MMA News

Category: News

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

  • Coach Claims Ilia Topuria Is A More Favorable Matchup For Sean O’Malley Than Max Holloway: ‘He’s Pretty Flat-Footed’

    Coach Claims Ilia Topuria Is A More Favorable Matchup For Sean O’Malley Than Max Holloway: ‘He’s Pretty Flat-Footed’

    Sean O’Malley has come a long way since securing his UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017 to headlining the most expensive card in the promotion’s history.

    “Suga” will defend his UFC bantamweight championship for the second time against Merab Dvalishvili at Riyadh Season Noche UFC on September 14, 2024. If he walks out with another impressive win, the kingpin might move up weight classes and fight the winner of Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway.

    As per O’Malley’s coach, Topuria is a more winnable fight than Holloway, and here’s why…

    Tim Welch Explains How Ilia Topuria’s Rigid Boxing Stance Could Be A Problem Against Sean O’Malley

    Tim Welch recently discussed how Topuria and Holloway can beat each other at UFC 308 on his YouTube channel. Although O’Malley’s coach appreciated the UFC featherweight kingpin’s ability to close distance and counter punch, he highlighted a couple of problems in his stance.

    As per Welch, Topuria doesn’t move a lot and because he’s significantly shorter than Holloway, the latter might emerge victorious after picking his range.

    “I watched Topuria vs. Bryce Mitchell again, and he’s so f*****g good, his shoulders are so high he’s so good at coming close. If you throw a punch and you’re not bringing it back to your face, he’s so good at counter punching. But there is f****g. I mean, he’s pretty flat-footed, and he’s pretty stationary. And he is not the tallest guy. I would be 0% surprised if Max Holloway came out, found his range, got started first, made Topuria miss a lot, and Max got it done.

    “Red Hawk” used Topuria’s fight against Bryce Mitchell as an example. “Thug Nasty” is mostly known for his grappling, and the current UFC featherweight champion could be seen throwing but missing several powerful punches against him.

    When asked who is a better matchup for O’Malley, here’s what Welch had to say:

    “Topuria, after seeing that. I just think it’s a, people are like you f*****g idiot. I’m like, it’s a winnable fight. I just truly do believe it is.”

  • Merab Dvalishvili Feels Former Champ More Deserving Of Next Title Shot Than Umar Nurmagomedov

    Merab Dvalishvili Feels Former Champ More Deserving Of Next Title Shot Than Umar Nurmagomedov

    Merab Dvalishvili recently voiced his belief that a former UFC champion is far more deserving of the next bantamweight title shot than rising star Umar Nurmagomedov.

    Dvalishvili is gearing up for his first title opportunity against bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 306, which is set to go down next weekend at The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    “The Machine”, currently riding an impressive 10-fight win streak, has been relentlessly campaigning for this title shot but already has someone in mind who he believes is more fitting for the next opportunity. Following Nurmagomedov’s dominant unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi last month, there’s been growing chatter that the undefeated Dagestani is the frontrunner to face the winner of the upcoming O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili showdown.

    However, Dvalishvili thinks that former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo is the more rightful contender for the next bantamweight title shot over Nurmagomedov…

    Dvalishvili Shares His Rationale For Choosing Figueiredo Over Nurmagomedov

    During a recent interview with SHAK MMA, “The Machine” was asked to weigh in on who he believes deserves the next crack at the 135-pound title. The 33-year-old Georgian fighter acknowledged that while Nurmagomedov is undeniably talented, he still has more to prove in the division.

    “I don’t know because he [Nurmagomedov] never fought somebody—well, not never; he only fought one guy from the top 15,” Dvalishvili said. “And the guy, Sandhagen, gave him a hard time, and how would I know? He fights people who are nobody, and they gave him #2. Yes, he got the win, but I mean, he’s a good fighter for sure, but he hasn’t earned it to be here.”

    In contrast, Dvalishvili thinks “Deus da Guerra” has already solidified his place by showcasing his skills against three of the division’s top contenders.

    “Figueiredo deserves to fight for the title next because he beat three top contenders. He finished one former champion, he dominated title challenger [Marlon] ‘Chito’ Vera, he beat Rob Font, and he finished Cody Garbrandt. Figueiredo is a former champion, he has a big name, and he called my name respectfully. I would like to return that respect, and I believe he is more deserving. Umar, I’m not interested.”

    Figueiredo secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over Vera at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, extending his undefeated streak to 3-0 since moving up to the bantamweight division.

    The Brazilian standout also threw down the gauntlet, offering to serve as the backup fighter for the highly anticipated O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili title bout. However, the UFC has yet to confirm any plans regarding his involvement.

  • Jake Paul Provides Excellent Explanation Why UFC Isn’t Offering Conor McGregor A Fight

    Jake Paul Provides Excellent Explanation Why UFC Isn’t Offering Conor McGregor A Fight

    Jake Paul recently shared his take on why the UFC seems to be holding back on offering Conor McGregor a fight.

    “The Notorious” has remained absent from the Octagon ever since suffering that severe leg break in his trilogy bout against longtime rival Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. For nearly two years, fans and analysts alike have been left in suspense, wondering when MMA’s biggest star will make his highly anticipated return.

    When McGregor stepped into the role of coach opposite Michael Chandler on The Ultimate Fighter 31 last year, it sparked widespread anticipation that the two would eventually square off in 2023. Despite the constant buzz surrounding the matchup, the fight never came to fruition. Finally, it was set to headline UFC 303 in June. However, just over two weeks before the event, the former two-division champion had to withdraw due to a toe injury.

    Since then, McGregor has been resolute in his claims that he’ll make his return to the cage before the end of 2024. However, UFC CEO Dana White has poured cold water on the idea of the Irishman fighting between September and November, as all pay-per-view slots for those months are already booked.

    “The Problem Child” believes the UFC is intentionally keeping McGregor on the sidelines, suggesting that the organization is doing so to protect its own financial interests…

    Paul Claims UFC Is Banking On McGregor’s Star Power For Lucrative Media Deal

    During a recent episode of BS w/ Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer shared his theory on why the UFC is delaying McGregor’s return to the Octagon despite the Irishman still having two fights left on his current contract.

    Paul, a vocal critic of UFC’s fighter pay structure, suggested that the promotion is intentionally holding McGregor back to capitalize on his star power. He believes the UFC is leveraging McGregor’s brand to secure a massive broadcasting deal.

    “For the people at home who don’t understand it, basically they’re like, ‘Why is Conor not fighting?’” Paul said. “Conor has two fights left on his fight deal, but the UFC is trying to renew their rights deal because they license their content, which are the fights, to platforms. So they’re trying to renew their deal and are negotiating with multiple people, but let’s say it’s going to go with ESPN.”

    “They’re trying to renew the deal and get the most amount of money. A part of that negotiation is, ‘Hey, we have Conor McGregor for two more fights,’ but if he were to fight now, that wouldn’t be a part of the negotiation. The company would be like, ‘Oh yeah, well, you only have Conor for one fight,’ so that’s why Conor is not fighting right now.”

    The UFC’s existing broadcast agreement with ESPN is set to run through 2025, and they are currently in talks with multiple platforms for a new contract. Back in 2018, the UFC inked a five-year, $1.5 billion deal with ESPN for exclusive domestic broadcast rights, which took effect in 2019.

    Early in 2019, the partnership was extended by two years with the addition of pay-per-view streaming rights. Before transitioning to the ESPN era, the UFC had spent seven years on FOX networks.

  • TUF 32 Fighter Hints At ‘Favoritism’ From Valentina Shevchenko Ahead Of UFC Vegas 97 Scrap

    TUF 32 Fighter Hints At ‘Favoritism’ From Valentina Shevchenko Ahead Of UFC Vegas 97 Scrap

    Nathan Fletcher recently hinted that his upcoming opponent may have been receiving special treatment from Valentina Shevchenko ahead of their showdown at UFC Vegas 97.

    Fletcher is set to make his promotional debut this weekend in a featherweight clash against fellow Team Shevchenko newcomer Zygimantas Ramaska. Originally scheduled to fight at UFC Vegas 96 on August 24, Fletcher was forced to withdraw on fight day due to an undisclosed medical issue. Although the severity of the issue remains unknown, the 26-year-old Englishman wasted no time, and the bout was swiftly rescheduled for UFC Vegas 97.

    Fletcher’s upcoming entry into the UFC has caught many fans off guard, especially given his recent loss to Team Grasso’s Kaan Ofli on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season 32. Despite the setback, it’s clear the UFC sees untapped potential in the Team Shevchenko standout, granting him this golden opportunity to prove himself on the big stage.

    Fletcher Admits He Hasn’t Kept In Touch With Shevchenko After TUF

    During a recent interview with Inside Fighting, Fletcher opened up about his journey on TUF 32. The UFC newcomer shared that the experience allowed him to connect with former champions like Cody Garbrandt and Aljamain Sterling, as well as fighters like Diego Lopes, whom he had previously only seen on screen.

    “Diego’s a guy who I look up to, and he’s a very exciting player,” Fletcher said. “Obviously, he’s pretty new on the scene himself, but I like the splash that he’s made. There’s been another one also, Cody Garbrandt, because sort of early in my career when he was on his tear, I really looked up to him—he was one of my favorite fighters. There’s been so many, to be honest. Aljamain Sterling, another cool dude who I’ve spoken to a couple of times.”

    Fletcher went on to mention that, despite having a strong rapport with coach Shevchenko, he hasn’t been in touch with “Bullet” since the show wrapped up. He attributed this to her focus on preparing for her trilogy bout against flyweight champion Alexa Grasso in the co-main event of UFC 306, set to take place next weekend.

    “I haven’t spoken to Valentina since the show, to be honest. We had a good relationship on the show—she was cool and everything—but I just haven’t really [talked to her]. That’s not somebody I’ve stayed in touch with afterward. She’s obviously got her own stuff going on, a big fight coming up, and also the guy I’m fighting went out to Tiger [Muay Thai Gym] to prepare for this fight, so I don’t know if maybe there’s a bit of favoritism there, perhaps.”

    Not only did Fletcher lose his TUF fight, but he also faced a devastating setback with a serious injury. Early in the first round, he broke his fibula, robbing him of the chance to fully display his skills. Despite this, Fletcher’s grit was undeniable as he battled through the entire bout, pushing it to a decision while fighting on a broken leg.

    Fletcher built his entire professional MMA career under the European promotion Cage Warriors, where he holds an 8-1 record. His sole career defeat came at the hands of Dominique Wooding in September 2021.

  • Israel Adesanya’s Teammate Reveals He Turned Down ‘Stylebender’s’ Aid Ahead Of DWCS Debut

    Israel Adesanya’s Teammate Reveals He Turned Down ‘Stylebender’s’ Aid Ahead Of DWCS Debut

    When Israel Adesanya is on the mats at City Kickboxing in Auckland, New Zealand he’s no different to the other martial artists that he’s sharing the space with.

    That being said, having a major name in the sport be the leading figure for this stable of fighters does bring some added spotlight to the rest of the team.

    We’ve seen in the past how “The Last Stylebender” has been able to transfer some of his shine onto his teammates, with a strong City Kickboxing representation on the UFC roster.

    In just a few weeks, another fighter from the gym will look to join the likes of Adesanya, Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France and Carlos Ulberg when he fights for his place on Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Interestingly, Navajo Stirling is happy to do things by himself instead of expecting a leg-up from Adesanya.

    Navajo Stirling Recalls Telling Israel Adesanya That He Doesn’t Need To Feel Like He Has To Help Him

    With four pro wins under his belt in MMA following a career in kickboxing & Muay Thai, Stirling will compete on week five of this year’s Contender Series.

    He will face American light heavyweight Phillip Latu at the Apex next week, where a big performance will see him become an exciting addition at 205 pounds.

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Stirling spoke about the benefit of having major UFC names in the same gym as him and whether he’s been able to use their experience and advice to his advantage.

    He said that rather than using the profile of his training partners to help accelerate his own career, the 26-year-old wants to see where this journey takes him.

    Stirling stated that while he appreciates the support he receives from the likes of the former UFC middleweight champion, he doesn’t want him to feel like he has any responsibility over his career.

    “He talks to me like I already know what I’m talking about and I just said to him, you know, I think I was just like, because obviously he’s big and he can do a lot for his teammates by bringing them up as well, but I just said to him like he doesn’t, don’t feel like you have to do anything like I want to do it my way, you know. That’s what I said to him, I want to do it my way and I want to make a name for myself. I don’t really need the help, although I appreciate it, I appreciate it for sure, I’m not saying like don’t do it but I said don’t feel like you need to, you know. Don’t feel like there’s pressure on you to bring your teammates up or whatever. I’ll just do it myself and he was just like, ‘You’re the man for that, that’s cool as.’”

    Read also: Video: Israel Adesanya Confronts Aggressive Man, Urges Him to ‘Walk Away’ in Tense Altercation

  • Kamaru Usman Fires Back At Belal Muhammad For ‘Corny, Weak’ Diss Track, Clarifies Next Steps

    Kamaru Usman Fires Back At Belal Muhammad For ‘Corny, Weak’ Diss Track, Clarifies Next Steps

    Kamaru Usman and Belal Muhammad are continuing to engage with one another in back-and-forth comments.

    The welterweight champion has made it clear that it’s his preference to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov next, despite the undefeated contender claiming that Muhammad turned the fight down for UFC 307 due to the quick turnaround.

    Though Usman hasn’t totally pushed to get the fight, this has been a major topic of discussion this past week because of the pedigree that the former champ has in the promotion.

    During a recent episode of his podcast, “The Nigerian Nightmare” responded to Muhammad’s most recent comeback and gave his current status.

    Kamaru Usman Reacts To Belal Muhammad’s Recent Comments

    On the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman and Henry Cejudo discussed the ongoing communication between Muhammad and the former champ.

    He started by addressing the stance that “Remember The Name” gave on wanting to fight Rakhmonov first and commenting on the video that the champion posted of Usman’s training footage with an AI song over the top.

    “For me, the way I looked at it, oh I want both, I want both guys because I want both paychecks but he doesn’t see it that way. So it is what it is but, at some point, he’s going to have to step in there with and we’re going to settle it but yeah, it is what it is. Keep dropping corny, weak diss tracks, is that what that’s called? A diss track? It was like a lullaby or something, nice country lullaby for me but it is what it is.”

    Usman then spoke about his current position in the division and appeared to be leaning towards the idea that as long as Muhammad is an active champion, both he and Shavkat will get the chance to fight him in the near future.

    It doesn’t sound from these comments like “The Nigerian Nightmare” is in any rush to fight another top contender in order to further cement his position at 170 pounds.

    “Obviously with this rumor with Shavkat, listen, we’re right there to where if the champion decides to fight sometime in the next year and a half, two years, then we’ll both fight the champion but if the champion is not deciding to fight, then the division is going to have to move on and fights are going to happen but yeah right now, all of this is rumors.

    “It is all rumors but listen, I am scared of no one. On less than nine days notice, I flew to the other side of the world to fight supposedly the scariest guy. I’m scared of no one, believe none of these rumors and at the same time, believe all of these rumors. Anything can happen, that’s all I’mma say, I’mma just leave it at that.”

    Read also: Video: Israel Adesanya Confronts Aggressive Man, Urges Him to ‘Walk Away’ in Tense Altercation

  • Conor McGregor Sets Sights On Irish Presidency: ‘I Am The Only Logical Choice’

    Conor McGregor Sets Sights On Irish Presidency: ‘I Am The Only Logical Choice’

    Conor McGregor once again reignited his ambition to pursue the Irish presidency.

    McGregor’s potential dive into the political arena gained traction after he voiced his confidence in stepping into a position of power in Ireland. His remarks followed accusations against Irish authorities for unfairly using him as a “scapegoat” in the wake of last November’s riots in Dublin.

    The former two-division UFC champion claimed that the government sought to divert attention from a stabbing attack, which sparked anti-immigrant protests and widespread chaos in the nation’s capital last year.

    At the time, “The Notorious” unleashed a flurry of tweets, fiercely criticizing Ireland’s immigration policies and national security concerns. In one post, McGregor drew a sharp contrast between his youthful stance and that of other presidential hopefuls, remarking that figures like former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and ex-prime ministers Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny were bound by “unbreakable ties” to their party’s political agendas.

    The president of Ireland is a directly elected head of state with a seven-year term, wielding powers akin to those of the American president, particularly in matters of signing or vetoing new legislation. Meanwhile, the prime minister, known as the Taoiseach, leads the majority party in parliament and is responsible for proposing and shaping the nation’s laws.

    McGregor Shares His Agenda For Irish Presidency

    McGregor seems to be positioning himself as a contender for Ireland’s 2025 presidential race, boldly declaring that he’s the most qualified candidate to lead his fellow countrymen.

    On Thursday, “The Notorious” took to X with a lengthy statement outlining his political ambitions and detailing the actions he would take if entrusted with the office.

    “As President, I hold the power to summon the Dáil [Éireann] as well as dissolve it,” McGregor tweeted. “So, as I said before, I would have all the answers the people of Ireland seek from these thieves of the working man, these disrupters of the family unit, these destructors of small businesses, and on and on and on! These charlatans, in their positions of power, would be summoned to answer the people of Ireland, and I would have it done by the end of the day. Or I would be left with no choice but to dissolve the Dáil entirely.”

    “Stop the train until. The people of Ireland deserve the answers they seek. Point blank. This would be my power as President. I know very well. Ireland needs an active president wholly employed by the people of Ireland. It is me. I am the only logical choice. 2025 is upcoming…”

    McGregor’s last appearance in the Octagon dates back to UFC 264 in July 2021, where he suffered brutal fractures in his left leg during his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier. Since that setback, the former UFC lightweight champion has shifted his focus to various ventures, including his Hollywood debut in the remake of Roadhouse, starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.

    “The Notorious” was set for a much-anticipated return to the Octagon in a showdown against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 this past June. However, just two weeks before the scheduled bout, McGregor was forced to withdraw due to an injury. He has since vowed to make his comeback later this year, though the UFC has yet to make any official announcement.

  • ‘Savior Of The Flyweights’ Henry Cejudo Discusses Possible Return To 125 Pounds

    ‘Savior Of The Flyweights’ Henry Cejudo Discusses Possible Return To 125 Pounds

    When Henry Cejudo became the UFC flyweight champion back in 2018, the division was in a very difficult position.

    Demetrious Johnson had been such a dominant champion that the weight class didn’t feel competitive or exciting, at least as far as the UFC was concerned.

    Cejudo beating “Mighty Mouse” in the rematch certainly helped to change that and his title reign did contribute to the promotion not getting rid of the division entirely, even if he did only defend the belt once before moving up a weight class and temporarily retiring.

    Having suffered back-to-back defeats in his return to the bantamweight division, “Triple C” knows that earning a shot at reclaiming the 135-pound title isn’t going to be easy.

    Instead, he’s flirting with the idea of returning to his former home where he first became a champion.

    Henry Cejudo Says He’s Thinking About A Flyweight Return As The ‘Savior’ Of The Division

    Unlike bantamweight, the UFC’s flyweight division could do with some new and exciting challenges for the champion, Alexandre Pantoja.

    The likes of Tatsuro Taira and Amir Albazi could emerge as fresh faces for the champion to face if they can get past two opponents that Pantoja has already beaten multiple times in Brandon Royval and Brandon Moreno.

    Another option for his next challenge is Kai Kara-France, who recently defeated another of Pantoja’s former challengers but even then, that impressive win over Steve Erceg at UFC 305 came off the back of consecutive defeats.

    With Muhammad Mokaev, who likely would have been next, now out of the picture, it would seemingly be a lot easier for Cejudo to work his way into another UFC title shot, especially considering the fact that he vacated the title rather than losing it.

    He spoke on his Pound 4 Pound podcast alongside Kamaru Usman about how the idea has been floating around his head as of late.

    “I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit man of potentially going back down dude. You know, obviously, I do believe Merab’s going to win this [bantamweight] belt and I just feel like where I am in the picture at bantam, it just makes it a little harder dude to get back to the damn title dude. So I’ve been making, if I can get on a good diet if I decide to, it’s still not official [moving to flyweight], ‘cuz you know I know like them chimichangas, them gorditas.”

    Usman proceeded to laugh at the idea of a former two-weight UFC champion and gold medallist struggling with a diet, only for Cejudo to state how difficult that cut is for him.

    “The only reason why I say that bro is because flyweights no joke bro, like making that weight is like f****** cutting off a leg dude.

    “It’s to be continued. I think there’s a lot of good fights too. It was a belt that I left, I left undefeated, I left as champion, I gave it to the flyweights, I saved the damn division and if I do decide, you know, I want to talk to Mick Maynard man. I mean I am the savior of the flyweights and they all know that so. I always felt like all the flyweights should pay a 20% royalty to the true king.”

    Read also: Merab Dvalishvili Clarifies Staph Status After He Is Interrupted Mid-Interview By UFC Doctors

  • VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Confronts Aggressive Man, Urges Him to ‘Walk Away’ in Tense Altercation

    VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Confronts Aggressive Man, Urges Him to ‘Walk Away’ in Tense Altercation

    Israel Adesanya may have squashed the beef with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 but it hasn’t taken him long before getting back into a heated altercation.

    “The Last Stylebender”, as he previously stated he would, went back to Nigeria after coming up short in Perth several weeks ago.

    Though he hasn’t been back in New Zealand for long, city life in Auckland has quickly caught back up with him.

    The former UFC middleweight champion hasn’t been known for getting into arguments or conflict with members of the general public but that’s exactly what was captured on video.

    Israel Adesanya Gets Into A Heated Confrontation In New Zealand, Spits And Curses At A Man

    A recently posted video shows Adesanya standing outside his McLaren 720S Spider, having a confrontation with an aggressive man who has walked over to the car.

    The clip appears to capture the end of the interaction as it immediately starts with Adesanya already standing outside the vehicle, telling the person that he isn’t going to fight him for free – because it’s his job.

    Whatever happened between them before the video started clearly got to “The Last Stylebender” who is very rarely this agitated. For his part, the man does motion towards Adesanya, flexing, as though he wants to fight him.

    “I get paid for this s***, f*** off you little b****. That’s right, walk away, go drive your f****** beat up f****** s***.”

    Adesanya continues to curse towards the man who continues to stand across from him.

    The final seconds of the video sees the person recording drive past them as Adesanya spits towards the man he is arguing with before saying “I pray for you to try me, I’d pay for you to try me”, shutting his car door at the same time.

    Read also: Merab Dvalishvili Clarifies Staph Status After He Is Interrupted Mid-Interview By UFC Doctors

  • Sean O’Malley Promises To Reopen Merab Dvalishvili Cut At Noche UFC: ‘The Dude’s Just Not That Smart’

    Sean O’Malley Promises To Reopen Merab Dvalishvili Cut At Noche UFC: ‘The Dude’s Just Not That Smart’

    UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley has seemingly made a mental note of the cut Merab Dvalishvili suffered in training.

    O’Malley will put his gold on the line in the main event of Noche UFC/UFC 306 next weekend, topping the lineup alongside Dvalishvili for the promotion’s second Mexican Independence Day celebration.

    Their bout marks the main attraction of the highly anticipated event at the Sphere in Las Vegas. But the lead-up to the card was briefly struck by cancellation fears after Dvalishvili posted a cut from camp on social media a few weeks out.

    While the Georgian challenger insists his title shot was never in jeopardy and has since returned to usual training, that didn’t stop UFC CEO Dana White from publicly slamming “The Machine.”

    “The whole world knows about Merab’s cut. He posted it. Our guys are so dumb, it’s next-level unbelievable,” White said during a DWCS press conference. “All the stuff I talk about boxing, what I will give boxing, is when something happens in a camp, man, let me tell you what, it does not leak. Our guys can’t f*cking wait to throw it up on social media.

    “It’s a small cut. It’s no big deal. But obviously, it needed to be posted,” White continued. “Why the f*ck would you want him to know that? It is next-level stupid. Some of these guys are so stupid it’s mind-boggling. It’s unbelievable.”

    And we can seemingly count O’Malley among those who agree with White’s take…

    O’Malley Puts Dvalishvili’s Cut In His Crosshairs

    During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, O’Malley looked ahead to his sophomore bantamweight title defense, touching on one of the main topics that has arisen in the latter part of the Noche UFC build-up.

    Many suggested Dvalishvili made a mistake by publicly displaying a cut for his opponent to target, and “Sugar” backed that up by insisting he will reopen the blemish at some point in the PPV main event on Sept. 14.

    “I am 100 percent going to open up that cut, whether it’s healed or not,” O’Malley said. “I don’t know how much it can heal. I’ve never really had any bad cuts, so I’m not sure. But that’s the left side of his face. This right hand doesn’t miss.

    “I’ll probably accidentally hit his nose before I hit that cut. That nose just kinda takes up like 85 percent of his face, so I’m gonna try to get around his face and get to that cut,” O’Malley continued. “Dana referring to him as one of the — I don’t remember what he said, one of the stupidest people or beyond stupid. Whatever he said was pretty accurate. I mean, the dude’s just not that smart of a guy.”

    O’Malley will look to inflict that damage, as well as much more, en route to breaking Dvalishvili’s lengthy winning run, both stalling the Georgian’s title ambitions and retaining his place on the bantamweight throne in the process.

  • Merab Dvalishvili Clarifies Staph Status After He Is Interrupted Mid-Interview By UFC Doctors

    Merab Dvalishvili Clarifies Staph Status After He Is Interrupted Mid-Interview By UFC Doctors

    A post on social media from Merab Dvalishvili had the MMA fans putting on their detective hats to try and scope out a concern.

    Ahead of his bantamweight title fight against Sean O’Malley at UFC 306, the challenger shared on Instagram that he was releasing his first apparel collection in collaboration with Takedown.

    Fans quickly made note of a mark on Dvalishvili’s left arm that looked like it could be a staph infection, which has been a reoccurring issue in some big fights this year.

    Considering how the Georgian fighter’s cardio is one of his biggest weapons, having to be on a course of antibiotics heading into fight week could have made a huge difference to the main event that is set to go down at the Sphere.

    Merab Dvalishvili Says He’s Got The All-Clear After Being Interrupted Mid-Interview

    New York Post Sports’ MMA reporter Scott Fontana recently posted a clip from his interview with Dvalishvili which was broken up halfway through.

    The top contender at 135 pounds apologized for having to step away for a moment and in this period, consulted with a doctor about the mark on his arm.

    When returning back to the interview to continue from where they left off, he gave Fontana a promising update that would appear to dispel any of the concerns from the fans online.

    “I’m sorry my friend, UFC doctor was checking me out. They was looking at this [showing the mark to camera] like I have nothing, they thought I have something but I’m good… Yes I take a picture and a lot of people comment like they was thinking I have a staph infection but I’m good man, I don’t think I have nothing. As you see, there is no staph infection.”

    Fontana also noted that during the break in the interview, the doctor had mentioned the cut which Dvalishvili had made public on social media.

    The title challenger said that this is also not a worry and that they’re using a cream to help this heal before September 14.

    Read also: ‘He Only Beat Cory Sandhagen’ – Merab Dvalishvili Doubles Down On Deiveson Figueiredo Deserving Next Bantamweight Title Shot Over Umar Nurmagomedov

  • Gilbert Burns Believes He Can Finish Sean Brady ‘Better Than’ Belal Muhammad Did

    Gilbert Burns Believes He Can Finish Sean Brady ‘Better Than’ Belal Muhammad Did

    UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns is planning to make a statement at Sean Brady’s expense on Saturday night.

    The pair will headline this weekend’s UFC Fight Night at the Apex in Las Vegas, with Burns tasked with defending his #6 position on the divisional ladder off the back of consecutive defeats.

    After falling short across five rounds against then-future champion Belal Muhammad in May 2023, an injury suffered in that fight kept “Durinho” on the sidelines until this past April’s UFC 299 pay-per-view in Miami.

    Although he was just less than two minutes away from a crucial bounce-back victory on the scorecards, he was the victim of a late comeback from Jack Della Maddalena, who rallied to stop him by way of TKO.

    That’s left the 38-year-old in desperate need of a return to winning ways. But more than just rebounding, the Brazilian sees a chance to move to within touching distance of the title against a former opponent of Muhammad’s…

    Burns Envisions Emphatic Finish Of Brady To Secure Title Eliminator

    During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Burns looked ahead to his second Octagon assignment of 2024, detailing his hopes for fight night and what he anticipates coming as a result of a strong display.

    Despite losing two on the bounce and slipping outside the top five at 170 pounds, “Durinho” believes the manner of his performance this weekend could determine whether he earns a title eliminator next time out, especially if he can go above and beyond what now-champ Muhammad accomplished at Brady’s expense back in 2022.

    “I do believe if I go out there and look phenomenal against Sean Brady, then I get another guy, maybe Leon (Edwards), Colby (Covington), Kamaru (Usman). Then beat one of those guys, then I’m there, on the top,” Burns said. “I do believe if I do my homework this Saturday good, show up there and finish Sean Brady, you know, better than Belal did — if I go out there and after that, for sure rest a little bit, come back with a good training camp and beat one of the top guys, I’m there fighting for the title.”

    Burns will look to move closer to his late-career second title shot coming to fruition this weekend by making good on his vow to stop Brady in violent fashion when they headline Saturday’s UFC Fight Night at the Apex.

  • ‘Going To End Up Like Bigfoot Silva’ – Fans React After Tony Ferguson Teases ‘Big Changes’ Amid Career Uncertainty

    ‘Going To End Up Like Bigfoot Silva’ – Fans React After Tony Ferguson Teases ‘Big Changes’ Amid Career Uncertainty

    Former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson’s latest comments on social media have plenty of fans concerned.

    While once riding a record winning streak on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage and pointed to by some as the biggest threat to the great Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ferguson has experienced quite the fall from grace.

    “El Cucuy” now sits on the longest losing skid in UFC history, having lost eight straight fights since the start of 2020. The most recent addition to that torrid run came at the Abu Dhabi-held UFC Fight Night last month, where he was submitted in one round by Michael Chiesa.

    In the initial aftermath, it appeared that a retirement branded long overdue by many was on its way. But Ferguson’s Octagon interview was a half-retirement at best, and his subsequent press conference suggested a return to the cage was likely.

    Ferguson’s recent video on social media has only increased that conclusion among fans…

    “Check this out, crew,” Ferguson began. “I have some very exciting news for you coming at you. I can’t really say too much right now, but there’s going to be some big changes going on. So make sure you guys stay tuned. Catch you later.”

    While Ferguson didn’t directly mention the UFC or a fight, many connected the dots between his half-retirement in Abu Dhabi that appeared to be quickly backtracked and his promise of changes to suggest “El Cucuy” is likely referring to another outing in the cage.

    UFC Fans React To Ferguson’s Incoming News: ‘Praying That CM Punk Is The Opponent…’

    Members of the MMA community were quick to react to Ferguson’s teaser.

    Suffice to say, the reactions were as expected, with many expressing worries should the “news” and “changes” the 40-year-old mentioned be an indication of his plan to continue his career as an active fighter.

    As expected, the most prominent word throughout the comment section was ‘retire’.

    https://twitter.com/ZenArkana/status/1831614676691480581
  • UFC Vet Rejects Notion Jon Jones’ Legacy Will Be Affected By Avoiding Tom Aspinall: ‘It Will Be Forgotten’ 

    UFC Vet Rejects Notion Jon Jones’ Legacy Will Be Affected By Avoiding Tom Aspinall: ‘It Will Be Forgotten’ 

    According to one record-holding former UFC fighter, Jon Jones isn’t at risk of hampering his legacy should he continue avoiding Tom Aspinall.

    The heavyweight title picture remains one of the most prominent and polarizing discussions currently at the surface of the MMA community, largely centering around the presence of two champions.

    First came Jones, who was crowned in his divisional debut 18 months ago. More recently, Aspinall captured interim gold by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich, a matchup that came about at Madison Square Garden after an injury to Jones delayed his clash with the returning Stipe Miocic.

    Since then, one man has recorded their first successful title defense, with Aspinall emphatically exacting his redemption against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in Manchester this past July.

    But despite the presence of an interim titleholder who has already withstood one challenge, both Jones and the UFC remain steadfast on rescheduling the bout against Miocic. The pair are now expected to give their matchup a second go at reaching the cage this November, once again at the annual MSG-held pay-per-view.

    That fact has left Aspinall and many fans, fighters, and pundits bemused. Some have even gone as far as to suggest that avoiding a unification fight with his interim counterpart will leave a negative, lasting impact on Jones’ legacy.

    According to Matt Brown, news isn’t remembered long enough for that to be the case…

    Brown Doubts Jones ‘Ducking’ Aspinall Will Be Remembered

    During the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer, Brown gave his take on the current championship conversation at heavyweight.

    “The Immortal,” who retired earlier this year as the record holder for most knockouts and finishes in UFC welterweight history, believes that should Jones defeat Miocic at UFC 309 and subsequently retire over meeting the challenge of Aspinall, it would simply be “forgotten” down the line.

    “The fact is, it will be forgotten,” Brown said. “No matter what Tom does. If Jon retires after he beats Stipe, we’re in the age of news is news for a day. Maybe for a day or two, there will be some people on Reddit saying Jon was scared of Tom or whatever. By next week or whatever…he’ll still be the greatest ever. No one’s going to be like, ‘Oh, Jon’s not the greatest ever because he didn’t fight Tom Aspinall.’ I don’t think a single person’s going to say that. They’re just going to talk a little bit of silly stuff for a couple of days and it will be completely forgotten.

    “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t remember Jon ever saying, ‘I’m out here now to try to be the greatest heavyweight.’ He’s like, ‘I’m the greatest fighter, I got that in the bag. I’m the greatest fighter of all time. I’m going to fight a couple heavyweight fights. Yeah, I might be a little bit picky about who I fight. I’m the greatest fighter of all time, b*tch. I get to pick my fights now,’” Brown continued. “I don’t remember him ever saying, ‘I’m out here to attempt to prove I can also be the greatest heavyweight.’ He’s like, ‘No, I’m moving up to get a couple paydays, getting some big fights, having some fun, not have to cut weight, and move on with my life.’”

    Talk of Jones’ potential GOAT status has been a prominent topic as of late, largely thanks to UFC CEO Dana White’s staunch campaigning for the heavyweight kingpin to be moved back to top position in the pound-for-pound pecking order.

    It remains to be seen whether Aspinall will get his wish to share the cage with Jones. But as Brown noted, the Rochester native appears to be paying more attention to his overall place in MMA lore as opposed to a heavyweight legacy.

  • Former Ranked UFC Heavyweight Handed 22-Month Suspension For Drug Test Failure One Fight Into PFL Career

    Former Ranked UFC Heavyweight Handed 22-Month Suspension For Drug Test Failure One Fight Into PFL Career

    Former UFC heavyweight contender Blagoy Ivanov won’t be making his sophomore appearance under the PFL banner anytime soon.

    Ivanov, a former Bellator fighter and WSOF champion, competed eight times in the UFC, defeating Ben Rothwell and Tai Tuivasa en route to the rankings early into his Octagon tenure.

    The Bulgarian fell to consecutive decision defeats opposite Marcin Tybura and Alexandr Romanov in 2023, after which he departed mixed martial arts’ leading promotion and signed with the Professional Fighters League.

    The veteran made his SmartCage debut at event one of this year’s regular season, battling Sergei Bilostenniy in a memorable three-round war. Ivanov once again failed to earn the judges’ nod, and that marked his sole shot at putting points on the board.

    Blagoy Ivanov
    Image: PFL MMA

    Ivanov was scheduled to next face Oleg Popov in June but was pulled on late notice. That cancellation now has some aded context following the announcement of an indiscretion in the drug test department.

    Ivanov Slapped With Lengthy Suspension After Failing Drug Test

    On Wednesday, USADA officials announced that Ivanov tested positive for a substance that violated the PFL’s anti-doping policy during an out-of-competition test on March 28, 2024.

    As a result of the drug test failure, the former UFC heavyweight-turned-PFL newcomer has been handed a 22-month suspension, a reduced term due to his cooperation throughout the investigation.

    “Ivanov, 37, tested positive for an anabolic agent as the result of an out-of-competition sample collected on March 28, 2024,” a USADA statement read. “His urine sample was analyzed using a specialized test that differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids naturally produced by the body and prohibited anabolic agents of external origin.

    “Ivanov received a reduction to the default period of ineligibility for his full and complete cooperation. Ivanov’s 22-month period of ineligibility began on March 28, 2024, the date his positive sample was collected.”

    It remains to be seen whether Ivanov will remain a part of the PFL roster following confirmation of his failed drugs test and subsequent suspension.

    What is certain, however, is that the Bulgarian won’t be a part of the 2025 heavyweight season or any other events until January 2026 at the earliest.

  • Former Champ Cautions Alex Pereira: Don’t Overlook ‘Kickboxer Killer’ Khalil Rountree

    Former Champ Cautions Alex Pereira: Don’t Overlook ‘Kickboxer Killer’ Khalil Rountree

    Michael Bisping recently warned Alex Pereira, urging him not to underestimate the formidable threat that Khalil Rountree brings to their upcoming clash.

    “Poatan” is preparing for his third light heavyweight title defense in 2024, as he is set to square off against Rountree in the main event of UFC 307, scheduled for October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Pereira has been an indomitable force since storming into the 205-pound division, kicking things off with a decisive win over Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291. His meteoric rise continued as he claimed the vacant light heavyweight title with a dominant victory over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295.

    From there, the Brazilian striking phenom wasted no time solidifying his reign, successfully defending his belt twice in just two months. His most recent triumph came with a second-round knockout of Prochazka in their rematch at UFC 303.

    As for Rountree, many have raised concerns about the fight, citing “The War Horse’s” suspension for the consumption of the banned substance Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is set to end on September 18. Meanwhile, others contend that Magomed Ankalaev would have been a more deserving challenger for Pereira’s title.

    However, “The Count” believes that Rountree possesses the complete arsenal needed to threaten Pereira’s striking-centric style…

    Bisping Uncertain About Pereira’s Chances Facing Rountree

    In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Bisping weighed in on ‘Poatan’s’ callout of UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis. The UFC Hall of Famer was quick to point out that Pereira has a more immediate challenge looming in the form of Rountree, one he can’t afford to overlook.

    “He’s the light heavyweight champion of the world,” Bisping said. “Being the light heavyweight champion comes with some responsibility. Now, as I said, first and foremost, number one, he’s got people to fight already—he’s fighting Khalil Rountree. You cannot look past killer Khalil. He’s the kickboxer killer, he really is. Think about this: he beat Gokhan Saki, a very good kickboxer who transitioned to MMA, and Dustin Jacoby, another excellent Glory kickboxer who moved to MMA. Could he do the same to Alex Pereira? I don’t know—it’s a tough ask.

    Widely regarded as one of the most dangerous strikers in MMA, Pereira’s legacy as a two-division Glory Kickboxing champion strikes fear into opponents. While conventional wisdom suggests that wrestling is the blueprint to topple him, Rountree sees things differently.

    Though Rountree doesn’t dispute the wrestling strategy, he’s made it clear that he wants to keep the fight standing and deliver a striking masterclass.

  • ONE Muay Thai Champion Jonathan Haggerty Lists Best Strikers In The UFC

    ONE Muay Thai Champion Jonathan Haggerty Lists Best Strikers In The UFC

    Jonathan Haggerty recently revealed his picks for who he believes are the top strikers in the UFC.

    Over the course of UFC history, a multitude of elite strikers have etched their names into the sport’s legacy. Icons like Anderson Silva, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipović, and José Aldo not only defined their eras but revolutionized the art of striking.

    However, the current generation of fighters has evolved alongside the ever-changing landscape of mixed martial arts, showcasing even more refined and diverse striking repertoires.

    As a reigning ONE bantamweight Muay Thai and kickboxing champion with elite striking prowess, it’s no surprise that Haggerty keeps a close eye on the sport. His expertise gives him a sharp understanding of the top fighters in the world’s premier MMA organization, making his opinions on striking particularly insightful…

    Haggerty Says Strikers Are Best Suited For UFC Championships

    During a recent interview with talkSPORT MMA, Haggerty was asked to share who he believes are the most elite strikers to ever grace the UFC Octagon. “The General” wasted no time in naming former middleweight king Israel Adesanya, former strawweight champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk, and former flyweight titleholder Valentina Shevchenko, alongside a list of other accomplished UFC champions.

    “I think the strikers are mainly all the champions,” Haggerty said. “I quite like Adesanya. Joanna Jędrzejczyk, she was great. Valentina Shevchenko, she was an amazing fighter. Alex Pereira, you know, he’s very lethal. I think being a stand-up striker, all the fights start on their feet, so we get the head start, really. I think Sean O’Malley’s there as well.”

    He also went on to say that if he had to choose one MMA champion across promotions who he’d like to challenge for the belt, it would be UFC’s bantamweight king O’Malley.

    However, “The General” did mention that he is very happy at ONE Championship, where he is preparing to defend his bantamweight Muay Thai title in a highly anticipated showdown against the current ONE flyweight kickboxing champion, Superlek, in the main event of ONE 168: Denver this weekend.

    Haggerty is riding the momentum of an impressive seven-fight win streak, with his only two setbacks in his ONE Championship career coming at the hands of the formidable Rodtang Jitmuangnon.

  • Gilbert Burns Clarifies Sean Brady’s BJJ Black Belt Credentials

    Gilbert Burns Clarifies Sean Brady’s BJJ Black Belt Credentials

    Gilbert Burns recently shared his thoughts on whether Sean Brady poses a legitimate threat on the ground, given his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

    Burns is gearing up to face Brady in a crucial welterweight showdown, set to headline this weekend’s Fight Night event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    “Durinho” has been absent from the Octagon since suffering a third-round knockout at the hands of Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 299 this past March. That setback came just two months after another tough loss, when the 38-year-old Brazilian veteran was defeated by newly crowned welterweight champion Belal Muhammad at UFC 288 in May 2023.

    Meanwhile, Brady is stepping into uncharted territory with his first-ever five-round bout under the UFC banner. The 31-year-old American has only gone past the third round once in his career. In his last appearance, he secured an impressive submission victory over seasoned veteran Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Fight Night Austin last December, bouncing back from the first setback of his career against Muhammad at UFC 280 in October 2022.

    Burns is a formidable force on the mat, a dangerous grappler who has dominated since his return to the welterweight division in 2019, racking up the second-highest number of takedowns in the division. On the other hand, Brady is no slouch on the ground either, bringing his own savage submission game to the table, potentially making their matchup a fascinating chess contest of technical prowess and ground control…

    Burns Holds Brady’s Grappling Skills In High Regard

    During a recent interview with MMA journalist Kevin Iole, Burns was asked to weigh in on just how dangerous he believes Brady’s grappling game truly is. As a decorated BJJ black belt world champion himself, ‘Durinho’ acknowledged that his opponent is far from an ordinary grappler, noting that Brady trains under the tutelage of BJJ legend Daniel Gracie.

    “He’s legit. His coach is Daniel Gracie, you know. Daniel Gracie grew up with Renzo [Gracie], so he’s very, very good,” Burns said. “Daniel Gracie saw Brady since he was a kid, so he’s a legit black belt.”

    Burns went on to highlight Brady’s impressive grappling credentials, pointing out that Brady managed to defeat ADCC submission champion Craig Jones—an accomplishment that Burns himself couldn’t achieve.

    “He beat Craig Jones even when [the bout] was set with no leg locks. When I lost to Craig Jones, it was with leg locks—he went quick on my leg. So, Sean Brady beat him under no leg lock rules. Yeah, he’s a great fighter.”

    “Durinho” is currently navigating the first back-to-back losses of his career, and he’s well aware that the outcome on Saturday night carries critical weight if he hopes to climb back into title contention.

  • Former Opponent On Overlooking Belal Muhammad: ‘How Is This Dude Even Here?’

    Former Opponent On Overlooking Belal Muhammad: ‘How Is This Dude Even Here?’

    Belal Muhammad has been counted out for a lot of his UFC career and that has given him a lot of motivation during his rise to the top of the welterweight division.

    Even now that he is the champion, “Remember The Name” wants to keep proving people wrong by beating the guys that everyone says he has no chance against.

    Whether it’s some of the things he says online or his fighting style that is incredibly effective but not the most glamorous to watch, Muhammad is one of the more underappreciated high-level fighters that we have seen inside the Octagon.

    A former opponent of his spoke about this and how overlooking the current champ is something that cost him when they fought several years ago.

    Randy Brown Explains Why He Underestimated Belal Muhammad When They Fought And How It Affected Him

    In an interview with Inside Fighting, Randy Brown said that he was happy to see Muhammad become the champion at UFC 304 in Manchester.

    On the subject of Muhammad being an often overlooked fighter before his clash with Leon Edwards, “RudeBoy” said that this is a hole that he also fell into when facing off with him back at UFC 208.

    “I feel like a lot of people underestimate him and it’s easy to underestimate him going into a fight and I saw that with Leon. I did it myself when we fought, you know what I mean, and I was just like, ‘I’m gonna run through this dude.’ But then you realize how sticky he is when you’re in there. Belal is actually pretty damn good and I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves, unfairly.”

    Brown said that he underestimated Muhammad because of what he had seen with his own eyes in a training room, rather than any reputation that may have had.

    As we saw at UFC 304, the champion’s striking has come a long way during his time on the UFC roster but back at the start of his journey, this is what gave Brown a false sense of security.

    “We were both fighting someone from the same camp and I remember we were warming up in the room and I’m watching him shadow box and hit mitts and s*** and he looked f****** horrible. He looked terrible and I looked over to my coach and I said like, ‘How is this dude even here? Like what is he, this dude looks like s***.” So in my mind, I’m like, ‘Yo if I ever get a fight with this dude, I’ll take it in a heart beat. He’s 170, I’d whoop his f****** a**.’”

    Having been given that impression of Muhammad, Brown was happy to accept a late-notice fight with him further down the line at UFC 208 back in 2017.

    After coming into the fight with the expectation that he would be far too good for his opponent, “Remember The Name” would secure his second UFC win via unanimous decision.

    “Completely underestimated him. I already did a camp, I kind of just bull******* whatever and went in to fight him and I brought that energy into the fight.”

    Read also: ‘I’m Team Belal Muhammad’ – Gilbert Burns Extends Support For UFC Welterweight Champ Against Shavkat Rakhmonov

  • ‘Colby Covington With An Afrikaans Accent’ – MMA Fans Hammer Du Plessis After He Proposes Pereira vs. Strickland Title Eliminator

    ‘Colby Covington With An Afrikaans Accent’ – MMA Fans Hammer Du Plessis After He Proposes Pereira vs. Strickland Title Eliminator

    UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis could well have his next two title defenses already laid out in front of him if he keeps hold of the belt.

    After earning his first successful defense by submitting Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, a rematch is seemingly on the cards for his new challenge.

    Sean Strickland and Du Plessis fought to a very close split decision at UFC 297 to kick off the year where “Stillknocks” became champion.

    However, another challenger looms overhead at this time as Alex Pereira is apparently planning to move back down to middleweight for one more fight, after his light heavyweight title defense at UFC 307.

    Given the fact that Strickland and Pereira have become friends after they met inside the Octagon at UFC 276, Du Plessis suggested that they should fight each other for the number one contender status rather than challenging him one after the other.

    MMA Fans React To Dricus Du Plessis Calling The Middleweight Shots

    The fans on social media didn’t respond well to Du Plessis’ call for Strickland and Pereira to run it back, which isn’t necessarily surprising given the large and vocal fan bases of both fighters.

    Though some were complimenting the champion’s trash talk, many didn’t see why “Poatan” would possibly fight anyone but the titleholder at this stage.

    “Makes literally no sense. Alex would immediately get a title shot if he wanted being he’s the champ and has already been the MW champ before. Silly to even say this”

    “New champions always talk like they run the UFC. It’s f***** annoying.”

    “alex and a contender fight do not go together”

    “DDP just says stupid s*** and idiots eat it up. He’s Colby Covington with an Afrikaans accent.”

    https://twitter.com/tony2studs/status/1830952520522621286

    “Bro is scared af. There’s absolutely no reason alex should be fighting Sean lmao”

    “Damn dricus low key a decent s*** talker”

    “doesnt make sense considering that Pereira is a champ who already beat strickland”

    https://twitter.com/RawEggBrah/status/1831261874941317135

    Read also: Demetrious Johnson Gives Stamp Of Approval To UFC Champion

  • Dana White Compares DWCS Lightweight War To Miocic vs. Ngannou

    Dana White Compares DWCS Lightweight War To Miocic vs. Ngannou

    Week four of this year’s instalment of Dana White’s Contender Series delivered some big upsets and one of the show’s most memorable knockouts.

    Whilst it was Yuneisy Duben that stole all the headlines with her one-punch knockout over Shannon Clark, the evening’s opener set the tone.

    The first fight between Quillan Salkilld and Gauge Young was a high-level and super competitive three-round affair in the lightweight division.

    Though Salkilld earned the win and thus, his place on the UFC roster, the UFC boss went into the Octagon after the fight to give praise to both men – something he rarely does.

    Dana White Says The Shots Landing Between Salkilld & Young Were Comparable To Ngannou vs Miocic 2

    In his post-fight press conference after the event, Dana White spoke about how impressed he was by this fight from both men’s perspectives.

    The opening bout of the card has delivered great fights or moments across season 8 of the series and this one was no different.

    To emphasize how powerful and durable both men were, White described the impact of some of the shots that they were both landing and receiving across the 15-minute duration.

    He compared the sound of these strikes to when Francis Ngannou met Stipe Miocic in a rematch for the heavyweight title back at UFC 260, which took place in a near-vacant UFC Apex due to the restrictions for hosting live events at the time.

    “Both of those kids were 24 years old and you know, my thing was however the judges score this fight, however this plays out, both of you have a bright future in this sport. Both durable, tough guys, well-rounded no matter where the fight went. Head kicks, eating nasty head kicks, the body shots that both of those took, the punches. I mean when they hit each other with some of those right hands, it sounded like heavyweights. It reminded me of the night that Francis and Stipe fought in here. When Francis and Stipe were hitting each other that night and you were just like God damn! Those two were throwing those kind of punches at each other, it was a great fight.”

    Read also: Merab Dvalishvili Doesn’t Regret Social Media Post That Angered Dana White: ‘This Is Who I Am!’

  • Nate Maness Signs With New Promotion Following Public Complaints Over Shock UFC Exit

    After his well-supported push for a UFC re-signing fell on deaf ears, Nate Maness has his next career step confirmed.

    Maness competed seven times inside the Octagon after signing in 2020, going 5-2 and recording three finishes in the process. His only defeats came at the hands of the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov at 135 pounds and ranked flyweight Tagir Ulanbekov.

    Following those back-to-back losses, “Mayhem” bounced back with a first-round knockout of Mateus Mendonça last October and a decision win over Jimmy Flick this past June. But while those results built momentum for the 33-year-old, his contract was not renewed.

    That decision drew plenty of backlash across the mixed martial arts community, especially when Maness revealed he was told by UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard that he was not exciting enough to remain on the 125-pound roster.

    Maness Becomes Latest Ex-UFC Fighter To Join BKFC

    Despite his bemusement and disappointment regarding his forced departure from the UFC being widely shared by fans and analysts, Maness will need to continue his career in combat sports elsewhere.

    And more than just exiting MMA’s leading promotion, “Mayhem’s” next step sees him depart the sport as a whole for the time being.

    This week, it was confirmed that Maness is BKFC bound, having signed a multi-fight deal with the top bare-knuckle boxing organization, which is part-owned by UFC star Conor McGregor and boasts the likes of Mike Perry under its banner.

    “News is out. We’re @bareknucklefc bound,” Maness wrote on X.

    It remains to be seen when Maness will make his debut in the BKFC ring. But when he does, the 33-year-old will look to prove that the UFC made the wrong decision by not offering him a new deal.

  • Jon Anik Defends UFC Champion Against Ducking Allegations

    Jon Anik Defends UFC Champion Against Ducking Allegations

    There has been a lot of talk of late regarding who will be Belal Muhammad’s first title challenger, after winning the welterweight belt at UFC 304.

    The undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov is quite clearly the most deserving contender but there has been some debate over whether former champion Kamaru Usman should also be in the discussion.

    Rakhmonov recently said in an interview that he had already been offered the title shot for UFC 307, which takes place in Salt Lake City on October 5.

    He claims that Muhammad turned the fight down because he couldn’t make that turnaround, which isn’t surprising considering he fought five rounds at the end of July.

    A long-time supporter of the champion has come to his defense after some fans tried to accuse Muhammad of dodging what many believe will be a big challenge for him.

    Jon Anik Says That Belal Muhammad Isn’t Ducking Shavkat Rakhmonov, Explains Motivation Behind Potential Usman Fight

    In a series of posts on X, UFC commentator Jon Anik gave his thoughts on the current layout of the welterweight division.

    Anik stressed that Muhammad shouldn’t be criticized for talking about what would be a big fight against Usman and that he certainly isn’t trying to avoid Rakhmonov at the same time.

    “1) For his legacy, not at all surprising Belal Muhammad would want the chance to defend his title against one of the all-time welterweight greats in Kamaru Usman but the notion he is somehow trying to sidestep Shavkat Rakhmonov is straight fake news.”

    Anik then went on to explain how everyone, including the UFC, knows that Rakhmonov is the next rightful contender, stating that Muhammad’s willingness to fight the unbeaten contender isn’t a barrier in the way of making that fight happen.

    “2) Shavkat Rakhmonov is 18-0 w/ 18 finishes. 6-0 in the UFC. Whether he has the No. 3 or No. 1 ranking matters not. Most of us see him as the largely unquestioned, rightful, next title challenger. And I think the UFC concurs! But the champion ain’t the f*cking problem. Trust.”

    Read also: Demetrious Johnson Gives Stamp Of Approval To UFC Champion

  • Demetrious Johnson Gives Stamp Of Approval To UFC Champion

    Demetrious Johnson Gives Stamp Of Approval To UFC Champion

    When Demetrious Johnson was the UFC flyweight champion, the division suffered to some degree because of how dominant he was.

    No one could knock “Mighty Mouse” off the top spot and that gave his fights a feeling of predictability, because he was levels above all challengers.

    After he left the UFC following his loss to Henry Cejudo, the division became a lot more competitive and after title reigns from Cejudo, Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno, a new champion has started to make his mark at 125 pounds.

    Alexandre Pantoja has produced back-to-back title defenses since becoming champion at UFC 290 last year and the flyweight GOAT believes that the Brazilian is here to stay.

    Demetrious Johnson Says Alexandre Pantoja Was Underappreciated, Doesn’t See Him Losing The Title Soon

    In a recent appearance on the JAXXON Podcast, Johnson gave his thoughts on the man that currently holds the title that once belonged to him.

    The current flyweight king in ONE Championship is a big fan of Pantoja and said that he has been for a long time, after feeling like he was underappreciated for many years.

    “I think he’s great. Alex Pantoja, I’ve always felt he’s been a dark horse at the beginning of his career in the UFC… I just felt, well to begin with, I feel like the flyweight division always had a hard time picking up any traction. This isn’t something new, I mean even when I was a champion in the UFC, it wasn’t the most popular in the whole roster of the UFC and I think Alex Pantoja, he came into The Ultimate Fighter, he didn’t win The Ultimate Fighter, Tim Elliott ended up winning it.”

    As he stated, Pantoja made his way into the promotion through The Ultimate Fighter where if he had won the series, he would’ve challenged Johnson for the title.

    Johnson then went on to say how in his opinion, there aren’t many contenders left for Pantoja that aren’t rematches because he beat many of them on his way to the title already.

    The one exception being Muhammad Mokaev, who is no longer in the UFC after the promotion chose not to resign him at the end of July.

    Due to this reason, “Mighty Mouse” doesn’t see Pantoja losing his grasp at 125 pounds anytime soon.

    “It’s his [Pantoja’s] division and I think it’s his time to shine. He’s worked very hard his whole entire career and I’m very happy for him.”

    Read also: Brandon Moreno Set To Return In UFC Fight Night Edmonton Main Event On Nov. 2

  • Merab Dvalishvili Doesn’t Regret Social Media Post That Angered Dana White: ‘This Is Who I Am!’

    Merab Dvalishvili Doesn’t Regret Social Media Post That Angered Dana White: ‘This Is Who I Am!’

    Should top bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili sustain more cuts in the lead-up to major UFC fights, Dana White can expect them to be broadcast across social media.

    Dvalishvili is currently gearing up for about as big an assignment possible, with the Georgian scheduled to challenge for Sean O’Malley’s title in the main event of Noche UFC at the Sphere next weekend.

    But a few weeks out, concern arose when the challenger displayed a worrisome cut sustained to his face during a training session on social media.

    While Dvalishvili and his team eventually clarified that the blemish was by no means a threat to his monumental headliner going ahead on September 14, that didn’t stop “The Machine” catching the wrath of his boss.

    “The whole world knows about Merab’s cut. He posted it. Our guys are so dumb, it’s next-level unbelievable,” White said during a DWCS press conference. “All the stuff I talk about boxing, what I will give boxing, is when something happens in a camp, man, let me tell you what, it does not leak. Our guys can’t f*cking wait to throw it up on social media.

    “It’s a small cut. It’s no big deal. But obviously, it needed to be posted,” White continued. “Why the f*ck would you want him to know that? It is next-level stupid. Some of these guys are so stupid it’s mind-boggling. It’s unbelievable.”

    Despite that, though, Dvalishvili has no regrets.

    Dvalishvili On UFC Backlash For Cut Post: ‘It Wasn’t A Big Deal’

    During a recent interview with Mike Bohn for MMA Junkie, Dvalishvili addressed his post revealing the cut suffered in training and the subsequent reaction from White.

    While he noted that upsetting the promotion and its higher-ups is by no means a desire of his, the Georgian contender did suggest that such actions are simply part of who he is as a fighter.

    “I never regret what I did, you know? I post this because I post everything on my social media. It wasn’t a big deal because I had more than three weeks after I got cut,” Dvalishvili said. “This cut (had) no effect on my training, my sparring. As you see, I healed up and everything is good.

    “Yeah, when I see Dana was upset, of course, like, I don’t want to upset Dana White and the UFC. But I was very calm and relaxed because it wasn’t a big deal,” Dvalishvili continued. “I don’t regret nothing. This is who I am. This is what I do. This is my life. I am a fighter.”

    Fortunately, Dvalishvili’s confidence regarding the cut’s healing time proved not to be misplaced, with the Georgian quickly being able to resume normal training as the lead-up to his first title challenge nears its conclusion.