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Category: MMA

  • ‘Max Holloway Forever A Legend’ – MMA Fans React As ‘Blessed’ Speaks Out Against Gun Violence

    ‘Max Holloway Forever A Legend’ – MMA Fans React As ‘Blessed’ Speaks Out Against Gun Violence

    Max Holloway recently garnered widespread fan admiration after making a heartfelt plea to end gun violence, offering a unique suggestion to tackle the serious issue.

    “Blessed” is preparing for his third crack at featherweight gold as he challenges reigning champion Ilia Topuria in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 308, set for October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

    Holloway is a proud native of Hawaii and consistently bears the mantle of his home state with him wherever he goes. He’s fiercely devoted to the causes of the “Aloha State”, and his deep-rooted dedication to Hawaii and its people is unmistakable.

    Whether it’s partnering with the UFC to establish a fitness clubhouse for the youth in Waianae or passionately advocating for support and raising funds during the devastating 2023 wildfires on the island of Maui, “Blessed” has consistently shown a deep emotional connection and commitment to the native Hawaiian community.

    MMA Fans Applaud Holloway’s Resolute Position Against Gun Violence In Hawaii

    During an interview with KHON2 News on Tuesday, Holloway addressed the recent series of shooting incidents in Waianae. The BMF titleholder strongly condemned the growing gun violence across the United States, urging people to resolve their conflicts in a boxing gym instead of resorting to firearms.

    “It sucks, man. Put the gun down, boys. Put ‘em down. If you guys have a problem, do it the old-school way,” Holloway said. “Go to the boxing gym, put on some gloves, punch each other, shake hands, and be on with it.”

    “Blessed” went on to suggest that instead of turning to gun violence, people should channel their frustrations into something harmless, like playing video games.

    The MMA community responded to Holloway’s remarks with a wave of support, widely praising the UFC superstar for his unconventional and thoughtful suggestions.

    One fan embraced Holloway’s notion, stating that guns never solve any problems and only create more chaos.

    “Holloway is on point. You never settle a dispute with a gun. It’s not worth ending a life and ruining your own.”

    Another fan jokingly remarked that Holloway is the only fighter capable of simultaneously holding both the “Baddest Motherf**ker” and the “Nicest Motherf**ker” titles.

    “Max the only fighter that can hold the BMF and NMF belt simultaneously.”

    https://twitter.com/GWAPO42/status/1837029701384294417

    One fan remarked that “Blessed” is a true treasure for the people of Hawaii.

    “Good to see Max being a benefit to his community. Hope he beats Topuria.”

    https://twitter.com/nickgunter21/status/1837055343701934573

    One fan playfully suggested that Holloway should throw his hat into the ring for the U.S. presidency.

    “Max Holloway for POTUS 2025.”

    “Max Holloway is forever a legend. Gangster move.”

    “Max out here doing the Lord’s work.”

    “Spoken like a true man.”

    “What a natural-born leader this guy is. Much respect.”

    “Because people are soft now and scared to lose a fistfight.”

  • Georges St-Pierre’s Coach All Praise For ‘Genius’ Merab Dvalishvili’s UFC 306 Performance

    Georges St-Pierre’s Coach All Praise For ‘Genius’ Merab Dvalishvili’s UFC 306 Performance

    Georges St-Pierre’s coach, Firas Zahabi, recently showered Merab Dvalishvili with high praise for his performance against Sean O’Malley at Noche UFC 306.

    “The Machine” lived his dream of becoming the UFC bantamweight champion, overpowering defending titleholder O’Malley in a commanding display last Saturday at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

    Dvalishvili put constant forward pressure on “Suga” from the start, shutting down his explosive striking game while overwhelming him with a flurry of takedowns, controlling the majority of the bout with his grappling dominance.

    Heading into the fight, Dvalishvili was viewed as the underdog, with many expecting him to be outclassed by O’Malley’s dynamic striking. However, the 33-year-old Georgian defied all odds.

    Zahabi believes Dvalishvili executed his game plan flawlessly, allowing him to dominate the bout…

    Zahabi Says Dvalishvili Didn’t Throw A ‘Sloppy Punch’ O’Malley Could Counter

    In a recent video on Tristar Gym’s YouTube channel, Zahabi shared his thoughts on the Noche UFC 306 main event between O’Malley and Dvalishvili. The acclaimed MMA coach praised “The Machine” for his precision and tactical awareness, noting how Dvalishvili expertly stayed out of O’Malley’s striking range.

    Zahabi highlighted that the newly crowned champion didn’t throw a single punch that “Suga” could have exploited for an easy counter.

    “When it comes to fighting, that guy [Dvalishvili] is a genius. The guy is really, really smart,” Zahabi said. “His timing was correct, his shot selections were very intelligent. He started off with kicking high. He did everything but throw a punch that you can counter. He did everything except throw a sloppy punch, which O’Malley would have cleaned up.

    Zahabi applauded Dvalishvili’s exceptional cardio, noting that his incredible endurance keeps him relentless throughout the fight. However, he did acknowledge that despite this, Dvalishvili’s inability to secure more finishes remains a point of critique.

    “The only thing you can predict about Merab is he’s gonna shoot for the takedowns, and his cardio is unmatchable. His cardio is ridiculous, guys. The good thing about Merab is his cardio is amazing, his personality is amazing. The bad thing about Merab is he doesn’t finish; he doesn’t even get close to a finish.”

    With his recent victory, Dvalishvili extended his impressive winning streak to 11, adding to his résumé triumphs over former champions like Jose Aldo, Henry Cejudo, and Petr Yan.

    It remains to be seen who “The Machine” will face in his first title defense, but for now, undefeated rising star Umar Nurmagomedov appears to be the leading contender.

  • UFC Commentator Shines A Light On Paddy Pimblett’s Teammate: ‘Captivating A Worldwide Fanbase
’

    UFC Commentator Shines A Light On Paddy Pimblett’s Teammate: ‘Captivating A Worldwide Fanbase
’

    European promotion Cage Warriors has got a proven track record from taking the top talent from the region and getting them into major promotions like the UFC.

    The same can be said for Liverpool-based gym Next Generation MMA, which has been able to grow significantly in recent years.

    Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann are very much the team captains of the gym in that sense but with Nathan Fletcher recently signing to the UFC from the same stable, the next wave of fighters from the north of England are making their way over.

    Amongst them is one of the most exciting fighters in Europe right now, who, after missing out on his chance to compete on the Contender Series this year, is back on home turf this weekend.

    John Gooden Tells Fans To Keep An Eye On Liverpool’s Luke Riley

    Liverpool’s Luke Riley is an undefeated (9-0) featherweight who in many ways, is Pimblett’s protĂ©gĂ© and right-hand man.

    He was set to fight for his UFC roster at the Apex this year until his bout with Kevin Vallejos fell through due to visa issues.

    Instead, Riley will be returning to Cage Warriors, where he has had all of his pro fights, to headline an event for the first time.

    Ahead of his attempt to hit double digit wins when he faces Alexandre Junior at the BEC Arena in Manchester on September 21, UFC commentator John Gooden highlighted the potential future star via the official UFC Fight Pass YouTube channel.

    “Freak athleticism, lighting speed and surgical accuracy are all features of Riley’s unmissable fight style. Currently running an unblemished 9-0 record with a knockout tally of six, 25-year-old Riley is on the brink of captivating a worldwide audience.”

    Gooden spoke about some of the incredible fights that Riley has produced in his career, making his contests an absolute must-watch.

    In particular, his clash with Alexander Lööf at CW 160 last year was nominated for the UFC Fight Pass fight of the year and stands out as one of the best bouts in the history of Cage Warriors.

    Gooden continued to highlight why Riley is one of the most exciting strikers outside of the UFC right now, breaking down his love for throwing combinations.

    “Riley’s fights are always exciting. I’m sure you’re picking up on his love for the knockout and he earns this with really beautiful, technical boxing. It is pretty rare to see such success from a combination fighter in MMA. So few are able to do it well, there are big risks in closing the distance and firing off multiple shots whilst wearing little four ounce gloves but when you have Riley’s speed, defensive hygiene and the delicate details of a watch maker, your work stands out.”

    Read also: Former Champ Skeptical Of Michael Chandler Beating ‘Meaningful Favorite’ Charles Oliveira At UFC 309

  • Raul Rosas Jr. Explains Call For UFC 306 Bonus: ‘The People Showed Up Because Of Me’

    Raul Rosas Jr. Explains Call For UFC 306 Bonus: ‘The People Showed Up Because Of Me’

    Bantamweight prospect Raul Rosas Jr. got proceedings off to a strong start for the Mexican fighters at UFC 306.

    The 19-year-old earned his fourth win inside the Octagon, third in a row, by defeating Aoriqileng via unanimous decision.

    It was a fight where Rosas needed to dig deep in the third round to come away with the victory after his opponent took the second on all three scorecards.

    His grappling sealed the win and in his post-fight interview, the rising contender made a bold claim when speaking to Joe Rogan.

    Rosas called for a performance bonus only for several highlight reel finishes and a legitimate Fight of the Year contender to follow later on in the night.

    Raul Rosas Jr. Says He Could Have Earned A Bonus For Filling The Sphere In The Opening Fight Of The Night

    In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Rosas explained why he chose to call for a performance bonus during his post-fight interview.

    He stated that part of his call for an extra 50k was instinct having finished his three other wins inside the Octagon in style.

    Though he agrees that he didn’t deserve the bonus after how the rest of the night played out, Rosas does make one case for why he could have gotten it.

    In most other cards that take place in front of a full-size audience, the venue usually has a fair few empty seats until later on in the evening.

    This wasn’t the case at UFC 306 this past weekend where the fans made sure that they were in their seats ready for the opening contest in the early prelims.

    Rosas believes that he was a big part of that, having been given the role of curtain jerker.

    “It was just heat of the moment you know like since I’m used to getting finishes and asking for it after, it was just like, it just came out. But either way, the way that my argument to say that I would deserve it, like don’t get me wrong, it was a unanimous decision so obviously I’m okay with not getting it because I should have got a finish but if I would have got it, my argument be that the people showed up because of me, you know.

    “The event was packed because of me. Like I’m saying because they were there since early because I was on the prelims. I’m not trying to be cocky but a lot of people tune in to watch me fight so with them putting me on the first fight on the prelims, I made a lot of people show up and tune in on their TVs right away so that would be my argument for the 50Gs but honestly, I agree I didn’t do enough.”

    Read also: Sandhagen Gives Verdict On ‘Chess Match’ Between Dvalishvili & O’Malley

  • Daniel Cormier: Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Haven’t Agreed To Tom Aspinall Backup Role

    Daniel Cormier: Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Haven’t Agreed To Tom Aspinall Backup Role

    Following the official announcement for Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, Tom Aspinall was confirmed to be the back-up.

    Many have been campaiging for the interim champion to get the next shot at Jones’s heavyweight title, rather than the rescheduled clash with Miocic.

    Dana White said himself in a recent press conference that Aspinall is next for whatever happens in this division and will therefore, be in New York ready to make weight if required.

    However, this then opens up the question of whether Jones or Miocic would even contemplate fighting Aspinall on short notice, if either man does pull out before November 16.

    Daniel Cormier Calls Chael Sonnen ‘Gullible’ For Thinking That Jones & Miocic Agreed To Fight Aspinall

    In a recent episode of ESPN MMA’s Good Guy / Bad Guy, Chael Sonnen asked Daniel Cormier whether he could confirm that Aspinall being the back-up means that Jones and Miocic had to sign off on it.

    Cormier’s response was to laugh at Sonnen for even suggesting that this would be a possibility, labelling him as “gullible”.

    “No, it does not mean that. What it means is now we have another opportunity for disappointment. See that’s the difference between living, hey, that’s the difference between growing up in a mansion and growing up in the ghetto. In the ghetto, you learn to expect disappointment. You learn to be let down, that is just the way it is. So guess what Chael, now you have an opportunity to be let down so step into my shoes once. If one of those dudes get hurt, neither one of them is fighting Tom Aspinall. You’re out of your mind, no way.”

    To illustrate his point, Cormier pointed to UFC 295 last year where Jones did pull out of the fight but there was a back-up fighter on hand.

    Despite Sergei Pavlovich being ready to take his place, Miocic chose to wait for “Bones”, instead which led to the creation of the interim title which was won by Aspinall.

    Cormier finished his statement by making a bold prediction of what will actually happen if either man withdraws.

    “When Jon Jones got hurt the first time, Sergei Pavlovich was the back-up fighter, who fought? Who fought? If somebody gets hurt, get ready for Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane, mark my words.”

    Read also: Former Champ Skeptical Of Michael Chandler Beating ‘Meaningful Favorite’ Charles Oliveira At UFC 309

  • ‘Pereira Shoots On Khalil’ – Rountree’s Coach Makes Bold Prediction Ahead Of UFC 307 Title Fight

    ‘Pereira Shoots On Khalil’ – Rountree’s Coach Makes Bold Prediction Ahead Of UFC 307 Title Fight

    With UFC 306 done and dusted, fans look forward to witnessing the return of Alex Pereira. The UFC light heavyweight kingpin bagged the title in November 2023 and has already defended it twice against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 and Jiƙí Procházka at UFC 303.

    Although the consensus was that Magomed Ankalaev should be next in line for the light heavyweight belt, the UFC has handed Khalil Rountree a shot at “Poatan”. Ankalaev, on the other hand, will look to solidify his claim to the title by beating Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308.

    Rountree and Pereira are known for their striking prowess, but the former’s coach believes that the champion may resort to wrestling at UFC 307…

    Khalil Rountree’s Coach Explains Why Alex Pereira Is More Likely To Shoot For A Takedown At UFC 307

    John Wood, Syndicate MMA’s head coach, recently discussed Rountree’s title fight on the official ESPN MMA YouTube channel. Like “The War Horse”, he admitted that shooting takedowns is not part of their strategy.

    Wood agreed with interviewer Brett Okamoto that the UFC 307 main event will most likely be a stand-up battle, with both fighters focusing on landing knockout blows rather than combinations. However, he also revealed his gut feeling that Pereira will shoot a takedown on Rountree.

    “In a nutshell, yes. I believe, honestly, my gut, I think Pereira shoots on Khalil. I think he’s the one that breaks game first and shoots on Khalil to try to get that takedown. Um, because that’s actually something he’s done. I mean we ain’t shooting over here I can tell you that.”

    While Rountree has yet to shoot for a takedown in his entire UFC career, Pereira once relied on wrestling when he took down Israel Adesanya at UFC 281. Based on this, Wood predicts that “Poatan” might try to take Rountree down if he feels threatened on the feet.

    Another point that the coach emphasized is that the fight is unlikely to last five rounds. The light heavyweights possess dangerous knockout power and only need one shot to end the bout.

    It is worth noting that Wood also coaches Merab Dvalishvili who just won the UFC bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley at UFC 306. The Syndicate MMA team must be high on confidence which could benefit Rountree before arguably the biggest fight of his career.

  • Former Champ Skeptical Of Michael Chandler Beating ‘Meaningful Favorite’ Charles Oliveira At UFC 309

    Former Champ Skeptical Of Michael Chandler Beating ‘Meaningful Favorite’ Charles Oliveira At UFC 309

    Michael Chandler last fought in November 2022 and lost via third-round submission to Dustin Poirier. Because the fight was a back-and-forth brawl like his usual bouts, he didn’t lose his appeal and was soon booked to welcome back Conor McGregor to the UFC.

    McGregor and Chandler shot The Ultimate Fighter 31, but it never translated into a fight as the Irishman was first busy shooting Roadhouse and then pulled out of UFC 303 because of a toe injury. Chandler had been waiting on the sidelines but he’s now snapped out of it to fight Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.

    Both Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen believe that fighting “Do Bronxs” is not at all optimal for Chandler…

    Daniel Cormier & Chael Sonnen Explain Why Charles Oliveira Is A Worse Matchup For Michael Chandler Than Conor McGregor

    Sonnen and Cormier discussed the UFC 309 co-main event on a recent episode of Good Guy / Bad Guy on the ESPN MMA YouTube channel. Both UFC greats appreciated “Iron” for moving on from the Dubliner as the latter has shown no real proof of returning to the Octagon lately.

    Having said that, both Sonnen and DC are concerned about Chandler facing Oliveira after a nearly two-year-long layoff. While he’s been sitting out, “Do Bronxs” has knocked out Beneil Dariush and given Arman Tsarkuyan one of his toughest fights yet.

    Here are Cormier’s two cents on Chandler’s UFC 309 return:

    “Chandler will never get a bigger fight, but he did get a tougher fight. Charles Oliveira is still fighting at the top of the game. Charles Oliveira was scheduled to fight for the world championship and then got hurt with the big cut. Charles Oliveira fought Tsarukyan and fought him competitively who is now fighting for the world championship. These guys are as good as they come. Michael Chandler, though, has sat, and that’s the problem.”

    Chandler nearly knocked out Oliveira early during their first outing. However, according to Cormier, he might not be equally effective or explosive after not being inside the Octagon for almost 24 months.

    “The American Gangster” also remembered that the McGregor fight was supposed to happen at 170 pounds. On the other hand, Chandler will have to weigh in at 155 pounds for Oliveira which is an additional mental and physical burden, to say the least.

    Here’s what Sonnen thinks about the UFC 309 co-main event:

    “Charles Oliveira is a rough night out. Not to mention, it’s a match they’ve already done. You don’t get better at a sport by not doing it. Chandler’s been on the side lines waiting to do it, I got to think that Oliveira is a meaningful favorite here. I would think the line’s only about two to one and a half but I think those people are going to be very confident. I like that he’s back. It’s a very tough night out.”

  • Daniel Cormier Explains Why Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Won’t Fight Tom Aspinall: ‘Risk vs. Reward’

    Daniel Cormier Explains Why Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Won’t Fight Tom Aspinall: ‘Risk vs. Reward’

    Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is officially scheduled for November 17, 2024, at UFC 309. The fight was originally booked to headline Madison Square Garden in 2023 but was called off because of Jones’ injury.

    This time, Aspinall will be the backup fighter for the undisputed UFC heavyweight title fight. Considering he’s been the interim champ for almost a year and has defended the belt once, many fans want him to get at least a shot at earning undisputed gold.

    In contrast to Chael Sonnen, Daniel Cormier believes that if Jones vs. Miocic doesn’t happen, none of the UFC veterans will risk fighting Tom Aspinall.

    Daniel Cormier Compares Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic To Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira To Claim Back-Up Fighters Are Irrelevant

    Sonnen and Cormier discussed the UFC 309 main event on the latest episode of Good Guy / Bad Guy on the official ESPN MMA YouTube channel. “The American Gangster” stated that if Aspinall is officially the backup fighter, it is only after both “Bones” and Miocic have agreed to it.

    Cormier asked Sonnen to hold his horses, reminding him that Sergei Pavlovich was the backup fighter for Jones vs. Miocic in 2023. Similarly, Mateusz Gamrot was the backup fighter for Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev in 2023. While Pavlovich never got to fight any of the legends, Alexander Volkanovski hopped past Gamrot to fight Makhachev.

    After proving that the concept of a backup fighter is not as concrete as it sounds, Cormier also claimed that Jones and Miocic are unlikely to fight Aspinall as a backup. He admitted that none of the UFC greats are scared, but they can’t risk losing to him at the final stages of their careers.

    “It’s not even about being scared. It’s not even, it’s about risk management Chael. Whoever, if someone gets hurt in this fight, the reward versus the risk of fighting Tom Aspinall is so great, I don’t believe that either of them will do it. Love that it’s a part of the story now. We all love the story, we love a great story but I don’t know that plays.

    This applies greatly to Jones, who’s been technically undefeated his whole career. If he wants to go out with a perfect record, he’d prefer fighting an old but popular Miocic over Aspinall who’s knocking heavyweights out cold at a gallop.

    “I don’t think he’s scared Chael. But again, it’s risk vs. reward. Jon Jones, I will tell you this right now, Jon Jones. To his credit, a win over Tom Aspinall does nothing more for Jon Jones than a win over me or Vitor Belfort or Rashad Evans or Shogun Rua or Alexander Gustaffson and all these list of great fighters that he’s already beat.” Cormier added, “But losing to Tom Aspinall, losing to Tom Aspinall does do something because now you see him lose. He’s never lost. That matters to him now.”

  • Latest UFC Star Talks Environment Of ‘Weakness’ Backstage At DWCS

    Latest UFC Star Talks Environment Of ‘Weakness’ Backstage At DWCS

    Navajo Stirling recently spoke about the palpable nervousness among fellow aspiring fighters at Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).

    Stirling punched his ticket to the UFC with a brutal second-round, one-punch knockout of Phillip Latu during the main event of Week 5 of DWCS. In a surprising turn of events, the 26-year-old Kiwi has already secured his promotional debut matchup. He’s set to step into the Octagon on December 15 at a UFC Fight Night in Tampa, Florida, where he’ll face Tuco Tokkos in a light heavyweight showdown.

    Stirling, a highly skilled kickboxer, hones his craft at the prestigious City Kickboxing gym in Auckland, training alongside former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and seasoned lightweight Dan Hooker. He transitioned to MMA in September 2022, making his professional debut against James Craughwell under the banner of the Shuriken Fight Series promotion.

    Although the MMA community has yet to witness much of Stirling’s talents, the City Kickboxing prodigy turned heads with his recent performance, proving he possesses all the makings of a future star in the sport.

    Stirling Asserts Mental Edge Over Other Fighters At DWCS

    During a recent interview with Sky Sports NZ, Stirling reflected on his experience competing on the grand stage of DWCS. The UFC newcomer noted that many of the other contenders seemed overly anxious about their performances. He confidently expressed his belief that he could outshine the rest with his composure and skill.

    “It was just like, so many were looking around and seeing how nervous all the other fighters were,” Stirling said. “Just seeing them go through their rituals and mantras, it was like I could just see— I don’t know if it’s weakness or something— but I just know if I was fighting guys like this, I would run through them 100 times over. And I think the UFC staff could see in my presence that I was meant to be there and that I was really going to own the moment.”

    Stirling went on to say that the earlier matchups on the card lacked excitement, which motivated him to give his best performance. He added that the pressure of representing his country fueled his determination even more.

    “It was a very lackluster card, and I feel like I did that. It was even so bad that there was one guy who didn’t even show up. When I saw a guy who had the opportunity of a lifetime not put his foot forward by even entering the Octagon, it made me think to myself: if I had the weight of my nation on my shoulders, I would go out 100 times over, even knowing I was going to get knocked out within 10 seconds. I would rather do that than not show face at all.”

    Stirling boasts an undefeated professional record of 5-0, displaying impressive strength along the way. However, the path ahead in the UFC’s highly competitive light heavyweight division will be far from smooth. Before he can think about climbing the ranks, the rising star must first overcome fellow newcomer Tokkos, a dangerous opponent known for his devastating knockout power and slick grappling skills.

  • Michael Chandler: Conor McGregor’s Spirit Loves MMA, Not His Body Or Mind

    Michael Chandler: Conor McGregor’s Spirit Loves MMA, Not His Body Or Mind

    Michael Chandler recently shared his belief that Conor McGregor’s deep passion for MMA will inevitably draw him back to the Octagon.

    Chandler’s name has been linked to the former two-division UFC champion ever since the two were cast as rival coaches on The Ultimate Fighter season 31 last year. The plan was to eventually clash in a highly anticipated showdown in the season finale.

    However, by the third quarter of 2024, “Iron” remained laser-focused on his training, passing up opportunities to compete against other fighters as he stayed committed to the long-promised bout with McGregor. Meanwhile, “The Notorious” was frequently seen enjoying his extravagant lifestyle, partying, and fully embracing his larger-than-life persona.

    With the slippery McGregor fight fading from the horizon, Chandler seems to have set those aspirations aside for now. Instead, he’s gearing up for a high-stakes rematch against Charles Oliveira in a five-round co-main event at UFC 309, set for November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    Chandler and Oliveira first squared off for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 262 in May 2021. In that bout, the Brazilian emerged victorious with a second-round TKO to claim UFC gold.

    The upcoming rematch doesn’t suggest that ‘Iron’ has abandoned his lofty goal of fighting McGregor. On the contrary, the former Bellator lightweight champion remains hopeful that the potential matchup could still materialize sometime next year.

    Chandler Says McGregor Is Too ‘Romantic’ About MMA to Stay Away

    During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Chandler was asked if, after all the hurdles in booking his fight with McGregor, he still believes the Irishman will ever return to the UFC. The former lightweight title challenger acknowledged that while ‘The Notorious’ may currently be focused on ventures outside the UFC, he firmly believes McGregor’s deep-rooted passion for MMA will inevitably pull him back. And when that moment comes, Chandler assured that he’ll be ready to face him.

    “You just look at his history. Conor McGregor is a nothing, a nobody, without the sport of mixed martial arts, without the UFC platform, without the legacy that he’s created,” Chandler said. “I believe he’s romantic about it. I believe he loves the sport. I believe his spirit loves the sport, but sometimes his body and his brain want other things, right? And I’ve never walked a mile in that man’s shoes, neither have you, so who are we to critique him? But I do believe he comes back, and when he does, I’ll be waiting. I just might have the title by then, so it could be a very interesting set of circumstances.”

    “Iron” hasn’t fought for almost two years, following his third-round submission loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022. Many have speculated that Chandler squandered his prime years by remaining inactive, waiting for a fight with McGregor.

    However, the 38-year-old American has no regrets about his time away from the cage. Instead, he believes the break was much-needed, allowing him to recharge and reset away from the relentless grind of competition.

    “When I step into the Octagon next time, it’s going to be two years since I fought. But I already had a bout agreement, already had a contract signed, already broke the biggest gate record, and was lined up against Conor. We had a fight, but the fight got pulled, so you can’t really have any regrets. All you can do is make the best decisions
 I enjoyed myself; I needed some time away from the sport. When you’re fighting the best and toughest guys in the world, constantly in training camps, constantly dealing with the pressure and the rigors of what I go through—because I take it so seriously—the sport can chew you up and gobble you up.”

    Chandler and McGregor were ultimately slated to headline UFC 303 this past June, but the fight was abruptly scrapped at the eleventh hour when McGregor pulled out just two weeks before the event due to a leg injury.

    Since then, the UFC superstar has repeatedly vowed to make his return by the end of the year. However, UFC CEO Dana White has hinted that fans may have to wait longer, suggesting McGregor’s comeback might not happen until 2025.

  • Steve-O Reveals Dana White ‘Dipped Out’ Of UFC Main Event To Watch Jake Paul Fight

    Steve-O Reveals Dana White ‘Dipped Out’ Of UFC Main Event To Watch Jake Paul Fight

    Stephen Glover, better known as Steve-O, recently made a stunning revelation, claiming that Dana White once ditched a UFC main event to watch Jake Paul’s boxing match instead.

    It’s well-known that for several years, Paul and White have been locked in a heated war of words, frequently clashing with starkly opposing views on a range of issues. It’s primarily “The Problem Child” who has, time and again, slammed the UFC CEO for underpaying his fighters and failing to provide adequate medical coverage.

    On the other hand, White’s frustration with Paul became public when the YouTuber-turned-boxer began taking on retired UFC fighters like Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley in the squared circle. The UFC head honcho has fiercely dismissed the 27-year-old Ohio native’s criticism of fighter pay. White has also voiced his opinion that Paul only fights opponents well past their prime.

    Although White isn’t fond of Paul’s crossover boxing exploits, according to Steve-O, the 55-year-old businessman once tuned in to watch “The Problem Child” take on one of the most prominent ex-UFC superstars.

    Steve-O Claims White Skipped UFC Nashville Main Event to Watch Paul vs. Diaz

    During a recent appearance on BS w/ Jake Paul, Steve-O, a close friend of White, revealed an interesting moment from UFC Fight Night Nashville in August 2023. While Cory Sandhagen battled Rob Font in the main event, White apparently found the fight dull and slipped backstage to his room.

    Instead of watching the UFC headliner, he tuned in to catch Paul’s cruiserweight showdown against Nate Diaz, which was happening simultaneously at the American Airlines Center in Texas.

    “I can tell you that when you boxed Nate Diaz that night, there was a UFC Fight Night in Nashville, Tennessee,” Steve-O said. “I had arranged to fly to Nashville because I was very interested in looking at properties
 You know, that’s why I was in Nashville for this fight night. It was Cory Sandhagen versus Rob Font, and the main event was dreadfully boring. Dana dipped out of the arena, and after the fight, I was walking out, and we were like, ‘Oh, what’s up with Dana?’ We go into his room, and he’s just turned on you fighting Nate Diaz, and I watched you fight Nate Diaz with Dana.”

    In an interview with boxing icon Mike Tyson last year, White dispelled the widespread belief that he harbors hatred for “The Problem Child”. In fact, White clarified that he doesn’t dislike him at all.

    Instead, he’s friends with Jake’s sibling, Logan Paul, whose beverage Prime became the official hydration partner of the UFC in February 2023.

  • Umar Nurmagomedov: People Expect Me To Perform Like Khabib Every Time

    Umar Nurmagomedov: People Expect Me To Perform Like Khabib Every Time

    From the moment that he arrived in the UFC, Umar Nurmagomedov was never going to be your usual Octagon debutant.

    The bantamweight contender is the older brother of Usman Nurmagomedov and the cousin of the great Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired on top of the sport.

    After everything that the senior Nurmagomedov was able to accomplish in the UFC, there is always going to be high expectations for his own family to live up to that name.

    “The Eagle” didn’t just have success at the highest level of MMA, he was able to completely dominate opponents to the point where he made the toughest stylistic fights look easy.

    This has had a knock-on effect on Umar Nurmagomedov, in the way that some fans perceive him.

    Umar Nurmagomedov Says Some Fans Get Underwhelmed When He Isn’t “The Eagle”

    During an interview on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Nurmagomedov spoke about the way that some fans are not impressed by him because he isn’t as dominant as his elder cousin.

    The #2-ranked contender in the bantamweight division, who is likely next in line for a title shot, is putting on great performances but that doesn’t mean that his style or the way that he wins is the same as when “The Eagle” stepped inside the Octagon.

    With an undefeated record of 18-0, Nurmagomedov was asked by Kamaru Usman whether exceeding the legendary 29-0 record is something that he thinks about.

    He responded by saying that he isn’t looking to replicate his cousin’s career despite people often measuring him by that same level.

    “I think it’s going to be difficult to become too close [to] this man and even right now, everybody when we’re going to the cage, when we fought, everybody wait, we’re going to do same job and our wins not bring to people same emotional [effect], you know, because Khabib was maul everyone.

    “He go inside, finish him or broke [opponent], he did in the cage like great job and people, to see Nurmagomedov fight, they think we’re going to do same and when we win, they said, ‘Ah it’s like regular fighter, he just win’.”

    Read also: Michael ‘Venom’ Page Bemoans Sean O’Malley’s Lack Of ‘Killer Instinct’ After Hurting Merab Dvalishvili

  • Henry Cejudo Accused Of Playing Hurt Until Favorable Matchup Is Offered

    Henry Cejudo Accused Of Playing Hurt Until Favorable Matchup Is Offered

    Number four ranked UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen has already fought many of the top fighters in his weight class.

    His last outing against Umar Nurmagomedov was seen by many as a title eliminator but after losing that contest, he’s back to the drawing board.

    In the aftermath of the division crowning a new champion this past weekend at UFC 306, “The Sandman” has called for a fight that a lot of fans have wanted to see for some time.

    Unfortunately for Sandhagen, it looks like former champ Sean O’Malley is going to be taking some substantial time off – meaning that if he wants to stay active, he’ll need to look elsewhere.

    Cory Sandhagen Says That Henry Cejudo Isn’t Interested In Fighting Unless It’s A Perfect Opportunity For Him

    When looking at the other top bantamweights that Sandhagen could fight next, a few names stand out.

    Former champion Petr Yan is one spot ahead of him in the rankings but the Russian hasn’t been able to remain active for some time now.

    MMA legend José Aldo could be an option, but he would need to get past Mario Bautista at UFC 307 first which would, again, leave Sandhagen waiting.

    Deiveson Figueiredo is a very exciting option but “The Sandman” recently revealed that the former UFC flyweight champion turned down a fight in December.

    That leaves former flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo – but Sandhagen isn’t very confident in this fight being booked.

    He believes that Cejudo is far too focused on calling his shots and taking the most favorable fights that he possibly can, remaining on the sidelines until they appear.

    Sandhagen told James Lynch in a recent interview with Fanatics View that he sees “Triple C” as someone who isn’t interested in a fight, until it suits him perfectly.

    “Henry’s another guy that kind of makes me nervous. It’s not in like a fight sense but in like a way like is this guy actually gonna show up? I feel like Henry’s kind of thing right now is to say that he’s hurt until there’s a match-up that he really wants and then he goes after that one, you know?

    “it does irk me a little bit that Henry gets to just come back and then have every single fight that he’s asking for and I think that that’s gotta like, that can’t be the case. Like he just got beat pretty significantly by Merab. You can fight down the rankings a little bit and fight some guys that we’ve beaten before if you want to work your way up, but you don’t get to just be like this figure that calls his fights and gets them every single time.”

    Read also: Michael ‘Venom’ Page Bemoans Sean O’Malley’s Lack Of ‘Killer Instinct’ After Hurting Merab Dvalishvili

  • Paul Craig Outlines Plan To ‘Out-MMA’ Bo Nickal At UFC 309

    Paul Craig Outlines Plan To ‘Out-MMA’ Bo Nickal At UFC 309

    Paul Craig is the next fighter in line to try and halt the undefeated winning streak of super middleweight prospect, Bo Nickal.

    Following Nickal’s third consecutive win and finish last time out against Cody Brundage at UFC 300, this is his biggest step up to date.

    Craig may be coming off of two losses but they’ve come to two of the top fighters in the division right now in Brendan Allen and Caio Borralho.

    With his lethal submission skills, “Bearjew” is a huge threat to anyone once the fight hits the floor, which makes this match-up against Nickal’s stellar wrestling pedigree even more interesting.

    Paul Craig Says He Doesn’t Plan On Trying To Outwrestle Bo Nickal

    Ahead of their meeting at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden, Craig spoke about this fight in a recent YouTube video that was put up on his podcast (Leather’d Podcast) channel.

    The Scotsman spoke about his expectations for this fight and how he is preparing to take on the 28-year-old that no one has been able to handle thus far.

    Craig said that though working on his wrestling defense is obviously an important aspect of his training for this fight, he doesn’t want to become too focused on it because he isn’t going to suddenly be able to beat his opponent at his own game.

    Instead, he believes that his key to victory in this fight is to win the contest in all other areas, rather than attempting to beat Nickal in a wrestling match.

    “With someone like Bo Nickal, you’re not going to learn to wrestle like him within a fight camp so it’s wise to say that yep, I’m going to be working on these wrestling defenses but what I should be working on is good footwork, good striking and good grappling and that’s the keys to victory. We’re not going to outwrestle him, we’re going to out-MMA him.”

    Read also: Daniel Cormier On Jon Jones’ Likely Retirement: ‘There Is Work Left To Be Done’ 

  • Ali Abdelaziz Puts Movsar Evloev ‘On The Same Level’ As Khabib, Makhachev, Usman

    Ali Abdelaziz Puts Movsar Evloev ‘On The Same Level’ As Khabib, Makhachev, Usman

    Ali Abdelaziz didn’t hold back in his admiration for Movsar Evloev, even declaring him to be on par with several UFC icons.

    Evloev was supposed to square off against former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling on the UFC 307 main card, scheduled for October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. However, on Wednesday, “Funk Master” announced that he had sustained an elbow injury during training, forcing him to withdraw from the fight as he won’t be able to recover in time for the event.

    The UFC has yet to officially confirm the cancellation, but Evloev has made it clear on social media that he’s been putting in the work for this fight. He’s even expressed his readiness to take on a short-notice opponent.

    The 30-year-old Russian has been unstoppable since making his UFC debut in April 2019, where he announced his arrival with a commanding unanimous decision victory over SeungWoo Choi. Evloev has racked up eight consecutive victories inside the Octagon, all via decision. He has secured notable wins along the way, including victories over Dan Ige, Hakeem Dawodu, Diego Lopes, and, most recently, Arnold Allen at UFC 297 this past January.

    Abdelaziz, who only began managing Evloev last month, is confident that the American Top Team standout has the potential to ascend to the same level of greatness as UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, and former welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman.

    Abdelaziz Predicts Evloev Will Capture UFC Featherweight Gold By 2025

    During a recent interview with TMZSports, Abdelaziz opened up about Evloev’s relatively sparse appearances in the Octagon. The Dominance MMA founder expressed his commitment to working closely with the UFC to ensure his new client stays more active.

    He emphasized that if frequent competition is what it takes for Evloev to earn his shot at the title, he’s fully prepared to make that happen.

    “I believe that he should fight again in December or January,” Abdelaziz said. “I want to keep him busy. It doesn’t matter—Khabib had to beat 10 guys to fight for the title, same with Islam and Kamaru. If this is the route the UFC wants, he needs to just smash everyone ahead of him and show why the UFC has no choice but to give him a title shot. And guess what? He’s willing to fight anybody, anywhere, anytime. But the key here is to keep him busy against anybody, and this is what’s gonna happen.”

    Abdelaziz further added that he recently trained with Evloev and described him as one of the most dedicated fighters he’s ever encountered. The renowned MMA manager even likened the Russian’s work ethic to that of Nurmagomedov, Makhachev, and Usman.

    “I had the pleasure to train with [Evloev], and he’s one of the strongest guys I’ve ever trained with. He’s dedicated—this guy sleeps at a certain time, eats specific food, and lives and breathes fighting. I truly believe that by 2025, Movsar is going to be the featherweight champion. I believe he’s a very hard puzzle to solve and very hard to beat. The abilities he has, the discipline he has, remind me of Khabib, Islam, and Kamaru. He’s on the same level—how these guys live, how they walk, how they talk, how they train.”

    While Evloev undoubtedly possesses the skills to claim the 145-pound title in the near future with his wrestling-heavy approach, the road ahead is far from easy. A formidable lineup of dangerous contenders lies in wait, eager to challenge his ascent to the top.

  • Sandhagen Gives Verdict On ‘Chess Match’ Between Dvalishvili & O’Malley

    Sandhagen Gives Verdict On ‘Chess Match’ Between Dvalishvili & O’Malley

    The UFC 306 main event may not have been received that well by some sections of the fanbase but it did see the bantamweight title change hands.

    Merab Dvalishvili appeared to be in control for the vast majority of the fight against Sean O’Malley, even if the scorecards tell a different story.

    Though “Suga” was able to hurt his challenger in the fifth and final round, Dvalishvili’s movement, takedowns and reading of the fight were very effective.

    His performance massively impressed the #4-ranked contender Cory Sandhagen who, since the fight, has called next to face O’Malley.

    Cory Sandhagen Gives His Post-Fight Analysis Of UFC 306 Main Event

    In a recent interview with James Lynch for Fanatics View, Sandhagen gave his thoughts on this past weekend’s bantamweight title fight.

    He started by saying that his prediction for the fight had switched as the fight approached, after further consideration.

    “I thought O’Malley was going to catch him until I started getting a little bit closer to the fight and I started talking to other people and getting their opinions and what they thought and blah, blah, blah. I was honestly, and not to change my mind because I’m really bad at calling fights, but I did change my mind in this one and go Merab toward the end of it.

    “Once I started to reflect on how badass it is to go on a 10 or 11 fight win streak and then also never be finished or anything like that, even though he does get clipped in some of his fights, the shots that he got clipped in weren’t necessarily, like they were lead hooks, they weren’t really things that O’Malley even throws, but I thought Merab did awesome.”

    One of the aspects of the fight that Sandhagen was most impressed by was Dvalishvili’s ability to close the distance and shoot for takedowns without putting himself in harm’s way.

    This was always going to be where O’Malley was at his most dangerous but it didn’t end up playing into the outcome.

    “I thought he fought the fight that you should fight if you have Merab’s skill set against O’Malley. I think he moved when he needed to move. The thing that I was most worried about is Merab’s just a very excitable guy and I was worried that he was gonna not be patient and he was going to bounce around and then make a mistake by going in and he was completely patient. He was cool in there, expect for the whole Tim Welch and his thing in the beginning of the fight but man, he just did such an amazing job and that’s a really, really good win because O’Malley is a really serious fighter.”

    Finally, “The Sandman” said that he enjoyed watching this high-stakes clash at the Sphere despite some of the criticisms that it received from fans.

    “I know that a lot of fans were bored with that one or whatever but I really do like watching chess matches and I think that that was Merab just out-chessing O’Malley and that was exciting for me to watch.”

    Read also: ‘His Corner Work Was S**t’ – Former UFC Champ Goes Off On Sean O’Malley’s Coach For Merab Dvalishvili Loss

  • ‘Big’ John McCarthy Explains Why Jon Jones Isn’t On MMA Mount Rushmore

    ‘Big’ John McCarthy Explains Why Jon Jones Isn’t On MMA Mount Rushmore

    There is no denying that if you’re listing the names for an MMA Mount Rushmore that is about the most talented and successful fighters we’ve seen in the sport, Jon Jones deserves a spot.

    The current UFC heavyweight champion is arguably the greatest to ever do it but as is always the case with “Bones”, it’s not that simple.

    Some will have reservations about putting Jones on this list due to the various controversies that have clouded his career.

    This means that if you’re looking at MMA Mount Rushmore from the angle of fighters who have had the biggest impact – or if they’ve got a clean disciplinary record – there’s an argument to be made that he misses out.

    ‘Big’ John McCarthy Excludes Jon Jones From Mount Rushmore Due To Various Controversies

    During a recent episode of the Weighing In podcast, veteran referee “Big” John McCarthy explained his approach to this debate.

    He said that he prefers to look at this conversation in regards to impact on the sport rather than actual skill which in turn, makes him leave Jones out of the equation.

    “I look at it different. If you want to say best fighters for Mount Rushmore, the best fighters there ever was, well Jon Jones is on it. If you’re going to say give me an MMA Mount Rushmore, the criteria for it is different than just best fighter and there’s things that, you know, have been done in the past that I go no, I can’t put you on that. Let’s just be honest.”

    McCarthy believes that for all of Jones’ success, his headline-generating antics have had a negative impact on the sport during his career.

    He said that this parameter would also disqualify Conor McGregor, despite the unmatched impact that he has had.

    “I take a look at outside of the sport, Jon hasn’t been the greatest ambassador for the sport. He’s had more controversy than I can give him.”

    Read also: Daniel Cormier On Jon Jones’ Likely Retirement: ‘There Is Work Left To Be Done’ 

  • 41-Year-Old Stephen Thompson Dismisses ‘Old Guy’ Label’ Ahead Of UFC 307

    Veteran UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson doesn’t feel his age, something he’ll look to prove when he returns to the cage.

    Thompson, a former two-time title challenger at 170 pounds, turned 41 this year. Nevertheless, he still occupies a spot inside the division’s top 10, which he’ll hope to defend in Salt Lake City early next month.

    At UFC 307 on October 5, “Wonderboy” will feature on the deep card opposite the rising Joaquin Buckley. Following four straight wins since dropping to welterweight, “New Mansa” is looking to climb into contention at the expense of Thompson.

    But despite the high-ranked Shavkat Rakhmonov achieving that feat against him last time out, the striking specialist plans on turning Buckley away from the top 10 to show that he’s got plenty left in the tank.

    Stephen Thompson: ‘I Feel Like I’m 25!’

    During a recent interview with InsideFighting, Thompson looked ahead to his second assignment of 2024 as he looks to return to winning ways and reignite his hopes of a late-career title shot.

    “Wonderboy” explained his willingness to give rising names in the division the chance to climb against him and branded his clash with Buckley a “test” for where he is at in his career.

    Pre-fight, Thompson still feels in his prime years.

    “I’m still one of the top guys who gives those guys who are coming up a chance. There’s a lot of guys at the top, especially in the welterweight division, that are trying to hold on to their spot as long as they can,” Thompson said. “But I was given the opportunity when I was coming up. … I want to give that back to these guys that are up-and-coming who want to try and take that spot.

    “For me, it’s my test. It’s my test to see if I’ve still got it against these young bucks,” Thompson continued. “Everybody’s looking at me as the old guy. I’m 41, I’ll be 42 in February, but I feel like I’m 25. I’m just as fast and I’m getting better. I don’t mind stepping out and giving these guys that are up-and-coming the chance to prove themselves.”

    Whether or not the feelings of a 25-year-old will translate in the Octagon on Oct. 5 remains to be seen.

    Looking to ensure it doesn’t is a Buckley who has had a stellar year thus far, knocking out Vicente Luque and outpointing Nursulton Ruziboev to established himself at #11 in the welterweight pecking order.

  • Former Opponent Backs ‘More Violent’ Khalil Rountree To Upset Alex Pereira At UFC 307

    Former Opponent Backs ‘More Violent’ Khalil Rountree To Upset Alex Pereira At UFC 307

    A retired fighter who boasts a win over Khalil Rountree wouldn’t be surprised if he unseats Alex Pereira from the UFC light heavyweight throne.

    Pereira, who also previously held gold on MMA’s biggest stage at middleweight, has ruled over the 205-pound division since capturing the then-vacant title in November 2023.

    He stopped Jiƙí Procházka on that occasion and has since repeated the feat in their International Fight Week rematch, in addition to also defending the belt against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300.

    “Poatan’s” high activity won’t be coming to a halt as he gears up for his third title defense of 2024 at the UFC 307 pay-per-view in Salt Lake City, Utah early next month. To the surprise of many, his next challenger will be the #8-ranked Rountree, who most recently extended his winning run to five by knocking out Anthony Smith last December.

    “The War Horse” has been branded undeserving by some in the community and will unsurprisingly enter his first PPV main event as a sizable underdog. But someone with experience sharing the cage with him insists he can’t be counted out…

    Tyson Pedro Predicts Rountree To Beat Pereira In Utah

    During a recent interview with the Kairouz Bros, former UFC light heavyweight prospect Tyson Pedro was asked to give his prediction for the next title fight in the division he formerly competed in.

    The Australian made an emphatic Octagon debut as an undefeated fighter back in November 2016, submitting Rountree in the first round at a Melbourne-held UFC Fight Night.

    While he’ll be willing “The War Horse” on to become champ due to his past victory over him, Pedro legitimately believes that the 32-year-old’s edge in “mentality” could pave the way for a surprise title crowning in the “Beehive State.”

    “Is he fighting Alex? … That’s a mad fight,” Pedro said. “That’s a hard one (to predict). I think Khalil’s more aggressive and violent in his approach, as of recently. if you see his (fights), it feels like he wants to kill the people now. … I don’t know if I can go against — you know what, I’m gonna go Khalil because of mentality.

    “I think Pereira’s on a bit of (a high) and he’s just chilling. Once you get content — that’s the only reason I’m saying it. But I’ll go Khalil on that,” Pedro continued. “And also, I want him to win so then I can say I beeat him. Technically I’m the champ! MMA math!”

    Pereira and Rountree’s title clash will top a stacked lineup in Salt Lake City to kick off October. In addition to another championship bout between Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña, the likes of Kayla Harrison, JosĂ© Aldo, Kevin Holland, and Stephen Thompson will all return to the cage.

  • Michael ‘Venom’ Page Bemoans Sean O’Malley’s Lack Of ‘Killer Instinct’ After Hurting Merab Dvalishvili

    Michael ‘Venom’ Page Bemoans Sean O’Malley’s Lack Of ‘Killer Instinct’ After Hurting Merab Dvalishvili

    UFC welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page believes Sean O’Malley failed to capitalize on an opening at the end of his recent title loss.

    O’Malley saw his reign as bantamweight kingpin come to an emphatic end at this past weekend’s UFC 306 (Noche UFC) pay-per-view, which he headlined alongside Merab Dvalishvili inside Las Vegas’ Sphere.

    Having unseated Aljamain Sterling from the throne last year and dominated Marlon Vera in his first defense this past March, “Suga” was unable to repeat the feat against “The Machine,” who put in a dominant performance across five rounds to take the decision.

    While predictions of a Dvalishvili win were common in the lead-up, many appeared to expect a more competitive display from O’Malley. And one of his UFC peers thinks he let opportunities to change the tide in the fight slip by.

    Page Visibly Frustrated At O’Malley’s Striking Approach At UFC 306

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Page reacted to the two championship headliners that went down inside the Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

    The former Bellator title challenger and current UFC welterweight contender broke down the action, paying particularly close attention to how O’Malley approached things in his favored realm on the feet.

    “MVP” shared plenty of advice that might have been useful to the defending champ throughout the bout’s duration, but he appeared especially puzzled by what he witnessed after O’Malley hurt Dvalishvili to the body late on in the final round.

    “He should be tagging his leg even now. Tag his leg, land a jab, tag his body, land a jab,” Page said while watching O’Malley’s work in round five. “You can’t just do one (attack), you’ve got to go again! I think he’s just too tired. … Teep him, kick him. Now hands as well, you need to mix it all up.

    “Look, how do you throw one shot and then let him move?! It don’t make sense,” Page continued, just before O’Malley hurt Dvalishvili to the body. “Oh! No! Why would you do that (spinning kick)! … Yes, go again, go again. Look, (Dvalishvili’s) desperate now. This is where he was gonna catch him but I think he’s left it too late. … What are you doing, man?! Bro, you’ve got to have a bit more killer instinct, man.”

    While those close to O’Malley suggested he looked off, “Suga” has dismissed any and all excuses and simply admitted he was beaten on the night.

    He’ll now focus on his recovery as he looks toward surgery on a torn labrum in the coming weeks. Beyond that, the now-former champ seems to be targeting a comeback in the second half of 2025.

  • Daniel Cormier On Jon Jones’ Likely Retirement: ‘There Is Work Left To Be Done’ 

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier recently reacted to Jon Jones’ clearest retirement statement to date.

    Jones is set to make his first defense of the heavyweight title at UFC 309 this coming November, 20 months on from his crowning at the expense of Ciryl Gane in March 2023. The long wait was caused by an injury to the champ, which previously forced him out of a planned showdown with Stipe Miocic.

    In the time since their canceled title clash last November, the division has seen an interim titleholder crowned in Tom Aspinall, who has even notched a successful defense in 2024 by getting the better of Curtis Blaydes.

    While that’s left many calling for Jones to unify the title against the Brit, both he and the UFC have long remained firm on rebooking the Miocic matchup. “Bones” has been the subject of criticism for that, with plenty suggesting he’ll likely retire following the Nov. 16 event and avoid facing Aspinall.

    The chances of that increased a few days ago when Jones told Clocked N’ Loaded that Miocic will more than likely mark his final opponent.

    Cormier Pushes Back On Jones Retirement Before Facing Aspinall

    During a recent episode of his Funky and the Champ YouTube show alongside Ben Askren, Cormier reacted to Jones’ latest remarks while in Las Vegas for UFC 306 this past weekend.

    “DC” acknowledged that there isn’t much left at heavyweight that’s worth Jones prolonging his career for. But what there is, however, is an interim champ in Aspinall, and his presence is enough for Cormier to see Jones’ potential retirement as leaving incomplete work behind.

    “This is the fight that you want in Madison Square Garden, 1,000 percent,” Cormier said. “(But) hearing Jones say — or hearing the rumor that Jones said, ‘This is it for me,’ it sucks because I do believe that there is some work left to be done, with Aspinall mainly. I don’t think anyone else right now warrants him sticking around. We saw what he did to Ciryl Gane.

    “The guy’s obviously doing well, probably just doesn’t want to fight anymore. So what happens, right? You walk away,” Cormier continued. “I believe that when push comes to shove, they might nudge him if he gets through Stipe. They nudge you, they nudge you, they nudge you, and then you end up getting more money and then you ultimately fight.”

    It remains to be seen whether or not Jones will follow through with his frequent hints at retirement come fight night at MSG.

    But with Tom Aspinall set to be in New York City as the backup fighter, it stands to reason that “Bones” will have a vocal interim counterpart in attendance as he announces his decision.

  • Belal Muhammad Questions If Leon Edwards Has The ‘Mentality’ To Earn Another Title Shot

    Belal Muhammad Questions If Leon Edwards Has The ‘Mentality’ To Earn Another Title Shot

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad doesn’t know if recent opponent Leon Edwards has what it takes to earn a chance at redemption.

    Muhammad unseated Edwards from the 170-pound throne in the summer, heading across the pond to enemy territory to challenge the Brit at UFC 304 inside the Co-op Live in Manchester, England.

    Against the odds and predictions of many, “Remember the Name” put on a dominant display to upset Edwards and his home crowd, sweeping the scorecards to extend his unbeaten run to 11 and make good on his pre-fight confidence.

    In the aftermath of the result, Edwards apologized to his fans and vowed to rise back to the top, even promising to “get this back in blood.”

    Muhammad, however, seems to have his doubts…

    Muhammad: Edwards Must Figure Out If He Still Has ‘The Hunger’ To Compete

    During an interview with MMA Fighting, Muhammad looked back on his triumph over Edwards and assessed whether or not the Englishman can rebound en route to a trilogy fight.

    “Remember the Name” has little doubt when it comes to his rival’s ability, which he sees as good enough to get him back into the championship conversation. But having long questioned “Rocky’s” mentality, Muhammad thinks that could pose a stumbling block.

    “Skill wise, he has the skill to do it but it’s all about mentality,” Muhammad said. “Because you’ve seen it a lot with undefeated guys, when they get that one loss, a lot of guys don’t know how to take a loss. He hasn’t lost in eight years and he had this long streak. So it comes now from how does he come back from it mentally?

    “Physically, yeah he has all the attributes, the skills to do it, and when you’re looking at the lineup now, I beat a lot of these guys in the top 10 already. So there’s not a lot of guys you’re looking at (like), ‘This guy is the clear No. 1 contender.’ So Leon could go out there and get one win and if it’s a huge win, there’s a possibility that he could get his name back in the mix,” Muhammad continued. “Now he has to figure out what he wants to do with his life. If he still wants to chase it with that hunger inside him.”

    It remains to be seen what lies in the immediate future for both Muhammad and Edwards, but it would appear to be slightly clearer for the former.

    Since his crowning this past July, the new champ has gone back and forth with both Shavkat Rakhmonov and Kamaru Usman regarding his first title defense, which Muhammad’s manager has pointed to as likely for UFC 310 in December.

  • ‘His Corner Work Was S**t’ – Former UFC Champ Goes Off On Sean O’Malley’s Coach For Merab Dvalishvili Loss

    ‘His Corner Work Was S**t’ – Former UFC Champ Goes Off On Sean O’Malley’s Coach For Merab Dvalishvili Loss

    Many believed Sean O’Malley’s ability to land a knockout shot would favor him against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306. To everyone’s surprise, the challenger was never close to being finished in the fight and won via a unanimous decision.

    A memorable moment from the fight arrived in the first round when Dvalishvili called out Tim Welch for yelling his name. Herb Dean had to step in and give the coach a warning regarding excessive coaching.

    While the MMA community is divided over Welch’s unique corner antics, Matt Serra heavily criticized him for his work at UFC 306…

    Matt Serra Believes Tim Welch Got Exposed During Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili At UFC 306

    During an interview with the new UFC bantamweight champion on the official UFC YouTube channel, Jim Norton and Matt Serra asked him about the first-round drama. Dvalishvili explained the incident to which Serra outright claimed Welch’s move to be shady.

    The former UFC champ then stated that the UFC 306 main event exposed Welch as a coach. O’Malley had been winning and mostly knocking out his opponents effortlessly until now. Like the Petr Yan fight, this was one of those rare times when “Suga” was having trouble finding a way to win.

    “This fight exposed him as a coach because when your guy is winning and knocking people out, sure, you look like a f*****g hero. When your fighter is obviously losing the fight and he starts losing rounds, Tim Welch was like not wanting to hurt his feelings. Okay, good round. No! it was you’re losing f*****g three rounds. You got to get in his a**. You got to say, you got to this. He was afraid that he did not know how to handle his guy on that many rounds. And I thought his f****g corner work was s**t. So, he exposed himself.”

    Instead of keeping it real, Welch kept on appreciating O’Malley which, according to Serra, wasn’t the right thing to do. The UFC Hall of Famer expected the coach to fire up his fighter by telling him that he’s down three rounds and needs to work more to win.

    It is safe to assume that Serra isn’t a big fan of Welch’s coaching style. Having said that, one can’t predict whether more aggressive coaching would’ve helped O’Malley emerge victorious at UFC 306.

  • South Africa’s Sports Minister Says Dricus Du Plessis-Headlined UFC Event In ‘Final Stages Of Negotiations’

    South Africa’s Sports Minister Says Dricus Du Plessis-Headlined UFC Event In ‘Final Stages Of Negotiations’

    South African sports minister Gayton McKenzie recently revealed that negotiations are underway for a potential UFC event in Cape Town, with Dricus Du Plessis slated to headline.

    The reigning UFC middleweight champion has been very adamant in his push to bring the promotion to his homeland of South Africa for the first time. His campaign gained momentum after he secured the title with a hard-fought split decision victory over former champion Sean Strickland at UFC 297 this past January.

    The push for the event seemed to lose steam as the UFC had already locked in most of its venues for the upcoming quarter. However, the topic gained traction again before UFC 305 last month when UFC CEO Dana White hinted that if ‘Stillknocks’ could defeat fellow African star Israel Adesanya, the promotion would seriously consider bringing an event to South Africa.

    With Du Plessis’ impressive submission victory over “The Last Stylebender,” it seems his wish is finally coming to fruition. Positive developments have been steadily aligning, especially after White, during the Noche UFC 306 post-fight press conference, confirmed that he’s “very serious” about hosting a UFC event in Africa.

    McKenzie Confirms Du Plessis As Headliner For Potential UFC Africa Event, Host City Remains Up In The Air

    According to multiple media reports, the DHL Stadium in Cape Town is in talks to construct a temporary roof at an estimated cost of R30 million (around $1.7 million) in preparation for hosting a UFC event in 2025. The 55,000-seat arena was one of the flagship venues during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

    Following these reports, the South African sports minister recently took to X to acknowledge that they are on the brink of sealing the deal to bring Du Plessis’ next fight to Africa. However, he also noted that the choice of host city is yet to be finalized.

    “I see news articles about @UFCfight of @dricusduplessis happening in Cape Town,” McKenzie tweeted. “We are in the final stages of negotiating for the fight to happen in South Africa. We have not been given the green light. We will know by the end of October, no decision of hosting city can be made yet.”

    With the host city still up in the air, the question of who ‘Stillknocks’ will face in his next title defense remains equally uncertain. Rumors are circulating, with some hinting at a possible rematch against Strickland.

    Alternatively, Du Plessis has also suggested moving up a weight class to challenge reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira — or perhaps Pereira could move down to face him, a possibility he himself has hinted at.

    However, “Poatan” is already scheduled to defend his light heavyweight crown against Khalil Rountree in the main event of UFC 307 on October 5. Only time will reveal who will ultimately stand across from Du Plessis in the Octagon at the much-anticipated showdown on African soil.

  • Georges St-Pierre’s Coach Questions Merab Dvalishvili’s ‘Abysmal’ Finishing Rate: ‘Fans Will Get Sick Of Him’

    Georges St-Pierre’s Coach Questions Merab Dvalishvili’s ‘Abysmal’ Finishing Rate: ‘Fans Will Get Sick Of Him’

    Merab Dvalishvili comfortably beat Sean O’Malley on the scorecards to win the UFC bantamweight championship at UFC 306. He secured six takedowns, ten minutes of ground control, and outstruck the champion to silence all the doubters.

    “The Machine” had to wait a long time to get his first UFC title shot. After losing his first two fights in the promotion, he won ten in a row and fired through top tier competition like Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan, and Jose Aldo to become the undeniable contender.

    Many believe that Dvalishvili’s fighting style is one reason why the UFC didn’t push him as much as other stars like Sean O’Malley, Umar Nurmagomedov, or Ilia Topuria. Here’s what Georges St-Pierre’s coach thinks on the matter…

    GSP’s Coach Criticzes Merab Dvalishvili For Rarely Threatening To Finish Sean O’Malley Or Past Opponents

    Firas Zahabi discussed the UFC 306 main event on the Tristar Gym YouTube channel recently. The coach admitted to loving Dvalishvili’s unhinged personality and smartness inside the Octagon but couldn’t help but notice the lack of finishes on his record.

    “His finishing record is abysmal guys. I gotta be honest. I’m telling you guys I love the guy he’s the new world champion I think he’s awesome. However, his finishing rate. Imagine you could take down almost everybody you’ve ever fought and you literally only have one submission. That doesn’t make any sense. It doesn’t make any sense. You’re literally taking everyone down, how come you never finish?”

    Zahabi highlighted that Dvalishvili has had the potential to take down all his opponents (except Jose Aldo). Still, he only has one submission win in his pro MMA record which is as baffling as it sounds.

    According to GSP’s coach, Dvalishvili must prioritize finishing his fights as a champ. His title victory already has MMA circles divided and a couple of similar performances might stop him from reaping all the benefits of being a UFC champion.

    “If he doesn’t do it. I’ll tell you something. The fans will get sick of him. They’ll get sick of him running around the ring and just taking people down. Running around the ring and taking people down, like, they’re going to get sick of that. He has to entertain the crowd, he has to show finishing ability. If he doesn’t, can be disastrous to his career.”