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  • UFC Bantamweight Prospect Doesn’t See Any Talent In ‘Sh*t Fighter’ Marlon Vera: ‘Nice Guy, But A F*cking Heavy Bag’Ā 

    One UFC bantamweight up-and-comer has some firm opinions on the skillset that his division’s most recent title challenger possesses.

    Marlon Vera unsuccessfully competed for the 135-pound gold this past March at UFC 299, riding on his past victory over champion Sean O’Malley to secure a rematch on the back of a 1-1 record in 2023.

    While the Ecuadorian vowed to repeat his first-round knockout of “Sugar” in Miami, he was outclassed across five rounds, with O’Malley recording his first title defense in dominant fashion.

    Vera came under fire from plenty of fans and fellow fighters in the aftermath, many of whom questioned his ability to hang with the very best.

    According to this prospect, he can’t even hang with the newcomers…

    Loughran Not Impressed By Vera’s Ability: ‘I’m 1-1 In The UFC & Think I’d Run Through Him’

    During a recent interview with InsideFighting, UFC bantamweight Caolan Loughran gave his take on some of the prospects, stars, and champions plying their trade in the sportā€™s premier promotion.

    When Veraā€™s name came up, the Irishman said he sees nothing but a “terrible” fighter.

    He did have some positive things to say about the Ecuadorian as a person. But when it comes to action inside the cage, Loughran believes that just two fights into his UFC career, even he could make a fight against Vera look easy.

    “Sh*t fighter. Terrible fighter. I’m being honest,” Loughran said. “He got to the UFC title but that was purely off the O’Malley first one. Don’t rate him in any area.

    “Fair play to him and what he’s doing for his daughter. It’s a lovely story. Nice guy. I just think he’s a f*cking heavy bag,” Loughran continued. “I am 1-1 in the UFC and I think I’d run through ‘Chito,’ who just fought for a title. Put him on his back and he’s like a fish out of water. … I think he’s a sh*t fighter.”

    The next person looking to “run through” Vera will be Deiveson Figueiredo, who is set to share the cage with “Chito” at the upcoming UFC Fight Night event in Abu Dhabi early next month.

    Should he fall to a losing skid in 2024 at the hands of “Deus Da Guerra,” Vera’s hopes for a second title shot down the line will take a firm hit.

  • Paddy Pimblett Taking Confidence From Tony Ferguson Win Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘One Of The Best Jiu-Jitsu Practitioners In Any Division…’Ā 

    Paddy Pimblett Taking Confidence From Tony Ferguson Win Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘One Of The Best Jiu-Jitsu Practitioners In Any Division…’Ā 

    UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett has even more belief in his grappling game having controlled former interim champion Tony Ferguson on the ground last December.

    A year on from a controversial decision victory over Jared Gordon that appeared to dampen the hype surrounding his rise up the 155-pound ladder, Pimblett got relatively back on track in his return at UFC 296 last December.

    On the pay-per-view main card, “The Baddy” shared the cage with Ferguson and extended the veteran’s losing skid to seven across three largely one-sided rounds.

    Having remained on the sidelines for the birth of his twins, Pimblett will look to pick up where he left off at the expense of Bobby Green on the UFC 304 pay-per-view card in Manchester, England, later this month.

    In the lead-up, the pair have gone back and forth about the possibility of a submission finish. And when it comes to defending against a potential attempt come fight night, Pimblett isn’t short on confidence…

    Pimblett: Green ‘Can’t Dream’ Of Submitting Me When Ferguson Couldn’t Get Close

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Pimblett looked ahead to his first assignment of 2024 and spoke about the added experience he’s carrying with him following his most recent outing.

    Ferguson, a black belt in 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu under Eddie Bravo, struggled to mount any offense from his back against “The Baddy.” And having been able to find nothing but success on the ground with him, Pimblett is returning to the cage more confident than ever in that part of his arsenal.

    “As I said after the fight, it was nice to actually get 15 minutes in there and know that even when I’m tired, I can take someone down who’s one of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners in any division, 10th Planet black belt,” Pimblett said. “And I can just sit on top of them and control them and throw strikes.

    “He didn’t even get close to getting a sub on me at all. So I don’t think Bobby can dream of getting a sub on me if Tony Ferguson can’t,” Pimblett concluded.

    That growing self-belief no doubt explains Pimblett’s grappling challenge to Green, which came after “King” teased the pursuit of a submission against “The Baddy.”

    Interestingly, while the Liverpudlian went the distance with Ferguson last December, Green actually found the submission against him five months prior, leaving “El Cucuy” unconscious in an arm-triangle choke at UFC 291.

  • Jon Jones Charged With Two Misdemeanors For Alleged Behavior Toward Drug Tester

    UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has been slapped with two misdemeanor charges owing to an alleged altercation with a drug-testing agent earlier this year.

    Jones, whose fighting talents have long kept him in the GOAT conversation for mixed martial arts, has frequently fallen foul of the law away from the Octagon. With incidents ranging from arrests for a hit-and-run and domestic violence to multiple drug suspensions, not much time tends to pass by before the former two-time light heavyweight kingpin is back under the spotlight for antics outside of his MMA career.

    The latest came a few months back afterĀ ABQ Raw NewsĀ reported that Jones was under investigation forĀ claims he threatened the life and took the mobile phone of a female agent for Drug Free Sport InternationalĀ ā€”Ā the organization that administers the UFC’s new anti-doping program.

    A report obtained by Aaron Bronsteter from the Albuquerque Police DepartmentĀ revealed the exact words the UFC star was accused of uttering, with the tester claiming he remarked, “Do you know what happens to people who come to my house? They end up dead.”

    Jones was subsequently issued a summons on accusations of assault and interfering with communications.

    “Bones” responded to the allegations, insisting the claims were false. While he said the conduct of the drug tester was questionable and a breach of “standard protocol,” Jones insisted that things were left in an amicable and “friendly” fashion. He later posted a video of the final exchanges on that day with the agent in question.

    But the latest update has seen Jones charged for the incident and facing potential jail time.

    Jon Jones Charged After Drug Tester’s Allegations

    This week, MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin reported that Jones has been charged with assault, a petty misdemeanor, and interference with communications, a misdemeanor, with the information coming from Bernalillo County Court representatives.

    If convicted of the two charges stemming from the March 30 incident, the UFC heavyweight champ is facing potential jail time and fines that could total $1,500.

    Jones’ virtual bond hearing is scheduled 9:15 AM MT on July 17 in New Mexico. There, the Rochester native will be told about the charges handed down and will be asked to give a plea. Conditions of release while the case is pending will then be set by the judge, with a bench trial to follow in 30 to 45 days.

    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

    Jones is currently looking ahead toward his first defense of the UFC heavyweight title, which he’s held since a successful divisional debut against Ciryl Gane in Las Vegas last March.

    After a planned showdown with Stipe Miocic last November was scrapped owing to an injury to the champ, both Jones and the promotion have opted to keep that matchup together for this year’s Madison Square Garden event rather than “Bones” unifying the belts against interim champ Tom Aspinall.

    Before putting his full focus on his sophomore heavyweight outing, however, Jones once again has legal matters to attend to.

  • Din Thomas: ‘No One’ Has Earned Their Shot As Much As Belal Muhammad In UFC History

    Din Thomas: ‘No One’ Has Earned Their Shot As Much As Belal Muhammad In UFC History

    Former UFC title challenger Din Thomas believes Belal Muhammad has traveled a path of unprecedented difficulty in order to secure a first shot at gold.

    Muhammad, who currently occupies the #2 spot at 170 pounds, is less than two weeks out from his long-awaited maiden title opportunity, which he’s been calling for and working toward for a number of years.

    “Remember the Name” is set to challenge for Leon Edwards’ belt in the main event of the UFC 304 pay-per-view, which goes down at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on July 27.

    Since eye pokes resulted in a no contest when Muhammad and Edwards first shared the cage back in 2021, the former has won five straight, bringing his overall unbeaten streak to 10.

    After statement wins over Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, and Sean Brady, Muhammad most recently staked his claim with a convincing five-round display opposite Gilbert Burns last May.

    While that result left him as the clear top contender in the eyes of many, Muhammad was left waiting while Colby Covington received his third shot at the undisputed throne.

    Thomas: Muhammad Has Been ‘Cutting His Teeth On Doing Everything He Needs To’

    Speaking while on the ESPN desk to analyse this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Denver, Din Thomas gave his take on the upcoming championship matchup at 170 pounds.

    After stressing the importance of Muhammad not allowing Edwards any breathing room on fight night, Thomas acknowledged the trials and tribulations that have gone into securing this moment for the challenger.

    “He’s gotta go out there and put pressure on Leon. He’s gotta put pressure on him and keep pressure on him for five rounds,” Thomas said. “His body of work over the last few fights, over the last few years, and the improvements that he’s made has shown that he can do exactly that.

    “He’s been training with the Dagestani wrestlers. He’s been cutting his teeth on doing everything he needs to do in order to get this shot,” Thomas continued. “No one has probably earned a shot like he has in the UFC in the history of people deserving shots.”

    Having finally booked his place opposite Edwards inside the Octagon, Muhammad will hope to make the most of the opportunity by leaving hostile territory with the welterweight gold in his possession.

    “Remember the Name” has expressed immense confidence when it comes to his chances of doing so. That’s not just when it comes to having his hand raised, but also stopping the welterweight kingpin before the championship rounds at UFC 304.

  • MMA News Today: Dan Hooker Claims Israel Adesanya Has Bulked Up To 230 Pounds Ahead Of Dricus Du Plessis Fight, Jon Anik On Staying Impartial While Calling Friend Belal Muhammad’s Title Fight At UFC 304, & More

    MMA News Today: Dan Hooker Claims Israel Adesanya Has Bulked Up To 230 Pounds Ahead Of Dricus Du Plessis Fight, Jon Anik On Staying Impartial While Calling Friend Belal Muhammad’s Title Fight At UFC 304, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 15, 2024, weā€™re taking a look at:

    • Hooker says Adesanya sparring isn’t on his wish list right now
    • Anik never lets his relationships affect his commentary
    • Blaydes says he’s keeping things simple ahead of Aspinall rematch

    Dan Hooker Says Israel Adesanya Is Hitting Too Hard For Them To Spar One Another

    When Israel Adesanya returns at UFC 305 to try and recapture the middleweight title against Dricus Du Plessis, he will do so off the back of his longest break between fights since signing with the promotion.

    “The Last Stylebender” decided to take some much-needed and well-earned time to regroup before jumping back inside the Octagon, following his loss to Sean Strickland.

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, his City Kickboxing teammate Dan Hooker spoke about how Adesanya has been bulking up outside of training camp.

    The lightweight contender, who has sparred with the former middleweight champion for a long time, said that his fellow New Zealander is starting to pack too much of a punch for him to trade shots with.

    “I can’t even be bothered sparring him at the moment like the way he’s hitting. I think he’s like 105 kilos [around 230 pounds], I’m just like f******, kicked me in the leg and I was like ‘get f*****!’. He’s had some time off, he was carrying some injuries, he spent a lot of time just packing on some size and like a lot of strength bro and he’s hitting like a truck man. I can’t even be bothered sparring him… like he’s hitting too hard.”

    Jon Anik Says Relationship With Belal Muhammad Won’t Affect His UFC 304 Commentary

    It’s only natural for UFC commentators to have relationships and friendships with some of the fighters that are signed to the roster.

    This is especially difficult in a sport like MMA where the highs are so high and the lows are so low but Jon Anik always looks to separate his work from his personal feelings.

    At UFC 304, Anik’s friend Belal Muhammad will finally get his first shot at welterweight gold when he challenges Leon Edwards on July 27.

    Anik spoke in a recent interview with InsideFighting about how he always looks to serve the moment and both fighters as best as he can, regardless of whether he has personal connections to them.

    “No, I feel like once the athlete hits the tunnel, any of those types of feeling or emotions go away. As I’ve said repeatedly, Dominick Cruz is probably the guy I’m closest to, I mean Belal’s obviously right there on his heels as are other athletes.

    “you establish a lot of interpersonal relationship and you can’t help that but it certainly doesn’t affect the call. I can assure you and everybody else if Leon Edwards head kicks Belal Muhammad into oblivion, my call is going to reflect that and there was nothing hard about me screaming with veins popping out of my mouth, ‘Stipe gets his revenge’, even though he did it against Daniel Cormier.”

    Curtis Blaydes Isn’t Adjusting His Approach For Fighting Tom Aspinall At UFC 304

    In the co-main event in Manchester, Tom Aspinall’s interim heavyweight title will be on the line when he faces Curtis Blaydes in a rematch.

    Blaydes, who is now a 22-fight veteran, has faced the majority of the top names at heavyweight at this stage.

    He spoke in an interview with the media during this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Denver, about how his approach to this fight is the same as always.

    Rather than working specifically on his opponent’s approach, Blaydes simply looks to bring the best version of himself to England in order to come away with the win.

    ā€œConditioning (has been the focus in camp). Thatā€™s the same old,ā€ Blaydes said. ā€œI donā€™t adjust for anyone. I have prepared for this fight the same way I prepare for everyone. I donā€™t like to add extra adjustments, extra things to think about. Thereā€™s already a whole lot, we donā€™t need to add anything else.

    ā€œJust a normal, standard fight camp,ā€ Blaydes continued. ā€œEight weeks of sparring, drilling, running, icing; normal stuff.ā€

    Read more on the story here.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • Michael Page ‘Wouldn’t Have Been Happy’ With Being Given Win In Ian Garry Fight At UFC 303: ‘I Did Not Perform’

    Michael Page ‘Wouldn’t Have Been Happy’ With Being Given Win In Ian Garry Fight At UFC 303: ‘I Did Not Perform’

    Given how he performed at UFC 303, welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page says he wouldn’t have wanted his hand raised.

    Page had his plans for a quick rise toward an all-English championship showdown with Leon Edwards stalled by Ian Garry at the International Fight Week pay-per-view late last month in Las Vegas.

    The pair opened the main card, going the full three-round distance in a fight that left many in the community disappointed and less than satisifed.

    That sentiment is shared by Page himself, a former Bellator veteran who was left frustrated with some of the decisions he made when sharing the Octagon with “The Future” at T-Mobile Arena.

    Despite that, “MVP” was competitive throughout and even had some backing him to earn the nod on the scorecards. For UFC CEO Dana White, the bout played out in a manner that would have left a draw as a fair result.

    Page, however, would have been unhappy to have been given anything but a defeat on the scorecards…

    Page Relieved Not To Have Won With UFC 303 Performance

    During an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani last week, Page looked back on his sophomore display in the UFC, which came four months on from a successful debut at the expense of Kevin Holland in Miami.

    The Londoner acknowledged that some thought he did enough (42.5 percent of 372 submitted fan scorecards on MMA Decisions). But Page says he would not have been in a celebratory mood had the three judges cageside seen things the same way.

    “It’s nice to hear people kind of rooting for me,” Page said of those who scored the bout in his favor. “But regardless, I didn’t perform well. So if I somehow managed to get the win, I wouldn’t have been happy with that anyway. If it was somehow a draw, I still wouldn’t have been happy with that.

    “I focus on me, and I did not perform the way I should have performed. I made so many mistakes; just silly things,” Page continued. “Yeah, so I wouldn’t have been happy with that. For me, I lost the fight. That’s the reality of it, regardless of what everyone’s saying. I should have done X, Y, Z, and I’m just eager to get back in.”

    With that, Page will look to emerge victorious with an emphatic performance next time out. And given the extra motivation he’s touting post-UFC 303, he’s seemingly looking to return to winning ways and get his title ambitions back on track before the end of 2024.

  • Curtis Blaydes Making No Changes For Tom Aspinall Fight At UFC 304: ‘I Don’t Adjust For Anyone’

    Curtis Blaydes Making No Changes For Tom Aspinall Fight At UFC 304: ‘I Don’t Adjust For Anyone’

    Despite the hype around Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall, Curtis Blaydes isn’t approaching their title fight differently to any other of his bouts.

    Two years on from their disappointingly short first showdown in London, Aspinall and Blaydes will once again share the Octagon across the pond, this time with championship gold on the line at UFC 304 in Manchester.

    Since a knee injury brought their UFC Fight Night headliner to an end after just 15 seconds, Aspinall has gone on to recover, bounce back, and claim the interim belt. Blaydes, meanwhile, has remained high up the ladder courtesy of a victory over Jailton Almeida earlier this year.

    With that, and with champion Jon Jones choosing to welcome Stipe Miocic back to the cage over unifying the titles, Aspinall will defend his interim belt against Blaydes, who is heading back to enemy territory with a ‘business as usual’ approach…

    Blaydes Explains Why UFC 304 Camp Has Been ‘Same Old’ Strategy

    Speaking to the media while in attendance at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Denver, Colorado, Blaydes looked ahead to his first opportunity to capture gold on MMA’s biggest stage.

    When asked about his preparation for the co-headliner on July 27, the 33-year-old Illinois native said it’s been a familiar story throughout fight camp, with no changes or additions based on his opposition.

    “Conditioning (has been the focus in camp). That’s the same old,” Blaydes said. “I don’t adjust for anyone. I have prepared for this fight the same way I prepare for everyone. I don’t like to add extra adjustments, extra things to think about. There’s already a whole lot, we don’t need to add anything else.

    “Just a normal, standard fight camp,” Blaydes continued. “Eight weeks of sparring, drilling, running, icing; normal stuff.”

    Blaydes will hope that approach helps him to repeat the official result from his 2022 UFC Fight Night headliner against Aspinall, albeit in a more legitimate and emphatic way.

    Should he accomplish that feat, “Razor” will have a UFC title in his possession for the very first time, and the current talk of a unification fight between Aspinall and Jon Jones will switch to Blaydes vs. “Bones.”

  • Abdul Razak Alhassan Slams Cody Brundage After No Contest At UFC Fight Night Denver: ‘Crazy Day…Trump Got Shot & I Got Robbed’

    Abdul Razak Alhassan Slams Cody Brundage After No Contest At UFC Fight Night Denver: ‘Crazy Day…Trump Got Shot & I Got Robbed’

    UFC middleweight powerhouse Abdul Razak Alhassan is far from pleased with how his appearance in the Octagon concluded this past weekend.

    Alhassan opened the main card of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Denver, with the Ball Arena playing host to his first fight in nine months. The Ghanaian was tasked with getting the better of Cody Brundage if he was to bounce back from a loss to Joe Pyfer last time out.

    In the opening seconds, “Judo Thunder” looked on track to doing so as he launched a barrage of shots at Brundage with his usual fast-starting style. But as it appeared a finish was approaching, Alhassan lost control of his offense and landed shots to the back of his opponent’s head.

    When another followed a warning from Dan Miragliotta, the referee intervened. That turned out to be all she wrote, with Brundage telling the ringside physicians he could no longer continue.

    The result went down as a no contest, and suffice to say, Alhassan was left fuming…

    Alhassan Insists ‘P*ssy’ Brundage ‘Definitely Could Have Continued’

    After showing clear frustration inside the cage, Alhassan let his anger out on social media soon after.

    In an Instagram Story, the Ghanaian 38-year-old placed his setback in Denver alongside the apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump to brand Saturday a “crazy day.”

    And Brundage received the brunt of Alhassan’s anger, with the knockout artist insisting that his American counterpart was fine to continue and simply looked for a way out of the fight.

    “Sorry to all my fans, all my people,” Alhassan said (h/t MMA Fighting). “I wanted this bad. I wanted this win. I wanted this fight so bad. I have so much anger and so much energy in me right now that I wanted to use but I wasnā€™t able to use it. I guess today is a crazy day. Trump got shot and I got robbed.

    “I know definitely he could have continued. He just decided to be a p*ssy and didnā€™t want to fight anymore. It is what it is. I hope him a speedy recovery,” Alhassan concluded.

    But Alhassan can perhaps also feel fortunate not to have exited the cage with a defeat on the night, with some in the community suggesting Miragliotta should have disqualified him for continuing the illegal blows after a warning.

    Regardless, “Judo Thunder” avoided a losing skid, but he is now on a two-fight winless run. He’ll no doubt look to break that by having his hand raised soon enough, with a quick turnaround likely on the table having taken no damage in the 37 seconds before the unfortunate stoppage at Ball Arena.

  • Kamaru Usman Calls For Leon Edwards’ ‘Killer’ To Come Out At UFC 304: ‘If You Know You’re The Top Dog…’Ā 

    Kamaru Usman Calls For Leon Edwards’ ‘Killer’ To Come Out At UFC 304: ‘If You Know You’re The Top Dog…’Ā 

    Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman wants to see more from the man who dethroned him back in 2022.

    Since securing a memorable crowning with a last-gasp head kick knockout back at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City, Edwards has gone on to defend the title successfully twice in a pair of pay-per-view main events opposite Usman and Colby Covington.

    And like his trilogy triumph over “The Nigerian Nightmare” in March 2023, the champ’s next assignment will see him headline on home soil.

    At UFC 304 on July 27, “Rocky” will make the walk inside Manchester’s newly built Co-op Live arena for his third defense. Looking to bring his divisional rule to an end on this occasion is Belal Muhammad, as they run it back over three years on from a no contest at the Apex.

    Among those set to play close attention to how the main event plays out across the pond this month is Usman, and he’s called for Edwards bring out a different “Rocky” on fight night…

    Usman Urges Edwards To Prove He’s ‘Top Dog’

    While appearing on the ESPN desk to analyse the action at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Denver, Usman looked ahead to his division’s upcoming title joust in Manchester.

    “The Nigerian Nightmare” had some good things to say about his former three-time opponent. However, he still wants to see more from Edwards as champion, especially when it comes to showing his “killer” instinct to those pursuing his gold from below.

    “I like Leon. You know, being a champion, he definitely has real skills,” Usman said. “But I feel like, as a fan now, I’m as frustrated as a fan because this fight should have happened already. It’s been such a long time ago. But I’m glad we’re finally able to get the fight, and for Leon to actually go in there and prove to people that he is high up on that pound-for-pound list.

    “I think it’s a good fight. I like the confident wave that Leon is carrying now. I think he understands the responsibility of being a champion; how you kind of have to train, the mentality that you kind of have to have,” Usman continued. “But just a little thing I would like to see from him is that killer come out. If you know you’re the top dog, you gotta prove it to each and every contender who wants your spot.”

    If Edwards’ prediction for fight night rings true, Usman can perhaps expects his advice to be heeded.

    While the champ’s two defenses thus far have gone the distance, “Rocky” has vowed to put his rivalry with Muhammad to bed by way of a violent knockout in the UFC 304 main event later this month.

  • Tracy Cortez Gives First Reaction To Rose Namajunas Loss At UFC Fight Night Denver: ‘If I Had A Full Camp…’

    Tracy Cortez Gives First Reaction To Rose Namajunas Loss At UFC Fight Night Denver: ‘If I Had A Full Camp…’

    Tracy Cortez had a big task in front of her with a short-notice main event bout against former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas at UFC Fight Night Denver.

    Though she managed to go the distance, Cortez was largely dominated from the opening minute of the contest, going on to lose via unanimous decision.

    While coming up on the short end and not getting the result she’d hoped for left a better sting, Cortez told ESPN MMA’s Megan Olivi that she felt proud of being able to last a full five rounds with someone as highly regarded as Namajunas.

    Cortez added that perhaps the fight could have played out differently with a full fight camp.

    “I took it on two weeks’ notice, unprepared,” Cortez said. “I gave it all I have. I know if I were to have had a full camp, prepared…I mean, my cardio was there. I think I would have done a lot better with a good gameplan.

    “But I think I proved myself tonight that I can go full fives [rounds]. Looking forward to the next one,” Cortez added.

    Tracy Cortez Feels Early Pacing Of Self May Have Cost Her Fight

    Cortez was dropped early into the first round, with Namajunas putting on a beautiful striking display. The #11-ranked contender tried to battle back in the second round with her grappling skills, but Namajunas’ strikes remained on point and she showed her grappling ability in the third to counter Cortez.

    The late-notice replacement fighter looked for a mountain of offense in the fifth round, but it wasn’t enough.

    “Because it was five fives, I was really trying to pace myself the first and second round,” Cortez said. “I just realized…give it all I have. It’s all or nothing. I think I waited a little too long to really push it on her.”

    Cortez isn’t letting this loss deter her, however. She wants to use this experience and get back into the cage as soon as possible.

    “Last time I fought, I went on a killer streak,” Cortez noted. “I’m not here to prove [to] the world, I’m here to prove [to] myself.”

  • Alistair Overeem Favors Jon Jones To Beat Tom Aspinall But Names 50-50 Matchup For Him: ‘That Was The Fight To Makeā€¦’

    The fractured state of the UFCā€™s heavyweight title picture has been a topic of discussion this week as Tom Aspinallā€™s fight against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 draws near.

    The Brit is set to become only the third fighter in UFC history to defend an interim title when he steps into the Octagon in Manchester, England, on July 27, following in the footsteps of AntĆ“nio ā€œMinotauroā€ Rodrigo Nogueira and Renan BarĆ£o.

    Aspinall fought for the interim belt on 17 daysā€™ notice last November, knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295.Ā Jon Jones was originally set to face Stipe Miocic in the main event of that pay-per-view but a torn pectoral tendon and emergency surgery put paid to those plans.

    In the months following UFC 295, Aspinall campaigned hard for a unification bout with Jon Jones, but it seems both ā€œBonesā€ and UFC CEO Dana White remain committed to the original plan of Jones fighting Miocic later this year.

    Overeem Says Jones Likely To Beat Aspinall In Potential Fight

    Former UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem believes that Aspinall should be the one getting the title shot when Jones finally returns to competitive action, as 42-year old Miocic hasnā€™t fought since a loss to Francis Ngannou in March of 2021.

    ā€œHe should (be fighting Jon Jones),ā€ Overeem said during an appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast this week. ā€œStipe hasnā€™t fought for many years now. But it was a little bit vague how that went, right?ā€

    When asked who he thinks would win a possible fight between Aspinall and Jones, Overeem leaned toward the former light heavyweight champion. However, he also suggested the UFC may have missed a trick by not making another fight that was rumored before Jones picked up his injury.

    ā€œWho is gonna win? I think Jon. But Francis (Ngannou) and Jon would have been very exciting. I know that there was some (talks about making the fight). And they both wanted it, but the timingā€¦and now Francis is gone. That was the fight to make, right?

    ā€œStipeā€™s not fought in a long time. What is he doing in the meantime, right, because when you have a fight thereā€™s a camp, thereā€™s development. And when youā€™re not doing that, youā€™re doing other stuff. Ok, maybe he has a high focus, high dedication to trainingā€¦but youā€™re not fighting. And Jon is fightingā€¦not that much, but he is fighting.ā€

  • UFC Matchmaking Bulletin (7/8-7/14): Brendan Allen Accepts Nassourdine Imavov Fight In Paris After All

    UFC Matchmaking Bulletin (7/8-7/14): Brendan Allen Accepts Nassourdine Imavov Fight In Paris After All

    MMA News has you covered with this weekā€™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 theyā€™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 weekā€™sĀ quick hits:

    But it wasnā€™t all positive, with two 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 8 and July 14, scroll down and check out this weekā€™s UFC Matchmaking Bulletin spotlighted fight.

    Nassourdine Imavov vs. Brendan Allen – UFC Paris (September 28)

    Despite posting a social media video in which he refused to fight Nassourdine Imavov in the French capital if he wasn’t the main event, it appears Brendan Allen has agreed to a European trip for his next assignment.

    Allen (24-5) has won seven straight since a knockout loss to Chris Curtis, the most recent of which saw him avenge that setback in an Apex main event this past March. “All In” also headlined in his two previous bouts at the Las Vegas facility, with the first coming as a same-day change following the cancellation or Ryan Spann vs. Nikita Krylov.

    While he’s yet to headline inside an arena, and BenoĆ®t Saint Denis is regarded as the leading French fighter expected to feature on September 28 rather than Imavov (14-4, 1 NC), Allen still rejected the notion he should be anything but one half of the UFC Paris main event. For whatever reason, that stance has changed and the American will be heading to enemy territory, where he’s tasked with stalling the title ambitions of the #4-ranked Imavov, who has won two straight main events over Roman Dolidze and Jared Cannonier in 2024.

    This middleweight matchup was first reported by FightMinds.

  • Rose Namajunas Outlines ‘Dream’ Scenario For Future Fight After Win Over Tracy Cortez: ‘I Had This Vision…’

    Rose Namajunas Outlines ‘Dream’ Scenario For Future Fight After Win Over Tracy Cortez: ‘I Had This Vision…’

    Rose Namajunas looked arguably the best she has ever looked at flyweight in the main event of UFC Fight Night Denver, taking a clear unanimous decision win over Tracy Cortez.

    Namajunas dropped Cortez, who took this fight on short notice, in the opening minutes of the fight. The former two-time strawweight champion subsequently put on a striking clinic, keeping her distance and landing on her opponent whichever way possible.

    Cortez battled back with her grappling, but Namajunas answered with her own skills. The #11-ranked contender tried to mount a lot of offense in the fifth round, but by then it was too late.

    Though she can always pinpoint things in her performance to nitpick, Namajunas told the crew on ESPN’s UFC Post Show that she was satisfied with how she did in the cage.

    “I felt really happy with myself, but…Tracy’s really tough,” Namajunas said. “She definitely was durable. Even though I dropped her in the beginning, I knew I probably should have jumped on her right away because I let her recover a little bit.

    “Ultimately, I just felt I was better,” Namajunas added.

    Rose Namajunas Hopes To Bring The UFC To Lithuania

    Namajunas moved up to flyweight in late 2023, about a year-and-a-half removed from losing the UFC strawweight title to Carla Esparza at UFC 274. “Thug Rose” fell to defeat in her 125-pound debut against Manon Fiorot but has now won back-to-back fights. Prior to Saturday’s win, she beat Amanda Ribas in a March Fight Night main event.

    The former 115-pound champ entered this fight at No. 6 in the flyweight rankings. Positioned above her are champion Alexa Grasso, former champion and upcoming title challenger Valentina Shevchenko, Fiorot, Erin Blanchfield, Maycee Barber, and former strawweight champion and flyweight title challenger JĆ©ssica Andrade.

    Namajunas feels ready for a crack at the gold now, though she expressed interest in trying to get a win back over Fiorot. Be it a rematch with the Frenchwoman or title shot, Namajunas has an idea for an interesting location she would love to see the UFC host a card: Lithuania.

    “I had this vision…I want to fight in Lithuania one day, bring the UFC to Lithuania if that could even be possible,” Namajunas said. “I would love to rematch Manon or [face] anybody for the belt, whatever. That’s my dream come true, but anything the UFC has in mind, I’m cool with.”

    Lithuania is the home country of Namajunas’ parents. The UFC is yet to stage an event in the European nation.

  • ONE Championship Star Breaks Down Du Plessis vs. Adesanya At UFC 305: ‘Dricus Is My Boyā€¦’

    ONE Championship Star Breaks Down Du Plessis vs. Adesanya At UFC 305: ‘Dricus Is My Boyā€¦’

    One of the biggest fights of the year is set to go down on August 17 at UFC 305 when the Octagon returns to Perth, Australia.

    The feud between current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and former two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya has been building for over a year at this point.

    Whilst the consensus seemed to be heavily in Adesanya’s favor when the fight was first spoken about this time last year, many have found that the matchup has become more difficult to predict after both men’s recent fights.

    A former training partner of Du Plessis’ who is one of the most recognizable names in ONE Championship believes that the champion will be more than a tough test for the returning Adesanya…

    Aung La N Sang Points Out Advantages For Dricus Du Plessis Against Israel Adesanya

    Aung La N Sang has been one of the poster athletes for ONE Championship for eight years now, having previously reigned as a simultaneous two-weight world champion.

    The former middleweight and light heavyweight king, who is set to return on September 6 in Denver, trains out of Kill Cliff FC in Florida, where Du Plessis has also trained in the past.

    In a recent interview with The AllStar, “The Burmese Python” weighed in with his thoughts on this fight, speaking about where the champion can cause problems for “The Last Stylebender.”

    He pointed out how the physicality of “Stillknocks” and his willingness to walk opponents down could make it a very difficult night for Adesanya.

    “For sure, Dricus is my boy. It’s gonna be a good matchup. Styles make fights and Dricus doesn’t care about how good Israel’s kickboxing is, he’s just going to go forward and hit him, you know?

    “One thing for sure that I know about Dricus, he’s very very strong physically, very, very strong. If Israel’s not on point, he’s going to have a hard night.”

  • ‘Rose Looks Like Mayweather In There’ – Fighters & Fans React To Rose Namajunas Cruising To Decision Win Over Tracy Cortez At UFC Fight Night Denver

    ‘Rose Looks Like Mayweather In There’ – Fighters & Fans React To Rose Namajunas Cruising To Decision Win Over Tracy Cortez At UFC Fight Night Denver

    Rose Namajunas looked to continue her path toward a title shot in a second weight class, and she accomplished that with a win over Tracy Cortez in the main event of UFC Fight Night Denver.

    Namajunas got off to a strong start nearly right away, dropping Cortez with a jab a couple of minutes into the fight. The former two-time strawweight champion seemed to be landing at will, and that trend continued as the fight entered the second round.

    Midway through the frame, however, Cortez looked to take Namajunas down and secure a choke. “Thug Rose” worked her way through the grappling, however, battling with her own wrestling before returning to her fairly dominant striking performance.

    The veteran seemed to have an all-around dominant showing in the third round, grinding out with a takedown and her own unsuccessful choke attempt. Meanwhile, on the feet, the ex-strawweight kept her distance, keeping herself out of Cortez’s range as she continued to fire off.

    Namajunas continued this throughout the fourth round. Her late-notice replacement opponent brought pressure in the fifth round, but at that point Namajunas was in cruise control and Cortez was unable to get the finish.

    Namajunas won a unanimous decision, with two 49-46 cards and a 48-47.

    Fans React As Rose Namajunas Takes Clear-Cut Decision Win In UFC Fight Night Denver Main Event

    Namajunas is now 2-1 since moving up to flyweight. The former strawweight champion defeated Amanda Ribas in March following a debut defeat in the division to Manon Fiorot last September in Paris.

    Cortez, who took this main event bout on short notice, sees a 10-fight win streak snapped.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Rose Namajunas Decisions Tracy Cortez

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Rose Namajunas Decisions Tracy Cortez

    UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!Ā 

    In the main event, former two-time strawweight champ Rose Namajunas took on #11-ranked womenā€™s flyweight Tracy Cortez. While in the co-main event, Santiago Ponzinibbio faced Muslim Salikhov in a welterweight matchup.Ā 

    Make sure to catch all the UFC Fight Night results and highlights as they happen below!Ā 

    UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

    • Womenā€™s flyweight Main Event: Rose Namajunas def. Tracy Cortez via unanimous decision (49-46×2, 48-47)
    • Welterweight Co-Main Event: Muslim Salikhov def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
    • Lightweight: Jean Silva def. Drew Dober via TKO (doctor’s stoppage): R3, 1.28
    • Welterweight: Gabriel Bonfim def. Ange Loosa via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
    • Featherweight: Julian Erosa def. Christian Rodriguez via submission: R1, 4.49
    • Middleweight: Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Cody Brundage ends in no contest (illegal elbows by Alhassan): R1, 0.37

    Preliminary Card

    • Flyweight: Charles Johnson def. Joshua Van via KO: R3, 0.20
    • Womenā€™s Flyweight: Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Fatima Kline via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
    • Bantamweight: Montel Jackson def. Daā€™Mon Blackshear via KO: R1, 0.18
    • Womenā€™s Flyweight: Luana Santos def. Mariya Agapova via submission: R1, 3.27
    • Middleweight: Andre Petroski def. Josh Fremd via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
    • Welterweight: Evan Elder def. Darrius Flowers via submission: R2, 1.46

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Evan Elder def. Darrius Flowers

    In this welterweight matchup, Evan Elder got it done with a submission of Darrius Flowers in the second round.

    Luana Santos def. Mariya Agapova

    Luana Santos locked in a rear-naked choke to get the win against Mariya Agapova in the first round of their flyweight bout.

    Montel Jackson def. Daā€™Mon Blackshear

    Montel Jackson unleashed a huge left to KO Daā€™Mon Blackshear after just 18 seconds of their bantamweight bout.

    Charles JohnsonĀ def. Joshua Van

    In this flyweight matchup, Charles JohnsonĀ earned a KO of Joshua Van 20 seconds into round three.

    Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Cody BrundageĀ ends in no contest

    This middleweight bout ended in a no contest after Abdul Razak Alhassan landed elbows to the back of Cody Brundage’s head, who was not able to continue.

    Julian Erosa def. Christian Rodriguez

    Julian Erosa locked in a guillotine to submit Christian Rodriguez at the end of round one in their featherweight contest.

    Gabriel Bonfim def. Ange Loosa

    Gabriel Bonfim earned a unanimous decision win against Ange Loosa in their welterweight bout.

    Jean Silva def.Ā Drew Dober

    In this lightweight bout, Jean Silva was awarded a TKO victory after inflicting a nasty cut above Drew Dober’s right eye that caused the ringside doctor to stop the fight.

    Muslim Salikhov def. Santiago Ponzinibbio

    In the co-main event, Muslim Salikhov earned a split decision victory against Santiago Ponzinibbio.

    Rose Namajunas def. Tracy Cortez

    In the main event, Rose Namajunas earned a unanimous decision against Tracy Cortez to make it two wins in a row in the flyweight division.


  • ‘What Happens When You Toss A Knife & Wrench Into A Blender’ – Fans React To Jean Silva Winning Wild Brawl With Drew Dober At UFC Fight Night Denver

    ‘What Happens When You Toss A Knife & Wrench Into A Blender’ – Fans React To Jean Silva Winning Wild Brawl With Drew Dober At UFC Fight Night Denver

    Just two weeks after pulling off a highlight knockout at UFC 303, Jean Silva put on another spectacular performance with a hard-fought victory over Drew Dober at UFC Fight Night Denver.

    Dober put on a striking clinic in the fight, being creative in his strikes and well-timed with his attacks. For all that Silva dished out, however, the veteran fan favorite took it and then some, continuing to come forward with his attack in spite of the damage Silva was placing on him. Dober, in fact, was already bleeding in the first round.

    https://twitter.com/themmawizz/status/1812333510793007587

    Despite a strong second-round performance, Silva rocked Dober at the end of the round with an elbow, with the formerly ranked contender arguably being saved by the bell.

    Dober was cleared by doctors to continue into the third round, but an elbow less than two minutes into that final frame brought the action to a conclusion due to a gnarly cut.

    Fans React As Jean Silva Scores Second Finish In Two Weeks At UFC Fight Night Denver

    https://twitter.com/Actionman513/status/1812336200021373199

    Silva is now 3-0 in the UFC. The Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus fought just two weeks ago, scoring a second-round knockout of Charles Jourdain at the International Fight Week pay-per-view.

    Dober, meanwhile, has now lost three of four following a three-fight win streak.

  • Conor McGregor Reveals Latest On UFC Return Date Following Conversation With Dana White

    Conor McGregor Reveals Latest On UFC Return Date Following Conversation With Dana White

    More and more people won’t believe that Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler will occur until the two fighters are actually in the Octagon. Some, meanwhile, are believing that McGregor will just never fight again.

    The Irishman, however, wants to assure Chandler and fight fans everywhere that the bout between the two will happen before 2024 ends.

    In a tweet to “Iron,” McGregor stated that promise after apparently having a recent conversation with UFC CEO Dana White.

    “I talked to Dana today about our new date, all looking good! 24′ for sure,” McGregor wrote.

    Conor McGregor: Fight vs. Michael Chandler Will Happen Before End Of 2024

    McGregor, in fact, posted a video on his social media showing him taking a run weeks removed from his toe injury, which led to the cancellation of his planned comeback at UFC 303 late last month.

    McGregor and Chandler, after coaching season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter, were finally scheduled to face each other in the June 29 main event at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

    A June 3 press conference, however, was canceled at the last minute, with the fight officially being confirmed as postponed 10 days later.

  • VIDEO: Charles Johnson Lands Brutal Uppercut KO To Stall Joshua Van’s Rise At UFC Fight Night Denver

    VIDEO: Charles Johnson Lands Brutal Uppercut KO To Stall Joshua Van’s Rise At UFC Fight Night Denver

    Charles Johnson had tough competition on his hands when he faced rising flyweight star Joshua Van in the featured prelim bout of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Denver.

    Johnson came into the fight as a notable underdog, and Van appeared to be proving the sportsbooks correct through the first two rounds.

    Motivated with the idea of likely needing a finish, Johnson came out focused in the final round. The former LFA champion turned up the pressure and landed a couple of combinations, including a right hand that rocked his Burmese counterpart.

    “InnerG” then landed a three-punch combination, ending with an uppercut, to drop Van and score the KO just seconds into the third frame.

    Charles Johnson Fires Flurries To Finish Joshua Van In Upset Fashion

    Johnson has now won three straight fights this year after going 0-3 in the Octagon in 2023.

    Van, meanwhile, is now 3-1 in the Octagon, with this fight marking his first loss in professional MMA since dropping his third fight under the Fury FC banner.

  • VIDEO: Montel Jackson Sleeps Da’Mon Blackshear For 18-Second KO At UFC Fight Night Denver

    VIDEO: Montel Jackson Sleeps Da’Mon Blackshear For 18-Second KO At UFC Fight Night Denver

    Montel Jackson is promoted as having some dangerous power in his hands, and that was on full display in his victory on the preliminary card of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Denver.

    Jackson scored a quick win inside Ball Arena, knocking out Da’Mon Blackshear in just 18 seconds.

    As the two were feeling each other out, Jackson threw a one-two combination that saw a right hand to the chest and brutal straight left, with enough power to put Blackshear down and out.

    Montel Jackson Scores Lightning Quick KO At UFC Fight Night Denver

    Jackson’s finish is good enough for the second-quickest in UFC bantamweight history.

    “Quik” has now won five consecutive fights and is 8-2 in the Octagon since joining the UFC off a 2018 win on Dana White’s Contender Series. He will most likely find himself opposite a figure within the top 15 of the UFC bantamweight rankings next time out.

    Blackshear, meanwhile, has now dropped two consecutive fights and is 2-3-1 in the UFC. He is one of just three fighters to record a rare twister submission inside the Octagon.

  • ‘Absolutely Sick To My Stomach’ – Dana White, Conor McGregor, & Other UFC Figures React To Shooting At Donald Trump Rally

    ‘Absolutely Sick To My Stomach’ – Dana White, Conor McGregor, & Other UFC Figures React To Shooting At Donald Trump Rally

    Donald Trump, the 45th U.S. President and likely Republican nominee in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, is reportedly safe after being rushed off stage following an apparent assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

    The Associated Press reports that Trump said “Oh” and grabbed at his ear when the shots first rang out, with the presumptive Republican nominee crouching down as two more shots were heard.

    Trump was tackled on stage by agents, who were covering to protect him from the gunfire, as screams were heard throughout the thousands gathered for the rally. When Trump got back to his feet, he appeared to have blood on his face but pumped his fist as he was escorted off stage and away from the scene.

    Spokesman Steven Cheung subsequently released the following statement.

    “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”

    Multiple reports, citing Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger, state that a suspected gunman and at least one member of the rally’s audience were killed.

    UFC Fighters & Personalities React To Apparent Trump Shooting

    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1812263823421981090
    https://twitter.com/Actionman513/status/1812267379050901598
    https://twitter.com/milesxjohns/status/1812272401234960671
    https://twitter.com/Actionman513/status/1812269665365966914
    https://twitter.com/urketaraketa/status/1812274662627483785

    Trump and UFC CEO Dana White have had a long-standing loyalty and friendship to one another dating back to the UFC’s early days. When Zuffa purchased the promotion at the start of 2001, the first two events (UFC 30 and UFC 31) were held at the then-Trump Taj Mahal (now the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino) in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

    White was a big supporter of Trump during the 2016 and 2020 elections and appeared to continue to be such with Trump being the presumptive Republican Party nominee for the 2024 election.

    The Pennsylvania rally was the last Trump was holding prior to the start of the Republican National Convention that begins on July 15.

  • ‘He’s Gonna Be Like Chandler Soon Huh’ – MMA Fans React To Jon Jones’ Concerning Deleted Tweet About Having ‘Finger Cut Off’

    If you think there has not been enough drama in the UFC over the last month or so, Jon Jones is now pouring gasoline on that fire, with a series of now-deleted tweets bringing concern to the MMA community.

    It started with a tweet in which Jones said he was at an airport in Las Vegas “getting half my finger cut off.”

    Jones followed that up with more tweets, including one that simply says, “No,” one that tells an X/Twitter user to, |Stop before it starts,” and one that says, “Do not call me.”

    The nature of these messages, combined with their quick deletion, has several in the MMA speculating what this could mean about Jones. Some have feared him being on another bender, while others are concerned this is a sign that Jones is yet again injured.

    Some even wonder if Jones will ever compete in the UFC ever again. Others, meanwhile, compared the behavior of Jones here to his brother, Chandler Jones, a star NFL defenseman who had a dispute with the Las Vegas Raiders at the start of the 2023 season and was released by the team following a September 2023 arrest.

    MMA Community Reacts To Concerning Series Of Deleted Tweets From UFC Heavyweight Champ Jon Jones

    https://twitter.com/krave_kombat040/status/1812158079120658736

    Some who view this as a sign Jones is hurt say, if that turns out to be true, “Bones” needs to be stripped of the UFC heavyweight championship quickly.

    In spite of some fan outcry, the UFC has been insistent on booking Jones vs. Stipe Miocic at New York’s Madison Square Garden after a plan for them to headline UFC 295 fell through due to Jones suffering a torn pec.

    Tom Aspinall won the interim heavyweight championship on that card, and he will defend that interim title against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 on July 27.

  • Alex Pereira Says He Made More With Just 6% Of His UFC 303 Paycheck Than 14 Years Spent Working At Tire Shop

    Alex Pereira Says He Made More With Just 6% Of His UFC 303 Paycheck Than 14 Years Spent Working At Tire Shop

    Since making his UFC debut in November 2021, Alex Pereira has won the UFC middleweight and light heavyweight championships separately. Of his nine fights, five have been for a title, and he’s won four via knockouts.

    “Poatan” has become a massive star in MMA for his exciting striking style and consistency. After headlining UFC 300, he stepped in on short notice to defend his UFC light heavyweight belt against JiÅ™Ć­ ProchĆ”zka at UFC 303. He won almost effortlessly via KO in the second and saved the event after McGregor had pulled out.

    Here’s how being one of the UFC’s most reliable champions in recent years has benefited Pereira financially…

    Alex Pereira Reveals How He Convinced Dana White For A $303,000 Bonus After UFC 303 Victory

    In an interview on his official YouTube channel, the UFC light heavyweight champion admitted he received a $303,000 bonus for winning at UFC 303.

    “Then he said, “I gave you bonus of the fight” Then I said to him, “$303,000?” Then he laughed and said, “No, $50,000” and I was like, “At the interview they asked you, I don’t understand english and I understood it was $303,000. Then he laughed again and said, “Okay fine, $303,000 for you” then I thanked him.”

    Pereira remembered not getting a $300,000 bonus for winning the UFC 300 main event. So, when asked about the bonuses for UFC 303 by the press, he intentionally claimed to think that the amount was $303,000.

    After the fight, “Poatan” mentioned the $303,000 bonus to Dana White again and this time around, the UFC CEO paid up.

    Pereira then disclosed that just 6% of his UFC 303 paycheck would be equal to all the money he had earned over the 14 years as a mechanic.

    “It was good money, I worked 14 years in the tire shop. The money I earned in 14 years, 0.06 of the money I won in UFC 303 covered the 14 years I worked in the tire shop.”

    Will “Poatan” return against Magomed Ankalaev who many believe to be his toughest test at LHW or fight the likes of Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall at heavyweight for an even bigger paycheck?

    READ MORE: Dan Hooker Gets His UFC 305 Perth Date Against Mateusz Gamrot

  • John McCarthy On Ref Marc Goddard Recusing Himself From Officiating Leon Edwards Fights: ‘Claims Don’t Mean S**t, But They’re Going To Make Them!’

    John McCarthy On Ref Marc Goddard Recusing Himself From Officiating Leon Edwards Fights: ‘Claims Don’t Mean S**t, But They’re Going To Make Them!’

    “Big” John McCarthy recently shared his two cents on Marc Goddard’s decision to step down from officiating Leon Edwards’ fights, praising it as a wise and commendable move.

    During a recent interview on the Overdogs Podcast, Goddard delved into the complexities of refereeing MMA fights, particularly how personal relationships with fighters can complicate his role. The veteran referee used Edwards as a prime example, explaining that he will never officiate the reigning UFC welterweight champion bouts.

    Goddard revealed that he was “Rocky’s” first MMA coach and wants to avoid any accusations of bias towards his former tutee, highlighting his commitment to maintaining impartiality.

    The Brit referee has a storied career in MMA, boasting over two decades of experience both officiating and fighting. Goddard is a highly esteemed referee who has officiated numerous marquee bouts in the UFC and other top promotions.

    McCarthy, a titan in the realm of MMA refereeing, hailed Goddard’s decision and offered his own insights on the perspectives of officiating a close friend’s fight…

    McCarthy Endorses Decision to Avoid Officiating a Friend’s Fight

    During a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast with former UFC lightweight contender Josh Thomson, McCarthy recounted his encounters with the unique challenges of officiating fights involving fighters with whom he shared close personal bonds, while praising Goddard for his stance.

    “It’s the right decision,” McCarthy said. “The real decision is that you try to take yourself out of situations that can put you into an area where someone can make a claim. And claims don’t mean sh*t, but they’re going to make them.”

    “Big John” revealed that he had a close friendship with MMA legends Royce Gracie and Tim Sylvia, yet found himself officiating their bouts due to commission mandates.

    The former UFC referee admitted he was initially reluctant to oversee those fights but couldn’t decline. He consistently made it a point to inform the commissions and MMA promotion about his camaraderie with the fighters.

    “You have to just be honest and say, ‘Can you be fair?’ You’re always going to get someone who’s gonna say you’re not fair.”

  • Chael Sonnen Explains Why Stipe Miocic Is ‘Primed’ To Defeat Jon Jones: ‘He Realized I Gotta Be More Manā€¦’

    Chael Sonnen Explains Why Stipe Miocic Is ‘Primed’ To Defeat Jon Jones: ‘He Realized I Gotta Be More Manā€¦’

    Chael Sonnen recently expressed his belief that Stipe Miocic has the upper hand in his potential fight against Jon Jones.

    The much-anticipated clash between Miocic and reigning heavyweight champion Jones has been the talk of the MMA world since it was first announced. The excitement reached a fever pitch, only to be dashed last October when “Bones” tore his pectoral muscle just two weeks before their scheduled bout at UFC 295 in November 2023.

    The widespread anticipation is that the long-overdue bout will headline the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden this November. Jones has also fueled the excitement with his continuous hints, yet the MMA promotion has not officially confirmed the event.

    Miocic last competed at UFC 260 in March 2021, where he suffered a second-round knockout defeat in a rematch against former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Although he has been absent from the Octagon for over three years, Sonnen believes the 41-year-old Ohio native could still pull off a stunning upset against Jones if they were to fight…

    Sonnen Suggests Miocic’s Apparent Bulk Could Aid in Jones Fight

    During a recent episode of ESPN’s Good Guy / Bad Guy with Daniel Cormier, Sonnen delved into a discussion about fighters who have the potential to dethrone reigning UFC champions by the year’s end.

    “The Bad Guy” expressed confidence in Miocic’s ability to defeat Jones in their potential matchup. Sonnen revealed that he recently spoke with the former longtime heavyweight champion about his current walk-around weight, and Miocic disclosed he’s around 252 pounds.

    The former middleweight title challenger told “DC” that Miocic’s added muscle mass could significantly enhance his power, a game-changing factor in a showdown with Jones.

    “If Stipe does in fact come in at 252 [pounds], that’s very different,” Sonnen said. “The first time you [Cormier] fought him, he was 246, and the second time you fought him, he was 233ā€¦ But after he lost to Francis, Stipe thought that he was going to draw into a trilogy against Francis, and he realized I got to be a bigger man and got to have more size on me.”

    “He buckled down and focused on the same thing that Jon Jones did to gain weight. Stipe did the same thing; he added the right kind of weight, and that’s going to change the perception of power ability for takedowns. Stipe is going to show up at Madison Square Garden, and he is primed to get a victory.”

    Despite his extended hiatus, Miocic has been unwavering in his desire to face “Bones” in his comeback fight, expressing his willingness to wait for the opportunity. He’s recently made it clear that if the Jones bout doesn’t materialize, he’s prepared to retire.