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Category: UFC

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

  • What’s Next For Lerone Murphy After UFC Vegas 105?

    What’s Next For Lerone Murphy After UFC Vegas 105?

    Lerone Murphy’s dominant unanimous decision victory over Josh Emmett at UFC Vegas 105 has cemented his position as one of the featherweight division’s most promising contenders. With his undefeated record now at 16-0-1 and an eight-fight winning streak that ties for the longest active streak in the division, Murphy stands at a pivotal moment in his career.

    The British fighter showcased exceptional technical skills in his victory, utilizing superior footwork and speed to outpace the veteran Emmett. Murphy’s striking differential was remarkable, landing 117 total strikes to Emmett’s 44 while demonstrating solid defensive wrestling against a proven power puncher.

    After dispatching the seventh-ranked Emmett, Murphy has made it clear he’s targeting the division’s elite. “Obviously, I want that title shot, but give me anything in the top five or top three,” Murphy stated in his post-fight comments. He specifically mentioned Brian Ortega as a potential next opponent, signaling his readiness to face the division’s upper echelon.

    This victory over Emmett represents Murphy’s most significant career win, building upon previous victories against established names like Dan Ige and Edson Barboza. The performance should propel him into the featherweight division’s top rankings, positioning him for a potential title eliminator bout in his next outing.

    For the undefeated Murphy, the path forward is clear – continue his ascent through the rankings with another high-profile victory that could potentially earn him a championship opportunity.

  • Lerone Murphy Stays Undefeated With Decision Win Over Josh Emmett At UFC Vegas 105

    Lerone Murphy Stays Undefeated With Decision Win Over Josh Emmett At UFC Vegas 105

    Lerone Murphy will be looking for his next fight to make a statement toward featherweight contendership after defeating former interim title challenger Josh Emmett in the main event of UFC Vegas 105.

    The opening round proved to be a competitive one. Murphy looked to use leg kicks to take out Emmett’s power and connected with several notable shots. Emmett, however, did put his power on display, connecting hard on a few exchanges during the frame.

    Emmett then scored a massive slam early in the second round before nearly locking in a guillotine. Murphy escaped to the feet, but Emmett kept control, pinning the British fighter against the fence. Murphy escaped Emmett’s grasp with less than two minutes left in the round, looking to pressure and be the aggressor for the rest of the round, finding success with the upper hand in striking.

    Lerone Murphy Outworks Josh Emmett In Competitive Outing, Earns Decision

    The third round proved to be a toss-up, with Emmett looking for takedowns and Murphy continuing to work his combinations and leg kicks. After another back-and-forth striking battle in round four, round five saw Emmett seem to get the upper hand in terms of striking output. Murphy, however, landed a stunning shot on Emmett, and he ultimately took the decision on all three judges’ cards.

    This was Emmett’s first appearance in the Octagon since his knockout of Bryce Mitchell — one of the top knockouts of 2023 — at UFC 296. He’s lost three of his last four, beginning with a loss in an interim featherweight title fight against Yair Rodriguez.

    Murphy improves to 16-0-1, having won every fight since earning a draw in his UFC debut. Murphy’s last three wins have now come against notable names in Emmett, Dan Ige and Edson Barboza.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Lerone Murphy Outpoints Josh Emmett

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Lerone Murphy Outpoints Josh Emmett

    The latest UFC Fight Night took place Saturday in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all of the action!

    Before turning its attention to pay-per-view fights in Miami next weekend, mixed martial arts’ leading promotion had one final piece of business to attend to at the Apex.

    And headlining inside the low-capacity venue on April 5 were a pair of top 10 featherweight contenders in Josh Emmett and Lerone Murphy, the latter of whom advanced his title ambitions with a main event triumph.

    With tonight’s event concluded, see below for the live results, followed by all the highlights as they come.

    UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy Results & Highlights

    Main Card):

    • Featherweight Main Event: Lerone Murphy def. Josh Emmett via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
    • Featherweight: Pat Sabatini def. Joanderson Brito (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
    • Bantamweight: ChangHo Lee def. Cortavious Romious via TKO (punches): R2, 3:48
    • Middleweight: Brad Tavares def. Gerald Meerschaert via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
    • Flyweight: Ode’ Osbourne def. Luis Gurule via TKO (punches): R2, 1:54
    • Middleweight: Torrez Finney def. Robert Valentin via unanimous decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Women’s Flyweight: Dione Barbosa def. Diane Belbiţă via submission (triangle choke): R1, 4:13
    • Welterweight: Rhys McKee def. Daniel Frunza via TKO (doctor’s stoppage): R1, 5:00
    • Women’s Strawweight: Loma Lookboonmee def. Istela Nunes via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
    • Bantamweight: Victor Henry def. Pedro Falcao via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
    • Heavyweight: Martin Buday def. Uran Satybaldiev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Talita Alencar def. Vanessa Demopoulos via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Brad Tavares Ties Middleweight Record With Win Over Gerald Meerschaert At UFC Vegas 105

    Brad Tavares Ties Middleweight Record With Win Over Gerald Meerschaert At UFC Vegas 105

    Brad Tavares is back in the win column once again with his decision over Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 105. And this win is just a little sweeter.

    This win, Tavares’ 16th in the UFC, ties UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping for the most Octagon victories at middleweight.

    Tavares was the aggressor during the opening round, as Meerschaert stayed on the back foot and looked to land counterstrikes while looking for a takedown. Meerschaert could not find a way inside during the opening round, however. Tavares landed well with his boxing, including some notable significant strikes in the bout’s final minute.

    Tavares continued to work with his striking to start the second, but Meerschaert was able to pin him against the fence about a minute in. Tavares quickly worked his way off the fence, and while Meerschaert had a better performance (including another pin against the fence), Tavares still got the better of him striking wise. This included a solid one-two that caught Meerschaert’s attention in the round’s final minute.

    Brad Tavares Ties Michael Bisping For Most UFC Middleweight Wins At UFC Vegas 105

    Meerschaert tried for a takedown during the final round, and Meerschaert was able to grab a hold of him and control him with the two standing. Meerschaert attempted to break Tavares’s balance, but Tavares fought back, with referee Mike Beltran forcing a break with about a minute left in the fight.

    All three judges gave the fight 29-28 to Tavares.

    This marked just Tavares’ second win in his most recent six fights, bouncing back from losses against Gregory Rodrigues and Park Jun-yong last year. Tavares’ only other win in this span came against Chris Weidman at UFC 292.

    This is Meerschaert’s second straight loss, getting submitted by Reiner de Ridder in his UFC debut back in November.

  • Watch Ode’ Osbourne Flatten Luis Gurule At UFC Vegas 105 To Snap Losing Skid

    Watch Ode’ Osbourne Flatten Luis Gurule At UFC Vegas 105 To Snap Losing Skid

    For the first time in two years, Ode’ Osbourne gets his hand raised in the Octagon, defeating Luis Gurule as part of the main card for UFC Vegas 105.

    Osbourne came out aggressive in the opening round, focusing on his kicks and combination. Gurule scored a takedown during the round and briefly had top control, but Osbourne quickly got back to his feet. Osborne’s striking proved to be key, which led to the result it did in the second.

    Osbourne, after landing a boxing combination, caught Gurule coming in, landing a cross that dropped him. Osbourne landed some follow-up shots before the referee stepped in, awarding Osbourne a second-round TKO.

    Ode Osbourne KOs Luis Gurule For First Win In Two Years At UFC Vegas 105

    This marked Osbourne’s first victory in the UFC since defeating Charles Johnson in February 2023. Since then, Osbourne had lost three straight against Asu Almabayev, Jafel Filho and Ronaldo Rodriguez.

    This fight also marked Gurule’s UFC debut, following a split decision win over Nick Piccininni on Dana White’s Contender Series this past October.

  • ‘Dana White Was Right’ – Fans Rip UFC Vegas 105 Debut Of Torrez Finney, Fighter UFC CEO Predicted Would Get ‘Decimated’

    ‘Dana White Was Right’ – Fans Rip UFC Vegas 105 Debut Of Torrez Finney, Fighter UFC CEO Predicted Would Get ‘Decimated’

    The debut of Torrez Finney at UFC Vegas 105 proved to be a disaster in more ways than one. Though he scored a decision win, Finney’s performance came under fire — as did one judge’s scorecard.

    After a bit of sizing each other up, Finney went right in for a takedown. He managed to lift Valentin up and bring him down, but Valentin was up almost right away. In spite of Valentin’s defenses, Finney took him down again and got to his back — even when the fight returned to the feet. Finney scored another pair of takedowns before the end of round one.

    Finney got back to the takedown right away as the fight entered round two. Valentin threw up his legs and attempted a triangle but was unable to get it. Finney seemed to trouble Valentin with a slam halfway through the second, but he didn’t do much to warrant any notable damage. Valentin got back to his feet in the round’s final minute and sought a kimura but couldn’t get anything going.

    Finney continued to press for the takedown in the third round, and while he controlled most of the round, he did little to no damage during those five minutes.

    Finney still took the judges’ decision. Judge Tony Weeks, a veteran judge – albeit one who has judged a lot more boxing than MMA – gave all three rounds to Valentin despite the The Ultimate Fighter alumnus being dominated with wrestling. The other two judges gave Finney the fight 29-28.

    Torrez Finney Underwhelms In Debut, Ends In Baffling Split Decision Victory At UFC Vegas 105

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    Finney made three appearances on Dana White’s Contender Series. His first appearance in 2023 — a submission win over Yuri Panferov — saw the UFC CEO blast his performance, claiming he wouldn’t last in the UFC. Finney finally earned a contract after a decision win over Cam Rowston and a first-round finish of Abdellah Er-Ramy on the show.

    Valentin competed on season 32 of The Ultimate Fighter and finished as the middleweight runner-up, defeating Giannis Bachar and Paddy McCorry on the show before losing in the final to Ryan Loder.

  • Fans React To Daniel Frunza’s Busted Eye And Lip, Giving Rhys McKee First UFC Win At UFC Vegas 105

    Fans React To Daniel Frunza’s Busted Eye And Lip, Giving Rhys McKee First UFC Win At UFC Vegas 105

    The fourth time proves to be the charm for Rhys McKee.

    Coming into UFC Vegas 105 as an underdog following two losses in the Octagon, Rhys McKee finally scores his first UFC victory, defeating Daniel Frunza.

    While Frunza opened up with heavy crosses, it didn’t take long for McKee to find his rhythm. He quickly dropped Frunza in the first minute with a right hand, going on to drop Frunza four times in a five-minute span. McKee’s perfectly timed counters and combinations helped him dominate the first round, putting a beating on Frunza.

    The beating was so bad, in fact, that a notable bloody cut could be seen around one of Frunza’s eyes, leaving it a mess. It wasn’t until the round’s end that it was noticed that Frunza also had a split lip.

    Frunza showed heart and survived the round; however, the cageside physician quickly called off the fight in the corner.

    Rhys McKee Batters Daniel Frunza To Doctor’s Stoppage TKO Win At UFC Vegas 105

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    McKee, the former Cage Warriors welterweight champion, was defeated by Khamzat Chimaev, Ange Loosa, and Chidi Njokuani prior to tonight’s performance.

    This marked Frunza’s first fight since defeating Vadym Kutsyi on Dana White’s Contender Series in September.

  • Henry Cejudo Apprehended Suspect Who Allegedly Drove Vehicle Into Neighbor’s House

    Henry Cejudo Apprehended Suspect Who Allegedly Drove Vehicle Into Neighbor’s House

    Henry Cejudo’s evening at his Phoenix home took an unexpected turn when a speeding vehicle, estimated at 80-100 mph, crashed into a neighbor’s house.

    As the driver attempted to flee and passengers followed, Cejudo and the homeowner intervened. 

    Cejudo, a former two-division UFC champion, personally detained and restrained one of the people until law enforcement arrived.

    “You can see inside this room, if someone was standing in there, they would be dead. All these kids are lucky to be alive,” Cejudo said in a statement shared with MMA Junkie. “Once they got out I told them, ‘Hey, you guys aren’t going nowhere.’ The owner of this house tried to stop them and said you need to be held accountable. One of them ended up (punching) my neighbor, and that’s when I had to step in.

    “Pretty much all my neighbours came in to fight the situation. I ended up lifting him, dropping him, slapped him around a little bit and just pretty much controlled him. If it was a couple hours earlier, someone would be seriously injured,” Cejudo said.

    In his last fight, Cejudo faced Song Yadong in the main event of UFC Seattle on February 22. It ended when “Triple C” couldn’t continue after being poked in the eye. Song won the fight by technical decision after the bout was stopped at the beginning of the fourth round.

  • Ben Askren: Islam Makhachev Should Be Stripped Of UFC Title If He Refuses Ilia Topuria Fight

    Ben Askren: Islam Makhachev Should Be Stripped Of UFC Title If He Refuses Ilia Topuria Fight

    Ben Askren is pushing for decisive action against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev should he refuse a fight with Ilia Topuria.

    The controversy stems from Topuria’s take that the UFC guaranteed him an immediate lightweight title opportunity after relinquishing his featherweight belt. 

    Makhachev and his team are now challenging this claim, insisting that Topuria must first prove his worth by defeating a top-ranked contender before they can fight. This disagreement has cast doubt on the potential matchup.

    Askren’s stance is clear: the UFC should compel Makhachev to face Topuria if they made a promise to the newly crowned featherweight champion. He believes that ignoring Topuria’s claim would set a detrimental precedent, undermining the UFC’s credibility and discouraging future champions from making similar moves. 

    “I think Dana (White) should just do Dana stuff and just say, ‘Hey, Islam, if you don’t want to fight, you’re stripped,’” Askren said on his Funky and the Champ show with Daniel Cormier. “He’s done that. That is in Dana’s repertoire. If you’re the champion, you’re supposed to defend the belt against the best person, right? So Ilia has beaten two legends in a row.

    “Not only beat them but finished them at 145 pounds: Volkanovski and Holloway. Very, very clearly the best, choosing to go up. … Given Arman was supposed to have the title shot, and he pulled out on super-late notice so they want to make him fight someone else first. So, that makes perfect sense for Ilia to pop in given the fact that he’s a champion, he’s undefeated, has defeated two legends in a row. I don’t see how you deny him the title shot.”

  • ‘Unbelievably Cold’ – Fans React As Another UFC Star Changes His Nickname After Ilia Topuria

    ‘Unbelievably Cold’ – Fans React As Another UFC Star Changes His Nickname After Ilia Topuria

    It seems like the UFC is going through a moniker-changing season.

    Last month, Ilia Topuria announced that he would be abandoning his longtime moniker, “El Matador,” in favor of “La Leyenda.” The shift comes as Topuria vacated his UFC featherweight title to pursue a new challenge in the lightweight division, as he sets his sights on becoming a two-division champion.

    However, the undefeated Spaniard isn’t the only UFC fighter to recently undergo a rebrand, as featherweight contender Nathaniel Wood has also opted for a fresh stage name.

    Following his dominant unanimous decision victory over Morgan Charrière at UFC London last month, Wood revealed that he’s retiring the nickname “The Prospect,” stating that he’s no longer an up-and-comer, but a bona fide contender.

    On Friday, the 31-year-old Brit took to social media to unveil his new identity for the final stretch of his career, revealing that he will now go by “The Last Kingsman,” a moniker seemingly inspired by the popular Kingsman film franchise.

    “16 years in this game, ‘The Prospect’ served me well. Time for a new chapter for the last few years of my career,” Wood wrote on X.

    Fans largely responded positively to Wood’s new nickname, with many praising the creativity behind the unique rebrand.

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    “The Last Kingsman” has been part of the UFC roster since June 2018, but has struggled to generate sustained momentum, never surpassing a three-fight win streak.

    Over that stretch, he’s compiled a respectable 9-3 record, with three of those victories coming by way of knockout.

  • UFC Vegas 105: Emmett vs. Murphy Preview, Fight Card, and How to Watch

    UFC Vegas 105: Emmett vs. Murphy Preview, Fight Card, and How to Watch

    UFC returns to the intimate Apex facility this Saturday for UFC Vegas 105, featuring a high-stakes featherweight showdown between veteran knockout artist Josh Emmett and undefeated prospect Lerone Murphy. Taking place in Las Vegas, this event showcases fighters at critical junctures in their careers, with implications for the increasingly competitive featherweight division.

    How to Watch

    Start Times:

    • United States: Prelims 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT, Main Card 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT
    • United Kingdom: Prelims 11:00 PM BST, Main Card 2:00 AM BST (Sunday)

    Broadcast Details:

    • United States: ESPN+
    • United Kingdom: TNT Sports
    • International: UFC Fight Pass

    Main Event Spotlight: Emmett vs. Murphy

    The card is headlined by a compelling clash of styles, as power-punching veteran Josh Emmett (19-4) faces the technical precision of undefeated Lerone Murphy (15-0-1) in a five-round featherweight bout.

    Emmett enters the Octagon with significant momentum after securing a first-round knockout over Bryce Mitchell in December 2023. The 40-year-old Team Alpha Male standout boasts the most knockdowns in featherweight history (12) and remains one of the division’s most dangerous power punchers. After experiencing setbacks against elite competition in Ilia Topuria and Yair Rodriguez, Emmett aims to prove he still belongs among the division’s top contenders.

    Standing across from him is the unbeaten Murphy, who has steadily built his reputation with a seven-fight winning streak, most recently defeating Dan Ige by unanimous decision in October 2024. The Manchester-based fighter brings a versatile switch-stance striking approach with solid takedown defense. Murphy’s technical precision and defensive awareness present a significant challenge to Emmett’s aggressive power-punching style.

    The smaller Octagon at the UFC Apex could be a decisive factor, potentially limiting Murphy’s movement and playing into Emmett’s power-punching game. For Emmett, a victory could reignite his title aspirations, while Murphy looks to validate his undefeated record against his most accomplished opponent to date.

    Complete Fight Card

    Main Card (9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT)

    • Josh Emmett vs. Lerone Murphy (Featherweight)
    • Pat Sabatini vs. Joanderson Brito (Featherweight)
    • Cortavious Romious vs. Chang Ho Lee (Bantamweight)
    • Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Martin Buday (Heavyweight)
    • Brad Tavares vs. Gerald Meerschaert (Middleweight)
    • Torrez Finney vs. Robert Valentin (Middleweight)

    Preliminary Card (6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT)

    • Ode Osbourne vs. Luis Gurule (Flyweight)
    • Davey Grant vs. Daniel Santos (Bantamweight)
    • Diana Belbiță vs. Dione Barbosa (Women’s Flyweight)
    • Rhys McKee vs. Daniel Frunza (Welterweight)
    • Loma Lookboonmee vs. Istela Nunes (Women’s Strawweight)
    • Victor Henry vs. Pedro Falcao (Bantamweight)
    • Vanessa Demopoulos vs. Talita Alencar (Women’s Strawweight)

    Featured Bouts

    Pat Sabatini vs. Joanderson Brito

    This featherweight co-main event pits the grappling-oriented Sabatini against the aggressive Brito in what could determine a future contender in the division. Sabatini brings elite submission skills, while Brito’s explosive power and developing ground game make this an intriguing clash of styles.

    Torrez Finney vs. Robert Valentin

    Finney makes his anticipated UFC debut after impressive performances on Dana White’s Contender Series. His dominant wrestling base will be tested against Valentin in a middleweight matchup that has fans excited to see if Finney can live up to the hype.

    Brad Tavares vs. Gerald Meerschaert

    Two of the UFC’s most experienced middleweights collide as the durable Tavares faces submission specialist Meerschaert. With over 50 combined UFC appearances between them, this promises to be a tactically fascinating bout between battle-tested veterans.

    UFC Vegas 105 offers an intriguing mix of established veterans and rising prospects, with the featherweight division taking center stage. Stay tuned to MMA News for our coverage of this action-packed card live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

  • UFC Vegas 105 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Josh Emmett vs. Lerone Murphy Card

    UFC Vegas 105 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Josh Emmett vs. Lerone Murphy Card

    UFC Vegas 105 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekend’s lineup.

    The upcoming event takes place Saturday, April 5, at the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be a pair of top 10 featherweight contenders in powerhouse Josh Emmett and the undefeated Lerone Murphy.

    And also making the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Joanderson Brito, Brad Tavares, Torrez Finney, Davey Grant, and Rhys McKee.

    UFC Vegas 105: Emmett vs. Murphy Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Vegas 105 (as of 4/4), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Josh Emmett (+260) vs. Lerone Murphy (-325)
    • Pat Sabatini (+190) vs. Joanderson Brito (-230)
    • Cortavious Romious (+110) vs. ChangHo Lee (-130)
    • Brad Tavares (-198) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (+164)
    • Ode’ Osbourne (+200) vs. Luis Gurule (-245)
    • Torrez Finney (-298) vs. Robert Valentin (+240)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Davey Grant (+120) vs. Daniel Santos (-142)
    • Diane Belbiţă (+650) vs. Dione Barbosa (-1000)
    • Rhys McKee (+130) vs. Daniel Frunza (-155)
    • Loma Lookboonmee (-700) vs. Istela Nunes (+500)
    • Victor Henry (-205) vs. Pedro Falcao (+170)
    • Martin Buday vs. Uran Satybaldiev
    • Vanessa Demopoulos (-108) vs. Talita Alencar (-112)
  • Brandon Royval, Manel Kape Rebooked For Potential Flyweight Title Eliminator At UFC 317

    Brandon Royval, Manel Kape Rebooked For Potential Flyweight Title Eliminator At UFC 317

    The lineup for UFC International Fight Week 2025 is starting to take shape.

    On Thursday, a report from Laerte Viana stated that Brandon Royval and Manel Kape have been rebooked for a high-stakes flyweight bout at UFC 317, set to take place on June 28 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    With a potential title shot at stake, Royval and Kape were originally set to headline UFC Vegas 103 last month. However, “Raw Dawg” was forced to withdraw nearly a month before the fight after sustaining multiple concussions during training.

    Meanwhile, Kape remained on the card and earned a debated third-round TKO victory over short-notice replacement Asu Almabayev. The win added to the momentum he built with his dominant third-round knockout of Bruno Silva in December.

    “Starboy” was on a four-fight win streak, including finishes over Zhalgas Zhumagulov and Ode’ Osbourne. However, his surge came to a halt at UFC 304 in July 2024, where he fell short against Muhammad Mokaev via unanimous decision.

    On the other hand, Royval last competed in October, securing a hard-fought split decision victory over rising prospect Tatsuro Taira. Just earlier that year, he also edged out former champion Brandon Moreno in another split decision win in February 2024.

    “Raw Dawg” had previously challenged reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja for the 125-pound title at UFC 296 in December 2023. However, his bid for gold ended in disappointment as he suffered a one-sided unanimous decision defeat.

    As of now, no other fights have been officially confirmed for UFC 317. However, rumors suggest that a middleweight clash between former title challenger Paulo Costa and Roman Kopylov, as well as a lightweight showdown featuring veteran Michael Johnson and rising prospect Daniel Zellhuber, are in the works.

  • Daniel Cormier Tells Islam Makhachev Who He Should Push For As Next UFC Opponent

    Daniel Cormier Tells Islam Makhachev Who He Should Push For As Next UFC Opponent

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier is confident he knows who will be placed opposite lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev next time out.

    Makhachev is awaiting his second matchup of 2025, having retained possession of the 155-pound gold courtesy of a submission victory over Renato Moicano at UFC 311 this past January.

    Because of Arman Tsarukyan’s weight miss prior to that event, resulting in Moicano’s late-notice opportunity, the Armenian is seemingly out of the running.

    That’s left featherweight champ Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira as two leading candidates. But while both have pushed for the shot publicly, “DC” thinks it will go to another high-profile name.

    During the latest episode of his Funky and the Champ podcast alongside Ben Askren, Cormier predicted that ex-interim titleholder Justin Gaethje will get the shot on the strength of his recent victory over Rafael Fiziev.

    “I honestly believe that’s who is going to fight for the belt. I believe it’s going to be Gaethje,” Cormier said. “If I’m team Makhachev, I’m asking for Justin Gaethje because that’s a big-name fight. It’s the guy that carries a lot of name recognition. I think that’s going to be the fight if I’m being honest with you.”

    Gaethje, 36, has previously fallen short of the undisputed crown on two occasions. He was submitted by both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.

  • MMA News: Emmett Returns at UFC Vegas 105, PFL Kicks Off, Volk-Lopes

    MMA News: Emmett Returns at UFC Vegas 105, PFL Kicks Off, Volk-Lopes

    Good morning, fight fans, here is a rundown of the most significant developments that have unfolded in the past 24 hours. From upcoming title fights to fighter comebacks and event cancellations, there’s plenty happening across the MMA landscape today.

    Let’s dive into the top stories today, Thursday, April 3, 2025:

    1. Josh Emmett Returns to Headline UFC Vegas 105 This Weekend

    After a significant 15-month absence from the octagon, featherweight contender Josh Emmett is making his long-awaited return this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 105. The #8 ranked featherweight will headline against undefeated British prospect Lerone Murphy (#10) in what could potentially position the winner for a title opportunity in the division.

    Emmett has reportedly used his time away to focus on personal and professional development, and now feels ready to showcase his best form in this crucial matchup. With the featherweight title currently vacant, this fight carries even more significance as both fighters look to make their case for championship contention.

    2. PFL Kicks Off 2025 Season Today with Welterweight and Featherweight Action

    The Professional Fighters League launches its 2025 regular season today, April 3rd, featuring a new divisional tournament format for its welterweight and featherweight competitors. Former Bellator champion Jason Jackson faces veteran Andrey Koreshkov in the night’s main event, highlighting the organization’s continued growth as a premier destination for top-tier mixed martial arts talent.

    This season opener marks an important step in PFL’s ongoing evolution as a legitimate alternative to the UFC, bringing tournament-style competition back to mainstream MMA.

    3. Volkanovski vs. Lopes for Vacant Featherweight Title Set for UFC 314

    Former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will have his opportunity to reclaim UFC gold when he faces surging contender Diego Lopes for the vacant 145-pound title at UFC 314 on April 12th. The championship was vacated by Ilia Topuria, setting up this highly anticipated showdown to determine the division’s new ruler.

    This matchup presents an intriguing stylistic clash between Volkanovski’s technical precision and championship experience against Lopes’ explosive offensive arsenal.

    4. Sydney MMA Event Canceled Due to Security Concerns

    In a concerning development from Australia, an MMA event scheduled to take place in Sydney has been canceled due to serious security concerns. Reports indicate that fears over a potential “gangland hit” targeting a former UFC fighter contributed to the decision to halt the event.

    5. O’Malley Makes Lifestyle Changes Ahead of Dvalishvili Rematch

    UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley has publicly committed to performing at his “full potential” in his upcoming rematch against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316 later this year. The colorful champion has reportedly implemented significant lifestyle changes in preparation, including reducing social media usage and eliminating marijuana consumption to maintain complete focus on defending his title.

    After a challenging first encounter with the Georgian contender, O’Malley appears determined to make the necessary adjustments to retain his 135-pound championship.

    That wraps up today’s MMA News morning report. Stay tuned for continued coverage of these developing stories and all the latest UFC news as we approach an action-packed weekend of fights.

  • Lerone Murphy Expects To Follow Ilia Topuria’s Path To UFC Featherweight Title Shot

    Lerone Murphy Expects To Follow Ilia Topuria’s Path To UFC Featherweight Title Shot

    UFC featherweight contender Lerone Murphy is confident that a statement performance at the expense of Josh Emmett this weekend will net him a first shot at gold on MMA’s biggest stage.

    After an undefeated start to life in the UFC and recent wins over Edson Barboza and Dan Ige, Murphy has cracked the divisional top 10.

    Next, as he continues to pursue a climb up the ranks toward the title picture, “The Miracle” is tasked with getting the better of arguably the most powerful man at 145 pounds, knockout artist Emmett.

    The 40-year-old is no stranger to meeting unbeaten up-and-comers, having headline a Jacksonville event opposite then-future champion Ilia Topuria in mid-2023. After battering the American, Topuria went on to challenge and defeat Alexander Volkanovski to claim the belt.

    With that in mind, Murphy expects the same opportunity to await him should he avoid the dynamite in Emmett’s hands this Saturday night.

    “I’ve got a big job in front of me, a big task in front of me,” Murphy told talkSPORT. “But obviously we know with a win, I’ll be asking for a title shot for sure.

    “Ilia Topuria done it and I’ll be 16-0. So I feel like if I go out there and put on a good, solid performance and look championship worthy, then I think the UFC will give it to me,” Murphy added.

    And should that be the case, the Brit is also hoping for the same man who Topuria unseated last February to return to the throne.

    “I would say Volkanovski (is the preferred championship opponent), just because of the name value,” Lerone Murphy explained. “He’s a legend, and I think if you have Volkanovski on your record, like when you look back on your career, for me, it’s not really about money. It’s about status and what I can tell my kids and what I can look back on.

    “When you get old, all you’ve got is memories, and you’re looking back on what you’ve done. To be able to say, ‘I fought Volkanovski,’ would be a big one. I think he gets the job done next weekend,” Lerone Murphy continued. “So hopefully it’s me versus Volk. But like you said, he’s got a tough matchup. I’ve got a tough matchup. Let’s see what happens.”

    It’s evident that Lerone Murphy will have his eyes on next month’s UFC 314 main event for the vacant featherweight title between Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.

    First things first, though, the Manchester native must stall the late-career ambitions of Emmett, who is returning for the first time since a sickening KO of Bryce Mitchell 16 months ago.

  • Jack Della Maddalena Compares Belal Muhammad’s ‘Boring Style’ To GSP’s

    Jack Della Maddalena Compares Belal Muhammad’s ‘Boring Style’ To GSP’s

    UFC welterweight title challenger Jack Della Maddalena sees similarities between reigning champion Belal Muhammad and legend Georges St-Pierre’s approach to fighting.

    Della Maddalena has received a surprise opportunity this year owing to an injury to original top contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    As a result, the Australian was pulled from his scheduled London main event against Leon Edwards and thrust into a title clash with Muhammad at UFC 315 in Canada next month.

    With his preparation ongoing, Della Maddalena has been analysing the man he’ll need to beat to bring UFC gold back Down Under. And like plenty of the champ’s detractors, he had one word in mine during a recent interview on Fox Sports Australia’s mainevent — “boring.”

    “It’s no question he’s got a boring fight style,” Della Maddalena said of Belal Muhammad. “He’s good at holding people down and getting victories. GSP (Georges St-Pierre) got flak back in the day for being a boring style. I definitely think it’s a boring style, but winning is obviously his number one goal, and fair play to him. But I feel like I can beat him.”

    Muhammad has aspirations of reaching and surpassing the legacy of the great St-Pierre, who achieved title glory in two divisions and cemented his place in the GOAT debate despite a fight style widely branded less than entertaining.

  • Patricio Pitbull Open To Showdown With Fellow Brazilian MMA Legend In The UFC

    Patricio Pitbull, now set to debut in the UFC against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314, has expressed an openness to a potential showdown with Jose Aldo.

    This comes as both fighters, who dominated their respective featherweight divisions in Bellator and UFC for years, find themselves under the same promotional banner.

    Pitbull, with a stellar 24-6 record in Bellator, sees the fight as a resolution to a long-standing “what if” scenario.

    “I don’t have this desire to fight Aldo, nothing like that, but for the context, if an offer comes from the UFC, I would be happy to take it,” Pitbull stated to MMA Fighting.

    While Pitbull doesn’t believe a victory over Aldo would definitively crown him the greatest featherweight of all time, he recognizes its significance in settling a long-debated topic. He feels that there’s a bias towards UFC fighters in these discussions.

    “For Aldo and people in the UFC, everybody is sure he’s the best featherweight of all time,” Pitbull said, “But some people that know fighting [say], ‘There’s also Patricio, and maybe he could be fighting for the title of who’s the greatest.’”

    He proposes that a fight would provide a tangible answer, even if it wouldn’t fully define their legacies.

    “We know it wouldn’t determine who was the best or who has done more, but in a fight we would at least have an answer, we’d know who catches fire first, and the winner would leave a great mark.”

    Pitbull’s career boasts titles in both Bellator’s featherweight and lightweight divisions, including a victory over RIZIN’s featherweight champion Kleber Koike. His attempt to capture the bantamweight title from Sergio Pettis was unsuccessful, but he remains open to exploring different weight classes within the UFC.

    “Depending on the challenge, we’d do it,” Pitbull said, indicating his willingness to compete from 135 to 170 pounds. He emphasizes the importance of the opponent’s history and experience, suggesting he’d be more inclined to fight a seasoned veteran.

    The potential fight between Pitbull and Aldo carries significant weight, representing a clash of two eras and promotions. It would serve not only as a spectacle for fans but also as a means to settle a debate that has persisted for years. Pitbull’s entry into the UFC and his openness to this matchup have added an intriguing layer to the promotion’s landscape, generating anticipation for what could be a historic encounter.

  • Josh Emmett Sends Advice To Fans After Seeing Betting Odds For UFC Vegas 105 Main Event

    Josh Emmett Sends Advice To Fans After Seeing Betting Odds For UFC Vegas 105 Main Event

    UFC featherweight contender Josh Emmett is expecting to make a mockery of his underdog status in this weekend’s main event.

    Emmett is set to return from a 16-month layoff at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night inside the Apex, having not competed since his sickening knockout of Bryce Mitchell in December 2023.

    In his bid to regain momentum after that memorable result, the 40-year-old is tasked with stalling the rise of undefeated up-and-comer Lerone Murphy in the headline spot on April 5.

    Successfully doing so would see Emmett upset the odds. As pointed out to him at UFC Vegas 105 media day on Wednesday, the betting line currently has the veteran at +275.

    “The people that are betting, they love it when I’m a huge underdog,” Josh Emmett said. “What, +275? Bet the house.”

    The root of Emmett’s confidence? The belief that his already obscene power has only increased during his time away.

    “Over the last 14 months, we’ve been working on my power,” he said. “I promise you I’m so much more powerful than I was, so wait till that right hand connects.”

    The addition of even more power to Emmett’s dynamite hands is a scary prospect for the featherweight division and, in particular, Murphy.

    “The Miracle” has climbed into the 145-pound top 10 with a 7-0-1 record. He most recently got the better of the always game Dan Ige in Abu Dhabi last October.

  • Report: Derrick Lewis’ UFC Return To Come Against Undefeated Prospect Who Debuted With Brutal 35-Second KO

    Report: Derrick Lewis’ UFC Return To Come Against Undefeated Prospect Who Debuted With Brutal 35-Second KO

    The UFC is reportedly gearing up for a return to Nashville, Tennessee, with a Fight Night card featuring Derrick Lewis at the top of the lineup.

    On Wednesday, MMA journalist Laerte Viana reported on social media that Lewis is set to headline a non-pay-per-view event on July 12 against Tallison Teixeira, with the venue yet to be determined.

    “The Black Beast” will be returning to the Octagon for his comeback after more than a year away. His last appearance came in May 2024, when he delivered a third-round knockout victory over Rodrigo Nascimento.

    Lewis has struggled with consistency in the UFC, going 3-5 in his last eight outings. Among those setbacks is a lopsided knockout loss to Ciryl Gane in their interim heavyweight title clash at UFC 265 in August 2021. He holds a 19-10 record inside the Octagon, with a staggering 15 of those victories coming by knockout.

    Meanwhile, Teixeira, the tallest active fighter in the UFC at 6’8″, made his promotional debut at UFC 312 in February, where he secured a blistering 35-second knockout victory over Justin Tafa. “Xicao” earned his shot in the UFC with a first-round knockout of Arthur Lopes on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2024.

    The 25-year-old Brazilian has maintained a flawless professional record, securing all eight of his victories by stoppage — seven by knockout and one via submission.

  • UFC Announces Partnership With Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, Including Rankings Overhaul

    UFC Announces Partnership With Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, Including Rankings Overhaul

    The UFC and Meta are joining forces to deliver an innovative experience for fans.

    On Wednesday, UFC CEO Dana White announced a multiyear alliance with Mark Zuckerberg’s tech powerhouse, solidifying its role as the MMA promotion’s “official fan technology partner.” This collaboration aims to leverage cutting-edge innovations to enhance fan engagement.

    Through this partnership, the UFC will integrate Meta’s technology, including Meta AI, Meta Glasses, Meta Quest, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, to create a more immersive fan experience. Additionally, Meta will serve as the UFC’s official AI glasses partner, collaborating to showcase innovative uses of its smart glasses at fight events.

    White, who has repeatedly voiced his frustration with the current ranking system, has hinted at replacing it with AI-driven solutions. He teased on social media that the UFC’s official rankings are set for a major transformation, with Meta playing a key role in revolutionizing the process.

    “We’ve already started to work with Meta to create a new fighter rankings system that will debut later this year, thank God,” White said. “We’ll also be using Meta’s AI-powered glasses to capture UFC content and we’re going to do things with Meta that will blow UFC fans away. The next few years will be an absolute game-changer for fans of this sport.”

    The UFC’s current ranking system is determined by a panel of journalists and media representatives from various MMA publications. This system has remained unchanged since the UFC first introduced official rankings in February 2013.

    White and Zuckerberg have formed a close alliance over the years, with the billionaire tech mogul frequently attending UFC events. Their partnership took another step forward in January when White was appointed to Meta’s board of directors. However, the specifics of his role within the company remain unclear.

  • Sean O’Malley Says He’ll Be ’70 Percent’ Better For Merab Dvalishvili Rematch

    Sean O’Malley Says He’ll Be ’70 Percent’ Better For Merab Dvalishvili Rematch

    Sean O’Malley will soon have his shot at redemption, and he’s promised UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili that he’ll be facing an entirely different beast come fight night.

    UFC CEO Dana White announced a few high-profile bouts this week, including the title rematch between Dvalishvili and O’Malley following their five-round battle inside the Sphere last September.

    The decision has caused debate in the MMA community, with some questioning why “Suga” has been granted an immediate opportunity in his return from injury given his short reign and one-sided defeat to “The Machine.”

    But during the latest episode of his TimboSugarShow alongside coach Tim Welch, O’Malley expressed confidence in delivering a much better performance second time around, having overcome the injury he fought through in Las Vegas seven months ago.

    “Dude, I am so excited for this fight. My body, my body has not felt like this since I fought Petr Yan. Since I fought Petr, my body hasn’t felt this good since 2022. It’s 2025 now. I fought Aljo (Aljamain Sterling), I fought ‘Chito’ (Marlon Vera), I fought Merab, just dealing with little (injuries)…and I’m not saying I’m the only one. Every fighter’s dealing with something, but I haven’t felt this good.

    “I’m going to be 70 percent better than I was in that first fight,” Sean O’Malley said. “I’m going to be significantly more mobile, agile, better shape. I’m gonna fight at my full potential.”

  • Henry Cejudo Thinks He’s Cracked The Case Of Who Dustin Poirier Will Face In Retirement Fight

    Henry Cejudo Thinks He’s Cracked The Case Of Who Dustin Poirier Will Face In Retirement Fight

    Dustin Poirier is set to have one final UFC fight this year, and former two-division champion Henry Cejudo thinks he might have worked out who will be tasked with sending him into retirement.

    Poirier is planning to make his farewell in 2025. He committed to one more Octagon outing soon after his latest failed shot at the undisputed lightweight title last June in Newark, where he was submitted in round five of the UFC 302 main event by Islam Makhachev.

    While an opponent and event is yet to be announced, “The Diamond” is targeting fellow “legends” of the sport for a showdown close to home in New Orleans this summer.

    And that exact description has left one fellow fighter sharing a possible theory…

    “I can see Ilia Topuria vs. Dustin Poirier,” Cejudo said on episode 26 of The Bohnfire podcast, hosted by MMA Junkie reporter Mike Bohn. “Of course, if I think about it, Dustin Poirier did say he’s only fighting legends for his retirement fight and Ilia Topuria just changed his name to ‘The Legend.’ … We’re probably on to something.”

    Topuria, who is set to vacate the featherweight title and move permanently to the lightweight division, caused a stir last month when he announced the end of his “El Matador” nickname.

    As he begins a pursuit of championship glory in a new weight class, the Spaniard will go by the moniker of “La Leyenda,” meaning “The Legend.”

  • Report: Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida In The Works For UFC Atlanta

    Report: Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida In The Works For UFC Atlanta

    An important clash between top heavyweights is reportedly targeted for UFC Atlanta on June 14.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is heading back to Georgia to stage a UFC Fight Night from the State Farm Arena in a few months’ time, and the lineup is beginning to come together.

    Following news that Rose Namajunas will make her return at the event, journalist Léo Guimaraes is reporting that a heavyweight collision between the #3-ranked Alexander Volkov and #6-ranked Jailton Almeida is also in the works.

    Volkov (38-11) surged into the title picture with a victory over his fellow countryman Sergei Pavlovich in Saudi Arabia last June, a result that extended his winning streak to four. But his momentum took a hit at UFC 310 six months later when he controversially fell on the wrong side of a split decision opposite Ciryl Gane.

    Almeida (22-3), meanwhile, has won two on the bounce since Curtis Blaydes handed him his first UFC setback 13 months ago. After rebounding with a submission of Alexandr Romanov, “Malhadinho” most recently battered Serghei Spivac en route to a TKO at UFC 311 this past January.

    With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at UFC Atlanta on June 14 are as follows:

    • Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida (heavyweight)
    • Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick (women’s flyweight)
    • Alonzo Menifield vs. Oumar Sy (light heavyweight)

  • UFC Fighter Who Hasn’t Fought In 6 Years Since Loss To Charles Oliveira Hints At Sudden Comeback

    A forgotten face in the UFC may soon be returning to the Octagon.

    Entering 2019, David Teymur was among the most promising prospects out of Europe. A perfect run of five straight wins in the UFC left him 8-1 as a professional and with an opportunity to impress in hostile territory against then-future champion Charles Oliveira.

    But following strong performances opposite Lando Vannata, Drakkar Klose, and Nik Lentz, the Swedish lightweight was submitted for the first time in his career by “Do Bronx” in their Fortaleza clash.

    Teymur notably suffered a broken orbital bone in that bout, but little did anyone know that other injuries would potentially prevent him from ever entering the cage again.

    Six years on, during a recent interview with MMANYTT, Teymur finally addressed his layoff and the prospects of an unlikely UFC comeback.

    “I was injured. If I wasn’t, that match would’ve looked very different,” Teymur said of his loss to Oliveira, before suggesting a neck injury has since kept him out of action. “If you’ve ever had neck problems, you understand. Wrestling on your neck, striking…it’s not worth it if it’s not healed.

    “I’m still in the UFC. I’ve got a contract. I’m not closing any doors,” Teymur added.

    At 35 years of age — the same as Oliveira and younger than the likes of Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler — perhaps Teymur still has time to make somewhat of a splash on MMA’s biggest stage, should he choose to resume his career.