MMA News

Category: UFC

Latest UFC news articles, interviews and more covering the world’s top Mixed Martial Arts promotion.

  • Stipe Miocic Shrugs Off Critics Ahead Of Jon Jones Fight At UFC 309

    Stipe Miocic Shrugs Off Critics Ahead Of Jon Jones Fight At UFC 309

    Stipe Miocic seems indifferent to criticism leading up to his title showdown with Jon Jones at UFC 309.

    Miocic is gearing up to challenge reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jones in his bid for a third title shot, with the bout set to take place on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    In the lead-up to this highly anticipated bout, the former UFC heavyweight champion has faced a barrage of scrutiny for securing a fight against “Bones” after a lengthy hiatus of over three years. Meanwhile, interim titleholder Tom Aspinall remains on the sidelines, waiting for his opportunity at a championship unification clash.

    During an interview with MMA Fighting, Miocic responded to the criticism surrounding his UFC 309 return, emphasizing that fight bookings ultimately rest with the UFC and are entirely out of his hands.

    The 42-year-old Ohio native acknowledged that a Jones vs. Aspinall matchup would be huge, yet he believes his own showdown with Jones is the fight fans truly wanted to see.

    “It wasn’t my choice,” Miocic said. “It’s a fight I wanted, and the UFC gave it to me. They didn’t have to. They gave it to me. I believe so [there’s a reason why it’s happening]. I believe people want to see that. I think a lot more people want to see the fight than him fight Aspinall. [Aspinall is] tough. He hits hard. Big boy. It’s what people want, he knocks people out.”

    Miocic further shared that there was a time when the noise from naysayers might have gotten under his skin, but now he brushes it off without a second thought.

    “I don’t listen to anything on the outside. I used to when I was younger, when I started I was like why would you say that? How dare you? I was real sensitive. I literally stopped caring anymore. I don’t care what anyone says. I really don’t care.”

    Miocic has been out of action since his title loss to Francis Ngannou, who defeated him with a second-round knockout at UFC 260 in March 2021.

    Originally slated for a comeback at UFC 295 in November 2023, Miocic’s return was delayed when Jones sustained a torn pectoral tendon just weeks before the anticipated showdown, leading to the bout’s postponement.

  • Brandon Moreno Eyes Potential Fights On Path To Reclaim UFC Title

    Brandon Moreno Eyes Potential Fights On Path To Reclaim UFC Title

    Brandon Moreno is determined to reclaim UFC gold but acknowledges that the journey back to the top may be more challenging than winning it initially. Moreno first clashed with Deiveson Figueiredo for the flyweight title at UFC 256, ending in a draw. He claimed the title in their rematch at UFC 263 in June 2021 via submission. However, he lost the belt to Figueiredo in a close decision at UFC 270. Moreno rebounded with an interim title win over Kai Kara-France at UFC 277 by TKO and unified the flyweight title in a trilogy fight with Figueiredo at UFC 283, winning via TKO.

    In July 2023, Moreno lost the title to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 by split decision, followed by another decision loss to Brandon Royval in February 2024. Earlier this month, he bounced back with a decision win over Amir Albazi.

    In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Moreno affirmed his commitment to reclaiming the championship and believes he has what it takes to wear the belt again. “Being very honest with myself, I think that, sporting-wise, Royval is likely the one who most deserves the opportunity,” Moreno said. “I have no problem saying that at all. He’s done a very good job, and in his last fight against Tatsuro (Taira), he looked very good. It was a great fight.”

    He added, “There’s also Kai (Kara-France), but he’s in a weird position. He deserves it after his knockout against (Steve) Erceg, but I think my performance was very good, and Royval is right there, too. Kai has the most awkward position.”

    Moreno acknowledged that he likely needs one more fight to earn his title shot. “As far as names, there’s Tatsuro Taira, Manel Kape, and maybe Kai Asakura, depending on his fight with Pantoja at UFC 310,” he said. “I’m just going to stay healthy and be ready for whatever comes next.”

  • Jake Paul Eyes ‘Biggest Upset’ In Boxing Fight With Canelo Alvarez

    Jake Paul is just days away from facing off against Mike Tyson this Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. But even as he prepares for this high-profile fight, he’s already eyeing his next challenge: Canelo Alvarez.

    As a pro, Paul has a record of 10-1 with seven knockouts, with many of his wins coming against YouTubers and former MMA fighters. If he manages to defeat Tyson, Paul plans to call out Alvarez, who is fresh off a dominant win over Edgar Berlanga in September.

    “I do (have a callout). It’s Canelo,” Paul said. “This moment will prove that I’m the face of boxing, the biggest attraction. Me vs. Canelo at 200 pounds for the cruiserweight championship of the world is the biggest fight—arguably even bigger than me vs. Tyson. It just makes sense. Canelo is on his way out, and he’ll want a payday. I want to show the world that all the talk about me beating Canelo is real.”

    Paul believes he can pull off what he calls “the biggest upset in the sport of boxing.” He’s determined to challenge Alvarez as a way to settle who is the true “face of boxing.”

    “After this event, I’m going to claim that title,” he said. “I beat his gate record in Texas; I’m beating ticket sales—all of that. The numbers and the data back it up. I have more followers than him, and this will be the most-watched fight of the century. I’m going to be the new money magnet.”

  • Daniel Cormier Defends Jon Jones Against Claims Of Ducking Tom Aspinall

    Daniel Cormier Defends Jon Jones Against Claims Of Ducking Tom Aspinall

    Jon Jones’ most vocal critic, Daniel Cormier, is standing by him against accusations that “Bones” is dodging a showdown with Tom Aspinall.

    Jones is set to make his first heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 main event, taking place this Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    The buildup to this highly anticipated matchup has been overshadowed by widespread accusations within the MMA community, with many claiming that Jones is intentionally sidestepping a title unification bout against interim champion Aspinall. The New Yorker stirred up controversy once again last week, expressing little enthusiasm for the fight.

    Jones claims that Aspinall’s performances inside the Octagon have failed to spark any real excitement for a potential matchup. He further stated that, unless he retires after UFC 309, the only fight that piques his interest at this stage is a showdown with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

    Jones’ remarks have once again provoked insinuations that he’s avoiding a showdown with Aspinall, supposedly fearing a loss as his career nears its twilight. However, Cormier firmly rejects this idea, even though he doesn’t fully endorse the reasoning of his former fierce rival.

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, “DC” recognized the legendary career of Jones and emphasized that the former UFC light heavyweight champion harbors no fear of Aspinall or any other competitor.

    “Look, Jon Jones isn’t afraid of Tom Aspinall,” Cormier said. “I wish people would stop saying that. He is not afraid of that guy. He is not afraid of anyone. He is not afraid to fight this guy. He’s not. I think he’s trying to be more strategic. He’s trying to make sure his legacy stands. I don’t know it could ever be faded. I know we have short memories, but could you ever forget what he did? I don’t think him fighting Tom Aspinall with the potential he would lose is a bad thing.

    “But most would expect him to win the fight. But at the end of the day, the old guard has to get passed through for the new guard to go. Unless you don’t play the sport by the way that everyone else does it. Everyone else does it that way. Maybe Jones will be different.”

  • Diego Lopes Invites Ilia Topuria To Repeat Point Down Against Him: ‘I Will Plant My Feet & Throw Down’ 

    Diego Lopes Invites Ilia Topuria To Repeat Point Down Against Him: ‘I Will Plant My Feet & Throw Down’ 

    UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes insists he won’t shy away from a firefight should Ilia Topuria repeat his point-and-throw invitation against him down the line.

    Lopes has been staking his claim for the next shot at unseating Topuria from the 145-pound throne since “El Matador” got the better of Max Holloway in brutal fashion last month in Abu Dhabi.

    The Mexico-based Brazilian was cageside for UFC 308 after weighing in as backup fighter for the championship main event. That fact, coupled with his triumph over Brian Ortega at the Sphere this past September, has put Lopes in prime position for a first shot at gold.

    And should he get the chance to blemish Topuria’s perfect record in 2025, the #3-ranked contender has called on the Spaniard to repeat how he started the Holloway fight.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Lopes welcomed an early brawl with Topuria, who made good on his promise to point down and offer to throw the kitchen sink at “Blessed” in the opening 10 seconds.

    Holloway didn’t stray from his plan to dismiss that, but Lopes claims he’d do the exact opposite.

    “Definitely, definitely, definitely,” Lopes said in Spanish when asked if he’d throw down with Topuria. “I’m telling you, I respect everyone, but I’m not afraid of anyone. If there’s anything I don’t have, it’s fear. I think I’ve shown that in all my fights. I’ve shown that I’m not afraid of anyone.

    “As many times as he wants to point to the ground, I will plant my feet in the middle of the cage and throw down. It’s that easy,” he added.

    To make good on those comments, Lopes will seemingly first have to either convince the UFC higher-ups of the merits of selecting him to face Topuria next over Volkanovski or add another win to his current run.

    Following the champ’s successful defense in the Middle East, UFC CEO Dana White pointed to Volkanovski as Topuria’s likely next opponent owing to his stint as kingpin prior to running into “El Matador” this past February.

  • Tyron Woodley Claims Georges St-Pierre Turned Down Up To $7 Million To Fight Him Last Year

    Tyron Woodley Claims Georges St-Pierre Turned Down Up To $7 Million To Fight Him Last Year

    From July of 2016 to March in 2019, Tyron Woodley reigned as the UFC welterweight champion and defended the title three times. After a draw in his first defense against Stephen Thompson, “The Chosen One” would go on to beat Thompson in a rematch followed by victories over Demian Maia and Darren Till.

    Despite the seven-fight unbeaten streak that he went on, Woodley never felt like he got the credit or respect that he deserved from the fans or even from the UFC at points. His fighting style didn’t make for the most exciting watches but it was undeniably effective at shutting opponents down.

    One fight that would have instantly legitimatized his run as the champion was a super fight that despite it being spoken about a lot, never did materialize. In November of 2017, several months after Woodley’s decision win over Maia, the former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre made his return to the Octagon to face Michael Bisping for the middleweight belt at UFC 217.

    After beating Bisping at Madison Square Garden, the greatest welterweight of all time decided to vacate the title and go back into retirement, closing this chapter of his life for good.

    Woodley was outspoken about St-Pierre returning at the weight class above at the time and in a recent interview, said that “GSP” has turned down fights with him on several occasions. He told Plejmo.com in a recent interview that over the past few years, there have been multiple offers on the table that St-Pierre has declined.

    “Georges St-Pierre never wanted to fight me, I’ve asked Georges to fight me several times. I had an opportunity to fight him last year and the year before. It was a five to seven million dollar purse and he said no. In MMA. My middle east investor wanted the fight, seven million, but he said no. I would have beat his brains in. “

  • Kai Asakura’s Last Opponent Analyzes How He Will Fair At Flyweight    

    Kai Asakura’s Last Opponent Analyzes How He Will Fair At Flyweight    

    In the build up to UFC 310 on December 7, a lot of fights fans are going to get introduced to Kai Asakura for the very first time. The Japanese star is set to challenge Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title on his debut with the promotion after signing to the UFC from RIZIN.

    Alongside fighting in Las Vegas for the first time, this massive opportunity for Asakura also comes with a change in weight class. During his career in RIZIN, the 31-year old competed mostly at bantamweight against the likes of Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi.

    In his last outing in Japan before making the switch to his new home, Asakura defeated former Bellator champion Juan Archuleta to win the bantamweight title. He secured the second round finish on New Year’s Eve to cap off his run in style.

    Speaking in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Archuleta gave his thoughts on Asakura signing to the UFC and how he believes he will compete at the top of the flyweight division. Having remained in contact with his former opponent since their fight in December, he was able to share some first-hand impressions of what the UFC’s new arrival will look like at 125-pounds.

    “I think he’s very explosive. It seems like he’s really getting his body in tune. Last time I seen him when I was in Japan, he was a lot smaller than when we fought and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, you’re doing well’. I reached out to him last night actually because he was posting some Instagram pictures. I was like, ‘Hey, how you feeling?’ He’s like, ‘Oh I’m so ready, I’m so excited,’ and this is a new venture for him, this is something that he wanted and wanted to do going forward and I’m super excited.

    “I mean, and it’s a title fight right off the bat like not many guys get a title right in the UFC right off the bat and so it’s like go get it man. You have the tools and the athleticism to go get it done and I think he’s well prepared now. I think he got down to a weight class, Japanese guys aren’t very dense in their muscles but they’re very explosive.”   

  • Jon Jones’ Coach Predicts Stipe Miocic’s Approach For UFC 309

    Jon Jones’ Coach Predicts Stipe Miocic’s Approach For UFC 309

    Jon Jones returns in the main event of UFC 309 this Saturday night for what is just his second outing as a heavyweight. During his incredible light heavyweight title run, “Bones” was always one of the hardest fighters to predict or prepare for because he’s so good everywhere.

    Opponents could watch as much tape as humanly possible but ultimately, there’s no way to experience what it’s like to share the Octagon with the consensus greatest of all time other than physically being in there with him. This is even more true since he moved to heavyweight because of the lack of footage that is out there of him.

    His heavyweight debut at UFC 285 against Ciryl Gane ended in just over two minutes so we still don’t really know how good Jones is at heavyweight. This creates a problem for Stipe Miocic and his team when it comes to strategizing for November 16.

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Jones’ long-time striking coach Brandon Gibson spoke about what he would do if he found himself in their opposition’s shoes and had to plan for a fight against the heavyweight champion. Suffice to say that Gibson is glad that he’s on this side of the Octagon rather than the other.

    “That team at Strong Style, obviously they’ve built a lot of great fighters and built Stipe into an incredible champ so I’m not gonna presume what I believe their game plan would be. I think through Jon’s 16 championship fights and 27 fights total that you could definitely plot little elements here and there of when Jon has been hit or hit clean. I think it’s very hard to replicate and to duplicate.

    “You know if I were them, I would just be training Stipe to be the best Stipe out there. We’re anticipating him to come out aggressive like he has shown in the past and on the other hand, if I were to coach against Jon Jones, I think that’s the hardest puzzle as a coach in this entire sport to solve. Nobody has solved it yet and I think they’re the ones with their hands full.”     

  • Bo Nickal Expected To Be Bigger Favorite Than -1000 Over Paul Craig: ‘The People Know Who’s Going To Win’

    Bo Nickal Expected To Be Bigger Favorite Than -1000 Over Paul Craig: ‘The People Know Who’s Going To Win’

    UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal is no longer shocked to see his pre-fight betting lines reaching four figures on the minus side.

    Nickal will return for his second assignment of this year at Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view. The Jon Jones-headlined event goes down from inside the prestigious surroundings of New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

    Having started life on MMA’s biggest stage with three wins to extend his perfect professional record to 6-0, the three-time NCAA Division I national champion and three-time Big Ten Conference champion out of Pennsylvania State University is set for a step up in competition.

    On this weekend’s main card, the 28-year-old Colorado native will share the cage with a man formerly ranked at both middleweight and light heavyweight in Craig. Despite his credentials and notable wins, not many are giving “Bearjew” a chance of victory.

    That includes the oddsmakers, most of whom set Nickal’s opening line close to or above -1000. Currently, the American has climbed to -1200 on DraftKings.

    During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Nickal was asked whether he’s shocked to be so heavily favored over a name who boasts wins over the likes of Magomed Ankalaev and Jamahal Hill.

    “No, the odds don’t really surprise me. I actually figured they would be even crazier,” Nickal said. “It’s almost like a mania. Every time I come to fight, I think the people know who is going to win. So it’s all good.”

    Nickal will hope to prove that he’s not being overestimated and Craig underestimated come fight night in “The Big Apple” this weekend by dispatching the Scottish veteran in emphatic fashion.

    Should he accomplish that feat, the credentialed wrestler would move closer to earning a number next to his name at 185 pounds and being placed in matchups against the elite of the division.

  • UFC Announces Return To London For A Fight Night On March 22

    UFC Announces Return To London For A Fight Night On March 22

    The Octagon is returning to London, England in 2025 for a Fight Night event that will take place at the O2 Arena on March 22. Crucially, as was stated in the announcement via UFC Europe, the event will take place at prime time in the UK unlike UFC 304 that was held earlier this year.

    In July, the promotion hosted an event as the new Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester and due to it being a PPV card, the fights took place throughout Saturday night and well into the early hours of Sunday morning in order to cater for the US audience.

    The fact that this card will be a Fight Night event rather than a PPV card means that the English fans will have to wait a bit longer before the interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall returns on home soil after successfully defending his belt in a rematch with Curtis Blaydes earlier this year.

    London’s last UFC event was also headlined by Aspinall in his return from injury where he faced Marcin Tybura and finished him in the first round. The event in July of 2023 also featured the likes of Molly McCann, Nathaniel Wood, Paul Craig and Lerone Murphy.

    When looking at potential main events for this card, several Brits are all in position for big fights in the near future.

    Both Arnold Allen and Murphy have their eyes on the featherweight top 10 as well as welterweights like Michael “Venom” Page or a returning Leon Edwards being potential candidates. Paddy Pimblett would undoubtedly sell the Arena out all by himself but it seems likely that his next outing will be on PPV once again.

    The UFC isn’t going to be hard pressed to fill this card with home crowd favorites as is often the case when the Octagon makes the trip across the pond.

  • Jon Jones ‘Healed Enough’ For UFC 309 Return But ‘Not As Strong’ As Pre-Injury 

    Jon Jones ‘Healed Enough’ For UFC 309 Return But ‘Not As Strong’ As Pre-Injury 

    UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has provided an update on his physical condition ahead of this weekend’s pay-per-view.

    Jones will return to the main event spotlight on Saturday night to headline UFC 309, set to play out inside the prestigious Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    The Rochester native was previously slated to do so for the promotion’s 2023 visit to the iconic venue, but a torn pectoral tendon forced a postponement of his title defense against the returning Stipe Miocic.

    12 months on — and despite many taking issue with “Bones” facing Miocic over interim champ Tom Aspinall — the pair will give their matchup a second go in “The Big Apple.”

    Jones is unsurprisingly confident of his chances against Miocic, who hasn’t competed in three and a half years. But he seemingly wouldn’t describe himself as being at 100 percent himself when he enters the Octagon again.

    During a recent interview with New York Post Sports, Jones looked back on his recovery and assessed how his training has compared to the lead-up to his canceled clash with Miocic last year.

    “Bones” admitted that his strength is somewhat down from this time 12 months ago and suggested that other competitors might not be returning from a pectoral tear at this stage.

    “I took my recovery pretty seriously. Right now, I feel like I’m in the shape of my life,” Jones said. “This is about as soon as I should be back in the cage. The injury was anywhere from eight months to a year. … Some athletes would still be using this time to recover but I know this sport only waits for so long.

    “I do feel healed enough to be in there. I’m not as strong as I used to be but I’m smarter than ever, I have a lot of experience, and I’m plenty strong,” Jones continued. “Before my pec tear, I was benching like, 315 (pounds) I could do for five reps and I had about a 500-pound squat for a few reps. I was pretty strong. Now, I feel incredibly strong still but not like, superhuman strength the way I used to feel.”

    While apparently not in the kind of condition he was set to enter UFC 295 in last year, Jones is evidently confident that he’s ready to make his return 20 months on from his crowning as heavyweight kingpin.

  • Alexa Grasso Asks For Support After Breaking Her Leg in Training

    Alexa Grasso Asks For Support After Breaking Her Leg in Training

    Former UFC Flyweight champion Alexa Grasso shared some unfortunate news with her followers on Monday evening. Grasso revealed in an Instagram post that she suffered a broken leg during training. To accompany the announcement, she posted a picture of her leg in a cast, confirming she won’t be back in the Octagon in the near future.

    “I broke my leg training. But I’m fine… everything heals… time by time. Send me a lot of love so that the bone heals well, please.”

    Alex Grasso on Instagram (translated)

    This injury follows her title loss in September at UFC 306, where she fought Valentina Shevchenko in a hard-fought trilogy bout. Grasso had previously defeated Shevchenko by submission and fought to a draw in their second matchup. However, in their most recent fight, Shevchenko won by unanimous decision, leaving Grasso without a clear path back to the title.

    Now pushed back in the contender lineup, Grasso faces a significant recovery period. At 31, she still has time to bounce back from this setback, but with the year coming to a close, her return in 2024 seems unlikely. Due to limited details on the injury, a specific timeline for her comeback remains uncertain.

  • First Three Fights Announced For UFC 312 In Sydney On February 8

    First Three Fights Announced For UFC 312 In Sydney On February 8

    The lineup for UFC 312 next February is beginning to take shape.

    While a location and venue is yet to be announced for the mixed martial arts leader’s very first pay-per-view of 2025, its second will see the Octagon back on Australian soil in February.

    For the first time since UFC 293 in September 2023, the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney will play host as the promotion returns Down Under. And with the Feb. 8 event less than three months away, the matchups are beginning to roll out.

    The official UFC account for Australia and New Zealand announced the first three additions to the UFC 312 lineup on social media this week, with three Aussies set for action on home turf.

    Perhaps most notable is the return of formerly ranked light heavyweight Jimmy Crute (12-4-1) at UFC 312. The 28-year-old hasn’t competed since a submission loss to Alonzo Menifield in mid-2023 and is without a win since 2020. He’ll look to change that statistic at the expense of Poland’s Marcin Prachnio (17-8) next year.

    Elsewhere, there’s a chance for flyweight prospect Stewart Nicoll (8-1) to get redemption in front of his compatriots. “Kakamora” debuted at UFC 305 in Perth this past August as a highly touted, undefeated newcomer but was quickly caught in a guillotine choke by Jesus Aguilar. If he’s to immediately bounce back, Nicoll must blemish the perfect record of Road to UFC standout Rei Tsuruya (10-0).

    And there will be heavy intrigue surrounding the debut of Australia’s Quillan Salkilld (7-1). After a victory on Dana White’s Contender Series this past September, the former Eternal MMA champion will arrive in the Octagon opposite India’s Anshul Jubli (7-1).

    The headliners are yet to be announced for UFC 312, but recent rumors have placed a possible clash between Israel Adesanya and either Caio Borralho or Nassourdine Imavov on the card. Australia’s own Alexander Volkanovski has also been campaigning for a title fight on home soil.

  • UFC 309: Michael Chandler Maintains There’s ‘Quit’ In Charles Oliveira Despite Comeback In First Fight

    UFC 309: Michael Chandler Maintains There’s ‘Quit’ In Charles Oliveira Despite Comeback In First Fight

    Getting beaten by Charles Oliveira back in 2022 hasn’t stopped Michael Chandler from reiterating his belief that there’s “quit” in his UFC 309 opponent.

    While all eyes are on Jon Jones and his long-awaited first title defense this weekend, he’s not the only notable name returning to action following a lengthy layoff.

    Also set to make the walk at Madison Square Garden is lightweight contender Chandler, who hasn’t competed since a defeat to Dustin Poirier at the venue two years ago. That’s been largely down to a failed wait to fight Conor McGregor, but with that now in the past, “Iron” has his sights on a familiar foe.

    The former Bellator champion will co-headline Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view in a rematch with Oliveira. When the pair first collided back in May 2021, “Do Bronx” mounted a memorable comeback to stop Chandler with strikes early in round two.

    Having predicted that he’d break Oliveira in the lead-up, the American expressed shock at his ability to survive a first round onslaught, explaining in the aftermath that he “truly believed he was going to quit.”

    Despite being proven wrong, though, Chandler is sharing a similar theory days out from UFC 309…

    During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Chandler was asked whether he’s entering the Nov. 16 event with the same thoughts about Oliveira’s ability to handle animosity inside the cage.

    Overcoming near-finishes against him, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier in recent years evidently wasn’t enough to rid the “quit” narrative entirely for the ex-lightweight kingpin.

    “I do (still believe that),” Chandler said. “I’m not calling him a quitter, but I do know I didn’t put myself in the position to fight him for long enough, to put pressure on him for long enough, to instill second-guessing and doubts into his mind and spirit for long enough for that exit sign to be found. This time, I think we will.”

    Chandler will hope to prove as much this time around, as he looks to stake his claim for a second shot at adding UFC gold to his résumé in mixed martial arts.

    Should he accomplish that feat, fans will witness “Iron” having his hand raised for the first time since a brutal front-kick knockout of Tony Ferguson in 2022.

  • UFC Rankings Report: Carlos Prates’ Welterweight Entry Point Revealed

    UFC Rankings Report: Carlos Prates’ Welterweight Entry Point Revealed

    As always, the latest action on offer inside the Octagon has been followed by the release of the updated UFC rankings.

    And in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night: Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

    Men’s Pound-For-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Pound-for-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Strawweight: Gillian Robertson’s victory over Luana Pinheiro at the Apex has boosted her status at 115 pounds. The submission specialist has climbed two places to #12, leaving both Angela Hill (#13) and Pinheiro (#14) a spot worse off.

    Women’s Flyweight: No changes.

    Women’s Bantamweight: A week after moving into the rankings following Germaine de Randamie’s retirement, Jacqueline Cavalcanti hasn’t needed to fight in order to keep climbing. The Brazilian has leapfrogged Chelsea Chandler (#14) to secure the #15 position.

    Flyweight: No changes.

    Bantamweight: No changes.

    Featherweight: No changes.

    Lightweight: No changes.

    Welterweight: Carlos Prates has unsurprisingly had a number placed next to his name following Saturday’s main event. After knocking out Neil Magny in the first round for his fourth straight win of the year, “The Nightmare” has entered the UFC rankings at #13. That’s put Michael “Venom” Page (#15) on the final step of the ladder and eliminated the defeated Magny entirely.

    Middleweight: No changes.

    Light Heavyweight: No changes.

    Heavyweight: No changes,

    You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

  • Jon Jones Open To Vacating Heavyweight Title For ‘BMF’ Fight With Alex Pereira

    Jon Jones Open To Vacating Heavyweight Title For ‘BMF’ Fight With Alex Pereira

    Jon Jones is set to defend his UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Yet, many fight fans are also speculating about a potential showdown between Jones and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

    In a recent interview with Aaron Bronsteter of Fox Sports, Jones expressed his opposition to the idea of an interim heavyweight title, saying it was unnecessary and created confusion for fans. Jones believes the interim title was introduced mainly to add hype to the Madison Square Garden event while he recovered from an injury.

    “Well, the interim championship shouldn’t have been there in the first place. The only reason there was an interim championship fight was because I got hurt, and they needed to keep the importance of that Madison Square Garden event (UFC 295). But Sergei [Pavlovich] and Aspinall shouldn’t have been fighting for an interim title in the first place. They should’ve just been a replacement fight, a main event. I think making it an interim fight was premature, and now you have a bunch of confused people.”

    Jones also hinted at a possible fight with UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, noting his long history in the 205-pound division. Jones even indicated he’d be open to vacating his heavyweight title to fight Pereira for the “BMF” (Baddest Motherf*****) title.

    “It’d be cool to fight [Pereira] for the heavyweight championship, but I would also willingly give up the heavyweight championship. I walked away from the light heavyweight championship, and I’d love to walk away from this one, as well, on top, on (my) own terms, good head on (my) shoulders, making lots of money. I love the position that I’m in right now.”

    Jones suggested that a cross-division clash with Pereira would generate considerable attention as it would bring together two elite fighters from different weight classes in a high-stakes showdown.

  • UFC 309: Custom Shorts Revealed For Stipe Miocic, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler

    UFC 309: Custom Shorts Revealed For Stipe Miocic, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler

    The UFC appears to be continuing its trend of designing tailored fight kits for its top athletes, with Stipe Miocic, Charles Oliveira, and Michael Chandler next in line to enjoy this stylish touch for their highly anticipated matchups at UFC 309.

    The penultimate UFC pay-per-view event of the year is set to electrify Madison Square Garden in New York City this weekend. In the headliner, Miocic will challenge reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, while the co-main event of UFC 309 features a high-stakes, five-round rematch between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler.

    As Miocic gears up for his first Octagon appearance in over there years, the former longtime heavyweight champion will debut custom fight shorts from Venum, the UFC’s official fight kit provider. Designed to honor his Croatian heritage, Miocic’s shorts showcase a checkered pattern on one side and the Croatian coat of arms on the other, drawing inspiration directly from Croatia’s flag.

    The 42-year-old Ohio native last competed at UFC 260 in March 2021, where he succumbed to a second-round knockout by Francis Ngannou, forfeiting his heavyweight title in the process.

    Meanwhile, Oliveira, coming off a split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in April, will step into the Octagon wearing abstract, multicolored shorts with his moniker, “Do Bronx,” emblazoned on one side. The inspiration behind this striking design remains unknown.

    On the flip side, Chandler will don black shorts accented with gray straps and stars at UFC 309, a tribute to the American flag. “Iron” is making his long-awaited return after a two-year hiatus, following his submission loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022.

    The custom shorts for the fighters featured at UFC 309 add to the already revealed gear for “Bones,” which showcases two fierce red lions along with Philippians 4:13, the Bible verse Jones has inked on his chest.

  • Max Holloway To Be Subject Of New Documentary Following His Life & UFC Career In 2025

    Max Holloway To Be Subject Of New Documentary Following His Life & UFC Career In 2025

    Max Holloway is reportedly set to be the focus of an upcoming documentary, which will offer an in-depth look at both his personal journey and professional career.

    According to a recent report by Deadline, Dream Bay Entertainment and Hamblin Imagery have partnered to produce an untitled film about “Blessed” in 2025. Touted as the ultimate documentary on his life, the project promises to offer an unparalleled look into the journey of the former UFC featherweight champion.

    Peter Hamblin is set to direct the project and serve as an executive producer, with Dream Bay founder Thomas Drachkovitch also joining as an executive producer

    The documentary will chronicle “Blessed” as he steps into what promises to be the most significant year of his life, both inside and outside the Octagon. It will trace Holloway’s ascent to UFC stardom, his enduring legacy as one of the sport’s most resilient and captivating fighters, and his journey as a devoted father and proud native of Hawaii.

    The film will feature exclusive interviews, rare archival footage, and behind-the-scenes access, offering a deep dive into his grueling training camps as he gears up for career-defining showdowns in 2025.

    Holloway is coming off the first knockout defeat of his career, having been floored by reigning 145-pound champion Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, marking a tough setback in his third attempt at regaining the title.

    The 32-year-old Hawaiian fighter secured the BMF title with a dramatic last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje in a lightweight clash at UFC 300 this past April.

    Following his recent loss to Topuria, Holloway has openly stated his intention to leave the featherweight division behind and concentrate on pursuing success at 155 pounds.

  • VIDEO: UFC 309 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Jones vs. Miocic & Oliveira vs. Chandler

    VIDEO: UFC 309 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Jones vs. Miocic & Oliveira vs. Chandler

    Fight week for the UFC 309 pay-per-view this Saturday has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode.

    Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic and the co-main event between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler.

    Saturday’s UFC 309 lineup is topped by a championship clash, with heavyweight kingpin Jones (27-1, 1 NC) looking to add a first successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a memorable submission victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023.

    If “Bones” is to continue his rule atop the 265-pound mountain, he must record a victory over Miocic (20-4). The former two-time titleholder is returning from a lengthy layoff for his opportunity to regain the gold, having most recently been unseated in brutal fashion by Francis Ngannou back in 2021.

    Before those two collide in the main event at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden, the stakes will also be high for a crucial five-round lightweight clash.

    After a toe injury resulted in Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from UFC 303 this past June, Chandler (23-8) finally heeded the calls of those advising him to move on from the Irishman.

    That decision has left him running it back with a former champion and current top-five contender in Oliveira (34-10, 1 NC), who will look to repeat his title-winning performance over “Iron” from 2022 and stake his claim for a shot at regaining the belt in the process.

    Ahead of those two contests in “The Big Apple,” fans can catch previews in the full episode of UFC 309 Countdown on the promotion’s YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XIaiNRIuvg
  • Khabib’s Coach Picks Paddy Pimblett To Beat Conor McGregor

    Khabib’s Coach Picks Paddy Pimblett To Beat Conor McGregor

    There aren’t many fighters that are able to arrive in the UFC and make an immediate impact by being loved or hated. Even fewer are able to then back it up inside the Octagon in order to make a real name for themselves in the sport.

    Two fighters that have done that and continue to produce regular talking points are the biggest star in the history of the sport, Conor McGregor, and one of the most high profile names to follow on from “The Notorious”, Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett. Pimblett has been openly critical of “The Mac” in the past but the two men ever meeting inside the Octagon seems unlikely.

    That being said, Pimblett is continuing to defy expectations with his six-fight win streak in the UFC’s lightweight division which McGregor was formally the champion of. Given the huge profile’s of both men, there’s no denying that a fight between them would be absolutely huge if it even came close to happening.

    Though both men have got their critics, it’s hard to argue with what McGregor has done in the sport as the UFC’s first-ever two-weight champion but that was a long time ago at this stage. As a result, a very experienced coach believes that Pimblett would have the advantage over the Irishman as of right now.

    AKA head coach Javier Mendez previously cornered against McGregor in the biggest UFC fight of all time where he returned to face Khabib Nurmagomedov. In a recent interview with Canada Casino, Mendez stated that he isn’t confident that “The Notorious” is the same guy that produced some of the most memorable moments in UFC history anymore.

    “Paddy and McGregor would be a great fight not just in England but the US too. It’d be a great fight, and I’d favor Paddy because he’s more of a fighter now and I’m not sure if McGregor is anymore. He may come back and prove us wrong but I favor Paddy because of where his state of mind is with fighting. We don’t know if he’s in or out. He might be fantastic in camp but I’m betting not based on what I hear in the inner circles, I’m betting he’s not taking it seriously.”

  • Charles Oliveira Welcomes BMF Title Fight vs. Max Holloway: ‘I’m About Legacy’

    Charles Oliveira Welcomes BMF Title Fight vs. Max Holloway: ‘I’m About Legacy’

    Charles Oliveira has already built an incredible legacy during his time in the UFC which is sure to endure long after he retires from the sport. That being said, the 35-year old is confident that he still has much more to give and he could enter a new phase of his career on Saturday night.

    At UFC 309, “Do Bronx” returns in a rematch of one of the most important fights of his entire 45-fight career. He finished Michael Chandler in the second round back in 2021 to win the vacant lightweight title and now they will run it back over five rounds in the co-main event at Madison Square Garden.

    Before his incredible lightweight winning streak that led to him beating Chandler and going on a great run as the champion, Oliveira suffered some fairly substantial setbacks along the way. One of those came to an elite competitor that has recently announced that lightweight will be his long-term home going forward.

    BMF Champion Max Holloway is ready to leave featherweight behind for good following his recent loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 last month. His performance earlier this year against Justin Gaethje proved once and for all that he can hang with the best 155-pounders in the division.

    Though Oliveira is focused on beating Chandler for a second time, he’s also open to the idea of meeting Holloway in a rematch.

    The two fan favorites met back in 2015 where “Blessed” got the first round finish due to an injury that the Brazilian suffered. He told MMA Fighting in a recent interview that fighting Holloway for the BMF belt is a fight that interests him due to the stakes attached.

    “I’m about legacy. That’d be great. Why not? As I’m talking about [legacy], I mean, being the BMF champ would be gigantic for that.”

  • Stipe Miocic Responds To Health Concern Rumors Ahead Of UFC 309 Return

    Stipe Miocic Responds To Health Concern Rumors Ahead Of UFC 309 Return

    It has been well over three years since fight fans last saw Stipe Miocic step inside the Octagon but that all changes on Saturday night. At UFC 309, he will return to challenge Jon Jones for the heavyweight title at Madison Square Garden.

    Miocic’s time away from competition, not to mention the fact that his last outing was a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou, is why many are finding it difficult to predict what we can expect from the former champion. Over three years off is going to impact any fighter, especially a 42-year old fighter who will be taking on arguably the best to ever do it.

    How this will impact the fight is even more of a grey area because Miocic is a very private individual who is rarely in the limelight, especially when he isn’t fighting. He believes that the time away has had positive benefits rather than drawbacks on his current physical and mental sharpness, as he spoke about in a recent interview with Shakiel Mahjouri.

    “Definitely, recharging my whole body. My mind, my body, just making sure I’m healed up and feeling good and just, you know, I’m good.”

    Another cause for concern came around following rumors that during his attendance at UFC 295 when he was originally scheduled to face Jones last November, Miocic was walking with a limp. He clarified that this wasn’t an issue and that he was simply walking to his seat with his wife whilst holding her hand which meant that he was walking a bit slower because she was behind him.

    “Yeah I was doing that. Yeah, I don’t know what limp I was having but yeah, whatever they want to think I mean it’s fine. Yeah, I saw that too. It was nice, thanks for pointing it out.”

  • ‘Heartbroken’ Karolina Kowalkiewicz Answers Retirement Questions After UFC Vegas 100 Loss

    ‘Heartbroken’ Karolina Kowalkiewicz Answers Retirement Questions After UFC Vegas 100 Loss

    UFC women’s strawweight Karolina Kowalkiewicz doesn’t plan on letting her defeat at the Apex this past weekend mark the end of her journey in MMA.

    Kowalkiewicz, who has amassed 18 fights worth of Octagon experience since debuting way back in 2015, returned for her second assignment of the year in Saturday’s UFC Vegas 100 featured preliminary bout.

    The Polish standout had hoped to bounce back against Denise Gomes after dropping a decision to the fast-rising Iasmin Lucindo this past May at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro.

    But the 39-year-old once again fell short to a young Brazilian fighter, with “Dee” also getting the nod on all three scorecards following 15 minutes of action.

    A day on from her second straight setback, Kowalkiewicz took to her Instagram Story to address her supporters.

    The Polish veteran gave an honest assessment of her performance and the result, admitting that Gomes was simply better. That fact hasn’t, however, brought her to the brink of calling it quits.

    “Hey guys, I’m so sorry. But thank you for your support, for your love. I’m okay, as you can see, I’m okay, just my heart is broken,” Kowalkiewicz said. “I had a really great fight camp, perfect weight-cutting, I felt really, really good. Really good shape, but my opponent, she’s better than me, what can I say?

    “Give me some time and see you soon. I’m not going to retire, don’t worry,” Kowalkiewicz added.

    It remains to be seen what comes next for Kowalkiewicz, but it appears certain that fans haven’t seen the last of the former KSW women’s flyweight champion inside the Octagon.

    Gomes, meanwhile, has now won two on the bounce since failing to climb the ladder against Angela Hill in November 2023. The Brazilian will no doubt look to keep her sights on those above her in pursuit of a spot in contention.

  • Jon Jones’ Coach Claims Tom Aspinall Has Been On The Radar Since Before Heavyweight Move

    Jon Jones’ Coach Claims Tom Aspinall Has Been On The Radar Since Before Heavyweight Move

    UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is sure to be one of the most talked about fighters of the week despite the fact that he isn’t set to compete at UFC 309 on Saturday night. Many believe that it should be him facing Jon Jones in a title unification clash at Madison Square Garden rather than Stipe Miocic.

    During his time away from the Octagon due to the injury he suffered ahead of UFC 295 last November, Jones has been very outspoken about Aspinall and a potential fight with him. It’s been a huge talking point throughout this year with some accusing the champion of ducking the interim titleholder.

    Whilst Jones has recently stated that he doesn’t believe that the Brit has accomplished anything significant enough to make him interested in the fight, that isn’t to say that Aspinall hasn’t been someone that he’s known about for a long time. This is something that Jones’ long-time striking coach Brandon Gibson recently spoke about in an interview with Submission Radio.

    Gibson revealed that Aspinall’s rise to the top of the heavyweight division isn’t surprising because he’s a fighter that the team have had their eyes on for some time now, dating back to when Jones was planning his move to heavyweight during his long hiatus after vacating the light heavyweight belt.

    “No, no surprise at all. You know back in the day when Jon was originally making his move up to heavyweight, we thought Francis was going to be the opponent and we were studying the heavyweight landscape. Aspinall was a guy that we’ve always had our eye on, for years now. He’s very smooth, great takedowns, he’s a finisher and in heavyweight, that’s a powerful thing. He has incredible footwork and defense so Aspinall’s been a guy that we’ve already had an eye on for sure.”

  • Carlos Prates On ‘Dream’ UFC Run: ‘I Was Fighting For Maybe $200’

    Carlos Prates On ‘Dream’ UFC Run: ‘I Was Fighting For Maybe $200’

    Carlos Prates is living the dream on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage, having emerged victorious from his maiden UFC main event this past weekend.

    After earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023, Prates has announced himself as a name to watch at 170 pounds by reeling off four straight wins in his debut year inside the Octagon.

    All of those came by way of knockout, with the most recent being a brutal one-punch finish of veteran contender Neil Magny in Saturday’s UFC Vegas 100 headliner.

    “The Nightmare” lived up to his moniker by swarming “The Haitian Sensation” with strikes after defending the 37-year-old’s early attempts to drag the fight to the mat. And after putting Magny on skates, a glancing blow to the temple face-planted him.

    During his post-fight press conference, Prates reflected on his latest triumph in the UFC, which should see him with a number next to his name come the latest rankings update on Tuesday.

    The Brazilian admitted his winning run in 2024 is like a “dream” given his early days in the sport, which saw him follow the grueling path from making pennies on the regional scene to earning a living toward the top of the MMA ladder.

    “It’s a dream,” Prates said. “A few years ago — not a few years ago, I think two years ago, one year and a half I was fighting for maybe $200. Now I’m doing a lot of money. It’s a dream. I worked hard for this for many years and I’m really happy.”

    And Prates doesn’t appear to plan on slowing down in 2025.

    Having secured a place in the top 15, “The Nightmare” has his sights on continuing to climb closer to title contention. Judging by his post-fight remarks, he’s hoping for that to come at the expense of either Jack Della Maddalena or Geoff Neal in the coming months.