MMA News

Author: Pranav Pandey

  • UFC Champ Alexander Volkanovski Joins Cody Rhodes And Roman Reigns In Star-Studded 2026 Street Fighter Movie Cast

    UFC Champ Alexander Volkanovski Joins Cody Rhodes And Roman Reigns In Star-Studded 2026 Street Fighter Movie Cast

    Alexander Volkanovski is set to make his silver screen debut.

    Volkanovski is widely regarded as one of the greatest featherweight champions in UFC history, holding a 27-4 professional record, which includes 16 wins by stoppage. Known for his versatile fighting style, “The Great” has defended his 145-pound crown five times, turning back elite challengers such as Max Holloway, Brian Ortega, and Yair Rodriguez.

    The 36-year-old Australian reclaimed the featherweight title with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Diego Lopes at UFC 314 this past April. Now, after cementing his legacy in the Octagon, Volkanovski is set to showcase his combat skills alongside his acting chops on the big screen.

    On Thursday, Legendary Pictures announced that their upcoming live-action Street Fighter movie is set to hit theaters on October 16, 2026. The studio also unveiled the full cast, with the latest addition, Alexander Volkanovski, joining to bring the iconic Street Fighter character Joe to life.

    As per the film’s backstory, the character Joe, also known as “Superstar,” was once the unbeaten, undisputed U.S. kickboxing champion set for the Pan-American Fighting Championship, until clashes with his temper and financial troubles derailed his path, forcing him to live as a rogue. However, it is not yet known whether the upcoming film will follow the same storyline.

    Image: @Street_Fighter/X

    Which Big Names Are Joining Alexander Volkanovski In Street Fighter Movie?

    The 2026 Street Fighter film marks the third live-action adaptation of Capcom’s iconic fighting game franchise and will be directed by Japanese-American filmmaker Kitao Sakurai, with a screenplay by Dalan Musson.

    The movie features a high-profile, multi-talented cast, including WWE Champion Cody Rhodes as Guile, Roman Reigns as Akuma, Jason Momoa as Blanka, and Alexander Volkanovski.

    Here’s the complete cast and character list for the upcoming Street Fighter movie:

    • Alexander Volkanovski as Joe
    • Cody Rhodes as Guile
    Image: @Street_Fighter/X
    • Roman Reigns as Akuma
    Image: @Street_Fighter/X
    • Jason Momoa as Blanka
    • Noah Centineo as Ken Masters
    • Andrew Koji as Ryu
    • Callina Liang as Chun-Li
    • David Dastmalchian as M. Bison
    • Andrew Schulz as Dan Hibiki
    • Eric André as Don Sauvage
    • Vidyut Jammwal as Dhalsim
    • 50 Cent as Balrog
    • Olivier Richters as Zangief
    • Hirooki Goto as E. Honda
    • Rayna Vallandingham as Juli
    • Kyle Mooney as Marvin
    • Mel Jarnson as Cammy
    • Orville Peck as Vega

  • ‘Slow And Stiff’ – Fans React To Islam Makhachev Polishing His Striking Skills Ahead Of Jack Della Maddalena Superfight At UFC 322

    ‘Slow And Stiff’ – Fans React To Islam Makhachev Polishing His Striking Skills Ahead Of Jack Della Maddalena Superfight At UFC 322

    Islam Makhachev’s preparation is underway for the biggest fight of his career.

    In June, Makhachev vacated his UFC lightweight titleholder to pursue double-champ status by moving up to welterweight. He is now scheduled to challenge reigning 170-pound champion Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC 322 main event on November 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    The 32-year-old Russian has built his reputation on world-class wrestling and suffocating grappling that has overwhelmed countless opponents. However, his next test is expected to be far more challenging, as Maddalena brings a lethal striking arsenal paired with solid takedown defense.

    Makhachev and his team appear fully aware of the danger the Australian champion presents, and they’re leaving nothing to chance. A noticeably bulked-up Makhachev recently shared training camp footage on his Instagram stories, where he could be seen sharpening his striking skills while working the mitts in preparation for the showdown.

    Fans React To Islam Makhachev Sharpening His Striking Before UFC 322

    MMA fans responded with mixed reactions after watching Islam Makhachev working on his striking game ahead of his title clash with Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.

    While many expressed excitement for the matchup, others downplayed its significance, insisting the former lightweight champion will ultimately lean on his wrestling once again.

    https://twitter.com/WillTheSkillet/status/1963660723625529710
    https://twitter.com/RswAby24/status/1963677902106677419

    Makhachev last competed at UFC 311 this past January, where he made quick work of short-notice replacement Renato Moicano, securing a first-round submission to notch his fourth successful title defense.

    The Dagestani standout is riding an impressive 15-fight win streak, highlighted by statement wins over Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier, and Charles Oliveira. His lone career blemish came nearly a decade ago at UFC 192 in October 2015, when Adriano Martins handed him a first-round knockout loss.

    Islam Makhachev
    Image: @ufc/Instagram


  • Paulo Costa vs. Shara Magomedov In Works For UFC Qatar Co-Main Event On Nov 22

    Paulo Costa vs. Shara Magomedov In Works For UFC Qatar Co-Main Event On Nov 22

    Paulo Costa is set to step into the Octagon for the second time this year.

    As per a recent report by MMA journalist Laerte Viana, Costa is set to face Shara Magomedov in a middleweight bout serving as the co-main event at UFC Qatar on November 22 at ABHA Arena in Doha.

    On Wednesday, “The Eraser” confirmed the matchup himself on X, revealing he had accepted the promotion’s offer to face Magomedov in Doha. Since then, the former UFC 185-pound title challenger has been taunting “Bullet” relentlessly on social media.

    UFC Qatar will mark the promotion’s inaugural visit to the country, and it has already begun stacking the card with compelling matchups for the upcoming Fight Night event.

    The lineup features a light heavyweight showdown between former champion Jan Blachowicz and Bogdan Guskov, a bantamweight clash pitting Aleksandre Topuria against Bekzat Almakhan, and another 205-pound battle between Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev and Rafael Cerqueira. The card also includes a flyweight bout between Alex Perez and Asu Almabayev.

    Image: @ufc/X

    When Did Paulo Costa And Shara Magomedov Last Taste Victory In Octagon?

    Paulo Costa last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 318 this past July, securing a crucial unanimous decision victory over Roman Kopylov.

    “The Eraser”, who once rode an impressive 13-fight unbeaten streak, has struggled to regain his momentum since his failed title challenge against Israel Adesanya at UFC 253 in September 2020, going 2-4 in his last six bouts. Costa currently holds a 7-4 UFC record, with four of his victories coming by knockout.

    Meanwhile, Shara Magomedov last competed at UFC Abu Dhabi this past July, securing a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Marc-André Barriault to rebound from his first career loss to Michael Page at UFC Saudi Arabia in February.

    “Bullet” boasts a 5-1 record in the UFC, highlighted by key victories over Armen Petrosyan, Michał Oleksiejczuk, and Bruno Silva.

  • Bo Nickal Returns To Face Veteran Submission Artist At UFC 322 Following First Career Loss

    Bo Nickal Returns To Face Veteran Submission Artist At UFC 322 Following First Career Loss

    Bo Nickal will be looking to get back to his winning ways.

    According to a recent report by MMA journalist Higor Ciconello, Nickal is set to make his Octagon return against veteran submission specialist Rodolfo Vieira in a middleweight showdown at UFC 322 on November 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    The UFC 322 card is set to feature a blockbuster double-header. In the main event, reigning UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena will make his first title defense against former lightweight king Islam Makhachev.

    Meanwhile, the co-main event will feature former strawweight queen Zhang Weili moving up a division to challenge reigning bantamweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. Additionally, former 170-pound titleholder Leon Edwards will face rising finisher Carlos Prates.

    When Did Bo Nickal and Rodolfo Vieira Last Compete In The UFC?

    Bo Nickal last stepped into the Octagon at UFC Des Moines this past May, where he suffered the first defeat of his professional MMA career, falling to Reinier de Ridder via second-round TKO.

    Before that setback, the 29-year-old wrestling phenom had strung together a four-fight winning streak. Nickal now holds a 7-1 professional record, with six of his victories coming by stoppage.

    Meanwhile, Rodolfo Vieira will enter UFC 322 riding the momentum of a unanimous decision victory over Tresean Gore at UFC Vegas 108 last month, bouncing back from a February loss to Andre Petroski. “The Black Belt Hunter” has been part of the UFC roster since 2019 and has secured stoppage wins over Armen Petrosyan and Cody Brundage.

    The 35-year-old Brazilian grappler boasts a professional record of 11-3, with nine victories coming by way of submission and one by knockout.

    Images: @nobickal1/@rodolfovieira89/Instagram

  • Sammy-Jo Luxton Booked To Return After First Career Defeat At PFL Nantes On Sept. 26

    Sammy-Jo Luxton Booked To Return After First Career Defeat At PFL Nantes On Sept. 26

    Sammy-Jo Luxton will be aiming to redeem herself when she steps into the cage for her next fight..

    On Tuesday, the promotion announced that Luxton will take on debutant Jade Jorand in a strawweight contest at PFL Nantes (aka PFL Europe 3) on September 26, set to take place at the Zenith Nantes Metropole in France.

    https://x.com/PFLEurope/status/1962822980033036514

    The upcoming PFL Nantes card will be headlined by a welterweight showdown between Abdoul Abdouraguimov and Kevin Jousset. Meanwhile, the co-main event will feature a lightweight clash as Amin Ayoub squares off against Donovan Desmae.

    When Did Sammy-Jo Luxton And Jade Jorand Last Compete?

    Sammy-Jo Luxton most recently competed at PFL Belfast this past May, where she suffered the first defeat of her professional MMA career, falling to Gemma Auld via second-round submission. Before that setback, “The Ghetto Cinderella” had rattled off back-to-back first-round knockout victories under regional promotionals and currently holds a 2-1 record.

    Meanwhile, Jade Jorand was seen in action at Karate Combat 51 in December 2024, securing a unanimous decision victory over Saba Nabavinejad. “The Princess” is riding a two-fight winning streak, with her most recent defeat coming in July 2024 against Leslie Hernandez at LFA 188. The 24-year-old Frenchwoman currently holds a professional MMA record of 4-3.

  • Usman Nurmagomedov Claims His Resume Surpasses Ilia Topuria’s – ‘I Beat Champions’

    Usman Nurmagomedov Claims His Resume Surpasses Ilia Topuria’s – ‘I Beat Champions’

    Usman Nurmagomedov feels he stands a tier above Ilia Topuria.

    “El Matador” is hailed as one of the most versatile fighters, boasting a perfect 17-0 record with 15 finishes. In his last three appearances, he delivered stunning knockouts over former champions Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski, further solidifying his status as a once-in-a-generation talent.

    Topuria’s star power skyrocketed after he etched his name in the history books as a two-division UFC champion, capturing the lightweight title with a knockout of Oliveira at UFC 317 this past July.

    With former UFC champion Islam Makhachev already vacating his title to chase welterweight gold, the undefeated Spaniard is now hailed by many as the No. 1 lightweight, but UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov’s cousin isn’t buying it.

    Ilia Topuria
    Image: @iliatopuria/Instagram

    Usman Nurmagomedov Questions Ilia Topuria’s Lightweight Supremacy

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Usman Nurmagomedov dismissed the notion of Ilia Topuria being the world’s No. 1 lightweight just yet, insisting the reigning UFC champion still has more to prove. The Dagestani argued that his resume is stronger, making him more deserving of the top spot than “El Matador”.

    “Come on, Ilia Topuria, how he can be lightweight No. 1 in the world? He cannot be,” Nurmagomedov said. “He did only one fight. I have 19 fights in lightweight [division]. I beat former champions. I beat champions. I think my resume is better than him. How many fights does he have? 14? I have 14 finishes in my career.”

    Nurmagomedov, the reigning PFL lightweight champion, has already racked up three successful title defenses and carries an undefeated professional record of 19-0, with 14 of those victories coming by way of finish.

    The 27-year-old Russian last competed at PFL Champions Series Dubai in January, where he edged out Paul Hughes in a hard-fought majority decision to retain his belt. He’s now set to run it back with “Big News” in a highly anticipated rematch at PFL Champions Series 2 on October 3.

    2025 PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE, Saturday, Saturday, January, 25, 2025. (Jose Peñuela / PFL)
  • UFC CEO Dana White Reportedly Racks Up $25 Million Debt At Red Rock Casino

    UFC CEO Dana White Reportedly Racks Up $25 Million Debt At Red Rock Casino

    Dana White may be staring down a mountain of gambling debt.

    White isn’t just the driving force behind one of the most profitable sports organizations in the world, he’s also equally famous for his high-stakes gambling habit, where he’s scored massive wins in Las Vegas casinos.

    Back in July, the UFC boss proved once again why casinos keep a close eye on him, walking away with a staggering $1.2 million win at Fontainebleau the night before UFC 317. His history of big payouts is so notorious that certain venues have reportedly asked him to steer clear after being cleaned out one too many times.

    Several reports suggest the 56-year-old American tycoon has pocketed as much as $7 million in a single night during his hottest runs. He’s even laughed off a wild story about waking up from a blackout with a $3 million debt hanging over him. For White, juggling millions or casually gifting $1000 chips to random fans on the casino floor is just business as usual.

    Dana White Reportedly Owes Red Rock Casino Millions

    A recent Casino.org report claims Dana White may have racked up more than $25 million in debt at Red Rock Casino Resort in Summerlin, Nevada, after allegedly being extended massive credit to fund his big-money baccarat sessions.

    However, White likely isn’t feeling much heat to settle the tab anytime soon, given that Red Rock Casino is run by his longtime ally and former UFC owner, Frank Fertitta.

    “Though not confirmed, the UFC boss owes the Las Vegas-based casino operator as much as $50 million for credit extended to him so that he could play high-limit baccarat and blackjack at the Red Rock Casino Resort in Summerlin, Nevada,” the report stated.

    Image: Fox Sports
  • Colby Covington Slams ‘Crying’ Dillon Danis Over Pursuit Of UFC Career

    Colby Covington Slams ‘Crying’ Dillon Danis Over Pursuit Of UFC Career

    Colby Covington is dismissing Dillon Danis’ aspirations of joining the UFC.

    Last Saturday, Danis ended a six-year hiatus from MMA in spectacular fashion, needing just 15 seconds to submit Frank Warren with a guillotine choke at Misfits Boxing 22 and claim the inaugural MF MMA light heavyweight title.

    Following his victory, “El Jefe” wasted no time calling for more high-profile clashes, eyeing names like former UFC star Nate Diaz, strongman Eddie Hall, and longtime rival KSI, while further voicing his long-held desire to one day step into the UFC Octagon.

    However, Covington, doubts the polarizing fighter will ever earn a spot under the UFC’s bright lights.

    Dillon Danis eyes UFC spot
    Image: @dillondanis/Instagram

    Colby Covington Laughs Off Dillon Danis UFC Dream

    In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Colby Covington weighed in on Dillon Danis’ 15-second submission of Frank Warren at Misfits Boxing 22.

    The former UFC interim welterweight champion mocked Danis by bringing up his infamous 2021 incident in New Jersey, where he was allegedly choked out by a nightclub bouncer, and scoffed at the idea that the BJJ specialist has what it takes to compete in the UFC.

    “Even untrained bouncers can take down Dillon and have their way with him,” Covington said. “He’s a bum, he’s always crying to get in the UFC. You f**king suck Dillon. You’re never getting in the UFC. So go get a real job, chum.”

    This isn’t the first time “Chaos” has thrown shade at Danis, openly ridiculing his UFC ambitions. The two have a long history of exchanging barbed remarks online, trading blows over each other’s MMA careers on social media.

    “El Jefe” was at one point on the UFC’s radar but had little desire to pursue a contract through the Contender Series. Instead, Danis repeatedly lobbied UFC CEO Dana White and COO Hunter Campbell, pressing for a big break based on his past performances.

    Danis previously competed under the Bellator banner, scoring consecutive first-round submission victories over Kyle Walker and Max Humphrey between 2018 and 2019. He now boasts an undefeated professional record of 3-0.

    Dillon Danis UFC dream
    Image: @dillondanis/Instagram
  • Aleksandre Topuria Reportedly Booked For Sophomore Octagon Appearance At UFC Qatar On Nov. 22

    Aleksandre Topuria Reportedly Booked For Sophomore Octagon Appearance At UFC Qatar On Nov. 22

    Aleksandre Topuria is seemingly gearing up for his second UFC fight.

    According to a recent report by Marca’s Irati Prat, Topuria is expected to square off against Bekzat Almakhan in bantamweight bout at UFC Qatar, scheduled for November 22 at ABHA Arena in Doha.

    The upcoming UFC Fight Night will mark the promotion’s first-ever stop in Qatar and its sixth event in Asia this year. The card is already taking shape with several intriguing matchups, including a light heavyweight clash between former champion Jan Blachowicz and Bogdan Guskov, a flyweight tilt featuring Alex Perez vs. Asu Almabayev, and another 205-pound showdown pitting Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev against Rafael Cerqueira.

    When Did Aleksandre Topuria And Bekzat Almakhan Last Compete In UFC?

    Aleksandre Topuria most recently competed at UFC 312 this past February, earning a unanimous decision victory over Colby Thicknesse in his promotional debut.

    The elder brother of reigning UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is riding a four-fight winning streak, with his lone professional setback dating back to May 2015, when he suffered a third-round knockout against Ivo Ivanov under a regional promotion.

    “El Conquistador” now boasts a 6-1 record, with five of those victories coming by way of first-round finishes.

    Meanwhile, Bekzat Almakhan aims to carry the momentum from his first-round knockout of Brad Katona at UFC 315 this past May. The 27-year-old Kazakh prospect made his Octagon debut earlier in March 2024 at UFC Vegas 87, where he fell short against former bantamweight title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision.

    “The Turan Warrior” holds a professional record of 12-2, with 11 of his victories secured inside the distance by way of stoppage.

    Images: @aleksandre_topuria/@ufceurasia/Instagram
  • Mackenzie Dern Discovered She Was Fighting For Vacant Strawweight Title At UFC 321 Via Instagram

    Mackenzie Dern Discovered She Was Fighting For Vacant Strawweight Title At UFC 321 Via Instagram

    Mackenzie Dern’s title opportunity turned out to be just as much of a surprise to her as it was to many fans.

    UFC CEO Dana White confirmed last week that strawweight champion Zhang Weili has relinquished her belt to pursue two-division glory, setting up a superfight with reigning flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko in the co-main event of UFC 322 on November 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    With Zhang stepping aside, Dern now finds herself booked for a high-stakes rematch against former rival Virna Jandiroba, as the two collide for the vacant 115-pound crown in the co-main event of UFC 321 on October 25 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

    Mackenzie Dern Reveals Surprise Discovery Of Title Shot On Instagram

    During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Mackenzie Dern opened up about her upcoming strawweight title clash with Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321.

    The No. 5 ranked contender admitted she was aware a championship opportunity was on the horizon, be it for interim gold or the undisputed crown, but revealed she discovered the final verdict at the same time as everyone else when the UFC made its announcement public.

    “[The UFC] were kind of talking about the interim belt, and that was maybe three weeks ago, four weeks ago,” Dern said. “They were talking about it, but weren’t sure if they were going to do it. Then [we found out], ‘OK, they’re going to do it, [so] we’ll wait until they announce it.’ And then I found out by Instagram that it was going to be for the actual belt when Dana announced it.

    “I texted [my manager] Tiki [Ghosn], ‘Wait, is it the real belt or the interim belt?’ [He said,] ‘Oh, it’s the real belt.’ So that was very recent, the change. We were happy with the interim belt — it’s still a belt and would be the next step to getting the [undisputed] belt. But the fact that it’s for the real belt definitely puts an extra happiness and gratefulness on it.”

    Dern most recently competed at UFC Vegas 101 in January, where she avenged a previous setback against Amanda Ribas with a third-round submission victory. The 32-year-old American-born Brazilian has gone 4-4 over her past eight outings and currently owns a 10-5 record inside the UFC Octagon.

    Dern and Jandiroba first met at UFC 256 in December 2020, where Dern outworked “Carcará” over three rounds to secure a unanimous decision victory.

    Image: UFC.com

  • ‘Give Him A Title Shot’ – Fans React to Colby Covington Making Streamer Quit And Puke In Brutal $30K Sparring Challenge

    ‘Give Him A Title Shot’ – Fans React to Colby Covington Making Streamer Quit And Puke In Brutal $30K Sparring Challenge

    Colby Covington gave a harsh reminder to a streamer of what it means to face a real fighter.

    Covington has remained largely inactive in the Octagon in recent times, but outside of it, he has stayed busy by consistently live streaming and creating content through collaborations with fighters and social media personalities.

    Most recently, one of those collaborations came when Chrogman, a social media personality known for staging street fights with followers, showed up at the UFC PI to test the former UFC interim welterweight champion, only to see the gamble backfire.

    “Chaos” put $30,000 on the line, daring Chrogman to hold his own against him in training, but the challenge quickly turned into a nightmare for the Australian streamer. After allowing Chrogman ample chances to land a shot, Covington flipped the switch and unleashed a barrage of punishing body blows. The assault dropped the social media influencer to the canvas, and moments later, he was seen vomiting inside the cage.

    The polarizing UFC star wasn’t done there, offering Chrogman another shot at the $30,000 if he could survive a single minute on the mats without being submitted. The attempt was short-lived, as Covington tapped him out not once but twice in quick succession. To his credit, Colby Covington later praised the streamer for having the guts to step up and take on the challenge.

    Fans React To Colby Covington Dominating Chrogman In Painful Sparring Session

    Colby Covington’s friendly yet ruthless beatdown of Chrogman drew a wave of mixed reactions from MMA fans. While some relished watching “Chaos” put the streamer in his place, others used the moment to poke fun at Covington’s recent setbacks and the downward slide of his career.

    https://twitter.com/Skinwarsu/status/1962890518691549222

    Covington last competed at UFC Tampa in December 2024, where he endured a lopsided beating before falling to Joaquin Buckley via third-round TKO (doctor’s stoppage).

    “Chaos” has struggled to find consistency in recent years, fighting just six times since 2019 and compiling a 2-4 record during that stretch, which includes two failed bids for UFC gold.

    Colby Covington
    Image: @colbycovington/Instagram
  • UFC Paris: Promising Cage Warriors Champ Accepts Short Notice Call To Keep Fight Alive After Fares Ziam Pullout

    UFC Paris: Promising Cage Warriors Champ Accepts Short Notice Call To Keep Fight Alive After Fares Ziam Pullout

    UFC Paris keeps its full slate of matchups intact.

    On Monday, Fares Ziam revealed that he was forced to pull out from his scheduled lightweight clash with Kaue Fernandes on the upcoming Fight Night main card, citing the tragic passing of his grandmother. With “Smile Killer” out, Fernandes’ situation remained uncertain, with speculation on whether he would stay on the card or be rebooked later.

    However, per a recent report from Al Zullino, Fernandes will remain on the UFC Paris card after securing a new opponent, as Cage Warriors featherweight champion Harry Hardwick has stepped up on just five days’ notice to salvage the matchup.

    Hardwick last competed at Cage Warriors 186 this past March, where he successfully defended his 145-pound title with a technical decision victory over Javier Garcia. “Houdini” is riding a nine-fight unbeaten streak and boasts a professional record of 13-3-1, with seven of his victories coming by way of finish.

    Meanwhile, Fernandes was last in action at UFC London this past March, where he picked up a unanimous decision win over Guram Kutateladze, extending his momentum inside the promotion. The 30-year-old Brazilian first entered the Octagon at UFC São Paulo in November 2023, dropping a razor-close split decision to Marc Diakiese in his debut. He now carries a professional record of 10-2.

    Images: @kauefernandesmma/@harryhardwickmma/Instagram

    How Stacked Is The UFC Paris Card?

    UFC Paris takes place this Saturday, September 6, at the Accor Arena in France with a stacked lineup of 14 bouts, featuring French talent throughout the card. The Fight Night will be headlined by a high-stakes middleweight clash between Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho, a matchup that could carry major title implications.

    Meanwhile, the co-main event pits French favorite Benoît Saint Denis against surging lightweight prospect Mauricio Ruffy. Elsewhere on the card, seasoned featherweight Patricio Pitbull is set to welcome former two-division OKTAGON champion Losene Keita for his highly anticipated UFC debut.

    Here is the confirmed lineup for UFC Paris:

    • Middleweight bout: Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho
    • Lightweight bout: Benoit Saint Denis vs. Mauricio Ruffy
    • Lightweight bout: Bolaji Oki vs. Mason Jones
    • Light heavyweight bout: Modestas Bukauskas vs. Paul Craig
    • Featherweight bout: Patricio Pitbull vs. Losene Keita
    • Lightweight bout: Kaue Fernandes vs. Harry Hardwick
    • Featherweight bout: William Gomis vs. Robert Ruchala
    • Light heavyweight bout: Oumar Sy vs. Brendson Ribeiro
    • Heavyweight bout: Marcin Tybura vs. Ante Delija
    • Welterweight bout: Rhys McKee vs. Axel Sola
    • Welterweight bout: Sam Patterson vs. Trey Waters
    • Middleweight bout: Brad Tavares vs. Robert Bryczek
    • Welterweight bout: Andreas Gustafsson vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov
    • Strawweight bout: Shauna Bannon vs. Sam Hughes
    Image: UFC.com
  • UFC Paris Bout Falls Apart After Fighter Steps Away Due To Family Tragedy

    UFC Paris Bout Falls Apart After Fighter Steps Away Due To Family Tragedy

    The UFC Paris card took a hit just days before the event..

    On Monday, Fares Ziam took to social media to announce he is withdrawing from his scheduled lightweight bout against Kaue Fernandes on the upcoming Fight Night event’s main card following the sudden passing of his grandmother.

    “Following the sudden death of my grandmother, and the organization of her funeral in France and abroad, I regret to cancel my participation in UFC Paris on September 6. Family is my priority,” Ziam wrote on Instagram.

    “Smile Killer” was last seen competing at UFC Saudi Arabia this past February, securing a unanimous decision victory over Mike Davis. Ziam is riding a five-fight winning streak, with his most recent defeat dating back to February 2022 at UFC Vegas 49, where he fell to a first-round submission at the hands of Terrance McKinney.

    The 28-year-old Frenchman boasts a professional MMA record of 17-4, including a 7-2 mark inside the UFC, with notable victories over competitors such as Matt Frevola and Jai Herbert.

    Image: @fares_ziam/Instagram

    As of now, it remains unclear whether a short-notice replacement will step in for Fernandes or if the bout with Ziam will be postponed and rescheduled for a later event.

    Fernandes last fought at UFC London in March, earning a unanimous decision victory over Guram Kutateladze to extend his winning streak in the promotion. The 30-year-old Brazilian made his UFC debut at UFC São Paulo in November 2023, where he narrowly fell to Marc Diakiese via split decision. He currently holds a professional MMA record of 10-2.

    Who Will Headline The UFC Paris Card?

    The UFC Paris card is set for this Saturday, September 6, at the Accor Arena in France. The Fight Night event will be headlined by a crucial middleweight clash between Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho, a bout that could carry significant title implications. In the co-main event, Benoît Saint Denis will take on rising lightweight prospect Mauricio Ruffy.

    The upcoming event will also showcase a wealth of French talent, with former two-division OKTAGON champion Losene Keita standing out as the most anticipated name. Keita is set to face former Bellator titleholder Patricio Pitbull in a highly anticipated featherweight clash.

    Here is the confirmed lineup for UFC Paris:

    • Middleweight bout: Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho
    • Lightweight bout: Benoit Saint Denis vs. Mauricio Ruffy
    • Lightweight bout: Bolaji Oki vs. Mason Jones
    • Light heavyweight bout: Modestas Bukauskas vs. Paul Craig
    • Featherweight bout: Patricio Pitbull vs. Losene Keita
    • Featherweight bout: William Gomis vs. Robert Ruchala
    • Light heavyweight bout: Oumar Sy vs. Brendson Ribeiro
    • Heavyweight bout: Marcin Tybura vs. Ante Delija
    • Welterweight bout: Rhys McKee vs. Axel Sola
    • Welterweight bout: Sam Patterson vs. Trey Waters
    • Middleweight bout: Brad Tavares vs. Robert Bryczek
    • Welterweight bout: Andreas Gustafsson vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov
    • Strawweight bout: Shauna Bannon vs. Sam Hughes
    UFC Octagon
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC
  • Syko Stu Details Brutal Injuries Caused By Raja Jackson After Being Released From Hospital

    Syko Stu Details Brutal Injuries Caused By Raja Jackson After Being Released From Hospital

    Syko Stu (real name Stuart Smith) has been discharged from the hospital following the harrowing incident.

    Last month, the pro wrestler found himself at the center of chaos during a KnokX Pro Wrestling show in Los Angeles. What began as playful banter with Raja Jackson, who was live streaming the night on his KICK channel, was momentarily diffused, only to resurface later.

    Still fuming, Jackson was given the green light by the promotion to exact scripted revenge on Stu, setting the stage for a dramatic in-ring showdown that played off their earlier clash.

    However, the playful banter quickly got out of hand after Jackson was given the green light by a production staffer. Fired up by backstage tensions and encouraged by his livestream audience, the son of former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson carried the fight into the ring, slamming Syko Stu hard to the mat and unleashing a series of unanswered punches that left him unconscious before other wrestlers rushed in to stop the assault.

    Syko Stu Home Recovering After Tooth Loss And Fractured Maxilla Bone

    Syko Stu, together with his partner Contessa Patterson, took to social media on Sunday to share an update with fans. The U.S. Army veteran turned pro wrestler confirmed in a statement that he had finally been released from the hospital after being seriously injured during Raja Jackson’s assault.

    The post detailed that while Syko Stu is recovering well, he endured significant injuries, including fractured jaws, a broken maxilla bone, and the loss of several teeth.

    “Stuart has been released from the hospital and is now home resting. He sustained a serious head injury and was unconscious upon arrival at the ER. His injuries include trauma to both the upper and lower jaws, a laceration to his upper lip, and a fracture to the maxilla bone, which unfortunately resulted in the loss of several teeth.

    “He has a long road of recovery ahead, but he remains in good spirits despite everything he has been through. We are deeply grateful for all the love and support we’ve received during this time. Thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way—whether through monetary donations, food, flowers, or gifts. Your kindness means more than words can express. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. With love and respect, Contessa Patterson & Stuart Smith (aka SykoStu).”

    Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department continues to probe Jackson’s actions, though no charges have been filed against him so far.

  • Craig Jones Puts Chael Sonnen To Sleep Twice With Same Buggy Choke At CJI 2

    Craig Jones Puts Chael Sonnen To Sleep Twice With Same Buggy Choke At CJI 2

    Craig Jones made quick work of Chael Sonnen.

    Sonnen stepped in on less than a week’s notice at Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2) to replace Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, but ended up being submitted twice by the same move.

    On Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, the former UFC multi-time title challenger opened their three-round clash with an early takedown on Jones, only to be ensnared in a vicious buggy choke that rendered him unconscious.

    “The Bad Guy” eventually shook off the cobwebs and agreed to run it back. Shooting for another takedown, Sonnen hunted a leg lock, an attack that offered no real threat against a grappler of Jones’ pedigree. The Australian jiu-jitsu ace quickly countered, locking in yet another buggy choke that once again sent Sonnen out cold.

    The crowd erupted in chants for more as Sonnen lobbied for a best-of-five, drawing laughter from referee John McCarthy. But the bout was waved off, and Jones was officially declared the winner with consecutive buggy chokes.

    Image: @cjiofficial/Instagram

    Following the event, Sonnen shrugged off the loss in trademark fashion on social media, joking that the contract was for a “3 out of 5” format and insisting he was simply relaxing in the position.

    What Happened When Craig Jones First Took On Chael Sonnen?

    The rivalry between Craig Jones and Chael Sonnen goes back to September 2017, when the future CJI founder stunned “The Bad Guy” with a slick heel hook finish in the prestigious ADCC Openweight tournament.

  • Noche UFC: Rob Font To Face Replacement Opponent After Raul Rosas Jr. Pulls Out Of Co Main Event

    Noche UFC: Rob Font To Face Replacement Opponent After Raul Rosas Jr. Pulls Out Of Co Main Event

    The Noche UFC lineup has undergone a shake-up with a little more than two weeks left before fight night.

    According to MMA Junkie’s Nolan, the bantamweight co-main event of Noche UFC between Rob Font and Raul Rosas Jr. has been scrapped after “El Niño Problema” withdrew for undisclosed reasons.

    In turn, Font will now square off against late-replacement David Martinez, who was originally scheduled to face Quang Le on the same card.

    Font will make his second walk to the Octagon this year after edging Jean Matsumoto by split decision at UFC Seattle in February. The 38-year-old heads into the bout riding a two-fight win streak, though inconsistency has marked his recent run with a 3-4 record over his last seven appearances. Holding a 12-7 slate in the UFC, the American has secured seven of those victories by stoppage.

    Meanwhile, Martinez is fresh off an impressive first-round knockout of Saimon Oliveira in his promotional debut at UFC Mexico City this past March. The 27-year-old Mexican earned his UFC deal just months earlier, securing a decision victory over Xavier Franklin on Dana White’s Contender Series in October 2024.

    “Black Spartan” boasts a professional record of 12-1, with 10 of those victories coming by knockout. His lone setback came in April 2021, when he dropped a split decision under the Combate Global banner.

    Image: @blackspartan_official/Instagram

    Who Will Headline Noche UFC?

    This year’s Noche UFC marks the third annual celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day and will take place on September 13 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. The event was originally slated to be UFC 320 in Guadalajara, Mexico, however delays in completing Arena Guadalajara led the promotion to relocate the card to Texas and repackage it as a Fight Night.

    The main event of the upcoming card will feature a marquee featherweight clash, as former title challenger Diego Lopes takes on rising knockout artist Jean Silva. The card also showcases a strawweight bout between former title contenders Tatiana Suarez and Amanda Lemos.

    Here is the confirmed lineup of Noche UFC:

    • Featherweight: Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva
    • Bantamweight: Rob Font vs. David Martinez
    • Strawweight: Tatiana Suarez vs. Amanda Lemos
    • Welterweight: Rodrigo Sezinando vs. Daniil Donchenko
    • Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Dustin Stoltzfus
    • Lightweight: Jared Gordon vs. Rafa García
    • Flyweight: Jesus Aguilar vs. Luis Gurule
    • Women’s bantamweight: Alice Pereira vs. Montserrat Rendon
    • Lightweight: Claudio Puelles vs. Joaquim Silva
    • Middleweight: José Medina vs. Duško Todorović
    • Middleweight: Zach Reese vs. Sedriques Dumas
    • Flyweight: Alessandro Costa vs. Alden Coria
    • Bantamweight: Quang Le vs. TBD

  • Misfits Boxing 22 Results & Highlights: Darren Till Flatlines Luke Rockhold, Tony Ferguson Ends Six-Year Winless Drought

    Misfits Boxing 22 Results & Highlights: Darren Till Flatlines Luke Rockhold, Tony Ferguson Ends Six-Year Winless Drought

    Misfits Boxing 22, also known as MF & DAZN X Series 22: Ring of Thrones, took place on Saturday, August 30, at the AO Arena in Manchester, England, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights.

    In the main event, former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till delivered a devastating third-round knockout over ex-UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold to capture the inaugural MFB bridgerweight crown.

    Adding to the excitement, former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson secured his first win in six years, ending a historic eight-fight losing skid in the UFC, with a third-round TKO victory over Salt Papi for the MFB interim middleweight title.

    Additionally, the Misfits Boxing 22 card featured a rare MMA clash as the controversial Dillon Danis made his long-awaited return to competition after more than six years, submitting Warren Spencer via a 15-second guillotine to capture the inaugural MF MMA light heavyweight championship.

    Misfits Boxing 22 Results

    Main Card

    • MFB bridgerweight title: Darren Till def. Luke Rockhold via knockout (R3, 1:08)
    • Interim MFB middleweight title: Tony Ferguson def. Salt Papi via (R3, 2:43)
    • MF MMA light heavyweight title: Dillon Danis def. Warren Spencer via submission (guillotine) (R1, 0:15)
    • Joey Essex def. Numeiro via majority decision (37-37, 38-36, 39-37)
    • MFB super middleweight title: Ty Mitchell def. Sean Hemphill via split decision (98-95, 95-96, 96-94)
    • MFB heavyweight title: Chase DeMoor (C) def. Natan Marcon via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) (R2, 0:52)
    • Rahim Pardesi def. Amadeusz Ferrari via TKO (R4, 1:05)

    Preliminary Card

    • Amir Anderson def. Vitor Siqueira via KO (R5, 0:55)
    • MFB women’s lightweight title: Carla Jade (C) def. Daryn Harris via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46 x2)
    • Demi Sims def. Nadeshi Hopkin via unanimous decision (40-35 x3)
    • J’Hon Ingram def. Banty Singh via TKO (R2, 1:19)

    Misfits Boxing 22 Highlights

    Carla Jade vs. Daryn Harris

    Demi Sims vs. Nadeshi Hopkin

    J’Hon Ingram vs. Banty Singh

    Amir Anderson vs. Vitor Siqueira

    Amadeusz Ferrari vs. Rahim Pardesi

    Chase DeMoor vs. Natan Marcon

    Joey Essex vs. Numeiro

    Dillon Danis vs. Warren Spencer

    Tony Ferguson vs. Salt Papi

    Darren Till vs. Luke Rockhold

  • Former Champ Jan Blachowicz Returns To Action Against Opponent With Four Straight Finishes At UFC Qatar On Nov. 22

    Former Champ Jan Blachowicz Returns To Action Against Opponent With Four Straight Finishes At UFC Qatar On Nov. 22

    Jan Błachowicz has a dangerous test ahead.

    Blachowicz recently took to social media, hinting that he has already signed the contract for his next fight scheduled later this year.

    On Saturday, Red Corner MMA reported that the former UFC light heavyweight champion is expected to square off against No. 10–ranked contender Bogdan Guskov at UFC Qatar, set to take place on November 22 at the ABHA Arena in Doha.

    The upcoming UFC Fight Night marks the promotion’s debut in Qatar and its fifth event to be held in Asia this year.

    UFC Qatar: How Does Jan Błachowicz’s Record Compare To Bogdan Guskov’s?

    Jan Błachowicz was last in action at UFC London this past March, where he dropped a razor-thin unanimous decision to Carlos Ulberg.

    Once riding high on a five-fight winning streak, highlighted by his knockout of Dominick Reyes at UFC 253 in September 2020 to capture the light heavyweight crown, the 42-year-old Polish veteran now finds himself in the toughest stretch of his career, posting just a 1-3-1 record over his last five outings inside the Octagon.

    Blachowicz enters the matchup with a professional record of 29-11-1, boasting 18 victories by way of finish. His resume features notable stoppage wins over the likes of Luke Rockhold, Thiago Santos, and Nikita Krylov.

    Meanwhile, Bogdan Guskov was last seen at UFC Abu Dhabi in July, where he delivered a first-round knockout against Krylov. Though the 32-year-old Uzbekistani stumbled in his promotional debut with a submission loss to Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Paris in September 2023, he rebounded in spectacular fashion, stringing together four straight victories by way of finish.

    “Czarevitch” holds a professional record of 18-3, with every one of his victories coming by stoppage, including notable finishes over Zac Pauga and Ryan Spann.

    Images: @janblachowicz/@ufceurasia/Instagram

  • VIDEO: Darren Till And Luke Rockhold Had To Be Separated During Heated Faceoff Ahead Of Misfits Boxing 22 Clash

    VIDEO: Darren Till And Luke Rockhold Had To Be Separated During Heated Faceoff Ahead Of Misfits Boxing 22 Clash

    Tensions are heating up between Darren Till and Luke Rockhold ahead of their weekend clash.

    Both former UFC stars are set to face each other in the main event of Misfits Boxing 22: ‘Ring of Thrones’, where they will battle for the inaugural MFB bridgerweight title in a six-round showdown this Saturday at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.

    Till is poised to make his third appearance for the Misfits Boxing banner. Earlier this year, “The Gorilla” secured back-to-back victories over Anthony Taylor and Darren Stewart. Since leaving the UFC in February 2023, where he compiled a 6-5-1 record, the former welterweight title challenger has found a new home in boxing.

    Meanwhile, Rockhold is set to make his gloved boxing debut after dabbling in bare-knuckle competition with BKFC in April 2023. He was last seen in action at Karate Combat 45 in April 2024, where he secured a TKO win over Joe Schilling. The former UFC middleweight champion left the organization after a unanimous decision defeat to Paulo Costa at UFC 278 in August 2022.

    Image: @lukerockhold/Instagram

    Darren Till And Luke Rockhold Agree To Sudden Rule Change Amid Heated Faceoff

    On Thursday, Darren Till and Luke Rockhold attended the pre-fight press conference, radiating the same fiery tension that marked their initial faceoff last month. The presser quickly escalated, with both fighters exchanging heated words on the mic. Things predictably spiraled out of control, forcing security to step in and separate them before it turned into a full-blown melee.

    Amid the volley of profanities, “The Gorilla” confronted Rockhold over his alleged refusal to agree to an eight-round bout.

    “Let’s make it eight rounds,” Darren Till said. “You said to Mams [Taylor] you would pull out of the fight if it was eight. I’m ready for eight. So who’s the coke head?”

    Rockhold quickly countered and took the challenge, but even a handshake attempt on stage nearly sparked a full-on fight. The fighters ultimately appeared to settle on an eight-round main event, with Till threatening to pull out if the condition wasn’t met.

    The face-off quickly mirrored the intensity from earlier, with Till continuing to demand an eight-round bout while security held both opponents back. At that moment, the Scouser shoved Rockhold, nearly igniting chaos.

  • Chael Sonnen Steps In On Short Notice To Face Craig Jones At CJI 2 After Gable Steveson’s Withdrawal

    Chael Sonnen Steps In On Short Notice To Face Craig Jones At CJI 2 After Gable Steveson’s Withdrawal

    Chael Sonnen is reportedly making his return to the canvas.

    Earlier this week, Gable Steveson withdrew from his scheduled grappling showdown against Craig Jones in the main event of CJI 2 this Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, due to a turf toe injury.

    However, on Tuesday, Sonnen claimed on his YouTube channel that he had spoken with Jones and agreed to step in on short notice to face him this weekend, replacing the Olympic gold medalist.


    On Thursday, combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani verified the former UFC light heavyweight challenger’s claims, reporting that Sonnen will indeed face the Australian grappling star. Helwani noted that “The Bad Guy” will be undertaking a whirlwind schedule, calling the first Real American Freestyle Wrestling event in Cleveland on Saturday before hopping on an early Sunday flight to Las Vegas to compete at CJI 2 that same evening.

    Have Chael Sonnen And Craig Jones Competed Against Each Other Before?

    Chael Sonnen and Craig Jones have a history on the mats, dating back to September 2017 when the BJJ champion secured a heel hook submission over Sonnen at the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Openweight tournament.

    Jones was last seen in action at CJI 1 in August 2024, submitting Gabi Garcia with a first-round rear-naked choke. His most recent defeat came in September 2022, when he narrowly lost on points to Kaynan Duarte at ADCC.

    Meanwhile, Sonnen last competed in an exhibition boxing match against longtime UFC rival Anderson Silva in June 2024, which ended in a draw. “The Bad Guy” retired from MMA with a professional record of 30-18-1, concluding his career with a knockout loss to Lyoto Machida at Bellator 222 in June 2019.

    OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 07: Chael Sonnen punches Anderson Silva during the UFC Middleweight Championship bout at Oracle Arena on August 7, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

  • Chael Sonnen Drops Striking Theory On What Drove Jon Jones To PEDs – ‘That’s The Life He Chose’

    Chael Sonnen Drops Striking Theory On What Drove Jon Jones To PEDs – ‘That’s The Life He Chose’

    Chael Sonnen believes he knows why Jon Jones chose a tainted path in his career.

    Jones is often hailed as the greatest MMA fighter of all time, and his resume more than justifies that. At 23, “Bones” made history as the UFC’s youngest champion by winning the light heavyweight title. He holds a 28-1 record and has remained unbeaten in 17 world title fights.

    However, Jones’ longtime rival Daniel Cormier holds a starkly different perspective. The UFC Hall of Famer recently stirred headlines by leaving Jones off his Mount Rushmore of MMA greats, pointing to the shadow of failed drug tests and controversies that cloud his otherwise legendary career.

    The former two-division UFC champion’s illustrious career has been marred by multiple failed drug tests, most notably a positive result for a turinabol metabolite following his knockout win over “DC” in their UFC 214 rematch in July 2017, which was later overturned to a no contest.

    “Bones” also failed a drug test for the estrogen blockers clomiphene and letrozole following his victory over Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 197 in April 2016, costing him the UFC 205-pound title.

    Jon Jones
    Image: @espnmma/X

    Chael Sonnen Claims Jon Jones Used PEDs Out Of Insecurity, Not Necessity

    During a recent episode of Good Guy/Bad Guy with Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen, who has openly acknowledged using performance-enhancing drugs during his fighting days, offered his theory on what may have pushed Jon Jones to resort to banned substances despite his repeated denials.

    The UFC veteran-turned-analyst suggested that “Bones” resorted to PEDs out of insecurity, arguing that even with his extraordinary talent, there came a point where self-doubt crept in.

    “Everybody goes down that road where they cheat the rules because they somewhere had an insecurity,” Chael Sonnen said. “They somewhere wanted an edge and then they come back, go, ‘But I could have done it anyway.’ Well, maybe you didn’t think you could. If you thought you could, you would have not put a synthetic chemical substance into your as*.

    “It’s just one of those things, and Jon really gets upset about that. He doesn’t deny the hit-and-runs. He doesn’t deny the cocaine allegations. That’s the one that bothers him, the picogram and the couple of failed tests. That’s a very common thing with athletes. I do believe Jon could have been champ of the world without steroids, but somewhere within him, at some point, he doubted that, and that’s the life he chose.”

  • Daniel Cormier Strongly Refutes Khabib Nurmagomedov Giving Arman Tsarukyan ’80-20′ Chance To Beat Ilia Topuria – ‘I Don’t Believe That for One Second’

    Daniel Cormier Strongly Refutes Khabib Nurmagomedov Giving Arman Tsarukyan ’80-20′ Chance To Beat Ilia Topuria – ‘I Don’t Believe That for One Second’

    Daniel Cormier holds a contrasting view to Khabib Nurmagomedov when it comes to Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan.

    Topuria is widely regarded as one of the most well-rounded fighters in modern MMA, holding a flawless 17-0 record with 15 finishes, including victories over former UFC champions Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski.

    Adding to his legacy, “El Matador” etched his name in history by becoming a two-division UFC champion, securing the lightweight crown with a knockout win over Oliveira at UFC 317.

    However, “The Eagle” believes Topuria’s reign could be in serious jeopardy if he ever defends his title against Tsarukyan. Nurmagomedov recently claimed that “Ahalkalakets” is far more skilled than the Spaniard and would surely defeat him should they cross paths inside the Octagon.

    Images: @iliatopuria/@arm_011/Instagram

    Daniel Cormier Disputes Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Assessment Of Ilia Topuria Potentially Struggling Against Arman Tsarukyan

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Daniel Cormier shared his thoughts on Khabib Nurmagomedov heavily favoring Arman Tsarukyan to defeat reigning UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria in a potential showdown.

    “80-20 [%] is crazy, though. 80-20 is hard when anyone’s fighting,” Cormier said. “The only time 80-20 could be thought of in fights has been in the case of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Jon Jones. They’re the only people that have gone through this whole thing without losing. They are the only two. So you could have possibly said, ‘Well, yeah, it’s probably about 80% that guy’s way, because they never lose.”

    The UFC Hall of Famer firmly pushed back against his former training partner Nurmagomedov’s assertion, arguing that a fighter of Topuria’s caliber is not someone who can be dismissed so easily.

    “Guess who else hasn’t lost? Ilia Topuria. To put him on the opposite side of that 80%-20% is crazy. I don’t believe that for one second. I really do disagree with Khabib on that one. There is not a guy in the world that I believe is gonna beat Ilia Topuria 8 out of 10 times. That’s the truth.”

  • Magomed Ankalaev Confidently Eyes Heavyweight Future Following UFC 320 Title Defense

    Magomed Ankalaev Confidently Eyes Heavyweight Future Following UFC 320 Title Defense

    Magomed Ankalaev is targeting UFC two-division champion status in the near future.

    Ankalaev captured the light heavyweight crown earlier this year at UFC 313, narrowly defeating former champion Alex Pereira via a hard-fought unanimous decision in March.

    Now, “Big Ank” is setting his sights on moving up a weight class to assert his dominance on an even bigger stage. But before he can chase those ambitions, the Russian champion must first settle the score with Pereira in their highly anticipated rematch, headlining UFC 320 on October 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Magomed Ankalaev Maps Out Path For Moving Up To UFC Heavyweight Division

    Since joining the UFC light heavyweight division in March 2018, Magomed Ankalaev has faced nearly every top contender and compiled an impressive 14-fight unbeaten streak, including notable wins over Aleksandar Rakic, Johnny Walker, and Thiago Santos.

    If “Big Ank” overcomes Alex Pereira once more at UFC 320, he will have little left to prove in the 205-pound division and would instantly be a contender among the heavyweights. During a recent interview with Ushatayka, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion revealed his plans to fight at least two more times before stepping up to the heavyweight division to test his skills against the biggest names in the sport.

    “A heavy weight? These thoughts keep coming to me,” Ankalaev said. “I think a couple or three more fights. I think, two fights, and then I will think of moving to the heavy division.”

    Ankalaev’s sole professional loss came at UFC London in March 2018, where he fell to Paul Craig via a last-minute submission. Since then, the only mark on his UFC record was a draw against former champion Jan Blachowicz for the 205-pound title at UFC 282 in December 2022.

    Magomed Ankalaev
    Images: @ufc/Instagram

  • Quinton Jackson Speaks On Raja Jackson’s Assault On Wrestler Syko Stu – ‘I Don’t Condone What My Son Did’

    Quinton Jackson Speaks On Raja Jackson’s Assault On Wrestler Syko Stu – ‘I Don’t Condone What My Son Did’

    Quinton Jackson is seeking forgiveness in wake of his son’s shocking actions.

    Last weekend, the former UFC champion’s son, Raja Jackson, attended a KnokX Pro Wrestling event in Los Angeles, streaming the night live on his KICK channel. During the event, he clashed with wrestler Stuart Smith, aka Syko Stu, in a heated altercation that was briefly defused. Still unsettled, Raja was later cleared by the promotion to deliver a scripted payback, staging a dramatic in-ring clash as a continuation of the earlier dispute.

    However, what was meant to be harmless scripted banter quickly descended into chaos once Raja received the green light from a production staffer. Still fueled by his backstage tensions and egged on by his livestream audience, Jackson Jr. dragged the animosity into the ring, slamming Stu hard onto the canvas before unleashing a relentless barrage of unanswered punches that left him unconscious until other wrestlers intervened.

    While “Rampage” initially offered a measured response to the incident, he now had more to share publicly.

    Quinton Jackson Breaks Silence After Son Raja’s Assault in Wrestling Ring

    During a recent live stream on his KICK channel, Quinton Jackson addressed Raja’s attack on Syko Stu, grappling with his roles as both a father and a public figure. While he strongly condemned his son’s violent actions, he expressed a desire for reconciliation with the U.S. Army veteran turned pro wrestler.

    “I feel bad about what happened to Syko Stu,” Quinton Jackson said. “I don’t condone what my son did at all… I’m a father, so you know I gotta have my son’s back. But I’m gonna let justice play out. Being a father in hard moments like this, sometimes you’re proud of your kid and sometimes you’re not. At the end of the day you’re still a father… Hopefully one day I can meet SykoStu and shake his hand. I hope Syko Stu can forgive me as a dad for not understanding everything. Let’s see what happens”.

    Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department continues its investigation into Raja’s conduct, while it was confirmed on Wednesday that Stu has regained consciousness and is now able to communicate with his loved ones at the hospital.

  • Andrew Tate Reportedly In Deep Negotiations For Misfits Boxing Heavyweight Debut In Late 2025

    Andrew Tate Reportedly In Deep Negotiations For Misfits Boxing Heavyweight Debut In Late 2025

    Andrew Tate could be returning to combat sports before year’s end.

    Tate is one of the most polarizing social media figures, drawing widespread criticism for his misogynistic views while still maintaining a strong following among young men worldwide.

    Before rising to infamy for his controversial rhetoric, the 38-year-old American-born Brit made his name as a professional kickboxer, amassing a reported record of 76-9-1 with 32 victories coming by way of stoppage.

    “Cobra” last competed in December 2020, earning a second-round TKO win under a regional promotion in Bucharest, Romania. Though absent from official competition since, he frequently showcases sparring footage on social media to remind fans of his fighting pedigree.

    Image: @Cobratate/X

    Andrew Tate Reportedly Closing In On Misfits Boxing Deal

    On Tuesday, combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani reported that Andrew Tate is in advanced discussions to make his Misfits Boxing debut in a heavyweight clash slated for later this year.

    Reports also suggest that a formal confirmation of Tate’s involvement could arrive as early as this Saturday during the Misfits Boxing 22 event in Manchester, England.

    “Cobra” and his younger brother, Tristan Tate are entangled in a web of legal battles, facing a slew of grave allegations ranging from sexual assault and human trafficking to money laundering and leading an organized crime ring accused of exploiting women.

    The Tate brothers were arrested in Romania in 2022 on these charges and remain under scrutiny, with an additional criminal investigation currently underway in Florida.

    Image: @Cobratate/X