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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    • Belal Muhammad (C) vs. Jack Della Maddalena (welterweight championship)
    • Valentina Shevchenko vs. Manon Fiorot (women’s flyweight championship)
    • José Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi (bantamweight)
    • Alexa Grasso vs. Natália Silva (women’s flyweight)
    • Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales (welterweight)
    • Jéssica Andrade vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (women’s flyweight)
    • Mike Malott vs. Charles Radtke (welterweight)
    • Marc-André Barriault vs. Bruno Silva (middleweight)
    • Brad Katona vs. Bekzat Almakhan (bantamweight)
    • Hailey Cowan vs. Nora Cornolle (women’s bantamweight)
  • Jasmine Jasudavicius Set For Big Opportunity vs. Former Champion On Home Soil At UFC 315

    Jasmine Jasudavicius Set For Big Opportunity vs. Former Champion On Home Soil At UFC 315

    Charging UFC flyweight contender Jasmine Jasudavicius will look to keep her ball rolling on MMA’s biggest stage by notching another victory in front of her fellow Canadians.

    Jasudavicius (13-3) has climbed into the top 10 at 125 pounds off the back of a mightily impressive run, which has seen her win four straight fights since a setback opposite Tracy Cortez in 2023.

    After going 1-1 in 2022 and 2-1 in 2023, the Canadian standout enjoyed an unbeaten 3-0 2024 in the Octagon. After initially bouncing back from her setback against Cortez by submitting Priscila Cachoeira on home soil last January, the 35-year-old outpointed highly regarded debutant Fatima Kline in Colorado before securing another finish in front of her compatriots at the expense of Ariane Lipski da Silva.

    Those wins, two of which earned her Performance of the Night bonuses, earned Jasudavicius fifth place in last year’s MMA News Female Fighter of the Year award.

    And she opened her account for 2025 with similar success, getting the better of former title challenger Mayra Bueno Silva in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1. The Ontario native will now get another boost in competition, facing ex-strawweight queen and current #7-ranked flyweight contender Jéssica Andrade (26-13) at UFC 315 in Montreal on May 10.

    Andrade has fluctuated between weight classes since losing the 115-pound gold in 2019. And her pursuit of two-division glory has continued despite a failed title bid against Valentina Shevchenko in 2021.

    “Bate Estaca” most recently returned to flyweight following two wins over Mackenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez at strawweight. She fell short on the scorecards to fellow countrywoman Natália Silva in their Fight of the Night contest at the Apex last September.

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

    • Belal Muhammad (C) vs. Jack Della Maddalena (welterweight championship)
    • Valentina Shevchenko vs. Manon Fiorot (women’s flyweight championship)
    • Alexa Grasso vs. Natália Silva (women’s flyweight)
    • Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales (welterweight)
    • Jéssica Andrade vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (women’s flyweight)
    • Mike Malott vs. Charles Radtke (welterweight)
    • Marc-André Barriault vs. Bruno Silva (middleweight)
    • Brad Katona vs. Bekzat Almakhan (bantamweight)
    • Hailey Cowan vs. Nora Cornolle (women’s bantamweight)
  • Charles Johnson Frustrated UFC Isn’t Rewarding Winning Streak: ‘Why Am I Not Getting An Opportunity?’

    Charles Johnson Frustrated UFC Isn’t Rewarding Winning Streak: ‘Why Am I Not Getting An Opportunity?’

    Ahead of his return to action at this weekend’s UFC Fight Night, flyweight Charles Johnson has one question — when is it going to be the turn of “InnerG?”

    Johnson will enter the cage inside the Apex Saturday night riding momentum from four straight wins, including a vicious knockout of dangerous prospect Joshua Van last July in Denver.

    Despite that — and despite rising to #12 in the division — the former LFA champion is still not getting his shot opposite ranked opposition.

    This weekend will even see the 34-year-old tasked with facing a charging newcomer who boasts just one fight in the Octagon, Uzbekistan’s Ramazon Temirov, in the very first matchup on the card.

    From choice of opponent to card placement, many in the MMA community have been questioning the treatment of Johnson. And the man himself evidently doesn’t need reminding of what he should have earned.

    “I don’t have anything against it, but I look at the opportunities other guys get when they come into the promotion from RIZIN, from Eternal, but what are these promotions compared to LFA, that has had hundreds of not only ranked guys, but a plethora of champions?” Johnson said during an interview with E. Spencer Kyte for UFC.com. “I’m a three-time champion from that promotion. Why am I not getting an opportunity when I’m on a three-fight winning streak, four-fight winning streak? Give me a chance.

    “So this is where we are,” he added. “I’m never get upset at them or their opportunities, but it’s like, ‘When is it gonna be my turn? When am I gonna get the opportunities these guys are getting?’ I’m on a four-fight winning streak in one year — who else has done that, in this division?”

    Regardless of his feeling toward the latest assignment handed to him, Johnson will look to do what he’s done ever since a three-fight losing skid in 2023 — win.

    And should “InnerG” accomplish that feat at the expense of a highly touted prospect who’s won 10 on the bounce, his claim to a high-ranked opponent could become undeniable.

  • UFC Rankings Report: Reinier de Ridder Ousts Bo Nickal From Middleweight Top 15

    UFC Rankings Report: Reinier de Ridder Ousts Bo Nickal From Middleweight Top 15

    In the aftermath of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Seattle, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

    Men’s Pound-For-Pound: There’s been one change to the P4P list, with former welterweight champ Leon Edwards getting a one-place boost to now share #9 with flyweight kingpin Alexandre Pantoja.

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

    Women’s Strawweight: No changes.

    Women’s Flyweight: No changes.

    Women’s Bantamweight: With Julia Avila’s retirement being confirmed, she’s exited the UFC rankings at 135 pounds. Replacing her at #15 is Joselyne Edwards, who has won just one bantamweight bout in nine fights in the promotion. That was in her debut, with the Panama native either losing or missing weight for her subsequent wins.

    Flyweight: No changes.

    Bantamweight: While the victory didn’t come in the manner he’d have hoped, Song Yadong is still on the up at 135 pounds. A technical decision triumph over Henry Cejudo has led to the Chinese standout climbing two positions to #6. “Triple C” has fallen the same distance the opposite way to #8, with Rob Font getting a small rise to #7 after his win against Jean Matsumoto.

    Further down, and unrelated to any recent results, Canada’s Aiemann Zahabi (#13) has moved above Marcus McGhee (#14).

    Featherweight: No changes.

    Lightweight: No changes.

    Welterweight: No changes.

    Middleweight: Anthony Hernandez was among the biggest winners to emerge from Saturday’s event, as he once again got the better of Brendan Allen to extend his winning run to seven straight fights. As a result, “Fluffy” has risen by three positions to #9, one place above his defeated opponent from UFC Seattle.

    Elsewhere, Bo Nickal’s stay in the rankings was a short one. He’s been ousted after just weeks in the pecking order, replaced at #15 by Reinier de Ridder, who moved to 2-0 in the UFC with a victory over Kevin Holland last month.

    Light Heavyweight: After snapping his two-fight losing skid with a narrow split decision win over debutant Julius Walker this past weekend, Alonzo Menifield has climbed one spot up the UFC rankings at 205 pounds to #14. That’s left veteran former title challenger Anthony Smith at #15 ahead of what is expected to be his final fight this coming April.

    Heavyweight: No changes.

    You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

  • Dan Hooker Confirms Withdrawal from UFC 313 Fight Against Justin Gaethje

    Dan Hooker Confirms Withdrawal from UFC 313 Fight Against Justin Gaethje

    Fight fans may be left disappointed, as Dan Hooker has unfortunately bowed out of his much looked-forward-to matchup.

    Hooker was set to collide with former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje in the co-main event of UFC 313 on March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Originally scheduled for five rounds, Hooker claimed in an interview with Submission Radio that the fight had been shortened to three rounds at Gaethje’s request.

    However, Australia-based MMA content creator Benny P was the first to break the news on X, reporting that “The Hangman” has withdrawn from his scheduled showdown with Gaethje. He also noted that it remains uncertain whether “The Highlight” will receive a new opponent or if the UFC intends to reschedule the bout for a later event.

    Hooker personally confirmed his withdrawal on his daughter Zoe’s YouTube channel on Tuesday morning, revealing that he was forced to pull out after suffering a hand injury.

    “We did have a little break, we have been busy,” Hooker said. “Dad had a fight, or was supposed to have a fight but I’ve busted my paw.”

    “The Hangman” last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 305 this past August, where he secured a gritty split-decision victory over Mateusz Gamrot, pushing his win streak to three. Over his last eight UFC bouts, Hooker has gone 4-4.

    Meanwhile, Gaethje was set to make his return to the Octagon after an 11-month layoff, following his buzzer-beater knockout loss to former featherweight champion Max Holloway in their BMF title clash at UFC 300 in April 2024. “The Highlight” has struggled with consistency in recent years, going 3-3 in his last six fights.

  • Michael Bisping Calls For Stricter Penalties On Eye Pokes After UFC Seattle Controversy

    Michael Bisping Calls For Stricter Penalties On Eye Pokes After UFC Seattle Controversy

    Michael Bisping believes it’s long overdue for the UFC to impose harsh repercussions for eye pokes.

    The UFC Seattle headliner between former two-division champion Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong took a controversial turn last Saturday when an eye poke brought the fight to an abrupt conclusion.

    At the end of the third round, Cejudo suffered an accidental strike, prompting a five-minute recovery period. Although the fight briefly resumed, “Triple C” ultimately admitted that his vision was compromised heading into the next round, leading the judges to award Yadong a victory via technical decision.

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Bisping — who was on commentary for the Fight Night event — shared his thoughts on the polarizing outcome of the Cejudo vs. Yadong fight.

    Drawing from his own experiences, the UFC Hall of Famer argued that “Kung Fu Kid” should have faced some form of penalty for the severe eye poke.

    “No. 1, I think we should have had a point deducted,” Bisping said And I don’t say that because I want to see Song Yadong’s career jeopardized or anything like that. No, I like Song Yadong, I’m very good friends with Urijah Faber, and I have a lot of respect for the whole team.”

    “The Count” further pushed for the UFC to enforce stricter penalties, such as automatic point deductions, to deter fighters from extending their fingers in a way that increases the risk of eye pokes.

    But the eye pokes, people need to know that there’s goddamn f**king consequences. Eye pokes are terrible. You know all about my history with the eyes. Eye pokes are bad. If you start taking points, people will stop stretching their f**king fingers out. Then when the third round started, and there was only a minute left, Song Yadong had his fingers out and so did Henry Cejudo, and I’m like, why isn’t the ref saying anything?”

    If referee Jason Herzog had deducted a point from Yadong, the outcome of the fight could have been drastically different. “Kung Fu Kid” secured the win with one judge scoring the contest 30-27, while the other two scored it 29-28.

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

  • Bryce Mitchell Cancels Grappling Match Against Israeli Fighter, Teases ‘Big’ Upcoming UFC Fight

    Bryce Mitchell Cancels Grappling Match Against Israeli Fighter, Teases ‘Big’ Upcoming UFC Fight

    Bryce Mitchell certainly has a bigger challenge ahead, as he recently opted to withdraw from his upcoming grappling match.

    Last week, it was announced that Mitchell had agreed to a 180-pound catchweight Pit Submission (grappling) match against Israeli fighter Ilay Barzilay at Karate Combat 53, scheduled for Feb. 28 in Denver, Colorado.

    The matchup was booked amid a storm of controversy surrounding “Thug Nasty,” who recently faced backlash for making anti-Semitic remarks and openly praising Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.

    However, on Monday, Mitchell took to Instagram to reveal that he had decided to pull out of his scheduled showdown with Barzilay, citing a major UFC fight on the horizon.

    “I wanna let y’all know I’m pulling outta my grappling match on Friday,” Mitchell said. “This is my first time announcing it. Karate Combat don’t even know yet. So I’m literally announcing it myself before I tell anybody. I don’t want my words to get twisted, and I don’t quite trust them with my words.

    “Reason being is, the great news is I’ve got a big matchup coming up [in UFC], big fight coming up. I don’t know the exact details on the fight, but I’m just telling y’all, something’s coming up and please be patient with me. I wanna fight too, and I can’t wait for this next fight. I’m prioritizing the fight over a grappling match. It’s not worth it for me knowing I got a fight coming up now to do a grappling match on Friday.”

    “Thug Nasty’s” announcement came just a day after he fired back at Jean Silva, who called him out following his third-round TKO victory over Melsik Baghdasaryan at UFC Seattle this past Saturday.

    Mitchell is fresh off a third-round knockout win over Kron Gracie at UFC 310 in December. The 30-year-old Arkansas native has split his last four fights, going 2-2, and holds a professional record of 17-3, with nine of those victories secured via submission.

  • Sean O’Malley’s Hopes For Immediate Title Shot In Return From Injury Get A Big Boost

    Sean O’Malley’s Hopes For Immediate Title Shot In Return From Injury Get A Big Boost

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley could be in line for a chance to regain the title in 2025.

    Following this past weekend’s event, UFC CEO Dana White was asked about the possibility of a second clash between “Sugar” and current champ Merab Dvalishvili.

    While he didn’t confirm or deny the fight, he did hint toward it by acknowledging the apparent desire for the bout among fans.

    “They want to fight each other. I think people want to see it,” White said.

    Dvalishvili captured the bantamweight title with a dominant decision victory over O’Malley at UFC 306 in Las Vegas last September. He has since further cemented his status as champion by defeating Umar Nurmagomedov in an upset win at UFC 311 this past January, extending his impressive winning streak to 12.

    O’Malley, meanwhile, has been sidelined by injury since losing the title to Dvalishvili. While he has expressed interest in reclaiming the belt, it remains unclear when he will be ready to return.

    With both fighters and fans eager for a potential rematch, the decision now rests in the hands of the UFC matchmakers.

  • Dustin Poirier Gives Major Update On His UFC Retirement Fight

    Dustin Poirier Gives Major Update On His UFC Retirement Fight

    Former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has updated fans on when his final farewell inside the Octagon is likely to take place.

    It initially appeared as though MMA enthusiasts had seen Poirier make the walk for the final time last summer. After a vintage knockout of Benoît Saint Denis in March, “The Diamond” had one last opportunity to achieve undisputed status.

    But while he gave it his all through four rounds against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in Newark, Poirier succumbed to a rear-naked choke in the final frame of the pay-per-view main event.

    The veteran’s Octagon interview suggested that an official retirement was on the way, but the fire beneath Poirier has not fully diminished. After pondering a farewell fight, the Louisianan has made that decision final.

    Talk has since turned to which major matchup Poirier could depart the sport off the back of. And although that remains undecided, the fan favorite appears close to getting an event pencilled in.

    “I’ll drop it,” Poirier told MMA Fighting‘s José Youngs regarding an announcement on his final fight. “It’s summer. July or August, probably. We’re working on UFC New Orleans.

    I’m trying to retire in my home state. The UFC hasn’t been there since 2015. I fought on the card as well. I fought Yancy Medeiros, but that was the last time I got to fight at home,” Poirier continued. “To retire where it all started in Louisiana would be incredible for me and my career.”

    Poirier has made it clear that he’s entertaining “legends only” when it comes to his final opponent, shutting down talk of a clash with Paddy Pimblett prior to “The Baddy’s” UFC 314 co-main event against Michael Chandler being announced.

    With that in mind, the promotion will no doubt be seeking a high-profile name to share the cage with Poirier for his final dance.

  • UFC Vegas 103 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Manel Kape vs. Asu Almabayev Card

    UFC Vegas 103 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Manel Kape vs. Asu Almabayev Card

    UFC Vegas 103 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 1, at the UFC Apex in Enterprise, Nevada. The main card begins at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be a pair of top 10 flyweights. Following the withdrawal of Brandon Royval this month, #6 contender Manel Kape will face the challenge of Kazakhstan’s Asu Almabayev.

    And also making the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Cody Brundage, Nasrat Haqparast, Hyder Amil, Danny Barlow, Ricardo Ramos and Charles Johnson.

    UFC Vegas 103: Kape vs. Almabayev Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Vegas 103 (as of 2/24), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Manel Kape (-245) vs. Asu Almabayev (+200)
    • Cody Brundage (+136) vs. Julian Marquez (-162)
    • Nasrat Haqparast (+210) vs. Esteban Ribovics (-258)
    • Austen Lane (+295) vs. Mário Pinto (-375)
    • Hyder Amil (+185) vs. William Gomis (-225)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Danny Barlow (-310) vs. Sam Patterson (+250)
    • Ricardo Ramos (+330) vs. Chepe Mariscal (-425)
    • Douglas Silva de Andrade (+195) vs. John Castañeda (-238)
    • Andrea Lee (+164) vs. JJ Aldrich (-198)
    • Danny Silva (-185) vs. Lucas Almeida (+154)
    • Montana De La Rosa (+110) vs. Luana Carolina (-130)
    • Charles Johnson (+114) vs. Ramazan Temirov (-135)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHIyb06r_No
  • UFC Veteran Has Radical Idea To Solve Eye-Poke Problem: ‘Not Only A Point Deduction…’

    UFC Veteran Has Radical Idea To Solve Eye-Poke Problem: ‘Not Only A Point Deduction…’

    UFC lightweight veteran Jim Miller has chimed in with his thoughts on how to eliminate eye-poking in mixed martial arts following another instance of the foul halting a fight this past weekend.

    While MMA has grown to no end since its inception and has seen its legitimacy widely accepted in the sporting world, one issue remains a prominent talking point that perhaps continues to hold it back — the manner in which fouls are dealt with.

    The topic reared its head again recently after a deep eye poke rendered former two-division champion Henry Cejudo unable to continue in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Seattle.

    With referee Jason Herzog deeming Song Yadong’s infringement to have been accidental, no point was deducted and the Chinese bantamweight contender exited the UFC cage inside Climate Pledge Arena as a technical decision winner.

    That’s left many questioning the freedom fighters are given to foul without repercussions, with Herzog specifically being slammed for not taking a point from “The Kung Fu Kid.”

    Miller, though, believes punishment should go above and beyond a simple blow to a fighter’s hopes of edging the scorecards.

    “It’s not the gloves, it’s the culture. The shameless, win at all costs mentality amongst fighters and the ‘eye pokes are an accident and not a foul’ mentality most people seem to have,” Miller wrote on X. “The good news is that we can change the culture. Penalize the foul immediately during the pause in action after confirming a strike or post was thrown with outstretched fingers. I believe not only a point deduction but also a purse deduction would have a rapid effect on how many pokes we see. I’ve come to these conclusions after being taped into those gloves 45 times, totaling over 7 hours inside the Octagon, landing over 1200 significant strikes (none of which were thrown with extended fingers, and I also slept at a Holiday Inn Express a few times.”

    Similar debates have been had regarding fence grabs and low blows, both of which frequently go unpunished inside the UFC Octagon.

  • Bryce Mitchell Responds To Jean Silva’s Challenge After UFC Seattle Knockout

    Bryce Mitchell Responds To Jean Silva’s Challenge After UFC Seattle Knockout

    Jean Silva’s electrifying first-round knockout of Melsik Baghdasaryan at UFC Seattle wasn’t just a highlight-reel moment but a statement.

    The featherweight overwhelmed Baghdasaryan with a flurry of punches and elbows, securing a brutal stoppage that had the crowd roaring. But Silva wasn’t done making waves. In his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, he wasted no time calling out his next target: Bryce Mitchell.

    Silva’s challenge to Mitchell wasn’t just about climbing the rankings — it was personal. He explicitly cited “Thug Nasty’s” controversial remarks, particularly his comments about Adolf Hitler, as a key motivation behind his callout.

    “I think Bryce Mitchell is someone that would offer me an opportunity to get a very good renewed contract if I beat him,” Silva said. “Also, he’s a guy that fought Ilia [Topuria] and took him to the brink. As for everything else, there are things you cannot tolerate, especially when you’re a public persona.”

    Mitchell infamously referred to Hitler as a “good guy” and suggested he would “want to go fishing” with him, remarks that were widely condemned. Silva made it clear that he wants to silence the grappling specialist in the octagon.

    It didn’t take long for Mitchell to fire back. The Arkansas native, known for his outspoken nature, responded swiftly on social media.

    “There’s only one LORD and it ain’t u fool,” Mitchell wrote. “U need a country ass whoopin’. It will humble u just right.”

    The brewing feud between Silva and Mitchell quickly caught the attention of fight fans, with many eager to see them settle their differences in the cage.

    When asked about the potential matchup, UFC CEO Dana White responded with a knowing laugh.

    “I bet there’s a lot of people [that want to see that fight],” White said. “I don’t know. We’ll see.”

    With Silva eager to make a statement and Mitchell always ready for a scrap, the stage is set for a highly anticipated showdown—if the UFC decides to book it.

  • Demetrious Johnson Thinks Henry Cejudo Should Retire After UFC Seattle Loss

    Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson believes UFC Seattle should mark the end of Henry Cejudo’s fighting career.

    Johnson, who fought Cejudo twice in the UFC and developed a rivalry that later turned into a friendship, shared his candid thoughts on the controversial conclusion of the headlining fight.

    “Triple C’s” main event bout against Song Yadong ended in a technical decision loss after an accidental eye poke in the third round. Unable to continue, Cejudo saw his opponent win on the judges’ scorecards, leading to a frustrating and unsatisfying outcome for many.

    Reflecting on both the fight’s ending and Cejudo’s career trajectory, Johnson took to his YouTube channel to question whether his former rival has reached the end of his competitive peak.

    “I would like to see him retire,” Johnson said. “He’s got a great podcast with him and Kamaru Usman, he’s got two beautiful children, he’s got a beautiful wife, he’s got businesses. There’s no reason for him to fight and keep risking his health.”

    Given Cejudo’s accomplishments — including winning an Olympic gold medal, UFC championships in two weight classes, and multiple title defenses — Johnson believes he has already cemented his legacy.

    “I mean, he’s beaten me, [was] flyweight champion, defended the flyweight belt, bantamweight champion, defended the bantamweight belt—that’s more than half the motherf*ckers on the roster are ever going to do,” Johnson explained.

    Beyond accolades, Johnson also emphasized the physical risks Cejudo continues to take, referencing the dangerous nature of his latest injury.

    “Yes, I know it’s such good money, it’s easy to train eight weeks and have a fight, but the man almost went blind.”

    With concerns about Cejudo’s health and future, Johnson believes now may be the right time for him to step away from competition for good.

  • Recently Released UFC Fighter Featured In Lineup For PFL Bantamweight World Tournament

    Recently Released UFC Fighter Featured In Lineup For PFL Bantamweight World Tournament

    The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced the lineup for its 2025 Bantamweight World Tournament. The event will feature a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars competing for a $500,000 grand prize.

    Headlining the roster is former UFC competitor Jake Hadley, who has officially signed with the PFL. Hadley, who earned his UFC contract via Dana White’s Contender Series, showcased his submission skills during his tenure but struggled to maintain consistency, finishing with a 3-4 UFC record. Now, he is looking for a fresh start and a chance to prove himself on a new stage.

    Several Bellator MMA veterans add depth to the competition. Magomed Magomedov, coming off a decision loss to Patchy Mix for the Bellator bantamweight title, is entering the PFL with a point to prove. His experience is set make him an immediate tournament favorite.

    Joining him is Leandro Higo, a 10-fight Bellator veteran known for his grappling prowess, adding further star power to the tournament. 

    The tournament features undefeated fighters eager to make their mark alongside established names. Ciaran Clarke (10-0) and Sarvarjon Khamidov (16-0) are two of the most promising prospects in the division, both stepping into their toughest competition to date.

    International talents Ali Taleb (Sweden), Kasum Kasumov (Russia), and Zebenzui Ruiz (Spain) bring diverse fighting styles, setting the stage for unpredictable matchups.

    Additionally, Francesco Nuzzi and Matheus Mattos will be alternates, ready to step in should injuries or other circumstances arise.

    Full Tournament Roster:

    Main Competitors:

    • Magomed Magomedov (24-4)
    • Leandro Higo (23-6)
    • Jake Hadley (11-4)
    • Ciaran Clarke (10-0)
    • Sarvarjon Khamidov (16-0)
    • Ali Taleb (12-1)
    • Kasum Kasumov (16-1)
    • Zebenzui Ruiz (12-3)

    Alternates:

    • Francesco Nuzzi (10-1)
    • Matheus Mattos (14-3-1)

    This roster, featuring UFC and Bellator experience alongside undefeated prospects, sets the stage for an interesting 2025 PFL Bantamweight Tournament. With a $500,000 prize on the line, fans can expect high-level competition and career-defining performances.

  • Dustin Poirier Backs Ilia Topuria For ‘Right Off The Bat’ Title Shot Against Islam Makhachev

    Dustin Poirier Backs Ilia Topuria For ‘Right Off The Bat’ Title Shot Against Islam Makhachev

    Dustin Poirier is all in on the idea of Ilia Topuria stepping straight into a title fight against reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev.

    Last week, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Topuria is vacating the featherweight title to pursue greatness in the lightweight division, aiming to cement his legacy as a two-division UFC champion.

    As a result, former champion Alexander Volkanovski is set to clash with Diego Lopes for the vacant 145-pound title in the main event of UFC 314 this April.

    According to White, “El Matador” opted to move up a weight class, believing he had already accomplished enough at featherweight while also facing an increasingly grueling cut to the 145-pound limit.

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Poirier spoke highly of Topuria’s bold decision to relinquish his UFC featherweight championship.

    “I mean, it’s respectful,” Poirier said. “It’s honorable to vacate the belt, to not hold up the division where guys have been working so hard to get their shot at the title. He’s doing it the right way. I’ve never seen him in person, but everybody says he’s heavy, that he walks around heavy, but if he can make 145, I don’t know how big he is because some of these lightweights are huge.”

    Following White’s announcement regarding Topuria, there has been plenty of discussion among MMA fans and analysts about whether the undefeated Spaniard should receive a fast-tracked title shot against Makhachev.

    While some support the idea, others — including Makhachev’s manager, Rizvan Magomedov — believe he should first face top contenders like Poirier, Charles Oliveira, or Justin Gaethje to earn his shot at the belt.

    However, “The Diamond” sees no need for Topuria to prove himself further, arguing that his knockout victory over current BMF champion Max Holloway speaks for itself.

    “That’s tough to say, especially with all of the contenders, with how the lightweight division’s been over the last few years. But with a guy like him, vacating the belt and moving up, finishing Max Holloway the way that he did, I would give him a crack at the lightweight title right off the bat.”

    “El Matador” boasts a flawless 16-0 professional record, with eight wins by submission and six by knockout. He claimed the 145-pound title in dominant fashion, finishing Volkanovski at UFC 298, before successfully defending it with another knockout victory over Holloway at UFC 308 last year.

  • Dana White Addresses UFC’s Stance On Double Champions In Light Of Ilia Topuria Vacating

    Dana White Addresses UFC’s Stance On Double Champions In Light Of Ilia Topuria Vacating

    With Ilia Topuria now no longer the featherweight champion, Dana White has made it clear: the UFC’s cool with double champs, but they better be fighting regularly. 

    Speaking after UFC Fight Night Seattle, the promotion’s CEO explained that while the UFC doesn’t oppose fighters holding multiple titles simultaneously, they require a significantly higher level of activity from those who attempt it.

    Four fighters have held two UFC titles at the same time: Henry Cejudo, Daniel Cormier, Conor McGregor and Amanda Nunes.

    Following his featherweight title defense last October, Topuria offered to vacate the belt to avoid stalling the division. His next opponent is yet to be determined.

    “Unless you think you can defend your title,” White said. “If there’s a guy who thinks he can do it and wants to defend both belts and has accomplished all these great things, I would have no problem with it. But you’re going to be busy.

    “…Unless you’ve really wiped out a division, like Jon Jones, who was in light (heavy)weight forever and then moved up to heavyweight. Ilia, I get it. It makes sense. Like I said, who he’s beat and how he beat them, and now he’s tired of making weight and wants to move up to 155? Totally makes sense,” White continued. “But no, I’m definitely not (against it). Weili Zhang, they just asked me. She’s accomplished just about everything you can accomplish in her weight division and I don’t have a problem with it. The philosophy hasn’t changed, it’s just on a case-by-case basis.”

  • Sean O’Malley’s Coach Accuses Henry Cejudo Of Quitting At UFC Seattle: ‘Knew He Had Nothing Left’

    Sean O’Malley’s Coach Accuses Henry Cejudo Of Quitting At UFC Seattle: ‘Knew He Had Nothing Left’

    The coach of former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has become the latest to accuse Henry Cejudo of looking for a way out of his fight with Song Yadong on Saturday night.

    Inside Climate Pledge Arena, Cejudo fell to a third straight loss since returning from retirement. His latest setback came at the hands of “The Kung Fu Kid” in the main event of this weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Seattle.

    After falling behind on the scorecards, a bad eye poke in the third round ultimately prevented “Triple C” from finishing out the fight, with referee Jason Herzog waving things off at the start of the fourth.

    As is often the case when a foul leads to a no contest or technical decision, Cejudo has received backlash from some for how the main event on Feb. 22 concluded.

    Some have accused the 2008 Olympic gold medalist of quitting, disregarding his claim of compromised vision. Among them is Tim Welch, who’s best known for coaching a bantamweight rival of Cejudo’s in O’Malley.

    “Henry knew he had nothing left for Song,” Welch wrote on X.

    Cejudo has unsurprisingly not taken kindly to suggestions he sought a way out of the UFC Seattle headliner.

    While he hasn’t responded directly to Welch, he did hit back at the narrative as a whole by listing the eye injuries he apparently sustained as a result of Song’s poke.

  • Watch Former Rivals Oleksandr Usyk And Anthony Joshua’s Hilarious Ringside Reaction To Joseph Parker KO

    Watch Former Rivals Oleksandr Usyk And Anthony Joshua’s Hilarious Ringside Reaction To Joseph Parker KO

    Plenty of prominent names were left stunned by how Joseph Parker dispatched of Martin Bakole in their interim WBO heavyweight title fight this weekend.

    Parker arrived in Saudi Arabia last week anticipating to challenge for Daniel Dubois’ IBF championship. But just days out from their showdown in the co-main event of a stacked Riyadh lineup, the Brit withdrew due to illness.

    Saving the day was Bakole, who traveled to the Middle East on late notice to compete for Parker’s interim gold. The pair set the stage for the blockbuster undisputed rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

    While the main event was a memorable 12-round affair, the co-headliner raised eyebrows for the opposite reason, with Parker needing less than six minutes to find the finish.

    Among those ringside when he stopped Bakole was one of just three men to defeat him in professional boxing, former two-time WBC titleholder Anthony Joshua. “AJ” took in the action alongside one of his most notable rivals, current unified heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk.

    Suffice it to say, both men were shocked when Bakole went crashing down in round two.

    Moving forward, both “AJ” and “The Cat” could have their eyes set on Parker.

    While many believe the New Zealander has earned a shot at Usyk following consecutive wins over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Bakole, others have pitched a rematch with Joshua while the Ukrainian potentially runs it back with Dubois.

  • Dana White Surprisingly Sympathizes With UFC Seattle Fighter Who Pushed Austin Vanderford

    Dana White Surprisingly Sympathizes With UFC Seattle Fighter Who Pushed Austin Vanderford

    It would seem that Nikolay Veretennikov isn’t getting the kind of heat from the promotion that he is from the fanbase after his actions at UFC Seattle on Saturday night.

    This weekend, the Kazakh-born fighter fell to a second straight loss since joining the UFC. That was courtesy of former Bellator title challenger Austin Vanderford, who made a successful debut on just days’ notice.

    “The Gentlemen” was on the ascendancy from the start, and his grappling superiority ultimately paved the way for a TKO with ground strikes in the second round at UFC Seattle.

    Veretennikov was less than pleased with the stoppage and immediately disputed it. But rather than the official, the 35-year-old took his frustration out on Vanderford by shoving his victorious opponent.

    Many were quick to slate Veretennikov, with some even suggesting he was likely to be cut from his contract as a result of his UFC Seattle actions. That, however, doesn’t appear to be a sentiment shared by the higher-ups.

    “Listen, yeah, it’s never good when you go over (and push an opponent),” Dana White said during his post-fight press conference. “I don’t know why he went after him. I understand he was upset with the referee. And when you watch that fight, if you look, I get why he was upset. He was blocking a lot of the shots. He was blocking; he was still trying to get out of there.

    “If a guy is taking a number of just unanswered shots, and he’s laying there on the ground — he was defending and moving around, and so I understand why he’s upset,” White continued. “But yeah, you know how we are here. He went over and pushed the guy. What should we do?”

    In addition to his actions in the aftermath of Saturday’s UFC Seattle result, Veretennikov’s 0-2 Octagon record likely leaves him on thin ice in the UFC.

    Should he be granted another opportunity to have his hand raised on MMA’s biggest stage, it would no doubt be a must-win scenario for the 35-year-old.

  • Henry Cejudo Hits Back At UFC Seattle Critics With List Of Apparent Eye Injuries

    Henry Cejudo Hits Back At UFC Seattle Critics With List Of Apparent Eye Injuries

    Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo has pushed back on claims he was looking for a way out of Saturday’s main event against Song Yadong.

    Cejudo’s wait for a first victory since returning from retirement in 2023 goes on after this weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Seattle, Washington, which he headlined in defense of his #7 spot in the bantamweight rankings.

    After defeats to Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili, “Triple C” fell to a third straight loss inside Climate Pledge Arena — but not in a common way.

    Cejudo was handed a technical decision setback after being unable to continue due to a deep eye poke late in the third frame. With referee Jason Herzog deeming the foul unintentional — and with over half the scheduled rounds complete — the bout went to the scorecards, all of which were in favor of “The Kung Fu Kid.”

    As is often the case when an athlete doesn’t continue following a foul, Cejudo has faced flak from some corners of the MMA community who have accused him of quitting.

    The 2008 Olympic gold medalist has not taken kindly to such claims, taking to X to hit back at the allegation by listing the injuries he apparently sustained from Song’s poke.

    “Diplopia, Soft Tissue Damage, Corneal Abrasion,” he wrote.”‘hE wANteD a wAy OuT’ #UFCSeattle“

    It remains to be seen what will come next for Cejudo in the UFC. While the two fighters expressed mutual interest in running things back, UFC CEO Dana White was quick to shut that suggestion down during his post-fight press conference.

  • Dricus Du Plessis Mocks Brendan Allen After Latest Setback At UFC Seattle

    Dricus Du Plessis Mocks Brendan Allen After Latest Setback At UFC Seattle

    UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen isn’t getting any sympathy from his division’s champion after a tough night at the office this past Saturday night.

    Allen returned to action on Feb. 22, co-headlining the UFC Fight Night event in Seattle opposite a former adversary in fan favorite Anthony Hernandez.

    While “All In” targeted redemption for a defeat to “Fluffy” under the LFA banner en route to defending his spot in the top 10 at 185 pounds, he was once again unable to get the better of Hernandez, this time on the scorecards.

    The result has marked the latest setback to Allen’s title ambitions after he had his seven-fight winning run snapped by Nassourdine Imavov in Paris last September.

    And the Beaufort native is unsurprisingly disappointed, which showed in his first statement on social media post-fight.

    “Just ain’t the guy I thought I was,” Allen wrote. “Hats off to (Hernandez), love the guy through the s*** this sport brings. Who knows what’s next. Thanks to my team and those who stuck with me.”

    Though he received plenty of supportive messages in the comments section, one longtime verbal sparring partner was ready to add salt to Allen’s wounds.

    Reigning titleholder Dricus Du Plessis appeared with a less than positive remark, mocking the sizable blow to Allen’s championship hopes.

    Du Plessis on Allen

    “I don’t know what’s next either but I can most certainly tell what ain’t next for a very long time.”

    Du Plessis and Allen have long gone back and forth on social media and during interviews, with their feud seemingly dating back to a brief stint training together and a clear contrast in personality.

    Since then, “All In” has repeatedly vowed to reach the South African and prove his criticism of the champ’s fighting style correct. As Du Plessis pointed out, however, such a matchup is now a distant possibility following Allen’s likely exit from the top 10.

  • Song Yadong Remorseful About UFC Seattle Fight-Ending Eye Poke: ‘That Was Totally An Accident’

    Song Yadong Remorseful About UFC Seattle Fight-Ending Eye Poke: ‘That Was Totally An Accident’

    Song Yadong’s demeanor following his victory at UFC Seattle was notably subdued. Despite defeating Henry Cejudo by technical decision, the Chinese bantamweight appeared far from celebratory during the post-fight press conference.

    The fight was stopped after an accidental eye poke on Cejudo midway through the third round. While “Triple C” took the full five-minute recovery period and opted to continue, he later expressed significant discomfort to his corner between rounds.

    Had Cejudo been unable to complete the remaining minute of the round, the fight would have ended before three full rounds were completed, resulting in a no contest. Song’s reaction suggested he was unsatisfied with the nature of his victory.

    “That was totally an accident,” Song said, following the event. “I’m not so happy with that. It is what it is. I feel bad. I feel bad for Henry. I saw that (it would’ve been) a no contest (if he had stopped when the foul occurred). That’s why I feel so bad.”

    Immediately after the fight, “The Kung Fu Kid” called for a rematch in his in-cage interview. Song is now turning his attention to other potential opponents.

    “My goal is the world champion, so whatever UFC gives me, I want to fight the guys who are ranked above me,” Song said. “If not Henry, give me (Sean) O’Malley. I can fight any time.”

    With Song eager to move forward in the bantamweight division, it remains to be seen whether he will get his wish for a high-profile opponent next.

  • UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: New Fights For Shevchenko, Prates, Ige And More

    MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming fight cards.

    With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.

    Between Monday, February 17, and Sunday, February 23, a number of fights were made official by the UFC or reported as being in the works by reputable sources.

    For those matchups, including multiple championship bouts, check out the list below:

    But it wasn’t all positive, with four fights falling through or being adjusted: