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Category: MMA

  • “Boxed Elliott Up” – Steve Erceg Nabs Decision Win With Strikes

    “Boxed Elliott Up” – Steve Erceg Nabs Decision Win With Strikes

    In a battle of former UFC flyweight title contenders, Steve Erceg seems to have picked back up some positive momentum, defeating Tim Elliott at UFC Perth.

    Erceg, the younger fighter, used speed to his advantage, landing well with his strikes. Elliott had his fair share of strikes and scored a couple of takedowns; however, Erceg landed the strongest strikes, courtesy of a combination and a rocking right hand.

    Erceg landed more strikes in the second round and scored a late takedown on Elliott, while also avoiding a leg lock attempt from Elliott on the ground. Erceg worked a counterpunch well with his jab in the third, not allowing Elliott to get much going.

    Erceg took the decision with 29-28 scores on all three scorecards.

    Steve Erceg Scores Decision Over Tim Elliott At UFC Perth

    This fight went on despite concerns in the last 24+ hours due to reported unusual betting line movement.

    Erceg has now won two straight, entering this fight off a win over Ode’ Osbourne at UFC Vegas 109.

    Elliott had won two straight entering this fight; he still has a strong run of late, now 4-2 in his last six. Before tonight, Elliott last fought at UFC 319, submitting Kai Asakura.

  • “First-Team All Violence” – Rahiki Earns Stoppage In Perth

    “First-Team All Violence” – Rahiki Earns Stoppage In Perth

    Marwan Rahiki continues to be an interesting name who may rise up the featherweight ranks, scoring another finish as he defeated Ollie Schmid at UFC Perth.

    Schmid looked to find a way inside and pressure Rahiki, but Rahiki was ready with a counterattack, stopping Schmid before he could get ahead. Rahiki managed to drop Schmid in just a few minutes, courtesy of a counter left.

    Rahiki landed some follow-up shots before the fight was halted.

    Marwan Rahiki Stops Ollie Schmid At UFC Perth

    Rahiki earned a UFC contract with a finish of Ananias Mulumba in October. He made his UFC debut in March, scoring a corner stoppage of Harry Hardwick after two rounds.

    This marked Schmid’s UFC debut. He entered this fight as a 4-2 fighter, coming in off a 15-second knockout of Jeffrey Mesa in March.

  • “The Only Good Heavyweight” – Pericic Drops Gaziev At UFC Perth

    “The Only Good Heavyweight” – Pericic Drops Gaziev At UFC Perth

    In a time where things seem dire and down in the UFC’s heavyweight division, Brando Pericic used UFC Perth to prove he’s one to watch out for.

    Pericic scored a gritty second-round knockout of Shamil Gaziev at UFC Perth.

    Gaziev attempted to use his grappling on Pericic, but Pericic fought him off well. Both connected with strong shots, but Pericic’s punches rocked Gaziev on more than one ocassion during the first round.

    Pericic continued his striking momentum in the second round, landing multiple times until a right hand dropped Gaziev for the win.

    Brando Pericic KOs Shamil Gaziev At UFC Perth

    “The Balkan Bear” is now 7-1 as a pro and 3-0 in the UFC. He scored first-round finishes of Elisha Ellison and Louie Sutherland, respectively, in September and March.

    Gaziev falls to 14-3 and is 3-3 in the UFC since earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. He entered this fight off a loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Qatar this past November.

  • Junior Tafa Obliterates Kevin Christian With Elbows At UFC Perth

    Junior Tafa Obliterates Kevin Christian With Elbows At UFC Perth

    Junior Tafa avoids falling to .500 as a professional MMA fighter and scored his first UFC light heavyweight win, getting a first-round knockout of Kevin Christian during the UFC Perth prelims.

    Christian found a strong method of attack early, landing some leg kicks that did clear damage to Tafa. Tafa, however, responded by finding his power shots, keeping Christian wary from distance.

    Tafa found his way inside and landed a strong combination that brought Christian to his knees and to the mat. Tafa followed him to the ground, where he proceeded to rain down elbows until Christian was out cold.

    Junior Tafa Puts Away Kevin Christian At UFC Perth

    Tafa is now 3-5 in the UFC, having struggles at both heavyweight and light heavyweight. Tafa was 0-2 in the Octagon at light heavyweight entering this fight, getting submitted by both Tuco Tokkos and Billy Elekana over the last 10 months.

    Christian falls to 9-4 as a pro and 0-2 in the UFC. After winning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024, he made his UFC debut at UFC Vegas 110, getting submitted by Elekana.

  • WATCH: 49-Year-Old Yoel Romero Breaks Opponent’s Jaw In Violent 70-Second Finish

    WATCH: 49-Year-Old Yoel Romero Breaks Opponent’s Jaw In Violent 70-Second Finish

    Yoel Romero added another emphatic finish to his late-career run, stopping Alex Nicholson in the main event of Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA on Friday night in Miami.

    Even at 49, Romero showed no signs of slowing down. After a brief exchange early, Nicholson found some success with a leg kick that momentarily disrupted the Cuban.

    But once “Soldier of God” closed the distance, the momentum shifted quickly. He secured a takedown and followed up with a crushing left hand on the ground that broke Nicholson’s jaw, forcing a stoppage via strikes just over a minute into the fight.

    The victory marked a bounce-back performance for Romero, who had dropped back-to-back appearances across other combat sports formats. Prior to that stretch, the former UFC middleweight title challenger had built momentum with wins in multiple disciplines following his departure from Bellator after its merger with PFL.

    Originally scheduled to face Hector Lombard, Romero instead took on Nicholson after a late change to the card. The adjustment did little to alter the outcome, as Romero imposed his physicality and experience once the fight hit the mat.

    The result continues a busy stretch for Romero, who has remained active across bareknuckle MMA, boxing-influenced formats, and wrestling-based events. Despite frequent rule-set changes, his ability to finish fights has remained consistent.

  • BMF Champ Charles Oliveira Shuts Down Retirement Rumors With New Multi-Fight UFC Deal

    BMF Champ Charles Oliveira Shuts Down Retirement Rumors With New Multi-Fight UFC Deal

    Charles Oliveira has secured his future with the UFC, signing a new long-term deal that could keep him active well into the later stages of his career.

    The current BMF titleholder has agreed to an eight-fight contract extension, according to his coach, Diego Lima. The deal puts to rest any recent speculation about “Do Bronx” stepping away from the sport and instead signals a continued push at the highest level of the lightweight division.

    “We renewed the contract for eight more fights,” Lima told Ag. Fight. “So we’ll have Charles fighting until he’s 40. So, for those who said he was going to retire, want more [laughs].”

    Oliveira, who turns 37 later this year, remains one of the most active and accomplished fighters in UFC history. He currently holds a 25-11 record inside the promotion with one no-contest and has won 15 of his last 18 bouts.

    The Brazilian’s recent form has been particularly strong, rebounding from a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria with back-to-back wins, including a submission victory over Mateusz Gamrot and a dominant decision against Max Holloway at UFC 326 to claim the BMF title.

    “It was a wonderful contract. Wonderful,” Lima added. “I don’t have a [bad] thing to say. It was an incredible negotiation.”

    With a new deal in place, Oliveira’s focus remains unchanged. The Brazilian has made it clear that his priority is another shot at UFC gold at 155 pounds. The division is set for a major development on June 14 at UFC White House, when Justin Gaethje faces Topuria to unify the lightweight titles.

    If Oliveira completes the full eight-fight deal, he would surpass 40 appearances in the Octagon, further extending a career that has already seen him become the UFC’s all-time leader in finishes.

  • UFC Perth Results: Della Maddalena vs. Prates Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC Perth Results: Della Maddalena vs. Prates Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC Perth results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The main event will feature a welterweight bout between Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates – Welterweight Main Event

    After dropping his first two pro bouts, Della Maddalena won 18 straight. This includes his first eight UFC bouts, held between 2022 and 2025, culminating with his win over Belal Muhammad to capture the UFC welterweight championship at UFC 315. This is JDM’s first bout since dropping the title to Islam Makhachev in his first defense at UFC 322.

    Prates is 6-1 since earning a UFC contract, making his UFC debut in 2024. All six of his UFC wins thus far have come by knockout, and his sole loss came against Ian Machado Garry — a bout Prates almost won via a comeback finish. Prates enters this fight off a second-round knockout win over former champion Leon Edwards at UFC 322.

    The co-main event will be a lightweight bout between Beneil Dariush and Quillan Salkilld. Dariush has lost three of his last four, most recently getting knocked out by Benoit Saint-Denis in just 16 seconds at UFC 322. Salkilld is 11-1 professionally, including a 4-0 UFC record. He last fought at UFC 325 in January, submitting Jamie Mullarkey.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC Perth!

    How to Watch UFC Perth

    • Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
    • Venue: Meta Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Streaming: Paramount+ (exclusive)
    • Prelims: 4 AM ET / 1 AM PT
    • Main Card: 7 AM ET / 4 AM PT

    UFC Perth Quick Results

    • Main Event: Jack Della Madalena vs. Carlos Prates — Carlos Prates def. Jack Della Maddalena via TKO (Rd. 3, 3:17)
    • Co-Main Event: Beneil Dariush vs. Quillan Salkilld — Quillan Salkilld def. Beneil Dariush via TKO (Rd. 1, 3:29)
    • Tim Elliott vs. Steve Erceg — Steve Erceg def. Tim Elliott via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
    • Marwan Rahiki vs. Ollie Schmid — Marwan Rahiki def. Ollie Schmid via TKO (Rd. 1, 2:47)
    • Shamil Gaziev vs. Brando Pericic — Brando Pericic def. Shamil Gaziev via KO (Rd. 2, 3:44)
    • Tai Tuivasa vs. Louie Sutherland — Louie Sutherland def. Tai Tuivasa via unanimous decision (30-26 x3)

    UFC Perth Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 4 AM ET)

    Lightweight: Kody Steele vs. Dom Mar Fan

    Result: Kody Steele def. Dom Mar Fan via submission (heel hook) (Rd. 1, 3:56)

    Welterweight: Jonathan Micallef vs. Themba Gorimbo

    Result: Jonathan Micallef def. Themba Gorimbo via split decision (28-29, 29-28 x2)

    Middleweight: Wes Schultz vs. Ben Johnston

    Result: Wes Schultz def. Ben Johnston via submission (guillotine choke) (Rd. 3, 1:50)

    Bantamweight: Colby Thicknesse vs. Vince Morales

    Result: Colby Thicknesse def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Middleweight: Jacob Malkoun vs. Gerald Meerschaert

    Result: Jacob Malkoun def. Gerald Meerschaert via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Light Heavyweight: Junior Tafa vs. Kevin Christian

    Result: Junior Tafa def. Kevin Christian via KO (Rd. 1, 2:42)

    Middleweight: Cam Rowston vs. Robert Bryczek

    Result: Cam Rowston def. Robert Bryczek via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 7 AM ET)

    Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa vs. Louie Sutherland

    Result: Louie Sutherland def. Tai Tuivasa via unanimous decision (30-26 x3)

    Heavyweight: Shamil Gaziev vs. Brando Pericic

    Result: Brando Pericic def. Shamil Gaziev via KO (Rd. 2, 3:44)

    Featherweight: Marwan Rahiki vs. Ollie Schmid

    Result: Marwan Rahiki def. Ollie Schmid via TKO (Rd. 1, 2:47)

    Flyweight: Tim Elliott vs. Steve Erceg

    Result: Steve Erceg def. Tim Elliott via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Lightweight: Beneil Dariush vs. Quillan Salkilld

    Result: Quillan Salkilld def. Beneil Dariush via TKO (Rd. 1, 3:29)

    Welterweight: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates

    Result: Carlos Prates def. Jack Della Maddalena via TKO (Rd. 3, 3:17)

  • UFC Perth Fight Flagged For “Irregular Betting Activity” As Odds Shift Raises Eyebrows

    UFC Perth Fight Flagged For “Irregular Betting Activity” As Odds Shift Raises Eyebrows

    Unusual betting movement has cast a spotlight on one of the fights scheduled for UFC Perth, with sportsbooks flagging activity around the flyweight bout between Steve Erceg and Tim Elliott.

    According to BetOnline, the matchup has drawn what it described as “irregular action,” with the liability on the fight reportedly three times higher than any other bout on the card. The shift in odds has been just as notable.

    Erceg initially opened as a -285 favorite, with Elliott listed at +245. At one stage, Erceg’s line widened to -600, but heavy betting on Elliott has since flipped the momentum. The current line now sits much closer, with Erceg around -175 and Elliott at +145.

    The volume behind Elliott has been particularly striking. BetOnline indicated that more than 91 percent of sharp or professional wagers have backed the underdog, a trend that has forced a significant market correction in a short span of time.

    While there is no evidence of wrongdoing from either fighter, the situation has drawn attention due to similar cases in recent months. Earlier this year at UFC 324, a scheduled bout between Alexander Hernandez and Michael Johnson was pulled after sportsbooks detected suspicious betting patterns. The UFC ultimately opted not to rebook that matchup.

    Another case involving Isaac Dulgarian last year also raised eyebrows. Despite alerts from betting operators, his fight went ahead, only for the heavy favorite to lose quickly under questionable circumstances. UFC CEO Dana White later confirmed that the FBI was looking into the matter.

    For now, the Erceg vs. Elliott bout remains part of the UFC Perth lineup, which is set to go ahead as planned. However, given the promotion’s recent approach to betting irregularities, the situation will likely continue to be monitored closely leading into fight night.

  • Former UFC Title Challenger Sounds Alarm Over Khamzat Chimaev’s Potential Move To Light Heavyweight

    Former UFC Title Challenger Sounds Alarm Over Khamzat Chimaev’s Potential Move To Light Heavyweight

    Khalil Rountree Jr. has spent the past few months training alongside Khamzat Chimaev, and the experience has left him with a clear takeaway. If “Borz” ever makes the move to light heavyweight, the rest of the division could be in serious trouble.

    Chimaev is currently preparing to defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 328, marking his first defense since capturing the belt in 2025.

    But even before stepping into that fight, the unbeaten champion has openly discussed ambitions of moving up again in pursuit of a second title.

    Khalil Rountree Jr. Sees Major Problems If Khamzat Chimaev Moves Up

    During a recent media scrum, Khalil Rountree Jr. opened up about his time training with Khamzat Chimaev and what it revealed about a potential move to 205 pounds.

    “It’s definitely exhausting,” Rountree said. “It’s exhausting, it’s difficult, it’s humbling. It’s inspiring in a way, too, because his effort and his will, his skill is unmatched. So, when you go up against that, there’s a lot of things that can be said. There’s just a lot of things that can be learned when you truly find yourself going against the best in the world.”

    The former title challenger, who currently sits among the top contenders at light heavyweight, did not hold back when asked about the idea of “Borz” entering the division.

    “I just told you, training with this guy, he’s the best in the world. It’s difficult. It’s difficult in all areas, in standup, in grappling. No one gets an easy round with Khamzat. It doesn’t matter what weight class, what size.

    “That was my initial thought, like, ‘Damn, if he made the move up, we’re all kind of screwed.’ That’s kind of how I look at it.”

  • Donald Trump Confirms UFC White House Arena Construction Begins Soon

    Donald Trump Confirms UFC White House Arena Construction Begins Soon

    Donald Trump has confirmed that construction on the temporary arena for UFC Freedom 250 will begin at the White House South Lawn within the next week, offering the clearest look yet at the scale of what is being built for the June 14 event.

    Speaking to reporters on May 1, Trump described an approximately 5,000-seat structure that will house the Octagon, while also revealing that an additional 100,000 spectators will be positioned further away at the White House Ellipse with access to screens.

    “The arena, they’re going to start building it over the next week.”

    He also addressed the cost for those watching from the Ellipse.

    “It’s all free. It’s going to be great.”

    A mockup of the arena has already been assembled in Lititz, Pennsylvania, giving a preview of the soaring 90-foot tall open-air structure that will serve as the venue. The White House declined to provide additional details about the structure or the event beyond what Trump shared with reporters.

    The seven-fight card on June 14 falls on Trump’s 80th birthday and coincides with the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. The main event is Ilia Topuria defending the undisputed UFC lightweight championship against Justin Gaethje. UFC CEO Dana White, a close ally of Trump, has said he believes the event will be the most-watched UFC card in history.

    Trump has a long history with combat sports, having hosted boxing matches at his casinos during the 1980s and 1990s and attending UFC events regularly in recent years, including the April 11 event in Miami. 

  • Alexander Volkanovski Feels Responsible for Beneil Dariush Never Getting UFC Title Shot

    Alexander Volkanovski Feels Responsible for Beneil Dariush Never Getting UFC Title Shot

    Alexander Volkanovski has reflected on a period of his career that may have inadvertently derailed one of the lightweight division’s most deserving contenders, and he is not entirely comfortable with the role he played.

    Speaking on his YouTube channel, Volkanovski addressed the timing of his champ-champ pursuit at 155 pounds and its likely impact on Beneil Dariush, who had built an eight-fight winning streak within four years and appeared to be next in line for a title shot before Volkanovski entered the picture.

    “I really do like Dariush. I feel for him. He should have fought for titles, and then that was when I obviously deserved my chance at champ-champ. I ended up taking where he probably would have been.

    He would have been backup, he would have been next if it wasn’t me, and then sh*t, I feel like it’s my fault that he never got that title fight. He’s a good dude, too, and definitely deserved it at that time. But obviously people say I deserved it, and that’s a fight that ended up happening. He was meant to pretty much get it after that, but he ended up losing and sort of went south from there.”

    Dariush’s winning streak was snapped when he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Charles Oliveira in June 2023. He has gone 1-3 in his last four outings since then and is set to face Quillan Salkilld in the co-main event at UFC Perth this weekend, a fight that Dariush himself has acknowledged could be his last in the UFC.

  • Sean Strickland Blames UFC for Not Controlling Khamzat Chimaev

    Sean Strickland Blames UFC for Not Controlling Khamzat Chimaev

    Sean Strickland has placed the responsibility for any potential pre-fight confrontation with Khamzat Chimaev squarely on the UFC, warning the promotion that he will not comply with restrictions if he feels they are being applied unevenly between the two camps.

    With UFC 328 on May 9 approaching, the animosity between Strickland and Chimaev has reached a point where Dana White has confirmed that extra security will be in place during media week. Strickland addressed the situation directly on X, making clear he has a specific threshold for what he will accept.

    “The UFC is trying to limit my interactions with the dog. Listen I will say this now. I will not be controlled by a third world dog. If I find there is unequal treatment between our camps I will walk to the lobby and wait for him. Control your whore or don’t. I don’t care. Let the chips fall where they may, this is America.”

    Chimaev’s coach has publicly dismissed Strickland’s gun warning as nonsense, stating he does not believe things will escalate to actual violence, and Chimaev himself has reportedly laughed off the threats. Strickland has previously stated he would draw a weapon if approached by Chimaev and his team in a group setting.

    The situation has drawn comparisons to the post-fight brawl between Khabib Nurmagomedov’s and Conor McGregor’s teams at UFC 229 in 2018, an event the promotion is clearly attempting to prevent from repeating itself.

    UFC 328 takes place May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • Darren Till Names Two Fighters Who Could Beat Khamzat Chimaev

    Darren Till Names Two Fighters Who Could Beat Khamzat Chimaev

    Darren Till believes Khamzat Chimaev is beatable, but he does not see anyone in the current middleweight division capable of doing it right now except possibly the man standing across from him at UFC 328.

    Speaking with Full Mount MMA, Till drew on his firsthand experience training with the undefeated champion to offer his most honest assessment of where Chimaev stands heading into his first title defense against Sean Strickland.

    “Anyone’s beatable. He knows that himself. That’s why he trains so hard. He’s not stupid. Right now, with the current state of the middleweight division, I don’t see anyone beating him. Sean’s probably got the chance if that, but in this era now, I think he’s going to be dominant.”

    Till identified a second fighter outside of Strickland who he believes poses a credible threat, while making clear which matchup excites him most.

    “Paulo Costa’s a good fight, because Paulo’s big and strong. I do like that fight as well, I know there’s a big beef there. I think for me the fight that waters my mouth the most is the Sean Strickland fight, and obviously we’re getting that now.”

    Chimaev carries a perfect 15-0 record into UFC 328, which takes place May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Says McGregor vs. Khabib Proves UFC Rewards Chaos Over Competition

    Arman Tsarukyan Says McGregor vs. Khabib Proves UFC Rewards Chaos Over Competition

    Arman Tsarukyan has a theory about what the UFC actually values in 2026, and he believes his own non-stop activity outside the cage is proof the promotion has embraced it.

    Speaking to Patrick Bet-David, Tsarukyan argued that drama and viral moments have become more important to the sport’s growth than the fights themselves. He cited the most significant period in UFC history as evidence.

    “It’s good for the UFC. You think they didn’t like it? They liked it. The sport is getting big because of drama, not because of fighting. Like Conor, Khabib, Diaz — the trash talk, everything.

    Not just fighting, but what’s going on before the fight. The bus thing went viral too. Because of that, that fight was the biggest fight in the UFC. If it wasn’t for the conflict before that, yeah, Conor-Khabib, they talk s— in the press conference, they fight, it’s gone.”

    Tsarukyan last competed in October when he submitted Dan Hooker. His most recent significant win before that came in 2024 when he defeated Charles Oliveira by decision.

    He does not currently have a fight booked but is widely expected to challenge the winner of the Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje lightweight title fight at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. He has also offered to serve as backup for that matchup.

  • Merab Dvalishvili Makes Pick for Rousey vs. Carano After Being Blown Away in Training

    Merab Dvalishvili Makes Pick for Rousey vs. Carano After Being Blown Away in Training

    Merab Dvalishvili has trained with Gina Carano ahead of her May 16 Netflix fight against Ronda Rousey, and what he saw was enough to make him pick the significant underdog.

    Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, the former UFC bantamweight champion shared a genuinely surprised reaction to his experience working alongside Carano in camp.

    “It was a great honor for me to train with her. I was surprised with how good Gina is. Ronda Rousey has a judo background, and I also do, but I think Gina Carano will win this fight. When she was fighting, I was really young and had never seen her fight before, but when I trained with her, I was so impressed and went back and checked everything. She’s the real deal!”

    Dvalishvili also framed the potential upset in terms of what it would mean for the broader combat sports landscape.

    “It’s going to make UFC fighters look bad, and she’s going to make Judo also look bad, but I think she’s going to win. She’s training really hard. I’ve seen her body and her training change in this camp.”

    Carano has not won an MMA fight since a unanimous decision over Kelly Kobold in 2008, and last competed professionally in 2009. Rousey is entering as a big favorite despite being nearly a decade away from the sport. Dvalishvili is expected to return to the UFC Octagon later this year for a trilogy fight against Petr Yan.

  • Darren Till Calls the MVP MMA Event a Full Card of ‘Mongoloids,’ Says Perry vs. Diaz Is ‘American Trash’

    Darren Till Calls the MVP MMA Event a Full Card of ‘Mongoloids,’ Says Perry vs. Diaz Is ‘American Trash’

    Darren Till has opinions about the MVP MMA card on May 16, and none of them are particularly generous toward the fighters involved.

    Speaking with MMA Fighting about his BKFC signing and the Perry situation, Till was asked about the Netflix event and delivered a sweeping verdict on the entire card.

    “It’s just a mongoloid fight, isn’t it? Just a pair of f***ing Teletubbies fighting each other. Nate Diaz can’t string a sentence together, neither can Mike. It’s trash. American trash. Just trash. Everyone on that card is trash, actually. In fact, it’s a full card of mongoloids. Trash.”

    Till also revealed that MVP had been in contact with his manager about potentially booking him on the show, but talks went nowhere.

    “MVP were chatting to my manager. I think they were in touch. I was obviously interested in fighting Jake. Jake’s got other plans in life. If that fight ever one day arises, then yeah, it’s there. But they reached out, nothing came to terms. Got nothing bad to say about them, to be honest with you. Nakisa seems like a cool guy. Hopefully, one day we do business.”

    Despite the harsh words for the card, Till acknowledged the financial reality behind Perry and Diaz’s participation and gave credit where he felt it was due.

    “I do slight Mike Perry a lot but if he’s going to make a lot of money there on MVP with Nate Diaz, props to them. But I don’t hate Nate. I don’t hate Mike. I give them s—, but if they’re making a lot of money, I have to give all respect and kudos, too.”

    He also made clear his willingness to say exactly what he thinks is not something he plans to change, regardless of the reaction.

    “Look, I don’t give a f***. I’m going to speak my mind, and people can take it however they want it. I don’t care about it. No one’s above it or anything like that. My ego’s been hurt enough. I’ve been knocked out in front of millions. Imagine how I feel!”

  • Josh Hokit Says UFC Officials Try to Suppress His Personality

    Josh Hokit Says UFC Officials Try to Suppress His Personality

    Josh Hokit has become one of the UFC’s most talked-about new personalities in a matter of months, and he believes the sport badly needs more of what he brings.

    Speaking with Chael Sonnen on Smash Cast, Hokit made the case that modern MMA fighters have become too preoccupied with image management at the expense of the entertainment value that made the sport what it is.

    “The sad part is, all these fighters — that’s the thing with the day and age that we live in. Back then, you had wild men. And so you had all these personalities, everyone is going crazy, everyone is more interesting. Now, it’s like these real athletes. They’re really holding onto their image, like, ‘How can I be cool?’ So, Carlos Ulberg, when I see him, it’s like he’s carrying the weight of looking cool and being this cool guy, where now, ‘The Down Vato,’ he just doesn’t care. That’s where I’m from.”

    He also pointed to UFC officials as part of the problem, describing attempts to rein him in on the microphone as counterproductive to the environment that makes the sport compelling.

    “These people take their jobs so serious. It’s like, no wonder the fighters act like this. It’s like, ‘You need to go out there, and say the right answer, and respect your opponent, and be just a professional. And act like you’re not about to get in this cage.’ Look, I’m in underwear, I’ve got no shirt on, and we’re about to fight to the death basically. Why? We’ve got to remember what the sport is. Everybody doesn’t want to accept, you’re fighting in a cage. You have to be pretty stupid.”

    Hokit earned four bonuses in his first three UFC fights, including both Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night for his victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327. He has since been booked against Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House, and he attributed his rapid rise at least in part to winning over one very specific fan.

    “When I was going to the ambulance after the fight, Mick comes up to me and says, ‘You are now Donald Trump’s new favorite fighter.’”

  • Darren Till Rips Mike Perry for Running to MVP Instead of Fighting Him in BKFC

    Darren Till Rips Mike Perry for Running to MVP Instead of Fighting Him in BKFC

    Darren Till has signed with BKFC, and his first order of business was calling out the man who was supposed to be his debut opponent.

    Till joined the promotion under the same banner as Mike Perry, who holds the BKFC King of Violence championship, with the expectation that the two would finally settle years of back-and-forth. Those plans collapsed when Perry signed to face Nate Diaz on the MVP MMA card on Netflix on May 16, leaving Till without his intended opponent. Speaking with MMA Junkie, Till did not disguise his frustration.

    “He’s ran. He’s running toward that big dope Nate Diaz on MVP. I’ve come to BKFC and now he’s run away. Him and his manager need to get a grip of themselves. These two, they’re a pair of bums.

    Sort your s— out and make the fight with me because I’ll rip him to shreds. I hope he will come back. Honestly, I don’t care about them two m—oloids fighting. A pair of down-and-out bums. Look at them. They’re just slow and old, and their faces are all crusty.”

    Till’s BKFC debut will instead come against Aaron Chalmers. The Perry fight remains something he intends to make happen once Perry returns from his MVP commitment.

  • Rousey Calls Out UFC’s Hunter Campbell, Says She Wants to be MVP’s Version of Dana White

    Rousey Calls Out UFC’s Hunter Campbell, Says She Wants to be MVP’s Version of Dana White

    Ronda Rousey has a plan that extends well beyond her May 16 comeback fight against Gina Carano, and it involves taking a leadership position in mixed martial arts if the Netflix event proves successful.

    Speaking to TMZ, Rousey made clear she sees herself as the right person to lead Most Valuable Promotions’ expansion into MMA, and she did not hold back when comparing herself to the UFC’s current business leadership.

    “I mean, I think nobody is more qualified than me. I’m definitely more qualified than Hunter f—ing Campbell.”

    She framed MVP’s approach as a direct contrast to what she sees as a UFC that has lost its way.

    “I think that MVP would be an incredible partner and that Nakisa and Jake Paul really believe in making sure the fighters are compensated fairly. The UFC, I think, has forgot that the fighters are the stars and that the characters are what people tune into see.”

    Rousey also described the broader opportunity she believes exists in the market for a promotion willing to prioritize fighters over corporate interests.

    “The sport is at a crossroads. There’s a huge opportunity here. If this event is a huge success, there’s a huge opportunity to take over the market share in MMA and show everybody what they’ve been missing.”

    Rousey last competed in late 2016 when Amanda Nunes knocked her out. She plans to retire from competition after the Carano fight unless an immediate rematch is warranted. The Netflix event takes place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on May 16.

  • Bruce Buffer Apologizes for UFC Seattle Winner Announcement Error

    Bruce Buffer Apologizes for UFC Seattle Winner Announcement Error

    Bruce Buffer has addressed the announcement error at UFC Seattle that saw Tyrell Fortune briefly believe he had lost his UFC debut, accepting full responsibility and offering a direct apology to both fighters involved.

    The incident unfolded during the heavyweight bout between Fortune and Marcin Tybura at the Climate Pledge Arena, when Buffer announced the wrong winner. Fortune was already walking toward the back in defeat when he was stopped and informed that the judges had actually scored the fight in his favor. Buffer returned to the Octagon to correct the announcement and apologize in the moment.

    Speaking to MMA Fighting, Buffer made clear he had no interest in deflecting blame onto anyone else in the process.

    “Well, I mean, I’m my own worst critic, of course, and I don’t put blame on anybody else. I’m the messenger, I’m the one that delivers it – whether there was some confusion at the commissioner’s desk beforehand or whatever, not even worth talking about.”

    As someone who describes himself as a perfectionist, Buffer said the impact on the fighters is what weighed on him most heavily, not simply the fact that an error occurred.

    “Where I feel bad is that the moment I gave the fighter who thought he won, versus the moment I gave the fighter who thought he lost and then eventually won: For that, I’m dearly sorry.”

    He also framed his role in terms of the responsibility he feels toward the athletes he announces.

    “I have so much respect and I’m so honored to be able to announce these amazing Octagon warriors. I never want to lessen any moment in their lives, I only want to take them to the next level and heighten it as much as possible. So for that, I apologize, and onward and upward.”

    Buffer has served as the voice of the UFC Octagon for over 30 years. Dana White previously noted the rarity of the error, acknowledging that mistakes of this nature are highly unusual for the veteran announcer.

  • Aljamain Sterling Warns Chimaev Could Be in Trouble If This Happens in UFC 328 Fight

    Aljamain Sterling Warns Chimaev Could Be in Trouble If This Happens in UFC 328 Fight

    Aljamain Sterling is not ready to hand Khamzat Chimaev an easy night against Sean Strickland, and he believes the champion is walking into UFC 328 with a strategic dilemma.

    Speaking with Home of Fight, the former UFC bantamweight champion took a different view on a fight most analysts have leaning heavily toward Chimaev, arguing the mental calculation Chimaev has to make in the early rounds could define the entire outcome.

    “If Strickland can weather the early storm, that fight gets interesting really, really quick. I think Khamzat’s conflicted right now. He’s trying to decide whether or not he wants to run through him because he knows possibly, if he doesn’t, he’s going to be tired going into those later rounds, and you don’t want to be tired with a guy like Strickland in front of you. He’s a nightmare, and that’s what makes this fight very, very interesting. Khamzat has the ability to finish this fight in Round 1, or Strickland has the ability to finish Khamzat in the later rounds. Possibly goes to a decision.”

    Sterling acknowledged Chimaev’s status as the favorite while making clear he does not see the result as inevitable.

    “Khamzat’s the favorite coming into this, and everyone knows why. Sean knows what he’s up against going into this fight. He’s got a tall task, not going to be easy for him, but is it possible for him to win this fight? 100 percent. I don’t think it’s an absolute ‘lock’ for Khamzat whatsoever.”

    UFC 328 takes place May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • Jake Paul Outlines His Plan to Raid UFC Roster, Reveals What He’s Paying Francis Ngannou

    Jake Paul Outlines His Plan to Raid UFC Roster, Reveals What He’s Paying Francis Ngannou

    Jake Paul has laid out his vision for MVP MMA’s future in the sport, and it is built around one core idea: paying fighters what the UFC will not.

    Speaking in a recent interview with Complex, Paul framed MVP MMA’s entry into the MMA landscape as a structural disruption that benefits fighters and fans equally, drawing a difference between what the UFC offers and what he believes is possible elsewhere.

    “It’s needed. It’s very, very needed in the sport. I think it’s been a monopoly for so long, run by the UFC, and the fighters haven’t had another place to go where they get the exposure and more pay. And so MVP MMA is providing that with some of the biggest names, and obviously, the biggest streaming platform. So, it’s really a monumental shift in the timeline for MMA fighters, and for MMA fans. Because we want to provide the best and the biggest fights, and go head-to-head with the big dogs. It’s just a very exciting time for everyone because of that.”

    When asked about his ambitions for the roster, Paul was direct about his intentions toward UFC talent.

    “I think we just poach all of them, honestly. Get the fighters what they deserve to be paid, similar to boxing. That’s why a lot of the UFC guys want to box, because they can get 10, 15, 20 million dollars for a fight versus $1.5 million for being the champion.”

    He pointed to Francis Ngannou as the model he hopes other fighters will follow.

    “Hopefully, UFC fighters can start to follow the path of Francis Ngannou, where he fought his way out of his contract, and went on to do multiple boxing matches for 20, 30, 40 million dollars. Now he’s fighting for MVP MMA, making more than the whole UFC roster combined. So, hopefully, fighters can realize they need to fight their way out of their UFC contract and then find more lucrative opportunities elsewhere, with the same or more amount of viewership. Because I think the reason they’ve wanted to stay is, ‘OK, the pay is not good, but this is the best place to become famous.’ And it’s like, no, not anymore.”

    MVP MMA’s debut card takes place May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Netflix, headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, with Francis Ngannou and Nate Diaz also on the card.

  • Darren Till Says Chimaev Will Dominate Strickland But Issues a Key Warning Before UFC 328

    Darren Till Says Chimaev Will Dominate Strickland But Issues a Key Warning Before UFC 328

    Darren Till is backing his close friend Khamzat Chimaev to defend the middleweight title at UFC 328, but he is not doing so without a candid warning about the risk of playing into Strickland’s hands.

    Speaking with MMA Junkie, Till acknowledged the genuine difficulty of the matchup while ultimately siding with the champion, drawing on firsthand experience training with Strickland to frame the challenge Chimaev faces.

    “I love Khamzat to death. He’s my f***ing boy, but I think he’s got a very tough fight with Sean. I’ve trained with Sean, and he’s got very great defense of getting back to the feet. But if you want me to say it as a whole, I think Khamzat’s on a roll, and I think Khamzat’s going to be way too strong and too powerful for him. But also, I would like Khamzat not to run in there and gas himself out because he is very seasoned and is able to go the five rounds. If I’m giving advice as a friend, that’s what I would say to him.”

    Till laid out a straightforward prediction while emphasizing the importance of patience alongside power.

    “How I see the fight, I see Khamzat dominating. But also go in there with a good, strategical plan. You know what I mean?”

    UFC 328 takes place May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • Jorge Masvidal Says Topuria Is ‘Very Bad Style Matchup’ for Gaethje at UFC White House

    Jorge Masvidal Says Topuria Is ‘Very Bad Style Matchup’ for Gaethje at UFC White House

    Jorge Masvidal likes Justin Gaethje as a person and as a fighter, but he does not like his chances against Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14.

    Speaking during a YouTube appearance, Masvidal opened by establishing his genuine respect for Gaethje before turning to his honest assessment of the matchup.

    “I’ll tell you the truth, man. I got to kick it with Gaethje for the FBI seminar. You know, we spent a lot of days together. I was with Gaethje, his dad. You know, I definitely like the dude, man. You know, though he said some things about me in the past and stuff, I like the dude. I like him as a person, as a fighter. Obviously, who doesn’t like this dude?”

    The respect did not change his read on the fight itself.

    “Stylistically, statistically, I think his chances are really slim with Ilia. Just a bad style for him. You know, Gaethje has won a lot of tough fights that he’s been getting cracked and then he manages to come back. With Ilia, not only does he have the power, but he ain’t no coming back.”

    Masvidal zeroed in on Topuria’s defensive discipline as the quality that makes him particularly difficult for a fighter with Gaethje’s style.

    “Not just that, he has very good defense. So, it’s not like he opens himself up for things. You know, Ilia is very, very disciplined. The way he throws his punches, the way he brings his head back, the way his head’s always moving off center line. Like, I don’t see many chances for Gaethje. I think this is just a very bad fight for Gaethje.”

    He left the door open for a Gaethje upset while making clear he does not expect it.

    “But if Gaethje wins this fight, holy smokes, right? Like, who the f**k saw that coming? You know, he pulls that sh*t off, that’s gonna be crazy. But I don’t see it, though. I don’t see it happening.”

    The betting market at the time of the segment reflected a similar gap, with Topuria listed as a heavy -520 favorite and Gaethje at +350.

  • Carlos Prates Names His Path to the UFC Welterweight Title

    Carlos Prates Names His Path to the UFC Welterweight Title

    Carlos Prates is walking into UFC Perth with a clear vision of where a win over Jack Della Maddalena will take him, and he is not shy about stating it.

    Speaking with MMA Junkie ahead of the fight, Prates expressed comfort with the setting, noting he already has a performance bonus from the same arena and hopes to earn another.

    “Yeah, it’s gonna be cool, you know? I have good memories in that arena. I have a bonus already there, and I hope to get another one.”

    He also made it clear that he does not expect the fight to go the distance, while emphasizing that he will be ready if it does.

    “I don’t think the fight’s gonna go five rounds, but if it’s there, I’m gonna be ready. I’m ready for everything.”

    Prates then laid out exactly what he believes a win earns him, pointing to his back-to-back victories over former champions Leon Edwards and Jack Della Maddalena as the justification for a mandatory title shot.

    “Nobody gonna beat two former champs in a row, and for sure I will be the next. I mean, I will be the next after August. Islam gonna fight Ian, and then after that, I’m gonna get the winner.”

    Prates’ confidence is built on real momentum. He knocked out Edwards at UFC 322 in November at Madison Square Garden in what was the biggest win of his career, and a victory over Della Maddalena on Saturday would give him consecutive finishes of former champions inside a matter of months.

    Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry are expected to meet for the welterweight title, likely in August. Prates is positioning himself as the next man in line once that fight is settled.