MMA News

Category: MMA

  • Dustin Poirier Admits Fighting Saved Him From Potentially Being ‘Dead Or In Jail’ Ahead Of UFC 302 Title Fight

    Dustin Poirier Admits Fighting Saved Him From Potentially Being ‘Dead Or In Jail’ Ahead Of UFC 302 Title Fight

    Without fighting, former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier believes his life would have played out much differently — and not in a good way.

    Poirier has long been one of the promotion’s leading fan favorites and has completed close to everything across a lengthy career inside the cage. One box, however, remains unchecked.

    While “The Diamond” has held interim gold on MMA’s biggest stage, he’s yet to reach the undisputed throne. To date, Poirier has failed to secure the crown in two opportunities, falling via submission to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2019 and Charles Oliveira in 2021.

    The UFC 302 pay-per-view event this weekend in Newark presents a fresh — and potentially final — shot for the Louisianan, who is set to battle reigning lightweight Islam Makhachev in the main event.

    Ahead of the clash, Poirier has been open about the possibility of this assignment being his last, win or lose. And in reflecting on his career during fight week, the 35-year-old has acknowledged the important part that fighting has played in saving him from some rough avenues…

    Poirier: ‘I’ve Found Who I Am Through Fighting’

    During a recent interview with ESPN MMA’s Andreas Hale, Poirier reflected on his storied tenure as a mixed martial artist as he approaches his potential swansong at Prudential Center.

    “The Diamond” outlined the positive impact that fighting has had on his life as a whole, noting that it’s paved the way for his entry into the business world and even saved him from some grim possibilities. 

    “I’ve found who I am through fighting. My life has been moulded, in some way or another, by fighting,” Poirier said. “Everything I have is from fighting. Everything me and my family have, the businesses I own, the things we run; everything I have is anchored into fighting somehow got me there, got me into the room, or business meetings, or tables with these people I would have never had the opportunity to sit across from and talk to.

    “It’s all because of fighting. Fighting has opened these doors for me,” Poirier continued. “To be honest, I could be dead or in jail if I never found fighting. When I was 17 years old, I wasn’t doing the right things. I’ve learned a lot of lessons about myself, about business, about life through fighting. I’m proud of that.”

    With that in mind, Poirier has been vocal in stating that he will be satisfied and proud of his accomplishments even if his career concludes without an undisputed title crowning.

    That’s not to say he isn’t still in hot pursuit of the mountaintop, however, and he’ll look to upset the odds on Saturday night to reach the peak at the expense of Makhachev in New Jersey.

  • ‘It’s Over For The Diamond’ – Fans React As Islam Makhachev Reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov Will Return To His Corner At UFC 302

    ‘It’s Over For The Diamond’ – Fans React As Islam Makhachev Reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov Will Return To His Corner At UFC 302

    For the first time since his title crowning in 2022, UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev will have Khabib Nurmagomedov’s guidance on fight night.

    Makhachev was long touted as a sure-fire successor to his mentor upon “The Eagle’s” retirement from active competition following a third successful defense of the 155-pound gold back in 2020.

    And the Dagestani completed the journey laid out for him by his coaches and teammates with Khabib close by, submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. That began the reign of Makhachev, but it also signaled the end of something.

    Months later, as Makhachev prepared to meet a test from below in the form of Alexander Volkanovski, Khabib announced that he would be stepping back from cornering members of his team.

    While he’s remained visible in some fight camps and has still lent a helping hand, the Russian legend has stayed true to his words and not appeared in a corner since.

    That, however, comes to an end this weekend at UFC 302.

    “News, ‘Eagle’ is landed in Jersey City,” Makhachev told UFC cameras during fight week. “He’s gonna be in my corner. Honestly, I’m very happy because he’s one of the best corner (coaches), brother, friend.”

    Fans React To Khabib’s Confirmed Corner Return At UFC 302: ‘Bet All Your Money On Makhachev’

    Unsurprisingly, the announcement of Khabib’s corner return saw many members of the MMA community flock to social media to give their thoughts. 

    Given Khabib’s history with Poirier, which saw him submit “The Diamond” in their unification title clash back in 2019, as well as the veteran’s renowned coaching abilities, plenty suggested that more odds just got stacked against the challenger in Newark.

    There are some, though, who predict that Khabib’s presence inside the Prudential Center on fight night will spur the underdog on and provide added motivation. Only time will tell…

    https://twitter.com/LakazMMA/status/1795676534923280554https://twitter.com/Tarticle21/status/1795674058379735279

  • Sean O’Malley & Coach Outline Why Ian Garry vs. Michael ‘Venom’ Page At UFC 303 Will Be A ‘Boring’ Affair

    Sean O’Malley & Coach Outline Why Ian Garry vs. Michael ‘Venom’ Page At UFC 303 Will Be A ‘Boring’ Affair

    Two of the most exciting and unpredictable strikers in the welterweight division are set to meet for the first time in a huge addition to UFC 303.

    Ireland’s Ian Garry is set to return when he takes on the division’s exciting newcomer in Michael “Venom” Page.

    After beating Kevin Holland in his debut at UFC 299 in March, “MVP” will look to shoot up the rankings by taking out Garry in the #7-spot who has spent a lot longer in the promotion, building up his current undefeated winning streak.

    Despite the sniper-like striking skills that both men bring to the table, there are some that believe that this fight may not make for the best stylistic clash despite how interesting a fight it is on paper.

    Sean O’Malley & Tim Welch Aren’t Sure That The Styles Of Ian Garry And ‘MVP’ Will Gel At UFC 303

    On the latest episode of the TimboSugaShow, UFC bantamweight champion and his coach Tim Welch discussed the announcement of this fight. 

    O’Malley stayed positive on the fight, saying that it should be interesting even if it isn’t a great watch on the night.

    “Could be fun, could be fun”

    Welch, however, was less confident as he spoke about how them both being counter strikers could make this one a difficult fight to get through.

    This is something that was also spoken about when Page was being linked to a fight against Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson who also has a similar style.

    “I feel like there’s a good chance it’s going to be boring. There’s going to be, I just feel like, watch Ian Garry versus Neil Magny, backing up, backing up. ‘Venom’ Page isn’t the type to stalk someone down and cut them off and put them against the fence and make it a fight.”    

    O’Malley rounded things out with joking about how both men could retreat until they both hit the opposite sides of the Octagon.

    Despite this concern, he is still excited to watch the fight to see who gets the better of the striking exchanges when they do happen.

    “They both just back up. It sounds fun though.”

  • Chael Sonnen Explains Why Conor McGregor Would Film Himself Partying At 2 AM Ahead Of Michael Chandler Fight: ‘Jon Jones Played The Same Game…’

    Chael Sonnen Explains Why Conor McGregor Would Film Himself Partying At 2 AM Ahead Of Michael Chandler Fight: ‘Jon Jones Played The Same Game…’

    All of the words out of Conor McGregor’s mouth ahead of his return at UFC 303 have suggested that he is taking this fight seriously.

    Unfortunately, a lot of the comments he has made previously seemed to be undone after some videos were posted over the weekend.

    The footage shows McGregor partying at his Black Forge Inn until the early hours of the morning.

    Whilst there isn’t a video which sees him consuming any alcohol, he is dancing with his long-time partner Dee Devlin amongst other things like taking his shirt off.

    Though some were quick to disregard this as McGregor being out of control and not taking his comeback fight against Michael Chandler seriously, perhaps there is a deeper meaning at play.

    Sonnen Suggests Conor McGregor Is Giving Himself Built-In Excuse By Partying During Fight Camp

    In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Chael Sonnen attempted to unpack the videos of McGregor that surfaced over the weekend.

    “The Bad Guy” made the point that why would McGregor put himself in this scenario knowing that everyone has a camera in their pockets.

    With that in mind, he tried to think about why “The Notorious” would want something like this out there.

    Some may point to it being an attempt to throw people off with the Ryan Garcia style of mind games to lull people into underestimating him.

    Sonnen, however, compared the videos to the former antics of Jon Jones and how he would sabotage himself in order to ease the pressure of winning. 

    “That’s where all of your options all of a sudden start really narrowing and when you’re confronted with the reality that it is not a marketing piece, then what is the story? What is the story and the message that the sports greatest storyteller is attempting to get you to consume. Jon Jones played the same game and Jon Jones eventually quit playing the game but he told the world why he was doing it initially and that was he always wanted to have an excuse in case he lost.

    “Not to you, the public, he wanted to have one for himself. If he would go to practice and he would work hard, he’d do what the coaches asked him, he’d put all that time in but he would also go out and drink and have a good time. If he was to taste defeat could tell himself well yeah but it was because of…”        

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Dustin Poirier’s Savage KO Of Benoît Saint Denis To Secure UFC 302 Title Shot

    UFC 302 headliner Dustin Poirier delivered a finish worthy of a surprise shot at championship glory at the expense of Benoît Saint Denis this past March.

    The former interim UFC lightweight champion will feature in the main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view card in Newark, New Jersey, where he’s tasked with bringing the reign of Islam Makhachev to an end in the Russian’s third defense.

    Poirier entered 2024 seemingly out of title contention following a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje last July. In his return to action at UFC 299 in Miami, however, “The Diamond” maintained his top five spot by turning away the challenge of one of the division’s most highly touted up-and-comers in Saint Denis.

    After a difficult first round that saw the Frenchman on top, Poirier showed that he’s far from lost a step by stopping “God of War” with strikes in the second. As it turns out, that win netted the Louisianan another opportunity at the belt thanks to results going his way at UFC 300 the following month.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Poirier vs. Saint Denis fight from UFC 299 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ciOQjock_g

    With that result being enough to book Poirier the next place opposite Makhachev inside the cage, “The Diamond” will look to replicate that performance in Miami to achieve undisputed glory this weekend.

    Should he achieve that feat, the Louisianan will have checked the final box in his illustrious career on MMA’s biggest stage.

  • ‘Gotta Be With The Right Management…’ – Arnold Allen On UFC Allowing #10 Umar Nurmagomedov To Skip The Line & Fight #2 Cory Sandhagen

    ‘Gotta Be With The Right Management…’ – Arnold Allen On UFC Allowing #10 Umar Nurmagomedov To Skip The Line & Fight #2 Cory Sandhagen

    Arnold Allen is set to compete for the second time this year when he fights on home soil at UFC 304 in Manchester.

    The #6-ranked featherweight contender will be fighting down the division as he takes on the #9-ranked Giga Chikadze in a great matchup.

    For Allen, he has been happy to accept the names put in front of him but “Almighty” has also been hoping to face higher ranked opponents.

    The Brit is coming off of a defeat to Movsar Evloev at UFC 297 in a fight that he had no problem admitting was a tougher test than some of the opponents ranked above them both.

    Chikadze is a great fight on paper but “Almighty” wants to know what he needs to do to take on some of the bigger names in the weight class.

    Allen Uses Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov As An Example For His Featherweight Confusion

    In an interview with InsideFighting, Allen spoke about how he doesn’t quite understand what determines which match-ups get put together.

    He used the example of Cory Sandhagen fighting down the bantamweight rankings for his next fight against Umar Nurmagomedov on August 3.

    Even after the pair were matched last year and the fight didn’t happen, it has been rebooked despite a big gap between them in the top 15.

    Allen questioned whether it’s down to who you’re managed by and the influence that some fighters and teams seem to have compared to others. Nurmagomedov, of course, is managed by Ali Abdelaziz if Dominance MMA, a well-known management stable featuring some of the biggest names in the sport such as Islam Makhachev, Kamaru Usman and others. 

    “You need some of those old guys to fight these guys coming up so this will be my second fight now fighting down the rankings and I get it, I lost the last two, whatever I think, I lost the last two. The one after Holloway I felt like probably fighting someone like Ortega would have made sense but then they’re like ‘ahh, have number #9’ so then okay, whatever, is what it is. It feels like you have to be someone or be with the right management to get the right match-ups that make sense. 

    “Kind of like Cory Sandhagen fighting Umar, he’s like #9 or #10 and like come on. He’s #2, Sandhagen is #2 and he also already accepted the fight, didn’t happen, none of his fault, he fought anyway so yeah, I don’t get it, it’s confusing. I don’t doubt his ability, he’s very good, I think it’s going to be a good fight, a tough test, I just don’t understand what gets that skip in the queue.”         

  • ‘If You Die, You Die’ – Top Ranked UFC Fighter Cory Sandhagen On The Possibility Of A Death In The Octagon

    Nothing represents the incredible highs and lows that can co-exist in the sport of MMA like a jaw-dropping knockout.

    Think back to any iconic knockout and the first thing that comes to mind is sure to be the celebrations and crowd reactions immediately following the final blow.

    There is, of course, two sides to this moment though as the fighter on the receiving end of the knockout will have friends, family and supporters also.

    One man that knows a thing or two about stunning people with his ability to finish fights is Cory Sandhagen who back in 2021, secured one of the best knockouts of the year.

    Cory Sandhagen Gives His View On Sympathy For Opponents 

    Sandhagen’s flying knee knockout over Frankie Edgar is sure to feature on UFC highlight reels for a long time but it was a worrying moment for Edgar’s supporters.

    The legend of the sport was out cold and took some time to get his bearings back in the immediate aftermath.

    In a recent live Q&A with Luke Thomas, Sandhagen was asked about the eventuality of a death inside the UFC Octagon whether his opponent’s health is something that he thinks about.

    “The Sandman” dived deep into his mentality and how he doesn’t allow himself to feel for his opponent given what both men know they are signing up for.

    “Umm… no [laughs]. Me and Frankie both signed up for that, you know what I mean. The human piece of me, which is different than the fighter piece of me, but the human piece of me obviously doesn’t like to see people get hurt. It definitely is a really big problem of watching people’s children watch their loved ones get hurt of their wife watch their loved ones get hurt but I think from like a fighter perspective, I care more about the people that love that person and how bad they probably feel then I do for the actual fighter because we all signed up for this. 

    “This is something where if you die, you die, you know what I mean. But, at least it was exciting and you did your best and you committed your life to something that was super awesome and really brave and courageous and at least you got to do that with your life and if you get to lose your life in something like that then maybe that’s a better way to go about it, not that I want that.”                 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibk7TYNxHaw

  • Dustin Poirier’s Coach Shoots Down Narrative That UFC 302 Fight Against Islam Makhachev Could Be His Last

    UFC 302 marks another huge night in the career of Dustin Poirier for what will be his 40th pro fight.

    Since debuting in the UFC all the way back in 2011, “The Diamond” has achieved some great things during his 13-year run with the promotion.

    He has become a true fan favourite, put on some classic fights, become the interim lightweight champion and of course, shared the Octagon with Conor McGregor on three occasions. 

    However, beating Islam Makhachev to become the lightweight champion at UFC 302 would go down as the crowning achievement of the entire run.

    An accomplishment so good that he may not be able to top it, providing the perfect time to ride off into the sunset.

    In a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Poirier said that June 2 could be the last time we see him inside the Octagon regardless of the result.

    https://twitter.com/NoSmokeMMA/status/1794046876855177698

    Mike Brown Says He Can See Dustin Poirier Fighting Again Despite Retirement Talks

    Poirier’s long-time head coach at American Top Team, Mike Brown, isn’t so sure that this could be the last time we see “The Diamond”.

    As Josh Thomson pointed out in Brown’s interview on the Weighing In podcast, Poirier is still just 35 years old despite everything he has done in the sport.

    The ATT coach said that sometimes this is what Poirier is like and he didn’t read his recent comments as anything too serious at this stage.

    “This is him, he is a love/hate sometimes, you know how he is. I mean I’ve heard him say this before and he, I think that’s a day-to-day thing. You never know but he’s accomplished a ton, he’s got a ton of money, he’s content with what he’s done. You know, you don’t want to push too long but I wouldn’t be surprised if he fought again after this fight, win or lose, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw him again. This is just, this is how it is. I think he’s trying to say he’s content with what he’s done, he’s proud of his accomplishments.”    

  • Kayla Harrison: UFC Debut Against Holly Holm First Time In ‘A While’ I Was Excited To Fight

    Kayla Harrison: UFC Debut Against Holly Holm First Time In ‘A While’ I Was Excited To Fight

    Two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison regained her joy for mixed martial arts competition when she entered the UFC Octagon for the first time.

    Harrison jumped into the deep end in 2024, committing to a weight drop that appeared unrealistic in the eyes of many in order to realize her dream of competing on MMA’s biggest stage.

    Having won a pair of gold medals in judo and found championship success inside the PFL SmartCage, Harrison set her sights on a long-discussed pursuit of UFC gold. And that got underway in the perfect way.

    At the milestone UFC 300 pay-per-view event in Las Vegas last month, the Ohio native made a splash on debut, dominating former bantamweight queen Holly Holm en route to a second-round submission.

    Harrison has since acknowledged her enjoyment throughout fight week and inside the Octagon. That feeling, as it turns out, was something she was missing during the latter part of her PFL stint.

    Kayla Harrison Relished UFC ‘Challenge’ After Unexciting Period 

    During a recent appearance on UFC Unfiltered, Harrison looked back on her first taste of the UFC experience, both outside the cage and opposite “The Preacher’s Daughter” on fight night.

    In addition to advancing her competitive goals by immediately breaking into the bantamweight rankings at #4, Harrison spoke about the positive impact the change of scenery has had on her.

    Put simply, she is enjoying fighting again.

    “It’s tough because, first of all, I f*cking love the UFC. I am a company girl now, through and through,” Harrison said. “The level of professionalism, the level of excitement, the energy, the employees’ enthusiasm, their kindness. I was just like, ‘Hell yeah!’ I was cutting a bunch of weight, so I was kind of riding that energy high all week.

    “It felt a lot like the Olympics. Not as big… but it felt very similar,” Harrison continued. “Like, ‘Oh sh*t, here I am. This is what I’ve been training my whole life for. Every single part of my story led me to this moment.’ And when I stepped in the cage, man, (I was) calm, cool, and collected… I enjoyed the whole process. I was super pumped to fight Holly. Listen, I’ve fought a lot of tough fighters, but I think it had been a while since I was excited to fight. I don’t really fight for money. I wanted a challenge.”

    While Harrison focuses on journey toward another piece of gold in combat sports, her former employer continues to take digs at her.

    During a recent appearance on the Weighing In podcast with John McCarthy and Josh Thomson, PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis branded Harrison a “follower who needs validation.”

  • Coach Explains Why Fans Will See A ‘Different’ Paulo Costa In ‘People’s Main Event’ At UFC 302

    Coach Explains Why Fans Will See A ‘Different’ Paulo Costa In ‘People’s Main Event’ At UFC 302

    The coach of UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa has promised fans that a new and improved version of the Brazilian will take to the Octagon this weekend.

    After contractual disputes and injuries kept him out of action for a considerable period, Costa made his first walk to the octagon since 2022 at UFC 298 in Anaheim this past February.

    While he emerged from the Honda Center without a victory, the former title challenger’s performance in defeat against ex-champion Robert Whittaker signaled that he remains a strong threat at 185 pounds.

    “Borrachinha” will now look to go a step further by having his hand raised at the UFC 302 pay-per-view on June 1, where he’s set to co-headline opposite another former divisional kingpin in Sean Strickland.

    More than just looking to repeat the competitive display he had earlier this year, Costa’s team is seemingly expecting the best “Borrachinha” to date in Newark…

    Coach Albarracin Touts Costa’s UFC 302 Preparation

    During episode one of the UFC 302 Embedded: Vlog Series, cameras caught up with Costa and his team as they trained at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Coach Eric Albarracin was complimentary toward his student’s progress, claiming that the UFC 302 camp is the first time he’s seen Costa find a “rhythm” pre-fight. 

    “One week out before UFC 302 in Newark. Co-main event, but the people’s main event,” Albarracin said. “You know, I’ve never seen Paulo in a rhythm. So now he’s in a rhythm, and you’re gonna see a different Paulo Costa; refocused, recalibrated, and reloaded.”

    Whether or not that translates into a standout performance inside the Prudential Center this weekend remains to be seen.

    But given that Strickland only lost the title this past January, a triumph over “Tarzan” will go a major way to earning “Borrachinha” a second opportunity at achieving champ status himself on MMA’s biggest stage.

  • Michael Bisping Sees UFC 302 Headliner Islam Makhachev As ‘New & Improved’ Version Of Khabib Nurmagomedov

    Michael Bisping Sees UFC 302 Headliner Islam Makhachev As ‘New & Improved’ Version Of Khabib Nurmagomedov

    Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping believes Islam Makhachev boasts traits that the great Khabib Nurmagomedov did not.

    Having long been touted as a successor to Khabib following his retirement as an undefeated lightweight champion back in 2020, Makhachev completed his ascension to the 155-pound mountaintop in 2022.

    And since submitting Charles Oliveira to be crowned champ in Abu Dhabi, the Dagestani has enhanced his legacy and cemented his reign with a pair of successful defenses against now-former featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski. 

    With a victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 this weekend, Makhachev will make it three defenses, tying him for the division’s all-time lead with Khabib and Benson Henderson. 

    Such a feat would no doubt only increase the comparisons between “The Eagle” and his title-holding protégé. But not everyone is waiting for Makhachev to surpass his mentor before branding him superior…

    Bisping Compares Makhachev & Khabib: ‘Look At The KO Of Volkanovski…’

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbCZ2P30wK0

    During the Preview Show for UFC 302 on TNT Sports’ YouTube channel, Bisping assessed Makhachev’s divisional rule to date and the champ’s ever-developing skillset.

    Pointing to the Dagestani’s renowned grappling game and always-improving striking, which he used to finish Volkanovski in one round last October, “The Count” suggested that Makhachev’s overall ability has already cleared that of Khabib.

    “Khabib came first and he’ll always be remembered for that, for what he did to the sport, how he represented Dagestan, and implemented that style. It took over the sport, let’s be honest,” Bisping said. “But his time has gone. It has passed… Islam is a new, improved version.

    “Look at the head kick knockout of Alexander Volkanovski. He’s much, much smoother on the feet. His grappling’s just as good as Khabib’s, or it’s certainly up there,” Bisping continued. “He’s really moulding into this champion. He feels it. He walks and talks with a certain bravado and assurance that comes not from confidence or ego, it comes from knowing what he’s capable of.”

    Makhachev will have the chance to further prove his talent in the main event of Saturday’s numbered event in Newark, where he’s tasked with defeating Poirier — a feat achieved by Khabib via submission back in 2019.

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Sean Strickland’s Upset Title Win Over Israel Adesanya Ahead Of UFC 302 Return

    UFC 302 co-headliner achieved a surprise dose of championship glory when he dethroned Israel Adesanya in Sydney, Australia, last September.

    The former middleweight kingpin will feature in the co-main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view card in Newark, New Jersey, where he’s tasked with getting the better of fellow contender Paulo Costa. 

    Strickland is in pursuit of a second reign atop the 185-pound mountain following a brief stint there courtesy of his efforts Down Under last year. Off the back of consecutive wins over Nassourdine Imavov and Abus Magomedov, “Tarzan” capitalized on a short-notice chance to challenge Adesanya at UFC 293.

    Against the odds and predictions of many, “Tarzan” dropped the then-champ early before putting on a striking masterclass across five rounds. The title win went down as one of the promotion’s greatest upsets, and it was enough to net MMA News’ Performance of the Year award for 2023.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Strickland vs. Adesanya fight from UFC 293 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uZiZHsPSaE

    Strickland was unable to cement his grip on the crown in his first defense this past January, with Dricus Du Plessis instead ensuring that he’d emerge from UFC 297 in Canada with the title in his possession.

    Having had his calls for an immediate rematch dismissed, Strickland must return to winning ways at the expense of “Borrachinha” if he’s to earn an opportunity to achieve two-time champ status.

  • Henry Cejudo Alleged To Have Rejected UFC Main Event Against Sean O’Malley’s Teammate

    Henry Cejudo Alleged To Have Rejected UFC Main Event Against Sean O’Malley’s Teammate

    According to coach Tim Welch, former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo closed the door on a possible main event against a rising contender.

    Cejudo hasn’t had the best time of things since returning from a short-lived retirement last May. After narrowly falling short of regaining the bantamweight crown against Aljamain Sterling, “Triple C” fell to 0-2 since his comeback at UFC 298 in Anaheim this past February, where he was beaten by Merab Dvalishvili. 

    While the latest setback sparked talk of a return to retirement for the veteran, he was quick to commit to the continuation of his fighting career. He’s since been assessing his options, calling to fight the likes of Petr Yan and Rob Font.

    He’s also been dismissing some matchups. That was publicly evident in the case of Song Yadong, whose invitation to Cejudo for a showdown in China was shut down by the former champ-champ on social media.

    And when it comes to being rejected by the 2008 Olympic gold medalist, “The Kung Fu Kid” is seemingly not alone…

    O’Malley’s Coach Claims Cejudo Turned Down Phillips Headliner

    A recent report from @MagicM_MMABets on social media claimed that Cejudo was being lined up to headline a UFC Fight Night opposite #11-ranked contender Kyler Phillips.

    Phillips, a teammate of bantamweight kingpin Sean O’Malley’s, has won three straight since a controversial loss to Raulian Paiva in 2021, most recently getting the better of divisional veteran Pedro Munhoz at UFC 299 in Miami.

    While “Matrix” is pursuing a spot inside the top 10 that a matchup with Cejudo would present an opportunity for, “Triple C” has been accused of rejecting the clash.

    “(Cap) Henry turned it down,” Phillips’ coach Tim Welch wrote in response to the report.

    Despite going 0-2 since his return to active competition, Cejudo still currently occupies the #5 spot in the bantamweight pecking order.

    Given his focus on the likes of Yan and Font, he’s evidently pursuing a more prominent name than Phillips for his next outing.

  • Islam Makhachev Doesn’t Want To See Dustin Poirier Retire After A Defeat At UFC 302: ‘He Can Beat Everybody’

    Islam Makhachev Doesn’t Want To See Dustin Poirier Retire After A Defeat At UFC 302: ‘He Can Beat Everybody’

    UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev fully intends on stalling Dustin Poirier’s ongoing title ambitions this weekend, but he hopes it won’t be the end of the road for his latest challenger. 

    After cementing his grip on the 155-pound crown with a pair of defenses against then-featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski in 2023, Makhachev is days away from his first threat from an established lightweight contender.

    Having returned to winning ways with an emphatic knockout of Benoît Saint Denis at UFC 299 this past March, some favorable results at UFC 300 last month paved the way for Poirier to receive a third shot at undisputed status.

    By the sounds of things, “The Diamond” is expecting it to be his last opportunity — and potentially even his final fight overall, win or lose.

    Makhachev Hopes Poirier Pours Cold Water On Retirement Talk

    During a recent interview with NBC Sports, Makhachev acknowledged the recent remarks regarding retirement to come from Poirier ahead of their collision on Saturday night.

    Some have questioned the Louisianan’s decision to speak on such a topic prior to a title fight, with Daniel Cormier pointing to his experience of doing the same to suggest that “The Diamond” is making a mistake.

    Makhachev appears to share that sentiment, but for a different reason. While plenty have simply suggested that Poirier should keep retirement thoughts to himself until post-fight, the Dagestani doesn’t want to see them reach the surface at all.

    “He’s talking about (retirement), but I don’t want him (to) retire after this fight if I beat him,” Makhachev said. “This guy is dangerous. He can beat everybody. He’s number, like, top five in the world, you know? That’s why I don’t think it’s a good idea (to talk) about retiring, because he’s still a very dangerous guy. That’s why I’m preparing very hard for him.”

    Fans will have to wait and see when it comes to Poirier’s future in the sport. For now, “The Diamond” will have his sole focus on upsetting the odds to bring Makhachev’s lightweight reign to an end.

    Whether that would be followed by a defense or a departure from the sport remains to be seen.

  • Conor McGregor Posts Defiant Message After Party Video Sparks Worry About UFC 303 Return: ‘Records & Jaws Are Getting Smashed’

    Conor McGregor Posts Defiant Message After Party Video Sparks Worry About UFC 303 Return: ‘Records & Jaws Are Getting Smashed’

    As fans and pundits express concern over his continued partying ahead of UFC 303, Conor McGregor has reasserted his confidence when it comes to dealing significant damage to Michael Chandler.

    McGregor is set to headline proceedings during International Fight Week in Las Vegas late next month. The Irishman, who once simultaneously held the featherweight and lightweight titles, hasn’t competed since 2021.

    Having been out of action after breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier, the long wait for McGregor’s comeback will reach its end on June 29 when he shares the Octagon with Chandler.

    In the lead-up, the pair appear to be having drastically different camps…

    McGregor: ‘Some Are Just Built Different’ 

    This week, those predicting defeat for McGregor at UFC 303 had their thoughts on the fight cemented when footage emerged of the Dubliner partying into the early hours at his Black Forge Inn pub.

    While there’s no evidence that McGregor was consuming alcohol, the posts still led to many branding it a less than ideal sign when it comes to the former champ-champ’s preparation.

    The Irishman, unsurprisingly, disagrees.

    “Some are just built different,” McGregor wrote on X. “I am only now coming into my own. June 29th, records and jaws are getting smashed! Onwards and upwards! #fightingirish”

    McGregor has vowed to have his way with Chandler inside the Octagon ever since the pair coached opposite one another on last year’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter.

    “Iron” Mike, a former three-time Bellator champion, has gone 2-3 since joining the UFC, defeating Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson but falling to losses against Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier. 

    He’ll look to even up his Octagon record at the expense of McGregor, who hasn’t had his hand raised since a 40-second knockout of Donald Cerrone back in January 2020.

  • VIDEO: Justin Gaethje Shares First Training Footage Since Brutal KO Loss To Max Holloway At UFC 300

    Former interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje is back in light training a month and a half on from a devastating defeat in Las Vegas.

    While it appeared last year that a memorable victory over Dustin Poirier had netted Gaethje a third shot at undisputed title glory, his subsequent assignment was instead a defense of the symbolic BMF belt.

    On the main card of last month’s milestone UFC 300 pay-per-view, “The Highlight” put the strap on the line in a highly anticipated clash with Max Holloway. While the featherweight legend’s previous venture to 155 pounds left many favoring Gaethje pre-fight, “Blessed” put on a masterclass.

    And after moving ahead on the scorecards, Holloway ultimately closed the show in emphatic fashion with a buzzer-beating knockout that left Gaethje face down on the Octagon canvas.

    Gaethje Back In Training 6 Weeks On From UFC 300 Defeat

    Given the brutal nature of the finish, fans aren’t expecting to see Gaethje back inside the cage anytime soon. The ex-interim champ has admitted that it would be ill-advised for him to return to sparring within six months of the UFC 300 loss.

    “The Highlight” has, however, been letting his fists fly again. In a recent video on social media, Gaethje shared footage of his return to light training. He donned the boxing gloves to hit the heavy bag, which you can watch here.

    “Trying to get back in the routine,” he wrote in the caption.

    The 35-year-old Arizona native has appeared to remain positive despite the setback, which stalled his plans to finally reach the lightweight throne at the expense of current kingpin Islam Makhachev.

    In the immediate aftermath, Gaethje reassured his fans that he was still in “great spirits” and offered his congratulations to Holloway, who became the third BMF champ on April 13.

    With his defeat, former two-time opponent Poirier will mark the next challenge for Makhachev to overcome. The pair will collide in the main event of this weekend’s UFC 302 event in Newark, New Jersey.

    Holloway, meanwhile, is in hot pursuit of Ilia Topuria’s featherweight gold.

  • Carlos Ulberg Gives First Reaction To Jamahal Hill Co-Main Event At UFC 303, Reveals Thoughts On Conor McGregor

    Carlos Ulberg is looking to capitalize on a huge opportunity that he put himself in perfect position for.

    At UFC 303 on International Fight Week, he will look to secure his biggest win yet by taking out the former light heavyweight champion, Jamahal Hill.

    Ulberg is replacing Khalil Rountree and called his shot to potentially do so after he stopped Alonzo Menifield in just 12 seconds earlier this month.

    Beating Hill, who headlined UFC 300 in April against Alex Pereira, will see Ulberg extend his winning streak to seven and likely secure himself a position in the top five.

    In his first interview since the fight was made official, he told Engage about what this fight and opponent means to him.

    “We’re going up against Hill, I think he’s number three at the moment so that’s some really good news that puts us in a really good spot and I’m not going to pass that opportunity.”

    Carlos Ulberg Talks Fighting On The Same Card As Conor McGregor On June 29

    Competing on International Fight Week is already a big deal but this year’s instalment is something entirely different.

    Ulberg vs Hill will take place in a prominent spot on the PPV main card of UFC 303 which will be headlined by the returning Conor McGregor. 

    This fight was already the biggest of his career but now the 33-year old has the opportunity to secure a massive win on one of the biggest platforms possible.

    In the interview with Engage, Ulberg spoke about McGregor and how he is able to draw inspiration from “The Notorious”.

    “Yeah McGregor is obviously the biggest star to rise out of the UFC and even sporting alone. So everybody that you talk to, they all know McGregor even if they’re not MMA fans. I spoke to someone today and they didn’t know about MMA but they knew who McGregor was which was amazing so he is definitely a big star and to fight under that undercard would be amazing and if we can get the co-main event, then that’d be even more spectacular so yeah man.

    “He goes in with confidence and that’s something that I like to lead into my fights. When I jump in that cage, it’s just me, my opponent and the preparation that I’ve had prior.”        

  • Ben Askren Agrees With Jorge Masvidal On Lia Thomas Controversy

    Former UFC fighter Ben Askren may still have a grudge towards his former rival Jorge Masvidal, but they agreed on a recent controversy.

    Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas has been at the center of an ongoing debate about whether or not transgender women should compete in female sports. Thomas recently became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I championship by winning the 500-yard-freestyle race.

    Masvidal and Askren had a heated buildup before their main card fight at UFC 239. Masvidal went on to bash Askren with a flying knee knockout that is widely considered one of the most memorable moments in recent UFC history.

    After Masvidal recently spoke out against transwomen competing in women’s sports, Askren appears to agree with that sentiment.

    “If you think Biological males should compete in female division then you don’t understand sports!” Askren said in a recent tweet.

    Thomas is planning on swimming in the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics trials. While Thomas’ success is undeniable and unprecedented, many have debated whether or not it’s ethical and good for sports in general.

    Askren left MMA following losses to Masvidal and Demian Maia in 2019. He also lost to Jake Paul in a boxing match in April of last year.

    Masvidal is looking to get back on track after three straight losses in the Octagon. While Asken and he may never be cordial, it appears that they’re on the same page when it comes to the debate surrounding Thomas and trans athletes.

    Do you agree with Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal?

  • Report: Gegard Mousasi vs. Johnny Eblen In The Works For June

    A Bellator middleweight title fight between champion Gegard Mousasi and top contender Johnny Eblen is in the works for June.

    News of the targeted bout was first reported by MMA journalist Ariel Helwani.

    Mousasi had teased a potential move to light heavyweight by the end of 2022, but that plan appears to be on hold at the moment. He is coming off one of the most dominant wins of his career over Austin Vanderford at Bellator 275 in a quick TKO victory.

    Mousasi earned the belt by defeating Douglas Lima for the then-vacant title at Bellator 250. He went on to successfully defend it against John Salter and most recently against Vanderford.

    Mousasi also had a brief title reign by defeating Rory MacDonald at Bellator 206 in a second-round ground-and-pound barrage.

    Mousasi will face a tough test in Eblen, who has been on a roll and is undefeated in his MMA career. The former NCAA wrestling standout and American Top Team trainee most recently earned lopsided wins over Salter and Collin Huckbody.

    Eblen made his Bellator debut back at Bellator 218 following his full-time transition to MMA. He has also earned wins over Taylor Johnson and Mauricio Alonso on the way to the title shot.

    As Helwani reported, the Mousasi vs. Eblen matchup is tentatively in the works for sometime in June. The venue and exact date regarding the planned fight could be announced within the coming weeks.

    What is your prediction for the rumored Gegard Mousasi vs. Johnny Eblen fight?

  • Ex-Cop Chris Daukaus Offers Unique Perspective On Velasquez Case

    Former police officer and upcoming UFC Columbus headliner Chris Daukaus has shared his thoughts on the Cain Velasquez case.

    Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was reportedly involved in a car chase in pursuit of alleged child molester Henry Goularte. While Velasquez allegedly fired rounds into the vehicle carrying Goularte, bullets hit Goularte’s stepfather instead. Since the arrest, many fighters have voiced their support for Velasquez, such as Israel Adesanya, Colby Covington, and Alexander Volkanovski among others.

    One man who is in a position to offer some unique insight into the case is Chris Daukaus. Daukaus worked as a law-enforcement officer in Philadelphia for more than 10 years, so he has a firm awareness of the criminal justice system.

    But the #9-ranked UFC heavyweight is also a parent. So while he understands the need to charge Velasquez for breaking the law, he is not personally convicting Velasquez from a morality standpoint.

    “Yeah, so as a father and as a fighter, I’m OK with what he did,” Daukaus began in an interview with Sherdog. “Yes, it sucks that he shot the wrong person. I understand where he’s coming from. I understand the emotions that he must have felt and I couldn’t imagine what was going through his head, and I couldn’t imagine being in that situation. 

    Judge denies 'reckless' ex-UFC champ Cain Velasquez bail in attempted murder case - Bloody Elbow
    Image Credit: Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group

    “As a former law enforcement officer, as a former police officer, dealing with the circumstances of the case and the facts of the case, I knew he was gonna be locked up. And he’s going to be charged, and it’s just (about) what he gets charged with during the trial. It’s a really bad situation, I think. But we’ll see how it plays out as far as the timeline goes.”

    Velasquez was charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, assault with a firearm, shooting at a motor vehicle, and discharging a firearm from a vehicle with intent. His bail was denied earlier this month, and he remains in Santa Clara County Main Jail until his trial.

    Once the trial begins, Daukaus believes there will be many factors that ultimately determine Velasquez’s fate.

    “So if it was a quote-unquote ‘crime of passion’ with his emotions and if he just reacted, that plays a factor as opposed to him planning a revenge factor against this person. That also plays a factor in it. But as a father and as a father of a young son and a soon-to-be daughter, I can respect what he did; I understand what he did. But as a former law enforcement officer, like I said, he broke the law; he needs to be locked up.”

    Chris Daukaus biography: 13 things about MMA fighter, cop from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – CONAN Daily
    Chris Daukaus

    Daukaus went on to opine that this entire ordeal is a textbook example of faith lost in the criminal justice system.

    “But I guess that goes to show the type of faith or lack of faith that an individual has in the criminal justice system here in America, which you can tell from not only this story but other stories, it seems to be broken at this point in time,” Daukaus said. “I really wish that it was fixed. But there seems to be something really wrong if the guy who did that to Cain Velasquez is now free to go out in society and back to his normal life after what he’s done, allegedly, to someone or other people.”

    Chris Daukaus is scheduled to face Curtis Blaydes in the main event of UFC Columbus this Saturday. Cain Velasquez is due to reappear in court on April 12.

    What do you make of Chris Daukaus’ thoughts on the Cain Velasquez case?

  • Nate Diaz & Jake Paul Roast Jorge Masvidal For Alleged Covington Attack

    UFC star Nate Diaz and YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul have blasted Jorge Masvidal after his alleged attack on Colby Covington in Miami.

    Masvidal allegedly confronted Covington outside of a restaurant in Miami on Monday night, hitting him with a couple of punches before the two sides were separated. Covington suffered a fractured tooth as a result of the assault and Masvidal could face a felony battery charge.

    Masvidal and Covington fought in the UFC 272 headliner, with Covington earning a unanimous decision victory. Yet, the two former friends and teammates have continued the banter on social media in recent weeks.

    After news broke of the alleged altercation, Diaz and Paul aimed at Masvidal for the alleged assault on Covington. First, Diaz referenced Masvidal’s self-published video apparently gloating about the attack.

    “How u gonna snitch on yourself,” Diaz tweeted.

    Diaz fell to Masvidal for the self-coined BMF title at UFC 244. He most recently fought against Leon Edwards at UFC 263 and is allegedly eying a matchup with Dustin Poirier this year.

    Paul also blasted Masvidal on social media for the alleged attack, just over a year since they worked out together briefly as Paul prepared to face Ben Askren in the boxing ring.

    “2 facts of the day: #1 Masvidal is a bitch for ambushing Colby. Couldn’t hurt him in the cage so try to blindside him?” Paul said.

    “#2 UFC always says it’s increased fighter pay 600% since 2005. Per Huddle Up, UFC revenue is up 1,700% since 05 and PROFITS up by 6,200%. 10x fighter pay!!!”

    Paul called out Masvidal for a boxing match following his most recent win in the ring over Tyron Woodley last December. He’s aiming at a return to boxing later this year.

    Diaz and Paul aren’t the only ones to mock Masvidal after the incident. UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman also took to social media and mocked both Masvidal and Covington for the brawl.

    The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

    What are your thoughts on the alleged Jorge Masvidal/Colby Covington incident?

  • Anthony Pettis & Jeremy Stephens Feature As PFL 1 Pairings Announced

    The Professional Fighters League is set to return with a bang on April 20 as the light heavyweights and lightweights take center stage for PFL 1.

    After a successful 2021 season, which came after the postponement of the previous lineup due to COVID-19, the PFL is looking to go even better with its fourth season in the sport.

    To do so, the rising promotion has bolstered its ranks with a number of new faces, some of which will be on display right from the off when the 155 and 205lbers look to open the season with a bang next month.

    The card, which was confirmed by the promotion on Tuesday, includes a host of widely-recognized names and intriguing clashes.

    On the ESPN+ card, slated for 5:30PM ET, long-time UFC veteran Stevie Ray (22-9) will enter the cage for the first time since 2019. The Scotsman, who has faced the likes of Michael Johnson, Paul Felder, and Joe Lauzon during his 32-fight career, has come out of retirement for the 2022 PFL lightweight season. He’ll face Alexander Martinez (8-2), who went 1-2 in last year’s competition.

    Elsewhere, former UFC middleweight Omari Akhmedov (21-7) hopes to make up for his unsuccessful PFL debut at last year’s finale when he opens his first full 205-pound season against former GCF heavyweight champion Viktor Pešta (18-6). Olivier Aubin-Mercier (13-5), meanwhile, will hope to keep his perfect PFL record intact as his season gets underway against a yet-to-be-announced 155-pound opponent.

    At 9:00 PM ET, four quality bouts are set to grace ESPN and ESPN+. Clay Collard (20-9-1), who recorded a victory over Anthony Pettis last year before falling in the lightweight semifinals, will welcome renowned MMA veteran Jeremy Stephens (28-19-1) to the PFL cage. “Lil Heathen” has made the move over from the UFC, where he shared the Octagon with names like Josh Emmett, Renan Barão, Max Holloway, Yair Rodriguez, José Aldo, Frankie Edgar, and Charles Oliveira.

    2021 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Antonio Carlos Jr. (13-5-2) also has his pairing set. He’ll hope to follow in the footsteps of Kayla Harrison and record back-to-back titles. His journey to doing so begins against his compatriot Delan Monte (8-1). Another 2021 champion in action will be lightweight king Raush Manfio. To start his defense of last year’s championship on the right foot, “Cavalo de Guerra” has to dispatch South Africa’s Don Madge (10-3-1), who is riding a seven-fight win streak into this year’s season.

    Finally, hoping to make up for a lackluster 0-2 arrival in PFL last year, former UFC lightweight champion Pettis (24-12) has been dealt the hand of Ireland’s Myles Price (11-7), who enters his first PFL season having not competed since a 2019 victory over Peter Queally under the Bellator banner.

    The announced PFL 1 card is currently as follows:

    5:30PM ET/ESPN +

    Alexander Martinez vs. Stevie Ray (lightweight)

    Robert Wilkinson vs. Bruce Souto (light heavyweight)

    Omari Akhmedov vs. Viktor Pešta (light heavyweight)

    Marthin Hamlet vs. Teodoras Aukstuolis (light heavyweight)

    Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. TBA (lightweight)

    Emiliano Sordi vs. Josh Silveira (light heavyweight)

    9PM ET/ESPN & ESPN+

    Clay Collard vs. Jeremy Stephens (lightweight)

    Antonio Carlos Jr. vs. Delan Monte (light heavyweight)

    Anthony Pettis vs. Myles Price (lightweight)

    Raush Manfio vs. Don Madge (lightweight)

    Which fight are you most looking forward to seeing go down at PFL 1 on April 20?

  • Sergio Pettis Out Of Bellator Grand Prix, Interim Title Goes To Winner

    Bellator’s bantamweight grand prix has suffered a major blow as champion, Sergio Pettis suffered an injury and is now out of the tournament.

    On Tuesday morning it was revealed by CBS Sports that Pettis was forced to withdraw from the field due to injury. He was supposed to fight Raufeon Stots in the opening round at Bellator 279 on April 23 in Hawaii. With Pettis out of the fight, Juan Archuleta will now face Stots on the card for the interim bantamweight title, which will be on the line throughout the grand prix.

    Pettis’ injury was not disclosed but it is a massive blow for the grand prix as the eight fighters will now be fighting for the interim title. The champ is coming off a stunning KO win over Kyoji Horiguchi to defend his bantamweight title for the first time. He won the belt by decision after defeating Archuleta in May.

    Along with Pettis being out of the Bellator bantamweight grand prix, it’s likely that Josh Hill will now enter the tournament. He was named the alternate after a vicious KO win over Jared Scoggins in December.

    Raufeon Stots, meanwhile, is 17-1 and coming off a decision win over Magomed Magomedov in August. He’s currently 5-0 in Bellator with notable wins over Josh Hill, Keith Lee, and Cass Bell. His lone loss was a spinning backfist KO to Merab Dvalishvili.

    Juan Archuleta, on the other hand, has not fought since his loss to Pettis to lose his bantamweight title. He won the vacant belt with a decision win over Patchy Mix in September 2020 after dropping back down to bantamweight.

    With Stots now fighting Archuleta, Bellator 279 is as follows:

    • Raufeon Stots vs. Juan Archuleta – interim bantamweight title
    • Cris Cyborg vs. Arlene Blencowe- featherweight title
    • Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Patchy Mix – bantamweight grand prix
    • Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Justin Kish
    • Yancy Medeiros vs. Emmanuel Sanchez
    • Kai Kamaka III vs. Justin Gonzalez

  • Report: Jorge Masvidal Faces Potential Felony Following Covington Brawl

    Jorge Masvidal may face a felony battery charge stemming from his altercation with Colby Covington outside a Miami restaurant.

    Covington was outside of the Papi Steak Restaurant in Miami, FL when Masvidal allegedly attacked him with a punch to the mouth another punch to the left eye. According to a recently-released police report obtained by MMA Fighting, Covington suffered a fractured tooth and suffered an abrasion on his left wrist as a result of the assault.

    During the altercation, Covington told Miami police that he heard Masvidal say “You shouldn’t have been talking about my kids”. Covington has repeatedly accused Masvidal of being a “deadbeat dad” to his kids and has mocked Masvidal’s past relationship with the mother of their children.

    The investigation into the altercation is ongoing and if Covington can prove that Masvidal assaulted him, Masvidal may face legal action.

    No charges have been filed against Masvidal yet and he has not been arrested for his alleged actions against Covington.

    Masvidal was involved in a similar incident with Leon Edwards back in early 2019. After verbal banter turned into a sudden attack backstage, Masvidal didn’t face charges for the infamous “three-piece and a soda” assault on Edwards.

    MMA News will keep you updated on any further updates on this developing story.

  • Kamaru Usman Reacts To Covington/Masvidal Brawl In Miami

    UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman has given his thoughts on the recent altercation between Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington.

    Masvidal and Covington allegedly got into a fistfight outside of a steakhouse in Miami, FL on Monday night. Covington had been dining with YouTube podcasters The Nelk Boys when he was confronted by Masvidal as he was leaving the restaurant.

    No arrests were made following the incident and the investigation is ongoing by local police.

    Hours after news of the incident broke, Usman gave his thoughts on his Twitter page and mocked his two former rivals.

    “This is not how we conduct our selves in this house,” Usman tweeted.

    Usman has referred to Masvidal and Covington as his “sons” after beating both of them twice. While both of his fights with Covington were closely contested, Usman earned a fifth-round TKO in their first fight followed by a unanimous decision win in their rematch.

    Usman defeated Masvidal via a unanimous decision at UFC 251 in a short-notice clash before knocking him out in their rematch at UFC 261.

    Usman later replied to a fan that alluded to the Masvidal/Covington brawl and promised “consequences” following the incident.

    “This is unacceptable,” Usman replied. “I will have a hard TALK with both when they get home.”

    Usman is expected to defend his title against top contender Leon Edwards later this year. The UFC’s top pound-for-pound fighter has also flirted with the idea of facing boxing world champion Canelo Alvarez in a crossover fight.

    Covington recently defeated Masvidal in their grudge match at UFC 272 via a unanimous decision. He could be on the verge of a potential third fight with Usman while Masvidal is looking to snap a three-fight losing skid in his Octagon return.

    What are your thoughts on Kamaru Usman’s response to the incident involving Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal?