MMA News

Author: Thomas Albano

  • VIDEO: Jacobe Smith Violently KOs Josiah Harrell at UFC Houston

    Jacobe Smith is making a case of being a rising star in the welterweight division, stamping such with a brutal first-round knockout of Josiah Harrell at UFC Houston.

    Smith controlled the fight from the beginning, landing some solid right hands while stopping the takedown attempts of Harrell. One of those attempts from Harrell resulted in Smith rolling through and getting into top control.

    Once there, Smith rained down blows to knock out Harrell. He then used his post-fight interview to call out Kevin Holland.

    Smith now moves to 12-0 and is 3-0 in the UFC since arriving off a performance on Dana White’s Contender Series. Last year, Smith knocked out Preston Parsons and choked out Niko Price in the Octagon.

    This marked the first loss of Harrell’s MMA career. This marked his UFC debut, coming into this bout off a third-round win over Bekmyrza Dosmatov in LFA last month.

  • VIDEO: Joselyne Edwards Injures, Submits Nora Cornolle After Slam

    VIDEO: Joselyne Edwards Injures, Submits Nora Cornolle After Slam

    A UFC Houston card that seemed to start slow picked up in an eye-opening way during the prelims, courtesy of Joselyne Edwards defeating Nora Cornolle.

    Cornolle controlled the action to take the first round on all three judges’ cards. But the second round, however, saw things change with Cornolle in Edwards’ grasp.

    Near the midway point of the second round, Edwards lifted Cornolle and slammed her to the mat with a big impact. Cornolle seemed to be finished, as Edwards pounded with some follow-up shots.

    Cornolle stood up but still seemed dazed, and Edwards took advantage, scoring a quick takedown and locking in a choke for the submission win.

    The aftermath would see Cornolle on the mat in pain, clutching at the shoulder she landed on in the slam. Cornolle needed assistance in leaving the Octagon.

    This was a rematch from UFC Paris in September 2023, a bout that Cornolle won via decision.

    Edwards has now won four straight. She entered this bout off finishes of Chelsea Chandler and Priscila Cachoeira last year.

    Cornolle has now lost three of her last four. She is 2-3 since the win over Edwards.

  • Sean Strickland Calls UFC Pay Practices “Predatory”

    Sean Strickland Calls UFC Pay Practices “Predatory”

    Sean Strickland shared honest thoughts about pay for fighters in the UFC, criticizing the pay scale as a predatory practice that the fighters have no control over.

    Speaking with Complex, Strickland was asked about the promotion’s decision to increase post-fight bonus awards from $50,000 to $100,000 — plus $25,000 for finishes.

    Strickland explained that while it looks like the UFC fighters are being paid more under the new Paramount deal, that isn’t exactly the case.

    “The UFC is the most, as far as the pay scale, there is no — you compare it to any other sporting event, the UFC is the most f***** up,” Strickland said. “If you compare it to like pay versus athletes versus what they’re making, there is no argument there. It’s not fair, it’s predatory. There is no argument there.

    “Now we’re a bunch of f****** idiots who take our clothes off and go fight for f****** shorten our lives for this. So like, do we deserve better? I don’t f****** know. I’m just telling you that there is no argument here that the UFC is not predatory.”

    It’s more common knowledge these days that the revenue share for UFC fighters is lackluster compared to athletes in other sports leagues. While athletes from leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB see around a 45-50 percent share of revenue, the UFC fighters — who have no collective bargaining agreement with the promotion — see only about 13-20 percent.

    That figure comes courtesy of an antitrust lawsuit — Le v. Zuffa — against the UFC that was settled in 2025. Another antitrust lawsuit — Johnson v. Zuffa — regarding the UFC’s business practices is still ongoing.

    Ronda Rousey echoed similar sentiments in a recent interview, claiming TKO’s focus on “cost-effective” fights played into why MVP Promotions, and not the UFC, are hosting her fight with Gina Carano in May. TKO formed in 2023 as part of a business merger between the UFC and WWE.

    Strickland added that it doesn’t matter if fighters do or don’t speak out about the pay issue — because there aren’t any hints of the pay for fighters changing anytime soon. In fact, Strickland stated fighters might be better off working corporate jobs than spending all their time training and competing in the Octagon.

    “…What are they signing guys [for]? 10 and 10? How much is f****** rent in Vegas? It’s like $2,000, $1,600, $1,400?” Strickland said. “So it’s like, once you pay your managers, your taxes, how the f*** you supposed to live on that? ‘Well, you could fight four times a year.’ Okay, so you go 3-1. Like, no, you’ll make more money at f****** Walmart, dude. But it’s what the UFC wants, man. It’s all just f****** corporate.

    “Why do I want to go compete with a Brazilian where he could go make money and live pretty nicely, to where you can’t do that in America? Why would anybody want that? It doesn’t make sense.”

    It’s been noted that Kayla Harrison is the only American UFC undisputed champion, with Justin Gaethje holding an interim title and Max Holloway holding the BMF belt.

    Strickland hinted this might be something we see for good if the pay structure does not undergo a major overhaul.

    “You say no to a fight. Well, guess what? They’re go find some f****** guy in some f****** sandpit and they’ll do it for f****** five and five,” Strickland said. “This is why you’re slowly gonna see the American roster die because it’s outsourced by people…”

    Strickland faces Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston.

  • UFC Houston: Strickland vs. Hernandez Results & Highlights

    UFC Houston: Strickland vs. Hernandez Results & Highlights

    UFC Houston results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The UFC is on the road with a Fight Night card for the first time this year. The main event will feature a key middleweight battle between Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez – Middleweight Main Event

    This bout marks Strickland’s first since losing a middleweight title rematch to Dricus Du Plessis last year. Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya to win the UFC middleweight title in upset fashion at UFC 293, but he dropped the gold in a close decision against Du Plessis at UFC 297. In the time between the two title fights with DDP, Strickland bested Paulo Costa via split decision at UFC 302.

    After a win on Dana White’s Contender Series was overturned and a 1-2 start to his Octagon tenure, Hernandez enters tonight on an eight-fight win streak. In 2025, “Fluffy” scored a unanimous decision over Brendan Allen and a dominant submission of Roman Dolidze.

    The co-main event will be a welterweight battle between Geoff Neal and Uros Medic. Neal enters this fight with losses in three of his last four. This is his first fight since getting knocked out by Carlos Prates at UFC 319. Medic, meanwhile, has won three of his last four, including first-round finishes of Gilbert Urbina and Muslim Salikhov last year.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC Houston!

    How to Watch UFC Houston

    • Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
    • Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
    • Streaming: Paramount+ (exclusive)
    • Prelims: 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT
    • Main Card: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT

    UFC Houston Quick Results

    • Main Event: Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez — Sean Strickland def. Anthony Hernandez via TKO (Rd. 3, 2:23)
    • Co-Main: Geoff Neal vs. Uros Medic — Uros Medic def. Geoff Neal via KO (Rd. 1, 1:19)
    • Dan Ige vs. Melquizael Costa — Melquizael Costa def. Dan Ige via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:56)
    • Serghei Spivac vs. Ante Delija — Serghei Spivac def. Ante Delija via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
    • Jacobe Smith vs. Josiah Harrell — Jacobe Smith def. Josiah Harrell via KO (Rd. 1, 3:01)
    • Zachary Reese vs. Michel Pereira — Michel Pereira def. Zachary Reese via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    UFC Houston Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Women’s Flyweight: Juliana Miller vs. Carli Judice

    Result: Carli Judice def. Juliana Miller via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)

    Featherweight: Jordan Leavitt vs. Yadier del Valle

    Result: Jordan Leavitt def. Yadier del Valle via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Welterweight: Phil Rowe vs. Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani

    Result: Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani def. Phil Rowe via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Welterweight: Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Punahele Soriano

    Result: Punahele Soriano def. Ramiz Brahimaj via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Women’s Bantamweight: Nora Cornolle vs. Joselyne Edwards

    Result: Joselyne Edwards def. Nora Cornolle via submission (rear-naked choke)(Rd. 2, 2:44)

    Flyweight: Alden Coria vs. Luis Gurule

    Result: Alden Coria def. Luis Gurule via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Flyweight: Ode Osbourne vs. Alibi Idiris

    Result: Alibi Idiris def. Ode Osbourne via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)

    Welterweight: Chidi Njokuani vs. Carlos Leal

    Result: Carlos Leal def. Chidi Njokuani via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28

    Main Card (Paramount+, 8 PM ET)

    Middleweight: Zachary Reese vs. Michel Pereira

    Result: Michel Pereira def. Zachary Reese via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Welterweight: Jacobe Smith vs. Josiah Harrell

    Result: Jacobe Smith def. Josiah Harrell via KO (Rd. 1, 3:01)

    Heavyweight: Serghei Spivac vs. Ante Delija

    Result: Serghei Spivac def. Ante Delija via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

    Featherweight: Dan Ige vs. Melquizael Costa

    Result: Melquizael Costa def. Dan Ige via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:56)

    Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Uros Medic

    Result: Uros Medic def. Geoff Neal via KO (Rd. 1, 1:19)

    Middleweight: Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez

    Result: Sean Strickland def. Anthony Hernandez via TKO (Rd. 3, 2:23)

  • Javier Mendez: Ian Garry Won’t Get the Best of Islam on the Ground

    Javier Mendez: Ian Garry Won’t Get the Best of Islam on the Ground

    Ian Machado Garry might be teasing that he’s next in line to challenge Islam Makhachev; however, Javier Mendez, Makhachev’s coach, is implying that Garry is no threat.

    Garry has recently revealed that he is in Georgia, looking to improve his wrestling abilities for a potential title matchup with Makhachev. Georgia is known for producing high-level wrestling talent, including former bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili.

    Given the current state of the welterweight rankings, it’s not confirmed who will be the first to challenge Makhachev, but Garry — currently ranked No. 2 — is making a big push.

    But according to Mendez, the head of the American Kickboxing Academy, that won’t matter because of Makhachev’s advantages when the fight goes to the mat.

    “He does well with Islam on the standup because he’s rangy, he’s tricky, all those — but on the ground, he does okay, but he doesn’t survive on the ground,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “He might survive five rounds, but he won’t get the the best of Islam on the ground. That I’m 100 percent sure about that.

    Though Garry has studied judo, he is better known for using his size and range. The 6’3″ welterweight uses his lankiness and frame to get the better of opponents with his striking.

    “On the stand up, he’s pretty tricky,” Mendez admitted. “So, one punch can change everything on that. One kick, one punch, one knee…so, that’s a different story. But on the ground, I don’t see him dominating. I see him surviving, possibly…and then the takedown defense, that he is decent, but not great enough to stop Islam from taking him down.”

    Mendez also admitted that Makhachev had preferred a matchup with Kamaru Usman, given Usman is a former champion and has perhaps the most star power out of the potential challenger list.

    A matchup with Garry, however, is still entertaining and more than welcome.

    “I feel good about it,” Mendez said. “He’s a well-known guy. He’s very highly skilled, and I look forward to the challenge.”

    Makhachev claimed the welterweight title with a dominant win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322. The win made Makhachev the latest UFC fighter to win titles in two different weight divisions during their career.

    Garry is 17-1 and most recently bested another former welterweight champion in Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar two weeks after Makhachev’s title win over JDM.

    The UFC has yet to announce the next title challenger at 170. Shavkat Rakhmonov was recently removed from the welterweight rankings due to inactivity, as he suffered another setback due to injury.

  • Sean Strickland Predicts He’ll Out-Wrestle Fluffy at UFC Houston

    Sean Strickland Predicts He’ll Out-Wrestle Fluffy at UFC Houston

    Sean Strickland feels he has all the skills that will give him a big edge when he faces off with Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston this weekend.

    Strickland is known for being a pressure-heavy fighter, but most of that comes from his boxing. Strickland, in fact, prefers to use his fists when in combat.

    But that doesn’t mean he’s not a good grappler; in fact, Strickland, who is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, is considered underrated in the discipline.

    Hernandez is known for his grappling, but Strickland says anyone expecting “Fluffy” to succeed with takedowns and wrestling might be in for a surprise.

    During the UFC Houston media day, Strickland hinted that he may use grappling to help him set up a late finish.

    “I’m not the hardest guy to take down — and I don’t care about getting taken down,” Strickland said. “I think it’s going to be a five-round grappling match, which I will out-grapple him. And then I’ll TKO him in the fourth or fifth round.”

    Strickland, in fact, says he’s been looking forward to this matchup with Hernandez as a means of testing his grappling capabilities.

    “I’ve never done much grappling, especially this late into my career, so this is a test that I wanted,” Strickland said. “I do much more wrestling than I do striking in my training camps — so really it’s just having the gas tank to wrestle for five rounds.

    “Generally, he takes guys down and breaks them, but I’m not a guy who breaks.”

    Strickland is 4-2 in his last six. This will be his first fight since losing a middleweight championship rematch with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312. Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the title at UFC 293 but dropped the title to DDP at UFC 297.

    Hernandez has won eight straight, including a decision win over Brendan Allen and a submission win over Roman Dolidze last year.

  • Ronda Rousey & Gina Carano To Undergo Extensive Pre-Fight Testing

    Ronda Rousey & Gina Carano To Undergo Extensive Pre-Fight Testing

    The pre-fight medicals that Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano will have to go through ahead of their May 16 matchup will be more extensive than the usual for an MMA fighter.

    Per an update from ESPN, Andy Foster — California State Athletic Commission executive director — confirmed that Rousey and Carano will be mandated to go through medical and neurological testing that is more than what is normally required.

    Perhaps the most noteworthy of the additional medical requirements is that the 39-year-old Rousey must go through concussion battery testing.

    “We’re going to put her through neurological and concussion battery testing and make sure she’s OK,” Foster said. “We’re going to have our doctors take a look. The fighters are going to have to do a lot of medicals.”

    In her years away from the Octagon, Rousey has come clean about her history and battles with concussions. The inaugural UFC women’s bantamweight champion and former Olympic bronze medal judoka admitted that she kept concussion diagnoses hidden from the UFC and fight officials, fearing a premature end to her career, as well as a target being placed on her in fights.

    The 43-year-old Carano, however, will go through her own set of in-depth testing due to her inactivity and age. The CSAC requires fighters over the age of 40 must undergo the following: a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, electrocardiogram (EKG), cardiac testing, an exercise stress echocardiogram, neurocognitive testing, blood work, metabolic panel and ophthalmologic eye exam.

    This is in accordance of recommendations from the Association of Ringside Physicians.

    In spite of the extensive testing, Foster assures that if both women pass everything, the fight will go through.

    “As long as these women pass their medicals and pass all their neurological batteries and do the things they need to do, there’s nothing wrong with this fight,” Foster said.

    Rousey, a 2018 inductee of the UFC Hall of Fame, has not fought in MMA since her sub-minute loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. She has since had a couple of stints with the WWE, becoming a multiple-time women’s world champion.

    Carano, meanwhile, has not fought since her August 2009 loss to Cris Cyborg in Strikeforce. After the end of her MMA run, Carano had a successful transition to Hollywood, earning roles in films such as Fast & the Furious 6 and Deadpool, as well as the first two seasons of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian.

    Rousey vs. Carano will headline the first MMA card for MVP Promotions, taking place on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California, and airing on Netflix.

  • Javier Mendez: Usman Nurmagomedov Will Win the UFC Title

    Javier Mendez: Usman Nurmagomedov Will Win the UFC Title

    If one were to believe Javier Mendez, Usman Nurmagomedov will have the same success with a quest for gold in the UFC as he did in PFL.

    Nurmagomedov, the current PFL lightweight champion, will be a free agent at the end of the year. While there is no guarantee yet on what his future will be, let alone what his next fight is, many speculate he will jump to the UFC.

    This is a move that Mendez sees happening. The American Kickboxing Academy leader, who trains Nurmagomedov, as well as the longtime trainer of his cousin — the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov — guarantees that if Usman Nurmagomedov goes to the UFC, he will become a champion.

    “When he gets in there, I believe he’s going to win the title,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “He’s that good. People just — they’re going to doubt because he’s not in the UFC. Whatever; this kid’s that good.”

    Mendez quickly followed and clarified that this would be a prediction if he gets to the UFC, saying there is a chance Usman Nurmagomedov never becomes part of the UFC roster during his career.

    Javier Mendez Confident Usman Nurmagomedov Will Succeed With a Move to UFC

    Lightweight has been a prominent division within the UFC over the last decade. To this day, it is filled with a high level of talented athletes, especially those in the top-10 of the title picture.

    A move to the UFC would bring about ideas of new and potentially entertaining matchups for Nurmagomedov that can include the likes of current undisputed champion Ilia Topuria, interim champion Justin Gaethje, Paddy Pimblett, Arman Tsarukyan, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira.

    Of course, concern will be had over how Nurmagomedov would fare in the UFC. While some fighters who have jumped from one promotion to the UFC, including Gaethje and Kayla Harrison, have fared well for themselves, others like the recently released Patchy Mix have not.

    Mendez feels Nurmagomedov’s work with his cousin, as well as fighters like former UFC lightweight champion and current UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, gives him an edge in being able to hang with this crop of talent.

    “That’s why I make some bold statements, because I get to see that,” Mendez said. “If I didn’t get to see that, I don’t think I would make those bold statements. I get to see him, so I can see what he can do.

    “…I get to watch him with the best that’s ever done it.”

    Nurmagomedov fought in the main event of PFL Dubai earlier this month, retaining the PFL lightweight championship with a finish of Alfie Davis.

    The question as of now becomes if the PFL will give him another title defense fight to finish out his contract before the end of 2026 — or leave him on the shelf to end his contract at the latest date possible while trying to work out a new deal with him.

  • Justin Jaynes Suspended 18 Months For Cocaine; Faces Nevada Ban

    Justin Jaynes Suspended 18 Months For Cocaine; Faces Nevada Ban

    The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has suspended Justin Jaynes retroactively for 18 months after a failed drug test following his most recent MMA fight.

    Per Damon Martin of MMA Fighting, Jaynes will be eligible to compete again after April 24, 2027 — a suspension that goes back to his fight with Marlon Gonzales at Tuff-N-Uff 149 on October 25.

    Jaynes tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite.

    During the NSAC meeting to approve the measure, chairman Dallas Haun implied that another drug-related sanction against Jaynes could result in “Guitar Hero” being outright banned for life by the commission.

    “I have a problem, the third drug offense,” Haun said. “The proposed adjudication agreement I think is fine, but I think we need to add that if Mr. Jaynes comes back for any drug-related [offense] then he will be barred from the state of Nevada permanently, would be my input.”

    In addition to the suspension, Jaynes was fined $200 and had to pay $250.60 in prosecution fees.

    The status of Jaynes’ victory over Marlon Gonzales in October is unclear. Martin reports the commission upheld the victory; however, Tapology lists the fight as a no-contest.

    Jaynes, who is 17-11 in MMA, fought for the UFC in 2020 and 2021. Jaynes earned a performance bonus in his debut with a 41-second finish of Frank Camacho, but he then lost to Gavin Tucker, Gabriel Benitez, Devonte Smith, and Charles Rosa before being cut by the promotion.

    Jaynes went 1-3 after being released by the UFC and lost to Lloyd Mix in a bare-knuckle boxing bout last year.

  • “Poetry In Motion” – Reactions To Mario Bautista Submitting Vinicius Oliveira

    “Poetry In Motion” – Reactions To Mario Bautista Submitting Vinicius Oliveira

    Mario Bautista is seeking to re-enter the top-five at bantamweight and get back into the title picture, defeating Vinicius Oliveira in the main event of UFC Vegas 113.

    Oliveira had control early in the opening round, keeping Bautista against the fence for a couple of minutes as the two worked a clinch battle. Bautista, however, scored a takedown late in the round, with Oliveira seemingly comfortable with doing work from the guard.

    Bautista scored another takedown nearly right away in the second round, adding another one quickly and staying on top of Oliveira in spite of the latter quickly returning to his feet each time. Another takedown from Bautista on a gassed Oliveira kept him down for the rest of the round.

    Bautista rained down ground-and-pound in the final minute before looking for a kimura. As Oliveira looked to defend, Bautista used the kimura lock to transition to the back, locking up a tight rear-naked choke for the submission victory.

    Mario Bautista Submits Vinicius Oliveira At UFC Vegas 113

    Bautista rebounds from his UFC 321 loss to Umar Nurmagomedov, a fight that snapped an eight-fight win streak. That streak saw Bautista score wins over the likes of Jose Aldo, Patchy Mix, and Ricky Simon.

    Oliveira sees a six-fight win streak snapped with this loss, his first in the Octagon. He had not dropped an MMA fight since losing to Ali Taleb in UAE Warriors in July 2022.

  • “Will Be UFC Champion…” – Reactions To Kyoji Horiguchi’s Performance At UFC Vegas 113

    “Will Be UFC Champion…” – Reactions To Kyoji Horiguchi’s Performance At UFC Vegas 113

    After already capturing gold in Bellator and RIZIN, UFC Vegas 113’s Kyoji Horiguchi is aiming for the UFC flyweight championship to be next to add to his mantle.

    Horiguchi defeated Amir Albazi in a pivotal flyweight contenders’ matchup that served as the UFC Vegas 113 co-main event.

    The two felt each other out to start the fight, with Horiguchi looking to show off his speed. Albazi pinned Horiguchi to the fence on a couple of occasions during the round. Both also flashed their power, with Albazi at one point scoring a knockdown with a right hand.

    Albazi continued to look to go through Horiguchi’s speedy storm and press him. Horiguchi, however, landed a pair of right hands during the second round that wobbled Albazi. Horiguchi’s speed and footwork led him to take a notable lead in significant strikes through two rounds.

    Albazi’s corner encouraged him to be wrestling-heavy in the third, and Albazi got Horiguchi in his grasp in the round’s opening minute. Horiguchi would find his way out of Albazi’s hands, however, and did damage with several punches that busted up Albazi’s nose and put him on wobbly legs.

    Those ended up being the keys for Horiguchi, who won with two 30-27 scorecards and a 29-28.

    Kyoji Horiguchi Aims For Flyweight Title Shot After Defeating Amir Albazi At UFC Vegas 113

    Horiguchi has now won five straight and is unbeaten in his last eight. He made his UFC debut at UFC Qatar in November, scoring a third-round submission of Tagir Ulanbekov.

    Albazi was on a six-fight win streak at one point before injuries derailed his activity. This was his first fight since a loss to former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC Edmonton in November 2024.

  • “Scored Three Separate Stoppage Wins” – Fans Blast Ref As Dustin Jacoby Stops Julius Walker

    “Scored Three Separate Stoppage Wins” – Fans Blast Ref As Dustin Jacoby Stops Julius Walker

    Dustin Jacoby’s power was on display at UFC Vegas 113, putting on a vicious (and, probably, unnecessarily prolonged) beating of Julius Walker as Jacoby got the win in their bout that kicked off the main card.

    After a bit of a feeling out process for the first couple of minutes, Walker had a strong first round. He displayed strength in his grappling, as well as with a few knees landed during the frame. Jacoby, however, came back dominant in the second round, thanks to a combination of his boxing and low kicks.

    Jacoby landed an uppercut that dazed Walker, putting him in trouble. Jacoby continued to pour on the assault, both against the cage and on the mat, but referee Dan Miragliotta allowed the fight to go on a little longer. Jacoby pounded on a grounded Walker until the referee finally stepped in.

    Dustin Jacoby Rocks And Drops Julius Walker At UFC Vegas 113

    Jacoby’s win streak increases to three, a streak that also includes knockouts of Vitor Petrino and Bruno Lopes.

    Walker is now 1-2 since arriving to the UFC after starting his professional MMA career 6-0.

  • VIDEO: Jakub Wiklacz Wins With Last-Second Guillotine

    VIDEO: Jakub Wiklacz Wins With Last-Second Guillotine

    There haven’t been many finishes in the UFC to come at the very last second, but Jakub Wiklacz has secured himself a place in the books as one of those.

    After a little discussion and controversy, Wiklacz officially scored a literal last-second submission victory over Muin Gafurov during the UFC Vegas 113 prelims.

    Both fighters had moments in the opening round. Wiklacz seemed to have the better strikes, Gafurov also demonstrated strong control with his grappling and clinch work. Wiklacz, however, came back strong in the second round, dominating on the mat and looking for multiple submissions.

    Gafurov surged strong in the third round, but the moment of the fight came in the final 30 seconds. Gafurov went for one last takedown, only to get caught by Wiklacz, who managed to secure a guillotine choke. Gafurov appeared to tap out at the last second; however, the ruling was not called for a few minutes, leading to plenty of confusion in the Octagon as officials looked on.

    Jakub Wiklacz Scores Last-Second Submission Of Muin Gafurov At UFC Vegas 113

    Referee Chris Tognoni then informed both men the fight will end in a submission victory for Wiklacz.

    Wiklacz, the former KSW bantamweight champion, is now 2-0 in the UFC. He made his Octagon debut at UFC 320, taking a split decision win over former Bellator champion Patchy Mix.

    Gafurov, who missed weight by five pounds for this fight, falls to 2-3 in his Octagon tenure. He came into this bout off a decision win over Rinya Nakamura at UFC 311 last year.

  • UFC Vegas 113: Bautista vs. Oliveira Results & Highlights

    UFC Vegas 113: Bautista vs. Oliveira Results & Highlights

    UFC Vegas 113 results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s the first UFC Fight Night event of the year, and it’s the first held at the Apex since the building’s sponsored rebranding. The main event will feature Mario Bautista taking on Vinicius Oliveira. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira – Bantamweight Main Event

    Bautista is 10-3 in the Octagon since arriving to the UFC in 2019. After going 2-2 to start his UFC tenure, he racked up eight straight wins, including wins over Ricky Simon, Jose Aldo, and Patchy Mix. Bautista’s streak was snapped in his last fight, however, falling to Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321.

    Oliveira enters on a six-fight win streak and has been on quite the rise since his arrival to the UFC from Dana White’s Contender Series. The former UAE Warriors bantamweight champion is 4-0 in the UFC so far, coming into this bout off a decision over Kyler Phillips at UFC 318.

    The co-main event will see a key flyweight matchup as Amir Albzai returns to the Octagon to serve as the second UFC opponent for Kyoji Horiguchi.

    Albazi has been a highly-ranked flyweight, but his activity has been hampered over the last few years due to injuries. This will be his first fight since losing to Brandon Moreno at UFC Edmonton in November 2024. Horiguchi, the former Bellator and RIZIN champion, made his UFC debut with a bonus-earning, third-round submission of Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC Qatar in November.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC Vegas 113!

    How to Watch UFC Vegas 113

    • Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
    • Venue: Meta Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Streaming: Paramount+ (exclusive)
    • Prelims: 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT
    • Main Card: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT

    UFC Vegas 113 Quick Results

    • Main Event: Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira — TBD
    • Co-Main: Amir Albazi vs. Kyoji Horiguchi — TBD
    • Jailton Almeida vs. Rizvan Kuniev — TBD
    • Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Marc-Andre Barriault — TBD
    • Jean Matsumoto vs. Farid Basharat — TBD
    • Dustin Jacoby vs. Julius Walker — TBD

    UFC Vegas 113 Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Women’s Bantamweight: Klaudia Sygula vs. Priscila Cachoeira

    Result: Klaudia Sygula def. Priscila Cachoeira via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Bantamweight: Muin Gafurov vs. Jakub Wiklacz

    Result: Jakub Wiklacz def. Muin Gafurov via submission (guillotine choke) (Rd. 3, 4:59)

    Women’s Flyweight: Wang Cong vs. Eduarda Moura

    Result: Wang Cong def. Eduarda Moura via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

    Bantamweight: Javid Basharat vs. Gianni Vazquez

    Result: Javid Basharat def. Gianni Vazquez via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Women’s Strawweight: Bruna Brasil vs. Ketlen Souza

    Result: Ketlen Souza def. Bruna Brasil via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Welterweight: Nikolay Veretennikov vs. Niko Price

    Result: Nikolay Veretennikov def. Niko Price via TKO (Rd. 1, 1:42)

    Welterweight: Alex Morono vs. Daniil Donchenko

    Result: Daniil Donchenko def. Alex Morono via unanimous decision (30-26 x2, 30-27)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 8 PM ET)

    Light Heavyweight: Dustin Jacoby vs. Julius Walker

    Result: Dustin Jacoby def. Julius Walker via TKO (Rd. 2, 1:42)

    Bantamweight: Jean Matsumoto vs. Farid Basharat

    Result: Farid Basharat def. Jean Matsumoto via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Middleweight: Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Marc-Andre Barriault

    Result: Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Marc-Andre Barriault via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Heavyweight: Jailton Almeida vs. Rizvan Kuniev

    Result: Rizvan Kuniev def. Jailton Almeida via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Flyweight: Amir Albazi vs. Kyoji Horiguchi

    Result: Kyoji Horiguchi def. Amir Albazi via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Bantamweight: Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira

    Result: Mario Bautista def. Vinicius Oliveira via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 2, 4:46)

  • “Need To See Usman In UFC” – Usman Nurmagomedov Chokes Out Alfie Davis

    “Need To See Usman In UFC” – Usman Nurmagomedov Chokes Out Alfie Davis

    Usman Nurmagomedov made a statement that he is the man to beat at lightweight in PFL, defeating Alfie Davis to remain PFL lightweight champion in the main event of PFL Dubai.

    After some feeling out, Nurmagomedov took control of the opening round comfortably, at one point looking for a choke in on Davis. Davis picked up his pace a little in the second round, landing his karate attacks on Nurmagomedov. The defending champion, however, showed off his ability to slip punches and pressed forward on Davis.

    Nurmagomedov level changed and scored a takedown early in the third. Nurmagomedov controlled the action on the ground in Davis’ guard for three minutes before Davis got back to his feet.

    Despite Davis’ efforts, Nurmagomedov continued with forward pressure, answering Davis’ offense and landing another takedown. That led to Nurmagomedov locking up an arm-triangle choke from the back, putting Davis to sleep to retain the gold.

    Usman Nurmagomedov Retains Lightweight Title Over Alfie Davis At PFL Dubai

    Nurmagomedov officially became PFL lightweight champion with his win over Paul Hughes in their October 2025 rematch. Prior to this, Nurmagomedov was Bellator lightweight champion, defeating Patricky Pitbull for the title before retaining it against Benson Henderson, Brent Primus, Alexander Shabliy, and Hughes.

    Davis earned tonight’s title shot by winning the 2025 PFL Lightweight World Tournament, defeating Clay Collard, Primus, and Gadzhi Rabadanov to do so.

  • “Retired At His Prime” – Fans React to Kuramagomedov’s PFL Retirement

    “Retired At His Prime” – Fans React to Kuramagomedov’s PFL Retirement

    The PFL had its inaugural welterweight champion in its new era, and his name was Ramazan Kuramagomedov. But just like that, it appears to all be over already.

    Kuramagomedov defeated Shamil Musaev in the co-main event of PFL Dubai to capture the gold — only to announce retirement at just 29 years old and a 14-0 record.

    A quiet first round saw Kuramagomedov present a strong advantage, utilizing the cage and grappling pressure to stifle and nullify the offense of Musaev. Kuramagomedov turned things up late in the second round, however, landing a knee that did damage before dropping Musaev with a kick, landing in some strong follow-up shots.

    Musaev got back to his feet but was in Kuramagomedov’s clinch and ate a couple of more shots before the end of round two.

    Musaev tried to show off his own grappling with a throw attempt early in the third round, only for him to end up on the bottom of Kuramagomedov. After a couple of minutes of work on top, Kuramagomedov made his way to the back of Musaev, securing a body triangle and looking for a choke. Musaev escaped with 40 seconds left in the round but couldn’t get much offense going from there.

    Kuramagomedov continued to use his clinch work and grappling to shut down Musaev’s offense. Musaev then landed a knee on a grounded Kuramagomedov before the end of the round, resulting in a point deduction. Musaev tried to get his offense efforts up in round five, but it was all for naught.

    All three judges scored the fight for Kuramagomedov 48-46.

    Kuramagomedov, who appears to have suffered a broken arm during the fight, then took everyone by surprise by saying he had competed in his last fight, something he says he had seriously contemplated for a while.

    Ramazan Kuramagomedov Retires After Defeating Shamil Musaev For PFL Welterweight Title At PFL Dubai

    Kuramagomedov’s last fight prior to tonight came in June 2024, at Bellator Dublin, where he defeated Jason Jackson to become Bellator welterweight champion. Kuramagomedov did not defend the Bellator title before the promotion was dissolved by the PFL.

    Musaev, a Wushu Sanda champion, earned tonight’s title shot by going through Logan Storley, Murad Ramazanov, and Magomed Umalatov to win the 2024 PFL Welterweight Tournament.

  • PFL Dubai Results: Nurmagomedov vs Davis Live Updates And Highlights

    PFL Dubai Results: Nurmagomedov vs Davis Live Updates And Highlights

    With a new focus of delivering the best fights possible and a new vision under new PFL CEO John Martin, the PFL kicks off its 2026 campaign with a pair of title fights topping PFL Dubai on February 7, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Nurmagomedov vs Davis: Lightweight Title Fight

    The PFL lightweight championship will be on the line in the main event, as Usman Nurmagomedov defends his title against Alfie Davis.

    Nurmagomedov officially became the inaugural PFL lightweight champion at PFL Champions Series 3 in October, winning his rematch with Paul Hughes. Nurmagomedov was the Bellator lightweight champion when the promotion was purchased by the PFL in late 2023. He defeated Patricky Pitbull for the Bellator title at Bellator 288 and retained the gold against Benson Henderson, Brent Primus, Alexander Shabliy and Hughes.

    Davis, a Bellator veteran himself, earned this title shot by winning the Lightweight World Tournament last year. Davis scored a first-round finish of Clay Collard in the opening round, defeated Primus by decision in the semi-finals, and took a decision over Gadzhi Rabadanov in the final.

    The PFL welterweight champion will be determined in the co-main event, as Ramazan Kuramagomedov faces Shamil Musaev.

    Kuramagomedov is 13-0 with worldly MMA experience that includes fights in the PFL, Bellator, Eagle FC, and ACB, as well as an appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series. After finishes over Jaleel Willis and Randall Wallace in his first two Bellator appearances, Kuramagomedov defeated Jason Jackson in Dublin in June 2024 to win the Bellator welterweight championship.

    Musaev, unbeaten himself at 18-0-1, ran through the competition to win the 2024 PFL welterweight tournament. Musaev’s path to that victory included wins over Logan Storley, Murad Ramazanov (twice), and Magomed Umalatov.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from PFL Dubai!

    How to Watch PFL Dubai

    • Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
    • Venue: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    • Streaming: ESPN Unlimited
    • Prelims: 9 AM ET / 6 AM PT
    • Main Card: 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT

    PFL Dubai Quick Results

    • Main Event: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Alfie Davis — Nurmagomedov def. Davis via submission (arm-triangle choke) (Rd. 3, 4:41)
    • Co-Main Event: Ramazan Kuramagomedov vs. Shamil Musaev — Kuramagomedov def. Musaev via unanimous decision (48-46 x3)
    • Abdoul Abdouraguimov vs. Kendly St. Louis — Abdouraguimov def. St. Louis via split decision (30-27 x2, 28-29)
    • Jesus Pinedo vs. Salamat Isbulaev — Isbulaev def. Pinedo via submission (elbows) (Rd. 1, 4:57)
    • Pouya Rahmani vs. Karl Williams — Rahmani def. Williams via submission (arm-triangle choke) (Rd. 2, 3:41)

    PFL Dubai Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (ESPN Unlimited, 9 AM ET)

    Middleweight: Heider Khan vs. Jhony Gregory

    Result: Jhony Gregory def. Heider Khan via submission (guillotine choke) (Rd. 1, 1:18)

    Light Heavyweight: Khabib Nabiev vs. Ahmed Sami

    Result: Khabib Nabiev def. Ahmed Sami via TKO (Rd. 2, 2:26)

    Light Heavyweight: Rob Wilkinson vs. Luke Trainer

    Result: Luke Trainer def. Rob Wilkinson via submission (guillotine choke) (Rd. 1, 3:48)

    Women’s Flyweight: Denise Kielholtz vs. Antonia Silvaneide

    Result: Denise Kielholtz def. Antonia Silvaneide via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Lightweight: Makkasharip Zaynukov vs. Amin Ayoub

    Result: Makkasharip Zaynukov def. Amin Ayoub via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Bantamweight: Renat Khavalov vs. Edgars Skrivers

    Result: Renat Khavalov def. Edgars Skrivers via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Bantamweight: Taylor Lapilus vs. Kasum Kasumov

    Result: Taylor Lapilus def. Kasum Kasumov via TKO (Rd. 3, 0:47)

    Lightweight: Amru Magomedov vs. Kolton Englund

    Result: Amru Magomedov def. Kolton Englund via TKO (Rd. 1, 0:37)

    Main Card (ESPN Unlimited, 12 PM ET)

    Heavyweight: Pouya Rahmani vs. Karl Williams

    Result: Pouya Rahmani def. Karl Williams via submission (arm-triangle choke) (Rd. 2, 3:41)

    Featherweight: Jesus Pinedo vs. Salamat Isbulaev

    Result: Salamat Isbulaev def. Jesus Pinedo via submission (elbows) (Rd. 1, 4:57)

    Welterweight: Abdoul Abdouraguimov vs. Kendly St. Louis

    Result: Abdoul Abdouraguimov def. Kendly St. Louis via split decision (30-27 x2, 28-29)

    PFL Welterweight Championship: Ramazan Kuramagomedov vs. Shamil Musaev

    Result: Ramazan Kuramagomedov def. Shamil Musaev via unanimous decision (48-46 x3)

    PFL Lightweight Championship: Usman Nurmagomedov (c) vs. Alfie Davis

    Result: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Alfie Davis via submission (arm-triangle choke) (Rd. 3, 4:41)

  • Zuffa Boxing 02 Results: Valenzuela vs. Torres Live From Las Vegas

    Zuffa Boxing 02 Results: Valenzuela vs. Torres Live From Las Vegas

    Zuffa Boxing 02 results are coming in live from Meta APEX in Las Vegas as Dana White’s boxing promotion looks to follow up its debut card.

    Nine days after its first numbered card, the TKO Group-backed boxing league brings another night of fights, headlined by 140-pounders Jose Valenzuela and Diego Torres. Joe Tessitore calls the action alongside analysts Max Kellerman and Andre Ward.

    How to Watch Zuffa Boxing 02

    • Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026
    • Venue: Meta APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Streaming: Paramount+ (exclusive)
    • Prelims: 6 PM ET / 3 PM PT
    • Main Card: 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT

    Zuffa Boxing 02 Results

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 6 PM ET)

    Cruiserweight – Jamar Talley (5-0) vs. Devonte Williams (13-3)

    Result: Jamar Talley def. Devonte Williams via KO (Rd. 2, 2:59)

    Heavyweight – Damazion Vanhouter (10-0) vs. Julian Gomez (7-3)

    Result: Damazion Vanhouter def. Julian Gomez via TKO (Rd. 3, 1:27)

    Welterweight – Damonti Cato-Cain (8-1-2) vs. Christian Morales (7-0)

    Result: Damonti Cato-Cain def. Christian Morales via unanimous decision (80-72, 79-73, 77-75)

    Lightweight – Justin Viloria (11-0) vs. Oscar Perez (14-0-2)

    Result: Justin Viloria def. Oscar Perez via unanimous decision (79-73, 78-74, 77-75)

    Middleweight – Jalil Hackett (11-1) vs. Roberto Cruz (11-1)

    Result: Jalil Hackett def. Roberto Cruz via majority decision (95-95, 96-94, 97-93)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET)

    Light Heavyweight – Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-3) vs Oleksandr Gvozdyk (21-2)

    Result: Radivoje Kalajdzic def. Oleksandr Gvozdyk via KO (Rd. 7, 2:47)

    Middleweight – Serhii Bohachuk (26-3) vs Radzhab Butaev (16-1)

    Result: Serhii Bohachuk def. Radzhab Butaev via split decision (96-94 x2, 94-96)

    Middleweight – Jose Valenzuela (14-3) vs Diego Torres (22-1)

    Result: Jose Valenzuela def. Diego Torres via unanimous decision (99-91 x3)

  • “Greatest Featherweight Of All Time” – Fighters & Fans React As Alexander Volkanovski Adds To His Legacy By Retaining Featherweight Title Over Diego Lopes At UFC 325

    “Greatest Featherweight Of All Time” – Fighters & Fans React As Alexander Volkanovski Adds To His Legacy By Retaining Featherweight Title Over Diego Lopes At UFC 325

    In front of a capacity crowd at the Qudos Bank Arena, Alexander Volkanovski delivered a championship-level performance and retained the UFC featherweight championship in the main event of UFC 325.

    With the win, Volkanovski now ties Jose Aldo for most featherweight title fight wins with eight total.

    Lopes looked to bring some forward pressure as the two feinted and felt each other out. Volkanovski made good use of his strikes, including from range, but Lopes landed plenty of kicks as he continuously came forward.

    Volkanovski landed a couple of cracking blows upstairs on Lopes during the second round. Lopes went for a takedown in the final minute. Volkanovski countered with a guillotine attempt, only to get grounded by Lopes, who went for a standing choke attempt before the horn.

    Volkanovski landed a strong pair of hands late in the third round, though Lopes appeared to recover quickly. Lopes got a shot of his own with a quick right hand in the last minute of the third round, dropping Volkanovski, but the champ was right back to his feet. Though Lopes landed well with the calf kick, Volkanovski seemed to be ahead of him on the exchanges in the fourth round.

    Lopes went for the finish anywhere that he could, threatening a choke at one point during the fifth round, and an armbar in the fight’s final minute. It was for naught, however, and Volkanovski nearly swept the scorecards for a decision win.

    Alexander Volkanovski Retains Featherweight Title Vs. Diego Lopes At UFC 325

    Volkanovski defeated Lopes to claim the then-featherweight championship in the main event of UFC 314 in April. Volkanovski’s first reign began with a win over Max Holloway at UFC 245, retaining the title against Holloway (twice), “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung-Jung, Brian Ortega, and Yair Rodriguez.

    Volkanovski, who also had two failed attempts to capture the lightweight title, lost the title to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298.

    Lopes rebounded from the initial loss to Volkanovski with a finish of Jean Silva in the main event of Noche UFC 3 in September. Lopes’ three losses in the UFC have come against Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev.

  • “A Warrior” – Fighters & Fans React As Benoit Saint-Denis Brutally Smashes Dan Hooker En Route To TKO Win At UFC 325

    “A Warrior” – Fighters & Fans React As Benoit Saint-Denis Brutally Smashes Dan Hooker En Route To TKO Win At UFC 325

    The Australian crowd in Sydney was left in disappointed silence, as Benoit Saint-Denis brought the violence and left with a second-round finish in the co-main event of UFC 325.

    The two quickly got to striking, with Hooker even countering a takedown attempt into a brief guillotine attempt. Saint-Denis caught a kick and pressed Hooker into the fence, but Hooker did another guillotine counter. Hooker did damage with kicks to the body, but BSD managed to score a takedown late in the round, threatening a kimura, and busting Hooker open with a number of shots to the head.

    Hooker threatened a quick guillotine in a fast-paced start to the second round, but Saint-Denis continued to press forward. Hooker scored a takedown, but Saint-Denis smartly countered and quickly got into full mount, landing a strong series of elbows and threatening an arm-triangle choke. BSD got the choke locked in, but Hooker managed to defend it…only for Saint-Denis to land more ground-and-pound and bust Hooker open.

    After about a minute of strong ground-and-pound, referee Herb Dean waved the fight off with about 15 seconds left, giving the win to BSD.

    Benoit Saint-Denis Finds Takedown And Reversal, Scores Violent Finish At UFC 325

    Saint-Denis has now won four straight, a win streak that goes back to UFC 315 this past May. He is now 9-3 in the Octagon. He knocked out Beneil Dariush at UFC 322 prior to tonight.

    Hooker has now lost back-to-back fights after a three-fight win streak. He lost to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Qatar in November.

  • “Stayed Calm And Delivered” – Fighters & Fans React As Mauricio Ruffy Rocks And Drops Rafael Fiziev At UFC 325

    “Stayed Calm And Delivered” – Fighters & Fans React As Mauricio Ruffy Rocks And Drops Rafael Fiziev At UFC 325

    After suffering just the second loss of his career last time out, Mauricio Ruffy has rebounded with a strong finish of Rafael Fiziev at UFC 325.

    After a feeling-out process for the first 90 seconds, Ruffy was able to pin Fiziev to the fence and look for a clinch. Fiziev worked his way off though, and the two started to look for their strong strikes, albeit a lot of single strikes.

    Fiziev looked to close angles and cut off the cage, using his footwork to try and control the action. Ruffy did not see to provide as much offense as he potentially could, though he was still noticeably landing on Fiziev.

    Things were taken to another level in the middle of the second round, with Ruffy landing a right hook that stunned Fiziev. Fiziev tried to regain his footing, but Ruffy did not let up, leading to the second-round TKO.

    Mauricio Ruffy Finishes Rafael Fiziev At UFC 325

    Ruffy is now 4-1, with three finishes, in his UFC career. The Dana White Contender Series alumnus rebounds from a loss to Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris this past September.

    Fiziev has now lost four of his last five fights. His losses include a pair of losses to Justin Gaethje and the injury he suffered against Mateusz Gamrot. He scored a victory over Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC Baku in June.

  • “Abolish The Heavyweight Division” – Fans Debate, Trash State Of Heavyweight MMA As Tallison Teixeira Goes The Distance In Win Over Tai Tuivasa

    “Abolish The Heavyweight Division” – Fans Debate, Trash State Of Heavyweight MMA As Tallison Teixeira Goes The Distance In Win Over Tai Tuivasa

    It wasn’t the way people expected, but Tallison Teixiera managed to defeat Tai Tuivasa in the Australian’s return to the Octagon at UFC 325.

    Tuivasa tried to bring pressure straight away, but he was taken down by Teixeira. Teixeira landed a number of punches and elbows to the head of Teixeira, defending against Tuivasa’s attempts to get back to his feet. Teixeira made his way into full mount, keeping Tuivasa there for minutes, but Tuivasa made his way back to the feet and pressing Teixeira into the fence to end the round.

    After some leg kick trading in the second round, Tuivasa landed a strong right hand that caught Teixeira’s attention. Teixeira responded with a combination and going for a takedown. Teixeira, after some struggle, worked his way into full mount, but he did no damage for a full minute-plus.

    The third round saw both men fatigued, with Tuivasa landing some strong strikes and controlling the action on the ground. Neither man was able to get a finish, however, and Teixeira took the decision win with three 29-28 totals.

    Tallison Teixeira Gets Decision Win Over Tai Tuivasa At UFC 325

    Teixeira moves to 2-1 in the UFC since winning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. He rebounds from a loss to Derrick Lewis at UFC Nashville this past July.

    Tuivasa has now lost six fights in a row. This was his first fight since a split decision loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 304. His last win came against Lewis at UFC 271.

  • “Salkilld Is A Problem” – Fans & Fighters React As Quillan Salkilld Nabs Another First-Round Finish At UFC 325

    “Salkilld Is A Problem” – Fans & Fighters React As Quillan Salkilld Nabs Another First-Round Finish At UFC 325

    Quillan Salkilld brought out another big performance to kick off the main card at UFC 325, submitting Jamie Mullarkey in about three minutes.

    Salkilld got to Mullarkey’s back early, but Mullarkey managed to get Salkilld’s back against the fence. Mullarkey scored a takedown, but Salkilld worked his way back up quickly.

    Mullarkey pressed Salkilld into the fence again, but it was Salkilld who got the action down with a slam, and he was right back on Mullarkey’s back. Salkilld then quickly locked up a choke to solidify the victory.

    Quillan Salkilld Submits Jamie Mullarkey At UFC 325

    Salkilld has now won 11 straight since dropping his professional MMA debut, and he brings his Octagon record to 4-0. The Dana White Contender’s Series alumnus was fighting for the first time since his highlight head kick knockout of Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 321.

    Mullarkey has now lost three of his last four fights. He is 6-7 since making his UFC debut.

  • VIDEO: Billy Elekana Survives Junior Tafa’s Power, Submits Him At UFC 325

    VIDEO: Billy Elekana Survives Junior Tafa’s Power, Submits Him At UFC 325

    Junior Tafa may have plenty of power in his fists, but Billy Elekana weathered the storm and used his grappling to score a submission victory in the featured prelim of UFC 325.

    Elekana attempted to back Tafa up to the fence, but Tafa rocked him with a strong overhand right. Elekana was able to use his grappling to recover, though he had to escape a standing kimura grip. Elekana would also show his pressure in a takedown attempt, but Tafa was able to defend against it.

    Tafa tried to keep the fight in the center of the Octagon and got to work with his powerful striking. Tafa landed a brutal combination at the end of round one; however, Elekana landed a strong left in the middle of the second — probably the hardest punch of the fight to that point.

    Billy Elekana Submits Junior Tafa At UFC 325

    Elekana then brought the fight to the ground and locked up a body triangle and a choke, scoring the submission victory.

    Elekana, an alumnus of PFL and LFA, has now won three straight since dropping his UFC debut to Bogdan Guskov at UFC 311.

    Tafa has now lost back-to-back fights and is 2-5 since his 2023 Octagon debut.

  • Dom Mar Fan Sweeps Scorecards, Defeats Kim Sang-wook For Road To UFC Season Four Lightweight Title

    Dom Mar Fan Sweeps Scorecards, Defeats Kim Sang-wook For Road To UFC Season Four Lightweight Title

    Dom Mar Fan put on a strong performance at UFC 325, defeating Kim Sang-wook to claim the Road to UFC season 4 lightweight tournament championship.

    The first round was a grappling-heavy battle, with Kim getting pressure and backing Mar Fan up to the fence. Kim got Mar Fan to the ground and got to his back, but a failure to get both hooks in resulted in Mar Fan gaining control on the ground. Kim, however, would retake the grappling edge in the round’s later stage, including when the two worked back to the feet.

    The two traded throughout the start of the second round, but Kim slowed down as the round went on. Mar Fan got the action to the ground, near the fence.

    Dom Mar Fan Wins Lightweight Portion Of Road To UFC Season 4

    Mar Fan landed a number of head strikes on Kim, who didn’t show the greatest defense there and was busted open around both sides of his face by the end of round two. Mar Fan brought out some good inside shots and prevented Kim’s takedown efforts in the final round, as he cruised to a unanimous decision win.

    Kim entered tonight’s final with a 13-3 record, including a loss to Rongzhu in last year’s Road to UFC tournament. He reached tonight’s final with finishes of Daichi Kamiya and Yawei Ren.

    Mar Fan only loss twice prior to tonight, with both losses coming against Quillan Salkilld. He reached the final with decision wins over Yuji Yannick Ephoeviga and Jae Hyun Park.