MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • UFC Revenue Up By Almost $100 Million At Midpoint Of 2024

    UFC Revenue Up By Almost $100 Million At Midpoint Of 2024

    TKO Group Holdings, under the banner of Endeavor, has recently unveiled the financial results for UFC and WWE in the second quarter of 2024, illustrating a remarkable upward trajectory.

    The UFC and WWE joined forces last September, giving rise to a new powerhouse in sports and entertainment: TKO Group Holdings. Since their unification, the business has been flourishing and reaching new heights.

    According to a recent report by journalist John S. Nash, TKO Group generated an impressive $851.2 million in total revenue. The company also reported adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $420.9 million, alongside a net income of $150.7 million.

    As per the report, the UFC experienced remarkable growth in the second quarter of 2024, with revenue soaring by 29% to $394.4 million. This impressive performance marks a half-yearly increase of $95.5 million compared to 2023. Adjusted EBITDA rose by 23%, totaling $231.9 million for the quarter ending June 30.

    This revenue boost was primarily driven by a substantial increase in media rights, which reached $250.6 million, along with higher content revenue. Additionally, the UFC saw increased income from live events thanks to an extra event held during the quarter. Sponsorship proceeds also significantly improved, with an increase of $15.5 million.

    Endeavor CEO Ariel Emanuel Reflects on TKO Q2 Earnings Growth

    Endeavor CEO Ariel Emanuel, who also leads TKO Group, recently shared his insights on the company’s impressive upward growth in the second quarter of 2024 in a statement released to the public.

    “TKO generated strong financial results in the quarter, highlighted by record quarterly revenue and adjusted EBITDA,” Emanuel said. “In light of this continued momentum, we are raising our full-year 2024 guidance for the second quarter in a row. The strength of our underlying business continues to give us great conviction for TKO’s ability to deliver sustainable long-term value for shareholders.”

    [h/t Inside the Ropes]

    In a strategic shift, Endeavor chose to go private after three years as a public company this past April, positioning TKO Group as its sole publicly traded entity. Endeavor’s initial 51% stake in TKO has since risen to 53.6%.

    However, it’s not all smooth sailing for the combat sports conglomerate. Last month, a judge rejected a $335 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit filed by former UFC fighters, setting the stage for a trial. If the case proceeds, the financial repercussions for the company could far exceed the proposed settlement amount.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Names 3 Opponent Options For Interim UFC Title Fight In Light Of Islam Makhachev Injury

    Arman Tsarukyan Names 3 Opponent Options For Interim UFC Title Fight In Light Of Islam Makhachev Injury

    Should his expected shot at Islam Makhachev’s UFC lightweight title be delayed until 2025, Arman Tsarukyan is open to facing another contender for interim status.

    Tsarukyan secured his first opportunity at gold on MMA’s biggest stage by recording his biggest win to date at the expense of former champion Charles Oliveira on the milestone UFC 300 card this past April.

    With the promotion always looking to have Makhachev defend his belt in Abu Dhabi, Tsarukyan was expected to challenge his former opponent in the main event of UFC 308 this coming October.

    Disaster stuck recently, however, after Makhachev suffered a severe hand injury that could leave him on the sidelines until late 2024 or even the next calendar year.

    While a patient wait until December would be welcomed by Tsarukyan, the top contender wouldn’t mind returning to action in the meantime should the latter of those two timelines come to fruition…

    Tsarukyan Open To Poirier, Gaethje, Chandler Matchups For Interim Title

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOpnuyF3ILM&pp=ygUQc3VibWlzc2lvbiByYWRpbw%3D%3D

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Tsarukyan provided an update on the status of his title shot following confirmation that Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway for the featherweight belt will instead top the UFC 308 lineup on Oct. 26.

    The Russian-Armenian acknowledged that he may need to wait until 2025 to compete with undisputed gold on the line. And if that’s the case, he’d be open to adding a second champ to the division by facing either Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, or Michael Chandler for an interim strap.

    “My manager told me I was gonna fight in October versus Islam, and then he said to UFC that he got injured. Now, they’ve moved that fight to December or maybe next year,” Tsarukyan said. “Of course it’s sad, because I already started training really hard and I’m in shape. … But it is what it is.

    “If it’s December, for me it doesn’t matter. I’m gonna wait and train as much as I can,” Tsarukyan continued. “If Islam can’t fight this year, for sure I would like to fight for the interim title, and it doesn’t matter who is gonna be in front of me. Dustin Poirier, he is a solid fighter and he has a lot of experience. Yeah, it would be great. Dustin, Gaethje — Michael Chandler as well.”

    During his rise up the lightweight ladder, Tsarukyan frequently accused the likes of Gaethje and Chandler of holding their top five positions hostage by not fighting up-and-comers.

    More recently, his focus has been on Chandler’s continued wait for Conor McGregor’s comeback, which was recently scrapped from the UFC 303 card in June due to an injury to the Irishman.

    With talk of Chandler finally moving on, perhaps the former three-time Bellator champ will be receptive to Tsarukyan’s interim title pitch.

  • Daniel Cormier Explains Why Sean O’Malley ‘Might Feel Better’ About Fighting Umar Nurmagomedov After His Latest Win

    Daniel Cormier Explains Why Sean O’Malley ‘Might Feel Better’ About Fighting Umar Nurmagomedov After His Latest Win

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier believes Umar Nurmagomedov’s latest performance might have made Sean O’Malley breathe a little easier on the bantamweight throne.

    Nurmagomedov kept his unblemished professional and UFC records intact at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, where he got the better of Cory Sandhagen in his maiden main event on MMA’s biggest stage.

    The Dagestani utilized his relentless grappling pressure and strong striking to get the better of the ex-interim title challenger and high-ranked contender across five rounds of action inside the Etihad Arena.

    The result saw Nurmagomedov rewarded with a sizable climb up the bantamweight pecking order to #2, leaving him behind only upcoming title challenger Merab Dvalishvili in the rankings. With that in mind, the Russian has staked his claim for a shot at the winner of O’Malley’s next defense at the Sphere this fall.

    And while Nurmagomedov and some others have suggested the champ will be keen to avoid the undefeated 28-year-old, Cormier isn’t sure that’s the case following his latest display…

    Cormier: O’Malley Has Seen Someone ‘Counter’ Nurmagomedov’s Skills

    During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Cormier reflected on Nurmagomedov’s sixth Octagon triumph and assessed what it could mean for O’Malley.

    “DC” stated that, while unsuccessful in his pursuit of a win, Sandhagen somewhat laid out a blueprint for dealing with Nurmagomedov’s ground game. That, Cormier says, could leave “Sugar” more confident in his chances against the Dagestani.

    “If I’m Sean O’Malley and I watched last weekend, Chael, I might feel a little better because now I finally saw someone actually counter these skills of Umar Nurmagomedov in terms of the ground fighting,” Cormier said. “Now, dealing with him on the feet is a whole another issue. But if you can fight on the feet, as Sean O’Malley can, you’d think you have a chance.”

    Before potentially adjusting his focus to Nurmagomedov, O’Malley must stall the title hopes of Dvalishvili at UFC 306/Noche UFC at the Sphere on September 14.

    And even beyond that, O’Malley has suggested the Russian isn’t set in stone as his next fight just yet. The champ has also pointed to the recently victorious Deiveson Figueiredo as a potential challenger, in addition to reiterating his featherweight ambitions.

  • Neil Magny Inspired By Teixeira, Couture’s Late UFC Title Success: ‘They Let Us Know It Could Be Done’ (Exclusive)

    Neil Magny Inspired By Teixeira, Couture’s Late UFC Title Success: ‘They Let Us Know It Could Be Done’ (Exclusive)

    UFC welterweight veteran Neil Magny still has his eyes on the ultimate prize, and he’s being spurred on by similar late-career success stories.

    Magny has long had the largely unwanted ‘gatekeeper’ label attached to him at 170 pounds, a weight class in which he holds the records for most wins, most fights, and most Octagon time.

    Losses to Shavkat Rakhmonov, Gilbert Burns, and Ian Garry since 2021 have prevented “The Haitian Sensation” from making a push up the ladder. But the 37-year-old has maintained a ranking by pushing away challenges from Daniel Rodriguez, Phil Rowe, and Mike Malott.

    His most recent victory over Malott came in memorable fashion, as Magny overcame a two-round deficit to stall the highly regarded Canadian’s expected arrival into contention with just 15 seconds remaining at UFC 297 this past January.

    And it’ll be a similar assignment for Magny later this month, with the New York City native tasked with defending his spot against another up-and-comer in the unbeaten Michael Morales at the UFC Fight Night on August 24. The bout will mark his first fight since signing a new four-fight contract.

    The welterweight vet is expecting to have his hand raised, and more than just keeping out the hungry prospects, he still has his eyes on gold…

    Magny Wants To Be More Than Just ‘Competitive’ As He Approaches 40

    During an interview with MMA News, Magny looked ahead to his second Octagon outing of 2024 and reiterated his continued championship hopes on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    Title success at such a late age is rare, but certainly not unheard of. Magny specifically pointed to the careers of Glover Teixeira and Randy Couture, both of whom had gold wrapped around their waist after passing 40.

    “I have the opportunity to go out there and show them (UFC) I’m still able to be one of the best guys in the world,” Magny said. “Realistically, I have to look at what some of the guys have done before; look at guys like Glover Teixeira and that kind of thing. Glover Teixeira was not only able to be competitive well into his early forties, but also win a championship at 42.

    “So, when I look at guys in MMA for longevity, I’m not just looking at guys who were able to just show up to fight and have a coin toss, ‘Maybe I win, maybe I lose.’ I’m looking at the guys who were able to compete at a high level,” Magny continued. “Glover Teixeira, Randy Couture; those guys are the actual examples for the guys that managed to be successful and very competitive well into their forties. For me, that’s my standard. Those are the guys that have done it before, that let us know it could be done.”

    Magny will look to move closer to joining the likes of Teixeira and Couture in the champs’ club by making it two wins from two fights against highly touted prospects in 2024.

    “The Haitian Sensation’s” clash with the undefeated Morales is set to co-headline the UFC Fight Night on Aug. 24, with a crucial middleweight contest between another veteran pursuing late-career title success, Jared Cannonier, and Caio Borralho taking the main event spotlight.

  • Amir Albazi On Muhammad Mokaev Fight Being Off The Table Following UFC Exit: ’10 Out Of 10 Times, I Would Beat Him’

    Amir Albazi On Muhammad Mokaev Fight Being Off The Table Following UFC Exit: ’10 Out Of 10 Times, I Would Beat Him’

    UFC flyweight Amir Albazi is frustrated not to have had the chance to face Muhammad Mokaev inside the Octagon, believing he would comfortably get the better of the 24-year-old.

    Albazi and Mokaev have long been two of the top prospects surging toward contention at 125 pounds and both found themselves inside the top five this year, vying for a shot at Alexandre Pantoja’s gold.

    During their respective charges up the flyweight ladder, they didn’t shy away from going back and forth with each other, with “The Punisher” accusing “The Prince” of avoiding a fight with him last year.

    The pair now won’t be able to settle their grudge inside the Octagon anytime soon after Mokaev didn’t have his contract renewed following his win over Manel Kape at last month’s pay-per-view in Manchester.

    While reacting to that widely discussed decision, Albazi once again made it clear how he thinks a battle with Mokaev would have played out…

    Albazi: I Was Never Impressed With Mokaev

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Albazi gave his take on the promotion’s decision not to re-sign his flyweight rival following the completion of his contract at UFC 304.

    “The Prince” first reiterated his confidence when it comes to how he matches up against Mokaev, insisting “The Punisher” did little to impress during his undefeated 7-0 run on MMA’s biggest stage.

    “To be honest, regarding the fight, I was never impressed with Mokaev. I always thought 10 out of 10 times, I would beat him,” Albazi said. “That’s just my opinion of things. … I would have loved to fight him to just prove to people that I could take him on and that wouldn’t be a problem for me. But it is what it is.”

    Nevertheless, despite the animosity between them, Albazi refused to pile in on Mokaev following his UFC release, noting he would never take joy from a fellow fighter losing their job.

    “Him getting cut — I don’t like the guy, but I don’t want to take away people’s jobs,” Albazi stated. “So, I still think it sucks that he never got to continue fighting in the UFC with his winning streak.”

    It remains to be seen what lies in the future for Mokaev, who has frequently kept his sights on a UFC return in the days since his departure.

    And it appears that an announcement regarding his next career move in pursuit of an Octagon comeback isn’t too far away judging by the Dagestan-born Brit’s latest social media post.

  • Umar Nurmagomedov Touts Bellator Champion As Islam Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Successor

    Umar Nurmagomedov Touts Bellator Champion As Islam Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Successor

    UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov has an idea of who could inherit the promotion’s lightweight crown from Islam Makhachev upon the conclusion of his career.

    Makhachev has occupied the throne at 155 pounds since UFC 280 in 2022, where he emphatically got the better of former champ Charles Oliveira, first dropping “Do Bronx” and then finding the submission in round two.

    The Russian has since successfully defended the gold three times, brushing away two challenges from then-featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski in 2023 before stalling the late-career title ambitions of Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in Newark this past June.

    The reign of Makhachev is far from over, with a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan expected to serve as his next task. Beyond that, a potential shot at two-division glory up at welterweight could be on the cards depending on if frequent training partner Belal Muhammad remains champion.

    But given how his friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov departed the sport on top, comparisons with “The Eagle” have included talk of such a departure for Makhachev, who has already tied Khabib for most lightweight title wins and consecutive defenses.

    When the reigning king does decide to relinquish his grip on the crown at 155 pounds, it would appear that his team already have plans for the division’s future — and they include the UFC poaching one of the PFL’s best…

    Umar Reveals Plans For Nurmagomedov Takeover Post-Makhachev

    During an interview with Hosheh MMA prior to his latest victory at the UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi this past weekend, Nurmagomedov was asked to predict the next UFC lightweight champion after Makhachev.

    Before the current titleholder reached the mountaintop, the plan had long been laid out by Khabib, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and their team for Makhachev to succeed “The Eagle.”

    Now, Usman Nurmagomedov is the highly regarded lightweight seemingly lying in waiting.

    “After Islam? We have plans for Usman,” Umar Nurmagomedov said. “Yes, (Usman will come to the UFC). Why not? I don’t know what’s going to be in the future, but that’s the goal.”

    Usman currently rules as the Bellator 155-pound champ, now under the banner of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). The undefeated Dagestani won the belt from Patricky Pitbull in 2022 and subsequently defended it against Benson Henderson.

    Most recently, Nurmagomedov had a victory over Brent Primus overturned after he tested positive for a banned substance in a prescription drug. He’s set to return from suspension to defend against Alexandr Shabliy at the Bellator Champions Series event in San Diego next month.

  • Whittaker On Pereira’s Next Title Defense: ‘UFC Really Don’t Like Ankalaev…’

    Whittaker On Pereira’s Next Title Defense: ‘UFC Really Don’t Like Ankalaev…’

    Magomed Ankalaev was announced to be returning at UFC 308 in October but the opponent had some left scratching their chins.

    The 32-year old contender is ranked as the #2 in the division behind the former champion and the last man to challenge Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title, Jiří Procházka.

    Though he does have a no contest from his first fight with Johnny Walker and a draw against Jan Błachowicz, Ankalaev is undefeated since his UFC debut and has won ten in a row (excluding the two previously mentioned blemishes).

    Following his win in a rematch with Walker earlier this year, many expected that Ankalaev would be next the title challenger after Jamahal Hill’s failed attempt to reclaim the belt at UFC 300.

    Though it makes sense why Pereira would then instead be booked for a rematch with Procházka on late notice at UFC 303, Ankalaev would surely then be the next one up.

    However, he is now set to face Aleksandar Rakić, who is coming off of a loss to Procházka, in Abu Dhabi.

    Robert Whittaker Jokes That Magomed Ankalaev May Simply Not Be In The UFC’s Good Books

    In a recent episode of his MMArcade Podcast, former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker gave his reaction to this fight being put together.

    Whittaker, who will also feature on UFC 308 in a co-main event clash with Khamzat Chimaev over five rounds, was also surprised to see Ankalaev back in action against someone other than Pereira.

    He laid out how there are two thought processes behind this fight with one being that “Poatan” has earned a rest and his number one contender would rather be active in the mean time.

    Whittaker also laid out how this decision may have been made due to the relationship that Ankalaev currently has with the UFC, which has been rocky to say the least in recent years.

    “Pereira deserves a break, he took that second fight with what’s his name and won it in outstanding fashion and then his toe was broken so he deserves a break. I guess I can look at it like… UFC really don’t like Ankalaev. Like when he fought against Błachowicz to that draw, they were just like cross his name out. They’re like yeah, like he didn’t have great rapport after that fight right. So that or it’s exactly as you said, Pereira needs some time out, Ankalaev doesn’t want to sit out forever. Or, bear with me here, they’re prepping him to fight Aspinall.”

    Read also: ‘Predator Is On The Hunt’ – MMA Fans React To Confirmation Of Francis Ngannou’s PFL Debut, Renan Ferreira Clash

  • ‘Training The Triathlon To Run Away From Aspinall’ – MMA Fans Hijack Jon Jones’ Social Media

    ‘Training The Triathlon To Run Away From Aspinall’ – MMA Fans Hijack Jon Jones’ Social Media

    The UFC has always had a reputation for giving the fans the fights that they want to see but right now, it appears that what they want most is something they can’t have.

    Jon Jones is, by many people’s estimations, especially Dana White’s, the best to ever step inside the Octagon and after winning the heavyweight title, it makes sense that he would want to take on arguably the best UFC heavyweight ever, Stipe Miocic.

    Some had issues with the fight when it was first announced for UFC 295 last November due to the amount of time that Miocic has been out for and the fact that his last fight was a loss.

    This outcry only became far louder when an injury to Jones pushed the fight back another year, with Tom Aspinall then going on to become the interim champion.

    Fans have been constantly calling for Jones to unify the heavyweight title next against Aspinall, rather than fighting Miocic, even if that simply isn’t going to happen.

    MMA Fans Continue Relentless Push For Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall

    With Jones even offering up a phone number that people can call if they want to see the Aspinall fight happen, he’s very aware of fan sentiment because he sees it under everything he posts.

    The heavyweight champion’s latest social media video shows him doing lengths in the pool and even that wasn’t safe from scrutiny regarding the Aspinall fight.

    “Just when you thought it was safe …”

    https://twitter.com/Jabjitsu/status/1820974319112953884

    “When are you fighting Tom?”

    “You should consider getting into the deep end with Tom.”

    “Ducks do like to swim, after all.”

    “Jon training the Triathlon to run away from Aspinall.”

    “Relinquish your belt”

    https://twitter.com/Fargolde/status/1820965971357790689

    “Tom owns u lil buddy. Less swimming more fighting.”

    “Imagine how good it’d feel to be back in the octagon fighting contenders instead of holding up a division.”

    Read also: BREAKING: Francis Ngannou’s MMA Return Official For PFL Super Fight Card On Oct. 19, Cris Cyborg Co-Headlines

  • Pantoja’s Coach: Title Defense Against Former Two-Weight Champion ‘Doesn’t Make Any Sense’

    Pantoja’s Coach: Title Defense Against Former Two-Weight Champion ‘Doesn’t Make Any Sense’

    UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja’s coach, Marcos “Parrumpa” da Matta of American Top Team, recently weighed on the potential opponents for “The Cannibal’s” title defense upon his return to the Octagon.

    Pantoja successfully defended his title for the second time with a commanding unanimous decision victory over Steve Erceg in the main event of UFC 301 this past May in front of his home crowd at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

    During a media interaction at UFC International Fight Week in June, Pantoja told journalists that he is already negotiating a major fight for his return against an opponent that “no one expects.”

    While the Brazilian remained tight-lipped about the specific contender, his coach now has a particular name in mind…

    ‘Parrumpa’ Plays Matchmaker For Pantoja

    During a recent interview with Sherdog.com, da Matta delved into the potential opponents for Pantoja’s next fight. The seasoned MMA coach highlighted that the most logical contender for Pantoja is the undefeated Japanese flyweight sensation Tatsuro Taira.

    “I think that the most natural names will be—I mean, I think, to be honest, that the name that makes more sense right now is Tatsuro Taira,” da Matta said. “Because he’s already had some fights in the UFC; he finished [Alex] Perez. I’m not gonna say it was a fluke, but it was an injury. Nonetheless, it was a finish.”

    He also explained why other contenders, such as Amir Albazi and former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo, do not make sense for Pantoja’s next title defense.

    “I don’t think Albazi is ready. He’s been a long time getting hurt, trying to get better, so I don’t think he’s in a position to go for a title shot. His last fight was a while ago, and a lot of people thought he lost… I think Cejudo doesn’t make any sense for the UFC because he retired when he was on top. He beat Dominick Cruz, which was amazing, then retired. He came back, wasn’t that great, lost, and went back to retirement. Now he’s going to come back in the weight division below 135 [pounds] and fight for the belt? And then what happens if he wins? Is he going to defend, or is he going to retire again?”

    Following his TKO victory over Perez at a Fight Night event in June, Taira expressed his desire for a title shot against “The Cannibal” in 2024, aiming to become the first Japanese champion in UFC history. He is set to headline an upcoming event at the UFC Apex against former title challenger Brandon Royval on October 12.

  • Sonnen: UFC Should Re-Sign Mokaev After Owning Mistakes

    Sonnen: UFC Should Re-Sign Mokaev After Owning Mistakes

    Chael Sonnen recently advocated for the UFC to re-sign Muhammad Mokaev, praising the undefeated flyweight fighter for taking responsibility for his mistakes.

    Mokaev clinched a unanimous decision victory over Manel Kape at UFC 304 last month in a matchup clouded by controversy. The conflict erupted at the hotel, where the fighters got into a heated clash. “The Punisher” later admitted he sparked the confrontation by sucker-punching Kape. The pair also nearly came to blows at multiple media events before their bout.

    Following his victory over Kape, Mokaev announced the end of his UFC contract and expressed hopes for a renewal. However, during the UFC 304 post-event press conference, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the Russian-born Englishman would not be offered a new contract. White also hinted that the reasons behind Mokaev’s departure extend far beyond his performance in the Octagon.

    The UFC’s choice to part ways with “The Punisher” ignited rumors that he had begun negotiations with the PFL before his contract ended. However, these speculations were quickly dismissed by Mokaev’s manager, Tim Simpson.

    Days later, Mokaev acknowledged that his actions were poorly received and issued an apology to the UFC in a series of posts on X. Despite this, White and the company remain steadfast in their decision, as Mokaev has been removed from the official flyweight rankings.

    However, “The American Gangster” believes the UFC should offer Mokaev a second chance to redeem himself and rectify his past mistakes…

    Sonnen Calls On UFC To ‘Show Grace’ to Mokaev

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Sonnen delved into the possible issues between Mokaev and the UFC matchmakers that ultimately led to the decision to release him from the promotion.

    “I don’t know what he could have done realistically,” Sonnen said. “He’s got to do two things: he’s got to upset the matchmakers, who are really nice guys—like, it’s really hard to ever hear a story where somebody was upset with them—and be able to keep it quiet in our industry, which is just wildly difficult to do.”

    The former light heavyweight title challenger further emphasized that if Mokaev is publicly acknowledging his errors and sincerely expressing regret for his antics, the UFC should consider re-signing him.

    “When I tell you I want to forgive him, and I do, I guess I should also offer that I don’t quite know what we’re forgiving him for, but I have guesses. He seems calm, he seems like a guy that really wants his job—in fact, stronger on the position of ‘I want to be here, please reconsider.’ He’s going out to the public, and he’s owning everything that he did, whether it’s his boring style or the hotel situation. I feel like that’s a guy that you would show grace to.”

    Mokaev recently proclaimed that he has already atoned for any missteps and has even gone so far as to offer to fight for free if the UFC grants him another chance.

  • Whittaker Reveals He Insisted On Chimaev Rebooking: ‘I Love Disrupting Their Plans’

    Whittaker Reveals He Insisted On Chimaev Rebooking: ‘I Love Disrupting Their Plans’

    Robert Whittaker recently revealed that the push to reschedule his previously canceled bout against Khamzat Chimaev for UFC 308 was entirely his initiative.

    Both fighters were initially set to headline UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia on June 22. However, just weeks before the contest, “Borz” withdrew due to an unspecified illness. In a bid to salvage the main event, Ikram Aliskerov stepped in on short notice. Unfortunately for Aliskerov, his night was cut short as Whittaker dispatched him with a knockout in under two minutes.

    Now, the UFC has rebooked Whittaker and Chimaev for a five-round middleweight bout as the co-main event of UFC 308, set to take place on October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

    “The Reaper” asserts that it was his idea to challenge Chimaev once again, driven by a desire to test his skills against the formidable opponent…

    Whittaker Believes Victory Over Chimaev Could Secure Title Shot

    During a recent appearance on the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker discussed his rationale for rescheduling his fight against Chimaev. The former UFC middleweight champion expressed that he couldn’t pass up the chance to fight on enemy turf and prove his mettle.

    “Unfortunately, the business isn’t completely run on merit, and a lot of it is, but there are a lot of times and moments when it just is not,” Whittaker said. “Chimaev is a hard fight; he’s obviously a big draw, especially over there in Abu Dhabi… I think the UFC, story-wise, wants to see Chimaev get a shot at the champion or whatever. They want to see Chimaev at the top of the ladder; they want to see him in that picture. But I love disrupting their plans; I love derailing their stories, and that’s why I took the fight.

    You know, I asked for the fight straight after my last fight. I saw there was an Abu Dhabi card in October, the timeline fits perfectly, and I was like, I’ll fight Chimaev again. Let’s do it again, just make sure he turns up.”

    “The Reaper” further emphasized that he knows Chimaev is a tough opponent, but believes that defeating him would pave the way for a title shot.

    “I look forward to hard fights, and I know that if I beat Chimaev, there is nothing in my way to getting my belt back. Chimaev, as dangerous as he is, I don’t go into these fights thinking about what I have to lose. Much like how I took the fight with Ikram, I don’t look at the fights and think, ‘Oh man, it’s too big of a risk.’ Every fight’s a risk, you know, and I only go into fights because I have the confidence I’m going to beat and smash whoever is in front of me, and that doesn’t change with Chimaev.”

    “Borz” has been out of action since his majority decision victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 last October. During that bout, he suffered a torn ligament in his hand, which was followed by a severe infection that spread across his upper body, forcing him to take an extended break from active competition.

    Meanwhile, Whittaker is gearing up for his third Octagon appearance of 2024. Earlier this year, he secured a decisive victory over Paulo Costa at UFC 298 in February and followed it up with a win against Aliskerov.

  • Former Fighter On Du Plessis Getting Under Adesanya’s Skin: ‘Reacts Incredibly Emotionally’

    Former Fighter On Du Plessis Getting Under Adesanya’s Skin: ‘Reacts Incredibly Emotionally’

    Israel Adesanya faces a new test when he returns at UFC 305 to try and reclaim the middleweight title in a fight with Dricus Du Plessis.

    “The Last Stylebender” has had his rivals in the past and whilst his story with Alex Pereira has defined big parts of both men’s careers, and the likes of Marvin Vettori and Sean Strickland weren’t big fans of his, this one is different.

    No opponent has been able to bring this kind of intensity out of the former champion quite like Du Plessis has. due to his comments on bringing the title back to Africa.

    This opens up the debate whether Adesanya fights best when he’s relaxed or amped up.

    Megan Anderson Says That Israel Adesanya’s Emotion Could Help Or Hinder Him At UFC 305

    In a recent preview video of the UFC’s return to Perth on her own YouTube channel, former UFC fighter Megan Anderson spoke about the war of words between Du Plessis and Adesanya.

    Things appeared to have calmed down (a little) on this front if their most recent encounter was anything to go by but there is clearly still some tension there which could come back around on fight week.

    Anderson believes that Adesanya’s previous interactions with the champion don’t paint the best image for him unless, of course, he can use this dislike of Du Plessis to raise his game another level.

    “If anything has shown us, anytime these two get together, Israel reacts incredibly emotionally. He is saying things that we’ve never heard him say before, he is really just going out there and just being so incredibly passionate about this. How much of that is Dricus really revving up this whole rivalry between them and this is getting under Israel’s skin, we’re going to find out. But, whether it hurts him or helps him perform, that’s the biggest question for me.”

    Read also: Coach Dismisses Outcome Of Decade-Old Sparring Session Between Adesanya & Du Plessis: ‘We’ve Heard Stories Of AJ Being Knocked Out In Boxing…’

  • Coach On Donald Trump Calling Khabib Nurmagomedov Favorite UFC Fighter

    Coach On Donald Trump Calling Khabib Nurmagomedov Favorite UFC Fighter

    Shortly after his latest corner assignment in Abu Dhabi last Saturday, Khabib Nurmagomedov received some kind words from a figure that has been on record as a big fan of his.

    The former US President Donald Trump has always been tied to the sport of MMA to some degree and just like any fight fan, he has his favorites.

    Trump has mentioned the former lightweight champion in the past and even posted on social media about it, after meeting him whilst in attendance at UFC 302.

    During a recent stream alongside Adin Ross, he said that “The Eagle” is number one on his own personal list.

    Nurmagomedov’s long-time coach turned fellow corner Javier Mendez gave his reaction to this in a recent interview with Red Corner MMA.

    “No I haven’t seen it and I’m not surprised, Donald Trump has spoken always highly about Khabib and what a great fighter he thinks and also, Donald Trump from the very beginning back when the UFC just started and they would get into the Trump Towers, their hotels and Donald Trump was one of the few people that took a chance on them back in the day. So, Donald Trump’s an MMA fan so not surprising that he would choose ‘The Eagle’ because we all choose ‘The Eagle’, I choose ‘The Eagle’.”

    Javier Mendez On Why The UFC Decided To Release New Conor McGregor & Khabib Nurmagomedov Footage

    On July 15, the UFC released the latest episode of their “UFC Muted” series on YouTube which strips away the commentary so you can hear audio from fights that wasn’t possible before.

    The subject of this particular instalment was sure to bring attention due to it being no-commentary clips of the biggest fight in UFC history, Conor McGregor vs “The Eagle”.

    Mendez was asked to give his thoughts on why the UFC decided to release this footage at this time in particular.

    He explained how in his opinion, this was done to keep Nurmagomedov in the spotlight ahead of his return to the corner this past weekend, where he helped his cousin Umar Nurmagomedov to stay undefeated against Cory Sandhagen in the main event.

    He said that the promotion knows what they’re doing and if they can’t have the former champion back inside the Octagon, they’ll look to make the most out of his star quality in other ways.

    “I believe the UFC’s genius at what they do. I believe they’re building the ‘young eagle’ situation because Khabib was in the corner and they showed the corner. Why would you show the corners if you’re not trying to build that as a corner. So no, UFC, they go with the algorithm, they know what they’re doing and I believe that’s what they’re doing. They’re building up Khabib as the next great coach and he is. He’s on track to being the next great coach if not the greatest coach. So I believe the UFC is playing that narrative because that’s a smart move on their part.”

    Read also: Javier Mendez Chooses Between Khabib & Umar Nurmagomedov In Striking, Grappling, Mental Toughness, & Chin

  • Former UFC Champion Chris Weidman’s Next Fight Announced For Expected MSG Pay-Per-View

    Former UFC Champion Chris Weidman’s Next Fight Announced For Expected MSG Pay-Per-View

    Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman looks set for another fight close to home later this year when the promotion returns to Madison Square Garden.

    Weidman has gone 1-1 since making his comeback from a devastating leg break in 2023, most recently getting the better of Bruno Silva via a controversial TKO stoppage in the third round at the UFC Fight Night in Atlantic City, New Jersey, this past March.

    The New York native, who has not won consecutive fights since having his undefeated record blemished and title reign ended by Luke Rockhold in 2015, will look to make it two from two in 2024 in his home state.

    Iridium Sports Agency recently revealed on social media that one of its clients, former American football linebacker-turned-UFC middleweight Eryk Anders, is set to share the cage with Weidman on November 16.

    While unconfirmed, that date is expected to mark the organization’s return to Madison Square Garden for UFC 309.

    Weidman Targets First Win Streak Since 2015 At Anders’ Expense

    When they collide, Anders will be looking to stall the potential resurgence of an all-time great of the middleweight division.

    Weidman (16-7) achieved title glory as an unbeaten fighter back in 2013, memorably knocking out the previously invincible Anderson Silva at UFC 162. After three successful defenses against Silva, Lyoto Machida, and Vitor Belfort, the Baldwin native was unseated by Rockhold in a Fight of the Night war.

    The former champ has won just three of his nine fights since, a disappointing run that includes knockout losses to Gegard Mousasi, Ronaldo Souza, and Dominick Reyes, as well as a gruesome broken leg opposite Uriah Hall in 2021. After falling short in his return bout against Brad Tavares last August, Weidman got back into the winner’s circle this year.

    But with that result over Silva coming in controversial fashion after a slew of eye pokes, Weidman will be targeting a definitive triumph when he meets Anders (16-8, 1 NC). “Ya Boi” has struggled with inconsistency after Machida handed him his first loss in a 2018 main event, going 6-7 with one no contest since.

    The ex-NFL athlete most recently bounced back from a defeat to Marc-André Barriault in 2023 by outpointing Jamie Pickett this past March. He’ll now look to get the better of Weidman to secure his first string of victories since a double in 2019.

    Eryk Anders
    Image: UFC.com
  • Daniel Cormier Explains Why He Opposes 12-6 Elbows: ‘The Moment We Start Opening Those Rules…’ 

    Daniel Cormier Explains Why He Opposes 12-6 Elbows: ‘The Moment We Start Opening Those Rules…’ 

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier doesn’t appear pleased with one upcoming change to the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.

    The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC) held its annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky, late last month. During it, a rule vote resulted in the approval of two long-awaited changes.

    In addition to redefining what constitutes a grounded opponent, the ban on fighters throwing “12-6” elbows is set to be lifted later this year. The linear downward elbow was notably the cause of the sole defeat on the record of light heavyweight legend and current UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones.

    Many in the community have long argued against claims that the direction of the elbows are more dangerous than a conventional, angled strike. With that, the confirmed rule change was positively received by a large portion of fans, fighters, and pundits.

    One ex-UFC athlete, however, is concerned about the ball of lifting the prohibition on certain moves now rolling…

    Cormier Worried About ‘Street Fight’ Moves Returning To MMA

    During the latest episode of his Funky and the Champ YouTube show alongside Ben Askren, Cormier gave his take on the long debate surrounding “12-6” elbows and the recent ABC ruling regarding the move.

    “DC” voiced his opposition to allowing the banned strike, insisting that the decision to reverse long-standing prohibitions will only pave the way for further “street fight” moves finding their way back into the sport and affecting its legitimacy.

    “I don’t like that. I don’t like 12-6 elbows and I don’t like soccer kicks,” Cormier said. “I don’t want — here’s my thought…I just do’t want everything that makes fighting look like a street fight. That’s it. … John McCain, before he passed, was against fighting because he said, ‘It’s human cockfighting.’ They would show these videos of gang fights and people on the ground and they would just kick them in the face. If we get to soccer kicks, it starts to look like that again, and that’s not good.

    “I don’t like the 12-6 elbows. The 12-6 elbow I don’t feel as strongly about. I don’t care as much about 12-6 elbows (as soccer kicks),” Cormier continued. “But I think the moment we start opening those rules again, it’s gonna be more, and more, and more, and eventually we’ll get back to soccer kicks.”

    Cormier’s view would appear to be in the minority, with many praising both the removal of that ban and the new definition of a grounded opponent following the ABC conference in July.

    Both adjustments will officially come into place on November 1, 2024.

  • Caio Borralho Confident Of Beating ‘Old Man’ Jared Cannonier: ‘I Don’t Mean To Be Disrespectful…’ 

    Caio Borralho Confident Of Beating ‘Old Man’ Jared Cannonier: ‘I Don’t Mean To Be Disrespectful…’ 

    UFC middleweight contender Caio Borralho believes his youth will play a major factor against Jared Cannonier in their upcoming main event.

    The promotion recently announced a late-notice headliner for the UFC Fight Night at the Apex on August 24, with former 185-pound title challenger and top-five contender Cannonier defending his position on the ladder against a charging up-and-comer.

    Borralho is unbeaten in 15 fights since defeat in just his second professional bout, and he’s extended that run with a perfect 6-0 UFC record since breaking through on Dana White’s Contender Series three years ago.

    Having most recently knocked out Paul Craig in emphatic fashion at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro to climb to #12 in the middleweight pecking order, “The Natural” has received a major opportunity.

    And although “The Killa Gorilla” marks a big step up in competition for him, the Brazilian expects to be sharing the cage with a fading vet later this month…

    Borralho Sees Clear Advantage Over ‘Aging’ Cannonier

    During an interview with Mike Owens for InsideFighting, Borralho looked ahead to his recently announced maiden headliner on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    While “The Natural” acknowledged the “scary” nature of Cannonier’s power, which has helped him become one of just two fighters to record knockouts across three UFC divisions, he believes the veteran is slowing down.

    And with the Brazilian approaching his prime as he rises the ranks at 185 pounds, Borralho is expecting to be the one who “breaks” the 40-year-old.

    “He’s number five in the world, so I think it will be a great opportunity for me to show my work and what I’m capable of,” Borralho said. “I’m very excited about this fight because Jared is a very scary guy; fought in three divisions, great knockout power. In the middleweight division, he’s only lost to two former champions. … He lost to Imavov but I think it was an early stoppage.

    “I think he’s a good guy to face because it’s gonna really test myself, and that’s what I really want. … I think it’s gonna be another clinical victory for myself,” Borralho continued. “(Cannonier) was slowing down (against Imavov). I saw his fight against Strickland; he did a very good pace, was with a good gas tank. But he was 37, I think 38. Now he’s 40, almost 41. I think the age — I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but I think the age is coming at him. He’s kind of slowing down and not with the same gas tank. I think this will be the breaking point because I’m gonna put the pressure on. … The old man’s not gonna take it, with all due respect.”

    Borralho will look to prove that assessment correct come fight night on August 24. In doing so, he’s hoping to next face current champion Dricus Du Plessis in a title eliminator, as he expects the South African to lose his gold at the hands of Israel Adesanya this month.

    Whether or not that plan comes to fruition remains to be seen, but either way, a strong result at the expense of “The Killa Gorilla” will certainly leave him with a prime position in the title picture.

  • Belal Muhammad On How Many Title Defenses Before He Can Discuss Double-Champ Status: ‘I Already Beat All These Guys In The Top 10!’

    Belal Muhammad On How Many Title Defenses Before He Can Discuss Double-Champ Status: ‘I Already Beat All These Guys In The Top 10!’

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad believes his long and grueling path to the title means a quicker route to another belt is on the cards.

    Muhammad added the 170-pound gold to his résumé late last month in Manchester, headlining the UFC 304 pay-per-view event in enemy territory in competition for Leon Edwards’ throne.

    “Remember the Name” made good on his confident pre-fight predictions, dragging “Rocky” to deep waters with his pressure wrestling and ever-improving striking game en route to a lopsided decision win.

    While a significant moment for his career, the crowning has certainly not marked the completion of Muhammad’s ambitions. And as well a rise up the pound-for-pound ranks from his current #5 ranking, that includes entry into the ‘champ-champ’ club…

    Muhammad Targets Two Welterweight Defenses Before Middleweight Shot

    During a recent interview with John Morgan for Grind City Media, Muhammad discussed the current landscape of the welterweight division and assessed how much work he’ll have to put in to open up a path to 185 pounds.

    “Remember the Name” has frequently discussed the sheer number of top contenders he had to go through in order to finally earn a first championship opportunity. And having already defeated four names inside the top 10, he expects to only require a couple of defenses before his gaze fully drifts to the middleweight strap.

    “I beat this guy, this guy, this guy. … None of these guys beat a number one contender like I beat a number one contender,” Muhammad said. “When I beat Luque, he was on a seven-fight winning streak…he weighed in as a backup. When I beat Gilbert Burns, he was on a two-fight winning streak; he was the number one contender. … Sean Brady was 15-0 when I beat him. All these guys had big wins, huge wins.

    “It tells me that I’ve got maybe two fights and then I can start talking about double-champ status because I already beat all these guys in the top 10,” Muhammad continued.

    While he’s now quickly setting his sights on the gold held above him by Dricus Du Plessis, Muhammad has also poured gold water on the two-division ambitions of another UFC champion.

    In recent years, “Remember the Name” has often trained alongside lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev. Although the Dagestani has been firm in outlining his plans to secure the welterweight belt, the presence of his friend on that throne means his pursuit of another belt has paused for the time being.

  • Ben Askren Calls Out UFC’s Hypocrisy In Not Booking Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall: ‘That’s What Boxing Does’

    Ben Askren Calls Out UFC’s Hypocrisy In Not Booking Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall: ‘That’s What Boxing Does’

    Former UFC fighter Ben Askren thinks Dana White’s comments on the issues in boxing make no sense while he refuses to make the biggest fight at heavyweight.

    One topic that has remained at the surface in 2024 is Jon Jones’ return from injury. His first title defense was originally set to come against Stipe Miocic at last November’s UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden.

    After injury forced “Bones” out, an interim champion was crowned in his absence. Tom Aspinall’s triumph over Sergei Pavlovich added a second titleholder to the division and appeared to set up a unification showdown with Jones.

    But both the Rochester native and the UFC have remained firm on rescheduling the Miocic matchup in spite of Aspinall’s gold, and that appears to still be the case following the Brit’s successful defense against Curtis Blaydes last month in Manchester.

    Plenty in the community have spoken out against plans for Jones and Miocic to meet toward the end of this year, citing the heavyweight legend’s inactivity to insist that a clash with Aspinall is more intriguing.

    And according to one former fighter, the promotion’s rejection of that goes directly against the UFC CEO’s frequent comments about what sets his organization apart from boxing’s politics…

    Askren On Jones vs. Aspinall Delay: ‘The Fact That Dana’s Playing Along…’

    During the latest episode of his Funky and the Champ YouTube show alongside Daniel Cormier, Askren gave his latest take on the heavyweight title picture.

    “Funky,” a former Bellator and ONE Championship kingpin, pointed to the UFC’s claim of putting on the biggest and best fights in comparison to boxing, a sport that White has often criticized for its politics and failure to pair the top names against one another.

    By not staging Jones vs. Aspinall, however, Askren believes White and the UFC is abandoning that principle.

    “I almost feel like maybe Jon’s got some dirt on Dana or something,” Askren said. “Dana generally would not put up with this type of behavior. He would say — and this is what the UFC’s been founded on where boxing wasn’t — ‘we want the best guys to fight. We want to see who the actual best guy is. We don’t want to waste time with shenanigans. We don’t want to pad records…we don’t do that; that’s what boxing does. In the UFC, we put the best guys in there, we see who wins.’

    “The fact that Dana’s playing along and letting him and Stipe fight — Stipe’s gonna be close to four years (since his last fight). And you have this young interim champion — I mean, he’s a beast, he smashes people,” Askren continued. “The fact they won’t put them in there together — and then there’s this obvious (chance) that Jon beats Stipe and then says, ‘I’m done, I’m gone,’ and then we never get to see that. … Dana almost always presses these issues with the best guys.”

    After pausing his pursuit of Jones and focusing on retaining his belt and securing redemption against Blaydes on home soil, Aspinall turned his attention back to the all-time great following his quick triumph.

    And the interim champ has since vowed not to return unless undisputed status is on the line.

  • Recently Retired UFC Fighter Sympathizes With Tony Ferguson’s Struggles: ‘He’s Like A Cocaine Addict Trying To Reach That High Again’

    One man with experience committing to an exit from active competition knows full well the difficulty that former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson is having amid an eight-fight skid.

    Ferguson fell to an unwanted record at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, with fellow veteran Michael Chiesa sending him to the longest run of defeats in the promotion’s history.

    “El Cucuy” was finished inside the first round at the Etihad Arena, tapping out to a rear-naked choke after being comfortably taken down and offering little defense to the submission move.

    In the aftermath, the 40-year-old initially appeared set to announce his retirement. But while the majority seemingly would have supported that move, the best they got was a half-retirement, and event that appeared to be quickly walked back in the aftermath.

    Brown: Ferguson ‘Has To Accept’ His Time Has Gone

    During the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Writer vs. The Fighter, recently retired welterweight Matt Brown gave his assessment of Ferguson’s current situation.

    “The Immortal” brought his career to an end this year, having amassed the second most fights in the 170-pound division’s history and falling below only heavyweight powerhouse Derrick Lewis for knockouts.

    Brown retired a year on from his previous appearance, a brutal KO victory over Court McGee. The result ensured he hung up the gloves off the back of a 2-1 record across his final three fights, all of which netted him performance bonuses.

    The ship appears to have sailed when it comes to Ferguson retiring on a similarly strong run of form, and Brown thinks “El Cucuy” is simply chasing a “high” that will never come again.

    “Look, when you lose eight in a row, it doesn’t matter where you’re at in your career…you should probably call it quits,” Brown said. “Something isn’t right. Whatever it is. If you lost your first eight or you lost your last eight. The problem is he had so many wins, he was interim champion, on like a 12-fight winning streak back in the day. So he’s like a cocaine addict trying to reach that high again. When you get eight (losses), it doesn’t matter. If he had lost eight fights in a row at the beginning of his career…he would have quit most likely. He would have been like, ‘Well, this definitely isn’t the sport for me, I lost eight fights in a row.’ But because he’s already had that high, he’s thinking I can get back to that.

    “It’s like cocaine. It really is. That’s what walking into an Octagon and beating another man’s ass (feels like), especially the way Tony did where he just f*cking ripped people’s souls out of their bodies. That is a high you cannot get anywhere else, in any other way,” Brown continued. “But you can’t chase that. You’ve got to accept that was the season of your life, and it’s time to move onto a new season.”

    Ferguson is yet to discuss his future since his comments inside the cage and at the post-fight press conference this past weekend. It remains to be seen whether he’ll attempt another outing inside the Octagon, and whether the UFC will even let him.

  • Coach Dismisses Outcome Of Decade-Old Sparring Session Between Adesanya & Du Plessis: ‘We’ve Heard Stories Of AJ Being Knocked Out In Boxing…’

    Coach Dismisses Outcome Of Decade-Old Sparring Session Between Adesanya & Du Plessis: ‘We’ve Heard Stories Of AJ Being Knocked Out In Boxing…’

    Israel Adesanya’s striking coach, Michael Angove, recently brushed off the importance of an almost decade-old sparring session between “The Last Stylebender” and Dricus Du Plessis.

    Du Plessis is poised to defend his middleweight title for the first time in a highly anticipated grudge match against Adesanya, headlining the UFC 305 card at Perth’s RAC Arena in Western Australia on August 17.

    Adesanya and Du Plessis have been on an inevitable trajectory toward each other long before their tempestuous confrontation in the Octagon at UFC 290 in July 2023. However, that explosive encounter was not their only meeting; their rivalry dates back to well before they became prominent figures in the world of MMA.

    In a video that surfaced on social media last year, captured in 2016 at the Tiger Muay Thai training facility in Thailand, Du Plessis was seen sparring with former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. During this session, the South African unintentionally bumped into Adesanya. The brief encounter saw them exchange apologies before they resumed their separate training.

    After the clip gained significant traction, both Adesanya and Du Plessis reflected on their past training session multiple times. The Nigerian-born Kiwi admitted to struggling in the grappling exchanges but claimed to have outshone “Stillknocks” in striking. In contrast, Du Plessis insisted that he “manhandled” his future opponent throughout the entire session.

    However, Angove believes that the past has little bearing on the present…

    Angove States One Training Session Doesn’t Ensure Du Plessis Will Outperform Adesanya Again

    During a recent interview with The Scrap, Angove was questioned about the training session between Adesanya and Du Plessis. The City Kickboxing coach responded diplomatically, stressing that past events are irrelevant in the present context. He highlighted that both fighters, particularly his protégé, have undergone significant evolution since then.

    “It is what it is, you know, it was 10 years ago, that’s a decade,” Angove said. “What happens in the training room and all those factors, I mean, we’ve heard stories of AJ [Anthony Joshua] being knocked out in boxing. You get guys who get chinned by sparring partners, but none of that matters because so much water has gone under the bridge. You know, one training session, once, when one guy got the better of someone in one particular exchange does not mean whooped his sh*t, to be honest.”

    Angove further emphasized that Adesanya showcased robust takedown defense against formidable opponents like Yoel Romero and Derek Brunson, both known for their wrestling-heavy game. In contrast, Du Plessis was taken down by Brunson in their fight.

    “Let’s not forget, Romero couldn’t hold Izzy down, couldn’t take him down. Derek Brunson couldn’t get him down, and we know that Derek took Dricus down. So, you know, time moves, and Dricus will have improved since then as well. But we don’t operate in this kind of time-free style. These guys are elite athletes who have developed so that they’re at the top of the MMA game, and that’s how we look at it.”

  • Georges St-Pierre’s Coach On Whether He Thinks Cory Sandhagen Is ‘Too Kind’ To Be Elite, Mistakes Made Against Umar Nurmagomedov

    Georges St-Pierre’s Coach On Whether He Thinks Cory Sandhagen Is ‘Too Kind’ To Be Elite, Mistakes Made Against Umar Nurmagomedov

    Georges St-Pierre’s renowned head coach, Firas Zahabi, recently weighed in on Cory Sandhagen’s performance, suggesting that his lack of elite wrestling skills was a significant factor in his defeat against Umar Nurmagomedov.

    Sandhagen faced a challenging defeat by a unanimous decision to Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi last Saturday at the Etihad Arena, once again putting his bantamweight title aspirations on hold.

    Nurmagomedov controlled the fight’s tempo almost entirely, showcasing his trademark mix of rapid, diverse striking and dynamic wrestling. He skillfully maneuvered into dominant positions, contorting “The Sandman” at multiple points throughout the contest. Despite Sandhagen’s impeccable defensive acumen and his ability to escape from tight spots, he couldn’t launch a sustained offense to disrupt the relentless Dagestani.

    As the fight wore on, Nurmagomedov steadily widened his lead. Though Sandhagen valiantly attempted to rally, his efforts fell short against the relentless onslaught of his opponent. Nurmagomedov maintained his aggressive pace, and finally, all three judges unanimously scored the bout in his favor.

    Before the fight, there was widespread belief that Sandhagen would be outmatched by Nurmagomedov’s superior wrestling and grappling skills, and those predictions came true. According to Zahabi, Sandhagen’s defeat stemmed from straying from his game plan after conceding early takedowns…

    Zahabi Believes Sandhagen Could Have Dodged Early Takedown Against Nurmagomedov

    During a recent video on Tristar Gym’s YouTube channel, Zahabi dissected the Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov bout. When a fan questioned whether Sandhagen is “too kind in nature to be elite” against opponents with strong wrestling backgrounds, the esteemed MMA coach shot down the notion. Rather, he zeroed in on the issues faced by the American being technical instead of mental, noting that “The Sandman” appeared taken aback by Nurmagomedov’s early takedowns, which significantly impacted his performance.

    “I really think what screwed him up, what really turned his game plan upside down was he got taken down so early,” Zahabi said. “He got his back exposed even though he got out of it quickly, it’s like ‘wow, that guy shoots really fast; I wasn’t ready for that.’ It seemed like he was a little bit shocked, and then he got taken down again. Yes, but there were two takedowns I think he gave for free when he kicked the leg. I would have told him don’t kick the leg; it’s not a good idea. And those two takedowns, I think, just added to the dominance of Umar. They could have been easily avoided.”

    Zahabi further suggested that Sandhagen could have benefited from attempting more takedowns himself, which might have thrown his opponent off balance.”

    “Honestly, I think if you threaten people with your takedowns and you threaten them with striking, you’re kind of creating a dilemma. The guy knows, ‘Hey, I can get taken down; I lose this entire round.’ He’s got to divide his attention. He’s got to be on the lookout for that takedown.”

    Prior to this setback, Sandhagen was riding high on a three-fight winning streak, which included impressive victories over former bantamweight title challenger Marlon Vera and Song Yadong.

    The American had previously vied for the interim title at UFC 267 in October 2021, where he fought valiantly but ultimately fell short in a grueling five-round battle against Petr Yan.

    • Read More:
  • Dana White: Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Have ‘Paid Their Dues’ But ‘Owe’ Tom Aspinall Title Unification Fight

    Dana White: Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Have ‘Paid Their Dues’ But ‘Owe’ Tom Aspinall Title Unification Fight

    Dana White has stuck to his guns regarding the expected upcoming heavyweight title fight between the champion Jon Jones and the returning Stipe Miocic.

    This match-up has been controversial ever since Jones was forced to push the fight back a year due to an injury – which then led to Tom Aspinall winning the interim title and defending it this past month.

    White has said that he expects the winner of that fight to then unify the division against Aspinall, stating after UFC 304 that it would be a great shame if both Jones and Miocic retire after their eventual clash, as many expect them both to do.

    He recently cleared the air once again on what he believes are the next steps for the heavyweight division now that Aspinall has defended his title whilst we await Jones’ return.

    Dana White Says That Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Deserve To Fight One Another But Owe It To Aspinall Afterwards

    In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, White addressed the idea that some of the fans believe that Aspinall deserves to fight Jones next rather than Miocic.

    He believes that this decision comes down to the two men that were originally set to meet at UFC 295 last November because of what they’ve done in the sport.

    However, he also clarifies that in his opinion, the winner of the heavyweight title fight should then have to pay it forward by giving Aspinall the chance to fight for the undisputed title before riding off into the sunset.

    “He [Aspinall] looks like the future of the heavyweight division right but at the same time, he’s working his way up. He’s climbing up the ladder and everybody’s like, ‘He deserves this and he deserves that.’ He doesn’t deserve anything. He looks great and he looks like he’s going to be the guy. You’ve got Stipe and Jon who have paid their dues, they’ve been here forever, they fought everybody, they fought all the fights that you could possibly fight. These guys deserve to fight each other.

    “Whoever wins that fight, I think that they owe it to Aspinall to fight him and give him the opportunity that they’ve been given. When you look at Jon Jones and Stipe, they beat all the guys right? And you’re either gonna be the guy that’s gonna cement your legacy forever or you’re gonna hand the torch off the way that it was handed off to you guys by all the guys that came before you.”

    Read also: Conor McGregor Brands Donald Trump’s Pick For His Favorite UFC Fighter A ‘Campaign-Ending Decision’

  • Israel Adesanya’s Coach Feels ‘Real African’ Comments From Dricus Du Plessis A Smart Marketing Ploy: ‘Conor Not Being Able To Get Inside Khabib’s Head…’

    Israel Adesanya’s Coach Feels ‘Real African’ Comments From Dricus Du Plessis A Smart Marketing Ploy: ‘Conor Not Being Able To Get Inside Khabib’s Head…’

    The main event of UFC 305 features one of the biggest rivalry match-ups of the year finally take place as middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis meets former titleholder Israel Adesanya.

    August 17 in Perth would have been a fight that fans were looking forward to regardless but comments that were made over a year ago, at this point, have made this one drastically more tense.

    Before he was even the number one contender, Du Plessis spoke about bringing the belt back to Africa as the first true African champion because he lives and trains in South Africa to this day.

    A coach of Adesanya’s at City Kickboxing in New Zealand gives the champion credit for what he believes was an intentional move to stir the pot.

    Michael Angove Says That Dricus Du Plessis’ Comments Were Intentional

    Michael Angove spoke in a recent interview with The Scrap about Du Plessis’ comments that made this fight mean a whole lot more than Adesanya becoming a three-time champion.

    Angove suggested that given Adesanya’s personality and pride, the current champion must have known that he would get a reaction by saying what he did.

    “We may as well start there as that’s what kicked it all off. Dricus is many things but he isn’t stupid. That was a calculated statement, I make no apologies for suggesting that’s calculated. You know that a guy from Nigeria with ‘broken native’ written across his chest, with the continent of Africa across his chest, is going to feel very, very attached to his homeland.

    “Clever marketing, well done Dricus, he knows the whole history of South Africa as well. That’s going to motivate people, it’s great, it’s built this fight to a much higher level than it might have been otherwise and here we are and I think there is a pretty fair degree of animosity there based on that. Great marketing, great way to get under someone’s skin and the world is now watching.”

    Despite believing that Du Plessis made this personal on purpose, Angove doesn’t necessarily blame him for doing so.

    He explained how both selling the fight and trying to emotionally manipulate an opponent are two aspects of the sport and they both matter at this level.

    “That’s the nature of the fight game, it’s smart. Everyone plays both marketing and mind games and at the highest level, at the elite level, those things can make a difference. Conor not being able to get inside Khabib’s head made a difference. Conor not being able to get inside Nate Diaz’s head made a difference. You saw the difference when Conor made people insane with rage versus guys who were just focused and let it wash over them.”

    Read also: Sean O’Malley Puts Umar Nurmagomedov Among ‘Lot Of Options’ For Future Opponent: ‘Max, Ilia, Figgy…’

  • ‘Bro Gave Out Belal’s Number’ – Fans React After Jon Jones Posts Phone Number To Canvass Support For Tom Aspinall Fight

    ‘Bro Gave Out Belal’s Number’ – Fans React After Jon Jones Posts Phone Number To Canvass Support For Tom Aspinall Fight

    Jon Jones was sure to have a close eye on the recent co-main event of UFC 304, which featured a man that he has spoken about a lot recently in Tom Aspinall.

    The Brit defended his interim title on home soil by stopping Curtis Blaydes in the opening minute of their rematch, before going on to call Jones out.

    He simply said that he has nothing personal towards “Bones” but believes he’s the better fighter and would like the opportunity to prove it before the heavyweight champion potentially retires, after his rescheduled title defense against Stipe Miocic.

    Jones gave a quick and to the point reaction to that fight but eventually, the constant call from fans to make the fight happen has led to a follow-up post from the consensus greatest of all time.

    MMA Fans React To Jon Jones’ Tom Aspinall Fight Hotline

    In a recent post on X, Jones appeared to share a phone number that links to Glenview, Illinois.

    The caption on the screenshot says that anyone that wants to see this heavyweight title unification happen should contact this number where Jones will be available over the coming days.

    He later urged that in the case the phone is switched off, people should still contact this number via text so he can get back to them – which is clearly some kind of joke that he’s playing on someone.

    Fans reacted to this slightly odd post from the heavyweight champion on social media and tried to guess whose number it actually is.

    “Dom Reyes watching his phone blow up”

    “Who tf did you just dox bro”

    “If this is Chael’s number, it would be the best prank ever”

    “Dc watching his phone blow up”

    “Ariel helwani’s number probably”

    “Bro gave out Belals number”

    Read also: Tom Aspinall Questions UFC’s ‘Unfair’ Decision Not To Renew Muhammad Mokaev’s Contract

  • Demetrious Johnson Discusses Bantamweight Title Picture After UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi: ‘Can’t Wait To See All Three Of These Guys Lock Horns…’

    Demetrious Johnson Discusses Bantamweight Title Picture After UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi: ‘Can’t Wait To See All Three Of These Guys Lock Horns…’

    In the main event of this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, a new top bantamweight contender emerged.

    Umar Nurmagomedov was able to leapfrog the majority of the top ten at 135-pounds by defeating Cory Sandhagen over five rounds.

    Many have expected for a long time that Nurmagomedov just needed the opportunity to show that he was an elite level talent and that finally happened him for on Saturday night.

    With Sean O’Malley set to defend the bantamweight title in the main event of UFC 306 next month against Merab Dvalishvili, the shadow of a new contender looms overhead and makes for some exciting options.

    Demetrious Johnson Says He’s Excited To See Umar Nurmagomedov Face Sean O’Malley & Merab Dvalishvili

    In his review of the main event, former UFC and current ONE Championship flyweight king Demetrious Johnson said that he’s excited to see how this division plays out in the coming months.

    He was left very impressed by Nurmagomedov’s performance and believes that he should be the next in line to face the winner of the upcoming title fight.

    “Mighty Mouse” spoke about how either option of O’Malley or Dvalishvili taking on Nurmagomedov in a title defense makes for an engaging match-up.

    Whichever way it ends up unfolding, Johnson is excited to now have another name in the mix at the top end of bantamweight.

    “I like him [Nurmagomedov] taking him [O’Malley] to the ground, I don’t think he’ll be able to get Merab down, I’m not sure. But, I think this match-up, whoever wins this one fighting Umar, I think it’s the right thing to do and I can’t wait to see all three of these guys get the opportunity to lock horns each other or one of them fights the other one.”

    Read also: Javier Mendez Chooses Between Khabib & Umar Nurmagomedov In Striking, Grappling, Mental Toughness, & Chin