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Category: UFC

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

  • UFC 313 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Ankalaev, Gaethje vs. Fiziev 2, And More

    UFC 313 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Ankalaev, Gaethje vs. Fiziev 2, And More

    UFC 313 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekend’s lineup.

    The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, March 8, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, who is tasked with getting the better of Magomed Ankalaev if he’s to record a fourth successful title defense.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see a former interim champ in action as Justin Gaethje returns for his first fight since falling to a brutal knockout at the hands of Max Holloway last April. To put himself back into the title conversation, “The Highlight” must repeat his 2023 triumph over Rafael Fiziev, who’s stepped up on late notice to replace the injured Dan Hooker.

    Also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Jalin Turner, Amanda Lemos, Mauricio Ruffy, and Curtis Blaydes.

    UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 313 (as of 3/3), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Alex Pereira (-115) vs. Magomed Ankalaev (-105)
    • Justin Gaethje (+120) vs. Rafael Fiziev (-142)
    • Jalin Turner (-102) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (-118)
    • Amanda Lemos (+124) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (-148)
    • King Green (+360) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (-470)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Curtis Blaydes (-325) vs. Rizvan Kuniev (+260)
    • Joshua Van (-192) vs. Rei Tsuruya (+160)
    • Brunno Ferreira (+124) vs. Armen Petrosyan (-148)
    • Alex Morono (+500) vs. Carlos Leal (-700)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Mairon Santos (-355) vs. Francis Marshall (+280)
    • Djorden Santos (-192) vs. Ozzy Diaz (+160)
    • Chris Gutierrez vs. John Castañeda
  • Zhang Weili’s Hopes For Champ-Champ Opportunity In The UFC Receive A Big Boost

    Zhang Weili’s Hopes For Champ-Champ Opportunity In The UFC Receive A Big Boost

    UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili is targeting glory in another division — and the queen directly above her has given the green light.

    Zhang has long outlined a desire to add a second belt to her collection, and “Magnum’s” hunger to do so appeared to increase after she recorded yet another successful defense of her 115-pound strap last month.

    At UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia, the Chinese fan favorite dominated the previously undefeated Tatiana Suarez, marking the third defense of her second rule over the strawweight division.

    With limited fresh challenges remaining in her weight class, Zhang pitched a champ vs. champ showdown with flyweight titleholder Valentina Shevchenko in the aftermath of her most recent triumph.

    And during an interview with MMA Junkie‘s Mike Bohn, “Bullet” gave her nod of approval for the potentially huge clash.

    “I’m open to all opportunities,” Shevchenko said of a potential battle with Zhang Weili. “She showed a lot of heart in her fights and with all the years that she’s put into her performances, she’s showed that she’s a great fighter. Why not? It’s an amazing fight and I think all the fans are going to be excited to see that.”

    Shevchenko was speaking while in Montreal to promote her next outing inside the Octagon, which will come eight months on from her return to the top at the expense of Alexa Grasso in their trilogy.

    The Kyrgyz star is set to put her gold on the line against Manon Fiorot at UFC 315 on May 10. Should Shevchenko hand the Frenchwoman her first defeat in the promotion, perhaps her attention will next turn to Zhang Weili.

  • Belal Muhammad Laughs Off Leon Edwards’ Plans For UFC Title Fight In 2025: ‘Someone Tell Him…’ 

    Belal Muhammad Laughs Off Leon Edwards’ Plans For UFC Title Fight In 2025: ‘Someone Tell Him…’ 

    Leon Edwards has his sights set on a shot at redemption against Belal Muhammad before year’s end. To that, however, the UFC welterweight champion has told his rival not to hold his breath.

    Edwards’ reign as kingpin at 170 pounds came to an end last July when he headlined the UFC 304 pay-per-view on home soil in Manchester, England.

    Following successful defenses opposite Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, “Rocky” was looking to continue his pursuit of Georges St-Pierre’s divisional records at the expense of a former adversary in Muhammad.

    But while the Jamaica-born Brit largely got the better of exchanges in their first fight before it came to a premature end due to an eye poke, the same can’t be said for their rematch, which was largely dominated by the challenger.

    In the aftermath, Edwards put the blame on the early morning fight time and has vowed to reclaim the gold by the end of 2025. His journey toward accomplishing that starts with a London main event opposite Sean Brady on March 22.

    But although the former champ expects a victory to net him a shot at the belt, Muhammad has laughed off any suggestion of a trilogy fight coming to fruition anytime soon.

    “(laughing) someone tell him he got three long years ahead of him,” Muhammad wrote on X.

    Muhammad’s comments mark a turn of the tables of sorts, with the reigning champ long accusing Edwards of avoiding their rematch following the no contest at the Apex back in 2021.

    “Remember the Name” waited three years before being given his first opportunity at the title, one which he ultimately made the most of across the pond last year.

  • Alex Pereira Says HW Move Would Require ‘Very Little’ Change After Peaking At 235 Pounds In UFC 313 Camp

    Alex Pereira Says HW Move Would Require ‘Very Little’ Change After Peaking At 235 Pounds In UFC 313 Camp

    Alex Pereira is certainly keeping the door open for a potential move up a division in the near future.

    Pereira is poised to make his fourth light heavyweight title defense as he headlines UFC 313 against Magomed Ankalaev. The highly anticipated showdown takes place this weekend at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    “Poatan” made his UFC debut in 2021, and in just seven fights, he etched his name in the history books by capturing titles in two weight classes. The Brazilian powerhouse has openly expressed his ambition to claim championship gold in a third division.

    During a recent interview with New York Post Sports, Pereira revealed that once he takes care of business against Ankalaev at UFC 313, the landscape at 205 pounds remains uncertain, but he already has plans brewing for his future.

    “I’m not really sure who would be next in my division,” Pereira said through a translator. “So we could definitely start looking at, you know, maybe moving up to heavyweight, or who knows, maybe even going and doing a boxing match.”

    The reigning UFC light heavyweight champion further explained that a potential move up in weight wouldn’t require major adjustments. He noted that he wouldn’t need to bulk up significantly, as he was already walking around at 235 pounds during his training camp for UFC 313

    “I’d have to change very little,” Pereira said. “A couple weeks ago, I was weighing about 235 pounds, and that’s really heavy for me. I’m usually around 229, 230, but I think that would be a good weight for me to move up. It’s natural; the body, you get heavier and you get bigger as you age, so that’s what I see that’s been happening.”

    On Sunday, “Poatan” posted a video on social media revealing that he weighed 227.5 pounds. With his title defense looming, he must shed 22.5 pounds to make the 205-pound limit by Friday morning.

    Pereira most recently competed at UFC 307 last October, where he secured a fourth-round TKO victory over Khalil Rountree Jr., successfully defending his title.

    He is currently on a five-fight win streak and has not lost a bout since transitioning to the light heavyweight division after dropping his middleweight title to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 in April 2023.

  • Jon Jones Or No Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall Reiterates Non-Negotiable Demand For His Next Fight

    Jon Jones Or No Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall Reiterates Non-Negotiable Demand For His Next Fight

    While Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall is willing to entertain opponents other than Jon Jones, he won’t budge on another demand for his next fight.

    Aspinall has been calling for a unification 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 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 Jones.

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Aspinall provided an update on his plans for 2025, outlining that he’s still awaiting the outcome of the UFC’s push to get Jones onboard.

    Ultimately, the Manchester native is open to fighting whomever. But he stressed that undisputed status being on the line is non-negotiable for his next walk to the Octagon.

    “I’m not bothered who it’s against, to be honest, it’s not just the Jon Jones fight I’m looking for,” Aspinall said. “I’m looking to fight. I’m in shape. I’ve been working hard since way before Christmas. I’ve been in the gym twice a day. My diet’s good. I’ve been sparring. I’ve got international training partners here. I am prepared to fight anybody. But what’s holding it back is the UFC wants to make the fight with me and Jon. As far as I’m aware, it’s now about maybe financial, otherwise, I’m not too sure to be honest. I’m just waiting for the call right now. I’m 100 percent ready to go.

    “One thing that I want to be really clear on, I am only fighting for the undisputed title. That’s my only discrepancy,” Aspinall continued. “I will fight absolutely anyone. We can look through my record, you can speak to any promoter that I’ve ever worked with, UFC or otherwise, I have absolutely never turned down a fight in my life. Never turned down an opponent and I’m not going to start now. What we need to be clear on is that I have done enough in the UFC to fight for the undisputed title. I am the best heavyweight in the world and I just want a chance to prove it.”

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

  • UFC Legend Diego Sanchez To Make Boxing Debut On Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans Undercard

    UFC Legend Diego Sanchez To Make Boxing Debut On Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans Undercard

    Diego Sanchez, a beloved figure in UFC history, is transitioning to professional boxing, setting up a bout against fellow UFC veteran John Makdessi. 

    The fight is scheduled for the ICS Mania 1 card in Sanchez’s home state of New Mexico, marking a significant moment in his post-UFC career. Sanchez, known for his passionate fighting style and memorable moments in the Octagon, left the UFC in 2020 after a decision loss to Jake Matthews. 

    Since then, he’s continued to explore combat sports, including a decision loss to Kevin Lee in Eagle FC and a knockout loss to Austin Trout in a BKFC bout. In a recent interview, Sanchez expressed his excitement about his professional boxing debut, fulfilling a long-held dream. 

    “It’s a dream come true,” Diego Sanchez said to KRQE. “I was there when Johnny Tapia fought there and I always had the dream of fighting there and that was even before the dream I had of fighting. Later as I got older and I was in the UFC, I always worked hard to try and get the UFC there and it never happened. We know that the ghost of Johnny Tapia, I know he is going to be there, and yeah maybe he will be haunting our opponents.

    “I am ready to go in there and beat this dude with one hand, you know because this isn’t kickboxing, this isn’t the UFC,”  Sanchez explained. “I am going to put pressure, I am going to put pace, and I am going to fight for Albuquerque, I am going to fight for New Mexico. I am going to go in there and I am going to put it on this guy.”

    The ICS Mania 1 card will also feature a headline boxing rematch between former UFC light heavyweight champions Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans, reigniting their storied rivalry in a different combat realm. This event is setting up to be a nostalgic night for combat sports fans.

  • Jean Silva Compared To ‘Conor McGregor In His Prime’ Ahead Of Bryce Mitchell Showdown

    Jean Silva Compared To ‘Conor McGregor In His Prime’ Ahead Of Bryce Mitchell Showdown

    Kenny Florian sees a potential future champion emerging in the UFC’s featherweight division: Jean Silva. He also sees “Lord” in the same light as Conor McGregor when he was in his prime.

    With four consecutive finishes inside the Octagon, Silva is rapidly building a formidable reputation. His recent first-round knockout of Melsik Baghdasaryan at UFC Seattle was a spectacular display of power, earning him significant praise from fight fans and fighters alike.

    Silva is set to face a significant test at UFC 314, where he’ll take on No. 13-ranked contender Bryce Mitchell, a considerable step up in competition. Florian, having experienced the challenges of both the featherweight and lightweight classes himself, and having fought for titles against legends like Jose Aldo and BJ Penn, recognizes the special talent Silva possesses.

    Florian’s high regard for Silva was evident during the Anik & Florian Podcast, during which he spoke glowingly of the Brazilian’s potential and even likened him to McGregor, the sport’s first simultaneous two-division champ.

    “This guy (Silva) is special. His ability to land shots at the right time. It reminds me of Conor McGregor in his prime,” Florian said. “How he can find your chin and the artistry that he shows in getting there, he’s not just winging punches with his eyes looking down at the canvas. He knows exactly what he’s doing and it’s just beautiful to watch.

    “He may very well be a champion in this sport in the near future,” Florian added.

    UFC 314 is scheduled to take place on April 12 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

  • VIDEO: UFC 313 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

    VIDEO: UFC 313 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

    Fight week for the UFC 313 pay-per-view this Saturday has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode. Under the spotlight in this edition is the headline clash between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev.

    Saturday’s UFC 313 lineup is topped by a championship contest, with light heavyweight kingpin Pereira (12-2) looking to add a fourth successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a knockout victory over Jiří Procházka at UFC 295 in November 2023.

    If the Brazilian is to continue his rule atop the 205-pound mountain, he must stall the title ambitions of a longtime foe in Ankalaev (19-1-1, 1 NC). The Dagestani has worked his way back to the gold after falling short in his first challenge against Jan Błachowicz in 2022, which ended in a split draw.

    Since a no contest against Johnny Walker further stalled his push up the ladder, Ankalaev has won two straight, brutally stopping Walker in their rematch before getting the better of the highly regarded Aleksandar Rakić in Abu Dhabi last October.

    The Russian standout will now look to do what Jamahal Hill, Procházka, and Khalil Rountree all failed to in 2024 by unseating “Poatan” from the light heavyweight throne.

    Ahead of that battle in Las Vegas, fans can catch a preview in the full episode of UFC 313 Countdown on the promotion’s official YouTube channel.

    UFC 313 Countdown: Full Episode

  • Muhammad Mokaev Sends ‘Son’ Manel Kape A Reminder After Ex-UFC Rival Nets Second Win Since Their Fight

    Muhammad Mokaev Sends ‘Son’ Manel Kape A Reminder After Ex-UFC Rival Nets Second Win Since Their Fight

    Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev was quick to appear on social media with some stern words for this weekend’s main event winner, Manel Kape.

    Mokaev’s tenure on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage concluded with a bitter feud opposite Kape, which included altercations away from the cage and culminated in a lackluster decision win for the Dagestan-born Brit at UFC 304 last July.

    Having done little to impress with his performance and apparently not made friends with the matchmakers, Dana White and the UFC chose not to renew “The Punisher’s” contract.

    His absence from the flyweight pecking order has provide an opportunity for Kape to quickly erase the memory of his 2024 defeat, and he’s done just that with back-to-back wins.

    And in the aftermath of his most recent triumph over Asu Almabayev at UFC Vegas 103, Kape received a reminded about his setback in Manchester from his ex-rival.

    “There’s only one best flyweight in the world (wink),” Mokaev wrote on X.

    And Mokaev followed that up with a sterner post after evidently coming across a clip of Kape trash-talking him.

    “Dirty fighter Popped on steroids Eye poked and didn’t even stopped , when I eyed poked you I stoped and let you recover! I apologised for whatever happened between us and I thought it ended but you still talking sh*t about me in every interview! because live in your head , I beat you not even in my prime and pull your pants down in front the whole world! And you will be my son for rest of life!”

    For now, Mokaev is competing under the Brave CF banner as he looks to work his way back to the UFC this year.

    Kape, meanwhile, is widely thought to have placed himself in line to challenge the winner of Alexandre Pantoja’s expected title defense against Kai Kara-France at UFC 316 in Newark this June.

  • Former Title Challenger Calls Out UFC For Playing Dominick Cruz’s Retirement Package At The Apex

    Former Title Challenger Calls Out UFC For Playing Dominick Cruz’s Retirement Package At The Apex

    One prominent ex-fighter has joined plenty of fans in questioning the UFC’s decision to play a tribute package on bantamweight legend Dominick Cruz this weekend.

    Cruz, who held gold under the WEC banner before becoming a two-time titleholder on MMA’s biggest stage, competed for the last time in the main event of a UFC Fight Night in San Diego back in August 2022. Following a knockout loss to Marlon Vera that stalled his charge back up the ladder, “The Dominator” set his sights on one final bout.

    But after a familiar foe in the form of injury away from the cage prevented that being booked until 2025, disaster struck once again last month when it emerged that Cruz had been forced out of his scheduled retirement fight against Rob Font in Seattle on Feb. 22.

    Having sustained another serious physical setback, revealed to be a second dislocated shoulder in a matter of months, the 39-year-old confirmed his decision to call time on his active career.

    Cruz remains a color commentator for the promotion, and while filling that role at Saturday’s UFC Vegas 103 event at the Apex, he watched on as a highlights package from his career was played.

    The UFC’s decision to air it drew mixed responses, however, with many questioning why a legend like Cruz had his farewell moment take place inside the low-capacity Apex.

    And among the most prominent to raise their dissatisfaction was former lightweight title challenger Al Iaquinta.

    “Dominick Cruz deserves way more than the apex guy cmon,” Iaquinta wrote on X.

    Many are wondering why the organization didn’t wait another week to play the video during the high-profile UFC 313 pay-per-view broadcast inside T-Mobile Arena.

  • Henry Cejudo Brands Eye Pokes ‘Greatest Threat’ To MMA Growth After Another UFC Main Event Controversy

    Henry Cejudo Brands Eye Pokes ‘Greatest Threat’ To MMA Growth After Another UFC Main Event Controversy

    Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo watched on this weekend as another fighter became the victim of a nasty eye poke in a main event.

    Cejudo’s hopes for a first win since returning from retirement were dealt a blow last month in Seattle, where he headlined against Chinese standout Song Yadong.

    After a difficult first two rounds, “Triple C” was the victim of a deep eye poke in the third. And after the 2008 Olympic gold medalist was deemed unable to continue, an unpunished “Kung Fu Kid” took home the victory by way of technical decision.

    The ex-flyweight and bantamweight kingpin spent the subsequent days criticizing referee Jason Herzog’s handling of the situation. And one of his fellow officials has come under fire after yet another UFC Fight Night main event result was marred by a foul.

    Manel Kape was the headline winner inside the Apex this weekend, stopping Asu Almabayev in round three. The finishing sequence, however, included a clear poke or scrap of the Kazakh’s left eye, leaving him compromised as “Starboy” swarmed for the TKO.

    After witnessing another fighter fall victim to what is undoubtedly a frequent foul in the UFC, Cejudo sent a stark warning out on social media.

    “Eye pokes are the greatest threat to the growth of this sport (unbiased) #UFCVegas103“

    While Kape appeared well on his way to a definitive victory on March 1 regardless of the foul, which was not spotted by Mike Beltran, that hasn’t dimmed the concerns of many when it comes to the impact eye pokes could continue to have on prominent bouts in the sport’s leading promotion.

  • UFC 313: Magomed Ankalaev Seemingly Walks Back Stand And Bang Claim For Alex Pereira Fight

    UFC 313: Magomed Ankalaev Seemingly Walks Back Stand And Bang Claim For Alex Pereira Fight

    It appears that UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira will need to have his wrestling shoes on after all when he faces Magomed Ankalaev next weekend.

    Following action at the Apex on Saturday night, all eyes will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 313 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on March 8.

    Headlining will be Pereira’s first defense of 2025. After three straight wins last year to cement his status as 205-pound kingpin, “Poatan” will next meet the challenge of Ankalaev.

    The Russian has long been branded the biggest threat to the Brazilian’s reign, largely owing to his wrestling prowess. The challenger, however, has frequently vowed to get the better of Pereira on the feet.

    As many predicted, though, that proclamation looks to have been retracted…

    “CHAMA is a dead man walking,” he wrote on X. “I’m going to drown this man (wrestling emojis)”

    Ankalaev’s knockout power was on display when he stopped Johnny Walker early last year.

    But Pereira marks an entirely different beast on the feet, having stopped the likes of Israel Adesanya, Jamahal Hill, and Jiří Procházka with strikes and once reigned as a two-division Glory Kickboxing champ.

  • Watch Manel Kape Break Down Alexandre Pantoja’s Flaws To His Face After UFC Vegas 103

    Watch Manel Kape Break Down Alexandre Pantoja’s Flaws To His Face After UFC Vegas 103

    UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape believes he knows how to get revenge on champion Alexandre Pantoja and secure the throne at 125 pounds.

    Kape staked his claim for a first championship opportunity on MMA’s biggest stage this weekend at UFC Vegas 103, which he headlined opposite replacement opponent Asu Almabayev.

    A convincing knockout victory marked back-to-back wins for Kape and has left many calling for him to challenge Pantoja next time out.

    The pair have history inside the Octagon, with the current champ having welcomed the ex-Rizin titleholder to the UFC back in 2021. Pantoja emerged victorious via the scorecards.

    Kape has since been pursuing a rematch en route to the title, and during a face-to-face interview alongside the Brazilian on Saturday’s ESPN UFC Post Show, “Starboy” outlined his confidence in succeeding against Pantoja second time around.

    “There is many things I can exploit in Pantoja’s game,” Kape said. “I see that Pantoja walks forward too much, you know? And brother, I’m a sniper. So prepare for that. That hand is heavy. There is 14 knockouts here in MMA. It’s not every weight that has that much knockouts as me — flyweight, welterweight, bantamweight. I have 14 knockouts, so be ready.”

    For now, Pantoja will likely have his attention on another former adversary in Kai Kara-France. He’s expected to defend the flyweight title against “Don’t Blink” at UFC 316 in Newark this coming June.

  • ‘Beats Pantoja’ – Fans And Fighters Back Manel Kape For Title Shot After UFC Vegas 103 Knockout

    ‘Beats Pantoja’ – Fans And Fighters Back Manel Kape For Title Shot After UFC Vegas 103 Knockout

    Manel Kape made a statement that he should be next in line for the UFC flyweight championship, taking out Asu Almabayev in the main event of UFC Vegas 103.

    “Starboy” got off to a strong start, grabbing momentum right away with the striking display he put on in round one. He added in a couple of stops when Almabayev went for takedown attempts during the frame. Kape continued to utilize his striking in the second, but the Kazakh fighter seemed to dictate the pace by circling the cage while looking to land his own strikes.

    Kape landed a flurry in round three that appeared to hurt Almabayev. This sent Almabayev stumbling and into retreat, as he ran nearly a whole lap around the Octagon backwards. He looked for a takedown on Kape when the Angolan caught up to him, but referee Mike Beltran elected to stop the fight via TKO due to Almabayev’s retreating and back-turn.

    After that performance, plenty are calling for the #6-ranked contender to challenge the winner of the expected Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France clash for the flyweight gold.

    Is Manel Kape Next For UFC Flyweight Title Shot After UFC Vegas 103 Win?

    Kape has now won six of his last seven fights, with his sole loss in that span coming against Muhammad Mokaev.

    Meanwhile, this loss snaps a 17-fight win streak Almabayev was on entering tonight, going back to 2017. The Kazakh prospect scored victories in the Octagon against Ode’ Osbourne, CJ Vergara, Jose Johnson and Matheus Nicolau prior to tonight.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Manel Kape TKOs Asu Almabayev

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Manel Kape TKOs Asu Almabayev

    UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, flyweights Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev clashed. While in the co-main event, Cody Brundage faced Julian Marquez in a middleweight matchup. 

    UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

    • Flyweight: Manel Kape def. Asu Almabayev via TKO: R3, 2.44
    • Middleweight: Cody Brundage def. Julian Marquez via TKO: R1, 4.45
    • Lightweight: Nasrat Haqparast def. Esteban Ribovics via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)  
    • Featherweight: Hyder Amil def. William Gomis via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)  
    • Welterweight: Sam Patterson def. Danny Barlow via KO: R1, 3.10

    Preliminary Card

    • Heavyweight: Mário Pinto def. Austen Lane via KO: R2, 0.39
    • Featherweight: Chepe Mariscal def. Ricardo Ramos via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
    • Featherweight: Danny Silva def. Lucas Almeida via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
    • Women’s Flyweight: JJ Aldrich def. Andrea Lee via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)

    Flyweight: Ramazan Temirov def. Charles Johnson via unanimous decision (29-28×3)

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Mário Pinto def. Austen Lane

    Mário Pinto knocked out Austen Lane at the start of the second round of their heavyweight matchup.

    Main Card Highlights

    Sam Patterson def. Danny Barlow

    Sam Patterson earned a first-round KO of Danny Barlow in their welterweight bout.

    Hyder Amil def. William Gomis

    Hyder Amil got it done on the scorecards against William Gomis in their featherweight bout.

    Nasrat Haqparast def. Esteban Ribovics

    In this lightweight bout, Nasrat Haqparast earned a split decision win against Esteban Ribovics.

    Cody Brundage def. Julian Marquez

    In the co-main event, Cody Brundage earned a first-round TKO of Julian Marquez.

    Manel Kape def. Asu Almabayev

    In the main event, Manel Kape earned a TKO in the third round of his flyweight bout with Asu Almabayev.

  • Cody Brundage Capitalizes On Controversial Referee Pause To Score Comeback Knockout At UFC Vegas 103

    Cody Brundage Capitalizes On Controversial Referee Pause To Score Comeback Knockout At UFC Vegas 103

    Cody Brundage emerged victorious from the UFC Vegas 103 co-main event, but the finishing sequence wasn’t without some controversy.

    Brundage started strong by landing an overhand right that stunned Marquez. He continued the attack, but Marquez managed to battle back and create a back-and-forth battle. After submission attempts from both men, “The Cuban Missile Crisis” took control with a hook and ground strikes.

    Back on the feet in the round’s closing minute, the two traded strikes in a wild exchange, with Brundage ultimately wobbling Marquez once more, dropping him and finishing things off with ground-and-pound.

    Unfortunately, the UFC Vegas 103 co-main event will go under controversy, as referee Marc Smith elected to pause the fight during the back-and-forth brawling to hand back both men’s mouthpieces, which had fallen. It was arguable that the pause allowed Brundage to gain momentum one last time for the win.

    Referee Pause At Center Of Controversial UFC Vegas 103 Co-Main Event Conclusion

    https://twitter.com/xsmegmma/status/1896015763426984102

    With this win, Brundage bounces back after a loss to Bo Nickal at UFC 300 and a no contest with Abdul Razak Alhassan.

    Marquez, meanwhile, has now lost four straight, falling to 9-6. He hasn’t scored a victory since defeating Sam Alvey in April 2021.

  • UFC Vegas 103 Main Card Opens With Unbeaten Favorite Losing In Shocking +1000 Result

    UFC Vegas 103 Main Card Opens With Unbeaten Favorite Losing In Shocking +1000 Result

    Sam Patterson got the main card of UFC Vegas 103 underway with a stunner of a result, finishing the previously unbeaten Danny Barlow in the opening round of their bout.

    About three minutes into the fight, Patterson caught Barlow coming in with a flurry, stunning “LeftHand2God” with a right hand.

    The Brit caused Barlow to stumble again seconds later before putting him out against the cage with one more right hand to the face.

    Sam Patterson Pulls Off Unexpected First-Round KO Victory To Kick Off UFC Vegas 103 Main Card

    According to TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, a Patterson victory via KO/TKO came in at +1000 odds right before fight time.

    Patterson has now won three straight and nine of his last 10, having scored first-round finishes against Kiefer Crosbie and Yohan Lainesse last year.

    Barlow, meanwhile, now falls to 9-1. He scored victories in the Octagon over Josh Quinlan and Nikolay Veretennikov prior to tonight’s loss.

  • 26-Year-Old Heavyweight Prospect Stays Undefeated With Brutal One-Punch KO In UFC Vegas 103 Debut

    26-Year-Old Heavyweight Prospect Stays Undefeated With Brutal One-Punch KO In UFC Vegas 103 Debut

    In his UFC debut, Mario Pinto scored a victory in a big way, brutally knocking out Austen Lane in the featured prelim bout at UFC Vegas 103.

    Lane had control in the first round of the fight, which included him scoring a knockdown on Pinto. The American looked to get the job done with ground-and-pound but his Portuguese counterpart fought his way back into the fight.

    While Lane had more punches thrown in the second round, too, Pinto finally got things going. That resulted in a powerful one-two that knocked Lane out cold.

    Mario Pinto KOs Austen Lane In UFC Debut At UFC Vegas 103

    This was Pinto’s first fight in the UFC after finishing Lucas Camacho in 103 seconds in his Dana White’s Contender Series appearance in October. The 26-year-old is now 10-0 as a pro.

    Lane, meanwhile, has won just one fight in his last five.

  • Michael Chandler Raises His Hand After Kash Patel Ponders UFC-Trained FBI Agents

    Michael Chandler Raises His Hand After Kash Patel Ponders UFC-Trained FBI Agents

    A noteworthy UFC name has already volunteered to be a part of a potential relationship between the MMA organization and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with Michael Chandler raising his hand.

    New FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly said during a teleconference on Wednesday, Feb. 26, that he is looking into expanding the agency’s usage of martial arts training. Reports have circulated that the FBI has been in discussions with the UFC on the development of programs for agents.

    With this new out, Michael Chandler has volunteered to be a part of developing such a program and working with these agents.

    “Put me in coach,” Chandler wrote on X.

    The development of a relationship between the U.S. government agency and the UFC would correlate alongside the friendship between US President Donald Trump and UFC CEO Dana White.

    UFC 30 and UFC 31, both held during the first half of 2001, were the first UFC events held under Zuffa ownership – which included the introduction of White as then-UFC president. Both events took place at the then Trump Taj Mahal (now Boardwalk Hall) in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

    White has openly discussed how Trump’s venue helped pave a road to success for the UFC as Zuffa took the organization from the brink of folding to the worldwide juggernaut it is today. White has since re-paid the favor as Trump’s friend and one of his biggest supporters in his time in American politics.

    Trump defeated Hillary Clinton to become the 45th U.S. President in November 2016 before losing to Joe Biden four years later. This past November, Trump defeated Kamala Harris to regain the U.S. presidency, becoming the second American president with two separate terms in office.

    Chandler, meanwhile, will return to the Octagon on April 12 at UFC 314, taking on Paddy Pimblett in the card’s five-round co-main event.

  • Former Opponent Says Ilia Topuria Enters ‘GOAT Conversation’ With Win Over Islam Makhachev

    Former Opponent Says Ilia Topuria Enters ‘GOAT Conversation’ With Win Over Islam Makhachev

    Ilia Topuria’s former opponent believes that if the stars align perfectly in his favor, “El Matador” has the potential to enter the greatest of all time (GOAT) discussion.

    Last week, Topuria took a daring leap, vacating his UFC featherweight title to chase greatness in the lightweight division, with hopes of etching his name in history as a two-division champion.

    UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the undefeated Spaniard chose to move up in weight, convinced that he had already conquered the featherweight division while also struggling with the ever-demanding cut to 145 pounds.

    Though Topuria has long voiced his desire to challenge reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, there is currently no official word on who his first opponent in the division will be.

    However, Youssef Zalal, who suffered defeat against “El Matador” in their clash back in October 2020, believes that a showdown between Makhachev and Topuria is the fight to make — one in which he sees his former opponent having a real shot at victory.

    “I’m gonna go with Ilia. I think I’ll stick with Ilia on this one,” Zalal said in a recent interview with Sportskeeda MMA.

    “The Moroccan Devil” further suggested that if Ilia Topuria strategically utilizes his wrestling skills and somehow dethrones UFC’s pound-for-pound No. 1, Makhachev, he could carve out a legacy among the sport’s all-time greats.

    “You beat Islam, you’re in the greatest (of all time) conversation. Like, you’re one of the [fighters in the] GOAT conversation. So to go do that…and I’m telling you, man, I feel like they’re sleeping on his wrestling and I think his attribute is that, obviously, his gas tank, they can say this and that, but also Islam’s gas tank is a little bit this and that. But man, [beating] Islam, bro…for me, that’s the greatest of all time.”

    Topuria remains undefeated in his professional career, boasting a flawless 8-0 record in the UFC. He claimed the featherweight title with a dominant finish over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 before solidifying his reign with another statement-making knockout against Max Holloway at UFC 308 last year.

  • Alex Pereira Reassures Critics Of His Pre-UFC 313 Traveling: ‘I’ve Done This A Million Times’

    Alex Pereira Reassures Critics Of His Pre-UFC 313 Traveling: ‘I’ve Done This A Million Times’

    Alex Pereira is not even remotely concerned about naysayers claiming he’s not training hard enough for his upcoming UFC return.

    Pereira is set to put his light heavyweight title on the line for the fourth time as he faces Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313, taking place on March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    In the lead-up to his fight, “Poatan” has faced intense scrutiny from the MMA community, particularly from UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, who has questioned his commitment to training. Cormier and others argue that Pereira isn’t taking his upcoming bout seriously, citing his recent travels through Australia and seemingly carefree social media posts as signs of inadequate preparation.

    Earlier this month at UFC 312, the Brazilian champion traveled to Sydney to corner Sean Strickland in his title fight against middleweight king Dricus Du Plessis. However, Pereira maintains that his trip to the “Land Down Under” is not a distraction but a commitment he had made well in advance.

    In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, “Poatan” reassured his skeptics that his team traveled with him to Sydney, ensuring he stayed on track with his fight camp. He drew parallels to a similar situation last year when he successfully took a short-notice rematch against Jiří Procházka at UFC 303.

    “What I can say to Cormier and a bunch of the other specialists that have been saying that I shouldn’t have gone out there: I’ve been in this situation before,” Pereira said through a translator. “It’s actually been worse before when I was in Australia and had signed up to fight, and didn’t even know I was going to fight. But this time it was all very planned out. I knew what I wanted to do, I took basically my whole team down there. There were eight people in Australia with me, so we knew exactly what we were doing, and we planned it all.”

    Pereira also reflected on his grueling travel schedule leading up to his 2016 kickboxing clash against Israel Adesanya in China, emphasizing that despite the demanding journey, it had no impact on his performance.

    “A lot of people are talking about the traveling and all of the trips. Maybe it’s not the ideal situation. But I feel like I’m very experienced with that, and I’ve done this a million times, to be honest.”

    Pereira is riding a five-fight win streak and was last seen in action at UFC 307 this past October, where he successfully defended his title with a dominant fourth-round TKO victory over Khalil Rountree Jr.

  • The Internet vs. Ronda Rousey: Why Fans Turned On A Legend

    The Internet vs. Ronda Rousey: Why Fans Turned On A Legend

    At one point, Ronda Rousey was the most beloved figure in MMA, a trailblazer who broke barriers and dominated the sport like no other female fighter before her. But as quickly as she rose, public sentiment shifted. Today, Rousey’s legacy is often met with mixed reactions—praised by some, dismissed by others.

    Her longtime coach, Edmond Tarverdyan, believes the negativity is overblown. Speaking with VICE for Dark Side of the Cage, he suggested that the backlash isn’t about genuine dislike, but rather, absence.

    “They don’t hate her—they miss her,” Tarverdyan said. “If she came back, did interviews, showed up at events, people would love her again.”

    Rousey’s meteoric rise meant she was everywhere—on talk shows, magazine covers, and the big screen. But after her devastating losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, she largely withdrew from the MMA world.

    Unlike other fighters who continue engaging with the sport after retirement, Rousey shifted her focus to WWE, family life, and personal ventures, leaving a void that fans have filled with criticism.

    Tarverdyan sees this as part of a larger pattern in combat sports.

    “She changed the game, but when you become that big, that fast, some people will always turn on you,” he explained.

    The internet has amplified this divide, with social media allowing for both admiration and hostility in equal measure. But in reality, Rousey remains a pioneering figure in MMA history.

    If she ever decides to return to the fight world in any capacity—even just as a spectator—Tarverdyan believes she would be embraced once again.

    Conflict with Media

    • Criticism of MMA Media: Rousey has repeatedly accused the MMA media of unfairly tarnishing her reputation.
    • Joe Rogan and Others: She expressed disappointment with Joe Rogan and others, who she felt distanced themselves after her defeats, despite previously praising her.
    • Behind-the-Scenes Allegations: Former UFC broadcaster Jimmy Smith criticized Rousey for being difficult to work with during her UFC tenure, alleging that many behind-the-scenes staff disliked her due to her attitude.

    Fan Backlash

    Rousey has stated that the hostility from fans after her losses turned her appreciation for them into resentment. She believes they quickly dismissed her legacy, reducing it to her defeats rather than celebrating her groundbreaking achievements.

    During her WWE career, Rousey reportedly struggled with negative fan reactions, which she took personally despite being positioned as a top star during her runs there.

    Public Perception

    • Rousey’s public image remains polarizing. While many respect her achievements as a trailblazer in MMA and professional wrestling, others scrutinize her for perceived arrogance and controversial statements. Her memoir Our Fight has further fueled debates about her career and personal struggles.

    Ronda Rousey’s fall from grace in the eyes of some fans and media has been marked by feelings of betrayal on all sides. While she remains an iconic figure in combat sports, the complexities of fame and public scrutiny have left a lasting impact on her legacy.

  • Ronda Rousey’s Coach Admits Her $4.5 Million Career-Altering Mistake

    Ronda Rousey’s former coach, Edmond Tarverdyan, has admitted that accepting a $4.5 million payday for Rousey to fight Holly Holm on short notice was a critical mistake. Speaking on Dark Side of the Cage, Tarverdyan revealed that financial incentives played a major role in the rushed decision—a choice that ultimately led to one of the most shocking upsets in UFC history.

    The fight, which took place in November 2015, ended in devastating fashion, with Holm delivering a brutal head-kick knockout in the second round. Rousey, who had dominated the women’s bantamweight division up until that point, was left physically and emotionally shattered. Many fans and analysts speculated at the time that she wasn’t at her best, and now Tarverdyan has confirmed those concerns, admitting that insufficient preparation played a key role in her downfall.

    “I regret it,” Tarverdyan said, acknowledging that the decision to take the fight so soon was influenced by the massive financial offer on the table. “We should have waited.”

    This revelation highlights the difficult choices fighters and their teams must navigate—balancing lucrative opportunities with the need for proper training and recovery. In Rousey’s case, the rushed timeline didn’t just cost her a fight; it altered the trajectory of her career.

    As Dark Side of the Cage continues to explore the highs and lows of MMA’s biggest names, Tarverdyan’s candid admission offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at a decision that changed the landscape of women’s MMA forever.

  • UFC Fight Night: Manel Kape vs. Asu Almabayev Weigh-In Results: Two Bouts Canceled

    UFC Fight Night: Manel Kape vs. Asu Almabayev Weigh-In Results: Two Bouts Canceled

    UFC Fight Night: Manel Kape vs. Asu Almabayev takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results.

    After staging its latest event in Seattle, Washington last weekend, the mixed martial arts leader is back at its home base of the Apex to open its March schedule.

    Headlining will be former Rizin champion and current #6-ranked UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape. After having his hopes to defeat a top-five name dashed after Brandon Royval’s withdrawal, “Starboy” will now need to defend his place against replacement opponent Asu Almabayev.

    Elsewhere, Cody Brundage, Nasrat Haqparast, Hyder Amil, Danny Barlow, Ricardo Ramos and Charles Johnson will be in action.

    UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Almabayev Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Almabayev takes place on Saturday, March 1, at the Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.

    See above for a replay of the weigh-ins via MMA Junkie, and check out the results below.

    Main Card:

    • Flyweight: Manel Kape (126lbs) vs. Asu Almabayev (126lbs)
    • Middleweight: Cody Brundage (186lbs) vs. Julian Marquez (186lbs)
    • Lightweight: Nasrat Haqparast (156lbs) vs. Esteban Ribovics (156lbs)
    • Featherweight: Hyder Amil (146lbs) vs. William Gomis (146lbs)
    • Welterweight: Danny Barlow (170.5lbs) vs. Sam Patterson (170.5lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Heavyweight: Austen Lane (249.5lbs) vs. Mário Pinto (246.5lbs)
    • Featherweight: Ricardo Ramos (146lbs) vs. Chepe Mariscal (146lbs)
    • Catchweight (140lbs): Douglas Silva de Andrade (140lbs) vs. John Castañeda (140lbs)**
    • Women’s Flyweight: Andrea Lee (126lbs) vs. JJ Aldrich (126lbs)
    • Featherweight: Danny Silva (145.5lbs) vs. Lucas Almeida (148lbs)***
    • Women’s Flyweight: Montana De La Rosa vs. Luana Carolina*
    • Flyweight: Charles Johnson (125lbs) vs. Ramazan Temirov (125.5lbs)

    *The flyweight bout between Montana De La Rosa and Luana Carolina was canceled due to weight management issues for the latter

    **The catchweight bout between Douglas Silva de Andrade and John Castañeda was canceled due to medical issues for the former

    ***Lucas Almeida missed the featherweight limit by two pounds, forfeits 20 percent of his purse

  • UFC Expands Australian Footprint: New 5-Event Deal Brings MMA and WWE to Perth

    UFC Expands Australian Footprint: New 5-Event Deal Brings MMA and WWE to Perth

    The UFC is set to strengthen its presence in Perth, Australia, as part of a new deal between TKO Group Holdings—the parent company of both the UFC and WWE—and the Western Australian Government.

    According to The West Australian, this agreement will bring five major events to the region over the next 18 months, solidifying Western Australia as a key destination for combat sports.

    Under the terms of the deal, RAC Arena will host a UFC Fight Night later this year, building on the success of previous UFC events in Perth. This marks a significant step forward for the promotion in Australia, as Perth continues to emerge as a premier location for international MMA events.

    The agreement also includes four additional events, with WWE set to hold multiple shows at RAC Arena as part of the partnership.

    This development reflects the growing demand for high-profile combat sports in Australia and highlights TKO Group Holdings’ commitment to expanding its footprint in the region. With Perth already playing host to memorable UFC cards in the past, fans can expect more thrilling action in the months ahead.

    UFC Returning to Perth

    UFC in Perth

    Perth, Australia, has hosted three major UFC events to date, each making a significant impact on the city’s reputation as a destination for mixed martial arts:

    UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold (February 11, 2018)

    This was Perth’s first UFC event and marked the city’s debut on the global MMA stage after Western Australia lifted its ban on cage fighting. The main event featured Yoel Romero defeating Luke Rockhold via third-round KO in a catchweight bout after Romero missed the middleweight limit. The event drew 12,437 spectators to RAC Arena and showcased rising stars like Israel Adesanya, who made his UFC debut with a TKO victory over Rob Wilkinson.

    UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski (February 12, 2023)

    This record-breaking event featured a lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski, with Makhachev winning via unanimous decision. UFC 284 set attendance and revenue records at RAC Arena and delivered an estimated $42.8 million in economic benefits to Perth. It also included key fights like Yair Rodríguez defeating Josh Emmett for the interim featherweight title.

    UFC 305: du Plessis vs. Adesanya (August 18, 2024)

    The third event in Perth featured a historic middleweight title bout between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, with du Plessis winning via submission in the fourth round. This event marked the start of a multi-year partnership between the UFC and the Western Australian Government to bring more events to Perth.