MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • Paddy Pimblett: Ilia Topuria Didn’t Move Up Because Of The Weight Cut, He ‘Ran’ From Volkanovski

    Paddy Pimblett: Ilia Topuria Didn’t Move Up Because Of The Weight Cut, He ‘Ran’ From Volkanovski

    Ilia Topuria’s bold decision to vacate his featherweight title and make the jump to lightweight has sent shockwaves through the UFC, sparking intense debate and speculation.

    Fresh off back-to-back knockout victories, his move has captivated fans and pundits, setting the stage for dream matchups and a dramatic shift in the division. While this transition presents a challenge for UFC matchmakers, it’s exactly the kind of shake-up that fuels the sport’s excitement.

    However, not everyone is sold on the move. Paddy Pimblett, one of the lightweight division’s most outspoken rising stars, has emerged as a vocal skeptic.

    Since Dana White announced Topuria’s title relinquishment, Pimblett has questioned the motivations behind it, even suggesting the UFC may have pressured the Spaniard into vacating rather than supporting his bid for champ-champ status.

    Beyond the circumstances of the switch, “The Baddy” is unconvinced that “El Matador” can thrive at 155 pounds. He argues that the former featherweight king lacks the size and physicality to compete with the division’s elite, predicting struggles against bigger, stronger lightweights.

    His sharpest criticism, however, comes in his assessment of a potential showdown with lightweight champ Islam Makhachev. Pimblett sees a one-sided affair, envisioning Makhachev effortlessly imposing his grappling and finishing Topuria with ease.

    “Volk had only just recovered from getting head-kicked 12 weeks earlier and getting knocked clean out by Islam,” Pimblett said during a recent interview on 560 WQAM . “I think if (Topuria) fought Volk again, it’d be a different fight. I think he half ran away from Volk. But you can’t really say that because he knocked him out with one punch last year. Still, I think (Topuria) knew Volk was gonna give him a run for his money.”

    While Topuria’s lightweight ambitions have injected new intrigue into the division, Pimblett’s doubts highlight the risks of the move.

    Whether the Spaniard proves his skeptics wrong or struggles against the division’s best remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — the UFC’s lightweight division just got a lot more interesting.

  • Kash Patel Said To Be Considering UFC-FBI Partnership To Train Agents In Martial Arts

    Kash Patel Said To Be Considering UFC-FBI Partnership To Train Agents In Martial Arts

    Kash Patel appears to have an intriguing vision — one that could potentially lead to a collaboration between the FBI and the UFC.

    Last week, Patel was officially sworn in as the ninth director of the FBI following Republican leader Donald Trump’s re-election this past month as the 47th President of the United States.

    Per a recent Reuters report, Patel is exploring the idea of enlisting UFC trainers to enhance the martial arts and self-defense skills of American law enforcement agents. The initiative was reportedly outlined during a call this week with FBI field offices.

    It’s not just Trump — an avid MMA enthusiast and close friend of UFC CEO Dana Whiten — who has a passion for the sport. Patel also appears to be a fan, often sharing UFC-related posts on social media.

    According to the report, Patel revealed that Republican podcaster Dan Bongino, whom Trump appointed as the FBI’s deputy director, is also a passionate UFC fan. He shared that Bongino inspired him to try the training himself. Now, the Indian-American lawyer is seriously considering a potential partnership between the FBI and the UFC.

    Although the UFC doesn’t directly provide combat training to its contracted fighters, it boasts state-of-the-art Performance Institutes in major cities worldwide, including Las Vegas, Shanghai, and Mexico City, serving as elite hubs for athletic development and recovery.

  • UFC Lightweight Bitter After Missing Out On Justin Gaethje Fight: ‘Strikers Have Always Feared Wrestlers!’

    UFC Lightweight Bitter After Missing Out On Justin Gaethje Fight: ‘Strikers Have Always Feared Wrestlers!’

    A UFC lightweight contender seems to be fuming after being passed over for the opportunity to square off against Justin Gaethje next.

    Gaethje was initially scheduled to face Dan Hooker in a highly anticipated five-round co-main event at UFC 313 on March 8, set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, in a sudden twist on Tuesday, “The Highlight” found himself without a dance partner after Hooker was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a hand injury.

    The UFC’s top brass allegedly reached out to several elite 155-pound contenders, including Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, and Dustin Poirier, in a bid to find a last-minute replacement for “The Hangman.” The promotion ultimately shifted its focus to Gaethje’s former foe, Rafael Fiziev, who stepped up and accepted the fight on short notice.

    Mateusz Gamrot, one of the many fighters eagerly campaigning for a shot at Gaethje, is seemingly unimpressed with the UFC’s decision to book Fiziev for the rematch. Following the fight announcement, Gamrot took to X to throw shade at Gaethje, calling him out for accepting the bout.

    He claimed that the only reason the former UFC interim lightweight champion agreed to the fight was because “Ataman” presents a stylistically favorable matchup for him.

    “Easier choice stylistically. Strikers have always feared wrestlers. I keep in great shape and I’m ready for anyone!” Gamrot wrote on X.

    “The Highlight” is set to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon after a hiatus of nearly a year. His last outing saw him suffer a buzzer-beater knockout loss to Max Holloway in their BMF title showdown at UFC 300 this past April.

    Meanwhile, Fiziev last stepped into the Octagon in September 2023, headlining a UFC Fight Night clash against “Gamer.” Unfortunately, his night was cut short after suffering a torn ACL in the second round, forcing a TKO defeat.

    Gaethje already holds a majority decision victory over Fiziev from their showdown at UFC 286 in March 2023.

  • Merab Dvalishvili’s Teammate Learns His Punishment For Striking Fan At UFC 310

    Merab Dvalishvili’s Teammate Learns His Punishment For Striking Fan At UFC 310

    The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) has issued a nine-month suspension and $2,500 fine to UFC fighter Dennis Buzukja, a teammate of bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili’s, following a physical altercation with a fan at UFC 310 this past December.

    Buzukja must also pay an additional $157.04 in attorney fees as part of the disciplinary action.

    The altercation occurred after Buzukja, who was cornering his friend and teammate Aljamain Sterling for his fight against Movsar Evloev, became involved in a heated confrontation with a fan. The situation escalated after an earlier verbal exchange between Dvalishvili and the same individual.

    Video footage showed Dvalishvili confronting the fan after the individual grabbed his arm and verbally accosted him as he returned to the locker room.

    • Security intervened, but before tensions could fully de-escalate, Buzukja was seen throwing punches at the fan. The incident quickly went viral on social media, leading to scrutiny from the NAC.

    Following the incident, Dvalishvili clarified that the fan had instigated the exchange by falsely claiming he was part of Umar Nurmagomedov’s team. The accusation carried weight, as Dvalishvili was preparing to fight Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.

    The commission’s decision to suspend and fine Buzukja highlights its zero-tolerance policy on athlete-fan altercations. This follows a similar incident involving Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300, reinforcing the message that such behavior will not be tolerated, regardless of the circumstances.

    While Buzukja’s suspension is set to expire on Sept. 6, 2025, he has an opportunity to reduce it to six months. If he completes approved community service in Nevada, he could be reinstated as early as June 6.

    This conditional reprieve reflects the NAC’s dual approach — punishing misconduct while also providing a path for fighters to demonstrate accountability and rehabilitate their public image.

  • Dustin Poirier Responds To Claim He Rejected Justin Gaethje Trilogy At UFC 313

    Dustin Poirier has refuted any suggestion he outright rejected a potential short-notice clash with Justin Gaethje at UFC 313.

    The UFC 313 co-main event has undergone a significant late change, with Rafael Fiziev stepping in to replace the injured Dan Hooker in a rematch against Gaethje.

    While Fiziev ultimately secured the fight, he wasn’t the only option considered. Several high-profile fighters, including Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier, were seemingly in the discussion, but logistical and weight-related issues prevented them from accepting.

    After Dan Hooker withdrew due to injury, multiple fighters expressed interest in stepping up. Gaethje revealed the decision-making process, providing insight into why Fiziev was ultimately chosen.

    “Arman and Charles understandably said no. Max and Dustin understandably said no. Moicano got the call and said no. Props to Fiziev for volunteering to fly across the world and take this fight. Big risk here for me taking this rematch against an elite striker. Life’s a trip. Best live show on earth going down March 8th #UFC313.”

    While Gaethje listed Poirier among those who declined, Dustin Poirier quickly clarified that he had actually reached out to the UFC himself upon hearing the news.

    “I’m the one who reached out to them when I read the news. Ask Hunter. All respect to you and Fiziev, looking forward to this one again.” 

    Gaethje responded, explaining that he didn’t mean to imply Poirier or others refused to fight him.

    “I was just running back the crazy 48 hours I went through. I was not trying to imply any of you guys would not fight me. Arman was too heavy, same with Charles. UFC obviously has plans for you at a later date so they said that’s a no-go.”

    Poirier then responded in good spirits: “All good bro!! Glad you got an opponent! Can’t wait to watch!!”

    Arman Tsarukyan also expressed interest in taking the fight on short notice. However, due to limited time to prepare for a standard lightweight bout (155 pounds), the Russian-Armenian proposed a 160-pound catchweight fight.

    According to Tsarukyan, the UFC did not agree to the catchweight, which ultimately led to Fiziev being chosen instead.

    “Ataman,” who lost a close decision to Gaethje in their first encounter at UFC 286, now has a shot at redemption on short notice.

  • ‘Mitchell’s Toughest Opponent Yet…Outside Of Basic Science’ – Fans React To Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva Joining UFC 314 Card

    ‘Mitchell’s Toughest Opponent Yet…Outside Of Basic Science’ – Fans React To Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva Joining UFC 314 Card

    Rising UFC featherweight contender Jean Silva has had his wish to share the cage with Bryce Mitchell granted.

    Dana White returned to Instagram Live late Wednesday night to announced some big additions to the UFC 313 and UFC 314 pay-per-view cards.

    Alongside the news that Rafael Fiziev will be replacing the injured Dan Hooker to run it back with Justin Gaethje in the co-main event on March 8, the UFC CEO revealed a big battle at 145 pounds between the polarizing Mitchell and the surging Silva set for Miami on April 12.

    The Fighting Nerds standout staked his claim for the opportunity to make “Thug Nasty” pay for his recent pro-Adolf Hitler, Nazi-sympathizing comments after recording another brutal knockout victory at the UFC Fight Night in Seattle last weekend.

    “Lord” is now 4-0 in the Octagon, with all of his wins in the UFC coming via knockout. He’ll hope to continue that trend at the expense of ranked opposition in Mitchell.

    The announcement unsurprisingly drew reactions across the MMA community. From predictions either way to questions over the UFC awarding Mitchell a big fight on a prominent card in spite of his antisemitic remarks, plenty of takes appeared.

    https://twitter.com/DankalaevMMA/status/1894941640068063661
  • Justin Gaethje Claims 5 Big Names Turned Down UFC 313 Fight Before Rafael Fiziev Rematch Got Booked

    Justin Gaethje Claims 5 Big Names Turned Down UFC 313 Fight Before Rafael Fiziev Rematch Got Booked

    Former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has a replacement opponent set for UFC 313 — but it seemingly wasn’t the promotion’s first choice.

    The mixed martial arts leader was left scrambling this week after Dan Hooker withdrew from his scheduled co-main event with “The Highlight” at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on March 8.

    While Hooker had hoped for the matchup to be rescheduled for a later date after he sustained a broken hand in training, the UFC opted to keep Gaethje on the UFC 313 lineup.

    With that, an opponent search got underway and ultimately landed the higher-ups at the door of Rafael Fiziev. UFC CEO Dana White announced late Wednesday that “Ataman” will have the chance for revenge opposite Gaethje two years on from their entertaining three-rounder in London, England.

    But the Azerbaijani striker looks to have been far down the list of possible replacements, with Gaethje claiming in a social media post that Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano all got offers.

    “Arman and Charles understandably said no. Max and Dustin understandably said no. Moicano got the call and said no. Props to Fiziev for volunteering to fly across the world and take this fight. Big risk here for me taking this rematch against and elite striker. Life’s a trip. Best live show on earth going down March 8th #UFC313“

    Nevertheless, “The Highlight” will no doubt be relieved that one prominent name has accepted the short-notice assignment, meaning his fight camp won’t have been for nothing.

    UFC 313 will mark Gaethje’s first outing since falling to a brutal knockout loss at the hands of Holloway last April. Fiziev, meanwhile, has been out of action since suffering a torn ACL against Mateusz Gamrot in September 2023.

  • Marlon Vera Set To Face Opponent On Seven-Fight Win Streak At UFC Fight Night On May 3

    Marlon Vera Set To Face Opponent On Seven-Fight Win Streak At UFC Fight Night On May 3

    Marlon Vera is seemingly set for a showdown with a stylistically challenging opponent in his Octagon return.

    On Wednesday, MMA journalist Marcel Dorff reported on X that former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon Vera is set to clash with Mario Bautista at a UFC Fight Night event on May 3 in Des Moines, Iowa.

    The fight announcement was first revealed by MMA content creator Tuck, who claimed that the matchup would serve as the co-main event for the card.

    “Chito” is looking to bounce back after a one-sided unanimous decision loss to former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Abu Dhabi in August 2024. The defeat marked his second consecutive setback, following a decision loss to Sean O’Malley in their rematch at UFC 299 in March, where he fell short in his bid for the 135-pound title.

    The 32-year-old Ecuadorian was riding the momentum of a four-fight win streak before his run came to a halt against Cory Sandhagen in March 2023. Since then, he has managed just one victory — a unanimous decision over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 292. Vera now finds himself at 6-5 in his last 11 outings.

    Meanwhile, Bautista is riding the wave of a seven-fight win streak. He was last seen in action at UFC 307 this past October, where he secured a hard-fought split decision victory over UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo. The 31-year-old American hasn’t tasted defeat since March 2021, when he suffered a second-round knockout loss to Trevin Jones at UFC 259.

    UFC Des Moines is set to be headlined by a pivotal bantamweight showdown between Sandhagen and Figueiredo. However, while the card is shaping up to be a potential must-watch event, the promotion has yet to announce the official venue.

  • Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Headlines UFC Kansas City On April 26

    Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Headlines UFC Kansas City On April 26

    Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill and ex-title challenger Khalil Rountree are set to collide in the final main event of the promotion’s April schedule.

    The mixed martial arts leader is heading to Missouri later this year to stage a UFC Fight Night from inside Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center on April 26.

    This week saw the UFC confirm a number of high-profile bouts for the lineup, including the retirement fight for Anthony Smith, the next bout for entertaining middleweight Michel Pereira, and returns for the likes of Ikram Aliskerov and Giga Chikadze. And on Wednesday, a headline contest was revealed.

    Off the back of consecutive defeats to Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka, the #4-ranked Hill (12-3, 1 NC) will look to get his ball rolling again at 205 pounds against a fellow contender who also recently tasted defeat at the hands of “Poatan” in the #7-ranked Rountree (13-6, 1 NC)

    With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night in Kansas City are as follows:

    • Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree (light heavyweight main event)
    • Giga Chikadze vs. David Onama (featherweight)
    • Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz (middleweight)
    • Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang (light heavyweight)
    • Michel Pereira vs. Abus Magomedov (middleweight)
    • Polyana Viana vs. Jaqueline Amorim (women’s strawweight)
    • Cameron Saaiman vs. Malcolm Wellmaker (bantamweight)
    • Ahmed Hassanzada vs. Mitch Ramirez (lightweight)
    • Matt Schnell vs. Jimmy Flick (flyweight)
    • Chelsea Chandler vs. Joselyne Edwards (women’s bantamweight)
  • Watch Henry Cejudo Confront Referee Jason Herzog Over FaceTime For Handling Of UFC Seattle Eye Poke

    Watch Henry Cejudo Confront Referee Jason Herzog Over FaceTime For Handling Of UFC Seattle Eye Poke

    Henry Cejudo is seemingly still grappling with the sting of his recent, highly contentious defeat.

    Cejudo made his return to the Octagon last weekend, headlining UFC Seattle against Song Yadong. However, the fight took an unfortunate turn, ending in dispute when an accidental eye poke prematurely halted the bout.

    Late in the third round, “Triple C” was on the receiving end of an accidental eye poke, forcing him to take the allotted five-minute recovery time. Though the fight briefly resumed, the former two-division UFC champion acknowledged that his vision was impaired heading into the next round.

    Consequently, referee Jason Herzog had no choice but to wave off the contest, sending the bout to the judges’ scorecards, where Yadong was awarded a technical decision victory.

    Cejudo didn’t hold back on social media after the fight, voicing his frustration over the way it ended. He claimed to have suffered diplopia, soft tissue damage, and multiple serious injuries as a result of Yadong’s strike.

    And on Wednesday, “Triple C” shared a video on social media of himself calling referee Herzog to challenge his decision not to deduct points from “Kung Fu Kid” for the eye poke. He also criticized the veteran referee for not intervening a second time when Yadong persisted with extended fingers, despite being explicitly instructed to keep them tucked.

    “One, you didn’t take a point,” Cejudo said. “And then two, when I took the five-minute break and we ended up coming back to actually fight, like, I still wasn’t recovered, but that dude still came here [with outstretched fingers], and you didn’t do anything. Luckily, I couldn’t see – or at least I saw four arms – but you never warned him, or you never took away a point.”

    In his defense, Herzog refrained from justifying his decision to stop the fight. Instead, he acknowledged Cejudo’s criticism and even admitted that he should have deducted a point from Yadong for the eye poke.

    “I’m not trying to say that it’s right or wrong and I’ve heard you now and I completely agree,” Herzong said. “Especially afterwards when he came out with his fingers like this [pointing out], why didn’t you [I] then stop it and take a point immediately… I think that’s a very valid criticism and an adjustment that I probably should have made. I think that’s a fair point… I can’t say that you’re wrong and when I watched it again, I’m like ‘Yeah, I should have probably stopped it and taken a point.’”

    Hypothetically, if Herzog had deducted a point from Yadong, the fight’s outcome could have been entirely different. “Kung Fu Kid” won with one judge scoring it 30-27, while the other two had it 29-28.

    However, with a point docked, those 29-28 scores would have shifted to 28-28, resulting in a majority draw instead of a victory.

  • Robert Whittaker Names Fellow Former Champion As ‘Fight To Make’ For His UFC Return

    Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is beginning to look toward his next Octagon outing, and he has just the opponent in mind.

    Whittaker hasn’t been in action since a crushing loss to the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev last October in Abu Dhabi. A first-round face crank left the Australian with displaced teeth and requiring a medical procedure.

    Having recovered and returned to training, “The Reaper” is looking to reignite his charge back toward the title, which originally got off to a strong start in 2024 with back-to-back wins over Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov.

    During a recent episode of On Paper with Anthony Smith, Whittaker assessed what could lie in his immediate future. He pointed to a matchup that has long been discussed and would see him fight one of the few top names at 185 pounds whom he’s yet to do battle with.

    “I think (Sean) Strickland makes a good argument to have. Because I feel like we’ve both been in that top sort of pond for a while circling each other,” Whittaker said. “I feel like for whatever reason we haven’t been matched up but we’ve both been in proximity for a while, and it’s most likely the fight to make.

    “I’m excited about that fight. I look at his style and I find it curious. I find it exciting to try to work out,” Whittaker continued. “He’s a tough dude but I’m really proud of my skill set and confident in my skill set.”

    Strickland is currently licking his wounds following a failed title challenge against Dricus Du Plessis in Sydney earlier this month. After losing the gold to “Stillknocks” last year, the American was unable to exact his revenge in their rematch.

    While the South African faces the likely challenge of Chimaev next, perhaps the UFC will look to book a pair of former champs together in Whittaker and Strickland.

  • First Man To Beat Tom Aspinall Explains Path To Victory For Jon Jones

    First Man To Beat Tom Aspinall Explains Path To Victory For Jon Jones

    One fighter with experience getting the better of Tom Aspinall has explained how Jon Jones could do the same against the interim UFC heavyweight champion.

    While Aspinall has remained unbeatable on MMA’s biggest stage outside of a freak injury 15 seconds into his first fight with Curtis Blaydes, his record isn’t totally spotless.

    The British powerhouse suffered two defeats in his first six fights as a professional, with the first coming via heel hook submission against Stuart Austin at BAMMA 21 in 2015.

    During a recent interview with talkSPORT, Austin reflected on his successful performance against the now-UFC star a decade ago. He suggested that Jones’ path to victory lies in the same realm he was able to dispatch of Aspinall.

    “The big thing that hasn’t been tested in the UFC has been his wrestling,” Austin said. “If you want to look back at me, I outwrestled him. Obviously he’s got a lot better since then. He’s been doing wrestling classes, he’s better at everything. He’s better with his distance management. He’s better with his MMA in general. You’ve seen moments like when he took down (Andrei) Arlovski, he did a really, really smooth takedown in that fight. 

    “But I think clinch and wrestling would probably be the way to go for Jon,” Austin continued. “Because if he strikes with Aspinall, I think there’s only one person going to win that fight.”

    Aspinall’s striking has been on full display in recent times, with the Manchester native stopping Marcin Tybura, Sergei Pavlovich, and Curtis Blaydes for three consecutive first-round knockouts.

    Whether or not he’ll have an opportunity to add Jones to his list of victims remains to be seen. Though the champ has been widely criticized for not unifying the titles, he’s still yet to express firm interest in facing Aspinall.

  • Brendan Allen Set To Grapple Top UFC Middleweight In Karate Combat Days On From Seattle Loss

    Brendan Allen Set To Grapple Top UFC Middleweight In Karate Combat Days On From Seattle Loss

    UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen will have the chance to return to winning ways less than a week on from his crushing defeat to Anthony Hernandez — but not inside the Octagon.

    Allen has had his charge toward a championship opportunity on MMA’s biggest stage stalled in his last two fights, during which he’s fallen from a seven-fight win streak to a two-bout losing skid.

    After a defeat to Nassourdine Imavov in Paris last September, “All In” was unable to bounce back last weekend in Seattle, where he fell to a decision setback at the hands of Anthony Hernandez.

    But an unsurprisingly disheartened Allen won’t be waiting long until he gets back to competitive action.

    It was announced Wednesday that the 29-year-old will feature in a grappling match at Karate Combat 53 in Denver this coming Friday. He’s slated to battle a fellow top 10 middleweight contender in Caio Borralho.

    Having been outgrappled by “Fluffy” at Climate Pledge Arena, this is likely a conscious effort from Allen to fix the holes in his game ahead of a renewed push back up the 185-pound ladder.

    While the American has been slipping down the pecking order recently, the same can’t be said for Borralho. The Fighting Nerds standout has gone 7-0 in the UFC, collecting three Performance of the Night bonuses in the process.

    “The Natural” most recently got the better of Jared Cannonier in his main event debut at the Apex last August.

  • Daniel Cormier On Anthony Hernandez: ‘Time We Put This Kid In There With Someone Real’

    Daniel Cormier On Anthony Hernandez: ‘Time We Put This Kid In There With Someone Real’

    Daniel Cormier believes Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez has earned a major step up in competition following his latest victory at UFC Fight Night Seattle.

    Hernandez (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) extended his winning streak to seven after defeating Brendan Allen by unanimous decision in the co-main event at Climate Pledge Arena. His streak includes impressive finishes over Roman Kopylov and Michel Pereira, solidifying his status as a rising force in the middleweight division.

    With that, “DC” now thinks it’s time for Hernandez to face a top-ranked opponent.

    Speaking on Good Guy/Bad Guy with Chael Sonnen, Cormier highlighted Hernandez’s rapid progression and suggested he deserves a high-profile opponent.

    “You know why I like him? Because I watched Nassourdine Imavov just knock out Izzy, but I also just watched Nassourdine Imavov go dog fight with Brendan Allen in France last year,” Cormier said. “Imavov won that third round to beat Brendan Allen, barely. Hernandez goes and does that, too.

    “Hernandez is the real deal, and if he can beat a guy like Brendan Allen right after he beats Pereira, and then he beat Kopylov, and then he beat Shahbazyan. He’s won four in a row now. It’s KO, sub, KO, unanimous decision. I think it’s time that we put this kid in there with someone real.”

    Cormier floated the idea of Hernandez facing former champions Israel Adesanya or Robert Whittaker, two middleweight stars who are currently facing career setbacks.

    • Adesanya has lost three straight fights, a shocking downturn for the former champion.
    • Whittaker suffered a quick submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308, derailing his hopes of another title shot.

    Both fighters remain among the division’s elite but now find themselves in a rebuilding phase.

    “The question is, though, can you get him a fight with a guy – I can’t believe I’m about to say this, because it just says how far we’ve come. Can you get a guy like Izzy to fight him?” Cormier asked.

    “That’s the classic story, we tell it every time. He beat Allen, who’s No. 9. You’ve got (Marvin) Vettori who’s in there, (Jared) Cannonier at 7, Caio Borralho at 6, Robert Whittaker at 5, Izzy at 4. Can you get a Whittaker or an Izzy to fight this kid next? Because that’s that situation where you’ve got to start using those names from the prior generation now to elevate a guy like ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez.”

    With seven straight wins and victories over ranked opponents, Hernandez is in a position to challenge for a top-five spot. Whether he will face a former champion like Adesanya or Whittaker or be matched against another top contender like Marvin Vettori or Jared Cannonier remains to be seen.

    What is clear, however, is that Hernandez has arrived as a legitimate threat in the middleweight division.

  • Henry Cejudo Sets Sights On Top Name If Dana White Passes On Song Yadong Rematch

    Henry Cejudo Sets Sights On Top Name If Dana White Passes On Song Yadong Rematch

    Henry Cejudo is dealing with significant frustration following his controversial loss to Song Yadong at UFC Fight Night Seattle.

    While Cejudo felt he was gaining momentum, a severe eye poke in the third round forced the fight to end abruptly. Unable to continue, the former two-division lost via technical decision as the judges’ scorecards determined the outcome.

    “Triple C” has had an issue with referee Jason Herzog’s handling of the situation, believing Song was not properly penalized for the eye poke. He also pointed out that after the fight resumed, the Chinese standout immediately extended his fingers toward Cejudo’s face again, suggesting a pattern of unsafe striking.

    Initially, Cejudo pushed for a rematch, but UFC CEO Dana White quickly dismissed the idea. With that door closed, the 38-year-old has now set his sights on a different opponent — a fellow former UFC champion.

    With a rematch against Song Yadong off the table, Cejudo is now targeting Petr Yan, believing it’s the best next step.

    “Petr Yan, man,” Cejudo said on a recent episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast. “Obviously, Kamaru [Usman], I would love to run it back if Dana… you know, obviously this is Dana’s decision. I know when he says certain sht, like he lays on it. But if we can’t run it back with Song—because I don’t feel like I lost to him—I really don’t, bro.”

    Cejudo made it clear that while he accepted his previous defeats to Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili, he doesn’t feel the same way about his loss to Song.

    “OK, I lost to Aljamain, I lost to fcking Merab, my last two fights. I don’t feel like that with this dude. If we can run it back and do a five-rounder — we could do it at the Apex, we could do it for free, dude. At this point, it’s just about competing and really showing the competitive spirit in me. But if we can’t get Song, I would love to fight Petr Yan, dude. Petr Yan’s looking to fight in May. If the UFC is willing to give me that, I’ll take it.”

    Kamaru Usman appeared resistant to the callout, suggesting that Yan remains a prime contender for a future title opportunity. Usman implied that a fight against “Triple C” could be a high-risk, low-reward situation for Yan, potentially jeopardizing his own title aspirations.

    Cejudo, however, argued that with the bantamweight title picture focused on Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili, Yan would be left waiting if he didn’t take another fight.

    “They’re talking about [Sean] O’Malley and homeboy [Dvalishvili],” Cejudo replied. “What’s he going to do? Sit out for a fcking year? Petr wants to fight in May, bro.”

    Cejudo even addressed Yan in Russian to further push the fight, directly challenging him.

    “Let’s go, dude,” Cejudo continued. “I’m here. I’ll be good by May. As soon as my eye clears up, which should be within days — and I’m still seeing double, Kamaru. As soon as it clears, I want to get back to the gym and just scrap, dude. I want to fight, dude. That’s all there is to it.”

    With Cejudo eager to return and Yan looking for an opponent, a May matchup between the two former champions could make sense — if the UFC is willing to book it.

  • WATCH: UFC 315 On-Sale Press Conference For Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena, Shevchenko vs. Fiorot

    WATCH: UFC 315 On-Sale Press Conference For Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena, Shevchenko vs. Fiorot

    The top fighters confirmed to be in action at UFC 315 on May 10 will take to the stage for an on-sale press conference in the event’s host city this week.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will return to Canada later this year for the first time in 2025. After trips to Toronto and Edmonton last year, the promotion’s latest trip to “The Great White North” will see Octagon action go down in Montréal.

    The main event will see UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad make his first defense of the title. After an injury to Shavkat Rakhmonov, “Remember the Name” will face the challenge of Australian striker Jack Della Maddalena.

    There will also be championship stakes in the co-headliner, with Valentina Shevchenko returning for the first defense of her second reign, which got underway with redemption against Alexa Grasso last September. If she’s to remain on the throne, “Bullet” will have to become the first woman to defeat France’s Manon Fiorot in the UFC.

    With Fight Club Pre-Sale starting on Wednesday, the promotion is hosting a press conference in Montréal, where Muhammad, Della Maddalena, Shevchenko and Fiorot will all have mics in hand.

    See below for a live stream of the presser via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, commencing at 11:30 AM ET.

    UFC 315 On-Sale Press Conference Live Stream

  • Michael Chandler Maintains Conor McGregor’s ‘Road Back To The UFC’ Goes Through Him

    Michael Chandler Maintains Conor McGregor’s ‘Road Back To The UFC’ Goes Through Him

    Michael Chandler’s stance on a potential fight with Conor McGregor has shifted. While he hasn’t completely abandoned hope, his confidence in McGregor’s return to the octagon has diminished.

    After years of anticipation and a canceled bout at UFC 303 due to McGregor’s injury, Chandler’s patience has worn thin. Now, he’s focused on his upcoming fight against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314, marking a shift in priorities.

    Despite his doubts, Chandler still believes that if McGregor does return, their fight should be the first on his list.

    “Conor is always a part of it, man,” Chandler said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “His road back to the UFC goes through me. It goes straight through Nashville, Tennessee, and Michael Chandler. We’ve got to finish ‘The Ultimate Fighter 31.’ That is the UFC’s sentiment. I think it’s even his sentiment. He said, ‘I’m a man of my word.’

    “Well, if you’re a man of your word, then there’s only one guy that you’re going to fight when you come back to the UFC — the guy who had a contract with your name on it. The guy who signed on the dotted line and still to this day never missed weight and never pulled out of a fight.”

    While Chandler still hopes McGregor returns, he admits that, realistically, he wouldn’t put money on it happening.

    “Heart of hearts is tough, man, because I think heart of hearts says Conor is coming back at some point. But if I’m a betting man, if I’m using my brain, I wouldn’t put money on it,” Chandler said. “But that’s where I’m at today, right now. I’m focused on a blonde dude from Liverpool.”

    Chandler believes McGregor owes much of his success to the UFC and that walking away now would leave a gap in his legacy.

    “Conor’s got to come back to his first love, the one thing that has given him every single shiny object he’s currently chasing,” Chandler continued. “Every single thing that he has can be tied back some way or the other to the UFC and the opportunity they gave him.”

    Chandler also questioned whether McGregor would be satisfied with how his career ended if he never returned.

    “Does he want his legacy to be, ‘My last fight I broke my leg, I touted the greatest comeback in combat sports history, I fooled everybody for a couple of years, and then signed on the dotted line to fight Michael Chandler, then pulled out of the fight never to return again?’ I don’t think he wants his legacy to be that.

    “Then again, I haven’t walked a mile in that man’s shoes, so I’m not going to say what he is thinking. But my heart of hearts says he’s coming back at some point. But if I was a betting man, I ain’t putting money on it.”

  • Chael Sonnen Falls On Side That Believes Henry Cejudo ‘Faked’ Eye Injury At UFC Seattle

    Chael Sonnen Falls On Side That Believes Henry Cejudo ‘Faked’ Eye Injury At UFC Seattle

    Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen has joined certain corners of the MMA community in accusing Henry Cejudo of looking for a way out of his headliner this past weekend.

    Cejudo continued to struggle in his comeback from retirement on Feb. 22, falling to a third straight loss in the main event of the UFC Fight Night inside Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena.

    His bout with Song Yadong ended prematurely after “Triple C” was deemed unable to continue following a deep eye poke. With sufficient time fought, the contest went to a technical decision that fell the way of “The Kung Fu Kid.”

    As is often the case when an athlete doesn’t continue following a foul, Cejudo has faced flak from some fans and figures in the sport who have accused him of quitting.

    During a recent episode of his Good Guy/Bad Guy show alongside Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Sonnen became the latest to question whether Cejudo really couldn’t continue.

    “I’m essentially accusing possibly the greatest combat athlete of all time of cheating, of faking,” Sonnen said. “That is just so unlike Henry. I mean, truly so unlike Henry in the way that he did play it. This is a guy who has walked through fire many times.

    “This is a guy who walked through fire at 20 years old to become an Olympic champion. It didn’t seem like he was willing to walk through fire this night. That was not like the Henry Cejudo that I’ve seen in the past. As fair as I can say it.”

    Tim Welch, the coach of former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, shared a similar take. In a social media post, the trainer suggested that Cejudo knew he had “nothing left for Song.”

    The 2008 Olympic gold medalist has unsurprisingly not taken kindly to such accusations, and he took to X himself to list the injuries he apparently sustained to his eye as a result of Song’s poke.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Mocks Dan Hooker After UFC 313 Withdrawal: ‘Karma Doesn’t Miss’

    Arman Tsarukyan Mocks Dan Hooker After UFC 313 Withdrawal: ‘Karma Doesn’t Miss’

    UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker isn’t getting any sympathy from one longtime rivalry following his latest injury setback.

    Disaster struck this week when news emerged of Hooker’s withdrawal from next month’s UFC 313 pay-per-view. He was set to co-headline opposite Justin Gaethje in a sure-fire banger.

    Unfortunately, the New Zealander suffered a broken hand in training, forcing him out of the numbered event on March 8 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

    The feeling across the MMA community has been one of despair given how highly anticipated the clash was. But one notable name hasn’t let an opportunity to turn the tables on Hooker slip past.

    Arman Tsarukyan similarly had a canceled bout earlier this year, pulling out of his scheduled title challenge against Islam Makhachev just one day out after sustaining a back injury during his weight cut.

    Hooker was quick to criticize the Russian-Armenian, with whom he’s long gone back and forth with. “The Hangman” questioned how such an injury was possible and took a jab at the reported wealth of Tsarukyan’s family.

    The #1-ranked contender evidently believes that turnabout is fair play…

    “Karma doesn’t miss,” Tsarukyan wrote on X. “Big mouth, glass hands – maybe just stick to talking instead of fighting, @danthehangman“

    It remains to be seen what lies ahead for “Akhalkalakets” after he lost his place at the front of the line following his late withdrawal from UFC 311.

    Hooker will now find himself in a similar situation, with the UFC looking to find Gaethje a new opponent for UFC 313 rather than push the original matchup back to a later date.

  • Michael Chandler Explains His Side Of Rivalry With UFC Newcomer Patricio Pitbull

    Michael Chandler Explains His Side Of Rivalry With UFC Newcomer Patricio Pitbull

    Michael Chandler understands Patricio Pitbull’s decision to join the UFC.

    Both fighters made the transition from being Bellator standouts to competing in the UFC, and Chandler acknowledges the frustration that many former Bellator athletes experienced due to a lack of consistent opportunities following the PFL’s acquisition of their employer.

    This frustration ultimately led to Pitbull’s release and subsequent signing with the UFC.

    Chandler, who has a personal history with the Freire family — including a 2019 first-round TKO loss to Patricio for the Bellator lightweight title and two victories over his brother, Patricky — believes Patricio will experience a significant career shift now that he’s in the UFC.

    “Not surprised,” Chandler said on The Ariel Helwani Show regarding Freire’s UFC signing. “Not surprised at him or the laundry list of everybody who is tweeting at Donn Davis and PFL, and before that Bellator. It just continues to solidify that the UFC is the only place for mixed martial arts. Take it from me. Take it from a guy like Patricio ‘Pitbull.’ Two years from now, a year from now, sit him down on your show and have him answer honestly what the difference is and how much bigger it (UFC) is, how much more significant it is here.”

    Chandler believes that the UFC provides a level of exposure and activity that was missing from the post-acquisition Bellator environment.

    “If he plays his cards right and does his job, how much more lucrative it is. It’s very interesting. I have the best perspective of anybody in mixed martial arts when it comes to the significance of the UFC, and I love the UFC not because it’s the UFC. I love the UFC because I know what the opposite of the UFC is. I know what it’s like to be outside of the UFC.”

    The upcoming UFC 314 event in Miami will mark a significant crossover moment for both Chandler and Pitbull. While the former co-headlines against Paddy Pimblett, the Brazilian will debut opposite Yair Rodriguez.

    This fight represents Pitbull’s first chance to test himself against elite UFC competition after dominating Bellator for years.

    Although there was bad blood between them in Bellator, Chandler admits that much of the tension stemmed from his own frustrations at the time.

    “Honestly, I haven’t seen a fight. I haven’t seen one of his fights in a very long time, so I don’t know where his skillset is at,” Chandler said. “All I do know is I wish him well. There was a little bit of animosity, a little bit of bad blood. I think a lot of that actually stemmed from my discontent with where I was in my life, knowing that I was stuck in Bellator and wanted to get out. So I needed something to blame it on, and sometimes my opponents were that.”

    He also reflected on a misunderstanding that escalated their feud.

    “Patricio was an easy target because I had beat his brother, and he F-U’d me when I stood on the cage. And I said something about family, obviously because I thought his brother—they are by definition family. So when I used the word family, I think he was thinking I was talking about his wife and his kids and his mom and his aunts and all that stuff. So, it became a language barrier. Unfortunate set of circumstances, but I wish him well. I think he’s dynamic. I think he’s explosive.”

    With both men now competing under the UFC banner, their past rivalry is behind them. Pitbull’s debut against Rodriguez could set the tone for his UFC career, while Chandler looks to make a statement against Pimblett.

  • Dan Hooker Details How He Sustained Injury That Forced Him Out Of UFC 313

    Dan Hooker Details How He Sustained Injury That Forced Him Out Of UFC 313

    UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker has revealed the cause of his recent fight-canceling injury.

    Hooker was fast-approaching a key matchup in the context of his ongoing title ambitions on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    But his pursuit of gold off the back of a standout win over Mateusz Gamrot last August has been temporarily stalled, with “The Hangman” revealing this week that a broken hand has forced him out of the UFC 313 co-main event against Justin Gaethje.

    Soon after news of his withdrawal emerged, the New Zealander delved into the moment in training that ultimately led to hearts sinking among MMA fans around the globe.

    “Just sparring last night as I do, just letting some hooks go, just throwing some bombs down range and just caught one of the boys on the top of the dome with my knuckle.” Hooker told Sky Sport NZ.

    “I didn’t think much of it. They sent me off to get a CT scan,” Hooker continued. “I obviously still would fight. I’ll be like, ‘Hey, can I have one large glove and one 3XL?”

    Although Hooker expressed a desire for the bout to be kept together and rescheduled for a later date, it’s believed the promotion is looking to keep Gaethje on the March 8 PPV card in Las Vegas.

  • Former Fighter Explains How UFC Could Delay Dustin Poirier’s Retirement

    According to one former UFC contender and Strikeforce champion, Dustin Poirier’s next fight doesn’t necessarily have to be his last.

    Poirier is planning to make his farewell in 2025. He committed to one more Octagon outing soon after his latest failed shot at the undisputed lightweight title last June in Newark.

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

    During a recent episode of his Weighing In podcast alongside John McCarthy, Josh Thomson gave his taken on possible opposition for Poirier. And “The Punk” had one matchup in mind that he believes could come along with a promise capable of keeping the Louisianan in the sport for a little bit longer.

    “I feel with Dustin, he could do whatever he wants,” Thomson said. “I feel like there’s something there right now. Islam fights Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria fights Dustin. I would not be surprised if they dangled a little carrot in front of Dustin and say, ‘Hey, if you beat Topuria, you can fight Islam whenever you want. ‘… I wouldn’t be surprised, if you dangle that in front of Dustin, I think he would stay at least for that.”

    Ilia Topuria recently vacated his featherweight title following one successful defense, citing a struggle to make the weight. He’ll now make a permanent move up to lightweight in pursuit of two-division glory.

    It remains to be seen whether “El Matador” will arrive straight into a title fight or be made to defeat a top contender first.

  • Three Ranked Lightweights Offer To Replace Injured Dan Hooker, Face Justin Gaethje At UFC 313

    Former interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje isn’t short on opponent options should he want to stay on next month’s pay-per-view card.

    The injury curse struck the hearts of fans again this week after Dan Hooker revealed that a broken hand has forced him out of UFC 313 on March 8. “The Hangman” was slated to co-headline in a clash against Gaethje that many were tipping to be Fight of the Year in 2025.

    It remains to be seen what the promotion has planned for “The Highlight” moving forward, and whether or not the Hooker bout will simply be rescheduled for a later date.

    But should the fan favorite be kept on the lineup for the upcoming PPV at T-Mobile Arena, a number of potential replacement opponents have stepped forward.

    The first to raise their hand was a familiar foe of Gaethje’s in Rafael Fiziev, whom the American defeated in London back in 2023.

    “Let’s run it back @Justin_Gaethje,” Fiziev wrote.

    “Ataman” hasn’t fought since tearing his ACL against Mateusz Gamrot 17 months ago.

    But Fiziev isn’t the only one open to taking up the short-notice assignment, with both Renato Moicano and Gamrot marking a pair of top 10 contenders who went public with their willingness to step in.

    “2 weeks is good! I have enough time for 2 or 3 sparring sessions! I will be ready if they call!” Moicano stated.

    “Hooker out, I’m ready to go @Justin_Gaethje 2 weeks no matter!! @ufc,” Gamrot posted.

    Moicano is no stranger to short-notice bouts, having made an unsuccessful challenge of Islam Makhachev’s title on 24 hours’ notice just last month.

    “Gamer,” meanwhile, outlined strong logic in his callout of Gaethje, pointing out that the former interim champ’s original opponent, New Zealand’s Hooker, only narrowly outpointed him at UFC 305 last August.

  • Bisping Says Missing Out On Ilia Topuria Rematch Is ‘Perfect’ For Alexander Volkanovski: ‘He’s No Spring Chicken’

    Ilia Topuria’s decision to vacate the featherweight title and move up to lightweight has unexpectedly created a favorable path for Alexander Volkanovski, according to another former UFC champion.

    Michael Bisping believes this turn of events has worked out well for “The Great.” Initially anticipating a rematch with Topuria, Volkanovski will now face Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight belt at UFC 314.

    On his YouTube channel, Bisping explained why he thinks this situation benefits the Australian fan favorite.

    “This whole thing kind of played out, I think, for the best for Volkanovski,” Bisping said. “I love Volkanovski. He’s a tremendous guy. He’s a legendary fighter — one of the greatest featherweights that the sport’s ever seen — but going up against Topuria again, I don’t know if that was the best idea.”

    While Bisping acknowledged that every fight is different, he pointed out that Volkanovski already suffered a brutal knockout loss to Topuria early last year. At 36 years old, “The Count” believes a rematch would have been a tough challenge.

    “He’s 36 years old now. Never mind 35 — never mind that curse. He’s 36, he’s no spring chicken.”

    Although Volkanovski was eager for a rematch, Bisping sees a real opportunity for him to regain momentum against Lopes.

    “He wants to take on the best people, and I respect him for that, and he wanted that rematch with Ilia Topuria,” Bisping said. “He beat him, he knocked him out, and as a fighter, that affects your pride and your ego, and you just want to get that one back.

    “However, that ship has sailed. Now there’s a real good chance that Volkanovski becomes the champion again, and then who knows, maybe defends again one more time, two more times, makes a few more million dollars. This, if you ask me, is the perfect scenario for Alexander Volkanovski.”

    With Volkanovski now set to fight for the vacant featherweight title, UFC 314 presents a pivotal moment in his career. If he can reclaim the belt, it may pave the way for another dominant run at 145 pounds.

  • José Aldo Faces Bantamweight On 5-Fight Winning Streak At UFC 315 In Montreal

    The return of legendary former UFC featherweight champion José Aldo is set for the upcoming May pay-per-view in Canada.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is heading back to “The Great White North” later this year to stage a numbered event inside Montreal’s Bell Centre, where championship defenses for Belal Muhammad and Valentina Shevchenko will headline.

    A number of notable names are slated to compete on the undercard, including the likes of Alexa Grasso, Gilbert Burns, and Jéssica Andrade. And this week saw another former champion added to the equation, with Aldo (32-9) scheduled to face Aiemann Zahabi (12-2) in enemy territory.

    The bout was first reported by journalist Benoit Beaudoin before being officially announced by the promotion.

    For the #11-ranked Aldo, the contest marks his third since returning from a short-lived retirement. The Brazilian has gone 1-1 thus far, defeating Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro last May but falling short against Mario Bautista five months later in Salt Lake City.

    #13-ranked contender Zahabi, meanwhile, has won five straight fights to climb the ladder at 135 pounds. The Canadian 37-year-old most recently outpointed veteran Pedro Munhoz in Edmonton last November.

    With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 315 in Montreal on May 10 are as follows:

    • Belal Muhammad (C) vs. Jack Della Maddalena (welterweight championship)
    • Valentina Shevchenko vs. Manon Fiorot (women’s flyweight championship)
    • José Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi (bantamweight)
    • Alexa Grasso vs. Natália Silva (women’s flyweight)
    • Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales (welterweight)
    • Jéssica Andrade vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (women’s flyweight)
    • Mike Malott vs. Charles Radtke (welterweight)
    • Marc-André Barriault vs. Bruno Silva (middleweight)
    • Brad Katona vs. Bekzat Almakhan (bantamweight)
    • Hailey Cowan vs. Nora Cornolle (women’s bantamweight)