MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • 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.

  • Ilia Topuria Names The 2 Lightweights He’s Training For After Ditching Featherweight Reign

    Ilia Topuria is hard at work preparing for his fight since committing to a permanent move up to the lightweight division. And although an opponent is unconfirmed, the UFC’s top Spanish star is preparing for one of two men.

    Topuria has set his sights on achieving two-division glory after choosing to vacate the featherweight gold this year following just one defense. “La Leyenda” went 2-0 in 2024, dethroning Alexander Volkanovski before becoming the first to knock out Max Holloway.

    Due to an apparent struggle to make the 145-pound weight limit, the Spaniard will move forward as a permanent fixture at 155 pounds. And given his success below, Topuria has seemingly been expecting a showdown with Islam Makhachev straight away.

    During a recent media scrum recorded by Álvaro Colmenero, Topuria reiterated that desire while also naming the other possible foe he is preparing to face for his arrival into the division.

    Both, he says, are “scared.”

    “All my training is focused on Islam or Charles, because I don’t see any other opponents,” Ilia Topuria said (h/t @ChampRDS). “Neither of them seems to dare (to fight me)… These are the symptoms of fear, we all know that, but it’s normal. I’d be scared too.”

    With reports spreading that Makhachev and his team wish for Topuria to fight a contender before challenging his reign, “La Leyenda” may need to defeat someone like Oliveira this year.

    “Do Bronx,” though, has been making his own push to face Makhachev next time out. The Brazilian former champ has been seeking a rematch with the Dagestani ever since their 2022 clash in Abu Dhabi.

  • Fighter Suspended For Betting Scandal Uses McGregor’s Gambling Posts To Call Out UFC ‘Double Standard’

    Conor McGregor has unexpectedly been dragged into the fallout of a former UFC fighter’s suspension over a betting scandal.

    On Tuesday, the Nevada Athletic Commission issued a three-year suspension to UFC flyweight Jeff Molina for his involvement in a high-profile betting scandal, which also implicated his coach, James Krause. Molina was found to have placed wagers on a bout featuring his teammate, Darrick Minner, during a Fight Night event in November 2022.

    After an unusual shift in betting odds was observed leading up to Minner’s first-round TKO loss to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke at a Fight Night event in November 2022, regulators launched an investigation into potential betting irregularities. The inquiry later revealed that Minner had knowingly concealed a pre-existing injury before stepping into the Octagon, leading to a 29-month suspension.

    “El Jefe” was found guilty of being aware of Minner’s injury, failing to report it, and even placing a bet on his fight. With his suspension applied retroactively, Molina will be eligible to return to competition on Nov. 5.

    Following his suspension, Molina aired his frustrations on X, responding to a fan in a series of posts. He stressed that he had placed bets across the entire fight card and that his wager on Minner’s bout was less than $500.

    However, he admit that his only wrongdoing was continuing to place bets on fights despite the UFC’s directive prohibiting it.

    “El Jefe” also argued that his three-year suspension was excessively harsh and disproportionate to the offense. He underscored the inconsistency in enforcement, noting that former two-division UFC champion McGregor frequently showcases his apparent bets on social media without facing any repercussions.

    “Getting a 3 year suspension for continuing to bet two weeks after getting an email that said to stop is insane. McGregor can post his million dollar bet slip every month on a main event as a fighter on the roster and no one blinks an eye. Definitely a double standard there,” Molina wrote on X.

    Molina last competed in June 2022, where he battled his way to a split decision victory over Zhalgas Zhumagulov, improving his undefeated UFC record to 3-0. The flyweight standout currently boasts a professional record of 11-2, with five of his wins coming by way of submission.

  • Alex Pereira Brands Magomed Ankalaev’s Greasing Accusation An ‘Excuse’ For Failed Takedowns

    Alex Pereira has responded after being accused of cheating by the man who ended his light heavyweight reign at UFC 313 earlier this month.

    Pereira’s perfect start to life at 205 pounds came to an emphatic halt inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on March 8, where Magomed Ankalaev made good on his promise to dethrone “Poatan.”

    Despite earning a unanimous decision victory to capture the title, Ankalaev wasn’t entirely happy in the aftermath.

    While he ultimately didn’t need successful takedowns to get the win, the Russian was still bothered by Pereira’s ability to withstand the wrestling, which his team believes derived from some form of slippery substance rather than skill.

    During an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Pereira had his chance to respond to that claim. Suffice it to say, he rejected any suggestion that he sought an illegal advantage on fight night.

    “I absolutely didn’t put anything on my body. For me, that’s him trying to make an excuse to justify the fact that he trained a guy to take me down, but the guy got stuffed for 12 of his takedown attempts,” Alex Pereira said. “You didn’t do what you’re supposed to do, and now you’re trying to make excuses to justify that.”

    Pereira will hope to showcase similar strength in the takedown defense department should his expected rematch with Ankalaev come to fruition later this year. Second time around, though, he’ll look to pair his usual striking dominance with it.

  • Logan Paul Backs Himself For UFC Success, Says ‘I’m Not CM Punk’

    Despite the shared TKO corporate umbrella between WWE and UFC, Dana White has shown no interest in leveraging Logan Paul’s celebrity for the Octagon.

    Paul revealed on his Impaulsive podcast that White ignored his attempts to communicate about a potential UFC appearance. This lack of response indicates a clear disinterest from the UFC CEO in bringing the WWE star into the Octagon fold, despite their common corporate affiliation.

    Logan Paul possesses a background in combat sports, having participated in boxing matches against KSI, Dillon Danis, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Additionally, he has a foundation in amateur wrestling, qualifying for the Ohio High School Athletic Association 2013 Division I championships.

    This combination of experience in both striking and grappling sports makes Paul’s potential transition to MMA an intriguing prospect, though it appears Dana White is not inclined to explore it.

    “I told Dana for UFC 300, I texted him, ‘Hey man, consider me available to fight on the undercard in the Sphere,’” Paul said. “Basically, [he] completely ignored me, which I think speaks volumes. I haven’t bothered him about it since.”

    UFC 306, held in Las Vegas’s Sphere, marked a significant milestone as the first live sporting event in the venue, yet Logan Paul’s hopes for a UFC debut on the card were dashed. Despite reaching out to White via text, Paul received no response, leading him to speculate that his exclusion was due to the lingering impression of another WWE star’s failed UFC venture.

    Paul attributed White’s silence to CM Punk’s underwhelming UFC career, which saw Punk suffer a submission loss to Mickey Gall and a decision loss to Mike Jackson. Although the Jackson loss was later overturned due to a failed drug test, Punk’s overall performance likely contributed to White’s reluctance to entertain another WWE crossover, potentially impacting Paul’s chances of securing a UFC fight.

    “He f—ed it up,” Paul said about Punk. “He f—ed it up, and after that Dana was like, ‘I’m never doing this again.’ But, dude, I’m not CM Punk. He’s a great wrestler, not a UFC fighter. I think I would be a much better UFC fighter than I would be as just a boxer. My skill is wrestling. I’m a wrestler.”

  • Shara Magomedov’s Callout Gets Positive Response From Top 10 UFC Middleweight

    UFC middleweight prospect Shara Magomedov is expecting to be back in action soon, and he might have netted himself a high-ranked opponent.

    For the first time in his professional career, Magomedov is coming off a loss. The Dagestani suffered a setback at the UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia early last month, falling to defeat on the scorecards against welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page.

    The result stalled Magomedov’s quick surge to prominence on MMA’s biggest stage, which had included a memorable double spinning backfist knockout of Armen Petrosyan during a perfect 4-0 start to life in the UFC.

    “Bullet” will look to return to that kind of performance in his sophomore fight of 2025, which he recently revealed is expected for the summer. With the UFC set to stage an event in Abu Dhabi on July 26, that appears likely to feature Magomedov, who is yet to enter the Octagon outside of the Middle East.

    Among the desired options for his next fight is the #10-ranked Marvin Vettori, who has previously gone back and forth with Shara Magomedov regarding a potential fight.

    Though a defeat would usually rule out a clash with ranked opposition, Magomedov might be in luck. “The Italian Dream” took to social media on Wednesday to provide a positive response to the Russian’s callout.

    “Shara i accept the offer,” Vettori wrote.

    Vettori himself is licking his wounds after a defeat, having fallen short to Roman Dolidze in their headlining rematch at the Apex earlier this month.

  • Darren Till Says Khamzat Chimaev Will ‘Run Over’ Dricus Du Plessis

    One fighter familiar with both Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev expects the former to lose his grip on the UFC middleweight title should their expected fight come to fruition this year.

    Having successfully defended his belt against Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, the reign of Du Plessis could meet its tallest hurdle to date next time out.

    “Stillknocks” appears likely to face the challenge of Chimaev, an undefeated phenom who most recently steamrolled Robert Whittaker by way of a teeth-breaking face crank submission last October.

    And by the sounds of things, an ex-opponent of the champ’s and occasional training partner of Chimaev’s expects “Borz” to repeat that dominance in his first title fight on MMA’s biggest stage.

    During an interview with Genting Casino, Darren Till gave a one-sided prediction for Du Plessis’ potential clash with the Chechen contender.

    “I think Chimaev is gonna run over him. I think he’ll just completely run over. That’s what I think,” Till said. “I think he’ll win the title. I think he’s done what he’s done to do that, and I think Chimaev will get out, earn the money, and then I think he’ll live his life happily and peacefully then.”

    The top contender didn’t think too highly of Du Plessis’ second championship defense, which came by way of decision in a rematch versus Strickland in Australia last month.

    While “Borz” looks to unseat the South African from the middleweight throne, Till is focused on ventures away from the UFC after requesting his release months on from a submission setback to Du Plessis in late 2022.

  • Jon Jones Won’t Turn Down Tom Aspinall Fight, Insists Self-Proclaimed ‘Greatest Insider’ In MMA

    According to Chael Sonnen, UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones won’t hesitate to say yes when presented with an official offer to fight Tom Aspinall this year.

    Aspinall has pushed for unification showdown with Jones since winning interim gold in November 2023. The Brit made the most of the cancellation of Jones’ planned defense against Stipe Miocic by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich on short notice.

    17 months later, the heavyweight division continues to be ruled over by multiple titleholders, both of whom have faced other opponents instead of colliding in a title unifier. With Jones remaining steadfast on his desire to face Miocic, Aspinall passed the time by dominantly defending his interim strap against Curtis Blaydes last July.

    Since “Bones” had his hand raised four months later, talk of the pair unifying the titles has only increased, with the UFC also seemingly now firmly behind that plan.

    The one delay in getting it booked? According to the British champ, a familiar reluctance from Jon Jones.

    But in a video posted to his Instagram account, Sonnen dismissed any suggestion that his former rival will have rejected any offers from the UFC.

    “My permission as the greatest insider in this sport, Jon will not turn that fight down,” Sonnen said. “Jon has not been offered that fight. That’s the monster in the closet that people don’t seem to want to be true. There has not been a suggestion of a date or a venue, not yet, and a phone call to Jon where his opponent would be Tom for the undisputed title. If you believe that Jon Jones is refusing to do those things, you’re wrong. He’s not yet been presented with that offer.”

    Aspinall recently continued his taunting of Jones by holding up a duck toy while in attendance at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in London, England.

  • UFC Fighter Gets Honest On How ‘Eating Disorder’ Has Led To Weight Class Change

    Paul Craig has openly discussed the detrimental impact fighting in the UFC middleweight division had on his mental health.

    The Scottish fighter’s decision to cut down to 185 pounds followed a tough loss to Johnny Walker at UFC 283 in Brazil. While his middleweight debut resulted in a victory over Andre Muniz, his subsequent three fights against Brendan Allen, Caio Borralho, and Bo Nickal ended in defeat.

    Despite facing highly regarded opponents, Craig’s time in the division took a toll on his well-being.

    Craig’s recent decision to return to the light heavyweight division comes after he confronted the mental strain associated with maintaining the middleweight cut. He revealed how an eating disorder helped him to realize the negative impact the division had on his mental state.

    This candid admission highlights the challenges fighters face in managing their weight and the potential consequences for their overall health.

    “I had developed a really bad eating disorder, as well as moving down to middleweight,” Craig told talkSPORT. “It seems a much better fit for me at light heavyweight…the eating disorder, I’m in a weight based sport so I have to watch calorie consumption. I also have to go out and parade how I look, so you end up with not just having not only an eating disorder but how you look.

    “Going out there, I want to look good the last thing I want to do is look out of shape. All of these negative things play on you as a fighter, so what you need to do is: What’s best for my mental health? Staying at middleweight definitely wasn’t best for my mental health.”

    A veteran of MMA, Craig is notable for being the only fighter to defeat current light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC. His journey to the UFC began in 2016, following a successful career in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, where he earned multiple British and Scottish championships and a black belt. His elite ground game skills are evidenced by his 13 submission victories out of 17 professional wins.

    Craig’s return to the light heavyweight division signals a move to prioritize his mental and physical health. His decision to address his eating disorder and the mental strain of the middleweight division underscores the importance of fighter well-being in combat sports.

    Craig is set to fight Rodolfo Bellato at a UFC Fight Night event inside Las Vegas’ UFC Apex on May 17.

  • Michael Chandler Reveals Which Two Former UFC Fighters ‘Inspired’ Him To Start MMA

    UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler has inspired many with his dedication, relentless pursuit of goals, and inspiring mindset, particularly his focus on consistency and self-belief. It turns out that there are two notable fighters who have inspired him. 

    Chandler is known for his explosive fighting style, with strong wrestling and striking abilities. “Iron” is also known for his unwavering determination and hard work, both in and out of the Octagon. He emphasizes the importance of consistency in achieving goals, sharing his own journey as an example.

    Chandler’s recent UFC record shows a mixed bag of results. His most recent outing last November at UFC 309 saw him lose to Charles Oliveira via unanimous decision after a full five rounds. Prior to that, at UFC 281 in 2022, he was submitted by Dustin Poirier with a rear-naked choke in the third round.

    Chandler hasn’t secured a victory since May 2022 at UFC 274, where he knocked out Tony Ferguson with a front head kick in the second round.

    While doing a Q&A on X, Chandler named Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren as two fighters who inspired him. 

    Looking ahead, Michael Chandler is scheduled to face Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami, Florida. This upcoming fight presents an opportunity for Chandler to rebound from his recent losses and re-establish his position in the UFC lightweight division.

  • Former Alex Pereira Rival Explains Turning Down UFC Contract Despite DWCS Win

    Former Alex Pereira Rival Explains Turning Down UFC Contract Despite DWCS Win

    Earning a spot in the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) is a dream for many fighters, but one contract winner recently made the surprising decision to walk away from it.

    Former GLORY light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov punched his ticket to the UFC in October with a statement-making knockout victory over Islem Masraf during Season 8, Week 9 of DWCS.

    Vakhitov’s arrival in the UFC was highly anticipated, as he holds the distinction of being the last man to defeat former two-division titleholder Alex Pereira in a kickboxing contest back in September 2021 — just before “Poatan” made his full-time transition to MMA.

    However, on Tuesday, the 33-year-old Russian announced on The Ariel Helwani Show that he had decided to forgo the opportunity to sign with the UFC and will instead face reigning GLORY heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven in the main event of GLORY 100 on June 14.

    “Unfortunately, we couldn’t reach an agreement with UFC,” Vakhitov said through a translator. “Because they have their own protocol, but we still have good relations with them, so that’s it. Now we’re announcing a big fight against Rico Verhoeven. I think Rico doesn’t need to be [explained as an opponent] because he’s well known and, for sure, we wanted this fight a long time ago. For me, it’s a good opportunity to become a double champion, and it was in my mind a very long time ago.”

    Vakhitov further weighed in on his decision, revealing that his choice to decline a potential UFC run was largely influenced by dissatisfaction with the promotion’s financial structure and strict contractual obligations.

    “UFC always works off a standard contract after Dana White’s Contender Series. Unfortunately, we could not reach an agreement, or [there were] some things couldn’t agree [on]. When we got an offer [from GLORY] and we saw the news that all the Russian fighters are coming back to GLORY, we got an offer to fight against Rico and probably the possibility to become a double champion, we agreed very easily. And for sure, for good money, why not?”

    Reports suggest that a standard DWCS contract includes a clause granting the UFC the power to lock a chosen fighter into a 20-month commitment spanning four bouts.

    Vakhitov’s most recent kickboxing bout took place under the Muaythai Factory banner in February 2022, where he secured a unanimous decision victory over Pascal Touré.

  • UFC Fighters Involved In Betting Scandal Handed Combined Suspension Of Over 5 Years

    UFC Fighters Involved In Betting Scandal Handed Combined Suspension Of Over 5 Years

    The two UFC fighters implicated in the betting scandal have now received their respective suspensions.

    On Tuesday, the Nevada Athletic Commission issued a 29-month suspension to former UFC featherweight fighter Darrick Minner due to his involvement in a betting scandal connected to his coach, James Krause.

    The probe into suspicious betting activity was triggered after Minner’s first-round TKO loss to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke at a Fight Night event in November 2022. It was later revealed that Minner had intentionally failed to disclose a pre-existing injury before the fight.

    Suspicion intensified when betting lines swung drastically in the lead-up to the event, with the 34-year-old Nebraska native becoming a massive underdog just before the fight commenced — only to be finished in just over a minute.

    Minner was originally suspended alongside Krause when the investigation first launched, a controversy that even led several major sportsbooks to stop accepting UFC wagers.

    However, he later reached an adjudication agreement with the Nevada State Attorney General and was ordered to pay $235.56 in prosecution fees. His suspension is retroactive, making him eligible to return to competition on Wednesday, March 26.

    Additionally, UFC flyweight Jeff Molina, who had been sidelined since January 2023 due to his alleged involvement in the betting scheme linked to Krause, has now been handed a three-year suspension.

    Molina was also fined $235.56 in prosecution fees for withholding information about his teammate Minner’s injury and deliberately placing a hefty bet on the fight.

    “El Jefe,” whose ban is set to expire on Nov. 5, was last seen in action in June 2022, where he secured a hard-fought split decision victory over Zhalgas Zhumagulov, extending his winning streak to three inside the Octagon.

    In the wake of the 2022 controversy, U.S. Integrity launched a formal investigation, leading several gaming commissions to prohibit betting on UFC fights. In response, the MMA promotion took decisive action, banning its fighters from training with Krause or at his Missouri-based gym, Glory MMA & Fitness.