MMA News

Category: MMA

  • Ilia Topuria To Fight For Lightweight Title At UFC 317, With Or Without Islam Makhachev

    Ilia Topuria To Fight For Lightweight Title At UFC 317, With Or Without Islam Makhachev

    It would seem that former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has gotten his wish for an immediate shot at adding lightweight gold to his trophy collection.

    Topuria has set his sights on achieving two-division glory after choosing to vacate the 145-pound title this year following just one defense. “La Leyenda” went 2-0 in 2024, dethroning Alexander Volkanovski before becoming the first to knock out Max Holloway.

    Due to an apparent struggle to make the weight limit, the Spaniard will move forward as a 155-pounder. And given his success below, Topuria has been expecting a showdown with Islam Makhachev straight away.

    Whether that’s the matchup or not remains to be seen, but a report from Spanish journalist Álvaro Colmenero does place Topuria as one half of the next lightweight title fight.

    According to Colmenero, the ex-featherweight kingpin will compete either against Makhachev or for a vacant belt at UFC 317 during International Fight Week this June.

    Previous speculation has suggested that Makhachev is awaiting the result of the UFC 315 headliner between his frequent training partner Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena before deciding on a possible move up to welterweight.

  • UFC Veteran Blasts Paddy Pimblett’s Weight Gain: ‘If I Were His Coach…’

    UFC Veteran Blasts Paddy Pimblett’s Weight Gain: ‘If I Were His Coach…’

    Former UFC welterweight Matt Brown believes Paddy Pimblett is playing a risky game with his drastic weight gain in-between fights.

    As is often the case, Pimblett has been enjoying himself in the aftermath of his latest assignment inside the Octagon. After successfully cutting the pounds to make the lightweight limit, “The Baddy” put a beating on Michael Chandler in the co-main event of this month’s UFC 314 pay-per-view.

    The Scouser’s culinary habits post-fight are well known, with Pimblett admitting to gains of over 50 pounds during stints between fights. And it didn’t take long for clips to do the rounds showing the former Cage Warriors champion preparing snacks backstage at UFC 314.

    While some see the funny side to Pimblett’s unique approach to nutrition, during the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer, ex-fighter Matt Brown fired a warning at the Liverpudlian.

    “If I were his coach, I would have some concern,” Brown said. “What I tell all of my fighters is we have a short window here. You might be doing this for 15 to 20 years at most. There’s a lot that you can get out of it. Why not squeeze all the f*cking juice out that you can? It’s not a ton of suffering to not put on f*cking 40 pounds after a fight. You can enjoy yourself. Enjoy yourself with some moderation and then be back in the gym next week. Nothing wrong with that.

    “You’ve got to have a good, relaxed mind when you’re training and going through this journey, but particularly when we’re young, we feel invincible. We forget how short all this is,” Brown continued. “We push so hard to get something, and then we get it, and we just relax. It’s not a good way to look at it. He’s in an absolute savage division, too. He better keep his eyes on the prize because he’s in for some bloodthirsty motherf*ckers now. … You’re not in LFA, Cage Warriors, wherever he came from. You’re in with the top motherf*ckers in the world now.”

  • PFL Africa, Chaired By Francis Ngannou, Set To Launch In July

    PFL Africa, Chaired By Francis Ngannou, Set To Launch In July

    PFL Africa is nearing its official launch.

    Having ran its season structure on the global stage since 2018, the PFL has committed to establishing its presence with a number of regional leagues around the world.

    After kicking off that expansion with PFL Europe in 2023 and adding PFL MENA (Middle East and North Africa) to the calendar in 2024, the promotion will soon launch its latest development.

    Having long planned an African expansion with star signing Francis Ngannou at the helm, PFL Africa has been officially confirmed for its inaugural season in 2025.

    And PFL founder Donn Davis took to X this week to reveal a launch date will soon be announced for July.

    “PFL Africa Launches This July!!!” Davis wrote. “32 fighters from 14 nations compete in 4 single elimination events to become PFL 2025 Africa Champion … 3rd regional league from @PFLMMA May 6 major press announcement with fighter roster and event location details! #PFLMMA#PFLAfrica“

    Ngannou’s role as chairman of PFL Africa was announced when he put pen to paper on a deal with the PFL in 2023, bringing to an end months of speculation regarding his future following a departure from the UFC.

    While the Cameroonian has since had plenty of focus on a boxing venture, sharing the ring with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, his attention was back on the PFL last October when he made a successful debut inside the SmartCage.

  • Movsar Evloev: UFC ‘Trying To Keep Me As Far From’ The Title As Possible

    Movsar Evloev: UFC ‘Trying To Keep Me As Far From’ The Title As Possible

    When it comes to his pursuit of featherweight gold, Movsar Evloev says he absolutely does not have the backing of the UFC.

    Evloev made his latest appearance on the preliminary card of last December’s UFC 310 pay-per-view in Las Vegas, where his second outing of the year came against an ex-bantamweight titleholder in Aljamain Sterling.

    After his decision victory over Arnold Allen in January wasn’t enough to impress the promotional higher-ups, the Russian had more work to do to place himself in a strong position heading into 2025.

    While he appeared to do that with his decision victory over “Funk Master,” it remains unclear whether Evloev’s winning run will be rewarded.

    During a recent interview for Kolos on MMA’s YouTube channel, Evloev acknowledged as much, even suggesting that the UFC will be doing everything in its power to find alternative options for the featherweight title.

    “As I understand it, the UFC is trying to keep me as far away from anything title related as possible,” Evloev said. “I was at UFC 314. After the fight, I had the opportunity to talk to the UFC. They did not want this. When the event was over, we were walking out through the hallway. Volk was standing not far from me, talking to the fans and staff…I wanted to go up to him and congratulate him, but the security guys didn’t let me and took me to the opposite side.

    “This shows who the UFC wants to see in the next title fight,” Evloev continued. “Apparently in their eyes, I am not worthy of the title yet. Give me the opportunity to prove that I’m worthy. If nine wins in the best organization in the world isn’t enough, I’m ready to fight nine more times.”

    Both Jean Silva and Yair Rodriguez have staked their claims for the next title shot after wins at UFC 314, and many have suggested that their entertaining styles place them as significant threats to Evloev’s ambitions of competing for championship glory.

  • Ian Garry Doesn’t Feel Like He Lost To Shavkat Rakhmonov: ‘He Was Gasping For Air’

    Ian Garry Doesn’t Feel Like He Lost To Shavkat Rakhmonov: ‘He Was Gasping For Air’

    While UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry is no longer officially unbeaten, but he seemingly still feels it.

    Garry had his record blemished for the first time in his professional career at UFC 310 last December, an event he co-headlined opposite a former training partner and fellow rising star at 170 pounds in Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    Their contest, which came about after the withdrawal of champion Belal Muhammad from his scheduled defense against “Nomad” due to injury, went the distance inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, with the Kazakh emerging with his undefeated résumé intact.

    Despite having his hopes to challenge for “Remember the Name’s” gold this year dented by Rakhmonov, however, Garry appears more enthusiastic and confident about his chances of reaching the top than ever before.

    And as he gears up for his chance to prove as much opposite the charging Carlos Prates in Kansas City, Garry said during part one of ESPN MMA‘s UFC Journey series for this weekend’s event that he doesn’t recall feeling defeated by Rakhmonov.

    “The ego in me doesn’t like to admit that my hand never got raised,” Ian Garry said. “I still feel like, to this day, I didn’t lose that fight. He was gasping for air, grateful the fight was over. I was ready for more.”

    Ian Garry and Carlos Prates will top the lineup of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Missouri, where the likes of Anthony Smith, Giga Chikadze, and Michel Pereira will also be in action.

  • Ilia Topuria Explains Why He’s A Fan Of Volkanovski & Holloway, But Not Yair Rodriguez

    Ilia Topuria Explains Why He’s A Fan Of Volkanovski & Holloway, But Not Yair Rodriguez

    When looking back at the UFC division he formerly competed in and ruled over, Ilia Topuria isn’t a fan of one top contender.

    Topuria recently vacated the featherweight gold ahead of a permanent move up to the lightweight class this year. The decision followed a 2024 in which he dethroned Alexander Volkanovski and became the first to knock out Max Holloway.

    When it comes to both of those legends, “La Leyenda” considers himself a fan. But when it comes to a man whom both have defeated but Topuria didn’t face during his time in the weight class, the Spaniard has a different view.

    During a recent appearance on Joe Rogan’s JRE MMA Show, Topuria explained why he isn’t a fan of Yair Rodriguez’s in the same way he is for the two featherweight GOAT contenders.

    “I don’t know what to tell you about Yair Rodriguez. I’m not a big fan of him,” Ilia Topuria said. “He’s the type of guy that you don’t even need to take him down, he goes to the ground himself. He’s like very spectacular the way he fights, the striking, the kicks he throws and all that, but I’m not a big fan of him.

    “I’m a fan of Volk (Volkanovski) and Max Holloway,” Topuria continued. “Actually, they were the smartest guys that I ever faced inside the Octagon. I felt that they were smart. They had that fight IQ. They know how to fight.”

    The ship has seemingly sailed on the prospect of Ilia Topuria and Yair Rodriguez sharing the Octagon.

    With the Mexican still having his sights on the undisputed featherweight gold, his attention will have recently turned from “La Leyenda” to Volkanovski, who returned to the mountaintop by defeating Diego Lopes at UFC 314 on April 12.

  • Mauricio Ruffy Touts Teammate To Beat Khamzat Chimaev, Become First UFC Champion From Fighting Nerds

    Mauricio Ruffy Touts Teammate To Beat Khamzat Chimaev, Become First UFC Champion From Fighting Nerds

    UFC lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy has backed his teammate Caio Borralho to end the undefeated run of Khamzat Chimaev in mixed martial arts.

    Talk of Borralho and Chimaev sharing the cage has arisen this week following reports of an injury to UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis, who was expected to defend his gold against “Borz” this summer.

    It didn’t take long for Borralho to raise his hand as a possible replacement opponent. Like Chimaev, “The Natural” is yet to taste defeat in the UFC, winning all seven of his bouts en route to #6 in the 185-pound rankings.

    Chimaev hasn’t publicly responded to Borralho’s callout thus far, and it would seem that one of the Brazilian’s prominent Fighting Nerds stablemates is already running out of patience.

    “Enough bullshit,” Ruffy wrote on X (translated from Portuguese). “@KChimaev we all know how camp training works. @ufc send the contract, let’s take that belt! @BorralhoCaio will be the first Fighting (Nerds) to win the belt.”

  • Paddy Pimblett Shows Respect To ‘Legend Of The Sport’ Michael Chandler After UFC 314 Clash

    Paddy Pimblett Shows Respect To ‘Legend Of The Sport’ Michael Chandler After UFC 314 Clash

    UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett has only positive things to say about Michael Chandler following their fight in Miami earlier this month.

    Pimblett recorded the biggest win of his Octagon career to date at the UFC 314 pay-per-view on April 12, which he co-headlined inside Miami’s Kaseya Center.

    To keep his undefeated UFC record intact and further climb the ladder toward title contention, “The Baddy” was tasked with adding to the woes of a Chandler who entered the event without a win since 2022.

    “Iron Mike” was unable to rectify that and improve his negative record in the promotion, instead getting battered by Pimblett en route to a TKO stoppage midway through round three.

    Over a week on, Pimblett shared a heartwarming interaction between the pair backstage, accompanying it with a classy message to his defeated opponent.

    “It was an absolute pleasure to share the cage with such a legend of the sport in @mikechandlermma,” Pimblett wrote. “Nothing but respect for him before the fight and even more after we fought”

  • Anthony Smith Explains Satisfaction With MMA Career Despite Not Winning A UFC Title

    Anthony Smith Explains Satisfaction With MMA Career Despite Not Winning A UFC Title

    UFC light heavyweight veteran Anthony Smith will soon be hanging up his gloves content with all he achieved in the sport of mixed martial arts.

    Smith announced his plans for one final farewell fight on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage after falling to a third loss in his last four fights in December 2024. He was knocked out by Dominick Reyes at UFC 310, a result that came five months on from another setback to middleweight contender Roman Dolidze.

    With that, 2025 will mark the year in which “Lionheart” retires. Smith will conclude his career at UFC Kansas City this weekend, where he’ll meet an opponent who rides a streak of 11 first-round finishes in the form of Chinese prospect Zhang Mingyang.

    During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Smith reflected on his lengthy stint as an active fighter and explained why the lack of a world title on his résumé isn’t as frustrating as some may think.

    “I don’t mean this to sound cocky or arrogant, but I’ve never, until now, felt like I’ve done something worth celebrating,” Smith said. “I’ve never felt like I should be celebrated. I feel like now I’ve f*cking put in a career that I should be proud of and I should deserve to be able to celebrate it and be happy about it.

    “I didn’t think I’d ever be happy if I didn’t win a world title, but I found myself in a place where that’s ok because it wasn’t for lack of effort,” Smith continued. “I tried really, really, really fucking hard and I’m just going to celebrate what I was able to do. I came from nothing.”

  • Dricus Du Plessis Reacts To Khamzat Chimaev’s Frustration Over Reported Title Fight Delay

    Dricus Du Plessis Reacts To Khamzat Chimaev’s Frustration Over Reported Title Fight Delay

    UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis has responded after coming under fire from his expected next challenger.

    While Du Plessis was seemingly being lined up for a return this summer to put his gold on the line against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev, a recent report appeared to reveal an injury to the South African.

    With that, “Borz” looks like he’ll have to wait a little longer for his first shot at title glory on MMA’s biggest stage. And it’s safe to say that the Chechen star didn’t take the news well.

    A frustrated Chimaev took to X with his reaction, writing, “This guy biggest bullsh*t.”

    Responding to that, Du Plessis looked to flip the tables by showing Chimaev’s history of fight cancellations in the UFC.

    “Let’s take a look at the last +-2.5years and tell me who’s bullshit,” Du Plessis wrote on X.

    It remains to be seen what the UFC has planned for Chimaev amid talk of an injury to the reigning champion.

    Should the promotion pursue a new matchup for “Borz,” a ready and willing opponent has already emerged in the form of Caio Borralho.

  • UFC Kansas City Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Ian Garry vs. Carlos Prates Card

    UFC Kansas City Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Ian Garry vs. Carlos Prates Card

    UFC Kansas City is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekend’s lineup.

    The upcoming event takes place Saturday, April 26, at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The main card begins at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be a pair of top 15 welterweight contenders in Ireland’s Ian Garry and charging Fighting Nerds standout Carlos Prates.

    And also making the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Anthony Smith, Giga Chikadze, Michel Pereira, Randy Brown, and Ikram Aliskerov.

    UFC Kansas City: Garry vs. Prates Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Kansas City (as of 4/21), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Ian Garry (-130) vs. Carlos Prates (+110)
    • Anthony Smith (+380) vs. Zhang Mingyang (-500)
    • Giga Chikadze (+145) vs. David Onama (-175)
    • Michel Pereira (-155) vs. Abus Magomedov (+130)
    • Randy Brown (-238) vs. Nicolas Dalby (+195)
    • Ikram Aliskerov (-650) vs. Andre Muniz (+470)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Matt Schnell (-278) vs. Jimmy Flick (+225)
    • Evan Elder (-258) vs. Gauge Young (+210)
    • Chris Gutierrez (-130) vs. John Castaneda (+110)
    • Da’Mon Blackshear (-395) vs. Alatengheili (+310)
    • Malcolm Wellmaker (-110) vs. Cameron Saaiman (-110)
    • Jacqueline Amorim (-550) vs. Polyana Viana (+410)
    • Timothy Cuamba (-105) vs. Roberto Romero (-115)
    • Chelsea Chandler (+240) vs. Joselyne Edwards (-298)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo3W91E-M5s
  • Kayla Harrison Appreciates Julianna Peña ‘Winning’ Her More Fans With Unlikeable Trash Talk

    Kayla Harrison Appreciates Julianna Peña ‘Winning’ Her More Fans With Unlikeable Trash Talk

    UFC women’s bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison sees positives coming from Julianna Peña’s brash trash talk in the lead-up to their championship showdown.

    Peña returned to the 135-pound mountaintop in the co-main event of the UFC 307 pay-per-view last October, narrowly outpointing Raquel Pennington in what marked a widely debated result.

    Harrison, meanwhile, staked her claim for a shot against the winner earlier in the night when she got the better of Ketlen Vieira to move to 2-0 under the UFC banner.

    While the champ attempted to set her sights on the retired Amanda Nunes instead, all signs pointed toward Harrison getting her first title shot in 2025, and that’ll come to fruition at UFC 316 in Newark on June 7.

    Given how the pair exchanged words at the UFC 307 press conference, the lead-up could be entertaining. “The Venezuelan Vixen” has had plenty of negative things to say about the two-time Olympic gold medalist since her arrival to the promotion, and that trend continued at the UFC 316 launch presser in Miami.

    During a recent appearance on the podcast of MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Harrison reflected on their on-stage exchanges and explained why she sees them as beneficial.

    “I’m still trying to figure out what happened,” Kayla Harrison said. “It was a lot. I thought we were going to talk a little bit of sh*t. I was expecting us to have a little bit of fun with it, but she came out swinging and I was like – it kind of works in my favor because she talks so much that everybody just hates her.

    “So I win a lot of fans when I’m just like, ‘All right, whatever, honey.’ She was talking about (Cris) Cyborg and running and grandmas and skinny and bloody and walking tacos, and I was like, ‘What is happening right now?’ We’ll see,” Harrison added.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Apparently Says ‘Yes’ To New Opponent After News Of Dricus Du Plessis Injury

    It hasn’t taken long for UFC middleweight Khamzat Chimaev to seemingly agree to a new matchup amid talk of an apparent injury to champion Dricus Du Plessis.

    The undefeated Chechen contender looked set for his first title opportunity on MMA’s biggest stage this summer after he breezed past the great Robert Whittaker in Abu Dhabi last October.

    But while reports placed his clash with Du Plessis on the UFC 317 card during International Fight Week in late June, Kevin Iole revealed that an injury to the South African is set to delay his third defense.

    “Borz” was quick to corroborate the news with a frustrated post on social media, and he doesn’t appear keen to wait for the champ’s recovery before returning to the cage.

    Fellow top contender Caio Borralho reacted to the news by expressing interest in facing Chimaev instead. By the sound of things, that interest is not one-sided…

    “Khamzat said yes!” Borralho wrote on X. “The only thing that makes sense is the Interim belt! This fight is gonna be bigger than him vs Dricus! Marks my words”

    It remains to be seen whether such a bout would also be of interest to the UFC higher-ups.

  • Tom Aspinall ‘Sworn To Secrecy’ Over Next Fight, But Promises Announcement ‘Soon’

    Tom Aspinall ‘Sworn To Secrecy’ Over Next Fight, But Promises Announcement ‘Soon’

    While the fans still remain in the dark about plans in the heavyweight title picture, it would seem that Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall no longer does.

    Aspinall has been pushing for a unification clash with Jon Jones ever since winning the interim belt in November 2023. He made the most of Rochester native’s canceled defense against Stipe Miocic by finishing Sergei Pavlovich on short notice.

    A year and a half later, the heavyweight division remains under the rule of two champs who have both fought others in the meantime. With Jones remaining firm on his insistance to face Miocic, Aspinall passed the time by convincingly beating Curtis Blaydes to keep hold of his interim gold last July.

    Since “Bones” had his hand raised a few months later, discussion over the pair finally unifying the titles has only increased, with the UFC also appearing firmly behind that plan.

    The delay in it happening? According to Tom Aspinall, a familiar reluctance from Jones.

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Aspinall suggested some resolution has been reached. When it comes to what, however, the Brit has been “sworn to secrecy” for the time being.

    “I know everyone wants fight news, but I do know what’s happening,” Tom Aspinall said. “I have been sworn to secrecy for a little bit, so stay tuned. … But there will be news coming, hopefully very soon.”

  • Khalil Rountree: Magomed Ankalaev Fought A ‘Different’ Alex Pereira Than I Did

    Khalil Rountree: Magomed Ankalaev Fought A ‘Different’ Alex Pereira Than I Did

    Khalil Rountree doesn’t believe newly crowned UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev came up against the same beast that he did inside the Octagon.

    Ankalaev got the better of Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 313 last month, ending the Brazilian’s reign on the 205-pound throne in the process.

    While “Poatan” had successfully pushed through three challenges, including opposite Rountree last October, he fell at the hurdle that had long been tipped to be his tallest in the division given Ankalaev’s well-rounded arsenal and wrestling prowess.

    During a recent interview with MMA Today, though, Rountree somewhat put the result down to an off night for Pereira, whom “The War Horse” suggested was way off the level of performance he displayed to retain the belt in Salt Lake City five months prior.

    “It was hard for me to watch that fight and score it,” Rountree said. “The Alex that walked out that night was a different Alex than the one that fought me. My experience was watching that fight in frustration.

    “I was kind of confused because I was expecting the same guy that came and fought me to go there and do the same thing. I wanted to see what that experience was like from the outside,” Rountree added.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Fuels Talk Of Dricus Du Plessis Injury With Frustrated Social Media Post

    Khamzat Chimaev Fuels Talk Of Dricus Du Plessis Injury With Frustrated Social Media Post

    It would seem that middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev will be waiting a little longer than planned for his first UFC title shot.

    Having successfully defended his belt against Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, the reign of Dricus Du Plessis was expected to meet its tallest hurdle to date this summer.

    “Stillknocks” appeared likely to face the challenge of Chimaev, an undefeated phenom who most recently steamrolled Robert Whittaker by way of a teeth-breaking face crank submission last October.

    But though their bout was targeted for International Fight Week, a recent report from Kevin Iole has suggested that an injury to the champ has forced him out.

    And Chimaev further corroborated that news Sunday with a frustrated post on social media.

    “This guy biggest bullsh*t,” Chimaev wrote on X.

    The apparent injury to the middleweight kinkpin seems to have boosted the chances of Islam Makhachev headlining UFC 317 in defense of his lightweight crown.

  • Chael Sonnen Says Fans Are ‘Pretending’ They Want Amanda Nunes To Make UFC Return

    Chael Sonnen Says Fans Are ‘Pretending’ They Want Amanda Nunes To Make UFC Return

    Former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen isn’t buying the apparent enthusiasm over a return to active competition for Amanda Nunes.

    Nunes laid down her two titles and gloves in the Octagon following a successful bantamweight defense against Irena Aldana in 2023. Their showdown at UFC 289 in Canada came about on short-notice following the withdrawal of Julianna Peña through injury.

    Close by cageside on the night was “The Venezuelan Vixen,” who expected to set up a rearranged trilogy fight with the “Lioness.” Instead, the Brazilian announced a surprise retirement.

    But that got thrown into doubt after Nunes questioned Kayla Harrison’s decision not to call her out following a successful Octagon debut at UFC 300. Since then, talk of a comeback has only intensified.

    Most recently, Nunes suggested a return is on the cards while in attendance for the UFC 316 press conference, which saw champ Peña and upcoming opponent Harrison go back and forth.

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen addressed the likely comeback, claiming any excitement in the fanbase is not genuine.

    “It’s very polite to pretend that you want Amanda Nunes to come back, it’s very polite, but I’m just not really sure why you’re doing it,” Sonnen said. “You didn’t get excited when she was here the first time. You didn’t come out, you didn’t buy a T-shirt, you wouldn’t watch the show because, you wouldn’t buy the pay-per-view because, and now you’re pretending that you want her to come back.

    “She’s the greatest of all time…a really, really nice human being in addition to that,” Sonnen continued. “It’s not a commentary on that. You don’t want to see her fight, and you never did. So I struggle with this newfound curiosity of ‘will she come back?’”

  • Ilia Topuria Will ‘Sit’ And Wait For Islam Makhachev Title Fight

    Ilia Topuria Will ‘Sit’ And Wait For Islam Makhachev Title Fight

    Ilia Topuria is sticking to his guns.

    Topuria is set to embark on a new pursuit of gold this year after choosing to vacate the featherweight title after just one defense.

    While a rematch with the man from whom he took the gold last February, Alexander Volkanovski, was expected to await him following a knockout of Max Holloway, a desire to bid farewell to the grueling weight cut has resulted in Topuria committing to a permanent move up.

    By all accounts, the Spaniard is hoping to immediately challenge the lightweight reign of Islam Makhachev. But recent speculation has suggested the Dagestani is looking to have “El Matador” fight a contender first.

    During a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, Topuria responded to that suggestion, insisting that he’ll only settle for an immediate title fight later this year.

    “I don’t care if Islam decides he doesn’t want to fight me. I’ll sit until you’re gonna have to fight me,” Ilia Topuria said. “I’m here. You can’t keep avoiding me.”

  • UFC Fighter Calls For Michael Chandler To Be Removed From Rankings After UFC 314 Loss

    UFC Fighter Calls For Michael Chandler To Be Removed From Rankings After UFC 314 Loss

    Grant Dawson is doubling down on his critical assessment of Michael Chandler’s position within the UFC lightweight rankings.

    Following Chandler’s recent third-round TKO loss to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 in Miami, Dawson has reiterated his long-held belief that Chandler is undeserving of his top-15 ranking.

    Dawson has been vocal about Chandler’s ranking for an extended period. His stance only solidified after Chandler’s latest defeat, which marks his third consecutive loss and his fifth loss in his last six outings. This leaves his UFC record at 2-5.

    “I’ve been calling out Chandler for years,” Dawson told MMA Junkie. “I’ve always thought Chandler was undeserving of being in the top 15. He’s now 2-5, I believe, in the UFC. All good guys for sure, but we’re all fighting good guys. If Michael Chandler’s next fight is a big name, not an up-and-comer, I think the UFC is doing a disservice.” Dawson argues that rewarding a fighter with Chandler’s recent record with another high-profile matchup against a rising contender would be unfair to those consistently climbing the ranks.

    Furthermore, Dawson admitted that Pimblett’s performance against Chandler significantly exceeded his expectations. Despite predicting a Pimblett victory, Dawson was surprised by the dominant nature of the finish.

    “I thought he looked great. I thought he looked much improved,” Dawson said of Pimblett’s performance. “I, from Day 1, was picking Paddy to beat Michael Chandler, and I didn’t think he would do it like that. I thought Michael Chandler was going to be winning the entire fight and then do something Michael Chandler does and find a way to lose. But, no, he got his butt kicked the entire time. Paddy is definitely a force to be reckoned with. I’m interested to see who they match him up with next.”

  • Michael Chandler Says The ‘Future Is Still Bright’ In Latest Statement On Devastating UFC 314 Loss

    Michael Chandler Says The ‘Future Is Still Bright’ In Latest Statement On Devastating UFC 314 Loss

    After breaking his silence earlier this week, UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler has released a lengthier statement addressing his latest crushing loss.

    Chandler’s struggles inside the Octagon continued at last Saturday’s UFC 314 pay-per-view, which he co-headlined opposite the rising Paddy Pimblett inside Miami’s Kaseya Center.

    The former three-time Bellator champion was soundly defeated en route to a TKO stoppage in round three. The result has left “Iron Mike” without a victory in three years since 2022 and with a less than ideal 2-5 record in the UFC.

    With that in mind, the 38-year-old is unsurprisingly licking his wounds after another tough night at the office. And after a brief statement Monday, Chandler issued some more detailed thoughts on the setback on Instagram Wednesday.

    “There are really no words to describe the pain and disappointment you feel…you just live in it…let it take its lot and leave you with what is left. From there you rebuild.

    “The best you can do is move forward with confident expectancy and pride in the attempt. One thing is certain, I can rest in knowing that I prepared the best I could and I alone was responsible for my shortcomings in that octagon. My team prepared me. The UFC gave me the opportunity. I stepped into the ultimate proving grounds, ready.

    “Bested, but never beaten. Never out of the fight. Still in pursuit.

    “And this picture sums up how I feel and what truly matters. Bruised, bloodied and heartbroken, yet I have my soulmate by my side and 3 little hands to hold.

    “Future is still bright.

    “Walk On.

    “See you at the top! #ufc314“

  • Ian Garry Finds Evidence Of ‘Quit’ In Carlos Prates Ahead Of UFC Kansas City Main Event

    Ian Garry Finds Evidence Of ‘Quit’ In Carlos Prates Ahead Of UFC Kansas City Main Event

    Ian Garry’s confidence ahead of UFC Kansas City has only risen after watching one of opponent Carlos Prates’ past losses.

    The promotion’s trip to Missouri to stage a UFC Fight Night inside T-Mobile Center on April 26 was originally set to feature a main event between hard-hitting light heavyweights Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree.

    But following speculation of an injury to the former champion, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed at the start of this month that a new matchup will top the lineup.

    The stakes will be similarly high, though, with both Ian Garry and Carlos Prates looking to ascend into the championship conversation at each other’s expense.

    And when it comes to his chances of doing so, the Irishman seemingly got a boost in self-belief after seeing the manner with which Prates once suffered defeat on the regional scene.

    “Here, look at this. This is a video of Carlos Prates and his true fighting spirit,” Ian Garry said. “It’s called being a quitter. He had just been beaten up all the rounds prior, puts his hand up, shakes his head, says, ‘I’m done,’ and then just drops to the ground. … Deep down he knows, he’s not a fighter.”

    While the April 26 headliner marks Garry’s first outing since a narrow defeat to Shavkat Rakhmonov last December, Prates will enter it with his undefeated UFC record still intact, having most recently moved to 4-0 in the Octagon with a knockout of Neil Magny.

  • Alexander Volkanovski Wants To Fight Movsar Evloev ‘For The Legacy’

    Alexander Volkanovski Wants To Fight Movsar Evloev ‘For The Legacy’

    UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski has expanded on why he’d like to face the challenge of Movsar Evloev next time out.

    Volkanovski returned to the throne at this past weekend’s UFC 314 pay-per-view, commencing a second reign at 145 pounds with a convincing five-round victory over Diego Lopes.

    It hasn’t taken long for talk to turn from his performance in Miami to his next opponent, and while some have pushed back on Evloev getting a shot due to his fight style, the champ wants to test himself against the undefeated Russian.

    During an interview with Fox Sports upon touching down back in Australia, Volkanovski explained why he’d choose Evloev to be the first hurdle in his newly begun featherweight rule.

    “I did mention Movsar. He is undefeated. I like the fact that he’s undefeated,” Volkanovski said. “And still one of the younger generation. … I think for the legacy, that would still mean so much.

    “But is that what the fans want? Is that what the UFC wants? I don’t know. I’m going to need to talk to them and we’ll see what happens,” Volkanovski added.

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov Praises ‘Underrated Aspect’ Of Belal Muhammad’s Game

    Khabib Nurmagomedov Praises ‘Underrated Aspect’ Of Belal Muhammad’s Game

    UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has pinpointed one area of Belal Muhammad’s arsenal that he believes puts the reigning welterweight champion above his peers.

    Muhammad has consistently proved his detractors wrong in recent years, mounting an impressive 11-fight unbeaten run en route to the championship at 170 pounds.

    Among the helping hands along the way in “Remember the Name’s” corner was Khabib, who has regularly welcomed the Palestinian-American into his team.

    During a recent interview with Adam Zubayraev, Khabib laid heavy praise on Muhammad while questioning who has what it takes to unseat him from the welterweight throne.

    “I believe it will be very hard to beat Belal,” Khabib said. “If (Della) Maddalena or Shavkat don’t finish him early, Belal is just going to keep pressing. … His endurance is really good. In fact, I think it’s the most underrated aspect in MMA today. Belal’s cardio is the best in this division for sure, and maybe even in all of UFC.”

    Jack Della Maddalena will have the first chance to make Muhammad’s reign a short-lived one. Due to an injury to Shavkat Rakhmonov, the Australian has been brought in to challenge the champ at UFC 315 in Montreal next month.

  • Patricio Pitbull Polls Fans On Second UFC Opponent Following Unsuccessful Debut At UFC 314

    Patricio Pitbull Polls Fans On Second UFC Opponent Following Unsuccessful Debut At UFC 314

    Mixed martial arts legend Patricio Pitbull wants the fans’ input when it comes to his second matchup in the UFC.

    Pitbull, a former multi-time champion in Bellator, made the walk to the Octagon for the first time at this past weekend’s UFC 314 pay-per-view inside Miami’s Kaseya Center.

    The veteran Brazilian received a stern test in his first foray into the cage as a UFC fighter against ex-interim champ Yair Rodriguez. The Mexican utilized his famed striking arsenal to provide an immediate blow to Pitbull’s ambitions.

    After 15 minutes of action in Florida, which included a knockdown for Rodriguez, the UFC debutant suffered a defeat on the scorecards.

    But Patricio Pitbull has not appeared too disheartened by the result and is already turning his attention to what could await him down the line.

    With that in mind, the 37-year-old recently put his choice of next opponent down to the fans, asking them to vote between Diego Lopes, Dan Ige, Josh Emmett, and Aljamain Sterling.

    As of this writing, Ige leads the poll with just over 38 percent of north of 1,000 votes.

    Interestingly, the least favored option is Lopes, who fell short of the featherweight title against Alexander Volkanovski in Saturday’s UFC 314 main event.

  • Islam Makhachev’s Coach Says Paddy Pimblett ‘Worthy’ Of Next UFC Lightweight Title Shot

    Islam Makhachev’s Coach Says Paddy Pimblett ‘Worthy’ Of Next UFC Lightweight Title Shot

    Should the UFC grant Paddy Pimblett a surprise title shot following his latest triumph, the coach of champion Islam Makhachev would seemingly be supportive of the decision.

    Pimblett continued to build momentum in his quest to reach the mountaintop on MMA’s biggest stage, decimating Michael Chandler in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 314 pay-per-view.

    “The Baddy” exited Miami’s Kaseya Center with his undefeated promotional record intact, and he’s since risen to #8 in the official lightweight rankings.

    While that’s left plenty of prominent names still ahead of him in the pecking order, the Scouser has been touted for a potential shot at gold next.

    During the latest episode of his podcast, the Javier & Mo Show, coach Javier Mendez was asked about the prospect of Makhachev defending his belt against Pimblett sooner rather than later.

    “Paddy’s ready to face anybody,” Mendez said. “What he’s done already, his credentials, his winning record in the UFC — and his hype, what he can do, how he can motivate people — if they give him the next title shot, he deserves it. … Is he worthy? Yes. He’s very interesting, and he’s got all of England behind him. … I’m a fan.”