MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • ‘Left It All Out There’ – Fans React As Carla Esparza Finishes Career Dropping Elbows In Retirement Fight Loss At UFC 307

    ‘Left It All Out There’ – Fans React As Carla Esparza Finishes Career Dropping Elbows In Retirement Fight Loss At UFC 307

    Carla Esparza was given her flowers, but not a win, in her retirement fight during the early prelims at UFC 307, losing by decision to Tecia Pennington.

    The fight served as a rematch from both women’s time during season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, which Esparza went on to win and become the first UFC strawweight champion.

    Esparza found herself in some trouble early in the opening round, as Pennington appeared to be ripping her apart on the feet, and her legs were battered by low kicks. Once the fight went to the ground, however, “Cookie Monster” was in complete control, maintaining top position for about three minutes.

    The second frame proved to be close, though Pennington had the upper hand in striking once again. Esparza’s striking picked up in the third stanza, and she could have finished Pennington had there been more time in the round.

    Pennington, however, continued to beat down the legs of Esparza, making her eat leg kick after leg kick.

    The judges ultimately gave the close fight to Pennington, with two 29-28 cards and a 30-27.

    Carla Esparza Retires Following Loss To Tecia Pennington At UFC 307

    “It’s been an amazing journey, these last 15 years,” Esparza said in the Octagon following the fight. “I’ve fought the best of the best. It’s not always easy. There’s ups and downs in this sport, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. This is the greatest sport in the world.”

    Esparza was given a tribute video following the fight.

    Esparza began her professional MMA career in 2010, going 6-2, including a pair of fights in Bellator, before finding a stride in the initial days of Invicta FC in 2012. At Invicta FC 4, Esparza defeated Bec Rawlings to become the inaugural strawweight champion of the promotion.

    By the next year, however, “Cookie Monster” would sign with the UFC and be a contestant on season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, which determined the UFC’s inaugural champion of its then-new women’s strawweight division.

    Esparza defeated Angela Hill, Pennington (then-Tecia Torres), and Jessica Penne before finishing Rose Namajunas to win the tournament and championship. Esparza subsequently lost the belt in her first defense at UFC 185, dropping it to Joanna Jędrzejczyk.

    The wrestling specialist went 3-3 in her next six fights before starting a noteworthy win streak in 2019, having her hand raised in six straight. That run was highlighted by a second-round finish of Yan Xiaonan and culminated in her beating Namajunas again at UFC 274 to become a two-time UFC strawweight champion.

    Esparza, again, lost the title in her first defense, getting finished by current champ Weili Zhang at UFC 281. This was Esparza’s most recent fight prior to tonight, as she gave birth to her son in September 2023.

  • Jailton Almeida Set For Return At UFC 311 On January 18

    Jailton Almeida Set For Return At UFC 311 On January 18

    The year-opening pay-per-view for 2025 has its first fight, with heavyweight standout Jailton Almeida set for the chance to return to a win streak.

    Almeida (21-3) had his push toward a maiden title fight on MMA’s biggest stage violently stalled by some Curtis Blaydes hammerfists at UFC 299 this past March. It didn’t take him long to rebound, however, with the Brazilian submitting Alexandr Romanov in quick time three months later.

    Having retained his #6 position in the rankings, Almeida will once again need to defend that spot next January if he’s to place his name back in the title conversation.

    Per Brazilian reporter Léo Guimaraes, “Malhadinho” is slated to share the cage with #7-ranked contender Serghei Spivac (17-4) at the UFC 311 event on Jan. 18.

    A location is yet to be announced for the PPV.

    Like Almeida, Spivac is coming off a bounce-back performance. The Moldovan 29-year-old suffered a difficult TKO setback at the hands of Ciryl Gane in 2023 but returned this year to avenge a past defeat to Marcin Tybura.

    Having now competed in three straight main events, “Polar Bear” will have the chance to advance his championship ambitions on the PPV stage early next year.

  • Jon Anik Shares Best Potential Matchups For Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, & Dricus Du Plessis

    Jon Anik Shares Best Potential Matchups For Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, & Dricus Du Plessis

    The UFC middleweight division has changed a lot in the last couple of years. The turmoil that started after Anderson Silva finally lost the belt ended with Israel Adesanya unifying the title and defending it five times.

    Alex Pereira then fired through the ranks to take out Izzy at UFC 281 but “The Last Stylebender” reclaimed his belt at UFC 287 with one of the most iconic knockouts of all time.

    Just when it seemed like Adesanya would be champion for at least a couple more years, Sean Strickland pulled off one of the biggest upsets of all time to become champ. He then lost the belt to Dricus Du Plessis, who’s already defended it once against Adesanya.

    Amidst the unusual turbulence at the top ranks, here’s how the UFC middleweight division should operate according to Jon Anik…

    Jon Anik Backs Sean Strickland As Next UFC Middleweight Title Contender While Suggesting Israel Adesanya vs. Khamzat Chimaev

    Anik claimed the UFC middleweight division to be stronger than ever during an interview on the official The Schmo YouTube channel. When asked about who should fight for the title next, the play-by-play commentator named Strickland.

    “I don’t think it’s hyperbolic or overstating it to suggest that the middleweight division, right now, has never been stronger. Right? Sean Strickland’s a worthy number-one contender. Nassourdine Imavov, on and on it could go!”

    Anik backed his choice by recalling the times Strickland has stepped up for the UFC and citing his recent win over Paulo Costa and the extremely close decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis, the current champ. He also credited the former UFC middleweight kingpin for risking his top 5 ranking against Pereira in 2022.

    “Well, in a straight meritocracy, I’m on record as promoting Sean Strickland because he has repeatedly stepped up for the promotion. Let us not forget he put his number four ranking on the line against Alex Pereira when nobody wanted to fight Poatan. He has stepped into main events against guys, he’s stepped into a five round fight against Paulo Costa. And he fought Dricus Du Plessis toe-to-toe. So in a straight meritocracy, if I’m the promoter, I lean Strickland.”

    Although he’s no longer the champ, Adesanya is still likely the biggest draw in the division. So, when asked about the best matchup for his return, Anik named Chimaev who’s fighting Robert Whittaker at UFC 308. With that match, the former champ should be able to make the most of his star power and help elevate Chimaev’s popularity as well.

    “I think if you’re Izzy, you just lay back in the cut and maybe it’s Khamzat. I mean that’s a fight that I think would have some appeal but Khamzat could be in a championship setting.”

    Anik acknowledged that the match between Whittaker and Chimaev is bound to shake things up. The winner will likely have an undeniable claim to a title shot and it’ll be interesting to see whether Strickland will be overlooked in the process.

  • Former UFC Champ Highlights ‘Weirdest Thing’ About Fighting Alex Pereira

    Former UFC Champ Highlights ‘Weirdest Thing’ About Fighting Alex Pereira

    Alex Pereira will defend his UFC light heavyweight champion against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 this weekend. Winning would help him break Ronda Rousey’s record and make him the UFC champion to defend their belt three times in the shortest duration.

    Pereira’s rise to the top of the sport is unprecedented. He got a title shot at Israel Adesanya after just three fights in the UFC and bagged the middleweight championship by knocking out the long-time champ in the fifth.

    After his only UFC loss to “The Last Stylebender”, “Poatan” has continued his impressive run in the light heavyweight division. According to Daniel Cormier, fighting the Brazilian is a huge mental challenge as well, and Rountree might be already doing better than the likes of Jamahal Hill and Jiří Procházka…

    Daniel Cormier Gives Khalil Rountree The Edge Over Jamahal Hill And Jiří Procházka Ahead Of UFC 307 Title Fight Against Alex Pereira

    Cormier interviewed Rountree on his YouTube channel recently. When asked about the odds heavily favoring the champion, Rountree stated that people underestimate him because he doesn’t talk trash and is usually respectful during interviews.

    To this, Cormier couldn’t help but bring up how fighters act unusual before taking on Pereira. Hill used several antics to try and get into the UFC light heavyweight kingpin’s head, with DC recalling him trying to break the arrow during Pereira’s walkout at UFC 300. Following the KO loss, Hill has been called out by fans for making excuses as well.

    Prochazka, who’s lost twice to Pereira, recently claimed that the Brazilian uses black magic and spirits to beat his opponents. For someone as stoic as the Czech fighter, these claims were called strange by many.

    Rountree, according to Cormier, doesn’t seem to be acting unusual leading up to his UFC 307 title fight. He’s still the nice guy in interviews and isn’t feeling the pressure of facing an intimidating opponent like Pereira.

    “That’s you, right? That’s you! But, the weirdest thing about Pereira and dealing with Pereira, people start to act like not themselves. So, when he was walking to the Octagon, Jamahal Hill was like reaching over the cage like come on! He’s like very animated. Jiří Procházka is just doing all kind of weird s**t. Jiri doing all kind of crazy s**t up in there. He’s doing this, he’s doing.. Jiri’s just not acting like himself, right?”

  • ‘I Was Crushed’ – Khalil Rountree Shares ‘Super Emotional’ Story Sparring Pre-Strikeforce Daniel Cormier

    ‘I Was Crushed’ – Khalil Rountree Shares ‘Super Emotional’ Story Sparring Pre-Strikeforce Daniel Cormier

    MMA journalist Brett Okamoto left Daniel Cormier in shock by revealing that the former two-division UFC champ had sparred with Khalil Rountree way back in the 2000s. It was in Wanderlei Silva’s gym; both were quite new to MMA.

    Unsurprisingly, Cormier ended up rag-dolling Rountree with his wrestling. “The War Horse” was just starting to train MMA at the time while DC was close to fighting for Strikeforce after representing the USA in the Olympics. It is safe to assume that Rountree wasn’t mentally prepared to be manhandled.

    While Cormier might have treated the sparring session like any other, here’s how it became a significant learning experience for Rountree, who’s now challenging Alex Pereira for the UFC light heavyweight championship at UFC 307…

    Khalil Rountree Explains Why Sparring Daniel Cormier Made Him Want To Quit Fighting

    Cormier finally asked Rountree about their decade-old sparring session while interviewing the UFC 307 title challenger on his YouTube channel.

    “The War Horse” revealed that he, alongside DC, weighed in close to 280 pounds which explains why they were expected to spar together. Both UFC veterans were complete MMA amateurs at the time and as soon as Rountree started swinging, DC did what he knew best.

    “I was like, maybe 280, and you were coming in around the same. You were making your transition, about to fight in Strike Force. You came to Wanderlei’s to train. I was swinging and I hit you with some stuff and you picked me up and you slammed me. And you were all over me. I think we did two rounds. After that, I was like super emotional and my boxing coach came over. He wrote your name on a piece of paper, he put it in my shirt, he said go home and watch that on YouTube. And I typed your name, and I was like, ‘”Okay, that’s why!” You slammed me bro, it was like, and I didn’t even have an amateur fight yet.”

    As a big man, Rountree wasn’t used to being slammed and after two rounds, he couldn’t help but be demotivated. His boxing coach informed the UFC light heavyweight about Cormier’s accolades in wrestling which made him feel much better about the sparring session.

    Despite having no MMA experience, Cormier, by this time, had already been an Olympic wrestler and a well-known name in the wrestling community.

    “We were sparring and I was swinging boom, I must have hit you and you picked me and boom! I was crushed coz I was like damn, I’ve never been slammed like that in my life.”

    It’s very amusing to see how Cormier and Rountree crossed paths over a decade before and how different their lives have been since the sparring session. While DC has retired as one of the all-time greats, the latter aims to grab the title at UFC 307 and build a legacy of his own.

  • Adesanya Seeks Redemption: ‘I Know I Can Beat Strickland’

    Adesanya Seeks Redemption: ‘I Know I Can Beat Strickland’

    Israel Adesanya is still looking to get a rematch with Sean Strickland and believes the fight will happen one day after losing the middleweight title in a shocking fashion. 

    The moment happened last year, but he hasn’t been able to lock down a rematch. Since then, Adesanya has won the belt back in August from Dricus Du Plessis, who had taken the belt from Strickland months prior. While speaking on the JRE MMA Show, Adesanya stated that he wants to get his hands on Strickland and have some revenge. 

    “Strickland, definitely. That fight was not me. Again, I don’t make excuses… [Comedian Dave Chappelle] said something like, ‘When it’s your time, you have to know and be humble enough when it’s someone else’s.’”

    – Israel Adesanya on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast

    Adesanya stated, “That was just his week, and his, and everything. So it’s his time, let him have it, but I definitely know what I can do. I took his best shots, and I just know I can take this guy. I know what I can do. Not similar to the Pereira one where I was winning, but this one, I definitely know what I can do with this guy.”

    Although he thinks his best version beats Strickland’s best version, that version didn’t show up when they met in 2023. However, in a rematch, he’s more than confident in his ability. It’s believed that Strickland will get a rematch with Du Plessis next. 

  • Alex Pereira’s Meteoric UFC Ascent Impresses Boxing Icon Teddy Atlas

    Alex Pereira’s Meteoric UFC Ascent Impresses Boxing Icon Teddy Atlas

    Few have experienced the kind of astronomical success in the UFC that Alex Pereira has in recent years, and his rapid ascent has left a renowned boxing trainer in awe.

    Although “Poatan’s” professional MMA debut in October 2015 didn’t unfold as expected, with a submission loss, he flew under the radar for nearly five years, aside from his highly successful kickboxing career. However, everything changed when Pereira signed with the UFC in 2021, and what followed was nothing short of extraordinary.

    Within a span of three years, Pereira achieved an astonishing feat, securing multiple knockout victories and competing in five title fights. He captured the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 281 and claimed the light heavyweight title at UFC 295. Furthermore, he successfully defended his 205-pound title twice in headlining bouts at marquee UFC events this year while stepping in on short notice.

    Teddy Atlas believes that what truly sets “Poatan” apart is not merely his popularity, but his fierce fighting style combined with a multitude of other factors.

    The New Face of the UFC

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Atlas offered high praise for Pereira’s skyrocketing popularity in the MMA realm. The famed boxing coach noted that the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion has established himself as the figurehead of the promotion, largely due to his consistent fight schedule and his aggressive fighting style.

    Atlas mentioned that what truly distinguishes Pereira, however, is that he achieved this status without engaging in disputes or excessive trash talk, distinguishing him from many of his peers.

    “I think Pereira is not just good; he’s scary good,” Atlas said. “He’s becoming a face, or better yet, the ‘Monster of the Midway,’ the monster of the UFC. He could become that star, and I think he has in the UFC.

    Without all the other gadgetry, without all the other bells and whistles, without the great ability to talk and wreak havoc with his words and controversy and sensationalism, he does it in the Octagon with his fists and with his legs.

    He does it with his look, his aura, that look, that stare, coupled with the results that come after—the dynamic results, the sensational extreme results that come after it. That is all you need to promote a superstar.”

    “Poatan” is set to defend his 205-pound title for the third time this year, facing Khalil Rountree Jr. in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 307 this Saturday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Pereira is riding high after a sensational second-round knockout victory over former champion Jiri Prochazka in their rematch at UFC 303 this past June. With this triumph, he now holds an impressive 8-1 record in the UFC.

    • Read More: Israel Adesanya Explains Effectiveness Of Alex Pereira’s Unorthodox ‘Hammer’ Leg Kicks
  • Daniel Cormier Remembers Tough Training Session With Khalil Rountree

    Daniel Cormier Remembers Tough Training Session With Khalil Rountree

    Khalil Rountree has had a truly remarkable journey through life and martial arts that has led him all the way to UFC 307 this weekend. In his 15th Octagon appearance, he will look to leave Salt Lake City as the light heavyweight champion by dethroning Alex Pereira.

    Rountree has really come into his own in recent years as one of the division’s most dangerous strikers who doesn’t let opponents off the hook once he has them hurt.

    Though he doesn’t plan on using his grappling at the Delta Center, a former UFC champion recently told a story about how a bad experience in training, which ended up being a vital lesson, had Rountree questioning what he was doing.

    Training With a Young Khalil Rountree

    On their last preview of UFC 307 before fight night, Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen got together in Salt Lake City for another episode of ESPN MMA’s Good Guy / Bad Guy.

    During the episode, Cormier revealed that he had trained with Rountree over ten years ago but couldn’t remember it whatsoever.

    He recapped the story of how he went hard on the newcomer to the sport with his wrestling pedigree which after some wise words from his coach, ended up being a positive experience for Rountree who was at the very beginning of his career.

    “I got a story about me and Khalil, I guess we trained together and I just didn’t know it. Way back in 2011, Wanderlei Silva’s gym. Brett Okamoto told me that Khalil told him that he had just started, guy walks in, we start sparring. I obviously don’t know how to spar at that time, it’s 2010.

    He goes, I completely just started wrestling him and he said that when it was over, he was like, ‘I think I’m done fighting forever.’ He said his coach goes up to him and goes, ‘go and Google his name,’ saw my credentials in wrestling and was like, ‘okay, now I understand.’ But it taught him get better everywhere so this can never happen again.”

  • UFC 307’s Kayla Harrison Fires Back At ‘Jealous Little Man’ Henry Cejudo

    UFC 307’s Kayla Harrison Fires Back At ‘Jealous Little Man’ Henry Cejudo

    Kayla Harrison has responded to the comments made by Henry Cejudo regarding her fight with Ketlen Vieira at Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view event from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

    The former UFC champion picked Harrison to win the bout. However, he sees Vieira’s black belt in judo and her striking as dangerous for Harrison in the fight. Once the two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka heard about his comments, she didn’t hold back while speaking with Submission Radio. 

    “I don’t know why the hell they’re talking about a judo black belt making a difference. There are levels,” she said. “That would be like me telling Henry, ‘Oh this kid wrestled in varsity in high school, so you’re going to struggle to take him down.’ Benign. Asinine. It’s all right. I look forward to showing once again why Henry is a jealous little man.”

    The Double Down

    Harrison doubled down on her remarks towards Cejudo in an exchange with Ali Abdelaziz, who represents both fighters during Episode 4 of UFC Embedded.

    “Bro, you better get your boy f*cking Henry,” Harrison said. “I’m going to f*ck him up. After he talked all that sh*t, he was like, ‘But, I’ve got to go with Kayla.’ Oh yeah. I f*cking watched it. I’m telling you, he’s jealous because I have more gold medals than him. He can’t handle it – his little fragile ego.”

  • Daniel Cormier: Alex Pereira’s Rapid Development Could Change The Game At UFC 307

    Daniel Cormier: Alex Pereira’s Rapid Development Could Change The Game At UFC 307

    There aren’t many fighters in the history of MMA who have achieved the kind of success Alex Pereira has.

    A victory over Khalil Rountree this weekend at UFC 307 would allow Pereira to break the record for the fewest days needed to defend a UFC title three times.

    What makes this even more remarkable is that heading into this fight, his overall MMA record stands at just 11-2.

    When Pereira entered the UFC after a legendary kickboxing career, it was clear he would be a dangerous matchup for anyone in striking exchanges. However, questions arose about how quickly he could round out his overall game with limited time in the sport.

    “Poatan,” as he’s known, believes that he’s developing even faster than his competition because he still has so much to learn.

    Daniel Cormier Says Alex Pereira Believes He’s Catching Up Quickly

    On the final episode of ESPN MMA’s Good Guy / Bad Guy before UFC 307, Daniel Cormier shared insights from his conversations with Pereira during fight week.

    “DC” explained that while Pereira was still essentially an amateur when he arrived in the UFC, Pereira feels like he’s covering a lot of ground between fights.

    Cormier described how Pereira is able to improve more than most elite fighters during his training camps, despite already being the top 205-pound fighter in the world.

    “We keep saying he’s an amateur, he recognizes that but also says, ‘If I’m the best in the world now, imagine what I can be.’ Isn’t that a crazy thought? He was an amateur and became the world champ. Our improvements are usually incremental—like footwork adjustments—but he’s getting better in wrestling, cardio, and the clinch. He’s literally improving leaps and bounds every time, and he’s already the world champion.”

    Read also: UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Weigh-In Live Stream & Results

  • UFC 307: Khalil Rountree’s Unexpected Path To A Title Fight

    UFC 307: Khalil Rountree’s Unexpected Path To A Title Fight

    Khalil Rountree Jr. recently revealed that receiving a title shot at UFC 307 came as a surprise, particularly since he was still facing repercussions from a positive steroid test.

    “The War Horse” is set to challenge reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in his first-ever title opportunity this Saturday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    However, the announcement of this matchup was unexpected, as Rountree Jr. was still navigating the sanctions imposed by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) after testing positive for Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a prohibited steroid hormone, earlier in May.

    The 34-year-old Californian was initially slated to face Jamahal Hill at UFC 303 in June—a bout that could have served as a title eliminator. However, Rountree had to withdraw due to the positive test. In an August hearing, the NAC reduced Rountree Jr.’s suspension to 4.5 months, acknowledging his decision to self-report the violation.

    This reduction allowed “The War Horse” to become eligible for UFC 307, as his ban ended on September 18.

    Rountree Jr. Reveals He Envisioned a Title Shot Before It Became Reality

    In a recent interview with Caged Minds Combat Sports News, Rountree Jr. expressed that he, like many others in the MMA community, did not expect a title opportunity while still serving his suspension.

    “It was a big surprise to me,” Rountree Jr. said. “I definitely didn’t expect the call to come when it did, but when it happened, all I could say was that it was a huge surprise. I was full of excitement. It was, I guess, like the call I had imagined for a long time… It was a complete surprise, so the way it happened was so unexpected. I didn’t realize that the phone call for a title fight was as close as it was.”

    Rountree also shared that the cancellation of his fight with Hill left him uncertain about his future in the UFC and when he would next compete.

    “The fight that I was booked for before, I thought could possibly be the title eliminator, but after everything happened, I really didn’t know what was next. I didn’t know if I’d be waiting nine months to a year to fight. I didn’t know who the opponent would be. I imagined all the ranked guys getting shots before I did, but like I said, a big surprise phone call came through, and I gladly accepted.”

    Rountree Jr. last fought in December 2023, when he knocked out Anthony Smith at a Fight Night event. He is currently on a five-fight win streak, with notable victories over fighters like Chris Daukaus, Karl Roberson, and Modestas Bukauskas.

    Read More: PFL Star Picks Khalil Rountree To Finish Alex Pereira In The First Round At UFC 307

  • UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC 307 takes place on Saturday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

    The upcoming pay-per-view event at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah provides a chance for UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira to further enhance his legacy on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    After capturing the gold in November 2023 and withstanding challenges from Jamahal Hill and Jiří Procházka this year, “Poatan” is next tasked with stalling the championship ambitions of Khalil Rountree to continue his reign atop the 205-pound mountain.

    Title stakes will also be present for the co-main event, which will see Raquel Pennington make her first defense of the bantamweight belt opposite returning ex-divisional queen Julianna Peña.

    Elsewhere on the UFC 307 card, the legendary José Aldo looks to continue his pursuit of a late-career title shot after a successful return from retirement this past May, Kayla Harrison makes her second Octagon outing, the always entertaining Kevin Holland shoots for the middleweight top 10, and former two-time strawweight queen Carla Esparza enters the cage for the final time.

    Ahead of the event, all 24 fighters successfully made weight. With that, every fight has remained intact, and all that remains on Friday night is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC 307 ceremonial weigh-ins!

    Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 6 p.m. ET.

    UFC 307 Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

  • Carla Esparza Teases Throwing ‘Cool Moves’ She’s Held Back For Retirement Fight At UFC 307

    Former two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza could be set to let her hair down inside the Octagon this weekend.

    Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view event boasts a number of notable storylines, one of which comes on the early preliminary card in the form of a retirement fight for one of the female roster’s all-time greats.

    Having not competed since having her second reign on the 115-pound throne ended by Zhang Weili in late 2022 — after which she became pregnant — Esparza will feel the Octagon floor beneath her feet one final time.

    To exit the sport on a win, “Cookie Monster” is tasked with once again getting the better of Tecia Pennington, whom she outpointed during season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter back in 2014.

    And to do so, Esparza might be digging deep into her ‘toolbox’ of offensive weaponry.

    Esparza Willing To Embrace ‘Risk’ For Farewell Fight

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Esparza looked ahead to her final walk to the Octagon this weekend in Salt Lake City.

    When asked whether she’s planning to showcase anything new that she’s been holding back, the former champ admitted she has plenty of ‘risky’ moves that could come out now that her sights aren’t set on regaining the strawweight gold.

    “I have so many fun tools in my toolbox that I haven’t gotten display,” Esparza said. “I’ve always had the mentality in my fights where I want to win but I don’t want to be so risky. Because, you know, the goal is always to move up toward the title fight, and in order to do that, you need wins.

    “I just had things that I didn’t necessarily want to show but I had in my pocket if I did need to,” Esparza continued. “You never know how the fight’s going to go, but I would love the chance to kind of just have fun out there, do some cool moves that I haven’t gotten to show in fights before.”

    Regardless of the result on Saturday night, Esparza will go down as one of the most successful women to compete under the UFC banner. But she’ll still hope to cap off her career with one last triumph at the expense of Pennington.

  • UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Weigh-In Results

    UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Weigh-In Results

    UFC 307 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    After staging an event inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere last month, the mixed martial arts leader is back in Utah for its latest numbered card, which goes down inside Salt Lake City’s Delta Center.

    Two titles will be on the line at the top of the card, with Alex Pereira defending his light heavyweight belt against Khalil Rountree and Raquel Pennington staking the women’s bantamweight gold opposite Julianna Peña.

    Also on the main card will be returns for UFC legend José Aldo, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, and fan favorite Kevin Holland.

    UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Weigh-In Results

    UFC 307 takes place Saturday, October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.

    See above for a replay of the UFC 307 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below!

    Main Card:

    • Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira (205lbs) vs. Khalil Rountree (205lbs)
    • Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Raquel Pennington (135lbs) vs. Julianna Peña (134.5lbs)
    • Bantamweight: José Aldo (136lbs) vs. Mario Bautista (136lbs)
    • Middleweight: Roman Dolidze (185.5lbs) vs. Kevin Holland (185.5lbs)
    • Women’s Bantamweight: Ketlen Vieira (136lbs) vs. Kayla Harrison (136lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Welterweight: Stephen Thompson (171lbs) vs. Joaquin Buckley (170.5lbs)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Marina Rodriguez (115.5lbs) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (116lbs)
    • Lightweight: Austin Hubbard (156lbs) vs. Alexander Hernandez (156lbs)
    • Middleweight: César Almeida (185.5lbs) vs. Ihor Potieria (185.5lbs)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann (205.5lbs) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (205.5lbs)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Carla Esparza (115.5lbs) vs. Tecia Pennington (115lbs)
    • Welterweight: Court McGee (170lbs) vs. Tim Means (171lbs)
  • UFC 307: Bold Prediction From Alex Pereira’s Training Partner For Main Event

    UFC 307: Bold Prediction From Alex Pereira’s Training Partner For Main Event

    Fight fans tuning into UFC 307 this weekend are in for a high-stakes clash in Saturday night’s main event. Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will meet the division’s other most ruthless fight finisher when he defends the title against Khalil Rountree.

    A lot has been made about how neither man is going to look to grapple in this fight, given their specialist styles.

    Rountree hasn’t attempted a single takedown during his UFC career, and Pereira has only shot for one, which was against fellow striking specialist Israel Adesanya.

    However, someone who knows the champion’s game well believes that if needed, Pereira could shock the world with his developing skill set.

    Renato Valente Says Alex Pereira Could Submit Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    Anyone betting money on a submission in this fight, particularly from “Poatan”, is sure to get some stellar odds.

    Renato Valente, who is a training partner of Pereira’s, believes this possibility is worth considering before the main event gets underway.

    In a recent interview with The Scrap, Valente predicted that the champ could retain his belt via his first-ever submission win.

    “I’m really confident in that. Definitely, everyone expects a KO from Alex. Really, I can see that, dream about it. If I close my eyes, I can see it, but also, I can see Alex submitting him. I think that’s something to consider if you want to bet, you can put it there.”

    Valente went on to give his own estimation of the odds of Pereira finishing Rountree by knockout or submission.

    “KO for Alex or submission, let’s say 70:30 this time. 70% chance for a KO, 30% for a submission.” 

    Read also: Max Holloway Projects Khalil Rountree To Stop Alex Pereira’s Leg Kicks In Jon Jones Style At UFC 307

  • Du Plessis’ Coach Reveals His Fight Plans, Predicts Strickland Won’t Be Next Opponent

    Du Plessis’ Coach Reveals His Fight Plans, Predicts Strickland Won’t Be Next Opponent

    Following his latest title defense at UFC 305, middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis seems to have his next few targets lined up.

    Many presumed that former champion Sean Strickland would be his next challenger in a rematch of their bout at UFC 297 earlier this year.

    The two fought to a split decision, with Strickland rebounding with a win over Paulo Costa in June.

    Additionally, the upcoming fight between former champion Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev later this month could also influence the title picture.

    That’s exactly what Du Plessis’ coach believes, as he provided a recent update on the return plans for “Stillknocks”.

    Morne Visser Thinks Robert Whittaker in February Is Next for Dricus Du Plessis

    Visser told Submission Radio that Du Plessis’ next opponent isn’t as guaranteed as many assume, though he does have a date in mind.

    The CIT Performance Institute head coach revealed that in his latest conversation with the champion, they discussed a February fight in Sydney, which looks almost certain.

    “I had a conversation with Dricus yesterday, and I told him there’s only one thing certain at this stage: we need to be ready to fight in Sydney in February. My opinion is Sean’s overselling it—he’s had one win after Dricus, against Costa. Whittaker has two, and I think he’s going for number three now.”

    Visser added that he believes Whittaker is the most likely opponent for Du Plessis, provided he defeats Chimaev.

    “The Reaper” was defeated by Du Plessis at UFC 290, but he’s bounced back with wins over Costa and Ikram Aliskerov.

    “My honest opinion is that next in line for us will be Whittaker in Sydney in February. I think he’s going to beat Khamzat, and I honestly believe they’ll give him the title shot.”

    Visser also mentioned that while the UFC will likely wait to see the outcome of Whittaker vs. Chimaev, he doesn’t think Chimaev will leapfrog Strickland for the title shot if he wins.

    Read also: Kevin Holland Dismisses Israel Adesanya As Exciting Opponent: ‘Now He’s Just Some Guy Who Can’t Stop Running Backwards’

  • Kevin Holland Dismisses Israel Adesanya As Exciting Opponent: ‘Now He’s Just Some Guy Who Can’t Stop Running Backwards’

    Kevin Holland Dismisses Israel Adesanya As Exciting Opponent: ‘Now He’s Just Some Guy Who Can’t Stop Running Backwards’

    UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland is not enamored by the idea of sharing the octagon with former two-time champion Israel Adesanya.

    Holland is set for his second outing since returning to 185 pounds at this weekend’s UFC 307 pay-per-view event in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Four months on from a submission win over Michał Oleksiejczuk, “Trailblazer” has the chance to leap into the top 10 by getting the better of Roman Dolidze at the Delta Center on Saturday night.

    With a victory over the Georgian, Holland could secure a place opposite a major contender next time out. But showing his strong focus on delivering entertainment, “Big Mouth” has looked to eliminate one former champ from the equation…

    Holland Would Rather Fight Costa Than Adesanya: ‘At Least Paulo’s Going To Actually Come Out & Fight’

    During a recent interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, Holland looked ahead to his outing in the “Beehive State” and assessed what could await him after an impressive performance.

    While a big-name opponent could be in the offing for “Big Mouth” should he have his hand raised at UFC 307, he’d rather it not be one particular figure inside the top five.

    “Not really,” Holland said when asked if the idea of facing Adesanya gets him excited. “It would have been exciting beating him as the champ. Now he’s just some guy who can’t stop running backwards and getting clipped and throwing a lot of leg kicks.

    “At the end of the day, guys fighting like that, they play the chess match where they’re just doing this (leg kicking) all night. It’s like, that’s boring,” Holland continued. “I’d rather fight Paulo Costa than fight Izzy. At least Paulo’s gonna actually come out there and fight, when he actually wants to.”

    Adesanya is currently without an opponent almost two months on from his defeat to Dricus Du Plessis in Perth. He is, however, targeting a return to action before the end of 2024.

    Holland, meanwhile, looks to have his hands full this weekend as he shoots for the middleweight top 10 at the expense of the ever-dangerous Dolidze.

  • UFC 307 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Rountree, Pennington vs. Peña, & More

    UFC 307 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Rountree, Pennington vs. Peña, & More

    UFC 307 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup.

    The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, October 5, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, who is tasked with getting the better of surprise challenger Khalil Rountree if he’s to record a third successful title defense in 2024.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see Raquel Pennington making her first defense of the bantamweight gold. Nine months on from her crowning, “Rocky” will meet a familiar face in fellow TUF 18 competitor Julianna Peña, a former champ who is returning from a two-year layoff.

    Also set to make the walk on Saturday night will be the likes of UFC legend José Aldo, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, and the always entertaining Kevin Holland.

    Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the UFC 307 main card here.

    UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 307 (as of 10/4), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Alex Pereira (-455) vs. Khalil Rountree (+350)
    • Raquel Pennington (-166) vs. Julianna Peña (+140)
    • José Aldo (+124) vs. Mario Bautista (-148)
    • Roman Dolidze (+130) vs. Kevin Holland (-155)
    • Ketlen Vieira (+700) vs. Kayla Harrison (-1100)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Stephen Thompson (+180) vs. Joaquin Buckley (-218)
    • Marina Rodriguez (+164) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (-198)
    • Austin Hubbard (+130) vs. Alexander Hernandez (-155)
    • César Almeida (-380) vs. Ihor Potieria (+300)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Ryan Spann (-245) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (+200)
    • Carla Esparza (+150) vs. Tecia Pennington (-180)
    • Court McGee (+164) vs. Tim Means (-198)
  • Mario Bautista Insists He Won’t Be Star-Struck Against José Aldo: ‘I Don’t Care Who You Are’

    Mario Bautista Insists He Won’t Be Star-Struck Against José Aldo: ‘I Don’t Care Who You Are’

    UFC bantamweight contender Mario Bautista has no doubt that he’ll be able to stay focused on the task at hand when he shares the Octagon with José Aldo this weekend.

    Bautista has earned the right to be Aldo’s second opponent since returning from a short-lived retirement this past May, with the pair set to collide on the main card of Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view.

    In Rio de Janeiro earlier this year, the former featherweight king got the better of a Jonathan Martinez who admitted the Brazilian’s aura and legend status put him off on fight night.

    When it comes to that danger, Bautista has little doubt about his ability to eliminate any and all admiration he has for Aldo when the cage door closes behind him…

    Bautista Not Affected By Facing Legend Like Aldo

    During a recent interview for UFC.com, Bautista looked ahead to the opportunity to secure the biggest scalp of his career to date in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    The #11-ranked bantamweight noted that he used to enjoy watching Aldo during his WEC days and has fond memories of his UFC battles with Chad Mendes.

    But while those remarks could perhaps arise worries of Bautista falling to the same fate as Martinez, the 31-year-old dismissed that as a concern.

    “I don’t think it’s going to be like that,” said Bautista. “I’ve never really felt like that. Yeah, it’s going to be my first time, but I think someone trying to knock me out and fighting me, I’m not going to let it just happen. I’m not that type of person. So I don’t care who you are, if you’re trying to fight, I’m always willing and ready.

    “Hey, we’re in there to fight. You’re trying to take my money. We’re fighting for the same spot. It’s my turn now. You’ve had your turn,” Bautista continued. “I’m sorry. That’s just the way I look at it. Maybe I’ll feel differently afterwards, but, as of now, I have to break him.”

    Aldo’s decision to commit to another UFC contract came in spite of his ongoing ambitions in the ring. But while boxing has been on his mind, “Junior’s” desire to hold gold on MMA’s biggest stage proved to be overriding.

    On Saturday, though, Bautista has the chance to halt Aldo’s push for a late-career title shot in its tracks.

  • ‘Rory Is Dying’ – John McCarthy Opens Up About Reffing Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2

    ‘Rory Is Dying’ – John McCarthy Opens Up About Reffing Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2

    Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2 is widely considered one of the, if not the best MMA fight of all time. The first two rounds started slow but the last three will never be removed from MMA history.

    Lawler’s intense stare before the fifth, followed by him securing the finish, is as iconic as it gets. His post-fight interview with the torn lip was like the cherry on top, making the UFC 189 co-main event one of the most memorable fights of all time.

    John McCarthy had the privilege of witnessing this action more closely than anyone else in the world as the referee. However, he’s now revealed a shocking concern as the welterweights continued damaging each other for five rounds…

    “Big” John McCarthy Explains Rory MacDonald’s Life-Threatening Condition When Fighting Robbie Lawler At UFC 189

    McCarthy recently appeared on Tim Welch’s YouTube channel for an episode of Red Hawk Recap. When asked about the hardest fight to ref, he remembered a random heavyweight bout involving an intentional groin shot.

    However, the conversation turned serious when McCarthy expressed his concerns about MacDonald aspirating blood during his fight against Robbie Lawler at UFC 189. Due to the severe nose blockage, “The Red King” couldn’t breathe properly and his blood was sticking to his lungs which could’ve been fatal if not diagnosed properly.

    “I had that with Rory MacDonald with Robbie Lawler. And a lot of people look at that fight, they love the fight. It was an incredible fight, but if you look at it, Rory is dying! During parts of that fight, based upon he’s aspirating blood. which means he’s starting to have the blood stick into his lungs. He’s not swallowing it, he’s breathing it in and now it’s taking his lungs’ ability to dissipate the oxygen.”

    “Big” further explained his dilemma as MacDonald would always be off to a good start after the one-minute rest between rounds. He would then be fatigued for obvious reasons towards the end of these rounds but because this was a title fight, the veteran referee couldn’t make up his mind about stopping it.

    “He would come out every round, just like they normally do and he would do well based upon he now has oxygen. He’s had that minute rest, now that he gets a little tired, now he’s starting to suck air because he can’t breathe through his nose. And he’s starting to breathe through his mouth and now he’s starting to fall off the cliff. But now it gets to the end of the round, all right, he’s made it. Let’s try to see if we can go to the next one. But those are the ones to me that are scary.”

    McCarthy shockingly revealed that during the fight, he was worried about entering the club of referees who’ve had fatal incidents occur inside the ring while they’re refereeing.

    Luckily, the inhuman brawl against Lawler didn’t affect MacDonald in the ways that McCarthy feared. He competed for seven more years and even won a championship in Bellator.

    READ MORE: Prominent MMA Manager Feels Dana White Has Been ‘Playing’ Media With Jon Jones P4P Talk

  • Max Holloway Projects Khalil Rountree To Stop Alex Pereira’s Leg Kicks In Jon Jones Style At UFC 307

    Max Holloway Projects Khalil Rountree To Stop Alex Pereira’s Leg Kicks In Jon Jones Style At UFC 307

    The hype for UFC 307 headlining Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree is steadily rising as the event approaches. Although it is also being called a mismatch because of rankings, the possibility of witnessing a huge upset has many fans on the edge of their seats.

    Underdogs have performed significantly well against UFC champions lately. Be it Leon Edwards against Kamaru Usman, Belal Muhammad against Edwards, or Sean Strickland against Israel Adesanya, there are plenty of recent examples where viewers were shocked by how a fight played out.

    To pull off an upset at UFC 307, Rountree will likely have to deal with Pereira’s leg kicks that have troubled all his past opponents. According to Max Holloway, here’s how the title challenger will avoid getting his legs compromised by the champion…

    Max Holloway Claims Khalil Rountree Has The Tools To Stop Alex Pereira’s Leg Kicks At UFC 307

    Holloway discussed the UFC 307 main event on his YouTube channel recently. “Blessed” believes the Brazilian to be an unstoppable force at light heavyweight and is curious to see whether the latter can break Ronda Rousey’s record for the shortest time between three UFC title defenses.

    Despite understanding why “Poatan” is a huge favorite, Holloway pointed out that the UFC 307 main event could be a much closer fight than it seems. Rountree’s losses to Ion Cuțelaba and Johnny Walker have naturally hurt his brand, but Holloway still considers him a threat.

    “We saw Khalil Rountree. We saw his ups and downs, his losses. He did lose to some guys that he should have probably never lost to but this, this mother sucker brother, he’s an animal bro. He’s just violence bro. And these two guys is just going to be, it’s going to be a violent fight bro. The biggest question is, it’s going to be, I already know what Khalil is going to do. I tell you guys this much, Khalil Rountree is going to try and stop Alex’s leg kick with that front, like, oblique kick. I’m telling you, the one that he’s done, stomped that guy’s knee out of his socket.”

    While predicting the fight to be violent, Holloway mentioned Rountree’s ability to throw dangerous oblique kicks. “The War Horse” started his ongoing five-fight win streak in the UFC by breaking Modestas Bukauskas’ knee with a perfectly executed oblique kick. The fight had to be stopped instantly as it was evident Bukauskas had a displaced knee.

    The former UFC featherweight champion believes that such perfectly timed oblique kicks could be game-changing for Rountree at UFC 307. Jon Jones has popularized this controversial yet effective move over the years. The light heavyweight GOAT has bothered most of his opponents with it, including Quinton Jackson, Alexander Gustafsson, and Thiago Santos.

    Will Rountree surprise Pereira with the kickboxing tools in his arsenal or “Poatan” knock out the challenger cold with ease yet again at UFC 307?

  • MMA Analyst Highlights Tom Aspinall’s ‘Biggest Issue’ & It’s Not Less Cage Time

    MMA Analyst Highlights Tom Aspinall’s ‘Biggest Issue’ & It’s Not Less Cage Time

    Tom Aspinall would be eagerly waiting for UFC 309 featuring Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic as the main event. He’ll either get the chance to grab the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship as the backup fighter, or at the very least, he’ll know who to fight for it in the future.

    Aspinall’s run in the UFC and even his pro MMA career stand out instantly. He’s won all 15 of his MMA fights via a finish and has never entered the third round in his career.

    Till now, Aspinall has proved that he’s miles ahead of every other heavyweight fighter on the planet. While many believe that the lack of cage time and never facing adversity could backfire on the interim champ, MMA analyst Luke Thomas identifies a bigger hole in his game…

    Luke Thomas Shares ‘Bigger Concerns’ With Tom Aspinall Than Short Octagon Fight Time

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

    On his YouTube channel, Thomas recently discussed Aspinall’s unstoppable rise in the UFC heavyweight division. Contrary to popular opinion, he stated that even if the interim UFC heavyweight champion runs into someone who’ll last more than two rounds, he won’t be bothered as much by things like cardio or lack of experience.

    Instead, according to Thomas, Aspinall’s striking defense could lead to his first UFC loss. He pointed out how the English fighter keeps his chin up while striking and he gets hit frequently which isn’t ideal at heavyweight for obvious reasons.

    So, Aspinall’s head placement and range management in the pocket concerns Thomas about his future in the UFC. Currently, he compensates for these shortcomings through his striking speed and movement. However, if a fight goes longer and he slows down, opponents might find his chin as well.

    “My hunch is that that’s [less cage time] probably not going to be his biggest issue,” Thomas continued, “The bigger issue to me, though, like the one that shows up right away is his striking defense. His striking offense, his ability to connect, his power, his ability to cover distance, his speed is such a weapon that he can just land on anybody so quickly so incredibly. But he gets hit! And he’s got some bad habits about head position in the pocket where with what they call head slot. What slots he occupies -there’s A,B, and C slots. He, you know, his chin is kind of like, this, up, a lot of times. Those to me are bigger concerns. Because yes, if he slows down, then that could be a problem but it would actually only magnify the other part which is that there are defensive striking issues.”

    Aspinall has already beaten most of the top-ranked UFC heavyweights effortlessly. This explains why fans expect him to take on veterans like Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic who might survive the early onslaught and give the interim champ a run for his money.

  • UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs

    UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs

    We’re deep into UFC 307 fight week, meaning it was recently time for the fighters set to be in action on October 5 to take to the stage and answer some questions.

    The MMA leader’s latest numbered event takes place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, where the main attraction will see UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira put his belt on the line against Khalil Rountree.

    Setting the stage for the headliners will be another title fight, with reigning bantamweight queen Raquel Pennington looking to record a first successful defense at the expense of returning former champ Julianna Peña.

    Also on pay-per-view will be UFC legend José Aldo, who will kickstart his new contract against rising bantamweight Mario Bautista, as well as two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, who makes her second Octagon appearance opposite Ketlen Vieira.

    The main card will also see the always entertaining Kevin Holland making the walk, as he shoots for the middleweight top 10 against Roman Dolidze.

    As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the pre-fight press conference. The UFC 307 edition saw every fighter set to make the walk on the main card in two days’ time with mic in hand.

    Check out a full replay of the presser below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, followed by all the highlights and faceoffs.

    UFC 307 Pre-Fight Press Conference Stream

    UFC 307 Press Conference Highlights

    UFC 307 Press Conference Faceoffs

  • Israel Adesanya Explains Effectiveness Of Alex Pereira’s Unorthodox ‘Hammer’ Leg Kicks

    Israel Adesanya Explains Effectiveness Of Alex Pereira’s Unorthodox ‘Hammer’ Leg Kicks

    Israel Adesanya recently shed light on the potency of Alex Pereira’s unconventional leg kicks.

    If there’s anyone who truly understands the intricacies of Pereira’s fighting style, it’s “The Stylebender”. These two have shared the stage in one of combat sports’ most legendary rivalries. Having faced off four times—twice in kickboxing and twice in the UFC—Pereira holds the upper hand with a 3-1 lead over Adesanya.

    Adesanya is only all too familiar with the devastating impact of Pereira’s strikes, particularly his infamous leg kicks, which have earned widespread acclaim for their potency.

    Even MMA icons like Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan have praised the brutal effectiveness of Pereira’s leg kicks, recognizing just how destructive they can be.

    Adesanya understands better than most that Pereira’s crushing power isn’t confined to his fists alone. Though his nickname “Poatan” means “Stone Hands,” the Brazilian’s leg kicks are equally as destructive.

    Adesanya Admits ‘It’s A Different Feeling’ When Pereira’s Leg Kicks Connect

    During a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, “The Last Stylebender” reflected on his UFC clashes with Pereira. Adesanya specifically revisited their encounter at UFC 281, where he lost his middleweight crown to “Poatan.” He noted that he was in control for the first two rounds, but once Pereira unleashed his brutal leg kicks, the momentum shifted.

    The former two-time 185-pound champion elaborated on the mechanics behind Pereira’s striking, highlighting how he executes such devastating blows. Adesanya likened the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion’s forefoot to a hammer.

    “That f**king leg kick, bro,” Adesanya said. “You know what it is. If you look at this bit of his foot [forefoot], it’s like a hammer, like the back of a hammer because that’s what he kicks you with, so he doesn’t have to turn the hip over. And when he hits you with that, even because of his bone density and long legs, when he hits you with that, you just feel it like, ‘Oo, that’s bad.’”

    “It’s a different feeling because I’ve been kicked by kickboxers all my life on the thigh and on the calf as well, but when he hits you with that bit, it’s just the surface so small, it travels and transfers through your whole calf, and you’re like, ‘Oh, I can’t put weight on this.’”

    “Poatan” is set to defend his championship against Khalil Rountree in the main event of UFC 307, taking place this weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Pereira enters this matchup on a high, following his stunning second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 this past June.

    • Read More: Israel Adesanya Believes Alex Pereira Will Finish Khalil Rountree At UFC 307
  • Prominent MMA Manager Feels Dana White Has Been ‘Playing’ Media With Jon Jones P4P Talk

    Prominent MMA Manager Feels Dana White Has Been ‘Playing’ Media With Jon Jones P4P Talk

    Renowned MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz recently asserted that he believes Dana White has been manipulating the media with his steadfast endorsement of Jon Jones’ status in the UFC pound-for-pound (P4P) rankings.

    White has dedicated a tremendous investment of effort in the past few months to championing Jones as the definitive leader in any conversation about the greatest P4P fighter in the world.

    The UFC CEO has been observed passionately debating with MMA journalists at multiple press conferences, reiterating his stance that ‘Bones’ rightfully claims the pinnacle position. This assertion is based not only on Jones’ reign of dominance in the UFC’s light heavyweight division throughout his career but also on his successful ascent to the heavyweight.

    Numerous voices within the MMA community have sought to challenge White’s claim by pointing to Jones’ inactivity in the Octagon, contending that reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev should be recognized as the rightful leader in the rankings. However, the UFC boss maintains that Makhachev still has much to achieve and may need to wait for Jones to retire to reach that esteemed status.

    Nonetheless, Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, argues that White’s fervent advocacy for Jones is merely a marketing strategy.

    Abdelaziz Says White Is Fostering Hype For Jones vs Miocic With P4P Narrative

    During a recent interview with MMA reporter Kevin Iole, Abdelaziz discussed Makhachev’s potential timeline for a return. However, the dialogue swiftly pivoted to White’s unwavering support for “Bones” as the greatest P4P fighter of all time.

    The Dominance MMA founder advocated for his client, asserting that Makhachev is the rightful kingpin of the rankings while also claiming that the UFC head honcho is merely leveraging debates about Jones to promote his return to the Octagon.

    “He [Makhachev] is the pound-for-pound #1 fighter in the world,” Abdelaziz said. “Dana can say whatever he wants, but Dana is one of the greatest promoters. We know Jon Jones is fighting Stipe [Miocic] next month. I don’t know if people care about this fight, but this is why Dana is the best because he knows how to rile people up…like he’s been playing with you guys [media].”

    “Bones” is set to defend his undisputed title against Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, scheduled for November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This matchup marks Jones’ return to the Octagon after an injury-plagued hiatus of approximately 18 months following his victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.