MMA News

Author: Pranav Pandey

  • UFC Fans Hit Again With Price Hike Ahead Of MMA Promotion’s ESPN Broadcast Deal Coming To An End In 2025

    UFC Fans Hit Again With Price Hike Ahead Of MMA Promotion’s ESPN Broadcast Deal Coming To An End In 2025

    UFC fans in the U.S. will have to shell out more to catch the action on ESPN networks.

    Back in 2019, the UFC inked a five-year exclusive broadcasting deal with ESPN. Throughout the partnership, ESPN aired the promotion’s full lineup of events on its television network and ESPN+ streaming platform, while also holding the rights to distribute pay-per-view cards.

    As the ESPN deal nears its conclusion at the end of 2025, the UFC has striked a staggering seven-year, $7.7 billion agreement with Paramount Skydance. Under the new arrangement, the promotion will move away from the traditional PPV model for its biggest events, instead broadcasting these cards live to Paramount+ subscribers at no additional cost.

    ESPN still has four UFC PPV events remaining before their departure, but viewers will have to pay extra to catch three of those cards.

    UFC Octagon
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

    ESPN To Hike Streaming Costs From October With UFC Exit On The Horizon

    On Tuesday, Disney, ESPN’s parent company, revealed that ESPN+ has been officially rebranded as ESPN Select. The announcement also included price hikes across several of Disney’s streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select, as well as increases to bundled packages. These changes will also impact UFC fans.

    Beginning October 21, the monthly subscription for ESPN Select will rise from $11.99 to $12.99, while the annual plan will increase from $119.99 to $129.99. Fans can also access ESPN Select content through the new ESPN Unlimited streaming service, priced at $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year.

    Meanwhile, bundle pricing is also set to rise. The ad-supported Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select package will increase from $16.99 to $19.99 per month, while the ad-free version will climb from $26.99 to $29.99 per month.

    Since launching its streaming service, ESPN has consistently raised subscription prices year after year. The recent hikes also extend to the UFC’s PPV events, which previously cost $59.99 and now run $79.99.

    By comparison, Paramount+ is priced at $7.99 per month with ads or $12.99 per month for the ad-free tier. While the company has not announced any upcoming price changes, an increase seems possible once the UFC’s new broadcast deal begins next year.

  • Charles Oliveira Set To Face Late Replacement Who Campaigned Hard For UFC Rio Headliner Spot

    Charles Oliveira Set To Face Late Replacement Who Campaigned Hard For UFC Rio Headliner Spot

    Charles Oliveira finally has an opponent set for his next Octagon appearance.

    Oliveira was originally slated to face Rafael Fiziev in a lightweight bout headlining UFC Rio on October 11 at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. However, last week it was revealed that “Ataman” had to withdraw due to injury, prompting a search for a new opponent for the former UFC 155-pound champion.

    Several fighters, including Benoit Saint Denis, Mateusz Gamrot, and even former UFC featherweight title contender Diego Lopes, emerged as potential short-notice replacements for “Do Bronx”.

    Charles Oliveira Matched With Mateusz Gamrot In UFC Rio Main Event

    On Tuesday, Charles Oliveira revealed that he has agreed to face Mateusz Gamrot in the UFC Rio main event following Rafael Fiziev’s withdrawal.

    “Opponent: Mateusz Gamrot,” Charles Oliveira said on social media. “This is the guy we’re going to battle in a great war. The rest just wanted the hype, just wanted to stall and talk but that’s part of it, that’s how it is… Mateusz Gamrot, thank you for accepting the fight. It’s going to be a big war! The lion is hungry. I’m full of willpower. We’ll meet on Oct. 11.”

    “Do Bronx” is coming off a devastating first-round knockout loss to reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 this past June. Once riding an impressive 11-fight win streak, Oliveira is now navigating a challenging period in his career, going 3-3 in his last six bouts.

    He holds a 23-11 record with one no contest in the UFC, with 16 of those victories coming via submission.

    Meanwhile, Gamrot had been eager for a showdown with the Brazilian veteran for quite some time, and when the headliner spot at UFC Rio became vacant, he threw his hat in the ring and kept campaigning on social media until the UFC finally made the call.

    “Gamer” last stepped into the Octagon at UFC Vegas 107 this past May, securing a unanimous decision victory over Ludovit Klein. The 34-year-old Polish fighter holds an 8-3 UFC record, with four of those wins coming by stoppage.

    Mateusz Gamrot
    Image: Mateusz Gamrot on Instagram


  • Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis: Weight, Rounds, Rules And Everything To Know For Nov. 14 Showdown

    Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis: Weight, Rounds, Rules And Everything To Know For Nov. 14 Showdown

    New details have been revealed for the upcoming Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis boxing matchup.

    The Paul vs. Davis showdown was originally scheduled for November 14 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. But plans shifted last week when Most Valuable Promotions pulled its request to host the bout in Georgia after the state’s Athletic and Entertainment Commission raised concerns over the significant weight gap between the fighters.

    As a result, the high-profile clash has been moved to the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on the same date.

    https://twitter.com/MostVpromotions/status/1969033966125519033

    Although early reports suggested the bout would be an exhibition, details remained scarce until now.

    Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis: What Are The Official Rules?

    Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis held their first promotional press conference in New York on Monday, where Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian revealed key details about their upcoming fight.

    The fight is set for 10 rounds, each lasting three minutes, contested at a 195-pound catchweight. Both boxers will wear 12-ounce gloves. While the bout is classified as an exhibition and won’t affect either fighter’s professional record, three ringside judges will score the contest, ensuring a winner is declared if it goes the full distance.

    https://twitter.com/MostVpromotions/status/1970252176053473325

    For context, welterweight boxers (147 pounds and under) typically wear 8-ounce gloves, which “Tank” is used to. Paul, meanwhile, usually fights with 10-ounce gloves, standard for higher weight classes, except in his exhibition with Mike Tyson in November 2024, when both wore 14-ounce gloves.

    Davis has spent most of his career fighting at lightweight, with a limit of 135 pounds. By comparison, “The Problem Child” weighed 200 pounds in his most recent bout and typically competes in the cruiserweight division.

    Jake Paul last fought in June, securing a unanimous decision win over former WBC middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr. He currently boasts an 11-1 record, with seven of those victories coming by knockout.

    Gervonta Davis last entered the ring in March, facing Lamont Roach Jr. in a bout that ended in a majority draw. The reigning WBA lightweight champion remains undefeated in his professional career with a 30-0-1 record, including 28 wins by knockout.

    Image: Netflix.com

  • UFC Rio Fight Reportedly Back On Track As Short Notice Replacement Steps In

    UFC Rio Fight Reportedly Back On Track As Short Notice Replacement Steps In

    The UFC Rio lineup has reportedly undergone some adjustments.

    The MMA promotion is slated to return to the “Cidade Maravilhosa” this year with a Fight Night event named UFC Rio, scheduled for October 11 at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    According to a recent report from an MMA journalist Alvaro Colmenero, the welterweight clash between seasoned contenders Vicente Luque and Santiago Ponzinibbio has fallen through after the “Argentine Dagger” was forced out of UFC Rio with an injury.

    Luque, however, won’t be left without an opponent, as he is now reportedly set to face Joel Alvarez, who will be making his debut in the 170-pound division.

    “The Silent Assassin” last competed at UFC 316 in June, where he was submitted by Kevin Holland in the second round. Luque’s recent run has been a tough one, with just two wins in his last six outings. The 33-year-old Brazilian holds a 16-7 UFC record, with 14 of those victories coming by way of finish.

    Meanwhile, Alvarez has been out of action since December 2024, when he scored a first-round knockout over Drakkar Klose at UFC Tampa. Riding a three-fight win streak, “El Fenomeno” carries a flawless finishing rate across his 22-3 professional record and has gone 7-2 under the UFC banner.

    Images: @luquevicente/@joelelfenomenoalvarez/Instagram

    What Other Bouts Are Lined Up For UFC Rio?

    The UFC Rio card was originally set to be headlined by a lightweight clash between former champion Charles Oliveira and Rafael Fiziev. However, Fiziev had to step away from the fight due to injury, and the promotion is now working to secure a replacement opponent for “Do Bronx”.

    Meanwhile in the co-main event, former flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo is slated to take on Montel Jackson in a bantamweight clash.

    Take a look at the updated UFC Rio lineup below:

    Main Card

    • Lightweight bout: Charles Oliveira vs. TBA
    • Bantamweight bout: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Montel Jackson
    • Welterweight bout: Gabriel Bonfim vs. Randy Brown
    • Heavyweight bout: Jhonata Diniz vs. Mário Pinto
    • Heavyweight bout: Valter Walker vs. Mohammed Usman
    • Welterweight bout: Vicente Luque vs. Joel Alvarez

    Preliminary Card

    • Flyweight bout: Jafel Filho vs. Clayton Carpenter
    • Featherweight bout: Lucas Almeida vs. Michael Aswell
    • Heavyweight bout: Vitor Petrino vs. Thomas Petersen
    • Featherweight bout: Ricardo Ramos vs. Kaan Ofli
    • Flyweight bout: Lucas Rocha vs. Stewart Nicoll
    • Strawweight bout: Julia Polastri vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz
    UFC Octagon
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

  • Arman Tsarukyan Puts Benson Henderson Out Cold In Grappling Match At ACBJJ 18

    Arman Tsarukyan Puts Benson Henderson Out Cold In Grappling Match At ACBJJ 18

    Arman Tsarukyan is finding plenty of success outside of the UFC Octagon.

    On Friday night, Tsarukyan stepped onto the mats for his third grappling bout of the year, competing in the main event of Absolute Championship Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (ACBJJ) 18 inside the Dynamo Volleyball Arena in Moscow, Russia, where he faced former UFC lightweight king Benson Henderson.

    “Ahalkalakets” went straight to work looking for chokes against Henderson, who managed to hold them off until the closing moments. But persistence paid off, the 28-year-old Armenian locked in a sharp arm-triangle choke, slid to the side, and cranked it tighter with every second.

    The move was executed with precision, and before long, “Smooth” had gone limp. The referee stepped in after checking his arm, while a visibly dazed Henderson was helped back to his feet by Tsarukyan.

    Tsarukyan has continued his grappling streak this year, first securing a unanimous decision victory over Makkasharip Zaynukov at Karate Combat 54 in early May, followed by a slick submission win against Patricky Pitbull at ADXC 10 later that same month.

    Image: @arm_011/Instagram

    When Was Arman Tsarukyan’s Last UFC Fight?

    Arman Tsarukyan last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 300 in April 2024, where he earned a hard-fought split decision victory over former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.

    That victory earned “Ahalkalakets” his first UFC 155-pound title shot against then-champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January. Unfortunately, a back injury forced Tsarukyan to withdraw from the fight during fight week.

    Tsarukyan is riding a four-fight winning streak, with his last defeat coming in June 2022 when he fell via unanimous decision to Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Vegas 57. He holds a 9-2 record in the UFC, highlighted by knockout victories over Beneil Dariush and Joel Álvarez.

    Arman Tsarukyan
    Image: @arm_011/Instagram
  • UFC Perth Suffers Late Setback As Co-Main Event Bout Removed From Lineup Due To Injury

    UFC Perth Suffers Late Setback As Co-Main Event Bout Removed From Lineup Due To Injury

    The UFC Perth event has undergone a major shake-up.

    The UFC is gearing up for its second trip of the year to the “Land Down Under”, with a Fight Night event, UFC Perth, set to go down on September 28 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

    On Thursday, the promotion revealed that the light heavyweight clash between Junior Tafa and Ibo Aslan, originally slated as the co-main event of the upcoming Fight Night, has been scrapped due to injury.

    The UFC did not disclose which fighter withdrew, nor whether the matchup is canceled altogether or could find a new date down the line. As a result, another 205-pound bout between Jimmy Crute and Ivan Erslan has been elevated to co-main event status.

    Image: @UFCEurope/X

    How Many Bouts Are Scheduled For UFC Perth?

    The UFC Perth card is stacked with talent from across Oceania, boasting a 14-fight lineup. Headlining the action is a crucial light heavyweight showdown as Carlos Ulberg squares off against former title challenger Dominick Reyes.

    The card will also feature a welterweight clash between seasoned veterans Jake Matthews and Neil Magny, as well as a featherweight showdown pitting Jack Jenkins against Ramon Taveras.

    Take a look at the updated UFC Perth lineup below:

    Main Card

    • Light heavyweight bout: Carlos Ulberg vs. Dominick Reyes
    • Light heavyweight bout: Jimmy Crute vs. Ivan Erslan
    • Featherweight bout: Jack Jenkins vs. Ramon Taveras
    • Welterweight bout: Jake Matthews vs. Neil Magny
    • Heavyweight bout: Justin Tafa vs. Louie Sutherland
    • Lightweight bout: Tom Nolan vs. Charlie Campbell

    Preliminary Card

    • Light heavyweight bout: Navajo Stirling vs. Rodolfo Bellato
    • Strawweight bout: Loma Lookboonmee vs. Alexia Thainara
    • Welterweight bout: Jonathan Micallef vs. Oban Elliott
    • Middleweight bout: Cameron Rowston vs. Andre Petroski
    • Bantamweight bout: Colby Thicknesse vs. Josias Musasa
    • Lightweight bout: Jamie Mullarkey vs. Rolando Bedoya
    • Women’s bantamweight bout: Michelle Montague vs. Luana Carolina
    • Heavyweight bout: Brando Pericic vs. Elisha Ellison


  • UFC Superstar Conor McGregor Announces Withdrawal From His 2025 Irish Presidential Bid Accusing Election Bias

    UFC Superstar Conor McGregor Announces Withdrawal From His 2025 Irish Presidential Bid Accusing Election Bias

    Conor McGregor is no longer running for the Irish presidency.

    Over the past few years, the former two-division UFC champion has been outspoken on Irish politics, regularly criticizing the government and its policies, particularly its stance on immigration.

    Conor McGregor
    Image: Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC/UFC.com

    McGregor’s political profile surged after he accused Irish authorities of making him a “scapegoat” for the 2023 Dublin riots. “The Notorious” alleged that the government deliberately shifted blame onto him in order to divert attention from a series of knife attacks reportedly carried out by immigrants, incidents that had ignited widespread anti-immigration protests nationwide.

    The 37-year-old UFC superstar has long hinted at a presidential bid, and earlier this month he made his intentions official, declaring his interest in becoming Ireland’s head of state in 2025. In a video shot outside Dublin’s government buildings, he doubled down on his anti-immigration and nationalist positions, outlining the policies he would pursue if elected.

    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1963532107386372388

    Conor McGregor Confirms He Will Not Contest 2025 Irish Presidency Elections

    Conor McGregor was due to address county councils on Monday, as candidates for the Irish presidency must secure nominations from either 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities.

    However, he had not received backing from any Oireachtas members or councils. On Sunday, “The Notorious” officially announced his withdrawal from the race in a lengthy statement posted on social media.

    “Following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race,” Conor McGregor wrote on X. “This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time.”

    McGregor further alleged that the electoral system is stacked in favor of establishment-backed candidates. Although stepping away from the presidential bid, the former UFC champion vowed to keep speaking out for the Irish people and suggested he may re-enter the political arena in the near future.

    “While I will not contest this election, my commitment to Ireland does not end here. I will continue to serve my people by using my international platform to promote Irish interests abroad, to strengthen our economic opportunities, and to advocate for transparency and responsibility in public life at home… I want to assure the people of Ireland that this will not be my last election. You will see me canvassing again in the future, fighting for your rights and representing the best interests of our nation.”

    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1967415396576751793

    Conor McGregor has been out of action since a brutal leg break during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. His much-anticipated comeback was scheduled for UFC 303 in June 2024 against Michael Chandler, but a toe injury forced him to pull out just weeks before the fight.

    However, “The Notorious” has now confirmed his determination to return to action at the UFC event tentatively scheduled on the White House lawn in June 2026. McGregor also disclosed that he has officially rejoined the UFC’s drug testing pool.

    Conor McGregor
    Image: ESPN.com
  • British Boxing Legend Ricky Hatton Found Dead At 46 In His Manchester Home

    British Boxing Legend Ricky Hatton Found Dead At 46 In His Manchester Home

    Ricky Hatton has passed away at the age of 46.

    On Sunday, the Manchester Evening News first reported that Hatton was found dead at his Greater Manchester home, with local police confirming the discovery and declaring that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his passing.

    “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man, a police spokesperson stated. “There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”

    The English boxing legend had previously endured suicide attempts and a painful family rift, but later found reconciliation after candidly confronting his struggles with mental health and addiction.

    Back in July, “The Hitman” had revealed plans for a comeback, with a middleweight bout against Arabian boxer Eisa Al Dah scheduled for December 2 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    Following Hatton’s tragic passing, tributes from across the boxing world flooded social media. Former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury honored him with an Instagram post reading, “RIP to the Legend,” while promoter Eddie Hearn, former WBO super featherweight champion Jamel Herring, and many others also paid heartfelt respects to the beloved Stockport native.

    Image: @rickyhitmanhatton/Instagram

    When Did Ricky Hatton Officially Retire From Boxing?

    Ricky Hatton officially retired from professional boxing in November 2012, following a ninth-round knockout defeat to Vyacheslav Senchenko. His final bout came three years after a crushing second-round loss to Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao in May 2009, where he surrendered his IBO and The Ring light welterweight titles.

    Over the course of 48 professional bouts, “The Hitman” captured multiple world titles across different weight classes. He closed out his career with an impressive record of 45-3, including 32 victories over elite names such as Paulie Malignaggi, Kostya Tszyu, and José Luis Castillo.

    After hanging up his gloves, Hatton turned his attention to shaping the next generation, guiding fighters such as Zhanat Zhakiyanov and Damien Hooper as a trainer and promoter.

    The late multi-division champion last stepped through the ropes in November 2022, when he shared an exhibition bout with fellow legend Marco Antonio Barrera.

    Image: @rickyhitmanhatton/Instagram

  • Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford: Former UFC Star Dustin Poirier Makes His Pick For Superfight

    Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford: Former UFC Star Dustin Poirier Makes His Pick For Superfight

    Dustin Poirier has shared his prediction for the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford showdown.

    The highly anticipated Alvarez vs. Crawford clash takes place tonight (Saturday, September 13) at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mexican boxing superstar will put his undisputed super middleweight belts (WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO) on the line against the undefeated Crawford, the former undisputed welterweight and light welterweight champion who has moved up two weight classes in pursuit of greatness at 168 pounds.

    The marquee bout takes on added weight as it marks the debut of Zuffa Boxing. The historic card is being promoted by UFC CEO Dana White under the TKO banner, in collaboration with Saudi Arabian sports chief Turki Alalshikh.

    Dana White Announces $100K Bonuses For Canelo vs. Crawford Undercard
    Image: @Zuffa_Boxing/X

    Dustin Poirier Predicts Terence Crawford Will Pull Off An Upset Against Canelo Alvarez

    According to BetOnline.ag, heading into fight night the defending undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez is listed as a solid -170 favorite, while Terence Crawford stands as a +140 underdog looking to overturn the odds.

    However, former UFC interim lightweight champion Poirier bucks the consensus of oddsmakers and combat sports analysts, predicting “Bud” Crawford will outbox Alvarez and pull off a shocking upset tonight to achieve three-division undisputed glory.

    “I’m thinking Crawford for the upset tonight,” Poirier wrote on X.

    Canelo Alvarez enters this bout fresh off a unanimous decision victory over William Skull this past May, successfully defending his 168-pound titles. The 35-year-old from Guadalajara boasts an impressive professional record of 63-2-2, including 39 knockouts against elite opponents such as Caleb Plant, Billy Joe Saunders, and Amir Khan.

    His last defeat came in May 2022, a hard-fought unanimous decision loss to the now-undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.

    Meanwhile, Terence Crawford returns to the ring after a year-long hiatus. The 37-year-old Nebraska native last stepped into the squared circle in August 2024, securing a unanimous decision victory over Israil Madrimov to capture the WBA and vacant WBO interim light middleweight titles.

    “Bud” remains unbeaten in his professional career, boasting a flawless 41-0 record with 31 wins by knockout. His victories include formidable opponents such as Errol Spence Jr., José Benavidez Jr., and David Avanesyan.

    Image: @Turki_alalshikh/X


  • UFC Star Bryce Mitchell Swiftly Tapped Out By 19-Year-Old Grappler At EBI 25

    UFC Star Bryce Mitchell Swiftly Tapped Out By 19-Year-Old Grappler At EBI 25

    Bryce Mitchell’s recent foray into grappling might not have gone as successfully as he had hoped.

    On Friday night at the La Quinta Inn & Suites in San Antonio, Texas, Mitchell entered the 16-man lightweight bracket at Eddie Bravo Invitational 25 (EBI 25). “Thug Nasty” earned a hard-fought victory in his opening quarter-final against brown belt JJ Bowers, claiming the win in overtime with the fastest escape time.

    However, in the semi-finals, the polarizing UFC fighter faced 19-year-old Landon Elmore, and the matchup quickly turned against him. Early in the bout, Elmore locked in a flying triangle choke, compelling Mitchell to carry his opponent out of bounds.

    When the action resumed, Elmore wasted no time, diving for a leg attack that forced the 30-year-old Arkansas native to tap less than a minute into the contest, bringing his tournament run to an abrupt end.

    How Many MMA Fights Has Bryce Mitchell Won By Submission?

    Bryce Mitchell is widely regarded as one of the most skilled grapplers in the UFC, having secured nine submission victories over the course of his 22-fight professional career. In fact, “Thug Nasty” kicked off his career with an impressive streak, winning his first eight bouts on the regional circuit, all by submission.

    Mitchell was most recently seen in the Octagon at UFC Abu Dhabi in July, where he made a successful bantamweight debut, earning a unanimous decision victory over Said Nurmagomedov.

    Before this victory, Mitchell endured a challenging stretch in the featherweight division, going 2-3 in his last five fights at 145 pounds. All three defeats came by stoppage against top-tier opponents, including current lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, Josh Emmett, and Jean Silva. He now holds a 9-3 record in the UFC.

    Bryce Mitchell
    Image: @thugnasty_ufc/Instagram
  • Olympic Champion Gable Steveson Makes Explosive MMA Debut With 98 Second Finish At LFA 217

    Olympic Champion Gable Steveson Makes Explosive MMA Debut With 98 Second Finish At LFA 217

    Gable Steveson barely broke a sweat in his dominant MMA debut.

    On Friday night at the Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, Minnesota, Steveson made his long-awaited cage debut at LFA 217, facing Braden Peterson in a heavyweight clash with his training partner and former UFC two-division champion Jon Jones in his corner.

    image: @lfafighting/Instagram

    Although the Olympic gold medalist took a few leg kicks in the opening moments, he quickly secured a rapid single-leg takedown. Once on the mat, Steveson controlled the action with a mix of precise, punishing elbows and constant submission threats.

    He ultimately ended the fight by rising and raining down a relentless barrage of punches, compelling the referee to stop the bout just 1:38 into the first round. Steveson was awarded Performance of the Night honors for his effort.

    When Did Gable Steveson Win Olympic Gold?

    Gable Steveson claimed the Olympic gold in freestyle wrestling (125kg) at the 2020 Tokyo Games, defeating Georgia’s Geno Petriashvili in the final showdown.

    Shortly after, Steveson signed with WWE and made his professional wrestling debut at SummerSlam 2021. His stint with the promotion, however, was brief, as reports indicated he was released due to limited progress at WWE’s Performance Center.

    The 25-year-old American also had a brief stint with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills on the defensive line. Unfortunately, his football aspirations didn’t materialize, leading to his release in August 2024. Steveson subsequently went back to the University of Minnesota to continue his wrestling career and bolster his achievements before ultimately turning his focus to MMA.

    Image: @lfafighting/Instagram
  • Yoel Romero Destroys Opponent In BKFC Debut With Vicious Round 2 Knockout

    Yoel Romero Destroys Opponent In BKFC Debut With Vicious Round 2 Knockout

    Yoel Romero showed at 48 that he still has everything it takes to shake the combat sports world.

    On Friday night, Romero stepped into gloveless combat for the first time at BKFC 80, held at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida, where he squared off against fellow debutant Theo Doukas in a heavyweight showdown.

    Image: @bareknucklefc/Instagram

    Although the “Soldier of God” took a measured approach in the opening round while his opponent held firm, the momentum swung violently in the second. The former Olympic medalist unleashed his trademark explosiveness, dropping Doukas three times in brutal fashion.

    Reeling from a deep cut on his forehead, Doukas was unable to answer the count after the third knockdown, forcing the referee to wave it off at the 1:56 mark and awarding Romero a devastating TKO victory.

    When Did Yoel Romero Part Ways With UFC?

    After his unsuccessful attempt to capture the middleweight title against then-champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 248 in March 2020, Yoel Romero’s run in the Octagon ended abruptly, despite having three fights left on his contract.

    Following his UFC exit, the “Soldier of God” made the move to Bellator, where he went 3-2 and battled his way to a light heavyweight title shot against Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 297, ultimately dropping a decision.

    His chapter with the promotion closed in February 2024 at the PFL vs. Bellator crossover event, where Romero capped off his run in style with a unanimous decision victory over former UFC title challenger Thiago Santos.

    Romero also tested himself under the unconventional ruleset of Mike Perry’s Dirty Boxing Championship, where he showcased his power with back-to-back stoppage wins, first against Duane Crespo in November 2024 and then with a finish over Ras Hylton this past March.

    Image: @bareknucklefc/Instagram

  • ‘So F**kin Disrespectful’ – Dana White Faces Backlash From MMA Fans After Announcing $100K Bonuses For Canelo vs. Crawford Undercard

    ‘So F**kin Disrespectful’ – Dana White Faces Backlash From MMA Fans After Announcing $100K Bonuses For Canelo vs. Crawford Undercard

    Dana White is setting significant plans in motion as he prepares for the inaugural Zuffa Boxing event.

    White is establishing his presence in the boxing promotion landscape under the TKO banner, with his partnership alongside Turki Alalshikh putting Zuffa Boxing firmly in motion. That vision takes its first big step this weekend as the UFC CEO helps steer the highly anticipated Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford showdown on Saturday, September 13, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

    During a recent appearance on the Stephen A. Smith Show, announced that undercard fighters would be eligible for Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses, with $100,000 awarded for each honor.

    “So on the undercard fights — Canelo and Crawford are going to do just fine on Saturday night, they’re going to be OK — but on the undercard fights, we’re going to have a Performance of the Night and a Fight of the Night,” White said. “$100,000 each for the fighters on the undercard from Sheik Turki. So you can be involved in the Performance of the Night and the Fight of the Night and take home $200,000 for these undercard fighters.”

    The Canelo vs. Crawford undercard features a total of nine bouts, meaning every boxer aside from the headliners is eligible for the $100,000 bonuses provided by Alalshikh.

    UFC Fans Slam Dana White After He Announces $100K Bonuses For Canelo vs. Crawford Undercard

    Dana White’s plan to award $100,000 bonuses exclusively to undercard fighters on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford boxing card contrasts with the UFC setup, where typically two Performance of the Night bonuses and one Fight of the Night bonus are handed out and all fighters are eligible.

    However, the announcement has ignited a wave of outrage on social media, with MMA fans sharply criticizing the UFC CEO for not extending similar $100,000 bonuses to UFC fighters.

    https://twitter.com/yourclipss/status/1966579959054438527

    Last year, Dana White issued one-off increases to post-fight bonuses for select pay-per-view events. Notably, for the historic UFC 300, bonuses were raised to $300,000. Similarly, at UFC 304, White doubled the usual $50,000 bonus to $100,000 at the request of King Green.

    The UFC CEO has hinted that UFC fighters could see an increase in their post-fight bonuses under the promotion’s groundbreaking $7.7 billion TV rights deal with Paramount, which is slated to take effect in 2026.

    UFC Secures New Streaming Partner As Paramount Strikes Whopping $7.7 Billion Deal
    Image: UFC.com
  • Kelvin Gastelum Misses Weight By 5 Pounds But Opponent Agrees To Keep Noche UFC Fight Alive

    Kelvin Gastelum Misses Weight By 5 Pounds But Opponent Agrees To Keep Noche UFC Fight Alive

    Kelvin Gastelum finds himself on the wrong side of the scales once again.

    Gastelum is set to face Dustin Stoltzfus in a middleweight clash at this year’s Noche UFC event on September 13 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. However, the former Ultimate Fighter winner ran into trouble at the scales on Friday during the official weigh-in, coming in at 191 pounds, five pounds over the 186-pound non-title limit.

    As a result, Gastelum must give up 35% of his fight purse to Stoltzfus, though the middleweight showdown will proceed as scheduled.

    The former UFC 185-pound interim title challenger last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 316 this past June, where he fell to Joe Pyfer via unanimous decision. Gastelum’s most recent victory came at UFC Saudi Arabia in June 2024, where he secured a hard-fought decision over Daniel Rodrigues.

    The 33-year-old Californian has endured a prolonged rough stretch in his career, compiling a 3-7 record across his last 10 outings since April 2019.

    Meanwhile, Stoltzfus is also looking to rebound, having dropped a unanimous decision to Nursulton Ruziboev in his most recent appearance at UFC Vegas 106 this past May. The former Dana White’s Contender Series standout has struggled to live up to expectations, holding a 3-6 record across nine fights in the UFC.

    How Many Times Has Kelvin Gastelum Missed Weight In His UFC Career?

    Kelvin Gastelum has built up a notable history of weight management struggles throughout his UFC career. His first miss came in June 2014 at UFC San Antonio, where he failed to make the welterweight limit ahead of his fight with Nico Musoke.

    Just months later, at UFC 183 in February 2015, Gastelum came in a staggering nine pounds over the 171-pound mark for his matchup with Tyron Woodley.

    In November 2016, Gastelum once again failed to make weight, this time with significant repercussions as his scheduled bout with Donald Cerrone at UFC 205 was scrapped entirely.

    Noche UFC now marks the fourth instance in Kelvin Gastelum’s 25-fight UFC tenure where he has failed to make weight, and it is the first time he has ever come in overweight for a middleweight contest.

    Image: @kgastelum/Instagram

  • Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Weigh-In Results

    Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Weigh-In Results

    The long-awaited Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford has finally arrived, set for this Saturday, September 13, at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. MMA News brings you the official weigh-in results ahead of one of the year’s most monumental boxing showdowns.

    Alvarez is set to defend his undisputed super middleweight titles (WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO) against former undisputed welterweight and light welterweight champion Crawford, who will be moving up two weight classes for the 168-pound showdown.

    The inaugural Zuffa Boxing event, promoted by UFC CEO Dana White under the TKO banner, will be co-headlined by a light middleweight showdown between Callum Walsh and Fernando Vargas Jr., while interim WBC super middleweight champion Christian M’billi takes on Lester Martinez.

    Before the highly anticipated event tomorrow night, all boxers set to clash will hit the scales Friday afternoon in Las Vegas.

    Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Complete Weigh-In Results

    Main Card

    • Super middleweight bout: Canelo Alvarez (c) (167.5) vs. Terence Crawford (167.5)
    • Light middleweight bout: Callum Walsh (153.5) vs. Fernando Vargas Jr. (153)
    • Super middleweight bout: Christian Mbilli (ic) (167) vs. Lester Martinez (167)
    • Lightweight bout: Mohammed Alakel (132) vs. Travis Crawford (132.5)

    Preliminary Card

    • Middleweight bout: Serhii Bohachuk (155) vs. Brandon Adams (156)
    • Heavyweight bout: Ivan Dychko (239.5) vs. Jermaine Franklin (256)
    • Super featherweight bout: Reito Tsutsumi (129.5) vs. Javier Martinez (129.5)
    • Light welterweight bout: Sultan Almohamed (132.5) vs. Martin Caraballo (133)
    • Light heavyweight bout: Steven Nelson (171.5) vs. Raiko Santana (171.5)
    • Super middleweight bout: Marco Verde (158) vs. Marcos Osorio-Betancourt (159.5)
  • Noche UFC: Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva Weigh-In Results

    Noche UFC: Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva Weigh-In Results

    The UFC is set to host its third annual Mexican Independence Day celebration, Noche UFC, this Saturday, September 13, live from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. MMA News brings you the official weigh-in results to get fans primed for fight night.

    Headlining the action is a featherweight showdown, as former UFC title challenger Diego Lopes goes toe-to-toe with No. 10-ranked contender Jean Silva in a pivotal clash.

    Meanwhile, in the co-main event, seasoned bantamweight contender Rob Font will square off against late-notice replacement David Martinez. The night will also crown a new star as The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 welterweight finale takes place between Rodrigo Sezinando and Daniil Donchenko.

    Before the action kicks off at Noche UFC, fighters will hit the scales Friday morning at the UFC’s host hotel in the “Alamo City”.

    Noche UFC Complete Weigh-In Results

    Main Card

    • Featherweight bout: Diego Lopes (146) vs. Jean Silva (145.5)
    • Bantamweight bout: Rob Font (135) vs. David Martínez (135.5)
    • Lightweight bout: Rafa García (155.5) vs. Jared Gordon (156)
    • Middleweight bout: Kelvin Gastelum (191)* vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (185.5)
    • Bantamweight bout: Santiago Luna (136) vs. Quang Le (136)

    Preliminary Card

    • Lightweight bout: Alexander Hernandez (155.5) vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira (156)
    • Middleweight bout: José Daniel Medina (186) vs. Duško Todorović (186)
    • Lightweight bout: Claudio Puelles (156) vs. Joaquim Silva (156)
    • Strawweight bout: Tatiana Suarez (115.5) vs. Amanda Lemos (116)
    • Flyweight bout: Jesús Santos Aguilar (126) vs. Luis Gurule (125.5)
    • Middleweight bout: Zachary Reese (185.5) vs. Sedriques Dumas (186)
    • Flyweight bout: Alessandro Costa (125.5) vs. Alden Coria (126)
    • Women’s bantamweight bout: Montserrat Rendon (136) vs. Alice Pereira (136)
    • TUF 33 welterweight final bout: Rodrigo Sezinando (170.5) vs. Daniil Donchenko (171)

    *Kelvin Gastelum weighed in five pounds over the middleweight limit. He will forfeit 35% of his fight purse to his opponent, but the bout will go on as planned.

  • ‘M*rder Of A Future President’ – Charlie Kirk’s Horrifying Assassination In Utah Devastates Combat Sports Community

    ‘M*rder Of A Future President’ – Charlie Kirk’s Horrifying Assassination In Utah Devastates Combat Sports Community

    Charlie Kirk’s brutal assassination stunned society, touching even the combat sports world.

    On Wednesday afternoon, right-wing activist Kirk was swept into the escalating political violence gripping America as he was gunned down during an event at the Sorensen Center courtyard on the Utah Valley University campus.

    The U.S. President Donald Trump’s staunch supporter was speaking to students in a campus Q&A beneath a white gazebo when a single gunshot tore through the air. Kirk clutched his neck as blood poured from the left side, while horrified onlookers scattered in terror.

    Kirk was immediately taken to a hospital in a private vehicle, but Trump later confirmed on social media that he had succumbed to his injuries. The Republican leader further declared that, in honor of the late Turning Point USA co-founder, all American flags nationwide would be lowered to half-mast until Sunday evening.

    Jake Paul, Sean Strickland And Others In Combat Sports React To Charlie Kirk Shooting

    After confirmation of Charlie Kirk’s death from a gunshot, numerous prominent figures in the combat sports world took to social media to react. Some described the attack as a deliberate attempt to silence conservative voices in the U.S., while others blamed what they called the broader leftist ecosystem for his death.

    YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul:

    UFC middleweight veteran Tim Kennedy:

    Former UFC 185-pound champion Sean Strickland:

    UFC lightweight Renato Moicano:

    Dominance MMA founder Ali Abdelaziz:

    https://twitter.com/AliAbdelaziz00/status/1965866402843357486

    Former WBC interim lightweight champion Ryan Garcia:

    UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell:

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling:

    UFC lightweight veteran Jared Gordon:

    Former UFC welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns:

    Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes:

    Veteran MMA referee Marc Goddard:

    UFC flyweight Charles Johnson:

    Former UFC interim 170-pound titleholder Colby Covington:

    UFC 155-pounder Terrance McKinney:

    Former UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa:

    UFC featherweight Sodiq Yusuff:

    https://twitter.com/Super_Sodiq/status/1965863554617393659

    PFL light heavyweight star Derek Brunson:

    Former UFC 185-pound title challenger Marvin Vettori:

    Former UFC lightweight Josh Thomson:

    Former Strikeforce middleweight champ Jake Shields:

    MMA coach Tim Welch:

    UFC middleweight star Bo Nickal:

    While Charlie Kirk’s assailant remains unidentified, authorities are actively investigating. Initially, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that a suspect was in custody, but he later clarified that the individual had been released following questioning.

    He added that the FBI continues to work closely with local law enforcement to uncover the circumstances surrounding the attack.

    Image: @charliekirk1776/Instagram

  • Sean Strickland Reacts To Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Being Shot Dead In Utah – ‘I’m Just Numb’

    Sean Strickland Reacts To Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Being Shot Dead In Utah – ‘I’m Just Numb’

    Sean Strickland has a hardline reaction to Charlie Kirk being publicly shot.

    On Wednesday, conservative activist and prominent U.S. president Donald Trump supporter Kirk was caught up in the latest surge of political violence in the U.S. when he was shot during an event at the Sorensen Center courtyard on the Utah Valley University campus.

    The Turning Point USA co-founder was speaking to students during a Q&A at a public gathering on campus under a white tent when a single gunshot pierced the air. Kirk was seen clutching his neck as blood poured from the left side, while onlookers tried to flee the scene in panic.

    Check out the video of the incident below (viewer discretion advised):

    Shortly after the shooting, Trump confirmed on social media that Kirk had died from his injuries. He also announced that, in honor of the late 31-year-old Illinois native, all American flags across the U.S. would be flown at half-mast until Sunday evening.

    Authorities initially apprehended someone in connection with the shooting, but a university spokesperson later confirmed to the media that the suspect is still not in police custody.

    Image: @charliekirk1776/Instagram

    Sean Strickland Comments On Charlie Kirk Being Shot

    After videos of Charlie Kirk’s shooting surfaced online, a fan on X asked Sean Strickland for his take on the incident. The former UFC middleweight champion responded in a figurative and confrontational manner.

    “Yeah man, it’s f**ked up, but a very wise Roman philosopher once said, ‘The best way to vote is with a gun.’” Strickland replied.

    https://twitter.com/SStricklandMMA/status/1965855748661146080

    In another post, the polarizing UFC star, referring to multiple violent events, admitted that he has become desensitized to the relentless exposure to online violence.

    “I’m just numb to seeing people die online. The entire world watched a Ukrainian girl get murdered.Every day, someone is getting murdered live-streamed. We see Russians merked by drones. Just numb to tragedy in 2025. Welcome to the internet. The erosion of humanity, one reel at a time,” Sean Strickland posted.

    Strickland was last seen in action at UFC 312 this past February, falling short in his attempt to regain the middleweight title after suffering a lopsided unanimous decision loss to then-champion Dricus Du Plessis.

    “Tarzan” is currently suspended from competition for six months by the Nevada Athletic Commission, until December 29, following an incident at the June 28 Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas, during which he entered the cage and attacked fighter Luis Hernandez.

    Sean Strickland
    Image: UFC.com
  • Noche UFC Fighter Reveals He Has Only $13.96 Coming Into Event This Weekend

    Noche UFC Fighter Reveals He Has Only $13.96 Coming Into Event This Weekend

    A middleweight is coming into Noche UFC with everything on the line.

    The third annual celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day takes place this Saturday, September 13, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Originally slated for Guadalajara, Mexico, as UFC 320, construction setbacks at Arena Guadalajara pushed the promotion to move the card stateside, repackaging it as a Fight Night.

    Noche UFC will see Sedriques Dumas step back into action against Zach Reese in a 185-pound clash. For “The Reaper”, the stakes extend far beyond the Octagon, as he revealed on social media earlier this week that he’s coming into this fight facing a severe financial crisis, even posting a screenshot (now deleted) showing just $13.96 in his bank account.

    According to the 30-year-old Floridaman, he is struggling through a chaotic year marked by family demands, mounting expenses, and legal troubles that almost derailed his career.

    “This is a price of being an adult and paying legal actions and stuff in your life,” Dumas wrote. “I hate to hear people say people don’t struggle at a big scene. Yeah all y’all can laugh about it. I’m just giving y’all something to laugh about.”

    Dumas has a history of run-ins with the law, and this past April he was reportedly arrested for the 14th time, facing charges of felony home invasion robbery without a firearm, misdemeanor battery, and felony possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, with bond set at a staggering $558,500.

    What Record Does Sedriques Dumas Carry Into Noche UFC?

    Sedriques Dumas was initially scheduled to face Jackson McVey at UFC 317 this past July, but the bout never materialized after he was fitted with an ankle monitor and restricted to a 100-mile radius due to felony charges from April.

    Dumas was last seen inside the Octagon at UFC 314 in April, where he fell to Michal Oleksiejczuk via first-round knockout. His most recent victory came in August 2024 at UFC Abu Dhabi, when he earned a unanimous decision win over Denis Tiuliulin.

    “The Reaper” secured his UFC contract with a spectacular submission victory over Matej Penaz in August 2022 on Dana White’s Contender Series. Since then, Dumas has gone 3-3 across six Octagon appearances. He is coming into Noche UFC with a professional record of 10-3, with six of those wins coming by way of finishes.

    Image: UFC.com

  • Patricio Pitbull Torches ‘The Fat Panther’ Losene Keita After Major Weight Miss Cancels UFC Paris Fight

    Patricio Pitbull Torches ‘The Fat Panther’ Losene Keita After Major Weight Miss Cancels UFC Paris Fight

    Patricio Pitbull is left fuming as his fight with Losene Keita is cancelled.

    Pitbull was set to face two-division OKTAGON champion Keita on the main card of UFC Paris this weekend at the Accor Arena in France.

    However, at Friday’s official weigh-ins, Keita tipped the scales three pounds over the 146-pound featherweight limit for his UFC debut, leading to the cancellation of his bout with Pitbull, who successfully weighed in at 145 pounds.

    After the fight was scrapped, “Black Panther” took to social media to apologize to fans, admitting that the grueling cut had drained his body to the point where he couldn’t push any further.

    Keita insisted he was determined to keep the fight alive, even offering to forfeit his purse to Pitbull. However, he alleged the former Bellator champion declined the proposal.

    Patricio Pitbull Left Disappointed After Losene Keita Misses Weight For UFC Paris

    During a recent interview with Full Send MMA, Patricio Pitbull didn’t hold back when addressing the cancellation of his UFC Paris bout after Losene Keita missed weight. The featherweight veteran criticized Keita for failing to make the extra effort during the additional time given to cut down and made it clear he wasn’t after his opponent’s purse, he just wanted the chance to compete.

    “I can’t believe that [he didn’t put effort to make weight] so he’s not professional. I am professional,” Pitbull said. “He said in some interviews he’s faster, younger, stronger but he can’t make weight. I have a video he came to me saying that was his fault… I am about 11 or 12 years making championship weight. If the people want to blame somebody, blame the fat panther.”

    Pitbull later took to X, reminding fans that he had accepted the fight with Keita on short notice and voicing his frustration over how it fell apart. The former Bellator champ also set his sights on a quick turnaround, declaring his desire to compete at UFC Rio on October 11 and even calling out Arnold Allen as his preferred opponent.

    Patricio Pitbull last competed at UFC 318 in July, earning a unanimous decision victory over Dan Ige to rebound from a one-sided defeat to Yair Rodriguez in his Octagon debut at UFC 314. The 38-year-old Brazilian now carries a professional record of 37-8, with a 24 of those victories coming by way of finish.

    Patricio Pitbull
    Image: UFC.com
  • UFC Paris Drops Major Featherweight Bout After Highly Touted Debutant Fails To Make Weight

    UFC Paris Drops Major Featherweight Bout After Highly Touted Debutant Fails To Make Weight

    The UFC Paris card has taken a significant hit.

    The upcoming Fight Night card will see a high-stakes middleweight clash between Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho in the main event, a bout carrying significant title ramifications. The UFC Paris co-main event will pit Benoit Saint Denis against Mauricio Ruffy in a lightweight matchup

    The rest of the card is packed with rising French talent, including a much anticipated featherweight clash between Patricio Pitbull and the highly touted two-division OKTAGON champion Losene Keita, who was set to make his UFC debut. Unfortunately, the fight was canceled ahead of the event.

    At Friday’s official UFC Paris weigh-ins, Keita came in three pounds over the 146-pound featherweight limit, forcing the cancellation of his fight with Pitbull, who weighed in at 145 pounds.

    Keita was coming off a five-fight winning streak, most recently competing at OKTAGON 65 in December 2024, where he scored a second-round TKO over Ronald Paradeiser to successfully defend his lightweight title. The 27-year-old Belgian boasts a 16-1 professional record, including 10 wins by knockout.

    Image: @keitaplusser/Instagram

    UFC Paris Complete Weigh-In Results

    Main Card

    • Middleweight bout: Nassourdine Imavov (185) vs. Caio Borralho (185)
    • Lightweight bout: Benoit Saint Denis (155) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (156)
    • Light heavyweight bout: Modestas Bukauskas (205) vs. Paul Craig (205)
    • Lightweight bout: Bolaji Oki (156) vs. Mason Jones (156)
    • Welterweight bout: Axel Sola (170) vs. Rhys McKee (170)
    • Featherweight bout: Patricio Pitbull (145) vs. Losene Keita (149)*

    Preliminary Card

    • Featherweight bout: William Gomis (145) vs. Robert Ruchala (146)
    • Light Heavyweight bout: Oumar Sy (206) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (206)
    • Heavyweight bout: Marcin Tybura (256) vs. Ante Delija (239)
    • Lightweight bout: Harry Hardwick (156) vs. Kaue Fernandes (155)
    • Welterweight bout: Sam Patterson (170) vs. Trey Waters (171)
    • Middleweight bout: Brad Tavares (186) vs. Robert Bryczek (186)
    • Welterweight bout: Andreas Gustafsson (171) vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov (170)
    • Strawweight bout: Shauna Bannon (116) vs. Sam Hughes (116)

    *Losene Keita came in over the 146-pound featherweight limit, leading to the cancellation of his bout with Patricio Pitbull.

  • UFC Paris: Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho Weigh-In Results

    UFC Paris: Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho Weigh-In Results

    UFC Paris takes place this Saturday, September 6, at the Accor Arena, with MMA News bringing you the complete official weigh-in results ahead of fight night.

    The upcoming event will be highlighted by a high-stakes middleweight showdown as top contenders Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho clash, with major title implications on the line.

    Meanwhile, the co-main event will see French fan-favorite Benoit Saint Denis face rising lightweight finisher Mauricio Ruffy. Elsewhere on the card, highly touted Cage Warriors featherweight champion Harry Hardwick makes his UFC debut in a short-notice 155-pound clash against Kaue Fernandes.

    Ahead of UFC Paris, the official weigh-ins were held Friday morning at the UFC host hotel in the ‘City of Light”. Both headliners, Imavov and Borralho, hit the 185-pound mark exactly. Meanwhile, Saint Denis weighed in at 155 pounds, and Ruffy hit the 156-pound lightweight limit, making their bout official without issue.

    However, the weigh-ins weren’t flawless, as the scheduled featherweight clash between Patricio Pitbull and highly anticipated UFC debutant Losene Keita was called off from the UFC Paris lineup. “Black Panther” came in three pounds over the 146-pound non-title limit at 149, while Pitbull weighed in at 145 pounds.

    UFC Paris Complete Weigh-In Results

    Main Card

    • Middleweight bout: Nassourdine Imavov (185) vs. Caio Borralho (185)
    • Lightweight bout: Benoit Saint Denis (155) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (156)
    • Light heavyweight bout: Modestas Bukauskas (205) vs. Paul Craig (205)
    • Lightweight bout: Bolaji Oki (156) vs. Mason Jones (156)
    • Welterweight bout: Axel Sola (170) vs. Rhys McKee (170)
    • Featherweight bout: Patricio Pitbull (145) vs. Losene Keita (149)*

    Preliminary Card

    • Featherweight bout: William Gomis (145) vs. Robert Ruchala (146)
    • Light Heavyweight bout: Oumar Sy (206) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (206)
    • Heavyweight bout: Marcin Tybura (256) vs. Ante Delija (239)
    • Lightweight bout: Harry Hardwick (156) vs. Kaue Fernandes (155)
    • Welterweight bout: Sam Patterson (170) vs. Trey Waters (171)
    • Middleweight bout: Brad Tavares (186) vs. Robert Bryczek (186)
    • Welterweight bout: Andreas Gustafsson (171) vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov (170)
    • Strawweight bout: Shauna Bannon (116) vs. Sam Hughes (116)

    *Losene Keita came in over the 146-pound featherweight limit, leading to the cancellation of his bout with Patricio Pitbull.

  • Terence Crawford Goes Against Popular Opinion With His Choice For Best Boxer In UFC

    Terence Crawford Goes Against Popular Opinion With His Choice For Best Boxer In UFC

    Terence Crawford has named his choice for the best boxer in the UFC — and it isn’t Ilia Topuria or Max Holloway.

    Crawford is gearing up to square off against undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The high-profile superfight is being co-promoted by TKO Group’s Zuffa Boxing, with UFC CEO Dana White overseeing the event.

    “Bud” has cemented his status as one of the premier pound-for-pound fighters of the modern era, boasting an undefeated 41-0 professional record with 31 knockouts, including victories over Errol Spence Jr., José Benavidez Jr., and David Avanesyan.

    Image: @tbudcrawford/Instagram

    Terence Crawford Names Cody Garbrandt As UFC’s Best Boxer

    During a recent appearance on the Full Send Podcast, Terence Crawford was asked to name the best boxer in the UFC. Surprisingly, “Bud” bypassed reining lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and BMF titleholder Max Holloway, both widely regarded as elite pugilists in the promotion, and instead chose former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt.

    “It’s my guy, Cody [Garbrandt],” Crawford said. “He’s the best UFC boxer.”

    Although host Kyle Forgeard tried to convince Crawford that “El Matador” is the UFC’s best boxer, the multi-division undisputed champion stood firm, explaining why he believes “No Love” excels in pure boxing.

    “Yeah, but I don’t know, man, Cody’s got those hands. But I’m saying, when you’re talking about straight boxing, we ain’t talking about nothing else, we’re talking about straight boxing skills, I just think Cody’s got the best boxing skills in the UFC. But that’s just my opinion.”

    Garbrandt was last seen competing at UFC Atlanta in June, where he fell to Raoni Barcelos via unanimous decision. “No Love”, who once rode an 11-fight win streak, including dethroning Dominick Cruz at UFC 207 in 2016 to claim the bantamweight title, has since struggled, posting a 3-7 record over his last 10 bouts.

    Image: @cody_nolove/Instagram

  • Mike Tyson And Floyd Mayweather Set To Clash In Surprising Exhibition Match In Spring 2026

    Just when fans thought nothing could top the crazy world of combat sports, Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather are set to face off in the ring.

    On Thursday, CSI Sports revealed that two boxing legends are set to square off in an exhibition bout in spring 2026, with the date and venue yet to be finalized.

    In a press release (via MMA Fighting), “Iron Mike” stressed the unprecedented and unpredictable nature of the matchup, emphasizing that both boxers are fully committed despite the risks.

    “When CSI came to me about stepping in the ring with Floyd Mayweather,” Mike Tyson stated. “I thought, ‘No way this happens,’ but, Floyd said yes. This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen. However, boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable—and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets. I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this. It’s going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it’s signed and it’s happening!”

    Meanwhile, “Money” emphasized that the exhibition fight will be a major fan-pleasing spectacle.

    “I’ve been doing this for 30 years and there hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy,” said Mayweather. “You already know that if I am going to do something, it’s going to be big and it’s going to be legendary. I’m the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want.”

    When Did Mike Tyson And Floyd Mayweather Last Compete In The Ring?

    Mike Tyson returned from nearly two decades of retirement last November to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a highly publicized superfight, where “Iron Mike” fell via a lopsided unanimous decision.

    The 59-year-old former undisputed heavyweight champion, who initially hung up his gloves after a loss to Kevin McBride in June 2005, boasts a professional record of 50-7 and two no-contests, with 44 victories coming by knockout.

    Meanwhile, Floyd Mayweather last stepped into the ring in August 2024, going the distance in an eight-round exhibition against John Gotti III.

    “Money” retired from professional competition in August 2017 after defeating former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor via TKO. The former multi-weight champion retired undefeated with a flawless 50-0 record, including 27 victories by knockout.

  • Baisangur Susurkaev Booked For Return At UFC 322 After Dream Octagon Debut

    Baisangur Susurkaev Booked For Return At UFC 322 After Dream Octagon Debut

    Baisangur Susurkaev is already lined up for his sophomore UFC appearance.

    Last month, Susurkaev achieved a record-fast turnaround in the UFC, scoring a first-round knockout over Murtaza Talha to secure his contract on Contender Series. Following his impressive win, the 24-year-old Russian appealed to UFC CEO Dana White to be added to the UFC 319 card on just four days’ notice alongside fellow countryman Khamzat Chimaev, and his request was approved.

    Having stepped into his DWCS fight with only four days’ notice, “Hunter” was scheduled for his UFC debut with the same lightning-fast turnaround against fellow newcomer Eric Nolan. He lived up to the hype, securing a comeback submission victory in the second round.

    Baisangur Susurkaev Set To Face Eric McConico At UFC 322

    According to a recent report from MMA Fighting, Baisangur Susurkaev is scheduled to take on Eric McConico in a middleweight clash at UFC 322 on November 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    “Hunter” currently boasts a perfect 10-0 professional record, including eight knockouts and one submission victory.

    Meanwhile, McConico UFC 322 following a split decision victory over Cody Brundage at UFC Vegas 109. The 35-year-old American made his Octagon debut in February at UFC Seattle, but suffered a setback when Nursulton Ruziboev stopped him via second-round knockout.

    McConico holds a professional record of 10-3-1, with seven of his victories coming by stoppage.

    UFC 322 will feature a championship double-header, with welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena making his first title defense against former lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev. In the co-main event, former strawweight queen Zhang Weili moves up a division to challenge reigning bantamweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.

    Images: @realhuntermma/@freedomfightnight/Instagram