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Category: UFC

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

  • Justin Gaethje Makes Strong Pick For Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway At UFC 308: ‘In My Mind, I Can’t See Him Losing’

    Justin Gaethje Makes Strong Pick For Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway At UFC 308: ‘In My Mind, I Can’t See Him Losing’

    At UFC 300, Justin Gaethje was on the receiving end of Max Holloway’s iconic last-second KO. The former UFC featherweight champion broke Gaethje’s nose towards the end of the first and was winning comfortably on the scorecards, making the moment all the more special.

    The loss to Holloway might be a tough pill to swallow for “The Highlight”. After losing to Charles Oliveira in a title fight, he bounced back by beating Rafael Fiziev via decision and then knocking out Dustin Poirier with a head kick. A win over Holloway could’ve set him up for a title shot against Islam Makhachev.

    Holloway will soon be back in action, while Gaethje has yet to spar again. Here’s how the former interim UFC lightweight champion thinks the UFC 308 main event would go…

    Justin Gaethje Honestly Admits Why He’s Backing Max Holloway To Beat Ilia Topuria At UFC 308

    Gaethje talked about his UFC return with some reporters from outlets like MMA Junkie at Top Golf in Las Vegas recently. After mentioning the four ideal opponents, he discussed the UFC 308 main event between Ilia Topuria and Holloway.

    “The Highlight” expects the challenger to emerge victorious but was heavily impressed by Topuria’s performance against Volkanovski. He appreciated the current UFC featherweight kingpin for being patient and executing his game plan perfectly at UFC 298.

    Gaethje admitted that he would like Holloway to win also because the latter knocked him out cold at UFC 300. “Blessed” overwhelmed his opponent with patient yet clear striking and a similar strategy might help him reclaim gold at UFC 308.

    Here’s what the former UFC BMF title holder said when asked to pick between Topuria and Holloway:

    “I mean, I really hope that Max wins. I mean, Ilia was so impressive with Volkanovski, his patience. He fought an amazing fight. Um, I don’t know. I expected something different than I saw from Max, I was very impressed. And so, in my mind, I can’t see him losing but that’s cause I just got put to sleep by him.”

    Read More: Merab Dvalishvili Wants To Avenge Aljamain Sterling Loss, Prove O’Malley Got ‘Lucky’

  • Merab Dvalishvili On After Becoming A UFC Champion: ‘If I Die, I Don’t Care’

    Merab Dvalishvili On After Becoming A UFC Champion: ‘If I Die, I Don’t Care’

    Merab Dvalishvili recently shared his thoughts on what it would mean to him if he were to finally capture UFC gold.

    “The Machine” has the opportunity to make his dream a reality this Saturday night as he challenges UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley in the main event of Noche UFC 306, set to take place at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    With a remarkable 10-fight winning streak under his belt, Dvalishvili has been relentlessly pushing for a long-overdue title opportunity. However, O’Malley chose to defend his belt against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this past March, successfully avenging the only blemish on his otherwise stellar UFC record.

    The 33-year-old Georgian enters the bout riding high after a commanding unanimous decision victory over former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 in February. Dvalishvili’s unbeaten streak boasts decisive wins over elite competition, including former champions Petr Yan and José Aldo, as well as a host of other top-tier opponents.

    Dvalishvili has undeniably toiled tirelessly for his long-awaited title shot, and now he’s primed to prove his mettle on one of the sport’s grandest stages. ‘The Machine’ is more determined than ever to clinch the 135-pound belt…

    Dvalishvili Says He’ll Feel ‘Relieved’ After Dethroning O’Malley At Noche UFC 306

    During a recent interview with Bleacher Report, “The Machine” gave his insights into the upcoming title clash with O’Malley at Noche UFC 306.

    Dvalishvili opened up about the significance of becoming a UFC champion, a status he says he has diligently worked towards throughout his career.

    “We [fighters] have just one dream: to become UFC champion,” Dvalishvili said. “After that, I’m really, truly telling you, if I die, I don’t care. I cannot even imagine [having the belt put on me], man. I just want to feel the reality. I am doing everything for that. I don’t wanna even dream about it.”

    Dvalishvili also mentioned that he’s uncertain about his plans following a potential title victory this weekend, but he’s certain it would lift a significant weight off his shoulders. He expressed a desire to show that even an ordinary person can achieve their dreams through unwavering dedication and relentless hard work.

    “I don’t know what I’m gonna say, I don’t know what I’m gonna do, but I know one thing for sure: I will be so happy, so relieved, and I know I will do lots of great things with the gold and with the UFC belt,” Dvalishvili continued. “I want to travel the world, and I wanna show the people I’m just a normal guy, a small guy, but I’m hardworking, and if I work hard and I got this belt, you guys can get everything too. Just work hard and just chase your dream. Believe in yourself.”

    While Dvalishvili is projected to be the toughest challenge for “Suga” so far, achieving victory won’t be a walk in the park. O’Malley, an elite-level striker, presents a formidable threat with his heavy hands, which could effectively counter Dvalishvili’s wrestling-heavy style.

    • Read More: Merab Dvalishvili Wants To Avenge Aljamain Sterling Loss, Prove O’Malley Got ‘Lucky’
  • Conor McGregor’s Coach Omits Jon Jones From His MMA Mount Rushmore

    Conor McGregor’s Coach Omits Jon Jones From His MMA Mount Rushmore

    Conor McGregor’s coach, John Kavanagh, recently shared his picks for an MMA Mount Rushmore. Intriguingly, Jon Jones was conspicuously absent from his list.

    The reigning UFC heavyweight champion’s name is a natural inclusion in any conversation about the greatest MMA fighter of all time (GOAT), and his achievements would appear to certainly validate that status. “Bones” boasts a career marked by extraordinary accomplishments and historic milestones.

    At just 23, Jones made history by defeating then-light heavyweight champion Mauricio Rua in the third round at UFC 128 in March 2011, securing his place as the youngest UFC champion ever. From that moment, he never looked back, embarking on a remarkable journey that culminated in an unprecedented 13 successful title defenses.

    In recent times, no one has been more vocally supportive of Jones’ status as the GOAT and the top pound-for-pound fighter than UFC CEO Dana White. White has been notably immersed in extensive discussions, staunchly defending the 37-year-old New Yorker’s legacy.

    However, Kavanagh’s all-time MMA elite list boasts an array of unexpected names, and it overlooks Jones despite his legendary career…

    Kavanagh Reveals Five Picks for MMA Mount Rushmore With No Jones

    During a recent discussion with Lucky Block, Kavanagh was prompted to name the greatest MMA fighters of all time. The renowned coach listed five names, deviating from the traditional four-person Mount Rushmore.

    Naturally, Kavanagh included “The Notorious” as his first pick, highlighting the remarkable achievements of his student and the profound impact he’s had on the sport.

    “Unsurprisingly, I’m going to name Conor first because he became the first simultaneous two-weight world champion. That’s no small feat, but also what he did for the game in general, his general introduction of MMA to a whole world who would have never seen it, really. He’s the first and maybe the only one to truly cross over into, let’s say, normal life, and obviously, now he’s in movies as well. A lot of people to be thankful that if you’re involved in the MMA industry, you probably had a few guys walk into your gym because of Conor’s influence.”

    Kavanagh then listed Russian MMA icon Fedor Emelianenko among his favorites, followed by UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn, recognizing his McGregor-esque achievements.

    For his fourth pick, he named another legend, former longtime UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

    “Number two, I’ll say Fedor Emelianenko. He’s one of my favorite fighters of all time. Incredible Russian fighter. I’m going to say, BJ Penn, another two-weight world champion. Incredible skill set. At four, I have to go for Anderson Silva. I think some record number of title defenses and just so skillful, you watch him back in the day when he was fighting someone who’s a kind of a friend of mine, Forrest Griffin. Forrest is so tough, so durable, so good, and Anderson made the poor guy look like he’d never trained. He has amazing skills.”

    The SBG Ireland founder placed the first women’s UFC bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey, as his fifth pick, celebrating her as a trailblazer who revolutionized women’s MMA.

    “At five I will say Ronda Rousey and not just for her amazing victories in the UFC, but the fact that she really introduced women’s MMA to the world. Dana was pretty headstrong all those years, saying he would never have women in MMA. And I think he took one look at her and said, let’s get women in MMA. So, there we go. That’s my five.”

    Kavanagh’s omission of “Bones” from his MMA Mount Rushmore is indeed surprising, but he’s not alone in leaving out the former light heavyweight champion.

    Recently, UFC middleweight veteran Sam Alvey has also excluded Jones from his list of top fighters, further stirring curiosity about Jones’ place in the pantheon of MMA greatness.

  • Noche UFC 306: Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    Noche UFC 306: Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    Noche UFC 306 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 Sphere in Las Vegas provides a chance for UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley to further enhance his legacy on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    After unseating Aljamain Sterling in August 2023 and withstanding a challenge from Marlon Vera in Miami this past March, “Sugar” is next tasked with stalling the championship ambitions of Merab Dvalishvili to continue his reign atop the 135-pound mountain.

    The celebration of Mexican Independence Day will also see the nation’s own champion in action, with Alexa Grasso set to defend her flyweight gold in a trilogy contest opposite Valentina Shevchenko.

    Elsewhere on the UFC 306 card, the surging Diego Lopes will look to ascend into the top five in a rearranged showdown with Brian Ortega, while Mexican prospects Ronaldo Rodriguez and Daniel Zellhuber also have the chance to make statements on a major stage.

    Ahead of the event, all 20 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 306 ceremonial weigh-ins!

    Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 10 p.m. ET.

    Noche UFC 306 Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

  • Sean O’Malley: Ilia Topuria ‘Needs Me’ To Move Up After Max Holloway Fight

    Sean O’Malley: Ilia Topuria ‘Needs Me’ To Move Up After Max Holloway Fight

    Sean O’Malley recently asserted that after Ilia Topuria’s upcoming clash with Max Holloway, the only clear course for “El Matador” is a showdown with him.

    Topuria is gearing up to defend his featherweight crown for the first time in a highly anticipated clash against Holloway, headlining UFC 308 on October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

    “Suga” has been zeroing in on Topuria ever since retaining his bantamweight title against former foe Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this past March. Following his victory, O’Malley wasted no time in calling out the Georgian-Spanish fighter, even trading jabs with him on social media and igniting talk of a potential champ vs. champ super fight.

    However, before O’Malley can lock horns with Topuria, he must first overcome another Georgian obstacle — Merab Dvalishvili.

    The 29-year-old Montana native is set to put his title on the line against “The Machine’ in the headlining bout of Noche UFC 306, taking place this Saturday inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    “Suga” is convinced that once Topuria finishes business with Holloway, he’ll need to face a high-profile opponent like him…

    O’Malley Shares Mixed Feelings On Possible Topuria Match

    During a recent interview with Bleacher Report, O’Malley weighed in on a potential super fight with Topuria.

    The reigning UFC bantamweight champ expressed that, after Noche UFC 306, he has no shortage of challengers waiting in the wings. However, he believes “El Matador” will be left without a worthy opponent after defending his title against Holloway.

    “The more I think about the Ilia fight, I’m like, you know what, Ilia needs me,” O’Malley said. “Who’s he going to fight next? [If] he goes out there and beats Max [Holloway at UFC 308], who is he going to fight next? I have guys lined up. I have big fights. Ilia needs me more than I need Ilia.”

    However, “Suga” voiced some hesitation, suggesting that he doubts Topuria will even make it past “Blessed” at UFC 308.

    Instead, he floated the idea of facing rising star Umar Nurmagomedov, a fight “The Young Eagle” has previously likened to the magnitude of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor showdown.

    “To be honest, I don’t think he’s gonna get past Max anyway, so I’m kind of switching gears from that. We got guys like Umar that I think are going to be massive fights,” O’Malley added.”

    Although Topuria, who knocked out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 to capture the 145-pound title, has never openly entertained the idea of facing O’Malley, he didn’t entirely dismiss it.

    After O’Malley called him out following UFC 299, “El Matador” left the door open for a potential showdown, fueling further speculation about a future clash.

    • Read More: Coach Claims Ilia Topuria Is A More Favorable Matchup For Sean O’Malley Than Max Holloway: ‘He’s Pretty Flat-Footed’
  • Belal Muhammad Predicts Big Things For Teammate At Noche UFC 306: ‘People Are Going To Be Surprised…’

    Belal Muhammad Predicts Big Things For Teammate At Noche UFC 306: ‘People Are Going To Be Surprised…’

    UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has arrived at the fight capital of the world to help support a teammate of his.

    Iron sharpens iron is a clichéd saying in combat sports, but it’s a commonly used phrase because it is largely true.

    At UFC 306 this weekend, Muhammad believes that fight fans are going to see the evolution of one of his close training partners, who has helped him reach the top of the 170-pound weight class.

    Lightweight contender Ignacio Bahamondes has been incredibly entertaining during his UFC tenure, and “Remember The Name” is expecting big things from him on September 14…

    Belal Muhammad Says Ignacio Bahamondes Will ‘Show Out’ At The Sphere

    Bahamondes has been in the UFC for four years now, winning his contract via Dana White’s Contender Series on the same episode as light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg.

    With some incredibly flashy finishes on his highlight reel, he’s always worth keeping an eye out for, and his clash with Manuel Torres this weekend is no different.

    The 27-year old knockout artist is looking to secure back-to-back victories at the Sphere and his teammate only has positive things to say about him.

    Speaking on an episode of UFC 306 Embedded, Muhammad spoke about the relationship they have built and the hard work Bahamondes has been putting in for this fight.

    “Biggest show of the year so far, the Sphere. Excited for it, here with my brother Ignacio Bahamondes. Literally my right hand man for all my camps, so to be able to come here, support him, and watch him make history, it’s going to be an epic week.

    “Honestly, that’s my brother so I would do anything for him and he’s helped me and he’s helped me grow so much in all my fight camps, and especially more recently, everything that we’ve done together, I’ve seen him come in and grow as a fighter. To see where he is now, people are going to be surprised when he shows out on Saturday at the Sphere.”

  • ‘Maybe That $20 Million Wasn’t So Well Spent…’ – Fans React To Dana White Hologram At The Sphere For Noche UFC 306

    ‘Maybe That $20 Million Wasn’t So Well Spent…’ – Fans React To Dana White Hologram At The Sphere For Noche UFC 306

    The UFC has attempted to go above and beyond to make Noche UFC (UFC 306) an event for the ages that will no one will forget in a hurry.

    From the moment that Dana White started hyping the event up as a once in a lifetime spectacle, there have been high expectations for the first combat sports event that will be taking place inside the Sphere.

    Details of what fans inside the building and those watching from home will experience have certainly helped to shed some light on what exactly will be different on September 14. That being said, by the UFC CEO’s own admission, there are some things that everyone is going to have to wait and see to find out whether it works or not.

    One thing that fans who are in attendance this Saturday can expect is a greeting from the boss himself, as well as several fighters, via the use of holograms in the lobby of the Sphere.

    A press release provided more information on this additional feature for the fans.

    “Top names from the UFC roster will appear in life-size, volumetric 4K in Proto machines for fans to interact with in the lobby of  Sphere. UFC CEO Dana White will also appear in hologram form. It is the first time Proto holograms have been used in the world of MMA. It will give fans an unprecedented selfie experience with their heroes. It is also the first time Proto will be used inside Sphere.”

    MMA Fans React To Dana White & UFC Fighter Holograms For UFC 306

    There has been some criticism regarding UFC 306, even if the event sounds like it’s going to be fairly unique and distinct from regular PPV cards.

    The promotion has certainly spent a lot of money to deliver that, largely thanks to the backing of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, which is sponsoring the event as part of Riyadh Season.

    Fans on social media reacted to the news that, going along with all of the new bells and whistles that have been added for Saturday night, holograms are now in on the act also.

    “If no one slips in a ‘Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi-you’re my only hope.’ Opportunity lost.”

    “Maybe that $20 million for production wasn’t so well spent…”

    https://twitter.com/TrentReinsmith/status/1834299483368161333

    “Tickets to UFC Noche: $3,000 UFC Noche Fighter Merch: $250 Food and Drinks at the Sphere: $450 Having hologram Dana White scream at you that Jon Jones is the P4P number 1 as soon as you enter the Sphere: PRICELESS!”

    “A hologram of Dana White and Jon Jones hugging probably”

    “ah yes, the star of the show”

    “Cringe lmaoooo”

  • Conor McGregor’s Coach Predicts Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili: ‘Going To Be In A Lot Of Trouble…’

    Conor McGregor’s Coach Predicts Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili: ‘Going To Be In A Lot Of Trouble…’

    The main event of UFC 306 that goes down on Saturday night inside the Sphere has proven to be a tough one to call for many people.

    In the champion Sean O’Malley, you have an incredibly dangerous striker who is always calm under pressure and reads fights incredible well. Merab Dvalishvili, meanwhile, is a perfect counter part to that and swaps aesthetically pleasing offense for an unbreakable will and never-ending gas tank, which he uses to overwhelm opponents from bell to bell.

    In many ways, the two men are the perfect counter to one another and that provides the question: who will be able to implement their specific skillset the best?

    This clash of styles that goes back to the earliest days of mixed martial arts is something that John Kavanagh referenced when weighing in with his thoughts.

    John Kavanagh Breaks Down UFC 306 Main Event, Picks His Winner

    Speaking to Lucky Block in a recent interview, the head coach of Conor McGregor described the upcoming bantamweight title fight as a “throwback.”

    Both O’Malley and Dvalishvili are capable in all areas but there’s no denying where they are at their best, which just so happens to be their opponent’s kryptonite in this fight.

    “I’m really, I’m really looking forward to that. In MMA today it’s usually two guys that are quite well skilled everywhere. And this one I feel is a bit of a throwback to when you’ve somebody very skilled in striking versus somebody very skilled in grappling, so the classic striker versus grappler. If Merab is unable to close that distance, he’s going to be in a lot of trouble. If Merab can close that distance and start chaining his takedowns together, he’s got the most incredible gas tank. He just goes and goes and goes. If he’s able to get attached, Sean’s in a lot of trouble. So it’s a very interesting fight for me as a fan and as a coach.”

    Kavanagh followed up his thoughts on the matchup by giving his prediction for the fight, leaning toward the belt staying in O’Malley’s possession thanks to his lethal striking.

    “If you were to put a gun to my head for a prediction, I do think Sean will catch him. He’s such a sharp shooter. He’s got fantastic striking and I could see him landing some of those big stray shots. He has a win over Merab’s teammate Aljamain Sterling so I’m sure that Aljamain is helping out Merab a lot in the preparation for this but Sean is on a real run at the moment and I could just see him getting that finish.”

  • Noche UFC 306 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili, Grasso vs. Shevchenko, & More

    Noche UFC 306 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili, Grasso vs. Shevchenko, & More

    Noche UFC (UFC 306) 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, September 14, at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley, who is tasked with getting the better of the surging Merab Dvalishvili if he’s to record a second successful title defense and stall the Georgian’s bid to exact revenge for his teammate Aljamain Sterling’s loss to “Sugar” last year.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see Alexa Grasso making a defense of her flyweight gold at the Mexican Independence Day celebration for the second straight year. After her Noche UFC headline rematch with Valentina Shevchenko ended in a draw in 2023, the pair will complete their trilogy inside the Sphere after coaching opposite one another on this year’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter.

    Also set to make the walk on Saturday night will be the likes of featherweight fan favorite Diego Lopes, former 135-pound title challenger Irene Aldana, and highly touted youngster Raul Rosas Jr.

    Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the Noche UFC 306 main card here.

    Noche UFC 306: O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 306 (as of 9/13), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Sean O’Malley (-125) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (+105)
    • Alexa Grasso (-130) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (+110)
    • Brian Ortega (+164) vs. Diego Lopes (-198)
    • Daniel Zellhuber (-230) vs. Esteban Ribovics (+190)
    • Ronaldo Rodriguez (-155) vs. Ode’ Osbourne (+130)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Irena Aldana (-115) vs. Norma Dumont (-105)
    • Manuel Torres (-135) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (+114)
    • Yazmin Jauregui (-520) vs. Ketlen Souza (+390)
    • Edgar Cháirez (+195) vs. Joshua Van (-238)
    • Raul Rosas Jr. (-1000) vs. Aoriqileng (+650)
  • Dustin Poirier’s Teammate Hints At Date & Opponent For His Final UFC Fight (Exclusive)

    Dustin Poirier’s Teammate Hints At Date & Opponent For His Final UFC Fight (Exclusive)

    A hunch or a leak? Dustin Poirier’s teammate appeared confident when predicting a month and opponent for his farewell fight in the UFC.

    It initially appeared as though fans had seen Poirier make the walk for the final time this past summer. After a vintage knockout of Benoît Saint Denis in March, the former interim UFC lightweight champion had one last opportunity to achieve undisputed status.

    But while he gave it his all through four rounds against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in Newark, “The Diamond” succumbed to a rear-naked choke in the final frame of the pay-per-view main event.

    The veteran’s Octagon interview suggested that an official retirement was on the way, but the fire beneath Poirier has not fully diminished. And after pondering a farewell fight, the Louisianan has appeared to make that decision final.

    Talk has since turned to which major matchup Poirier could depart the sport off the back of, and “The Diamond” himself narrowed down his options to seven big names.

    A man who knows Poirier well from their ongoing stint as teammates over at American Top Team recently picked one out…

    Dawson Predicts Poirier vs. Gaethje 3 In February 2025

    During a recent interview with MMA News’ Ryan Jarrell, Dawson spoke on the current status of Poirier’s career and apparent plans to compete one final time before hanging up the gloves.

    While reiterating his belief that “The Diamond” is not yet done, “KGD” predicted a February 2025 return for his ATT training partner but insisted that didn’t come from a place of insider knowledge.

    “I think he’ll fight in February. I don’t have any insider information,” Dawson told MMA News. “I don’t know anything. There’s no (set) date or anything like that. I just don’t think he’s done. I’ve texted him a couple times and he sounds like a man who wants to fight again.”

    But when pondering a date for his own next appearance inside the Octagon, the same month reared its head…

    “Let’s do February, on Dustin’s card.”

    In terms of an opponent, Dawson was 100 percent certain in stating that a rumored clash with former ATT standout Colby Covington is not on the table. Instead, the 30-year-old displayed a grin while producing a different name.

    “I know for a fact he’s not fighting Colby Covington. I called him and asked him about it, and he said, ‘Heck no.’ He said something a little worse than ‘heck,’” Dawson said, before smiling and taking a long pause when asked who he thinks Poirier will face. “Justin Gaethje.”

    Shot-in-the-dark prediction, educated guess or a statement of fact? We’ll let you decide.

    Regardless, it would appear that Poirier’s mind is indeed made up and that his memorable championship clash with Makhachev won’t mark the final chapter in his story.

  • Noche UFC 306: Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Weigh-In Results

    Noche UFC 306: Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Weigh-In Results

    Noche UFC (UFC 306) takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    After staging its latest pay-per-view event Down Under in Perth, Australia last month, the promotion’s September offering sees a first-of-its-kind show inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere.

    Tasked with aiding in an unforgettable night are a pair of championship headliners, the second of which will see bantamweight kingpin Sean O’Malley top the lineup in defense of his gold against the in-form Merab Dvalishvili.

    The Mexican Independence Day celebration will also see one of the country’s own defending her title, with Alexa Grasso completing her trilogy with all-time great Valentina Shevchenko in the co-main event.

    Elsewhere, fast-rising featherweight fan favorite Diego Lopes and former two-time title challenger Brian Ortega give their matchup a second go, while the likes of Irene Aldana and Raul Rosas Jr. also take to the cage.

    Noche UFC 306: O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili Weigh-In Results

    Noche UFC 306 takes place Saturday, September 14 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT.

    See above for a replay of the Noche UFC 306 weigh-ins via MMA Fighting, and check out the full results below!

    Main Card:

    • Bantamweight Championship Main Event: Sean O’Malley (135lbs) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (134lbs)
    • Flyweight Championship Co-Main Event: Alexa Grasso (124lbs) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (125lbs)*
    • Featherweight: Brian Ortega (146lbs) vs. Diego Lopes (146lbs)
    • Lightweight: Daniel Zellhuber (155lbs) vs. Esteban Ribovics (155lbs)
    • Flyweight: Ronaldo Rodriguez (125lbs) vs. Ode’ Osbourne

    Preliminary Card:

    • Bantamweight: Irena Aldana (136lbs) vs. Norma Dumont (136lbs)
    • Lightweight: Manuel Torres (156lbs) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (156lbs)
    • Strawweight: Yazmin Jauregui (115lbs) vs. Ketlen Souza (115lbs)
    • Flyweight: Edgar Cháirez (125.5lbs) vs. Joshua Van (125.5lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Raul Rosas Jr. (136lbs) vs. Aoriqileng (136lbs)

    *Manon Fiorot made weight at 124.5lbs as backup fighter for the co-main event

  • Israel Adesanya Predicts How Sean O’Malley Will Fare Against ‘Khabib-esque Mauler’ Merab Dvalishvili 

    Israel Adesanya Predicts How Sean O’Malley Will Fare Against ‘Khabib-esque Mauler’ Merab Dvalishvili 

    Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is high on the striking of Sean O’Malley, and he thinks Merab Dvalishvili will be in trouble if he finds himself in front of it for too long.

    The promotion stages its second annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day this weekend, with the unique Sphere venue in Las Vegas playing host to Noche UFC (UFC 306) on Sept. 14.

    Two pieces of gold will be on the line, with O’Malley’s second defense of the bantamweight title set to follow the trilogy fight between flyweight elites Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko.

    Not many main events this year have split opinions and predictions quite like O’Malley’s upcoming showdown with Dvalishvili. And the latest to reveal which side of the fence they sit on is no stranger to the positions of both champion and challenger…

    Adesanya Backs O’Malley To Meet Dvalishvili’s Takedowns With KO Blow

    During a video recently uploaded to his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Adesanya broke down and predicted the major matchups set to unfold inside the Sphere on Saturday night.

    “The Last Stylebender” paid close attention to the headliner, assessing how the champ will handle a smothering grappling style from the challenger that he branded similar to that of the great Khabib Nurmagomedov.

    Despite high praise for Dvalishvili, however, Adesanya is backing O’Malley to find the knockout blow as the Georgian enters range in pursuit of a takedown.

    “Aljo (Aljamain Sterling) couldn’t get him down, and Aljo trains with Merab. I’m sure Merab might get him down, but Sean will probably get back up. And if he (Dvalishvili) doesn’t get him down, he’s in trouble,” Adesanya said. “Styles make fights. Merab’s style is not Aljamain’s style. When we trained together, he had a different pace, cardio, and different energy as well. … Sean can fight. I’ve seen him in round four, round five look clean. But Merab is like, Khabib-esque. He’s a mauler.

    “While Sean’s finding his groove, Merab’s gonna put it on him and just try to take him down. If he gets him down, it’ll be just when Sean gets tired,” Adesanya continued. “When you know someone is coming for a takedown constantly, you can find it, you can find the shot, and Sean can find the shot. … Yeah, I’m gonna go Sean by TKO.”

    O’Malley will look to prove Adesanya’s prediction correct come fight night in Las Vegas by sending Dvalishvili to the same fate as teammate Sterling fell to in August 2023.

    In doing so, “Sugar” would move closer to his ultimate ambitions on MMA’s biggest stage, which includes a shot at two-division glory up at featherweight and a place in the GOAT conversation.

  • Justin Gaethje Lists Four Opponent Options For His UFC Return

    Former interim UFC lightweight champion and BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje is beginning to look ahead to his return fight.

    Gaethje entered 2024 riding high off the back of a memorable knockout victory over Dustin Poirier in Salt Lake City the previous July. The result saw the Arizona native avenge his 2018 loss to “The Diamond” and collect the symbolic BMF title in the process.

    Although he hoped to subsequently add the 155-pound crown to his trophy cabinet, Gaethje took a detour to put his BMF belt on the line opposite featherweight legend Max Holloway.

    But when the pair collided at the milestone UFC 300 event this past April, “The Highlight” was emphatically beaten, with “Blessed” following domination for the best part of five rounds with a vicious last-second KO.

    Gaethje has since been allowing himself the necessary time to recover and recuperate, but he’s now getting that ‘itch’. And while sidelined, the 35-year-old has compiled a group of names he thinks can help get him back to the top…

    Gaethje Open To Oliveira, Poirier Rematches Or Hooker, Volkanovski

    During a recent media scrum, Gaethje provided an update on his current status and plans to return to full-contact training following the scary knockout he suffered last time out.

    “The Highlight” acknowledged that he is raring to go and could be back in sparring by the end of October. With that, he’s looking ahead to his next matchup and has four names in mind for his pursuit of returning to the championship fray.

    “I said I was gonna take six months before I sparred. it’s been four, and I’m gonna have a difficult time making it to six months ’cause I’m itching,” Gaethje said. “I think I’m gonna give it another month before I spar and then get back into camp. So we’ll see.

    “There’s kind of like, another opportunity for somebody like how Dustin Poirier stepped in. There’s not a clear contender. Obviously I have to fight, but if I win, I’m right back in there,” Gaethje continued. “Dan Hooker (makes sense). I have a list. Hooker, (Charles) Oliveira, Poirier, and (Alexander) Volkanovski is a list of four people that I think — any of those would do for me what I need to do to get back in the picture.”

    Of note there is a possible trilogy fight with Poirier, against whom Gaethje has gone 1-1 inside the Octagon.

    That bout would appear to be on the table. Not only has “The Diamond” committed to one more fight following his title loss to Islam Makhachev this past June, but he’s also pointed to Gaethje as an opponent who would excite him enough.

  • Noche UFC 306: Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs

    Noche UFC 306: Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs

    We’re deep into Noche UFC (UFC 306) fight week, meaning it was recently time for the fighters set to be in action on September 14 to take to the stage and answer some questions.

    The MMA leader’s latest numbered event takes place at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the main attraction of the Mexican Independence Day celebration will see UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley put his belt on the line against Merab Dvalishvili.

    Setting the stage for the headliners will be another title fight, with reigning flyweight queen Alexa Grasso looking to record a second victory over the great Valentina Shevchenko in their trilogy, which comes after their rematch ended in a draw at last year’s inaugural Noche UFC event.

    Also on pay-per-view will be #12-ranked featherweight Diego Lopes, who will shoot for the top five in a rearranged showdown with former two-time title challenger Brian Ortega.

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

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

    Noche UFC 306 Pre-Fight Press Conference Stream

    Noche UFC 306 Press Conference Highlights

    Noche UFC 306 Press Conference Faceoffs

  • ‘Too Much Social Media’ – Belal Muhammad Changes His Mind On Noche UFC 306 Main Event Pick

    ‘Too Much Social Media’ – Belal Muhammad Changes His Mind On Noche UFC 306 Main Event Pick

    Belal Muhammad recently had a change of heart regarding his pick for the Noche UFC 306 main event.

    O’Malley is poised to put his UFC bantamweight title on the line against Dvalishvili in the headlining bout of one of the year’s most anticipated pay-per-view events, set to take place at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, this Saturday.

    “Suga” enters this fight fresh off his dominant first title defense, where he redeemed his only UFC loss by decisively defeating former rival Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this past March. O’Malley captured the 135-pound crown with a second-round TKO victory over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 in August 2023.

    Meanwhile, Dvalishvili rides an impressive 10-fight win streak, boasting wins over former champions such as Petr Yan and Jose Aldo. “The Machine” had been campaigning for a title shot for some time, and his wish was finally granted after a commanding victory over former two-division titleholder Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 this past February.

    Initially, the defending champion was labeled as the underdog against Dvalishvili, but as fight week unfolded, the tides shifted, and O’Malley emerged as the betting favorite for various reasons.

    Likewise, “Remember the Name” has also experienced a shift in perspective, now leaning towards a different pick for the upcoming showdown…

    Muhammad Revises His Pick for O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili Showdown

    During a recent interview with MMA legend Demetrious Johnson, Muhammad weighed in on the O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili title fight. The newly crowned UFC welterweight champion admitted that just a month ago, he believed “The Machine” had what it took to dethrone O’Malley.

    However, after some reflection, he’s now leaning towards “Suga”, confident that O’Malley’s precise, well-timed striking will be enough to counter Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling and secure his title defense.

    “If you’d have asked me maybe a month ago, I would say Merab’s gonna wrestle, and Merab is on another level,” Muhammad said. “Especially with his last fight, beating Cejudo the way he did, but I’ve swayed—I’m picking O’Malley in this fight. I think he’s a sharpshooter; he’s so good at moving laterally. Merab gets hit a lot in a lot of his fights, and he’s been rocked a lot. He’s a ‘Machine’, so he’ll walk through those punches, but I just think that O’Malley hits differently than anybody he’s fought.”

    “He has so much confidence after knocking out Aljo, who I think has better striking than Merab. Merab is very wild when he runs in, and even with his takedowns, he’ll sacrifice defense just to shoot in and grab a hold of you. Once he grabs a hold of you, it’s gonna be a long night, but I think that O’Malley has been training for him. He knows how to do that back step. I think I see Merab walking into something.”

    “Remember the Name” expressed concerns that Dvalishvili seems to be prioritizing social media promotion over his actual training, implying that he may have lost the fire to win the title. Muhammad also criticized “The Machine” for his recent antics, specifically calling out his decision to publicize suffering a cut during training.

    “Merab has just been posting. I think he’s been doing too much social media, thinking about promoting and being a character instead of training hard for the fight. You’re getting stitches, you’re showing you’re getting stitches, then you’re taking them out with scissors, then you’re drinking in Mexico, and you’re showing all of this stuff that does not need to be documented. All of this stuff does not need to be posted. But I think now he’s in that social media mindset where it’s not about the hunger anymore. It’s not, ‘This is my first time getting this title shot; it took me this long to get here; I can’t let the opportunity pass me up.’ It’s, ‘Let me show the UFC that I can be sold. I can sell myself. I can do this,’ and you’re thinking about other stuff instead of the goal, which is to win the fight.”

  • UFC Lightweight Questions Interest In Grasso vs. Shevchenko At UFC 306, Says He ‘Doesn’t Even Care’

    UFC Lightweight Questions Interest In Grasso vs. Shevchenko At UFC 306, Says He ‘Doesn’t Even Care’

    Renato Moicano recently cast doubt on fans’ enthusiasm for the trilogy title fight between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko at Noche UFC 306.

    “Bullet” is slated to meet flyweight champion Grasso in the Octagon for their third—and possibly final—showdown in the co-main event of this highly anticipated pay-per-view, set to unfold this weekend inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    The two fighters first clashed at UFC 285 in March 2023, where Shevchenko lost her 125-pound title to Grasso via a fourth-round rear-naked choke in what had been a razor-close contest. Six months later, they squared off again at the first edition of Noche UFC, but the rematch ended in controversy when one judge scored the bout 47-47, resulting in a split draw that allowed Grasso to retain her flyweight crown.

    Following their rematch, Grasso and Shevchenko took on roles as opposing coaches for the 32nd season of “The Ultimate Fighter” earlier this year. However, contenders like Manon Fiorot have since questioned the rationale behind booking a trilogy fight.

    Now, “Money” echoes similar sentiments, expressing his lack of interest and raising doubts about the necessity of the upcoming showdown…

    Moicano Equates Grasso vs. Shevchenko Trilogy with Moreno vs. Figueiredo 3

    During a recent episode of Show Me The Money, Moicano delved into the Grasso vs. Shevchenko trilogy, offering his prediction for the upcoming clash alongside co-host Matthew Tanner. The UFC lightweight veteran expressed skepticism about whether the fight has genuinely sparked fan excitement, even admitting he has little interest in watching the bout himself.

    “I don’t even care about this fight, to be honest with you,” Moicano said. “Do you want to watch that [fight]?”

    Tanner then reminded Moicano of the storyline from the previous two encounters between Grasso and the former flyweight champion, highlighting how their rematch was overshadowed by a controversial scorecard. He also pointed out the age factor between the pair.

    “Money” ultimately backed Grasso as the likely victor but drew parallels to the unpredictable nature of the Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo trilogy.

    “[I will pick] Alexa Grasso just because you say all that stuff, brother. I’m not falling for it. I would not put that on a parlay because, in the first fight, Valentina was winning and then got caught by the choke, and in the second one, Valentina should have won, but the judges messed up. Who knows what’s going to happen in the third one? This is like Moreno and Figueiredo—you never know, man.”

  • UFC Commentator Questions If Valentina Shevchenko’s Age Will Play A Factor At Noche UFC 306

    UFC Commentator Questions If Valentina Shevchenko’s Age Will Play A Factor At Noche UFC 306

    Laura Sanko recently pondered whether Valentina Shevchenko’s age might emerge as a crucial variable in her upcoming title fight against Alexa Grasso at Noche UFC 306.

    Shevchenko is set to challenge reigning UFC flyweight champion Grasso in a highly anticipated trilogy bout, serving as the co-main event of this Saturday’s pay-per-view spectacle at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    “Bullet” kicked off her dominant reign as the UFC’s 125-pound champion with a decisive unanimous decision win over Hall of Famer Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 231 in December 2018, setting the stage for an unstoppable title run. Shevchenko went on to defend her title an impressive seven times, cementing her legacy. However, her historic run hit a roadblock at UFC 285 in March 2023 when she was stunned by Grasso, succumbing to a shocking fourth-round submission.

    The two faced off once again in the main event of the inaugural Noche UFC last September. The result, still a hot topic of debate, ended in a polarizing split draw, with Grasso retaining her title. Despite the stalemate, Shevchenko appeared overwhelmed by the Mexican champion in parts, who got the better of most of the striking exchanges.

    Even before her loss to Grasso, Shevchenko, who turned 36 this March, showed signs of vulnerability during her title defense against Taila Santos at UFC 275 in June 2022. However, the Kyrgyz-born Peruvian narrowly avoided an upset, escaping with a razor-thin split-decision victory.

    All of this has sparked Sanko to question whether “Bullet’s” age might prove to be a deciding factor in the trilogy bout against Grasso…

    Sanko Wonders If Shevchenko’s Best Days Are Behind Her

    During a recent episode of One On One | MMA with Din Thomas, Sanko dove into a discussion about the upcoming Grasso vs. Shevchenko showdown. The UFC’s first female commentator posed an intriguing question to Thomas, asking whether the former flyweight queen could still maintain her razor-sharp edge at 36 or if time has begun to dull her once-dominant prowess.

    “Can you make that adjustment at 36?” Sanko asked. “I can say that as a mature woman of nearly 42. 36 is, you know, it’s not old, but it’s the beginning of what we call old in MMA. It’s the beginning of that if we’re being honest. So, I guess my question to you is: Can she make those adjustments at this stage in her career?”

    Thomas responded by acknowledging that while he’s not ruling out Shevchenko’s chances against Grasso, he believes 36 is the age when fighters often begin to struggle with the psychological demands of the sport, which could impact their performance.

    “The hard part is, physically, I think you could make them, but at 36, what I’m talking about is more psychological. At 36, you’re just in a different place psychologically, and you’re thinking about vacation and bills and what you’re going to do after the fight. Now, that may not be what we admit to, but that’s just what happens. We don’t like to admit that, but you just don’t want to slap a person in the face anymore after 36. It just… I don’t know if she can make those adjustments, but I’m not gonna count her out.”

    Prior to her defeat against Grasso, Shevchenko hadn’t lost to anyone in the UFC aside from Amanda Nunes. However, history has shown that many fighters over the age of 35 tend to exhibit signs of decline in their performances. This makes it all the more interesting to see how Shevchenko will rise to the challenge against Grasso, who is not only four years younger but brimming with momentum.

  • Noche UFC 306 Rising Star Details 3-Year Plan To UFC Title Shot

    Noche UFC 306 Rising Star Details 3-Year Plan To UFC Title Shot

    Daniel Zellhuber recently mapped out an ambitious three-year plan charting his course toward a UFC title shot.

    Zellhuber is gearing up to take on Esteban Ribovics in a lightweight clash on the main card of Noche UFC 306, set to go down this Saturday inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    “Golden Boy” earned his spot in the UFC with a commanding unanimous decision victory over Lucas Almeida on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2021. However, his promotional debut a year later didn’t unfold as planned, as he suffered the sole defeat of his professional career at the hands of Trey Ogden.

    Despite this setback, the 25-year-old Mexican rebounded impressively, stringing together a three-fight win streak. Most recently, Zellhuber secured a decisive victory over Francisco Prado at UFC Fight Night in Mexico this past February.

    Noche UFC 306 offers Zellhuber a prime opportunity to steal the spotlight as he aims to ascend the ranks of the highly competitive lightweight division, with his sights set on securing a title shot in the near future…

    Zellhuber Sets Sights On Veterans To Break Into Lightweight Rankings

    During a recent interview on Verse Us with Eric Nicksick, “Golden Boy” shared his aspirations for the future, emphasizing that a potential victory over Ribovics at Noche UFC 306 could serve as the launch pad for his rapidly rising career.

    “I always have a plan with the team where I wanted to take my time,” Zellhuber said. “But again, now that I’m more confident in my skill set and more comfortable fighting and, you know, doing all these things, growing as an athlete, I feel that this fight is my way to put the entire 155-pound division on notice. I want to win this fight, and after that, I want a former top 15 opponent, like somebody who was already in the rankings.”

    Zellhuber further expressed his desire to face seasoned divisional veterans like Michael Johnson or Bobby Green as his pathway to breaking into the rankings. Afterward, the DWCS graduate aims to take on highly ranked contenders by 2026, with the ultimate goal of challenging for the lightweight title in 2027.

    “I have Michael Johnson on my mind, even Bobby Green. It’s funny because I talk with Chase Hooper on Instagram. I texted him like, ‘Hey, you want to fight?’ and he answered me. Then it’s funny because we ended up being kind of like friends. I was trying to talk bullsh*t, but it didn’t work. I want one of those guys who was already there but is recently coming out [of rankings]. Then, by the end of next year, I want to fight a top 15 opponent, and start 2026 with a top 10, close the year with a top five, and then in 2027, a championship fight. I like to have everything planned. I feel that’s also why I’m being successful in my career because I don’t like to do things just like, ‘Yeah, let’s do this.’”

    “Golden Boy” heads into his bout with Ribovics as the betting favorite, likely owing to his significant height and reach advantage. However, “El Gringo” is no easy matchup—he brings a lethal combination of knockout power and grappling skills, making this showdown a thrilling contest that promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

  • Kamaru Usman Rectifies Merab Dvalishvili’s Misconception About Fighting Umar Nurmagomedov

    Kamaru Usman Rectifies Merab Dvalishvili’s Misconception About Fighting Umar Nurmagomedov

    Umar Nurmagomedov would appear to be next in line for whoever comes out on top in this weekend’s UFC 306 main event.

    Champion Sean O’Malley looks to earn his second title defense when he takes on Merab Dvalishvili at the Sphere.

    However, in the lead up to this fight, Dvalishvili has explained why he doesn’t believe that Nurmagomedov is currently at the front of the pack.

    The cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov is undefeated at 18-0 but his only win over a ranked opponent was his most recent outing against Cory Sandhagen, which elevated him all the way to the #2-spot.

    Dvalishvili has instead made the case for former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo being his first challenger if he becomes champion on September 14, after winning three in a row since moving up to 135 pounds.

    Kamaru Usman Argues Why Merab Dvalishvili Should Be Lobbying For Umar Nurmagomedov Fight Next

    On a recent appearance on the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Dvalishvili once again explained why he doesn’t think Nurmagomedov has got enough high-level wins to justify a title shot.

    There’s no denying that this would be a big fight for the UFC considering the legacy of Nurmagomedov’s family name and that’s something that Usman addressed.

    After hearing Dvalishvili’s reasoning, he looked to get across to him why fighting Nurmagomedov should be an option that he considers rather than disregarding him.

    “The Nigerian Nightmare” spoke about how it’s important for a champion to make the most of their time at the top by getting the biggest possible fights out there, which right now in the bantamweight division, means taking on the undefeated contender.

    “I get it, if we’re going by the rankings senses, it makes more sense 100% but, at the same time, we have to understand and I want you to understand this. This is one thing I’m gonna tell you Merab. If by God’s grace you are the champion, you have to understand that as the champion, now I have to use this belt, this position to accumulate as much income as I can at that time because time waits for nobody.

    “At some point, we’re gonna get old, we’re going to change and the belt is going to change hands, there’s going to be new champions even whether you retire the champion or not. There’s going to be a new champion so the job, the goal, is to pull in as much as you can while you’re in that position and we can’t deny that a fight with a guy like yourself and Umar Nurmagomedov would be a bigger sell than a fight with Deiveson Figueiredo at this time, even though Figueiredo is still, I think, a big name.

    Read also: Coach Ray Longo Pushes Back On Dana White’s Criticism Of Merab Dvalishvili: ‘He’s Far From A Dummy…’ 

  • Merab Dvalishvili Wants To Avenge Aljamain Sterling Loss, Prove O’Malley Got ‘Lucky’

    Merab Dvalishvili Wants To Avenge Aljamain Sterling Loss, Prove O’Malley Got ‘Lucky’

    Merab Dvalishvili has been chasing a shot at the bantamweight title for a long time now but there was one major obstacle in his way.

    For a long time now, he has been training partners and close friends with Aljamain Sterling, who held the 135-pound belt for over two years.

    Sterling’s reign came to an end at UFC 292 last year where he was stopped by Sean O’Malley in the second round.

    Sterling debated whether the referee on that night, Marc Goddard, was guilty of an early stoppage and this is something that Dvalishvili has been very vocal about.

    Now he has the opportunity to get revenge for his teammate by taking the belt off of O’Malley at UFC 306 inside the Sphere.

    Merab Dvalishvili Says He Wants To Prove That Sean O’Malley Was ‘Lucky’

    During a recent appearance on the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Dvalishvili spoke passionately about his thoughts on the Sterling vs O’Malley fight.

    He doesn’t see why the official would call the action when he did because despite the defending champion being dropped, he continued to move before taking several follow-up shots that led to Goddard stepping in.

    The challenger says that this gives him more motivation ahead of September 14 where he wants to show that “Suga” had luck on his side on that night in Boston.

    “I want to win this fight and I want to show the world he’s just a regular [guy] and he just got lucky because yeah, he did throw punch, he did clip Aljamain Sterling but Marc Goddard really helped him because when Aljo was down, he was keep moving, he was trying to grab the leg, he was moving and where Marc Goddard called him to move, he moved and then he stopped. If you tell him move and then he move, why you stop it you know. Me, when I fight, before the fight in locker room when referee comes I always tell referee, ‘Hey, if I get clipped, don’t stop me. Let me fight, I rather sleep, I rather die. Then, of course, you stop me but long as I’m moving, I’m doing something, please don’t stop me because I don’t need you.’

    “Aljo was still in this fight but I was so mad when Marc Goddard stop the fight early again. So yeah, this is also like you said Henry, this is avenge this loss.”

    Read also: Coach Ray Longo Pushes Back On Dana White’s Criticism Of Merab Dvalishvili: ‘He’s Far From A Dummy…’ 

  • Israel Adesanya Predicts Which Nation Will Dominate UFC’s Future: ‘In A Few Generations…’

    Israel Adesanya Predicts Which Nation Will Dominate UFC’s Future: ‘In A Few Generations…’

    MMA is truly a global sport and we’re watching first hand as new regions become serious hotbeds for nurturing talent.

    All it takes is for one fighter from a certain part of the world to have some success and the right infrastructure to be put in place, and it can lead to a revolution.

    That’s happening right now in Mexico following the investment that the UFC has made with things like the Performance Institute in Mexico City.

    After Brandon Moreno became the first Mexican-born UFC champion back in 2021, which was quickly followed by Alexa Grasso and Yair Rodríguez (interim title), it was clear this would inspire more young people in Mexico to train in mixed martial arts.

    Though there’s certainly a larger Mexican presence in the sport right now than ever before, that’s only going to continue growing in the future.

    Israel Adesanya Says Mexico Can Become A Leading Country In Mixed Martial Arts

    Mexico already has such an incredible legacy in combat sports due to the country having boxing as its national sport, and Israel Adesanya is excited to watch that continue to grow in MMA.

    In his preview for the second annual Noche UFC event this weekend with UFC 306 taking place inside the Sphere, the former two-time middleweight champion spoke about how Mexico could become a major player in the sport in years to come.

    “That from boxing, a lot of kids who would have maybe gone into boxing would start doing MMA and not just doing kickboxing or Jiu-Jitsu, like MMA as a whole and then it’s going to be, in a few generations you’ll see like a wave of Mexican fighters who have that Mexican spirit. You’ll see them like just dominating the UFC. Could be, who knows how many generations but kind of is already happening slowly.”

    With Mexican talent from top to bottom, Adesanya rounded out his thoughts by saying that this weekend’s card should be a fantastic display of that fighting spirit that Mexican fighters are so well known for.

    “I look forward to it. I like seeing Mexicans, like I think even with this card, it’s going to bring that spirit. I think you’re going to see some crazy fights, some really crazy fights just cuz the essence of Mexican fighting.”

    Read also: Israel Adesanya Hails Latest UFC Fighter From CKB As ‘Evolved’ Version Of Him

  • ‘Is It A Requirement For His Sparring Partners To Never Throw Anything Back?’ – MMA Fans React To Latest Conor McGregor Training Video

    ‘Is It A Requirement For His Sparring Partners To Never Throw Anything Back?’ – MMA Fans React To Latest Conor McGregor Training Video

    Having withdrawn from his scheduled return at UFC 303 in June, it appears that Conor McGregor is back working towards his new date.

    Nothing has been confirmed as yet for when “The Notorious” will step back inside the Octagon to face Michael Chandler.

    Given the amount of time since he last competed and the videos that are often posted on social media, one of which came out recently, fans have had their doubts about whether the fight will ever happen.

    McGregor posted a video of his return to sparring on social media, showing him working quite extensively on his clinch game, defending some takedowns and of course, landing his legendary left hand.

    Though this would seem to be an encouraging sign that the wheels are once again beginning to turn, we have been here several times in recent history.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmCOhw5ssx0

    MMA Fans React To Conor McGregor’s Return To Sparring In New Footage

    Suffice to say that the fans who commented below the footage posted on The Mac Life’s YouTube channel weren’t overly impressed by what they were seeing.

    There has been a lot of clips of McGregor sparring in recent months and that has seemingly led to two conclusions.

    One being that this doesn’t necessarily mean his return is drawing closer and two, that the videos are all fairly similar to one another.

    “All of these Conor sparring videos seem like a never ending bad fever dream at this point.”

    “2days off the coke looking good”

    “I love Conor but I’m so sick of this footage already. I see zero progression, it’s like he lives in an echo chamber of yes men. How has no one told him how stiff he’s gotten? How has no one showed him how much his stance has changed and affected his fighting? Like this footage is useless.”

    “Is it a requirement for his sparring partners to never throw anything back?? Can’t improve when all u do is beat up low level guys.”

    “Year 2033: Conor has released a new sparring footage and calls out out the champions of every weight class.”

    “Sparring champion that’s about it coz that’s all he does”

    “His sparring partners are told to not push him to boost his confidence, but thats the problem, he never have a ‘normal’ sparrings that actually make him uncomfortable as a result he gets knocked the fak out.”

    Read also: Sean O’Malley On What Will Set Him Apart From Conor McGregor: ‘No One Thinks Conor Is The GOAT’

  • Coach Ray Longo Pushes Back On Dana White’s Criticism Of Merab Dvalishvili: ‘He’s Far From A Dummy…’ 

    Coach Ray Longo Pushes Back On Dana White’s Criticism Of Merab Dvalishvili: ‘He’s Far From A Dummy…’ 

    Ray Longo, a longtime coach for UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili, has hit back at some comments recently made by Dana White.

    Dvalishvili is set to ride a 10-fight winning run into his first title challenge this weekend, which comes in the main event of the highly anticipated Noche UFC 306 pay-per-view at the Sphere.

    While the overall card has had its critics, the headliner between the Georgian contender and reigning champion Sean O’Malley has created significant intrigue and drawn a variety of predictions.

    There was a time a few weeks ago, however, when some feared for the matchup’s place on the card after Dvalishvili revealed a deep-looking cut sustained in training on social media.

    “The Machine’s” decision to publicly display the cut caused debate, with the UFC CEO being among those unimpressed by Dvalishvili’s antics.

    “The whole world knows about Merab’s cut. He posted it. Our guys are so dumb, it’s next-level unbelievable,” White said during a DWCS press conference. “All the stuff I talk about boxing, what I will give boxing, is when something happens in a camp, man, let me tell you what, it does not leak. Our guys can’t f*cking wait to throw it up on social media.

    “It’s a small cut. It’s no big deal. But obviously, it needed to be posted,” White continued. “Why the f*ck would you want him to know that? It is next-level stupid. Some of these guys are so stupid it’s mind-boggling. It’s unbelievable.”

    After Aljamain Sterling leapt to Dvalishvili’s defense and branded White’s reaction “over the top,” coach Longo has now shared a similar sentiment.

    Longo On Dvalishvili’s Cut: ‘One Thing Dana Was Really Wrong On…’

    During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Longo looked ahead to Dvalishvili’s long-awaited first opportunity to reach the mountaintop in the UFC.

    The veteran trainer was asked about the cut suffered by the Georgian in training, which became one of the hottest topics in the lead-up to Noche UFC 306.

    Longo dismissed the importance of revealing such a blemish to an opponent like O’Malley, and he strongly pushed back on White’s reaction to “The Machine’s” social media activity.

    “I’m not the social media guy, so I don’t get it. But you have to expect this sh*t with these kids today. They film everything. They film tying their shoelaces,” Longo said. “He’s been a camera guy since the second I met him. He’s crazy with the camera. But look, if it was a knee injury, I’d say that would be a problem. Now you’re gonna target something. (But) he’s gonna get cut in the fight. It is what it is. He’s gonna get punched in the face. … A cut’s a cut, and if it opens up, I don’t think it’ll have an impact on the fight.

    “One thing Dana was really wrong on was he called him a dummy. He’s far from a dummy,” Longo continued. “(Dvalishvili’s) very intelligent. He’s a humble guy, got humble beginnings. He’s fighting for his country. There’s certain guys that that type of sh*t means a lot. He’s one of them. He’s (O’Malley’s) gonna have to beat this kid dead, that I guarantee you.”

    Dvalishvili will look to display a different type of intelligence come fight night in Las Vegas on Saturday by using his fight IQ to secure a memorable title crowning inside the Sphere.

    His opportunity to do so comes in the final fight of the 10-fight lineup, on which he’ll mark the second championship challenger to make the walk after Valentina Shevchenko’s attempt to achieve two-time status at Alexa Grasso’s expense.

    While “The Machine” trains in Las Vegas with John Wood these days, he’s still expected to have the likes of coach Longo and teammate Sterling in his corner this weekend.

  • Israel Adesanya Hails Latest UFC Fighter From CKB As ‘Evolved’ Version Of Him

    Israel Adesanya Hails Latest UFC Fighter From CKB As ‘Evolved’ Version Of Him

    On the latest episode of Dana White’s Contender Series, City Kickboxing saw it’s eleventh fighter get signed to the UFC roster.

    Navajo Stirling came into the UFC Apex with an undefeated MMA record after making the transition from being a professional kickboxer.

    After a strong opening round against Phillip Latu, the Kiwi fighter found the finish in the second round with a perfect one-punch counter knockout that earned him a contract.

    Given their backgrounds, physiques and home gym, there was always going to be comparisons drawn between Stirling and his teammate, Israel Adesanya.

    Israel Adesanya Says Teammate Navajo Stirling Is The Evolved Version Of Him

    Though Adesanya knew that people were going to compare Stirling to his game, “The Last Stylebender” says that it’s not that simple.

    Both men are very technical strikers that use their range and accuracy to pick opponents apart, which is what Stirling did earlier this week.

    However, Adesanya believes there’s a clear difference between them as he referred to his teammate as the evolved version of himself in a recent YouTube video.

    In his Contender Series fight, Stirling looked to showcase some of his grappling skills in the first round and though he was unsuccessful at securing the takedown, it demonstrated his willingness to compete in all ranges.

    The former two-time UFC middleweight champion said that this is what separates the two of them.

    “Navajo is his own beast and you’ll see his own style show. If you think he’s like me now, I think he’s better than me like he’s evolved like the next version because of his grappling intelligence as well, which I have but I just don’t use them but he actually uses it and yeah. Maybe because he’s young, 26, skilled.”

    Read also: Former UFC Fighter Rejects Jon Jones For MMA Mount Rushmore: ‘People Outside The Sport Don’t Know Him!’

  • Chael Sonnen Brands Noche UFC 306 Fight The ‘Most Under-Promoted’ Of 2024

    Chael Sonnen Brands Noche UFC 306 Fight The ‘Most Under-Promoted’ Of 2024

    Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen wants to know why more people aren’t being “hyped up” for one important Sphere showdown this weekend.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will stage its second annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day on Saturday, Sept. 14. Rather than the T-Mobile Arena, this year’s edition of Noche UFC will take place within the unique surroundings of the Sphere.

    Tasked with topping the lineup are two champions in bantamweight kingpin Sean O’Malley and flyweight queen Alexa Grasso. Before “Sugar” defends against Merab Dvalishvili in the main event, the Mexican will complete her trilogy with Valentina Shevchenko.

    The rest of the card isn’t the deepest and has been criticized by some. But the non-title fights on offer does include one blockbuster rearranged collision between featherweight veteran Brian Ortega and the fast-rising Diego Lopes.

    Different predictions are flying for the contest, which comes a few months after their UFC 303 co-headliner fell through on the day of the event due to sickness suffered by “T-City.”

    After that debacle, Sonnen sees the fight as one of the most highly anticipated of the year. But the ex-middleweight and light heavyweight contender doesn’t believe the promotion has done justice to that…

    Sonnen: There Is A ‘Very Bizarre Feel’ Around Ortega vs. Lopes

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen looked ahead to this weekend’s major PPV event in Las Vegas, specifically the most marquee bout on the undercard.

    While Lopes has established himself as one of this year’s leading fan favorites and will face a former two-time title challenger and longtime contender in Ortega, Sonnen doesn’t think the bout is being promoted nearly enough.

    That has baffled “The American Gangster,” who went as far as to describe the fight as one of the most “sought-after” of 2024 thus far.

    “Brian Ortega, Diego Lopes — this thing is so wildly interesting,” Sonnen said. “Talk about a backstory, by the way. You know how helpful that is? … When you promised the world a fight and then all of a sudden you take it away. But it’s not being promoted, guys. Why is that? I’m just asking a question, making an observation. Why is it not being promoted?

    “This is one of the most sought-after fights in a period of time. Can I say all of 2024? Short-term memory with a little bit of exaggeration, yeah, it’s one of them. Absolutely it is,” Sonnen continued. “There is a very bizarre feel around this contest. There is a bizarre feel because nobody’s covering the contest! people are not talking about it. People are not getting you hyped up about it. That’s very peculiar. … This is one of the great fights of 2024. This is the most under-promoted fight of 2024.”

    While it may not be getting spoken about to the extent it should be in the build-up, both Ortega and Lopes will look to ensure that the leading headlines surround their winning performance on Sunday and the days that follow Noche UFC 306.