly speaking out against Hand and vowing to challenge the decision in a series of social media posts.

    According to a recent BBC report, “The Notorious” has formally lodged an appeal with the Irish courts to overturn the jury’s verdict. Filed last Friday, McGregor’s appeal challenges both the damages and the additional costs he was ordered to cover, which include Hand’s expenses for pursuing the civil case against him.

    The MMA superstar faced significant financial fallout from the lawsuit, leading to his disassociation from the prominent whiskey brand Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey. Alongside this, McGregor experienced a series of other major business setbacks.

    McGregor is also facing another civil lawsuit, accusing him of sexually assaulting an anonymous woman during the Heat vs. Celtics NBA Finals game in June 2023.

    Filed last month in the Southern District of Florida, the lawsuit also names Basketball Properties LLC, the arena’s operator, as a co-defendant. The plaintiff is reportedly seeking damages exceeding $75,000, in addition to other forms of compensation.

    The legal action charges McGregor with battery and accuses the Kaseya Center of gross negligence, alleging that its staff and security failed to maintain a safe environment by permitting McGregor’s excessive drinking.

  • Conor McGregor Hints At BKFC’s Biggest Signing Yet: ‘Stay Tuned…’

    Conor McGregor Hints At BKFC’s Biggest Signing Yet: ‘Stay Tuned…’

    Conor McGregor is teasing what could be BKFC’s most monumental signing yet — MMA icon Fedor Emelianenko.

    Since becoming a part owner of BKFC in April last year, “The Notorious” has injected fresh energy into the promotion, reigniting its buzz and mainstream appeal. McGregor has also vowed to elevate the sport to new heights by bringing in marquee talent.

    During a press conference on Sunday to promote BKFC Florence, set for April 26, McGregor dropped a tantalizing hint that Emelianenko could soon join the promotion as part of their ongoing push to elevate the sport.

    The Irishman’s attention piqued when a reporter lauded his achievements, drawing comparisons to legends like Emelianenko and Royce Gracie.

    “Fedor Emelianenko?” McGregor said. “Stay tuned, we might have some announcement with Fedor Emelianenko. Hey Fedor, we’re waiting. Some news might be coming with Fedor Emelianenko. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is signing and acquiring the best fighters of all time, past, present and future, and everyone wants to be a part of this.”

    “The Last Emperor,” hailed as one of the greatest heavyweight fighters in MMA history, was last seen competing at Bellator 290 in February 2023. His final outing concluded in disappointment as he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Ryan Bader in their rematch.

    Since hanging up his gloves, Emelianenko has offered few hints of a comeback to active competion. The 48-year-old Russian boasts a storied MMA record of 40-7, featuring victories over legends like Mirko Cro Cop, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman and Andrei Arlovski, among others.

  • Oleksandr Usyk Teases Possible Boxing Showdown With UFC Champ Alex Pereira

    Oleksandr Usyk Teases Possible Boxing Showdown With UFC Champ Alex Pereira

    Oleksandr Usyk is entertaining the possibility of a potential showdown with Alex Pereira down the road.

    “The Cat” has recently suggested that he is nearing the twilight of his storied boxing career, committing to two more fights before hanging up his gloves. Having dominated both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions while maintaining his undefeated record, he now stands on the verge of a well-deserved departure from the sport.

    Usyk is coming off a commanding triumph over Tyson Fury in their highly anticipated rematch this past December, successfully defending his WBC, WBA, and WBO heavyweight titles. The 38-year-old Ukrainian cemented his place as the undisputed champion when he first dethroned “The Gypsy King” in May 2024.

    However, shortly after, he was compelled to relinquish the IBF title, which ultimately found its way into the hands of his former foe, Daniel Dubois.

    Usyk will be intently observing Dubois’ upcoming title defense against Joseph Parker on Feb. 22 in Saudi Arabia, as the winner of this bout will be the next opponent for the former undisputed champion.

    During a recent interview with TNT Sports, “The Cat” outlined what could very well be the final two bouts of his illustrious career. To the surprise of many, he revealed that in his last fight, he envisions stepping into the ring with reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Pereira.

    “First, is who wins the next fight [Dubois vs. Parker] on Feb. 22, Usyk said.” Next? Maybe a show fight with Alex Pereira. Maybe – why not? Alex wants to.”

    “Poatan” is no stranger to the sweet science of boxing, boasting a rich amateur background and even securing a professional win in July 2017, where he dispatched Marcelo de Souza Cruz via TKO. Pereira has also openly discussed his ambitions to transition to boxing once his MMA career reaches its conclusion.

    Pereira is set to defend his 205-pound title for the fourth time against Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313. The highly anticipated showdown is scheduled for March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • Jairzinho Rozenstruik Blames Paint Fumes, Injury For UFC Saudi Arabia Loss: ‘I Felt Dizzy’

    Jairzinho Rozenstruik Blames Paint Fumes, Injury For UFC Saudi Arabia Loss: ‘I Felt Dizzy’

    Jairzinho Rozenstruik has finally spoken out after being cut from the UFC roster.

    Rozenstruik endured a crushing unanimous decision defeat this past weekend against former interim UFC heavyweight title challenger Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. The bout was disappointingly lopsided, prompting criticism from UFC CEO Dana White in its aftermath.

    Shockingly, just two days later, news broke that “Bigi Boy” had been released from his UFC contract, bringing an end to his six-year run with the promotion.

    On Thursday, Rozenstruik took to social media to address the UFC’s decision and reflect on his underwhelming performance. Interestingly, he partially attributed his struggles to the locker room’s paint fumes, claiming they left him feeling dizzy before the fight.

    “I came to Riyadh to win and pull off the upset. After a strong fight week, I felt dizzy on Saturday due to the paint fumes. Then, just 70 seconds into the fight, I injured my left foot. The moment my switch kick landed on his elbow, I felt it instantly and knew the fight would play out differently than planned.

    “At the end of 2018, I signed my first contract with the @ufc, embarking on an incredible journey. I’ve been honored to compete on the biggest stage, and I want to express my deepest gratitude to the UFC staff for their professionalism and support over the years. Thank you.

    “From being Rookie of the Year to becoming an MMA veteran, this has been an unforgettable adventure. While this chapter closes, my story is far from over. I will continue to fight, take on new challenges, and settle unfinished business in the cage. I’m ready for whatever comes next!” Rozenstruik wrote on X.

    “Bigi Boy” made his Octagon debut in in February 2019 with a third-round knockout victory over Junior Albini, eventually amassing a promotional record of 9-6, with eight of those wins coming by knockout.

    However, Rozenstruik struggled to find his rhythm in the later stages of his tenure, falling short of his true potential as he went 5-6 in his last 11 outings.

  • Manel Kape Gets New Opponent For UFC Fight Night Main Event After Brandon Royval’s Withdrawal

    Manel Kape Gets New Opponent For UFC Fight Night Main Event After Brandon Royval’s Withdrawal

    Manel Kape finds himself facing a new challenger for his UFC Fight Night main event after his originally scheduled bout fell through.

    Kape was originally slated to clash with former UFC flyweight title challenger Brandon Royval in the headlining bout of a Fight Night card on March 1 at the Apex in Las Vegas. However, “Starboy” suddenly found himself without an opponent on Wednesday after Royval withdrew due to an undisclosed injury.

    According to a recent report from Sportilinet, Kape is now set to battle Asu Almabayev on March 1. The update was also confirmed by MMA journalist Marcel Dorff on X.

    Almabayev had been lined up to face Allan Nascimento on the same card but stepped up on short notice for the main event opportunity. Meanwhile, it remains uncertain whether Nascimento will stay on the lineup.

    “Starboy” is fresh off a third-round knockout win over Bruno Silva at UFC Tampa this past December. His momentum, however, was briefly derailed last July at UFC 304 when Muhammad Mokaev snapped his four-fight winning streak. Kape currently boasts a 6-3 record in the UFC, with five of those victories coming by way of knockout.

    On the other hand, “Zulfikar” last entered the Octagon at a Fight Night event in October, where he earned a unanimous decision win over Matheus Nicolau. Since making his UFC debut in August 2023, he has remained undefeated across four appearances.

  • KSI vs. Dillon Danis Official For Misfits Boxing 21 On March 29

    KSI vs. Dillon Danis Official For Misfits Boxing 21 On March 29

    KSI and Dillon Danis are finally set to settle their long-standing feud inside the squared circle.

    The two rivals are set to collide in a 185-pound showdown, headlining Misfits Boxing 21. The event, billed as “Unfinished Business,” is scheduled for March 29 at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.

    KSI and Danis were originally scheduled to clash at Misfits Boxing 4 in January 2023, but “El Jefe” pulled out just a week before fight night. At the time, KSI and his team claimed that Danis withdrew due to a lack of proper preparation.

    “The Nightmare” was originally set to square off against former English footballer Wayne Bridge on March 29, but the fight was scrapped after the ex-Chelsea defender pulled out.

    KSI is coming off the first setback of his boxing career—a unanimous decision loss to Tommy Fury in the main event of the MF & DAZN: X Series 10 – PRIME Card in October 2023.

    Danis made his boxing debut on the same card, facing KSI’s former rival-turned-business partner, Logan Paul. However, the bout ended in chaos, as the former Bellator fighter was disqualified in the sixth round after attempting to put Paul in a chokehold.

  • UFC Legend Weighs In On Israel Adesanya’s Future After Third Straight Loss

    UFC Legend Weighs In On Israel Adesanya’s Future After Third Straight Loss

    Israel Adesanya isn’t finished with his UFC career just yet — at least, that’s the belief of a UFC Hall of Famer.

    Once revered as one of the most dominant UFC middleweight champions, “The Last Stylebender” now finds himself in a turbulent chapter of his career, enduring one of the roughest stretches of his professional run with three consecutive setbacks.

    Most recently, Adesanya fell victim to a second-round knockout at the hands of rising contender Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia, which took place last Saturday at the anb Arena in Riyadh.

    Several fans and analysts are now speculating that the 35-year-old Nigerian-born Kiwi has surpassed his peak and should consider hanging up the gloves. However, former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier isn’t ready to write him off just yet, believing Adesanya still has more fights left in him.

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, “DC” offered a candid assessment of Adesanya’s future in the Octagon while breaking down the UFC Saudi Arabia headliner.

    “I believe that Adesanya is done fighting for titles, but what I do not believe is that Adesanya is done as a fighter,” Cormier said. “What I saw in round one was enough for me to believe that he could still compete. What I do believe, though, is that Israel Adesanya has earned the right to fight lesser competition right now but also less rounds.”

    Cormier went on to emphasize that “The Last Stylebender” remains one of the UFC’s top draws, possessing the skills to mount a comeback. He believes Adesanya should be given more chances to compete in three-round matchups.

    “He could fight on co-main events and would still add value to a pay-per-view. It doesn’t always have to be in those five-round main events. But when you saw what he did last weekend, Saudi Arabia, sold out, big gate, now you know why Adesanya is still being put in those positions. But in that first round I saw enough to say he can still compete. He looked fast, he looked sharp, but it’s not the speed that’s gone from Adesanya. It’s the ability to see things coming, that quickness, the vision, and when you get hit as you get older, you go down.”

    Adesanya has competed in 12 title fights, securing an 8-4 record across his total of 18 UFC appearances. “The Last Stylebender” first relinquished his middleweight title to Alex Pereira at UFC 281, only to reclaim it in a dramatic rematch at UFC 287. However, his reign was short-lived, as he lost the belt once more to Sean Strickland at UFC 293.

  • Israel Adesanya’s Coach Breaks Down KO Loss To Nassourdine Imavov

    Israel Adesanya’s Coach Breaks Down KO Loss To Nassourdine Imavov

    Israel Adesanya’s striking coach has pinpointed the crucial mistake that cost him his fight against Nassourdine Imavov.

    “The Last Stylebender” found himself overwhelmed by Imavov’s relentless assault, ultimately succumbing to a knockout loss in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia last Saturday at anb Arena in Riyadh.

    The momentum shifted early in the second round when Adesanya protested an eye poke but chose not to take a timeout. Before he could properly reset, Imavov capitalized, landing a devastating right hand. Seconds later, a barrage of ground-and-pound forced the referee to step in and stop the fight.

    During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Adesanya’s striking coach, Mike Angove, praised Imavov for executing a thoughtful game plan and capitalizing on the moment to claim the victory.

    He also highlighted that the former UFC middleweight champion’s decision to forgo the timeout after the eye poke prevented him from resetting, which eventually led to the knockout.

    “The name of the game, particularly in small gloves: You can’t make mistakes,” Angove said. “We made a mistake. Nassourdine, I would say, with his team, recognized when we made that mistake and they jumped on it – which means they have to have planned. So you’ve got to congratulate them for that. Izzy got poked in the eye. There was a break. Izzy didn’t want to take the break – was just keen on getting on with it. But in doing that, he didn’t reset as you normally would and create some space.

    “That means you’re still in the firing zone, and then you want him to keep the pressure on. It’s just one of those things. It just happens. He felt he was doing well in the fight and wanted to keep that pressure on, and Nassourdine caught him switching – beautiful right hand that resonated around the stadium and he couldn’t recover from that. It was right on the button, and then he followed up with a left hook against the cage and the referee came and stopped it.”

    Adesanya’s reign as the 185-pound champion came to an end when he lost to Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in September 2023. He then suffered another setback in his attempt to regain the title, falling short against the reigning champion, Dricus Du Plessis, at UFC 305 this past August

  • Sean Strickland On Islam Makhachev’s Middleweight Hopes: ‘Stay In Your Weight Class!’

    Sean Strickland On Islam Makhachev’s Middleweight Hopes: ‘Stay In Your Weight Class!’

    Sean Strickland intends to remind Islam Makhachev that the UFC’s distinct weight classes exist for a reason.

    Following his commanding fourth title defense against Renato Moicano at UFC 311, the lightweight champion’s aspirations to conquer a second weight class have reached new heights — something he has been expressing for some time now.

    However, the Dagestani champion faces a difficult conundrum, as he is on good terms with reigning welterweight champ Belal Muhammad, which complicates his path toward two-division glory.

    As a result, Makhachev has proposed an ambitious vision, declaring that his physique and skill set are more than capable of propelling him up two weight classes to take on middleweight kingpin Dricus Du Plessis.

    “Stillknocks” has already cautioned the 155-pound champion that he might be biting off more than he can chew, suggesting it would be wise to rethink his bold move — a sentiment that Strickland fully supports.

    Strickland is poised for a title rematch with Du Plessis, which will headline UFC 312 next weekend. If “Tarzan” secures victory in this highly anticipated showdown, it’s almost unfathomable to think that the first defense of his second reign as 185-pound champion could be against Makhachev.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Strickland was probed about the possibility of facing Makhachev should the Russian champion decide to step into his division.

    “We fought on the same card once, right? Bro, I actually really like that guy,” Strickland told. “He’s actually a really f**king good dude, which is funny because I think a lot of Muslims don’t like me because I talk a lot of sh*t. But he’s a good dude.”

    The outspoken American fighter went on to suggest that Makhachev might be able to handle a move up to welterweight, but stepping into the middleweight division would be a bridge too far for him.

    “Again, there’s weight classes for a f*king reason. Stay in your weight class, maybe do 170 [pounds], but there are weight classes for a f**king reason, dude. I don’t want to talk too much sh*t on you because I like you, but stay in your weight class.”

    Strickland and Makhachev both featured on the UFC 302 card this past June, where Makhachev successfully defended his lightweight title with a submission victory over Dustin Poirier, while “Tarzan” triumphed over Paulo Costa, securing himself a second shot at the middleweight crown.

  • Israel Adesanya Weighs In On Sean Strickland’s ‘Silly’ Striking-Only Proposal For Dricus Du Plessis At UFC 312

    Israel Adesanya Weighs In On Sean Strickland’s ‘Silly’ Striking-Only Proposal For Dricus Du Plessis At UFC 312

    Israel Adesanya isn’t buying into Sean Strickland’s stand-and-bang ultimatum for reigning UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis ahead of their rematch.

    Du Plessis and Strickland are set to reignite their rivalry in the main event of UFC 312 on Feb. 8 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. This highly anticipated rematch comes a year after their intense first encounter at UFC 297 in January 2024, where “Stillknocks” clinched a hard-fought split decision to claim the 185-pound crown.

    Their initial clash was a savage striking war, and Strickland is hell-bent on keeping it just as intense for their rematch.

    In a fiery social media video earlier this month, “Tarzan” urged Du Plessis to “be a f**king man” and stick to the battle on the feet, dismissing any grappling exchanges when they meet in the “Land Down Under.”

    The South African champion has already dismissed Strickland’s proposals as “ridiculous” and made it clear that he’s unafraid to bring a full spectrum of skills to the Octagon.

    “The Last Stylebender” shares a history with both men and will be keeping a close eye on the UFC 312 headliner, having faced them in his last two outings before shifting his focus to Nassourdine Imavov for his return at UFC Saudi Arabia this Saturday.

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Adesanya shared his thoughts on Strickland’s striking-only proposal for Du Plessis. The seasoned former UFC middleweight champion trashed the outspoken American’s suggestion, pointing out that it reflects poorly on Strickland to try and remove an essential aspect of a MMA fight.

    “That’s kind of silly,” Adesanya said. “It’s silly to say. I don’t think he means it because Dricus is good at what he does. Trying to take that away from him would be you’re not really proving you’re the best then.”

    While the first encounter between Du Plessis and Strickland was a closely contested affair, Adesanya, drawing from his own experience, still backs Du Plessis to successfully defend his title at UFC 312.

    “Look, I think Dricus is probably going to win that fight. He’s great at what he does.”

  • UFC Insider Predicts Serious Backlash For Bryce Mitchell’s Hitler-Sympathizing Remarks

    UFC Insider Predicts Serious Backlash For Bryce Mitchell’s Hitler-Sympathizing Remarks

    Bryce Mitchell is unlikely to avoid the long-lasting consequences of his anti-Semitic comments, or so predicts a UFC insider.

    Mitchell, notorious for regularly making bizarre statements that even the most sensible would reject, coupled with his promotion of numerous conspiracy theories that defy scientific logic, has once again raised eyebrows with his latest remarks.

    During the first episode of his freshly launched ArkanSanity Podcast, “Thug Nasty” stunned listeners with a striking rant, oddly praising Adolf Hitler as a “good guy,” and going on to reject the Holocaust as a fabricated event in history.

    UFC CEO Dana White wasted no time responding to Mitchell’s shocking comments during the post-event press conference for Power Slap on Thursday. The UFC head honcho expressed his outrage, calling Mitchell’s statements “probably the worst” viewpoint he had ever come across.

    Despite emphasizing the gravity of the situation, White clarified that no disciplinary action would be taken against “Thug Nasty” and that the UFC would not sever ties with him due to free speech.

    However, despite the UFC refraining from issuing a formal action against Mitchell, Chael Sonnen is convinced that the polarizing fighter will still face significant consequences down the line.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Sonnen predicted that Mitchell would suffer a financial setback for expressing his sympathy toward the Nazi dictator, suggesting that the fallout would likely cost him valuable sponsorships.

    “Please understand, there’s a checks and balances for these guys that run their mouth or say something bad or say something that’s really offensive,” Sonnen said. “There’s other things you can do, there’s checks and balances. Mark my words, he’s having calls from whatever sponsors he’s got, he doesn’t have them anymore. In the best case scenario, they all got frozen – in a best case scenario.”

    The former UFC fighter-turned-analyst further warned that the 30-year-old Arkansas native that the repercussions would extend beyond the public eye.

    “Now, the audience is going to look at him different. Those things don’t go away. To pretend that there’s not a punishment, is not true… There’s criminals out there, but some of them jaywalk, and some of them rob a bank. There’s different levels, and there’s checks and balances for all of them. So please, let’s not pretend that Bryce has got away with something here. He most definitely did not.”

  • Dricus Du Plessis Scoffs At Alex Pereira Cornering Sean Strickland At UFC 312: ‘Doesn’t Really Make A Difference’

    Dricus Du Plessis Scoffs At Alex Pereira Cornering Sean Strickland At UFC 312: ‘Doesn’t Really Make A Difference’

    Dricus Du Plessis believes Alex Pereira’s presence in Sean Strickland’s corner at UFC 312 won’t make a difference.

    Du Plessis is set to put his middleweight title on the line in a highly anticipated rematch against longtime rival Strickland, headlining UFC 312 on Feb. 8 at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena.

    Strickland’s head coach, Eric Nicksick, disclosed earlier this week that reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Pereira will lend his seasoned expertise to the outspoken fighter as he eyes a second shot at the 185-pound title.

    Pereira himself is preparing to put his belt on the line for the fourth time against Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313, set for March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    After Pereira knocked out Strickland at UFC 276 in 2022, the two formed a camaraderie and regularly train alongside each other. UFC 312 will mark the second time “Poatan” corners Strickland, having previously been in his corner at UFC 297, where the American lost his title to Du Plessis in a gritty split decision.

    During a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, “Stillknocks” laughed off Pereira cornering Strickland at UFC 312, dismissing it as a non-factor. He pointed to the Brazilian’s presence at UFC 297, where Strickland still lost.

    “He was in the corner in the first fight too,” Du Plessis said. “I mean, they don’t even speak the same language. It doesn’t really make it much of a difference whether he’s in the corner or not. Strickland could barely understand his own coach who’s also American. How is he going to understand Alex Pereira [laughs]?”

    After capturing the middleweight title in January last year, Du Plessis has defended it once, securing a submission victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August.

    Meanwhile, Strickland has stepped into the Octagon just once since losing the belt, edging out Paulo Costa via split decision at UFC 303 last June.

  • Dana White ‘Beyond Disgusted’ By UFC Fighter Bryce Mitchell Praising Hitler

    Dana White ‘Beyond Disgusted’ By UFC Fighter Bryce Mitchell Praising Hitler

    Dana White is having none of the nonsense Bryce Mitchell recently spewed.

    Mitchell has carved out a unique reputation in the MMA world as a staunch advocate for a variety of conspiracy theories, often voicing such outlandish opinions that even the most rational minds wouldn’t entertain.

    “Thug Nasty” has repeatedly sparked controversy with his provocative views, exploring subjects like promoting the flat Earth theory, rejecting the concept of human evolution, and claiming that wearing seat belts in cars is pointless, alongside a slew of other equally shocking opinions.

    This time, however, the UFC featherweight fighter surpassed all bounds of utter absurdity during the debut episode of his ArkanSanity Podcast. Mitchell unleashed a shocking Adolf Hitler diatribe, bizarrely praising the Nazi dictator as a well-meaning figure with noble intentions.

    “I really don’t think that he was, because I honestly think that Hitler was a good guy based upon my own research, not my public education indoctrination,” Mitchell said. “I really do think before Hitler got on meth, he was a guy I’d go fishing with. He fought for his country.”

    During the post-event press conference for Power Slap on Thursday, White castigated Mitchell’s outrageous remarks.

    The UFC CEO vehemently blasted the 30-year-old Arkansas native, calling it the most idiotic opinion he had ever encountered.

    “I’ve heard a lot of dumb, ignorant sh*t in my day, but this one is probably the worst,” White said. “Second of all, Hitler is one of the most disgusting and evil human beings to ever walk the earth, and anyone who even tries to take an opposing position is a moron. That’s a problem with the Internet — and social media. You provide a platform for a lot of dumb, ignorant people. We’ve obviously reached out to Bryce and when we read what he said and let him know how we feel about it … we’re beyond disgusted.”

    Despite mounting calls from the MMA community to axe out Mitchell from the UFC, White further stated that “Thug Nasty” wouldn’t face any disciplinary action or be released from the promotion.

    “That’s what everybody wants to hear about, punishment. It’s free speech, I don’t have to love it, you don’t have to love it… That’s the beautiful thing about this business, for all of you who hate Bryce Mitchell, you get to see him hopefully get his a** whooped on global television. What do you want me to say about it? You know where I am with free speech. We’re disgusted by it.”

  • Paul Hughes Shrugs Off Conor McGregor’s Social Media Tirade: ‘I Wasn’t Offended At All’

    Paul Hughes Shrugs Off Conor McGregor’s Social Media Tirade: ‘I Wasn’t Offended At All’

    Paul Hughes isn’t sparing a second thought on Conor McGregor’s social media outbursts directed at him.

    Hughes is fresh off a hard-fought five-round war at PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai, where he dropped a majority decision to lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov this past Saturday — a performance that initially even had McGregor singing his praises.

    However, all hell broke loose after a video of “Big News” sharing an in-cage moment with Khabib Nurmagomedov in the aftermath of his fight went viral on social media, where he attempted to distance himself from McGregor. The clip ultimately caught the attention of “The Notorious” himself.

    McGregor lashed out at Hughes, firing off a series of now-deleted tweets that mocked his fellow Irishman and targeted his Northern Irish roots. In reply, the 27-year-old first extended a measure of respect to McGregor, all the while probing the former UFC two-division champion’s mental clarity.

    During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Hughes broke down McGregor’s social media outburst, calmly stating that he wasn’t the slightest bit offended by the UFC superstar’s public tirade.

    “Big News” explained that he understands McGregor’s tendency to let his emotions run wild online, brushing off the insults with an air of indifference.

    “I wasn’t offended at all,” Hughes said. “A lot of people in Ireland, especially in Northern Ireland, could be deeply affected by the things he said, but I’m not actually offended or didn’t take it personally at all because it sounds bad, but it just seems like another day in his life—just tweeting madness. It’s not like I saw that and went, ‘Oh, you know what, I can’t believe he said this about me.’ I think it’s just another day in his life for him, and I just don’t have any opinion on it anymore… In fact, I just laughed at it when I saw it. It’s not something that I’ve been thinking about all day.”

    Hughes, who had originally extended an invitation to “The Notorious” to be in his corner for the Nurmagomedov fight, went on to express that while he has always respected what McGregor has done for the sport, the 36-year-old Irishman’s words no longer resonate with him.

    “I’ve always shown respect to Conor at every opportunity. I’ve consistently called him the greatest to ever do it, and I’ll always believe that. But honestly, it just didn’t bother me coming from him because his words don’t carry the same weight anymore.”

  • Alex Pereira Shuts Down Jiří Procházka’s Voodoo Allegations: ‘I’m a God-Fearing Man’

    Alex Pereira Shuts Down Jiří Procházka’s Voodoo Allegations: ‘I’m a God-Fearing Man’

    Alex Pereira has laughed off Jiří Procházka’s accusations that he uses occult practices to win his fights.

    Pereira and Procházka have squared off twice inside the Octagon, with their first encounter being a battle for the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 295 in November 2023, where “Poatan” claimed a second-round TKO victory. The two crossed paths once more at UFC 303 last June, where the Brazilian secured another second-round finish, but with a much more dominant performance.

    Ahead of their rematch, “Denisa” made some interesting allegations, claiming that Pereira relies on dark magic and dubious spiritual rituals to manipulate his opponents, ultimately leading him to victory in his fights.

    In his recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, Procházka reiterated his accusations, insisting that Pereira’s use of black magic is the “biggest power” he wields over his opponents.

    During an interview with Ariel Helwani on Monday, “Poatan” responded to the Czech fighter’s allegations, underscoring that he places his trust in his faith and a genuine passion for fair competition, rather than any supernatural influence.

    “All respect to him, but no man,” Pereira said through a translator. “I’m a god-fearing man. I have God in my heart… He’s just saying these things; I’ve never participated in any of those things. I’m a regular person. If he really believed that, take a doll, tie my hands and feet, and then fight me, like that’s going to work?”

    Pereira, who is preparing for his fourth title defense against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8, further shared that if his two-time adversary can move past his allegations, they could potentially deliver fans an electrifying trilogy bout in the future.

    “With all respect to him, and honestly speaking, if we went and fought again a third time and if he put all this [allegations] aside and just fought, I think we would be able to give a much better fight…I don’t want to fight guys who are cheating, no, I want to fight them at their best…at their prime. A guy that’s ready, gets the fire in him and thinks ‘I want to beat this guy’. And if they’re at their best, there’s no reason to talk about this kind of stuff.”

    “Poatan” is fresh off a hard-fought knockout victory over Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 in October, successfully defending his title.

    Meanwhile, Procházka delivered a devastating third-round knockout against former champion Jamahal Hill at UFC 311, positioning himself to make a strong case for a return to the title picture.