On Wednesday, the UFC announced that Ramazan Temirov received a 12-month suspension after testing positive in out-of-competition tests conducted earlier this year on June 12 and July 4 under the promotion’s anti-doping program.
Temirov tested positive for the banned substance known as trimetazidine (TMZ), a drug typically used to treat heart conditions, which is classified as a hormone and metabolic modulator on the UFC’s anti-doping list.
#UFC flyweight Ramazan Temirov has been suspended one year retroactively after testing positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), per the promotion's anti-doping program. He's eligible to return July 5, 2026 pic.twitter.com/GYfSovjZ1D
According to a statement from CSAD, “Temurlan” was prescribed the medication by a doctor to address a medical condition and used it briefly. However, he did not verify whether the substance was on the banned list, resulting in his suspension. The agency noted that the drug offers no expected performance-enhancing effects.
Temirov’s suspension is retroactive, making him eligible to return to competition on July 5, 2026.
Image: @ufceurasia/Instagram
When Was Ramazan Temirov’s Last UFC Fight?
Ramazan Temirov was last seen in action at UFC Vegas 103 this past March, securing a unanimous decision victory over Charles Johnson. Before that, “Temurlan” made a striking impression in his Octagon debut at UFC Vegas 98 in October 2024, earning a first-round knockout over CJ Vergara.
The 28-year-old Uzbek fighter was scheduled to face rising flyweight prospect Asu Almabayev at UFC Abu Dhabi in July, but he was forced to pull out from the matchup after the failed drug test.
Temirov is riding an impressive 11-fight winning streak and boasts a professional record of 19-3, with 12 of those victories coming by stoppage.
OKTAGON 77 takes place in Bratislava, Slovakia on October 4th with 11 total bouts. The Tipsport Gamechanger tournament rolls on, with Kerim Engizek taking on Dominik Humburger in the main event with a place in the finals on the line. Hojat Khajevand will face off with UFC veteran Krzysztof Jotko for the second spot in the tournament finals. The card is filled with action and the top talent in Europe, and you can find all the live results here as they occur, and the event can be streamed live at OKTAGON.tv
Following his viral loss to Fredric Vosgrone, Jorick Montagnac made a successful return to the cage, facing Polish striker Mateusz Duczmal. Montagnac landed 7 takedowns en route to a dominant decision victory, utilizing strength and control to win the bout.
In an exciting and close stand up war, Monika Chochlikova won the first two rounds with volume and a good kicking game, and secured the decision despite a strong third round from Flores. Flores landed a tremendous sweep and several good punching exchanges, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the first two rounds despite out striking Chochlikova 75-74.
3. Karol Rysavy (14-9) vs Ayton De Paepe (13-6) – Featherweight Bout
Ayton De Paepe (14-6) defeats Karol Rysavy (14-10) by Split Decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
Fighting for the second time in just 14 days, Ayton De Paepe put an absolute pace on Karol Rysavy. He dropped the first round, but kept his pace and pressure in both the striking and wrestling, securing the last two rounds on all three judges scorecards to win his second fight in OKTAGON, shortly after his first loss at OKTAGON 76 to James Hendin.
4. #1 Veronika Smolkova (6-3) vs Ana Carolina Araujo (3-2) – Women’s Flyweight Bout
Veronika Smolkova (7-3) defeats Ana Carolina Araujo by Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)
In one of the most action packed fights of the year, Veronika Smolkova displayed all the tools in her arsenal en route to a dominant victory over the OKTAGON debutant Araujo. Smolkova landed over 200 strikes, hurting Araujo on many occasions. Despite the loss, Araujo displayed incredibly toughness and heart, and at just 19 years old will most definitely be back and improved.
5. Tomas Ciganik (6-2) vs Konrad Dyrschka (16-2) – 159 lb Catchweight
Konrad Dyrschka (17-2) defeats Tomas Ciganik (6-3) by Split Decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
In a grueling fight through two rounds, Tomas Ciganik absolutely emptied the tank and did everything he could to finish the fight and get the victory. Dyrschka showed incredible toughness and survived the onslaught, winning the fight by the skin of his teeth. This was Konrad’s first fight since December 2023.
Main Card
6. Marco Novak (6-2) vs Daniel Solaja (3-2) – Featherweight Bout
Marco Novak (7-2) defeats Daniel Solaja (3-3) by TKO :30 seconds into round 3
Daniel Solaja dominated the early going of this fight, showcasing his explosive and quick striking. Novak utilized the clinch to stay safe and add up damage, but was down 2 rounds on the scorecards entering the third. Novak proceeded to knockdown Solaja and finished the fight with ground strikes, securing the first finish of the event.
7. #4 Samuel Kristofic (17-7) vs #8 Jaime Cordero(9-2) – Middleweight Gamechanger Tournament Reserve Bout
Jaime Cordero (10-2) defeats Samuel Kristofic (17-8) by TKO (injury) 2:49 into the first round
In what was shaping up to be an action packed bout, Cordero vs Kristofic ended early in a very unfortunate manner. On a takedown by Cordero, Kristofic went to post with his arm and dislocated his elbow, resulting in a doctor’s stoppage.
8. #1 Ivan Buchinger (45-10) vs #5 Richie Smullen (15-3-1) – Featherweight Bout
Ivan Buchinger (46-10) defeats Richie Smullen (15-4-1) by Submission (Mounted Ninja Choke) 1:40 into the third round
The timeless legend Ivan Buchinger continues to find ways to win. Buchinger struggled early with the grappling pressure of the Irishman Smullen and losing a point via cage grab in the second round. Buchinger turned the tides in round three, dealing damaging ground and pound strikes, and eventually locking up the modified D’arce choke to tap out Smullen. Buchinger secure his 39th finish of his career, and the title shot as well. He also revealed in the post fight interview he entered this fight with a major shoulder injury.
Krzysztof Jotko (28-6) defeats Hojat Khajevand (10-5) by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28×3)
UFC veteran Krzystof Jotko remained with his winning ways, as he used a tactical gameplan to outstrike and outwrestle Hojat Khajavand over three rounds. He will face the winner of Humburger vs Engizek for the finals of the TipSport Gamechanger tournament.
Vlasto Cepo (14-3) defeats Daniel Schwindt (8-4) by KO (hook) at 3:38 of round one
Vlasto Cepo, one of the most violent fighters in OKTAGON, maintained his reputation with a devastating knockout of fellow finisher Daniel Schwindt. Cepo withstood the early storm and delivered the explosive right hook, ending the German fighters night early and sending the Slovak crowd into a roar.
In possibly one of the greatest fights we have ever seen in the OKTAGON cage, Kerim Engizek defeated Dominik Humburger in an absolute war. Both men did immense damage, with Humburger breaking Engizek’s nose in the first round. Despite the adversity, the champion rallied back and dropped Humburger on multiple occasions, despite being outstruck for the fight. Engizek moves on to face Jotko in December for a chance at €300,000 euros and the TipSport Gamechanger championship.
**Kerim Engizek is the current OKTAGON middleweight champion, but the belt is not on the line during the TipSport Gamechanger Tournament.
OKTAGON will be back on October 18th in Köln, Germany with OKTAGON 77: Jungwirth vs Trušček.
Khalil Rountree has frequently showcased his fandom of punk as well as metal subgenres and recently got into that ahead of his UFC 320 bout. During an interview with Jose Youngs of MMA Fighting, Rountree touched on several subjects outside of the immediate fight talk tied to his high stakes light heavyweight clash with Jiri Prochazka on Saturday, October 4th.
When asked about the biggest misconception that people from outside society have surrounding fans of hardcore, the former UFC light heavyweight title challenger touched on the etiquette that exists in the pit, as Khalil Rountree said,
“As chaotic and violent as it may look, for people like me and the people that go, it’s often like a safe space—100 percent. It’s a safe space to be able to let out rage and not be criticized for it and not get arrested for it.”
“When we go there, if you’re near the pit, if you get punched, you signed up for it. If you get knocked out in the pit, somebody’s probably going to pick you up and carry you off and make sure you’re okay.”
“Unless you’re really being an a**, then they’ll probably just leave you there. But for the most part, it’s a safe space for almost everybody there.”
Khalil Rountree and the popular online clip of him doing hardcore vocals
Also in the interview above with Youngs, the hugely entertaining fighter was asked for three hardcore albums he would give to someone that wants to immerse themselves in the punk sub-genre. Khalil Rountree referenced a record from Terror titled One with the Underdogs as one of the LP’s within that trifecta and the surging 205 pound contender actually got to perform with the band before.
In a clip that has been circulated a fair bit on MMA social media, the 35-year-old UFC fighter got on-stage and performed vocals for Terror and when describing that experience, Rountree stated [viaNo Echo],
“I’ve seen Terror many times but never had the courage to take the mic from Vogel. But this time was different. I was back in my hometown after being away for a handful of years.”
“I hadn’t been to a show in ages and it was Terror. I mean that’s it. They played ‘Out of My Face,’ and I was so p***ed at all the internet trolls crying about me kicking some guy’s leg in so it was the perfect opportunity for me to get up and talk my s**t.”
The California native performed on-stage shortly after his TKO victory over Modesta Bukauskas and in further touching upon that moment with the microphone, Rountree quipped,
“Never met Scott or Terror before but I chopped it up with him after and sent them some Supachamp merch. Thanked him for the lyrics he writes and the messages he’s stood by all these years.”
“That s**t got us all through a lot and still does. Terror is a Hall of Fame hardcore band. I’m glad someone filmed that moment.”
UFC 320 is almost here, and we here at MMA News are here to provide you the latest on betting odds for the card.
The card takes place from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, October 4. The pay-per-view main card portion of the event will start at 10PM ET/7PM PT, with preliminary action starting at 6PM ET/3PM PT.
The headline attraction for the event will feature a UFC light heavyweight championship rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira.
The co-main event will see the Merab Dvalishvili put the UFC bantamweight championship on the line against Cory Sandhagen.
The pay-per-view card will also feature Jiri Prochazka taking on Khalil Rountree Jr., Josh Emmett facing Youssef Zalal, and Abus Magomedov vs. Joe Pyfer.
UFC 320: Pereira vs. Ankalaev 2 Betting Odds
Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 320 as of October 4 at 8:30pm ET, courtesy of DraftKings.
Main Card:
Light Heavyweight Championship: Magomed Ankalaev (-265) vs. Alex Pereira (+215)
Bantamweight Championship: Merab Dvalishvili (-440) vs. Cory Sandhagen (+340)
Light Heavyweight: Jiri Prochazka (-205) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. (+170)
Featherweight: Josh Emmett (+360) vs. Youssef Zalal (-470)
Middleweight: Abus Magomedov (+200) vs. Joe Pyfer (-245)
Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Ateba Gautier (-1800) vs. Treston Vines (+1000)
Middleweight: Edmen Shahbazyan (-325) vs. Andre Muniz (+260)
Bantamweight: Chris Gutierrez (+370) vs. Farid Basharat (-485)
Catchweight: Daniel Santos (-148) vs. Joosang Yoo (+124)
Early Preliminary Card:
Women’s Bantamweight: Macy Chiasson (-198) vs. Yana Santos (+164)
Bantamweight: Patchy Mix (-325) vs. Jakub Wiklacz (+260)
Welterweight: Punahele Soriano (-325) vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (+260)
Welterweight: Ramiz Brahimaj (+240) vs. Austin Vanderford (-298)
Women’s Flyweight: Veronica Hardy (-700) vs. Brogan Walker (+500)
Former NFL defensive end and Jon Jones’ older brother, Arthur Jones, has sadly passed away at 39.
On Friday, reports emerged of Jones’ passing, though the cause remains unclear. The Baltimore Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta issued an official statement honoring him.
“We are terribly saddened to learn of Arthur Jones’ sudden passing,” statement reads. “Arthur’s presence was a gift to everyone he encountered. His big, bright smile, infectious energy and eternal positivity created a presence that continuously uplifted others.”
“He was kind, courteous, and enthusiastic – always displaying a love for family, teammates and friends. We send our deepest condolences to the Jones family and all who loved Arthur.”
While the cause of Jones’ death remains unknown, former UFC two-division champion Jon Jones has yet to comment on the devastating news of his brother’s passing.
Image: BaltimoreRavens.com
When Did Arthur Jones Retire From The NFL?
Arthur Jones began his NFL career when he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2010 and signed a three-year rookie deal. He played a key role in the Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII victory in February 2013.
In March 2014, Jones inked a five-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts. His time there included a four-game suspension at the start of the 2016 season for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy, and he was eventually released by the Colts in March 2017.
Later that year, in November, Jones joined the Washington Redskins but was sidelined on injured reserve due to a dislocated shoulder. Following the 2017 season, he announced his retirement from the NFL on social media.
We’re about less than 24 hours away from UFC 320, and MMA News is here to bring you the video from the ceremonial weigh-ins for the card!
UFC 320 takes place on October 4 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The main event will see Magomed Ankalaev defend the UFC light heavyweight championship against Alex Pereira. Ankalaev beat Pereira for the title at UFC 313 in March, and he hasn’t tasted defeat since dropping his March 2018 Octagon debut. Pereira originally won the title with a win over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295, and he retained the gold over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, Prochazka at UFC 303, and Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307.
The co-main event will see Merab Dvalishvili defend the UFC bantamweight championship against Cory Sandhagen. Dvalishvili won the gold by defeating Sean O’Malley at Noche UFC 2: UFC 306 in September 2024, and he retained the belt over Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 and O’Malley at UFC 316. Sandhagen, meanwhile, has won four of five, most recently stopping Deiveson Figueriedo at UFC Des Moines in May.
The rest of the main card sees Prochazka facing Rountree Jr., Josh Emmett taking on Youssef Zalal, and Abus Magomedov going up against Joe Pyfer.
Though one fighter, Macy Chiasson, missed weight for her prelim matchup, all fights are still on!
The ceremonial weigh-ins present the last opportunity for opponents to face off before they meet inside the Octagon. Check them out below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel!
In one of the most highly-anticipated rematches in PFL history, Usman Nurmagomedov made it no question this time around — scoring a clear decision over Paul Hughes to become PFL lightweight world champion in the main event of PFL Champions Series 3.
Nurmagomedov and Hughes battled technically over the five rounds, starting with Nurmagomedov coming out of the gate with low kicks and body work, plus working back control on Hughes after a takedown. Hughes tried to rally as the rounds went on, but Nurmagomedov repeatedly managed to find takedowns over the second and third rounds to stall Hughes’ momentum.
Hughes showed grit during the championship rounds as he managed to find escapes out of the grappling of Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov, however, was relentless with his pressure and went toe-to-toe with him in his striking. Hughes looked to press forward in the final round with his combinations, but Nurmagomedov’s defense and late takedown sealed the deal in his favor.
The judges scored the bout 50-45, 49-46, and 48-47, all in Nurmagomedov’s favor.
Usman Nurmagomedov Wins PFL Lightweight Title With Decision Over Paul Hughes
Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)
Those scorecards are ATROCIOUS. Usman winning is totally fine but the fight was MUCH closer than that. #PFLDubai
The two first met at the first PFL Champions Series event in January, with Nurmagomedov controversially retaining the then-Bellator lightweight title with a majority decision win.
Nurmagomedov improves to 20-0 (1 NC) with this win.
Nurmagomedov is responsible now for two of the now-three losses in Hughes’ professional MMA career. He came into this fight off a sub-minute finish of Bruno Miranda at PFL Europe 1 in May.
Corey Anderson’s expert level grappling was too much for Dovlet Yagshimuradov to handle, as he scored an easy decision to become the PFL light heavyweight champion in the co-main event of PFL Champions Series 3.
Yagshimuradov found success in the opening round with his striking, briefly troubling Anderson, but Anderson shifted some momentum with a late takedown. Anderson began to use that to start his pressure of Yagshimuradov, working heavy clinch work and getting the better of him all around in the grappling department.
The effect was clear, as Yagshimuradov started to gas and slow down. By the championship rounds, Anderson’s dominance was clear, as he completely overwhelmed Yagshimuradov with pressure and nearly scored a TKO on multiple occasions, easily taking the judges’ scorecards.
Corey Anderson Wins PFL Light Heavyweight Title With Decision Win Over Dovlet Yagshimuradov
Anderson’s run as a champion began when he won the then-Bellator light heavyweight championship in Dublin, Ireland, at a Bellator Champions Series event in March 2024.
Yagshimuradov, the 2024 PFL light heayvweight season champion, sees a seven-fight win streak snapped as a result of this loss.
Four years ago, Sergio Pettis was behind on the scorecards against Kyoji Horiguchi when he landed a spinning backfist knockout to retain his Bellator title.
Now, in a very similar circumstance, Magomed Magomedov appeared to be near a finish of Pettis in the second round before Pettis pulled off a spinning back elbow to drop Magomedov out cold in a bantamweight title eliminator at PFL Champions Series 3.
Pettis connected with jabs and a brief trip early, while Magomedov answered with a flying knee and a takedown, ending the first round in top control. Magomedov then used his grappling to take over the second round, consistently bringing Pettis to the ground and locking in body triangles, threatening chokes on multiple occasions, seemingly near a finish.
But in the round’s closing seconds, Pettis countered a jumping knee from Magomedov with a side kick before landing a spinning back elbow that put Magomedov’s lights out and gave him the victory.
Sergio Pettis Scores Highlight KO Of Magomed Magomedov At PFL Champions Series 3
In a battle of unbeaten heavyweights, Pouya Rahmani, after already besting him in a grappling match earlier this year, pulled off a hard-hitting, first-round finish of Slim Trabelsi at PFL Champions Series 3.
Trabelsi tried to establish the jab early, but Rahmani quickly turned things to his favor. Rahmani slipped him up on a flurry, but Trabelsi got his feet back under him.
Unfortunately for Trabelsi, one right hand quickly ended things, dropping him as Rahmani landed some follow-up shots to end things quickly.
Pouya Rahmani Puts Away Slim Trabelsi At PFL Champions Series 3
PFL fans and MMA commentators alike were left with their heads scratching as Makkasharip Zaynukov earned a win over John Mitchell via unanimous decision during the early card of PFL Champions Series 3 in Dubai.
While the first round was slow-paced, with both men struggling to find a rhythm, the second saw Mitchell find success with battering Zaynukov’s legs with kicks. He also defended a number of takedown attempts from Zaynukov, though he had moments by trying to press with strikes.
Zaynukov would finally find success with takedowns in the third, controlling the final round with his grappling pressure. That somehow seemed to be enough for the judges, one of whom gave Zaynukov a 10-8 round, to give him the decision win.
Makkasharip Zaynukov Earns Controversial Win Over John Mitchell At PFL Champions Series 3
That 30-26 has to be somekind of error by the announcer right? There is just no way..
One of the biggest myths in MMA is the supposed “Elite wrestling and cardio” coming out of the Khabib Nurmagomedov camp. Dog shit set up on those takedowns by Zaynukov who barely squeaked out a win against Mitchell imo. The striking they produce is of course shit as well.
— Tennis + Pick of the Day (@pluspickofdaday) October 3, 2025
That was a really close fight between John Mitchell and Makkasharip Zaynukov!
I have round 1 for Mitchell, round 3 for Zaynukov.
All comes down to how the judges see the second. #RoadToDubai
‘The Black Widow’ encroaches into Newark as Jessica Borga aims to collect her second belt in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship in BKFC’s first foray into New Jersey. Jessica Borga battles Christine Ferea at BKFC 82 for the Queen of Violence championship. This October 4th catchweight affair is a hugely compelling, champ vs. champ clash with Borga and Ferea entering the 138 pound catchweight clash as the 145 pound and 125 pound champions, respectively.
Borga appeared on Bare Knuckle Bowker once again and in her prior BKB appearance ahead of her last fight with Hannah Rankin, Borga mentioned that she could see the stoppage happening in the second round. This considering Rankin’s resume of opponents and championship accolades in boxing which gave some notion she could be durable enough to get to the second stanza.
At BKFC 72 when they did clash, ‘The Black Widow’ authored a devastating 32 second KO of Rankin and Borga became BKFC’s inaugural women’s featherweight champion in Dubai. When asked if she has a particular visualization for how this BKFC 82 fight for the Queen of Violence title against BKFC’s flyweight champion will wrap up, Borga said [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“It’s crazy. You know, I always plan as if I’m going for five rounds, you know. Like I’m going against the biggest, the best, the fastest. I just; I plan and prepare for a five round brawl every time.”
“Even though I know what I bring to the table and I don’t think that she realizes after I hit her one time. I think she might try to run away a lot [laughs], but I think that she’s not going to make it as long as she thinks she’s going to make it.”
“I don’t see her lasting. I mean, I had a two-time world champion boxer, my last one, that was quite a bit bigger than me that has gone the distance with legends, you know, and I finished her faster than I anticipated, you know.”
“So, you know, I just; I think I’m underestimated a lot. But once again, I’ll get to prove myself.”
BKFC has “pampered” Ferea according to Borga: “I do not respect her”
Hannah Rankin is a great statement win by any measure and the former gloved boxing champion has fought people like Claressa Shields under Queensberry Rules. But localized to the bare knuckle fighting space, Christine Ferea has a handful of title defenses to her credit and many regard her as the number one woman pound for pound in gloveless combat.
When asked if this would be the biggest feather in her cap in a bare knuckle context at this point in time, Borga stated [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“Yeah, I’d say that. I mean, I think that she’s been pampered a lot in the sport, but I’m not taking away from anything that she’s done for the sport.”
“She’s been there since the beginning. She’s fought 11 fights. You know, it’s; I had the respect for what she’s done for the sport, but I do not respect her.”
The third PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai event took place on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action.
After a number of changes to its organizational structure earlier in the year, and with the PFL World Tournament concluded, the PFL will hold its third edition of the PFL Champions Series at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE.
Gold will also be on the line in the co-main event, as Corey Anderson faces Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov for the PFL light heavyweight championship. The two first met in April 2021 during Bellator’s Light Heavyweight Grand Prix, with Anderson getting the finish. Anderson defeated Karl Moore in March 2024 to become Bellator light heavyweight champion.
The rest of the main card will also feature a No. 1 contender’s match at bantamweight between Magomed Magomedov and Sergio Pettis, a lightweight battle feature Archie Colgan and Jay-Jay Wilson, and a 140-pound catchweight bout between Jack Cartwright and Caolan Loughran.
PFL Champions Series 3 begins at 11:30 am ET on the ESPN app. If you can’t watch the action, check here for the latest results and highlights!
PFL Champions Series 3: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes 2 Results & Highlights
PFL Lightweight Championship: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)
PFL Light Heavyweight Championship: Corey Anderson def. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov via unanimous decision (49-45 x2, 48-47)
Bantamweight Title Eliminator: Sergio Pettis def. Magomed Magomedov via KO (R2, 4:31)
Lightweight: Archie Colgan def. Jay-Jay Wilson via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Catchweight (140 lbs): Jack Cartwright def. Caolan Loughran via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Heavyweight: Pouya Rahmani def. Slim Trabelsi via TKO (R1, 2:47)
Welterweight: Florim Zendeli def. Omar El Dafrawy via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
It's a tough one to score! Who you got winning between Jarrah Al-Selawe & Gregory Babene? 👀#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW | Streaming on the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/PfHFHOmPnq
Jarrah Al-Selawe is back in the win column! What a fight to kick things off!#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW | Streaming on the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/Xsa62J2T3H
Keeping the cutman busy 😱 Round 2 between Omar El Dafrawy and Florim Zendeli starts NOW!#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW | Streaming on the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/svQfJOK7FK
Corey Anderson and Dovlet Yagshimuradov refuse to give up. Who will take this one?#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW | Streaming on the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/ylkkFTYKOX
A respectful ending between Usman Nurmagomedov & Paul Hughes. WHAT A FIGHT!#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW | Streaming on the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/O1tgrHAglp
USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV IS YOUR LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION BY UNANIMOUS DECISION!#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW | Streaming on the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/xjnlu1ELYY
We are just one day away from UFC 320, and we’ve got the official weigh-in results for you here at MMA News.
UFC 320 takes place from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring a number of noteworthy names topped off with two title fights.
The main event will feature a light heavyweight championship rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira. The two first met at UFC 313 in March, with Ankalaev completely stopping Pereira’s offense over 25 minutes to win the belt.
Ankalaev has won three straight and has not suffered a loss since dropping his UFC debut against Paul Craig in March 2018.
Pereira originally won the light heavyweight title by defeating Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295. He retained the gold three times, defeating Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, Prochazka in a short-notice rematch at UFC 303, and Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307.
Gold will also be on the line in the co-main event, as Merab Dvalishvili defends the bantamweight title against Cory Sandhagen. Dvalishvili won the belt at Noche UFC 2: UFC 306 in September 2024, defeating Sean O’Malley by decision. He retained the belt against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January and against O’Malley in a rematch at UFC 316 in June. Sandhagen has won four of his last five, earning this title shot with his finish of Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Des Moines in May.
The main card will also feature Prochazka and Rountree Jr. in another light heavyweight clash, a featherweight fight featuring Josh Emmett and Youssef Zalal, and a middleweight matchup that sees Abus Magomedov take on Joe Pyfer.
UFC 320 Weigh-In Video, Results
UFC 320 takes place Saturday, October 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.
See above to watch the UFC 320 Weigh-In Show (beginning at 11:50 a.m. ET), and check out the full results below.
Main Card:
Light Heavyweight Championship: Magomed Ankalaev (204.5) vs. Alex Pereira (204.5)
Bantamweight Championship: Merab Dvalishvili (135) vs. Cory Sandhagen (134.5)
Light Heavyweight: Jiri Prochazka (206) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. (205)
Featherweight: Josh Emmett (146) vs. Youssef Zalal (146)
Middleweight: Abus Magomedov (185.5) vs. Joe Pyfer (186)
Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Ateba Gautier (185) vs. Treston Vines (185)
Middleweight: Edmen Shahbazyan (185.5) vs. Andre Muniz (185.5)
Bantamweight: Chris Gutierrez (136) vs. Farid Basharat (136)
*153-pound catchweight bout: Daniel Santos (151) vs. Joosang Yoo (152.5)
Early Preliminary Card:
Women’s Bantamweight: Macy Chiasson (137.5**) vs. Yana Santos (135)
Bantamweight: Patchy Mix (136) vs. Jakub Wiklacz (136)
Welterweight: Punahele Soriano (170.5) vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (170.5)
Welterweight: Ramiz Brahimaj (170.5) vs. Austin Vanderford (170.5)
Women’s Flyweight: Veronica Hardy (125.5) vs. Brogan Walker (124.5)
*Bout was originally scheduled as a featherweight bout but was changed on the day of weigh-ins
**Chiasson misses non-title bantamweight limit by 1.5 pounds. Chiasson fined 25 percent of her purse.
UFC BJJ 3 went down on Thursday, October 2, at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the event is officially in the books.
In the main event, reigning UFC BJJ bantamweight king Mikey Musumeci put on a masterclass in his first title defense, dismantling rising challenger Keven Carrasco. “Darth Rigatoni” needed less than a round to secure his trademark Mikey Lock, forcing the tap for a flawless finish.
Meanwhile, in the co-main event, lightweight champ Carlos Henrique defended his title with a commanding unanimous decision over three-time world champion Matheus Gabriel.
Additionally, Andy Varela, Ana Mayordomo, and Jalen Fonacier each earned Submission of the Night honors, cashing in bonuses for their impressive finishes at UFC BJJ 3.
They left it ALL in the Bowl tonight 🙌
Andy Varela, Ana Mayordomo, & Jalen Fonacier all took home submission of the night bonuses!
Brave CF: Georgia vs. The World is a hugely important event set to transpire on Friday, October 3rd. That Brave CF offering emanates from the Tbilisi New Sports Palace with fighters taking to the scales ahead of nine bouts to ring in the fifth edition of Brave’s International Combat Week.
Topping the marquee is the number one ranked lightweight Rauli Tutarauli who clashes with former ONE Championship and Bellator MMA veteran Pieter Buist with the Brave CF interim lightweight title on the line. Both combatants made championship weight with the Georgian crowd feverishly anticipating this five round title clash.
The penultimate fight of the night will see partisan favorite Lasha Abramishvili collide with Khurshed Nazarov who is the number three-ranked bantamweight. Brave CF‘s 135 pound kingpin Borislav Nikolic will almost assuredly be closely watching this bout which has massive title contender stakes.
Also, Pakistan’s first IMMAF world medalist Ismail Khan tests skills with Azerbaijan mixed martial artist Elmir Jafarov. There were some notable misses at the weigh-ins though as three athletes missed their marks but revisions to some of the agreed upon terms have kept those contests alive.
Brave CF Georgia vs. The World full weigh in results
The top to bottom weigh in stats for Brave CF Georgia vs. The World can be found below:
BRAVE CF Interim Lightweight World Championship – 70.3 KG / 150 LBS Rauli Tutaraul (69.8 KG) vs. Pieter Buist (70.2 KG)
Bantamweight – 61.2 KG / 135 LBS* Lasha Abramishvili (61.6 KG) vs. Khurshed Nazarov (61.7 KG)
Middleweight – 83.9 KG / 185 LBS** Mukhrani Narsavidze (83.8 KG) vs. Gheorghe Gritko (85.1 KG)
Featherweight – 65.8 KG / 145 LBS* Luka Giorgadze (65.6 KG) vs. Reymond Jowett (66.8 KG) 59-KG
Catchweight – 59 KG / 130 LBS* Ismail Khan (59.3 KG) vs. Elmir Jafarov (59.4 KG)
Featherweight – 65.8 KG / 145 LBS* Dimitri Bolkvadze (66.2 KG) vs. Timur Kuanysh (66.2 KG) 60-KG
Catchweight – 60.5 KG / 133.1 LBS Borena Tsertsvadze (60.1 KG) vs. Khanim Bashirova (60.1 KG)
Lightweight – 70.3 KG / 150 LBS* Badri Focxverashvili (70.6 KG) vs. Levy Carriel (70.4 KG)
Flyweight – 56.7 KG / 125 LBS** Nikolay Atanasov (57.5 KG) vs. Adigozel Guliyev (57.1 KG)
*Athletes in this bout were granted a one-pound allowance.
**Gheorghe Gritko failed to make the middleweight limit. His bout against Mukhrani Narsavidze will move forward at a catchweight of 85.1 kilograms, with Gritko forfeiting 20% of his purse as a penalty.
***Reymond Jowett failed to make the featherweight limit. His bout against Luka Giorgadze will move forward at a catchweight of 66.8 kilograms, with Jowett forfeiting 20% of his purse as a penalty.
****Nikolay Atanasov failed to make the flyweight limit. His bout against Adigozel Guliyev will move forward at a catchweight of 57.5 kilograms, with Atanasov forfeiting 30% of his purse as a penalty.
Skye Nicolson had positive words for Jake Paul’s efforts as a promoter but had less than kind words for arguably the biggest fighter he promotes, Amanda Serrano. During an interview with SheKicks, Nicolson touched on topics related to Serrano, Paul, and her own career prospects going forward.
The Australian native has long wanted a fight with the decorated seven-division champion but Sky Nicolson seems to think that ship has sailed with a Serrano bout as Skye Nicolson said,
“I don’t believe I’ll ever get the opportunity to face Amanda Serrano. She’s at the end of her career now. She knows I’m a banana skin opponent for her.”
“I have the speed and the footwork and the angles to trouble her. She’s a very flat footed fighter. But unfortunately I think the opportunity to fight her has passed now.”
Turning her attentions to Serrano’s promoter, the 30-year-old had praise for Jake Paul at least through the lens of what he is doing with Most Valuable Promotions as Nicolson stated,
“I’m glad that he’s trying to give women’s boxing more limelight. He signed a lot of female fighters and really tried to push women’s boxing onto mainstream platforms. So you definitely can’t knock what he’s doing in the boxing world in that sense.”
“The misfit stuff and the very lopsided weight division fights, less intrigued by that. But I love what he’s doing for women’s boxing at the moment.”
Skye Nicolson and her future aspirations in the sport of boxing
As far as her next in-ring assignment, the former WBC featherweight champion looks to make a statement for women’s boxing and when asked if she thinks she is the most exciting pugilist at 122lbs, Nicolson quipped,
“I believe I am the best in this division. And I think the boxing world will start to see that as well. I think my next fight is going to be a really big statement for the 122lb division and for women’s boxing in general.”
“I think that’s going to be an opportunity for me to really showcase what I can do.”
In summation, Skye Nicolson wants to be remembered as one of the greatest fighters worldwide and not just someone who is popular but pedigreed as well. In describing her long term mindset for her boxing career in this vein, Nicolson said,
“I want to be involved in those moments, so for me, that is why I’m chasing those fights like the Amanda Serrano fight, because I want to be remembered as one of Australia’s greatest fighters.”
“I want to be remembered as one of the world’s greatest fighters when it’s all said and done. So a hundred percent that’s why I’m chasing those big fights.”
UFC 320 is just a couple of days away, featuring a pair of anticipated title fights. Time to stir the pot more and gain more hype for UFC 320, courtesy of a good ol’ fashion question-and-answer session.
The tenth UFC pay-per-view event of the year goes down from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, October 4.
UFC 320 will be headlined by Magomed Ankalaev defending the UFC light heavyweight championship in a rematch with Alex Pereira.
The co-main event will see Merab Dvalishvili defending the UFC bantamweight championship against Cory Sandhagen.
The rest of the main card features a light heavyweight clash between Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr., a featherweight fight featuring Josh Emmett and Youssef Zalal, and a middleweight encounter that sees Abus Magomedov take on Joe Pyfer.
Watch The UFC 320: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira 2 Pre-Fight Press Conference
As per tradition, the UFC pay-per-view main card participants will be featured in a press conference during fight week. This is the opportunity for fighters to answer questions from media and fans, as well as potentially lay in some smack talk on their opponents.
The UFC returns to its home of Las Vegas with a pair of title fights this Saturday for UFC 320. Get yourself ready and in the know with another edition of MMA News staff fight predictions.
The event will be available exclusively on ESPN pay-per-view on Saturday, October 4. The main card will begin at its usual 10pm ET start time, with preliminary card action kicking off at 6pm ET.
The main event will feature a rematch for the UFC light heavyweight championship, as Magomed Ankalaev makes his first defense, taking on the man he won the belt from, Alex Pereira.
The pair first met at UFC 313 in March, with Ankalaev executing a perfect gameplan to nullify Pereira’s offense and claim the championship. Ankalaev has not lost since dropping his UFC debut in March 2018, going 12-0-1 (1 NC) in that span. Pereira, who is also a former UFC middleweight champion, won the light heavyweight title by defeating Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295. He retained the title three times in 2024, defeating Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, Prochazka at UFC 303, and Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307.
The co-main event of the evening will also see gold on the line, as Merab Dvalishvili defends the UFC bantamweight championship against Cory Sandhagen.
Dvalishvili has not lost since dropping his first two Octagon bouts. After defeating Sean O’Malley for the title at Noche UFC 2: UFC 306 last year, Dvalishvili has since retained the gold against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 and O’Malley at UFC 316. Sandhagen has won four of his last five, most recently finishing Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Des Moines in May.
The rest of the UFC 320 main card will see light heavyweight action featuring Prochazka and Rountree Jr., a featherweight fight where Josh Emmett takes on Youssef Zalal, and a middleweight matchup between Abus Magomedov and Joe Pyfer.
UFC 320: MMA News Staff Predictions
With UFC 320 just a couple of short days away, Ryan Jarrell, Pranav Pandey, and myself (Thomas Albano) have provided our picks for the fights that make up the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through nine cards in 2025.
Pranav Pandey (23-19) Thomas Albano (23-19)
Ryan Jarrell (22-20)
And now, let’s take a look at everyone’s picks for UFC 320!
Middleweight: Abus Magomedov vs. Joe Pyfer
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: Pyfer has put together a solid run in the UFC, and aside from that slip-up against Jack Hermansson, I still see him as a real threat in the middleweight division. Meanwhile, I’m not entirely convinced about Abus Magomedov’s consistency, though there’s no denying he has the power to end a fight if he finds his shot. Still, I believe “Bodybagz” will be the sharper, more dangerous fighter on the night, and I’m backing him to get the job done. (Prediction: Pyfer)
Thomas Albano: I don’t want to exclusively refer to this as grappler vs. striker, as Abus Magomedov has a decent all-around game. Having said that, with Pyfer being better with his striking – and perhaps a desire to put on a show after a lackluster win over Kelvin Gastelum – expect him to push the pace while Magomedov tries to hold him back. Magomedov is going to need to mix things up, and he’s going to have to avoid tiring himself out. If Magomedov tries to be too focused on getting an impressive finish himself, a brutal consequence might await. The longer the fight goes, I feel Pyfer will have more of an edge, so I will lean to him scoring the win here. (Prediction: Pyfer)
Ryan Jarrell: Joe Pyfer has the tools to be a real problem in the middleweight division and this matchup should be an interesting test for the surging fighter. Abus is a well rounded fighter on a nice three fight win streak with his most recent win over the dynamic, Michel Periera. I expect Bodybagz to use his strength and grappling skills to dictate where the fight takes place throughout the duration of the contest. Give me Pyfer to win a decision in the main card curtain jerker. (Prediction: Pyfer)
Consensus: 3-0 Pyfer
Featherweight: Josh Emmett vs. Youssef Zalal
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: Age could be a factor here, but with age comes experience, and Josh Emmett has plenty of that to lean on. He’s been around long enough to know how to trade with precision on the feet, and he still carries fight-ending power in his hands. Sure, his recent form hasn’t been the best, but those losses came against some of the elite in the division.
On the other side, Zalal brings youth, freshness, and a dangerous finishing instinct, especially when he’s able to drag opponents into his world on the canvas. The real question is whether Emmett can shrug off those grappling exchanges. If he can keep “The Moroccan Devil” from controlling the fight on the ground, I think the veteran has a very fair shot at reminding everyone why he’s still a serious threat. (Prediction: Emmett)
Thomas Albano: Simply put, this is a battle of experienced talent versus rising, talented youth name. Emmett’s got power and wrestling, and he shouldn’t be written off. That said, you can see age showing its presence by how he looked a little slower in his loss against Lerone Murphy. I could see Zalal utilizing his speed to land quick strikes and control the action around the Octagon – and potentially go tit-for-tat with Emmett on the ground. I’m not going to deny Emmett’s abilities and power, but I will say I think this is a fight where the youth wins out. (Prediction: Zalal)
Ryan Jarrell: Youssef Zalal looked absolutely incredible in the first two rounds of the Calvin Kattar fight. His timing and movement looked as good as I’ve seen at featherweight and if that version of the Moroccan devil shows up in Las Vegas then it will be a long night for the veteran fighter. Josh Emmett, however, has fight altering power and can change the trajectory of a fight with one shot. This fight will come down to just that. I believe the movement of Zalal will be too superior and he will avoid the power shots of Emmett en route to a smartly fought unanimous decision victory. (Prediction: Zalal)
Consensus: 2-1 Zalal
Light Heavyweight: Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: This one screams top-tier violence, the kind of chaos that could swing either way. Both men are among the most dangerous strikers at 205 pounds, yet their styles couldn’t be more different, and that contrast is what makes this matchup so intriguing. Rountree Jr. is as fundamentally sound as they come, throwing clean, precise shots with bone-crushing power. “The War Horse” put on a strong showing against Pereira even though he fell short, and his fight with Jamahal Hill proved just how much he’s leveled up.
But things are never straightforward against Prochazka. He’s unorthodox, unpredictable, and nearly impossible to read. You never know what angle his strikes will come from or how he’ll set traps in the chaos. For me, this feels like a pure 50-50 fight, but if I have to choose, I’m putting my money on “BJP” to find a way in the madness. (Prediction: Prochazka)
Thomas Albano: After UFC Baku, people were calling for this match, and now it will be delivered. If you like power, if you like strikes, and if you especially like kicks, this is going to be the matchup for you. Both men are excellent strikers, albeit one (Prochazka) is more wild, while the other (Rountree) is more strategical. Both men are tough to finish, but even with a potential grappling edge in Rountree, I feel Prochazka will be looking to continuously pressure and use his power to put Rountree in trouble. And given their UFC resumes side-by-side as well, I’ll lean toward the former champion in this one. (Prediction: Prochazka)
Ryan Jarrell: This fight is so interesting because Rountree has the power to turn off anyone’s lights including Prochazka. We saw Khalil fight incredibly disciplined in his impressive win over the former champion, Jamahal Hill. I can honestly see a very similar fight happening here, however, Jiri is more dynamic and unpredictable inside the octagon. Because of that I expect some crazy moments where both men may be in trouble and it could come down to who fights the smarter fight. I don’t feel great about this pick but I will lean Rountree to stay disciplined and fight somewhat safe en route to a decision victory. (Prediction: Rountree)
Consensus: 3-0 Prochazka
Bantamweight Championship: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: Few fighters earn their nicknames quite like “The Machine.” Dvalishvili is a generational talent, and I personally love watching his relentless style; elite opponents constantly struggle to figure him out. He imposes his will, grinding down challengers with his endless cardio and ceaseless pressure.
But then there’s Sandhagen, a master of striking, with fluid footwork, sharp angles, and a frame built to leverage every punch. In a world without Dvalishvili, Sandhagen’s weaponry could give almost anyone trouble. But the truth is, keeping pace with Merab’s relentless pressure and nonstop output is a different challenge altogether. “The Machine” shines when opponents try to chase him
“The Machine” will need to stay sharp against Sandhagen’s power shots; otherwise, he could cruise to another dominant control win, or maybe even a stoppage. (Prediction: Dvalishvili)
Thomas Albano: For Dvalishvili, this is a fight where if he wins, he may have locked up Fighter of the Year awards across MMA media when 2025 comes to an end. Sandhagen is a tough competitor with great boxing, and he will need to use it to secure a victory here. The problem is, with all due respect to him, I don’t see him as too much of a threat. Sure, he’s got good takedown defense, but Dvalishvili is another level of animal when it comes to takedowns and grappling. And even as champion, I feel Dvalishvili has continued to show improvements, from a comeback victory to retain against Umar Nurmagomedov, to being able to finish Sean O’Malley in their rematch. Give me Dvalishvili in a one-sided decision to keep the gold and lock himself in as 2025’s Fighter of the Year. (Prediction: Dvalishvili)
Ryan Jarrell: Until I actually see the Champion lose his belt, I just cannot pick against him. Merab has proven to be such a tough out for anyone in the world at 135 pounds. Cory Sandhagen has the skillset to be a champion and he definitely poses some interesting challenges to the champ. But at the end of day, Merab always finds a way to win and that’s exactly what I expect to see in the co-main event. Merab will dictate where the fight takes place and cruise to a unanimous decision victory. (Prediction: Dvalishvili)
Consensus: 3-0 Dvalishvili
Light Heavyweight Championship: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira 2
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: After a first fight that fell short of expectations, this rematch feels like the redemption both fans and fighters were craving. Now that Ankalaev and Pereira have studied each other’s every move, we can expect a sharper, smarter, and more intense battle. At UFC 313, Ankalaev had the upper hand against “Poatan,” making the most of his sharp striking and masterful counter-punching. Every grappling attempt he tried was neatly defended by Pereira, who struggled to get his offense going. Now, the big question is what new tricks Ankalaev will bring. With his arsenal of tools—from cutting angles with surgical precision to exploiting every weakness—he’s ready to constantly keep Pereira on edge.
On the flip side, I’m genuinely curious to see how Pereira has evolved for this rematch. In their first fight, he seemed hesitant to pull the trigger, but we all know “Poatan” carries some of the most devastating kicks in MMA. I think those kicks will be a crucial weapon to slow down Ankalaev’s forward pressure and shake up the fight’s rhythm.
Honestly, predicting this one has me torn. Both fighters bring incredible skill, and it could go either way. Still, I’m leaning toward Pereira to finally get the job done that slipped through his fingers last time. “Poatan’s” time to shine, but this is not going to be an easy night for him. (Prediction: Pereira)
Thomas Albano: Ultimately, the question here will be if Pereira is going to be able to make the adjustments from the first fight. His offense was completely neutralized by Ankalaev in March. He has claimed that he wasn’t at 100 percent for the fight (a fair argument perhaps given his activity level in 2024), but the UFC 313 bout showed that Ankalaev has what it takes to stop Pereira’s creative and powerful striking over the course of 25 minutes. And while I don’t want to count Chama out, if Ankalaev was able to do that once, what’s to say he won’t be able to do it again? (Prediction: Ankalaev)
Ryan Jarrell: My initial thought for this main event title fight was to pick Ankalaev to do the exact same thing we saw in their first tilt. But after hearing Poatan say he was injured and not close to 100%, I am hesitant to do so. If the former champ is being truthful about his previous injury, then this could be a vastly different fight then the one we saw at UFC 313. At the end of the day, Alex is 5 years older than the new champ in a sport where the young eat the old. I wouldn’t be shocked if Poatan lands one of his devastating strikes and wins by TKO, but I believe the safe play is to pick Ankalaev by decision. (Prediction: Ankalaev)
Consensus: 2-1 Ankalaev
That’ll do it for our UFC 320 staff picks! What do you think? Do your predictions look similar? Let us know in the comments section!
Also, you can check out the full UFC 320 card below.
Main Card:
Light Heavyweight Championship: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira
Bantamweight Championship: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen
Light Heavyweight: Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.
Featherweight: Josh Emmett vs. Youssef Zalal
Middleweight: Abus Magomedov vs. Joe Pyfer
Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Ateba Gautier vs. Treston Vines
Middleweight: Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Muniz
Bantamweight: Chris Gutierrez vs. Farid Basharat
Featherweight: Daniel Santos vs. Joosang Yoo
Early Preliminary Card:
Women’s Bantamweight: Macy Chiasson vs. Yana Santos
Bantamweight: Patchy Mix vs. Jakub Wiklacz
Welterweight: Punahele Soriano vs. Nikolay Veretennikov
Welterweight: Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Austin Vanderford
UFC star Conor McGregor has spoken about his desire to make up for the loss he suffered due to a leg injury against Dustin Poirier back in 2021.
According to Conor McGregor, he is signed to return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship next year as part of the UFC White House card. Whether or not that’s actually going to happen, of course, is entirely up for debate, especially considering how inconsistent the messaging has been from Conor over the years.
Nonetheless, the return of Conor McGregor would serve as a huge moment for the promotion – and the sport of mixed martial arts as a whole. It’s not clear as to who exactly he would face off with, but a good guess would be that he finally steps in there to battle Michael Chandler after teasing the idea for a good few years now.
In a recent interview, McGregor spoke openly about what happened when he suffered a leg break against Dustin Poirier four years ago.
Conor McGregor wants to make up for 2021 loss
“I have eight months and change out to the White House event. It’s a six-month operation. You know, I consider it a six-month operation to get ready for this belt. And that’s my focus right now. I’m just eager to, you know, climb the steps into being ready for my return. There’s a lot at stake and I’m very excited at the opportunity.
“I was right there with my last one. I was in incredible condition, incredibly well prepared and just a slight lapse in concentration led to an injury. I wish to correct that and show what I’m about and that’s it. I’m eager to get back and we’ll see what the future holds after that.”
UFC fighter Jiri Prochazka has spoken candidly about the importance of gaining his Master’s degree.
As we know, Jiri Prochazka is a real fan favorite in the world of mixed martial arts. We also know that he’s an exceptionally talented fighter, putting together a record of 5-2 since entering the UFC – with his only defeats coming at the hands of Alex Pereira. As we look ahead to the immediate future, many fans are excited to see Jiri return to action on Saturday night when he faces Khalil Rountree Jr at UFC 320.
It has the potential to be a fight of the night contender, and that’s us putting it lightly. In addition to his fighting ability, Jiri Prochazka is known for being an intelligent guy outside of the cage. He recently accepted his Master’s degree in Security and Strategic Studies, a process that he first told fans and media members about earlier this year.
During his media scrum this week, Prochazka spoke openly about what it meant to dedicate himself to the process.
Jiri Prochazka discusses his Master’s degree
“What I can say is for one month, I totally changed my life. Totally. For the others, just, doesn’t matter what you are learning. If it’s college or university or high school, just do that. For fighters, it’s much more useful because we need to work with our head. Because the punches, first, and the strategy, and the tactics in the fight.”
“I really don’t care about the Master’s degree, it’s all about the work here [in the head]. To work here, to use your memory, use all these things. So, this is all about, yeah.”
UFC veteran Dan Hooker has revealed why he opted to fight Arman Tsarukyan in the co-main event of UFC Qatar.
Next month, Dan Hooker will go head to head with Arman Tsarukyan in what will serve as a really important fight in the UFC’s lightweight division. While not guaranteed, there’s an excellent chance that the winner will go on to compete for the UFC lightweight championship – especially if it’s Arman that gets his hand raised.
Alas, Dan Hooker is as live of an underdog as someone can be, especially given the experience he has in high profile bouts like this. ‘Hangman’ is the kind of fighter who has never been afraid to take on a tough challenge and although the odds may seem to be stacked against him, he is the kind of guy who would battle Thanos himself if it meant getting into the title picture.
In a recent interview, Dan Hooker spoke candidly about why he was more than happy to take on Tsarukyan.
Dan Hooker explains wanting to fight Arman Tsarukyan
“I knew that the fight would come together eventually… because a lot of people try to avoid him in the division. They look for the fights that make the most sense for them and talk their way out of tough matchups. But that’s why this drew me in—I think he is the best fighter in the division at this weight and I want to beat him.”
Get ready, folks, because this one has the potential to be a barnburner.
Former UFC champion Alex Pereira has said that he’s excited to show a new version of himself when he challenges Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320.
In the main event of UFC 320 on Saturday night, Alex Pereira will face Magomed Ankalaev for the UFC light heavyweight championship. It’s a rematch from their first encounter earlier this year and on that occasion, it was Ankalaev who was able to walk away with the world title around his waist. Now, however, ‘Poatan’ is back, and he’s ready to prove that he’s more than good enough to become champion once again.
Alex Pereira has faced his fair share of adversity before, but he’s arguably never been as much of an underdog as he is heading into this encounter. Ankalaev has looked pretty dominant for most of his UFC career and although he’s experienced a few hiccups, he’s still one of the best fighters in the UFC.
In a recent interview, Pereira explained why the actual result of the fight isn’t everything to him this weekend.
Alex Pereira is ready to show his improvements
“Of course I want to win, but the result doesn’t define everything. What I trained, what I’ve evolved— in the first fight it was very even, and I couldn’t show everything I learned. Now I’ve had the opportunity to show what I corrected and how much I’ve improved.”
Pereira knows the level of opponent that he’s taking on here, and he’s well aware of the fact that he needs to be the best version of himself if he wants to stand a chance at victory.
UFC star Conor McGregor has claimed that a deal has been struck for him to make his return to the promotion at next summer’s White House event.
For the longest time now, Conor McGregor has been teasing the idea of a return to professional mixed martial arts. While he still has plenty of fans around the world, his reputation has certainly taken a blow as a result of his many controversies outside of the cage. Alas, Dana White seems to be interested in getting him back, and the Irishman has his eyes set on next year’s blockbuster White House event.
For Conor McGregor, it’s seemingly all about proving that he has what it takes to continue competing at an elite level. Even if he doesn’t, he has the kind of star power that is always going to bring in some casual fans, especially for when the UFC hits up the White House.
In a recent interview, McGregor had the following to say about his return.
🚨 Conor McGregor says his fight at the White House fight is SIGNED and a DONE DEAL 👀
"Done deal, signed, delivered. McGregor will compete in the White House for America's 250th birthday."
Conor McGregor claims UFC White House is a done deal
“Done deal, signed, delivered. It ain’t a negotiation, it’s a done deal, signed, delivered. McGregor will compete in the White House for America’s 250th birthday.”
“Me and Dana are in constant communication, we’ve done incredible business together, I’m the highest generating fighter of all time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. They’ve just signed a breathtaking deal with Paramount where we go to cable TV, $7.7 billion that deal. Ready to rokc, baby. Bring in the big dog, the Mac, the Mac G.”
The official weigh-ins for PFL Champions Series: Dubai are wrapped up, with all 22 fighters on the card making weight.
The MMA promotion’s marquee event is set for Friday, October 3, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Ahead of fight night, Thursday morning saw the fighters step on the scales at the PFL host hotel in Dubai
In the main event, former Bellator lightweight king Usman Nurmagomedov will once again lock horns with Paul Hughes in a rematch of their thrilling clash from last year. Both fighters came in exactly at 155 pounds, making their showdown for the vacant PFL title official.
Usman Nurmagomedov: 155 pounds
Paul Hughes: 155 pounds.
The #PFL lightweight title fight rematch is official. The first one was one of the best fights of the year. Looking forward to the sequel! pic.twitter.com/Zn94ZulMhi
Meanwhile, in the co-main event of PFL Champions Series, Corey Anderson is set to fight Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov for the vacant light heavyweight title. Both contenders looked sharp on the scales, with “Overtime” weighing in at 204.6 pounds and Yagshimuradov coming in right at 205.
⚖️ PFL Dubai Weigh Ins
PFL Light Heavyweight World Title Bout 🏆 Corey Anderson: 204.6 lbs Dovlet Yagshimuradov: 205 lbs
