MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • Why Does Alex Pereira Want to Fight Jon Jones? It’s More Than Just Money, Says UFC Insider

    Why Does Alex Pereira Want to Fight Jon Jones? It’s More Than Just Money, Says UFC Insider

    MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on why he firmly believes Alex Pereira actually wants to fight Jon Jones.

    Alex Pereira is once again the UFC light heavyweight champion after he knocked out Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 320. In the aftermath of the event, he let the masses know that he’s very interested in the idea of battling Jon Jones at some point in the future.

    In a recent video, Chael Sonnen highlighted why he believes Pereira genuinely wants to fight Jones, as opposed to those who have called him out even if they don’t actually want to fight him.

    Chael Sonnen on Alex Pereira wanting to fight Jon Jones

    “I don’t believe anybody’s ever wanted to fight Jon Jones. You’ll find a couple of people that said it. I don’t believe them. I think Alex Pereira might be the first person to ever call out Jon Jones where I actually think they want to fight Jon. This isn’t about a main event. This isn’t about Madison Square Garden. This isn’t about pay-per-view points and legacy. They actually want to fight Jon Jones. X’s and O’s, my skills versus your skills—just so we know, just so we can go on through this journey known as life and have the answer to this question: Can I beat you or can you beat me? I mean, it is extremely honorable.”

    “Don’t tell me money. Pereira’s rich. Pereira has the number one contract in the UFC. I don’t count Conor because Conor is not currently licensed. Just so you know, Pereira has the number one contract. Before Pereira had that, the highest paid fighter was Israel Adesanya. And within that mix is Khabib. The most beautiful contract was, aside from McGregor, then came Khabib, and then Pereira got in the mix and here we are. 

    “So, we move money out. Everybody wants money and you want more money. I get it. But let’s just move money out. Whatever Pereira does next—and by the way, fighting Jon Jones collectively compared to whatever else Pereira can do, it’s not as substantial as one might think. So, let’s move money out. He’s going to get money either way.”

    “A legit, true competitor who legitimately, behind the fame and the money and the cameras, wants to know: Am I better than you or are you better than me? I can live with the outcome. I don’t want to have to live with the wonder; was it you or was it me? Life moves on either way. But I don’t want to be under contract with you at the same time in this era with an ability to get to the ring—whatever that ability is. 

    “If it means I’ve got to come to your weight class, if it means you’re coming to mine, if it means there’s no belt or I’ve got to put up my belt, whatever the stakes, let’s get this to the ring. And it is such an honorable thing. It is where this sport started.”

  • Carlos Ulberg Explains The Reason Why Alex Pereira Won’t Fight Him

    Carlos Ulberg Explains The Reason Why Alex Pereira Won’t Fight Him

    UFC star Carlos Ulberg has explained why he seemingly doesn’t believe he’ll end up fight Alex Pereira for the UFC light heavyweight championship.

    As we know, Carlos Ulberg has been on the rise for quite some time now in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. He has been on a great win streak and in his last outing, he knocked Dominick Reyes out cold to make a real statement about what the future holds for him at 205 pounds. Then, at UFC 320, he was cageside to watch Alex Pereira recapture the UFC light heavyweight crown.

    Carlos Ulberg, understandably, is considered to be one of the frontrunners in the ‘who gets to fight Pereira’ stakes. It would make a lot of sense given his win streak, but ‘Poatan’ may well have other plans, including a possible heavyweight move or even a third showdown with Jiri Prochazka.

    In a recent interview, Carlos Ulberg gave his thoughts on what Pereira is likely to do next in his career.

    Carlos Ulberg discusses Alex Pereira’s future

    “If Pereira gets that win, I believe he wants to move up to heavyweight and go for three belts in different divisions. That would be huge, especially as he’s getting older and likely planning to move on from fighting eventually— but wanting to grab that heavyweight title first.”

    Ulberg is a realistic guy and he knows that there are a lot of different directions this could go in. Either way, though, it’d be surprising if he isn’t fighting for the belt next.

  • New Opponent, But Charles Oliveira Doesn’t Care: “It Doesn’t Matter Who It Is”

    New Opponent, But Charles Oliveira Doesn’t Care: “It Doesn’t Matter Who It Is”

    UFC legend Charles Oliveira doesn’t care about his change in opponent as he prepares to battle Mateusz Gamrot tonight.

    In the main event of UFC Rio, Charles Oliveira returns home to Brazil. He will go head to head with Mateusz Gamrot as he attempts to get back in the win column following his devastating knockout loss at the hands of Ilia Topuria. Originally, though, the plan was for him to face off against Rafael Fiziev, only for him to pull out of the bout.

    Now, Gamrot is stepping up to the plate in an attempt to secure the biggest win of his career thus far. For Charles Oliveira, this is all about proving that he still has what it takes to mix it up with the very best at 155 pounds. If he loses again, and decisively, questions will start to be asked about his long-term future in mixed martial arts.

    Ahead of the fight later tonight, Charles Oliveira made it known that the change in opponent isn’t going to impact him or his preparation.

    The opponent doesn’t matter for Charles Oliveira

    “It’s a completely different fight, but it doesn’t matter who it is. What matters is how happy I am, how ready I am, and how motivated I am for this fight.”

    ‘Do Bronx’ is the definition of a fan favorite and over the years, he’s done some incredible things in the sport – which includes being a former UFC lightweight champion. Who knows, maybe he’s got one more run in him.

  • Former UFC Fighter Suman Mokhtarian Killed In Sydney Amid Reported Gang-Related Attack

    Former UFC Fighter Suman Mokhtarian Killed In Sydney Amid Reported Gang-Related Attack

    Former UFC fighter Suman Mokhtarian has sadly passed away.

    On Wednesday, The Daily Telegraph first reported that Mokhtarian was shot dead in Riverstone, New South Wales, Sydney, around 6 P.M. local time, suffering gunshot wounds to the upper torso. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and tried to save him, but tragically, he could not be revived.

    According to reports, Mokhtarian was out for an evening walk when bystanders heard multiple gunshots fired from a red Audi. New South Wales police are investigating the incident and remain on the lookout for the shooter, with authorities suggesting the attack may have been targeted or linked to gang activity.

    Tragically, this was not the first time the late 33-year-old fighter’s life was threatened. In February 2024, a gunman, disguised as a delivery worker, allegedly tried to shoot Mokhtarian outside Australian Top Team in Wentworthville, firing at close range while children’s classes were underway.

    Additionally, in April, authorities in New South Wales canceled the inaugural event of the upstart Dark Matter Fighting Championship, where Suman Mokhtarian was scheduled to coach multiple fighters, due to concerns over a possible gang-related attack.

    Image: @Suman_att/X

    What Was Suman Mokhtarian’s MMA Record?

    Suman Mokhtarian competed in Season 27 of The Ultimate Fighter as a member of Team Miocic in the featherweight division. Although he lost his opening bout against Ricky Steele via unanimous decision, the UFC still saw enough potential to offer him a contract.

    Mokhtarian made his Octagon debut at UFC Adelaide in December 2018, suffering a first-round knockout at the hands of Sodiq Yusuff. The Australian returned a year later at UFC Busan, where he faced SeungWoo Choi and lost via unanimous decision, which ultimately became the final fight of his MMA career.

    Mokhtarian held a professional MMA record of 8-2, with six of those victories coming by submission.

    Image: @Suman_att/X

  • Sean Strickland: Khamzat Chimaev is a “little f***ing p*ssy”

    UFC star Sean Strickland has gone after UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev in his most recent rant.

    We all know that Sean Strickland is a pretty controversial character. He says and does things that rub people the wrong way more often than not, but given that he’s a former world champion himself, it’s hard to discredit him too much. Right now, it’s Khamzat Chimaev that’s at the top of the middleweight division, and it certainly seems as if that bothers Sean just a little bit.

    A fight between these two would be interesting, and that goes without saying. Sean Strickland has trained with Khamzat in the past, and given where they’re both at in their respective careers, it’s not that hard to imagine it happening at some point in the future.

    If it does, we imagine Sean Strickland will have more than a few things to say, especially given the contents of this interview.

    Sean Strickland goes after Khamzat Chimaev

    “Yeah, dude. F*** Chimaev, dude. Made me realize I should wrestle, dude. You know, dude, that little f***ing pussy, dude. I can’t stand f***ing Chimaev. You son of a bitch. You know, I think what annoys me about Chimaev, there’s nobody that could beat him. 

    “You know, like I’ve trained with all the guys he’s going to fight, like I’ve trained with Chimaev, dude, for one round, the guy could grapple for one round, dude. Once you—once you get over that one round of scramble, he just quits. It just turns into a kickboxing match like what he did with the 155er or the 170er or what’s his name? Gilbert.”

  • Did Conor McGregor Knowingly Avoid Testing to Get Out of Fighting? Evidence and Speculation Mounts

    Did Conor McGregor Knowingly Avoid Testing to Get Out of Fighting? Evidence and Speculation Mounts

    MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has speculated that Conor McGregor may have intentionally avoided his planned drug tests.

    As we know, Conor McGregor has accepted a backdated 18-month suspension for violating the UFC anti-doping policy. While this does mean that he’ll be eligible to return in time for the UFC White House card, which has been his plan for a while now, it certainly raised a few eyebrows.

    Conor McGregor knows how to keep the mixed martial arts world on their toes, and that much is an understatement. Nobody really knows what his next move is going to be and because of that, there’s often a lot of speculation when he does do something.

    In a recent video, Chael Sonnen had the following to say about McGregor’s most recent controversy.

    Chael Sonnen’s view on Conor McGregor’s ban

    “Once he gets three, the way that’s going to be handled is before that is made public to any of you, they are going to reach resolution. And this is the part where I must tell you I am stuck: the conversation of Conor being booked for next year’s White House event would not have been a conversation if this information was known.”

    “I believe he was likely where they went. I believe he was on the other side of the door. I believe he willfully didn’t answer that door. I don’t have evidence of any of that, but if somebody’s asking me the question— is this an elaborate way to avoid a fight?—while I lean towards no, there are only a few possibilities.”

    “Who knew that Conor had this coming? Once there’s three hits, there isn’t a defense to that. You will have a hearing and you could raise your excuse, your reason, but in the history of drug testing, there’s never been somebody that’s attempted to defend that, that’s attempted to come in and say, ‘I was there. They didn’t knock loud enough.’”

  • Joe Pyfer Calls Out Paulo Costa For Next Bout: “A dream fight”

    Joe Pyfer Calls Out Paulo Costa For Next Bout: “A dream fight”

    UFC middleweight contender Joe Pyfer has made it known that he’d be interested in a dream fight against Paulo Costa for his next outing.

    In recent years, Joe Pyfer has been seen as a real prospect in the UFC’s middleweight division. While there have been a few hiccups along the way, he’s still one of the biggest power punchers at 185 pounds – and on Saturday night, he even proved his grappling prowess when he was able to submit Abus Magomedov at UFC 320.

    While he didn’t have a great first round, it doesn’t matter. Joe Pyfer picked up the victory and now, he’s setting his sights on even greater things. Of course, at middleweight, things are a bit up in the air right now in the wake of Khamzat Chimaev winning the belt from Dricus du Plessis.

    In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Joe Pyfer had the following to say about his immediate future and what he wants next.

    Joe Pyfer calls for Paulo Costa showdown

    “Paulo Costa would be a dream fight, but he’s so inactive—he’s fought once or twice in two years. I’d rather face hungry, active guys like Marvin Vettori, Jared Cannonier, or Roman Dolidze. One more finish in the top 15, and I can fight anyone in the top 10.”

    Pyfer still has a long way to go before he’s viewed as a legitimate title threat, but at this moment in time, there aren’t too many better middleweight prospects out there – and that should be reassuring for him.

  • Justin Gaethje Refused Offer to Face Top-Ranked Arman Tsarukyan: “He knows he could lose to me”

    Justin Gaethje Refused Offer to Face Top-Ranked Arman Tsarukyan: “He knows he could lose to me”

    Arman Tsarukyan believes that Justin Gaethje turned down the opportunity to battle him in a number one contender fight.

    Right now, Justin Gaethje is at a crossroads in his mixed martial arts career. It’s been well documented that he believes he deserves a shot at Ilia Topuria and the UFC lightweight championship, but as of this writing, nothing has been set in stone. Of course, Arman Tsarukyan also felt as if he should’ve gotten the call for a title shot, but instead, he’ll be facing Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar.

    Justin Gaethje vs Arman Tsarukyan would be a whole lot of fun and that much goes without saying. In equal measure, ‘The Highlight’ is one of the most devastating strikers in the lightweight division, and he poses a different kind of threat to Ilia Topuria if the two do wind up squaring off at some point in the future.

    In a recent interview, Tsarukyan had the following to say about Justin Gaethje – and Dan Hooker.

    Arman Tsarukyan believes Justin Gaethje avoided him

    “I heard Gaethje said no and Hooker said yes… Gaethje would be better but for me doesn’t matter. Both of them are easy money for me.

    “[Gaethje] knows he could lose to me.”

    Tsarukyan and Gaethje have different styles, but either way, Ilia Topuria is the one to beat right now. Hopefully, we get some kind of answer soon, because ‘El Matador’ is on an absolute tear right now – and this may be Gaethje’s last chance at undisputed gold.

  • Ilia Topuria Can’t Avoid Me Any Longer – Arman Tsarukyan on Dan Hooker Match

    Ilia Topuria Can’t Avoid Me Any Longer – Arman Tsarukyan on Dan Hooker Match

    Arman Tsarukyan has said that he knows he can defeat UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria as he prepares to collide with Dan Hooker.

    As we know, Ilia Topuria is the current king of the lightweight division. He earned that title by knocking out Charles Oliveira, which came on the heels of him doing the same thing to Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. In short, ‘El Matador’ is putting together the kind of run that could one day lead to him being viewed as one of the greatest of all time.

    Of course, there are always going to be contenders who are ready to step up – and this time, it’s Arman Tsarukyan. Well, he’d like it to be him, but before he can try and dethrone Ilia Topuria, he first needs to try and get through Dan Hooker. While this may seem like a one-sided fight to some, Hooker has been on a real roll lately and seems to have one last title push left in him.

    In a recent interview, Tsarukyan had the following to say about a possible collision with Ilia Topuria.

    Arman Tsarukyan goes after Ilia Topuria

    “Only I can beat Ilia Topuria in our division. Everybody knows that—that’s why the UFC tries to keep us apart. But if I perform and finish Hooker, they can’t avoid me anymore.”

    Tsarukyan is certainly confident in his abilities and that much is clear for everyone to see. In equal measure, Topuria has looked like an absolute machine since entering the UFC.

    What’s going to give? We’ll have to wait and see.

  • Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, Episode 9 Highlights As 6 Awarded UFC Contracts

    Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, Episode 9 Highlights As 6 Awarded UFC Contracts

    The latest season of Dana White’s Contender Series continued with one of the best episodes in the show’s history tonight in Las Vegas.

    DWCS began in 2017 and has produced a notable number of fighters currently on the UFC’s roster. Since the show’s inception in 2017, a couple have even gone on to claim UFC championships. Known as “The ultimate job interview,” DWCS features five fights weekly, over the course of 10 weeks, as combatants compete to impress UFC CEO and President Dana White and earn a UFC contract.

    Last year’s edition saw 42 fighters earn a contract with the world’s leading MMA organization across 10 events, slightly down from the 46 handed out in 2023. Episode nine of season nine this week saw six prospects earn the opportunity to taste the Octagon’s bright lights.

    Luke Fernandez made a statement to open the action, scoring one of the fastest knockouts in the history of Dana White’s Contender Series. In mere seconds, he landed a left jab and a right hand that cracked Rafael Pergentino on the jaw. A few follow-up shots later, and Fernandez earned the win and a UFC contract.

    Luis Felipe Dias continued the finishes with a submission win over Donavon Hedrick. Dias quickly worked his way to Hedrick’s back to start the fight and seemed to get the better of the striking exchanges early in the first round. Hedrick worked his way back in, but Dias appeared to briefly stun him late in the round. Hedrick scored a takedown during the second round, and did some damage with ground-and-pound. But Dias scored his own takedown and controlled the action in a dominant position, landing ground-and-pound and threatening a couple of chokes.

    Dias would finally sink in a rear-naked choke with less than 30 seconds left in the second round to score the tapout win and a UFC deal.

    The Ultimate Fighter season 33 participant Imanol Rodriguez then made the most of his second opportunity at a UFC contract, scoring a first-round finish of Roque Conceicao. Rodriguez had a wrestling-based focus, but it was his striking that got the job done. After surviving a knockdown on a right hand by Conceicao, Rodriguez tagged Conceicao multiple times, starting with a right hand after blocking a high kick attempt. Rodriguez then rocked Conceicao with a knee and scored a couple of knockdowns and unleashed flurries, ending with a left-right combo that slept Conceicao.

    In the evening’s co-main event Adrian Luna Martinetti and Mark Vologdin produced one of the greatest fights of 2025, let alone of the greatest fights in the history of Dana White’s Contender Series, both earning contracts as well as — in a Dana White first — $25,000 bonuses. Vologdin stayed on the outside, but Martinetti managed to work his reach advantage by tagging him and putting him to the fence. But Vologdin not only fought out of it, but he proceeded to trade with Martinetti blow for blow, creating a violent, all-out action fight. In the second round, however, Martinetti’s pressure and clinch knees seemed to get the better of Vologdin, but again, he managed to clip Martinetti and get back right into things.

    Martinetti had already broken the DWCS bantamweight record for most significant strikes in a fight in just two rounds; he landed 213 in total by the fight’s end. But Vologdin rushed Martinetti, appearing to hurt him in the first minute of the final round, before Martinetti scored a takedown. After another action packed war, Martinetti scored the decision win 29-28 on all three scorecards.

    In the main event, Magomed Zaynukov made a statement with a one-sided beatdown of Lucas Caldas. Zaynukov had to endure an early knockdown and multiple eye pokes in the fight, resulting in a one-point deduction for Caldas. But Zaynukov poured on the pressure and striking, setting a new DWCS lightweight record for significant strikes (making it two straight fights on the night to set division DWCS records in significant strikes) with 248. In fact, if the fight had taken place in the UFC, it would have set the record there, too.

    Zaynukov scored the unanimous decision 30-26 on all three cards.

    Luke Fernandez vs Rafael Pergentino

    Luis Felipe Dias vs Donavon Hedrick

    Imanol Rodriguez vs Roque Conceicao

    Adrian Luna Martinetti vs Mark Vologdin

    Lucas Caldas vs Magomed Zaynukov

  • “DWCS Version Of Lawler vs. MacDonald 2” – Fans & Fighters React As Adrian Luna Martinetti And Mark Vologdin Earn UFC Contracts, $25K In Fight Of The Year Contender On Dana White’s Contender Series

    “DWCS Version Of Lawler vs. MacDonald 2” – Fans & Fighters React As Adrian Luna Martinetti And Mark Vologdin Earn UFC Contracts, $25K In Fight Of The Year Contender On Dana White’s Contender Series

    In what will go down as one of the greatest fights in MMA — let alone of the greatest fights of 2025 and perhaps the greatest fight to ever happen on Dana White’s Contender Series — Adrian Luna Martinetti and Mark Vologdin both earned UFC contracts and $25,000 bonuses from UFC CEO and President Dana White.

    Vologdin took early control in the opening round, landing some crisp boxing and working combinations on Martinetti, including a counter shot that dropped Martinetti. Martinetti would not be deterred, however, landing his own combinations, and he stormed back in the second round with barrages of blows. In fact, through two rounds, Martinetti set a new record for significant strikes by a bantamweight in DWCS history.

    Martinetti seemed to trouble Vologdin in the second round with plenty of clinch knees, leaving his mark literally on Vologdin, but the Russian battled back and produced more trading between the two. Martinetti then scored a takedown in round three and did plenty of damage with ground-and-pound to bring a fantastic slugfest to an epic conclusion.

    Martinetti won the fight with 29-28 scores on all three judges’ scorecards.

    DWCS Fighters Earn UFC Contracts And $25K Bonus After Critically Acclaimed Slugfest

    Martinetti, a former champion on the regional circuit, has now won 15 straight fights, with his sole loss coming in the third pro bout of his career.

    Vologdin sees a seven-fight win streak snapped with this loss — though the contract and financial bonus certainly have to make up for it.

  • Conor McGregor Accepts 18-Month Sanction For Violating UFC Anti-Doping Policy Amid Comeback Talks

    Conor McGregor Accepts 18-Month Sanction For Violating UFC Anti-Doping Policy Amid Comeback Talks

    Conor McGregor is serving a suspension, but it won’t stop his planned UFC return.

    The former two-division UFC champion has emphatically pledged to make his highly anticipated return to the Octagon after a hiatus of more than four years, setting his sights on the MMA promotion’s special White House event on June 14, 2026, celebrating the United States’ 250th anniversary.

    “The Notorious” has disclosed that he has already rejoined the drug testing pool and is seriously weighing a showdown with his Ultimate Fighter Season 33 rival coach, Michael Chandler, a fight that was originally slated for UFC 303 in June 2024 but fell through due to a toe injury.

    McGregor has received an 18-month suspension for breaching the UFC anti-doping policy, but it won’t stand in the way of his anticipated comeback.

    Conor McGregor
    Image: ESPN.com

    Conor McGregor Receives 18-Month Ineligibility After Failing To Submit Samples Three Times In 2024

    On Tuesday, Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD), the body responsible for overseeing the UFC’s anti-doping program, announced that Conor McGregor has accepted an 18-month competition ban following multiple failures to provide the testing samples required under UFC rules.

    The reported whereabouts failures occurred on June 13, September 19, and September 20, 2024. UFC-contracted fighters are obligated to keep their locations updated to allow testing agents to conduct random, unannounced drug tests. According to CSAD, McGregor failed to meet this requirement.

    CSAD also noted that “The Notorious” actively cooperated with the investigation and acknowledged his responsibility for the violations. As a result, the agency reduced the standard 24-month sanction by six months. McGregor’s suspension officially began on September 20, 2024, the date of his third missed test, and ends on March 20, 2026.

    “McGregor missed three attempted biological sample collections within a 12-month period in 2024, which constitutes a violation of the UFC,” the statement read. “McGregor fully cooperated with CSAD’s investigation, accepted responsibility, and provided detailed information that CSAD determined contributed to the missed tests… Taking McGregor’s cooperation and circumstances into account, CSAD reduced the standard 24-month sanction for three whereabouts failures by six months.”

    Conor McGregor was last seen in the Octagon at UFC 264 in July 2021, where he endured a broken leg early in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier. The Irish star boasts a UFC record of 10-4, with eight of his wins coming by way of knockout.

    UFC Superstar Conor McGregor Announces Withdrawal From His 2025 Irish Presidential Bid After 'Careful Reflection'
    Image: @thenotoriousmma/Instagram
  • Why Did Jiri Prochazka Get Teary-Eyed Seeing “Poatan” Win By First-Round Knockout? BJP Explains

    Why Did Jiri Prochazka Get Teary-Eyed Seeing “Poatan” Win By First-Round Knockout? BJP Explains

    UFC star Jiri Prochazka has gone into more detail on his emotional reaction to Alex Pereira’s win over Magomed Ankalaev.

    As we know, Jiri Prochazka is the definition of a true martial artist. He goes out there and puts it all on the line, and he lives the life of a true warrior. In his recent outing at UFC 320, he was able to knock out Khalil Rountree Jr to vault himself right back into title contention. Then, later in the night, he sat cageside to watch his old rival Alex Pereira defeat Magomed Ankalaev to reclaim the UFC light heavyweight championship – to which he had a visibly emotional reaction.

    As we look ahead to the immediate future, it certainly seems like Jiri Prochazka is lining up for another crack at the belt. While Jiri has already somewhat explained his emotions in the immediate aftermath of the UFC 320 main event, he recently went into more detail during a chat with Ariel Helwani.

    Jiri Prochazka explains emotional reaction at UFC 320

    “There was no bad wish or whatever,” Procházka told Uncrowned. “I just, like every time, want to see the best fight. Let the better [man] win. But inside myself, maybe I wished more [that] Alex [would win] because all this bulls*** with what Ankalaev said.”

    “It’s not that I was so happy Alex won or Ankalaev lost,” Procházka said. “I was so emotional because, in that moment, I really realized that Pereira won and there is a potential fight between me and him. That means there is a third fight. Third chance for me to be successful. I deeply realized, ‘Man, this is something you have to win, or nothing.’ That will be the biggest challenge of my life.

    “F***, man, I really want to win. I know I’m taking a lot of risks in my fights, but I know I will find a way.”

    Quotes via Yahoo Sports

  • Sean O’Malley Confident He Is “The only one” In the UFC Who Can Beat Merab Dvalishvili

    Sean O’Malley Confident He Is “The only one” In the UFC Who Can Beat Merab Dvalishvili

    UFC star Sean O’Malley still firmly believes that he is more than good enough to compete with, and defeat, Merab Dvalishvili.

    In his two fights against Merab Dvalishvili, Sean O’Malley has come up short – once via decision, and once via submission. As such, the idea that he could beat him in a trilogy bout may seem ridiculous to a lot of people, and even ‘Suga’ acknowledges that some will roll their eyes at such a suggestion.

    Dvalishvili is coming off the back of another impressive victory, this time against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320. For Sean O’Malley, of course, if he wants to even come close to a shot at ‘The Machine’, he’ll need to go out there and pick up some wins – which is exactly what he plans on doing.

    Sean O’Malley still believes he can beat Merab Dvalishvili

    “He’s very, very confident in his striking right now,” O’Malley said of Dvalishvili on his YouTube channel.

    “He can be [confident] because either his opponent’s gonna back up, and like, nothing really happens, or they’re gonna stand and try to trade. He’s gonna crack them, fall into a single leg, fall into a double leg, or they’re gonna get cracked with the right hand.

    “To beat Merab, you just have to land that shot,” O’Malley explained.

    “You have to be able to f—— snipe him.

    “And he was getting a little bit more reckless. The more confident he gets into striking, the more gaps it leaves open to be caught. That’s just the only [way]. I don’t see really anyone being [able to beat him].

    “I do think I’m the only one… I hate to say it. I hate to f—— say it. I’m the only one that could beat him. Give me a shot at the White House,” O’Malley said.

    “I gotta go out there and get some wins. I gotta get some wins. But, I don’t see anyone really beating Merab anytime soon.

    “He needs to be clipped, needs to be knocked out and put to sleep to beat him. I just don’t really see anyone other than myself being able to do that.”

    Quotes via Bloody Elbow

  • Jon Jones’ UFC future: Chael Sonnen gives his thoughts on heavyweight dilemma

    Jon Jones’ UFC future: Chael Sonnen gives his thoughts on heavyweight dilemma

    MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on what the future could, and should, hold for Jon Jones as he contemplates a return from retirement.

    While he may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no denying that Jon Jones is one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. That’s largely due to the legacy he built for himself in the light heavyweight division, but he also became a UFC champion up at heavyweight, defeating Ciryl Gane and Stipe Miocic during his stint there.

    Right now, Jon Jones is in a strange position. There’s a chance he could fight for the UFC heavyweight championship at the White House next summer, but there’s also the possibility of him battling Alex Pereira in a superfight – which is what ‘Poatan’ called for after his iconic UFC 320 title win last weekend.

    In a recent video, Jones’ former rival Chael Sonnen gave his thoughts on what he believes should be next for ‘Bones’, and it involves a return to 205 pounds.

    Chael Sonnen’s view on Jon Jones’ future

    “If I were Jon Jones, I would say, ‘I will fight you, but it will be for a belt.’ They’re going to say, ‘Well, that belt’s between y’all and Aspinall, and we don’t quite have time to get it done.’ And I would tell Jon Jones, ‘Look at the man in the mirror. 

    “He’s holding the belt. I’ll come see you, Alex Pereira, but I’m coming back. I’m coming to my weight class. You never should have been champion. You never would have been champion had I not left. And I’m going to come back one more time to remind you who the goat really is.’ That changes everything.”

  • Did Magomed Ankalaev Enter UFC 320 With Broken Ribs? New Video Raises Questions

    Did Magomed Ankalaev Enter UFC 320 With Broken Ribs? New Video Raises Questions

    Newly released footage has raised questions regarding the health of Magomed Ankalaev heading into his UFC 320 rematch against Alex Pereira.

    Last weekend, Magomed Ankalaev fell short in his attempt to successfully defend the UFC light heavyweight championship against Alex Pereira. Instead, he was beaten via TKO within the first 80 seconds of the contest. As a result, very few people are discussing the possibility of the pair running it back for a trilogy fight anytime soon.

    Recently, however, there were suggestions from Magomed Ankalaev’s team that not everything went smoothly in camp in the lead-up to UFC 320. Of course, it’s become pretty common for fighters to come up with reasons or outright excuses as to why they lost, but it does seem like there’s some legitimacy behind this one.

    That’s because recent footage has suggested that Magomed Ankalaev may have entered UFC 320 with some issues in relation to his ribs which, as we know, would’ve severely harmed his movement.

    Magomed Ankalaev’s rib problems

    There are going to be varying points of view when it comes to this footage, and the claim as a whole. Some won’t really be interested in hearing anything from Team Ankalaev right now, whereas others will perhaps wonder whether or not the outcome would’ve been different if this apparent injury didn’t exist.

    Either way, it doesn’t really matter at this stage in proceedings. All that matters is that Ankalaev rests up and gets back to 100%, before beginning his journey back to a title shot.

  • Jon Jones Will Use “Black Athleticism” Against Alex Pereira, Says Sean Strickland

    Jon Jones Will Use “Black Athleticism” Against Alex Pereira, Says Sean Strickland

    Sean Strickland has some interesting thoughts on how a fight between Jon Jones and Alex Pereira could potentially play out.

    As we know, Jon Jones retired from mixed martial arts not so long ago. Then, in the blink of an eye, he seemed to change his mind, instead opting to shoot for a possible return at next summer’s UFC White House card. While Dana White doesn’t appear to be all too interested in the idea, Jon seems set on trying to change the boss’ mind.

    While fighting for the UFC heavyweight championship will obviously appeal to him, Jon Jones has also previously teased the idea of a superfight against Alex Pereira. After UFC 320 this past weekend, ‘Poatan’ also flirted with battling Jones, implying that he was going to call him out in the cage before news of his brother’s passing broke.

    In a recent interview, the aforementioned Sean Strickland weighed in on a possible Pereira vs Jones showdown.

    Sean Strickland’s view on Jon Jones vs Alex Pereira

    “I think if there’s anyone to beat Jon Jones, it’s Alex. But I mean, Jon Jones, that one guy could wrestle, dude. That level of black athleticism, you know, like that—that man could wrestle, dude. You know, when you come from a lineage of like D1 professional athletes, you know, real real good. Oh, yeah. No, I love it, dude.”

    Aside from Strickland’s strange choice of language, the point about Jon’s wrestling ability is certainly an interesting one given Alex’s striking-heavy style.

  • Alex Pereira vs. Khamzat Chimaev Next? ‘Poatan’ Offers an Answer on His Future

    Alex Pereira has responded to Khamzat Chimaev’s challenge in the wake of his victory at UFC 320.

    Last Saturday night, Alex Pereira defeated Magomed Ankalaev via first round TKO to win back the UFC light heavyweight championship. It was one of the most sensational performances in UFC title fight history, and while that may sound like an overstatement, it certainly isn’t when you consider how the first fight between the two men played out earlier this year. Now, as we look ahead to the future, there are plenty of questions regarding what exactly is going to be next for ‘Poatan’.

    Alex Pereira is one of the scariest fighters in mixed martial arts and while there are plenty of potential contenders at light heavyweight, including Carlos Ulberg and Jiri Prochazka, he has his eyes set on history. The Brazilian sensation has made it known that he wants to venture up to the heavyweight division in pursuit of a third world title in a third weight class, something that has never been accomplished in the history of the UFC.

    However, in the aftermath of UFC 320, Khamzat Chimaev seemed to issue a challenge of sorts to Alex Pereira on social media, following on from previous talk of the two colliding in a superfight. In the post-fight press conference, though, Pereira politely let Chimaev know that he isn’t interested at this time.

    Alex Pereira responds to Khamzat Chimaev

    “Thanks for the congratulations, but I want a super fight. Like I said, I want to fight at heavyweight. So, thanks only for the congratulations.”

  • Merab Dvalishvili Explains How Striking Was Easier Than Wrestling with Cory Sandhagen: “He was making my wrestling way harder than striking”

    Merab Dvalishvili Explains How Striking Was Easier Than Wrestling with Cory Sandhagen: “He was making my wrestling way harder than striking”

    UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has praised Cory Sandhagen for making life difficult for him in the wrestling department at UFC 320.

    On Saturday night, Merab Dvalishvili defeated Cory Sandhagen to successfully retain the UFC bantamweight championship. It was a fairly competitive fight for long spells and Cory did well in defending against the wrestling of Merab, but in the end, it was a fairly comprehensive result in terms of the numbers.

    For Merab Dvalishvili, this served as yet another feather in his cap as he attempts to cement his legacy as the greatest bantamweight of all time. Even straight after the fight, he made it known that he’s eager to get back in there and compete before the end of the year.

    In the post-fight press conference, Merab had some interesting comments regarding the difference between the striking exchanges and the wrestling exchanges with Sandhagen.

    Merab Dvalishvili discusses Cory Sandhagen fight

    “I was impressed actually about how he was defending my takedowns and to get up. He was doing great job. Also, he was pushing my hand that way. He was making tire my hands. He was well prepared while training and I think striking is more easier than wrestling with him because he was making my wrestling way harder than striking. Striking, I had much success with him.”

    It’s unlikely we’ll see a rematch between these two anytime soon but at the very least, Sandhagen can take pride in knowing that he put forward an admirable performance in Las Vegas.

  • Conor McGregor discusses his possible future with BKFC and UFC

    Conor McGregor discusses his possible future with BKFC and UFC

    UFC star Conor McGregor has discussed his future fighting possibilities, whether it be with the Ultimate Fighting Championship or BKFC.

    As we know, Conor McGregor is very interested in getting back in the ring or cage sooner rather than later. He has singled out next year’s UFC White House event as a possible return for him, and if that does come to fruition, you’d have to imagine he’ll square off with Michael Chandler given the history that the two share together. At the same time, he’s also heavily teased a showdown with BKFC sensation Mike Perry.

    For Conor McGregor, his window for competing at the elite level obviously isn’t as big as it once was. He has plenty of options on the table, but given his commitment to the UFC, it doesn’t feel like a BKFC venture is particularly likely just yet – despite how involved he is with the promotion. Still, the Irishman is known for being a bit unpredictable, and at this point, there isn’t a whole lot that could surprise either his fans or his critics.

    During a recent media scrum, Conor McGregor spoke openly about what the future holds for him in the world of fighting.

    Conor McGregor discusses BKFC and UFC

    “I know Dave wants me in the bare knuckle. The UFC are concocting a new contract deal or whatever’s going to happen. I don’t know. We’ll see. We’ll take it day by day. But God is great and I thank him every day.”

    What do you think, fight fans?

  • How Khalil Rountree Jr Inspired Jiri Prochazka In His Knockout Win at UFC 320: “You activate my rarest side”

    How Khalil Rountree Jr Inspired Jiri Prochazka In His Knockout Win at UFC 320: “You activate my rarest side”

    UFC light heavyweight star Jiri Prochazka has spoken about how Khalil Rountree Jr helped bring out a different side of him in their UFC 320 clash.

    On Saturday night, Jiri Prochazka knocked out Khalil Rountree Jr in the final round of their UFC 320 clash – but that doesn’t tell the full story. For the first two rounds of this fight, Khalil had Jiri in all kinds of trouble, putting forward the kind of technical display that we’ve gotten used to seeing from him in the last couple of years.

    While he ultimately fell short and was knocked out, Khalil Rountree Jr can still hold his head up high, in a similar manner to how he accepted the Alex Pereira title loss. He may not be the best light heavyweight on the roster, but Khalil is more than capable of mixing it up with those in the elite category, and he deserves to be praised for that.

    In his post-fight press conference appearance, Jiri Prochazka made sure to take the time to praise Khalil Rountree Jr for what he was able to bring to the table in Las Vegas.

    Jiri Prochazka praises Khalil Rountree Jr

    “Thank you for the fight. Thank you. Thank you. You activate my rarest side inside of myself, because wow—long time I didn’t activate myself like that. Because I really felt: you have to win or nothing, you have to find a way. And a long time I was not in this position in training, so I really need to be connected with this side of myself. Win or nothing. Yeah. So, so thank you, Khalil. Thank you, all your team, and I hope he will be back soon.”

  • What’s Next After UFC 320? Full Confirmed UFC 321 Main Card For Abu Dhabi On October 25

    What’s Next After UFC 320? Full Confirmed UFC 321 Main Card For Abu Dhabi On October 25

    UFC 320 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

    The promotion was in Las Vegas last week, where the T-Mobile Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its nine numbered event of the year. Of note were headline wins for Alex Pereira and Merab Dvalishvili, as well as important victories for Jiri Prochazka, Youssef Zalal, and Joe Pyfer.

    While the aftermath of the October 4 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the light heavyweight and bantamweight championship title pictures to the heavyweight and women’s strawweight championship conversations.

    At UFC 321, which takes place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on October 25, Tom Aspinall will defend the UFC heavyweight championship against Ciryl Gane.

    This will mark Aspinall’s first defense of the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship. He had been promoted from interim to undisputed champion during the UFC Baku post-fight press conference back on June 21 — the result of a long, drawn-out negotiation process involving him, the UFC, and Jon Jones. Aspinall defeated Serghei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight championship at UFC 295 and retained the interim belt against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.

    Gane is 13-2 and has won three of his last five. He comes into this bout off a split decision win over Alexander Volkov at UFC 310. Gane defeated Derrick Lewis to become an interim UFC heavyweight champion at UFC 265 in 2021. He has challenged for the heavyweight title twice since, losing to Francis Ngannou at UFC 270 and to Jon Jones at UFC 285.

    Stakes will also be high in the co-main event, as a vacant women’s strawweight championship will be on the line, thanks to Weili Zhang moving up to challenge Valentina Shevchenko at women’s flyweight. UFC 321 will see Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern scrap in a rematch to determine the new champion. Dern previously scored a decision win over Jandiroba at UFC 256. Jandiroba enters this fight on a five-fight win streak, most recently scoring a decision over Yan Xiaonan at UFC 314. Dern, meanwhile, has won three of her last five, most recently submitting Amanda Ribas in a rematch that headlined UFC Vegas 101 in January.

    Nurmagomedov, Volkov, Rakic Set The Stage For Heavyweight Title Headliner At UFC 321

    Before Aspinall, Gane, Jandiroba, and Dern make their way out for their title fights, several names will look to make their own statements on the main card for UFC 321.

    This includes Umar Nurmagomedov, who will be doing battle with Mario Bautista. This will be Nurmagomedov’s first fight since coming just short of capturing the UFC bantamweight title from Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311, suffering the first loss of his MMA career in the process. Bautista, meanwhile, has won eight straight, which includes defeating UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo at UFC 307 and former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix at UFC 316.

    A heavyweight title eliminator will also be featured on this card, as Alexander Volkov takes on Jailton Almeida. Volkov will be looking to rebound from the previously mentioned split decision loss to Gane, a fight that snapped a four-fight win streak for Volkov. Almeida, meanwhile, has won two straight and 17 of 18, coming into this bout off a performance bonus-earning finish of Serghei Spivac at UFC 311.

    The main card is scheduled to open with Aleksandar Rakic taking on Azamat Murzakanov. Rakic has lost three straight, most recently dropping a decision to now-former light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 308, which was last year’s Abu Dhabi pay-per-view card. Murzakanov is undefeated at 15-0, most recently finishing Brendson Ribeiro at UFC 316 in June.

    Those pairings have currently gotten the nod to feature on the main card over the likes of Ikram Aliskerov, Mateusz Rebecki, and Nathaniel Wood, all of whom are expected to be featured players on the event’s preliminary card.

    See below for the UFC 321 lineup, as it stands.

    Main Card:

    • Heavyweight Championship: Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane
    • Women’s Strawweight Championship: Virna Jandiroba vs. Mackenzie Dern
    • Bantamweight: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista
    • Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida
    • Light Heavyweight: Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov

    Preliminary Card (Order TBA):

    • Middleweight: Ikram Aliskerov vs. Jun-yong Park
    • Lightweight: Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs. Matheus Camilo
    • Heavyweight: Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Chris Barnett
    • Flyweight: Azat Maksum vs. Mitch Raposo
    • Women’s Strawweight: Jacqueline Amorim vs. Mizuki
    • Lightweight: Mateusz Rebecki vs. L’udovit Klein
    • Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood vs. Jose Delgado
  • Alex Pereira SLAMS Ankalaev’s Manager Ali Abdelaziz: “He’s outside laughing”

    Alex Pereira SLAMS Ankalaev’s Manager Ali Abdelaziz: “He’s outside laughing”

    UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has gone after Magomed Ankalaev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz in the wake of the UFC 320 main event.

    On Saturday night, Alex Pereira defeated Magomed Ankalaev to become a two-time UFC light heavyweight champion. He won back the belt that he lost earlier this year and in the process, cemented his position as one of the greatest fighters of his generation, and perhaps of all time.

    As we look ahead to the future, it’ll be interesting to see what’s next for Magomed Ankalaev. A trilogy fight against Alex Pereira doesn’t feel particularly likely, at least not right now, given the emphatic nature of how ‘Poatan’ won the rematch. In equal measure, Pereira has some big plans, which could include a move to heavyweight and a clash with Jon Jones.

    In a recent post on social media, Alex Pereira seemed to take a shot at Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of Magomed Ankalaev.

    Alex Pereira questions Ali Abdelaziz

    “When a manager has never been an athlete and wants to promote to gain fame and money, but you’re the one in there risking your life, and he’s outside laughing.”

    Abdelaziz has a tendency to rub people the wrong way in the world of mixed martial arts, and it seems as if that’s happened again here. Alas, it isn’t likely to develop into anything too dramatic, especially given that Alex was the one who managed to get the last laugh in this feud.

    Either way, it’ll be interesting to see if there are any developments from here.

  • BREAKING: Donald Trump Announces UFC Showdown on White House South Lawn for June 14, 2026

    BREAKING: Donald Trump Announces UFC Showdown on White House South Lawn for June 14, 2026

    President Donald Trump announced during remarks at Naval Station Norfolk on October 5 that the highly anticipated UFC fight at the White House will take place on June 14, 2026, coinciding with his 80th birthday. The announcement provides the first official date for what was previously described as a July 4 event tied to America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

    The 79-year-old president revealed the date while addressing Navy sailors during a ceremony marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy. He made no mention that June 14 also marks his milestone birthday or that the date falls on Flag Day in the United States.

    Donald Trump and the UFC White House Event

    The event represents a significant departure from the original July 4, 2026 date that UFC President Dana White had indicated earlier this year. According to reports, the schedule change occurred because Trump’s calendar is heavily committed for Independence Day, when he plans to be in multiple states as part of the broader America 250 celebrations.

    “On June 14 next year we’re gonna have a big UFC fight at the White House, right at the White House, on the grounds of the White House.”

    UFC officials have revealed substantial logistical challenges and costs associated with staging the event on the White House South Lawn. White disclosed that the organization will spend $700,000 just to replace the grass damaged by the 15,000-pound octagon and associated equipment. The grass replacement represents only one component of what White describes as “the most challenging event we have ever done.”

    Security concerns have significantly reduced the planned attendance. While Trump initially suggested accommodating 20,000 to 25,000 spectators, White confirmed the actual capacity will be under 5,000 people due to Secret Service requirements. The limited attendance reflects the unprecedented security challenges of hosting a combat sports event at the nation’s most protected residence.

    Fighter Participation Claims

    Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has publicly claimed he signed a contract to compete at the White House event, stating the deal is “done, signed, delivered.” McGregor, who has not fought since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, also claimed he negotiated directly with the U.S. government rather than through the UFC.

    White disputed McGregor’s assertions during the post-fight press conference for UFC 320 on October 5. The UFC president clarified that no fight negotiations have begun and won’t start until February 2026. White acknowledged McGregor’s enthusiasm for participating but emphasized that nothing has been finalized.

    America 250 Context

    The UFC event forms part of the broader America 250 celebration commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The semiquincentennial festivities will span the entire year 2026, with events planned in all 50 states culminating on July 4, 2026.

    Trump has positioned the UFC fight as one of several major sporting events during his second term, alongside the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung previously characterized the event as potentially “one of the greatest and most historic sports events in history.”

    Conor McGregor Visits The White House To Meet US President Donald Trump
    Image: @WhiteHouse/X

    Trump-White Relationship

    The White House UFC event builds on a relationship between Trump and White spanning over two decades. Their partnership began in 2001 when Trump hosted UFC events at his Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City during a period when few venues would accommodate mixed martial arts. White has repeatedly credited Trump with supporting the UFC when the sport faced widespread rejection.

    The arrangement reflects Trump’s continued involvement with combat sports and the UFC’s appeal among demographics important to his political base. Trump has attended multiple UFC events during his presidency, often receiving enthusiastic receptions from crowds.

    Dana White Introduces Pit-Style ‘Bowl’ Ahead of UFC BJJ Debut
    Image: UFC.com

    Event Specifications

    Current plans call for an elaborate setup featuring a massive illuminated arch structure over the octagon, designed to provide unobstructed views of the White House for cameras and attendees. Fighter weigh-ins are scheduled to take place at the Lincoln Memorial, with fan events planned throughout Washington, D.C. during the week leading up to the fight.

    For fans unable to secure tickets to the exclusive South Lawn event, the UFC plans to accommodate up to 85,000 people in a nearby park with large screens and concert stages. White described plans to “take over Washington, D.C. for that entire week” with various activities and events.

    The June 14 date confirmation marks a significant milestone in what White promises will be “the greatest fight card ever assembled in the history of this company.” However, the actual fight card remains unannounced, with negotiations not expected to begin until February 2026.

  • Jiri Prochazka Opens Up On Getting Emotional Watching Alex Pereira Defeat Magomed Ankalaev At UFC 320 – ‘I Really Wished Him To Win’

    Jiri Prochazka Opens Up On Getting Emotional Watching Alex Pereira Defeat Magomed Ankalaev At UFC 320 – ‘I Really Wished Him To Win’

    Jiri Prochazka took genuine joy in watching Alex Pereira reclaim the UFC light heavyweight title.

    Prochazka faced former title contender Khalil Rountree Jr. in a key light heavyweight bout at UFC 320 this past Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Although the former UFC light heavyweight champion struggled to find his rhythm in the first two rounds, mostly relying on counterstrikes against “The War Horse,” the third round saw a complete turnaround. “BJP” unloaded a vicious onslaught of unorthodox strikes that opened a deep cut above Rountree Jr.’s eye, before connecting a spinning elbow that sent him face-first to the canvas, sealing the fight in spectacular fashion.

    Meanwhile, in the UFC 320 main event, Pereira challenged reigning 205-pound champion Magomed Ankalaev in a highly anticipated rematch. “Poatan” started aggressively, overwhelming the Russian with relentless forward pressure before landing a devastating right hand that forced Ankalaev to rely on grappling.

    Pereira didn’t let up on the ground, raining punishing 12-6 elbows and ultimately secured a TKO victory just 80 seconds into the fight to reclaim his light heavyweight title.

    While Pereira avenged his UFC 313 loss to Ankalaev, the cameras captured Jiri Prochazka in the crowd, visibly moved as he watched his former rival in admiration.

    Jiri Prochazka Explains His Reaction To Alex Pereira’s Win At UFC 320

    At the UFC 320 post-fight press conference, Jiri Prochazka was asked about his emotional reaction to Alex Pereira’s dominant win over Magomed Ankalaev. The Czech fighter explained that, despite having faced “Poatan” twice and Glover Teixeira once, he has built a strong camaraderie with the Brazilian camp.

    “BJP” said he admired how Pereira channeled his anger from Ankalaev’s trash talking into the fight, a feeling he deeply related to.

    “You know, win, lose, win, lose, whoever, but Alex and his team, Glover Teixeira there, and all of these guys, we have good relationship with them,” Prochazka said. “I really wished him to win because all this bullsh*t what Ankalaev brought before and all these nonsenses, what he talked about himself, about others. So that was why I was happy because I saw really angry Alex going forward to Ankalaev and that was something what I needed to be in my fight, too.”

    Jiri Prochazka fought Alex Pereira twice, with “Poatan” winning on both occasions, first scoring a second-round knockout at UFC 295 in November 2023 and then repeating the feat at UFC 303 in June 2024.