MMA News

Category: MMA

  • 47-Year-Old UFC Vet With Only 8 KOs In 80 Fights Set For BKFC Debut

    47-Year-Old UFC Vet With Only 8 KOs In 80 Fights Set For BKFC Debut

    Aleksei Oleinik, a veteran of 80 professional MMA fights, is transitioning to a new combat sports arena: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).

    At 47, Oleinik is not retiring. Instead, he’s embracing a fresh challenge.

    Oleinik’s career has been a global odyssey, with appearances in prominent promotions like the UFC, KSW, and Bellator. Now, he’s set to make his BKFC debut on April 4 in Dubai, marking the promotion’s inaugural event in the United Arab Emirates.

    His opponent will be Gerônimo dos Santos, a 44-year-old Brazilian heavyweight with a wealth of experience, boasting 71 professional fights. Oleinik’s message of “Bone. Blood. Fist.” reflects his anticipation for the bare-knuckle challenge.

    This move follows Oleinik’s submission victory at RCC 17 in December 2023. Notably, he also showcased his striking prowess with a 34-second knockout in his boxing debut, demonstrating his versatility beyond his renowned submission skills.

    During his 17-fight UFC tenure, Oleinik secured seven of his nine wins via submission. This earned him the moniker “The Boa Constrictor” for his grappling expertise. 

    Interestingly, while he’s signed to compete for BKFC, Oleinik has also put pen to paper on a deal with the new MMA promotion, Global Fight League. He was drafted by Team New York City.

    His UFC record includes unique submission victories, such as Ezekiel chokes and neck cranks. He faced a who’s who of heavyweight talent, including Curtis Blaydes, Mark Hunt, Travis Browne, Alistair Overeem, and former UFC champion Fabricio Werdum.

    This event marks BKFC’s first-ever event into the Middle East, specifically in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event will be held at the Dubai Tennis Stadium. The main event features Austin Trout, the current BKFC welterweight champion, defending his title against Carlos “Snake” Trinidad.

  • PFL World Tournament HW & LHW Rosters Revealed

    PFL World Tournament HW & LHW Rosters Revealed

    The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has finished announcing the rosters for eight World Tournaments set for 2025, with the final releases being the heavyweight and light heavyweight lineups.

    Major change is coming to the PFL this year, with the promotion making the decision to eliminate the season and playoff format from its yearly structure. Replacing that and the $1 million prize money will be Grand Prix-style tournaments across eight divisions, with the winners of each collecting $500,000.

    After confirming the dates and venue for four events that will host first-round matchups, the PFL has been announcing the full rosters. Prior to this week, the welterweight, featherweight, women’s flyweight, bantamweight, middleweight, and lightweight lineups were confirmed.

    And the rollouts have now concluded with the 16 men set to compete in the inaugural heavyweight and light heavyweight tournaments.

    Among the most notable inclusions for the former bracket is Alexandr Romanov, a once highly touted UFC prospect who went 7-3 in the Octagon, losing only to top 10 names in Alexander Volkov, Marcin Tybura, and Jailton Almeida.

    See below for the full eight-man roster for this year’s heavyweight World Tournament, as announced in a recent press release.

    • Valentin Moldavsky (13-4) 
    • Alexandr Romanov (18-3)
    • Oleg Popov (19-2)
    • Linton Vassell (25-10)
    • Sergey Bilostenniy (13-3)
    • Tim Johnson (18-11)
    • Pouya Rahmani (4-0)
    • Abraham Bably (5-1)

    At 205 pounds, meanwhile, former PFL champions Rob Wilkinson and Antonio Carlos Jr. feature, alongside PFL Europe standout Simeon Powell and ex-Bellator light heavyweight kingpin Phil Davis.

    See below for the full eight-man roster for this year’s light heavyweight World Tournament, in addition to a pair of alternates.

    • Phil Davis (24-7) 
    • Rob Wilkinson (19-3)
    • Karl Moore (12-3)
    • Marcelo Nunes (11-2)
    • Antonio Carlos Jr. (16-6)
    • Simeon Powell (10-1)
    • Karl Albrektsson (14-6)
    • Sullivan Cauley (6-1)
    • Alternate – Alex Polizzi (11-4)
    • Alternate – Rafael Xavier (13-8)
  • Turki Alalshikh, TKO Partner For New Boxing Promotion Led By UFC’s Dana White

    Turki Alalshikh, TKO Partner For New Boxing Promotion Led By UFC’s Dana White

    Turki Alalshikh and TKO Group Holdings have announced a multi-year partnership that will see the creation of a brand new boxing promotion, the executive leadership of which will be jointly led by UFC CEO Dana White and WWE President Nick Khan.

    White has picked up talk of venturing back into the boxing realm in recent years, and the start of 2025 saw reports of the UFC chief being in advanced talks with Alalshikh — Saudi Arabia’s Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority — over a potential new league.

    That’s proved to be true, with the official partnership to establish a new promotion being announced Wednesday in a press release.

    The deal sees Alalshikh, TKO — founded by Endeavor as part of a merger between WWE and Zuffa LLC, the parent company of UFC — and entertainment conglomerate Sela come together in pursuit of providing the new “premier” platform in the sport of boxing.

    “This landmark partnership between industry powerhouses sets the stage for an unparalleled experience for boxers and fans,” Alalshikh said. “Together, we are developing the next generation of talent and delivering world-class events at a time when the sport is primed for further disruption.”

    The release outlined that TKO will serve as managing partner, providing day-to-day operational expertise, management, and oversight of the new boxing promotion.

    Meanwhile, Sela is credited for delivering international events such as Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov in Los Angeles and Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois in London, as well as being the lead sponsor for Newcastle United Football Club.

    Though further details will emerge in the coming weeks and months, the recent announcement did reveal some of the major components of the deal.

    • A highly structured system to develop new talent from around the world, including athlete combines and academies.
    • Access for all boxers to the UFC Performance Institute, the world’s leading combat sports performance training, research, rehabilitation, and nutrition center.
    • TKO’s production, media, and promotional expertise, to deliver both in-arena experiences and top-tier, state-of-the-art broadcasts to fans around the world.
  • Curtis Blaydes ‘Had To Google’ Debuting UFC 313 Opponent

    Curtis Blaydes ‘Had To Google’ Debuting UFC 313 Opponent

    UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes was left having to do some additional research when the latest assignment was slid across his desk.

    Blaydes is set to return to action at this weekend’s UFC 313 pay-per-view, almost eight months on from his failed first title bid on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage last July in England.

    Off the back of a crushing first-round knockout loss to Tom Aspinall, “Razor” will look to bounce back in his first appearance of 2025. And to do so, he’s tasked with defending his #5 spot on the heavyweight ladder against a newcomer to the Octagon.

    Blaydes will top Saturday’s preliminary card opposite Rizvan Kuniev, a Dagestani heavyweight who followed a brief stint in the PFL with victory on Dana White’s Contender Series last August.

    The booking came as a surprise to many. And it wasn’t just some in the fanbase who had to look up the man placed opposite Blaydes…

    “I did (a double take), but like I always say, the money’s the same regardless if it’s Jon Jones or if it’s a debut guy,” Blaydes said during an interview with MMA Fighting. “The money’s the same so I’ll always be down.

    “I had to Google him. I watched his fight on The (Dana White’s) Contender (Series), that’s really the only fight of his I watched. He looks like your traditional heavyweight — swings heavy and hopes to knock you out early.”

    While his opponent may not be an established name in the UFC heavyweight division, Blaydes will no doubt still be motivated to ensure he doesn’t fall to the first losing skid of his career inside T-Mobile Arena on March 8.

  • VIDEO: Colby Covington Sees Former Teammate At UFC PI, Runs Away

    VIDEO: Colby Covington Sees Former Teammate At UFC PI, Runs Away

    UFC welterweight Colby Covington almost had a run-in with an ex-training partner at the UFC Performance Institute this week.

    Covington, a polarizing figure in mixed martial arts, isn’t short on enemies amassed throughout his career. From American Top Team fighters like Dustin Poirier and Jorge Masvidal to former opponents in Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards, “Chaos” has his fair share of detractors in the sport.

    With that in mind, being in places swarming with fighters like the UFC PI no doubt always runs the risk of the 37-year-old bumping into a hostile face. And that’s exactly what happened during a recent Twitch stream on Covington’s channel.

    Footage was spread on social media showing “Chaos” turning a corner into a training area before glancing back at his cameraman. After a concerned look, the former interim titleholder quickly bolted and headed elsewhere.

    His swift exit was due to the presence of Themba Gorimbo, a former training partner of his at MMA Masters.

    Gorimbo, who also competes in the UFC welterweight division, previously sung the praises of Covington. While teammates in Florida, “The Answer” lauded his peer for helping him during a time of need during his early days in the promotion.

    Coincidentally, Gorimbo puts their falling out down to an incident at the UFC PI. He accused Covington of ‘kicking’ him out while he was using a treadmill so that he could cut weight without company for his UFC 296 title fight.

    The Zimbabwean subsequently left MMA Masters and switched to Xtreme Couture.

  • PFL’s Dakota Ditcheva ‘Freaked Out’ After Fan Used Instagram Post To Track Her Down

    PFL’s Dakota Ditcheva ‘Freaked Out’ After Fan Used Instagram Post To Track Her Down

    PFL standout Dakota Ditcheva was left spooked after an unexpected encounter with a fan.

    Ditcheva’s star has grown no end in recent times. After establishing herself as one to watch with success in the PFL Europe regional expansion in 2023, “Dangerous” proved herself on the global stage.

    The 26-year-old striking specialist most recently steamrolled through former UFC title challenger Taila Santos to remain undefeated and capture the 2024 PFL women’s flyweight title.

    With that, Ditcheva has significantly grown her fanbase. But one supporter recently showed too much enthusiasm.

    During a video uploaded to her YouTube channel late last month, Ditcheva detailed her time in Dubai for the PFL Champions Series event in January. At one point, the British fighter spoke to the camera and described an interaction with a fan at the hotel she was staying at.

    The individual, who outlined that he’d been “looking” for her, discovered Ditcheva’s location from a post on her Instagram Story that featured the hotel’s branding.

    “On the way back from breakfast, then somebody had seen that I was in this hotel on Instagram,” Ditcheva said. “It’s my fault because I put a photo on of that board, the chocolate board that they brought to my room. I put it on my Instagram Story…I don’t normally share my location until I’ve gone.”

    Despite the fan being friendly, Ditcheva admitted the experience had still ‘freaked her out’.

    “Stupidly, I did that and I just got approached on the way back from breakfast, which was fine, I love for you guys to come up and say hi and things like that, but when I’m on my own, it freaks me out a little bit,” Ditcheva continued. “He said he’d seen me on Instagram and he’d been DM-ing me and was basically looking for me. He was dead excited to see me, which is really nice and he was a really nice guy, but it does freak me out a little.

    “It’s always lovely to meet you guys, but when I’m on my own and I haven’t got my brother or my mum with me, it does just scare me a little bit,” she concluded.

    Ditcheva’s incident comes soon after tennis star Emma Raducanu’s harrowing stalking experience. The 2021 US Open champion was said to have been followed across four countries by a man whose behavior was described as being ‘fixated’ on Raducanu.

    The individual was handed a restraining order after the British tennis player spotted him in the crowd at a recent championship in Dubai.

  • Dan Hardy Names The Only ‘Legit’ Fight For Tom Aspinall Aside From Jon Jones — And It’s Not Alex Pereira

    Dan Hardy Names The Only ‘Legit’ Fight For Tom Aspinall Aside From Jon Jones — And It’s Not Alex Pereira

    In Dan Hardy’s eyes, the only intriguing opponent for Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall sits outside of the promotion.

    Aspinall continues to await news of his next assignment. Despite the division boasting two titleholders for the past 16 months, it remains unclear whether the British powerhouse and Jon Jones will meet in a unification fight.

    Following Jones’ successful defense against Stipe Miocic last November, Dana White gave his backing for “Bones” to face Aspinall next. Negotiations for that coming to fruition are seemingly underway.

    And according to Hardy, the UFC higher-ups better make Jones an offer he can’t refuse lest they be left with zero “legit” matchups for Aspinall.

    Though many might disagree and point to a heavyweight clash with current 205-pound kingpin Alex Pereira, “The Outlaw” believes only PFL star Francis Ngannou would be adequate opposition for the Manchester native.

    “Of course, Pereira could touch anybody on the chin on the planet and knock them out. But if you’re looking for a real, legit heavyweight contender for Tom, maybe I’m a broken record, but it has to be Ngannou,” Hardy said during a recent appearance on Submission Radio. “There isn’t anybody else, really. I don’t see any other fight that truly excites me. I can point at that and say, ‘That’s the heavyweight king.’ And I don’t even think I could say that if it was Jones versus Aspinall at this point, because I don’t feel like Jones is — I mean, he’s potentially number three in the heavyweight division right now, behind Ngannou and Aspinall.

    “You have to admit, though, someone else in Tom Aspinall’s position might just say, ‘Hey, give me Pereira. Let’s just fight now,’ because that would bring so much money,” Hardy continued. “But he wants the tougher fight in Jon Jones, and if Francis Ngannou were around, he’d want the tougher fight in Francis Ngannou. So it’s one of those things where we should reward the guys that deserve to be rewarded.”

    The topic of Pereira moving up another division has long been a prominent topic. And it’ll no doubt return to the surface should he dispatch of Magomed Ankalaev for a fourth successful light heavyweight title defense this weekend at UFC 313.

    Ngannou, meanwhile, emerged victorious from his PFL debut last October. He’s expected to next return to the boxing ring.

  • Julianna Peña On Lopsided Odds For Kayla Harrison Fight: ‘People Are Always Counting Me Out’

    Julianna Peña On Lopsided Odds For Kayla Harrison Fight: ‘People Are Always Counting Me Out’

    UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña isn’t fazed by her underdog status for the expected clash against Kayla Harrison this year.

    Peña and Harrison, who’ve long gone back and forth regarding a potential fight, appeared to set up their inevitable future showdown by emerging victorious at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City last month.

    While “The Venezeulan Vixen” secured a widely debated decision over Raquel Pennington to return to the 135-pound throne, the two-time PFL titleholder and Olympic gold medalist outpointed Ketlen Vieira earlier in the night to move to 2-0 in her UFC debut year.

    Though the champ has pushed for Amanda Nunes to return from retirement for their trilogy, it seems she’ll be tasked with stalling Harrison’s surge toward the top sometime this summer.

    The oddsmakers, for one, don’t seem to believe that is likely. The opening lines placed Peña as a huge +700 underdog.

    During an appearance on the OverDogs Podcast, the bantamweight queen reacted to those odds, outlining the edge she has over heavy favorite Harrison.

    “I think that one of the reasons why I’m a 7-1 underdog, or why I always get overlooked, or why people are always counting me out, is maybe I’m not the most technically sound,” Peña said. “(Maybe I don’t) make everything perfect, where I’m so technical. But I’ve always had this one thing that has set me apart from everybody else, and that is my mindset. And I’ve never put a ceiling on myself as far as what I’m capable of doing. I’ve always believed that I can.

    “When you have that mental toughness of, ‘I don’t care what you do, I’m still going to get up and still keep coming at you a million miles an hour,’ you’re going to have to literally cut my head off to get me to stop, because I’m not going to stop.”

    A date remains unconfirmed for Peña’s first title defense since regaining the gold at Pennington’s expense in 2024.

  • Alex Pereira At Heavyweight? Sonnen Says It’s The UFC’s Best Move

    Alex Pereira At Heavyweight? Sonnen Says It’s The UFC’s Best Move

    Chael Sonnen believes the UFC’s long-term strategy for Alex Pereira might not be at light heavyweight—but in the heavyweight division. On his latest episode of Beyond the Fight, Sonnen speculated that Pereira’s real move could be a jump up to face interim champ Tom Aspinall.

    “We’ve seen Pereira do it before,” Sonnen said, referencing Pereira’s rapid rise at middleweight. “He landed one strike on Sean Strickland, cut one promo, and walked out with a title shot. Pereira has that skill.”

    Sonnen suggested that if Pereira loses to Magomed Ankalaev in his upcoming fight, the UFC might see a move to heavyweight as a compelling next step.

    “The best way to get Pereira to heavyweight is not by having him beat Ankalaev and ‘clean out’ a division—because there’s no such thing as long as a guy is still standing,” Sonnen explained. “The best way to move him up is to have him lose.”

    This shift could be part of the UFC’s broader strategy, especially as uncertainty lingers over Jon Jones’ future and the next heavyweight title fight. With Aspinall lacking a clear next opponent, a blockbuster showdown with Pereira could be a unique and marketable option.

    “If they ever did that fight, it wouldn’t be for the interim belt,” Sonnen said. “It would be for the undisputed heavyweight title.”

    While Pereira’s heavyweight move remains speculation, Sonnen suggests it’s a storyline the UFC could soon start telling—especially if Pereira picks up a microphone and plays his cards right.

    Alex Pereira Says HW Move Would Require ‘Very Little’ Change After Peaking At 235 Pounds In UFC 313 Camp

  • Tony Ferguson Explains How UFC Exit Came To Be: ‘Talking To Dana, Hunter, We All Agreed…’

    Tony Ferguson Explains How UFC Exit Came To Be: ‘Talking To Dana, Hunter, We All Agreed…’

    Tony Ferguson’s departure from the UFC marked the end of a long and tumultuous chapter in his career, a period filled with both remarkable highs and devastating lows. After nearly 14 years in the Octagon, Ferguson’s release was undoubtedly emotional.

    His UFC journey began triumphantly, winning Season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2011 and eventually capturing the interim lightweight championship. However, his later years in the promotion were marred by a historic eight-fight losing streak, culminating in a submission loss to Michael Chiesa at UFC on ABC 7.  

    Despite the painful conclusion, Ferguson expressed a sense of acceptance and even relief. He framed his UFC experience as a valuable learning opportunity, emphasizing personal growth and future planning. 

    While he has found peace with his UFC exit, lingering bitterness remains, particularly regarding the circumstances surrounding his interim title. He felt deeply wronged by the UFC’s decision to strip him of the belt after a freak knee injury forced him to withdraw from his scheduled title fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223.  

    “When I left the UFC, everything was – I hate to say it because I wanted to fight another time – but obviously, even me, I had to be like, ‘I have to excuse myself guys, I don’t want to leave on bad terms,’” Tony Ferguson said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “So, talking to Dana [White], talking to Hunter [Campbell], and coming to terms with it, it was like we all agreed that it was in the best interest for me to move on, and honestly, it was awesome.

    “I have to tell you, I packed up all my UFC stuff, I put it into bags, and it was the hardest f*cking thing I had to do. It was a couple of days where it took time for me to be able to adjust. I put everything in big storage bags, and I was ready to move on. I went into The Ultimate Fighter with the purpose of winning a fat check so I can help my family out, my grandma and everything, and I ended up getting a contract. So, this whole entire process has never been a disappointment, but what it has been is a learning experience of how, one, about how I go about my business. Two, about how I treat my close circle. Three, about how I want to plan for the future.”

    Tony Ferguson has wasted no time in moving forward, signing with the Global Fight League and announcing a bout against Dillon Danis. 

  • Magomed Ankalaev: UFC Will ‘Appreciate Me’ After I Beat Alex Pereira

    Light heavyweight title challenger Magomed Ankalaev is aware that he’s not among the UFC’s favorite fighters. But at the very least, he expects to gain the “appreciation” of the higher-ups with his performance this weekend at UFC 313.

    Ankalaev is finally getting his second shot at the title, and first opportunity at handing champion Alex Pereira his opening defeat at 205 pounds.

    While Jamahal Hill, Jiří Procházka, and Khalil Rountree Jr. all failed in that quest last year, Ankalaev has been widely branded the biggest threat to “Poatan’s” reign owing to his wrestling prowess.

    But the Russian’s style has previously been under fire for a perceived lack of entertainment, something that has seemingly put the top contender out of favor with the UFC brass.

    During a recent media scrum ahead of UFC 313, Ankalaev acknowledged as much but outlined his plan to rectify that with an emphatic display inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on March 8.

    “I don’t know if they (UFC) appreciate me yet,” he said. “But after this fight, they will make sure to appreciate me.” (h/t TheMacLifePlus)

    The Dagestani’s first chance at top spot in the division came back in December 2022, when he and former champ Jan Blachowicz fought to a split draw.

    He enters his next opportunity off the back of victories over Johnny Walker and Aleksandar Rakić.

  • Magomed Ankalaev Criticizes Alex Pereira’s Charity Bet Proposal: ‘You Know Betting Is Forbidden In Islam’

    Magomed Ankalaev Criticizes Alex Pereira’s Charity Bet Proposal: ‘You Know Betting Is Forbidden In Islam’

    Magomed Ankalaev appears dismissive of Alex Pereira’s charity wager ahead of their title showdown.

    Ankalaev is set to challenge reigning light heavyweight champion Pereira in the main event of UFC 313 this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    The 32-year-old Dagestani has long campaigned for his shot at gold, and the prolonged booking has only added fuel to the fire. Bad blood has been brewing, with both fighters engaging in heated social media exchanges, openly dismissing each other in the lead-up to their showdown.

    On Sunday, “Poatan” threw down a challenge to Ankalaev and his manager Ali Abdelaziz on social media, urging him to back up his words with action. He proposed a high-stakes wager, stating that the victor should contribute $200,000 to a charity selected by the opponent.

    “Since you are so confident you will win, $200,000 to the winners charity of choice. Win or lose this will help those in need. It’s in your hands,” Pereira wrote on X.

    Ankalaev, a devout Muslim, scoffed at Pereira’s challenge, emphasizing that betting is strictly forbidden in Islam. He further stated that if he were to make any charitable donations, he would do so privately rather than seeking publicity.

    “As a Muslim you know betting is forbidden in Islam, and also as a Muslim every year I have to give 2.5% of my wealth to charity this is one of the five pillars of Islam. Many kids around the world are in need and we can do things after the fight but we don’t have to publicize it,” Ankalaev responded.

    Ankalaev then advised Pereira to leave the matter in the hands of their managers.

    “Your manager and my manager have a good relationship and we can let them handle that, see you soon. Ramadan Mubarak.”

    Ankalaev enters the bout riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak. He last competed at UFC 308 in October, where he secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over Aleksandar Rakic. The former WFCA champion previously competed for the 205-pound title against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282 in December 2022, with the bout ending in a majority draw.

    Meanwhile, UFC 313 will mark “Poatan’s” fourth light heavyweight title defense. He last defended his crown in October at UFC 307, where he secured a dominant fourth-round knockout victory over Khalil Rountree Jr.

  • Surging UFC Heavyweight Stakes Claim For Tom Aspinall Fight If Jon Jones Turns It Down: ‘Forget Gane, He Ducked You!’

    Surging UFC Heavyweight Stakes Claim For Tom Aspinall Fight If Jon Jones Turns It Down: ‘Forget Gane, He Ducked You!’

    A rising heavyweight contender is ready to make his mark and test Tom Aspinall if uncertainty continues to cloud the top of the division.

    Aspinall has been waiting in the wings and remains hopeful that Jon Jones will eventually step up to unify the UFC heavyweight championship. Having held the interim belt for nearly 16 months, he even defended it last August at UFC 304 with a first-round knockout of Curtis Blaydes.

    Meanwhile, “Bones” returned in November after a prolonged injury layoff, successfully defending his title against former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 — his first defense since claiming the heavyweight crown in March 2023.

    Aspinall’s patience appears to be wearing thin, as he recently shared a video on his YouTube channel discussing his vision for 2025. He revealed that he’s still waiting on the UFC’s efforts to bring Jones to the table for a title unification bout.

    However, the Englishman made it clear — he’s open to facing any top-10 heavyweight he hasn’t already fought, including Jones, Ciryl Gane, and Jailton Almeida, but only if the fight is for the undisputed gold.

    In his video, Aspinall showered Almeida with praise, recognizing him as a formidable contender and expressing interest in a potential clash down the line. The admiration didn’t go unnoticed, as the Brazilian quickly responded on X, throwing his name into the mix as the leading candidate for Aspinall’s next fight.

    “If the fight against Jones doesn’t work, LETS GO Champ! Forget Gane, he ducked you before, he is ducking me now, besides that, he already lost 2-times in title fights and his last win was a robbery, lets make ASPINALL VS ALMEIDA for undisputed title,” Almeida wrote.

    “Malhadinho” boasts an 8-1 UFC record, having earned his spot in the promotion through Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2021. He stormed through the competition with seven victories — most by finish — before suffering his first setback, a knockout loss to Blaydes at UFC 299 in March 2024.

    However, Almeida rebounded in spectacular fashion, securing a submission victory over Alexandr Romanov at UFC 302. He last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 311 in January, where he delivered a dominant first-round knockout against Serghei Spivac.

  • Paige VanZant: Husband Austin Vanderford’s UFC Debut ‘Almost Felt More Special Than Any Of My Wins’

    Paige VanZant: Husband Austin Vanderford’s UFC Debut ‘Almost Felt More Special Than Any Of My Wins’

    Paige VanZant was proud as she watched Austin Vanderford announce his UFC arrival in style last month.

    Former title challenger Vanderford, the husband of former UFC fighter and recent GFL signing VanZant, signed with the UFC after entering free agency in February 2024.

    He made his debut on just days’ notice at the UFC Fight Night in Seattle on Feb. 22. Despite the lack of preparation, “The Gentlemen” impressed inside the Octagon by dominating and stopping Nikolay Veretennikov.

    During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, VanZant reflected on her man’s successful first foray into the cage on MMA’s biggest stage, admitting the moment might have surpassed her own triumphs in the UFC.

    “It almost felt more special than any of my wins,” VanZant said. “Just seeing him in that moment. He’s my best friend. Seeing him finally make the walk was incredible.

    “Now that he’s in, he’s in the UFC, it’s just playing that game of who they want him to be matched up with and going from there,” VanZant added. “He’s been training with me for this entire week, and all the coaches are like, ‘Hey, you need to take a few days off?’ But he’s like, ‘No, if I get another short notice (fight), I gotta be ready at any second.’”

    Vanderford no doubt secured his continued stay in the promotion and will look to keep his ball rolling when he makes his sophomore appearance in the Octagon.

    VanZant, meanwhile, awaits confirmation of the opponent and date for her GFL debut and MMA return. In the meantime, she’s gearing up for a third Power Slap clash this Friday in Las Vegas.

  • UFC 313 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Ankalaev, Gaethje vs. Fiziev 2, And More

    UFC 313 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Ankalaev, Gaethje vs. Fiziev 2, And More

    UFC 313 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekend’s lineup.

    The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, March 8, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, who is tasked with getting the better of Magomed Ankalaev if he’s to record a fourth successful title defense.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see a former interim champ in action as Justin Gaethje returns for his first fight since falling to a brutal knockout at the hands of Max Holloway last April. To put himself back into the title conversation, “The Highlight” must repeat his 2023 triumph over Rafael Fiziev, who’s stepped up on late notice to replace the injured Dan Hooker.

    Also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Jalin Turner, Amanda Lemos, Mauricio Ruffy, and Curtis Blaydes.

    UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 313 (as of 3/3), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Alex Pereira (-115) vs. Magomed Ankalaev (-105)
    • Justin Gaethje (+120) vs. Rafael Fiziev (-142)
    • Jalin Turner (-102) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (-118)
    • Amanda Lemos (+124) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (-148)
    • King Green (+360) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (-470)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Curtis Blaydes (-325) vs. Rizvan Kuniev (+260)
    • Joshua Van (-192) vs. Rei Tsuruya (+160)
    • Brunno Ferreira (+124) vs. Armen Petrosyan (-148)
    • Alex Morono (+500) vs. Carlos Leal (-700)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Mairon Santos (-355) vs. Francis Marshall (+280)
    • Djorden Santos (-192) vs. Ozzy Diaz (+160)
    • Chris Gutierrez vs. John Castañeda
  • Zhang Weili’s Hopes For Champ-Champ Opportunity In The UFC Receive A Big Boost

    Zhang Weili’s Hopes For Champ-Champ Opportunity In The UFC Receive A Big Boost

    UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili is targeting glory in another division — and the queen directly above her has given the green light.

    Zhang has long outlined a desire to add a second belt to her collection, and “Magnum’s” hunger to do so appeared to increase after she recorded yet another successful defense of her 115-pound strap last month.

    At UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia, the Chinese fan favorite dominated the previously undefeated Tatiana Suarez, marking the third defense of her second rule over the strawweight division.

    With limited fresh challenges remaining in her weight class, Zhang pitched a champ vs. champ showdown with flyweight titleholder Valentina Shevchenko in the aftermath of her most recent triumph.

    And during an interview with MMA Junkie‘s Mike Bohn, “Bullet” gave her nod of approval for the potentially huge clash.

    “I’m open to all opportunities,” Shevchenko said of a potential battle with Zhang Weili. “She showed a lot of heart in her fights and with all the years that she’s put into her performances, she’s showed that she’s a great fighter. Why not? It’s an amazing fight and I think all the fans are going to be excited to see that.”

    Shevchenko was speaking while in Montreal to promote her next outing inside the Octagon, which will come eight months on from her return to the top at the expense of Alexa Grasso in their trilogy.

    The Kyrgyz star is set to put her gold on the line against Manon Fiorot at UFC 315 on May 10. Should Shevchenko hand the Frenchwoman her first defeat in the promotion, perhaps her attention will next turn to Zhang Weili.

  • Belal Muhammad Laughs Off Leon Edwards’ Plans For UFC Title Fight In 2025: ‘Someone Tell Him…’ 

    Belal Muhammad Laughs Off Leon Edwards’ Plans For UFC Title Fight In 2025: ‘Someone Tell Him…’ 

    Leon Edwards has his sights set on a shot at redemption against Belal Muhammad before year’s end. To that, however, the UFC welterweight champion has told his rival not to hold his breath.

    Edwards’ reign as kingpin at 170 pounds came to an end last July when he headlined the UFC 304 pay-per-view on home soil in Manchester, England.

    Following successful defenses opposite Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, “Rocky” was looking to continue his pursuit of Georges St-Pierre’s divisional records at the expense of a former adversary in Muhammad.

    But while the Jamaica-born Brit largely got the better of exchanges in their first fight before it came to a premature end due to an eye poke, the same can’t be said for their rematch, which was largely dominated by the challenger.

    In the aftermath, Edwards put the blame on the early morning fight time and has vowed to reclaim the gold by the end of 2025. His journey toward accomplishing that starts with a London main event opposite Sean Brady on March 22.

    But although the former champ expects a victory to net him a shot at the belt, Muhammad has laughed off any suggestion of a trilogy fight coming to fruition anytime soon.

    “(laughing) someone tell him he got three long years ahead of him,” Muhammad wrote on X.

    Muhammad’s comments mark a turn of the tables of sorts, with the reigning champ long accusing Edwards of avoiding their rematch following the no contest at the Apex back in 2021.

    “Remember the Name” waited three years before being given his first opportunity at the title, one which he ultimately made the most of across the pond last year.

  • Alex Pereira Says HW Move Would Require ‘Very Little’ Change After Peaking At 235 Pounds In UFC 313 Camp

    Alex Pereira Says HW Move Would Require ‘Very Little’ Change After Peaking At 235 Pounds In UFC 313 Camp

    Alex Pereira is certainly keeping the door open for a potential move up a division in the near future.

    Pereira is poised to make his fourth light heavyweight title defense as he headlines UFC 313 against Magomed Ankalaev. The highly anticipated showdown takes place this weekend at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    “Poatan” made his UFC debut in 2021, and in just seven fights, he etched his name in the history books by capturing titles in two weight classes. The Brazilian powerhouse has openly expressed his ambition to claim championship gold in a third division.

    During a recent interview with New York Post Sports, Pereira revealed that once he takes care of business against Ankalaev at UFC 313, the landscape at 205 pounds remains uncertain, but he already has plans brewing for his future.

    “I’m not really sure who would be next in my division,” Pereira said through a translator. “So we could definitely start looking at, you know, maybe moving up to heavyweight, or who knows, maybe even going and doing a boxing match.”

    The reigning UFC light heavyweight champion further explained that a potential move up in weight wouldn’t require major adjustments. He noted that he wouldn’t need to bulk up significantly, as he was already walking around at 235 pounds during his training camp for UFC 313

    “I’d have to change very little,” Pereira said. “A couple weeks ago, I was weighing about 235 pounds, and that’s really heavy for me. I’m usually around 229, 230, but I think that would be a good weight for me to move up. It’s natural; the body, you get heavier and you get bigger as you age, so that’s what I see that’s been happening.”

    On Sunday, “Poatan” posted a video on social media revealing that he weighed 227.5 pounds. With his title defense looming, he must shed 22.5 pounds to make the 205-pound limit by Friday morning.

    Pereira most recently competed at UFC 307 last October, where he secured a fourth-round TKO victory over Khalil Rountree Jr., successfully defending his title.

    He is currently on a five-fight win streak and has not lost a bout since transitioning to the light heavyweight division after dropping his middleweight title to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 in April 2023.

  • Jon Jones Or No Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall Reiterates Non-Negotiable Demand For His Next Fight

    Jon Jones Or No Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall Reiterates Non-Negotiable Demand For His Next Fight

    While Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall is willing to entertain opponents other than Jon Jones, he won’t budge on another demand for his next fight.

    Aspinall has been calling for a unification showdown with Jones ever since capturing interim gold in November 2023. He capitalized on the cancellation of the Rochester native’s planned defense against Stipe Miocic by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich on short notice.

    But 16 months later, the heavyweight division remains under the rule of two titleholders, both of whom have faced other opponents in the meantime. With Jones remaining steadfast on his desire to face Miocic, Aspinall passed the time by dominantly defending his interim strap against Curtis Blaydes last July.

    Since “Bones” had his hand raised four months later, talk of the pair unifying the titles has only increased, with the UFC also seemingly now firmly behind that plan.

    The one delay in getting it booked? According to the British champ, a familiar reluctance from Jones.

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Aspinall provided an update on his plans for 2025, outlining that he’s still awaiting the outcome of the UFC’s push to get Jones onboard.

    Ultimately, the Manchester native is open to fighting whomever. But he stressed that undisputed status being on the line is non-negotiable for his next walk to the Octagon.

    “I’m not bothered who it’s against, to be honest, it’s not just the Jon Jones fight I’m looking for,” Aspinall said. “I’m looking to fight. I’m in shape. I’ve been working hard since way before Christmas. I’ve been in the gym twice a day. My diet’s good. I’ve been sparring. I’ve got international training partners here. I am prepared to fight anybody. But what’s holding it back is the UFC wants to make the fight with me and Jon. As far as I’m aware, it’s now about maybe financial, otherwise, I’m not too sure to be honest. I’m just waiting for the call right now. I’m 100 percent ready to go.

    “One thing that I want to be really clear on, I am only fighting for the undisputed title. That’s my only discrepancy,” Aspinall continued. “I will fight absolutely anyone. We can look through my record, you can speak to any promoter that I’ve ever worked with, UFC or otherwise, I have absolutely never turned down a fight in my life. Never turned down an opponent and I’m not going to start now. What we need to be clear on is that I have done enough in the UFC to fight for the undisputed title. I am the best heavyweight in the world and I just want a chance to prove it.”

    For now, Aspinall will be continuing to stay ready in the gym while Dana White and Hunter Campbell look to reach an agreement with the heavyweight kingpin, who has thus far submitted Ciryl Gane and knocked out Miocic as a heavyweight.

  • UFC Legend Diego Sanchez To Make Boxing Debut On Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans Undercard

    UFC Legend Diego Sanchez To Make Boxing Debut On Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans Undercard

    Diego Sanchez, a beloved figure in UFC history, is transitioning to professional boxing, setting up a bout against fellow UFC veteran John Makdessi. 

    The fight is scheduled for the ICS Mania 1 card in Sanchez’s home state of New Mexico, marking a significant moment in his post-UFC career. Sanchez, known for his passionate fighting style and memorable moments in the Octagon, left the UFC in 2020 after a decision loss to Jake Matthews. 

    Since then, he’s continued to explore combat sports, including a decision loss to Kevin Lee in Eagle FC and a knockout loss to Austin Trout in a BKFC bout. In a recent interview, Sanchez expressed his excitement about his professional boxing debut, fulfilling a long-held dream. 

    “It’s a dream come true,” Diego Sanchez said to KRQE. “I was there when Johnny Tapia fought there and I always had the dream of fighting there and that was even before the dream I had of fighting. Later as I got older and I was in the UFC, I always worked hard to try and get the UFC there and it never happened. We know that the ghost of Johnny Tapia, I know he is going to be there, and yeah maybe he will be haunting our opponents.

    “I am ready to go in there and beat this dude with one hand, you know because this isn’t kickboxing, this isn’t the UFC,”  Sanchez explained. “I am going to put pressure, I am going to put pace, and I am going to fight for Albuquerque, I am going to fight for New Mexico. I am going to go in there and I am going to put it on this guy.”

    The ICS Mania 1 card will also feature a headline boxing rematch between former UFC light heavyweight champions Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans, reigniting their storied rivalry in a different combat realm. This event is setting up to be a nostalgic night for combat sports fans.

  • Jean Silva Compared To ‘Conor McGregor In His Prime’ Ahead Of Bryce Mitchell Showdown

    Jean Silva Compared To ‘Conor McGregor In His Prime’ Ahead Of Bryce Mitchell Showdown

    Kenny Florian sees a potential future champion emerging in the UFC’s featherweight division: Jean Silva. He also sees “Lord” in the same light as Conor McGregor when he was in his prime.

    With four consecutive finishes inside the Octagon, Silva is rapidly building a formidable reputation. His recent first-round knockout of Melsik Baghdasaryan at UFC Seattle was a spectacular display of power, earning him significant praise from fight fans and fighters alike.

    Silva is set to face a significant test at UFC 314, where he’ll take on No. 13-ranked contender Bryce Mitchell, a considerable step up in competition. Florian, having experienced the challenges of both the featherweight and lightweight classes himself, and having fought for titles against legends like Jose Aldo and BJ Penn, recognizes the special talent Silva possesses.

    Florian’s high regard for Silva was evident during the Anik & Florian Podcast, during which he spoke glowingly of the Brazilian’s potential and even likened him to McGregor, the sport’s first simultaneous two-division champ.

    “This guy (Silva) is special. His ability to land shots at the right time. It reminds me of Conor McGregor in his prime,” Florian said. “How he can find your chin and the artistry that he shows in getting there, he’s not just winging punches with his eyes looking down at the canvas. He knows exactly what he’s doing and it’s just beautiful to watch.

    “He may very well be a champion in this sport in the near future,” Florian added.

    UFC 314 is scheduled to take place on April 12 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

  • VIDEO: UFC 313 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

    VIDEO: UFC 313 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

    Fight week for the UFC 313 pay-per-view this Saturday has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode. Under the spotlight in this edition is the headline clash between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev.

    Saturday’s UFC 313 lineup is topped by a championship contest, with light heavyweight kingpin Pereira (12-2) looking to add a fourth successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a knockout victory over Jiří Procházka at UFC 295 in November 2023.

    If the Brazilian is to continue his rule atop the 205-pound mountain, he must stall the title ambitions of a longtime foe in Ankalaev (19-1-1, 1 NC). The Dagestani has worked his way back to the gold after falling short in his first challenge against Jan Błachowicz in 2022, which ended in a split draw.

    Since a no contest against Johnny Walker further stalled his push up the ladder, Ankalaev has won two straight, brutally stopping Walker in their rematch before getting the better of the highly regarded Aleksandar Rakić in Abu Dhabi last October.

    The Russian standout will now look to do what Jamahal Hill, Procházka, and Khalil Rountree all failed to in 2024 by unseating “Poatan” from the light heavyweight throne.

    Ahead of that battle in Las Vegas, fans can catch a preview in the full episode of UFC 313 Countdown on the promotion’s official YouTube channel.

    UFC 313 Countdown: Full Episode

  • Muhammad Mokaev Sends ‘Son’ Manel Kape A Reminder After Ex-UFC Rival Nets Second Win Since Their Fight

    Muhammad Mokaev Sends ‘Son’ Manel Kape A Reminder After Ex-UFC Rival Nets Second Win Since Their Fight

    Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev was quick to appear on social media with some stern words for this weekend’s main event winner, Manel Kape.

    Mokaev’s tenure on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage concluded with a bitter feud opposite Kape, which included altercations away from the cage and culminated in a lackluster decision win for the Dagestan-born Brit at UFC 304 last July.

    Having done little to impress with his performance and apparently not made friends with the matchmakers, Dana White and the UFC chose not to renew “The Punisher’s” contract.

    His absence from the flyweight pecking order has provide an opportunity for Kape to quickly erase the memory of his 2024 defeat, and he’s done just that with back-to-back wins.

    And in the aftermath of his most recent triumph over Asu Almabayev at UFC Vegas 103, Kape received a reminded about his setback in Manchester from his ex-rival.

    “There’s only one best flyweight in the world (wink),” Mokaev wrote on X.

    And Mokaev followed that up with a sterner post after evidently coming across a clip of Kape trash-talking him.

    “Dirty fighter Popped on steroids Eye poked and didn’t even stopped , when I eyed poked you I stoped and let you recover! I apologised for whatever happened between us and I thought it ended but you still talking sh*t about me in every interview! because live in your head , I beat you not even in my prime and pull your pants down in front the whole world! And you will be my son for rest of life!”

    For now, Mokaev is competing under the Brave CF banner as he looks to work his way back to the UFC this year.

    Kape, meanwhile, is widely thought to have placed himself in line to challenge the winner of Alexandre Pantoja’s expected title defense against Kai Kara-France at UFC 316 in Newark this June.

  • Former Title Challenger Calls Out UFC For Playing Dominick Cruz’s Retirement Package At The Apex

    Former Title Challenger Calls Out UFC For Playing Dominick Cruz’s Retirement Package At The Apex

    One prominent ex-fighter has joined plenty of fans in questioning the UFC’s decision to play a tribute package on bantamweight legend Dominick Cruz this weekend.

    Cruz, who held gold under the WEC banner before becoming a two-time titleholder on MMA’s biggest stage, competed for the last time in the main event of a UFC Fight Night in San Diego back in August 2022. Following a knockout loss to Marlon Vera that stalled his charge back up the ladder, “The Dominator” set his sights on one final bout.

    But after a familiar foe in the form of injury away from the cage prevented that being booked until 2025, disaster struck once again last month when it emerged that Cruz had been forced out of his scheduled retirement fight against Rob Font in Seattle on Feb. 22.

    Having sustained another serious physical setback, revealed to be a second dislocated shoulder in a matter of months, the 39-year-old confirmed his decision to call time on his active career.

    Cruz remains a color commentator for the promotion, and while filling that role at Saturday’s UFC Vegas 103 event at the Apex, he watched on as a highlights package from his career was played.

    The UFC’s decision to air it drew mixed responses, however, with many questioning why a legend like Cruz had his farewell moment take place inside the low-capacity Apex.

    And among the most prominent to raise their dissatisfaction was former lightweight title challenger Al Iaquinta.

    “Dominick Cruz deserves way more than the apex guy cmon,” Iaquinta wrote on X.

    Many are wondering why the organization didn’t wait another week to play the video during the high-profile UFC 313 pay-per-view broadcast inside T-Mobile Arena.

  • Henry Cejudo Brands Eye Pokes ‘Greatest Threat’ To MMA Growth After Another UFC Main Event Controversy

    Henry Cejudo Brands Eye Pokes ‘Greatest Threat’ To MMA Growth After Another UFC Main Event Controversy

    Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo watched on this weekend as another fighter became the victim of a nasty eye poke in a main event.

    Cejudo’s hopes for a first win since returning from retirement were dealt a blow last month in Seattle, where he headlined against Chinese standout Song Yadong.

    After a difficult first two rounds, “Triple C” was the victim of a deep eye poke in the third. And after the 2008 Olympic gold medalist was deemed unable to continue, an unpunished “Kung Fu Kid” took home the victory by way of technical decision.

    The ex-flyweight and bantamweight kingpin spent the subsequent days criticizing referee Jason Herzog’s handling of the situation. And one of his fellow officials has come under fire after yet another UFC Fight Night main event result was marred by a foul.

    Manel Kape was the headline winner inside the Apex this weekend, stopping Asu Almabayev in round three. The finishing sequence, however, included a clear poke or scrap of the Kazakh’s left eye, leaving him compromised as “Starboy” swarmed for the TKO.

    After witnessing another fighter fall victim to what is undoubtedly a frequent foul in the UFC, Cejudo sent a stark warning out on social media.

    “Eye pokes are the greatest threat to the growth of this sport (unbiased) #UFCVegas103“

    While Kape appeared well on his way to a definitive victory on March 1 regardless of the foul, which was not spotted by Mike Beltran, that hasn’t dimmed the concerns of many when it comes to the impact eye pokes could continue to have on prominent bouts in the sport’s leading promotion.