MMA News

Category: News

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

  • ‘Zero Technique’ – Ilia Topuria On Max Holloway Knocking Out Justin Gaethje

    ‘Zero Technique’ – Ilia Topuria On Max Holloway Knocking Out Justin Gaethje

    Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway are scheduled to fight for the UFC featherweight championship at UFC 308. While Holloway secured the title shot after beating Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, “El Matador” claimed the title from Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298.

    The undefeated Georgian fighter is as confident as ever ahead of his first title defense. From claiming he’ll be the first to knock Holloway out to purchasing his own BMF belt, Topuria has done everything to get under the challenger’s skin.

    Here’s how Topuria and Holloway responded when asked who the best boxer in the UFC was…

    Ilia Topuria Explains Why Max Holloway Is Not The Best Boxer In The UFC

    Topuria and Holloway met virtually on the ESPN MMA YouTube channel to promote their UFC 308 matchup. The interview started on a relatively positive note with the UFC featherweight champ admitting he’s been a fan of “Blessed” for a long time.

    However, things soon turned sour as “El Matador” outright rejected Holloway’s skills and claimed to shut his lights out repeatedly. He stated the challenger lacks head movement, knockout power, and several other fundamentals to be called the best boxer in the UFC.

    “Bro, that’s a shame. Don’t say that again! I recommend don’t say that again. Not head movement, not knockout power, not technique. He’s just [starts imitating Holloway]. And I saw him working with the pads [imitates the challenger’s training clips]. Bro, what the f**k is this? Don’t do that”

    Topuria also brought up Holloway’s iconic knock-out of Gaethje at UFC 300. He recognized that the moment was amazing for fans but the final exchange had no technique and resembled a bar fight.

    As he’s said many times before, “El Matador” challenged the UFC veteran to stand and trade with him. He’s confident about getting the better of Holloway in such an exchange because of his superior technique and power.

    “The only thing excited [exciting] about that fight was the last 10 seconds, to be honest. I didn’t see any technique in that fight. I didn’t see any strategy, I didn’t see any f*****g thing. I just saw a bar fight, to be honest. It was very spectacular for the fans but for me, as a professional, it was a, I don’t know not something very impressive because you can impress everyone but you know the technique behind that knockout and it was zero.”

  • Curtis Blaydes Reflects On UFC 304 Loss: ‘I Tossed Out the Game Plan’

    Curtis Blaydes Reflects On UFC 304 Loss: ‘I Tossed Out the Game Plan’

    Curtis Blaydes returned to England at UFC 304 where there was still a score to settle with fellow top heavyweight Tom Aspinall.

    The two men first met back in 2022 where the fight only lasted 15 seconds following an unfortunate injury to the Brit.

    With Aspinall holding the interim heavyweight title and being keen to run this one back, the stage was set for Manchester on July 27.

    In the short time that their initial encounter lasted, Blaydes had some success with his striking even if it was only a few quick exchanges.

    He wasn’t able to show any of his grappling skills that would surely be a pivotal factor in the rematch.

    Curtis Blaydes Reflects On What Went Wrong At UFC 304

    Once again at UFC 304, Blaydes wasn’t able to really test Aspinall’s wrestling which is where “Razor” holds the clearest advantage.

    He stood with his opponent which is always a dangerous game considering the timing, speed and power that the interim champ brings to the table.

    As the opening minute came to a close, Blaydes became the latest man to fall to Aspinall within the first round.

    He recently reflected on the fight and what went wrong for him in an interview with James Lynch for Inside Fighting.

    The former title challenger said that after landing some strikes of his own early on, his original game plan went out the window in that moment.

    “He starts fast, that’s the biggest thing, that’s what we knew heading into it and I kinda tossed out the game plan. We had a game plan that I was going to engage with the wrestling and engage with the clinch but I touched him early on and adrenaline kicked in and I just tossed out the game plan.

    There’s no excuse, he was the better man that night, all the praise goes to him. He landed the shot, he pounced, he got the TKO and I mean, if I gotta lose, it’s not like he’s a bum so.”

    Read also: Michael Bisping: Alex Pereira Is UFC’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

  • Curtis Blaydes Questions Stipe Miocic’s Readiness Ahead Of UFC 309 Clash With Jon Jones

    Curtis Blaydes Questions Stipe Miocic’s Readiness Ahead Of UFC 309 Clash With Jon Jones

    UFC 309 is a big return for Jon Jones following the injury that he suffered ahead of UFC 295 in November of last year. However, it’s an even bigger comeback for the former champion Stipe Miocic who hasn’t fought in well over three years at this point.

    The last time that we saw him compete inside the Octagon was when he lost the title to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 in March of 2021. Though Jones’ injury couldn’t be helped, it added even more time to Miocic’s layoff that many think will be too much for him to overcome at Madison Square Garden on November 16.

    In a recent interview with James Lynch for Inside Fighting, heavyweight contender and former interim title challenger Curtis Blaydes gave his thoughts on the fight. Blaydes said the fight is so difficult to predict because we don’t know how Miocic is going to look after being gone for such a long time.

    He is likely seen by many as the best heavyweight in UFC history but three years is a long-time for anyone to be inactive, let alone someone that is going to be fighting Jones for the title.

    “Razor” did express some concerns about the health of the former champion based on second-hand comments that he has heard. Blaydes said that he has been hearing that Miocic didn’t appear to look at his best during his public appearances in recent times.

    “I mean, who knows like Stipe has been gone for so long. Rust, it might be a factor, that’s something you gotta think about and like, I’ve been hearing that like whenever Stipe shows up at like an event or a press conference or a meet and greet or anything like that.

    people have been saying that he’s got like a limp, he doesn’t look healthy, he looks smaller. I don’t know, right now, based on all that, I go Jon.”

    Read also: Michael Bisping: Alex Pereira Is UFC’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

  • Conor McGregor Eyes Multiple Options For 2025 UFC Return

    Conor McGregor Eyes Multiple Options For 2025 UFC Return

    Conor McGregor recently asserted that a handful of options are under consideration for his long-awaited return to the Octagon.

    “The Notorious” has been out of action for over three years, ever since he endured a devastating leg fracture during his trilogy clash with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

    Although McGregor has occasionally teased a comeback after serving as a coach on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter against his rival Michael Chandler, he had even lined up a fight with “Iron” for UFC 303 this past June.

    Unfortunately, just two weeks prior to the scheduled fight, the matchup was canceled after McGregor was forced to withdraw due to a leg injury. Since then, Chandler has redirected his ambitions and is now set to face Charles Oliveira in a rematch, which will serve as the co-main event of UFC 309 on November 16.

    McGregor Affirms Interest In Chandler Fight While Exploring Options

    During a recent interview with The Schmo, McGregor opened up about his potential return to the UFC. The former two-division champion expressed his desire to settle what started with Chandler upon his comeback but also mentioned that several other names are in the mix for a possible fight.

    Although “The Notorious” refrained from naming any particular opponents, he indicated that a trilogy bout with Nate Diaz and a quadrilogy with Poirier still hold considerable appeal for him.

    “We’re looking for the date. I’d like to square it away with Michael Chandler. You know, I’d like to get Chandler in. We’ve had our beef. It’s not settled. He has a match scheduled. I would like to fight before he’s recovered.

    There’s a few names in the line at the minute. There’s a few names being discussed.”

    – Conor McGregor

    While McGregor has repeatedly conveyed his enthusiasm for a return by the end of the year, UFC CEO Dana White has firmly stated that the Irishman won’t be stepping back into the Octagon until early 2025.

    “The Notorious” last tasted victory in January 2020 when he faced Donald Cerrone. With a notably sparse fighting schedule, McGregor has recorded a disappointing 3-4 in his last seven outings since 2016.

  • Jon Jones Hails Gable Steveson As A Future MMA Champion

    Jon Jones Hails Gable Steveson As A Future MMA Champion

    Jon Jones recently lauded Olympic gold medalist freestyle wrestler Gable Steveson, proclaiming him a future champion in the realm of MMA.

    “Bones” is preparing for the inaugural defense of his heavyweight title against former champion Stipe Miocic in the headline bout of UFC 309, set to take place on November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    Jones will enter the Octagon after a 20-month hiatus, having last fought when he claimed the heavyweight title by submitting Ciryl Gane in the first round at UFC 285 in March 2023. The 34-year-old New Yorker was initially set to face Miocic at UFC 295 last November, but he had to withdraw just two weeks prior to the bout due to a pectoral injury.

    In preparation for his upcoming bout, “Bones” has recruited the expertise of two prominent figures, Steveson and former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, to aid in his training. Earlier this week, several photos and videos surfaced, showcasing Jones sparring alongside Steveson and Parker at his longtime training base, the Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

    Steveson recently took to Instagram to share a training photo with Jones. In the post’s comments, “Bones” hailed the American wrestler as the future champion of the heavyweight MMA division.

    “Future MMA heavyweight champion, mark my words.”

    – Jon Jones on Gable Steveson’s potential in MMA

    Steveson clinched Olympic gold at the 2020 Tokyo Games in 2021, defeating Georgia’s Geno Petriashvili in the final. Shortly after, he was offered a WWE contract and made his professional wrestling debut at SummerSlam 2021.

    However, the 24-year-old’s stint with the promotion was cut short, as he was reportedly released due to insufficient progress at WWE’s Performance Center.

  • Mario Bautista Blames Betting For Post-UFC 307 Backlash

    Mario Bautista Blames Betting For Post-UFC 307 Backlash

    Mario Bautista has taken a lot of criticism following the biggest win of his career at UFC 307 this past weekend.

    He knew that it was always going to be tough for him to get support from the majority of the fan base when you’re going up against a legend of the game like José Aldo. However, it wasn’t just that he defeated a beloved fighter, it was the way that the contest ended up playing out.

    Bautista was able to nullify a lot of Aldo’s striking by clinching with him against the cage and when the Brazilian seemed fine with settling there at points in the fight, this is where it stayed.

    He got his hand-raised via a controversial split decision where many believed that his opponent should have got the win after landing the more effective strikes and defending takedowns.

    Mario Bautista Believes He’s Getting Hate From The Fans For Ruining Their Bets

    In a recent interview with James Lynch for Sportskeeda, Bautista spoke about some of the intense messages that he has received from fans that are annoyed about his win. Though the conversation about the scorecards and his method of victory hasn’t helped proceedings, he also believes that there is another factor.

    Bautista said that many of the messages he has been recieving reference the fact that a lot of people lost money on this fight because they bet on Aldo and felt like he should have won. “The King of Rio” closed the fight as the underdog, meaning that he will have been a staple of many parlays, especially considering his performance earlier this year.

    “I would get hate no matter what, win or lose so and I do think that’s a big part too because I was a favorite coming into that and I know people are just going to put their money on Aldo for sure so I know people lost a lot of money, quite a bit of people it seems like. Even like in the messages and stuff, they say that. ‘You made me lose my parley,’ and this and that and they say a bunch of other stuff too but I think the main thing behind it is losing those bets.”

    Read also: Khalil Rountree Earned Anderson Silva’s Respect At UFC 307

  • Khalil Rountree Plans Return, Targeting Top Contender Jamahal Hill

    Khalil Rountree Plans Return, Targeting Top Contender Jamahal Hill

    Khalil Rountree Jr. entered UFC 307 as an underdog but remains optimistic despite falling short in his bid to capture the light heavyweight title from champion Alex Pereira in the event’s headliner. Rountree was finished in the fourth round but is already looking ahead to his next opportunity.

    In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Rountree was asked about the possibility of facing Jamahal Hill, a top-10 contender. A win over someone ranked as high as Hill could accelerate his path back to title contention.

    “Absolutely. I think it’s almost inevitable, right? I think he’s ranked No. 3. Anyone in the Top 5 is kind of inevitable, so let’s see what happens. I think pretty shortly here I’ll be talking to the matchmakers and the bosses to see what they think.”

    Rountree Jr. aims to return to action in the first quarter of the year, determined to make smarter, more strategic decisions moving forward.

  • Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective On Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight

    Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective On Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight

    On June 30, Eric Nicksick knew that he would be heading to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but he didn’t realize that Dan Ige would be coming with him.

    UFC 303 produced one of the most remarkable stories in the history of the promotion as Ige agreed to step in and face Diego Lopes in the co-main event all within the space of a few hours.

    After receiving the call from his fighter, Nicksick (who was already cornering on the card), immediately got to work in order to make this happen.

    He picked up his fighter’s cup from Xtreme Couture and under Ige’s instructions, assembled a corner on short notice.

    Nicksick quickly arranged to meet with both Kai Kamaka III and Sean Strickland who he knew were in Vegas, breaking up the former middleweight champion’s lunch date with his girlfriend.

    All of these details and more recently came out when he gave his side to this incredible story.

    Eric Nicksick Says Dan Ige Is Always Looking And Staying Ready For Opportunities Like This

    During his appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast, Nicksick detailed what the crazy turnaround of UFC 303 looked like from his perspective.

    He also revealed that taking fights on short notice to try and save the card is something that Ige regularly has his eye on in case something exactly like this happens.

    With him being in shape and training out of Las Vegas, he was the perfect fighter to step in for Brian Ortega who withdrew due to illness.

    “Here’s the thing about Dan. Every card, he’ll look at the landscape of the division or the card, for example, and be like, ‘hey this dude at 55, there’s these two fights at 45, whatever. Take a peek at it, let me know if something comes up short notice, I’m always down to take these types of fights, especially if the juice is worth the squeeze’ and in this particular situation, it was and he jumped on it man.”

    Nicksick also said that though they didn’t get the win, he’s glad that Ige was able to pull this off because it shows what’s possible if you’re prepared.

    He went from any old Saturday to fighting in the co-main event of International Fight Week all because he was ready to stick his hand up when the UFC called and said they needed a guy.

    “That’s what makes me the most proud about the situation is that anytime there’s an opportunity like that, our team can pick up the phone and answer the call. Chris Curtis, Sean Strickland, Roman Dolidze, Dan Ige, you know, and I think it sets a precedence amongst the rest of the team to know what is possible if you’re f****** prepared and you’re ready to go and you’re doing all the right things day in and day out, even if you’re outside of camp. Those opportunities come once in a lifetime and are you willing to open the door when that door knocks.”        

    Read also: MMA Analyst Dismisses Ilia Topuria’s Champ-Champ Aspirations

  • Ngannou Dismisses Dana White, Says His Boxing Paychecks Surpass UFC Earnings

    Ngannou Dismisses Dana White, Says His Boxing Paychecks Surpass UFC Earnings

    Francis Ngannou recently waved off Dana White’s disparaging comments regarding his boxing earnings.

    In January 2023, “The Predator” relinquished his UFC heavyweight title and parted ways with the promotion after a heated contractual dispute with the UFC CEO. The primary point of contention was Ngannou’s desire to compete in boxing matches, which his UFC contract did not permit.

    Ngannou went on to sign a lucrative deal with the PFL, securing special autonomy to pursue boxing matches. The 38-year-old Cameroonian soon realized his long-held dream of stepping into the squared circle.

    Although his high-profile bouts against former champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua didn’t deliver the outcomes he had hoped for, Ngannou still walked away with a pair of hefty paychecks.

    White recently downplayed the belief that Ngannou earned more from two boxing matches than he would have with the UFC, dismissing the concept of massive payouts in the sport as merely “a myth.”

    Ngannou Challenges Validity Of White’s Statements

    During a recent interview, “The Predator” dismissed White’s remarks that belittled his boxing earnings and urged him not to fall for the narrative spun by the UFC’s head honcho. Ngannou further asserted that his earnings far exceeded what he could have ever achieved in the UFC.

    “Personally, at this point, it’s been a while since I’ve taken anything from Dana White as credible,” Ngannou said. “I don’t give any importance because the things that he says a lot of times cannot make sense. But just for this statement, I will say for everything that I left the UFC for—every single thing—I have had more. Way more. Everything. Name it. Just say I have had everything way more.”

    Ngannou is preparing for his eagerly awaited return to the MMA arena, set to clash with 2023 heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in the headling bout of PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants. The event is scheduled for October 19 at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

  • Conor McGregor Declares Alex Pereira UFC’s No. 1 P4P Fighter

    Conor McGregor Declares Alex Pereira UFC’s No. 1 P4P Fighter

    Fans worldwide witnessed the masterful performance of light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 307, where he faced Khalil Rountree.

    Despite Rountree winning the first two rounds on the judges’ scorecards, Pereira found his rhythm and secured a fourth-round finish to claim victory. Following the fight, discussions about Pereira’s place among the all-time greats in the promotion began to intensify.

    In an interview with The Schmo, Conor McGregor weighed in on Pereira’s dominance, asserting that no one could deny his spot at the top after such a stellar year. McGregor went so far as to call Pereira the UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.

    Spot Well Earned

    “2024 has been Alex Pereira’s year, no one can deny that,” McGregor said. “If we go by that—forget belts or any of that—it’s about competition. Three fights this year, four knockouts. I’d put Alex Pereira at number one.”

    – Conor McGregor

    McGregor last fought in 2022, when he suffered a devastating leg injury in a fight with Dustin Poirier in a trilogy bout that resulted in Poirier’s victory.  UFC President Dana White has stated that he expects McGregor to return to the Octagon in early 2025.

  • European Promotion Set To Break The UFC’s Attendance Record On October 12

    European Promotion Set To Break The UFC’s Attendance Record On October 12

    European promotion OKTAGON have previously been described by Ariel Helwani as “MMA’s best kept secret”.

    They may not have the household names that every fan in the United States would know but this had no impact on their seismic growth in Europe.

    This weekend at OKTAGON 62, they’re set to host their second event of the year that will take place in an outdoor football stadium.

    The Deutsche Bank Park will host the promotion on October 12 and by hitting huge numbers, the event will bring the fourth largest crowd in the history of the sport and the biggest ever to take place outside of Japan.

    OKTAGON 62 Is Set To Break Records In Frankfurt, Germany

    Japanese promotions PRIDE and K-1 hold the current reported records for attendance through three events that took place between 2000-2003.

    The UFC’s current attendance record stands at 57,127 for UFC 243 where middleweight champions Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker collided at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

    Deutsche Bank Park is the home of German Bundesliga team Eintracht Frankfurt and with additional capacity added due to the lack of needing a football pitch in the middle, will house 60,000 this Saturday night.

    The main event features two favorites of the home crowd colliding as Christian Eckerlin and Christian Jungwirth battle it out to see who is the King of Germany.

    Co-owner and co-founder Pavol Neruda spoke about how this event has exceeded even their own wild ambitions for the promotion at this stage in it’s life.

    “We sold 40,000 within the first 3 weeks, before we even announced many fights, and I think that that shows how we have built a brand that the public can trust. They know that an OKTAGON event is a great experience – somewhere they can go with their friends and have six hours of fun.

    We were very ambitious at the beginning, but I have to be honest, I did not see us selling out football stadiums in Germany after only 8 years! We were dreaming, but now it is a reality, and we are super excited.”

    Read also: Michael Chandler Would ‘Bet The Farm’ On Conor McGregor Fight Happening In 2025

  • Dana White Likes Dustin Poirier’s 4-Man BMF Title Tournament Idea

    Dustin Poirier has proposed an exciting idea for a four-man tournament to compete for the BMF title, and UFC President Dana White seems intrigued.

    The belt has not changed hands since Max Holloway’s iconic knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April. Poirier, who lost to Gaethje via knockout in their BMF title fight at UFC 291, is eager for another shot at the title.

    With his career winding down, Poirier pitched the tournament involving himself, Gaethje, Holloway, and Dan Hooker—fighters with whom he has a rich history. Poirier has split fights with Gaethje and holds wins over both Holloway and Hooker.

    White addressed Poirier’s idea at the Dana White’s Contender Series 75 post-fight news conference.

    “Sounds fun. Never thought about it, but yeah, I love it.”

    – Dana White

    Poirier scored a knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 before being submitted by lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.

  • Former Title Challenger Among Nine Seemingly Cut From The UFC Roster

    Former Title Challenger Among Nine Seemingly Cut From The UFC Roster

    The UFC Roster Tracker account on X has been very busy in the days following UFC 307 in Salt Lake City with nine posts about fighters exciting the UFC.

    Though the following releases are yet to be confirmed by other sources with knowledge of the situation, the promotion has been known to issue these mass cuts from time to time.

    By far the most notable of the reported releases is former interim light heavyweight title challenger Ovince St. Preux.

    “OSP” suffered a loss at this past weekend’s PPV card where he was submitted by Ryan Spann in the opening round.

    St. Preux previously faced a returning Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 197 where he replaced Daniel Cormier and came up short.

    Seemingly ending his UFC career with 28 fights inside the Octagon, the 41-year old is perhaps best known for his signature Von Flue choke that was at one point being coined the “Von Preux”.

    As for the other names included in the posts, Kleydson Rodrigues exits the promotion following back-to-back losses at bantamweight.

    Heavyweight Karl Williams won three in a row before his last fight, a loss to Jhonata Diniz so his departure would certainly be a surprising one.

    Mexico’s Victor Altamirano is winless in his last three at 125-pounds and Da Woon Jung has hit similar form with four consecutive losses at 205.

    Kaynan Kruschewsky exits without a win inside the Octagon after coming up short in both of his appearances following a first-round finish on Contender Series.

    Finally, three female fighters are also said to be leaving as Brianna Fortino, Victoria Leonardo and Danyelle Wolf make up the nine total names.

    Despite going 1-1 inside the Octagon with some clear potential, Fortino hasn’t fought since 2020 where she faced Tecia Pennington.

    Consecutive first round losses ended Leonardo’s time in the promotion and finally, Wolf hasn’t fought in over two years after being unable to turn her boxing pedigree into a debut win at UFC 279.

    Once again, these releases are yet to be confirmed after being posted by the Roster Tracker account.

    Read also: Larissa Pacheco Sticks Up For Kayla Harrison After PFL’s ‘Uncalled For’ Fight-Day Dig

  • Dan Hooker Responds To Dustin Poirier’s 4-Man BMF Tournament Pitch

    Dan Hooker Responds To Dustin Poirier’s 4-Man BMF Tournament Pitch

    Former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has committed to one final night in the cage before hanging up his gloves, and he’s got a unique idea in mind for his farewell.

    Poirier initially appeared set to call time on is career following a failed title bid opposite Islam Makhachev this past June. But while his immediate comments post-submission loss at UFC 302 leaned that way, he was quick to tease a return.

    And in recent weeks, “The Diamond” has confirmed that he’s not yet done and has been in search of his final matchup — or potentially two, should his recent pitch come to fruition.

    During a recent interview on SiriusXM’s MMA Today show with Din Thomas and Alan Jouban, Poirier suggested a four-man tournament comprised of three former opponents of his, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, and Dan Hooker.

    The Grand Prix-style bracket would involve BMF stakes, with Hooker being the only one of the four yet to compete with the symbolic title on the line in the UFC.

    “That excites me,” Poirier said. “Because that kind of stuff is for the dogs. That’s like old Pride days or Grand Prix. That’s a real ‘BMF.’ If you can fight a tournament in one night, multiple opponents, that’s the definition of ‘BMF.’

    “That would be it,” Poirier continued. “If they put that together and it was a one-night tournament, that would be it (retirement).”

    And “The Hangman,” for one, seems to be in…

    Hooker Co-Signs Poirier’s BMF Tournament

    Following Poirier’s remarks, which also got somewhat of a green light from UFC CEO Dana White following his latest post-Contender Series press conference, Hooker was quick to give his take on the idea.

    Never one to shy away from the possibility of violence inside the Octagon, Hooker is unsurprisingly up for the same-night format.

    “Don’t threaten me with a good time,” Hooker wrote on X.

    The New Zealander joined Poirier and Gaethje inside the lightweight top five following an upset decision win over the highly regarded Mateusz Gamrot in Perth, Australia this past August.

  • Valentina Shevchenko Won’t ‘Discard’ Possible Bantamweight Return To Challenge Julianna Peña

    Valentina Shevchenko Won’t ‘Discard’ Possible Bantamweight Return To Challenge Julianna Peña

    Newly crowned UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña may have a challenge from below to be concerned about.

    Over two years on from having her reign ended at the first hurdle by Amanda Nunes, Peña returned to the throne by way of a controversial decision win over Raquel Pennington in this past weekend’s UFC 307 co-main event.

    While her second divisional rule has only just got underway, talk has quickly turned to her first defense and the likelihood of Kayla Harrison getting a shot in her third Octagon outing.

    “The Venezuelan Vixen,” however, has made it clear that she would rather complete her trilogy with Amanda Nunes should the Brazilian end her retirement.

    But there’s also been growing talk of another former opponent of the bantamweight queen’s pursuing a second victory over her…

    Shevchenko Open To Bantamweight Return In ‘Right’ Circumstances

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9ww6yYtVT8

    During an interview with Bodog Canada prior to UFC 307, flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko assessed a possible rematch with Peña were she to achieve a similar feat at the expense of Pennington.

    The Kyrgyzstani standout submitted Peña en route to an ultimately unsuccessful bantamweight title bid back in 2017. “Bullet” later dropped to 125 pounds, where she enjoyed a lengthy title reign and recently commenced a second.

    Be it a flyweight defense opposite Manon Fiorot or a bantamweight return, Shevchenko insisted that she’s yet to give any thought to what could await her down the line.

    But “Bullet” was also keen to note that nothing is off the table, including a move back up to 135 pounds in pursuit of two-division champ status.

    “You know, I was so busy working on returning my belt back at flyweight, so I didn’t have a chance to think about anything else,” Shevchenko said. “I was focusing so much on Alexa (Grasso). For a year-and-a-half, the only one person I was thinking of was her.

    “I’m not discarding any opportunities. I’m not saying something like, ‘No!’ But yeah, when I recover from the last fight and we go back and see my team, my manager…we will make the decision,” Shevchenko continued. “Probably for me to go up to bantamweight, it would have to pass some time to build up back my muscles. Spending so long at flyweight, I kind of get smaller. … But if I decide to move up, it has to be right.”

    For now, both Shevchenko and Peña will be continuing to celebrate their recent returns to their respective divisional mountaintops.

    And while both women have challengers waiting in the wings, should they cement their grips on the UFC gold in their possession, perhaps a second dance will be in their futures.

  • Pennington Calls For Immediate Rematch After Controversial UFC 307 Defeat

    Pennington Calls For Immediate Rematch After Controversial UFC 307 Defeat

    Raquel Pennington doesn’t believe she was defeated by Julianna Pena at UFC 307, as she recently shared her thoughts in her first public statement following the title setback.

    “Rocky” was unable to hold onto her UFC bantamweight title in a razor-close battle against Pena last weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. As the fight reached its midpoint, it remained closely contested, with both fighters having their moments of success. However, Pennington seemed to gain the upper hand in the final rounds, especially after rocking Peña with a devastating right hand late in the bout.

    Despite “The Venezuelan Vixen” enduring the onslaught, she managed to hold her ground, convincing two of the judges that she had done enough to reclaim the title for a second time. Both awarded her 48-47 scorecards, while the third judge saw the fight in Pennington’s favor with an identical 48-47 score.

    Pennington Demands Rematch With Pena

    In the aftermath of her defeat, Pennington took to Instagram on Tuesday to share her thoughts on the bout against Pena. “Rocky” asserted in her statement that she feels the outcome did not reflect her performance and voiced her eagerness for a rematch with Pena.

    “I’m home, and I’m health,” she wrote. “My heart hurts, but my head is high! I do not feel I lost that fight, but this is just another wild detour on this journey of mine. I will be back better than ever! I want the rematch stat! Regardless, what an amazing fight week. I was surrounded by so much love, support, and blessings. Memories that will last a lifetime. I’m full of gratitude, and I want to send a shout-out to all the people standing behind me.”

    Pennington captured the vacant title with an impressive unanimous decision win against Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297 earlier this January. Her recent defeat brought an end to an impressive six-fight win streak.

  • Michael Bisping: Alex Pereira Is UFC’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

    Michael Bisping: Alex Pereira Is UFC’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

    Michael Bisping closely watched the main event of UFC 307, witnessing the masterful performance of light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira against Khalil Rountree. Rountree fought valiantly, even winning the first two rounds on the judges’ scorecards, but Pereira found his rhythm and finished Rountree in the fourth round.

    Former UFC middleweight champion Bisping has been thoroughly impressed by Pereira’s dominance and sees him as UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. He pointed out Pereira’s remarkable run and his emphatic victories.

    “Pereira is going through everybody. Three title defenses in seven months and taking the world by storm. So, if you go through the top 10, it’s really hard to deny Alex Pereira is No. 1.”

    – Michael Bisping

    Bisping further emphasized that finishing opponents is a key factor in becoming the pound-for-pound best

    “To be pound-for-pound No. 1, you’ve got to be finishing people. You can’t be scraping by them with split decisions. You’ve got to do it in emphatic fashion, and I don’t think there’s anyone out there with the finishing ability of Alex Pereira. It is frightening what he can do.”

    – Michael Bisping
  • Khalil Rountree Earned Anderson Silva’s Respect At UFC 307

    Khalil Rountree Earned Anderson Silva’s Respect At UFC 307

    Khalil Rountree entered UFC 307 as an underdog, but he left fans in awe with his performance against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in the event’s headliner. Despite his valiant effort, Rountree fell short of capturing the title, getting finished in the fourth round.

    Early in the fight, Rountree landed significant strikes and won the first two rounds on the judges’ scorecards. However, Pereira found his rhythm as the fight progressed, eventually stopping the hungry contender.

    The Spider Predicts Greatness for Rountree

    In 2015, former middleweight champion Anderson Silva predicted that Rountree would one day become a champion. Following UFC 307, Silva shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, praising both fighters.

    Silva expresses that, ideally, he would prefer not to see his “little brother” Khalil and his “friend” Alex fight, but he acknowledges that this is part of the sport. He commends Alex for being “impeccable” in his performance and for his impressive rise in the sport, congratulating him for his success.

    Silva encourages Khalil to remember that only a select few have the strength to “fight the good fight” and emphasizes the importance of strength and honor in his journey. He gives a shoutout to José Aldo, calling him a champion and showing respect for his legacy.

    You can see his full statement here:

  • MMA Analyst Dismisses Ilia Topuria’s Champ-Champ Aspirations

    MMA Analyst Dismisses Ilia Topuria’s Champ-Champ Aspirations

    Ilia Topuria’s ambitions to compete in a potential ‘champ vs. champ’ showdown have intensified in recent weeks, but a popular MMA analyst doesn’t think now is the time for such a matchup.

    “El Matador” has continually expressed his eagerness to ascend a division and challenge the reigning UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, in an exciting fight. However, before Topuria looks ahead, he is poised to make the first defense of his featherweight title against Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308, scheduled for October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

    Topuria’s excitement was palpable during a recent live stream on Instagram, where he enthusiastically answered a fan’s question about his ability to defeat Makhachev. The 27-year-old Spaniard confidently asserted that he could easily overcome Makhachev, stating that it would be the fight he would pursue after handling Holloway.

    However, Josh Thomson contends that “El Matador” is overly ambitious and should first concentrate on facing challengers in the 145-pound division…

    Thompson Advises Topuria To Focus On Featherweight Before Considering Move-Up

    During a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast, “Punk” delved into Topuria’s thoughts on moving up to the 155-pound division for a potential matchup with Makhachev. Thompson openly dismissed the featherweight champion’s ambitions, urging him to prioritize defending his title against Holloway first.

    “Younger guys like Ilia Topuria going, ‘Oh yeah, I’m going to fight so and so up here,’” Thomson said. “I’m like, dude, you haven’t defended your title one time. You beat the guy coming off of a head-kick knockout. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. How about you defend it against Max, the fight I’m really excited for?”

    Thompson further emphasized that Topuria should concentrate on solidifying his standing in the featherweight division before calling out others. He also mentioned that “El Matador” might be seeking these high-profile matchups primarily for social media popularity.

    “Ilia Topuria needs to clear out the division. He’s fought a lot of guys in there, but there are still many opponents for him to face. He shouldn’t even be mentioning that; the UFC shouldn’t be entertaining that. This whole thing, I think, is about social media—swipe right, swipe left, up, down, real fast. I need self-gratification right now; that’s what they’re looking for: ‘what can I do to make the most money?’”

    Topuria captured the 145-pound title with a stunning second-round knockout of former champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February. He remains undefeated in his seven Octagon appearances, with five of those victories coming by way of stoppage.

  • Larissa Pacheco Sticks Up For Kayla Harrison After PFL’s ‘Uncalled For’ Fight-Day Dig

    Larissa Pacheco Sticks Up For Kayla Harrison After PFL’s ‘Uncalled For’ Fight-Day Dig

    It wasn’t just those outside of the PFL that took issue with the promotion’s decision to fire shots at Kayla Harrison on the day of her second UFC fight.

    Harrison, who achieved lightweight title glory twice under the PFL banner, made the switch to MMA’s leading promotion this year, making a successful bantamweight and promotional debut at UFC 300 this past April.

    And after dispatching Holly Holm, Harrison had the chance to add more top-five opposition to her record against Ketlen Vieira at this past weekend’s UFC 307 pay-per-view.

    Harrison’s return to the Octagon was a hot topic in the lead-up to the Salt Lake City-held event. And her ex-employer looked to capitalize with a reminder of who handed the two-time Olympic gold medalist her sole defeat in MMA.

    Just hours before her fight, PFL socials posted a video detailing Harrison’s 2022 loss to Larissa Pacheco, a move many saw as an attempt to mock the now-UFC star.

    The post also came just days after PFL founder Donn Davis reiterated his disparaging remarks about Harrison’s PFL departure, accusing her of ‘running’ from a fight with Cris Cyborg and another showdown with Pacheco — whom Harrison has already defeated twice.

    As it turns out, Pacheco herself wasn’t pleased to be used as a tool with which to take away from Harrison shortly before she made the walk in Utah.

    Pacheco Tells PFL ‘You Don’t Need’ To Take Shots At Harrison

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Pacheco reacted to the controversial PFL post, which was widely criticized and branded “nasty” by some in the community.

    The Brazilian appeared to share the same sentiment as most, describing the move as “uncalled for.” She also encouraged her organization to focus on promoting her as its current top women’s fighter rather than putting energy into its former athletes.

    “I thought that was uncalled for, honestly,” Pacheco said. “I think (PFL) have the champion they deserve, they have a respectful champion who has defeated Kayla, so why do that? Promote me right. Let’s promote the champion. ‘Oh, but Larissa beat Kayla.’ You don’t need that. I’ve shown (my work) with other results, I’ve proven myself, so you don’t need that.

    “But anyway, that’s not on me. I have nothing to do with that. I respect Kayla. Our rivalry is over right now because she’s in another organization. Had she stayed here it would be the two of us and Cris clashing heads here, but there’s no reason to talk (about her now),” Pacheco continued. “I wish her good luck. The more she wins, the bigger my win over her gets, so I’ll always cheer for her.”

    Pacheco, the only fighter to win gold in two PFL divisions, is set to make her return in Saudi Arabia next weekend. The Brazilian will do battle with an all-time great in Cyborg, with the pair co-headlining a pay-per-view event topped by Francis Ngannou’s MMA return.

    Harrison, meanwhile, kept her ball rolling with a comfortable decision victory over Vieira at UFC 307. She’s now expected to receive her first shot at reaching the bantamweight mountaintop against newly crowned queen Julianna Peña.

  • Khalil Rountree Reveals Brutal Alex Pereira Loss Forced Him To Undergo ‘Most Painful Procedure’

    Khalil Rountree Reveals Brutal Alex Pereira Loss Forced Him To Undergo ‘Most Painful Procedure’

    The pain for UFC light heavyweight Khalil Rountree did not end with his failed title challenge in Salt Lake City this past weekend.

    Rountree received a surprise opportunity to unseat Alex Pereira from the 205-pound throne in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view, and he was on track to do so through two rounds.

    Against the odds, “The War Horse” started on top, moving two frames clear on all three scorecards. But after the tide began to turn in round three, “Poatan” increased the heat in vicious fashion once they hit the championship rounds.

    The finishing sequence in the fourth stanza made for painful viewing, and the damage suffered by the challenger was unsurprisingly not just superficial…

    Rountree On Post-UFC 307 Surgery: ‘Very, Very Uncomfortable’

    During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Rountree reflected on his valiant performance in Utah on Oct. 5 and detailed the damage that Pereira’s fight-ending onslaught left him with.

    The 34-year-old revealed that he exited the cage at UFC 307 with a badly deviated septum, which required an incredibly painful procedure to correct days on from the defeat.

    “I don’t know what punch, but I know that last uppercut before the body shots definitely landed on my nose. But I already had felt some pain in my head,” Rountree said. “It could’ve been from that, but after we got the scans and everything the night of the fight, the doctors saw that there was some slight fracturing and a severely deviated septum. So we went right ahead and corrected that as soon as I got home.

    “Definitely the most uncomfortable, painful procedure I’ve ever had last night,” Rountree continued. “It was the hardest sleep. My mouth is constantly dry and just a constant headache. Inside my nose, my nasal cavities right now are just stuffed with sponges and splints. It’s very, very uncomfortable.”

    Nevertheless, Rountree stated that every injury and blemish is worth it in his pursuit of championship glory on MMA’s biggest stage.

    And while he didn’t reach it first time around, “The War Horse” has vowed to bounce back stronger in 2025.

  • Michael Chandler Would ‘Bet The Farm’ On Conor McGregor Fight Happening In 2025

    UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is still not giving up hope of sharing the Octagon with Conor McGregor down the line.

    Chandler was initially announced as the former two-division UFC champion’s comeback opponent toward the start of 2023, with the pair first coaching opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter.

    Since the show’s conclusion, multiple rumored dates have passed by, in addition to an officially booked one at International Fight Week this past June. That injury delay and the uncertainty that followed it finally did it for Chandler, whose sights are now set elsewhere.

    The 38-year-old is set to make his return at UFC 309 next month, over two years on from a defeat to Dustin Poirier last time out. Back at Madison Square Garden, Chandler will once again do battle with former UFC champ Charles Oliveira.

    But while “Iron” is expecting to secure a second title shot on MMA’s biggest stage with a victory in New York City, that doesn’t mean McGregor is off his mind for 2025…

    Chandler Confident McGregor Fight Happens Despite Failed Wait

    During a recent interview with ESPN’s Andreas Hale, Chandler reflected on his decision to finally move on from McGregor and accept a different assignment for the back end of 2024.

    Chandler, McGregor, and UFC CEO Dana White have noted that the long-awaited clash of last year’s TUF coaches is not completely off the table and could be rebooked.

    The former three-time Bellator champ, for one, is incredibly confident of that coming to fruition, in addition to a championship challenge following a victory at UFC 309 on Nov. 16.

    “There’s no doubt that Chandler versus McGregor happens at some point in 2025,” Chandler said. “And there’s no doubt that when I beat Charles, I’m next in line for the title. Both of those fights will happen. I will fight for the title, and I will fight Conor McGregor. And I will bet the farm on it.”

    For now, Chandler will have his full focus on achieving redemption opposite Oliveira at Madison Square Garden.

    Having had his first shot at reaching the lightweight mountaintop stalled by “Do Bronx” in 2021, “Iron” will hope to secure a second at the Brazilian’s expense next month.

  • Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 9 Highlights As 4 Prospects Secure Contracts

    Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 9 Highlights As 4 Prospects Secure Contracts

    The latest season of Dana White’s Contender Series continued with some memorable highlights on Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

    DWCS, the inaugural season of which took place back in 2017, sees some of the top prospects in mixed martial arts enter the cage in front of White and the matchmakers, looking to put in a performance worthy of a place on the UFC roster.

    Last year’s edition saw 46 fighters bag a deal with the sport’s premier promotion across 10 events, up on the 43 from 2022. Through eight episodes of season eight, 34 prospects moved a step closer to their title dreams on MMA’s biggest stage.

    And the ninth added another five talents to the UFC roster. That included German welterweight Islam Dulatov, who delivered the highlight of the night by brutally knocking out Vanilto Antunes with an elbow, making good on his “The Ripper” moniker.

    There were three other finishes on the card, all of which earned the victors contracts. Also at 170 pounds, Kody Steele’s TKO of Chasen Blair was enough to forge his path into the UFC, as was a first-round knockout for heavyweight prospect Mario Pinto.

    A big storyline heading into this week’s episode was the curtain-closer, which featured Artem Vakhitov. The former Glory Kickboxing champion was the last man to defeat Alex Pereira prior to his MMA transition, and he’s now pursuing similar success to “Poatan” in the cage.

    In front of the Brazilian, who was cageside, the Russian stopped Islam Masraf with strikes inside round one. When granting Vakhitov a contract, White noted that Pereira had given his stamp of approval and pushed for his former rival’s signing.

    The first fight of the night was the only contest not to produce a new athlete, with Australia’s Sean Gauci not doing enough in his decision win over Anthony Drilich to impress the UFC boss.

    With that in mind, see below for the results and moments that landed four athletes contracts with the UFC.

    Sean Gauci Def. Anthony Drilich Via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

    Islam Dulatov Def. Vanilto Antunes Via KO (Elbow): R1, 2:44

    Mario Pinto Def. Lucas Camacho Via KO (punches): R1, 1:43

    Kody Steele Def. Chasen Blair Via TKO (Punches): R2, 4:07

    Artem Vakhitov Def. Islem Masraf Via TKO (punches): R1, 4:23

  • Dana White Recognizes Alex Pereira’s ‘Halo Effect’ As Artem Vakhitov Gets UFC Contract

    Dana White Recognizes Alex Pereira’s ‘Halo Effect’ As Artem Vakhitov Gets UFC Contract

    Alex Pereira is by far the most outstanding athlete the UFC has signed in recent years. Six of his ten UFC fights have been for a title, and he now holds the record for the quickest turnaround for three title defenses in the promotion.

    Pereira’s quick rise to the top of MMA has perplexed many in the community. He is a kickboxing specialist but the lack of wrestling and grappling experience has yet to bother him in the UFC.

    Artem Vakhitov, who defeated Pereira via decision at Glory 78, has signed with the UFC after winning at Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 9. The UFC President is happy to witness the influx of kickboxers in the UFC and thanked the UFC light heavyweight champ for it…

    Dana White Explains How Israel Adesanya And Alex Pereira Inspired Kickboxers To Enter The UFC

    During the DWCS 75 episode’s press conference, White talked about the recent wave of kickboxers coming to the UFC. He believes the success Israel Adesanya and Pereira have had in the promotion to be the reason behind this.

    Over the years, grappling has gradually become one of the most effective tools for success in MMA. Strikers often struggle to keep the fight on the feet against wrestlers but Adesanya and Pereira are huge exceptions. As a result, a lot of kickboxers with similar careers as these legends are now willing to try out their luck in the UFC.

    The UFC CEO pointed out that many kickboxers have fought gruesome battles for less money than they deserved. By showcasing their exciting standup in the UFC, they can significantly boost their earnings and fame.

    “What I actually think, like we were saying earlier, it’s fascinating how these guys that came out of this whole circuit with Israel and Alex, including them, are doing so well in the UFC. It’s fascinating, so, yeah, why not?” White continued, “I think it’s all of it. Obviously, those guys fought, you know, crazy fights, that I’m sure they didn’t make any money. Joanna Jędrzejczyk and many others. And come over here and it’s absolutely life-changing for them.”

    While he was announcing the contracts for DWCS Season 8, Week 9, Laura Sanko asked White about Pereira’s halo effect in the UFC. Here’s how he responded:

    “100%. It’s fascinating and that these guys are coming over here with so many kickboxing fights. And they’re wrestling is on point. It’s actually fascinating.”

    Vakhitov is a great example of the same. He’s just secured a UFC contract but has already generated a lot of hype because of his win over Pereira in kickboxing. Interestingly, “Poatan” himself convinced White to sign Vakhitov.

  • Conor McGregor Weighs In On Alex Pereira Facing An ‘Untested’ Jon Jones At Heavyweight

    Conor McGregor Weighs In On Alex Pereira Facing An ‘Untested’ Jon Jones At Heavyweight

    Conor McGregor was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but a toe injury forced him to withdraw. The UFC already had most of its pay-per-view events in 2024 booked ahead of time, so “The Mystic Mac” could not return before the end of the year like he wanted to.

    Chandler, in the meantime, has finally moved on from McGregor and will be facing Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. Winning the matchup can help the former get a title shot in the UFC lightweight division or he could fight his original opponent again with even higher stakes.

    The real talk of the town, though, is Alex Pereira who’s defended his UFC light heavyweight belt thrice in 2024. Here’s what McGregor thinks of a superfight between “Poatan” and Jon Jones.

    Conor McGregor Calls Alex Pereira The Pound-For-Pound Best UFC Fighter And A Threatening Opponent For Jon Jones

    McGregor recently appeared on The Schmo YouTube channel for a quick interview. When asked who should be the best pound-for-pound UFC fighter in the world, he vouched for the Brazilian to get the title.

    Next up, “The Notorious” discussed why he thinks Pereira should move up to heavyweight. For starters, it’s a great opportunity to create history by becoming the first three-division UFC champ ever. He admitted to assuming that “Poatan” had a difficult weight cut for UFC 307 but then pointed out that it could be due to antibiotics and other health concerns.

    McGregor, like countless other fans, acknowledged that Magomed Ankalaev deserves to fight Pereira at light heavyweight. However, if the UFC light heavyweight champ moves up a weight class, he should fight Jones according to the Dubliner.

    McGregor reflected on Jones’ impressive but quick heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane in March 2023. He believes that the former UFC light heavyweight champ is still untested at heavyweight and Pereira’s explosive yet patient style could be a tough puzzle to solve.

    The Irishman also claimed that Jones’ size at heavyweight shouldn’t be a problem for Pereira. Although he’s only faced middleweights and light heavyweights yet, he should be able to fit in with the heavyweights naturally.

    “I’d put Alex as number one [pound-for-pound]. I think he poses a lot of problems for Jon also. You know, that’s a dangerous style for Jon but it’s a decent one for him coz he’s not, you know, so big. Jon is new to the heavyweight division. Jon, he had a nice one against Ciryl Gane but he’s still untested at heavyweight. And I’m sure, in the back of his mind, he has that thought that you know, some of these guys are really big. Alex is a nice one and it’s still a dangerous one, though. Probably, even at the core of it, it’s probably even more dangerous.”