MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • Henry Cejudo Dislikes UFC’s Continued Patronage Of Tony Ferguson: ‘I Think You Have To Give Other People Opportunities…’

    Henry Cejudo Dislikes UFC’s Continued Patronage Of Tony Ferguson: ‘I Think You Have To Give Other People Opportunities…’

    Henry Cejudo recently voiced his dissatisfaction with the UFC’s ongoing support of Tony Ferguson, suggesting that the promotion should now shift its focus to new contenders and fresh talent.

    Ferguson is gearing up for what could be the final chapter in his Octagon career. He is set to face off against Michael Chiesa in a welterweight clash on the main card of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi, scheduled for this weekend at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, United Arab Emirates.

    Once hailed as the most intimidating fighter in the UFC lightweight division, “El Cucuy” surged through a 12-fight unbeaten streak, securing the interim championship with a victory over Kevin Lee at UFC 216 in October 2017 during that remarkable run.

    However, the 40-year-old Californian’s ascent took a sharp downturn following a tough defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 in May 2020, which decisively shattered his unbeaten run. Currently, Ferguson is mired in a string of setbacks, tying the promotion’s record for the longest losing streak with seven consecutive losses. “Triple C” believes it’s time for the UFC to part ways with Ferguson…

    Cejudo Claims Ferguson Is Long Past His Competitive Best

    During a recent episode of Pound 4 Pound with former champ Kamaru Usman, Cejudo weighed in on the upcoming fight between Ferguson and Chiesa. The former UFC two-division champion argued that, given “El Cucuy’s” string of defeats, the UFC should offer other fighters a chance to shine on the main card and consider releasing the veteran lightweight.

    “I don’t like it personally; I’m surprised,” Cejudo said. “I think you’ve got to give other people opportunities to be on main cards too. Tony has had his last, what, seven fights or six fights or something crazy in a row. I’m just like, man, he’s not the same Tony who fought Kevin Lee before that. But he’s not the same guy, man.”

    “Triple C” further noted that Chiesa might pose a challenging matchup for Ferguson, given that “Maverick” is larger and enters the fight with fresher legs.

    “I think Tony’s on his way out. I think if the UFC wants to give him a better fight, they should match him with someone whose style suits him a bit more. I think Chiesa is just stronger, especially moving up a weight class. I feel like Chiesa is bigger, stronger, and hasn’t endured the same level of punishment as Tony. He’s never been knocked out like Tony, and yeah, I do feel like this is a bad match.”

    Ferguson is coming off a tough defeat to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296 last December, which has led the MMA community to suggest that “El Cucuy” should consider retiring to avoid taking further damage.

    Even UFC CEO Dana White has openly expressed a desire for Ferguson to retire, yet the veteran believes he can reignite his career with a move back to the welterweight division.

  • Belal Muhammad Trashes ‘So-Called Experts’ Demetrious Johnson & Kamaru Usman After UFC 304 Win: ‘They Don’t Know What They’re Talking About!’

    Belal Muhammad Trashes ‘So-Called Experts’ Demetrious Johnson & Kamaru Usman After UFC 304 Win: ‘They Don’t Know What They’re Talking About!’

    Belal Muhammad recently hit back at Demetrious Johnson and Kamaru Usman for their dismissive assessments of him following his commanding victory over Leon Edwards at UFC 304.

    Muhammad clinched a unanimous decision victory against the reigning UFC welterweight champion in their rematch last weekend at the Co-Op Live arena in Manchester, United Kingdom.

    “Remember the Name” started the fight with a slick takedown, showcasing his wrestling mastery. His effective mix of seamless takedowns and sharp boxing against a formidable opponent like Edwards was unexpected for many. As the fight progressed, Muhammad intensified his aggression, slamming “Rocky” head-on into the canvas with thunderous impact.

    Although the Chicago native faced resistance in the later rounds as Edwards launched a determined rally in the fourth with some potent strikes of his own, Muhammad maintained control for most of the round. In the final frame, the Jamaican-born Englishman managed to reverse the position, delivering a relentless storm of elbows that caused a gash on Muhammad’s nose.

    Despite this, “Remember the Name” stayed resolute, having already impressed the judges enough to clinch the win. Now, Muhammad has a wealth of words for those who questioned his abilities…

    Muhammad Triumphs Over Edwards with Bold Mentality Amidst Doubts

    During a recent appearance on the Anik & Florian Podcast, Muhammad looked back on his triumphant moment against Edwards at UFC 304. Entering the bout, the newly crowned welterweight champion was met with skepticism, particularly from former UFC champions Usman and Johnson, who doubted his chances against the striking-focused “Rocky.”

    Now that Muhammad has emerged victorious over Edwards, he hasn’t held back in addressing his critics.

    “I just want to be like, ‘I told you so,’ to all the people out there who sit there and act like they’re so-called experts,” Muhammad said. “Even these fighters—like Demetrious Johnson, who thinks he’s a great analyst; he sucks. Usman sucks at analyzing stuff. All these guys, they don’t know what they’re talking about. When you get into the cage with me, it’s different.

    You think it’s slow, then you get punched in the face, and you realize it’s fast. You think I don’t hit hard, then you get hit in the mouth and back down. ‘Yeah, if Leon Edwards wasn’t getting hurt, he would have stepped forward the whole time and planted his feet. But he was getting punched in the mouth, he was getting hurt, and he was backing up to the cage like a coward.”

    Muhammad is expected to return to the Octagon for his first title defense against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov, who made his intentions clear by calling for a championship opportunity right after UFC 304.

  • Mackenzie Dern Promises To ‘Clean’ Up Fight Style In Pursuit Of Becoming Two-Division UFC Champion 

    Mackenzie Dern Promises To ‘Clean’ Up Fight Style In Pursuit Of Becoming Two-Division UFC Champion 

    Ahead of her return, UFC strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern knows a more controlled approach is needed if she’s to reach her goals in MMA.

    She is among the prominent names set to be in action at this weekend’s UFC Fight Night event in Abu Dhabi. A number of key matchups will play out before the bantamweight headliner between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov, including Dern’s 115-pound scrap with Loopy Godinez.

    For the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, the contest marks her first since a decision defeat to former title challenger Amanda Lemos at UFC 298 this past February. That short-notice assignment saw her fall to a second straight setback, having previously been stopped for the first time by Jéssica Andrade.

    As for much of her career, the current winless run has left Dern as the subject of criticism for her lack of striking development and habit of ill-advised brawling.

    While that’s left many dismissing her title ambitions on MMA’s biggest stage, Dern is confident that championship glory in multiple weight classes still lies in her future, providing she can rein in emotion inside the Octagon…

    Dern On UFC Title Chances: ‘If I’m More Rational…’

    During a recent fight week interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Dern reflected on the two defeats she’s suffered to fellow Brazilians since a career-best display opposite Angela Hill in an Apex main event last year.

    The #7-ranked contender acknowledged the areas she must improve in starting this weekend, and she believes that success in that field could pave the way for glory in more than just the strawweight division.

    “From my last fight, the biggest thing I’ve been trying to work on is just like, control the emotions. We kind of feel like that’s the biggest detail, what my losses are coming from,” Dern said. “Not necessarily, ‘Oh, the technique isn’t there, missing the wrestling, missing the striking.’ Just that fact like, when you take a punch or something, sometimes I stay in a brawl and make the fight harder than what it needs to be.

    “I want to have a long career. I want to be a champion. I would like to be like, a two-weight class champion,” Dern continued. “Brawlers don’t really have that. They take the damage. … It’s just unnecessary. I always have that card in my back pocket if I need to brawl. I can go out there and brawl. We all know I have that heart in there. I want to have a long career and try to see everything. And I think if I’m more rational and reasonable, I can have everything it takes to be a champion.”

    First things first, Dern must show development and defend her spot on the ladder against Godinez in the Middle East on Saturday.

  • José Aldo, Kayla Harrison Have Returns In The Works For UFC 307 On October 5

    José Aldo, Kayla Harrison Have Returns In The Works For UFC 307 On October 5

    Two major names are reportedly set to be in action at the UFC 307 pay-per-view, targeted for Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 5.

    Legendary former featherweight champion José Aldo and two-time PFL title winner Kayla Harrison have their returns in the works for the numbered event, with the former being lined up to face Mario Bautista and the latter expected to share the Octagon with Ketlen Vieira.

    Aldo returned from a short-lived retirement on home soil this past May, outpointing Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro. Having fought out his contract, uncertainty surrounded “Junior’s” status and future plans.

    But in spite of boxing talk, Ag. Fight reported this week that the Brazilian has committed to another outing inside the Octagon.

    The outlet also corroborated a previous report from Super Lutas’ Léo Guimaraes, who was the first to reveal plans for Harrison and Vieira to collide at UFC 307.

    Aldo Targets Second Win Since Return, Harrison Looks For Second UFC Win Since PFL Switch

    Should these two matchups be confirmed, both Aldo and Harrison will be looking to build on strong outings in the first half of this year.

    Aldo (32-8) originally brought his MMA career to an end after his pursuit of a second bantamweight title shot was stalled by Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278 in August 2022. Prior to that, he’d reeled off three straight wins over Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz, and Rob Font.

    The ex-featherweight kingpin, who fell short of two-division glory opposite Petr Yan in the summer of 2020, went on to compete in three boxing matches, winning two and fighting to a majority draw against fellow UFC vet Jeremy Stephens.

    He subsequently made his successful comeback to the cage in Rio this year, returning to the rankings at #8 as a result. He’s next tasked with defending his position on the ladder against the #12-ranked Bautista (14-2), a teammate of champion Sean O’Malley’s who has had his hand raised in six consecutive bouts. His most recent triumph came at the expense of Ricky Simón this past January.

    Jose Aldo
    Image: Alexandre Loureiro/Zuffa LLC

    Harrison (17-1) transitioned from judo, a sport in which she collected back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016, to mixed martial arts and joined the PFL. After winning two lightweight seasons, her bid for a third title came to a halt in the final opposite Larissa Pacheco.

    After returning with a victory over Aspen Ladd last November, the Ohio native committed to a UFC switch and a venture down at bantamweight. That foray got underway in strong style this past April, where she thrilled the UFC 300 crowd by submitting a former champion in Holly Holm.

    Having entered the title picture at #3, Harrison will need to get through the #2-ranked Vieira (14-3) if she’s to book her first championship opportunity in the UFC. The Brazilian is coming off a decision victory over Pannie Kianzad in July 2023, a result that saw her bounce back from a narrow defeat at the hands of now-champ Raquel Pennington.

    With these additions, the fights currently expected to take place at UFC 307 on October 5 are as follows:

    • Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling (featherweight)
    • José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista (bantamweight)
    • Chris Curtis vs. Kevin Holland (middleweight)
    • Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison (women’s bantamweight)
    • Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo (women’s strawweight)
    • Ihor Potieria vs. César Almeida (middleweight)
    Kayla Harrison & Holly Holm
    Image: Cooper Neill/UFC/Zuffa LLC
  • Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira Set To Headline Apex-Held UFC Fight Night On October 12

    Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira Set To Headline Apex-Held UFC Fight Night On October 12

    Top flyweights Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira will vie for a possible title shot in the main event of a UFC Fight Night this fall.

    On October 12, two of the world’s best at 125 pounds will have their respective second headliners of the year thus far, with former title challenger and #1-ranked contender Royval tasked with blemishing the perfect record of Taira if he’s to stake his claim for a trilogy with Alexandre Pantoja.

    This fight was initially leaked by Bradley Martyn, who posted an image of the UFC’s matchmaking wall on social media, and later confirmed by Eurosport Nederland’s Marcel Dorff.

    Royval, Taira Target Title Shot With UFC Main Event Win

    When they make the walk for a five-round card-topper later this year, both Royval and Taira will look to ride the momentum from key results in 2024 all the way to the gold.

    Royval (16-7) closed out his 2023 with an unsuccessful first title bid on MMA’s biggest stage, falling short on the scorecards against Pantoja at UFC 296. With that result marking his second setback to “The Cannibal,” it appeared “Raw Dawg” would be in for a lengthy journey back to the belt. But this past February, Royval capitalized on a late-notice opportunity to run it back with Brandon Moreno, avenging his 2020 loss to the former champ by way of split decision in Mexico City.

    Taira (16-0), meanwhile, headlined a UFC Fight Night at the Apex four months later. After three wins last year to climb toward contention, the Japanese up-and-comer benefitted from a serious knee injury to Alex Perez this past June, which gave him the TKO stoppage in round two and paved the way for his rise to #5 in the flyweight pecking order.

    With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night on October 12 are as follows:

    • Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira (flyweight main event)
    • Cody Garbrandt vs. Miles Johns (bantamweight)
    • Brad Tavares vs. Jungyong Park (middleweight)
    • Themba Gorimbo vs. Niko Price (welterweight)
    • Polyana Viana vs. Cory McKenna (women’s strawweight)
    • Josh Fremd vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan (middleweight)
    • Grant Dawson vs. Rafa Garcia (lightweight)
    • Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Chris Barnett (heavyweight)
    • Chidi Njokuani vs. Jared Gooden (welterweight)
    • Clayton Carpenter vs. Lucas Rocha (flyweight)
    Tatsuro Taira
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC
  • UFC Heavyweight Gets Fresh Suspension After Violating Anti-Doping Policy While Already Serving 2-Year Ban

    UFC Heavyweight Gets Fresh Suspension After Violating Anti-Doping Policy While Already Serving 2-Year Ban

    A UFC heavyweight fighter is set to remain on the sidelines after violating the promotion’s anti-doping policy whilst already suspended.

    Hamdy Abdelwahab, an Egyptian Greco-Roman wrestler-turned-mixed martial artist, made a successful Octagon debut on short notice at UFC 277 in July 2022. After moving to 5-0 with a win under Jorge Masvidal’s iKon FC banner, “The Hammer” signed with the sport’s leading promotion and outpointed Don’Tale Mayes.

    But that result was later overturned to a no contest after Abdelwahab received a two-year ban from USADA. That ruling was owing to positive tests for the anabolic agent metenolone and its metabolite prior to his UFC debut, in addition to a tampering violation for not disclosing the banned substance ahead of joining USADA’s program.

    The Egyptian’s suspension ended on July 30, but that won’t mark an eligibility to compete once again…

    UFC’s Abdelwahab Set For Extended Spell On Sidelines After New Suspension

    This week, Combat Sports Anti Doping (CSAD) — which replaced USADA as the body overseeing the UFC’s anti-doping program this year — announced that Abdelwahab has accepted another sanction for his second violation.

    In a statement, CSAD revealed that the UFC heavyweight tested positive for exogenous testosterone in three separate tests on March 23, May 3, and May 23 this year. With Abdelwahab not being informed of the first failure and the third branded a product of residual amounts left from the first two, the failures were treated as one violation.

    It was also noted that the Egyptian fighter provided evidence of a tainted supplement, something he failed to do in relation to the 2022 test. Such a fact would ordinarily result in a three-month ban, but with Abdelwahab already serving a suspension at the time of the latest failures, he’s been slapped with a six-month sanction.

    With that, the 31-year-old will be eligible to return to competition on January 30, 2025, two and a half years on from his UFC debut.

  • Marlon Vera Questions Merab Dvalishvili’s Chin Ahead Of Sean O’Malley Title Fight: ‘If You’re Getting Dropped By Cejudo…’

    Marlon Vera Questions Merab Dvalishvili’s Chin Ahead Of Sean O’Malley Title Fight: ‘If You’re Getting Dropped By Cejudo…’

    UFC bantamweight Marlon Vera can see former opponent Sean O’Malley stopping Merab Dvalishvili early when they square off at the Sphere.

    O’Malley, the reigning 135-pound champion, is currently gearing up for his second defense of the title since winning it from Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 in Boston last August. “Sugar” got his divisional rule underway in emphatic style this past March, dominantly outpointing “Chito” in their headlining rematch at UFC 299 in Miami.

    Vera will be the first to return to action, battling Deiveson Figueiredo this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The champ, meanwhile, is slated to put his gold on the line opposite Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 306/Noche UFC.

    O’Malley will look to stall the Georgian challenger’s title ambitions inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere on September 14. And should he connect with a shot early, Vera thinks he has a good chance of doing so…

    Vera: O’Malley Could Finish Dvalishvili ‘If He Catches Him Early’

    During his appearance at media day ahead of this weekend’s UFC Fight Night, Vera looked ahead to his opportunity to revive his title ambitions and commented on the next championship bout set for the 135-pound division.

    After laying some heavy praise on his most recent opponent, the Ecuadorian gave a dismissive take on Dvalishvili, highlighting the knockdown he suffered opposite Henry Cejudo this past February as evidence he can be knocked out.

    “(O’Malley’s) a great fighter. I would be more worried about Merab’s chin,” Vera said. “He’s been dropped by everybody. I mean, if you get dropped by Henry Cejudo, good lord. F*ck, that’s a f*cking four-foot motherf*cker right there. If he (O’Malley) catches him early, the fight could be over.”

    O’Malley has shared a similar prediction, vowing to repeat the feat he achieved opposite Dvalishvili’s teammate in 2023 to deliver a statement-making second successful defense in Las Vegas this fall.

  • Tony Ferguson Reacts To Dana White’s Retirement Pleas Ahead Of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Return

    Tony Ferguson Reacts To Dana White’s Retirement Pleas Ahead Of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Return

    Former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson was unsurprisingly dismissive of Dana White’s recent retirement suggestion.

    Ferguson is among the notable names set to make the walk at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, with the Etihad Arena playing host to his latest outing on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    The TUF 13 winner has been competing inside the Octagon since 2011, with much of his stint spent toward the top of the UFC’s lightweight ladder. But while he entered 2020 riding a 12-fight win streak, he’s fallen on hard times in recent years.

    Since having his run of victories emphatically ended at the hands of Justin Gaethje, “El Cucuy” has lost a further six fights, most recently failing to stall the surge of Paddy Pimblett last December.

    Following that result, White suggested Ferguson hang up his gloves. And after the veteran had his next assignment scheduled for welterweight opposite Michael Chiesa this weekend, the UFC CEO once again suggested he shouldn’t fight beyond August 3.

    According to Ferguson, though, White has his own decisions to make…

    Ferguson Turns The Tables On White’s Retirement Advice: ‘We Want Dana To Do A Lot Of Things Last Too!’

    During his appearance at media day ahead of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, Ferguson looked ahead to his latest chance to break a lengthy losing skid and reacted to White’s retirement pleas.

    “El Cucuy” was firm in rejecting the UFC CEO’s comments, insisting he is feeling rejuvenated up at 170 pounds and is confident this weekend’s event won’t mark his farewell.

    “Well, we want Dana to do a lot of sh*t last for him too. So, I mean, we can’t discredit that either. I’m just being real with it,” Ferguson said. “At 170 pounds, I’m not killing myself to get to 155. I do feel fresher. 155 pounds is closer to my high school wrestling weight. … I’m 40 f*cking years old. … Wrestled in college at 165. 170 is what I won The Ultimate Fighter at. We do the math, we do the numbers, you’re not supposed to go backwards.

    “170 pounds, I feel comfortable. I don’t feel like this is gonna be my last fight,” Ferguson continued. “I have to do some extraordinary sh*t, is what I’m planning to do. So that’s why I feel sharp. I did two practices already this morning. … I love this company and I have plenty of fights left. This is not a fight, last or first or how everybody wants to see it. I feel so f*cking fresh.”

    Ferguson will look to show that he has more left in the tank on Saturday night at the expense of Chiesa, a fellow veteran who is also pursuing a return to the winner’s circle in the Middle East.

  • Dan Ige Has Return After Same-Day Notice Diego Lopes Scrap In The Works For Abu Dhabi-Held UFC 308

    Dan Ige Has Return After Same-Day Notice Diego Lopes Scrap In The Works For Abu Dhabi-Held UFC 308

    While he didn’t get the next assignment he was after, UFC featherweight fan favorite Dan Ige does appear to have a major matchup in the calendar.

    Ige, who currently occupies the #14 spot at 145 pounds, made headlines last month when he replaced Brian Ortega on fight day to share the Octagon with Diego Lopes in the UFC 303 co-main event.

    Although he fell short on the scorecards, the Hawaiian was widely praised for his efforts and seemingly promised something big next time out. Ige was hoping for that to be an appearance at the upcoming Sphere event in September.

    That, however, has not come to fruition. Instead, per MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, a clash between Ige and the #11-ranked Lerone Murphy is in the works for the UFC 308 pay-per-view in Abu Dhabi on October 26.

    The pair were originally set to collide this past February, but an injury to Murphy forced him out on late notice.

    Murphy, Ige Target Featherweight Top 10 In Rearranged Clash

    Should this fight come to fruition for the Etihad Arena later this year, Murphy will be looking to defend his position on the ladder and keep his hopes of a spot in the featherweight top 10 alive.

    Murphy (14-0-1) has long been touted as one of the most promising up-and-comers at 145 pounds, with wins over the likes of Ricardo Ramos and Joshua Culibao paving the way for his entry into the rankings. And the undefeated Brit recorded his biggest win to date this past May, beating Edson Barboza in his maiden main event at the Apex.

    If “Iceman” is to keep his 0 and stake his claim for a spot in title contention, he must send Ige (18-8) to a losing skid. The 32-year-old has exchanged wins and losses in recent times, outpointing Nate Landwehr and violently stopping Andre Fili, but falling short against Movsar Evloev and Lopes.

    With the spotlight on him following the events of International Fight Week, Ige will look to return to winning ways in a big way and begin a resurgence up the featherweight pecking order.

  • VIDEO: Alexander Volkanovski Shoots Takedown In Attempt To Stop Bantamweight Attacking Michael Page At UFC 304 Fighter Hotel

    VIDEO: Alexander Volkanovski Shoots Takedown In Attempt To Stop Bantamweight Attacking Michael Page At UFC 304 Fighter Hotel

    It would seem that the UFC security had to deal with more than just fight week altercations in Manchester last week…

    The promotion was recently back across the pond to stage its return to Manchester, England, for the first time in close to a decade. The UFC 304 pay-per-view went down at the Co-op Live, with two title fights and a host of intriguing matchups playing out.

    Even before fight night, some fighters couldn’t keep their hands off one another. Early in fight week, videos came out showing opponents Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape coming to blows after the former landed a sucker-punch outside the fighter hotel.

    And that evidently wasn’t the only scrap UFC security had to deal with at the location.

    Following the event, ex-UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski detailed another altercation in a video uploaded to his YouTube channel. While he didn’t provide the names of those involved, he described his attempts to calm things down.

    “I don’t know if I should even bring it up. I don’t know; maybe I won’t bring it up. You guys are gonna hate me for that. I won’t say who was involved, but I’ll tell you a little bit,” Volkanovski said. “Something happened in the lobby between two guys. One was a fighter; I don’t know if the other guy was a fighter. I don’t think he was random, but stuff happened.

    “There might have been a little punch thrown. The other guy tried to get to him. Security tried to stop it. I’m like, ‘It’s not worth it, it’s not worth the cops.’ I’m trying to stop it,” Volkanovski continued. “Guys were stepping and getting around all the security guards. I was trying to help, but he stepped around me as well. I’m like, ‘This guy has got some good movement.’ He’s going again. I’m trying to tell him to ‘chill out.’ Again, he’s come on; I’ve tried to grab him. We almost ran into the bottom of the stairs, so we sort of went down. I fell to my knees. As I’m trying to hold him, he slipped out. I was like, ‘This guy is very slippery.’”

    Now, the two fighters in question have seemingly been revealed after footage emerged of the incident.

    Basharat, Page Get Into It At UFC 304 Fighter Hotel, Volkanovski Among Peacekeepers

    This week, the @CasualsCorner_ account on X (formerly Twitter) posted a video showing an altercation at the fighter hotel in the aftermath of UFC 304 last weekend.

    While the start of the confrontation was not shown, the footage appears to show security attempting to stop UFC bantamweight prospect Farid Basharat from getting at welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page.

    Among those attempting to prevent an all-out brawl is Volkanovski, who can even be seen shooting a takedown (unsuccessfully) in the hopes of stalling Basharat’s progress.

    Interestingly, Basharat has previously trained at the London Shootfighters gym in London, which is the longtime home of Page.

    It’s unclear what sparked the animosity between the pair. But in a comment posted on social media, Basharat accused “MVP” of throwing the first punch at the UFC 304 fighter hotel.

  • Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera Warned Against Waiting Too Long Against ‘Well-Rounded’ Deiveson Figueiredo: ‘He May Never Get That Moment’

    Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera Warned Against Waiting Too Long Against ‘Well-Rounded’ Deiveson Figueiredo: ‘He May Never Get That Moment’

    Josh Thomson and “Big” John McCarthy recently shared insightful advice for Marlon Vera ahead of his upcoming bout against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi.

    The two bantamweight stars are set to square off on the main card of the highly anticipated UFC Fight Night this weekend, taking place at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, United Arab Emirates.

    “Chito” is rebounding from a one-sided title fight loss to reigning bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley at UFC 299 this past March. In his first championship opportunity, Vera was dominated over five rounds, losing the momentum he had gained from his decisive victory over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 292 last August.

    Meanwhile, Figueiredo, a former multi-time UFC flyweight champion, aims to maintain his unbeaten streak since moving up to bantamweight last year. “Deus da Guerra” has already secured two impressive victories in the division, defeating Rob Font and most recently achieving a second-round submission against Cody Garbrandt at UFC 300 this past April.

    Although Vera previously stated on social media that he is bringing a “2.0” version of himself, equipped with new skills, Thomson and McCarthy warn that the 31-year-old Ecuadorian must exercise caution and cannot afford to take many risks against an all-around fighter like Figueiredo…

    Thomson Believes Vera Falls Short In Wrestling & Grappling Against Figueiredo

    During a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast, Thomson and McCarthy delved into the upcoming clash between Vera and Figueiredo. “The Punk” remarked that while he believes Vera is a strong match against the Brazilian, “Chito” tends to become flustered when on his back, a vulnerability that could prove perilous in this contest.

    “I think that if there’s one way that Marlon loses this fight, it’s in the wrestling and the grappling department,” Thomson said. “You know, Marlon is good in jiu-jitsu, but he’s also someone that just settles in on the bottom and tries to land elbows or punches from there. But I think Figueiredo is someone that will grind, he will land, he will take chances. He’s proven that he will take heavy chances in terms of heavy ground and pound. He’s a well-rounded fighter, Figueiredo is someone that can take this fight anywhere, but ‘Chito’ has got to keep this fight on the feet.”

    Thomson further noted that Vera has a habit of waiting for the opportune moment to land a powerful strike but given “Deus da Guerra’s” relentless pace, that strategy becomes exceedingly difficult.

    “What also concerns me with ‘Chito’ is that we’ve seen it before. We saw it with the Rob Font thing, we saw it with the other fighters. He waits for the moment to get the knockout, he waits and waits. We may not see that; he may never get that moment because Figueiredo is going to be in and out so fast. He’s going to be the way faster fighter.”

  • Dricus Du Plessis Predicts How Potential ‘Title Eliminator’ Sean Strickland vs. Robert Whittaker Would Go: ‘I Think It Comes Down To…’

    Dricus Du Plessis Predicts How Potential ‘Title Eliminator’ Sean Strickland vs. Robert Whittaker Would Go: ‘I Think It Comes Down To…’

    As Dricus Du Plessis prepares to defend his middleweight title at UFC 305 for the first time, two of his former opponents could be set to meet in a huge clash.

    Both former champions Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland have claims to be the next in line for a title shot after Israel Adesanya.

    Though Strickland believes he doesn’t need to fight again to get the next opportunity, a number one contender’s match-up would make a lot of sense for the division.

    Having faced and defeated both men, Du Plessis finds this fight difficult to call but he did give his analysis and prediction.

    Dricus Du Plessis Says Grappling Exchange Key To Whittaker vs. Strickland

    Du Plessis has remained on the fence in the past when being asked about this fight because he didn’t have a clear image in his head of the way that it takes place.

    He spoke during a recent interview with mainevent on Fox Sports where after giving it some thought, he broke down how he sees it going.

    Du Plessis said the crucial element for both men is being able to utilize their greatest strengths, whether it’s the pressure of Strickland or the blitz assault from Whittaker.

    He gave the bold prediction that this one could come down to who wins the grappling exchanges despite both men being known for their striking.

    If this is the case, he sided with “The Reaper” to get his hand raised.

    “The fact that I really honestly can’t say off the bat means it’s gonna be a great fight. I honestly think it’s going to come down to the same thing, imposing game plans. If you let Strickland walk forward like he did with Paulo Costa and like he did with Israel Adesanya, if you give him that space and that momentum, it’s really really hard to take it back and it’s really hard to swing that fight. So, to make sure that Rob fights his fight. If Rob can do his blitzes the way he does then I think he takes that fight. I think it comes down to a wrestling and clinch game and I think Rob wins that fight.”

    Read also: VIDEO: Sean O’Malley & Merab Dvalishvili Go Back & Forth While Face To Face For UFC 306 Promo

  • Old Video Shows Belal Muhammad’s Eerily Accurately Prediction Of How He Would ‘Break’ Leon Edwards At UFC 304

    Old Video Shows Belal Muhammad’s Eerily Accurately Prediction Of How He Would ‘Break’ Leon Edwards At UFC 304

    Belal Muhammad became the UFC welterweight champion this past weekend after convincingly beating Leon Edwards as the underdog.

    Many expected that the champion would defend his title on home soil based on what we have seen from both men in their previous fights.

    Whilst Muhammad has been able to dominate opponents with his constant pressure and wrestling, this is something that “Rocky” has been able to deal with as of late.

    However, in an old video that has recently resurfaced, Muhammad broke down why his fight with Edwards would be different to the ones the Brit had with Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington.

    Belal Muhammad Correctly Predicts Multiple Aspects Of UFC 304 Title Shot Before It Was Made Official

    Speaking in an interview with MMA Fighting, Muhammad very accurately predicted what would happen in the main event of UFC 304 long before that date was confirmed.

    He spoke about where he believes Edwards is beatable and why his style would be able to capitalize on what Usman and Covington couldn’t.

    Muhammad also gave his take on Edwards’ corner which ended up being very similar to what happened this past weekend.

    “When you look at stylistically of why they thought Colby would be a bad match-up for him, it was cardio, it was pressure, it was taking him down, keeping volume in his face and I do all those better than Colby. I do all those better than Usman. Usman in that third fight, he wasn’t the same Usman. People can say whatever they want. I think he came back too soon for that head kick.

    “But in that second fight, it was volume, pressure, and it was breaking Leon and Leon’s easily broken. I think that’s why when you see in between rounds, his coaches, his team, they’re all like, they’re not giving him advice right? They’re not telling him, ‘Oh yes, on the outside jab.’ No, they’re like, ‘You’re looking beautiful Leon, You’re a beast Leon, Don’t let him bully you son.’”

    It was a bad night at the office for the former welterweight champion and as proven by this interview, Muhammad was able to do exactly what he intended.

    “Once he starts getting on his back foot, he starts breaking. Once he stars getting taken down, he starts breaking. Once he starts getting hit, he hates it. So the last two fights that he’s had, it’s been more so let me stay on the outside, let me keep the pace at what I like it at… when I’m in there, it’s not going to be that at all.”

    Read also: Leon Edwards’ Coach Names Preferred Next Opponent After Title Loss At UFC 304

  • Umar Nurmagomedov Dismisses Parallels In Fight Against Sean O’Malley: ‘It’s Never Gonna Be Close to Khabib & Conor’

    Umar Nurmagomedov Dismisses Parallels In Fight Against Sean O’Malley: ‘It’s Never Gonna Be Close to Khabib & Conor’

    Umar Nurmagomedov recently downplayed the comparisons between his prospective bout with Sean O’Malley and the infamous clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor at UFC 229.

    Umar is poised to face Cory Sandhagen in a highly anticipated bantamweight showdown, with the stakes potentially including a #1 contender spot. This bout will headline UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi, taking place this weekend at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, United Arab Emirates.

    The victor on August 3 is expected to earn the next title shot, facing off against the champion who emerges from the clash between O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC in September.

    While the reigning UFC bantamweight champion has undeniably ascended to the ranks of the promotion’s premier attractions, Umar believes that a potential bout with “Sugar” could never rival the intensity of the historic Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor showdown in October 2018…

    Umar Believes O’Malley Won’t Cross Lines Compared To McGregor

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Umar weighed in on the potential excitement surrounding a future bout with O’Malley. The 28-year-old Dagestani acknowledged that while their clash would certainly be intriguing, it wouldn’t match the fervor of his cousin’s UFC 229 matchup with “The Notorious”.

    He highlighted that the genuine animosity between the former lightweight champions was unparalleled, making their rivalry iconic—an element that simply doesn’t exist in his case.

    “It’s never gonna be close like Khabib and the Conor [fight],” Umar said. “Because they have personal hate. He [McGregor] talked bad about religion, family, and everything.”

    Umar further remarked that while O’Malley is known for his trash-talking, he believes “Sugar” won’t stoop to the level McGregor did when he apparently insulted the UFC Hall of Famer’s family and religion.

    “I see his personality, but I think he’s not too dirty of a person to talk bad about my family or my religion. But if we fight, it’s like, you know, the Irish vs. Dagestani again. It’s gonna be interesting, but I think it’s not going to be the same… I don’t have a lot of hate. I don’t worry about this man, and I just want to beat him. I just want to take his belt.”

    Umar has exceeded expectations in his first five Octagon appearances, maintaining his undefeated streak with dominant victories despite setbacks due to injuries.

    After a 13-month hiatus, he made a triumphant return this past March, securing a unanimous decision win over newcomer Bekzat Almakhan.

  • Dustin Poirier All Praise For Paddy Pimblett After UFC 304 Win: ‘He’s Talking The Talk, Walking The Walk’

    Dustin Poirier All Praise For Paddy Pimblett After UFC 304 Win: ‘He’s Talking The Talk, Walking The Walk’

    Dustin Poirier recently lavished accolades on Paddy Pimblett for his triumphant performance against King Green at UFC 304.

    “The Baddy” showcased arguably the most remarkable outing of his UFC career to date this past weekend. He decisively overcame Green with a spectacular triangle-armbar combination in the first round of their lightweight bout, thrilling the home crowd at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom.

    Pimblett delivered several potent calf kicks that visibly unsettled “King.” In response, Green attempted a takedown midway through the opening round, but the Brit skillfully countered with a guillotine choke, then seamlessly transitioned into a triangle choke from the bottom. He deftly converted the choke into an armbar, and as Green began to lose consciousness, the referee intervened, halting the fight at 3:22.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Poirier was asked to share his thoughts on Pimblett’s victory at UFC 304. “The Diamond” remarked that the Scouser not only impressed him but also validated his brash personality with a commanding performance against a formidable opponent like Green.

    “He’s another one of those guys whose trajectory is like if he keeps doing what he’s doing, he’s going to be – not that he’s not massive – but he’s on the right track,” Poirier said. “Dude, when you talk like that and people like your personality, and you go out there and finish guys, you know, vets and legends like Bobby. Of course, going into the fight, I knew he could win, but to finish Bobby Green like that, I was very surprised. He’s talking the talk, walking the walk, man.”

    Poirier Opens Up About Return Timeline & Possible Opponent

    Poirier may have seen his last chance at undisputed UFC lightweight gold slip away when he faced reigning champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June. Despite his valiant efforts, the 35-year-old Louisiana native succumbed to a fifth-round submission.

    After the fight, Poirier took to social media to reveal he had sustained a partially torn ACL, a broken nose, and a broken rib during his bout with Makhachev. These injuries could potentially sideline him for an extended period.

    During the aforementioned interview, “The Diamond” delved into his potential return schedule. The former UFC interim lightweight champion revealed that if he feels better within the next 30 days, he might consider a comeback later this year. However, he emphasized that this decision would depend on numerous factors.

    “I think I could fight at the end of this year. If I felt good after the 30 days and there was a big opportunity, the names – obviously, the opponent matters big time – but where, the timing, and the position on the card and stuff like that, those [things] come into play as well.”

    With Makhachev seemingly sidelined by a hand injury, putting his targeted title defense against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 308 on hold, Poirier expressed interest in stepping in.

    He found the idea of fighting Tsarukyan for the interim title quite appealing, seeing it as a way to keep the lightweight division active and moving forward.

  • Marlon Vera Reveals Change In Approach For Deiveson Figueiredo After Loss To Sean O’Malley: ‘I’ve Got To Do Something Different’

    Marlon Vera Reveals Change In Approach For Deiveson Figueiredo After Loss To Sean O’Malley: ‘I’ve Got To Do Something Different’

    UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera begins his pursuit of a second title shot this weekend, and he’ll seemingly do so with a fresh strategy.

    Vera is set to make the walk on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main card in Abu Dhabi, where the Etihad Arena plays host to some key contests at 135 pounds.

    While that most notably includes the main event title eliminator between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov, “Chito” will be looking to revive his championship ambitions earlier on in proceedings opposite former two-time UFC flyweight kingpin Deiveson Figueiredo.

    The Ecuadorian had his first shot at gold end unsuccessfully at UFC 299 in Miami this past March. He was unable to repeat his 2021 victory over Sean O’Malley, falling to a lopsided decision defeat in their rematch.

    As has been a trend for much of his career, Vera was criticized in the aftermath for a low-volume approach that was focused on landing a fight-ending blow.

    While such a strategy saw him come from behind to knock out the likes of Dominick Cruz in the past, Vera knows that change is needed if he’s to reach the mountaintop.

    Vera On Figueiredo Fight: ‘Maybe You Will See Me Throw More…’

    During a recent interview with former UFC champion Michael Bisping and light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith, Vera looked ahead to his first outing since O’Malley exacted revenge at his expense earlier this year.

    “Chito” acknowledged some of the well-known flaws in his fight style, but noted that work has been done to address them as he gears up to share the cage with “Deus Da Guerra” on August 3.

    “Some adjustments on the conditioning and getting my feet a bit more mobile. I’ve been feeling great,” Vera said. “What I personally think was like, okay, I have great grappling but I’m not the fighter that wants to take you down and hold you down. For this time, we did a lot of grappling so I can get back kind of to my roots. But I also want to like, put all my numbers together instead of just looking for power.

    “I know I hit hard and that sometimes makes me stay in the mud. Because I have great defense. But it’s like, I need to do something different. I didn’t win the (title) fight; I need to do something different,” Vera continued. “Maybe in this fight you will see me throw more. Instead of just looking for that big one, I’m gonna do a little more.”

    Vera will look to show the improvements he’s made in recent months come fight night in the Middle East, as he looks to show that his title ambitions didn’t fizzle away entirely at the hands of O’Malley at UFC 299.

  • ‘They’re Always Injured When They Lose’ – MMA Fans Don’t React Kindly To Leon Edwards’ Coach Saying He Was Carrying Back Injury Into Belal Muhammad Fight

    ‘They’re Always Injured When They Lose’ – MMA Fans Don’t React Kindly To Leon Edwards’ Coach Saying He Was Carrying Back Injury Into Belal Muhammad Fight

    Many suspected that Leon Edwards could have come into his welterweight title defense at UFC 304 less than in ideal condition following his performance.

    The champion was defeated by Belal Muhammad over five rounds with his head coach later revealing some details about what they went through in camp.

    Dave Lovell spoke in an interview with Submission Radio about how a back injury to Edwards had him questioning whether they should proceed with the fight.

    The champion himself made the call to keep aiming for July 27 and whilst Lovell clearly stated that Muhammad more than deserved to win, it did play a factor.

    “Where Leon was concerned, a lot of people don’t know this — and I’m not making any kind of excuses for him — but we had a few niggles in camp. His back was niggling him,” Lovell said. “So he couldn’t wrestle the way he really needed to, offensively and defensively. We’re not taking anything away from Belal’s performance. He did well; the best man won on the night. But Leon will be back.”

    MMA Fans React On Social Media To Leon Edwards’ Back Injury Problem

    Despite a lot of people believing that “Rocky” didn’t look himself in Manchester, the reaction on social media to the news about his back injury didn’t appear to go down well with some fans.

    The social media reaction to this clip from the interview appears to have attracted a lot of people who would rather that these things remain behind closed doors.

    “They’re always injured when they lose.”

    “this is the first of many excuses to come”

    “I thought Leon already said in the octagon after the fight the reason he performed the way he did was because he was tired all week. I assume he was talking about the fact that he had to fight on the US time zone in the UK. So thats now 2 excuses from Leon and his camp…”

    “Cool story bro, 3-4 more wins and maybe Leon will get another title shot”

    “Here comes the excuses”

    “Here we go. I like Leon, but I bet if he told Dana before the fight there would be a rematch”

    Read also: Leon Edwards’ Coach Names Preferred Next Opponent After Title Loss At UFC 304

  • Dricus Du Plessis Feels He Would Have Knocked Israel Adesanya Out If He Were In Sean Strickland’s Shoes: ‘If I Catch Him With That Shot…’

    Dricus Du Plessis Feels He Would Have Knocked Israel Adesanya Out If He Were In Sean Strickland’s Shoes: ‘If I Catch Him With That Shot…’

    Israel Adesanya returns to the Octagon at UFC 305 after taking some time off to put bad memories of his most recent outing behind him.

    Adesanya lost his middleweight title to Sean Strickland in one of the biggest title fight upsets in UFC history last year at UFC 293.

    Whilst the challenger had a great night in general, the defining moment of the fight was when he caught and dropped “The Last Stylebender” in the first round but was unable to get the finish.

    This came as such a shock to many fans who felt like Strickland simply wouldn’t be on the same level as the champion, when it came to the striking exchanges.

    Adesanya’s next opponent and the current champion paid special interest to this.

    Dricus Du Plessis Says He Would’ve Finished Israel Adesanya With The Same Strike

    Dricus Du Plessis is much more of a power striker than Strickland, who he defeated earlier this year to become the middleweight champion.

    Whilst the former champ may be very accurate and defensively sound, “Stillknocks” has the momentum and force to stop any opponent and that gives him confidence ahead of August 17.

    Du Plessis believes that he can close the show on Adesanya in their heated grudge match in Perth, especially if he’s able to land something similar to the strike Strickland landed last year.

    He spoke in a recent interview with mainevent on Fox Sports about how “The Last Stylebender” wouldn’t have made it out of the first round if it was him in there that night.

    “If I land that shot that Sean Strickland landed, the fight is over right there, 100%. We know that Strickland’s not a power puncher. I’ve felt, and Strickland’s a great boxer, his boxing is really really good. Very awkward and amazing jab, he throws that 1-2 and he does it great but he doesn’t have that starch power and he put him down. I honestly thought the fight was over but if I catch him with that shot then it’s over.”

    Read also: Leon Edwards’ Coach Slams US Timing For UFC 304 Title Fight: ‘It’s A Joke!’ 

  • Stephen Thompson Gives Glowing Review Of Belal Muhammad’s Striking At UFC 304: ‘He Was Piecing Edwards Up!’ 

    Stephen Thompson Gives Glowing Review Of Belal Muhammad’s Striking At UFC 304: ‘He Was Piecing Edwards Up!’ 

    UFC welterweight veteran Stephen Thompson was impressed by what he saw from his former opponent Belal Muhammad on the feet this past weekend.

    Muhammad emerged from enemy territory with the 170-pound championship in his possession after upsetting the odds to bring Leon Edwards’ reign to a sudden halt at the UFC 304 pay-per-view.

    Headlining the event, which played out inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, “Remember the Name” made good on his frequent vows to dominate “Rocky” in their rematch.

    For large parts of their contest, Muhammad utilized his takedowns and smothering wrestling game to control Edwards. But it wasn’t just on the ground where he put in solid work.

    Amid laughter regarding the challenger and his team’s striking confidence, Muhammad showed clear development in that area, and he even appeared to have the champ hurt in some exchanges.

    Thompson Highlights Where Muhammad Had Surprising Striking Success Against Edwards

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Stephen Thompson broke down the UFC 304 headliner between Edwards and Muhammad round by round.

    As one of the division’s top strikers, a mantle he’s long shared alongside the likes of “Rocky,” the former two-time title challenger played close attention to the standup exchanges between the pair.

    In that realm, Muhammad certainly went above and beyond expectation, and “Wonderboy” puts that down to three main techniques.

    “In the beginning, there was a few striking exchanges. This was something I also noticed in the third round. Three techniques, striking techniques, that really showcased Belal’s striking and really showed his dominance in this fight,” Thompson said. “Number one, Belal Muhammad’s jab. He was piecing him (Edwards) up with that jab! It was so fast. Leon Edwards had a hard time dealing with it, man.

    “When Leon decided to jab back, it was the second technique that really frustrated Leon Edwards, and that was his check hook. Normally you don’t see that from the shorter opponent. … Every time Leon Edwards would jab, Belal Muhammad would come over the top of that jab with the check hook, landing that check left hook, which is super frustrating (to be on the receiving end of),” Thompson continued. “And the third technique was his uppercut. He was uppercutting the crap out of Leon Edwards the entire fight.”

    Muhammad was quick to comment on his striking display in the aftermath of the UFC 304 headliner, poking fun at those who had mocked his coach’s comparison to Canelo Álvarez’s Mexican-style boxing.

    “Remember the Name” will now look to showcase similar skills and development in that area when he returns to the Octagon, with the expectation being that he’ll defend the belt for the first time against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov.

  • Umar Nurmagomedov Reacts To Sean O’Malley Predicting He’d Withdraw From UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Return: ‘They Hope I Will Pull Out’ 

    Umar Nurmagomedov Reacts To Sean O’Malley Predicting He’d Withdraw From UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Return: ‘They Hope I Will Pull Out’ 

    UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov believes he knows the reason behind Sean O’Malley’s recent remarks.

    Nurmagomedov, who currently occupies the #10 spot at 135 pounds, is in Abu Dhabi this week ahead of a major assignment. The undefeated Dagestani will feature in his maiden UFC main event opposite a top-five contender and former interim title challenger in Cory Sandhagen.

    The pair were originally set to collide in Nashville last August, but a dislocated shoulder in training forced Nurmagomedov out. While “The Sandman” defeated replacement opponent Rob Font before heading for surgery to repair a torn tricep, the Russian escaped a scare in his successful return opposite debutant Bekzat Almakhan this past March.

    Nurmagomedov will now face a major step up in competition in his pursuit of O’Malley’s gold, and the champion appears to have one eye on the highly touted contender’s rise. Most recently, “Sugar” predicted that the 28-year-old would likely withdraw from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in the Middle East.

    “I’ll tune in…if it happens,” O’Malley told MMA Fighting. “We know Umar likes to pull out if something happens. I’ll be surprised if the fight happens.”

    Nurmagomedov: O’Malley ‘Praying’ I Don’t Earn A Title Shot

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Nurmagomedov looked ahead to the biggest fight of his blossoming UFC career thus far.

    The Dagestani confirmed he’s been assured that a victory over Sandhagen will put him next in line for a championship opportunity, facing the winner of O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili’s upcoming Sphere showdown.

    Nurmagomedov is sure that neither man wants to face him, and he used the champ’s prediction that he’ll withdraw from the August 3 event as evidence.

    “I think they pray,” Nurmagomedov said. “They hope I will pull out and will not take this opportunity to fight for the title. They wish this.

    “For me it doesn’t matter who wins (out of O’Malley and Dvalishvili). It’s a very hard fight for both,” Nurmagomedov continued. “One is a wrestling, one is a striker weight height. He is tall. Stylistically, for me, personally it’s very difficult to say who is going to win. I don’t know.”

    Having made it to fight week for his rearranged battle with “The Sandman,” Nurmagomedov will look to complete the walk this Saturday at Etihad Arena and have his hand raised for his sixth Octagon triumph.

    And should he impress, the Russian looks set to have the opportunity to become the UFC”s latest American Kickboxing Academy standout and Nurmagomedov to win gold.

  • Chael Sonnen Praises Paddy Pimblett For Displaying ‘Jon Jones-esque’ Ability At UFC 304

    Chael Sonnen Praises Paddy Pimblett For Displaying ‘Jon Jones-esque’ Ability At UFC 304

    Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen saw some of his ex-rival Jon Jones in the performance of lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett this past weekend.

    Pimblett recorded the biggest win of his Octagon career at the UFC 304 pay-per-view, getting the better of King Green on the main card to secure a ranking for the very first time.

    “The Baddy” entered the Octagon in front of his home fans at Manchester’s Co-op Live as an underdog and with many backing Green to stall his charge following a close decision against Jared Gordon and failure to finish Tony Ferguson.

    But the Liverpool native needed just one round to prove them wrong, capitalizing on an ill-advised takedown to lock in a triangle choke and render Green unconscious.

    Among those majorly impressed by Pimblett’s efforts was Sonnen, who even compared his ability in the fight to an all-time great…

    Sonnen Praises Pimblett For Dealing With ‘Street Fighter’ Green

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen gave his take on Pimblett’s successful outing on home soil this past weekend.

    More so than the submission finish, “The American Gangster” was impressed by how “The Baddy” combatted a style and approach he won’t have faced in any previous fights or behind closed doors in training.

    The ability to do so, Sonnen says, is something Pimblett shares with the consensus greatest of all time, Jon Jones.

    “(Green) fights like a street fighter. He’s got his hands down; you don’t know what he’s gonna do. He’s talking to you! It’s like two guys outside a liquor store, truly,” Sonnen said. “You know what? Paddy was dealing with it. It’s hard to deal with ’cause you can’t prepare for it; you can’t prepare for it because your teammates don’t show up drunk talking trash with their hands down.

    “Paddy was dealing with it. That is a Jon Jones-esque ability. Jon Jones is the king of fighting fighters that all he has to prepare is video tape,” Sonnen continued. “He’s got some weird guy that’s some kind of a tool that he has to deal with, and Jon doesn’t bring in the partners and doesn’t have the experience, but he watched him on tape and he came up with a plan because he knows the sport well enough. That’s what Paddy just did.”

    Having caught the eyes of the likes of Sonnen with his latest triumph inside the Octagon, Pimblett will look to continue his development and habit of proving his detractors wrong next time out.

    By all accounts, the Liverpool native will be looking to stake his claim for a spot inside the top 10, having secured the #15 spot in the division as it stands. And given his post-fight callout at UFC 304, he’ll have a close eye on Renato Moicano and Benoît Saint Denis’ upcoming battle in Paris.

  • Javier Mendez Insists Conor McGregor Would ‘Not Be An Easy Night’s Work’ For Islam Makhachev

    Javier Mendez Insists Conor McGregor Would ‘Not Be An Easy Night’s Work’ For Islam Makhachev

    Javier Mendez recently remarked that a potential fight between Conor McGregor and Islam Makhachev would be anything but an easy task for the reigning UFC lightweight champion.

    “The Notorious” has proven to be a relentless nemesis for fighters from Mendez’s American Kickboxing Academy, particularly underscored by his tempestuous rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov, which culminated in the historic UFC 229 showdown in October 2018.

    After Nurmagomedov retired from the UFC in October 2020, his trusted ally and training partner Makhachev emerged to inherit his reign over the lightweight division. Concurrently, McGregor has continued to stoke the flames of their rivalry, relentlessly targeting Makhachev with a series of provocative comments on social media.

    As one of the most iconic figures in UFC history, the former two-division champion captivates vast audiences with his every move. Mendez envisions a potential showdown between McGregor and Makhachev as an unparalleled spectacle…

    Mendez Believes Makhachev vs. McGregor Could Be The Ultimate Potential Showdown

    During a recent conversation with Instant Casino, Mendez likened a potential Makhachev vs. McGregor showdown to the grudge match between the Irishman and Nurmagomedov. The 53-year-old MMA coach suggested that this clash could generate a level of hype comparable to UFC 229.

    “I love Islam vs. Conor McGregor; who wouldn’t want to be involved in a fight that would have an electrifying atmosphere?” Mendez said. “That is a great fight for us and for the fans. One of the greatest feelings I had in my whole entire life was when Khabib and Conor fought because of the real hatred between both sides.”

    However, Mendez emphasized that “The Notorious” brings a wealth of experience and exceptional skills to the Octagon, cautioning that Makhachev should not anticipate a walk in the park.

    “But Conor would not be an easy [night’s] work for Islam because you have to respect the man; he’s got a lot of experience, and the only way you make it an easy night is because you train hard — but it will never be an easy night with a guy like Conor. You better train your butt off because he’s a real fighter, and if he’s going (to) come in prepared, it’s never going to be easy.”

    After nearly three years away from the Octagon, McGregor was primed for a highly anticipated comeback last month, set to clash with Michael Chandler in a welterweight bout headlining UFC 303.

    However, just weeks before the showdown, the excitement was abruptly cut short when McGregor revealed he had sustained a toe injury, forcing him to withdraw from the competition.

    The UFC superstar has not fought since July 2021 when he suffered a devastating leg fracture in the first round of his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.

  • Leon Edwards’ Coach Slams US Timing For UFC 304 Title Fight: ‘It’s A Joke!’ 

    Leon Edwards’ Coach Slams US Timing For UFC 304 Title Fight: ‘It’s A Joke!’ 

    Leon Edwards’ coach was seemingly far from pleased to see his man attempting to defend the UFC welterweight title at 5:30 AM this past weekend.

    Edwards put his gold on the line on home soil for the second consecutive year, making the walk in Manchester, England, 16 months on from his first successful defense at the expense of Kamaru Usman in London.

    After adding Colby Covington’s name to his résumé last December, “Rocky” returned to the cage in the UK to headline UFC 304. But unlike his last outing at The O2, the Jamaican-born Brit’s third defense didn’t come in local time.

    Edwards competed at gone 5 AM in the morning as the promotion staged its Manchester return at the Co-op Live with the usual American timings. The champ was ultimately dethroned, with Belal Muhammad putting on a largely dominant display to capture the belt.

    Talk of the US timings remained prominent throughout the event and in the aftermath, and Edwards suggested that he had struggled to adapt. His coach was also among those frustrated with the unnecessary demands placed on home fighters such as the now-former welterweight kingpin…

    Edwards’ Coach On UFC 304 Timing: ‘Belal Never Had To Adjust!’

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Lovell reflected on his man’s defeat in Manchester, which marked Edwards’ first setback inside the cage since a decision loss to Kamaru Usman way back in 2015.

    When asked whether the UFC 304 timings played a part, Lovell let his feelings known on the decision not to accommodate for European fans and the local fighters.

    “You tell me (how much of an impact it had). Whichever fighter have you seen in his home country come out at half past 5, 5 AM in the morning, to fight?” Lovell said. “Realistically, it’s a joke really.

    “Belal never really had to adjust because his clock is set to the times of what we were fighting to. But Leon, in his home country, had to adapt as if he was acclimatizing, as if he was fighting in another country and fighting at 5:30 in the morning,” Lovell continued. “It just doesn’t seem right somehow.”

    Edwards and his team will now look forward to his pursuit of two-time status. With an immediate trilogy fight opposite new champ Muhammad appearing off the table, coach Lovell named Ian Garry as his preferred next opponent for “Rocky.”

    “Remember the Name,” meanwhile, will be focused one establishing his reign and legacy at 170 pounds. In the eyes of man, that should begin with a first defense against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov.

  • UFC Veteran Says Promotion Right Not To Re-Sign Muhammad Mokaev: ‘Once You’re Jon Jones…Yeah You Get Away With Some Sh*t’

    UFC Veteran Says Promotion Right Not To Re-Sign Muhammad Mokaev: ‘Once You’re Jon Jones…Yeah You Get Away With Some Sh*t’

    According to one experienced fighter, flyweight up-and-comer Muhammad Mokaev didn’t establish himself enough to “get away” with the actions that seemingly led to his UFC exit.

    Entering this past weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event in Manchester, England, many would have expected a victory for Mokaev to pave the way for a first-time title shot on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    Instead, “The Punisher” is posting Job Centre memes having been left without a spot on the UFC roster. How did he get there? Well, seemingly a number of incidents outside the Octagon that left Dana White and the matchmakers wanting out.

    While White remained tight-lipped on the exact reasons behind the decision not to offer Mokaev a new contract following his decision win over Manel Kape, he insisted it wasn’t down to the grappler’s fighting style.

    Many have pointed to the fight week altercation he caused with “Starboy” after sucker-punching him outside a hotel as the kind of incident that likely contributed to the surprising release.

    Mokaev’s supporters have hit back at the UFC, accusing the promotion of double standards given the the history of controversy involving the likes of Jon Jones and Conor McGregor. According to one of the sport’s fan favorites, though, Mokaev hadn’t reached the level of stardom required to gain some immunity in the eyes of the UFC brass…

    Matt Brown Backs UFC Decision To Let Mokaev Go

    During the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer, retired UFC veteran Matt Brown reacted to Mokaev’s shock departure, which came on the back of the Dagestan-born Brit extending his perfect professional record to 13-0 and UFC slate to 7-0.

    “I’d probably cut him, too, to be honest,” Brown said. “It is surprising that they would do that, being that his ceiling is pretty freaking high. I’ve watched him fight before. The dude has really, really high ceiling. Young guy with a lot of skills, a lot of talent. But when you’re up and coming like that, you can’t just do that. I think the UFC has shown that before. When you’re an up and comer, you can’t be ruffling too many feathers. Obviously like some but you can’t be doing stupid sh*t like that.

    “Once you’re Jon Jones and you’re putting all those asses in the seats, yeah you get away with some sh*t. Because you’re in business with the UFC. You’re a partner essentially,” Brown continued. “Whereas how many people tune in to watch Muhammad Mokaev? When he goes and fights in PFL, how many people are going to tune in and watch Muhammad Mokaev? So there are double standards or triple standards or whatever. There is different standards for every fighter. He’s not at that level to be getting away with sh*t like that. I don’t know the story but that (sucker-punch) sounds like a cowardly b*tch move, and I wouldn’t want to be in business with someone like that either.”

    It remains to be seen what lies in wait for Mokaev and his career in the coming months. If he has his way, it will seemingly be an immediate return to the UFC flyweight division.

    This week, “The Punisher” has shut down talk of PFL negotiations and insisted he only sees his future playing out inside the Octagon.

  • VIDEO: Sean O’Malley & Merab Dvalishvili Go Back & Forth While Face To Face For UFC 306 Promo

    VIDEO: Sean O’Malley & Merab Dvalishvili Go Back & Forth While Face To Face For UFC 306 Promo

    The lead-up to Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili’s UFC 306/Noche UFC headliner at the Sphere in September looks set to be a heated one.

    Mixed martial arts’ premier organization will stage its second celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 14. Las Vegas is once again the host venue, but the Octagon will be in significantly different surroundings this time around.

    Instead of the T-Mobile Arena, the 2024 edition of Noche UFC will take place inside the unique Sphere venue. For months now, UFC CEO Dana White has promised a sporting spectacle like nothing seen before.

    Tasked with delivering on that with blockbuster action inside the cage are headliners O’Malley and Dvalishvili, who will collide with the former’s bantamweight championship on the line in the main event.

    The pair have long gone back and forth over their matchup, and that trend shows no sign of waning as UFC 306 approaches…

    O’Malley, Dvalishvili Trade Barbs Over Coach Altercation

    “Sugar” and his Georgian challenger recently shared the same space to complete a promotional shoot for the highly anticipated Sphere show.

    Unsurprisingly, things threatened to boil over. And as O’Malley and Dvalishvili exchanged words, their fellow UFC 306 fighter Alexa Grasso reveled in the tension…

    The point of discussion appeared to surround an altercation between Dvalishvili and O’Malley’s head coach Tim Welch back in May. The incident also involved Aljamain Sterling, who had accused the trainer of heckling him from the corner during his title defeat to “Sugar” last August.

    “I will smash O’Malley inside the cage and then smash his coach outside of the cage,” Dvalishvili said.

    O’Malley told his upcoming opponent to follow through on his threats.

    “If you have a problem with him, you can take it up with him. He’ll fight you. If that’s what you want. After the fight, you should definitely try to smack his face. You should definitely try that. That would be funny. You should try that.”

    When Dvalishvili said he was hoping to catch up with Welch on the streets, O’Malley once again welcomed that possiblity.

    “You could street fight him. I’d love to see that. You want to die? Is that what you’re saying? He’ll kill you.”