UFC bantamweight contender Brady Hiestand has explored the reasons behind the delay in scheduling the Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili fight, asserting that this highly anticipated clash is inevitable.
After securing a dominant unanimous decision win in his rematch against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this past March, O’Malley initially put forward a champion vs. champion showdown with UFC featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria. However, the fans appeared to dismiss this proposal, leading “Sugar” to redirect his focus toward a matchup with Dvalishvili.
The Georgian is a logical opponent for the reigning UFC bantamweight champion. “The Machine” boasts an impressive 10-fight win streak and holds the #1 spot in the divisional rankings, firmly establishing himself as a frontrunner for a title opportunity.
Initially opting to remain on the sidelines as his close friend Aljamain Sterling ruled the bantamweight division, the Georgian has shifted his approach. With Sterling’s move to featherweight, Dvalishvili is now actively seeking a fight with O’Malley. He’s even using humorous skits on social media to encourage his prospective opponent to sign the contract.
Rumors swirled that O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili could headline UFC 306 on September 14 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, the UFC has yet to officially confirm the matchup for the event.
During a recent interview with InsideFighting, Heistand confidently asserted that the O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili bout is destined to take place.
“It’s for sure gonna happen,” Heistand said. “From them [UFC], not making that fight is Merab becoming the superstar he is and being so funny with everything; now they don’t need O’Malley. I mean, Merab’s the star, too, so making that fight just makes sense. And I think Merab’s going to get that fight; it just depends on when they set it up.”
“Bam Bam” further suggested that O’Malley is hesitant about fighting Dvalishvili and is adamant about leaving no stone unturned in his preparation.
“I think O’Malley is just not ready to fight. I don’t know because I mean, why else haven’t they fought anytime soon? I think O’Malley’s maybe a little scared. I think Merab f**ks him up, honestly.”
UFC 303 has gone through several changes lately. However, as originally planned, Ian Garry vs. Michael ‘Venom’ Page will feature.
Following Conor McGregor’s withdrawal, Garry claims to have lost all interest in fighting Page. This is largely because of the difference in their positions in the UFC welterweight rankings.
Michael Bisping, though, thinks Page has all the tools to shut down Garry’s offence. He also laid down the best-case scenario for the Londoner if he wins at UFC 303…
Bisping Excited To See Edwards vs. ‘Venom’ Page For The UFC Welterweight Title
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping revealed his UFC 303 picks in a video uploaded to his YouTube channel. While talking about the first fight on the main card, “The Count” claimed that Page is better than Garry at his own game.
Looking at the bigger picture, Bisping wants “MVP” and Leon Edwards to fight for the UFC welterweight title. Yet again, it would be an exciting striking matchup and a British fighter will walk out as the champion regardless of who wins.
“There’s my pick, Michael ‘Venom’ Page gets the victory and I’m telling you right now, we might see Leon Edwards vs. Michael Page and all British affair going down In London, the Millennium Stadium, who knows where?”
“The Future” has outclassed most of his UFC opponents with crisp striking and by picking them apart from range. However, Bisping thinks he won’t be able to do it against Page due to the former Bellator standout’s superior range, speed, and power.
“The Count” admitted Garry is the better conventional striker who throws neat combinations. He has more regard for Page’s scary knockout power and timing, though.
The first British UFC champ advised Garry to also rely on his wrestling. But he’s still confident that “MVP” can avoid being controlled on the ground and get back up comfortably.
“The problem is, Kevin Holland is a legitimate black belt in jiu-jitsu, and he got him down. He took his back, had him mounted, and Michael ‘Venom’ Page was able to get back up. So it’s not an easy path to victory but I wouldn’t be surprised if Ian Garry tries that.”
For now, Bisping’s all-British welterweight title fight dream depends on the outcome of Garry vs. Page at UFC 303.
One of the biggest advancements in MMA in this time has been the attitude towards the use of performance enhancing drugs and clamping down on it.
Right before he sat down for his media day interviews ahead of his clash with Roman Dolidze this Saturday, Smith received his jacket from the UFC’s anti-doping department for submitting 50 clean tests.
Anthony Smith Says He Wouldn’t Be Able To Compete Without The UFC’s Anti-Doping Programs
As someone that has spoken out plenty of times in the past about how damaging the use of PEDs is for this sport, Smith was incredibly proud to have been presented with this jacket as a sign of keeping MMA clean.
When he sat down to talk to the media, the first question he received was about the moment that had just transpired.
Smith spoke about how he has never been the kind of fighter that possesses natural physical advantages over his opponents.
With that in mind, he believes that keeping the playing field even through the UFC’s anti-doping programs allows fighters like himself to compete at the highest level by making the most of their other attributes.
“This means a lot to me. You guys know I’ve always been the anti-PED guy and really holding people accountable and holding their feet to the fire. Guys like me wouldn’t survive without this program. I’m not the most gifted athlete, I never have been the most gifted athlete and I’ve just always been committed. It’s not like there wasn’t opportunities early on in my career, just like a lot of people in my era.
“That could have all been very different but without Jeff [Novitsky] and Donna [Marcolini] keeping it clean, guys like me aren’t going to make it. We’re already a little bit behind and we make up for it by being dogs and having a better work ethic and being able to go through the fire a little more than other people but if people are getting a head start on us, the guys like me aren’t going to make it.”
PFL 6 takes place on Friday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!
The Professional Fighters League is back this week, as the organization concludes its latest global regular season with the next round of welterweight and featherweight matchups taking place at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
In the main event, 2022 PFL featherweight champ Brendan Loughnane returns to action following a successful start to his campaign at PFL 3 April, where the Brit secured 6 points courtesy of a controversial first-round stoppage against Pedro Carvalho. To ensure he features in the playoffs, Loughnane is next tasked with getting the better of Justin Gonzales, who is coming off a buzzer-beating knockout defeat in round one to Gabriel Braga.
The biggest attraction at 170 pounds, meanwhile, will see former interim Bellator champion Logan Storley return to the cage in his home state. After a losing start to his debut PFL campaign against Shamil Musaev, “Storm” will need an emphatic performance against late-notice replacement opponent Luca Poclit if he’s to make the postseason.
Nevertheless, every fight is intact, and all that remains on Thursday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the PFL 6 ceremonial weigh-ins.
Check out a live stream below via the PFL’s official YouTube channel, commencing at 7 PM ET.
The 25-year-old has extended his perfect record to 8-0 with wins over Nick Aguirre and Cameron Saaiman inside the Octagon thus far. Next up, the Las Vegas native is tasked with dispatching Yanis Ghemmouri on the preliminary card of UFC 303 this Saturday.
Given his two performances in the UFC to date, it’s no surprise that Talbott will make the walk at T-Mobile Arena as the favorite. What has shocked some, though, is the fact that he could close as the biggest favorite in the promotion’s history…
Talbott On ‘Crazy’ UFC 303 Odds: ‘If You Don’t Absolutely Demolish The Person…’
During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Talbott was asked about the lopsided betting lines, which currently have him at -1600 on DraftKings compared to his opponent’s +900 figure.
The rising bantamweight admitted the odds were “crazy,” and he went on to note that the heavy favorite status leaves him in a difficult position should he not run through his French opponent with ease on fight night.
“Yeah, I’ve seen a little bit (about the odds). People send me all kind of stuff,” Talbott said. “It’s kind of crazy. … It’s kind of funny. It kind of sets you up for failure, though. Because it’s like, if you don’t absolutely demolish the person in the first round, it’s like, ‘Why were you such a big favorite, you know?
“Not really,” Talbott continued when asked whether his favorite status adds pressure. “But it is one of those things where it’s like, you are expected to absolutely outclass the guy and demolish the dude. And if you don’t — I think if you remember, in my debut fight I was like, a -900 favorite. I didn’t finish him until the third round and you can see how much the betting line swayed.”
Nevertheless, Talbott will look to push the expectations of fans and pundits to the back of his mind and focus on the task at hand on Saturday night.
The fight card and running order has been officially announced for the Most Valuable Promotions event that takes place on July 20 in Florida and features Jake Paul and Mike Perry at the top of the bill.
The show has been hurriedly put together following the postponement of the bout that was originally scheduled to take place in Arlington, Texas, on the same date between Jake Paul and heavyweight great Mike Tyson. “Iron” Mike was forced to withdraw due to health issues and the fight, which was set to be aired on streaming giant Netflix, has now been rebooked for November.
We are excited to announce that Jake Paul vs Mike Perry on Saturday, July 20th in Tampa, FL live on DAZN will feature a full night of ELECTRIC matchups ️ ️
PPV CARD: Jake Paul vs Mike Perry Amanda Serrano vs Stevie Morgan H2O Sylve vs Lucas Bahdi … pic.twitter.com/eckxWg3O0q
— Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) June 27, 2024
Darren Till Replaces Another UFC Alum, Uriah Hall
And former WBC champion Julio César Chávez Jr., who had been in line to fight former UFC middleweight Darren Till on the Texas card, still has a fight against a former mixed martial artist…but it isn’t Till.
Uriah Hall, who fought in the UFC’s middleweight division between 2013 and 2022 steps in to fight Chavez. ‘Prime Time’ amassed a 10-9 record inside the Octagon and made a successful boxing debut in 2023 on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva,which took place in Glendale Arizona.
Till last fought in the UFC in December of 2022 and parted company with the promotion on mutually agreed terms.
He revealed in an interview earlier this month that he is under contract with Most Valuable Promotions and is aiming to fight on the rescheduled November 15 card, although it is unclear if the announcement of the Chávez Jr./Hall fight will mean a change of opponent for the Scouser.
We’re deep into UFC 303 fight week, meaning it’s time for the top fighters set to be in action on June 29 to take to the stage and answer some questions.
Setting the stage for the headliners will be a pair of top featherweights, with former two-time title challenger Brian Ortega looking to continue the momentum from his comeback win over Yair Rodríguez earlier this year by stalling the ambitions of the rising Diego Lopes.
As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the pre-fight press conference. The UFC 303 edition saw every fighter on the main card with mic in hand.
Check out a replay of the presser below via the UFC”s official YouTube channel, followed by the highlights and faceoffs.
Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall sees Alex Pereira’s patented left hook as a step above the rest when it comes to the current crop of strikes in mixed martial arts.
Following the withdrawal of Conor McGregor from his scheduled clash with Michael Chandler, “Poatan” accepted the call offering a rematch with Jiří Procházka in the June 29 main event.
And when “BJP” is stood across from the Brazilian again, Aspinall believes he’ll squaring off with the most dangerous strike in the sport…
Aspinall On Pereira: ‘Literally Touches Anybody With The Left Hook & They Go Over’
During the latest episode of his Fight Lab show on TNT Sports’ YouTube channel, Aspinall previewed this weekend’s PPV event and assessed the two men tasked with closing out proceedings inside the T-Mobile Arena.
The Englishman paid particular attention to the champ’s leading weapon, which has helped him close the show against the likes of Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Jamahal Hill.
“If we can just add in about Alex Pereira with his left hook. It is probably the best strike in MMA at the moment,” Aspinall said. “He literally touches anybody with the left hook and they go over. Look at that…he has absolute dynamite in it.”
Having slept “Sweet Dreams” with it last time out, Pereira will look to further prove why he’s become renowned for the power in his left hook when he runs it back with Procházka at T-Mobile Arena this weekend.
The pair will top a lineup in Las Vegas that also features the likes of former title challengers Brian Ortega, Anthony Smith, and Mayra Bueno Silva, as well as undefeated welterweight contender Ian Garry.
UFC 303 is now only a couple of days away, and what better way to get hyped for the upcoming pay-per-view than with some MMA News staff predictions for the International Fight Week card?
The event will be available exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view on Saturday, June 29, 2024. The main card begins at 10 PM ET, while the preliminary card kicks off at 6 PM ET.
Also colliding with little preparation will be former two-time featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega and surging jiu-jitsu specialist Diego Lopes in the co-main event, as well as 205-pound veteran Anthony Smith and ranked middleweight Roman Dolidze.
Elsewhere on the main card, Mayra Bueno Silva will be backing action for the first time since falling short of the bantamweight title at UFC 297 this past January. While she’s tasked with defending her spot on the ladder against Macy Chiasson, it’ll be a similar story for undefeated welterweight Ian Garry, who fights down the pecking order against Michael “Venom” Page in Saturday’s PPV opener.
UFC 303: MMA News Staff Predictions
Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 303 event, Kyle Dimond, Ryan Jarrell, Thomas Albano, Tyriece Simon, and Andrew Starc have provided their picks for the five-fight main card, which you can see below.
Light Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Alex Pereira (C) vs. Jiří Procházka
Featherweight: Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes
Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze
Women’s Bantamweight: Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson
Welterweight: Ian Garry vs. Michael Page
Welterweight: Ian Garry vs. Michael Page
Ian Garry, Michael Page
Images: Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports & UFC/Zuffa LLC
Kyle Dimond: It’s hard to see this fight being anything other than lots of feints for me personally. While Page is a very good striker at a distance, his biggest weapon is his unorthodox movement and timing in combination with his blitz attack and creative offense. When I picture a few of those happening per round, I think Garry might just be sharp enough to land effectively in these moments as Page comes in.
It’s going to be a very hard fight to call and I think there’s a decent chance of “MVP” landing a shot that ends the fight. If he can’t do that, I think the Irishman edges out a razor-close decision, which seems just ever so slightly more likely. (Prediction: Ian Garry)
Ryan Jarrell: Garry and Page will be Fight of the Night. Mark my words, this one is going to be fun. I know I’m not really going out on a limb here as these guys styles should lead to a back-and-forth standup battle that should be very exciting for as long as it lasts. “Venom” will have a five-inch reach advantage, and if he fights technically, he could put Garry in some very difficult situations. Ultimately, I expect the younger fighter in the Irishman to outlast any early adversity and finish this fight late. (Prediction: Ian Garry)
Thomas Albano: The idea of this matchup seemed to be tossed around with nothing coming out of the potential of Garry vs. Colby Covington bout. On the surface, with Garry’s rise among the ranks and popularity and Page’s popularity from his explosive knockout past, this seems like it would be a barnburner to start off the PPV card. And yet, both could use a noteworthy performance despite coming off wins. Garry hasn’t looked great in his last couple of outings against the likes of Neil Magny and Geoff Neal, while Page’s UFC debut against Kevin Holland proved to be forgettable.
This matchup could go one of two ways. It either ends up being explosive with both men firing off their best shots or it will be slow fight with plenty of clinch work that will end up proving unpopular to the live crowd. Unfortunately, I foresee more of the latter, which the UFC probably isn’t hoping for after all the moving and shaking surrounding this card’s structure. And if the fight goes in that direction, and the longer the might goes on, the more it tips in Garry’s favor. (Prediction: Ian Garry)
Tyriece Simon: This matchup has the potential to be the best fight on the card. Garry and Page have been taking jabs at each other in interviews and on social media, so fans should expect both to be extra motivated to win decisively. That said, I believe Garry will be victorious. The critical factor will be the Irishman attacking the legs of the former Bellator standout early on. I think “The Future” will utilize leg and oblique kicks to slow down the movement of “MVP.”
Another potential issue for Page is that he likes to rush into his opponent with punches. In his fight with Magny, Garry showed he can fight well in the clinch, and I think he can time a body lock when the Brit rushes in. In these moments, the Dubliner could try to fight “Venom” against the cage and possibly look for sweeps to take the fight to the ground, which he has done in past fights. I’m not sure if Garry can finish Page, but I do think he has shown to be more of a diverse fighter to outpoint his opponent on Saturday. (Prediction Ian Garry)
Andrew Starc: This is going to be a tough test for Garry, who’ll need to contend with an opponent who has a longer reach and years of experience. Having earned a unanimous decision against Holland on his UFC debut in March, Page has all the tools to match or eclipse the Irishman in the striking department, and he’s surely a step up in caliber from what “The Future” has faced in the past. I think this will be the fight that ends Garry’s undefeated record. (Prediction: Michael Page)
Consensus: 4-1 Ian Garry
Bantamweight: Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson
Mayra Bueno Silva, Macy Chiasson
Images: UFC/Zuffa LLC & Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Dimond: Bueno Silva has got some questions to answer in this one. Her vacant title fight against Raquel Pennington last time out was not a particularly inspiring display, which makes me second guess whether she can close the gap on Chiasson. However, if she does, I expect her to have the grappling advantage, so my pick is a second-round submission for “Sheetara.” (Prediction: Mayra Bueno Silva)
Ryan Jarrell: The lone female fight on the main card should be a fun one. But it’s also the fight I am least confident when it comes to picking a winner. I think this one could go either way, to be honest. Chiasson has a large height and reach advantage in the bantamweight bout, but will she be able to utilize it? I’m not so sure she will be able to do so because of how well rounded of a fighter Bueno Silva is. I believe we will see a close fight here, but in the end, give me “Sheetara” to get her hand raised. (Prediction: Mayra Bueno Silva)
Thomas Albano: Bueno Silva started a run upon her return to bantamweight in 2022, winning three straight fights. Things seemed to continue to go that route with a good performance against Holly Holm last year. But that win’s overturning due to a failed drug test – combined with a lackluster outing in a title fight loss (an opportunity she probably didn’t deserve) – has left a bitter taste in the mouths of some in the MMA world.
Chiasson wasn’t on the best of runs either, but the year-and-a-half away from the Octagon she had seemed to do her wonders. She looked great in her return to bantamweight, with her first-round submission of Pannie Kianzad proving to be an eye-catching performance. Chiasson may not have the same glare about her as she did winning The Ultimate Fighter, but she still has plenty of potential. And when you match these two up side by side, it’s pretty clear which is the better all-around fighter. (Prediction: Macy Chiasson)
Tyriece Simon: I think Bueno Silva will be a tough matchup for Chiasson. Although the New Orleans native has a significant height and reach advantage, I don’t believe she can keep her opponent at a distance. “Sheetara’s” striking has continued to improve, as she showed in her fight against Holm. I expect Bueno Silva to pressure Chiasson and try to grapple with her against the cage. If she can consistently get on the inside and use her grappling, the Brazilian should be able to win on the scorecards. However, I believe she will get it done inside the distance with a submission. (Prediction: Mayra Bueno Silva)
Andrew Starc: Chiasson definitely has the height and reach advantage in this one, so she’ll likely have the advantage on the feet. She is coming off a first-round submission win against Kianzad in March, and she’s only been submitted once in her career. However, I think Bueno Silva’s strong grappling could pose problems. She was on a four-fight unbeaten streak prior to losing her championship bout with Pennington in January. I think “Sheetara” will get back in the win column here. (Prediction: Mayra Bueno Silva)
Consensus: 4-1 Mayra Bueno Silva
Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze
Anthony Smith, Roman Dolidze
Images: Jim Dedmon/Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Dimond: Where to even start with this pick-and-mix fight. It seems that it has worked out pretty well for Smith, at least on paper I’d say. Dolidze moving back up a weight class on late notice off the back of two losses feels a long way away from the momentum that was behind him after the Jack Hermansson win back in December of 2022. Not to mention, Smith just secured his best win in a long time when he submitted Vitor Petrino in Brazil last month.
I think “Lionheart” might take it. He’s got some losses on his record but I can’t really see either man getting a finish in this fight, and without seeing the Georgian compete at light heavyweight against a top name with a full camp, Smith seems like the safer bet. (Prediction: Anthony Smith)
Ryan Jarrell: Dolidze steps in on short notice to replace Carlos Ulberg and take on Smith. This is a great thing for “Lionheart” and gives him a much better chance of winning in my opinion. But the Georgian is no slouch, so Smith must stay technical and away from the power of his opponent. This is a very important fight for Smith if he hopes to climb back to the top of the division, as a loss to a middleweight moving up on late notice could be damaging. This is a tough fight to pick but I have a hunch that the veteran will get in done and stay a relevant part of the 205-pound roster. (Prediction: Anthony Smith)
Thomas Albano: This matchup is…weird. I still can’t believe we went from Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree to this. Anyway, Smith is trying to prove he still has something left in the tank, and he did that in a big way against Petrino in Brazil last month. He’s now won two of three and is looking to maintain – and elevate – his spot in the top 10 of the light heavyweight rankings. Dolidze, meanwhile, was riding high with a 6-1 Octagon record entering 2023. But back-to-back losses against Marvin Vettori and Nassourdine Imavov have placed a bit of a setback for him at middleweight.
Dolidze may be a grappling world champion, but he could be in for a tougher time trying to focus on that in his gameplan against someone like Smith, who has 15 submission victories in his career. If the Georgian keeps the fight standing, he possesses the power (maybe not so much speed, but I’d still give him the speed edge over Smith) to finish “Lionheart” at a moment’s notice. The question might be where does Dolidze go from here? Is he taking a light heavyweight fight simply because it’s a fight he’s taking on mere days’ notice? Or, if he gets an impressive performance, could he be thinking about a move to 205 pounds? Dolidze did compete at light heavyweight prior to joining the UFC, mind you. (Prediction: Roman Dolidze)
Tyriece Simon: This fight is the hardest on the main card to predict. Both are stepping up to compete on short notice, with Dolidze returning to light heavyweight. It’s important to note that the Georgian is undefeated at 205 pounds with seven wins. I don’t believe readjusting to fighting at light heavyweight will be an issue for him.
“Lionheart” had a great victory over Petrino in his last fight, but I’m still unsure if he can have similar success on Saturday. I think a big factor for me is whether Smith can still endure strikes at this stage of his career against Dolidze, who has knockout power. If the veteran American can use his grappling and sap away at the energy of his opponent, who is fighting on shorter notice, he can win by decision. That said, I think Dolidze will still be undefeated at light heavyweight, and I wouldn’t be shocked if that’s by way of a knockout. (Prediction: Roman Dolidze)
Andrew Starc: It’s hard to see Dolidze overcoming the odds here. Smith’s recent record is patchy, but he’s coming off a submission win against Petrino in May. Dolidze, meanwhile, is stepping up to light heavyweight on eight days’ notice and he’s on a two-fight skid. I think Smith’s experience and grappling nous will get him the win. (Prediction: Anthony Smith)
Consensus: 3-2 Anthony Smith
Featherweight: Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes
Brian Ortega, Diego Lopes
Images: Tom Szczerbowski/Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Dimond: This has bonus money written all over it and might be the toughest one to call on this main card. Ortega is a bit of a strange case because he always seems to surprise people with how good he actually is purely because he isn’t very active. But at the same time, even in his impressive wins, he tends to take a decent amount of damage, and Lopes is a finisher. The question is whether his fight with Movsar Evloev was a true reflection of where he belongs in this division.
Ortega does seem relatively checked out at this weight class for the time being, so this could be the right fight at the right time for Lopes. I’ve gone back and forth on this one but I am going to back “T-City” via decision. I don’t see it hitting the floor and I think, with his toughness keeping him in the fight, Ortega may have just that bit more in him. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)
Ryan Jarrell: The UFC has to be very excited about the young phenom Lopes, and rightfully so. He is 3-1 thus far in the largest promotion in the world and has faced some stiff competition. Ortega, however, is by far his toughest test to date. I truly believe Lopes will be a title contender at some point down the line, but the time is not now. Give me “T-City” to use his veteran tactics and outpoint the young lion. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)
Thomas Albano: The madness of UFC 303’s shuffling has led to a huge opportunity for Brian Ortega – and an even bigger opportunity for Diego Lopes. Over a year-and-a-half after suffering a shoulder injury against Yair Rodríguez, Ortega returned in a big way by submitting him in spectacular fashion in February. Spectacular is also the word to describe Lopes’ time in the Octagon thus far. Just four fights into the UFC, he’s had a narrow loss to Evloev and highlight finishes of Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, and Sodiq Yusuff.
This should be one of the best fights on the card, even with how quick and sudden it’s come together. It’s a big step up to be taking on a two-time title challenger on less than a month’s notice, but it’s the biggest opportunity of Lopes’ life – and he needs to make the most of it. And the thing is, he has the capability to get it done. “T-City” might be tough to finish with a solid chin, but Lopes possesses some explosive speed and power with his striking. Even on the ground, the up-and-comer could be able to duel in grappling with Ortega with his jiu-jitsu experience. Lopes, in fact, has more wins via submission in his MMA career than he holds KO/TKOs. If he continues his run with the kind of circumstances he’s facing here, one can only imagine the kind of major doors that will open for him. (Prediction: Diego Lopes)
Tyriece Simon: The question coming into this fight is if the UFC is pushing Lopes to the top of the division too soon. He is coming off an incredible knockout win over Yusuff at UFC 300, but Ortega is a big challenge on short notice. “T-City” has continued to evolve on the feet and has a tested chin that has held up against the likes of Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.
An important key to the fight will be if Lopes wants to engage in grappling with Ortega. The featherweight prospect tends to stay on his back if taken down because he has great jiu-jitsu ability to be a threat. However, the former title challenger is equally capable, and I believe Lopes could find himself on his back for too long, similar to his fight against Evloev. Ultimately, I lean toward Ortega getting the win by decision. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)
Andrew Starc: This is a huge step up in competition for Lopes. Ortega is coming off a submission win against Rodríguez in February, while Lopes has racked up three first-round finishes in the past year. The Mexican-based Brazilian is the bigger man with huge KO power, and both fighters have good grappling. However, I think if “T-City” survives a first-round onslaught from Lopes, his experience will see him get the win. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)
Consensus: 4-1 Brian Ortega
UFC Light Heavyweight Title: Alex Pereira vs. Jiří Procházka
Alex Pereira, Jiří Procházka
Images: Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports & UFC/YouTube
Kyle Dimond: My big question going into the first fight was whether the unorthodox movement and angles of Procházka would cause even someone like Pereira some issues. While the Czech star had his moments, the fight was effectively a ticking time bomb due to the leg kicks that he was taking. His movement is one of his biggest weapons but his stance leaves him so open to them.
Procházka is also not the kind of fighter who you can imagine coming in with a game plan of tying “Poatan” up to get the win. With that in mind, despite being a huge fan or “BJP,” it’s hard to see him having much more success than last time unless he lands something big early on before the kicks take their toll. I envision the champ landing a knockout blow in round three. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Ryan Jarrell: With the unreal power that “Poatan” possesses, it is extremely hard to pick against current the champ. I did like what I saw from Procházka in his most recent win over Aleksandar Rakić, but Pereira is a whole different animal. I think we will see a more cautious Czechia native this time around, and he will do a better job of staying away from KO shots. Ultimately, however, I don’t think he will do enough to wrestle the belt away from Alex. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Thomas Albano: Pereira and Procházka have the hearts and spirits of warriors, as evident by the fact the former is now stepping up a second time in about three months to take a main event at a major UFC pay-per-view on short notice – as well as this is the second time these two are competing in a main event when they weren’t originally scheduled to. The sudden nature of this fight, combined with the fact that both men contain destructive power, are excellent kickboxers, and have very similar bodies, makes this one really hard to predict.
With both men having experience against one another, this should be a fight that lasts longer than their last outing. Both men can be technical with their power, looking for openings on their opponents, even from range, and we’ll probably end up seeing a mix of technical striking and brawl-like trading in this bout. While I know many people are rooting for Procházka to gain revenge and the title – and I hope one day he does wear UFC gold again – we’ve seen what “Poatan” can do on short notice before, and that’s why I’m going to side with the champ on this one. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Tyriece Simon: In their 2023 fight, Pereira was able to finish Procházka in the second round. Both had their moments, but the result came down to “BJP” making defensive errors against “Poatan,” and I think it’ll happen again. Although the champion got caught with punches from Procházka, he used his head movement to evade most of them. I also think Pereira hurt his rival early with leg kicks and could implement the same game plan in their rematch.
Procházka had a good game plan in their first fight, as he grappled with Pereira early and took him down. This decision made “Poatan” cautious of getting dragged to the mat, which I think the challenger could do on Saturday. That said, it will take more than that strategy to beat the Brazilian knockout artist. I also believe Pereira may look to throw a knee because Procházka dips his head low when he tries to go for feints to get on the inside. The fight could go either way because both are incredible on the feet, but I think Pereira will retain his title again this Saturday. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Andrew Starc: I can’t see this fight turning out differently from their first encounter. Both fighters have KO power but, in my opinion, Pereira has the better striking. Procházka managed to take down the Brazilian in their last fight, so he could have some success if he can do this again. However, the challenger’s tendency to eat shots to the head is something you can’t do against “Poatan,” and I think he’ll also have trouble with the un-telegraphed leg kicks coming from the champ. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Consensus: 5-0 Alex Pereira
That’ll do it for our UFC 303 staff picks! What do you think? Do your picks look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the UFC 303 undercard below.
Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Joe Pyfer vs. Marc-André Barriault
Featherweight: Cub Swanson vs. Andre Fili
Featherweight: Charles Jourdain vs. Jean Silva
Bantamweight: Payton Talbott vs. Yanis Ghemmouri
Early Preliminary Card:
Women’s Strawweight: Michelle Waterson-Gomez vs. Gillian Robertson
Heavyweight: Andrei Arlovski vs. Martin Buday
Flyweight: Rei Tsuruya vs. Carlos Hernandez
Bantamweight: Ricky Simón vs. Vinicius Oliveira
Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com tomorrow for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 303!
When Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka faced each other at UFC 295, Pereira’s light heavyweight title win had a tinge of controversy, with debating ensuing over the legitimacy of the stoppage.
There was no controversy at UFC 303, however.
With both men taking the fight on just a few weeks’ notice, following the collapse of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, Pereira scored a huge knockout to keep the light heavyweight championship in the evening’s main event.
“Poatan” did damage to Procházka’s leg early on before dropping the Czech star right before the end of the first round with a solid left hook.
Procházka was on wobbly legs but continued on into round two. And in just 13 seconds, Pereira dropped him again, this time with a massive head kick, before delivering ground-and-pound until the fight was halted.
Alex Pereira Secures Another Jaw-Dropping Highlight To Retain Light Heavyweight Title At UFC 303
I’ll sleep the next guy and then we go again!!! Great win but we are not done!!!
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) June 30, 2024
We know the formula now. Everyone mistakenly thought the mcgregor draw was funny trash talk. It’s taking fights and knocking people out, that’s it. Just do that over and over. Chama #UFC303
OH. MY. GOODNESS Pereira is superhuman!!!! ITS OVER #UFC303
— Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) June 30, 2024
This is the second time since becoming champion that Pereira has defended the light heavyweight title on short notice. He and Jamahal Hill were quickly booked as the UFC 300 main event, with “Poatan” winning that fight via first-round stoppage just a couple of months ago.
Pereira and Procházka’s first fight at UFC 295 had always been booked for that card but was elevated to main event status on short notice following UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones suffering a torn pec.
Pereira teased a move up to heavyweight eventually in his post-fight interview.
Diego Lopes secured the decision win over Dan Ige at UFC 303 following one of the most unique builds to a fight in the history of the promotion.
The Brazilian won the first two rounds fairly convincingly with a mix of his combinations and grappling control but his opponent was able to keep himself in the fight.
Ige, who agreed to the bout on the very same day after Brian Ortega withdrew due to illness, was able to stay competitive and rally in the third round which was where he had the most success by a considerable distance.
It was a rollercoaster ride to get to the Octagon for both men with the defining characteristic of the fight being the incredible attitudes of both Lopes and Ige to make it happen.
MMA World Reacts To Diego Lopes’ Hard-Fought Win Over Dan Ige
MMA fans reacted to a co-main event that is sure to go down in the history books because of how we got to that point on June 29.
Both men stepped up in a fight where despite Lopes getting the win via unanimous decision, neither came away as the loser.
Daniel Cormier believes that Islam Makhachev benefitted massively from the return of Khabib Nurmagomedov to his corner at UFC 302.
The former lightweight champion has been away from the spotlight for some time after stating that he didn’t want to take away from his fighters and planned to spend more time with his family.
However, coach Khabib was back at UFC 302 this past weekend and played a very important role in the main event.
Daniel Cormier Speaks On Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Influence On Islam Makhachev From The Corner
During his immediate post-event reactions from cageside, Cormier recapped the main event on his YouTube channel.
The UFC commentator spoke about how Nurmagomedov’s return to the corner was specifically significant for this particular fight because of the way it played out. He says that for all the success Makhachev had with his striking, it was the former champion who constantly told him to not get carried away and to look for takedowns.
It was “father’s plan” in full effect, and Cormier isn’t sure whether anyone else could have broken through to Makhachev quite like “The Eagle” did.
“You know what’s very important to me was having Khabib back in his corner for a fight that proved to be much more difficult than they anticipated,” Cormier said. “After the third round, guys, they didn’t show it on the TV, Khabib storms the Octagon, gets right in Islam’s face, because you saw Dustin kind of tell him, ‘Let’s go! let’s go m***********!’ And Islam’s like, ‘Alright, let’s go.’ He didn’t say m*********** because then they would have started fighting, but he said, ‘Let’s go, let’s go.’
“Islam was like, ‘Okay,’ and Khabib told him, ‘No, when that happens, you need to take him down, it’s too risky to be standing in front of him.’ It was awesome because I don’t know who can relate or relay that message to him more effectively than Khabib Nurmagomedov.”
PFL Europe has confirmed details for the third installment of the 2024 season as the promotion heads to Glasgow, Scotland, for the first time.
The official announcement states that elite MMA hasn’t been featured in this location for seven years, but all of that changes at the OVO Hydro on September 28.
Two Scottish fighters have also been announced for the top two spots on the card. In the main event, former PFL finalist Stevie Ray comes out of retirement to take on Wales’ Lewis Long.
“Braveheart” retired in June of last year after back-to-back defeats to Natan Schulte and Clay Collard eliminated him from the regular season.
Long, meanwhile, is an experienced competitor with 26 fights on his pro record, having competed under the banners of both Bellator and Cage Warriors in the past. He last fought in May of 2022, suffering a decision loss to Thibault Gouti at Bellator 280.
Scotland’s Robert Whiteford takes the co-main event slot having also not fought since May of 2022 when he competed at Bellator 281.
He will be taking on the returning Roger Huerta, who has been out of competition since 2021 following a losing streak to some of the top names in Bellator. The 38-fight veteran last won a fight in 2017 and has faced some of the top names in his weight class in the UFC, Bellator, and ONE Championship.
𝙂𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙂𝙊𝙒! 🏴
🏴 Stevie Ray vs. Lewis Long 🏴 🏴 Robert Whiteford vs. Roger Huerta 🇺🇸
The PFL is coming to the OVO Hydro on Saturday 28th September as Elite MMA Returns to Glasgow, Scotland for the first time in over SEVEN years for the PFL Europe Playoffs!
While “The Future” has worked his way up to #6 on the ladder with wins over the likes of Neil Magny and Geoff Neal in recent times, “MVP” only debuted on MMA’s biggest stage in Miami this past March.
At UFC 299, the Londoner impressed in his first UFC appearance after over a decade competing under the Bellator banner. He showed glimpses of his flashy striking style en route to a decision victory over Kevin Holland.
In pursuit of a quick rise toward an all-English title showdown with Leon Edwards, Page has the chance to climb close to the top five at the expense of Garry at UFC 303 on June 29.
And one of the division’s up-and-comers expects him to do just that…
Randy Brown Has No Doubt Page Defeats Garry On June 29
During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Randy Brown reflected on his victory over Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC 302 this past weekend and looked ahead to some other clashes set for his division in the coming weeks and months.
“Rude Boy” was asked for his take on the sophomore UFC outing for Page, who, like Brown, has Jamaican heritage. Brown not only expects “Venom” to have his hand raised in Las Vegas, but he expects it to come with minimal resistance from Garry.
“MVP, easy. Yeah, easy,” Brown said. “MVP, man, is super dynamic. I think he brings an element into the division that I think a lot of people are not used to seeing; movement, lateral movement, and just a level of creativity that most people aren’t seeing at all.
“If you’re not used to seeing that — even a style like mine that’s based off movement alone — it throws people for a loop,” Brown continued. “You look at a guy like MVP, I think that movement is gonna throw Ian Garry off. Ian Garry’s the bigger guy, so he’s also used to using things like that, movement. But when you go against a guy that has a better skillset in that realm and has more experience in that realm… I think he picks him apart.”
Page will no doubt hope to prove Brown’s assessment correct come fight night. To do so, he’ll need to blemish the perfect record of Garry, a former Cage Warriors champion who has long been touted for title success in the sport’s leading promotion.
Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For June 4, 2024, we’re taking a look at:
Poirier and Makhachev both had struggles in camp
Grasso and Shevchenko have mixed opinions on Noche UFC
Sonnen suggests replacement opponent if McGregor pulls out
Yves Edwards Says Dustin Poirier Couldn’t Grapple Due To Training Injury Two Weeks Before UFC 302
A lot of fight fans assumed that similar to his fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dustin Poirier would struggle to stop the grappling game of Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.
This is only more impressive following some recent comments from a former fighter that had insight into his preparations for Newark.
On SiriuxXM’s MMA Today, Yves Edwards said that Poirier was unable to grapple toward the end of his training camp due to a rib injury.
“The way he performed on Saturday night, that was super impressive to me, and nobody knows this, and he’s probably gonna be like, ‘Man, why’d you put that out there?’ I know [Makhachev] was also not 100 percent. Nobody goes into a fight a 100 percent. But [Poirier] hurt his ribs like two weeks before the fight and hadn’t wrestled or grappled for like two and a half weeks.”
"[Dustin Poirier] hadn't wrestled or grappled for like two and half weeks."@thugjitsumaster reveals an injury that Dustin Poirier suffered in training 2 weeks before #UFC302
She expressed in a recent interview ahead of the premiere of their time coaching across from each other on The Ultimate Fighter that the card was no longer being planned around the celebration of Mexican Independence Day.
This was seemingly news to the champion Grasso who said the opposite after being played a clip of Shevchenko’s comments during an interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn.
Alexa Grasso was confused when I played her the clip of Valentina Shevchenko’s comments to me today about UFC 306 at Sphere no longer being Mexican Independence Day themed.
Said she’d be happy to fight Manon Fiorot instead if Shevchenko won’t play ball. https://t.co/sk6N0qaD27
“Well as I know, it’s gonna be Noche UFC again. I mean, I’ve seen a few interviews from Dana White and he’s saying that it’s a love letter for the Mexican Independence Day, for the Mexican fighters that he has.”
Chael Sonnen Pitches Title Fight For Michael Chandler If Conor McGregor Withdraws From UFC 303
The late-notice cancellation of the UFC 303 press conference has got fight fans worried about whether the main event will go ahead.
For seemingly months on end, there were questions of whether Conor McGregor would ever return to face Michael Chandler or whether that ship was sailing. Everything appeared to be heading in the right direction once the fight was made official for June 29. Now, back-up plans are starting to be questioned.
Chael Sonnen expressed on a recent episode of the Good Guy/Bad Guy show on ESPN MMA that he can’t see McGregor pulling out of the fight no matter what.
He did also add that if “The Notorious” can’t fight, the UFC should have the BMF champion on speed dial ready to save the show.
“One of Conor’s codes is the show must go on… I just don’t believe, a month in advance — whether it’s illness, injury, or any other excuse — that Conor’s gonna be the one that pulls,” Sonnen said. “But I will tell you this, there will be no postponement of this fight. They either fight on the 29th or we move on.
“I believe Conor’s gonna be opposite Michael Chandler. I’m very confident in telling you that,” Sonnen continued. “However, if he’s not, Michael Chandler versus Max Holloway for the BMF is the fight to book.”
The biggest concern was when on the day it was set to take place, the press conference in Dublin was postponed without any reason being given.
McGregor put out the following statement but didn’t address many of the concerns that fans had about whether “The Notorious” was withdrawing from the fight.
In consultation with the UFC, todays press conference was cancelled due to a series of obstacles outside of our control. I apologize to my Irish fans, and fans around the world, for the inconvenience and appreciate all your passion and support. I can’t wait to put on the greatest…
His opponent for June 29 in Las Vegas, Michael Chandler, was reportedly told the day before the press conference that it wouldn’t be going ahead in order to avoid him flying over to Ireland.
Chandler’s following post on social media also had fans speculating as to whether some unfortunate news was on the way.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Martin Luther King Jr. #UFC303 – Walk On. – See you at the top! pic.twitter.com/uVj6BfJPnv
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) June 3, 2024
MMA Fans React To More Worrying Signs Regarding UFC 303
The latest potential red flag that could be a coincidence, or could be even more troubling signs, were spotted by fans on social media.
An account by the name of MMA Joey on X posted screenshots that showed the removal of both the pre-purchase option for the pay-per-view via ESPN+ and two of McGregor’s previous fights that were recently uploaded to the UFC’s YouTube channel.
Latest update in the Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler saga
Should the promotion look to keep him at middleweight post-UFC 302, Kevin Holland has a matchup in mind.
Holland made the most of a short-notice opportunity on this past weekend’s pay-per-view main card, bouncing back from consecutive defeats to Jack Della Maddalena and Michael “Venom” Page.
In his return to 185 pounds, “Trailblazer” made quick work of Michał Oleksiejczuk. After being dropped early, Holland was quick to lock his Polish opponent into a gruesome armbar.
Given his ambidexterity when it comes to weight classes, Holland is open to making the walk at either welterweight or middleweight next time out. If the UFC favors the latter, though, “Big Mouth” would like to revisit a matchup…
Holland Wants To Test Improved Wrestling In Vettori Rematch
During a backstage interview with Sportsnet’s Aaron Bronsteter at Newark’s Prudential Center, Holland outlined his intentions to make a quick turnaround and highlighted opponent options at both 170 and 185 pounds.
“At ’85, there’s probably a lot of guys I’d like to fight. I’d like a Marvin Vettori rematch if I’m gonna stay at ’85,” Holland said. “I don’t know what he did his last fight. I think I’ve got my wrestling takedown defense a little bit better. You know, I finished him (Oleksiejczuk) off my back. My jiu-jitsu just got better. I don’t know, I just wanna fight.”
Having worked on his takedown defense and ground game in the years since, Holland evidently wants a go at avenging that result down the line.
Vettori’s current status is unclear. The Italian was set for a main event against Brendan Allen this past April but withdrew through injury after a “freak accident.” It remains to be seen when he’ll be able to compete again, and whether it would fit in with Holland’s plan for a quick return post-UFC 302.
Following his second setback of 2024, UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa would appear to have at least one option already for his return to action.
While he impressed in defeat against one former champion in Robert Whittaker at UFC 298 this past February, the same can’t be said for Costa’s performance opposite another on June 1.
In the co-main event of UFC 302, “Borrachinha” looked to climb the ladder at the expense of Sean Strickland, who was making his first appearance since losing the title in Canada earlier this year.
Although the pair promised a bloody brawl during fight week, that was far from the case inside Prudential Center, with “Tarzan” ultimately emerging victorious from a lackluster affair.
Chris Curtis Interested In Costa Clash Upon Return From Injury
Having seen Costa receive heavy criticism from fans and analysts after his disappointing display in Newark on Saturday night, Chris Curtis took to social media with some words of encouragement.
“The Action Man” knows full well the struggle that comes with solving Strickland’s unique style having gone numerous rounds with him in the training room. With that in mind, he sympathized with “Borrachinha.”
And Curtis concluded his message with a proposal, offering to stand and bang with Costa upon his return from injury later this year.
“Anybody who has sparred Strickland knows he is a weird style to deal with. @BorrachinhaMMA no shame man, it happens,” Curtis wrote. “If you (want) someone in the middle and swing til someone goes down, I’m cleared soon and looking to fight in September. Would be an honour. @Mickmaynard2”
While that result kept him at #15 in the rankings, it stands to reason that Costa will need to fight down the pecking order next time out after slipping to #8 following his second defeat of 2024.
Should Conor McGregor not make it to fight night at UFC 303 later this month, Chael Sonnen has an idea on whom the promotion could draft in to face Michael Chandler instead.
Moments after the milestone UFC 300 pay-per-view concluded this past April, the long-awaited return of McGregor was finally confirmed. After over a year of speculation, the former two-division champ had his comeback fight opposite Chandler made official.
The pair are slated to headline this year’s edition of International Fight Week, topping the lineup at the UFC 303 pay-per-view on June 29. But shortly after entering the month of the event, the fanbase has its concerns.
Sonnen doesn’t believe that to be the case. In the event it is, however, the former fighter thinks the UFC has a strong alternative for Chandler…
Sonnen Names The ‘Fight To Book’ For Chandler If McGregor Pulls Out
During a recent episode of his Good Guy/Bad Guy show alongside Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Sonnen gave his take on the recent rumors regarding McGregor’s status for UFC 303.
After claiming that McGregor’s fight “code” means he’s unlikely to pull out of a fight on late notice, “The American Gangster” suggested that a withdrawal would spell the end of his matchup with Chandler for good.
In that scenario, Sonnen believes the UFC would be wise to turn its attention to a BMF title showdown between “Iron” and Max Holloway.
“One of Conor’s codes is the show must go on… I just don’t believe, a month in advance — whether it’s illness, injury, or any other excuse — that Conor’s gonna be the one that pulls,” Sonnen said. “But I will tell you this, there will be no postponement of this fight. They either fight on the 29th or we move on.
“I believe Conor’s gonna be opposite Michael Chandler. I’m very confident in telling you that,” Sonnen continued. “However, if he’s not, Michael Chandler versus Max Holloway for the BMF is the fight to book.”
Holloway won the symbolic belt in his return to the lightweight division at UFC 300, brutally knocking out Justin Gaethje in the dying seconds after outperforming “The Highlight” for the best part of five rounds.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Martin Luther King Jr. #UFC303 – Walk On. – See you at the top! pic.twitter.com/uVj6BfJPnv
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) June 3, 2024
And in the aftermath of UFC 302, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.
Men’s Pound-For-Pound: While the MMA community remains in hot discussion over Dana White’s insistence that Jon Jones should be above Islam Makhachev, the latest shift in the P4P order has affected the other champion in Jones’ division, interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall.
Despite holding gold since knocking out Sergei Pavlovich, the Brit has dropped one place to #13. Benefitting from that is ex-lightweight champ Charles Oliveira, who has moved back up to #12 despite falling short against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 this past April.
Women’s Pound-for-Pound: No changes.
Women’s Strawweight: No changes.
Women’s Flyweight: No changes.
Women’s Bantamweight: No changes.
Flyweight: Months on from suffering his second straight loss to Tim Elliott last December, Sumudaerji has been removed from the rankings at 115 pounds. In his place, Cody Durden has returned at #15. The American was submitted by Tagir Ulanbekov last time out but had previously won four straight.
Bantamweight: No changes.
Featherweight: No changes.
Lightweight: No changes.
Welterweight: No changes.
Middleweight: Sean Strickland remains the number one contender at 185 pounds following his victory in a lackluster co-main event at UFC 302. His defeated opponent, meanwhile, has slid further from contention, with Paulo Costa down one position at #8 as a result of his second setback this year. His slight fall has boosted Nassourdine Imavov up one place to #7 ahead of his headliner against Jared Cannonier this weekend in Louisville.
As pointed out on commentary during the main event, “The Eagle” was incredibly animated during some of the rounds after Makhachev showed a willingness to stand and strike with Poirier.
Though the champion got the better of many of the exchanges, boxing with “The Diamond” was always going to be the best chance that the challenger had to win the fight.
Mendez Says Khabib’s Passion Led To Corner Receiving Multiple Warnings From The Commission
During his podcast, coach Javier Mendez recapped the fight and how he felt Makhachev performed in Newark.
The AKA head coach stated that the commission in New Jersey were constantly warning their corner to settle down due to Nurmagomedov’s actions during the fight where he repeatedly called for Makhachev to initiate the grappling.
It has been a while since the former champion was working the corner and Mendez said that he forgot just how passionate “The Eagle” gets when he’s coaching his fighters.
“I had Khabib in the corner going crazy on me. Like, I forgot how crazy he is in the corner, so nuts man. I’m like, I’m trying to calm him down and say hey, don’t worry, don’t worry, just scream loud but, ‘No coach, I have…’ but that’s his style, that’s his dad’s style, that’s his style. But I’m trying to get him to settle down a little bit, so the commission kept yelling at us, ‘Sit down! Sit down! Sit down!’ And it almost reminded me of the old style. But Khabib’s an unbelievable corner, he gives unbelievable advice.”
Whilst the defending champ did secure a takedown and get the submission in the fifth round, up until that point, a lot of the contest took place on the feet.
Makhachev showed in his fights with Alexander Volkanovski that though it isn’t necessarily his strongest skillset, he’s more than capable of striking with his opponents as his confidence improves in this area.
Makhachev’s corner, and Khabib Nurmagomedov specifically, were calling for the champion to constantly threaten the takedown.
Whilst he was winning the majority of the striking exchanges, boxing with “The Diamond” is a dangerous game to play.
Makhachev was ahead on two of the judges’ scorecards going into the fifth and final round with Eric Colon and Sal D’Amato both having Poirier in need of a finish to leave with the 155-pound title.
Judge Chris Lee had the fight even but as he stated on his MMArcade Podcast, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker saw it being far more one-sided for Makhachev.
“The Reaper” stated that despite it being a great fight, the champion was winning each round with his striking or grappling.
“Makhachev beat him there a lot of the rounds, I had him winning every round. I thought he was outstriking him in a lot of the rounds, I understand there was a lot of significant strikes passed between them, there was a lot of tit-for-tat moments but mate, it was great to watch. I thought that was such a, like I said, I think in my opinion it was one of the better title fights we’ve seen in a long time.”
After being knocked down inside the first minute, Holland was able to quickly recover and lock up an armbar submission from the bottom.
From there, the position only got worse for Oleksiejczuk who refused to tap as Holland controlled the arm and spoke to him throughout.
Gradually realizing that his opponent wasn’t going to give him the win without doing significant damage first, “Big Mouth” dialled up the intensity to force an end to the fight through a technical submission.
Holland has produced some incredible finishes during his time in the promotion and will always be a fan favorite but he has struggled to compete with the very best.
McCarthy Questions Whether Kevin Holland Is Mean Enough For Top Level Of MMA
During a recent episode of the Weighing In podcast, Josh Thomson and “Big” John McCarthy recapped all of the action from UFC 302.
Both men were impressed by Holland’s display as he once again proved his ability to compete at both welterweight and middleweight.
However, McCarthy noticed one thing in this fight that could prove to be something that holds Holland back when it comes to competing at the highest level.
The way he only really put the pressure on the arm of his opponent after it became clear that he wasn’t going to tap was compared to fighters in the past that have tried to take the arm home with them as soon as they got the hold locked in.
“I’m going to be honest about this, the one attribute he doesn’t have, he’s not mean. He’s not, because I’m telling you right now, Frank Mir had that arm, you know just watching that fight, he’s sat there and he’s kind of like trying to put a little more pressure, a little more pressure like it is training and kind of looks up (at the referee) like ‘Hey!’ and finally says ‘Okay, I’m gonna have to do this, I’m sorry’ and puts it under his arm.
“All I’m telling you is Frank Mir, dude as soon as he grabbed that arm, he’s trying to take it off of your body. Carlos Condit, he’s trying to take it off your body. Josh Barnett, he’s trying to take it off your body. He wants to take that thing, pull it off your body and smack you in the head with it.”
The former middleweight champion fought out of his standard defensive shell, constantly walked down his opponent and kept his strikes simple with jabs, the occasional combination and front kicks.
This was something that his corner were clearly concerned by following their defeats to Jared Cannonier and Dricus Du Plessis, where despite thinking that their fighter had done enough, they lost a decision following some very close rounds.
Mendez Says Strickland Needed To Open Up More Against Costa, Credits Coach Nicksick For Urgency
There was no change in approach from Strickland even as Costa started to slow down which could have come back to bite him.
His head coach, Eric Nicksick, was very clear heading into the fifth round that he needed to clearly win the final five minutes just in case the scorecards were close.
Strickland opened up more as the fight came to a close and landed some eye-catching strikes that sealed the deal for him.
During his podcast recap of the event, Islam Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez spoke about Strickland and his defensive style.
He pointed out how it was a great call from Nicksick to stress urgency after how close the former champion’s style can make fights look.
“Sean Strickland is a great fighter but unfortunately, for me, he pressured, he pressured, he was in control but it wasn’t until his corner gave him great advice, Eric Nicksick is a great coach, he told him ‘hey, I need you to finish strong’, this and that and he didn’t really finish strong until the very very end and actually that’s what solidified that fight for him because that’s what gave him that round. But up to that point, because you don’t know how the judges are judging these fights. It’s ridiculous the way they were judging this fight so he did it correct, he did great cornering.”
He echoed the same sentiment in his post-fight interview after being submitted by Islam Makhachev in the main event.
With another shot at capturing the lightweight title being unlikely, Poirier said that he needs to look at why he’s still fighting and focus on being with his family.
“The Diamond” has had an incredible career, competing 40 times in the pro ranks and fighting the very best in his weight class.
A former champion believes that whilst there are still fights out there for him, getting out now may be his best option.
Michael Bisping Speaks From Personal Experience, Says Dustin Poirier Should Retire
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping spoke about what could be next for Poirier during a video on his YouTube channel.
He named two opponents that would make a lot of sense for him before he does call time on his career but despite that, is leaning towards Poirier hanging up the gloves.
“So Justin Gaethje, Alexander Volkanovski, they’re my two top picks or, does he walk off into the sunshine. Listen, make hey whilst the sun is shining but, he’s made a lot of hay, he’s got money in the bank, he’s represented himself with class. He went toe-to-toe with Islam Makhachev, he’s been in there with some of the best fighters on the planet and put on some absolute wars and as he said, if he considers his smokers and his kind of amateur fights, he’s had about 50 fights.”
Bisping also spoke from personal experience about why Poirier should leave combat sports behind despite it being a tough decision to make.
Having retired in 2018, “The Count” has been able to explore new avenues and he believes the same may be the case for Louisiana’s finest.
“He’s only 35 years old, he’s got a lot of life left to live so go off, enjoy yourself. That would be my suggestion. I would love to see him fight Volk, I would love to see him fight Gaethje but for me, I would say the best thing that I ever did was walk away from combat sports. It’s a very, very hard thing. It’s all that you know, you’ve dedicated your entire life to it but when you do it, when you reach those kinds of heights, it opens so many other doors. So Dustin Poirier, whatever you do decide, all the best, congratulations.”
