MMA News

Category: News

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

  • Virna Jandiroba Reacts To UFC Lightweight Branding Women’s MMA A Bathroom Break: ‘Maybe He Needs To Find A Therapist’

    UFC strawweight contender Virna Jandiroba wasn’t pleased to hear the less than positive take on women’s MMA from a fellow fighter.

    Jandiroba recorded her biggest win to date in this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night main event at the Apex, submitting former title challenger Amanda Lemos to stake her claim for a first title shot.

    The finish came by way of a gruesome armbar submission and marked Jandiroba’s fourth straight triumph inside the Octagon. She was widely praised in the aftermath of the impressive performance, but one peer who likely wasn’t watching is lightweight Loik Radzhabov.

    “The Tajik Tank,” who was defeated on the preliminary card of Jandiroba’s main event, made some negative remarks about the women’s side of mixed martial arts last week, branding it a “break” to go to the bathroom during cards.

    “Well, I don’t watch it, no matter who is fighting,” Radzhabov told Red Corner MMA. “Actually, when women fight, I take a break to get some snacks or go to the toilet.”

    Jandiroba Tells Radzhabov To Get Help To ‘Overcome Issues’

    During her post-fight press conference on Saturday night, Jandiroba reflected on her first headline victory in the UFC and reacted to Radzhabov’s comments about her and other women competing in MMA’s premier promotion.

    In a brief response to the remarks, the Brazilian strawweight suggested Razhabov has “issues” that only a specialist would be able to solve.

    “I’m not someone that is going to be able to help him, but maybe he needs to go get some analysis. You know, find a therapist that is going to help him overcome those issues that he has. There is probably something there that he needs to sort out and he is going to have to find a specialist to do it.”

    Having fallen to 2-2 in the UFC courtesy of a decision setback at the hands of Trey Ogden on July 20, Radzhabov will hope to bounce back next time out to avoid a losing record inside the Octagon.

    Jandiroba, meanwhile, appears to have her sights set on UFC gold following her win over a fellow Brazilian strawweight in Lemos. And “Carcara” is expecting her “weirdness” to provide a unique challenge for champion Zhang Weili.

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Tom Aspinall’s Title-Winning Knockout Of Sergei Pavlovich Ahead Of His UFC 304 Defense

    UFC Full Fight: Relive Tom Aspinall’s Title-Winning Knockout Of Sergei Pavlovich Ahead Of His UFC 304 Defense

    UFC 304 co-headliner Tom Aspinall achieved his title ambitions on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage in emphatic fashion last November.

    The interim heavyweight champion will return in the co-main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view card at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, where he’s tasked with defending his belt in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes.

    The pair first collided at a London-held UFC Fight Night back in the summer of 2021. The bout lasted just 15 seconds, with a devastating knee injury suffered by Aspinall bringing it to a premature end and handing the Brit his first Octagon setback.

    Aspinall has since rebounded in a major way, first by getting the better of Marcin Tybura last July and then by capturing interim UFC gold in a short-notice clash with Sergei Pavlovich four months later.

    After an injury to Jon Jones saw his planned heavyweight defense against Stipe Miocic off the UFC 295 card, Aspinall stepped up to meet the original backup fighter at Madison Square Garden.

    Despite a lack of preparation and not being at full fitness, the Englishman closed the show in just over a minute, stopping his Russian counterpart by way of knockout to have a UFC title wrapped around his waist.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Aspinall vs. Pavlovich fight from UFC 295 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1-hFm-a_N4

    Aspinall will hope to repeat that performance at the expense of Blaydes this weekend.

    Should he accomplish that feat on home soil, the Mancunian heavyweight will keep ahold of his interim belt and perhaps strengthen calls for Jon Jones to face him in a unification showdown.

  • Alexander Volkanovski Downplays Belal Muhammad’s Chances Against Leon Edwards At UFC 304: ‘TKO Or KO, I Definitely Can See’

    Alexander Volkanovski Downplays Belal Muhammad’s Chances Against Leon Edwards At UFC 304: ‘TKO Or KO, I Definitely Can See’

    Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t expect to hear ‘and new’ when Belal Muhammad challenges Leon Edwards this weekend.

    The pair are set to headline Saturday’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, with Muhammad heading to enemy territory in pursuit of Edwards’ welterweight title.

    Their clash will mark one of two championship rematches set for July 27, with it following a bout for the interim heavyweight strap between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.

    When Edwards and Muhammad first collided back in 2021, an accidental eye poke rendered “Remember the Name” unable to continue. While “Rocky’s” early success in that bout has left him as a heavy favorite in the eyes of many, Muhammad has vowed to finish him with ease at UFC 304.

    One ex-titleholder doesn’t see much chance of that coming to fruition across the pond…

    Volkanovski Expects Edwards To Retain Welterweight Gold At UFC 304

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Volkanovski provided his picks and predictions for four major matchups set to play out in Manchester this Saturday night, including the two championship headliners.

    Rounding out a whitewash for the favorites, “Alexander the Great” is backing Edwards to get the job done against Muhammad at the second time of trying.

    While Volkanovski acknowledged the challenger’s ability, he dismissed the notion that Muhammad boasts any tools capable of threatening Edwards come fight night. And with that in mind, he wouldn’t be surprised to see the champ find the knockout on July 27.

    “I thought Leon was looking good before that (eye poke) happened,” Volkanovski said of their first fight. “I’m gonna go with Leon Edwards. … He’s definitely the favorite. He’s rock solid. You’ve seen his wrestling defense, you’ve seen his grappling. He’s actually very well-rounded. Everyone has always thought he was a striker, but he’s very well-rounded. He was able to take Colby down…and Usman. It just shows you how good Leon Edwards is. And his striking is beautiful.

    “Belal Muhammad, a lot of people give him a hard time. … He is very calculated, doesn’t take unnecessary risks,” Volkanovski continued. “But the thing is, I thought he (Edwards) was quite aggressive in their first fight, and I think we’re gonna see that again. … He’s gonna let his hands go, which is gonna make him a lot more dangerous. … Belal, obviously is on a mad tear. He’s well-rounded, he’s got a lot of tools. But the tools that he has won’t work anywhere that’s gonna give Leon Edwards a massive threat. Can’t see him getting a finish; I think it’s gonna be very hard for him to win a decision too. … Can Leon Edwards get the finish? I think he can…TKO or KO, I definitely can see.”

    Edwards will hope to prove Volkanovski right and further enhance his legacy at 170 pounds in the process.

    And in addition to recording a third successful defense and cementing his grip on that divisional crown, another retention will only move “Rocky” closer to his goal of challenging for two-weight glory up at 185 pounds down the line.

  • Muay Thai Star Rodtang Jitmuangnon Returns To The US At ONE 169 In Atlanta

    Muay Thai Star Rodtang Jitmuangnon Returns To The US At ONE 169 In Atlanta

    A staggering fourth title fight has been added to ONE Championship’s debut in Atlanta and it features one of their biggest stars, Rodtang Jitumuagnon.

    As the biggest name in Muay Thai today, “The Iron Man” has become a social media sensation because of his always entertaining fighting style.

    Having featured on ONE Championship’s debut event in the United States last year (ONE Fight Night 10 in Denver), he’s now set to return to the US in November as reported by Sports Illustrated.

    The ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion will be putting his belt on the line in a rematch with England’s Jacob Smith at the State Farm Arena on November 8.

    They last met back in May of 2022 where Rodtang secured a unanimous decision win to advance in the flyweight Muay Thai Grand Prix.

    The Thai star returned to action in June where he went three rounds with Denis Puric in a kickboxing bout that delivered one of the best fights of the year so far in ONE Championship.

    He last defended his world championship back in November of 2022 where he convincingly beat strawweight champion Joseph Lasiri over five rounds.

    This now makes for a total of four world championship fights for Atlanta, two in MMA and two in Muay Thai.

    Three-division champion Anatoly Malykhin will be defending his heavyweight title against Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane in the main event whilst two-weight king Christian Lee makes his long-awaited return to defend his lightweight crown against Alibeg Rasulov.

    The other title fight sees Tawanchai defend his ONE featherweight Muay Thai world championship against Jo Nattawut in a trilogy fight between the two Thai strikers.

    November 8 has also been rumoured to feature a boxing match between former UFC rivals Rashad Evans and ‘Rampage’ Jackson.

    Read also: Former ONE Championship Strawweight King Jarred Brooks Names Jon Jones As The Perfect Fighter

  • MMA News Today: UFC 304 Fighter Reacts To ‘Unbelievable’ Replacement Matchup On A Week’s Notice, Jake Paul Trolls Mike Perry After Dishing Out Battering, & More

    MMA News Today: UFC 304 Fighter Reacts To ‘Unbelievable’ Replacement Matchup On A Week’s Notice, Jake Paul Trolls Mike Perry After Dishing Out Battering, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 22, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Loughran is happy to be fighting Hadley instead
    • Paul taunts Perry with shot-by-shot comparison
    • Durden shares gruesome post-fight medical procedure

    Caolan Loughran Says Jake Hadley Is A Perfect Replacement Opponent At UFC 304

    Just one week out from UFC 304 this Saturday, Ireland’s Caolan Loughran had his fight and opponent switched around on short notice.

    Loughran was announced to be fighting UFC flyweight contender Jake Hadley after his previous opponent Ramon Taveras was declared injured and unable to make July 27.

    Though having a chance of opponents one week out from fight night is never ideal, “The Don” is very happy with his new fight.

    As well as the fact that he had been preparing to fight a southpaw which both Hadley and Taveras are, this England vs Ireland fight between two former Cage Warriors champions is sure to get the Manchester fans excited.

    Loughran spoke in an interview with Violent Money TV about how this fight ended up working out pretty well in his favour after all.

    “I was like f*** me, unbelievable. That’s a bigger fight domestically, going to have more buzz. He’s also a southpaw as we were preparing for. F****** let’s go, let’s do it, that’s what I was thinking.

    I actually get on alright with Hadley. Fair f****** respect to him for taking the fight, I didn’t have a fight there for like a day and I don’t know what the f*** was going on. I wanted to be on this card so fighters fight innit, fair f****** play to him but like I say, I half get on with the guy but I don’t need beef this time. This fight is going to be big anyway.”    

    Jake Paul Shares Comparison Photo Of Mike Perry’s Custom Chain After Stopping Him

    Jake Paul added to his current winning streak this past weekend when he stopped Mike Perry in the sixth round where his size and power was simply too much for the ‘King of Violence’.

    After the fight, “Platinum” tipped his hat to his opponent, putting out the following message on social media to show his appreciation to the fans for their support.

    “Congrats @jakepaul , shout out to @NateDiaz209 who went 10 rounds with him. Thanks to everyone who came out.”

    Paul, on the other hand, was not so humble in victory as he chose to readdress a certain aspect of the build to the fight.

    Perry had worn a custom chain of Paul’s head with blood and bruises all over his face which “The Problem Child” shared after the bout next to a photo of Perry’s face being in a similar position.

    VIDEO: Cody Durden Shows Himself Getting Substantial Stitches After Ruthless Loss To Bruno Silva

    Cody Durden gave fight fans a glimpse into what happens once a fighter exits the Octagon following his loss this past weekend at the Apex.

    Durden was stopped in the second round following a devastating uppercut from Bruno Silva which was followed up on until referee Chris Tognoni waved the fight off.

    The flyweight contender was left wearing some significant damage on his face as a result and decided to shine a spotlight on a side to the game that many don’t see.

    Posting on X, Durden shared a video of himself getting stitches from medical personnel during his post-fight medical.

    Read more on the story here.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • VIDEO: UFC 304 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 & Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes 2

    VIDEO: UFC 304 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 & Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes 2

    Fight week for the UFC 304 pay-per-view this Saturday night has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode.

    Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad and the co-main event between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.

    Saturday’s lineup is topped by a championship rematch, with welterweight kingpin Edwards (22-3, 1 NC) looking to add a third successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 in August 2022. He’s since retained possession of the belt by getting the better of Usman again and Colby Covington in 2023.

    If “Rocky” is to continue his rule atop the 170-pound mountain, he must record a victory over Muhammad (23-3, 1 NC) at the second time of trying. The pair first collided in a UFC Fight Night main event back in 2021, which ended prematurely when accidental eye pokes left “Remember the Name” unable to continue. He’s since won five straight over Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and Gilbert Burns to finally earn his first shot at gold.

    Before those two run it back in the main event at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, another home fighter will put his title on the line in a rematch.

    Two years on from a devastating knee injury handing him his first UFC loss, interim heavyweight champion Aspinall (14-3) will look to right that wrong by leveling the score with Blaydes (18-4, 1 NC). In defense of the strap he captured with a thunderous knockout of Sergei Pavlovich last November, Aspinall is tasked with preventing “Razor” following his TKO of Jailton Almeida with first-time title glory on July 27.

    Ahead of those two contests across the pond, fans can catch previews in the full episode of UFC 304 Countdown on the promotion’s YouTube channel.

    UFC 304 Countdown: Full Episode

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMZEjU5aj-k
  • Sean O’Malley Supports Jake Paul Continuing To Box MMA Fighters, Callout Of UFC Champion Alex Pereira

    Sean O’Malley Supports Jake Paul Continuing To Box MMA Fighters, Callout Of UFC Champion Alex Pereira

    Unlike many, UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley is actually in support of Jake Paul sharing the ring with MMA fighters.

    Paul had his 11th match in professional boxing this past weekend, throwing down with former UFC fighter-turned-BKFC star Mike Perry inside the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

    The pair’s main event on DAZN pay-per-view came to a close in the sixth round when Paul followed early knockdowns and frequent success at the expense of “Platinum” with one final damaging flurry to earn the knockout.

    Perry, who made his name in the cage, marked the latest mixed martial arts name added to Paul’s record, joining Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz in that group.

    Paul’s choice of opponents has long been a point of discussion for his detractors. And the continuation of that trend on Saturday night was used by many to criticize the 27-year-old Cleveland native once again, in addition to his callout of UFC champion Alex Pereira.

    But not everyone in MMA is against Paul’s boxing approach…

    O’Malley Happy To Keep Watching Paul vs. MMA Fighters

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, O’Malley reacted to Paul’s latest success inside the ring and his unexpected post-match callout.

    While many laughed off Paul’s decision to put Pereira’s name on his lips in the ring, “Sugar” had nothing but praise for the callout.

    “He called out Alex Pereira. That fight won’t happen unless Dana (White) says, ‘I’m sick of seeing Jake beat all these UFC guys.’ … Imagine Alex Pereira vs. Jake Paul. Dude, Alex has crazy power in both hands, but the dude literally throws from his hips. He is there to be hit,” O’Malley said. “I love the callout. Imagine we get to see that. Imagine Jake Paul goes out there and knocks out Mike Tyson, Jake Paul vs. Alex Pereira, huge.

    “Jake looks like he’s improving every single fight. I’m excited to continue to watch him fight,” O’Malley continued. “Jake is doing such a good job. After a fight, the biggest thing is what’s next. You’ve gotta set yourself up for those opportunities, and Jake’s doing that better than anybody right now.”

    And the callout wasn’t the only criticism of Paul that O’Malley defended against. He also differed from many with his view on “The Problem Child” continuing to welcome MMA veterans into the ring.

    “He hasn’t fought a top let’s say 20 guy in the world; a top-20 boxer in his weight class,” O’Malley noted. “That’s when you’re really gonna be able to see how good Jake Paul is. … I personally enjoy watching him fight these MMA guys. I like those fights. But I’m here for whatever. … I like these crossover fights.”

    Paul will move away from focusing on a prominent MMA name for the time being, instead putting his sights back on heavyweight legend Mike Tyson ahead of their rearranged Netflix showdown this November.

  • VIDEO: Cody Durden Gets Gruesome Cut Stitched Up After Brutal UFC Fight Night Loss To Bruno Silva

    VIDEO: Cody Durden Gets Gruesome Cut Stitched Up After Brutal UFC Fight Night Loss To Bruno Silva

    It was a tough night at the office this past weekend for UFC flyweight contender Cody Durden, who was left with significant damage courtesy of teammate Bruno Silva’s hands.

    The two American Top Team standouts collided on the main card of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night at the Apex in Las Vegas, doing away with their shared training ground allegiance in pursuit of a climb up the 125-pound ladder.

    It was ultimately the Brazilian who advanced his ambitions, likely securing a ranking by knocking Durden out in comeback fashion to extend his win streak on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage to four.

    The finish came midway through round two, at a time when the American appeared in control and en route to bouncing back from his submission defeat to Tagir Ulanbekov last December. But that all changed when a vicious uppercut sent his mouthpiece flying and body to the canvas.

    “Bulldog” subsequently pounced on his stricken opponent, laying down brutal ground-and-pound before referee Chris Tognoni intervened to save a bloodied Durden from further damage.

    Durden Gets Fixed Up After Tough Knockout Defeat At UFC Fight Night

    Having eaten one of the most devastating uppercuts in recent memory in addition to multiple shots on the ground, Durden was unsurprisingly left with some notable blemishes to his face, including a nasty cut under his right eye.

    He gave fans a glimpse into the medical process post-fight, posting a video of the cut being stitched up by medical personnel on social media.

    “Fight game crazy.”

    In another post, Durden thanked the UFC and the medical team behind the scenes for fixing him up, before putting his name in matchmaker Mick Maynard’s hat for any short-notice opportunities.

    “The @ufc is the best promotion in the world. They took great care of me behind the scenes. Roger, Rambo, Shay, Sarah, Justin, Heather, Dr. Davis, and many more!Thank you! I’m taking one week off, getting these stitches out and I’ll put my name in when someone pulls @Mickmaynard2”

  • Michael Bisping Brands Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry Boxing Match A ‘Farce’, Berates Paul For  ‘Cherry Picking’ Opponents

    Michael Bisping Brands Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry Boxing Match A ‘Farce’, Berates Paul For  ‘Cherry Picking’ Opponents

    Count former UFC champion Michael Bisping among those not impressed by YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul’s latest triumph inside the ring.

    Paul’s trend of fighting and defeating mixed martial arts veterans continued this past weekend at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, which played host to “The Problem Child’s” 11th professional fight.

    The ex-Disney star has notably built a record by beating prominent MMA names crossing over to the squared circle, such as Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz. And former UFC fighter-turned-BKFC star Mike Perry has now joined his list of victims.

    Paul got the better of “Platinum” in the sixth round of their bout on Saturday, following earlier knockdowns with one final damaging blow to seal the deal against Perry, who stepped in on short notice following the postponement of Paul’s match with Mike Tyson.

    But despite previously speaking highly of Perry’s chances, one former UFC champ has laid into Paul for the match…

    Bisping: Paul vs. Perry Should Never Have Happened

    During a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Bisping gave his take on the latest boxing success for Paul, whom “The Count” has gone back and forth with himself over a possible bout in the past.

    Interestingly, Bisping’s pre-fight remarks saw him actually warn Paul against the fight, branding Perry a “savage” who has “good technique.” The Englishman suggested the 27-year-old Cleveland native was “rolling the dice” by fighting “Platinum” and would not have an easy night.

    But despite proving Bisping wrong, Paul isn’t getting any praise from the ex-UFC champ.

    “Coming into this fight, I think myself, the whole fight community, everyone was behind Mike Perry. But the reality was he was too small,” Bisping said. “There are weight classes in boxing, in combat sports, for a reason. Jake Paul was about twice the size of him. The weight difference is going to be insane.

    “Well done Jake Paul if that’s what you want to see. That was a farce,” Bisping continued. “That was ridiculous. That fight should have never even taken place in the first place because it was a sh*t show. Jake Paul was by far the bigger guy, and as I’ve said, there are weight classes for a reason. … He (Paul) cherry picks these opponents that are way smaller and less experienced.”    

    Paul will be no stranger to that kind of criticism, with his detractors using choice of opponents as the main tool by which to take away from his boxing career thus far.

    And that trend will no doubt continue as he looks to ride the momentum from the knockout win over Perry into a planned Netflix showdown with 58-year-old Tyson at AT&T Stadium this November.

  • UFC Schedule: Updated List Of Upcoming Events & Fight Cards

    UFC Schedule: Updated List Of Upcoming Events & Fight Cards

    Here is a list of live events from the UFC that are coming soon.

    The promotion held a fight night event at their Apex Facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 24. In the main event, Caio Borralho defeated Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision in a grueling five-round matchup.

    UFC’s schedule will continue with notable matchups from its stacked roster. The company has several events confirmed to occur this year, including five pay-per-views announced thus far.

    This weekend, the promotion will take a break from their event schedule. UFC returns on September 7 with a fight night event at their Apex Facility with a welterweight bout between Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady. “Durinho” hopes to rebound from his last defeat to Jack Della Maddalena by TKO at UFC 299 on March 9. DraftKings currently has Brady as the favorite to give Burns his third consecutive loss.

    Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

  • Tyron Woodley Gives Former Opponent Jake Paul ‘Props’ After Mike Perry Win, Defends Him Against Claims Of Fatigue

    Tyron Woodley Gives Former Opponent Jake Paul ‘Props’ After Mike Perry Win, Defends Him Against Claims Of Fatigue

    Jake Paul put on a thoroughly dominant display in his boxing matchup with Mike Perry on Saturday, overwhelming the BKFC star en route to a sixth-round knockout win.

    The victory marked the fifth former UFC star whom Paul has stood victorious over in the boxing ring, with previous wins over Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva, Ben Askren, and Tyron Woodley (twice).

    Woodley was, in fact, on color commentary for the Paul vs. Perry DAZN broadcast, and he was willing to tip his cap to his former foe.

    “You got to kind of give Jake his props, man,” Woodley told The Schmo in a post-fight interview. “You can be a hater all you want, but he was punching the dude high, low. He was throwing power with both hands, variety.”

    Tyron Woodley Explains What Makes For Good Cardio While Defending Jake Paul Against Critics

    Paul dropped Perry once each during the opening two rounds. Despite this, “Platinum” continued to go through the former Disney star’s punches and fire away, trying to make use of his well-known and entertaining brawling style. “The Problem Child,” however, continued to land damaging shots, and Perry was dropped for a third time during the sixth round.

    Perry stumbled while returning to his feet, prompting the referee to call the fight in Paul’s favor.

    One notable thing that critics got on Paul for was his heavy breathing during the fight, as the Cleveland native seemed to be winded after his bashing of Perry for two rounds.

    Woodley, however, pointed out that Paul recovered and got the knockout eventually — and that’s what cardio is about, not a lack of breathing hard.

    “Everybody thinks you’re supposed to have the cardio where you never breathe hard,” Woodley said. “When you’re punching that hard, it’s not about breathing hard, it’s about recovering. He showed he can recover and go back to the power.”

  • UFC Matchmaking Bulletin (7/15-7/21): Former Champion Cody Garbrandt Has Next Assignment Set

    UFC Matchmaking Bulletin (7/15-7/21): Former Champion Cody Garbrandt Has Next Assignment Set

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

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

    In recent days, a few notable fights were made official by the UFC or reported by reputable sources. For more information on those matchups, check out the links below:

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

    But it wasn’t all positive, with three fights falling through or being adjusted. For those, see below:

    And for more detailed information on one newly booked fight that may have flown under your radar between July 15 and July 21, scroll down and check out this week’s UFC Matchmaking Bulletin spotlighted fight.

    Cody Garbandt vs. Miles Johns – UFC Event TBA (October 12)

    Having had his planned surge back toward the bantamweight title picture stalled this year, former champion Cody Garbrandt will look to bounce back this fall.

    Garbrandt (14-6) endured a rough patch following his title crowning as an undefeated fighter back in 2016. He subsequently lost five of his next six fights, with his sole victory coming in the form of a violent knockout of Raphael Assunção. After that preceded a loss to Rob Font, “No Love” made an ill-advised and unsuccessful drop to flyweight before returning to 135 pounds and winning form in 2023 with his first run of victories since losing the belt to TJ Dillashaw.

    Having been unable to continue the momentum from triumphs over Trevin Jones and Brian Kelleher when he shared the cage with Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 300 this past April, Garbrandt will be back fighting those outside the divisional rankings when he throws down with Miles Johns (15-2, 1 NC) on October 12. “Chapo” is unbeaten across his last four fights, most recently outpointing Douglas Silva de Andrade at the Apex in June.

    This bantamweight bout was first reported by Eurosport Nederland’s Marcel Dorff.

  • Virna Jandiroba Breaks Down How She Can Beat Zhang Weili: ‘Within The Weirdness…’

    Virna Jandiroba Breaks Down How She Can Beat Zhang Weili: ‘Within The Weirdness…’

    Virna Jandiroba may have proven herself worthy of the next shot at UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili thanks to a submission win over former title challenger Amanda Lemos in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event.

    Jandiroba looked to utilize her grappling from the get-go, scoring an early takedown and battling with her fellow Brazilian for top position and submission attempts. “Carcara,” a grappling expert, managed to lock in an armbar and submit Lemos during round two.

    “The fight went in the best scenario I could imagine,” Jandiroba said through a translator at the post-fight press conference. “I was for sure going to try to take it to the ground, and I was able to do it and find the submission.”

    Virna Jandiroba Confident She Can Get Title Shot, Beat Zhang Weili After UFC Fight Night Main Event Win

    Jandiroba, a former Invicta strawweight champion, has now won four straight and five of her last six fights. Entering this weekend’s UFC Fight Night at No. 5 in the strawweight rankings, there is a good chance she could be next in line for a title shot.

    Jandiroba, in fact, called out Zhang in the Octagon following her victory. And at the post-fight conference, Jandiroba expressed how her unique fighting style can help lead her to a win — let alone a title fight — that plenty previously doubted could happen.

    “My style’s a little different,” Jandiroba said. “The way that I grapple is a little strange. I know my wrestling is very effective, my jiu-jitsu is very good, but it’s not like you can say, ‘Oh, she’s like a proper wrestler.’ But I make it work.

    “And within the weirdness of everything that I do, I think that I create problems for most people, and that’s how I can beat her. With the weirdness, that’s how I get my arm raised.”

  • Mike Perry Responds To Conor McGregor Proclaiming He’s ‘Fired’ From BKFC After Jake Paul Loss

    Mike Perry Responds To Conor McGregor Proclaiming He’s ‘Fired’ From BKFC After Jake Paul Loss

    Conor McGregor may be among those who took Perry’s knockout loss to Jake Paul the roughest, publicly trashing both men before and claiming that “Platinum” will be released by the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

    McGregor, who became a part-owner of BKFC a couple of months ago, fired off the posts on X (formerly Twitter) moments following Perry being stopped by Paul in their headlining boxing match at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday night.

    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1814892629122798046

    Perry was dropped twice in the opening two rounds, and while he tried to walk through Paul’s punches and walk the ex-Disney star down, Paul’s power and technical skills were just too much.

    After getting dropped in the sixth round, Perry made it back to his feet but stumbled, forcing the referee to wave off the fight.

    Perry Hits Back AT BKFC Part-Owner McGregor: ‘He Can’t Fire Me!’

    Perry was asked about McGregor’s actions during his post-fight press conference. He claimed the Irishman has no power to release him. Perry even offered to settle the differences in the BKFC ring.

    “Me and him are both co-owners of BKFC,” Perry said. “So he can’t fire me. We can fight in Bare Knuckle. Look at me, I lost to Jake Paul. Why don’t you go fight Jake Paul in boxing with gloves on? I think it would be worse than Conor McGregor vs. [Floyd] Mayweather.”

    McGregor’s post made reference to Perry announcing the formation of Dirty Boxing Championship, a promotion that will mix in boxing and ground-and-pound mechanics.

    Perry is BKFC’s “King of Violence” and has amassed a 5-0 record in the organization since coming over from the UFC in 2021.

    McGregor’s return to the UFC is still to be determined, meanwhile, after a planned comeback against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 was scrapped. The current rumor is the bout will be rebooked for UFC 310 in December.

  • ‘Just Bullied Another Small Guy’ – Conor McGregor, Mike Tyson, & Others React To Jake Paul’s Dominating Knockout Of Mike Perry

    ‘Just Bullied Another Small Guy’ – Conor McGregor, Mike Tyson, & Others React To Jake Paul’s Dominating Knockout Of Mike Perry

    Jake Paul added another name to his record, putting away Mike Perry in their bout from Tampa, Florida.

    In what seemed to be a flashback to his fight with Nate Diaz, Paul got off to a hot start by dropping the former UFC fighter-turned-BKFC star with a clubbing blow in the opening couple of minutes.

    Paul continued to land at will, with Perry unable to trap “The Problem Child” at all. “Platinum” landed strong shots in the second round, but he was dropped again courtesy of a right hook from Paul and was rocked later in the frame.

    Perry walked Paul down during the second and third rounds, trying to showcase a strong chin. He busted the ex-Disney star open in the middle of the third round and looked to continue his pressure. But Paul wobbled Perry again in the fourth.

    Perry was still wobbly but recovering as he continued to fight and try to walk Paul down, rather than pause for recovery. A flurry of punches stumbled “Perry “Platinum” back into a corner, but the MMA veteran ultimately survived the round in spite of being caught with a right hand at the bell.

    With the fight looking like it could come to an end at any moment, Perry was knocked down again in the sixth round. Perry got to his feet but stumbled, and the referee waved the contest off.

    Jake Paul KOs Mike Perry In Six Rounds

    Unsurprisingly, professional fighters and combat sports enthusiasts were quick to share their reactions on social media…

    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1814891866443157811
    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1814892629122798046
    https://twitter.com/afbnfxc/status/1814883679467975086
    https://twitter.com/premliguefrauds/status/1814888013325082978
    https://twitter.com/Thee_Unknown420/status/1814888982536184167
    https://twitter.com/EzeemmaCraic/status/1814887905208176803

    This date was the original plan for Paul’s fight with Mike Tyson in Texas, which will now take place on November 15.

    Since his sole loss to Tommy Fury, “The Problem Child” has scored a unanimous decision win over Diaz and back-to-back stoppages of Andre August and Ryan Bourland, in addition to his latest triumph on Saturday night.

    Since leaving the UFC in 2021, meanwhile, Perry has been dominant in BKFC, with wins over Julian Lane, Michael “Venom” Page, Luke Rockhold, Eddie Alvarez and Thiago Alves. Perry’s finish of Alvarez at BKFC 56 in December won him the promotion’s “King of Violence” title.

    Perry had only competed in pro boxing once prior to tonight, losing a March 2015 bout to Kenneth McNeil.

  • Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry Results & Highlights: Paul TKOs Perry

    Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry Results & Highlights: Paul TKOs Perry

    Jake Paul and Mike Perry finally clashed in the boxing ring on July 20 in Tampa, Florida. MMA News has the results and highlights here!

    Boxing fans witnessed another dominant performance from Paul as he stepped back into the ring to take on Perry, the leading star in bare-knuckle boxing. The event occurred at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

    Paul was initially set to face Mike Tyson, but the fight was postponed due to the heavyweight legend’s illness. “Platinum” Perry came in on a month’s notice in an attempt to stun the boxing world by defeating the polarizing ex-Disney star and getting the biggest win of his combat sports career to date. However, Paul proved to be too much for his opponent to handle.

    “The Problem Child” controlled the fight with his jab and an overhand right to stun Perry several times. Although the bare-knuckle champion showcased incredible toughness, Paul achieved a TKO victory in the sixth round. After the fight, Paul shared that he plans to knock out Tyson later this year and wants to fight UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira in boxing.

    Elsewhere on the card, former UFC middleweight Uriah Hall faced Julio César Chávez Jr. in a cruiserweight contest to kick off the main card. The fight went the distance, with judges believing that Chávez Jr. did enough to win by unanimous decision.

    Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry Fight Card Results

    Main Card:

    • Cruiserweight: Jake Paul def. Mike Perry via TKO: R6, 1:12
    • Women’s Super Lightweight: Amanda Serrano def. Stevie Morgan via TKO: R2, 0:38
    • Lightweight: Lucas Bahdi def. Ashton Sylve via KO: R6, 2:27
    • Lightweight: Corey Marksman def. Tony Aguilar via Majority Decision (76-76, 77-75, 78-74)
    • Cruiserweight: Julio César Chávez Jr. def. Uriah Hall via Unanimous Decision (59-55×2, 58-56)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Women’s Super Middleweight: Shadasia Green def. Natasha Spence via Unanimous Decision (78-73, 77-74×2)
    • Middleweight: Alexis Chaparro def. Kevin Hill via KO: R2, 2:01
    • Super Bantamweight: Angel Barrientes def. Edwin Rodriguez via Majority Decision (57-57, 60-54, 60-54)

    Main Card Highlights

    Jake Paul def. Mike Perry

    Amanda Serrano def. Stevie Morgan

    Lucas Bahdi def. Ashton Sylve

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Alexis Chaparro def. Kevin Hill

  • ‘Weili vs. Virna > Weili vs. Suarez’ – Fans React As Virna Jandiroba Submits Amanda Lemos With Nasty Armbar In UFC Fight Night Main Event

    ‘Weili vs. Virna > Weili vs. Suarez’ – Fans React As Virna Jandiroba Submits Amanda Lemos With Nasty Armbar In UFC Fight Night Main Event

    Virna Jandiroba could now be in prime position to challenge Weili Zhang for the strawweight championship following a submission win over former title challenger Amanda Lemos in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night.

    Jandiroba scored a takedown in the opening minute of the fight, looking to do what she does best. Lemos, however, had an arm around the neck and looked for a guillotine. The 36-year-old escaped, however, and remained in top control. A couple of minutes later, Lemos looked to scramble, only for Jandiroba to reverse and look for a leg lock. The longtime contender responded in kind with a toe hold.

    Lemos landed some notable striking during that opening frame between scrambles, and she tried to bring out her striking again and focused on that in the second round. However, Jandiroba scored another takedown a couple of minutes into the round and got to Lemos’ back in a scramble.

    In the closing seconds of the round, the #5-ranked contender locked in an armbar and scored the submission.

    Virna Jandiroba Submits Amanda Lemos In Headlining UFC Fight Night Strawweight Battle

    Jandiroba has now won four straight and five of her last six. She called for a title fight in her post-fight interview and will likely be alongside Tatiana Suarez as one of two logical next challengers for the Chinese champ.

    Lemos, meanwhile, is now 1-1 since losing a strawweight title fight with Weili Zhang at UFC 292 nearly one year ago.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Virna Jandiroba Submits Amanda Lemos 

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Virna Jandiroba Submits Amanda Lemos 

    UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, top-five ranked strawweights Amanda Lemos (#3) and Virna Jandiroba (#5) clashed. While in the co-main event, Steve Garcia faced Seungwoo Choi in a featherweight matchup. 

    UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

    • Women’s Strawweight Main Event: Virna Jandiroba def. Amanda Lemos via submission: R2, 4.48 
    • Featherweight: Steve Garcia def. Seungwoo Choi via TKO: R1, 1.36 
    • Lightweight: Kurt Holobaugh def. Kaynan Kruschewsky via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Flyweight: Bruno Silva def. Cody Durden via TKO: R2 2.58  
    • Featherweight: Dooho Choi def Bill Algeo via TKO: R2, 3.38 
    • Featherweight: Hyder Amil def. JeongYeong Lee via TKO: R1, 1.05  

    Preliminary Card

    • Bantamweight: Cody Gibson def. Brian Kelleher via submission: R1, 3.58
    • Women’s Flyweight: Miranda Maverick def. Dione Barbosa via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27×2) 
    • Lightweight: Trey Ogden def. Loik Radzhabov via unanimous decision (29-28×2, 30-27) 
    • Women’s Flyweight: Luana Carolina def. Lucie Pudilová via unanimous decision (29-28×2, 30-27) 
    • Heavyweight: Thomas Petersen def. Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Cody Gibson def. Brian Kelleher 

    In this bantamweight bout, Cody Gibson got it done in the first round with an arm triangle submission of Brian Kelleher.

    Main Card Highlights

    Hyder Amil def. JeongYeong

    Hyder Amil unleashed a flurry of strikes to overwhelm JeongYeong early in the first round to get the TKO.

    Dooho Choi def Bill Algeo

    In this featherweight bout, Dooho Choi got back in the win column with a TKO of Bill Algeo in the second round.

    Bruno Silva def. Cody Durden

    Bruno Silva earned his fourth win in a row with a TKO against Cody Durden in the second round of their featherweight matchup.

    Kurt Holobaugh def. Kaynan Kruschewsky

    Kurt Holobaugh earned a unanimous decision win against Kaynan Kruschewsky in their lightweight bout.

    Steve Garcia def. Seungwoo Choi

    In the co-main event, Steve Garcia earned a first-round TKO of Seungwoo Choi.

    Virna Jandiroba def. Amanda Lemos

    In the main event, Virna Jandiroba locked in an arm bar to get the win against Amanda Lemos in the second round of their strawweight matchup.

  • Vicente Luque vs. Nick Diaz Off UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Card, Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov Returns In New Co-Main Event

    Vicente Luque vs. Nick Diaz Off UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Card, Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov Returns In New Co-Main Event

    Those who were hoping to see another Nick Diaz appearance in the Octagon really soon will be disappointed.

    Per the broadcast of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, a “travel issue” has left Diaz unable to compete in his scheduled co-main event bout with Vicente Luque on Aug. 3, when the promotion holds a UFC Fight Night card at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

    It was announced that undefeated middleweight prospect Sharabutdin “Bullet” Magomedov will now be featured in the new co-main event, taking on Michal Oleksiejczuk.

    Diaz’s last UFC appearance came at UFC 266 in September 2021, losing to Robbie Lawler. That marked the Stockton star’s first MMA fight since his January 2015 clash with Anderson Silva.

    Luque, meanwhile, has lost three of his last four, most recently being stopped by Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night Atlantic City.

    The UFC is expected to reschedule Luque vs. Diaz for an event at a late date.

    Luque & Diaz Out, Magomedov In For UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi

    Magomedov competed just last month at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia, scoring a third-round finish of Antonio Trócoli. He made his Octagon debut in Abu Dhabi last year, defeating Bruno Silva at UFC 294.

    Oleksiejczuk, on the other hand, has lost three of his last four, most recently being submitted by Kevin Holland at UFC 302 last month in Newark.

    UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi on August 3 will be headlined by Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov. It is the first of two events to take place in Abu Dhabi this year, with UFC 308 to be held in the same location on October 26.

  • VIDEO: ‘Korean Superboy’ Dooho Choi Stops Bill Algeo With One Punch At UFC Fight Night For First Win In 8 Years

    VIDEO: ‘Korean Superboy’ Dooho Choi Stops Bill Algeo With One Punch At UFC Fight Night For First Win In 8 Years

    Dooho Choi scored his first victory in the Octagon since 2016 during the main card of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night at the Apex, defeating fellow featherweight veteran Bill Algeo.

    After already threatening a choke during the opening round, Choi landed a vicious left hook in the second round, causing Algeo to collapse to the mat. The American grabbed at his face while doing so, with some speculation he may have shattered an orbital bone taking the punch.

    Dooho Choi Lands Brutal Hook To Drop Bill Algeo

    After the fight, “The Korean Superboy” expressed a desire to compete at least three times a year from this point forward.

    Choi is now unbeaten in back-to-back fights since his return to the Octagon. Prior to tonight, his last fight came at a UFC Fight Night in February 2023, marking the end of a three-year layoff. He battled Kyle Nelson to a majority draw.

    The Korean had dropped three straight before the draw, including a fight with Cub Swanson at UFC 206 that earned him Fight of the Year honors and scored both men spots in the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame.

    Algeo, meanwhile, has now dropped back-to-back fights, having lost to Nelson via first-round TKO at UFC Fight Night Atlantic City this past March.

  • ‘DEAR LORD THAT WAS INSANE’ – Fans React As Hyder Amil Lands Knockout In Wild 65-Second Brawl To Kick Off UFC Fight Night Main Card

    ‘DEAR LORD THAT WAS INSANE’ – Fans React As Hyder Amil Lands Knockout In Wild 65-Second Brawl To Kick Off UFC Fight Night Main Card

    Saturday’s UFC Fight Night may not have been the most hyped card the UFC has ever put on, but the opening matchup of the main card produced fireworks.

    Hyder Amil won the bout, needing just over a minute to put away JeongYeong Lee.

    The two produced a firefight for the short time it lasted, trading powerful and crisp strikes. Amil had the upper hand following a leg kick, landing hard-hitting combination after combination, filled with hooks aplenty and living up to his nickname of “The Hurricane.”

    The undefeated American backed his South Korean opponent up to the fence, and while Lee was still on his feet, he took so many strikes that the referee was forced to step in and wave the fight off.

    Hyder Amil Knocks Off JeongYeong Lee In Wild Striking Encounter At Apex-Held UFC Fight Night

    https://twitter.com/TakeruCigarra/status/1814818168797372565

    Amil, an alumnus of Bellator and LFA, now improves to 10-0. After defeating Emrah Sonmez on Dana White’s Contender Series last year, “The Hurricane” debuted in the Octagon this past February, scoring a finish of Fernie Garcia.

    Meanwhile, this result marked Lee’s first loss in the UFC after starting his Octagon run 2-0. Before arriving in the Octagon, “The Korean Tiger” was a Road FC champion and won a pair of bouts on Road to UFC in 2022.

  • UFC Suspends Fighter Dubbed ‘Russian Ronda’ For Drug Failure, USADA Accused Of Not Disclosing Result Until After She Fought Again

    UFC Suspends Fighter Dubbed ‘Russian Ronda’ For Drug Failure, USADA Accused Of Not Disclosing Result Until After She Fought Again

    In what will have to go down as one of the most confusing suspensions given out in the history of the UFC, Irina Alekseeva, known as “Russian Ronda,” has been suspended for a failed drug test stemming from just over one year ago.

    The promotion outlined in a statemen this week that the positive drug test sample for testosterone was originally collected on June 21, 2023, when the UFC’s anti-drug program was still being overseen by USADA.

    According to the UFC, Alekseeva was not notified of the failure until Oct. 31 — four months after the sample was collected. By that time, Alekseeva had already competed in another fight, losing to Melissa Mullins at the Apex-held UFC Fight Night on Oct. 14.

    The UFC has since switched partners of the anti-drug program to Combat Sports Anti Doping (CSAD), who branded USADA’s handling of the failed 2023 test “unacceptable.”

    “While CSAD was not the independent administrator of the UFC ADP during the above-described time period, CSAD recognizes the importance of promptly reporting results on samples collected in the months and weeks leading up to a UFC event BEFORE the event takes place. CSAD also recognizes that positive results reported out more than 4-months after a sample is collected, and where the athlete is allowed to compete in a UFC bout in the interim, is unacceptable.”

    Irina Alekseeva Retroactively Suspended One Year After “Unacceptable” Handling By USADA, According To UFC

    Alekseeva passed three drug tests prior to the failure and passed three drug test in the time between the failure and when she was notified. As a result of this unique situation, CSAD lowered the fighter’s perceived fault level.

    Alekseeva’s suspension is retroactive to Oct. 15, 2023, as that marks the first day following her most recent fight. She will be eligible to return to competition on Oct. 15, 2024.

    CSAD released a statement that reads: “Under the UFC Anti-Doping Program, CSAD, in its sole discretion may suspend all or any part of ineligibility and other consequences imposed in an individual case in which it has results management authority where the athlete has provided full and complete cooperation, where the athlete did not intend to enhance their performance and has provided full, prompt and truthful responses and information.

    “CSAD has determined that Alekseeva’s efforts and the evidence of this case, fits these criteria, and thus CSAD is reducing the sanction against her to 12-months.”

  • Bantamweight Prospect Raul Rosas Jr. Becomes Latest Added To UFC 306 Card At The Sphere

    The next UFC bout for Raul Rosas Jr. will take place at The Sphere in Las Vegas, as the bantamweight top prospect will be featured at Noche UFC for the second straight year.

    As announced by his management team, Iridium Sports Agency, Rosas Jr. will take on Aoriqileng at UFC 306 on September 14.

    Rosas Jr. was in action just last month at UFC Fight Night Louisville, defeating Ricky Turcios. It was the 19-year-old’s first fight since competing on the inaugural Noche UFC card in September 2023, where he needed just 54 seconds to finish Terrence Mitchell.

    “El Niño Problema” is 3-1 in the UFC since earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Raul Rosas Jr. To Face Aoriqileng At Noche UFC 2

    Aoriqileng, meanwhile, was last in action this past February, with an unintentional groin strike resulting in his fight with Daniel Marcos ending in a No Contest. He has won three of his last five fights.

    UFC 306, branded as “Riyadh Season Noche UFC 2,” is expected to be headlined by Sean O’Malley defending the bantamweight championship against Merab Dvalishvili.

    Also expected for the card is the next women’s flyweight title defense for champion Alexa Grasso. She’s long been expected to face divisional legend Valentina Shevchenko following their stint as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter this year. After Grasso’s upset win at UFC 285, the two headlined last year’s Noche UFC card, with their main event ending in a controversial draw.

    UFC CEO Dana White told Pat McAfee recently that UFC 306, a one-time UFC event to be held at the new Sphere in Vegas, is expected to have 10 fights booked for it.

  • Jon Jones Told He ‘Cannot Do Anything But Acknowledge That Victory’ If Tom Aspinall Defeats Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304

    Jon Jones Told He ‘Cannot Do Anything But Acknowledge That Victory’ If Tom Aspinall Defeats Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304

    UFC commentator John Gooden recently said that Jon Jones should give due recognition to Tom Aspinall if he manages to overcome Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.

    Last November, the undisputed heavyweight champion was slated to put his title on the line against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295. However, a torn pectoral muscle forced Jones out of action, postponing the highly anticipated fight.

    As a result, Aspinall rose to the occasion on short notice to face the backup fighter, Sergei Pavlovich, for the interim heavyweight title. The Englishman delivered an electrifying performance, clinching a knockout triumph just over a minute into the first round.

    Riding high on his victory, Aspinall called for a title unification bout with “Bones”. However, the American has persistently rebuffed the challenge and even downplayed Aspinall’s status as an interim champion. Instead, Jones has expressed his intention to reconvene his bout with Miocic, which is seemingly targeted for November.

    Frustrated by the inactivity, Aspinall chose to defend his interim title in a rematch against former adversary Blaydes. The showdown is set as the co-main event at UFC 304, taking place on July 27 in his hometown of Manchester.

    Gooden believes this is Aspinall’s golden opportunity to make a bold statement and compel Jones to acquiesce to his formidable presence in the heavyweight division…

    Gooden Foresees Blaydes as Aspinall’s Stepping Stone to Jones Clash

    During a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Gooden offered a preview of Aspinall’s upcoming title defense against Blaydes, suggesting that “Razor” constitutes a formidable threat for the Salford native if he relies on his wrestling and grappling prowess.

    However, the English UFC commentator noted that Aspinall could surmount this challenge by applying relentless pressure with his precise striking.

    “He [Blaydes] is a very, very dangerous guy, a legitimate perennial contender who has been there or thereabouts for the longest time,” Gooden said. “He’s also crossed those leaderboards with his style, obviously with the wrestling-heavy grappling style. But the man will open you up if he lands an elbow, and he will change the fight.”

    Gooden also hinted that defeating Blaydes could catapult Aspinall to a status that would force “Bones” to recognize his legitimacy.

    “If Tom Aspinall gets past Curtis Blaydes, and particularly in an impressive fashion, then I think that Jon Jones cannot do anything but acknowledge that victory and therefore surely must creep a little bit further into those two getting together, but of course, Tom’s got a big appointment ahead.”

    Aspinall holds an Octagon record of seven victories since his promotional debut in July 2022, highlighted by six first-round finishes against formidable adversaries such as Sergei Pavlovich, Alexander Volkov, and Marcin Tybura.

    The only blemish on his record during this UFC run has been a TKO loss resulting from an unforeseen knee injury just 15 seconds into his bout against Blaydes at UFC Fight Night London in July 2022.

  • UFC Commentator Surprised Paddy Pimblett Is Considering Influencer Boxing Ahead Of Last Fight On Contract: ‘One Of The Most Dynamic Grapplers…’

    UFC Commentator Surprised Paddy Pimblett Is Considering Influencer Boxing Ahead Of Last Fight On Contract: ‘One Of The Most Dynamic Grapplers…’

    UFC commentator John Gooden recently voiced his astonishment after Paddy Pimblett revealed he is contemplating a move to influencer boxing as he approaches the final fight of his UFC contract.

    “The Baddy” is poised to go head-to-head against King Green on the main card of UFC 304. The pay-per-view will take place on July 27 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, giving Pimblett the opportunity to shine in front of his home crowd.

    Pimblett is gearing up for his sixth UFC bout, which will also mark the end of his initial contract with the MMA promotion. A victory against “King” could launch him into the lightweight rankings.

    However, the 29-year-old Scouser recently hinted in an interview with MMA Junkie that he might leave the UFC for lucrative boxing matches against YouTube influencers, suggesting he could earn more money outside the Octagon.

    Pimblett’s remarks have left Gooden utterly perplexed, prompting him to question what could drive one of the UFC’s most promising prospects to even consider boxing YouTubers…

    Gooden Trusts Pimblett’s Hard-Earned UFC Spot Will Keep Him Grounded

    During a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Gooden reacted to Pimblett’s notion of leaving the UFC for a boxing career. The British UFC commentator stressed that “The Baddy” needs to secure a win in his upcoming fight to gain leverage in negotiations for his second contract with the promotion.

    He believes a victory would significantly strengthen Pimblett’s bargaining power when discussing his future with the UFC.

    “It would just hurt the numbers right if he doesn’t come away with a win against King Green,” Gooden said. “Then you know that you’re negotiating; you’re going to the table with a quite different approach. I would imagine I was surprised to hear him talk about boxing.”

    “I don’t know if it was just something that had been across his socials like 30 minutes before he jumped on whatever it was and then spoke about it.”

    Gooden further elaborated, praising Pimblett as a high-caliber MMA fighter who has made a tremendous effort to reach the UFC. He mentioned that Pimblett shouldn’t squander this hard-earned opportunity so easily.

    “Paddy, for me, is one of the most dynamic grapplers that we’ve seen come out of the UK. His ability to take the back is phenomenal, and his finishing ability with submissions is his top draw, so seeing him go into boxing is like, really, are you sure? I’m a little confused about that, and deep down, you know Paddy had a.”
    “I think he turned down the UFC in the past in order to really make a good, conscientious run with enough kinds of veteran-ship to make a run in the UFC, so I know it means something for him to be in the organization.”

    Pimblett is riding high after securing a unanimous decision victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 last December. Since joining the UFC in September 2021, the Englishman has racked up an impressive five-fight win streak.

    Given his strong fan base in Europe and his status as a rising star, it wouldn’t make sense for the promotion to let him go easily. Pimblett’s popularity and potential make him a valuable asset for the UFC.