Category: UFC

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

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

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

    Michael Bisping closely watched the main event of UFC 307, witnessing the masterful performance of light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira against Khalil Rountree. Rountree fought valiantly, even winning the first two rounds on the judges’ scorecards, but Pereira found his rhythm and finished Rountree in the fourth round.

    Former UFC middleweight champion Bisping has been thoroughly impressed by Pereira’s dominance and sees him as UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. He pointed out Pereira’s remarkable run and his emphatic victories.

    “Pereira is going through everybody. Three title defenses in seven months and taking the world by storm. So, if you go through the top 10, it’s really hard to deny Alex Pereira is No. 1.”

    – Michael Bisping

    Bisping further emphasized that finishing opponents is a key factor in becoming the pound-for-pound best

    “To be pound-for-pound No. 1, you’ve got to be finishing people. You can’t be scraping by them with split decisions. You’ve got to do it in emphatic fashion, and I don’t think there’s anyone out there with the finishing ability of Alex Pereira. It is frightening what he can do.”

    – Michael Bisping
  • Khalil Rountree Earned Anderson Silva’s Respect At UFC 307

    Khalil Rountree Earned Anderson Silva’s Respect At UFC 307

    Khalil Rountree entered UFC 307 as an underdog, but he left fans in awe with his performance against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in the event’s headliner. Despite his valiant effort, Rountree fell short of capturing the title, getting finished in the fourth round.

    Early in the fight, Rountree landed significant strikes and won the first two rounds on the judges’ scorecards. However, Pereira found his rhythm as the fight progressed, eventually stopping the hungry contender.

    The Spider Predicts Greatness for Rountree

    In 2015, former middleweight champion Anderson Silva predicted that Rountree would one day become a champion. Following UFC 307, Silva shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, praising both fighters.

    Silva expresses that, ideally, he would prefer not to see his “little brother” Khalil and his “friend” Alex fight, but he acknowledges that this is part of the sport. He commends Alex for being “impeccable” in his performance and for his impressive rise in the sport, congratulating him for his success.

    Silva encourages Khalil to remember that only a select few have the strength to “fight the good fight” and emphasizes the importance of strength and honor in his journey. He gives a shoutout to José Aldo, calling him a champion and showing respect for his legacy.

    You can see his full statement here:

  • MMA Analyst Dismisses Ilia Topuria’s Champ-Champ Aspirations

    MMA Analyst Dismisses Ilia Topuria’s Champ-Champ Aspirations

    Ilia Topuria’s ambitions to compete in a potential ‘champ vs. champ’ showdown have intensified in recent weeks, but a popular MMA analyst doesn’t think now is the time for such a matchup.

    “El Matador” has continually expressed his eagerness to ascend a division and challenge the reigning UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, in an exciting fight. However, before Topuria looks ahead, he is poised to make the first defense of his featherweight title against Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308, scheduled for October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

    Topuria’s excitement was palpable during a recent live stream on Instagram, where he enthusiastically answered a fan’s question about his ability to defeat Makhachev. The 27-year-old Spaniard confidently asserted that he could easily overcome Makhachev, stating that it would be the fight he would pursue after handling Holloway.

    However, Josh Thomson contends that “El Matador” is overly ambitious and should first concentrate on facing challengers in the 145-pound division…

    Thompson Advises Topuria To Focus On Featherweight Before Considering Move-Up

    During a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast, “Punk” delved into Topuria’s thoughts on moving up to the 155-pound division for a potential matchup with Makhachev. Thompson openly dismissed the featherweight champion’s ambitions, urging him to prioritize defending his title against Holloway first.

    “Younger guys like Ilia Topuria going, ‘Oh yeah, I’m going to fight so and so up here,’” Thomson said. “I’m like, dude, you haven’t defended your title one time. You beat the guy coming off of a head-kick knockout. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. How about you defend it against Max, the fight I’m really excited for?”

    Thompson further emphasized that Topuria should concentrate on solidifying his standing in the featherweight division before calling out others. He also mentioned that “El Matador” might be seeking these high-profile matchups primarily for social media popularity.

    “Ilia Topuria needs to clear out the division. He’s fought a lot of guys in there, but there are still many opponents for him to face. He shouldn’t even be mentioning that; the UFC shouldn’t be entertaining that. This whole thing, I think, is about social media—swipe right, swipe left, up, down, real fast. I need self-gratification right now; that’s what they’re looking for: ‘what can I do to make the most money?’”

    Topuria captured the 145-pound title with a stunning second-round knockout of former champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February. He remains undefeated in his seven Octagon appearances, with five of those victories coming by way of stoppage.

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

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

    It wasn’t just those outside of the PFL that took issue with the promotion’s decision to fire shots at Kayla Harrison on the day of her second UFC fight.

    Harrison, who achieved lightweight title glory twice under the PFL banner, made the switch to MMA’s leading promotion this year, making a successful bantamweight and promotional debut at UFC 300 this past April.

    And after dispatching Holly Holm, Harrison had the chance to add more top-five opposition to her record against Ketlen Vieira at this past weekend’s UFC 307 pay-per-view.

    Harrison’s return to the Octagon was a hot topic in the lead-up to the Salt Lake City-held event. And her ex-employer looked to capitalize with a reminder of who handed the two-time Olympic gold medalist her sole defeat in MMA.

    Just hours before her fight, PFL socials posted a video detailing Harrison’s 2022 loss to Larissa Pacheco, a move many saw as an attempt to mock the now-UFC star.

    The post also came just days after PFL founder Donn Davis reiterated his disparaging remarks about Harrison’s PFL departure, accusing her of ‘running’ from a fight with Cris Cyborg and another showdown with Pacheco — whom Harrison has already defeated twice.

    As it turns out, Pacheco herself wasn’t pleased to be used as a tool with which to take away from Harrison shortly before she made the walk in Utah.

    Pacheco Tells PFL ‘You Don’t Need’ To Take Shots At Harrison

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Pacheco reacted to the controversial PFL post, which was widely criticized and branded “nasty” by some in the community.

    The Brazilian appeared to share the same sentiment as most, describing the move as “uncalled for.” She also encouraged her organization to focus on promoting her as its current top women’s fighter rather than putting energy into its former athletes.

    “I thought that was uncalled for, honestly,” Pacheco said. “I think (PFL) have the champion they deserve, they have a respectful champion who has defeated Kayla, so why do that? Promote me right. Let’s promote the champion. ‘Oh, but Larissa beat Kayla.’ You don’t need that. I’ve shown (my work) with other results, I’ve proven myself, so you don’t need that.

    “But anyway, that’s not on me. I have nothing to do with that. I respect Kayla. Our rivalry is over right now because she’s in another organization. Had she stayed here it would be the two of us and Cris clashing heads here, but there’s no reason to talk (about her now),” Pacheco continued. “I wish her good luck. The more she wins, the bigger my win over her gets, so I’ll always cheer for her.”

    Pacheco, the only fighter to win gold in two PFL divisions, is set to make her return in Saudi Arabia next weekend. The Brazilian will do battle with an all-time great in Cyborg, with the pair co-headlining a pay-per-view event topped by Francis Ngannou’s MMA return.

    Harrison, meanwhile, kept her ball rolling with a comfortable decision victory over Vieira at UFC 307. She’s now expected to receive her first shot at reaching the bantamweight mountaintop against newly crowned queen Julianna Peña.

  • Khalil Rountree Reveals Brutal Alex Pereira Loss Forced Him To Undergo ‘Most Painful Procedure’

    Khalil Rountree Reveals Brutal Alex Pereira Loss Forced Him To Undergo ‘Most Painful Procedure’

    The pain for UFC light heavyweight Khalil Rountree did not end with his failed title challenge in Salt Lake City this past weekend.

    Rountree received a surprise opportunity to unseat Alex Pereira from the 205-pound throne in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view, and he was on track to do so through two rounds.

    Against the odds, “The War Horse” started on top, moving two frames clear on all three scorecards. But after the tide began to turn in round three, “Poatan” increased the heat in vicious fashion once they hit the championship rounds.

    The finishing sequence in the fourth stanza made for painful viewing, and the damage suffered by the challenger was unsurprisingly not just superficial…

    Rountree On Post-UFC 307 Surgery: ‘Very, Very Uncomfortable’

    During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Rountree reflected on his valiant performance in Utah on Oct. 5 and detailed the damage that Pereira’s fight-ending onslaught left him with.

    The 34-year-old revealed that he exited the cage at UFC 307 with a badly deviated septum, which required an incredibly painful procedure to correct days on from the defeat.

    “I don’t know what punch, but I know that last uppercut before the body shots definitely landed on my nose. But I already had felt some pain in my head,” Rountree said. “It could’ve been from that, but after we got the scans and everything the night of the fight, the doctors saw that there was some slight fracturing and a severely deviated septum. So we went right ahead and corrected that as soon as I got home.

    “Definitely the most uncomfortable, painful procedure I’ve ever had last night,” Rountree continued. “It was the hardest sleep. My mouth is constantly dry and just a constant headache. Inside my nose, my nasal cavities right now are just stuffed with sponges and splints. It’s very, very uncomfortable.”

    Nevertheless, Rountree stated that every injury and blemish is worth it in his pursuit of championship glory on MMA’s biggest stage.

    And while he didn’t reach it first time around, “The War Horse” has vowed to bounce back stronger in 2025.

  • Michael Chandler Would ‘Bet The Farm’ On Conor McGregor Fight Happening In 2025

    UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is still not giving up hope of sharing the Octagon with Conor McGregor down the line.

    Chandler was initially announced as the former two-division UFC champion’s comeback opponent toward the start of 2023, with the pair first coaching opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter.

    Since the show’s conclusion, multiple rumored dates have passed by, in addition to an officially booked one at International Fight Week this past June. That injury delay and the uncertainty that followed it finally did it for Chandler, whose sights are now set elsewhere.

    The 38-year-old is set to make his return at UFC 309 next month, over two years on from a defeat to Dustin Poirier last time out. Back at Madison Square Garden, Chandler will once again do battle with former UFC champ Charles Oliveira.

    But while “Iron” is expecting to secure a second title shot on MMA’s biggest stage with a victory in New York City, that doesn’t mean McGregor is off his mind for 2025…

    Chandler Confident McGregor Fight Happens Despite Failed Wait

    During a recent interview with ESPN’s Andreas Hale, Chandler reflected on his decision to finally move on from McGregor and accept a different assignment for the back end of 2024.

    Chandler, McGregor, and UFC CEO Dana White have noted that the long-awaited clash of last year’s TUF coaches is not completely off the table and could be rebooked.

    The former three-time Bellator champ, for one, is incredibly confident of that coming to fruition, in addition to a championship challenge following a victory at UFC 309 on Nov. 16.

    “There’s no doubt that Chandler versus McGregor happens at some point in 2025,” Chandler said. “And there’s no doubt that when I beat Charles, I’m next in line for the title. Both of those fights will happen. I will fight for the title, and I will fight Conor McGregor. And I will bet the farm on it.”

    For now, Chandler will have his full focus on achieving redemption opposite Oliveira at Madison Square Garden.

    Having had his first shot at reaching the lightweight mountaintop stalled by “Do Bronx” in 2021, “Iron” will hope to secure a second at the Brazilian’s expense next month.

  • Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 9 Highlights As 4 Prospects Secure Contracts

    Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 9 Highlights As 4 Prospects Secure Contracts

    The latest season of Dana White’s Contender Series continued with some memorable highlights on Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

    DWCS, the inaugural season of which took place back in 2017, sees some of the top prospects in mixed martial arts enter the cage in front of White and the matchmakers, looking to put in a performance worthy of a place on the UFC roster.

    Last year’s edition saw 46 fighters bag a deal with the sport’s premier promotion across 10 events, up on the 43 from 2022. Through eight episodes of season eight, 34 prospects moved a step closer to their title dreams on MMA’s biggest stage.

    And the ninth added another five talents to the UFC roster. That included German welterweight Islam Dulatov, who delivered the highlight of the night by brutally knocking out Vanilto Antunes with an elbow, making good on his “The Ripper” moniker.

    There were three other finishes on the card, all of which earned the victors contracts. Also at 170 pounds, Kody Steele’s TKO of Chasen Blair was enough to forge his path into the UFC, as was a first-round knockout for heavyweight prospect Mario Pinto.

    A big storyline heading into this week’s episode was the curtain-closer, which featured Artem Vakhitov. The former Glory Kickboxing champion was the last man to defeat Alex Pereira prior to his MMA transition, and he’s now pursuing similar success to “Poatan” in the cage.

    In front of the Brazilian, who was cageside, the Russian stopped Islam Masraf with strikes inside round one. When granting Vakhitov a contract, White noted that Pereira had given his stamp of approval and pushed for his former rival’s signing.

    The first fight of the night was the only contest not to produce a new athlete, with Australia’s Sean Gauci not doing enough in his decision win over Anthony Drilich to impress the UFC boss.

    With that in mind, see below for the results and moments that landed four athletes contracts with the UFC.

    Sean Gauci Def. Anthony Drilich Via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

    Islam Dulatov Def. Vanilto Antunes Via KO (Elbow): R1, 2:44

    Mario Pinto Def. Lucas Camacho Via KO (punches): R1, 1:43

    Kody Steele Def. Chasen Blair Via TKO (Punches): R2, 4:07

    Artem Vakhitov Def. Islem Masraf Via TKO (punches): R1, 4:23

  • Dana White Recognizes Alex Pereira’s ‘Halo Effect’ As Artem Vakhitov Gets UFC Contract

    Dana White Recognizes Alex Pereira’s ‘Halo Effect’ As Artem Vakhitov Gets UFC Contract

    Alex Pereira is by far the most outstanding athlete the UFC has signed in recent years. Six of his ten UFC fights have been for a title, and he now holds the record for the quickest turnaround for three title defenses in the promotion.

    Pereira’s quick rise to the top of MMA has perplexed many in the community. He is a kickboxing specialist but the lack of wrestling and grappling experience has yet to bother him in the UFC.

    Artem Vakhitov, who defeated Pereira via decision at Glory 78, has signed with the UFC after winning at Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 9. The UFC President is happy to witness the influx of kickboxers in the UFC and thanked the UFC light heavyweight champ for it…

    Dana White Explains How Israel Adesanya And Alex Pereira Inspired Kickboxers To Enter The UFC

    During the DWCS 75 episode’s press conference, White talked about the recent wave of kickboxers coming to the UFC. He believes the success Israel Adesanya and Pereira have had in the promotion to be the reason behind this.

    Over the years, grappling has gradually become one of the most effective tools for success in MMA. Strikers often struggle to keep the fight on the feet against wrestlers but Adesanya and Pereira are huge exceptions. As a result, a lot of kickboxers with similar careers as these legends are now willing to try out their luck in the UFC.

    The UFC CEO pointed out that many kickboxers have fought gruesome battles for less money than they deserved. By showcasing their exciting standup in the UFC, they can significantly boost their earnings and fame.

    “What I actually think, like we were saying earlier, it’s fascinating how these guys that came out of this whole circuit with Israel and Alex, including them, are doing so well in the UFC. It’s fascinating, so, yeah, why not?” White continued, “I think it’s all of it. Obviously, those guys fought, you know, crazy fights, that I’m sure they didn’t make any money. Joanna Jędrzejczyk and many others. And come over here and it’s absolutely life-changing for them.”

    While he was announcing the contracts for DWCS Season 8, Week 9, Laura Sanko asked White about Pereira’s halo effect in the UFC. Here’s how he responded:

    “100%. It’s fascinating and that these guys are coming over here with so many kickboxing fights. And they’re wrestling is on point. It’s actually fascinating.”

    Vakhitov is a great example of the same. He’s just secured a UFC contract but has already generated a lot of hype because of his win over Pereira in kickboxing. Interestingly, “Poatan” himself convinced White to sign Vakhitov.

  • Conor McGregor Weighs In On Alex Pereira Facing An ‘Untested’ Jon Jones At Heavyweight

    Conor McGregor Weighs In On Alex Pereira Facing An ‘Untested’ Jon Jones At Heavyweight

    Conor McGregor was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but a toe injury forced him to withdraw. The UFC already had most of its pay-per-view events in 2024 booked ahead of time, so “The Mystic Mac” could not return before the end of the year like he wanted to.

    Chandler, in the meantime, has finally moved on from McGregor and will be facing Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. Winning the matchup can help the former get a title shot in the UFC lightweight division or he could fight his original opponent again with even higher stakes.

    The real talk of the town, though, is Alex Pereira who’s defended his UFC light heavyweight belt thrice in 2024. Here’s what McGregor thinks of a superfight between “Poatan” and Jon Jones.

    Conor McGregor Calls Alex Pereira The Pound-For-Pound Best UFC Fighter And A Threatening Opponent For Jon Jones

    McGregor recently appeared on The Schmo YouTube channel for a quick interview. When asked who should be the best pound-for-pound UFC fighter in the world, he vouched for the Brazilian to get the title.

    Next up, “The Notorious” discussed why he thinks Pereira should move up to heavyweight. For starters, it’s a great opportunity to create history by becoming the first three-division UFC champ ever. He admitted to assuming that “Poatan” had a difficult weight cut for UFC 307 but then pointed out that it could be due to antibiotics and other health concerns.

    McGregor, like countless other fans, acknowledged that Magomed Ankalaev deserves to fight Pereira at light heavyweight. However, if the UFC light heavyweight champ moves up a weight class, he should fight Jones according to the Dubliner.

    McGregor reflected on Jones’ impressive but quick heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane in March 2023. He believes that the former UFC light heavyweight champ is still untested at heavyweight and Pereira’s explosive yet patient style could be a tough puzzle to solve.

    The Irishman also claimed that Jones’ size at heavyweight shouldn’t be a problem for Pereira. Although he’s only faced middleweights and light heavyweights yet, he should be able to fit in with the heavyweights naturally.

    “I’d put Alex as number one [pound-for-pound]. I think he poses a lot of problems for Jon also. You know, that’s a dangerous style for Jon but it’s a decent one for him coz he’s not, you know, so big. Jon is new to the heavyweight division. Jon, he had a nice one against Ciryl Gane but he’s still untested at heavyweight. And I’m sure, in the back of his mind, he has that thought that you know, some of these guys are really big. Alex is a nice one and it’s still a dangerous one, though. Probably, even at the core of it, it’s probably even more dangerous.”

  • Kayla Harrison Discloses Hospitalization Due To Infection Prior To UFC 307

    Kayla Harrison Discloses Hospitalization Due To Infection Prior To UFC 307

    Kayla Harrison recently revealed that she faced a challenging health battle, as she was hospitalized for serious infections in the lead-up to her UFC 307 fight.

    Harrison secured a significant victory against Ketlen Vieira last weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. However, as most had anticipated, the triumph was far from straightforward for the two-time Olympic gold medalist, as “Fenomeno” tested her resilience and caused a cut on her forehead during the intense second round.

    The former PFL lightweight champion displayed her superiority against Vieira, growing stronger as the fight unfolded and eventually securing a unanimous decision win. However, this marked the first time in her MMA career that the 34-year-old Ohio native truly faced adversity inside the cage.

    It has now come to light that Harrison’s performance may have been compromised due to her hospitalization just a week before the fight…

    Harrison Shares She Was Taking Antibiotics Ahead Of UFC 307

    During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Harrison disclosed that she battled a serious infection that required her to take antibiotics leading up to her fight at UFC 307, which ultimately resulted in her hospitalization.

    “I don’t really like to make excuses,” Harrison said. “I had to go to the hospital last week. There was blood in my urine. I had a really bad infection that started spreading. I was on antibiotics. I had blood in my urine. There was a bunch of stuff going on, but it’s not an excuse. I have to be the best in the world on my worst day.”

    Harrison further shared that she gained valuable insights about herself and recognized aspects she can incorporate into her training for future fights.

    “Some of the decisions I made it’s going to be good for me. I ate too much I think after I weighed in. I was just so hungry; I think I overdid it. I felt kind of sick on Saturday because I ate too much. I need to do a better job of staying disciplined even after I weigh in. I need to follow the game plan. There’s a lot of stuff I can improve on.”

    Harrison has triumphed in both of her Octagon appearances and is actively campaigning for a title shot. In her promotional debut at UFC 300 this past April, she secured a unanimous decision victory in the second round against former champion Holly Holm.

  • Former Champion Pushes For UFC Lawsuit Settlement, Cites Urgent Need for Financial & Medical Aid

    Former Champion Pushes For UFC Lawsuit Settlement, Cites Urgent Need for Financial & Medical Aid

    In the latest update of the ongoing Le vs Zuffa lawsuit, there have been declarations written by many of the former UFC fighters that are involved in the case.

    The declarations talk about how they have been affected and whether they’re for or against the proposed settlement fee of $375 million over the case continuing and why.

    There could be more money in a settlement if the lawsuit continues but that comes with the risk of it not being reached at all.

    In the declarations posted by John S. Nash, a former UFC champion is passionately against the idea of the lawsuit continuing due to serious concerns.

    Shane Carwin Issues Worrying Reasoning Behind His Need For The UFC Settlement To Be Approved

    Shane Carwin fought just six times inside the Octagon and retired early on in his career due to several serious injuries.

    He is the former interim heavyweight champion, stopping Frank Mir before going on to face Brock Lesnar at UFC 116.

    Carwin notes in his declaration that the proposed settlement of $375 million is an “excellent result”, stating that he fought once under the UFC banner in the specific timeframe.

    His reasoning for wanting this settlement to be agreed upon is due to several key issues in his life that could be solved by this payment that he would recieve.

    The following statements from Carwin himself are disappointing and upsetting to read for long time fans who remember him at his peak.

    “While fighting for the UFC, I suffered many significant injuries, including concussions. I fear that during my career I have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI) and am noticing symptoms common with TBI and CTE including addiction, depression, mood swings, and irritability.”

    Carwin goes on to say that he has had tests done at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and Concussion Legacy Foundation at Boston University among others that point to damage to his pre-frontal cortex and left hemisphere.

    He also points out several other health issues including paranoia, fear and anxiety which has been so severe that he was bed bound.

    On top of his health conditions, he says that his time as a fighter has also impacted his ability to work outside of the sport so that he can support himself.

    “Despite having a degree in engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, I have been unable to maintain adequate focus to hold down an engineering job. I face serious challenges in meeting basic everyday expenses for food, shelter, and transportation and in basic life skills necessary to function.”

    Carwin is saying all of this because he doesn’t want the lawsuit to continue if there’s a feeling that the settlement payment could increase.

    He makes it very clear that this result would be a great one and that he cannot afford to wait for this income if the case continues rather than the settlement being agreed upon.

    “This would truly be life-changing money for me and for other members of the class. These funds would also allow me to obtain the healthcare I need and keep a roof over my head and food on my table. The sad reality is that finds years from now may be of no use to me. I desperately need these funds now.”

    One of Carwin’s final statement clarifies his stance once again.

    “For me, a significant recovery in the near future is much more appealing than the possibility of a large recovery several years from now, especially in light of the possibility that there would be no recovery at all if this settlement were not approved. In my situation, a bird in the hand truly does beat two (or three, or even nine) in the bush.”

    Read also: Leon Edwards’ Brother On Loss To Belal Muhammad: ‘Always Had Unfair Situations Given To Him!’

  • Anthony Smith Took Pride In Rountree’s Success vs. Pereira At UFC 307

    Anthony Smith Took Pride In Rountree’s Success vs. Pereira At UFC 307

    A lot of fight fans felt that if Khalil Rountree was going to have success at UFC 307, it would need to come early.

    Alex Pereira is so efficient and effective at setting traps that the fight was always going to get tougher for him in the later rounds and this ended up being the case.

    Perhaps what many didn’t expect is how competitive the first few rounds would be before Rountree’s gas tank and the damage he was taking started to catch up to him.

    As a former opponent of Rountree’s, Anthony Smith was able to take a lot away from watching this fight play out this past weekend in Salt Lake City.

    Anthony Smith Says That Watching Khalil Rountree At UFC 307 Made Him More Positive

    Though he has recently buried the hatchet with Pereira over their previous feud, Smith still took a lot of enjoyment after seeing how well Rountree did against “Poatan”.

    The challenger’s last victory before he fought for the title was against “Lionheart” where he viciously stopped him in the third round.

    Smith was happy that his performance against Rountree clearly wasn’t a one-off after seeing how well he did against Pereira who is a whole different level in the striking.

    “To be very honest, there was a lot of me those first two rounds that felt really good watching Khalil, like f***, at least it ain’t just me.

    “I was like oh thank God. It would have really hurt my heart if Pereira had went out there and just dusted Khalil in like a round but watching him have some real serious success and land big on, you know how it is as a fighter. You kind of sit back and go, ‘S*** he didn’t land on me like that till the third round’. It was cool and it made he happy for Khalil.”

    Read also: ‘How Scary Is It?’ – Daniel Cormier Imagines ‘Amateur’ Alex Pereira With A Well-Rounded MMA Skillset

  • Brandon Royval Sees ‘Strong Possibility’ UFC Newcomer Could Beat Alexandre Pantoja

    Brandon Royval Sees ‘Strong Possibility’ UFC Newcomer Could Beat Alexandre Pantoja

    Brandon Royval is set to return this weekend at the UFC Apex where he faces the undefeated Tatsuro Taira in the main event.

    Even after beating Brandon Moreno last time out to cement his status as the #1-ranked flyweight in the division, handing Taira his first win may not be enough for him to secure a second title shot.

    “Raw Dog” has already suffered two defeats to the current champion, Alexandre Pantoja, which makes it significantly harder to put him straight back in.

    Royval spoke in a recent interview with Inside Fighting about how the talk of who will be Pantoja’s next challenger has been pretty quiet.

    After he faced a surprising opponent in Steve Erceg last time out, it would have likely been Muhammad Mokaev as the next in line if he was still with the promotion.

    Royval, however, believes that it could be a new arrival into the division that is next for the champ.

    Brandon Royval Says That Kai Asakura Could Be The Man To Beat Alexandre Pantoja

    Earlier this year in June, the UFC was announced to have signed RIZIN bantamweight champion Kai Asakura.

    The 30-year old Japanese star has got a huge fan following back in his native country and by all accounts, would be jumping in at the deep end once he arrived inside the Octagon.

    Royval took this as him facing Pantoja down at 125-pounds, as he told Inside Fighting.

    “I mean I thought it was Kai Asakura. I thought that was who the next fight would be and I was like, if I win this fight, I’m just gonna call out Pantoja or Asakura. But I mean I’ve still never heard anything so maybe it’s like I’m just starting these rumours myself.”

    Royval was also asked how he would feel about someone new entering the promotion and jumping right into a title shot.

    His response was that someone new being the champion would help his case for another title shot and in his opinion, Asakura would have a good chance of beating Pantoja.

    “Oh I don’t give a s***, as long as it doesn’t affect my road, it would be dope if he wins because if he wins, I for sure get the next title shot. In my opinion, I don’t really care. I just try to get in there when I fit in there so I think if he wins and beats Alexandre Pantoja, which I think is a strong possibility, then I could go fight Kai Asakura.” 

    Read also: Leon Edwards’ Brother On Loss To Belal Muhammad: ‘Always Had Unfair Situations Given To Him!’

  • Khalil Rountree Delivers Motivational Speech To His Teammates

    Khalil Rountree Delivers Motivational Speech To His Teammates

    Khalil Rountree gave a good account of himself in the main event of UFC 307 despite being a sizable underdog.

    Many expected that Alex Pereira would defend his lightweight title in Salt Lake City but the feeling was that the fight would be entertaining for however long it lasted.

    In the end, the challenger made it competitive in the first three rounds but started to slow down and when he did, an incredible display of toughness kept him in there as “Poatan” looked to close the show.

    Just days after the biggest fight of his career, Rountree returned to his home base of Syndicate MMA where his coach, John Wood, used his fighter as a role model for others to follow.

    “As a coach guys, there’s not much more, obviously the best thing is always to go out and get a win and that’s what we’re always looking to do and have that success but all I ask for you guys, one way or the other, is go out and fight your a** off. Go out on your shield like this man did the other night. Shock the world, proved to a lot of people that he deserves to be there, proved to himself, proved to all of us what we already knew, that he’s one of the best in the world so congratulations.”

    Khalil Rountree Tells His Teammates That UFC 307 Setback Had Motivated Him And Should Do The Same For Them

    Rountree then gave his own speech where he reflected on the fight and his performance against one of the biggest stars in the sport.

    His interviews on fight week both before and after the contest featured a lot of talk about self belief and gratitude.

    This was still the case in the words he said days after UFC 307, telling his teammates that he wanted to thank them for their support and share the positives that he was able to take away from the defeat.

    “I’ve gone out there and like represented Syndicate. I think that like not only was I the underdog but it just shows like I’ve been training out of this place for so long and we don’t need all this crazy s***, we don’t need all these guys from all around the world. We just need us, we got enough people here on the mats to make sure that we can go and fight for a title and show who we are so yeah. I just wanted to swing by, I saw everybody’s support in the IG group so I thought let me just go say what’s up to everybody.

    “But yeah, hell of a fight. Dude was big. Dude was big, I tried to use whatever tools I can but it motivated me. I think like just to know that I went in there and put up the fight that I had but I’m not done. We’re not done here, I know Syndicate we’re gonna keep going so yeah, appreciate you guys.”

  • Chael Sonnen: Kayla Harrison Not Next In Line For UFC Title Shot Based On ‘Merit’ 

    Chael Sonnen: Kayla Harrison Not Next In Line For UFC Title Shot Based On ‘Merit’ 

    If the UFC was to favor a meritocratic route to decide the first challenger to Julianna Peña, former fighter Chael Sonnen believes Raquel Pennington would be getting an immediate rematch.

    Having not competed since being unseated by Amanda Nunes back in July 2022, Peña returned to the bantamweight throne at this past weekend’s UFC 307 pay-per-view in Salt Lake City.

    “The Venezuelan Vixen” fell on the right side of a widely debated split decision verdict in Utah, bringing a short reign for Pennington to an end in the co-main event.

    Some were pointing to the recent numbered card as a tournament for the 135-pound division, with top contenders Kayla Harrison and Ketlen Vieira meeting earlier in the night.

    The two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL champion emerged victorious from that clash on the scorecards, seemingly booking a first UFC title shot.

    Sonnen, however, thinks the conversation isn’t quite so clear-cut…

    Sonnen Puts Pennington Above Harrison In Meritocratic Title Shot Queue

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen reacted to the events that unfolded in regard to the bantamweight championship conversation at UFC 307.

    While Sonnen acknowledged that Harrison is likely to compete for the gold in her third walk to the Octagon, he suggested that wouldn’t be the case if the decision was based on “merit.”

    “When we’re having the discussion of what’s next, I think it would be responsible for us all — because if we’re just coming from a competitive nature or looking at the rankings, something like that, you lose, you don’t get Kayla. You get Raquel,” Sonnen said. “If you’re gonna just pay attention to merit and who’s done what, you don’t get Kayla vs. Peña next, you get Raquel in a rematch.

    “From the world of promotion, there is nothing on Peña vs. Pennington in a rematch. But guys, there was nothing on it three days ago when we saw it,” Sonnen continued. “We’re not in a vastly different situation. If we’re just going to go off of merit, Pennington must be considered. That’s what I’m offering for you. Pennington should be the champion of the world right now.”

    Regardless, Harrison is expecting to receive her opportunity next time out, having started life on MMA’s biggest stage with consecutive wins over top-five opposition at 135 pounds.

  • Jon Jones Nearly Lands Devastating Knee On Gable Steveson In UFC 309 Training

    Jon Jones Nearly Lands Devastating Knee On Gable Steveson In UFC 309 Training

    UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is underway with his preparations for his long awaited return at UFC 309 in November.

    “Bones” will be making the first defense of his title against the former champion Stipe Miocic in what is likely to be the final fight of his career. Jones has been able to build a small but closely knit team around him since moving up to heavyweight but in order to keep it fresh, he was seen getting some new looks in a recent video.

    The former light heavyweight champion was seen working alongside Olympic gold medallist Gable Steveson who has hinted at competing in MMA in the past.

    After winning gold in wrestling at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Steveson has tried his hand at professional wrestling and football but is clearly taking an interest in mixed martial arts. If this is going to be a potential career move for him, why not jump in at the deep end by grappling with the consensus greatest that MMA has ever seen.

    Jon Jones Trains With Gable Steveson

    In the multiple training videos posted by Jones on social media, one particular exchange nearly ends very badly for Steveson.

    “Bones” goes for a single leg and when Steveson escapes, he goes immediately for the same technique on Jones, lunging towards his legs. Whether he did it instinctually or didn’t mean to actually connect, Jones throws a knee as a counter which lands but fortunately, doesn’t do much damage.

    The heavyweight champion immediately asks him if he’s okay and breaks the clinch as the two men laugh about it. It certainly would have been a rough welcome to mixed martial arts if Steveson had been hit by a knee that had even a little bit more power behind it.

  • Daniel Cormier: Julianna Peña ‘Dropped The Ball’ By Not Calling Out Kayla Harrison

    Daniel Cormier: Julianna Peña ‘Dropped The Ball’ By Not Calling Out Kayla Harrison

    Daniel Cormier thinks Julianna Peña missed an important opportunity after UFC 307 by not addressing Kayla Harrison, who many see as her likely next opponent. At the event, held in Utah on Saturday night, Peña defeated Raquel Pennington by split decision to reclaim the bantamweight title in the co-main event. Earlier in the night, Harrison had secured her own victory, defeating Kelten Vieira by unanimous decision.

    During Peña’s post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, the camera briefly showed Harrison watching the proceedings. Instead of seizing the moment to call out Harrison, Peña expressed her desire for a trilogy bout with Amanda Nunes. Cormier criticized this decision.

    “I will say this: She dropped the ball on the callout. Kayla’s on the screen. Say her name. Why no-sell the person that is clearly going to be your No. 1 contender? There’s no world where she doesn’t fight Kayla Harrison next. She’s fighting her next.”

    – Daniel Cormier

    Cormier continued, “You might as well put the sell on it right now. Don’t wait until the fight is announced. Now you’re a step behind when you had the opportunity to be a step ahead going into your fight with Kayla Harrison, who will be the No. 1 contender for your championship as we go forward.”

    Making the most of it

    Cormier also pointed out that Harrison’s performance against Vieira wasn’t dominant, which could have given Peña confidence in a potential match-up. However, he acknowledged that Harrison is still developing her striking skills.

    “So Julianna Peña should’ve, after this performance, been more willing to say her name,” Cormier added.

    At the end of the day, she becomes the champion again, and Mike Valle and his team at Valle Flow now have two UFC champions on their roster – massive for a gym out of Chicago that isn’t a huge, well-known facility.”

    – Daniel Cormier
  • Joaquin Buckley Doubles Down On Kamaru Usman Callout

    Joaquin Buckley Doubles Down On Kamaru Usman Callout

    Joaquin Buckley is looking ahead after securing a decisive victory at UFC 307, where he knocked out former title challenger Stephen Thompson in the third round. The fight, held in Utah, extended Buckley’s flawless record in the welterweight division. Now he’s aiming even higher—specifically at former champion Kamaru Usman.

    Following his win, Buckley didn’t hesitate to call out Usman. During the post-fight press conference, he doubled down on his challenge, highlighting his 5-1 record in the division. Buckley believes that defeating Usman would not only solidify his reputation but also put him in line for a title shot.

    “(I’m) 5-0 in the welterweight division right now,” Buckley said (via MMA Junkie). “With the run I’m on, beating Usman, a former champion, will cement my name and prove I deserve a title shot.”

    Buckley’s Prediction

    Usman, who has lost his last three fights, has not competed since his defeat to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October 2022. Despite Usman’s recent struggles, Buckley remains confident in his chances, predicting a knockout victory if they face off.

    “I think I can knock out Usman. Immediately—yeah, immediately. Breaking records,” Buckley said.

  • Leon Edwards’ Brother On Loss To Belal Muhammad: ‘Always Had Unfair Situations Given To Him!’

    Leon Edwards’ Brother On Loss To Belal Muhammad: ‘Always Had Unfair Situations Given To Him!’

    Fabian Edwards believes his brother, former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, was made to defend his title in “unfair” conditions this past summer.

    After withstanding challenges from both Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington in 2023, Edwards returned for his first assignment of 2024 three months ago.

    “Rocky” was tasked with stalling the championship ambitions of Belal Muhammad on home soil, with their rematch headlining UFC 304 in Manchester, England this past July.

    Edwards ultimately failed in that goal, with “Remember the Name” putting on a dominant display to extend his unbeaten run to 11 and ensure he exited the Co-op Live with the welterweight gold in his possession.

    Fabian Edwards Laments Time For Brother’s UFC 304 Title Defense

    During a recent interview with Bloody Elbow ahead of his own upcoming title fight, Fabian reflected on the end of his brother’s reign at the hands of Muhammad in Manchester.

    The younger of the fighting siblings pointed to the 5 AM start time as a major factor in Leon’s defeat at UFC 304. The decision to keep timings on the US pay-per-view schedule is just the latest instance of “Rocky” being made to compete in “unfair situations,” according to Fabian.

    “You know what it is? It was the time,” Fabian said. “I know everyone will say, ‘Oh, the time,’ or whatever, but most people couldn’t even stay awake until that time. So having to fight (for) a world title fight at that time? Come on. I’ve said it to everyone, how he performed in that fight was exactly how the last couple of weeks in training was. We were just like, putting it off because you do find things.

    “That’s just the way it goes. Leon’s never had an easy path,” he continued. “Even once he became champion, he’s always had unfair situations given to him, but it is what it is. He will be back.”

    It remains to be seen what lies next in the career of Leon Edwards, but he vowed to bounce back and “rise again” in his first post-fight remarks on social media.

    For now, the UFC star will have his focus and energy on the exploits of his brother, as Fabian gets set for a second opportunity at dethroning Johnny Eblen in Saudi Arabia next weekend.

  • Kevin Holland Tells Troll He Feels Like A ‘Total Piece Of Sh*t’ After UFC 307 Injury Loss

    Kevin Holland Tells Troll He Feels Like A ‘Total Piece Of Sh*t’ After UFC 307 Injury Loss

    UFC middleweight Kevin Holland is understandably not pleased with the manner in which he fell to defeat in Salt Lake City this past weekend.

    Holland had an opportunity to break into the top 10 at 185 pounds at Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view event in Salt Lake City. He was matched up against Roman Dolidze after returning to the weight class in style at the expense of Michał Oleksiejczuk this past June.

    While he left the Polish veteran injured after finding an armbar at UFC 302, the grappling exchanges against Dolidze saw “Trailblazer” on the receiving end of a painful night.

    After attempting to break the Georgian’s control in round one, an awkward twist on the ground resulted in Holland audibly reacting to an injury. And although he managed to see out the round before clutching his rib, the bout was waved off before the second frame.

    Holland Agrees With Abusive Internet Troll’s UFC 307 Take

    No fighter in the sport is safe from those in the MMA community who choose to unload on them in defeat, and that’s especially the case when an injury leads to a fight’s conclusion.

    Holland was evidently the recipient of such messages from trolls post-UFC 307, and he revealed an interaction with one in a recent Instagram Story.

    An attached image showed DMs from a user who berated him by branding him a “sh*t fighter.” While some would either ignore the troll or perhaps hit back, Holland went a different route.

    “Can’t have a response to everyone but yeah I feel like a total piece of sh*t,” Holland captioned his Instagram Story. “My bad to all the ones who put some bread on the line or told they friend I was gonna win. I’m a p*ssy.”

    Holland also agreed with the troll while directly responding to them.

    With the unfortunate result in Utah, “Big Mouth” has now lost three of his last four. Prior to returning to middleweight, Holland dropped back-to-back decisions opposite Jack Della Maddalena and Michael “Venom” Page.

  • Amanda Nunes Reacts To UFC 307, Peña Callout With ‘Call Me’ Plea To Dana White

    Amanda Nunes Reacts To UFC 307, Peña Callout With ‘Call Me’ Plea To Dana White

    It would appear that what went down at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City has further spurred the comeback fire underneath former two-division champion Amanda Nunes.

    Having hinted at a return from retirement earlier this year, two matchups appeared of interest to the Brazilian at this past weekend’s pay-per-view. Before her former opponents Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña collided for the title she vacated last year, ex-teammate Kayla Harrison had her second UFC outing.

    Following the two-time Olympic gold medalist’s Octagon debut in April, Nunes questioned why she hadn’t been called out. While her name remained absent from Harrison’s lips at UFC 307, the same can’t be said for “The Venezuelan Vixen.”

    After regaining the 135-pound title in the co-main event, Peña made good on her promise to address Nunes inside the Octagon, believing her to be far from done as an active fighter.

    Whether it was that callout or Harrison’s performance earlier in the night, somebody seemingly got the Brazilian legend’s attention…

    Did UFC 307 Awaken ‘The Lioness?’ Nunes Requests Call From The Boss

    While Nunes remained silent in the immediate aftermath of Peña’s title win and subsequent callout, she emerged on social media this week with a message for UFC CEO Dana White.

    MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz, a Brazilian journalist, provided context behind her Instagram video video, noting that Nunes was singing along to “Outdoor,” a song created by Brazilian samba group Só Pra Contrariar.

    The original lyrics include, “Oh please call,” and, “I Miss you so much.” Nunes is said to have altered the lyrics to, “Call me, please.”

    If Nunes does officially commit to a return, it remains unclear whether her goal will be regaining the title, settling the score with Peña, or having a long-awaited showdown with former teammate Harrison.

    Regardless, should predictions of “The Lioness” meeting the winner of the expected Peña vs. Harrison clash come to fruition, she’ll have the chance to kill two of those birds with one stone.

  • Michael ‘Venom’ Page Set For Combat Sports Return vs. Former UFC Champ

    Michael ‘Venom’ Page Set For Combat Sports Return vs. Former UFC Champ

    UFC welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page will enter a different realm of the fight game for his next taste of competition.

    2024 has marked Page’s debut year in the UFC, having had his switch from Bellator confirmed shortly after the Professional Fighters League (PFL) acquired his former employer.

    The Brit has had mixed success, arriving with a strong showing opposite Kevin Holland at UFC 299 in Miami but falling short of a rise into title contention against the undefeated Ian Garry at UFC 303 in Las Vegas.

    Against the Irishman, Page had his grappling deficiencies exposed. That, evidently, is an area “MVP” is looking to improve in before making his return to the Octagon.

    The Londoner’s focus will entirely be on his ground game in the coming weeks as he gears up to compete in a grappling match under the Polaris banner.

    News of Page’s debut in the promotion was reported by Ariel Helwani, who revealed that the 37-year-old will face former interim UFC champion Carlos Condit at the London-held Polaris 30 event on November 2.

    While he’s never been submitted in professional MMA, two of Page’s three defeats came by way of grappling. Before Garry utilized control to get the job done this year, Logan Storley pulled off a similar gameplan across five rounds to win interim Bellator gold back in 2022.

    Condit, meanwhile, announced his MMA retirement in September 2021. The decision followed a defeat to Max Griffin two months prior, which brought “The Natural Born Killer’s” late-career win streak to an end.

    During his memorable MMA stint, Condit defeated the likes of Thiago Alves, Dan Hardy, and Rory MacDonald. In 2012, he got the better of Nick Diaz to capture the interim UFC welterweight title, subsequently falling short against Georges St-Pierre.

  • ‘Get In Line’ – Kamaru Usman Laughs Off Joaquin Buckley’s UFC 307 Callout

    ‘Get In Line’ – Kamaru Usman Laughs Off Joaquin Buckley’s UFC 307 Callout

    Joaquin Buckley did the unthinkable at UFC 307 by becoming only the second fighter ever to knock out Stephen Thompson. He tried to grapple the veteran striker from the get-go. but “Wonderboy” could get back to his feet quickly every time.

    Based on the official scorecards, the third round would’ve decided the winner of the fight but Buckley sealed the deal with an overhand right. Interestingly, it was similar to the overhand superman punch Anthony Pettis landed to knock out Thompson five years ago.

    “New Mansa” called out Kamaru Usman after the victory but it seems like the former champ has no intentions of entertaining that fight…

    Kamaru Usman Admits Joaquin Buckley’s Calling Him Out At UFC 307 Was Better Than The Conor McGregor Callout

    In the latest Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru & Henry podcast, Henry Cejudo asked Usman about Buckley calling him out after the impressive KO win at UFC 307. The American fighter is now 5-0 at welterweight and is clearly riding an impressive win streak.

    However, “The Nigerian Nightmare” outright laughed at the callout and asked Buckley to get in line since the latter’s not the only welterweight to call out the former kingpin recently.

    “Take a number and get in line! I believe he’s probably, what, the 10th, 11th guy? I don’t know how many guys have called me out. It is what it is. It’s obviously, like DC said, it’s a more reasonable callout for him because he is on the streak. He’s been doing good work inside there. I believe he was losing that fight and it was just a way to be relentless and find the shot, eventually, to get that finish. So, you know, hats off to him.”

    However, Usman gave Buckley his props for winning against “Wonderboy” in the best way possible. He also agreed with Daniel Cormier that this was a much more sensible callout than his last fight.

    From the looks of it, Buckley will have to yet again wait for his dream opponent. A couple more memorable wins would make him an undeniable title challenger, though.

  • Kamaru Usman Calls Alex Pereira ‘Pound-For-Pound King’ Over Islam Makhachev

    Kamaru Usman Calls Alex Pereira ‘Pound-For-Pound King’ Over Islam Makhachev

    Alex Pereira defended his UFC light heavyweight belt for the third time in 2024 at UFC 307. He stopped Khalil Rountree via TKO in the fourth, further skyrocketing his popularity.

    Pereira’s exciting fighting style and consistency are second to none in the UFC at the moment. With five title fight wins already, he’s solidified his legacy and fans now expect to see him in the heavyweight division or take on Magomed Ankalaev.

    Kamaru Usman has all the praise in the world for “Poatan” after his UFC 307 victory. So much so, that he called the UFC light heavyweight kingpin the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world over Islam Makhachev.

    Kamaru Usman Explains Why Alex Pereira Is His Pound-For-Pound Best Fighter Despite Islam Makhachev Having More Tools

    On the latest episode of the Pound 4 Pound With Kamaru & Henry podcast on YouTube, Usman and Henry Cejudo debated who deserves to be the P4P best fighter after UFC 307. While “Triple C” still gave the title to Makhachev, Usman had a new opinion after “Poatan” dismantled Rountree’s game plan masterfully.

    According to the former UFC welterweight champion, fighters in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions should be judged differently. At anything over 200 pounds, having a strong ground game is a challenge because of the strength and energy required.

    “I have to admit when, and this is a part of being a man, you have to admit when you feel like you’ve made an error. And in the revelation lately, what I’ve come to is, I realized I’ve been judging Alex Pereira based on what I would be judged at. There’s a lot more men that weigh, walk around on this earth close to 170 to 185 pounds.”

    So, Usman no longer holds Pereira accountable for not showcasing his grappling because it is simply not prevalent enough in his weight division. He’s been decimating the top light heavyweight and middleweight contenders with ease, which is enough for “The Nigerian Nightmare” to call him the P4P best UFC fighter.

    Usman broke down the UFC 307 main event and appreciated how Pereira looked calm throughout the fight. Against a dangerous southpaw like Rountree, he decided to rely on his jab instead of the left hook that usually wins him matches.

    “I think he is pound-for-pound king because of the way he’s able to fight. Not the way he’s able to fight but the way he’s able to make his opponents fight and the way he’s able to dispose of his opponents. I love Islam and his abilities, I think Islam of course has more tools in the shed but for what you have to work with, Alex Pereira I believe he’s the pound-for-pound.”

    The UFC welterweight acknowledged that fighters with relentless wrestling like Merab Dvalishvili have been succeeding in the UFC lately. However, he also pointed out that such a fighting style is usually present in lower weight classes, and even Magomed Ankalaev wouldn’t replicate Dvalishvili’s style at light heavyweight.

    “I can’t be biased to the standard that I’m held to. The standard that Islam is held to because there’s a lot more men that weigh Islam’s size and my size than they do Alex Pereira’s size. So, with what Alex Pereira has to work with, he’s disposing of these guys that way so I have to give that to him.”

  • ‘How Scary Is It?’ – Daniel Cormier Imagines ‘Amateur’ Alex Pereira With A Well-Rounded MMA Skillset

    ‘How Scary Is It?’ – Daniel Cormier Imagines ‘Amateur’ Alex Pereira With A Well-Rounded MMA Skillset

    Alex Pereira is easily the biggest star in the UFC right now. Other big names in the promotion are either nearing retirement or losing fights while the Brazilian just keeps showing up every two months and knocking his opponents out.

    Pereira’s UFC 307 title defense against Khalil Rountree was widely regarded as an impressive performance in MMA circles. The UFC light heavyweight kingpin survived the challenger’s best punches and offense in the first two rounds, then broke him down in the third and fourth.

    Pereira boasts a wealth of experience in kickboxing but has become a top draw in MMA within just 14 pro fights. According to Daniel Cormier, if the former UFC middleweight champion keeps improving his skill set, the best might be yet to come…

    Daniel Cormier And Chael Sonnen Discuss Why Alex Pereira Taking Over MMA Doesn’t Make Sense

    During the latest Good Guy / Bad Guy episode on the ESPN MMA YouTube channel, UFC vets Cormier and Chael Sonnen talked about Pereira’s meteoric rise. He’s one of the top pound-for-pound athletes in the UFC, and despite not speaking English, boasts millions of fans worldwide.

    Although many complain that “Poatan” is yet to be tested by a solid grappler, Cormier considers it a silver lining. He believes the Brazilian had already won six title fights with a rather finite skillset and he’s only going to improve from here.

    Pereira has been training with Glover Teixeira throughout his MMA career and the latter is as knowledgeable in grappling and BJJ as it gets. If the UFC champ can add takedown defense and decent grappling to his arsenal as well, Cormier is right in predicting Pereira to be unstoppable. José Aldo is a great example of an elite striker who reached unprecedented heights by mastering the ability to defend takedowns.

    “On Saturday, it seemed like we saw the best Pereira. But did we? We saw a great Pereira doing the thing that he does so well. But he’s an amateur. So, he’s going to get even better. So, now you got a guy that’s a world champ already, with a very limited skillset that every new skill he picks up, is going to just add to his toolbox. Like how scary is it? When we truly, the idea of what we get when Alex Pereira is complete because, right now, as I said, he just won his 10th fight. He only has 12 mixed martial arts fights in total.”

    Indeed, Pereira has yet to face grapplers who can test his ground game properly. For instance, Merab Dvalishvili and Belal Muhammad shut down precise strikers like Sean O’Malley and Leon Edwards, respectively.

    If “Poatan” can get past Magomed Ankalaev or heavyweights like Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones, though, he will undoubtedly become one of the scariest fighters on the planet by far.