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  • VIDEO: Quang Le Goes Ground-Game Heavy In Second-Round Submission at UFC Des Moines

    VIDEO: Quang Le Goes Ground-Game Heavy In Second-Round Submission at UFC Des Moines

    Some did not expect Quang Le to score a submission, let alone win this fight, but that’s exactly what happened in his win over Gaston Bolaños during the UFC Des Moines prelims.

    Bolaños tried to get to a strong start with a kick-heavy approach, but Le managed to get a hold of him to start showcase his grappling dominance in this one. Le continuously got Bolaños to the ground, multiple times gaining back control. Though Bolaños tried the same striking approach in the second round, Le fought back with his own combination and got the fight to the ground once more.

    This time, the fourth takedown of the fight, it would stay there, as Le would lock up a rear-naked choke and put Bolaños to sleep for the win.

    Quang Le Puts Gaston Bolaños To Sleep At UFC Des Moines

    This is Le’s first win in the Octagon, with the LFA veteran bouncing back from losses in his first two UFC appearances.

    Bolaños is now 2-2 in the UFC. The Bellator veteran came into this fight off a win over Courtavious Romious in November.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Cory Sandhagen TKO’s Deiveson Figueiredo

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Cory Sandhagen TKO’s Deiveson Figueiredo

    UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, bantamweights Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo clashed. While in the co-main event, Reinier de Ridder faced Bo Nickal in a middleweight matchup. 

    UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

    • Cory Sandhagen def. Deiveson Figueiredo via TKO (knee injury): R2, 4.08 
    • Reinier de Ridder def. Bo Nickal via TKO: R2, 1.53  
    • Daniel Rodriguez def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via TKO: R3, 1.12
    • Montel Jackson def. Daniel Marcos via unanimous decision (30-27×3)   
    • Serhiy Sidey def. Cameron Smotherman via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28×2) 
    • Mason Jones def. Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision (30-27×3) 

    Preliminary Card

    • Yana Santos def. Miesha Tate via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 
    • Azamat Bekoev def. Ryan Loder via TKO: R1, 2.44
    • Gillian Robertson def. Marina Rodriguez via TKO: R2, 2.07  
    • Quang Le def. Gaston Bolanos via submission: R2, 1.54
    • Thomas Petersen def. Don’Tale Mayes via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26×2) 
    • Juliana Miller def. Ivana Petrovic via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Quang Le def. Gaston Bolanos

    In this bantamweight bout, Quang Le got the win with a rear-naked choke of Gaston Bolanos.

    Gillian Robertson def. Marina Rodriguez

    Gillian Robertson stopped Marina Rodriguez in round two of their strawweight clash.

    Azamat Bekoev def. Ryan Loder

    Azamat Bekoev got a first-round finish against Ryan Loder.

    Main Card Highlights

    Mason Jones def. Jeremy Stephens

    Mason Jones got it done on the scorecards against Jeremy Stephens.

    Serhiy Sidey def. Cameron Smotherman

    Serhiy Sidey earned a unanimous decision win over Cameron Smotherman.

    Montel Jackson def. Daniel Marcos

    Montel Jackson got it done on the scorecards against Daniel Marcos.

    Daniel Rodriguez def. Santiago Ponzinibbio

    Daniel Rodriguez stopped Santiago Ponzinibbio in the third round.

    Reinier de Ridder def. Bo Nickal

    In this middleweight clash, Reinier de Ridder earned a TKO of Bo Nickal in round two.

    Cory Sandhagen def. Deiveson Figueiredo

    In the main event, Cory Sandhagen earned a second-round TKO after Deiveson Figueiredo tapped out due to a knee injury.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Defeats Team Khabib Fighter, Eyes Islam Makhachev Next

    Arman Tsarukyan Defeats Team Khabib Fighter, Eyes Islam Makhachev Next

    Arman Tsarukyan recently returned to competition after a year-long absence—but not inside the UFC Octagon.

    On Friday night, Tsarukyan stepped into the grappling pit for a 175-pound showdown with Dagestani wrestler Makasharip Zaynukov at Karate Combat 54 in Dubai. “Ahalkalakets” opened aggressively with a single-leg attempt in the corner, but Zaynukov defended well.

    The rest of the bout featured limited grappling success from both fighters, with neither securing a clear takedown across two closely contested five-minute rounds. However, the UFC lightweight contender’s activity and control earned him a unanimous decision from all three judges, making a third round unnecessary.

    In his post-fight interview, Tsarukyan reflected on his performance and explained his motivation for entering the grappling match.

    “It feels great,” Arman Tsarukyan said. “I haven’t fought in one year, so that’s why I came and wrestled today. My opponent is a very tough guy. No one knows him a lot because he fights in Russia, but he’s from a very strong team. He didn’t want to wrestle too much. I like offense, and he was trying to escape from me for 10 minutes.”

    Tsarukyan’s last UFC appearance came at UFC 300 in April 2024, where he secured a hard-fought split decision victory over former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in a title eliminator. “Ahalkalakets” was then slated to challenge reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January, but was forced to withdraw just hours before weigh-ins due to health issues.

    The 28-year-old Armenian has expressed his desire to reschedule a rematch with Makhachev as his next fight.

    “Can’t wait for next one. I need one more guy from Khabib’s team [Makhachev]. Let’s do this again.”

    Tsarukyan first faced Makhachev at a UFC Fight Night event in April 2019, where he delivered a gritty performance in his Octagon debut. Despite his resilience, he was ultimately outclassed and lost to the Dagestani by unanimous decision.

    Currently riding a four-fight win streak, Tsarukyan holds a 9-2 record in the UFC, with four of those victories coming by knockout.

  • Former UFC Title Challenger Faces Six-Month Ban After Positive Drug Test

    Former UFC Title Challenger Faces Six-Month Ban After Positive Drug Test

    A former UFC women’s title challenger has seen her career continue on a downward trajectory.

    On Wednesday, USADA announced that PFL women’s flyweight Taila Santos has accepted a six-month suspension for violating the promotion’s Anti-Doping Policy. The drug-testing agency revealed that the 31-year-old Brazilian tested positive for banned substances, including oxandrolone and its metabolites, as well as clenbuterol, following an out-of-competition sample collected on March 21.

    The suspension is effective for six months, with Santos’ ineligibility retroactively beginning from the date her sample was collected. She will be eligible to return to competition on September 21.

    As a result of the failed drug test, Santos was removed from her scheduled fight against Juliana Velasquez at the April 12 PFL World Tournament event.

    Santos’ most recent appearance came at the 2024 PFL World Championship in November, where she was stopped in the second round by reigning flyweight champion Dakota Ditcheva. The defeat marked her first loss in four PFL appearances.

    https://twitter.com/espnmma/status/1862600002956071029

    Santos parted ways with the UFC in November 2023, leaving the promotion with a 4-3 record. Her exit followed back-to-back losses, including a narrow split decision defeat to Valentina Shevchenko in a UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship bout at UFC 275 in July 2022.

  • Francis Ngannou Addresses Motorcycle Accident That Claimed Woman’s Life In Cameroon

    Francis Ngannou Addresses Motorcycle Accident That Claimed Woman’s Life In Cameroon

    Francis Ngannou is expressing deep sorrow over his involvement in a recent motorcycle accident that ended in tragedy.

    Last month, multiple Cameroonian media outlets reported that Ngannou was involved in a motorcycle accident in Yaoundé, where he allegedly struck a young woman identified as Ntsama Brigitte Manuella.

    According to reports, “The Predator” personally transported Manuella to the General Hospital of Yaoundé following the incident. Although doctors performed emergency surgery in an attempt to save her severely injured leg and arm, she tragically did not survive.

    https://twitter.com/nathanhovde/status/1917022881630064651

    Days after the tragic incident, Ngannou broke his silence, issuing a heartfelt statement to TMZ Sports. The former UFC heavyweight champion said his “heart is shattered” over the “devastating loss of life” and emphasized that he has remained in close contact with the victim’s family, offering ongoing support and solace during their time of grief.

    “From the very beginning, I have been by the family’s side, offering support, comfort, and deepest condolences during this time,” Francis Ngannou said. “I’ve met with them privately to share in their grief, and I will continue to stand with them every step of the way.”

    “The Predator” went on to explain that he couldn’t provide further details about the accident, as the investigation is still underway. However, he made it clear that he continues to carry the emotional weight of the tragedy.

    “I carry their pain with me, and my unwavering thoughts and support remain with them as they face this heartbreaking loss.”

    Ngannou last competed at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants in October, where he delivered a dominant first-round TKO victory over Renan Ferreira, clinching the PFL Super Heavyweight Championship.

    Before making his PFL debut, the 38-year-old Cameroonian transitioned to professional boxing, where he suffered back-to-back losses against former heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

  • Manny Pacquiao To End Four Year Layoff With WBC Title Shot In July

    Manny Pacquiao To End Four Year Layoff With WBC Title Shot In July

    Manny Pacquiao appears set to come out of retirement and lace up the gloves once more for a highly anticipated return to the boxing ring.

    On Friday, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced that Pacquiao is expected to return to active competition after a four-year hiatus, with plans to face reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. The bout is rumored to take place on July 19 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    https://twitter.com/OnTheRecordBox/status/1918277882146623660

    Sulaiman explained that under WBC rules, a former champion of Pacquiao’s caliber is allowed to come out of retirement and immediately compete for a title. He further revealed that the 46-year-old Filipino boxing legend has already received medical clearance from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

    “Pac Man” was last seen in the ring in August 2021, where he endured a grueling unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugás in their WBA super welterweight title bout. His most recent victory came in July 2019, when he edged out Keith Thurman via split decision in a hard-fought battle nearly six years ago.

    Pacquiao assumed office as a senator in June 2016, following a successful campaign in that year’s national elections. He held the position until 2022, stepping away from legislative duties to launch a presidential bid in the Philippines.

    The former multi-division world champion boasts a storied professional record of 62-8-2, with 39 of those wins coming by knockout. “Pac Man” is also set to receive one of boxing’s highest honors when he is officially inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this June in Canastota, New York.

    Meanwhile, Barrios was elevated to WBC welterweight champion in 2023 after Terence Crawford vacated the belt to move up in weight. “El Azteca” last competed in November, appearing on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event. In his first title defense, the 29-year-old American went the distance with Abel Ramos, earning a tightly contested draw that allowed him to retain the championship.

    Barrios is currently riding a four-fight win streak, with a professional record of 29-2-1 and 18 wins by knockout.

  • Fatal Fury Boxing: Ryan Garcia Knocked Down, Upset By Rolly Romero; Devin Haney & Teofimo Lopez Win In Snoozefest-Filled Card

    Fatal Fury Boxing: Ryan Garcia Knocked Down, Upset By Rolly Romero; Devin Haney & Teofimo Lopez Win In Snoozefest-Filled Card

    Turki Al-alshikh was ambitious in trying to set out a boxing card that was dropped in the middle of Times Square in New York. And while the Fatal Fury card on May 2 had an aesthetically pleasing look to it, the card has unanimously been panned as a letdown that may have done more harm to the sport than help it.

    This was all capped off in the main event, as Ryan Garcia, in his first fight since his win-turned-no-contest against Devin Haney — and the subsequent controversy-filled year he had — was upset in dramatic fashion by Ronaldo “Rolly” Romero in a bout for the vacant WBA lightweight championship.

    Garcia looked to find his rhythm early, working a strong jab in the opening minutes. But Romero had a little surprise, landing a rocking hook that sent Garcia to the canvas in the second. Garcia got up and worked his way back into the fight with his jab over the next couple of rounds. Romero continued to try and work the body, however, and it seemed Garcia was fighting at a much slower pace than we’re used to after eating the canvas.

    Despite pleas from his corner, Garcia’s pace did not pick up in the second half of the fight. Romero didn’t even need to increase his own game, as his activity was way more noticeable than the former lightweight and super featherweight champion’s. Romero continued to land some solid hooks as he completely outclassed Garcia.

    All three judges gave the nod to Romero, with scores of 115-112 (from two judges) and 118-109.

    Fatal Fur Boxing: Rolly Romero Upsets Ryan Garcia For WBA Title; Devin Haney Makes Dubious Boxing History In Win Over Jose Ramirez; Teofimo Lopez Retains WBO Title

    The penultimate fight of the evening was one for the record books — and not in a good way — as Devin Haney scored a unanimous decision victory over Jose Ramirez.

    Per Compubox, the pair threw the fourth-fewest punches thrown in the history of 12-round fights at any weight class. Just as bad, each fighter landed less than 100 punches throughout the entire 12 rounds that have been analyzed by Compubox. Dan Rafael added that Haney never landed more than nine punches in the round, while Ramirez never landed more than six in a round during the sloppy affair.

    Nevertheless, it was a clear decision for Haney, who dictated the pace for nearly all of the bout. The judges scored the bout 119-109 (x2) and 118-110 for the former undisputed lightweight champion.

    Teofimo Lopez headed up the first of the three promoted main events of the evening, retaining his WBO junior welterweight championship against Arnold Barboza Jr. Barboza had his fair share of moments in the fight, landing early on the champion, as well as landing a strong right hand that caught Lopez’s attention. Lopez, however, was thoroughly dominant, utilizing his speed and footwork in executing combinations at a hand speed pace Barboza couldn’t keep up with.

    All three judges scored the fight for Lopez, with two 116-112 totals and an 118-110.

  • Ilia Topuria Confirms Bombshell Return Announcement For UFC 317

    Ilia Topuria Confirms Bombshell Return Announcement For UFC 317

    Ilia Topuria finally has a date circled on the calendar for his long-awaited return to the Octagon.

    Topuria has been itching to get back into action ever since voluntarily relinquishing the UFC Featherweight Championship in February, aiming to fast-track a showdown with reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev.

    But despite his ambitions, Makhachev’s camp has shown little to no interest in entertaining a title shot for the undefeated Spaniard—at least not in the immediate future.

    Last month, reports surfaced suggesting that “La Leyenda” could be in line for a lightweight title opportunity —either against Makhachev or for a vacant belt, with June as a potential target. The buzz intensified when Topuria took to social media, revealing that he had already kicked off training camp in preparation for the highly anticipated bout.

    On Friday, Topuria officially confirmed his next fight will take place at UFC 317 on June 28, as part of UFC International Fight Week at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada—though he left fans guessing by not yet revealing his opponent.

    The former UFC Featherweight Champion dropped the announcement through Spanish media shortly after receiving the prestigious Grand Cross of the Order of the Second of May from the Community of Madrid.

    “I would like to thank the Community of Madrid and its president for this recognition by the Grand Cross of the Order Dos de Mayo,” Ilia Topuria said. “I am very sorry for not being able to be there with you. But I’ve got training ahead of me, and I hope to make you all happy again on June 28.”

    “La Leyenda” was last seen at UFC 308 in October, where he delivered a stunning knockout of Max Holloway in his first title defense. That dominant performance followed his breakout showing at UFC 298 in February 2024, where he dethroned Alexander Volkanovski to capture the UFC Featherweight title.

    Ilia Topuria remains unbeaten in the UFC, boasting a flawless 8-0 record, with six of those victories coming by way of finish.

  • ‘Just Sniped Him’ — Fans React To Phil Davis Dropping Rob Wilkinson For First Finish In Nearly Six Years

    ‘Just Sniped Him’ — Fans React To Phil Davis Dropping Rob Wilkinson For First Finish In Nearly Six Years

    In his first fight in the sport after nearly two years, Phil Davis showed that he’s still competing at the highest level of the game, defeating Rob Wilkinson in the main event of the PFL’s World Tournament first round event on May 1.

    Wilkinson got the edge in the fight early on, making use of low kicks and strong combinations. Davis answered back, but his attempt to level change was picked on by Wilkinson, who pressed him into the fence. Wilkinson continued to assert his control with a series of one-twos throughout the second half of the first round.

    Quickly into the second, however, Davis yanked control away, landing a strong right to the head. Davis would then land a right hand-leg kick combination before another right hand that sent Wilkinson stumbling. Davis would continues to attack before dropping Wilkinson for an early second-round knockout.

    This is the first time Davis has scored a win not by decision since his Bellator 231 win over Karl Albrektsson.

    Phil Davis Moves On In PFL World Tournament After KO’ing Former PFL Champ Rob Wilkinson

    Though Davis has now won three of his last four, this fight marked his first since facing Corey Anderson at Bellator 297 back in June 2023.

    Wilkinson, the 2022 PFL light heavyweight champion, has now lost two straight after a nine-fight unbeaten streak. Wilkinson was a semifinalist in the PFL championship tournament last year.

  • ‘Throw The Whole Promotion Away’ – Fans React To Valentin Moldavsky Earning Disputed Decision Win Over Sergey Bilostenniy In PFL World Tournament

    ‘Throw The Whole Promotion Away’ – Fans React To Valentin Moldavsky Earning Disputed Decision Win Over Sergey Bilostenniy In PFL World Tournament

    Despite being rocked early in the fight, Valentin Moldavsky managed to battle back and come out on top over Sergey Bilostenniy in the co-main event of the PFL World Tournament first round event on May 1.

    Bilostenniy and Moldavsky both had their fair share of hard strikes, with Bilostenniy looking for a quick start to controlling the fight. He used plenty of kicks, from heavy leg kicks to flashy spinning back kicks. Moldavsky looked to counter that by working combinations, eventually finding his rhythm and landing several left hands. Bilostenniy cracked Moldavsky and threw a flurry before the bell, but Bilostenniy managed to survive.

    Moldavsky focused on body attacks in the second round, as well as answering Bilostenniy’s leg kicks with his own. Bilostenniy used effective head movement and counters to try and catch Moldavsky in his attacks. The exchanges were competitive, though Bilostenniy appeared to be landing the more clean and effective strikes. Moldavsky did press forward, however, looking to pressure Bilostenniy as the two went toe-to-toe.

    Moldavsky then continued his pace by looking to use his grappling advantage, pressing Bilostenniy into the fence several times during the final frame. Moldavsky landed inside in the clinch, trying to wear him down.

    Despite Bilostenniy’s strong work, Moldavsky was awarded the decision on all three judges’ scorecards 29-28.

    Valentin Moldavsky Earns Controversial Decision Over Sergey Bilostenniy

    https://twitter.com/OnlyRuggs/status/1918145153287823373
    https://twitter.com/Caleb2x___/status/1918144844129538146

    Moldavsky, the former interim Bellator heavyweight champion, had defeated Ante Delija but lost to Linton Vassell, missing the heavyweight playoffs during the 2024 PFL season.

    Bilostenniy had won three straight and eight of nine entering tonight’s bout.

  • ‘Them Hellbows Were Nasty’ – Fans React As Simeon Powell Throws Flurries Of Fury In Second-Round TKO

    ‘Them Hellbows Were Nasty’ – Fans React As Simeon Powell Throws Flurries Of Fury In Second-Round TKO

    A statement was made by Simeon Powell, as the 2023 PFL Europe light heavyweight finalist impressed in the opening round of the PFL World Tournament.

    Powell scored a finish of Karl Albrektsson in a bout that opened up the main card of the PFL World Tournament event on May 1.

    Powell didn’t seem to have much going for him in the opening round, as the action was primarily controlled by Albrektsson. Albrektsson used low kicks and grappling combined to force Powell against the fence for a majority of the opening frame.

    Powell ended that first round with a couple of strong elbows, and that would foreshadow the finish to the fight in the second. After getting pinned against the fence once more, Powell got behind Albrektsson and nearly scored a takedown. Against the fence, he connected with an elbow that rocked Albrektsson.

    Powell then unleashed a flurry of shots, including another strong elbow, to wobble Albrektsson, who continued to eat shots until the referee waved off the bout.

    Simeon Powell Makes Statement In Securing PFL World Tournament Semi-Final Spot

    Powell made it to the finals of the 2023 PFL Europe light heavyweight tournament but fell to Jakob Nedoh. He then competed at the Bellator event in London this past September, defeating Rafael Xavier.

    Albrektsson has now lost four of his last five, with his sole victory in this stretch coming against Dovlet Yagshimuradov at Bellator 268.

  • VIDEO: Alexandr Romanov Locks Up Standing Guillotine, PFL World Tournament Semi-Final Spot

    VIDEO: Alexandr Romanov Locks Up Standing Guillotine, PFL World Tournament Semi-Final Spot

    Once someone who appeared to be a rising name in the UFC’s heavyweight division, Alexandr Romanov now appears to be someone to watch for in the PFL’s World Tournament at heavyweight.

    Romanov made a statement by scoring a quick submission of veteran and former Bellator interim heavyweight title challenger Tim Johnson. The two headlined the early card portion of the PFL World Tournament action on May 1.

    After a battle for pressure and control in the early going, the fight had a brief pause when Romanov was hit low. It didn’t take long after the fight’s resumption for Romanov to lock up Johnson in a standing guillotine choke. Johnson was lifted and forced to tap, appearing to also injure a rib in the process.

    Alexandr Romanov Submits Tim Johnson In PFL World Tournament First-Round Matchup

    This fight marked Romanov’s PFL debut after a stint in the UFC between 2020 and 2024. Romanov went 7-3 with the promotion, with his losses coming against Marcin Tybura, Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida. Romanov last fought at UFC Edmonton in November, defeating another name who made his way over from the UFC to the PFL with a win tonight — Rodrigo Nascimento.

    Johnson has now lost three in a row and is 1-3 in the PFL.

  • VIDEO: Sullivan Cauley Rains Down Elbows For Vicious First-Round Finish In PFL World Tournament

    VIDEO: Sullivan Cauley Rains Down Elbows For Vicious First-Round Finish In PFL World Tournament

    Sullivan Cauley appeared to take on the form of prime Travis Browne, as he finished Alex Polizzi quickly during the early card of the light heavyweight and heavyweight portion of the PFL World Championships on May 1.

    The first-round bout saw Polizzi quickly score a pair of takedowns on Cauley. Though Cauley scrambled up the first time, he had to battle force and pressure brought on by Polizzi’s ground game to return to the feet. When Cauley did, however, he attacked with elbows as Polizzi continued to press for the takedown.

    The elbows landed strongly, rocking Polizzi. Cauley continued to rain blows down before the referee stepped in, finishing the action in less than two minutes.

    Sullivan Cauley Scores Quick Finish With Elbows While Being Grappled

    Cauley fought exclusively in Bellator until its folding, going 6-1 in the promotion. He was originally scheduled to take on Marcelo Nunes before Nunes’ withdrawal hours before tonight’s event.

    Polizzi, a former LFA light heavyweight champion, has now lost four of his last five. He was originally booked for an alternate fight with Rafael Xavier before replacing Nunes on last-minute notice.

  • UFC Champion Belal Muhammad Vows to Raise Palestinian Flag in Montreal: ‘Nothing Is Going to Stop Me’

    UFC Champion Belal Muhammad Vows to Raise Palestinian Flag in Montreal: ‘Nothing Is Going to Stop Me’

    The UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has confirmed he will carry the Palestinian flag during his walkout at UFC 315 in Montreal, despite a brief controversy over its removal from his UFC profile last month. In an exclusive interview with Damon Martin for MMA Fighting, Muhammad stated he has already cleared the plan with UFC officials.

    “Yeah, 100 percent. We’ve talked about it and they’ve accepted it — nothing is going to stop me from doing it,” the champion declared.

    The Chicago-born fighter, whose parents are Palestinian, explained that displaying the flag helps him remain connected to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza throughout his training camp.

    “It’s hard, especially right now… the people over there are in so much pain. The world’s just watching it,” Muhammad reflected.

    For Muhammad, the symbolism serves as powerful motivation:

    “It makes me go to the gym, run that extra mile, lift that extra weight, because I can’t lose… when they see me win that day, they’re going to see that flag get raised.”

    Beyond symbolic gestures, Muhammad has taken concrete action by organizing fundraisers and leveraging his social media platform to highlight critical shortages of medicine, fuel, and food in Gaza. He views his continued success in the Octagon as essential to amplifying his advocacy efforts.

    “The only way I can be their voice is by continuing to win,” Muhammad emphasized.

    UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad (c) will face Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 315 on May 10, 2025, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

    Muhammad’s Title Reign

    The 36-year-old “Remember the Name” captured UFC gold in July 2024 by defeating Leon Edwards via unanimous decision at UFC 304 in Manchester, England. Since claiming the title, Muhammad has maintained an undefeated streak spanning 11 fights, with his last loss dating back to 2019. His technical striking and relentless pressure have made him one of the most dominant champions in the welterweight division’s recent history.

  • Paul Felder Urges Bo Nickal to ‘Let it Fly’ in Des Moines Showdown

    Paul Felder Urges Bo Nickal to ‘Let it Fly’ in Des Moines Showdown

    UFC commentator and former lightweight contender Paul Felder issued a direct warning to undefeated prospect Bo Nickal ahead of his crucial Saturday showdown with former ONE Championship double-champ Reinier de Ridder at UFC Des Moines, urging the wrestling phenom to be more aggressive after his disappointing last outing.

    In an interview with ESPN, Felder called for Nickal to bounce back from his lackluster performance against Paul Craig at UFC 309. “Because in that Paul Craig fight, he went out there, there was a lot of eyeballs, a lot of hype on this kid, and he just never pulled the trigger”, Felder told ESPN, adding “you got to go out there, you got to be aggressive. I don’t care if it’s with the striking or the wrestling, but I think he’s really got to commit”.

    The criticism echoes comments Felder made during the “Believe You Me” podcast with Michael Bisping, where they discussed Nickal’s failure to utilize his wrestling against Craig. “This was an opportunity for you to be more aggressive and when it wasn’t working out on the feet, it was a huge opportunity to show him that wrestling, and he just never did that”, Felder stated, noting that “the crowd was booing like crazy” during Nickal’s cautious performance.

    The 5-0 Penn State wrestling legend faces his toughest test yet in de Ridder, who brings elite submission credentials that could force Nickal to either engage his vaunted wrestling or risk getting caught in the stand-up exchanges. “Time to get choked”, de Ridder confidently stated at media day, highlighting the high-stakes grappling matchup.

    Nickal, who “asked for this fight”, acknowledges the step up in competition and the need to silence critics after his hesitant showing against Craig. With an emphatic victory, the undefeated prospect could vault himself into middleweight rankings discussions and prove his fan-friendly evolution as a complete mixed martial artist rather than the tentative kickboxer he displayed last time out.

    Saturday’s co-main event at Wells Fargo Arena presents Nickal with an opportunity to showcase the dominant wrestling that made him college’s most decorated grappler – but only if he heeds Felder’s advice to let it fly.

  • PFL World Tournament Week 4: Light Heavyweights and Heavyweights Collide in Orlando

    PFL World Tournament Week 4: Light Heavyweights and Heavyweights Collide in Orlando

    The Professional Fighters League returns tonight with World Tournament Week 4 at Universal Studios Florida, featuring critical light heavyweight and heavyweight quarterfinal bouts with playoff implications.

    Former Bellator champion Phil Davis (24-7) headlines against 2022 PFL light heavyweight champion Rob Wilkinson (19-3) in a clash of former title holders. “In his heyday, Davis was one of the most athletic light heavyweights to grace an MMA cage”, having secured wins over Alexander Gustafsson, Lyoto Machida, and Glover Teixeira throughout his career.

    Making his PFL debut, the 40-year-old Davis faces questions after nearly two years away from competition. Meanwhile, Wilkinson aims to rebound from his 2024 playoff loss, bringing “explosive power and aggressive fighting style, he has achieved 14 first-round stoppages throughout his career”.

    The co-main event features a heavyweight showdown between former Bellator interim champion Valentin Moldavsky and Sergey Bilostenniy, described as “a showdown that could produce a highlight-reel finish at any time”

    With single-elimination format determining playoff seeding, tonight’s card emphasizes finish bonuses and debuts the PFL’s new biometric tracking technology to enhance broadcasts on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

    Event Information:

    • Main Card: 10:00 PM ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+
    • Early Card: 7:30 PM ET on ESPN+
    • Venue: Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida

    The card also features former PFL champion Antonio Carlos Jr. taking on Karl Moore in light heavyweight action, while Alexander Romanov faces Timothy Johnson at heavyweight in critical tournament bouts where “Fighters only get one shot!”

  • Patrice Evra Calls Out Luis Suárez for MMA Debut Settlement

    Patrice Evra Calls Out Luis Suárez for MMA Debut Settlement

    Former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has publicly challenged old football rival Luis Suárez to settle their controversial 2011 racism dispute in his upcoming MMA debut at PFL Europe on May 23 in Paris.

    “When the PFL asked me who I would like, I said Luis Suárez because I had a beef with him back in the day when I was captain of United and he played for Liverpool”, Evra stated during an interview with Ariel Helwani.

    The 43-year-old Frenchman, who has been training in combat sports since 2016, made headlines by posting on social media: “BREAKING: I’m officially training for my first fight with @PFLEurope. They will pick my opponent … They asked who I wanna face. I said: Luis Suárez. I’ll pay out of pocket. He can even bite me.”

    In a surprising development, Evra claims Suárez’s manager contacted PFL and suggested the Inter Miami forward could be in attendance at the Accor Arena for the Paris event, though no official bout has been confirmed.

    The rivalry dates back to an infamous incident in October 2011 when Suárez received an eight-match ban and £40,000 fine for racially abusing Evra during a Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United. While Evra has stated he’s forgiven Suárez, the opportunity to settle their differences in combat sports has reignited public interest.

    Evra, who retired from professional football in 2019, will compete in a showcase bout at the PFL Europe Paris event. The PFL has yet to announce his official opponent for the Accor Arena showdown.

    “I’ve been training alongside the best in the world for years, and they’ll also tell you I’m ready for this. I’m going to put on a show at the Accor Arena on 23 May” , Evra told Helwani, promising an entertaining debut for French MMA fans.

  • Ian Garry Named Official Backup Fighter for UFC 315 Title Fight

    Ian Garry Named Official Backup Fighter for UFC 315 Title Fight

    Irish contender Ian Machado Garry has been confirmed as the official backup fighter for the UFC 315 welterweight championship bout between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena in Montreal on May 10.

    UFC CEO, Dana White, confirmed the Irishman is the official backup should anything go sideways at the last minute at UFC Kansas City’s post-fight press conference, coming just days after Garry’s decision victory over Carlos Prates.

    Despite having fought a full five rounds on Saturday in Kansas City, Garry immediately began preparing to serve as emergency replacement. Coach Diego Lima confirmed the undefeated Irish prospect is cutting weight on two weeks’ notice, positioning himself as “the perfect insurance policy” according to White.

    “I’m the official backup, and I’m next. Whoever wins that fight, if that fight goes ahead, that’s my next opponent,” Garry stated, making his intentions clear about securing a title shot regardless of whether he competes at UFC 315.

    The welterweight division has been notably volatile, with original title challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov forced to withdraw due to injury, opening the door for Della Maddalena’s opportunity. Garry’s willingness to remain fight-ready despite just competing demonstrates his commitment to championship aspirations.

    A UFC Welterweight Championship bout between current champion Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena is expected to headline this event, marking the UFC’s return to Montreal after a nearly decade-long absence since UFC 186 in 2015.

    The 26-year-old Garry (15-0) has been vocal about deserving the title shot after competing twice on short notice in recent months, solidifying his position as the division’s emergency option while maintaining his perfect professional record.

    ‘Send Fighting Nerds 2-3 Years Dagestan’ – Fans React As Ian Garry Hands Carlos Prates His First UFC Defeat In Kansas City

  • UFC Veteran Claims Colby Covington ‘Fumbled’ Main Event Opportunity

    UFC Veteran Claims Colby Covington ‘Fumbled’ Main Event Opportunity

    A UFC veteran claims Colby Covington passed on a clear opportunity to fight him.

    Covington was last seen in action at UFC Tampa in December, where he suffered a lopsided third-round TKO loss via doctor’s stoppage at the hands of Joaquin Buckley. The setback added to his recent struggles, as “Chaos” has now lost four of his last six fights since 2019.

    Since then, the former interim UFC welterweight champion appears to have shifted his focus toward his live streaming venture on KICK and has shown minimal intent to resume his fighting career anytime soon.

    However, according to Michael Chiesa, Covington had a clear chance to face him following their stint as rival assistant coaches on Season 33 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). The prospect of a showdown between the two began to gain traction, especially after head coaches Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen publicly backed the matchup once filming wrapped.

    In a video posted to his YouTube channel this March, Covington dismissed the idea of facing “Maverick” and bluntly stated he had no interest in fighting someone who isn’t ranked in the top 15.

    During a recent interview with MMA on SiriusXM, Chiesa revealed that while filming TUF, Covington had personally agreed to fight him next—but later backed out.

    The 37-year-old Colorado native didn’t hold back, criticizing Covington for his lack of commitment to the sport. Chiesa went on to assert that Covington’s focus on fighting only top-tier opponents will ultimately lead to his downfall.

    “At the end of the day, I think that he screwed up a really good opportunity,” Chiesa said. “I’m hearing the stories of how he handles his fighting career at this point in time. He has said it himself, streamers make more money than fighters. I think he’s aspiring to be a streamer more than he is a fighter. I know that he doesn’t train the way he used to because I’m talking to people that train at MMA Masters, and it’s like you want to fight for the title, you only want to fight ranked guys. Buddy, if you’re training the way that I’m hearing you’re training, it’s only going to get worse. So why didn’t you take the opportunity to fight me, in a main event, against a guy who worst-case scenario is just going to snatch your neck and choke you? Now Colby just fumbled a situation where he’s probably going to have to fight a Michael Morales, he’s going to have to fight a guy that’s going to do what Joaquin Buckley did to him. So to me, he fumbled a great opportunity for us to do a fight for The Ultimate Fighter, for these fighters.”

    “Maverick” last competed at UFC 310 in December, where he secured a dominant third-round submission victory over Max Griffin, extending his winning streak to two. Chiesa is set to face Court McGee at UFC Atlanta on June 14, with the showdown scheduled to take place at State Farm Arena in Georgia.

  • UFC Des Moines Card Finalized for Saturday’s ESPN Event

    UFC Des Moines Card Finalized for Saturday’s ESPN Event

    The UFC’s return to Iowa after 25 years is set with the complete fight card now official for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

    Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo will face Cory Sandhagen in a five-round bantamweight fight, headlining the ESPN-televised event marking the UFC’s first appearance in Des Moines and first Iowa visit since UFC 26 in 2000.

    Former ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder and undefeated wrestling phenom Bo Nickal clash in a crucial middleweight co-main event, while welterweight veterans Santiago Ponzinibbio and Daniel Rodriguez throw down in another featured bout.

    ESPN2/ESPN+ Prelims at 7 p.m. ET | ESPN2/ESPN+ Main Card at 10 p.m. ET, with the event serving as the kickoff to a packed May schedule that culminates with UFC 315 in Montreal.

    Due to injury with both athletes, the light heavyweight bout between Junior Tafa and Tuco Tokkos will be rescheduled to a later date, UFC officials announced Tuesday.

    UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo Official Card

    Here’s the complete fight lineup for UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo Official Card (UFC Des Moines, UFC on ESPN 67):

    Main Card (ESPN2/ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET)

    • Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo – Bantamweight Main Event (5 rounds)
    • Reinier de Ridder vs. Bo Nickal – Middleweight Co-Main Event
    • Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez – Welterweight
    • Montel Jackson vs. Daniel Marcos – Bantamweight
    • Cameron Smotherman vs. Serhiy Sidey – Bantamweight
    • Jeremy Stephens vs. Mason Jones – Lightweight

    Prelims (ESPN2/ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

    • Yana Santos vs. Miesha Tate – Women’s Bantamweight
    • Ryan Loder vs. Azamat Bekoev – Middleweight
    • Marina Rodriguez vs. Gillian Robertson – Women’s Strawweight
    • Gaston Bolanos vs. Quang Le – Bantamweight
    • Thomas Petersen vs. Don’Tale Mayes – Heavyweight
    • Juliana Miller vs. Ivana Petrovic – Women’s Flyweight
  • UFC Signs Multi-Year Partnership with Iconic Liqueur Brand Hpnotiq

    UFC Signs Multi-Year Partnership with Iconic Liqueur Brand Hpnotiq

    The UFC has announced a new multi-year marketing partnership with Hpnotiq, the popular blue liqueur known for its nostalgic 2000s appeal. As part of the agreement, Hpnotiq becomes an Official Partner of UFC and will activate its brand at select UFC events in the United States, including all Fight Nights.

    The deal represents the latest in a string of high-profile sponsorships for the promotion, which recently secured major partnerships with Meta for multiple years bringing the mixed martial arts league closer to Mark Zuckerberg’s technology company CNBC and Monster Energy in what UFC described as “the largest sponsorship deal in UFC history” UFC.

    Under the agreement, Hpnotiq will receive prominent brand placement inside the Octagon at UFC Fight Nights, reaching over 700 million fans across 170 countries and an estimated 950 million households worldwide.

    “Hpnotiq is a bold, heritage brand with fresh energy — perfectly aligned with UFC’s role at the center of sport and culture,” said Robby Miller, Vice President of UFC Global Partnerships. “Together, we’ll create moments that move beyond the Octagon and into the fabric of fan experience, lifestyle, and celebration.”

    The partnership will see UFC and Hpnotiq collaborate on original content distributed through UFC’s digital and social channels, which reach more than 300 million users globally. This includes a custom social series titled ‘Iconiq Moments,’ featuring UFC athletes reviewing career highlights.

    “This partnership is more than just visibility—it’s about creating epic experiences for a new generation of fans,” said Noah Winterer, Vice President and Director of Clear Spirits at Heaven Hill Brands, Hpnotiq’s parent company. “From the Octagon to the afterparty, Hpnotiq is here to celebrate every Iconiq moment.”

    The partnership will debut at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo this Saturday, May 3, at Des Moines, Iowa. The event marks UFC’s first appearance in Des Moines and will be headlined by a pivotal bantamweight clash between No. 4 ranked Cory Sandhagen and No. 5 Deiveson Figueiredo.

    For more information, read the full press release at PR Newswire.

  • Francis Ngannou Reportedly Involved In Fatal Motorcycle Accident In Cameroon

    Francis Ngannou Reportedly Involved In Fatal Motorcycle Accident In Cameroon

    Francis Ngannou’s name has reportedly become embroiled in a deeply troubling incident.

    On Monday, several reports surfaced on social media claiming that Francis Ngannou was involved in a motorcycle accident in which he struck a young woman in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon.

    According to a report from Le Bled Parle, a girl named Ntsama Brigitte Manuella was struck by “The Predator’s” motorcycle while returning home. The former UFC heavyweight champion is said to have rushed her to the General Hospital of Yaoundé in a desperate attempt to save her life.

    However, despite undergoing emergency surgery for severe injuries to her leg and arm, Manuella tragically passed away.

    As of now, there has been no official word from Ngannou or his team on the matter, and it is still unclear if any legal consequences will be taken against the combat sports superstar.

    “The Predator” was most recently in action in the main event of PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants in October, where he secured a dominant first-round TKO victory over Renan Ferreira, capturing the promotion’s coveted Super heavyweight championship.

    Before returning to MMA, Ngannou ventured into the world of professional boxing, making his debut in October 2023 against former lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Despite a stunning performance that shocked many, he suffered a razor-thin split decision loss.

    The 38-year-old Cameroonian stepped into the ring again in March 2024 to face Anthony Joshua, but this time suffered a devastating second-round knockout.

  • UFC Rankings Report: Ian Garry Moves Above Rival Joaquin Buckley After Kansas City Win

    UFC Rankings Report: Ian Garry Moves Above Rival Joaquin Buckley After Kansas City Win

    The latest action on offer inside the Octagon has seen some climb the UFC rankings toward contention and others fall away.

    And in the aftermath of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Kansas City, MMA News has you covered with this week’s complete updates.

    Men’s Pound-For-Pound: No changes.

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

    Women’s Strawweight: At the bottom of the 115-pound UFC rankings, Tecia Pennington (#14) has moved above Luana Pinheiro (#15).

    Women’s Flyweight: No changes.

    Women’s Bantamweight: Joselyne Edwards has replaced Melissa Mullins in the rankings at 135 pounds after her knockout win over Chelsea Chandler this past weekend. She’s entered at #14, pushing Chandler back to #15.

    Flyweight: No changes.

    Bantamweight: No changes.

    Featherweight: David Onama secured the biggest win of his career to date in Kansas City when he got the better of Giga Chikadze. As a result, he’s debuted in the rankings at #14, leaving Chikadze out entirely. Those moves have resulted in one-place rises for both Youssef Zalal (#12) and Dan Ige (#13).

    Lightweight: No changes.

    Welterweight: Following his main event victory over Carlos Prates on Saturday night, Ian Garry has received a small boost up the UFC rankings at 170 pounds. “The Future” has climbed one spot to #6, leaving him above his rival Joaquin Buckley (#7).

    Middleweight: After defeating Michel Pereira, Abus Magomedov has replaced the Brazilian in the rankings. His entry at #15 has pushed Pereira out, while Roman Kopylov is on the up at #14.

    Light Heavyweight: Zhang Mingyang spoiled Anthony Smith’s hopes to go out on a high in Kansas City, and that’s seen him replace “Lionheart” in the rankings at #14.

    Heavyweight: No changes.

    You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

  • Dustin Poirier Reveals Two Suggestions UFC Turned Down For Retirement Fight

    Dustin Poirier Reveals Two Suggestions UFC Turned Down For Retirement Fight

    Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight is locked in versus Max Holloway at UFC 318, but “Blessed” evidently wasn’t among the first two names pitched by the former interim lightweight champion.

    After his third failed bid at achieving undisputed kingpin status on MMA’s biggest stage last year, Poirier decided against hanging up the gloves just yet. Instead, he’ll enter the cage for one final farewell.

    That’ll come in competition for Holloway’s symbolic BMF title in the main event at New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center on July 19. But though a trilogy with the Hawaiian will mark his career’s conclusion, it turns out Poirier initially had other potential matchups in mind.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, “The Diamond” revealed that he enquired to UFC higher-ups about another trilogy — a score-settler with Justin Gaethje — and the chance to welcome Ilia Topuria back to 155 pounds.

    “I was asking for Gaethje,” Dustin Poirier said. “I was asking Hunter (Campbell) and the UFC for Gaethje, because we’re 1-1 and I want to close out that trilogy. For some reason they really wanted this fight, so I said, ‘OK, that’s cool because I respect the guy for my last fight.’ I don’t know what their thought process was for putting this together with me and Max, but I have a lot of respect for him, so it makes a lot of sense for me. I said legends only. Definitely fits that.

    “Not once (did they offer Topuria),” Poirier continued. “When he said he was going to 155, I messaged Hunter and the UFC and I said, ‘Hey, what’s up? Let me know what’s going on with this guy now that he’s at ’55.’ But they never entertained it. They told me it’s not happening and they wanted Max.”

  • Anthony Smith Explains Angry Gesture At Fan After Dominant Loss In UFC Kansas City Retirement Fight

    Anthony Smith Explains Angry Gesture At Fan After Dominant Loss In UFC Kansas City Retirement Fight

    UFC light heavyweight veteran Anthony Smith has revealed the actions that resulted in him flipping off a fan moments after a crushing loss in his retirement fight.

    Smith made the walk to the Octagon for the final time at this weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Kansas City. While “Lionheart” had no doubt hoped to exit the sport on a high, Zhang Mingyang provided a hurdle too tall in that regard.

    The Chinese standout maintained his 100 percent first-round finishing rate with a dominant performance in Missouri. But his emphatic display and the conclusion of Smith’s career weren’t the only talking points.

    In the immediate aftermath of the TKO stoppage, a bloodied Smith could be seen angrily gesturing toward a fan in the crowd. During the UFC Kansas City Post Show, the 36-year-old explained what got him so riled up.

    “There was a guy in a Nebraska shirt and he was like booing me and flipping me off and kind of talking trash before the fight,” Anthony Smith said. “But I was really focused on what I had to do. Then after the fight, his friend is cheering and he’s still flipping me off and saying some pretty disrespectful things.

    “I was so mad. He was wearing a Nebraska shirt! We’re supposed to be family here. It’s not a very big community of people here,” Smith continued. “Mingyang is like, ‘Don’t do this brother, you’ve got to quit that.’ Listen, I was emotional. The fight didn’t go the way I wanted it to go. That is what it is. That’s just part of the game. … If you’re sitting in the crowd, you’re definitely not doing what I’m doing, especially wearing a Nebraska shirt. You can’t talk trash wearing a Nebraska shirt! Like, come on now!”