MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • UFC Rankings Report: Leon Edwards Ousted From P4P Top 15

    UFC Rankings Report: Leon Edwards Ousted From P4P Top 15

    In the aftermath of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night at The O2 in London, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

    Men’s Pound-For-Pound: After his second straight defeat this past weekend, former welterweight champion Leon Edwards is no longer part of the pound-for-pound UFC rankings. He’s been replaced at #15 by lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan.

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

    Women’s Strawweight: No changes.

    Women’s Flyweight: Mayra Bueno Silva’s stay in the flyweight UFC rankings was a short one. She’s been removed and replaced at #15 by JJ Aldrich.

    Women’s Bantamweight: At 135 pounds, Melissa Mullins has entered at #15, replacing Joselyne Edwards.

    Flyweight: After being removed last week, Kai Asakura has quickly returned to the 125-pound rankings. With his entry at #15 and Charles Johnson’s removal, Joshua Van is up one place to #14.

    Bantamweight: No changes.

    Featherweight: No changes.

    Lightweight: At 155 pounds, BMF champ Max Holloway has suddenly moved above former opponent Dustin Poirier to #4. “The Diamond,” now at #5, is expected to retire following his next fight.

    Welterweight: The 170-pound division has a new top contender. As a result of his submission win over Edwards, Sean Brady has risen by four positions to #1. “Rocky” has only slipped two spots to #3, leaving him above Kamaru Usman (#4) and upcoming title challenger Jack Della Maddalena (#5)

    Middleweight: The 185-pound list has seen one change, with Roman Dolidze (#8) moving above Anthony Hernandez (#9).

    Light Heavyweight: Carlos Ulberg has been rewarded with a three-place surge to #3 in the light heavyweight division after defeating Jan Blachowicz in London. That’s pushed Aleksandar Rakic (#6) out of the top five and Blachowicz back two places to #5.

    Heavyweight: No changes.

    You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

  • Fighters React To Cain Velasquez’s Prison Sentence For Attempted Murder

    Fighters React To Cain Velasquez’s Prison Sentence For Attempted Murder

    A host of professional MMA fighters reacted as former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was sentenced for a 2022 shooting.

    Velasquez spent eight months behind bars following an incident in February 2022. The MMA great was arrested and charged with attempted, premeditated murder after pursuing and shooting at a car that contained Harry Goularte, who’s accused of sexually molesting Velasquez’s four-year-old son at a daycare facility.

    The 42-year-old Salinas native’s arrest came after he opened fire and struck Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, who was also in the vehicle at the time.

    After eventually being granted bail, Cain Velasquez finally learned his fate on Monday, March 24, when he was sentenced by Judge Arthur Bolcanegra at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, California.

    While the prosecution was seeking 30 years to life, Velasquez was ultimately handed a five-year sentence, which will be shortened by time served of 1,283 days. With that, the UFC legend is expected to serve less than two years.

    Though many have shed a sigh of relief given the significant sentence sought by the prosecution, many fans and peers of Velasquez’s were quick to express their frustration with the former fighter spending further time behind bars.

  • Team Usyk Open To Dana White ‘Partnership’ For Alex Pereira Fight

    Team Usyk Open To Dana White ‘Partnership’ For Alex Pereira Fight

    Dana White’s official foray into boxing could bridge the gap to making a potential blockbuster crossover fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Alex Pereira a reality.

    “The Cat” has hinted that he is nearing the final chapter of his boxing career, with just two fights left before calling it quits. His top priority is a rematch with Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title, as he sets his sights on reclaiming his status as the undisputed four-belt champion.

    Meanwhile, for his second bout, Usyk revealed last month that he’s open to facing former UFC light heavyweight champion Pereira — an idea that quickly caught “Poatan’s” interest as well. Sergey Lapin, a member of the undefeated Ukrainian champion’s team, suggests that booking the matchup may now be more feasible than it once was.

    During a recent discussion with OLBG, Lapin noted that the UFC CEO’s collaboration with Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority head Turki Alalshikh to launch a boxing league has significantly increased the likelihood of a crossover showdown between Usyk and Pereira.

    “We never say never about fighting the dangerous Alex Pereira, possibly partnered with Dana White,” Lapin said. “Dana’s move to boxing could open the door for more fights between boxers and current UFC stars.

    “Dana is a capable guy, and with Turki’s abilities, they would create a very interesting project. It will bring attention to our great sport, expand the fan base, attract new investment, and possibly increase the purses of the athletes.”

    Although White permitted former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor to face boxing icon Floyd Mayweather in August 2017, which became a historic event, he has traditionally opposed such crossover bouts. Whether the UFC top brass has had a change of heart remains to be seen.

    “The Cat” was last in action this past December, when he put on a masterful performance against Tyson Fury in their rematch. He successfully retained his WBC, WBA, and WBO heavyweight titles with a unanimous decision victory.

    Meanwhile, Alex Pereira’s reign as the 205-pound champion came to an end at UFC 313 earlier this month, as he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Magomed Ankalaev.

    “Poatan” has a deep-rooted history in boxing, boasting an extensive amateur background and even earning a professional victory in July 2017 with a TKO win over Marcelo de Souza Cruz.

  • Cain Velasquez Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison For Attempted Murder

    Cain Velasquez Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison For Attempted Murder

    Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to five years in prison for charges stemming from a 2022 shooting.

    In August 2024, Velasquez entered a no-contest plea in a California court to charges including felony attempted murder, assault, and multiple weapons-related offenses. The plea deal not only aimed to reduce his sentence but also marked a step toward resolving the prolonged legal battle.

    Velasquez found himself at the center of an attempted murder trial following a February 2022 incident. He was alleged to have opened fire on Harry Goularte, who was accused of molesting his four-year-old son at the time. The retired mixed martial artist accidentally struck Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, after a high-speed chase ensued. He sustained injuries that were not considered severe.

    After a motions hearing for the former UFC heavyweight champion at the start of the year, his sentencing and probation hearing, which was already postponed in October 2024, was delayed further to March 24.

    With that, Velasquez learned his fate Monday, with NBC’s Ian Cull reporting news that the former fighter has been hit with a five-year prison sentence. The Deputy DA had asked for 30 years to life.

    A subsequent report by Mercury News noted that the sentence will be shortened by time already served.

    The 42-year-old Californian was apprehended by local authorities without resistance at the scene for allegedly firing several rounds from a .40-caliber handgun. In the following months, he faced a slew of charges that kept him behind bars for eight long months, until he was granted bail in November 2022 on a $1 million bond.

    “From what I can say as far as myself, the way that I handled things, that was not the way to do it,” Velasquez said prior to his sentencing during an appearance on The Kyle Kingsbury Podcast. “We cannot put the law in our own hands. … I already pled (no-contest) so I’m going to get a sentencing (on Monday).

    “I know what I did was very dangerous towards other people — not just to people involved, but to just innocent people. I understand what I did, and I’m willing to do everything I have to pay back that,” Velasquez continued. “So whatever the court feels correct for what I have to do, I’m going to do it with my head up and still be me, and not play the blame game. It was me that did that and reacted in that way.”

    Velasquez recently inked a deal with the newly launched MMA promotion, Global Fight League (GFL), taking on the role of team manager for Team Dubai alongside his longtime head coach, Javier Mendez.

  • There’s One Man Michael Chandler Will ‘Never’ Fight In The UFC

    There’s One Man Michael Chandler Will ‘Never’ Fight In The UFC

    Michael Chandler understands Patricio Pitbull’s decision to join the UFC. However, that doesn’t mean he is going to want to fight him again.

    Chandler, who himself transitioned from Bellator to the UFC, understands the frustration faced by many former Bellator athletes following the PFL’s acquisition. He’s acknowledged the lack of consistent opportunities that contributed to Pitbull’s demand to be released and subsequent signing with the UFC. 

    This shared experience highlights the challenges of navigating a merger and the desire for top-level competition. Chandler has a history with the Freire family, including a loss to Patricio and wins over his brother Patricky. 

    Chandler has previously stated that he thinks Patricio’s move to the UFC will be a significant career change. He anticipates that the Brazilian will find the competition and opportunities within the UFC to be a substantial step up, providing a platform to truly showcase his skills on a global stage.

    While doing a Q&A on X, Chandler was asked whether he was interested in renewing hostilities with Pitbull after the Paddy Pimblett fight at UFC 314. He said, “Nope. Never.”

    With that in mind, it would appear unlikely that the pair’s past feud will cross over onto mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    Both men will be focused on their respective pushes toward different divisional gold, with Michael Chandler targeting the lightweight belt and Patricio Pitbull looking to add UFC featherweight gold to his trophy cabinet.

  • Molly McCann Reflects On Career After UFC London Retirement: ‘Just A Kid Who Worked In Subway’ 

    Molly McCann Reflects On Career After UFC London Retirement: ‘Just A Kid Who Worked In Subway’ 

    While her final fights inside the UFC Octagon didn’t go her way, Molly McCann has been reflecting positively on her journey in mixed martial arts following the conclusion of her career.

    McCann called time on her stint as an active fighter inside The O2 in London this past weekend, where she returned to action in front of her home fans.

    Things didn’t go to plan for “Meatball,” who was quickly taken down and submitted in the first round by debuting Brazilian Alexia Thainara. In the aftermath, the Liverpudlian took to the mic for an emotional retirement announcement.

    During a backstage interview with TNT Sports, a tearful McCann expanded on her decision and looked back on how far she’s come.

    “This is the best of the best in the world, and it doesn’t matter what I’ve done in my past and where I’ve took this sport,” Molly McCann said. “You don’t live off your past and your past performances, you live off your current ones. I’m not good enough right now, and that is the top and the bottom of it.

    “I get to go and party after this and celebrate a f*cking great career, and I just get to be really thankful for everything that I’ve managed to do,” McCann continued. “You’ve got Olympic athletes who do boxing who haven’t done what I’ve managed to do and I’m just a kid who worked in Subway. I can really be proud of who I am and what I’ve done, I really can. Didn’t touch the world title here but got one in Cage Warriors though; still a world champion.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLE94OfekG8

    McCann will now open a new chapter in her life. While it remains to be seen what lies ahead for the former flyweight and strawweight contender, she has teased a potential transition into coaching.

  • Michael Chandler Snubs Tsarukyan, Topuria While Naming Contenders Most Deserving Of A Title Shot

    Michael Chandler Snubs Tsarukyan, Topuria While Naming Contenders Most Deserving Of A Title Shot

    UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is backing two of his former opponents as the leading candidates for the next title shot at 155 pounds.

    The championship picture is somewhat unclear in the lightweight division after what unfolded at UFC 311. While Arman Tsarukyan entered the year at the front of the queue, a last-minute withdrawal cost him the opportunity. With that, it appears that the Russian-Armenian will need to once again defeat a fellow contender to re-earn the shot.

    Meanwhile, a few of his targets — namely Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje — have attempted to stake their claim for a shot at Islam Makhachev this summer.

    And that’s without even mentioning the arrival of Ilia Topuria, who is hoping for an immediate chance at achieving two-division glory after leaving behind his reign as featherweight kingpin.

    During a recent Q&A session on X, Michael Chandler was asked to give his take on the situation.

    The former Bellator champ omitted both Tsarukyan and Topuria from his answer when choosing the ‘most deserving’ of the next title shot, instead naming two stars who share three wins over “Iron” inside the Octagon.

    “So hard to say… gaethje or oliveira,” Michael Chandler wrote.

    After mounting a comeback to stop Chandler in their 2022 title fight, Oliveira once again got the better of the American in their rematch inside Madison Square Garden last November. In-between those results, Chandler fell short in a memorable Fight of the Year war with Gaethje.

    Despite being 2-4 in the UFC and coming off a second setback to “Do Bronx,” Chandler is also hoping to insert his name into the title debate soon enough.

    With a knockout victory over Paddy Pimblett next month at UFC 314, Chandler is looking to make himself available for a quick turnaround for a clash with Makhachev at International Fight Week in June.

  • Sean Brady Reveals What Leon Edwards Said After Ill-Advised Takedown Attempt At UFC London

    Sean Brady Reveals What Leon Edwards Said After Ill-Advised Takedown Attempt At UFC London

    It would seem that Leon Edwards was immediately aware of his major blunder during Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event in London.

    Edwards made the walk in front of his home fans this past weekend, hoping to bounce back from his title loss to rival Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in Manchester last July. To do so, he was tasked with getting past Sean Brady.

    The Philadelphian proved to be a hurdle too tall for “Rocky,” however, as the grappling specialist once again exposed holes in the Brit’s wrestling game en route to a fourth-round guillotine submission.

    While appearing on ESPN’s UFC Post Show in the aftermath of his victory, Brady reflected on one particular turning point in the fight. During the third frame, after finding striking success, Edwards left most baffled when he chose to change levels and attempt a takedown.

    Brady was quick to defend against the shot and reverse position — a danger Edwards was apparently quick to realize once his takedown failed.

    “Horrible idea,” Sean Brady said of Leon Edwards’ takedown attempt. “I was like, ‘Thank you!’ He said — I think he said, ‘Oh, f*ck!’ He said something. Like, he knew he f*cked up. I was very happy when he did that.”

    Having defeated a former champion and the #1-ranked contender at 170 pounds, Brady’s championship hopes got a sizable boost as a result of his trip across the pond.

    Edwards, meanwhile, now finds himself with a first stoppage defeat and the opening losing skid of his professional MMA career.

  • Charles Oliveira Pleads For UFC To Make Fight ‘Everyone Wants To See’

    Charles Oliveira Pleads For UFC To Make Fight ‘Everyone Wants To See’

    Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira knows what he wants next — and he thinks the MMA masses want it too.

    Oliveira placed his name back into the championship conversation last November by recording a second victory over Michael Chandler. With that result, the Brazilian entered the year with his sights set on the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan.

    That matchup, however, fell apart on late notice, with the reigning lightweight champ instead defeating Renato Moicano. And after Tsarukyan’s withdrawal, the status of next in line appears to be up in the air.

    With the Russian-Armenian seemingly having to re-earn his opportunity and Makhachev reportedly being less than keen to face Ilia Topuria before the Spaniard has beaten a contender, “Do Bronx” has looked to secure a long-awaited chance at redemption.

    In a video posted to his Instagram Story, Oliveira staked his claim. In a message to the UFC, the Brazilian fan favorite urged the promotion to book him opposite Makhachev for International Fight Week in June, claiming to have the community’s support for the plan.

    “The UFC has a lot of guys who talk a big game. I can talk because I’ve been here for almost 15 years,” Charles Oliveira said (translated by @ChampRDS. “I want to fight during International Fight Week, Makhachev too… UFC, let’s make this happen. This is the fight everyone wants to see.”

    Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev collided at UFC 280 in October 2022. After losing the lightweight gold on the scale prior to his victory over Justin Gaethje, “Do Bronx” hoped to regain the vacant belt at the Dagestani’s expense.

    That ultimately didn’t come to be, however, as Makhachev instead steamrolled through the veteran en route to a second-round submission. He’s since successfully defended the throne three times.

  • Top UFC Lightweight Mocks Paddy Pimblett’s Tearful Reaction To Molly McCann’s Retirement

    Top UFC Lightweight Mocks Paddy Pimblett’s Tearful Reaction To Molly McCann’s Retirement

    A usually laid back lightweight contender had a surprisingly hostile take on Paddy Pimblett’s reaction to Molly McCann’s defeat and subsequent retirement this weekend.

    While he wasn’t in action, Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in London proved to be an emotionally difficult night for Pimblett, who saw two of his teammates fall to defeat inside The O2.

    After Nathan Fletcher fell on the wrong side of a close decision in his second Octagon appearance opposite Caolan Loughran, it was the turn of Molly McCann. The Scouse strawweight has had her fair share of positive memories in England’s capital, but the March 22 bout didn’t go her way.

    “Meatball” was submitted inside the first round by late-notice replacement opponent Alexia Thainara, who needed just four and a half minutes to find the submission victory in her UFC debut. McCann went on to announce her retirement.

    Footage of a tearful Paddy Pimblett was captured cageside as he reacted to the conclusion of his longtime friend’s career in mixed martial arts. One prominent name in his division, however, evidently didn’t care for the moment.

    Mateusz Gamrot dished out a rare piece of trash talk on X, branding his 155-pound peer a “pussy” and vowing to make him cry again inside the cage down the line.

    “Pussy paddy will cry the same way after our fight.. we know it! @PaddyTheBaddy“

    For now, it will be Michael Chandler with the opportunity to dish out some punishment to “The Baddy.” The pair are set to co-headline next month’s UFC 314 pay-per-view in Miami, Florida.

    Gamrot, meanwhile, remains without a date in the calendar for his next fight. “Gamer” most recently suffered a split decision setback against Dan Hooker in Australia last September.

  • Latest UFC Fight Announcements Featuring Rose Namajunas, Paul Craig, And More

    MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming fight cards.

    With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.

    Between Monday, March 17, and Sunday, March 23, a number of fights were made official by the UFC or reported as being in the works by reputable sources.

    For those matchups, check out the list below:

    But it wasn’t all positive, with three fights falling through or being adjusted:

  • ‘Still On 5 AM Time’ – Belal Muhammad Mocks Leon Edwards’ UFC London Loss

    ‘Still On 5 AM Time’ – Belal Muhammad Mocks Leon Edwards’ UFC London Loss

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad was close by to rub Saturday’s losing result for Leon Edwards in.

    Edwards returned to action in this weekend’s UFC London main event, making his first appearance since having his title reign brought to an emphatic end by Muhammad in Manchester last July.

    “Rocky” was hoping to bounce back on home soil inside The O2 in England’s capital, believing a victory would see him granted a shot at regaining the gold. But that script was flipped by Philadelphia’s Sean Brady.

    Like Muhammad, the American contender took advantage of the holes in Edwards’ grappling game, controlling him and landing heavy damage across the first three rounds. And in the fourth, Brady found the finish by way of guillotine choke submission.

    Among those taking joy in the result was Muhammad, who fired shots at his former two-time opponent.

    One specific post saw him reference Leon Edwards’ claim that the overnight fight time last summer contributed to his title defeat, considering Saturday’s event took place in UK primetime.

    “Leon’s still on 5 am time zone,” Muhammad wrote on X.

    That marked one of many posts from the champ, who well and truly took the opportunity to poke fun at his longtime rival’s second straight setback.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Sean Brady Submits Leon Edwards

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Sean Brady Submits Leon Edwards

    UFC Fight Night took place tonight from The O2 arena in London, England, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, welterweights Leon Edwards and Sean Brady clashed. While in the co-main event, Jan Blachowicz faced Carlos Ulberg in a light heavyweight matchup. 

    UFC Results: Main Card

    • Welterweight: Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards via submission: R4, 1.39
    • Light Heavyweight: Carlos Ulberg def. Jan Blachowicz via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 
    • Welterweight: Kevin Holland def. Gunnar Nelson via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 
    • Women’s Strawweight: Alexia Thainara def. Molly McCann via submission: R1, 4.32
    • Lightweight: Chris Duncan def. Jordan Vucenic via submission: R2, 3.42  
    • Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood def. Morgan Charriere via unanimous decision (30-27×3) 

    Preliminary Card

    • Lightweight: Chris Padilla def. Jai Herbert via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29) 
    • Flyweight: Lone’er Kavanagh def. Felipe dos Santos via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 
    • Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura def. Mick Parkin via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Middleweight: Christian Leroy Duncan def. Andrey Pulyaev via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 30-26)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar via submission: R2, 3.22
    • Bantamweight: Caolan Loughran def. Nathan Fletcher via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
    • Lightweight: Kaue Fernandes def. Guram Kutateladze via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar

    Shauna Bannon earned a submission of Puja Tomar in the second round.

    Main Card Highlights

    Nathaniel Wood def. Morgan Charriere

    Nathaniel Wood got it done on the scorecards against Morgan Charriere in their featherweight matchup.

    Chris Duncan def. Jordan Vucenic

    Chris Duncan submitted Jordan Vucenic in the second round of their lightweight bout.

    Alexia Thainara def. Molly McCann

    Alexia Thainara locked in a rear-naked choke to submit Molly McCann in the first round.

    Kevin Holland def. Gunnar Nelson

    Kevin Holland got it done on the scorecards against Gunnar Nelson.

    Carlos Ulberg def. Jan Blachowicz

    In the co-main event, Carlos Ulberg got it done on the scorecards against Jan Blachowicz.

    https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1903579268338389466

    Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards

    In the main event, Sean Brady submitted Leon Edwards with a guillotine choke in the fourth round of their welterweight bout.

  • Watch Sean Brady Submit Leon Edwards In UFC London Main Event

    Watch Sean Brady Submit Leon Edwards In UFC London Main Event

    Sean Brady may have made his case for a welterweight title shot — or at worse, be one step away from a title shot — after finishing former champion Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC London.

    Edwards appeared to get to a head start after the first round. He defended Brady’s takedown attempts more than once and focused on attacking the body in the meantime. The American, to his credit, landed a solid flurry during the round and scored a late takedown.

    Brady caught the former champion by surprise and scored a takedown mere seconds into the second frame. The wrestling specialist had complete control for a while, and when Edwards looked to break out, Brady looked for a guillotine.

    From side control, the Philadelphia standout then looked for a kimura. Brady managed to work his way into full mount and to the back of Edwards, landing ground-and-pound against the Brit’s movement and defenses.

    Sean Brady Submits Leon Edwards In UFC London Main Event

    Brady pressed forward at the start of the third round. Edwards went for a takedown of his own and got caught, with his opponent threatening a choke for several seconds. Brady got back into full mount, eventually landing several head shots that cut open the former champion. Brady continued to dominate with top control, overwhelming and controlling a tiring Edwards.

    The fight found its way back to the ground in the fourth, where Brady was able to quickly lock up a guillotine choke and score a submission.

    Sean Brady has now won three straight, with the sole loss in his professional MMA career coming against the current welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad.

    This loss marked Leon Edwards’ first fight since losing the welterweight title to Muhammad at UFC 304 last July.

  • ‘Is Somebody Going To Actually Fight?’ – Jamahal Hill Unimpressed As Ulberg Decisions Blachowicz At UFC London

    ‘Is Somebody Going To Actually Fight?’ – Jamahal Hill Unimpressed As Ulberg Decisions Blachowicz At UFC London

    Carlos Ulberg may have now set himself up for a battle of prominent light heavyweight contenders in his next fight after defeating former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in the co-main event of UFC London.

    But while the fight could have fallen either way, the feeling is that both men could have done more to put on a better performance.

    This opinion is evidently held by former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, who posted his discontent over how the bout unfolded on social media.

    “Is somebody going to actually fight smh”

    Both men brought out a closely contested opening round, with the two spending time feeling each other out.

    Blachowicz seemed to do more damage, however, thanks to working Ulberg over with a number of calf kicks, in addition to jabs. “Black Jag” did try to fight fire with fire, throwing his own low kicks.

    Carlos Ulberg Edges Out Jan Blachowicz In UFC London Co-Main Event

    The leg kick battle continued into the second round, with Ulberg landing more in terms of quantity, but Blachowicz landing with a little more power behind his attacks, though also slowing down a bit.

    The third round continued the trend, with the Kiwi landing better quality strikes but the Polish veteran spending more time on the front foot. Ultimately, all three judges scored the fight for Ulberg, 29-28.

    Ulberg has now won eight straight, with four finishes during this streak. His sole UFC loss came against Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 259.

    Meanwhile, UFC London marked Blachowicz’s first fight since losing to Alex Pereira at UFC 291 in July 2023, having dealt with injuries since. The former champion is 1-3-1 in his last five, which stretches back to his title fight loss to Glover Teixiera at UFC 267.

  • Watch Kevin Holland Drop Gunnar Nelson En Route To Decision Win At UFC London

    Watch Kevin Holland Drop Gunnar Nelson En Route To Decision Win At UFC London

    Kevin Holland dropped back down to welterweight and now finds himself back in the win column after defeating Gunnar Nelson at UFC London.

    Holland looked to utilize his striking to take control early before being taken down. He remained active while on the ground, including a funny scene of him holding onto Nelson’s arm when the Icelandic veteran lifted him up.

    The American nearly scored a victory at the end of the round, dropping Nelson and just barely missing out on a ground-and-pound finish.

    Holland continued to show a strong stand-up game, stuffing multiple takedowns and landing several hard-hitting blows. Any Nelson takedown saw the “Trailblazer” quickly shake off.

    Kevin Holland Scores Decision Win Over Gunnar Nelson At UFC London

    “Gunni” seemed to get a strong start to round three by not only taking Holland down early, but also getting into mount. Holland eventually managed to reverse the position and then made the most of his striking, leading to 29-28s across all three scorecards.

    Kevin Holland entered tonight with four losses in his last five fights, featuring outings at both 170 and 185 pounds. His sole win in that span came in a submission against Michał Oleksiejczuk at UFC 302.

    Meanwhile, this was Nelson’s first fight since submitting Bryan Barberena at UFC 286. He entered tonight off back-to-back wins having also beaten Takashi Soto.

  • Tom Aspinall Sends Message To Jon Jones In UFC London Broadcast Appearance

    Tom Aspinall Sends Message To Jon Jones In UFC London Broadcast Appearance

    Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall continues to taunt Jon Jones regarding his avoidance of a unification fight.

    Aspinall has been calling for a showdown with Jones ever since capturing interim gold in November 2023. He capitalized on the cancellation of the Rochester native’s planned defense against Stipe Miocic by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich on short notice.

    But 16 months later, the heavyweight division remains under the rule of two titleholders, both of whom have faced other opponents in the meantime. With Jones remaining steadfast on his desire to face Miocic, Aspinall passed the time by dominantly defending his 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 Jones.

    In spite of Dana White’s ongoing confidence when it comes to the bout reaching the cage, Tom Aspinall continues to accuse “Bones” of ‘ducking’ him. And he once again brought with him an appropriate toy to Saturday’s UFC London event at The O2.

    For now, Aspinall will be continuing to stay ready in the gym while the UFC looks to reach an agreement with the heavyweight kingpin, who has thus far submitted Ciryl Gane and knocked out Miocic as a heavyweight.

  • Molly McCann Retires After Getting Steamrolled by Debutant At UFC London

    Molly McCann Retires After Getting Steamrolled by Debutant At UFC London

    With less than a week’s notice, Alexia Thainara managed to make her way into UFC London and score a quick victory over Molly McCann, sending the veteran into retirement in the process.

    The fight quickly went to the ground, where McCann tried to do damage with elbows and lock up a submission. Thainara, however, was able to reverse the position and take control of the fight from there.

    The Brazilian newcomer got to “Meatball’s” back and locked up a deep choke. McCann was able to escape once, but upon Thainara re-locking up her neck, quickly tapped out.

    McCann then laid her gloves in the Octagon, stating she had no desire to continue to enter the Octagon just for paychecks without victories — though still feeling fulfilled of living out a dream career.

    Fans React As Molly McCann Retires Following Loss To Short-Notice UFC Debuting Alexia Thainara

    https://twitter.com/ibzsmo3k/status/1903562173684625478

    Thainara, who now moves to 12-1 in her professional MMA career, scored a unanimous decision over Rose Conceição on Dana White’s Contender Series last September.

    The Liverpudlian, meanwhile, ends her career with losses in four of her last five. Her sole win in that stretch came at strawweight in a battle against Diana Belbiţă.

    McCann, who made her pro debut in 2015, went 7-1 before being signed by the UFC. She made her UFC debut in May 2018, losing to Gillian Robertson. She then won six of her next eight fights and gained a surge of popularity through not just her victories, but also her connection to training partner Paddy Pimblett.

  • Dustin Poirier Reacts As Teammate ‘Jumps The Gilly’ To Land UFC London Submission Win

    Dustin Poirier Reacts As Teammate ‘Jumps The Gilly’ To Land UFC London Submission Win

    Jumping the gilly worked for one of Dustin Poirier’s teammates, Chris Duncan, as he scored a submission victory with the hold against Jordan Vucenic at UFC London.

    Duncan’s power and grappling led him to success in this one, starting from a right cross that dropped Vucenic during the opening frame. Vucenic survived the Scotsman’s attempts at a finish, but Duncan made him eat several powerful elbows, as well as a slam.

    The American Top Team-trained fighterlanded a takedown early in the second and got back to business despite Vucenic’s attempts to fight from the bottom. The Englishman himself tried for a guillotine choke, but Duncan was able to fight out of it.

    Chris Duncan Jumps The Gilly, Scores Victory At UFC London

    Despite Vucenic trying to start a rally with his strikes, Duncan jumped for the guillotine choke and succeeded, scoring the tapout victory at UFC London.

    The result quickly drew a reaction from Poirier, whose penchant for jumping for guillotine chokes made him an immediate point of note as one of Duncan’s ATT teammates.

    Duncan, who earned a UFC contract off a quick victory on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, is now 4-1 in the Octagon.

    Despite a strong run of success in cage warriors, meanwhile, “The Epidemic” now falls to 0-2 in the UFC. He made his Octagon debut in a loss to Guram Kutateladze last year.

  • Tom Aspinall’s Teammate No Longer Undefeated After Losing To Top 10 Heavyweight At UFC London

    Tom Aspinall’s Teammate No Longer Undefeated After Losing To Top 10 Heavyweight At UFC London

    Mick Parkin has suffered his first defeat, but it did not come without debate, as he dropped a decision to Marcin Tybura during the UFC London preliminary card.

    The first round proved to be quiet and even. Parkin took the lead in terms of strikes landed, though Tybura used his grappling to give some trouble, including a late takedown. The Englishman had complete control of the second round, however, scoring his own takedown and maintaining several minutes of top control. The previously unbeaten heavyweight, in fact, landed a series of ground-and-pound shots, nearly finishing the fight.

    The third frame appeared to be similar, but a reverse of the first. This time, Tybura edged a tiring Parkin out in term of strikes. The teammate of interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall’s, however, scored his own late takedown on the Polish veteran before the final horn.

    Marcin Tybura Scores Controversial Decision Win, Hands Mick Parkin First Loss At UFC London

    All three judges gave Tybura the nod in rounds one and three, securing 29-28 scores and a win for the No. 8-ranked heavyweight.

    “Tybur” has won three of four since a loss to Aspinall in July 2023.

    Parkin, meanwhile, was 4-0 in the Octagon and 10-0 overall in MMA prior to UFC London. He earned a UFC contract following a win over Eduardo Neves on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022.

  • Update On Former UFC Fighters Allegedly Involved In James Krause Betting Scandal

    The next chapter in the James Krause betting scandal that hit the UFC at the end of 2022 will finally come to fruition in the coming days.

    Darrick Minner and Jeff Molina have been added to the agenda of a meeting of the Nevada State Athletic Commission on March 25, per MMA Fighting. Their appearance is noted as being a “hearing on disciplinary complaint, or in the alternative, hearing on proposed adjudication agreement.”

    Minner and Molina have been suspended since December 2022.

    At UFC Vegas 64 in November of that year, eyebrows were raised when Minner suddenly became a massive underdog not long before he was scheduled to face Shayilan Nuerdanbieke during the card. The American ended up getting finished in just over a minute.

    The betting irregularities caused multiple commissions to act, with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement no longer accepting any bouts involving Krause or any of his fighters and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario temporarily pausing bets on any UFC fights.

    An investigation was launched and, as it turned out, Krause and Minner withheld an injury that the UFC fighter had sustained during the training camp in the lead-up to the fight. Krause was a betting agent in addition to being a coach following the end of his own fighting career.

    Molina, meanwhile, was also suspended for being declared a person of interest involved in the scandal.

    The UFC acted quickly and disassociated themselves from the trio and ordered any fighters under UFC contract, including then-flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, also disassociate from Krause or risk termination.

  • Watch Ireland’s Shauna Bannon Recover From Brutal Head Kick To Armbar Opponent At UFC London

    Watch Ireland’s Shauna Bannon Recover From Brutal Head Kick To Armbar Opponent At UFC London

    As far as comebacks go, Shauna Bannon delivered one of the best in recent memory at Saturday’s UFC London event.

    Bannon made the walk during the preliminary card of this weekend’s UFC Fight Night across the pond, staking her claim for a bonus by delivering a crazy highlight inside The O2

    It was originally her opponent, India’s Puja Tomar, who lit up England’s capital. After a strong display of striking in round one, Tomar dropped Bannon with a brutal head kick in the second.

    But while “The Cyclone” pounced on her stricken foe with ground-and-pound as she pursued a seventh career knockout, she suddenly found herself trapped in an armbar.

    After some adjustments, “Mama B” forced the tap from the Indian fighter, completing a remarkable turnaround at UFC London.

    https://twitter.com/Haduuuucken/status/1903512059939066249

    The result at UFC London marked Bannon’s second victory on MMA’s biggest stage, coming eight months on from her decision win against Alice Ardelean in Manchester. All three of her UFC fights have come on English soil, with her defeat on debut also taking place in London.

    Tomar, meanwhile, has had her Octagon record leveled at 1-1. She previously took home a controversial split decision victory over Rayanne Amanda in Kentucky last June.

  • Fighter With All-Star Corner Of Topuria And Chimaev Loses To +300 Underdog At UFC London

    Fighter With All-Star Corner Of Topuria And Chimaev Loses To +300 Underdog At UFC London

    UFC London showed that just because you have big names helping you prepare for a fight and in your corner, it doesn’t mean you’ll be coming out on top.

    Guram Kutateladze experienced this in a harsh way, dropping a one-sided decision against Kauê Fernandes to open up the preliminary card of Saturday’s event in England’s capital despite boasting both Ilia Topuria and Khamzat Chimaev in his corner.

    Fernandes was one of the most notable underdogs coming into the event, standing at odds of +300 at the time of the fight.

    The Brazilian controlled the fight from the outset with dynamic striking. Early on his dominance was set via a powerful head kick that dropped “Georgian Viking.”

    Kutateladze attempted to gain control of the fight with his grappling, but Fernandes’ kicks and movement continued to be problematic for the fighter with the all-star corner.

    Guram Kutateladze Dominated At UFC London Despite Big Names In Corner

    Fernandes continued his pressure and kicks in the second round, adding in a takedown for good measure. With Kutateladze already cut, the underdog made things worse by not only busting him up to the point he was wearing a crimson mask at the end of the fight, but also dropping the Georgian twice more.

    Fernandes ultimately swept the judges scorecards 30-27.

    Fernandes is now 2-1 in the Octagon, having scored a first-round finish of Mohammad Yahya back in August 2024.

    Kutateladze, meanwhile, is now 2-3 in the UFC, having been unable to string together consecutive victories in his tenure.

  • Michael Page Targets Top Names For Next UFC Fight

    Michael Page Targets Top Names For Next UFC Fight

    Michael Page is aiming for a high-profile welterweight clash in his next UFC appearance, specifically targeting a seasoned veteran of the division.

    Fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Shara Magomedov in a middleweight detour at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia last month, Page is eager to return to the 170-pound weight class.

    “MVP” has identified former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and the often-controversial Colby Covington as prime candidates for his next opponent. These potential matchups offer both significant name recognition and the opportunity for Page to establish himself against longtime figures within the UFC’s welterweight ranks.

    “I haven’t a clue (what’s next), but everyone seems silent at the moment,” Michael Page said at a UFC fan Q&A. “I don’t know if that last fight has worried a few people, but everyone seems a bit silent. There’s many names out there.

    “I think me and Usman would be a good fight. I want to punch Colby in his face for some reason. I don’t know why. There’s guys out there. I’m just waiting for them to respond to the call.”

    Usman, having last competed in October 2023 with a majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight bout, faces a three-fight losing skid. Despite this, he has hinted at a return to competition within the year.

    Covington, meanwhile, has emerged as a potential opponent for Michael Page after his setback to Joaquin Buckley last December. The Londoner has expressed considerable interest in this matchup, citing Covington’s controversial reputation as a significant draw. 

    “I’m hoping for a repeat of a jumping knee to the face,” Page said. “You all saw how that went, so I’m hoping that way.”

    At 37, Page is eager to maintain a busy schedule. He has expressed a desire to return to the octagon at the earliest opportunity.

    “If I can get two more fights in (this year) that would be great,” Page said. “I’m trying to get one as soon as possible. There’s shows in May that I want to be on, and again at the end of the year. So two more fights, definitely.”

  • DWCS Contract Winner Handed Two-Year Suspension Before Making UFC Debut

    DWCS Contract Winner Handed Two-Year Suspension Before Making UFC Debut

    A rising heavyweight hopeful recently got himself into a world of trouble before making his UFC debut.

    On Thursday, the UFC announced via press release that Danylo Voievodkin had been handed a 24-month suspension by the Combat Sports Anti-Doping Commission (CSAD), which began on Nov. 10, 2024, after breaching the promotion’s anti-doping policy.

    Voievodkin’s October 2024 sample tested positive for Meldonium, a banned substance classified under Hormone and Metabolic Modulators. Recognized for its ability to boost cardiovascular function and endurance, the drug provides an unfair competitive edge.

    The 24-year-old undefeated Ukrainian competed on the seventh week of Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) last September, securing a first-round submission victory over Bailey Schoenfelder to earn his UFC contract. However, following the violation, the MMA promotion abruptly terminated his deal.

    Now serving a two-year suspension, Voievodkin faces a chancy road ahead in his professional career.

    Recently, he took to his Instagram Stories to voice his frustration, asserting that a later test came back negative. He also blamed his management’s negligence, claiming he had been unfairly framed in the doping scandal.

    “Many questions about this. I’ll say the test taken a month and a half later was negative. Meldonium is taken for almost a year. They offered me to confess, and then they would cut it to half a year. I stood my ground. But my management did nothing in this situation. I understand that a manager you haven’t seen in your life doesn’t care about you as a fighter. I’ll come to a conclusion: you only need to work with people you trust with everything,” Voievodkin wrote.

    Voievodkin boasts a flawless 7-0 professional record, with all his victories ending in the first round — five by knockout and two by submission.