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Category: MMA

  • Paul Felder Urges Bo Nickal to ‘Let it Fly’ in Des Moines Showdown

    Paul Felder Urges Bo Nickal to ‘Let it Fly’ in Des Moines Showdown

    UFC commentator and former lightweight contender Paul Felder issued a direct warning to undefeated prospect Bo Nickal ahead of his crucial Saturday showdown with former ONE Championship double-champ Reinier de Ridder at UFC Des Moines, urging the wrestling phenom to be more aggressive after his disappointing last outing.

    In an interview with ESPN, Felder called for Nickal to bounce back from his lackluster performance against Paul Craig at UFC 309. “Because in that Paul Craig fight, he went out there, there was a lot of eyeballs, a lot of hype on this kid, and he just never pulled the trigger”, Felder told ESPN, adding “you got to go out there, you got to be aggressive. I don’t care if it’s with the striking or the wrestling, but I think he’s really got to commit”.

    The criticism echoes comments Felder made during the “Believe You Me” podcast with Michael Bisping, where they discussed Nickal’s failure to utilize his wrestling against Craig. “This was an opportunity for you to be more aggressive and when it wasn’t working out on the feet, it was a huge opportunity to show him that wrestling, and he just never did that”, Felder stated, noting that “the crowd was booing like crazy” during Nickal’s cautious performance.

    The 5-0 Penn State wrestling legend faces his toughest test yet in de Ridder, who brings elite submission credentials that could force Nickal to either engage his vaunted wrestling or risk getting caught in the stand-up exchanges. “Time to get choked”, de Ridder confidently stated at media day, highlighting the high-stakes grappling matchup.

    Nickal, who “asked for this fight”, acknowledges the step up in competition and the need to silence critics after his hesitant showing against Craig. With an emphatic victory, the undefeated prospect could vault himself into middleweight rankings discussions and prove his fan-friendly evolution as a complete mixed martial artist rather than the tentative kickboxer he displayed last time out.

    Saturday’s co-main event at Wells Fargo Arena presents Nickal with an opportunity to showcase the dominant wrestling that made him college’s most decorated grappler – but only if he heeds Felder’s advice to let it fly.

  • PFL World Tournament Week 4: Light Heavyweights and Heavyweights Collide in Orlando

    PFL World Tournament Week 4: Light Heavyweights and Heavyweights Collide in Orlando

    The Professional Fighters League returns tonight with World Tournament Week 4 at Universal Studios Florida, featuring critical light heavyweight and heavyweight quarterfinal bouts with playoff implications.

    Former Bellator champion Phil Davis (24-7) headlines against 2022 PFL light heavyweight champion Rob Wilkinson (19-3) in a clash of former title holders. “In his heyday, Davis was one of the most athletic light heavyweights to grace an MMA cage”, having secured wins over Alexander Gustafsson, Lyoto Machida, and Glover Teixeira throughout his career.

    Making his PFL debut, the 40-year-old Davis faces questions after nearly two years away from competition. Meanwhile, Wilkinson aims to rebound from his 2024 playoff loss, bringing “explosive power and aggressive fighting style, he has achieved 14 first-round stoppages throughout his career”.

    The co-main event features a heavyweight showdown between former Bellator interim champion Valentin Moldavsky and Sergey Bilostenniy, described as “a showdown that could produce a highlight-reel finish at any time”

    With single-elimination format determining playoff seeding, tonight’s card emphasizes finish bonuses and debuts the PFL’s new biometric tracking technology to enhance broadcasts on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

    Event Information:

    • Main Card: 10:00 PM ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+
    • Early Card: 7:30 PM ET on ESPN+
    • Venue: Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida

    The card also features former PFL champion Antonio Carlos Jr. taking on Karl Moore in light heavyweight action, while Alexander Romanov faces Timothy Johnson at heavyweight in critical tournament bouts where “Fighters only get one shot!”

  • Patrice Evra Calls Out Luis SuĆ”rez for MMA Debut Settlement

    Patrice Evra Calls Out Luis SuƔrez for MMA Debut Settlement

    Former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has publicly challenged old football rival Luis SuƔrez to settle their controversial 2011 racism dispute in his upcoming MMA debut at PFL Europe on May 23 in Paris.

    “When the PFL asked me who I would like, I said Luis SuĆ”rez because I had a beef with him back in the day when I was captain of United and he played for Liverpool”, Evra stated during an interview with Ariel Helwani.

    The 43-year-old Frenchman, who has been training in combat sports since 2016, made headlines by posting on social media: “BREAKING: I’m officially training for my first fight with @PFLEurope. They will pick my opponent … They asked who I wanna face. I said: Luis SuĆ”rez. I’ll pay out of pocket. He can even bite me.”

    In a surprising development, Evra claims SuĆ”rez’s manager contacted PFL and suggested the Inter Miami forward could be in attendance at the Accor Arena for the Paris event, though no official bout has been confirmed.

    The rivalry dates back to an infamous incident in October 2011 when SuĆ”rez received an eight-match ban and Ā£40,000 fine for racially abusing Evra during a Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United. While Evra has stated he’s forgiven SuĆ”rez, the opportunity to settle their differences in combat sports has reignited public interest.

    Evra, who retired from professional football in 2019, will compete in a showcase bout at the PFL Europe Paris event. The PFL has yet to announce his official opponent for the Accor Arena showdown.

    “I’ve been training alongside the best in the world for years, and they’ll also tell you I’m ready for this. I’m going to put on a show at the Accor Arena on 23 May” , Evra told Helwani, promising an entertaining debut for French MMA fans.

  • Ian Garry Named Official Backup Fighter for UFC 315 Title Fight

    Ian Garry Named Official Backup Fighter for UFC 315 Title Fight

    Irish contender Ian Machado Garry has been confirmed as the official backup fighter for the UFC 315 welterweight championship bout between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena in Montreal on May 10.

    UFC CEO, Dana White, confirmed the Irishman is the official backup should anything go sideways at the last minute at UFC Kansas City’s post-fight press conference, coming just days after Garry’s decision victory over Carlos Prates.

    Despite having fought a full five rounds on Saturday in Kansas City, Garry immediately began preparing to serve as emergency replacement. Coach Diego Lima confirmed the undefeated Irish prospect is cutting weight on two weeks’ notice, positioning himself as “the perfect insurance policy” according to White.

    “I’m the official backup, and I’m next. Whoever wins that fight, if that fight goes ahead, that’s my next opponent,” Garry stated, making his intentions clear about securing a title shot regardless of whether he competes at UFC 315.

    The welterweight division has been notably volatile, with original title challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov forced to withdraw due to injury, opening the door for Della Maddalena’s opportunity. Garry’s willingness to remain fight-ready despite just competing demonstrates his commitment to championship aspirations.

    A UFC Welterweight Championship bout between current champion Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena is expected to headline this event, marking the UFC’s return to Montreal after a nearly decade-long absence since UFC 186 in 2015.

    The 26-year-old Garry (15-0) has been vocal about deserving the title shot after competing twice on short notice in recent months, solidifying his position as the division’s emergency option while maintaining his perfect professional record.

    ā€˜Send Fighting Nerds 2-3 Years Dagestanā€™ ā€“ Fans React As Ian Garry Hands Carlos Prates His First UFC Defeat In Kansas City

  • UFC Veteran Claims Colby Covington ‘Fumbled’ Main Event Opportunity

    UFC Veteran Claims Colby Covington ‘Fumbled’ Main Event Opportunity

    A UFC veteran claims Colby Covington passed on a clear opportunity to fight him.

    Covington was last seen in action at UFC Tampa in December, where he suffered a lopsided third-round TKO loss via doctorā€™s stoppage at the hands of Joaquin Buckley. The setback added to his recent struggles, as ā€œChaosā€ has now lost four of his last six fights since 2019.

    Since then, the former interim UFC welterweight champion appears to have shifted his focus toward his live streaming venture on KICK and has shown minimal intent to resume his fighting career anytime soon.

    However, according to Michael Chiesa, Covington had a clear chance to face him following their stint as rival assistant coaches on Season 33 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). The prospect of a showdown between the two began to gain traction, especially after head coaches Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen publicly backed the matchup once filming wrapped.

    In a video posted to his YouTube channel this March, Covington dismissed the idea of facing ā€œMaverickā€ and bluntly stated he had no interest in fighting someone who isnā€™t ranked in the top 15.

    During a recent interview with MMA on SiriusXM, Chiesa revealed that while filming TUF, Covington had personally agreed to fight him nextā€”but later backed out.

    The 37-year-old Colorado native didnā€™t hold back, criticizing Covington for his lack of commitment to the sport. Chiesa went on to assert that Covingtonā€™s focus on fighting only top-tier opponents will ultimately lead to his downfall.

    “At the end of the day, I think that he screwed up a really good opportunity,” Chiesa said. “I’m hearing the stories of how he handles his fighting career at this point in time. He has said it himself, streamers make more money than fighters. I think he’s aspiring to be a streamer more than he is a fighter. I know that he doesn’t train the way he used to because I’m talking to people that train at MMA Masters, and it’s like you want to fight for the title, you only want to fight ranked guys. Buddy, if you’re training the way that I’m hearing you’re training, it’s only going to get worse. So why didn’t you take the opportunity to fight me, in a main event, against a guy who worst-case scenario is just going to snatch your neck and choke you? Now Colby just fumbled a situation where he’s probably going to have to fight a Michael Morales, he’s going to have to fight a guy that’s going to do what Joaquin Buckley did to him. So to me, he fumbled a great opportunity for us to do a fight for The Ultimate Fighter, for these fighters.”

    ā€œMaverickā€ last competed at UFC 310 in December, where he secured a dominant third-round submission victory over Max Griffin, extending his winning streak to two. Chiesa is set to face Court McGee at UFC Atlanta on June 14, with the showdown scheduled to take place at State Farm Arena in Georgia.

  • UFC Des Moines Card Finalized for Saturday’s ESPN Event

    UFC Des Moines Card Finalized for Saturday’s ESPN Event

    The UFC’s return to Iowa after 25 years is set with the complete fight card now official for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

    Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo will face Cory Sandhagen in a five-round bantamweight fight, headlining the ESPN-televised event marking the UFC’s first appearance in Des Moines and first Iowa visit since UFC 26 in 2000.

    Former ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder and undefeated wrestling phenom Bo Nickal clash in a crucial middleweight co-main event, while welterweight veterans Santiago Ponzinibbio and Daniel Rodriguez throw down in another featured bout.

    ESPN2/ESPN+ Prelims at 7 p.m. ET | ESPN2/ESPN+ Main Card at 10 p.m. ET, with the event serving as the kickoff to a packed May schedule that culminates with UFC 315 in Montreal.

    Due to injury with both athletes, the light heavyweight bout between Junior Tafa and Tuco Tokkos will be rescheduled to a later date, UFC officials announced Tuesday.

    UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo Official Card

    Here’s the complete fight lineup for UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo Official Card (UFC Des Moines, UFC on ESPN 67):

    Main Card (ESPN2/ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET)

    • Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo – Bantamweight Main Event (5 rounds)
    • Reinier de Ridder vs. Bo Nickal – Middleweight Co-Main Event
    • Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez – Welterweight
    • Montel Jackson vs. Daniel Marcos – Bantamweight
    • Cameron Smotherman vs. Serhiy Sidey – Bantamweight
    • Jeremy Stephens vs. Mason Jones – Lightweight

    Prelims (ESPN2/ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

    • Yana Santos vs. Miesha Tate – Women’s Bantamweight
    • Ryan Loder vs. Azamat Bekoev – Middleweight
    • Marina Rodriguez vs. Gillian Robertson – Women’s Strawweight
    • Gaston Bolanos vs. Quang Le – Bantamweight
    • Thomas Petersen vs. Don’Tale Mayes – Heavyweight
    • Juliana Miller vs. Ivana Petrovic – Women’s Flyweight
  • Dustin Poirier Reveals Two Suggestions UFC Turned Down For Retirement Fight

    Dustin Poirier Reveals Two Suggestions UFC Turned Down For Retirement Fight

    Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight is locked in versus Max Holloway at UFC 318, but “Blessed” evidently wasn’t among the first two names pitched by the former interim lightweight champion.

    After his third failed bid at achieving undisputed kingpin status on MMA’s biggest stage last year, Poirier decided against hanging up the gloves just yet. Instead, he’ll enter the cage for one final farewell.

    That’ll come in competition for Holloway’s symbolic BMF title in the main event at New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center on July 19. But though a trilogy with the Hawaiian will mark his career’s conclusion, it turns out Poirier initially had other potential matchups in mind.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, “The Diamond” revealed that he enquired to UFC higher-ups about another trilogy ā€” a score-settler with Justin Gaethje ā€” and the chance to welcome Ilia Topuria back to 155 pounds.

    “I was asking for Gaethje,” Dustin Poirier said. “I was asking Hunter (Campbell) and the UFC for Gaethje, because we’re 1-1 and I want to close out that trilogy. For some reason they really wanted this fight, so I said, ‘OK, that’s cool because I respect the guy for my last fight.’ I don’t know what their thought process was for putting this together with me and Max, but I have a lot of respect for him, so it makes a lot of sense for me. I said legends only. Definitely fits that.

    “Not once (did they offer Topuria),” Poirier continued. “When he said he was going to 155, I messaged Hunter and the UFC and I said, ‘Hey, what’s up? Let me know what’s going on with this guy now that he’s at ’55.’ But they never entertained it. They told me it’s not happening and they wanted Max.”

  • Anthony Smith Explains Angry Gesture At Fan After Dominant Loss In UFC Kansas City Retirement Fight

    Anthony Smith Explains Angry Gesture At Fan After Dominant Loss In UFC Kansas City Retirement Fight

    UFC light heavyweight veteran Anthony Smith has revealed the actions that resulted in him flipping off a fan moments after a crushing loss in his retirement fight.

    Smith made the walk to the Octagon for the final time at this weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Kansas City. While “Lionheart” had no doubt hoped to exit the sport on a high, Zhang Mingyang provided a hurdle too tall in that regard.

    The Chinese standout maintained his 100 percent first-round finishing rate with a dominant performance in Missouri. But his emphatic display and the conclusion of Smith’s career weren’t the only talking points.

    In the immediate aftermath of the TKO stoppage, a bloodied Smith could be seen angrily gesturing toward a fan in the crowd. During the UFC Kansas City Post Show, the 36-year-old explained what got him so riled up.

    ā€œThere was a guy in a Nebraska shirt and he was like booing me and flipping me off and kind of talking trash before the fight,ā€ Anthony Smith said. ā€œBut I was really focused on what I had to do. Then after the fight, his friend is cheering and heā€™s still flipping me off and saying some pretty disrespectful things.

    ā€œI was so mad. He was wearing a Nebraska shirt! Weā€™re supposed to be family here. Itā€™s not a very big community of people here,” Smith continued. ā€œMingyang is like, ā€˜Donā€™t do this brother, youā€™ve got to quit that.’ Listen, I was emotional. The fight didnā€™t go the way I wanted it to go. That is what it is. Thatā€™s just part of the game. … If youā€™re sitting in the crowd, youā€™re definitely not doing what Iā€™m doing, especially wearing a Nebraska shirt. You canā€™t talk trash wearing a Nebraska shirt! Like, come on now!”

  • Carlos Prates Breaks Silence On First UFC Loss To Ian Garry in Kansas City

    Carlos Prates Breaks Silence On First UFC Loss To Ian Garry in Kansas City

    Carlos Prates is promising to bounce back stronger after tasting defeat for the first time in the UFC.

    Prates collided with Ian Garry in the UFC Kansas City headliner this past Saturday at T-Mobile Center in Missouri. Over five rounds, the Brazilian was largely on the back foot, as Garryā€™s exceptional footwork and high-volume striking kept him guessing and a step behind.

    ā€œThe Nightmareā€ had difficulty establishing his game plan throughout the fight, as he repeatedly faced takedown attempts from the Irishman. It wasnā€™t until the final round that Prates seemed to find a burst of energy, landing some powerful shots, including a vicious ground and pound.

    However, his late push wasnā€™t enough to turn the tide, as Prates couldnā€™t sway the judges, who scored the fight 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, awarding “The Future” the unanimous decision victory.

    Gutted by the defeat, Prates turned to Instagram Stories to concisely share his disappointment about not being able to finish the fight the way he had envisioned.

    “Unfortunately I couldnā€™t end the fight and that wasnā€™t enough. Sorry family, Iā€™ll come back stronger!,” Carlos Prates wrote.

    With his defeat at UFC Kansas City, “The Nightmare” saw his impressive four-fight win streak inside the Octagon come to a halt. Prates’ professional record now stands at 21-7, with 16 of those victories coming by knockout.

    Meanwhile, Garry has rebounded from the first loss of his professional career, which came at the hands of Shavkat Rakhmonov in a title eliminator at UFC 310 this past December. “The Future” has since improved his record to 16-1, including seven knockout wins.

  • ‘Send Fighting Nerds 2-3 Years Dagestan’ – Fans React As Ian Garry Hands Carlos Prates His First UFC Defeat In Kansas City

    ‘Send Fighting Nerds 2-3 Years Dagestan’ – Fans React As Ian Garry Hands Carlos Prates His First UFC Defeat In Kansas City

    After suffering his first career defeat in a short-notice outing, Ian Machado Garry, in another fairly short-planned fight, scored a unanimous decision win over Carlos Prates, potentially rebounding as he seeks a title opportunity.

    Garry started things off with plenty of low kicks, working his range well. While Prates got in a bit of leg kicking late in the round, he slipped in the closing seconds. Garry landed some hard ground-and-pound, though Prates seemed to take it well. Garry and Prates had several exchanges during the second round, but Garry seemed to get the better of Prates again — courtesy of more distance management and combinations, including one involving a kick that caught Prates’s attention.

    Prates seemed to lack urgency, which continued into the third round. Garry landed a combination ending with an uppercut that backed Prates up. Garry would score a takedown not long after, becoming the first fighter to earn one against the Brazilian.

    Garry continued to work his game — at one point having landed more than Prates had thrown in terms of strikes — but Prates began to push things by the end of the fourth. This continued into the fifth, with Prates landing a number of combinations and being the fighter coming forward. Garry tried to tie things up, mixing in striking all the while, but Prates ended up landing on top in a takedown attempt.

    There, Prates landed serious ground-and-pound that did damage. Prates continued to land powerful shots, but not at a pace that it was enough to finish the fight. Garry survived the round and earned a decision.

    Ian Garry Outworks Carlos Prates For Decision Win In UFC Kansas City Headliner

    Garry came into this bout off of his first professional loss at UFC 310, taking a short-notice bout and losing to Shavkat Rakhmonov. Prior to this, the former Cage Warriors welterweight champion had scored victories over the likes of Michael “Venom” Page, Geoff Neal, Neil Magny and Daniel Rodriguez.

    Prates’s previous four UFC fights have all been Performance of the Night bonus earning, scoring knockouts against Magny, Li Jingliang, Charles Radtke and Trevin Giles.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Ian Garry Decisions Carlos Prates

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Ian Garry Decisions Carlos Prates

    UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!Ā 

    In the main event, welterweights Ian Garry and Carlos Prates clashed. While in the co-main event, Anthony Smith and Zhang Mingyang faced off in a light heavyweight matchup.Ā 

    UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

    • Ian Garry def. Carlos PratesĀ via unanimous decisionĀ (48-47×2, 49-46)
    • Zhang Mingyang def. Anthony Smith via TKO: R1, 4.03
    • David Onama def. Giga Chikadze via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Abus Magomedov def. Michel Pereira via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
    • Randy Brown def. Nicolas Dalby via KO: R2, 1.39
    • Ikram Aliskerov def. Andre Muniz via TKO: R1, 4.54  

    Preliminary Card

    • Matt Schnell def. Jimmy Flick via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Evan Elder def. Gauge Young via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
    • Chris Gutierrez def. John Castaneda via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
    • Daā€™Mon Blackshear def. Alatengheili via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
    • Malcolm Wellmaker def. Cameron Saaiman via KO: R1, 1.59
    • Jacqueline Amorim def. Polyana Viana via submission: R2, 1.49
    • Timothy Cuamba def. Roberto Romero via TKO: R2, 3.55
    • Joselyne Edwards def. Chelsea Chandler via TKO: R1, 2.31

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Joselyne Edwards def. Chelsea Chandler

    Joselyne Edwards earned a first-round TKO of Chelsea Chandler.

    Timothy Cuamba def. Roberto Romero

    Timothy Cuamba got it done with a TKO in the second round.

    Jacqueline Amorim def. Polyana Viana

    Jacqueline Amorim locked in a rear-naked choke to submit Polyana Viana in the second round.

    Malcolm Wellmaker def. Cameron Saaiman

    Malcolm Wellmaker earned a first-round KO of Cameron Saaiman.

    Main Card Highlights

    Ikram Aliskerov def. Andre Muniz

    In this middleweight bout, Ikram Aliskerov stopped Andre Muniz in the first round.

    Randy Brown def. Nicolas Dalby

    In this welterweight bout, Randy Brown stopped Nicolas Dalby in the second round.

    Abus Magomedov def. Michel Pereira

    Abus Magomedov got it done on the scorecards against Michel Pereira.

    David Onama def. Giga Chikadze

    In this featherweight bout, David Onama earned a unanimous decision against Giga Chikadze.

    Zhang Mingyang def. Anthony Smith

    In the co-main event, Zhang Mingyang stopped Anthony Smith in their light heavyweight bout.

    Ian Garry def. Carlos Prates

    In the main event, Ian Garry survived a late onslaught from Carlos Prates to earn a unanimous decision win.

  • ‘Not How You Wanna Go Out’ – Fans React As Zhang Mingyang Retires Anthony Smith With Brutal Beating At UFC Kansas City

    ‘Not How You Wanna Go Out’ – Fans React As Zhang Mingyang Retires Anthony Smith With Brutal Beating At UFC Kansas City

    After a lengthy career in Mixed Martial Arts, “Lionheart” tells the sport thank you and goodbye.

    Anthony Smith retired from active MMA competition following his loss against Zhang Mingyang in the co-main event of UFC Kansas City. Mingyang’s streak of consecutive first-round finishes remains as a result.

    “Every single one of you made an impact on my life,” Smith said. “When I started this game, I was homeless. I had nothing going for me. And now this platform has allowed me to raise my family, my four beautiful daughters, and give them a life that I’ve never been able to have. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much.”

    Zhang started things off with leg kicks before catching Smith trying to come in. Though Smith tried to pressure, Zhang was ready with his striking, mixing together punches and low kicks. Zhang soon changed things up to nasty elbows, cutting Smith open on his head. Smith was a bloody mess not long after and shot for a takedown to try and change things.

    It was unsuccessful, however, and a battered Smith continued to take a beating with elbows and ground-and-pound until the referee stepped in.

    Anthony Smith Falls To Zhang Mingyang In Retirement Fight At UFC Kansas City

    Smith began his professional MMA venture in 2008, going to compete for numerous promotions, including Strikeforce, Bellator, and Cage Fury FC before arriving to the UFC in 2016. After a 4-2 run at middleweight in the Octagon, Smith moved up to light heavyweight and made a name for himself with sub-90-second finishes of both Rashad Evans and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in 2018.

    Smith would follow that up with a submission of Volkan Oezdemir to earn a shot at Jon Jones and the light heavyweight championship at UFC 235. Jones was in control for most of the fight, but the moment of the fight came when Smith was hit with an illegal knee in the fourth round. Rather than take the disqualification loss and title like Aljamain Sterling would do three years later against Petr Yan, Smith elected to continue the fight. Though Jones was deducted two points for the foul, he still won a unanimous decision.

    Smith would go on to be a streaky fighter following the fight, ending his career 6-8 (7-7 with win) since the loss to Jones.

    Mingyang, meanwhile, entered tonight’s bout 2-0 in the UFC after a first-round knockout on Road to UFC in 2022. In 2024, Mingyang scored first-round finishes of Brendson Ribiero and Ozzy Diaz.

  • Watch Ikram Aliskerov Crush Andre Muniz With Left Hook In First-Round Finish At UFC Kansas City

    Watch Ikram Aliskerov Crush Andre Muniz With Left Hook In First-Round Finish At UFC Kansas City

    Ikram Aliskerov has gotten back in the win column in a notable way, putting out Andre Muniz with a strong finish to open the main card of UFC Kansas City.

    After some leg kick trading, Aliskerov took control with pressure, landing several left hands on Muniz. Muniz looked for a takedown but got stuffed, with Aliskerov continuing to have the upper hand with striking. Entering the final minute, Aliskerov had gotten the better of Muniz with leg kicks and the left hand.

    And that left hand helped nab him the win. A left hook wobbled Muniz and backed him into the cage, falling to the mat. Aliskerov jumped on him and ground-and-pounded away until the referee stepped in with just seconds to go in the round.

    Ikram Aliskerov Scores Finish With Seconds To Go In Round One At UFC Kansas City

    This marked Aliskerov’s first fight since his short-notice fight and loss to former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in Saudi Arabia last June.

    Muniz, who entered this fight off a split decision over Park Jun-yong in December 2023, has now lost three of his last four.

  • ‘Just Gaethje’d Him’ – Fans React To Randy Brown Flooring Nicolas Dalby In UFC Kansas City Slugfest

    ‘Just Gaethje’d Him’ – Fans React To Randy Brown Flooring Nicolas Dalby In UFC Kansas City Slugfest

    A fight with great intensity ended appropriately — with one of the most vicious knockouts we have seen in 2025 thus far.

    That KO came courtesy of Randy Brown, who became the first man to put away Nicolas Dalby as they threw down at UFC Kansas City.

    Brown looked to get the fight off at a fast pace, and it was a pace that stuck for most of the fight. As Brown looked to get the upper hand in striking, Dalby sought to return pressure. Brown notable shattered Dalby’s nose with a nasty combination during the first round. But just before the end of the round, Dalby shook things up and stole momentum by dropping Brown with a monster hook.

    Dalby looked to take the fight to Brown at the start of round two, but Brown was prepared with his striking, which kept Dalby at bay. Brown continued to lay shots in on Dalby until he landed a massive overhand right that floored Dalby. It was a walk-off knockout that could very well earn Knockout of the Year honors.

    Randy Brown Lays Out Nicolas Dalby With Potential KO Of The Year At UFC Kansas City

    https://twitter.com/thefightbubble/status/1916309936574701946

    Brown has now four of his last five and rebounds from a split decision loss he suffered against Bryan Battle at UFC 310.

    After a four-fight win streak, Dalby has now dropped two straight. He entered tonight off his own split decision defeat, falling to Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC Saudi Arabia last June.

  • VIDEO: Charles Oliveira To Be Honored With 2025 Forrest Griffin Community Award

    The UFC has named Charles Oliveira as this year’s recipient of the Forrest Griffin Community Award, as announced during the UFC Kansas City main card.

    Oliveira is being honored for the work he has done with East LA Jiu-Jitsu, a non-profit jiu-jitsu school set up for kids to build character, confidence and resilience. The school, founded by Ron Mukai, is open to all children, regardless of their ability to pay.

    Oliveira said what motivates him to help teach the kids his own past experience with the discipline and coming from a high-risk environment, and being able to show kids they can accomplish anything they set out to.

    Charles Oliveira To Receive Forrest Griffin Community Award At 2025 UFC Hall Of Fame Ceremony

    The Forrest Griffin Community Award is annually handed out to fighters who make impacts and special contributions to their communities. Past winners have included Dustin Poirier, Max Holloway, Giga Chikadze, the Nogueira Brothers and Beneil Dariush.

    Oliveira will receive the award at this year’s UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 26. This year’s UFC Hall of Fame class will also include Amanda Nunes, Robbie Lawler, Craig Piligian and the UFC 236 clash between Kelvin Gastelum and Israel Adesanya.

  • VIDEO: Dricus Du Plessis’ Teammate Brutally KO’d In Third Straight Loss At UFC Kansas City

    VIDEO: Dricus Du Plessis’ Teammate Brutally KO’d In Third Straight Loss At UFC Kansas City

    Coming in to his UFC debut off his appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series, Malcolm Wellmaker rose to the occasion at UFC Kansas City, while Cameron Saaiman’s losing skid has only worsened.

    Wellmaker scored a finish of Saaiman in under two minutes during the preliminary card for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night event..

    At just under the two-minute mark of the first round, Wellmaker landed a solid counter right that dropped the South African fighter. The referee immediately stepped in to stop the match.

    Malcolm Wellmaker Drops Cameron Saaiman Out Cold In UFC Debut At UFC Kansas City

    https://twitter.com/HaduuckenIII/status/1916269342330585301

    Wellmaker now moves to 9-0 in his young career. He scored a first-round knockout of Adam Bramhald to earn his UFC contract.

    Saaiman, a teammate of UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and himself also a DWCS alum, has now lost three straight after starting his own career 9-0. In addition to this loss, he has also been defeated by Christian Rodriguez and Payton Talbott.

  • Kamaru Usman To Headline UFC Atlanta On June 14 Against Surging Contender

    Kamaru Usman To Headline UFC Atlanta On June 14 Against Surging Contender

    Kamaru Usman is finally set to make his long-anticipated return to the UFC.

    On Friday, the MMA promotion announced that Usman will headline UFC Atlanta against emerging contender Joaquin Buckley in a crucial welterweight showdown. The upcoming Fight Night event is poised to take place on June 14 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

    Usman will be making his comeback to active competition after nearly a two-year hiatus. The former welterweight champion was last seen in action at UFC 294 in October 2024, where he suffered a majority decision loss in a short-notice middleweight clash against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev.

    “The Nigerian Nightmare” is currently enduring the most challenging stretch of his UFC career, having suffered three consecutive losses. The tough run began when he lost his long-held 170-pound title at UFC 278 in August 2022, falling to a dramatic last-round knockout from Leon Edwards.

    Usmanā€™s bid to reclaim the title in a trilogy bout against “Rocky” at UFC 286 in March 2023 also ended in disappointment with a decision loss.

    Meanwhile, Buckleyā€™s long-desired wish to face Usman is finally coming true. He has relentlessly called out “The Nigerian Nightmare” ever since stopping (doctor’s stoppage) multi-time title challenger Colby Covington at UFC Tampa in December.

    “New Mansa” has been unstoppable since making his return to welterweight in May 2023, currently riding a six-fight win streak. This impressive run includes dominant victories over seasoned veterans such as Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, and Alex Morono.

    Hereā€™s what the UFC Atlanta lineup looks like with the addition of Usman vs. Buckley:

    • Joaquin Buckley vs. Kamaru Usman: welterweight
    • Miranda Maverick vs. Rose Namajunas: women’s flyweight
    • Alonzo Menifield vs. Oumar Sy: light heavyweight
    • Tereza Bleda vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth:women’s flyweight
    • Andre Petroski vs. Edmen Shahbazyan: middleweight
    • Cody Durden vs. Jose Ochoa: flyweight
    • Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Cody Brundage: middleweight
  • Former Manchester United Captain Set To Make Shocking PFL Debut On May 23

    Former Manchester United Captain Set To Make Shocking PFL Debut On May 23

    The PFL SmartCage is set to welcome a former French footballer in a surprise crossover bout.

    On Friday, the PFL officially announced that former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has signed with the promotion and will be making his MMA debut at the upcoming PFL Europe event on May 23 at the Accor Arena in Paris, France.

    Evra is expected to compete in a welterweight showcase bout ā€” though his opponent remains under wraps.

    The 43-year-old Senegal-born Frenchman has been training alongside fellow countryman and PFL standout CƩdric DoumbƩ.

    “You guys should know by now, I love this game too! Iā€™ve performed on the worldā€™s biggest stages, won every major trophy in football, but PFL Europe Paris will be an incredibly special night for me,” Evra said in a statement released by the promotion.” Iā€™ve been training alongside the best in the world for years, and theyā€™ll also tell you Iā€™m ready for this. Iā€™m going to put on a show at the Accor Arena on 23 May, so come watch the spectacle.ā€

    Following the announcement, Evra took to social media and cheekily suggested he would like to make his promotional debut against his longtime Premier League rival, Luis SuƔrez, inside the cage.

    “BREAKING: Iā€™m officially training for my first fight with @PFLEurope. They will pick my opponentā€¦ They asked who I wanna face. I said:
    Luis SuĆ”rez. Iā€™ll pay out of pocket. He can even bite me, Evra wrote on X.

    Following a brief stint with West Ham United, Evra hung up his boots for good in July 2019. His illustrious playing career was highlighted by a commanding decade at Manchester United from 2005 to 2014, during which he made 273 appearances.

    The upcoming PFL Europe event is set to be headlined by a lightweight showdown between Mansour Barnaoui and Archie Colgan. The card also features another 155-pound clash between Patrick Habirora and Nicolas Di Franco, as well as a bantamweight battle in which promotional debutant Taylor Lapilus will face off against Ali Taleb.

  • Dustin Poirier Set To Challenge For A Title In His Retirement Fight At UFC 318

    Dustin Poirier Set To Challenge For A Title In His Retirement Fight At UFC 318

    UFC legend Dustin Poirier has his final fight in the calendar ā€” and it comes against a familiar adversary.

    Poirier will be making his farewell as an active mixed martial artist in 2025. He committed to one more walk to the Octagon soon after his latest failed shot at the undisputed lightweight title last June in Newark, where he was submitted in round five of the UFC 302 main event by Islam Makhachev.

    ā€œThe Diamondā€ outlined that he was targeting fellow ā€œlegendsā€ of the sport for a showdown close to home in New Orleans this summer when discussing his search for an opponent.

    And when it comes to that description, the promotion certainly obliged.

    The UFC officially announced this week that Poirier will run it back with Max Holloway in competition for the symbolic BMF title at UFC 318 in New Orleans on July 19.

    While Poirier is coming off a submission defeat to the lightweight kingpin last time out, Holloway fell short opposite Ilia Topuria, the now-former featherweight titleholder. “Blessed” was knocked out for the first time in his career by “El Matador” in Abu Dhabi last October.

    The Hawaiian will now return to lightweight to defend the BMF belt for the first time since capturing it from Justin Gaethje, who earned the symbolic strap with a KO of Poirier in 2023.

    Holloway is currently 0-2 against “The Diamond,” having been submitted by the Louisianan in 2012 before being outpointed in their 2019 rematch for the interim UFC lightweight title.

  • Mateusz Gamrot Booked For Shock UFC Fight Against Unranked Prospect

    Mateusz Gamrot Booked For Shock UFC Fight Against Unranked Prospect

    Top 10 UFC lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot has been handed a surprise assignment.

    Gamrot (24-3, 1 NC) is yet to compete in 2025, having most recently had his push up the 155-pound ladder stalled by Dan Hooker at UFC 305 in Australia last August.

    That result relegated the Polish standout to #7 in the rankings, and that’s a spot he’ll need to defend opposite a rising prospect currently outside the top 15 next time out.

    The UFC announced this week that Gamrot will do battle at UFC Vegas 107 inside the Apex on May 31 with ĽudovĆ­t Klein (23-4-1).

    For many, the Slovakian 30-year-old is overdue a shot at breaking into the rankings. “Mr. Highlight” has amassed an unbeaten run spanning seven fights, most recently outpointing Roosevelt Roberts to cap off a 3-0 year in 2024.

    Prior to a narrow split decision setback to Hooker, meanwhile, Gamrot had defeated Jalin Turner, Rafael Fiziev, and Rafael dos Anjos consecutively.

    The fight against Klein has come as a surprise to many fans, especially after “Gamer” previously campaigned for clashes with the likes of Justin Gaethje and Arman Tsarukyan in the past few months.

  • Dricus Du Plessis Denies Injury Rumors, Teases UFC Fight Announcement ‘Soon’

    Dricus Du Plessis Denies Injury Rumors, Teases UFC Fight Announcement ‘Soon’

    UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis has addressed recent speculation regarding the status of his next title defense.

    The undefeated Khamzat Chimaev looked to have secured a first title shot in MMA’s leading promotion this summer after he breezed past former champ Robert Whittaker in Abu Dhabi last October.

    But though reports placed his clash with Du Plessis on the UFC 317 card during International Fight Week in late June,Ā Kevin Iole recently claimedĀ that an injury to “Stillknocks” is set to delay his third defense.

    ā€œBorzā€ was quick to corroborate the news withĀ a frustrated post on social media, but Du Plessis has now denied the speculation.

    The South African titleholder hit back at recent rumors in an Instagram post, insisting that no June fight was ever signed and that an announcement regarding his return date is on the way.

    “Okey so everyone had their opinions and rumours and stories about a shin break and injuries etc.,” Du Plessis wrote. “I found it all very entertaining, unfortunately none of it is true myself andĀ @ufcĀ already discussed a fight date and opponent, the June fight was never signed I did not pull out of any fight, I am the champion I know when I fight you as a contender just show up when we tell you to. Fight announcement coming soon stay tuned. šŸ‡æšŸ‡¦Ā #preparetobeamazedĀ #stillknocksšŸ‘‘“

    For now, talk of the International Fight Week main event has turned to Ilia Topuria, who is expected to challenge for lightweight gold in the UFC 317 main event.

  • 308-Pound Tai Tuivasa Plots UFC Comeback In 2026 After Lengthy Break Amid Losing Skid

    308-Pound Tai Tuivasa Plots UFC Comeback In 2026 After Lengthy Break Amid Losing Skid

    UFC heavyweight veteran Tai Tuivasa is targeting a 2026 return to the Octagon, as he looks to bounce back from a difficult run of losses.

    Since rising to a career high #3 in the rankings when a knockout of Derrick Lewis put him on a five-fight winning run, fan favorite Tuivasa has experienced nothing but defeat inside the Octagon.

    2024 began with ā€œBam Bamā€ suffering a fourth straight loss, with Marcin Tybura adding to the woes of the Australianā€™s setbacks opposite Ciryl Gane, Sergei Pavlovich, and Alexander Volkov.

    And at last August’s UFC 305 pay-per-view in Perth, Australia,Ā it was the turn of Rozenstruik to get in on the action. ā€œBigi Boyā€ followed up on his headline win over Shamil Gaziev earlier in the year by comfortably outpointing Tuivasa in enemy territory.

    During an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, the KO specialist revealed that he currently weighs in excess of 300 pounds, having decided to take a lengthy break from competition.

    The Aussie did, however, provide an update on his status and outline a return timeline.

    “I’m gonna aim for start of next year,” he said. “I need to get back in the gym. I need to get fit. I need to get ready. I feel much better now I’ve had this break… I’ve got something to prove, I’m not done yet.”

    And when he does make his comeback, “Bam Bam” doesn’t see much in terms of tough competition.

    “It’s definitely been something I’ve been thinking about a lot since I’ve been having this time off… The heavyweights are sh*t,” Tuivasa stated. “They’re all sh*t, except for Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. Other than that, f*cking everyone’s pretty standard.”

  • Ian Garry Gives Honest Take On Islam Makhachev’s Possible Welterweight Arrival

    Ian Garry Gives Honest Take On Islam Makhachev’s Possible Welterweight Arrival

    UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry expects more domination for Islam Makhachev should he commit to a move up to 170 pounds.

    Garry currently has his focus on the charging Carlos Prates, whom he’ll share the cage with in the main event of this weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Kansas City.

    Soon enough, though, the Irishman may have a champion from below to worry about.

    As talk of a showdown between Makhachev and Ilia Topuria continues to grow, reports have suggested that the lightweight kingpin is awaiting the result of Belal Muhammad’s title defense against Jack Della Maddalena before deciding whether to remain at 155 pounds or pursue two-division glory up at welterweight.

    And should the latter come to fruition, Garry sees trouble in the future of the 170-pound roster.

    ā€œI think heā€™s an absolute disaster for everyone in the (welterweight) division if he comes up and doesnā€™t have to cut weight,” Garry said during a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri. “I would love to test myself against him.”

  • MMA News: Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall, Topuria’s UFC 317 Training, GSP’s Return, Pimblett Under Fire

    MMA News: Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall, Topuria’s UFC 317 Training, GSP’s Return, Pimblett Under Fire

    Here are today’s top MMA and UFC news stories:

    Ilia Topuria Begins Training Camp for UFC 317 Lightweight Title Shot

    Ilia Topuria, the former UFC featherweight champion, has officially begun his training camp amid reports that he will compete at UFC 317 during International Fight Week on June 28.

    Having vacated the 145lb belt after knocking out Max Holloway at UFC 308, Topuria claims he was promised an immediate lightweight title shot. While his opponent hasn’t been officially announced, speculation is swirling about whether he will face reigning champion Islam Makhachev or Charles Oliveira for a potential vacant belt. Ariel Helwani has confirmed Topuria’s fight for gold at UFC 317, but the exact opponent remains unannounced.

    Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Heavyweight Fight Reportedly Agreed Upon

    According to UFC veteran Chael Sonnen, a fight between UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall “is agreed all the way down to the date.” This would be one of the most anticipated heavyweight matchups in recent years, with Jones looking to cement his legacy against the dangerous Aspinall.

    However, there have been conflicting reports, as former UFC fighter Vitor Belfort recently advised Jones not to face Aspinall.

    Paddy Pimblett Under Fire for Extreme Post-Fight Weight Gain

    Fresh off a career-defining TKO win over Michael Chandler at UFC 314, Paddy Pimblett is under scrutiny for gaining 42lbs in just a week after the fight. UFC veteran and knockout record-holder Matt Brown expressed concern about Pimblett’s drastic post-fight weight increase (from 156lbs to 198lbs), warning that such fluctuations could jeopardize his long-term career prospects.

    Daniel Cormier Intervenes with Dana White Over UFC 317 Middleweight Division

    Daniel Cormier has confronted UFC president Dana White in an attempt to resolve the turbulence in the middleweight division ahead of UFC 317.

    The division is experiencing uncertainty, especially with Khamzat Chimaev’s position in flux, and Cormier is advocating for decisive action to stabilize the situation and preserve the event’s significance.

    Georges St-Pierre Returns to UFC as Cornerman at UFC 315 in Montreal

    MMA legend and former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre will make his return to the UFC spotlightā€”not as a fighter, but as a cornerman at UFC 315 in Montreal.

    This marks a notable moment for Canadian fans and adds star power to the upcoming event, highlighting GSP’s ongoing influence in the sport.

    Orlando Approved for Major Funding to Host UFC, WWE, and NFL Events

    The city of Orlando has secured significant funding approval to bid on hosting major sporting events, including UFC fights. According to multiple reports, Orange County has approved an $18 million grant to attract high-profile sports entertainment events to the city, including future UFC cards, WWE’s WrestleMania, and Jacksonville Jaguars games.

    Netflix Co-CEO Casts Doubt on UFC Broadcast Rights Deal

    Recent comments from Netflix’s co-CEO have cast doubt on the streaming platform’s interest in acquiring UFC broadcast rights. Despite previous industry speculation about a potential partnership, the executive indicated that Netflix is focusing on “big, breakthrough events” rather than regular sports programming, potentially impacting the UFC’s future media distribution plans.UFC Fighter Ahmad Hassanzada Arrested on Sexual Assault Charges

    In troubling news, UFC signee Ahmad Hassanzada was arrested days before his scheduled UFC debut on charges related to sexual assault against a minor. The Sacramento-based fighter is facing multiple counts of child sex crimes, according to police reports.

    Conor McGregor Sets Condition for UFC Return

    Former two-division champion Conor McGregor has made public statements about his return to the UFC, indicating he has “unfinished business” and suggesting specific conditions for his comeback fight. McGregor also recently made headlines for praising UFC 316 headliner Merab Dvalishvili, calling him “a star.”

    UFC Partners with Meta in Comprehensive Multiyear Deal

    The UFC has announced a wide-ranging sponsorship agreement with Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, bringing the tech giant and the fighting promotion into a closer business relationship. This partnership represents a significant commercial expansion for the UFC and potentially new digital opportunities for the organization.

    Stay tuned to MMA News for our comprehensive coverage of UFC and the world of mixed martial arts.

  • Israel Adesanya Explains Strong Desire For Sean Strickland Rematch

    Israel Adesanya Explains Strong Desire For Sean Strickland Rematch

    Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has his sights on redemption against a familiar adversary next time out.

    Adesanya is currently riding a three-fight losing skid ā€” a disappointing run that began with a shock decision defeat to Sean Strickland in Sydney two years ago.

    Against the odds and predictions of many, ā€œTarzanā€ dropped the then-champ early before comfortably outstriking him across five rounds. The title win went down as one of the promotionā€™s greatest upsets,Ā and it was enough to net MMA Newsā€™ Performance of the Year award for 2023.

    The result brought the Nigerian-New Zealanderā€™s sophomore title reign to a quick end and served as the catalyst for a break. He’s since returned to action and suffered stoppage losses to both Dricus Du Plessis and Nassourdine Imavov.

    Despite some in the community calling for retirement, Adesanya was quick to dismiss that and outline the plan for his next fight ā€” a rematch with Strickland.

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Adesanya explained why he’s so keen to run it back with the controversial American.

    “This time I am gonna come at him correct,” Adesanya said. “I used to get bullied a lot as a kid. He’s an embodiment of that, in the sense that he attacked young me, my inner child. So I want to get some get back for him.”

    Strickland most recently competed in a rematch, as he ran it back with champ Du Plessis in competition for the middleweight gold this past February.

    Having failed to regain the belt at UFC 312 in Sydney, “Tarzan” has some work to do against fellow contenders if he’s to reinsert his name into the championship conversation.