MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • Bisping Sees UFC Championship Potential In Artem Vakhitov

    Bisping Sees UFC Championship Potential In Artem Vakhitov

    Artem Vakhitov wouldn’t be signed to the UFC right now if it wasn’t for the light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira. The former GLORY kickboxer, who was the last man to beat “Poatan” in the sport, earned a contract on this week’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Let alone getting this opportunity if it wasn’t for the history that he has with Pereira, the champion himself convinced Dana White to give his former foe a contract after the UFC boss wasn’t overly impressed by his performance at the Apex.

    Vakhitov is still very early on in his MMA career but of course, a third fight between them taking place in MMA would be a big deal but that’s still a long way in the distance right now.

    Bisping on Artem Vakhitov’s Potential

    Vakhitov is sure to get some special treatment once he arrives into the UFC, even if he just moves through the ranks a little faster than most.

    The issue with that is that he’s not ready to compete against top contenders at light heavyweight however, a striking match between him and Pereira would suit him a lot better.

    Former UFC champion Michael Bisping gave his reaction to how this all played out during a recent YouTube video.

    “The Count” was on commentary for this episode and though he also wasn’t overwhelmed by what he saw from Vakhitov on his UFC job interview, he believes that Pereira’s former rival could make it to the top in the years to come. Acknowledging it’s going to be a long road to the top, Bisping sees the greatness.

    “ I think he could do it, I think he’s got the potential. He’s got to work on the takedown defense. he’s got to get used to the little gloves. he’s got to get used to people with offbeat rhythms, because MMA strikers are a bit different to polished kickboxers but if he can do that.

    if he can do the work and apply himself, I think he could have a very bright future and we could see that fight at some point down the line.” 

    – Michael Bisping on Vakhitov’s potential

  • Mario Bautista Blames José Aldo For Grappling-Heavy UFC 307 Ending: ‘He Chose To Stay There’

    Bantamweight contender Mario Bautista believes the criticism of how his fight with José Aldo unfolded at UFC 307 should be directed at the Brazilian.

    The pair collided on the main card of this past weekend’s pay-per-view event in Salt Lake City, with Bautista looking to replace Aldo inside the top 10 at 135 pounds.

    Across three rounds, the 31-year-old achieved that feat, extending his winning run to seven and securing a rise to #9 in the rankings by falling on the right side of a split decision verdict in Utah.

    The manner with which he had his hand raised, however, caused considerable debate online, with many suggesting that his low-action grappling was over-rewarded by two judges.

    Bautista Claims Aldo Could Have Escaped Positions At UFC 307, Opted Not To

    During a recent interview on MMA Junkie Radio, Bautista reflected on his successful display in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5, which saw his record’s win column receive its biggest addition to date.

    The 31-year-old questioned the reaction to his approach in round three, insisting that any and all backlash to the way the fight concluded should be directed at Aldo.

    “I just wanted him to keep on working. I just wanted him to break out of the clinch, use that energy to get out. And then just kind of stay stuck to him. Keep him working, working,” Bautista said. “I just didn’t really think he was going to — I don’t know, I guess just stay on the wall.

    “I thought he was going to get out. … There were points where like, yeah he was defending the takedown and maybe he could have circled off, but he just chose to stay there,” Bautista continued. “Yeah, I was holding him against the cage. But at the same, I think he did have opportunities to circle off, it’s just he chose not to. … Maybe that’s his resting area. … ‘Maybe the ref will separate us and I’ll be able to get my strikes off,’ and this and that.”

    Bautista went on to say that, as a fan of the sport himself, frustration in that situation should always be toward the fighter who is unable to break the clinch and circle away.

    In addition to the portions of the fanbase giving him stick, Bautista also hit back at one specific individual on social media post-fight, taking aim at Henry Cejudo for the former champ’s negative assessment of his UFC 307 performance.

  • UFC Legend Glover Teixeira Teases Comeback With Pereira’s Encouragement

    UFC Legend Glover Teixeira Teases Comeback With Pereira’s Encouragement

    Glover Teixeira recently revealed that he’s contemplating a UFC comeback, spurred on by none other than Alex Pereira.

    Teixeira hung up his gloves for good after a one-sided unanimous decision defeat to Jamahal Hill at UFC 283 in January 2023. This marked his second consecutive loss following a fifth-round submission to Jiří Procházka at UFC 275 in June 2022, a result that saw him lose the UFC light heavyweight title.

    Since stepping away from the sport, the 44-year-old Brazilian has embraced the role of mentor to reigning UFC 205-pound kingpin Pereira, playing an instrumental part in his fellow countryman’s meteoric rise to the top of the division.

    It seems that being surrounded by elite athletes and coaching them has reignited Teixeira’s competitive spirit, awakening a newfound enthusiasm for making his return…

    Teixeira On His Potential Comeback: ‘I Keep Going After Challenges’

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Teixeira disclosed his aspirations for a possible return to active competition, be it within the UFC or through another venture.

    “There’s nothing [booked], but I’ll definitely go back to competition,” Teixeira said. “I keep going after challenges. It’s hard to stay [training] with no reason why, so I’ll definitely do something. I want to compete. I’ll do some jiu-jitsu, I wanna do… I don’t know, maybe boxing. Or even go back for some fights in the UFC. That’s got to be it because it’s hard, man. I’m feeling great, fighting hard with the guys in the gym. I’ve rolled with some wrestlers, training with Sean Strickland and ‘Poatan.’”

    The former UFC light heavyweight champion further shared that it has been Pereira encouraging him to consider a comeback to the sport.

    “I was doing some light sparring with ‘Poatan’ the other day, and he’s like, ‘F**k, Glover, you have to come back!’ I’m training well, and I’m feeling good. I love this. I’m not saying I want to fight, but I want to compete. If it’s jiu-jitsu, Lovato, or guys like that, I wanna do some matches, that’s for sure.”

    Teixeira made his UFC debut in May 2012 and experienced a career filled with significant highs and lows. After an impressive five-fight win streak from 2019 to 2020, he captured the UFC light heavyweight title by defeating Jan Błachowicz at UFC 267 in October 2021.

    Teixeira currently holds a professional record of 33-9, with 18 of those victories coming by way of knockout and 10 secured through submissions.

  • Khalil Rountree Reveals Post-Fight Advice From Conor McGregor

    Khalil Rountree Reveals Post-Fight Advice From Conor McGregor

    Anyone who was watching along during UFC 307 this past weekend will have noticed one thing on social media.

    Conor McGregor is well known, or “Notorious” you could say, for being very vocal about his opinions on fights and people’s performances. This was the case during the PPV card in Salt Lake City where he weighed in on several fights that place on the main card, from Kevin Holland’s injury to Mario Bautista’s controversial win.

    Like every fight fan, McGregor came away from the event with two strong feelings following an entertaining main event. He was both impressed by the performance that Alex Pereira delivered and the toughness and will displayed by Khalil Rountree.

    McGregor’s Advice

    Having posted on social media via his own X account and in comment sections underneath Instagram posts, McGregor has already made his feelings on the main event clear.

    However, he did also personally reach out to Rountree as the title challenger recently revealed during an appearance on the Pound 4 Pound podcast.

    The #8-ranked contender was able to surprise a lot of people by starting the first few rounds with a decent amount of success but ultimately, wasn’t able to maintain this.

    He recapped his performance with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, stating what he could have done better to push Pereira even further.

    Rountree said that one key point regarding him not pressuring “Poatan” enough was made to him by McGregor in a serious of messages that he received once UFC 307 was behind him.

    “A couple days after the fight I got some messages from Conor and it was really cool to get some messages from him, but one thing he pointed out was that I could’ve put more pressure.

    Just like you were saying, when he was going up against the cage, yeah, he has that left hook, but if I would have just been a little bit more relentless with my pressure and not backed off so much and retook the centre of the cage, I think I would’ve been able to apply a little more damage to him”

    – Khalil Roundtree
  • Brandon Royval Labels Next Opponent Tatsuro Taira ‘Overrated’

    Brandon Royval Labels Next Opponent Tatsuro Taira ‘Overrated’

    Brandon Royval attempts to continue making the case for why he deserves another flyweight title shot this weekend.

    The #1-ranked contender seemingly has less to gain than his opponent in their upcoming main event clash at the UFC Apex.

    Tatsuro Taira will be difficult to deny if he’s able to extend his undefeated streak in the UFC to seven by taking out his toughest test in “Raw Dawg”.

    Royval knows that there’s a lot of hype around his next opponent and that gives him the opportunity to steal some of the momentum so that he can force his way into another rematch with the champion, Alexandre Pantoja.

    The excitement around the 24-year old Taira is seemingly reflected in the betting odds for this fight that have the Japanese contender as the favorite.

    Brandon Royval Believes That The Odds Makers Are Way Off On His Next Match-Up

    In an interview with Mike Heck for MMA Fighting, Royval gave his reaction to being the underdog in this fight despite his experience at the top level.

    The former title challenger has trained with his upcoming opponent in the past, stating in a different interview that they last worked together around a year ago.

    Despite being impressed by Taira’s winning streak inside the Octagon, he did say that he was somewhat surprised to be fighting him this soon.

    Royval told MMA Fighting that when he looks at the betting odds, he’s convinced that hype has led to things being the wrong way round, suggesting that Taira isn’t as good as this line suggests.

    “When I saw that I’m like, am I seeing something wrong or whatever. I’m one of the most underrated dudes in the flyweight division, I’ve been thinking that for years and I also think Taira might be one of the most overrated guys in this division right now, and no disrespect on him. I’ve trained with him, he seems like a very nice kid and I’m not trying to be disrespectful. I do believe he’ll be a champion one day but I think he’s overrated and I think I’m underrated.”

  • Brandon Royval On Failed Talks To Fight UFC Newcomer: ‘Asked For More Money…They Said No’

    Brandon Royval On Failed Talks To Fight UFC Newcomer: ‘Asked For More Money…They Said No’

    UFC flyweight contender Brandon Royval returns to action on Saturday night at the Apex, but he nearly had a much different assignment a couple of months ago.

    Royval last competed in Mexico City this past February, where he exacted revenge on Brandon Moreno in their headlining rematch. With that result, “Raw Dawg” is ranked #1 at 125 pounds.

    He’ll now have the chance to potentially secure another shot at Alexandre Pantoja’s title this weekend, when he tops a UFC Fight Night lineup at the Apex opposite the #5-ranked Tatsuro Taira.

    Had the UFC’s plans come to fruition, however, Royval would have been set to compete in other surroundings against a fighter without a number next to their name — or a UFC fight on their record…

    Royval On Rejecting Asakura Fight: ‘Not Getting A Guaranteed Title Shot, Not Getting More Money…’

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Royval looked ahead to his upcoming headliner with Taira and revealed that he was almost set for a much different test far from home.

    “Raw Dawg” said he was offered the chance to welcome Kai Asakura to the promotion at the UFC 305 pay-per-view in Perth, Australia this past August.

    But after his requests for additional payment for the long-distance trip and guarantees of a title shot should he win were rejected, Royval opted against heading Down Under to face the former Rizin champion.

    “They offered me that fight (Asakura) in Australia,” Royval said. “I asked them for more money, I asked for a handful of stuff, and they said no. And then I asked them for one of any of those things, and they said no. And I was like, all right, well, then I’m not gonna go f*cking fight some dude, not in the UFC, for not much money, all the way across the (world) where I’m not getting any sleep. I’m not getting any of this, I’m not getting a guaranteed title shot, I’m not getting any more money.

    “I got to bring my whole team out there if I’m going to go out there because I need to get my Arcadian rhythm in cycle. So it’s like, I got to fly out my whole team and guys that look like Kai Asakura. So it was one of those (things where) financially, (it) doesn’t make sense to me,” Royval continued. “And then it’s also, like, the risk doesn’t (exceed) the reward. If I go out there and lose, I just lost (to) somebody without a ranking, and if I go out there and win, they’re not guaranteeing me a title shot or anything. So there was really no reward in that.”

    Things have seemingly worked out well for Royval, who is now days away from facing a fellow top-five contender in what will mark his second consecutive UFC main event.

  • TJ Dillashaw ‘Not Mad’ With José Aldo Losing UFC 307 Decision: ‘Lost The Fight Himself’

    TJ Dillashaw ‘Not Mad’ With José Aldo Losing UFC 307 Decision: ‘Lost The Fight Himself’

    Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw doesn’t have much sympathy for José Aldo after he came up short in Salt Lake City this past weekend.

    Aldo returned on the main card of the UFC 307 pay-per-view on Oct. 5, making his second appearance inside the Octagon since bringing his short-lived retirement to an end in Rio de Janeiro earlier this year.

    While the Brazilian immediately forged a path back into the rankings at 135 pounds by getting the better of Jonathan Martinez, Mario Bautista was able to spoil his plans for a late-career title shot in Utah.

    The 33-year-old fell on the right side of a split decision verdict, a result that proved controversial. Many gave the nod to Aldo after determining that Bautista didn’t do enough with his control against the cage.

    UFC CEO Dana White was among those questioning the two judges who leant the way of Bautista. One of the division’s former titleholders, however, saw no issue with the result…

    Dillashaw: Aldo ‘Kept Himself’ Against The Cage

    During a recent episode of the JAXXON PODCAST, Dillashaw reflected on the events that unfolded at UFC 307, including the main card clash in the weight class he formerly ruled over.

    Dillashaw differed from many with his take on Aldo vs. Bautista. He insisted that the ex-featherweight kingpin could have done much more to avoid granting Bautista such a long period of control in round three, which ultimately proved to be the difference.

    “It surprises me…there’s techniques like this that (Aldo) doesn’t like — get off the cage,” Dillashaw said. “The loss for him, like with the fight cards, they thought Aldo should’ve won. I don’t know. He kept himself there (against the cage). Like, I’m not too mad. He lost the fight himself.”

    It remains to be seen what comes next for Aldo, who was hoping to defend his spot inside the bantamweight top 10 in Salt Lake City before focusing on those above him.

    With his UFC 307 loss marking the first bout on a new multi-fight deal with MMA’s leading promotion, Aldo will likely look to rebound and revive his ongoing ambitions inside the Octagon soon enough.

  • VIDEO: Ilia Topuria & Max Holloway Trade Barbs In Face-To-Face Interview Ahead Of UFC 308

    VIDEO: Ilia Topuria & Max Holloway Trade Barbs In Face-To-Face Interview Ahead Of UFC 308

    The build-up to the UFC’s annual October pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi has picked up with a face-to-face interview between its two headliners.

    The promotion will be back in the Middle East for the third time this year, and back inside the Etihad Arena just over two months on from UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov being staged at the venue.

    This time, the Abu Dhabi crowd will be treated to championship stakes and one of the most highly anticipated fights of 2024 thus far, as featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria puts his gold on the line opposite legend Max Holloway.

    Topuria, Holloway Verbally Spar Pre-UFC 308

    In the months leading up to UFC 308, the pair set to collide in the main event have gone back and forth on social media and during their respective interviews.

    And that trend continued weeks out from the Oct. 26 event, as “El Matador” and “Blessed” joined UFC commentator Brendan Fitzgerald for a virtual face-to-face interaction.

    Fitzgerald wasn’t required too often, with Topuria and Holloway frequently abandoning questions to trade barbs at one another.

    On the champ’s side, the Georgian-Spaniard dismissed Holloway’s boxing credentials and gave a critical review of his UFC 300 win over Justin Gaethje, branding the fight “boring” and the last-second knockout absent of technique.

    Holloway’s rebuttals remained consistent throughout: we’ll see what happens on Oct. 26.

  • UFC Fighter Antonio Trócoli Arrested, Accused Of Assaulting Mackenzie Dern’s Ex-Husband

    UFC Fighter Antonio Trócoli Arrested, Accused Of Assaulting Mackenzie Dern’s Ex-Husband

    UFC middleweight Antonio Trócoli was arrested in California last Friday on misdemeanor battery charges.

    The Brazilian was apprehended following an incident in Huntington Beach, which allegedly involved the ex-husband of UFC strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern, to whom Trócoli is now married.

    The arrest was confirmed by police in an email to MMA Fighting this week.

    “A subject by the name of Antonio Trocoli da Silveira Filho was arrested by the Huntington Beach Police Department on Oct. 4, 2024, at approximately 8:30 a.m. in the 8700 block of Dolphin Street, Huntington Beach,” Huntington Beach police said in a statement. “He was arrested for misdemeanor battery, and the case has been sent to the Orange County District Attorney’s Officer for review.”

    The Orange County district attorney’s office has not officially brought a case against Trócoli, 33, who lost his short-notice UFC debut to Sharabutdin Magomedov in Saudi Arabia this past June.

    Antonio Trocoli & Shara Magomedov
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

    Dern’s Ex-Husband Claims Video Shows Trócoli Punching Him

    Although official details provided by police are scarce, Dern’s ex-husband sent a statement to MMA Fighting in which he claims to have been the victim of Trócoli’s alleged assault.

    Wesley Santos — a professional surfer who was formerly married to Dern and has a daughter, Moa, with the strawweight fighter — accused Trócoli of ongoing harassment, including sending abusive messages by way of his child.

    He claims things came to a head last Friday after he dropped his daughter off at school, following which he says Trócoli pulled up in a car and proceeded to strike him before fleeing.

    “Mackenzie Dern is my ex-wife and after our divorce she married Antonio ‘Malvado’ Jose Trocoli da Silveira Filho,” Santos said. “We divorced and have shared custody of our daughter Moa, but Antonio never stopped following me. We had a deal that he would not be part of the custody but he was always nearby, threatening and disturbing in every custody change. He sent messages through Moa, saying he would beat me up, and Moa told me clearly.

    “I dropped my daughter at school this past Friday and was going back home on a skateboard when I saw a white car stop, and I started recording. It was Antonio. He got out of the car and punched me, and the car kept moving [along], and he ran back inside the car. Cops were called, there were several witnesses, and Antonio was arrested for battery.”

    Dern and Santos’ divorce played out publicly in 2023, with the pair exchanging accusations of domestic abuse.

    In court, the UFC fighter claimed to have been the victim of repeated physical and emotional abuse throughout her marriage with Santos, alleging to have once had a door slammed on her leg while being dragged out of their house during a fight.

    The pro surfer responded by accusing Dern of similar abuse, providing evidence of a bloody nose that he claimed was caused by a punch from his then-wife.

    Trócoli is yet to comment on his arrest and the charges against him. He’s currently scheduled to return for his second UFC outing against Tresean Gore at the Apex on Nov. 9.

  • Jamahal Hill Finally Explains Yawning After Alex Pereira Beat Khalil Rountree

    Jamahal Hill Finally Explains Yawning After Alex Pereira Beat Khalil Rountree

    UFC 307 was yet another card saved by Alex Pereira as he put on a memorable performance against Khalil Rountree, an opponent who unexpectedly gave him a tough fight.

    The challenger landed several clean shots in the first two rounds, keeping fans worldwide at the edge of their seats. However, Pereira eventually altered his game plan and unleashed his gas tank in the third to sway the momentum and win via TKO in the fourth.

    The UFC 307 main event was anything but boring, which explains why fans weren’t happy with Jamahal Hill yawning in the audience. The former UFC light heavyweight champion has finally opened up on his true intentions behind the reaction…

    Jamahal Hill Calls Out ‘Disrespectful’ MMA Fans For Misunderstanding His Reaction To Alex Pereira Knocking Out Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    Hill recently broke down all UFC 307 fights on his YouTube channel. Before diving deep into the main event, he claimed his yawning reaction was misunderstood by the media.

    “Sweet Dreams” gave Rountree his props for giving the UFC light heavyweight kingpin a run for his money in the first two rounds. The challenger performed much better than his expectations in every way. In contrast to what Hill had predicted, Rountree landed efficiently, had decent cardio, and showed exceptional durability.

    “It’s crazy how y’all see a clip with no context, no nothing and y’all just be ready to talk s**t and just attack and come disrespectful as ever. And it’s like hilarious, all right. So, now, I wasn’t miked up, or anything like that, so I couldn’t explain the context of the yawn and things like that after the fight. I think I did hear a reporter told Alex, “Oh, Jamahal said the fight was boring.” I never said the fight was boring.”

    Hill also clarified that he never claimed Pereira vs. Rountree to be a boring fight. Him yawning after the main event was a way to tell that he wasn’t surprised or impressed. To prove this, he even reflected on his UFC 307 predictions.

    “Now, to the yawn, the yawn at the end was. Was it entertaining? Yes. Was I impressed? No. I was not impressed. You know, I’m ready to go. Did I see anything in the cage that scares me or that I didn’t expect to see? No. So, as far as reacting and everything, I don’t think I really need to do much of a reaction to this fight because, before, if you watch, or you watch my breakdowns, you can see I told you exactly how the fight was going to go.”

    To be fair to Hill, he did mention Rountree’s inability to land counters against properly set-up shots, especially jabs. He also mentioned that the challenger would gas early as the height disadvantage would compel him to explode to hit “Poatan”. Both these predictions were indeed on point.

  • Renato Moicano Discovers ‘Unbelievable’ Hole In José Aldo’s Game After Mario Bautista Loss

    Renato Moicano Discovers ‘Unbelievable’ Hole In José Aldo’s Game After Mario Bautista Loss

    Renato Moicano is arguably at the prime of his career in terms of momentum and popularity. His four-fight win streak as a UFC lightweight includes popular names like Jalin Turner, Benoit Saint-Denis, and Drew Dober, and he’s eyeing to fight the biggest stars in the division now.

    Many fans believe Moicano to be a rising prospect because of his charisma on the mic. However, he’s been in the UFC since 2014 and has fought the best of the best in the UFC featherweight division until moving up a weight class.

    Moicano faced José Aldo in the biggest match of his career in 2019. He lost via second-round TKO but claims he could’ve emerged victorious with a game plan similar to Mario Bautista…

    Renato Moicano Claims Mario Bautista Will Benefit From Beating José Aldo Like Alexander Volkanovski And Merab Dvalishvili Despite Controversy

    Moicano, Gilbert Burns, and Matty Betts discussed all things UFC in the latest episode of Show Me The Money podcast on YouTube. Interestingly, Burns believes Aldo lost the fight because Bautista could hold him against the cage. The UFC welterweight instead blamed the referee for allowing the stalling.

    Moicano understandably had a completely different concern. In 2019, he was definitely fighting a much better version of the Brazilian legend and a victory could’ve helped him secure a title shot. After UFC 307, Moicano believes he should’ve held Aldo against the cage as well but admitted that he wasn’t aware of the strategy.

    “I’m so mad that I lose to José Aldo because if I knew that he could not escape to the cage, I would do the same thing. Because, when I was like, supposed to fight José Aldo, I say, okay, I’m not taking this motherf****r down because he has a 100%…90% takedown defense ratio. But, he cannot escape the cage, unbelievable! Because Mario Bautista is not strong, he doesn’t look strong.”

    The Brazilian fighters did acknowledge that Aldo might’ve been less active in the clinch because of fatigue. It is important to note that the fight took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, a venue notorious for affecting athletes’ cardio because of altitude.

    The UFC lightweight contender also went against the masses and claimed that having Aldo on his resume will benefit Bautista in the long run. The likes of Merab Dvalishvili and Alexander Volkanovski were criticized for how they beat the former UFC featherweight champ too but over the years, their wins aged like fine wine.

    “You know, once you beat a guy like José Aldo. Remember Merab or Volkanovski, everybody was talking s**t about the performance back in the day. Nobody cares anymore. Everybody say he beat Aldo, you know, and I think it’s going to be exactly the same. People forget.”

    Moicano didn’t agree with Burns and stated Aldo was robbed at UFC 307, though. He just identifies several positives for Bautista as well and thinks that the American bantamweight contender can still turn his career around for good.

  • ‘Zero Technique’ – Ilia Topuria On Max Holloway Knocking Out Justin Gaethje

    ‘Zero Technique’ – Ilia Topuria On Max Holloway Knocking Out Justin Gaethje

    Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway are scheduled to fight for the UFC featherweight championship at UFC 308. While Holloway secured the title shot after beating Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, “El Matador” claimed the title from Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298.

    The undefeated Georgian fighter is as confident as ever ahead of his first title defense. From claiming he’ll be the first to knock Holloway out to purchasing his own BMF belt, Topuria has done everything to get under the challenger’s skin.

    Here’s how Topuria and Holloway responded when asked who the best boxer in the UFC was…

    Ilia Topuria Explains Why Max Holloway Is Not The Best Boxer In The UFC

    Topuria and Holloway met virtually on the ESPN MMA YouTube channel to promote their UFC 308 matchup. The interview started on a relatively positive note with the UFC featherweight champ admitting he’s been a fan of “Blessed” for a long time.

    However, things soon turned sour as “El Matador” outright rejected Holloway’s skills and claimed to shut his lights out repeatedly. He stated the challenger lacks head movement, knockout power, and several other fundamentals to be called the best boxer in the UFC.

    “Bro, that’s a shame. Don’t say that again! I recommend don’t say that again. Not head movement, not knockout power, not technique. He’s just [starts imitating Holloway]. And I saw him working with the pads [imitates the challenger’s training clips]. Bro, what the f**k is this? Don’t do that”

    Topuria also brought up Holloway’s iconic knock-out of Gaethje at UFC 300. He recognized that the moment was amazing for fans but the final exchange had no technique and resembled a bar fight.

    As he’s said many times before, “El Matador” challenged the UFC veteran to stand and trade with him. He’s confident about getting the better of Holloway in such an exchange because of his superior technique and power.

    “The only thing excited [exciting] about that fight was the last 10 seconds, to be honest. I didn’t see any technique in that fight. I didn’t see any strategy, I didn’t see any f*****g thing. I just saw a bar fight, to be honest. It was very spectacular for the fans but for me, as a professional, it was a, I don’t know not something very impressive because you can impress everyone but you know the technique behind that knockout and it was zero.”

  • Curtis Blaydes Reflects On UFC 304 Loss: ‘I Tossed Out the Game Plan’

    Curtis Blaydes Reflects On UFC 304 Loss: ‘I Tossed Out the Game Plan’

    Curtis Blaydes returned to England at UFC 304 where there was still a score to settle with fellow top heavyweight Tom Aspinall.

    The two men first met back in 2022 where the fight only lasted 15 seconds following an unfortunate injury to the Brit.

    With Aspinall holding the interim heavyweight title and being keen to run this one back, the stage was set for Manchester on July 27.

    In the short time that their initial encounter lasted, Blaydes had some success with his striking even if it was only a few quick exchanges.

    He wasn’t able to show any of his grappling skills that would surely be a pivotal factor in the rematch.

    Curtis Blaydes Reflects On What Went Wrong At UFC 304

    Once again at UFC 304, Blaydes wasn’t able to really test Aspinall’s wrestling which is where “Razor” holds the clearest advantage.

    He stood with his opponent which is always a dangerous game considering the timing, speed and power that the interim champ brings to the table.

    As the opening minute came to a close, Blaydes became the latest man to fall to Aspinall within the first round.

    He recently reflected on the fight and what went wrong for him in an interview with James Lynch for Inside Fighting.

    The former title challenger said that after landing some strikes of his own early on, his original game plan went out the window in that moment.

    “He starts fast, that’s the biggest thing, that’s what we knew heading into it and I kinda tossed out the game plan. We had a game plan that I was going to engage with the wrestling and engage with the clinch but I touched him early on and adrenaline kicked in and I just tossed out the game plan.

    There’s no excuse, he was the better man that night, all the praise goes to him. He landed the shot, he pounced, he got the TKO and I mean, if I gotta lose, it’s not like he’s a bum so.”

    Read also: Michael Bisping: Alex Pereira Is UFC’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

  • Curtis Blaydes Questions Stipe Miocic’s Readiness Ahead Of UFC 309 Clash With Jon Jones

    Curtis Blaydes Questions Stipe Miocic’s Readiness Ahead Of UFC 309 Clash With Jon Jones

    UFC 309 is a big return for Jon Jones following the injury that he suffered ahead of UFC 295 in November of last year. However, it’s an even bigger comeback for the former champion Stipe Miocic who hasn’t fought in well over three years at this point.

    The last time that we saw him compete inside the Octagon was when he lost the title to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 in March of 2021. Though Jones’ injury couldn’t be helped, it added even more time to Miocic’s layoff that many think will be too much for him to overcome at Madison Square Garden on November 16.

    In a recent interview with James Lynch for Inside Fighting, heavyweight contender and former interim title challenger Curtis Blaydes gave his thoughts on the fight. Blaydes said the fight is so difficult to predict because we don’t know how Miocic is going to look after being gone for such a long time.

    He is likely seen by many as the best heavyweight in UFC history but three years is a long-time for anyone to be inactive, let alone someone that is going to be fighting Jones for the title.

    “Razor” did express some concerns about the health of the former champion based on second-hand comments that he has heard. Blaydes said that he has been hearing that Miocic didn’t appear to look at his best during his public appearances in recent times.

    “I mean, who knows like Stipe has been gone for so long. Rust, it might be a factor, that’s something you gotta think about and like, I’ve been hearing that like whenever Stipe shows up at like an event or a press conference or a meet and greet or anything like that.

    people have been saying that he’s got like a limp, he doesn’t look healthy, he looks smaller. I don’t know, right now, based on all that, I go Jon.”

    Read also: Michael Bisping: Alex Pereira Is UFC’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

  • Conor McGregor Eyes Multiple Options For 2025 UFC Return

    Conor McGregor Eyes Multiple Options For 2025 UFC Return

    Conor McGregor recently asserted that a handful of options are under consideration for his long-awaited return to the Octagon.

    “The Notorious” has been out of action for over three years, ever since he endured a devastating leg fracture during his trilogy clash with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

    Although McGregor has occasionally teased a comeback after serving as a coach on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter against his rival Michael Chandler, he had even lined up a fight with “Iron” for UFC 303 this past June.

    Unfortunately, just two weeks prior to the scheduled fight, the matchup was canceled after McGregor was forced to withdraw due to a leg injury. Since then, Chandler has redirected his ambitions and is now set to face Charles Oliveira in a rematch, which will serve as the co-main event of UFC 309 on November 16.

    McGregor Affirms Interest In Chandler Fight While Exploring Options

    During a recent interview with The Schmo, McGregor opened up about his potential return to the UFC. The former two-division champion expressed his desire to settle what started with Chandler upon his comeback but also mentioned that several other names are in the mix for a possible fight.

    Although “The Notorious” refrained from naming any particular opponents, he indicated that a trilogy bout with Nate Diaz and a quadrilogy with Poirier still hold considerable appeal for him.

    “We’re looking for the date. I’d like to square it away with Michael Chandler. You know, I’d like to get Chandler in. We’ve had our beef. It’s not settled. He has a match scheduled. I would like to fight before he’s recovered.

    There’s a few names in the line at the minute. There’s a few names being discussed.”

    – Conor McGregor

    While McGregor has repeatedly conveyed his enthusiasm for a return by the end of the year, UFC CEO Dana White has firmly stated that the Irishman won’t be stepping back into the Octagon until early 2025.

    “The Notorious” last tasted victory in January 2020 when he faced Donald Cerrone. With a notably sparse fighting schedule, McGregor has recorded a disappointing 3-4 in his last seven outings since 2016.

  • Jon Jones Hails Gable Steveson As A Future MMA Champion

    Jon Jones Hails Gable Steveson As A Future MMA Champion

    Jon Jones recently lauded Olympic gold medalist freestyle wrestler Gable Steveson, proclaiming him a future champion in the realm of MMA.

    “Bones” is preparing for the inaugural defense of his heavyweight title against former champion Stipe Miocic in the headline bout of UFC 309, set to take place on November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    Jones will enter the Octagon after a 20-month hiatus, having last fought when he claimed the heavyweight title by submitting Ciryl Gane in the first round at UFC 285 in March 2023. The 34-year-old New Yorker was initially set to face Miocic at UFC 295 last November, but he had to withdraw just two weeks prior to the bout due to a pectoral injury.

    In preparation for his upcoming bout, “Bones” has recruited the expertise of two prominent figures, Steveson and former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, to aid in his training. Earlier this week, several photos and videos surfaced, showcasing Jones sparring alongside Steveson and Parker at his longtime training base, the Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

    Steveson recently took to Instagram to share a training photo with Jones. In the post’s comments, “Bones” hailed the American wrestler as the future champion of the heavyweight MMA division.

    “Future MMA heavyweight champion, mark my words.”

    – Jon Jones on Gable Steveson’s potential in MMA

    Steveson clinched Olympic gold at the 2020 Tokyo Games in 2021, defeating Georgia’s Geno Petriashvili in the final. Shortly after, he was offered a WWE contract and made his professional wrestling debut at SummerSlam 2021.

    However, the 24-year-old’s stint with the promotion was cut short, as he was reportedly released due to insufficient progress at WWE’s Performance Center.

  • Mario Bautista Blames Betting For Post-UFC 307 Backlash

    Mario Bautista Blames Betting For Post-UFC 307 Backlash

    Mario Bautista has taken a lot of criticism following the biggest win of his career at UFC 307 this past weekend.

    He knew that it was always going to be tough for him to get support from the majority of the fan base when you’re going up against a legend of the game like José Aldo. However, it wasn’t just that he defeated a beloved fighter, it was the way that the contest ended up playing out.

    Bautista was able to nullify a lot of Aldo’s striking by clinching with him against the cage and when the Brazilian seemed fine with settling there at points in the fight, this is where it stayed.

    He got his hand-raised via a controversial split decision where many believed that his opponent should have got the win after landing the more effective strikes and defending takedowns.

    Mario Bautista Believes He’s Getting Hate From The Fans For Ruining Their Bets

    In a recent interview with James Lynch for Sportskeeda, Bautista spoke about some of the intense messages that he has received from fans that are annoyed about his win. Though the conversation about the scorecards and his method of victory hasn’t helped proceedings, he also believes that there is another factor.

    Bautista said that many of the messages he has been recieving reference the fact that a lot of people lost money on this fight because they bet on Aldo and felt like he should have won. “The King of Rio” closed the fight as the underdog, meaning that he will have been a staple of many parlays, especially considering his performance earlier this year.

    “I would get hate no matter what, win or lose so and I do think that’s a big part too because I was a favorite coming into that and I know people are just going to put their money on Aldo for sure so I know people lost a lot of money, quite a bit of people it seems like. Even like in the messages and stuff, they say that. ‘You made me lose my parley,’ and this and that and they say a bunch of other stuff too but I think the main thing behind it is losing those bets.”

    Read also: Khalil Rountree Earned Anderson Silva’s Respect At UFC 307

  • Khalil Rountree Plans Return, Targeting Top Contender Jamahal Hill

    Khalil Rountree Plans Return, Targeting Top Contender Jamahal Hill

    Khalil Rountree Jr. entered UFC 307 as an underdog but remains optimistic despite falling short in his bid to capture the light heavyweight title from champion Alex Pereira in the event’s headliner. Rountree was finished in the fourth round but is already looking ahead to his next opportunity.

    In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Rountree was asked about the possibility of facing Jamahal Hill, a top-10 contender. A win over someone ranked as high as Hill could accelerate his path back to title contention.

    “Absolutely. I think it’s almost inevitable, right? I think he’s ranked No. 3. Anyone in the Top 5 is kind of inevitable, so let’s see what happens. I think pretty shortly here I’ll be talking to the matchmakers and the bosses to see what they think.”

    Rountree Jr. aims to return to action in the first quarter of the year, determined to make smarter, more strategic decisions moving forward.

  • Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective On Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight

    Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective On Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight

    On June 30, Eric Nicksick knew that he would be heading to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but he didn’t realize that Dan Ige would be coming with him.

    UFC 303 produced one of the most remarkable stories in the history of the promotion as Ige agreed to step in and face Diego Lopes in the co-main event all within the space of a few hours.

    After receiving the call from his fighter, Nicksick (who was already cornering on the card), immediately got to work in order to make this happen.

    He picked up his fighter’s cup from Xtreme Couture and under Ige’s instructions, assembled a corner on short notice.

    Nicksick quickly arranged to meet with both Kai Kamaka III and Sean Strickland who he knew were in Vegas, breaking up the former middleweight champion’s lunch date with his girlfriend.

    All of these details and more recently came out when he gave his side to this incredible story.

    Eric Nicksick Says Dan Ige Is Always Looking And Staying Ready For Opportunities Like This

    During his appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast, Nicksick detailed what the crazy turnaround of UFC 303 looked like from his perspective.

    He also revealed that taking fights on short notice to try and save the card is something that Ige regularly has his eye on in case something exactly like this happens.

    With him being in shape and training out of Las Vegas, he was the perfect fighter to step in for Brian Ortega who withdrew due to illness.

    “Here’s the thing about Dan. Every card, he’ll look at the landscape of the division or the card, for example, and be like, ‘hey this dude at 55, there’s these two fights at 45, whatever. Take a peek at it, let me know if something comes up short notice, I’m always down to take these types of fights, especially if the juice is worth the squeeze’ and in this particular situation, it was and he jumped on it man.”

    Nicksick also said that though they didn’t get the win, he’s glad that Ige was able to pull this off because it shows what’s possible if you’re prepared.

    He went from any old Saturday to fighting in the co-main event of International Fight Week all because he was ready to stick his hand up when the UFC called and said they needed a guy.

    “That’s what makes me the most proud about the situation is that anytime there’s an opportunity like that, our team can pick up the phone and answer the call. Chris Curtis, Sean Strickland, Roman Dolidze, Dan Ige, you know, and I think it sets a precedence amongst the rest of the team to know what is possible if you’re f****** prepared and you’re ready to go and you’re doing all the right things day in and day out, even if you’re outside of camp. Those opportunities come once in a lifetime and are you willing to open the door when that door knocks.”        

    Read also: MMA Analyst Dismisses Ilia Topuria’s Champ-Champ Aspirations

  • Conor McGregor Declares Alex Pereira UFC’s No. 1 P4P Fighter

    Conor McGregor Declares Alex Pereira UFC’s No. 1 P4P Fighter

    Fans worldwide witnessed the masterful performance of light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 307, where he faced Khalil Rountree.

    Despite Rountree winning the first two rounds on the judges’ scorecards, Pereira found his rhythm and secured a fourth-round finish to claim victory. Following the fight, discussions about Pereira’s place among the all-time greats in the promotion began to intensify.

    In an interview with The Schmo, Conor McGregor weighed in on Pereira’s dominance, asserting that no one could deny his spot at the top after such a stellar year. McGregor went so far as to call Pereira the UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.

    Spot Well Earned

    “2024 has been Alex Pereira’s year, no one can deny that,” McGregor said. “If we go by that—forget belts or any of that—it’s about competition. Three fights this year, four knockouts. I’d put Alex Pereira at number one.”

    – Conor McGregor

    McGregor last fought in 2022, when he suffered a devastating leg injury in a fight with Dustin Poirier in a trilogy bout that resulted in Poirier’s victory.  UFC President Dana White has stated that he expects McGregor to return to the Octagon in early 2025.

  • Dana White Likes Dustin Poirier’s 4-Man BMF Title Tournament Idea

    Dustin Poirier has proposed an exciting idea for a four-man tournament to compete for the BMF title, and UFC President Dana White seems intrigued.

    The belt has not changed hands since Max Holloway’s iconic knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April. Poirier, who lost to Gaethje via knockout in their BMF title fight at UFC 291, is eager for another shot at the title.

    With his career winding down, Poirier pitched the tournament involving himself, Gaethje, Holloway, and Dan Hooker—fighters with whom he has a rich history. Poirier has split fights with Gaethje and holds wins over both Holloway and Hooker.

    White addressed Poirier’s idea at the Dana White’s Contender Series 75 post-fight news conference.

    “Sounds fun. Never thought about it, but yeah, I love it.”

    – Dana White

    Poirier scored a knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 before being submitted by lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.

  • Former Title Challenger Among Nine Seemingly Cut From The UFC Roster

    Former Title Challenger Among Nine Seemingly Cut From The UFC Roster

    The UFC Roster Tracker account on X has been very busy in the days following UFC 307 in Salt Lake City with nine posts about fighters exciting the UFC.

    Though the following releases are yet to be confirmed by other sources with knowledge of the situation, the promotion has been known to issue these mass cuts from time to time.

    By far the most notable of the reported releases is former interim light heavyweight title challenger Ovince St. Preux.

    “OSP” suffered a loss at this past weekend’s PPV card where he was submitted by Ryan Spann in the opening round.

    St. Preux previously faced a returning Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 197 where he replaced Daniel Cormier and came up short.

    Seemingly ending his UFC career with 28 fights inside the Octagon, the 41-year old is perhaps best known for his signature Von Flue choke that was at one point being coined the “Von Preux”.

    As for the other names included in the posts, Kleydson Rodrigues exits the promotion following back-to-back losses at bantamweight.

    Heavyweight Karl Williams won three in a row before his last fight, a loss to Jhonata Diniz so his departure would certainly be a surprising one.

    Mexico’s Victor Altamirano is winless in his last three at 125-pounds and Da Woon Jung has hit similar form with four consecutive losses at 205.

    Kaynan Kruschewsky exits without a win inside the Octagon after coming up short in both of his appearances following a first-round finish on Contender Series.

    Finally, three female fighters are also said to be leaving as Brianna Fortino, Victoria Leonardo and Danyelle Wolf make up the nine total names.

    Despite going 1-1 inside the Octagon with some clear potential, Fortino hasn’t fought since 2020 where she faced Tecia Pennington.

    Consecutive first round losses ended Leonardo’s time in the promotion and finally, Wolf hasn’t fought in over two years after being unable to turn her boxing pedigree into a debut win at UFC 279.

    Once again, these releases are yet to be confirmed after being posted by the Roster Tracker account.

    Read also: Larissa Pacheco Sticks Up For Kayla Harrison After PFL’s ‘Uncalled For’ Fight-Day Dig

  • Dan Hooker Responds To Dustin Poirier’s 4-Man BMF Tournament Pitch

    Dan Hooker Responds To Dustin Poirier’s 4-Man BMF Tournament Pitch

    Former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has committed to one final night in the cage before hanging up his gloves, and he’s got a unique idea in mind for his farewell.

    Poirier initially appeared set to call time on is career following a failed title bid opposite Islam Makhachev this past June. But while his immediate comments post-submission loss at UFC 302 leaned that way, he was quick to tease a return.

    And in recent weeks, “The Diamond” has confirmed that he’s not yet done and has been in search of his final matchup — or potentially two, should his recent pitch come to fruition.

    During a recent interview on SiriusXM’s MMA Today show with Din Thomas and Alan Jouban, Poirier suggested a four-man tournament comprised of three former opponents of his, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, and Dan Hooker.

    The Grand Prix-style bracket would involve BMF stakes, with Hooker being the only one of the four yet to compete with the symbolic title on the line in the UFC.

    “That excites me,” Poirier said. “Because that kind of stuff is for the dogs. That’s like old Pride days or Grand Prix. That’s a real ‘BMF.’ If you can fight a tournament in one night, multiple opponents, that’s the definition of ‘BMF.’

    “That would be it,” Poirier continued. “If they put that together and it was a one-night tournament, that would be it (retirement).”

    And “The Hangman,” for one, seems to be in…

    Hooker Co-Signs Poirier’s BMF Tournament

    Following Poirier’s remarks, which also got somewhat of a green light from UFC CEO Dana White following his latest post-Contender Series press conference, Hooker was quick to give his take on the idea.

    Never one to shy away from the possibility of violence inside the Octagon, Hooker is unsurprisingly up for the same-night format.

    “Don’t threaten me with a good time,” Hooker wrote on X.

    The New Zealander joined Poirier and Gaethje inside the lightweight top five following an upset decision win over the highly regarded Mateusz Gamrot in Perth, Australia this past August.

  • Valentina Shevchenko Won’t ‘Discard’ Possible Bantamweight Return To Challenge Julianna Peña

    Valentina Shevchenko Won’t ‘Discard’ Possible Bantamweight Return To Challenge Julianna Peña

    Newly crowned UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña may have a challenge from below to be concerned about.

    Over two years on from having her reign ended at the first hurdle by Amanda Nunes, Peña returned to the throne by way of a controversial decision win over Raquel Pennington in this past weekend’s UFC 307 co-main event.

    While her second divisional rule has only just got underway, talk has quickly turned to her first defense and the likelihood of Kayla Harrison getting a shot in her third Octagon outing.

    “The Venezuelan Vixen,” however, has made it clear that she would rather complete her trilogy with Amanda Nunes should the Brazilian end her retirement.

    But there’s also been growing talk of another former opponent of the bantamweight queen’s pursuing a second victory over her…

    Shevchenko Open To Bantamweight Return In ‘Right’ Circumstances

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9ww6yYtVT8

    During an interview with Bodog Canada prior to UFC 307, flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko assessed a possible rematch with Peña were she to achieve a similar feat at the expense of Pennington.

    The Kyrgyzstani standout submitted Peña en route to an ultimately unsuccessful bantamweight title bid back in 2017. “Bullet” later dropped to 125 pounds, where she enjoyed a lengthy title reign and recently commenced a second.

    Be it a flyweight defense opposite Manon Fiorot or a bantamweight return, Shevchenko insisted that she’s yet to give any thought to what could await her down the line.

    But “Bullet” was also keen to note that nothing is off the table, including a move back up to 135 pounds in pursuit of two-division champ status.

    “You know, I was so busy working on returning my belt back at flyweight, so I didn’t have a chance to think about anything else,” Shevchenko said. “I was focusing so much on Alexa (Grasso). For a year-and-a-half, the only one person I was thinking of was her.

    “I’m not discarding any opportunities. I’m not saying something like, ‘No!’ But yeah, when I recover from the last fight and we go back and see my team, my manager…we will make the decision,” Shevchenko continued. “Probably for me to go up to bantamweight, it would have to pass some time to build up back my muscles. Spending so long at flyweight, I kind of get smaller. … But if I decide to move up, it has to be right.”

    For now, both Shevchenko and Peña will be continuing to celebrate their recent returns to their respective divisional mountaintops.

    And while both women have challengers waiting in the wings, should they cement their grips on the UFC gold in their possession, perhaps a second dance will be in their futures.

  • Pennington Calls For Immediate Rematch After Controversial UFC 307 Defeat

    Pennington Calls For Immediate Rematch After Controversial UFC 307 Defeat

    Raquel Pennington doesn’t believe she was defeated by Julianna Pena at UFC 307, as she recently shared her thoughts in her first public statement following the title setback.

    “Rocky” was unable to hold onto her UFC bantamweight title in a razor-close battle against Pena last weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. As the fight reached its midpoint, it remained closely contested, with both fighters having their moments of success. However, Pennington seemed to gain the upper hand in the final rounds, especially after rocking Peña with a devastating right hand late in the bout.

    Despite “The Venezuelan Vixen” enduring the onslaught, she managed to hold her ground, convincing two of the judges that she had done enough to reclaim the title for a second time. Both awarded her 48-47 scorecards, while the third judge saw the fight in Pennington’s favor with an identical 48-47 score.

    Pennington Demands Rematch With Pena

    In the aftermath of her defeat, Pennington took to Instagram on Tuesday to share her thoughts on the bout against Pena. “Rocky” asserted in her statement that she feels the outcome did not reflect her performance and voiced her eagerness for a rematch with Pena.

    “I’m home, and I’m health,” she wrote. “My heart hurts, but my head is high! I do not feel I lost that fight, but this is just another wild detour on this journey of mine. I will be back better than ever! I want the rematch stat! Regardless, what an amazing fight week. I was surrounded by so much love, support, and blessings. Memories that will last a lifetime. I’m full of gratitude, and I want to send a shout-out to all the people standing behind me.”

    Pennington captured the vacant title with an impressive unanimous decision win against Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297 earlier this January. Her recent defeat brought an end to an impressive six-fight win streak.