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  • ‘Needs To Go To Dagestan’ – Fans React As Payton Talbott Suffers First Career Loss In One-Sided Fashion vs. Raoni Barcelos At UFC 311

    ‘Needs To Go To Dagestan’ – Fans React As Payton Talbott Suffers First Career Loss In One-Sided Fashion vs. Raoni Barcelos At UFC 311

    In what has perhaps been the biggest shock of the night thus far at UFC 311 — the promotion’s first pay-per-view card of the year — Payton Talbott’s undefeated record came to an end at the hands of Raoni Barcelos.

    Barcelos dominated the fight from start to finish, using his size and wrestling to success. The Brazilian, in fact, dominated the opening round and appeared to put a hurting on the American up-and-comer. Talbott had a sense of urgency in the second round, trying to take control and come out on the front foot, but Barcelos simply did more.

    The veteran’s success continued into the third round, as he swept the judges’ scorecards.

    Raoni Barcelos Hands Payton Talbott First Loss In Dominant Display At UFC 311

    https://twitter.com/HomelanderMMA/status/1880809647537566052

    Arriving to the UFC off a win on Dana White’s Contender Series, Talbott had scored wins over Nick Aguirre, Cameron Saaiman, and Yanis Ghemmouri.

    Meanwhile, Saturday’s result marked Barcelos’ second straight win, with his last fight coming back at UFC Mexico City last year, where he defeated Cristian Quiñonez.

  • VIDEO: Debutant Produces Brutal Ground & Pound Knockout To Announce His Arrival At UFC 311

    VIDEO: Debutant Produces Brutal Ground & Pound Knockout To Announce His Arrival At UFC 311

    Azamat Bekoev secured the second finish of the night at UFC 311 with a highly impressive debut for the middleweight newcomer. As he spoke about in his post-fight interview, the 29-year old may have had to wait some time to get his opportunity, but when it finally arrived, he capitalized in style.

    The Russian stepped in on short notice to replace Sedriques Dumas and take on Zachary Reese, who was coming off of back-to-back wins after suffering a loss in his UFC debut. The American has proven himself to be a dangerous striker, but this didn’t end up playing into the preliminary matchup on Jan. 18.

    Bekoev got his hand raised via first-round finish having delivered some devastating ground-and-pound. After threatening with a submission attempt, Reese found himself on the bottom, where he ate several big shots from his opponent before the referee stepped in as he went out.

    With the result at UFC 311, Bekoev has now won seven fights in a row with an overall record of 19-3, and he looks to be a serious threat at 185 pounds based on the short amount of time fans have seen of him in the UFC.

    Watch the highlight reel finish from UFC 311 below:

    https://twitter.com/TakeruCigarra/status/1880801474990793177

  • VIDEO: Darren Till Flattens Anthony Taylor In Latest Post-UFC Boxing Match

    VIDEO: Darren Till Flattens Anthony Taylor In Latest Post-UFC Boxing Match

    Former UFC star Darren Till has come out on top in his first professional boxing bout, defeating Anthony Taylor via knockout in the main event of Misfits Boxing 20 in Manchester, England.

    After thoroughly dominating Taylor for five rounds, coming in with a notable advantage in height and reach, “The Gorilla” put his fellow MMA veteran down with a power combination in the sixth.

    Ex-UFC Contender Darren Till Scores KO Win In Pro Boxing Debut

    Till was originally booked to face Tommy Fury in this fight but “TNT” withdrew from the bout after the Liverpudlian claimed he’d use “MMA tactics” if he fell behind on the scorecards.

    “The Gorilla” previously competed in an exhibition boxing match back in July 2024, scoring a bizarre TKO over Mohammad Mutie, with a brief brawl coming after the fight.

    Till, a former UFC welterweight title challenger, went 18-5-1 in his 10-year MMA tenure, which ended with a loss to current middleweight kingpin Dricus du Plessis at UFC 282 in December 2022.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Shares His Unfiltered Opinion On Islam Makhachev’s Potential Move To Middleweight

    Khamzat Chimaev Shares His Unfiltered Opinion On Islam Makhachev’s Potential Move To Middleweight

    Khamzat Chimaev has given a candid take on the prospect of Islam Makhachev making a leap to higher weight classes down the line.

    Makhachev will defend his lightweight title against Renato Moicano in the headline bout of Saturday’s UFC 311 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Originally, the Dagestani champion was set to make his fourth title defense against Arman Tsarukyan, but just a day before the fight, “Ahalkalakets” was forced to withdraw due to a back injury.

    The reigning UFC 155-pound champion has long voiced his desire to become a two-division champion by moving up a weight class, vowing not to retire until he achieves this goal. However, standing in the way of Makhachev’s quest for a second UFC title is welterweight champ Belal Muhammad.

    Despite this, Makhachev has made it clear that he would steer clear of a clash with “Remember the Name” due to their shared respect. Makhachev’s manager has even hinted that, if necessary, his client could bypass welterweight altogether and leap straight to middleweight in the future to claim ‘champ-champ’ status.

    During a recent interview with Aslanbek Badaev, “Borz” weighed in on the possibility of Makhachev making the leap to the 185-pound division. Chimaev offered a measured response, stating that if anyone was truly capable of climbing weight classes and dominating, it would be UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov.

    “Well if Islam wants to, and Abdelaziz wants, let him go and try, Chimaev said. “I don’t know. i can’t give an asnwer about Islam now as I haven’t trained with him. Maybe it’s possible, maybe not. I anyone could move [and complete] at 170 or 185 [pounds], it would be Khabib. As for Islam, if have many doubts becuase of his last fight at 155. It was tough for him. Although I had a tough fightwith Gilbert Buns [at 170], then I moved up to 185 and it was easier [to fight] there. Maybe Islam will have the same situation. He might move up and it will become much esasier. Well only the Octagon can show.”

    Makhachev is on an impressive 14-fight win streak, with his latest victory coming at UFC 303 in June 2024. There, he secured a gritty fifth-round submission over Dustin Poirier to successfully retain his title.

  • MMA Legend Discusses Why Renato Moicano Could Be Bigger Test For Islam Makhachev Than Arman Tsarukyan

    MMA Legend Discusses Why Renato Moicano Could Be Bigger Test For Islam Makhachev Than Arman Tsarukyan

    Renato Moicano might pose a more demanding test for Islam Makhachev than Arman Tsarukyan — at least, that’s the perspective of an MMA legend.

    Makhachev had spent months training to defend his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 311 this Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. However, on Friday, the matchup was abruptly derailed when UFC CEO Dana White revealed that “Ahalkalakets” had to withdraw from their rematch because of a back injury.

    Eventually, “Money” swooped in at the last moment to save the UFC 311 main event, stepping up as Tsarukyan’s replacement. Moicano had originally been scheduled to face Beneil Dariush on the same card.

    Many fans and analysts alike see Moicano as an easy matchup for Makhachev, a sentiment echoed by the oddsmakers who have installed the Dagestani as an overwhelming favorite heading into the fight. However, Demetrious Johnson sees things quite differently.

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, “Mighty” weighed in on the reshuffled UFC 311 main event between Makhachev and Moicano following Tsarukyan’s sudden withdrawal. The former UFC flyweight champion emphasized how the short-notice aspect of the matchup brings a fresh dynamic, and boldly suggested that “Money” might pose a more formidable challenge for Makhachev than many expect.

    “I think it’s a better fight, Johnson said. “Here’s the reason why: you look at what ‘Money’ Moicano has done recently. He is on a tear because the man ‘can’t afford to lose,’ and I think it’s a tougher fight for Islam Makhachev. The reason is that you have to do it within 24 hours; you have no idea what the game plan’s going to be, and the whole thing changes.

    “But right now, Islam Makhachev is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, so he can fight anybody on any given day. But you do have to make some adjustments, because the way that ‘Money’ fights compared to what Arman does is night and day different. I feel Renato Moicano is way more dangerous than Arman just because he’s not going to rely on the wrestling. He’s gonna go after him, he’s gonna throw knees, he’s gonna throw combinations. And he’s a f**king dog. He’s gonna bring a dog fight.”

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov Explains Why Coaching Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier Was Harder Than Fighting Him

    Khabib Nurmagomedov and current UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev share a notable common opponent in Dustin Poirier. Both fighters secured submission victories over “The Diamond” during their respective UFC careers.

    Khabib defeated Poirier at UFC 242 in September 2019, winning via submission in a dominant performance. Makhachev’s most recent title defense also came against Poirier, ending with a fifth-round submission. Reflecting on these encounters, “The Eagle” admitted that fighting Poirier himself was much easier than cornering Makhachev against him.

    “Inside the cage was much better,” Nurmagomedov told ESPN in a recent interview. “When I was inside, I didn’t have to talk. Only a couple of times I spoke with him. I remember during my fight with Dustin, after the first round, I asked him how he felt, and he said, ‘Nothing, you win the first round.’”

    Nurmagomedov explained that coaching from the outside presented an entirely different challenge.

    “When I was outside with Islam, for almost 25 minutes I was just talking. I couldn’t do anything. To be honest, I don’t like this. But it was an amazing fight—an amazing finish in the fifth round and a very good experience for Islam.”

    Coach Javier Mendez also weighed in, calling Poirier the toughest opponent Makhachev has faced to date.

  • UFC 311: Islam Makhachev vs. Renato Moicano Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC 311: Islam Makhachev vs. Renato Moicano Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC 311 takes place on Saturday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

    The upcoming pay-per-view event at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California provides a chance for UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev to record his fourth successful title defense.

    While that was initially set to come in the form of a rematch opposite top contender Arman Tsarukyan, a back injury sustained during his weight cut forced the planned challenger to withdraw. Stepping in on 24 hours’ notice will be Renato Moicano, who was originally slated to share the cage with Beneil Dariush on Saturday’s main card.

    The stakes will also be high in the co-main event, which will see undefeated bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili look to complete his ascent to the top by unseating current kingpin Merab Dvalishvili in his first defense.

    Elsewhere on the UFC 311 card, a pair of former light heavyweight champs in Jiří Procházka and Jamahal Hill collide, the always entertaining Kevin Holland meets ex-ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder, and Jailton Almeida and Serghei Spivac battle to establish themselves in the heavyweight title picture.

    Ahead of the event, all fighters set to compete tomorrow night successfully made weight, and all that remains on Friday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC 311 ceremonial weigh-ins!

    Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 7 PM ET.

    UFC 311 Ceremonial Weigh-In Video

  • Leon Edwards vs. Jack Della Maddalena Official For UFC London Main Event

    Leon Edwards vs. Jack Della Maddalena Official For UFC London Main Event

    Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has had his return to action in the first quarter of next year confirmed.

    Edwards hasn’t competed since losing his grip on the 170-pound crown at UFC 304 in Manchester this past July, where he was convincingly defeated by Belal Muhammad in their headline rematch.

    “Rocky” has vowed to finish the new year with the gold back in his possession and announced that the path toward achieving that will start with a return in the main event of the UFC’s confirmed return to London on March 22.

    A number of names floated around regarding an opponent, from the seemingly unretired Jorge Masvidal to top 10 contenders Ian Garry and Sean Brady. Ultimately, the assignment has fallen to Jack Della Maddalena.

    During a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Australian insider Benny P first reported on Della Maddalena’s planned trip to London to share the cage with “Rocky.”

    And Friday night, the promotion officially announced the bout, alongside the rest of the lineup for March 22.

    Della Maddalena hasn’t made the walk since a victory over Gilbert Burns at UFC 299 this past March. The Australian put his name in Comeback of the Year discussion by avoiding certain defeat on the scorecards with a late knockout.

    The Perth native has now won 17 straight fights since an 0-2 start to his professional career, a run that includes a perfect 7-0 UFC record. With that in mind, a triumph over a recent champ in Edwards would likely secure the #4-ranked contender a first title shot.

  • Islam Makhachev Reacts To Late-Notice UFC 311 Opponent Change: ‘It Doesn’t Matter Who’

    Islam Makhachev Reacts To Late-Notice UFC 311 Opponent Change: ‘It Doesn’t Matter Who’

    Islam Makhachev remains unfazed by whoever stands across from him in the Octagon on Saturday night, as he’s focused on accomplishing the task at hand.

    Makhachev was initially slated to defend his lightweight title against former rival Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311 this weekend at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    However, on Friday morning, the headliner took an unforeseen turn when UFC CEO Dana White announced that “Ahalkalakets” had been forced to withdraw from the rematch due to a back injury.

    Makhachev will now square off against Renato Moicano in the newly revamped main event of UFC 311. Originally scheduled to face Beneil Dariush in a 155-pound clash on the main card, “Money” has now seized the eleventh-hour opportunity to challenge for the UFC title after Tsarukyan’s injury sidelined the original matchup.

    The Dagestani champion embraced the unanticipated shift, proudly echoing his own quote, which White had prominently displayed on the walls of the UFC Performance Institute.

    “‘What does this title represent? It means you’re the best in the world and if you’re the best in the world, it doesn’t matter who’s going to be standing across from you. What do I say? No? NEVER. Let’s do this!’” Makhachev wrote on X.

    Makhachev is riding a remarkable 14-fight win streak, with his most recent appearance at UFC 303 in June 2024. There, he secured a gritty fifth-round submission victory over Dustin Poirier to successfully retain his title.

    Meanwhile, Moicano is on a four-fight win streak and has been relentless since his move to the 155-pound division, boasting six victories in his last seven bouts. “Money” enters this title fight on the back of a dominant second-round TKO (doctor’s stoppage) over Benoît Saint Denis at UFC Paris in September.

  • Arman Tsarukyan’s First Statement On UFC 311 Withdrawal: ‘Hardest Decision I’ve Ever Had To Make’

    Arman Tsarukyan has spoken publicly following his decision to pull out of Saturday’s UFC 311 pay-per-view.

    Tsarukyan is currently in Los Angeles, where he had hoped to avenge his 2019 loss to Islam Makhachev to capture the lightweight crown and cement himself among the all-time top names at 155 pounds.

    But the chance to do so will have to wait, with the Armenian withdrawing from the opening numbered event of 2025 just one day out after injuring his back while cutting weight.

    The news was first reported by Red Corner MMA before being confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White, who also revealed that Renato Moicano has been pulled from his original showdown with Beneil Dariush to challenge Makhachev in tomorrow night’s headliner.

    A clearly devastated Tsarukyan, meanwhile, recently took to social media with his first remarks since the disappointing revelation emerged.

    “I regret to inform everyone that the news is that I had to pull out of UFC 311 with a back injury is true. This was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my fighting career. I would like to thank the UFC for understanding and I look forward to competing for my first UFC Championship in the future. Thank you all for your support.”

  • Arman Tsarukyan Out Of Islam Makhachev Rematch At UFC 311, Renato Moicano Steps In

    Arman Tsarukyan Out Of Islam Makhachev Rematch At UFC 311, Renato Moicano Steps In

    Disaster has struck one day out from the first pay-per-view of 2025, with Arman Tsarukyan out of UFC 311.

    Tsarukyan and Makhachev faced off at Thursday’s press conference ahead of their second meeting inside the cage Saturday night in Los Angeles.

    Years on from their competitive collision at a 2019 UFC Fight Night in Moscow, which the Russian won on the scorecards, the pair were set to do battle for Makhachev’s lightweight crown on Jan. 18.

    But during the weigh-ins, a report from Red Corner MMA emerged revealing that Tsarukyan has withdrawn just north of 24 hours out from his first title challenge on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    Dana White later confirmed the news himself on social media, while also announcing that Renato Moicano will step in to challenge Makhachev in tomorrow night’s headliner.

    The Brazilian had already hit the scale for UFC 311, with Moicano making championship weight ahead of his previously scheduled three-round contest with Beneil Dariush.

    While he is only ranked #10 in the division, he is riding a four-fight win streak. He’s also coming off a dominant showing opposite Benoît Saint Denis in Paris, a similar result that netted Dustin Poirier a title shot against Makhachev last year.

  • Jiří Procházka Warns Jamahal Hill About ‘Big Mistake’ Ahead Of UFC 311 Clash

    Jiří Procházka Warns Jamahal Hill About ‘Big Mistake’ Ahead Of UFC 311 Clash

    Jamahal Hill is set to face fellow former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka this weekend at UFC 311. Hill has made it clear that he believes a victory would solidify his claim to the next title shot.

    Hill’s rivalry with current 205-pound kingpin Alex Pereira has added extra intrigue to his journey back to the top. The two were involved in a controversial altercation at the UFC Performance Institute last month, a situation that drew criticism toward “Sweet Dreams.” This incident has further motivated him to prove his worthiness for another championship opportunity.

    For Procházka, the focus remains firmly on the task at hand. He has warned his opponent that overlooking him in favor of thoughts about a title shot or Pereira would be a costly mistake.

    “I would just say that it is a big mistake when you are not focused on what’s before you, and you’re looking at another opponent — it will cost you a lot,” Procházka said during the UFC 311 media day. “So, it’s just about staying humble and focused on what’s before you. I don’t speak about other opponents, about who will be the next. Even if I did say I want to fight Alex Pereira for a third time because I believe in myself and the changes in my style.

    “No, this is not the time or place right now. There is Jamahal Hill this Saturday, and I want to win,” he continued. “And I’m going to win this fight. Then we can talk about others.”

  • Henry Cejudo Promises ‘Live Assassination’ Of Song Yadong At UFC Seattle

    Henry Cejudo Promises ‘Live Assassination’ Of Song Yadong At UFC Seattle

    Henry Cejudo is set to return for his third outing inside the Octagon since he came out of retirement to fight Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title in 2023. The former two-weight titleholder has been unable to reclaim the top spot since he left the sport on top back in 2020 after winning six fights in a row.

    Having bean beaten by teammates in Sterling and the current champion Merab Dvalishvili, Cejudo is now set to look a few positions further down the 135-pound rankings after failing to immediately re-establish himself as a top contender. In the main event on February 22, he will face the #8-ranked Song Yadong at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

    Yadong is also looking to bounce back from a defeat last time out but “Triple C” is incredibly confident that he will show levels in this fight. He spoke in a recent interview with Cageside Press about how he sees the matchup playing out in this pivotal moment for his career at the highest level.

    “You guys can witness a damn assassination man. You guys are going to witness a live assassination. Song Yadong you ain’t that long,” Cejudo told Cageside Press.

    Cejudo also continued to make references to his opponent’s name in what appears to be the return of his trash talking persona which we have had a significant break from in recent times. Despite this, “King Triple C” knows what is at stake for him in this fight.

    He did not return just to take part in the division but a third consecutive loss would be a big uphill battle for him at this stage in his career.

    “Song doesn’t have that long dong that you guys think he does and that he’s gonna bend the knee and everybody watching should also bend a knee to KING TRIPLE C.”

  • Rising UFC Featherweight Favors BMF Title Win Over Undisputed: ‘To Be One Of The Baddest Dudes…’

    Rising UFC Featherweight Favors BMF Title Win Over Undisputed: ‘To Be One Of The Baddest Dudes…’

    The BMF title has been a divisive subject in MMA but there’s no denying that in the three fights that it has featured in, it has produced some iconic moments and performances. One of the most exciting contenders in the featherweight division recently revealed that he wants a piece of that action over getting his hands on UFC gold.

    Steve Garcia has been proving himself to be one of the most dangerous contenders at 145-pounds with his current winning streak. Since a knockout loss to Maheshate Hayisaer at UFC 275 in 2022, he has won five consecutive fights with each victory coming by way of KO/TKO. With 14 of his 17 pro wins coming via this method, the 32-year old certainly qualifies for the category of being a victory or death kind of fighter.

    Garcia recently spoke to MMA Junkie ahead of his huge clash with the #15-ranked Edson Barboza on February 22. During the interview, he spoke about his featherweight title aspirations and why he believes that the BMF belt holds more weight to him personally because not every fighter qualifies for it just by securing wins.

    “If I would say that there’s a title I prefer to fight for, it would be the BMF title,” Garcia said. “I’ve been able to knock out a lot of these guys. There’s nothing against the undisputed title, but the undisputed title, you could literally win the undisputed title, and you can win on decisions the whole entire time.

    “You could win on submissions the whole entire time. You can be great and do knockouts and stuff like that, too, but I think the BMF title, the meaning says it all. To be one of the baddest dudes to step into a cage, throw in my words, chingassos. You’re going for it.”

    Having changed hands three times, the BMF title currently belongs to Max Holloway who was stopped by Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC 308. Whilst Garcia doesn’t expect to be put in there with “Blessed” anytime soon, he’s prepared to keep doing what he does best in order to work his way there.

    “I would love a fight with Max,” Garcia said. “I’m such a huge fan of him, but my goodness, if you want to watch something that can go off, I think that would be a good fight. I guess I’ve got to keep knocking people out and prove people what I’m able to do to maybe have that opportunity or that shot. I think about the BMF title more than I think about the undisputed title to be honest.”

  • UFC 311: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 Weigh-In Live Stream & Results

    UFC 311: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 Weigh-In Live Stream & Results

    UFC 311 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    After staging fights at Las Vegas’ Apex facility to kick off 2025, the mixed martial arts leader will host its first pay-per-view of the new year from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    Two titles will be on the line at the top of the card, with Islam Makhachev defending his lightweight belt against familiar foe Arman Tsarukyan in the main event. Co-headlining, meanwhile, will be a first-time clash between reigning bantamweight kingpin Merab Dvalishvili and undefeated challenger Umar Nurmagomedov.

    Also on the main card will be returns for ex-light heavyweight champions Jiří Procházka and Jamahal Hill, as well as charging 155-pound contender Renato Moicano and the always entertaining Kevin Holland.

    UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2 Weigh-In Results

    UFC 311 takes place Saturday, January 18 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.

    See above for a replay of the UFC 311 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below.

    Main Card:

    • Lightweight Championship: Islam Makhachev (154.5lbs) vs. Arman Tsarukyan
    • Bantamweight Championship: Merab Dvalishvili (134lbs) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (135lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Jiří Procházka (204.5lbs) vs. Jamahal Hill (204.5lbs)
    • Lightweight: Beneil Dariush (155lbs) vs. Renato Moicano (155lbs)
    • Middleweight: Kevin Holland (183.5lbs) vs. Reinier de Ridder (184.5lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Bantamweight: Payton Talbott (135.5lbs) vs. Raoni Barcelos (135.5lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Jailton Almeida (235lbs) vs. Serghei Spivac (233lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Bogdan Guskov (205.5lbs) vs. Billy Elekana (200lbs)
    • Lightweight: Grant Dawson (156lbs) vs. Diego Ferreira (156lbs)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Middleweight: Zachary Reese (185.5lbs) vs. Azamat Bekoev (185.5lbs)
    • Women’s Bantamweight: Karol Rosa (135.5lbs) vs. Ailín Pérez (135lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Rinya Nakamura (135.5lbs) vs. Muin Gafarov (136lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Ricky Turcios (136lbs) vs. Benardo Sopaj (135lbs)
    • Flyweight: Tagir Ulanbekov (125.5lbs) vs. Clayton Carpenter (125.5lbs)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0mAy87Dps0
  • VIDEO: Darren Till Has Strange First Faceoff With Anthony Taylor Ahead Of Misfits Boxing Match

    VIDEO: Darren Till Has Strange First Faceoff With Anthony Taylor Ahead Of Misfits Boxing Match

    If there exists a list of the weirdest staredowns in combat sports, Darren Till’s recent faceoff would definitely make the top five.

    Till is poised to lock horns with renowned influencer boxer Anthony Taylor in an eight-round heavyweight showdown, headlining Misfits X Series 20 on Jan. 18 at Co-op Live in Manchester, England.

    Ahead of their showdown this weekend, Till and Taylor came together at the pre-fight press conference on Thursday. After a relatively tame exchange on the mic, the two boxers engaged in one of the most bizarre staredowns in recent memory.

    Taylor made every effort to spice up the faceoff with some quirky banter during the close encounter, but “The Gorilla” remained largely unfazed. At one point, Till even walked off the stage, leaving everyone puzzled, only to return moments later.

    “I’m about to make easy work of you,” Taylor said. “Yeah, I’m about to get them veneers redone for you. I want you to say something. You think you big and bad because you trained with pro boxers. Your whole team is sh*t.”

    Till was originally slated to face Tommy Fury at the same event but “TNT” withdrew from the bout, citing concerns over the playful threat of being kicked by the former UFC welterweight title challenger — a warning Till jokingly issued during the promotional press conference.

    “The Gorilla” has been relatively inactive since parting ways with the UFC, where he endured a challenging 1-5 record in his final six bouts. However, he returned to action in a boxing match at Social Knockouts 3 in July 2024, earning a bizarre TKO victory over Mohammad Mutie.

  • Patrício Pitbull Sends Stern Warning To Former Employer After ‘Lies’ About PFL Release: ‘Do Not Go This Route’

    Patrício Pitbull Sends Stern Warning To Former Employer After ‘Lies’ About PFL Release: ‘Do Not Go This Route’

    Via his recent live fan Q&A with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, PFL founder Donn Davis spoke more in detail about the current situation regarding Patrício Pitbull. The Bellator legend was recently granted his release from the promotion after being outspoken over the past several weeks about wanting to leave so that he could fight elsewhere.

    Pitbull had said that he wasn’t being offered fights and had reached a point where he had already made up his mind about fighting for another promotion, with one specific destination in mind. Davis argued against this during the Town Hall interview where he gave more context from the PFL’s point of view.

    Davis said that the reason this had been going on for several weeks is because the promotion was trying to keep Pitbull with them by making a deal work. He said that they also tried to get the Bellator featherweight champion to fight the only bout left on his contract before leaving, with a huge clash against Aaron Pico being the option that they were heading in.

    Pitbull quickly posted a response on X where he claimed that both of these points aren’t a fair reflection of the communications between the two parties.

    “Hi @DonnDavisPFL, let’s keep things true all the way. You never oficially offered me the fight with Pico, and I never said no. Pete told my management that Pico was the number 1 choice but he might be hitting free agency and if so you’d find someone else. Also…

    “You never said ‘fight for us this one time and we will let you go’. You said my 15 years in Bellator provided value for them and now you wanted me to provide value for PFL. And Pete said you’d exercise every legal right you guys had to prevent me from going to the competition.”

    Pitbull added one more message to the statement, stating that he will continue to dispute any claims that he believes aren’t factual. The 37-year old said that he doesn’t want to have to continue talking negatively about the promotion but he will if the truth isn’t being put out there.

    “I had all the intention of leaving everything behind and not talking about it anymore, but if I see any lies about me out there I won’t stay silent. As I said on our last conversation @DonnDavisPFL I hope @PFLMMA improves and can succeed, so do not go this route.”

  • UFC 311’s Kevin Holland Doesn’t Want To Become Champion Due To The ‘Politics’ Of It

    UFC 311’s Kevin Holland Doesn’t Want To Become Champion Due To The ‘Politics’ Of It

    UFC middleweight Kevin Holland is one of the most unique fighters on the promotion’s roster. We have certainly seen competitors come and go in the past who were company men to the highest degree, willing to step in and fight every weekend of the year if their bodies, and the athletic commissions allowed it, but the middleweight contender is different.

    He has received some criticism in the past for being overly relaxed in fights and not taking things serious enough with the debate that if he really focused on being the best version of himself that he can possibly be, he could achieve more. Ultimately, Holland just wants to fight as much as possible in order to make as much money as possible.

    Whether its his record-tying year in 2020 where he produced five wins inside the Octagon or his attitude to losing, it has always been clear that “Trailblazer” isn’t someone who is focused on one big finish line that he is pursuing. He recently spoke about this ahead of his return at UFC 311 this Saturday night where he takes on Reinier de Ridder.

    Unlike someone like his opponent who wants to continue working his way up the middleweight ladder in order to compete at the very top of the sport, Holland is a prize fighter at heart and though the UFC title is a big shiny goal to strive for, he isn’t overly concerned with adding a belt to his trophy cabinet. In fact, he’s more motivated to break the promotion’s record for most fights which is currently held by the still active Jim Miller.

    The 32-year old recently told ESPN that even if he did find himself in position for a shot at the title, he doesn’t know whether he would take it because it could interfere with his plans and cause him complications.

    “There are too many politics that come with being a world champion,” he said. “I don’t need it. I never came to the UFC to fight for a world title. I came to get paid. I’ve talked to fighters who are world champions and ones who aren’t. I found out what some were making and how often they were competing. I wouldn’t make that much more fighting as a world champion, and I’d have to fight less often than I do now. It doesn’t make financial sense to me.”

  • Israel Adesanya On How Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan Will Play Out At UFC 311: ‘Going To Be WrestleMania’

    Israel Adesanya On How Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan Will Play Out At UFC 311: ‘Going To Be WrestleMania’

    Israel Adesanya believes that fight fans are in for a grappling-heavy main event this weekend at UFC 311. At the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will face top contender Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch of their first encounter in 2019.

    With Tsarukyan making his UFC debut in their previous meeting, what surprised so many fans is that he was able to compete with Makhachev in the grappling exchanges which very few have been able to do even if he wasn’t able to secure the win. Both men do their best work on the ground but the biggest difference heading into their second bout is the significant improvements that they have made on the feet over the past few years.

    The challenger has shown that he is a dangerous striker with a wide kicking arsenal in particular which allows him to control the range and keep opponents guessing. His knockout over Beneil Dariush showed that he is able to get the job done without needing to get hold of his opponent to drag them to the canvas.

    Makhachev, on the other hand, has a simple but effective style which has led to him having a lot of success with his boxing, particularly in his last fight against Dustin Poirier where he won a lot of the exchanges against “The Diamond”.

    When breaking the fight down on his YouTube channel, the former two-time middleweight champion acknowledged how both of them have evolved into well-rounded mixed martial artists though it still seems likely that they will look test each others grappling once again. “The Last Stylebender” thinks that regardless of the fact that both men are confident strikers, they will revert to type in this matchup.

    “His striking is looking way more comfortable lately, way more polished. Arman as well… He’s got nice kicks, good hands, very explosive. But yeah, it’s gonna be a wrestling fight. It’s gonna be WrestleMania.”

  • PFL Founder Announces Jake Paul’s MMA Debut Likely For 2025

    PFL Founder Announces Jake Paul’s MMA Debut Likely For 2025

    Jake Paul is finally set to make his much-anticipated MMA debut this year — at least, according to PFL chairman Donn Davis.

    In January 2023, “The Problem Child” signed an exclusive contract to compete in MMA under the PFL banner. Together, Paul and the organization launched the PPV Super Fight division, a pay-per-view platform designed to ensure fighters receive an unprecedented 50 percent share of event revenues.

    The YouTuber-turned-boxer has frequently hinted at stepping into the cage, teasing his MMA debut time and again. He’s even called out UFC icon Conor McGregor and other high-profile fighters for an MMA showdown.

    However, despite the constant buzz, little progress has been made, as more than two years after signing with the PFL, Paul has yet to be booked for his promotional debut. Instead, the 27-year-old Ohio native has focused on his thriving boxing career, competing in six bouts between February 2023 and November 2024.

    However, as per Davis, Paul will be making his MMA debut this year.

    Speaking recently on MMA Fighting’s Town Hall, the PFL head honcho acknowledged that while “The Problem Child” has been predominantly focused on boxing, delaying his debut, there’s no pressure to rush him. Davis hinted that Paul’s first fight under the PFL banner is expected to take place sometime in the fall.

    “I talked to Nakisa [Bidarian] an hour ago,” Davis said. “Two things are happening: Jake is super successful in boxing. Whether you love Jake or hate Jake, we can all agree that guy’s the man when it comes to generating attention, revenue, and viewership with his boxing career. It’s more successful than it was when we signed him. On the boxing side, that success has delayed MMA because he’s killing it in boxing. So will MMA happen with PFL? Yes, it will. Has it been delayed? Yes, it has. My guess is fall of this year, but I don’t think it’s going to be before that. He’s got so many things going on in boxing.”

    Paul’s most recent appearance in the squared circle saw him face boxing icon Mike Tyson in a highly debated heavyweight showdown this past November, where he secured a unanimous decision victory over his 31-year senior opponent.

  • Global Fight League Announces Cities & Team Managers For Launch Year, “Shogun” Rua & Yoel Romero Among Latest Signings

    Global Fight League Announces Cities & Team Managers For Launch Year, “Shogun” Rua & Yoel Romero Among Latest Signings

    The Global Fight League (GFL) has revealed a range of crucial updates about how the structure of the budding MMA organization will look.

    The newly launched promotion has already secured an array of over 300 fighters, including several high-profile former stars from renowned organizations such as the UFC, Bellator, and PFL. The GFL is said to make its highly anticipated debut this April, with the precise commencement date yet to be revealed.

    The GFL introduces an innovative team-based format, featuring six teams from cities around the world competing in a league structure that includes playoffs. The first draft is scheduled for Jan. 24.

    The GFL disclosed the latest draft entrants in a recent press release, as well as the cities that will represent each team and the managers and coaches set to lead them.

    The new draft pool features notable names such as Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Yoel Romero, Chad Mendes, Renan Barao, Douglas Lima, Ovince Saint Preux and Todd Duffee. Meanwhile, the six teams will represent some of the world’s most iconic cities: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, São Paulo, London and Dubai.

    Here’s a look at the managers and coaches appointed to lead the six teams in the GFL:

    • Los Angeles: UFC Hall of Famer Wanderlei Silva has been named the manager of Team Los Angeles, with the renowned Rafael Cordeiro stepping in as the head coach.
    • Miami: Thiago Alves will manage Team Miami, with Conan Silveira as the head coach.
    • New York: The manager for Team New York is still to be announced, with the team set to be coached by the famed Ray Longo.
    • São Paulo: Team São Paulo will be led by Brazil’s own former UFC champion Lyoto Machida as manager, with the legendary Andre Pederneiras as the team’s coach.
    • London: UFC veteran Luke Barnatt will take the reins as manager, while Carl Prince of Manchester Top Team will serve as the head coach for Team London.

    Darren Owen, the company’s co-founder, has outlined an array of unique benefits tailored to prioritize fighters’ welfare.

    These include comprehensive training support, insurance coverage, a 50-50 revenue-sharing model, pension plans, and various other perks aimed at ensuring financial stability and fostering long-term professional well-being for the athletes.

    The promotion has, however, come under fire for signing a number of aging veterans for the upcoming draft, including Frank Mir, Marlon Moraes, and Tyron Woodley.

  • Jamahal Hill ‘100 Percent’ Expects Title Shot With UFC 311 Victory: ‘Ankalaev Fought No. 5’

    Jamahal Hill believes he has earned the right to be back in the title conversation in the UFC light heavyweight division, believing a victory in his next fight will guarantee him a shot at reclaiming the championship.

    Hill is set to face fellow former 205-pound kingpin Jiří Procházka on Jan. 18 at UFC 311. Hill, no stranger to championship glory, captured the vacant title at UFC 283 by defeating Glover Teixeira via decision. However, in July 2023, he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a basketball game at the UFC’s International Fight Week, forcing him to relinquish the belt.

    The American’s road back to the top has been challenging. He faced Alex Pereira for the gold in the main event of UFC 300 last April but suffered a first-round knockout loss. Despite this setback, “Sweet Dreams” is determined to work his way back to the title.

    “Yeah, 100 percent,” he said at UFC 311 media day when asked about earning the next title shot. “I feel a win here, especially a dominant, impressive win, next fight is title. Next is the championship. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be. Ankalaev fought No. 5, No. 4 or something like that last, then that just says title? So, I’m fighting No. 2 in the world. I don’t see me going backward from that.”

    Hill’s rivalry with Alex Pereira extends beyond the Octagon, as they were involved in a controversial altercation at the UFC Performance Institute last month.

    That incident has only added fuel to his determination to prove himself worthy of another championship opportunity.

  • UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2, Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov Press Conference Live Stream

    UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2, Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov Press Conference Live Stream

    We’re deep into UFC 311 fight week, meaning it’s time for the fighters set to be in action on Jan. 18 to take to the stage and answer some questions.

    The MMA leader’s first numbered event of the new year takes place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, where the main attraction will see UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev put his belt on the line against a challenger he’s previously gotten the better of, Arman Tsarukyan.

    Setting the stage for the UFC 311 headliners will be another title fight, this time at 135 pounds. Bantamweight kingpin Merab Dvalishvili will look to emerge victorious from his first defense, as he puts the gold he captured four months ago at stake against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov.

    Also on pay-per-view will be a clash of former light heavyweight champions Jiří Procházka and Jamahal Hill, both of whom make the walk for the first time since their respective knockout losses to Alex Pereira in 2024. That’s in addition to an important battle of top 10 lightweights, as Beneil Dariush looks to stall the rise of Renato Moicano.

    The UFC 311 main card will open with the always entertaining Kevin Holland, who will look to begin his 2025 by snapping the losing skid he fell to last year. To do so, “Trailblazer” must hand former two-division ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder his first UFC defeat.

    As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes will take to the stage on Thursday for the UFC 311 pre-fight press conference. The latest edition will see every fighter on the main card with mic in hand.

    Check out a live stream of the presser below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, commencing at 10 PM ET.

  • Kevin Holland Makes Admission About Past UFC Loss: ‘I Was High As A Kite…’

    Kevin Holland Makes Admission About Past UFC Loss: ‘I Was High As A Kite…’

    Kevin Holland has received criticism in the past for being too relaxed and not focused enough in some big fights. This was particularly a talking point following two back-to-back losses that he suffered in consecutive months back in 2021.

    2020 was a massive year for “Trailblazer” who despite the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic, was able to tie the record for the most UFC wins in a calendar year with five. This earned him his first main event against Derek Brunson and shortly after a one-sided defeat, he jumped right into another five-round spotlight and was beaten by Marvin Vettori after replacing Darren Till.

    Ahead of his return at UFC 311 this Saturday, Holland appeared on Demetrious Johnson’s MightyCast where he spoke about his weed-smoking habits and how he is able to compete at a high level despite this. Holland certainly isn’t the only UFC fighter who has to be careful depending on the rules of the athletic commissions due to his daily routines.

    He told Johnson about how he looked to change his regular patterns ahead of his fight with Brunson because he had some anxiety regarding how his smoking could affect his performance. After losing that fight, he went back on the adjustments, telling “Mighty Mouse” that having accepted the Vettori fight on just nine days notice, it made sense to continue smoking throughout fight week.

    “The Marvin Vettori fight, I was high as a kite,” Holland said. “Not during the fight, but all week, I was high as a kite. Five rounds didn’t feel like shit that time. The Derek Brunson fight, I was all worried, I was like, damn bro, I’m not going to smoke that much because I have five rounds, so I don’t want to be f*cking with my lungs. First time doing five rounds in a UFC fight, it could go that long, he wants to wrestle and stuff, so I was like, I’m not going to do that. Then I was like, I stressed myself out for no reason, I still lost the f*cking fight.

    “So then after the next one, I was like, I’m just going to smoke. So they gave me Marvin Vettori at the last second, I was partying and everything. I didn’t feel any different. The pace got to be pushed, a lot of times when you’ve got five rounds, they don’t push the pace, I don’t push the pace, we’re just chilling.”

  • Patrício Pitbull Outlines Three-Opponent Wish List For UFC Debut After PFL Release

    Patrício Pitbull Outlines Three-Opponent Wish List For UFC Debut After PFL Release

    Patrício Pitbull has been one of the top fighters in the featherweight division throughout his career. If there’s one thing that has held back the Bellator icon and record holder in the promotion it is that he hasn’t had the opportunity to face the best fighters in the UFC.

    That could change in the near future following the news that after voicing his complaints, the 37-year old has been granted a release from his PFL contract following a breakdown in communication between the two parties. Pitbull also said at this time that he hopes to sign with the UFC if the PFL let him go so that he could step inside the Octagon before retiring.

    Similarly to what we have seen in the past when other Bellator stars like Michael Chandler and Michael “Venom” Page made the jump over, it would make sense for the former two-weight champion to skip the line to some degree rather than debuting on the Fight Pass prelims. He already has the high-level experienced needed and with the clock running down on his career, it’s now or never to see him in the big fights that would make his signing worthwhile.

    With that in mind, Pitbull is targeting the very top of the UFC’s featherweight division. Right at the top of the 145-pound pile are the current superstar champion, the legendary former titleholder and one of the division’s most exciting rising talents who has become a huge fan favorite in recent years.

    He has already posted on X to specifically mention the name of Alexander Volkanovski but after appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show, he added two more names to his planned hitlist for a potential UFC debut.