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  • PFL Founder Touts Superior Women’s Division After UFC 307 Harrison, Peña Wins

    PFL Founder Touts Superior Women’s Division After UFC 307 Harrison, Peña Wins

    UFC 307 was a big night for the women’s bantamweight division due to two match-ups that took place right at the top of the rankings.

    Julianna Peña was able to reclaim the 135-pound title by defeating Raquel Pennington via split decision in the co-main event.

    Earlier on in the night, Kayla Harrison cemented her status as the next in line by defeating Ketlen Vieira via a unanimous decision.

    Harrison’s return to the Octagon wasn’t without comment from her former home, the PFL, who received some criticism for posting about her loss to Larissa Pacheco on the same evening.

    The use of Harrison’s time spent in the PFL didn’t stop being talking point there after the promotion’s founder commented once again on the day after UFC 307.

    Donn Davis Says PFL’s Women’s Division Would ‘Crush’ The UFC’s, Lays Down A Challenge To Prove It

    In a post on X, PFL founder Donn Davis made a statement that was followed by a challenge to the UFC regarding the strength of their female roster.

    He took Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco, who are set to face off on October 19, and put them up against the champion and top contender in the UFC’s 135-pound division.

    Davis makes it clear that he would back Cyborg and Pacheco over Peña and Harrison and even offers to put money on it.

    Following Dana White’s harsh comments regarding the success of the PFL in his post-UFC 307 press conference, Davis wrote “#DanaScared” underneath the post.

    “It is clear from UFC 306 that @PFLMMA female division would crush @UFC. I am so confident
 winner take all. PFL: Cyborg + Pacheco. UFC: Harrison + Peña. $2m to each fighter
 losing company pays $8m total fighter purses”

    Read also: Kayla Harrison On Being Bloodied For The First Time At UFC 307: ‘That Threw Me
’

  • Alex Pereira’s Last Kickboxing Rival Claims He’s Not MMA’s Top Striker

    Alex Pereira’s Last Kickboxing Rival Claims He’s Not MMA’s Top Striker

    The main event of UFC 307 was a fun fight but ultimately, the elite level striking of Alex Pereira was too much for Khalil Rountree. As a former two-weight world champion in GLORY kickboxing, the current light heavyweight champion is one of the best strikers in the history of MMA.

    Ahead of his latest title defense, “Poatan” was asked about other kickboxers following in the footsteps of him and Israel Adesanya and there was one name that was mentioned specifically. Artem Vakhitov was the last man to beat Pereira in kickboxing, winning a majority decision back in 2021 after the Brazilian got the nod the first time around.

    Now, he’s hoping to carve out his own path in mixed martial arts.

    Artem Vakhitov Says That Alex Pereira Is Too Limited To Be Considered The Best Striker In MMA Today

    After suffering an injury on his MMA debut, Vakhitov has earned consecutive first-round finishes and will now fight for a spot on the UFC roster.

    He faces Islem Masraf on this week’s edition of Dana White’s Contender Series where his 2-1 pro record will be overlooked due to his kickboxing background and history with the current light heavyweight champion.

    Despite now having his own experiences with adapting to MMA, Vakhitov doesn’t believe that his former foe is the best striker in the sport today.

    He said to Submission Radio that “Poatan” can’t be in the conversation due to his reliance on his signature strike, the left hook.

    “I don’t think he’s really the best striker because to have just one good punch, it doesn’t mean that he’s really good striker. The real striker is someone who has a lot of combinations, very different opportunities. He just taught well one punch and delivering it but it doesn’t mean that having good distance and other stuff so I think he’s not really good striker because of it.”

    When asked who he would pick as the best striker in MMA today if it isn’t Pereira, he provided one name who will headline UFC 308 later this month.

    “I like the style of Max Holloway but I really couldn’t say who’s really the best one. I like who he’s fighting and I believe he could be the best one.”

    Read also: Tom Aspinall Significant Favorite For Potential Alex Pereira Fight After UFC 307

  • Tom Aspinall Significant Favorite For Potential Alex Pereira Fight After UFC 307

    Tom Aspinall Significant Favorite For Potential Alex Pereira Fight After UFC 307

    Alex Pereira’s latest victorious performance didn’t do enough to convince oddsmakers that he could be competitive against the UFC’s interim heavyweight king.

    Pereira boosted his claim for 2024’s Fighter of the Year by recording a third successful title defense in quick succession at Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view in Utah.

    Having turned away threats to his reign from Jamahal Hill and Jiƙí ProchĂĄzka, Salt Lake City’s Delta Center played host to Pereira’s return, as he was tasked with stalling the title ambitions of Khalil Rountree.

    Despite being down two rounds early on, “Poatan” ultimately achieved that feat by rallying to brutally stop “The War Horse” in round four.

    While celebrations in the Brazilian’s camp will be ongoing, talk has unsurprisingly turned to what could lie next in his future.

    Aspinall vs. Pereira Odds Have ‘Poatan’ At +300

    There appears to be three options for Pereira: a continued stay at 205 pounds to defend his belt, a return to middleweight in pursuit of regaining the 185-pound title, or an attempt at history up at heavyweight.

    When it comes to the last of those options — which doesn’t seem to be on the table judging by Pereira’s post-fight remarks — oddsmakers are evidently not fancying the light heavyweight champ’s chances.

    Future odds posted by BetOnline.ag have Pereira as a significant +300 underdog in a possible bout with Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall.

    Aspinall has held the interim gold since last November. He’s been unable to unify the title owing to Jon Jones’ reluctance to fight him, with “Bones” and the UFC instead favoring a rescheduled showdown with Stipe Miocic next month.

    In the meantime, the Brit has successfully defended his strap against Curtis Blaydes this past summer. Should Jones retain his place on the throne and subsequently retire this year, Aspinall could find himself promoted to undisputed status.

  • Sean O’Malley Adjusts UFC Return Timeline Days On From Surgery: ‘I Want To Be Back ASAP’

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley is looking to get back in the cage earlier than initially forecast.

    O’Malley looked set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines in the aftermath of his defeat to Merab Dvalishvili. “Suga” had his reign ended in convincing fashion at the Sphere-held UFC 306 (Noche UFC) event last month.

    Following the setback, it was revealed that the American had fought through a torn labrum on the night and would require surgery. When detailing that, O’Malley suggested he could be out for as long as one year.

    But after revised estimates put a potential comeback forward to the summer of 2025, O’Malley’s hunger to return to winning ways now has him assessing a possible return in the very first quarter of next year.

    O’Malley Targets UFC Return As Soon As March 2025

    During a UFC 307 reaction video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, O’Malley once again spoke about his situation having recently undergone surgery on his pre-fight injury.

    “Suga” claimed to be feeling good following the procedure and is anticipating a quick return to physical activity.

    “Got surgery Thursday. Today is Saturday, it’s been f*cking two days. I feel f*cking great. I’m gonna come back better than ever,” O’Malley said. “I’ll be back next week to sparring. No, I do think I am going to do everything right. I’m going to recover as fast as I possibly can, and I’m gonna get back. Everyone is like, ‘Don’t come back too soon.’ I’m coming back the right amount of soon. I wanna be back ASAP.

    “I want to get these fights in while I’m still, you know, young enough. I turn 30 this month. I want to recover, do everything right, but I want to get back in there April, May, June latest,” O’Malley continued. “I think I can be back before that. March even would be crazy, but who knows?” 

    It remains to be seen what will await O’Malley inside the cage when he is ready to make the walk again.

    While Dvalishvili has responded to “Suga’s” post-fight antics by offering a rematch, it stands to reason that the Georgian will need to get past the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov if that is to remain a possibility upon O’Malley’s return.

  • Kayla Harrison On Being Bloodied For The First Time At UFC 307: ‘That Threw Me…’

    Kayla Harrison On Being Bloodied For The First Time At UFC 307: ‘That Threw Me…’

    Kayla Harrison may have extended her undefeated UFC record this past weekend, but not everything went her way second time around inside the Octagon.

    Five months on from an emphatic arrival at the expense of former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm, Harrison returned for her second taste of action on MMA’s biggest stage at UFC 307.

    Saturday’s pay-per-view main card opened with the two-time PFL title winner facing off against the #2-ranked Ketlen Vieira, who didn’t go away in the fashion that her underdog odds perhaps would have suggested.

    And although there was little doubt about who would have their hand raised after three rounds, the Brazilian did have moments of success, including a clean elbow in the clinch that bust Harrison open.

    Harrison Reacts To Adversity In UFC 307 Fight After Eating Brutal Elbow

    During her post-fight press conference, Harrison reflected on her successful performance in Salt Lake City, which has seen her start life in the UFC with consecutive wins over top-five opposition.

    While she was able to steamroll through Holm en route to a submission, the Ohio native had to settle for a hard-fought decision on Oct. 5. And it even left Harrison tasting something new inside the cage — her own blood.

    “That threw me, I’m not going to lie to you. Nineteen fights in, I’ve never seen my own blood in the cage. But it feels good,” Harrison said. “I feel like I’m going to grow from this tonight. It’s a really good learning opportunity for me, and tomorrow, we’re going to go back to the house, rewatch the fight and dissect it. Tomorrow’s a new day – lots of room for improvement for me.”

    Although she didn’t put the kind of stamp on her UFC 307 performance that she had anticipated, Harrison’s third outing in the promotion is still expected to come with gold on the line.

    Newly crowned queen Julianna Peña snubbed the two-time Olympic gold medalist post-fight, however, instead making good on her promise to call out retired former opponent Amanda Nunes.

  • Khalil Rountree Reflects On Brutal Loss To Alex Pereira At UFC 307: ‘Didn’t Win The Title But I Grew’ 

    Khalil Rountree Reflects On Brutal Loss To Alex Pereira At UFC 307: ‘Didn’t Win The Title But I Grew’ 

    Khalil Rountree had nothing but respect for victorious opponent Alex Pereira following their title fight at UFC 307 this past weekend.

    The pair headlined Saturday’s pay-per-view in Salt Lake City, battling for the right to exit the Delta Center as UFC light heavyweight champion.

    Defending king “Poatan” was heavily favored to do so, having already turned away threats to his reign from Jamahal Hill and Jiƙí ProchĂĄzka this year. Rountree, though, turned out to be the Brazilian’s toughest test to date.

    The challenger got off to a strong start, winning the opening two rounds on all three scorecards. But after getting on the board in round three, Pereira went to work in the fourth frame.

    An onslaught of strikes left Rountree’s face swollen and bloodied, and Pereira was ultimately able to close the show in what marked his first taste of the championship rounds since capturing the middleweight crown almost two years ago.

    Rountree Releases First Statement On UFC 307 Title Defeat

    Soon after having his title ambitions stalled in the “Beehive State,” Rountree took to social media to reflect on the result and experience.

    Following his failure to unseat Pereira, “The War Horse” paid tribute to “Poatan,” thanking the Brazilian for bringing out a “new version” of him at UFC 307.

    “I didn’t win the title but I grew last night. @alexpoatanpereira thanks for helping me see that I’m ready to take on the world,” Rountree wrote. “You showed amazing skill, you brought out a version of me that I needed to experience. You’re the champ for a reason, much respect. But I now know what I am capable of.

    “#saltlakecity you guys were amazing and gave me such a memorable experience. I appreciate all of the positive messages from everyone around the world. @danawhite @espn @espnmma and the entire @ufc staff, thanks for giving me a home, a place to have purpose and providing me with challenges to overcome,” Rountree continued. “Brazil đŸ‡§đŸ‡· you guys have a strong champion, be proud. I will take time to heal from this, I’ll be back even better, it’s inevitable. I’m grateful. Never give up on yourself, always fight hard, uplift your communities and find ways to make the most out of life.”

    It remains to be seen what lies ahead for Rountree, who was granted his first shot at title glory on MMA’s biggest stage from #8 in the rankings.

    With that, an upset win would have marked the 34-year-old as the lowest-ranked fighter to capture gold in their division. And although that didn’t come to fruition, things initially looked promising through 10 minutes.

  • MMA Analyst Explains How Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 Performance Differed From Win Over Israel Adesanya

    MMA Analyst Explains How Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 Performance Differed From Win Over Israel Adesanya

    Alex Pereira has defended the UFC light heavyweight three times in 2024 while breaking Ronda Rousey’s record of the quickest turnarounds between three title defenses.

    Although many believed Khalil Rountree to be a much easier opponent than former champs Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka, “The War Horse” gave Pereira one of his toughest UFC fights. The challenger won the first two rounds and compelled the champion to make several adjustments.

    Luke Thomas, like countless others, has all the praise in the world for Pereira’s UFC 307 performance. While breaking it down, he explained how “Poatan” handled Rountree and Israel Adesanya in vastly different ways…

    Luke Thomas Breaks Down Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 Win Over Khalil Rountree By Comparing It To His First MMA Win Over Israel Adesanya

    Thomas reacted to the UFC 307 main event on his YouTube channel recently. Right away, he shut down people claiming that the light heavyweight kingpin shouldn’t have faced trouble against the no. 8 ranked person in the division.

    Then, the analyst explained how Rountree forced Pereira to change his traditional game plan that involves inside leg kicks, jabs to the body, head kicks, and most importantly, the left hook. None of these elements seemed to work against “The War Horse” in the first two rounds following which “Poatan” relied on his left jab and gradually mixed things up.

    “I cannot overstate to you how difficult that is for most fighters, including most elite fighters. Most elite fighters have a game. This is what they do. And if that doesn’t work, and they’re still five, ten, 15 minutes, they have no other gear to go to. And in fact, I’m going to say this in a complimentary way, that is what ultimately happened to Khalil Rountree. He had a game and it was very very potent but once Poatan was able to like plug little holes in it and it began to leak, there was no going back.”

    Thomas highlighted how hard it is for fighters, regardless of skill and experience, to ditch their game plan mid-fight. To explain this further, he compared the significant strikes stats for the UFC 307 main event to the first UFC fight between Pereira and Adesanya.

    Against Rountree, the Brazilian landed 72% head strikes, 13% body strikes, and 14% leg kicks. Against Adesanya at UFC 281, he landed 46% head strikes, 29% body strikes, and 24% leg kicks. Although both fights ended similarly, the difference in Pereira’s approach is evident.

    “This is proof positive. He didn’t have to work for the jab [against Adesanya] nearly as much in this one and the jab is obviously relevant to the body too, but. look at how much the jab to the top of the head was absolutely critical.”

  • UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Chris Curtis Added To First 2025 Lineup

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

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

    Between Monday, September 30, and Sunday, October 6, a couple of notable fights were made official by the UFC or reported by reputable sources. For more information on those matchups, check out the links below:

    A number of lower-profile matchups also came together. For those, check out this week’s quick hits:

  • Stephen Thompson Releases First Statement After Knockout Loss To Joaquin Buckley At UFC 307

    Stephen Thompson Releases First Statement After Knockout Loss To Joaquin Buckley At UFC 307

    Stephen Thompson and Joaquin Buckley fought in the UFC 307 prelims and after two competitive rounds, “Wonderboy” was knocked out in the third. This was just the second KO/TKO loss of his career.

    Interestingly, Buckley took out Thompson with a leaping overhand right preceded by a literal jump. Five years ago, Anthony Pettis launched himself with the help of the cage and knocked out the Karate specialist with a similar bouncing superman punch.

    The former UFC welterweight title challenger was doing great until he wasn’t, though. Here’s what he said after the crushing KO loss at UFC 307…

    Stephen Thompson Looks Back At First KO Loss To Anthony Pettis As Joaquin Buckley Used A Similar Technique At UFC 307

    “Wonderboy” took to Twitter recently to discuss his second UFC loss in a row. He admitted to not remembering how he got to the hotel and was humble in defeat as usual.

    The veteran simply wanted to thank the fans for their continued support. Salt Lake City is known for its energetic crowd which, contrary to many other venues, shows up even before the main card begins. UFC 307 was no different, and Thompson seemed delighted with the fans cheering during his walkout.

    The American fighter also pointed out that both KO losses in his career resulted from overhand rights. While Pettis used the Octagon to gain momentum, Buckley backed up “Wonderboy” against the cage to land the knockout punch.

    “Just got back to the hotel, although we don’t know how I got here. But again, I get knocked out by an overhand. Once by Pettis, either on the cage or off the cage. Either way, it is what it is. I want to say thank you to all of my fans. You guys really showed out for me as I walked out there. You guys have shown me so much support over the years and I really do appreciate it.”

    Based on the scorecards revealed later, it seems like the third round would’ve decided the outcome of the fight. Derek Cleary had it 19-19 going into the third while Sal D’Amato and Stephen Faragher had it 20-18 for Buckley and Thompson, respectively.

  • Sean O’Malley’s Coach Called ‘Hypocrite’ For Supporting Mario Bautista’s UFC 307 Win After Bashing Merab Dvalishvili

    Sean O’Malley’s Coach Called ‘Hypocrite’ For Supporting Mario Bautista’s UFC 307 Win After Bashing Merab Dvalishvili

    Alongside Alex Pereira brutally breaking down Khalil Rountree, a major highlight of UFC 307 was the controversial officiating. Four fighters won via split decision, including Mario Bautista who beat José Aldo.

    Fans didn’t seem happy with Bautista keeping the former UFC featherweight champ in a clinch. The rising bantamweight prospect couldn’t secure a single takedown despite ten attempts and even during the clinch, he prioritized control over damage which was unusual.

    Bautista belongs to the same team as Sean O’Malley and the latter’s coach Tim Welch backed his fighter for trying to win the fight. However, he was instantly called out for doing so…

    Sean O’Malley’s Coach Explains Why Mario Bautista Played It Safe Against JosĂ© Aldo At UFC 307

    While reacting to UFC 307 on his YouTube channel, Tim Welch looked elated for Bautista winning his seventh fight in a row. With a couple more wins, he can aim to enter the top five and eventually fight for the UFC bantamweight title.

    To be fair, Bautista has always been an active fighter inside the Octagon. His wins over Ricky SimĂłn and Jin Soo Son are great examples of the same. He possesses several tools, including shoulder strikes and knees that work like a charm during a clinch.

    According to Welch, the American fighter kept it safe against Aldo to make sure he won the fight and got the full pay. While this is an understandable take, the coach was instantly called out for heavily criticizing Merab Dvalishvili’s wrestling-heavy game plan against O’Malley.

    “People are pissed about it. But you got to remember, Mario’s got a family and if he loses the fight, he makes half the amount of money he would’ve if he would win the fight. He’s not going to make a crazy amount of money, a big win bonus, if he goes and sits and slugs it out and potentially gets KO’ed by one of the nastiest strikers ever. He went in there with good game plan, he came in in shape, he did what he had to do to win the fight and if you were in that position, you’d probably do the same.”

    Some fans also pointed out that Dvalishvili was more active than Bautista. The UFC bantamweight champion not only secured several takedowns at UFC 306 but also remained active on the ground. So, Welch favoring Bautista after rejecting Dvalishvili didn’t sit well with many.

    Comments on Tim Welch's YouTube video calling him a hypocrite
    Image: Tim Welch on YouTube

    It is worth noting that Welch has recently admitted to “Machine” having a great game plan against O’Malley at UFC 306. However, it seems like most people in the MMA circle still remember him trying to claim “Suga” won and rooting for damage-based scoring in fights.

  • ‘That Is A Terrifying Man’ – Fans React As Alex Pereira Comes From Behind To Mangle Khalil Rountree With Strikes At UFC 307

    ‘That Is A Terrifying Man’ – Fans React As Alex Pereira Comes From Behind To Mangle Khalil Rountree With Strikes At UFC 307

    Khalil Rountree brought a challenge, but Alex Pereira managed to bring out another legendary performance — comeback style this time — as he finished the challenger to retain the UFC light heavyweight championship in the main event of UFC 307.

    Rountree got off to a strong start with his activity, landing singular shots and doing a good job of getting away from the fence. Pereira was doing work with leg kicks, but he found himself in some trouble in the second round. “The War Horse” rocked “Poatan” with a strong right hook and followed that up by landing a big head kick.

    Rountree, however, appeared to be gassed by this point. Pereira, sensing a tired out foe, picked things back up in the third frame. The Brazilian worked his jab and landed combinations, finding openings and busting up Rountree’s nose.

    Pereira’s output increased greatly in the fourth round, as he poured it on and continued to damage his challenger — to the point his nose may have been broken.

    “The War Horse” tried to survive, but with blood pouring down his rocked body, Pereira landed a combination with a pair of body shots that dropped him, bringing the fight to a stop.

    Alex Pereira Puts On Battering To Finish Khalil Rountree In Fourth Round At UFC 307

    Moving up to light heavyweight last year after his middleweight title run came to an end, Pereira captured the then-vacant championship with a win over Jiƙí Procházka at UFC 295. He then defended the title this year against Jamahal Hill and Procházka at UFC 300 and 303, respectively.

    Rountree, meanwhile, entered his first title challenge on a five-fight win streak. He had most recently fought in December, scoring a finish of Anthony Smith.

  • UFC 307 Results & Highlights: Alex Pereira TKOs Khalil Rountree 

    UFC 307 Results & Highlights: Alex Pereira TKOs Khalil Rountree 

    UFC 307 took place tonight from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, Alex Pereira put his light heavyweight title on the line against Khalil Rountree. While in the co-main event, Raquel Pennington looked to defend her women’s bantamweight title against former champ Julianna Peña. 

    UFC 307 Results: Main Card

    • Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree via TKO: R4, 4.32
    • Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Julianna Peña def. Raquel Pennington via split decision (48-47×2, 47-48)
    • Bantamweight: Mario Bautista def. JosĂ© Aldo via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
    • Middleweight: Roman Dolidze def. Kevin Holland via TKO (injury stoppage): R1, 5.00 
    • Women’s Bantamweight: Kayla Harrison def. Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28) 

    Preliminary Card

    • Welterweight: Joaquin Buckley def. Stephen Thompson via KO: R3, 2.17
    • Women’s Strawweight: Iasmin Lucindo def. Marina Rodriguez via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)  
    • Lightweight: Alexander Hernandez def. Austin Hubbard via split decision (29-28×2, 27-30)  
    • Middleweight: CĂ©sar Almeida def. Ihor Potieria via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    Early Preliminary Card

    • Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann def. Ovince Saint Preux via submission: R1, 1.35
    • Women’s Strawweight: Tecia Pennington def. Carla Esparza via unanimous decision (29-28×2, 30-27) 
    • Welterweight: Court McGee def. Tim Means via submission: R1, 3.19

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Court McGee def. Tim Means

    Court McGee earned the first finish of UFC 307 with a rear-naked choke submission of Tim Means in the first round of their welterweight bout.

    Ryan Spann def. Ovince Saint Preux

    In this light heavyweight bout, Ryan Spann submitted Ovince Saint Preux with a guillotine choke early in the first round.

    Joaquin Buckley def. Stephen Thompson

    Joaquin Buckley kept his undefeated welterweight record in tact with a KO of Stephen Thompson in the third round.

    Main Card Highlights

    Kayla Harrison def. Ketlen Vieira

    In this women’s bantamweight bout, Kayla Harrison earned her second UFC win with a unanimous decision against Ketlen Vieira.

    Roman Dolidze def. Kevin Holland

    After Kevin Holland sustained a rib injury, the ringside doctor deemed him unfit to fight and therefore Roman Dolidze was awarded a TKO win at the end of the first round.

    Mario Bautista def. José Aldo

    In this bantamweight bout, Mario Bautista got it done via split decision against José Aldo.

    Julianna Peña def. Raquel Pennington

    In the co-main event, Julianna Peña earned a split decision win against Raquel Pennington to reclaim the women’s bantamweight crown.

    Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree

    In the main event, Alex Pereira retained his light heavyweight title with a TKO of Khalil Rountree.

  • ‘Save Us Amanda Nunes’ – Fans React As Julianna Peña Overcomes Knockdown To Win Bantamweight Title Again At UFC 307

    ‘Save Us Amanda Nunes’ – Fans React As Julianna Peña Overcomes Knockdown To Win Bantamweight Title Again At UFC 307

    Julianna Peña regained the UFC women’s bantamweight title with a split decision victory over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307.

    The judges saw the fight 48-47 across all three cards, though they differed on the victor. In the end, it was the closely contested opening round that decided the fight, with two of the three cageside scorers leaning the way of the challenger.

    The two fighters were very competitive with one another, with Peña’s highlight being a back take in the third round that ended with a face crank attempt.

    By far the most significant strike of the bout was landed in the fourth frame by “Rocky,” who — after having success with her hands — dropped the challenger.

    Pennington followed up this big moment by attempting a submission that allowed Peña to recover, but she maintained the pressure to win the fifth round on all of the cards.

    MMA Fans React To Julianna Peña’s Title-Winning Performance At UFC 307

    The fight saw Peña return from a long layoff, having not fought since her rematch with Amanda Nunes, which she emphatically lost in July 2022.

    During the post-fight interview, Joe Rogan prompted the new champion to talk about Kayla Harrison and her win earlier on in the night. Instead, Peña spoke about bringing “The Lioness” back to the Octagon for a trilogy fight.

    MMA fans reacted to the close fight that stayed in one gear for the majority of the duration on social media.

    https://twitter.com/jonerici/status/1842783071428338101
    https://twitter.com/JayLawdog1562/status/1842785412437229919
  • ‘Dirt Decision’ – Conor McGregor & Others Take Issue With Judges As JosĂ© Aldo Falls Short At UFC 307

    ‘Dirt Decision’ – Conor McGregor & Others Take Issue With Judges As JosĂ© Aldo Falls Short At UFC 307

    José Aldo came close but ultimately fell short in a decision at UFC 307, losing to Mario Bautista.

    Bautista looked to take control of the action right away, bringing out a heavy leg kick attack — landing 23 of them in the first round. Additionally, Aldo seemed inactive outside of a few late shots, with the American landing his fair share and pinning the former featherweight champion against the fence more than once.

    Aldo, however, landed a pair of harsh jabs, one of which busted Bautista open around one of his eyes. The Brazilian started to work his jabs and combinations. The 31-year-old, however, continued to bring forward pressure and looked to tire Aldo out further with his wrestling-based attack.

    Bautista continued to bring his pressure into the third round. And while Aldo tried to get anything going, the #11-ranked contender continued to go for takedowns and use a wrestle-heavy approach, forcing Aldo to defend.

    Mario Bautista Stalls Title Plans Of Former Champion José Aldo Via Split Decision At UFC 307

    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1842769765942898824?t=Eluc9alfEO2yQYTGP9TjpA&s=19
    https://twitter.com/dillondanis/status/1842769386714648635

    After initially retiring in late 2022 following a loss to current UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili, Aldo returned to the Octagon at UFC 301 this past May, defeating Jonathan Martinez. “Junior,” a former UFC featherweight champion, was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023.

    Bautista, meanwhile, entered tonight on a six-fight win streak, most recently defeating Ricky SimĂłn at the UFC Apex in January.

  • Conor McGregor Lays Into Kevin Holland After Rib Injury Cuts UFC 307 Fight Short: ‘Didn’t Even F**king Try?’

    Conor McGregor Lays Into Kevin Holland After Rib Injury Cuts UFC 307 Fight Short: ‘Didn’t Even F**king Try?’

    Kevin Holland’s second fight since returning to the middleweight division ended in unfortunate circumstances at UFC 307.

    “Trailblazer” met Roman Dolidze, who was able to secure a takedown in the opening round after taking this fight as a replacement for Chris Curtis.

    During a scramble on the ground, Holland injured his rib and was in clear pain but was able to make it to the horn following some heavy ground-and-pound from the Georgian fighter.

    In-between rounds, “Big Mouth” spoke to his coach Bob Perez about the injury as his corner asked him whether he could continue.

    Referee Jason Herzog gave them some time to make the call and before the second stanza got underway, the Holland corner confirmed that he couldn’t continue.

    Conor McGregor Criticizes Kevin Holland For Mid-Fight Injury Stoppage

    In a quickly deleted post on X, Conor McGregor reacted to Holland’s injury and criticized the fan favorite for not attempting to continue.

    “The Notorious” is no stranger to having fights stopped due to an injury and, in his opinion, “Big Mouth” should have at least tried to resume the contest before withdrawing.

    The call wasn’t made by Holland, who undoubtedly would have tried to continue if the decision was up to him.

    “Didn’t even f*cking try? Nah that is ridiculous! Go out again and see how is. If folds up again then you end it with the towel. Nah that’s not it for me folks. Holland is a solid veteran he well should have went out and gave it shot to see how he was. Wrong move.”

  • ‘Looked Beatable’ – Fans Split As Kayla Harrison Outworks Ketlen Vieira At UFC 307

    ‘Looked Beatable’ – Fans Split As Kayla Harrison Outworks Ketlen Vieira At UFC 307

    Kayla Harrison faced some adversity thanks to Ketlen Vieira’s game but still managed to score a decision win at UFC 307, potentially setting herself up to face the winner of tonight’s Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña women’s bantamweight title fight.

    The fight’s opening round was fairly quiet, with Harrison looking to find an opening. The two-time PFL champion managed to get Vieira pinned against the fence, but the Brazilian successfully defended against the takedown and was able to work herself off. The final minute, however, saw Harrison land a big takedown and get in top position, searching for a submission and landing a vicious elbow before the horn.

    Harrison maintained her control of the fight’s pacing through the second round, but Vieira landed a damaging elbow late in the round that left a hematoma on the two-time Olympic gold medalist.

    By the halfway mark of the third round, Harrison was able to bloody up Vieira and scored another takedown, doing work in the #2-ranked contender’s guard.

    Kayla Harrison Faces Challenges But Still Gets Judges’ Nod Over Ketlen Vieira At UFC 307

    https://twitter.com/dillondanis/status/1842756023607607737

    Harrison signed with the UFC in January 2024 after starting her MMA career with the PFL, becoming a two-time PFL women’s lightweight champion in the process. The 34-year-old made her Octagon debut at UFC 300, finishing Holly Holm.

    Vieira, meanwhile, had won three of her last four entering Saturday’s event in Salt Lake City, which included wins over former champions Holm and Miesha Tate. She had most recently fought in July 2023, defeating Pannie Kianzad by decision in England.

  • VIDEO: Joaquin Buckley Knocks Out Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson With Late Leaping Hook At UFC 307

    VIDEO: Joaquin Buckley Knocks Out Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson With Late Leaping Hook At UFC 307

    Joaquin Buckley earned his biggest win to date at UFC 307 as he stopped Stephen Thompson in dramatic fashion in the third round.

    “New Mansa” extended his winning streak in the welterweight division to five after becoming the second man to finish “Wonderboy” with strikes in the UFC.

    After many in the community had Buckley down two rounds following a vintage performance from Thompson — only one judge agreed, with the others having it 19-19 and 20-18 Buckley entering the final frame — the 30-year-old threw everything he had into a big leaping right hand that landed clean against the fence, ending the fight instantly.

    In his post-fight interview, Buckley called to face former champion Kamaru Usman, who has been out of action since his late-notice fight with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 last October.

    Buckley Stops Thompson In Display Of Explosive Power At UFC 307

    Buckley was able to turn the tide of the fight with one big shot. Now, he will likely compete in a big matchup toward the top of the ladder next time out amid his win streak at 170 pounds.

    Check out the highlight reel finish below, as Buckley teed up the main card in Salt Lake City perfectly.

    https://twitter.com/Haduuuucken/status/1842745719347704013
  • ‘Get This Idiot Out The Cage’ – Fans Slam Referee For Unpunished Eye Pokes, Rapid Clinch Separations In UFC 307 Fight

    ‘Get This Idiot Out The Cage’ – Fans Slam Referee For Unpunished Eye Pokes, Rapid Clinch Separations In UFC 307 Fight

    Cesar Almeida got the win over Ihor Potieria in a fight that kicked off the televised portion of the UFC 307 prelims, but the story of the fight more revolves around the bout’s referee, Dave Seljestad.

    Within the first couple of rounds in the fight, Potieria was the victim of four eye pokes and a low blow. Under most circumstances, at least one point deduction would have been handed out.

    But in a world of MMA where referees are coming under fire for not enforcing the rules adequately, Seljestad’s work served as the latest prime example. The official did not even give as much as a hard warning during the course of these fouls.

    Stretching into the third frame, Seljestad also separated the two from the clinch multiple times after just a matter of seconds in the position. That drew baffled reactions from both the commentary team and fans inside the Delta Center.

    The widely criticized bout ultimately went Almeida’s way, with the Brazilian getting the nod from all three judges.

    Referee Slammed For Lack Of Rule Enforcement At UFC 307

    https://twitter.com/SignatureSuga/status/1842725444270858574
    https://twitter.com/May_twenty3rd/status/1842727945783369905

    With the win, Almeida rebounds from his UFC 302 loss to Roman Kopylov earlier this year, leaving him now 3-1 in the Octagon since coming over from Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Potieria, meanwhile, has now lost four of his last five fights.

  • VIDEO: Ryan Spann Snatches Quick Guillotine To Club & Sub ‘OSP’ At UFC 307

    VIDEO: Ryan Spann Snatches Quick Guillotine To Club & Sub ‘OSP’ At UFC 307

    Ryan Spann closed out the featured preliminary card at UFC 307 with a first-round submission win over Ovince Saint Preux.

    “Superman” and “OSP” engaged in some wild exchanges early on in the fight, which Spann got the better of.

    After hurting his veteran opponent with a clean right hand, he transitioned into a guillotine choke and was able to secure the tap in ruthless fashion.

    The submission saw Spann bounce back from a three-fight losing skid, making this his most recent win since he brutally finished Dominick Reyes at Madison Square Garden in 2022.

    Ryan Spann Follows Up Powerful Strikes With Quick Guillotine At UFC 307

    It was an impressive display from Spann, who got to showcase his striking and submission skills in the opening stanza.

    UFC 307 in Salt Lake City is well underway, kicking off with a first-round submission for Court McGee in the opening contest, Carla Esparza’s final UFC bout, and Spann’s fast triumph.

  • ‘Left It All Out There’ – Fans React As Carla Esparza Finishes Career Dropping Elbows In Retirement Fight Loss At UFC 307

    ‘Left It All Out There’ – Fans React As Carla Esparza Finishes Career Dropping Elbows In Retirement Fight Loss At UFC 307

    Carla Esparza was given her flowers, but not a win, in her retirement fight during the early prelims at UFC 307, losing by decision to Tecia Pennington.

    The fight served as a rematch from both women’s time during season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, which Esparza went on to win and become the first UFC strawweight champion.

    Esparza found herself in some trouble early in the opening round, as Pennington appeared to be ripping her apart on the feet, and her legs were battered by low kicks. Once the fight went to the ground, however, “Cookie Monster” was in complete control, maintaining top position for about three minutes.

    The second frame proved to be close, though Pennington had the upper hand in striking once again. Esparza’s striking picked up in the third stanza, and she could have finished Pennington had there been more time in the round.

    Pennington, however, continued to beat down the legs of Esparza, making her eat leg kick after leg kick.

    The judges ultimately gave the close fight to Pennington, with two 29-28 cards and a 30-27.

    Carla Esparza Retires Following Loss To Tecia Pennington At UFC 307

    “It’s been an amazing journey, these last 15 years,” Esparza said in the Octagon following the fight. “I’ve fought the best of the best. It’s not always easy. There’s ups and downs in this sport, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. This is the greatest sport in the world.”

    Esparza was given a tribute video following the fight.

    Esparza began her professional MMA career in 2010, going 6-2, including a pair of fights in Bellator, before finding a stride in the initial days of Invicta FC in 2012. At Invicta FC 4, Esparza defeated Bec Rawlings to become the inaugural strawweight champion of the promotion.

    By the next year, however, “Cookie Monster” would sign with the UFC and be a contestant on season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, which determined the UFC’s inaugural champion of its then-new women’s strawweight division.

    Esparza defeated Angela Hill, Pennington (then-Tecia Torres), and Jessica Penne before finishing Rose Namajunas to win the tournament and championship. Esparza subsequently lost the belt in her first defense at UFC 185, dropping it to Joanna Jędrzejczyk.

    The wrestling specialist went 3-3 in her next six fights before starting a noteworthy win streak in 2019, having her hand raised in six straight. That run was highlighted by a second-round finish of Yan Xiaonan and culminated in her beating Namajunas again at UFC 274 to become a two-time UFC strawweight champion.

    Esparza, again, lost the title in her first defense, getting finished by current champ Weili Zhang at UFC 281. This was Esparza’s most recent fight prior to tonight, as she gave birth to her son in September 2023.

  • Jailton Almeida Set For Return At UFC 311 On January 18

    Jailton Almeida Set For Return At UFC 311 On January 18

    The year-opening pay-per-view for 2025 has its first fight, with heavyweight standout Jailton Almeida set for the chance to return to a win streak.

    Almeida (21-3) had his push toward a maiden title fight on MMA’s biggest stage violently stalled by some Curtis Blaydes hammerfists at UFC 299 this past March. It didn’t take him long to rebound, however, with the Brazilian submitting Alexandr Romanov in quick time three months later.

    Having retained his #6 position in the rankings, Almeida will once again need to defend that spot next January if he’s to place his name back in the title conversation.

    Per Brazilian reporter LĂ©o Guimaraes, “Malhadinho” is slated to share the cage with #7-ranked contender Serghei Spivac (17-4) at the UFC 311 event on Jan. 18.

    A location is yet to be announced for the PPV.

    Like Almeida, Spivac is coming off a bounce-back performance. The Moldovan 29-year-old suffered a difficult TKO setback at the hands of Ciryl Gane in 2023 but returned this year to avenge a past defeat to Marcin Tybura.

    Having now competed in three straight main events, “Polar Bear” will have the chance to advance his championship ambitions on the PPV stage early next year.

  • Jon Anik Shares Best Potential Matchups For Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, & Dricus Du Plessis

    Jon Anik Shares Best Potential Matchups For Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, & Dricus Du Plessis

    The UFC middleweight division has changed a lot in the last couple of years. The turmoil that started after Anderson Silva finally lost the belt ended with Israel Adesanya unifying the title and defending it five times.

    Alex Pereira then fired through the ranks to take out Izzy at UFC 281 but “The Last Stylebender” reclaimed his belt at UFC 287 with one of the most iconic knockouts of all time.

    Just when it seemed like Adesanya would be champion for at least a couple more years, Sean Strickland pulled off one of the biggest upsets of all time to become champ. He then lost the belt to Dricus Du Plessis, who’s already defended it once against Adesanya.

    Amidst the unusual turbulence at the top ranks, here’s how the UFC middleweight division should operate according to Jon Anik…

    Jon Anik Backs Sean Strickland As Next UFC Middleweight Title Contender While Suggesting Israel Adesanya vs. Khamzat Chimaev

    Anik claimed the UFC middleweight division to be stronger than ever during an interview on the official The Schmo YouTube channel. When asked about who should fight for the title next, the play-by-play commentator named Strickland.

    “I don’t think it’s hyperbolic or overstating it to suggest that the middleweight division, right now, has never been stronger. Right? Sean Strickland’s a worthy number-one contender. Nassourdine Imavov, on and on it could go!”

    Anik backed his choice by recalling the times Strickland has stepped up for the UFC and citing his recent win over Paulo Costa and the extremely close decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis, the current champ. He also credited the former UFC middleweight kingpin for risking his top 5 ranking against Pereira in 2022.

    “Well, in a straight meritocracy, I’m on record as promoting Sean Strickland because he has repeatedly stepped up for the promotion. Let us not forget he put his number four ranking on the line against Alex Pereira when nobody wanted to fight Poatan. He has stepped into main events against guys, he’s stepped into a five round fight against Paulo Costa. And he fought Dricus Du Plessis toe-to-toe. So in a straight meritocracy, if I’m the promoter, I lean Strickland.”

    Although he’s no longer the champ, Adesanya is still likely the biggest draw in the division. So, when asked about the best matchup for his return, Anik named Chimaev who’s fighting Robert Whittaker at UFC 308. With that match, the former champ should be able to make the most of his star power and help elevate Chimaev’s popularity as well.

    “I think if you’re Izzy, you just lay back in the cut and maybe it’s Khamzat. I mean that’s a fight that I think would have some appeal but Khamzat could be in a championship setting.”

    Anik acknowledged that the match between Whittaker and Chimaev is bound to shake things up. The winner will likely have an undeniable claim to a title shot and it’ll be interesting to see whether Strickland will be overlooked in the process.

  • Former UFC Champ Highlights ‘Weirdest Thing’ About Fighting Alex Pereira

    Former UFC Champ Highlights ‘Weirdest Thing’ About Fighting Alex Pereira

    Alex Pereira will defend his UFC light heavyweight champion against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 this weekend. Winning would help him break Ronda Rousey’s record and make him the UFC champion to defend their belt three times in the shortest duration.

    Pereira’s rise to the top of the sport is unprecedented. He got a title shot at Israel Adesanya after just three fights in the UFC and bagged the middleweight championship by knocking out the long-time champ in the fifth.

    After his only UFC loss to “The Last Stylebender”, “Poatan” has continued his impressive run in the light heavyweight division. According to Daniel Cormier, fighting the Brazilian is a huge mental challenge as well, and Rountree might be already doing better than the likes of Jamahal Hill and Jiƙí ProchĂĄzka…

    Daniel Cormier Gives Khalil Rountree The Edge Over Jamahal Hill And Jiƙí Procházka Ahead Of UFC 307 Title Fight Against Alex Pereira

    Cormier interviewed Rountree on his YouTube channel recently. When asked about the odds heavily favoring the champion, Rountree stated that people underestimate him because he doesn’t talk trash and is usually respectful during interviews.

    To this, Cormier couldn’t help but bring up how fighters act unusual before taking on Pereira. Hill used several antics to try and get into the UFC light heavyweight kingpin’s head, with DC recalling him trying to break the arrow during Pereira’s walkout at UFC 300. Following the KO loss, Hill has been called out by fans for making excuses as well.

    Prochazka, who’s lost twice to Pereira, recently claimed that the Brazilian uses black magic and spirits to beat his opponents. For someone as stoic as the Czech fighter, these claims were called strange by many.

    Rountree, according to Cormier, doesn’t seem to be acting unusual leading up to his UFC 307 title fight. He’s still the nice guy in interviews and isn’t feeling the pressure of facing an intimidating opponent like Pereira.

    “That’s you, right? That’s you! But, the weirdest thing about Pereira and dealing with Pereira, people start to act like not themselves. So, when he was walking to the Octagon, Jamahal Hill was like reaching over the cage like come on! He’s like very animated. Jiƙí ProchĂĄzka is just doing all kind of weird s**t. Jiri doing all kind of crazy s**t up in there. He’s doing this, he’s doing.. Jiri’s just not acting like himself, right?”

  • ‘I Was Crushed’ – Khalil Rountree Shares ‘Super Emotional’ Story Sparring Pre-Strikeforce Daniel Cormier

    ‘I Was Crushed’ – Khalil Rountree Shares ‘Super Emotional’ Story Sparring Pre-Strikeforce Daniel Cormier

    MMA journalist Brett Okamoto left Daniel Cormier in shock by revealing that the former two-division UFC champ had sparred with Khalil Rountree way back in the 2000s. It was in Wanderlei Silva’s gym; both were quite new to MMA.

    Unsurprisingly, Cormier ended up rag-dolling Rountree with his wrestling. “The War Horse” was just starting to train MMA at the time while DC was close to fighting for Strikeforce after representing the USA in the Olympics. It is safe to assume that Rountree wasn’t mentally prepared to be manhandled.

    While Cormier might have treated the sparring session like any other, here’s how it became a significant learning experience for Rountree, who’s now challenging Alex Pereira for the UFC light heavyweight championship at UFC 307…

    Khalil Rountree Explains Why Sparring Daniel Cormier Made Him Want To Quit Fighting

    Cormier finally asked Rountree about their decade-old sparring session while interviewing the UFC 307 title challenger on his YouTube channel.

    “The War Horse” revealed that he, alongside DC, weighed in close to 280 pounds which explains why they were expected to spar together. Both UFC veterans were complete MMA amateurs at the time and as soon as Rountree started swinging, DC did what he knew best.

    “I was like, maybe 280, and you were coming in around the same. You were making your transition, about to fight in Strike Force. You came to Wanderlei’s to train. I was swinging and I hit you with some stuff and you picked me up and you slammed me. And you were all over me. I think we did two rounds. After that, I was like super emotional and my boxing coach came over. He wrote your name on a piece of paper, he put it in my shirt, he said go home and watch that on YouTube. And I typed your name, and I was like, ‘”Okay, that’s why!” You slammed me bro, it was like, and I didn’t even have an amateur fight yet.”

    As a big man, Rountree wasn’t used to being slammed and after two rounds, he couldn’t help but be demotivated. His boxing coach informed the UFC light heavyweight about Cormier’s accolades in wrestling which made him feel much better about the sparring session.

    Despite having no MMA experience, Cormier, by this time, had already been an Olympic wrestler and a well-known name in the wrestling community.

    “We were sparring and I was swinging boom, I must have hit you and you picked me and boom! I was crushed coz I was like damn, I’ve never been slammed like that in my life.”

    It’s very amusing to see how Cormier and Rountree crossed paths over a decade before and how different their lives have been since the sparring session. While DC has retired as one of the all-time greats, the latter aims to grab the title at UFC 307 and build a legacy of his own.

  • Adesanya Seeks Redemption: ‘I Know I Can Beat Strickland’

    Adesanya Seeks Redemption: ‘I Know I Can Beat Strickland’

    Israel Adesanya is still looking to get a rematch with Sean Strickland and believes the fight will happen one day after losing the middleweight title in a shocking fashion. 

    The moment happened last year, but he hasn’t been able to lock down a rematch. Since then, Adesanya has won the belt back in August from Dricus Du Plessis, who had taken the belt from Strickland months prior. While speaking on the JRE MMA Show, Adesanya stated that he wants to get his hands on Strickland and have some revenge. 

    “Strickland, definitely. That fight was not me. Again, I don’t make excuses… [Comedian Dave Chappelle] said something like, ‘When it’s your time, you have to know and be humble enough when it’s someone else’s.’”

    – Israel Adesanya on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast

    Adesanya stated, “That was just his week, and his, and everything. So it’s his time, let him have it, but I definitely know what I can do. I took his best shots, and I just know I can take this guy. I know what I can do. Not similar to the Pereira one where I was winning, but this one, I definitely know what I can do with this guy.”

    Although he thinks his best version beats Strickland’s best version, that version didn’t show up when they met in 2023. However, in a rematch, he’s more than confident in his ability. It’s believed that Strickland will get a rematch with Du Plessis next.