MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • Mike Tyson On Career Struggles Ahead Of Jake Paul Fight: ‘I Don’t Wish My Life On No One’

    Mike Tyson has experienced both the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in the world of boxing. Despite his setbacks, he remains one of the sport’s most popular and enduring stars.

    Now, at 58 years old, Tyson is set to add another chapter to his legendary career. He initially retired from boxing in 2005 after a loss to Kevin McBride, in which he failed to answer the bell in the seventh round.

    Next Saturday night, Tyson will step into the ring for his first professional boxing bout in 19 years, facing influencer boxer Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The fight will air live exclusively on Netflix.

    In a recent conversation with fellow boxing legend Andre Ward on The Art of Ward podcast, Tyson reflected on his struggles and hardships.

    “I don’t wish that on no one,” Tyson said. “I don’t wish that, no. I don’t wish my life on no one. As a whole. I wanted it all. I wanted to be the biggest fighter in the history of life. That’s what [Tyson’s former coach and mentor] Cus [D’Amato] put in my mind. How do I know to say those words, he put that in my mind.”

    Tyson has faced profound personal challenges throughout his life. In addition to his own struggles, he endured the tragic loss of his four-year-old daughter in a home accident in 2009. Yet, despite these hardships, Tyson has continued to move forward.

  • Shavkat Rakhmonov Rejects Ian Garry’s Confidence About Future Fight: ‘Same Thing’s Going To Happen That’s Happened In Training’

    Shavkat Rakhmonov Rejects Ian Garry’s Confidence About Future Fight: ‘Same Thing’s Going To Happen That’s Happened In Training’

    Top UFC welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov has dismissed the self-belief Ian Garry has when it comes to their likely fight down the line.

    When it comes to undefeated prospects rising the ranks on MMA’s biggest stage, the 170-pound division has boasted two of the most prominent and highly touted in recent years — former M-1 Global champion Rakhmonov and ex-Cage Warriors titleholder Garry.

    The pair both find themselves inside the top 10, with Rakhmonov being the first to earn a shot at gold. That was set to come in the main event of UFC 310 next month, but his challenge against Belal Muhammad will have to wait after the champ withdrew through injury.

    With the Kazakh campaigning to face a fellow contender for interim gold on Dec. 7, Garry has thrown his name into the hat, coming as his latest confident callout of Rakhmonov in recent times.

    “Nomad,” however, unsurprisingly thinks that self-belief is misplaced.

    During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Rakhmonov noted Garry’s frequent callouts, seemingly questioning the Irishman’s confidence given how the Kazakh recalls their training sessions at Kill Cliff FC playing out.

    “I’m ready if it’s going to be (Garry) after he wins his fight,” Rakhmonov said. “If it’s a date that’s good for both of us, we can do it, you know? If he wants to try and take my 0, he can try, but I know the same thing’s going to happen that’s happened in training. I’m just going to keep it the same way and I’m pretty confident that I’m going to beat him.

    “It’s just training. I don’t want to praise myself too much, but I felt comfortable whether its striking or ground. I felt comfortable and in control. So, I’m pretty confident in this matchup.”

    For now, it appears results will have to go a certain way on both sides for their paths to cross.

    While Garry gears up to defend his spot opposite Joaquin Buckley in Tampa, Florida next month, Rakhmonov is campaigning for an interim welterweight title clash against former champ Kamaru Usman.

    Whether or not that comes to fruition remains to be seen, but it would appear that a “Nomad” vs. “The Future” clash is not out of the realms of possibility for 2025.

  • Cody Garbrandt Withdraws Days Out From UFC Vegas 100 Return

    Cody Garbrandt Withdraws Days Out From UFC Vegas 100 Return

    The 100th UFC Fight Night card to take place at the Apex has lost its former champion, with Cody Garbrandt forced out due to undisclosed reasons.

    Garbrandt (14-6), who rose to the bantamweight throne as an undefeated fighter with a memorable performance against Dominick Cruz back in 2016, has made the walk once in 2024 thus far.

    After having his hand raised in two straight over Trevin Jones and Brian Kelleher for his first win streak in seven years, “No Love’s” planned surge back to the top was once again stalled when he fell via submission to Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 300 this past April.

    The Ohio native was looking to rebound outside the rankings this weekend in Las Vegas, where he was scheduled to do battle with the heavy-hitting Miles Johns in the UFC Vegas 100 co-main event.

    Per MMA reporter Cole Shelton, however, the ex-bantamweight champ has withdrawn days out from the Apex-held event. The reason for his pull-out has not yet been disclosed.

    The hope is for Johns (15-2, 1 NC) to remain on the card and face a late-notice replacement opponent, if the promotion is able to find one.

    The 30-year-old was looking to make it three wins out of three outings this year at the expense of Garbrandt. After his one appearance in 2023 saw a victory overturned when he tested positive for the banned substance turinabol, “Chapo” has bounced back with consecutive unanimous decision wins over Cody Gibson and Douglas Silva de Andrade in 2024.

    With the cancellation of Garbrandt vs. Johns, the current fights expected to take place at this weekend’s UFC Fight Night at the Apex are as follows:

    Main Card:

    • Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates (welterweight main event)
    • Gerald Meerschaert vs. Reinier de Ridder (middleweight)
    • Ricky Turcios vs. Benardo Sopaj (bantamweight)
    • Luana Pinheiro vs. Gillian Robertson (women’s strawweight)
    • Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Dusko Todorović (middleweight)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Denise Gomes (women’s strawweight)
    • Gaston Bolaños vs. Cortavious Romious (bantamweight)
    • Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Zachary Scroggin (welterweight)
    • Matthew Semelsberger vs. Charles Radtke (welterweight)
    • Cody Stamann vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (bantamweight)
    • Tresean Gore vs. Antonio Trócoli (middleweight)
    • Melissa Dixon vs. Klaudia Sygula (women’s bantamweight)
  • Jon Anik On UFC’s P4P Debate: ‘It Is Islam Makhachev Every Day Of The Week’

    Jon Anik On UFC’s P4P Debate: ‘It Is Islam Makhachev Every Day Of The Week’

    UFC commentator Jon Anik believes Islam Makhachev is right to hold the pound-for-pound throne over fellow champions like Jon Jones, Alex Pereira, and Ilia Topuria.

    Not many topics have received the kind of discourse and scrutiny as the P4P debate in 2024, largely down to UFC CEO Dana White’s fury at the current order.

    Leading the way is lightweight kingpin Makhachev, who followed a pair of title defenses against Alexander Volkanovski in 2023 by stalling the late-career championship ambitions of Dustin Poirier this past June.

    For White, that’s ludicrous. His view is that heavyweight titleholder Jones is the clear and obvious choice, despite not yet defending his gold in the 19 months since his crowning and competing just once since February 2020.

    Before getting back to top spot, “Bones” also has to climb above Alex Pereira. After reeling off three straight title defenses in 2024, the light heavyweight champ occupies the number two position.

    And most recently, Topuria staked his claim and received the nods from some in the community after completing a memorable year of activity with a featherweight defense against Max Holloway. Like he did Alexander Volkanovski this past February, “El Matador” floored “Blessed” with his brutal power, putting himself in a good position to collect the Fighter of the Year accolades.

    During a recent interview with MMA reporter Kevin Iole, Anik assessed the current standings, explaining why he gives the clear advantage to Makhachev over Topuria when it comes to P4P.

    He also detailed why he doesn’t consider Jones worthy of top spot at this moment in time (cover your eyes, Dana).

    “I am but one man with one opinion. … Ilia Topuria’s accomplishments this year are undeniable. To do what he did to Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway successively, relatively close or in their fighting primes, is otherworldly. But for me, KI, Islam Makhachev’s ability to find that takedown and find that submission in his last title defense against Dustin Poirier is about as good as it gets, right?

    “And he was the guy (pound-for-pound number one) going in, so I don’t know that he loses that perch for me. I have always put 155 pounds on a pedestal. I do believe 155 pounds is the deepest division,” Anik continued. “For me, it is Islam Makhachev every day of the week. Jon Jones is in the conversation, but inactivity I think largely takes him out of the discourse.”

    Makhachev has held the crown ever since usurping Jones weeks after his knockout win over Volkanovski in October 2023.

    While Jones has the chance to rise again with a victory over Stipe Miocic next weekend, should the Dagestani get the better of Arman Tsarukyan in their expected title clash next January, “Bones” may have to settle for silver — or perhaps bronze if Alex Pereira holds his position.

  • Tracy Cortez Injured, Out Of UFC Tampa Fight On Dec. 14

    Tracy Cortez Injured, Out Of UFC Tampa Fight On Dec. 14

    UFC women’s flyweight contender Tracy Cortez has been forced out of her scheduled return to the Octagon next month.

    Cortez (11-2) is 0-1 in 2024, having fallen short in a late-notice main event against former strawweight queen Rose Namajunas in Denver this past July. When the Phoenix native replaced Maycee Barber, her sights briefly shifted away from Miranda Maverick.

    But after failing to climb the ladder at the expense of “Thug Rose,” Cortez’s attention went back to the unranked 27-year-old, with the pair’s rearranged bout added to the lineup for the UFC Fight Night in Tampa, Florida on Dec. 14.

    Unfortunately for “Fear The” Maverick, she’s once again had that matchup fall through. MMA Junkie’s Nolan King reported on Tuesday that Cortez has withdrawn due to an injury.

    The hope is that a replacement opponent will be found to allow Maverick (14-5) to remain on the card and complete her third outing of the year. After closing out her 2023 with a submission of Priscila Cachoeira, the Missouri standout has added the names of Andrea Lee and Dione Barbosa to her win streak in 2024.

    With this removal, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night inside Tampa’s Amalie Arena on Dec. 14 are as follows:

    • Ian Garry vs. Joaquin Buckley (welterweight main event)
    • Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas (strawweight co-main event)
    • Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo (featherweight)
    • Michael Johnson vs. Ottman Azaitar (lightweight)
    • Manel Kape vs. Bruno Silva (flyweight)
    • Joel Álvarez vs. Drakkar Klose (lightweight)
    • Adrian Yañez vs. Daniel Marcos (bantamweight)
    • Davey Grant vs. Ramon Taveras (bantamweight)
    • Josefine Knutsson vs. Piera Rodriguez (strawweight)
    • Navajo Sterling vs. Tuco Tokkos (light heavyweight)
    • Sean Woodson vs. Fernando Padilla (featherweight)
  • Former UFC Champ Argues Leon Edwards Should Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ‘Rematch Against Belal Muhammad…’

    Former UFC Champ Argues Leon Edwards Should Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ‘Rematch Against Belal Muhammad…’

    UFC 310 no longer boasts two title fights as Belal Muhammad has pulled out of the main event because of a toe injury. While some fans want the newly crowned champion to be stripped for inactivity already, others are more concerned with finding a new opponent for Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    Several contenders in the UFC welterweight division could benefit by stepping in and winning on UFC 310. Former champs Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman would want to re-enter the title race by beating a top prospect. On the other hand, fresh talents like Ian Garry, Sean Brady, and Jack Della Maddalena should be interested in securing their first title shots.

    While discussing how UFC 310 should be dealt with, Michael Bisping pointed out that replacing Muhammad could help Edwards get his rematch quickly. “Rocky” gave the new champ his props after losing the welterweight belt at UFC 304 but also admitted to feeling fatigued due to the unusual timing.

    Here’s why Bisping expects Edwards to take a risk by fighting Rakhmonov at UFC 310:

    “For Leon Edwards, this does everything. You beat Shavkat Rakhmonov, you are the man. You step up, you are the man. You beat this man that’s finishing everybody. What does that do for you? Well, then you’re right back in the title conversation. In fact, you will be probably getting a rematch against Belal Muhammad.” He continued, “He wants to get his hands on Belal Muhammad once again. He wants to right the wrongs, he wants to prove to the world and himself that he’s the better man. But more importantly, to get back to becoming the welterweight champion of the world.”

    Edwards holds two wins over Usman, and “The Count” claims beating an intimidating opponent with a 100% finish rate would be another feather in his cap. Additionally, a rematch with Muhammad in the United States would ensure he gets a chance to avenge his loss and fight at a more favorable time.

    The former UFC champ understands that losing to “Nomad” is a huge risk for the English fighter as it would further extend his path back to the title. However, he thinks that the rewards outweigh the risks in this situation.

    Bisping lastly called UFC 310 a great card regardless of the main event falling out. Like countless other fans, though, wouldn’t mind seeing the undefeated Rakhmonov put to the test again.

  • Chael Sonnen Reveals UFC Rule He Would Change As U.S. President: ‘Mayweather Never Did That…’

    Chael Sonnen Reveals UFC Rule He Would Change As U.S. President: ‘Mayweather Never Did That…’

    The U.S. Presidential elections are underway, giving UFC legend Chael Sonnen a chance to discuss fighters who could make good presidential candidates. From Khabib Nurmagomedov to Daniel Cormier, he had several names in mind but ultimately chose Brian Stan.

    Sonnen also talked about what he would change in the UFC if he were the President of the United States. The former UFC title challenger demanded stringent laws around fighters missing weight, though he clarified that his wish is unlikely to be fulfilled in the real world.

    “The American Gangster” admitted that MMA is risky, and fighters are prone to injuries and other complications while training. When a UFC fighter misses weight, they are required to forfeit 20-30% of their purse to their opponent and are eligible for any bonuses, or the fight is canceled.

    Sonnen wants to amend the current system to penalize fighters for pulling out of fights and suggests rankings should be affected by such developments. He remembered watching wrestlers get their hands raised in the absence of an opponent and expects the UFC to recognize a forfeit similarly.

    The retired MMA fighter also drew parallels to other sports such as basketball, boxing, tennis, golf, and football where not showing up is considered a loss. He reiterated that this is a purely practical approach which would seem harsh for fighters compelled to pull out of upcoming bouts because of factors out of their control.

    Here’s what Sonnen stated in a recent video on his official YouTube channel:

    “Serena never did that, Mayweather never did that, Tiger Woods never did that. These guys are wimps, or they’re supposed to be, but they show up at an agreed-upon time and fighters don’t. And there should be a penalty, and you should pay for that. And it shouldn’t be done with heart. I understand we want to show people grace, and we want to lift them, right?” He continued, “A lot of times, these fights are missed due to illness or injury, that’s very tough stuff. In fact, there’s nothing more tough than that, that’s his health. It can’t be done that way, it can’t be done with heart. Because it is completely about who can get there on the agreed-upon date.”

    Sonnen argued that athletes are expected to be at their best at a predetermined time and date. So, a forfeit should carry strict consequences. With Belal Muhammad unable to fight at UFC 310 due to a toe injury, the UFC Hall of Famer’s take on forfeits can certainly spark a debate among fans.

  • Tom Aspinall Explains How Stipe Miocic Can Beat Jon Jones At UFC 309

    Tom Aspinall Explains How Stipe Miocic Can Beat Jon Jones At UFC 309

    Tom Aspinall recently shared his insights on how Stipe Miocic could secure victory over Jon Jones in their highly anticipated title showdown.

    Jones is slated to put his undisputed heavyweight title on the line for his first defense against Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, scheduled for Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    The clash between Jones and Miocic has ignited significant debate within the MMA community, with many asserting that interim heavyweight champion Aspinall — who also serves as the backup fighter — deserves the opportunity to compete in a title unification bout.

    Aspinall might not see his dream of facing the winner of the UFC 309 headliner come to fruition, as Jones has stated that his showdown with Miocic is likely to be the last bout of his MMA career.

    However, the Salford native has devised a strategy for how he would approach “Bones,” who is renowned for his grappling-heavy, pressure-fighting style in the Octagon.

    During a recent interview with Safest Casino Sites, Aspinall outlined the game plan he would adopt if he were in Miocic’s position facing off against Jones.

    “I’d be looking for the knockout against Jon Jones is what I’d be looking for with him,” Aspinall said. “I’d be trying to push him back and use his size. It’s not even like he can use the experience. They’re both as experienced as one another, but I’d just be using my size on him, trying to push him back and knock him out. I think that Stipe Miocic has got big knockout power in comparison to Jon Jones. So I think he can knock him out.”

    The Jones vs. Miocic matchup was initially set for UFC 295 in November 2023. However, “Bones” had to withdraw from the bout due to a torn pectoral muscle.

    Consequently, Aspinall stepped up to challenge Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight title and has since defended that championship with a stunning knockout victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July.

  • UFC 309: Sonnen Outlines Miocic’s Key Advantages Over Jon Jones

    UFC 309: Sonnen Outlines Miocic’s Key Advantages Over Jon Jones

    Chael Sonnen will join the world in watching the highly anticipated showdown between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. The UFC 309 heavyweight title fight at Madison Square Garden in NYC has fans buzzing about who will emerge as the greatest heavyweight of all time.

    Jones is heavily favored to win, but Miocic, a former UFC heavyweight champion, is eager to prove his doubters wrong. Unlike Jones’ swift submission of Ciryl Gane to capture the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285, Sonnen believes Jones might face a much tougher challenge in Miocic.

    “Well, Stipe’s old, but not much older than Jon,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “I won’t argue with you if you tell me that Stipe is old by fighter standards, but I would argue if you told me Jon was young.

    Do you believe that Jon can just take Stipe down whenever he wants? If you do believe that, remember, that’s something Daniel Cormier couldn’t do. In one of their fights, there were two takedowns, and Stipe got them both. I’m just reminding you: Do you believe that Jon can just take Stipe down?”

    Sonnen also believes the stand-up advantage lies with Miocic, who he thinks has more power in his strikes than Jones.

  • Harrowing Details Of Sexual Assault Allegation Against Conor McGregor Emerge In Court

    Harrowing Details Of Sexual Assault Allegation Against Conor McGregor Emerge In Court

    Disturbing details surrounding a sexual assault accusation against former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor have recently emerged in court.

    On Tuesday, “The Notorious” appeared before the Irish High Court in Dublin, where Justice Alexander Owens briefed the jury on the alleged 2018 sexual assault case involving the UFC superstar and another man, James Lawrence.

    As reported by the Irish Mirror, Dublin-based hairdresser Nikita Ni Laimhin accused McGregor and Lawrence of sexually assaulting her on Dec. 9, 2018. The judge noted that the allegations claim the pair had “in effect, raped her” after offering her a ride home from a Christmas party.

    John Gordon SC, representing Ní Laimhin, told the court that the complainant and the former UFC champion were acquainted, as they had interacted multiple times on social media. The court heard that McGregor reportedly brought a bag of cocaine, which he allegedly shared with Ní Laimhin and her friend.

    The group, including Ní Laimhin, McGregor, his security team, and others, proceeded to a penthouse suite at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin, where they were reportedly drinking. At one point, McGregor is said to have moved into a bedroom and gestured for Ní Laimhin to follow. She allegedly expressed that she did not want to engage in sexual activity as she was on her period.

    The UFC fighter is accused of then pinning her down on the bed, with the alleged victim physically unable to resist him. However, the Irishman’s legal team contend that the accuser is attempting to extort him through her version of events.

    A thread of live updates provided on X by the Irish Mirror’s Paul Healy revealed the nature of the accusations, detailing some of the injuries McGregor is accused of inflicting on the woman.

    The current case can’t result in a criminal prosecution for McGregor, with the judge reminding the jury on Tuesday that the alleged victim is seeking damages through civil action.

    McGregor has not stepped into the Octagon since suffering a leg fracture during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. The former two-division UFC champion was set to make his much-anticipated return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 this past June. However, he was compelled to withdraw after sustaining an injury just weeks before the fight.

  • Cormier: Max Holloway Should Look For Lesser ‘Challenge’ Than Dustin Poirier In Lightweight Return

    Cormier: Max Holloway Should Look For Lesser ‘Challenge’ Than Dustin Poirier In Lightweight Return

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier hopes to see Max Holloway work his way up the the competition levels at 155 pounds.

    A new chapter in the illustrious career of Holloway appears set to get underway in 2025. After falling short of regaining the featherweight title last month in Abu Dhabi, the fan favorite will soon bid farewell to 145 pounds.

    “Blessed” hinted at a permanent move up to lightweight in the immediate aftermath of his first knockout loss at the hands of Ilia Topuria, and he subsequently confirmed that decision this past weekend.

    Courtesy of his BMF title-winning knockout of Justin Gaethje this past April, Holloway already finds himself inside the top five at 155 pounds. With that in mind, a potential title eliminator against a high-ranked name could be awaiting him.

    Cormier, though, hopes that isn’t the case.

    During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Cormier acknowledged that bouts against the top names in the lightweight division will be available for Holloway.

    “DC,” however, would much rather see the Hawaiian start from the ground up.

    “He’s asking for Dustin Poirier. That would be absolutely fantastic. But is there a better way to introduce Max Holloway into the lightweight division?” Cormier said. “Do we put him in there with a Dustin for a third time? Or do we see what happens with Michael Chandler after he fights Charles Oliveira? Or do we start to kind of look down the rankings a little bit, Chael, and say, ‘Well, it would be fun to watch him fight a Rafael Fiziev. It would be fun to watch him fight a Benoît Saint Denis. It would be fun to watch him fight a Paddy Pimblett.’

    “I know that might not be fun for Max, might not be great for Max, but it would give him an opportunity to work his way back into contention without being in there with these absolute killers,” Cormier continued. “Personally, I would like to see Max Holloway not stand across from Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Alexander Volkanovski. … Something not as crazy of a challenge.”

    Unfortunately for Cormier, his pleas may prove to be too little, too late.

    The ball seems to be firmly rolling on a third chapter in Poirier and Holloway’s story, with the former recently giving his approval to “Blessed’s” callout on social media.

  • Arrest Warrant Issued For Ex-UFC Fighter Accused Of Insurance Fraud

    An arrest warrant has been issued in Washington State for former UFC fighter Bryan Caraway for several felony charges. Caraway was scheduled to attend a pre-trial hearing on October 3 but did now attend court.

    He is being accused of insurance fraud after he reported the theft of an all-terrain vehicle from his home back in December of 2018. The WICO (Washington State Commissioner’s Office) report that after he bought the insurance policy on the vehicle, he filed a claim that it was stolen just six days later.

    “He told GEICO that he bought the vehicle and contents, including helmets, a battery charger and spare tire, for $18,500 and provided a title showing his ex-girlfriend gifted it to him in January 2018,” says the WICO. 

    “The investigation showed evidence that Caraway forged the title, and that the vehicle was not in fact stolen but was owned by and in possession of his ex-girlfriend. Caraway withdrew the claim, and GEICO referred the case to Kreidler’s CIU as required by state law.”

    Caraway was previously in a relationship with former UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate which was ongoing when many fight fans were first introduced to him during his time on the 14th season of The Ultimate Fighter. It’s worth stating that in 2021, there was a legal battle between Caraway and Tate over the possessions that they had accumulated together during their 10-year relationship.

    In particular, one of these assets was a Polaris RZR ATV all-terrain vehicle. It was claimed that Caraway allegedly stole the vehicle back from an ex-girlfriend that had taken it from his house, meaning that this appears to still be an on-going issue.

    The 40-year old fought ten times in the UFC, leaving the promotion after consecutive losses to Cody Stamann and Pedro Munhoz before having one fight outside the UFC in China before seemingly retiring.

  • UFC Omits Francis Ngannou’s Title Win Over Miocic From Top 100 Apex Knockouts

    UFC Omits Francis Ngannou’s Title Win Over Miocic From Top 100 Apex Knockouts

    The UFC’s attempt to erase heavyweight great Francis Ngannou from its history continues.

    The knockout artist departed MMA’s leading promotion at the start of 2023, bringing to an end a lengthy contractual dispute that saw the Cameroonian fail to secure the terms he was after.

    He’s since found them under the PFL banner, where he’s made the most of the freedom granted to him to explore a career in the professional boxing ring and begin a role as chairman for the promotion’s Africa expansion.

    After two blockbuster boxing matchups against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou made his long-awaited return to the cage last month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Headlining the PFL’s latest pay-per-view, “The Predator” became the inaugural Super Fights heavyweight champion by battering Renan Ferreira en route to a first-round TKO.

    The weeks since have seen Dana White attempt to detract from Ngannou. The UFC CEO has claimed that he didn’t like and even wanted to release Ngannou — who went on to win the title and become one of the greatest heavyweights of all-time — following his loss to Derrick Lewis in 2018.

    He’s also insisted that Ngannou is “all about the money,” but simultaneously claimed that he turned down a more lucrative future in the UFC. That’s without mentioning the narrative that he ran from Jon Jones despite calling to fight “Bones” in the same year he defeated Stipe Miocic to capture gold.

    And speaking of his title crowning, it would seem the UFC is doing what it can to erase the memory of it.

    As the promotion prepares to stage the 100th UFC Fight Night to be hosted at the Apex this weekend, it compiled the “top 100 Apex knockouts” in a recent YouTube video. In terms of KOs witnessed there, not many were more brutal and important as Ngannou’s to finish the great Miocic in 2021.

    With that in mind, surely it cracked the top five? Top 10? At the very least the top 50, right?! Okay, but it’s in the top 100, surely?!

    The full video is below, so you can see for yourself which 100 knockouts were apparently better than Ngannou leaving the consensus heavyweight GOAT sleeping on the canvas…

    Ngannou’s omission, which was first highlighted by MMA Orbit’s Logan Offord, is far from the first time that the UFC has been accused of attempting to eliminate the 38-year-old from its history.

    The promotion has previously described Tafon Nchukwi as the first and only Cameroonian fighter in UFC history, of course ignoring Ngannou’s presence in that regard.

    And just this past August, controversy swirled when Israel Adesanya’s comments were edited to take his mention of Ngannou as an African champion alongside him and Kamaru Usman out during the UFC 305 Countdown episode.

    “The Last Stylebender” publicly spoke out against that, leading to White accepting responsibility for what he branded a mishap and call the former two-time middleweight champion to apologize.

    But judging by the recent YouTube video, that incident evidently didn’t do much to alter the ‘avoid mentioning Ngannou’ approach.

  • Cody Garbrandt’s Next Opponent Believes He Can Force Him Out Of His Gameplan: ‘He’s A Little Bit Emotional’     

    Cody Garbrandt’s Next Opponent Believes He Can Force Him Out Of His Gameplan: ‘He’s A Little Bit Emotional’     

    UFC bantamweight Miles Johns is preparing to face the biggest name of his UFC run to date when he returns to the Apex this weekend. At UFC Vegas 100, he will take on the former 135-pound champion, Cody Garbrandt.

    Johns has been on a good run recently with three unanimous decision wins and a no contest against Dan Argueta in between. For his fight against Garbrandt, he intends on making use of the smaller Octagon inside the UFC facility.

    He wants to put pressure on “No Love” and is expecting the former champion to try and counter strike off the backfoot, using his speed and footwork to circle around the outside of the cage. However, Johns believes that he can disrupt this by playing on his opponent’s tendencies.

    We have seen a far more reserved version of Garbrandt in his recent fights with the likes of Deiveson Figueiredo, Brian Kelleher and Trevin Jones. When he was on his difficult run of results after losing the belt, he was more well known for getting into firefights but it wasn’t working in his favor.

    Therefore, Johns told MMA Junkie in a recent interview that he believes he can try to bait Garbrandt to stray from a more patient style if he is able to pressure him and play on his emotions. He wants to bring out the old version of the former champion who would often throw strategy out of the window and engage in a kill or be killed approach.

    “I’m expecting for him to crack back but I think that if I get him up against the wall and I start putting some heat on him, he’s not going to like that and I want to make it an exciting fight. I want a fight that the fans have fun watching and that they enjoy so we’ll see what happens. Hopefully, I also know he’s a little bit emotional so if he’s waiting a little bit and I tell him like, ‘Come on man, what we waiting on? Let’s get this thing popping.’ I think that he will oblige but we’ll see.”

  • Alexandre Pantoja Jokes That He’s Ready To Start Trash Talking Kai Asakura To Secure UFC 310 Main Event

    Alexandre Pantoja Jokes That He’s Ready To Start Trash Talking Kai Asakura To Secure UFC 310 Main Event

    It currently isn’t known whether a new fight will be scheduled for UFC 310 in December following the cancellation of the original main event. Belal Muhammad was set to make the first defense of his welterweight title against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov in Las Vegas.

    With Muhammad withdrawing due to an injury, Rakhmonov is hoping to stay on the card in an interim title fight against the former champion, Kamaru Usman. There was also talk of whether the UFC would try to pull together a totally different main event but this doesn’t look to be an option following the update surrounding Alex Pereira.

    The promotion does of course already have a title fight booked for the card with flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja facing off with new arrival, Kai Asakura. The issue from the UFC’s perspective is likely that Asakura will be making his debut so will be a relatively unknown fighter to a lot of fans in the US and there’s a language barrier there also.

    With Pantoja not being the kind of champion who is going to sell the fight all by himself, it seems unlikely that they will be elevated into the main event. In a recent interview with Shakiel Mahjouri, Pantoja said that he’s ready to be the headliner if that’s what the UFC wants.

    He even jokingly remarked that he’s prepared to start calling out Asakura and going against who he is in order to start hyping up the card and generating headlines.

    “I’m ready for that, I’m ready to make my trash talk with Asakura and say he come from Japan, he don’t know, whatever you know. Whatever I need to say to him to make this show like everybody enjoy, you know. But you know about me, I’m not that guy. I’m not going to say anything. I say with my fists in the Octagon. I talking about that before, I’m another part of the coin. You have UFC is entertainment, of course, but I’m the good fighter. I’m fighter and I go for that.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiP_7FFUtvM&t=79s
  • Former Opponent Says Valentina Shevchenko May Struggle With One Aspect Of Fighting Manon Fiorot

    Former Opponent Says Valentina Shevchenko May Struggle With One Aspect Of Fighting Manon Fiorot

    Following the conclusion of her trilogy with Alexa Grasso, flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is ready to move on to her next challenger. Fortunately for her, in the time between her first and final encounters with Grasso, a new contender has emerged at the top of the division that she is yet to face.

    French striker Manon Fiorot has won seven in a row since arriving in the UFC to mark her out as the clear and obvious next challenger for Shevchenko. In her last two fights, she beat Rose Namajunas and Erin Blanchfield who faced off with one another this past weekend in Edmonton.

    After Blanchfield secured the decision win, she called out Grasso for a title eliminator whilst she waits for Fiorot to get her long deserved title shot. In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Fiorot’s former opponent gave her thoughts on how she might fare against the champion.

    Blanchfield drew attention to the size of the challenger as an interesting problem for Shevchenko to try and solve with her efficient and varied toolbox. In what many will expect to be Fiorot’s striking versus Shevchenko’s grappling, the size difference between them could end up being a crucial factor in the fight.

    The champion may have previously competed as a bantamweight but she isn’t the biggest fighter in this weight class and that could be an issue for her because of how good Fiorot is at using this to her advantage.

    “I think Manon can use her size. I think she’s a very big flyweight and she knows how to use her range and like her length. I think Valentina is more like dynamic and has more skills so I’m curious how Valentina is going to deal with her size because I know in the past, let’s say with like Taila, I remember complaining about how big Taila is and I feel like Manon’s significantly bigger so yeah, I think it’s a good match-up and I’m curious to see how it goes.”   

  • Shavkat Rakhmonov Doubts Belal Muhammad Had To Withdraw From UFC 310: ‘I Think He Was Able’ 

    Shavkat Rakhmonov Doubts Belal Muhammad Had To Withdraw From UFC 310: ‘I Think He Was Able’ 

    Top UFC welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov believes champion Belal Muhammad could have made their planned fight date if he really wanted to.

    Rakhmonov entered November with a first shot at title glory on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage in the calendar. The undefeated “Nomad” was booked in as the first challenger in the reign of Muhammad, which got underway with a dominant display opposite Leon Edwards this past July.

    But their UFC 310 main event is no more following an injury to the champ, who revealed this past weekend that he had been hospitalized with a gruesome bone infection that will prevent him from training for the next six weeks.

    With that, the Dec. 7 headline spot is in limbo, as is Rakhmonov’s place on the lineup for the promotion’s final pay-per-view of the year.

    But the Kazakh contender evidently doesn’t believe this difficult scenario had to come to fruition.

    During Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Rakhmonov addressed the current situation, questioning if Muhammad really did have to withdraw.

    “I think he was able to fight on Dec. 7, but he wasn’t sure and is being extra careful,” Rakhmonov said. “I was just envisioning myself getting the win and it doesn’t matter how or which way. Belal is a good opponent, but I believe I can work with him in any field. I can counter him, I can pressure him, I just only see my (hand) getting raised in a fight against him.

    “I don’t believe it’s going to be six weeks (to recover), to be honest. I believe Jack Della (had) the same problem with infection and he’s still not back. It can take a while,” Rakhmonov continued. “Belal doesn’t need to be greedy. If I become interim champ, he’s still going to have a belt too.”

    Nevertheless, should he capture an interim title in Muhammad’s absence, Rakhmonov believes that will only make his eventual showdown with “Remember the Name” even bigger in 2025.

    “It’s good for Belal, too. It’s only going to make the fight bigger,” Rakhmonov stated. “Champ vs. champ whenever Belal is ready. Obviously, after I secure the interim title, I’m going to fight him. First quarter of next year I believe is already scheduled and taken so he cannot come back soon, anyway.”

    “Nomad” appeared more sympathetic toward his division’s champ soon after news of his injury emerged, taking to social media to wish Muhammad well in his recovery.

    The Kazakh fighter can likely now expect some backlash from Muhammad after questioning the serious nature of his bone infection.

  • Michael Chandler Makes Bold Promise To Fans Ahead Of UFC 309 Return: ‘What You Will See…’

    UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler evidently isn’t worried about increasing the pressure on him to perform well next weekend.

    “Iron” will feel the Octagon floor beneath his feet for the first time in over two years on Nov. 16, when he co-headlines the UFC 309 pay-per-view inside New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

    The former three-time Bellator champion spent 2023 and much of this year awaiting a planned showdown with Conor McGregor, whom he coached against on The Ultimate Fighter.

    After plenty of rumored fight dates and one officially booked one passed by without the pair meeting inside the cage, Chandler finally decided to move on. That decision has left him with a chance for redemption opposite Charles Oliveira.

    When the pair first met, “Do Bronx” mounted a memorable comeback to capture the then-vacant lightweight crown at UFC 262 in May 2022. 30 months on, the Kill Cliff FC standout is promising to avenge that result with a never-before-seen display.

    “What you will see Nov. 16 will be something you have never seen from me,” Chandler wrote on X. “Something exceptional. Something mind blowing. Champ in 2025. #ufc309“

    While both Chandler and UFC CEO Dana White haven’t ruled out revisiting the McGregor matchup in 2025, hopes of the Irishman making a return to the Octagon appear to be dwindling with every public appearance the former two-division champion makes.

    And should “Iron” have his hand raised next weekend, he expects to be sitting behind Arman Tsarukyan as next in line for a shot at Islam Makhachev’s lightweight crown.

  • Khalil Rountree Reveals Latest Image Of Facial Injuries Suffered At The Hands Of Alex Pereira

    Khalil Rountree Reveals Latest Image Of Facial Injuries Suffered At The Hands Of Alex Pereira

    UFC light heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree is still sporting the wounds of what a war with champion Alex Pereira will bring.

    Rountree had his first title opportunity on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage early last month in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he headlined the UFC 307 pay-per-view in competition for Pereira’s 205-pound strap.

    While his shot came as a surprise to many given his position in the rankings, “The War Horse” rode a wave of confidence into the chance for glory owing to a destructive five-fight win streak.

    And against the odds and expectations of many, the challenger got off to a strong start and was on track to extending that run with the addition of some gold.

    But Rountree’s early lead was quickly pulled back in the third frame as “Poatan” began to find a home for his strikes. In the fourth, the show was closed by a brutal onslaught from the Brazilian that left his American opponent bloodied and bruised.

    Rountree wasn’t short on gruesome battle scars in the aftermath, with the worst injury being a severely deviated septum that required a painful procedure to fix.

    And almost exactly a month on from his setback in the “Beehive State,” the 34-year-old has provided the latest update on his condition, posting an image on Instagram of the scars that remain on his nose and around his eyes.

    While he ultimately did not leave the Octagon with the light heavyweight title wrapped around his waist, it certainly seemed that Rountree boosted his stock among the MMA masses with a valiant display at the Delta Center.

    He’ll look to build on that with a return to winning ways in his return. Pereira, meanwhile, appears likely to meet the challenge of Magomed Ankalaev in his fourth defense of the 205-pound championship next year.

  • UFC Rankings Report: Dominick Cruz Makes Way For UFC Edmonton Winner

    UFC Rankings Report: Dominick Cruz Makes Way For UFC Edmonton Winner

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

    And in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi, 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: Erin Blanchfield may have stayed put at flyweight following her win over Rose Namajunas this past weekend, but she has received a small boost up the P4P ladder. “Cold Blooded” has climbed one place to #6. Her defeated opponent, meanwhile, is two spots worse off at #8.

    In a bizarre UFC rankings switch further down, Jéssica Andrade (#13) has leapfrogged Natália Silva (#14). That’s despite the former strawweight queen losing to Silva this past September.

    Women’s Strawweight: No changes.

    Women’s Flyweight: While she’s been the victim of an odd change on the P4P list, Silva has completed her ascent into the top five at 125 pounds. That’s courtesy of Namajunas’ loss in Edmonton, which has seen her fall to #6.

    Toward the bottom of the top 15, Jasmine Jasudavicius has continued to rise following an impressive submission win over Ariane da Silva. The Canadian now finds herself in the #13 position, one place above her Brazilian counterpart.

    Women’s Bantamweight: Following Germaine de Randamie’s retirement, the former champ has been removed from the UFC rankings at 135 pounds and replaced by Jacqueline Cavalcanti (#15).

    Flyweight: Having been released, Matheus Nicolau has departed the 125-pound list. In his place comes Matt Schnell at #15, despite “Danger” exiting recently after announcing his retirement earlier in the year. The changes have paved the way for the in-form Charles Johnson to climb two places to #13.

    Within the top 10, Manel Kape has further fallen months on from his loss to Muhammad Mokaev. He’s now ranked #9, with Australia’s Steve Erceg benefitting with a small boost to #8.

    Bantamweight: Aiemann Zahabi extended his winning run on home soil this past weekend, and it’s secured a number next to his name for the first time. The Canadian 36-year-old has debuted in the UFC rankings at #14, replacing the legendary Dominick Cruz on the list.

    Featherweight: No changes.

    Lightweight: No changes.

    Welterweight: No changes.

    Middleweight: No changes.

    Light Heavyweight: No changes.

    Heavyweight: After their prelim in the “Great White North,” both the defeated Rodrigo Nascimento and out-of-contract Alexandr Romanov have found themselves outside the rankings. As a result, Waldo Cortes-Acosta (#14) and the undefeated Mick Parkin (#15) have arrived in the heavyweight contenders’ list.

    You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

  • Dustin Poirier Seemingly Approves Of Max Holloway Trilogy Fight For ‘The Last Dance’

    A recent tweet from Dustin Poirier hints that he’s interested in facing Max Holloway for his final UFC fight. Holloway, coming off a tough loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, made history as Topuria became the first fighter ever to finish him.

    Poirier hasn’t stepped into the Octagon since his lightweight title shot at UFC 302 in June, where he lost to Islam Makhachev via fifth-round submission. After that bout, Poirier teased retirement but later confirmed plans for one more fight. The question remains: who will he face?

    In recent months, Poirier has considered a range of opponents for his swan song, including Nate Diaz and Justin Gaethje. However, in a Twitter exchange suggesting a bout with Holloway for the “BMF” title, Poirier seemed to approve, sparking excitement over a potential showdown.

    The two first faced off at UFC 143 in February 2012, which saw Holloway fall short to Poirier via submission. Seven years later, they met for the interim lightweight title at UFC 236, which saw Poirier hand Holloway a unanimous decision loss.

  • Shavkat Rakhmonov Wants To Fight Kamaru Usman For Interim Title At UFC 310

    Shavkat Rakhmonov Wants To Fight Kamaru Usman For Interim Title At UFC 310

    Shavkat Rakhmonov is determined to stay on the UFC 310 card and has floated the idea of an interim title fight against Kamaru Usman. Rakhmonov was initially set to headline UFC 310 in a welterweight title bout against Belal Muhammad, but the reigning champion withdrew due to injury.

    Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Rakhmonov’s manager confirmed that negotiations are underway to keep Rakhmonov on the UFC 310 lineup, potentially in an interim title fight. The manager mentioned that Usman has reportedly been offered the fight, as he’s seen as the most logical replacement.

    Rakhmonov himself expressed readiness to step in, saying, “I believe there is a worthy opponent available. I’m ready to save the card, too, if it’s for the interim title. I believe Usman is the worthy opponent who’s also probably ready to jump in and face him.”

    Rakhmonov, who boasts an 18-0 record, is coming off a submission victory over Stephen Thompson last December and has won all his UFC fights by stoppage. Usman, on the other hand, is currently on a three-fight losing streak, most recently dropping a majority decision to Robert Whittaker in a middleweight contest on short notice. Before that, he suffered two consecutive losses to Leon Edwards.

  • Javier Mendez: Khamzat Chimaev Is On Same Level As Khabib Nurmagomedov & Islam Makhachev

    Javier Mendez: Khamzat Chimaev Is On Same Level As Khabib Nurmagomedov & Islam Makhachev

    American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez has high praise for Khamzat Chimaev, placing him in elite company among MMA fighters.

    The UFC middleweight contender has quickly gained attention, with many calling for him to skip ahead of Sean Strickland for a title shot against the current champion, Dricus du Plessis. Interestingly, du Plessis himself has expressed interest in facing Chimaev next, suggesting it would be a more exciting matchup.

    During an interview with Red Corner MMA, Mendez compared Chimaev’s skill level to that of UFC legends Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, though he acknowledged the distinct styles among them.

    “I think they’re the same level, but they’re different [styles]… They’re not the same fighter. They’re just different, just like Khabib and Islam – they’re the same level but they’re different, and Khamzat’s different.”

    Earlier this year, du Plessis claimed the middleweight title by defeating Strickland via split decision, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling showdown with Chimaev.

  • Chael Sonnen Suggests Sean O’Malley Could Challenge Ilia Topuria In UFC Return: ‘It’s Not A Crazy Idea!’

    Chael Sonnen Suggests Sean O’Malley Could Challenge Ilia Topuria In UFC Return: ‘It’s Not A Crazy Idea!’

    Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen sees no reason why the promotion couldn’t pair featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria with Sean O’Malley next year.

    O’Malley ignited talk of pursuing two-division glory following Topuria’s rise to the 145-pound throne at the start of 2024. At the time, “Suga” occupied top spot in the bantamweight division and would soon add a successful defense to his reign at the expense of Marlon Vera.

    With work still to do in his own weight class, O’Malley instead met the challenge of Merab Dvalishvili. The Georgian proved to be an insurmountable hurdle for the Montana native inside the Sphere in September, where “The Machine” cruised to a title crowning.

    With that, a possible superfight with “El Matador” appeared to take some damage. But despite O’Malley putting his sights on redemption against Dvalishvili and a second stint with 135-pound gold in his possession, Sonnen has questioned why Topuria is now out of the question.

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, “The American Gangster” pointed out that Alex Pereira’s rise to a second title was made possible by his knockout loss to Israel Adesanya.

    Believing it to be easier to move up without a title, Sonnen doesn’t see a clash between Topuria and bantamweight contender O’Malley in 2025 to be a “crazy” idea.

    “One of the big talking points this week is what could have been. What could have been with a superfight between Sean O’Malley and Ilia Topuria, how massive that could have been,” Sonnen said. “The thing holding up a superfight between Topuria and Sean O’Malley is not Merab or Merab getting a decision over Sean or Sean not being the champion. It is none of those things. That is not true. Had Sean won, he and Ilia Topuria would not be fighting. They had not cleaned out their divisions, respectively.

    “If I’m right, but you’re also right in that that’s the massive fight, we can now make it and we can make it right now. The thing in the way of it (was) Sean being the champion at 135. They can now do that fight,” Sonnen continued. “The quickest way you’re ever gonna get Pereira vs. (Tom) Aspinall or Pereira vs. (Jon) Jones…(is) if Pereira is to lose at light heavyweight. That is how we got Pereira to the 205-pound class to start with. … It’s not a crazy idea. … What if he (O’Malley) did take 10 or 12 months? 10 or 12 months to put on some size and he comes right up and challenges Ilia Topuria.”

    It remains to be seen whether O’Malley or the promotion may have the same idea as Sonnen down the line. For now, it appears that “Suga” is intent on avenging his loss to Dvalishvili once healed from the surgery he underwent to repair a torn labrum last month.

    Topuria, meanwhile, appears likely to run it back with Alexander Volkanovski next year after getting past Max Holloway in his first defense in October.

  • Brandon Moreno Assesses Opponent Options After UFC Edmonton, Rules Out One Top-5 Contender

    Brandon Moreno Assesses Opponent Options After UFC Edmonton, Rules Out One Top-5 Contender

    Former two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno has his eyes on some prominent names following a return to winning ways this past weekend.

    Moreno entered the Octagon at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Edmonton, Canada facing the prospect of the first three-fight losing skid of his professional career if things didn’t go his way. They did, however, go his way — and then some.

    In Amir Albazi, the Mexican faced a surging contender who boasted a perfect 5-0 UFC record and had most recently climbed the ladder with a main event win over Kai Kara-France.

    But “The Assassin Baby” wasn’t about to be the star at the expense of whom the Iraqi secured a title shot, instead firmly beating “The Prince” up across five rounds to secure a lopsided unanimous decision victory.

    Having put his name back in the title mix at 125 pounds, Moreno assessed what could lie in his immediate future during his post-fight press conference in Edmonton.

    Moreno welcomed the chance to settle the score in a trilogy with Royval. But he doesn’t share the same excitement when it comes to running it back with Kara-France, favoring first-time clashes with Tatsuro Taira or Kai Asakura should the latter fall short of the title at UFC 310 next month.

    “I can get (a rematch) with Royval,” Moreno said. “I don’t want to fight with Kai again because I fought him twice and I beat him, but if I have to do that (I will). Tatsuro Taira is there. Kai Asakura, let’s see what happens there against Pantoja. If he loses, that can be the next one.

    “I don’t know, let’s see what happens,” Moreno concluded.

    While he expects to require another strong performance before earning a shot at regaining the flyweight crown yet again, he seemingly caught the eye of the division’s champion with his display in the “Great White North.”

    Pantoja mixed praise with a small jibe toward the Mexican in a social media post, commending him for the victory but also referring to “The Assassin Baby” as his “son.”