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Category: UFC

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

  • Manel Kape Bemoans Muhammad Mokaev’s Fouling In Post-UFC 304 Reaction: ‘I Definitely Won This Fight!’ 

    Manel Kape Bemoans Muhammad Mokaev’s Fouling In Post-UFC 304 Reaction: ‘I Definitely Won This Fight!’ 

    UFC flyweight Manel Kape believes he was robbed of victory against Muhammad Mokaev in Manchester, seemingly by both the judges and referee.

    Kape and Mokaev entered the Octagon during the UFC 304 preliminary card in the early hours of Sunday morning in the UK for a fight that was among the most talked about leading into the pay-per-view event.

    In the eyes of most, the bout was a likely title eliminator at 125 pounds, and the stakes and anticipation only increased when they got into numerous aggressive altercations during fight week.

    The pair ultimately failed to deliver on their promise of a barnburner at the Co-op Live, however, with Mokaev having his hand raised on the scorecards following a low-output and low-entertainment affair.

    While some disagreed with the decision going in “The Punisher’s” favor, the biggest point of contention came in round one when the Dagestan-born brit displayed some of the most egregious fouling in recent memory.

    After landing a takedown, Mokaev blatantly pulled Kape’s shorts down, leading to firm complaints from “Starboy.” But despite the views of the commentary team and many in the community, no point was taken.

    That fact has left the defeated Kape less than pleased…

    Kape Admits He Underperformed At UFC 304 But Claims He Deserved More

    A few hours on from his disappointing setback in Manchester, Kape took to social media to release his first public statement on the result.

    The Angola-born Portuguese flyweight insisted he deserved the victory and pointed out Mokaev’s cheating early on, as well as some other fouls he believes went unpunished from referee Mike Beltran.

    “I definitely won this fight, that pull of the shorts deserved to be removed the point, two fingers in the eyes, 3 kicks in balls,” Kape wrote. “Anyway, It was not the best performance, I apologize for those who expected the best from me but only Allah knows. Alhamdulillah for everything.”

    While he may have had his championship ambitions stalled for the time being, he appears to have had the last laugh in his feud with Mokaev.

    After it emerged that the Dagestan-born Brit would be completing the final fight on his contract at UFC 304, Dana White revealed at the post-fight press conference that the promotion wouldn’t be re-signing “The Punisher,” seemingly owing to issues outside of the Octagon.

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

    The UK fans inside the Co-op Live in the early hours of Sunday morning left following a disappointing result for the home fighter.

    England’s Leon Edwards failed to make the third defense of his welterweight title after losing a unanimous decision to Belal Muhammad.

    Many expected that given Edwards’ recent run of results against top tier opposition, he would be able to deal with the heavy grappling game of his challenger and out strike him on the feet.

    This wasn’t to be the case as Muhammad regularly secured takedowns and even had success with his boxing when pressuring “Rocky” against the cage.

    The constant output from the challenger kept Edwards on the back foot where he was able to make a clever adjustment that a former opponent of the defending champion’s picked up on.

    Kamaru Usman Breaks Down The Adjustment Belal Muhammad Made And Where Leon Edwards Went Wrong

    Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman knows Edwards better than most due to sharing the Octagon with him on three separate occasions.

    As an elite wrestler, Usman constantly tested the defense of “Rocky” which fans saw improve with each fight that he spent in there with “The Nigerian Nightmare”.

    He spoke on a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast where he broke down where Edwards’ style worked against him in this fight.

    “Now, I fought Leon three times. I would say for a majority of all those fights, Leon put his back up against the cage. Well, he didn’t put his back there, I put him there up against the cage. You pressure him, you pressure him, you pressure him, you take away his space and Leon just doesn’t necessarily know how to fight there when you take away his space. He wants to create the space so he backs up and when he backs up, next thing you know, he puts himself up against the cage.”

    Crucially, Usman broke down what Muhammad did differently to his three fights against Edwards, which meant he was able to regularly take down and control the Brit.

    “Now, when you fight a guy like myself and a guy like Belal Muhammad that can change levels on you, hey, this is what you’re going to get. We’re going to change levels, we’re going to wrap our arms around your legs and we’re going to take you down every time and that’s what I did in almost every one of my fights but Leon over the time got smart enough to know, ‘Hey, I can use the cage to my advantage to stand up or to keep myself upright and make it harder for people to keep me down,’ and that’s what he was doing.

    “But, it’s almost like he counters what I do which is put him up against the fence and take him down by using the fence to stand back up and stay upright but then here comes the counter, the counter-counter shall I say, in Belal Muhammad in understanding that, ‘Hey, he uses the fence very well to stand back up so when he does stand back up, you know what I’m going to do? I’m going to change levels back again and I’m going to dump him either on his head or I’m going to dump him on his back again,’ and this was textbook.”

    Read also: Israel Adesanya Reacts To Belal Muhammad’s Title Win Over Leon Edwards At UFC 304: ‘I’m A Fan Now!’

  • Curtis Blaydes Releases First Statement On 60-Second UFC 304 Loss To Tom Aspinall: ‘Got Greedy When I Touched Him Early’

    Curtis Blaydes Releases First Statement On 60-Second UFC 304 Loss To Tom Aspinall: ‘Got Greedy When I Touched Him Early’

    UFC heavyweight Curtis Blaydes is understandably frustrated to have had his first shot at gold come to a crashing end in quick time.

    Blaydes was back across the pond this past weekend to share the Octagon with Tom Aspinall in England for the second time. “Razor” previously had his hand raised in 2022 after a knee injury to the Brit after just 15 seconds.

    The American targeted a more definitive victory this time around, as well as the capturing of Aspinall’s interim UFC heavyweight championship. But Blaydes was unable to succeed in that goal at the UFC 304 pay-per-view in Manchester.

    In the early hours of Sunday in the UK, Blaydes became the latest victim on Aspinall’s run of rapid finishes, being dropped by a stiff jab and finished with an onslaught of ground-and-pound on the one-minute mark of the very first round.

    Having worked so hard to earn his first opportunity at winning gold on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage, Blaydes bemoaned his failure to make the most of it.

    Blaydes On UFC 304 Loss: ‘I Threw Out The Amazing Gameplan…That Would’ve Worked

    Following his setback in the UFC 304 co-main event, Blaydes released his first public statement on his Instagram Stories.

    “Razor” maintained that the strategy devised by his team would have worked and ensured his crowning as interim champ but admitted to deviating from it after catching Aspinall on the feet early.

    “Sorry guys, I got greedy when I touched him early and threw out the amazing gameplan that my coaches Vinnie Lopez (and) Cody Donovan came up with that would’ve worked I’m sure of it. No excuses Tom was on point tonight I know this isn’t the end of my journey but damnit, I know I’m better than tonight’s performance. I appreciate all the support truly it’s been an eye opening experience to have so many ppl rocking with me,” Blaydes wrote.

    Curtis Blaydes
    Image: @razorblaydes265/Instagram

    Having insisted that he is far from done, Blaydes will soon turn his attention to the pursuit of a second chance at reaching the heavyweight mountaintop.

    Aspinall, meanwhile, has ensured that his reign as interim champ goes on and continues to call for a unification showdown with champion Jon Jones.

    While Dana White stated that the Brit will face the winner of Jones’ expected title clash with Stipe Miocic later this year, backlash to that matchup from the community has only grown after Aspinall’s emphatic performance at UFC 304.

  • Israel Adesanya Turned By Belal Muhammad’s Title Win Over Leon Edwards At UFC 304: ‘I’m A Fan Now!’

    Israel Adesanya Turned By Belal Muhammad’s Title Win Over Leon Edwards At UFC 304: ‘I’m A Fan Now!’

    Belal Muhammad earned at least one new supporter in the form of Israel Adesanya thanks to his championship crowning at UFC 304.

    Muhammad upset the odds against home country favorite Leon Edwards to emerge from this past weekend’s pay-per-view event in Manchester, England, with the welterweight title in his possession.

    Amid doubt from plenty in the MMA community, “Remember the Name” vowed to unseat “Rocky” with a dominant and one-sided display at the Co-op Live. He achieved that feat against most pre-fight predictions, avoiding a few scares across five rounds to secure a convincing victory on the scorecards.

    The new champ quickly began his ‘I told you so’ tour in the aftermath of his title win, and among those who could expect a visit given their pre-UFC 304 thoughts on Muhammad’s chances is former two-time middleweight champ Adesanya…

    Adesanya Will ‘Remember The Name’ After Muhammad’s UFC 304 Triumph

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

    During UFC 304 fight week, “The Last Stylebender” laid his support behind Edwards, a friend of his who is managed by the same team. Adesanya predicted that “Rocky” would simply have too much for the challenger.

    Having been proved wrong, the Nigerian-New Zealander had nothing but praise for the victorious Muhammad, noting that he is now a fan of the newly crowned welterweight kingpin.

    “He put him on his head! Bro, that rocked him. His head, that was bad. Look at it. That’s bad, bro! Spiked him,” Adesanya said after Muhammad dropped Edwards on his head. “Jesus Christ, Belal. Even if he loses this fight, I’m a fan of him now. I knew his name, of course, but I’ll remember the name.

    “Bro, what the f*ck. Yo, Belal’s nice. What Michael (Bisping) just said; he’s fighting fearlessly. He’s fighting in Leon’s home country, coming for his belt, and fighting like this,” Adesanya continued. “Leon knows. But that, what a rally at the end though. … What a story though, Belal, to do that after coming back from the eye poke, now this in his (Edwards’) backyard. Everybody doubting him, including me. Give it up to him, what a story.”

    Adesanya certainly doesn’t mark the only doubter whom Muhammad proved wrong on fight night in Manchester. “Remember the Name” made good on his promise to dominate the champ in his backyard — a prediction that not many had entertained pre-fight.

    Having extended his unbeaten streak and completed his goal of having the gold wrapped around his waist, Muhammad will now turn his attention to a first defense and beginning to build his championship legacy.

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

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

    UFC strawweight Molly McCann acknowledged the impact of Bruna Brasil’s early body work in her first statement on this past weekend’s defeat.

    McCann was among the home fighters in action at the UFC 304 pay-per-view event, held inside the newly built Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, in the early hours of Sunday morning local time.

    “Meatball” made the walk on the preliminary card in pursuit of her second straight win since moving down to 115 pounds this year. But like her final flyweight outing on UK soil last July, the Liverpool native was unable to replicate her 2022 knockouts in London.

    Opposite kickboxing specialist Bruna Brasil, McCann found herself folding to a pair of brutal body shots in the opening round, the first of which came from a perfectly timed knee to the midsection.

    In her reflection on the unanimous decision setback, the defeated McCann noted the importance that knee had on the rest of the fight…

    McCann On UFC 304 Loss: ‘Few Broken Bones…’

    McCann took to social media on Sunday to give her first public reaction to the defeat close to home.

    Alongside a picture showing her interaction with Brasil and her team at the fighter hotel following UFC 304, “Meatball” praised her victorious opponent on the triumph in enemy territory.

    And in terms of her own performance, McCann suggested she was never able to fully recover from the knee that appeared close to finishing the fight early on.

    “Last night was Bruna’s night! Massive congratulations to her. I wasn’t able to recover after that knee the firm,” McCann wrote. “Few broken bones and some heavy bruises, Shit night in the office for me but it is what it is. Hope you all enjoyed a great night of fights. Thank you to all UFC/ UFC PI staff for the care and love. We live to fight another day. I’m gonna be taking a bit of time off for me mental and physical state. Much love the firm!

    The result stalls the strawweight momentum McCann gained with a career-best display opposite Diana Belbiță at the Apex this past February.

    Brasil, meanwhile, has bounced back from a disappointing decision defeat to Loma Lookboonmee earlier this year. The win also marks victories in back-to-back years in England for “The Special One,” who previously got the better of Shauna Bannon in the country’s capital last July.

  • Jon Jones Gives First Reaction To Tom Aspinall’s 60-Second Knockout At UFC 304, Post-Fight Callout

    Jon Jones Gives First Reaction To Tom Aspinall’s 60-Second Knockout At UFC 304, Post-Fight Callout

    UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones didn’t have much to say after his interim counterpart emerged victorious in Manchester this past weekend.

    With the calls of him and many in the fanbase for a unification showdown with Jones falling on deaf ears, Tom Aspinall returned in the co-main event of UFC 304 to defend his interim title.

    In front of his home fans, the Brit ran it back with Curtis Blaydes, seeking redemption for the setback he fell to after his knee gave way just 15 seconds into their first fight two years ago.

    It didn’t take long for Aspinall to succeed in that goal, dropping “Razor” and pummeling him with ground-and-pound for the TKO stoppage in just 60 seconds at the Co-op Live.

    The dominant nature of his first interim title defense has only increased calls for the UFC and Jones to abandon plans for a Stipe Miocic fight upon his return from injury.

    Jones On UFC 304 Co-Main Event: ‘I Love It…’

    A day on from Aspinall’s latest quick night at the office inside the Octagon, Jones took to social media to give his first reaction to the performance and the Englishman’s post-fight callout.

    “Supply and demand at its finest, I love it,” Jones wrote.

    Pre-fight, Jones had been vocal in dismissing Aspinall’s confidence. The former two-time light heavyweight kingpin suggested that Blaydes was getting the better of the early exchanges in 2022 and could take the Brit down en route to a ground-and-pound stoppage at UFC 304.

    “Bones” didn’t directly address Aspinall proving that prediction wrong in emphatic fashion.

    Judging by his reaction and Dana White’s words at the UFC 304 post-fight press conference, the plan remains for Jones to face Miocic for the title in November. Miocic hasn’t competed since a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in 2021.

  • Dana White Gives Muted Reaction To Belal Muhammad’s Title Win At UFC 304: ‘Wasn’t A Barnburner’

    Dana White Gives Muted Reaction To Belal Muhammad’s Title Win At UFC 304: ‘Wasn’t A Barnburner’

    Those who are not fans of Belal Muhammad must have felt justified upon seeing UFC CEO Dana White’s mood at the UFC 304 post-fight press conference immediately following his title win.

    Muhammad toppled Leon Edwards in the card’s main event via unanimous decision to capture the UFC welterweight championship. Though he was able to get his shots in on the feet, perhaps his best work came with his strong wrestling background.

    “Remember the Name” constantly pressured Edwards, bringing him to the fence on multiple occasions to score takedowns. Muhammad controlled Edwards in a way no one had ever seen before, though Edwards landed nasty elbows in the fight’s closing seconds that could have troubled Muhammad had the fight had more time.

    Muhammad’s wrestling-heavy offense has led to him being negatively received by many fans, and it appeared from the moment White wrapped the belt around his waist in the Octagon that the UFC CEO was not impressed.

    “It wasn’t a barnburner,” White said matter-of-factly at the press conference.

    Dana White Says Belal Muhammad Gameplan Was ‘What You Would Expect’

    After that comment, a reporter followed up by asking White if Edwards’ performance — along with others on the card — were compromised by a late start time. The card aired in its usual pay-per-view slot, so the pay-per-view did not begin until 3:10 AM in England after being delayed by 10 minutes due to the prelims running over time.

    It should be worth noting that the decision to not move the start time to something more UK-friendly is widely believed to have been an ESPN decision, not UFC’s. Although the extent to which the promotion could have forced alternative plans has been widely debated.

    White declined to comment on that matter, suggesting to reporters in Manchester that they’d have to ask Edwards himself about his performance.

    The UFC did, however, suggest that he was not surprised by Muhammad’s gameplan given his training time with former undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

    “I know Belal has been training with Khabib,” White said. “So his performance is…what you would expect.”

    Muhammad and Edwards were competing in a rematch from their initial 2021 battle that ended in a no contest after the former was hit with a bad eye poke.

    Both men were on big unbeaten runs. UFC 304 marked “Rocky’s” first loss since his first fight with Kamaru Usman in December 2015. Muhammad, meanwhile, has not lost since a defeat at the hands of Geoff Neal in January 2019.

  • Paddy Pimblett Sends Message To His Haters Following UFC 304 Win Over King Green: ‘People Are Going To Move The Goal Posts’

    Paddy Pimblett Sends Message To His Haters Following UFC 304 Win Over King Green: ‘People Are Going To Move The Goal Posts’

    Paddy Pimblett made a huge statement at UFC 304, scoring an easy first-round submission of King Green in under four minutes and likely clinching a spot in the UFC’s lightweight rankings.

    After Pimblett nailed Green with several low kicks early in the fight, the veteran American made a questionable decision by trying to take down “The Baddy,” who is a grappling expert. Pimblett countered with a guillotine before transitioning into a triangle choke, which Pimblett told ESPN MMA’s Megan Olivi after the fight is his favorite kind of submission.

    As Pimblett looked for an armbar, Green could be seen unconscious, giving him a submission win.

    When Pimblett reflected on how the fight played out, he expressed concern that others might move the goal posts and say that Green, who was ranked No. 15, is not the kind of quality opponent to get him into the rankings.

    The Liverpool native, however, had a counterargument in mind.

    “First person in the UFC to submit Bobby Green, and that’s like his 25th UFC fight or something like that,” Pimblett said. “Even Islam [Makhachev] couldn’t do that. But people are going to keep underestimating me. People are going to move the goal posts now and say, ‘Oh Bobby is finished, Bobby this, Bobby that,’ when last week it was, ‘Bobby’s going to beat Paddy up. Bobby’s going to do this to him, he’s going to do that, he’s going to dog-walk him.’ What happened?”

    Paddy Pimblett May Be Cageside For Renato Moicano vs. Benoît Saint Denis In Paris After UFC 304 Win

    In the Octagon at UFC 304, Pimblett called out Renato Moicano for his next fight. Though the two have had exchanges on social media, the Brazilian s currently booked to face Benoît Saint Denis in Paris on September 28.

    While Pimblett hopes to be placed at No. 10 in the rankings, he will take being at No. 15, as he looks up toward other contenders to continue his momentum and rise up the 155 ranks.

    “Before this Bobby Green fight got made, me and Renato were speaking about each other on Twitter,” Pimblett said. “A lot of people up front of me in the rankings can’t really say no. The only thing about Renato now is that he’s got a fight. He’s fighting BSD in Paris. You never know, might end up going out there. Might end up being cageside for that.”

    Moicano and Saint Denis are set to headline the upcoming UFC Fight Night in the French capital, with the former looking to build on his momentum from a knockout of Jalin Turner at UFC 300 and “God of War” hoping to bounce back from his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 299.

  • Islam Makhachev Reveals Injury Has Left Planned October UFC Title Defense In Doubt

    The UFC may be receiving a major blow to its schedule for the second half of 2024, as UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has revealed that he is suffering from a hand injury.

    According to a video interview Makhachev did with Russian MMA and boxing media outlet Ushatayka, Makhachev revealed that a recent MRI has shown damage to the ligaments in one of his hands.

    It is unknown when he suffered this injury, though Makhachev seemed to suggest it may have come from his victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 last month.

    Makhachev is currently exploring options and looking to see if he can recover without surgery. If he has to have the procedure, it will almost certainly leave him unable to compete for the rest of 2024.

    This would mean the planned lightweight championship fight between Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on October 26 is in major jeopardy.

    “After the fight, my fists hurt, a lot of things hurt,” Makhachev said (translation provided via @ChampRDS on X). “We’ll take time, everything is healing little by little. An MRI recently confirmed that I have a partial ligament tear. Let’s see if I can recover. If not, I might even have to have surgery.

    “(Fighting in Abu Dhabi on October 26) is questionable. We haven’t talked about the fight yet… I really want to perform before the end of the year. I plan to, too…let’s see what happens.”

    Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan Title Fight Potentially Set For Delay

    The UFC has annually held a fall pay-per-view (originally September before moving to October) in Abu Dhabi since 2019. All but one event has seen either Khabib Nurmagomedov or Makhachev main eventing.

    Questions of Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan originally arose because of a nine-month suspension the Nevada State Athletic Commission handed down to Tsarukyan for a pre-fight altercation he had with a fan while making his entrance for UFC 300. However, it’s expected that the Russian-Armenian will do a PSA that will reduce his suspension to six months, allowing him to stay in the plans for an October title fight.

    Tsarukyan defeated former champion Charles Oliveira at the event in a lightweight title eliminator to seemingly secure a second dance with the champ.

    Makhachev, meanwhile, defeated Oliveira to claim the lightweight title at UFC 280. He retained the belt successfully against then-featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski twice in 2023.

    It is unknown what the UFC’s plans would be for Abu Dhabi in October if Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan cannot take place. Mateusz Gamrot, who faces Dan Hooker at UFC 305 in August, is the only lightweight fighter in the top five of the UFC’s lightweight rankings — minus Tsarukyan — with a win in his most recent fight.

  • Tom Aspinall Tells Jon Jones To Hand Over The Title If He Doesn’t Want To Fight Him After UFC 304 Win

    Tom Aspinall Tells Jon Jones To Hand Over The Title If He Doesn’t Want To Fight Him After UFC 304 Win

    Tom Aspinall felt that he was in the fight of his life when he stepped in the Octagon for his UFC 304 interim heavyweight championship co-main event against Curtis Blaydes.

    The Brit is two years removed from his devastating MCL tear the first time he faced “Razor” in England, and it was his first fight since winning the interim belt at New York’s Madison Square Garden last November.

    And despite a day that he described as the longest of his life, with nerves going throughout his body, Aspinall got the job done in just 60 seconds, finishing Blaydes to retain the championship.

    Though Aspinall told Megan Olivi of ESPN MMA that it felt like a homecoming redemption moment after all he’s been through, he made sure to give a ton of respect to Blaydes.

    “Curtis is a great wrestler, but he’s also got great hands. He’s a great MMA fighter,” Aspinall said. “The guy’s been in the top five since before I was in the UFC. He’s a veteran. There is a lot of emphasis on his wrestling because not a lot of guys in the heavyweight division can wrestle well, but he’s an MMA fighter, so I was expecting everything.

    “I’ve got a lot of respect for Curtis, and I want to get in and out as quick as possible without anyone getting hurt. That’s my plan. I hope Curtis is OK.”

    ‘You Can’t Leave Me Out’ – Tom Aspinall Awaits Jon Jones Or Stipe Miocic To Unify Heavyweight Championship

    Following the win, Aspinall had a callout of UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones — a fight that many have been clamoring to see over Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. The interim champ commented about having a conversation with UFC CEO Dana White, implying the chance that plans could change.

    White, however, stated at the UFC 304 post-fight press conference that the plan is still to go with Jones vs. Miocic. However, he appeared to insinuate that Aspinall will be assigned as the backup fighter in case Jones vs. Miocic falls through again.

    Aspinall told Olivi that the plan is to fight the winner of Jones vs. Miocic, but he urged “Bones” to hand the belt over if he doesn’t want the fight.

    “I’ll wait…that’s one worth waiting for,” Aspinall said. “If Jon Jones doesn’t want to do it, OK. Just hand me over the title. I’ll take it, no problem. But that’s the fight I want. It’s the right fight to do. I understand that’s a huge fight for the UFC and the company — Stipe vs. Jon Jones. But, c’mon, you can’t leave me out.”

    Jones vs. Miocic was scheduled to headline UFC 295 last November before Jones tore his pec, which led to the fight where Aspinall defeated Sergei Pavlovich to become interim champion.

    Jones defeated Ciryl Gane to win the then-vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 following Francis Ngannou’s departure from the promotion. Miocic, meanwhile, has not fought since dropping the heavyweight title to Ngannou at UFC 260.

    Rumors, reports, and even Jones himself have stated the plan is for Jones vs. Miocic to headline a Madison Square Garden PPV card in November. Those event plans, however, have not been confirmed by the UFC and have been left murky with a concert series taking place at the venue during UFC 309’s original target date of November 9.

  • ‘The PFL Will Get A Great, Undefeated Guy’ – Dana White Reveals Muhammad Mokaev Will Be Let Go By UFC

    ‘The PFL Will Get A Great, Undefeated Guy’ – Dana White Reveals Muhammad Mokaev Will Be Let Go By UFC

    Muhammad Mokaev will not be coming back to the UFC, according to promotional CEO Dana White at the UFC 304 post-fight press conference.

    Mokaev scored a win over Manel Kape during the UFC 304 prelims. In spite of being promoted as a potential flyweight title eliminator, the fight proved to be disappointing and widely panned. The bout marked the final one on Mokaev’s current deal.

    According to White, matchmakers are not a fan of Mokaev’s conduct, and the Dagestani-Englishman has caused unnamed issues in the past few months.

    “I think the PFL will get a great, undefeated guy,” White said. “Good luck to him.”

    Dana White, UFC Appears To Formally Part Ways With Muhammad Mokaev

    The unbeaten Mokaev, a noteworthy flyweight contender, was a big talking point heading into this card. Mokaev and Kape had bad blood between them, resulting in a number of confrontations in the week leading up to the fight.

    The bout was also notable for the number of times it moved in the card order, going from the main card, to the televised prelims, to the early prelims, then finally settling in as the opening bout of the televised prelims.

    Despite the supposed bad blood, the fight proved to be lackluster. The first round saw little actual action from both men. Early in the second, Mokaev grabbed Kape’s shorts in a grappling exchange and appeared to show disrespect to referee Mike Beltran, causing Beltran to loudly admonish him during the pause in the action.

    Mokaev ultimately won the fight by unanimous decision.

    Earlier in the week, Mokaev acknowledged this being the last fight on his deal and desired a guaranteed title shot in a new deal, following a win.

    Mokaev has not commented on the matter as of press time, but he did tweet this out after the event.

  • ‘Love Or Hate Belal, He Came, He Saw & Conquered!’ – MMA Fighters React After Belal Muhammad Imposes His Will (Mostly) On Leon Edwards At UFC 304

    ‘Love Or Hate Belal, He Came, He Saw & Conquered!’ – MMA Fighters React After Belal Muhammad Imposes His Will (Mostly) On Leon Edwards At UFC 304

    Muhammad got right to work with what works best for him, scoring a pair of takedowns early. Edwards had good connections on the feet during the round, but Muhammad connected with a late uppercut that seemed to rock Edwards.

    Muhammad then completely had his way with the defending champion in the second round, landing a couple of more takedowns and showing complete pressure and control. This included a takedown where Edwards was notably dumped on his head.

    Edwards fought back against Muhammad’s pressure in the third round, taking control on the ground and getting to Muhammad’s back with a body triangle, threatening a choke. Edwards looked to land in the fourth and had solid connections. But Muhammad answered and went back to his wrestling pressure, scoring another takedown and having complete control of Edwards’s back this time around.

    The two exchanged early in the fifth round, with Edwards fending off a takedown attempt. But Muhammad pressured him back to the fence and took a hold of him again. There, Muhammad got another body lock and another takedown, overwhelming Edwards with wrestling. Edwards busted Muhammad open with two elbows in the fight’s closing seconds, but it was too little, too late.

    Muhammad won on all three scorecards, with two 48-47s and a 49-46.

    Belal Muhammad Claims Welterweight Championship With Decision Win Over Leon Edwards At UFC 304

    https://twitter.com/lthomasnews/status/1817428389965250999

    Muhammad has won all but two fights in the UFC since 2017. This now marks six straight wins for Muhammad since a no-contest in his first fight with Edwards.

    This marks Edwards’s first loss since dropping his initial battle with Kamaru Usman at the end of 2015. Edwards won the welterweight title at UFC 278 with a fifth-round knockout of Usman and retained in a trilogy fight with Usman, as well as Colby Covington.

  • UFC 304 Results & Highlights: Belal Muhammad Decisions Leon Edwards

    UFC 304 Results & Highlights: Belal Muhammad Decisions Leon Edwards

    UFC 304 took place tonight from the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, Leon Edwards put his welterweight title on the line against Belal Muhammad. While in the co-main event, heavyweight interim champ Tom Aspinall took on Curtis Blaydes. 

    UFC 305 Results: Main Card

    • Welterweight Championship Main Event: Belal Muhammad def. Leon Edwards via unanimous decision (48-47×2, 49-46)
    • Interim Heavyweight Championship Co-Main Event: Tom Aspinall def. Curtis Blaydes via KO: R1, 1.00
    • Lightweight: Paddy Pimblett def. King Green via submission: R1, 3.22  
    • Middleweight: Gregory Rodrigues def. Christian Leroy Duncan via unanimous decision (30-27×3) 
    • Featherweight: Arnold Allen def. Giga Chikadze via unanimous decision (29-28×3)

    Preliminary Card

    • Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood def. Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (29-27×2, 29-28)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Bruna Brasil def. Molly McCann via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
    • Bantamweight: Jake Hadley def. Caolán Loughran via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
    • Flyweight: Muhammad Mokaev def. Manel Kape via unanimous decision (29-28×2, 30-27)

    Early Preliminary Card

    • Welterweight: Oban Elliott def. Preston Parsons via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27×2)
    • Light Heavyweight: Modestas Bukauskas def. Marcin Prachnio via submission: R3, 3.12
    • Welterweight: Sam Patterson def. Kiefer Crosbie via submission: R1, 2.50
    • Heavyweight: Mick Parkin def. Łukasz Brzeski via TKO: R1, 3.23  
    • Women’s Strawweight: Shauna Bannon def. Alice Ardelean via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Mick Parkin def. Łukasz Brzeski

    Mick Parkin made it four wins in a row in the UFC with a first-round TKO of Łukasz Brzeski in their heavyweight bout.

    Sam Patterson def. Kiefer Crosbie

    In this welterweight bout, Sam Patterson submitted Kiefer Crosbie with an arm triangle in the first round.

    Modestas Bukauskas def. Marcin Prachnio

    Modestas Bukauskas got it done via submission against Marcin Prachnio in the third round of their light heavyweight matchup.

    Main Card Highlights

    Arnold Allen def. Giga Chikadze

    In this featherweight bout, Arnold Allen earned a unanimous decision win against Giga Chikadze.

    Gregory Rodrigues def. Christian Leroy

    In this middleweight bout, Gregory Rodrigues earned a unanimous decision win against Christian Leroy.

    Paddy Pimblett def. King Green

    Paddy Pimblett kept his UFC unbeaten streak alive after submitting King Green with a triangle choke in the first round of their lightweight contest.

    Tom Aspinall def. Curtis Blaydes

    In the co-main event, Tom Aspinall retained his interim heavyweight title with a KO of Curtis Blaydes after just one minute of action.

    Belal Muhammad def. Leon Edwards

    In the main event, Belal Muhammad clinched the welterweight title with a unanimous decision against Leon Edwards.

  • ‘No Reason Why Anyone Should Consider Jones The Champ’ – MMA Fighters & Fans React After Tom Aspinall Notches Up Another Impressive First-Round Finish At UFC 304

    ‘No Reason Why Anyone Should Consider Jones The Champ’ – MMA Fighters & Fans React After Tom Aspinall Notches Up Another Impressive First-Round Finish At UFC 304

    Tom Aspinall successfully defended his UFC interim heavyweight title in the co-main event of UFC 304 by stopping Curtis Blaydes in the first round.

    As fans have come to expect from the Brit, he closed the show early on after dropping Blaydes and getting the TKO finish in the opening minute.

    The challenger was able to have some success early on with his strikes but Aspinall only needed to pull off one well-timed entry to find the shot he was looking for.

    Aspinall, and the UFC commentary team, called for the title unification fight with Jon Jones who is expected to return later this year against Stipe Miocic.

    MMA World Reacts To Tom Aspinall’s Successful Homecoming In Manchester

    MMA fighters and fans reacted on social media as Aspinall finished yet another opponent without needing to go to a second round.

    Many, as expected, want to see him stand across the cage from “Bones” as was the case before this fight.

    https://twitter.com/TheAnswerMMA/status/1817412935192596831
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    Read also: UFC 304: Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 Live Results & Highlights

  • ‘Don’t Mess With Paddy On The Ground, Sheesh’ – MMA Fighters & Fans React As Paddy Pimblett Makes It Look Easy Against King Green At UFC 304

    ‘Don’t Mess With Paddy On The Ground, Sheesh’ – MMA Fighters & Fans React As Paddy Pimblett Makes It Look Easy Against King Green At UFC 304

    There can be no question that Paddy Pimblett is legit now, as he will have a ranking next to his name after his win over King Green (formerly Bobby Green) at UFC 304.

    Green looked to use the leg kicks and set things up early, but he found himself unable to establish the jab.

    In a move that baffled people late in the first round, Green shot in for a takedown. Pimblett easily countered it and looked for a guillotine before transitioning into a triangle choke. Pimblett sunk in the triangle in tight, and as he looked to turn it into a triangle armbar, it could be seen that Green was out cold, forcing the referee to stop the fight.

    Following the fight, Pimblett used the opportunity to call out Renato Moicano.

    Paddy Pimblett Makes Emphatic Statement With Easy First-Round Submission Of King Green At UFC 304

    https://twitter.com/adfive/status/1817407817764024380

    Pimblett has now won eight straight and is a perfect 6-0 in the UFC. His win streak also includes names such as Tony Ferguson, Jared Gordon and Jordan Leavitt.

    Green has now lost two of his last three, though he has still won three of his last six.

  • ‘McCann Has Heart…But Is Becoming The Chisora Of MMA’ – MMA Fans React After Molly McCann Gets Outclassed By Bruna Brasil At UFC 304

    ‘McCann Has Heart…But Is Becoming The Chisora Of MMA’ – MMA Fans React After Molly McCann Gets Outclassed By Bruna Brasil At UFC 304

    Molly McCann suffered the first defeat of any of the home fighters at UFC 304 as she lost a one-sided decision to Bruna Brasil.

    McCann’s signature toughness was on full display once again as she battled through a tough opening round to make it the distance.

    Brasil had a lot of success with her striking after hurting her opponent with a body kick in the opening round, that appeared to be the beginning of the end.

    Despite McCann’s best efforts to turn the tide late on, it wasn’t enough to get the nod on the scorecards in this prelim bout.

    MMA Fans React As Molly McCann Suffers A Defeat On Home Soil

    MMA fans reacted on social media as McCann battled against a strong showing from Brasil through all three rounds.

    The crowd was on her side but it wasn’t the Liverpool fighter’s night on this occasion.

    Read also: UFC 304: Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 Live Results & Highlights

  • ‘Cut Them Both’ – MMA Fighters & Fans React After Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape Turns Out To Be A Dud After Heated Build-Up

    ‘Cut Them Both’ – MMA Fighters & Fans React After Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape Turns Out To Be A Dud After Heated Build-Up

    Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape had so much bad blood and fighting outside the cage going into their collision at UFC 304 that many expected a brawl when they faced off, especially with a potential title shot on the line.

    What we got, however, was something completely different – a fight panned by many that saw Mokaev ultimately come up with a decision win.

    The first round ultimately featured a lot of feinting, with neither man scoring a clear edge. Arguably the biggest action in the fight came from a moment in the second where Mokaev grabbed Kape’s shorts in an exchange on the ground. Mokaev appeared to show disrespect to referee Mike Beltran, who yelled at Mokaev during the time-out but elected not to take a point.

    Mokaev scored a takedown in the third round and had position advantage, though Kape locked in a guillotine choke attempt.

    Mokaev won on all three scorecards, with two 29-28 scores and a 30-27.

    Muhammad Mokaev Scores Controversial Decision Over Manel Kape In Fight That Proves Lackluster

    https://twitter.com/GeezFX/status/1817359781641769243

    Mokaev’s record now improves to 13-0 (1 NC), including a 7-0 run in the UFC so far. This fight marked the last one in Mokaev’s current UFC deal.

    Kape sees a four-fight win streak snapped.

  • Max Holloway Gives His Reaction To Not Headlining UFC 306 At The Sphere: ‘I Feel Damaged, Bro…’

    Max Holloway Gives His Reaction To Not Headlining UFC 306 At The Sphere: ‘I Feel Damaged, Bro…’

    The huge event that is planned for UFC 306 at the Sphere in Las Vegas has got its main event, with UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley taking on Merab Dvalishvili.

    Another contender to headline this card was the planned featherweight title fight.

    Ilia Topuria making his first title defense against Max Holloway may just be the best fight of the year but it appears that the two 145-pounders will be meeting at a later date.

    Despite being in the UFC’s good books following his emphatic performance at UFC 300, Holloway is disappointed to have missed out at The Sphere event.

    Max Holloway Reacts To Missing Out On Headlining The Sphere

    During a recent stream, Holloway reacted to the news of the official card announcement for UFC 306, which is set to celebrate Mexican Independence Day.

    “Blessed” was hoping to be a part of the first combat sports event to be hosted at the groundbreaking venue – and for good reason.

    Dana White has promised an event unlike any other, and whilst O’Malley vs Dvalishvili is a fitting main event, Topuria and Holloway might have been even better if online fan reaction is to be gauged.

    The BMF champ gave his thoughts on having to wait a little longer to get his shot at the title that formerly belonged to him.

    “This is how I feel though the about the Sphere card, this is how I feel right here, s*** sucks bro. I feel damaged bro, it should have been us brother. It’s Mexican Independence Day guys, you guys cannot have a Spaniard, who Mexicans got their independence back from, to headline the card on Mexican Independence Day bro. Come on. I was trying to tell you guys but everybody knew that I was fighting in the Sphere, except for me.”

    Read also: UFC 304: Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 Live Results & Highlights

  • MMA Community’s Final Thoughts & Predictions On UFC 304: ‘Edwards Won’t Let Us Live In A World Where ‘No Name’ Muhammad Is Champion’

    MMA Community’s Final Thoughts & Predictions On UFC 304: ‘Edwards Won’t Let Us Live In A World Where ‘No Name’ Muhammad Is Champion’

    UFC 304 is almost upon us, and many in the mixed martial arts community have been posting some late takes on the event.

    The promotion hosts its latest pay-per-view card from the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, tonight, where a fiery fight week across the pond will culminate in championship stakes inside the Octagon.

    Headlining UFC 304, welterweight kingpin Leon Edwards will attempt to get the better of challenger Belal Muhammad at the second time of trying. After having his early success rendered null when an eye poke left “Remember the Name” unable to continue back in 2021, “Rocky” will look to pick up where he left off and make Muhammad the third victim of his title reign.

    The co-main event, meanwhile, will see another home champ in action as Tom Aspinall puts his interim heavyweight gold on the line. Like Edwards in the headliner, Aspinall will be facing a familiar foe in the form of Curtis Blaydes. The Manchester native has redemption on his mind after a knee injury sent him to defeat opposite “Razor” after just 15 seconds two years ago.

    Also on the lineup, Paddy Pimblett makes his return to the cage on home soil to compete for a spot in the lightweight rankings against King Green, Arnold Allen looks to bounce back from his first career losing skid opposite Giga Chikadze, and flyweight standouts Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape vie for a potential shot at Alexandre Pantoja’s belt.

    To prepare yourself for tonight’s event, catch up on the latest betting odds here, look back on the faceoffs from Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins here, and follow along with the results and highlights here, live from 6 PM ET.

    MMA Community Gives Final Thoughts On UFC 304: ‘There Is Something About English Fight Cards…’

    UFC 304 will get underway shortly, meaning the buildup and time for talking is almost over.

    The MMA community is sure to be locked in and engaged in hot discussion over the events that unfold in the coming hours, but throughout today, plenty have been getting in their late predictions and final thoughts on the momentous occasion. 

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  • UFC 304 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Edwards vs. Muhammad 2, Aspinall vs. Blaydes 2, Green vs. Pimblett, & More

    UFC 304 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Edwards vs. Muhammad 2, Aspinall vs. Blaydes 2, Green vs. Pimblett, & More

    UFC 304 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup.

    The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, July 27, at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards, who is tasked with getting the better of Belal Muhammad at the second time of trying if he’s to successfully defend his title on home soil once again.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see another English champ in action as interim heavyweight kingpin Tom Aspinall runs it back with Curtis Blaydes. Their second clash comes two years on from an injury rendering the Brit unable to continue after just 15 seconds at the London-held UFC Fight Night in July 2022.

    Also set to make the walk on Saturday night will be the likes of lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett and his teammate Molly McCann, another home favorite in Arnold Allen, and the undefeated Muhammad Mokaev.

    Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the UFC 304 main card here.

    UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2 Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 304 (as of 7/27), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Leon Edwards (-265) vs. Belal Muhammad (+215)
    • Tom Aspinall (-395) vs. Curtis Blaydes (+310)
    • King Green (-115) vs. Paddy Pimblett (-105)
    • Christian Leroy Duncan (-135) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (+114)
    • Arnold Allen (-238) vs. Giga Chikadze (+195)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Nathaniel Wood (-380) vs. Daniel Pineda (+300)
    • Molly McCann (-345) vs. Bruna Brasil (+275)
    • Caolán Loughran (-225) vs. Jake Hadley (+185)
    • Modestas Bukauskas (-155) vs. Marcin Prachnio (+130)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Oban Elliott (+136) vs. Preston Parsons (-162)
    • Muhammad Mokaev (-185) vs. Manel Kape (+154)
    • Sam Patterson (-440) vs. Kiefer Crosbie (+340)
    • Mick Parkin (-455) vs. Łukasz Brzeski (+360)
    • Shauna Bannon (-180) vs. Alice Ardelean (+150)
  • UFC Commentator Feels Belal Muhammad’s Trash Talk Is Not Affecting Leon Edwards At All: ‘I Think He’s Laughing It All Off’

    UFC Commentator Feels Belal Muhammad’s Trash Talk Is Not Affecting Leon Edwards At All: ‘I Think He’s Laughing It All Off’

    UFC 304 appears to be a personal affair for welterweight title challenger Belal Muhammad, who has had to wait a long time to get his shot.

    Ever since the way that his first fight ended with Leon Edwards three years ago, Muhammad has been campaigning for this rematch and slandering the character of “Rocky.”

    “Remember the Name” has continued to speak about how winning the title is one thing but beating Edwards for it in particular makes this fight even more meaningful to him.

    The champion, on the other hand, believes that his opponent is coming up with this narrative and has referred to him as “deluded.”

    John Gooden Believes Leon Edwards Isn’t Bothered By Belal Muhammad’s Words Pre-UFC 304

    Muhammad’s trash talk at the press conference on fight week didn’t appear to bother Edwards, and UFC commentator John Gooden believes that this comes from experience.

    He spoke in an interview with InsideFighting about how he doesn’t think the champion is going to be bothered by anything that his next opponent can say about him.

    Having already gone through the experience of facing Colby Covington in his last outing, Edwards has been through the ringer when it comes to pre-fight comments.

    “Leon, I think, used to suffer from some of that and biting back and not really finding the right sort of quips and banter to answer back. I’m going back to like, Darren Till times, because before that, it didn’t really happen. But I feel like when he walked out and then he got the boos in London, I think he was a little bit p***** off.

    “But, he’s now gone through issues with Kamaru, Kamaru was still digging at home and it wasn’t egregious and really horrible and toxic like Colby was. But I think when you go through a little bit more and a little bit more, your skin gets thicker, and then you realize like, ‘What’s the use in me taking this on board?’ And I have to say, I’ve had a few interactions with Leon now and his team and I think he’s just laughing a lot of it off. Belal is really going in on Leon, really going in.”

  • Winner Of Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304 Touted To Be Long-Reigning Heavyweight Champion: ‘He Kind Of Cruises A Little Bit’

    Winner Of Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304 Touted To Be Long-Reigning Heavyweight Champion: ‘He Kind Of Cruises A Little Bit’

    Daniel Cormier and Anthony Smith recently shared their belief that the victor of the Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 is destined to dominate the heavyweight division for years to come.

    Aspinall is set to run it back with Blaydes to defend his UFC interim heavyweight championship in the co-headliner of the upcoming pay-per-view event, scheduled for this Saturday at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, United Kingdom.

    The two fighters previously crossed paths two years ago in the main event of UFC Fight Night London in July 2022. In that bout, “Razor” emerged victorious with a 15-second TKO after the Brit sustained an unfortunate knee injury.

    Aspinall had hoped to unify his belt after knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 with heavyweight champion Jon Jones. However, realizing that a bout with “Bones” is unlikely due to Jones’s determination to face Stipe Miocic next, potentially the last fight of both their careers, Aspinall chose to pivot. Embracing the situation, he decided to defend his interim title instead.

    According to Cormier and Smith, the upcoming rematch between Aspinall and Blaydes is set to determine the future kingpin of the heavyweight division…

    Cormier Declares Aspinall vs Blaydes Interim Title Fight As True Championship Bout

    During a recent video on the ESPN MMA YouTube channel, Cormier and Smith delved into the upcoming rematch between Aspinall and Blaydes. “DC” emphasized that the exceptional skill levels and challenging styles of both fighters make this bout the one that will ultimately reveal the true heavyweight champion.

    “There’s a lot of confidence in Tom Aspinall as he holds the interim championship, which I believe is the actual heavyweight championship of the world,” Cormier said. “Because I think he’ll be more active than Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic.”

    “Lionheart” echoed Cormier’s sentiment, suggesting that with Jones and Miocic nearing the end of their careers, Aspinall and Blaydes are poised to take over and dominate the heavyweight division for the foreseeable future.

    “I totally agree, and I think that the fact that these guys are fighting now almost solidifies a long title run in my mind,” Smith said. “I think these two guys are the hardest matchups for each other. They’re both big, they’re both physical, both crazy athletic for their size, and both of them can wrestle… I think Curtis beats Aspinall, he kind of cruises for a little bit, and if Aspinall beats Curtis, he absolutely cruises for a little bit.”

    During the pre-fight press conference on Thursday, UFC CEO Dana White said that the winner of the Aspinall vs. Blaydes bout will go on to challenge the winner of the Jones vs. Miocic showdown, which is rumored to take place in November.

  • ‘He’s A Bit Like McGregor’ – Molly McCann Predicts Big First-Round Finish For UFC 304 Star

    ‘He’s A Bit Like McGregor’ – Molly McCann Predicts Big First-Round Finish For UFC 304 Star

    Molly McCann is certain that her teammate and compatriot, Paddy Pimblett, will clinch a decisive first-round victory against King Green at UFC 304.

    Both McCann and Pimblett are primed to be in action on their home turf this Saturday at UFC’s upcoming event at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England. UFC 304 signifies the MMA promotion’s return to the “Rainy City” for the first time since UFC 204 in October 2016.

    “Meatball” is set to clash with Bruna Brasil in a strawweight bout during the preliminary card of the event. This fight marks her second appearance in the division, following a triumphant return with a first-round submission victory over Diana Belbiță in February. She made the move down to 115 pounds after enduring back-to-back losses at 125 pounds.

    Meanwhile, “The Baddy” is set to square off against Green on the main card of UFC 304. Pimblett is riding high after a commanding unanimous decision victory over lightweight veteran Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 last December, extending his impressive win streak in the Octagon to five consecutive fights.

    Coming from the same hometown of Liverpool, McCann and Pimblett have not only forged a strong bond but also train together at the Next Generation MMA Gym. Naturally, McCann is fully backing her fellow Liverpudlian, confident that Pimblett will overpower Green in their upcoming clash…

    McCann Foresees Pimblett Silencing Critics At UFC 304

    During a recent interview with Kaz Crossley for Title Sports Network, McCann shared her thoughts on Pimblett’s upcoming clash with Green. She confidently predicted that “The Baddy” will secure a first-round finish, propelling him closer to a coveted title shot.

    “I think he gets to silence the critics again,” McCann said. “I think he’s going to finish Bobby in the first round. I think he’s a bit like [Conor] McGregor in terms of not being scared to speak his truth and manifest.”

    McCann and Pimblett have shared the Octagon on the same night twice before, both going undefeated with remarkable performances at The O2 arena in London during UFC Fight Night events in 2022.

  • Belal Muhammad: Leon Edwards Gets ‘Too Much Credit’ For Kamaru Usman Wins 

    Belal Muhammad: Leon Edwards Gets ‘Too Much Credit’ For Kamaru Usman Wins 

    UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad was seemingly not too impressed by Leon Edwards’ title win and successful defense against Kamaru Usman.

    Muhammad will mark the latest challenger in the reign of Edwards this weekend, with the pair set to run it back in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 304 pay-per-view at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    While the champion has dismissed talk of bad blood between the pair, “Remember the Name” has been open in expressing his disdain for his rival ahead of his opportunity to dethrone him in enemy territory.

    More than just a personal hatred for “Rocky,” Muhammad has frequently attempted to take away from his achievements on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    During UFC 304 fight week, that’s included branding both of Edwards’ wins over the great Usman as unimpressive…

    Muhammad Insists His Strength Of Schedule Trumps Edwards’

    During a fight week interview for UFC.com, Muhammad looked ahead to his long-awaited first title shot and assessed the man at the expense of whom he’s tasked with winning the belt.

    The challenger has long questioned Edwards’ own path to the championship en route to facing Usman in 2022. But in his latest remarks, Muhammad even downplayed his last-gasp knockout of “The Nigerian Nightmare” to capture gold and subsequent five-round win over the ex-champ to defend it in their trilogy fight.

    “I’ve had the harder journey,” Muhammad said. “He’s fought Nate Diaz, who is a lightweight. Then he got the Usman fighter, getting beat up and threw a Hail Mary, caught him with it. And then the third fight with Usman wasn’t the same Usman. I think people give Leon a little bit too much credit. I don’t think Usman was the same person. And then the Colby (Covington) fight, I don’t even consider that a fight. Both guys suck.

    “Not impressed at all. It’s impressive that he found that needle in a haystack to catch Usman with that kick. But other than that, I think I’ve fought and had to go through tougher tests than him,” Muhammad continued. “I’ve showed more in my fights than he’s showed in his.”

    Muhammad will look to prove that he’s a bigger threat to Edwards than both Covington and Usman when the cage door closes behind him and the champ at UFC 304 on Saturday night.

  • Alexa Grasso & Diego Lopes Fights Confirmed For Noche UFC Main Card At The Sphere

    Alexa Grasso & Diego Lopes Fights Confirmed For Noche UFC Main Card At The Sphere

    Mexican fan favorites Alexa Grasso and Diego Lopes will get their expected appearances at the high-profile Noche UFC event at the Sphere this Fall.

    After its successful inaugural celebration of Mexican Independence Day last September, Las Vegas will once again play host to the UFC’s festivities for the occasion in 2024, this time at a grander venue.

    Instead of the T-Mobile Arena, this year’s iteration of Noche UFC will play out inside the Sphere in the form of UFC 306. Ever since vowing to stage the first live sporting event there, UFC CEO Dana White has promised a first-of-a-kind event that will leave the fanbase in awe.

    And as the September 14 date fast approaches, the UFC 306 lineup has taken shape.

    White revealed the main card in a social media video this week, confirming that Sean O’Malley will defend his bantamweight title in the main event opposite Merab Dvalishvili.

    There will also be championship stakes in the co-headliner, as Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko complete their trilogy a year on from their Noche UFC main event concluding in a controversial draw.

    Lopes, Grasso’s teammate and jiu-jitsu coach, also has a major assignment set for the Sphere. The rising featherweight was expected to feature on the card following his latest triumph at UFC 303 last month.

    The Mexico-residing Brazilian got the better of Dan Ige in a same-day booking that came about following the late withdrawal of Brian Ortega due to illness.

    For Noche UFC on Sept. 14, those two will attempt for their matchup to make it to the Octagon at the second time of trying, with the promotion opting to rebook Lopes against “T-City” despite talk of the former featherweight title challenger moving up in weight.

    Joining those three fights on the main card will be two more Mexicans in Daniel Zellhuber and Ronaldo Rodriguez, who will share the cage with Esteban Ribovics and Ode’ Osbourne, respectively.

    Meanwhile, you can check out the current fights expected to take place on the preliminary card below:

    • Manuel Torres vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
    • Irene Aldana vs. Norma Dumont
    • Edgar Chairez vs. Kevin Borjas
    • Yazmin Jáuregui vs. Ketlen Souza
    • Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng