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Category: UFC

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

  • UFC Vet ‘Feels Bad’ For Those Sharing A Division With Kayla Harrison: ‘I Don’t Think Anybody Has A Chance’

    UFC Vet ‘Feels Bad’ For Those Sharing A Division With Kayla Harrison: ‘I Don’t Think Anybody Has A Chance’

    A longtime UFC fan favorite is high on Kayla Harrison, so much so that he doesn’t see anybody in the bantamweight division being able to beat her.

    Harrison, a two-time title winner under the PFL banner, will feature on the main card of this weekend’s UFC 307 pay-per-view in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she’s set to make her second outing inside the Octagon.

    After establishing herself as a dominant force outside MMA’s leading promotion, Harrison got her pursuit of gold in the UFC underway in strong fashion this past April with a submission win over former champ Holly Holm.

    To secure a likely title shot down the line, the 34-year-old former judoka is next tasked with getting the better of #2-ranked contender Ketlen Vieira in the “Beehive State.”

    And by the sounds of things, recently retired UFC veteran Matt Brown has little doubt about who will have their hand raised in that matchup…

    Brown On Harrison Joining BW Division: ‘If I’m The Champion, I’m Retiring’

    During the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer, Brown discussed Harrison’s successful arrival into the UFC women’s bantamweight division earlier this year.

    Having seen the manner with which the Ohio native dispatched Holm, “The Immortal” doesn’t see anybody on the roster at 135 pounds capable of halting Harrison’s charge.

    “I feel bad for the girls in that division. If Iā€™m the champion, Iā€™m retiring. If Iā€™m Raquel Pennington or Iā€™m Julianna PeƱa and I win the fight, Iā€™m out. Iā€™m pulling anĀ Eddie BravoĀ here. Win the big one and Iā€™m done,” Brown said. “I wasnā€™t quite as big of a believer until the way I watched her beat Holly Holm. Because I just didnā€™t know about the weight cut, and how she was going to perform (after) the weight cut, and sometimes people change when they come to the UFC. Theyā€™re just not what we thought they were when they were in a different organization.

    “I think she answered every question very clearly. Sheā€™s going to come in, and I donā€™t think anybody has a chance against her,” Brown continued. “Weā€™re on the way to the Kayla Harrison era. I think she wrecks everybody in that division, including Amanda if she comes back. I donā€™t think anybody stands a chance against Kayla. I think she is a major problem for everybody in there. … She is an absolute terror for this division.”

    Harrison will look to prove Brown right come fight night in Salt Lake City this weekend, when she shares the card with another “terror” in UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira.

    The pair recently got familiar with one another on the mats, with Harrison teaching “Poatan” some judo moves. Her ability to take the Brazilian down is perhaps strong evidence for Brown’s prediction of dominance for the two-time Olympic gold medalist at 135 pounds.

  • Chael Sonnen: Khalil Rountree Won’t ‘Wilt’ To ‘Mike Tyson-esque Fear Factor’ Alex Pereira Has

    Chael Sonnen: Khalil Rountree Won’t ‘Wilt’ To ‘Mike Tyson-esque Fear Factor’ Alex Pereira Has

    Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen doesn’t think Khalil Rountree will be buying into the reputation that precedes Alex Pereira whenever he enters the Octagon.

    Rountree is days away from the biggest fight of his career to date, as he gears up to headline a pay-per-view and compete with gold on the line for the very first time at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    If “The War Horse” is to continue his winning form all the way to the light heavyweight throne, he’ll have to unseat Pereira. That’s a task that former champions Jamahal Hill and JiÅ™Ć­ ProchĆ”zkaĀ have both failed to achieve in 2024.

    Destructive performances against “Sweet Dreams” and “BJP” have only enhanced Pereira’s status as one of the promotion’s most feared knockout artists.

    But when it comes to how opponents handle such a reputation, Sonnen doesn’t expect Rountree to be one who “wilts” come fight night…

    Sonnen: Rountree A ‘Real Problem’ For Pereira

    During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Sonnen reiterated his belief that an upset could be brewing in Salt Lake City.

    In part, that’s down to the mindset of Rountree. According to “The American Gangster,” the challenger won’t crumble to the “fear factor” Pereira has developed in the way that others in the division would.

    “I’m telling you, Daniel, every upset has a couple of commonalities. This fight, you’ve got to keep your eyes on it,” Sonnen said. “Number one battle Khalil’s got is to show up and fight. Pereira’s gonna get to a point where guys don’t do that.

    “Pereira is entering that Mike Tyson-esque fear factor, where guys are going to wilt in the back. I just don’t believe that’s Khalil,” Sonnen continued. “I think Khalil’s got one more good one in him. I think he can overcome this, and I think he is a real problem for Pereira.”

    Rountree’s history of violent knockouts may also have created a “fear factor” behind his own striking game. And that might especially be the case for kickboxing standouts given “The War Horse’s” habit of stalling their charges inside the cage.

    It remains to be seen whether history will repeat itself in that regard this Saturday.

  • Dana Whiteā€™s Contender Series Season 8, Week 8 Highlights As 5 Prospects Secure Contracts

    Dana Whiteā€™s Contender Series Season 8, Week 8 Highlights As 5 Prospects Secure Contracts

    The latest season of Dana Whiteā€™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 yearā€™s edition saw 46 fighters bag a deal with the sportā€™s premier promotion across 10 events, up on the 43 from 2022. Through seven episodes of season eight, 29 prospects moved a step closer to their title dreams on MMAā€™s biggest stage.

    And the eighth added another five talents to the UFC roster. That included Kazakhstan’s Diyar Nurgozhay, who delivered the highlight of the night by knocking out Bartosz Szewczyk in the final fight.

    There were three other finishes on the card, all of which earned the victors contracts. Torrez Finney secured his at the third time of trying after stopping Abdellah Er-Ramy with strikes in round one. While Jacobe Smith delivered a similar TKO to open the card, the highly touted Alberto Montes locked in an anaconda choke to put Carlos Calderon away by way of submission.

    David Martinez’s win came in the only bout that required the scorecards, but that didn’t stop him from joining sister Melissa Martinez on the UFC roster.

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

    Jacobe SmithĀ Def.Ā Christien SavoieĀ Via TKO (Strikes): R2, 2:55

    Torrez FinneyĀ Def.Ā Abdellah Er-RamyĀ Via TKO (Punches): R1, 4:10

    David MartinezĀ Def.Ā Xavier FranklinĀ Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

    Alberto MontesĀ Def.Ā Carlos CalderonĀ Via Submission (Anaconda Choke): R2, 2:38

    Diyar NurgozhayĀ Def.Ā Bartosz SzewczykĀ Via KO (Head Kick): R2, 3:32

  • Jon Jones’ Coach On Not Fighting Tom Aspinall Next: ‘Stipe Miocic Deserves Betterā€¦’

    Jon Jones’ Coach On Not Fighting Tom Aspinall Next: ‘Stipe Miocic Deserves Betterā€¦’

    Jon Jones’ coach, Greg Jackson, recently explained why his star pupil is slated to face Stipe Miocic next rather than Tom Aspinall.

    “Bones” is preparing for what could be both the first and final defense of his undisputed heavyweight title as he faces former champion Miocic in the headlining bout of UFC 309. The highly anticipated showdown is set for November 16 at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    This matchup has been a priority for Jones since his heavyweight debut in March 2023. Heā€™s even considered retiring after potentially defeating Miocic, widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight champion.

    The Jones vs. Miocic matchup has faced considerable backlash from the MMA community, with many arguing that interim heavyweight champion Aspinall, who is also the backup fighter, is the rightful challenger.

    Some have even suggested that Jones should remain available after UFC 309 for a title unification bout. However, “Bones” has consistently dismissed the prospect, making it clear he has no interest in facing Aspinall.

    Jackson Defends Jones vs. Miocic Matchup: ‘It’s Really Two Legends Fighting Each Other’

    During a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast, Jackson was prompted to shed light on Jones’ fervor to face Miocic next, rather than focusing on rising contenders like Aspinall or Curtis Blaydes.

    The Jackson’s MMA Acoma founder elaborated that this fight represents a legacy moment for “Bones.” He emphasized that while there will always be emerging challengers, the upcoming bout at UFC 309 is a legendary clash aimed at determining who truly stands out among the elite.

    “I think because Stipe is so legendaryā€”I mean, the guy’s one of the best heavyweights,” Jackson said. “You could argue he’s one of the best heavyweights everā€”so I think that’s the challenge that Jon needs because there’s always going to be young guys coming up, there’s always going to be a new phenom, and there’s always going to be another guy that’s like, ‘Oh, this guy’s super tough.’ So I think the attraction for Jon in that is it’s really two legends fighting each other.”

    Jackson further emphasized that Jones has accomplished so much in his career that he no longer feels the need to validate himself against any competitor; he can choose whoever he wants to fight.

    “At this point in Jon’s career, he doesn’t need to fight; he could stop today and be fine. But I think that gets him up for Stipeā€”the idea of Stipe and how great he is, and how tough he is, and to compete against that. I think he’s looking for a legacy thing, in my opinion… I do know that we had this fight locked up before any of that drama happened, so to me, it would be a terrible move to tell Stipe, ‘Oh, never mind, we’re not gonna fight you after all; we’re gonna go after this guy.’ I mean, Stipe deserves better than that. He’s not only a great fighter but also a great guy.”

    Jones was last active when he captured the heavyweight title by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. He was scheduled to fight Miocic at UFC 295 last November, but “Bones” was forced to withdraw just days before the bout due to a pectoral injury.

  • Israel Adesanya Opens Up On Viral Car Altercation: ‘Within An Hour I Found Out Where He Livedā€¦’

    Israel Adesanya Opens Up On Viral Car Altercation: ‘Within An Hour I Found Out Where He Livedā€¦’

    Israel Adesanya recently broke his silence on the viral confrontation he had with a passerby on the streets of Auckland, New Zealand.

    Last month, a video emerged on social media showing the former UFC middleweight champion in an intense exchange with an individual on the streets. The confrontation quickly escalated into a heated, expletive-filled argument, during which Adesanya could be seen spitting in the direction of the person.

    While the exact cause of the wrangle remains unclear, TMZ reported that the unidentified individual in the video approached “The Last Stylebender” as he was parking his vehicle on K Rd. The person allegedly hurled the N-word at the UFC superstar and even challenged him to a fight. Fortunately, the situation didnā€™t escalate into a physical confrontation.

    Picking a fight with a trained MMA fighterā€”especially someone of Adesanya’s caliberā€”would be a terrible decision for any ordinary person. If the Nigerian-born Kiwi had chosen to, he could have easily wiped the floor with the heckler.

    However, “The Last Stylebender” had a very specific reason for holding back and choosing not to engage physically with the individual.

    Adesanya Reveals He Avoided Escalating Confrontation With Heckler To Prevent Street Violence

    During a recent appearance on the Adam Carolla Show, Adesanya recounted the now-viral street encounter with the provocateur. The Auckland native explained that he was making a quick stop at an eatery when the individual suddenly confronted him, challenging him to a fightā€”a move Adesanya suspects was a setup.

    “The Last Stylebender” remained relatively composed and didnā€™t take the situation too seriously but admitted that if the person had invaded his personal space, he would have been forced to defend himself. However, he held back, explaining that the tragic death of his City Kickboxing teammate, Fau Vake, who was killed in a senseless road rage incident in 2021, made him determined not to let the situation escalate into violence.

    “When he pulled up in front of the car, I was just like, ‘Okay, if this guy breaches my [space], then I have to attack him,’” Adesanya said. “But I had a good day; I was in a good mental space, and I gave him a lot of grace because one of our teammates, Fau Vake, got killed by senseless street violence. He got coward-punched by a d*ckhead, and he’s dead now. So in the moment, I knew if I hit this guy, he’s going to hit his head because it’s a sloped street. He’s going to fall down, hit his head on the concrete, and probably bleed out.”

    Adesanya further mentioned that he never took the individual seriously from the start of their verbal exchange, admitting he found the entire situation amusing and couldn’t help but chuckle throughout the encounter.

    “”I was like, what the f**k, and I was laughing, so I think me laughing kind of p*ssed him off. Then him flexing and all thatā€”look, within an hour I found out where he lived. It’s my city, but again, I think Karma will get him.”

    “The Last Stylebender” is enduring the most difficult stretch of his career, having faced consecutive losses for the first time. Adesanya’s effort to reclaim the UFC middleweight title fell short against reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis, succumbing to a fourth-round submission at UFC 305 in August.

  • CSAC Release Video Featuring Urijah Faber On New MMA Rules From November 1

    CSAC Release Video Featuring Urijah Faber On New MMA Rules From November 1

    The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) recently teamed up with UFC veteran Urijah Faber and seasoned referee Mike Beltran to demonstrate the upcoming MMA rule changes, which are set to take effect in fights starting November 1.

    In July, the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC) officially lifted the ban on twelve-to-six (12-6) elbow strikes, alongside revising the definition of a “grounded opponent” under the MMA Unified Rules.

    In the video, Faber, alongside another fighter, demonstrated how the updated definition of a “downed” opponent affects the legality of kicks and knees to the head. Under the new Unified Rules, a fighter is considered groundedā€”and thus protected from head strikes by knees or kicksā€”when any part of their body, aside from their hands or feet, touches the mat.

    Previously, a fighter was considered grounded if they had at least one hand on the mat, along with any other part of their body, and were also making contact with the floor.

    Later in the clip, Beltran explained the changes to what were once considered illegal elbow strikes. Under the new rules, the 12-6 elbow strike is now permitted in fights. This move is defined as a “straight up, straight down” motion targeting a grounded opponent. It involves the fighter raising their arm to the 12 o’clock position and driving it down forcefully in a vertical line to the 6 o’clock position.

    One of the most famous examples of a fight being stopped due to 12-6 elbows occurred during Jon Jones’ bout with Matt Hamill on The Ultimate Fighter season 10 in December 2009.

    In the final moments of round one, “Bones” unleashed the controversial strikes on Hamill, leading referee Steve Mazzagatti to step in and stop the fight. The disqualification resulted in what remains the only mark on Jones’ otherwise unblemished record.

    • Read More: Daniel Cormier Explains Why He Opposes 12-6 Elbows: ā€˜The Moment We Start Opening Those Rulesā€¦ā€™

  • Khalil Rountree Wants To Honor Murdered Father’s Name At UFC 307

    Khalil Rountree Wants To Honor Murdered Father’s Name At UFC 307

    Khalil Rountree Jr. recently shared his determination to pay tribute to his late father by securing a victory at UFC 307.

    “The War Horse” has a chance to bring his dreams to life as he prepares to challenge reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira this weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Rountree Jr. has been a fixture on the UFC roster since 2016, delivering numerous highlight-reel performances. However, many MMA fans may not be familiar with his personal journey. The Ultimate Fighter season 23 alum carries a legacy tied to his father, Roderick Khalil Rountree, who was a road manager for the iconic music group Boyz II Men.

    Tragically, in May 1992, when “The War Horse” was just two years old, his father was murdered by three armed robbers at the Gold Coast hotel in Chicago.

    The unfortunate demise of his father cast a shadow over Rountree Jr.’s early years, leading him down a dark path of substance abuse that nearly cost him his life. Struggling to cope, he seemed headed for self-destruction before discovering MMA, which became the key to turning his life around.

    Rountree Fights To Honor His Father & Sees UFC Title As Perfect Tribute

    During a recent interview with New York Post Sports, Rountree Jr., revealed that his path into fighting was driven by a deep need to pay tribute to his late father. The Californian expressed that this title shot is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work and dedication. He sees this opportunity as a moment to bring new honor to his familyā€™s legacy, especially in memory of his father.

    “I think, for me, itā€™s everything that Iā€™ve worked for, really. Not knowing my dad growing up, but knowing what happened to him,” Rountree Jr. said. “I always just wanted to ā€” or, not always, but there came a time, especially when I started fighting, that I wanted to honor him and make something of myself so that I can imagine him looking down and being proud.”

    “Like ‘wow, my son was this kid that had no courage and locked himself inside his room’ to ā€” ‘wow, this guyā€™s fighting lions in the cage for a world championship.’ So itā€™s really big, and Iā€™m so excited for this moment and just to be able to be in this situation to bring more honor and more light to the work that my father did and also the work that Iā€™ve put in.”

    “The War Horse” is currently on an impressive five-fight winning streak, with his last appearance in the Octagon being a third-round knockout of Anthony Smith in December 2023. Rountree Jr. faced a setback this past May when he was handed a 4.5-month ban after testing positive for a steroid hormone. However, the suspension was lifted on September 18.

    • Read More: Chael Sonnen Explains Why Upset Could Be ā€˜Brewingā€™ In Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree At UFC 307
  • ‘They Don’t Want One More Belt To Go To Dagestan’ – Fans React After Highlight Reel Disproves “Poatan” Calling Ankalaev ‘Boring’

    ‘They Don’t Want One More Belt To Go To Dagestan’ – Fans React After Highlight Reel Disproves “Poatan” Calling Ankalaev ‘Boring’

    The UFC light heavyweight title is on the line this weekend in UFC 307 but to the surprise of some fans, it will not be Magomed Ankalaev serving as the challenger.

    Instead, Alex Pereira will be defending his title against the #8-ranked Khalil Rountree in a clash of two of the division’s most exciting strikers.

    Though there’s an argument to be made for Rountree being more active and coming into the fight on a great run of finishes, many expected Ankalaev to be the one standing opposite Pereira at UFC 307.

    The #2-ranked contender is unbeaten since his UFC debut back in 2018 but will instead be facing Aleksandar Rakić later this month at UFC 308.

    Those who agree with the decision to book Rountree as the next challenger, instead, will often divert to the argument that Ankalaev isn’t the most exciting fighter to watch, a point that Pereira has also made in the past.

    MMA Fans React To Magomed Ankalaev’s Underrated UFC Highlight Reel

    A video posted on social media showcased some of Ankalaev’s finishes inside the Octagon as proof that he isn’t the boring fighter that Pereira has labelled him as.

    For a Russian contender that has a strong grappling game, he isn’t afraid to strike with his opponents and has always been a dangerous fighter on the feet.

    In fact, 10 of his 18 wins as a pro are by knockout with 6 coming in the UFC.

    The video shows some stellar finishes including his latest win over Johnny Walker and the front kick that he landed against Dalcha Lungiambula back in 2019.

    MMA fans reacted to the highlight reel on social media and the mislabeling of Ankalaev’s style as ‘boring’.

    “UFC is saving Pereira from Ankalaev .. more like they donā€™t want one more belt to go Dagestan ..!”

    “Honestly ankalaev is far from boring, not sure how that narrative got placed on him”

    https://twitter.com/blondedmma/status/1840825715786178940

    “Third most KO in LHW history, great striker who refuses to wrestle most of the time. Anyone who says heā€™s boring is just biased against DGestanis”

    “I think when people say boring, theyā€™re referring to his personality. idk”

    “People see the beard and assume another Kahbib clone.”

    Read also: Chael Sonnen Explains Why Upset Could Be ā€˜Brewingā€™ In Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

  • Renato Moicano Placed In Same Conversation As McGregor, Adesanya, & O’Malley: ‘He’s Doing That Good Of A Jobā€¦’

    Renato Moicano Placed In Same Conversation As McGregor, Adesanya, & O’Malley: ‘He’s Doing That Good Of A Jobā€¦’

    At 35-years old, Renato Moicano is on the best run of his career and really seems to have hit his stride in the lightweight division.

    The Brazilian has been a member of the UFC roster since 2014 and has stepped foot inside the Octagon 17 times, but it’s really in the last couple years that he has emerged as a major player.

    His latest appearance this past weekend saw him compete in his first main event where he delivered his most impressive display to date, stopping BenoƮt Saint-Denis in Paris before the third round could get underway.

    As he looks to secure a huge fight next time out, Moicano’s stock is only continuing to climb but the question is how much further can it go?

    Chael Sonnen Says Renato Moicano Is Capturing The Attention Of The Fans Like A Superstar Does

    Moicano’s profile has also increased because alongside this current run of form, his personality has really started to come across on the mic.

    Whether it’s in post-fight interviews or his YouTube content, the “Money” Moicano persona is that larger-than-life personality that is going to turn heads.

    Of course, none of that matters if you aren’t backing it up inside the cage and he’s covering that base very effectively.

    During a recent episode of the Good Guy / Bad Guy show on ESPN MMA, Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen reviewed all the action from Paris.

    Sonnen, who was extremely impressed by Moicano and knows a thing or two about getting over on the mic, said that the Brazilian is capturing that star quality which is a rare occurrence in MMA.

    “Moicano is just covering all aspects of this sport. You generally can only monetize one thing. Your only commodity that you offer the sport is your performance but there is other opportunities if you can find them and that’s where Moicano, “Suga” Sean, Izzy Adesanya, for example, these guys have found another way. Conor McGregor. That’s a very elite company and to put Moicano’s name in the same conversation as Izzy and Conor and Sean, Daniel, I’m not out of bounds here, he’s doing that good of a job.”

    Read also: Renato Moicano Plans To Prove Heā€™s The Best UFC Lightweight: ā€˜Even If Khabib Comes Backā€¦ā€™ 

  • Alex Pereira On Difference Between Past Fights & UFC 307: ‘Now I Understand This Game’Ā 

    Alex Pereira On Difference Between Past Fights & UFC 307: ‘Now I Understand This Game’Ā 

    He may have already achieved champion status in two UFC divisions and continues to rule over the light heavyweight class through two successful defenses, but Alex Pereira insists he is still continuing to evolve as a mixed martial artist.

    Since a brief reign at middleweight, Pereira has emphatically conquered some of the top names at 205 pounds. In four fights, “Poatan” has defeated three former champions in Jan Błachowicz, JiÅ™Ć­ ProchĆ”zka, and Jamahal Hill.

    And after successfully retaining possession of the belt on two occasions this year thus far, Pereira will return for his third defense at UFC 307 in Utah this weekend, where the challenge of Khalil Rountree awaits him.

    Having held titles in two weight classes and established himself as a top name toward the top of the pound-for-pound ladder, some would be forgiven for forgetting that Pereira is just 13 fights and four committed years into his MMA career.

    With that in mind, the Brazilian’s success has come alongside his continued growth in the sport. And as he approaches his latest outing in the cage, a further evolved “Poatan” is feeling better than ever.

    Pereira Touts ‘Significant Strides’ In UFC 307 Camp

    During episode one of the UFC 307 Embedded: Vlog Series, Pereira looked ahead to his third Octagon outing in quick succession.

    While he’s not had much time to breathe between defenses in 2024, the Brazilian kickboxing specialist and his team have still spoken highly about the progress made behind the scenes.

    And in that regard, “Poatan” has seemingly had his best camp to date.

    “This camp I’ve made significant strides in my overall progress and my preparation,” Pereira said. “Like I said to Glover, ‘Now I understand this game.’ And he replied, ‘I can see that.’ So it seems like something has clicked. I feel very confident and great.

    Pereira will look to show those improvements come fight night in the “Beehive State” this weekend, where yet another successful title defense in 2024 could leave his case for Fighter of the Year undeniable.

  • Daniel Cormier Admits He ‘Preferred’ That UFC Paris Fighter Suffered Brutal Knockout Rather Than Decision Loss

    Daniel Cormier Admits He ‘Preferred’ That UFC Paris Fighter Suffered Brutal Knockout Rather Than Decision Loss

    There were some huge highlights from the UFC’s return to Paris this past weekend but none caught the eye as much as the main card opener.

    Fares Ziam has continued to improve during his time on the roster but on home soil, he secured his biggest win and highlight to date.

    The French fighter was dominant against Matt Frevola but sealed his fourth consecutive win in the lightweight division with a devastating knee.

    Frevola knew that he needed to try and make something big happen to turn the fight around and as a result, was knocked out inside the Accor Arena.

    Daniel Cormier Says He Would Prefer What Happened To Matt Frevola Over Decision Verdict

    In their recap of the weekend’s action, Daniel Cormier had a bold take on this fight during the latest episode of ESPN MMA’s Good Guy / Bad Guy with Chael Sonnen.

    “DC” made a point to say that he likes when corners are honest with their fighters about how the fight is going, which is a fair observation to make regarding this bout.

    “Every time a guy’s losing two rounds to zero Chael and sometimes the coach goes, ‘Oh it might be one-to-one, it’s very close.’ And then there’s the other coach that goes, ‘You’re down two, we got to finish this guy.’ And I’m like, that’s the coach I love. I love that he tells his guy the truth.”

    However, where some people may disagree with Cormier’s approach is him stating that he would prefer what happened in this fight over Frevola losing the third round and therefore the decision.

    “I prefer what happened to Frevola than him going out there and just losing by decision and really not showing no oomph.”

    Of course, showing desire to go out there and pull off the win is important but that also can lead to significant damage, like what happened with Frevola.

    He did try to go out there and make a big impact in the third and final round but as a result, he was knocked out cold rather than being on the wrong end of a decision.

    “Leaves openings, that happens, it is what it is, people get knocked out but you give yourself an opportunity because we have seen on so many different occasions where the guy overcomes and wins a third period to win the fight.”

    Read also: Raquel Pennington: UFC Staff Told Me They ā€˜Loveā€™ To See Julianna PeƱa Get Beat Up

  • Renato Moicano Plans To Prove He’s The Best UFC Lightweight: ‘Even If Khabib Comes Back…’Ā 

    Renato Moicano Plans To Prove He’s The Best UFC Lightweight: ‘Even If Khabib Comes Back…’Ā 

    UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano wants to make his case to be the best fighter at 155 pounds undeniable.

    Moicano advanced his ambitions on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage with a strong performance in Paris, France this past weekend, where he headlined in enemy territory opposite BenoĆ®t Saint Denis.

    The Brazilian got out the blocks fast, taking “God of War” down and inflicting a brutal beatdown on the Frenchman. While Saint Denis was able to enjoy a better second frame, the damage he sustained in round one was ultimately too much and led to the doctor’s stoppage.

    That result marked the latest triumph in a strong year for Moicano, who has defeated Drew Dober, Jalin Turner, and now Saint Denis since returning from injury.

    And with a title to win and a new house to pay for, the 35-year-old says not even a comeback from the division’s greatest could stall his surge…

    Moicano ‘Coming For The Gold’ After UFC Paris

    While appearing on ESPN MMA’s UFC Fight Night Post Show in Paris, Moicano reflected on his victory inside the Accor Arena and looked ahead to what could lie ahead of him at 155 pounds.

    The confident Brazilian reiterated his belief that his recent improvements have given him superiority over the entire division. And with his motivations branching beyond just a planned championship crowning, Moicano says he can’t be stopped.

    “I was expecting a complete beatdown like I did. … I don’t want to sound too cocky. But I have been training for that,” Moicano said. “You guys, be ready. ‘Money’ Moicano is coming for the gold. … Right now, I am the best 155er in the division. I just have to prove it.

    “I cannot afford to lose. I have a house to pay. … I want to see my kid grow in a great backyard with a pool,” Moicano continued. “Until the house is paid, until my debt is paid, I cannot afford to lose. It doesn’t matter even if Khabib will come back. I will beat Khabib.”

    It remains to be seen what will come next for Moicano, who hasn’t been rewarded with the kind of rank rise he expected as a result of his recent win.

    Despite remaining at #11 in the pecking order, though, the Brazilian believes he’s done enough to earn a potential title eliminator when he returns to action.

  • Former UFC Light Heavyweight Title Challenger Picks Between Alex Pereira & Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    Former UFC Light Heavyweight Title Challenger Picks Between Alex Pereira & Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    The main event of UFC 307 sees the return of one of the biggest stars in the sport today, light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

    “Poatan” has put on some incredible striking displays since moving up to 205-pounds and that’s sure to be the case once again in Salt Lake City this weekend.

    His challenger, Khalil Rountree, is also used to stopping his opponents with strikes when he steps inside the Octagon.

    We’re sure to get a high-level game of violent chess when these two ruthless fight finishers collide this Saturday night at the Delta Center.

    Volkan Oezdemir Backs Alex Pereira To Retain The Title This Weekend At UFC 307

    In a recent interview with Inside Fighting, former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir gave his quick thoughts on the main event match-up.

    Oezdemir fought for the title back in 2018, coming up short against Daniel Cormier after securing three big wins in the division to get a championship opportunity.

    “No Time” is currently ranked at #6 following back-to-back wins and could be back in the title picture if he’s able to stop the winning streak of Carlos Ulberg next month.

    He believes that the belt will stay with “Poatan” this weekend because he’s the more efficient and polished striker of the two.

    “I think Pereira for me is gonna take it. Rountree is dangerous but I think is a little bit too wild, you know, hooks and stuff. Pereira is more complete but it’s tough, it’s not going to go to the ground for sure. It’s going to be a war.”

    Oezdemir was also asked about Rountree’s game plan of standing and striking with Pereira, which he also believes makes the fight harder for the challenger.

    “Of course you want to go in the best department and I think the ground is the easiest way to take Alex Pereira.”

    Read also: Chael Sonnen Explains Why Upset Could Be ā€˜Brewingā€™ In Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

  • Raquel Pennington: UFC Staff Told Me They ‘Love’ To See Julianna PeƱa Get Beat Up

    Raquel Pennington: UFC Staff Told Me They ‘Love’ To See Julianna PeƱa Get Beat Up

    UFC bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington is excited to finally settle a long-standing score in her first title defence at UFC 307.

    Pennington and Julianna PeƱa first met back on The Ultimate Fighter many years ago where they were roommates during their time on the series.

    After growing to dislike one another, their paths somehow never crossed until this weekend in Salt Lake City.

    Though the champion has her own issues with PeƱa, it would appear that she isn’t the only one.

    Raquel Pennington Says Some People At The UFC Are Rooting Against Julianna PeƱa

    In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Pennington explained where some of her dislike of PeƱa comes from.

    The champ believes that her opponent hasn’t always earned the opportunities that she has been given and casts doubts on her credentials.

    As noted in the interview, the title challenger doesn’t have a win over anyone on the current roster because she’s been relatively inactive in recent years, aside from her fights with Amanda Nunes.

    When Pennington spoke about how the UFC are always looking to put together the biggest fights, she mentioned that some people within the promotion are rooting against her opponent this weekend.

    “I don’t understand how this girl can stay injured and then she comes back and all of a sudden she’s getting a big fight and then she’s injured and then she comes back and she’s getting something else and it’s like who’s managing you? Like what are you doing here? Whatever you’re doing, great, it’s working for you, congratulations, you had like whatever for yourself but it just doesn’t make sense to me and so I’m like alright. At the end of the day, UFC is going to do what UFC does and you know, I won’t say a name but some people in UFC have said like, ‘Hey, everybody loves watching Julianna get her a** beat for five rounds’, so why not?”

    Read also: Julianna PeƱa Gives Defiant Reaction To Underdog Status At UFC 307

  • Renato Moicano Explains Why Five Fighters Have No Business Being Higher Ranked Than Him After UFC Paris Win

    Renato Moicano Explains Why Five Fighters Have No Business Being Higher Ranked Than Him After UFC Paris Win

    Despite his dominant performance against BenoƮt Saint Denis in the main event this past weekend, Renato Moicano has been left unsatisfied.

    The lightweight contender earned his fourth consecutive win but did not move up in the rankings at 155-pounds.

    He came into the fight as the #11-ranked contender, facing Saint Denis who was one spot below him following his loss to Dustin Poirier early this year.

    “Money” Moicano is still sat on the fringes of the top 10 even after producing his best performance to date, and the Brazilian isn’t happy about that.

    Renato Moicano Explains Why He Believes He Should Be The #6-Ranked Lightweight Right Now

    Posting on X, Moicano voiced his frustration as to why he hasn’t moved up several places in the rankings.

    He made the case that regardless of him beating a fighter that was ranked below him, he should be just outside the top 5 based on his activity.

    “If UFC Rankings Arenā€™t Total Bullshit, I Should Be Ranked #6 in the Lightweight Division Tomorrow. Why? In the last 8 months, Iā€™ve fought 3 times and Iā€™m on a 6-fight win streak in the lightweight division, with 5 stoppages. Yet, ranked above me are:”

    Moicano proceeded to name five fighters that he believes he should be above in the rankings, due to their lack of activity and recent form.

    Going case-by-case, he gave reasoning for each person that by his logic, would see him jump all the way up to the #6 spot.

    “#10 Max Holloway: A legend, but heā€™s a 145 and will be facing Topuria for the featherweight belt at UFC 308. Even if he loses, his spot in the lightweight rankings makes no sense. He just beat Gaethje, so if anything, he should be ranked #3. Iā€™d gladly take #7 if that was case.”

    “#9 Rafael Fiziev: Coming off 2 losses to Mateusz Gamrot and Justin Gaethje. His last fight was in September 2023. #8 Mateusz Gamrot: Coming off a loss to Dan Hooker in August 2024.

    “#7 Beneil Dariush: Coming off 2 losses to Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. His last fight was in December 2023.”

    “#6 Michael Chandler: If anyone doesnā€™t deserve this spot, itā€™s Michael Chandler. Heā€™s 2-3 in the UFC, coming off a loss to Dustin Poirier in November 2022. Since then, heā€™s been sitting out, waiting for Conor McGregorā€™s return, and only now decided to fight Charles Oliveira.”

    “Thereā€™s no way I’m not #6 in the lightweight division right now.”

    Read also: UFC Veteran Picks Justin Gaethje Over Dustin Poirier & Paddy Pimblett As Renato Moicanoā€™s ā€˜Glaringly Obviousā€™ Next Opponent

  • Julianna PeƱa Gives Defiant Reaction To Underdog Status At UFC 307

    Given her history of upsetting the odds, former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna PeƱa is welcoming the underdog status attached to her this week.

    For the third straight fight in her career, gold will be on the line when PeƱa makes the walk at Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view, set for the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    “The Venezuelan Vixen” is set to co-headline the event in competition for Raquel Pennington’s 135-pound title. PeƱa previously won the belt and subsequently lost it in a two-fight series with Amanda Nunes.

    Having not competed since her rematch with the “Lioness” in June 2022, the former champ is being counted out by some. That’s reflected in the odds, with her line currently at +136 on DraftKings.

    But PeƱa has absolutely no qualms about entering her title challenge as the underdog…

    PeƱa Doesn’t Feel Like The Underdog At UFC 307

    During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, PeƱa looked ahead to her first outing in over two years and chance to regain the title at 135 pounds.

    While Pennington is favored to retain possession of the championship by the oddsmakers, “The Venezuelan Vixen” is more than ready to prove her doubters wrong ā€” again.

    “It doesn’t (surprise me). I think I was an 11-1 underdog at one point when I was fighting Amanda,” PeƱa said. “If you go back to the majority of my fights, I am always the underdog. In fact, right off the top of my head, I can’t even think of a time when I was the favorite.

    “It’s just kind of like, I am that underdog role. I always have been,” PeƱa continued. “At the end of the day, it’s what I believe in my heart. I don’t feel like I’m the underdog. I’m very confident in what I am able to do. So you can call me an underdog, you can call me a favorite, you can call me whatever you want. Just remember that I am Julianna PeƱa, and I’m going to go in there and get my hand raised at any and all cost.”

    While it wouldn’t mark the kind of shock win she achieved back in December 2021, PeƱa will be hoping to upset the odds once again en route to the women’s bantamweight throne this weekend.

  • Chael Sonnen Explains Why Upset Could Be ‘Brewing’ In Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    Chael Sonnen Explains Why Upset Could Be ‘Brewing’ In Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    According to Chael Sonnen, all boxes needed for a major upset are being ticked ahead of the UFC 307 main event.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back in Utah this week to stage its latest pay-per-view from Salt Lake City’s Delta Center. Two championship clashes are set to headline, with light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira closing the show.

    Having defended his gold successfully against both Jamahal Hill and JiÅ™Ć­ ProchĆ”zka thus far this year, “Poatan’s” reign will next meet the threat of a surprise challenger in the #8-ranked Khalil Rountree.

    Many questioned the booking, suggesting the UFC avoided giving Magomed Ankalaev a deserved shot in order to keep Pereira’s ball rolling with another striking matchup.

    But for Sonnen, that line of thinking is among many reasons why he thinks an upset is “brewing” at UFC 307…

    Sonnen: Pereira vs. Rountree Has All The Makings Of An Upset

    During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Sonnen looked ahead to the upcoming PPV main event in Utah.

    While Pereira will enter as a heavy favorite given his winning form in 2024 to date, “The American Gangster” suggested that some differences in the narratives leading up to his latest defense could present a major threat to his reign.

    “This fight card has the potential to be the one. You wanna know why, Daniel? It is brewing for an upset,” Sonnen said. “I’m not giving you a prediction, but I’m telling you now, everything that could be wrong for Pereira in terms of the commonalities that everyone that’s ever been upset has faced ā€” finding yourself in a match that’s harder than the audience knows, finding yourself in a match that’s more dangerous than you’re aware, finding yourself in a match where this guy’s gonna play your game.

    “I’m not arguing that Khalil is cleaner or more talented of a kickboxer than Pereira,” Sonnen continued. “But I will argue for you, Pereira can hit you one time and put you down, Khalil only has to hit him one time and Khalil will put him down.”

    Rountree will be hoping that Sonnen is correct and those apparent pre-fight factors pave the way for his shock crowning in Salt Lake City this weekend.

  • Nassourdine Imavov Sees ‘No Danger’ For Him In The Middleweight Division After UFC Paris Win

    Nassourdine Imavov Sees ‘No Danger’ For Him In The Middleweight Division After UFC Paris Win

    UFC middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov is seemingly expecting a smooth sailing all the way to port championship down the line.

    Imavov further advanced his ambitions of a title crowning this past weekend in Paris, where the Frenchman recorded a crucial victory in front of his home fans at the Accor Arena.

    Tasked with defending his top-five spot opposite Brendan Allen, things got off to a difficult start for “The Sniper.” But after dropping round one, Imavov rallied to take frames two and three to secure the decision triumph in his own backyard.

    Having now won three straight fights, all over names inside the top 10, Imavov has placed himself well in the championship picture and could be in line for a title eliminator next time out.

    And be it in that bout or a future shot at the gold, the rising 29-year-old sees no opponent who can pose a real “danger” to his plans…

    Imavov Confident Of Superiority Over Entire UFC Middleweight Roster

    During his appearance at the post-fight press conference on Saturday night, Imavov reflected on his successful outing on home soil and looked ahead to his continued path toward the middleweight mountaintop.

    When asked to pinpoint the biggest threat to his goals in the division, the confident Frenchman stated that he sees little challenge when it comes to sharing the cage with the top names at 185 pounds.

    “There’s no danger in this division,” Imavov said. “I showed once again that I’m a very well-rounded fighter. I can fight striking, I can fight grappling, I can fight wrestling. I can do it all.”

    For now, Imavov will have his eyes on some other big fights in the division. First comes Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev’s rescheduled clash in Abu Dhabi later this month, the winner of which could be next in line.

    That would seemingly be behind Sean Strickland, who is expected to be granted his rematch against current champ Dricus Du Plessis, potentially by the end of this year.

  • UFC Veteran Picks Justin Gaethje Over Dustin Poirier & Paddy Pimblett As Renato Moicano’s ‘Glaringly Obvious’ Next Opponent

    UFC Veteran Picks Justin Gaethje Over Dustin Poirier & Paddy Pimblett As Renato Moicano’s ‘Glaringly Obvious’ Next Opponent

    Renato Moicano has won four fights in a row for the first time in his UFC career. Headlining UFC Paris couldn’t have been better for the Brazilian as he put a beating on Benoit Saint-Denis in front of the latter’s home crowd and gave an entertaining post-fight interview yet again.

    Moicano has emerged as an anti-hero in the UFC lightweight division. He disses fellow fighters and the crowds but the “Money Moicano” gimmick has sat extremely well with the fans.

    Moicano is arguably at his career best in terms of momentum and popularity right now. According to Chael Sonnen, Justin Gaethje is the ideal next opponent for the American Top Team fighter…

    Chael Sonnen Explains How Justin Gaethje Could Make Renato Moicano A UFC Star

    Sonnen discussed Moicano’s next UFC opponent on his YouTube channel recently. Although the UFC Paris winner called out the likes of Dan Hooker and Paddy Pimblett in his post-fight interview, “The American Gangster” has many reasons to believe that Gaethje is a better matchup.

    “Moicano’s next fight is Justin Gaethje. Now, that is exactly what my response would be. For me, that’s like glaringly obvious.”

    For starters, Gaethje is coming off a loss but he’s still one of the biggest draws in the promotion. The fight with Moicano gives the former title challenger hope to restart his run while for the Brazilian, it is a great opportunity to make himself known to as many mainstream fans as possible.

    “If you got over on Dustin Poirier, you could then do anything. Fight for titles, main events, there’d be no argument that you couldn’t fit nicely into. And, Justin Gaethje brings those same accolades but there’s one difference which is you don’t have to be as careful with the bookings of Gaethje because he is not a in a situation where he’s saying my next one is my final.”

    With a win over Gaethje, Moicano will have a name big enough to headline most of his events and even fight for the title. Sonnen’s thought process here isn’t new, to be fair. The UFC usually pits rising stars against veterans to build new names.

    This is where Moicano’s age comes in, though. He’s not a prospect and in fact, has been in the UFC for over ten years. At 35, he’s likely on his final title run at lightweight and would want the biggest matchups out there.

    According to Sonnen, Gaethje makes more sense than Poirier because “The Diamond” is adamant about retiring after his next fight and he might be hesitant to agree to Moicano who’s yet to become a top draw.

    Sonnen also declined Pimblett as a potential opponent for Moicano because they both portray a likable heel personality. Instead of booking them against each other and derailing at least one hype train, the UFC would want to build them both and capitalize on a much bigger fight later on.

  • Julianna PeƱa Talks Beef With ‘Worst Roommate Ever’ Raquel Pennington: ‘Thirteen Years In The Makingā€¦’

    Julianna PeƱa Talks Beef With ‘Worst Roommate Ever’ Raquel Pennington: ‘Thirteen Years In The Makingā€¦’

    Julianna PeƱa recently opened up about her long-standing feud with Raquel Pennington, which has simmered since their days on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) back in 2013.

    Many fans might not remember that both PeƱa and Pennington were part of Team Miesha Tate against Team Ronda Rousey during season 18 of the MMA reality show. Despite both appearing on the show, the two bantamweights never clashed. Now, over a decade later, fate has finally aligned them for a long-awaited showdown inside the Octagon.

    “The Venezuelan Vixen” is set to take her second shot at the womenā€™s bantamweight crown when she faces reigning champion Pennington in the co-main event of UFC 307 this Saturday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Although PeƱa and Pennington were teammates on The Ultimate Fighter, they were often at odds. Despite their friction, the Washington native went on to win the season with a dominant first-round knockout over Team Rousey’s Jessica Rakoczy, while ‘Rocky’ was forced to withdraw early from the competition due to injury.

    PeƱa Intends To Make Pennington Regret Past Behavior At UFC 307

    During a recent interview with SHAK MMA, “The Venezuelan Vixen” reflected on her time during TUF 18, when she and her now rival Pennington were roommates. The former UFC bantamweight champion revealed that she had been nothing but helpful and supportive during their stint but claimed that ‘Rocky’ was consistently rude to her.

    “Raquel and I have had our history of little spats,” PeƱa said. “If you watch The Ultimate Fighter, she was doing things and saying things that I disagreed with, and it gets to be one of thoseā€”I don’t know if you saw that Netflix series Worst Roommate Everā€”where they just have these like terrible roommates, and Iā€™m like, Iā€™m doing all of your dishes, Iā€™m giving you makeovers, Iā€™m teaching you how to walk like a runway model. Why are you so horrible to me? Why are you making my life a living hell?””

    PeƱa boldly declared that she plans to hold Pennington accountable for her past transgressions and settle their animosity when they clash inside the Octagon at UFC 307 this weekend.

    “For me, it’s just one of those things where I would much rather get it over with. This has been 13 years in the making, and it’s time for the worst roommate ever to get their due justice.”

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach Uses Rising Lightweight Star Example To Explain Why MMA Is Not A ‘True Sport’

    Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach Uses Rising Lightweight Star Example To Explain Why MMA Is Not A ‘True Sport’

    Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach, Javier Mendez, recently shared his perspective on why he believes mixed martial arts doesnā€™t qualify as a genuine sport.

    MMA has skyrocketed as one of the most rapidly rising one-on-one competitive sports since the early 2000s, and it’s showing no signs of losing steam. Though it has faced its share of triumphs and challenges since its inception, the sport has steadily transformed, adapting and expanding into a global sensation.

    Despite its polarizing beginnings, MMA has grown into a highly regarded discipline. With standardized guidelines and safeguards in place, strict measures ensure not only the fighters’ safety but also uphold the integrity of the competition as a whole.

    However, Mendez, while pointing to Paddy Pimblett as a prime example, explains why he believes MMA has yet to fully qualify as a true sport.

    Mendez Thinks MMA Fans Gravitate Toward ‘Must-Watch TV’ Matchups

    During a recent episode of his podcast on YouTube, Mendez shared his thoughts on the UFC light heavyweight title bout between reigning champion Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree. He also addressed the controversy surrounding “The War Horse’s” legitimacy as a true contender.

    The American Kickboxing Academy founder defended Rountreeā€™s deserving place in the title picture, but the conversation quickly shifted to a broader critique of why he believes MMAā€”and boxingā€”don’t qualify as true sports.

    According to Mendez, in MMA, particularly within the UFC, fan favorite and the most popular fighters often dictate who gets to fight them next, driven more by audience demand than by merit alone – like most other sports would be.

    “How many times do I say this is not a true sport? It’s [MMA] never been a true sport,” Mendez questioned. “Boxing is also not a true sport either and never will be, as long as people can choose who they want to put on because pay-per-view numbers and eyeballs on the screen create this situation. Boxing too, because if it were a true sport, you wouldn’t have people in the WBA or WBC saying, ‘I’m not fighting that guy.’ They win a WBA title, and the next thing you know, they donā€™t want to fight certain opponents, so they move on. Why? Because they can. Is it a true sport? No, because if it’s a true sport, you would fight X amount against X amount.”

    The renowned MMA coach went on to say he wouldnā€™t be shocked if Pimblett gets the next crack at the UFC lightweight title. He explained that “The Baddy” is a fan-favorite with undeniable star power, drawing in massive attention, and the fans want to see him at the top.

    “This is not that way. Paddy Pimblett doesn’t deserve to be there. A lot of people think, ‘Yeah, well, you know what, if Paddy gets the next title fight, good for him. They’ll tell me he does deserve it.’ A lot of people want to watch him; he’s very entertaining. He’s a must-watch TV, you know, so you watch him because he’s a must-watch TV. He creates the need, you wantā€¦ Paddy’s a needle mover.”

  • ‘Big’ John McCarthy Responds After Sean O’Malley’s Coach Pleads ‘Excessive Coaching’ Case At UFC 306

    ‘Big’ John McCarthy Responds After Sean O’Malley’s Coach Pleads ‘Excessive Coaching’ Case At UFC 306

    “Big” John McCarthy recently addressed Sean O’Malley’s coach after Tim Welch sought clarification on the controversial excessive coaching incident at UFC 306.

    Dvalishvili secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over “Suga” to capture the bantamweight title at UFC 306 earlier this month. While the outcome was unquestionably clear at the end of the day, the fight took an unusual turn just moments after it began.

    “The Machine” suddenly paused mid-action, gesturing furiously toward his opponent’s corner, prompting referee Herb Dean to step in. Dean reprimanded Dvalishvili for interrupting the match and also gave Welch a warning for overstepping his coaching boundaries, citing the ‘excessive coaching’ rule.

    In the days following the fight, Welch broke his silence on the controversial incident, admitting he did shout at Dvalishvili but claimed he only told him to “be patient.” He also acknowledged that some of his instructions for O’Malley included “The Machine’s” name, brushing it off as merely a case of normal coaching and insisting it had no impact on the outcome of the bout.

    However, veteran referee McCarthy believes Welch’s actions crossed a line and constituted clear misconduct…

    McCarthy Cautions Welch On Interference with Opponents During Fights

    During a recent appearance on the WEIGHING IN podcast, Welch posed a question to McCarthy, asking how he would have handled the situation if a similar incident to UFC 306ā€™s main event unfolded under his watch.

    The renowned MMA referee responded candidly, stating that he would have swiftly issued Welch a stern warning. Furthermore, McCarthy made it clear that if the behavior persisted, he wouldnā€™t hesitate to eject Welch from the arena in accordance with official refereeing guidelines.

    “I’m being honest, I would have talked to you in the beginning,” McCarthy said. “I would have said, ‘Hey, look, I need you to understand I cannot have you talking to the opponent in any fashion. So when you say ‘Merab, you’ve got to look out,’ even if it’s a call sign for you guys, you’re making it sound like you’re talking to the opponent. So right away, I would have said, ‘Hey, I’m telling you now, stop. We talked about this. If you do it again, I’m going to remove you from this arena,’ which I don’t want to do.”

    “Obviously, that would affect your fighter and everything, so it’s the last thing you want to do. But yeah, it’s right in the rules that you can talk to Sean all you want, and we want you to be able to coach and talk to him and give him good, you know, feedback, but we cannot have you in any fashion talking to the opponent or talking to the referee during the round.”

    Welch also faced significant backlash when footage surfaced from UFC 292 in August 2023, where he allegedly attempted to mislead Aljamain Sterling, trying to lure him into a reckless charge toward O’Malley.

  • Glover Teixeira Explains Addition Of Sean Strickland To Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 CampĀ 

    Glover Teixeira Explains Addition Of Sean Strickland To Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 CampĀ 

    UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira has been getting help from an ex-opponent and fellow former middleweight titleholder while in Utah for his upcoming defense.

    Pereira has returned to the “Beehive State” for the first time since his debut at 205 pounds in July 2023, which saw him get the better of Jan Błachowicz on the scorecards.

    Since then, “Poatan” has achieved two-division champ status and successfully defended the light heavyweight crown twice. And having violently stopped Jamahal Hill and JiÅ™Ć­ ProchĆ”zka this year, Pereira’s third assignment of 2024 headlines UFC 307 this weekend.

    The Brazilian looks set for another striking showdown, this time opposite a fellow knockout artist in Khalil Rountree. And to boost his chances of another victory, Pereira and his team have turned to Sean Strickland.

    Teixeira Touts Strickland’s Ability To Hang With Pereira In Training

    During a recent interview with The Schmo, Glover Teixeira was asked about the impact Strickland’s presence has as Pereira’s camp for UFC 307 comes to a close in Salt Lake City.

    While the American was emphatically flattened by Pereira when they shared the Octagon in 2022, Teixeira suggested that “Tarzan” is one of few who can go toe-to-toe with the former GLORY Kickboxing champ in sparring.

    “Sean is, you know, incredibly tough. He’s good everywhere. He’s a great mixed martial artist,” Teixeira said. “He knows how to train well, you know? And he’s a guy that can, to be honest, hang with Alex. Alex can push his pace a little more. We love that Sean (came) over here today and helped Alex.”

    Pereira will hope that his work with Strickland and the others who’ve been a part of his latest fight camp pays dividends on Saturday night, when “The War Horse” will have a monumental upset over the Brazilian standout in his sights.

  • Kamaru Usman Honest About Pennington vs. PeƱa At UFC 307: ‘Looks Like She Doesn’t Wanna Be Thereā€¦’

    Kamaru Usman Honest About Pennington vs. PeƱa At UFC 307: ‘Looks Like She Doesn’t Wanna Be Thereā€¦’

    Kamaru Usman recently shared his thoughts on the Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna PeƱa championship fight at UFC 307.

    Pennington is gearing up to make her first defense of the UFC women’s bantamweight title against former champion PeƱa. The bout is set to co-headline the highly anticipated pay-per-view event this weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    “Rocky” delivered a commanding performance at UFC 297 this past January, decisively defeating Mayra Bueno Silva to capture the vacant 135-pound title. The belt had been left up for grabs after former two-division champion Amanda Nunes retired following her one-sided rematch victory over PeƱa at UFC 277 in July 2022.

    Meanwhile, “The Venezuelan Vixen” is set to make her long-awaited return to the Octagon after a two-year absence. PeƱa made UFC history as the only woman to defeat Nunes, submitting ‘The Lioness’ at UFC 269 in December 2021. However, her reign was short-lived, with Nunes reclaiming the bantamweight crown just seven months later.

    Usman Predicts PeƱa Will Test Pennington But Favors ‘Rocky’ To Retain Her Title

    During a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ weighed in on the Pennington vs. PeƱa title clash at UFC 307. Usman noted that the defending champion has appeared a bit lackluster in her previous outings, whereas the challenger possesses the resilience that could turn this into a very interesting contest.

    “I think Julianna PeƱa is a complete dog,” Usman said. “But I just think Raquel Pennington is a little bit too solid. She does have a couple of fights where she comes in and looks like she doesnā€™t really want to be there sometimes, and I know thatā€™s in the past. Iā€™m hoping that stays in the past because Raquel Pennington, the bantamweight champion now, once you become that champion, you get that extra ‘umph’ behind you knowing that you are the best in the world.”

    The former UFC welterweight champion further expressed his confidence that “Rocky” will emerge as a more well-rounded fighter when facing the formidable PeƱa. Usman predicted that while “The Venezuelan Vixen” will undoubtedly present Pennington with one of her toughest challenges yet, the reigning champion will ultimately hold on to her title.

    “She’s [Pennington] just a little too solid with her stand-up, with her Muay Thai, her kneesā€”just really solid there in the clinch. Because I’m telling you right now, Julianna PeƱa does really good work there… Raquel Pennington has shown that she can be good in those types of positions, so I’m gonna have to go with Raquel Pennington here, even though Julianna PeƱa is a complete dog, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she comes in and pulls off that upset.”

  • UFC Legend Cites Potential Alex Pereira Weakness That Khalil Rountree Could Exploit: ‘Did Not Work For Him When He Fought Izzyā€¦’

    UFC Legend Cites Potential Alex Pereira Weakness That Khalil Rountree Could Exploit: ‘Did Not Work For Him When He Fought Izzyā€¦’

    Alex Pereira has become a superstar during his time in the UFC, where his elite kickboxing background has been put to devastating use.

    “Poatan” is one of the best strikers we have ever seen inside the Octagon and he’s delivered some incredible highlights in his run so far.

    In the third defense of his light heavyweight title at UFC 307 this weekend, he will face another powerful striker in Khalil Rountree.

    Many find it hard to imagine how Rountree will win a stand-up battle against the champion but there is one chink in Pereira’s armour that could cost him.

    Stephen Thompson Says Alex Pereira’s Aggression Could Be A Problem For Him At UFC 307

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Stephen Thompson spoke about Pereira’s unique approach to striking in MMA.

    “Wonderboy” will also be in action on Saturday night in Salt Lake City where you’re sure to see his wide range of kickboxing weapons on display against Joaquin Buckley.

    Rather than the evasive and dynamic style of Thompson, Pereira’s kickboxing approach is far more aggressive and on the front-foot.

    He doesn’t move around all that much and will usually stand right in front of his opponents.

    The champion is so powerful and confident in his ability to land his own shots that he doesn’t tend to move out of the way of his opponents’, when they launch something back his way.

    As it did in his MMA rematch with Israel Adesanya, Thompson questioned whether this could be dangerous for him against an opponent like Rountree.

    “It [the aggression] did not work for him when he fought Izzy, you know. That’s kind of the same thing that he got caught in was in that brawl and he was taking shots but he wasn’t evading any, he was still in the face trying to throw and he got clipped and he went down. I mean he relies a lot on his toughness, he’s a very durable fighter for a guy to be fighting so much but yeah man, that’s dangerous. If you get there with another striker, especially Khalil Rountree, Khalil Rountree is a powerful guy.”

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