MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • Former UFC Champion Explains How Retiring After Stipe Miocic Fight Would Affect Jon Jones’ Legacy: ‘Ducking Tom Aspinall!’

    Former UFC Champion Explains How Retiring After Stipe Miocic Fight Would Affect Jon Jones’ Legacy: ‘Ducking Tom Aspinall!’

    Jon Jones is expected to face Stipe Miocic before the end of 2024, with Dana White recently stating that the winner will step into the Octagon against Tom Aspinall to unify the UFC heavyweight championship.

    Jones has been out of action since winning the heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in March 2023. Although Aspinall has won and defended the interim title, “Bones” is still the official champion and holds a solid #3 ranking in the pound-for-pound list.

    “Bones” has repeatedly talked about considering retirement after the Miocic fight as well. One former UFC champ, however, thinks this move could be detrimental to his legacy…

    Michael Bisping Claims Jon Jones Would Lose Fans If He Retires Without Fighting Tom Aspinall

    Michael Bisping recently discussed the future of the UFC heavyweight division on his official YouTube channel. The winner of Jones vs. Miocic is expected to face Aspinall next, and early odds favor the interim champ.

    “The Count” claimed that despite his GOAT status as a light heavyweight, Jones’ inactivity at heavyweight makes him an underdog against Aspinall. But the former UFC middleweight kingpin also highlighted that his opponent’s lack of fighting experience could benefit Jones, who boasts a record 15 UFC title wins.

    “He hasn’t got the in-ring time, he hasn’t got the experience, the fight IQ of a Jon Jones.”

    Bisping’s other concern is regarding Jones’ will to fight after the Miocic fight. The decision is largely dependent on his performance, and in the eyes of “The Count,” retiring without unifying the heavyweight title wouldn’t sit well with a lot of fans.

    Jones vs. Aspinall has been a highly anticipated fight for over a year now. While the Brit has been respectfully waiting for the opportunity, many think that “Bones” is avoiding the Aspinall fight due to the higher risk of losing.

    Bisping believes such narratives will only get stronger if the UFC heavyweight champion retires after his next scheduled fight.

    “It would suck. Not only would it suck, but it would also be not the best move for Jon Jones in terms of fan appreciation. The narrative would always be that he was ducking Tom Aspinall.”

  • Charles Oliveira Lists 8 Opponent Options For Fans To Choose From For His UFC Return: ‘Who Would You Like To See?’

    Charles Oliveira Lists 8 Opponent Options For Fans To Choose From For His UFC Return: ‘Who Would You Like To See?’

    Charles Oliveira lost a razor-close decision to Arman Tsarukyan last time out at UFC 300, and he’s now looking for a new opponent.

    With 19 post-fight bonuses, the Brazilian’s easily one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC and there are several intriguing matchups for him.

    Oliveira bagged the UFC lightweight championship by beating Michael Chandler in May 2021. He defended it against Dustin Poirier before being stripped after missing weight prior to his victory over Justin Gaethje.

    Since failing to regain the title in his clash with Islam Makhachev, he’s defeated Beneil Dariush and is looking for another high-profile win to get a another shot at the gold.

    From Makhachev to Colby Covington, here are all the fighters that Oliveira is open to facing in his UFC return…

    Oliveira Eyes Rematch Against Makhachev, Also Open To Money Fights With McGregor, Covington, Poirier

    Oliveira recently posted training footage on Instagram and asked his fans to choose his next opponent. He’s willing to fight the following names on the UFC roster:

    • Islam Makhachev
    • Arman Tsarukyan
    • Dustin Poirier
    • Conor McGregor
    • Max Holloway
    • Justin Gaethje
    • Alexander Volkanovski
    • Colby Covington

    Alongside the list, Oliveira declared his intention to fight shortly.

    “Who would you like to see me fight next? The Lion is ready!!”

    “Do Bronx” has already fought Tsarukyan, Makhachev, Poirier, Gaethje, and Holloway. While Makhachev submitted him in the second, he fought through adversity to beat “The Diamond” and “The Highlight.” The fight with Holloway ended due to the Brazilian sustaining a shoulder injury, and fans could look forward to seeing the rematch more than ever now.

    The other matchups on the list won’t necessarily move the needle in the UFC lightweight division. McGregor has lost three out of his last four fights and will most likely return to face Michael Chandler. Volkanovski, meanwhile, is 0-2 in the lightweight division and has yet to rematch Ilia Topuria for the UFC featherweight title.

    Covington is another opponent that “Do Bronx” would fight to entertain the fans. The former interim UFC welterweight champion decisively lost to Leon Edwards in his last fight and appears unlikely to fight for the title again.

    Regardless of the opponent, it is safe to assume that Oliveira will bring the fight to the Octagon and give fans another gritty performance.

  • NSAC Withholds Portion Of Mayra Bueno Silva’s Purse For Cage Jump After UFC 303 Loss

    NSAC Withholds Portion Of Mayra Bueno Silva’s Purse For Cage Jump After UFC 303 Loss

    Mayra Bueno Silva lost to Macy Chiasson at UFC 303 after the cageside doctor stopped the fight due to a deep cut above her left eyebrow. Although the Brazilian was keen to continue fighting, Chiasson was handed the TKO win.

    As Chiasson began celebrating her International Fight Week victory, “Sheetara” hopped the cage and rushed to talk to Dana White. While still dripping in blood from the cut, she seemed to complain about the stoppage and the UFC CEO naturally had no control over the situation.

    The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has now punished Silva for jumping over the cage at UFC 303, withholding a portion of her purse.

    Mayra Bueno Silva Facing Fined For Jumping Over The Cage At UFC 303

    MMA Junkie’s Nolan King reported on X that the NSAC has temporarily cut $2,500 from Bueno Silva’s UFC 303 purse, which amounts to $100,000. Jumping over the Octagon is banned for safety reasons, even though fighters often ignore this rule in the rush of winning a fight.

    King also stated that the women’s bantamweight contender might be asked to pay a fine, which will be determined at the commission’s meeting on August 27.

    If Bueno Silva ends up being fined, she would join Diego Lopes on the list of those recently punished. He had to pay $2,500 for jumping over the cage after his UFC 300 win over Sodiq Yusuff. The commission originally withheld $5,000 from his purse, and Bueno Silva’s sailing on a similar boat.

    Unsurprisingly, Bueno Silva’s penalty has received a mixed response in MMA circles. Some fans have called out the commission for not being equally strict about fouls that happen during fights.

    Suspensions and fines for actions beyond fighting are fairly common in the UFC. The most prominent example is Arman Tsarukyan, the #1-ranked UFC lightweight contender, who is currently facing a six-month suspension for punching a fan while walking out at UFC 300.

  • Former UFC Champion: ‘Falling From Grace’ Transformed Paddy Pimblett As A Fighter

    Former UFC Champion: ‘Falling From Grace’ Transformed Paddy Pimblett As A Fighter

    Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker recently remarked that the constant doubts surrounding Paddy Pimblett might have been the catalyst for his transformation into a better fighter.

    “The Baddy” delivered probably the most impressive performance of his UFC career so far this past weekend. He decisively defeated King Green with a stunning triangle-armbar combination in the first round of their lightweight bout on the main card of UFC 304 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    Although Green had a size advantage over Pimblett, he found it challenging to connect his combinations effectively at the beginning of the fight. Meanwhile, Pimblett focused on landing powerful calf kicks. This strategy seemed to unsettle the American, who attempted a takedown midway through the round. The 29-year-old Scouser expertly countered with a guillotine choke before swiftly transitioning into a triangle choke from the bottom.

    Pimblett seamlessly adjusted to Green’s escape attempts, tightening the submission hold with each passing second. He smoothly transitioned the choke into an armbar, and as Green lost consciousness, the referee stepped in to halt the fight at 3:22.

    Despite his six-fight undefeated streak in the Octagon, Pimblett remains a frequent target of online criticism. However, “The Reaper” believes this persistent skepticism has fueled Pimblett’s evolution…

    Whittaker Believes Pimblett Is More Tuned In

    During a recent episode of his MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker shared his insights on “The Baddy’s” performance at UFC 304.

    The Aussie remarked that Pimblett has shown significant evolution since his previous bouts, displaying an impressive level of focus and grit to secure the victory.

    “I think that falling from grace he had just, you know, lit a fire up his a**,” Whittaker said. “He’s just got so much better for it. I feel like he’s more focused, he’s more switched on than we’ve seen before. And that was the Paddy I wanted to see because that was the one we saw against [Tony] Ferguson. Like, that level of determination, that level of focus, you know, that ability to stay on task, and mate, that’s exactly what happened.

    “Paddy saw an opportunity when Bobby was waiting for a takedown and had the guts and the confidence to go for the submission attempts. That’s half the work — the confidence to go for your submission attempts and to believe in them. And he did that, yeah, and he stopped a guy that doesn’t get stopped often.”

    In the post-fight Octagon interview, Pimblett radiated confidence, saying, “Statement made, b*tch,” after becoming the first fighter to submit Green.

    The Englishman then issued a challenge to Renato Moicano, proposing a showdown later this year or early next year, contingent on the Brazilian overcoming Benoît Saint Denis in their upcoming September bout.

  • Leon Edwards’ Coach Names Preferred Next Opponent After Title Loss At UFC 304

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

    Belal Muhammad shook up the welterweight division at UFC 304 this past weekend by overcoming the odds to become the welterweight champion.

    Leon Edwards had reigned for close to two years. Now, “Rocky” going back to being a contender provides some interesting options for the division.

    Fans have been critical of Muhammad’s style for some time, but the same can’t be said for the current list of top contenders at 170 pounds.

    With the likes of Shavkat Rakhmonov, Jack Della Maddalena, and Ian Garry all in the mix, there’s some great matchups for Edwards, assuming that he isn’t getting a straight rematch.

    His coach believes that one of those names is the best option partly due to his history with the former champion…

    Dave Lovell Says Ian Garry Is His Pick To Fight Leon Edwards Next

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Edwards’ head coach Dave Lovell said that his preferred choice for Edwards’ bounce-back fight would be the #7-ranked Garry.

    The undefeated Irishman previously had some tension with Edwards and his team after spending a brief amount of time training with them at Team Renegade in Birmingham, England.

    Lovell said that this history combined with Garry’s current position in this division make this fight a great return for “Rocky.”

    “I’d like to see Leon fight Ian Garry. Obviously we can keep it British based, either Ireland or over here. Obviously the little background story we had going back last year is a — he’s looking for a scalp. Now Leon’s not champion, he may think well, he’s a good scalp for him to get to obviously march on to get a championship belt or title shot.

    “For Leon, if Leon beats him, that then puts him at the back of the queue and then maybe if they want one more before he fights Belal, if Belal’s still got the belt, well that’ll be the future move, the future plan.”

    Lovell believes Edwards would have the advantage in this fight because of the experience that he brings to the table.

    The Team Renegade head coach said that during Garry’s short time at the gym, they were able to identify some of the weaker areas in his game.

    “I believe Leon would beat him with the simple fact of fight experience. (Garry’s) a good lad, he’s got good skills, but we know — because we’ve seen some when he was at our gym — don’t just think he came to the gym and it was a boogie ride for him, you know, he was getting tapped out by — again, I’m not mentioning no names. If he wants to mention them, that’s up to him.”

  • Muhammad Mokaev Explains Hugging Manel Kape Post-Fight At UFC 304: ‘I’m Young, But I’m Not Stupid’

    Muhammad Mokaev Explains Hugging Manel Kape Post-Fight At UFC 304: ‘I’m Young, But I’m Not Stupid’

    Muhammad Mokaev has detailed his reasoning for burying the hatchet with Manel Kape despite their pre-fight animosity at UFC 304.

    Mokaev and Kape collided on the preliminary card of this past weekend’s pay-per-view event, which went down inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    Their fight was among the most anticipated in the lead-up, partially down to the bad blood that appeared to exist between the two flyweight contenders owing to a number of physical altercations.

    Following an apparent bust-up at the UFC Performance Institute in March instigated by “Starboy,” Mokaev returned the favor on home turf during UFC 304 fight week, sucker-punching his opponent outside the fighter hotel.

    The pair went on to attempt to come to blows inside the Octagon moments before their bout, but that aggression did not transcend into the contest itself, which played out in a low-volume and unentertaining fashion en route to the scorecards.

    At the end of the final round, the pair embraced in a hug, something that many might have been surprised to see given their back and forth beforehand.

    Mokaev On Settling Kape Beef: ‘The Man Is Here To Feed His Family’

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS5BRRMCNFQ&t=177s

    During a backstage interview with Caroline Pearce for TNT Sports, Mokaev reflected on his victorious performance over Kape and addressed some of the talking points that emerged from the UFC 304 matchup.

    When asked about his respectful post-fight interaction with his Angola-born Portuguese rival, “The Punisher” insisted that when it comes time to do battle inside the Octagon, the hatchet must be buried.

    “It was more personal. It happened in Vegas five days before my fight against Alex Perez. I had a cut. … Once he came to Manchester, once I see him, I had to welcome him to Manchester,” Mokaev said. “You know, the man is here to feed his family. He has a baby, I have a kid in the house. We’re both here to make our fridge full. I cannot kick a man down. He is already down.

    “In this situation, I could have got knocked out tonight too. And I wouldn’t like it if somebody kept kicking me down and talking sh*t,” Mokaev continued. “What ever happened, it happened on the streets. Inside the Octagon, I think it should be settled. I’m young, but I’m not stupid.”

    Despite that, Kape has been criticizing Mokaev on social media in recent days, first slamming him for a number of fouls that took place before later accusing him of tapping to a guillotine choke.

    The Dagestan-born Brit’s online activity, meanwhile, has largely centered around his surprise UFC release. At the UFC 304 post-fight press conference, Dana White revealed that the promotion wouldn’t be renewing Mokaev’s contract owing to factors outside of the Octagon.

  • Daniel Cormier Advises Tom Aspinall On How To Boost Chances Of Jon Jones Fight After UFC 304

    Daniel Cormier Advises Tom Aspinall On How To Boost Chances Of Jon Jones Fight After UFC 304

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier thinks Tom Aspinall should switch strategy if he really wants to tempt Jon Jones into a fight.

    Aspinall’s case for the next shot at Jones grew ever stronger in the co-main event of this past weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view, which went down inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    Close to home, Aspinall put his interim heavyweight title on the line in a rematch with Curtis Blaydes, pursuing both a successful first defense and redemption for the injury-forced TKO setback he fell to opposite “Razor” in 2022.

    It took the Brit just one minute to achieve those goals, dropping Blaydes with a stiff jab before reigning down ground-and-pound for the first-round stoppage.

    As expected, Aspinall had Jones’ name on his lips post-fight, remaining respectful with his latest callout of the heavyweight titleholder. One of Jones’ former opponents, however, thinks he needs to abandon his nice nature…

    Cormier: Aspinall Must ‘Get Louder’ & ‘Rile Up’ Jones

    During a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Cormier gave his take on the events that unfolded at UFC 304 from cageside inside Manchester’s Co-op Live.

    “DC” touched on his Octagon interview with Aspinall following the co-headliner, claiming the Brit needs to change approach and begin ‘riling up’ Jones if he is to ensure a future dream showdown with the former two-time light heavyweight champ.

    “This guy seems to be the future and the present of the heavyweight division,” Cormier said. “You know, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic are gonna fight each other, and deservedly so. … When they get to New York and they fight, Tom Aspinall needs to be in the building, if he’s smart.

    “I watched him finish, I watched the way the crowd reacted to him, and I watched his callout to Jon Jones. And in Tom Aspinall fashion, he was nice about it,” Cormier continued. “He needs to rile up Jones a little bit to get the people more invested. … I have seen the crowd get so behind a certain person that the organization will pivot. … Maybe they’ll pivot and make Aspinall vs. Jones right now. We don’t know…but Aspinall has to get a little bit louder.”

    Jones had a short and succinct response to Aspinall’s UFC 304 triumph and post-fight callout on social media. By all accounts, the Brit’s emphatic performance did little to convince “Bones” or the UFC to alter their plans for an expected November title fight.

  • Colby Covington Describes Running Into Dustin Poirier At Florida Restaurant: ‘He Walked Out Like A Good Little B*tch’

    Colby Covington Describes Running Into Dustin Poirier At Florida Restaurant: ‘He Walked Out Like A Good Little B*tch’

    It’s been a little while now since UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington was publicly beefing with a fellow fighter, but some grudges don’t go away that easily.

    The former interim welterweight champion’s high profile split from American Top Team meant that some relationships weren’t able to be rebuilt.

    Most notably, he and his former training partner Jorge Masvidal will probably never see eye-to-eye again after what happened between them both before and after they met inside the Octagon at UFC 272.

    There is another former teammate of his who will also not bury the hatchet, and with Covington still living and training around the same area, they’re bound to cross paths…

    Colby Covington Says Dustin Poirier Had His Chance But Didn’t Do Anything Last Time They Met

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Covington was asked whether he has encountered Dustin Poirier whilst being out in Florida. He said that this exact scenario actually played out not that long ago.

    In Covington’s version of events, “The Diamond” got up and left without saying anything.

    “Chaos” has called to fight his former ATT teammate several times in the past, but with lightweight fan favorite Poirier seemingly being ready to wind his career down, this looks unlikely.

    Covington stated that despite Poirier previously claiming that it was “on sight” between them, there wasn’t much of an interaction.

    “That’s funny you say that. I crossed paths with him about three months ago at NYY Steakhouse, Coconut Creek Casino, which is in the same city he trains at, the gym. He came by the steakhouse and I looked at him eye-to-eye and I was like, ‘What’s up b****? It’s on sight? Do something, say something,’ and he just walked right out the restaurant because he knows.

    “You can talk big to the media, you can talk big in front of a camera, but when you’re in front of someone’s face and you feel their energy and you know what they’re capable of, that’s when it’s a different story. Now you can’t run your mouth, now you can’t do anything. If you wanted to do something, he could have done something. I stood up, I looked him right in the eyes and he walked right out of the restaurant like a good little b****.”

  • Chael Sonnen Pitches Paddy Pimblett As Opponent For Michael Chandler If McGregor Fight Doesn’t Materialize: ‘The Perfect Replacement!’ 

    Chael Sonnen Pitches Paddy Pimblett As Opponent For Michael Chandler If McGregor Fight Doesn’t Materialize: ‘The Perfect Replacement!’ 

    Should his long wait for a Conor McGregor fight not be rewarded, former UFC lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler has been told to adjust his sights to Paddy Pimblett.

    Pimblett secured the biggest win of his Octagon career to date at this past weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event, held inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    After decisions over Jared Gordon and Tony Ferguson, the former of which came in close and controversial fashion, “The Baddy” entered his first shot at cracking the 155-pound rankings as an underdog.

    But on fight night, Pimblett thrilled his home fans by making good on his promise of a quick finish against King Green, choking the veteran contender out with a triangle choke following a surprising takedown attempt from the renowned brawler.

    With that, the Liverpool native has entered the top 15 and has his sights set on a top 10 contender in Renato Moicano. But according to one former fighter, Pimblett could be in line for a bigger assignment should things play out in a certain way…

    Sonnen Backs Pimblett To Replace McGregor If Comeback Delay Continues

    During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show with Daniel Cormier on the ESPN MMA YouTube channel, Sonnen gave his take on Pimblett’s impressive display on home soil.

    Assessing what could be next for “The Baddy” in his pursuit of UFC gold, “The American Gangster” ventured further up the lightweight rankings than expected, highlighting the Brit as the “perfect replacement” to fight Chandler should his long-awaited McGregor showdown remain in the fantasy realm.

    “I used to believe that Paddy was a regional fighter,” Sonnen said. “What do I mean by that? Well, he can sell a lot of tickets at a specific venue, so keep bringing him to that geographical location. You can’t main event the guy, you can’t five-round him, you can’t move him up the rankings too fast, but bring in the right opponent, we’re gonna have some fun for three or four years. I don’t see Paddy that same way anymore.

    “Paddy is two fights away, Daniel. They’ve gotta be the right two fights, but he is two fights away (from) fighting for a world championship,” Sonnen continued. “I love these rankings right here (10 to 15), but if they were to keep going, eventually they’re gonna come to a name called Michael Chandler. If Michael Chandler does not get the fight with Conor, this, to me, looks like the perfect replacement.”

    Judging by his reactions on social media, Chandler was seemingly impressed by Pimblett’s efforts inside the cage at UFC 304. Nevertheless, he doesn’t appear to have his focus on “The Baddy” just yet.

    As has been the case since the start of 2023, Chandler remains hell-bent on sharing the Octagon with McGregor. Following their UFC 303 cancellation, latest reports have placed their rearranged showdown at the Las Vegas pay-per-view in December.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Dismisses PFL Talk, Pleads With Dana White To Re-Sign Him After UFC 304

    Muhammad Mokaev Dismisses PFL Talk, Pleads With Dana White To Re-Sign Him After UFC 304

    Following his seventh consecutive win inside the Octagon, 23-year-old undefeated flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev was removed from the UFC rankings and roster.

    Dana White announced in his post-fight press conference after UFC 304 that the promotion would not be renewing his contract after it expired with his fight against Manel Kape in Manchester.

    While Mokaev claimed that he had been warned by UFC staff about his wrestling-heavy fighting style, White said that this isn’t a factor and that the decision was instead made due to his conduct outside of the cage.

    Another rumor was cleared up once the news was made official as Mokaev’s manager denied any chance of his release being caused by negotiations that were being held with the PFL whilst he was still under contract with the UFC.

    Muhammad Mokaev Posts Statement, Clarifies Lack Of Interest In PFL & Hopes Of Re-Signing With UFC

    Mokaev has spoken about the current situation regarding his status with the UFC now that the dust has settled on this past weekend.

    He made it clear that going to the PFL was never a priority for him for multiple reasons. Not only has his main focus always been to achieve UFC gold, the PFL doesn’t currently have an active flyweight division, or bantamweight for that matter.

    “The Punisher” noted that despite this rocky relationship with the UFC, he still hopes to return to the Octagon in the near future to continue working his way toward the belt.

    “My dream is to become UFC Champion. I turn them all down because UFC gave me the platform to put my name out there and earn money to feed my family! btw PFL don’t have flyweight division. All these journalists that make this shit up are idiots! I hope Dana resigns me, this is my dream to become champion!”

  • Leon Edwards’ Coach Claims Injury Affected UFC 304 Performance: ‘He Couldn’t Wrestle The Way He Needed To’

    Leon Edwards’ Coach Claims Injury Affected UFC 304 Performance: ‘He Couldn’t Wrestle The Way He Needed To’

    Leon Edwards’ coach has looked to add some context to the former UFC welterweight champion’s wrestling struggles against Belal Muhammad.

    Edwards headlined this past weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, defending the 170-pound gold in a rematch with Muhammad.

    Against the odds and despite many backing the champ to retain, “Remember the Name” proved that his confidence was well placed by putting on a largely dominant display across five rounds en route to a unanimous decision victory.

    A key part of Muhammad’s title triumph was his renowned grappling game, as he utilized a smothering wrestling arsenal to control Edwards for significant portions of the UFC 304 headliner. That came as a surprise to many given Edwards’ strong wrestling defense, which helped him outpoint both Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington last year.

    Now, some extra information has been attached to the former champ’s failure to combat Muhammad’s takedowns…

    Coach Lovell Was ‘Dubious’ About Edwards Fighting Through Injury At UFC 304

    During a recent interview on Submission Radio, coach Dave Lovell reflected on his man’s setback in Manchester this past weekend, which marked his first defeat since a decision loss to Usman in 2015.

    While he acknowledged Muhammad’s display and suggested it simply wasn’t Edwards night, the experienced trainer did reveal some injury troubles that he believes hampered “Rocky’s” ability to handle the challenger’s main offense at UFC 304.

    “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.

    “I was very dubious because these niggles were going on for about maybe five or so weeks on or off. He had to go to a chiropractor (for) regular massages. But again, after one session, it was back to square one,” Lovell continued. “In the back part of my mind, I was thinking, ‘Should we go for this?’ But because he hadn’t fought for so long, Leon said he wanted it, so we just pushed forward through the injury, trained through the injury, and then tried to get through and get a victory. Unfortunately, it never happened.”

    Edwards made no mention of the physical problems he seemingly entered the cage with at UFC 304 himself. In a short and succinct post-fight statement, “Rocky” apologized to his fans and vowed to regain the gold.

  • Colby Covington Unimpressed By Belal Muhammad’s UFC 304 Title Win: ‘He’s Obviously On The Right Steroids’

    Colby Covington Unimpressed By Belal Muhammad’s UFC 304 Title Win: ‘He’s Obviously On The Right Steroids’

    We can unsurprisingly count UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington among those unimpressed by his division’s newly crowned champion.

    Belal Muhammad completed his ascent to the mountaintop on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage this past weekend, getting the better of Leon Edwards in the main event of the UFC 304 pay-per-view at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena.

    The five-round headliner was largely dominant for the challenger, who made good on his promise to unseat “Rocky” in emphatic fashion and begin a new era at 170 pounds.

    Of course, while plenty were left impressed by Muhammad’s efforts in England, he still has his fair share of detractors. Among them is Covington…

    Covington On UFC 304 Main Event: ‘I Can Tell You Who Lost & That’s The Fans’

    During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Covington gave his first reaction to Muhammad’s championship victory across the pond this past weekend.

    Despite not watching the fight itself, “Chaos” was confident that it would have been short on entertainment and a poor watch for the fanbase.

    And after taking aim at both the new champ and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, “Chaos” insisted he would have no problems taking the welterweight gold away from Muhammad, whom he also accused of steroid use.

    “I can tell you who lost and that’s the fans. I feel bad for the fans that they got robbed of some entertainment,” Covington said. “Belal the racist juice monkey won. Now that he finally made his first check off the prelims, he can finally fix that dildo that’s on his face. … That’s only if Ali doesn’t take all his money because we know his scumbag manager is a thief.

    “I didn’t watch the fight, man. … I know that Leon made so much money in the last fight with me that I don’t think he’s hungry anymore,” Covington continued. “(Muhammad’s) a f*cking p*ssy. … The only time (he) wanted to fight me was when I already had a title fight signed, sealed, and delivered. Otherwise he’s never said my name because he knows he’s a little b*tch and he knows what I’d do to him. If I cross paths with him, he won’t be champion anymore. … I’d love to fight him. I’ll do whatever it takes to get to that. … He’s got nothing for me. … He’s obviously on the right steroids right now, doing the right cycles. He had a one night, lightning in a bottle-type performance.”

    Despite Covington’s claims, Muhammad had mentioned him long before his title shot was confirmed last year. “Remember the Name” called out “Chaos” way back in 2017 in the aftermath of his victory over Tim Means at UFC Fight Night 121 in Sydney, Australia.

    It didn’t take long for Muhammad to respond, taking aim at Covington 0-3 record in undisputed UFC welterweight title fights in a comment under a clip of the ex-interim titleholder’s recent remarks.

    Covington most recently fell short of the belt in Edwards’ second defense. A comfortable decision victory for the Brit followed the American’s two previous title losses at the hands of Kamaru Usman in 2019 and 2021.

  • Paddy Pimblett Acknowledges Alternative Option To Renato Moicano For Next Fight After UFC 304: ‘If He Wants His Head Punching In…’ 

    Paddy Pimblett Acknowledges Alternative Option To Renato Moicano For Next Fight After UFC 304: ‘If He Wants His Head Punching In…’ 

    Should his original callout post-fight at UFC 304 not come to fruition, Paddy Pimblett has at least one other name in mind.

    Pimblett was among the biggest winners to emerge from this past weekend’s pay-per-view event at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, where he was one of many home fighters making the walk.

    “The Baddy” put in one of the night’s standout performances, rendering ranked lightweight King Green unconscious with a triangle choke for the technical submission victory in the very first round.

    As a result, Pimblett has found himself debuting in the top 15, meaning a whole new set of possible opponents lie in wait for the Liverpool native. One in particular has caught the former Cage Warriors champion’s eye, with Renato Moicano on the receiving end of his Octagon callout at UFC 304.

    Moicano is currently set to headline the UFC Fight Night in Paris, France, this September opposite Benoît Saint Denis.

    Should the result of that matchup leave a battle with the Brazilian off the table, Pimblett wouldn’t mind throwing down with one of Moicano’s fellow countrymen instead…

    Pimblett Open To ‘Punching In’ Dos Anjos For Past Tweets

    During a backstage interview with Full Send MMA, Pimblett reflected on his performance at UFC 304 and assessed what could be next in his journey up the lightweight ladder.

    While he reiterated his desire to share the Octagon with Renato Moicano, Pimblett did entertain another name, former champion Rafael dos Anjos, who sits one place above him in the 155-pound rankings.

    “There are some names. Renato beat Jalin though,” Pimblett said to shut down Turner as an option. “I’ve seen dos Anjos say himself that he’s moving up to welterweight; he’s not fighting at lightweight anymore. So you never know, I could end up moving up higher than 15 in the rankings if ‘RDA’s’ moving up.

    “I also have seen ‘RDA’ tweet about me in the past, though. So if he wants his head punching in, I’ll punch his head in,” Pimblett continued. “But as I say, I’m thinking Moicano more than likely.”

    Despite suggesting his lightweight stint was over following a knockout loss to Rafael Fiziev in 2022, “RDA” returned to the division unsuccessfully against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 299 in Miami this past March.

    Following that setback, the Brazilian once again suggested he’ll only consider welterweight contests moving forward. But perhaps his past comments on Pimblett and the high-profile nature of that matchup could draw him back to 155 pounds.

    In the aftermath of “The Baddy’s” win over Tony Ferguson last December, “RDA” branded Pimblett “terrible” and insisted he wouldn’t even need a fight camp to defeat him in the cage.

  • UFC Rankings Report: Paddy Pimblett Arrives At Lightweight, Belal Muhammad Debuts On Pound-For-Pound List

    UFC Rankings Report: Paddy Pimblett Arrives At Lightweight, Belal Muhammad Debuts On Pound-For-Pound List

    As always, the latest action on offer inside the Octagon has seen some climb the ladder toward contention and others fall away.

    And in the aftermath of UFC 304, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

    Men’s Pound-For-Pound: In addition to reaching the mountaintop at 170 pounds, Belal Muhammad’s title-winning triumph over Leon Edwards this past weekend has seen him join the P4P rankings. The newly crowned welterweight champion has debuted at #6, with his defeated opponent dropping three spots to #7. Muhammad’s arrival has resulted in the removal of former bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling.

    Also on a climb is the other man who left the Co-op Live with gold in his possession, Tom Aspinall. The interim heavyweight kingpin’s rapid knockout of Curtis Blaydes has seen him rise by two places to #9, jumping above Max Holloway (#10), Dricus Du Plessis (#11), and Alexandre Pantoja (#12).

    Women’s Pound-for-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Strawweight: No changes.

    Women’s Flyweight: No changes.

    Women’s Bantamweight: No changes.

    Flyweight: After some controversial antics and a lackluster victory at UFC 304, Muhammad Mokaev evidently didn’t do enough to convince the promotion he was worth re-signing. As a result of his departure, “The Punisher” has been quickly removed from the 125-pound rankings. That’s paved the way for Cody Durden to return at #15.

    The man he beat at UFC 304, Manel Kape, has fallen by one position to #9, with both Steve Erceg (#7) and Matheus Nicolau (#8) receiving two-spot boosts to jump above “Starboy.”

    Bantamweight: No changes.

    Featherweight: Arnold Allen’s decision win over Giga Chikadze in the early hours of Sunday morning was enough to secure his return to the top five at 145 pounds. “Almighty” has moved up by one spot to share the #5 place with former opponent Movsar Evloev.

    Lightweight: Paddy Pimblett was among the biggest winners to emerge from UFC 304, putting King Green to sleep with a triangle choke to record his first success over ranked opposition. As expected, the result has pushed “The Baddy” into contention, with the Liverpool native replacing Green at #15.

    Welterweight: With Muhammad surging to the throne in Manchester, Edwards has slipped back to the #1 position as the leader in the chasing pack. That’s also left former champ Kamaru Usman one place worse off at #2.

    Middleweight: No changes.

    Light Heavyweight: No changes.

    Heavyweight: After falling short in his first UFC title shot, Blaydes has been relegated to #5 in the heavyweight pecking order, with Sergei Pavlovich replacing him at #4 a month on from his defeat to Alexander Volkov in Saudi Arabia.

    You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

  • Belal Muhammad Says Trash Talk From Fans At UFC 304 Only Motivated Him More: ‘I’m From The South Side Of Chicago!’ 

    Belal Muhammad Says Trash Talk From Fans At UFC 304 Only Motivated Him More: ‘I’m From The South Side Of Chicago!’ 

    Newly crowned UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad says hostility from fans only aided in his successful pursuit of gold this past weekend.

    Muhammad emerged from enemy territory with the 170-pound title in his possession, having headlined the UFC 304 pay-per-view alongside Leon Edwards at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England.

    Against the odds and predictions of many fans, pundits, and fellow fighters alike, Muhammad made good on his vows to dominate “Rocky” in his own backyard, utilizing his grappling to secure large periods of control and finding success on the feet too.

    With that, “Remember the Name” was able to silence a crowd that didn’t shy away from letting him know their feelings as he made his way to the Octagon. That trend was also visible last week at the press conference and ceremonial weigh-ins.

    While some may be negatively affected by such a reception, Muhammad says it was ideal…

    Muhammad Relished UFC 304 Boos: ‘I Want That Energy’

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2w081fkcBw

    During a backstage interview with Caroline Pearce for TNT Sports, Muhammad reflected on his experience competing in front of a hostile Manchester crowd.

    While Muhammad had downplayed the support Edwards had in the UK, “Remember the Name” was seemingly pleased to be on the receiving end of heavy boos during fight week events and his UFC 304 walkout.

    “Honestly, I liked it. It was motivation,” Muhammad said. “I like to get booed. I want that energy. Like I said, I’ve been doubted my whole career. Those boos, they only push me to go harder.

    “I’m from like, the south side of Chicago, so I’m not afraid of like, altercations or people talking trash to me. I love that type of energy,” Muhammad continued. “When they’re talking trash to me or I get an opponent I can talk trash to, those are the best kind of fights for me.”

    Having proved plenty wrong with his ascent to top spot at 170 pounds, Muhammad will now turn his attention to cementing his grip on that crown and beginning the pursuit of another.

    This week, Muhammad debuted in the pound-for-pound rankings at #6, just behind featherweight champ Ilia Topuria and bantamweight kingpin Sean O’Malley. With some title defenses down the line, “Remember the Name” will hope to further climb that pecking order.

  • Chael Sonnen: Tom Aspinall Knocking Out Big Heavyweights That Mike Tyson Had A ‘Hard Time’ With

    Chael Sonnen: Tom Aspinall Knocking Out Big Heavyweights That Mike Tyson Had A ‘Hard Time’ With

    Chael Sonnen recently lauded Tom Aspinall’s formidable punching power, boldly asserting that the Brit possesses the knockout ability to take down heavyweight boxers against whom even the legendary Mike Tyson struggled.

    Aspinall triumphantly retained his interim heavyweight title with a stunning 60-second knockout of his former foe, Curtis Blaydes, avenging his only loss in the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC 304 this past Saturday in Manchester.

    The 31-year-old Salford native delivered a powerful right hand that sent “Razor” crashing to the floor, then topped it off with a relentless barrage of punches to the head, prompting referee Marc Goddard to stop the fight.

    Since returning from injury in July 2023, Aspinall has been unstoppable, securing three first-round knockout victories. He has now won seven of his UFC fights by first-round stoppage, boasting an average fight time of just 2:02—the shortest in the promotion’s history.

    Sonnen Stunned by Aspinall’s Devastating Punching Power

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Sonnen weighed in on Aspinall’s victory over Blaydes at UFC 304. “The Bad Guy” noted that while it may not have been the Englishman’s finest performance in the Octagon, his incredible knockout power still managed to shift the momentum decisively in his favor.

    “I’m watching Tom, surprised by himself that it wasn’t a perfect fight by Tom,” Sonnen said. “Curtis was actually fundamentally doing some things a little bit better than Tom. And one thing about Tom is these boys he’s putting down, these are the big heavyweights, and I’m talking about size. I’m talking about actually getting on the scale and what they tip the scale at.”

    Sonnen went on to say that Aspinall’s punching power is so formidable that he could knock out big heavyweights – something even “Iron Mike” Tyson had trouble with.

    “Mike Tyson had a hard time putting down the heavyweights that were 240, 250, 260 [pounds]. These are the guys that Tom is touching one time; this is shocking power. Tom is getting guys out of here so quickly. I don’t love the reality that in three years, Tom has been in the ring for about three minutes, but the other side of it is, what are you going to do? How are you going to stop him?”

    After his win, Aspinall renewed his call for a unification bout with Jon Jones, who claimed the vacant UFC heavyweight title by defeating Ciryl Gane in March 2023 at UFC 285.

    “Bones” is expected to defend his title for the first time later this year against Stipe Miocic, a matchup that UFC CEO Dana White is adamant about making a reality.

  • Robert Whittaker Feels The Real Leon Edwards Didn’t Show Up Against Belal Muhammad: ‘I Am Wondering Why Leon Had No Answer…’

    Robert Whittaker Feels The Real Leon Edwards Didn’t Show Up Against Belal Muhammad: ‘I Am Wondering Why Leon Had No Answer…’

    Robert Whittaker recently said that he believes Leon Edwards did not perform to the best of his abilities in his rematch against Belal Muhammad at UFC 304.

    “Rocky” relinquished his welterweight championship to Muhammad in his third title defense this Saturday at the Co-Op Live arena in Manchester, England. This was the second showdown between the two fighters, with their first encounter ending in a no-contest after an eye-poke rendered Muhammad unable to continue past the second round.

    Muhammad came out strong in the first round, quickly securing a takedown that highlighted his wrestling dominance. His seamless combination of takedowns and boxing set the tone for the fight. In the second round, he intensified his assault, dropping the defending champion on his head and taking control by securing his back.

    Edwards managed a comeback in the fourth round with aggressive striking, but the challenger quickly closed the distance, taking him down and maintaining a dominant position for most of the round. In a dramatic final push, Edwards reversed the position and unleashed a barrage of elbows, splitting Muhammad open.

    Despite this late effort, it wasn’t enough to retain his belt, as the judges scored the fight 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 in favor of “Remember the Name”, crowning him the new UFC welterweight champion.

    This setback cost the Jamaican-born Englishman not only his title but also ended his impressive 13-fight unbeaten streak in the Octagon. “The Reaper” believes Edwards didn’t meet the high standards he has set for himself…

    Whittaker Believes Edwards Wasn’t At His Best Against Muhammad

    During a recent episode of the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker analyzed the rematch between Edwards and Muhammad at UFC 304. The UFC middleweight champion conveyed his surprise at “Rocky’s” uncharacteristic struggle in the bout, noting that his performance starkly contrasted with his last two impressive showings against Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington.

    “I was surprised, not surprised like that Muhammad surprised me,” Whittaker said. “Yeah, no, you know what, I was surprised. I was surprised because Leon’s last two showings against Usman and Colby looked vastly different to the Leon that turned up against Muhammad. Now, what does that mean? Because I don’t want to take away from Belal just turning up and honestly dominating Leon Edwards. Like, he belted him in the stand-up. He put that constant pressure, was punching him up.”

    Whittaker went on to say that Muhammad’s performance may have caught Edwards off guard, as he possibly underestimated how formidable his opponent would be.

    “I am wondering why Leon had no answer for it because we saw him go up against the likes of Usman, we saw him go up against the likes of Colby, and both guys couldn’t do that. Was it because Belal is a much bigger welterweight? He looked strong in that. I don’t want to take away because it was such a good showing from Belal, but it was such a—like, did he shut down that hard that he made Leon look bad, or was it because Leon was off? He said he felt lethargic or whatever.”

    In his post-fight Octagon interview, “Rocky” revealed that he struggled with fatigue in the days leading up to UFC 304, as he attempted to acclimate to the unusual fight schedule in Manchester.

    Edwards made it clear that he doesn’t plan to dwell on the loss. He is eager to return to the Octagon later this year, though his next opponent remains uncertain.

  • Former UFC Champion Explains How Tom Aspinall’s Short Fight Time Could Be His ‘Worst Enemy’ Against Jon Jones

    Former UFC Champion Explains How Tom Aspinall’s Short Fight Time Could Be His ‘Worst Enemy’ Against Jon Jones

    Tom Aspinall came into UFC 304 this past weekend already holding the UFC record for the fastest average fight time for an athlete that has stepped foot in the Octagon several times.

    This streak doesn’t appear to be going anywhere despite his want and expectation for the rematch with Curtis Blaydes to go past the opening rounds.

    All it took was one clean shot from the interim heavyweight champion to send Blaydes off balance, where a barrage of follow-up strikes closed the show in just one minute.

    In nine total appearances since signing with the UFC, Aspinall is still yet to clock in a full 15-minute bout duration – even with all of his fights combined.

    He got this one done even quicker than his average fight time of less than two minutes but a former champion questioned whether this will come back to bite him at a later stage.

    Henry Cejudo Says Tom Aspinall’s Lack Of Cage Time Could Hurt Him Against Jon Jones

    Even before this fight, despite Blaydes being a very tough opponent for Aspinall, the fight that many want to see the Brit in is the title unification clash with Jon Jones.

    This is even more so the case after he avenged his one defeat in the UFC, which was caused by an injury, and made it look relatively simple.

    During the UFC 304 recap episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Henry Cejudo made the case for why this incredibly small amount of fight time could be a disadvantage for Aspinall if he were to fight Jones.

    We’re still yet to see so many elements of his game which an experienced foe like Jones is surely going to want to try and test, if they do ever meet.

    “Last four fights bro! 3 minutes and 37 seconds, Jesus Christ. But, that can also be his worst enemy too because you know a guy like Jones, a guy like Jones is smart bro. A guy like Jones, we cannot doubt the dude. The dude could wrestle and the dude will probably make this dude fight that beast side. But I will say this man, Tom Aspinall’s agility and the fact he’s a counter puncher, like he really did counter that jab very well with that overhand bro. like his IQ on his feet is good but we also have to see him in those other areas.”

    Read also: Kamaru Usman Reacts To Belal Muhammad Dominating Leon Edwards At UFC 304: ‘Leon Doesn’t Necessarily Know How To Fight There…’

  • King Green Breaks Silence After Being Put To Sleep By Paddy Pimblett At UFC 304: ‘Let The Ridicule Begin…’

    King Green Breaks Silence After Being Put To Sleep By Paddy Pimblett At UFC 304: ‘Let The Ridicule Begin…’

    It wasn’t to be King Green’s night at UFC 304 as he made the trip over to Manchester to take on a home crowd favorite.

    Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett provided a much-needed boost to the fans inside the Co-op Live in the early hours of Sunday morning.

    The energy from his walk out carried into the fight itself, where after Green shot for a takedown and “The Baddy” was able to showcase his submission skills off his back.

    Locking up a slick triangle, Pimblett was able to choke his opponent unconscious whilst extending his arm at the same time, to secure a huge first-round finish against his first ranked opponent.

    King Green Reflects On First Round Loss At UFC 304: ‘Kill Or Be Killed’

    Green spoke for the first time since the fight via a video that he posted on his Instagram stories, where he prepared himself for fan backlash.

    The 50-fight veteran made no excuses for the defeat and said that he expects to receive negative messages and comments from the fans after being submitted.

    Green is no stranger to being on both sides of highlight reel finishes so this isn’t a new experience for him and as he said himself, it’s kill or be killed at his level.

    “What a day. Thank you guys for checking in on me, I’m okay I guess. You know, s*** happens. Felt like I slipped into some s*** and it just all went the perfect way, I had a bad night. No excuses, s*** happens. I live by a code, kill or be killed. Today I got killed. Let the ridicule begin, you know, I know what comes with this. You guys can talk your s***, I know what comes with this. Let’s go.”

    Watch Green’s Instagram story via MMA Crazy on YouTube below:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrI7FJv6-uM

    Read also: Molly McCann Speaks On ‘Sh*t Night At The Office’ At UFC 304: ‘Wasn’t Able To Recover After That Knee…’ 

  • Kamaru Usman Quashes Notion Of Early Stoppage In Tom Aspinall’s Win Over Curtis Blaydes: ‘The Best Heavyweight’

    Kamaru Usman Quashes Notion Of Early Stoppage In Tom Aspinall’s Win Over Curtis Blaydes: ‘The Best Heavyweight’

    Tom Aspinall continued his track record of finishing fights early on, in the co-main event of UFC 304 this past weekend.

    His interim title defense against Curtis Blaydes came to an end in just one minute of the very first round, when he dropped his opponent and landed some follow-up strikes on the floor to get the win.

    The speed and timing of Aspinall was on full display once again, despite taking a punch or two from Blaydes in that opening minute.

    By his own admission, the Brit was still taking some time to work out his opponent’s range and timing after being hit when he thought Blaydes would would miss.

    What makes him so dangerous is that this didn’t even matter in the grand scheme of things as once a shot of his own landed clean, he was able to get the finish.

    Kamaru Usman Says He Had No Issues With Blaydes Stoppage, Calls Aspinall The Best Heavyweight

    Given that it was the jab from Aspinall that tipped Blaydes off balance, some questioned whether it was an early stoppage because nothing appeared to really hurt the challenger.

    Kamaru Usman doesn’t believe this was a factor as he stated during the UFC 304 review episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast.

    Usman said that similar to Aspinall’s own view of the finish, Blaydes had nowhere to go and was only going to take more damage if the referee didn’t step in.

    “Everyone is speculating, ‘Oh, was it an early stoppage.’ At first, I would think so but this is the thing with big boys though. Yes, the jab didn’t completely [drop him]…like it was just kind of momentum. He’s coming in, he ate the jab, okay he sat him down. But when he sat him down, Curtis was still there, Curtis saw him coming, Curtis tried to get back up but those are big boys.

    “He fell on Curtis, he jumped on Curtis and when you jumped on him I mean those boys don’t move as fast and then he starts wailing off and there was moments to where Curtis was there trying to get up, a shot lands on the side of the head, he goes back down, he tries to get up so it was just kind of this grey area. I don’t think it was an early stoppage I just think Curtis was kind of caught off guard and was unable to recover quickly enough before Tom Aspinall was able to pounce on him and completely finish the fight.”

    Usman was also very high in his praise for the interim champion, labelling him as the best in his weight class despite the presence of Jon Jones.

    “I just think it was a tremendous fight. I think the speed of Tom Aspinall sets him apart from every heavyweight now. His speed, his awareness, his fearlessness to go in there and know that, ‘Hey, my shots are going to get there before yours.’ I think you have to put him in there, you have to say that Tom Aspinall right now is the best heavyweight.”

    Read also: Kamaru Usman Reacts To Belal Muhammad Dominating Leon Edwards At UFC 304: ‘Leon Doesn’t Necessarily Know How To Fight There…’

  • Muhammad Mokaev Defends Pulling Manel Kape’s Shorts Down At UFC 304: ‘There’s A Reason We Have Warnings…’ 

    Muhammad Mokaev Defends Pulling Manel Kape’s Shorts Down At UFC 304: ‘There’s A Reason We Have Warnings…’ 

    UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev appears keen to make the most of some controversial leniency from mixed martial arts referees.

    Mokaev was among the most talked about fighters leading into this past weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event in Manchester, England — and in the aftermath.

    The Dagestan-born Brit appeared on the preliminary card, sharing the Octagon with Manel Kape. While relegated from the main card, the matchup was among the most anticipated in the lead-up to the numbered event.

    But despite the pair’s apparent bad blood, fueled by multiple altercations during fight week, the bout fell flat. “The Punisher” ultimately had his hand raised on the scorecards, but the manner of victory left Mokaev as the subject of criticism.

    In addition to that being down to the low-volume and entertainment nature of the fight, the 23-year-old also raised eyebrows with one particular tactic he employed on the ground. After taking Kape down in the first round, the Brit blatantly pulled “Starboy’s” shorts.

    Many have suggested Mokaev was fortunate to escape without losing a point, but the man himself seemingly has no regrets, insisting he’ll use whatever warnings he has in the chamber to stretch the rules…

    Mokaev On UFC 304 Fouling: ‘I Have To Take Every Single Opportunity’

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS5BRRMCNFQ

    During a backstage interview in Manchester with Caroline Pearce for TNT Sports, Mokaev reflected on his victory over Kape and some of the controversy surrounding it.

    In his first post-fight statement on social media, the Angola-born Portuguese flyweight slammed Mokaev for the pull of his shots, as well as multiple other fouls he believes went against him.

    The topic of how referees enforce the rules has long been a prominent one, with frequent fouls such as fence grabs going unpunished and met with a multitude of verbal warnings.

    Mokaev, though, appeared to share a ‘if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying’ mantra.

    “It’s a fight, yeah? You grab, do everything you can to win a fight,” Mokaev said. “There’s a reason we’ve got the warnings. I’ll do everything. I am young, I have to take every single opportunity in the Octagon. I know sometimes stuff doesn’t look (good), but I’ll do what I can.”

    Unfortunately for Mokaev, his performance and conduct in Manchester evidently didn’t impress the UFC, with Dana White revealing during the UFC 304 post-fight press conference that the promotion wouldn’t be re-signing the flyweight up-and-comer.

    It remains to be seen what lies in the future of “The Punisher,” who told TNT Sports in the aftermath of his win that he was hoping to be sent a new contract ahead of a possible title shot against Alexandre Pantoja.

    It now appears that he’ll have to adjust his sights to a championship elsewhere.

  • Sean O’Malley Reacts To Paddy Pimblett Choking King Green Out At UFC 304: ‘He Could Be Champ…’

    Sean O’Malley Reacts To Paddy Pimblett Choking King Green Out At UFC 304: ‘He Could Be Champ…’

    UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley looks to be extremely high on Paddy Pimblett’s lightweight title chances following this past weekend.

    Pimblett was among the most prominent names in action at the UFC 304 pay-per-view, which took place in front of his home crowd at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    Off the back of decision wins over Jared Gordon and Tony Ferguson, and amid plenty of doubt regarding his ability to compete with the best at 155 pounds, “The Baddy” had his first shot at cracking the rankings opposite King Green.

    Against the odds and expectations of many, Pimblett made good on his promise to dispatch Green with ease, capitalizing on the American veteran’s ill-advised takedown attempt by locking in a triangle choke to put him unconscious.

    The result impressed most and has left Pimblett closer to his goal of touching gold on MMA’s biggest stage. And while that target remains a considerable distance and plenty of major victories away, O’Malley isn’t writing the Liverpool native off…

    O’Malley Lauds Pimblett’s Home Win At UFC 304

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, O’Malley reacted live to the major matchups that played out in the UK this past weekend.

    “Sugar” appeared impressed when Pimblett choked Green out cold, and he proved as much by suggesting that the Brit’s improvements could pave the way for a possible title crowning down the line.

    “Paddy is f*cking focused, ready to go. Got two kids now. He does have skills, he does have f*cking good skills,” O’Malley said. “He’s out! He put him to sleep! Paddy just put Bobby to sleep! … That was f*cking beautiful. Damn, he’s still sleeping.

    “That was sick, bro. Good for him. He answered a lot of questions,” O’Malley continued. “I guess I don’t know how good Bobby’s jiu-jitsu is. I’ve always thought of him as a f*cking brawler, but for Paddy to do that to a guy like Bobby Green is huge. It’s a massive win. … Paddy called out Renato Moicano. … Paddy could definitely be — I mean, if he wins the right fights, he could be champ.”

    For now, Pimblett will be keeping a close eye on Tuesday’s rankings update before turning his attention to the upcoming Paris showdown between Moicano and Benoît Saint Denis on September 28.

  • Chris Curtis vs. Kevin Holland Set For UFC 307 On October 5

    Chris Curtis vs. Kevin Holland Set For UFC 307 On October 5

    The UFC 307 pay-per-view this fall has its latest confirmed fight, and it’ll see Chris Curtis defend his middleweight ranking against the always entertaining Kevin Holland.

    While not confirmed, the promotion is expected to stage its October 5 numbered event in Salt Lake City, Utah. Should that come to fruition, Curtis and Holland will be among those taking to the cage in high altitude.

    The middleweight bout was confirmed by Curtis’ management team, Iridium Sports Agency, on Monday. The announcement marks the second addition to the lineup, joining a crucial featherweight scrap between Movsar Evloev and Aljamain Sterling.

    Holland Targets Second Straight Middleweight Win Against Ranked Curtis

    When they throw down in a few months’ time, Curtis and Holland will be doing so off the back of different fortunes last time out.

    The matchup marks a comeback from injury for Curtis (31-11, 1 NC), who played his part in a Fight of the Year contender opposite Brendan Allen earlier this year before tearing his hamstring in the closing moments of the five-round main event. While confident he deserved the nod and his second straight triumph months on from a win over Marc-André Barriault in Canada, two of the judges ultimately ruled the way of “All In.”

    Having had his calls for a showdown with former title challenger Paulo Costa evidently fall on deaf ears, the #15-ranked middleweight contender will instead face Holland (26-11, 1 NC) at UFC 307.

    “Trailblazer’s” year didn’t begin on the right foot as he fell out of the welterweight rankings owing to a setback against the debuting Michael “Venom” Page at UFC 299 in Miami. With that following a defeat to Jack Della Maddalena, Holland left his losing skid at 170 pounds and returned to the middleweight division on short notice at UFC 302 last month.

    And “Big Mouth” bounced back emphatically in Newark, submitting the experienced Michał Oleksiejczuk with a gruesome armbar just over 90 seconds into their contest.

    Kevin Holland & Michał Oleksiejczuk
    Image: Chris Unger/UFC/Zuffa LLC
  • Daniel Cormier Defends Belal Muhammad Against Criticism Of UFC 304 Title Win: ‘That Was The Furthest Thing From A Boring Fight!’

    Daniel Cormier Defends Belal Muhammad Against Criticism Of UFC 304 Title Win: ‘That Was The Furthest Thing From A Boring Fight!’

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier has dismissed the notion that Belal Muhammad captured welterweight gold in “boring” fashion.

    Muhammad achieved his long-held title ambitions on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage at this past weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event, held inside the Co-op Live in Manchester, England.

    “Remember the Name” entered the Octagon as an underdog against Leon Edwards and with many expecting “Rocky” to handedly defend his title again given how the first round of their 2021 fight played out.

    But the challenger ultimately made good on his promise to dominate the champion in his own backyard, securing control for the majority of the fight and landing some notable shots of his own on the feet en route to a unanimous decision victory.

    With that, Muhammad proved his doubters wrong in a major way. But, of course, not everyone is giving the new welterweight kingpin credit. Some of his detractors have accused him of reaching the top with a less than entertaining style and performance at UFC 304.

    In that regard, Muhammad has the backing of one individual who had a close view of his efforts inside the cage in the UK…

    Cormier Shuts Down ‘Boring’ Accusations After Muhammad’s UFC 304 Triumph

    During a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Cormier gave his take on the events that unfolded at UFC 304 from cageside inside Manchester’s Co-op Live.

    Reflecting on the main event, “DC” had nothing but praise for Muhammad, admitting that he put in a display that went above and beyond what he had expected from the American-Palestinian.

    The ex-heavyweight and light heavyweight titleholder also pushed back on claims the UFC 304 headliner was “boring,” highlighting Muhammad’s impressive performance in all aspects of the game.

    “Tonight, Belal Muhammad fought the absolute perfect fight,” Cormier said. “He said all week that he would make this look easy. I didn’t believe him, and I will say that openly. I thought he was underestimating Leon Edwards. I thought when he was walking out to the Octagon, he looked a bit confident and I wasn’t sure that it was warranted. But what he did in the Octagon tonight was so special.

    “Belal gets a bit of a bad rap, and at times they say he’s boring. But I will tell you right now, that was the furthest thing from a boring fight from the new champion,” Cormier continued. “His pace was amazing, his pressure was amazing, his striking — he fought and struck with Leon Edwards. He outlanded Leon Edwards. … It was a fantastic performance.”

    Continued dismissive remarks from some in the community won’t come as a surprise to Muhammad, who has long dealt with criticism from an abundance of haters. But with the welterweight title now in his possession, it’s safe to say that “Remember the Name” had the last laugh in Manchester.

    He’ll now look to continue that trend by turning back challenges from the division’s pool of contenders and building a lengthy reign.

  • What’s Next After UFC 304? Full Confirmed UFC 305 Main Card For Perth On August 17

    What’s Next After UFC 304? Full Confirmed UFC 305 Main Card For Perth On August 17

    UFC 304 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering.

    The promotion was in Manchester, England last week, where the Co-op Live played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest visit across the pond. Of note were victories for newly crowned UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad, Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall, and rising lightweight Paddy Pimblett.

    While the aftermath of the July 27 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the welterweight title picture to the 185-pound championship conversation.

    At UFC 305, set for the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, on August 17, reigning middleweight kingpin Dricus Du Plessis will compete for the second time this year, making his first defense of the gold in a long-awaited grudge match against returning former two-time champ Israel Adesanya.

    There will also be high stakes and Oceanic interest in the co-headliner, as former flyweight title challengers Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg collide in the latter’s home city in pursuit of staking their claim for a shot at Alexandre Pantoja’s belt down the line.

    Hooker, Tuivasa, ‘The Leech’ Set The Stage For Title Headliner At UFC 305

    Before Du Plessis defends his championship in Adesanya’s home continent and the City Kickboxing standout’s teammate “Don’t Blink” makes his comeback, a number of other high-profile names will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their position on the major card.

    That includes fan-favorite lightweight veteran Dan Hooker, whose frequent calls for a spot on the Perth card were finally answered in the form of a crucial showdown with the #5-ranked Mateusz Gamrot. While Hooker has won back-to-back outings against Claudio Puelles and Jalin Turner to begin a resurgence, “Gamer” is riding a three-fight win streak.

    Prior to that, Australia’s own Tai Tuivasa will look to bring his patented post-knockout shoey celebration back to the Octagon for the first time since his victory over Derrick Lewis in February 2022. That result marked “Bam Bam’s” fifth straight win and left him at #3 in the heavyweight rankings, but he’s since lost four in a row, the most recent of which came against Marcin Tybura at the Apex this past March. The same month saw his next opponent, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, return to winning ways at the expense of Shamil Gaziev.

    And opening the main card is the return of Li Jingliang, who hasn’t made the walk since a controversial defeat to Daniel Rodriguez in their short-notice 180-pound catchweight contest at UFC 279 in September 2022.

    See below for the full UFC 305 card, as it stands.

    Main Card:

    • Dricus Du Plessis (C) vs. Israel Adesanya (middleweight championship main event)
    • Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg (flyweight co-main event)
    • Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan Hooker (lightweight)
    • Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (heavyweight)
    • Li Jingliang vs. Carlos Prates (welterweight)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Junior Tafa vs. Valter Walker (heavyweight)
    • Joshua Culibao vs. Ricardo Ramos (featherweight)
    • Casey O’Neill vs. Luana Santos (women’s flyweight)
    • Jack Jenkins vs. Herbert Burns (featherweight)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Tom Nolan vs. Alex Reyes (lightweight)
    • Song Kenan vs. Ricky Glenn (welterweight)
    • Stewart Nicoll vs. Jesus Aguilar (flyweight)
    Dan Hooker
    Image: UFC.com