MMA News

Category: MMA

  • Islam Makhachev Reacts To Late-Notice UFC 311 Opponent Change: ‘It Doesn’t Matter Who’

    Islam Makhachev Reacts To Late-Notice UFC 311 Opponent Change: ‘It Doesn’t Matter Who’

    Islam Makhachev remains unfazed by whoever stands across from him in the Octagon on Saturday night, as he’s focused on accomplishing the task at hand.

    Makhachev was initially slated to defend his lightweight title against former rival Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311 this weekend at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    However, on Friday morning, the headliner took an unforeseen turn when UFC CEO Dana White announced that “Ahalkalakets” had been forced to withdraw from the rematch due to a back injury.

    Makhachev will now square off against Renato Moicano in the newly revamped main event of UFC 311. Originally scheduled to face Beneil Dariush in a 155-pound clash on the main card, “Money” has now seized the eleventh-hour opportunity to challenge for the UFC title after Tsarukyan’s injury sidelined the original matchup.

    The Dagestani champion embraced the unanticipated shift, proudly echoing his own quote, which White had prominently displayed on the walls of the UFC Performance Institute.

    “‘What does this title represent? It means you’re the best in the world and if you’re the best in the world, it doesn’t matter who’s going to be standing across from you. What do I say? No? NEVER. Let’s do this!’” Makhachev wrote on X.

    Makhachev is riding a remarkable 14-fight win streak, with his most recent appearance at UFC 303 in June 2024. There, he secured a gritty fifth-round submission victory over Dustin Poirier to successfully retain his title.

    Meanwhile, Moicano is on a four-fight win streak and has been relentless since his move to the 155-pound division, boasting six victories in his last seven bouts. “Money” enters this title fight on the back of a dominant second-round TKO (doctor’s stoppage) over Benoît Saint Denis at UFC Paris in September.

  • Arman Tsarukyan’s First Statement On UFC 311 Withdrawal: ‘Hardest Decision I’ve Ever Had To Make’

    Arman Tsarukyan has spoken publicly following his decision to pull out of Saturday’s UFC 311 pay-per-view.

    Tsarukyan is currently in Los Angeles, where he had hoped to avenge his 2019 loss to Islam Makhachev to capture the lightweight crown and cement himself among the all-time top names at 155 pounds.

    But the chance to do so will have to wait, with the Armenian withdrawing from the opening numbered event of 2025 just one day out after injuring his back while cutting weight.

    The news was first reported by Red Corner MMA before being confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White, who also revealed that Renato Moicano has been pulled from his original showdown with Beneil Dariush to challenge Makhachev in tomorrow night’s headliner.

    A clearly devastated Tsarukyan, meanwhile, recently took to social media with his first remarks since the disappointing revelation emerged.

    “I regret to inform everyone that the news is that I had to pull out of UFC 311 with a back injury is true. This was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my fighting career. I would like to thank the UFC for understanding and I look forward to competing for my first UFC Championship in the future. Thank you all for your support.”

  • Arman Tsarukyan Out Of Islam Makhachev Rematch At UFC 311, Renato Moicano Steps In

    Arman Tsarukyan Out Of Islam Makhachev Rematch At UFC 311, Renato Moicano Steps In

    Disaster has struck one day out from the first pay-per-view of 2025, with Arman Tsarukyan out of UFC 311.

    Tsarukyan and Makhachev faced off at Thursday’s press conference ahead of their second meeting inside the cage Saturday night in Los Angeles.

    Years on from their competitive collision at a 2019 UFC Fight Night in Moscow, which the Russian won on the scorecards, the pair were set to do battle for Makhachev’s lightweight crown on Jan. 18.

    But during the weigh-ins, a report from Red Corner MMA emerged revealing that Tsarukyan has withdrawn just north of 24 hours out from his first title challenge on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    Dana White later confirmed the news himself on social media, while also announcing that Renato Moicano will step in to challenge Makhachev in tomorrow night’s headliner.

    The Brazilian had already hit the scale for UFC 311, with Moicano making championship weight ahead of his previously scheduled three-round contest with Beneil Dariush.

    While he is only ranked #10 in the division, he is riding a four-fight win streak. He’s also coming off a dominant showing opposite Benoît Saint Denis in Paris, a similar result that netted Dustin Poirier a title shot against Makhachev last year.

  • Jiří Procházka Warns Jamahal Hill About ‘Big Mistake’ Ahead Of UFC 311 Clash

    Jiří Procházka Warns Jamahal Hill About ‘Big Mistake’ Ahead Of UFC 311 Clash

    Jamahal Hill is set to face fellow former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka this weekend at UFC 311. Hill has made it clear that he believes a victory would solidify his claim to the next title shot.

    Hill’s rivalry with current 205-pound kingpin Alex Pereira has added extra intrigue to his journey back to the top. The two were involved in a controversial altercation at the UFC Performance Institute last month, a situation that drew criticism toward “Sweet Dreams.” This incident has further motivated him to prove his worthiness for another championship opportunity.

    For Procházka, the focus remains firmly on the task at hand. He has warned his opponent that overlooking him in favor of thoughts about a title shot or Pereira would be a costly mistake.

    “I would just say that it is a big mistake when you are not focused on what’s before you, and you’re looking at another opponent — it will cost you a lot,” Procházka said during the UFC 311 media day. “So, it’s just about staying humble and focused on what’s before you. I don’t speak about other opponents, about who will be the next. Even if I did say I want to fight Alex Pereira for a third time because I believe in myself and the changes in my style.

    “No, this is not the time or place right now. There is Jamahal Hill this Saturday, and I want to win,” he continued. “And I’m going to win this fight. Then we can talk about others.”

  • Henry Cejudo Promises ‘Live Assassination’ Of Song Yadong At UFC Seattle

    Henry Cejudo Promises ‘Live Assassination’ Of Song Yadong At UFC Seattle

    Henry Cejudo is set to return for his third outing inside the Octagon since he came out of retirement to fight Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title in 2023. The former two-weight titleholder has been unable to reclaim the top spot since he left the sport on top back in 2020 after winning six fights in a row.

    Having bean beaten by teammates in Sterling and the current champion Merab Dvalishvili, Cejudo is now set to look a few positions further down the 135-pound rankings after failing to immediately re-establish himself as a top contender. In the main event on February 22, he will face the #8-ranked Song Yadong at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

    Yadong is also looking to bounce back from a defeat last time out but “Triple C” is incredibly confident that he will show levels in this fight. He spoke in a recent interview with Cageside Press about how he sees the matchup playing out in this pivotal moment for his career at the highest level.

    “You guys can witness a damn assassination man. You guys are going to witness a live assassination. Song Yadong you ain’t that long,” Cejudo told Cageside Press.

    Cejudo also continued to make references to his opponent’s name in what appears to be the return of his trash talking persona which we have had a significant break from in recent times. Despite this, “King Triple C” knows what is at stake for him in this fight.

    He did not return just to take part in the division but a third consecutive loss would be a big uphill battle for him at this stage in his career.

    “Song doesn’t have that long dong that you guys think he does and that he’s gonna bend the knee and everybody watching should also bend a knee to KING TRIPLE C.”

  • Rising UFC Featherweight Favors BMF Title Win Over Undisputed: ‘To Be One Of The Baddest Dudes…’

    Rising UFC Featherweight Favors BMF Title Win Over Undisputed: ‘To Be One Of The Baddest Dudes…’

    The BMF title has been a divisive subject in MMA but there’s no denying that in the three fights that it has featured in, it has produced some iconic moments and performances. One of the most exciting contenders in the featherweight division recently revealed that he wants a piece of that action over getting his hands on UFC gold.

    Steve Garcia has been proving himself to be one of the most dangerous contenders at 145-pounds with his current winning streak. Since a knockout loss to Maheshate Hayisaer at UFC 275 in 2022, he has won five consecutive fights with each victory coming by way of KO/TKO. With 14 of his 17 pro wins coming via this method, the 32-year old certainly qualifies for the category of being a victory or death kind of fighter.

    Garcia recently spoke to MMA Junkie ahead of his huge clash with the #15-ranked Edson Barboza on February 22. During the interview, he spoke about his featherweight title aspirations and why he believes that the BMF belt holds more weight to him personally because not every fighter qualifies for it just by securing wins.

    “If I would say that there’s a title I prefer to fight for, it would be the BMF title,” Garcia said. “I’ve been able to knock out a lot of these guys. There’s nothing against the undisputed title, but the undisputed title, you could literally win the undisputed title, and you can win on decisions the whole entire time.

    “You could win on submissions the whole entire time. You can be great and do knockouts and stuff like that, too, but I think the BMF title, the meaning says it all. To be one of the baddest dudes to step into a cage, throw in my words, chingassos. You’re going for it.”

    Having changed hands three times, the BMF title currently belongs to Max Holloway who was stopped by Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC 308. Whilst Garcia doesn’t expect to be put in there with “Blessed” anytime soon, he’s prepared to keep doing what he does best in order to work his way there.

    “I would love a fight with Max,” Garcia said. “I’m such a huge fan of him, but my goodness, if you want to watch something that can go off, I think that would be a good fight. I guess I’ve got to keep knocking people out and prove people what I’m able to do to maybe have that opportunity or that shot. I think about the BMF title more than I think about the undisputed title to be honest.”

  • UFC 311: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 Weigh-In Live Stream & Results

    UFC 311: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 Weigh-In Live Stream & Results

    UFC 311 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    After staging fights at Las Vegas’ Apex facility to kick off 2025, the mixed martial arts leader will host its first pay-per-view of the new year from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    Two titles will be on the line at the top of the card, with Islam Makhachev defending his lightweight belt against familiar foe Arman Tsarukyan in the main event. Co-headlining, meanwhile, will be a first-time clash between reigning bantamweight kingpin Merab Dvalishvili and undefeated challenger Umar Nurmagomedov.

    Also on the main card will be returns for ex-light heavyweight champions Jiří Procházka and Jamahal Hill, as well as charging 155-pound contender Renato Moicano and the always entertaining Kevin Holland.

    UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2 Weigh-In Results

    UFC 311 takes place Saturday, January 18 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.

    See above for a replay of the UFC 311 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below.

    Main Card:

    • Lightweight Championship: Islam Makhachev (154.5lbs) vs. Arman Tsarukyan
    • Bantamweight Championship: Merab Dvalishvili (134lbs) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (135lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Jiří Procházka (204.5lbs) vs. Jamahal Hill (204.5lbs)
    • Lightweight: Beneil Dariush (155lbs) vs. Renato Moicano (155lbs)
    • Middleweight: Kevin Holland (183.5lbs) vs. Reinier de Ridder (184.5lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Bantamweight: Payton Talbott (135.5lbs) vs. Raoni Barcelos (135.5lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Jailton Almeida (235lbs) vs. Serghei Spivac (233lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Bogdan Guskov (205.5lbs) vs. Billy Elekana (200lbs)
    • Lightweight: Grant Dawson (156lbs) vs. Diego Ferreira (156lbs)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Middleweight: Zachary Reese (185.5lbs) vs. Azamat Bekoev (185.5lbs)
    • Women’s Bantamweight: Karol Rosa (135.5lbs) vs. Ailín Pérez (135lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Rinya Nakamura (135.5lbs) vs. Muin Gafarov (136lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Ricky Turcios (136lbs) vs. Benardo Sopaj (135lbs)
    • Flyweight: Tagir Ulanbekov (125.5lbs) vs. Clayton Carpenter (125.5lbs)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0mAy87Dps0
  • Patrício Pitbull Sends Stern Warning To Former Employer After ‘Lies’ About PFL Release: ‘Do Not Go This Route’

    Patrício Pitbull Sends Stern Warning To Former Employer After ‘Lies’ About PFL Release: ‘Do Not Go This Route’

    Via his recent live fan Q&A with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, PFL founder Donn Davis spoke more in detail about the current situation regarding Patrício Pitbull. The Bellator legend was recently granted his release from the promotion after being outspoken over the past several weeks about wanting to leave so that he could fight elsewhere.

    Pitbull had said that he wasn’t being offered fights and had reached a point where he had already made up his mind about fighting for another promotion, with one specific destination in mind. Davis argued against this during the Town Hall interview where he gave more context from the PFL’s point of view.

    Davis said that the reason this had been going on for several weeks is because the promotion was trying to keep Pitbull with them by making a deal work. He said that they also tried to get the Bellator featherweight champion to fight the only bout left on his contract before leaving, with a huge clash against Aaron Pico being the option that they were heading in.

    Pitbull quickly posted a response on X where he claimed that both of these points aren’t a fair reflection of the communications between the two parties.

    “Hi @DonnDavisPFL, let’s keep things true all the way. You never oficially offered me the fight with Pico, and I never said no. Pete told my management that Pico was the number 1 choice but he might be hitting free agency and if so you’d find someone else. Also…

    “You never said ‘fight for us this one time and we will let you go’. You said my 15 years in Bellator provided value for them and now you wanted me to provide value for PFL. And Pete said you’d exercise every legal right you guys had to prevent me from going to the competition.”

    Pitbull added one more message to the statement, stating that he will continue to dispute any claims that he believes aren’t factual. The 37-year old said that he doesn’t want to have to continue talking negatively about the promotion but he will if the truth isn’t being put out there.

    “I had all the intention of leaving everything behind and not talking about it anymore, but if I see any lies about me out there I won’t stay silent. As I said on our last conversation @DonnDavisPFL I hope @PFLMMA improves and can succeed, so do not go this route.”

  • UFC 311’s Kevin Holland Doesn’t Want To Become Champion Due To The ‘Politics’ Of It

    UFC 311’s Kevin Holland Doesn’t Want To Become Champion Due To The ‘Politics’ Of It

    UFC middleweight Kevin Holland is one of the most unique fighters on the promotion’s roster. We have certainly seen competitors come and go in the past who were company men to the highest degree, willing to step in and fight every weekend of the year if their bodies, and the athletic commissions allowed it, but the middleweight contender is different.

    He has received some criticism in the past for being overly relaxed in fights and not taking things serious enough with the debate that if he really focused on being the best version of himself that he can possibly be, he could achieve more. Ultimately, Holland just wants to fight as much as possible in order to make as much money as possible.

    Whether its his record-tying year in 2020 where he produced five wins inside the Octagon or his attitude to losing, it has always been clear that “Trailblazer” isn’t someone who is focused on one big finish line that he is pursuing. He recently spoke about this ahead of his return at UFC 311 this Saturday night where he takes on Reinier de Ridder.

    Unlike someone like his opponent who wants to continue working his way up the middleweight ladder in order to compete at the very top of the sport, Holland is a prize fighter at heart and though the UFC title is a big shiny goal to strive for, he isn’t overly concerned with adding a belt to his trophy cabinet. In fact, he’s more motivated to break the promotion’s record for most fights which is currently held by the still active Jim Miller.

    The 32-year old recently told ESPN that even if he did find himself in position for a shot at the title, he doesn’t know whether he would take it because it could interfere with his plans and cause him complications.

    “There are too many politics that come with being a world champion,” he said. “I don’t need it. I never came to the UFC to fight for a world title. I came to get paid. I’ve talked to fighters who are world champions and ones who aren’t. I found out what some were making and how often they were competing. I wouldn’t make that much more fighting as a world champion, and I’d have to fight less often than I do now. It doesn’t make financial sense to me.”

  • Israel Adesanya On How Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan Will Play Out At UFC 311: ‘Going To Be WrestleMania’

    Israel Adesanya On How Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan Will Play Out At UFC 311: ‘Going To Be WrestleMania’

    Israel Adesanya believes that fight fans are in for a grappling-heavy main event this weekend at UFC 311. At the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will face top contender Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch of their first encounter in 2019.

    With Tsarukyan making his UFC debut in their previous meeting, what surprised so many fans is that he was able to compete with Makhachev in the grappling exchanges which very few have been able to do even if he wasn’t able to secure the win. Both men do their best work on the ground but the biggest difference heading into their second bout is the significant improvements that they have made on the feet over the past few years.

    The challenger has shown that he is a dangerous striker with a wide kicking arsenal in particular which allows him to control the range and keep opponents guessing. His knockout over Beneil Dariush showed that he is able to get the job done without needing to get hold of his opponent to drag them to the canvas.

    Makhachev, on the other hand, has a simple but effective style which has led to him having a lot of success with his boxing, particularly in his last fight against Dustin Poirier where he won a lot of the exchanges against “The Diamond”.

    When breaking the fight down on his YouTube channel, the former two-time middleweight champion acknowledged how both of them have evolved into well-rounded mixed martial artists though it still seems likely that they will look test each others grappling once again. “The Last Stylebender” thinks that regardless of the fact that both men are confident strikers, they will revert to type in this matchup.

    “His striking is looking way more comfortable lately, way more polished. Arman as well… He’s got nice kicks, good hands, very explosive. But yeah, it’s gonna be a wrestling fight. It’s gonna be WrestleMania.”

  • PFL Founder Announces Jake Paul’s MMA Debut Likely For 2025

    PFL Founder Announces Jake Paul’s MMA Debut Likely For 2025

    Jake Paul is finally set to make his much-anticipated MMA debut this year — at least, according to PFL chairman Donn Davis.

    In January 2023, “The Problem Child” signed an exclusive contract to compete in MMA under the PFL banner. Together, Paul and the organization launched the PPV Super Fight division, a pay-per-view platform designed to ensure fighters receive an unprecedented 50 percent share of event revenues.

    The YouTuber-turned-boxer has frequently hinted at stepping into the cage, teasing his MMA debut time and again. He’s even called out UFC icon Conor McGregor and other high-profile fighters for an MMA showdown.

    However, despite the constant buzz, little progress has been made, as more than two years after signing with the PFL, Paul has yet to be booked for his promotional debut. Instead, the 27-year-old Ohio native has focused on his thriving boxing career, competing in six bouts between February 2023 and November 2024.

    However, as per Davis, Paul will be making his MMA debut this year.

    Speaking recently on MMA Fighting’s Town Hall, the PFL head honcho acknowledged that while “The Problem Child” has been predominantly focused on boxing, delaying his debut, there’s no pressure to rush him. Davis hinted that Paul’s first fight under the PFL banner is expected to take place sometime in the fall.

    “I talked to Nakisa [Bidarian] an hour ago,” Davis said. “Two things are happening: Jake is super successful in boxing. Whether you love Jake or hate Jake, we can all agree that guy’s the man when it comes to generating attention, revenue, and viewership with his boxing career. It’s more successful than it was when we signed him. On the boxing side, that success has delayed MMA because he’s killing it in boxing. So will MMA happen with PFL? Yes, it will. Has it been delayed? Yes, it has. My guess is fall of this year, but I don’t think it’s going to be before that. He’s got so many things going on in boxing.”

    Paul’s most recent appearance in the squared circle saw him face boxing icon Mike Tyson in a highly debated heavyweight showdown this past November, where he secured a unanimous decision victory over his 31-year senior opponent.

  • Jamahal Hill ‘100 Percent’ Expects Title Shot With UFC 311 Victory: ‘Ankalaev Fought No. 5’

    Jamahal Hill believes he has earned the right to be back in the title conversation in the UFC light heavyweight division, believing a victory in his next fight will guarantee him a shot at reclaiming the championship.

    Hill is set to face fellow former 205-pound kingpin Jiří Procházka on Jan. 18 at UFC 311. Hill, no stranger to championship glory, captured the vacant title at UFC 283 by defeating Glover Teixeira via decision. However, in July 2023, he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a basketball game at the UFC’s International Fight Week, forcing him to relinquish the belt.

    The American’s road back to the top has been challenging. He faced Alex Pereira for the gold in the main event of UFC 300 last April but suffered a first-round knockout loss. Despite this setback, “Sweet Dreams” is determined to work his way back to the title.

    “Yeah, 100 percent,” he said at UFC 311 media day when asked about earning the next title shot. “I feel a win here, especially a dominant, impressive win, next fight is title. Next is the championship. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be. Ankalaev fought No. 5, No. 4 or something like that last, then that just says title? So, I’m fighting No. 2 in the world. I don’t see me going backward from that.”

    Hill’s rivalry with Alex Pereira extends beyond the Octagon, as they were involved in a controversial altercation at the UFC Performance Institute last month.

    That incident has only added fuel to his determination to prove himself worthy of another championship opportunity.

  • UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2, Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov Press Conference Live Stream

    UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2, Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov Press Conference Live Stream

    We’re deep into UFC 311 fight week, meaning it’s time for the fighters set to be in action on Jan. 18 to take to the stage and answer some questions.

    The MMA leader’s first numbered event of the new year takes place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, where the main attraction will see UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev put his belt on the line against a challenger he’s previously gotten the better of, Arman Tsarukyan.

    Setting the stage for the UFC 311 headliners will be another title fight, this time at 135 pounds. Bantamweight kingpin Merab Dvalishvili will look to emerge victorious from his first defense, as he puts the gold he captured four months ago at stake against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov.

    Also on pay-per-view will be a clash of former light heavyweight champions Jiří Procházka and Jamahal Hill, both of whom make the walk for the first time since their respective knockout losses to Alex Pereira in 2024. That’s in addition to an important battle of top 10 lightweights, as Beneil Dariush looks to stall the rise of Renato Moicano.

    The UFC 311 main card will open with the always entertaining Kevin Holland, who will look to begin his 2025 by snapping the losing skid he fell to last year. To do so, “Trailblazer” must hand former two-division ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder his first UFC defeat.

    As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes will take to the stage on Thursday for the UFC 311 pre-fight press conference. The latest edition will see every fighter on the main card with mic in hand.

    Check out a live stream of the presser below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, commencing at 10 PM ET.

  • Kevin Holland Makes Admission About Past UFC Loss: ‘I Was High As A Kite…’

    Kevin Holland Makes Admission About Past UFC Loss: ‘I Was High As A Kite…’

    Kevin Holland has received criticism in the past for being too relaxed and not focused enough in some big fights. This was particularly a talking point following two back-to-back losses that he suffered in consecutive months back in 2021.

    2020 was a massive year for “Trailblazer” who despite the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic, was able to tie the record for the most UFC wins in a calendar year with five. This earned him his first main event against Derek Brunson and shortly after a one-sided defeat, he jumped right into another five-round spotlight and was beaten by Marvin Vettori after replacing Darren Till.

    Ahead of his return at UFC 311 this Saturday, Holland appeared on Demetrious Johnson’s MightyCast where he spoke about his weed-smoking habits and how he is able to compete at a high level despite this. Holland certainly isn’t the only UFC fighter who has to be careful depending on the rules of the athletic commissions due to his daily routines.

    He told Johnson about how he looked to change his regular patterns ahead of his fight with Brunson because he had some anxiety regarding how his smoking could affect his performance. After losing that fight, he went back on the adjustments, telling “Mighty Mouse” that having accepted the Vettori fight on just nine days notice, it made sense to continue smoking throughout fight week.

    “The Marvin Vettori fight, I was high as a kite,” Holland said. “Not during the fight, but all week, I was high as a kite. Five rounds didn’t feel like shit that time. The Derek Brunson fight, I was all worried, I was like, damn bro, I’m not going to smoke that much because I have five rounds, so I don’t want to be f*cking with my lungs. First time doing five rounds in a UFC fight, it could go that long, he wants to wrestle and stuff, so I was like, I’m not going to do that. Then I was like, I stressed myself out for no reason, I still lost the f*cking fight.

    “So then after the next one, I was like, I’m just going to smoke. So they gave me Marvin Vettori at the last second, I was partying and everything. I didn’t feel any different. The pace got to be pushed, a lot of times when you’ve got five rounds, they don’t push the pace, I don’t push the pace, we’re just chilling.”

  • Patrício Pitbull Outlines Three-Opponent Wish List For UFC Debut After PFL Release

    Patrício Pitbull Outlines Three-Opponent Wish List For UFC Debut After PFL Release

    Patrício Pitbull has been one of the top fighters in the featherweight division throughout his career. If there’s one thing that has held back the Bellator icon and record holder in the promotion it is that he hasn’t had the opportunity to face the best fighters in the UFC.

    That could change in the near future following the news that after voicing his complaints, the 37-year old has been granted a release from his PFL contract following a breakdown in communication between the two parties. Pitbull also said at this time that he hopes to sign with the UFC if the PFL let him go so that he could step inside the Octagon before retiring.

    Similarly to what we have seen in the past when other Bellator stars like Michael Chandler and Michael “Venom” Page made the jump over, it would make sense for the former two-weight champion to skip the line to some degree rather than debuting on the Fight Pass prelims. He already has the high-level experienced needed and with the clock running down on his career, it’s now or never to see him in the big fights that would make his signing worthwhile.

    With that in mind, Pitbull is targeting the very top of the UFC’s featherweight division. Right at the top of the 145-pound pile are the current superstar champion, the legendary former titleholder and one of the division’s most exciting rising talents who has become a huge fan favorite in recent years.

    He has already posted on X to specifically mention the name of Alexander Volkanovski but after appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show, he added two more names to his planned hitlist for a potential UFC debut.

  • Reinier de Ridder Breaks Down How He’ll Choke Out Kevin Holland At UFC 311

    Reinier de Ridder Breaks Down How He’ll Choke Out Kevin Holland At UFC 311

    Reinier de Ridder arrived in the UFC last year as a true specialist in mixed martial arts. Despite coming from a part of the world that is known for its kickboxing prowess, the Dutch competitor is a jiu-jitsu mastermind.

    The former two-division titleholder in ONE Championship has produced 13 submission victories out of 18 total pro wins. With a variety of techniques under his belt, including an inverted triangle choke, “The Dutch Knight” is a serious threat once the fight hits the floor.

    He was able to showcase this in his UFC debut in November where in the third round, he tapped out the holder of the most submissions in UFC middleweight history (tied third-most overall) when he caught Gerald Meerschaert in an arm triangle choke. In his next outing inside the Octagon, de Ridder faces Kevin Holland at UFC 311 this weekend.

    Holland also has an impressive submission record with nine of his 26 wins coming via this method but there’s no denying that he does his best work whilst the fight stays standing. Having been submitted twice during his UFC tenure, this is exactly the method of victory that his opponent is aiming for at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

    De Ridder spoke during his media day interview about how he sees the fight going and what he will do in order to get his hand raised by adding another sub to his record.

    “I’m going to try and pressure him, hit him with some good shots, take him down, choke him out,” de Ridder said Wednesday at a media day for UFC 311. “I see myself putting the pressure on. I think the first minute is going to be very wild, very spectacular. He’s going to be trying to get away from me throwing wild stuff, wild kicks, wild punches.

    “I’m going to be pressuring him, hopefully getting him a couple times with some kicks, get him against the cage, get him down, get to his back and choke him out as soon as possible.”

  • Dana White’s Latest Update On Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Is A Promising One

    Dana White’s Latest Update On Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Is A Promising One

    Right at the top of every fight fans’ wish list for 2025 is the potential for a heavyweight title unification clash in the UFC. Jon Jones might be considered by many to be the greatest to ever do it but some still question whether he is the best in his current division.

    Interim champion Tom Aspinall has a claim to be the best heavyweight in the world right now and his speed, power and age makes him such an interesting challenge for Jones to take on. The excitement around seeing them meet inside the Octagon has only increased following the comments that have been exchanged between them, specifically on the side of the heavyweight champion who hasn’t been overly interested in the fight.

    Fortunately, Dana White is and though Jones has proven to be a stubborn negotiator in the past, the UFC clearly wants to make it happen and that’s a step in the right direction. With Aspinall saying that he has already agreed to everything on his side, there appears to be plans in motion.

    White gave the same impression during a recent interview with Jim Rome where he spoke about the fight and his expectations of seeing it take place.

    “We’re in the works, we’re talking on it. I mean, I’ve said that I’m very confident that fight happens this year.”

    Without having a look behind the scenes, many will assume given the narrative surrounding the fight that getting Jones to sign on the dotted line will be the biggest hurdle. White said that despite this, he doesn’t believe there is a substantial barrier stopping this deal from getting across the line.

    “Nothing. Nothing’s holding it up. It’s just a matter of getting it done. You know, this stuff, it’s not as easy to put these type of fights together as people think they are. They take time and we’ll get it done.”

    (White appears on the show and talks about the fight at around the 2:37:00 mark)

  • ‘The End Of An Era’ – Fans React As 37-Fight UFC Veteran Seemingly Removed From The Roster After 18 Years

    ‘The End Of An Era’ – Fans React As 37-Fight UFC Veteran Seemingly Removed From The Roster After 18 Years

    The UFC roster tracker accounts on social media have recently claimed that a staple of the promotion has departed after 18 years of competing inside the Octagon. Clay Guida made his UFC debut all the way back in 2006 where he submitted Justin James at UFC 64: Unstoppable.

    Guida had previously competed in Strikeforce, where he defeated Josh Thomson to become the lightweight champion before dropping the title to Gilbert Melendez, and the WEC but it wasn’t until he arrived inside the Octagon until he truly felt home. Guida has accumulated 37 fights under the UFC banner with an overall record of 18-19 in the promotion.

    “The Carpenter” holds the record for the most losses in the UFC history, along with other key statistics like the fourth most fights, fourth most takedowns, fifth most total fight time and second most control time. He’s also a member of the UFC Hall of Fame after his iconic bout with Diego Sanchez from 2009 was inducted into the fighg win in 2019.

    Though he has alternated wins and losses for many years, the 43-year old is currently coming off of three consecutive losses to Rafa Garcia, Joaquim Silva and Chase Hooper. After being submitted by Hooper in the first round at UFC 310 last month, Dana White called for him to retire alongside the likes of Chris Weidman and Anthony Smith who also suffered significant defeats on the same night.

    Fight fans reacted to the reports of Guida’s departure via social media:

    “The end of an era”

    “This is sad. I grew up watching him fight when our TV’s were still big boxes, I was probably about 11 years old. Clay lives locally to me and you’ll actually see him at the local bars quite frequently, I’ve met him quite a few times and he’s a cool ass dude.”

    “How they do him like that get the retirement video out NOW”

    “It’s time , enthusiasm isn’t the complete deal. Thanks for the great memories.”

    “Still today, if you want to introduce a new fan to UFC/MMA, Guida vs Sanchez is a goto. You are a legend @clayguida“

    “He deserved a big send off. Thanks for the memories Clay”

  • UFC 311’s Jailton Almeida Outlines Plan To Ensure He Fights Jones vs. Aspinall Winner At End Of 2025

    UFC 311’s Jailton Almeida Outlines Plan To Ensure He Fights Jones vs. Aspinall Winner At End Of 2025

    Heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida has a three-fight plan leading to gold in 2025, starting with a victory this weekend at UFC 311.

    While all eyes will be on the two championship fights at bantamweight and lightweight that will headline proceedings, Saturday’s pay-per-view event at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome isn’t short on intriguing undercard contests.

    One set for the preliminary portion of the UFC 311 lineup will see Almeida return for his first assignment of the new year. After bouncing back form his first UFC defeat with a dominant submission win over Alexandr Romanov last time out, the #6-ranked contender is next tasked with defending his position against the charging Serghei Spivac.

    While he’s not underestimating his Moldovan opponent, who most recently beat Marcin Tybura in a UFC Fight Night main event, “Malhadinho” isn’t afraid of looking beyond Jan. 18.

    During a recent UFC 311 fight week interview with E. Spencer Kyte for UFC.com, Almeida outlined what he envisions for the rest of the new year, with his plans culminating in a championship showdown with either Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall.

    “I plan on having three fights this year,” Almeida said. “My main goal is Spivac now, then after that, a title eliminator against Ciryl Gane, and at the end of the year, facing the winner of Jon Jones versus Aspinall for the UFC heavyweight title.”

    Ciryl Gane remains without a fight date in the calendar after his controversial decision win over Alexander Volkov last month at UFC 310. Given Dana White’s thoughts on the matter, it remains to be seen whether the Frenchman has earned the title eliminator Almeida hopes to face him in this year.

    Meanwhile, a clash between Jones and Aspinall also seems far from certain. Though the UFC CEO ‘guaranteed’ that another outing for “Bones” would come against the interim titleholder, the Rochester native is yet to fully commit to the continuation of his career following his win over Stipe Miocic last November.

  • Islam Makhachev Not Buying Arman Tsarukyan’s ‘Secret’ UFC 311 Weapon: ‘He Said He’d Finish Oliveira In Round One’

    Islam Makhachev Not Buying Arman Tsarukyan’s ‘Secret’ UFC 311 Weapon: ‘He Said He’d Finish Oliveira In Round One’

    UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev isn’t worried about Arman Tsarukyan’s tease of a never-before-seen move that will make the difference this weekend.

    Makhachev and Tsarukyan are set to run it back in Los Angeles on Saturday night, with the former defending his 155-pound crown in the headlining act at UFC 311 inside the Intuit Dome.

    The pair previously did battle at a UFC Fight Night in Moscow back in 2019, with Makhachev emerging victorious from a competitive 15-minute scrap on the scorecards.

    Since then, the Armenian has no doubt evolved, leading him to believe that redemption will soon arrive at his doorstep. And to secure just that, Tsarukyan plans to bring out something special from his toolbox.

    In recent weeks, the challenger has teased a “secret” trick that will set up a finish of Makhachev and ensure the championship belt changes hands.

    Suffice it to say that the champ isn’t worried.

    “Man, I told you, don’t believe what Arman says,” Makhachev said during UFC 311 media day. “Because last time, he said he’ll finish (Charles) Oliveira in one round, but he go (the) distance and he won by split decision. Don’t believe him.”

    Makhachev will look to prove himself right by avoiding whatever Tsarukyan plans on throwing his way come fight night on Jan. 18.

    And should the Dagestani do just that en route to a fourth successful title retention, he’ll separate himself from BJ Penn and Khabib Nurmagomedov to sit atop the leaderboard for most lightweight championship fight wins and consecutive defenses in the UFC.

  • Jamahal Hill Unfazed By Online Criticism From ‘Weirdos Sitting In Their Mom’s Basement’ Ahead Of UFC 311

    Jamahal Hill Unfazed By Online Criticism From ‘Weirdos Sitting In Their Mom’s Basement’ Ahead Of UFC 311

    Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has no desire to secure respect from the MMA masses.

    Hill marks one of the top names set to feature on the undercard of this weekend’s UFC 311 pay-per-view, as he and fellow ex-titleholder Jiří Procházka set the stage for two championship headliners inside Inglewood’s Intuit Dome.

    Ahead of it, “Sweet Dreams” certainly isn’t short of detractors. Be it due to his ongoing excuses following a knockout loss to Alex Pereira last April at UFC 300, his heated altercation with “Poatan” at the UFC Performance Institute last month, or the fiery responses he sends on social media, plenty have developed a negative perception of Hill.

    The #3-ranked light heavyweight contender, however, could not care less.

    “As far as everything for the stuff online, it’s just people talking,” Hill said during UFC 311 media day. “I understand, I understand that it’s hard to watch other people do things that maybe you wish that you could do, or maybe that you would want to do, or maybe you don’t have the courage to do, and then you want to spit out some venom and try to bring them down to a certain level of maybe where you are, or maybe you feel about yourself. So I just don’t really focus on that.

    “It’s more the fact that the guys that are actually in here, that take the same risk as me and do it, and they respect it and they understand what I’m putting into this. That means a lot more than any weirdo sitting in his mom’s basement, talking with Cheeto dust and sh*t,” Hill added.

    While he doesn’t seek respect from his haters, Hill will no doubt be looking to make a statement en route to proving them wrong come fight night in Los Angeles on Jan. 18.

    And should he stall his Czech opponent’s plans for a third dance with Pereira, perhaps “Sweet Dreams” will be in the conversation for a rematch of his own with the Brazilian, whose expected clash with Magomed Ankalaev this year remains unofficial.

  • Belal Muhammad Willing To Fight Sean Strickland: ‘He’s Literally The Definition Of Trailer Trash’

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad is eyeing a potential clash with Sean Strickland to settle their long-standing feud and hold the middleweight accountable for his controversial remarks.

    The two fighters have exchanged heated words, with Muhammad taking particular issue with Strickland’s openly Islamophobic comments. For “Remember the Name,” these remarks represent a sign of weakness that he is eager to exploit in the Octagon.

    Before any potential bout with Muhammad, Strickland is set to face middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis in a rematch. The fight headlines UFC 312 on February 8 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

    In a candid interview with Submission Radio, Muhammad didn’t hold back in his assessment of the upcoming challenger in the weight class above him.

    “I hope he loses, and I hope he gets knocked out and put unconscious and doesn’t wake up,” he said. “But regardless, I would always still want to move up and fight him whether he has the belt or not. That will always be a fight I say yes to. It’s personal.

    “The guy’s just an airhead. He’s literally the definition of trailer trash. That’s what he is. So when he says all this dumb stuff, people need to make him pay for it. The Twitter people are happy to see it, and he knows it because he can’t get attention other than saying dumb things.”

    Muhammad went on to compare Strickland’s behavior to that of fellow UFC fighter Colby Covington.

    “He has to say stupid, wild stuff because nobody cares about him without it. It’s kind of like Colby Covington. Nobody cared about him before he started saying dumb stuff. Strickland is trying to level it up even more so he could have that wow factor because his fights suck. He always talks about, ‘I’m going to kill this guy. We’re going to go to war,’ and it’s literally just a teep fest. I think he knows that he sucks, so that’s why he goes out there and he says this dumb stuff.”

    Meanwhile, Muhammad is preparing for his first title defense, which is expected to be against rising star Shavkat Rakhmonov. While the fight has not been officially confirmed, Muhammad’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has hinted that it could take place in May.

  • Dana White Dismisses Talk Of Conor McGregor vs. Logan Paul Boxing Match

    Dana White Dismisses Talk Of Conor McGregor vs. Logan Paul Boxing Match

    Speculation surrounding a potential boxing match between Conor McGregor and Logan Paul has recently gained traction, but the former UFC champion’s employer isn’t keen.

    The Irishman hinted at ongoing discussions for a showdown, sparking widespread interest among fight fans. Reports suggest the bout could be financed by India’s Ambani family, headed by Mukesh Ambani, one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. If the fight were to materialize, it would mark McGregor’s first return to the boxing ring since his high-profile bout with Floyd Mayweather in 2017.

    Rumors have escalated to suggest that the Irishman and Ohio native might earn an extraordinary $250 million from the event. However, UFC CEO Dana White dismissed the possibility of the fight during an appearance on Pardon My Take, responding with a definitive “no” when asked if McGregor’s highly anticipated comeback would occur in the form of a boxing match against Paul.

    It’s worth noting that McGregor’s exclusive UFC contract grants the organization control over any of his competitive engagements.

    White previously co-promoted McGregor’s fight with Mayweather, highlighting a precedent for UFC’s involvement in cross-promotional bouts. Despite the speculation, White has consistently indicated that the star fighter’s return will eventually happen, aiming for a comeback this fall.

    “The Notorious” has not fought since his 2021 bout against Dustin Poirier, which ended with a severe leg injury in their trilogy fight. While originally scheduled to face Michael Chandler in July, that matchup was postponed due to McGregor suffering a broken toe.

  • UFC 311: Volkanovski Explains Why He’s Predicting Ex-Opponent Islam Makhachev To Beat Arman Tsarukyan

    UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev is set to defend his title in a highly anticipated rematch against Arman Tsarukyan this weekend.

    The bout headlines UFC 311 on Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Fans are eager to see how both fighters have evolved since their competitive first encounter in 2019.

    Ahead of the fight, ex-UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski shared his thoughts on the matchup. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Australian analyzed their styles and gave the edge to his former two-time opponent.

    “Islam is safe enough,” Volkanovski said. “I think the majority of his scrambles end up with him in better positions, and striking-wise, he’s a lot more safe. Arman, on the other hand, is a lot more aggressive and probably takes more risks, which could leave openings for Islam to land shots and score points.”

    Volkanovski still praised both fighters, noting the challenge Tsarukyan presents for Makhachev.

    “It’s a very fun fight – very competitive. But I think Islam edges him. Arman shouldn’t be that much of an underdog. Islam is that good, but so is Arman. I’m going to go with Islam as the heavy favorite here, rightfully so. Both great fighters, but Islam is still pound-for-pound No. 1 right now.”

    The fight is poised to showcase the technical evolution of both men, with Makhachev looking to solidify his dominance and Tsarukyan seeking redemption from their first meeting.

  • Conor McGregor Sued Over Alleged Sexual Assault At NBA Game Months On From Being Found Civilly Liable In Another Case

    Conor McGregor Sued Over Alleged Sexual Assault At NBA Game Months On From Being Found Civilly Liable In Another Case

    Conor McGregor’s legal troubles appear to be far from winding down.

    In November 2024, a jury sided with Nikita Hand, who had accused “The Notorious” of sexually assaulting her in December 2018. The Dublin High Court found the former UFC two-division champion liable and ordered him to pay €248,000 (approximately $257,000) in damages to the plaintiff.

    Now, just two months later, McGregor’s name has surfaced in yet another lawsuit.

    According to a recent report from Front Office Sports, an anonymous woman filed a lawsuit on Tuesday night in Florida, accusing the UFC superstar of sexually assaulting her during the Heat vs. Celtics in June 2023. The Miami Heat, who hosted a 2023 NBA Finals game, are also named as defendants for allegedly overserving McGregor.

    The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Florida, also names Basketball Properties LLC, the operator of the Kaseya Center, as a co-defendant. The plaintiff is reportedly seeking compensation exceeding $75,000, along with coverage for past and future medical expenses, legal fees, and additional remedies.

    According to the litigation, team and venue staff allegedly continued serving the Irishman alcohol despite his visibly intoxicated state. The lawsuit accuses McGregor of battery and alleges gross negligence on the part of the Kaseya Center, claiming that its staff and security failed to ensure a safe environment by allowing McGregor’s excessive drinking.

    At the time of the incident in question, it was reported that the alleged events unfolded after the game had ended. The accuser’s attorney claimed that Miami Heat security personnel separated their client from her friend and escorted her into a men’s restroom, where “The Notorious” and his security guard were already inside. The attorney further claimed that McGregor forced the woman to engage in non-consensual oral sexual acts.

    McGregor attended the event to promote a pain relief spray and took part in a halftime skit with the Miami Heat mascot, Burnie. During the act, he landed a staged punch, knocking Burnie to the floor, followed by another punch before spraying him with the product. The individual in the costume was later taken to a local hospital for evaluation.