MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Official For Noche UFC Main Event At The Sphere

    Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Official For Noche UFC Main Event At The Sphere

    Sean O’Malley’s bantamweight championship will be on the line when mixed martial arts’ leading promotion arrives at the Sphere for UFC 306 on September 14.

    The promotion will stage its sophomore celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 14. While Las Vegas is once again the host destination, the Octagon will be in a much different environment this time around.

    Instead of the T-Mobile Arena for the second straight year, the 2024 edition of Noche UFC is set to go down inside the unique Sphere venue. In the lead-up, UFC CEO Dana White has promised a spectacle like nothing seen before.

    And he confirmed this week that O’Malley will be tasked with closing it out in defense of his belt opposite Merab Dvalishvili. White announced the expected news in a video uploaded to the UFC’s social media accounts on Friday night.

    O’Malley Targets Second Successful Defense At The Expense Of Dvalishvili

    When the pair share the Octagon inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere, O’Malley will be looking to make Dvalishvili the second victim of his title reign.

    O’Malley (18-1, 1 NC) captured the 135-pound gold in memorable fashion last August, concluding the Boston-held UFC 292 pay-per-view event with a shocking second-round knockout of longtime champ Aljamain Sterling. The result brought “Funk Master’s” record-breaking rule to an end and set up the chance for his teammate to avenge the setback.

    While he’s had to wait for “Sugar” to settle unfinished business with Marlon Vera at UFC 299 in Miami this past March, Dvalishvili (17-4) finally has his first shot at title glory in mixed martial arts booked in.

    The Georgian has had to win 10 straight fights and go unbeaten since 2018 to make it happen. He’s most recently defeated three former champs, getting the better of José Aldo, Petr Yan, and Henry Cejudo on the scorecards to leave no doubt about his status as the unrivaled number one bantamweight contender.

  • Anthony Smith Feels Leon Edwards More Improved Than Belal Muhammad Ahead Of Rematch: ‘He Was So Good On His Feet That Colby Didn’t Even Want To Shoot’

    Anthony Smith Feels Leon Edwards More Improved Than Belal Muhammad Ahead Of Rematch: ‘He Was So Good On His Feet That Colby Didn’t Even Want To Shoot’

    Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad last met three years ago but with the fights and accomplishments of both men since that point, it’s hard to take that meeting into consideration ahead of the rematch.

    At UFC 304 this weekend, they will meet again in the main event as Edwards looks to defend his welterweight title for the third time.

    The one aspect of their first encounter that can be used as a measuring stick is to see which man has improved the most since that point in time.

    Many would point to Edwards’ recent fights against fellow top welterweights as the difference, if they were predicting “Rocky” to come out on top.

    Anthony Smith Believes Leon Edwards Is Improved Fighter Heading Into Belal Muhammad Rematch

    Anthony Smith believes that Edwards has improved more out of the two men because we’ve seen him have success against a higher level of opposition.

    Muhammad has beaten several top contenders since his first encounter with Edwards but the Brit’s recent wins over Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington stand out.

    Not only did he get his hand raised against both men, he was successful at fending off their heavy grappling approaches, which Muhammad is sure to use as his game plan in Manchester.

    Smith spoke during an event preview for ESPN MMA about how he gives the champion the edge because of what we’ve seen him do against two of the best wrestlers to ever grace the 170-pound division.

    “I would believe it’s probably Leon. I think that he’s been in harder fights versus better guys, that’s no disrespect to the guys that Belal has beaten but they’re not at the level of a Kamaru Usman. I think the Colby fight was a big deal for Leon, not because of the way that he won or what he was trying to prove, I think that style is impossible for people to deal with including Kamaru Usman, who a lot of people think is the welterweight greatest of all time.

    “I think the way that he made Colby look where he was so uncomfortable on his feet he couldn’t even shoot, we’ve never even heard of that. He didn’t even have to defend takedowns because he was so good on his feet that Colby didn’t want to shoot. I thought that was a big deal.”

    Read also: UFC 304: Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 Weigh-In Live Stream & Results

  • Tom Aspinall Speculates About Jon Jones’ Next Opponent After Stipe Miocic: ‘That’s Way More Likely That Jones Fighting Me’

    Tom Aspinall Speculates About Jon Jones’ Next Opponent After Stipe Miocic: ‘That’s Way More Likely That Jones Fighting Me’

    Tom Aspinall has made it perfectly clear that whilst fighting Jon Jones is still something he would love to do in his career, he doesn’t think it will happen.

    The UFC heavyweight champion has been teasing that he will make his return from injury later this year, where he will defend his title against Stipe Miocic.

    When the fight was removed from UFC 295 last year due to Jones’ injury, Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich stepped into the co-main event on short notice where the Brit became the interim champion.

    He’s now set to defend that title this weekend at UFC 304 in a rematch with Curtis Blaydes, in a fight that many are considering to be for the real undisputed world championship.

    Aspinall believes that even if both he and Jones are victorious in their next fights, there’s more chance of “Bones” taking another route instead.

    Tom Aspinall Says Alex Pereira Has A Better Chance Of Fighting Jon Jones Than He Does

    Jones has made it perfectly clear during his absence that fighting Aspinall isn’t something that he sees as adding anything to his legacy, which is already assured in the sport.

    “Bones” has however, floated the idea of a potential fight against the light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, which would be a massive contest.

    During UFC 304 fight week, Aspinall spoke in an interview with Michael Bisping where he said that in his opinion, there’s more chance of that fight happening than him unifying the titles against Jones.

    “Yeah, he might do. That’s way more likely than Jon Jones fighting me. Way more likely.”

    Aspinall added that he doesn’t believe it’s an issue of Jones not wanting to fight him specifically, as he can understand why that fight isn’t the best option for the champion right now.

    “Well, he’s going to get more money fighting Alex Pereira than he is me first of all and it’s an easier match-up. I’m not saying he doesn’t want to fight me, I’m saying that there’s more favorable match-ups. If the shoe was on the other foot, I would do the same.”

    Read also: Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Names Who Has The Best Chance To Beat Jon Jones Out Of Stipe Miocic, Tom Aspinall, & Alex Pereira

  • ‘Please Delete This, I Don’t Want To Like Him’ – MMA Fans React To Emotional Video Of Belal Muhammad Taking Care Of A Child Saved From Gaza

    ‘Please Delete This, I Don’t Want To Like Him’ – MMA Fans React To Emotional Video Of Belal Muhammad Taking Care Of A Child Saved From Gaza

    Every episode of the UFC Countdown series before a big PPV card tends to follow a similar format of following the headlining fighters during their fight camps.

    In the case of UFC 304’s video, Belal Muhammad’s segment has the usual clips of him training, with parts about his team and journey to getting a shot at the welterweight title.

    One aspect gave fans a bit more of a glimpse into Muhammad as a person and how he tries to use what he has earned to benefit those that are less fortunate.

    The #2-ranked welterweight has made his feelings very clear about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine but he isn’t just trying to spread a message.

    Muhammad took actions into his own hands to try and help where possible when he flew a young boy out of Gaza to come and stay with him after his house was destroyed in the war.

    Two-year-old Jood Ahmad Damo has been living out in Chicago for around six months now, and walks with a limp after his knee cap was broken and he needed surgery.

    The boy is shown in the Countdown episode living a happy life away from conflict as Muhammad gets emotional speaking about how there are so many others that aren’t receiving this same kind of help and support.

    MMA Fans React To Belal Muhammad Getting Emotional In UFC 304 Countdown Episode

    Ahead of his clash with Leon Edwards at UFC 304 this weekend, this video shows a side to Muhammad that some fans may have not seen in the past.

    A shortened compilation video was put out on social media and was sure to grab some attention.

    Fans reacted to the video, which is impossible to watch without feeling something.

    “Please delete I don’t want to like him”

    “I’ve seen enough now. Muhammad gets in done inside two.”

    “Belal is a good guy man.”

    https://twitter.com/Malcolm_fleX48/status/1816602211658395989

    “Belal is a very likeable guy when he’s not talking about MMA, any fighters, himself and any of his opponents”

    “W BELAL!! most people don’t see this side of him”

    https://twitter.com/EMDBassam/status/1816604808641470845

    “I apologize for ever hating this guy. who is cutting onions?”

    Read also: UFC 304: Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 Weigh-In Live Stream & Results

  • Paddy Pimblett Signs New Contract Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘Value Has Been Acknowledged & Rewarded’

    Paddy Pimblett Signs New Contract Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘Value Has Been Acknowledged & Rewarded’

    Paddy Pimblett’s manager recently confirmed that “The Baddy” is staying put in the UFC, having inked an opulent new contract with the MMA promotion.

    The 29-year-old Scouser is set to battle seasoned lightweight King Green on the main card of UFC 304. The eighth numbered pay-per-view event of 2024 is slated for this Saturday at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    In the lead-up to the fight, Pimblett revealed that his sixth appearance in the Octagon would mark the conclusion of his current UFC contract. However, “The Baddy” raised eyebrows in an interview with MMA Junkie by hinting that he might step away from the MMA promotion in favor of high-profile boxing matches against YouTube influencers.

    This revelation didn’t sit well with many fans, as Pimblett is a shining star in the European MMA scene and his popularity makes him a prized gem in the UFC’s crown.

    To their relief, Pimblett’s manager and Cage Warriors promoter Graham Boylan recently confirmed on X that his client has re-signed with the MMA promotion.

    “The Baddy has signed a new deal with @ufc. He’s very happy to see his value has been acknowledged & handsomely rewarded. Congrats to all involved,” Boylan tweeted

    Pimblett Comments On New Contract With UFC

    In episode five of the UFC 304: Embedded Vlog Series, Pimblett personally confirmed that he has signed a fresh contract.

    Although the specifics of the Brit’s agreement remain undisclosed, he appeared enthusiastic while discussing the news.

    “New contract signed,” Pimblett said. “For all them ***** saying that I’m going anywhere, I’m not going nowhere, b*tch.”

    Pimblett continued his impressive run in the Octagon eight months ago, securing his fifth straight win with a dominant unanimous decision over Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 in December 2023.

  • UFC 304: Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 Ceremonial Weigh-In Faceoffs & Full Stream

    UFC 304: Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 Ceremonial Weigh-In Faceoffs & Full Stream

    UFC 304 takes place on Saturday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

    The upcoming pay-per-view event at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena provides a chance for UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards to further enhance his legacy on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    After recording a successful defenses at the expense of Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington in 2023, “Rocky” will look to settle unfinished business with Belal Muhammad after their 2021 UFC Fight Night headliner ended in a no contest.

    Title stakes also come in the co-main event, which will see Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall back in action. He defends the strap he captured with a brutal knockout of Sergei Pavlovich last November in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes.

    Elsewhere on the UFC 304 card, Paddy Pimblett gets his first shot at the lightweight rankings opposite King Green, flyweight standouts Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape attempt to stake their claim for a shot at Alexandre Pantoja’s gold, and Arnold Allen plans to get back on track in the featherweight division at the expense of Giga Chikadze.

    Ahead of the event, 27 out of the 28 fighters successfully made weight, with Jake Hadley’s one-pound miss of the bantamweight limit marking the sole indiscretion on the scale.

    Nevertheless, every fight has remained intact, and all that remained on Friday was for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC 304 ceremonial weigh-ins!

    Check out a stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, followed by all the faceoffs!

    UFC 304 Ceremonial Weigh-In Stream

    UFC 304 Ceremonial Weigh-In Faceoffs

  • Curtis Blaydes Names Lowest Moment In His Journey To The UFC Heavyweight Title: ‘That Was Like An 18-Hour Flight Home…’ 

    Curtis Blaydes Names Lowest Moment In His Journey To The UFC Heavyweight Title: ‘That Was Like An 18-Hour Flight Home…’ 

    UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes’ path to a first title shot this weekend has certainly had its ups and downs.

    Blaydes will finally compete with gold on the line in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 304 pay-per-view, where he’s tasked with unseating Tom Aspinall in the interim heavyweight champion’s home city of Manchester, England.

    The bout marks a rematch, with the pair previously colliding in London two years ago. While “Razor” had his hand raised on that occasion, the manner of victory — a knee injury to Aspinall after just 15 seconds — did little to advance his championship ambitions.

    And after being subsequently passed up for a shot at the then-vacant belt against Jon Jones in March 2023, a defeat to Sergei Pavlovich threatened to derail his pursuit of title glory once again.

    But Blaydes was able to bounce back from that defeat and earn his shot at the interim belt on July 27. That’s seemingly in part down to his history of bouncing back from tough moments inside the cage…

    Blaydes Looks Back On Difficult Ngannou Loss, Explains Attitude Toward Setbacks

    During a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Blaydes looked ahead to his long-awaited first title opportunity on MMA’s biggest stage and reflected on the moments that have led up to this point.

    When asked at which point he felt the lowest regarding his title prospects, “Razor” pointed to his 45-second defeat to Francis Ngannou when they ran it back in the main event of a UFC Fight Night in China six years ago.

    “Probably after my rematch with Ngannou in 2018,” Blaydes said. “He was off of a loss against Derrick Lewis. I’m off a win against Alistair (Overeem) and Mark Hunt. I felt like I was like, heading in the right direction. Go off to Beijing, fight lasts like 15 seconds. I didn’t really get to perform any of the new skills and techniques that I had been developing over the years.

    “That was a long flight home. That was like an 18-hour flight home and just a lot of reflecting,” Blaydes continued. “When I lose, I’ve always viewed it as, as long as you’re able to take something from a loss, it’s not a total loss. I’ve been using that. When I have a loss, I take it, reflect, grow, and I do my best to not repeat the same mistakes.”

    Having bounced back from setbacks such as those opposite Ngannou, Blaydes will look to finally complete his ascent to the heavyweight mountaintop by upsetting the odds and the Manchester crowd come fight night at UFC 304.

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Leon Edwards’ Trilogy Fight With Kamaru Usman Ahead Of UFC 304 Title Defense

    UFC Full Fight: Relive Leon Edwards’ Trilogy Fight With Kamaru Usman Ahead Of UFC 304 Title Defense

    UFC 304 headliner Leon Edwards got his title reign underway with a successful defense on home soil in March 2023.

    Edwards is set to main event this weekend’s pay-per-view event at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, where he’ll put the UFC’s 170-pound championship on the line against Belal Muhammad.

    Saturday’s contest marks Edwards’ second time competing in the United Kingdom since capturing the divisional crown in 2022. After unseating Kamaru Usman with a last-gasp head kick in Salt Lake City — leveling their score at one win apiece — the pair ran it back in England’s capital.

    Headlining UFC 286 in London, “Rocky” and “The Nigerian Nightmare” completed their trilogy fight, going the full five-round distance inside The O2. It was ultimately Edwards who had his hand raised on the scorecards, completing his second straight win over the welterweight legend in the process.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Edwards vs. Usman fight from UFC 286 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IESed0ndjn8

    After a successful stop-off to comfortably beat Colby Covington in Las Vegas last December, Edwards will be targeting an even more definitive result on home turf this weekend.

    He’s vowed to violently stall the championship ambitions of Muhammad in Manchester and move closer to Georges St-Pierre’s title defense record.

  • UFC 304: Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 Weigh-In Results: One Fighter Misses

    UFC 304: Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 Weigh-In Results: One Fighter Misses

    UFC 304 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    For the first time in almost a decade, the Octagon is in the English city of Manchester, marking the promotion’s first visit to a UK destination other than London since the COVID-19 outbreak.

    And the mixed martial arts leader has brought a lineup worthy of the occasion with it across the pond, with two title fights and a host of major undercard bouts set to go down.

    The championship bouts at the top of the card will see home favorites Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall put their pieces of gold on the line in rematches, with Belal Muhammad challenging for the welterweight strap and Curtis Blaydes vying for the interim heavyweight belt.

    Elsewhere on the card, Liverpool native Paddy Pimblett gets his first crack at the rankings opposite King Green, Arnold Allen looks to snap his losing skid at the expense of Giga Chikadze, and top flyweights Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape settle their bad blood in a potential title eliminator at 125 pounds.

    UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2 Weigh-In Results

    UFC 304 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.

    See above for a live stream of the UFC 304 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below!

    Main Card:

    • Welterweight Championship Main Event: Leon Edwards (170lbs) vs. Belal Muhammad (169lbs)
    • Interim Heavyweight Championship Co-Main Event: Tom Aspinall (251lbs) vs. Curtis Blaydes (256lbs)
    • Lightweight: King Green (154.5lbs) vs. Paddy Pimblett (156lbs)
    • Middleweight: Christian Leroy Duncan (185lbs) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (185lbs)
    • Featherweight: Arnold Allen (145lbs) vs. Giga Chikadze (146lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood (145lbs) vs. Daniel Pineda (146lbs)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Molly McCann (116lbs) vs. Bruna Brasil (116lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Caolán Loughran (136lbs) vs. Jake Hadley (137lbs)*
    • Light Heavyweight: Modestas Bukauskas (204lbs) vs. Marcin Prachnio (205lbs)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Welterweight: Oban Elliott (170lbs) vs. Preston Parsons (169lbs)
    • Flyweight: Muhammad Mokaev (126lbs) vs. Manel Kape (125.5lbs)
    • Welterweight: Sam Patterson (170lbs) vs. Kiefer Crosbie (171lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Mick Parkin (264lbs) vs. Łukasz Brzeski (235lbs)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Shauna Bannon (115lbs) vs. Alice Ardelean (116lbs)

    *Jake Hadley missed the bantamweight limit by one pound, fined 20 percent of his purse

  • King Green Explains His Issues With UFC 304 Opponent Paddy Pimblett: ‘Ariel Doesn’t Even Pay Conor, Why Would He Pay You?!’ 

    King Green Explains His Issues With UFC 304 Opponent Paddy Pimblett: ‘Ariel Doesn’t Even Pay Conor, Why Would He Pay You?!’ 

    UFC lightweight veteran King Green hasn’t liked a number of things he’s seen from upcoming opponent Paddy Pimblett in recent years.

    Green and Pimblett are tasked with setting the stage for the two title fights that will top the lineup at this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event, which goes down inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    While the 37-year-old Californian remained in the rankings courtesy of his victory over Jim Miller at UFC 300 this past April, Saturday’s clash marks “The Baddy’s” first opportunity to crack the divisional top 15.

    The matchup itself has been a while in the making, with Green first addressing a possible showdown with the Liverpool native while recording him on Instagram Live while both were in attendance at a UFC event back in 2022.

    And when it comes to his desire to throw down with Pimblett, Green has his reasons…

    Green: ‘Spoiled’ Pimblett Has Gotten ‘Drunk Off Of Winning’

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBfV63dFVkU

    During a fight week interview with Adam Catterall for TNT Sports, Green looked ahead to his latest Octagon appearance, which marks his 50th fight as a professional mixed martial artist.

    Explaining why he set his sights on sharing the cage with Pimblett a number of years ago, King took aim at “The Baddy’s” attitude and how he’s handled winning on the sport’s biggest stage.

    The American specifically highlighted his opponent’s back and forth with renowned reporter Ariel Helwani, who claimed Pimblett had requested payment for an interview in late 2022.

    “I said his name first. I just felt like Paddy was the brash, mouthy, spoiled kid,” Green said. “There’s a lot of guys that want the same opportunities as he’s gotten. He’s got his own podcast, I heard (he got) a million dollars for his own podcast, and to do this, and then he’s asking Ariel to pay him (for interviews)! Ariel doesn’t even pay Conor (McGregor), so why would he pay you?!

    “It’s like, certain guys don’t realize you’re the kid. Now that you’re in that position, you’re mistreating it,” Green continued. “All you have to do is be happy, smile, and then the whole world is yours kid. They’ll give you all the right fights; they’re taking care of you. Man, he’s just acting spoiled. He thinks he’s the sh*t. He’s gotten drunk off of winning.”

    With those beliefs in mind, Green will be looking to hand Pimblett a reality check come fight night in Manchester this weekend.

    “The Baddy,” on the other hand, has promised to deliver an emphatic and violent performance that will reverse the apparent change of heart many fans have had about him owing to the Tony Ferguson and Jared Gordon bouts.

  • Chael Sonnen Insists Tom Aspinall Has To Finish Curtis Blaydes To Beat Him At UFC 304

    Chael Sonnen Insists Tom Aspinall Has To Finish Curtis Blaydes To Beat Him At UFC 304

    According to former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen, Tom Aspinall can’t beat Curtis Blaydes on the scorecards this weekend.

    The pair will collide in Saturday’s UFC 304 pay-per-view co-main event for the interim UFC heavyweight championship, which has been held by Aspinall ever since his first-round knockout of Sergei Pavlovich last November.

    That win came in just the second fight back for Aspinall after returning from the serious knee injury he sustained against Blaydes in 2022, which saw that UFC Fight Night headliner end in just 15 seconds.

    After dispatching Marcin Tybura in 73 seconds last July, Aspinall required just 69 to send Pavlovich to the canvas inside Madison Square Garden, maintaining his 100 percent finish rate in the process.

    With Aspinall having yet to go the distance in his professional career, “Razor” will no doubt look to drag him to deep waters in their five-round affair tomorrow night. And if he does, one ex-fighter has little doubt about who will have their hand raised…

    Sonnen: Finish Is Essential For Aspinall At UFC 304

    During a recent episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Sonnen gave his assessment on the first of two title fights set to play out in Manchester this weekend.

    Sonnen pointed to the little cage time Aspinall has had since being struck by a severe injury against Blaydes two years ago.

    And with questions remaining about how the Brit will fare in the later rounds, “The American Gangster” stated Aspinall must close the show early if he’s to maintain his grip on the title on home soil.

    “Tom Aspinall’s on one heck of a roll. People wanna talk about this fight with Curtis Blaydes (being) over two years ago. Well, that’s true…but it was only two fights ago,” Sonnen said. “That’s not much experience. You’re talking about being on the shelf for close to three years with the exception of a total of three minutes.

    “The odds of Tom winning are good. In fact, they’re -360. The chances that Tom can win a decision are very small,” Sonnen continued. “He’s gotta finish him. Oh, and by the way, not only does he gotta finish him, I think he’s gotta finish him in the first three rounds. … I think that Curtis is in a better spot than Tom based on those (15) seconds they shared the Octagon.”

    Given his penchant for finishes and the aggressive start he made to their 2022 bout, it stands to reason that Aspinall will absolutely be looking for another early night this weekend.

    Should he reach uncharted territory in the form of a fourth round, however, Sonnen is seemingly expecting the interim gold to change hands at UFC 304.

  • Max Holloway Lays Heavy Praise On UFC 304 Fighter: ‘One Of The Very Few IQ’s In This Game That I Respect…’ 

    Max Holloway Lays Heavy Praise On UFC 304 Fighter: ‘One Of The Very Few IQ’s In This Game That I Respect…’ 

    It takes a mighty fight IQ to impress Max Holloway, but the UFC’s BMF champion thinks one athlete set to make the walk this weekend has exactly that.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back across the pond this week, staging an event in a UK city other than London for the first time since pre-pandemic. The host venue falls in Manchester, with two titles fights and a host of intriguing bouts set to go down inside the Co-op Live arena.

    Topping the lineup will be a pair of English titleholders in welterweight kingpin Leon Edwards and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. While the former targets his third successful defense at the expense of Belal Muhammad, the latter will be putting his strap on the line for the first time opposite Curtis Blaydes.

    Like most, Holloway has his eyes firmly locked on those two championship collisions. And one of them will see a fighter who boasts a particular talent lauded by “Blessed” enter the Octagon…

    Holloway Commends Edwards’ Fight IQ Ahead Of UFC 304

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Holloway provided his breakdowns and predictions for the major matchups set to play out in Manchester on Saturday night.

    In terms of the main event, “Blessed” acknowledged that both Edwards and his challenger are “tacticians.” But when it comes to overall fight IQ, the BMF champ suggested that very few can match what “Rocky” brings to the table.

    “Belal is a tactician. he’s a gameplanner. He does not stray away from his gameplan,” Holloway said. “But so does Leon, bro. Leon is a tactician. He’s a gameplanner. He sticks to his gameplan no matter what. … A lot of people were counting Leon out (ahead of the Covington fight) like he was gonna get grappled.

    “Leon is one of the very few IQs in this game that I respect, man,” Holloway continued. “His fight IQ is super high, super smart. It’s just hard to go against the champ here, bro. I think Belal puts on a fight. Early in the fight, I think it’s a tough fight. But then when we get to the third and then the championship rounds, I think Leon is gonna take over.”

    Interestingly, Muhammad has branded his fight IQ as one of the aspects of his game that is being most underrated in the lead-up to UFC 304.

    He’ll look to prove that’s the case by using his intelligence and strategical approach to upset the odds and get the better of Edwards on fight night, achieving his long-held goal of UFC title glory in the process.

  • Matt Hamill Reacts To 12-6 Elbow Rule Change: ‘Dana White, I Know You’re Desperate To Get Jon Jones An Undefeated Record…’

    Matt Hamill Reacts To 12-6 Elbow Rule Change: ‘Dana White, I Know You’re Desperate To Get Jon Jones An Undefeated Record…’

    Former UFC light heavyweight Matt Hamill has addressed the recent rule change regarding “12-6” elbows, a move that led to his victory over Jon Jones.

    Officially, Hamill is the sole man to defeat Jones across the current UFC heavyweight champion’s illustrious and record-breaking 29-fight professional career in mixed martial arts.

    The manner of victory, however, has long been a cause of debate, with “Bones” being disqualified by referee Steve Mazzagatti after being deemed to have thrown an illegal “12-6” elbow.

    Jon Jones

    The move is banned downward elbow that some perceived to be more dangerous than an angled strike. But that belief has frequently been called into question, leading to a vote on the removal of the ban at the annual conference held by the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC).

    The vote went down on Tuesday in Louisville, Kentucky, with the committee unanimously voting in favor of removing the prohibition on “12-6” elbows from November 1 onwards.

    Jones was quick to react to the news, once again calling for help from UFC CEO Dana White in getting his 2009 loss overturned.

    The man victorious on that night, however, has something to say about that…

    47-Year-Old Hamill Offers Jones Rematch In Light Of 12-6 Elbow Ban Being Lifted

    A few years on from his win over Jones, Matt Hamill washed out of the UFC off the back of a 1-3 run that included a knockout loss to Alexander Gustafsson and decision defeat to Thiago Silva.

    He subsequently lost his first three fights outside of the Octagon before bouncing back with a pair of regional triumphs in 2017 and 2018.

    “The Hammer” hasn’t competed since, but judging by a recent Instagram post reacting to the new change coming regarding “12-6” elbows, he’d be down to revisit his matchup with Jones…

    “Let’s cut this chase… @danawhite – I know you’re desperate to get @jonnybones an undefeated record,” Hamill wrote. “I see how you want to profit from that! Is also why you bail him out of all the other things… How about a rematch?! I’ll be happy to fight him for a heavyweight title. If I beat him, I want a UFC belt. Let me know if Stipe Miocic backs out. I’ll take short notice, just remember he already lost to me!”

    At Thursday’s UFC 304 press conference, White insisted that whoever emerges from Saturday’s event as the interim heavyweight champ will face the winner of Jones vs. Miocic down the line.

    Suffice to say, Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes likely won’t be too worried about having to compete with Hamill for that spot…

  • Belal Muhammad Ponders Reason For Fan Hate Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘I’m Not A Black Belt…I’m Just A Normal Guy’ 

    Belal Muhammad Ponders Reason For Fan Hate Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘I’m Not A Black Belt…I’m Just A Normal Guy’ 

    UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad believes he knows why a sizable portion of the MMA community is against him.

    Muhammad is set to make the walk in the main event of this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, where he’ll challenge for Leon Edwards’ 170-pound title in enemy territory.

    Getting to the first shot of his UFC career hasn’t been an easy ride for “Remember the Name,” who has had to go unbeaten through 10 fights and win five straight since a no contest opposite “Rocky” to earn the chance.

    Despite that arduous journey, however, it would appear that Muhammad still boasts a bigger group of detractors than most in the sport.

    While some have put that down to his style of fighting, the UFC 304 title challenger has other theories…

    Muhammad Explains Why Fans Don’t Want Him To Succeed

    During a recent fight week interview with Daniel Cormier, Muhammad looked ahead to his first opportunity at winning gold on MMA’s biggest stage and assessed the continued doubt many are throwing his way.

    In addition to his victories over widely adored fighters like Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns, Muhammad suggested the fanbase doesn’t respect a “blue-collar guy” making it in the sport without the kind of combat credentials others boast.

    “I just feel like I’ve beaten their favorite fighters. I’ve beaten the fan favorites,” Muhammad said. “And when you look at me, I’m not a black belt in anything, I didn’t wrestle in college, I didn’t have the crazy accolades, Olympian or anything like that. I’m just a normal guy that outworks everybody. I’m a normal guy that started late in my career and did it the hard route. People just don’t respect that. But I’m the blue-collar guy.

    “We’re in a new day and age. You’ve gotta be outlandish, you’ve gotta say stupid stuff, you’ve gotta be flashy, you’ve gotta smoke weed to get that hype,” Muhammad continued. “The fans nowadays, that’s what they’re looking at. … I’ve been telling people, if GSP was in this era, I don’t think anybody would like him. People would be like, ‘This guy’s boring, he’s too nice, he’s Canadian.’ … In his era, I would have been a superstar.”

    Following Thursday’s press conference, there’s little doubt over the kind of reception Muhammad will receive from those in attendance at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday night.

    But he expects to upset the home crowd and the odds at UFC 304, completing a title crowning that he’s long branded inevitable in the process.

  • UFC Commentator Feels The Delayed Start Time Of UFC 304 Will Not Affect Fighters Or Fans

    UFC Commentator Feels The Delayed Start Time Of UFC 304 Will Not Affect Fighters Or Fans

    UFC commentator Laura Sanko recently assured that the postponed start time for UFC 304 would have minimal impact on both the fighters and the fans in the United Kingdom.

    The eighth numbered UFC pay-per-view event of 2024 is just around the corner, set to unfold this Saturday at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. The card will feature two headline title fights, both of which are eagerly anticipated rematches.

    In the main event, UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards will defend his title against Belal Muhammad. Meanwhile, the co-main event will see interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall clash with Curtis Blaydes.

    Since the announcement of the UFC 304 schedule, a storm of controversy and fan uproar has erupted over the decision to start the fight card at typical United States times, even though the event is taking place in the United Kingdom.

    The event broadcast is set to begin at 11 PM BST on Saturday, July 27. Consequently, the headlining fighters are expected to make their Octagon walkouts between 5:00 and 5:15 AM the following morning. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the fight card will kick off at approximately 6 PM ET / 3 PM PT on Saturday afternoon, with the main card slated to start around 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT.

    However, UFC’s first female color commentator believes that the late-night and early-morning schedule will neither hinder the fighters nor deter the viewers…

    Sanko Believes UFC 304 Excitement Will Keep Fans Hooked

    During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Sanko, who will be fulfilling her role as a desk analyst for UFC 304, offered her insights on the pay-per-view broadcast schedule. She acknowledged that while the schedule is less than ideal for the fans, it ultimately won’t matter much on fight night, given the high anticipation surrounding the card.

    “It’s unfortunate for the fans, but I think when that day comes, it’s not gonna matter for the fans or for the athletes,” Sanko said. “I think the energy is going to be so off-the-charts it’s not going to matter if you’re a fan and trust me; you’re going to be able to soldier through because the action from these fights is going to be enough to keep you going, hopefully.”

    The UFC broadcaster further noted that the last PPV event in Manchester, UFC 204 in October 2016, also followed a similar schedule. She emphasized that the real challenge for fighters lies in preparing for the late-night bouts rather than the timing of the event itself.

    “Here’s my one tip: just don’t start drinking too early. That’s going to be the downfall of at least a certain proportion of this fan base. But I think for the fighters, you know, Leon Edwards actually had this exact same situation when he fought on Michael Bisping’s card, where he had his huge win over Dan Henderson in Manchester. So he’s familiar with it, and he said the same thing.

    He said, ‘Listen, it didn’t matter. The moment I walked out to that arena, it could have been 2 o’clock in the afternoon, it could have been 2 o’clock in the morning, I wouldn’t have known the difference. I was headed into a fight.’ So I think it sucks probably more in the lead-up, the preparation, stressing about it, stressing about how it might affect you. But I think when the time comes, these guys are just going to do their job.”

    Both Aspinall and Blaydes have voiced their grievances about the absurd fight timings, but the MMA promotion remains steadfast in its decision. Meanwhile, “Rocky” has reportedly gone so far as to hire a sleep specialist to help him adjust to the unconventional schedule.

  • ‘This Is The Whole Anthony Smith Thing Again’ – MMA Fans Split After Curtis Blaydes Promises To Eviscerate Alex Pereira At Heavyweight

    ‘This Is The Whole Anthony Smith Thing Again’ – MMA Fans Split After Curtis Blaydes Promises To Eviscerate Alex Pereira At Heavyweight

    Alex Pereira carries an aura unlike any other fighter we have seen in the UFC, during his campaigns at both middleweight and light heavyweight.

    As the current champion at 205 pounds, “Poatan” has spoken about the potential of him moving up to heavyweight at some stage to try and become a champion in a third weight class before retiring.

    The prospect of seeing this has got the fans excited with a striker as dangerous and powerful, going up against the biggest men in the UFC.

    Curtis Blaydes said that should he win the interim title this weekend in a rematch with Tom Aspinall, he would more than welcome Pereira up to the division.

    He spoke at the UFC 304 media day about how he believes it would not end well for the light heavyweight champion if he did make the jump.

    “Bad idea. I’ll give you my premediated plan, I’m going to shoot. Immediately. Why would I give him any chance to knock me out on the feet when I know I can take him down at will and I’m sure, he has to know that. I think he’s looking for a specific heavyweight, not any heavyweight. He has match-ups against, I can see him beating guys like Tai, we watched him sparring Tai Tuivasa. Maybe some other guys like the bottom of the top 15 but you give him a top five guy with some real weight, he’s not winning.”

    Blaydes once again confirmed that if Pereira still wants to come up should “Razor” get the win in Manchester, he’d be happy to oblige.

    “Yes, I know that’s what everyone wants to hear. Yes, I would f****** love Alex Pereira. It’s not cause he’s not good, I’m heavier than he is. Just at heavyweight, gravity, weight matters. It’s not as skill-based, that’s just how it is.”

    MMA Fans React To Curtis Blaydes Labelling An Alex Pereira Heavyweight Move As A ‘Bad Idea’

    Pereira is always going to have an army of fans that back him but it’s probably fair to say that Blaydes would be the toughest match-up for him at heavyweight.

    Not only is he a natural heavyweight, as Blaydes said himself, he has no interest in wanting to strike with “Poatan” and would look to take him down as soon as possible.

    That being said, taking Pereira down is the best route to victory for nearly every opponent that he has faced inside the Octagon and no one has been able to keep him there.

    Fight fans responded to Blaydes’ comments on social media by questioning whether his assessment is correct.

    “I mean that’s a fair assessment, but you never know until the fight plays out. We are still yet to see Pereira’s ground game in full display, so no questions can be answered. I’m a fan of both but wouldn’t be surprised if Pereira got it done”

    “I disagree, let Alex put on 15 pounds and the whole division gets wiped out.”

    “Blaydes isn’t wrong here, but he also thought he’d take down Derrick Lewis”

    “Curtis has been one of my favorites for a long long while but he’ll make a bad decision and get in a situation I think”

    https://twitter.com/Chris_Topher_/status/1816225787546390977

    “This is the whole Anthony Smith thing again”

    “Fair and realistic take from Blaydes”

    “Honestly, if he puts on the weight well, I think it’s a pick’em. Would be a good but quick fight either way imo.”

    Read also: Former Opponent Of Jon Jones’ Believes Tom Aspinall Would Be ‘Too Much’ For Him: ‘He Has All The Weapons To Beat Jon’

  • ‘Conor Lost The Match But He Planning On Winning The War’ – MMA Fans React After McGregor DMs Khabib, Offers To Buy His House

    ‘Conor Lost The Match But He Planning On Winning The War’ – MMA Fans React After McGregor DMs Khabib, Offers To Buy His House

    Conor McGregor is not necessarily known for having a track record of burying the hatchet when it comes to people that he has had beef with.

    The tension has never risen as high as it did during the build to UFC 229, where his feud with Khabib Nurmagomedov became very personal.

    Though Dustin Poirier also regularly finds himself back in McGregor’s firing line, there is nobody that “The Notorious” likes to fire at more than his former lightweight rival.

    This is especially true at the moment given the current saga that is playing out between Nurmagomedov and the Russian government over unpaid tax.

    “The Eagle” reportedly owes a rough figure of $3.5 million and if you thought that McGregor would decide to keep quiet in this period, you don’t know the man.

    Fans React To Conor McGregor Posting Screenshots Of DMs Sent To Khabib Nurmagomedov

    McGregor’s latest jab that he fired at the former lightweight champion came in the form of a screenshot.

    Surprisingly, at least on this social media platform, the post shows McGregor sending a direct message to Nurmagomedov for the first time on Instagram.

    In reference to the former fighter’s current situation, “The Mac” sent him a message and jokingly offered to buy his house because he cannot afford it.

    Fight fans reacted to McGregor once again hoping to have the last laugh on social media.

    “Conor lost the match but he planning on winning the war”

    “doesn’t hit like it should knowing he got 10-7’d in the cage unfortunately”

    “Didn’t Khabib spit on this guy and utterly ruin his career Lmao”

    https://twitter.com/elephant_ring/status/1816263590489514357

    “My boy did a bump and chose a file”

    https://twitter.com/ChopDewey/status/1816264938404356564

    “Left on delivered and forcing the beef in 2024”

    https://twitter.com/Charltapper/status/1816250554382762112

    ““Brotha where is the toilet roll” i’m crying”

    Read more: Conor McGregor Takes Issue With ESPN’s List Of Top 10 Women’s MMA Fighters: ‘Cyborg Is A Convicted Steroid Cheat!’

  • Former UFC Champion Showers Tom Aspinall With Praise Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘When I Pair Him With Other Heavyweights, I Don’t Know How He Loses’

    Former UFC Champion Showers Tom Aspinall With Praise Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘When I Pair Him With Other Heavyweights, I Don’t Know How He Loses’

    Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker recently lavished accolades on Tom Aspinall, applauding his impressive exploits in the Octagon.

    Aspinall is slated to defend his interim heavyweight title against divisional veteran Curtis Blaydes in a highly anticipated rematch, featured as the co-main event of UFC 304. The upcoming pay-per-view event is scheduled for July 27 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    Their initial bout at UFC Fight Night London in July 2022 ended disastrously after just 15 seconds when the 31-year-old Brit suffered a severe knee injury that sidelined him for an entire year.

    During his time away from the Octagon, Aspinall overhauled his training regimen, a move that paid off immensely. As a result, he is now hailed as one of the premier heavyweights on the current UFC roster.

    Aspinall has cemented his reputation as a versatile powerhouse in the division, with his refined striking skills consistently catching his opponents off guard. “The Reaper” is profoundly impressed by the sophistication of Aspinall’s striking game and agile footwork…

    Whittaker Claims Aspinall’s Speed Unmatched In Heavyweight Division

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWsg0vfJscw&t=217s

    During a recent appearance on the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker shared his thoughts on the upcoming rematch between Aspinall and Blaydes. While the Aussie acknowledged his admiration for “Razor’s” wrestling skills, he pointed out that Blaydes often falls prey to heavy punchers.

    “I’m a big fan of Curtis Blaydes,” Whittaker said. “Big fan of his fights, and he’s one of those fighters that when I pair him against other heavyweights, I don’t know how he loses. Being such a big guy and having that level of wrestling and cardio and output, I find it amazing. He gets caught—that’s the only way he loses; he gets caught by these big dudes. But more often than not, I don’t know if it’s just fight solid that’s led to a level of predictability, and you can see those bigger guys capitalizing on that.”

    “The Reaper” further heaped praises on Aspinall’s exceptional abilities. He remarked that the Englishman’s remarkable level of athleticism, despite his towering stature, is what truly sets him apart from the rest of the heavyweight division.

    “I’m a fan of how Tom Aspinall moves. I think the fact that he’s so light but can hit so hard in such a generally slow division is going to give Curtis Blaydes a lot of trouble. It is so hard to take someone down when they’re light on their feet. It is so hard to take someone down, when you know they can knock you out. It’s going to be a nightmare of a fight for Curtis Blaydes to try and close that gap, and I just don’t see Curtis beating Tom in a standup fight.”

    While Aspinall is primarily celebrated for his striking prowess, the interim champion also holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is highly skilled in grappling. This versatility was showcased when he submitted both Alexander Volkov and Andrei Arlovski in the Octagon.

  • Alexander Volkanovski Angling To Be Short-Notice Replacement For Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway: ‘I’ll Actually Be Ready This Time…’

    Alexander Volkanovski Angling To Be Short-Notice Replacement For Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway: ‘I’ll Actually Be Ready This Time…’

    Alexander Volkanovski was one of the most active champions on the roster during his UFC featherweight title reign but after losing the belt earlier this year, he’s finally taken some long overdue time off.

    Rather than jumping right back into a rematch with Ilia Topuria following their first encounter at UFC 298, he made the decision to wait and see how things play out.

    In his absence, Topuria is expected to face BMF titleholder Max Holloway in the coming months with a recent social media post from the champion suggesting that an announcement isn’t far away.

    Though Volkanovski is going to be ready and waiting for the winner, he may also be keeping his phone by his side during fight week for the featherweight title bout.

    Alexander Volkanovski Says He Will Be Fight-Ready Just In Case He’s Needed

    It has become a regular joke amongst MMA fans that Volkanovski will answer the call to step in for absolutely anybody after what went down at UFC 294 last year.

    The 145-pound champion, at the time, stepped in on two weeks notice to face lightweight king Islam Makhachev in a rematch and ultimately regretted his decision after the fight didn’t go his way.

    Despite his coaches believing that this was the wrong decision to make at the time, it doesn’t appear to have deterred Volkanovski.

    He openly admitted that he wasn’t in fighting shape when agreeing to face Makhachev but he’s now ready to ensure that if the UFC come calling, he’s good to go.

    During UFC 304 fight week, he told The Mac Life in an interview that though he’s happy to wait to face Topuria or Holloway, he will be just one call away if either man is unfit to compete.

    “It’s a situation obviously, again, I’m going to be getting antsy but you know, we’ve got plenty of good content coming. I’m going to, you know, I will stay ready and Ash [manager] ain’t going to like this one. I’ll be training really hard and fight fit cuz if there is a late notice, cuz that s*** excites me man, it gets me going but I’ll actually be ready for it this time. I’ll make sure I’m in good nick all year round because I want, so even me having that in my head that if you have to save the day here or there, it’s going to help in training, keep things exciting.”

    Read also: Beneil Dariush Brands Teammate Giga Chikadze The ‘Best In The World When He’s On’ Ahead Of UFC 304

  • Leon Edwards Insists There’s No Bad Blood With Belal Muhammad On His Side: ‘He’s Made Up Scenarios In His Head’

    Leon Edwards Insists There’s No Bad Blood With Belal Muhammad On His Side: ‘He’s Made Up Scenarios In His Head’

    According to UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards, any talk of a bitter feud heading into this weekend’s main event is entirely on the side of Belal Muhammad.

    Edwards is set to defend his title on home soil for the second time and third time overall since winning it from Kamaru Usman in dramatic fashion almost two years ago in Salt Lake City.

    Having gotten the better of Usman in their trilogy fight in London last year and stalled Colby Covington’s ambitions in Las Vegas nine months later, “Rocky” will now put his gold on the line in the city of Manchester.

    He’s set to headline the UFC 304 pay-per-view opposite a familiar foe in Muhammad, whom he previously faced back in 2021. Ever since that bout ended in a no contest, they’ve appeared to have a distinct dislike for one another.

    But although “Remember the Name” continues to admit as much, Edwards insists Muhammad is just another opponent…

    Edwards Dismisses Claims Of Bitter Feud With Muhammad

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

    During a fight week interview with Adam Catterall for TNT Sports, Edwards looked ahead to his second dance in the cage with Muhammad.

    Both men have exchanged verbal jabs in the lead-up to UFC 304, but when it comes to actual bad blood and disdain, the champ claims it is entirely a one-way street.

    “I’m not overlooking him one bit. He has gone out there and put the work in. … You have to take him serious. I just truly believe I am the best fighter,” Edwards said. “I believe that I am better than him on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, (Thursday), Friday; it doesn’t matter. I am the better fighter.

    “I’ll go out Saturday night and prove that. That’s all it is. There’s no bad blood between us, there’s nothing else,” Edwards continued. “For him, he’s making up some scenario in his head where he hates me and blah, blah, blah. But, for me, he’s just another guy that’s in my way of this goal I’m trying to achieve in my life…that’s it.”

    While he may not be motivated by the same level of hatred as his challenger is, Edwards no doubt has plenty to fight for.

    In addition to keeping the welterweight gold in his possession and moving closer to Georges St-Pierre’s record for title defenses in the division, a victory would further boost “Rocky’s” chances of securing a shot at the middleweight belt down the line.

  • UFC 304 Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs: Featuring Leon Edwards, Belal Muhammad, Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, & More

    UFC 304 Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs: Featuring Leon Edwards, Belal Muhammad, Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, & More

    We’re deep into UFC 304 fight week, meaning it was recently time for the top fighters set to be in action on July 27 to take to the stage and answer some questions.

    The MMA leader’s latest numbered event takes place at the Co-op Live arena, where the main attraction of the promotion’s trip across the pond will see UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards put his belt on the line in a rematch against Belal Muhammad.

    Setting the stage for the headliners will be another championship rematch, with interim heavyweight kingpin Tom Aspinall looking to continue the momentum from his title-winning knockout of Sergei Pavlovich. To do so, he must achieve redemption against Curtis Blaydes two years on from a serious knee injury on the side of the Brit bringing their London-held main event to a close in just 15 seconds.

    Also of note on the main card is the first shot at earning a ranking for lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett as he looks to take King Green’s number. Opening proceedings on pay-per-view will be #6-ranked featherweight Arnold Allen. He has the chance to bounce back from two defeats to Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev by defending his spot on the ladder and stalling the ambitions of Giga Chikadze.

    And earlier in the night, there’s an opportunity for another home fighter in Muhammad Mokaev to secure a first shot at the flyweight title at the expense of Manel Kape.

    As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the pre-fight press conference. The UFC 304 edition saw the four title fight athletes, as well as Pimblett and Green, with mic in hand.

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

    UFC 304 Pre-Fight Press Conference Replay

    UFC 304 Pre-Fight Press Conference Highlights

    UFC 304 Pre-Fight Press Conference Faceoffs

  • Manel Kape Reacts To UFC 304 Fight Being Relegated To The Early Prelims: ‘Maybe Mokaev Don’t Deserve The Main Card’ 

    Manel Kape Reacts To UFC 304 Fight Being Relegated To The Early Prelims: ‘Maybe Mokaev Don’t Deserve The Main Card’ 

    UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape doesn’t believe he’s to blame for his and Muhammad Mokaev’s questionable card placement this weekend.

    The pair are set to do battle in one of the most intriguing and important matchups at UFC 304, scheduled to take place inside the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on Saturday night.

    Originally, Kape and Mokaev were alongside the likes of Leon Edwards, Tom Aspinall, and Paddy Pimblett on the main card. That was to be expected given that the winner could be next in line to challenge for Alexandre Pantoja’s title.

    In recent days, however, the bout has been slipping down the pecking order, first to the preliminary card and now to the early prelims.

    The decision has caused debate and confusion in the MMA community. But whatever the reason, Kape doesn’t think it has anything to do with him…

    Kape Happy For Early Get-Out At UFC 304

    During his appearance at UFC 304 media day on Wednesday, Kape looked ahead to his first fight of 2024, which comes after a weight miss in January and injury in April caused his rematch with Matheus Nicolau to be canceled twice.

    In terms of why he’ll be making the walk early in the lineup, Kape theorized that his opponent may not have earned a PPV main card placement yet.

    Regardless, “Starboy” doesn’t appear fazed by the decision. In fact, he seems to be relishing the opportunity to enjoy a night out in Manchester post-fight.

    “Maybe they want to push more the audience. Maybe Mokaev don’t deserve the main card, you know?” Kape said. “But for me, it’s good. For the timing, I don’t need to fight at 3, 4 AM. So I’m going to fight at 11 PM and I can go out (after).

    “I’m gonna win, and after the win, get my boys, get some good food, and enjoy a little bit of town,” Kape added.

    Before hitting the town, Kape must get the job done inside the Octagon on fight night. That will be no easy task, however, with Mokaev undefeated both in the UFC and across his professional and amateur careers to date.

    While many are favoring “The Punisher’s” grappling to get the job done, Kape has dismissed that threat and promised a violent knockout to blemish the Dagestan-born Brit’s MMA résumé for the first time.

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Belal Muhammad’s Bonus-Winning Knockout Of Sean Brady Ahead Of UFC 304 Title Challenge

    UFC 304 headliner Belal Muhammad delivered his career-best display when showcasing his ever-improving striking game in Abu Dhabi two years ago.

    Muhammad is set to main event this weekend’s pay-per-view card at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, where he’ll challenge for the UFC’s welterweight championship against a familiar foe in reigning kingpin Leon Edwards.

    The pair first collided back in 2021, with an accidental eye poke rendering Muhammad unable to continue. While “Rocky” went on to capture the belt the following year, “Remember the Name” has been working his way toward a shot of his own and a rematch with the Brit.

    A major step on that journey came in the Middle East in October 2022 when Muhammad shared the Octagon with then-undefeated up-and-comer Sean Brady. While renowned for his grappling game, the Chicago standout showed new wrinkles to his game by piecing Brady up on the feet en route to a second-round TKO.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Muhammad vs. Brady fight from UFC 280 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1j7-FaJDws

    Muhammad is looking to put in a similarly impressive display this weekend to unseat Edwards, vowing to finish the reigning welterweight kingpin before reaching the championship rounds in the UFC 304 main event.

  • Molly McCann Reveals ‘Dream’ Finish For Second Strawweight Fight At UFC 304

    Molly McCann Reveals ‘Dream’ Finish For Second Strawweight Fight At UFC 304

    Molly McCann has a specific move in mind for her second UFC fight since dropping down to strawweight this weekend.

    A year on from her submission defeat at the hands of Julija Stoliarenko in London, McCann will have her latest fight on home soil. She’s set to make the walk on the preliminary card of Saturday’s UFC 304 pay-per-view in Manchester, England.

    “Meatball” will share the cage with Bruna Brasil in a bout that marks her second since committing to a major career change, departing the flyweight division and dropping to 115 pounds.

    Having made the weight this past February, McCann announced her arrival in style at the Apex by showing new wrinkles to her game en route to a gruesome armbar submission of Diana Belbiţă.

    And having long had her ground game questioned, the Liverpool native is looking for a similar feat on July 27…

    McCann Targeting Rear-Naked Choke Finish At UFC 304

    During a fight week interview for UFC.com, McCann looked ahead to her upcoming home fight, as she looks to repeat the memorable performances she delivered in England’s capital two years ago.

    In 2022, “Meatball” utilized spinning back elbows to knock out Luana Carolina and Hannah Goldy. On Saturday, she’s looking to give her compatriots a dose of her ever-growing submission prowess.

    “I’m experienced now. I don’t waste too much energy. … When I make the walk, just stay focused,” McCann said. “The last fight was just about making the weight for the first time. This time, we’ve managed to put a bit of size on. The weight’s the same as what it was (but) i’m a little bit leaner.

    “I feel like all the fear left and it’s like I’ve started again in the UFC,” McCann continued. “As many questions as she (Brasil) asks, I answer more. How many questions I ask, I don’t let her answer. The dream would be a rear-naked choke, first round.”

    McCann will look to make that “dream” a reality on fight night. In doing so, she’ll get the Next Generation MMA gym off to a winning start ahead of a crucial clash for her teammate Paddy Pimblett on the main card.

  • VIDEO: Former Opponents Paddy Pimblett & Jared Gordon Have Respectful Elevator Interaction In Manchester Ahead Of UFC 304

    VIDEO: Former Opponents Paddy Pimblett & Jared Gordon Have Respectful Elevator Interaction In Manchester Ahead Of UFC 304

    There appears to be no bad blood between UFC lightweights Paddy Pimblett and Jared Gordon following their high-profile 2022 fight.

    The pair are both in the English city of Manchester for different assignments this week, While Pimblett is gearing up for his first fight of 2024, Gordon has crossed the pond to train with and support Belal Muhammad in the lead-up to his title shot in the UFC 304 main event.

    Before the two title fights set to play out inside the Co-op Live arena, Pimblett will stake his claim for a spot in the lightweight top 15 against King Green. And with a dominant performance on Saturday night, “The Baddy” has vowed to get the fanbase back on his side.

    The hype surrounding Pimblett has appeared to fade in recent years, making way for frequent waves of criticism. The catalyst for that was seemingly the controversial result of his first appearance on pay-per-view.

    Nevertheless, that hasn’t created any tension between the Liverpool native and the man he narrowly outpointed at the Las Vegas-held UFC 282 in December 2022.

    Pimblett, Gordon Reunite In Manchester Ahead Of UFC 304

    On that night, Pimblett received his toughest test to date against Gordon. The veteran was competitive throughout and had plenty of fighters, fans, and pundits backing him to get the nod on the scorecards.

    But after the verdict unanimously went the way of Pimblett, many were left up in arms and branding the result a “robbery.”

    Funnily enough, during a recent friendly interaction at the fighter hotel in Manchester ahead of UFC 304, Pimblett told Gordon that he believes the American was actually robbed last time out against Nasrat Haqparast in Saudi Arabia.

    @theufcbaddy

    Always a pleasure running into my man Jared 👊🏻😂

    ♬ original sound – Paddy The Baddy

    “Always a pleasure running into my man Jared,” Pimblett wrote in the description of a TikTok video showing the moment.

    Gordon also posted his own clip of the meeting with Pimblett.

    Before parting ways, Gordon wished Pimblett well for his clash this weekend with Green, who marks a shared opponent for the pair.

    “Flash,” who was knocked out in April 2023 after an accidental clash of heads that resulted in a no contest, told “The Baddy” he foresees a stoppage victory for him come fight night at UFC 304.