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  • MMA News: Fight Night, UFC 314 Finalized, PFL Criticism

    MMA News: Fight Night, UFC 314 Finalized, PFL Criticism

    Good morning, fight fans. As we head into another action-packed weekend of combat sports, it’s been a newsworthy week. From Fight Night to championship announcements and fighter health concerns, here are five stories that are shaping the UFC and wider MMA landscape today.

    1. Final Preparations Underway for UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy

    The UFC Apex in Las Vegas is ready to host tomorrow night’s featherweight showdown between Josh Emmett (#8) and undefeated prospect Lerone Murphy (#10). With both fighters successfully making weight today, this main event clash carries significant implications for the 145-pound division rankings.

    The card features additional compelling matchups including Pat Sabatini facing Joanderson Brito in another featherweight contest, and a heavyweight bout between Uran Satybaldiev and Martin Buday.

    All eyes will be on Murphy as he attempts to preserve his perfect professional record against the experienced Emmett, who returns after a lengthy layoff. A win for either fighter could dramatically alter their championship trajectory in the currently unsettled featherweight division.

    2. UFC 314 Card Finalized with Volkanovski-Lopes Title Fight

    The UFC has officially completed the lineup for UFC 314, scheduled for April 12 in Miami, where Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will battle for the vacant featherweight championship. This title opportunity emerged following Ilia Topuria’s unexpected decision to relinquish the belt.

    The event’s co-main event features an intriguing lightweight clash between fan favorites Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett, which promises fireworks.

    This pay-per-view marks an important milestone for both Volkanovski, who aims to recapture gold, and Lopes, who searches for his first UFC championship.

    3. Jon Jones’ Heavyweight Future Remains Uncertain

    Reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones continues to dominate conversation in MMA circles as questions persist about his next move. Despite interim champion Tom Aspinall appearing to be the logical challenger, no official announcement has materialized regarding Jones’ return to action.

    The situation has generated extensive speculation about whether Jones might choose retirement rather than facing the dangerous Aspinall in what would unquestionably be one of 2025’s most anticipated heavyweight showdowns. This championship limbo leaves the division’s future direction unclear as contenders await resolution.

    4. PFL Faces Criticism Over Bellator Integration and Prize Reductions

    The Professional Fighters League is weathering backlash following reports of reduced tournament prize payouts in the wake of its Bellator acquisition. This development has raised concerns about fighter compensation and the overall strategy for incorporating Bellator’s assets under the PFL banner.

    As the organization launches its 2025 season this week, questions linger about PFL’s ability to effectively challenge the UFC’s market dominance while managing the complexities of integrating two major MMA promotions.

    5. UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier Battling Illness from Mexico City Event

    Former two-division UFC champion and current commentator Daniel Cormier has revealed he’s been struggling with a severe illness contracted during the recent UFC Mexico City event on March 29. This health situation highlights the challenges that can affect fighters and staff when competing in venues with unique environmental factors such as Mexico City’s high altitude.

    Fellow UFC fighter Joe Pyfer, whose bout at the same event was canceled due to similar health issues, has publicly declared he will never return to Mexico City for competition, adding to the conversation about fighter safety and well-being in challenging locations.

    Stay tuned to MMA News for coverage of tomorrow’s UFC Fight Night.

  • UFC Vegas 105 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Josh Emmett vs. Lerone Murphy Card

    UFC Vegas 105 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Josh Emmett vs. Lerone Murphy Card

    UFC Vegas 105 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, April 5, at the 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.

    Topping the lineup will be a pair of top 10 featherweight contenders in powerhouse Josh Emmett and the undefeated Lerone Murphy.

    And also making the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Joanderson Brito, Brad Tavares, Torrez Finney, Davey Grant, and Rhys McKee.

    UFC Vegas 105: Emmett vs. Murphy Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Vegas 105 (as of 4/4), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Josh Emmett (+260) vs. Lerone Murphy (-325)
    • Pat Sabatini (+190) vs. Joanderson Brito (-230)
    • Cortavious Romious (+110) vs. ChangHo Lee (-130)
    • Brad Tavares (-198) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (+164)
    • Ode’ Osbourne (+200) vs. Luis Gurule (-245)
    • Torrez Finney (-298) vs. Robert Valentin (+240)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Davey Grant (+120) vs. Daniel Santos (-142)
    • Diane Belbiţă (+650) vs. Dione Barbosa (-1000)
    • Rhys McKee (+130) vs. Daniel Frunza (-155)
    • Loma Lookboonmee (-700) vs. Istela Nunes (+500)
    • Victor Henry (-205) vs. Pedro Falcao (+170)
    • Martin Buday vs. Uran Satybaldiev
    • Vanessa Demopoulos (-108) vs. Talita Alencar (-112)
  • Brandon Royval, Manel Kape Rebooked For Potential Flyweight Title Eliminator At UFC 317

    Brandon Royval, Manel Kape Rebooked For Potential Flyweight Title Eliminator At UFC 317

    The lineup for UFC International Fight Week 2025 is starting to take shape.

    On Thursday, a report from Laerte Viana stated that Brandon Royval and Manel Kape have been rebooked for a high-stakes flyweight bout at UFC 317, set to take place on June 28 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    With a potential title shot at stake, Royval and Kape were originally set to headline UFC Vegas 103 last month. However, “Raw Dawg” was forced to withdraw nearly a month before the fight after sustaining multiple concussions during training.

    Meanwhile, Kape remained on the card and earned a debated third-round TKO victory over short-notice replacement Asu Almabayev. The win added to the momentum he built with his dominant third-round knockout of Bruno Silva in December.

    “Starboy” was on a four-fight win streak, including finishes over Zhalgas Zhumagulov and Ode’ Osbourne. However, his surge came to a halt at UFC 304 in July 2024, where he fell short against Muhammad Mokaev via unanimous decision.

    On the other hand, Royval last competed in October, securing a hard-fought split decision victory over rising prospect Tatsuro Taira. Just earlier that year, he also edged out former champion Brandon Moreno in another split decision win in February 2024.

    “Raw Dawg” had previously challenged reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja for the 125-pound title at UFC 296 in December 2023. However, his bid for gold ended in disappointment as he suffered a one-sided unanimous decision defeat.

    As of now, no other fights have been officially confirmed for UFC 317. However, rumors suggest that a middleweight clash between former title challenger Paulo Costa and Roman Kopylov, as well as a lightweight showdown featuring veteran Michael Johnson and rising prospect Daniel Zellhuber, are in the works.

  • Daniel Cormier Tells Islam Makhachev Who He Should Push For As Next UFC Opponent

    Daniel Cormier Tells Islam Makhachev Who He Should Push For As Next UFC Opponent

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier is confident he knows who will be placed opposite lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev next time out.

    Makhachev is awaiting his second matchup of 2025, having retained possession of the 155-pound gold courtesy of a submission victory over Renato Moicano at UFC 311 this past January.

    Because of Arman Tsarukyan’s weight miss prior to that event, resulting in Moicano’s late-notice opportunity, the Armenian is seemingly out of the running.

    That’s left featherweight champ Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira as two leading candidates. But while both have pushed for the shot publicly, “DC” thinks it will go to another high-profile name.

    During the latest episode of his Funky and the Champ podcast alongside Ben Askren, Cormier predicted that ex-interim titleholder Justin Gaethje will get the shot on the strength of his recent victory over Rafael Fiziev.

    “I honestly believe that’s who is going to fight for the belt. I believe it’s going to be Gaethje,” Cormier said. “If I’m team Makhachev, I’m asking for Justin Gaethje because that’s a big-name fight. It’s the guy that carries a lot of name recognition. I think that’s going to be the fight if I’m being honest with you.”

    Gaethje, 36, has previously fallen short of the undisputed crown on two occasions. He was submitted by both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.

  • MMA News: Emmett Returns at UFC Vegas 105, PFL Kicks Off, Volk-Lopes

    MMA News: Emmett Returns at UFC Vegas 105, PFL Kicks Off, Volk-Lopes

    Good morning, fight fans, here is a rundown of the most significant developments that have unfolded in the past 24 hours. From upcoming title fights to fighter comebacks and event cancellations, there’s plenty happening across the MMA landscape today.

    Let’s dive into the top stories today, Thursday, April 3, 2025:

    1. Josh Emmett Returns to Headline UFC Vegas 105 This Weekend

    After a significant 15-month absence from the octagon, featherweight contender Josh Emmett is making his long-awaited return this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 105. The #8 ranked featherweight will headline against undefeated British prospect Lerone Murphy (#10) in what could potentially position the winner for a title opportunity in the division.

    Emmett has reportedly used his time away to focus on personal and professional development, and now feels ready to showcase his best form in this crucial matchup. With the featherweight title currently vacant, this fight carries even more significance as both fighters look to make their case for championship contention.

    2. PFL Kicks Off 2025 Season Today with Welterweight and Featherweight Action

    The Professional Fighters League launches its 2025 regular season today, April 3rd, featuring a new divisional tournament format for its welterweight and featherweight competitors. Former Bellator champion Jason Jackson faces veteran Andrey Koreshkov in the night’s main event, highlighting the organization’s continued growth as a premier destination for top-tier mixed martial arts talent.

    This season opener marks an important step in PFL’s ongoing evolution as a legitimate alternative to the UFC, bringing tournament-style competition back to mainstream MMA.

    3. Volkanovski vs. Lopes for Vacant Featherweight Title Set for UFC 314

    Former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will have his opportunity to reclaim UFC gold when he faces surging contender Diego Lopes for the vacant 145-pound title at UFC 314 on April 12th. The championship was vacated by Ilia Topuria, setting up this highly anticipated showdown to determine the division’s new ruler.

    This matchup presents an intriguing stylistic clash between Volkanovski’s technical precision and championship experience against Lopes’ explosive offensive arsenal.

    4. Sydney MMA Event Canceled Due to Security Concerns

    In a concerning development from Australia, an MMA event scheduled to take place in Sydney has been canceled due to serious security concerns. Reports indicate that fears over a potential “gangland hit” targeting a former UFC fighter contributed to the decision to halt the event.

    5. O’Malley Makes Lifestyle Changes Ahead of Dvalishvili Rematch

    UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley has publicly committed to performing at his “full potential” in his upcoming rematch against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316 later this year. The colorful champion has reportedly implemented significant lifestyle changes in preparation, including reducing social media usage and eliminating marijuana consumption to maintain complete focus on defending his title.

    After a challenging first encounter with the Georgian contender, O’Malley appears determined to make the necessary adjustments to retain his 135-pound championship.

    That wraps up today’s MMA News morning report. Stay tuned for continued coverage of these developing stories and all the latest UFC news as we approach an action-packed weekend of fights.

  • Lerone Murphy Expects To Follow Ilia Topuria’s Path To UFC Featherweight Title Shot

    Lerone Murphy Expects To Follow Ilia Topuria’s Path To UFC Featherweight Title Shot

    UFC featherweight contender Lerone Murphy is confident that a statement performance at the expense of Josh Emmett this weekend will net him a first shot at gold on MMA’s biggest stage.

    After an undefeated start to life in the UFC and recent wins over Edson Barboza and Dan Ige, Murphy has cracked the divisional top 10.

    Next, as he continues to pursue a climb up the ranks toward the title picture, “The Miracle” is tasked with getting the better of arguably the most powerful man at 145 pounds, knockout artist Emmett.

    The 40-year-old is no stranger to meeting unbeaten up-and-comers, having headline a Jacksonville event opposite then-future champion Ilia Topuria in mid-2023. After battering the American, Topuria went on to challenge and defeat Alexander Volkanovski to claim the belt.

    With that in mind, Murphy expects the same opportunity to await him should he avoid the dynamite in Emmett’s hands this Saturday night.

    “I’ve got a big job in front of me, a big task in front of me,” Murphy told talkSPORT. “But obviously we know with a win, I’ll be asking for a title shot for sure.

    “Ilia Topuria done it and I’ll be 16-0. So I feel like if I go out there and put on a good, solid performance and look championship worthy, then I think the UFC will give it to me,” Murphy added.

    And should that be the case, the Brit is also hoping for the same man who Topuria unseated last February to return to the throne.

    “I would say Volkanovski (is the preferred championship opponent), just because of the name value,” Lerone Murphy explained. “He’s a legend, and I think if you have Volkanovski on your record, like when you look back on your career, for me, it’s not really about money. It’s about status and what I can tell my kids and what I can look back on.

    “When you get old, all you’ve got is memories, and you’re looking back on what you’ve done. To be able to say, ‘I fought Volkanovski,’ would be a big one. I think he gets the job done next weekend,” Lerone Murphy continued. “So hopefully it’s me versus Volk. But like you said, he’s got a tough matchup. I’ve got a tough matchup. Let’s see what happens.”

    It’s evident that Lerone Murphy will have his eyes on next month’s UFC 314 main event for the vacant featherweight title between Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.

    First things first, though, the Manchester native must stall the late-career ambitions of Emmett, who is returning for the first time since a sickening KO of Bryce Mitchell 16 months ago.

  • Jack Della Maddalena Compares Belal Muhammad’s ‘Boring Style’ To GSP’s

    Jack Della Maddalena Compares Belal Muhammad’s ‘Boring Style’ To GSP’s

    UFC welterweight title challenger Jack Della Maddalena sees similarities between reigning champion Belal Muhammad and legend Georges St-Pierre’s approach to fighting.

    Della Maddalena has received a surprise opportunity this year owing to an injury to original top contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    As a result, the Australian was pulled from his scheduled London main event against Leon Edwards and thrust into a title clash with Muhammad at UFC 315 in Canada next month.

    With his preparation ongoing, Della Maddalena has been analysing the man he’ll need to beat to bring UFC gold back Down Under. And like plenty of the champ’s detractors, he had one word in mine during a recent interview on Fox Sports Australia’s mainevent — “boring.”

    “It’s no question he’s got a boring fight style,” Della Maddalena said of Belal Muhammad. “He’s good at holding people down and getting victories. GSP (Georges St-Pierre) got flak back in the day for being a boring style. I definitely think it’s a boring style, but winning is obviously his number one goal, and fair play to him. But I feel like I can beat him.”

    Muhammad has aspirations of reaching and surpassing the legacy of the great St-Pierre, who achieved title glory in two divisions and cemented his place in the GOAT debate despite a fight style widely branded less than entertaining.

  • Patricio Pitbull Open To Showdown With Fellow Brazilian MMA Legend In The UFC

    Patricio Pitbull, now set to debut in the UFC against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314, has expressed an openness to a potential showdown with Jose Aldo.

    This comes as both fighters, who dominated their respective featherweight divisions in Bellator and UFC for years, find themselves under the same promotional banner.

    Pitbull, with a stellar 24-6 record in Bellator, sees the fight as a resolution to a long-standing “what if” scenario.

    “I don’t have this desire to fight Aldo, nothing like that, but for the context, if an offer comes from the UFC, I would be happy to take it,” Pitbull stated to MMA Fighting.

    While Pitbull doesn’t believe a victory over Aldo would definitively crown him the greatest featherweight of all time, he recognizes its significance in settling a long-debated topic. He feels that there’s a bias towards UFC fighters in these discussions.

    “For Aldo and people in the UFC, everybody is sure he’s the best featherweight of all time,” Pitbull said, “But some people that know fighting [say], ‘There’s also Patricio, and maybe he could be fighting for the title of who’s the greatest.’”

    He proposes that a fight would provide a tangible answer, even if it wouldn’t fully define their legacies.

    “We know it wouldn’t determine who was the best or who has done more, but in a fight we would at least have an answer, we’d know who catches fire first, and the winner would leave a great mark.”

    Pitbull’s career boasts titles in both Bellator’s featherweight and lightweight divisions, including a victory over RIZIN’s featherweight champion Kleber Koike. His attempt to capture the bantamweight title from Sergio Pettis was unsuccessful, but he remains open to exploring different weight classes within the UFC.

    “Depending on the challenge, we’d do it,” Pitbull said, indicating his willingness to compete from 135 to 170 pounds. He emphasizes the importance of the opponent’s history and experience, suggesting he’d be more inclined to fight a seasoned veteran.

    The potential fight between Pitbull and Aldo carries significant weight, representing a clash of two eras and promotions. It would serve not only as a spectacle for fans but also as a means to settle a debate that has persisted for years. Pitbull’s entry into the UFC and his openness to this matchup have added an intriguing layer to the promotion’s landscape, generating anticipation for what could be a historic encounter.

  • Josh Emmett Sends Advice To Fans After Seeing Betting Odds For UFC Vegas 105 Main Event

    Josh Emmett Sends Advice To Fans After Seeing Betting Odds For UFC Vegas 105 Main Event

    UFC featherweight contender Josh Emmett is expecting to make a mockery of his underdog status in this weekend’s main event.

    Emmett is set to return from a 16-month layoff at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night inside the Apex, having not competed since his sickening knockout of Bryce Mitchell in December 2023.

    In his bid to regain momentum after that memorable result, the 40-year-old is tasked with stalling the rise of undefeated up-and-comer Lerone Murphy in the headline spot on April 5.

    Successfully doing so would see Emmett upset the odds. As pointed out to him at UFC Vegas 105 media day on Wednesday, the betting line currently has the veteran at +275.

    “The people that are betting, they love it when I’m a huge underdog,” Josh Emmett said. “What, +275? Bet the house.”

    The root of Emmett’s confidence? The belief that his already obscene power has only increased during his time away.

    “Over the last 14 months, we’ve been working on my power,” he said. “I promise you I’m so much more powerful than I was, so wait till that right hand connects.”

    The addition of even more power to Emmett’s dynamite hands is a scary prospect for the featherweight division and, in particular, Murphy.

    “The Miracle” has climbed into the 145-pound top 10 with a 7-0-1 record. He most recently got the better of the always game Dan Ige in Abu Dhabi last October.

  • Report: Derrick Lewis’ UFC Return To Come Against Undefeated Prospect Who Debuted With Brutal 35-Second KO

    Report: Derrick Lewis’ UFC Return To Come Against Undefeated Prospect Who Debuted With Brutal 35-Second KO

    The UFC is reportedly gearing up for a return to Nashville, Tennessee, with a Fight Night card featuring Derrick Lewis at the top of the lineup.

    On Wednesday, MMA journalist Laerte Viana reported on social media that Lewis is set to headline a non-pay-per-view event on July 12 against Tallison Teixeira, with the venue yet to be determined.

    “The Black Beast” will be returning to the Octagon for his comeback after more than a year away. His last appearance came in May 2024, when he delivered a third-round knockout victory over Rodrigo Nascimento.

    Lewis has struggled with consistency in the UFC, going 3-5 in his last eight outings. Among those setbacks is a lopsided knockout loss to Ciryl Gane in their interim heavyweight title clash at UFC 265 in August 2021. He holds a 19-10 record inside the Octagon, with a staggering 15 of those victories coming by knockout.

    Meanwhile, Teixeira, the tallest active fighter in the UFC at 6’8″, made his promotional debut at UFC 312 in February, where he secured a blistering 35-second knockout victory over Justin Tafa. “Xicao” earned his shot in the UFC with a first-round knockout of Arthur Lopes on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2024.

    The 25-year-old Brazilian has maintained a flawless professional record, securing all eight of his victories by stoppage — seven by knockout and one via submission.

  • UFC Announces Partnership With Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, Including Rankings Overhaul

    UFC Announces Partnership With Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, Including Rankings Overhaul

    The UFC and Meta are joining forces to deliver an innovative experience for fans.

    On Wednesday, UFC CEO Dana White announced a multiyear alliance with Mark Zuckerberg’s tech powerhouse, solidifying its role as the MMA promotion’s “official fan technology partner.” This collaboration aims to leverage cutting-edge innovations to enhance fan engagement.

    Through this partnership, the UFC will integrate Meta’s technology, including Meta AI, Meta Glasses, Meta Quest, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, to create a more immersive fan experience. Additionally, Meta will serve as the UFC’s official AI glasses partner, collaborating to showcase innovative uses of its smart glasses at fight events.

    White, who has repeatedly voiced his frustration with the current ranking system, has hinted at replacing it with AI-driven solutions. He teased on social media that the UFC’s official rankings are set for a major transformation, with Meta playing a key role in revolutionizing the process.

    “We’ve already started to work with Meta to create a new fighter rankings system that will debut later this year, thank God,” White said. “We’ll also be using Meta’s AI-powered glasses to capture UFC content and we’re going to do things with Meta that will blow UFC fans away. The next few years will be an absolute game-changer for fans of this sport.”

    The UFC’s current ranking system is determined by a panel of journalists and media representatives from various MMA publications. This system has remained unchanged since the UFC first introduced official rankings in February 2013.

    White and Zuckerberg have formed a close alliance over the years, with the billionaire tech mogul frequently attending UFC events. Their partnership took another step forward in January when White was appointed to Meta’s board of directors. However, the specifics of his role within the company remain unclear.

  • Sean O’Malley Says He’ll Be ’70 Percent’ Better For Merab Dvalishvili Rematch

    Sean O’Malley Says He’ll Be ’70 Percent’ Better For Merab Dvalishvili Rematch

    Sean O’Malley will soon have his shot at redemption, and he’s promised UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili that he’ll be facing an entirely different beast come fight night.

    UFC CEO Dana White announced a few high-profile bouts this week, including the title rematch between Dvalishvili and O’Malley following their five-round battle inside the Sphere last September.

    The decision has caused debate in the MMA community, with some questioning why “Suga” has been granted an immediate opportunity in his return from injury given his short reign and one-sided defeat to “The Machine.”

    But during the latest episode of his TimboSugarShow alongside coach Tim Welch, O’Malley expressed confidence in delivering a much better performance second time around, having overcome the injury he fought through in Las Vegas seven months ago.

    “Dude, I am so excited for this fight. My body, my body has not felt like this since I fought Petr Yan. Since I fought Petr, my body hasn’t felt this good since 2022. It’s 2025 now. I fought Aljo (Aljamain Sterling), I fought ‘Chito’ (Marlon Vera), I fought Merab, just dealing with little (injuries)…and I’m not saying I’m the only one. Every fighter’s dealing with something, but I haven’t felt this good.

    “I’m going to be 70 percent better than I was in that first fight,” Sean O’Malley said. “I’m going to be significantly more mobile, agile, better shape. I’m gonna fight at my full potential.”

  • Henry Cejudo Thinks He’s Cracked The Case Of Who Dustin Poirier Will Face In Retirement Fight

    Henry Cejudo Thinks He’s Cracked The Case Of Who Dustin Poirier Will Face In Retirement Fight

    Dustin Poirier is set to have one final UFC fight this year, and former two-division champion Henry Cejudo thinks he might have worked out who will be tasked with sending him into retirement.

    Poirier is planning to make his farewell in 2025. He committed to one more Octagon outing soon after his latest failed shot at the undisputed lightweight title last June in Newark, where he was submitted in round five of the UFC 302 main event by Islam Makhachev.

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

    And that exact description has left one fellow fighter sharing a possible theory…

    “I can see Ilia Topuria vs. Dustin Poirier,” Cejudo said on episode 26 of The Bohnfire podcast, hosted by MMA Junkie reporter Mike Bohn. “Of course, if I think about it, Dustin Poirier did say he’s only fighting legends for his retirement fight and Ilia Topuria just changed his name to ‘The Legend.’ … We’re probably on to something.”

    Topuria, who is set to vacate the featherweight title and move permanently to the lightweight division, caused a stir last month when he announced the end of his “El Matador” nickname.

    As he begins a pursuit of championship glory in a new weight class, the Spaniard will go by the moniker of “La Leyenda,” meaning “The Legend.”

  • Report: Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida In The Works For UFC Atlanta

    Report: Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida In The Works For UFC Atlanta

    An important clash between top heavyweights is reportedly targeted for UFC Atlanta on June 14.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is heading back to Georgia to stage a UFC Fight Night from the State Farm Arena in a few months’ time, and the lineup is beginning to come together.

    Following news that Rose Namajunas will make her return at the event, journalist Léo Guimaraes is reporting that a heavyweight collision between the #3-ranked Alexander Volkov and #6-ranked Jailton Almeida is also in the works.

    Volkov (38-11) surged into the title picture with a victory over his fellow countryman Sergei Pavlovich in Saudi Arabia last June, a result that extended his winning streak to four. But his momentum took a hit at UFC 310 six months later when he controversially fell on the wrong side of a split decision opposite Ciryl Gane.

    Almeida (22-3), meanwhile, has won two on the bounce since Curtis Blaydes handed him his first UFC setback 13 months ago. After rebounding with a submission of Alexandr Romanov, “Malhadinho” most recently battered Serghei Spivac en route to a TKO at UFC 311 this past January.

    With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at UFC Atlanta on June 14 are as follows:

    • Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida (heavyweight)
    • Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick (women’s flyweight)
    • Alonzo Menifield vs. Oumar Sy (light heavyweight)

  • UFC Fighter Who Hasn’t Fought In 6 Years Since Loss To Charles Oliveira Hints At Sudden Comeback

    A forgotten face in the UFC may soon be returning to the Octagon.

    Entering 2019, David Teymur was among the most promising prospects out of Europe. A perfect run of five straight wins in the UFC left him 8-1 as a professional and with an opportunity to impress in hostile territory against then-future champion Charles Oliveira.

    But following strong performances opposite Lando Vannata, Drakkar Klose, and Nik Lentz, the Swedish lightweight was submitted for the first time in his career by “Do Bronx” in their Fortaleza clash.

    Teymur notably suffered a broken orbital bone in that bout, but little did anyone know that other injuries would potentially prevent him from ever entering the cage again.

    Six years on, during a recent interview with MMANYTT, Teymur finally addressed his layoff and the prospects of an unlikely UFC comeback.

    “I was injured. If I wasn’t, that match would’ve looked very different,” Teymur said of his loss to Oliveira, before suggesting a neck injury has since kept him out of action. “If you’ve ever had neck problems, you understand. Wrestling on your neck, striking…it’s not worth it if it’s not healed.

    “I’m still in the UFC. I’ve got a contract. I’m not closing any doors,” Teymur added.

    At 35 years of age — the same as Oliveira and younger than the likes of Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler — perhaps Teymur still has time to make somewhat of a splash on MMA’s biggest stage, should he choose to resume his career.

  • Ian Garry Reacts To Short-Notice UFC Main Event Against Carlos Prates: ‘I’m A Real Fighter!’

    Ian Garry Reacts To Short-Notice UFC Main Event Against Carlos Prates: ‘I’m A Real Fighter!’

    A late switch-up means UFC welterweight contenders Ian Garry and Carlos Prates will headline in Missouri later this month.

    The promotion’s trip to Kansas City to stage a UFC Fight Night inside T-Mobile Center on April 26 was originally set to feature a main event between hard-hitting light heavyweights Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree.

    But following speculation of an injury to the former champion, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Tuesday that a new matchup will now top the lineup.

    The stakes will be similarly high, however, with both Garry and Prates looking to ascend into the championship conversation at each other’s expense.

    An excited Garry expressed as much while giving his first public reaction to the news on social media. “The Future” encouraged his supporters to attend the event and vowed to put on a show.

    “It’s official…me versus Carlos Prates, April 26. I’m excited,” Ian Garry said. “The UFC go, ‘Ah, we need someone. Who do we need? Who do we call?’ You call me. Why? ‘Cause I’m a real fighter who wants to fight the best in the world.

    “I’m going to show everybody how good I am,” Garry continued. “Carlos Prates is awesome, but this is my world. I love to fight! There’s nothing more I love in this world than fighting. … Ireland, get your tickets, get your flights. Brazil, get your tickets, get your flights.”

    The Irishman most recently fell short in another late-notice contest opposite Shavkat Rakhmonov last December. The result marked his first defeat in the UFC and professional MMA as a whole.

    Prates, meanwhile, has been on a charge since breaking through on MMA’s biggest stage. The Brazilian Fighting Nerds standout has won four straight, most recently knocking out Neil Magny.

  • Ian Garry Gets First UFC Main Event Against Carlos Prates In Kansas City

    Ian Garry Gets First UFC Main Event Against Carlos Prates In Kansas City

    The UFC’s return to Kansas City now features an electrifying new main event.

    On Tuesday, the UFC confirmed a high-stakes welterweight showdown between Ian Garry and Carlos Prates as the headline bout for the Fight Night card set to take place on April 26 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

    The announcement comes in the wake of the previously scheduled main event between top-ranked light heavyweight Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. being scrapped for undisclosed reasons.

    “The Future” is set to make his comeback after suffering the first loss of his career, a hard-fought unanimous decision to undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 this past December. Prior to that, Garry had been riding the momentum of an eight-fight winning streak in the UFC, building on his flawless record through 15 professional bouts.

    Meanwhile, Prates was last seen in November, where he secured a first-round knockout over Neil Magny at a Fight Night event. “The Nightmare” is riding a wave of momentum, holding a perfect 4-0 record in the UFC. He enters this matchup on a ten-fight win streak, with every victory coming by knockout.

    The Brazilian was initially set to square off against Geoff Neal at UFC 314 on April 12, but “Handz of Steel” was forced to withdraw from the fight due to an injury.

    With the addition of this matchup, the UFC Kansas City lineup now includes:

    • Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates: welterweight
    • Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang: light heavyweight
    • Giga Chikadze vs. David Onama: featherweight
    • Michel Pereira vs. Abus Magomedov: middleweight
    • Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz: middleweight
    • Randy Brown vs. Nicolas Dalby: welterweight
    • Jimmy Flick vs. Matt Schnell: flyweight
    • Evan Elder vs. Ahmad Hassanzada: lightweight
    • Jaqueline Amorim vs. Polyana Viana: strawweight
    • Cameron Saaiman vs. Malcolm Wellmaker: bantamweight
    • Chelsea Chandler vs. Joselyne Edwards: women’s bantamweight
  • Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2, Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison Title Fights Headline UFC 316

    Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2, Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison Title Fights Headline UFC 316

    Plenty of gold will be on the line when the mixed martial arts leader returns to Newark for UFC 316.

    The UFC heads back to the Prudential Center to stage a numbered event on June 7, marking the venue’s first time hosting the Octagon since Islam Makhachev successfully fended off the threat of Dustin Poirier to retain his grip on the lightweight title in mid-2024.

    This year, a pair of championship bouts at 135 pounds will top the UFC 316 lineup, with Merab Dvalishvili and Julianna Peña defending their belts against Sean O’Malley and Kayla Harrison, respectively.

    UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the news Tuesday on social media.

    This news confirms that O’Malley will receive an immediate rematch with Dvalishvili in his return from injury. “Sugar” hasn’t competed since being unseated by the Georgian at Noche UFC inside the Sphere last September, after which he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum.

    Harrison, meanwhile, earned the right to challenge for UFC gold by making it two wins from two in the Octagon last October. On the same night that she outpointed Ketlen Vieira, Peña controversially got the better of Raquel Pennington on the scorecards to become a two-time bantamweight champ.

  • UFC Veteran Explains Why Conor McGregor Passing On Return Fight Isn’t At All ‘Surprising’

    UFC Veteran Explains Why Conor McGregor Passing On Return Fight Isn’t At All ‘Surprising’

    Conor McGregor’s recent statements suggest he might be finished with fighting, nearly four years after his last UFC appearance.

    At a BKFC event in Florida, McGregor said he turned down a chance to fight again and is now focused on a career in politics. He also said, “I’m happy with what I’ve done,” which sounds more like a goodbye than a hint at a future fight.

    However, UFC legend Matt Brown points out that McGregor has been talking about these kinds of plans since he first became famous. Brown says McGregor is simply following through on promises he made years ago.

    “He told us like 10 years ago what he was going to do,” Brown said on the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer. “Do you remember him talking about it? ‘I’m going to come in, I’m going to take over, I’m going to make money and then I’m going to get the f*ck out.’

    “He said something along the lines of this game is brutal, you don’t want to be in it too long. He told us however many 8 or 10 years ago. He literally told us and he has done it.”

    Brown, despite having previously said that McGregor was likely done with fighting, acknowledges the strong pull of attention and fame that comes with being UFC’s biggest star. The retired fighter understands that this kind of spotlight is hard to let go of.

    However, he believes that McGregor has found other ways to stay in the public eye, like a future in politics and becoming a co-owner in BKFC, which might mean he won’t return to fighting. 

    “This is not surprising at all,” Brown said. “He’s just finally, actually [copping to it]. He loves being in the news. He loves staying relevant and putting his two cents into everything. He’s kept his voice out there and we’ve all paid attention and we’re still talking about it.

    “He’s done a good job of that. A good job of playing the media. I told you before, he’s done. I think he’s just confirming what we already knew.”

  • Former UFC Title Challenger Ends Retirement, Signs With BKFC

    Former UFC Title Challenger Ends Retirement, Signs With BKFC

    A veteran of the UFC is returning from a combat sports retirement, but not to re-commence her career inside the Octagon.

    Jessica Eye competed 16 times on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage after signing in 2013, recording victories over the likes of Katlyn Cerminara and Viviane Araújo.

    Her peak came in 2019 when she challenged Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s flyweight title. Eye ultimately ended up securing a spot on “Bullet’s” highlight reel after being knocked out by a brutal head kick at UFC 238.

    A four-fight losing skid soon followed, and after a decision setback to Maycee Barber in mid-2022, “Evil” Eye called time on her career.

    Three years later, the now 38-year-old is set to resume her stint in combat sports under a new banner — Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

    During an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Eye announced her new venture while taking a dig at the UFC, who she said did not ‘take care’ of her.

    “After a long time of negotiation, I am signing with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship,” Eye said. “I started out boxing… They finally came financially correct and motivated me enough to be like, you know what? Maybe these guys will take care of me in a way that I wasn’t taken care of in my UFC fights and that’s financially rewarding.”

    With that, Eye marks the latest in a slew of notable UFC names to cross over to the world of bare-knuckle boxing. Prominent MMA figures like Mike Perry, Luke Rockhold, Eddie Alvarez, Ben Rothwell, Chad Mendes, and Paige VanZant have also appeared in the BKFC ring.

  • Dillon Danis Vows To Retire Tony Ferguson In GFL Fight

    Dillon Danis Vows To Retire Tony Ferguson In GFL Fight

    Dillon Danis has declared his intention to conclude Tony Ferguson’s professional MMA career.

    Danis, boasting an undefeated record of two wins and zero losses, representing GFL’s Team New York, is scheduled to face Ferguson, who has a record of 25 wins and 11 losses, representing Team Los Angeles. The two fighters will clash in a lightweight main event on May 25 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

    Ferguson enters this contest on a difficult streak. He has lost his last eight consecutive matches in the UFC, a record within the organization. His most recent defeat occurred in August of last year, when Michael Chiesa submitted him. This string of losses has led Danis to confidently state that he will “put the nail in the coffin of Tony Ferguson’s MMA career.”

    Danis, initially scheduled to box KSI in a highly anticipated 185-pound match, saw the bout canceled due to KSI’s unexpected illness. This cancellation extended Danis’s period of inactivity, as he had not competed since his disqualification loss to Logan Paul in a boxing match back in October of 2023. 

    His previous MMA contest occurred in June 2019, when he achieved a submission victory over Max Humphrey at Bellator 222. Despite this, the polarizing grappler is confident of his superiority over Ferguson.

    “I’m going to retire Tony Ferguson and bury ‘El Cucuy’ in the same grave as his win streak,” Danis told MMA Junkie in a text message Tuesday.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Torches Joe Pyfer For Mexico Rant: ‘If You Signed, STFU!’

    Muhammad Mokaev Torches Joe Pyfer For Mexico Rant: ‘If You Signed, STFU!’

    Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev has weighed in on Joe Pyfer’s comments after a last-second withdrawal from Saturday’s event in Mexico.

    Pyfer has caused a stir in recent days following the cancellation of his planned clash with Kelvin Gastelum on this past weekend’s card inside Arena CDMX. “Bodybagz” pulled out on the day of the fight citing illness.

    In the aftermath, the American released a video on social media explaining the situation. Pyfer detailed his sickness and placed blame on the location, branding Mexico a “sh*thole” during a rant that was quickly criticized by many in the MMA community.

    “I don’t care if it’s offensive to you, I will never go back to that country,” Joe Pyfer said. “I did everything right. I slept in a tent. I did all this work to still get sick. Some people are saying it wasn’t the food, saying I got altitude sickness. I’m not a f*cking geographic f*cking, you know, elevation f*cking scientist, but I was told as long as I acclimated, which I did for two months, slept in a tent on the f*cking floor – you know, I did everything that I could to prepare.

    “If that’s what altitude and elevation is, f*ck that country. I will never fight there again. Sh*thole. Not going back. Don’t care if that’s offensive to you. You’re not the one fighting. Suck my balls. Literally,” Pyfer concluded.

    Among those to call Pyfer out for his remarks were a number of fighters, one being Mokaev.

    Responding to the video on social media, “The Punisher” insisted that Pyfer accepted the risks of fighting overseas once he signed on for the matchup.

    “TBF every country is challenge and you gotta go out there and adapt,” Mokaev wrote on X. “It’s your own risk when you sign the contract but if you signed (then) stfu”

    The scenario has marked a blow to Pyfer’s surge up the ladder, which got back on track last summer with a brutal knockout of Marc-André Barriault. While the 28-year-old’s journey to the Octagon birthed the “be Joe Pyfer” tagline, his reputation would appear to have taken a blow as a result of his comments on Mexico.

    In addition to “don’t be Joe Pyfer” posts online, the American’s Wikipedia page has also been altered to change his moniker to “El Kakas,” loosely translated to ‘excrement’ in English.

  • Backup Fighter Seemingly Revealed For Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett At UFC 314

    Backup Fighter Seemingly Revealed For Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett At UFC 314

    Should anything happen to either Michael Chandler or Paddy Pimblett, one top lightweight says he’s first in line to fill in at UFC 314.

    Chandler and Pimblett are on a collision course for Miami, with the pair set to headline next weekend’s pay-per-view event inside the Kaseya Center. They’re tasked with setting the stage for a featherweight championship clash between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.

    While the bout is highly anticipated given the potential connotations for the high-ranked veteran and the rising, charismatic prospect, fans know better than to assume both men will make it to the cage.

    UFC 314 has already been hit by the withdrawal curse in 2025. After two fight-day cancellations at the last numbered event, an intriguing welterweight bout between Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates has already fallen through for April 12.

    Should something happen that sees Chandler vs. Pimblett follow suit, the promotion seemingly has contingency plans in place.

    Adrian Szymański recently shared a report from Polish outlet Super Express on X, which revealed comments from Mateusz Gamrot regarding a potential backup role for the UFC 314 co-main event.

    “Mateusz Gamrot revealed that he received an assurance from the UFC that he would be the first replacement in case Michael Chandler or Paddy Pimblett were to drop out of the fight at UFC 314 in Miami,” the post reads, translated from Polish.

    Gamrot recently attempted to secure a short-notice opportunity to impress following Dan Hooker’s withdrawal from UFC 313. The vacant spot opposite Justin Gaethje ultimately went the way of Rafael Fiziev instead.

    “Gamer” hasn’t competed since his showdown with Hooker in Australia last August, which he narrowly lost via split decision.

  • Shara Magomedov Told To Avoid Verbal Exchanges With ‘Brutal’ Trash-Talker Dricus Du Plessis 

    Shara Magomedov Told To Avoid Verbal Exchanges With ‘Brutal’ Trash-Talker Dricus Du Plessis 

    UFC middleweight prospect Shara Magomedov has been warned against verbally sparring with his division’s champion, Dricus Du Plessis.

    Magomedov recently had his charge up the 185-pound ladder stalled by Michael “Venom” Page, but that hasn’t stopped him from sharing some firm words on Du Plessis’ status as kingpin.

    “Bullet” recently expressed bemusement at the South African’s ability to become champ, outlining his desire to see Khamzat Chimaev unseat him soon.

    It didn’t take long for Du Plessis to take notice of the remarks. “Stillknocks” fired back with multiple jabs at Magomedov’s compromised vision.

    “Somebody get my guy some eye drop,” one of the South African’s posts read.

    During a recent episode of his Weighing In podcast alongside Josh Thomson, “Big” John McCarthy advised Magomedov against responding, stating that a war of words with Du Plessis won’t go well for the Dagestani.

    “I’m gonna say this, DDP lives in a place where there’s all kinds of things going on there and don’t get into a verbal confrontation with him. [Du Plessis’ trash-talking game], it’s f**king next level, exactly,” McCarthy said. “He is on point, he is brutal, he will freaking pull sh*t out of the f**king thin air and just absolutely hammer you.”

  • Benoît Saint Denis Reportedly Returning To Face Explosive Finisher At UFC 315

    Benoît Saint Denis Reportedly Returning To Face Explosive Finisher At UFC 315

    The UFC 315 card just got even more stacked with the addition of a thrilling matchup featuring Benoît Saint Denis.

    On Monday, Saint Denis took to his YouTube channel to announce that he’ll be making his return at UFC 315, which is scheduled for May 10 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, though he refrained from naming his opponent.

    According to a recent report by MMA journalist Álvaro Colmenero, the 29-year-old Frenchman is set to square off against Joel Alvarez in a lightweight showdown.

    “God of War” is currently on a two-fight losing skid and was last in action at UFC Fight Night in Paris last September, where he endured a brutal second-round TKO (doctor’s stoppage) at the hands of Renato Moicano.

    Saint Denis was riding a five-fight finish streak before his momentum was halted by former interim 155-pound champion Dustin Poirier, who scored a second-round knockout in their March 2024 encounter. He now holds a 5-3 record in the UFC.

    Meanwhile, Alvarez is coming off a dominant first-round knockout victory over Drakkar Klose at a Fight Night event in Tampa this past December. “El Fenomeno” last experienced defeat in February 2022 against Arman Tsarukyan, but since then, he’s rebounded strongly with a three-fight win streak.

    The 32-year-old Spaniard has secured seven victories in his nine UFC bouts, with each win coming by way of either knockout or submission.

    The UFC 315 card will feature two championship bouts at the top of the lineup. In the main event, reigning UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad will make his first title defense against Jack Della Maddalena. Meanwhile, in the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko will defend her flyweight title against Manon Fiorot.

    Here’s what the current UFC 315 lineup looks like:

    • Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena: welterweight title
    • Valentina Shevchenko vs. Manon Fiorot: women’s flyweight title
    • Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva: women’s flyweight
    • Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales: welterweight
    • Benoit Saint Denis vs. Joel Alvarez: lightweight
    • Jose Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi: bantamweight
    • Brad Katona vs. Bekzat Almakhan: bantamweight
    • Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Bruno Silva: middleweight
    • Mike Malott vs. Charles Radtke: welterweight
    • Jessica Andrade vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius: women’s flyweight
    • Navajo Stirling vs. Ivan Erslan: light heavyweight
    • Modestas Bukauskas vs. Ion Cutelaba: light heavyweight