MMA News

Category: MMA

  • Islam Makhachev Teases Change Of Stance On Fighting ‘Friend’ Belal Muhammad: ‘We Will See How The (Rakhmonov) Fight Goes…’

    Islam Makhachev Teases Change Of Stance On Fighting ‘Friend’ Belal Muhammad: ‘We Will See How The (Rakhmonov) Fight Goes…’

    Islam Makhachev has made it very clear in recent times that his goal is to become a two-weight world champion by moving up to welterweight. He’s already tied for the second longest win streak in UFC history, meaning that isn’t exactly a whole queue of new and exciting opponents for him to face at lightweight.

    It would be a shame if we don’t get to see the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the sport today get the opportunity to really test himself and in some ways, now might be the right time to pull the trigger. However, there is one issue with that plan.

    Belal Muhammad has previously spent time training with Makhachev and the rest of their team before he won the 170-pound title at UFC 304 in July last year. Even if they both agreed to face each other, Muhammad already has his next title challenger lined up after Shavkat Rakhmonov defeated Ian Garry at UFC 310 when the champion withdrew due to an injury.

    In the following video, originally posted by Ushatayka, the 155-pound king talks about the options for his next fight where he suggests that two-weight supremacy will be his next challenge.

    “I don’t see a lot of work to do in my division, I beat almost everybody. I think about moving up to 170 and I can stay there.”

    There is, of course, the small matter of his former training partner being the current champion at welterweight but Makhachev has made comments both before and after UFC 311 which suggest that he isn’t against the idea of challenging Muhammad if it means getting his hands on a second belt. He said that whilst he isn’t going to say anything for sure, there are conversations that need to happen in the near future.

    “I don’t want to make any statements, we will see how the fight goes. I have not spoken to the UFC since my last fight, we need to sit and talk these moments.”

  • Dan Hooker Clears Up Misconception Fans Have About Israel Adesanya

    Dan Hooker Clears Up Misconception Fans Have About Israel Adesanya

    New Zealand’s Dan Hooker has been a staple of the UFC roster ever since he made his debut back in 2014. The Octagon has been graced by some great and iconic fighters from Oceania and “The Hangman” was a big part of the new wave that would take MMA in the region to new heights entirely.

    One of those moments that is now looked back on as a pivotal moment in the history of the sport is when Hooker was joined on the roster by a fellow countryman of his and teammate at Auckland’s City Kickboxing. Israel Adesanya arrived in the UFC four years after his long-time gym mate and the two men have produced some incredible moments in front of both home and away crowds.

    They’ve been through a lot together and as someone that knows “The Last Stylebender” better than most, Hooker believes that there is a common misconception about their dynamic. Adesanya has been a superstar from his very first year in the promotion where he racked up four consecutive wins to climb to the top of the 185-pound division.

    As a result, there is a lot that is said or presumed about the former two-time middleweight champion who makes his return this weekend to face Nassourdine Imavov in his first non-title main event since 2019. Hooker recently spoke in an interview with Dom Harvey about the character of his teammate and why people get them the wrong way round.

    Hooker has shown on multiple occasions that he’s a kill or be killed fighter and whilst we have seen that from Adesanya in the past as well, “The Hangman” swears that you won’t find a better person outside of the cage.

    “Without a shadow of a doubt like goes back to the day we die. It’s not one of those friendships where you have to message each other every day…we go through like a lot of the the similar things obviously, I don’t tell the levels that he’s at like the levels of fame that he’s at is absolutely wild and we are very different people.

    “The funny part about it is people think he’s the bad one and I’m the nice one and I’m just like thinking, ‘what the heck?’. Israel’s like one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life. He is actually like a really nice heartfelt dude and I’m just not…Israel Like there’s no malice in it, it’s a competitive sport and he’s got no malicious intent like when he fights.”

  • Khamzat Chimaev Makes A Promise For His UFC Career In 2025

    Khamzat Chimaev Makes A Promise For His UFC Career In 2025

    Many fight fans have believed for some time that the question has been when will Khamzat Chimaev become the UFC middleweight champion rather than will he claim the top spot at 185-pounds. If there’s one thing that has significantly hurt his progress in recent years, it has been his lack of activity.

    In both 2023 and 2024, “Borz” only stepped foot inside the Octagon on one occasion but he has remained undefeated meaning that whilst his momentum does feel a lot more muted than it once was, he’s becoming more undeniable with each performance. This is especially true for his one fight this past year where he submitted former champion Robert Whittaker in the first round at UFC 308 to pick up his biggest and most terrifying win to date.

    Chimaev was seemingly the favorite to challenge the champion Dricus Du Plessis in what will be the titleholder’s second title defense but the UFC went with the Sean Strickland rematch that will take place at UFC 312 next month. With Chimaev holding the #3-spot in the rankings, it still seems likely that he will face the winner unless Israel Adesanya is able to get back into the win column this past weekend with a Strickland rematch for the title making a lot of sense if the reign of Du Plessis comes to an end in Australia.

    The 30-year old boogeyman of the division seemingly doesn’t care who he faces for the belt once his opportunity finally arrives. Chimaev posted on social media to make his intentions crystal clear for the year ahead. He wants this to be the year that he goes from undeniable to undisputed.

    “2025 I will take this belt InShAllah, and no one can stop it”

  • Ilia Topuria’s Brother Gets Alexander Volkanovski’s Teammate As Replacement Opponent For UFC 312

    Ilia Topuria’s Brother Gets Alexander Volkanovski’s Teammate As Replacement Opponent For UFC 312

    UFC debutant Aleksandre Topuria has a new opponent to prepare for, and one that could re-spark the rivalry between his brother Ilia and Alexander Volkanovski.

    While plenty of attention has been on Ilia’s impressive rise to championship glory at 145 pounds in the UFC, his sibling has been working away himself, looking to parve his own path to mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    And after signing with the promotion, Aleksandre’s debut was announced for UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia early next month. Originally, the 5-1 bantamweight prospect was set to face Cody Haddon. But with an injury ruling him out, Topuria’s new first matchup brings with it a backstory.

    Per a report from Spanish journalist Álvaro Colmenero, “El Cazador” is now set to share the cage with the undefeated Colby Thicknesse on Feb. 8. Interestingly, as well as being a HEC champion, the Australian is a teammate of Volkanovski’s.

    Ilia knocked Volkanovski out in Anaheim almost 12 months ago to capture the featherweight gold. After repeating that violent feat at the expense of Max Holloway last October, many are expecting the Spaniard to run it back with “Alexander the Great” in 2025.

    Another occasional training partner of the ex-champ’s, City Kickboxing standout Dan Hooker, also recently claimed that Topuria turned down a defense against Volkanovski for UFC 313 in March due to a need for longer to make the weight.

    It remains to be seen whether Ilia and his Aussie rival will renew hostilities inside the cage. For now, though, they’ll be preparing for a different team Topuria vs. team Volkanovski battle at UFC 312.

  • Karate Combat President Takes Aim At PFL Founder Donn Davis: ‘Can The Guy Throw Up A Triangle?’

    Karate Combat President Takes Aim At PFL Founder Donn Davis: ‘Can The Guy Throw Up A Triangle?’

    Karate Combat president Asim Zaidi isn’t sure that Donn Davis is the right person to be a spokesperson for the PFL, specifically when it comes to talking about combat sports. Davis is the founder, chairman and co-owner of the promotion and that means that he tends to face criticism when complaints are raised regarding the PFL.

    The entrepreneur tends to be at the center of this more than the PFL’s other leading men in Peter Murray and Ray Sefo because he’s the most vocal especially when it comes to their business decisions which has been a big talking point following the recent departures and issues regarding some of the Bellator fighters on the roster. Zaidi, who is also known as “President Awesome”, takes a very different approach when he’s talking about his promotion.

    As a jiu-jitsu and judo black belt, Zaidi is also the owner and one of the coaches at the Goat Shed gym in Miami, Florida. This gives him the viewpoint that a combat sports promotion should be headed up by someone who has first-hand experience of what it is like to be an active participant in the sport itself.

    He spoke about this in a recent interview with MMA Junkie where he voiced his opinions without wanting to personally criticize Davis.

    “Honestly, I hate saying this because he seems like a nice guy – I would love to sit with him and just understand,” Zaidi told MMA Junkie. “Maybe I’m misunderstanding him. I don’t think he understands anything about combat sports. And I don’t think that – if you’re not in this sh*t, if you can’t roll on the mats with me, I don’t think you should be part of it, you know what I mean?

    “He’s never trained martial arts in his life. I’m saying this ignorantly, I don’t know if he has, but there’s no way, right? Can the guy throw up a triangle? How is he going to understand what it’s like for fighters to do certain things, or when Patricio ‘Pitbull’ hasn’t fought in so long and is begging for a fight in the prime years of his career? He doesn’t understand that.”

    Zaidi continued, making the case that Davis may well be a valuable asset to the promotion but he believes that there are others who could be a more effective leading man.

    “He comes from a finance background, which is wonderful, but stay in the background then and put Ray Sefo in front,” Zaidi said. “Imagine this for a moment: Imagine if Ray Sefo was president? It would be really respectable. It would be unbelievable. How can you say anything bad about Ray Sefo?

    “Put Donn Davis in the background, he handles whatever back there. He’s a finance guy. Great. But hearing him talk about fighters and fighting, it doesn’t even sound like he watches fights. So, I’m not impressed by him. I’m not impressed by what he says. Dana White is an absolute G with everything he says, and I truly agree with him: I don’t think PFL has it.”

  • PFL Founder Sheds Light On Plans For Dakota Ditcheva: ‘That’s What You’re Going To See…’

    PFL Founder Sheds Light On Plans For Dakota Ditcheva: ‘That’s What You’re Going To See…’

    While she currently doesn’t have a fight in the calendar, there’s seemingly something major in store for 2024 PFL Women’s Flyweight Champion Dakota Ditcheva.

    Ditcheva has marked one of the breakout names across recent years. After announcing herself as a prospect under the PFL banner, the British standout has won gold in back-to-back campaigns.

    Following title glory in the promotion’s first regional expansion, PFL Europe, Ditcheva backed up her confidence and promise to reach the top in MMA by winning the inaugural 125-pound season on the global stage in 2024.

    “Dangerous” proved her doubters wrong in style last November, battering Taila Santos in the final en route to the championship and $1 million prize check.

    Since then, there’s been some uncertainty over what’s to come for Ditcheva, with many in the fanbase wishing for her to compete on the sport’s biggest stage, the UFC.

    Ditcheva herself was quick to downplay another season stint as a possibility prior to the announcement that the PFL would be dropping the long-debated format in 2025.

    During an interview with talkSPORT MMA, PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis looked to shed some light on Ditcheva’s status.

    Though he didn’t provide an exact assignment, he laid out what he told the rising star when they sat down while in Dubai for this past weekend’s Champions Series event.

    “We had dinner with Dakota the other night. Dakota’s here tonight as our guest,” Davis said. “We simply said to Dakota, ‘Seven of 10 major MMA organizations named you Fighter of the Year. Not Rookie of the Year, not Rising Star of the Year, Fighter of the Year. We want you to be the number one female star on the planet. And we’re going to get behind you to do that. So together, let’s outline a plan, so that that’s achieved.’

    “That takes personality, that takes drive, that takes being the best fighter and it takes the company behind you,” Davis continued. “Let’s put all four of those together and do it. That’s what you’re going to see from Dakota.”

    Ditcheva earned MMA News’ award for Female Fighter of the Year, finishing top spot over the likes of Kayla Harrison, Valentina Shevchenko, and Cris Cyborg after her 4-0 run in 2024.

  • UFC Saudi Arabia Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Adesanya vs. Imavov, Magomedov vs. Page, & More

    UFC Saudi Arabia Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Adesanya vs. Imavov, Magomedov vs. Page, & More

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

    The upcoming event takes place Saturday, February 1, at the anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The main card begins at 2 PM ET/11 AM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 2 PM ET/9 AM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Following consecutive losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, he will look to get back to winning ways by stalling Nassourdine Imavov’s rise.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event between Shara Magomedov and Michael “Venom” Page promises to be an entertaining striking affair. And also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Sergei Pavlovich, Said Nurmagomedov, and Shamil Gaziev.

    UFC Saudi Arabia: Adesanya vs. Imavov Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Saudi Arabia (as of 1/27), courtesy of DraftKings.

    • Israel Adesanya (-166) vs. Nassourdine Imavov (+140)
    • Sharabutdin Magomedov (-185) vs. Michael Page (+154)
    • Sergei Pavlovich (-305) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (+245)
    • Said Nurmagomedov (-198) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (+164)
    • Muhammad Naimov (-258) vs. Kaan Ofli (+210)
    • Shamil Gaziev (-380) vs. Thomas Petersen (+300)
    • Damir Hadzovic (+285) vs. Terrance McKinney (-360)
    • Mike Davis (-135) vs. Fares Ziam (+114)
    • Hamdy Abdelwahab (-112) vs. Jamal Pogues (-108)
    • Jasmine Jasudavicius (-225) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (+185)
    • Lucas Alexander (+100) vs. Bogdan Grad (-120)
    • Abdul-Kerim Al-Selwady (+142) vs. Bolaji Oki (-170)
  • BKFC’s Ben Rothwell Catches Attention Of Different Ex-UFC Heavyweight After Calling Out Francis Ngannou

    BKFC’s Ben Rothwell Catches Attention Of Different Ex-UFC Heavyweight After Calling Out Francis Ngannou

    Should his callout of Francis Ngannou fall on deaf ears, BKFC star Ben Rothwell looks to have at least one other high-profile option for his next fight.

    Rothwell has established himself as a dominant force in bare-knuckle boxing since his 17-fight tenure under the UFC banner reached its conclusion in 2021.

    “Big Ben” has gone 4-0 under the BKFC banner, with every win coming via knockout. His most recent triumph was at this past weekend’s KnuckleMania V event in Philadelphia, where the 43-year-old powerhouse delivered an early Knockout of the Year contender.

    With his violent 36-second KO of Mick Terrill, Rothwell captured the BKFC heavyweight title. Plenty of eyes will no doubt now be on the veteran’s next outing, and he’s setting his sights high.

    During his post-fight press conference, Rothwell name-dropped a former UFC champion and the current PFL Super Fights heavyweight titleholder as a potential opponent.

    “Francis Ngannou maybe,” Rothwell said. “We need to get some big names in this. I don’t know who’s on the roster, especially after tonight, that’s jumping in to fight me. They’ll say it but when it really comes down to it and I’m standing in front of you, things change.”

    Whether or not that could come to fruition remains to be seen. Ngannou is tied up with the PFL and expected to explore boxing options in 2025 following battles with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

    But should that rule “The Predator” out, another former UFC heavyweight is interested in the assignment.

    “U sure u want the smoke @rothwellfighter lets see it then,” Mark Hunt wrote on X.

    Rothwell and Hunt are familiar with one another, having shared the Octagon at UFC 135 back in 2011. “The Super Samoan” emerged victorious at the event, outpointing his American counterpart across three rounds.

    While “Big Ben” has been racking up wins in BKFC, the New Zealander hasn’t competed since defeating rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams in the boxing ring three years ago. He’s remained in the headlines due to his legal dispute with the UFC.

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov Invites Ireland’s Paul Hughes To Dagestan After PFL Battle With Cousin Usman

    Khabib Nurmagomedov Invites Ireland’s Paul Hughes To Dagestan After PFL Battle With Cousin Usman

    After a respectful exchange inside the cage at Saturday’s PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai event, that trend has continued between the Nurmagomedov family and Paul Hughes on social media.

    For a second time this month, a Nurmagomedov was involved in an early Fight of the Year contender. But while Umar came on the losing side of his at UFC 311 in Los Angeles, the bantamweight’s brother Usman had his hand raised in Dubai this past Saturday.

    The Bellator lightweight champion kept the gold in his possession with a hard-fought decision victory over Paul Hughes at the PFL’s first event of the year.

    Following a heated lead-up fueled by promotional material that dubbed the clash Dagestan vs. Ireland 2 — a reference to Khabib and Conor McGregor’s heated rivalry — the pair buried any hatchet that existed post-fight.

    On Usman’s part, he admitted to underestimating “Big News,” whom some believe did enough to deserve the championship. Khabib, meanwhile, has also been giving Hughes praise.

    In fact, the former UFC champion was so impressed — and keen to show that his animosity lies solely at McGregor’s feet rather than Ireland as a whole — that he’s even offered to host Hughes in his native Dagestan.

    “Thank you for the fight @paulhughesmma and for the experience,” Khabib Nurmagomedov wrote. “I invite you and your whole team and family to Dagestan, any time you want, believe me you will like it and your arrival will serve as a good example for many young generations”

    The ex-Cage Warriors standout was quick to respond, outlining his respect for the lightweight legend.

    But when it comes to taking “The Eagle” up on his offer, Hughes had one condition that must be fulfilled first: a rematch.

    “Thankyou @TeamKhabib I have great respect for you, your team and your nation,” Hughes wrote. “I would be honoured to take you up on this offer someday and then return the favour in Ireland. But please, only after I get to rematch Usman.”

    It remains to be seen what the PFL will have in store for Usman Nurmagomedov and Hughes moving forward.

    While many have echoed the Irishman’s calls for an immediate second dance, the champ suggested backstage at the Coca-Cola Arena that “Big News” requires three or four wins to earn another shot.

  • UFC Saudi Arabia Loses Main Card Fight Due To Passport Issues

    UFC Saudi Arabia Loses Main Card Fight Due To Passport Issues

    The lineup for UFC Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1 has taken a hit after middleweight André Muniz ran into passport issues while attempting to fly to the Middle East.

    After closing out its short January schedule with a memorable UFC 311 pay-per-view in Los Angeles, the mixed martial arts leader will hit the road to kick off February at Riyadh’s anb Arena next weekend.

    Headlining UFC Saudi Arabia will be former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya as he looks to bounce back at the expense of rising contender Nassourdine Imavov. Plenty of intrigue also surrounds the co-main event, in which the unbeaten Shara Magomedov will welcome Michael “Venom” Page to the division for a one-off outing at 185 pounds.

    Beyond those contests, a fairly deep UFC Saudi Arabia card was put together. But as has already been the case in 2025, no lineup is safe from late blows.

    In this instance, a middleweight clash between the formerly ranked Muniz and last year’s headliner in Saudi Arabia, Ikram Aliskerov, has fallen through. The Brazilian took to Instagram on Sunday to reveal that an unexpected issue with his passport prevented travel to Riyadh.

    Both men are now off the card, with Muniz noting that the UFC intends on rebooking the fight for a later date.

    “Unfortunately, neither I nor my team, nor the UFC, knew about this in time to let us know, and I haven’t been able to go through the entire process to get this document yet,” Muniz said in Portuguese (h/t MMA Junkie). “The UFC thought it would be better to reschedule my fight with the same opponent, but it took another date. I’m waiting for you to set the date right away, and that’s it.”

    The news further delays Muniz’s long-awaited return. The submission specialist hasn’t competed since December 2023, when he outpointed JunYong Park to rebound from a two-fight losing skid.

    Aliskerov, meanwhile, was hoping for redemption in the Middle East on Feb. 1 after falling to a first-round knockout in his late-notice main event against Robert Whittaker seven months ago.

    With this cancellation, the current lineup for UFC Saudi Arabia next Saturday is as follows:

    • Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov
    • Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Michael Page
    • Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
    • Said Nurmagomedov vs. Vinicius Oliveira
    • Muhammad Naimov vs. Kaan Ofli
    • Shamil Gaziev vs. Thomas Petersen
    • Damir Hadzovic vs. Terrance McKinney
    • Mike Davis vs. Fares Ziam
    • Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Mayra Bueno Silva
    • Lucas Alexander vs. Bogdan Grad
    • Abdul-Kerim Al-Selwady vs. Bolaji Oki
  • Clay Guida Confirms UFC Departure After 37 Fights, 19 Years

    Clay Guida Confirms UFC Departure After 37 Fights, 19 Years

    Clay Guida has parted ways with the UFC after an incredible 19-year run with the promotion.

    Guida’s name was recently removed from the UFC’s online roster and he later confirmed the news in a heartfelt Instagram post.

    The lightweight veteran had been the longest-tenured fighter on the promotion’s active roster. It remains unclear whether his departure was due to a release or the expiration of his contract.

    In his statement, Guida expressed gratitude to his friends, family, training partners, and coaches, acknowledging their support throughout his career.

    “There is nothing I enjoy more than stepping into the octagon and fighting for our fans,” he wrote. “I am truly grateful to Dana White and his outstanding staff for giving a kid with average skills but above-average work ethic the opportunity to fulfill his dreams as a wrestler and mixed martial artist.”

    The 43-year-old emphasized that this is not a retirement announcement but rather a moment of gratitude and reflection.

    “This is simply a thank-you for now and a passing of my UFC torch to the next generation of warriors and wrestlers. We were built to last. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The best is yet to come! Straight to the top, because wrestling is life! Now let’s go fishing!”

    Guida made his UFC debut on October 14, 2006, at UFC 64, where he secured a victory over Justin James. Over his career, he competed 37 times under the UFC banner, facing some of the best fighters in the lightweight and featherweight divisions, including Nate Diaz, Benson Henderson, Kenny Florian, Brian Ortega, and Chad Mendes. His thrilling The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale bout against Diego Sanchez earned a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing in 2019.

    The veteran fighter’s final UFC bout was a submission loss to Chase Hooper in December 2023 at UFC 310. Reflecting on a career spanning 38 years in combat sports, Guida remains optimistic about the future and ready for his next chapter.

  • Paul Hughes Slams ‘Ridiculous’ Scorecards After Narrow Defeat To Usman Nurmagomedov

    Paul Hughes Slams ‘Ridiculous’ Scorecards After Narrow Defeat To Usman Nurmagomedov

    Paul Hughes is livid over how the judges scored his fight against Usman Nurmagomedov.

    On Saturday, Hughes challenged reigning Bellator lightweight champion Nurmagomedov in the headline clash of the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena in the UAE.

    Despite entering the fight as a heavy underdog, “Big News” delivered an exceptional performance, pushing the undefeated Dagestani phenom to the brink over five grueling rounds. Hughes countered every challenge Nurmagomedov threw his way and showcased his dominance in various exchanges throughout the bout.

    However, Nurmagomedov found his rhythm between the rounds, leveraging his wrestling to gain control over Hughes, who couldn’t sway the judges despite his opponent’s point deduction for low blows in the third round.

    After 25 minutes of intense back-and-forth action, two judges scored the contest 48-46 in favor of Nurmagomedov, while the third saw it as a 47-47 draw, allowing the champion to retain his title.

    Moments following the conclusion of the fight, “Big News” took to Instagram to voice his frustration with the judges’ scoring. The Irishman confidently claimed that, in his eyes, he had done more than enough to seal the win for himself.

    “We all thought I won that one,” Hughes said. “I think the judges’ scorecards were pretty ridiculous. But I’ll watch it back with a clear mind. I’m just judging from the energy of the arena and everyone surrounding the cage that thought it was mine. I’m not going to make excuses, though. I should’ve pushed harder. And I will the next time. I know we’ll fight again.”

    Hughes went on to explain that the accidental head clash in the fourth round swung the fight’s momentum, insisting that up until that point, he had been on the verge of overwhelming Nurmagomedov.

    In his post-fight interview, the 27-year-old fervently expressed his desire to run it back, this time in front of his home crowd in Belfast. He once again called for an immediate rematch to settle the score with the Russian.

    “I’m obviously disappointed. I’m gutted. I’m proud of myself, but I need to get that back. I deserve to have that belt.”

  • Reinier de Ridder Includes Khamzat Chimaev On List Of ‘How To Get To Rome’ In The UFC

    Reinier de Ridder Includes Khamzat Chimaev On List Of ‘How To Get To Rome’ In The UFC

    Reinier de Ridder has plenty of options for his next fight, with several intriguing names on his radar.

    The 34-year-old fighter, who previously held both the ONE middleweight and light heavyweight titles, has made an impressive start in the UFC since signing with the promotion in 2024.

    De Ridder has finished both of his UFC bouts via submission, including a recent victory over Kevin Holland at UFC 311 last weekend. Feeling healthy and confident after his latest win, the Dutchman is eager to take on his next challenge.

    “I think I can hang with those guys, and that’s what I’m hoping for rather sooner than later,” de Ridder told MMA Junkie Radio. “There’s always a lot of stuff to work on, of course. I’m going to keep growing, keep evolving. But that’s what I’m here for. I want to be part of the top five. I want to see if I can get my hands on the belt.”

    De Ridder has his sights set on a title shot, but he knows he’ll need to face tougher competition to reach that goal. He already has a few potential opponents in mind that could help propel him to the top of the division.

    “There are multiple ways to get to Rome. I think there are a lot of options to get there,” de Ridder said. “All of them would be amazing. All of the ones you mentioned would be amazing. Khamzat (Chimaev) would be a great fight. I don’t think he has anything booked, so why not? But also (Robert) Whittaker would be great. (Israel) Adesanya-(Nassourdine) Imavov winner. I’m ready for whatever. If I can land a big fight like that, finish it like I did this one, then I think there’s no denying me.”

    De Ridder is excited by the possibilities, regardless of the style matchup.

    “It doesn’t really matter. Like a Khamzat fight would be great to see the best grapplers match up. A striker matchup with Adesanya would be amazing, as well. He’s a guy I’ve looked up to for a very long time. I’m ready to show it up.”

  • ‘I Underestimated This Guy’ – Usman Nurmagomedov Eats His Words After Grueling Fight With Paul Hughes

    ‘I Underestimated This Guy’ – Usman Nurmagomedov Eats His Words After Grueling Fight With Paul Hughes

    Usman Nurmagomedov now knows firsthand just how formidable Paul Hughes is.

    Nurmagomedov defended his Bellator lightweight title against Hughes in the main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai, held at the Coca-Cola Arena in the UAE on Saturday night.

    The undefeated Dagestani went the full five rounds with “Big News,” with several instances where it was clear he was struggling to match the intensity of the determined challenger, even with his renowned, wrestling-heavy style.

    However, following the tightly contested fight, Nurmagomedov managed to impress two judges with his performance, earning 48-46 scores, even after a point was deducted for groin strikes in the third round. The third judge scored the bout a 47-47 draw.

    Ahead of their clash, the 155-pound champion consistently downplayed Hughes as a legitimate threat, undermining the Irishman by claiming he wasn’t worthy of the title shot. But after 25 minutes in the cage with him, Nurmagomedov now realizes just how misguided his assumptions were.

    In his post-fight interview, Nurmagomedov openly admitted his mistake in overlooking “Big News” and gave credit where it was due.

    “Paul Hughes, brother, you are the man, brother,” Nurmagomedov said. “You’re really the man. Brother, you are tough. Honestly, I underestimated this guy. Whew. It was my little mistake, but still undefeated, undisputed, Bellator lightweight champion, Usman Nurmagomedov.”

    The Russian went on to heap further praise on Hughes, commending his versatile game plan and acknowledging his opponent’s incredible resilience in the face of adversity.

    “His wrestling defense, takedown defense [was] very well. He’s tough, he’s strong. I didn’t think he would be this strong. Brother, you are really strong. You tell me in the face to face, this was my mistake, you were right, brother. Thank you so much. I never take this damage, what I take with him in this fight. I have a lot of pain on my body. Brother, thank you for this fight. I think I jumped to next level because of him. He make me better than I was today. And I think, for sure, he got better, too. Thank you so much, Paul. I really respect you brother.”

  • ‘Make It Happen’ – Fans React To Jeremy Stephens Facing Off With Conor McGregor After Stopping Eddie Alvarez At BKFC KnuckleMania V

    ‘Make It Happen’ – Fans React To Jeremy Stephens Facing Off With Conor McGregor After Stopping Eddie Alvarez At BKFC KnuckleMania V

    In a battle of former power-punching UFC stars, Jeremy Stephens was able to come away with a huge victory, knocking out hometown hero Eddie Alvarez in Philadelphia in the main event of BKFC’s KnuckleMania V.

    The two started the fight with some feeling out before Alvarez connected with a pair of left jabs. “Lil Heathen” started to get a rhythm, but Alvarez got into his own groove, working Stephens over with crisp combinations.

    The former UFC champion started to work the body in the second round, but Stephens picked up his pace and power, landing stronger shots. Alvarez, however, took back control of the fight in the second half of the round.

    A right hand from “Lil Heathen” dropped Alvarez to start the third round. While “The Underground King” got back to his feet, Stephens aimed to get the finish, rushing forward and focusing on the jab.

    He was able to drop Alvarez with another right hand in the round’s closing seconds, and while the Philadelphia native saw the bell, his corner elected to wave the fight off after the round, giving Stephens the victory in enemy territory.

    Following his victory, Stephens had a faceoff with BKFC part-owner Conor McGregor, who once infamously asked who “Lil Heathen” was at a UFC press conference in 2016.

    Fans React As Jeremy Stephens Forces Corner Stoppage Of Eddie Alvarez, Faces Off With Conor McGregor

    https://twitter.com/MeterPeterD/status/1883385060864499999
    https://twitter.com/ProchazkaSzn/status/1883385722935337227

    Stephens now improves to 3-0 in the BKFC ring, having previously finished Jimmie Rivera and scored a decision over Bobby Taylor at BKFC 56 and BKFC 65, respectively.

    Alvarez, meanwhile, now falls to 1-2 in the promotion, having defeated Chad Mendes at BKFC 41 but lost to Mike Perry for the King of Violence Championship at BKFC 56.

  • ‘Did What McGregor Couldn’t’ – Jake Paul, Belal Muhammad, Dustin Poirier & Others React As Paul Hughes Pushes Usman Nurmagomedov To The Limit

    ‘Did What McGregor Couldn’t’ – Jake Paul, Belal Muhammad, Dustin Poirier & Others React As Paul Hughes Pushes Usman Nurmagomedov To The Limit

    In what is certainly going to be an early nominee for the 2025 Fight of the Year in MMA, Usman Nurmagomedov will likely end up as the final defending Bellator champion in the brand’s history.

    Nurmagomedov narrowly retained the Bellator lightweight title in a five-round war with Paul Hughes in the main event of the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai event at the Coca-Cola Arena on Jan. 25.

    The Dagestani started aggressively, utilizing a variety of kicks to test his range before putting his striking on full display. Hughes found his rhythm and picked up his pace in the second, mixing initial strikes and counters. The champ kept up his kicks and clinch attempts, but he struggled to secure a takedown early. Both fighters traded combinations, with Nurmagomedov focused on knees and elbows as the challenger ripped to the body. The second round proved to arguably be the most difficult to score.

    The fight was marred a bit by groin strikes during the third round, which resulted in the defending champion being docked a point. The Russian, however, rebounded with a takedown and controlling the action against the fence. Hughes kept active before both men’s output increased in a big way during the fourth round, including a ferocious exchanging in the final minute.

    Nurmagomedov looked to use his grappling more in the final round, while simultaneously landing hard with knees on Hughes’ body. But the Irishman continued to push forward, landing combinations when possible before swinging wildly and taking over in the fight’s final, dramatic 30 seconds.

    One judge scored the fight a 47-47 draw, while the other two gave 48-46 scorecards, giving Nurmagomedov the win.

    Usman Nurmagomedov Defeats Paul Hughes In Early Fight Of The Year War

    Nurmagomedov became champion initially with a win over Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 288. His title defenses prior to tonight included a win over Benson Henderson, a no contest against Brent Primus, and a victory over Alexander Shabliy.

    The result in Dubai snaps a seven-fight win streak for Hughes. He earned a title shot off wins over Bobby King last summer and AJ McKee at the PFL: Battle of the Giants card in October.

  • PFL Road To Dubai Champions Series Results & Highlights: Usman Nurmagomedov Outlasts Paul Hughes

    PFL Road To Dubai Champions Series Results & Highlights: Usman Nurmagomedov Outlasts Paul Hughes

    The PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai event took place on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action.

    After announcing a slew of changes to its organization for 2025, including the elimination of the Bellator brand, the Professional Fighters League kicked things off for this year with a Bellator champion defending their gold.

    In the main event of today’s event at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, lightweight kingpin Usman Nurmagomedov faced the challenge of highly regarded Irishman Paul Hughes — a headliner branded ‘Dagestani vs. Ireland 2’ promotionally in reference to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor’s heated rivalry from a number of years ago.

    The gold stayed put by narrow margins, with Nurmagomedov getting the nod on two of the three scorecards for the majority decision win following five rounds of competitive and enthralling action.

    Two other clashes between Dagestani and Irish fighters went down on the main card, with Nathan Kelly battling Akhmed Magomedov and Kenny Mokhonoana meeting Ibragim Ibragimov.

    And just before the main attraction, former Bellator light heavyweight champ Vadim Nemkov faced his next heavyweight challenge in the co-main event, sharing the SmartCage with ex-UFC contender and 2024 PFL heavyweight season semifinalist Tim Johnson. In what marked the final fight of his contract, the Russian netted a quick first-round submission.

    With the event concluded, see below for the full results and all the best highlights!

    PFL Champions Series: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes Results & Highlights

    Main Card:

    • Bellator Lightweight Championship Main Event: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via majority decision (47-47, 48-46, 48-46)
    • Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Vadim Nemkov def. Tim Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke): R1, 3:08
    • Featherweight: Akhmed Magomedov def. Nathan Kelly via submission (rear-naked choke): R2, 4:22
    • Featherweight: Ibragim Ibragimov def. Kenny Mokhonoana via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
    • Bantamweight: Renat Khavalov def. Cleiver Fernandes via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
    • Catchweight (199lbs): Ahmed Samy def. Tarek Suleiman via TKO (punches & elbows): R1, 5:00
    • Lightweight: Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Mike Thompson via technical submission (arm-triangle choke): R2, 2:50
    • Flyweight: Hadi Omar Al Hussaini def. Ruel Panales via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
    • Lightweight: John Mitchell def. Souhil Tairi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
    • Middleweight: Haider Khan def. Mostafa Nada via TKO (arm injury): R1, 3:18
    • Amateur Lightweight: Talal Alqallaf def. Saeed Alhosani via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-27)

    Talal Alqallaf Def. Saeed Alhosani

    Haider Khan Def. Mostafa Nada

    John Mitchell Def. Souhil Tairi

    Hadi Omar Al Hussaini Def. Ruel Panales

    Mirafzal Akhtamov Def. Mike Thompson

    Ahmed Samy Def. Tarek Suleiman

    Renat Khavalov Def. Cleiver Fernandes

    Ibragim Ibragimov Def. Kenny Mokhonoana

    Akhmed Magomedov Def. Nathan Kelly

    Vadim Nemkov Def. Tim Johnson

    Usman Nurmagomedov Def. Paul Hughes

  • ‘We Need Him vs. Ngannou’ – Fans React As Ex-Bellator Champ Vadim Nemkov Submits Tim Johnson In Final Fight Of PFL Contract

    ‘We Need Him vs. Ngannou’ – Fans React As Ex-Bellator Champ Vadim Nemkov Submits Tim Johnson In Final Fight Of PFL Contract

    What comes next for Vadim Nemkov is uncertain, but it can still include great opportunities following a win over Tim Johnson in the co-main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai on Jan. 25.

    Nemkov made things look easily, landing several head kicks on Johnson that busted him open across the center of his head. The Russian was able to get a takedown and worked over his American foe against the fence. After dragging him away from the fence, Johnson attempted to power up.

    The former Bellator light heavyweight champion, however, answered by wrapping his legs around Johnson and bringing him back down, flattening the UFC veteran and scoring the rear-naked choke victory.

    Vadim Nemkov Easily Submits Late-Notice Opponent Tim Johnson, Fans Ponder Ngannou Showdown

    Nemkov is now 2-0 at heavyweight after defeating Bruno Cappelozza last February at the PFL vs. Bellator card. Nemkov is now a free agent after fighting out his PFL (formerly Bellator) contract.

    Jonhson, meanwhile, has now lost back-to-back fights after three straight wins.

  • ‘I Have Never Seen That’ – Brutal Injury At PFL Road To Dubai Champions Series Event Has Fans Grimacing

    ‘I Have Never Seen That’ – Brutal Injury At PFL Road To Dubai Champions Series Event Has Fans Grimacing

    Just two fights into the PFL’s 2025 campaign and we may have had our first nominee for Gruesome Injury of the Year in this sport, seen in Haider Khan’s first-round victory over Mostafa Nada.

    The two did plenty of circling around the cage during the fight, with Khan keeping distance to avoid Nada’s power and setup kicks. One shot, however, brought the fight to a screeching halt.

    Khan threw a front kick, which Nada looked to block low. When he did this, one could see the impact of Khan’s shin landing causing Nada’s arm to break. The Saudi Arabian immediately felt the injury and the referee quickly stepped in to stop the fight, giving the Englishman the win.

    Haider Khan Gets Win At PFL Champions Series Event After Kick Breaks Opponent’s Arm

    This snaps a five-fight win streak Nada had coming into this fight, which included starting his PFL run at 2-0.

    Khan, who made his PFL debut in this fight, now moves to 9-1.

  • Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze Rematch Set For UFC Fight Night Headliner In March

    Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze Rematch Set For UFC Fight Night Headliner In March

    Marvin Vettori and Roman Dolidze are reportedly on track to run it back.

    According to a recent report by @MagicM_MMABets on X, former UFC middleweight title challenger Vettori is set to make his Octagon return after nearly two years on the sidelines. He will face his former opponent, Dolidze, in a rematch headlining a UFC Fight Night event scheduled for March 15 at the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    The news was corroborated by Eurosport Nederland’s Marcel Dorff.

    The two fighters first crossed paths at UFC 286 in March 2023, where “The Italian Dream” emerged victorious with a gritty unanimous decision.

    Since then, Vettori has stepped into the Octagon just once, suffering a one-sided decision loss to Jared Cannonier in June 2023. The 31-year-old Italian was originally set to make his comeback against Brendan Allen at UFC Vegas 90 in April 2024, but had to withdraw from the bout just weeks before the event due to an unfortunate injury.

    “The Italian Dream” currently boasts a UFC record of 9-5-1 and hinted last month that he’s in the twilight of his career, with plans to hang up his gloves after just a few more fights.

    Meanwhile, Dolidze had a mixed yet notable year inside the cage in 2024, securing back-to-back victories over Anthony Smith and Kevin Holland at UFC 303 and UFC 307, respectively. Those wins followed a majority decision loss to Nassourdine Imavov back in February.

  • Usman Nurmagomedov Vows To ‘Destroy’ Paul Hughes: ‘PFL Gave Him This Title Shot Only Because He’s From Ireland’

    Usman Nurmagomedov Vows To ‘Destroy’ Paul Hughes: ‘PFL Gave Him This Title Shot Only Because He’s From Ireland’

    Usman Nurmagomedov remains dismissive of Paul Hughes’ prospects of dethroning him.

    Nurmagomedov is set to put his Bellator lightweight title on the line against Hughes in the main event of the PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series. The highly anticipated showdown is scheduled for this Saturday at the Coca-Cola Arena in the UAE.

    The matchup has been dubbed “Dagestan vs. Ireland 2,” rekindling the intense rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor that unfolded during their unforgettable UFC 229 showdown in October 2018. Usman and Hughes have channeled a comparable intensity, with their growing animosity building throughout the lead-up to their bout.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Nurmagomedov expressed his belief that “Big News” hasn’t earned his title shot, asserting that he was handed the chance more because his narrative aligned with PFL’s promotional strategy than for any significant accomplishment.

    “Brother, nobody knows who is Paul Hughes,” Nurmagomedov said.”He can talk something only because he wants to promote himself. PFL gave him this title shot only because he’s from Ireland, and they want to promote Ireland vs. Dagestan – something like that. I got my title shot when I was on a six-fight win streak, but I don’t care.”

    When this fight was announced, Usman’s cousin, UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, boldly stated in a promotional interview that the skill level of Dagestani fighters far surpasses that of their Irish counterparts, a sentiment Usman shares regarding Hughes.

    The undefeated Dagestani champion further emphasized that he’s operating on an entirely different level than his opponent, insisting it will be a straightforward task, with nothing about the Irishman’s game that could possibly catch him off guard.

    “I think after first round, I will feel who is this guy. Technically, there’s nothing he can surprise me [with] – just little boxing, little kicks, not bad takedown defense, and that’s it… Inshallah, we’re going to finish this guy. I will destroy him all five rounds, or I will finish him in the first three rounds.”

    Nurmagomedov enters this bout on the back of a dominant unanimous decision victory over Alexander Shabliy at the Bellator Champions Series in San Diego last September. He currently boasts a perfect professional record of 18-0, with eight knockouts and six submissions.

    Meanwhile, “Big News” arrives at this title fight on a seven-fight win streak, having earned his opportunity with a hard-fought split decision victory over former champion AJ McKee at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants in October. Hughes holds a professional record of 13-1, with six knockouts and three submissions.

  • Renato Moicano Shares His Payday For Saving UFC 311 Main Event On Short Notice

    Renato Moicano Shares His Payday For Saving UFC 311 Main Event On Short Notice

    Renato Moicano’s latest fight didn’t go his way, but he seems pleased with the payday he walked away with.

    Moicano stepped in as a last-minute replacement to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 this past weekend, following an injury that forced Arman Tsarukyan to withdraw from the event. Originally scheduled to fight Beneil Dariush, Moicano seized the championship opportunity but lost via D’Arce choke submission midway through the opening round.

    After the loss, the Brazilian revealed on the Show Me The Money podcast that his earnings for the fight surpassed $950,000. He expressed frustration with California’s high taxation while discussing his payday.

    “The taxation is crazy. Crazy. I don’t know how people survive,” Moicano said. “California is one of the biggest GDPs in the world. If you took their state, it’s like a country, but why? Because f*cking big tech. Silicon Valley, startups, and all that stuff, but these motherf*ckers don’t pay taxes. … You know what’s up. Jeff Bezos motherf*cker is not paying any f*cking money or taxes.”

    Moicano also addressed criticism, particularly from Paddy Pimblett, who took issue with him tapping out rather than enduring the submission.

    Moicano, however, has no regrets about accepting the fight on short notice.

    “I don’t get mad, but I was kind of surprised with the takes of everybody,” Moicano said. “People say so much dumb stuff, even some people were saying, ‘You should not have accepted the fight. You should have fought with Dariush.’ I say, ‘Man, you don’t know what you’re talking about. You don’t know how much money I made. You don’t know how much the opportunity means to me.’”

    Moicano defended his decision to step up, emphasizing the importance of taking risks in life.

    “Imagine, Hunter [Campbell] called me and said, ‘You’re fighting for the title.’ I say, ‘No, you know what? I think Islam is better than me, and I think I’m going to lose tomorrow.’ If you think like that, that’s why you’re working a nine-to-five job — because you don’t take chances, you don’t take risks. You know what? You’re going to be a piece of sh*t for the rest of your life. That’s the f*cking truth.”

    For Moicano, the opportunity to fight for a title — even under challenging circumstances — was too meaningful to pass up, regardless of the outcome.

  • Nassourdine Imavov Demands Khamzat Chimaev’s Title Shot With UFC Saudi Arabia Win

    Nassourdine Imavov Demands Khamzat Chimaev’s Title Shot With UFC Saudi Arabia Win

    Nassourdine Imavov remains focused on his title aspirations, confident that his path to a middleweight championship is clearer than ever — despite past comments from UFC CEO Dana White.

    Imavov is scheduled to face former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at the second UFC Fight Night event in Saudi Arabia. The bout will take place on Feb. 1 at anb Arena in Riyadh.

    Currently boasting a 15-4 record, “The Sniper” has been on a strong run, winning three consecutive fights, including a decision victory over Brendan Allen in Paris last September. A win against Adesanya would mark the biggest triumph of his career and firmly place him in the middleweight title conversation.

    Although White has indicated that Khamzat Chimaev is likely next in line for a title shot, Imavov remains optimistic about his chances, particularly with middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis set to defend his title against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 on Feb. 8 in Sydney.

    “Of course, depending on the performance, I can get the next title shot,” Imavov told MMA Junkie through an interpreter. “It can be Khamzat. The fact that I went for four fights in one year, two top five, two top 10, that’s something very significant.

    “I’m never turning down any fights, and that’s something the UFC likes a lot. So we’ll see what happens. For now, I’m focusing on my next fight, and we’ll see after that.”

    Imavov’s consistent willingness to take on all challengers and his growing momentum make him a compelling contender in the middleweight division as he prepares for the toughest fight of his career.

  • Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes Added To UFC 314 On April 12

    Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes Added To UFC 314 On April 12

    The UFC has bolstered the lineup for UFC 314 with a pivotal light heavyweight matchup between Nikita Krylov and Dominick Reyes.

    The two fighters have agreed to meet at the pay-per-view event, which is expected to take place at the Kaseya Center in Miami on April 12.

    The matchup was first reported by MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin.

    Krylov is set to return to action after being sidelined since March 2023. He enters the fight riding a three-fight winning streak with victories over Ryan Spann, Volkan Oezdemir, and Alexander Gustafsson. Despite his hiatus, the veteran contender will look to extend his momentum against a tough opponent.

    Reyes, meanwhile, has been enjoying a career resurgence. After enduring a challenging four-fight losing streak, including title defeats to Jon Jones and Jan Blachowicz, “The Devastator” bounced back in 2024 with knockout victories over Anthony Smith and Dustin Jacoby. Now, Reyes aims to continue his climb back into title contention. 

    With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 314 on April 12 are as follows.

    • Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales
    • Virna Jandiroba vs. Yan Xiaonan
    • Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes
  • ‘Sh*t Getting Toxic’ – Fans React As Chaos Erupts Between Dagestani & Irish Supporters Ahead Of Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes

    ‘Sh*t Getting Toxic’ – Fans React As Chaos Erupts Between Dagestani & Irish Supporters Ahead Of Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes

    It seems the fans are wearing their national pride louder than the fighters themselves as the buzz builds for the highly anticipated Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes showdown.

    Nurmagomedov is primed to defend his lightweight crown against Hughes in the headline clash of the PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series. The event is slated for this Saturday at the Coca-Cola Arena in the UAE.

    The event, branded as “Dagestan vs Ireland 2,” echoes the acclaimed UFC 229 clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. Much like that legendary bout, the UFC Hall of Famer’s cousin Usman and Ireland’s Hughes seem to embody a feud cut from the same electrifying cloth.

    The buildup to this bout has been thick with tension, as both fighters have exchanged sharp words. “Big News” has alleged that the undefeated Dagestani has belittled his skills and insulted him, which prompted a fiery verbal confrontation between the two earlier this week.

    The fighters brought the same electric intensity to their final staredown at the ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday, where Nurmagomedov and Hughes locked eyes in a heated faceoff.

    However, the ceremonial weigh-ins for the upcoming bout felt less like a pre-fight ritual and more like a battlefield.

    According to Parry Punch’s report on X, Dagestani and Irish fans reignited their bitter feud outside the Coca-Cola Arena, leading to an all-out brawl between the two factions. The exact cause of the chaos remains unclear at the moment.

    Fans were quick to react to the melee between Dagestani and Irish supporters, with many drawing parallels to the heated Khabib-McGregor rivalry, suggesting that Usman and Hughes are reigniting a national pride-fueled feud that shows no sign of fading.

    https://twitter.com/fantasiaapostle/status/1882826216711082317
    https://twitter.com/MadJim98/status/1882833498807074967
    https://twitter.com/tenziiin099/status/1882835283206701090

    Nurmagomedov will be making his third title defense. His most recent outing came last September at the Bellator Champions Series in San Diego, where he delivered a dominant performance, securing a unanimous decision victory over Alexander Shabliy to successfully retain his belt.

    Meanwhile, Hughes will be vying for the title in just his third appearance with the promotion. “Big News” is coming off a hard-fought split decision victory over AJ McKee in October at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants.