MMA News

Category: MMA

  • ‘This Does Absolutely Nothing’ – Fans React To Arman Tsarukyan Training With Fighter Who Knocked Out Islam Makhachev

    ‘This Does Absolutely Nothing’ – Fans React To Arman Tsarukyan Training With Fighter Who Knocked Out Islam Makhachev

    Arman Tsarukyan is set to face Islam Makhachev in a highly anticipated rematch for the UFC lightweight championship on Jan. 18 at UFC 311. This clash comes nearly six years after their first encounter in April 2019, which Makhachev emerged victorious from via unanimous decision.

    Since their initial meeting, Tsarukyan has been on an impressive run, fighting 10 times with a record of 9-1. His sole defeat during this stretch came via decision against Mateusz Gamrot. Currently riding a four-fight winning streak, the Russian-Armenian’s recent victories include dominant performances over top contenders Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira.

    Makhachev, with an overall record of 26-1, has maintained his position as one of the most dominant forces in the division. His only career loss came via first-round knockout to Adriano Martins at UFC 192 in 2015. While Martins has since parted ways with the UFC, he is playing an indirect role in the upcoming fight. Tsarukyan trained with Martins during his training camp at American Top Team, as revealed through posts from both on Instagram.

    Fans were quick to give their thoughts on the link-up, with some laughing off any suggestion Martins’ presence could benefit the challenger come fight night in Los Angeles.

    UFC 311 promises to be a blockbuster event, with the 155-pound title fight headlining the card. Additionally, the co-main event will feature a UFC bantamweight championship bout between current champion Merab Dvalishvili and rising contender Umar Nurmagomedov, adding another layer of excitement to an already stacked card.

  • UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    After staging its final numbered event of the year in Las Vegas last weekend, the mixed martial arts leader will close out its 2024 schedule with Octagon action inside Tampa’s Amalie Arena.

    The main event will see Colby Covington make the walk for the first time since his third failed bid to achieve undisputed champion status last December. “Chaos” will meet the charging Joaquin Buckley in a short-notice clash, with “New Mansa” look to continue his unbeaten run at 170 pounds all the way to a place in title contention.

    Before that, the likes of fan-favorite featherweight Cub Swanson, former Rizin champion Manel Kape, light heavyweight powerhouse Vitor Petrino and the always entertaining Adrian Yañez will all be in action.

    UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley takes place on Saturday, December 14, at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The main card begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

    See above for a replay of the weigh-ins via MMA Fighting, and check out the full results below!

    Main Card:

    • Welterweight Main Event: Colby Covington (171lbs) vs. Joaquin Buckley (171lbs)
    • Featherweight Co-Main Event: Cub Swanson (146lbs) vs. Billy Quarantillo (146lbs)
    • Flyweight: Manel Kape (125lbs) vs. Bruno Silva (126lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Vitor Petrino (204.5lbs) vs. Dustin Jacoby (205.5lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Adrian Yañez (136lbs) vs. Daniel Marcos (136lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Navajo Stirling (206lbs) vs. Tuco Tokkos (206lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Lightweight: Michael Johnson (156lbs) vs. Ottman Azaitar (156lbs)
    • Lightweight: Joel Álvarez (156lbs) vs. Drakkar Klose (156lbs)
    • Featherweight: Sean Woodson (145.5lbs) vs. Fernando Padilla (145.5lbs)
    • Featherweight: Miles Johns (146lbs) vs. Felipe Lima (146lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Miranda Maverick (126lbs) vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth (126lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Davey Grant (136lbs) vs. Ramon Taveras
    • Women’s Strawweight: Josefine Knutsson (116lbs) vs. Piera Rodriguez (116lbs)

  • Cub Swanson Wants An Apology From Joaquin Buckley: ‘People Need To Show Respect’

    Cub Swanson Wants An Apology From Joaquin Buckley: ‘People Need To Show Respect’

    Tensions are running high between welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley and UFC veteran Cub Swanson as both prepare for their respective fights at UFC Tampa this Saturday.

    Buckley is set to headline the event in a clash against Colby Covington, while Swanson will face Billy Quarantillo in the co-main event. With both fighters sharing the card, their simmering feud became a hot topic during media day.

    “I stand by what I said,” Swanson remarked when asked about the ongoing beef. “I don’t think the younger guys should be disrespecting the older guys. That’s just what I think. I believe the people who paved the way always deserve respect.

    “I’m sure I will [run into him], and I’m not going to back down from what I said,” Swanson continued. “I was a fan of his until he opened his mouth a little bit. I’ve got no ill will towards him, but, like I said, I think people need to show respect.”

    The animosity began when Buckley claimed he could knock out a prime Georges St-Pierre, a statement that struck a nerve with Swanson, a close friend and former teammate of the legendary welterweight and middleweight champion. “Killer” came to GSP’s defense, which prompted Buckley to respond with harsh words, including questioning the entirety of the veteran’s career.

    The situation escalated when Buckley referred to Swanson using derogatory language. This weekend’s co-headlined addressed this directly.

    “An apology for calling me a ‘ho,’ because that’s one thing I’m not,” he stated. “I’ve stayed true to myself, I’ve stayed true to who I am my entire career, so the name-calling was just a little over the line. But I was a fan of his until that moment.”

    Despite the friction, both fighters remain focused on their respective matchups, but the tension adds an extra layer of drama to an already highly anticipated UFC Tampa card.

  • Paul Hughes Willing To Go To ‘Depths Of Hell’ To Knock Out Undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov

    Paul Hughes Willing To Go To ‘Depths Of Hell’ To Knock Out Undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov

    MMA fans, specifically those in the UK, have been hearing a lot about Paul Hughes and his potential for some time now. After he signed to the PFL earlier this year, he would now have the platform to really progress up the ladder and show what he is truly capable of.

    Hughes has always been incredibly confident in his own ability and he’s not afraid to put himself out there but even with that in mind, his last fight came as a shock. Many believed that taking on A.J. McKee in his second fight with the promotion would be an instance of too much, too soon for the Irishman.

    At PFL’s Battle of the Giants, he rose to the occasion by putting on a great performance to beat McKee in Riyadh and after defeating such a high-level opponent, there was only one logical next step for “Big News” and that’s the world championship. At the Road to Dubai Champions Series on January 25, Hughes will take on the undefeated Bellator lightweight champ, Usman Nurmagomedov.

    The 27-year old knows that this is a huge test for him but he believes that even the win over McKee was only scratching the surface of what he’s capable of. He expects Nurmagomedov to really push him in this fight but just like in October, that pressure will bring the best out of him.

    Hughes spoke about the fight in a recent interview with the Belfast Telegraph where he explained where he’s at mentally going into the biggest fight of his career.

    “I see a knockout, 100 per cent. I may have to go to the depths of hell to beat this guy, and I will be prepared for that but I trust in my fight IQ, instincts and killer ability to find a way to get Usman out of there. I said I would knock out AJ and came within millimetres of doing it.

    “I still beat him up, but I was close to knocking him out with the exact shot I called. I definitely see a knockout against Usman. There is a lot more to come from me. My last performance was a six out of ten, for many reasons. I have to be a ten out of ten to beat Usman, he is that good.”

  • Anthony Smith On Dominick Reyes During UFC 310 Fight: ‘Goddamn, You’re Not That Good’ 

    Anthony Smith On Dominick Reyes During UFC 310 Fight: ‘Goddamn, You’re Not That Good’ 

    UFC 310 was an incredibly difficult night for Anthony Smith who in the featured prelim, suffered a loss to Dominick Reyes. It was clear from the first few seconds of his walk out that this fight would be unlike any other for the former title challenger following the recent loss of his longtime friend and coach, Scott Morton.

    Smith was visibly struggling to keep it together on his walk to the cage which is completely understandable when you consider what he was going through. After being stopped in the second round, he told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview that in the moment, he thought this would “probably” be the last fight of his career.

    In a recent interview with SiriusXM, Smith spoke openly about his mental state going into that fight and how he wasn’t able to control his emotions despite believing that he would be able to “power through it”. He also gave more context to one of the most alarming moments in the fight where it looked like he was allowing Reyes to repeatedly punch him without defending or throwing anything back.

    Reyes later came out and said that his opponent was asking to be hit and given what was on the line for him, he obliged. “Lionheart” explained why he did this and how he had a huge realization during the fight which could impact whether he decides to return to the Octagon or not.

    “I got impatient,” Smith said. “I just wanted something to f*cking happen. I just forced it. I just got impatient. Nothing was happening. He wasn’t engaging. I’d seen everything. That was the worst part, too. I was in there, and I was like, ‘Goddamn, you’re not that good.’ And then it hit me like, ‘F*ck, maybe I’m not either.’

    “Maybe I’m not either anymore. The left hand wasn’t nearly as fast as I expected it to be. I think I over-predicted how good he was going to be on his feet. He landed a shot here or there, and then at some point where I was like, ‘F*cking hit me or something. I need to f*cking feel something. Give me something here.’”

  • Arman Tsarukyan Trains With The Only Man To Beat Islam Makhachev Ahead Of UFC 311

    Arman Tsarukyan Trains With The Only Man To Beat Islam Makhachev Ahead Of UFC 311

    Islam Makhachev is the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world today for a reason. The UFC lightweight champion was already a dominant grappler but with the improvements that he has shown in his all-round skillset in recent years, he’s the total package.

    However, unlike his long-time training partner and the former 155-pound king, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev has had several tough fights and moments of serious adversity inside the Octagon. One of those difficult tests was against late notice replacement Arman Tsarukyan in 2019 where the Armenian was able to really push the man that many considered to be on his way to being a top contender.

    At UFC 311 in January, they will run it back for the lightweight gold in Los Angeles and in order to help him prepare, the challenger has brought in another man that caused Makhachev some serious problems. Through 27 pro fights, the current champion has only ever tasted defeat once.

    In his second fight with the promotion at UFC 192 in 2015, he was knocked out in the first round by Brazil’s Adriano Martins who at the time, had 22 more pro fights on his record. After Makhachev missed a big overhand left, Martins countered with his own and dropped the Russian with the referee immediately stepping in.

    Following back-to-back losses to Leonardo Santos and Kajan Johnson after this win, Martins was cut from the UFC, ending his run in the promotion with an overall record of 4-3. In March this year, he defeated Donovan Desmae to snap a run of six fights without a win that dated back to his final UFC fights.

    He’s now set to return to the cage later this month but before then, Tsarukyan looked to engage in a bit of mental warfare with his next opponent by sharing a gym photo of him and the only man to defeat Makhachev.

  • Ilia Topuria Issues Statement After Lightweight Talk Causes Debate: ‘I Will Not Leave The Title Vacant’

    Ilia Topuria Issues Statement After Lightweight Talk Causes Debate: ‘I Will Not Leave The Title Vacant’

    UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria recently sparked a lot of conversation by revealing that he plans to move up to lightweight much sooner than expected. “El Matador” told Spanish radio show El Partidazo de COPE that he would like to face Charles Oliveira next time out at 155-pounds, claiming that we’ve already likely seen his last fight at featherweight.

    Topuria’s coach, Jorge Climent, backed up this statement by providing more details about the difficult weight cut that the champion has to undergo in order to fight at featherweight. He claimed that the undefeated superstar is often 85 kilos which would make him over 40 pounds heavier than he needs to be on weigh-in day.

    Topuria has received some criticism in the past for comments that he made about not wanting to stay in this division for too long so that he can pursue a second belt. In a response to some of the feedback he has received off the back of his latest lightweight plan, the 145-pound titleholder attempted to provide more context on X.

    Following their respectful encounter inside the Octagon at UFC 308, it seemed clear that Topuria’s next title defense would be a rematch against the former champion Alexander Volkanovski. However, following the champion’s interview on Spanish radio, there was already talk about whether there should be a vacant title fight if he does leave the division.

    He posted a message on social media to make it clear that though he does see a move up coming in the very near future, he doesn’t intend on giving up his belt in order to make that happen. He also clarified that there aren’t any concrete plans in place for his next steps as of yet.

    “I will not leave the title vacant. The decision to move up to the next category is entirely mine. I haven’t had any conversations with the UFC yet, so everything is still to be decided. Stop celebrating because I’m not going anywhere. I have conquered my division and I will do the same in the next one.”

  • Chael Sonnen Explains Why He Expects ‘Better’ Sean Strickland Performance In Dricus Du Plessis Redo

    Chael Sonnen Explains Why He Expects ‘Better’ Sean Strickland Performance In Dricus Du Plessis Redo

    Chael Sonnen has joined the fight world in marking Feb. 8, 2025, on their calendars for UFC 312, where Sean Strickland will face middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis in Sydney.

    This rematch comes after Strickland lost his title to Du Plessis via split decision at UFC 297 this past January. The razor-close bout has sparked speculation that the belt could change hands again come fight night.

    While Strickland maintains he won their first encounter, Sonnen firmly disagrees.

    “If there has ever been a guy that turns out to be one heck of a lot better than I knew he was, it’s Dricus Du Plessis,” Sonnen said during a recent episode of Good Guy / Bad Guy on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel. “The other side of that coin, Sean Strickland has talked himself up very much and has a high level of confidence because he believes he beat him the first time. He believes he dominated him. That’s not what I saw.

    “As a matter of fact, I’m not sure Sean didn’t lose all five rounds on my scorecard. Very close, real tight, but at the end of it, if you got to go a 10-9, I’m not sure I didn’t give them all to Dricus. The only reason I’m saying this is I don’t want Sean to necessarily fall for what he’s believing. I want him to study this guy, I want him to have a different game plan for this guy, I want him to really take Dricus seriously.”

    Sonnen believes that Strickland, now in the role of challenger, will approach the fight with heightened motivation.

    “The moment he lost that belt, boy, that care meter went through the roof. And I do believe Sean is going to fight better trying to regain something than to defend something. That’s my own belief, but that’s the fight to make. Winner draws in (Khamzat) Chimaev, I can drink to that.”

    The stakes are high for both fighters as they prepare for what promises to be another thrilling showdown.

  • Former UFC Fighter Sage Northcutt Signs With PFL After Failed ONE Championship Stint

    The once-promising Sage Northcutt has his next career move set.

    Northcutt (12-3) was once widely seen as a future UFC star following a debut victory inside the Octagon aged 19 at UFC Fight Night 80. However, “Super Sage” didn’t have his contract renewed following its expiration in 2018.

    The 28-year-old subsequently joined ONE Championship’s ranks, where he had a rough start to life in the Circle by falling via knockout to Brazil’s Cosmo Alexandre at ONE: Enter the Dragon. As well as losing his opening outing in the promotion, Northcutt was also sidelined after suffering eight facial fractures that required extensive surgery to repair.

    While that left the American out of action for four years, he returned with a bang in 2023. But after recording his first win on the ONE stage by submitting Ahmed Mujtaba in quick time, it’s safe to say that the momentum did not continue.

    Northcutt had a public falling out with the promotion this past January when he pulled out of a clash with Shinya Aoki on fight night after his cornermen were reportedly denied visas.

    That relationship was evidently not able to be repaired, with the Californian having his departure from ONE confirmed in October. And over a month on, his next destination has been confirmed as the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

    The news was first reported by MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn.

    As of this writing, it’s unclear whether Northcutt will enter the PFL’s regular season and playoff format for 2025 or compete at the pay-per-view Super Fights events. It has been confirmed, however, that the 28-year-old will be fighting at welterweight.

  • Jamahal Hill On Rejecting Alex Pereira’s Sparring Invitation: ‘I’ll KO You & Collect A Check’

    Jamahal Hill On Rejecting Alex Pereira’s Sparring Invitation: ‘I’ll KO You & Collect A Check’

    Jamahal Hill has his eyes firmly set on UFC 311, where he’ll face Jiří Procházka in a light heavyweight contenders’ match. However, “Sweet Dreams: isn’t just thinking about the Czech star; he’s already envisioning the 205-pound title belt wrapped around his waist.

    Hill recently made headlines after nearly getting into a physical altercation with Alex Pereira at the UFC Performance Institute. The incident, which began as a heated exchange, was sparked by their rivalry on social media. The American addressed the confrontation in a YouTube interview with Helen Yee.

    “We had an exchange where he said something on Twitter,” Hill explained. “And I just went to go tell him in person, ‘Yo, I’m coming. I’m putting in the work. Don’t run to heavyweight. After I handle this guy, you’re next.’ That was pretty much how it started, and then it went from there.”

    The tension escalated quickly, with Hill recounting Pereira’s verbal jab.

    “He said, ‘You woke up from UFC 300,’ and I was like, ‘I’m wide awake now and I’m going to put you to sleep for real.’ It was never anything like, ‘Oh, let’s fight right now,’ or nothing like that. It was just competitive talk, and then it went from that to what people saw.”

    Reflecting on the altercation, and his decision not to lace the gloves upon Pereira’s invitation, Hill emphasized that he’s motivated by the opportunity to make a statement — and get paid while doing it.

    “Like I told him, we don’t need gloves because if we going to fight right here, right now, we just gonna fight. You know what I’m saying? But I get paid. I’m here to make money, and I’mma knock your ass out and I’mma collect a check for it.”

    For Hill, a clash with Pereira is the ultimate goal. Frst, he’s determined to handle business at UFC 311 against and make his case for a title shot.

  • Colby Covington Rips Jon Jones For Avoiding Tom Aspinall: ‘Just Like He Ducked Ngannou!’

    Colby Covington and Jon Jones have a long-standing feud that dates back to their days as wrestling teammates at Central Iowa Community College. Since then, the two have seized every opportunity to trash-talk one another.

    While Covington is focused on his upcoming UFC Tampa showdown against Joaquin Buckley this Saturday, he’s also keeping an eye on Jones, the UFC heavyweight champion, and his future plans.

    “Bones” recently revealed that he’s in discussions with the UFC about returning to action in 2025 following his dominant third-round victory over Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. The question now is who Jones will face in his potential comeback.

    Though he’s expressed interest in a fight with reigning light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira, UFC CEO Dana White has suggested that a title unification bout with Tom Aspinall is the more logical option.

    Like many who disagree with Jones’ stance on dodging Aspinall, Covington didn’t hold back his criticism of Jones at the UFC Tampa media day.

    “I think Jon needs to stop ducking Tom Aspinall just like he ducked [Francis] Ngannou,” Covington said. “He ducked Ngannou for years, now he’s ducking Aspinall. He doesn’t want to fight the guys he knows he’s going to get his ass beat against. So I don’t think anything special of Jon Jones.”

    Covington also dismissed Jones’ performance against Miocic, claiming the UFC legend deliberately chose an opponent past his prime.

    “Miocic is an older fighter who shouldn’t have been in the Octagon with Jones. He was just looking to get paid. So, I don’t think Jon’s performance was anything special,” Covington added.

    With Covington preparing for his own fight and Jones plotting a return, the verbal jabs between the two continue to fuel one of the UFC’s longest-running rivalries.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Vows To Become ‘Pound-For-Pound Best Fighter In The World’ Ahead Of Post-UFC Return

    Muhammad Mokaev Vows To Become ‘Pound-For-Pound Best Fighter In The World’ Ahead Of Post-UFC Return

    On December 13, Muhammad Mokaev is set to make his return to MMA following a very significant and unpredictable 12 months in 2024. “The Punisher” last fought at UFC 304 in July where he defeated Manel Kape to earn his seventh consecutive win inside the Octagon.

    At just 24-years old he has already shown that he isn’t just the future of the flyweight division but he was the present as well and off the back of another big win over a highly ranked opponent, it seemed clear that he would challenge for the UFC’s 125-pound title in the near future. Instead, in the post-fight press conference, Dana White announced that the promotion would be parting ways with Mokaev due to the issues and complications that he has caused outside of the cage with his behaviour.

    Mokaev had got into several fights with fellow fighters including one with his last UFC opponent, Portugal’s Kape who also returns this weekend at UFC Tampa. For now, he is set to put this behind him in order to continue with his incredibly promising career.

    It was announced shortly after his UFC departure that he had re-signed with his former home before he stepped inside the Octagon, BRAVE Combat Federation. His return at BRAVE CF 91 at the Khalifa Sports City Arena in Bahrain sees him take on a short notice replacement opponent in Filipino flyweight Joevincent So.

    In a recent interview with Fight Book MMA, Mokaev spoke about his mentality after what he has been through in the past few months and how it hasn’t derailed his dream of proving himself to be the best in the world.

    “I see a lot of people recognize that I’m one of the best Flyweights in the world. But I believe I’m still young, I’m still not in my prime,” Mokaev stated. “I’m winning because of my hard work. I think once I get in my physical prime, like around 26 or 27, I’ll be even stronger and that’s when you’ll see the difference. I will be the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world! When you’re going against the best in the world, you have to sacrifice everything. That’s what separates a champion from a non-champion.”

  • Sean Strickland’s Coach Explains Picking Dricus Du Plessis As ‘Toughest Challenge’ Over Khamzat Chimaev

    Sean Strickland’s Coach Explains Picking Dricus Du Plessis As ‘Toughest Challenge’ Over Khamzat Chimaev

    Sean Strickland is set to challenge for the UFC middleweight title for the second time in his upcoming rematch with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312. The former champion stuck to the idea that he would wait for his shot at “Stillknocks” following his win over Paulo Costa in June and it paid off for him with the fight being announced this past weekend at UFC 310.

    For his head coach at Xtreme Couture, Eric Nicksick, the next few months will be all about looking at what they need to do differently in order to defeat Du Plessis in Sydney, Australia. Their first meeting at UFC 297 came down to a close split decision that saw the South African become the 185-pound champion.

    For several weeks following his submission win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308, it looked like the promotion might be heading towards Khamzat Chimaev as the next title challenger for Du Plessis. Though they aren’t thinking about it right now, both teams will know that if they come out on top in February, Chimaev will likely be their next opponent.

    Nicksick spoke in a recent interview with Submission Radio about which opponent is a bigger threat to Strickland out of the current champion and the other top contender in the division. He explained why in his opinion, as of right now, Du Plessis is their biggest challenge.

    “I mean, you would have to say [Dricus du Plessis] because he won, he beat us. Right now you have to say that [he’s the tougher matchup] because that’s the task at hand. I think Khamzat presents tons of different variables to his style that we’re gonna have to look at how to break down once that challenge presents itself. But right now, DDP is the toughest challenge for us.”

  • UFC Champ Ilia Topuria’s Coach Adds Context To His Lightweight Plans: ‘Your Body Is Changing…’

    The coach of UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria has explained why his man is hoping to leave the 145-pound division behind him and pursue success elsewhere.

    Topuria dropped a bombshell this week when he revealed that he intends on vacating the featherweight throne and making a permanent return to the lightweight class in 2025.

    Those comments come one defense into the Spaniard’s reign, which begun with an emphatic knockout of Alexander Volkanovski this past February. He’s since repeated the feat at the expense of Max Holloway in Abu Dhabi to keep hold of the belt.

    While many have been pondering a rematch with “Alexander the Great” or first-time clashes with in-form contenders like Movsar Evloev and Diego Lopes, Topuria is instead looking to compete in a title eliminator against Charles Oliveira at 155 pounds.

    Many have been shocked by “El Matador’s” remarks, and during a recent appearance on Submission Radio, his coach added some context behind the decision by noting that a lack of motivation from potential opposition isn’t the reason.

    “I think he is — he hates that weight (cut),” Climent said. “He do it a lot of times and it’s (much) harder every time we do it. He don’t want to do this anymore, and that’s why I want to go up to the next weight class.

    “His normal way is in that weight class (lightweight),” Climent continued. “Ilia fighting (featherweight), he’s young, you know? Your body is changing. When you’re 20, you have the body. When you’re 25, you have another. And when you are 30, you have another, you know? Sometimes I see Ilia at 85 kilos, you know, and he needs to be 66. We do a very big weight cut.”

    While Topuria and Islam Makhachev have gone back and forth in recent months, the lightweight champ currently has business to attend to against Arman Tsarukyan before entertaining the prospect of a clash with his featherweight counterpart.

    That fact has left “El Matador” targeting another top name in the division in Oliveira, who staked his claim for a shot at redemption against the UFC 311 main event winner by dominating Michael Chandler last month.

    It remains to be seen whether or not Topuria really will relinquish his champ status in the new year.

  • Two More Ireland vs. Dagestan Fights Added To Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes PFL Card

    Two More Ireland vs. Dagestan Fights Added To Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes PFL Card

    On January 25, the PFL is set to host its first event in Dubai with the Road To Dubai Champions Series at the Coca-Cola Arena. In the main event, the undefeated Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov will face the rising star Paul Hughes in a highly anticipated title fight.

    Following Hughes’ win over A.J. McKee at Battle of the Giants, he called for this fight and immediately attached the perfect tagline to it. When the event was announced, it was promoted as Ireland vs Dagestan 2 in reference to the biggest fight in the history of the sport between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor.

    As the cousin of Khabib, we know that the defending champion will have his family involved for this fight though it seems unlikely that the same can be said for McGregor linking up with Hughes right now. However, PFL appears to be doubling down on this particular theme for the card following the announcement of two more matchups that pit Ireland against Dagestan.

    A fantastic featherweight clash will see the undefeated Khasan Magomedsharipov take on Nate Kelly. Khasan, who is the younger brother of the former UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov, has won five consecutive fights under the Bellator banner and was recently named in the top 10 of ESPN’s 25 under 25 list for 2024.

    Ireland’s Kelly trains out of the same gym as McGregor, SBG Dublin, and has gone 10-0 since losing the first two pro fights of his career, having fought in both Bellator and the PFL in recent years.

    A second bout sees another undefeated fighter with Dagestani origins facing one of the emerald isle’s finest. 20-year old Ibragim Ibragimov also represents the English flag having been born in Dagestan before moving at a young age. The 8-0 featherweight out of Manchester Top Team recently earned a decision win over Nacho Campos at Battle of the Giants. His opponent will be another SBG Ireland fighter, Kenny Mokhonoana.

    The 27-year old has amassed a 5-1 record with two first-round finishes already under his belt in Bellator. His last fight in September last year saw him suffer his first pro loss to the highly regarded undefeated Welsh fighter Josh O’Connor.

    A trilogy fight between Vadim Nemkov and Bellator light heavyweight champion Corey Anderson at heavyweight was also recently confirmed for the card.

  • Manel Kape: Referee Mike Beltran Should Have Been Fired For ‘B*tch Move’ In Muhammad Mokaev Fight

    Manel Kape: Referee Mike Beltran Should Have Been Fired For ‘B*tch Move’ In Muhammad Mokaev Fight

    UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape is set to return this weekend in Tampa where he closes out his 2024 campaign by facing off with the dangerous Bruno Silva at the Amelie Arena. This contest will be his first fight back since his controversial clash with Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304 in Manchester this past July.

    There was a lot of tension between the two men throughout fight week that spilled over once they got inside the Octagon. However, once the fight itself had actually started, it wasn’t the most exciting contest. Mokaev’s win should’ve seen the undefeated contender solidify his status as the next in line for a flyweight title shot but instead, the UFC chose to not re-sign him after he had no fights left on his deal.

    Considering all of the drama between them in the lead up to their fight, it’s not surprising that Kape isn’t upset about his former opponent departing the promotion. During his media day interviews, “Starboy” labelled “The Punisher” as “dirty”, accusing him of committing multiple fouls in their fight that changed the outcome.

    Kape also places some of the blame for that fight on the third man inside the Octagon, referee Mike Beltran. He believes that he was having to do Beltran’s job for him after the official failed to spot and penalize Mokaev’s infringements and for that, he thinks Beltran should have also been forced to leave.

    “What is even worse is the referee. I don’t think he was a man; it was a b*tch move,” Kape said. “He was looking at him when he grabbed my shorts, and when I dropped my hands to lose the position, Mokaev still grabbed my shorts out of fear because it was one of my favorite submissions, the kneebar. I felt the victory in the moment. If I had gotten the victory, no one would have called the fight boring because I would have finished him.

    “The referee should have taken a point; he didn’t do his job. Mokaev got fired, and one of the other people that should have been fired was the referee, as he didn’t do his job…the referee was the main issue. Listen,” Kape continued. “There was also an issue when I punched Mokaev, and he put a finger in my eye, so I gave my back because it was bad, and the referee didn’t do anything…I felt in that fight that I was a fighter and referee because it was me who stopped the fight multiple times…there were multiple fouls, and I think the UFC should fire him as well. So, it was just Mokaev.”

    Watch Kape’s full media day interview via MMA Fighting below:

  • Teammate Says ‘Different Level’ Khabib Nurmagomedov Could Defeat Dricus Du Plessis At Middleweight

    Teammate Says ‘Different Level’ Khabib Nurmagomedov Could Defeat Dricus Du Plessis At Middleweight

    When Khabib Nurmagomedov announced that he would be retiring from MMA at UFC 254 in 2020, he did what very few athletes are able to do. “The Eagle” left the sport that he had dedicated his life to whilst being at the very top of the game.

    With an undefeated record of 29-0 and three title defenses under his belt, Nurmagomedov stuck to the promise that he had made his mother following the tragic loss of his father and coach, Abdulmanap. Who knows how much longer the champion could’ve stayed at the top but his final performance inside the Octagon against Justin Gaethje proved that he was still the best lightweight in the world by some distance.

    Since then, he has used his unbreakable mentality and elite experience to benefit the fighters around him by acting as a coach. His team recently had success at the 2024 PFL World Championships in Riyadh where Gadzhi Rabadanov brought even more lightweight gold to their trophy cabinet by stopping Brent Primus.

    In an interview with Bloody Elbow, Rabadanov spoke about the former UFC lightweight king and how he continues to be incredibly dedicated even after hanging up the gloves for good.

    “He trains like a professional fighter still, ever single day, he’s never going to stop. If he could he’d train while he’s flying or in the Arabian dessert.”

    Though he is still constantly training alongside his teammates, Nurmagomedov has put on a fair bit of size since stepping away which isn’t necessarily surprising given that lightweight was a difficult weight cut for him at several points in his career. With that in mind, though he doesn’t think Khabib will ever come back, Rabadanov believes that he could be a champion again in whatever weight class he ends up in.

    He believes that 185-pounds would probably be a better fit for “The Eagle” at this point in time but that doesn’t mean that Dricus Du Plessis would be able to stop from him getting his hands on UFC gold again if that’s what he really wanted.

    “He’s not lightweight any more. I think maybe middleweight is good. 100 per cent [he could beat Dricus Du Plessis]. Khabib is different level.”

  • Michael Bisping: Anthony Smith Will Be ‘Embarrassed’ Watching UFC 310 Fight Back, But He Shouldn’t Retire

    Michael Bisping: Anthony Smith Will Be ‘Embarrassed’ Watching UFC 310 Fight Back, But He Shouldn’t Retire

    Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping would like to see his podcast co-host, light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith, continue his active career inside the cage.

    Smith’s latest outing on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage came at last weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view, where he competed in the featured preliminary bout opposite a fellow former title challenger in Dominick Reyes.

    “Lionheart” was open during fight week about his recent struggles following the passing of a coach and friend. And the veteran was visibly emotional en route to the Octagon inside T-Mobile Arena, to the point where the commentary team questioned whether he was in the right head space to fight.

    That theory only grew stronger when Smith fell by way of a long-lasting TKO stoppage at the hands of “The Devastator,” which was followed by the defeated contender admitting fans may have seen him in action for the very last time.

    One prominent name who knows the 36-year-old well, however, doesn’t think that’s the case.

    During a recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast, Bisping gave his reaction to Smith’s latest setback, which leaves him 1-3 across his last four bouts.

    Similar to his thoughts on “Lionheart’s” defeat to Khalil Rountree a year ago, “The Count” suggested he was against Smith taking the fight in the first place. With that in mind, the Brit plans to share some advice to the light heavyweight if he chooses to make the walk again — something he’s expecting.

    “I don’t think he should’ve taken that fight, at all,” Bisping said (h/t Bloody Elbow). “But I don’t think he will retire. I think when he watches that back, he’s going to be embarrassed when he watches it, and it’ll inspire him to come back. The world doesn’t deserve to remember him like that.

    “Maybe it was therapeutic in some ways, but I’d like to see him fight again. … This isn’t a sport that you play, and that’s why Dana White says Chris Weidman and Clay Guida need to retire. That s*** will stay with you,” Bisping continued. “If he fights, I’m going to give him a call, and say, ‘If you do this, do it for the right reasons. Train as if you’re training for a world title fight, as if you’re going against Jon Jones. Leave no stone unturned, otherwise if you’re not willing to do that, then don’t even think about it in the first place!’”

    It remains to be seen what comes next for Smith, and if UFC 310 did indeed mark a disappointing farewell.

    Reyes, meanwhile, will look to continue his resurgence at 205 pounds next year. “The Devastator” has now won back-to-back fights since a knockout loss to Ryan Spann in late 2022 left him 0-3 post-fighting Jon Jones.

  • Gilbert Burns Predicts Colby Covington Will ‘Overwhelm’ Joaquin Buckley At UFC Tampa

    Gilbert Burns Predicts Colby Covington Will ‘Overwhelm’ Joaquin Buckley At UFC Tampa

    Gilbert Burns believes Joaquin Buckley may face significant challenges when he steps into the Octagon against Colby Covington. The highly anticipated fight is set to headline this Saturday’s UFC Fight Night at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

    Burns reflected on Buckley’s 2018 loss to Logan Storley at Bellator 197, a bout that took place in a higher weight class. The Brazilian thinks Storley’s dominant wrestling performance in that fight offers insight into how Covington might approach the matchup.

    “I think Buckley’s in the best momentum right now, but (wrestling is) Buckley’s kryptonite,” Burns explained during an interview on Submission Radio. “One of my favorite teammates is Logan Storley — he was the interim Bellator champ. He fought Buckley and just outwrestled him. Logan took him down, beat him up with ground-and-pound, and did it over and over. That’s something Colby can really do.”

    Since moving down to welterweight, Buckley has built an impressive 5-0 record, including a knockout victory over Stephen Thompson at UFC 307 in October.

    Despite “New Mansa’s” recent momentum, however Burns predicts Covington’s relentless pace and wrestling prowess could give him the upper hand, especially in the later rounds.

    “Colby might give a lot of problems to Buckley, taking him down repeatedly with that crazy pace,” Burns noted. “Buckley’s a big guy with a lot of muscle. If Buckley cannot put Colby out in the first or second round, I think Colby will overwhelm him. Colby could win with a dominant decision, but Buckley could also score a quick knockout early in the fight.”

    The clash between Buckley’s power and Covington’s endurance promises to deliver a high-stakes battle.

  • Alexandre Pantoja Picks Most Likely Choice For His Next Fight Following Demetrious Johnson’s Rejection

    Alexandre Pantoja Picks Most Likely Choice For His Next Fight Following Demetrious Johnson’s Rejection

    UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja is devoid of fresh options heading into 2025, and so he’s pointed to which potential rematch makes the “most sense” for his next fight.

    Pantoja continued his reign of the 125-pound weight class at last weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view, which he headlined in defense of his throne opposite promotional newcomer Kai Asakura.

    The former Rizin champ became the latest to fail in their bid to unseat “The Cannibal,” succumbing to a submission in round two to join Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg on Pantoja’s list of victims since he captured the crown in mid-2023.

    With that, the Brazilian has beaten most of the top names inside the flyweight top 15, creating some uncertainty over who he could put the gold on the line against in 2025. That led to an ambitious callout of the retired Demetrious Johnson at T-Mobile Arena, which was quickly dismissed by “Mighty Mouse.”

    During an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Pantoja assessed the realistic options he has next year.

    When presented with three — a rematch with Kai Kara-France, a second dance with current bantamweight Deiveson Figueiredo, or a first-time clash with a re-signed Muhammad Mokaev — “The Cannibal” pointed to which he sees as the most likely.

    “Yeah, (I’m interested in Kara-France). I think for now, that’s the fight that makes sense,” Pantoja said. “In the last three fights, he lost twice. But for now, after what I did in my division, everything doesn’t make sense anymore. I fight with the number one, number two, top 10, then you bring someone else. I think everybody has a chance right now.

    “Kara-France is a very exciting fighter. That’s someone who is going to bring me to another level,” Pantoja continued. “Kai Kara-France is the only one in my division. Mokaev is not on the UFC roster right now…and Figueiredo’s coming off one loss. Everything can happen, nothing makes sense right now. But I think I am ready for the UFC to give me Kai Kara-France. This fight maybe can make good numbers and big pay-per-view…but I’m not going to Australia.”

    Pantoja and Kara-France met way back in 2016 on season 24 of The Ultimate Fighter. The Brazilian defeated the New Zealander in the quarterfinal by way of unanimous decision.

    While “The Cannibal” has since risen to the top, “Don’t Blink” fell short in his sole shot at UFC gold thus far opposite Brandon Moreno in 2022. Kara-France has gone 1-1 post-title fight, most recently knocking out Erceg in memorable fashion at UFC 305 this past August in what marked his first fight in 14 months.

    Whether or not that result was enough to net him an opportunity at Pantoja remains to be seen. For now, the champ will no doubt still be celebrating his latest triumph and enjoying a break before resuming his divisional rule in the new year.

  • Deiveson Figueiredo Down For Flyweight Return To Challenge Alexandre Pantoja: ‘I’m The Best Option’

    Deiveson Figueiredo Down For Flyweight Return To Challenge Alexandre Pantoja: ‘I’m The Best Option’

    It seems UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja may not be devoid of exciting options for his next fight after all.

    Pantoja further cemented his grip on the crown at 125 pounds this past weekend when he headlined the UFC 310 pay-per-view inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

    “The Cannibal” closed out the final numbered event of 2024 in style, submitting UFC newcomer Kai Asakura in round two with a rear-naked choke. The victory over the ex-Rizin champion, who was left unconscious by the fight-ending sequence, marked Pantoja’s third successful defense.

    With that, the Brazilian has defeated many of the notable names toward the top of the division, leaving him somewhat short of fresh and intriguing options.

    There might be one rematch, however, that gets the champ’s fire lit…

    During a recent interview with Brazilian reporter Laerte Viana, former two-time flyweight champ and current top-10 bantamweight contender Deiveson Figueiredo threw his name in the hat to be Pantoja’s next challenger.

    While “The Cannibal” already boasts victories over many vying for a shot in the flyweight rankings, he lost his 2019 contest with “Deus da Guerra” on the scorecards. And feeling that things were comfortable back then, Figueiredo likes his chances of repeating the feat in a championship scenario.

    “Since Pantoja is looking for someone, I think I’m the best option,” Figueiredo said in Portuguese (translated by @Home_of_Fight). “I’m available, man. In my entire career in the UFC, I only missed weight once. If I have to make weight, I’ll go there and fulfill my commitment. And our first fight wasn’t easy for Pantoja. It was a three-round fight and I certainly won all three.”

    Figueiredo departed the weight class following the end of his second reign on the flyweight throne at the hands of Brandon Moreno early last year. He began life at the more comfortable weight of 135 pounds in strong fashion, dominating Rob Font and submitting Cody Garbrandt.

    But while that put the Brazilian on the cusp of an opportunity to achieve two-division glory, his push for a shot at Merab Dvalishvili’s belt was stalled last month in Macau, where he was comfortably beaten across five rounds by Petr Yan.

  • 9-Fight UFC Veteran Announces Shock MMA Retirement At 29

    UFC featherweight Jack Shore has suddenly called time on his career as a professional fighter.

    Shore (17-3), a former bantamweight champion under the Cage Warriors banner, began life on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage in impressive fashion, winning all five of his opening UFC bouts en route to a ranking at 135 pounds.

    But after Ricky Simón took his ‘0’ by way of submission in 2022, the Welshman bid farewell to the bantamweight division and started anew at 145 pounds. The 29-year-old has since gone 1-2 in the featherweight class, first defeating Makwan Amirkhani but then suffering consecutive setbacks versus Joanderson Brito and Youssef Zalal.

    And the moment he tapped to the latter’s arm-triangle choke in Canada early last month will surprisingly mark Shore’s final action inside the Octagon.

    After fighting out his UFC contract, “Tank” has opted against re-signing with the MMA leader — or any other organization for that matter.

    Taking to social media this week, Shore announced in a lengthy and heartfelt post that his time competing as a professional MMA fighter is over.

    “Hello guys, been quiet for a while enjoying time with my friends and family,” Shore wrote. “As what may come as a surprise to a few I’ve decided to hang up the gloves on my professional fighting career. After fighting out my contract and taking some time to think about what’s next it’s clear to me that my time with professional fighting is done. Although I had the chance to re sign with ufc I’ve decided my times done. I want to thank the ufc for letting me live out my childhood dream of fighting for the worlds biggest organisation and against some of the best in the world, I’ve enjoyed every minute!

    “From what started as a kid with a dream lead me to amateur titles, world titles and living out my dream of fighting in the ufc. I can truly say for every single fight I gave the training and the fights my all, never said no, never asked questions just kept my head down, stayed true to myself and achieved more than I ever thought possible,” Shore continued. “For the entirety of my 20’s fighting and training was my life and sole focus, however the last few weeks/months have showed this is no longer the case. And I always promised myself when I was mentality checked out I would retire from the sport rather than the sport retire me. Injures have caught up with me after a lifetime in the sport. I’m leaving with my mental in check, good health, financially stable and am fully ready to move onto the future.”

    Shore now plans on continuing his involvement in the sport by coaching the next generation of United Kingdom fighters alongside his father.

    During his career in the cage, “Tank” defeated notable names like Hunter Azure and Timur Valiev. He departs active competition with a 6-3 UFC record and his health intact.

  • Daniel Cormier Blames ‘Mental Fatigue’ For Ilia Topuria’s Callout Of Charles Oliveira

    Daniel Cormier Blames ‘Mental Fatigue’ For Ilia Topuria’s Callout Of Charles Oliveira

    Daniel Cormier has shared his thoughts on why UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria might lack the motivation to defend his title, despite his dominant performances against elite competition.

    Topuria’s recent victories include knockout wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, with the latter marking the first time “Blessed” has ever been finished via strikes during their bout at UFC 308 this past October.

    The Spaniard recently revealed his interest in moving up to the lightweight division for a potential fight against top contender Charles Oliveira. He also hinted that his days competing at 145 pounds might be behind him.

    Cormier, speaking on his Funky and the Champ show alongside Ben Askren, suggested that Topuria’s mindset could be affected by a type of mental fatigue rather than physical exhaustion.

    “When you beat the best guys, especially the two guys that ruled the division for so long, there can be a little bit of fatigue in there,” Cormier said. “It’s not like muscle fatigue; it’s mental fatigue. You have to be so up to do what he did to Max Holloway and to do what he did to Volkanovski. I don’t care what people tell you. The only ones that believed he would do what he did were Ilia Topuria and his team. You don’t knock out Max Holloway. He knocked out Volkanovski. You don’t do those things back-to-back.”

    While contenders such as Movsar Evloev and Diego Lopes are waiting in the featherweight division, Cormier believes Topuria may struggle to find motivation after defeating such iconic names.

    For now, it appears the champion’s sights are set on new challenges at lightweight, where bigger fights and greater stakes may reignite his drive.

  • Colby Covington Gets Honest On Troubles After Third Failed UFC Title Bid: ‘Mentally Speaking…’

    Colby Covington Gets Honest On Troubles After Third Failed UFC Title Bid: ‘Mentally Speaking…’

    Colby Covington is set to headline the UFC Fight Night in Tampa this Saturday at Amalie Arena in a highly anticipated matchup against Joaquin Buckley. Ahead of his return, it’s safe to say that the former interim champion’s career since 2018 has been a roller coaster of triumphs and setbacks.

    The journey began with Covington claiming the interim welterweight title at UFC 225 with a win over Rafael dos Anjos. However, he was later stripped of the title due to injury.

    At UFC 245 in 2019, he lost to Kamaru Usman via TKO in a bid for the undisputed belt. Covington rebounded in September 2020 with a TKO victory over Tyron Woodley, but subsequent fights brought mixed results.

    “Chaos” suffered another loss to Usman at UFC 268, claimed a decisive win against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272 in March 2022, and most recently fell to Leon Edwards via decision for the title at UFC 296.

    Reflecting on his year-long hiatus, Covington shared insight into his personal and professional growth during the first episode of UFC Journey for this weekend’s main event on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel.

    “It’s been a year since my last fight, and I’ve used that time to really grow myself as a martial artist and as a person,” Covington said. “Mentally speaking, I’m in a better place than I’ve ever been. After I lost three shots at the undisputed title, it felt like the lowest of lows. I lost and forgot who I was, and that was a good reminder that woke me up again. I just had to cancel out the bad energy.”

    Covington emphasized his renewed commitment to his goal of becoming the undisputed champion.

    “I knew that I couldn’t let that hype and ego get to my head. I had to train harder to be the No. 1 contender again because all I ever wanted was to be the undisputed champion. That’s all I cared about.”

    As the fight against Buckley approaches, Covington sees this as a chance to rewrite past wrongs and silence the critics who have doubted him.

  • Robert Whittaker: Neither Dricus Du Plessis Nor Sean Strickland Could Stop Khamzat Chimaev’s Grappling

    Robert Whittaker: Neither Dricus Du Plessis Nor Sean Strickland Could Stop Khamzat Chimaev’s Grappling

    Robert Whittaker, a former UFC middleweight champion, is eager to see how Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland would fare if they faced Khamzat Chimaev.

    Strickland is set to challenge reigning titleholder Du Plessis in a rematch that headlines UFC 312 on Feb. 8 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.

    Chimaev, fresh off a dominant first-round submission victory over Whittaker at UFC 308 in October, is likely to face the winner. “Borz’s” last win saw him claim victory via a crushing face crank, leaving Whittaker with significant injuries.

    Reflecting on the potential matchups that lie in his recent opponent’s future, Whittaker expressed doubts about either Du Plessis or Strickland being able to defend against Chimaev’s relentless takedown game.

    “I think he just takes them down and does the same thing — not necessarily to me, but like how he beat (Kamaru) Usman or Gilbert Burns,” Whittaker shared on his MMArcade Podcast. “I can see those sorts of fights. I think he’d have more success with Strickland than Du Plessis because Du Plessis is a big dude. Stopping that first takedown is so crazy. The way he shoots that first shot is crazy. How do you stop that dude? Jump over him?”

    Whittaker also questioned whether Strickland could make the necessary adjustments to avenge his previous loss to the South African, which came via split decision at UFC 297 in Canada this past January.