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Category: MMA

  • Former BKB Title Challenger Feels “Good About Being a [BKFC] Title Contender” With a Big BKFC 79 Win

    Former BKB Title Challenger Feels “Good About Being a [BKFC] Title Contender” With a Big BKFC 79 Win

    Shelby Cannon is no stranger to vying for bare knuckle gold and could find herself in another one of those opportunities with a strong showing this weekend. Cannon will clash with Taylor Starling at BKFC 79: Gogo vs. Lane in the co-main event on August 2nd and ‘Boom Boom’ Cannon appeared on Bare Knuckle Bowker to cover several subjects leading into this high stakes fight.

    Sarah Shell is the only contender ranked above the number two ranked strawweight Starling right now. Presuming they do Britain Hart vs. Shell next for the strawweight belt, when asked if BKFC has communicated to her that the winner of this fight could be vying for the title after that, Cannon said,

    “Not specifically. I mean, they obviously are making me feel good about being a title contender. Depending on the outcome of the fight, which makes sense, of course. I mean, she’s ranked number two, so yeah, I beat her [a title shot could come]. However, they make it very clear that it depends on on how the fight goes. You know, they’re looking for certain things as far as I think how they’re going to match people up. Like we said before, style versus style. Aggression is important, you know, having a purpose in what we’re doing here.”

    Shelby Cannon has less BKFC experience but touts higher world ranking than Starling

    As she further expounded upon this thought while referencing her multiple bare knuckle bouts on the BKB circuit prior to this sophomore BKFC outing in the coming days, Cannon continued,

    “I think they’re also looking for people who are interested in staying in this sport and helping grow BKFC. Although there are people, kind of touching on something you had said about people like people looking into the sport not knowing what kind of experience that I’m bringing to the table, I agree with that. But one thing I’m real grateful for is that the promotion of BKFC itself and the people that are behind the scenes, they haven’t overlooked me and they haven’t taken me for granted.”

    “They’ve done their homework, they’ve done their research, and they understand that me and Taylor is a good fight. So, even though I’m not ranked in the division, I am ranked in the world and I am ranked high in the world. Technically, I’m ranked higher than [Taylor] Starling. So I am 100% grateful to them. I think that they are also looking to grow women in this sport. I think they’re giving us a huge opportunity in being the co-main. There’s just there’s a lot going on and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

  • Conor McGregor’s Sexual Assault Appeal Rejected By Irish Court

    Conor McGregor’s Sexual Assault Appeal Rejected By Irish Court

    Conor McGregor has suffered a fresh blow in his ongoing legal battle.

    In November 2024, the Dublin High Court sided with Nikita Hand, ruling that McGregor was responsible for a sexual assault that allegedly occurred at a Dublin hotel in December 2018. The former two-division UFC champion was ordered to pay €248,000 (approximately $257,000) in damages following the jury’s verdict.

    Since the ruling, “The Notorious” and his longtime partner Dee Devlin have fiercely refuted the accusations, taking to social media to denounce Hand’s claims and declare their intent to appeal. McGregor followed through with the legal challenge in February; however, the appeal has now failed to sway the court in his favor.

    Conor McGregor Fails To Overturn Ruling In Civil Rape Case

    On Thursday, Conor McGregor was dealt a significant setback by Ireland’s Court of Appeal, which dismissed his bid to overturn a jury’s decision ordering him to compensate Nikita Hand, the woman who accused him of sexual assault. The court dismissed the appeal in full.

    The UFC megastar and his legal team had filed the appeal arguing that key elements of the trial had unfairly influenced the jury. McGregor’s attorneys contended that his statements to police during interviews should never have been presented in court, claiming they prejudiced the proceedings.

    Conor McGregor’s lawyer also took issue with the phrasing of a question on the jury’s “issue paper,” suggesting it lacked clarity. Additionally, the appeal challenged the trial judge’s instructions, asserting it was improper to ask the jury whether McGregor had “assaulted” rather than “sexually assaulted” the complainant. Despite these claims, a panel of three senior judges rejected the appeal on all counts.

    McGregor is also entangled in a separate civil lawsuit stemming from allegations that he sexually assaulted an unnamed woman during the NBA Finals game between the Heat and the Celtics in June 2023. The plaintiff is reportedly pursuing over $75,000 in damages, along with additional compensation.

    The suit accuses “The Notorious” of battery and further alleges that the Kaseya Center was grossly negligent, claiming its staff and security failed to uphold safety protocols by allowing McGregor to become excessively intoxicated on the premises.

    Conor McGregor has been out of action since suffering a gruesome leg fracture in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. His long-awaited return was scheduled for UFC 303 in June 2024 against Michael Chandler, but the comeback was derailed just two weeks before fight night, as the Irishman was forced to pull out due to a toe injury.

    However, the former UFC champion has shown some serious intent to make his long-awaited return at the proposed UFC event on the White House lawn, tentatively scheduled for July 2026. He also announced that he has re-entered the UFC’s drug testing pool.

    What Are the Most Recent Developments in Conor McGregor’s Civil Trial Appeal
  • Thad Jean: “Coming Here to Collect What’s Mine” in Big PFL 2025 Finals

    Thad Jean: “Coming Here to Collect What’s Mine” in Big PFL 2025 Finals

    Thad Jean will test skills against Logan Storley for the welterweight tournament championship at PFL World Tournament 8 on August 1st. Jean appeared on Bowks Talking Bouts and when asked about the momentum of beating a former champion in former Bellator MMA titleholder Jason Jackson to punch his ticket for this PFL title bid, Jean said,

    “Yeah, exactly that. I mean, I wish the fight would have been me versus Jason Jackson for the finals actually. That would have been such a fun fight. But I’m cool with whatever I get because at the end of the day since the beginning of the year I’ve been saying that, I’ve been praying that in the name of Jesus that I would be the PFL welterweight 2025 tournament champion.”

    “Before I was even called up as an alternate. So this all just is something that’s falling into place. I’m just coming here to collect what’s mine and everything that comes with it is just an added bonus, a side quest. Which is really fun to do and I like playing games. So I love doing side quests [laughs].”

    While Jason Jackson is also a teammate of Storley’s at Kill Cliff FC, ‘The Silverback’ does not put much stock into the idea that Jackson can impart his anecdotal experience fighting Jean to Storley that will meaningfully inform this fight.

    Thad Jean thinks Logan Storley is not ‘there yet’, sees first round finish

    Thad Jean mentioned being into playing games earlier and also has an affinity for anime. The arc of an anime hero typically sees that figure face incrementally stronger adversaries as time goes on and when asked if Storley fits with that kind of anime narrative progression in his PFL Smart Cage journey, Jean stated,

    “No. No, not at all. I don’t think Logan is there yet, you know. I feel like if Logan was on my side of the bracket, he wouldn’t be in the finals. Does that make sense to you? I feel like if I was where Logan was and Logan was where I was, I would have been in the finals still and he would not have, you know. I had the harder side of the bracket. He won against good opponents but I would say none on the level that my side were on or that I am on or one that he’s on.”

    The unbeaten pro MMA fighter mentioned seeing Logan Storley as a one-dimensional fighter with a singular wrestling focus, also mentioning instances of seeing fatigue set in within Storley’s heavy wrestling approach at key junctures in the fight and how Jean plays that into his perceived path to victory. As far as what the headlines will read after the dust settles on this PFL welterweight tournament championship outing, Jean quipped,

    “Haitian representative Thad Jean, Thad ‘The Silverback’ Jean, TKO’s, knocks out Logan Storley in the first round. Gaining himself his first world MMA title, becoming the 2025 PFL welterweight tournament champion. Solidifying his position as one of the top welterweights. I think that’s what it’s going to say. I know it’s going to say something like this [laughs].”

  • Stamp Fairtex Returns at ONE 173! Big Next Bout Has Been Booked for November

    Stamp Fairtex Returns at ONE 173! Big Next Bout Has Been Booked for November

    Stamp Fairtex is preparing for her return to competitive combat and the former three sport champ will return to the ONE Circle with a defined date and opponent locked in. One of the sports that Fairtex has held ONE gold in is kickboxing and she will be returning to action under that ruleset in the fourth quarter of the calendar year.

    Kana Morimoto will be stepping into the ring against Stamp at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan which transpires on November 16th. The long awaited return of one of the promotion’s biggest stars will come at ONE 173 in what is a massive matchup that bolsters that card.

    Stamp Fairtex returns after over a year on the sidelines after sustaining an injury while training for a planned fight last Summer. Fairtex was initially slated to defend her ONE atomweight MMA title against Denice Zamboanga in June 2024 before a torn meniscus scrapped the bout and put Stamp on the bench for the foreseeable future. The rehabilitation path has clearly paid dividends as the only person to win ONE titles under MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing rules.

    Stamp relinquished her MMA strap to keep the division moving while she was recovering and Zamboanga was upgraded to the ONE atomweight champion outright after previously holding the interim crown. Zamboanga will also compete on the same card that mars stamp’s return as Zamboanga aims to defend her atomweight MMA strap against Ayaka Miura at ONE 173.

    Stamp Fairtex and her pedigree in kickboxing

    With Stamp Fairtex once again returning to competing under kickboxing rules, it’s only fitting to look back at her championship body of work within the ONE Circle under that ruleset. Stamp would cement herself as the ONE atomweight kickboxing champion in October 2018 when she bested Kai Ting Chuang on points. Fairtex would win that outing by way of a unanimous decision at ONE Championship: Kingdom of Heroes in Bangkok, Thailand.

    Stamp would then focus on Muay Thai for her next couple of bouts where she bested Janet Todd to claim the crown then defended her atomweight Muay Thai belt against Alma Juniku. Alas, Fairtex would then return to kickboxing only to lose her claim to the ONE Championship atomweight throne when she lost to the aforementioned Janet Todd in February 2020.

  • UFC Analyst Warns Why ‘It’s A Disaster’ If Khamzat Chimaev Claims Middleweight Title At UFC 319

    UFC Analyst Warns Why ‘It’s A Disaster’ If Khamzat Chimaev Claims Middleweight Title At UFC 319

    Khamzat Chimaev capturing the UFC middleweight title could spell trouble for the division, at least that’s what one analyst believes.

    Chimaev is set to challenge reigning 185-pound champion Dricus Du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319, scheduled for August 16 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

    “Borz” made an explosive entry into the UFC in July 2020, earning massive acclaim after securing three dominant victories within just 66 days, marking the fastest such streak in modern UFC history. However, the undefeated Chechen’s rise has been repeatedly stalled by medical complications and unforeseen obstacles, resulting in only five appearances inside the Octagon since September 2020.

    Now that Khamzat Chimaev is slated to compete in the biggest fight of his career, observers and critics are questioning whether he’ll successfully make it to the Octagon without complications. If he does and manages to dethrone Du Plessis, Din Thomas believes that could mark the beginning of an even bigger problem.

    Khamzat Chimaev
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

    Din Thomas Raises Red Flag Over Khamzat Chimaev’s Future As Potential Champion

    During a recent episode of The Bohnfire with Mike Bohn, UFC analyst Din Thomas shared his thoughts on the upcoming UFC 319 headliner between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. The UFC analyst cautioned that if “Borz” emerges as the new middleweight champion, his history of irregular appearances could halt the division’s momentum, creating a situation that, in his view, would be detrimental to the sport.

    “If Khamzat wins it’s a disaster,” Thomas said. “You can’t tell me a part of you isn’t just thinking, ‘This fight might not actually happen.’ Some of these guys habitual struggle in just making it to the dance. I’m not going to be pessimistic about it and will say he’s going to show up. But if he does show up and he’s able to win, do we trust him to be able to show up and fight again? That’s the thing.

    “Can he do it twice? Can he do it three times? Because we need movement. I hate when it’s static and there’s no movement in these divisions and in order to be movement in the divisions, the champions have to fight.”

    “Borz” last competed at UFC 308 in October 2024, where he secured a dominant first-round submission victory over former champion Robert Whittaker. Chimaev remains undefeated, boasting a perfect 8-0 record in the UFC and 14-0 overall, with an impressive 12 of those wins coming by way of finish.

    Robert Whittaker Shares Shocking Details Of Jaw Surgery After UFC 308 Loss To Khamzat Chimaev
    Image: UFC.com
  • Khalil Rountree Jr vs Jamahal Hill: Jiri Prochazka wasn’t impressed

    Khalil Rountree Jr vs Jamahal Hill: Jiri Prochazka wasn’t impressed

    UFC light heavyweight Jiri Prochazka has given his interesting thoughts on Khalil Rountree Jr‘s recent win over Jamahal Hill.

    Later this year at UFC 320, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr will collide in a blockbuster light heavyweight contest. There’s a whole lot of excitement in the air regarding this encounter, with many believing that the winner will receive another crack at the belt.

    Recently, Khalil Rountree Jr was able to defeat Jamahal Hill in a comprehensive, impressive performance. As it turns out, though, Prochazka wasn’t overly impressed.

    Jiri Prochazka on Khalil Rountree Jr’s win over Jamahal Hill

    “A very careful performance, patient,” Prochazka said of Rountree’s win over Hill on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “My opinion, I don’t like that. I don’t like that performance because he gave Jamahal too many chances to be back in the fight, a chance to win the fight. He had many chances to finish him decisively. So, that was really not good from him. He was very patient.

    “What surprised me was Jamahal Hill’s performance. I thought after a lot of trash talking, he would show a much better fight than he showed. It was strange from Khalil that he let him recover and still survive the fight, and Jamahal didn’t show anything, and he was still too self confident after the fight. If you want to fight on the top level, go there and show your best, totally, no regrets.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

    Who are you backing here? Let us know, fight fans.

  • Ciryl Gane has different priorities ahead of Tom Aspinall title fight, says fellow UFC heavyweight

    Ciryl Gane has different priorities ahead of Tom Aspinall title fight, says fellow UFC heavyweight

    UFC heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane may not be fully focused on his UFC 321 main event against Tom Aspinall, says fellow UFC heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida.

    As we know, Ciryl Gane will face off against Tom Aspinall for the UFC heavyweight championship later this year. There’s a lot of intrigue surrounding this contest given the respective styles of both men, and nobody really knows how it’s going to go for sure – although, if there was a favorite, it’d probably be Tom Aspinall.

    For Ciryl Gane, it’s all about proving that he can really reach that next level in the heavyweight division. In a recent interview, the aforementioned Jailton Almeida had some interesting thoughts.

    Ciryl Gane questioned by Jailton Almeida

    “I’m pretty sure that Aspinall beats Gane,” Almeida said on “The Ariel Helwani Show” through an interpreter. “It seems like Gane has other priorities in his life right now, and once you’re fighting at this level there can’t be no other priority. 

    “If you’re fighting at this level, if you’re fighting for the heavyweight crown of the UFC, you have to be all in, and it doesn’t seem like that’s the case for Gane right now. I get it that he’s taking it because who’s not going to take another title fight for the heavyweight belt? But I think his priorities are in a different place now.”

    “I’m very strategic, I’m probably more explosive than anybody that he’s faced, especially on the grappling side of things,” Almeida said. “I think it would probably develop as a grappling fight. He is a BJJ black belt, but there’s levels to being a black belt. I think that I’ll be able to take him into deep waters once we get to the grappling side of things.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Khamzat Chimaev’s Secret Training Will Out-Cardio Dricus Du Plessis According to Former UFC Champion

    Khamzat Chimaev’s Secret Training Will Out-Cardio Dricus Du Plessis According to Former UFC Champion

    According to former UFC champion TJ Dillashaw, Khamzat Chimaev‘s new training regime could be the difference for him against Dricus du Plessis.

    As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is one of the most talented fighters on the planet. However, one big question has always been his cardio. We all know that he’s good enough to beat the very best, but more often than not, he does so in the first couple of rounds.

    So, how is he going to prepare for someone like Dricus du Plessis who seems to have a pretty good gas tank? In a recent podcast appearance, TJ Dillashaw discussed Khamzat Chimaev’s new training.

    TJ Dillashaw’s view on Khamzat Chimaev’s new regime

    “Not only does Sam train you to be a freak of cardio, but he’s going to help Khamzat make weight the right way. His algorithms for water displacement are next level. As long as Khamzat comes in at the right weight and hydrated on Sunday, the rest is all about taking the 

    weight off safely, just like we always did in my camps.”

    “I said the reason why Chimaev wouldn’t win is because of his cardio. But when you fix the way you’re training, and train that lactic threshold so your body isn’t gassing, you can push pace and go for five rounds. If Khamzat gets his cardio right, he wins. If not, DDP is going to put him away late.”

    “You have to break yourself in practice. You’ve got to bring in enough guys to break you. If you’re not getting beat up in training, you’re not at the right spot. That’s what Khamzat needs — to be broken in the gym, so fight night is easy.”

  • Reinier de Ridder Explains Attitude: How Does a Fighter Continue when ‘Everything Hurts’?

    Reinier de Ridder Explains Attitude: How Does a Fighter Continue when ‘Everything Hurts’?

    UFC middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder has explained how fighters get through the pain of competing and training regularly in mixed martial arts.

    When you talk about top challengers to the UFC middleweight championship, Khamzat Chimaev is obviously the first name that comes to mind given that he’s set to challenge for the title in a few short weeks. Beyond that, though, Reinier de Ridder isn’t too far behind in the wake of his split decision victory over Robert Whittaker.

    While it was seen as a controversial win by many, Reinier de Ridder was still able to prove that he can hang with the very best in the division. Now, you’d have to imagine that he’ll earn a crack at the winner of the aforementioned title fight.

    In a recent interview with Demetrious Johnson, Reinier de Ridder gave a few interesting thoughts on what it’s like to be a fighter and what it’s like to battle through some of the more painful moments of that process.

    Reinier de Ridder explains dealing with pain in MMA

    “Everything hurts, but you learn to live with training pain and keep pushing forward.”

    “The key to success in MMA is having good training partners consistently; Florida offers endless good bodies and coaches.”

    “I’m trying to do all my recovery work right—ice baths, hyperbaric chambers, UV light—I’ve got to take care of my body to keep going.”

    One thing we know for sure is that RDR is as tough as they come, and it’ll be exciting to see what he does next.

  • Tito Ortiz Calls Politics “The most vicious stuff in the world – Don’t Do It!”

    Tito Ortiz Calls Politics “The most vicious stuff in the world – Don’t Do It!”

    Former UFC star Tito Ortiz has spoken about his political run, noting that he wouldn’t recommend for others to do it.

    Throughout the course of his mixed martial arts run, Tito Ortiz was a fantastic fighter and a big star, especially in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was involved in some incredible rivalries and incredible moments but in recent years, he’s been best known for some of his strange and often outlandish comments.

    Either way, Tito Ortiz is a character – and he’s a character that actually wound up doing okay in the world of politics. He was a member of the Huntington Beach City Council for six months, eventually resigning after a series of disputes within the council.

    In a recent interview, Tito Ortiz wasn’t afraid to give his honestly opinion on what being in politics is actually like.

    Tito Ortiz discusses his political run

    “No! Don’t do it. I did it—do not do it. It’s the most vicious stuff in the world. You gotta have a strong team. I like to make everybody happy, and you just can’t. Hats off to the politicians, but I live in Florida now—best move I ever did. My kids are happy, I’m coaching wrestling, and the people here are really, really good.”

    Ortiz is always bound to fly in the face of controversy from time to time, but it’s good to hear that he seems to be enjoying his life. Long may it continue for a man who, in many ways, was a real pioneer.

  • UFC 319 Fight Card Hit By Unforeseen Change As Planned Bout Falls Through

    UFC 319 Fight Card Hit By Unforeseen Change As Planned Bout Falls Through

    The UFC 319 lineup has undergone a slight shake-up just a couple of weeks out from fight night.

    According to a recent report from Ag. Fight, JJ Aldrich has withdrawn from her scheduled women’s flyweight bout against Karine Silva due to undisclosed issues. Stepping in on short notice, Dione Barbosa will now face Silva at UFC 319.

    Silva was last in action at UFC 309 this past November, where she suffered her first promotional loss via unanimous decision to Viviane Araujo. The 31-year-old Brazilian earned her UFC contract with a second-round submission victory over Yan Qihui on Dana White’s Contender Series in October 2021.

    “Killer” has secured four wins in five UFC outings, with three coming by submission against the likes of Ketlen Souza and Maryna Moroz. She holds a professional record of 18-5, with an impressive 17 of those victories earned via stoppage.

    Meanwhile, Barbosa most recently competed at UFC Vegas 105 this past April, where she secured a first-round submission win over Diana Belbita, bouncing back from a unanimous decision loss to Miranda Maverick in July 2024.

    “The Witch” punched her ticket to the UFC with a submission win over Rainn Guerrero on DWCS in September 2023. The former Olympic judoka holds a professional MMA record of 8-3, with four of those victories coming by submission.

    Interestingly, UFC 319 won’t be the first time Silva and Barbosa share the cage. The pair previously met in May 2019 at Katana Fight 9, where “The Witch” claimed a unanimous decision victory.

    Karine Silva to fight former foe Dione Barbosa at UFC 319
    Images: @karine_killer_ufc/@dionebarbosamma/Instagram

    How Does The UFC 319 Fight Card Look?

    UFC 319 is slated to light up the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on August 16. The ninth UFC pay-per-view event of 2025 will be headlined by reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, who will make his third title defense in a long-anticipated clash with Khamzat Chimaev. Meanwhile, the co-main event features Aaron Pico making his Octagon debut against undefeated featherweight contender Lerone Murphy.

    The main card of UFC 319 will also showcase a welterweight clash between Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates. Additionally, a middleweight showdown between Jared Cannonier and Michael Page is set to potentially bring fireworks, along with a flyweight bout pitting Tim Elliott against Kai Asakura.

    Here’s the confirmed lineup for UFC 319:

    Main Card

    • Dricus du Plessis (c) vs. Khamzat Chimaev; middleweight title
    • Lerone Murphy vs, Aaron Pico; featherweight
    • Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates; welterweight
    • Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page; middleweight
    • Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura; flyweight

    Preliminary Card

    • King Green vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira; lightweight
    • Gerald Meerschaert vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk; middleweight
    • Jéssica Andrade vs. Loopy Godinez; strawweight
    • Chase Hooper vs. Alexander Hernandez; lightweight
    • Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose; lightweight
    • Bryan Battle vs. Nursulton Ruziboev; middleweight
    • Karine Silva vs. Dione Barbosa; women’s flyweight

  • Luke Rockhold on Sean Strickland: “Bend him over and make him call me daddy”

    Luke Rockhold sent a pretty interesting ‘threat’ to Sean Strickland about a possible fight between the two men in the future.

    As we know, the UFC – and mixed martial arts – days are over for Luke Rockhold. In the present, he’s preparing to face off against Darren Till in the realm of influencer boxing with Misfits. Their collision will go down at the end of August and while many aren’t big fans of the Misfits model, there’s no denying that they’ve been able to lure in some interesting names, and this contest is no different.

    One thing that Luke Rockhold has never been afraid to do is talk trash. He’s a former UFC champion, he’s been involved in some huge fights at 185 pounds, and he’s had some legendary rivalries over the years. At this point in his career, though, he needs a big performance in order to prove that he can still get the job done athletically.

    In a recent interview, Rockhold had the following to say when discussing the likes of Mike Perry and Sean Strickland.

    Luke Rockhold makes a series of wild statements

    “I’d like to clean up Perry’s little ass. Wax that, lubricate him a little bit, you know what I mean? Get that thing nice and wet and just rip it up. Jake, if you want to fight a real fighter, we could take Jake. I don’t really like Strickland. Maybe bend him over and make him call me daddy.”

    Make of these comments what you will, fight fans.

  • Is Tim Kennedy a Fraud? UFC Coaches Weigh-In on Stolen Valor

    MMA and military veteran Tim Kennedy has admitted to lying about awarded the Bronze Star with Valor – and Eric Nicksick, among many others, isn’t happy about it.

    Over the course of the last few weeks, Tim Kennedy has been receiving a great deal of criticism after admitting that he lied about his Bronze Star with Valor award. As you can imagine, given the patriotic nature of the United States and the importance of the military in that role, people weren’t happy.

    Tim Kennedy had a perfectly solid mixed martial arts career and did a lot when it comes to his military career too, but this is the kind of lie that can tarnish your reputation in more ways than one.

    In a recent episode of their podcast, Eric Nicksick and his producer Randy Faehnrich couldn’t help but speak about the matter.

    Eric Nicksick and Randy Faehnrich discuss Tim Kennedy

    “Tim Kennedy stole valor. He lied about his Bronze Star with Valor, purple heart – all this was a lie. And it’s always the loudest, most patriotic ones who end up doing the most unpatriotic things.”

    “He wrote a book—book was great—but what if the whole thing is lies? Now, five years ago, guys in the industry were already saying he wasn’t telling the truth.”

    “At that level, you just can’t. When you make millions off this lie, where does that money go? Meanwhile, the rest of your unit, who lived these missions, gets nothing.”

    “The military takes this seriously—and there’s now an investigation underway. Tim Kennedy admitted: ‘I want to take full and unequivocal responsibility for a serious mistake.’”

    “It’s sad. You have a great, honorable career, but now you’re ostracized from the community. Why risk your whole reputation and brotherhood?”

    “There’s so much money made off books, movies, speaking tours—meanwhile, the real guys stay silent. Sometimes, embellishment becomes part of that influencer culture, but outright lying is a line you can’t cross.”

  • Is Ilia Topuria Pulling a Jon Jones and Ducking the Top Contender? Former Champs Weighs-in

    Is Ilia Topuria Pulling a Jon Jones and Ducking the Top Contender? Former Champs Weighs-in

    UFC commentator Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on the theory that Ilia Topuria is ducking Arman Tsarukyan in a manner similar to Jon Jones ducking Tom Aspinall.

    As we know, Ilia Topuriais one of the scariest fighters on the planet right now. He is the UFC lightweight champion, having won the belt by knocking Charles Oliveira out cold. As we look ahead to the future, it certainly seems as if the options are limitless for him – either at 155 pounds, above, or below.

    Right now, there are a few main contenders in the running to face Ilia Topuria for the belt. One of them is Arman Tsarukyan, who has been incredibly vocal in letting the masses know that he wants to battle ‘El Matador’.

    Following a recent back and forth in which Topuria declared that he’d rather vacate the belt than defend it against Arman, Michael Bisping decided to weigh in on the situation.

    Michael Bisping’s view on Ilia Topuria

    “The question is, is Ilia Topuria pulling a Jon Jones? Because Arman Tsarukyan is a real threat to anybody. He is a tremendous fighter… He can do it all. He’s got the striking, the wrestling, the cardio, the strength. He’s very young. He’s in his prime. The man’s an absolute monster.”

    “Ilia Topuria said if the UFC made him fight Arman Tsarukyan, he would vacate the belt. ‘I’m never going to give him a chance to fight for the title. I will be like—listen, if that’s the case, take my belt.’ He doesn’t want to fight him. He wants nothing to do with Arman Tsarukyan.”

  • Khamzat Chimaev Will Not Struggle to Finish Dricus Du Plessis According UFC Icon

    Khamzat Chimaev Will Not Struggle to Finish Dricus Du Plessis According UFC Icon

    Khamzat Chimaev will be able to pick up a finish when he battles Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, says former UFC legend Tito Ortiz.

    As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is set to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship in just a few short weeks. While du Plessis is certainly more than capable of retaining his title, ‘Borz’ has been on quite the rise to prominence in the last few years. He’s been backed to pick up the victory and claim the gold by a lot of people, and it’ll be interesting to see how the fight unfolds.

    For Khamzat Chimaev, it’s all about going out there and executing the perfect game plan. If he can do that, then he will be well on his way to becoming champion.

    In a recent interview, Tito Ortiz of all people weighed in on how this contest is likely to play out.

    Tito Ortiz’s view on Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland

    “I think Chimaev overwhelms him in three or four rounds. I’ve watched him; he’s so tough. He had training camp at Jackson, training with Rampage, and he’s the real deal. He can shoot a double-leg from half the cage and still take a guy down. He’s just vicious.”

    As for du Plessis, you’d have to imagine he’s just going to approach it like another day at the office. Regardless of whether he wins or loses, he’s going to put his best foot forward – which should make for one of the most intense fights of the year thus far.

  • Reinier De Ridder Declares Title Ambitions After Beating Robert Whittaker At UFC Abu Dhabi

    Reinier De Ridder Declares Title Ambitions After Beating Robert Whittaker At UFC Abu Dhabi

    Reinier De Ridder now has his eyes tentatively set on a UFC middleweight title shot.

    Last weekend, De Ridder extended his undefeated UFC run with a hard-fought win over former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi, held at the Etihad Arena in United Arab Emirates.

    “RDR” overcame adversity after being dropped by a massive right hand and absorbing punishing ground-and-pound in round three. He used sharp clinch work and punishing knees to Whittaker’s body to shift the momentum. The former two-division ONE champion’s control of range proved crucial, earning him a split decision on the scorecards.

    Reinier De Ridder Eyes Title Shot After UFC Abu Dhabi Victory

    Following his victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC Abu Dhabi, Reinier De Ridder reflected on the bout during a backstage interview with the UFC. The 34-year-old Dutch native acknowledged the rapid rise he has experienced since making his Octagon debut in November 2024.

    “Four fights, almost four finishes,” Reinier De Ridder said. “It’s been a crazy year so far, and I think I’ll be able to get one more [fight] before the year’s over.”

    “RDR” has now extended his unbeaten UFC streak to 4-0, and with his latest triumph over Whittaker, he’s climbed to the No. 5 spot in the middleweight rankings. De Ridder believes he’s firmly entered the conversation for a future title shot.

    I’m a Top 5 fighter in the world — that’s a crazy thing to say. We’ll see where everything lands in the division over the next couple of months, but I’m ready to challenge for a title.”

    The UFC middleweight division is heating up with several high-stakes matchups slated for the coming months. First, Roman Dolidze is set to square off against Anthony Hernandez at UFC Vegas 109 on August 9. Just a week later, reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis will put his title on the line against Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319. Then, tNassourdine Imavov will clash with Caio Borralho at UFC Paris in what could serve as a No. 1 contender showdown.

    UFC 319 poster
  • “[Merab Dvalishvili] Could Fight Jon Jones, He Would Beat Him,” Says Ex-UFC Vet

    “[Merab Dvalishvili] Could Fight Jon Jones, He Would Beat Him,” Says Ex-UFC Vet

    Merab Dvalishvili is not just the bantamweight GOAT of MMA in the eyes of many, but some think he can get the jump on the man many see as the overall MMA GOAT, pound for pound. Appearing on Bowks Talking Bouts prior to his recent Rizin flyweight grand prix bid, Jose Torres touched on some of his past training experiences with the Georgian standout. When responding to the talk from some that the UFC bantamweight champion is the greatest bantamweight in MMA history, Torres said,

    “He’s a great fighter, but he’s not super tough on the ground until he becomes tough, if that makes any sense. Like when it comes to technique, that’s where he lacks, but he pushes so much with his heart and just his conditioning that he will break you. Your best bet against Merab, and I guess even against myself and this is me saying this against Merab too, your best bet is to beat him in the first or second round. Because after the second half of the second round, that’s it. There’s no way you’re going to be able to keep up the pace.”

    “Merab is; again, they call him ‘The Machine’, ‘Robocop’, all these different nicknames because his gas tank is relentless. He’s not technically the best fighter, but because of how hard he pushes, especially with that fight style conditioning, that adrenaline that comes on fight day, all that stuff, it’s no match. I think Umar Nurmagomedov easily is the better fighter, but the guy who obviously shows up on fight day in Merab is easily the champion, if that makes any sense.”

    Merab Dvalishvili’s weaponized pace and how he could best Jon Jones

    When getting more into the machinations of the machine that is Merab Dvalishvili, Torres continued,

    “Technically, Sean O’Malley should have been able to win every fight against Merab, but Merab just doesn’t stop. Again, that [Alexandre] Pantoja-style where they’re kind of sloppy, they push forward. But Merab has that gas tank where you’re just like dude, you’re not gonna slow down at all? Like nothing whatsoever? … He’s that guy that just walks forward. He will beat any technical athlete… He could fight Jon Jones, he would beat him in the third or fifth, whatever final round of the fight. Like that’s Merab’s gas tank [laughs].”

  • Logan Storley: “Give [Thad Jean] That First Loss and Win a World Title” in PFL 2025 Finals

    Logan Storley respects Thad Jean heading into their welterweight tournament title fight inside the PFL Smart Cage on August 1st, but he is focused on getting a measure of redemption against someone who bested one of his teammates. Storley appeared on Bowks Talking Bouts and touched on the points-based structure he was a part of last season and contrasted it with the more straight-ahead, defined tournament bracket this year.

    The former Bellator MMA interim champion prefers the win-and-advance bracket style this year and while it has certain hallmarks to his days as an amateur wrestler with the single elimination tournament style, it also feels like this year is easier for PFL fans to understand things better, according to the tournament finalist. On route to said finals, Storley secured a pair of unanimous decision wins over Joseph Luciano as well as Masayuki Kikuiri, and when touching upon that path to the PFL finals, Storley said,

    “They were both big, strong kids, you know. So really just setting the pace on them and dominating the grappling. Getting your ground and pound in there. Making sure there’s no questions about it, you know. Dominate those fights and set a really good pace. I felt like I did that.”

    Speaking to Thad Jean’s path through this year’s tournament, he punched his ticket to the finals to face Storley here by defeating one of Storley’s Kill Cliff FC teammates, Jason Jackson. When touching upon that tendril of this matchup in the coming days, Logan Storley stated,

    “He’s a talented young kid. Good striker, a lot of power, athletic. Does a good job in all positions. Jason and him had an extremely close fight, and Thad obviously got the nod. So you know, I was impressed with the way Thad competed so far this whole season. I’m excited to go out there and represent Kill Cliff and go get this W for our gym. For myself, for my coaches, you know, all those people that support you. But yeah, no, he’s performed great so far.”

    In the pre-fight lead up Jean described Storley as a one-dimensional fighter with a singular wrestling-minded approach. When responding to that characterization some fighters have of him and even some fans have of him that he comes to the cage with a myopic approach to the contest, Logan Storley quipped,

    “Everyone can say whatever they want, right. You look at the best of the best, a lot of them have been wrestlers, right, who go to their game plan. Dominate guys and maul guys and drag them into deep waters. So I’m gonna do what I’m the best at. So you can say it’s one-dimensional, whatever you want, but not very many people have ever been able to stop it.”

    “So I’m going to continue setting a high pace, dragging guys to deep waters, and just competing at the highest level. That’s what I think I do better than anyone is just compete. Ability to make changes mid-fight, ability to push the pace, ability to win scrambles, and the ability to always try to win every single position. So yeah, I think that’s kind of what I do. So I guess if people call it one-dimensional, they can call it one-dimensional [laughs].”

    Logan Storley on the headlines to come and showing his level

    As for what the headlines will read when the dust settles post-August 1st, Logan Storley said,

    “That I’m the best in the world. That nobody can hang with my wrestling. That the pace, smothering, scrambles after scrambles, that’s what I do better than anyone else. So I think that’s what the headlines will read. Just a high, high pace and a smothering pace and just me competing in all positions. Being focused for twenty-five minutes was enough to go out there and really be dominant.”

    When asked if there is an additional degree of satisfaction to handing an unbeaten fighter his first loss, and while that surging fighter has been bantering with you no less, Logan Storley stated,

    “Yeah, I mean, for sure. You always want to go out there and you want to be that guy to give them their first loss and show them that there’s levels and that he’s not quite there yet. So that’s my plan is to go out there and set the bar and give him that first loss and win a world title.”

    https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1949901995747467454/photo/1

  • “It’s Not Wrong That You Share The Same Goal…” – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 10 Recap

    “It’s Not Wrong That You Share The Same Goal…” – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 10 Recap

    Welcome, everyone, to the 10th edition of The TUF Stuff!

    Each week, I’ll be guiding you through a recap of this season’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter, providing updates on what happens in each episode — from the drama and storylines out of the Octagon, to the looks into who the competing fighters are, to what goes down inside the cage.

    This season celebrates the 20th anniversary of TUF. That inaugural season from 2005 helped to influence many future MMA fans, media members, and fighters (yours truly included). And now, two more fighters this summer will get the opportunity to call themselves TUF champions when it’s all said and done.

    Last week saw semifinal action begin, as Alibi Idiris of Team Cormier secured the first flyweight final spot at UFC 319 by defeating Team Sonnen’s Roybert Echeverria.

    Recap of The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 – Episode 10

    Now, Team Cormier will have two of its own go at it for the first welterweight final spot as Jeff Creighton and Rodrigo Sezinando do battle.

    Let’s get into episode 10 of The Ultimate Fighter!

    Team Sonnen Out On The Town

    With some extra time due to an all-Team Cormier showdown, Team Sonnen gets to go out on the town in Las Vegas. They attend a Criss Angel show and get to meet the magician himself, as Angel is apparently good friends with Colby Covington, according to UFC CEO and President Dana White.

    Sonnen says the experience was a good one for the team because it’s a break from all the training and their spirits get lifted.

    Criss Angel even invited Sonnen and Covington on stage during the evening.

    Team Cormier Training Session & Fight Preps

    Team Cormier explains it’ll be a sparring session, trying to balance out times so no one feels isolated since the team has two fighters competing. Sezinando says he wants to specifically spar with Alex Sanchez. Crieghton feels Sezinando wants to focus on training with the smaller welterweights to “protect his ego.”

    Cormier says he is not going to coach the two to maintain neutrality, and the others are going to support Sezinando and Creighton’s training.

    Cormier says Sezinando should maintain space and distance to use his striking to his full potential — something he didn’t execute fully in his first-round matchup.

    Sezinando says Creighton is scared to grapple with him and plans to put a lot of pressure on Creighton. “He’s going to see a complete MMA fighter in there.”

    Cormier says Creighton should use his wrestling. He adds that Sezinando hasn’t been seen on his back, and that Creighton should force that. Creighton says he sees the fight starting off hot, and if Sezinando “is smart,” he’ll try to get Creighton out in the first five minutes.

    Creighton guarantees Sezinando won’t be able to finish him and he’ll put a beating on him — whether Sezinando puts his foot on the gas from the start of the fight on or not.

    Cormier says he sees both guys having a solid shot at winning the competition and hopes for a good fight.

    Rodrigo Sezinando Call Home

    We see a phone call between Sezinando and his mother, who he hasn’t seen in a year-and-a-half. Sezinando says his mom is his motivation and why he works hard every day.

    You can see the emotion on Sezinando’s face as he promises they’ll be reunited soon. His mother expresses gratitude to God that he’s okay.

    Sezinando says the world knows their story, and that’s why he continues to push, and he thanks his mom for everything in his life. His mom says that she knows how big of a heart he has and how beautiful of a person he is.

    Sezinando says his mom didn’t eat many days, sacrificing for him and his brother. He explains how hard it is, and we see how emotional Sezinando still is after the phone call. He admits he feels the pressure to do well in order to benefit his mom’s life and pay back for everything she has sacrificed.

    Jeff Creighton Phone Call Home

    Creighton receives a phone call from his wife. Creighton says he’s been missing home; however, the time away has made him truly realize — and more appreciative of — the sacrifices his loved ones have made. “I want their sacrifices to be worth something.”

    Creighton’s wife, Hailey, says even though she knows he hasn’t had his phone, she has still texted him.

    Creighton says his wife has made sacrifices and he couldn’t be more thankful of her support.

    We then see all of Creighton’s family, and Creighton says that their sight brought him additional motivation. “I’m doing this for the right reason. I’m doing this for them.”

    The Fight: Jeff Creighton vs. Rodrigo Sezinando

    —–IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED THE EPISODE AND DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO TURN AWAY NOW.———

    Creighton and Sezinando both weigh in at 170.5. The fight is on!

    Andreaas Binder feels Creighton might have the better skillset, but Sezinando has the strength and jiu-jitsu edges. Joseph Morales says Sezinando hasn’t been impressive, at least compared to Creighton’s skillset, and that he’ll need a takedown to secure an edge.

    Dana White says he’s expecting a technical fight between two expert-level grapplers.

    Cormier says the two have been very respectful of each other, but he can’t imagine the guys being comfortable in the same locker room. Cormier puts the two in different locker rooms.

    Cormier says both have worked very hard and closely with the team, and he reminds the two that they’re here because they’ve worked together to support each other to get there. Cormier tells them to have a good fight and may the best man win.

    Both guys seem to have the realization that this is just business, but they’re each a roadblock for the other.

    “It’s not wrong that you share the same goal,” Cormier said. “It’s only wrong if you don’t do everything in your power to accomplish it.

    Cormier says the coaches are divided up in terms of who is cornering which fighter.

    Jeff Creighton vs. Rodrigo Sezinando

    Round 1

    Creighton and Sezinando hug it out and Sezinando asks for some noise. Low kick from Creighton. Creighton with a body kick, and his corner tells him to get his space back. Sezinando with a big right hand and left hook. Sezinando goes in and presses Creighton against the fence. Sezinando gets Creighton up, but Creighton goes back to his feet, preventing the takedown. Creighton appears to have an arm around Sezinando’s neck. More pummeling. Right hand by Creighton. Sezinando continues to search for the takedown. Elbow by Creighton. Cormier is concerned that Sezinando is wasting energy on this takedown attempt. Referee Marc Smith calls for more activity.

    More pummeling from Sezinando, while Creighton looks to pressure his way off the fence. A few short left hands from Creighton. And another. And another. Sezinando gets Creighton up again, but he again can’t get it. Finally, he’s able to get the takedown with about 1:45 left. Or, rather, Creighton got the takedown and Sezinando reversed it. Sezinando’s corner tells him to get control first. Sezinando is able to get into side control, then a transition into half-guard. Creighton’s corner encourages him to work his way to the cage. Sezinando works his way up, trying to threaten an arm-triangle choke. Creighton turns the wrong way and Sezinando gets his back, trying to threaten a choke in the closing seconds of the round. Sezinando can’t get it, and Creighton reverses to end the round on top.

    Round 2

    Creighton with a body shot early. A couple of kicks to add on. Creighton with a right hand, but Sezinando throws a knee. Now it’s Creighton pressuring Sezinando into the fence. Creighton gets the takedown, and Sezinando puts up his guard. Creighton’s corner says to look for elbows. They’re against the cage now, with Creighton pressuring. Creighton tries to get to Sezinando’s back, but Sezinando rolls and threatens a leg lock. Creighton gets out of it, but Sezinando now has Creighton seated back against the fence. We get a switch. Sezinando gets Creighton up again and slams him down, getting right into full mount.

    Sezinando makes his way into full mount. Creighton tries to escape, but Sezinando gets to his back. Creighton gets to his feet and the two exchange heavy on the break. Front kick by Creighton. Right hand by Sezinando. Body shot by Creighton. Right hand by Creighton backs Sezinando up. Strong knee from Creighton on a brief clinch. Sezinando scores a takedown, however. Creighton with a right hand, as his corner yells for him to get up with urgency. Sezinando keeps Creighton down, however. Palm strikes from Creighton as the ref tells Sezinando to work. A couple of strong elbows from Sezinando, though he’s warned to watch the back of the head. A series of consecutive right hands from Sezinando to the head. Sezinando ends the round on top just as Creighton is returning to the feet.

    Round 3

    We’ve got a third round! Is this the first one of the season? Right hand and a round kick from Creighton. Creighton goes for pressure into the fence, but Sezinando reverses and pins Creighton to the fence. A couple of elbows land for Creighton. Creighton continuing to defend the takedown attempts from Sezinando. Sezinando lands a spinning elbow on Creighton. Left hand by Creighton. Another left hand from Creighton. Creighton again tries to rush in, and Sezinando presses and scores a takedown.

    Halfway through the round and Marc Smith asks Sezinando to work again. Sezinando works his way to Creighton’s back and rolls through. Sezinando tries to get a body lock as he hunts for the choke. Creighton trying to get free, but Sezinando keeps the pressure. Sezinando transitions to top position and hunts for an arm-triangle but can’t get it. Creighton uses the cage and elbows to get back to his feet with a minute left. Sezinando presses for a takedown again. More punching from Creighton. He escapes Sezinando’s pressure with 45 seconds to go. Creighton’s corner calling for him to bite down on his mouth piece and pressure, but he’s not bringing it. Creighton then clinches briefly for some reason. The two exchanging, where Creighton lands a strong knee to the body. It’s not enough.

    Winner: Rodrigo Sezinando via unanimous decision after three rounds

    Conclusion

    Cormier says Sezinando accomplished what he’s needed — to score takedowns and nullify Creighton’s offense. Cormier says Creighton had moments where he tried to build momentum, but Sezinando was able to cap off any of that.

    Dana White says Creighton finally let his hands go in the third round, looking for a knockout, knowing he was down 2-0. Cormier adds, however, that every time he overextended, Sezinando caught him. Cormier says he appreciated not keeping his distance to try and get a finish, but White says Sezinando’s takedowns tired him out too much.

    Creighton says it’s a tough pill to swallow, but Sezinando was the better man tonight. Creighton says it’s hard knowing he’s not in the family and feels he let his family down. But Creighton says he will make the Octagon one day.

    Sezinando is emotional, in tears, realizing he’s going to be competing at UFC 319. “The whole world is going to know me, and I’m proud of myself,” Sezinando says. He promises to take care of his mom soon. “Thank you so much for the man you made.”

    Next week, Team Cormier’s Imanol Rodriguez faces Team Sonnen’s top pick, Joseph Morales, to see who faces Alibi Idiris in the flyweight finale!

    Also, season 32 winner Mairon Santos visits the TUF House!

    What will happen next week? Join alongside us then!

    Thanks for joining me for another edition of The TUF Stuff!

  • Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” Leaves Vegas Pros Reeling: New Tax Rule Could KO Sports Gamblers

    Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” Leaves Vegas Pros Reeling: New Tax Rule Could KO Sports Gamblers

    U.S. President Donald Trump has found himself in the MMA news headlines recently because of his announcement of a UFC card that will take place on the White House lawn next July 4. Congress is also in the headlines for the discussion and possible passing of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act.

    But another piece of politics is about to swoop in and potentially affect professional bettors, according to Gianni “The Greek” Karalis, host of The Gambler’s Perspective and UFC On The Line.

    The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is a piece of legislation that focuses on tax and spending, as part of President Trump’s financial-related policies. This bill, however, can also come at a cost to gamblers.

    The bill proposes that professional bettors could be taxed on gross winnings without being allowed to deduct their losses. In other words, even gamblers who finish with more losses than wins could still owe.

    “It’s basically saying that it could force some bettors — key word there — some, to pay income tax even in years when they have net losses in gambling,” Karalis told James Lynch in a recent interview. “It could significantly hike the tax burden on professional sports bettors.”

    Gianni The Greek: How Sports Gamblers, Including MMA Bettors, Are Affected By The One Big Beautiful Bill

    Traditionally, professional gamblers could deduct losses from winnings when filing taxes, effectively being taxed based on net income. OBBBA threatens that by eliminating loss deductions. That’s the equivalent of taxing an investor for every winning trade while ignoring the losing ones.

    Karalis explains this as “the problem,” as it defies a gambler’s accounting principles.

    “You can no longer write off your losses against your wins like you used to before,” Karalis said. “I mean, the bottom line is this: you could lose money and still have to pay taxes as if you were profitable. That’s the negative of this.”

    Karalis does say, however, that most bettors will not be affected, as this portion of the bill targets professional bettors, rather than recreational ones. According to Karalis, only about 0.5 percent of bettors can be considered profitable and will be the most affected.

    “99.5 percent of sports bettors have negative lifetime earnings,” Karalis said. “Who this is going to affect is that half a percent that truly makes their living in betting sports.”

    There are two possible motives for this governmental action, according to Karalis. The first is a form of government money grab, similar to when states actively passed recreational marijuana laws in order to gain the tax revenue. The U.S. federal government may see sports betting — as an untapped goldmine, and it wants a bigger piece of the pie.

    The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) previously barred sports betting in most states. When the Supreme Court ruled the act unconstitutional in May 2018, states were allowed to decide on its legalization.

    Karalis’ other theory is that sportsbooks themselves may have lobbied for this part of OBBBA. While winning bettors may represent a tiny fraction of users, they may present a major threat to profit margins. In other words, severely hampering these winning bettors protects the bottom line. By making the environment toxic for sharps, they encourage a casual betting pool dominated by losing wagers.

    Karalis compared this to a shift that was seen in casinos when blackjack payouts went from 3-to-2 to 6-to-5 as part of their efforts to stop card counters.

    “To most tourists, the most recreational bettors, they don’t see the difference,” Karalis explained. “They don’t know the difference between blackjack paying three-to-two or six-to-five. But for a card counter, that simple rule made the game unbeatable. So someone like myself that’s an advantaged blackjack player, if I see a table that says six-to-five blackjack, I can’t beat that game no more. The edge has changed.”

    Three groups are most at risk with the bill’s passage, according to Karalis. One, as mentioned, are those professional sports bettors whose success relies on those onscreen, regulated sportsbooks who report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), including FanDuel and DraftKings.

    The second group are the scalpers and middlers, including younger bettors, who depend on quick, narrow-margin trades across multiple books. Karalis stated that “It may even shut down a lot of those shops…because the margins are small…you got to question now: Is this endeavor still worth it?”

    Lastly are the handicappers who work solo or in small groups, without access to “off-screen” credit-based betting systems.

    Those offshore books and underground markets can offer one potential workaround, according to Karalis. They, however, do not come without great risk and aren’t available to all bettors. While off-screen books, often offshore and illegal, are preferred by pros for tax and liquidity reasons, high-stakes bettors would need millions tied up in regulated accounts that earn no interest. This, according to Karalis, would make on-screen betting financially inefficient.

    “There’s not very many people worth seven figures who are willing to leave that money sitting in a sportsbook account getting zero return,” he said. “You could put it in Coinbase and get four percent.”

    Though most in the sports gambling world felt negative reaction in the industry to the OBBBA was an overreaction, concern among full-time bettors is growing. As the new tax reality sets in, some professional gamblers are considering a re-evaluation of their systems and the potential end of their careers, especially if they rely on razor-thin profits.

    Karalis says this may even stretch to content creators and side hustlers, including the previously-mentioned scalpers. He adds there are also questions around how bad this will impact younger and newer pros.

    “They’re definitely being forced to reorganize their business model,” Karalis said. “I would not be surprised if a handful do realize maybe it’s not as profitable — and move that capital elsewhere with less risk.”

    When describing how he personally is affected, Karalis says that since 90 percent of his betting is off-screen, he isn’t as affected as other professionals. OBBBA, however, may affect his side hustle due to regulated betting use; it would force him to use the regulated sportsbooks.

    Karalis says that he sees no upsides in OBBBA for sharp bettors and that the bill could shift the landscape by making professional sports betting less viable in the U.S. He implies it could lead to brain drain or push more betting activity to offshore books.

    “Talking to serious guys out here in Vegas, even professional poker players, let alone sports bettors, who are like, ‘Dude, I don’t know if I can continue doing this the way I’ve been doing it and be profitable anymore,’” Karalis said.

    OBBBA could usher in a new era where the house edge isn’t just built into the odds — it’s written into law.

  • Carlos Ulberg vs. Dominick Reyes Headlines UFC Perth

    Carlos Ulberg vs. Dominick Reyes Headlines UFC Perth

    A former light heavyweight title challenger and one rising through the ranks with an impressive win streak will be clashing in the main event of UFC Perth this coming September.

    The UFC has announced that Carlos Ulberg will take on Dominick Reyes in the featured bout of UFC Perth, which takes place on September 27 (September 28 in Australia) at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

    This matchup had previously been scheduled twice. The pair were originally booked for UFC 297, but Ulberg sustained an injury. The bout was postponed to UFC Atlantic City in March 2024, but Reyes withdrew.

    Ulberg went on to knock out Alonzo Menifield at the event.

    Carlos Ulberg vs. Dominick Reyes Announced As UFC Perth Main Event

    Since losing his UFC debut to Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 259, Ulberg has won eight in a row. Ulberg last fought in March, defeating former champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC London. A win over Reyes could potentially position Ulberg as a potential next title challenger at some point next year.

    The UFC light heavyweight title will be on the line again on October 4, when Magomed Ankalaev defends in a rematch with Alex Pereira at UFC 320.

    Reyes has won three straight since returning at UFC Louisville in June 2024, following a near-two-year layoff. Reyes has scored knockouts of Dustin Jacoby, Anthony Smith, and Nikita Krylov.

    This will be the second UFC event this year to take place in Australia, following UFC 312 in February.

    A total of six bouts have been confirmed for UFC Perth thus far, also including Doo-ho Choi taking on Daniel Santos and Loma Lookboonmee facing Alexia Thainara.

  • ‘Dude Is Going Through A Midlife Crisis’ – Fans Have A Field Day As Conor McGregor Rocks Surprising New Haircut

    ‘Dude Is Going Through A Midlife Crisis’ – Fans Have A Field Day As Conor McGregor Rocks Surprising New Haircut

    Conor McGregor is flaunting a brand-new hairdo.

    McGregor has long stood as one of the most iconic and influential figures in MMA. But these days, it’s not just his achievements inside the Octagon that keep him in the spotlight. The former two-division UFC champion is arguably even more renowned for his high-profile antics and ventures outside the cage.

    Over the course of his UFC career, “The Notorious” has showcased a wide array of distinctive hairstyles, though he’s most often opted for clean-cut looks like buzz cuts and faded styles.

    However, on Monday, Conor McGregor took to Instagram to share a video of himself grooving to the classic War Pigs by legendary English heavy metal band Black Sabbath. In the clip, “The Notorious” flaunted a bold new mohawk in a nostalgic nod to the look he sported during his UFC debut against Marcus Brimage in April 2013.

    Conor McGregor’s New Mohawk Haircut Sparks Fan Frenzy

    Conor McGregor’s revamped look instantly caught the eye of MMA fans across social media, sparking a flurry of reactions. While most humorously lampooned his bold new hairstyle, others couldn’t help but draw comparisons to the iconic mohawk once sported by former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell.

    https://twitter.com/liltestmoretren/status/1949861149865836902

    McGregor has remained sidelined since suffering a devastating leg break in his trilogy showdown with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. “The Notorious” was slated to make his highly anticipated return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024. However, just two weeks before the event, the Irishman was forced to withdraw due to a toe injury.

    The UFC megastar has shown serious interest in making his long-awaited return at the proposed UFC event on the White House lawn in July 2026, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump to mark the nation’s 250th Independence Day celebration. McGregor has also revealed that he’s re-entered the UFC’s drug testing pool.

    Chael Sonnen Names 2 Champions Battling To Replace Conor McGregor As 'Face Of The' UFC
    Image: @thenotoriousmma/Instagram


  • “Kill Everybody” – Khamzat Chimaev In Last Training Camp Ahead of UFC 319

    “Kill Everybody” – Khamzat Chimaev In Last Training Camp Ahead of UFC 319

    Khamzat Chimaev is putting on the final touches of his preparations for UFC 319, where he’ll attempt to become the UFC middleweight champion.

    Chimaev took to social media to show images seen of his reported final fight camp. Chimaev is currently in Los Angeles and will soon make his way to Chicago, where UFC 319 takes place.

    Of note, it looks like he is preparing his striking and power, as the photos show him working on his knees and hitting pads.

    Khamzat Chimaev In Los Angeles For Final Camp Before UFC 319

    “Feeling great,” Chimaev posted. “We are in LA. Doing training camp now, last camp before the fight. So, coming for Chicago. Kill everybody.”

    Du Plessis, at 14-0, has taken the MMA world by storm since his UFC signing in 2020. It was then where he scored a pair of knockout victories while breaking the quickest turnaround time between UFC wins at 10 days. Chimaev would then knockout Gerald Meerschaert later that year.

    While injuries and illness have slowed him down over the last few years, Chimaev’s success hasn’t, as he’s since scored wins over Li Jinglang, Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland, Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker.

    UFC 316 takes place on Aug 16 at the United Center in Chicago. Chimaev will be competing in the main event, challenging current UFC 185-pound champion Dricus Du Plessis.

    Du Plessis has been champion since defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297, retaining against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 and in a rematch with Strickland at UFC 312.

  • Shara Magomedov In Hospital Recovering From Nose Surgery Following His UFC Abu Dhabi Match

    Shara Magomedov In Hospital Recovering From Nose Surgery Following His UFC Abu Dhabi Match

    Shara Magomedov was hospitalized following UFC Abu Dhabi, suffering a broken nose during his fight with Marc-Andre Barriault.

    According to Red Corner MMA, “Shara Bullet” had overnight nose surgery following his victory over Barriault. He is expected to be released at some point on Monday, July 28 or Tuesday, July 29.

    Magomedov suffered the broken nose during the second round, when Barriault connected with a hard right hand that did damage and troubled the Russian fighter.

    Shara Magomedov Undergoes Nose Operation Following UFC Abu Dhabi Win Over Marc-Andre Barriault

    Magomedov controlled the action during the opening round of the fight with his striking and footwork, but Barriault’s right hand that broke Magomedov’s nose changed the course of the fight temporarily.

    Barriault used his clinch work and takedown attempts to do damage to “Bullet”, but Magomedov would take moment back later in the round with a strong knee. Magomedov’s striking then helped him to control the third round and score the decision win.

    “Shara Bullet” is now 5-1 in the UFC, with this win rebounding him from a loss to Michael “Venom” Page at UFC Saudi Arabia in February. He is 16-1 overall as an MMA pro.

  • UFC Vegas 108 Main Event Altered As Tatsuro Taira Gets Short Notice Undefeated Opponent

    UFC Vegas 108 Main Event Altered As Tatsuro Taira Gets Short Notice Undefeated Opponent

    UFC Vegas 108 will now feature a newly confirmed main event.

    UFC Vegas 108, set for this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, was initially slated to feature a crucial flyweight headliner between Amir Albazi and Tatsuro Taira. However, reports on Sunday revealed the bout has been called off just days ahead of event.

    On Monday, the UFC officially announced that Albazi is out of the upcoming Fight Night main event, with Road to UFC 125-pound tournament winner Hyun Sung Park stepping in on just six days’ notice to face Taira. While the promotion confirmed the change, no explanation was given for Albazi’s withdrawal.

    Taira enters UFC Vegas 108 looking to rebound from the first loss of his professional career, a narrow split decision defeat to former flyweight title challenger Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 98 in October 2024. The 25-year-old Japanese standout holds a 6-1 record in the UFC and a 16-1 overall professional mark, with 12 of those victories coming by way of finish.

    Meanwhile, Park is riding high off a first-round submission victory over Carlos Hernandez at UFC Vegas 106 this past May. “Peace of Mind” has secured finishes in all three of his UFC outings and currently boasts a flawless 10-0 professional record, with nine of those wins coming inside the distance.

    Tatsuro-Taira vs. Hyun Sung Park set for UFC Vegas 108 main event
    Images: @t.tatsurooo6/@hsp_mma/Instagram

    What’s The Full Lineup for UFC Vegas 108?

    The latest UFC Vegas 108 card currently features the following matchups:

    Main Card

    • Tatsuro Taira vs. Hyun Sung Park; flyweight
    • Chris Duncan vs. Mateusz Rebecki; lightweight
    • Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics; lightweight
    • Karol Rosa vs. Nora Cornolle; women’s bantamweight
    • Neil Magny vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos; welterweight
    • Danny Silva vs. Kevin Vallejos: featherweight

    Preliminary Card

    • Rinya Nakamura vs. Nathan Fletcher; bantamweight
    • Rodolfo Vieira vs. Tresean Gore; middleweight
    • Nick Klein vs. Andrey Pulyaev; middleweight
    • Piera Rodriguez vs. Ketlen Souza; strawweight
    • Rafael Estevam vs. Felipe Bunes; flyweight

    Fight lineup and scheduling details are tentative and may change prior to the event.

    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 14: during the Power Slap event at UFC Apex on December 14, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Sciaffo LLC)