MMA News

Category: MMA

  • UFC Light Heavyweight Settles Number One Pound-For-Pound Debate Between Jon Jones & Alex Pereira

    UFC Light Heavyweight Settles Number One Pound-For-Pound Debate Between Jon Jones & Alex Pereira

    When Jon Jones made the decision to vacate the UFC light heavyweight title in order to take some time off before coming back at heavyweight, his former division was left in a strange place.

    The title seemed to change hands constantly without a real dominant presence at the top, until Alex Pereira made the move up from middleweight.

    Having conquered the 185-pound division before losing the title in a rematch with Israel Adesanya, he went on to do the same at 205.

    Whilst it would be hard to argue that Pereira is the most skilled mixed martial artist on the planet, his record and accomplishments in such a short period of time speak for themselves.

    It was only a matter of time, with just one weight class between them, that people started to pit Pereira versus the current heavyweight champion.

    Modestas Bukauskas Says Jon Jones Is Undeniable Despite Alex Pereira’s Achievements

    In a recent interview with InsideFighting, UFC light heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas gave his thoughts on whether Pereira has done enough to overshadow Jones on the pound-for-pound list.

    There has been a debate over the past several months about whether Jones or the lightweight champion Islam Makhachev should be considered the best on the planet, but after Pereira put on another dominant display at UFC 303, he has entered the conversation.

    Bukauskas, who returns at UFC 304 against Marcin Prachnio, cites Pereira as a big inspiration and has briefly trained with Jones much earlier in his career.

    He believes that despite his admiration for the impact that “Poatan” has had, the record books alone show why “Bones” is considered by many to be the greatest to ever do it.

    “I mean if you’re talking about who’s probably the greatest of all time and what they’ve done in the sport, how could Jon Jones not be at the top of that list? Alex Pereira has obviously done a hell of a lot considering like in a short space of time but you know, Jon Jones has literally had about like 10 or 11 title defenses or something like that. When you’re defending the belt like that many times and now moved up to heavyweight and stuff like this, I mean you can’t really deny that. Although, what Alex has done has been amazing but I’d still put Jon Jones at the top of that list.”

  • Dricus Du Plessis Warns Israel Adesanya Being At Peace Will Cost Him At UFC 305: ‘It’s A Dangerous Place To Be At…’

    Dricus Du Plessis Warns Israel Adesanya Being At Peace Will Cost Him At UFC 305: ‘It’s A Dangerous Place To Be At…’

    Dricus Du Plessis recently said that he sensed Israel Adesanya was ready to hang up his gloves after avenging his loss to Alex Pereira, feeling as though he had accomplished everything he set out to achieve in the sport.

    “Stillknocks” is set to defend his middleweight title for the first time against the former longtime champion, Adesanya, in the main event of UFC 305. The eagerly awaited clash is scheduled for August 17 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

    “The Last Stylebender” is set to make his return to the Octagon after an 11-month hiatus, the longest of his UFC career. Following his title loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 last September, Adesanya took a self-imposed break to focus on his mental health.

    The Nigerian-born Kiwi is currently enduring the toughest period of his career since his failed bid for the light heavyweight title against then-champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259. Three fights later, Adesanya suffered his first middleweight loss, a fifth-round TKO at the hands of longtime rival Alex Pereira at UFC 281.

    However, he made a triumphant comeback by reclaiming the middleweight title from “Poatan” in a rematch at UFC 287, and Du Plessis believes this victory marks the peak of Adesanya’s career.

    In a recent interview with Hello Sport, the reigning UFC middleweight champion reflected on his faceoff with Adesanya at the UFC 305 on-sale press conference. The South African expressed respect for “The Last Stylebender’s” achievements but sensed that Adesanya is pushing himself too hard for the upcoming fight.

    “When it comes to the title defenses, the winning streaks will never come because he doesn’t have the time, Du Plessis said. “I think his biggest achievement for him personally was beating Alex Pereira. He had this nemesis who had beaten him multiple times, and after that fight, he [Adesanya] was ready to call it quits.

    “That’s what I saw in his eyes as well. [He was] trying to convince me but more so trying to convince himself that he still wants to do this and that he still has what it takes to be the best fighter in the world and as soon as you ask yourself that question – you’re in a dark place.”

    Adesanya and Pereira’s rivalry stands as one of the most intense and storied in combat sports history, with “Poatan” seemingly having shattered his opponent both physically and mentally – only to suffer a brutal knockout in their latest scrap.

    The Brazilian defeated Adesanya twice in kickboxing, and the two have each claimed a victory each in their UFC showdowns.

    Dricus Du Plessis Says Being At Peace Heading Into UFC 305 ‘Dangerous’ For Israel Adesanya

    Adesanya previously stated that the layoff allowed him to regroup and alleviate the pressure of constantly fighting and enduring the demands of fight camps.

    However, “Stillknocks” cautioned that a layoff isn’t always beneficial for a fighter. During the interview, Du Plessis suggested that an extended break could foster self-doubt and asserted that when he faces Adesanya in the Octagon, he will ensure his opponent never finds his momentum.

    “The time off is not necessarily the problem; it can be good, but it can be bad… When you get to the position where you are so comfortable, where he said he’s at peace, he’s happy with what he has, and it’s a dangerous place to be at because this sport is chaos and chaos is the exact opposite of peace.

    “If you’re at peace and you’re getting in the Octagon with me, it’s going to be a problem because I bring chaos.”

    Du Plessis and Adesanya have a tumultuous history, with their fates intertwined long before their dramatic altercation at UFC 290 last July. Their rivalry dates back to when “The Last Stylebender” reigned as middleweight champion, and Du Plessis called him out, vowing to become a true African champion and bring the belt back to the continent.

  • Kamaru Usman Slams Henry Cejudo For Suggesting Nate Diaz Walks Into UFC Title Shot Next: ‘You Were Two-Division Champ & Fought Merab!’

    Kamaru Usman Slams Henry Cejudo For Suggesting Nate Diaz Walks Into UFC Title Shot Next: ‘You Were Two-Division Champ & Fought Merab!’

    Following his win over Jorge Masvidal in boxing this past weekend, Nate Diaz expressed interest in avenging a previous loss of his.

    Diaz is keen to run it back with the current UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, despite no longer being signed to the promotion.

    He faced “Rocky” back at UFC 263 in his second to last appearance inside the Octagon, where he lost the fight via unanimous decision.

    During a recent podcast, former UFC champions Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman disagreed on whether this rematch taking place is a possibility.

    Henry Cejudo & Kamaru Usman Debate Nate Diaz Walking Straight Into A UFC Title Shot

    Cejudo believes that given the name value and attention that Diaz brings to the table, he could potentially step back into a title shot. He said on the Pound 4 Pound podcast that a rematch with Edwards could potentially happen if both sides wanted it.

    “He called out Leon Edwards for the strap at 170-pounds, you don’t think Dana would give it to him? You don’t think Dana would give him that fight? Remember dude, the UFC is an entertainment company and if he’s able to bring those pay-per-view numbers and especially if a guy like Leon Edwards calls for the fight, he could potentially get it.”

    Usman, interrupted his podcast co-host, passionately disagreeing with Cejudo on the options that are currently available to Diaz.

    He used Cejudo’s own career as an example of why the Stockton fighter wouldn’t be able to jump right back in at the top in the UFC, despite his profile.

    “Let’s get serious here Henry, what?! You think, ‘Oh yes I want to fight Leon Edwards’ and he just jumps in and he gets a title shot? Are you serious? Come on Henry. Henry you were two-division champion and you came back and you fought Merab so basically, you had to earn the shot at Sean O’Malley. So you’re saying that he should just definitely come in and get it just because he has numbers?”

    Usman also countered the point made by Cejudo regarding the narrative of the fight between Edwards and Diaz that went down in 2021.

    Despite dominating the fight, the Brit had to face some adversity in the final moments of the contest after being caught clean by his opponent.

    Usman does not believe that this one aspect is enough for a rematch to make sense between them at this stage in both men’s careers.

    “He landed it, it was an incredible punch but that does not warrant him all because of that. He had one moment in the fight, we’re going to give him a title shot just because… get serious bro!”

  • Payton Talbott Branded ‘Brutally Overrated’ By Fellow UFC Bantamweight Prospect: ‘If You Watch His Debut…’

    Payton Talbott Branded ‘Brutally Overrated’ By Fellow UFC Bantamweight Prospect: ‘If You Watch His Debut…’

    Payton Talbott has made a splash in the Octagon thus far, but one of his UFC bantamweight peers doesn’t see what all the fuss is about.

    After beginning life on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage at the low-capacity Apex, inside of which he submitted Nick Aguirre and knocked out Cameron Saaiman, Talbott had a major chance to introduce himself to the wider audience on June 29.

    On the preliminary card of the UFC 303 pay-per-view event at T-Mobile Arena, Talbott shared the Octagon with Yanis Ghemmouri — briefly.

    The Frenchman was dropped and stopped with ground-and-pound just 10 seconds into the very first round, moving Talbott to a perfect 9-0 record as a professional and further establishing him as one to watch at 135 pounds.

    But not everyone is buying into the hype…

    Loughran Shares ‘Good But Not Great’ View On Talbott

    During a recent interview with InsideFighting, UFC bantamweight prospect Caolan Loughran gave his take on some of the prospects, stars, and champions plying their trade in the sport’s premier promotion.

    When Talbott’s name came up, the Irishman said he sees a good fighter, but not a skillset that warrants the amount of discussion being had regarding his potential in the 135-pound division.

    “Good, but brutally overrated,” Loughran said of Talbott. “Good fighter. 100 percent a good fighter. … But if you watch his debut, taken down, back taken, flattened out, the guy was gassed, comes out again, taken down, back taken. Then he fights Cameron Saaiman who, as I said, will be gone (from the UFC).

    “Then he fought Ghemmouri, who wouldn’t fight me. I don’t even want to talk about that guy. I urge anyone watching this, go watch — UFC France put up a video on Instagram of him warming up before he fought Payton Talbott, and it’ll tell you all you need to know,” Loughran continued. “But a good fighter. Getting all the hype at bantamweight.”

    Should his wish be granted post-UFC 303, Talbott will have the chance to prove himself worthy of the hype next time out.

    In the aftermath of his rapid victory at T-Mobile Arena, the 25-year-old Las Vegas native called out a fighter who formerly boasted similar promise in Adrian Yañez. After an unbeaten start to life in the UFC, the 30-year-old Texan fell short of the top 10 after suffering consecutive losses to Rob Font and Jonathan Martinez.

    After bouncing back this past May, perhaps Yañez will look to stall Talbott’s own pursuit of a place in contention down the line.

  • Ian Garry Gets Support From Fellow Irish UFC Fighter After Criticism Of Michael Page Win: ‘F*ck Fighting MVP, He’s A Nightmare!’ 

    Ian Garry Gets Support From Fellow Irish UFC Fighter After Criticism Of Michael Page Win: ‘F*ck Fighting MVP, He’s A Nightmare!’ 

    Not everyone was impressed by Ian Garry’s performance at UFC 303, but given what he sees in Michael “Venom” Page’s style, a fellow Irish fighter seemingly was.

    Garry cemented his spot in the welterweight top 10 late last month at the International Fight Week pay-per-view in Las Vegas, opening the main card opposite “MVP.”

    The Irishman was vocal in the lead-up about his lack of interest when it came to sharing the cage with the lower-ranked Englishman, insisting he only accepted the matchup to get on the undercard of what was originally planned to be Conor McGregor’s comeback.

    “The Notorious” ultimately pulled out and didn’t make the walk on June 29. Garry did, however, and had his hand raised in a close decision against Page, who was making just his second UFC appearance following a successful debut in March.

    Having gone to the scorecards in his fights against Neil Magny and Geoff Neal, the Dubliner’s run of decisions and the competitive nature of his clash with “Venom” have left some critical of “The Future” and dismissing his chances of competing against the elite of the division.

    One of Garry’s fellow countrymen, however, has suggested that such a narrative does a disservice to the challenge “MVP” presents inside the cage…

    Loughran Says Criticism Of Garry’s UFC 303 Performance Is Unfair

    During a recent interview with InsideFighting, UFC bantamweight prospect Caolan Loughran gave his take on a number of notable prospects, stars, and champions currently competing on MMA’s biggest stage.

    When it came to Garry, the former Cage Warriors champion admitted that he hadn’t been a fan of his compatriot’s approach to fight buildups in the past.

    But after noting an improvement when it came to his remarks ahead of UFC 303, Loughran pushed back on negative takes regarding Garry’s victory over Page on fight night.

    “I haven’t met Ian since he was an amateur. I haven’t seen him since the regional scene. I haven’t seen him in years,” Loughran said. “I was actually liking the way he was talking (ahead of UFC 303). And he’s winning fights in the UFC.

    “He’s getting a lot of stick for his performance against ‘MVP.’ F*ck fighting ‘MVP.’ He’s a nightmare!” Loughran continued. “Until you have him in front of you, you haven’t sparred or trained with someone like him. Now, when you put him on his back, he’s crap. But it’s just getting him on his back is a nightmare.”

    Having maintained his perfect UFC and professional record at the expense of “MVP” at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, Garry is now setting his sights on those above him in the welterweight pecking order.

    In addition to offering to serve as backup fighter for this month’s UFC 304 main event between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad, the Dubliner has set his sights on Shavkat Rakhmonov as a potential next opponent.

  • Chael Sonnen Snubs Alex Pereira For 2024’s Best Male Fighter Thus Far: ‘When I Watched O’Malley…’

    Chael Sonnen Snubs Alex Pereira For 2024’s Best Male Fighter Thus Far: ‘When I Watched O’Malley…’

    Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen had an interesting pick for male fighter in his and Daniel Cormier’s recent mid-year awards.

    While the real interest in awards comes at the end of each calendar year, there’s been no shortage of action and memorable moments to digest on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage through the first six months of 2024.

    In line with that, ESPN recently released its mid-year awards. A 14-person voting panel including renowned journalists like Brett Okamoto and Brett Okamoto voted on a number of categories following UFC 303.

    And that event contributed to one result, with 100 percent of the votes for Male Fighter of the Mid-Year going to UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira.

    Pereira is the only titleholder to have emerged victorious twice in 2024, with “Poatan” following his knockout of Jamahal Hill in the main event of April’s milestone UFC 300 card with another brutal finish last month, this time at the expense of Jiří Procházka on short notice.

    While that run would perhaps make the Brazilian an obvious and unrivaled choice, one former fighter sees things differently…

    Sonnen Favors O’Malley Title Defense Over Pereira’s Two Knockouts

    During a recent episode of his and Cormier’s Good Guy / Bad Guy show on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Sonnen left his co-host in shock with one of his mid-year award picks.

    Despite Pereira’s dominant performances against two high-ranked former light heavyweight champs, “The Bad Guy” gave his nod to bantamweight kingpin Sean O’Malley.

    “When you look at the Male Fighter of the Year, I’m going with Sean O’Malley,” Sonnen said. “When ‘Sugar’ Sean fought ‘Chito’ Vera, I did not know Sean was that good. I believed that Sean was the best guy in the world. I thought it was competitive; there’s guys that could beat him but he could beat them as well. But when he fought ‘Chito’ Vera and he dominated that…

    “To watch the growth that Sean had (from the first Vera fight), not to mention the pressure he had going from the Apex to top of the bill, a $14.1 million gate, and you’ve got to follow the show Dustin Poirier put on,” Sonnen continued. “There was so much pressure on this young man, who is a showman. … Can you back up what you say? Not only did he do it, he did it for 25 minutes. 15 minutes in he could’ve put the brakes on…wasn’t good enough for him. He tried to finish that fight. … I thought it was the total package.”

    Sonnen’s pick received a shake of the head from Cormier, who was firm in stating that Pereira is the correct and obvious pick.

    Whether that will remain the case come the end-of-year awards remains to be seen. O’Malley would no doubt strengthen his case should he get past his expected next challenger, wrestling specialist Merab Dvalishvili.

    But should Pereira face and defeat the man widely labeled his biggest threat at 205 pounds in Magomed Ankalaev, the debate could be wrapped up.

  • Leon Edwards Breaks Down & Predicts UFC 304 Fights Featuring Fellow Countrymen Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, & More

    Leon Edwards Breaks Down & Predicts UFC 304 Fights Featuring Fellow Countrymen Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, & More

    While focused on his own assignment at UFC 304, welterweight champion Leon Edwards recently assessed a few other notable matchups set for July 27.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will head back across the pond toward the end of this month, visiting an English city other than London for the first time since pre-pandemic.

    The newly built Co-op Live in Manchester is set to play host to UFC 304, a pay-per-view event topped by two British champions in Edwards and Tom Aspinall.

    “Rocky” is expecting both him and the interim heavyweight kingpin to emerge with the gold still in their possession. And his support of fellow countrymen goes beyond just his fellow champ…

    Edwards Backs Aspinall, Pimblett, Allen To Join Him As Home Winners In Manchester

    During a recent interview with talkSPORT MMA, Edwards looked ahead to his upcoming Octagon outing, which comes 16 months on from his previous home fight in England’s capital.

    After analyzing his main event showdown with Muhammad for the welterweight gold, “Rocky” had his attention turned to some of the other notable bouts set to play out in Manchester featuring his compatriots.

    That included the other champion with whom he’s sharing the poster, interim heavyweight titleholder Aspinall.

    “I pick Tom for the win,” Edwards said. “Obviously (Curtis) Blaydes is a solid opponent; great wrestling, good boxing as well. But I feel like Tom is just like, for heavyweight, quite fast and moves well on his feet. So yeah, I favor Tom for the win.”

    Edwards’ next pick came with a self-admitted bias, as he backed fellow Team Renegade standout Arnold Allen to bounce back from his widely debated setback against Movsar Evloev this past January in Canada.

    “I’ve got Arnold (against Giga Chikadze). He’s my training partner, you know?” Edwards noted. “I know how hard he works in the gym and just how good he is. He’s looking good now in training camp, so I’ve got Arnold.”

    “Rocky” then went three for three on the home picks, predicting victory for Pimblett in his toughest Octagon assignment to date against #15-rankled lightweight Bobby “King” Green.

    “That’s a good one,” Edwards said, pondering more than his previous predictions. “I’ll go Paddy. I’ll go all-British through here. I’ll go Paddy but I feel like Bobby’s a dangerous fight for him. Probably his toughest test.”

    Come fight night, Edwards will no doubt be more concerned about his prediction for his own fight against Muhammad coming to fruition.

    While his first two defenses against Usman and Covington went to the scorecards, the Jamaican-born Brit is vowing to finish “Remember the Name” before the championship rounds when they run it back later this month.

  • PFL Africa Officially Launched With Francis Ngannou As Chairman, Inaugural Season Set For 2025

    PFL Africa Officially Launched With Francis Ngannou As Chairman, Inaugural Season Set For 2025

    The Professional Fighters League has officially launched its latest regional expansion, PFL Africa, ahead of the first season in 2025.

    Having ran its unique season structure on the global stage since 2018, the PFL has committed to establishing its presence with a number of regional leagues around the world.

    And after kicking off that expansion with PFL Europe in 2023 and adding PFL MENA (Middle East and North Africa) to the calendar in 2024, the promotion recently launched its latest development.

    Having long planned an African expansion with last year’s star signing Francis Ngannou at the helm, PFL Africa has been officially confirmed for its inaugural season in 2025.

    The organization announced the news in a press release this week, also posting a teaser trailer featuring “The Predator” on social media.

    Ngannou ‘Proud To Give Back’ To His Continent Through PFL Africa

    Ngannou’s role as chairman of PFL Africa was announced when he put pen to paper on a deal with the PFL last year, bringing to an end months of speculation regarding his future following a departure from the UFC.

    While the Cameroonian has since had his focus on a boxing venture, sharing the ring with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua last October and this past March, respectively, his attention will seemingly be back on the PFL soon.

    And although his expected return to MMA and debut in the SmartCage remains unconfirmed, Ngannou has reiterated his commitment to helping up-and-coming talent from his home continent make a splash.

    “I am excited and honored to serve as Chairman of PFL Africa, a league that will shape the very foundation of African MMA,” Francis Ngannou said via a PFL press release. “As we have seen, there is a great wealth of talent in Africa just waiting to be given a global stage. I am so very proud to give back to my homeland and to provide great content to a region with such a passionate and diverse fanbase.”

    While launching PFL Africa, the promotion confirmed that the regional league will follow the same regular season, playoff, and championship structure as the rest of its “network.”

    The PFL also revealed that Helios Sports & Entertainment Group has invested and will hold a stake in PFL Africa.

    “The Professional Fighters League is excited to announce PFL Africa, the third international fight franchise as we continue on our path to becoming the Champions League of MMA,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “Africa is home to some of the greatest fighters in the world, including our league chairman Francis Ngannou, and some of the greatest fans in the sport. PFL Africa aims to serve the great fans with premium content while strengthening the PFL global footprint in what has for too long been an underserved market. Alongside our great investment and broadcast partners we cannot wait to kick off PFL Africa league action in 2025.” 

    In his own post on social media, PFL founder Donn Davis made note of his and the promotion’s focus on catering to the wide-range of MMA enthusiasts outside of the United States.

    The organization has previously come under criticism for not securing a broadcast deal for PFL Europe and PFL MENA in the US, meaning American fans are unable to watch. It remains to be seen whether that will be rectified by the time PFL Africa rolls around next year.

  • Magomed Ankalaev Continues Persistent Pursuit Of Alex Pereira Post-UFC 303: ‘This Is A Promise…’ 

    Magomed Ankalaev Continues Persistent Pursuit Of Alex Pereira Post-UFC 303: ‘This Is A Promise…’ 

    UFC light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev wants the next shot at Alex Pereira, and he’s not shying away from letting everyone know it.

    Ankalaev was ready and waiting to stake his claim for a second championship opportunity in the aftermath of Pereira’s latest triumph — a second-round knockout of Jiří Procházka in the UFC 303 main event on June 29.

    The result at T-Mobile Arena marked “Poatan’s” second successful defense of the 205-pound gold, coming months on from his brutal finish of Jamahal Hill at UFC 300.

    With “Sweet Dreams” having his plans for a rematch delayed by an injury and “BJP” now falling short against Pereira twice in the past eight months, the door appears to be open for Ankalaev.

    But believing that the champ is keen to avoid him, the Russian is not going to stop calling his shot…

    Ankalaev’s Vocal Approach To Securing Pereira Fight Shows No Signs Of Letting Up

    Ever since Pereira’s short-notice victory during International Fight Week late last month, Ankalaev has had the Brazilian’s name on his lips.

    By and large, the #2-ranked contender — who is unbeaten in 12 fights since a shock loss to Paul Craig in 2018 — has been accusing Pereira of looking to “run,” as well as making some bold assertions regarding his chances against the former two-weight Glory Kickboxing champion on the feet.

    That trend continued this week…

    “@AlexPereiraUFC kept away from me for a reason, and I do understand this is business @ufc best fight the best and he is the best for now I will keep my (word),” Ankalaev wrote on X. “I will knock him out. @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite nothing better than you’ve seen an event somebody going to sleep”

    Next, the Russian shared a compilation of his knockouts in the UFC, vowing to repeat the feat at the expense of Pereira — once again tagging White and matchmaker Maynard.

    “@Mickmaynard2 @danawhite I will do the same thing to Alex. I promise you.”

    And Ankalaev’s final comment of the day saw him lay out a “promise.”

    “End of the year he’ll be laying on his back looking at the light and ask his corner, are we back in Brazil this is a promise. I will knock him out.”

    It remains to be seen when or where Ankalaev’s second title shot will come. But he’s certainly looking to do what he can to ensure he’s not passed over by another name in the division again.

  • PFL Announces 2024 Playoff Main Cards, Former Bellator Champ Replaced In Semifinal

    PFL Announces 2024 Playoff Main Cards, Former Bellator Champ Replaced In Semifinal

    Following the conclusion of the promotion’s latest global regular season, the lineups are set for this year’s PFL Playoffs.

    2024 was always going to be a big one for the PFL, as it marks the first season since it acquired a rival promotion in Bellator. After kicking off the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a cross-brand event and commencing its sophomore PFL Europe campaign in Paris, eyes turned to the global season.

    And having hosted six events across April and June, the brackets for the 2024 PFL Playoffs were decided, and the main cards are now set.

    A recent press release announced which semifinals will feature in main event slots, as well as the order below them.

    PFL Playoffs 1: Goltsov vs. Johnson (August 2)

    This year’s PFL playoffs will kick off with heavyweight and women’s flyweight action at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 2.

    In the main event, PFL veteran Denis Goltsov makes his bid for a second championship final in what will be his fourth semifinal appearance. The Russian has worked his way back to the postseason courtesy of knockout wins over Linton Vassell and Thiago Santos. He’ll next face Tim Johnson, whose six-point finish of Danilo Marques saw him secure a playoff place in his SmartCage debut.

    The other heavyweight semifinal has undergone a change. In the second fight of the night, Linton Vassell will battle Oleg Popov for a place in the final. The former didn’t qualify in the top four spots but has been handed a chance at redemption following an injury to former interim Bellator champion Valentin Moldavsky.

    Co-headlining for the women’s flyweights will be Dakota Ditcheva, who breezed to top-seed status in the regular season by extending her perfect professional record with crushing TKOs against Lisa Mauldin and Chelsea Hackett. She’s next set for her toughest test to date opposite Jena Bishop.

    Opening the main card, meanwhile, will be an intriguing semifinal matchup between two flyweight elites in ex-UFC title challenger Taila Santos and Bellator champ Liz Carmouche, both of whom recorded consecutive wins to secure their playoff spots.

    Main Card (9 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+):

    • Heavyweight Playoffs Main Event: Denis Goltsov (34-8) vs. Tim Johnson (18-9) 
    • Women’s Flyweight Playoffs Co-Main Event: Dakota Ditcheva (12-0) vs. Jena Bishop (7-1)
    • Heavyweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Oleg Popov (18-1) vs. Linton Vassell (25-9) 
    • Women’s Flyweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Liz Carmouche (22-7) vs. Taila Santos (21-3) 

    PFL Playoffs 2: Kasanganay vs. Silveira (August 16)

    The second stop in the PFL’s postseason sees the SmartCage head to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, for light heavyweight and lightweight fights on August 16.

    In the main event, Impa Kasanganay continues his pursuit of a second straight PFL championship against the man at the expense of whom he captured the 205-pound crown in 2023, Josh Silveira. The other light heavyweight contest comes in the co-headliner, with 2022 title winner Rob Wilkinson battling Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov.

    Opening the main card on August 16 will be the always entertaining Clay Collard, whose quest for a first PFL title must next go through former Bellator standout Brent Primus. Elsewhere in that division, Gadzhi Rabadanov and Michael Dufort will share the cage.

    Main Card (9 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+):

    • Light Heavyweight Playoffs Main Event: Impa Kasanganay (17-4) vs. Josh Silveira (13-3)
    • Light Heavyweight Playoffs Co-Main Event: Rob Wilkinson (19-2) vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (23-7-1)
    • Lightweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Gadzhi Rabadanov (22-4-1) vs. Michael Dufort (13-5) 
    • Lightweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Brent Primus (14-3) vs. Clay Collard (25-13) 

    PFL Playoffs 3: Loughnane vs. Kamaka III (August 23)

    The featherweights and welterweights will round out the semifinal action at The Anthem in Washington D.C. on August 23.

    In the main event, 2022 featherweight kingpin Brendan Loughnane looks to continue his momentum from a strong regular season en route to another dose of PFL success. To do so, he must stall the charge of Kai Kamaka III, who is looking to capture the $1 million check in his first taste of season action. The other featherweight semifinal sees 2023 finalist Gabriel Braga tasked with blemishing the perfect record of Timur Khizriev.

    Co-headlining the August 23 card will be Magomed Umalatov, whose submission of Brennan Ward last time out has left him as a potential favorite in the eyes of many. He’ll look to further prove those predictions right by eliminating South Africa’s Don Madge from the equation. Opening the main card at 170 pounds, meanwhile, is a rematch between the undefeated Shamil Musaev and Murad Ramazanov. While the latter was knocked out by his fellow countryman in June, his first regular season bout was enough to keep him inside the divisional top four.

    Main Card (9 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+):

    • Featherweight Playoffs Main Event: Brendan Loughnane (29-5) vs. Kai Kamaka (14-5-1) 
    • Welterweight Playoffs Co-Main Event: Magomed Umalatov (16-0) vs. Don Madge (11-5-1) 
    • Featherweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Gabriel Braga (14-1) vs. Timur Khizriev (16-0) 
    • Welterweight Playoffs Main Card Bout: Shamil Musaev (18-0-1) vs. Murad Ramazanov (12-1)
  • Chael Sonnen Urges Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, & Others To ‘Speak Up’ Amid Islam Makhachev vs. Michael Chandler Rumors

    Chael Sonnen Urges Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, & Others To ‘Speak Up’ Amid Islam Makhachev vs. Michael Chandler Rumors

    The UFC matchmakers have been on a run since Conor McGregor pulled out of his fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303. After successfully securing new main and co-main events, their next challenge is to either reschedule the original headliner or get Chandler to return against someone else.

    “Iron” last fought in November 2022, and after waiting for McGregor for almost two years, he might be looking at alternatives. With that, he recently teased that a fight with Islam Makhachev is in the works, but there’s not a lot of optimism around it due to the challenger’s inactivity and record.

    Chael Sonnen, though, would be glad to see Chandler fight for the UFC lightweight championship. However, he also expects other stars in the promotion to build a case for themselves…

    Sonnen Lists Exciting Matchups For Islam Makhachev, Including Max Holloway & Charles Oliveira

    “The American Gangster” discussed the possibility of Makhachev vs. Chandler happening in a video on his official YouTube channel.

    He advised “Iron” to accept the fight without second thoughts but also urged other fighters to make the most of the current lack of contenders at 155 pounds.

    Arman Tsarukyan is out untlil October due to a suspension for punching a fan while walking out at UFC 300. Thanks to a win over Oliveira on the same night, he would appear to be the only obvious contender in the division.

    “This perfect storm, if you will, it has created an opportunity, not to be unmatched by the fact that no other 155-pounder seems to have a problem with it,” Sonnen said. “Like, I read something like Ilia Topuria says that Max Holloway won’t be available so they’re looking for another opponent. Let that go and move down a different road.

    “That would be a fine example. Like, Max, as the BMF champ, challenge Islam or to speak up, or to get in the way of Chandler, would just be one of the many potential examples,” Sonnen added.

    The BMF champ looked at his best against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 as he scored an iconic last-second KO. “Do Bronx,” meanwhile isn’t out of the title picture as well, according to Sonnen, due to the close nature of his split decision defeat to Tsarukyan.

    “Charles Oliveira, coming off of a loss, same as Chandler, who was in an elimination match with Tsarukyan, which was razor thin,” Sonnen stated. “And somebody somewhere in the world wants to see Charles Oliveira take on Islam. Like, it’d be a really good time for Charles to speak up. And I don’t have to go through each and every 155-pounder.”

    Makhachev has also repeatedly shown interest in fighting Leon Edwards for the UFC welterweight championship.

  • Former UFC Champion Demetrious Johnson Explains Why MMA Is ‘So Much Easier’ Than Jiu-Jitsu

    Former UFC Champion Demetrious Johnson Explains Why MMA Is ‘So Much Easier’ Than Jiu-Jitsu

    MMA great Demetrious Johnson has taken a step back from the sport that he made his name in as of late.

    Despite still being the flyweight titleholder in ONE Championship, he has become completely focused on competing in jiu-jitsu, which was always something he wanted to do toward the end of his career.

    Johnson has been able to stimulate himself by learning to compete in grappling tournaments in the gi having never focused on this area in the past.

    He’s already achieved some great success at the brown belt level and was recently promoted to a black belt following his dedication to grappling.

    In fact, Johnson isn’t just swapping his MMA training for jiu-jitsu, he believes that his new pursuit is even harder…

    Demetrious Johnson Says The Techniques & Specific Preparation Makes MMA Easier Than Jiu-Jitsu

    During a recent appearance on the Unsubscribe Podcast, Johnson explained his reasoning for believing MMA is easier than competing in jiu-jitsu.

    “Mighty Mouse” thinks the intricacies of training and competing in the gi specifically makes it much harder to adapt to or avoid certain difficult positions that require a lot of practice.

    “Fighting (MMA) is so much easier than jiu-jitsu… Gi is a lot harder. No gi is f***ing easy, in my opinion,” Johnson said. “Because like, If I’m going with Kody and let’s say he has some form of curriculum in the gi, if he grabs me, I have to break his grip. He’s attached to me, we become one. In no gi, I can just push him and create space and move.

    “If I put him in like, a Lasso, or a Worm, or a Squid guard and he’s never been exposed to it, he’s like, ‘What the f*ck is this!?’”

    Johnson also said that another part of his reasoning is the difference in how fighters must prepare to compete in the two sports.

    He believes that being given a specific opponent in MMA that can be studied and preparation catered for for makes everything a lot easier to plan and predict. That’s compared to stepping into a tournament against multiple unknown competitors.

    “The unknown sucks. It’s like, ‘Okay, I’m going to a tournament with 30 motherf*ckers.’ I don’t know what you’re going to do. It is what it is, we’re gonna run it and see what happens. (MMA) is like, ‘Okay, I’m fighting you, I have three months to prepare for you. I can watch all this tape on you. I know what your tendencies are, I know what your mistakes are, I know what you’re strong at. Alright, light work, easy.’”

  • Cody Brundage Reflects On Bo Nickal Defeat At UFC 300 Ahead Of Denver Return: ‘I Didn’t Feel Outclassed’

    Cody Brundage Reflects On Bo Nickal Defeat At UFC 300 Ahead Of Denver Return: ‘I Didn’t Feel Outclassed’

    UFC middleweight Cody Brundage recently opened up about his loss to Bo Nickal at UFC 300. He expressed remorse over not fully capitalizing on the chance to perform at his best in one of the most crucial fights of his career to date.

    Brundage is poised for his comeback against Abdul Razak Alhassan on the main card of UFC Fight Night Denver, scheduled for this Saturday at the Ball Arena in Colorado.

    Over the past 18 months, the South Carolina native has maintained a highly active schedule, with this weekend’s bout against Alhassan marking his sixth appearance in the Octagon since April 2023.

    Brundage has had a challenging run, posting a 2-3 record during this period. His most recent outing was a second-round submission loss to Nickal at the UFC’s milestone event this past April.

    The former LOC two-division champion demonstrated remarkable resilience and forced the wrestling specialist to exert extra effort, becoming the first fighter to push his opponent into the second round.

    Despite being defeated, Brundage believes he was never completely outshone by Nickal. Instead, he attributes his loss to a few minute mistakes that proved costly…

    Brundage Laments Lost Opportunity Against Nickal, Asserts Minor Adjustments Could Have Changed Outcome

    During a recent interview with InsideFighting, Brundage pondered his defeat against Nickal and also expressed frustration at not securing a victory at UFC 300, recognizing the lost chance to shine on such a significant stage.

    “I mean, it definitely was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Brundage said. “It was cool; it was such a great opportunity. I wish I would have cashed in on it and taken advantage of it.”

    The 30-year-old went on to commend Nickal for his impressive performance, admitting that a few critical errors on his part ultimately precipitated his defeat.

    “I didn’t feel outclassed when I was in the fight. I just think I got little overzealous. I didn’t keep my composure as well as I probably should have and that led to him having some success, and props to him, you know, he was able to finish the fight.

    “I could have represented myself even a little bit better than I (did), but as far as the experience, it was awesome.”

    Brundage made his promotional debut at UFC 266 in September 2021, where he suffered a decision loss to Nick Maximov. To date, he has struggled to leave a lasting impression in the UFC, securing only four wins out of his nine fights.

  • Michael ‘Venom’ Page Outlines When He’ll Know It’s Time To Retire From MMA

    Michael ‘Venom’ Page Outlines When He’ll Know It’s Time To Retire From MMA

    According to UFC welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page, any decision regarding his retirement will come in the gym, not the Octagon.

    While no doubt at the back end of his career, Page has only just begun plying his fighting trade on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage, having swapped Bellator MMA for the UFC late last year after over a decade with the former.

    In his debut at UFC 299 this past March, Page dealt a blow to those who have long questioned his ability to compete against ranked opposition in the UFC by getting the better of Kevin Holland.

    Most recently, “MVP” had his quest for an all-English showdown with champion Leon Edwards paused by Ian Garry, who narrowly emerged victorious from their pay-per-view main card opener at UFC 303.

    But given his pre-fight camp and performance on the night, it can be said that Page has plenty left in the tank months on from his 37th birthday.

    Page Reveals What Will Force Retirement Call

    During an interview with Demetrious Johnson prior to his second Octagon appearance at UFC 303, Page addressed the topic of Father Time that looms over fighters of his age.

    The MMA community often urges some athletes who appear to continue beyond their physical means to hang up their gloves amid lengthy losing streaks, with Tony Ferguson serving as a current example.

    The 37-year-old Page, however, insists he won’t reach that stage. Instead, he plans to call it quits as soon as his performance against the up-and-comers in his gym falls below the requirement.

    “It gets us all, man. There’s one thing nobody can beat and it’s that time factor. But you can make adjustments,” Page said. “It’s intense in our gym all the time. But there are times I can tell where he’ll (my coach) just be — for me, he’ll be like, ‘You can chill today. You can finish a bit early.’ … He can see when I’m fatiguing a little bit too much.

    “I always say to myself, if I’m getting dominated by the youngsters coming through and they’re all hungry — if I’m starting to get dominated by them in the gym, that’s my time to retire,” Page continued. “I don’t need to wait to get my arse handed to me out in public. If the guys in the gym are having me out, then that’s when I’ll be like, ‘Okay, I need to stop.’ That ain’t happening just yet.”

    In addition to a strong camp, which showed no signs that his time competing at the top is up, Page’s defeat on June 29 was far from emphatic. UFC CEO Dana White demonstrated the competitive nature of the Londoner’s battle with Garry by suggesting the fight felt like a draw.

    It remains to be seen what will come next for “MVP” after a setback in his planned ascent to gold on MMA’s biggest stage. But having come close to climbing toward title contention at UFC 303, Page has vowed to “rebuild” and keep his sights set on the goal.

  • Sean O’Malley’s Coach Theorizes Conor McGregor Uncertainty Is Delaying Confirmation Of Merab Dvalishvili Title Fight At The Sphere

    Sean O’Malley’s Coach Theorizes Conor McGregor Uncertainty Is Delaying Confirmation Of Merab Dvalishvili Title Fight At The Sphere

    A fight between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC bantamweight championship is all but confirmed. The fighters have been targeting each other online for months and have repeatedly suggested that they might main event the Riyadh Season Noche UFC event.

    O’Malley last defended his title in March against Marlon “Chito” Vera in dominant fashion. Dvalishvili on the other hand, secured his title shot by beating Henry Cejudo in February for his tenth consecutive win in the UFC.

    With both fighters and fans worldwide awaiting an official announcement regarding their matchup, O’Malley’s coach has speculated the reason behind the delay from the UFC.

    Sean O’Malley’s Coach Blames McGregor vs. Chandler For Delay In Dvalishvili Fight Confirmation

    During a recent episode of the TimboSugarShow on O’Malley’s official YouTube channel, he and Tim Welch discussed whether the UFC has an interest in adding McGregor vs. Chandler to the UFC 306 card at the Sphere. If true, this can naturally lead to other major fights being shifted to different events.

    “Sugar” highlighted that Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway is also rumored to be an option for the September 14 card. Yet again, the return of the Irishman can impact when and where this fight happens.

    “The Sphere, and Dana keeps saying it’s going to be something f*****g crazy, and then you got Conor-Chandler maybe going around, you got Max-Ilia, you got me and Merab. You got f*****g some pretty big fights to possibly make, but honest to god, I have not heard from the UFC,” O’Malley said.

    The champ’s coach agreed that the UFC could be eager to organize McGregor vs. Chandler at UFC 306. Because the Dubliner’s commitment has been called into question lately, Welch thinks that the UFC hasn’t been able to confirm the other fights on the card.

    “It’s probably a tough thing for the UFC. It’s like, they want to let you know. If they knew, I’m sure they’d let you know right away. But when you’re dealing with someone like Conor McGregor, who’s just, one day he probably wants it, one day he doesn’t, one day he’s just booger sugared up, one day he’s this. They’re probably waiting on that.”

    During his iconic run to becoming a double UFC champion, McGregor was known for fighting consistently and not pulling out despite injuries. However, his returns to the Octagon since fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the ring have been the exact opposite.

    With nine weeks remaining before the Riyadh Season Noche UFC event, both O’Malley and his coach expect the official announcement for the Merab Dvalishvili fight to arrive as soon as possible should the promotion decide the bantamweight gold will be on the line at the Sphere.

  • ‘Me When I Lie’ – Fans React To Belal Muhammad’s Manager Predicting Finish In Leon Edwards Title Fight At UFC 304

    ‘Me When I Lie’ – Fans React To Belal Muhammad’s Manager Predicting Finish In Leon Edwards Title Fight At UFC 304

    Betting on the main event of UFC 304 to go the full five rounds on July 27 likely isn’t going to offer you large returns.

    Both Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad have been on dominant winning streaks in the welterweight division but neither the champion nor the challenger are particularly known for finishing fights.

    With Edwards’ very composed and calculated striking style and Muhammad’s brand of heavy and relentless grappling, they have seven finishes between them inside the Octagon.

    That being said, just under half of the Brit’s professional wins have come by stoppage, whereas Muhammad has 17 wins by decision and six finishes to his name, the last of which came against Sean Brady at UFC 280 in 2022.

    Despite this track record, the challenger’s managed recently made the bold prediction that his fighter will become the new welterweight champion without the need of the championship rounds.

    “@bullyb170 will stop Leon Edwards under three rounds,” Ali Abdelaziz wrote.

    MMA Fans React To Ali Abdelaziz Claiming Belal Muhammad Will Finish Leon Edwards

    If there is one criticism that is often thrown the way of Muhammad, it’s that he doesn’t finish enough fights or that his style isn’t the most exciting.

    It’s undeniable that he is incredibly effective, but there is an argument to be made that this approach has made it harder for him to find himself in position for a title shot.

    Fans reacted on social media to Abdelaziz believing that Muhammad will earn his fourth finish in the UFC against the man that he last faced in 2021.

    “Belal can’t finish a sandwich.”

    “Fight goes to decision is gonna be like -1000”

    https://twitter.com/DKD2421/status/1810436713615163669

    “Even Belal said that’s not happening”

    “Me when I lie”

    https://twitter.com/Jordan83835055/status/1810433123202585031
  • UFC Fight Night Denver Headliner Tracy Cortez Envisions ‘Surpassing’ Ronda Rousey: ‘I Say This Humbly…’

    UFC Fight Night Denver Headliner Tracy Cortez Envisions ‘Surpassing’ Ronda Rousey: ‘I Say This Humbly…’

    Ahead of her main event debut this weekend, UFC women’s flyweight Tracy Cortez has detailed the kind of success she’s envisioning for herself on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    Since losing her professional debut under the Invicta FC banner in 2017, Cortez has experienced nothing but her hand raised inside the cage, winning 11 straight fights to establish herself as one to watch at 125 pounds.

    After adding the name of Erin Blanchfield to her record in 2019 and subsequently securing a victory on Dana White’s Contender Series, Cortez’s winning run has extended with a perfect 5-0 record in the UFC.

    Now, the Phoenix native is set for her toughest test to date in the form of Rose Namajunas. With the former two-time strawweight champion left without an opponent for this weekend’s UFC Fight Night main event in Denver following Maycee Barber’s withdrawal, Cortez has stepped up on short notice.

    And beyond making the most of the sizable opportunity awaiting her at the Ball Arena on Saturday night, Cortez is foreseeing an ascent to the highest possible step on the women’s MMA ladder…

    Cortez Outlines Lofty UFC Ambitions Ahead Of Main Event Debut

    During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Cortez looked ahead to the shot at title contention that has fallen at her doorstep this weekend in Denver.

    In terms of what she hopes to achieve with victories over notable names like “Thug Rose,” the #11-ranked flyweight set her sights on going above and beyond the legacy left behind in the cage by a trailblazer for female MMA.

    “You know, I’m very grateful for the way Ronda (Rousey) paved the way for women’s MMA. No one has done it like she has,” Cortez said. “But I say this humbly, I hope to surpass that. She set a goal, and I think us as competitors, we want to keep overstepping these goals and overdoing what our last heroes did.

    “I saw the way she moved and (I’m) finessing and tweaking, making it my own and hoping to surpass what she has done,” Cortez added.

    Having won all five of her Octagon outings to date and cemented a ranking with her victory over Jasmine Jasudavicius at Noche UFC last September, the next step on Cortez’s journey toward the greatness former bantamweight queen Rousey achieved in the cage is a big one.

    To remain perfect in the UFC and notch her first headline triumph, the 30-year-old is tasked with stalling the two-division ambitions of Namajunas.

  • Paddy Pimblett Lays Down A Challenge For Bobby Green At UFC 304: ‘Let’s See If You’ve Got The Balls…’

    Paddy Pimblett Lays Down A Challenge For Bobby Green At UFC 304: ‘Let’s See If You’ve Got The Balls…’

    UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett will welcome Bobby Green to enemy territory later this month, and he’s also hoping to welcome him to the ground come fight night.

    After returning from a lengthy injury layoff last December to add the prominent name of former interim champion Tony Ferguson to his growing résumé, Pimblett is set to be back on home soil for his first assignment of 2024 on July 27.

    Prior to two championship headliners at UFC 304, Pimblett will make the walk inside Manchester’s Co-op Live for his first shot at cracking the rankings at 155 pounds.

    The opportunity comes against “King” Green, a veteran contender who is coming off a hard-fought decision victory over Jim Miller on the milestone UFC 300 card this past April.

    In the lead-up, “The Baddy” has insisted that Green’s chin has “gone,” leaving him open to knockouts. Despite that, though, the Liverpool native has challenged the 37-year-old Californian in a different realm of the game…

    Pimblett Invites Green To Put His Money Where His Mouth Is At UFC 304

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Pimblett documented the late stages of his UFC 304 fight camp.

    And speaking to the camera while at his gym, Next Generation MMA in Liverpool, “The Baddy” made note of some of Green’s past comments regarding a possible submission and laid down a challenge for “King.”

    “Bobby makes me laugh. … You was talking about me in 2021, 2022,” Pimblett said. “I also seen a story the other week, him saying, ‘Anyone can knock anyone out with a lucky punch. But Paddy, you’re saying you’re gonna submit me. You can’t submit me!’

    “Grapple with me then, lad? Back your word up,” Pimblett continued. “We both know that you can strike, even though you’ve got no power. We both know that I’ll strike with you and that you can get knocked out. Grapple with me! Let’s see if you’ve got the balls to grapple with me after saying I won’t submit you. Come on, let’s see.”

    It remains to be seen if Green will respond to Pimblett’s challenge.

    But whether on the ground or the feet, “The Baddy” will be looking to thrill his home fans once again, having not competed in the UK since a pair of London triumphs in 2022, both of which came via submission.

  • Rafael dos Anjos: Islam Makhachev Is Too Small To Beat Leon Edwards For Second UFC Title

    Rafael dos Anjos: Islam Makhachev Is Too Small To Beat Leon Edwards For Second UFC Title

    Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos doubts Islam Makhachev’s chances of achieving two-division glory.

    Makhachev has cemented himself as the 155-pound kingpin with three defenses since completing his long laud out path to the throne formerly occupied by his friend and mentor, the great Khabib Nurmagomedov.

    After submitting Charles Oliveira to win the gold in 2022, Makhachev went on to defeat then-featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski in a pair of contests last year, before most recently stalling Dustin Poirier’s late-career title ambitions.

    With his latest triumph at UFC 302, talk of the Dagestani surpassing “The Eagle’s” legacy and career on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage has increased. Many have pointed to a possible weight change as one factor that could move Makhachev into prime position to be the lightweight GOAT.

    But although the reigning titleholder has frequently expressed his plans to move up, one of Makhachev’s peers doesn’t see him getting the better of the champ above…

    ‘RDA’ Dismisses Makhachev’s Chances Of Beating Edwards

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Rafael dos Anjos was asked for his take on Makhachev’s welterweight ambitions.

    The Dagestani looks set to be tasked with at least one more assignment at 155 pounds in the form of Arman Tsarukyan before looking to join the ‘champ-champ’ club.

    But should Makhachev get the better of the Russian-Armenian again and earn a shot at Leon Edwards, “RDA” doesn’t expect him to have the size and physicality to dethrone “Rocky.”

    “I remember when I moved up, I fought all the contenders. … When you move up and go straight for the title, of course you have a bigger chance to become champion,” dos Anjos said. “But I don’t think Islam — he’s got very good momentum right now, but I don’t think he could beat Leon Edwards and become a double champion.

    “I just think the size difference — Leon is a much bigger guy. And we saw smaller guys like Poirier giving Islam a lot of trouble,” dos Anjos continued. “Poirier, man, he’s very tough, but he used to fight at 145 (pounds) and he gave Islam a hard fight.””I just think the size difference — Leon is a much bigger guy. And we saw smaller guys like Poirier giving Islam a lot of trouble,” dos Anjos continued. “Poirier, man, he’s very tough, but he used to fight at 145 (pounds) and he gave Islam a hard fight.”

    Before potentially getting the chance to prove the Brazilian wrong, Makhachev must further cement his grip on the lightweight crown.

    In addition to Tsarukyan likely being next in line should he complete the requirements to reduce his suspension to six months, Charles Oliveira has also reiterated his plan to work his way to a second dance with Makhachev, while Michael Chandler claims to have been offered a title opportunity.

    Edwards, meanwhile, is next tasked with defending his welterweight strap in a rematch against Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in Manchester this month.

    Beyond that, the Brit isn’t short on potential challengers, with the likes of Shavkat Rakhmonov, Jack Della Maddalena, and Ian Garry all waiting in the wings as first-time matchups.

  • Daniel Cormier: Tom Aspinall Can Create ‘Fan Uprising’ Against Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic At UFC 304

    Daniel Cormier: Tom Aspinall Can Create ‘Fan Uprising’ Against Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic At UFC 304

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier still sees a way for Tom Aspinall to stake his claim for the next shot at Jon Jones.

    Aspinall appeared to put himself in line for an inevitable dream showdown with Jones after capturing the interim heavyweight gold at UFC 295 last November. He did so by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in a matchup that replaced the original title fight between “Bones” and Stipe Miocic.

    Despite the need for a unification fight, both Jones and the powers that be have been insistent on the Miocic bout being kept together for the back end of 2024.

    The Englishman and a large portion of the MMA community have frequently bemoaned that decision. With minds seemingly made up, Aspinall is focusing his energy elsewhere as he gears up to defend his interim belt in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes on home soil at UFC 304 this month.

    But when it comes to pipping Miocic to the post and sharing the Octagon with Jones next, “DC” says hope is not completely lost…

    Cormier: Demolition Of Blaydes Could Force UFC Into Jones vs. Aspinall

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Cormier gave his latest thoughts on the state of the title picture in the division he formerly ruled over.

    While both Jones and the UFC have remained steadfast on rearranging the Miocic fight for the promotion’s next visit to Madison Square Garden in November, “DC” doesn’t believe everything is set in stone just yet.

    For that to happen. Cormier thinks UFC 304 will have to pass by without an emphatic and dominant display from the interim titleholder.

    “I can’t wait to get to Manchester. Dude, could you imagine if Tom Aspinall just washes out Curtis Blaydes? Then the firestorm that will start to gather for him to fight Jones — or if Curtis Blaydes just demolishes Tom Aspinall? It would be crazy,” Cormier said. “Here’s the difference, though: for there to truly be an uprising, it would have to be Aspinall destroying Blaydes.

    “You’ve seen Curtis Blaydes lose before. So people would think, ‘Oh, he beat Tom Aspinall, but we’ve seen him get beat by Francis and lose to other guys.’ … But if Aspinall goes through Blaydes in the way he did Sergei, and he’s only lost because of that injury default, people would lose their minds almost insisting that he and Jones fight,” Cormier continued. “If Tom Aspinall can get through this fight and he’s clean and he looks dominant, there may be such a fan uprising that the UFC may be forced to make Jones vs. Aspinall. I don’t know what that would do for my man Stipe.”

    Judging by his recent remarks, Jones evidently doesn’t see much chance of a demolition job in Manchester.

    In addition to backing Blaydes to get the job done on July 27, the Rochester native suggested “Razor” was piecing Aspinall up in their 2022 UFC Fight Night headliner. That’s despite the bout lasting just 15 seconds.

    Jones has also pointed to reigning light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira as a more intriguing option than Aspinall, claiming only UK fans would rather see him fight the interim champ.

  • Brendan Allen Rejects Paris Bout As He Won’t Fight Below Moicano vs. Saint Denis: ‘One Coming Off A Loss, One Barely Wins’

    UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen appears set to decline a trip to the French capital after being snubbed of the main event slot.

    Allen, who currently occupies the #7 spot at 185 pounds, extended his winning run to seven in his first assignment of 2024, outpointing Chris Curtis in one of the year’s best fights to avenge his 2021 loss to “The Action Man.”

    That result came in an Apex main event this past April, coming on the heels of two other main events at the low-capacity facility in Las Vegas.

    And having had a taste of being on UFC Fight Night posters, Allen is now turning down high-profile matchups if he’s not headlining…

    Allen Says No Main Event, No Deal For UFC Fight Night Paris

    During a video recently uploaded to Instagram, Allen provided an update on his current status three months on from his latest triumph inside the Octagon.

    “All In” revealed that he has been offered a top five opponent in the form of Nassourdine Imavov, with the promotion looking to have the pair do battle at the UFC Fight Night scheduled for Paris, France, this September.

    That card recently had its main event reported, with the always entertaining Benoît Saint Denis expected to headline in front of his home fans in a lightweight joust against Renato Moicano.

    Allen, however, believes he has more of a right to top spot on the lineup.

    “This is for everyone that’s asking me what’s up, when am I fighting?” Allen said. “Two weeks ago, they said Imavov in Paris. I said yes. I said I want to be main event because I’ve main evented three in a row, won all three. I’m going into enemy territory, so if we’re going to do it for all the risk, all the gain, let’s go. Main event.

    “Next thing you know, we see (Saint Denis) and Moicano are the main event. I ain’t f*cking going all the way to Paris for these two dudes to go over me. One dude is coming off a loss, the other one barely wins, bro. Nah, I’m not with it,” Allen continued. “So Imavov, if you want to fight, you want this work, whatever you want to call it, come on over to America, we’ll get it done. There’s no way we should be below these guys. I know it’s the Ultimate Followers Championship, but even though they got the followers, just put them on the card, people are going to come anyway.”

    This marks consecutive years in which Allen has rejected main events against high-ranked opponents.

    “All In” turned down a headliner against Roman Dolidze last September because he wanted a higher-ranked name. While the Georgian was #7 at the time, Allen went on to face the #13-ranked Craig.

    This occasion has seen Allen refuse a showdown with the current #4-ranked contender at 185 pounds.

    It remains to be seen who the Californian will share the cage with next, and whether his decision to turn down a top five opponent will stall his planned surge to the title.

  • Aljamain Sterling Moves On From Movsar Evloev Matchup, Targets Different Ranked Featherweight For The Sphere

    Aljamain Sterling Moves On From Movsar Evloev Matchup, Targets Different Ranked Featherweight For The Sphere

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has appeared to lose patience with the undefeated Movsar Evloev.

    Sterling announced his arrival in the featherweight division with a successful divisional debut at UFC 300 this past March. “Funk Master” utilized his grappling to limit all of Calvin Kattar’s offense en route to the scorecards.

    Since then, much of the discussion regarding Sterling’s sophomore outing at 145 pounds has involved Evloev, who sits three places above the ex-bantamweight at #5 in the rankings.

    While the pair expressed mutual interest in the fight, they’ve since been at odds over its apparent delay, with both throwing blame at one another.

    Evidently, Sterling has now had enough of that back and forth…

    Sterling Adjusts Sights From Evloev To Lopes

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sterling provided an update on his future plans, as he looks to climb toward the gold at 145 pounds in pursuit of two-division glory.

    With a lengthy period of discourse with Evloev not resulting in an official booking, “Funk Master” expressed frustration at the Russian’s ongoing “excuses.”

    And with that, he has a fresh name in mind for his desired appearance at the Sphere for Noche UFC this fall.

    “Stay tuned. Hopefully we’ll have some fight news for you guys. I’m thinking about Aljamain Sterling vs. Diego Lopes as the Sphere,” Sterling said. “That has a nice ring to it.

    “Movsar, I don’t know what the hell he’s doing. I gave him a date, he hasn’t accepted yet. He started making all these excuses,” Sterling continued. “Either you want to fight on my terms or I’ll go fight somebody else. So, Diego Lopes, if you oblige, let’s make it happen at the Sphere, September 14.”

    Interestingly, Evloev’s different take on why the long-discussed fight with Sterling isn’t coming to fruition has also led him to the doorstep of Lopes and a potential rematch.

    Lopes is one of the fastest-rising names in the division, having followed a competitive short-notice debut against Evloev last May with four straight wins, the first three of which came in the opening round.

    Most recently, the Mexico-based Brazilian defeated Dan Ige in a UFC 303 matchup that came about on just hours’ notice following the extremely late withdrawal of Brian Ortega.

    While Lopes remains outside the top 10 and four places below Sterling in the featherweight pecking order, “Funk Master” seemingly wants to capitalize on the hype around the 29-year-old’s name on a major platform this September.

  • Last Man To Beat Alex Pereira In Kickboxing Highlights His Biggest Weakness: ‘You Saw That In His Second Fight With Adesanya…’

    Last Man To Beat Alex Pereira In Kickboxing Highlights His Biggest Weakness: ‘You Saw That In His Second Fight With Adesanya…’

    A figure from Alex Pereira’s kickboxing past sees some gaping holes in the UFC light heavyweight champion’s game.

    When Israel Adesanya reigned supreme over the UFC’s middleweight division and defeat appeared a distant possibility, talk emerged of one man whom he couldn’t get the better of in kickboxing crossing over to mixed martial arts.

    That man was Pereira, who now occupies the light heavyweight throne having previously unseated “The Last Stylebender” at 185 pounds. And “Poatan” is now the subject of similar discussion.

    In 2021 — Pereira’s final year in the striking-only sport — the current UFC star did battle with Artem Vakhitov twice under the Glory Kickboxing banner. After falling on the right side of a split decision first time around, the Brazilian was outpointed in the rematch, marking the end of his journey in the promotion and the sport as a whole.

    Vakhitov, meanwhile, won a single subsequent fight before making his own transition to MMA, where he’s since gone 2-1 inside the cage.

    While still early on in his journey, the Russian appears to already be laying the groundwork for a third combat sports showdown with Pereira in a different environment…

    Artem Vakhitov: Alex Pereira Very ‘Open’ To Punches

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Vakhitov spoke about his venture to MMA and unsurprising desire to work his way to a history-fueled clash against Pereira on the sport’s biggest stage.

    “MMA was always interesting for me anyway, but obviously I am very motivated by the prospect of getting that trilogy match with Pereira,” Vakhitov said. “He’s a superstar now and I am happy for him, but when I hear people saying he’s the best striker in the world … well, I think it’s time for MMA fans to learn about me and my team, put it that way.”

    Vakhitov went on the break down what he seemingly percieves to be an overrated striking game, highlighting the major weakness he sees in Pereira’s approach. And the 33-year-old used “Poatan’s” sole defeat to Adesanya at UFC 287 in April 2023 as the prime example of it.

    “His biggest weakness is that he is all attack, he has no defense,” Vakhitov said. “Because of his lack of defense, he is open to taking a lot of punches to the head if he’s facing a skilled striker. You saw that in his second fight with Adesanya. He got caught because he leaves a lot of openings for people who know what they are doing.

    “These other guys haven’t done well against Alex because their striking isn’t at a high enough level. They aren’t confident against him and they think he’s unbeatable, so in their heart they are already defeated before the fight starts,” Vakhitov continued. “But I have beaten him before in pure striking competition, and I am sure I’ll do it again if we can get our trilogy match in the UFC.”

    Pereira was quick to respond to his former kickboxing rival, advising the Russian to avoid going down this path off the back of what he described as bad advice from somebody close to him.

    “Poatan” signed off by recommending a Vakhitov whom he described as “lost” to seek management, and he even provided a recommendation for his ex-opponent.

  • Chael Sonnen Has Advice For Michael Chandler On Rumored Islam Makhachev Fight Offer: ‘Don’t Make That Mistake…’

    Chael Sonnen Has Advice For Michael Chandler On Rumored Islam Makhachev Fight Offer: ‘Don’t Make That Mistake…’

    Michael Chandler was expected to fight Conor McGregor at UFC 303 but the Irishman pulled out due to a broken toe. “Iron” has been out of the Octagon for almost two years now, and he has mostly been adamant about fighting McGregor in his return.

    However, Chandler recently surprised fans by announcing on X that he’s been offered to fight Islam Makhachev at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The UFC lightweight champion called him an unreliable opponent but never rejected the claim about the offer.

    Unlike many fans, Chael Sonnen believes that Chandler can actually get a title shot despite being out of action since November 2022. He has crucial advice for the former Bellator lightweight champion, though…

    Chael Sonnen Tells Michael Chandler Not To Miss A Fight With Islam Makhachev For Conor McGregor

    On his official YouTube channel, “The American Gangster” discussed Chandler’s future now that the McGregor fight has been postponed. He reiterated his theory that the Dubliner might not ever return after pulling out of UFC 303.

    In the mind of Sonnen, offering Makhachev could be the UFC’s way to indirectly tell Chandler that he won’t ever get to fight the former two-division champion.

    On these grounds, Sonnen thinks Chandler should now consider alternatives. Fighting Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title is certainly an exciting opportunity, and it could be more fruitful than waiting for “The Notorious.”

    “If Michael Chandler is offered Islam Makhachev, there is a message being delivered to him, that he has got to be able to hear,” Sonnen said. “The words, ‘We cannot get you Conor McGregor. We are not going to get you Conor McGregor.’”

    The retired UFC middleweight warned “Iron” not to overestimate his current options. He pointed out that fighting Makhachev won’t decrease Chandler’s chances of fighting McGregor in the future.

    “Don’t make that mistake. You’ve got to get the matches you can get when you can get them. You’ve got to win the matches you can win when you can win them. You’ve got to sign the matches you can sign when you can sign them. In front of everything else, get the fight and get it into the ring.”

    Arman Tsarukyan, seemingly the only UFC lightweight with a solid case for a title shot, is out until October at least after being handed a suspension for the punch he threw at a fan during his UFC 300 walkout.

  • Marc Goddard Claims MMA Judging Is Better Than It’s Ever Been: ‘Despite What People Think…’

    Marc Goddard Claims MMA Judging Is Better Than It’s Ever Been: ‘Despite What People Think…’

    Marc Goddard recently said that MMA judging is at its peak, emphasizing that officials consistently deliver genuine decisions regardless of popular opinion.

    MMA judging has long been a contentious issue within the sport. Critics argue that some cageside scorers fail to adhere to established criteria, lack sufficient experience in the sport, and occasionally render questionable decisions.

    Claims of a misaligned scoring system and lack of quality control in judge training and selection contribute to the ongoing controversy, making it a recurring issue at many events.

    Goddard is a highly respected and seasoned MMA referee with over two decades of experience, having officiated numerous high-profile bouts in the UFC and other leading promotions.

    With his extensive background, it’s reasonable to assume that Goddard has a profound grasp of the operations and the mindset required to accurately score a fight.

    And the Brit maintains that MMA judging has reached new heights of sophistication…

    Goddard Asserts ‘Misconceptions’ Have Tainted MMA Officiating

    During a recent interview on the Overdogs Podcast, Goddard was asked to share his thoughts on some of the significant errors and contentious calls by MMA judges in recent times.

    The UK-based MMA referee responded by highlighting his extensive experience in judging numerous fights and his role in educating newcomers about the intricacies of judging.

    “Of course, I am a judge; I do judge. I teach judges. I teach referees and judges.”

    Goddard added that although judging has markedly improved recently, controversial decisions are an unavoidable aspect of the sport. However, he pointed out that the most significant challenges in MMA judging arise from widespread misunderstandings and fan biases, which muddle the perception of fairness in officiating.

    “Despite what people think, judging now and MMA officiating now is better than it’s ever been. Yes, you’re going to get contentious decisions, and yes, you’re gonna get — but one of the biggest problems we have with MMA judging is misconception. People hear things in certain ways, and they just dive into a rabbit hole with them. They take no time to understand. … And that’s what frustates me and my colleagues.”

    In addition to his role as an MMA referee, Goddard is a former practitioner and submission grappler who competed in 14 heavyweight matches during his five-year fighting career.

    He concluded his competitive journey with a record of 7-6-1 before retiring from active competition in 2008. Furthermore, he holds a second-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.