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  • Third Annual Noche UFC Event Being Moved To San Antonio, Goes From PPV To Fight Night Card

    Third Annual Noche UFC Event Being Moved To San Antonio, Goes From PPV To Fight Night Card

    The third annual Noche UFC event to be held this September will be having a change of location from its original plans.

    Per an announcement on the UFC Vegas 107 broadcast, the event will now be taking place on September 13 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas — instead of its originally planned location of Guadalajara, Mexico.

    Furthermore, rather than a planned pay-per-view event with UFC 320, Noche UFC 3 will now be a Fight Night card — akin to the original.

    Noche UFC 3 Becomes Fight Night Card, Moves To San Antonio

    Rodrigo Del Campo Gonzalez had earlier reported several issues with the construction of Arena Guadalajara. In the latest update, all events scheduled for the arena up to September 4 had been canceled or postponed. This put the idea of Noche UFC 3 being held at the arena in doubt.

    Rumors had called for a potential move to Las Vegas, given the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford bout targeted for that same weekend in the city.

    What the future is of a planned UFC 320 event is currently unknown.

    The first Noche UFC event was a Fight Night card held in 2023, featuring Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko battling to a draw in their second women’s flyweight title fight.

    The third Noche UFC event, UFC 306, was held at The Sphere in Las Vegas and featured Merab Dvalishvili capturing the UFC bantamweight title from Sean O’Malley in the main event and Shevchenko regaining the women’s flyweight title from Grasso in their trilogy co-main event.

  • VIDEO: Dustin Jacoby Obliterates Bruno Lopes In Destructive Display At UFC Vegas 107

    VIDEO: Dustin Jacoby Obliterates Bruno Lopes In Destructive Display At UFC Vegas 107

    In a card that hasn’t had the most impressive of performances, Dustin Jacoby offered probably the biggest highlight so far with a quick, scary finish of Bruno Lopes at UFC Vegas 107.

    After some leg kick trading to start things, Jacoby landed a jab that rocked Lopes. Jacoby then landed a small flurry that included a strong elbow to do more damage. Jacoby landed a couple of hooks before a flurry of activity on Lopes, who was being held up by the cage before slumping for Jacoby to get the KO win in under two minutes.

    Dustin Jacoby Fires Away En Route To KO Of Bruno Lopes At UFC Vegas 107

    Jacoby has now won back-to-back fights and has come out on top in three of her last five. He came into this fight off a late knockout of Vitor Petrino at UFC Tampa in December.

    Lopes, the former LFA light heavyweight champion and Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus, is now 1-1 in the Octagon. He made his UFC debut in January, scoring a decision over Magomed Gadzhiyasulov.

  • ‘Would Have Been More Impressive If Vieira Had Made Weight’ – Fans And Fighters React To Ketlen Vieira Putting On Dominant Display Over Macy Chiasson At UFC Vegas 107

    ‘Would Have Been More Impressive If Vieira Had Made Weight’ – Fans And Fighters React To Ketlen Vieira Putting On Dominant Display Over Macy Chiasson At UFC Vegas 107

    Ketlen Vieira’s UFC Vegas 107 performance was stained a bit by weight management issues, moving her scheduled bout with Macy Chiasson from bantamweight to featherweight. It was, however, still a one-sided victory she had during the main card against Macy Chiasson.

    Chiasson looked to stay on the outside and move around, finding early success with her boxing from distance. Vieira, however, displayed strong counterstriking, landing a number of power punches to the head and body. Vieira landed some damaging shots in close with about two minutes left in the round before Chiasson brought the action to a clinch battle against the fence.

    The action quickly went to the ground to start the second, and Chiasson’s size and strength was more on display there. Even when stuck in Chiasson’s guard, Vieira displayed dominant pressure, and Chiasson seemed to have little answer. Even as Chiasson tried to scramble, Vieira countered most of Chiasson’s moves and was on top for just about all of the frame.

    Chiasson tried to pressure Vieira with grappling to start the third, but Vieira got right back on top as the action went to the ground. Chiasson was able to scramble back to her feet with less than 90 seconds remaining, but Vieira, a judo expert, was able to counter Chiasson’s attempts to regain control. Chiasson re-scrambled and tried to attack with ferocity in the closing seconds, but it wasn’t enough.

    Vieira swept the judges’ scorecards to take the decision.

    Ketlen Vieira Scores One-Sided Decision Over Macy Chiasson At UFC Vegas 107

    https://twitter.com/snapxjitsu/status/1928995834412118220

    Vieira has now won four of her last six, rebounding from a loss to upcoming bantamweight title challenger Kayla Harrison at UFC 307.

    Chiasson is now 3-3 in her last six.

  • VIDEO: Jordan Leavitt Breaks Out The Worm After Putting Kurt Holobaugh To Sleep At UFC Vegas 107

    VIDEO: Jordan Leavitt Breaks Out The Worm After Putting Kurt Holobaugh To Sleep At UFC Vegas 107

    Jordan Leavitt continues to be someone to watch out for in the UFC’s lightweight division, as he made quick work of MMA veteran Kurt Holobaugh during the UFC Vegas 107 preliminary card.

    Leavitt wasted no time taking Holobaugh to the mat in this battle of ground experts. Leavitt established top control and bringing pressure right away. Holobaugh attempted to get up, but Leavitt was able to keep him down. When Holobaugh tried to escape again, Leavitt turned the scramble into a choke attempt, locking up a D’Arce. Holobaugh went out, giving Leavitt a submission win in less than two minutes.

    Jordan Leavitt Chokes Out Kurt Holobaugh In Just Over 90 Seconds At UFC Vegas 107

    Following his victory, Leavitt busted out a celebration — doing the worm at the end of his in-the-cage interview.

    Fortunately for Leavitt, he didn’t pull a Johnny Walker and get hurt during it.

    Leavitt is now 5-3 in the UFC and rebounds from a loss he suffered against Chase Hooper in November 2023. This was Leavitt’s first fight since that loss.

    Holobuagh is now just 2-3 in the UFC since returning with his win during The Ultimate Fighter season 31.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Blanchfield vs. Barber Main Event Canceled, Gamrot Decisions Klein

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Blanchfield vs. Barber Main Event Canceled, Gamrot Decisions Klein

    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, women’s flyweights Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber were set to clash, however the fight was canceled just as the fighters were about to enter the cage. In the co-main event, Mateusz Gamrot faced off with Ludovit Klein in a lightweight matchup. 

    UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

    • Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber was canceled due to medical issue with Barber
    • Mateusz Gamrot def. Ludovit Klein via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
    • Ramiz Brahimaj def. Billy Ray Goff via submission: R1, 3.16
    • Dustin Jacoby def. Bruno Lopes via KO: R1, 1.50
    • Ketlen Vieira def. Macy Chiasson via unanimous decision (29-28×2, 30-27)
    • Zachary Reese def. Dusko Todorovic via unanimous decision (29-28×3)

    Preliminary Card

    • Allan Nascimento def. Jafel Filho via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Jordan Leavitt def. Kurt Holobaugh via submission: R1, 1.39
    • Bolaji Oki def. Michael Aswell via unanimous decision (29-28×3)

    Alice Ardelean def. Rayanne Dos Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28×2)

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Jordan Leavitt def. Kurt Holobaugh

    Jordan Leavitt submitted Kurt Holobaugh in the first round.

    Main Card Highlights

    Zachary Reese def. Dusko Todorovic

    Zachary Reese got a unanimous decision in this middleweight bout.

    Ketlen Vieira def. Macy Chiasson

    Ketlen Vieira earned a unanimous decision win.

    Dustin Jacoby def. Bruno Lopes

    Dustin Jacoby got a first-round KO in this light heavyweight bout.

    Ramiz Brahimaj def. Billy Ray Goff

    Ramiz Brahimaj made quick work of Billy Ray Goff in this welterweight scrap.

    Mateusz Gamrot def. Ludovit Klein

    In the co-main event, Mateusz Gamrot earned a unanimous decision win.

  • UFC Vegas 107 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber Card

    UFC Vegas 107 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber Card

    UFC Vegas 107 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekend’s lineup.

    The upcoming event takes place Saturday, May 31, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.

    A top-5 flyweight contenders battle will top off tonight’s action, as former title challenger Erin Blanchfield takes on Maycee Barber.

    Also making the walk on Saturday will include Mateusz Gamrot and L’udovit Klein (who battle in the lightweight co-main event), as well as Dustin Jacoby, Ketlen Vieira and Macy Chiasson.

    UFC Vegas 107: Blanchfield vs. Murphy Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Vegas 107 (as of 1:30pm ET on 5/31), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Erin Blanchfield (-238) vs. Maycee Barber (+195)
    • Mateusz Gamrot (-155) vs. Ľudovít Klein (+130)
      Ramiz Brahimaj (+320) vs. Billy Ray Goff (-410)
    • Dustin Jacoby (-192) vs. Bruno Lopes (+160)
    • Ketlen Vieira (+114) vs. Macy Chiasson (-135)
    • Zachary Reese (-198) vs. Duško Todorović (+164)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Jafel Filho (+102) vs. Allan Nascimento (-122)
    • Kurt Holobaugh (+200) vs. Jordan Leavitt (-245)
    • Bolaji Oki (-470) vs. Michael Aswell (+360)
    • Rayanne dos Santos (-205) vs. Alice Ardelean (+170)
  • Brandon Birr on Yampier Ramirez, BKB 41, and Harold McQueen Rubber Match

    Brandon Birr on Yampier Ramirez, BKB 41, and Harold McQueen Rubber Match

    Brandon Birr prepares to battle Yampier Ramirez at BKB 41 on May 31st and the former addressed the likely title eliminator stakes here as well as his history with the BKB featherweight champ when the former appeared on Bare Knuckle Bowker. There are some pretty large implications for the weight class with the two top contenders in the weight class battling it out. Birr was the inaugural titleholder in BKB’s featherweight ranks and when the former champion in that division was asked about when the surging, unbeaten young contender first got on his radar, Brandon Birr said,

    “He’s good. He’s a good boxer but to be 100% honest with you, he wasn’t on my radar because he’s fought; so he has two bare knuckle fights. He won both of them, he looked good, but he fought garbage cans basically. His opponents’ combined record is 0 and 4, you know. So he looked really good but he hasn’t been fighting any type of quality opponents in my opinion. But he did have a boxing career before this and he’s a good boxer.”

    “I’m not taking anything away from him at all. But to give him a number one ranking above me doesn’t make any type of sense to me. Just based off of if you go just off of paper, you know, it doesn’t make any type of sense. But you know, it is what it is. It doesn’t really you know affect how I get ready for the fight or how I view the fight. He’s a good boxer and it’s going to be a fun fight. We’re going to beat the [ __ ] out of each other and somebody’s going to bleed.”

    Brandon Birr on Harold McQueen trilogy and the path toward a 2nd title reign

    Brandon Birr presently has a 1-1 record against the BKB titleholder in his weight category and seems focused on this weekend’s task but also hungry for a rubber match someday. When touching upon the possible chance of becoming a bare knuckle featherweight champion again and the possible chance for a tiebreaker against reigning BKB champion Harold McQueen, Brandon Birr stated.

    “Harold McQueen’s the only person that’s beaten me in my combat career, you know, standing up with fists ever. I’ve been fighting for 10 years and he’s the only person to beat me with fists. So that’s; they could even keep the title. They could keep it like I don’t even give a [ __ ] about the title. They can keep that. I just want to get mine back, you know what I mean? Just to show myself that that’s the way that it is, you know.”

  • Brandon Birr Recounts Stipe Miocic Beating People up While Wearing a Red Tutu

    Brandon Birr Recounts Stipe Miocic Beating People up While Wearing a Red Tutu

    Brandon Birr has seen some interesting things working at Strong Style Training Center his whole combative career including the UFC’s heavyweight GOAT fighting while adorned in ballerina attire. Appearing on Bare Knuckle Bowker, Brandon Birr touched on several subjects before his fight with BKB’s number one ranked featherweight contender Yampier Ramirez at BKB 41 on May 31st. Birr mentioned during this chat that he would train at Strong Style until he was done fighting and Stipe Miocic certainly stands out as a massive name that came from that gym.

    When offering up an anecdote from the training room that invovled the former multi-time UFC heavyweight champion in a particularly memorable way, Birr said,

    “He likes to have fun in the gym. You see a lot of those guys once they get to a certain level like it’s all business. They’re there, they deal with the people that they deal with specifically, and kind of everybody else is kind of out of their orbit you know. Either between, I don’t know, paranoia of somebody doing something, whatever. But man, he’ll talk to (you) if it’s the first day in the gym, he’s talking with you the same way he talks to somebody he’s known for 20 years. He’s very personable.”

    “One specific thing I can remember he, you know; you got the locker room, you get changed, you come out. Then you’re on the floor for sparring and stuff and everybody’s getting ready. He has rounds and he comes out in like a bright red tutu to spar. He sparred all his rounds in this bright red tutu and just beat the crap out of these guys [laughs]. It was just funny to watch.”

    Brandon Birr and Strong Style’s growing presence in bare knuckle

    Brandon Birr feels like he has helped play a role in normalizing bare knuckle boxing to his gym compatriots and with his help, seems confident they can become one of the big gyms in the MMA world as well as in the bare knuckle world. SS teammate Chad Kelly has already fought a handful of times for BKB and now there are a couple more guys that are slowly starting to become more open to gloveless combat. The former inaugural BKB featherweight champion even mentioned how Strong Style might be the number one MMA gym and number one bare knuckle gym coming up soon.

  • “Send Your Wife Applications!” Merab Dvalishvili Looking for Love But Staying Away from Vegas Ladies

    “Send Your Wife Applications!” Merab Dvalishvili Looking for Love But Staying Away from Vegas Ladies

    Merab Dvalishvili, the reigning UFC champion with a gas tank that never quits, is on the hunt for something even more elusive than an undefeated streak: true love. But before you get any ideas, Las Vegas pool party regulars, Merab wants you to know he’s not falling for the Sin City sparkle.

    Merab Dvalishvili Does Not Want Las Vegas Women

    “I have to stay away from ladies! We are in Las Vegas, so many opportunities, so many pool parties. You have to balance – you need endorphins in life, but life’s about balance,” he said in an interview with Helen Yee.

    Merab Dvalishvili and His Search for a Wife

    With UFC 316 looming, Merab’s focus is sharper than ever, on his opponent and, apparently, on dodging the neon-lit temptations of Vegas nightlife. It’s not that he doesn’t appreciate a good time, but Merab’s got bigger plans: “Eventually, I want to get married and find the only one, the mother of my kids. I’m looking for a perfect woman – VIP material, good reputation, loyal, kind, smart, a teammate, someone who wants a family. It’s hard to find here in Vegas, but I’m still searching!”

    While his Instagram is flooded with messages, let’s face it, who wouldn’t want a DM from the champ? Merab has a pro tip for any hopefuls: “Maybe one month after my fight, I’ll be looking more for a wife. My Instagram is busy, so maybe send messages on Threads – it will be easier!” There you have it, ladies. Slide into those Threads DMs, but only if you’re ready for five rounds of loyalty and a lifetime of post-fight celebrations.

    The main event at UFC 316 is a high-stakes bantamweight title rematch between champion Merab Dvalishvili and former champ Sean O’Malley, set for June 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Dvalishvili, who took the belt from O’Malley at UFC 306, is putting his title on the line, with both fighters looking to settle the score and shake up the division.

    Merab Dvalishvili
    Image: @UFCEurope/X

    As Merab gears up for UFC 316, his reputation as a relentless fighter is matched only by his determination to find “the one.” He’s not just looking for a partner, he’s looking for a teammate, someone who can go the distance. So, if you think you’ve got what it takes, applications are open.

    Merab Dvalishvili
    Image: UFC.com

  • Erin Blanchfield Ready to Make a Statement: “Another Main Event, Another Top 5 Win Incoming”

    Erin Blanchfield is aware of the challenge in front of her but seems to feel like it’s business as usual heading into UFC Vegas 107. Blanchfield takes on Maycee Barber in a batle of top five flyweights that can really informt he divisional hierarchy when the two meet on Saturday, May 31st. Blanchfield vs. Barber serves as the UFC on ESPN 68 headliner with the former fielding several quesitons from on-site reporters during the fight week media day proceedings. When addressing her road heading into this bout as well as her thoughts on the number five ranked 125 pounder she will be testing skills against in the coming days, Blanchfield said,

    “I’m feeling really good. I’m super excited. What excites me most about this matchup? I think it’s another great matchup in the top five—another main event. Yeah, I’m just excited to show off what I’ve been working on.”

    “I do think with a really good performance, I get the shot at the title. At this point, it’s not just about winning, but also how you win. So, I plan on winning in impressive fashion.”

    “Maycee’s a pretty aggressive fighter. She’s very forward pressure, a lot of big hooks. This is her first five-rounder, so I could see her maybe being a little bit more reserved, but I think that’s going to come out of her at some point.”

    “My keys to success are the same as always: stay disciplined, fight my fight, and stay technical.”

    Erin Blanchfield

    Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber and where the winner is in proximity to the belt

    Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber is an intriguing bout when considering the X’s and O’s of how the pair match up stylistically but there’s also a lot of intrigue regarding where the victor is in the contender queue. It would seem like Valentina Shevchenko is set to next defend her belt against either Natalia Silva, who is ranked number one at flyweight, or a super fight with the champion at 115 pounds, Zhang Weili. The only two combatants ahead of Barber and Erin Blanchfield (Manon Fiorot and Alexa Grasso) are both coming off of losses to the aforementioned Shevchenko and Silva, respectively.

  • Petr Yan Returns At UFC Abu Dhabi On July 26 To Face Budding Bantamweight Contender

    Petr Yan Returns At UFC Abu Dhabi On July 26 To Face Budding Bantamweight Contender

    Petr Yan is reportedly staying active in his quest to reclaim the UFC bantamweight crown.

    According to a recent report from Cageside Press, Yan is set to return to the Octagon on July 26 at UFC Abu Dhabi, where he’ll face rising bantamweight contender Marcus McGhee at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, United Arab Emirates.

    “No Mercy” last stepped into the Octagon at UFC Macau in November, where he secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, marking his second straight win following a strong performance against Song Yadong at UFC 299.

    The back-to-back triumphs marked a crucial turnaround for the former 135-pound champion, who had previously endured a three-fight skid, including a split decision loss in his title rematch with Aljamain Sterling at UFC 273 in April 2022. Yan boasts a 10-4 record inside the Octagon, with four of those victories earned by knockout.

    Meanwhile, McGhee is riding a wave of momentum after a commanding unanimous decision victory over Jonathan Martinez at UFC 309 last November. Since making his promotional debut in April 2023, “The Maniac” has been unstoppable, boasting an impressive four-fight winning streak, with three of those wins coming by finishes.

    Images: @petr_yan/@maniac_mcgheemma/Instagram

    What Does the UFC Abu Dhabi Lineup Currently Look Like?

    UFC Abu Dhabi will be headlined by a pivotal middleweight showdown as former champion Robert Whittaker is set to square off against fast-rising contender Reinier de Ridder.

    Here are the officially confirmed matchups for the upcoming Fight Night event:

    • Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder; middleweight
    • Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault; middleweight
    • Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee; bantamweight
    • Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov; light heavyweight
    • Asu Almabayev vs. Ramazan Temirov; flyweight
    • Ibo Aslan vs. Billy Elekana; light heavyweight
  • “I’m Here to Hurt These Girls” Maycee Barber Vows Destruction in UFC Main Event

    “I’m Here to Hurt These Girls” Maycee Barber Vows Destruction in UFC Main Event

    Maycee Barber isn’t looking to edge out a win on points when she enters the cage and she looks to win with emphasis against Erin Blanchfield at UFC Vegas 107. As she prepares to headline UFC on ESPN 68, Barber is taking part in all of the normative fight week proceedings and fielded questions by on-site reporters at the fighter media day. When touching on aspects of her preparations leading into this fight as well as what her intentions are for this contest, Barber said,

    “I’ve been staying busy. I’ve been training. I’ve been working my butt off—whether it’s in the gym or at home, like with the health stuff. We’ve just been doing everything possible to get back to 100% and back here to be able to put on a performance.”

    “I think that this is a perfect opportunity for me to showcase my skills, to get a finish and get a dominant win, and continue my win streak—put it at seven—and solidify my spot at the belt.”

    “My goal in every performance is for people to want—not just this one, but every single one—I want them to be like, ‘Damn! She really goes out there and she goes for a finish. She goes out there to hurt these girls.’ And I think that’s what makes me dangerous. I don’t just want to go out there and fight these girls and win. I don’t want just a decision win. I want to go out there and hurt these girls, and make sure that they know that when they’re done with a fight with me, they never want to fight me again.”

    Maycee Barber

    Maycee Barber vs. Erin Blanchfield and the title challenger implications

    Maycee Barber will test skills with Erin Blanchfield on May 31st in a clash that pits the number five ranked flyweight contender against the number four ranked 125 pounder, respectively. In a landscape where the number two and number three contenders in the division are coming off losses (Manon Fiorot and Alexa Grasso, respectively), this fight has a ton of divisional importance as far as creating a queue of title challengers for champion Valentina Shevchenko. While it seems like Shevchenko may next fight either number one contender Natalia Silva or strawweight champion Zhang Weili, the victor of Maycee Barber versus Blanchfield is certainly well positioned.

  • Legend vs. Legend: Fedor Emelianenko and Mike Tyson Set to Clash in Epic Boxing Battle

    Legend vs. Legend: Fedor Emelianenko and Mike Tyson Set to Clash in Epic Boxing Battle

    Fedor Emelianenko and Mike Tyson may end up fighting one another if some recent bout offers are accepted. A Kazakh-based promotion known as Alash Pride League has indicated that they have plans to book a fight between the two heavyweight titans of combat sports. APL president Alimzhan Bektaev indicated as such while addressing media in Astana when Bektaev said [via talkSPORT],

    “We are planning a bout between Mike Tyson and Fedor Emelianenko. Work in this direction is already underway… The tournament, where we want to invite Mike Tyson, is scheduled for December.”

    Following his massive matchup against Jake Paul last November, it did not seem like Tyson was completely closing the door on his comptetive endeavours. That Paul bout saw him fight in only his second contest in the last twenty some odd years, his first official bout other than his exhibition contest against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020, but ‘Iron’ Mike still seems to have a greater desire to fight following his decision loss to ‘The Problem Child’ on Netflix.

    Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Generates Record $18M Gate at AT&T Stadium
    Image: @jakepaul/Instagram

    While it was not specified what ruleset this potential prizefight woud take place under, it would almost certainly be under Queensberry Rules. This inference can be made considering Tyson’s base skillset obviously but also based on comments Emelianenko made on The MMA Hour in Summer 2023 regarding wanting to pursue more boxing bouts since retiring from MMA after his rematch with Ryan Bader.

    Fedor Emelianenko

    Mike Tyson and Fedor Emelianenko’s interactions through the years

    Mike Tyson fighting Fedor Emelianeko is something that has been quasi on the table for the last twenty plus years if you can believe it. In a translation of a story called PRIDE: Secret Files from MMA-Japan.com, there were plans for Mike Tyson to fight for Pride FC against Emelianenko as well as Mirko Cro Cop. The idea was to heavily promote a world tour featuring the combat sports icon that Tyson was said to have been very interested in. An amalgamation of Tyson’s suspended license, dealings amongs shady characters that did not get off the ground, and a host of factors outlined in the translated story lead to this dream not becoming a reality.

    Tyson and Emelianenko have interfaced several times throughout the years with a pronounced level of mutual respect clearly being there. The respect exists to such a scale that Tyson has called Emelianenko his favorite fighter.

    Mike Tyson
    Image: Most Valuable Promotions
  • Tony Ferguson reveals he was offered a fight against KSI – ‘I’m ready’

    Tony Ferguson reveals he was offered a fight against KSI – ‘I’m ready’

    Tony Ferguson has recently confirmed some reports surrounding a bout offer that he received to face influencer boxer KSI. The former UFC interim lightweight champion covered several subjects during a recent interview with Helen Yee. While speaking at The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Premier Event in Las Vegas, ‘El Cucuy’ was asked about what could be enxt for him in the wake of his Dillon Danis bout falling out. The two widely known martial artists were supposed to fight as part of the Global Fight League’s big debut but the fledgling promotion cancelled a pair of events which were initially set at the end of May.

    When addressing his dedicated fan base and letting them know about some offers he has received as well as potential next steps for the popular puglist, Tony Ferguson said,

    “I’ve been offered—actually, probably three. I was supposed to go and grapple against Arman Tsarukyan when he was over at Karate Combat, and something happened with that one. I was offered the fight with KSI. It’s kind of funny how people want to grapple, and when you’re able to do things, it’s awesome. So right now, I’m just staying ready. My father gave me the best advice—he says, ‘If you’re going to have multiple fights and you’re going to find yourself competing, stick around the weight class that you’re going to be fighting.’ So I’ve been keeping around 175, diligent, and it’s not difficult, but I found myself being a little bit more leaned out, and it’s pretty nice.”

    Dillon Danis Thinks He Knows What Caused KSI Illness That's Postponed Their Fight
    Image: @mf_daznxseries/Instagram

    Tony Ferguson and his desires to coach on The Ultimate Fighter

    Tony Ferguson took part in this recent interview at an early event for The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 as mentioned, Ferguson entered the rads of many when he became the TUF season 13 champion, and it turns out he still has aspirations related to the famed television series. In fact, Ferguson has a desire to one day serve as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter opposite someone who is arguably his most famous rival but yet he has never fought him inside of the cage.

    That man in question is Khabib Nurmagomedov with multiple attempts being made to book the matchup with several hinderances resulting the bout being cancelled for reasons ranging from bad dessert to a global pandemic. The two being opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter certainly sounds like interesting TV but nothing is in the works for that as of this writing.

    Tony Ferguson Interview:

  • Ian Garry: ‘Khamzat Chimaev has never faced anyone like me – I can beat anyone in this sport’

    Ian Garry: ‘Khamzat Chimaev has never faced anyone like me – I can beat anyone in this sport’

    Ian Garry wants a shot at Khamzat Chimaev. If you’re looking for someone in the UFC who isn’t afraid to stir the pot, Ian Garry is your man. The Irish welterweight has never been one to hide his ambitions, or his opinions, and now he’s set his sights on a challenge that has the MMA world buzzing: a future clash with Khamzat Chimaev.

    Ian Garry wants Khamzat Chimaev

    “I’m not afraid of anyone, and I believe I can beat everyone in this sport. If there’s a way to do it, I can find it,” Garry said in an interview with Covers.com, adding a nod to Khamzat Chimaev’s reputation but insisting, “I think Khamzat is phenomenal at what he does.. I just believe he’s not fought anyone who can do to him what I could. I love a challenge, and that would absolutely be a challenge. And with what he’s done in his career, and how he’s done it. That would get me excited.”

    Khamzat Chimaev
    (Khamzat Chimaev on Instagram)

    Ian Machado Garry, always up for a challenge, says a fight with Chimaev would get him excited, and he’s not one to back down from a test. For those catching up, Ian Garry is one of the UFC’s promising welterweights. Ian Machado Garry’s most recent appearance came on April 26, 2025, when he earned a unanimous decision win over Carlos Prates in the main event at UFC Fight Night in Kansas City.

    The victory was a bounce-back after suffering his first career loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov in December 2024. Garry, now 16-1, remains firmly in the welterweight title mix and is reportedly in the conversation for a shot at new champion Jack Della Maddalena, though the next bout has yet to be officially announced.

    Ian Garry Targets Quick Finish Against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310
    Image: @iangarry/Instagram

    Khamzat Chimaev, meanwhile, is making waves in a different division. The stakes couldn’t be higher; a win would put Chimaev at the top of the middleweight mountain and cement his status as one of the sport’s elite. Khamzat Chimaev, meanwhile, last fought in October 2024, where he submitted former champion Robert Whittaker in the first round at UFC 308.

    That win cemented his status as a top contender in the middleweight division. Chimaev is now scheduled for his first UFC title shot, taking on reigning middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025. The stakes are high, with Chimaev looking to capture gold and extend his undefeated record in what is expected to be one of the year’s most anticipated title fights

    While Garry is climbing the welterweight ladder, Chimaev is knocking on the door of middleweight gold. Should their paths cross, expect plenty of fireworks.

    Khamzat Chimaev
    Image: @KChimaev on X
  • UFC Legend Slams Jon Jones: ‘Champ Shouldn’t Dictate Terms – He Must Be Held Accountable’ says Former Titleholder

    UFC Legend Slams Jon Jones: ‘Champ Shouldn’t Dictate Terms – He Must Be Held Accountable’ says Former Titleholder

    UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock has never been shy about speaking his mind, and this week he’s set his sights on another legend: Jon Jones. If there’s one thing fight fans know about Ken Shamrock, it’s that he’s never been one to pull his punches – inside or outside the cage. Now, the UFC Hall of Famer is landing verbal jabs at Jon Jones, calling out the heavyweight champ for playing matchmaker with his own career. In classic Shamrock style, he’s not asking politely, he’s demanding accountability, and he’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers along the way.

    Ken Shamrock talks Jon Jones

    In a recent interview wih PokerScout, Shamrock didn’t mince words, saying, “It just feels like you should not ever let a world champion be able to dictate terms.” According to Shamrock, even the biggest stars in the sport shouldn’t get to pick and choose their opponents, no matter how many belts are hanging in their closet.

    Ken Shamrock

    For those who need a refresher, Ken Shamrock is one of the original faces of mixed martial arts. He was a pioneer in the early days of the UFC, known for his grappling and willingness to fight anyone, anywhere, anytime. Shamrock’s battles with Royce Gracie and Tito Ortiz are the stuff of MMA legend, and he helped lay the groundwork for the sport’s global explosion.

    Shamrock’s comments come at a time when Jon Jones, widely considered one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, is under fire for his handling of the heavyweight title picture. Jones, who made a triumphant move up to heavyweight, has left the division in limbo refusing to fight. Meanwhile, interim champ Tom Aspinall has been tearing through opponents, making a strong case for a shot at the undisputed title.

    But with Jon Jones reportedly uninterested in facing Aspinall, the UFC’s matchmaking has become a hot topic. Ken Shamrock says that it’s up to the organization to keep things fair. “It is up to the organization to hold everybody accountable,” he insists. The UFC Hall of Fame athlete points out that while champions have earned some perks, those perks shouldn’t come at the expense of hungry contenders like Aspinall, who deserve their shot at glory.

    Jon Jones
    Image: Jon Jones on Instagram

    So, as the heavyweight division waits for clarity, Shamrock’s message is clear: being champion is about more than just holding a belt. It’s about facing the best, even if they’re the new kids on the block. And if the UFC wants to keep things interesting, maybe it’s time to remind everyone – yes, even Jon Jones – that nobody is above the game.

  • UFC Insider: Belal Muhammad vs Shavkat Rakhmonov – High Stakes, But No Clear Path to Islam Makhachev

    UFC Insider: Belal Muhammad vs Shavkat Rakhmonov – High Stakes, But No Clear Path to Islam Makhachev

    Belal Muhammad and his reported clash with Shavkat Rakhmonov in the Fall could perhaps see Islam Makhachev emerge as a roadblock according to one of MMA’s most widely known analysts. On his personal YouTube channel recently, Chael Sonnen discussed the recently reported clash for Oct. between Muhammad and Rakhmonov that came from Jon Anik during a recent episode of The Anik & Florian Podcast.

    When loosely touching on the looming welterweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and champion Jack Della Maddalena as well as the training partner connectivity that would prevent a Muhammad vs. Makhachev fight down the line, Chael Sonnen said,

    “Now, I don’t know how we got there. Belal versus Shavkat Rakhmonov is a problem for one reason—which is, if Belal wins, there’s nowhere to go. Belal can’t draw in to Islam. He just can’t. He can’t, after Islam already did him the same favor. Islam said, “I will not draw in if it’s against you.” So, if Muhammad was to beat Rakhmonov, I would have to assume that’s a number one contender’s match. Now, Rakhmonov… I’m not trying to slight Shavkat, that’s not my goal here, to slight Shavkat or give you an underhanded prediction that he can’t win.”

    “I’m just talking about the parity of matchups. I love the idea, and most importantly, I love that Belal has his mind on it. I will watch guys—the world is a big place—and I will watch guys get stuck in the cracks, and they can’t get out of them. They stay stuck in the cracks. Your next move—right, your next move is always your most important move. Your next move off of a loss is such an important move. But there’s one more thing to it, which is the time between now and your next move.”

    Sonnen continued, “It is one of the key elements. Don’t wait. Don’t wait any longer off a loss than you would a victory. Those are some of the keys that all have to stay the same. You keep your demeanor the same, you never let them see you sweat—all these adages that you hear, but they all tie in.”

    Ian Garry, Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310
    Image: @UFCEurope/X

    Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov and the initial booking attempt

    Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov was initially supposed to transpire at UFC 310 last Dec. Muhammad was looking to make the first defense of his 170 pound crown against Rakhmonov until the then-welterweight champion had to pull out due to a significant infection that compromised Muhammad’s foot and bone.

    Alexandre Pantoja defending his flyweight belt against former Rizin champion Kai Asakura was then eventually bumped up as the headliner for that pay-per-view in late 2024. Belal Muhammad vesus Shavkat Rakhmonov has still not been formally announced by the promotion at this juncture.

  • ‘Embrace The Grind’ – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 1 Recap

    ‘Embrace The Grind’ – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 1 Recap

    Welcome, everyone, to the first edition of a weekly series here on MMANews called The TUF Stuff.

    Each week, I’ll be guiding you through a recap of this season’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter, providing updates on what happens in each episode — from the drama and storylines out of the Octagon, to the looks into who the competing fighters are, to what goes down inside the cage.

    This season celebrates the 20th anniversary of TUF. That inaugural season from 2005 helped to influence many future MMA fans, media members, and fighters (yours truly included). And now, two more fighters this summer will get the opportunity to call themselves TUF champions when it’s all said and done.

    This season’s coaches have both coached previous TUF seasons but will not be two current active fighters who will go on to face each other at the end of the season. Instead, we get two names who MMA fans are more than familiar with — two guys who butt heads every week on their own ESPN TV program — Good Guy, Bad Guy. Those two names, of course, are Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen.

    This season of TUF will focus on flyweights and welterweights, and it will feature 16 fighters from 10 different nations.

    This season’s participants include:

    • Flyweights:
    • Arshiyan Memon: A 7-0 fighter from India — the first Indian participant in TUF history.
    • Eduardo Henrique: A 13-2 fighter from Brazil who has fought for promotions including LFA and Jungle Fight — and is the former LFA flyweight champion.
    • Furkatbek Yokubov: A 14-4 fighter from Uzbekistan who is a kickboxing and wrestling specialist. He has competed in UAE Warriors, the LFA, and Belarusian Fighting Championship. He is a former BFC flyweight champion.
    • Idiris Alibi: A 10-0 fighter from Kazakhstan who, up until now, has fought exclusively in Naiza FC — and is their former flyweight champion.
    • Imanol Rodriguez: A 5-0 fighter from Mexico, who has competed for Combate Global, Budo Sento Championship, and Fury FC. All five of his wins have come via a finish, and not one of his fights has reached the third round.
    • Joseph Morales: A 12-2 fighter from the United States who has fought three times for the UFC between 2017 and 2018, defeating Roberto Sanchez but losing to Devieson Figueiredo and Eric Shelton. He’s 3-0 since his UFC release, including capturing the flyweight title in Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat promotion.
    • Roybert Echeverria: A 10-2 fighter from Venezuela who has fought for Titan FC, Xtreme Fighting Nation, and Anthony Pettis FC, having captured flyweight gold in APFC back in November. He fought on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, losing to Jafel Filho.
    • Tumelo Manyamala: A 6-1 fighter from South Africa who has scored finishes in all of his victories so far. All of his wins have come in the EFC Africa promotion, with his sole loss being a split decision in his lone bout for UAE Warriors.
    • Welterweights:
    • Alex Sanchez: A 15-3 fighter from Mexico who has fought for promotions including Lux Fight League, UWC, Combate Global, and Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat. He is a former tournament champion in Combate and a former lightweight champion in A1 Combat.
    • Andreeas Binder: A 10-2 fighter from Ireland known for his expertise in judo. Binder was recently the welterweight champion of Levels Fight League and has also fought for Cage Conflict and Clan Wars. He had been scheduled for a pair of bouts with the PFL in 2023 and 2024, but both fights fell out.
    • Daniil Donchenko: An 11-2 fighter from Ukraine who has primarily fought for Naiza FC, where he was recently a lightweight champion.
    • Diego Bianchini: A 9-1 fighter who is a product of the Fighting Nerds. Known as “The Brazilian Bad Boy,” six of his wins have come via submission, including a sub-two-minute submission of Bakhromjon Mashrapov at LFA 178 last year.
    • Jeff Creighton: “Jazzy” Jeff is an 11-2-1 fighter from the United States. Creighton is a noteworthy U.S. welterweight prospect who has fought for a number of noteworthy regional promotions, including Bellator, Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat, Fury FC, King of the Cage, and Cage Warriors. He has won welterweight gold in A1 Combat and in Melee Combat Championship.
    • Matt Dixon: An 11-1 fighter from the United States who has primarily fought in the Xtreme Fight Night promotion, having been a former welterweight champion there. Dixon fought on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020, where he lost to Orion Cosce.
    • Richard Martins: A 9-1 fighter from Brazil who hasn’t lost since dropping his second professional fight. All but one of his wins have come via a finish (including seven wins via KO/TKO), and his last four fights have all come in the LFA.
    • Rodrigo Sezinando: An 8-1 fighter from Brazil who has scored finishes in all but one of his victories. He is a former Battlefield Fight League super lightweight champion and the former Samourai MMA welterweight champion.

    Now, let’s dive into this week’s season premiere episode!

    Recap of The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 – Episode 1

    In typical Dana White fashion, he promises the best season ever.

    After the TV/streaming audiences are given introductions to the two UFC Hall of Fame coaches, White notes that there will be previous TUF contestants who will be giving insights into this season’s contestants. This week’s guest is season one winner and former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin.

    White tells the contestants to not be scared and to keep their heads on straight with the opportunity ahead of them.

    We now go into evaluations, with Sonnen working with fighters in the boxing ring and Cormier working with fighters on the wrestling mats.

    Sonnen and Cormier both note how they are looking for fighters’ attitudes and motivations, in addition to their speed, technique, power, and athleticism.

    Cormier emphasizes that he’s looking for good wrestling — with him even being brutally honest in saying he was disappointed by the flyweights’ lack of urgency in their wrestling. Eduardo Henrique, however, impresses Cormier with his striking in the boxing ring.

    Team Selection

    Griffin leads the Team Selection process. Cormier wins the coin toss and decides he wants to pick the first fighters. Flyweights will be picked first, followed by welterweights, then back to flyweights, and so on.

    The teams end up as follows:

    • Cormier Flyweights:
    • Eduardo Henrique
    • Idiris Alibi
    • Imanol Rodriguez
    • Tumelo Manyamala
    • Cormier Welterweights:
    • Rodrigo Sezinando
    • Daniil Donchenko
    • Jeff Creighton
    • Alex Sanchez
    • Sonnen Flyweights:
    • Joseph Morales
    • Furkatbek Yokubov
    • Roybert Echeverria
    • Arshiyan Memon
    • Sonnen Welterweights:
    • Diego Bianchini
    • Matt Dixon
    • Richard Martins
    • Andreeas Binder

    Joseph Morales was surprised by Henrique getting picked No. 1 overall over him, feeling that he is not only the better striker, but the better all-around product. Sonnen appeared to agree.

    In a humorous moment, as Cormier is trying to give a motivational speech to Sanchez and Binder, the final picks, noting that Brandon Moreno was a final pick on TUF and ended up a world champion, Sonnen “dozed off” to try and get Cormier to move things along.

    Griffin tells the fighters they are now part of the 20-year legacy of TUF and that they need to make their moments count.

    TUF House

    Of course, no TUF season is complete without the fighters running into the TUF House — their home for the duration of the competition.

    Memon, who is seen immediately washing his foot in a bathroom sink, discussed his pride in being the first TUF contestant from India. Binder, meanwhile, notes the cultural diversity that is present in the house.

    Sezinado proposes a friendly barbeque before the fighters all “smash each other.” Dixon and Morales note how Sezinado is perhaps the most energetic and “crazy” of all the TUF contestants so far. Bianchini, meanwhile, notes how he’s not here to make friends, especially in his weight class — just to whoop the competition.

    Team Cormier Training Session

    Cormier discusses with his team the importance of hard work and “embracing the grind” (ETG, as Cormier puts it), even when things get tough.

    “Make it the best part of your day,” Cormier said.

    Michael Chiesa, who is a part of Cormier’s coaching staff, remembers the opportunities TUF provided him and how it feels full circle to be back as a coach.

    Team Sonnen Training Session

    Sonnen notes that most TUF coaches miss the fact that coaches are vulnerable to overplanning (or underplanning) and overtraining and hurting their fighters in such a short time.

    “A coach is not going to be able to help an athlete very much, in the short period of time that we’re here,” Sonnen said. “But he can damn sure hurt him.”

    Sonnen also took pride in that his team has no weak links — noting that the competition is so fierce this year that it’s more than likely a No. 1 pick could fall.

    Fight Announcement

    Team Sonnen picks the first fight: flyweights Joseph Morales will battle Eduardo Henrique in a battle of No. 1 flyweight picks! Sonnen notes that Morales told Sonnen this is what he wanted, with Morales attributing the decision to his hard-headedness. Henrique appeared to not be surprised to be a target, given his status as a recent LFA flyweight champion.

    Henrique Fight Prep

    Cormier notes that Henrique isn’t much of a wrestler, but he’s a great striker. The focus of their training camp is going to be working on his wrestling.

    DC states that the key to victory will be for Henrique to keep distance and force Morales to exchange strikes with him.

    We then get a video package of Henrique’s highlights in the LFA.

    We get a bit of a look into Henrique’s life, too, noting how his mom went down a wrong path and trafficked drugs while working in a bar when Henrique was a baby. As a result, Henrique was raised by his grandparents.

    Morales Fight Prep

    Morales showed photos of his wife and two sons, who he misses while in the TUF House. Morales noted that if it wasn’t for the support of his wife, he probably wouldn’t be chasing the MMA dreams he has.

    Morales also noted his previous tenure with the UFC, noting he felt invulnerable until running into Deiveson Figueiredo and getting finished by him.

    “I’ve felt like I’ve improved a lot. I’m ready to get back into the UFC and fight the best guys,” Morales said.

    Morales told Sonnen he wanted to get into Henrique’s face and pressure him, trying to get Henrique to over-commit before taking him down. Sonnen emphasized Morales cannot settle for being on the bottom in grappling exchanges.

    Morales also noted it’s been about two years since his last fight and he feels an extra sense of motivation. Morales noted how Henrique’s weakness is his ground game, and he looks to catch and submit him or open him up with elbows.

    Colby Covington is seen working with Morales on his wrestling work, with Sonnen noting how fighters look to him when trying to improve the aspects of their game — especially with wrestling.

    The Fight: Eduardo Henrique vs. Joseph Morales

    —–IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED THE EPISODE AND DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO TURN AWAY NOW.———

    Henrique weighs in at 125.5, but Morales weighs in at 126.5 — a half-pound overweight. Morales weighs in successfully at 126 with the box.

    Of particular note, Sezinado and Bianchini trade barbs during the weigh-ins, with Sezinado even flipping the Team Sonnen member off.

    Sonnen added that he didn’t appreciate Team Cormier chanting “You’re going to die” toward Morales in Brazilian, with Henrique also bringing a prop with him to the weigh-in and face-off. The two got into each other’s faces and had to be separated by the commission and Sonnen.

    Finally, it’s fight day and we’re ready to see the two throw down!

    Eduardo Henrique vs. Joseph Morales

    Round 1

    The two exchange right away. Morales appears to be trying to pressure as promised. Left hand from Morales. Henrique flashes a knee and a jab. Low kick from Henrique. Right hand from Morales. Henrique misses a jumping knee. Jab to the body by Henrique. One-two by Henrique. Combination from Henrique. Jab to the body by Morales. Both men land. Body shot and a kick from Henrique. Low kick from Henrique. Left hand catches Henrique. Henrique answers.

    Morales shoots in and scores a takedown. Morales gets to Henrique’s back quickly. Morales’s coaches tell him to hand fight. More calls for hand fighting from both corners now. Morales wraps an arm around Henrique’s neck, and he scores THE TAPOUT!

    2:25 into the first round, and the No. 1 overall pick of this TUF season goes down via submission! Joseph Morales is one step closer to coming back to the UFC!

    White attributed the victory to Morales’ previous UFC experience and called it “an impressive finish.”

    Winner: Joseph Morales (Team Sonnen) via first-round submission (rear-naked choke, 2:25)

    Conclusion

    Morales is emotional backstage following the win, noting how good it felt to shut Team Cormier up.

    “I feel that I proved I’m one of the top flyweights here,” Morales said. “The pressure is on me to win the show, but I thrive under the pressure.”

    Henrique noted he made mistakes in the fight, but “every champion makes mistakes.” His coach tells him to take the loss on the chin and learn from it — and to bounce back.

    For next week’s fight, the first at welterweight (which is also picked by Sonnen due to the coin toss and Cormier’s choice of picking the first fighters) Team Cormier’s Daniil Donchenko will take on Team Sonnen’s Richard Martins.

    Will Team Sonnen draw first blood in both weight classes to start the season? Or will Team Cormier bounce back in the first 170-pound matchup of the season?

    Find out next week!

    We get a brief montage previewing some of the drama and action that awaits in the rest of the season, as well as some future TUF guests.

    Thanks for joining me in the inaugural edition of The TUF Stuff!

  • “Micromanagy and Stubborn”: Cory Sandhagen Opens Up on Mistakes Before Umar Nurmagomedov Bout

    “Micromanagy and Stubborn”: Cory Sandhagen Opens Up on Mistakes Before Umar Nurmagomedov Bout

    In his most recent bout earlier this month, Cory Sandhagen put on a masterclass performance, pulling off a second-round stoppage of Deiveson Figueriedo in the main event of UFC Des Moines. It was a showing that left many people wondering how sooner it’ll be before we see Sandhagen challenging for the UFC bantamweight championship.

    Funny enough, it was a complete turnaround from when we saw Sandhagen in a title eliminator bout. Prior to facing Figueriedo, Sandhagen’s most recent bout had been a fight with Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi last August — with a shot at the 135-pound gold on the line.

    Against the former flyweight champion, Sandhagen got the better of Figueiredo on the feet and outperformed him in the grappling exchanges. None of that could be said in his fight with Nurmagomedov, with the Dagestani fighter completely wiping the floor with Sandhagen in a one-sided, dominating performance.

    In his recent appearance on the Overdogs Podcast with Mike Perry, Sandhagen said the scorecards told a different story than what the fight came down to. He, in particular, pointed out a mistake of choosing moments an all-around, 25-minute battle.

    “I definitely didn’t perform my best, but I made little tiny errors that would have made the fight winnable for me,” Sandhagen said. “I just got really hyper-focused on having big moments, and that’s just not what I do. I overthought that one a lot too because Umar had a unique style, and I’m the type of idiot to overthink stuff and overdo stuff. I’ll just make corrections and be ready for him next time.”

    Cory Sandhagen Says He Let His Coaches Coach In Lead Up To Fight vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

    Sandhagen added that part of the issue also stemmed from taking control of the training camp he had in the weeks leading up to fighting Nurmagomedov. Looking back, Sandhagen felt he overstepped boundaries and got in the way of his coaches trying to help him perfect his craft.

    Sandhagen said he made sure he took a step back this time around.

    “One major change I made from the last camp to this one was I let my coaches do their job,” Sandhagen said. “Before, I was really micromanagy. This camp, I was just like, ‘Hey guys, last camp I put way too much on my plate and that was my bad. This time, I’m going to just listen and be a good student.’ That took so much stress and junk off my mind. These guys are better than I am at a lot of things – they know more stuff. It’s my own stubbornness that sometimes gets in the way.”

    Sandhagen has now won four of his last five and awaits the winner of the Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2 title fight that headlines UFC 316 for a potential title shot.

  • Former Champion BJ Penn Detained on Abuse Charges After Conspiracy Claims

    The story of BJ Penn continues to go down a concerning path as he has once again found himself in trouble with the law. The former two division UFC chmpion has been posting worrisome conspiracy theories in recent times which are largely centric on this idea that government agents have replaced members of his family to procure the Penn family fortune. A recent IG post from Penn seemed to indicate the severity of the situation has been ramping up with footage of half a dozen police officers surrounding him in bed being posted to Penn’s Instagram.

    The video footage showed Penn in a disagreement with the officers on-scene as he asked them why he was beign arrested with the cops saying it was tied to harassment. With a frequently repeated refrain of “How didI break the law?”, Penn was eventually taken out of the bed while handcuffed. Arrest records would materialize at a later point courtesy of X user @FullContactMTWF also known as Borrachinha Depot. The official charge that was highlighted in that post ‘abuse family or house hold member: offensive physical contact’. That same report regarding Penn’s recent charge indicated tat he posted bail at $2000 with BJ Penn now awaiting a court date which is set for today.

    BJ Penn and the imposter allegations

    BJ Penn specifically has highighted his mother and brothers as being examples, in his mind, of imposters who are masquerading as his family. The former lightweight and welterweight titleholder also said he felt his cousin was impersonating his mother and Penn also accused his high school girlfriend of stealing for him duing these recent arrest proceedings. It’s a sad state of affairs for one of the great legends in mixed martial arts history with Penn fighting a veritable who’s who of MMA.

    UFC Fighter Who Overcame Addiction Speculates Cause Of Worrying BJ Penn Videos
    Image: UFC.com

    BJ Penn has stepped into the cage against the likes of Nick Diaz, Matt Hughes, Georges St. Pierre, Lyoto Machida, Diego Sanchez, Frankie Edgar, and Yair Rodriguez to name but a few. His last fight being against Clay Guida in a losing effort for Penn at UFC 237 six years ago.

  • Leon Edwards vs. Michael Morales Targeted for UFC 320 Showdown in Guadalajara

    Leon Edwards vs. Michael Morales Targeted for UFC 320 Showdown in Guadalajara

    UFC is working to finalize a welterweight bout between former champion Leon Edwards and undefeated contender Michael Morales for UFC 320, scheduled for September 13, 2025, in Guadalajara, Mexico. Both fighters have been approached for the matchup, which would take place at Arena Guadalajara as part of the UFC’s annual “Noche UFC” event.

    Leon Edwards vs. Michael Morales

    Leon Edwards, 33, enters this potential fight after a difficult stretch in his career. ‘Rocky’ Edwards, who began his UFC tenure in 2014, rose through the ranks with a series of notable wins, including a knockout victory over Kamaru Usman to claim the UFC welterweight title in August 2022. He successfully defended the belt twice, defeating Usman in a trilogy and Colby Covington, before losing the title to Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision in July 2024.

    Edwards then suffered his first finish loss in the UFC, submitting to Sean Brady in March 2025. Prior to these setbacks, Leon Edwards was on a 13-fight unbeaten streak and was regarded as one of the division’s most consistent performers. He remains ranked among the top welterweights and is aiming to work his way back to title contention.

    Michael Morales, 25, represents a new generation in the division. The Ecuadorian fighter is undefeated in his professional career, holding an 18-0 record with 13 wins by knockout. Morales made his UFC debut in January 2022 and has since accumulated wins over opponents such as Trevin Giles, Adam Fugitt, Max Griffin, Jake Matthews, Neil Magny, and most recently, former title challenger Gilbert Burns.

    His victory over Burns, a first-round technical knockout in May 2025, further established Morales as a rising contender and earned him a second Performance of the Night bonus. Morales has a background in judo and wrestling, and has demonstrated finishing ability and composure against increasingly high-level competition. He is currently ranked in the top 10 of the welterweight division.

    Michael Morales Breaks His Silence After Statement Win Over Gilbert Burns.
    Image: @ufc/Instagram

    UFC 320

    The stakes for this fight are significant. For Leon Edwards, a win would halt his losing streak and reestablish him as a top contender in a division that has seen rapid turnover at the top. For Morales, a victory over a former champion would solidify his status as a legitimate title challenger and potentially set up a future shot at the belt. UFC 320 in Guadalajara is expected to be a major event, with both fighters looking to make a statement in front of an energized Mexican crowd.

    Leon Edwards
    Image: UFC.com
  • Merab Dvalishvili Warns of a New Sean O’Malley: “This Time I’m Not Taking It Easy”

    Merab Dvalishvili Warns of a New Sean O’Malley: “This Time I’m Not Taking It Easy”

    Merab Dvalishvili is expecting a different Sean O’Malley to step into the cage for their upcoming rematch but the former also expects the latter to be dealing with a different version of him inside the octagon. The roles will be reversed from their initial meeting as Dvalishvili will not defend the bantamweight crown against former divisional kingpin O’Malley on June 7 at UFC 316. The reigning UFC titleholder at 135 pounds recently sat down for an interview that was posted to the offficial UFC YouTube channel.

    This will be an intriguing career first for Dvalishvili as he also aims to make the sophomore defense of his title reign. ‘The Machine’ made the all important first defense of his beklt agaisnt the previously unbeaten Umar Nurmagomedov by way of a unanimous decisiion at UFC 311 in January. Conversely for O’Malley, this fight will be an immediate rematch for him as he has not competed since losing his strap to Dvalishvili last September in their first fight at UFC 306. Expounding on the specifics of why this matchup is unique and his thoughts on the looming second battle with ‘Suga’, Dvalishvili said.

    Merab Dvalishvili
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

    “It’s my first rematch, and I feel very relaxed. I was relaxed in the first fight, but now I don’t want to be relaxed, because now I know Sean will change his game plan and he will make some big adjustments. I’m relaxed, but I’m telling myself, “You’ve got to be motivated. You’ve got to be more hungry than what I was in the first fight.”

    Merab Dvalishvili reveals toe injury two weeks out from UFC 316

    Merab Dvalishvili has revealed a toe injury in close proximity to this Sean O’Malley rematch but does not seem dissuaded in the least. The UFC champion reshared a video to his Instagram story that was initilly psoted by vato.gv that shows some noticeable discoloration on Dvalishvili’s foot. Merab Dvalishvili can be heard in the video asking “Why you break my toe, my friend?” to Cameron Sandoval who is a suring 4-0 prospect that last won in LFA in March. Sandoval retorted to Dvalishvili that the latter kicked his head and broke the toe which indicates he jokingly felt the UFC champ was at fault.

    Dvalishvili responded by playfully intimating that he would cut off his hindered toe while again reiterating that he felt Sandoval caused the issue.

    Merab Dvalishvili
    (Merab Dvalishvili on Instagram)
  • Charles Oliveira Has a Message for Fans Worried About Ilia Topuria’s KO Power “I believe in the fire of these hands.”

    Charles Oliveira Has a Message for Fans Worried About Ilia Topuria’s KO Power “I believe in the fire of these hands.”

    Charles Oliveira is seen as a sizable underdog heading into his looming fight with Ilia Topuria but the former lightweight champion is not daunted as he prepares to soon be locked into the cage opposite Topuria. The clash will take place at UFC 317 with Oliveira and Topuria doing battle for the vacant lightweight championship in the pay-per-view headliner.

    During an interview with Full Violence, ‘Do Bronx’ covered several subjects ahead of his fight with the former UFC featherweight champion on June 28th. When addressing the notion that he is seen as the underdog in this bout while outlining some of the struggles one could face as a former 145 pound fighter moving up to lightweight, Oliveira said,

    “I dont care much about what people say there. I know he’s a guy who hits hard. But we’re talking about the lightweight category. The harder category. I fought Justin Gaethje and everyone said he was the guy who hit harder. But when I did, he went down. I believe in the fire and power of these hands.”

    Charles Oliveira
    Image: @charlesdobronxs on X

    Charles Oliveira names the best boxer that he has fought pre-UFC 317

    Charles Oliveira mentioned the name of former UFC inteirm lightweight champion Justin Gaethje just a bit earlier with the former facing a deep roster of heavy hitters through his career. With a resume that features names on it like Max Holloway, Jeremy Stephens, and Dustin Poirier, one does wonder who Oliveira sees as the best boxer that he has ever stepped into the cage with.

    In terms of who has the sharpest ability in the isolated realm of the sweet science, it was someone that Charles Oliveira did battle with for the UFC lightweight title. In the same interview with FV, Oliveira touched on this when he credited Dustin Poirier as being the person he fought who had the sharpest boxing ability. While Oliveira would end up submitting ‘The Diamond’ in that championship clash, the Brazilian submission specialist spoke highly of of Poirier being someone who fights very conciously, has very heavy hands, and knows how to play the game.

  • Pressure Mounts As Over 80,000 Fans Demand UFC Strip Jon Jones Of Heavyweight Title, “Bones” Remains Unfazed

    Pressure Mounts As Over 80,000 Fans Demand UFC Strip Jon Jones Of Heavyweight Title, “Bones” Remains Unfazed

    Jon Jones appears entirely indifferent by the growing calls from the MMA community for him to be stripped of his UFC heavyweight title.

    Jones clinched the UFC heavyweight title with a first-round submission win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. However, more than two years have passed since that moment, and he has defended his title only once during that span.

    “Bones” has spent the bulk of his heavyweight reign on the sidelines after suffering a serious torn pectoral injury ahead of his first title defense against former champ Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 in November 2023. Following his injury-induced exit, Tom Aspinall captured the interim heavyweight title and emerged as the division’s new force.

    However, rather than facing Aspinall in a highly anticipated title unification clash, Jon Jones chose a different path upon his return to the Octagon — opting instead to defend his heavyweight belt against Miocic at UFC 309 this past November.

    Although the British standout has relentlessly campaigned for a potential showdown with Jones, “Bones” has expressed minimal interest in the matchup. He has repeatedly suggested that only a massive payday could entice him into the Octagon with Aspinall — otherwise, he seems more inclined to retire. Jones’ stance has remained largely noncommittal, casting serious doubt over whether the fight will ever materialize.

    Jon Jones Responds To Fan-Led Petition To Strip His UFC Heavyweight Belt

    Frustrated by Jon Jones’ seemingly nonchalant attitude toward a potential heavyweight title unification bout with Tom Aspinall, fans launched a petition on Change.org two weeks ago, urging UFC CEO Dana White to take action and strip “Bones” of his title over his ongoing unwillingness to face the interim champion.

    The petition has surprisingly gained momentum, amassing over 82,000 verified signatures at the time of writing.

    The surge of fan backlash has not gone unnoticed by Jones, who addressed the petition on social media by taking a pointed jab at his naysayers.

    “The equivalent to pico grams,” Jon Jones wrote on Instagram.

    Jones’ jab carried a not-so-subtle reference to one of the most controversial moments of his UFC career. The joke traced back to UFC 232 in December 2018, when “Bones” made his return from a 15-month suspension after testing positive for an anabolic steroid, stepping in to rematch Alexander Gustafsson.

    However, just a week before the fight, Jones once again tested positive, this time for trace amounts measured in picograms of the same steroid that had previously led to his suspension. Years later, USADA revised its regulations, clarifying that levels below 100 picograms no longer constitute a violation.

    Image: @jonnybones/Instagram

  • “Showed the Same Leg Twice to Get Cleared, Commission Never Knew” Merab Dvalishvili’s Coach on Fighting Hurt

    “Showed the Same Leg Twice to Get Cleared, Commission Never Knew” Merab Dvalishvili’s Coach on Fighting Hurt

    If there’s a handbook for how to survive as a UFC champion, Merab Dvalishvili probably hasn’t read it – or if he has, he’s using it as a doorstop while he limps into another training session. Known for his tireless motor and a stubborn disregard for medical advice, Dvalishvili has turned fighting hurt into something of an art form. With his coach John Wood ready to call it like he sees it and the champ himself unfazed by the latest collection of bruises, breaks, and commission-dodging pant tricks, Dvalishvili heads into UFC 316 looking to prove, once again, that you can’t keep a good Machine down, even if you have to check both legs to be sure.

    Merab Dvalishvili’s coach, John Wood, isn’t one for sugarcoating. When asked about his fighter’s latest training camp, Wood didn’t mince words speaking in an interview with Submission Radio: “The last camp was god-awful. It was terrible as far as injury goes, terrible. I’d be lying if I didn’t think about trying to pull him out.” The reigning UFC champion, known for his relentless style and iron will, apparently spent much of his camp hobbling around on a leg that, by Wood’s account, should have kept him out of the cage altogether.

    Merab Dvalishvili Is Always Injured

    But Dvalishvili is nothing if not resourceful. When it came time for the athletic commission’s inspection, he simply “pulled the old pant trick—the one-legged show, showed them the same leg twice, and they bought it.” Wood admits, “If the guy wasn’t dumb and you guys weren’t able to pull this off, maybe there wouldn’t have been a fight.” It’s the kind of move that would make a magician proud, and it kept Merab Dvalishvili’s title defense on track.

    This isn’t a one-off for the champ. Dvalishvili has made a habit of fighting through injuries, rarely letting the world in on just how banged up he is. “He loves to rattle everybody up,” Wood says. “As much as people think, ‘Oh, that’s stupid,’ or, ‘this or that,’ he would never post something that was going to take him out of a fight. If he’s posting something, it’s really not that bad.” In reference to his recent post showing a broken toe. The coach insists that every fighter heads into battle with a few dents and dings, but Merab Dvalishvili seems to take it to another level, brushing off broken toes and battered limbs as just part of the job.

    Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley
    Image: Jeff Bottari/UFC/Zuffa LLC

    UFC 316

    With a title reign built on grit and a reputation for being unbreakable, Dvalishvili is now gearing up for another big test at UFC 316. Despite the injuries, the weight cuts, and the occasional need for a little sleight of hand, Wood says there’s no keeping his fighter out of the Octagon. “You’ll really have to kill him to keep him out of the cage. It would have to be something that’s physically not working. His leg could have been hanging on by the tendons, it wouldn’t have mattered. He’s ready to go.”

    Merab Dvalishvili
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

    The bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is set to headline UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey, on June 7, defending his bantamweight title in a high-stakes rematch against Sean O’Malley. The last time these two met, Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling and pressure left O’Malley on the wrong end of a unanimous decision, derailing the “Sugar” show and crowning Dvalishvili as champion. Now, O’Malley is back, surgically repaired and promising a sharper performance, while Dvalishvili rolls into fight week with a fractured toe and a grin, joking on social media that he might just “cut it off” rather than let it slow him down.

    As UFC 316 approaches, fans can expect to see the same Merab Dvalishvili: battered, yes, but never beaten.

    Sean O'Malley & Merab Dvalishvili
    Image: @ufc/X