MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • Dana White Invites Kayla Harrison To Prove She’s The Best Against Nunes

    The UFC has joined the Kayla Harrison sweepstakes.

    The UFC featherweight division has been relatively dormant since its inception in 2017. Four years in, there still are not any rankings for the division, and the roster continues to be flimsy at best, with no signs of that changing anytime soon.

    For instance, one of the very few featherweights under contract, Felicia Spencer, made the decision to retire last week. That same week, Aspen Ladd, who made her featherweight debut recently after weight struggles at bantamweight, has announced that she intends to go back down to 135.

    Ladd also is on record in telling MMA News that the UFC’s featherweight division needs Kayla Harrison if it is going to survive. Now that Harrison is a free agent, it is entirely possible that she could come in and help save the division.

    Dana White Reveals The UFC Is In Talks With Kayla Harrison

    Kayla Harrison, Dana White
    Kayla Harrison, Dana White

    However, according to Dana White, the fate of the division isn’t in the hands of the two-time PFL lightweight champion but is dependent on the UFC’s reigning featherweight champ, Amanda Nunes.

    “That division is still there for the champ,” White said Wednesday in an interview with TSN. “The day (Nunes) says she doesn’t want to defend that belt anymore, we probably let it go. It’s there for her. And I’m interested in the whole Kayla Harrison thing. She thinks she’s the best in the world. There’s only one way to find out: come over here and fight the GOAT.”

    It wasn’t long ago that Dana White advised Kayla Harrison to stick with the PFL and continue taking what he deemed to be easy money. Such a nonchalant indifference to one of the biggest free agents in recent history came across as potential reverse psychology.

    This about-face indicates that may have been precisely what it was, or perhaps other UFC executives later persuaded White to make a play for the Olympic gold medalist. Whatever the reason, White confirmed to TSN that the UFC is, in fact, in active talks with Kayla Harrison, and those talks will culminate with her joining the UFC if she really wants to prove she’s the best.

    As for the matter of Harrison and Nunes being teammates at American Top Team? A total nonfactor for a competitor like Amanda Nunes, says White.

    “Well, first of all, Amanda Nunes is one of the best athletes I’ve ever worked with, and she doesn’t play all that goofy, ‘We’re friends’ shit,” White assured.

    Bellator has also confirmed interest in Kayla Harrison, with company president Scott Coker saying in last week’s Bellator 272 post-fight press conference that the promotion will meet with her this week. PFL also hopes to retain her services for the fourth year.

    MMA News will be right on top of Kayla Harrison’s free agency and fill you in on all the latest updates.

    Do you think Kayla Harrison should follow Dana White’s revised advice and fight Amanda Nunes in the UFC to “prove she’s the best?”

  • Cruz Says He’ll Be Fighting A “Friend” For The First Time At UFC 269

    UFC bantamweight contender Dominick Cruz says he’ll be sharing the cage with a friend for the first time when he faces Pedro Munhoz at UFC 269.

    Cruz, a former two-time UFC champion who’s widely regarded as one of the best bantamweights in history, will be looking to secure his second victory of 2021 on December 11.

    After having his 13-fight winning streak snapped and his belt taken away by Cody Garbrandt in 2016, Cruz spent nearly four years on the sidelines dealing with multiple injuries. He returned last May but fell short of regaining the title after former two-division titleholder Henry Cejudo finished him late in the second round.

    Having rebounded with a split decision triumph over Casey Kenney at UFC 259 in March, Cruz will be looking to take another step up the 135-pound ladder when he collides with #8-ranked Munhoz.

    Having lost three of his last four outings, including a decision setback against José Aldo in August, the Brazilian will be looking to maintain his place in the division by halting the charge of Cruz.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWLxJLzlElk/

    Cruz Respects Munhoz Outside Of The Octagon

    From rivalries to bad blood, Cruz has pretty much faced every scenario across his illustrious 16-year career. However, “The Dominator” has revealed he’ll be experiencing something new at the final pay-per-view of the year.

    During an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, Cruz suggested his clash with Munhoz will represent the first time he’s ever entered the Octagon with someone he considers to be a friend.

    “Pedro’s an OG in the game; been here forever, almost as long as me, if not the same amount. I have mutual respect for him. The one thing that’s different about Pedro is I’ve never fought somebody who’s actually, like, I would consider a friend. Pedro is actually a friend of mine, so this is a first for me. I’ve had rematches, I’ve had people that I don’t like, I’ve had rivalries, I’ve had all of it.

    “The one thing I haven’t had is a friend, somebody that I respect as a human being outside of the sport, and not just what they’ve done in the sport. That’s different, but it’s not gonna stop us from trying to rip each other’s faces off because that’s what we are.”

    Discussing his relationship with his fellow bantamweight veteran, Cruz described the lengths Munhoz went to during a trip the former champ made to the 35-year-old’s home country of Brazil a number of years ago.

    “We’re not like, close, because he lives in Florida and I live here (San Diego), but I went to Brazil and I’ve done some things (there) and he made sure I was taken care of and was just, you know, we went on a run, we did some training when my shoulder was blown out a couple years ago… Not a lot of fighters would open up their door in their country to just be kind and create a space to train and he did that. He was very open about it, very honest, and we were honest so, we became friends at that time. It’s not like we hang out all the time or anything like that, I just respect the human being that he is outside of fighting.”

    Despite their friendly relationship, “The Dominator” and “The Young Punisher” will go to war this weekend on the preliminary card of what promises to be a blockbuster pay-per-view to close out the year.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 269, Dominick Cruz or Pedro Munhoz?

  • Rashad Evans Explains MMA Return: “For Me To Compete Is My Reward”

    Former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans is humble ahead of his return to MMA at an upcoming Eagle FC event next month.

    Evans will compete in his first fight back on Jan. 28 against a to-be-determined opponent. Eagle FC is the promotion that former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is the lead promoter of, and this will be the first Eagle event on U.S. soil in Miami, FL.

    Evans retired in 2018 after a string of losses to some of the best contenders at light heavyweight and middleweight. His return to MMA may be surprising to some after Evans hinted at a possible transition to boxing against either Logan or Jake Paul.

    During a recent interview with SiriusXM, Evans explained what his motivation is ahead of his highly-anticipated return to the cage.

    “I’m not crazy, I know what this is and what this is about,” Evans said. “It doesn’t take away the significance of it. Sometimes we get to the mindset where we’re like ‘if I’m not chasing the belt, then I’m not chasing anything’. But for me, to compete is my reward. For me to do it in a way and a shape that I want to, that’s all I need to be honest. I just see life differently. I know what I’m capable of when I’m at my best and I just want to feel that feeling again.”

    Rashad Evans Has Changed A Lot In His Approach To Competition

    Rashad Evans
    Image Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    Evans was once thought to be arguably one of the brashest and cocky fighters in the UFC at one point in time. Stemming from his time on Season 2 of The Ultimate Fighter, many fighters in the sport took issue with Evans’ attitude.

    But Evans has clearly changed over the years as he’s taken on a mentor role for many top MMA fighters, including UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. He’s also remained an integral part of Sanford MMA down in south Florida and has continued to train.

    Evans’ first fight back in the cage could potentially be the start of something special for the former UFC star. Despite being 42 years old, the result could go a long way in determining his next move in combat sports.

    What are your thoughts on Rashad Evans’ return to MMA?

  • Oliveira On The Opinion Of Khabib, ‘I Don’t Really Care About What He Has To Say’

    Charles Oliveira isn’t listening to the haters coming into UFC 269.

    Charles Oliveira is heading into his first UFC title defense. He will be taking on Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 269 on Dec. 11. Heading into this bout many fans and fighters are picking Poirier.

    In the past few years, Poirier has proven himself as one of the best to have ever competed in the lightweight division. However, all this chatter doesn’t affect Oliveira, who at this time knows he is the best (h/t MiddleEasy).

    “I don’t really care about this talk,” Oliveira told The Schmo. “People can think whatever they want. Every time someone tells me I’m gonna lose I go there and prove them that they’re wrong and I get the W.”

    Of all the talk against him, one voice may be standing out the loudest. Former champ Khabib Nurmagomedov announced publically that he is picking Poirier to win on Saturday night. This kind of criticism is not going to keep Oliveira up at night. He spoke out about the statement made by his predecessor.

    “To be honest, I don’t care what Khabib says,” Oliveira explained. “He can say whatever he wants. He’s retired now so I don’t really care about what he has to say.”

    Oliveira’s confidence in himself is based on his recent skills inside the Octagon. He has not lost a bout since 2018. His current winning streak of nine is the longest in the division. He has faced some of the best the UFC has to offer during this run and has finished the likes of Michael Chandler and Kevin Lee.

    Who do you think will walk away with the belt around their waist on Saturday night, Charles Oliveira or Dustin Poirier?

  • Sean O’Malley: McGregor Is The Only Person I’ve Ever Looked Up To

    Rising UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley has described former two-division champion Conor McGregor as the only person he’s ever “looked up to.”

    While not doing so as quickly and emphatically as McGregor did over five years ago, O’Malley has fast-grown into one of the most recognizable names in the UFC. That’s despite having never fought a ranked opponent.

    Since returning from a USADA suspension in 2020, O’Malley has impressed. Two quick victories, including a highlight-reel Knockout of the Year contender against Eddie Wineland at UFC 250, saw him re-establish himself as one of the division’s hottest prospects.

    Although a case of drop foot led to “Sugar” being beaten for the first time in MMA by Marlon Vera last August, two memorable victories since have got him back on track. First was a brutal knockout against Thomas Almeida, before a record-breaking striking performance against debutant Kris Moutinho at UFC 264 saw the 27-year-old collect his fifth bonus in six fights.

    He’ll hope to continue that lucrative trend when he returns to the Octagon for the third time in 2021 this weekend. In the UFC 269 main card opener, O’Malley will face the once-ranked Raulian Paiva.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWj_5arlRwC/

    O’Malley Recalls First Meeting With “The Notorious” McGregor

    Ahead of his upcoming fight, O’Malley has spoken about the inspiration he drew from MMA’s biggest superstar while his grind to get into the UFC was ongoing. During an interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, “Sugar” spoke about meeting McGregor earlier this year, and claimed the Irishman is the only person he’s ever looked up to.

    McGregor has consistently caused controversy outside of the Octagon. From punching an old man in a Dublin bar to appearing to throw a strike at Machine Gun Kelly to allegedly breaking the nose of an Italian DJ, it’s hard to see the Dublin native as an ideal role model. Nevertheless, O’Malley suggested he’s learned a lot from McGregor, both inside and outside of the cage.

    “We were at the Cowboys game and we just happened to be in the same suite. I finally got to meet him. It’s been a long time (coming). I’ve seen him on fight week; that’s not the time to talk to Conor, especially not right off the scale. It was cool, you know. I’ve watched his whole career play out. I’ve learned a lot from him. Outside (the Octagon), what not to do, what to do; inside, certain techniques, mindset, mental warfare. I’ve learned a lot from Conor. He’s probably the only person I could say I’ve ever kind of, looked up to. Like, ‘Damn, I wanna be that big.’ I wanna change the sport like Conor did.”

    For those reasons, O’Malley’s encounter with McGregor at the AT&T Stadium was likely a moment to remember for the 27-year-old. Despite admitting the interaction was relatively short, the surging bantamweight star revealed the former double champ congratulated him on his performance against Moutinho, which opened the July pay-per-view headlined by McGregor’s trilogy with Dustin Poirier.

    “We had a short conversation. It was very loud… He just walked in and we saw each other. He obviously knows who the Sugar Show is, I’m the second biggest draw in the UFC. He knows who I am, he watches the fights. He said, you know, ‘Great performance in your last fight.’ It wasn’t a long conversation.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CUBsMh0s1o7/

    Despite having a long way to go before he comes close to replicating the success McGregor has achieved in MMA, O’Malley can jump one step closer to doing so with a third win in 2021 this Saturday.

    An impressive victory over Paiva could well see him enter the 135-pound rankings. From there, the climb towards title contention will begin.

    Do you think Sean O’Malley can emulate Conor McGregor’s success in the UFC?

  • Jon Jones’ New Team Explains Decision To Bring Him On

    Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has joined Fight Ready in Phoenix, AZ, and he’s allegedly fitting in great in the gym.

    Jones moved his camp to Arizona after a tumultuous end to his tenure with Jackson-Wink MMA in New Mexico. He was recently kicked off the team after his latest arrest in Las Vegas on battery domestic violence charges.

    Jones made the move to Fight Ready after hearing success stories from Henry Cejudo, Zhang Weili, and others at the gym. During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Jones’ new striking coach, Eddie Cha, explained the decision to bring the former 205-pound king aboard.

    “Henry gave me a call and told me that Jon reached out to him and was interested in coming out,” Cha said. “We kind of prepared some things to work on and we’re super excited to have him here.”

    “For me, it was a no-brainer,” Cha continued. “I think that people make mistakes — whether they make one, two, or three. Jon’s just under a microscope. Whenever he does anything wrong, it’s magnified. But if you know him as an individual, and I don’t know him as well as other people, but I’ve heard from other people doing my research, Greg [Jackson] has never had a problem with him, [Brandon] Gibson has never had a problem with him as an individual.”

    Jon Jones Is Still Working Towards His Heavyweight Debut

    Jones is planning on a return to the Octagon after a nearly two-year hiatus from the sport. He last competed against Dominick Reyes in his final light heavyweight title defense at UFC 247, before vacating the title for a run at heavyweight.

    Jones has been at odds with the UFC brass over a new contract to move up in weight. He’s swapped management teams in hopes of creating a more stable relationship with the promotion and UFC president Dana White.

    Jones has received numerous chances to better himself outside of the gym and is looking ahead to this latest new chapter in his career and life. By the sounds of it, he’s off to a great start with his new team.

    Who would you like to see Jon Jones face in his return?

  • Amanda Nunes: Nobody Talks Like Julianna Peña

    Two-division UFC champion Amanda Nunes says facing someone as willing to engage in trash talk as Julianna Peña will be new to her at UFC 269.

    For the first time since her 2019 victory over Germaine de Randamie, Nunes will be returning to bantamweight to defend her 135-pound title this weekend at the final pay-per-view of 2021. Across the last two years, the “Lioness” has successfully fended off the challenges of Felicia Spencer and Megan Anderson at featherweight.

    This Saturday’s co-main event offers Nunes the chance to record her sixth defense at bantamweight, matching the tally of former champ Ronda Rousey, and her eighth overall during her reign as double champ. In her way will be Peña, a confident contender who currently sits at #3 in the rankings.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CVYNcHJLHr1/

    Despite a mixed record in recent years, Peña cemented her shot earlier this year, largely due to her willingness to talk trash to the champ over social media and in interviews. During a recent appearance on DC & RC, Nunes admitted her upcoming opponent’s verbal bravery is new to her.

    “Honestly, just the talk. Nobody talk like Julianna. I’ve never fought nobody that talks like her. But honestly, don’t get me wrong, she’s tough, but she’s the only one who talks so much like that.”

    Despite that, Nunes suggested she’s always looking to finish her opponents and show her dominance in the Octagon, whether against silent and respectful foes or loud, trash-talking rivals.

    “Every time we step into the cage, we really think about finishing somebody. No matter if they talk or they be quiet. So with Julianna, it’s not different, you know. Every time that I step into the cage, I wanna really prove a point. I’m the better fighter here; I’m the best. With Julianna, I think it’s going to be the same. Any moment in this fight, I can finish her.”

    Nunes: Trash-Talking Opponents Like Peña Are My Favorite

    While she may boast a 25-fight professional career and has faced the likes of Shevchenko, Rousey, Miesha Tate, and Cris Cyborg, Peña appears to be bringing something unique to Nunes’ table ahead of UFC 269.

    Further discussing her next challenger in an interview with TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, the bantamweight and featherweight queen admitted that trash-talking opponents are her “favorite” to face.

    “I do (enjoy trash talk)… She’s been doing very good with her mouth by the way you guys tell me. So, I feel like she’s doing the right thing. She have to do something really to get in the fight because she never was a contender. She opened her mouth and she got here. I don’t think she did anything wrong.

    “I love those opponents. For me, it’s my favorite opponents, exactly like Julianna Peña. So, that really brings me, like, the best of me. I like that. It’s not that I take anything personal. It’s just that she makes me feel better, you know.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXJiVNRpr6X/

    Do you think Amanda Nunes will comfortably retain her bantamweight gold at UFC 269 this weekend?

  • Muhammad Mokaev Set To Make UFC Debut Against Cody Durden In March

    Muhammad Mokaev has gotten his wish.

    Mokaev, a highly-touted prospect, signed with the UFC just a few weeks ago and after Cody Durden said he was sending Aoriqileng back to China, Mokaev took to social media saying he wanted to fight the “racist” and smash him in his UFC debut.

    Now, according to MMAJunkie, Mokaev vs. Durden is set to take place on March 19 which is targeted to be a UFC London card. Mokaev has since confirmed the fight on social media.

    Muhammad Mokaev (5-0 and one No Contest) is just 21-years-old and coming off a second-round submission win over Blaine O’Driscoll at BRAVE CF 54 in September. He’s the former IMAAF bantamweight champion and also holds a notable win over Abdul Hussein. Mokaev was born in Dagestan but trains in England now, so this will also be a homecoming fight for him.

    Cody Durden (12-3-1) picked up his first UFC win back at UFC Vegas 43 where he edged out a close decision over Aoriqileng. After the win, the comments he made were not well received as several fighters called him out for being racist, along with Daniel Cormier ending the post-fight interview. In the UFC, he was submitted by Jimmy Flick and in his debut, he fought Chris Gutierrez to a draw.

    With the addition of Mokaev vs. Durden at flyweight, the March 19 card is as follows:

    • Francisco Figueiredo vs. Jake Hadley
    • Luana Carolina vs. Molly McCann
    • Cody Durden vs. Muhammad Mokaev

    Who do you think will win, Muhammad Mokaev vs. Cody Durden?

  • Bisping Wants Nate Diaz To Rematch Clay Cuida After Declining Chimaev

    Michael Bisping has an idea of who Nate Diaz should fight if he is not interested in Khamzat Chimaev.

    Diaz has been vocal about his disinterest in fighting the red-hot prospect Chimaev in the last fight of his UFC contract, despite this being the thing that the UFC is pushing for. He has spoken outright about not wanting to take this fight because he feels that the Chechen is not experienced enough in the UFC and is undeserving of the hype that has been put on him.

    If this is not the fight that the younger Diaz brother wants, then former middleweight champion and UFC commentator Michael Bisping has an interesting alternative.

    Speaking on the Believe You Me podcast, he was empathetic to the reason given for turning down the Chimaev fight and said that it would be great to see 209’s own face off in a rematch against Clay Guida, following “The Carpenter’s” comeback win over Leonardo Santos at UFC Vegas 44.

    “Khamzat [Chimaev], whilst showing the potential and being a potential contender down the line, isn’t a contender right now. And isn’t ranked in the top five so I don’t blame him for saying that. Clay Guida, if I am Nate Diaz, I would take that fight. I’m not sure the UFC would wanna do that fight, who knows,” Bisping said (h/t LowKickMMA).

    “I mean, Clay Guida is a fan favorite. Every time he goes out there, his brother slaps him. Of course, we know he burps all over the effing place as well. He’s a great guy, He’s had a great career. As I said, he’s in the Hall of Fame for that fight that he had with Diego Sanchez. Yeah, off it. Nate Diaz-Clay Guida 2. Fucking Clay deserves it. That would be amazing to see.”

    Michael Bisping makes a good point about how much fun a rematch between Nate Diaz and Clay Guida would be, especially considering it has been 12 years since their first fight, which ended as a split decision for Guida. That said, like Bisping noted, the UFC may not be too keen on making this fight happen.

    You can watch the full podcast with Michael Bisping below:

    https://youtu.be/YGzEY2CCUGI

  • Hardy Roots For Rival Woodley To Beat Paul & Set Up A Trilogy

    Former UFC welterweight Dan Hardy is rooting for Tyron Woodley to exact revenge on Jake Paul in their upcoming rematch and set up a trilogy with “The Problem Child.”

    Paul, a YouTube star who’s made a crossover venture into the squared circle, has built an unbeaten 4-0 boxing record. Increasing his level of competition with each appearance, the 24-year-old has defeated fellow internet personality AnEsonGib, former NBA star Nate Robinson, former ONE and Bellator welterweight titleholder Ben Askren, and former 170-pound UFC champion Woodley.

    In his fifth match, Paul was slated to face undefeated professional boxer Tommy Fury on December 18. The bout would have represented the Cleveland native’s first matchup with a pro pugilist, and offered an opportunity for him to further legitimize his journey in the ring.

    But this week, news broke that Fury had pulled out due to a bacterial chest infection and a broken rib. In his place on short notice, Woodley has stepped in. Despite previously claiming he’d never face “The Chosen One” again, Paul’s hand has been forced by Fury’s withdrawal.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXJZxbwrxTI/

    Woodley Has An Unlikely Supporter

    Following the revelation that Woodley will be getting an unlikely rematch with Paul, his fellow former UFC welterweight Dan Hardy gave his take on the development during an appearance on Submission Radio.

    “The Outlaw,” who competed in the UFC between 2008 and 2012, admitted he was disappointed to see his countryman Fury drop out of the original match. However, he’s excited to see Woodley have the chance for redemption, and even suggested he’ll be rooting for the 39-year-old to secure a win and set up a trilogy with Paul.

    “I’m a bit disappointed because I was looking forward to the Tommy Fury/Jake Paul fight to be honest. But I’m glad that Tyron’s getting his rematch. It’s a second opportunity he may never have got otherwise.

    “I’m looking forward to seeing that. I hope he pulls the trigger this time. So, get one back, and then he can set up the trilogy fight… I think he’ll be a little bit more aggressive, certainly in the opening rounds. I think he’ll try and crack him with that shot, was it the fifth round he caught him and nearly put him through the ropes? If he’d have thrown a few more of those, then (with) those kind of shots, he might have got him out of there. I think that’s the smart way to go.”

    Hardy’s remarks come despite his ongoing rivalry with Woodley, which has developed over social media in recent months. The pair were even expected to settle their differences in the boxing ring next year before Woodley’s rematch with “The Problem Child” was announced.

    Nevertheless, Hardy played down the feud, claiming he has no issue with Woodley and is happy to see him getting paid, something he doesn’t believe his “rap game” was capable of doing.

    “I’m just indifferent. People misunderstand a lot of the time when they watch my breakdowns and stuff. I like to poke and prod people, especially when they’re reacting, but I don’t really care. Tyron can say what he likes about me. If he wants to fight, I’ll fight him. As long as he knows that’s the fact then I’m happy.

    “I have no issue with Tyron, I hope he gets one back. I hope he gets one back and then he gets the trilogy match because, hey, why not? That stuff is gonna pay the bills, certainly more than his rap game is, let’s be honest. You know, why not swim around this pool a little bit longer and catch a few paychecks.”

    Will you be supporting Tyron Woodley on December 18 like Dan Hardy?

  • Jon Jones Targets Two Specific Return Dates & Clarifies Gym Situation

    Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has clarified his gym situation and revealed two potential months in which we could see him return to the Octagon.

    Jones, a former two-time 205-pound UFC titleholder who has a firm place in the GOAT conversation, hasn’t been in action since February 2020. After defending the title three times against Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos, and Dominick Reyes following his return to the throne in 2018, Jones vacated the gold in order to pursue a fresh challenge at heavyweight.

    After failed negotiations for a blockbuster fight with Francis Ngannou, a public feud with the UFC, and yet another troubling arrest, Jones looks back on track for his transition to heavyweight. He will, however, be doing it without the guidance of Mike Winkeljohn. The coach suspended “Bones” from his gym following his arrest for battery domestic violence in September.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWzS1xmFGOX/

    Following that development, Jones announced he’d joined Jackson’s MMA Acoma, a gym affiliated with coach Greg Jackson. However, he was then seen joining up with former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo and the Fight Ready team over in Arizona.

    During a recent interview with KRQE News, Jones clarified his current situation, confirming he’ll be representing both teams moving forward.

    “As far as fighting, I feel like I’m in tremendous shape. I’m excited to still be representing Albuquerque, New Mexico. I just recently joined with a team called Fight Ready out of Arizona. So I’ll be representing both teams moving forward.”

    Jones Sets His Sights On An April Or July Comeback

    Prior to his most recent arrest, Jones was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing for his 2013 barnburner with Alexander Gustafsson. While speaking to media at the ceremony, the 34-year-old revealed he was targeting a return to the Octagon in the second quarter of 2022.

    In his interaction with KRQE News, Jones provided a more specific estimation for his highly-anticipated comeback. The exact date, he said, depends on the outcome of the heavyweight unification bout set for UFC 270 in January.

    “I’m looking to fight somewhere in April, possibly Madison Square Garden, or total opposite date, possibly July at International Fight Week. So those are the two dates that I’m eying. I think it’ll depend on who wins in January between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane, and we’ll just take it from there.”

    While Jones has made his desire to fight Ngannou known, a bout many expected to take place this year, the rise of Gane as an undefeated and unique heavyweight has certainly made a fight between the Frenchman and Jones an intriguing prospect.

    It’ll be interesting to see whether the former light heavyweight champ and the UFC hold onto their desire to book a fight with Ngannou if “The Predator” leaves UFC 270 without the gold, or instead switch to a title fight with “Bon Gamin.”

    Who would you rather see Jon Jones debut at heavyweight against, Ciryl Gane or Francis Ngannou?

  • Raulian Paiva Believes He Will Make O’Malley “Wimp Out” At UFC 269

    Raulian Paiva feels he knows the way to beat Sean O’Malley at UFC 269.

    There is an exciting bantamweight matchup on the card this weekend at UFC 269. Sean O’Malley will be taking on Raulian Paiva on the main card portion of the event. O’Malley has been successful at making himself known in the MMA world. He is a fan favorite both inside the cage and out. However, his opponent Paiva feels that he may be too much show and not enough fight.

    Paiva spoke to MMA Fighting a bit about his game plan coming into this bout against O’Malley, and how he feels he can be victorious.

    “He lost when he fought a top fighter. Marlon Vera is very experienced, has many fights in the UFC, he put pressure over him and that’s it,” Paiva said. “He wimped out, got desperate and that happened, he got TKO’d. … There are fighters that only know how to hit but drop in performance when they are under pressure, and that’s what I see in O’Malley.

    Paiva came to the UFC in 2019 after a win on The Dana White Contender Series. He has now won three in a row, most recently a decision victory over Kyler Phillips in July. O’Malley has had a similar journey as Paiva. He was awarded a contract on DWCS and has now only lost one fight in the UFC. Despite his stellar record, Paiva sees holes in O’Malley’s game and plans to expose them.

    “If you give him space he’ll do his thing, but he’ll start to get desperate and make mistakes more and more if you don’t give him space,” Paiva said. “That’s basically what I’ll do. I’ll make him make mistakes at his own game. I’m going there to pressure him from the first to the third round, if we get to the third round.”

    UFC 269 takes place on Dec. 11 live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    Do you think Raulian Paiva’s game plan for defeating Sean O’Malley will work at UFc 269?

  • Julianna Peña: “I Don’t Give An F” About Your Predictions

    As Julianna Peña prepares for her upcoming UFC title bout she isn’t listening to the haters.

    Julianna Peña has a date set for her first shot at the UFC bantamweight title. She will be taking on Amanda Nunes this weekend at the UFC 269 event. Peña has come a long way since she first got her start in the UFC as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter, but she believes that people are not giving her the credit she deserves.

    “Nobody is counting me in as far as winning the fight. Everybody’s against me. No one is rooting for me,” Peña told Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour. “And literally, the whole world, it feels like, is against me. And that’s just kind of the way that it’s always been for me. It’s like everybody has always counted me out. They counted me out on The Ultimate Fighter. They’ve counted me out my entire career. No one ever takes me seriously. They’re willing to lose, but they don’t want to lose to me. And I just think that you cannot let what these people say get to you.”

    Peña has a lot to be proud of so far in her MMA career. She was the first female to win The Ultimate Fighter and has gone on to have a great UFC career. She is the #1 contender in the bantamweight division and after taking some time off to give birth to her daughter, has risen back up to secure a fight against Nunes. Peña is outspoken and isn’t one to hold back her feelings. She isn’t taking any hate in from the media of fans in the lead-up to this fight.

    “If I paid attention to every negative thing that somebody said, I would have needed to jump out of a window a long time ago,” Peña explained. “You gotta have thick skin in this business. And what you think or what this person thinks or Joe Blow or this guy and that, it’s none of my business. I know what I can do. I know what I’m capable of doing. And what you think about me is none of my business. I don’t give an F what other people think. It’s what I know and what’s in my heart. And in my heart and what I know is: I’m a champion, and I’m gonna be a champion, and I am the champion.”

    Peña has a tough test ahead of her as she looks to dethrone Nunes. Nunes hasn’t lost a bout in seven years. She currently holds the belt in two divisions and has taken out some of the best female fighters in history, including Cris Cyborg, Ronda Rousey, and Miesha Tate.

    Do you think Julianna Peña will have what it takes to defeat Amanda Nunes at UFC 269?

  • Holly Holm Reacts To Boxing Hall Of Fame Induction: ‘I Am Truly Humbled’

    Holly Holm is going to be a part of the 2022 class in the Boxing Hall of Fame.

    The former UFC bantamweight champion is known for her incredible striking ability that has led to her winning some of the biggest fights in the sport’s history. Because of this, it is easy for some fans to forget that prior to switching to MMA, Holm had incredible credentials in the world of boxing too. She was 33-2 overall, winning WBF, WBC, IBA, and WIBA belts during this time.

    However, the world of boxing has not forgotten about her accomplishments and has actually decided to induct her as part of the 2022 class for the Boxing Hall of Fame. She will be joining the likes of Roy Jones Jr., Miguel Cotto, Regina Halmich, and James Toney, among other non-boxer entires.

    This is a massive honor and something that Holm is proud to have. She took to her Instagram to react to the news, expressing how she was at a loss for words, being selected for induction into the Boxing Hall of Fame.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXM4ashPG0D/

    “I’m sure I’ll have more to say going forward as I am a little lost for words. I am truly humbled and so honored to be acknowledged with the greats of boxing,” Holm wrote. “I couldn’t chase my dreams without such a strong support system. From my coaches, family, friends, management, teammates and fans. I am forever grateful and also even more motivated to achieve so much more in my life. I love combat sports as it will always be a part of who I am. It’s in my blood and I love it! From the bottom of my heart-Thank you!!!!”

    It is great to see that Holly Holm being recognized for her time within the sport of boxing. She is more than deserving of this induction, and it shows the impact that she had in the ring.

  • Sean O’Malley Says Vera Rematch Is “Gonna Happen 100%”

    UFC bantamweight star Sean O’Malley is “100%” certain he’ll have the chance to exact revenge on Marlon Vera in a rematch down the line.

    The pair fought at UFC 252 last August. At the time, O’Malley was unbeaten and riding high off two finishes following his return to action in March that year. In his previous outing, he’d recorded a Knockout of the Year contender against veteran Eddie Wineland. Vera, meanwhile, fell on the wrong side of a tight decision against Song Yadong in his prior appearance, a loss that snapped his five-fight winning streak.

    Upsetting the odds inside the UFC Apex, Vera added the first blemish to O’Malley’s record with a first-round TKO. The stoppage came after the Ecuadorian’s leg kicks appeared to injure “Sugar,” seemingly disabling his foot after connecting with the perennial nerve.

    Since then, both men have had success. After falling short of contention four months later with a defeat to former featherweight champion José Aldo, “Chito” re-established himself as a force to be reckoned with thanks to two impressive wins in 2021. Having avenged his loss to Davey Grant in June, Vera shot closer to the top 10 with a highlight-reel knockout of former 155-pound titleholder Frankie Edgar at UFC 268.

    In the same period, O’Malley rebounded with two wins. A brutal knockout against former hot prospect Thomas Almeida was followed by a record-breaking striking performance against promotional newcomer Kris Moutinho at UFC 264 in July. He’ll have the chance to secure a third victory in 2021 this weekend when he faces Raulian Paiva.

    O’Malley Wants His Revenge

    Despite having a tough opponent in front of him, O’Malley has never been one to shy away from discussing his future plans and possible matchups in the UFC. During a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, “Sugar” was asked about his former foe Vera.

    Addressing the ranked bantamweight’s latest appearance in the Octagon, O’Malley reluctantly admitted it was a good performance, but suggested they wouldn’t be having the conversation had the fight against Edgar lasted another minute.

    “Did he? (look good in his last fight). I did watch, I just didn’t know if you were being serious or not. I thought it was a pretty decent performance. I mean, I thought a minute left he would’ve lost that fight and I don’t think we’d be saying the same thing, but he won, he got the job done, and that’s all that matters. So yeah, I guess you consider that a good performance.”

    When asked if he believes he’ll run it back with “Chito” at some point in the future, O’Malley suggested a rematch with the Ecuadorian is “100%” going to happen at some point. That’s despite Vera’s previous claims that O’Malley already turned down the chance to face him again.

    “Yes, 100%. I think it’s gonna happen 100%… there’s a time and place for that fight, and I think it’s gonna be a big fight. It’s gonna happen. I don’t know when, I don’t know if soon, sooner or later, but it’ll happen,” said O’Malley.

    Despite being unranked, it’s hard to imagine that would come in the way of a possible rematch with Vera. However, “Chito” is setting his targets high for his next outing. He recently called out Aldo for a rematch following the Brazilian’s five-round triumph over Rob Font last weekend.

    Should O’Malley emerge victorious at UFC 269 this Saturday, he’s perhaps only one more victory away from closing the gap on Vera in the rankings and making a second clash a real possibility.

    How do you a think a rematch between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera would play out?

  • Kavanagh Says Potential McGregor/Diaz Trilogy Gives Him ‘Nightmares’

    John Kavanagh and Conor McGregor are planning a comeback but against who?

    Conor McGregor is currently sidelined with a leg injury. Although his timeline for return is not yet specified, he is still talking about his plan of attack. McGregor has stated that he would like to fight for the belt when he is ready to get back in the cage.

    However, his head coach John Kavanagh might have some more realistic ideas. Kavanagh sat down with Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour to discuss options (h/t MMA Fighting).

    “I’ll be honest, the Nate Diaz trilogy is very, very tempting,” Kavanagh said. “It’s a fight that gives me nightmares. The man doesn’t stop coming forward, whether it’s three rounds or five rounds, but it’s an intriguing fight. So that one is definitely very interesting. But also the Tony Ferguson one — it never happened. It was talked about a lot. And Tony still has, I believe, a lot to offer the game. He’s a very unorthodox striker, grappler. I think the buildup would be fun for the fans. So any of those kind of legacy guys.”

    McGregor is the most wanted fighter on the UFc roster. He is constantly being called out by fighters, both in his division and out. He will most likely have his choice of who he wants to fight when he is ready. The only exception could be whoever is holding the belt when that time comes.

    Champion Charles Oliveira and Duston Poirier will be battling it out to see who is the king at 155 pounds on Dec. 11. Whoever wins would probably like to face McGregor next, but now McGregor has lost two in a row and the next shot was already promised to Justin Gaethje. That hasn’t stopped McGregor from dreaming about redemption.

    “We’re still chatting about fighting techniques, all day, every day. He’s still talking about getting that belt again, all day, every day. What can you conclude from this? He loves fighting. He loves mixed martial arts. He loves competition. So let’s get back healthy, let’s get back training, and let’s go on a run in ‘22, and I’m sure there’s some people there with steam coming out of their ears that he’s coming back for that belt, but I’m sorry to upset you — he’s coming back there for that belt, so give me your best shot on Twitter.”

    Who do you want to see Conor McGregor face in his return fight?

  • Amanda Nunes Wants The UFC To Freshen Up ‘Stale’ Division

    Amanda Nunes wants the UFC to shake things up.

    As the champion of both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions, Amanda Nunes has a lot on her plate. She must defend both belts and keep both divisions moving along at a good pace. However, although both belts rest on her shoulders, there is only so much she can do to keep things exciting. Nunes wants the UFC to do something to allow for a more mixed bag of possible opponents.

    “I think we should go out of the mix.” Nunes told Esporte Espetacular. “Some girls have been fighting for a while now, they’re not even top 10 or top 5. They need to have their shots, too. I don’t pick opponents. If I have to fight Germaine, Holly, or anyone, I will, but I think the fans want something new. You have to mix things up. Make some girls face each other, bring some girls who are the bottom of the division, so it doesn’t look so stale like it is.”

    In Nunes’ last 12 bouts she is undefeated at both weight classes. Many of the ladies she has fought are still in the top five of the division and have been working their way back up to title shots. Nunes is calling for the UFC to create more exciting matchups and give the bantamweight division a shakeup. As for the featherweight division, there still aren’t many options or fighters available.

    “I’m always ready to give the fans what they want.” Nunes continued. “A knockout or a submission, a high-paced fight. I think the UFC should shake things up in the division. Look for new talent and maybe bring more girls from other promotions. That’s what we’re waiting for.”

    Nunes is the #1 pound-for-pound female fighter on the planet. At the pace she is going, it looks like she will remain there until she decides to hang up her gloves for good.

    In the meantime, she is using her position at the top and her influence to help get both divisions up and running and allow for more fighters to have the shots they deserve. Nunes will keep doing her job of knocking them down one by one when they do receive that title shot, up next will be Julianna Pena at UFC 269.

    Do you think Nunes will lose again in her tenure as UFC champ?

  • Dariush Predicts Gaethje Will Be Champion When He Earns A Title Shot

    UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush believes that when he earns the right to fight for the title, he’ll be needing to dethrone former interim champion Justin Gaethje.

    Many believe Dariush has already done enough to secure his place opposite the division’s kingpin. Since a 2018 loss to Alexander Hernandez left him 0-2-1 in three outings, the Iranian-born American has built an impressive seven-fight winning streak. During the run, Dariush had his hand raised after highlight-reel knockouts against Drakkar Klose and Scott Holtzman and decision victories over Diego Ferreira and Tony Ferguson.

    Dariush will be looking to ensure he gets his first title shot in the promotion next year. To do so, he’ll have to get past the challenge of surging Dagestani Islam Makhachev. The two top-five lightweights are expected to headline a UFC Fight Night card on February 26.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWyQIc0twjW/

    Dariush Foresees Championship Glory For “The Highlight”

    While both Dariush and Makhachev undoubtedly had a rightful claim to be fighting for gold in their next fights, one man has seemingly cemented his position as number one contender.

    After falling short of the title against Khabib Nurmagomedov last October, Justin Gaethje found himself snubbed of the chance to fight for the vacant gold after “The Eagle” retired, and without an opponent until last month.

    But when he did return to action, he did so in style. At UFC 268, Gaethje faced Michael Chandler, who’d fought for the belt in May against Charles Oliveira. In a Fight of the Year contender, “The Highlight” emerged victorious on the scorecards, likely securing his place opposite the winner of this weekend’s UFC 269 main event between Oliveira and Dustin Poirier in 2022.

    Dariush, who considers Gaethje to be a friend, is tipping the 33-year-old to go all the way. In an interview with ESPN MMA, the 32-year-old predicted that when he fights for the title, it’ll be against the current #2-ranked lightweight contender.

    “Once Justin Gaethje pops into the picture, I would lean heavy towards him, as far the championship fight. So, man, it sucks. I don’t wanna fight a friend, and I do consider Justin a friend; he’s an amazing guy. But I think he’ll be holding the belt when the time comes.”

    Before that scenario comes to fruition, a number of fights will have to play out, starting with this Saturday’s headliner. In his first defense, Oliveira will face the challenge of “The Diamond,” who’s coming off back-to-back victories over Conor McGregor in 2021.

    Do you agree with Beneil Dariush? Do you think he’ll be challenging Justin Gaethje for the title if he beats Islam Makhachev?

  • Jake Paul Put Up 500K KO Bonus To Woodley To End Fraud Rumors

    Jake Paul is putting up some incentive to stop the rumors.

    Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley are officially running it back. Woodley is stepping back into the ring with Paul after Paul’s original opponent, Tommy Fury, was injured. Paul already beat Woodley in their first outing and vowed never to rematch him again.

    However, here they are getting ready to battle again. After the first fight, people accused Paul of fixing his fights, with one rumor stating that it was in Woodley’s contract that he couldn’t KO Paul. So instead, they believe Woodley held back after having Paul on the ropes.

    Tyron Woodley Jake Paul
    (via Amanda Wescott/Showtime)

    To put an end to these rumors, Paul has decided to sweeten Woodley’s deal.

    “You know, there’s rumors going around that everyone has come to believe that my fights are rigged or that I don’t allow my opponents to knock me out in the contracts, and it’s just not true,” Paul said on The MMA Hour. “It’s completely bullshit. Of course, all these people are gonna do is try to discredit me because when you’re at the top, that’s what happens. So I just want to nip the rumors in the (bud) and give my opponent contractual—contractually, I’m giving Tyron an extra $500,000 if he can knock me out.”

    Paul is a YouTuber turned boxer. He has been known as a joker but seems to be taking his boxing career very seriously. He has had high praise from some reputable fighters recently. He has now won four boxing matches and is looking for his fifth. Despite the doubts from fans, Paul is claiming everything is on the up and up, and the 500K bonus proves that.

    “So it just nips the rumors in the (bud) and shows that all of my fights have been real, all real, and will continue to be real. It’s illegal to rig a fight or to stage a fight. It’s illegal to have things like that because it’s fraud. You can’t change the outcome of a professionally sanctioned bout. It’s illegal. You’ll end up in jail. So the fact that people even say this, we just wanted to squash the rumors.”

    Woodley is, of course, a former UFC champion and not necessarily known as a boxer. Although he lost the first outing, he has been campaigning for the rematch ever since. He feels he can defeat Paul in a second go at it.

    Paul vs. Woodley will take place on Dec. 18 in Tampa Bay, FL.

    Do you think Woodley can pull off the win and the KO for the extra $500,000?

  • Bryan Barberena Says, Unlike Nate Diaz, He’s Willing To Fight Anybody

    Bryan Barberena says that, unlike Nate Diaz, he is a true embodiment of what it means to be willing to fight anyone, anytime.

    Prior to this past weekend’s UFC Vegas 44 card, Bryan Barberena was scheduled to face UFC legend Matt Brown in a fight that carried massive Fight of the Night potential. Unfortunately, a COVID-19 contraction forced Brown to withdraw only two weeks out from the brawl. Undeterred, Barberena flew out to Vegas anyway, willing to fight literally anyone the UFC put in front of him.

    That person turned out to be the debuting Darian Weeks. After a rocky start, Barberena was able to break down the 28-year-old upstart en route to a unanimous decision victory. This short-notice free-for-all served as another example of Barberena’s identity as a throwback fighter who is always down to scrap, no questions asked.

    Dave Mandel
    Image Credit: Dave Mandel of Sherdog.com

    The same has often been said of Stockton legend Nate Diaz. Like Barberena, Diaz is often praised for his toughness and his non-discriminating willingness to scrap, regardless of the name or location. However, after Diaz publicly refused to fight “rookie” Khamzat Chimaev, Barberena is more confused by Diaz’s behavior than anything, while he is the one who is truly down to fight anyone (h/t MMA Junkie).

    “I will fight anybody. Nate Diaz, he’s a stud and whatever, but he’s over here like ‘(Khamzhat) Chimaev, you don’t deserve to fight me.’ Man, I’m here to fight everybody. If your name comes on the contract, I’m signing it. I don’t care whose name is on it – I’m signing it because I’m here to fight everybody. … I’m here to test myself against everybody. Bring it on,” Barberena said during his UFC Vegas 44 post-fight media scrum.

    Barberena isn’t the only one to throw shade at Diaz for his rejection of Chimaev. Conor McGregor called Diaz a “bitch” for turning down the fight, and Dana White implied that Diaz simply wants no part of Chimaev.

    As for Barberena, the top name he’d be willing to fight next is the same name he expected to fight last Saturday, another “anywhere, anytime” kind of guy, fellow veteran Matt Brown.

    “I would like to get the Matt Brown matchup back,” Barberena said. “That was kind of a dream matchup. He’s a legend.”

  • Sonnen: Shame On UFC Welterweights For Being Scared Of Chimaev

    Chael Sonnen has his opinion on the UFC welterweights who turn down a fight with Khamzat Chimaev.

    Up and coming star Khamzat Chimaev has been quickly rising up the UFC welterweight ranks. He is looking for a fight with any possible top opponent. He has been calling them out on social media but has not gotten much response. Chael Sonnen has his ideas about the nature of the fight business and feels that perhaps Chimaev’s reputation is what’s keeping opponents from running to the cage against him.

    “There’s a lot of ways to beat a guy, but if you can do it psychologically and you never have to get out there,” Sonnen explained on his Beyond the Fight show. “Dan Henderson had a great line one time, which is Dan was in a bar with somebody, and the guy said, ‘Hey, Dan. If I get in some trouble, you know, will you walk over there, beat this guy down for me?’ And Dan simply said, ‘Why do I need to beat him down when I can stare him down?’ And that rule of life doesn’t go away.”

    Sonnen may be implying that Chimaev’s last few performances have been scaring away his opponents. Since coming to the UFC he has had four fights, all of which were finishes, two KO’s, and two submissions. In just one year, he has risen to number 11 in the rankings. Now, he is trying to call out opponents in the top five, which may be why he is not getting a response, however, Sonnen thinks he is doing the right thing.

    “You can stare a guy down, and he backs down; it is the art of war because the great generals never fire a shot,” Sonnen said. “They don’t need to. They align their troops and make the other people retreat. And if Chimaev is successfully doing that – If less than 20 minutes of action, three double-legs, a rear-naked choke, and a left hook – If that’s going to scare an entire division away in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, then shame on them. Fair play by Chimaev.”

    Sonnen was a big trash talker in his fighting days. He could almost defeat opponents before even facing them by getting in their heads. If he feels Chimaev is planning a similar sort of game plan, then he could be sitting on the sidelines for some time. However, in this day and age, money talks, and maybe the UFC will have to pay up to get a top welterweight to step in against “Borz.”

    Who do you want to see take on Khamzat Chimaev next?

  • Bisping Names 2 Options For McGregor’s Return Other Than Poirier

    Former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping believes there are two leading options for Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon, neither of which is a fourth fight with Dustin Poirier.

    McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion, has been on a significant downfall since his second title crowning in 2016. In the four years that have followed, the Irishman has gone 1-3. His sole victory came at welterweight against veteran Donald Cerrone last January. That success marked a rebound from his crushing loss to arch-rival Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018.

    After re-entering the win column, McGregor would have hoped to return to lightweight title contention in 2021. Instead, the 33-year-old was knocked out for the first time, saw his 1-0 record against Dustin Poirier collapse to 1-2, and suffered a gruesome broken leg. Since sustaining the injury at UFC 264, McGregor has been on the sidelines, tangling with celebrities in public and fellow fighters on social media.

    Bisping Advises McGregor Against 4th Poirier Fight

    In recent weeks, talk of a McGregor return has certainly picked up. Having consistently provided updates on his recovery through training footage, it’s clear the former double champ is deep into the healing process. With that in mind, McGregor recently revealed his hope to begin full MMA sparring again in April 2022, with his return to the cage imminent after that.

    The options for McGregor’s comeback seem plentiful. As well as potential clashes with Michael Chandler and Max Holloway, both of whom have expressed interest in welcoming MMA’s biggest superstar back to the Octagon, a potential fourth collision with Poirier remains a possibility. If “The Diamond” dethrones Charles Oliveira at UFC 269 this weekend, that could see McGregor fighting for gold upon his return, something he guaranteed would be the case in a recent Twitter post.

    Despite those choices, UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping has given McGregor some different advice. Suggesting against the Poirier tetralogy during a recent Q&A on his YouTube channel, “The Count” said McGregor should either complete his trilogy with Nate Diaz or face former interim champ Tony Ferguson.

    “For McGregor, when he comes back, he needs to think carefully about who he fights next. If Dustin Poirier beats Charles Oliveira next week and Dustin becomes the champion, of course Justin Gaethje’s going to step in and he gets the next shot. But then there’s Islam Makhachev and the whole list of people at lightweight that want to fight for the belt. But McGregor, being who he is, McGregor being the biggest star the sport has ever seen, he may get that privilege to where he can fight Dustin Poirier for the belt because they have unfinished business. They are two and one in Dustin’s favor, but the way the last fight ended with McGregor breaking his leg does give a reason, does give explanation to the subject that perhaps they should do a fourth fight.

    “McGregor brings in eyeballs like nobody else so there is a possibility. My advice would be don’t do that. I think he should try and get his mojo back, get comfortable with the octagon again, because it’s a long layoff. Nate Diaz may be the perfect person or even Tony Ferguson.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

    Conor McGregor Nate Diaz
    Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz

    With Nate Diaz having just one fight remaining on his contract, and with heavy talk of a departure from the promotion, it appears that if the UFC wishes to book a third fight between the Stockton native and McGregor, it’ll have to be the highest priority for when the Irishman is ready to return.

    On the other hand, McGregor vs. Ferguson is a matchup that would have been mouth-watering a number of years ago. Having lost three consecutive fights against Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Beneil Dariush, the idea of Ferguson facing McGregor has perhaps lost its appeal slightly. Nevertheless, it would certainly make sense given the rankings, and would give one man a path back towards the lightweight top five.

    Who do you think Conor McGregor should face when he returns to the Octagon?

  • Poirier Believes Oliveira Deserves More Respect: “Man, Raise The Guy Up”

    Dustin Poirier believes fans and fighters need to put some respect on lightweight champ Charles Oliveira’s name.

    On December 11, Poirier will make his second attempt to win the lightweight belt when he faces Oliveira at UFC 269. Since his first title bout loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2019, the 32-year-old has won three in a row, including a victory over Dan Hooker and back-to-back wins against Conor McGregor.

    Oliveria will be looking to make his first title defence since defeating Chandler to claim the vacant belt in May. However some argue that victory, Oliveria’s ninth in a row, came only as a result of Poirier turning down the original offer to fight for the vacant belt. Instead of UFC gold, the “Diamond” chose to pursue a second big money fight with McGregor.

    Many now believe the onus is on Oliveria to prove his legitimacy as champ by defeating Poirier, who some consider the unofficial title holder. And as if that’s not enough, questions regarding the Brazilian’s mental strength have been consistently raised, most most notably by Justin Gaethje who recently branded Oliveira a “quitter,”  and on that basis, favors Poirier to claim the title. Chandler has similarly slapped the quitter title on “Do Bronx.”

    Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler

    Poirier Defends Oliveira From Claims That He Isn’t A Worthy Champion

    Oliveria may be lacking respect from some of his lightweight peers, but not from the man who will attempt to dethrone him next month. Speaking to The MMA Hour, Poirier defended the honor of Oliveria as champion, saying that in knocking out Chandler, he accomplished something his chief critic, Gaethje, couldn’t.

    “Dude, the thing about fighting is: Every time the bell rings, we get a live, real-time appraisal,” said Poirier. “We change from fight to fight. Things happen. We’re in different mental spaces. We’re in different physical positions and in shape or injuries. There’s a lot of things that go on behind the scenes, but the beautiful thing is every time that bell rings, it’s an appraisal in front of the world. And if we’re going off his last appraisal, the guy got hurt and showed grit, came back, won a fight, knocked a former world champion out, something Gaethje didn’t do just recently.”

    Dustin Poirier
    Image Credit: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    The “Diamond” believes Oliveira deserves far more respect from fans and fighters, and that he’s under no illusions that come December 11, the Brazilian won’t put up a good fight.

    “He did get pressed. He got hurt. He almost got finished. The bell rang, he came back, and won a world championship,” said Poirier. “I’m not here to put anybody down or talk bad about people. Man, people love to try to shit on people. Man, raise the guy up. He’s the world champion. It’s a tough task, and I’m doing everything I can to put myself in position to compete the best on December 11 for 25 minutes and be the world champion, a goal I set out from a very young age. And that’s just it, dude. I don’t really play into all this that much.”

    If Oliveira’s critics only remembered the adversity he overcome early in his UFC career, and consider his current phenomenal win-streak, Poirier believes they would truly see how worthy a champion he is.

    “It’s one thing to get into this organization and make it to the top, but it’s another thing to do it for a decade like he’s done. That shows that this guy’s a fighter,” said Poirier.

    What do you think? Does Charles Oliveria deserve more respect as champ?

  • Oliveira Ready To Show Who “The Real Champ” Is At UFC 269

    Charles Oliveira says he’ll prove who the “real” lightweight king is this weekend to those who continue to brand his upcoming opponent Dustin Poirier as the ‘uncrowned champion’.

    Despite an incredible journey to the top, Oliveira is seemingly being undervalued and delegitimized as champion by many, including top contender Justin Gaethje. The Brazilian believes they’ll regret underrating him come December 11 when he makes his first title defense.

    “Do Bronx” had UFC gold wrapped around his waist for the first time at UFC 262 in May. After Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement, Oliveira challenged for the vacant belt against former three-time Bellator titleholder Michael Chandler. Having looked close to being finished in the opening round, Oliveira overcame adversity to secure a second-round finish inside Houston’s Toyota Center.

    The heart-warming championship crowning came in Oliveira’s 28th Octagon outing. Not many fighters have personified the idea that hard work pays off quite like the Sao Paulo native. He’ll look to continue his story by fending off the challenge of Poirier in this weekend’s main event.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWlcJc0FVbd/

    Oliveira: “The Belt Has An Owner”

    Leaving Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena with the title will certainly be no easy task for Oliveira. Poirier is widely regarded as the best lightweight in the world, and will enter the blockbuster year-ending pay-per-view off the back of two victories over former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor.

    With that in mind, many in the combat sports community perceive “The Diamond” to be a heavy favorite for this Saturday’s headliner. Given his decision to pass up on a shot to challenge for the vacant title in favor of a money trilogy fight with McGregor, the narrative that Poirier is the uncrowned lightweight titleholder has been thrown around a lot.

    But for Oliveira, that couldn’t be further from the truth. During a recent interview with TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, “Do Bronx” promised to show he belongs on the 155-pound throne at UFC 269.

    “People love Dustin. Like you said, he’s seen as the uncrowned champion. But I’ll show on Saturday who the real champion is; that the belt has an owner, and his name is Charles Oliveira. I’m happy with this fight, I’m ready, and I’ll show that on Saturday.” (Via a translator)

    Having been treated to a barnburner between former title challenger Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler at UFC 268 last month, this weekend’s event will mark another pay-per-view featuring a crucial clash in the lightweight division. It stands to reason the victor will be defending the gold against “The Highlight” in the second quarter of 2022.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 269, Charles Oliveira or Dustin Poirier?

  • Jon Jones Responds To Narrative That He’s Wasted His Prime

    Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has denied the claim he’s wasted his prime years in MMA by sitting on the sidelines for the best past of two years.

    Jones, who is widely regarded as one of the leading contenders in the GOAT conversation, hasn’t been in action since UFC 247 last February. After returning from suspension in December 2018 and capturing the vacant 205-pound gold with a victory over Alexander Gustafsson, “Bones” tied Demetrious Johnson’s record for the most title defense thanks to wins against Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos, and Dominick Reyes.

    Following a narrow unanimous decision triumph over “The Devastator,” Jones vacated the belt in order to pursue a move up to heavyweight. Since then, we’ve seen a blockbuster title fight between the 34-year-old and Francis Ngannou collapse after failed negotiations, and another worrying arrest added to the record of Jones.

    Nevertheless, Jones appears as eager as ever to make his comeback and has consistently posted footage from training as his ongoing heavyweight preparation continues. He’s even been training with Henry Cejudo over at the Fight Ready gym.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWzPqr-J0t6/

    Jones: “The Story Is Far From Over”

    While lengthy layoffs are nothing new for Jon Jones, the fact he’s looking to debut at a new weight after so long away from the Octagon, coupled with his personal troubles, has left many fans and pundits doubting the former two-time champ’s ability to return to the top of the food chain.

    In a recent Twitter exchange, one user suggested that Jones, who they see as the greatest athlete of all time, has been wasting his prime years by staying outside the Octagon. That view clearly wasn’t shared by the man himself.

    In response, Jones pointed out that he’s returned from stints away from the sport and still found incredible success. “Bones” expects that to continue when he eventually makes his first appearance at heavyweight.

    “Nothing is a guarantee my guy, even with years of inactivity I’ve been able to achieve some pretty outstanding records that are still holding to this day. And the story is far from over, I got a lot more winning to do.”

    Prior to his recent arrest, in which he was charged with battery domestic violence and injuring and tampering with a vehicle, Jones was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing. While speaking to media at the ceremony, the Rochester native revealed he was targeting a return to action in the second quarter of 2022.

    With champion Francis Ngannou and interim titleholder Ciryl Gane set to collide in a unification bout at UFC 270, it stands to reason Jones could be in line to challenge the winner later in the year. That, of course, depends on the UFC’s willingness to meet his remuneration demands, and his upcoming court date in January.

    Do you think Jon Jones can reach the top of the UFC heavyweight division?