MMA News

Category: MMA

  • ‘Kevin Lee Is Beyond Washed’ – Fans React To Gadzhi Rabadanov Putting Away Kevin Lee In Quick Fashion At PFL Wichita To Reach PFL World Tournament Finals

    ‘Kevin Lee Is Beyond Washed’ – Fans React To Gadzhi Rabadanov Putting Away Kevin Lee In Quick Fashion At PFL Wichita To Reach PFL World Tournament Finals

    Gadzhi Rabadanov is now one win away from back-to-back tournament titles with the PFL after defeating Kevin Lee in the semifinals of the lightweight PFL Tournament in the main event of PFL Wichita.

    Rabadanov dropped Lee early with a stiff jab, and from there, he didn’t let up. Rabadanov rocked Lee multiple times with his strikes, scoring another knockdown during the round.

    Lee tried to stay in it, but a relentless barrage eventually resulted in a faceplant knockdown, forcing the ref to wave it off.

    Gadzhi Rabadanov Reaches PFL World Tournament Final, KOs Kevin Lee At PFL Wichita

    Last year, Rabadanov ran through Solomon Renfro, Elvin Espinoza, Michael Dufort and Brent Primus to capture the 2024 PFL lightweight championship. He earned tonight’s semifinal spot with a first-round finish of Marc Diakiese in April.

    Lee made his PFL debut tonight, replacing an injured Jay-Jay Wilson. Lee had made his return to MMA after more than a year away this past September, scoring a first-round finish of Thiago Oliveira at Lights Out Championship 17.

  • ‘Still Out Here’ – Fans React To Liz Carmouche Easily Defeating Elora Dana At PFL Wichita To Clinch Another PFL World Tournament Final

    ‘Still Out Here’ – Fans React To Liz Carmouche Easily Defeating Elora Dana At PFL Wichita To Clinch Another PFL World Tournament Final

    Liz Carmouche can add to her trophy case with one more victory this summer, as she defeats Elora Dana in the semifinals of the PFL World Tournament in the co-main event of PFL Wichita.

    Carmouche wasted no time in the opening round, scoring an early takedown and landing a big elbow that created a hematoma on Dana’s head. Dana threatened with submissions off her back, but Carmouche’s ground-and-pound gave her the edge.

    Carmouche controlled clinch exchanges and landed another takedown in the second frame, briefly securing a crucifix position. Carmouche dished out ground strikes and a big elbow in the final seconds, rocking Sana to close the round.

    Dana tried to rally with combination in the third, but Carmouche remained composed and landed heavy low kicks and controlled the exchanges.

    Liz Carmouche Punches Ticket To Second Straight Women’s Flyweight Final At PFL World Tournament In Wichita

    Carmouche made the PFL women’s flyweight finals in last year’s season, losing to Dakota Ditcheva. Carmouche entered tonight’s semifinals off a first-round finish of Ilara Joanne. She’ll now face Jena Bishop in the August tournament final.

    Dana entered tonight’s bout with a perfect 8-0 record and four finishes. She earned her semifinal spot with a first-round submission of Diana Avsaragova.

  • ‘Archie Colgan Is A Contender’ – Fans React To Archie Colgan Putting On Scrappy Performance In Win At PFL Wichita

    ‘Archie Colgan Is A Contender’ – Fans React To Archie Colgan Putting On Scrappy Performance In Win At PFL Wichita

    Archie Colgan remained undefeated with a gritty decision victory over Mansour Barnaoui in a lightweight showcase bout during the PFL Wichita card as part of the PFL World Tournament.

    Barnaoui started strong with range strikes and clinch knees during the opening frame, but Colgan controlled the exchanges with consistent, sharp right hands. Colgan also scored a key takedown in the round, where he also busted Barnaoui’s nose up.

    Barnaoui appeared to clip Colgan early in the second round, but Colgan’s wrestling was relentless, landing multiple takedowns and threatening an arm-triangle choke. He also shook off submission attempts from Barnaoui from the bottom.

    Colgan then put a battering on Barnaoui in the third round after an early scare, landing plenty of damaging strikes.

    Barnaoui entered tonight with 10 wins in his last 12. He had most recently defeated Alfie Davis at the PFL World Championships card this past November.

    Colgan entered tonight undefeated in MMA. He had most recently fought at the Bellator event in London this past September, scoring a decision win over Manoel Sousa.

  • ‘Beat Jake Hadley To A Pulp’ – Fans React To Marcirley Alves Showing No Mercy To Jake Hadley In PFL World Tournament Semifinal

    ‘Beat Jake Hadley To A Pulp’ – Fans React To Marcirley Alves Showing No Mercy To Jake Hadley In PFL World Tournament Semifinal

    Marcirley Alves put on a dominant striking display, busting up Jake Hadley badly as he took the win in their bantamweight semifinal bout at the PFL World Tournament card in Wichita, Kansas.

    Alves set the tone early with crisp combination and relentless body work, frequently pressuring Hadley and controlling the pace. Things got more brutal in the second round, rocking Hadley with the body shots and dropping him with a strong left. By the end of the second round, Hadley was a bloody mess.

    Alves continued this body shot attack domination throughout the third, even landing a takedown in the closing seconds to seal the deal.

    Marcirley Alves Puts One-Sided Beatdown On Jake Hadley In PFL World Tournament Bout

    Alves has now won five of six, reaching tonight’s semifinals with an upset win over Leandro Higo in April. He’ll now face Justin Wetzell in the finals in August.

    Hadley had advanced to tonight with a Scottish twister submission of Matheus Mattos.

  • ‘That Second Round Was Magic’ – Fans React To Alfie Davis Putting On Striking Display In PFL World Tournament Semifinal Win Over Former Bellator Champion

    ‘That Second Round Was Magic’ – Fans React To Alfie Davis Putting On Striking Display In PFL World Tournament Semifinal Win Over Former Bellator Champion

    Alfie Davis put on quite the striking show as he defeated Brent Primus in their semifinal match in the PFL World Tournament card in Wichita.

    Primus controlled much of the opening round, thanks to an early takedown and repeatedly threatening submissions with his rubber guard. He added in elbows, which resulted in Davis bleeding from one of the sides of his head.

    Davis, however, turned things around in the second, preventing Primus’s takedown efforts and landing sharp strikes. He peppered Primus with combinations, and he even stunned the former Bellator champ with a spinning elbow despite Primus’s attempts to pressure.

    Davis continued to press the action with his strikes in the third, but Primus got back on top on the ground and threatened full mount. Davis scrambled and reversed the position, however, landing strong shots from up top late in the fight.

    Davis scored 29-28 totals on all three judges’ scorecards.

    Alfie Davis Edges Out Brent Primus In PFL World Tournament Matchup

    Davis has now won five of his last six. He entered tonight’s semifinal off a stunning knockout win over Clay Collard in April.

    Primus has now lost two of his last three. He had secured his semifinal spot with a submission of Vinicius Cenci.

  • ‘Extremely Lackluster Main Card Opener’ – Fans Blast Justin Wetzell Win Over Mando Gutierrez To Start PFL World Tournament Card In Wichita

    ‘Extremely Lackluster Main Card Opener’ – Fans Blast Justin Wetzell Win Over Mando Gutierrez To Start PFL World Tournament Card In Wichita

    Gutierrez had early striking success and attempted a guillotine in the opening round. Wetzell, however, reversed into top control and landed consistent ground-and-pound.

    That focus on the guillotine may have been Gutierrez’s downfall. The second round saw Wetzell assert more control with takedowns, positional advances, and steady ground striking. Gutierrez’s rubber guard and submission attempts weren’t enough for sustained offense.

    Wetzell continued to pressure and press the action on the ground in the third en route to a decision win.

    Justin Wetzell Earns Decision To Advance To PFL World Tournament Finals

    https://twitter.com/100PEAKTEAM/status/1936220890909601908

    Wetzell has now won five straight. He advanced to the semifinals with a decision over Kasum Kasumov in April.

    Gutierrez sees a three-fight win streak snapped. He earned tonight’s spot with a submission over Francesco Nuzzi.

  • ‘Class Grappling’ – Fans React To Jena Bishop Securing PFL World Tournament Finals Spot With Choke

    ‘Class Grappling’ – Fans React To Jena Bishop Securing PFL World Tournament Finals Spot With Choke

    Jena Bishop put on a submissions masterclass in her win over Ekaterina Shakalova, scoring a second-round finish to move on to the finals of the PFL women’s flyweight World Tournament.

    Bishop looked for submissions early in the opening round, as Shakalova attempted to pressure early, only to be thwarted by Bishop’s takedown attempts. Bishop constantly attacked from the bottom, adding hammerfists into attempts of a triangle, heel hook, and calf slicer — though Shakalova landed strong shots from up top.

    But in the second round, Bishop took quick control of the action, quickly advancing into mount and then taking the back. She sunk in a choke and scored the victory from there.

    Jena Bishop Advances To World Tournament Finals With Submission-Filled Performance

    https://twitter.com/easedbeecod/status/1936206356085653732

    Bishop made it to the semifinals of last year’s women’s flyweight season, losing to eventual champion Dakota Ditcheva. Bishop had made it into tonight’s semifinals with a win over Kana Watanabe in April.

    Shakalova made it to this semifinal fight with a major upset over former Bellator champion Julianna Velasquez in their opening round encounter.

  • VIDEO: Watch Vinicius Cenci Lock Up Fast Triangle Choke Submission At PFL Wichita

    VIDEO: Watch Vinicius Cenci Lock Up Fast Triangle Choke Submission At PFL Wichita

    Before the PFL World Tournament semifinals kicked off in Wichita, a series of showcase bouts showed fighters looking to make an impact and standout in their performances.

    Vinicius Cenci appeared to understand the assignment, scoring a first-round submission over Antonio Caruso in under two minutes during the event’s early card.

    Caruso had pressed Cenci into the fence and was looking for a takedown, only for Cenci to turn the tables on him. After Cenci looked for a guillotine initially, he threw up his guard for a triangle choke attempt.

    Vinicius Cenci Scores Triangle Choke Over Antonio Caruso In Early Card Of PFL Wichita

    Caruso looked to slam Cenci, but that just tightened the choke, with Cenci scoring the submission.

    Cenci rebounds after losing his PFL lightweight tournament first-round bout against former Bellator lightweight champion Brent Primus in April.

    Caruso had won two straight but now finds himself 0-2 in the PFL.

  • Khalil Rountree Jr: Why Waiting for Jamahal Hill Could Be His Biggest Advantage Yet

    Khalil Rountree Jr: Why Waiting for Jamahal Hill Could Be His Biggest Advantage Yet

    Khalil Rountree Jr has made it crystal clear that he is as ready as he can be for the challenge of facing Jamahal Hill tomorrow night.

    On Saturday, Khalil Rountree Jr will stand across the cage from Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC Baku. It will serve as the first time that the promotion has visited Azerbaijan, and they’ve certainly put on a fascinating main event for the occasion. Both of these fighters know what it’s like to compete for the title, and that’s where they want to be all over again.

    For Khalil Rountree Jr, this is a chance to prove that while his performance against Alex Pereira was impressive, it wasn’t a one off. In a recent interview, he spoke openly on the matter.

    Khalil Rountree Jr previews Jamahal Hill fight

    “A win over Jamahal Hill just kind of solidifies that I belong, that I still belong up here. There wasn’t too much thought into it. It was just like, ‘Hey, let’s keep things as they are.’ I don’t mind waiting a little bit more. We’ve already prepared for this guy, so let’s just give it a little bit more time and everything will work out. This is one of those rare circumstances where waiting might have actually paid off for me.”

    “He thinks he’s more skilled. I’ve heard it before. I just try not to pay too much attention to it. For me, the priority is making sure that I’m at my best when that cage closes and the ref asks me if I’m ready. I would say with conviction, ‘Yes.’ Everything else after that is the way it’s supposed to be. I’m prepared for the best version of Jamahal Hill.”

  • Joaquin Buckley Unleashes Explosive Rant on Israel Adesanya: “You Ain’t a Real Fighter”

    Joaquin Buckley Unleashes Explosive Rant on Israel Adesanya: “You Ain’t a Real Fighter”

    UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley has unleashed a rant on Israel Adesanya after some recent disparaging remarks from ‘Stylebender’.

    As we know, Joaquin Buckley is one of the top welterweights in the world right now. Unfortunately for him, last weekend, that reputation took a bit of a knock. That’s because he fell short in his attempt to defeat Kamaru Usman, largely getting dominated on the ground. As we look ahead to the future, it’ll be interesting to see how he builds himself back up from this after what was clearly a big loss for him to take.

    In a reaction video posted to his YouTube channel, Israel Adesanya made it known that he isn’t a big fan of Joaquin Buckley – in fact, he went a bit further than that. As you can imagine, Buckley wasn’t too pleased to hear this, and he’s decided to respond. These two men are obviously in different weight classes and in different phases of their respective careers, but it’s interesting to see that a feud has developed out of it.

    In his own video, Joaquin Buckley had this to say on the matter.

    Joaquin Buckley shows frustration towards Israel Adesanya

    “I don’t know why you on my d*ck anyway… You ain’t a real fighter, you wanna be a lil pretty boy. I would give you a sample but I don’t like boy p*ssy.”

    Buckley has always been a guy who likes to talk trash to people, and we’re intrigued to see how this develops, if at all.

  • Alexandre Pantoja Ready to Move Up and Face ‘Suga’: “I Would Fight Sean O’Malley for Free”

    Alexandre Pantoja Ready to Move Up and Face ‘Suga’: “I Would Fight Sean O’Malley for Free”

    UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja is ready to make the move up and face Sean O’Malley in the bantamweight division, suggesting that he’d even do it for free.

    Over the course of the last few years, Alexandre Pantoja has really come into his own as the champion at 125 pounds. He’s been able to turn back a parade of challengers and now, we’re at the point where he’s one of the best pound for pound fighters in the entire UFC. As we look ahead to the future, his next test will see him defend the strap against Kai Kara-France at UFC 317.

    Beyond that, though, nobody really knows what’s next for him. In a recent interview with Stake, Alexandre Pantoja made it known that bantamweight is a real possibility – and that he has an opponent in mind.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYBhYG1ncwc

    Alexandre Pantoja is open to Sean O’Malley fight

    “If it makes sense to the UFC, I think it’s going to happen. I would need to gain 10lbs of muscle, which takes time. For bigger guys, it’s easier to change weight classes, but I would need time. If I had the chance to fight for the belt, or fight someone like O’Malley, I would do it. 

    “O’Malley has stopped the weed, has more connection to his family, and maybe Merab made him humble, which is good for the world. O’Malley is super good, but Merab has something O’Malley never had. Merab had to fight to eat. I am very proud to have given my kids a good life, but I say to them, that they never had to struggle like me, and that’s the same with Merab and O’Malley. I would fight O’Malley for free.”

    Quotes via Stake

  • Khalil Rountree Jr: How Facing Alex Pereira Forged Unbreakable Grit ‘It helped me have some pride’

    Khalil Rountree Jr: How Facing Alex Pereira Forged Unbreakable Grit ‘It helped me have some pride’

    UFC light heavyweight Khalil Rountree Jr has spoken candidly about his title showdown with Alex Pereira.

    On Saturday night, Khalil Rountree Jr will return to the cage when he goes head to head with Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC Baku. There’s a lot of excitement in the air regarding how this fight may look, and for the most part, that’s because both men are strikers, and they’re both more than happy to stand and bang.

    The story of Khalil Rountree Jr has been a pretty inspirational one ever since he first entered the promotion. If he can pick up a decisive win here, there’s a solid chance he could vault back into championship contention.

    In a recent interview, Khalil Rountree Jr spoke about what he took away from the Alex Pereira fight.

    Khalil Rountree Jr discusses Alex Pereira defeat

    “I think that I proved to myself how far I was willing to go. You know, before it was over, had he not put me down with that shot, I would have just kept going. My entire face would have probably been even more mangled than it was. I just wasn’t going to give up. And, you know, obviously it hurt after—emotionally and physically—but I rose up from it because I was able to go through the fire. 

    “I think going through the fire really builds character, especially when you know that you gave your best and not one moment in that fight was I ever discouraged or wanted to quit. It just helped me have some pride, some inner grit. I got this like rock of gold, and I was like, ‘Ah, okay, cool.’ I can store that and hold on to that for myself, for no one else but myself.”

  • Kevin Lee: Why Facing Fear and a Dangerous Opponent Brings Out His Best

    Kevin Lee: Why Facing Fear and a Dangerous Opponent Brings Out His Best

    Former UFC star Kevin Lee has said that facing a dangerous opponent is what brings out the best in him.

    As we know, Kevin Lee was once considered to be the next big thing at 155 pounds in mixed martial arts. Unfortunately, he was never quite able to live up to his potential in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Even after re-signing, he lost pretty quickly in his return fight, and he even retired at one point.

    Now, at the age of 32, Kevin Lee is hoping that he can finally prove himself – this time under the PFL umbrella. He’s set to face Gadzhi Rabadanov tonight and ahead of the fight, he spoke candidly about his excitement for this contest.

    Kevin Lee looks ahead to MMA return

    “This is exactly what I’m talking about. I’m not saying give me a warm-up fight, give me an alternate fight—I’m jumping in there against one of the most dangerous lightweights on planet Earth. That’s the thing that excites me. The fights where I’m most scared, those are the fights where I really turn up and I really show my best. I like fights where I’m a little bit scared, a little bit nervous getting in there. 

    “I don’t know how fast this guy is, I don’t know how hard he hits. He obviously has a tremendous left hook that he’s hit a lot of people with. But the good thing is, I’ve got a lot of years left on my body and in this game, so there’s still a big future ahead, and I’m excited to go out there and show that.”

  • UFC Baku Weigh-In Results: No Misses, One Late Catchweight Adjustment

    UFC Baku Weigh-In Results: No Misses, One Late Catchweight Adjustment

    The countdown to UFC Baku is almost over. All fighters have stepped on the scale, and we’ve got the final weigh-in results right here at MMA News.

    The UFC is set to break new ground this Saturday, June 21, as it makes its debut in Azerbaijan, bringing a stacked Fight Night card to the Baku Crystal Hall.

    Image: @ufc/X

    UFC Baku will be headlined by a crucial showdown between top light heavyweight contenders Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. Originally scheduled to collide at UFC 303 in June 2024, their matchup was shelved after “The War Horse” was handed a suspension for testing positive for the banned anabolic steroid DHEA.

    The duo was rebooked to headline UFC Kansas City this past April, but the bout was once again postponed when Hill was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed injury.

    Meanwhile, the co-main event features a compelling lightweight clash between Rafael Fiziev and rising prospect Ignacio Bahamondes. Elsewhere on the main card, former interim heavyweight title challenger Curtis Blaydes returns to welcome promotional newcomer Rizvan Kuniev.

    Ahead of UFC Baku, the official weigh-ins took place Friday morning at the UFC host hotel in Azerbaijan, where headliners Hill and Rountree Jr. successfully hit the non-title light heavyweight limit at 206 pounds. While Fiziev and Bahamondes each came in on point at 155.5 pounds, making their fight official without issue.

    However, the weigh-ins did feature a late change, as the scheduled lightweight bout between Myktybek Orolbai and Octagon debutant Tofiq Musayev was shifted to a catchweight of 165 pounds for undisclosed reasons. Musayev weighed in at 163 pounds, while Orolbai hit the agreed limit exactly at 165.

    UFC Baku Complete Weigh-In Results

    Main Card

    • Light heavyweight: Jamahal Hill (206) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. (206)
    • Lightweight: Rafael Fiziev (155.5) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (155.5)
    • Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes (258) vs. Rizvan Kuniev (264.5)
    • Catchweight: Tofiq Musayev (163) vs. Myktybek Orolbai (165)
    • Lightweight: Nazim Sadykhov (155) vs. Nikolas Motta (155.5)
    • Featherweight: Muhammad Naimov (146) vs. Bogdan Grad (146)

    Preliminary Card

    • Welterweight: SeokHyeon Ko (169.5) vs. Oban Elliott (170.5)
    • Middleweight: Ismael Naurdiev (186) vs. JunYong Park (186)
    • Women’s bantamweight: Daria Zhelezniakova (136) vs. Melissa Mullins (136)
    • Women’s bantamweight: Irina Alekseeva (135.5) vs. Klaudia Sygula (135)
    • Flyweight: Tagir Ulanbekov (126) vs. Azat Maksum (126)
    • Heavyweight: Hamdy Abdelwahab (264.5) vs. Mohammed Usman (244.5)
  • Joaquin Buckley Admits “There’s Levels to This Game” After Devastating Defeat to Kamaru Usman

    Joaquin Buckley Admits “There’s Levels to This Game” After Devastating Defeat to Kamaru Usman

    UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley has opened up regarding his devastating loss at the hands of Kamaru Usman last weekend.

    In the main event of UFC Atlanta, Joaquin Buckley fell short in his attempt to defeat Kamaru Usman. Despite having a positive fifth round, he was wrestled and dominated for the first four, eventually losing convincingly on the scorecards. Now, he needs to go back to the drawing board and figure out how he can reach that next level.

    Ever since the loss, Joaquin Buckley has been pretty open in discussing what happened. He isn’t one to shy away and make excuses and instead, he’s been giving Usman his flowers. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, he went into more detail about how it felt to be beaten in that way.

    Joaquin Buckley gets honest after Kamaru Usman defeat

    “You talking about every round, he took me down and kept me there. I couldn’t get back up to my feet. I’m looking at Mike Beltran like ‘bro, come on, stand us up, at least one time, let me get back up to my feet’. I’m not gonna lie to you, I feel so embarrassed man because of that loss. I feel so humiliated man because of that loss.

    “But at the same time, I gotta bow my head. Usman showed me who he was. That night, it really showed, there’s levels to this game.”

    This may be a step backwards, but it’ll be interesting to see how Joaquin Buckley recovers and begins to rebuild.

  • Charles Oliveira: “Ilia Topuria Is the Best Fight for Me Right Now – He’s Fresh, Undefeated, and Full of Hype”

    Charles Oliveira: “Ilia Topuria Is the Best Fight for Me Right Now – He’s Fresh, Undefeated, and Full of Hype”

    UFC legend Charles Oliveira has explained why battling at Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 is the right fight for him.

    In the main event of UFC 317, Charles Oliveira will face Ilia Topuria for the UFC lightweight championship. It serves as Charles’ opportunity to become a two-time world champion after originally winning it by beating Michael Chandler. He eventually lost the strap at the hands of Islam Makhachev, but now that Islam has opted to move up to welterweight, the path has cleared for him to pursue gold once again.

    As for Ilia Topuria, he’s trying to join the very exclusive group of fighters who have been able to win world titles in two weight classes. Whether or not he’ll be able to do it, of course, depends entirely on what kind of performance Charles Oliveira brings to the cage.

    In a recent interview, Charles Oliveira opened up on this matchup and his thoughts about Ilia Topuria.

    Charles Oliveira is excited for Ilia Topuria challenge

    “This is the best fight they could give me right now. Everyone else in the top five would be a rematch. Ilia is a fresh opponent, and he’s coming in with a lot of hype, undefeated. That makes the preparation more exciting and interesting for me.”

    “The first time I was asked about Ilia, I was very respectful. I said, ‘Someone who talks the talk and walks the walk, he’ll have a lot of challenges at lightweight and he’ll be a tough fight.’ But has he shown me the same respect in the lead-up? Not really. Everyone knows who I am and what I’ve done. On June 28, everyone will see who the real champion is.”

  • Jiri Prochazka Slams Ankalaev: “That’s Not How a Champ Speaks” Explains Title Rejection

    Jiri Prochazka Slams Ankalaev: “That’s Not How a Champ Speaks” Explains Title Rejection

    UFC fan favorite Jiri Prochazka has slammed Magomed Ankalev when discussing why he decided to turn down a UFC light heavyweight championship opportunity.

    Recently, it was reported that Jiri Prochazka turned down the chance to challenge Magomed Ankalaev for the aforementioned 205-pound belt. He did so in order to focus on his studies, earning a great deal of praise from the mixed martial arts community. Of course, at some point in the future, this is exactly the kind of fight that fans would want to see, especially given how much quality both men possess in the cage.

    As we look ahead to the rest of the year, it’s hard to say what’s next for Ankalaev as talks continue to circulate regarding a possible rematch against Alex Pereira. As for Jiri Prochazka, once he’s done with his studies, he’ll be free to return as he bids to win back the belt that he gave up due to injury.

    In a recent interview, Jiri Prochazka wasn’t shy when giving his thoughts on the champion.

    Jiri Prochazka talks about Magomed Ankalaev

    “What is right now, what is most important – the priority is school. So, whatever can happen, fights or whatever, this is on my first place, to win the title fight. But right now, this is, it’s open. I’m already preparing for that, so that’s why. He’s a big mouth. He’s a big mouth guy.”

    Regardless of whether or not you love Prochazka and what he brings to the table, there’s no denying that this would be an incredible title fight.

  • Khalil Rountree Jr on UFC Baku Main Event: “I Won’t Bleed This Fight – Jamahal Hill Can’t Say the Same”

    Khalil Rountree Jr on UFC Baku Main Event: “I Won’t Bleed This Fight – Jamahal Hill Can’t Say the Same”

    UFC light heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree Jr has issued a chilling statement ahead of his main event collision with Jamahal Hill at UFC Baku.

    As we know, Khalil Rountree Jr is one of the best light heavyweight fighters on the planet. He’s coming off the back of a tremendous performance against Alex Pereira, and while he didn’t pick up the win, he certainly impressed. This time around, he’s coming up against Jamahal Hill – a man who is also in desperate need of a victory after two disappointing losses to Pereira and Jiri Prochazka.

    In order to get the job done, he’ll have to walk through fire in what is bound to be a massive striking affair. It’s an unbelievably risky fight for both men to contend with, but one thing we’re pretty sure is going to happen is that we’re going to see fireworks.

    Ahead of fight night, Khalil Rountree Jr issued a pretty chilling warning to his 205 pound foe.

    Khalil Rountree Jr issues chilling message

    “I won’t bleed this fight—can’t say the same for Jamahal Hill.”

    Rountree Jr has worked hard to improve over the course of the last few years and you can really tell. He seems to be moving in an upward trajectory and in a division that seems to be wide open, you’d have to think that a big finish could really vault him back into title contention. It’s not for sure, but you’d have to bet that it’s on the table at least.

  • “Strip Him”: Curtis Blaydes Calls for Jon Jones to Lose the UFC Heavyweight Belt

    “Strip Him”: Curtis Blaydes Calls for Jon Jones to Lose the UFC Heavyweight Belt

    UFC heavyweight Curtis Blaydes is of the belief that Jon Jones, the reigning heavyweight champion of the promotion, should be stripped of his championship belt.

    As we know, Curtis Blaydes has been a top contender in the heavyweight division for a long time now. Alas, whenever he seems to be getting close to earning a title, he falls just short. He’s still able to beat a string of contenders but he’s not quite been able to get over the final hurdle. In his next outing on Saturday night, he’ll face Rizvan Kuniev, and he’ll hope to once again prove that he belongs within the elite.

    Jon Jones is the current champ, but he seems to be doing everything in his power to avoid battling interim champion Tom Aspinall in a unification fight. For the likes of Curtis Blaydes, that’s pretty frustrating, because it likely means that he’ll have to wait even longer for a title shot – should he be able to earn it, that is.

    In a recent scrum, Curtis Blaydes didn’t hold back when giving his thoughts on what should happen regarding the Jones situation.

    Curtis Blaydes wants UFC to strip Jon Jones of title

    “Jon Jones holding the belt and refusing to fight Tom Aspinall just halts the division. It makes it impossible for any of us to have future projections. Who knows who’s got the real belt? We need to get to the bottom of that. My answer is: strip him. It’s not that hard—it’s happened before. If that pisses him off, maybe it’ll get him to fight. If not, he just retires, which is all right. He’s a GOAT, he doesn’t have to fight, but if he wants to hold on to that belt, he needs to fight.”

  • Bogdan Grad: “UFC Money Stays in the Bank – I’m Working Weekends to Stay Grounded”

    Bogdan Grad: “UFC Money Stays in the Bank – I’m Working Weekends to Stay Grounded”

    Bogdan Grad is keeping a surprisingly low profile when it comes to his finances. Despite the spotlight and paydays that come with fighting in the world’s premier MMA promotion, Grad says he has not touched a cent of his UFC earnings. Instead, he continues to referee on weekends and relies on sponsorships to cover his living expenses.

    Bogdan Grad

    Speaking to Kian Laing in an interview with Calf Kick Sports, Bogdan Grad explained:

    “I’m still doing the refereeing. All the money I earned from the UFC, it’s in my bank account, I didn’t take one cent from there. I’m still working some weekends, and thanks to my sponsors, I also get a little bit from there, so I can live with that money. The earnings from the UFC, I have to save and invest. We never know. Maybe I break my foot, or something happens. As a pro athlete, you have to think ahead. That’s also a way of thinking that I want to share and to teach the younger generation to think ahead.”

    Bogdan Grad’s approach to his finances is a rare one in a sport where flashy spending often makes headlines. He emphasizes the importance of planning for the unexpected, especially in a career as physically demanding as MMA.

    On June 21, 2025, Grad will step into the octagon again at UFC on ABC 8 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where he faces Muhammad Naimov. As the only Austrian fighter on the main card, Grad carries the hopes of fans across the nation. Grad’s background is as diverse as his skill set. Before turning professional, he worked a variety of jobs, from detective to real estate agent, and even ran his own bar. This experience outside the cage has shaped his pragmatic outlook on life and career.

    Bogdan Grad is focused on climbing the featherweight ladder, not just in the rankings, but also in building a secure future. For now, Grad’s UFC money remains in the bank, his weekends are split between refereeing and training, and his sponsors keep him moving forward. It’s a routine that might not make headlines, but it’s one that keeps him grounded.

  • UFC Champion on Jon Jones: “Maybe It’s Time to Say Goodbye and Retire – Tom Aspinall Deserves This Fight”

    UFC Champion on Jon Jones: “Maybe It’s Time to Say Goodbye and Retire – Tom Aspinall Deserves This Fight”

    One of the more active UFC champions in the present-day seems to have think it’s time for the inactivity of Jon Jones to be addressed in some way. During a recent interview with Stake, Alexandre Pantoja covered several subjects including one of the more ubiquitous topics in the world of mixed martial arts today which centers on the Jon Jones-Tom Aspinall situation.

    When asked how long it should be for a UFC champion between title defenses before talks of stripping them emerge in the context of the controversy within the heavyweight division presently, Pantoja said,

    “I think maybe six months. Six months to have something scheduled. Let’s put 10 months from fight to fight, and why not? Jon Jones is a very special fighter, everybody loves him, but what is happening now is sad.  Maybe it’s time to say bye. Tom Aspinall deserves this fight, we deserve to see this fight. It’s not right that Aspinall is standing by.”

    “Nobody is going to judge Jon Jones, he doesn’t need to fight Aspinall, but if he doesn’t want to fight and he wants to retire, then I think he has to say bye. I hope Aspinall is still training and in the gym and he doesn’t waste his time. Jon is enjoying his life, and he deserves it.”

    Joe Rogan Retracts Claim Of Jon Jones' Pay Demand For Tom Aspinall Fight
    Image: UFC.com

    Jon Jones and Alexandre Pantoja’s championship journeys: compared and contrasted

    Jon Jones and Alexandre Pantoja both won their respective straps in the same calendar year but the stories of their respective reigns have unfurled quite differently. Jones actually won his belt a bit sooner when he claimed the vacant heavyweight crown over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023 while Pantoja won the flyweight belt at UFC 290 against Brandon Moreno in July of that year.

    While it’s fair to mention the pectoral injury that took Jones out of the game for a period circa late 2023-early 2024, ‘Bones’ has only been able to notch a single defense of his crown which came against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November. Conversely, Pantoja is poised to potentially make his fourth title defense against Kai Kara-France at month’s end in their UFC 317 championship clash on June 28th.

    The prior flyweight championship defenses for the Brazilian mixed martial artist saw Alexandre Pantoja notch successful defenses over Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, and Kai Asakura.

  • UFC 319 Adds Key Undercard Bouts Ahead Of Promotion’s Chicago Return

    UFC 319 Adds Key Undercard Bouts Ahead Of Promotion’s Chicago Return

    UFC 319 just leveled up as fresh matchups join an already stacked lineup.

    The world’s premier MMA organization is gearing up for its return to the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Aug. 16. Marking the ninth pay-per-view event of 2025, the card will be headlined by reigning UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, who defends his title against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in a highly anticipated clash.

    Image: @ufc/X

    The UFC has already confirmed a thrilling co-main event featuring former 185-pound title challenger Jared Cannonier squaring off against striking specialist Michael “Venom” Page. Further building anticipation, the promotion recently announced a fresh slate of undercard matchups.

    King Green, Edson Barboza Among Notable Names Set To Compete At UFC 319

    King Green will aim to return to the win column at UFC 319 when he takes on fellow lightweight veteran Diego Ferreira. Green has endured an up-and-down stretch recently, going 3-3 over his past six appearances inside the Octagon. Ferreira, too, is looking to rebound, entering the bout off a loss and holding a 2-4 record in his last six fights.

    The card will also feature the return of Edson Barboza to the lightweight division after an extended stint at featherweight. “Junior” has endured a grueling run in recent years, posting a 5-8 record over his last 13 bouts. He now meets Drakkar Klose, who is looking to bounce back after a setback in his most recent outing halted what had been a promising four-fight win streak.

    The UFC 319 lineup will also feature an exciting welterweight clash between rising contenders Bryan Battle and Nursulton Ruziboev. “The Butcher” enters the bout riding a five-fight unbeaten streak, having most recently earned a unanimous decision win over Randy Brown in December. Meanwhile, Ruziboev carries solid momentum of his own, coming off consecutive victories as he looks to continue climbing the ranks.

    Additionally, the August card is set to showcase a women’s flyweight showdown between Karine Silva and JJ Aldrich. Also on tap is a strawweight bout, as former champion Jessica Andrade squares off against rising contender Loopy Godinez.

    Check out the officially confirmed lineup for UFC 319 so far:

    • Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev; middleweight title
    • Jared Cannonier vs. Michael “Venom” Page; middleweight
    • Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura; flyweight
    • King Green vs. Diego Ferreira; lightweight
    • Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose; lightweight
    • Bryan Battle vs. Nursulton Ruziboev; welterweight
    • Chase Hooper vs. Alexander Hernandez; lightweight
    • Gerald Meerschaert vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk; middleweight
    • Karine Silva vs. JJ Aldrich; women’s flyweight
    • Jessica Andrade vs. Loopy Godinez; strawweight
    UFC Octagon
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC
  • Francis Ngannou’s Trainer: ‘Absolutely’ Open to UFC Partnership for Jon Jones Superfight

    Francis Ngannou’s Trainer: ‘Absolutely’ Open to UFC Partnership for Jon Jones Superfight

    Francis Ngannou‘s trainer Dewey Cooper has said that ‘The Predator’ would absolutely be open to the idea of a superfight against Jon Jones.

    For the longest time now, Francis Ngannou has been seen as one of the best heavyweights in mixed martial arts – and the same is true for Jon Jones. At one point, it seemed inevitable that the two would collide in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Unfortunately for everyone involved, that never quite came to fruition. Instead, Jones defeated Ciryl Gane and Stipe Miocic, whereas Francis made his way over to PFL.

    Now, they find themselves in two different promotions, with Francis Ngannou making it known that he would be happy to cross-promote with PFL and UFC in order to get this fight over the finish line. Jones, meanwhile, has also hinted at the same thing during a recent series of tweets.

    During a recent interview with Slingo Online Slots, the aforementioned Dewey Cooper had his say on the proposed showdown.

    Dewey Cooper’s view on Francis Ngannou vs Jon Jones

    “Francis Ngannou versus Jon Jones, that’s the MMA fight that the world wants to see. That’s the Mayweather versus Pacquiao fight that the world wants to see in mixed martial arts. “I truly feel if you asked me if he’s willing to go to the table with a co-promotion, absolutely he would, because he wants that fight with Jon Jones as bad as anyone wants it. 

    “I’m sure he’s willing to negotiate some kind of partnership to do it. And if the business truly made sense, I think even if Dana would too – if it really made good business. “I don’t think Dana would be pig-headed to say no, but it has to be done a certain way, or there’s no way it could happen.”

  • Islam Makhachev’s Trainer Believes He’s Ready to Prove He Can Outstrike Jack Della Maddalena On the Feet: ‘We’ve Beaten Them All’

    Islam Makhachev’s Trainer Believes He’s Ready to Prove He Can Outstrike Jack Della Maddalena On the Feet: ‘We’ve Beaten Them All’

    Islam Makhachev‘s coach Javier Mendez believes that there’s a chance his student could beat Jack Della Maddalena on the feet as well as on the ground.

    Over the course of the last few years, Islam Makhachev has ruled with an iron fist at the top of the UFC’s lightweight division. Now, however, he’ll be making the shift up to welterweight, in order to try and win a belt at 170 pounds to go alongside his accomplishments at 155. Of course, it’s going to be easier said than done, especially because he’ll have to defeat reigning welterweight king Jack Della Maddalena – which is no small task.

    The expectation is that Islam Makhachev will challenge for the title later this year. When he does, many will back him to win, but we also know that JDM was the underdog against Belal Muhammad, and look how that turned out.

    In a recent interview with Genting Casino – who offer the best Live Casinos, Javier Mendez spoke about the strengths of Islam Makhachev ahead of this fight.

    Javier Mendez discusses Islam Makhachev vs JDM

    “I used to let Islam spar with guys at that weight all the time, top guys at 170 lbs, and he beat them all. He’s not going to have a problem at 170 lbs.

    “185 lbs may be a little bit of a stretch because they’re a lot bigger. But 170 lbs have never been a problem with him. I think Islam will definitely edge Jack out on the ground, but we may very well edge him out on the stand up also, so let’s see what happens.”

    “Jack’s such a tough customer that we can’t analyze and think that we’re better in one particular area. We’re gonna have to prove we’re better – and practice extremely hard –  in all of these areas.”

  • Jamahal Hill Declares Himself “The Magician” Ahead of UFC Baku: Khalil Rountree Jr. Has Only a Puncher’s Chance

    Jamahal Hill Declares Himself “The Magician” Ahead of UFC Baku: Khalil Rountree Jr. Has Only a Puncher’s Chance

    UFC star Jamahal Hill has said that he needs to come out and make a statement when he battles Khalil Rountree Jr in the main event of UFC Baku this weekend.

    As we know, UFC Baku will be headlined by Jamahal Hill vs Khalil Rountree Jr. These are two of the most exciting strikers in the light heavyweight division, and while both are working to get back in the win column, there’s no denying that this one has the potential to produce absolute fireworks on the night.

    Jamahal Hill has fallen on hard times in the Ultimate Fighting Championship as of late, between his defeats inside the cage and his injuries. With that being said, he’s a former champion, and we all know that he can knock anyone out if the opportunity presents itself.

    In a recent interview, Jamahal Hill made it clear that he knows he needs to produce a big performance in order to get the attention of the UFC matchmakers.

    Jamahal Hill is ready to make a statement against Khalil Rountree Jr

    ”I believe 100 % I need to come out and make a statement against Khalil Rountree [Jr.]. I need to show that I’m still that high level and dominant fighter that I’ve been. The guy’s a brutal fighter. He don’t come out to just beat you. He comes out to truly do damage. He wants to be feared. But I have the ability to win a fight in multiple ways, and he has really just one way to win. He has a puncher’s chance, and I believe I’m the magician here. I got all the tricks.”