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  • UFC 307 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Rountree, Pennington vs. Peña, & More

    UFC 307 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Rountree, Pennington vs. Peña, & More

    UFC 307 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup.

    The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, October 5, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, who is tasked with getting the better of surprise challenger Khalil Rountree if he’s to record a third successful title defense in 2024.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see Raquel Pennington making her first defense of the bantamweight gold. Nine months on from her crowning, “Rocky” will meet a familiar face in fellow TUF 18 competitor Julianna Peña, a former champ who is returning from a two-year layoff.

    Also set to make the walk on Saturday night will be the likes of UFC legend José Aldo, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, and the always entertaining Kevin Holland.

    Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the UFC 307 main card here.

    UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 307 (as of 10/4), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Alex Pereira (-455) vs. Khalil Rountree (+350)
    • Raquel Pennington (-166) vs. Julianna Peña (+140)
    • José Aldo (+124) vs. Mario Bautista (-148)
    • Roman Dolidze (+130) vs. Kevin Holland (-155)
    • Ketlen Vieira (+700) vs. Kayla Harrison (-1100)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Stephen Thompson (+180) vs. Joaquin Buckley (-218)
    • Marina Rodriguez (+164) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (-198)
    • Austin Hubbard (+130) vs. Alexander Hernandez (-155)
    • César Almeida (-380) vs. Ihor Potieria (+300)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Ryan Spann (-245) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (+200)
    • Carla Esparza (+150) vs. Tecia Pennington (-180)
    • Court McGee (+164) vs. Tim Means (-198)
  • Mario Bautista Insists He Won’t Be Star-Struck Against José Aldo: ‘I Don’t Care Who You Are’

    Mario Bautista Insists He Won’t Be Star-Struck Against José Aldo: ‘I Don’t Care Who You Are’

    UFC bantamweight contender Mario Bautista has no doubt that he’ll be able to stay focused on the task at hand when he shares the Octagon with José Aldo this weekend.

    Bautista has earned the right to be Aldo’s second opponent since returning from a short-lived retirement this past May, with the pair set to collide on the main card of Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view.

    In Rio de Janeiro earlier this year, the former featherweight king got the better of a Jonathan Martinez who admitted the Brazilian’s aura and legend status put him off on fight night.

    When it comes to that danger, Bautista has little doubt about his ability to eliminate any and all admiration he has for Aldo when the cage door closes behind him…

    Bautista Not Affected By Facing Legend Like Aldo

    During a recent interview for UFC.com, Bautista looked ahead to the opportunity to secure the biggest scalp of his career to date in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    The #11-ranked bantamweight noted that he used to enjoy watching Aldo during his WEC days and has fond memories of his UFC battles with Chad Mendes.

    But while those remarks could perhaps arise worries of Bautista falling to the same fate as Martinez, the 31-year-old dismissed that as a concern.

    “I don’t think it’s going to be like that,” said Bautista. “I’ve never really felt like that. Yeah, it’s going to be my first time, but I think someone trying to knock me out and fighting me, I’m not going to let it just happen. I’m not that type of person. So I don’t care who you are, if you’re trying to fight, I’m always willing and ready.

    “Hey, we’re in there to fight. You’re trying to take my money. We’re fighting for the same spot. It’s my turn now. You’ve had your turn,” Bautista continued. “I’m sorry. That’s just the way I look at it. Maybe I’ll feel differently afterwards, but, as of now, I have to break him.”

    Aldo’s decision to commit to another UFC contract came in spite of his ongoing ambitions in the ring. But while boxing has been on his mind, “Junior’s” desire to hold gold on MMA’s biggest stage proved to be overriding.

    On Saturday, though, Bautista has the chance to halt Aldo’s push for a late-career title shot in its tracks.

  • ‘Rory Is Dying’ – John McCarthy Opens Up About Reffing Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2

    ‘Rory Is Dying’ – John McCarthy Opens Up About Reffing Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2

    Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2 is widely considered one of the, if not the best MMA fight of all time. The first two rounds started slow but the last three will never be removed from MMA history.

    Lawler’s intense stare before the fifth, followed by him securing the finish, is as iconic as it gets. His post-fight interview with the torn lip was like the cherry on top, making the UFC 189 co-main event one of the most memorable fights of all time.

    John McCarthy had the privilege of witnessing this action more closely than anyone else in the world as the referee. However, he’s now revealed a shocking concern as the welterweights continued damaging each other for five rounds…

    “Big” John McCarthy Explains Rory MacDonald’s Life-Threatening Condition When Fighting Robbie Lawler At UFC 189

    McCarthy recently appeared on Tim Welch’s YouTube channel for an episode of Red Hawk Recap. When asked about the hardest fight to ref, he remembered a random heavyweight bout involving an intentional groin shot.

    However, the conversation turned serious when McCarthy expressed his concerns about MacDonald aspirating blood during his fight against Robbie Lawler at UFC 189. Due to the severe nose blockage, “The Red King” couldn’t breathe properly and his blood was sticking to his lungs which could’ve been fatal if not diagnosed properly.

    “I had that with Rory MacDonald with Robbie Lawler. And a lot of people look at that fight, they love the fight. It was an incredible fight, but if you look at it, Rory is dying! During parts of that fight, based upon he’s aspirating blood. which means he’s starting to have the blood stick into his lungs. He’s not swallowing it, he’s breathing it in and now it’s taking his lungs’ ability to dissipate the oxygen.”

    “Big” further explained his dilemma as MacDonald would always be off to a good start after the one-minute rest between rounds. He would then be fatigued for obvious reasons towards the end of these rounds but because this was a title fight, the veteran referee couldn’t make up his mind about stopping it.

    “He would come out every round, just like they normally do and he would do well based upon he now has oxygen. He’s had that minute rest, now that he gets a little tired, now he’s starting to suck air because he can’t breathe through his nose. And he’s starting to breathe through his mouth and now he’s starting to fall off the cliff. But now it gets to the end of the round, all right, he’s made it. Let’s try to see if we can go to the next one. But those are the ones to me that are scary.”

    McCarthy shockingly revealed that during the fight, he was worried about entering the club of referees who’ve had fatal incidents occur inside the ring while they’re refereeing.

    Luckily, the inhuman brawl against Lawler didn’t affect MacDonald in the ways that McCarthy feared. He competed for seven more years and even won a championship in Bellator.

    READ MORE: Prominent MMA Manager Feels Dana White Has Been ‘Playing’ Media With Jon Jones P4P Talk

  • Max Holloway Projects Khalil Rountree To Stop Alex Pereira’s Leg Kicks In Jon Jones Style At UFC 307

    Max Holloway Projects Khalil Rountree To Stop Alex Pereira’s Leg Kicks In Jon Jones Style At UFC 307

    The hype for UFC 307 headlining Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree is steadily rising as the event approaches. Although it is also being called a mismatch because of rankings, the possibility of witnessing a huge upset has many fans on the edge of their seats.

    Underdogs have performed significantly well against UFC champions lately. Be it Leon Edwards against Kamaru Usman, Belal Muhammad against Edwards, or Sean Strickland against Israel Adesanya, there are plenty of recent examples where viewers were shocked by how a fight played out.

    To pull off an upset at UFC 307, Rountree will likely have to deal with Pereira’s leg kicks that have troubled all his past opponents. According to Max Holloway, here’s how the title challenger will avoid getting his legs compromised by the champion…

    Max Holloway Claims Khalil Rountree Has The Tools To Stop Alex Pereira’s Leg Kicks At UFC 307

    Holloway discussed the UFC 307 main event on his YouTube channel recently. “Blessed” believes the Brazilian to be an unstoppable force at light heavyweight and is curious to see whether the latter can break Ronda Rousey’s record for the shortest time between three UFC title defenses.

    Despite understanding why “Poatan” is a huge favorite, Holloway pointed out that the UFC 307 main event could be a much closer fight than it seems. Rountree’s losses to Ion Cuțelaba and Johnny Walker have naturally hurt his brand, but Holloway still considers him a threat.

    “We saw Khalil Rountree. We saw his ups and downs, his losses. He did lose to some guys that he should have probably never lost to but this, this mother sucker brother, he’s an animal bro. He’s just violence bro. And these two guys is just going to be, it’s going to be a violent fight bro. The biggest question is, it’s going to be, I already know what Khalil is going to do. I tell you guys this much, Khalil Rountree is going to try and stop Alex’s leg kick with that front, like, oblique kick. I’m telling you, the one that he’s done, stomped that guy’s knee out of his socket.”

    While predicting the fight to be violent, Holloway mentioned Rountree’s ability to throw dangerous oblique kicks. “The War Horse” started his ongoing five-fight win streak in the UFC by breaking Modestas Bukauskas’ knee with a perfectly executed oblique kick. The fight had to be stopped instantly as it was evident Bukauskas had a displaced knee.

    The former UFC featherweight champion believes that such perfectly timed oblique kicks could be game-changing for Rountree at UFC 307. Jon Jones has popularized this controversial yet effective move over the years. The light heavyweight GOAT has bothered most of his opponents with it, including Quinton Jackson, Alexander Gustafsson, and Thiago Santos.

    Will Rountree surprise Pereira with the kickboxing tools in his arsenal or “Poatan” knock out the challenger cold with ease yet again at UFC 307?

  • MMA Analyst Highlights Tom Aspinall’s ‘Biggest Issue’ & It’s Not Less Cage Time

    MMA Analyst Highlights Tom Aspinall’s ‘Biggest Issue’ & It’s Not Less Cage Time

    Tom Aspinall would be eagerly waiting for UFC 309 featuring Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic as the main event. He’ll either get the chance to grab the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship as the backup fighter, or at the very least, he’ll know who to fight for it in the future.

    Aspinall’s run in the UFC and even his pro MMA career stand out instantly. He’s won all 15 of his MMA fights via a finish and has never entered the third round in his career.

    Till now, Aspinall has proved that he’s miles ahead of every other heavyweight fighter on the planet. While many believe that the lack of cage time and never facing adversity could backfire on the interim champ, MMA analyst Luke Thomas identifies a bigger hole in his game…

    Luke Thomas Shares ‘Bigger Concerns’ With Tom Aspinall Than Short Octagon Fight Time

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

    On his YouTube channel, Thomas recently discussed Aspinall’s unstoppable rise in the UFC heavyweight division. Contrary to popular opinion, he stated that even if the interim UFC heavyweight champion runs into someone who’ll last more than two rounds, he won’t be bothered as much by things like cardio or lack of experience.

    Instead, according to Thomas, Aspinall’s striking defense could lead to his first UFC loss. He pointed out how the English fighter keeps his chin up while striking and he gets hit frequently which isn’t ideal at heavyweight for obvious reasons.

    So, Aspinall’s head placement and range management in the pocket concerns Thomas about his future in the UFC. Currently, he compensates for these shortcomings through his striking speed and movement. However, if a fight goes longer and he slows down, opponents might find his chin as well.

    “My hunch is that that’s [less cage time] probably not going to be his biggest issue,” Thomas continued, “The bigger issue to me, though, like the one that shows up right away is his striking defense. His striking offense, his ability to connect, his power, his ability to cover distance, his speed is such a weapon that he can just land on anybody so quickly so incredibly. But he gets hit! And he’s got some bad habits about head position in the pocket where with what they call head slot. What slots he occupies -there’s A,B, and C slots. He, you know, his chin is kind of like, this, up, a lot of times. Those to me are bigger concerns. Because yes, if he slows down, then that could be a problem but it would actually only magnify the other part which is that there are defensive striking issues.”

    Aspinall has already beaten most of the top-ranked UFC heavyweights effortlessly. This explains why fans expect him to take on veterans like Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic who might survive the early onslaught and give the interim champ a run for his money.

  • UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs

    UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs

    We’re deep into UFC 307 fight week, meaning it was recently time for the fighters set to be in action on October 5 to take to the stage and answer some questions.

    The MMA leader’s latest numbered event takes place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, where the main attraction will see UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira put his belt on the line against Khalil Rountree.

    Setting the stage for the headliners will be another title fight, with reigning bantamweight queen Raquel Pennington looking to record a first successful defense at the expense of returning former champ Julianna Peña.

    Also on pay-per-view will be UFC legend José Aldo, who will kickstart his new contract against rising bantamweight Mario Bautista, as well as two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, who makes her second Octagon appearance opposite Ketlen Vieira.

    The main card will also see the always entertaining Kevin Holland making the walk, as he shoots for the middleweight top 10 against Roman Dolidze.

    As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the pre-fight press conference. The UFC 307 edition saw every fighter set to make the walk on the main card in two days’ time with mic in hand.

    Check out a full replay of the presser below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, followed by all the highlights and faceoffs.

    UFC 307 Pre-Fight Press Conference Stream

    UFC 307 Press Conference Highlights

    UFC 307 Press Conference Faceoffs

  • Israel Adesanya Explains Effectiveness Of Alex Pereira’s Unorthodox ‘Hammer’ Leg Kicks

    Israel Adesanya Explains Effectiveness Of Alex Pereira’s Unorthodox ‘Hammer’ Leg Kicks

    Israel Adesanya recently shed light on the potency of Alex Pereira’s unconventional leg kicks.

    If there’s anyone who truly understands the intricacies of Pereira’s fighting style, it’s “The Stylebender”. These two have shared the stage in one of combat sports’ most legendary rivalries. Having faced off four times—twice in kickboxing and twice in the UFC—Pereira holds the upper hand with a 3-1 lead over Adesanya.

    Adesanya is only all too familiar with the devastating impact of Pereira’s strikes, particularly his infamous leg kicks, which have earned widespread acclaim for their potency.

    Even MMA icons like Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan have praised the brutal effectiveness of Pereira’s leg kicks, recognizing just how destructive they can be.

    Adesanya understands better than most that Pereira’s crushing power isn’t confined to his fists alone. Though his nickname “Poatan” means “Stone Hands,” the Brazilian’s leg kicks are equally as destructive.

    Adesanya Admits ‘It’s A Different Feeling’ When Pereira’s Leg Kicks Connect

    During a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, “The Last Stylebender” reflected on his UFC clashes with Pereira. Adesanya specifically revisited their encounter at UFC 281, where he lost his middleweight crown to “Poatan.” He noted that he was in control for the first two rounds, but once Pereira unleashed his brutal leg kicks, the momentum shifted.

    The former two-time 185-pound champion elaborated on the mechanics behind Pereira’s striking, highlighting how he executes such devastating blows. Adesanya likened the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion’s forefoot to a hammer.

    “That f**king leg kick, bro,” Adesanya said. “You know what it is. If you look at this bit of his foot [forefoot], it’s like a hammer, like the back of a hammer because that’s what he kicks you with, so he doesn’t have to turn the hip over. And when he hits you with that, even because of his bone density and long legs, when he hits you with that, you just feel it like, ‘Oo, that’s bad.’”

    “It’s a different feeling because I’ve been kicked by kickboxers all my life on the thigh and on the calf as well, but when he hits you with that bit, it’s just the surface so small, it travels and transfers through your whole calf, and you’re like, ‘Oh, I can’t put weight on this.’”

    “Poatan” is set to defend his championship against Khalil Rountree in the main event of UFC 307, taking place this weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Pereira enters this matchup on a high, following his stunning second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 this past June.

    • Read More: Israel Adesanya Believes Alex Pereira Will Finish Khalil Rountree At UFC 307
  • Prominent MMA Manager Feels Dana White Has Been ‘Playing’ Media With Jon Jones P4P Talk

    Prominent MMA Manager Feels Dana White Has Been ‘Playing’ Media With Jon Jones P4P Talk

    Renowned MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz recently asserted that he believes Dana White has been manipulating the media with his steadfast endorsement of Jon Jones’ status in the UFC pound-for-pound (P4P) rankings.

    White has dedicated a tremendous investment of effort in the past few months to championing Jones as the definitive leader in any conversation about the greatest P4P fighter in the world.

    The UFC CEO has been observed passionately debating with MMA journalists at multiple press conferences, reiterating his stance that ‘Bones’ rightfully claims the pinnacle position. This assertion is based not only on Jones’ reign of dominance in the UFC’s light heavyweight division throughout his career but also on his successful ascent to the heavyweight.

    Numerous voices within the MMA community have sought to challenge White’s claim by pointing to Jones’ inactivity in the Octagon, contending that reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev should be recognized as the rightful leader in the rankings. However, the UFC boss maintains that Makhachev still has much to achieve and may need to wait for Jones to retire to reach that esteemed status.

    Nonetheless, Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, argues that White’s fervent advocacy for Jones is merely a marketing strategy.

    Abdelaziz Says White Is Fostering Hype For Jones vs Miocic With P4P Narrative

    During a recent interview with MMA reporter Kevin Iole, Abdelaziz discussed Makhachev’s potential timeline for a return. However, the dialogue swiftly pivoted to White’s unwavering support for “Bones” as the greatest P4P fighter of all time.

    The Dominance MMA founder advocated for his client, asserting that Makhachev is the rightful kingpin of the rankings while also claiming that the UFC head honcho is merely leveraging debates about Jones to promote his return to the Octagon.

    “He [Makhachev] is the pound-for-pound #1 fighter in the world,” Abdelaziz said. “Dana can say whatever he wants, but Dana is one of the greatest promoters. We know Jon Jones is fighting Stipe [Miocic] next month. I don’t know if people care about this fight, but this is why Dana is the best because he knows how to rile people up…like he’s been playing with you guys [media].”

    “Bones” is set to defend his undisputed title against Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, scheduled for November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This matchup marks Jones’ return to the Octagon after an injury-plagued hiatus of approximately 18 months following his victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.

  • Daniel Cormier Sees Khalil Rountree Fight As ‘Trap Game’ For Alex Pereira

    Daniel Cormier is slated to be on the call for the fight that will see Alex Pereira put his UFC light heavyweight title on the line in the headliner of this Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view event against Khalil Rountree.

    Pereira is a -500 favorite over Rountree, who’s a +380 underdog. However, the former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion warns Pereira not to overlook the challenger. Cormier also cited how crazy things happen in Utah. 

    “That’s a big fight, but to play the devil’s advocate, in Utah, we have now seen Kamaru Usman dominating Leon Edwards, get knocked out at the very end and Edwards becoming champ,” Cormier said on his “Funky and the Champ” show (H/T to MMAJunkie.com) “We’ve also seen Dustin Poirier, who had beaten Justin Gaethje, knocked out, and Justin Gaethje become the BMF champion. So, if there’s anything to be said about Salt Lake City, upsets happen.”

    Daniel Cormier Feels That Overlooking Rountree Could Be A ‘Trap’ That Pereira Falls Into

    This fight makes Cormier feel like it could be a trap for the champion, and if he’s not ready, he could get caught by the dangerous challenger.

    “And it would seem that a guy who’s ranked number eight in the world taking on the champion is a blueprint for an upset, because in those moments, the champ may overlook him. I don’t know if Pereira will do that, but those are the times – they call them trap games in football. This feels like a trap game for Alex Pereira. And if he ain’t ready, it seems like Khalil Rountree with his power can knock him out.”

  • Joaquin Buckley Talks ‘Kinship’ With Impa Kasanganay & PFL Success After Suffering Viral Knockout

    Joaquin Buckley Talks ‘Kinship’ With Impa Kasanganay & PFL Success After Suffering Viral Knockout

    Joaquin Buckley recently lavished praise on Impa Kasanganay for his remarkable career resurgence following a devastating viral knockout loss.

    Buckley and Kasanganay faced off at a Fight Night event in October 2020, but for ‘Tshilobo,’ his second appearance in the Octagon turned out to be disastrous. In the second round, he found himself on the receiving end of a spectacular jump spin kick to the face, resulting in a jaw-dropping knockout.

    Following the setback, the 30-year-old Florida man, with a mix of one win and one loss, exited the UFC. Kasanganay then embarked on a brief journey through smaller promotions before ultimately finding his home in the PFL in March 2023.

    After racking up three impressive victories, he secured the PFL’s light heavyweight title and a $1 million prize in the 2023 league tournament. Kasanganay currently boasts an 8-1 record in the PFL, with his sole defeat coming by way of a narrow split decision against the undefeated Johnny Eblen this past February at the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions event.

    Despite the outcome, “New Mansa” and Kasanganay forged a strong friendship, and Buckley now has nothing but glowing remarks about his former opponent’s success.

    Buckley Says Kasanganay Transformed His Memorable Loss Into Launchpad For Success

    During a recent interview with MMA journalist Kevin Iole, Buckley was prompted to share his thoughts on Kasanganay’s achievements following his departure from the UFC. “New Mansa” expressed high admiration for Kasanganay’s abilities, revealing that the former PFL champion transformed his devastating loss into a powerful source of motivation, propelling his career forward.

    “Of course [I feel a kinship with him], no hate in my blood,” Buckley said. “I love what Impa was able to do; he didn’t dwell on that moment; he used that moment, and he let it fuel him. He let it push him. A lot of people will talk about whatever they want to say about his skill set because he fought me, but he’s a very talented fighter, if not a world-class fighter because he’s a world champion… Yet again for me, it also gives me a lot of light because, you know, I was able to beat a great fighter like that.”

    Buckley is preparing for his third appearance in the Octagon this year, as he is set to face Stephen Thompson in a welterweight clash on the preliminary card of UFC 307. This highly anticipated event will take place this weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    “New Mansa” is currently on a tear, having achieved a three-fight win streak after dropping down to the 170-pound division in May 2023.

    • Read More:

  • Alex Pereira’s Training Partner Describes Glover Teixeira’s Coaching Style: ‘He’s Playing Video Games’

    Alex Pereira’s Training Partner Describes Glover Teixeira’s Coaching Style: ‘He’s Playing Video Games’

    It cannot be overstated how Alex Pereira’s success in MMA is partly down to the company that he chooses to keep.

    Early on in his transition from kickboxing, “Poatan” started to work closely with the former UFC light heavyweight champion, Glover Teixeira.

    As a 42-fight veteran, Teixeira was the perfect person to pass knowledge on to Pereira and the two men have become very close as a result.

    The skill set that saw him become the UFC’s oldest first-time champion is also the perfect counter balance to the striking skills that the current 205-pound champion possesses.

    Alex Pereira’s Training Partner Says Glover Teixeira Coaches Him Like A Video Game

    In a recent interview with The Scrap, Pereira’s training partner Renato Valente provided some insight into what the relationship between “Poatan” and Teixeira is like.

    He said that having Teixeira in his corner has proven to be massively beneficial for the champion because he gives him the confidence he needs in all areas of mixed martial arts.

    Not only that, they have a great understanding and working dynamic with one another, which brings the best out of Pereira – something we are likely to see when he returns at UFC 307 this weekend to face Khalil Rountree.

    With Teixeira’s extensive knowledge of the game being channelled into one of the most dangerous strikers we have ever seen inside the Octagon, Valente jokingly remarked that it’s like watching the now-retired former champion control a video game character.

    “Definitely Glover is the guy behind the scenes, the big guy behind the scenes because he’s the guy that passed all his [knowledge] , makes him feel comfortable when he’s grappling. We used to say like Glover never play video games in his life, with Alex, that’s what he does, looks like he’s playing video games.

    “They have a really, really good relationship and that helps Alex because Alex feels comfortable with him and he’s the guy right now. Alex is a busy guy so he goes everywhere but they have a connection really good like Alex don’t any train with any other gym, talk to any other coach, he makes videos and sends them to Glover and says, ‘Hey, what do you think about that?’”

    Read also: Alex Pereira On Chances Of Ex-Kickboxing Foe Finding UFC Success: ‘They Are Not Me, They Are Not Adesanya’

  • Kevin Holland’s ‘Bum’ Take On UFC Fighter Pay Stirs Argument Online

    Kevin Holland’s ‘Bum’ Take On UFC Fighter Pay Stirs Argument Online

    Kevin Holland is one of the most active fighters on the UFC roster and that’s something that he’s very proud of.

    “Big Mouth” is back in action this weekend at UFC 307, where he will face Roman Dolidze up at middleweight.

    Following his bout in Salt Lake City this upcoming weekend, he will have fought 18 times since 2020 which means he has fought, on average, every three months over the past four years.

    Holland spoke about this during his media day interviews where he was asked what kind of legacy he wants to leave behind.

    He used this opportunity to call out the fighters who complain about their pay but aren’t as active.

    “That I’m an active m***********. At the end of the day it’s like I did a little electrical work before, my Gran and Grandpa own a janitorial business so I understood the 9-5 and clocking in hours and getting done with the job to get paid. Half these people running around talking about, ‘We don’t get paid enough, we don’t get paid enough, we don’t get paid enough.’ You don’t even fight enough. It’s like at the end of the day, you wanna get paid for s*** that you don’t do. F****** sounds like a bum to me. So just remember I wasn’t the bum like the rest of these guys.”

    Social Media Reacts To Kevin Holland’s Comments On Fighter Pay & Activity

    This comment caused some controversy online with people both agreeing with Holland and arguing against his point that fighters who complain about pay should simply fight more often.

    The following post from Al Zullino (Phre on X) shows why that might not be an option for every fighter on the roster considering the sheer number of athletes that want to be active.

    This conversation continued with Zullino posting several more times to explain why some of the counterpoints to his initial statement aren’t relevant.

    Many responses pointed to things like the UFC being contractually obliged to offer a fighter three bouts per year but as Zullino explained, fulfilling that demand if every signed fighter agreed to take those offers, isn’t a possibility.

    Read also: José Aldo Explains Recommitting To UFC Despite Having Boxing Request Rejected

  • PFL Star Picks Khalil Rountree To Finish Alex Pereira In The First Round At UFC 307

    PFL Star Picks Khalil Rountree To Finish Alex Pereira In The First Round At UFC 307

    A PFL star has boldly predicted that Khalil Rountree will make quick work of Alex Pereira in their upcoming title showdown at UFC 307.

    Rountree is slated to face reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Pereira this Saturday night in the main event of a highly anticipated pay-per-view at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    “Poatan” has been on a dominant, unbeaten tear in the 205-pound division, and he’s gearing up for his third title defense of 2024. His most recent conquest came in June at UFC 303, where he secured a thunderous second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka in their rematch.

    Meanwhile, UFC 307 marks “The War Horse’s” maiden shot at UFC gold, which explains why he’s entering the bout as a heavy underdog. Unlike most title challengers, he hasn’t battled his way to the top or earned the number one contender spot, as he’s currently ranked #8 in the light heavyweight division.

    However, Brendan Loughnane stands among the select few who argue that Rountree’s underdog status could be the pivotal factor in pulling off a monumental upset against the seemingly unstoppable Pereira…

    Loughnane On Rountree’s Chances Against Pereira At UFC 307: ‘He’s Hungry’

    During a recent appearance on talkSPORT MMA, Loughnane shared his predictions for the Pereira vs. Rountree title fight. While the 34-year-old Englishman acknowledged the reigning champion’s formidable strengths, he emphasized that this bout represents a crucial opportunity—possibly the sole title shot—for “The War Horse”.

    The PFL featherweight fighter expressed that this realization will likely drive Rountree to fight with determination, and he might finish the bout in the first round.

    “I’m going to pick the [under]dog in this one,” Loughnane said. “I’m going to go for it. You know why? He’s hungry. He’s been around a long time; this is probably his last opportunity with age creeping up. Alex Pereira’s been an animal, but Khalil—I know him; I have trained with him. Khalil is a good fella; he’s a great fighter… Let’s just really go with it.”

    Rountree is poised to make his comeback following a 4.5-month suspension for testing positive for a steroid hormone this past May, and he’s currently carrying the momentum of a five-fight win streak. The 34-year-old Californian’s last Octagon outing saw him secure a third-round knockout victory against Anthony Smith in December 2023.

  • Kayla Harrison Says She Could Beat Ketlen Vieira, Raquel Pennington, & Julianna Pena On The Same Night

    Kayla Harrison Says She Could Beat Ketlen Vieira, Raquel Pennington, & Julianna Pena On The Same Night

    Kayla Harrison injected some much-needed new blood into the women’s bantamweight division with her debut win at UFC 300.

    After the way she was able to dominate a former champion in Holly Holm, there was a serious conversation regarding whether she should go right into the next title fight.

    Instead, Raquel Pennington will look to defend the belt for the first time this weekend at UFC 307 against former titleholder Julianna Peña.

    Harrison will be looking to make a statement on the same night as she faces fellow top contender Ketlen Vieira in an opportunity to prove that she is undeniable.

    Kayla Harrison Says She Could Beat All Three Women On The Same Night

    Harrison has been full of confidence since she arrived in the UFC and the former PFL star certainly isn’t here to make up the numbers.

    Though she was disappointed to not get the title shot in her second fight, she has remained clear on the idea that whoever leaves Salt Lake City with the belt will simply be looking after it for her, until her time comes.

    In another example of her supreme confidence that becoming the champion is a matter of if and not when, she said in a recent interview with ESPN MMA that she would come out on top even if you lined up the other three bantamweights on this card one after the other.

    “That’s because nobody cares about that fight. I mean I feel like, whatever, let’s let them fight. I honestly believe that I could fight all three girls in the same night and be champion. When you’re the best in the world, you’re the best in the world and my time is now. I hope they hold on to that title real tight while they can cuz I’m coming.” 

    Read also: PFL Founder Continues To Bash Kayla Harrison For UFC Signing: ‘She Ran’

  • José Aldo Explains Recommitting To UFC Despite Having Boxing Request Rejected

    UFC legend José Aldo is set for more bouts inside the Octagon, and that’s despite the promotion rejecting the possibility of him being able to box simultaneously.

    Aldo returned from a short-lived retirement at UFC 301 this past May, fighting out his contract with another victory in front of his compatriots in Rio de Janeiro.

    After the Brazilian got the better of Jonathan Martinez, considerable uncertainty surrounded his future, with a possible re-signing with the UFC sitting alongside remaining ambitions inside the boxing ring.

    But the allure of adding further gold to his trophy cabinet on MMA’s biggest stage proved too much to resist for “Junior,” who will make the walk again this weekend to face Mario Bautista at UFC 307.

    Freedom To Box, Three Times More Pay Not Enough To Overtake Aldo’s UFC Ambitions

    During a recent fight week interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, Aldo looked ahead to his return to action on Saturday night, which will kick off a new multi-fight deal for the Brazilian veteran.

    Aldo admitted that he had attempted to include the freedom to box in the contract, but had that request firmly shut down. Nevertheless, with another stint as UFC champ remaining his ultimate ambition, he still put pen to paper on a continued stay inside the Octagon.

    “After that fight (at UFC 301), that’s when we sat down and thought, ‘Okay, now let’s hear the proposals that you have.’ Afterwards, when we saw the proposals for the new contract, I chose the UFC,” Aldo said, before being asked whether the new deal allows him to box. “No, not at all. Listen, I’ve asked for it twice. There were a couple of events I tried to get in and twice I got a, ‘No!’ So now, with all these fights on the contract, I’m really not fighting boxing.

    “My dream has always been to be champion in the UFC. … That was my ultimate goal. Thinking about the contract now, looking forward with this opportunity, if anything else came about or any other proposals, I knew that was going to be locked in with the UFC,” Aldo continued. “This is my ultimate goal. I want to continue to do it and be a champion.”

    Aldo added further context behind those remarks by revealing he turned down up to three times more money offered by other promotions in order to stay put in the UFC in pursuit of continuing to enhance his already stellar legacy.

    If he’s to ensure that decision turns out to be fruitful and better his chances of a late-career title shot, Aldo must first get the better of another young up-and-comer in Bautista this weekend at UFC 307.

  • Israel Adesanya Gives ‘Dumb Game Plan’ Advice For Khalil Rountree Ahead Of UFC 307: ‘It’s a Matter Of Time Because You’re Drowning’

    Israel Adesanya Gives ‘Dumb Game Plan’ Advice For Khalil Rountree Ahead Of UFC 307: ‘It’s a Matter Of Time Because You’re Drowning’

    Khalil Rountree has got a tough task ahead of him at UFC 307 where he will be walking into the biggest fight of his career.

    The #8-ranked light heavyweight contender will be challenging Alex Pereira for the title in Salt Lake City.

    Rountree’s striking has proven to be very dangerous, but implementing that against someone as technical as the former two-weight GLORY kickboxing world champion will not be easy.

    One man knows about facing Pereira better than anyone else and he had some thoughts to pass onto the challenger ahead of Saturday night.

    Israel Adesanya Lays Out Flawed Game Plan For Khalil Rountree

    During his UFC 307 predictions on his YouTube channel, Israel Adesanya spoke about how Rountree can win this fight.

    “The Last Stylebender” has faced off with “Poatan” twice in kickboxing and twice in MMA, winning their last encounter at UFC 287 via knockout.

    He said that Rountree’s best route to victory is getting it done early before Pereira can start to break him down and set traps.

    However, Adesanya then corrected his own point by stating that being overly aggressive against Pereira can also play into the Brazilian’s hands.

    If Rountree is to take one piece of advice from this, it’s to back his opponent up to avoid what the former two-time UFC middleweight champion describes as “drowning”.

    “Khalil has to just go at him, can’t be scared, just press him back. You can, it’s possible, press him back. Watch out for the low kicks cuz that’s what he’s gonna use to stop him… Khalil attack the body, attack the legs too cuz Pereira will take them but he doesn’t get affected by them till later, much later. If Khalil is gonna win, he’s gonna have to win or try and win early but that’s a dumb game plan so don’t listen to me. Don’t try and win early cuz that’s how you get caught as well with Pereira. He can catch him with anything. Catch him with hook coming in, knee, leg kicks and then eventually, when you feel like the third one, you’re like, ‘Oh s***,’ then I can’t press him back anymore. Then it’s like a matter of time as you’re drowning.”

    Adesanya would, however, go on to pick Alex Pereira to win the fight at UFC 307, in his official predictions.

    Read also: Alex Pereira On Chances Of Ex-Kickboxing Foe Finding UFC Success: ‘They Are Not Me, They Are Not Adesanya’

  • Israel Adesanya Believes Alex Pereira Will Finish Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    Israel Adesanya Believes Alex Pereira Will Finish Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    Israel Adesanya will pay close attention to the fight that will see Alex Pereira put his UFC light heavyweight title on the line in the headliner of this Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view event against Khalil Rountree from Salt Lake City.

    Adesanya knows firsthand what it’s like to fight Pereira and how good he is. They’ve fought a combined four times – two kickboxing and two MMA bouts. Adesanya raised his hand after scoring a KO win at UFC 287. 

    While appearing on The Adam Carolla Show (H/T to MMAJunkie.com), Adesanya broke down the fight and noted that Rountree’s approach has not been successful. 

    “I’ll go Pereira because of momentum right now,” Adesanya said.” “Rountree doesn’t grapple. He likes to kickbox. He’s never gone for a takedown. If you’re going to do that with Pereira – I’m the only one who’s ever even rocked him or like stood with him in the UFC. Everyone else, he’s washed. Rountree, if he can make it dirty and catch him, he can catch him, but it’s so hard to do it to Pereira.”

    Adesanya’s Prediction For UFC 307 Main Event

    According to Adesanya, Rountree will face difficulty in closing the distance against Pereira and could absorb damage as a result.

    “Rountree, his reach may not be able to get to him. Pereira likes to use his long reach to frame. … This weekend I’m going to go Pereira, and I’m going to go TKO or KO. I don’t know what round, but I just feel like it’ll be hard for Rountree. Leg kicks, leg kicks, and he might catch him as Rountree comes in because Rountree is going to be attacking him.”

  • PFL Founder Continues To Bash Kayla Harrison For UFC Signing: ‘She Ran’

    PFL Founder Continues To Bash Kayla Harrison For UFC Signing: ‘She Ran’

    PFL founder Donn Davis isn’t letting up with his theories on why Kayla Harrison left his promotion to join the UFC.

    Harrison’s time competing in the SmartCage, wherein she collected two titles at 155 pounds, came to an end following a bounce-back win over Aspen Ladd at last year’s championship event.

    The two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo completed a long-discussed switch to the UFC, shocking many by committing to a bantamweight future.

    Debuting this past April, the American Top Team standout made the most of the major UFC 300 stage by dominantly submitting former champion Holly Holm to likely put her one victory away from a shot at the gold.

    But while Harrison has the chance to achieve that this weekend at UFC 307 when she shares the Octagon with Ketlen Vieira, her decision to join MMA’s leading promotion is still being scrutinized.

    Perhaps unsurprisingly, that’s by her ex-employer…

    Donn Davis: Kayla Harrison Left PFL For UFC Because Of Need For ‘Validation’

    During a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s MMA Today show with Din Thomas and Alan Jouban, Davis further addresses Harrison’s decision to continue her career away from the PFL.

    He once again offered a negative take on the reasons behind Harrison’s departure, claiming she “ran” from another fight with Larissa Pacheco and long-awaited showdown with Cris Cyborg.

    Davis also reiterated his belief that Harrison was seeking ‘validation’ that she shouldn’t need by competing under the UFC banner.

    “We brought Kayla in from the Olympics, developed her into an 18-1 star, two-time champion, and one of the greatest women — top five in the sport today,” Davis said. “Nothing but pride for that and nothing but respect for Kayla. As a competitor, to build the company, I want every great fighter here.

    “I’m disappointed that we couldn’t keep Kayla here for what I think are the two biggest fights of her legacy and her career: avenging Pacheco and winning the championship and beating Cyborg, who is the greatest ever,” Davis continued. “I don’t like that she ran from those. I don’t like that she ran to a brand to validate herself. I think so highly of Kayla Harrison, she doesn’t need a brand to validate her. … So that disappointed me.”

    Regardless, Harrison is now forging a path to greatness in new surroundings. And having already achieved title glory in the SmartCage twice, the Ohio native is now looking to repeat the feat inside the Octagon and establish herself as among the UFC’s all-time greats.

    The next step in that journey comes opposite Vieira this Saturday night in Salt Lake City, where a win is expected to book her spot opposite the bantamweight champion next time out.

  • Alex Pereira On Chances Of Ex-Kickboxing Foe Finding UFC Success: ‘They Are Not Me, They Are Not Adesanya’

    Alex Pereira On Chances Of Ex-Kickboxing Foe Finding UFC Success: ‘They Are Not Me, They Are Not Adesanya’

    UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira is seemingly not concerned about the arrival of a fighter who boasts a win over him in kickboxing to the Octagon.

    “Poatan” has already achieved immense success on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage, capturing gold at both 185 and 205 pounds. Those achievements were, in part, made possible due to the ready-made storyline that many believe fast-tracked him to the top.

    The Brazilian arrived in the UFC with a reputation largely centering around his two wins over Israel Adesanya in the striking-only realm. After just three fights, he was placed opposite the Nigerian-New Zealander and unseated him from the middleweight throne.

    Now, Pereira is on the opposite side of such a story.

    In his final kickboxing bout before committing to MMA, the former two-weight Glory champion was outpointed by Artem Vakhitov months on from his own narrow decision victory over the Russian.

    Vakhitov has also since transitioned to the cage, and he recently began his pursuit of a combat sports trilogy with Pereira by taking aim at his skillset.

    The former Glory titleholder will have the chance to move closer to setting up a showdown with “Poatan” in the Octagon when he shoots for a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series next week.

    Pereira, however, isn’t optimistic about the chances of Vakhitov and other kickboxers being able to recreate his story with Adesanya…

    Pereira Gives Dismissive Response To Vakhitov’s MMA Arrival

    During his appearance at UFC 307 media day on Wednesday, Pereira was asked to comment on Vakhitov’s transition to MMA and pursuit of the kind of success he’s achieved in the sport.

    While the Russian has appeared confident about making a quick rise and exposing the current light heavyweight kingpin, Pereira believes Vakhitov to be “mistaken” when it comes to the difficulty that awaits him at the highest level of MMA.

    “I stopped following kickboxing, so I kind of don’t know how he’s (Vakhitov) doing,” Pereira said. “So I don’t know what his potential (is), but I think fighting me in the UFC at this point could be hard.

    “People get mistaken sometimes (and) think that it’s just easy to make a story like Israel Adesanya. Guys that beat me (in) a fight like, long ago, they think that they (can) just come here and make the same story,” Pereira continued. “Bro, they are not me, they are not Israel Adesanya.”

    While Vakhitov has plenty to do before reaching the same conversation as Pereira in the UFC, starting with earning an actual contract next week, “Poatan” showed how quick of a rise up the ladder is possible with a good storyline and some violent knockouts.

  • Julianna Peña Slams Champ Raquel Pennington’s Promotional Efforts: ‘She Said No To Embedded!’

    Julianna Peña Slams Champ Raquel Pennington’s Promotional Efforts: ‘She Said No To Embedded!’

    UFC women’s bantamweight contender Julianna Peña continues to be unimpressed by Raquel Pennington’s efforts as champion.

    Nine months on from winning the vacant belt at the expense of Mayra Bueno Silva in Canada, Pennington will return for her first title defense in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view.

    Opposite “Rocky” in Salt Lake City, Utah will be a familiar face in the form of Peña, whom she featured with on the cast of The Ultimate Fighter 18 in 2013.

    Animosity exists between the pair dating back to the show, and that’s led to plenty of back and forth in the lead-up to their collision inside the Octagon at the Delta Center this weekend.

    Peña: Pennington Not A ‘Good Representation’ Of The Division

    During her appearance at UFC 307 media day on Wednesday, Peña assessed how Pennington has fit into the role of champion following her crowning in Toronto this past January.

    The former bantamweight queen unsurprisingly had a critical take, taking aim at Pennington’s failure to promote herself and their fight adequately.

    “Raquel has not been a good representation of the women’s bantamweight division,” Peña said. “She has not promoted. She has said no to Embedded. She has constantly done everything that she can to avoid being the face of women’s MMA and not being that big face who wants to promote and be that big representation of women’s MMA.

    “That, to me, is you’re showing me nothing, but you’re telling me everything by not being that person that is letting everyone know that you’re fighting,” Peña continued. “I want to be that person. That’s my role, and I can do it better, and that’s why I believe I am going to be able to seal the deal on Saturday night and get that gold again.”

    While Peña is hoping and evidently expecting to invigorate the division with a second reign, one which she hopes draws Amanda Nunes back from retirement to complete their trilogy, Pennington no doubt has other plans.

    And should “Rocky” have her hand raised in the “Beehive State,” she’d have achieved a feat that “The Venezuelan Vixen” failed when she held the gold — recording a successful title defense.

  • Report: Carlos Prates’ Return In The Works For UFC 309 On Nov. 16

    Report: Carlos Prates’ Return In The Works For UFC 309 On Nov. 16

    Surging UFC welterweight prospect Carlos Prates looks set to have the chance to make a splash on yet another big stage next month.

    Prates (20-6) has put the 170-pound division on notice in three fights since earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last year. The Fighting Nerds standout announced his arrival with knockouts of Trevin Giles and Charles Radtke.

    “The Nightmare” delivered most impressive performance to date last time out at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, where he put a beating on formerly ranked contender Li Jingliang en route to a brutal KO.

    It appears that Prates will have the opportunity to keep his ball rolling at an even bigger pay-per-view event in a few weeks’ time, with Ag. Fight reporting that he’s verbally agreed to share the cage with Randy Brown (19-5) at UFC 309 on November 16.

    The numbered event is set to take place inside the prestigious surroundings of Madison Square Garden in New York City. Headlining will be a long-planned heavyweight showdown between champion Jon Jones and legend Stipe Miocic.

    While Prates looks to make a statement on the undercard, his veteran opponent will have an upset in mind. “Rude Boy” has won three straight since being submitted by Jack Della Maddalena, most recently outpointing Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC 302 this past June.

    With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at the New York-held UFC 309 event on Nov. 16 are as follows:

    • Jon Jones (C) vs. Stipe Miocic (heavyweight championship main event)
    • Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler (lightweight co-main event)
    • Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig (middleweight)
    • Nikita Krylov vs. Azamat Murzakanov (light heavyweight)
    • Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders (middleweight)
    • Carlos Prates vs. Randy Brown (welterweight)
    • Viviane Araújo vs. Karine Silva (women’s flyweight)
    • Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee (bantamweight)
    • Mickey Gall vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (welterweight)
    • Karine Silva vs. Viviane Araújo (women’s flyweight)
    • Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura (women’s flyweight)
  • Fight Finish Rates For Men & Women Hit 10-Year Lows Heading Into UFC 307

    Fight Finish Rates For Men & Women Hit 10-Year Lows Heading Into UFC 307

    Recent data revealed that finish rates for both male and female fighters have plummeted to their lowest levels in the past decade, as UFC 307 approaches.

    One undeniable truth that the MMA community can unanimously agree on is their collective passion for fights that don’t go the distance. Whether it’s a jaw-dropping knockout or a bone-crushing, suffocating submission, fans crave a decisive finish.

    Nobody typically enjoys watching a bout drag on to a decision, especially when both fighters fail to deliver action throughout the contest. Finishes not only make the fight more exciting but also test the opponent’s resilience on a whole new level.

    However, according to recent findings by data scientist Nate Latshaw, the UFC has witnessed a sporadic decline in finish rates within the men’s division over the years. Meanwhile, female fighters have faced increasing difficulty in securing finishes, struggling to end bouts before they reach the judges’ scorecards.

    Decline In UFC Finish Rates As Light Heavyweight & Flyweight Show Extreme Variability

    As per Latshaw’s data, the overall finish rate for all UFC weight classes dropped to 44% in 2024, marking the lowest point in the past 10 years. Men’s divisions saw a decrease to 48%, while women’s divisions experienced a significant drop to 27%. These trends indicate a mix of gradual declines and inconsistencies in finish rates.

    In 2024, the men’s flyweight division had a finish rate of 42%, compared to its lowest rate of 22% in 2016. Meanwhile, the women’s 125-pound division had a finish rate of 18% in 2024, a stark contrast to its unprecedented 100% finish rate in 2016.

    Conversely, the women’s 125-pound category saw its lowest finish rate of 18% in 2024. The light heavyweight division reached a peak finish rate of 71% in 2022, highlighting some divisions’ resilience.

  • Two-Time UFC Champion Carla Esparza States Hall Of Fame Ambition Ahead Of Retirement Fight

    Two-Time UFC Champion Carla Esparza States Hall Of Fame Ambition Ahead Of Retirement Fight

    Carla Esparza recently shared her aspiration to secure a place in the UFC Hall of Fame as she approaches her retirement fight.

    Esparza is gearing up to step into the Octagon for the final time, as she is set to face Tecia Pennington on the preliminary card of UFC 307. This highly anticipated pay-per-view event will take place this Saturday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    The 36-year-old Californian has previously announced that UFC 307 will mark the end of her illustrious 15-year career as she prepares to hang up her gloves for good.

    “Cookie Monster” began her professional journey in February 2010, securing a first-round TKO victory against Cassie Trost under the regional promotion Respect in the Cage. She fought her way through various organizations before ultimately entering the UFC as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season 20 in 2014.

    Esparza etched her name in the history books by submitting Rose Namajunas in the third round, becoming the first UFC strawweight champion at the TUF season finale. However, her reign was short-lived, as she later lost the title to Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 185 in March 2015.

    Esparza endured an arduous journey of 11 fights over seven years to reclaim the 115-pound championship, ultimately securing a split-decision victory against Namajunas at UFC 274 in May 2022.

    Esparza Wants To Join The Ranks Of Jedrzejczyk & Ronda Rousey To Cap Off Her MMA Career

    During a recent interview with Brian Campbell, “Cookie Monster” reflected on her journey in MMA, with a particular focus on her time in the UFC. When asked about her place in the history of the division, which has significantly evolved during her tenure, the former two-time strawweight champion expressed her desire to conclude her career with an induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.

    “I’d love to eventually be in the Hall of Fame. I mean, that would be so cool,” Esparza said. “I think winning the title the first time was like seeing where I was as a fighter then to where I am now; there’s been so much growth. I mean, you have to grow to still stay in this division with all these killers. Everyone is so good, and there’s young blood constantly coming through the UFC. You have to be at such a high level even just to compete with these people, so it’s cool to have been able to stay at this high level and compete with all these youngsters coming in.”

    Should Esparza be inducted into the Hall of Fame, she would become just the third woman in UFC history to receive this honor, standing alongside the legendary Jedrzejczyk and Ronda Rousey.

    “Cookie Monster” is set to make her return to the Octagon after nearly two years, following her defeat to Zhang Weili, who submitted her in the second round at UFC 281 in November 2022.

  • Former Opponent On Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: ‘Not Bigger, Not Stronger, Striking Not Better!’

    Former Opponent On Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: ‘Not Bigger, Not Stronger, Striking Not Better!’

    One of Jon Jones’ former opponents recently articulated his thoughts on the reigning UFC heavyweight champion’s upcoming matchup against Stipe Miocic.

    Jones is set to put his undisputed title on the line against former long-time champion Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, scheduled for November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    This matchup has ignited a whirlwind of debate, with UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall repeatedly calling for a title unification bout. Despite these appeals, ‘Bones’ has remained firmly committed to facing Miocic. Jones’ adamant stance has provoked discontent among many fans, who argue that he is stalling the division and deliberately avoiding a showdown with Aspinall.

    The former UFC light heavyweight champion has frequently expressed that facing Miocic is his dream fight and the primary reason for his move up to the heavyweight division. Jones has also alluded to the idea that defeating a legend like Miocic would be the final crowning achievement in his already stellar career, suggesting that after adding such a victory to his record, he may hang up his gloves.

    However, Vitor Belfort believes that a fight against Miocic brings a lot of risk.

    Belfort Thinks Miocic Has The Upper Hand Against Jones At UFC 309

    During a recent interview with Inside Fighting, ‘The Phenom,’ who lost to Jones at UFC 152 in September 2012, shared his insights on the headlining bout of UFC 309. Belfort asserted that this matchup poses more risks than rewards for “Bones”, arguing that Jones would be tested to his limit against the 42-year-old veteran.

    “If I can give any advice to Jon Jones, it’s to not fight him [Aspinall] because there is nothing to gain from that fight for Jon Jones,” Belfort said. “Jon Jones is going to have the greatest career. Let’s say he beats Miocic, which I think is going to be very hard. I love Jon Jones, and I think he has an amazing career, but you know, a lot of people think he’s bigger than Stipe Miocic. No, he’s not bigger, he’s not stronger, and his striking is not better than Stipe Miocic. Stipe Miocic is a great boxer; he can wrestle and he can grapple.”

    Belfort also suggested that Jones is doing the right thing in not fighting Aspinall, as he poses a significant threat to the champion.

    “Aspinall is a different beast. He’s so young; I mean, he’s the new generation—very dangerous, very explosive, very athletic. I don’t think unless Jon Jones is going to make millions of dollars. But I mean, if I’m Jon Jones, I would ask, ‘Why are you fighting him? If you win, cut it out, go retire, and be the best guy of all time.’ I’m thinking he would be the Tom Brady of MMA.”

  • Raquel Pennington Points Out Key ‘Mistake’ Julianna Peña Has Made Ahead Of UFC 307

    Raquel Pennington Points Out Key ‘Mistake’ Julianna Peña Has Made Ahead Of UFC 307

    UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Raquel Pennington believes upcoming challenger Julianna Peña may see the error of her ways soon enough.

    Pennington is set to make her first defense of the 135-pound title in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view, which comes nine months on from her capturing of the vacant belt in Canada to kick off 2024.

    Having achieved her championship ambitions, “Rocky” has the chance to solidify her status as divisional queen by stalling the two-time goals of ex-champ Peña.

    Their contest and many other notable bouts will go down at the high altitude of Salt Lake City, Utah this weekend. But when it comes to the effect that has, the two co-headliners see things very differently…

    Pennington Rejects Peña’s Altitude Claim Ahead Of Utah-Held UFC 307

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Pennington reacted to some recent remarks regarding the impact of altitude from her opponent on October 5.

    Peña opted against heading to Salt Lake City early to acclimate, branding such a move “unnecessary” when she’s in good shape. The champ sees that decision as a “mistake.”

    “Just being born and raised in altitude, yeah, I would say that’s a mistake,” Pennington said. “Altitude is not a joke. It really does affect people. You know how many people come here to visit and are like, ‘Oh my gosh, we don’t understand why we’re feeling this or we’re feeling that and we’re just standing here.’ It’s the altitude, and then when you’re pushing your body to the limit, it plays a part.

    “I notice a big difference when I go anywhere else. Sometimes I have to really slow down and control my breathing because I feel like I’m actually getting too much air, and I kind of hyperventilate a little bit, so I have to train my breathing a little different,” Pennington continued. “It’s something that I think every athlete should take into consideration, especially if you’re going to go push yourself to the limit.”

    “The Venezuelan Vixen” will look to prove that assessment wrong by making good on her prediction of recapturing the bantamweight championship after a fight-week arrival in the “Beehive State.”