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  • ‘You Want Anyone But Umar. Paper Champ’ – MMA Fans React To Merab Dvalishvili Offering Sean O’Malley Title Rematch

    ‘You Want Anyone But Umar. Paper Champ’ – MMA Fans React To Merab Dvalishvili Offering Sean O’Malley Title Rematch

    Merab Dvalishvili recently found himself under fire from MMA fans after extending an offer to Sean O’Malley for a title rematch.

    “The Machine” seized the UFC bantamweight title by dethroning O’Malley in the main event of Noche UFC 306 earlier this month, where he thoroughly outmatched “Suga” with his masterful grappling prowess and six takedowns throughout the bout.

    Despite the outcome, O’Malley has since contested the judges’ scorecards, taking to X to argue that he actually won the fight. The former champ also disclosed that he needs surgery to address a hip injury but assured fans he’ll be back in action by next summer.

    For Dvalishvili, the debate surrounding his first title defense has intensified, with many pointing to the likely #1 contender, Umar Nurmagomedov, as the rightful challenger. However, the Georgian champion has shown little enthusiasm for facing the undefeated Dagestani in his next bout.

    Dvalishvili Slammed By MMA Community Over O’Malley Rematch Offer

    “The Machine” recently took to X to respond to O’Malley’s repeated claims that he never truly lost their bout. Dvalishvili proposed that they settle the score once and for all by running it back at UFC 309, set for November 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He went on to say that after silencing O’Malley’s doubts, he’s ready to take on whoever the UFC throws his way next.

    “I hear O’Malley thinks he won the fight and is looking for a rematch,” Dvalishvili tweeted. “If he wants it, he can have it. Let’s do it on November 16th at the Garden, and then I’ll still defend the title against whoever the UFC wants me to fight next. What do you think? @SugaSeanMMA”

    Dvalishvili’s proposal sparked an array of reactions across the MMA community, with many speculating that the newly crowned champion might be attempting to dodge a showdown with Nurmagomedov. Even O’Malley and Nurmagomedov added their voices to the chorus of disapproval.

    O’Malley fired back, revealing he’s scheduled for hip surgery on October 3, and urged Dvalishvili to take on Nurmagomedov in the meantime.

    “Getting surgery Oct 3rd. I fought you with one hip and still beat you. Round 1,3,5. I’m the champ. Fight Umnar.”

    Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov doubled down on his accusations, claiming that Dvalishvili is avoiding a potential clash with him.

    “He’s ready to fight with anyone except Umar Nurmagomedov.”

    One fan chimed in, backing the Dagestani’s claim.

    “You want anyone but Umar. Paper champ.”

    Amidst the flood of negative comments, one fan stood out, applauding “The Machine” for embracing the role of an active champion.

    “Honestly, you might be the craziest champion we’ve had, but at least you’re going to be active, so you’re fine by me.”

    Another fan dismissed Dvalishvili’s proposal, branding it an unfounded offer.

    “You know he’s getting surgery
 Baseless offer.”

    One fan jokingly declared that he’d like to be the next to challenge the Georgian champion.

    “If I asked real nice, could I fight you for the belt Merab?”

    “Umnar is not that scary, bro.”

    https://twitter.com/BigBass_69/status/1839617314439737777

    “No. Stop ducking Umar. F**king lame.”

    https://twitter.com/iAmFroggyFresh/status/1839691017039061229

    “The way you’ve been trying to duck Umar is crazzy.”

    “No one wants to watch that again, Merab
least of all your boss, Dana”

    https://twitter.com/CDLessThanDoug/status/1839656512932753700
  • Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Provides His Prediction For Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Provides His Prediction For Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    Stephen Thompson recently shared his forecast for the UFC 307 main event clash between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree.

    “Poatan” is set to defend his UFC light heavyweight title for the third time, this time against Khalil Rountree in the headlining bout of the upcoming pay-per-view on October 5, taking place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Pereira enters this fight riding high off back-to-back successful title defenses against former champions earlier this year. His most recent victory came in June at UFC 303, where he delivered a stunning second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka in their short-notice rematch.

    Since joining the UFC in November 2021, the Brazilian’s trajectory has been steadily skyward. After conquering the middleweight division, he made the leap to light heavyweight, and with just one victory at 205 pounds to earn a title shot, he seized gold with a TKO win over Prochazka at UFC 295 last November.

    Meanwhile, “The War Horse” is making his return after serving a 4.5-month suspension for testing positive for a steroid hormone, with the sanction lifted on September 18. He is currently riding a five-fight win streak, with his latest victory being a third-round knockout of Anthony Smith last December.

    Despite being a UFC veteran since 2016, Rountree has often been viewed as someone who hasn’t quite realized his full potential. However, UFC 307 will finally give him his long-awaited first shot at the gold.

    Thompson Believes Pereira vs. Rountree Will Come Down To Who Outstrikes The Other

    During a recent interview with Bodgog Canada, Thompson shared his thoughts on the upcoming Pereira vs. Rountree title fight at UFC 307. While “Wonderboy” clearly favored the the reigning champion, he didn’t shy away from commending Rountree’s top-tier striking ability. He predicted that with both being more comfortable on the feet, the fight will likely be stand-up heavy and determine who the better striker is.

    “I’m leaning towards Pereira as well, but I think it’s a great fight because both guys are very dangerous fighters,” Thompson said. “Khalil Rountree has got some of the best striking as well; it comes from that Muay Thai background, so basically this is going to be a Muay Thai fight. This is going to be a standup battle, toe-to-toe, to see who’s going to be the better striker.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RDauugAV1A&t=475s

    The former UFC welterweight title challenger further explained his clear inclination toward “Poatan,” citing Pereira’s impressive track record. Thompson highlighted Pereira’s devastating one-punch knockout power, coupled with his significant reach advantage, as key factors that make him a formidable force against Rountree.

    “Obviously, I’ve got to lean towards my man Alex Pereira just because of his credentials and what he’s done in the 185 and 205 [pound] divisions in the UFC. I mean, he’s got a left hook with one-hitter-quitter power. Now, Rountree is big and strong, but can he close the gap? Alex Pereira’s got the longer reach, he’s very calm, and he’s very precise—he’s like a sniper out there when it comes to his strikes. It’s a very hard fight, but I think it’s going to be exciting.”

    “Wonderboy” is also set to compete at UFC 307 in a welterweight bout against Joaquin Buckley, marking his return to the Octagon after a 10-month break.

  • UFC Fight Night: Renato Moicano vs. BenoĂźt Saint Denis Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC Fight Night: Renato Moicano vs. BenoĂźt Saint Denis Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC Fight Night: Renato Moicano vs. BenoĂźt Saint Denis takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

    After staging its latest numbered event inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere earlier this month for Noche UFC, MMA’s leading promotion has gone back on the road for a card inside the Accor Arena in Paris, France.

    In a first, heavyweight standout Ciryl Gane won’t be topping the lineup. Instead, the Sept. 28 event sees BenoĂźt Saint Denis as the main attraction for the French crowd as he does battle with Renato Moicano.

    Nassourdine Imavov can also expect a good reception for the co-main event. The top-five middleweight contender will look to advance his title ambitions on home soil by ending the winning run of Brendan Allen.

    Ahead of the event, 27 out of the 28 fighters successfully made weight, with AilĂ­n PĂ©rez’s 0.5-pound miss of the bantamweight limit marking the sole indiscretion on the scale.

    Nevertheless, every fight is intact, and all that remains on Friday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC Fight Night Paris ceremonial weigh-ins!

    Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 12 PM ET.

    UFC Fight Night Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

  • Sean Strickland Details Leaving UFC Champion Coach’s Gym Because He Was Not A ‘Leader’: ‘Don’t Think He Carries The Passion For It
’

    Sean Strickland Details Leaving UFC Champion Coach’s Gym Because He Was Not A ‘Leader’: ‘Don’t Think He Carries The Passion For It
’

    Sean Strickland appears to have landed in the perfect gym for his training style.

    For starters, his heavy emphasis on sparring is helped by how many fighters are always passing through the Xtreme Couture gym in Las Vegas.

    He has also been able to develop a great relationship with the head coach, Eric Nicksick, who is able to handle Strickland’s zany energy.

    Before he found his way to Xtreme Couture, the former UFC middleweight champion was training out of another top gym – but it didn’t suit him quite as well.

    Sean Strickland Compares The Coaching Styles Of Eric Nicksick And John Wood

    Syndicate MMA, also in Las Vegas, is another gym that has achieved a lot of success at the highest level of the sport.

    Veteran coach John Wood has been in the corner of several UFC champions, including Weili Zhang and most recently, Merab Dvalishvili.

    Strickland eventually decided to leave Syndicate before making his way to Xtreme Couture, for a few different reasons.

    One of those reasons was his connection with Nicksick that was very different to the relationship that he had with Wood, due to their different coaching styles.

    On a recent episode of Nicksick’s Verse Us podcast, Strickland explained the difference between them and why he felt more at home after making the switch,

    “Let’s say John wrote an entire book on MMA and you’re like, ‘Oh that’s a good book,’ and say Eric would write a pamphlet, that pamphlet will take you farther than that book, you know what I’m saying? Because like Eric is a leader. He knows how to implement it, he knows how to push it and he knows how to do it.

    “John, on the other hand, he’s more of like, I don’t think he carries the passion for it like you watch, you come to a Monday practice, Eric’s f****** involved bro. The amount of energy he brings, like he is f****** involved. You go to a Syndicate practice, it’s like, ‘Alright we’re going to do wall stuff for like five minutes’.”

    Read also: Sean O’Malley’s Coach Reveals UFC Rules He Would Change: ‘Aljo Does It
’

  • Kayla Harrison Discusses Worst Case Scenario If Julianna Peña Wins Title: ‘That Would Really Piss Me Off
’

    Kayla Harrison Discusses Worst Case Scenario If Julianna Peña Wins Title: ‘That Would Really Piss Me Off
’

    When it was revealed that Kayla Harrison would not be challenging for the UFC bantamweight title next time out, her goal became very clear.

    At UFC 307, she will fight Ketlen Vieira on the same night that Raquel Pennington defends the title against Julianna Peña.

    If Harrison is able to go out there and put on a dominant performance like she did on her Octagon debut at UFC 300, there will be no denying that she is next for the winner of the co-main event.

    The former PFL star is raring to go with dreams of becoming a UFC champion seemingly now within her reach.

    There is one potential issue with her plan and that involves hearing “and new” on October 5, in Salt Lake City.

    Kayla Harrison Says Juliana Peña Taking Time Off As Champion Would Be Frustrating For Her

    Harrison has made it pretty clear that though the belt is her main objective, beating Peña for it would be an added incentive following their back-and-forth comments in recent times.

    In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, it was mentioned that if Peña does win the bantamweight title back, it could be a while before we see her defend it.

    “The Venezuelan Vixen” hasn’t fought in over two years and has never been the most active fighter on the roster to begin with.

    Harrison said that though she doesn’t want to waste her energy thinking about a problem that is out of her hands, it would be very frustrating for her if she has to wait for Peña to defend the belt.

    “I try not to [think about the long breaks] because control what you can control and trust the UFC, trust that they have a plan but yeah, that would really p*** me off. I’m looking to stay active so hopefully… all is well, I can’t control it. It’s out of my hands but yeah.”

    Read also: UFC Superstar Kayla Harrison On The Importance Of Being A Role Model: ‘You’ll Never See Me With DUIs Or Scandals
’

  • Marc Goddard Names Israel Adesanya Bout As The Greatest He’s Refereed: ‘I’ve Cried After That Fight
’

    Marc Goddard Names Israel Adesanya Bout As The Greatest He’s Refereed: ‘I’ve Cried After That Fight
’

    As a veteran referee, Marc Goddard has been the third man in the Octagon for some of the most iconic UFC fights of all time.

    He’s seen his fair share of show stealing knockouts, jaw dropping comebacks and epic encounters that fans will talk about for decades to come.

    During a recent interview with talkSPORT MMA, Goddard spoke about some of the most memorable fights that he has officiated.

    Find any interview with the Brit talking about this specific question and he always gives the same answer, taking you back to one night in Atlanta, Georgia.

    Marc Goddard Talks About When Israel Adesanya & Kelvin Gastelum Pushed Each Other To The Limit

    At UFC 236, the co-main event of the evening was the highlight of the night even when it was followed by Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway 2.

    Israel Adesanya met Kelvin Gastelum with the interim middleweight title on the line and the pair produced an all-time classic.

    This one will always stand out to Goddard when he looks back on all of the fights that he has played a part in, he said.

    “Then number one is, every day of the week, twice on a Sunday, is Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum.

    “You find one moment in your life when you think, ‘I’m not going to go away’. In this fight, you had two guys in the exact same moment that wouldn’t go away. I couldn’t believe what I was watching unfold in front of me. I remember that there’s a clip at the beginning of the fifth round and Israel’s looking across him saying, ‘I’m prepared to die.’ Now I didn’t, I’m not looking at this, I’d seen it afterwards but honestly mate, that fight when you got two fighters that went into the deepest, darkest depths of their soul and they went into the deepest, darkest waters imaginable or possible in a fight and I was right alongside them, standing three-foot away, witnessing this unfold.”

    Goddard also said that the fight produced an emotional moment both on that night and when he watches the fight back, after seeing how far both men were able to push each other.

    “As soon as I know they’re safe, I f****** run off with my head in hands and I won’t be ashamed to say, I’ve cried after that fight watching it back because it was ungodly what those guys did. It was ungodly.”

    Read also: Alexander Volkanovski Picks ‘Very Exciting’ Conor McGregor Fight Over Ilia Topuria Rematch

  • Kevin Lee Wants To Be Bare-Knuckle MMA’s Version Of Mike Perry: ‘I Could Be That Guy
’

    Kevin Lee Wants To Be Bare-Knuckle MMA’s Version Of Mike Perry: ‘I Could Be That Guy
’

    Former UFC interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee is looking to find somewhere that he can truly call home, for the foreseeable future.

    “Motown Phenom” has been a bit of a gun for hire as of late and after his UFC return didn’t pan out the way he hoped it would, Lee is exploring some new options.

    On November 15, he’s set to debut on Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA when he faces off against Saul Almeida.

    Lee doesn’t see this as a quick stop-gap before signing for another MMA promotion and in fact, believes that he can raise the profile of the sport.

    Kevin Lee Believes That He Can Elevate Bare Knuckle MMA Like Mike Perry Has With BKFC

    Lee is confident that with his fighting style, he will be very effective when competing in bare-knuckle MMA.

    His heavy wrestling style should allow him to negate a lot of the damage that would usually come with competing without the gloves on.

    He said in a recent interview with MMA Fighting that he not only believes that this switch will suit him, Lee thinks he can elevate the sport as a result of his success.

    The 32-year-old made reference to the impact that Mike Perry has had in bare-knuckle boxing since departing the UFC, going on to become the face of BKFC.

    “I’m curious to see how I’m gonna pan out. You see guys like Mike Perry really take bare knuckle boxing and take it to a different level because it fit his style really well. I think that bare knuckle MMA, for me, could be that thing that does that or I could be that guy for bare knuckle MMA. You know, I got great kicks, I got great wrestling and I got great top pressure and all of that kind of blends to bare knuckle the best.”

    Read also: Sean O’Malley’s Coach Reveals UFC Rules He Would Change: ‘Aljo Does It
’

  • ‘Done Nothing But Make Excuses
’ – Fans Fed Up After Latest Aljamain Sterling Rant About Sean O’Malley Title Fight

    ‘Done Nothing But Make Excuses
’ – Fans Fed Up After Latest Aljamain Sterling Rant About Sean O’Malley Title Fight

    On a recent episode of Demetrious Johnson’s MightyCast, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling joined him as a guest.

    As you’d expect, at one point, the conversation turned to Sterling’s fight with Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 where he lost the bantamweight title, which he has spoken about a lot since.

    “Funkmaster” was pretty open about the fact that he didn’t want to fight “Suga” when the UFC wanted him to.

    Having just defended his title against Henry Cejudo, Sterling wanted some time off, instead of jumping back into another training camp.

    He spoke about this and how it affected him in the podcast episode.

    “For a guy who’s already depleted, it’s not like I had a lot to lose so to do that drastic weight cut in such a short amount of time, I knew I was like fighting an uphill battle. I’m like, you know, I told my manager no probably like five different times but eventually, somehow, I was eventually convinced to take it.”

    MMA Fans React To Aljamain Sterling Talking About The Decision To Fight Sean O’Malley

    Sterling has come out and said that though he could have and probably should’ve put his foot down to have the best chance of winning this fight, he was persuaded to take it and that’s how it played out.

    However, fans are beginning to become a little fed up over Sterling talking about how his loss was partly down to being cajoled against his wishes to take the fight.

    They voiced their opinions in the comment section underneath the video.

    “He’s done nothing but makes excuses while refusing to give Sean credit.”

    “The more Aljo talks, the more I realise I don’t actually like him”

    “Excuses delusions, misplaced blame and anger and victim mentality effect some fighters so much they can’t see reality. Tyrone Woodly and Aljo are 2 of the damn worst.”

    “Who else is sick of all this victimhood.”

    “Dana hated both of these guys as champions.”

    “Sean o malley had broken ribs and couldn’t grapple and he still fought aljo and whooped him”

    “Bro is STILL talking about this?? Aljo, let it go man.”

    “You got merked, accept it like a man.”

    Read also: Sean O’Malley’s Coach Reveals UFC Rules He Would Change: ‘Aljo Does It
’

  • UFC Fight Night: Renato Moicano vs. BenoĂźt Saint Denis Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Renato Moicano vs. BenoĂźt Saint Denis Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Renato Moicano vs. BenoĂźt Saint Denis takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    Following a successful maiden event inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere earlier this month, the mixed martial arts leader returns to action across the Atlantic.

    This weekend sees the Octagon in Paris, France for the third time. While the previous two UFC Fight Nights in the country’s capital have been headlined by Ciryl Gane, the Sept. 28 event presents the opportunity for another French standout to make a splash.

    In the main event, exciting lightweights BenoĂźt Saint Denis and Renato Moicano go to battle. Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, as top-five middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov defends his spot opposite the in-form Brendan Allen.

    UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis takes place on Saturday, September 28, at the Accor Arena in Paris, France. The main card begins at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.

    With that said, you can check out the full weigh-in results below!

    Main Card:

    • Lightweight Main Event: Renato Moicano (156lbs) vs. BenoĂźt Saint Denis (156lbs)
    • Middleweight Co-Main Event: Nassourdine Imavov (186lbs) vs. Brendan Allen (186lbs)
    • Featherweight: William Gomis (146kbs) vs. Joanderson Brito (146lbs)
    • Welterweight: Kevin Jousset (169lbs) vs. Bryan Battle (170lbs)
    • Featherweight: Morgan Charriere (146lbs) vs. Gabriel Miranda (146lbs)
    • Lightweight: FarĂšs Ziam (156lbs) vs. Matt Frevola (156lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Light Heavyweight: Ion Cuțelaba (205lbs) vs. Ivan Erslan (206lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Oumar Sy (205lbs) vs. Da Woon Jung (205lbs)
    • Lightweight: L’udovit Klein (155lbs) vs. Roosevelt Roberts (155lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Taylor Lapilus (136lbs) vs. Vince Morales (135lbs)
    • Women’s Bantamweight: AilĂ­n PĂ©rez (136.5lbs)* vs. Dariya Zheleznykova (135lbs)
    • Flyweight: Daniel Barez (125lbs) vs. Victor Altamirano (126lbs)
    • Women’s Bantamweight: Nora Cornolle (136lbs) vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti (135lbs)
    • Lightweight: Bolaji Oki (156lbs) vs. Chris Duncan (156lbs)

    *AilĂ­n PĂ©rez missed the bantamweight limit by half-a-pound, forfeits 20 percent of her purse

  • Sean O’Malley’s Coach Reveals UFC Rules He Would Change: ‘Aljo Does It…’

    Sean O’Malley’s Coach Reveals UFC Rules He Would Change: ‘Aljo Does It…’

    Many rules have been a bone of contention in MMA circles as they can vary across promotions. For instance, the UFC doesn’t allow knees to grounded opponents or 12-6 elbows, unlike ONE Championship. On the flip side, moves like eye pokes, groin strikes, and headbutts are banned across all major promotions for obvious safety reasons.

    Obeying the rules of the promotion and the commission you’re fighting under is very important for fighters. Jon Jones lost to Matt Hamill via DQ because he landed multiple 12-6 elbows and similarly, Petr Yan lost his UFC bantamweight championship for landing an illegal knee on Aljamain Sterling.

    Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch believes a couple of rules in MMA should change to stop fighters from exploiting them…

    Sean O’Malley’s Coach Reveals How Aljamain Sterling Exploits A UFC Rule And Wishes To Get It Changed

    Welch was asked about the MMA rules he would change on his official YouTube podcast, recently. Right away, he mentioned that fighters should be able to upkick opponents on top of them.

    It is worth noting that upkicks from the ground to a standing opponent aren’t illegal in the UFC. In fact, Niko Price and Jon Fitch finished their opponents via upkicks in the promotion.

    However, it is illegal to upkick an opponent while their knees are down. Back in May 2021, Randa Markos was disqualified for kicking Luana Pinheiro from the ground while the latter’s was sitting on the ground.

    Charles Oliveira is notorious for landing upkicks too. He threw one at Islam Makhachev that could’ve knocked the Dagestani fighter out. Even against Tsarukyan, he landed an illegal upkick as the opponent’s knees were grounded following which the referee warned “Do Bronxs” and stopped the action temporarily.

    Welch, though, believes that the upkicks to a grounded opponent should be legal in the UFC. Another tactic he dislikes is fighters staying in a safe front headlock position to rest up as they cannot be kneed during the time.

    Welch called out Sterling for exploiting the grounded fighter rule sometimes and a great example of this is when “Funkmaster” took on Henry Cejudo. During multiple exchanges when Aljo would shoot for a takedown and fail, he would immediately bend his knees, leaving Cejudo with no viable moves.

    “The upkicks. If some f*****g guy’s on top of you, on his knees, whatever, you should be able to upkick him to his f*****g lips. I think that front headlock one too. People shoot into a front headlock and they can hang out there without getting damage and almost rest there. I mean, Aljo does it sometimes but to be able to knee the top of their head, boom, boom, boom, so they can’t rest there. So if you shoot in a front headlock, you fail on a shot, you got to pull the half guard and get to your back or you got to make a move. Not just sit in that frontlock thinking I’m safe.”

  • Alexander Volkanovski Picks ‘Very Exciting’ Conor McGregor Fight Over Ilia Topuria Rematch

    Alexander Volkanovski Picks ‘Very Exciting’ Conor McGregor Fight Over Ilia Topuria Rematch

    Since losing his UFC featherweight title in February 2024, Alexander Volkanovski has been out of action and fans are happy to see him getting the well-deserved time off. However, the former champ is now back to training and is already talking about potential matchups.

    Volkanovski was the featherweight kingpin for five years, defending the belt as frequently as possible. He also fought the UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev twice and for all these memorable moments, no one’s complaining about his expectation to get an immediate title rematch.

    Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway is still a month away, though. In the meantime, Volkanovski would be happy to take a big money fight with Conor McGregor and then try to reclaim the UFC featherweight title…

    Alexander Volkanovski Thinks It’s Feasible To Fight Conor McGregor Before Rematching Ilia Topuria or Max Holloway For The Title

    From Topuria and Holloway to Diego Lopes and McGregor, Volkanovski discussed several potential opponents for his return on the Submission Radio YouTube channel recently.

    “The Great” is open to fighting McGregor before he gets the rematch with the winner of Topuria vs. Holloway. Both fighters have had dominant winning streaks in the featherweight division and have beaten big names like Holloway and JosĂ© Aldo.

    With McGregor eager to book his UFC return as well, Volkanovski stated that he could fight “The Notorious” in late December or early 2025. He can focus on fighting the UFC featherweight champion later in 2025.

    “It’s like title fights, exciting fights, and maybe, short notice fights, that’s the things that excite me, you know what I mean? So, now, I’m, you know obviously doing good now, back in training. Training hard in that as well, but yeah just what excites me. It’s just doing a contender fight in featherweight division, that doesn’t really get me out of bed. It would have to be a build on the line to get me excited and obviously, the Conor Mcgregor fight is very exciting.”

    Volkanovski admitted to only wanting title fights, exciting fights, or short-notice fights for his return. Although he has no plans to be in a title eliminator against Lopes, the McGregor fight is definitely exciting for him and it wouldn’t impact his imminent rematch for the title as well.

    The former UFC P4P No. 1 fighter also explained why he would choose to fight McGregor over Ilia Topuria at the moment.

    “That’s a tricky one. I mean, obviously, I want that, I want that match back with Ilia, right, yeah? But I mean, right now, well, I don’t know exactly what’s happening in February. If Ilia wins, I don’t even know where he would want to fight. I don’t think, you know, I think they might be talking about maybe Sydney or something. I don’t think Ilia is going to want to fight there. So, who knows how long it is going to be. Is he gonna wait another six to seven months? So, I’ll say Conor McGregor right now, because then I could still do Ilia straight after that.”

  • Alexander Volkanovski Agrees To Fight Diego Lopes Over Winner Of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway On One Condition

    Alexander Volkanovski Agrees To Fight Diego Lopes Over Winner Of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway On One Condition

    Before anyone could say Jack Robinson, Diego Lopes has become the No. 3 ranked UFC featherweight contender in the world. He lost his Dana White’s Contender Series fight in September 2021 and racked up two wins in Lux Fight League and Fury FC before making his UFC debut against Movsar Evloev on short notice in May 2023.

    Although Lopes lost the Evloev fight, his impressive performance solidified his position in the promotion. Since then, he’s won five fights in a row and following the latest victory over Brian Ortega, he’s eyeing a title fight or a title eliminator with Alexander Volkanovski.

    The former UFC featherweight kingpin has finally revealed what would compel him to take on Lopes instead of the winner of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway…

    Alexander Volkanovski Reveals The Only Scenario Where Fighting Diego Lopes Would Make Sense For Him

    Volkanovski appeared on the Submission Radio YouTube channel to clear the air around his next fight. When asked about Lopes, “The Great” stuck to what he’s been saying ever since losing the title. He’ll return to fight for the undisputed UFC featherweight championship and he’ll share the Octagon with Lopes if a title is involved.

    Volk presented a scenario where either Holloway or Topuria might need time off after their UFC 308 showdown. He remembered that Holloway also has the BMF belt and can move up weight classes which might incentivize the UFC to make an interim title fight.

    “If it was going to be him next, you know, something would have to happen to one of the guys, you know, from the fight where they get injured or move divisions or whatnot, you know. And there’s an interim title or something like that, obviously I’m not scared of nobody but I’ll fight for the title and that’s that. So that’s the only way that sort of happens, but you know you never know what happens right? Like the boys, the guys are fighting. Max has got a BMF belt. What’s he going to do if, you know? If Max wins, what’s his next fight? Is he defending the featherweight belt straight away or is he going BMF so that could open the door for maybe a, you know, an interim or something.”

    So, an interim title fight is the only thing that would motivate Volkanovski to fight Lopes. Volk being Volk, he didn’t entirely rule out the possibility of a non-title fight with the Brazilian prospect. However, he seems adamant about returning to only fight for the featherweight belt for now.

  • PFL Superstar Highlights ‘Firecracker’ Of A Fighter Who Is Going Under The Radar At UFC Paris

    PFL Superstar Highlights ‘Firecracker’ Of A Fighter Who Is Going Under The Radar At UFC Paris

    PFL star Brendan Loughnane recently said that he feels a fighter on the UFC Paris card has the potential to deliver an electrifying performance, yet everyone is overlooking him.

    The fighter Loughnane is spotlighting is Morgan Charriere, who’s gearing up to face Gabriel Miranda in a featherweight showdown on the main card of this Saturday’s Fight Night event at the Accor Arena in Paris, France.

    Charriere made a memorable promotional debut with a spectacular first-round knockout of Manolo Zecchini during last year’s inaugural UFC Paris event. “The Last Pirate” boasts a professional record of 19-10-1, with an impressive 11 victories by knockout.

    However, since his explosive debut, Charriere has only made one additional Octagon appearance, where he lost to Chepe Mariscal via a split decision this past April. Despite the setback, Loughnane is confident it doesn’t define the 28-year-old Frenchman’s true potential.

    The former PFL featherweight champion believes Charriere possesses all the tools to turn the tide and become a force to be reckoned with, while also carrying immense star power in his homeland.

    Loughnane Has Followed Charriere’s Journey Since His Time At Cage Warriors

    During a recent interview with talkSPORT MMA, Loughnane shared his thoughts on the upcoming Charriere vs. Miranda bout at UFC Paris. The seasoned British fighter revealed that he’s been tracking “The Last Pirate’s” career since his Cage Warriors days and confidently vouched for Charriere’s ability to deliver an electrifying performance for the fans.

    “I watched him in his Cage Warriors days, mate, he’s up for it, let me tell you,” Loughnane said. “Really, really dangerous fighter. I watched him on his rise through Cage Warriors, and it’s great to see him now progress onto these stages with the UFC. Let’s see how far he can go—another firecracker.”

    Loughnane went on to praise the UFC for the smart decision to feature Charriere on the UFC Paris card, noting that the Frenchman is a massive draw in his home country.

    “It’s good that they’re building him up through these French cards, getting this whole crowd behind him because, from what I’m seeing—I’ve not personally been to France—but watching MMA from the outside, and with [CĂ©dric] DoumbĂ© and all that, they really get behind their own. It looks like they’re really getting behind their fighters and Morgan’s definitely one they can rally behind. He’s fan-friendly, talks the talk, walks the walk, and I love watching him fight.”

    Before making his way to the UFC, Charriere competed under the Cage Warriors banner, where he carved out an impressive run and eventually captured the featherweight championship, finishing with a record of 6-3 in the promotion.

  • Brendan Allen Argues Why BenoĂźt Saint Denis Should Not Headline UFC Paris

    Brendan Allen Argues Why BenoĂźt Saint Denis Should Not Headline UFC Paris

    Brendan Allen believes he, not BenoĂźt Saint Denis, deserves the spotlight as the headliner of the UFC Paris fight card.

    The UFC is making its much-anticipated return to the “City of Lights” this weekend at the Accord Arena in Paris, exactly one year after its last event, with a Fight Night event packed with French talent.

    Headlining the upcoming event is a lightweight showdown between Renato Moicano and Saint Denis. Meanwhile, the co-main event promises fireworks as Allen faces Nassourdine Imavov in a high-stakes middleweight clash that could have serious implications in the division.

    When announcing the fights last month, UFC CEO Dana White emphasized Allen’s seven-fight win streak, positioning him on the verge of title contention. Believing his bout holds greater weight, “All In” argues that, from a competitive standpoint, his matchup carries far more significance than the Moicano vs. Saint Denis clash, which he feels lacks meaningful consequence.

    Allen On Saint Denis Headlining UFC Paris: ‘Just Put Him On The Card, People Will Still Come Watch’

    During a recent interview with MMA Fightingo, Allen voiced his frustration over not being selected to headline UFC Paris.

    “All In” admitted he felt a slight sense of disrespect, considering his fight is a potential title eliminator yet was relegated to the co-main event. He argued that the Moicano vs. “God of War” matchup should have taken the co-headliner spot, given that neither fighter holds a high ranking in the division.

    “I feel like it’s a little disrespectful to me and not just to me, but to Imavov as well,” Allen said. “Our fight has potential title implications wrapped around it, whereas this is #11 and #14 [#12], I think, if I’m not mistaken. The two guys in the main event should be the co-main event under us.”

    Allen went on to say that while Saint Denis is understandably popular in his home country, fans will show up regardless to support their fellow compatriot no matter his card position. However, the 28-year-old South Carolina native emphasized that both he and Imavov have global recognition

    “I get it, Saint Denis is super famous here, but at the end of the day, people are going to come watch the fight no matter what, whether he’s on the co-main or the main [event]. Just put him on the card—people are still going to come watch. But when it comes to worldwide MMA and fans, everyone knows me and Imavov are the real main event. I just felt, being as we’re so close to a title, one of us is obviously going to move forward into that potential opportunity. That’s why I feel like we should have fought five rounds.”

  • UFC Superstar Kayla Harrison On The Importance Of Being A Role Model: ‘You’ll Never See Me With DUIs Or Scandals
’

    UFC Superstar Kayla Harrison On The Importance Of Being A Role Model: ‘You’ll Never See Me With DUIs Or Scandals
’

    Kayla Harrison recently shared her thoughts on the crucial role of being a positive influence, particularly for the younger generation. She stands as a beacon of mastery in women’s combat sports. Her unmatched accomplishments speak volumes, positioning her as the very definition of greatness.

    Harrison began her judo career in 2008, swiftly dominating her competition at both the Junior and World Judo Championships with an unstoppable streak. She then carried that momentum into the 2012 London Olympics, where she etched her name in history by securing the United States’ first-ever Olympic gold medal in judo.

    Harrison replicated her Olympic triumph at the 2016 Rio Games, claiming her second gold medal in the 78 kg division. Following this historic achievement, the 34-year-old Ohio native set her sights on the world of MMA. She made her debut under the PFL banner in July 2018, and within just two years, she ascended to the top, capturing the promotion’s women’s lightweight championship.

    After an impressive 16-1 run in the PFL, Harrison made her long-awaited UFC debut in spectacular fashion, dismantling former champion Holly Holm at UFC 300 this past April – that too in bantamweight, a weight class she had never previously competed in.

    Harrison’s career has been marked by nothing but success, and she remains focused on staying above the fray in her quest to be a shining example for others to follow.

    Harrison On Being Role Model: ‘I Take It Very Seriously’

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Harrison was asked about leveraging her popularity to inspire young girls to pursue MMA. The former PFL lightweight champion expressed that being a role model is a responsibility she takes to heart, and it remains one of her ongoing goals.

    “My goal is always to be the light in the world that I want to see,” Harrison said. “I take being a role model very seriously. I consider it an honor and a responsibility.”

    She emphasized that this is why she makes a conscious effort to avoid any controversy, ensuring that kids can look up to her as a positive example.

    “That’s why, hopefully, knock on wood; as long as I don’t have a nervous breakdown, you’ll never see me with DUIs or scandals or anything like that because of how I carry myself. I want little girls and boys all over the world to know that if you work hard, surround yourself with people who believe in you and believe in yourself; there’s nothing you can’t accomplish.”

    Harrison is preparing for her second appearance in the Octagon, where she’ll face Ketlen Vieira in a pivotal clash at UFC 307 that could serve as a bantamweight title eliminator. The pay-per-view event is set to take place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 5.

  • Ilia Topuria On Why He Will Turn Down Conor McGregor Fight If Offered: ‘We Have Lost An Idol’

    Ilia Topuria On Why He Will Turn Down Conor McGregor Fight If Offered: ‘We Have Lost An Idol’

    Ilia Topuria recently said that the prospect of a fight with Conor McGregor no longer appeals to him.

    “El Matador” had consistently expressed his enthusiasm for stepping into the Octagon with the former two-division UFC champion, even suggesting he would move up to lightweight, if necessary, to make the dream fight a reality. With no clear indication of McGregor’s return, the reigning UFC featherweight champion’s ambitions have begun to wane.

    “The Notorious” has been absent from active competition since suffering a leg break in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. Despite sporadically teasing a return, McGregor had even lined up a fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June. However, the bout was scrapped at the last minute, with the Irishman withdrawing due to injury.

    In numerous interviews and social media posts, McGregor has repeatedly claimed he’s determined to make his UFC comeback. However, his words often don’t align with his actions, as he’s frequently seen engaging in activities outside of MMA or promoting his liquor brand.

    This inconsistency is exactly why Topuria believes that “The Notorious” has lost his fire for the sport.

    Topuria On Dropping Super Fight Ambitions: ‘He’s Not The McGregor That Moved Masses’

    During a recent appearance on Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos’ YouTube channel, “El Matador” revealed that his eagerness to face McGregor has faded. The 27-year-old Spaniard remarked that the UFC icon’s career is on a downward trajectory, emphasizing that McGregor’s absence from the Octagon has diminished the allure that once enthralled the masses.

    “I wouldn’t like to fight McGregor,” Topuria said. “I mean, McGregor would be an option if I could fight him, but right now, even if they [the UFC] offered me a fight with him, I would say no because there are bigger fights than him. He is not the same; he’s not the McGregor that once moved the masses.”

    Topuria further shared that he once looked up to McGregor and aspired to follow in his footsteps. However, he now feels that the former UFC lightweight champion, who once dominated the sport, has spiraled into a life overshadowed by self-destructive behavior.

    “He’s now a McGregor who represents alcohol and drugs more than the sport. I was inspired by Conor. I admired him when I was younger. He lost it because he betrayed the values that had brought him to the top. We have lost an idol.”

    “El Matador” is gearing up to put his featherweight title on the line against Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308, scheduled for October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Topuria captured the 145-pound championship with a spectacular knockout of former titleholder Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 this past February.

  • Kamaru Usman Narrates Never-Before-Told High School Meeting With Daniel Cormier That Inspired His Career

    Kamaru Usman Narrates Never-Before-Told High School Meeting With Daniel Cormier That Inspired His Career

    In 2012, Kamaru Usman made his pro debut in MMA in what would be the start of an incredibly successful career.

    Like many martial artists that grew up in the United States, he came to the sport via a wrestling background – but there weren’t many role models for him to look up to.

    Having been born in Nigeria, Kamaru and his family moved to Dallas, Texas when he was just eight years old, which was a culture shock for him at the time.

    Usman eventually found the path that would lead him to become a UFC champion, thanks to some peers who inspired him.

    Kamaru Usman Details Daniel Cormier Meeting That Gave Him Something To Strive For

    On a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman and Henry Cejudo were joined by former UFC champ-champ Daniel Cormier.

    Being eight years older, Cormier was someone that Usman looked up to when he first encountered him via wrestling.

    “DC” and Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal weren’t just incredibly impressive wrestlers that inspired “The Nigerian Nightmare”, they were people that he could relate to.

    Usman told the story about the first time that he met Cormier in person, having seen him compete in wrestling, and how that impacted his own life and career trajectory.

    “We saw you guys [Cormier and Lawal] trying to sneak in, trying to get in to train, to practice while there was a break, so we ran up and we was like, ‘Yo, King Mo!’… you didn’t give me no damn hug. I would tell you this though, you did dap us up and you were just like, talked a little to us for a little bit, asked us what, and then my friend was like, ‘Yo I know what you did, I saw what you did at real pro wrestling.’ And I remember you going, ‘What you see?’

    “And you just joked with us and it was just that little moment, that little interaction that was so meaningful. We was like, ‘Oh my god, there’s these guys that look like us, they deal with similar circumstances that we have to deal with in this sport, and they’re at that level. Oh we can get there’. And I can’t tell you what that did for me.”

    Read also: MMA Analyst Explains Why He Doesn’t Consider Jon Jones A ‘Great Champion’

  • Joaquin Buckley Feels Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Is Two-Faced: ‘When You Got Him On Camera
’

    Joaquin Buckley Feels Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Is Two-Faced: ‘When You Got Him On Camera
’

    Eleventh-ranked welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley is usually not too far away from getting into a beef with a fellow fighter.

    However, this looked to be a difficult task for his next fight, considering the ‘nice guy’ public perception of Stephen Thompson.

    “Wonderboy” is widely regarded to be one of the kindest fighters on the roster and has rarely been seen to lose his cool, even in the midst of a fist-fight.

    Buckley isn’t convinced by this representation of Thompson, though, and believes that the welterweight stalwart isn’t who people think he is.

    With the two men set to meet inside the Octagon on October 5, he voiced his opinions on his opponent’s supposed persona.

    Joaquin Buckley Says Stephen Thompson Isn’t Who Fans Think He Is

    Ahead of their meeting at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Buckley spoke about his previous interactions with Thompson.

    The two men crossed paths at International Fight Week early this year, where “New Mansa” believes that he saw a different side to the striking specialist.

    In an interview with Inside Fighting, he spoke about how in his opinion, Thompson is a different person when he knows that people are watching.

    “Nothing crazy, yet again, I’m just trying to push him to make the fight happen but I really feel like, you know, at the end of the day, with me and ‘Wonderboy’, it is what it is. I try to be myself no matter where I go but I feel like, for me, it’s just that ‘Wonderboy’ is the type of individual that yet again, when you got him on camera, he’s smiling in your face, he’s saying nice things but at the end of the day, it’s the fight biz’ so you know, however he made me feel that day, I don’t think it was the nice guy that everybody mentions.”

    Read also: Fellow UFC Welterweight Claims Shavkat Rakhmonov Will Be ‘Exposed’ By Belal Muhammad

  • AilĂ­n PĂ©rez Plans To Ask ‘Friend Dana White’ For Main Event vs. Kayla Harrison After UFC Paris 

    AilĂ­n PĂ©rez Plans To Ask ‘Friend Dana White’ For Main Event vs. Kayla Harrison After UFC Paris 

    UFC women’s bantamweight AilĂ­n PĂ©rez is hoping for big things to be in her future should she have her hand raised in the French capital this weekend.

    PĂ©rez lost her UFC debut at the promotion’s very first event in Paris two years ago, falling via submission to Stephanie Egger in the second round. Since then, the Argentine has reeled off three straight wins to enter the rankings at 135 pounds.

    Now, she’ll return to France in pursuit of righting the wrong from 2022 and further advancing her ambitions on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    To achieve victory inside the Accor Arena at the second time of trying, PĂ©rez must stall the surge of Dariya Zheleznyakova, a 9-1 bantamweight who boasts history competing on French soil owing to her days under the Ares FC banner.

    Despite that, “Fiona” expects an easy night at the office come fight night on Saturday. And after making a statement, she plans to put her crosshairs on a big name in the division…

    PĂ©rez Targeting Harrison Clash: ‘That’s The Fight I Need To Prove I’m Worthy!’

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, PĂ©rez predicted a comfortable victory in Paris and reiterated her desire to hand Kayla Harrison the first defeat of her UFC career.

    “Fiona” outlined her intention to request a maiden main event from CEO Dana White following this weekend’s event, and be it Harrison or another of the division’s high-ranked names, the 29-year-old wants to stake her claim for a title shot.

    “After finishing Darya, I’m going to ask my friend Dana White for a main event fight, preferably against Kayla Harrison,” Perez said in Spanish (translation by Danny Segura). “We’re still insisting on that fight because that’s the fight I need to prove I’m worthy of fighting for a belt.

    “If not, Norma (Dumont) if she stops running from me. She only wants to fight with people above her in the rankings, and that’s OK, but part of the reason why she’s in the rankings is that she hasn’t fought and lost to me. So Dumont or Julianna Peña, who’s a punching bag.”

    For now, Harrison has another assignment to focus on ahead of an expected title shot down the line.

    After dominating Holly Holm on debut at UFC 300, the two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL title winner will meet Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307 early next month. The winner is expected to challenge whomever emerges from the championship co-main event between Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña with the title.

    With that in mind, PĂ©rez may be a few wins away from earning a crack at Harrison. But should she defend her spot in the top 15 against her Russian foe on Sept. 28, a bigger assignment would no doubt await her next time out.

  • Former Opponent Feels LHW Jon Jones Would Fight Tom Aspinall Better Than Heavyweight

    Former Opponent Feels LHW Jon Jones Would Fight Tom Aspinall Better Than Heavyweight

    After vacating his UFC light heavyweight title, Jon Jones was inactive for three years until he finally came back as a heavyweight.

    He captured the heavyweight belt by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285, but after suffering a significant injury, the champion has been gone for another long stretch of time.

    During that time, there has been a lot of talk about fans wanting him to fight the interim champion Tom Aspinall, who many believe is the present and future of the weight class.

    It looks far more likely that Jones will retire without facing Aspinall, after he meets Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 in November.

    Daniel Cormier Says Jon Jones Would Fight Better Against Tom Aspinall If He Weighed Less

    During his appearance on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Daniel Cormier spoke about how Jones matches up with Aspinall.

    Having faced “Bones” on two occasions, “DC” said that he thinks whilst Jones’ experience is an advantage, he’s been through a lot of gruelling fights during his career.

    Cormier also said that another factor that makes him seriously consider whether Aspinall could be the first guy to beat the UFC heavyweight champion is the fact that Jones isn’t naturally suited to that weight class.

    He spent a lot of time building himself up to that frame but as a result, will sacrifice the speed that he had at light heavyweight.

    That makes Cormier believe that the heavyweight champ would fair better against a big, powerful and fast knockout artist like Aspinall if he was fighting at a smaller weight.

    “All those guys that fought him [Jones] close, that takes its toll. I think that this kid [Aspinall] is as dangerous for him as anyone he’s ever been in there with. Partly because that’s not his weight class. If he’s at 205, I bet if he’s weighing 215 [pounds], he would fight Tom Aspinall better than him weighing 245-pounds. 220 in his 205 frame, he could fight Tom Aspinall better then he’d fight him at 250 because while he didn’t last long with Ciryl, he didn’t look as fast.”

    Read also: MMA Analyst Explains Why He Doesn’t Consider Jon Jones A ‘Great Champion’

  • PFL Announces Full Card For ‘Battle Of The Giants’ PPV Headlined By Francis Ngannou

    PFL Announces Full Card For ‘Battle Of The Giants’ PPV Headlined By Francis Ngannou

    The PFL has announced the full card for “Battle of the Giants”, the promotion’s huge event in Riyadh on October 19.

    We already knew about four fights, which regardless of the rest of the card, were going to make this one of the biggest nights in the history of the promotion.

    Between Francis Ngannou’s MMA return against Renan Ferreira, Cris Cyborg vs Larissa Pacheco, the Bellator middleweight title rematch between Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards plus a fantastic lightweight bout with AJ McKee taking on Paul Hughes, this card was certainly PPV worthy.

    We now know the remaining six bouts that will fill up the rest of the evening and though they’re still noteworthy, they don’t quite match up in box office value compared to the big four that were previously announced.

    Rounding out the main card is a featherweight clash between Switzerland’s Husein Kadimagomaev and Germany’s Zafar Mohsen.

    The most notable name to be added is Raufeon Stots, who will be fighting in the featured prelim against Marcos Breno.

    This will be Stots’ first fight of the year following his victory over Danny Sabatello in November last year at Bellator 301.

    See the full card for “Battle of the Giants: Brace for Impact” listed below:

    Main card:

    Heavyweight Main Event: Francis Ngannou (17-3) vs. Renan Ferreira (13-3, 3 NC) 
    Women’s Featherweight Co-Main Event: Cris “Cyborg” (27-2, 1 NC) vs. Larissa Pacheco (23-4)
    Bellator Middleweight World Title Bout: Johnny Eblen (15-0) vs. Fabian Edwards (13-3)
    Featherweight Main Card Bout: Husein Kadimagomaev (11-1, 1 NC) vs Zafar Mohsen (13-4)
    Lightweight Main Card Bout: AJ McKee (22-1) vs. Paul Hughes (12-1)

      Early Card:

      Bantamweight Early Card Bout: Raufeon Stots (20-2) vs Marcos Breno (15-3)
      Lightweight Early Card Bout: Makkasharip Zaynukov (15-4) vs Dedrek Sanders (9-4)
      Featherweight Early Card Bout: Ibragim Ibragimov (7-0) vs Nacho Campos (5-0)
      Middleweight Early Card Bout: Mostafa Nada (9-3) vs Ahmed Sami (11-4-0, 1 NC) 
      Featherweight Early Card Bout: Youssef Al Housani (4-1) vs Taha Bendaoud (3-0)

      Read also: Muhammad Mokaev Claims His Pay Is Three Times Higher After UFC Release

    1. Daniel Cormier Recalls Hilarious Story Of Trying To Sell Fake Drugs & Getting Caught

      Daniel Cormier Recalls Hilarious Story Of Trying To Sell Fake Drugs & Getting Caught

      A lot of athletes who make their way into combat sports come from rough backgrounds, and Daniel Cormier was no different.

      Through the success that he has achieved in his career through determination and commitment, his children won’t have to battle the same struggles that he faced.

      In that same vein, “DC” is sure to be an inspiration to other athletes and young people who are working hard to try and provide a better life for their families.

      During a recent podcast appearance on Pound 4 Pound, he told a story about how the trappings of his surroundings nearly got to him.

      Daniel Cormier On Being Chased For Selling Fake Drugs & Correcting His Path

      After Kamaru Usman spoke about how Cormier was an inspiration to him in his life that helped him to follow the right path, “DC” spoke about how he nearly took a wrong turn in his.

      The former UFC champ-champ said that selling drugs was so prominent where he grew up, that it was difficult to avoid making the same mistakes as the people around him.

      However, a hilarious experience on his first attempt was enough to steer Cormier away from making a potentially life-changing decision.

      “It’s not easy to have the strength to not fall into the trap. There’s a trap. When you ain’t got no money and everybody else is selling dope, you want to sell dope to make some money. I tried that s*** one time, it was not good. Bro, I swear to god, it was the worst. I was the worst drug dealer of all time. Bro I was 16-years-old, we made fake drugs, it’s bad!

      “I give it to the guy, he realized it was fake. He start chasing me, he caught me, he was fast. I gave him the money back, I was like, ‘It’s a bad product man, here you go.’ Last time I ever tried that. I was so scared though. I was so scared that this dude was going to hurt me ‘cuz I was a kid. I was a state champion wrestler, I’m like, what am I doing here? But I fell into the trap.”

      Read also: MMA Analyst Explains Why He Doesn’t Consider Jon Jones A ‘Great Champion’

    2. UFC Announces New Antitrust Settlement Agreement $75 Million More Than Original Deal

      UFC Announces New Antitrust Settlement Agreement $75 Million More Than Original Deal

      The UFC, part of TKO Group Holdings, has announced a revised agreement to settle the Le and Johnson antitrust lawsuits.

      The updated settlement addresses concerns raised by Judge Richard Boulware, following his rejection of a previous $335 million agreement. UFC boss Dana White slammed that decision, and suggested the judge may have a personal vendetta against him and business partner Lorenzo Fertitta.

      TKO has now agreed to settle all claims in the Le case for a total of $375 million – $75 million more than the initially offered sum – which will be paid out through instalments. The company expects this settlement amount to be tax-deductible.

      While the Le case settlement is moving forward, the Johnson case remains in its early stages. A motion to dismiss remains pending.

      UFC Press release:

      LAS VEGAS, SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 – UFC, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today issued the following statement regarding the Le and Johnson antitrust lawsuits: We have reached a revised agreement with Plaintiffs to settle the Le case with terms that we believe address Judge Boulware’s stated concerns. While we believe the original settlement was fair — a sentiment that was also shared by Plaintiffs — we feel it is in the best interest of all parties to bring this litigation to a close. As for the Johnson case, that process is in very early stages, and a motion to dismiss the complaint remains pending.

      On September 26, 2024, TKO reached an agreement with the plaintiffs to settle all claims asserted in the Le case for an aggregate amount of $375 million payable in installments over an agreed-upon period of time by the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Updated Settlement Agreement”), following the court’s denial of an earlier proposed settlement agreement. The terms of the Updated Settlement Agreement have been memorialized in a long form agreement, which will be submitted to the court for approval. The Company anticipates that the settlement amount will be deductible for tax purposes.

      The related SEC document is available at SEC.gov.

    3. Report: Manel Kape Booked For First UFC Fight Since Muhammad Mokaev Loss

      UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape will have the chance to get his ball rolling once again before the year is out.

      Kape (19-7) had his pursuit of a title shot and rematch with reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja stalled at UFC 304 this past April, where he fell short across three rounds opposite Muhammad Mokaev inside Manchester’s Co-op Live.

      That result snapped the Angola-born Portuguese fighter’s four-fight winning run. And to bounce back this year, Kape will need to defend his #9 ranking against a name outside the top 10.

      Per Brazilian outlet Ag. Fight, Kape will return to meet the challenge of Bruno Silva (14-5-2, 1 NC) at the UFC Fight Night in Tampa, Florida on December 14.

      Prior to his setback opposite Mokaev, Kape had risen the ranks with victories over Ode’ Osbourne, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, David Dvoƙák, and Felipe dos Santos. That run established the former Rizin bantamweight champion as a contender after an 0-2 start to life in the UFC.

      Silva, meanwhile, went winless across his first three UFC fights. Like Kape, however, he’s enjoyed a strong resurgence by having his hand raised in four consecutive bouts. “Bulldog” most recently followed a submission victory over Tyson Nam by knocking out Cody Durden at the Apex this past July.

      With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night in Tampa on Dec. 14 are as follows:

      • Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas (women’s strawweight)
      • Manel Kape vs. Bruno Silva (flyweight)
      • Tracy Cortez vs. Miranda Maverick (women’s flyweight)
      • Dustin Jacoby vs. Vitor Petrino (light heavyweight)
      • Davey Grant vs. Ramon Taveras (bantamweight)
      • Piera Rodriguez vs. Josefine Knutsson (women’s strawweight)
      • Tuco Tokkos vs. Navajo Striling (light heavyweight)

    4. Muhammad Mokaev Claims His Pay Is Three Times Higher After UFC Release

      Muhammad Mokaev’s UFC departure may have seen his title ambitions on MMA’s biggest stage take a hit, but the same seemingly can’t be said for his bank account


      Mokaev surprisingly found himself outside of the sport’s leading promotion shortly after his latest win at UFC 304 in Manchester this past July. In a lackluster affair, the Dagestan-born Brit outpointed Manel Kape to move to 13-0 as a pro and 7-0 in the UFC.

      With a victory over “Starboy,” Mokaev was anticipating a potential title shot. But seemingly owing to his conduct behind the scenes, “The Punisher” was instead let go after fighting out his contract.

      The 24-year-old was quick to complain about the decision publicly, even offering to fight for free if it would allow him back into the UFC. His efforts evidently fell on deaf ears, however, and he’ll need to put the work in outside of the Octagon to stake his claim for a new deal.

      And while he goes to work in a bid to show his worth to Dana White and co., he’ll apparently be collecting increased purses along the way…

      Mokaev Banking More After UFC Exit, Brave CF Re-Signing

      Mokaev’s attempt to impress the UFC higher-ups and force a re-signing will come in familiar surroundings, as he’s returned to the promotion he competed in prior to joining MMA’s top organization, Brave CF.

      And while responding to a fan on social media recently, the elite flyweight claimed he’s receiving three times as much pay in the Middle East-based promotion as he did under the UFC banner.

      Mokaev later commented publicly himself, claiming to be the “highest paid flyweight fighter in the world” in a social media post.

      Despite the lucrative position he’s seemingly found himself in, however, “The Punisher” reiterated that his goal remains a return to the UFC.

      “Highest paid flyweight fighter in the world right now without holding the title @bravemmaf But of course my goal is come back to UFC because it is the number 1 promotion in the world right now!”

      It remains to be seen when Mokaev will return to action in his new promotion, and whether a strong run of results there could re-open the door back to the UFC and the flyweight gold currently held by Alexandre Pantoja.