In what will surely go down as one of the greatest comebacks the sport of Mixed Martial Arts has ever seen, Costello Van Steenis’ hearty performance earned him a submission victory in the closing moments of his fight with the now previously-undefeated Johnny Eblen.
As a result of his win over Eblen, the final Bellator middleweight champion, Van Steenis is now recognized as the new PFL middleweight champion.
The fight headlined PFL Champions Series 2 — the second part of the PFL Cape Town card on July 19 in Africa.
The fight started with Eblen dominating the early rounds, using his wrestling to control position, land ground-and-pound, and suffocate Van Steenis against the fence. Van Steenis showed flashes of offense, but Eblen consistently secured takedowns and threatened submissions.
But in round four, things really began to change. Van Steenis stuffed shots, landed kicks and combinations, and even wobbled Eblen with a head kick at one point. Still, Eblen did enough to stop Van Steenis where need be, putting him in a huge must-finish situation.
Eblen looked to ride the fifth round out with his grappling. But Van Steenis fought with fire, staying composed and reversing position. With mere seconds to go in the fifth, Van Steenis took the back and sank in a rear-naked choke. Eblen was unable to survive, going unconscious with 10 seconds remaining to give Van Steenis a Hollywood ending.
Costello Van Steenis Wins PFL Middleweight Title, Ends Johnny Eblen’s Undefeated Record At PFL Cape Town
OH MY GOD VAN STEENIS JUST PUT EBLEN TO FUCKING SLEEEEEP WITH THE BUZZER BEATER RNC 😭😭😭 I’m sitting here watching PFL in the background and just casually witnessed one of the craziest comeback wins I’ve seen in a long ass time wtf
Insane comeback from Van Steenis. Never thought Elben was world level but I'm not going to crap on him. Van Steenis is a very good. https://t.co/RZemyBbsnF
Eblen captured the Bellator middleweight title with a win over Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 282 and retained the belt against Anatoly Tokov and Fabian Edwards (the latter twice).
Van Steenis earned this match with a pair of victories last year against Gregory Babene and João Vitor Dantas.
Dakota Ditcheva put on a dominant display over Sumiko Inaba, having a striking clinic in a one-sided decision victory in the co-main event of PFL Champions Series 2 — as part of PFL Cape Town.
Ditcheva’s striking was on display from the opening minute, using clinch control and sharp knees to repeatedly halt the consistent pressure of Inaba. Inaba had success with flurries and body shots, but Ditcheva’s elbows and knees were the key to success here.
Ditcheva picked up the pace more in the second round, rocking Inaba with a knee and overwhelming her with clinch work and combinations, controlling every aspect of the fight. Ditcheva’s full control stretched into the third, sweeping the scorecards for a strong victory.
Dakota Ditcheva Takes One-Sided Win Over Sumiko Inaba At PFL Cape Town
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Dakota Ditcheva could beat all the girls in the UFC #PFLcapetown
Feels like Dakota Ditcheva is very clearly the best women's fighter on the planet right now and we all just kinda have to ignore it because shes in PFL
I don't understand what the @PFLMMA is doing with Dakota Ditcheva. she's fighting fights but not defending a belt in 5 round fights, not working her way to another belt? #PFLCapeTown
Ditcheva won the inaugural PFL Europe women’s flyweight title in 2023 before running through Lisa Mauldin, Chelsea Hackett, Jena Bishop and Taila Santos to become the PFL women’s flyweight title in 2024. This was her first fight since winning the global season title.
Inaba entered tonight with two straight wins and an 8-1 record. Coming over to PFL from its purchase of Bellator, Inaba scored a split decision over Saray Orozco and a finish of Mackenzie Stiller last year.
A.J. McKee has made a statement in his return to featherweight, defeating Akhmed Magomedov via decision in the PFL Champions Series 2 portion of PFL Cape Town.
Round one saw both men trading strikes early, with Magomedov landing cleaner on the body and scoring a takedown. McKee, however, threatened submissions off his back and reversed position. McKee also turned up his striking pace late in the round.
Magomedov scored an early takedown in round two, but McKee quickly reversed and took the back with a body triangle. He hunted for a choke and struck Magomedov while maintaining control. McKee’s pressure was key for him in the second round.
Another grappling-heavy exchange in the final round saw Magomedov land a takedown, only to be swept and caught in a triangle attempt. McKee continued to threaten, taking Magomedov’s back again and landing strong ground-and-pound.
McKee scored a unanimous decision for the win.
A.J. McKee Successful In Featherweight Return, Defeats Akhmed Magomedov At PFL Cape Town
AJ McKee rallied a strong ending to R1 into R2 and hit some beautiful scrambles in R3, should easily get the nod here. Fought a bit differently than I expected, but I didn’t mind, showed some new stuff I liked to see. 145 is definitely his home, just looks so much better here.…
Let's just say that there is a reason that the UFC hasn't looked into bringing in AJ McKee… Dominant but boring. Hasn't finished a fight since 2021… #PFLCapeTown
McKee had won four straight between Bellator and PFL since moving up to lightweight but came up short against Paul Hughes in a close split decision at PFL Battle of the Giants in October.
Magomedov has now lost two of his last three. He defeated Nathan Kelly in January — his first fight in over two years after losing to Henry Corrales.
With the crowd heavily behind him thanks to coach Khabib Nurmagomedov, Artur Zaynukov was able to come away with a dominant decision over Takeshi Izumi during the PFL Champions Series 2 portion of PFL Cape Town.
Izumi looked to assert pressure, but Zaynukov’s wrestling led to several takedowns and plenty of control time. Izumi scrambled well, but Zaynukov had the edge in terms of grappling exchanges.
Both men landed cleanly in round two, with Zaynukov’s power and timing beginning to shine. A key momentum shift came when Zaynukov reversed and Izumi takedown and dominated positionally, nearly taking the back and landing plenty of ground strikes.
Izumi threatened positional advances during the third round, but Zaynukov’s defense shut him down, adding in another takedown before the end of the round to cap off the decision win.
Artur Zaynukov Scores Decision Over Takeshi Izumi At PFL Cape Town
Dominant win for Zaynukov, Khabib’s gym continues to dominate!#PFLCapeTown
— In The Corner Podcast (@InTheCorner_Pod) July 19, 2025
Fight goes the distance. Zaynukov likely secures the decision win with strong control and grappling! ⏳🧠 #PFLCapeTown | #PFLMMA
Zaynukov appears to be getting looser with the striking, and utilizing great take down d with real good transitions. Although Izumi is no slouch. Really good at getting back to his feet. Round 2 again goes to Zaynukov. #PFLCapeTown
Zaynukov takes the decision, but there is a lot left to be desired there. His wrestling is good, but not at an elite level yet. Stout & Out moves to 5-5 on the night. #PFLCapeTown
Corey Anderson appeared to make a statement in his first heavyweight bout in years, making relatively easy work of Denis Goltsov to open up the PFL Champions Series 2 card portion of PFL Cape Town.
The fight started with both men exchanging jabs and low kicks, but it was Goltsov who initially controlled the clinch exchanges against the fence. Anderson reversed position and scored a takedown, controlling Goltsov along the cage. Despite Goltsov managing to get back to his feet multiple times, Anderson’s grappling pressure was relentless.
In round two, Anderson continued to press before scoring another takedown. This time, he was able to take advantage of Goltsov’s fatigue and get into full mount, landing ground-and-pound from there and side control until the ref stepped in.
Corey Anderson Stops Denis Goltsov At PFL Cape Town
Textbook performance from Corey Anderson. I had no idea how he'd look at heavyweight, but he dominated Denis Goltsov #pflchampionsseries
This was Anderson’s first fight since defeating Karl Moore for the Bellator light heavyweight championship last year. It was also his first heavyweight bout since competing on, and winning, season 19 of The Ultimate Fighter.
This was Goltsov’s first fight since finishing previously-unbeaten Oleg Popov to become the 2024 PFL heavyweight champion.
For the first time in four years, Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring and attempts to win gold once again, and MMA News has you covered with all the action.
Pacquiao is set to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao is of course known as one of the greatest professional boxers of all time, winning world championships in eight different divisions through his career. Pacquiao’s last welterweight title win over Keith Thurman in 2019 made him the oldest welterweight champion in the sport, as well as the first four-time welterweight boxing champion — which can improve to five times with a win tonight.
Pacquiao’s last fight came in August 2021, where he lost the WBA title to Yordenis Ugas.
Barrios defeated Ugas in September 2023 to capture the interim WBC welterweight title. He’d defend the interim title against Fabian Maidana in May 2024 before being promoted by the WBC to full champion after Terence Crawford moved up in weight. Barrios then battled Abel Ramos to a controversial draw to retain the title against on the undercard of Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul.
The WBC Super Welterweight Championship will be on the line in the co-feature bout of the evening in a rematch between defending champion Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu. The two first met in March 2024, with Fundora taking a split decision to win the WBO title and then-vacant WBC title.
Fundora retained the titles over Chordale Booker in March. Tszyu, meanwhile, came up short against Bakhram Murtazaliev for the IBF light middleweight title but defeated Joseph Spencer in April.
The Pacquiao vs. Barrios card is available on pay-per-view via both Amazon Prime and traditional cable broadcasters and will begin at 8pm ET/5pm PT. Prelims are available on Amazon Prime at 5:30pm ET/2:30pm PT. Ring walks for the main event are expected at approximately 11pm ET/8pm PT.
If you can’t watch the action, MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights below.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios Results & Highlights
Main Card:
WBC Welterweight Championship: Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios goes to a majority draw (115-113 Barrios, 114-114 x2)
WBC Super Welterweight Championship: Sebastian Fundora def. Tim Tszyu via TKO (corner stoppage) (Rd 7, 3:00)
Super Lightweight: Isaac Cruz def. Omar Salcido via unanimous decision (99-89 x2, 100-88)
What should have been an impressive win for Abdoulaye Kane in under a minute now turns to a disqualification loss as a result of a pair of fouls — one especially egregious — during the PFL Africa 1 card.
Abdoulaye Kane faced Joffie Houlton in a heavyweight first-round tournament matchup. The two had a brief exchange which resulted in Houlton crumbling to the mat, appearing to have been stunned.
Instead of going for the finish there, however, Kane stepped back and landed a knee to a clearly grounded Houlton, which is a foul.
Replay then showed that the initial pain from Houlton was not from a punch, but from an eye poke, meaning Kane actually committed back-to-back fouls.
The doctor entered the cage, and after observing Houlton for a few minutes, deemed Houlton could not continue, resulting in a disqualification of Kane.
Abdoulaye Kane DQ’d Following Illegal Strikes On Joffie Houlton At PFL Africa 1
Kane what an idiot all u had to do was punch him a few more times and it was over. That knee come from an IQ of a gold fish #PFLAfrica
Houlton, who has never seen the scorecards in any of his fights, now moves on to the semifinals of the PFL Africa heavyweight tournament (pending medical suspension and/or injuries).
Kane, who had finishes in his first three pro fights, loses for the first time in his career.
Abraham Bably put on a violent display in the first PFL event in Africa, finishing Paul-Emmanuel Gnaze at the literal final second of the first round with a devastating right hand.
Bably and Gnaze opened with striking exchanges, as Bably landed early shots and Gnaze presses for clinches. After some back-and-forth control early on, Bably overtook momentum with a right hand that stunned Gnaze. Bably would score a takedown and land devastating ground-and-pound that nearly earned him a stoppage — even as Gnaze got back to his feet.
Bably didn’t let up near the round’s end, however, and found the finish when he landed a right hand that landed on the button, crumbling Gnaze to the mat.
Abraham Bably KOs Paul-Emmanuel Gnaze With Powerful Right Hand At PFL Africa 1
Abraham Bably at the bell!😱#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 2pm on ESPN+ | 🇺🇸10am on the PFL App pic.twitter.com/iPBUkJmUzM
With the win, Bably advances to the semifinals of the PFL Africa heavyweight tournament. The PFL Challenger Series alumnus now improves to 3-2 in the PFL after a pair of losses in PFL Europe last year.
The rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois to determine an undisputed heavyweight champion in boxing goes down tonight, and MMA News has you covered with all the action.
All four of boxing’s heavyweight world championships will be at stake, as Usyk puts the WBA (Super), WBO, and WBC titles on the line in an attempt to reclaim the IBF belt from a familiar foe in Dubois. The fight takes place from Wembley Stadium in London, England.
Usyk and Dubois first met in August 2023 — Usyk’s first fight since beating Anthony Joshua to gain the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles and defend them in a rematch. While Dubois was strong to start, a controversial low blow call for a punch that landed on Usyk in the fifth round saw the momentum shift. Usyk went on to score knockdowns of Dubois in the eighth and ninth, finishing Dubois to retain the title.
About nine months later, Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to claim the WBC title and become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in boxing since Lennox Lewis. Usyk also became the first heavyweight undisputed champion in the four-belt era, and he joined Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue in becoming a four-belt undisputed champion in a second weight class.
Usyk, however, was only undisputed champion for a month, as the IBF stripped Usyk, who went on to rematch with Fury and retain the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles. Dubois, meanwhile, defeated Filip Hrgović in June 2024 to become interim IBF heavyweight champion before being promoted to full-time champ. He then retained the IBF title in September with a strong knockout of Joshua.
The Usyk vs. Dubois 2 card is available on DAZN pay-per-view and will begin at 12:30pm ET/9:30am PT/5:30pm BST. Ring walks for the main event are expected at approximately 4:45pm ET/1:45pm PT/9:45pm BST. If you can’t watch the action, MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights below.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois 2 Results & Highlights
Undisputed Heavyweight Championship: Oleksandr Usyk def. Daniel Dubois via KO (R5, 1:08)
WBC Silver Heavyweight Championship: Lawrence Okolie def. Kevin Lerena via unanimous decision (99-91, 100-90 x2)
IBF Continental & WBA Continental Light Heavyweight Championship: Daniel Lapin def. Lewis Edmondson via majority decision (5-95, 96-94 x2)
PFL Cape Town presents a historic night for the PFL and Africa, as global MMA action has touched down in the continent with both the second edition of the PFL Champions Series and the first-ever PFL Africa event — and MMA News has you covered with all the action.
A card in Africa has been a longtime coming for the PFL since its signing of Francis Ngannou in 2023 — with Ngannou being named a part-owner and chairman of PFL Africa. PFL Africa is the latest region-specific venture of the PFL’s, following its launch of PFL Europe in 2023 and PFL MENA in 2024.
This evening will simultaneously mark the second edition of PFL Champions Series — developed as part of the slew of changes made by PFL for 2025 that included the elimination of the Bellator brand.
Those championships will carry on, however, as seen in the main event of PFL Champions Series 2, as now-PFL middleweight champion Johnny Eblen defends the title against Costello Van Steenis.
Eblen won the then-Bellator middleweight title by defeating Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 282, retaining the belt against Anatoly Tokov at Bellator 290 and Fabian Edwards at Bellator 299. Since the PFL’s purchase of Bellator, Eblen scored a split decision win over Impa Kasaganay at PFL vs. Bellator Champions and retained against Edwards again at PFL Battle of the Giants last October.
Van Steenis comes into this title shot off two straight wins, submitting Gregory Babene at the Bellator Champions Series event in Paris in May 2024 before a 48-second head kick knockout of João Vitor Dantas at the PFL World Championships last fall.
Dakota Ditcheva, the 2024 PFL women’s flyweight champion and 2023 PFL Europe women’s flyweight champion, returns to action tonight against Sumiko Inaba, who defeated Saray Orozco and Mackenzie Stiller last year.
The PFL Africa 1 portion of the evening will see the African-focused promotion’s tournaments kick off with first-round heavyweight and bantamweight action.
PFL Cape Town begins with PFL Africa 1 action at 10am ET/7am PT on the PFL App, while PFL Champions Series 2 starts at 2pm ET/11 am PT on ESPN+. If you can’t watch the action, MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights below.
PFL Cape Town: PFL Champions Series 2: Johnny Eblen vs. Costello Van Steenis & PFL Africa 1 Results & Highlights
PFL Champions Series 2:
Middleweight Championship: Costello Van Steenis def. Johnny Eblen via submission (rear-naked choke) (R5, 4:51)
Juliet Ukah takes the first W of the day over Ceileigh Niedermayr!#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 2pm on ESPN+ | 🇺🇸10am on the PFL App pic.twitter.com/fnyXpzl8r0
Abraham Bably at the bell!😱#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 2pm on ESPN+ | 🇺🇸10am on the PFL App pic.twitter.com/iPBUkJmUzM
The referee takes a point away from Frans Mlambo for the illegal blow to the back of the head.#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 2pm on ESPN+ | 🇺🇸10am on the PFL App pic.twitter.com/CUEttVM5G9
The fight between Abdoulaye Kane & Joffie Houlton has been called off due to an illegal knee to the head by Abdoulaye Kane. #PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 2pm on ESPN+ | 🇺🇸10am on the PFL App pic.twitter.com/IPv5B2eQlY
Things are heating up between Asiashu Tshitamba & Karim Henniene in Round 1 🔥#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 2pm on ESPN+ | 🇺🇸10am on the PFL App pic.twitter.com/SC86uBcAw6
Karim Henniene is the ultimate showman 😂🙌#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 2pm on ESPN+ | 🇺🇸10am on the PFL App pic.twitter.com/xzZkJ5vqtU
Jashell Ticha Awa comes out HOT! 🔥#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 2pm on ESPN+ | 🇺🇸10am on the PFL App pic.twitter.com/JFcGstODRJ
Justin Clarke wins it by TKO due to advice from the doctor to stop the fight. He remains undefeated. #PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 2pm on ESPN+ | 🇺🇸10am on the PFL App pic.twitter.com/KolLMHuCvy
Boule Godogo lands a BIG left hand! 💪#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 2pm on ESPN+ | 🇺🇸10am on the PFL App pic.twitter.com/KhhNN0b46g
Maxwell Djantou Nana & Mickaël Groguhe are throwing heavy blows in this one. 💪#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 2pm on ESPN+ | 🇺🇸10am on the PFL App pic.twitter.com/YUkUET7ukA
Maxwell Djantou Nana wins by unanimous decision! He will face Justin Clarke in the Heavyweight Semifinal. #PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 2pm on ESPN+ | 🇺🇸10am on the PFL App pic.twitter.com/Q0dBmtnvPB
THAT'S IT! Nkosi Ndebele takes the W in Cape Town! #PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 2pm on ESPN+ | 🇺🇸10am on the PFL App pic.twitter.com/YuGcKrdWrw
Corey Anderson with the 2nd Round TKO!#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 🇺🇸 2pm on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/Yi4lCZuUYV
WHO WANTS IT MORE?! Artur Zaynukov vs. Takeshi Izumi is heating up! 🔥#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 🇺🇸 2pm on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/W6Mp2bbRto
AJ McKee lands a BIG body kick at the end of Round 1. Was Akhmed Magomedov saved by the bell? 👀#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 🇺🇸 LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/0477xISqHG
WHAT A FIGHT! This one will go to decision. 👀#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 🇺🇸 LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/zFyfGAU1ZV
Dakota Ditcheva comes out HOT. #PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 🇺🇸 LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/22nvTSM1pD
Dakota Ditcheva is showing off. 💪#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 🇺🇸 LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/y5Kfs52Byj
WHO ELSE?! Dakota Ditcheva moves to 15-0!#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 🇺🇸 LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/Dmva6qQsCN
It's been a grappling match! Who do you have winning? 👀#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 🇺🇸 LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/qbGtpxvSLn
WHO WANTS IT MORE?! Eblen & Van Steenis refuse to get tired 💪#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 🇺🇸 LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/hauQeUruKm
Costello Van Steenis lands a beautiful calf-kick!#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 🇺🇸 LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/8xVr7X4BVM
WHAT A WAY TO END ROUND 4 😤 Costello Van Steenis refuses to give up!#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 🇺🇸 LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/QHXLs8S9ZK
COSTELLO VAN STEENIS REAR NAKED CHOKE WITH 10 SECONDS LEFT!!#AndNew PFL Middleweight World Champion!#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 🇺🇸 LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/eAby40lnU6
Winner by rear-naked choke #AndNew PFL Middleweight World Champion Costello Van Steenis!#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 🇺🇸 LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/A7IXXWDdsM
UFC 318 is almost here, and we here at MMA News are here to provide you the latest on betting odds for the card.
The card takes place from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Saturday, July 19. The pay-per-view main card portion of the event will start at 10PM ET/7PM PT, with preliminary action starting at 6PM ET/3PM PT
The headline attraction for the event will feature the final fight in the career of Dustin Poirier, as he challenges Max Holloway for the BMF championship.
In the co-main event, former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa faces Roman Kopylov.
The pay-per-view card will also feature Kevin Holland facing Daniel Rodriguez, Dan Ige clashing with former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull, and Michael Johnson meeting Daniel Zellhuber.
UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3 Betting Odds
Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 318 as of July 18 at 8pm ET, courtesy of DraftKings.
Main Card:
Lightweight: BMF Championship: Max Holloway (-142) vs. Dustin Poirier (+120)
Middleweight: Paulo Costa (+190) vs. Roman Kopylov (-230)
Welterweight: Kevin Holland (-625) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (+455)
Featherweight: Dan Ige (-225) vs. Patricio Pitbull (+185)
Lightweight: Michael Johnson (+455) vs. Daniel Zellhuber (-625)
Preliminary Card:
Bantamweight: Kyler Phillips (+124) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (-148)
Middleweight: Marvin Vettori (+164) vs. Brendan Allen (-198)
Welterweight: Francisco Prado (-148) vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (+124)
Middleweight: Ateba Abega Gautier (-550) vs. Robert Valentin (+410)
Early Preliminary Card:
Welterweight: Adam Fugitt (+470) vs. Islam Dulatov (-650)
Light Heavyweight: Jimmy Crute (-355) vs. Marcin Prachnio (+280)
Heavyweight: Ryan Spann (-245) vs. Łukasz Brzeski (+200)
Middleweight: Brunno Ferreira (-550) vs. Jackson McVey (+410)
Women’s Flyweight: Carli Judice (-395) vs. Nicolle Caliari (+310)
The UFC may be without Sean Strickland for some time, depending on what the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) determines at an upcoming meeting.
The NSAC will be holding a meeting this coming Wednesday, July 23, and one of the topics for discussion will be an “extension of temporary suspension” for Strickland “for possible action.”
Sean Strickland is on the Nevada Athletic Commission's agenda for next week and it appears he's been suspended for that incident where he rushed in the cage at that Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas.
A temporary suspension for Strickland has been confirmed, meaning that Strickland is unable to compete in the UFC until a full punishment is determined and served.
Sean Strickland Temporarily Suspended For Tuff-N-Uff Incident, NSAC To Hold Hearing Wednesday
The suspension stems from an incident at a Tuff-N-Uff event last month that Strickland was present at. Strickland, along with fellow UFC fighter Chris Curtis, were in the corner of Miles Hunsinger, who was submitted by Luis Hernandez.
Following Hernandez’s win, Hernandez made taunts in the direction of Strickland Curtis, who stormed the cage for a confrontation. Strickland threw punches toward Hernandez, including one that appeared to land, before security intervened.
We’re about 24 hours away from UFC 318, and MMA News is here to bring you the video from the ceremonial weigh-ins for the card!
UFC 318 takes place on July 19 from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The main event of the evening will feature Dustin Poirier, who makes the Octagon walk for the final time, challenge familiar foe Max Holloway to a trilogy bout with the BMF title on the line. Poirier is 2-0 against Holloway, having bested him at both UFC 143 and UFC 236. Poirier enters this fight off a loss in a lightweight title fight with Islam Makhachev at UFC 302. Holloway won the BMF title from Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 but was knocked out by Ilia Topuria in a featherweight title clash at UFC 308.
The co-main event will see former middleweight title challenge Paulo Costa look to get back on winning ways against Roman Kopylov.
The rest of the main card sees Kevin Holland face Daniel Rodriguez, Dan Ige take on Patricio Pitbull, and Michael Johnson square off with Daniel Zellhuber.
All fighters for the card made weight. All the fights are on!
The ceremonial weigh-ins present the last opportunity for opponents to face off before they meet inside the Octagon. Check them out below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel!
We are just one day away from UFC 318, and we’ve got the official weigh-in results for you here at MMA News.
UFC 318 takes place from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. And in the main event, the UFC’s BMF title will be up for grabs again as New Orleans’ favorite MMA son takes his final walk to the Octagon — against another beloved MMA legend.
In the main event, BMF champion Max Holloway will place the title on the line as he faces Dustin Poirier in a trilogy bout. Poirier has won both fights in the set thus far, submitting Holloway at UFC 143 in Holloway’s UFC debut and scoring a decision over “Blessed” at UFC 236 to capture the interim lightweight title. Both men come into this bout off unsuccessful title challenges, with Poirier losing to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 and Holloway losing to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308.
The co-main event will see former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa back in action, as he takes on Roman Kopylov. Costa has lost four of his last five — after starting his MMA career undefeated — losing to former champions Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland last year. Kopylov has won six of his last seven, including a finish of Chris Curtis in January.
The main card will also feature Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez, Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull, and Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber.
UFC 318 Weigh-In Video, Results
UFC 318 takes place Saturday, July 19 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.
See above to watch the UFC 318 Weigh-In Show (beginning at 9:45 a.m. ET), and check out the full results below.
Main Card:
Lightweight: BMF Championship: Max Holloway (155) vs. Dustin Poirier (156)*
Middleweight: Paulo Costa (185) vs. Roman Kopylov (185)
Welterweight: Kevin Holland (170) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (170)
Featherweight: Dan Ige (145) vs. Patricio Pitbull (145)
Lightweight: Michael Johnson (155) vs. Daniel Zellhuber (156)
Preliminary Card:
Bantamweight: Kyler Phillips (135) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (135)
Middleweight: Marvin Vettori (186) vs. Brendan Allen (185)
Welterweight: Francisco Prado (170) vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (169)
Middleweight: Ateba Abega Gautier (185) vs. Robert Valentin (186)
Early Preliminary Card:
Welterweight: Adam Fugitt (171) vs. Islam Dulatov (171)
Light Heavyweight: Jimmy Crute (205) vs. Marcin Prachnio (205)
Heavyweight: Ryan Spann (252) vs. Łukasz Brzeski (242)
Middleweight: Brunno Ferreira (186) vs. Jackson McVey (185)
Women’s Flyweight: Carli Judice (125) vs. Nicolle Caliari (126)
*Holloway and Poirier are allowed to weigh in at 156 due to the BMF not being a “true division”, as compared to division-specific titles
The BKFC made major signings last week, one of whom was former UFC and Bellator title challenger Yoel Romero. Romero has been seen as a welcome edition to the roster, with hope he will fit in well with the bare-knuckle style.
What may have gone under the radar, however, is that Romero had a run in with a man who is no longer on the BKFC roster as of last month — and that incident could have had a bad ending for Romero.
Last week, the YouTube account Ragdoll MMA released a video taking a look into former BKFC bantamweight champion Alberto Blas’ release from the promotion, which occurred on June 26.
In a statement BKFC President David Feldman announced that “a pattern of unprofessional behavior outside of competition” led the promotion to strip Blas of the bantamweight title and release him.
“There were multiple infractions that went into this decision,” the statement read. “We wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Former BKFC Champion Alberto Blas Acquitted Of Second-Degree Murder After Stabbing Recent BKFC Signee Yoel Romero
While not directly mentioned by BKFC, one of the incidents in question involved a confrontation with Romero that saw him stab the “The Soldier of God” with a samurai sword in January 2022.
As explained by an anonymous source in the video, Blas and Romero had gotten into a verbal confrontation at the American Top Team gym. In the parking lot, Blas attempted to strike Romero with his car before retrieving a samurai sword from his trunk. He used the sword to reportedly strike Romero in the arms and hands.
Blas was charged in Florida on one count of second-degree attempted murder and one count of battery. Blas, however, was found not guilty on both charges. While the charges were dropped in 2024, a stay-away order of protection one month after the incident ordered Blas not to be in contact with the victim — whose named is listed on the document as Romero.
Interestingly, as the video mentions, this press release from BKFC announcing Blas’ release came out hours after rival promotion Bare-Knuckle Boxing announced they had signed Blas to a multi-fight deal.
BKB President Mike Vasquez recently told MMA News that he questions the nature of Feldman’s press release, since it did not come out until after BKB signed Blas. He furthermore claimed that several former BKFC fighters have messaged him, claiming the promotion did not pay fighters on time.
Blas put out his own statement, claiming “While my record is not spotless, I stand by my reputation and wish to call this out for what it is: an insecure individual trying to save face while the company he built and subsequently sold off continues to spiral downward.”
Dustin Poirier will hope for his final UFC fight to be one that’s memorable — and he’ll get that with UFC 318, as he challenges Max Holloway for the BMF title in a trilogy bout that headlines the evening.
The moments won’t stop there for the Louisiana native, however.
On Wednesday, July 16, Poirier announced that legendary rapper Lil’ Wayne, who is also from Louisiana, will be accompanying him for his final walk-out.
“[Lil’] Wayne is walking me out, 100 percent,” Poirier said.
Lil’ Wayne To Lead Dustin Poirier To The Cage For Retirement Fight At UFC 318
This will be the third and final encounter between Poirier and Holloway, with “The Diamond” up 2-0. Poirier first met Holloway at UFC 143 — when a 4-0 and 20-year-old Holloway was making his UFC debut. Poirier submitted “Blessed” in the first round. Poirier and Holloway then faced off at UFC 236, with Poirier taking a decision over the then-featherweight champion to become interim UFC lightweight champion.
Poirier enters this fight off a loss to Islam Makhachev in a lightweight title fight that headlined UFC 302.
Holloway was finished for the first time since the original loss to Poirier — and knocked out for the first time in his career — when he faced Ilia Topuria for the featherweight title at UFC 308.
Holloway has been BMF champion since UFC 300, where he knocked out Justin Gaethje in highlight fashion. Gaethje had been champion since UFC 291, where he knocked out Poirier for the belt.
We’re in the middle of UFC 318 fight week, and we find ourselves just a couple of days away from Dustin Poirier making his final walk to the Octagon. Time to add to the build, and get some more hype around this card, with a good ol’ fashion question-and-answer session.
The seventh UFC pay-per-view event of the year goes down from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Saturday, July 19. UFC 318 will be headlined by a BMF title fight between defending champion Max Holloway and Poirier.
The co-main event will be a middleweight matchup that sees former title challenger Paulo Costa taking on up-and-comer Roman Kopylov.
The main card will also feature a welterweight matchup between Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez, the second UFC appearance of former Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion Patricio Pitbull (as he takes on Dan Ige), and Michael Johnson meeting Daniel Zellhuber in a lightweight matchup.
Watch The UFC 318: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3 Pre-Fight Press Conference
As per tradition, the UFC pay-per-view main card participants will be featured in a press conference during fight week. This is the opportunity for fighters to answer questions from media and fans, as well as potentially lay in some smack talk on their opponents.
UFC 318 fight week is here, which means we are now days away from the final Octagon walk for a UFC legend in his hometown. Get yourself ready and in the know with another edition of MMA News staff fight predictions.
The event will be available exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view on Saturday, July 19. The main card will begin at its usual 10pm ET start time, with preliminary card action kicking off at 6pm ET.
The main event will see a highly-anticipated trilogy bout between two beloved fighters, as BMF champion Max Holloway defends the title against Dustin Poirier, who will be retiring following the fight.
Poirier comes into this fight 2-0 against “Blessed.” “The Diamond” faced Holloway at featherweight at UFC 143, which marked the UFC debut for then-20-year-old Holloway. Poirier submitted Holloway in the first round. The two then met in the main event of UFC 236, which marked Holloway’s first lightweight bout in the UFC. Poirier defeated the then-featherweight champion by decision, claiming the interim lightweight title.
Both men enter this fight off losses. Poirier was unsuccessful in challenging then-lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302. Holloway, meanwhile, was knocked out for the first time in his career against then-featherweight champion (and now new lightweight king) Ilia Topuria at UFC 308.
The co-main event will feature Paulo Costa taking on Roman Kopylov in middleweight action. This fight was scheduled to take place at UFC 317 last month before being moved to this card. Costa fought twice in 2024, losing to former middleweight champs Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland, making it four losses in Costa’s last five fights. It was Costa’s first time fighting more than once in a year since 2017. Kopylov, meanwhile, has won six of his last seven, most recently scoring a third-round TKO of Chris Curtis in January.
The rest of the UFC 318 main card will see a welterweight bout between Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez, Patricio Pitbull facing Dan Ige in the former Bellator champ’s second UFC appearance, and Michael Johnson facing Daniel Zellhuber.
UFC 318: MMA News Staff Predictions
With UFC 318 just a couple of short days away, Ryan Jarrell, Pranav Pandey, and myself (Thomas Albano) have provided our picks for the fights that make up the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through seven cards in 2025.
Pranav Pandey (20-12) Thomas Albano (19-13)
Ryan Jarrell (18-14)
And now, let’s take a look at everyone’s picks for UFC 318!
Lightweight: Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: This is one of those classic crossroads matchups where two generations collide. Zellhuber is on the rise, and even his razor-thin split decision loss to Esteban Ribovics did more to raise his stock than to diminish it. He’s scrappy when the pace picks up, and he also possesses a finishing instinct that can swing a fight in his favor.
On the other side, Johnson is the ultimate spoiler. He’s derailed the momentum of elite names in the past and has quietly looked sharper in his recent outings. Give him even a small opening, and he’ll use his experience to take control of a fight. However, I’m not convinced he can match fire with fire against a younger, faster “Golden Boy.” For me, this feels like a straightforward pick. I’m backing Zellhuber to outpace Johnson and make a statement against a seasoned veteran. (Prediction: Zellhuber)
Thomas Albano: Michael Johnson is always a pleasure to see fight. Though he never reached the pinnacle in his career, he’s usually in competitive outings even today and is always a tough test for an up-and-comer. So, this is going to be a good test for Daniel Zellhuber in the wake of his loss to Esteban Ribovics in the 2024 Fight of the Year. Johnson might be able to take a punch and fire one back, presenting a strong back-and-forth battle, but Zellhuber is younger, quicker, and has the advantages in reach and height. Johnson may have power, but he’ll need a chin, an aggressive pace, and then some to match the volume and speed of Zellhuber. I don’t think “The Menace” does that. Give me Zellhuber – either via a finish in the second half of the fight or a strong decision win. (Prediction: Zellhuber)
Ryan Jarrell: If this fight was happening circa 2015 I would have a very different take. But we are midway through 2025 now, and Michael Johnson is almost 40 years old. “The Menace” is not nearly as menacing as he once was, and Zellhuber has all the tools to show out in this fight. The “Golden Boy” is younger, taller, longer and probably coming into this fight with a chip on his shoulder after losing a razor close split decision loss to Esteban Ribovics last September. I just don’t see any where Johnson can beat Zellhuber in this fight. I expect Daniel to use his range and frustrate Johnson until he makes a mistake and leaves an opening for the “Golden Boy” to close the show. (Prediction: Zellhuber)
Consensus: 3-0 Zellhuber
Featherweight: Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull
Images: UFC.com & Bellator YouTube
Pranav Pandey: Dan Ige is easily one of the most resilient fighters in the featherweight division. Time and again, he’s shown the ability to weather adversity and remain composed under pressure. Despite facing some of the division’s toughest names, no one has been able to finish him, which speaks volumes about his durability. Still, inconsistency continues to be his biggest hurdle, preventing him from truly breaking through.
As for Patricio Pitbull, his UFC debut was a rough one. He was soundly beaten by Yair Rodriguez, and it’s fair to say he hasn’t quite looked like the dominant force we saw during his Bellator reign. His recent performances haven’t helped that perception either. Still, this fight feels like a closely contested battle. If Pitbull can control the pace with takedowns and avoid the heavy hands of “50K”, he has a clear route to victory. But pulling it off will be anything but easy. (Prediction: Pitbull)
Thomas Albano: Patricio Pitbull did not look great in his UFC debut against Yair Rodriguez. Rodriguez outstruck him, outpaced him, and even did better on the ground against him. Pitbull even had questionable Fight IQ in the bout. Now it’s one thing to lose a competitive fight against a former interim UFC champ like Rodriguez; it’s another to lose in the fashion that he did, getting swept on the scorecards. Pitbull, however, has a strong opportunity in front of him in someone like Dan Ige. Ige is tough in his own right and has quite the chin and heart to be called a UFC fighter, even if he’s lower ranked in the contender standings and has lost three of his last five. Ige did get a strong rebound win by finishing Sean Woodson last time out.
Pitbull’s ground expertise will be matched up against someone with a collegiate wrestling background. Pitbull’s chin will be tested by Ige’s strikes, and vice versa. This is going to be an ultimate test, and there are plenty of people who doubt Pitbull based on how he looked against Rodriguez. I’m going to say Pitbull just cracked under the first-time pressure lights and will rebound against Ige.
That said, if Pitbull loses this fight, or he has another bad performance win or lose, then we have to question not only if he made the UFC jump too late, but also if he’s even competitive with the 145ers the UFC has. (Prediction: Pitbull)
Ryan Jarrell: This is a tough one to pick confidently as both guys are very well rounded and seem to have a somewhat even skillset, or so it seems. Pitbull got off to a slow start in his UFC debut against Yair and it makes me wonder if that was the octagon jitters that a lot of fighters have when making their UFC debut, or if he may be starting his run in the big show just a touch too late in his career. Having said that, I expect to see a much more desperate Pitbull who will start strong and put the pressure on Ige from the opening bell. Patricio Pitbull has a ton of pride and he will find a way to will himself to his first victory as a UFC fighter. (Prediction: Pitbull)
Consensus: 3-0 Pitbull
Welterweight: Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: Truth be told, Kevin Holland has been showing real improvement after hitting a rough patch. Let’s not forget, most of his losses came against elite competition who exposed gaps in his overall game. But with “Trailblazer,” unpredictability is always part of the package. You never really know what you’re going to get, except that it’ll be entertaining.
On the other side, Rodriguez is a tough, durable opponent who’s managed to bounce back with two straight wins after dropping three in a row. He’s got heavy hands and a gritty style, but one thing that stands out is his tendency to slow down in the later rounds. Against someone like Holland, who thrives when the pace picks up, that could be a real problem.
I see this fight leaning in Holland’s favor, especially if he stays aggressive and maintains his rhythm. If he keeps the pressure on, I believe he gets it done. (Prediction: Holland)
Thomas Albano: Kevin Holland has come into question in the past over how serious he takes his fights; however, he’s really looked like he’s living up to potential in his last couple of outings. Since dropping back to welterweight earlier this year, Holland has racked up back-to-back performance bonuses in wins over Gunnar Nelson and Vicente Luque – the latter coming just last month at UFC 316. D-Rod has recently claimed wins over Alex Morono and Santiago Ponzinibbio, but it doesn’t scream ready for a guy like Holland – especially since he was on a three-fight skid before those two wins.
Holland’s got the height and reach advantages, and he’s actually the younger fighter with MORE fight experience despite arriving to the UFC a couple of years before Rodriguez. I’m staying hopeful that Holland is finding a true place for himself at 170 and scores a statement win here. (Prediction: Holland)
Ryan Jarrell: Kevin Holland is coming off two consecutive impressive wins over Gunner Nelson and Vicente Luque. ‘Big Mouth’ is way more dangerous at welterweight than when he fights the naturally thicker competition at Middleweight. Additionally, Holland has a seven inch reach advantage and is six years younger than Rodriguez. Look for Kevin to make it three wins in a row at 170 and start to make some real noise in the division he should have been in all along. (Prediction: Holland)
Consensus: 3-0 Holland
Middleweight: Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: This might just be one of the most exciting fights on the entire card, and I’m genuinely looking forward to it. Kopylov has quietly put together an impressive run, and while that submission loss to Anthony Hernandez stands out on paper, it doesn’t tell the full story of how skilled he really is. His striking is razor-sharp, he carries serious knockout power, and stylistically, he’s a nightmare if you give him space to operate. The big question now is whether he can handle someone like Paulo Costa.
Now, let’s be honest. Costa hasn’t looked like the wrecking ball he once was. A string of losses, inactivity, and some questionable performances have taken the shine off his name. But still, when he’s locked in, “Borrachinha” is an absolute menace. I don’t think Kopylov will be rushing in blindly, because once Costa starts moving forward with intent, he’s like a pressure-cooker with fists.
To me, this feels like a make-or-break fight for Costa. I believe he knows the stakes and will come into this one with a renewed sense of urgency. That said, he’ll need to be cautious, because Kopylov’s well-rounded skill set can pose real problems if Costa lets his foot off the gas. (Prediction: Costa)
Thomas Albano: There is zero chance I ride with Costa in this fight. I was barely on his hype train when he made his way up, and he lost all credibility with me as a legitimate contender when he had the performance that he had against Israel Adesanya. That said, I’ll give him this – he actually fought more than once in a year last year and he looked great when facing Sean Strickland his last time out. At least three of Costa’s losses are not bad in terms of opponent (and the thing with the Marvin Vettori fight is that it was out of the division technically), but it’s hard when you’re a fighter on that kind of skid, and you’re taking on someone who’s on the rise such as Kopylov.
Kopylov has power in his strikes that can match Costa’s. He’s also got good footwork and a developing wrestling game on top of that. Costa needs the win here; however, Kopylov will make a strong statement by coming out on top with a strong performance. Given Kopylov’s rise and slowly developing all-roundness, I’m going to pick him via decision. (Prediction: Kopylov)
Ryan Jarrell: I am trying not to overthink this one, because when I do I find all these reasons why Kopylov wins. But my initial instinct was to lean Costa because of his boxing and power. Roman is definitely a wild card and has the tools to beat almost anyone at middleweight on any given night. But Paulo has fought the tougher competition and his only losses are to the absolute best in the division. I believe Costa will dictate where this fight takes place and his power will lead to him to a decision victory. (Prediction: Costa)
Consensus: 2-1 Costa
Lightweight: BMF Title: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier
Images: UFC.com & UFC YouTube
Pranav Pandey: These two warriors know each other like the back of their bruised hands. Both men have shown time and again that they can crank up the violence on command, and while we’ve seen nearly everything from these all-action veterans, there’s still something magnetic about watching them collide. Their last meeting was a fan-favorite classic filled with nonstop action.
Poirier is stepping into the Octagon one last time against the very man he’s already beaten twice. But don’t let that 2-0 record fool you; this is no victory lap. “The Diamond” is throwing himself into the fire once again, fully aware of how dangerous “Blessed” can be. Yes, Holloway is coming off a devastating knockout loss to Ilia Topuria, but let’s not kid ourselves. This is a different opponent, a different stage, and a different Max.
Like Poirier, Holloway doesn’t know how to take a backward step. He’s made a career out of throwing volume like a man possessed. And while I fully expect another chaotic war, I have a strong feeling it won’t go the distance. I think Holloway has absorbed more cumulative damage over the years, and that wear and tear might finally catch up to him. If Poirier stays disciplined and avoids diving into those adrenaline-fueled guillotines, I believe “The Diamond” gets the finish and the storybook ending he’s been chasing. (Prediction: Poirier)
Thomas Albano: Throughout my journey from teenhood to adulthood, I’ve watched the rises of Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier, and I’ve watched their first two encounters in the Octagon. Now, I get to witness their third. These two have become my favorite fighters today, and in the words of Tim McGraw, I love it, I hate it, I want some more of it. I loved the battles between these two that have already happened. I love that Poirier gets to end his career in this kind of fight. But it stinks that one of these two is going to have to lose this matchup. I just hope it doesn’t end in a way where we’re going to talk about someone’s stock (namely Holloway since he’s still going to be fighting after this) dropping.
Now for the fight itself, this is the hardest pick of the night. Something might seem in the air that makes it feel like the third time is going to be the charm for Holloway. I don’t doubt that and wouldn’t put it past Holloway to win this; however, I have my concerns. Dana White had some skepticism about Holloway in terms of his size when first trying out lightweight – back when he and Poirier fought for the second time. Holloway looked more even in terms of size when he fought Gaethje, but will Poirier still look like the bigger fighter when they match up again? My thoughts say yes – even with Holloway as the slightly taller fighter.
The concern for Holloway is if he’ll be able to work around Poirier’s reach. The concern for Poirier is if his chin can handle the boxing of Holloway. I could say Poirier has the edge if this one goes to the ground, but who am I kidding? This is NOT going to the ground unless someone gets a knockdown. This one’s tough, and I wouldn’t bet on this unless it’s a go the distance prop, but I’ll take Poirier to ride into the sunset with a win – either by a narrow unanimous decision (48-47s on all three cards?) or a controversial split decision. (Prediction: Poirier)
Ryan Jarrell: These are two of my all time favorite fighters so I’d love to say this fight ends in a draw so neither man takes a loss on their record. But that’s not going to happen. The last time these two fought was back in 2019 when Dustin won a unanimous decision over 5 exciting action packed rounds. It is safe to say that both men have evolved tremendously since that contest, so we may be in for absolute treat as fans for this hugely anticipated main event scrap. I belief this will be a very even matchup on the feet and I do expect it to stay on the feet for the majority of the fight. Ultimately, I think ‘The Diamond’ will have the more meaningful moments and land more significant strikes en route to a decision victory and sail off into retirement on a high note. (Prediction: Poirier)
Consensus: 3-0 Poirier
That’ll do it for our UFC 318 staff picks! What do you think? Do your predictions look similar? Let us know in the comments section!
Also, you can check out the full UFC 318 card below.
Main Card:
Lightweight: BMF Championship: Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier
Middleweight: Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov
Welterweight: Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez
Featherweight: Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull
Lightweight: Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber
Preliminary Card:
Bantamweight: Kyler Phillips vs. Vinicius Oliveira
Middleweight: Marvin Vettori vs. Brendan Allen
Welterweight: Francisco Prado vs. Nikolay Veretennikov
Middleweight: Ateba Abega Gautier vs. Robert Valentin
Early Preliminary Card:
Welterweight: Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov
Light Heavyweight: Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio
Heavyweight: Ryan Spann vs. Łukasz Brzeski
Middleweight: Brunno Ferreira vs. Jackson McVey
Women’s Flyweight: Carli Judice vs. Nicolle Caliari
Don’t try to outshine Conor McGregor — whether you believe him or not.
Just as news drops of Jon Jones explaining his plans to unretire and confirming his intentions to compete at the UFC’s White House card next year, McGregor makes his own claim of the same nature.
Talking to The Schmo, McGregor confirmed his intentions to return for the major UFC card in July 2026.
🚨”I’m Back in The Pool. So get ready and stay ready. Damage will be Done.” @TheNotoriousMMA
“They’re testing me. I’m in the pool,” McGregor told The Schmo. “That’s what pools are for — jumping in and out. But I’m back in the pool. So get ready and stay ready, because damage will be done.”
Conor McGregor Confirms Desire To Be On UFC Card At The White House
Following an announcement from U.S. President Donald Trump, UFC officials, including UFC CEO and President Dana White have confirmed plans for a UFC card on the White House grounds during the U.S. Semiquincentennial next July 4.
McGregor has been out of action since his UFC 264 loss to Dustin Poirier. Plans were in motion for McGregor to return following his stint as a coach on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2023, taking on rival coach Michael Chandler. After a drawn-out negotiation, however, McGregor vs. Chandler was scheduled for UFC 303 — only to be canceled a few weeks before the event.
While a toe injury is the given reason for the fight falling through, some reports have claimed contract issues between McGregor and the promotion. McGregor has two fights remaining on his current deal and wants to fight the contract out; meanwhile, the UFC wants to lock McGregor up under another contract.
McGregor has been focused on his role as a part-owner of the BKFC, recently promoting its upcoming $25 million tournament and new signings, as well as getting into a confrontation with Mike Perry.
BKFC President David Feldman, during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, says McGregor told him of his intentions to fight on the White House card and then have one last fight with the UFC after. He teased that after completing his UFC contract, McGregor might potentially fight in BKFC.
“He’s got two fights left on his contract,” Feldman said. “He told me in person. He whispered in my ear. He said, ‘I’m in the testing pool.’ He said, ‘I’m getting ready to make my comeback. I’m going to fight on that big card, and then I’m going to have another fight, and then we can talk.”
The saga of Jon Jones’ retirement and unretirement decision has been one that stretched back to when it was debated if he’d retire after facing Stipe Miocic — and it’s ongoing in the wake of his decision to unretire just two weeks after doing so and giving up the UFC heavyweight championship.
And now, Jones has publicly given an explanation for his decision to both retire and unretire quickly.
Jones was present at ESPN’s ESPY Awards show on July 16 and appeared on the red carpet. It was at the event’s Red Carpet show where Jones gave an interview, allowing him to give insight on his decision.
“I felt like I was at a place where I’ve done it all in the MMA space and felt like there wasn’t too many more challenges for me,” Jones told ESPN. “I just wanted to do something more than championships and money — and Donald Trump mentioned that he wanted to have a fight at the White House Garden, and that just seems like such a huge opportunity.”
Jon Jones Confirms His Intention To Compete On UFC White House Card
Following Trump’s announcement of a UFC White House card, UFC officials would confirm the plan was being explored. In the days since, UFC CEO and President Dana White has confirmed such plans are in motion. White has promised to bring the “baddest” and most anticipated UFC pay-per-view card ever next July 4.
While logistics for the event still have to be worked out, White has mentioned that he sees a long-overdue fight between Jones and Aspinall as a “dream main event” for the card.
Conor McGregor has also thrown his name in the hat for the White House UFC event, and White has stated he would get both a Jones fight and McGregor fight on this kind of card.
“I’m a very proud American,” Jones said. “I have a lot of close friends that are in the military, and this is my act of — I can’t call it service — but just to be able to entertain the country and the world at this level at the White House. It just means the world to me. So I’m back.”
Jones became UFC heavyweight champion at UFC 285 by defeating Ciryl Gane for the then-vacant title, and he retained the championship against Miocic at UFC 309. Jones and Miocic were scheduled to face off originally at UFC 295 before Jones suffered a torn pec. Instead, Aspinall won the interim heavyweight title at that event — and then retained the interim gold against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.
Negotiations between Jones and Aspinall had been ongoing and seemed to be near completion until Jones’ retirement announcement. Aspinall was then named the new UFC heavyweight champion at the UFC Baku post-fight press conference last month.
In an announcement that is jaw-dropping, but more than welcomed by combat sports fans around the world, Turki Alalshikh — the chair of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority — has announced the end of the pay-per-view model of Riyadh Season and The Ring cards on DAZN.
Posting to X (fka Twitter), Alalshikh announced that this decision was made in partnership with DAZN, which broadcasts Riyadh Season boxing events, following a meeting with DAZN CEO Shay Segev.
This will go into effect beginning with The Ring IV card on Saturday, November 22 — a card that features three — and potentially a fourth — world championship fights.
Great meeting with my brother Shay, CEO of DAZN. We have big vision to grow boxing and decide: No More Pay-Per-View. Starting with our @ringmagazine show in November, all Riyadh Season & The Ring events will be free to DAZN subscribers. The PPV model has damaged boxing, and we… pic.twitter.com/txF1VMQaXA
“We have big vision to grow boxing and decide: No more Pay-Per-View,” Alalshikh posted. “Starting with our Ring Magazine show in November, all Riyadh Season & The Ring events will be free to DAZN subscribers. The PPV model has damaged boxing, and we will no longer support it. We are with the fight fans.”
Turki Alalshikh: Riyadh Season & The Ring Cards To Be Free For DAZN Subscribers Beginning In November
The news announced by Alalshikh also comes as the UFC, who Alalshikh also has a working relationship with, is in the midst of negotiations to find its new U.S. broadcasting home after its deal with ESPN expires at the end of this year. Some believe that the UFC could end up one way or another on Netflix — and the deal could be so financially massive some hope it ends the UFC’s usage of the pay-per-view model as well.
When DAZN first launched in 2016, reaching the U.S. in 2018 right before an Anthony Joshua vs Alexander Povetkin heavyweight title fight, the hope was for this to be the start of the combat sports world eventually moving away from pay-per-view.
Through a combination of factors, however, including the economics of combat sports (let alone boxing) — which included impacts DAZN, and the combat sports industry as a whole, were dealt during the COVID-19 pandemic — led DAZN to introduce pay-per-view events, beginning with the May 2022 clash between Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol.
DAZN had some financial straits placed on it around that time. SportsPro reported a $1.3 billion loss for the streaming platform in 2020, and a 2021 Bloomberg article said DAZN’s losses swelled to $2.3 billion by that point — part of which came from acquisitions of soccer programing.
DAZN also began a five-year broadcasting partnership with Bellator in 2018 before the two parted ways in 2020. DAZN executive Joe Markowski, in a 2022 appearance on The MMA Hour, did not go into specifics; however, he stated the early end of the contract was a “consequence of COVID.”
The Ring IV in November will be headlined by WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez defending his title against Anthony Yarde. The co-main event will see Brian Norman Jr. defend his WBO welterweight title against unbeaten former undisputed lightweight champion and former WBC super lightweight champion Devin Haney.
Sam Noakes and Abdullah Mason, the top two lightweight contenders ranked by the WBO, will clash for the vacant championship.
An undisputed champion at 115 pounds could also be determined on this November card. WBC junior bantamweight champion Jesse Rodriguez takes on WBO champion Phumelela Cafu on July 19, and if Rodriguez wins and unifies the WBC and WBO titles, he will then face WBA and IBF champion Fernando Martinez to determine the undisputed champion of the weight class at The Ring IV.
MMA legend Randy Couture is back at home after spending time over the last week hospitalized following a car crash at a pro racetrack.
Per TMZ Sports, Couture was released from a burn center he was at and is now home recovering from injuries he suffered during practice runs at a racetrack in Kansas City. MMAFighting’s Damon Martin added that Couture is now undergoing outpatient treatments.
Couture suffered first and second-degree burns in the accident, as well as broken ribs and smoke inhalation.
Randy Couture Released From Burn Center, Still Recovering From Racetrack Injuries
Couture, an avid motorcyclist, was set to compete with the National Hot Rod Association, originally scheduled to make his debut later this year. Couture reportedly went through licensing in order to compete in the NHRA’s new Pro Mod program.
It is still unclear what caused the accident. The vehicle Couture was in was totaled in the accident.
A boxing bout between Shakur Stevenson and Conor Benn would definitely bring eyeballs — especially after the way they talked trash at each other on a livestreamed Internet program.
Stevenson and Benn were both scheduled guests for a recent edition of The Ariel Helwani Show following Stevenson’s victory over William Zepeda in Flushing, NY, this past weekend, retaining the WBC lightweight title.
Helwani brought the two in and seated them next to one another at one point, where things seemed to get stirred. And after an early exchange of pleasantries, the insults — be it serious or playful — started to get thrown.
Stevenson appeared to talk Benn down, following Benn’s loss to Chris Eubank Jr. in April.
“You’re not that big, bro,” Stevenson told him.
“When I hit you, you’ll feel it,” Benn responded. “You’re going to be on your bike. You’re not going to hit me.”
Did Shakur Stevenson And Conor Benn Just Agree To Lightweight Matchup In November?
Benn followed it up by mentioning a couple of moments during the Zepada matchup where he seemed to stumble Stevenson, which Stevenson responded by telling Been to “stop lying.”
When Stevenson went back to the size remarks, saying he and Benn are not that far off in terms of build, Benn challenged Stevenson to come up to 160 for a fight.
Benn, despite having fought at welterweight and middleweight most recently, then said he’d be interested in dropping to 147 to challenge Stevenson in November — which Stevenson seemed to accept.
“I’ll fight you at 147,” Benn said. “No, no, no, no, no. I don’t hear no excuses.”
“After I beat you, just tell me I’m great,” Benn also said.
The conversation continued to be an exchange of compliments and jabs before Stevenson left minutes later, as Benn finished up with Helwani.
Stevenson is undefeated at 24-0, having held gold at featherweight and super featherweight before becoming a lightweight world champion.
Benn’s lost to Eubank Jr. marked the first in the professional career of the former WBA Continental welterweight champion.
It was 10 years ago when two boxing legends — Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao — finally met in the ring for a highly-anticipated clash of boxing icons that many felt was long overdue. The fight ended up not living up to expectations, but it was had, and as years have gone on, many have felt we saw a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Or have we?
Boxing inside Lance Pugmire took to social media and stated that there are talks happening, after all the years, for a potential Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2.
According to Pugmire, the fate of such negotiations continuing depends upon Pacquiao’s ability to win his comeback fight with WBC welterweight champion Marrio Barrios on July 19.
Went over to @FloydMayweather Boxing Club upon my arrival today in Vegas for @MannyPacquiao fight week, was told to expect Floyd to attend with two fighters on the card. “Conversations are already happening … if Manny wins, this (rematch) could be worth billions,” I was told.
“Was told to expect Floyd to attend with two fighters on the card,” Pugmire posted to X (fka Twitter) on July 15. “‘Conversations are already happening…if Manny wins, this could be worth billions,’ I was told.”
Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao 2 A Possibility If Pacquiao Beats Mario Barrios?
Negotiations for a first fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather began all the way back in late 2009, following Pacquiao’s win over Miguel Cotto and Mayweather’s win over Juan Manuel Marquez — the latter being Mayweather’s first fight in 21 months after a brief retirement in 2008-2009.
Talks between the two sides collapsed in 2010. Mayweather and his team claimed Pacqiuao’s side were resistant to Olympic-style drug testing, while Pacquiao’s camp claimed they accepted the stipulation but Mayweather and his team were dodging the fight.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum attempted to bring a second round of negotiations, alongside HBO and Al Haymon, who was Mayweather’s manager and later went on to create Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) in 2015. Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, however, claimed negotiations never took place. Despite continued disputes, more momentum and hope were slowed in 2012 with Pacquiao dropping a decision to Timothy Bradley and getting brutally knocked out by Marquez.
Thanks to Gabriel Salvador, however, serious negotiations were re-started in mid-2014, as he brought together the likes of then-CBS head Leslie Moonves, Freddie Roach, and Bob Arum. A month after Pacquiao and Mayweather ran into each other at an NBA game, later meeting in a hotel room to iron out details, the fight was officially announced for May 2, 2015.
Though the fight did not live up to expectations, the fight became the highest-grossing boxing pay-per-view in U.S. history with 4.6 million buys and over $410 million in revenue.
Mayweather would go on to defeat Andre Berto later in 2015 and retire — although he came out of retirement for a superfight with then-UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor, which Mayweather won via 10th-round TKO. Pacquiao, meanwhile, went on to gain revenge on Bradley and regain the WBO welterweight title before later becoming WBA (Regular) and WBA (Super) welterweight champion. Prior to his comeback this coming weekend, Pacquiao has not fought since losing the WBA title to Yodrenis Ugas in August 2021.
Mayweather and Pacquiao met at a music festival in 2018, and a rematch appeared to be teased but never came to fruition. Mayweather has competed in a series of exhibition bouts since, however, against the likes of Logan Paul, Tenshin Nasukawa, and John Gotti III.
Welcome, everyone, to the eighth edition of The TUF Stuff!
Each week, I’ll be guiding you through a recap of this season’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter, providing updates on what happens in each episode — from the drama and storylines out of the Octagon, to the looks into who the competing fighters are, to what goes down inside the cage.
This season celebrates the 20th anniversary of TUF. That inaugural season from 2005 helped to influence many future MMA fans, media members, and fighters (yours truly included). And now, two more fighters this summer will get the opportunity to call themselves TUF champions when it’s all said and done.
Last week saw the final flyweight matchup of the season, with Team Cormier’s frustrations continuing and Team Sonnen seeming to have turned the tide with Roybert Echeverria defeating Tumelo Manyamala.
Recap of The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 – Episode 8
The first round concludes with the last welterweight semifinal spot on the line tonight in a grudge match! Two men who haven’t gotten along well during their time in the TUF House — Team Cormier’s Rodrigo Sezinando and Team Sonnen’s Diego Bianchini — will finally throw down!
Let’s get into episode eight of The Ultimate Fighter!
Team Cormier Training Session — Yair Rodriguez Joins
Michael Chiesa is back. Daniel Cormier is absent from the session, and Chiesa introduces former UFC interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez, A previous TUF: Latin America winner, to join for the team’s training session.
— The Ultimate Fighter (@UltimateFighter) July 16, 2025
Rodriguez tells the cast to remember to enjoy the moment — and that while TUF is a competition, it’s also a brotherhood. He then leads the team through some clinch techniques.
Jeff Creighton said Rodriguez has “layers to his game” and Rodriguez gave a “masterclass elbows seminar” in the sport.
Diego Bianchini Backstory
Bianchini grew up, and still lives, in Sao Paulo, Brazil and currently lives with his parents. He describes himself as spoiled to have his family and pets, as well as living in a quiet environment.
Bianchini says growing up in Brazil, you either play soccer or fight, and he knew that he was always going to be in the UFC.
Bianchini, who is 9-1, trains at the Fighting Nerds alongside Caio Borralho and Jean Silva. Borralho describes Bianchini as a good guy to train with and praises his talent, claiming “The Brazilian Bad Boy” (Bianchini’s self-proclaimed alter-ego) will be in the TUF Finale.
Rodrigo Sezinando Backstory
We see some of Sezinando’s homesickness on display, looking at a photo of his mom and feeling awful for not being able to afford to see her. Sezinando went as far as to say his mom “doesn’t know if he’s alive or not” but promises to make her proud of him.
Sezinando was born in Rio De Janeiro, raised by his mom. His mom talks on camera, saying how he fights for her. She says, “His battle is ours, too. I love my son very much and that’s how it is.”
Sezinando says he grew up in a simple life in a place that isn’t the safest — and so he joined a gym for self-defense.
Sezinando is in Vancouver now after competing for Battlefield Fight League. He moved to Canada with just $200 to his name, and he hopes to use his family’s support to fuel his dream.
Diego Bianchini Fight Prep
Bianchini gives Sonnen praise for his guidance. Bianchini says he recognizes Sezinando’s jiu-jitsu but promises to dominate him in the cage. He then works with Sonnen on takedown techniques and with other coaches on striking.
Bianchini wants to strike without taking damage. “Nobody can read me,” he says.
— The Ultimate Fighter (@UltimateFighter) July 16, 2025
Sonnen feels Sezinando can’t keep up with Bainchini, who he says will weaponize pace. Sonnen feels Sezinando might come out with fury and will be dangerous in the first but won’t win a second or third round.
Bianchini says Sezinando has been talking crap and promises to show what “The Brazilian Bad Boy” can do.
Rodrigo Sezinando Fight Prep
Sezinando says he is going to use his striking to tire Bianchini out. Sezinando wants to knock Bianchini out given their history.
“My ego has to stay outside,” he says, promising if jiu-jitsu opens up, that’s what he’ll do to get the win.
— The Ultimate Fighter (@UltimateFighter) July 16, 2025
Cormier says he isn’t sure how Bianchini will be able to take Sezinando down. Cormier says Bianchini is sloppy with takedowns; however, he’s fearful that Sezinando will go wild and sloppy when he spots openings. Cormier, however, tells the camera that he thinks Sezinando can put Bianchini away with his striking.
Sezinando says his heart and his fight IQ are his biggest positives as a fighter.
Cormier adds to the fire by saying to think about his motivations – “This is fun to him, this is life to you.”
TUF House
Tumelo Manyamala says this is a fight everyone in the house has wanted to happened.
Bianchini claims Sezinando knows he loves him, seemingly trying to get under Sezinando’s skin. Sezinando says “Don’t worry. I will take care of you.”
— The Ultimate Fighter (@UltimateFighter) July 16, 2025
Bianchini says Sezinando is a farce of an individual. Sezinando says Bianchini doesn’t understand how hard it is to move away from his family and sacrifice everything.
Bianchini says Sezinando doesn’t like successful people, but he himself “doesn’t like haters.”
The Fight: Rodrigo Sezinando vs. Diego Bianchini
—–IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED THE EPISODE AND DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO TURN AWAY NOW.———
Both men weigh in at 170.5. The fight is on! And, of course, we get an intense staredown!
Roybert Echeverria says this will be the fight of the season. Jeff Creighton says he told Sezinando to control his emotions to be the better fighter and winner.
Rodrigo Sezinando vs. Diego Bianchini
Round 1
Bianchini comes right out the gate with a round kick. Another spinning kick but it misses! Low kicks from both men. Round kick by Bianchini. He misses another spin kick, and Sezinando takes him down! Cormier telling Sezinando to flatten him. Bianchini tries for a leg lock, but Sezinando gets the fight back to the feet. Sezinando misses a spin kick now! Flying knee from Bianchini! Low kick from Bianchini. It’s a leg kick battle here. Another one from Bianchini. Sezinando stops the takedown attempt and adds a low kick. Round kick from Bianchini lands. Sezinando goes for a clinch, but Bianchini tries to control it until a quick separation. Kick lands low and we get a timeout.
Fight resumes, and Bianchini doesn’t get all of a spin kick. Sezinando goes big on his strikes and gets clinched to the wall briefly. Bianchini can’t get a takedown, and Sezinando tosses him down, adding a couple of strikes for good measures before he lets Bianchini up. Low kick from Sezinando. One-two from Bianchini. Sezinando lands a combination that HURTS Bianchini! Bianchini is able to get Sezinando to the fence. Bianchini continues to hold. The ref calls for activity with about 85 seconds left in the round, and Sezinando is able to reverse the position. Sezinando lands a knee. He adds a left hand on the separation.
Knee from Bianchini. Overhand right catches Sezinando now! Sezinando pressures and throws a high kick! Spin kick lands to the back of the head of Sezinando. Strong left hand from Sezinando. Sezinando clinches Bianchini against the fence for the last 10 seconds.
Round 2
Bianchini with a front kick and a right hand. Low kick from Bianchini, followed by a blocked high kick. Sezinando responds with kicks of his own. Bianchini lands a jab but his high kick is blocked. Bianchini goes for a takedown, but Sezinando stuffs it and gets him down! A couple of elbows from Sezinando. And another. Bianchini tries to get his legs up, but Sezinando works around them, staying on top of Bianchini. Sezinando covering Bianchini’s mouth. Activity slows. Sonnen trying to get Bianchini to work. Cormier telling Sezinando to stay on him.
Sezinando with more punches. Bianchini tries for another leg lock, but Sezinando gets away from it. He returns to the ground, working in Bianchini’s guard. Sezinando lands another couple of shots. Sonnen questions if Bianchini really wants the win, urging him to get up. Sezinando lands a couple of elbows, with his coaches urging to continue to beat him up. Another elbow from Sezinando. And another. This is a complete smothering as compared to the first round. Left hand lands. Another couple of elbows. More ground-and-pound from Sezinando.
No third round needed! Sezinando wins the rivalry!
Winner: Sezinando via unanimous decision after two rounds
Conclusion
Cormier says Bianchini came out crazy, but Sezinando mostly “stayed true to who he was.” Sonnen says he felt bad for Bianchini because he had pressure in being “the baddest dude” — as did Sezinando. Dana White says when a fight hype like this happens, the fight usually doesn’t live up to the hype.
Cormier says Sezinando fought a “beautiful” first round and then in the second, got a takedown and “beat the crap out of” Bianchini. White says Sezinando didn’t want to take a risk and dominated — alas, not a fun way to close out the quarterfinals.
Sezinando expresses excitement for the win, but the two hugged it out in the cage, seemingly putting the bad blood behind them. Bianchini says Sezinando earned his respect and that he was the better fighter tonight. “It is what it is,” Sezinando says. “The Brazilian Bad Boy” will be back.”
Semi-Finals Decisions
White will not join Cormier and Sonnen this season. The two coaches will hear from the fighters and they alone will make this season’s TUF semis.
Here were the fighters’ remarks:
Joseph Morales of Team Sonnen says he wants to fight Imanol Rodriguez.
Imanol Rodriguez of Team Cormier wants Roybert Echerverria.
Echerverria of Team Sonnen wants Alibi Idiris.
Idiris of Team Cormier says he also wants Echerverria.
Creighton of Team Cormier says if put in the position where he’d have to fight a teammate, he’d want to fight Sezinando.
Morales adds in the idea of him fighting Sezinando as well.
Sezinando says he’s interested in facing Matt Dixon.
Daniil Donchenko of Team Cormier says he puts his trust in the coaches.
Ultimately, the following semi-finals are announced:
Flyweight: Alibi Idiris (Team Cormier) vs. Roybert Echerverria (Team Sonnen)
Flyweight: Imanol Rodriguez (Team Cormier) vs. Joseph Morales (Team Sonnen)
Welterweight: Matt Dixon (Team Sonnen) vs. Daniil Donchenko (Team Cormier)
Welterweight: Jeff Creighton (Team Cormier) vs. Rodrigo Sezinando (Team Cormier)
Cormier says he feels Idiris is ready for the UFC right now, and Echerverria is better than what he showed in the quarterfinals.
Sonnen feels Morales, based on his previous UFC experience, is the best fighter in the competition. Morales and Rodriguez share some intense words.
Sonnen says Dixon could knock everyone out in the competition, but the fight with Donchenko will be “brutal.”
Cormier feels Sezinando was the best fighter entering the competition; however, Creighton has showed the biggest improvements of anyone. The two fighters face off, with Sezinando affirming Creighton’s claim “You knew this would happen.” Sezinando says the two can share food after the fight.
Cormier and Sonnen play pickleball for this season’s Coaches’ Challenge next week!
Idiris vs. Echerverria is the first semi to go down!
What will happen next week? Join alongside us then!
Thanks for joining me for another edition of The TUF Stuff!
