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  • Muhammad Mokaev Calls For ‘One Fight’ PFL Deal To Settle Feud With Longtime Rival

    Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev could have his sights on the PFL following the arrival of one of his bitter foes to the promotion.

    Mokaev departed the UFC last year after the organization chose against re-signing the Dagestan-born Brit after the final fight of his deal in Manchester. That decision came despite “The Punisher” defeating Manel Kape at the event to extend his undefeated professional record to 14-0.

    Since then, the 24-year-old has re-joined Brave CF and recorded a submission victory over Joevincent So last December. His first assignment of 2025 is yet to be announced, but it would seem that the recent release of another ex-UFC flyweight has caught his attention.

    Jake Hadley’s exit from MMA’s biggest stage was confirmed this week, with “White Kong” quickly putting pen to paper on a deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

    Given the pair’s long-standing rivalry and verbal spat online, Mokaev pitched a one-and-done PFL outing to settle the beef with his fellow Englishman.

    “Any weight against this guy, just one fight deal and we go,” Mokaev wrote.

    Hadley soon responded on X, questioning why Mokaev waited until he signed with another promotion before calling him out online.

    “Lol this guy chats the most sh*t when he can’t fight me when we was both free agents,” Hadley said. “Where was all this talk then Ps PFL don’t won’t u”

    PFL higher-ups shared differing views on the possibility of acquiring Mokaev following his UFC exit last year. While PFL executive Mike Kogan backed up Ray Sefo’s remarks regarding a lack of interest, CEO Peter Murray later contradicted that by identifying “The Punisher” as someone who could be the “face” of a future PFL flyweight division.

    With Hadley being signed to compete at bantamweight, it remains to be seen whether or not the PFL has plans for 125-pound competition in 2025.

  • Belal Muhammad: Aside From Khamzat Chimaev, Middleweight Division Is The UFC’s Easiest

    Belal Muhammad: Aside From Khamzat Chimaev, Middleweight Division Is The UFC’s Easiest

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad believes his division is significantly more challenging than the middleweight division, which Dricus Du Plessis currently rules.

    Those are strong words from Muhammad, who has yet to defend his title. He was initially set to face Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in December but was forced to withdraw due to injury. Rakhmonov defeated Ian Garry and is expected to challenge for the welterweight title later this year.

    In a recent interview with Barstool Chicago, Muhammad was asked about possibly fighting his occasional training partner, UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev. “Remember the Name” reiterated that he has no interest in fighting Makhachev, a stance he has previously made clear.

    Instead, he has a broader goal — potentially moving up in weight and fighting for another championship. That means targeting the middleweight division.

    “For me, I’d rather go to 185 and let [Makhachev] just take 170,” Muhammad said. “Since I’ve already had to fight my way up to 170 — I’ve beaten five top-10 guys — I’m two fights away from being able to challenge for [the middleweight title] and saying, ‘Hey, I want to be double champ.’

    “I think 185 is probably the easiest weight class — besides Khamzat [Chimaev]. When you look at that [UFC 312] main event, you’re like, ‘Bro, Strickland and Du Plessis suck.’”

  • GFL Team Manager Lyoto Machida Doesn’t Rule Out MMA Comeback At 46

    GFL Team Manager Lyoto Machida Doesn’t Rule Out MMA Comeback At 46

    Lyoto Machida will serve as a team manager in the debut year of the Global Fight League (GFL) — but that doesn’t mean he has ruled out a return to competition as a fighter.

    A former UFC light heavyweight champion, Machida made his mark with a unique fighting style heavily influenced by Shotokan karate, which he began training in at a young age. He reached the pinnacle of his career in 2009 when he captured the UFC light heavyweight title by defeating Rashad Evans. Throughout his career, Machida secured wins over notable opponents such as Rashad Evans, Tito Ortiz, Randy Couture, Mark Coleman and Dan Henderson.

    After a successful run at 205 pounds, Machida moved down to middleweight, where he remained a top contender but never reclaimed championship gold. Toward the end of his career, he also competed in Bellator MMA. Now, he takes on a new role with GFL, a team-based MMA league set to launch in April 2025.

    “They invited me as an athlete, but I said, ‘No, I’m away for some time, and I’d rather come in as a manager,’” Machida told MMA Fighting. “I want to see how it goes, the changes in the organization. I saw the signings—a lot of people getting signed—but we want to see it happening.

    “I believe it’s going to be a great league, and it will help the sport. You can’t just have one [organization], right? Competition is good, and that’s what we hope for as fighters and coaches. It opens more doors. For example, ‘Dede’ [Pederneiras] has several athletes who aren’t in the UFC but have the skills to be there, so maybe another door opens. But it’s all very new to me, just like it is for you.”

    Although Machida is embracing his managerial role, he isn’t completely closing the door on a return to the cage.

    “I came in as a manager, but I’m not taking away the possibility of fighting,” Machida said. “I’m not saying I won’t fight again. It’s not like that. But it’s not a priority for me. It’s a new promotion, I want to see it happen, so I wanted to come in as a manager first to see how it works. I’ve never been on this side before. What would make me fight again is maybe a challenge, something that made sense for me,” Machida said. “Someone from the same generation? OK, it could happen, but it can’t just be anything or any fight. You have to know your place and moment. This is not the time to fight a 25-, 30-year-old. Not that. It’s the moment to do the right fight, if it has to happen. But right now, it’s not a priority.”

  • Alexander Volkanovski Trains With Fellow Former UFC Champion In Thailand Ahead Of Return

    Alexander Volkanovski Trains With Fellow Former UFC Champion In Thailand Ahead Of Return

    While a rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and featherweight champion Ilia Topuria remains speculative, the Australian is already preparing as if it’s happening.

    Reports suggest that UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami is the likely target for the potential rematch. Volkanovski recently released a video documenting the start of his training camp, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at his preparations.

    The footage features “Alexander the Great” training alongside former bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling, adding to the anticipation of an official fight announcement.

    “We just got here in Thailand — Phuket. … Got in last night,” Volkanovski said. “Obviously, I’m here to do a bit of training camp. Hopefully, a fight announcement soon. But we’re in camp. We’ve been in camp for a while, doing a pre-camp camp. So now we’re pretty much in camp.

    “Good bodies here for us already. At Bangtao, you’ve always got good bodies, but I’ve got Craig Jones that’s come with us. … We’ve got a heap of good guys to work with over here. I think Aljo is over here as well, so maybe we’ll get some training in. So it’s going to be a good trip.”

    Volkanovski and Sterling both held UFC gold in overlapping reigns — the former as featherweight champion from 2019 to 2024 and the latter as bantamweight titleholder from 2021 to 2023. Now, both fighters are focused on the featherweight gold, and Sterling is making the most of the opportunity to train alongside one of the division’s all-time greats.

    “I don’t know what we’re doing, but we’re sparring,” Sterling said. “More for him than for my own personal gain. That’s just kind of the way we do things back home. … Just try to give the looks of our opponents to make it as practical as possible, so we can get that fight feel.

    “This is actually my first time training with Volk. We’ve seen each other in passing a bunch of different times, at the UFC PI, fighting events, and things like that. This has been a cool experience to kind of work with one of the other greatest guys of all time in the featherweight division. So this is really nice.”

    With Volkanovski deep in training and speculation growing, fans eagerly await an official confirmation of his highly anticipated rematch with Topuria.

  • UFC Rankings Report: Youssef Zalal Enters Featherweight Top 15

    UFC Rankings Report: Youssef Zalal Enters Featherweight Top 15

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

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

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

    Women’s Strawweight: No changes.

    Women’s Flyweight: No changes.

    Women’s Bantamweight: Julia Avila fell short at the Apex opposite Jacqueline Cavalcanti. While she subsequently retired, she’s kept her spot in the UFC rankings for now, dropping three spots to #15. The Brazilian, meanwhile, is up two places to #11. Also on the rise is Nora Cornolle, who’s benefitted from recent results to surge up two spots to #13.

    Inside the top 10, Ailín Pérez (#8) will likely not be happy to have had her recent rise take a hit. Despite coming off a win streak, the Argentine has fallen back behind Mayra Bueno Silva (#7), who has lost three straight.

    Flyweight: No changes.

    Bantamweight: Unrelated to the latest event, Marcus McGhee has moved up one place to #13 at 135 pounds, now leaving him above Aiemann Zahabi (#14).

    Featherweight: One of the biggest winners to emerge from UFC Vegas 102 was Youssef Zalal, who remained unbeaten since returning to the promotion by outpointing Calvin Kattar. As a result, he’s debuted in the UFC rankings at #12. The defeated Kattar, meanwhile, has slipped four positions to #14.

    That change has notably boosted Lerone Murphy into the top 10 and ousted Edson Barboza from the list entirely.

    Lightweight: In a somewhat random switch, Grant Dawson has jumped France’s Benoît Saint Denis into #14, leaving “God of War” on the brink of losing his number in the UFC rankings.

    Welterweight: No changes.

    Middleweight: No changes.

    Light Heavyweight: No changes.

    Heavyweight: Don’Tale Mayes’ inclusion in the heavyweight top 15 puzzled many, and he didn’t last long. Following a quick submission loss this past weekend, the American has fallen out of the rankings. Despite Valter Walker defeating him, the Brazilian isn’t the fighter who’s replaced Mayes. The #15-ranked heavyweight is instead Tallison Teixeira, who knocked out Justin Tafa earlier this month in Sydney.

    You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

  • Alex Pereira Accepts Oleksandr Usyk Callout, Claims Two Organizations Already Working On The Bout

    Alex Pereira Accepts Oleksandr Usyk Callout, Claims Two Organizations Already Working On The Bout

    Reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has given a positive response when asked about a potential bout with boxing’s pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk.

    The Brazilian MMA icon is scheduled to headline UFC 313, set to take place in the T-Mobile Arena In Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 8, 2025. In the main event, he will make the fourth defense of his title against Magomed Ankalaev, widely considered the biggest threat to his championship in the division.

    Because of his striking-heavy fighting style and explosive knockout power, fans have often discussed how “Poatan” would perform in a boxing ring. Since “The Cat” expressed the desire to end his career with a boxing superfight against Pereira, fans have been very eager to learn if boxing promoters and Dana White are interested in cross-promoting such a battle too.

    When asked about a boxing fight with Usyk with Mark Bouris, Pereira said:

    “I had already said that before, right? That I would really like to have a boxing match and they asked me who it would be, I said,well I am champion right so it would have to be a champion and he is the champion. And now, he gave an interview and said my name so it is something that I want. He also wants and the two organizations, right, they are working kind of together so I think now it will I believe that this fight can happen.”

    Do note that the statement above is based on Google’s translation of Pereira’s statements. The translator in the live interview was unfortunately called out for missing out on a lot of things so we relied on directly translating the UFC champ’s answer via Google Translator.

    As it turns out, the bits about the two organzations (likely UFC and some boxing promotion) working together weren’t revealed in the live interview but Pereira hinting towards it certainly makes it seem like this matchup is not a far-fetched dream now.

    Usyk’s wins over Tyson Fury have undoubtedly cemented him as an all-time great boxer. He’s formerly united all belts at cruiserweight, and is now eyeing to become a three-time undisputed champion. For his next boxing bout, he’ll face the winner of an upcoming fight between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker scheduled for February 22, 2025.

    “Poatan”, on the other hand, is often seen sparring with professional heavyweight boxers and on many occasions, he’s mentioned about his will to compete in a boxing ring in the future.

    Having said that, Pereira needs to handle business in the Octagon first and his performance against Ankalaev will naturally have a huge impact on his brand. A victory at UFC 313 could help him make big moves such as facing the UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones or move over to boxing as discussed above.

  • Chael Sonnen Calls Francis Ngannou The Sole Obstacle To Jon Jones Superfight: ‘Dana’s Already Announced It’s Going To Happen…’

    Chael Sonnen Calls Francis Ngannou The Sole Obstacle To Jon Jones Superfight: ‘Dana’s Already Announced It’s Going To Happen…’

    The former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight title challenger Chael Sonnen has defended UFC boss Dana White, claiming Francis Ngannou to be the roadblock in his highly-anticipated heavyweight clash with Jon Jones.

    Jones vs Ngannou has easily been one of the most talked-about MMA fights for a couple of years now. However, the deal never reached fruition and differences with White led to the-then UFC heavyweight champion leaving the promotion altogether.

    Following his departure from the UFC, “The Predator” explored other opportunities such as boxing fight Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He also signed with the PFL, becoming their heavyweight champion by defeating Renan Ferreira.

    Despite no plans to ever return to the UFC, Ngannou believes a superfight with Jones is still not off the table. In a recent interview, he claimed that Turki Alalshikh, the current Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, could intervene and convince White to cross-promote with the PFL for this bout.

    However, Ngannou’s narrative that White is blocking the fight with Jones didn’t sit well with MMA fighter turned analyst Sonnen.

    Here’s what Sonnen said while putting the blame on the former UFC heavyweight champ for avoiding the Jones fight:

    “Poor Francis was in a world title fight, in the fight capital of the world, in the world’s biggest promotion, where he is going to headline. He was not the champion of the world. He wanted to be. He was going to be given that opportunity. Do you understand? Okay. Because it was at that time that it had already been announced by Dana White, this giant obstacle, that when Jon Jones returns to heavyweight, it will be for the belt. So now we don’t, now we don’t only have an obstacle, it doesn’t even fully have to do with Francis. Francis didn’t even have the belt. He was scheduled to fight Stipe, a fight that Francis had already lost. Like, we didn’t know who the champion was going to be, but whoever it was going to be, we were going to stick to the deal and the plan that when Jon comes up, Jon will contest with that person. It’s important that you understand that, because that one detail, in and of itself, that timeline excludes the possibility that Francis was being picked on. It was an open statement that Jon will contend whenever Jon comes back, if he ever comes back, right into a world title fight. That happened to be Francis. And what happened next? Jon came back. So now we have Jon, and we have Francis, and we’re going to get to see Jon versus Francis. People are talking about it. You’re talking about it. Dana’s already announced it’s going to happen.”

    Sonnen, being the company-man he is, believes that White cannot be blamed at all for Ngannou and Jones not being able to settle their rivalry inside the Octagon.

    Although Jones first fought at heavyweight after over a year of Ngannou’s last UFC outing, “The American Gangster” believes if “The Predator” had not parted ways with the UFC, he would’ve fought “Bones” instead of Ciryl Gane in March 2023.


    “But somebody blinked. That somebody, I would view to be the obstacle in this equation. Do you agree? Because that somebody was not Dana White. That somebody was not Jon Jones. As a matter of fact, Dana White went through with the plan exactly as he had previously stated, which is that Jon went right into a title fight. And it’s important that you understand this, because Francis left. So to make believe now that you wanted to do something, when you were in a position to do it, and so now the only thing stopping this fight is Dana White.”

    Ngannou is promising his fans worldwide a big comeback to combat sports. In boxing, he definitely can be a part of big fights like the Fury rematch or a possible showdown against the hard-hitting Deontay Wilder. In MMA, he’ll have the option to defend his title against the top heavyweight contenders in the promotion.

  • Dominick Cruz ‘Shocked’ Former UFC Rival Reached Out After He Announced Career-Ending Injury

    Dominick Cruz ‘Shocked’ Former UFC Rival Reached Out After He Announced Career-Ending Injury

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz was surprised to see one bitter rival among those sending positive messages following his recent enforced retirement.

    Had things gone to plan, Cruz would have been just days out from his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC Seattle, having not competed since a knockout loss to Marlon Vera back in 2022.

    But the 135-pound legend’s comeback crumbled when he suffered a second shoulder dislocation during training, the severity of which was enough to compel Cruz to end his career as an active fighter.

    Since then, many in the MMA community have been praising what was undoubtedly an incredible stint in the cage for the 39-year-old. And, as it turns out, even one of the most notable foes from Cruz’s career has paid their respect.

    During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Cruz revealed contact from former opponent TJ Dillashaw.

    “TJ Dillashaw actually reached out to me. I was shocked,” Cruz said. “He gave me a recommendation for a shoulder doctor. He said he was looking forward to watching me compete and was sorry that I couldn’t.”

    Cruz returned from a 16-month layoff in January 2016 to challenge Dillashaw’s bantamweight reign. “The Dominator” fell on the right side of a split decision, capturing the crown for a second time.

    The pair’s animosity continued in the subsequent years, resurfacing in 2022 when the San Diego native took issue with Dillashaw being granted a title fight two fights into his comeback post-drug suspension.

    Dillashaw ultimately lost to Aljamain Sterling after dislocating his shoulder in the fight, with the challenger quickly revealing a plague of injury issues during the lead-up to what marked his final fight.

    Having retired himself due to a similar physical issue, Dillashaw is certainly well placed to pass on advice to Cruz as he looks to recover from the career-ending injury too.

  • Alexander Gustafsson Gets Honest After UFC Exit, GFL Signing: ‘I Don’t Have Real Fire Anymore Or Hunger’

    Alexander Gustafsson Gets Honest After UFC Exit, GFL Signing: ‘I Don’t Have Real Fire Anymore Or Hunger’

    Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson is under no illusion about his current condition and deteriorating motivation to compete in mixed martial arts.

    After 15 years and 18 fights, Gustafsson brought his lengthy stint on MMA’s biggest stage to an end recently. But that doesn’t mean his journey as an active fighter is over.

    The Swedish athlete was among the prominent veteran names who entered the inaugural Global Fight League (GFL) draft ahead of its launch season in 2025. The 38-year-old was picked by Team London, cementing his return to the cage this year.

    During an interview with Sveacasino.se, Gustafsson — who is part of the UFC Hall of Fame owing to his first fight with Jon Jones — described his decision to leave the UFC and join the new organization, admitting he’s past his prime and no longer has the “hunger” required to mix it up with the elite of the sport.

    “I see myself as an elite athlete but I feel it’s the time for the new generation,” Gustafsson said. “I feel like I’m not in my top game anymore. It was a while ago. In my opinion, the fighters who fight for the UFC need to be on their top level. It is the best level of fighting in the UFC. I’m not there anymore. … I’m still doing my best in training, and I have a couple of fights left in me. But I’m not at the UFC level anymore.  That’s how I feel. I’m real to myself. My teammates, my team is real to me. … I don’t have the real fire anymore or the hunger. It was a decision to make and I believe we made the right decision. And I feel good about it, too. I could have done another UFC fight, of course, but I feel a little bit of the pressure because you’re fighting for the best organisation in the world. You need to deliver. I’m not competing to accept a loss. I feel I’m not able to deliver like I did many years before.

    “You need to think about yourself, and also I’m not 25, 28 anymore. I’m 38 years old,” Gustafsson continued. “I have a family. I’m not really worried about the damage you take in the fight. It’s more, the training camps you have. I’ve done many training camps in my career, and the training camp leading up to the fight. You need to deliver on the highest level. It’s a little bit of pressure because you need to recover between sessions. There are many factors involved in the whole thing. That‘s why we made the decision. We also have the GFL contract on the table, too. I have some other offers, too. I feel like I’m not going to do this for a very long time, so let’s make the best of it, and squeeze it out as much as possible. Then I’m done.”

    Gustafsson has lost his last four fights, all by way of finishes. “The Mauler” was most recently knocked out by Nikita Krylov in just 67 seconds back at a 2022 UFC Fight Night in London.

  • Former UFC Champion Miesha Tate Announces Her Next Fight, Implores Doubters To ‘Stick Around’

    Former UFC Champion Miesha Tate Announces Her Next Fight, Implores Doubters To ‘Stick Around’

    Miesha Tate’s next fight is set, as the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion will face Yana Santos at an upcoming UFC Fight Night event.

    Tate announced the fight on Instagram, with Santos also confirming the matchup. While the UFC has yet to formally announce the bout, the event is expected to take place on May 3 in Des Moines, Iowa.

    “It’s Official: May 3rd vs @yanamma,” Tate wrote. “I’ve still got what it takes and if you doubt me, please stick around. Mark your calendars 🗓️”

    Tate last competed in December 2023, securing a third-round submission victory over Julia Avila. The win snapped a two-fight losing skid for the former champion. Since returning from retirement in 2021, “Cupcake” has gone 2-2, including a brief stint at flyweight before moving back to bantamweight, where she once held the title.

    Santos is also coming off a much-needed victory. She earned a unanimous decision over Chelsea Chandler in August 2024, a result she described as “career-saving.” The win halted a three-fight skid that began in 2021 and brought her UFC record to an even 5-5.

    With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night on May 3 are as follows:

    • Yana Santos vs. Miesha Tate
    • Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez
    • Gillian Robertson vs. Marina Rodriguez
    • JeongYeong Lee vs. Trevor Peek
    • Serhiy Sidey vs. Cameron Smotherman

  • Chael Sonnen Predicts UFC 313 Will Mark Alex Pereira’s Final LHW Fight, Win Or Lose

    Chael Sonnen believes Alex Pereira’s time at light heavyweight may be nearing its end following his upcoming title defense against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313.

    UFC CEO Dana White has expressed interest in booking a heavyweight title unification bout between Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall in 2025. But with Jones himself previously favoring a superfight with Pereira, “Poatan” appears to have other options to explore.

    One new possibility seems to be boxing, as unified heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk recently expressed interest in facing the UFC star as part of his retirement plans.

    Regardless of the outcome of the Ankalaev fight, Sonnen predicts the light heavyweight kingpin will seek new opportunities.

    “If Pereira wins, he’s going to be looking for something else to do, and if Pereira loses, he’s gone,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “I feel like many of you have forgotten how Pereira got to 205 pounds. He did not get to 205 by cleaning out 185. He got to 205 by losing at 185. That’s what opened the door — no belt, no vacate, a move right up.

    “So no matter what happens after Ankalaev, things are going to be very different for Pereira. I predict he’s moving up, and the ticking time bomb of Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall carrying this on and dragging this out — that time bomb reaches midnight as soon as Pereira is done with his piece of business with Ankalaev, win or lose.”

  • Francis Ngannou Blames Dana White For Being ‘Massive Obstacle’ Blocking Jon Jones Fight

    The ongoing tension between Francis Ngannou and UFC CEO Dana White continues to unfold.

    After vacating his heavyweight title to explore free agency, Ngannou secured highly lucrative boxing matchups against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua following his UFC departure in 2023.

    In his return to MMA, the former UFC heavyweight champion made a statement with a dominant finish over Renan Ferreira at PFL: Battle of the Giants. However, White suggested after the fight that financial incentives primarily influenced Ngannou’s career decisions.

    “The Predator” believes White struggles to accept how things played out and even questions whether the UFC boss wants to see him fail outside the promotion. Regardless, Ngannou remains focused on his own path forward.

    One fight he still hopes for — but doesn’t believe will happen — is a long-awaited clash with Jon Jones. According to Ngannou, White remains the biggest obstacle in making that fight a reality.

    “If you can get past Dana White, it could happen, [but] that’s a massive obstacle,” Ngannou told Sportsbook Review. “But personally, I don’t care. I’m doing well. I’m doing my stuff at my pace. I don’t care. That won’t change my sleep for me.

    “Finishing my career without fighting Jon Jones would be OK. I have tried to fight Jon Jones for four years since I fought Jairzinho Rozenstruik [at UFC 249] back in 2020. I’ve been trying to fight Jon Jones, and then they were holding it out like a trap until the moment that I was about to leave. Then they said, ‘OK, here’s the Jon Jones fight.’ But it was bait. I felt they were very tricky.”

    While Ngannou acknowledges that a fight with Jones would be an incredible spectacle, he has gradually let go of the expectation.

    “Yes, Jon Jones would be a great fight, a fantastic fight,” Ngannou said. “I have always hoped for that fight, but my hope and my expectation for that fight has faded over time.

    “I have a lot of fights to get a measurement of his light heavyweight career, and I have way less to look at with him as a heavyweight. I think he’s by far the best light heavyweight. His cage time as a light heavyweight was over a decade. At heavyweight, he has two fights. He has barely done three rounds.”

  • Belal Muhammad Predicts ‘Worst-Case Scenario’ For Shavkat Rakhmonov In UFC Title Fight: ‘I See Holes…’

    Belal Muhammad Predicts ‘Worst-Case Scenario’ For Shavkat Rakhmonov In UFC Title Fight: ‘I See Holes…’

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad is confident in his ability to break Shavkat Rakhmonov mentally when they face off.

    Muhammad, who claimed the title by dominating Leon Edwards at UFC 304, is expected to defend it against the undefeated Rakhmonov. This matchup comes after the Kazakh secured a five-round decision victory over Ian Garry at UFC 310 — a fight that originally had “Remember the Name” slated to compete in before he withdrew due to a foot infection.

    While the champ acknowledges Rakhmonov as a formidable challenge, he believes he has the ability to push him to his limits and ultimately prevail.

    “When you’re fighting a guy like Shavkat, where they put him on this pedestal as this undefeated crazy guy, I see holes in his game the same way I saw holes in Leon’s game,” Muhammad said in an interview with Barstool Sports Chicago. “I think Leon’s a better striker than Shavkat, but mentally, I think Shavkat’s a lot stronger. I don’t see him breaking mentally.

    “The biggest thing for him is, now you’re fighting a guy that’s not afraid of you. Everybody he fights comes in there with nerves and fear: ‘Oh, he’s crazy. He’s a robot. He’s this, this and that.’ A lot of guys just fold because of that fear.

    “For me, I’m going to be in his face the whole time, and it’s going to be the same resolve — another guy breaking. A lot of guys like him, when you’ve never felt that, where a guy is not afraid of you, or a guy is still with you this whole time for five rounds, pushing a different pace that you’ve never seen before — and you’re supposed to be the undefeated guy — you’ve never had to experience that before. It’s going to be the worst-case scenario for him.”

  • Conor McGregor Reportedly Appeals Civil Sexual Assault Verdict

    Conor McGregor Reportedly Appeals Civil Sexual Assault Verdict

    Conor McGregor seems to have made initial moves toward resolving his ongoing legal troubles.

    Last November, a jury ruled in favor of Nikita Hand, who had alleged that the former UFC two-division champion sexually assaulted her in December 2018. The Dublin High Court found “The Notorious” responsible for the assault, ordering him to pay €248,000 (roughly $257,000) in damages to the plaintiff.

    Following the court’s ruling, McGregor has consistently denied the allegations, publicly speaking out against Hand and vowing to challenge the decision in a series of social media posts.

    According to a recent BBC report, “The Notorious” has formally lodged an appeal with the Irish courts to overturn the jury’s verdict. Filed last Friday, McGregor’s appeal challenges both the damages and the additional costs he was ordered to cover, which include Hand’s expenses for pursuing the civil case against him.

    The MMA superstar faced significant financial fallout from the lawsuit, leading to his disassociation from the prominent whiskey brand Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey. Alongside this, McGregor experienced a series of other major business setbacks.

    McGregor is also facing another civil lawsuit, accusing him of sexually assaulting an anonymous woman during the Heat vs. Celtics NBA Finals game in June 2023.

    Filed last month in the Southern District of Florida, the lawsuit also names Basketball Properties LLC, the arena’s operator, as a co-defendant. The plaintiff is reportedly seeking damages exceeding $75,000, in addition to other forms of compensation.

    The legal action charges McGregor with battery and accuses the Kaseya Center of gross negligence, alleging that its staff and security failed to maintain a safe environment by permitting McGregor’s excessive drinking.

  • UFC Seattle Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Cejudo vs. Song, Allen vs. Hernandez, & More

    UFC Seattle Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Cejudo vs. Song, Allen vs. Hernandez, & More

    UFC Seattle 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, February 22, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. The main card begins at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be former two-division champion Henry Cejudo. After consecutive losses to Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili since returning from retirement, “Triple C” will look to notch the first win of his comeback at the expense of fellow top 10 bantamweight Song Yadong.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see ranked middleweight contenders Brendan Allen and Anthony Hernandez collide. While the former will look to bounce back from defeat to Nassourdine Imavov last time out, “Fluffy” is pursuing a sixth straight win.

    And also making the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Rob Font, Jean Silva, Alonzo Menifield, Andre Fili and Ricky Simón.

    UFC Seattle: Cejudo vs. Song Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC Seattle (as of 2/17), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Henry Cejudo (+230) vs. Song Yadong (-285)
    • Brendan Allen (+240) vs. Anthony Hernandez (-298)
    • Jean Silva (-575) vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan (+425)
    • Rob Font vs. Jean Matsumoto
    • Alonzo Menifield (-205) vs. Julius Walker (+170)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Andre Fili (-120) vs. Melquizael Costa (+100)
    • Ion Cuțelaba (+130) vs. Ibo Aslan (-155)
    • Nursulton Ruziboev (-305) vs. Eric McConico (+245)
    • Ricky Simón (+240) vs. Javid Basharat (-298)
    • Mansur Abdul-Malik (-850) vs. Nick Klein (+520)
    • Modestas Bukauskas (-325) vs. Raffael Cerqueira (+260)

  • Nine-Fight UFC Lightweight Veteran Retires At 31 After Three Straight Losses

    It’s the end of the road in the UFC and professional mixed martial arts for one lightweight fighter.

    After Julia Avila announced her retirement in the cage at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night event, another member of the roster has followed suit this week.

    In an Instagram post, 155-pound vet Joe Solecki cut his career short at the age of 31. The decision comes off the back of three straight defeats for the New Jersey native, who was most recently outpointed by Nurullo Aliev at the very first UFC event of 2025.

    During a lengthy caption, Solecki revealed his plans to remain an active part of the sport through his coaching work.

    “Today, after chasing this dream for 10 years, I am officially retiring from the sport of MMA.

    “I started this endeavor as a kid with a dream of making it to the UFC. It then grew into so many more goals and dreams, some of which I achieved and others where I fell short. In a way, despite falling short at times (especially this past year), I ‘lived my movie’. Competing at the highest level in the UFC and grinding it out on the regional circuit to make it to the top have taught me more life lessons and things about myself, hard work, and determination than I ever could’ve imagined. This avenue in life has helped me grow in so many ways as a man, athlete, husband, father, and most of all has helped me grow and develop deeper in my faith and relationship with God. I have made lifelong relationships that I’ll cherish forever, have experienced the amazing feeling of victory, the adversity of defeat and the joy of overcoming that adversity. I have been able to go places and experience things I never even dreamed of because of this sport, all memories that I’ll also cherish.

    “I won’t be far away from the sport, as I look forward to being on the mats everyday both training still and coaching the next generation of martial artists at Gym-O. I hope to play a small part in helping others experience these same things I mentioned above in their own lives. And you will certainly be seeing me competing in grappling soon, as competition will always be a part of me.

    “Thank you so much to my incredible wife, who has been with me every step of the way from the first time I laced up a pair of gloves and to my kids who along the way became my new ‘why’. Thank you so much to my coaches, teammates, and everyone who supported me so much. I will be thanking all of these people in a separate post that they very much deserve. Above all, praise goes to Jesus Christ, for the grace that showed me that my worth wasn’t determined by a status or outcome, but by Him. Thank you everyone for all of your support throughout the years on this ride. It’s been nothing short of incredible.”

    Solecki earned his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series back in 2019, impressing the UFC CEO with a first-round submission win.

    While he quickly made a statement with three consecutive victories inside the Octagon to move to 11-2 as a pro, the 31-year-old went 2-4 across his remaining six outings, culminating in an early retirement.

  • VIDEO: Ilia Topuria Has Unique Celebration For One-Year Anniversary Of UFC Title Win

    UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria has achieved a lot of firsts on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage, from ending Alexander Volkanovski’s unbeaten run at 145 pounds to becoming the first to sleep the previously unbreakable Max Holloway.

    Now, “El Matador” might have just become the first UFC champ to serenade their belt by signing Happy Birthday to it…

    Topuria posted a hilarious video (h/t @mma_orbit) of him and his wife’s unique celebration on the one-year anniversary of his memorable championship victory in Anaheim last February.

    The Spaniard reached the top of the featherweight division as an undefeated fighter at UFC 298, which he headlined in competition for Volkanovski’s gold.

    Topuria made good on his prediction to leave the Australian unconscious, shutting his lights out in round two to begin a new era for the weight class.

    After a similarly violent display opposite Max Holloway last October, it remains to be seen what lies ahead for “El Matador” in 2025. While Volkanovski has staked his claim for a rematch, the champ has been vocal in outlining his two-division ambitions.

  • Conor McGregor Hints At BKFC’s Biggest Signing Yet: ‘Stay Tuned…’

    Conor McGregor Hints At BKFC’s Biggest Signing Yet: ‘Stay Tuned…’

    Conor McGregor is teasing what could be BKFC’s most monumental signing yet — MMA icon Fedor Emelianenko.

    Since becoming a part owner of BKFC in April last year, “The Notorious” has injected fresh energy into the promotion, reigniting its buzz and mainstream appeal. McGregor has also vowed to elevate the sport to new heights by bringing in marquee talent.

    During a press conference on Sunday to promote BKFC Florence, set for April 26, McGregor dropped a tantalizing hint that Emelianenko could soon join the promotion as part of their ongoing push to elevate the sport.

    The Irishman’s attention piqued when a reporter lauded his achievements, drawing comparisons to legends like Emelianenko and Royce Gracie.

    “Fedor Emelianenko?” McGregor said. “Stay tuned, we might have some announcement with Fedor Emelianenko. Hey Fedor, we’re waiting. Some news might be coming with Fedor Emelianenko. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is signing and acquiring the best fighters of all time, past, present and future, and everyone wants to be a part of this.”

    “The Last Emperor,” hailed as one of the greatest heavyweight fighters in MMA history, was last seen competing at Bellator 290 in February 2023. His final outing concluded in disappointment as he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Ryan Bader in their rematch.

    Since hanging up his gloves, Emelianenko has offered few hints of a comeback to active competion. The 48-year-old Russian boasts a storied MMA record of 40-7, featuring victories over legends like Mirko Cro Cop, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman and Andrei Arlovski, among others.

  • Daniel Cormier Pushes Back On Francis Ngannou’s Planned Boxing Return: ‘We Cannot Ignore The Visuals Of What We Saw…’

    Although Francis Ngannou has yet to secure a victory in professional boxing, holding a 0-2 record, the former UFC heavyweight champion plans to return to the ring for his next fight.

    This decision comes after his brief return to MMA, where he made his successful PFL debut last October. He comfortably defeated 2023 heavyweight season winner Renan Ferreira.

    As for potential boxing opponents, Ngannou has mentioned former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder as a possibility. However, Daniel Cormier isn’t thrilled about that possibility, particularly after “The Predator’s” brutal knockout loss to Anthony Joshua.

    “There were people picking Francis to beat Joshua,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “I love Francis, but not to insult him — Anthony Joshua felt so little threat [from Ngannou] that he, who is traditionally one of the most passive boxers in the world for a heavyweight champion, went after Francis. He didn’t feel the threat because of the lack of experience that Francis had in boxing.

    “Sure, he’s going to make a boatload of money, he always does, but at what point do you go, ‘I don’t know?’ Because if you ask me, it would seem like he’s up against it again. Maybe he’s just the biggest, baddest man on the planet that we all believe, and he doesn’t care that he’s up against it. He wants to prove everyone wrong like he did the first time when he fought Tyson Fury and took him to a very close fight. But we cannot ignore the visuals of what we saw the last time, especially when he came back to MMA and fought so well.”

    “DC” continued, explaining that a potential fight against Wilder presents significant challenges due to “The Bronze Bomber’s” renowned knockout power.

    “People don’t hurt Francis Ngannou, but when it happened in the [Joshua] fight, he looked lost,” Cormier said. “That’s what’s concerning to me. Because I know there will be moments in that fight with Deontay Wilder, the way that he punches, where [Ngannou] is going to need to find safety.”

    While Wilder isn’t known for his technical skill, his career has been defined by his devastating punching power. However, recent performances paint a different picture.

    Currently on a two-fight losing skid and with only one win in his last five fights, speculation is growing about Wilder’s future. A lucrative opportunity against a less experienced boxer like Ngannou could reignite his motivation.

    Cormier, who trained alongside Wilder on the U.S. Olympic team, understands firsthand the danger the former WBC heavyweight champ presents when at his best.

    “I thought the most dangerous fight for Francis was Deontay Wilder because Deontay Wilder, who I was on the Olympic team with, is more free and also less technical,” Cormier said. “That’s the nice way to say Deontay Wilder’s boxing style. He’s less technical.

    “So the punches may be loopy. He may throw them from odd angles. But he has this unbelievable power that allows you to go to sleep.”

  • Michael Bisping Pitches ‘Rematch 5 Years In The Making’ For Jared Cannonier After UFC Vegas 102

    Michael Bisping Pitches ‘Rematch 5 Years In The Making’ For Jared Cannonier After UFC Vegas 102

    While Jared Cannonier might be unsure about his next step following Saturday’s result, one former champion thinks he’s got just the idea for the UFC middleweight contender.

    Cannonier proved that he’s got plenty left in the tank this past weekend when he headlined the latest UFC Fight Night at the Apex in Las Vegas.

    Though he entered the cage as the underdog, the former title challenger overcame a couple of early knockdowns to turn the tide on Gregory Rodrigues en route to a TKO stoppage in the opening exchanges of round four.

    Moving forward, “The Killa Gorilla” has admitted that his past results and the landscape of the division leaves him in a tricky position when it comes to rising the ranks.

    But during a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Bisping identified a second dance with a top contender that the former champ believes makes perfect sense.

    “A rematch five years in the making, I think that makes all the sense in the world,” Bisping said about Cannonier running it back with Robert Whittaker. “Robert would want it because he’d look at it as a good fight to find his mojo, to come back from, to get a win, to get back in the win column, to beat somebody that he’s beaten before.

    “And, of course, for Jared Cannonier, at 40 years old, Robert Whittaker is a massive household name in mixed martial arts,” Bisping continued. “Everyone would want to see that fight and it’s a chance for Jared to get that one back.”

    Whittaker has been out of action since having his surge toward another championship fight emphatically stalled by Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi last October.

    Having previously won back-to-back contests opposite Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov, the Australian remains close to the top and will be looking to revive his ongoing title ambitions in 2025.

    With that, perhaps a second meeting with Cannonier could be in store. The pair previously did battle at UFC 254 in 2020, with Whittaker’s success on the feet including a broken arm suffered by “The Killa Gorilla” and culminating in a unanimous decision win.

  • VIDEO: Former Rivals Colby Covington, Kamaru Usman Have Awkward Encounter At UFC Vegas 102

    VIDEO: Former Rivals Colby Covington, Kamaru Usman Have Awkward Encounter At UFC Vegas 102

    Colby Covington didn’t seem to get the response he was after when bumping into former bitter rival Kamaru Usman at Saturday’s UFC event at the Apex.

    The polarizing former interim welterweight champion was in attendance this weekend as the mixed martial arts leader staged its latest UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.

    As has often been the case in recent weeks and months, “Chaos” was streaming live on his Twitch account. And while speaking to his followers, Covington crossed paths with one of the night’s ESPN desk analysts, whom it’s fair to say he’s more than familiar with.

    But while his and Usman’s feud is far from as heated as it was when they shared the Octagon twice a number of years ago, Covington’s attempt to initiate a conversation looked to be brushed off by the former undisputed champ.

    “Yes, that was Usman guys,” Covington said after the awkward interaction. “I don’t think he wanted to talk on the stream ’cause he didn’t want the chat to hear what he had to say. But yeah, we’ll definitely chop it up a little bit. Maybe we’ll get a picture, or maybe we’ll just fight. You never know, when ‘Chaos’ is in the building, it’s unpredictable. … No hard feelings.”

    Two of Covington’s three failed attempts at reaching the welterweight throne came opposite Usman at UFC 245 in 2019 and UFC 268 in 2021. While he was stopped in the fifth frame first time around, “Chaos” was unable to outpoint the then-champ in the rematch two years later.

    Since then, the 36-year-old has gone 1-2, defeating Jorge Masvidal but losing emphatically to both Leon Edwards and Joaquin Buckley. His future is uncertain in 2025 following his setback at the hands of “New Mansa” last December.

  • Ilia Topuria Says Dagestani MMA Fighters Lose ‘Every Competitive Fight’ Amid Talk Of Islam Makhachev Clash

    Ilia Topuria Says Dagestani MMA Fighters Lose ‘Every Competitive Fight’ Amid Talk Of Islam Makhachev Clash

    UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria continues to fan the flames of a potential rivalry with lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev.

    Considerable uncertainty surrounds Topuria’s next assignment. While the likes of Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes target his 145-pound gold, the Spaniard has made clear his goal of pursuing two-division glory.

    With that, talk of a clash with Makhachev continues to float around the mixed martial arts community and both men have frequently addressed it during interviews.

    During a recent appearance on the Full Send Podcast, Topuria no doubt added further heat to the back and forth by taking aim at Makhachev and his fellow Dagestani fighters.

    According to “El Matador,” fighters from the region flounder if they can’t establish their dominance early on in fights.

    “None of them have special cardio and stamina. The way they do it, if you fight any of them, the thing they need when they go inside the Octagon, in the first contact, they want to feel like they’ve dominated you,” Topuria said. “They start to build their confidence off that. It’s like, ‘I can dominate you, maybe you escape, and we strike again, but I feel like I’m stronger than you.’

    “If they feel like in the first contact in the first round that they can’t control you and it’s very competitive, then their head goes down.,” Topuria continued. “This is what they try to do, to beat you in the early rounds, that they can dominate you, that they are stronger than you. But when they realize that it’s not like that, most of the time, they lose those kinds of fights. All of the competitive fights they lose — all of them.”

    While some might suggest that Umar Nurmagomedov’s five-round defeat to Merab Dvalishvili last month supports Topuria’s hypothesis, the bantamweight contender’s brother found a different outcome in his January outing. Usman Nurmagomedov got the better of Irish challenger Paul Hughes in their competitive main event title fight at PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai.

    It remains to be seen whether Topuria will get the chance to prove his remarks right against Makhachev this year or be made to defend his featherweight belt for a second time.

  • UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: UFC Seattle Card Undergoes Major Changes

    UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: UFC Seattle Card Undergoes Major Changes

    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 10, and Sunday, February 16, a number of fights were made official by the UFC or reported as being in the works by reputable sources.

    For those matchups, including the planned main event for the Apex on April 5, check out the list below:

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

  • Henry Cejudo Suggests Alternative To ‘Stupid’ Sean O’Malley Rematch For Merab Dvalishvili

    Henry Cejudo Suggests Alternative To ‘Stupid’ Sean O’Malley Rematch For Merab Dvalishvili

    Ahead of his return to action this weekend, former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo has assessed the landscape of the bantamweight title picture.

    Merab Dvalishvili has ruled over the division since his dominant victory over Sean O’Malley at the Sphere last September. He’s defended the crown once, getting the better of undefeated challenger Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January.

    The Georgian champ has outlined his intention to remain active and put the gold on the line again in the first half of 2025. And when it comes to the opposition, one ex-foe is expecting to have the chance for redemption.

    After being sidelined with a torn labrum following his title defeat in 2024, O’Malley was quick to insist that he’ll return straight into a rematch with Dvalishvili this year.

    During a recent interview with Home of Fight, Cejudo rejected the notion that “Sugar” deserves a second dance with “The Machine,” instead pitching Cory Sandhagen as a better challenger.

    “I think that’s stupid,” Cejudo said of Dvalishvili potentially running it back with O’Malley. “It’s not like O’Malley’s a pay-per-view king. Like, his fights don’t do sh*t, man. I think the person that they should give him (is) Sandhagen.

    “Sandhagen makes a lot of sense. Sandhagen could potentially beat him,” Cejudo continued. “I mean, I still think Merab beats him, but he has the tools to really shut out Merab’s freaking lights. That’s the cool thing about it.”

    “The Sandman” is coming off a defeat to Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi last August.

    Cejudo, meanwhile, is still seeking the first win of his comeback, having lost back-to-back outings opposite Aljamain Sterling and Dvalishvili since returning from retirement.

    “Triple C” will hope the long-awaited triumph finally arrives next weekend, when he headlines the UFC’s return to Seattle against Song Yadong.

  • ‘That Makes Up For 312’ – Fans React To Reveal Of Full Main Card For UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev

    ‘That Makes Up For 312’ – Fans React To Reveal Of Full Main Card For UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev

    The main card for next month’s UFC 313 pay-per-view event has been confirmed — and fans are expecting violence.

    After a disappointing numbered event Down Under in Sydney, Australia earlier this month, the promotion’s March offering on PPV comes from within the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    Two highly anticipated clashes are set to headline, with fan favorite Alex Pereira defending his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev in the main event and Justin Gaethje meeting Dan Hooker in a sure-fire barnburner at 155 pounds.

    During the broadcast of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night event at the Apex, the MMA leader confirmed which other three fights will go down on the UFC 313 main card, including two further lightweight bouts and a key contest at 115 pounds.

    • Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira (C) vs. Magomed Ankalaev
    • Lightweight: Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker
    • Lightweight: Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
    • Women’s Strawweight: Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo
    • Lightweight: King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy

    Fans quickly flocked to social media to react, with the majority seemingly anticipating a much more electric card at UFC 313 than was delivered to Aussie fans at Qudos Bank Arena on Feb. 8.

    https://twitter.com/AintFredoYou/status/1890957073996767684