MMA News

Category: MMA

  • Kamaru Usman Addresses Backlash For Skipping Short-Notice Shavkat Rakhmonov Fight At UFC 310

    Kamaru Usman Addresses Backlash For Skipping Short-Notice Shavkat Rakhmonov Fight At UFC 310

    Kamaru Usman isn’t holding back against the online criticism after choosing to pass on a short-notice clash with Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310.

    Rakhmonov was originally slated to challenge reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the headlining bout of the UFC’s final pay-per-view of the year on Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, the highly anticipated clash was derailed when Muhammad was sidelined by a bone infection in his foot, leaving “Nomad” without an opponent for the big night.

    “The Nigerian Nightmare” initially showed interest in stepping up for a last-minute showdown with Rakhmonov, even hinting that he was gearing up in case the opportunity came his way. However, the former UFC welterweight champion later reconsidered, admitting that the date would come too soon for him to be adequately prepared for such a high-stakes clash.

    As a result, Ian Garry seized the opportunity to step in and face Rakhmonov, relinquishing his previously scheduled main event spot against Joaquin Buckley at the UFC Fight Night in Tampa on Dec. 14.

    This decision sparked a wave of criticism aimed at Usman, with many accusing him of avoiding the undefeated Kazakh.

    During a recent episode of his Pound 4 Pound Podcast, Usman fired back at the fan backlash over his decision. The 37-year-old Nigerian-born American expressed his frustration, stating that fans were quick to judge without fully understanding the circumstances.

    “I’m seeing people online going, ‘Oh, you’re scared, you ducked him,’” Usman said. “When people who are your fans or fans of a fighter don’t get their desired wish, ‘That’s the fight I want,’ then it’s like, ‘Oh no, that guy must be scared because he didn’t take the fight.’ Like, guys, shut up.

    “World champion, defending belts time and time again, oh, he’s scared? Yeah, shut up. Just because you didn’t get what you wanted — guess what? It’s like your mom telling you, ‘No, you can’t have that toy today.’ You know, you can’t have that toy, so shut your mouth.”

    Usman was last seen in action at UFC 294 in October 2023, where he suffered a majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev in a short-notice middleweight bout.

    “The Nigerian Nightmare” is currently navigating the toughest stretch of his career, having lost his 170-pound title to Leon Edwards at UFC 278 in August 2022. Since that defeat, he has struggled, posting an 0-2 record in his past two Octagon outings.

  • Aljamain Sterling On UFC 310 Prelim Placement: ‘I Am A Main Card Fighter!’

    Aljamain Sterling On UFC 310 Prelim Placement: ‘I Am A Main Card Fighter!’

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling was puzzled to see his crucial featherweight clash with Movsar Evloev demoted to this weekend’s preliminary card.

    Sterling is widely regarded as one of the best fighters in the world, showcasing his talent across two weight classes. He excelled as a 135-pound kingpin before transitioning to 145 pounds, where he continues to make waves.

    “Funk Master’s” rise to prominence included an impressive winning streak that culminated in capturing the bantamweight title at UFC 259 with a disqualification victory over Petr Yan. He then successfully defended the belt three times, defeating Yan in a rematch, TJ Dillashaw, and Henry Cejudo.

    However, his reign ended at UFC 292, where he lost the title to Sean O’Malley. Undeterred, Sterling moved to the featherweight division and secured a notable victory over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300 this past April

    Now, Sterling is set to face top-five contender Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 on Dec. 7. Surprisingly, the fight will be featured on the prelims rather than the pay-per-view main card. In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sterling expressed mixed feelings about the placement.

    “I didn’t know if I should have been insulted by the placement on the fight card or glass half-full. I guess that’s the best way I try to look at everything in life,” Sterling said. “I get to fight earlier and get to be done earlier. I get to pop open a fresh bottle of Funk Harbor, hang out with the friends, and celebrate a big win. I was a little confused by it, of course.

    “I guess they have their rhyme or reason for what they do, the UFC brass, and it is what it is. At the end of the day, it’s not my organization. I don’t call the shots. I just go out there and compete, and it’s up to me to go out there and prove these guys wrong,” Sterling continued. “Hey, I am a main card fighter. I think people are going to be in for a very big surprise, and the UFC is going to realize we messed up big time by not putting this on the main card.”

    Sterling’s confidence and determination to prove his worth as a main card fighter could make his bout against Evloev one of the most talked-about moments of the night, regardless of its placement.

  • Joaquin Buckley: Ian Garry Will Beat Shavkat Rakhmonov By ‘Fleeing’ At UFC 310

    Joaquin Buckley: Ian Garry Will Beat Shavkat Rakhmonov By ‘Fleeing’ At UFC 310

    UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley is expecting Ian Garry to maintain his ‘0’ when he does battle with fellow undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    Garry has been drafted in on late notice to co-headline this weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view in Las Vegas, where the T-Mobile Arena will play host to a crucial clash at 170 pounds between two of the top unbeaten talents at 170 pounds.

    While Rakhmonov was originally set to challenge for Belal Muhammad’s gold in the main event, an infection forced the champion’s withdrawal. With that, the Kazakh standout will have to defend his top contender spot opposite a former training partner.

    Betting odds currently have “Nomad” a signifcant favorite to do so, with his line sitting at -375 on DraftKings. The man who had his matchup with Garry fall through as a result of the recent shuffle, however, sees the underdog having his hand raised.

    During an interview with MiddleEasy, Buckley provided his thoughts on Garry’s new bout with Rakhmonov, which spoiled “New Mansa’s” plan to become the first to defeat the Irishman a week later in the UFC Tampa headliner.

    In recent bouts, “The Future” has been criticized for grinding out decision wins with a technical and safe approach. And Buckley expects the Dubliner to employ that exact strategy en route to an upset at UFC 310.

    “A lot of people are not going to believe me, but I think Ian Garry is going to win – by the skin of his teeth, just like the rest of his wins that he had,” Buckley said. “Whether that’s with ‘MVP’ or with Geoff Neal. He does a good job of staying safe and surviving, and if you don’t have the feet to kind of hunt down guys like that, where they’re constantly moving and constantly evading, and you set up traps.

    “Obviously, you’re not going to be able to land those power shots. … If you get in the fire with Shavkat Rakhmonov, you’re going to get burned,” Buckley continued. “But I don’t see Ian Garry running into that burning house. He’s going to try to flee and evade the whole time, and I can see Ian Garry getting his hand raised by decision.”

    Garry will look to prove Buckley’s prediction correct come fight night versus Rakhmonov in “Sin City” this weekend — thought perhaps in a more emphatic and impressive faction than the American is envisioning.

    “New Mansa,” meanwhile, has a new target in his sights for Dec. 14 in Tampa.

    The #9-ranked contender will still have the opportunity to climb the ranks, as he looks to add to the woes of Colby Covington following his third failed bid for the undisputed crown last December.

  • Ciryl Gane Addresses ‘Total Misunderstanding Of What Was Happening’ In Jon Jones Loss

    Ciryl Gane is just days away from stepping back into the Octagon, where he will face former Bellator heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov in a rematch at UFC 310 on Dec. 7. This bout was initially scheduled for October at UFC 308, but Volkov withdrew due to a knee injury.

    Ahead of his next outing, Gane continues to reflect on his devastating loss to UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones at UFC 285 in March 2023 — a defeat he describes as a pivotal learning experience.

    He rebounded impressively with a TKO victory over Serghei Spivac at a UFC Fight Night event in Paris six months later.

    Speaking during the UFC 310 Countdown episode, Gane opened up about his mindset during the Jones fight, admitting that he felt disconnected in the cage.

    “When I look back at it, it was obvious that I was not there. It represented exactly how I felt on the day of the fight. It was a total misunderstanding of what was happening,” Gane said. “I don’t recognize myself there. It’s something I’ve never done in my life. I’ve never fought that way before. My distance management, my movement, the alertness that I love to show — I had none of that.”

    Despite the setback, Gane views the experience as a turning point in his career.

    “Looking back, I think that this experience may have been beneficial,” Gane continued. “For me personally, it helped me to refocus on myself. It gave me a spirit of revenge, a competitive spirit.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBuiZj5Jzlc

    Now fully refocused and determined, Gane will look to capitalize on his growth as he prepares for a second meeting with Volkov, hoping to solidify his path back to the top of the heavyweight division.

  • Former UFC Title Challenger Becomes Champion At 43 Years Old

    Former UFC Title Challenger Becomes Champion At 43 Years Old

    Former UFC title challenger Yushin Okami has become a champion following his recent win at Shooto 2024 Vol. 8 on November 30. The 33-year old Japanese legend earned his second consecutive victory over Kim Jae-young in Tokyo to win the vacant Shooto middleweight title.

    Having made his MMA debut in 2002, the 54-fight veteran has fought in several of the top promotions in the sport. With outings in the likes of Pancrase, PRIDE and Rumble on the Rock, Okami debuted with the UFC in 2006 where he defeated Alan Belcher at UFC 62.

    He would go on to have a very successful first run with the promotion, winning multiple title eliminators and even challenging Anderson Silva for the middleweight belt at UFC 134. Following a loss to Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in 2013, Okami was surprisingly cut from the promotion despite winning three in a row before that defeat.

    Dana White told Yahoo Sports at the time that though he “liked” Okami, he had become a gatekeeper and with the roster being full, they needed to give opportunities to other fighters. Following several appearances in the World Series of Fighting, which later became the PFL, Okami returned to the UFC in 2017 where he fought three more times, ending his time in the promotion with an overall record of 14-7.

    From there, he signed to ONE Championship where he fought four times before his back-to-back fights with Jae-young in Shooto. Okami posted on social media to celebrate his recent title win, reflecting on how he has come up short as the runner-up several times throughout his career but now, he has reached the top.

    “I was able to win the Shooto World Middleweight Championship. I made my professional debut at the age of 20, and experienced a bitter defeat in my final fight for the UFC middleweight championship. After that, I lost the WSOF championship, fought overseas one after another, and now I’m in my 23rd year. I’ve shed so many tears, but winning this belt at the age of 43 is special to me. Thank you for your support.”

  • Khamzat Chimaev Uses Donald Trump To Aim Cryptic Post At Dricus Du Plessis

    Khamzat Chimaev Uses Donald Trump To Aim Cryptic Post At Dricus Du Plessis

    It looked for a long time like Dricus Du Plessis’ next middleweight title defense would see him face Sean Strickland in a rematch but that was until Khamzat Chimaev changed the narrative. Du Plessis won the middleweight title at UFC 297 in January by beating Strickland via a split decision and after the former champ rebounded with a win, this was the clear direction to go in.

    The only other potential candidate at the time was another former champion in Robert Whittaker but when he was booked to face Chimaev at UFC 308, all the title plans needed to be put on hold until that fight played out. What we ended up getting was a statement win from the undefeated Chimaev who became just the second man to submit “The Reaper” in 34 pro fights.

    As a result, Chimaev challenging Du Plessis for the belt is now the most exciting fight in the division but one barrier to it happening could be the issues that “Borz” has faced in regards to staying active. His recent social media post appears to address that and remove it from the conversation.

    Chimaev has not fought in the United States since UFC 279 in 2022 with his wins over Whittaker and Kamaru Usman both taking place in Abu Dhabi. He previously told Kevin Iole that if Donald Trump was re-elected as President, fighting in the United States wouldn’t be an issue for him.

    “Let Donald Trump win the fight and I will be there.”

    Posting on X, Chimaev tagged the 185-pound champion with nothing more than an image and eye emoji attached to get across his point that there is nothing that can get in the way of him being the next challenger. It now looks likely that we will see this huge fight take place at middleweight with it potentially being held in the United States.

  • PFL CEO Says ‘Saudi Partners’ Want Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou Superfight

    PFL CEO Says ‘Saudi Partners’ Want Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou Superfight

    According to the PFL, the only side stopping a heavyweight megafight between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones is the UFC.

    Talk of Ngannou and Jones colliding has existed ever since the former rose to the mountaintop in the UFC with a knockout of Stipe Miocic. With “Bones” having expressed his intention to move up in pursuit of two-division glory, “The Predator” laid down the gauntlet.

    Jones, however, took a further two years to make the transition to heavyweight, and by the time he was ready to return, Ngannou had departed the organization following a lengthy contractual dispute.

    The former light heavyweight kingpin ultimately succeeded the Cameroonian on the throne, and that’s only increased debate over who would emerge victorious between the pair.

    Ngannou’s new employer, for one, appears keen to find out.

    Be it founder Donn Davis or CEO Peter Murray, the PFL higher-ups have repeatedly expressed a willingness to co-promote a superfight between Ngannou and Jones with the UFC.

    During an interview with Adam Catterall for talkSPORT MMA while in Riyadh for last week’s 2024 PFL World Championship, Murray reiterated that. He even suggested his promotion’s “partners” in Saudi Arabia are keen for the fight to come together.

    “Yeah, I mean, we’re supportive of it,” Murray said. “I mean, the fighters want the fight. Jon Jones wants the fight, Francis wants the fight, we want the fight, our partners here in Saudi want the fight. And so, you know, it comes down to, does the UFC want to step up to it or not? Period.”

    The PFL became the latest sporting entity to sign a deal with Saudi Arabia in 2023, selling a minority ownership stake to SRJ Sports Investments. The deal marked the first for the fund, which was launched by the PIF (Public Investment Fund). It was reported that the agreement was for investment in excess of $100 million into the PFL.

    This year, meanwhile, saw the UFC head to the Middle Eastern nation for the first time. In addition to touching down in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Season also became the first title partner of a UFC event when it sponsored the Sphere show this past September.

    With that connection in mind, perhaps a co-promoted clash between Ngannou and Jones isn’t quite as impossible as it seemed 12 months ago.

  • Jorge Masvidal Confirms UFC Return For April In Miami

    Jorge Masvidal Confirms UFC Return For April In Miami

    Jorge Masvidal appears to have a date and location for his UFC return as he recently confirmed in an appearance on Jake Shields’ Fight Back podcast. “Gamebred” has been talking about stepping foot inside the Octagon once again for several months now but it now looks like plans are starting to be putting in place.

    His last fight in the UFC to this point came at UFC 287 in Miami where after a loss to Gilbert Burns, he announced that he would be stepping away. This decision loss in April of 2023 marked his fourth outing in a row without a win, suffering defeats to Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington in the run that followed his three-fight win streak that turned him into a major star.

    Masvidal then stepped into the boxing world where he lost a majority decision to Nate Diaz this past July having previously beaten him in the UFC to become the inaugural BMF titleholder at UFC 244. He told Shields that his return will take place in the same city two years on from his loss to Burns though he doesn’t have an opponent confirmed as of yet.

    He has been very outspoken about wanting to settle the score with Leon Edwards which stems all the way back to their backstage altercation at the O2 Arena in London over five years ago. With “Rocky” recently stating on a DAZN broadcast over the weekend that he will be making his return to headline the London card on March 22, it doesn’t look like he will be a potential candidate to welcome Masvidal back.

    “I will be back. April next year in the UFC. Yes sir. We don’t have the opponent yet. Hopefully, by December we get the opponent. In April, Miami card.”

  • Dan Hardy: Jon Jones ‘Certainly Not’ World’s Best Heavyweight

    Dan Hardy: Jon Jones ‘Certainly Not’ World’s Best Heavyweight

    Jon Jones isn’t just the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, he’s largely considered to be the greatest of all time. However, as Dan Hardy spoke about in a recent interview with MMA Fighting, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s the best in his weight class right now.

    Many believe that with the sheer amount of heavyweights he has beaten compared to Jones, interim champion Tom Aspinall might be the best in the weight class even if he doesn’t have the longevity of somebody like “Bones” just yet. Francis Ngannou left the UFC without ever losing his heavyweight title and in his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira, he showed that he also has to be in the conversation.

    Hardy believes that if there was a fight to decide the best heavyweight on the planet, Jones wouldn’t even factor into the equation.

    “I think Jon Jones is the pound-for-pound best. I think he’s the best representation of mixed martial arts generally that we’ve ever seen. I think he’s still evolving, which is terrifying. But is he the best current heavyweight on the planet? I don’t think so.

    “I think the winner of Aspinall versus Ngannou would be the answer … no disrespect in any way to Jon. Current heavyweight champion but not the current best heavyweight on the planet. Certainly not.”

    Hardy went on to describe Jones as “bottom of the rung” in regards to the incredible physicality that Aspinall and Ngannou bring to the table as legitimate heavyweight-sized competitors though he would hold advantages in other areas.

    “The creativity of Jon Jones and the wisdom, the fight IQ, that reigns supreme. I just wonder if he’s got that ability in the heavyweight division with someone as fast as Tom Aspinall and someone as powerful as Francis Ngannou. There were times when Stipe [Miocic] landed [on Jones at UFC 309] and I think if Ngannou lands those shots, Jon Jones doesn’t get back up.

    “I also think the speed of Tom Aspinall would allow him to land punches against Jon Jones and Ngannou that both of those guys wouldn’t see coming and wouldn’t be able to stop. The question is would he be able to do that kind of damage to knock them out. I don’t know. I’ve seen Francis take some big shots. I know obviously he got knocked out by Anthony Joshua but at the same time, you’re talking of an elite level boxer who’s an incredible athlete at the same time. I mean, it’s just so difficult to pick one.”

  • Igor Severino Returns After Being Cut From The UFC Over Biting Disqualification

    Igor Severino Returns After Being Cut From The UFC Over Biting Disqualification

    Igor Severino is set to make his MMA return after serving a nine-month suspension due to a disqualification loss in the UFC. The Brazilian earned his spot on the roster via last year’s season of the Contender Series where he improved to 8-0.

    At just 21-years old with all eight wins coming by way of finish, Severino looked to be an exciting addition to the flyweight division but that all came crumbling down in his Octagon debut. At the UFC Fight Night event that was headlined by Amanda Ribas vs. Rose Namajunas at the Apex on March 23, he was disqualified for biting André Lima in the second round.

    Lima complained to the referee and with visible bite marks on his arm, there was no denying what had just happened. As a result, Severino was cut from the UFC, fined by the Nevada Athletic Commission and suspended until the 23rd of December.

    He’s now set to make his debut for European promotion OKTAGON on their end of year card, OKTAGON 65, which takes place at the O2 Arena in Praha on December 29. He will move up a weight class to face the promotion’s former bantamweight champion, Jonas Mågård, who previously lost the title to Felipe Lima who has since earned a debut win inside the Octagon.

    Lima was very honest in the aftermath of his disqualification loss and the consequences that came with his actions. He now has the opportunity to put this behind him by moving on with his career. In a video posted by OKTAGON on social media, he announced his arrival.

    “Hey guys, Igor here. I will make my debut in OKTAGON MMA against Jonas Mågård. I’m very excited for the fight, I can’t wait to go there and put on a show for everybody. Jonas, I see you soon, I’m ready. December 29th, let’s go.”

  • Dakota Ditcheva Explains Hesitancy About PFL Season Return After Title Win Over Taila Santos

    Dakota Ditcheva Explains Hesitancy About PFL Season Return After Title Win Over Taila Santos

    After capturing the PFL’s inaugural women’s flyweight title as part of the global roster last week, Dakota Ditcheva isn’t sure about shooting for back-to-back belts in 2025.

    Ditcheva continued to prove that her high confidence is more than well placed this past weekend, when she figured in perhaps the most highly anticipated matchup at the 2024 PFL World Championship.

    Following a title win as part of the promotional’s regional PFL Europe expansion last year, “Dangerous” got her pursuit of global glory off to a strong start with first-round knockouts of Lisa Mauldin and Chelsea Hackett in the regular season.

    And after sending Jena Bishop to the same fate in the semifinal, Ditcheva booked a date with her toughest opponent to date, a former UFC title challenger in Taila Santos whom many believe did enough to deserve a victory over Valentina Shevchenko back in 2022.

    The British standout, however, made things look easy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dismantling the Brazilian en route to a TKO by way of vicious body shots in round two.

    Having had plenty doubt her potential based on a perceived lack of legitimate competition, Ditcheva proved her detractors wrong and then some. She’s now being hailed as among the best 125-pound fighters in the world.

    Her next step, though, is unclear.

    During an interview with Adam Catterall for talkSPORT MMA, Ditcheva assessed what could await her in 2025, sharing the same sentiment as many in the fanbase that another stint in the PFL’s season format may not make sense for her.

    Having beaten the woman widely seen as the division’s best in Santos, Ditcheva appears hesitant to shoot for consecutive titles and is instead pondering a push for super fights in 2025.

    “I don’t know, we haven’t spoke about it too much with PFL,” Ditcheva said. “I think it’s difficult because for me, I just beat the top girl that there is out there. So, if you put me back in the tournament, I’m gonna get more stick for fighting the same girls and people that are lower level.

    “So, does it make sense to do that with someone that’s like, I feel like I bring in a lot of attention and stuff like that, so I feel maybe a super fight might suit a little bit better, but then, is anyone gonna watch the season without me in it? I don’t know,” Ditcheva continued. “We’ll see what happens.”

    Ditcheva’s situation has proven difficult for fighters in the past. Two-time PFL title winner Kayla Harrison was notably left sidelined for much of 2023 after choosing against competing in the promotion’s first women’s featherweight season.

    And this year, many Bellator fighters who didn’t cross over to figure in the PFL’s unique format have been left inactive due to event cancellations, with champions Patrício Freire and Patchy Mix among the most notable to express their frustration.

    “Dangerous” will be hoping to avoid any such issues next year. Given her rising stardom in the PFL, it stands to reason that the higher-ups will want her back in the SmartCage as soon as possible.

  • VIDEO: UFC 310 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Pantoja vs. Asakura & Rakhmonov vs. Garry

    VIDEO: UFC 310 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Pantoja vs. Asakura & Rakhmonov vs. Garry

    Fight week for the UFC 310 pay-per-view this Saturday has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode.

    Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura and the co-main event between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry.

    Saturday’s UFC 310 lineup is topped by a championship clash, with flyweight kingpin Pantoja (28-5) looking to add a third successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a memorable victory over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 in July 2023.

    If “The Cannibal” is to continue his rule atop the 125-pound mountain, he must stall the title ambitions of a UFC newcomer in Asakura (21-4). The former Rizin bantamweight champ marks a rare example of a debuting fighter competing for gold inside the Octagon, which he’ll enter off the back of consecutive knockouts of Yuki Motoya and Juan Archuleta.

    Before those two collide in the main event at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, the stakes will also be high for a crucial five-round welterweight clash.

    After an infection resulted in UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad’s withdrawal from his scheduled defense against Rakhmonov (18-0), some matchup shuffling has seen Garry (15-0) drafted in to face his fellow undefeated contender.

    While “Nomad” recently got the better of Stephen Thompson by way of submission, “The Future” outpointed Michael “Venom” Page during International Fight Week this past summer. They’ll now look to secure top contender status heading into 2025 to ensure they’ll be standing across from champ Muhammad following his recovery.

    Ahead of those two contests in “Sin City,” fans can catch previews in the full episode of UFC 310 Countdown on the promotion’s YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCRcpPPERSA
  • Michael Bisping Reveals The One Thing Ian Garry Must Avoid Or He’ll Get Finished By Shavkat Rakhmonov

    Michael Bisping Reveals The One Thing Ian Garry Must Avoid Or He’ll Get Finished By Shavkat Rakhmonov

    Ian Garry is set to make his return at UFC 310, stepping into the Octagon against fellow unbeaten contender Shavkat Rakhmonov in a highly anticipated, non-title co-main event. The bout, scheduled for five rounds, promises to test the limits of both fighters.

    Garry comes into this matchup riding the momentum of three consecutive decision victories over notable opponents: Neil Magny at UFC 292, Geoff Neal at UFC 298, and Michael “Venom” Page at UFC 303. Despite this impressive streak, the stylistic challenge presented by Rakhmonov has raised questions, even among MMA analysts.

    Former UFC champion Michael Bisping has expressed admiration for Garry’s decision to accept such a tough matchup but also noted the challenges he faces. Bisping is particularly concerned about whether Garry can handle Rakhmonov’s relentless grappling and takedown attempts.

    “Ian Garry is probably going to dance around the Octagon and use the exact same game plan he did against Geoff Neal,” Bisping said. “He’s got to keep Shavkat Rakhmonov off him. If he can’t stop the takedown, he will get finished, and that is no disrespect to Ian Garry.

    “He might be able to dance around, use the reach, use the range, use the movement. Be fast, be elusive, be nice and crisp, be light on his toes, and be disciplined enough to not get involved in a brawl,” Bisping continued. “If he does that, Shavkat is going to get a hold of him. If he gets a hold of him, he’s going to get him down, and if he gets him down, it’s going to be lights out.”

    Bisping emphasized that Garry’s path to victory lies in utilizing his range, sticking and moving, and staying upright to avoid grappling exchanges with Rakhmonov.

  • Islam Makhachev Congratulates Teammate On PFL Championship Win

    Islam Makhachev Congratulates Teammate On PFL Championship Win

    UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev watched on as another teammate claimed 155-pound title glory in a major promotion.

    Gadzi Rabadanov, a former Eagle FC competitor and Bellator contender, was among those competing with gold on the line at the 2024 PFL World Championship last Friday, where both PFL Global and inaugural PFL MENA belts were dished out.

    The Dagestani figured on the main card opposite Brent Primus, whom he earned the right to face in the lightweight final by outpointing Solomon Renfro and Elvin Espinoza in the regular season before knocking out Michael Dufort in the semifinal.

    And Rabadanov sent the former Bellator champion to the same fate as Dumont in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Nov. 29, dominating through two rounds before brutally face-planting the American to close the show in the third frame.

    With the result, the Makhachkala native won gold in a major promotion, took home $1 million in prize money, and marked the latest from Khabib Nurmagomedov’s famed team to earn champion status.

    That was no doubt unsurprising to those who’ve trained with him, one being Makhachev. The UFC’s lightweight kingpin has long touted Rabadanov for success, and he praised his teammate’s victory in a social media post this past weekend.

    “Congratulations brother @gadzhi_rabadanov. I think in this Grand Prix you’re just beginning to reach your potential… And now a well-deserved rest.”

    Rabadanov has joined UFC’s Makhachev and Bellator standout Usman Nurmagomedov as the three lightweight titleholders in the major US-based organizations.

    In the past, Nurmagomedov has been tipped by his team to succeed Makhachev as the 155-pound king on MMA’s biggest stage. But with Rabadanov earning global praise for his 10th straight win, perhaps he, too, will pursue success in the Octagon down the line.

  • UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: First Fight Added To UFC London

    UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: First Fight Added To UFC London

    MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming fight cards.

    With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.

    Between Monday, November 25, and Sunday, December 1, a number of fights were made official by the UFC or reported by reputable sources. For those matchups, check out the list below:

  • Aljamain Sterling: Merab Dvalishvili Is ‘Standing On Business’ With Umar Nurmagomedov Dismissal

    Aljamain Sterling: Merab Dvalishvili Is ‘Standing On Business’ With Umar Nurmagomedov Dismissal

    Aljamain Sterling has voiced his opinion regarding UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili’s decision to reject a fight with Umar Nurmagomedov.

    This follows Dvalishvili’s call for a rematch against Petr Yan after the Russian’s recent victory over Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Macau. The proposed bout with Yan has history behind it, as the Georgian previously secured a decision win over him.

    The champion has dismissed Nurmagomedov’s claim to a title shot, arguing that his single win over a ranked contender, Cory Sandhagen, is insufficient to warrant a championship opportunity. Sterling has come forward to support his friend and teammate’s stance, refuting claims that the champ is ‘scared’ of Nurmagomedov.

    “Some people actually think he’s afraid, which is actually hilarious,” Sterling commented. “From what I understand when we talk, Merab is just standing on business. Like, ‘Bro, you haven’t done anything, and I’m supposed to be busting my ass over here?’

    “’I’m from the same area as you, in relation to the Caucasus Mountains, and I had to come here and bust my ass just to get a title shot. And you’re going to get it off of one win? And I had to fight all these contenders.’ That’s crazy.”

    Sterling believes Yan’s record, which includes multiple accolades and high-profile opponents, makes him a more deserving contender for the next title shot.

    He argues that the competitive road Yan has traveled adds weight to his claim, reinforcing Dvalishvili’s decision to prioritize him over Nurmagomedov.

  • ‘Could Smoke Topuria’ – Fans React As Unbeaten Timur Khizriev Beats Brendan Loughnane To Win 2024 PFL Featherweight Title

    ‘Could Smoke Topuria’ – Fans React As Unbeaten Timur Khizriev Beats Brendan Loughnane To Win 2024 PFL Featherweight Title

    Timur Khizriev put a beating on former PFL featherweight champion Brendan Loughnane to capture this year’s 145-pound gold in the main event of the 2024 PFL World Championship.

    Khizriev established dominance early with consistent kicks, eventually securing a takedown. On the ground, he pressured and smothered Loughnane, leaving little room for the former champ to do offense.

    The Russian continued to outstrike him in the second round, mixing in precise jabs and hard combinations. The British standout found brief success wtih a check hook, but Khizriev’s pressure and accuracy left him a bloodied mess by the round’s end.

    The undefeated grappling specialist continued his offense before scoring another takedown. Loughnane continued to batted back to his feet and went toe-to-toe with Khizriev at times, but the Russian’s jab continued to be his key.

    This pace continued the championship rounds, with Khizriev’s striking wearing Loughnane out and his grappling pressure proving to lock up his control of the fight.

    One judge gave Khizriev a sweep, while the other gave him the fight 49-46.

    Timur Khizriev Dominates Brendan Loughnane To Become 2024 PFL Featherweight Champion

    Khizriev, the former Wushu Sanda champion, made it to the championship bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with wins over Brett Johns, Enrique Barzola, and Gabriel Braga earlier this year.

    Loughnane, meanwhile, became PFL featherweight champion in 2022 but was upset by Jesus Pinedo in 2023. He made it to his second PFL final today with wins over Pedro Carvalho, Justin Gonzales, and Kai Kamaka III during the regular season.

  • 2024 PFL World Championship Results & Highlights: Khizriev Dominates Loughnane, Ditcheva Stops Santos

    2024 PFL World Championship Results & Highlights: Khizriev Dominates Loughnane, Ditcheva Stops Santos

    The 2024 PFL World Championship took place on Friday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action!

    This week saw the Professional Fighters League back in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to crown its title winners for this year — both PFL Global and PFL MENA — following the conclusion of the regular season and semifinals.

    After a set of showcase bouts featuring the likes of Costello van Steenis, Slim Trabelsi, and Mansour Barnaoui, four inaugural kings were crowned as part of the promotion’s Middle East and North Africa expansion.

    The main card followed, with six fighters on the global roster walking away with championship gold and $1 million in prize money.

    Brendan Loughnane and Impa Kasanganay both failed in their bid to experience that for the second time, with the featherweight suffering a lopsided five-round loss to Timur Khizriev in the main event and the light heavyweight standout falling victim to Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov’s power in under a minute.

    Perhaps the most intriguing clash on the lineup came in the co-headliner, meanwhile, as the undefeated Dakota Ditcheva faced the toughest test of her blossoming career thus far. She ultimately followed her PFL Europe success last year with global glory, getting the better of former UFC title challenger Taila Santos in shockingly dominant fashion.

    With that said, see below for the full results, followed by all the best highlights.

    2024 PFL World Championship Results

    PFL World Championship Card:

    • Featherweight Championship: Timur Khizriev def. Brendan Loughnane via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
    • Women’s Flyweight Championship: Dakota Ditcheva def. Taila Santos via TKO (body punches): R2, 4:41
    • Light Heavyweight Championship: Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov def. Impa Kasanganay via TKO (punches): R1, 0:58
    • Welterweight Championship: Shamil Musaev def. Magomed Umalatov via TKO (punches): R3, 1:44
    • Lightweight Championship: Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Brent Primus via KO (punches): R3, 2:31
    • Heavyweight Championship: Denis Goltsov def. Oleg Popov via submission (triangle choke): R1, 2:51

    PFL MENA Championship Card:

    • MENA Featherweight Championship: Abdullah Al-Qahtani def. Maraoune Bellagouit via TKO: R1
    • MENA Welterweight Championship: Omar El Dafrawy def. Mohammad Alaqraa via KO (hammerfists): R2, 0:57
    • Amateur Women’s Atomweight: Hattan Alsaif def. Lilia Osmani via TKO (knees): R2, 1:37
    • MENA Bantamweight Championship: Ali Taleb def. Rachid El Hazoume via KO (punches): R1, 1:25
    • MENA Lightweight Championship: Mohsen Mohammadseifi def. Georges Eid via unanimous decision

    Showcase Fight Card:

    • Lightweight: Mansour Barnaoui def. Alfie Davis via submission (rear-naked choke): R3, 3:41
    • Heavyweight: Slim Trabelsi def. Abraham Bably via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
    • Featherweight: Gabriel Braga def. Jeremy Kennedy via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
    • Featherweight: Asael Adjoudj def. Jose Perez via submission (guillotine choke): R3, 1:10
    • Middleweight: Costello van Steenis def. Joao Dantas via KO (head kick): R1, 0:48

    Costello van Steenis Def. Joao Dantas

    Asael Adjoudj Def. Jose Perez

    Gabriel Braga Def. Jeremy Kennedy

    Slim Trabelsi Def. Abraham Bably

    Mansour Barnaoui Def. Alfie Davis

    Mohsen Mohammadseifi Def. Georges Eid

    Ali Taleb Def. Rachid El Hazoume

    Hattan Alsaif Def. Lilia Osmani

    Omar El Dafrawy Def. Mohammad Alaqraa

    Abdullah Al-Qahtani Def. Maraoune Bellagouit

    Denis Goltsov Def. Oleg Popov

    Gadzhi Rabadanov Def. Brent Primus

    Shamil Musaev Def. Magomed Umalatov

    Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov Def. Impa Kasanganay

    Dakota Ditcheva Def. Taila Santos

    Timur Khizriev Def. Brendan Loughnane

  • ‘Best WMMA Fighter In The World’ – Fans React As Dakota Ditcheva Batters Taila Santos To Win Inaugural PFL Flyweight Title

    ‘Best WMMA Fighter In The World’ – Fans React As Dakota Ditcheva Batters Taila Santos To Win Inaugural PFL Flyweight Title

    Dakota Ditcheva passed the toughest test of her career to date with flying colors to become the 2024 PFL flyweight champion, stopping Taila Santos in the second round.

    Many expected the former UFC title challenger to be a threat to the undefeated star in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but the fight was one-way traffic from start to finish.

    It was clear right from the get-go that there was no comparison between them on the feet, with Ditcheva’s excellent striking causing damage to multiple targets and making her opponent bite on all of her feints.

    The biggest takeaway in this fight was that when Santos was able to close the distance in order to test the Brit’s grappling, “Dangerous” was able to defend takedowns, keep herself safe, and get back to striking. She even took the Brazilian veteran down at one point before standing back up.

    Santos looked to be hanging on at the end of the first round, and in the second, the champion picked up where she left off. After the damage started to add up, she put the stamp on her most impressive display to date by becoming the first woman to finish Santos.

    Ditcheva didn’t just become the champion and win $1 million in this fight, she proved herself to be a legitimate world class competitor at flyweight. PFL strapped the rocket to the 25-year old, and it has more than paid off.

    Fight fans reacted to her undeniable performance via social media:

  • VIDEO: Impa Kasanganay ‘Absolutely Murdered’ In Sub-Minute Finish At 2024 PFL World Championship

    VIDEO: Impa Kasanganay ‘Absolutely Murdered’ In Sub-Minute Finish At 2024 PFL World Championship

    Turkmenistan now has an MMA world champion after Dovlet Yagshimuradov needed less than a minute to put away Impa Kasanganay and become the 2024 PFL light heavyweight champion.

    The two brought the action right away with a pair of exchanges. It was in the second, near the edge of the cage, when Yagshimuragdov rocked the former UFC fighter and 2023 PFL champ with a couple of counterpunches.

    Yagshimuradov then landed a series of uppercuts to drop Kasanganay and put away his hopes of back-to-back titles.

    Dovlet Yagshimuradov Finishes Impa Kasanganay In 58 Seconds, Captures PFL Light Heavyweight Championship

    Yagshimuradov joined the PFL earlier this year after the promotion’s purchase of Bellator. He reached today’s title fight in Riyadh after wins over Jakob Nedoh, Simon Biyong, and 2022 PFL champion Rob Wilkinson.

    Kasanganay, meanwhile, was one of MMA’s top underdog stories of 2023, going from sleeping in his car to defeating Josh Silveira to become PFL light heavyweight champion.

    After a competitive loss to Bellator Middleweight Champion Johnny Eblen this past February, Kasanganay reached the 205-pound final for the second year in a row with wins over Alex Polizzi, Nedoh, and Silveira.

  • VIDEO: Shamil Musaev Wins Battle Of Undefeated Russians With Nasty Left Hook, Nets PFL Welterweight Title

    VIDEO: Shamil Musaev Wins Battle Of Undefeated Russians With Nasty Left Hook, Nets PFL Welterweight Title

    Shamil Musaev is the 2024 PFL welterweight champion after coming out on top in the battle of the undefeated Russian competitors. He improved to 20-0-1 by stopping Magomed Umalatov in the third round with a devastating left hook.

    As expected, the fight at Friday’s event in Riyadh was incredibly strategic and both men weren’t willing to risk over-asserting themselves. With that, there was a lot of feeling out and reads in-between the action.

    Umalatov appeared to be building into the fight following a slow start, but everything that Musaev did, he did it well in order to keep his opponent guessing.

    Whether it was his quick strikes and exits or his world-class takedown defense, the champion started ahead of Umalatov and maintained that lead throughout before landing the ruthless shot that secured him his third finish of the year.

    Watch another great finish from the 2024 PFL World Championship in Saudi Arabia that was perfectly set up by a feint from the promotion’s latest welterweight king below.

    The grappling exchanges were always going to be fascinating between these two, and though we only got a few of them, they lived up to the expectations.

    The usually stoic Musaev even cracked a smile when being awarded the welterweight title and the $1 million cheque after handing Umalatov the first loss of his 18-fight pro career.

  • ‘Million Dollar Faceplant’ – Fans React As Gadzhi Rabadanov Becomes Latest From Team Khabib To Win Gold At PFL World Championship

    ‘Million Dollar Faceplant’ – Fans React As Gadzhi Rabadanov Becomes Latest From Team Khabib To Win Gold At PFL World Championship

    Dagestan now has another world champion in MMA after Gadzhi Rabadanov pulled off a strong finish of Brent Primus to become this year’s lightweight title winner at the 2024 PFL World Championship in Saudi Arabia.

    Rabadanov and Primus traded strikes early, with the former landing low kicks and his American counterpart responding with elbows and submission attempts when the fight went to the ground.

    Primus notably looked for a guillotine, and even a rare gogoplata. The Dagestani defended the attempts well, delivering ground-and-pound as the ex-Bellator champ looked for openings.

    Rabadanov dropped Primus in the second round with a strong right hand. Despite the veteran’s attempts at the rubber guard and more submission attempts, the Russian controlled the fight on the mat and landed some notable ground strikes.

    The teammate of reigning UFC champion Islam Makhachev and former kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov then put Primus away early in the third with a powerful one-two that faceplanted him.

    Gadzhi Rabadanov Wins PFL Lightweight Title With Third-Round Finish

    A former Combat Sambo world champion, Rabadanov joined the PFL following its acquisition of Bellator. He reached today’s title fight after wins over Solomon Renfro, Elvin Espinoza, and Michael Dufort this season.

    Primus, meanwhile, earned wins over Bruno Miranda, Renfro, and Clay Collard to reach the Riyadh-held event on Nov. 29.

  • Potential Francis Ngannou Opponent Emerges As Denis Goltsov Nets Shock Submission To Win 2024 PFL Heavyweight Title

    Potential Francis Ngannou Opponent Emerges As Denis Goltsov Nets Shock Submission To Win 2024 PFL Heavyweight Title

    Heavyweight veteran Denis Goltsov finally went all the way, stunning Oleg Popov with a shock submission win at the 2024 PFL World Championship.

    The Russian produced three consecutive finishes this season to make it back to the finals in what marked his fifth season shooting for glory in the PFL SmartCage.

    Against Popov, he faced an opponent who certainly isn’t used to losing. And beyond just the shock of defeat, not many would have predicted this finish.

    Popov secured an early takedown but didn’t threaten with much offense from the top position. His opponent then popped the commentators by throwing up a triangle attempt from the bottom.

    After adjusting his submission, the referee eventually stepped in to pull Goltsov off of his unconscious opponent.

    The commentary team initially believed the newly crowned champ was retiring after he took his gloves off immediately after the win, but Goltsov later clarified that this isn’t the case.

    After some prompting from Dan Hardy, the Russian said he wants to fight Francis Ngannou next year after the former UFC champion made his PFL debut in October, stopping Renan Ferreira in the first round.

    With the likes of Vadim Nemkov and Ante Delija being matched for January next year in Dubai, Goltsov has certainly emerged as the frontrunner for being “The Predator’s” next opponent in the PFL.

  • Jon Anik Names UFC Champion Who Still ‘Doesn’t Get His Due’

    UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik hopes to see flyweight kingpin Alexandre Pantoja getting more appreciation for his status as one of the promotion’s best.

    Pantoja has solidified his reputation as one of the top fighters in the UFC, earning accolades for his skill, tenacity, and dominance in the 125-pound division. At UFC 310 on Dec. 7, “The Cannibal” is set to defend his title for the third time against Kai Asakura, a formidable newcomer known for his electrifying style.

    Despite his success, Pantoja, like many flyweight champions before him, struggles to gain the widespread recognition enjoyed by fighters in larger weight classes. This sentiment echoes the experiences of former flyweight great Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, whose technical brilliance often went underappreciated due to the division’s lower commercial draw.

    UFC commentator Jon Anik highlighted this ongoing issue during a recent interview with MMA Junkie, praising Pantoja while expressing frustration at the lack of recognition the champion receives.

    “Very excited to see Kai Asakura live for the first time – electric fighter,” Anik said. “I just think that Pantoja is the absolute man. He just doesn’t get his due.”

    This bout was initially scheduled as the UFC 310 co-main event, with the original headliner featuring welterweight champion Belal Muhammad defending his title against Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    However, “Remember the Name’s” injury led to his withdrawal, promoting Pantoja vs. Asakura to the main event slot.

  • VIDEO: Abdullah Al-Qahtani Gets Knockout In Wild First-Round Brawl To Earn PFL MENA Title

    VIDEO: Abdullah Al-Qahtani Gets Knockout In Wild First-Round Brawl To Earn PFL MENA Title

    Abdullah Al-Qahtani has been a prime face of the PFL’s expansion into the Middle East, and he continued that trend by defeating Marouane Bellagouit to become the inaugural PFL MENA featherweight champion.

    The two headlined the MENA portion of the PFL World Championship card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday.

    Al-Qahtani and Bellagouit traded strikes in an intense exchange, with both landing powerful shots. The Saudi favorite ultimately dropped his Moroccan counterpart twice over the course of the round, overwhelming him with a relentless flurry of punches to put him away and win the gold.

    Al-Qahtani debuted in the PFL last year as the first Saudi talent in the promotion’s history. He won five straight fights before losing to Abdalrahman Alhyasat in September. Alhyasat’s inability to make tonight’s title fight, however, resulted in another chance for Al-Qahtani to step up and earn the gold.

    Bellagouit, a veteran of UAE Warriors, defeated Mido Mohamed earlier this year but lost to Islam Reda in September’s PFL MENA semifinals. However, he also reached the final as a result of Reda being unable to make the walk.

    With the PFL MENA championship card complete, the likes of Brendan Loughnane, Dakota Ditcheva, and Impa Kasanganay will compete for PFL Global gold and $1 million in prize money on the main card at King Saud University.