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Category: UFC

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

  • Belal Muhammad Downplays UFC 304 Opponent Leon Edwards’ Résumé: ‘To Get The Title Fight, He Fought Nothing But Lightweights!’

    Belal Muhammad Downplays UFC 304 Opponent Leon Edwards’ Résumé: ‘To Get The Title Fight, He Fought Nothing But Lightweights!’

    UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad thinks his path to the belt was a lot tougher than champion Leon Edwards’.

    The pair are set to headline this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, where Muhammad will look to upset the home fans by ripping the 170-pound title from “Rocky’s” grasp.

    Since their first fight ended in a No Contest over three years ago, Edwards has worked his way to the gold and subsequently defended it successfully twice to date. “Remember the Name,” meanwhile, has extended his unbeaten run to 10 with five straight wins over Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and Gilbert Burns.

    That run has left many branding Muhammad the clear number one contender, and some even calling him the most deserving challenger in UFC history. Edwards, however, seemingly hasn’t been too impressed and recently downplayed some of his opponent’s results.

    Unsurprisingly, Muhammad has returned the favor…

    Muhammad Insists He Boasts Tougher Strength Of Schedule Than Edwards

    During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Muhammad looked ahead to his long-awaited first opportunity at achieving champion status on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    The #2-ranked welterweight had his attention turned to Edwards’ remarks about his winning run and fired back in kind, suggesting that “Rocky” fought nothing but 155lbers to secure his 2022 title shot.

    “When I look at his résumé for him to get the title fight, he fought nothing but lightweights,” Muhammad said. “Donald Cerrone, RDA, Nate Diaz. Like, okay? Look at the guys that I beat, when I beat them. Gilbert Burns was on a two-fight winning streak. Luque was on a five or six-fight winning streak when I beat him. Sean Brady was on a 15-fight winning streak when I beat him. ‘Wonderboy’ was like 3-1 out of his last four fights when I beat him. Demian Maia was like 3-1…

    “He can say whatever he wants, but I know what I had to do to fight those guys,” Muhammad continued. “And when I trained for those guys, every single one of those camps I picked up something different, right, because I had to train for a grappler, then I had to train for a striker, then I had to train for a guy who knocked me out before. Every single one of those guys, every single one of those camps, I evolved as a fighter. … I fought the best version of them and I got the best version of myself out of it.”

    Muhammad will look to demonstrate that evolution since the unfortunate ending to his and Edwards’ first clash when they run it back in Manchester this weekend.

    And when it comes to achieving that feat, “Remember the Name” isn’t short on confidence. The challenger has vowed to unseat “Rocky” inside the distance, with him and his manager claiming he won’t even require the championship rounds at UFC 304.

  • Virna Jandiroba Reacts To UFC Lightweight Branding Women’s MMA A Bathroom Break: ‘Maybe He Needs To Find A Therapist’

    UFC strawweight contender Virna Jandiroba wasn’t pleased to hear the less than positive take on women’s MMA from a fellow fighter.

    Jandiroba recorded her biggest win to date in this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night main event at the Apex, submitting former title challenger Amanda Lemos to stake her claim for a first title shot.

    The finish came by way of a gruesome armbar submission and marked Jandiroba’s fourth straight triumph inside the Octagon. She was widely praised in the aftermath of the impressive performance, but one peer who likely wasn’t watching is lightweight Loik Radzhabov.

    “The Tajik Tank,” who was defeated on the preliminary card of Jandiroba’s main event, made some negative remarks about the women’s side of mixed martial arts last week, branding it a “break” to go to the bathroom during cards.

    “Well, I don’t watch it, no matter who is fighting,” Radzhabov told Red Corner MMA. “Actually, when women fight, I take a break to get some snacks or go to the toilet.”

    Jandiroba Tells Radzhabov To Get Help To ‘Overcome Issues’

    During her post-fight press conference on Saturday night, Jandiroba reflected on her first headline victory in the UFC and reacted to Radzhabov’s comments about her and other women competing in MMA’s premier promotion.

    In a brief response to the remarks, the Brazilian strawweight suggested Razhabov has “issues” that only a specialist would be able to solve.

    “I’m not someone that is going to be able to help him, but maybe he needs to go get some analysis. You know, find a therapist that is going to help him overcome those issues that he has. There is probably something there that he needs to sort out and he is going to have to find a specialist to do it.”

    Having fallen to 2-2 in the UFC courtesy of a decision setback at the hands of Trey Ogden on July 20, Radzhabov will hope to bounce back next time out to avoid a losing record inside the Octagon.

    Jandiroba, meanwhile, appears to have her sights set on UFC gold following her win over a fellow Brazilian strawweight in Lemos. And “Carcara” is expecting her “weirdness” to provide a unique challenge for champion Zhang Weili.

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Tom Aspinall’s Title-Winning Knockout Of Sergei Pavlovich Ahead Of His UFC 304 Defense

    UFC Full Fight: Relive Tom Aspinall’s Title-Winning Knockout Of Sergei Pavlovich Ahead Of His UFC 304 Defense

    UFC 304 co-headliner Tom Aspinall achieved his title ambitions on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage in emphatic fashion last November.

    The interim heavyweight champion will return in the co-main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view card at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, where he’s tasked with defending his belt in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes.

    The pair first collided at a London-held UFC Fight Night back in the summer of 2021. The bout lasted just 15 seconds, with a devastating knee injury suffered by Aspinall bringing it to a premature end and handing the Brit his first Octagon setback.

    Aspinall has since rebounded in a major way, first by getting the better of Marcin Tybura last July and then by capturing interim UFC gold in a short-notice clash with Sergei Pavlovich four months later.

    After an injury to Jon Jones saw his planned heavyweight defense against Stipe Miocic off the UFC 295 card, Aspinall stepped up to meet the original backup fighter at Madison Square Garden.

    Despite a lack of preparation and not being at full fitness, the Englishman closed the show in just over a minute, stopping his Russian counterpart by way of knockout to have a UFC title wrapped around his waist.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Aspinall vs. Pavlovich fight from UFC 295 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1-hFm-a_N4

    Aspinall will hope to repeat that performance at the expense of Blaydes this weekend.

    Should he accomplish that feat on home soil, the Mancunian heavyweight will keep ahold of his interim belt and perhaps strengthen calls for Jon Jones to face him in a unification showdown.

  • Alexander Volkanovski Downplays Belal Muhammad’s Chances Against Leon Edwards At UFC 304: ‘TKO Or KO, I Definitely Can See’

    Alexander Volkanovski Downplays Belal Muhammad’s Chances Against Leon Edwards At UFC 304: ‘TKO Or KO, I Definitely Can See’

    Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t expect to hear ‘and new’ when Belal Muhammad challenges Leon Edwards this weekend.

    The pair are set to headline Saturday’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, with Muhammad heading to enemy territory in pursuit of Edwards’ welterweight title.

    Their clash will mark one of two championship rematches set for July 27, with it following a bout for the interim heavyweight strap between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.

    When Edwards and Muhammad first collided back in 2021, an accidental eye poke rendered “Remember the Name” unable to continue. While “Rocky’s” early success in that bout has left him as a heavy favorite in the eyes of many, Muhammad has vowed to finish him with ease at UFC 304.

    One ex-titleholder doesn’t see much chance of that coming to fruition across the pond…

    Volkanovski Expects Edwards To Retain Welterweight Gold At UFC 304

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Volkanovski provided his picks and predictions for four major matchups set to play out in Manchester this Saturday night, including the two championship headliners.

    Rounding out a whitewash for the favorites, “Alexander the Great” is backing Edwards to get the job done against Muhammad at the second time of trying.

    While Volkanovski acknowledged the challenger’s ability, he dismissed the notion that Muhammad boasts any tools capable of threatening Edwards come fight night. And with that in mind, he wouldn’t be surprised to see the champ find the knockout on July 27.

    “I thought Leon was looking good before that (eye poke) happened,” Volkanovski said of their first fight. “I’m gonna go with Leon Edwards. … He’s definitely the favorite. He’s rock solid. You’ve seen his wrestling defense, you’ve seen his grappling. He’s actually very well-rounded. Everyone has always thought he was a striker, but he’s very well-rounded. He was able to take Colby down…and Usman. It just shows you how good Leon Edwards is. And his striking is beautiful.

    “Belal Muhammad, a lot of people give him a hard time. … He is very calculated, doesn’t take unnecessary risks,” Volkanovski continued. “But the thing is, I thought he (Edwards) was quite aggressive in their first fight, and I think we’re gonna see that again. … He’s gonna let his hands go, which is gonna make him a lot more dangerous. … Belal, obviously is on a mad tear. He’s well-rounded, he’s got a lot of tools. But the tools that he has won’t work anywhere that’s gonna give Leon Edwards a massive threat. Can’t see him getting a finish; I think it’s gonna be very hard for him to win a decision too. … Can Leon Edwards get the finish? I think he can…TKO or KO, I definitely can see.”

    Edwards will hope to prove Volkanovski right and further enhance his legacy at 170 pounds in the process.

    And in addition to recording a third successful defense and cementing his grip on that divisional crown, another retention will only move “Rocky” closer to his goal of challenging for two-weight glory up at 185 pounds down the line.

  • VIDEO: UFC 304 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 & Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes 2

    VIDEO: UFC 304 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 & Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes 2

    Fight week for the UFC 304 pay-per-view this Saturday night has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode.

    Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad and the co-main event between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.

    Saturday’s lineup is topped by a championship rematch, with welterweight kingpin Edwards (22-3, 1 NC) looking to add a third successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 in August 2022. He’s since retained possession of the belt by getting the better of Usman again and Colby Covington in 2023.

    If “Rocky” is to continue his rule atop the 170-pound mountain, he must record a victory over Muhammad (23-3, 1 NC) at the second time of trying. The pair first collided in a UFC Fight Night main event back in 2021, which ended prematurely when accidental eye pokes left “Remember the Name” unable to continue. He’s since won five straight over Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and Gilbert Burns to finally earn his first shot at gold.

    Before those two run it back in the main event at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, another home fighter will put his title on the line in a rematch.

    Two years on from a devastating knee injury handing him his first UFC loss, interim heavyweight champion Aspinall (14-3) will look to right that wrong by leveling the score with Blaydes (18-4, 1 NC). In defense of the strap he captured with a thunderous knockout of Sergei Pavlovich last November, Aspinall is tasked with preventing “Razor” following his TKO of Jailton Almeida with first-time title glory on July 27.

    Ahead of those two contests across the pond, fans can catch previews in the full episode of UFC 304 Countdown on the promotion’s YouTube channel.

    UFC 304 Countdown: Full Episode

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMZEjU5aj-k
  • Sean O’Malley Supports Jake Paul Continuing To Box MMA Fighters, Callout Of UFC Champion Alex Pereira

    Sean O’Malley Supports Jake Paul Continuing To Box MMA Fighters, Callout Of UFC Champion Alex Pereira

    Unlike many, UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley is actually in support of Jake Paul sharing the ring with MMA fighters.

    Paul had his 11th match in professional boxing this past weekend, throwing down with former UFC fighter-turned-BKFC star Mike Perry inside the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

    The pair’s main event on DAZN pay-per-view came to a close in the sixth round when Paul followed early knockdowns and frequent success at the expense of “Platinum” with one final damaging flurry to earn the knockout.

    Perry, who made his name in the cage, marked the latest mixed martial arts name added to Paul’s record, joining Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz in that group.

    Paul’s choice of opponents has long been a point of discussion for his detractors. And the continuation of that trend on Saturday night was used by many to criticize the 27-year-old Cleveland native once again, in addition to his callout of UFC champion Alex Pereira.

    But not everyone in MMA is against Paul’s boxing approach…

    O’Malley Happy To Keep Watching Paul vs. MMA Fighters

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, O’Malley reacted to Paul’s latest success inside the ring and his unexpected post-match callout.

    While many laughed off Paul’s decision to put Pereira’s name on his lips in the ring, “Sugar” had nothing but praise for the callout.

    “He called out Alex Pereira. That fight won’t happen unless Dana (White) says, ‘I’m sick of seeing Jake beat all these UFC guys.’ … Imagine Alex Pereira vs. Jake Paul. Dude, Alex has crazy power in both hands, but the dude literally throws from his hips. He is there to be hit,” O’Malley said. “I love the callout. Imagine we get to see that. Imagine Jake Paul goes out there and knocks out Mike Tyson, Jake Paul vs. Alex Pereira, huge.

    “Jake looks like he’s improving every single fight. I’m excited to continue to watch him fight,” O’Malley continued. “Jake is doing such a good job. After a fight, the biggest thing is what’s next. You’ve gotta set yourself up for those opportunities, and Jake’s doing that better than anybody right now.”

    And the callout wasn’t the only criticism of Paul that O’Malley defended against. He also differed from many with his view on “The Problem Child” continuing to welcome MMA veterans into the ring.

    “He hasn’t fought a top let’s say 20 guy in the world; a top-20 boxer in his weight class,” O’Malley noted. “That’s when you’re really gonna be able to see how good Jake Paul is. … I personally enjoy watching him fight these MMA guys. I like those fights. But I’m here for whatever. … I like these crossover fights.”

    Paul will move away from focusing on a prominent MMA name for the time being, instead putting his sights back on heavyweight legend Mike Tyson ahead of their rearranged Netflix showdown this November.

  • VIDEO: Cody Durden Gets Gruesome Cut Stitched Up After Brutal UFC Fight Night Loss To Bruno Silva

    VIDEO: Cody Durden Gets Gruesome Cut Stitched Up After Brutal UFC Fight Night Loss To Bruno Silva

    It was a tough night at the office this past weekend for UFC flyweight contender Cody Durden, who was left with significant damage courtesy of teammate Bruno Silva’s hands.

    The two American Top Team standouts collided on the main card of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night at the Apex in Las Vegas, doing away with their shared training ground allegiance in pursuit of a climb up the 125-pound ladder.

    It was ultimately the Brazilian who advanced his ambitions, likely securing a ranking by knocking Durden out in comeback fashion to extend his win streak on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage to four.

    The finish came midway through round two, at a time when the American appeared in control and en route to bouncing back from his submission defeat to Tagir Ulanbekov last December. But that all changed when a vicious uppercut sent his mouthpiece flying and body to the canvas.

    “Bulldog” subsequently pounced on his stricken opponent, laying down brutal ground-and-pound before referee Chris Tognoni intervened to save a bloodied Durden from further damage.

    Durden Gets Fixed Up After Tough Knockout Defeat At UFC Fight Night

    Having eaten one of the most devastating uppercuts in recent memory in addition to multiple shots on the ground, Durden was unsurprisingly left with some notable blemishes to his face, including a nasty cut under his right eye.

    He gave fans a glimpse into the medical process post-fight, posting a video of the cut being stitched up by medical personnel on social media.

    “Fight game crazy.”

    In another post, Durden thanked the UFC and the medical team behind the scenes for fixing him up, before putting his name in matchmaker Mick Maynard’s hat for any short-notice opportunities.

    “The @ufc is the best promotion in the world. They took great care of me behind the scenes. Roger, Rambo, Shay, Sarah, Justin, Heather, Dr. Davis, and many more!Thank you! I’m taking one week off, getting these stitches out and I’ll put my name in when someone pulls @Mickmaynard2”

  • UFC Schedule: Updated List Of Upcoming Events & Fight Cards

    UFC Schedule: Updated List Of Upcoming Events & Fight Cards

    Here is a list of live events from the UFC that are coming soon.

    The promotion held a fight night event at their Apex Facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 24. In the main event, Caio Borralho defeated Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision in a grueling five-round matchup.

    UFC’s schedule will continue with notable matchups from its stacked roster. The company has several events confirmed to occur this year, including five pay-per-views announced thus far.

    This weekend, the promotion will take a break from their event schedule. UFC returns on September 7 with a fight night event at their Apex Facility with a welterweight bout between Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady. “Durinho” hopes to rebound from his last defeat to Jack Della Maddalena by TKO at UFC 299 on March 9. DraftKings currently has Brady as the favorite to give Burns his third consecutive loss.

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  • Virna Jandiroba Breaks Down How She Can Beat Zhang Weili: ‘Within The Weirdness…’

    Virna Jandiroba Breaks Down How She Can Beat Zhang Weili: ‘Within The Weirdness…’

    Virna Jandiroba may have proven herself worthy of the next shot at UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili thanks to a submission win over former title challenger Amanda Lemos in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event.

    Jandiroba looked to utilize her grappling from the get-go, scoring an early takedown and battling with her fellow Brazilian for top position and submission attempts. “Carcara,” a grappling expert, managed to lock in an armbar and submit Lemos during round two.

    “The fight went in the best scenario I could imagine,” Jandiroba said through a translator at the post-fight press conference. “I was for sure going to try to take it to the ground, and I was able to do it and find the submission.”

    Virna Jandiroba Confident She Can Get Title Shot, Beat Zhang Weili After UFC Fight Night Main Event Win

    Jandiroba, a former Invicta strawweight champion, has now won four straight and five of her last six fights. Entering this weekend’s UFC Fight Night at No. 5 in the strawweight rankings, there is a good chance she could be next in line for a title shot.

    Jandiroba, in fact, called out Zhang in the Octagon following her victory. And at the post-fight conference, Jandiroba expressed how her unique fighting style can help lead her to a win — let alone a title fight — that plenty previously doubted could happen.

    “My style’s a little different,” Jandiroba said. “The way that I grapple is a little strange. I know my wrestling is very effective, my jiu-jitsu is very good, but it’s not like you can say, ‘Oh, she’s like a proper wrestler.’ But I make it work.

    “And within the weirdness of everything that I do, I think that I create problems for most people, and that’s how I can beat her. With the weirdness, that’s how I get my arm raised.”

  • ‘Weili vs. Virna > Weili vs. Suarez’ – Fans React As Virna Jandiroba Submits Amanda Lemos With Nasty Armbar In UFC Fight Night Main Event

    ‘Weili vs. Virna > Weili vs. Suarez’ – Fans React As Virna Jandiroba Submits Amanda Lemos With Nasty Armbar In UFC Fight Night Main Event

    Virna Jandiroba could now be in prime position to challenge Weili Zhang for the strawweight championship following a submission win over former title challenger Amanda Lemos in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night.

    Jandiroba scored a takedown in the opening minute of the fight, looking to do what she does best. Lemos, however, had an arm around the neck and looked for a guillotine. The 36-year-old escaped, however, and remained in top control. A couple of minutes later, Lemos looked to scramble, only for Jandiroba to reverse and look for a leg lock. The longtime contender responded in kind with a toe hold.

    Lemos landed some notable striking during that opening frame between scrambles, and she tried to bring out her striking again and focused on that in the second round. However, Jandiroba scored another takedown a couple of minutes into the round and got to Lemos’ back in a scramble.

    In the closing seconds of the round, the #5-ranked contender locked in an armbar and scored the submission.

    Virna Jandiroba Submits Amanda Lemos In Headlining UFC Fight Night Strawweight Battle

    Jandiroba has now won four straight and five of her last six. She called for a title fight in her post-fight interview and will likely be alongside Tatiana Suarez as one of two logical next challengers for the Chinese champ.

    Lemos, meanwhile, is now 1-1 since losing a strawweight title fight with Weili Zhang at UFC 292 nearly one year ago.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Virna Jandiroba Submits Amanda Lemos 

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Virna Jandiroba Submits Amanda Lemos 

    UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, top-five ranked strawweights Amanda Lemos (#3) and Virna Jandiroba (#5) clashed. While in the co-main event, Steve Garcia faced Seungwoo Choi in a featherweight matchup. 

    UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

    • Women’s Strawweight Main Event: Virna Jandiroba def. Amanda Lemos via submission: R2, 4.48 
    • Featherweight: Steve Garcia def. Seungwoo Choi via TKO: R1, 1.36 
    • Lightweight: Kurt Holobaugh def. Kaynan Kruschewsky via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Flyweight: Bruno Silva def. Cody Durden via TKO: R2 2.58  
    • Featherweight: Dooho Choi def Bill Algeo via TKO: R2, 3.38 
    • Featherweight: Hyder Amil def. JeongYeong Lee via TKO: R1, 1.05  

    Preliminary Card

    • Bantamweight: Cody Gibson def. Brian Kelleher via submission: R1, 3.58
    • Women’s Flyweight: Miranda Maverick def. Dione Barbosa via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27×2) 
    • Lightweight: Trey Ogden def. Loik Radzhabov via unanimous decision (29-28×2, 30-27) 
    • Women’s Flyweight: Luana Carolina def. Lucie Pudilová via unanimous decision (29-28×2, 30-27) 
    • Heavyweight: Thomas Petersen def. Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Cody Gibson def. Brian Kelleher 

    In this bantamweight bout, Cody Gibson got it done in the first round with an arm triangle submission of Brian Kelleher.

    Main Card Highlights

    Hyder Amil def. JeongYeong

    Hyder Amil unleashed a flurry of strikes to overwhelm JeongYeong early in the first round to get the TKO.

    Dooho Choi def Bill Algeo

    In this featherweight bout, Dooho Choi got back in the win column with a TKO of Bill Algeo in the second round.

    Bruno Silva def. Cody Durden

    Bruno Silva earned his fourth win in a row with a TKO against Cody Durden in the second round of their featherweight matchup.

    Kurt Holobaugh def. Kaynan Kruschewsky

    Kurt Holobaugh earned a unanimous decision win against Kaynan Kruschewsky in their lightweight bout.

    Steve Garcia def. Seungwoo Choi

    In the co-main event, Steve Garcia earned a first-round TKO of Seungwoo Choi.

    Virna Jandiroba def. Amanda Lemos

    In the main event, Virna Jandiroba locked in an arm bar to get the win against Amanda Lemos in the second round of their strawweight matchup.

  • Vicente Luque vs. Nick Diaz Off UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Card, Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov Returns In New Co-Main Event

    Vicente Luque vs. Nick Diaz Off UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Card, Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov Returns In New Co-Main Event

    Those who were hoping to see another Nick Diaz appearance in the Octagon really soon will be disappointed.

    Per the broadcast of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, a “travel issue” has left Diaz unable to compete in his scheduled co-main event bout with Vicente Luque on Aug. 3, when the promotion holds a UFC Fight Night card at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

    It was announced that undefeated middleweight prospect Sharabutdin “Bullet” Magomedov will now be featured in the new co-main event, taking on Michal Oleksiejczuk.

    Diaz’s last UFC appearance came at UFC 266 in September 2021, losing to Robbie Lawler. That marked the Stockton star’s first MMA fight since his January 2015 clash with Anderson Silva.

    Luque, meanwhile, has lost three of his last four, most recently being stopped by Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night Atlantic City.

    The UFC is expected to reschedule Luque vs. Diaz for an event at a late date.

    Luque & Diaz Out, Magomedov In For UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi

    Magomedov competed just last month at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia, scoring a third-round finish of Antonio Trócoli. He made his Octagon debut in Abu Dhabi last year, defeating Bruno Silva at UFC 294.

    Oleksiejczuk, on the other hand, has lost three of his last four, most recently being submitted by Kevin Holland at UFC 302 last month in Newark.

    UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi on August 3 will be headlined by Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov. It is the first of two events to take place in Abu Dhabi this year, with UFC 308 to be held in the same location on October 26.

  • VIDEO: ‘Korean Superboy’ Dooho Choi Stops Bill Algeo With One Punch At UFC Fight Night For First Win In 8 Years

    VIDEO: ‘Korean Superboy’ Dooho Choi Stops Bill Algeo With One Punch At UFC Fight Night For First Win In 8 Years

    Dooho Choi scored his first victory in the Octagon since 2016 during the main card of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night at the Apex, defeating fellow featherweight veteran Bill Algeo.

    After already threatening a choke during the opening round, Choi landed a vicious left hook in the second round, causing Algeo to collapse to the mat. The American grabbed at his face while doing so, with some speculation he may have shattered an orbital bone taking the punch.

    Dooho Choi Lands Brutal Hook To Drop Bill Algeo

    After the fight, “The Korean Superboy” expressed a desire to compete at least three times a year from this point forward.

    Choi is now unbeaten in back-to-back fights since his return to the Octagon. Prior to tonight, his last fight came at a UFC Fight Night in February 2023, marking the end of a three-year layoff. He battled Kyle Nelson to a majority draw.

    The Korean had dropped three straight before the draw, including a fight with Cub Swanson at UFC 206 that earned him Fight of the Year honors and scored both men spots in the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame.

    Algeo, meanwhile, has now dropped back-to-back fights, having lost to Nelson via first-round TKO at UFC Fight Night Atlantic City this past March.

  • ‘DEAR LORD THAT WAS INSANE’ – Fans React As Hyder Amil Lands Knockout In Wild 65-Second Brawl To Kick Off UFC Fight Night Main Card

    ‘DEAR LORD THAT WAS INSANE’ – Fans React As Hyder Amil Lands Knockout In Wild 65-Second Brawl To Kick Off UFC Fight Night Main Card

    Saturday’s UFC Fight Night may not have been the most hyped card the UFC has ever put on, but the opening matchup of the main card produced fireworks.

    Hyder Amil won the bout, needing just over a minute to put away JeongYeong Lee.

    The two produced a firefight for the short time it lasted, trading powerful and crisp strikes. Amil had the upper hand following a leg kick, landing hard-hitting combination after combination, filled with hooks aplenty and living up to his nickname of “The Hurricane.”

    The undefeated American backed his South Korean opponent up to the fence, and while Lee was still on his feet, he took so many strikes that the referee was forced to step in and wave the fight off.

    Hyder Amil Knocks Off JeongYeong Lee In Wild Striking Encounter At Apex-Held UFC Fight Night

    https://twitter.com/TakeruCigarra/status/1814818168797372565

    Amil, an alumnus of Bellator and LFA, now improves to 10-0. After defeating Emrah Sonmez on Dana White’s Contender Series last year, “The Hurricane” debuted in the Octagon this past February, scoring a finish of Fernie Garcia.

    Meanwhile, this result marked Lee’s first loss in the UFC after starting his Octagon run 2-0. Before arriving in the Octagon, “The Korean Tiger” was a Road FC champion and won a pair of bouts on Road to UFC in 2022.

  • UFC Suspends Fighter Dubbed ‘Russian Ronda’ For Drug Failure, USADA Accused Of Not Disclosing Result Until After She Fought Again

    UFC Suspends Fighter Dubbed ‘Russian Ronda’ For Drug Failure, USADA Accused Of Not Disclosing Result Until After She Fought Again

    In what will have to go down as one of the most confusing suspensions given out in the history of the UFC, Irina Alekseeva, known as “Russian Ronda,” has been suspended for a failed drug test stemming from just over one year ago.

    The promotion outlined in a statemen this week that the positive drug test sample for testosterone was originally collected on June 21, 2023, when the UFC’s anti-drug program was still being overseen by USADA.

    According to the UFC, Alekseeva was not notified of the failure until Oct. 31 — four months after the sample was collected. By that time, Alekseeva had already competed in another fight, losing to Melissa Mullins at the Apex-held UFC Fight Night on Oct. 14.

    The UFC has since switched partners of the anti-drug program to Combat Sports Anti Doping (CSAD), who branded USADA’s handling of the failed 2023 test “unacceptable.”

    “While CSAD was not the independent administrator of the UFC ADP during the above-described time period, CSAD recognizes the importance of promptly reporting results on samples collected in the months and weeks leading up to a UFC event BEFORE the event takes place. CSAD also recognizes that positive results reported out more than 4-months after a sample is collected, and where the athlete is allowed to compete in a UFC bout in the interim, is unacceptable.”

    Irina Alekseeva Retroactively Suspended One Year After “Unacceptable” Handling By USADA, According To UFC

    Alekseeva passed three drug tests prior to the failure and passed three drug test in the time between the failure and when she was notified. As a result of this unique situation, CSAD lowered the fighter’s perceived fault level.

    Alekseeva’s suspension is retroactive to Oct. 15, 2023, as that marks the first day following her most recent fight. She will be eligible to return to competition on Oct. 15, 2024.

    CSAD released a statement that reads: “Under the UFC Anti-Doping Program, CSAD, in its sole discretion may suspend all or any part of ineligibility and other consequences imposed in an individual case in which it has results management authority where the athlete has provided full and complete cooperation, where the athlete did not intend to enhance their performance and has provided full, prompt and truthful responses and information.

    “CSAD has determined that Alekseeva’s efforts and the evidence of this case, fits these criteria, and thus CSAD is reducing the sanction against her to 12-months.”

  • Bantamweight Prospect Raul Rosas Jr. Becomes Latest Added To UFC 306 Card At The Sphere

    The next UFC bout for Raul Rosas Jr. will take place at The Sphere in Las Vegas, as the bantamweight top prospect will be featured at Noche UFC for the second straight year.

    As announced by his management team, Iridium Sports Agency, Rosas Jr. will take on Aoriqileng at UFC 306 on September 14.

    Rosas Jr. was in action just last month at UFC Fight Night Louisville, defeating Ricky Turcios. It was the 19-year-old’s first fight since competing on the inaugural Noche UFC card in September 2023, where he needed just 54 seconds to finish Terrence Mitchell.

    “El Niño Problema” is 3-1 in the UFC since earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Raul Rosas Jr. To Face Aoriqileng At Noche UFC 2

    Aoriqileng, meanwhile, was last in action this past February, with an unintentional groin strike resulting in his fight with Daniel Marcos ending in a No Contest. He has won three of his last five fights.

    UFC 306, branded as “Riyadh Season Noche UFC 2,” is expected to be headlined by Sean O’Malley defending the bantamweight championship against Merab Dvalishvili.

    Also expected for the card is the next women’s flyweight title defense for champion Alexa Grasso. She’s long been expected to face divisional legend Valentina Shevchenko following their stint as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter this year. After Grasso’s upset win at UFC 285, the two headlined last year’s Noche UFC card, with their main event ending in a controversial draw.

    UFC CEO Dana White told Pat McAfee recently that UFC 306, a one-time UFC event to be held at the new Sphere in Vegas, is expected to have 10 fights booked for it.

  • Jon Jones Told He ‘Cannot Do Anything But Acknowledge That Victory’ If Tom Aspinall Defeats Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304

    Jon Jones Told He ‘Cannot Do Anything But Acknowledge That Victory’ If Tom Aspinall Defeats Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304

    UFC commentator John Gooden recently said that Jon Jones should give due recognition to Tom Aspinall if he manages to overcome Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.

    Last November, the undisputed heavyweight champion was slated to put his title on the line against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295. However, a torn pectoral muscle forced Jones out of action, postponing the highly anticipated fight.

    As a result, Aspinall rose to the occasion on short notice to face the backup fighter, Sergei Pavlovich, for the interim heavyweight title. The Englishman delivered an electrifying performance, clinching a knockout triumph just over a minute into the first round.

    Riding high on his victory, Aspinall called for a title unification bout with “Bones”. However, the American has persistently rebuffed the challenge and even downplayed Aspinall’s status as an interim champion. Instead, Jones has expressed his intention to reconvene his bout with Miocic, which is seemingly targeted for November.

    Frustrated by the inactivity, Aspinall chose to defend his interim title in a rematch against former adversary Blaydes. The showdown is set as the co-main event at UFC 304, taking place on July 27 in his hometown of Manchester.

    Gooden believes this is Aspinall’s golden opportunity to make a bold statement and compel Jones to acquiesce to his formidable presence in the heavyweight division…

    Gooden Foresees Blaydes as Aspinall’s Stepping Stone to Jones Clash

    During a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Gooden offered a preview of Aspinall’s upcoming title defense against Blaydes, suggesting that “Razor” constitutes a formidable threat for the Salford native if he relies on his wrestling and grappling prowess.

    However, the English UFC commentator noted that Aspinall could surmount this challenge by applying relentless pressure with his precise striking.

    “He [Blaydes] is a very, very dangerous guy, a legitimate perennial contender who has been there or thereabouts for the longest time,” Gooden said. “He’s also crossed those leaderboards with his style, obviously with the wrestling-heavy grappling style. But the man will open you up if he lands an elbow, and he will change the fight.”

    Gooden also hinted that defeating Blaydes could catapult Aspinall to a status that would force “Bones” to recognize his legitimacy.

    “If Tom Aspinall gets past Curtis Blaydes, and particularly in an impressive fashion, then I think that Jon Jones cannot do anything but acknowledge that victory and therefore surely must creep a little bit further into those two getting together, but of course, Tom’s got a big appointment ahead.”

    Aspinall holds an Octagon record of seven victories since his promotional debut in July 2022, highlighted by six first-round finishes against formidable adversaries such as Sergei Pavlovich, Alexander Volkov, and Marcin Tybura.

    The only blemish on his record during this UFC run has been a TKO loss resulting from an unforeseen knee injury just 15 seconds into his bout against Blaydes at UFC Fight Night London in July 2022.

  • UFC Commentator Surprised Paddy Pimblett Is Considering Influencer Boxing Ahead Of Last Fight On Contract: ‘One Of The Most Dynamic Grapplers…’

    UFC Commentator Surprised Paddy Pimblett Is Considering Influencer Boxing Ahead Of Last Fight On Contract: ‘One Of The Most Dynamic Grapplers…’

    UFC commentator John Gooden recently voiced his astonishment after Paddy Pimblett revealed he is contemplating a move to influencer boxing as he approaches the final fight of his UFC contract.

    “The Baddy” is poised to go head-to-head against King Green on the main card of UFC 304. The pay-per-view will take place on July 27 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, giving Pimblett the opportunity to shine in front of his home crowd.

    Pimblett is gearing up for his sixth UFC bout, which will also mark the end of his initial contract with the MMA promotion. A victory against “King” could launch him into the lightweight rankings.

    However, the 29-year-old Scouser recently hinted in an interview with MMA Junkie that he might leave the UFC for lucrative boxing matches against YouTube influencers, suggesting he could earn more money outside the Octagon.

    Pimblett’s remarks have left Gooden utterly perplexed, prompting him to question what could drive one of the UFC’s most promising prospects to even consider boxing YouTubers…

    Gooden Trusts Pimblett’s Hard-Earned UFC Spot Will Keep Him Grounded

    During a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Gooden reacted to Pimblett’s notion of leaving the UFC for a boxing career. The British UFC commentator stressed that “The Baddy” needs to secure a win in his upcoming fight to gain leverage in negotiations for his second contract with the promotion.

    He believes a victory would significantly strengthen Pimblett’s bargaining power when discussing his future with the UFC.

    “It would just hurt the numbers right if he doesn’t come away with a win against King Green,” Gooden said. “Then you know that you’re negotiating; you’re going to the table with a quite different approach. I would imagine I was surprised to hear him talk about boxing.”

    “I don’t know if it was just something that had been across his socials like 30 minutes before he jumped on whatever it was and then spoke about it.”

    Gooden further elaborated, praising Pimblett as a high-caliber MMA fighter who has made a tremendous effort to reach the UFC. He mentioned that Pimblett shouldn’t squander this hard-earned opportunity so easily.

    “Paddy, for me, is one of the most dynamic grapplers that we’ve seen come out of the UK. His ability to take the back is phenomenal, and his finishing ability with submissions is his top draw, so seeing him go into boxing is like, really, are you sure? I’m a little confused about that, and deep down, you know Paddy had a.”
    “I think he turned down the UFC in the past in order to really make a good, conscientious run with enough kinds of veteran-ship to make a run in the UFC, so I know it means something for him to be in the organization.”

    Pimblett is riding high after securing a unanimous decision victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 last December. Since joining the UFC in September 2021, the Englishman has racked up an impressive five-fight win streak.

    Given his strong fan base in Europe and his status as a rising star, it wouldn’t make sense for the promotion to let him go easily. Pimblett’s popularity and potential make him a valuable asset for the UFC.

  • Classy Neil Magny ‘Tips Hat’ To Ian Garry’s UFC 303 Performance: ‘If You Go Out There & Try To Do A Little Bit Too Much Against MVP…’

    Classy Neil Magny ‘Tips Hat’ To Ian Garry’s UFC 303 Performance: ‘If You Go Out There & Try To Do A Little Bit Too Much Against MVP…’

    Ian Machado Garry maintained his undefeated record at UFC 303 where he handed Michael “Venom” Page his first loss inside the Octagon.

    The two dynamic welterweight strikers went the full three rounds in the main card opener where Garry’s takedowns and ground control proved to be the difference.

    He received some criticism from fans for this performance after not backing up some of his words about how the striking battle would play out.

    Garry’s been known to ruffle some feathers during his UFC tenure, not least during the build up to his fight with the veteran 170-pound competitor Neil Magny.

    The two men met at UFC 292 last year where the rising contender said some things about Magny that didn’t really resonate with a lot of the fans.

    Despite their previous tensions, there is no bad blood towards the Irishman at least from Magny’s point of view as has been clear in the past.

    Neal Magny Praises Ian Garry For His ‘Smart’ & ‘Patient’ Performance At UFC 303

    During a recent interview with James Lynch for InsideFighting, Magny spoke about his former opponent’s last outing.

    The welterweight staple is set to return on August 24 where he looks to make it back-to-back wins since his loss to Garry when facing Michael Morales.

    He believes, like many, that the clash between Garry and Page came right down to the wire where it was eventually decided by the slimmest of margins.

    “Yeah I watched it, it’s one of those fighters where it’s a tough call. When you have so much time to prepare for a fight, every move you make has to be very calculated where had one guy or the other slipped up one way or the other like had MVP [been] able to stuff one takedown, it would change the outcome of the fight. Had Ian Garry missed one takedown it could change the outcome of the fight, had MVP landed one more significant strike it could change the outcome of the fight so it was just one of those fights that was close going into it and anything can literally happen.

    “That fight literally came down to who made the least amount of mistakes. I mean even some of the takedowns that Ian Garry was able to score on MPV, it didn’t really come from like, ‘Oh I’m going to set up a shot with my strikes and feint and get in this way.’ It was off a caught kick or something like that and he took full advantage of it.”

    Where some fans criticized Garry for relying on his grappling skills to make the fight a more gruelling affair, Magny credited him for this.

    He spoke about how when you’re up against an opponent like Page, doing anything other than keeping it simple can result in a rough awakening.

    “It was a very close fight I was definitely impressed with the grappling display that Ian Garry was able to pull out of that fight. I definitely tip my hat to the performance that Ian Garry. It was one of those fights that is very difficult to prepare for because if you go out there and try to do a little bit too much against MVP, you end up waking up looking at the ceiling so he fought a very smart fight, a very patient fight and was able to get it done.”

    Read also: Ian Garry Gets Support From Fellow Irish UFC Fighter After Criticism Of Michael Page Win: ‘F*ck Fighting MVP, He’s A Nightmare!’ 

  • Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling Set For UFC 307 On October 5

    Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling Set For UFC 307 On October 5

    Top UFC featherweights Movsar Evloev and Aljamain Sterling will look to stake their claim for a first title shot in the division when they share the cage later this year.

    The undefeated Russian and the former UFC bantamweight champion have been going back and forth on social media about doing battle ever since the latter successfully debuted in the weight class this past April.

    A victory over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300 saw Sterling enter the rankings at #8, and “Funk Master” will now have the chance to crack the featherweight top five at the expense of Evloev.

    As first reported by MMA Propagande and subsequently confirmed by both men on social media, Evloev and Sterling are slated to collide on the UFC 307 pay-per-view card on October 5.

    A location and venue is yet to be officially announced by the promotion, but the expectation is for UFC 307 to take place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Evloev, Sterling To Vie For Shot At Topuria’s Gold At UFC 307

    When they finally meet in the Octagon after months of online discussion regarding a date and ducking allegations, both Evloev and Sterling will hope to continue their winning form all the way to the top.

    Evloev (18-0) further climbed the 145-pound pecking order this year by narrowly getting the better of Arnold Allen on the scorecards at UFC 297 in Canada this past January. The result marked the former M-1 Global bantamweight champ’s eighth straight victory on MMA’s biggest stage, following triumphs over Dan Ige and Diego Lopes.

    The Russian, however, has come under fire for his tendency to go the distance inside the Octagon, having yet to find a finish in the UFC since his debut back in 2019. He’ll look to rectify that unwanted statistic at the expense of the division’s newest contender.

    Sterling (24-4) brought his time making a difficult weight cut down to 135 pounds to an end following his title loss to Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 in Boston last August. With his calls for an immediate rematch falling on deaf ears, “Funk Master” committed to the pursuit of gold in a second weight class, which he began successfully by outgrappling Kattar at April’s milestone PPV.

    The 34-year-old must now get past Evloev if he’s to put himself in position for a future shot at Topuria’s featherweight title.

    Aljamain Sterling
    Image: UFC.com
  • Georges St-Pierre’s Coach Honest About Michael ‘Venom’ Page’s Chances To Get UFC Gold: ‘He’s Fought A Lot Of Guys You’ve Never Heard Of…’

    Georges St-Pierre’s Coach Honest About Michael ‘Venom’ Page’s Chances To Get UFC Gold: ‘He’s Fought A Lot Of Guys You’ve Never Heard Of…’

    Following a solid UFC debut against Kevin Holland, Michael Page lost to Ian Garry at UFC 303 via unanimous decision. Despite having success on the feet, he could not stop a couple of Garry’s takedowns and was controlled for over seven minutes.

    The fight was close with Garry decisively winning the first and Page bouncing back in the second. MVP started strong in the third but a late takedown helped “Machado” get the judges’ nod.

    Here’s what Georges St-Pierre’s coach, Firas Zahabi, thinks of MVP’s future in the UFC welterweight division and whether he can be the champion one day…

    Georges St-Pierre’s Coach Expects Michael ‘Venom’ Page To Improve His Resume In The UFC

    Zahabi recently talked about MVP’s potential to become the UFC welterweight champion on his YouTube channel. Although he claimed Page to be the better striker in the Garry fight, he is skeptical about the Bellator star’s ability to handle other high-level opponents.

    “I think MVP looked good in the striking. The third round was close. I gave the first round, obviously to Ian. Second round, I gave it to MVP. Third round, I had MVP and then Ian Garry came out with the double leg.”

    While looking at Page’s record, Zahabi highlighted that many of his opponents in Bellator can’t be compared to the top-ranked UFC welterweights. Apart from Holland and Douglas Lima, his most notable win is over Paul Daley. According to GSP’s coach, Lima won the rematch against “Venom”, which is why he isn’t impressed by the latter’s resume.

    “It was a close fight but those are just higher level competitors. And It Was the First Time We see Him Against higher level competitors. The THing is MVP’s Had a lot of fights in his career but he’s fought a lot of guys you’ve never heard of. He’s fought a lot of guys you’ve never heard of.”

    The coach said that most of Page’s opponents won’t make it to the top 15 in the UFC welterweight division. As a result, “Venom” might be overwhelmed by the competition in the promotion.

    Zahabi gave Page his props for the impressive win over Holland and advised him to continue fighting the top 15 ranked UFC welterweights. He didn’t sound confident about MVP winning gold at 170 pounds, though.

    Read More: Jon Anik Explains Why Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 1 Is Not Good Indicator Of UFC 304 Rematch: ‘Largely, I Have To Throw Out Most Of The First Fight…’

  • UFC Commentator Labels Belal Muhammad ‘Deluded’ For Pre-UFC 304 Comments About Leon Edwards

    UFC Commentator Labels Belal Muhammad ‘Deluded’ For Pre-UFC 304 Comments About Leon Edwards

    UFC commentator John Gooden believes Belal Muhammad might be overconfident with his trash talk aimed at reigning welterweight champion Leon Edwards ahead of their rematch at UFC 304.

    “Rocky” is preparing to defend his title against Muhammad in the headlining bout of the upcoming UFC pay-per-view, set for July 27 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    The two fighters previously clashed in a short-notice matchup at a UFC Fight Night main event in March 2021. However, the bout was cut short when an accidental eye poke in the second round left “Remember the Name” unable to continue, resulting in the fight being declared a no-contest.

    After their initial bout, Edwards earned a title shot by defeating Nate Diaz at UFC 263 and ultimately overcame Kamaru Usman to claim the 170-pound championship at UFC 278 in August 2022. Meanwhile, Muhammad had to achieve a five-fight undefeated streak to finally secure his first UFC title opportunity.

    As the two rivals prepare to clash again, “Remember the Name” is brimming with a new level of confidence, consistently downplaying the Jamaican-born Englishman and even branding him as the “easiest” opponent in the division.

    However, Gooden thinks Muhammad might have been overreaching with his verbal jabs…

    Gooden Argues Muhammad’s Discrediting of Edwards Is Misjudgment

    During a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Gooden weighed in on his compatriot Edwards’ upcoming bout against Muhammad. The British UFC broadcaster remarked that the American’s unwarranted verbal jabs at “Rocky” won’t win him any fans in the champion’s homeland and may even backfire.

    He mentioned that Edwards has garnered a substantial fan base in the UK thanks to his consistently stellar performances, which have cemented his reputation as a hometown hero.

    “He’s [Edwards] won over the British public through his success,” Gooden said. “I mean, Belal is talking a lot at the moment, and he is saying some pretty… Well, he’s discrediting Leon in a lot of ways. He’s got a lot of thoughts about his personality and his marketability, etc., etc., but Leon has earned this fanfare in the UK.”

    “The wider populous likes winners and Leon’s done nothing but that right, so he’s earned the popularity. So Belal is deluded if he thinks he’s going to walk out, and he’s going to get the cheers, and Leon’s going to get the boos like it’s not going to be that way.”

    Edwards isn’t celebrated for his microphone skills and had previously shrugged off Muhammad’s attempts to downplay him, questioning where his rival’s newfound confidence is coming from. Regardless, seeing how both fighters approach UFC 304 in the coming days will be fascinating.

  • Teammate & Friend Gives Update On Khamzat Chimaev’s Future Plans, Says He Is Training With ‘Boxing National Team’ For Comeback

    The last few years have been anything but plain sailing for Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC.

    Issues with fighting in the United States have made it harder for the UFC to book him fights but the much bigger problem has been his own health.

    “Borz” has been kept relatively inactive for a long time largely due to his current condition which seems to have significantly impacted his progress in MMA.

    All of this could have been put behind him in June when he was set to return against former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.

    A win over a top contender in Whittaker in Saudi Arabia will have finally put Chimaev back on track and where he should be – but this wasn’t to be as he was forced to withdraw from the fight a week out due to illness.

    With the hopes of returning later this year at what will likely be UFC 307, there is still hope that he can return to form inside the Octagon.

    Guram Kutateladze Says Khamzat Chimaev Is Back Training With October Return In Mind

    Georgian lightweight contender Guram Kutateladze is a close friend and training partner of Chimaev’s at Allstars Training Center in Sweden.

    During a recent interview with James Lynch for Sportskeeda MMA, he spoke about how Chimaev is progressing after overcoming the illness which led to Ikram Aliskerov taking his place last month.

    Kutateladze had some promising and hopeful things to say about the middleweight contender’s current situation.

    He believes that we will see him in Abu Dhabi in Octoberm which will be roughly one year on from his last appearance where he defeated Kamaru Usman via majority decision at UFC 294.

    “It was unfortunate but again, we have to keep positive thoughts, positive mentality. He’s feeling better now. He’s been for a few weeks in Caucasian Mountains, breathing fresh air, mountain air and training there with his team. With his brothers and team and I think boxing national team too so hopefully, as he said himself, we gonna see him in Abu Dhabi in October and I’m sure 100% that he will be ready and as always, energized.”

    Read also: Daniel Cormier Questions Why People ‘Discredit’ Sean Strickland As Number One Contender: ‘He Beat Costa Better Than Whittaker Did!’ 

  • UFC Fight Night: Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba Weigh-In Results: Co-Main Event Canceled

    UFC Fight Night: Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba Weigh-In Results: Co-Main Event Canceled

    UFC Fight Night: Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    Before crossing the pond for its latest pay-per-viewevent in Manchester, England, the promotion will host yet another low-key card from the Apex facility in Las Vegas.

    After the women’s flyweights took center stage last weekend in Denver, the July 20 event sees strawweights under the main event spotlight, as former title challenger Amanda Lemos looks to continue working her way back to the belt at the expense of another Brazilian contender in Virna Jandiroba.

    Elsewhere on the lineup, the likes of “The Korean Superboy” Dooho Choi and undefeated featherweight Hyder Amil are among those set to be in action.

    UFC Fight Night: Lemos vs. Jandiroba Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Lemos vs. Jandiroba takes place on Saturday, July 20, at the Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.

    See above for a replay of the weigh-ins via MMA Junkie, and check out the full results below!

    Main Card:

    • Women’s Strawweight Main Event: Amanda Lemos (116lbs) vs. Virna Jandiroba (115.5lbs)
    • Middleweight: Brad Tavares (185.5lbs) vs. Junyong Park (186lbs)*
    • Featherweight: Steve Garcia (144.5lbs) vs. Seungwoo Choi (145lbs)
    • Lightweight: Kurt Holobaugh (155lbs) vs. Kaynan Kruschewsky (154lbs)
    • Flyweight: Cody Durden (125.5lbs) vs. Bruno Silva (126lbs)
    • Featherweight: Dooho Choi (146lbs) vs. Bill Algeo (146lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Featherweight: JeongYeong Lee (145.5lbs) vs. Hyder Amil (145lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Brian Kelleher (136lbs) vs. Cody Gibson (136lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Miranda Maverick (125.5lbs) vs. Dione Barbosa (125.5lbs)
    • Lightweight: Loik Radzhabov (155.5lbs) vs. Trey Ogden (156lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Luana Carolina (125.5lbs) vs. Lucie Pudilová (126lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Mohammed Usman (236.5lbs) vs. Thomas Petersen (258.5lbs)

    *The co-main event between Brad Tavares and Junyong Park was canceled after both fighters had weighed in due to a medical issue on the side of Park

  • Henry Cejudo Gives His Verdict On Teammate Tracy Cortez’s Performance Against Rose Namanujas: ‘I Talked To Her On Saturday…’

    Henry Cejudo Gives His Verdict On Teammate Tracy Cortez’s Performance Against Rose Namanujas: ‘I Talked To Her On Saturday…’

    Henry Cejudo recently weighed in on his teammate Tracy Cortez’s defeat against Rose Namajunas, suggesting that she had the potential to perform much better.

    Last Saturday night, Cortez gave it her all but fell short on the judges’ scorecards, enduring her first UFC defeat in a grueling five-round battle against “Thug Rose,” who won by unanimous decision.

    Cortez was originally gearing up for a bout against Miranda Maverick at UFC Vegas 94 on July 20. However, when Maycee Barber had to withdraw from the UFC Fight Night Denver main event due to undisclosed reasons, Cortez stepped up, accepting the short-notice challenge with just two weeks to prepare.

    Despite the limited preparation time, the 30-year-old Arizona native went toe-to-toe for the full 25 minutes against the former two-time strawweight champion. However, her teammate at Fight Ready gym, Cejudo, believes that Cortez could have delivered a much stronger performance with a different game plan…

    Cejudo Believes Cortez Misinterpreted Namajunas’ Strategy

    During a recent Pound 4 Pound podcast episode with former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, “Triple C” dissected Cortez’s performance against Namajunas. He noted that “Thug Rose” effectively utilized her lateral movements and found better striking angles with well-timed takedowns, ultimately securing her victory over his teammate.

    “Rose was able to use her lateral movements, pick her shots, and then eventually bring in takedowns, which kind of surprised me,” Cejudo said. “But I’m not surprised with her because she did the same thing to Weili [Zhang] towards the end of the round to secure the rounds.”

    Cejudo further critiqued that Cortez lacked mindfulness throughout the fight and failed to capitalize on key takedown opportunities, a misstep that decisively cost her the bout.

    “Tracy didn’t show up, man. I just don’t know how to say it; man, that’s not the Tracy that we know. I watched the fight again, and she never once attempted the takedowns; after she attempted one takedown, that’s it, there’s no level changes involved. I talked to her on Saturday afterward and just said, ‘Hey, just keep your head up, dude. It was an experience, but I just know you’re better than that, Tracy’.”

    Cortez began the bout stronger, aiming to counter Namajunas’ speed and striking skills. Although she secured an early takedown, Cortez frequently found herself on the receiving end, being taken down multiple times by her opponent throughout the fight.