MMA News

Category: MMA

  • ‘Trump Just Agreed To A 700% Tariff On Dagestan’ – Fans React To Conor McGregor’s White House Visit

    ‘Trump Just Agreed To A 700% Tariff On Dagestan’ – Fans React To Conor McGregor’s White House Visit

    Conor McGregor made a notable appearance at the White House in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

    On Monday, McGregor, along with his partner Dee Devlin and their four children, was called upon by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, at the Oval Office in Washington, D.C.. He also had a meeting with X CEO Elon Musk and other prominent officials.

    During his time at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the former two-division UFC champion spoke to the press and once again voiced his concerns about the polarizing issue of illegal immigration in his homeland of Ireland, a topic he has long been outspoken about.

    Fans had a mixed reaction to Conor McGregor’s unexpected visit to the White House to meet Trump, with many referencing “The Notorious” in various creative ways.

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    https://twitter.com/TommyRazan/status/1901715534372302872

    Conor McGregor’s visit to Washington, paired with his outspoken stance on Ireland’s immigration policies, did not go without controversy, as it sparked backlash from the country’s leadership.

    Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin strongly rebuked his statements, while Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris was quick to clarify that the 36-year-old UFC star was not in the White House as a representative of Ireland.

    “The Notorious” has been out of action since suffering a brutal leg fracture in his trilogy bout against longtime rival Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

    After years on the sidelines, McGregor was finally set to make his highly anticipated return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024, following their stint as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter Season 31 in 2023.

    However, just two weeks before fight night, the Irishman withdrew due to a broken toe, leaving fans uncertain about if or when he will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon.

  • UFC Veteran Says Leon Edwards Is Making ‘Excuses’ For Belal Muhammad Loss

    UFC Veteran Says Leon Edwards Is Making ‘Excuses’ For Belal Muhammad Loss

    Leon Edwards has blamed his July loss of the UFC welterweight title to Belal Muhammad on less-than-ideal circumstances. While potentially true, one retired fighter says the Brit is still making “excuses.”

    Edwards and his coach, Dave Lovell, have cited the unusually late fight time (approximately 5 a.m. local time) as a major factor, with “Rocky” describing his reactions as “slow” and Lovell estimating his fighter performed at only “30 to 40 percent” of his potential.

    Retired UFC welterweight Matt Brown understands Edwards’ struggles, having experienced similar issues throughout his own career. However, he believes that publicly airing these grievances after a defeat is generally perceived negatively.

    “I understand where Leon’s coming from, especially being in his home country,” Brown said of Leon Edwards on the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer. “He’s certainly accustomed to a certain rhythm, a routine of sleeping and waking. Belal coming from another country, there’s some excitement and everything’s new. The time zone is new. You’re going to be adjusting to the time zone regardless.

    “I guess I could see it a little bit, but we’re right on track with the same thing we always say. You can’t take away from Belal. He fought amazing in that fight. That’s part of being a fighter. You have to deal with shit like that. Things like that have thrown me off in the past, too, 100 percent during fights. I know it. I don’t necessarily say it publicly. But it is factual. It does happen but that’s being a fighter.”

    Brown, a veteran of 15 years in the UFC, recognizes the significant impact that external factors can have on a fighter’s performance. He understands that, beyond skill and ability, numerous outside-the-cage issues have influenced his own outcomes.

    Furthermore, Brown acknowledges that regardless of the candor displayed by fighters and their coaches after a loss, the public reaction from fans, fellow fighters, and the media will inevitably follow a predictable pattern.

    Leon Edwards is set to return to action this weekend, once again on home soil. Unlike last July’s pay-per-view event, Saturday’s UFC London card will take place in UK primetime, perhaps boosting Edwards’ chances of a rebound victory at the expense of Sean Brady.

  • Dricus Du Plessis: Magomed Ankalaev Took The ‘Biggest Payday Of My Life’ At UFC 313

    Dricus Du Plessis: Magomed Ankalaev Took The ‘Biggest Payday Of My Life’ At UFC 313

    UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis watched on as his chances of a showdown with Alex Pereira appeared to slip away earlier this month.

    Talk of a champ vs. champ clash between the pair dwindled when Pereira’s light heavyweight reign came to an abrupt end at the hands of Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 313 main event.

    The Dagestani made good on his promise to mark “Poatan’s” toughest test to date, using his well-rounded arsenal to outpoint the Brazilian fan favorite across five rounds inside T-Mobile Arena.

    Among those watching on was Du Plessis, who has long expressed his plans to eventually move up and challenge for two-division glory. Should that occur anytime soon, the South African will no longer be getting a high-profile money fight with arguably the UFC’s top star.

    During a video uploaded to Jackson O’Doherty’s YouTube channel, Du Plessis can be seen reacting live as the UFC 313 main event unfolded.

    “And he (Pereira) wants to go down to middleweight?” Du Plessis said with a laugh while watching the fight. “Ankalaev fought a good game. Thanks Ankalaev for taking the biggest payday of my life.”

    Pereira, though, has plans to return to the 205-pound throne. The former middleweight and light heavyweight kingpin outlined his intention to seek immediate redemption opposite Ankalaev later this year, and UFC CEO Dana White was quick to green light a rematch.

    Du Plessis, meanwhile, is expected to place his attention on the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev next after already pushing past challenges from Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.

  • UFC Counts Down Top 5 London Moments, Including Brutal Masvidal KO

    UFC Counts Down Top 5 London Moments, Including Brutal Masvidal KO

    Former welterweight star Jorge Masvidal featured as the UFC looked back on some memorable moments in London.

    The mixed martial arts leader is back in England’s capital this week, with The O2 playing host to UFC Fight Night action on Saturday, March 22. Headlining will be former 170-pound champion Leon Edwards, who returns to compete in the city where he recorded a successful title defense back in 2023.

    “Rocky” has had plenty more memorable moments in London, including a backstage altercation with Masvidal.

    A 2019 trip across the pond provided plenty of notable highlights, largely thanks to “Gamebred.” Inside the cage, the Miami native began his surge to stardom by brutally knocking out home favorite Darren Till in the main event. Soon after, he delivered the infamous “three piece and a soda” to Edwards after having his backstage interview interrupted.

    Of those two actions, Masvidal’s victory over “The Gorilla” made it onto the UFC’s recent video looking back on the five best moments from its past London cards.

    The KO of Till was included alongside Arnold Allen’s rapid finish of Dan Hooker, Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev’s barnburner, Michael Bisping’s triumph over the legendary Anderson Silva, and Jan Blachowicz’s Fight of the Night battle with Jimi Manuwa.

    Of those names, only Blachowicz will feature as part of this weekend’s lineup at The O2. The former light heavyweight champion will return from a lengthy injury layoff looking to defend his spot in the rankings against the fast-charging Carlos Ulberg.

  • ‘Angry Marvin Vettori’ Back After Loss In UFC Return ‘Sparked The Fire Again’

    ‘Angry Marvin Vettori’ Back After Loss In UFC Return ‘Sparked The Fire Again’

    According to former UFC middleweight title challenger Marvin Vettori, something good came out of his loss this past weekend.

    Vettori returned to action for the first time in almost two years, running it back with Roman Dolidze in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event at the Apex.

    While the Georgian marked the last man Vettori has beaten, the Italian was unable to repeat his 2023 feat in London when they squared off in a rematch, instead falling to a convincing decision defeat.

    Having now lost three of his last four, Vettori is firmly out of the championship conversation at 185 pounds. But although that will no doubt be a disappointment for him, it isn’t all negative.

    In a recent social media post, “The Italian Dream” claimed his latest setback has “sparked the fire again.”

    Vettori will now look to prove as much when he makes the walk again, and he seemingly has a name in mind for his second outing of 2025.

    “Saturday sparked the fire again, 21 months out was a bit,” Marvin Vettori wrote on X. “Angry Vettori might be back lol. Time to win some fights. Allen before I see you outside, what you doing next? Who is gonna retire who?”

    Brendan Allen also started this year on the wrong foot, having fallen to a two-fight losing skid courtesy of Anthony Hernandez in Seattle last month.

    After consecutive losses to Nassourdine Imavov and “Fluffy,” Allen sits one place below Vettori in the UFC middleweight rankings at #11.

  • UFC Rankings Report: UFC 313 Winner Gets Late Addition To Division’s Top 15

    UFC Rankings Report: UFC 313 Winner Gets Late Addition To Division’s Top 15

    In the aftermath of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night at the Apex, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

    Men’s Pound-For-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Pound-for-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Strawweight: No changes.

    Women’s Flyweight: No changes.

    Women’s Bantamweight: No changes.

    Flyweight: Joshua Van has received a late reward for his victory at UFC 313 earlier this month. After defeating Rei Tsuruya to make it three wins on the bounce, the Burmese prospect has entered the flyweight UFC rankings at #15, replacing recent title challenger Kai Asakura on the list. The changes have seen Charles Johnson boosted by one spot to #14.

    Bantamweight: No changes.

    Featherweight: No changes.

    Lightweight: No changes.

    Welterweight: No changes.

    Middleweight: Roman Dolidze is this week’s biggest mover, having surged three positions up the 185-pound ladder to #9 courtesy of his victory over Marvin Vettori in Saturday’s main event. The defeated Italian, meanwhile, is down two spots to #10.

    The moves have benefitted Anthony Hernandez, who finds himself on the rise at #8, but not Brendan Allen (#11) and Paulo Costa (#12), both of whom have dropped a place.

    Light Heavyweight: No changes.

    Heavyweight: After knocking out Ryan Spann this past weekend, Waldo Cortes-Acosta has had a small boost up the heavyweight pecking order. He’s risen by one place to #11, surpassing Bahrain’s Shamil Gaziev (#12).

    You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

  • Bryce Mitchell Blames Jean Silva For ‘Demonic Dreams’ Since UFC 314 Press Conference

    Bryce Mitchell Blames Jean Silva For ‘Demonic Dreams’ Since UFC 314 Press Conference

    Bryce Mitchell is convinced that he and Jean Silva have been under the influence of a supernatural curse ever since their first encounter.

    Mitchell is set to clash with Silva in a high-stakes featherweight showdown at UFC 314 on April 12, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The two fighters came face-to-face at the UFC 314 press conference earlier this month, where they exchanged fiery verbal jabs.

    Silva, in particular, seized every opportunity to mock “Thug Nasty” for his outspoken belief in conspiracy theories.

    Bryce Mitchell, infamous for his outlandish statements and far-fetched conspiracy theories, has once again sparked intrigue with his latest claims.

    On Monday, the 30-year-old Arkansas native took to Instagram, claiming that he has been struggling with sleepless nights as he battles what he believes to be a test of his character by the devil and his demons.

    With his showdown against “Lord” fast approaching, Mitchell made an appeal to fellow Christians, asking for their prayers and spiritual support.

    “Good morning, y’all. I need all my Christian warriors to pray for me that I will have peaceful sleep, Bryce Mitchell said. “Every single night since the day before the press conference, I’ve had demonic dreams. Legions of demons are attacking me every single time I sleep, and not one time have I seen any peaceful sleep since that day.

    “These demons surround me, and they try to fight me and provoke me to anger, and then the dream will switch, and they’ll send beautiful women, and they’re trying to get me to lust, to cheat on my wife. Satan’s using two of my weaknesses to try to expose the evil in my own heart, which is anger and lust. However, where I am weak, the Lord is strong.”

    “Thug Nasty” went on to assert that the very demons tormenting him have also possessed Silva, and he vowed to knock the evil out of his opponent when they clash on April 12.

    “I’m not just fighting a man on April 12. I’m fighting a man possessed by a legion of demons. When I simply said the name Jesus, he was provoked to maliciousness, and he started barking like a dog and chanting ‘F**k you, f**k you, f**k you.’ Remember guys, the days of fighting for myself are long gone.

    “I now fight for the name of the Lord and the devil, he ain’t gonna waste his time trying to plauge a loser. He knows that a victory for the Lord is at hand. I will win this fight in the name of Jesus Christ. The man’s demons will be casted out of my presence and he will fall before me just as Goliath fell before King David.”

    Many have called for Bryce Mitchell to be axed from the UFC roster in January after sparking outrage with antisemitic comments, where he shockingly referred to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler as a “good guy.”

  • UFC Fighter Who Overcame Addiction Speculates Cause Of Worrying BJ Penn Videos

    UFC Fighter Who Overcame Addiction Speculates Cause Of Worrying BJ Penn Videos

    A UFC lightweight fighter thinks he understands the cause of BJ Penn’s erratic social media videos.

    Penn has never shied away from sharing outlandish conspiracy theories, but his most recent claims has truly turned heads and sparked widespread concern.

    Last week, “The Prodigy” took to Instagram, posting a series of unsettling videos in which he shockingly claimed he no longer recognized his mother, Lorraine Shin. Penn went as far as to allege that she had been murdered and replaced by an imposter.

    In one of the videos, Penn unleashed a profanity-filled rant aimed at someone named Paul Abiley. The clip’s caption contained an explosive allegation, claiming that Abiley and Carlos Riveira had conspired with the government to murder his mother and brother.

    The footage then cut to BJ Penn’s mother casually cooking in a kitchen and walking a dog, as he continued elaborating on his shocking theory. Amid his ramblings, he also admitted to having thoughts of resorting to physical violence.

    During a recent interview with Home of Fight, Jared Gordon, who has overcome heroin addiction, weighed in on BJ Penn’s bizarre claims.

    ‘Flash’ asserted that he has insight into the former UFC two-division champion’s past struggles with methamphetamine use and suspects it may once again be fueling his behavior.

    “What I’ve heard in the past, from rumors and things that I have heard, he had methamphetamine abuse disorder,” Gordon said. “I’m sure he drinks and does other [things], smokes weed probably — he’s in Hawaii — but meth is huge out there, and the way he’s acting — the paranoia, the delusion — it just screams meth. So I had made a comment, ‘sounds like meth,’ and it got a lot of people’s attention.”

    Gordon also speculated that Penn’s condition might stem from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), attributing it to the extensive head trauma he endured throughout his fighting career.

    “As we’ve seen in the past with football players and wrestlers, it’s head trauma — ‘CTE’… So can I say it’s CTE? No. But do I think that his history of concussions and brain trauma are also contributing to this? Yes. But drug abuse also plays a major role in extreme paranoia, especially what he was displaying. It just showed that something is seriously off, and it’s probably drug abuse mixed with other mental or physical health issues.”

  • Charles Oliveira: Michael Chandler Must Finish Paddy Pimblett In First Two Rounds

    Charles Oliveira: Michael Chandler Must Finish Paddy Pimblett In First Two Rounds

    Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira believes Michael Chandler’s hopes of a bounce-back victory next month rely on finding a quick finish.

    After a second defeat to Oliveira last November left him 2-4 in the UFC, Chandler’s first outing of 2025 will be a crucial one.

    The former three-time Bellator champ is set to make the walk in the co-main event of UFC 314 in Miami on April 12, where the challenge of handing up-and-comer Paddy Pimblett his first loss in the Octagon will await.

    During a recent interview with Oddspedia, Charles Oliveira gave his take on the bout, assessing his ex-opponent’s chances against the polarizing Liverpudlian.

    “Michael Chandler is a very aggressive and explosive guy. I have nothing but respect for him, he has power in his hands,” Oliveira said. “On the other side, you have a younger guy that believes in himself, moves very well and has really good jiu-jitsu and also a good stand-up game. He moves well, but experience counts for a lot.

    “In the first two rounds, Chandler has a chance to knock him out because of how explosive he is,” Oliveira continued. “But if the fight goes into the third round, I believe it’s going to be hard for Chandler because Paddy is younger and he’s very talented.”

    Pimblett has gone to the scorecards twice in his UFC career thus far, securing a controversial decision over Jared Gordon and a more convincing one opposite Tony Ferguson.

    “The Baddy” is coming off an emphatic performance last time out opposite King Green, whom he rendered unconscious by way of triangle choke in one round at UFC 304 last July.

  • Ian Garry ‘Livid’ At UFC For Giving Jack Della Maddalena Next Title Shot Over Him

    Ian Garry ‘Livid’ At UFC For Giving Jack Della Maddalena Next Title Shot Over Him

    It’s safe to say that UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry isn’t pleased with the promotion’s choice of replacement for the injured Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    After an injury to champion Belal Muhammad stalled his plans to win gold late last year, Rakhmonov maintained his top contender status by getting the better of short-notice opponent Garry at UFC 310.

    But while “Nomad” was looking ahead to a rescheduled showdown with Muhammad, another injury — this time to the Kazakh star — has once again scuppered those plans.

    In Rakhmonov’s place at UFC 315 in Montreal on May 10 will be Jack Della Maddalena. The decision to pull the Australian from his original clash with Leon Edwards in London and grant him a title shot hasn’t sat well with one fellow contender.

    During a recent video uploaded to his Instagram account, Garry didn’t shy away from expressing his bemusement with the UFC’s call. The Irishman questioned why he wasn’t the promotion’s first thought, especially given his belief that Rakhmonov’s injury derived from damage sustained in their fight last December.

    “Why aren’t I fighting for the title? I had a chat with my agent. I rang him when he told me about this news and I was livid — still am to this day,” Ian Garry said. “I had a number one contender’s fight, where the guy (Rakhmonov) now has to get knee reconstruction and is out for a year.

    “I’m not fighting for a world title because I’m coming off a loss and they’re giving it to a guy who’s been injured for a year, and they think that’s more exciting. But they’re wrong,” Garry continued, taking credit for Rakhmonov’s injury. “The title fight was meant to be Shavkat Rakhmonov taking on Belal Muhammad, but Shavkat is out injured. I wonder how that happened? Now they’re pulling in a guy who hasn’t fought in a year…hasn’t been active. They’ve given it to Jack Della Maddalena. It’s okay. Don’t worry. I’ll get you all. You’re all mine.”

    Prior to losing his undefeated status at the hands of Rakhmonov, Ian Garry had risen the ranks with victories over Neil Magny, Geoff Neal, and Michael “Venom” Page.

  • Bo Nickal Gives Honest Review Of The Apex After UFC Mocked Criticism During Latest Fight Night

    Bo Nickal Gives Honest Review Of The Apex After UFC Mocked Criticism During Latest Fight Night

    The UFC attempted a victory lap of sorts after the latest event at the Apex delivered plenty of highlights, but it would seem the fighters themselves are still less than thrilled by the prospect of competing inside the low-capacity venue.

    The Apex in Las Vegas emerged as a savior during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the building designed as a temporary solution to combat travel restrictions. To the frustration of many fans and pundits, the venue is still being utilized for UFC Fight Nights four years on from the promotion’s return to arenas.

    The UFC and its higher-ups took pride in frequently reminding fans that they were the first sporting organization to resume action after the virus’ outbreak, but they’ve been widely criticized for being the last to return to pre-lockdown conditions.

    And recent comments from UFC executives made it clear that the Apex is not going anywhere, with the promotion favoring the financial benefits that derive from avoiding a full calendar on the road.

    The debate surrounding the Apex recently reared its head again during the broadcast of UFC Vegas 104. After a card branded lackluster on paper delivered a high number of finishes, the UFC’s social media team took the opportunity to mock critics of the Apex.

    During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, however, middleweight prospect Bo Nickal backed up what many have been saying regarding the Apex experience.

    “I fought twice in the Apex and I would say that the virality of the moment is like a fraction of what it would be with the crowd,” Nickal said. “I think of some big fights in the Apex, Francis-Stipe, Poirier-Hooker…imagine those fights with the crowd.

    “It doesn’t even feel close to the real arena and a real crowd,” Nickal continued. “It feels like you’re just going out there to spar. I think that it affects the competition.”

    The UFC’s next Apex card takes place on April 5, when entertaining featherweights Josh Emmett and Lerone Murphy will do battle in a bout many wish was taking place in front of a full crowd.

    Before that, the promotion is scheduled for returns to England and Mexico. The UFC has visited just two new countries since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, staging cards in Saudi Arabia and France.

  • Leon Edwards Backs Jack Della Maddalena To Dethrone Belal Muhammad At UFC 315

    Leon Edwards Backs Jack Della Maddalena To Dethrone Belal Muhammad At UFC 315

    Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards doesn’t expect the man who removed him from the division’s throne to occupy it for much longer.

    After losing his grip on the 170-pound title courtesy of Belal Muhammad last July, Edwards was expecting to return to action opposite Jack Della Maddalena in London this weekend.

    That changed last month, however, when the Australian contender was pulled from the UFC Fight Night main event to challenge Muhammad at UFC 315 on May 10 in Montreal. Edwards, meanwhile, will now battle Sean Brady on March 22.

    Ahead of his appearance at The O2, Edwards has been vocal in stating that a victory will earn him a quick shot at returning to the welterweight mountaintop.

    While he’d like nothing more than to exact revenge on Muhammad, he seemingly doesn’t foresee “Remember the Name” still being on the throne by the time he gets back to it.

    “If I had to put money on it, I’d probably favor JDM,” Leon Edwards said during an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned. “I feel like JDM, his boxing is what will probably shut him (Muhammad) down. And he’s a good anti-grappler, JDM. It’s easy to take him down, but his scrambles on the floor are good. I feel like Belal won’t be enough to hold him down for that long. So maybe JDM, if I had to put money on it.”

    Muhammad’s first title defense was expected to come against Shavkat Rakhmonov. But after an injury to the champion scrapped that last December, the Kazakh contender is now the one ruled out.

    The Palestinian-American’s clash with Della Maddalena will mark one of two title bouts on the UFC 315 card, with Valentina Shevchenko also putting her flyweight title on the line opposite France’s Manon Fiorot.

  • Charles Oliveira Tells Fans To ‘Forget’ About Conor McGregor: ‘He Isn’t Going To Fight Again’

    Charles Oliveira Tells Fans To ‘Forget’ About Conor McGregor: ‘He Isn’t Going To Fight Again’

    According to former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, the fighting career of Conor McGregor is over.

    McGregor continues to fuel speculation about his return to combat sports, with rumors linking him to various potential matchups. Alongside talk of a boxing bout against Logan Paul, the Irishman has also been associated with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), where he became a part-owner last year and has attended multiple events.

    Oliveira recently shared his thoughts on McGregor’s potential return while speaking with Oddspedia. “Do Bronx” expressed serious doubts about McGregor stepping into the ring or Octagon again.

    “To be honest, I don’t know why people are still talking about Conor McGregor. He has done everything he wanted to do in the sport and now he chooses to live his life the way he is living,” Oliveira stated.

    “We were waiting for his return, and Michael Chandler was waiting for about two years, but he didn’t show up. I think the fans should forget about Conor McGregor coming back — he isn’t going to fight again.”

    McGregor has most recently been teasing an entry into politics.

    On Monday, the former UFC two-division champion made an appearance in the White House briefing room, where he was introduced by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. He interacted with reporters prior to meeting Donald Trump, President of the United States, and other key administration officials as part of his St. Patrick’s Day visit to Washington.

    Conor McGregor has since been entangled in multiple legal battles since his last fight, with one of the most significant coming in November when a jury in the Dublin High Court found him liable for assaulting Nikita Hand, who had accused the former UFC lightweight champion of sexually assaulting her in December 2018.

  • Watch Conor McGregor Address Reporters At The White House Ahead Of Trump Meeting

    Watch Conor McGregor Address Reporters At The White House Ahead Of Trump Meeting

    Conor McGregor is set to visit the Oval Office today for a high-profile meeting with Donald Trump.

    On Monday, the former UFC two-division champion made a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room, where he was introduced by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who announced that he would be meeting with the President of the United States and other key administration officials as part of his St. Patrick’s Day visit to Washington, D.C.

    “The Notorious” also briefed reporters and stated that his visit to Washington is “to raise the issues the people of Ireland face.”

    “Ireland and America, we are siblings. We consider America our big sibling, Conor McGregor said. “So it’s important for Ireland to be a peaceful, prosperous country for 40 million Irish Americans to have a place to visit, [to] come back to their home. So we wish for our relationship with the United States to continue, and we wish to be taken care of by the big bro. The United States should look after its little bro. And that’s how we feel.”

    McGregor and Trump share a strong mutual admiration, a connection underscored when the 47th U.S. president personally invited the UFC superstar to his inauguration ceremony in January after being re-elected this past November. 

    Last week, during a bilateral meeting with Ireland’s Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, Trump praised Conor McGregor, admiring his tattoos, fighting style, and larger-than-life presence. He attributed the 36-year-old Irishman’s success to the toughness of the Irish people.

    “The Notorious” hasn’t stepped into the Octagon since suffering a brutal leg fracture during his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2023. He was set to make his long-awaited return at UFC 303 last June in a welterweight bout against Michael Chandler, but the showdown was scrapped just weeks before fight night after McGregor was forced to withdraw due to a toe injury.

    Conor McGregor has since been entangled in multiple legal battles, with one of the most significant coming in November when a jury in the Dublin High Court found him liable for assaulting Nikita Hand, who had accused the former UFC lightweight champion of sexually assaulting her in December 2018.

    McGregor is also embroiled in another civil lawsuit, with an anonymous woman accusing him of sexual assault during the Heat vs. Celtics NBA Finals game in June 2023.

  • Sean O’Malley’s Coach Branded A ‘Little B*tch’ For Controversial Corner Tactics

    Sean O’Malley’s Coach Branded A ‘Little B*tch’ For Controversial Corner Tactics

    Matt Serra has a deep-rooted connection with Merab Dvalishvili, having trained him upon his arrival in the United States, even before Dvalishvili was fluent in English. This bond ensures Serra’s unwavering support, especially when Dvalishvili faces conflict with opponents or their coaching staff.

    This loyalty was particularly evident after an incident involving Sean O’Malley and his head coach, Tim Welch. Prior to Dvalishvili’s UFC 306 championship victory, a heated exchange occurred between him and the opposition duo, stemming from Welch’s controversial tactics during a previous title fight with Aljamain Sterling.

    While cornering O’Malley, the trainer had attempted to disrupt Sterling by shouting instructions at him.  

    Although “Funk Master” dismissed any impact from Welch’s actions, the coach repeated his disruptive behavior during Sean O’Malley’s fight against Dvalishvili, prompting a warning from the referee.

    This situation deeply resonated with Serra, who, with his extensive experience as both a fighter and a coach, strongly disapproved of Welch’s approach.

    “I’m not a fan of that guy (Welch) because when they were fighting, he does some dirty f*cking, c*nty sh*t,” Serra said during the Overdogs podcast. “He’s the guy (shouting from the corner), ‘Aljo, you’ve got to go, you’ve got (to go)!’

    “It might not be against the rules, but you’re being a little b*tch right now. I’m just letting you know. I’m not going to go, ‘Sean O’Malley, you’ve got to (go)!’“

    Serra’s disapproval extended beyond the personal conflict. He strongly condemned Welch’s use of his cornerman position to shout instructions at opponents. Serra believes this tactic inappropriately inserts coaches into the fight. It’s a practice he considers unacceptable.

  • Cain Velasquez Recalls Preparation That Went Into Beating Brock Lesnar

    Cain Velasquez Recalls Preparation That Went Into Beating Brock Lesnar

    Cain Velasquez’s victory over Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 on October 23, 2010, remains a landmark moment in MMA history.

    In that bout, Velasquez showcased his superior striking and wrestling prowess, relentlessly dominating the professional wrestling star and securing a first-round TKO. 

    This decisive win exposed Lesnar’s vulnerability against elite strikers who possess strong takedown defense. While appearing on Beyond The Belt, the former UFC fighter discussed the fight.

    “I probably weighed in at, like, 240-something going in,” Cain Velasquez said. “My strong suits with him, I was very good at getting off on the bottom. We did this in college wrestling a lot. I was just very good at getting up from the bottom, so I knew if I were to get stuck there, then it could be a long night for me, but we worked on that over and over again with DC. We had another national champion heavyweight wrestler come in.

    “We started in the worst positions, whatever (coach) Bob (Cook) said, in the middle of sparring, I had to lay down on my back with 16-ounce gloves and had DC lay on top of me and that’s where we started from multiple times a round,” Velasquez continued. “So I was very good at getting up from the bottom, especially for that camp, and I knew I just had to keep it on the feet with strikes. Just the pressure of everything, but it didn’t matter for me. My mentality was I didn’t care if I lost or won, I’m just going to give you what I have. That’s it. That’s all I could do.”

    Nearly a decade later, the two crossed paths again, this time in the world of pro wrestling.

    In 2019, Velasquez made his WWE debut, confronting Lesnar on SmackDown’s FOX premiere after “The Beast Incranate’s” quick victory over Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship. 

    Their WWE encounter at Crown Jewel 2019 was much different than their UFC fight. Lesnar was booked to decisively defeat Velasquez in approximately two minutes via kimura submission. Velasquez’s WWE tenure ended the following year.

  • Johnny Eblen Frustrated PFL Still Hasn’t Scheduled His Next Fight

    Johnny Eblen has taken to social media to voice his frustration about not having a fight booked. Eblen entered the year as the Bellator middleweight champion, but the longtime brand has since been scrapped by the PFL.

    Eblen’s most recent fight came last October at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants, where the American beat Edwards in a rematch.

    He wrote on X this week, “Wish I had a fight scheduled 😐.”

    In the meantime, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) has been unveiling the rosters for its inaugural World Tournament, which will be replacing the season and playoff format.

    Eblen won’t feature in the middleweight bracket, which includes the likes of former Bellator middleweight title challengers Fabian Edwards and Aaron Jeffery, both bringing considerable high-level experience to the tournament.

    Adding a layer of excitement, Impa Kasanganay, the 2023 PFL light heavyweight champion, will move down a weight class to compete at 185 pounds. The tournament will also feature former Bellator middleweight contenders Dalton Rosta and Mike Shipman, as well as former ONE Championship standout Murad Ramazanov, ensuring a highly competitive field.

  • Paddy Pimblett: Arman Tsarukyan ‘Deserves’ Lightweight Title Shot Over Ilia Topuria

    Paddy Pimblett: Arman Tsarukyan ‘Deserves’ Lightweight Title Shot Over Ilia Topuria

    UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett doesn’t like the idea of Ilia Topuria being granted an immediate title shot at 155 pounds.

    Topuria has set his sights on achieving two-division glory after choosing to vacate the featherweight gold this year following just one defense. “El Matador” went 2-0 in 2024, dethroning Alexander Volkanovski before becoming the first to knock out Max Holloway.

    Due to an apparent struggle to make the 145-pound weight limit, the Spaniard will move forward as a permanent figure in the lightweight division. And given his success below, Topuria has seemingly been expecting a showdown with Islam Makhachev straight away.

    During a recent interview with Jon Anik for ESPN MMA, Paddy Pimblett rejected that as a logical next fight for the champion. “The Baddy,” who has long had a rivalry with Topuria, insisted that current top contender Arman Tsarukyan is far more deserving of the opportunity.

    “I felt a bit bad for him (Tsarukyan) when Dana said, ‘No, he’s not next. He’s going to have to go back to the drawing board.’ I was like, wow, shots fired,” Pimblett said. “I think personally, Arman still deserves the next title shot. Islam’s already beat Charles (Oliveira), beat (Dustin) Poirier.

    “I think the only person right for him to fight is Arman,” Pimblett continued. “Arman deserves that title shot more than ‘Hand Sanitizer Boy’ (Topuria) does.”

    Tsarukyan entered the year with a title shot in the bank, but a last-second withdrawal from UFC 311 left the promotion bumping him down the pecking order.

    While the Russian-Armenian looks ahead to his chance to restore top contender status, Paddy Pimblett will soon have the chance to climb the ranks opposite former title challenger Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in Miami next month.

  • Robert Whittaker Responds To Roman Dolidze’s UFC Vegas 104 Callout

    Robert Whittaker Responds To Roman Dolidze’s UFC Vegas 104 Callout

    UFC middleweight contender Roman Dolidze outlined two desired options for his next fight, but it would it seem that he’s already down to one.

    Dolidze continued his charge up the 185-pound ladder in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night at the Apex, where he exacted his revenge on Marvin Vettori by way of a comfortable unanimous decision.

    Since defeats to the Italian in 2023 and Jack Hermansson last February left him on a losing skid, the Georgian has won three on the bounce. And with that, Dolidze believes he’s earned a shot at one of the division’s top names.

    “The Caucasian” pointed to former champions Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker as two “realistic” but high-ranked opponents for his next assignment. But during the latest episode of his MMArcade Podcast, the latter was quick to decline.

    “I’m trying to fight a top five guy, dude. Join the queue,” Robert Whittaker said.

    Like many fans and pundits, “The Reaper” also didn’t appear too enthralled by Saturday’s main event in his division at the Apex — perhaps compounding his lack of interest in a showdown with Dolidze.

    “I watched a round and a half and was like, ‘Dude, I have nothing to gain from this,’ and I went back to Monster Hunter Wilds,” Whittaker said. “Bro, it was just like the exact same as their first fight. They’re still at the same pub. They’re just like, ‘Ah, it’s you,’ and then they just started punching on again. It’s the exact same thing. I reckon they should run it back to break the trilogy, to get some proper closure on whatever reason they’re having a brawl.”

    Whittaker last competed in October 2024, suffering a crushing submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev that left him requiring dental surgery.

    The Australian had previously defeated Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov to push closer to a rematch with Dricus Du Plessis. He’s now welcomed a possible showdown with the champion’s most recent challenger, Sean Strickland, for this summer.

    Dolidze, meanwhile, will be eagerly awaiting an answer from Adesanya.

  • PFL Founder Rejects Speculation About Francis Ngannou’s Future: ‘Fake News!’

    PFL Founder Rejects Speculation About Francis Ngannou’s Future: ‘Fake News!’

    According to PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis, there’s no truth behind talk of Francis Ngannou approaching a potential termination clause in his contract.

    Ngannou has competed just once in the PFL since signing in May 2023 off the back of his highly publicized exit from the UFC. “The Predator” debuted by knocking out Renan Ferreira in quick time last October.

    Having previously fought Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in boxing, the Cameroonian appears likely to return to the ring for his next combat sports outing before adding to his MMA tally again.

    While his next appearance in the cage is expected to come under the PFL banner, journalist John Nash recently addressed a rumored termination clause that could see Ngannou leave the organization as early as this month during his Hey, Not The Face podcast.

    “If it’s true that his contract has a termination date and that termination date is the end of this month, they better get on that!” Nash said. “Because this is one of their major selling points, and if they’re looking for a big TV deal after UFC maybe leaves (ESPN), you’re gonna need Francis Ngannou to get that sale. That just shows you in some ways the message are communicating to the CEOs and in the corporate world, those are things that we as fans that know the sport would see through, but they don’t.”

    It didn’t take long for Davis to attempt to quash such speculation on social media, writing on X that talk of Francis Ngannou departing the PFL soon is nothing but “fake news.”

    “No truth, fake news. Francis has at least one more fight with @PFLMMA. Further Francis is long-term business partner as Chairman @PFLAfrica“

    It remains to be seen what lies in the immediate fighting future of Ngannou, but talk of a showdown with former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has been intensifying in recent weeks.

    And in terms of MMA opposition, ex-Bellator light heavyweight kingpin Vadim Nemkov has been widely pointed to as the PFL’s best option. The Russian has gone 2-0 since moving up in weight last year, most recently submitting Timothy Johnson in the first round at PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Sees Only One Threat To Alexandre Pantoja’s UFC Reign

    Muhammad Mokaev Sees Only One Threat To Alexandre Pantoja’s UFC Reign

    Aside from himself, former UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev has one name in mind when it comes to fighters capable of dethroning Alexandre Pantoja.

    Pantoja has kept a firm grip on the gold since capturing it from Brandon Moreno in a brutal five-round battle during International Fight Week back in July 2023.

    “The Cannibal” has since successfully defended the belt on three occasions, pushing past the challenges of Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg by way of the scorecards and most recently submitting newcomer Kai Asakura at UFC 310 last December.

    With the undefeated Mokaev ousted from the UFC owing to apparent issues away from the cage, many have questioned if anyone on the current UFC flyweight roster has what it takes to beat Pantoja.

    According to Mokaev, the answer is no. But away from the division’s current crop of contenders and prospects, “The Punisher” does see a threat…

    “Right now I see only Kyoji Horiguchi making a problem for Pantoja,” Mokaev wrote on X. “The rest he will beat 2-3 times and more.”

    In another post, Mokaev did admit that Kai Kara-France has a “chance,” but noted that the Kiwi standout already fell short against the champ during a season of The Ultimate Fighter back in 2016.

    Kara-France is expected to challenge “The Cannibal” at UFC 316 in Newark this coming June.

    Kyoji Horiguchi, meanwhile, hasn’t competed in the UFC in close to a decade. He’s since achieved two-division championship glory under the Rizin banner, as well as collecting Bellator’s bantamweight title.

    The Japanese veteran most recently defended his Rizin flyweight belt against Nkazimulo Zulu last December, prior to which he opened the door to a possible UFC return and clash with Pantoja, his American Top Team stablemate.

  • Alex Pereira Accused Of Cheating At UFC 313 By Magomed Ankalaev’s Coach

    Alex Pereira Accused Of Cheating At UFC 313 By Magomed Ankalaev’s Coach

    Over a week on from Magomed Ankalaev’s victory over Alex Pereira, the newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion’s coach has leveled an allegation against his man’s foe.

    Ankalaev got the better of Pereira in the main event of UFC 313 on March 8, ending the Brazilian’s reign on the 205-pound throne in the process.

    While “Poatan” had successfully pushed through three challenges, he fell at the hurdle that had long been tipped to be his tallest in the division given Ankalaev’s well-rounded arsenal and wrestling prowess.

    In the end, the Dagestani was actually unable to drag Pereira to the mat, with the kickboxing specialist showing a staunch takedown defense inside T-Mobile Arena.

    During a recent interview with Ushatayka, however, coach Sukhrab Magomedov suggested that the now-former light heavyweight kingpin’s ability to withstand Ankalaev’s grappling was not down to increasing skill, but a forbidden “substance.”

    “To be honest, the plan from the beginning was to engage in wrestling; get close, in the clinch, wear him down,” Magomedov said. “But, when Magomed pushed him to the fence near our corner, it seemed to me that Pereira had some kind of substance on him. If my experience isn’t wrong, that’s what I’d say was the case.

    “The sweat didn’t flow off his body, it gelled up. That’s what it looks like on his body, too. Magomed said afterward that he smelled like he had some ointment on and was sticky,” Magomed continued. “Let’s not forget that Glover Teixeira is a veteran of the game and knows all the tricks.”

    Alex Pereira and his coaching team are yet to responded to the accusation.

    Should the pair’s expected rematch be cemented into the calendar for later this year, the topic of ‘greasing’ will likely rear its head again closer to the occasion.

  • Prominent MMA Coach Reached Major Milestone With UFC Vegas 104 Victory

    Prominent MMA Coach Reached Major Milestone With UFC Vegas 104 Victory

    This weekend’s UFC Vegas 104 event represented a big moment for Sayif Saud and his Fortis MMA team.

    The preliminary portion of Saturday’s card at the Apex included an under-the-radar storyline, as Saud shot for his 100th victory as a coach since opening the Fortis MMA team back in 2017.

    Tasked with bringing that result home was strawweight fighter Sam Hughes, who shared the Octagon with Stephanie Luciano.

    After a closely contested three rounds, Hughes fell on the right side of a split decision, sparking celebrations in the Fortis MMA corner.

    The milestone didn’t come without an element of controversy, however.

    Many questioned the decision, believing Luciano did enough to deserve the nod from the judges at UFC Vegas 104. On MMA Decisions, just three out of nine media members scored the fight in favor of Hughes. The fan scorecards, meanwhile, saw less than 30 percent backing “Sampage.”

    Interestingly, Saud recently pondered retiring from coaching while looking ahead to his goal of achieving 100 UFC wins early in 2025.

    “I always said that 100 UFC wins and I was going to be done,” Saud told MMA Junkie in December. “One hundred UFC wins, win a title – I would like to win a title back and get it one more time for (Moreno) – but 100 wins and this will be 20 years. Next year will be 20 years. 2005 is when I started. I moved to Albuquerque in 2006, then came to Dallas in 2009, and now in 2025, it will be 20 years in MMA. And it’s been great, man. It’s been an incredible run, but it’s definitely coming towards the end.

    “I look forward to being home and kind of spending time with my kids. I don’t really realize how nice it is to be home and just be around my family, be around my kids and be around them and see them and hug them and kiss them. Just be around them more as they’re getting older. I’m getting into a different period in my life. I’m 44 and getting to the next generation of guys, we’re going to hopefully put that 100 up on the board.”

    In addition to the recently victorious Hughes, Fortis MMA also houses the likes of former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, Geoff Neal, Macy Chiasson, and Ryan Spann, among others.

  • UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: New Fights For Bo Nickal, Molly McCann, And More

    MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming fight cards.

    With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.

    Between Monday, March 10, and Sunday, March 16, a small number of fights were made official by the UFC or reported as being in the works by reputable sources.

    For those matchups, check out the list below:

    But it wasn’t all positive, with two fights falling through or being adjusted:

  • Marvin Vettori: Trilogy With Roman Dolidze ‘Has To Happen’ After UFC Vegas 104

    Marvin Vettori: Trilogy With Roman Dolidze ‘Has To Happen’ After UFC Vegas 104

    UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori sees only one option following Saturday’s UFC Vegas 104 result.

    Vettori’s plan to ascend back into the championship conversation at 185 pounds took a hit this weekend at the Apex, where he suffered a third loss in the space of four fights.

    In his first outing since a setback against Jared Cannonier in June 2023, “The Italian Dream” ran it back with the man he last defeated, Roman Dolidze.

    Vettori was unable to repeat his feat from London two years ago, instead falling on the wrong side of a decision in their five-round rematch.

    Like their first contest, Saturday’s main event wasn’t among the most enthralling and entertaining of the year to date. With that in mind, it would seem that not many are pandering to see the 1-1 feud get settled in a trilogy.

    The Italian former title challenger, however, sees it as essential.

    “I guess we’ll need a trilogy,” Marvin Vettori wrote on X. “The most nonsense trilogy, I agree with you bastards lol. But at this point it has to happen.”

    While Vettori returns to the drawing board and looks to bounce back next time out, Dolidze can expect to return to the middleweight top 10 come Tuesday’s rankings update.