MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • Ian Garry Reacts To Short-Notice UFC Main Event Against Carlos Prates: ‘I’m A Real Fighter!’

    Ian Garry Reacts To Short-Notice UFC Main Event Against Carlos Prates: ‘I’m A Real Fighter!’

    A late switch-up means UFC welterweight contenders Ian Garry and Carlos Prates will headline in Missouri later this month.

    The promotion’s trip to Kansas City to stage a UFC Fight Night inside T-Mobile Center on April 26 was originally set to feature a main event between hard-hitting light heavyweights Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree.

    But following speculation of an injury to the former champion, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Tuesday that a new matchup will now top the lineup.

    The stakes will be similarly high, however, with both Garry and Prates looking to ascend into the championship conversation at each other’s expense.

    An excited Garry expressed as much while giving his first public reaction to the news on social media. “The Future” encouraged his supporters to attend the event and vowed to put on a show.

    “It’s official…me versus Carlos Prates, April 26. I’m excited,” Ian Garry said. “The UFC go, ‘Ah, we need someone. Who do we need? Who do we call?’ You call me. Why? ‘Cause I’m a real fighter who wants to fight the best in the world.

    “I’m going to show everybody how good I am,” Garry continued. “Carlos Prates is awesome, but this is my world. I love to fight! There’s nothing more I love in this world than fighting. … Ireland, get your tickets, get your flights. Brazil, get your tickets, get your flights.”

    The Irishman most recently fell short in another late-notice contest opposite Shavkat Rakhmonov last December. The result marked his first defeat in the UFC and professional MMA as a whole.

    Prates, meanwhile, has been on a charge since breaking through on MMA’s biggest stage. The Brazilian Fighting Nerds standout has won four straight, most recently knocking out Neil Magny.

  • Ian Garry Gets First UFC Main Event Against Carlos Prates In Kansas City

    Ian Garry Gets First UFC Main Event Against Carlos Prates In Kansas City

    The UFC’s return to Kansas City now features an electrifying new main event.

    On Tuesday, the UFC confirmed a high-stakes welterweight showdown between Ian Garry and Carlos Prates as the headline bout for the Fight Night card set to take place on April 26 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

    The announcement comes in the wake of the previously scheduled main event between top-ranked light heavyweight Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. being scrapped for undisclosed reasons.

    “The Future” is set to make his comeback after suffering the first loss of his career, a hard-fought unanimous decision to undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 this past December. Prior to that, Garry had been riding the momentum of an eight-fight winning streak in the UFC, building on his flawless record through 15 professional bouts.

    Meanwhile, Prates was last seen in November, where he secured a first-round knockout over Neil Magny at a Fight Night event. “The Nightmare” is riding a wave of momentum, holding a perfect 4-0 record in the UFC. He enters this matchup on a ten-fight win streak, with every victory coming by knockout.

    The Brazilian was initially set to square off against Geoff Neal at UFC 314 on April 12, but “Handz of Steel” was forced to withdraw from the fight due to an injury.

    With the addition of this matchup, the UFC Kansas City lineup now includes:

    • Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates: welterweight
    • Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang: light heavyweight
    • Giga Chikadze vs. David Onama: featherweight
    • Michel Pereira vs. Abus Magomedov: middleweight
    • Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz: middleweight
    • Randy Brown vs. Nicolas Dalby: welterweight
    • Jimmy Flick vs. Matt Schnell: flyweight
    • Evan Elder vs. Ahmad Hassanzada: lightweight
    • Jaqueline Amorim vs. Polyana Viana: strawweight
    • Cameron Saaiman vs. Malcolm Wellmaker: bantamweight
    • Chelsea Chandler vs. Joselyne Edwards: women’s bantamweight
  • Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2, Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison Title Fights Headline UFC 316

    Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2, Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison Title Fights Headline UFC 316

    Plenty of gold will be on the line when the mixed martial arts leader returns to Newark for UFC 316.

    The UFC heads back to the Prudential Center to stage a numbered event on June 7, marking the venue’s first time hosting the Octagon since Islam Makhachev successfully fended off the threat of Dustin Poirier to retain his grip on the lightweight title in mid-2024.

    This year, a pair of championship bouts at 135 pounds will top the UFC 316 lineup, with Merab Dvalishvili and Julianna Peña defending their belts against Sean O’Malley and Kayla Harrison, respectively.

    UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the news Tuesday on social media.

    This news confirms that O’Malley will receive an immediate rematch with Dvalishvili in his return from injury. “Sugar” hasn’t competed since being unseated by the Georgian at Noche UFC inside the Sphere last September, after which he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum.

    Harrison, meanwhile, earned the right to challenge for UFC gold by making it two wins from two in the Octagon last October. On the same night that she outpointed Ketlen Vieira, Peña controversially got the better of Raquel Pennington on the scorecards to become a two-time bantamweight champ.

  • UFC Veteran Explains Why Conor McGregor Passing On Return Fight Isn’t At All ‘Surprising’

    UFC Veteran Explains Why Conor McGregor Passing On Return Fight Isn’t At All ‘Surprising’

    Conor McGregor’s recent statements suggest he might be finished with fighting, nearly four years after his last UFC appearance.

    At a BKFC event in Florida, McGregor said he turned down a chance to fight again and is now focused on a career in politics. He also said, “I’m happy with what I’ve done,” which sounds more like a goodbye than a hint at a future fight.

    However, UFC legend Matt Brown points out that McGregor has been talking about these kinds of plans since he first became famous. Brown says McGregor is simply following through on promises he made years ago.

    “He told us like 10 years ago what he was going to do,” Brown said on the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer. “Do you remember him talking about it? ‘I’m going to come in, I’m going to take over, I’m going to make money and then I’m going to get the f*ck out.’

    “He said something along the lines of this game is brutal, you don’t want to be in it too long. He told us however many 8 or 10 years ago. He literally told us and he has done it.”

    Brown, despite having previously said that McGregor was likely done with fighting, acknowledges the strong pull of attention and fame that comes with being UFC’s biggest star. The retired fighter understands that this kind of spotlight is hard to let go of.

    However, he believes that McGregor has found other ways to stay in the public eye, like a future in politics and becoming a co-owner in BKFC, which might mean he won’t return to fighting. 

    “This is not surprising at all,” Brown said. “He’s just finally, actually [copping to it]. He loves being in the news. He loves staying relevant and putting his two cents into everything. He’s kept his voice out there and we’ve all paid attention and we’re still talking about it.

    “He’s done a good job of that. A good job of playing the media. I told you before, he’s done. I think he’s just confirming what we already knew.”

  • Muhammad Mokaev Torches Joe Pyfer For Mexico Rant: ‘If You Signed, STFU!’

    Muhammad Mokaev Torches Joe Pyfer For Mexico Rant: ‘If You Signed, STFU!’

    Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev has weighed in on Joe Pyfer’s comments after a last-second withdrawal from Saturday’s event in Mexico.

    Pyfer has caused a stir in recent days following the cancellation of his planned clash with Kelvin Gastelum on this past weekend’s card inside Arena CDMX. “Bodybagz” pulled out on the day of the fight citing illness.

    In the aftermath, the American released a video on social media explaining the situation. Pyfer detailed his sickness and placed blame on the location, branding Mexico a “sh*thole” during a rant that was quickly criticized by many in the MMA community.

    “I don’t care if it’s offensive to you, I will never go back to that country,” Joe Pyfer said. “I did everything right. I slept in a tent. I did all this work to still get sick. Some people are saying it wasn’t the food, saying I got altitude sickness. I’m not a f*cking geographic f*cking, you know, elevation f*cking scientist, but I was told as long as I acclimated, which I did for two months, slept in a tent on the f*cking floor – you know, I did everything that I could to prepare.

    “If that’s what altitude and elevation is, f*ck that country. I will never fight there again. Sh*thole. Not going back. Don’t care if that’s offensive to you. You’re not the one fighting. Suck my balls. Literally,” Pyfer concluded.

    Among those to call Pyfer out for his remarks were a number of fighters, one being Mokaev.

    Responding to the video on social media, “The Punisher” insisted that Pyfer accepted the risks of fighting overseas once he signed on for the matchup.

    “TBF every country is challenge and you gotta go out there and adapt,” Mokaev wrote on X. “It’s your own risk when you sign the contract but if you signed (then) stfu”

    The scenario has marked a blow to Pyfer’s surge up the ladder, which got back on track last summer with a brutal knockout of Marc-André Barriault. While the 28-year-old’s journey to the Octagon birthed the “be Joe Pyfer” tagline, his reputation would appear to have taken a blow as a result of his comments on Mexico.

    In addition to “don’t be Joe Pyfer” posts online, the American’s Wikipedia page has also been altered to change his moniker to “El Kakas,” loosely translated to ‘excrement’ in English.

  • Backup Fighter Seemingly Revealed For Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett At UFC 314

    Backup Fighter Seemingly Revealed For Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett At UFC 314

    Should anything happen to either Michael Chandler or Paddy Pimblett, one top lightweight says he’s first in line to fill in at UFC 314.

    Chandler and Pimblett are on a collision course for Miami, with the pair set to headline next weekend’s pay-per-view event inside the Kaseya Center. They’re tasked with setting the stage for a featherweight championship clash between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.

    While the bout is highly anticipated given the potential connotations for the high-ranked veteran and the rising, charismatic prospect, fans know better than to assume both men will make it to the cage.

    UFC 314 has already been hit by the withdrawal curse in 2025. After two fight-day cancellations at the last numbered event, an intriguing welterweight bout between Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates has already fallen through for April 12.

    Should something happen that sees Chandler vs. Pimblett follow suit, the promotion seemingly has contingency plans in place.

    Adrian Szymański recently shared a report from Polish outlet Super Express on X, which revealed comments from Mateusz Gamrot regarding a potential backup role for the UFC 314 co-main event.

    “Mateusz Gamrot revealed that he received an assurance from the UFC that he would be the first replacement in case Michael Chandler or Paddy Pimblett were to drop out of the fight at UFC 314 in Miami,” the post reads, translated from Polish.

    Gamrot recently attempted to secure a short-notice opportunity to impress following Dan Hooker’s withdrawal from UFC 313. The vacant spot opposite Justin Gaethje ultimately went the way of Rafael Fiziev instead.

    “Gamer” hasn’t competed since his showdown with Hooker in Australia last August, which he narrowly lost via split decision.

  • Shara Magomedov Told To Avoid Verbal Exchanges With ‘Brutal’ Trash-Talker Dricus Du Plessis 

    Shara Magomedov Told To Avoid Verbal Exchanges With ‘Brutal’ Trash-Talker Dricus Du Plessis 

    UFC middleweight prospect Shara Magomedov has been warned against verbally sparring with his division’s champion, Dricus Du Plessis.

    Magomedov recently had his charge up the 185-pound ladder stalled by Michael “Venom” Page, but that hasn’t stopped him from sharing some firm words on Du Plessis’ status as kingpin.

    “Bullet” recently expressed bemusement at the South African’s ability to become champ, outlining his desire to see Khamzat Chimaev unseat him soon.

    It didn’t take long for Du Plessis to take notice of the remarks. “Stillknocks” fired back with multiple jabs at Magomedov’s compromised vision.

    “Somebody get my guy some eye drop,” one of the South African’s posts read.

    During a recent episode of his Weighing In podcast alongside Josh Thomson, “Big” John McCarthy advised Magomedov against responding, stating that a war of words with Du Plessis won’t go well for the Dagestani.

    “I’m gonna say this, DDP lives in a place where there’s all kinds of things going on there and don’t get into a verbal confrontation with him. [Du Plessis’ trash-talking game], it’s f**king next level, exactly,” McCarthy said. “He is on point, he is brutal, he will freaking pull sh*t out of the f**king thin air and just absolutely hammer you.”

  • Benoît Saint Denis Reportedly Returning To Face Explosive Finisher At UFC 315

    Benoît Saint Denis Reportedly Returning To Face Explosive Finisher At UFC 315

    The UFC 315 card just got even more stacked with the addition of a thrilling matchup featuring Benoît Saint Denis.

    On Monday, Saint Denis took to his YouTube channel to announce that he’ll be making his return at UFC 315, which is scheduled for May 10 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, though he refrained from naming his opponent.

    According to a recent report by MMA journalist Álvaro Colmenero, the 29-year-old Frenchman is set to square off against Joel Alvarez in a lightweight showdown.

    “God of War” is currently on a two-fight losing skid and was last in action at UFC Fight Night in Paris last September, where he endured a brutal second-round TKO (doctor’s stoppage) at the hands of Renato Moicano.

    Saint Denis was riding a five-fight finish streak before his momentum was halted by former interim 155-pound champion Dustin Poirier, who scored a second-round knockout in their March 2024 encounter. He now holds a 5-3 record in the UFC.

    Meanwhile, Alvarez is coming off a dominant first-round knockout victory over Drakkar Klose at a Fight Night event in Tampa this past December. “El Fenomeno” last experienced defeat in February 2022 against Arman Tsarukyan, but since then, he’s rebounded strongly with a three-fight win streak.

    The 32-year-old Spaniard has secured seven victories in his nine UFC bouts, with each win coming by way of either knockout or submission.

    The UFC 315 card will feature two championship bouts at the top of the lineup. In the main event, reigning UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad will make his first title defense against Jack Della Maddalena. Meanwhile, in the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko will defend her flyweight title against Manon Fiorot.

    Here’s what the current UFC 315 lineup looks like:

    • Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena: welterweight title
    • Valentina Shevchenko vs. Manon Fiorot: women’s flyweight title
    • Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva: women’s flyweight
    • Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales: welterweight
    • Benoit Saint Denis vs. Joel Alvarez: lightweight
    • Jose Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi: bantamweight
    • Brad Katona vs. Bekzat Almakhan: bantamweight
    • Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Bruno Silva: middleweight
    • Mike Malott vs. Charles Radtke: welterweight
    • Jessica Andrade vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius: women’s flyweight
    • Navajo Stirling vs. Ivan Erslan: light heavyweight
    • Modestas Bukauskas vs. Ion Cutelaba: light heavyweight

  • Report: Paulo Costa’s First Fight Since Sean Strickland Dud Targeted For UFC 317

    Should current plans come to fruition, UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa will bring to an end a one-year layoff at this year’s edition of International Fight Week.

    Costa (14-4) went 0-2 last year after returning to action for the first time since a 2022 win over Luke Rockhold. After playing his part in a memorable three-round battle with Robert Whittaker, “Borrachinha” figured in the opposite versus Sean Strickland.

    While he also lost via the scorecards to the American former champ, their five-round affair at UFC 302 last June was widely criticized and branded lackluster.

    In the aftermath, Costa vowed to return to the all-out aggression that he formerly displayed inside the Octagon. And a recent report suggests he’ll have the chance to do so on June 28.

    According to Benny P — an Australian insider who has frequently broken news regarding the likes of Jack Della Maddalena and Robert Whittaker — a clash between Costa and the #15-ranked Roman Kopylov (14-3) is in the works for UFC 317.

    Kopylov opened his account for 2025 by stopping Chris Curtis with a last-second head kick at the Apex in January. Having previously outpointed Cesar Almeida, the Russian has now won two straight since Anthony Hernandez handed him his only loss across the past seven fights.

    There are currently no confirmed fights for UFC 317 on June 28. But with it set to mark the conclusion of International Fight Week this year, a stacked lineup is expected to take shape.

  • UFC Rankings Report: Steve Erceg On Wrong Side Of Only Change After UFC Mexico

    UFC Rankings Report: Steve Erceg On Wrong Side Of Only Change After UFC Mexico

    In the aftermath of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

    Men’s Pound-For-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Pound-for-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Strawweight: No changes.

    Women’s Flyweight: No changes.

    Women’s Bantamweight: No changes.

    Flyweight: The sole update to the UFC rankings this week comes at 125 pounds, where Steve Erceg has received a small downgrade following his third straight defeat. After falling by way of decision to Brandon Moreno in this past weekend’s main event, the Australian has fallen one place to #9. That’s pushed Asu Almabayev up to #8 despite the Kazakh getting stopped by Manel Kape early last month.

    Bantamweight: No changes.

    Featherweight: No changes.

    Lightweight: No changes.

    Welterweight: No changes.

    Middleweight: No changes.

    Light Heavyweight: No changes.

    Heavyweight: No changes.

    You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

  • Zack Snyder To Direct ‘Brawler’ Movie For UFC

    Zack Snyder, known for his work directing major Hollywood movies, is now stepping into the world of mixed martial arts.

    According to the Hollywood Reporter, he’s teamed up with the UFC to create a film called Brawler, which promises to deliver intense, realistic fight scenes that will likely surpass the action seen in his superhero movies.  

    Brawler, will tell the story of a young fighter who rises from the tough streets of Los Angeles, aiming for a UFC championship. However, the fighter must also confront his personal struggles as he seeks redemption. This project marks the UFC’s latest effort to bring its sport to the big screen, following its successful immersive event at the Sphere in Las Vegas, where the promotion used a massive LED screen for a live sporting event.

    Snyder, along with his wife and producing partner Deborah Snyder, and Wesley Coller, will produce Brawler through their company, Stone Quarry. Turki Alalshikh and Craig Borsari, the UFC’s chief content officer, will serve as executive producers on the film.

    In addition to directing, Snyder will write the screenplay for Brawler alongside Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad, his frequent collaborator. They have previously worked together on films like 300, based on the Frank Miller comic, and the Rebel Moon movies.  

    “Behind every great fighter is the story of how they got there. UFC is the world leader in combat sports, and I’m honored to be partnering with them to tell this incredible story,” Snyder stated.

    Turki Alalshikh, who is the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, also owns The Ring Magazine.

    Snyder’s production company, Stone Quarry, is also developing an untitled LAPD project for Netflix, which is their fourth project under their partnership, following Rebel Moon, Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver, and Army of the Dead.

    The Snyders also produced Zack Snyder’s Justice League for HBO Max. Zack Snyder is represented by CAA.

  • Ilia Topuria: The UFC Has Promised Lightweight Title Fight

    Ilia Topuria is placing his trust in Dana White and the UFC as he plans to move up to the 155-pound division.

    Though he hasn’t received official confirmation on his next opponent, whether it will be lightweight champion Islam Makhachev or another contender, Topuria remains confident that his next fight will be for the lightweight title.

    This comes as Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes are set to fight for the featherweight belt that Topuria will vacate at UFC 314.

    Speaking to the media after an event in Madrid, Spain, Topuria reassured his supporters that the UFC has guaranteed him a title fight.

    “I’m not entirely sure what my next fight will be,” Topuria said  (h/t MMA Marca, translation via Championship Rounds). “The only thing I’m sure of is that the UFC’s word is that my next fight will be for the world title. That’s all I know. Afterwards, if it’s going to be Islam, if it’s going to be Charles, I have no idea.” He emphasized the importance of the title being on the line, stating, “The belt will be on the line. That was the promise for leaving my title vacant. They’ve always kept their promises.”

    Topuria isn’t demanding that Makhachev be his opponent. He’s open to either fighting Makhachev for the lightweight title or competing for a vacant belt if Makhachev moves up to 170 pounds. Another potential opponent is Charles Oliveira, whom Topuria has previously expressed interest in fighting. However, Oliveira recently dismissed Topuria, saying he’s not “a big fight,” which led to a strong response from Topuria, who questioned Oliveira’s past record.

    “I haven’t dissed [Oliveira], I’ve told the truth,” Topuria explained. “He has 10 losses. I haven’t said anything else. He has 10 losses. Five by knockout, four by submission, one by decision. He says [lightweight] is the toughest division there is. When he was fighting at 145, even Cub Swanson beat him up. That’s where the conversation ends.

    Topuria continued, “Something he couldn’t achieve at 145 pounds, he did at 155, where he became champion. So why is that division tougher than the one I come from? I don’t find any logic in it. And that’s why I said it seems like he hasn’t read a single page of a newspaper. So if that’s disrespectful, I don’t know since when telling the truth is disrespectful.”

  • Alexander Volkanovski: Islam Makhachev Is The Only Person Who Can Match Me

    Alexander Volkanovski, despite recent setbacks, maintains unwavering confidence in his ability to dominate any five-round UFC contest.

    Islam Makhachev broke his nearly decade-long undefeated streak at UFC 284, a closely contested bout where Volkanovski’s attempt to secure dual-champion status fell just short. 

    He rebounded with a successful featherweight title defense against Yair Rodriguez, but subsequent losses to Makhachev in a rematch and Ilia Topuria have challenged his previously dominant run.

    However, Volkanovski attributes his knockout losses to being caught off guard, rather than being outmatched in a sustained fight. He believes his skill set allows him to compete on equal footing with any UFC fighter for five rounds, with a possible exception for Makhachev.

    This belief in his endurance and overall fighting prowess remains a cornerstone of his mindset as he looks to rebound from his recent defeats.

    Volkanovski’s assertion highlights his belief in his cardio and fight IQ. He feels that when he is able to get into a long fight, he will be able to outlast his opponents. He has stated that his losses where due to him getting caught, and not due to him being outclassed.

    “I don’t believe anyone can beat me,” Volkanovski told Fox Sports Australia. “The only person that I can see giving me a tough fight for five rounds is an Islam Makhachev in the first one, as you’ve seen. Everyone else has just got a puncher’s chance. That’s just how I always look at it. I truly believe that, and that’s the confidence I have in myself. No one can beat me.”

    Following Topuria’s decision to vacate the featherweight championship, Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes are set to clash for the now-vacant title. This highly anticipated main event will headline UFC 314, taking place on April 12th at the Kaseya Center in Miami.

    “They can catch me, so I think he needs to be reckless to beat me,” Volkanovski said. “If he tries to fight this perfect fight, it’s not going to work. He needs to try and be reckless and catch me. That’s his best chance, so he’s going to do what we all know he’s going to do and what he’s been doing, which is exciting for the fans, but it opens a lot of doors for me. … (There’s) a lot I can capitalize and that I will capitalize on.”

  • Former RIZIN, Bellator Champ Kyoji Horiguchi Returning To UFC

    Former RIZIN, Bellator Champ Kyoji Horiguchi Returning To UFC

    Kyoji Horiguchi, a former champion in multiple organizations, is preparing to make his return to the UFC.

    News reports earlier in the month suggested that Horiguchi was close to finalizing an agreement to rejoin the UFC after leaving in 2016. Confirmation of this move was strengthened when it was revealed he had recently completed a drug test required by the UFC’s anti-doping program.  

    Horiguchi initially left the UFC on a positive note, having won his last three fights. He then achieved further success in RIZIN, where he won a championship, and later in Bellator, where he also claimed a title.

    The skilled fighter from Japan has maintained a strong record, going undefeated in his last six fights since April 2022.  

    During his first period with the UFC, Horiguchi came close to winning the flyweight title, challenging Demetrious Johnson in 2015.

    However, he was defeated just moments before the end of the final round. Now, Horiguchi has announced during RIZIN 50 in Japan that he is giving up his flyweight championship in order to return to the UFC. As a result of this decision, RIZIN will organize a tournament to determine a new champion.

    “I’m going to the UFC,” Horiguchi said. “I’m going to become the first Japanese UFC champion.”

  • ‘Pantoja Schools Both Again’ – Fans React As Brandon Moreno Outpoints Steve Erceg In UFC Mexico Main Event

    ‘Pantoja Schools Both Again’ – Fans React As Brandon Moreno Outpoints Steve Erceg In UFC Mexico Main Event

    Former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno had a successful homecoming, scoring a unanimous decision win over ex-title challenger Steve Erceg in the main event of UFC Mexico.

    Moreno and Erceg felt each other out to start before the two picked up their striking pressure. The Mexican favorite landed a strong combination that forced his Australian conterpart back, testing his chin. Erceg landed decent leg kicks, but Moreno showed more power in his strikes and continuously was able to land the right hand.

    “The Assassin Baby” continued to work combinations between Erceg’s body and head as the second round began. “AstroBoy,” however, seemed to answer back by turning up his volume, trying to match Moreno’s pressure for a back-and-forth round that could have fallen either way.

    The third round was the quietest at this point, but Erceg was able to utilize his boxing and seemed to take control during the course of the round. Moreno re-started his pressure in the fourth round, however, and took over in the championship rounds, even scoring a takedown right before the final horn.

    All three judges ultimately scored the fight in favor of Brandon Moreno.

    Brandon Moreno has now won back-to-back fights, bouncing back from consecutive split-decision losses against Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval. This fight was his first UFC victory in Mexico.

    Steve Erceg, on the other hand, has now lost three straight, going back to his unsuccessful challenge of flyweight champion Pantoja last year at UFC 301.

  • ‘Waiting For The Autopsy’ – Referee Slammed As Drew Dober Eats 15 Unanswered Shots In TKO Loss At UFC Mexico

    ‘Waiting For The Autopsy’ – Referee Slammed As Drew Dober Eats 15 Unanswered Shots In TKO Loss At UFC Mexico

    In perhaps the biggest fight of his career to date, competing in a co-main event slot in front of his compatriots, Manuel Torres came out on top at UFC Mexico. He needed just one round to dispose of formerly ranked lightweight contender Drew Dober.

    Less than two minutes into the fight, Torres landed a jab before following up with a right hand that floored Dober. The Mexican then followed it up with heavy ground-and-pound.

    Referee Mike Beltran allowed the fight to continue on despite the cries from the commentary team that the fight was over. The veteran official finally stepped in after 15 unanswered shots.

    Dober, holding onto Torres’ leg, stood up believing the fight was still going. The American was left bewildered by Beltran’s decision, while others criticized the referee for jumping in too late after Dober was already out of it.

    https://twitter.com/full_send_mma/status/1906152214235885798

    Torres has won four of five since arriving to the UFC from his 2021 appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series. He bounces back from a loss against Ignacio Bahamondes.

    Dober, meanwhile, has now lost three of his last four following UFC Mexico.

  • UFC 314 Loses Main Card Fight Weeks Out From Miami PPV

    UFC 314 Loses Main Card Fight Weeks Out From Miami PPV

    The lineup for next month’s UFC 314 pay-per-view has taken a big hit.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will be back in Florida soon to host another April numbered event from inside Miami’s Kaseya Center.

    The March PPV in Las Vegas saw multiple bouts struck off the card on fight day due to illness. Now, the injury curse has reared its head again in 2025, with one of the most intriguing matchups booked for UFC 314 falling through.

    After establishing himself as one of the fastest-rising names on MMA’s biggest stage, Carlos Prates was gearing up for a showdown with longtime welterweight contender Geoff Neal.

    But during the broadcast for Saturday’s UFC Mexico event, it was announced that “Handz of Steel” has been forced to withdraw, taking both him and Prates off the April 12 lineup.

    It remains to be seen what comes next for Prates after this cancellation, but play-by-play commentator Jon Anik implied news regarding that is on the way.

  • ‘Almost No Chiwiwis’ – Fans React As Raul Rosas Jr. Survives Tight Submissions To Earn UFC Mexico Win

    ‘Almost No Chiwiwis’ – Fans React As Raul Rosas Jr. Survives Tight Submissions To Earn UFC Mexico Win

    Raul Rosas Jr. had to survive a number of submission attempts but ended up scoring a unanimous decision win over Vince Morales at UFC Mexico.

    Rosas started the fight by targeting the midsection before landing a flurry of punches near the fence. This allowed the 20-year-old to scoop Morales up and score a takedown, landing in side control. “Vandetta,” however, did a fair job in being able to work his way from the bottom before getting on top in the round’s final minute, looking for chokes more than once along the way. Morales even looked to have one locked up before Rosas was saved by the bell.

    The two had plenty of striking exchanges on the ground in the second round. The story of that five-minute frame, however, was Rosas holding about three minutes of control. The fight quickly went to the ground in the third, and Morales nearly locked up a Peruvian Necktie again before transitioning into a D’Arce choke.

    Rosas was able to work his way out, however, and got on top, eventually working his way to Morales’ back. Despite being the one on the bottom, Morales was able to lock up another Peruvian Necktie before the final bell, with Rosas surviving.

    Raul Rosas Jr. took the win with 29-28 totals on all three judges’ scorecards.

    Raul Rosas Jr. has won four straight and is 5-1 in the UFC since his appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series as a 17-year-old in 2022.

    Vince Morales, meanwhile, is now 0-3 in the UFC.

  • Cameroonian Fighter Dubbed The ‘Middleweight Ngannou’ Impresses Fans With Emphatic UFC Mexico Debut

    Cameroonian Fighter Dubbed The ‘Middleweight Ngannou’ Impresses Fans With Emphatic UFC Mexico Debut

    Known as “The Silent Assassin,” and dubbed the “middleweight Francis Ngannou,” Ateba Gautier seemed to impress in his official UFC debut, dropping and finishing Jose Medina in the featured preliminary bout at UFC Mexico.

    Gautier showed his punching power almost right away, getting the better hand in exchanges with Medina. The Cameroonian prospect landed a strong kick and follow-up strikes, but Medina ate them all and grinned. The Bolivian tried to fire back with his own power, but Gautier turned up the pressure.

    “The Silent Assassin” finished things in the first round by landing a flurry of shots before dropping Medina with a solid knee.

    Gautier earned a UFC contract this past fall on Dana White’s Contender Series, where he scored a victory over Yura Naito.

    Medina, meanwhile, is now 0-2 in the Octagon after UFC Mexico. He also lost to Zach Reese in August following a defeat in his own 2023 appearance on DWCS.

  • Watch UFC Fighter’s Cornermen Square Up Moments After KO Win At UFC Mexico

    Watch UFC Fighter’s Cornermen Square Up Moments After KO Win At UFC Mexico

    Jamall Emmers got the win in his outing at UFC Mexico, but it looked as if his own corner was going to have another fight not long after.

    Emmers, who was taking on Gabriel Miranda as part of the UFC Mexico preliminary card, found himself in a bit of trouble early on. The two traded furiously, but Miranda was able to score a takedown and looked to grab a rear-naked choke. Upon escape from Miranda’s clutches, however, the American was able to rock and drop him with an overhand right.

    Emmers let him back to the feet, but he wobbled the Brazilian again with an elbow before a brutal knee and a hard right hand that sent Miranda crumbling to the canvas, giving Emmers a first-round knockout.

    Cameras noticed after the knockout, however, that two of Emmers’ cornermen appeared to get into a verbal altercation with one another. It’s unclear what caused the little skirmish between the two during their fighters’ victorious moment.

    Emmers has gone 4-4 in the UFC, consistently trading wins and losses during his tenure, not chaining together victories or defeats.

    Miranda, meanwhile, has now lost three of four since his 2022 UFC debut.

  • ‘Heartbroken’ Joe Pyfer Issues Statement After Last-Second UFC Mexico Withdrawal

    ‘Heartbroken’ Joe Pyfer Issues Statement After Last-Second UFC Mexico Withdrawal

    Joe Pyfer has opened up after news came out that he has withdrawn from an anticipated showdown with Kelvin Gastelum just hours before the start of UFC Mexico.

    Not long after a video interview was released where Pyfer talked about being in excellent shape for the fight, the UFC announced that the middleweight prospect had fallen ill and would not be competing.

    “My heart is broken,” Pyfer said in a statement released on his Instagram Story. “I couldn’t fight today. I got super sick, and hopefully we can reschedule this fight for a few weeks from now.

    “Unfortunately comes with the territory of traveling outside the States. Never again. My apologies, guys.”

    Pyfer, a Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus, was coming into this fight off an 85-second knockout of Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC 303 last July. The bonus-earning performance came after Pyfer suffered his first Octagon defeat — a decision loss to Jack Hermansson that snapped a five-fight win streak that stretched to just before his second DWCS appearance.

    Gastelum was set to come into this fight off a decision win over Daniel Rodriguez in a middleweight bout in Saudi Arabia last June. He has won two of his last three. However, he is just 3-6 stretching back to his legendary UFC 236 battle with Israel Adesanya over the interim middleweight championship.

  • Joe Pyfer Pulls Out Of UFC Mexico Hours Before The Event

    Joe Pyfer Pulls Out Of UFC Mexico Hours Before The Event

    Tonight’s UFC Fight Night card in Mexico City will go ahead without the middleweight matchup between Joe Pyfer and Kelvin Gastelum.

    This month’s UFC 313 pay-per-view served as a reminder that no bout is good to go until the cage door closes behind both athletes, with two fights falling through just hours before the card.

    And the curse has struck again, this time in Mexico.

    After both making weight and facing off on Friday, Joe Pyfer and Kelvin Gastelum will no longer throw down inside the Octagon after the former was struck down by illness.

    The promotion announced the news Saturday, marking a sizable blow to the March 29 lineup at Arena CDMX.

    It remains to be seen whether the UFC will reschedule the matchup for a later date. It was slated to serve as Gastelum’s return to middleweight after a failed stint back at 170 pounds, which most recently saw his win over Daniel Rodriguez marred by a weight miss.

    Pyfer, meanwhile, will have to wait to continue his momentum in the division. After falling short in his maiden main event against Jack Hermansson, “Bodybagz” bounced back emphatically by knocking out Marc-André Barriault last July.

  • Jorge Masvidal Targets ‘Fragile’ Leon Edwards For UFC Return Fight

    Jorge Masvidal Targets ‘Fragile’ Leon Edwards For UFC Return Fight

    It seems that Jorge Masvidal has never taken his eyes off of Leon Edwards.

    Masvidal hung up his MMA gloves in April 2023 after falling short against Gilbert Burns at UFC 287. However, the former BMF champion has never truly closed the door on his fighting career, frequently hinting at a comeback and actively working toward a UFC return.

    During a recent interview with Submission Radio, “Gamebred” weighed in on a potential comeback, name-dropping Edwards as the ideal opponent. He emphasized that a victory over the former UFC welterweight champion could pave the way for his third and possibly final shot at gold.

    “If the UFC wants to make this happen, give me the Leon fight, and then after that, I’ll fight whoever has that damn belt,” Jorge Masvidal said. “I know Dana [White] is probably going to see this.”

    Masvidal doubled down on his confidence, claiming that he holds a clear skill advantage over “Rocky,” which he believes would be enough to hand Edwards a defeat.

    “I know for one thing, he can’t wrestle me for five rounds. So, I don’t have to worry about the takedowns, and I know on the feet, he’s fragile compared to me. The opponents we’ve faced, what he’s been able to do to them, what I’ve been able to do to them for the most part, besides [Kamaru] Usman, I’ve been able to put a lot of guys away that he fought and went to decision with. The way he takes shots and the way I take shots, he’s just fragile compared to me, and if we get in that cage, I’m willing to prove how fragile he is compared to me.”

    Masvidal and Edwards have a long-standing rivalry that traces back to March 2019, when the American ignited their feud by attacking “Rocky” backstage at UFC London. The two were set to settle their differences inside the Octagon at UFC 269 in December 2021, but the fight never came to fruition as Masvidal was forced to withdraw due to injury.

    Jorge Masvidal was last seen in action in July 2024, where he squared off against former UFC rival Nate Diaz in a professional boxing match. Despite a hard-fought battle, “Gamebred” fell short, losing via a close majority decision.

    Masvidal’s final run in the UFC before retiring was far from stellar, as he managed just three wins in his last nine trips to the Octagon. His rough stretch included two failed attempts at capturing the 170-pound title against Kamaru Usman.

    Meanwhile, Edwards is arguably experiencing the toughest stretch of his career, suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time. After losing his welterweight title to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304, the Jamaican-born Brit looked to rebound at UFC London last weekend. However, his return went from bad to worse as Sean Brady outclassed him before securing a fourth-round submission.

  • Chael Sonnen Names 2 Champions Battling To Replace Conor McGregor As ‘Face Of The’ UFC

    Chael Sonnen Names 2 Champions Battling To Replace Conor McGregor As ‘Face Of The’ UFC

    Chael Sonnen identifies two reigning champions whom he believes have the potential to succeed Conor McGregor as the next global superstar of the UFC.

    Over the years, “The Notorious” has skyrocketed to a level of fame in the UFC that few, if any, fighters in combat sports history have ever matched, blending his iconic trash talk with a flashy fighting style, which earned him recognition as the promotion’s biggest superstar.

    However, some argue that the former two-division UFC champion’s star power has begun to fade due to his prolonged absence from the Octagon and ongoing legal battles, including multiple sexual assault allegations.

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Sonnen shared his thoughts on who could emerge as the UFC’s next marquee star. He acknowledged that former champions like Sean O’Malley and Israel Adesanya were once frontrunners in McGregor’s absence but have fallen short of achieving the same global superstardom.

    The former UFC title challenger-turned-analyst went on to highlight featherweight champion Ilia Topuria and interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall as the two fighters he believes are on the cusp of becoming the UFC’s next megastar.

    “O’Malley starts playing another game: to become the face of the company,” Sonnen said. “A game that Izzy [Adesanya] was already playing. In the absence of Conor McGregor, it’s a seat that needs to be taken. … Right now the battle is between Tom and Ilia. It’s a hard seat to get.”

    Sonnen further noted that the UFC’s top two pound-for-pound fighters, Islam Makhachev and Jon Jones, show little interest in becoming the promotion’s flagship attraction.

    “Jon Jones and Islam [Makhachev] aren’t playing the game. That’s not something either is interested in doing. So that seat is still available.”

    Aspinall remains on the sidelines, having waited over 500 days for Jones to accept his challenge for a heavyweight title unification bout. The Englishman last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 304 in July, where he delivered a swift victory over Curtis Blaydes to retain his interim belt.

    Meanwhile, “La Leyenda” relinquished his 145-pound title last month to commit to a full-time move to the lightweight division. Topuria has pushed for an immediate title shot against reigning champion Makhachev. However, reports suggest that the Dagestani standout has shown little enthusiasm for the potential showdown.

    Topuria is coming off a dominant third-round knockout victory over Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October, marking his first — and ultimately only — title defense before vacating the belt.

  • One-Time UFC Headliner Released Amid Ongoing Four-Year Drug Suspension

    The UFC heavyweight division has just been reduced by one fighter on the roster.

    On Thursday, MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin reported on X that Walt Harris has been axed from the UFC lineup due to his ongoing four-year suspension for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

    Harris received a 48-month suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission in March 2024 after committing two separate violations of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy. He tested positive for drostanolone and its metabolite, as well as testosterone of exogenous origin, in samples collected in June and July 2023.

    Subsequently, urine and blood samples taken from “Big Ticket” in August 2023 tested positive for anastrozole, a newly detected banned substance that had not appeared in his previous samples. His suspension is retroactive, meaning the 41-year-old Alabama native will be eligible to return to competition in July 2027.

    Harris last competed at a Fight Night event in June 2021, where he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Marcin Tybura. He was set to make his comeback in July 2023 against Josh Parisian, but the bout was scrapped after he tested positive for banned substances.

    During his 16-fight run in the UFC, Harris had the opportunity to headline a Fight Night event in May 2020 against former heavyweight title challenger Alistair Overeem. However, the spotlight didn’t work in his favor, as he was stopped in the second round.

    Once regarded as a highly skilled power puncher, “Big Ticket” struggled to live up to his full potential inside the Octagon. His UFC tenure ended with a lackluster record of 6-9, along with one no contest.