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  • Dillon Danis Thinks He Knows What Caused KSI Illness That’s Postponed Their Fight

    Dillon Danis Thinks He Knows What Caused KSI Illness That’s Postponed Their Fight

    Dillon Danis is speculating on the cause of KSI’s illness that led to the fight’s postponement.

    Danis and KSI were set to settle their rivalry in a 185-pound grudge match, headlining Misfits Boxing 21 on March 29 at Manchester’s AO Arena. However, on Friday, the influencer boxing promotion announced that “The Nightmare” had fallen ill, forcing the entire event to be postponed. A new date is expected to be revealed next week.

    KSI took to social media to reveal that he has been battling an illness for the past three weeks but remains determined to reschedule the fight.

    “I tried my hardest, but my body has legit just given up,” KSI said. “I’m currently in bed, taking antibiotics, trying to recover, but I’m struggling. I’m coughing up greenish, yellowish sh*t all the time… I tried sparring and training, but my body feels weak. My stamina is just falling off a cliff… I want to move the fight to another day because I still want to knock out Dillon Danis.”

    However, the YouTuber-turned-occasional-boxer’s reasoning failed to convince “El Jefe,” who flooded X with scathing posts ridiculing his would-be opponent for withdrawing. The exchange quickly escalated into a fiery war of words between the two.

    In one of his many posts, Dillon Danis shared a screenshot listing symptoms of anabolic steroid withdrawal, several of which aligned with those KSI mentioned in his video. He implied that the 31-year-old Londoner’s illness could be a result of it.

    The two were initially scheduled to clash in January 2023, but just a week before the showdown, the ever-controversial MMA fighter withdrew without providing a clear reason. Both last stepped into the ring at MF & DAZN: X Series 10 – PRIME Card in October 2023, where Danis fell to Logan Paul, while KSI suffered a loss to Tommy Fury.

  • Jon Jones Becomes Co-Owner Of Mike Perry’s Dirty Boxing Championship

    Jon Jones Becomes Co-Owner Of Mike Perry’s Dirty Boxing Championship

    Jon Jones has now officially stepped into the world of fight promotion.

    On Friday, Jones expanded his footprint in combat sports by securing co-ownership of Dirty Boxing Championship, a striking-based promotion founded by BKFC standout Mike Perry. The venture is also co-owned by his longtime managers, Malki and Abe Kawa.

    “Platinum” launched Dirty Boxing Championship in July, introducing a unique hybrid ruleset that blends elements of boxing with MMA-style striking. Fighters compete in an 18-foot ring while wearing five-ounce gloves.

    The promotion permits all hand strikes, including elbows, and introduces a distinct ground-and-pound element — fighters who score a knockdown can follow up with punches, but they must remain standing while doing so.

    The promotion made its debut in November with an exclusive, invite-only event, where former UFC middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero clinched a first-round knockout victory over Duane Crespo in the headlining bout.

    Dirty Boxing Championship is set to return this Saturday with DBX1, its first sanctioned event, taking place at The Hangar in Miami, where “Bones” is expected to be in attendance. The card features a stacked lineup, headlined by Yoel Romero, with former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski competing in the co-main event.

    Jon Jones last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 309 last November, where he delivered a dominant third-round knockout victory over former champion Stipe Miocic to successfully defend his UFC heavyweight title.

    “Bones” has long been expected to face interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall in a highly anticipated title unification bout. However, despite Aspinall’s persistent callouts, Jones has shown little interest in the matchup.

  • KSI vs. Dillon Danis Off Again As Illness Scraps Misfits Event 8 Days Out

    KSI vs. Dillon Danis Off Again As Illness Scraps Misfits Event 8 Days Out

    The KSI vs. Dillon Danis matchup has once again failed to make it to the ring.

    Next weekend was set to see the pair’s longtime rivalry finally settled in the main event of Misfits Boxing 21 in Manchester, England. It was to come just over two years on from their first attempt at sharing the squared circle, which collapsed when Danis withdrew citing unpreparedness.

    The bout has once again been postponed, but this time due to an issue on the side of the YouTuber-turned-boxer.

    It emerged on Friday, eight days out from the planned event inside the AO Arena, that an illness to KSI has rendered him unable to compete. The Englishman confirmed the news himself in a video posted to the Misfits Boxing X account.

    With the high-profile main event off, the entire event has also been delayed.

    That means a canceled return for ex-UFC title challenger Darren Till, who was slated to co-headline the March 29 card opposite another former Octagon veteran in Darren Stewart.

    KSI hasn’t boxed since a decision defeat to Tommy Fury in October 2023. Dillon Danis, meanwhile, fell short to Logan Paul on the same night.

    Rebooking the seemingly cursed matchup between the bitter foes could prove tricky, with the American former Bellator fighter expected to make his MMA return to face Tony Ferguson under the Global Fight League banner in either May or June.

  • DWCS Contract Winner Handed Two-Year Suspension Before Making UFC Debut

    DWCS Contract Winner Handed Two-Year Suspension Before Making UFC Debut

    A rising heavyweight hopeful recently got himself into a world of trouble before making his UFC debut.

    On Thursday, the UFC announced via press release that Danylo Voievodkin had been handed a 24-month suspension by the Combat Sports Anti-Doping Commission (CSAD), which began on Nov. 10, 2024, after breaching the promotion’s anti-doping policy.

    Voievodkin’s October 2024 sample tested positive for Meldonium, a banned substance classified under Hormone and Metabolic Modulators. Recognized for its ability to boost cardiovascular function and endurance, the drug provides an unfair competitive edge.

    The 24-year-old undefeated Ukrainian competed on the seventh week of Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) last September, securing a first-round submission victory over Bailey Schoenfelder to earn his UFC contract. However, following the violation, the MMA promotion abruptly terminated his deal.

    Now serving a two-year suspension, Voievodkin faces a chancy road ahead in his professional career.

    Recently, he took to his Instagram Stories to voice his frustration, asserting that a later test came back negative. He also blamed his management’s negligence, claiming he had been unfairly framed in the doping scandal.

    “Many questions about this. I’ll say the test taken a month and a half later was negative. Meldonium is taken for almost a year. They offered me to confess, and then they would cut it to half a year. I stood my ground. But my management did nothing in this situation. I understand that a manager you haven’t seen in your life doesn’t care about you as a fighter. I’ll come to a conclusion: you only need to work with people you trust with everything,” Voievodkin wrote.

    Voievodkin boasts a flawless 7-0 professional record, with all his victories ending in the first round — five by knockout and two by submission.

  • Watch Leon Edwards, Sean Brady Face Off At UFC London Ceremonial Weigh-Ins

    Watch Leon Edwards, Sean Brady Face Off At UFC London Ceremonial Weigh-Ins

    UFC London takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

    The upcoming UFC Fight Night event at The O2 in London, England, provides a chance for ex-welterweight champion Leon Edwards to bounce back after losing the title to Belal Muhammad last July. To return to winning ways, “Rocky” must get the better of another grappling specialist in Philadelphia’s Sean Brady.

    Co-headlining will be former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz, who will look to reinsert his name into the title conversation at 205 pounds almost two years on from his last bout opposite Alex Pereira. In his return, the Polish standout is tasked with defending his ranking against Carlos Ulberg.

    Elsewhere on the card, the likes of Gunnar Nelson, Molly McCann, Morgan Charriere, Nathaniel Wood, Jai Herbert, and Mick Parkin mark some of the European names looking to impress close to home.

    Ahead of the event, all fighters set to compete tomorrow successfully made weight, and all that remains on Friday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC London ceremonial weigh-ins.

    Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 2 PM ET.

    UFC London Ceremonial Weigh-In Video

  • UFC London Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady Card

    UFC London Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady Card

    UFC London 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, March 22, at The O2 in London, England. The main card begins at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards. After losing his grip on the title courtesy of Belal Muhammad’s efforts last July, “Rocky” will look to get back on track opposite another grappling specialist in Philadelphia’s Sean Brady.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see ranked light heavyweight contenders Jan Blachowicz and Carlos Ulberg collide. The Polish ex-champ will be returning having overcome shoulder injuries that kept him away for close to two years. He’s tasked with stalling the rise of “Black Jag,” who has won seven straight and most recently beat Volkan Oezdemir to reach #6 in the rankings.

    And also making the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Molly McCann, Gunnar Nelson, Kevin Holland, Nathaniel Wood, Jordan Vucenic, Jai Herbert, and Marcin Tybura.

    UFC London: Edwards vs. Brady Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC London (as of 3/21), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Leon Edwards (+130) vs. Sean Brady (-155)
    • Jan Blachowicz (+245) vs. Carlos Ulberg (-305)
    • Gunnar Nelson (-120) vs. Kevin Holland (+100)
    • Molly McCann (+180) vs. Alexia Thainara (-218)
    • Jordan Vucenic (-455) vs. Chris Duncan (+350)
    • Nathaniel Wood (+120) vs. Morgan Charriere (-142)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Jai Herbert (-110) vs. Chris Padilla (-110)
    • Lone’er Kavanagh (-278) vs. Felipe dos Santos (+225)
    • Marcin Tybura (+105) vs. Mick Parkin (-125)
    • Christian Leroy Duncan (-575) vs. Andrey Pulyaev (+425)
    • Shauna Bannon (-170) vs. Puja Tomar (+142)
    • Nathan Fletcher (-122) vs. Caolan Loughran (+102)
    • Guram Kutateladze (-440) vs. Kaue Fernandes (+330)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi7WRz9Ll3c
  • UFC Fight Night: Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results.

    The mixed martial arts leader is back across the pond this week to stage its latest event from The O2 in England’s capital.

    Headlining will be former welterweight champion Leon Edwards. After losing his grip on the title courtesy of Belal Muhammad’s efforts last July, “Rocky” will look to immediately bounce back on home soil at the expense of another grappling specialist in Sean Brady.

    Elsewhere, the likes of Jan Blachowicz, Molly McCann, Gunnar Nelson, Nathaniel Wood, and Mick Parkin will all be in action

    UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady takes place on Saturday, March 22, at The O2 in London, England. The main card begins at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT.

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

    Main Card:

    • Welterweight: Leon Edwards (171lbs) vs. Sean Brady (170lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Jan Blachowicz (205lbs) vs. Carlos Ulberg (205lbs)
    • Welterweight: Gunnar Nelson (170lbs) vs. Kevin Holland (171lbs)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Molly McCann (116lbs) vs. Alexia Thainara (116lbs)
    • Lightweight: Jordan Vucenic (155lbs) vs. Chris Duncan (155lbs)
    • Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood (145lbs) vs. Morgan Charriere (146lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Lightweight: Jai Herbert (156lbs) vs. Chris Padilla (155lbs)
    • Flyweight: Lone’er Kavanagh (126lbs) vs. Felipe dos Santos (125lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura (250lbs) vs. Mick Parkin (260lbs)
    • Middleweight: Christian Leroy Duncan (186lbs) vs. Andrey Pulyaev (185lbs)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Shauna Bannon (116lbs) vs. Puja Tomar (116lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Nathan Fletcher (135lbs) vs. Caolan Loughran (136lbs)
    • Lightweight: Guram Kutateladze (155lbs) vs. Kaue Fernandes (155lbs)
  • Possible Challenger For Pantoja Emerges As UFC ‘Close’ To Re-Signing Ex-Opponent Of Demetrious Johnson’s

    Possible Challenger For Pantoja Emerges As UFC ‘Close’ To Re-Signing Ex-Opponent Of Demetrious Johnson’s

    Alexandre Pantoja could soon have a new challenger for his UFC flyweight title, as the promotion is reportedly on the verge of re-signing a former contender to shake up the division.

    Pantoja defended his 125-pound title at UFC 310 last December, securing a dominant second-round submission win over promotional debutant and former RIZIN FF bantamweight champion Kai Asakura.

    According to veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, the UFC is now reportedly “very close” to finalizing a deal to bring back Kyoji Horiguchi, marking his return to the promotion after nine years.

    Helwani reported that the UFC is in active discussions to schedule Horiguchi vs. Tagir Ulanbekov for a potential June clash, possibly at a Fight Night event that could mark the promotion’s historic debut in Azerbaijan.

    “The Typhoon” spent nearly four years on the UFC roster, compiling a decent 7-1 record. His lone defeat in the Octagon came at UFC 186 in April 2015, where he challenged MMA legend Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title, only to suffer a last-second submission loss.

    The 34-year-old Japanese powerhouse left the UFC on a three-fight win streak before signing with RIZIN FF, where he first captured the bantamweight title. He then had a brief stint in Bellator MMA, securing championship gold there as well. Upon returning to RIZIN, he cemented his legacy by claiming the flyweight belt.

    While it remains uncertain whether Horiguchi will need multiple fights or earn an immediate shot at the UFC flyweight title in his potential return, one thing is clear: he’s no stranger to the reigning champion. As a longtime training partner of ” The Cannibal’s” at American Top Team, Horiguchi is already well-versed in the champion’s skill set.

    “The Typhoon” last stepped into the ring at RIZIN 49: Decade in December, where he showcased his elite skills with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Nkazimulo Zulu

    Horiguchi boasts a impressive professional record of 35-5, with 15 wins by knockout and five by submission. Currently riding a six-fight unbeaten streak, the Japanese standout hasn’t tasted defeat since April 2022, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Patchy Mix at Bellator 279.

  • UFC Targeting Debut Event In New Country This Summer

    The UFC appears to be planning its first trip to a new country in the coming months.

    According to Ariel Helwani, the promotion is “close to finalizing” an event in the Republic of Azerbaijan, set for June 2025. This move aligns with the UFC’s ongoing efforts to expand its presence in Europe and Asia, with several major events scheduled throughout the year.

    Helwani shared the news in a video posted on X.

    “Some breaking news, if you guys want some. … According to sources, the UFC is close to finalizing a debut event in the Republic of Azerbaijan in June later this year,” Helwani said. “Now you may be thinking to yourself, wow, Azerbaijan, that is pretty random. Well, I do want to remind you that there are over 10 million people who reside in the Republic of Azerbaijan. It is technically located in Asia but is bordered by four countries: Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Iran.

    “Now, I do want to stress this — there were a lot of reports that the UFC was going to Qatar in May. Then they seemingly called an audible, and now that event, I think, is happening at the Apex, which is quite the shift,” Helwani continued. “So, I do want to say that things are very fluid right now, but there’s a lot of money being thrown around. Mark Shapiro, the head man over at TKO, mentioned in that conference call we’ve talked about a few times that they were going to move a few Apex events to international locations, right? This would certainly fit as one of them. A date that I’ve seen thrown around is June 21. So, let’s see.”

    Meanwhile, the UFC’s next event is scheduled for an overseas location, as The O2 in London hosts the Octagon on March 22. The main event will feature former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards taking on Sean Brady. Originally, Edwards was slated to fight Jack Della Maddalena, but the Australian was reallocated to a title bout against current champ Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, leading to Brady stepping in as Edwards’ opponent.

    The co-main event will see former light heavyweight titleholder Jan Błachowicz against Carlos Ulberg.

    UFC Executive Dave Shaw recently announced plans to reduce the number of events at the UFC Apex facility in 2025, shifting focus toward more international locations, particularly in Europe. This strategic move aims to bring more live-action events to European fans.

    With the UFC’s European schedule for 2025 taking shape, additional event announcements are expected.

  • Jake Paul Thinks He’d ‘Beat Anthony Joshua’s Ass’ In Boxing

    Jake Paul Thinks He’d ‘Beat Anthony Joshua’s Ass’ In Boxing

    Some fans may believe Jake Paul is taking on more than he can handle, but his ambitions for his boxing career are bolder than ever.

    Over the years, Paul has stepped into the ring for several high-profile celebrity boxing bouts, frequently facing former UFC fighters. He maintains that he’s taking his career seriously, with his ultimate goal being championship gold in the near future — especially after his victory over 58-year-old former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson last November.

    “The Problem Child” had his eyes on a mega showdown with multi-weight champion Canelo Alvarez. However, the bout failed to come to fruition, with Alvarez outright rejecting the matchup and asserting that he only wanted to face “real fighters.” Instead, the Mexican superstar secured a hefty four-fight deal with Riyadh Season.

    But now, Paul has his sights set on a new potential opponent — one who could present an even greater challenge than Alvarez.

    During a recent episode of BS w/ Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer challenged former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, boldly claiming he could edge out “AJ” in a fight.

    “I know my boundaries; I want to fight Anthony Joshua, because I know I will f**king beat Anthony Joshua’s ass,” Jake Paul said. “He doesn’t have a chin, and he has no skill and he’s stiff. I love you Anthony, we’e friends, all this sh*t but I want to fight you.”

    “The Problem Child” also took to X, posting a photo of what appeared to be a phone call with Joshua. Teasing a potential showdown, he captioned it: “Look who called. 2026 @anthonyjoshua.”

    The 35-year-old Brit also took to his Instagram Stories, posting a screenshot of his five-minute-plus phone call with Paul.

    Jake Paul boasts an 11-1 record and is riding a five-fight win streak. His only setback came in February 2023, when he suffered a split-decision loss to Tommy Fury.

    Meanwhile, “AJ” holds a professional record of 28-4 and was last seen in action this past September, where he endured a brutal fifth-round knockout loss to reigning IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois.

  • Weight Class Isn’t The Only Thing Ilia Topuria Is Changing For His Next UFC Fight

    Weight Class Isn’t The Only Thing Ilia Topuria Is Changing For His Next UFC Fight

    Ilia Topuria is set to unveil an entirely new version of himself the next time he steps into the Octagon.

    Topuria’s four-year journey in the UFC has been nothing short of spectacular. With an undefeated record and an ever-expanding highlight reel, he has cemented himself as one of the brightest stars in the MMA world.

    The Spaniard knocked out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024 to claim the featherweight throne. He then solidified his reign at UFC 308 in October, making history as the first fighter to ever knock out Max Holloway while successfully defending his championship.

    However, last month, “El Matador” vacated his 145-pound title, setting his sights on the lightweight division in pursuit of becoming a two-division UFC champion. UFC CEO Dana White stated that Topuria chose to take this step after asserting that he had nothing left to prove at featherweight. Additionally, the growing challenge of cutting down to 145 pounds played a key role in his decision to move up a division.

    But it appears that Ilia Topuria’s transformation goes beyond just a change in weight class.

    Taking to X on Thursday, “El Matador” announced that he would be dropping his moniker — which translates to “The Killer” — and completely reinventing his identity for his next Octagon appearance.

    “‘El Matador’ has been my ally in every fight. But next time, I’ll step into the octagon with a new identity. #NewEra,” Topuria wrote.

    Ilia Topuria has been relentless in his pursuit of a title fight against reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. He even teased a major announcement, claiming fans “won’t believe it.”

    However, Makhachev’s camp has reportedly hinted that the Dagestani champion is not ready to grant Topuria a title shot just yet. Instead, they believe he must first prove himself in a title eliminator bout against a top contender.

  • Rose Namajunas’ UFC Return Set For Atlanta On June 14

    Rose Namajunas’ UFC Return Set For Atlanta On June 14

    Former two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas would appear to have her first assignment of 2025 in the calendar.

    Namajunas (13-7) has gone 2-2 since moving up to flyweight following a lackluster end to her second reign at 115 pounds opposite Carla Esparza in 2022.

    While a debut defeat to Manon Fiorot stalled her plans for two-division glory, “Thug Rose” rose the ranks in her new weight class by outpointing Amanda Ribas and Tracy Cortez.

    But after Erin Blanchfield stalled the veteran’s plans for a perfect 3-0 year in 2024 and surge into title contention, Namajunas must defend her ranking next time out.

    The 32-year-old Wisconsin will return at the UFC Fight Night expected for Atlanta on June 14, where a showdown with the #12-ranked Miranda Maverick (15-5) awaits.

    The news, which was first reported by @realkevink on X, was confirmed by Maverick in a post on Instagram.

    “@rosenamajunas has been an inspiration for so many women, especially in WMMA, and I am no exception,” Maverick wrote. “I watched her fight as I was coming up in the sport and then I got to train with her on a regular basis. We have been training together for the past few years, but luckily train primarily at different gyms. Now it’s time to duke it out in front of the world and then go back to sharpening each other’s tools. I’m honored to share the cage with a champion person and fighter and I am ready to put the stamp on where I belong! #fearthemaverick #mma #wmma“

    “Fear The” Maverick has hit the best run of her UFC career to date, winning four on the bounce since a decision setback to Jasmine Jasudavicius in mid-2023. The 27-year-old most recently got the better of Jamey-Lyn Horth in Tampa last December.

  • Kamaru Usman Pitches Lightweight Opponent For Ilia Topuria — And It’s Not Islam Makhachev

    Kamaru Usman Pitches Lightweight Opponent For Ilia Topuria — And It’s Not Islam Makhachev

    Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has an idea for how Ilia Topuria can earn a shot at two-division glory.

    Topuria is set to embark on a new pursuit of gold this year after choosing to vacate the featherweight title after just one defense.

    While a rematch with the man from whom he took the gold last February, Alexander Volkanovski, was expected to await him following a knockout of Max Holloway, a desire to bid farewell to the grueling weight cut has resulted in Topuria committing to a permanent move up.

    By all accounts, the Spaniard is hoping to immediately challenge the lightweight reign of Islam Makhachev. But recent speculation has suggested the Dagestani is looking to have “El Matador” fight a contender first.

    Should that sentiment be shared by the UFC, Usman named a potential foe for Topuria’s first clash back at 155 pounds during a recent episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast alongside Henry Cejudo.

    “Ilia Topuria, Mateusz Gamrot,” Usman said before justifying himself following Cejudo’s disapproval. “Hey, hey, hey, hey. The one thing we really don’t see often is Ilia Topuria on his back.”

    It didn’t take long for Gamrot to co-sign Usman’s suggestion, backing the potential matchup in a post on X.

    “Gamer,” who currently occupies the #8 ranking at 155 pounds, hasn’t fought since a narrow split decision loss to Dan Hooker in Perth last August. That result snapped a three-fight winning streak for the Polish standout.

  • Sean Brady Not Shocked He’s Favorite Over Leon Edwards: ‘Look At The Styles’

    Sean Brady Not Shocked He’s Favorite Over Leon Edwards: ‘Look At The Styles’

    Ahead of their March 22 UFC London welterweight main event, Sean Brady is favored at -170, while former champion Leon Edwards is the underdog at +140.

    This fight marks Edwards’ return since losing his title to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 last summer. Brady, meanwhile, steps in for Jack Della Maddalena, who was moved to a title shot.

    The betting odds have shifted significantly this week, with Brady’s opening odds of -125 moving to -170 due to increased betting activity on him.

    Brady has a strong submission record, with all three of his UFC finishes coming via submission, including a kimura victory over Kelvin Gastelum. He is considered a strong contender in the welterweight division.

    Edwards has been taken down three or more times in six UFC fights. And despite victories over Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, Sean Brady saw plenty of holes in the Brit’s game.

    While speaking with Sportsnet’s Aaron Bronsteter, Brady explained that he doesn’t pay attention to the odds for the fight but is unsurprised that he’s favored over the ex-titleholder.

    “I mean, I guess if I was to analyze it and take myself out of it, if you look at the styles…man’s been fighting grab orders his whole life, but a lot of them have given him trouble. You know, he was losing the Kamaru fight until he landed the head kick. I personally thought the third Kamaru fight was a lot closer than what people make it seem to be like. You could argue that fight for Kamaru. And then Belal did what Belal did to him.

    “If you look at ages of a lot of the guys he’s fighting, they’re a lot older, kind of at the end of his career. So I can understand why the odds are the way they are. But like I said, I’m not into any of that,” Sean Brady continued. “When I’m fighting, I’m ready for the best Leon Edwards, and you’re going to get the best Sean Brady.”

  • Michael Chandler Targeting Islam Makhachev In June After ‘Starching’ Pimblett At UFC 314

    UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler expects his performance in Miami next month to be so impressive that it nets him another shot at the division’s title soon after.

    After a second loss to Charles Oliveira left him 2-4 under the UFC banner, 2025 will mark a crucial year for Chandler and his ongoing championship ambitions on MMA’s biggest stage.

    His chance to return to winning ways comes on April 12, when he co-headlines the UFC 314 pay-per-view inside the Kaseya Center opposite rising Liverpudlian Paddy Pimblett.

    And more than just defending his #7 ranking in the fight, “Iron” is looking to stake his claim for a showdown with the lightweight king.

    During a recent interview with Covers.com, Michael Chandler suggested it’s not far-fetched that an emphatic display opposite Pimblett next month could see him quickly placed opposite Makhachev for a summer showdown.

    “There’s a world in which I go out there and emphatically starch Paddy Pimblett. And it’s the ‘what have you done for me lately business’,” Chandler said. “And all of a sudden, Islam wants to fight me and not someone else, and I fight him in June. Who knows? But with that being said, all of those names are on the table. Conor’s name was talked about. If Conor comes back this year I’m fighting him.

    “I am open to fighting Islam in June. The way this fight plays out, I think I’ll have less than a 60 day suspension, maybe a 30 day suspension, and I could fight again in June because the fight would be June 29, I believe it is,” Chandler continued. “So that’s like, 10 weeks later, so I could jump right back into a training camp and fight for the world title.”

    Makhachev is currently coming off his third defense of the lightweight crown, having submitted late-notice replacement opponent Renato Moicano at UFC 311 this past January.

    With Arman Tsarukyan’s withdrawal from that event costing him a title shot and talk of the Dagestani wanting Ilia Topuria to fight a contender before earning an opportunity at two-division glory, perhaps the door could be open for Chandler to make an impression.

  • BKFC Ice Wars Set To Debut In June With Hockey-Style Fights

    BKFC Ice Wars Set To Debut In June With Hockey-Style Fights

    The combat sports world has witnessed its fair share of wild innovations, but BKFC’s latest venture is a whole new frontier.

    On Wednesday, the bare-knuckle fighting promotion announced its partnership with an existing firm known as Ice Wars to form BKFC Ice Wars, a new league founded by company executive Charlie Nama. The league will feature fighters from around the world competing on a sheet of ice in regulated hockey-style fights.

    According to a press release from the promotion, BKFC founder David Feldman announced that the bouts will be “legal, sanctioned, and regulated hockey fights” held in a unique setting called “The Ice Box,” a 900-square-foot enclosure built specifically for ice combat.

    The inaugural BKFC Ice Wars event, titled “Battle of the Borders,” will take place at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, on June 14, featuring a clash between U.S. and Canadian fighters. A second event is set for June 28 at River Cree Casino & Resort in Enoch, Alberta, Canada.

    The ice-fighting league plans to launch with at least six events in 2025, with ambitions to expand to as many as 24 by 2026.

    BKFC Ice Wars has established its own set of rules and regulations, with each bout consisting of a minimum of three rounds and a maximum of five. Each round will last no more than 90 seconds, with fighters getting a one-minute rest period between rounds.

    Additionally, two referees will oversee each fight, with one serving as the lead referee and sole arbiter. If the bout goes the distance, three judges will score it based on the overall performance rather than a round-by-round system.

    The scoring system will follow a structure similar to MMA, with judges evaluating fights based on three key criteria: effective striking (Plan A), effective aggressiveness (Plan B), and control of the fighting area (Plan C). Plan B and Plan C will only come into play if the judges deem Plan A to be even.

    Effective striking is assessed by the impact and effectiveness of legal strikes landed. Effective aggressiveness refers to a fighter’s ability to actively push for a finish, while control of the fighting area is determined by who dictates the pace, positioning, and overall flow of the bout.

    BKFC Ice Wars will feature four standard weight divisions: heavyweight (over 200 lbs.), cruiserweight (175–200 lbs.), middleweight (150–175 lbs.), and lightweight (under 150 lbs.). Fighters will compete wearing four-ounce MMA gloves along with traditional hockey jerseys and protective gear.

  • Reinier de Ridder Dares Bo Nickal To Wrestle In Their UFC Des Moines Clash

    Reinier de Ridder Dares Bo Nickal To Wrestle In Their UFC Des Moines Clash

    Reinier de Ridder wants Bo Nickal to bring his best weapon to the Octagon when they face off.

    De Ridder is set to clash with Nickal in the co-main event of a UFC Fight Night on May 3, taking place at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

    “RDR” targeted a high-profile opponent, even calling out top contenders like Khamzat Chimaev after securing back-to-back submission wins early in his UFC tenure. Though he didn’t land the matchup he hoped for, he’s content with the direction his career is taking.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, De Ridder admitted that Nickal wasn’t his first choice for an opponent, as he had his eyes set on a top-five ranked fighter. However, the former two-division ONE Championship champion acknowledged the significance of a victory over the undefeated prospect.

    “I’m happy with the fight,” Reinier De Ridder said. “It’s a good one. It’s not what I asked for. I asked for a top-five guy, but I think he’s a top-five name, right? He’s a very popular guy here in the States, and yeah, I’m happy with the matchup. See if we can make him grapple a bit, see if we can make him wrestle a bit. I think whatever happens, I might steal the spotlight in this one.”

    Bo Nickal is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Paul Craig at UFC 309 last November. Despite his elite wrestling background, the American opted to forgo takedowns and relied entirely on his striking.

    Now, De Ridder is eager to see Nickal fully utilize his most dangerous asset in their upcoming matchup.

    “I feel my wrestling is pretty decent, as well. I really want to make him wrestle this time. Last fight he was just sticking and moving, throwing that wild overhand of his, and trying to make sure he didn’t wrestle at all. But let’s make it a wrestling match this time, see if we can get him to shoot a couple of times, see if I can get his neck.”

    “RDR” is fresh off a dominant first-round submission victory over Kevin Holland at UFC 311 in January. After leaving ONE Championship, De Ridder made his UFC debut last year, securing a submission win against Gerald Meerschaert at a Fight Night event in November.

  • Merab Dvalishvili Ranks José Aldo As Tougher Opponent Than O’Malley And Nurmagomedov

    Merab Dvalishvili Ranks José Aldo As Tougher Opponent Than O’Malley And Nurmagomedov

    According to UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili, neither the man from whom he took the title nor the one he recently defended it against come close to being among his toughest opposition.

    Dvalishvili has been on a tear in recent years, winning 10 straight to finally earn a shot at the 135-pound gold on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage, capturing it from Sean O’Malley, and retaining it at the expense of previously undefeated Dagestani Umar Nurmagomedov.

    Prior to his championship bouts, the Georgian got past a trio of former champions in José Aldo, Petr Yan, and Henry Cejudo. And interestingly, Dvalishvili places all three above “Suga” and Nurmagomedov in terms of opponent difficulty.

    The reigning champion recently ranked his past five foes from easiest to hardest in a video uploaded to X by @judobetter995. He placed the man he defeated at UFC 311 this year, Nurmagomedov, in fifth. The bantamweight he dethroned inside the Sphere last September didn’t fare much better, coming in at fourth.

    Judging by the list, Dvalishvili’s toughest bout of the five came in August 2022, when he outpointed Aldo at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City. The manner of victory was widely criticized, and perhaps contributed to the Georgian having to defeat both Yan and Cejudo before getting his opportunity at the strap.

  • Belal Muhammad: Leon Edwards Will Lose To Brady Because Of ‘Flashbacks’ From UFC 304

    Belal Muhammad: Leon Edwards Will Lose To Brady Because Of ‘Flashbacks’ From UFC 304

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad believes the memory of his dominance over Leon Edwards will play a part in this weekend’s main event.

    Edwards is set to return to action on Saturday for the first time since losing his grip on the 170-pound gold last July. “Rocky” was comfortably beaten by Muhammad across five rounds in the UFC 304 headliner.

    In his pursuit of a second title reign, Edwards will share the Octagon with another grappler in the rising Sean Brady inside The O2 in London on March 22.

    Edwards anticipates a victory earning him a shot at regaining the welterweight title. The man who took it from him, however, doesn’t foresee a victory on home soil for the Brit.

    In a recent social media post, Muhammad reacted to Edwards’ continuing claim that injuries and a struggle to adapt to the 5 AM fight time impacted his performance last summer.

    “Remember the Name” pointed to such remarks as evidence that his longtime rival is “weak mentally,” and predicted that the memory of UFC 304 will ultimately hamper Edwards when he makes the walk in a few days’ time.

    “This guys full of excuses that’s why Brady will beat him,” Muhammad wrote on X. “I predict once Brady gets him down two or three times he’ll find a submission…because Leon’s weak mentally and he’ll have flash backs from what I did to him”

    While Leon Edwards looks to prove the champ wrong this weekend, Belal Muhammad will soon return to action himself.

    After having plans for his first defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov late last year scrapped due to injury, the Palestinian-American will instead put the belt on the line against Jack Della Maddalena at the Montreal-held UFC 315 pay-per-view on May 10.

  • Pay Structure For Dana White, Turki Alalshikh’s Boxing Promotion Reportedly Leaked

    Pay Structure For Dana White, Turki Alalshikh’s Boxing Promotion Reportedly Leaked

    Fresh details have emerged about Dana White’s venture into the boxing world through his collaboration with Turki Alalshikh.

    Earlier this month, UFC CEO White and Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority chief Alalshikh joined forces to launch a major new boxing league under the TKO banner. The venture will also see WWE president Nick Khan take on a key role in the promotion’s executive board.

    The newly established promotion is set to revolutionize the boxing landscape with a structured system that claims to develop rising boxers from around the world by design. These athletes will also gain exclusive access to world-class training at the UFC Performance Institutes. Meanwhile, TKO will oversee all aspects of event production, aiming to deliver a premium spectacle for both live audiences and global broadcasts.

    While many details about the boxing promotion remain under wraps, anticipation continues to build within the combat sports community, sparking widespread speculation about its operations. Now, a crucial piece of information has now come to light.

    According to a recent report from Boxing Scene, key details about the pay structure for White’s upcoming boxing league have surfaced through a leaked contract.

    The document outlines purse distributions based on a boxer’s status within the yet-to-be-named promotion. As per the report, athletes will be classified into five distinct tiers, with pay scales varying between rising prospects and mid-level competitors.

    Boxer PurseBoxer’s level
    $20,00010 rounds. Unranked boxer.
    $50,000No. 5 – No. 10 ranked boxer as determined by the promotion.
    $125,000No. 3 – No. 4 ranked boxer as determined by the promotion.
    $375,000For the promotion’s title challengers.
    $750,000For the promotion’s reigning champions.

    The figures mentioned are not part of official contracts but provide clear insight into the pay structure White and co. plan to implement. The model closely mirrors the UFC’s promotional guidelines compliance pay, which follows a tiered system based on the number of fights a competitor has had within the organization.

    The report also disclosed that boxers who sign with the organization will receive an immediate $5,000 payment within three days of their contract signing. Fighters are required to commit to a three-year term beginning with their debut match and must remain under contract for at least two years from the “effective date” outlined in the agreement.

    Alalshikh, who owns The Ring Magazine, has previously emphasized that the new league’s ranking system will be separate from the publication’s traditional weight-class rankings.

    As for weight divisions, the UFC supremo has hinted at a streamlined approach, likely maintaining a select number of traditional categories similar to those in MMA. The league is expected to feature classic divisions such as flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight.

  • Manager: Kayla Harrison Gets Similar ‘Hate’ To Top Dagestani Fighters

    Manager: Kayla Harrison Gets Similar ‘Hate’ To Top Dagestani Fighters

    Former Invicta FC champion and UFC featherweight title contender Megan Anderson doubts Kayla Harrison will achieve a dominant reign similar to Amanda Nunes’ in the UFC, particularly at bantamweight. 

    With the promotion’s 145-pound division defunct after Nunes’ retirement, Harrison, a two-time PFL lightweight champion, has joined the promotion to compete at 135 pounds. 

    While Harrison secured victories over Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira to likely secure a title shot against Julianna Peña, Anderson questioned Harrison’s long-term ability to consistently make the bantamweight limit.

    “The caveat for me with Kayla is — and I said this when it was announced that she was going to drop to 135 — just because you can make the weight, doesn’t always mean you should,” Anderson told MMA Fighting. “For women, these big weight cuts, hormonally, it’s not good. So even if she does go out there, she dominates Julianna, or it’s a back-and-forth battle and she ends up becoming the champion, I don’t see her fighting for too much longer. It’s the toll on the body, it’s the quality of life, you know?

    Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of Harrison, weighed in on the hot take by Anderson on X.

    “I see many fighters and media  member rooting against the guys from Dagstan because they are so dominant @KaylaH get in the same treatment don’t hate congratulate.”

    While the UFC hasn’t officially announced Kayla Harrison as Julianna Peña’s next opponent or set a date for the fight, Anderson stated that she it’s a favorable stylistic matchup.

  • Chael Sonnen Berates Jon Jones Over Reports Of 6-Month Training Demand For Tom Aspinall Fight

    Chael Sonnen Berates Jon Jones Over Reports Of 6-Month Training Demand For Tom Aspinall Fight

    Former fighter Chael Sonnen doesn’t understand UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones’ alleged stance on the timeline for a unification fight with Tom Aspinall.

    Months into 2025, fight fans are still none the wiser about whether or not they’ll see Jones and Aspinall share the Octagon. While the interim champ has been calling for the fight since his crowning in late 2023, “Bones” has continued to actively avoid it.

    Since Jones defeated Stipe Miocic last November, UFC CEO Dana White has expressed confidence in the matchup coming to fruition. The latest update, however, has suggested that even if the promotion comes to terms with the heavyweight kingpin, the fight won’t be reaching the cage anytime soon.

    According to renowned reporter Ariel Helwani, who was speaking on his YouTube channel, Jones “wants six months to prepare once the fight is locked in.”

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, a former rival of Jon Jones’ in Chael Sonnen offered a bemused reaction to that claim.

    “It’s been four and a half months since that fight (against Miocic). Did he not train? Train with Aspinall in mind? Did he not full-well know the undisputed champion was going to take on the interim champion?” Sonnen said. “What do you mean you need six months? Six months from when? Six months starting when? Dare do I guess, you mean from right now, don’t you?”

    While Aspinall continues to wait for news of the UFC’s talks with Jones, he has stressed his willingness to fight any other contender next as long as undisputed status is on the line.

  • Yoel Romero Announces ‘Shogun’ Rua Out, Gegard Mousasi In For GFL Fight On June 22

    Yoel Romero Announces ‘Shogun’ Rua Out, Gegard Mousasi In For GFL Fight On June 22

    It seems that former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero has a new target in his sights for this year’s Global Fight League launch.

    After years of preparation, the GFL is expected to stage events for the first time this year, as the promotion looks to succeed in the fight game with a team-based format and season structure. The organization initially claimed that 15 cards are planned up until August, after which two playoff events and one final will take place before the year’s end. 

    Following the release of the six city teams, as well as a manager and head coach for each, 120 fighters were picked as part of the inaugural draft toward the start of 2025. And while little is known about dates and venues for the first events, which were originally slated for April, the matchups have begun to roll out.

    Among the first to emerge was a clash between Team Miami’s Romero and fellow former UFC veteran Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, of Team São Paulo. That bout, however, looks to be no more.

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Romero announced that his fight with Rua is off and he will instead collide with Team London’s Gegard Mousasi. “Soldier of God” also revealed a date and location for the clash.

    “(Rua’s) out, he is out. And now, I moved for middleweight again and I am fighting Gegard Mousasi,” Romero said. “That is happening June 22 in New York. That is the fight that is coming for me. I don’t know what happened with ‘Shogun,’ but my manager called me last week. … I said, ‘Okay, beautiful, I am ready.’

    “For me, both guys are legends. I have very good respect, big respect for both guys,” Romero continued. “Both have a very good history in MMA. For me, it is a great honor to fight now Gegard. But I (was) very excited when the people said ‘Shogun.’ … This is a medal for me. Because when I finish in my career, I’d say, ‘I fought with that guy.’”

    First-round matchups taking place in June would seemingly disrupt the GFL’s original plan of 15 events up until August. And with March coming to its end, the goal of April cards also appears to have been scrapped.

    The legitimacy of the new organization has also been brought into question due to a number of fake announcements. Both Rashad Evans and Jeremy Stephens were drafted in January but have since rejected claims they signed contracts. “Lil Heathen” has now re-signed with the UFC instead.

    While 48 years old, the game doesn’t appear to have left Yoel Romero as of yet. Since a loss in his Bellator debut, the Cuban has won three out of four fights in the cage, most recently defeating fellow former UFC title challenger Thiago Santos under the PFL banner last February.

    He’s currently days away from returning to action under the banner of Mike Perry’s Dirty Boxing Championship this weekend.

  • Tom Aspinall: Only ‘Uneducated’ Fans Thought Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev Was Boring

    Tom Aspinall: Only ‘Uneducated’ Fans Thought Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev Was Boring

    Tom Aspinall is perplexed by the scoring decisions in the MMA community that favored Alex Pereira in the UFC 313 main event.

    Earlier this month, Magomed Ankalaev defeated Pereira by unanimous decision to become light heavyweight champion at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    The scoring of the UFC 313 main event was highly contested, with media members and fans divided. On MMA Decisions. nine members scored the bout for Pereira, which Aspinall finds incomprehensible.

    And the interim heavyweight champ was similarly baffled by those who branded the March 8 main event “boring.”

    “I think Ankalaev just had him guessing a lot,” Aspinall said in an interview with JNMediaUK. “I think Pereira’s level on the ground, I don’t know what level he’s at, but I think he’s still a bit wary of getting taken down. He definitely defended the takedowns well, but me with an educated eye watching it, I don’t think Ankalaev was really trying to take him down that much. He definitely tried a couple of times. I think he did 10 or 11 takedown attempts, but I would say only two or three of them he went full blast.

    “I think the rest of the time, he was trying to tire him out with the grappling standing, like the cage grappling stuff. I think Ankalaev had the perfect game plan. He didn’t overcommit, tired him out. I can’t believe people watched that fight and thought that Pereira won. It was just wild to me how many uneducated fans are out there and how many uneducated fans thought it was a boring fight, as well. I thought it was an amazing fight, both guys did good, and I think Ankalaev was just a lot better than him on the night. That’s it.”

    Despite Alex Pereira’s recent loss, which potentially benefits Tom Aspinall as he awaits his title unification fight with Jon Jones, Aspinall believes Pereira could still transition to the heavyweight division in the future.

    “He can do whatever he wants, can’t he? He’s an absolute megastar,” Aspinall said. “I think there’s fights to be made at middleweight, light heavy or heavy for him. He can do whatever he wants.”

  • Yoel Romero Sends Former Opponent Israel Adesanya Advice Amid UFC Losing Skid

    Yoel Romero Sends Former Opponent Israel Adesanya Advice Amid UFC Losing Skid

    Former UFC middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero has laid out some words of wisdom for a struggling ex-foe of his.

    Israel Adesanya once ruled over the 185-pound division with an iron fist and surged toward legendary status on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage. But he’s currently enduring the worst run of his career to date.

    “The Last Stylebender” has won just once since 2022, with four of his last five bouts ending in defeat. The Nigerian-New Zealander most recently made an unsuccessful return to non-title competition following losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. He was knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov at the UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia early last month.

    It remains to be seen what lies ahead for Adesanya. While some in the community have advised retirement, one face familiar to the Lagos-born star has outlined a potential path for the former champ to get back to his best.

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Yoel Romero sent some advice the way of Adesanya, stressing the importance of rest and recovery.

    “Israel, he needed time, he needed rest,” Romero said. “That’s what I think. He needs to rest a little bit, because too much damage. The problem is, the UFC (doesn’t) give you time. When the UFC calls you, you need to come because you have a contract.

    “Now, he needs to think about training. Not too hard; not too hard in the sparring,” Romero continued. “He needs to go to training like a therapy; recovery for the body. He doesn’t need now too much sparring. That is my opinion for Israel. If he wants to be back again, he needs to recover the body. He’s still training very hard; it’s not good.”

    Adesanya defended the middleweight title against Romero at UFC 248 in early 2020. The highly anticipated clash turned out to be a lackluster contest across five rounds that was firmly overshadowed by the co-main event war between Zhang Weili and Joanna Jędrzejczyk.

    While “The Last Stylebender” looks to regain his winning form in the UFC, Romero is days away from his second fight for Mike Perry’s Dirty Boxing Championship this weekend.

    “Soldier of God” is also expected to face Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in the Global Fight League, though dates and venues for the new promotion’s first events remain undisclosed.