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Category: MMA

  • Petr Yan Returns At UFC Abu Dhabi On July 26 To Face Budding Bantamweight Contender

    Petr Yan Returns At UFC Abu Dhabi On July 26 To Face Budding Bantamweight Contender

    Petr Yan is reportedly staying active in his quest to reclaim the UFC bantamweight crown.

    According to a recent report from Cageside Press, Yan is set to return to the Octagon on July 26 at UFC Abu Dhabi, where he’ll face rising bantamweight contender Marcus McGhee at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, United Arab Emirates.

    “No Mercy” last stepped into the Octagon at UFC Macau in November, where he secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, marking his second straight win following a strong performance against Song Yadong at UFC 299.

    The back-to-back triumphs marked a crucial turnaround for the former 135-pound champion, who had previously endured a three-fight skid, including a split decision loss in his title rematch with Aljamain Sterling at UFC 273 in April 2022. Yan boasts a 10-4 record inside the Octagon, with four of those victories earned by knockout.

    Meanwhile, McGhee is riding a wave of momentum after a commanding unanimous decision victory over Jonathan Martinez at UFC 309 last November. Since making his promotional debut in April 2023, “The Maniac” has been unstoppable, boasting an impressive four-fight winning streak, with three of those wins coming by finishes.

    Images: @petr_yan/@maniac_mcgheemma/Instagram

    What Does the UFC Abu Dhabi Lineup Currently Look Like?

    UFC Abu Dhabi will be headlined by a pivotal middleweight showdown as former champion Robert Whittaker is set to square off against fast-rising contender Reinier de Ridder.

    Here are the officially confirmed matchups for the upcoming Fight Night event:

    • Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder; middleweight
    • Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault; middleweight
    • Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee; bantamweight
    • Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov; light heavyweight
    • Asu Almabayev vs. Ramazan Temirov; flyweight
    • Ibo Aslan vs. Billy Elekana; light heavyweight
  • Ian Garry: ‘Khamzat Chimaev has never faced anyone like me – I can beat anyone in this sport’

    Ian Garry: ‘Khamzat Chimaev has never faced anyone like me – I can beat anyone in this sport’

    Ian Garry wants a shot at Khamzat Chimaev. If you’re looking for someone in the UFC who isn’t afraid to stir the pot, Ian Garry is your man. The Irish welterweight has never been one to hide his ambitions, or his opinions, and now he’s set his sights on a challenge that has the MMA world buzzing: a future clash with Khamzat Chimaev.

    Ian Garry wants Khamzat Chimaev

    “I’m not afraid of anyone, and I believe I can beat everyone in this sport. If there’s a way to do it, I can find it,” Garry said in an interview with Covers.com, adding a nod to Khamzat Chimaev’s reputation but insisting, “I think Khamzat is phenomenal at what he does.. I just believe he’s not fought anyone who can do to him what I could. I love a challenge, and that would absolutely be a challenge. And with what he’s done in his career, and how he’s done it. That would get me excited.”

    Khamzat Chimaev
    (Khamzat Chimaev on Instagram)

    Ian Machado Garry, always up for a challenge, says a fight with Chimaev would get him excited, and he’s not one to back down from a test. For those catching up, Ian Garry is one of the UFC’s promising welterweights. Ian Machado Garry’s most recent appearance came on April 26, 2025, when he earned a unanimous decision win over Carlos Prates in the main event at UFC Fight Night in Kansas City.

    The victory was a bounce-back after suffering his first career loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov in December 2024. Garry, now 16-1, remains firmly in the welterweight title mix and is reportedly in the conversation for a shot at new champion Jack Della Maddalena, though the next bout has yet to be officially announced.

    Ian Garry Targets Quick Finish Against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310
    Image: @iangarry/Instagram

    Khamzat Chimaev, meanwhile, is making waves in a different division. The stakes couldn’t be higher; a win would put Chimaev at the top of the middleweight mountain and cement his status as one of the sport’s elite. Khamzat Chimaev, meanwhile, last fought in October 2024, where he submitted former champion Robert Whittaker in the first round at UFC 308.

    That win cemented his status as a top contender in the middleweight division. Chimaev is now scheduled for his first UFC title shot, taking on reigning middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025. The stakes are high, with Chimaev looking to capture gold and extend his undefeated record in what is expected to be one of the year’s most anticipated title fights

    While Garry is climbing the welterweight ladder, Chimaev is knocking on the door of middleweight gold. Should their paths cross, expect plenty of fireworks.

    Khamzat Chimaev
    Image: @KChimaev on X
  • UFC Legend Slams Jon Jones: ‘Champ Shouldn’t Dictate Terms – He Must Be Held Accountable’ says Former Titleholder

    UFC Legend Slams Jon Jones: ‘Champ Shouldn’t Dictate Terms – He Must Be Held Accountable’ says Former Titleholder

    UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock has never been shy about speaking his mind, and this week he’s set his sights on another legend: Jon Jones. If there’s one thing fight fans know about Ken Shamrock, it’s that he’s never been one to pull his punches – inside or outside the cage. Now, the UFC Hall of Famer is landing verbal jabs at Jon Jones, calling out the heavyweight champ for playing matchmaker with his own career. In classic Shamrock style, he’s not asking politely, he’s demanding accountability, and he’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers along the way.

    Ken Shamrock talks Jon Jones

    In a recent interview wih PokerScout, Shamrock didn’t mince words, saying, “It just feels like you should not ever let a world champion be able to dictate terms.” According to Shamrock, even the biggest stars in the sport shouldn’t get to pick and choose their opponents, no matter how many belts are hanging in their closet.

    Ken Shamrock

    For those who need a refresher, Ken Shamrock is one of the original faces of mixed martial arts. He was a pioneer in the early days of the UFC, known for his grappling and willingness to fight anyone, anywhere, anytime. Shamrock’s battles with Royce Gracie and Tito Ortiz are the stuff of MMA legend, and he helped lay the groundwork for the sport’s global explosion.

    Shamrock’s comments come at a time when Jon Jones, widely considered one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, is under fire for his handling of the heavyweight title picture. Jones, who made a triumphant move up to heavyweight, has left the division in limbo refusing to fight. Meanwhile, interim champ Tom Aspinall has been tearing through opponents, making a strong case for a shot at the undisputed title.

    But with Jon Jones reportedly uninterested in facing Aspinall, the UFC’s matchmaking has become a hot topic. Ken Shamrock says that it’s up to the organization to keep things fair. “It is up to the organization to hold everybody accountable,” he insists. The UFC Hall of Fame athlete points out that while champions have earned some perks, those perks shouldn’t come at the expense of hungry contenders like Aspinall, who deserve their shot at glory.

    Jon Jones
    Image: Jon Jones on Instagram

    So, as the heavyweight division waits for clarity, Shamrock’s message is clear: being champion is about more than just holding a belt. It’s about facing the best, even if they’re the new kids on the block. And if the UFC wants to keep things interesting, maybe it’s time to remind everyone – yes, even Jon Jones – that nobody is above the game.

  • ‘Embrace The Grind’ – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 1 Recap

    ‘Embrace The Grind’ – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 1 Recap

    Welcome, everyone, to the first edition of a weekly series here on MMANews called 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.

    This season’s coaches have both coached previous TUF seasons but will not be two current active fighters who will go on to face each other at the end of the season. Instead, we get two names who MMA fans are more than familiar with — two guys who butt heads every week on their own ESPN TV program — Good Guy, Bad Guy. Those two names, of course, are Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen.

    This season of TUF will focus on flyweights and welterweights, and it will feature 16 fighters from 10 different nations.

    This season’s participants include:

    • Flyweights:
    • Arshiyan Memon: A 7-0 fighter from India — the first Indian participant in TUF history.
    • Eduardo Henrique: A 13-2 fighter from Brazil who has fought for promotions including LFA and Jungle Fight — and is the former LFA flyweight champion.
    • Furkatbek Yokubov: A 14-4 fighter from Uzbekistan who is a kickboxing and wrestling specialist. He has competed in UAE Warriors, the LFA, and Belarusian Fighting Championship. He is a former BFC flyweight champion.
    • Idiris Alibi: A 10-0 fighter from Kazakhstan who, up until now, has fought exclusively in Naiza FC — and is their former flyweight champion.
    • Imanol Rodriguez: A 5-0 fighter from Mexico, who has competed for Combate Global, Budo Sento Championship, and Fury FC. All five of his wins have come via a finish, and not one of his fights has reached the third round.
    • Joseph Morales: A 12-2 fighter from the United States who has fought three times for the UFC between 2017 and 2018, defeating Roberto Sanchez but losing to Devieson Figueiredo and Eric Shelton. He’s 3-0 since his UFC release, including capturing the flyweight title in Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat promotion.
    • Roybert Echeverria: A 10-2 fighter from Venezuela who has fought for Titan FC, Xtreme Fighting Nation, and Anthony Pettis FC, having captured flyweight gold in APFC back in November. He fought on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, losing to Jafel Filho.
    • Tumelo Manyamala: A 6-1 fighter from South Africa who has scored finishes in all of his victories so far. All of his wins have come in the EFC Africa promotion, with his sole loss being a split decision in his lone bout for UAE Warriors.
    • Welterweights:
    • Alex Sanchez: A 15-3 fighter from Mexico who has fought for promotions including Lux Fight League, UWC, Combate Global, and Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat. He is a former tournament champion in Combate and a former lightweight champion in A1 Combat.
    • Andreeas Binder: A 10-2 fighter from Ireland known for his expertise in judo. Binder was recently the welterweight champion of Levels Fight League and has also fought for Cage Conflict and Clan Wars. He had been scheduled for a pair of bouts with the PFL in 2023 and 2024, but both fights fell out.
    • Daniil Donchenko: An 11-2 fighter from Ukraine who has primarily fought for Naiza FC, where he was recently a lightweight champion.
    • Diego Bianchini: A 9-1 fighter who is a product of the Fighting Nerds. Known as “The Brazilian Bad Boy,” six of his wins have come via submission, including a sub-two-minute submission of Bakhromjon Mashrapov at LFA 178 last year.
    • Jeff Creighton: “Jazzy” Jeff is an 11-2-1 fighter from the United States. Creighton is a noteworthy U.S. welterweight prospect who has fought for a number of noteworthy regional promotions, including Bellator, Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat, Fury FC, King of the Cage, and Cage Warriors. He has won welterweight gold in A1 Combat and in Melee Combat Championship.
    • Matt Dixon: An 11-1 fighter from the United States who has primarily fought in the Xtreme Fight Night promotion, having been a former welterweight champion there. Dixon fought on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020, where he lost to Orion Cosce.
    • Richard Martins: A 9-1 fighter from Brazil who hasn’t lost since dropping his second professional fight. All but one of his wins have come via a finish (including seven wins via KO/TKO), and his last four fights have all come in the LFA.
    • Rodrigo Sezinando: An 8-1 fighter from Brazil who has scored finishes in all but one of his victories. He is a former Battlefield Fight League super lightweight champion and the former Samourai MMA welterweight champion.

    Now, let’s dive into this week’s season premiere episode!

    Recap of The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 – Episode 1

    In typical Dana White fashion, he promises the best season ever.

    After the TV/streaming audiences are given introductions to the two UFC Hall of Fame coaches, White notes that there will be previous TUF contestants who will be giving insights into this season’s contestants. This week’s guest is season one winner and former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin.

    White tells the contestants to not be scared and to keep their heads on straight with the opportunity ahead of them.

    We now go into evaluations, with Sonnen working with fighters in the boxing ring and Cormier working with fighters on the wrestling mats.

    Sonnen and Cormier both note how they are looking for fighters’ attitudes and motivations, in addition to their speed, technique, power, and athleticism.

    Cormier emphasizes that he’s looking for good wrestling — with him even being brutally honest in saying he was disappointed by the flyweights’ lack of urgency in their wrestling. Eduardo Henrique, however, impresses Cormier with his striking in the boxing ring.

    Team Selection

    Griffin leads the Team Selection process. Cormier wins the coin toss and decides he wants to pick the first fighters. Flyweights will be picked first, followed by welterweights, then back to flyweights, and so on.

    The teams end up as follows:

    • Cormier Flyweights:
    • Eduardo Henrique
    • Idiris Alibi
    • Imanol Rodriguez
    • Tumelo Manyamala
    • Cormier Welterweights:
    • Rodrigo Sezinando
    • Daniil Donchenko
    • Jeff Creighton
    • Alex Sanchez
    • Sonnen Flyweights:
    • Joseph Morales
    • Furkatbek Yokubov
    • Roybert Echeverria
    • Arshiyan Memon
    • Sonnen Welterweights:
    • Diego Bianchini
    • Matt Dixon
    • Richard Martins
    • Andreeas Binder

    Joseph Morales was surprised by Henrique getting picked No. 1 overall over him, feeling that he is not only the better striker, but the better all-around product. Sonnen appeared to agree.

    In a humorous moment, as Cormier is trying to give a motivational speech to Sanchez and Binder, the final picks, noting that Brandon Moreno was a final pick on TUF and ended up a world champion, Sonnen “dozed off” to try and get Cormier to move things along.

    Griffin tells the fighters they are now part of the 20-year legacy of TUF and that they need to make their moments count.

    TUF House

    Of course, no TUF season is complete without the fighters running into the TUF House — their home for the duration of the competition.

    Memon, who is seen immediately washing his foot in a bathroom sink, discussed his pride in being the first TUF contestant from India. Binder, meanwhile, notes the cultural diversity that is present in the house.

    Sezinado proposes a friendly barbeque before the fighters all “smash each other.” Dixon and Morales note how Sezinado is perhaps the most energetic and “crazy” of all the TUF contestants so far. Bianchini, meanwhile, notes how he’s not here to make friends, especially in his weight class — just to whoop the competition.

    Team Cormier Training Session

    Cormier discusses with his team the importance of hard work and “embracing the grind” (ETG, as Cormier puts it), even when things get tough.

    “Make it the best part of your day,” Cormier said.

    Michael Chiesa, who is a part of Cormier’s coaching staff, remembers the opportunities TUF provided him and how it feels full circle to be back as a coach.

    Team Sonnen Training Session

    Sonnen notes that most TUF coaches miss the fact that coaches are vulnerable to overplanning (or underplanning) and overtraining and hurting their fighters in such a short time.

    “A coach is not going to be able to help an athlete very much, in the short period of time that we’re here,” Sonnen said. “But he can damn sure hurt him.”

    Sonnen also took pride in that his team has no weak links — noting that the competition is so fierce this year that it’s more than likely a No. 1 pick could fall.

    Fight Announcement

    Team Sonnen picks the first fight: flyweights Joseph Morales will battle Eduardo Henrique in a battle of No. 1 flyweight picks! Sonnen notes that Morales told Sonnen this is what he wanted, with Morales attributing the decision to his hard-headedness. Henrique appeared to not be surprised to be a target, given his status as a recent LFA flyweight champion.

    Henrique Fight Prep

    Cormier notes that Henrique isn’t much of a wrestler, but he’s a great striker. The focus of their training camp is going to be working on his wrestling.

    DC states that the key to victory will be for Henrique to keep distance and force Morales to exchange strikes with him.

    We then get a video package of Henrique’s highlights in the LFA.

    We get a bit of a look into Henrique’s life, too, noting how his mom went down a wrong path and trafficked drugs while working in a bar when Henrique was a baby. As a result, Henrique was raised by his grandparents.

    Morales Fight Prep

    Morales showed photos of his wife and two sons, who he misses while in the TUF House. Morales noted that if it wasn’t for the support of his wife, he probably wouldn’t be chasing the MMA dreams he has.

    Morales also noted his previous tenure with the UFC, noting he felt invulnerable until running into Deiveson Figueiredo and getting finished by him.

    “I’ve felt like I’ve improved a lot. I’m ready to get back into the UFC and fight the best guys,” Morales said.

    Morales told Sonnen he wanted to get into Henrique’s face and pressure him, trying to get Henrique to over-commit before taking him down. Sonnen emphasized Morales cannot settle for being on the bottom in grappling exchanges.

    Morales also noted it’s been about two years since his last fight and he feels an extra sense of motivation. Morales noted how Henrique’s weakness is his ground game, and he looks to catch and submit him or open him up with elbows.

    Colby Covington is seen working with Morales on his wrestling work, with Sonnen noting how fighters look to him when trying to improve the aspects of their game — especially with wrestling.

    The Fight: Eduardo Henrique vs. Joseph Morales

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

    Henrique weighs in at 125.5, but Morales weighs in at 126.5 — a half-pound overweight. Morales weighs in successfully at 126 with the box.

    Of particular note, Sezinado and Bianchini trade barbs during the weigh-ins, with Sezinado even flipping the Team Sonnen member off.

    Sonnen added that he didn’t appreciate Team Cormier chanting “You’re going to die” toward Morales in Brazilian, with Henrique also bringing a prop with him to the weigh-in and face-off. The two got into each other’s faces and had to be separated by the commission and Sonnen.

    Finally, it’s fight day and we’re ready to see the two throw down!

    Eduardo Henrique vs. Joseph Morales

    Round 1

    The two exchange right away. Morales appears to be trying to pressure as promised. Left hand from Morales. Henrique flashes a knee and a jab. Low kick from Henrique. Right hand from Morales. Henrique misses a jumping knee. Jab to the body by Henrique. One-two by Henrique. Combination from Henrique. Jab to the body by Morales. Both men land. Body shot and a kick from Henrique. Low kick from Henrique. Left hand catches Henrique. Henrique answers.

    Morales shoots in and scores a takedown. Morales gets to Henrique’s back quickly. Morales’s coaches tell him to hand fight. More calls for hand fighting from both corners now. Morales wraps an arm around Henrique’s neck, and he scores THE TAPOUT!

    2:25 into the first round, and the No. 1 overall pick of this TUF season goes down via submission! Joseph Morales is one step closer to coming back to the UFC!

    White attributed the victory to Morales’ previous UFC experience and called it “an impressive finish.”

    Winner: Joseph Morales (Team Sonnen) via first-round submission (rear-naked choke, 2:25)

    Conclusion

    Morales is emotional backstage following the win, noting how good it felt to shut Team Cormier up.

    “I feel that I proved I’m one of the top flyweights here,” Morales said. “The pressure is on me to win the show, but I thrive under the pressure.”

    Henrique noted he made mistakes in the fight, but “every champion makes mistakes.” His coach tells him to take the loss on the chin and learn from it — and to bounce back.

    For next week’s fight, the first at welterweight (which is also picked by Sonnen due to the coin toss and Cormier’s choice of picking the first fighters) Team Cormier’s Daniil Donchenko will take on Team Sonnen’s Richard Martins.

    Will Team Sonnen draw first blood in both weight classes to start the season? Or will Team Cormier bounce back in the first 170-pound matchup of the season?

    Find out next week!

    We get a brief montage previewing some of the drama and action that awaits in the rest of the season, as well as some future TUF guests.

    Thanks for joining me in the inaugural edition of The TUF Stuff!

  • “Micromanagy and Stubborn”: Cory Sandhagen Opens Up on Mistakes Before Umar Nurmagomedov Bout

    “Micromanagy and Stubborn”: Cory Sandhagen Opens Up on Mistakes Before Umar Nurmagomedov Bout

    In his most recent bout earlier this month, Cory Sandhagen put on a masterclass performance, pulling off a second-round stoppage of Deiveson Figueriedo in the main event of UFC Des Moines. It was a showing that left many people wondering how sooner it’ll be before we see Sandhagen challenging for the UFC bantamweight championship.

    Funny enough, it was a complete turnaround from when we saw Sandhagen in a title eliminator bout. Prior to facing Figueriedo, Sandhagen’s most recent bout had been a fight with Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi last August — with a shot at the 135-pound gold on the line.

    Against the former flyweight champion, Sandhagen got the better of Figueiredo on the feet and outperformed him in the grappling exchanges. None of that could be said in his fight with Nurmagomedov, with the Dagestani fighter completely wiping the floor with Sandhagen in a one-sided, dominating performance.

    In his recent appearance on the Overdogs Podcast with Mike Perry, Sandhagen said the scorecards told a different story than what the fight came down to. He, in particular, pointed out a mistake of choosing moments an all-around, 25-minute battle.

    “I definitely didn’t perform my best, but I made little tiny errors that would have made the fight winnable for me,” Sandhagen said. “I just got really hyper-focused on having big moments, and that’s just not what I do. I overthought that one a lot too because Umar had a unique style, and I’m the type of idiot to overthink stuff and overdo stuff. I’ll just make corrections and be ready for him next time.”

    Cory Sandhagen Says He Let His Coaches Coach In Lead Up To Fight vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

    Sandhagen added that part of the issue also stemmed from taking control of the training camp he had in the weeks leading up to fighting Nurmagomedov. Looking back, Sandhagen felt he overstepped boundaries and got in the way of his coaches trying to help him perfect his craft.

    Sandhagen said he made sure he took a step back this time around.

    “One major change I made from the last camp to this one was I let my coaches do their job,” Sandhagen said. “Before, I was really micromanagy. This camp, I was just like, ‘Hey guys, last camp I put way too much on my plate and that was my bad. This time, I’m going to just listen and be a good student.’ That took so much stress and junk off my mind. These guys are better than I am at a lot of things – they know more stuff. It’s my own stubbornness that sometimes gets in the way.”

    Sandhagen has now won four of his last five and awaits the winner of the Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2 title fight that headlines UFC 316 for a potential title shot.

  • Leon Edwards vs. Michael Morales Targeted for UFC 320 Showdown in Guadalajara

    Leon Edwards vs. Michael Morales Targeted for UFC 320 Showdown in Guadalajara

    UFC is working to finalize a welterweight bout between former champion Leon Edwards and undefeated contender Michael Morales for UFC 320, scheduled for September 13, 2025, in Guadalajara, Mexico. Both fighters have been approached for the matchup, which would take place at Arena Guadalajara as part of the UFC’s annual “Noche UFC” event.

    Leon Edwards vs. Michael Morales

    Leon Edwards, 33, enters this potential fight after a difficult stretch in his career. ‘Rocky’ Edwards, who began his UFC tenure in 2014, rose through the ranks with a series of notable wins, including a knockout victory over Kamaru Usman to claim the UFC welterweight title in August 2022. He successfully defended the belt twice, defeating Usman in a trilogy and Colby Covington, before losing the title to Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision in July 2024.

    Edwards then suffered his first finish loss in the UFC, submitting to Sean Brady in March 2025. Prior to these setbacks, Leon Edwards was on a 13-fight unbeaten streak and was regarded as one of the division’s most consistent performers. He remains ranked among the top welterweights and is aiming to work his way back to title contention.

    Michael Morales, 25, represents a new generation in the division. The Ecuadorian fighter is undefeated in his professional career, holding an 18-0 record with 13 wins by knockout. Morales made his UFC debut in January 2022 and has since accumulated wins over opponents such as Trevin Giles, Adam Fugitt, Max Griffin, Jake Matthews, Neil Magny, and most recently, former title challenger Gilbert Burns.

    His victory over Burns, a first-round technical knockout in May 2025, further established Morales as a rising contender and earned him a second Performance of the Night bonus. Morales has a background in judo and wrestling, and has demonstrated finishing ability and composure against increasingly high-level competition. He is currently ranked in the top 10 of the welterweight division.

    Michael Morales Breaks His Silence After Statement Win Over Gilbert Burns.
    Image: @ufc/Instagram

    UFC 320

    The stakes for this fight are significant. For Leon Edwards, a win would halt his losing streak and reestablish him as a top contender in a division that has seen rapid turnover at the top. For Morales, a victory over a former champion would solidify his status as a legitimate title challenger and potentially set up a future shot at the belt. UFC 320 in Guadalajara is expected to be a major event, with both fighters looking to make a statement in front of an energized Mexican crowd.

    Leon Edwards
    Image: UFC.com
  • Pressure Mounts As Over 80,000 Fans Demand UFC Strip Jon Jones Of Heavyweight Title, “Bones” Remains Unfazed

    Pressure Mounts As Over 80,000 Fans Demand UFC Strip Jon Jones Of Heavyweight Title, “Bones” Remains Unfazed

    Jon Jones appears entirely indifferent by the growing calls from the MMA community for him to be stripped of his UFC heavyweight title.

    Jones clinched the UFC heavyweight title with a first-round submission win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. However, more than two years have passed since that moment, and he has defended his title only once during that span.

    “Bones” has spent the bulk of his heavyweight reign on the sidelines after suffering a serious torn pectoral injury ahead of his first title defense against former champ Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 in November 2023. Following his injury-induced exit, Tom Aspinall captured the interim heavyweight title and emerged as the division’s new force.

    However, rather than facing Aspinall in a highly anticipated title unification clash, Jon Jones chose a different path upon his return to the Octagon — opting instead to defend his heavyweight belt against Miocic at UFC 309 this past November.

    Although the British standout has relentlessly campaigned for a potential showdown with Jones, “Bones” has expressed minimal interest in the matchup. He has repeatedly suggested that only a massive payday could entice him into the Octagon with Aspinall — otherwise, he seems more inclined to retire. Jones’ stance has remained largely noncommittal, casting serious doubt over whether the fight will ever materialize.

    Jon Jones Responds To Fan-Led Petition To Strip His UFC Heavyweight Belt

    Frustrated by Jon Jones’ seemingly nonchalant attitude toward a potential heavyweight title unification bout with Tom Aspinall, fans launched a petition on Change.org two weeks ago, urging UFC CEO Dana White to take action and strip “Bones” of his title over his ongoing unwillingness to face the interim champion.

    The petition has surprisingly gained momentum, amassing over 82,000 verified signatures at the time of writing.

    The surge of fan backlash has not gone unnoticed by Jones, who addressed the petition on social media by taking a pointed jab at his naysayers.

    “The equivalent to pico grams,” Jon Jones wrote on Instagram.

    Jones’ jab carried a not-so-subtle reference to one of the most controversial moments of his UFC career. The joke traced back to UFC 232 in December 2018, when “Bones” made his return from a 15-month suspension after testing positive for an anabolic steroid, stepping in to rematch Alexander Gustafsson.

    However, just a week before the fight, Jones once again tested positive, this time for trace amounts measured in picograms of the same steroid that had previously led to his suspension. Years later, USADA revised its regulations, clarifying that levels below 100 picograms no longer constitute a violation.

    Image: @jonnybones/Instagram

  • “Showed the Same Leg Twice to Get Cleared, Commission Never Knew” Merab Dvalishvili’s Coach on Fighting Hurt

    “Showed the Same Leg Twice to Get Cleared, Commission Never Knew” Merab Dvalishvili’s Coach on Fighting Hurt

    If there’s a handbook for how to survive as a UFC champion, Merab Dvalishvili probably hasn’t read it – or if he has, he’s using it as a doorstop while he limps into another training session. Known for his tireless motor and a stubborn disregard for medical advice, Dvalishvili has turned fighting hurt into something of an art form. With his coach John Wood ready to call it like he sees it and the champ himself unfazed by the latest collection of bruises, breaks, and commission-dodging pant tricks, Dvalishvili heads into UFC 316 looking to prove, once again, that you can’t keep a good Machine down, even if you have to check both legs to be sure.

    Merab Dvalishvili’s coach, John Wood, isn’t one for sugarcoating. When asked about his fighter’s latest training camp, Wood didn’t mince words speaking in an interview with Submission Radio: “The last camp was god-awful. It was terrible as far as injury goes, terrible. I’d be lying if I didn’t think about trying to pull him out.” The reigning UFC champion, known for his relentless style and iron will, apparently spent much of his camp hobbling around on a leg that, by Wood’s account, should have kept him out of the cage altogether.

    Merab Dvalishvili Is Always Injured

    But Dvalishvili is nothing if not resourceful. When it came time for the athletic commission’s inspection, he simply “pulled the old pant trick—the one-legged show, showed them the same leg twice, and they bought it.” Wood admits, “If the guy wasn’t dumb and you guys weren’t able to pull this off, maybe there wouldn’t have been a fight.” It’s the kind of move that would make a magician proud, and it kept Merab Dvalishvili’s title defense on track.

    This isn’t a one-off for the champ. Dvalishvili has made a habit of fighting through injuries, rarely letting the world in on just how banged up he is. “He loves to rattle everybody up,” Wood says. “As much as people think, ‘Oh, that’s stupid,’ or, ‘this or that,’ he would never post something that was going to take him out of a fight. If he’s posting something, it’s really not that bad.” In reference to his recent post showing a broken toe. The coach insists that every fighter heads into battle with a few dents and dings, but Merab Dvalishvili seems to take it to another level, brushing off broken toes and battered limbs as just part of the job.

    Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley
    Image: Jeff Bottari/UFC/Zuffa LLC

    UFC 316

    With a title reign built on grit and a reputation for being unbreakable, Dvalishvili is now gearing up for another big test at UFC 316. Despite the injuries, the weight cuts, and the occasional need for a little sleight of hand, Wood says there’s no keeping his fighter out of the Octagon. “You’ll really have to kill him to keep him out of the cage. It would have to be something that’s physically not working. His leg could have been hanging on by the tendons, it wouldn’t have mattered. He’s ready to go.”

    Merab Dvalishvili
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

    The bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is set to headline UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey, on June 7, defending his bantamweight title in a high-stakes rematch against Sean O’Malley. The last time these two met, Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling and pressure left O’Malley on the wrong end of a unanimous decision, derailing the “Sugar” show and crowning Dvalishvili as champion. Now, O’Malley is back, surgically repaired and promising a sharper performance, while Dvalishvili rolls into fight week with a fractured toe and a grin, joking on social media that he might just “cut it off” rather than let it slow him down.

    As UFC 316 approaches, fans can expect to see the same Merab Dvalishvili: battered, yes, but never beaten.

    Sean O'Malley & Merab Dvalishvili
    Image: @ufc/X
  • Merab Dvalishvili Aims to Be UFC’s Most Active Champ: “Two more this year” After UFC 316

    Merab Dvalishvili Aims to Be UFC’s Most Active Champ: “Two more this year” After UFC 316

    Merab Dvalishvili isn’t just gunning to be another UFC titleholder, he’s aiming to rewrite the champ’s job description. The Georgian dynamo, famous for his relentless cardio and motor that never seems to stall, is setting his sights on becoming the most active champion the organization has ever seen.

    Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316

    The main event at UFC 316 features a high-stakes bantamweight title rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley, set for June 7, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Dvalishvili, who took the belt from O’Malley by unanimous decision at UFC 306, will look to defend his title for the first time against the former champion.

    With UFC 316 on the horizon, Merab Dvalishvili is already plotting a schedule that would make most fighters need a nap. Speaking in an interview with the UFC, he explained:

    “God willing, this will happen. I’m working hard for the win and to defend my belt again. Like I said, I don’t look at this one as an easy fight; it’s going to be a challenge. But after that, I want to be busy. I’m just going to take only one month off, and I will be back to training camp. I heard they will have a fight in Mexico, I would like to fight there, and I would like to fight in New York or December in Vegas. Let’s see if we get this one and two more this year!”

    His next assignment at UFC 316 is no walk in the park. The opponent is tough, the stakes are high, and Dvalishvili knows it. But if he gets his hand raised in a rematch against Sean O’Malley, he’s not planning to bask in the glory for long. Instead, he’s eyeing a quick turnaround, just a month off before diving back into another training camp. That’s par for the course for a fighter whose gas tank has become legendary, often outworking rivals who look like they’re running on fumes while he’s still bouncing around the cage.

    Merab Dvalishvili
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

    Merab Dvalishvili trains in the United States, where he’s part of the Serra-Longo Fight Team under renowned coaches Ray Longo and Matt Serra. Based out of New York, Dvalishvili sharpened his skills alongside notable teammates like Aljamain Sterling and Chris Weidman at Serra BJJ, building his reputation for relentless cardio and a grinding wrestling style. For recent camps, he has also spent time at Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas.

    Merab "The Machine" Dvalishvili
    Image: @UFCEurope/X

    After UFC 316, Merab Dvalishvili has his eyes on two more fights before the year’s out. He’s got potential opponents in mind, too. Cory Sandhagen’s name has been floated, and a rematch with Petr Yan could be on the cards. There’s also talk of fighting in Mexico, New York, or Las Vegas, Dvalishvili clearly isn’t picky about the location, as long as there’s a fight to be had. If he pulls it off, Dvalishvili won’t just be the bantamweight champ he’ll be the busiest champ in the UFC.

    Merab Dvalishvili & Sean O'Malley
    Image: @ufc/X
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach Says Conor McGregor “Hasn’t Been the Same” Since 2018 Loss “He Crossed the Line, And Never Recovered”

    Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach Says Conor McGregor “Hasn’t Been the Same” Since 2018 Loss “He Crossed the Line, And Never Recovered”

    When it comes to legendary MMA rivalries, few can match the heat between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. The two men, both icons in their own right, clashed at UFC 229 in October 2018, a night that delivered fireworks inside and outside the cage.

    Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach Talks Conor McGregor

    Khabib Nurmagomedov, a Russian-Dagestani fighter who retired undefeated at 29-0 and held the UFC Lightweight Championship, was known for his grappling and calm demeanor. McGregor, the Irish-born superstar, made history as the first UFC fighter to hold two belts simultaneously and drew crowds with his sharp tongue and knockout power.

    The build-up to their fight was anything but polite. Conor McGregor, never shy with words, took his trash talk to new levels, targeting not just Khabib Nurmagomedov but also his family, religion, and country. This didn’t sit well with Khabib’s coach, Javier Mendez, who recently didn’t mince words about McGregor’s approach.

    Khabib Nurmagomedov with his coach Javier Mendez
    Image: @akajav/Instagram

    “You want to talk about a fighter, go ahead, free game. But you talked about religion, you talked about family, you talked about country. I don’t respect fighters who do that,” Mendez said, in an interview with Mike Perry, making it clear that some lines shouldn’t be crossed.

    Khabib won the match, eventually forcing McGregor to tap out in the fourth round with a face crank, a move that left no doubt about who was the better man that night. The aftermath was chaotic, with Khabib leaping over the cage to confront McGregor’s team, sparking a brawl that made as many headlines as the fight itself.

    Khabib Nurmagomedov
    Image: UFC.com

    According to Mendez, that night changed McGregor. “He hasn’t been the same after that loss with Khabib. He went down,” Mendez said, echoing what many in the MMA world have observed. Before facing Khabib, McGregor was on top of the world, having knocked out legends and collected belts. After the loss, his career has been rocky: a quick win over Donald Cerrone, but then back-to-back losses and a serious leg injury against Dustin Poirier that’s kept him out of the cage for years.

    Meanwhile, Khabib Nurmagomedov retired undefeated and has since become a coach and promoter. So, while McGregor remains a massive draw and still talks a big game, his old spark has dimmed since that night in Las Vegas. As for Mendez and Team Khabib, they’re not exactly sending McGregor any holiday cards.

  • Merab Dvalishvili Suffers Suspected Broken Toe Weeks Before UFC 316 Title Rematch With Sean O’Malley

    Merab Dvalishvili Suffers Suspected Broken Toe Weeks Before UFC 316 Title Rematch With Sean O’Malley

    UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has revealed he suffered a toe injury, suspected to be a fracture, less than two weeks before his scheduled title defense against Sean O’Malley at UFC 316. This is bringing conroversy to the upcoming main event, fans are wondering if the champion will be able to make the match.

    Merab Dvalishvili Potential Injury Ahead of UFC 316

    Merab Dvalishvili addressed the setback with characteristic humor, stating, “It’s okay, I’m gonna cut it off,” in a video posted to social media, despite the visible severity of the injury. The incident occurred during a sparring session with prospect Cameron Sandoval, when Dvalishvili’s pinky toe was injured while throwing a head kick.

    The full extent of the damage remains to be confirmed by medical imaging, but Dvalishvili’s lighthearted response has done little to quell concerns about his readiness for the June 7 main event in Newark, New Jersey.

    The upcoming bout is a highly anticipated rematch. Merab Dvalishvili captured the bantamweight crown from O’Malley at UFC 306 in September 2024, delivering a dominant five-round performance that relied on relentless grappling and pressure to neutralize O’Malley’s striking. O’Malley, who had previously defended his title in a successful outing against Chito Vera, struggled to find his rhythm in the inaugural fight at the Sphere in Las Vegas, ultimately losing by unanimous decision. Since then, Dvalishvili has extended his win streak to 12, including a title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov, while O’Malley has not fought since losing the belt.

    Both fighters bring notable histories to this rematch. Dvalishvili has built a reputation for durability and perseverance, often competing through significant injuries. Ahead of his first title defense against Nurmagomedov, Dvalishvili fought through a pinched nerve in his back and a severe staph infection in his leg, an ailment described by those close to him as so serious that “regular people would have probably had their leg amputated”. Despite these obstacles, he refused to withdraw, maintaining his stance that “I never pull out” and ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory.

    Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley
    Image: Jeff Bottari/UFC/Zuffa LLC

    Sean O’Malley, meanwhile, has cited his own injury struggles, including a torn labrum during his first meeting with Dvalishvili, and has expressed eagerness for redemption in the rematch. The former champion’s knockout power remains a significant threat, and the narrative entering UFC 316 centers on whether he can adjust to Dvalishvili’s wrestling-heavy style and reclaim the title.

    Merab Dvalishvili
    (Merab Dvalishvili on Instagram)

    With Dvalishvili’s latest injury casting uncertainty over the main event, the champion’s history of overcoming physical setbacks suggests he is unlikely to withdraw. As the fight approaches, attention will focus on whether Dvalishvili’s resilience can once again carry him through adversity, or if O’Malley can capitalize on the champion’s compromised condition to regain the bantamweight crown.

    Merab Dvalishvili & Sean O'Malley
    Image: @UFCEurope/X
  • Road to UFC: Fast Finishes and Hard-Fought Decisions in Shanghai – Results of Season 4 Episodes 3 and 4

    Road to UFC: Fast Finishes and Hard-Fought Decisions in Shanghai – Results of Season 4 Episodes 3 and 4

    The opening rounds of Road to UFC Season 4 continued on May 23, 2025, at the UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai, China. The event featured tournament bouts in the bantamweight and lightweight divisions, as well as non-tournament matchups. Road to UFC is designed to provide top mixed martial arts prospects from Asia Pacific with a direct path to a contract. These are the results of Road to UFC Season 4 Episodes 3 and 4.

    Road to UFC

    Zhu Kangjie defeated Xie Bin by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28). The bout was a cautious contest, with Zhu landing more effective strikes, particularly with his kicks, while Xie focused on grappling. Zhu’s win secured him a UFC contract and a place in the featherweight division.

    Lightweight

    Dom Mar Fan defeated Yuji Ephoevi-ga by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27). Mar Fan used grappling to control the fight and caused significant damage with elbows from top position. He advances to face JaeHyun Park in the next round.

    SangWook Kim defeated Daichi Kamiya by TKO (elbows) at 3:53 of Round 2. Kim overcame early grappling attempts and finished the fight after gaining a dominant position.

    JaeHyun Park defeated Jack Becker by TKO (strikes) at 3:56 of Round 2. Park used wrestling and ground control to secure the stoppage.

    Ren Yawei defeated Deni Daffa by technical submission (mounted ninja choke) at 2:01 of Round 1. Ren quickly locked in a choke following a striking exchange.

    Bantamweight

    Lawrence Lui defeated Zhang Qinghe by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27). Lui recovered from early trouble, opened a cut on Zhang, and used grappling to secure the win.

    Sim Kai Xiong defeated Kuya Ito by decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28). Sim had an edge in grappling exchanges and maintained a slight advantage throughout the fight.

    Nghiem Van Y defeated Rui Imura by KO (elbows) at 4:04 of Round 2. Nghiem rallied after a difficult first round, dropping Imura and finishing with elbows.

    Sulangrangbo defeated Peter Danesoe by KO (strikes) at 3:48 of Round 1. Sulangrangbo’s speed and striking led to a first-round finish.

    Non-Tournament Bouts

    Kitt Campbell defeated Shogo Sato by TKO (strikes) at 0:56 of Round 1. Campbell scored an early knockdown and finished with ground strikes

    Tournament Format and Significance

    Road to UFC Season 4 features 32 athletes in each of four weight classes: flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight, and lightweight. The tournament uses a single-elimination format, with winners advancing toward a UFC contract. Non-tournament bouts are included to provide additional opportunities for regional prospects.

    The event brings together fighters from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand. Since its inception, Road to UFC has produced several UFC signees who have gone on to compete and earn performance bonuses on the main roster.

    Photo by Tim Wheaton

    The event took place at the UFC Performance Institute Shanghai, a facility dedicated to the development of MMA athletes in the Asia-Pacific region. The opening rounds aired live in Asia-Pacific prime time, with all fights scheduled for three rounds.

    Road to UFC
  • Should Jon Jones Be Stripped? UFC World Divided as Champ Dodges Tom Aspinall Showdown – Former Champion Weighs In

    Should Jon Jones Be Stripped? UFC World Divided as Champ Dodges Tom Aspinall Showdown – Former Champion Weighs In

    The UFC heavyweight division has found itself in a holding pattern, and the man at the center of the storm is none other than Jon Jones. Despite holding the undisputed heavyweight title for over a year, Jones has yet to unify the belts with interim champion Tom Aspinall, leaving fans, fighters, and even fellow champions scratching their heads and pounding their keyboards.

    Should Jon Jones be Stripped?

    Former UFC champion Michael Bisping, never shy with an opinion, has become the latest voice to ask the question everyone’s thinking: “Should Jon Jones be stripped? That’s the question on everyone’s lips right now. Tom Aspinall, the interim champ, is waiting in the wings, and the UFC heavyweight division is in limbo.”

    Let’s rewind. Jon Jones claimed the heavyweight crown in March 2023 and has defended it just once, against a 42-year-old Stipe Miocic. Since then, he’s been spotted everywhere except the Octagon, Thailand, reality TV in Russia, even the odd cryptic tweet, but not across from Aspinall. Meanwhile, Aspinall has defended his interim belt and, in the process, set the record for the longest-reigning interim champion in UFC history, a record, as Michael Bisping points out, that nobody really wants.

    The frustration is palpable. Tom Aspinall, by all accounts, is ready and waiting. “Tom Aspinall’s been sitting there as the interim champion for a long time now. He’s the longest-reigning interim champ in UFC history. That’s not a record you want. He deserves his shot,” Bisping said. The fans agree: a petition to strip Jones of the title has racked up nearly 20,000 signatures in a week, with supporters accusing Jones of “holding the UFC heavyweight title hostage.”

    Surging UFC Heavyweight Stakes Claim For Tom Aspinall Fight If Jon Jones Turns It Down
    Image: @tomaspinallofficial/Instagram

    ‘Bones’ Jones, for his part, seems unbothered by the noise. He’s mused about retirement, entertained the idea of fighting other challengers like Alex Pereira, and generally acted like a man with better things to do than unify belts. When pressed, he’s suggested that beating Aspinall would do little for his legacy, a stance that has only further inflamed critics.

    Jon Jones
    Image: Jon Jones on Instagram

    The UK-born Bisping, who once defended Jon Jones, has now joined the chorus calling for action: “At some point, you have to defend the belt or step aside. That’s the job of the champion.” He points out the irony that Jones, once the youngest champion in UFC history, was given his shot by an established titleholder. “What about when you were fighting for the belt and you were the youngest person to ever do it? You got that opportunity, and when you become the champion, there’s an obligation to do that. So defend or vacate.”

    Jon Jones
    Image: MMA Crazy/YouTube

    UFC president Dana White, ever the optimist, insists the fight will happen in 2025, but patience is wearing thin. Tom Aspinall is left in limbo, and the heavyweight division remains stalled while its champion enjoys life outside the cage. As Bisping bluntly put it: “All these cryptic tweets and going out to Thailand and living his best life and s*, great. If that’s what you wanna do, congratulations, go off and enjoy your life. But, do the decent thing.”

    For now, the UFC’s big men wait. The fans wait. And Tom Aspinall, record interim champ, waits. The ball, as ever, is in Jon Jones’ court.

  • ‘The Devil in ONE’ Ali Abdelaziz Blasts Matt Hume for Nearly ‘Ruining’ Reinier de Ridder’s Career

    ‘The Devil in ONE’ Ali Abdelaziz Blasts Matt Hume for Nearly ‘Ruining’ Reinier de Ridder’s Career

    Ali Abdelaziz is not exactly known as someone who minces words with the polarizing MMA manager putting a powerful higher up in the ONE Championship hierarchy on blast. The Dominance MMA figurehead put Matt Hume in his proverbial crosshairs recently and it all stemmed from sentiments tied to Reinier de Ridder.

    Speaking with Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie, Ali Abdelaziz echoed some feelings that have been put out there by RDR himself who felt like his last couple of years as a contracted ONE combatant were far from ideal. The former two division ONE Championship titleholder even went as far as to caution prospective ONE combatants frm signing a contract with the promotion. Hume is a legendary former competitor within mixed martial arts and has served as the ONE Senior VP of Competition for years now. The reverance to Hume does not resonate with Ali Abdelaziz who got biblical with his characterization of the ONE VP when Abdelaziz said,

    “Matt Hume-biggest scumbag in the history of MMA. I can tell you this, 100%. And I’ll keep it at that. I have all the proof. He’s a very bad guy, and he almost ruined this guy’s life. But also, when you-when nobody has a plan, God always has a plan. And Matt Hume was the devil, you know? That’s all I’m going to tell you. I don’t know how this guy ever did martial arts. He’s one of the biggest scumbags I’ve ever seen on the planet.I think ONE FC will be a much better place without this guy. He ruined so many people’s careers. He blackballed people. He cheats. He does everything wrong. And, you know, he just-he almost ruined this guy’s career.”

    Ali Abdelaziz continues on the Matt Hume and Reinier de Ridder situation

    Ali Abdelaziz mentioned that one day he would be able to talk about Reinier de Ridder‘s struggles in ONE and that RDR’s career mishandling is a microscom in Abdelaziz’s eyes as to how the former MMA pioneer has handled the careers of many ONE Championship fighters over the years. While de Ridder is riding an impressive three fight win streak in the UFC with a statement win over the previously unbeaten Bo Nickal, it is clear that there is still no love lsot between Abdelaziz, Matt Hume, and ONE Championship by proxy.

  • Julianna Peña Respects Kayla Harrison’s Pedigree: ‘She’s No Joke – She’s Earned Every Bit of That Resume’

    Julianna Peña Respects Kayla Harrison’s Pedigree: ‘She’s No Joke – She’s Earned Every Bit of That Resume’

    Julianna Peña has not shied away from talking trash to Kayla Harrison in the lead-up to their championship clash, but that doesn’t mean she is oblivious to the deep résumé that her challenger possesses. Peña is set to defend her bantamweight title against Harrison in the co-main event of UFC 316, which is scheduled for June 7. The reigning titleholder at 135 pounds recently sat down with ESPN MMA to discuss several subjects ahead of this consequential contest on pay-per-view set to transpire in the coming weeks.

    While Peña has engaged in verbal volleys with Harrison at press conferences leading up to this fight—with barbs about the latter’s difficult weight cut to 135 pounds and accusations that Harrison left PFL to duck Cyborg—the bluster continues to build toward this bout. Beyond the trash talk, though, the two-time bantamweight champion knows exactly the caliber of competitor she’ll be locked in the cage with in Newark. As she expounded upon this, Peña said:

    “Of course, she’s won two gold medals in the Olympics. She is, you know, in the Judo Hall of Fame. She’s 18 and one as a professional. She’s a two-time champion in the PFL. So those are just, you know, the tip of the iceberg for some of the things that she’s accomplished.

    “She absolutely has technique—I mean, you don’t get to win two gold medals without having, you know, technique. She’s got technique, absolutely. And she’s very big, you know, she’s very powerful in her judo techniques. So that’s what I see.”

    Julianna Peña and the looming presence of Amanda Nunes

    Julianna Peña is squarely focused on Kayla Harrison at this juncture, but it is impossible not to have at least peripheral awareness of Amanda Nunes. The former UFC featherweight and multi-time UFC bantamweight champion has been teasing a return to competition, with Nunes indicating that she wants to come out of retirement to fight the victor of Peña vs. Harrison.

    ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ definitely desires this fight, as it would be a rubber match with Nunes and Peña each having a victory over the other. The 35-year-old was adamantly against Nunes initially retiring, as Peña intimated that Nunes was ducking out on a trilogy fight between the two. With a win here over Harrison, Julianna Peña might finally be able to secure this coveted third fight with the women’s MMA GOAT.

  • Why is Holly Holm Moving to Boxing? Former UFC Champ Explains

    Holly Holm prepares to make her highly anticipated return to the boxing ring but she’s not fully closing that proverbial cage door forever either. The former UFC bantamweight champion covered several subjects during her recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show with a focus on her signing with Jake Paul’s promotion, MVP. While she is a big name acquisition for Most Valuable Promotions and is excited to return to the sweet science, there is still the possibility of more MMA action someday for ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ as Holly Holm said,

    “I wanted to do both regardless. I did. I wanted to do both if I could… There was already some days I was just boxing anyway when it was kind of questionable on the fence. So I’ve actually just kind of been training boxing, focusing on boxing for, I guess, the last couple months.”

    “I’m excited for it. I’m excited—it’s, you know, when I first came to MMA, I was so excited about it that I didn’t really miss boxing. But then over time it started to kind of just—you know, if I had teammates that might have… even if we were just sparring boxing in practice… when I do it, I’m like, man, I kind of miss it. So I’m excited to be able to get back in there and just get back to just dialing in on just the boxing.”

    Holly Holm, GFL, and MVP

    Holm continued, “I still love MMA as well. I don’t know if I’ll—I mean, I would love to fight again in MMA, but that’s just—I like to let life kind of unfold. I have goals and things that I like and things I know I’m passionate about, but I also like to take a day at a time, a fight at a time, you know, and just ride the wave.”

    The continuation of Holm’s MMA career was initially slated to take place in a few days on the since-cancelled Global Fight League cards. Holm was booked to fight former Bellator MMA featherweight champion Julia Budd before the news of GFL 1 being scrapped came out. Holly Holm is now set to box unbeaten pro Yolanda Guadalupe Vega Ochoa on the June 28 undercard for Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

  • UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Barber: Preview, Fight Card, and How to Watch

    UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Barber: Preview, Fight Card, and How to Watch

    UFC returns to the APEX in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 31, for UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Barber, a pivotal event in the women’s flyweight division. Headlined by a high-stakes bout between top contenders Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber, this card features a mix of rising prospects and established contenders across multiple weight classes.

    With title implications on the line and several intriguing matchups, fight fans can expect an action-packed night.

    How to Watch

    Start Times:

    • United States: Main Card at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT
    • United Kingdom: Main Card at 2:00 AM BST (Sunday)
    • Prelims: 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT

    Broadcast Details:

    • United States: ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes (Spanish)
    • United Kingdom: TNT Sports 1, discovery+ Premium
    • Streaming: ESPN+ app (US), discovery+ Premium or TNT Sports app (UK)

    Main Card

    Weight ClassMatchup
    Women’s FlyweightErin Blanchfield (#4) vs. Maycee Barber (#5)
    LightweightMateusz Gamrot (#7) vs. Ľudovít Klein
    WelterweightBilly Ray Goff vs. Seokhyeon Ko
    Light HeavyweightDustin Jacoby vs. Bruno Lopes
    MiddleweightZachary Reese vs. Duško Todorović

    Prelims

    Weight ClassMatchup
    FlyweightJafel Filho vs. Allan Nascimento
    WelterweightJeremiah Wells vs. Andreas Gustafsson
    Women’s BantamweightKetlen Vieira (#3) vs. Macy Chiasson (#5)
    WelterweightRamiz Brahimaj vs. Oban Elliott
    LightweightKurt Holobaugh vs. Jordan Leavitt
    LightweightMarQuel Mederos vs. Bolaji Oki
    Women’s StrawweightRayanne dos Santos vs. Alice Ardelean

    Main Event Preview

    Erin Blanchfield (13-2)

    Blanchfield enters the main event as one of the division’s fastest-rising stars. At just 25, she has already defeated former champions Rose Namajunas and Jéssica Andrade, compiling a 7-1 UFC record. With a well-rounded skill set and relentless pace, Blanchfield is looking to secure a title shot with a statement win. She suffered a setback in March 2024 when she lost a decision to Manon Fiorot but rebounded with a win over Namajunas last November.

    Maycee Barber (14-2)

    Barber, now 27, is riding a six-fight win streak, having notched victories over top contenders like Katlyn Cerminara, Amanda Ribas, and Andrea Lee. A Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Barber has developed into a powerful striker and aggressive finisher. She aims to cement her status as the clear No. 1 contender with a win over Blanchfield.

    Flyweight Division Context

    This fight has major title implications following champion Valentina Shevchenko’s recent successful title defense against Manon Fiorot at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025. Shevchenko won by unanimous decision (48-47 on all scorecards), reaffirming her dominance in the division at age 37. The winner of Blanchfield vs. Barber could potentially be next in line for a title shot against the champion.

    Other Notable Fights

    • Mateusz Gamrot vs. Ľudovít Klein: A clash between ranked lightweights with Gamrot looking to solidify his top-10 status.
    • Ketlen Vieira vs. Macy Chiasson: A key women’s bantamweight bout between top-five contenders, both seeking a future title shot.
    • Dustin Jacoby vs. Bruno Lopes: A light heavyweight battle with Jacoby’s striking against Lopes’ finishing ability.
    • Rayanne dos Santos vs. Alice Ardelean: Former Invicta champion dos Santos returns from injury to face the surging Ardelean in a strawweight bout.

    Venue and Tickets

    • Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Tickets: Available via resale markets, with premium VIP packages through UFC’s official provider.

    What’s at Stake

    With both Blanchfield and Barber ranked in the top five, the main event could determine the next title challenger in the women’s flyweight division. Several other bouts feature fighters on the cusp of contention, making this a card worth your time for fans following the next wave of UFC contenders.

  • ‘I’m Going To Be Beating Up Everyone’: Ian Garry Weighs In On New Era In UFC Welterweight Division

    ‘I’m Going To Be Beating Up Everyone’: Ian Garry Weighs In On New Era In UFC Welterweight Division

    Ian Garry is embracing the rise of a new generation of fighters making waves in the UFC’s welterweight division.

    The UFC’s 170-pound division has long stood as one of the most talent-rich and historically significant weight classes in the sport. Renowned for its legacy, it has consistently featured elite competition, boasting five UFC Hall of Famers, including legends like Georges St-Pierre and Robbie Lawler.

    With many of the welterweight division’s iconic names now retired or well past their prime, a new generation of fighters bringing fresh styles and evolved skill sets has risen to prominence at 170 pounds. In today’s landscape, the division is wide open, with nearly every contender in the top eight posing a legitimate threat to newly crowned champion Jack Della Maddalena.

    Ian Garry Says The UFC Welterweight Division Has Never Been More Exciting

    During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Ian Garry shared his thoughts on the evolving welterweight division. “The Future” spoke with enthusiasm about the influx of rising talent in the weight class, while boldly asserting that he’s not just part of this new wave—he plans to lead it.

    “When you look at the welterweight division right now and the way it’s evolved, I’d argue it’s the most exciting it’s ever been,” Garry said. “You look at the names—people under 30 in that division that are just on a tear. You’ve got Shavkat, you’ve got Jack, you’ve got me, you’ve got [Michael] Morales, you’ve got loads of us that are just young and hungry and have stuff to prove.”

    “That’s exciting. When you’ve got that energy mixed with sheer talent—that’s impressive. The answer is always going to be yes. And I’m going to fight them at some point in time, because when I’m the champion, I’m going to be beating up everyone—that’s the next contender, the next best guy.”

    Garry last stepped into the Octagon at UFC Kansas City in April, where he delivered a dominant performance to secure a unanimous decision victory over Carlos Prates. The win marked a strong comeback for the Irish standout, who rebounded impressively from the first defeat of his professional career—a loss to the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in December.

    Ian Garry currently boasts a UFC record of 9-1, featuring notable victories over elite competitors such as Michael Page, Geoff Neal, and Neil Magny.

  • Topuria Brothers Split from Longtime Coaches Jorge and Agustín Climent

    Topuria Brothers Split from Longtime Coaches Jorge and Agustín Climent

    Ilia and Aleksandre Topuria have officially ended their professional relationship with Jorge and Agustín Climent, marking the conclusion of a long-standing training partnership in MMA.

    As confirmed by MARCA, the decision comes as both parties now live in different cities and face growing professional obligations that prevent them from maintaining the same level of collaboration. The Topuria brothers extended their gratitude for the years of shared growth and learning, wishing the Climents well in their future endeavors.

    Ilia Topuria, who moved from Alicante to Madrid several months ago to be closer to his athletic and commercial commitments, has already begun shaping a new team ahead of UFC 317 and his upcoming bout against Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title in Las Vegas on June 28.

    The updated training camp includes familiar faces within Topuria’s circle: his brother Aleksandre, Javi Climent (unrelated to the Climent brothers), Jesús Gallo, Doctor Aldo, Fran Ortega, Raúl Valdesuso, Doctor David Beneito, Mathias Ribeiro, and Mani Tavanaei.

    According to reports, the Climent brothers also confirmed the split, expressing mutual respect and appreciation toward Ilia and Aleksandre after their 13-year working relationship.

  • Joaquin Buckley: “I’ll Prove I Deserve the Next Title Shot at UFC Atlanta” Against Kamaru Usman

    Joaquin Buckley: “I’ll Prove I Deserve the Next Title Shot at UFC Atlanta” Against Kamaru Usman

    Joaquin Buckley foresees his road to UFC gold becoming clear with a win over a former champion in his next outing. In a recent interview that was posted to the Parry Punch YouTube channel, Buckley gave his own overview of the current state of the welterweight division ahead of his looming fight with Kamaru Usman. Buckley vs. Usman transpires at UFC Atlanta on June 14.

    While a victory over one of the most accomplished titleholders in the rich history of the UFC welterweight title would pay dividends in getting his own title shot, ‘New Mansa’ does acknowledge there are some big players at 170 pounds nowadays. While getting into the specific of that landscape, Buckley said,

    “Right now, we’re all in a race, right? Sean Brady already competed and put on a great performance against Leon, got the finish, got the choke. Ian Garry did his thing too, fighting Carlos Prates, even though the man was on all fours, crawling away, which is wild! But now, it’s my turn. It’s me, Sean Brady, and Ian Garry, we’re all racing to that welterweight title. The only thing that’s going to convince the UFC who gets the next title shot is the performance you put on. That’s it!”

    Joaquin Buckley as well as the cases for Sean Brady and Ian Garry

    Joaquin Buckley is riding a six fight win streak heading into this Summer time clash with Usman in a matchup that pits the number seven contender against the number five welterweight contender, respectively. Joaquin Buckley has statement wins through that stretch agaisnt names like divisional stalwart Vicente Luque, former welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson, and former interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington in his most recent outing.

    Joaquin Buckley
    Image: @UFCEurope/X

    Observing other standout names that Buckley mentioned, Sean Brady and Ian Garry stand out as the number two contender and the number six contende at 170 pounds, respectively. Brady is coming off of a finish of former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards while Garry is on the heels of derailing the momentum of a hot, surging contender in Carlos Prates.

  • Jon Jones Drops Bombshell: UFC Champion Says He’s “Done” With Fighting

    Jon Jones Drops Bombshell: UFC Champion Says He’s “Done” With Fighting

    UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has once again cast uncertainty over his fighting future, suggesting he may be stepping away from competition. During a recent trip to Asia, Jones delivered a cryptic message in which he claimed he is “done” with fighting, raising questions about whether fans will see him in the Octagon again.

    Jon Jones: I’m Done

    ‘Bones’ Jones, who last fought at UFC 309 in November, has been the subject of ongoing speculation regarding a potential title unification bout with interim champion Tom Aspinall. Despite widespread anticipation for this matchup, Jones has remained noncommittal, fueling rumors with his latest remarks on social media.

    Jon Jones
    Image: MMA Crazy/YouTube

    On a video call, he was asked when he is fighting next. Jon Jones reponded by saying, “I’m done, I’m done.”

    In a recent video, Jones addressed accusations that he was avoiding a fight with Aspinall, saying, “I’ve got people in the chat calling me a duck. Meanwhile, I’m living my absolute best life. I don’t know if it’s considered ducking when you’re living good. I don’t think it works like that.”

    The Rochester native’s comments come after he successfully defended his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden, securing a third-round knockout. Since then, Jones has kept fans guessing about his next move, neither confirming nor denying plans for future bouts.

    Adding to the intrigue, Jones revealed this week that the UFC is already aware of his intentions and expressed surprise that the organization has not shared this information with the public. As speculation continues to swirl, the future of one of the sport’s most decorated fighters remains unclear, leaving fans and analysts alike eager for official word on whether Jon Jones will compete again.

    Jon Jones
    Image: @espnmma/X

  • ‘Let Me Enjoy Cake, Lad’: Paddy Pimblett Responds To Critics Of His Off-Season Look

    Paddy Pimblett wants his naysayers to stop obsessing over his out-of-competition physique.

    Pimblett has made a name for himself with his action-packed performances inside the Octagon, but outside of it, he’s just as well known for abruptly ballooning in weight after his fights.

    It’s no secret that “The Baddy” is a passionate foodie, often indulging in post-fight feasts that lead to dramatic weight gains — something fans have become all too familiar with, thanks to the puffed-up photos and videos he regularly shares on social media.

    However, Pimblett consistently steps into the cage in peak condition with a shredded physique, prompting many to question how he’s able to undergo such drastic weight fluctuations between fights — and even sparking debate among critics about his approach to managing his body.

    Images: @theufcbaddy/Instagram

    Paddy Pimblett Defends Weight Fluctuations

    During a recent interview with TNT Sports, Paddy Pimblett weighed in on the ongoing criticism surrounding his weight fluctuations, brushing off the exaggerated public perception. He explained that he naturally carries more weight outside of fight week, and that appearances can be misleading when it comes to judging his physique.

    “It’s funny, innit? People think I put like 30 pounds on, or like 40 pounds on, like my face goes a bit chubby,” Paddy said. “But I weigh in at 156, and yet people are like, ‘Oh, he’s put 40 pounds on.’ I haven’t, because I walk in the cage the next day like 185. So I put like 10, 15 pounds on from what I actually walk in the cage. Like, it’s mad.”

    “The Baddy” made his most recent Octagon appearance at UFC 314 last month, where he secured a statement third-round knockout victory over former lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler. The win elevated Pimblett’s flawless UFC record to 7-0, with five of those victories coming by way of stoppage.

    Image: @theufcbaddy/Instagram

  • Michael Morales Breaks His Silence After Statement Win: ‘I’m Here, And I’m Coming For That Belt’

    Michael Morales is radiating confidence in the wake of his latest Octagon outing.

    Morales secured the biggest win of his career to date last Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, where he delivered a thunderous first-round knockout of former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns in the UFC Vegas 106 main event.

    The undefeated Ecuadorian wasted no time asserting his dominance, dismantling “Durinho” with calculated aggression from the very first exchange. Morales kept the pressure relentless, landing heavy shots that visibly shook Burns early on.

    Burns made a last-ditch effort to shift the momentum, reaching for a leg in an attempt to initiate a grappling exchange — but Morales swiftly broke free and continued to press forward with punishing strikes. After the Brazilian went down for the second time, referee Herb Dean stepped in to call a halt to the contest at 3:39 into the bout.

    Image: @ufc/X

    Michael Morales Sets Sights On Title Contention Following Knockout Win Over Gilbert Burns

    With his victory over Gilbert Burns, Michael Morales has taken a significant step forward in his career, positioning himself as a serious presence in the UFC’s talent-rich welterweight division.

    During a recent interview with ESPN MMA, Morales reflected on his rising stature in the weight class and asserted that his latest performance has sent a clear message to every contender vying for the title.

    “I said I was moving up in the rankings quietly and calmly, but I think now everyone has realized that I’m here, lurking for the belt, Michael Morales said. “That’s what I’m going to keep doing-everyone’s on notice now after this performance.”

    Morales punched his ticket to the UFC with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Nikolay Veretennikov on Dana White’s Contender Series back in September 2021. Since then, he’s remained undefeated inside the Octagon, amassing a perfect 6-0 record, with four of those wins coming by way of knockout.

    In his post-fight press conference, Morales expressed interest in a potential clash with Ian Garry, calling for the bout to take place at the upcoming Noche UFC event in Guadalajara, Mexico, scheduled for Sept. 13.

    Image: @ufc/X.

  • ‘No Is a Full Sentence’: Inside Kayla Harrison’s Life as Fighter and Mother

    ‘No Is a Full Sentence’: Inside Kayla Harrison’s Life as Fighter and Mother

    In the predawn hours, while most fighters are still sleeping, Kayla Harrison is already up preparing lessons for her homeschooled children. By afternoon, she’s at American Top Team, preparing for the biggest fight of her career against Julianna Peña at UFC 316 on June 7 in Newark, New Jersey. This seemingly impossible balancing act between elite athlete and devoted mother isn’t just working—it’s thriving.

    “Anyone who tells you they do it all by themselves is an absolute liar,” Harrison candidly revealed in a recent interview with Megan Olivi. “I don’t have a team. I have a tribe.”

    That tribe—the extended support system that enables her dual life—is at the core of Harrison’s success story. The two-time Olympic gold medalist doesn’t pretend to have superhuman abilities; instead, she credits disciplined planning and unwavering support.

    “When that belt gets wrapped around my waist, it gets wrapped around their waist, too, because they’ve committed. They’ve sacrificed just as much as I have,” Harrison explained, her voice carrying equal measures of determination and gratitude.

    For Harrison, who at 34 feels “better than I did at 24,” the journey to this moment has special significance. The contrast between her past and present fuels her daily drive.

    “I was 16 years old and I had like nothing… I didn’t even have a will to live,” she recalled. “I prayed for the life that I have now. And that keeps me going and gives me more than enough fuel.”

    That fuel powers not just her training but her approach to motherhood. After her last fight, Harrison made the difficult decision to leave her children at home for future bouts after seeing concern in their eyes when she began bleeding during the match.

    “The first thing that popped in my head was, ‘Oh my gosh, I hope my kids know I’m okay,’” she said. “Which is great… Mother instincts kicking in, but not so great when you’re in the middle of a fist fight.”

    Perhaps the most revealing aspect of Harrison’s philosophy comes in her approach to maintaining such a demanding schedule. “No is a full sentence,” she stated firmly, explaining how she protects her time and energy.

    This discipline extends to her mental preparation. Harrison uses daily mantras and positive self-talk, a practice she recommends to all women: “Waking up and giving yourself a freaking high five and telling yourself you’re a badass and you can do hard things.”

    For Harrison, nothing happened overnight.

    “These small little steps every single day have turned into a lifetime of achievement,” she reflected. “I’m not always going to be motivated, but I can always be disciplined.”

    As she approaches her championship opportunity, Harrison carries more than personal ambition. She sees being a UFC champion as “a responsibility… one that you shouldn’t take lightly.”

    “The more people that watch, the more lives that I can help change or be a positive role model to,” Harrison said. “I want to make a difference in the world.”

    With her tribe behind her, Harrison—a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2012, 2016) and two-time PFL champion with an 18-1 MMA record—stands ready for both the cage and the classroom—proving that with discipline, support, and proper boundaries, the impossible becomes possible, one day at a time.

  • ‘Exposing the Holes’: Harrison’s Tactical Approach to Defeating Julianna Peña

    ‘Exposing the Holes’: Harrison’s Tactical Approach to Defeating Julianna Peña

    As the UFC 316 showdown between Kayla Harrison and Julianna Peña approaches on June 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, Harrison isn’t mincing words about her intentions in the Octagon. The two-time Olympic gold medalist has a clear assessment of her opponent and an even clearer plan to dismantle her.

    “I’m here to show what the difference between good and great is,” Harrison told UFC correspondent Megan Olivi in a recent interview, delivering the statement with the calm confidence of someone who’s performed on the world’s biggest stages.

    For Harrison, Peña’s reputation as a gritty veteran isn’t intimidating—it’s simply another puzzle to solve. “She’s the Ultimate Fighter winner. She’s been around for a long time. She’s gritty,” Harrison acknowledged. “But we’ve seen her lose and we’ve seen the holes in her game, and I’m here to expose it one more time.”

    When asked about Peña’s aggressive style, which has been known to rattle opponents, Harrison displayed the analytical approach that separates elite fighters from the pack.

    “She’s very unorthodox. She definitely likes to brawl,” Harrison assessed. “I think that’s really her only chance—to try and make it a brawl. But my fight IQ, my coaches, my team, we have a plan. I’m going to go out there and implement the game plan and stick to it and be smart and become UFC champion.”

    The 34-year-old judoka, who feels “better now at 34 probably than I did at 24,” isn’t just relying on physical preparation. Her mental framework reveals a methodical approach to the championship bout.

    “Five hard rounds, one minute at a time, one round at a time, one breath at a time, one exchange at a time,” Harrison recited, demonstrating the granular focus that has carried her to Olympic, PFL, and now potentially UFC success.

    While Harrison has championship experience outside the UFC, she appreciates the two fights she’s had in the organization before this title opportunity.

    “I’m grateful for the two fights that I had, and I feel like it’s prepared me even more,” she explained. “Fighting in a new weight class, fighting in a new organization, there are going to be things that are new or different.”

    Despite her tactical focus, Harrison isn’t shying away from bold predictions.

    “Everyone is tough until you beat them,” she stated. “I want to win by KO, TKO, or submission.”

    For Harrison, who has accomplished nearly everything possible in combat sports, this fight represents “the last mountain to climb.” After being America’s first Olympic champion in judo and winning “millions of dollars” in the PFL, Harrison is clear about her motivation: “Really, the only reason I still do this, like I have everything I could ever want, is I want to be UFC champion.”

    With a support system she describes as a “tribe” rather than just a team, Harrison—with her perfect 2-0 UFC record and overall 18-1 MMA record—enters UFC 316 with a level of preparation and determination that she believes will prove too much for Peña’s gritty approach—showcasing what she calls “the difference between good and great.”