MMA News

Author: Pranav Pandey

  • Harrowing Details Of Sexual Assault Allegation Against Conor McGregor Emerge In Court

    Harrowing Details Of Sexual Assault Allegation Against Conor McGregor Emerge In Court

    Disturbing details surrounding a sexual assault accusation against former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor have recently emerged in court.

    On Tuesday, “The Notorious” appeared before the Irish High Court in Dublin, where Justice Alexander Owens briefed the jury on the alleged 2018 sexual assault case involving the UFC superstar and another man, James Lawrence.

    As reported by the Irish Mirror, Dublin-based hairdresser Nikita Ni Laimhin accused McGregor and Lawrence of sexually assaulting her on Dec. 9, 2018. The judge noted that the allegations claim the pair had “in effect, raped her” after offering her a ride home from a Christmas party.

    John Gordon SC, representing Ní Laimhin, told the court that the complainant and the former UFC champion were acquainted, as they had interacted multiple times on social media. The court heard that McGregor reportedly brought a bag of cocaine, which he allegedly shared with Ní Laimhin and her friend.

    The group, including Ní Laimhin, McGregor, his security team, and others, proceeded to a penthouse suite at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin, where they were reportedly drinking. At one point, McGregor is said to have moved into a bedroom and gestured for Ní Laimhin to follow. She allegedly expressed that she did not want to engage in sexual activity as she was on her period.

    The UFC fighter is accused of then pinning her down on the bed, with the alleged victim physically unable to resist him. However, the Irishman’s legal team contend that the accuser is attempting to extort him through her version of events.

    A thread of live updates provided on X by the Irish Mirror’s Paul Healy revealed the nature of the accusations, detailing some of the injuries McGregor is accused of inflicting on the woman.

    The current case can’t result in a criminal prosecution for McGregor, with the judge reminding the jury on Tuesday that the alleged victim is seeking damages through civil action.

    McGregor has not stepped into the Octagon since suffering a leg fracture during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. The former two-division UFC champion was set to make his much-anticipated return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 this past June. However, he was compelled to withdraw after sustaining an injury just weeks before the fight.

  • UFC Vet Chimes In On Pereira vs. Topuria Fighter Of The Year Debate: ‘Alex Didn’t Knock Out P4P Greats’

    UFC Vet Chimes In On Pereira vs. Topuria Fighter Of The Year Debate: ‘Alex Didn’t Knock Out P4P Greats’

    Matt Brown believes that Ilia Topuria has the edge over Alex Pereira in the discussion for UFC Fighter of the Year.

    “El Matador” secured the featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February. Subsequently, Topuria successfully retained his belt last Saturday in the main event of UFC 308, making history as the first fighter to knock out Max Holloway.

    Meanwhile, “Poatan” successfully defended his light heavyweight title three times in just six months, with all victories coming by way of knockout. He began this impressive streak by stopping Jamahal Hill in the first round at UFC 300 in April. He then defeated Jiri Prochazka on two weeks’ notice at UFC 303 in June. Most recently, Pereira stopped Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 earlier this month.

    With less than two full months remaining in 2024, Pereira stood out as the leading contender for Fighter of the Year. However, “The Immortal” contends that Topuria’s impressive knockout victories over two of the top 145-pounders in history had already secured him the year-end accolade, placing him ahead of the Brazilian and all other contenders.

    During a recent episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer (via MMA Fighting), Brown noted that while “El Matador” might have one fewer win than Pereira this year, the caliber of his opponents in title fights has set a new benchmark for competitive excellence.

    “Alex didn’t knock out three pound-for-pound greats. Ilia knocked out two pound-for-pound greats,” Brown said. “As great as those guys were that Alex fought, they weren’t Holloway or Volkanovski… I don’t think you can compare to that. I’m all on the Ilia train for Fighter of the Year. Again, I wish we could give something to Alex. What he did was remarkable but it wasn’t Max Holloway and Volkanovski.”

    “I think he’s got a lock for Fighter of the Year this year. He’s got a long reign ahead of him. He’s still got a long way to go to be up there with the [Georges St-Pierre’s] and Anderson Silva’s, but he’s right on that path.”

  • Jon Jones Must Complete Anger Management To Have Charges For Drug Test Altercation Dismissed

    Jon Jones Must Complete Anger Management To Have Charges For Drug Test Altercation Dismissed

    Jon Jones may find reprieve from his misdemeanor charges related to a drug test altercation if he complies with the court’s latest directives.

    According to a recent report by MMA Junkie’s Nolan King, a bench trial on Tuesday in Albuquerque, New Mexico led to an agreement between the defense and prosecutors to dismiss charges against “Bones,” stemming from an alleged hostile incident during a drug test at his New Mexico residence.

    The court has mandated that the charges of assault, a petty misdemeanor, and interference with communication, a misdemeanor, will be dismissed, provided the reigning UFC heavyweight champion completes his anger management classes and remains law-abiding for the next 90 days.

    Jones faced two misdemeanor counts arising from a random drug test conducted in July. The charges were prompted by a police report filed by Crystal Martinez, an agent with Drug Free Sport International, who accused the UFC superstar of seizing her mobile phone and issuing threats against her.

    During that encounter, “Bones” informed the police that he had apologized for using foul language toward the woman and her colleague at the conclusion of the drug test. He also released footage on social media from what appeared to be a home surveillance system, capturing the moment the testing agent gave him a high-five before departing.

    https://twitter.com/blondedmma/status/1776722983698022883

    Jones has not competed in the Octagon since his first-round submission victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. He is poised to make his inaugural title defense against Stipe Miocic in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 309, scheduled for November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    Following the court’s ruling, the former UFC light heavyweight champion took to X to release a statement praising the efficiency of the legal process that cleared him of the charges.

    “I would like to extend my thanks to the justice system for reaching a prompt resolution in this matter, which affirms my innocence and enables me to maintain my focus on the upcoming fight,” Jones tweeted. “I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to defend my heavyweight title on November 16th at Madison Square Garden.”

  • UFC Legend Believes Topuria Is Messing With ‘The Ego’ Of Holloway Ahead Of UFC 308

    UFC Legend Believes Topuria Is Messing With ‘The Ego’ Of Holloway Ahead Of UFC 308

    Ilia Topuria has been fervently indulging in trash talk with Max Holloway ahead of their bout, and a UFC Hall of Famer suggests that it might all be part of a clever strategy.

    Topuria is set to make the first defense of his featherweight title against Holloway in the main event of UFC 308, scheduled for this Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

    In the lead-up to his upcoming fight, “El Matador” has confidently labeled Holloway as an easy opponent, vowing to be the first fighter to knock out “Blessed.” He has even predicted an early finish, suggesting that if they start trading punches within the first 10 seconds of the opening round, it will be lights out for Holloway.

    However, Michael Bisping contends that Topuria’s words go beyond mere banter; they constitute a psychological strategy to coax Holloway into a style of fighting that could heavily favor the undefeated Spaniard.

    “Topuria is very, very confident,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “But you use trash talk as a psychological weapon to wear your opponent down, to piss them off, to get them mad, and to set a trap so it plays into your game plan.”

    “The Count” went on to acknowledge that while both fighters are highly skilled, he believes Topuria holds the upper hand with his explosive striking. He added that “El Matador” is cleverly toying with the Hawaiian’s pride by persistently downplaying his abilities.

    “He’s trying to mess with the ego of Max Holloway by saying, ‘Come on then, let’s do your trick. Come on, point at the floor, point at the floor. I encourage you to do that because if you do, you’re going to get knocked out.’ And of course, fighters are proud people; we take sh*t like that personally. We want to prove a point, and you never know, if Topuria does that, Max Holloway might just say, ‘Okay then, you know what, brotha, let’s go.’ And if they do that, I believe it plays into the strengths of Ilia Topuria. He’s probably got better one-punch knockout power, especially in the first round.”

    Topuria secured a knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 in February, capturing the featherweight belt. He has delivered four knockouts in his seven UFC appearances to date.

    Meanwhile, “Blessed” is riding high off a last-second knockout win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April, securing the BMF title. Saturday night will mark Holloway’s third shot at reclaiming the 145-pound crown.

  • UFC 308: Whittaker Anticipates All-Out ‘War’ With Chimaev

    UFC 308: Whittaker Anticipates All-Out ‘War’ With Chimaev

    Robert Whittaker is promising to keep up with Khamzat Chimaev’s relentless intensity this Saturday night.

    Whittaker is gearing up to square off against Chimaev in a five-round middleweight clash, serving as the co-main event of UFC 308, which is set to take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

    “Borz” has exuded confidence in his ability to impose his relentless pace, seamlessly taking the fight to the mat and utilizing his wrestling and grappling prowess to wear down Whittaker right from the opening bell.

    During the media day interaction for UFC 308 on Wednesday, “The Reaper” acknowledged that he anticipates Chimaev to come out firing on all cylinders. However, the former UFC champion emphasized that he has meticulously prepared to make the most of the full 25 minutes of their scheduled bout, aiming to take the undefeated Chechen into deep waters.

    “I am expecting him to come out hard and aggressive from the first second to the last,” Whittaker said. “And I have prepared accordingly for that. I’ve prepared for the hardest fight of my life, to start extremely hard, like sprinting for the first 5 to 10 minutes, but also drag it out the five [rounds]. I’m ready to sprint for 25 minutes if so, and I’m coming for war.”

    Whittaker also remarked that his experience would be a key asset in facing “Borz”, who will be stepping into a five-round fight for the first time. The Aussie asserted that he brings a unique challenge to the table, one that sets him apart from any opponent Chimaev has encountered before.

    “I’m good at what I do. I’m a different fighter than he’s fought before, and I guess maybe the fact that I know how to lose gives me strength; it gives me a reason why I don’t like being there, why I don’t want that to be my reality. It sucks, so I’m going to go out there and give him a taste of it.”

    “The Reaper” is fresh off a first-round knockout victory over Ikram Aliskerov at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia in July. Whittaker is determined to deliver a statement performance at UFC 308 to re-establish himself in the title contention picture.

    Whittaker and Chimaev were initially slated to headline the Saudi Arabia event, but just days before the fight, “Borz” was forced to withdraw due to significant health complications.

    Chimaev was last seen in action at UFC 294 in October 2023, where he earned a hard-fought majority decision victory over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

  • Belal Muhammad Trashes Ilia Topuria’s Triple Champ Aspirations

    Belal Muhammad Trashes Ilia Topuria’s Triple Champ Aspirations

    Belal Muhammad is showing little regard for Ilia Topuria’s lofty ambitions of becoming the UFC’s first-ever three-division champion.

    “El Matador” is set to put his featherweight crown on the line for the very first time this Saturday when he faces Max Holloway at UFC 308 inside the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

    Despite the formidable challenge that awaits him this weekend, Topuria has already set his sights beyond the fight, boldly asserting his ambition to become a three-division UFC champion by taking on lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev and welterweight champ Muhammad in the coming years.

    While the undefeated Spaniard has mostly maintained a respectful demeanor toward Makhachev, he hasn’t hesitated to go brakes-free on “Remember the Name,” whom he considers “a walk in the park.” Both Topuria and Muhammad have been embroiled in a fierce war of words on social media ever since the American cautioned “El Matador” about his grand aspirations.

    During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, “Remember the Name” shrugged off Topuria’s challenge, dismissing it as something not to be taken seriously. Muhammad suggested that the featherweight champion is simply calling out other titleholders in a bid to boost his fan appeal rather than presenting a genuine threat.

    “I think that dude’s got Napoleon syndrome or something,” Muhammad said. “Short guys always act like they’re tough… He’s at that mode where I think he’s trying to find himself and he’s trying to show fans that he’s trash talker and he’s this bad guy. He’s not really good at trash talking. When he comes at me, it’s laughable because he’s basically copying words off memes.

    “At the end of the day, we’re not going to fight in the cage so why are you even giving me those words, you’re trying to talk tough because you know nothing’s really going to come of it. He can say ‘I want to go up to 170 and be a triple champ after this’ but you know you’re not. I don’t even think he’s going to get past Holloway. I think he’s going to lose this fight and then we don’t even have to hear his freaking mouse voice.”

    Muhammad secured the 170-pound belt with a unanimous decision victory over Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July. Now, he’s poised for his first title defense against the unbeaten Shavkat Rakhmonov in the headlining bout of UFC 310, set for December 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • Fighter Who Asked Dana White For A Contract During UFC 308 Presser Gets His Shot At Upcoming Event

    Fighter Who Asked Dana White For A Contract During UFC 308 Presser Gets His Shot At Upcoming Event

    “If you don’t ask, the answer’s always no!” — well, that certainly rang true for one rising fighter who passionately made a case for himself at the UFC 308 press conference.

    At Thursday’s pre-fight presser for the upcoming UFC pay-per-view, a confident 25-year-old Tajikistani fighter named Dorobshokh Nabotov, who claimed to have an undefeated 9-0 record, seized the spotlight.

    He made a bold appeal to UFC CEO Dana White, asking for the chance to prove he belongs on the promotion’s roster.

    Nabotov mentioned that he’s always guided his own career, never relying on a manager, which likely explains his distinctive choice to personally pitch his case to the UFC honcho during the presser.

    “Dana, I don’t have a question,” Nabotov said. “I came here for a fight on short notice. I’ve never had a manager, I did it all by myself, please give me a chance. Dana, I want to fight in the UFC. Please give me a chance; I’m ready.”

    It seems Nabotov’s wish has come true.

    In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, the UFC CEO announced that he’s offering the ambitious fighter a chance to earn his place in the UFC later this year.

    White revealed he’ll be heading to South Korea in December for the latest installment of Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight, in collaboration with veteran fighter “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung and his promotion. The UFC chief said he’s arranged a fight for Nabotov on the card.

    “I’m actually flying to Korea for Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight on YouTube,” White said. “The ‘Korean Zombie’ is putting on a show. He started his own promotion there. December 14, I’m going to have (Jung) put that kid on the card and we’re going to find out what he’s got. If he wins that night, I’ll sign him!”

    While Nabotov claimed to have a 9-0 record, Tapology indicates that he is currently 7-0.

    He began his professional MMA career in 2018, primarily competing in local promotions. However, that could all change come December.

  • Ilia Topuria Refutes Max Holloway’s Best Boxer Claim Ahead Of UFC 308

    Ilia Topuria Refutes Max Holloway’s Best Boxer Claim Ahead Of UFC 308

    Ilia Topuria takes serious exception to Max Holloway’s self-crowning as the UFC’s best boxer.

    “El Matador” is slated to put his featherweight title on the line for the first time this weekend against Holloway in the headliner of UFC 308, set to take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

    The lead-up to this much-anticipated clash has been marked by passionate rhetoric between Topuria and Holloway in interviews and across social media. The tension has largely centered on the debate over who is truly the superior fighter, with the undefeated Georgian-Spaniard asserting his ambition to become the first to knock out “Blessed” inside the Octagon.

    During the media day interaction ahead of UFC 308 on Wednesday, “El Matador” was asked for his thoughts on Holloway’s persistent claims of being the “best boxer in the UFC,” a title the Hawaiian notably proclaimed after his dominant victory over Calvin Kattar at a Fight Night event in January 2021.

    Topuria promptly dismissed the reigning BMF titleholder’s claims, stating that while he acknowledges Holloway’s striking abilities and the experience he brings to the table, he remains confident in his own skills.

    “In reality, he’s a good striker,” Topuria said. “It’s not only boxer, but calling himself the best boxer in the UFC is kind of a shame because he’s not the best boxer in the UFC, but he’s a good striker. He has a lot of experience. He’s very patient inside the Octagon.

    “But everyone is good when they can develop their style in the Octagon, and someone is not putting pressure on him. So, on Saturday night, he’s going to feel something that he’s never felt with any other opponents that he had in the past. The pressure he’s going to feel with me is going to be completely different.”

    Topuria claimed the featherweight title in a stunning upset against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 earlier this year. He currently boasts a perfect 7-0 record in the UFC, with five of those victories coming by way of finish.

    Meanwhile, “Blessed” is coming off a thrilling last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April, securing the BMF title. UFC 308 will be Holloway’s third attempt to reclaim the 145-pound crown. He boasts a 22-7 record in the Octagon, with 11 of those victories coming by way of knockout.

  • Max Holloway Teases Interest In Facing UFC Champ Islam Makhachev

    Max Holloway may still have unfinished business to settle in the UFC’s lightweight division.

    Holloway is gearing up to challenge reigning featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC 308, set to take place this Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

    Holloway stunned the MMA world with a last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April, making a strong argument for a shot at the lightweight title. However, divisional champion Islam Makhachev hadn’t considered the new BMF titleholder as a potential challenger at the time.

    That said, Makhachev seems open to the idea — if “Blessed” can convincingly take down Topuria in their upcoming bout.

    During a recent interview with Demetrious Johnson, Holloway discussed his choice to return to the featherweight division following his victory over Gaethje. The Hawaiian revealed that his return to 145 pounds might be a short-term decision and that he could potentially face Makhachev next year.

    “Blessed” stated that going up against Makhachev would be akin to facing UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, calling it a significant opportunity that could further elevate his already storied career.

    “You’ve got to do great things,” Holloway said. “We had that fight booked with Khabib a while back. They call Islam the Khabib 2.0, so I want all the taste. I want all the smoke. It’d be an honor to fight that guy and try to etch my name in the history book. First thing’s first is Ilia. If I had my choice, why not? Why not be able to fight Islam?

    “Islam never ever wanted to fight me even when I was saying I was coming up to [155 pounds]. After fighting the guy that he was supposed to fight next, he still was saying, I don’t know why I would fight him. But then, recently, his tone changed, and he was like, Oh yeah if I can get past Topuria, he’d be open to fighting me. I was like, OK, that’s all we needed. We just needed that little crack in the door. I’ll squeeze my way through the rest; don’t worry about it.”

    Makhachev is riding high after his third successful lightweight title defense, having secured a submission victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June. The Dagestani is anticipated to face Arman Tsarukyan, likely at UFC 311 next year, although no official announcement has been made by the promotion as of yet.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Lines Up Ex-UFC Fighter After Rosas Jr. Grappling Clash Fizzled

    Muhammad Mokaev Lines Up Ex-UFC Fighter After Rosas Jr. Grappling Clash Fizzled

    Muhammad Mokaev has found a new opponent for his upcoming grappling matchup after the unfortunate cancellation of his fight with Raul Rosas Jr.

    Mokaev was originally slated to headline ADXC 6 against the rising UFC bantamweight contender Rosas Jr. next weekend at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. However, earlier this week, the promotion had to cancel the October 25 matchup due to unexpected developments.

    “The Punisher” will now take on former UFC fighter Rogerio Bontorin in the main event of the grappling card, as recently confirmed by the Brazilian’s manager, Stefano Sartori, on social media.

    Mokaev boasts an undefeated record of 12-0 as a professional, and despite maintaining a 7-0 streak in the UFC, the 24-year-old Russian was released from the promotion in August. UFC CEO Dana White explained the decision to part ways, citing a series of out-of-competition issues that caused matchmakers to hesitate in offering him a new contract.

    In a post on X, “The Punisher” appeared to assert that the UFC is still holding him back by preventing Rosas Jr. from facing him.

    Meanwhile, Bontorin was part of the UFC from 2019 to 2022. He fought a total of six times, securing victories over Magomed Bibulatov and Raulian Paiva before enduring a challenging four-fight losing skid that included defeats against Ray Borg, Kai Kara-France, and Brandon Royval.

    Bontorin’s latest fight took place at a RIZIN event in October 2023, and he currently boasts a professional record of 17-5, with 11 of those victories achieved via submission.

  • UFC 308 Card Takes Fight-Week Hit With Nurmagomedov Out

    UFC 308 Card Takes Fight-Week Hit With Nurmagomedov Out

    It appears that a UFC 308 bout could be hanging in the balance, as the event reportedly encounters a late-notice disruption. UFC 308 is set to take place this Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main event showcases reigning UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria defending his title against Max Holloway. Meanwhile, the co-main event will feature a middleweight clash between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev in a high-stakes, five-round showdown.

    The scheduled bantamweight clash between Said Nurmagomedov and Daniel Santos, intended to take place on the preliminary card of Saturday’s event, has reportedly been scrapped. According to MMA journalist Damon Martin, the Brazilian withdrew for undisclosed reasons. UFC matchmakers are now searching for a replacement opponent for Nurmagomedov with only five days to spare.

    Nurmagomedov has not competed for over a year, with his last appearance in the Octagon resulting in a first-round submission victory against Muin Gafurov at UFC 294 in October 2023. The 32-year-old Russian boasts a 7-2 record in the UFC. He was originally scheduled to face Montel Jackson at UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia in June, but he ultimately withdrew from the matchup.

    The UFC 308 card nearly faced another setback when the welterweight matchup between Rinat Fakhretdinov and Nursulton Ruziboev fell through. Thankfully, UFC debutant Carlos Leal rose to the occasion on a week’s notice, stepping in to fight Fakhretdinov.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUJGgnRAy4A
  • Belal Muhammad Claims Competitive Edge Over Shavkat Rakhmonov

    Belal Muhammad Claims Competitive Edge Over Shavkat Rakhmonov

    Belal Muhammad recently weighed in on why he believes he has the upper hand against Shavkat Rakhmonov in their upcoming clash.

    Muhammad is poised to defend his welterweight title against Rakhmonov in the main event of UFC 310, scheduled for December 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    “Remember the Name” is riding a wave of confidence after decisively dethroning former champion Leon Edwards with a unanimous decision victory at UFC 304 in July. In a bold move, he chose “Nomad,” who is regarded as one of the most daunting competitors in the 170-pound division, as his opponent for his first title defense.

    Despite his impressive 11-fight unbeaten streak and championship status, Muhammad opened up as a significant underdog against Rakhmonov on the betting line. However, the 36-year-old Chicago native believes that Rakhmonov has yet to face a fighter quite like him.

    During a recent interview with Submission Radio, “Remember the Name” acknowledged Rakhmonov’s ascent through the ranks but confidently asserted that he is far tougher. Muhammad emphasized that he plans to apply unprecedented pressure and test Rakhmonov’s limits, pushing him to his breaking point.

    “But I think that the difference between me and everybody he’s faced is I’m not gonna go in there intimidated,” Muhammad said. “I’ve fought in every style; I’ve fought everybody — the best of the best. I’ve been with the biggest names, and for myself, I’ve gotten over all those humps. He hasn’t gotten over that hump yet. A lot of the guys he’s fought go in there intimidated, already seeing him, and you can just see in a lot of these guys they’ll just fall or they’ll break right away for him.

    “Now you’re going against somebody that’s tougher; you’re going against somebody that’s not gonna fall; you’re going against somebody that’s gonna stand right there in front of your face the whole time. Then what do you do? How do you react? He hasn’t had to face that type of fighter in the UFC yet; he hasn’t had those types of wars yet.”

    “Nomad” remains unbeaten in his professional career, boasting an impressive 100 percent finish rate. With a UFC record of 6-0, he is riding a wave of momentum after securing a second-round submission victory against former title challenger Stephen Thompson at UFC 296 in December 2023.

  • Cain Velasquez’s Sentencing Delayed Until 2025 After No-Contest Plea

    Cain Velasquez’s Sentencing Delayed Until 2025 After No-Contest Plea

    Cain Velasquez can take some comfort for now, as his sentencing has been postponed until 2025.

    Velasquez pleaded no contest in a California court this past August to charges of felony attempted murder, assault, and several other weapons-related offenses. The plea deal, aimed at securing a reduced sentence, also brought some closure to the ongoing case.

    As reported by MMA journalist Damon Martin, the court announced during a sentencing hearing on Friday that the proceedings will be postponed until early next year, with the specific date yet to be determined.

    The former UFC heavyweight champion was embroiled in an attempted murder trial stemming from a February 2022 incident in which he reportedly fired multiple shots at Harry Goularte, who was accused of molesting his then-four-year-old son. Instead, Velasquez inadvertently struck the man’s stepfather, Paul Bender, following a high-speed car chase.

    Velasquez allegedly fired several rounds at the vehicle using a .40-caliber handgun. However, rather than striking his intended target, he hit Bender in the arm, causing injuries that were not life-threatening.

    After the car chase came to an end, Velasquez was taken into custody without resistance by the local police department. He faced a series of charges that kept him incarcerated for eight months before he was finally granted bail in November 2022 on a $1 million bond.

    After a remarkable career in the UFC that included two reigns as heavyweight champion, Velasquez announced his retirement from the promotion in October 2019. His final professional MMA bout ended in a swift 26-second knockout defeat to Francis Ngannou during a UFC Fight Night event in February 2019.

  • Kai Kara-France Slams UFC For Awarding Title Shot To Newcomer Asakura

    Kai Kara-France Slams UFC For Awarding Title Shot To Newcomer Asakura

    Kai Kara-France recently condemned the UFC’s decision to grant a title shot to Kai Asakura in his promotional debut.

    It’s a rare occurrence for a fighter to step into the Octagon for their first fight in a title bout, yet that’s precisely the path Asakura will take as he is set to challenge reigning flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja in the co-main event of UFC 310. This exciting matchup is set to take place on December 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    However, Kara-France, who was campaigning for a title shot himself after his first-round knockout victory over Steve Erceg at UFC 305, voiced his disapproval of Asakura receiving an immediate opportunity to fight for the belt.

    During a recent interview with Sky Sport NZ, “Don’t Blink” stated that the 31-year-old Japanese fighter did not deserve a shot at UFC gold. He expressed that it feels unjust for dedicated fighters in the 125-pound category, who have put in the hard work to rise through the ranks, to be overlooked for a title shot.

    “They’ve got the wrong Kai,” Kara-France said. “After my fight, I was calling for the title shot, and I was thinking, ‘Sweet, I’ve got it,’ and then I heard they’re bringing in a guy from Japan, and his name’s Kai. Bro, he hasn’t even fought yet. I don’t think he deserves it. You’ve got to at least show your worth or do something for guys who have been grinding for years in the UFC division, fighting the best guys.

    We’ve proven that we belong here, so I don’t know. That’s just how I feel about it. It’s weird that you can come in off no fights in the UFC and get a title shot. Hey, but if it’s going to bring in more attention to the flyweight division, you know, a bit of controversy, if this guy deserves it, yeah, he can go out there and prove it.”

    Kara-France challenged for the interim flyweight title against former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 277 in July 2022 but fell short, suffering a third-round TKO. The 31-year-old Kiwi has been a fixture in the UFC since 2018, compiling a respectable 8-4 record.

    After signing an exclusive deal with the UFC, Asakura vacated his two-time RIZIN bantamweight championship, where he was a standout for nearly six years. He compiled an impressive record of 13-3 in the promotion, securing victories over notable opponents like Kyoji Horiguchi, Juan Archuleta, and Manel Kape.

  • Belal Muhammad Claps Back At Conor McGregor With Addiction Claims

    Belal Muhammad Claps Back At Conor McGregor With Addiction Claims

    Belal Muhammad recently delivered a sharp rebuttal to Conor McGregor’s latest tirade on social media directed at him.

    Earlier this week, Muhammad became the target of an explicit rant from “The Notorious” on X, who expressed his frustration with the obstacles preventing his UFC comeback. In a now-deleted tweet, McGregor lashed out at the reigning UFC welterweight champion, suggesting he could dispatch him with ease and become the promotion’s first three-division titleholder.

    McGregor’s outburst followed UFC CEO Dana White’s announcement that Muhammad will make his first title defense at 170 pounds against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov. The showdown is slated to headline UFC 310 on December 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    During a recent interview with Submission Radio, “Remember the Name” responded to McGregor’s biting comments, asserting that the only scenario in which the Irishman could envision defeating him is while under the influence. Muhammad accused McGregor of substance abuse, expressing skepticism about the former two-division champion’s imminent return to the Octagon and suggesting that he is unlikely to make a comeback in the near future.

    “As you said, there’s something in the air. I think that’s cocaine, what they call,” Muhammad said. “This guy is always high or drunk, and the only way that he’s gonna imagine beating me is if he’s high or drunk. There’s nothing that’ll ever happen. He won’t be coming back to 170 [pounds]; he won’t be coming back to fighting. He needs to go back to rehab, and like I said, if he needs a ride there, I’ll help him out—I’ll get him an Uber there. But yeah, somebody needs to help this guy; he’s not gonna be fighting anytime soon.”

    “The Notorious” has not stepped into the Octagon since suffering a severe leg injury during his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. McGregor was initially slated to make his comeback at UFC 303 in June, where he was set to face Michael Chandler in a welterweight clash. However, just weeks before the fight, the UFC superstar broke his toe, forcing him to withdraw from the highly anticipated matchup.

    Last week, McGregor teased a potential showdown with Dan Hooker on February 1 in Saudi Arabia, although he didn’t specify the weight class for the bout. “The Hangman” also expressed his enthusiasm for the possible clash, but as of now, there has been no official confirmation from the UFC.

  • Cormier Opposes Cerrone’s Possible UFC Return Following PED Admission

    Cormier Opposes Cerrone’s Possible UFC Return Following PED Admission

    Daniel Cormier recently pushed back against Donald Cerrone’s plans for a UFC comeback following his revelation of using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) during his retirement.

    Earlier this week, “Cowboy”, who retired from the UFC in July 2022, revealed plans to come out of retirement with an ambitious goal—reaching the achievement of 50 total bouts under the Zuffa banner. The 41-year-old fan favorite has racked up 38 UFC fights, placing him third in the promotion’s history—excluding the 10 more bouts he logged in the WEC.

    Cerrone also disclosed that he’s been on Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and other PEDs throughout his time away from the Octagon. Now, he’s working to flush these substances out of his system, aiming to rejoin the drug-testing pool and make his return for two more fights.

    However, Cormier isn’t on board with Cerrone’s plan to return to active competition after openly admitting to using steroids during his hiatus. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, the former two-division UFC champion voiced his firm disapproval, stating that “Cowboy” actions could set a troubling precedent.

    “DC” argued that it might inspire other fighters to temporarily withdraw from testing protocols, exploit their time off, and return with an unfair advantage.

    “For years now, he’s been openly using steroids. I don’t quite know what it is, but he’s not been clean. And even if he can come back, take tests, and pass those tests, for him to get back, he has to do all of those things and all those enhancers to allow him to feel like he can compete at that level again.

    So he would test clean, but isn’t that just a loophole? Isn’t it just a loophole like with the guys, when they get hurt, they get out of the testing pool? They recover from the injury; then they re-enter the testing pool.”

    – DC on Cowboy Cerrone wanting to fight again

    Cerrone last fought at UFC 276, where he suffered a submission loss to Jim Miller. Despite this setback, his career is impressive, featuring 18 post-fight bonuses—the most in UFC history, a record he shares with Charles Oliveira. He is tied for the second-most wins in UFC history with 23, alongside Andrei Arlovski, and holds 16 finishes, second only to Miller.

    In recognition of his legendary career, Cerrone was inducted into the modern wing of the UFC Hall of Fame in March 2023.

  • UFC Veteran Skeptical Of Francis Ngannou’s Box Office Appeal For PFL

    UFC Veteran Skeptical Of Francis Ngannou’s Box Office Appeal For PFL

    Francis Ngannou is poised to make his eagerly awaited PFL debut this Saturday after signing with the organization last year. He is set to face Renan Ferreira in a highly anticipated title bout for the heavyweight championship.

    This clash will headline the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants pay-perview, taking place at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    The former UFC heavyweight champion departed the promotion following his title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022, driven by his long-standing dream to compete in boxing. He faced former heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in the ring, but his foray into boxing didn’t go as planned.

    The matchup between Ngannou and Ferreira has become one of the most discussed fights of the year, as it marks the return of “The Predator” to the MMA cage after more than two years away. However, former UFC welterweight Matt Brown believes that Ngannou has yet to reach the level of stardom necessary to generate a significant pay-per-view draw for the PFL.

    During a recent episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer (via MMAFighting), “The Immortal” remarked that while Ngannou’s boxing matches were hailed as marquee events due to his bouts with two of the biggest names in the sport, his upcoming PFL fight may struggle to gain similar traction, primarily because his opponent lacks widespread recognition.

    “He’s not that big of a star,” Brown said. “We watched him fight Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury because of him fighting those guys. He’s not a Conor McGregor, and we’re just going to watch him no matter who he fights. Even if Conor fought some lower-level guy, there would be a drop-off in pay-per-views, right?He’s got to have a ‘B’ side also that’s a ‘B’ side. Francis is fighting a ‘D’ side here. It’s not a ‘B’ side. It’s a ‘D’ side, and Francis just isn’t big enough of an ‘A’ side to draw. We don’t know how much he’s getting paid, but if it’s the amounts we would guess, it’s not going to cover his expense, I don’t think.”

    PFL CEO Peter Murray has confidently proclaimed that the Battle of the Giants card will outshine both UFC 300 and UFC 306 in terms of popularity, setting it up to be the year’s premier MMA event. However, fans will have to wait until the weekend to see if the Ngannou-headlined spectacle lives up to the hype.

  • Topuria Reaffirms Plans To ‘Point The Octagon’ In First 10 Seconds Against Holloway At UFC 308

    Topuria Reaffirms Plans To ‘Point The Octagon’ In First 10 Seconds Against Holloway At UFC 308

    Ilia Topuria recently doubled down on his intention to challenge Max Holloway in a striking battle from the opening bell of their highly anticipated clash at UFC 308. “El Matador” is poised to defend his UFC featherweight title for the first time against Holloway on October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

    Last week, Topuria and Holloway engaged in a fiery interview with ESPN, during which the reigning 145-pound champion donned a replica of the BMF title on his shoulder. He boldly dared “Blessed” to bring the same ferocity he displayed in landing the buzzer-beater knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in the first 10 seconds of their upcoming showdown.

    During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, “El Matador” underscored his desire to entice the reigning BMF titleholder to a fierce exchange of punches right in the center of the Octagon within the first 10 seconds of their bout at UFC 308. The undefeated Spaniard confidently asserted that he would deliver the most electrifying initial moments of any fight in UFC history.

    “He calls himself the BMF, but we already know who’s the world champion. In the first 10 seconds of the fight, we’re going to find out who’s the real BMF because I already challenged him. In the first 10 seconds, I’m gonna point to the ground, and we’ll see what he’s going to do.

    I will be in the middle of the Octagon, so let’s bang, bro. If you’re ready, I was born ready… First 10 seconds, I’m gonna point to the middle of the Octagon, and I will stay there. I wanna give the best and most exciting 10 seconds in UFC history to the fans.”

    Topuria went on to voice some doubt about whether “Blessed” would accept his challenge to trade blows right off the bat but remained unwavering in his belief in his knockout power. He confidently stated that if Holloway chooses to stand and bang with him, it’s only a matter of time before he puts him to sleep.

    “If he stays in the middle, I’m gonna knock him out, I’m gonna take his head off. I have prepared myself for that too… I don’t know, we’ll see. He’s calling himself the BMF, that’s one of the things we’ll find out—if he’s the BMF or if he’s the p*ssy like everyone who is predicting that I’m going to lose to Max Holloway.”

    You can watch his comments here:

  • Ian Garry Says Colby Covington Ignoring Fight Proposal

    Ian Garry Says Colby Covington Ignoring Fight Proposal

    Ian Garry recently claimed that the UFC has offered him a fight against Colby Covington; however, he noted that the potential matchup is only halfway to becoming a reality.

    Garry and Covington have been caught up in a heated feud for nearly a year, with both fighters repeatedly expressing their eagerness to settle their differences in the Octagon. Notably, the Irishman has been actively seeking this matchup.

    “The Future” recently posted an Instagram video where he revealed that he agreed to a fight with Covington a month ago, but he has yet to receive any word from “Chaos”.

    “What’s up, everyone? So, I’m coming on to let everybody know, keep everybody in the loop, and keep everyone updated because it matters,” Garry said. “A month ago, I was offered a fight with Colby Covington. It took me all of 20 seconds to respond to the email saying, ‘Yes, I’m in.’ A month later, we still have no response from Colby. He’s avoiding me like the plague, and there’s one reason and one reason only this fight isn’t happening, and his name is Colby Covington.”

    According to recent media reports, UFC matchmakers are looking to pair Garry and Covington as the headliners for a Fight Night event in Tampa, Florida, on December 14. However, with less than two months remaining, there has yet to be any official confirmation.

    Garry is fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Michael Page at UFC 303 in June. He remains undefeated in his professional career, with an impressive eight-fight winning streak in the UFC. A potential clash with Covington would enhance his status in the UFC welterweight division, propelling him closer to a title shot.

    Meanwhile, “Chaos” has been inactive since suffering a one-sided unanimous decision loss in his third attempt at the 170-pound title against then-champion Leon Edwards at UFC 296 in December 2023. Covington’s last victory dates back to March 2022, when he triumphed over his former friend-turned-rival Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272.

  • Mike Perry Arrested For DUI & Citation Refusal In Florida

    Mike Perry Arrested For DUI & Citation Refusal In Florida

    Mike Perry got himself into trouble when he was arrested in Clermont, Florida, on October 12 for multiple offenses.

    According to a recent report by MMA Fighting, information from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that “Platinum” was apprehended and processed by Clermont Police officers early Saturday morning at 1:04 AM EST. He is currently facing charges of driving under the influence (DUI) and refusing to sign a citation that mandates a court appearance, both classified as second-degree misdemeanors in the county. 

    As per the report, Perry declined to undergo a roadside sobriety test after being stopped for exceeding the speed limit by about 20 miles per hour. The officer reportedly detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle, but the BKFC star repeatedly denied any consumption.

    The 33-year-old Michigan native stood firm in his decision despite being warned multiple times that his refusal to comply would result in his arrest, which eventually led to him being handcuffed and taken to the Clermont Police Department for a breath test.

    However, “Platinum” was subsequently released on a $1,500 bond later that day and was assigned to appear before the Florida court on October 30. If proven guilty, Perry could potentially face a maximum of two months in jail and fines reaching up to $500.

    The former UFC welterweight fighter is rebounding from a sixth-round knockout defeat to Jake Paul this past July. Aside from that setback, Perry is thriving in his bare-knuckle fighting career under the BKFC banner. He is currently riding a five-fight unbeaten streak and boasts victories over notable former UFC champions Eddie Alvarez and Luke Rockhold.

    • Read More: Jake Paul Reveals Verbal Agreement With Mike Perry To Rematch In PFL, Dirty Boxing Down The Line
  • Dana White Outraged Over UFC Rankings Panel, Plans System Overhaul

    Dana White Outraged Over UFC Rankings Panel, Plans System Overhaul

    Dana White once again unleashed his fury at the UFC rankings panel in the aftermath of UFC 307.

    The UFC rankings system has faced intense criticism repeatedly over the past few months, and it appears that the latest outburst from the UFC CEO followed the weekly update released in the days after UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira’s successful title defense against Khalil Rountree Jr.

    While “The War Horse” was unable to dethrone the Brazilian titleholder, he certainly made an impression with his performance in the early rounds, pushing “Poatan” to his limits. However, Rountree Jr. was unable to make any progress in the updated 205-pound rankings and remained at #8.

    Infuriated by the recent developments, White took to his Instagram Stories to lash out at the members of the UFC rankings panel. He assured his followers that he would hold a meeting this week to address the issues and revamp the system.

    “The morons strike again,” White said. “Khalil Rountree fights that badass fight against Pereira, and the morons rank him #8, keeping him at #8. Literally, this week, I have a meeting to try to fix the rankings and get all these no-nothing motherf**kers out of it. So hopefully, this week I get this fixed.”

    White’s frustrations with the rankings panel are nothing new; he has voiced his dissatisfaction over reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones not being ranked as the top pound-for-pound fighter in recent months.

    Just last month, in an interview with Kevin Iole, he discussed the controversy surrounding Renato Moicano, who believed he deserved a higher ranking in the lightweight division after his dominant victory over Benoît Saint Denis at UFC Fight Night Paris.

    The UFC head honcho revealed that he is contemplating the integration of artificial intelligence into the UFC’s ranking system to replace the current panel, composed of media representatives from various MMA publications.

    • Read More: UFC Rankings Report: Paddy Pimblett Ties With Former Lightweight Champion
  • UFC Hall Of Famer Says He’s Returning From Retirement For 2 Final Fights

    UFC Hall Of Famer Says He’s Returning From Retirement For 2 Final Fights

    Donald Cerrone recently announced that he’s stepping out of retirement with the goal of setting several unmatched records.

    “Cowboy” hung up his gloves after enduring a rough stretch of six consecutive losses in the Octagon, with the final blow being a second-round submission defeat to fellow veteran Jim Miller at UFC 276 in July 2022.

    However, it seems that Cerrone has made up his mind to return to the promotion, aiming to reach an impressive milestone of 50 total appearances under the Zuffa banner. The 41-year-old Colorado native currently boasts 38 fights in the Octagon, ranking him third in the organization’s history, excluding the 10 bouts he fought in the WEC.

    In a recent Instagram video, “Cowboy” revealed that he had been collaborating with a company and undergoing Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), along with other substances for the last few years.

    However, he is now preparing to cleanse his system of these compounds to re-enter the drug-testing pool and compete in two more fights.

    “I want to go back and get two more fights,” Cerrone said. “When I retired, I told you I was getting my hair done and getting on steroids. The number 50 has been sitting on my mind for a while. The last two years, I’ve been taking TRT and a bunch of peptides; now we’ve got a protocol. For all you people who are like, ‘Oh, what if you get on it, you can’t ever come off?’ Well, I now have to come off and piss clean. I’ll fight in a few months, so watch this.”

    Although Cerrone never became a UFC champion, he remains a fan favorite. Throughout his active career, “Cowboy” amassed an impressive 18 post-fight bonuses, the most in UFC history, a record he shares with Charles Oliveira.

    Additionally, he is tied for the second-most wins in UFC history with 23, alongside Andrei Arlovski, and boasts the second-most finishes, totaling 16, matched only by Miller.

    For his illustrious career, which includes victories over multiple former UFC lightweight champions such as Oliveira, Eddie Alvarez, and Benson Henderson, Cerrone was honored with an induction into the modern wing of the UFC Hall of Fame last year.

  • McGregor Rants About UFC Return, Targets Belal Muhammad

    McGregor Rants About UFC Return, Targets Belal Muhammad

    Conor McGregor’s mounting exasperation over the uncertainty surrounding his UFC comeback recently erupted into a fiery social media tirade against Belal Muhammad.

    McGregor has been inactive for over three years, with his last appearance coming in July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg during his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. “The Notorious” was originally set to make his highly anticipated return to the Octagon against TUF 31 rival coach Michael Chandler in a welterweight showdown at UFC 303 this past June.

    However, the eagerly awaited match was delayed when the former two-division UFC titleholder broke his toe during his fight camp, ultimately leading to its complete cancellation. In the meantime, Chandler has redirected his focus and is now scheduled to clash with Charles Oliveira in a rematch at UFC 309 next month.

    McGregor previously expressed a desire to step into the Octagon before the year concludes; however, UFC CEO Dana White has dashed those hopes, suggesting a return in 2025 instead. Frustrated by the situation, “The Notorious” vented his displeasure and hinted at discussions with Turki Alalshikh to explore potential fight negotiations on his behalf.

    McGregor Rips Muhammad While Fuming About UFC Return Uncertainty

    McGregor recently took to X to express his bitterness over the persistent delays hindering his comeback in a now-deleted tweet. In the same post, he confidently declared that he would easily dispatch Muhammad if they ever squared off, lamenting the fact that “Remember the Name” has yet to secure a single knockdown in his UFC career.

    “Love to crush my left hook into Belal’s temple and take down the triple crown,” McGregor tweeted. “I’d do it easily and fast! I’d cave his skull heavy! The hurdles I face getting back to the octagon are just harrowing. I am so sad over my June 29th fight cancelation. To think this bum is now a UFC champion with zero knockdowns on his resume or whatever is so bad. The UFC’s most abysmal zero revenue generating fight in modern history.”

    Muhammad also found himself on the receiving end of a social media onslaught from UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, who ridiculed him for his lack of knockdowns in his 19-fight UFC career.

  • Conor McGregor Hints At Major BKFC Event For Riyadh Season

    Conor McGregor Hints At Major BKFC Event For Riyadh Season

    Conor McGregor recently revealed that he is working closely with Turki Alalshikh to organize a massive bare-knuckle fighting event associated with Riyadh Season.

    “The Notorious” took on a part-ownership role in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) this past April, and since then, the gloveless combat sports promotion has soared to new heights. With McGregor frequently making larger-than-life appearances at events, the organization has captured the attention of fans worldwide.

    McGregor is diving headfirst into his new role as a promoter, making a splash last weekend in Marbella, Spain, where BKFC held a tripleheader championship event. The fight card was a success, but it seems the Irishman has something even bigger brewing for the near future.

    McGregor Teases ‘GOATs Of The Game’ Joining BKFC

    During a recent interview with The Schmo, McGregor opened up about the future of BKFC, revealing that he’s collaborating with Alalshikh to shine a spotlight on the promotion.

    “The Notorious” hinted at plans for a monumental bare-knuckle fighting event, with several famed combat sports fighters set to make their BKFC debut on the Riyadh Season card.

    “Stay tuned for what’s next, baby; we’re coming with some big Riyadh Season,” McGregor said. “Myself and Sheikh Turki have some mega announcements coming, and boy, oh boy, we have stacked the card of superstars for you all in Riyadh Season, and it’s going to happen really, really soon, my man.”

    Although McGregor held back from dropping any names, he promised that the matchups he’s crafting will lead to an epic showdown.

    “GOATs of the game are making that bare-knuckle debut, so this is going to blow the socks off people… Some of these matches I have made are going to blow your f**king mind.”

    Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, Alalshikh, has emerged as a significant catalyst for orchestrating some of the most notable boxing matches in recent years. Now, he has made his foray into the realm of MMA, having played a crucial role in the UFC’s inaugural event in Saudi Arabia and also sponsoring UFC 306, with Riyadh Season taking on that role.

  • Joaquin Buckley Fires Back At Usman’s ‘Get In Line’ Advice

    Joaquin Buckley Fires Back At Usman’s ‘Get In Line’ Advice

    Joaquin Buckley recently retaliated against Kamaru Usman’s dismissive reaction to his callout for a potential matchup.

    Buckley secured the most significant victory of his career thus far with a stunning third-round knockout of former welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson at UFC 307 last weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    With this victory, “New Mansa” extended his winning streak to five fights and wasted no time calling out Usman during his post-fight interview, making it clear that he’s ready to enter the mix for title contention.

    However, earlier this week, in an episode of the Pound4Pound podcast, “The Nigerian Nightmare” brushed aside Buckley’s callout but left the door open for a potential fight down the line, stating, “Take a number and get in line.”

    Buckley Seeks Title Eliminator Match With Usman

    During a recent interview with Parry Punch, Buckley addressed Usman’s dismissal of his callout. “New Mansa” pointed out that, aside from the reigning UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, no one else has stepped up to challenge Usman. However, even Muhammad has shifted his attention to his first title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    “That’s the funny thing; who’s in line?” Buckley said. “The crazy part about Belal was, like, Usman doesn’t even deserve a title shot. Plus, he said Shavkat is an easier fight than Usman, and that’s what I believe the UFC is going to make: the Shavkat vs. Belal fight. The thing with Usman is nobody calls him out, and he’s still a great name. The last fight he had was with Khamzat [Chimaev], so it’s been a whole year. Come and get this word; come and get paid at least.”

    Buckley further emphasized that being a former champion doesn’t guarantee Usman an immediate title shot, especially after experiencing a string of losses. The 30-year-old Missouri native proposed that “The Nigerian Nightmare” should instead face him in a #1 contender’s bout.

    “Just because you’ve been a former champion and held the belt for a significant amount of time doesn’t give you the right to come back and say, ‘All right, I get to fight for the belt again.’ You’re still not accounting for those three losses you’ve had. So prove to the world that you still have the ability to fight for a belt. With me having five wins and three finishes right now in the goddamn welterweight division, I feel like you can sell that idea. If Kamaru Usman beats me, boom, he can fight for the title.”

    Usman is currently navigating the most challenging phase of his career, enduring a three-fight losing streak. The former UFC welterweight champion’s last appearance in the Octagon was at UFC 284 in October 2023, where he suffered a narrow majority decision defeat to Khamzat Chimaev in a welterweight matchup on short notice.