MMA News

Category: News

Stay up-to-date with the latest MMA news from around the globe. Our comprehensive feed covers all major promotions.

  • UFC 309: Volkanovski Jokes That He Nearly Offered To Fight Amid Injury Rumor

    UFC 309: Volkanovski Jokes That He Nearly Offered To Fight Amid Injury Rumor

    About a week ago, some fake rumors started to circulate online that one of the big match-ups at UFC 309 could be at risk. Any claims that Charles Oliveira had suffered an injury ahead of his co-main event clash with Michael Chandler on November 16 were cleared up before fight week had begun for the promotion’s return to Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

    Chandler was even asked about this during his recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show where he stated that he wasn’t sure where the rumor started. For some fans, they may have assumed this to be true after seeing fighters like Renato Moicano posting on social media to say that they would be willing to step in on short notice.

    “Do Bronx” has had two notable fights either cancelled or postponed in recent times with the most significant one being his rematch with Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 last year. The former lightweight champion suffered a cut above his eye less than two weeks out from the fight and the match-up wasn’t booked again once Oliveira was back in fighting shape.

    Instead, the featherweight champion at the time, Alexander Volkanovski, stepped in to his place for a rematch with Makhachev that didn’t go his way. It’s become a consistent joke on social media ever since last October that whenever a fighter pulls out, Volkanovski is waiting by the phone with his gloves and luggage already in hand.

    In his recent breakdown of the fights on his YouTube channel, “The Great” joked that after he heard the rumors that Oliveira was injured, he would offer to replace him once again.

    “I did see things popping up where Charles was out maybe they needed a replacement, it must have just been okay that’s why you can never believe what you see on the internet. I almost put my hand up, almost, but I didn’t but yeah. Probably because we knew that wasn’t the case. If the UFC called, you never know right.”    


  • Former K-1 Kickboxer Charged With Murder After Partner Found Stabbed To Death

    Former K-1 Kickboxer Charged With Murder After Partner Found Stabbed To Death

    An Australian former kickboxer has been charged with murder by police after his partner was discovered dead in a hotel room.

    Shirley So, 50, was discovered deceased with stab wounds in a room at the Pullman Hotel in Penrith, Sydney. Emergency services were called early afternoon this past Sunday after reports of a disturbance.

    Her body was found in the same room as Darren John Berry, a former kickboxer who notably competed on the K-1: Battle Of The Anzacs 1 card back in 2004. Berry, who went by the moniker “Hacksaw” during his fighting days, had life-threatening wounds to his arms and hands.

    Berry, described by police as having an on-and-off relationship with So, was airlifted to Westmead Hospital in critical condition. On Tuesday, the 53-year-old was officially charged with murder at a bedside hearing at the hospital, where he remains under police guard.

    The former fighter was refused bail and was set to appear before Penrith Local Court on Wednesday.

    While there had been no history of domestic violence between Berry and So, the Daily Mail has reported that “Hacksaw” has a history of AVOs (apprehended violence orders) being taken out against him.

    Two of those related to a former partner of his in 2017 and 2019, while a third AVO issued in 2019 related to a man.

    News reports out of Australia have described Berry as an MMA fighter but only kickboxing bouts appear on sites with historical records of combat sports events such as Tapology.

    Berry has frequently shared combat sports content on his Facebook page, in addition to a history of anti-vax posts.

  • Stipe Miocic Insists He Would Have Returned With Or Without Jon Jones

    Stipe Miocic Insists He Would Have Returned With Or Without Jon Jones

    For many fight fans, a defining trait of the main event of UFC 309 this Saturday night is activity. Whilst the defending heavyweight champion Jon Jones has only has one fight in well over four years, Stipe Miocic hasn’t fought since March of 2021.

    Not to mention the fact that in that fight, following his testing trilogy with Daniel Cormier that took three years to complete, Miocic was knocked out in devastating fashion by Francis Ngannou in their rematch at UFC 260.

    The former two-time heavyweight champion is ready to return after his match-up with Jones was pushed back a year from UFC 295 due to Jones’ injury which only added to the talk about whether this will be a major factor at Madison Square Garden. For Miocic, he’s confident that the time away hasn’t had a negative impact on his ability.

    He believes that he’s been able to let his body heal during this period and though he wasn’t dead-set on stepping back inside the Octagon, it was always an option for him after the Ngannou defeat. Miocic has said before that he pushed for a trilogy with his last opponent but when that didn’t happen, things went quiet on his end for quite some time.

    In a recent interview with Brett Okamoto for ESPN MMA, the returning challenger said that making a return after his most recent fight was always an option on the table even if it wasn’t an absolute must for him.

    “No I was always gonna fight man, I love fighting. I love what I do but I mean, I’m also okay with if it didn’t happen, I was okay with walking away.”

    Later on in the interview, Miocic was asked whether he would have made his way back to the Octagon eventually if it wasn’t for this fight. If there was ever a reason to come back after a tough loss followed by a long break, a legacy defining fight against Jones where Miocic could recapture the heavyweight belt and become the first man to beat “Bones” at the same time would surely be the one.

    He cut straight to the point, simply stating that he would have come back regardless of whether it was for this fight with Jones or something else.

  • UFC Invites Key Personnel To First ‘Brain Health Education Summit’ Amid Growing CTE Concerns

    UFC Invites Key Personnel To First ‘Brain Health Education Summit’ Amid Growing CTE Concerns

    Mixed martial arts is a combat sport and when you’re training and competing in it, it’s impossible to avoid withstanding a degree of physical damage by it’s very nature. That being said, with more knowledge and technology at our disposal, there are a lot of ways that the sport can be made safer than ever before.

    One of the biggest health developments across sports as a whole is the greater understanding of CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy. CTE is one of the biggest concerns for combat sports athletes because of the constant risk of head injuries and concussions which can have a negative affect on the brain.

    The awareness of this has grown massively in recent years which is especially important in a time where the health and future of former fighters has been a big talking point this year amidst the ongoing Le v. Zuffa lawsuit. In a recent development, the UFC are also taking matters into their own hands in order to provide greater education on how to prevent damage being done to the brain.

    In a recent message that was sent out to key personnel in the MMA world, the UFC’s Performance Institute invited people to attend the MMA leader’s first “Brain Health Education Summit”, as seen below.

    The invite was posted on social media by combat sports lawyer Eric Magraken.

    “Hello UFC athletes, managers, and coaches, UFCPI is thrilled to announce it’s first-ever Brain Health Education Summit! Don’t miss this incredibly opportunity to hear directly from top researchers and the UFCPI team on the latest insights and practices to boost brain health, manage concussions and elevate performance.”

  • Replacement Fighter Confirmed For UFC 309 After Late Withdrawal

    Replacement Fighter Confirmed For UFC 309 After Late Withdrawal

    It was reported last week that UFC 309 this Saturday would be down a fight unless a replacement opponent could be found on short notice. David Onama was set to face Lucas Almeida on the prelims at Madison Square Garden.

    This would have been Almeida’s fifth appearance in the Octagon following a win last time out in June over Timmy Cuamba via a unanimous decision. Unfortunately, Almeida withdrew from the fight and the UFC started looking for someone else to face Onama.

    Fans were getting concerned after not hearing anything for close to a week until it was announced, just days out from fight night, that Mexico’s Roberto Romero will be stepping in to make his UFC debut. Romero’s management Iridium Sports Agency made the new official via their social media channels.

    At 24-years old, Romero has built a pro record of 8-3-1. His last eight fights all came under the Combate Global banner where he won six fights in a row, with one draw in between, before suffering a decision loss to Ireland’s Patrick Lehane last December. He went on to rebound with a first round submission win over Takahiro Ashida this past July.

    He will now face Uganda’s Onama on November 16 as the 30-year old looks to build on his back-to-back wins inside the Octagon, including a bonus-winning knockout over Gabriel Santos last year. This now puts the card at a total of 13 fights for the promotion’s return to the world’s most famous arena following a few changes in opponents and a cancelled fight.

  • Only UFC Fighter to Beat Magomed Ankalaev on What Could Cost Him in a Fight With Alex Pereira

    Only UFC Fighter to Beat Magomed Ankalaev on What Could Cost Him in a Fight With Alex Pereira

    At UFC 308, Magomed Ankalaev seemingly cemented his status as the next man to challenge Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title. Aside from one draw and a no contest, the Russian contender has won eleven fights in a row inside the Octagon and has waited a long time for his opportunity.

    In his latest win in Abu Dhabi last month, he stuck to his word by standing and striking with Aleksandar Rakić for three rounds in order to prove a point about his well-rounded skill set. Ankalaev’s striking has certainly improved during his time in the UFC but there’s no denying that his grappling is still his strongest attribute, even if he doesn’t use it much.

    Ankalaev’s one and only loss in the UFC came on his debut with the promotion where he faced Scotland’s Paul Craig in London. “Bearjew” was coming off of consecutive knockout losses at the time so needed a win in order to keep his UFC dream alive.

    Despite being moments away from losing the fight, he incredibly pulled off a buzzer beater submission with just one second left on the clock, catching Ankalaev in a triangle choke. Ahead of his return at UFC 309 this weekend where he faces Bo Nickal at middleweight, Craig gave his thoughts on Ankalaev’s chances of becoming the champion in a recent interview with talkSPORT MMA.

    Craig believes that his former foe is in a good position to dethrone “Poatan” but he cannot afford to go into this fight with the same stubbornness that will see him strike with the champion rather than utilizing his grappling.

    “When you bring in someone like the Dagestanis who have incredible wrestling pressure and work ethic, it’s tough. Do I think Ankalaev can beat Pereira? I do believe he can. I believe he’s got all the credentials as long as he doesn’t go into this thing where he believes he’s a striker. You stand in front of someone with a kickboxing pedigree that Pereira has and I believe it can be a 50:50 lottery sometimes. Ankalaev, if he plays his skill set well and uses his wrestling and uses his striking to get in deep and out wrestle, I believe that’s how he can get that victory.”   

  • ‘Eye Poke Bones Will Be Back’ – Fans React As UFC 309 Fighters Revealed To Be Using Old Gloves

    ‘Eye Poke Bones Will Be Back’ – Fans React As UFC 309 Fighters Revealed To Be Using Old Gloves

    Eyebrows have been raised after the promotion announced that those competing at this weekend’s UFC 309 pay-per-view won’t be using the new gloves.

    The mixed martial arts leader has touched back down in New York City this week for its annual numbered event at the iconic Madison Square Garden, where UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones will mark the main attraction.

    While he defends his belt against the returning Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 headliner, co-main eventing will be former lightweight titleholder Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler, who run it back three and a half years on from their first battle.

    During fight week, those names and the rest of the lineup on Nov. 16 were told they wouldn’t be entering the Octagon sporting the new glove design that was introduced this past June.

    The promotion announced the change back in April prior to UFC 300, outlining benefits such as additional padding to protect bone structure, a wristband locking system to prevent glove grabs, lighter weight and more flexibility.

    A decrease in knockout percentages have kept the new gloves as a prominent talking point since, and the decision to revert back to the old gloves for UFC 309 got the MMA community talking online.

    Many pointed to Jones’ history of eye pokes with the old design to share their conspiracy theories on the decision not to use the new gloves for his return fight.

    It’s worth noting that the new design didn’t explicitly address the eye-poke issue, and that form of foul has far from been eradicated in the months since it was introduced.

    Regardless, that didn’t stop fans from poking fun (pun intended) at Jones’ expense ahead of UFC 309.

  • Renato Moicano Reacts To UFC London Announcement With Fresh Paddy Pimblett Callout

    Renato Moicano Reacts To UFC London Announcement With Fresh Paddy Pimblett Callout

    Renato Moicano has built an impressive record inside the Octagon, winning six of his last seven fights and currently riding a four-fight winning streak.

    Aside from a decision loss at catchweight in March 2022, he has been undefeated in his last four appearances. His recent victories include a submission win over Brad Riddell at UFC 281, a decision over Drew Dober at a Fight Night event in February, a TKO of Jalin Turner at UFC 300, and a dominant finish over Benoit Saint Denis in September.

    The UFC recently announced its return to London for a Fight Night at the O2 Arena on Saturday, March 22, which immediately caught Moicano’s attention. He quickly took to social media, calling out popular British fighter Paddy Pimblett for a potential main event showdown.

    “UFC London Main event!? Moicano vs. Pimblett!? What do you guys think!? #mma #ufc #ufclondon,” Moicano posted on Twitter.

    Pimblett has won his last eight fights, with his most recent outing being against King Green at UFC 304 in July. Both fighters have previously expressed interest in facing each other, sparking excitement among fans.

    Now, the decision rests with the UFC to see if they’ll make the matchup official.

  • Volkanovski: Jon Jones Not A ‘Proper Double Champ’ Until He Fights Tom Aspinall

    Volkanovski: Jon Jones Not A ‘Proper Double Champ’ Until He Fights Tom Aspinall

    Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t believe Jon Jones’ stint on the heavyweight throne will mean much if he continues to avoid facing Tom Aspinall.

    Jones secured the heavyweight crown in his divisional debut last year, running through Ciryl Gane in quick time to achieve glory in a second weight class. But his detractors haven’t been short on ammunition when it comes to dismissing his status as kingpin.

    While that started with claims he avoided a showdown with Francis Ngannou following “The Predator’s” rise to the top in 2021, the Rochester native is now being accused of ‘ducking’ Aspinall.

    The Brit earned the interim title last November after Jones’ planned first defense against Stipe Miocic fell through on late notice due to an injury to the champ. A year later, “Bones” is choosing to keep his sights on the returning veteran instead of his interim counterpart.

    That decision has been a prominent topic in the lead-up to Jones vs. Miocic this weekend at UFC 309, and among the latest to fall on the side of Aspinall in the debate is “Alexander the Great.”

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Volkanovski gave his assessment of the heavyweight title picture, commenting on Jones’ recent claim that he’ll likely only fight beyond Saturday’s event if it was against light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira.

    The Australian was firm in analyzing the damage that continuing to avoid Aspinall will do for Jones, insisting that he can’t be seen as the best heavyweight or a two-division champ unless he unifies the title.

    “I’m sure Jon Jones is sick of hearing this, but the Tom Aspinall fight is the fight everyone wants to see,” Volkanovski said. “You want to be heavyweight champion? You want to claim that crown? It’s going to be hard to convince me you’re a defending champ if you don’t fight Tom Aspinall while he’s interim champ.

    “He’s already got an incredible legacy. But if you want to claim the heavyweight division, say you’re a proper double champ…you’ve got to fight Tom Aspinall,” Volkanovski continued. “If you really want that on your résumé, ‘I was the best heavyweight while I was there,’ you have to fight Tom Aspinall. He is definitely the biggest threat. … I can see why he’s pointing to that (Pereira), but give away the heavyweight belt then.”

    Aspinall himself has taken issue with some of Jones’ comments during UFC 309 fight week, posting his highlight reel inside the Octagon on social media in response to the all-time great questioning what he’s done on MMA’s biggest stage.

    There’s also a chance of the pair running into each other in the coming days, with Aspinall currently in New York City to weigh in as backup fighter for the Nov. 16 main event.

  • Michael Chandler Looking To Break ‘MSG Curse’ With UFC 309 Win

    Michael Chandler hasn’t fought in two years, but he’s just days away from making his long-awaited return to the Octagon. After going 1-3 in his last four fights and missing out on a high-profile bout with Conor McGregor, Chandler will step back into the cage this Saturday at the UFC 309 pay-per-view event at Madison Square Garden.

    Unfortunately, Chandler faces more than just the top champion this weekend; he’ll also need to break his losing streak at the world’s most famous arena. Chandler has fought—and lost—twice at Madison Square Garden. The first loss came at UFC 268 in November 2021, where he earned Fight of the Night honors despite a decision loss to Justin Gaethje. In his most recent bout there, he was submitted by Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022.

    Before joining the UFC, Chandler also lost at Madison Square Garden to Brent Primus during his Bellator career. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Chandler reflected on his winless record at the storied venue.

    “I’m 0-3 at MSG,” Chandler said. “I actually just ran into a guy who’s been to all three of my fights there, and he was like, ‘Hey dude, we gotta break the MSG curse.’ But I also look at this as another layer where I’m like, of course, this is how it’s supposed to be: I’m fighting the guy who already beat me, who shattered my dreams, at the arena that’s done the same every single time. I’ve never won there, and now it’s time to right that wrong.”

    When asked if he had any regrets about fighting at MSG, Chandler replied, “No, not even a little bit. I asked for this card. We wanted to fight in October, but I needed to do a serious, legit weight cut. I’d been preparing my mind and body for 170 lbs for the last year and a half, and I only had 10 weeks to get down to 155 for October. It wasn’t going to happen; it was too soon, so I wanted MSG, and we got it.”

  • VIDEO: Jake Paul & Mike Tyson Complete Open Workouts Ahead Of Netflix Boxing Match

    VIDEO: Jake Paul & Mike Tyson Complete Open Workouts Ahead Of Netflix Boxing Match

    Days out from their boxing showdown, Jake Paul and Mike Tyson appeared in the ring for their open workouts.

    27-year-old “EL Gallo,” a YouTuber-turned-pugilist, and 58-year-old “Iron Mike,” a former undisputed world heavyweight champion, are set to do battle as the headline act of the very first combat sports event to be streamed live on Netflix.

    The event takes place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas this coming Friday. It was originally scheduled for July but had to be postponed due to a medical issue on the side of Tyson.

    Four months later, the pair have renewed hostilities ahead of their collision atop the Nov. 15 card, which also features a highly awaited championship rematch between boxing stars Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.

    All four featured at Tuesday night’s open workouts, the full replay and highlights from which you can see below.

    Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: Open Workout Stream

    Jake Paul Open Workout Highlights

    Mike Tyson Open Workout Highlights

  • ‘Brutal Matchup’ Edson Barboza vs. Steve Garcia Set For UFC Event On February 22

    ‘Brutal Matchup’ Edson Barboza vs. Steve Garcia Set For UFC Event On February 22

    Fireworks appear guaranteed when UFC featherweight veteran Edson Barboza collides with the always exciting Steve Garcia in 2025.

    Barboza (24-12) reached 30 fights in the UFC this year, but he didn’t mark the occasion in the fashion he had hoped. After consecutive wins over Billy Quarantillo and Sodiq Yusuff, the Brazilian had his winning form snapped by the undefeated Lerone Murphy this past May.

    While he fell short in that main event, Barboza did exit with Fight of the Night honors, marking his third straight bonus. And given who will be awaiting him inside the Octagon early next year, a fourth on the bounce could be on the way.

    Per MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin, Barboza will begin his 2025 campaign with a showdown opposite Garcia (17-5) at the UFC Fight Night scheduled for February 22. A location and venue is yet to be announced.

    Garcia has been on a violent run as of late, racking up five straight knockouts since being slept himself down at bantamweight by Hayisaer Maheshate back in 2022. This year has seen “Mean Machine” move toward the rankings by dispatching both SeungWoo Choi and Kyle Nelson in one round.

    Having earned his shot at a prominent name inside the top 15, the New Mexico native will hope to establish himself as a contender in the 145-pound division at the expense of Barboza.

    And Garcia seemingly has the backing of plenty in the community, who reacted to the fight announcement with their support for the up-and-comer. Beyond predictions, though, the common theme on social media was one of excitement to see these two vicious strikers throwing down next year.

    https://twitter.com/RuthlessSodapop/status/1856423838394757131
  • Stipe Miocic Shrugs Off Critics Ahead Of Jon Jones Fight At UFC 309

    Stipe Miocic Shrugs Off Critics Ahead Of Jon Jones Fight At UFC 309

    Stipe Miocic seems indifferent to criticism leading up to his title showdown with Jon Jones at UFC 309.

    Miocic is gearing up to challenge reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jones in his bid for a third title shot, with the bout set to take place on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    In the lead-up to this highly anticipated bout, the former UFC heavyweight champion has faced a barrage of scrutiny for securing a fight against “Bones” after a lengthy hiatus of over three years. Meanwhile, interim titleholder Tom Aspinall remains on the sidelines, waiting for his opportunity at a championship unification clash.

    During an interview with MMA Fighting, Miocic responded to the criticism surrounding his UFC 309 return, emphasizing that fight bookings ultimately rest with the UFC and are entirely out of his hands.

    The 42-year-old Ohio native acknowledged that a Jones vs. Aspinall matchup would be huge, yet he believes his own showdown with Jones is the fight fans truly wanted to see.

    “It wasn’t my choice,” Miocic said. “It’s a fight I wanted, and the UFC gave it to me. They didn’t have to. They gave it to me. I believe so [there’s a reason why it’s happening]. I believe people want to see that. I think a lot more people want to see the fight than him fight Aspinall. [Aspinall is] tough. He hits hard. Big boy. It’s what people want, he knocks people out.”

    Miocic further shared that there was a time when the noise from naysayers might have gotten under his skin, but now he brushes it off without a second thought.

    “I don’t listen to anything on the outside. I used to when I was younger, when I started I was like why would you say that? How dare you? I was real sensitive. I literally stopped caring anymore. I don’t care what anyone says. I really don’t care.”

    Miocic has been out of action since his title loss to Francis Ngannou, who defeated him with a second-round knockout at UFC 260 in March 2021.

    Originally slated for a comeback at UFC 295 in November 2023, Miocic’s return was delayed when Jones sustained a torn pectoral tendon just weeks before the anticipated showdown, leading to the bout’s postponement.

  • Brandon Moreno Eyes Potential Fights On Path To Reclaim UFC Title

    Brandon Moreno Eyes Potential Fights On Path To Reclaim UFC Title

    Brandon Moreno is determined to reclaim UFC gold but acknowledges that the journey back to the top may be more challenging than winning it initially. Moreno first clashed with Deiveson Figueiredo for the flyweight title at UFC 256, ending in a draw. He claimed the title in their rematch at UFC 263 in June 2021 via submission. However, he lost the belt to Figueiredo in a close decision at UFC 270. Moreno rebounded with an interim title win over Kai Kara-France at UFC 277 by TKO and unified the flyweight title in a trilogy fight with Figueiredo at UFC 283, winning via TKO.

    In July 2023, Moreno lost the title to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 by split decision, followed by another decision loss to Brandon Royval in February 2024. Earlier this month, he bounced back with a decision win over Amir Albazi.

    In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Moreno affirmed his commitment to reclaiming the championship and believes he has what it takes to wear the belt again. “Being very honest with myself, I think that, sporting-wise, Royval is likely the one who most deserves the opportunity,” Moreno said. “I have no problem saying that at all. He’s done a very good job, and in his last fight against Tatsuro (Taira), he looked very good. It was a great fight.”

    He added, “There’s also Kai (Kara-France), but he’s in a weird position. He deserves it after his knockout against (Steve) Erceg, but I think my performance was very good, and Royval is right there, too. Kai has the most awkward position.”

    Moreno acknowledged that he likely needs one more fight to earn his title shot. “As far as names, there’s Tatsuro Taira, Manel Kape, and maybe Kai Asakura, depending on his fight with Pantoja at UFC 310,” he said. “I’m just going to stay healthy and be ready for whatever comes next.”

  • Jake Paul Eyes ‘Biggest Upset’ In Boxing Fight With Canelo Alvarez

    Jake Paul is just days away from facing off against Mike Tyson this Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. But even as he prepares for this high-profile fight, he’s already eyeing his next challenge: Canelo Alvarez.

    As a pro, Paul has a record of 10-1 with seven knockouts, with many of his wins coming against YouTubers and former MMA fighters. If he manages to defeat Tyson, Paul plans to call out Alvarez, who is fresh off a dominant win over Edgar Berlanga in September.

    “I do (have a callout). It’s Canelo,” Paul said. “This moment will prove that I’m the face of boxing, the biggest attraction. Me vs. Canelo at 200 pounds for the cruiserweight championship of the world is the biggest fight—arguably even bigger than me vs. Tyson. It just makes sense. Canelo is on his way out, and he’ll want a payday. I want to show the world that all the talk about me beating Canelo is real.”

    Paul believes he can pull off what he calls “the biggest upset in the sport of boxing.” He’s determined to challenge Alvarez as a way to settle who is the true “face of boxing.”

    “After this event, I’m going to claim that title,” he said. “I beat his gate record in Texas; I’m beating ticket sales—all of that. The numbers and the data back it up. I have more followers than him, and this will be the most-watched fight of the century. I’m going to be the new money magnet.”

  • Daniel Cormier Defends Jon Jones Against Claims Of Ducking Tom Aspinall

    Daniel Cormier Defends Jon Jones Against Claims Of Ducking Tom Aspinall

    Jon Jones’ most vocal critic, Daniel Cormier, is standing by him against accusations that “Bones” is dodging a showdown with Tom Aspinall.

    Jones is set to make his first heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 main event, taking place this Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    The buildup to this highly anticipated matchup has been overshadowed by widespread accusations within the MMA community, with many claiming that Jones is intentionally sidestepping a title unification bout against interim champion Aspinall. The New Yorker stirred up controversy once again last week, expressing little enthusiasm for the fight.

    Jones claims that Aspinall’s performances inside the Octagon have failed to spark any real excitement for a potential matchup. He further stated that, unless he retires after UFC 309, the only fight that piques his interest at this stage is a showdown with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

    Jones’ remarks have once again provoked insinuations that he’s avoiding a showdown with Aspinall, supposedly fearing a loss as his career nears its twilight. However, Cormier firmly rejects this idea, even though he doesn’t fully endorse the reasoning of his former fierce rival.

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, “DC” recognized the legendary career of Jones and emphasized that the former UFC light heavyweight champion harbors no fear of Aspinall or any other competitor.

    “Look, Jon Jones isn’t afraid of Tom Aspinall,” Cormier said. “I wish people would stop saying that. He is not afraid of that guy. He is not afraid of anyone. He is not afraid to fight this guy. He’s not. I think he’s trying to be more strategic. He’s trying to make sure his legacy stands. I don’t know it could ever be faded. I know we have short memories, but could you ever forget what he did? I don’t think him fighting Tom Aspinall with the potential he would lose is a bad thing.

    “But most would expect him to win the fight. But at the end of the day, the old guard has to get passed through for the new guard to go. Unless you don’t play the sport by the way that everyone else does it. Everyone else does it that way. Maybe Jones will be different.”

  • Diego Lopes Invites Ilia Topuria To Repeat Point Down Against Him: ‘I Will Plant My Feet & Throw Down’ 

    Diego Lopes Invites Ilia Topuria To Repeat Point Down Against Him: ‘I Will Plant My Feet & Throw Down’ 

    UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes insists he won’t shy away from a firefight should Ilia Topuria repeat his point-and-throw invitation against him down the line.

    Lopes has been staking his claim for the next shot at unseating Topuria from the 145-pound throne since “El Matador” got the better of Max Holloway in brutal fashion last month in Abu Dhabi.

    The Mexico-based Brazilian was cageside for UFC 308 after weighing in as backup fighter for the championship main event. That fact, coupled with his triumph over Brian Ortega at the Sphere this past September, has put Lopes in prime position for a first shot at gold.

    And should he get the chance to blemish Topuria’s perfect record in 2025, the #3-ranked contender has called on the Spaniard to repeat how he started the Holloway fight.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Lopes welcomed an early brawl with Topuria, who made good on his promise to point down and offer to throw the kitchen sink at “Blessed” in the opening 10 seconds.

    Holloway didn’t stray from his plan to dismiss that, but Lopes claims he’d do the exact opposite.

    “Definitely, definitely, definitely,” Lopes said in Spanish when asked if he’d throw down with Topuria. “I’m telling you, I respect everyone, but I’m not afraid of anyone. If there’s anything I don’t have, it’s fear. I think I’ve shown that in all my fights. I’ve shown that I’m not afraid of anyone.

    “As many times as he wants to point to the ground, I will plant my feet in the middle of the cage and throw down. It’s that easy,” he added.

    To make good on those comments, Lopes will seemingly first have to either convince the UFC higher-ups of the merits of selecting him to face Topuria next over Volkanovski or add another win to his current run.

    Following the champ’s successful defense in the Middle East, UFC CEO Dana White pointed to Volkanovski as Topuria’s likely next opponent owing to his stint as kingpin prior to running into “El Matador” this past February.

  • Tyron Woodley Claims Georges St-Pierre Turned Down Up To $7 Million To Fight Him Last Year

    Tyron Woodley Claims Georges St-Pierre Turned Down Up To $7 Million To Fight Him Last Year

    From July of 2016 to March in 2019, Tyron Woodley reigned as the UFC welterweight champion and defended the title three times. After a draw in his first defense against Stephen Thompson, “The Chosen One” would go on to beat Thompson in a rematch followed by victories over Demian Maia and Darren Till.

    Despite the seven-fight unbeaten streak that he went on, Woodley never felt like he got the credit or respect that he deserved from the fans or even from the UFC at points. His fighting style didn’t make for the most exciting watches but it was undeniably effective at shutting opponents down.

    One fight that would have instantly legitimatized his run as the champion was a super fight that despite it being spoken about a lot, never did materialize. In November of 2017, several months after Woodley’s decision win over Maia, the former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre made his return to the Octagon to face Michael Bisping for the middleweight belt at UFC 217.

    After beating Bisping at Madison Square Garden, the greatest welterweight of all time decided to vacate the title and go back into retirement, closing this chapter of his life for good.

    Woodley was outspoken about St-Pierre returning at the weight class above at the time and in a recent interview, said that “GSP” has turned down fights with him on several occasions. He told Plejmo.com in a recent interview that over the past few years, there have been multiple offers on the table that St-Pierre has declined.

    “Georges St-Pierre never wanted to fight me, I’ve asked Georges to fight me several times. I had an opportunity to fight him last year and the year before. It was a five to seven million dollar purse and he said no. In MMA. My middle east investor wanted the fight, seven million, but he said no. I would have beat his brains in. “

  • VIDEO: Usman Nurmagomedov & Paul Hughes Faceoff Fuels Rumors Of Bellator Title Fight

    VIDEO: Usman Nurmagomedov & Paul Hughes Faceoff Fuels Rumors Of Bellator Title Fight

    At the PFL’s Battle of the Giants event last month, one of the biggest talking points was the emphatic victory produced by Paul Hughes. The Irish lightweight was one of the most exciting prospects around when the PFL signed him earlier this year but no one expected that within the same year, he’d be in the title picture.

    After a debut win on the Bellator Champions Series in June, Hughes was matched up with one of the top names on the roster in former champion AJ McKee. Many assumed that this would be too much of a step for “Big News” at this stage in his career but he proved a lot of people wrong by beating McKee in Riyadh, even if the fight was controversially scored as a split decision.

    He immediately called to face Bellator’s lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov who is another one of the promotion’s most highly regarded talents. The cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov has an unbeaten record of 18-0 with one no contest and recently defended his title in San Diego with a decision win over Alexander Shabliy.

    Whilst drawing comparisons between this fight and the biggest clash in the history of the sport between “The Eagle” and Conor McGregor, Hughes said that it was time for another instalment of Russia vs Ireland and it seems that he may have already been granted his wish.

    A video on social media shows the two men facing off with one another whilst cameramen in PFL clothing film the stare down for what is likely going to be used as promotional material in the build up. No official timeframe for the fight has been announced but it’s undoubtedly one of the biggest contests that the promotion could put on right now.

  • Kai Asakura’s Last Opponent Analyzes How He Will Fair At Flyweight    

    Kai Asakura’s Last Opponent Analyzes How He Will Fair At Flyweight    

    In the build up to UFC 310 on December 7, a lot of fights fans are going to get introduced to Kai Asakura for the very first time. The Japanese star is set to challenge Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title on his debut with the promotion after signing to the UFC from RIZIN.

    Alongside fighting in Las Vegas for the first time, this massive opportunity for Asakura also comes with a change in weight class. During his career in RIZIN, the 31-year old competed mostly at bantamweight against the likes of Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi.

    In his last outing in Japan before making the switch to his new home, Asakura defeated former Bellator champion Juan Archuleta to win the bantamweight title. He secured the second round finish on New Year’s Eve to cap off his run in style.

    Speaking in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Archuleta gave his thoughts on Asakura signing to the UFC and how he believes he will compete at the top of the flyweight division. Having remained in contact with his former opponent since their fight in December, he was able to share some first-hand impressions of what the UFC’s new arrival will look like at 125-pounds.

    “I think he’s very explosive. It seems like he’s really getting his body in tune. Last time I seen him when I was in Japan, he was a lot smaller than when we fought and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, you’re doing well’. I reached out to him last night actually because he was posting some Instagram pictures. I was like, ‘Hey, how you feeling?’ He’s like, ‘Oh I’m so ready, I’m so excited,’ and this is a new venture for him, this is something that he wanted and wanted to do going forward and I’m super excited.

    “I mean, and it’s a title fight right off the bat like not many guys get a title right in the UFC right off the bat and so it’s like go get it man. You have the tools and the athleticism to go get it done and I think he’s well prepared now. I think he got down to a weight class, Japanese guys aren’t very dense in their muscles but they’re very explosive.”   

  • Jon Jones’ Coach Predicts Stipe Miocic’s Approach For UFC 309

    Jon Jones’ Coach Predicts Stipe Miocic’s Approach For UFC 309

    Jon Jones returns in the main event of UFC 309 this Saturday night for what is just his second outing as a heavyweight. During his incredible light heavyweight title run, “Bones” was always one of the hardest fighters to predict or prepare for because he’s so good everywhere.

    Opponents could watch as much tape as humanly possible but ultimately, there’s no way to experience what it’s like to share the Octagon with the consensus greatest of all time other than physically being in there with him. This is even more true since he moved to heavyweight because of the lack of footage that is out there of him.

    His heavyweight debut at UFC 285 against Ciryl Gane ended in just over two minutes so we still don’t really know how good Jones is at heavyweight. This creates a problem for Stipe Miocic and his team when it comes to strategizing for November 16.

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Jones’ long-time striking coach Brandon Gibson spoke about what he would do if he found himself in their opposition’s shoes and had to plan for a fight against the heavyweight champion. Suffice to say that Gibson is glad that he’s on this side of the Octagon rather than the other.

    “That team at Strong Style, obviously they’ve built a lot of great fighters and built Stipe into an incredible champ so I’m not gonna presume what I believe their game plan would be. I think through Jon’s 16 championship fights and 27 fights total that you could definitely plot little elements here and there of when Jon has been hit or hit clean. I think it’s very hard to replicate and to duplicate.

    “You know if I were them, I would just be training Stipe to be the best Stipe out there. We’re anticipating him to come out aggressive like he has shown in the past and on the other hand, if I were to coach against Jon Jones, I think that’s the hardest puzzle as a coach in this entire sport to solve. Nobody has solved it yet and I think they’re the ones with their hands full.”     

  • Bo Nickal Expected To Be Bigger Favorite Than -1000 Over Paul Craig: ‘The People Know Who’s Going To Win’

    Bo Nickal Expected To Be Bigger Favorite Than -1000 Over Paul Craig: ‘The People Know Who’s Going To Win’

    UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal is no longer shocked to see his pre-fight betting lines reaching four figures on the minus side.

    Nickal will return for his second assignment of this year at Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view. The Jon Jones-headlined event goes down from inside the prestigious surroundings of New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

    Having started life on MMA’s biggest stage with three wins to extend his perfect professional record to 6-0, the three-time NCAA Division I national champion and three-time Big Ten Conference champion out of Pennsylvania State University is set for a step up in competition.

    On this weekend’s main card, the 28-year-old Colorado native will share the cage with a man formerly ranked at both middleweight and light heavyweight in Craig. Despite his credentials and notable wins, not many are giving “Bearjew” a chance of victory.

    That includes the oddsmakers, most of whom set Nickal’s opening line close to or above -1000. Currently, the American has climbed to -1200 on DraftKings.

    During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Nickal was asked whether he’s shocked to be so heavily favored over a name who boasts wins over the likes of Magomed Ankalaev and Jamahal Hill.

    “No, the odds don’t really surprise me. I actually figured they would be even crazier,” Nickal said. “It’s almost like a mania. Every time I come to fight, I think the people know who is going to win. So it’s all good.”

    Nickal will hope to prove that he’s not being overestimated and Craig underestimated come fight night in “The Big Apple” this weekend by dispatching the Scottish veteran in emphatic fashion.

    Should he accomplish that feat, the credentialed wrestler would move closer to earning a number next to his name at 185 pounds and being placed in matchups against the elite of the division.

  • UFC Announces Return To London For A Fight Night On March 22

    UFC Announces Return To London For A Fight Night On March 22

    The Octagon is returning to London, England in 2025 for a Fight Night event that will take place at the O2 Arena on March 22. Crucially, as was stated in the announcement via UFC Europe, the event will take place at prime time in the UK unlike UFC 304 that was held earlier this year.

    In July, the promotion hosted an event as the new Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester and due to it being a PPV card, the fights took place throughout Saturday night and well into the early hours of Sunday morning in order to cater for the US audience.

    The fact that this card will be a Fight Night event rather than a PPV card means that the English fans will have to wait a bit longer before the interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall returns on home soil after successfully defending his belt in a rematch with Curtis Blaydes earlier this year.

    London’s last UFC event was also headlined by Aspinall in his return from injury where he faced Marcin Tybura and finished him in the first round. The event in July of 2023 also featured the likes of Molly McCann, Nathaniel Wood, Paul Craig and Lerone Murphy.

    When looking at potential main events for this card, several Brits are all in position for big fights in the near future.

    Both Arnold Allen and Murphy have their eyes on the featherweight top 10 as well as welterweights like Michael “Venom” Page or a returning Leon Edwards being potential candidates. Paddy Pimblett would undoubtedly sell the Arena out all by himself but it seems likely that his next outing will be on PPV once again.

    The UFC isn’t going to be hard pressed to fill this card with home crowd favorites as is often the case when the Octagon makes the trip across the pond.

  • Jon Jones ‘Healed Enough’ For UFC 309 Return But ‘Not As Strong’ As Pre-Injury 

    Jon Jones ‘Healed Enough’ For UFC 309 Return But ‘Not As Strong’ As Pre-Injury 

    UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has provided an update on his physical condition ahead of this weekend’s pay-per-view.

    Jones will return to the main event spotlight on Saturday night to headline UFC 309, set to play out inside the prestigious Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    The Rochester native was previously slated to do so for the promotion’s 2023 visit to the iconic venue, but a torn pectoral tendon forced a postponement of his title defense against the returning Stipe Miocic.

    12 months on — and despite many taking issue with “Bones” facing Miocic over interim champ Tom Aspinall — the pair will give their matchup a second go in “The Big Apple.”

    Jones is unsurprisingly confident of his chances against Miocic, who hasn’t competed in three and a half years. But he seemingly wouldn’t describe himself as being at 100 percent himself when he enters the Octagon again.

    During a recent interview with New York Post Sports, Jones looked back on his recovery and assessed how his training has compared to the lead-up to his canceled clash with Miocic last year.

    “Bones” admitted that his strength is somewhat down from this time 12 months ago and suggested that other competitors might not be returning from a pectoral tear at this stage.

    “I took my recovery pretty seriously. Right now, I feel like I’m in the shape of my life,” Jones said. “This is about as soon as I should be back in the cage. The injury was anywhere from eight months to a year. … Some athletes would still be using this time to recover but I know this sport only waits for so long.

    “I do feel healed enough to be in there. I’m not as strong as I used to be but I’m smarter than ever, I have a lot of experience, and I’m plenty strong,” Jones continued. “Before my pec tear, I was benching like, 315 (pounds) I could do for five reps and I had about a 500-pound squat for a few reps. I was pretty strong. Now, I feel incredibly strong still but not like, superhuman strength the way I used to feel.”

    While apparently not in the kind of condition he was set to enter UFC 295 in last year, Jones is evidently confident that he’s ready to make his return 20 months on from his crowning as heavyweight kingpin.

  • Alexa Grasso Asks For Support After Breaking Her Leg in Training

    Alexa Grasso Asks For Support After Breaking Her Leg in Training

    Former UFC Flyweight champion Alexa Grasso shared some unfortunate news with her followers on Monday evening. Grasso revealed in an Instagram post that she suffered a broken leg during training. To accompany the announcement, she posted a picture of her leg in a cast, confirming she won’t be back in the Octagon in the near future.

    “I broke my leg training. But I’m fine… everything heals… time by time. Send me a lot of love so that the bone heals well, please.”

    Alex Grasso on Instagram (translated)

    This injury follows her title loss in September at UFC 306, where she fought Valentina Shevchenko in a hard-fought trilogy bout. Grasso had previously defeated Shevchenko by submission and fought to a draw in their second matchup. However, in their most recent fight, Shevchenko won by unanimous decision, leaving Grasso without a clear path back to the title.

    Now pushed back in the contender lineup, Grasso faces a significant recovery period. At 31, she still has time to bounce back from this setback, but with the year coming to a close, her return in 2024 seems unlikely. Due to limited details on the injury, a specific timeline for her comeback remains uncertain.