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  • Ilia Topuria On Why He Will Turn Down Conor McGregor Fight If Offered: ‘We Have Lost An Idol’

    Ilia Topuria On Why He Will Turn Down Conor McGregor Fight If Offered: ‘We Have Lost An Idol’

    Ilia Topuria recently said that the prospect of a fight with Conor McGregor no longer appeals to him.

    “El Matador” had consistently expressed his enthusiasm for stepping into the Octagon with the former two-division UFC champion, even suggesting he would move up to lightweight, if necessary, to make the dream fight a reality. With no clear indication of McGregor’s return, the reigning UFC featherweight champion’s ambitions have begun to wane.

    “The Notorious” has been absent from active competition since suffering a leg break in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. Despite sporadically teasing a return, McGregor had even lined up a fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June. However, the bout was scrapped at the last minute, with the Irishman withdrawing due to injury.

    In numerous interviews and social media posts, McGregor has repeatedly claimed he’s determined to make his UFC comeback. However, his words often donā€™t align with his actions, as he’s frequently seen engaging in activities outside of MMA or promoting his liquor brand.

    This inconsistency is exactly why Topuria believes that “The Notorious” has lost his fire for the sport.

    Topuria On Dropping Super Fight Ambitions: ‘He’s Not The McGregor That Moved Masses’

    During a recent appearance on Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos’ YouTube channel, “El Matador” revealed that his eagerness to face McGregor has faded. The 27-year-old Spaniard remarked that the UFC iconā€™s career is on a downward trajectory, emphasizing that McGregorā€™s absence from the Octagon has diminished the allure that once enthralled the masses.

    “I wouldn’t like to fight McGregor,” Topuria said. “I mean, McGregor would be an option if I could fight him, but right now, even if they [the UFC] offered me a fight with him, I would say no because there are bigger fights than him. He is not the same; he’s not the McGregor that once moved the masses.”

    Topuria further shared that he once looked up to McGregor and aspired to follow in his footsteps. However, he now feels that the former UFC lightweight champion, who once dominated the sport, has spiraled into a life overshadowed by self-destructive behavior.

    “He’s now a McGregor who represents alcohol and drugs more than the sport. I was inspired by Conor. I admired him when I was younger. He lost it because he betrayed the values that had brought him to the top. We have lost an idol.”

    “El Matador” is gearing up to put his featherweight title on the line against Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308, scheduled for October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Topuria captured the 145-pound championship with a spectacular knockout of former titleholder Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 this past February.

  • Kamaru Usman Narrates Never-Before-Told High School Meeting With Daniel Cormier That Inspired His Career

    Kamaru Usman Narrates Never-Before-Told High School Meeting With Daniel Cormier That Inspired His Career

    In 2012, Kamaru Usman made his pro debut in MMA in what would be the start of an incredibly successful career.

    Like many martial artists that grew up in the United States, he came to the sport via a wrestling background – but there weren’t many role models for him to look up to.

    Having been born in Nigeria, Kamaru and his family moved to Dallas, Texas when he was just eight years old, which was a culture shock for him at the time.

    Usman eventually found the path that would lead him to become a UFC champion, thanks to some peers who inspired him.

    Kamaru Usman Details Daniel Cormier Meeting That Gave Him Something To Strive For

    On a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman and Henry Cejudo were joined by former UFC champ-champ Daniel Cormier.

    Being eight years older, Cormier was someone that Usman looked up to when he first encountered him via wrestling.

    “DC” and Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal weren’t just incredibly impressive wrestlers that inspired “The Nigerian Nightmare”, they were people that he could relate to.

    Usman told the story about the first time that he met Cormier in person, having seen him compete in wrestling, and how that impacted his own life and career trajectory.

    “We saw you guys [Cormier and Lawal] trying to sneak in, trying to get in to train, to practice while there was a break, so we ran up and we was like, ‘Yo, King Mo!’… you didn’t give me no damn hug. I would tell you this though, you did dap us up and you were just like, talked a little to us for a little bit, asked us what, and then my friend was like, ‘Yo I know what you did, I saw what you did at real pro wrestling.’ And I remember you going, ‘What you see?’

    “And you just joked with us and it was just that little moment, that little interaction that was so meaningful. We was like, ‘Oh my god, there’s these guys that look like us, they deal with similar circumstances that we have to deal with in this sport, and they’re at that level. Oh we can get there’. And I can’t tell you what that did for me.”

    Read also: MMA Analyst Explains Why He Doesnā€™t Consider Jon Jones A ā€˜Great Championā€™

  • Joaquin Buckley Feels Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Is Two-Faced: ‘When You Got Him On Cameraā€¦’

    Joaquin Buckley Feels Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Is Two-Faced: ‘When You Got Him On Cameraā€¦’

    Eleventh-ranked welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley is usually not too far away from getting into a beef with a fellow fighter.

    However, this looked to be a difficult task for his next fight, considering the ‘nice guy’ public perception of Stephen Thompson.

    “Wonderboy” is widely regarded to be one of the kindest fighters on the roster and has rarely been seen to lose his cool, even in the midst of a fist-fight.

    Buckley isn’t convinced by this representation of Thompson, though, and believes that the welterweight stalwart isn’t who people think he is.

    With the two men set to meet inside the Octagon on October 5, he voiced his opinions on his opponent’s supposed persona.

    Joaquin Buckley Says Stephen Thompson Isn’t Who Fans Think He Is

    Ahead of their meeting at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Buckley spoke about his previous interactions with Thompson.

    The two men crossed paths at International Fight Week early this year, where “New Mansa” believes that he saw a different side to the striking specialist.

    In an interview with Inside Fighting, he spoke about how in his opinion, Thompson is a different person when he knows that people are watching.

    “Nothing crazy, yet again, I’m just trying to push him to make the fight happen but I really feel like, you know, at the end of the day, with me and ‘Wonderboy’, it is what it is. I try to be myself no matter where I go but I feel like, for me, it’s just that ‘Wonderboy’ is the type of individual that yet again, when you got him on camera, he’s smiling in your face, he’s saying nice things but at the end of the day, it’s the fight biz’ so you know, however he made me feel that day, I don’t think it was the nice guy that everybody mentions.”

    Read also: Fellow UFC Welterweight Claims Shavkat Rakhmonov Will Be ā€˜Exposedā€™ By Belal Muhammad

  • AilĆ­n PĆ©rez Plans To Ask ‘Friend Dana White’ For Main Event vs. Kayla Harrison After UFC ParisĀ 

    AilĆ­n PĆ©rez Plans To Ask ‘Friend Dana White’ For Main Event vs. Kayla Harrison After UFC ParisĀ 

    UFC women’s bantamweight AilĆ­n PĆ©rez is hoping for big things to be in her future should she have her hand raised in the French capital this weekend.

    PĆ©rez lost her UFC debut at the promotion’s very first event in Paris two years ago, falling via submission to Stephanie Egger in the second round. Since then, the Argentine has reeled off three straight wins to enter the rankings at 135 pounds.

    Now, she’ll return to France in pursuit of righting the wrong from 2022 and further advancing her ambitions on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    To achieve victory inside the Accor Arena at the second time of trying, PĆ©rez must stall the surge of Dariya Zheleznyakova, a 9-1 bantamweight who boasts history competing on French soil owing to her days under the Ares FC banner.

    Despite that, “Fiona” expects an easy night at the office come fight night on Saturday. And after making a statement, she plans to put her crosshairs on a big name in the division…

    PĆ©rez Targeting Harrison Clash: ‘That’s The Fight I Need To Prove I’m Worthy!’

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, PĆ©rez predicted a comfortable victory in Paris and reiterated her desire to hand Kayla Harrison the first defeat of her UFC career.

    “Fiona” outlined her intention to request a maiden main event from CEO Dana White following this weekend’s event, and be it Harrison or another of the division’s high-ranked names, the 29-year-old wants to stake her claim for a title shot.

    “After finishing Darya, Iā€™m going to ask my friend Dana White for a main event fight, preferably against Kayla Harrison,” Perez said in Spanish (translation by Danny Segura). ā€œWeā€™re still insisting on that fight because thatā€™s the fight I need to prove Iā€™m worthy of fighting for a belt.

    “If not, Norma (Dumont) if she stops running from me. She only wants to fight with people above her in the rankings, and thatā€™s OK, but part of the reason why sheā€™s in the rankings is that she hasnā€™t fought and lost to me. So Dumont or Julianna PeƱa, whoā€™s a punching bag.”

    For now, Harrison has another assignment to focus on ahead of an expected title shot down the line.

    After dominating Holly Holm on debut at UFC 300, the two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL title winner will meet Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307 early next month. The winner is expected to challenge whomever emerges from the championship co-main event between Raquel Pennington and Julianna PeƱa with the title.

    With that in mind, PĆ©rez may be a few wins away from earning a crack at Harrison. But should she defend her spot in the top 15 against her Russian foe on Sept. 28, a bigger assignment would no doubt await her next time out.

  • Former Opponent Feels LHW Jon Jones Would Fight Tom Aspinall Better Than Heavyweight

    Former Opponent Feels LHW Jon Jones Would Fight Tom Aspinall Better Than Heavyweight

    After vacating his UFC light heavyweight title, Jon Jones was inactive for three years until he finally came back as a heavyweight.

    He captured the heavyweight belt by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285, but after suffering a significant injury, the champion has been gone for another long stretch of time.

    During that time, there has been a lot of talk about fans wanting him to fight the interim champion Tom Aspinall, who many believe is the present and future of the weight class.

    It looks far more likely that Jones will retire without facing Aspinall, after he meets Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 in November.

    Daniel Cormier Says Jon Jones Would Fight Better Against Tom Aspinall If He Weighed Less

    During his appearance on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Daniel Cormier spoke about how Jones matches up with Aspinall.

    Having faced “Bones” on two occasions, “DC” said that he thinks whilst Jones’ experience is an advantage, he’s been through a lot of gruelling fights during his career.

    Cormier also said that another factor that makes him seriously consider whether Aspinall could be the first guy to beat the UFC heavyweight champion is the fact that Jones isn’t naturally suited to that weight class.

    He spent a lot of time building himself up to that frame but as a result, will sacrifice the speed that he had at light heavyweight.

    That makes Cormier believe that the heavyweight champ would fair better against a big, powerful and fast knockout artist like Aspinall if he was fighting at a smaller weight.

    “All those guys that fought him [Jones] close, that takes its toll. I think that this kid [Aspinall] is as dangerous for him as anyone he’s ever been in there with. Partly because that’s not his weight class. If he’s at 205, I bet if he’s weighing 215 [pounds], he would fight Tom Aspinall better than him weighing 245-pounds. 220 in his 205 frame, he could fight Tom Aspinall better then he’d fight him at 250 because while he didn’t last long with Ciryl, he didn’t look as fast.”

    Read also: MMA Analyst Explains Why He Doesnā€™t Consider Jon Jones A ā€˜Great Championā€™

  • PFL Announces Full Card For ‘Battle Of The Giants’ PPV Headlined By Francis Ngannou

    PFL Announces Full Card For ‘Battle Of The Giants’ PPV Headlined By Francis Ngannou

    The PFL has announced the full card for “Battle of the Giants”, the promotion’s huge event in Riyadh on October 19.

    We already knew about four fights, which regardless of the rest of the card, were going to make this one of the biggest nights in the history of the promotion.

    Between Francis Ngannou’s MMA return against Renan Ferreira, Cris Cyborg vs Larissa Pacheco, the Bellator middleweight title rematch between Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards plus a fantastic lightweight bout with AJ McKee taking on Paul Hughes, this card was certainly PPV worthy.

    We now know the remaining six bouts that will fill up the rest of the evening and though they’re still noteworthy, they don’t quite match up in box office value compared to the big four that were previously announced.

    Rounding out the main card is a featherweight clash between Switzerland’s Husein Kadimagomaev and Germany’s Zafar Mohsen.

    The most notable name to be added is Raufeon Stots, who will be fighting in the featured prelim against Marcos Breno.

    This will be Stots’ first fight of the year following his victory over Danny Sabatello in November last year at Bellator 301.

    See the full card for “Battle of the Giants: Brace for Impact” listed below:

    Main card:

    Heavyweight Main Event:Ā Francis NgannouĀ (17-3) vs.Ā Renan FerreiraĀ (13-3, 3 NC)Ā 
    Womenā€™s Featherweight Co-Main Event:Ā Cris ā€œCyborgā€Ā (27-2, 1 NC) vs.Ā Larissa PachecoĀ (23-4)
    Bellator Middleweight World Title Bout:Ā Johnny EblenĀ (15-0) vs.Ā Fabian EdwardsĀ (13-3)
    Featherweight Main Card Bout: Husein KadimagomaevĀ (11-1, 1 NC) vsĀ Zafar MohsenĀ (13-4)
    Lightweight Main Card Bout:Ā AJ McKeeĀ (22-1) vs.Ā Paul HughesĀ (12-1)

      Early Card:

      Bantamweight Early Card Bout: Raufeon StotsĀ (20-2) vsĀ Marcos BrenoĀ (15-3)
      Lightweight Early Card Bout: Makkasharip ZaynukovĀ (15-4) vsĀ Dedrek SandersĀ (9-4)
      Featherweight Early Card Bout: Ibragim IbragimovĀ (7-0) vsĀ Nacho CamposĀ (5-0)
      Middleweight Early Card Bout: Mostafa NadaĀ (9-3) vsĀ Ahmed SamiĀ (11-4-0, 1 NC)Ā 
      Featherweight Early Card Bout:Ā Youssef Al HousaniĀ (4-1) vsĀ Taha BendaoudĀ (3-0)

      Read also: Muhammad Mokaev Claims His Pay Is Three Times Higher After UFC Release

    1. Daniel Cormier Recalls Hilarious Story Of Trying To Sell Fake Drugs & Getting Caught

      Daniel Cormier Recalls Hilarious Story Of Trying To Sell Fake Drugs & Getting Caught

      A lot of athletes who make their way into combat sports come from rough backgrounds, and Daniel Cormier was no different.

      Through the success that he has achieved in his career through determination and commitment, his children won’t have to battle the same struggles that he faced.

      In that same vein, “DC” is sure to be an inspiration to other athletes and young people who are working hard to try and provide a better life for their families.

      During a recent podcast appearance on Pound 4 Pound, he told a story about how the trappings of his surroundings nearly got to him.

      Daniel Cormier On Being Chased For Selling Fake Drugs & Correcting His Path

      After Kamaru Usman spoke about how Cormier was an inspiration to him in his life that helped him to follow the right path, “DC” spoke about how he nearly took a wrong turn in his.

      The former UFC champ-champ said that selling drugs was so prominent where he grew up, that it was difficult to avoid making the same mistakes as the people around him.

      However, a hilarious experience on his first attempt was enough to steer Cormier away from making a potentially life-changing decision.

      “It’s not easy to have the strength to not fall into the trap. There’s a trap. When you ain’t got no money and everybody else is selling dope, you want to sell dope to make some money. I tried that s*** one time, it was not good. Bro, I swear to god, it was the worst. I was the worst drug dealer of all time. Bro I was 16-years-old, we made fake drugs, it’s bad!

      “I give it to the guy, he realized it was fake. He start chasing me, he caught me, he was fast. I gave him the money back, I was like, ‘It’s a bad product man, here you go.’ Last time I ever tried that. I was so scared though. I was so scared that this dude was going to hurt me ‘cuz I was a kid. I was a state champion wrestler, I’m like, what am I doing here? But I fell into the trap.”

      Read also: MMA Analyst Explains Why He Doesnā€™t Consider Jon Jones A ā€˜Great Championā€™

    2. UFC Announces New Antitrust Settlement Agreement $75 Million More Than Original Deal

      UFC Announces New Antitrust Settlement Agreement $75 Million More Than Original Deal

      The UFC, part of TKO Group Holdings, has announced a revised agreement to settle the Le and Johnson antitrust lawsuits.

      The updated settlement addresses concerns raised by Judge Richard Boulware, following his rejection of a previous $335 million agreement. UFC boss Dana White slammed that decision, and suggested the judge may have a personal vendetta against him and business partner Lorenzo Fertitta.

      TKO has now agreed to settle all claims in the Le case for a total of $375 million – $75 million more than the initially offered sum – which will be paid out through instalments. The company expects this settlement amount to be tax-deductible.

      While the Le case settlement is moving forward, the Johnson case remains in its early stages. A motion to dismiss remains pending.

      UFC Press release:

      LAS VEGAS, SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 ā€“ UFC, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today issued the following statement regarding the Le and Johnson antitrust lawsuits: We have reached a revised agreement with Plaintiffs to settle the Le case with terms that we believe address Judge Boulwareā€™s stated concerns. While we believe the original settlement was fair ā€” a sentiment that was also shared by Plaintiffs ā€” we feel it is in the best interest of all parties to bring this litigation to a close. As for the Johnson case, that process is in very early stages, and a motion to dismiss the complaint remains pending.

      On September 26, 2024, TKO reached an agreement with the plaintiffs to settle all claims asserted in the Le case for an aggregate amount of $375 million payable in installments over an agreed-upon period of time by the Company and its subsidiaries (the ā€œUpdated Settlement Agreementā€), following the courtā€™s denial of an earlier proposed settlement agreement. The terms of the Updated Settlement Agreement have been memorialized in a long form agreement, which will be submitted to the court for approval. The Company anticipates that the settlement amount will be deductible for tax purposes.

      The related SEC document is available at SEC.gov.

    3. Report: Manel Kape Booked For First UFC Fight Since Muhammad Mokaev Loss

      UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape will have the chance to get his ball rolling once again before the year is out.

      Kape (19-7) had his pursuit of a title shot and rematch with reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja stalled at UFC 304 this past April, where he fell short across three rounds opposite Muhammad Mokaev inside Manchester’s Co-op Live.

      That result snapped the Angola-born Portuguese fighter’s four-fight winning run. And to bounce back this year, Kape will need to defend his #9 ranking against a name outside the top 10.

      Per Brazilian outlet Ag. Fight, Kape will return to meet the challenge of Bruno Silva (14-5-2, 1 NC) at the UFC Fight Night in Tampa, Florida on December 14.

      Prior to his setback opposite Mokaev, Kape had risen the ranks with victories over Ode’ Osbourne, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, David DvoÅ™Ć”k, and Felipe dos Santos. That run established the former Rizin bantamweight champion as a contender after an 0-2 start to life in the UFC.

      Silva, meanwhile, went winless across his first three UFC fights. Like Kape, however, he’s enjoyed a strong resurgence by having his hand raised in four consecutive bouts. “Bulldog” most recently followed a submission victory over Tyson Nam by knocking out Cody Durden at the Apex this past July.

      With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night in Tampa on Dec. 14 are as follows:

      • Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas (women’s strawweight)
      • Manel Kape vs. Bruno Silva (flyweight)
      • Tracy Cortez vs. Miranda Maverick (women’s flyweight)
      • Dustin Jacoby vs. Vitor Petrino (light heavyweight)
      • Davey Grant vs. Ramon Taveras (bantamweight)
      • Piera Rodriguez vs. Josefine Knutsson (women’s strawweight)
      • Tuco Tokkos vs. Navajo Striling (light heavyweight)

    4. Muhammad Mokaev Claims His Pay Is Three Times Higher After UFC Release

      Muhammad Mokaev’s UFC departure may have seen his title ambitions on MMA’s biggest stage take a hit, but the same seemingly can’t be said for his bank accountā€¦

      Mokaev surprisingly found himself outside of the sport’s leading promotion shortly after his latest win at UFC 304 in Manchester this past July. In a lackluster affair, the Dagestan-born Brit outpointed Manel Kape to move to 13-0 as a pro and 7-0 in the UFC.

      With a victory over “Starboy,” Mokaev was anticipating a potential title shot. But seemingly owing to his conduct behind the scenes, “The Punisher” was instead let go after fighting out his contract.

      The 24-year-old was quick to complain about the decision publicly, even offering to fight for free if it would allow him back into the UFC. His efforts evidently fell on deaf ears, however, and he’ll need to put the work in outside of the Octagon to stake his claim for a new deal.

      And while he goes to work in a bid to show his worth to Dana White and co., he’ll apparently be collecting increased purses along the way…

      Mokaev Banking More After UFC Exit, Brave CF Re-Signing

      Mokaev’s attempt to impress the UFC higher-ups and force a re-signing will come in familiar surroundings, as he’s returned to the promotion he competed in prior to joining MMA’s top organization, Brave CF.

      And while responding to a fan on social media recently, the elite flyweight claimed he’s receiving three times as much pay in the Middle East-based promotion as he did under the UFC banner.

      Mokaev later commented publicly himself, claiming to be the “highest paid flyweight fighter in the world” in a social media post.

      Despite the lucrative position he’s seemingly found himself in, however, “The Punisher” reiterated that his goal remains a return to the UFC.

      “Highest paid flyweight fighter in the world right now without holding the title @bravemmaf But of course my goal is come back to UFC because it is the number 1 promotion in the world right now!”

      It remains to be seen when Mokaev will return to action in his new promotion, and whether a strong run of results there could re-open the door back to the UFC and the flyweight gold currently held by Alexandre Pantoja.

    5. Yan Xiaonan, Carlos Ulberg, & More Added To UFC Macau Card On Nov. 23

      Yan Xiaonan, Carlos Ulberg, & More Added To UFC Macau Card On Nov. 23

      The lineup has come together for the mixed martial arts leader’s return to China for a UFC Fight Night card inside Macau’s Galaxy Arena.

      November 23 will see Octagon action take place in Macau for the first time in over a decade. And the promotion is set to bring plenty of notable names along with it to the Chinese region.

      That includes for the main event, which was recently revealed to pit ex-bantamweight champion Petr Yan against former two-time flyweight kingpin Deiveson Figueiredo in a crucial clash at 135 pounds.

      And while confirming that on social media, the UFC announced a number of other intriguing matchups. Of note is the next fight for China’s own Yan Xiaonan, as well as charging light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg.

      Seven months on from her failed title challenge against Zhang Weili (18-4, 1 NC) at UFC 300, Xiaonan will look to bounce back in front of her home fans against the #9-ranked Tabatha Ricci (11-2). “Baby Shark” has won two straight, most recently outpointing Angela Hill last month.

      Ulberg (10-1), meanwhile, will be making his return after having an injury take away his chance of competing at International Fight Week this past June, where he had matchups with both Jamahal Hill and Anthony Smith fall through.

      He’ll have the chance to consolidate his spot inside the light heavyweight top 10 when he takes on former title challenger and current #6-ranked contender Volkan Oezdemir (20-7) in Macau.

      Also of note is the addition of Wang Cong (6-0), a women’s flyweight prospect who made a thunderous UFC debut at the Apex in August. After brutally knocking out Victoria Leonardo, “The Joker” will compete on home soil in her sophomore Octagon appearance against Gabriella Fernandes (9-3).

      With these additions, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night event in Macau on Nov. 23 are as follows:

      • Petr Yan vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (bantamweight main event)
      • Yan Xiaonan vs. Tabatha Ricci (women’s strawweight)
      • Volkan Oezdemir vs. Carlos Ulberg (light heavyweight)
      • Wang Cong vs. Gabriella Fernandes (women’s flyweight)
      • Song Kenan vs. Muslim Salikhov (welterweight)
      • Zhang Mingyang vs. Ozzy Diaz (light heavyweight)
      • Nyamjargal Tumendemberel vs. Carlos Hernandez (flyweight)
      • Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Jose Ochoa (flyweight)
      • Kangjie Zhu vs. Bin Xie (Road to UFC featherweight final)
      • SuYoung You vs. Jieleyisi Baergeng (Road to UFC bantamweight final)
      • Kiru Singh Sahota vs. DongHun Choi (Road to UFC flyweight final)
      • Xiaocan Feng vs. Ming Shi (Road to UFC women’s strawweight final)

    6. Chael Sonnen Dismisses ‘Thirsty’ Jorge Masvidal’s UFC Comeback Talk: ‘At The Age Of 40…’

      Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen has his doubts when it comes to Jorge Masvidal entering the Octagon again.

      Masvidal ā€” who failed in his two welterweight title bids opposite Kamaru Usman ā€” called time on his mixed martial arts career at UFC 287 in Miami early last year.

      The event saw “Gamebred” comfortably outpointed by Gilbert Burns, adding to his previous losses to Colby Covington and Usman to mark his fourth straight setback inside the cage.

      After announcing his retirement, the 39-year-old made his expected venture to the ring, where he ran it back with fellow ex-UFC star Nate Diaz at an event this past July.

      But both during the lead-up to that bout ā€” which he lost on the scorecards ā€” and since, Masvidal has repeatedly expressed interest in a UFC comeback. He’s even set his sights on an opponent, calling to settle his unfinished business with Leon Edwards.

      But when it comes to the UFC’s alleged interest in granting the return, Sonnen isn’t buying it…

      Sonnen: Masvidal Too Old For Another UFC Stint

      During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen discussed Masvidal’s comeback talk and his decision to place Edwards in his sights.

      While “The American Gangster” suggested that the matchup itself makes more sense now than it did at the time of Masvidal’s retirement, he ultimately can’t envision the UFC being interested in the soon-to-be 40-year-old extending his Octagon career.

      “The last time I checked on Masvidal, he was 39,” Sonnen said. “Masvidal has looked very thirsty as of late. … I don’t care how thirsty a guy is or what he looks like in that regard, if he’s calling out guys like Leon, that guy is a badass, and that is what Jorge Masvidal is. Now that fight wouldn’t make a lot of sense. That fight isn’t taking it anywhere. It’s not taking it to a title fight. For those reasons, the fight makes more sense. That’s the whole reason we couldn’t do it before; one was a champion but the other wasn’t a top contender.

      “I don’t predict for you that they’re going to make that fight. In fact, quite the opposite. I don’t predict for you anybody at the age of 40 is going to get signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, including if it’s a re-signing,” Sonnen continued. “That’s what I think, but there’s not an actual rule that says otherwise.”

      Regardless of Sonnen’s view, Masvidal is evidently confident of making the walk again down the line.

      By the looks of things, he’s been hard at work at the American Top Team facility in Coconut Creek, Florida, training with the likes of former Bellator champion and current free agent Yaroslav Amosov.

    7. Nick Diaz Has New UFC Return Date In The Works After Abu Dhabi Cancellation

      Nick Diaz Has New UFC Return Date In The Works After Abu Dhabi Cancellation

      Former UFC welterweight title challenger Nick Diaz will likely make his next Octagon appearance before the year is out.

      Diaz ā€” a former Strikeforce and WEC champion ā€” hasn’t competed since UFC 266 in September of 2021, where he was stopped by Robbie Lawler. That outing marked his first in six years and left many calling for his retirement.

      The Stockton native isn’t done yet, however, and he was scheduled to make the walk again last month in Abu Dhabi. But his planned clash with ranked welterweight Vicente Luque fell through owing to a travel issue on the side of Diaz.

      Per MMA Mania’s Alex Behunin, that matchup has been kept together and is now targeted to take place at the UFC 310 pay-per-view in Las Vegas this coming December.

      Prior to his unsuccessful return three years ago, Diaz’s previous outing saw him share the cage with Anderson Silva in 2015. The Brazilian had his unanimous decision win overturned to a no contest after testing positive for drostanolone and androsterone.

      Diaz, meanwhile, tested positive for elevated marijuana metabolites, leading to a controversial suspension and lengthy layoff on the sidelines for the fan favorite.

      He’ll now look to return to his form of old in his second bout back at the expense of Luque, a longtime figure in the welterweight top 15 who has lost three of his last four.

    8. Fellow UFC Welterweight Claims Shavkat Rakhmonov Will Be ‘Exposed’ By Belal Muhammad

      Fellow UFC Welterweight Claims Shavkat Rakhmonov Will Be ‘Exposed’ By Belal Muhammad

      Joaquin Buckley is fighting in the UFC 307 prelims against Stephen Thompson. The welterweight matchup is expected to be a back-and-forth striking brawl, leaving many disappointed it didn’t make it to the main card.

      With four straight wins in the welterweight division, Buckley is aiming to secure a title shot as quickly as possible. A win over “Wonderboy” would undoubtedly boost and place him in the top 10.

      The current title challenger at welterweight is most likely Shavkat Rakhmonov, though. As per Buckley, the undefeated prospect with a 100% finish rate is not as skilled as fans believe and will be soundly beaten by Belal Muhammad…

      Joaquin Buckley Claims His Wins Over Shavkat Rakhmonov’s Teammates Are Why “Nomad” Ducked Him

      Buckley appeared in an interview on the Inside Fighting YouTube channel and discussed his next fight alongside the state of the UFC welterweight division.

      “New Mansa” gave the new welterweight kingpin his props, appreciating his work ethic and long road to the title. However, he’s not a fan of Rakhmonov, who’s potentially Muhammad’s first defense.

      Buckley revealed he offered to fight “Nomad” when Jack Della Maddalena had to pull out, but the offer was declined. He also boasts wins over members of the Kill Cliff FC team, where Rakhmonov trains.

      The welterweight compared Rakhmonovā€™s durability to early Vicente Luque but expects the hype to fade once the Kazakh fighter faces elite competition like Muhammad.

      “Because he knew there was a risk that I beat the majority of his teammates that he trains with. That yes, that we got the number on the whole Kill Cliff can over there. So, I just don’t think Shavkat is as good as people claim. But you know, I feel like he definitely going to get exposed eventually, you know. If that’s not by me, that’s definitely going to be by Belal.”

      For now, Buckley’s focus is on getting past a tough veteran in “Wonderboy”, a nightmare for most fighters on the feet.

    9. Renato Moicano Claims Popularity Matters More Than Rankings In The UFC: ‘Even McGregor…’

      Renato Moicano Claims Popularity Matters More Than Rankings In The UFC: ‘Even McGregor…’

      Renato Moicano will look forward to extending his three-fight win streak as he takes on Benoit Saint-Denis this weekend at UFC Paris. He’ll be headlining an event after four long years and has made tons of new fans lately through his podcast and the ‘Money Moicano’ gimmick.

      Although Saint-Denis is one of the toughest fighters in the lightweight division, Moicano has been fighting elite competition since 2017. He’s spent nine years in the UFC, and a win over BSD would bring him closer to a title shot than ever before.

      As a UFC veteran at this point, Moicano believes that a fighter’s popularity matters more than their ranking and he had quite a few examples to back this claim…

      Renato Moicano Aims To Boost His Popularity Instead Of Rankings For A Successful UFC Run Like Dan Hooker and Conor McGregor

      While talking to the media recently, Moicano was asked about the impact on his rank after beating an opponent like Saint-Denis who’s ranked just below him.

      The Brazilian outright stated that rankings don’t matter as much in the UFC. Of course, the level of competition you face is directly related to your rank but popularity can help the fighters skip past these aspects and get the biggest fights.

      “I think the rankings, they don’t matter. You know, if the rankings matter, things will be easier but no, we saw like last month, Dan Hooker beating Mateusz and they were pretty far on the rankings. So, we see some guys like, even McGregor, back in the day, he was like, I don’t know, how many years without fighting and he was in the rankings. I think this sport, we have to try to see like the popularity, you know, the momentum. And even though Benoit Saint-Denis is ranked behind me, I think he has a lot of momentum. I think he has a lot of popularity, especially in Europe and I think that could catapult me, not to the rankings, but to popularity and I could get even better fights.”

      Moicano used Dan Hooker as an example as he was below Mateusz Gamrot before their fight. Thanks to a split decision victory, “The Hangman” is now a top-five ranked lightweight and will most likely get a title shot after another win.

      Similarly, Conor McGregor was in the UFC rankings for a very long time even when he wasn’t fighting anyone. So, understanding that BSD is quite popular in Europe, Moicano’s goal is to boost his following among European fans even if his rank doesn’t improve much.

      The American Top Team fighter thinks he can ask for the biggest fights in the lightweight division regardless of his rank if he’s a big draw. Either way, he needs to get past “God of War” first.

    10. ‘No Guarantees’ – UFC HOFer Worries Diego Lopes Will Surpass Alexander Volkanovski In Featherweight Title Shot Race

      ‘No Guarantees’ – UFC HOFer Worries Diego Lopes Will Surpass Alexander Volkanovski In Featherweight Title Shot Race

      The UFC featherweight division has changed a lot in the last twelve months. Alexander Volkanovski, who looked unbeatable in the weight class, lost via knockout to a rising undefeated prospect Ilia Topuria in February 2024.

      Max Holloway, after clearing out most of the top contenders in the division, moved up to lightweight and knocked out Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. While the former champion has been resting and hoping to fight for the title upon his return, Diego Lopes has become an undeniable contender as well, following his dominant win over Brian Ortega.

      With Lopes eyeing a fight in December, UFC legend Chael Sonnen is concerned about its impact on Volkanovski’s title shot…

      Chael Sonnen Shares The Implications Of Diego Lopes Calling Out Alexander Volkanovski

      Sonnen recently discussed the current state of the UFC featherweight division on his YouTube channel. He looked back at how quickly “The Great” went from being P4P No. 1 to waiting for a title shot in a division he reigned over for five years.

      Things seemed straightforward with Holloway fighting Topuria, as Volkanovski would be next while getting the much-needed rest after two straight KO losses. However, Sonnen claims that Lopes agreeing to be the backup for Topuria vs. Holloway at UFC 308 could be a problem for the former kingpin.

      “The American Gangster” remembered that backup fighters for UFC title fights have often ended up getting the title shot next. Although Volkanovski’s legacy cannot be questioned, Sonnen reminded viewers that there are no guarantees in the fight business.

      “Diego Lopes is ready to fight right now, and to back that up, will fly to a different continent and sit in the front row should he need to which is the exact process that Volkanovski did in the exact arena to get his opportunity against Islam. I don’t know how this is going to play out and I don’t have a horse in the race. Diego Lopes has done nothing, I’ve been as impressed as you guys are. Volkanovski, one of the all-time greats, one of my absolute favorite fighters. I don’t have a horse in this race, but make no mistake, there is a race.”

      The former UFC title challenger also pointed out that Lopes is targeting a fight with “The Great” if he doesn’t step in for anyone in November. Yet again, it would be hard for Volkanovski to decline this fight and then ask for a title shot over Lopes.

      “Whether Diego Lopes meant to do this cause secretly, he’s strategically very good at this or Volkanovski doesn’t know what’s happening. He’s going to sit one out because he thinks he has a guarantee. There are no guarantees. There’s one bout agreement, it goes to one guy. There is officially a call out by Lopes, Volkanovski, the ball is yours.”

      All in all, Sonnen worries that Volkanovski’s path to reclaiming the UFC featherweight title is no longer uncomplicated.

    11. Former ONE Double Champ Names His UFC Hitlist After Joining Promotion

      Former ONE Double Champ Names His UFC Hitlist After Joining Promotion

      Former ONE Championship two-division titleholder Reinier De Ridder is the UFC’s latest notable signee, and he believes he’s primed to take on the challenges within the promotion’s highly competitive middleweight division.

      “The Dutch Knight” dominated the ONE Championship middleweight and light heavyweight divisions from November 2020 until this past March. During his tenure, De Ridder initially rode high on the momentum of a seven-fight win streak.

      However, his reign came to an abrupt end as he suffered consecutive defeats to Anatoly Malykhin, resulting in the loss of both titles. De Ridder boasts a professional MMA record of 17-2, with an impressive 11 of those victories coming by way of submission.

      De Ridder is fresh off a first-round knockout victory against Magomedmurad Khasaev at UAE Warriors this past July, and the 34-year-old Dutchman is confident he can harness that momentum as he makes his entrance into the UFC.

      De Ridder Sets Sights on Top-5 Rivals Following UFC Debut

      During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, De Ridder revealed his aspirations for dream matchups within the UFC. “The Dutch Knight” expressed a strong desire to challenge himself against the reigning middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis, as well as former titleholders such as Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, and Sean Strickland.

      The grappling prodigy emphasized that he has no time to squander now that heā€™s joined the UFC, and heā€™s eager to take on high-profile opponents.

      “Right now. Let’s go,” De Ridder said. “Iā€™m ready. Thatā€™s what Iā€™m here for. It would be so cool to finally get a shot at those guys. Theyā€™ve been around for so long. Iā€™ve been around for a little while now, as well, so it would be very cool to finally get a chance to fight those guys… Adesanya, Dricus, Strickland, all of them. Why not?”

      However, before “The Dutch Knight” can focus on his desired matchups, he must first conquer veteran Gerald Meerschaert in his promotional debut at a Fight Night event on November 9 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    12. MMA Analyst Explains Why He Doesn’t Consider Jon Jones A ‘Great Champion’

      MMA Analyst Explains Why He Doesn’t Consider Jon Jones A ‘Great Champion’

      Jon Jones is undeniably a cornerstone in the debate over who holds the title of the greatest MMA fighter of all time. His skills, beyond doubt, reinforce this assertion, showcasing a career marked by unparalleled success and accomplishments.

      “Bones” etched his name in the history books by becoming the youngest champion in UFC history at just 23 years old, triumphing over Mauricio Rua at UFC 128 in March 2011.

      Jones remained unbeaten during his reign as the UFC light heavyweight champion, successfully defending his title a staggering 13 times against the very best that the 205-pound division had to offer.

      Despite his remarkable achievements, the 37-year-old New Yorker’s career has been marred by several notorious controversies that may overshadow his legacy. This, in fact, is the reason why Josh Thomson does not view “Bones” as a great champion in UFC history.

      Thomson Says Jones’ Positive PED Results Mar His Reputation

      During a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast, “The Punk” and “Big” John McCarthy delved into the discussion surrounding the longest title defense streak in UFC history and pondered who truly deserves to be called a great champion.

      The former UFC referee highlighted Jones’ name in the conversation, but Thomson challenged this notion, asserting that “Bones” testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs undermines his status as the most dominant champion in the sport’s history.

      “What defines a great UFC champion is to never have tested positive for a f**king steroid or for a d*ck pill or for anything,” Thomson said. “So automatically, that’s going to exclude two guys that I hold in very high regard, despite one of them not liking my teammates, which is Jon Jones and Anderson Silva. I’m sorry, but that’s somethingā€”let’s not p*ssyfoot around this whole thing.”

      Jones faced a one-year suspension in 2016 after failing a drug test for androgen-related substances prior to his highly anticipated UFC 200 matchup with Daniel Cormier. Later, “Bones” tested positive for turinabol, resulting in his victory over Cormier at UFC 214 being changed to a no-contest.

      Thomson went on to emphasize that he regards former champions such as Demetrious Johnson, who boasts 11 title defenses, and Georges St-Pierre, with nine defenses to his name, as the greatest titleholders in UFC history.

      Jones is preparing for his highly anticipated return to the Octagon after more than a year away, following his triumphant victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023, where he captured the undisputed heavyweight title.

      He is scheduled to defend his championship against former titleholder Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 on November 16, 2024, at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    13. Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson On Shavkat Rakhmonov Lie That Got Under His Skin

      Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson On Shavkat Rakhmonov Lie That Got Under His Skin

      Stephen Thompson recently disclosed the one fib from Shavkat Rakhmonov that truly irked him after their matchup.

      “Wonderboy” is gearing up to square off against Joaquin Buckley in a welterweight clash on the preliminary card of UFC 307, scheduled for October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

      Thompson is set to make his comeback to the Octagon after a 10-month hiatus, having not competed since his second-round submission defeat to the unbeaten Rakhmonov at UFC 296 in December 2023.

      In the lead-up to their clash, both fighters had agreed to engage exclusively in striking. However, Rakhmonov chose to grapple and ultimately secured a swift victory.

      While Thompson respects the 29-year-old Kazakh fighter’s skills, he feels disheartened by his opponent’s attempt to rationalize his change in approach, claiming he suffered a serious ankle injury before their bout despite having promised to prove he was the superior striker.

      Thompson Critiques Rakhmonov & Team For Justifying Change In Strategy After Their Bout

      During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Thompson reflected on his defeat to Rakhmonov, voicing his dissatisfaction with “Nomad’s” coach, Henri Hooft, for attempting to explain the decision to pursue takedowns during the fight.

      “Wonderboy” noted that he recalls Hooft making similar remarks following his bout against Gilbert Burns at UFC 264.

      “It was funny because afterward the same coach as Gilbert Burns, and after the Gilbert Burns fight, the coach came up and was like, ‘Iā€™m sorry the fight was boring, but thatā€™s the only way to beat you,’” Thompson said. “He said the same thing after the Shavkat fight.”

      Thompson acknowledged that grappling is an integral aspect of the sport and emphasized that he should have been better prepared for it. However, he expressed disappointment that Rakhmonov didnā€™t honor his commitment to keep their bout strictly to striking.

      “So I knew thatā€™s what they were planning on. He was not planning to strike with me. He wanted to hem me up, get me to the floor, and submit me, which he did very well. Thatā€™s part of the game. Iā€™ve got to be ready for that. But especially after the fight, theyā€™re saying that. You can say that during the fight to get me thinking one thing, but after the fight, youā€™re saying, ‘I was going to strike with the guy, but I hurt my ankle.’ Nah, dude. It got me a little bit. Very few things frustrate me ā€” that got me a little bit. Just admit it.”

      “Wonderboy” once enjoyed an impressive seven-fight win streak. However, since his title rematch loss to Tyron Woodley at UFC 209 in March 2017, the 41-year-old South Carolina native has struggled to reclaim his former glory. In his last 10 bouts, he has tallied a disappointing record of 4-6.

      • Read More: Stephen Thompson Reacts To Being On UFC 307 Prelims After Fighting On Main Cards For A Decade Straight
    14. Brendan Allen Admits He’s Missing One Thing To Secure First UFC Title Shot: ‘That’s Not My Jam…’Ā 

      Brendan Allen Admits He’s Missing One Thing To Secure First UFC Title Shot: ‘That’s Not My Jam…’Ā 

      When it comes to fighting, UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen thinks he will have done everything possible to secure a title shot after this weekend.

      Allen is among those who’ve arrived in enemy territory to do battle with a French fighter in their home nation on Saturday night, when the UFC is set to stage its third event in Paris.

      While “All In” publicly declined the assignment at first owing to his anger at not headlining, he eventually accepted a three-round co-main event opposite a contender four places above him on the ladder in the #4-ranked Nassourdine Imavov.

      The bout comes five months on from Allen emerging victorious from a memorable rematch with Chris Curtis at the Apex, where the 28-year-old Californian was able to avenge his most recent defeat and extend his streak of triumphs to seven.

      But despite his winning form, Allen acknowledges one aspect of the game in which he falls short of others when it comes to being given an opportunity at the gold…

      Allen Cites Lack Of Social Media Following Has One Unchecked Box For UFC Title Shot

      During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Allen looked ahead to his second walk to the cage of 2024, which sees him competing outside of the United States for only the second time in his UFC career.

      Most fighters would expect to be in the running for a title shot after notching seven straight wins. But while that is Allen’s target should he have his hand raised to make it eight, he believes his approach to social media provides somewhat of a hurdle.

      “Ideally speaking, if I go out there and beat Imavov, especially if I finish Imavov within three rounds in his hometown, in front of his people, I think Iā€™ve checked every single box except for one to fight for the title,” Allen said. “Thereā€™s nothing I can really do overnight to check the one other box, which is (social media) followers. I donā€™t know. Thatā€™s not my jam. Everything on a fighting level, I think Iā€™ve done every single thing.”

      Regardless of his low-key presence on social media, Allen will look to negate that deficiency by letting his fighting talents do the talking when it comes to securing a first shot at championship glory on MMA’s biggest stage.

      And with the winner of next month’s UFC 308 co-headliner between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev likely to stake their claim, a strong performance at the expense Imavov is required for “All In.”

    15. Dustin Poirier Praised For Wanting Hard Match Up As Potential Next Fight: ‘You Can’t Ask Anything Moreā€¦’

      Dustin Poirier Praised For Wanting Hard Match Up As Potential Next Fight: ‘You Can’t Ask Anything Moreā€¦’

      Dustin Poirier recently received accolades from MMA analysts for expressing his desire to take on a stylistically challenging opponent in his next fight.

      “The Diamond” came up short in his thirdā€”and possibly finalā€”quest for the undisputed UFC lightweight title against reigning champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 this past June. Poirier endured a grueling back-and-forth battle before ultimately succumbing to a submission in the fifth round.

      After his setback, Poirier hinted that his last appearance in the Octagon might be behind him. However, just a few weeks later, the former UFC interim champion experienced a shift in perspective, revealing that he still feels a strong desire to fightā€”provided the matchup is enticing enough for him.

      It appears that “The Diamond” has put an intriguing bout in place for himself, as he recently teased on X his desire to settle the score with Justin Gaethje in a highly anticipated trilogy match.

      Considering Poirier’s 1-1 record against “The Highlight”, MMA analysts Josh Thomson and “Big” John McCarthy praised his determination to pursue challenging matchups, even as he nears the later stages of his career.

      Thomson Says Poirier Never Wants The ‘Easy Road’ In His Career

      During a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast, both Thompson and McCarthy lauded Poirier for considering a trilogy bout with Gaethje. “The Punk” noted that the 35-year-old Louisiana native is driven by the prospect of facing Gaethje and never hesitates to embrace the toughest challenges in his career.

      “The fact that Dustin’s calling for the fight means that this guy motivates him enough to say, ‘You know what? Let’s run this back; let’s do it a third time; let’s give the fans what they want,’” Thomson said. “I’ve never looked at Dustin as someone who wants the easy road; he’s not that guy.”

      McCarthy remarked that the opponents “The Diamond” has faced over his career embody the highest level of competition in the UFC lightweight division, and that is truly commendable.

      “If you’re going to look at it from a certain point, you know everybody he was fighting was either a champion or a former champion,” McCarthy said. “We’re talking top of the food chain with every guy that he was fighting, and it’s just amazing. You know, I think it was from the Dan Hooker fight; I could be wrong, but I mean, just crazy who that guy has been fighting. You can’t ask anything more from a fighter than what you get from Dustin Poirier.”

      Poirier suffered a devastating knockout at the hands of “The Highlight” in their rematch for the ‘BMF’ title at UFC 291 in July 2023. However, in their initial encounter back in April 2018, Poirier emerged victorious, finishing Gaethje after an intense showdown.

    16. Jon Anik’s Verdict On UFC 306 Main Event: ‘Guys Like Merab Dvalishvili & Belal Muhammadā€¦’

      Jon Anik’s Verdict On UFC 306 Main Event: ‘Guys Like Merab Dvalishvili & Belal Muhammadā€¦’

      The sport of MMA moves so fast that even after a major event like UFC 306, there is very little time before everyone has moved on to the next major talking point.

      Merab Dvalishvili winning the UFC bantamweight title in the main event of the promotion’s second annual Noche UFC already feels like it happened months ago.

      His performance against Sean O’Malley inside the Sphere answered some very intriguing questions that fans had going into the fight.

      Not only was Dvalishvili able to dominate the fight with his grappling when he did close the distance, he was able to avoid taking significant damage for the majority of the duration.

      Jon Anik Says Fighters Like Merab Dvalishvili & Belal Muhammad Don’t Get Enough Credit

      In a recent interview with James Lynch for Middle Easy, UFC commentator Jon Anik gave his thoughts on Dvalishvili’s performance.

      He looked to really emphasize how it wasn’t just the grappling of the challenger at UFC 306 that was impressive, it was his overall game.

      Dvalishvili was constantly moving and giving O’Malley something new to think about and thanks to his unrelenting gas tank, that continued across all five rounds.

      Anik also made reference to Belal Muhammad’s title win at UFC 304 where of course, the biggest takeaway was his grappling success, but that didn’t tell the whole story of the fight where his striking was also very effective.

      “A lot of people might have fancied Umar (Nurmagomedov) against either guy and maybe now they’re not so sure just given how dominant Merab was and guys like Merab Dvalishvili and Belal Muhammad are never going to get credit for what they do as strikers. If they have a nice jab or a nice point of entry but man, the total package of Merab, like the dude needs to be tested for science right? And yeah, I’m saying that for comedic value but what is inside of there?”

      Read also: UFC Commentator Highlights Julianna PeƱaā€™s Key Quality That Will Serve Her Well At UFC 307

    17. UFC Commentator Highlights Julianna PeƱa’s Key Quality That Will Serve Her Well At UFC 307

      UFC Commentator Highlights Julianna PeƱa’s Key Quality That Will Serve Her Well At UFC 307

      Julianna PeƱa is set to return at UFC 307 after being away from competition for nearly two years.

      The last time that she stepped inside the Octagon, it was as the women’s bantamweight champion.

      Though she came up short on that night in a rematch with Amanda Nunes at UFC 277, her comeback will see her look to reclaim the gold on October 5.

      To do so, PeƱa will need to answer some questions about whether her time away and injuries will play a factor in her attempt to dethrone Raquel Pennington in Salt Lake City.

      Jon Anik Says That Juliana PeƱa’s Meanness Will Help Her Overcome Ring Rust At UFC 307

      UFC commentator Jon Anik expressed in a recent interview with Middle Easy that he isn’t concerned about PeƱa’s time away from the Octagon heading into this fight.

      Though he did say that ring rust can be a factor depending on the fighter in question, he believes that the challenger is not someone that it will phase.

      Anik referenced how if you listen to how the former champion’s coaches and teammates speak about her, they will immediately make reference to her aggressive mindset when she’s in the cage.

      With this in mind, he doesn’t think that we will see anything less than the very best that PeƱa has to offer, come October 5.

      “It’s amazing to listen to Juliana PeƱa’s coaches, to a man, talk about her relative meanness and nastiness. They can’t even get to the skills because Rick Little and Mike Valley both are just like dude, meanest man or woman in the gym, you know what I mean? So I don’t worry about her, I just think she’s sort of one of these ultimate competitors. The layoffs not ideal, the injury history is not ideal and Raquel Pennington just knows how to win fights.”

      Read also: Herb Dean Uses Dana Whiteā€™s Contender Series Example To Explain ā€˜Letā€™s Workā€™ Calls During UFC 306 Main Event

    18. Petr Yan vs. Deiveson Figueiredo Set For UFC Fight Night In Macau On Nov. 23

      Petr Yan vs. Deiveson Figueiredo Set For UFC Fight Night In Macau On Nov. 23

      The UFC’s return to Macau looks set to have high stakes in the bantamweight title picture.

      Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is set to take the Octagon back to Macau ā€” an autonomous region on the south coast of China ā€” for the first time in a decade later this year, with the Galaxy Arena playing host to a UFC Fight Night card on November 23.

      And the lineup looks to have its first major addition in the form of a clash between former champions.

      Per Brazilian reporter LĆ©o Guimaraes, ex-bantamweight kingpin Petr Yan (17-5) and former two-time flyweight titleholder Deiveson Figueiredo (24-3-1) are set to meet in a crucial showdown at 135 pounds in Macau.

      Yan, Figueiredo Expected To Battle For Potential UFC Title Shot In China

      Should this bout be made official, one man could leave Macau with a shot at the bantamweight belt set for down the line.

      For Yan, that would present another chance to regain the divisional title. The Russian previously held it prior to a disqualification loss to Aljamain Sterling in 2021. While he subsequently captured interim status, he fell short against “Funk Master” in their rematch.

      The tough times continued for Yan in the subsequent months. He first suffered a controversial split decision loss to Sean O’Malley in 2022 before being convincingly outpointed by another then-future champ in Merab Dvalishvili the following year. But having bounced back in style by stalling the charge of Song Yadong at UFC 299 this past March, “No Mercy” is now targeting a return to a win streak for the first time since 2020.

      To do so, the Russian standout will have to hand Figueiredo his first defeat at 135 pounds. “Deus Da Guerra” committed to a long-discussed bantamweight switch following the end of his second flyweight rule against Brandon Moreno in early 2023. He’s since reeled off three straight wins to rise to #5 in the rankings, defeating Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, and Marlon Vera.

      Deiveson Figueiredo
      Image: Chris Unger/UFC/Zuffa LLC
    19. Herb Dean Uses Dana White’s Contender Series Example To Explain ‘Let’s Work’ Calls During UFC 306 Main Event

      Herb Dean Uses Dana White’s Contender Series Example To Explain ‘Let’s Work’ Calls During UFC 306 Main Event

      Veteran referee Herb Dean came under some criticism following his role as the official inside the cage during the main event of UFC 306.

      The fight between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title wasn’t exactly a fight of the year contender, but it wasn’t dull either.

      Despite the stakes that were involved in this fight, Dean repeatedly told Dvalishvili to work when he was wrestling O’Malley, specifically towards the end of the fight.

      He later explained that this was not a call that he made because the challenger wasn’t doing anything – rather, it was because Dvalishvili wasn’t attempting to cause damage or finish the fight in these exchanges.

      Herb Dean Says That The Contender Series Is Proof Of What The UFC Wants MMA To Look Like

      In a recent interview with Helen Yee Sports, Dean spoke more about why he is asking fighters to work more in these positions.

      He believes that though a fighter using his grappling to negate his opponent’s offence is an effective technique, it isn’t what the UFC want the sport to look like.

      To prove his point, Dean made reference to Dana White’s Contender Series and how those fights prioritize action and aggression.

      We have seen several occasions throughout the eight seasons of the show, where fighters win in convincing fashion but don’t earn contracts because their performances didn’t show that hunger and killer instinct that the UFC is after.

      Dean believes that the reason for that is to fill the roster with fighters who are always looking for the finish, rather than stalling the action to secure a victory by any means necessary.

      “I’m always gonna be learning something new from some of these athletes if they take some time to share with me. But, it’s what we want our sport to look like and I think we want our, I’m going to do the Contender Series tonight, I think we want the fights to look like the guys that get signed on the Contender Series.

      “That’s what I think that, that’s why they sign those guys because I think that’s what they want our sport to look like and so guys who maybe get ahead and are going to manage position… if that’s what we want our sport to look like, somebody in charge let me know. But, I think we want it to look like the fights on the Contender Series so that’s why we tell guys to work.”

      Read also: Dana Whiteā€™s Contender Series Season 8, Week 7 Highlights As 5 Prospects Secure Contracts