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  • UFC Paris Bout Falls Apart After Fighter Steps Away Due To Family Tragedy

    UFC Paris Bout Falls Apart After Fighter Steps Away Due To Family Tragedy

    The UFC Paris card took a hit just days before the event..

    On Monday, Fares Ziam took to social media to announce he is withdrawing from his scheduled lightweight bout against Kaue Fernandes on the upcoming Fight Night event’s main card following the sudden passing of his grandmother.

    “Following the sudden death of my grandmother, and the organization of her funeral in France and abroad, I regret to cancel my participation in UFC Paris on September 6. Family is my priority,” Ziam wrote on Instagram.

    “Smile Killer” was last seen competing at UFC Saudi Arabia this past February, securing a unanimous decision victory over Mike Davis. Ziam is riding a five-fight winning streak, with his most recent defeat dating back to February 2022 at UFC Vegas 49, where he fell to a first-round submission at the hands of Terrance McKinney.

    The 28-year-old Frenchman boasts a professional MMA record of 17-4, including a 7-2 mark inside the UFC, with notable victories over competitors such as Matt Frevola and Jai Herbert.

    Image: @fares_ziam/Instagram

    As of now, it remains unclear whether a short-notice replacement will step in for Fernandes or if the bout with Ziam will be postponed and rescheduled for a later event.

    Fernandes last fought at UFC London in March, earning a unanimous decision victory over Guram Kutateladze to extend his winning streak in the promotion. The 30-year-old Brazilian made his UFC debut at UFC São Paulo in November 2023, where he narrowly fell to Marc Diakiese via split decision. He currently holds a professional MMA record of 10-2.

    Who Will Headline The UFC Paris Card?

    The UFC Paris card is set for this Saturday, September 6, at the Accor Arena in France. The Fight Night event will be headlined by a crucial middleweight clash between Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho, a bout that could carry significant title implications. In the co-main event, Benoît Saint Denis will take on rising lightweight prospect Mauricio Ruffy.

    The upcoming event will also showcase a wealth of French talent, with former two-division OKTAGON champion Losene Keita standing out as the most anticipated name. Keita is set to face former Bellator titleholder Patricio Pitbull in a highly anticipated featherweight clash.

    Here is the confirmed lineup for UFC Paris:

    • Middleweight bout: Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho
    • Lightweight bout: Benoit Saint Denis vs. Mauricio Ruffy
    • Lightweight bout: Bolaji Oki vs. Mason Jones
    • Light heavyweight bout: Modestas Bukauskas vs. Paul Craig
    • Featherweight bout: Patricio Pitbull vs. Losene Keita
    • Featherweight bout: William Gomis vs. Robert Ruchala
    • Light heavyweight bout: Oumar Sy vs. Brendson Ribeiro
    • Heavyweight bout: Marcin Tybura vs. Ante Delija
    • Welterweight bout: Rhys McKee vs. Axel Sola
    • Welterweight bout: Sam Patterson vs. Trey Waters
    • Middleweight bout: Brad Tavares vs. Robert Bryczek
    • Welterweight bout: Andreas Gustafsson vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov
    • Strawweight bout: Shauna Bannon vs. Sam Hughes
    UFC Octagon
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC
  • Dricus du Plessis’ UFC 319 loss: Anthony Hernandez questions DDP after one-sided defeat

    Dricus du Plessis’ UFC 319 loss: Anthony Hernandez questions DDP after one-sided defeat

    UFC middleweight contender Anthony Hernandez has given his thoughts on Dricus du Plessis‘ UFC 319 defeat to Khamzat Chimaev.

    As we know, Dricus du Plessis lost his UFC middleweight championship in a one-sided affair against Khamzat Chimaev in Chicago. While DDP plans on rebuilding himself and bouncing back, many have doubted that the rematch would go any differently between them.

    Someone who is trying to make their own case for a title shot is Anthony Hernandez. In a recent interview, ahead of his fight against Reinier de Ridder, ‘Fluffy’ had the following to say about Dricus du Plessis’ performance.

    Anthony Hernandez’s view on Dricus du Plessis’ UFC 319 loss

    “I was [surprised], until I started watching what DDP was doing,” Hernandez told MMA Fighting. “It’s like, bro, you’re doing all big explosive strong guy s***. That s*** doesn’t work against good wrestlers, like they can flow off of that s***. 

    “So like DDP just kind of f*cked himself on that, and then Khazmat did a really good job of keeping the pressure on him, keeping him on his hands, keeping it so he couldn’t get up, and I mean, it’s very high level on Khazmat’s end.

    “But to watch as a fan and watch to enjoy blood and s***, like people cracking the f*ck out of each other and like mixing it up. It was kind of boring, but like, that’s just my opinion. I’m a fighter, too. So, I mean, I try to send it, usually, and I’ve been there, too, where it’s like, you’re kind of hurt and you gotta just f*cking do what you gotta do to win. 

    “So I get it, but I look forward to when I get to fight that guy. Right now, I’ve got some more proving to do, so I’m going to go prove a point and then how the f*cking s*** plays out, it plays out. …

    “[But] after about the second round [is] when I realized he couldn’t do s***, and he didn’t know what to do, and like he was just still flexing hella hard on s***. I was like, ‘Oh, OK. He’s f*cked.’”

    Quotes via MMA Fighting

  • Islam Makhachev has everything to lose at UFC 322, says former UFC champion

    Islam Makhachev has everything to lose at UFC 322, says former UFC champion

    UFC legend Robert Whittaker believes Islam Makhachev has everything to lose when he faces Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.

    As we know, Islam Makhachev will headline UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden when he challenges Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight championship. While many believe he is the favorite to walk away from New York City with the belt, others are of the belief that JDM is being underestimated.

    In a recent episode of his podcast, Robert Whittaker had the following to say on the pressure currently resting on the shoulders of Islam Makhachev.

    Robert Whittaker’s view on Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev

    “Jack has nothing to lose, and I think Islam’s got everything to lose,” Whittaker said on his MMArcade Podcast. “He’s the hottest prospect right now in MMA. Everyone expects Islam to just run through him.”

    “I think what was unexpected was the relinquishing of the lightweight title,” Whittaker said. “I expected it in a sense that because Topuria did it, people would have to follow suit, but Islam’s kind of like the poster boy right now for the UFC in terms of like megastar sort of things. I didn’t see them doing that.”

    “I’m going to go Jack,” Whittaker said. “I think Jack has that X-factor. I think he has the gut, the grit, the determination to fight the takedowns, to fight the takedown attacks that Islam is going to go for, and I think in a striking fight straight up, Jack is better. I think he wins in the hands. 

    “I think Jack’s got the better game to strike over five rounds than Islam does, as well, especially if Islam is trying to go for takedowns during the fight. People sleep on Jack’s grappling game. They sleep on his jiu-jitsu.

    “I don’t think Islam is going to be as gung-ho with the takedowns as everybody believes because Jack has that level of offense off his back. From the things I remember seeing in the (Alexander Volkanovski) fight, their first pairing, I see the fight potentially going that way.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Dillon Danis’ future: MMA analyst doubts his ability to compete in UFC

    Dillon Danis’ future: MMA analyst doubts his ability to compete in UFC

    MMA analyst Din Thomas has serious doubts over Dillon Danis‘ ability to compete in the UFC.

    Last weekend, Dillon Danis returned to competitive mixed martial arts with a win over Warren Spencer at Misfits Boxing 22. Of course, many felt as if Spencer was pretty overmatched, with the majority rolling their eyes at the choice of opponent for Dillon.

    Now, though, as we look ahead to the future, it certainly seems as if Dillon Danis has some big plans for himself. He’s already been talking about what could be on the horizon and one idea is him signing for the UFC, although it doesn’t particularly feel like the kind of move that Dana White would be open to making.

    In a recent interview, Din Thomas weighed in on what’s next for Dillon Danis and why he isn’t confident about a potential UFC stint.

    Din Thomas’ view on Dillon Danis

    “He’s very good at jiu-jitsu. At MMA, no one knows how good he is,” Thomas told MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn on “The Bohnfire” podcast. “… I’m not sure we’ll ever get to see him at a high level. I don’t think he has the level of professionalism to fight at a high UFC level – to show up to the UFC on fight week and fight a really good guy. I don’t think he has the level of professionalism to do that.”

    “To fight a low-level guy on a Misfits card that everybody’s just kind of tuning in and he can make some money this way? It’s easy to do that. It’s easy to do that,” Thomas said. “But to show up to the UFC – I know that might be his goal, ultimately – it takes a completely different level of professionalism, and I don’t know that he has that.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape Headlines UFC Vegas 112 To Close Out UFC’s 2025

    Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape Headlines UFC Vegas 112 To Close Out UFC’s 2025

    Flyweight is a division filled with talent, and two prominent names in that division have been chosen to try and close the UFC’s 2025 calendar year with a bang in the main event of UFC Vegas 112.

    Former title challenger Brandon Royval and former RIZIN bantamweight champion Manel Kape will face off at the event, which takes place on December 13 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The bout was first reported by Marcel Dorff.

    As of September 1, Royval and Kape are both ranked in the top 10 at flyweight at No. 3 and No. 7, respectively. And with Royval having already fallen to champion Alexandre Pantoja — and Pantoja’s expected next title defense against Joshua Van at the end of 2025 or start of 2026 — a win by Kape here could elevate him into the next in line for the Pantoja-Van winner.

    Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape To Headline UFC Vegas 112 On December 13

    Royval, the former LFA flyweight champion, will be looking to bounce back from a loss to Van at UFC 317 in June. Royval has won five of his last eight — with his losses in that span coming to both Van and Pantoja.

    Kape has won two straight and six of his last seven. He’ll come into this bout off a TKO of Asu Almabayev at UFC Vegas 103 in March.

    UFC Vegas 112, which takes place one week after UFC 323, will also mark the final UFC broadcast on ESPN in the U.S. before numbered cards and Fight Night events move to Paramount at the start of 2026.

  • Colby Covington wants a Superfight against Paddy Pimblett “You’re a bum. You’re a gimmick”

    Colby Covington wants a Superfight against Paddy Pimblett “You’re a bum. You’re a gimmick”

    UFC star Colby Covington has called for a potential superfight against Paddy Pimblett.

    Colby Covington has made a career out of calling people out and generally being quite controversial. He’s never been particularly shy about that fact and as we look ahead to his immediate future, it certainly feels like he’ll need to get vocal if he wants to secure another big fight in the UFC.

    Following losses to Leon Edwards and Joaquin Buckley, it’s not clear as to where Colby Covington sits in terms of the elite in the welterweight division. Of course, he still has name value, but there are a lot of fighters higher up in the pecking order than him at 170 pounds.

    In a recent interview, Colby Covington made it known who he wants to fight.

    Colby Covington goes after Paddy Pimblett

    “I mean, the Paddy Pimblett fight super interests me ’cause in Miami, he was talking… running his mouth backstage. Like, I wasn’t even looking at him or talking to him. He wants to start some shit. He’s been saying some shit. He was saying in an interview the other day his doctor said he had liver failure from cutting to 155. 

    “Dude, come up a weight class. Come to 170. Why are you being a weight bully, Paddy? You know, you’re a bum. You’re a gimmick. Your little English accent and your little bowl cut. That’s the only reason people know you. So, let’s get it going, Paddy. And if I can’t get Paddy, then maybe Gilbert Burns. That would be good.”

    “Yeah, I’ve been talking to Hunter Campbell and we’re looking for October and November. Maybe November in the Garden. But wherever Hunter decides in the UFC, I’ll be ready. 

    “If they need to push me to December in the T-Mobile event, then December in Vegas sounds good. But I want to get in there as soon as possible and on a full training camp. You know, I didn’t get a training camp last fight. So, full training camp. Bring anybody in the world. I’m ready to go. Let’s go, Hunter. In UFC.”

  • Miesha Tate provides big update on her UFC future aged 39

    Miesha Tate provides big update on her UFC future aged 39

    UFC star Miesha Tate has provided an update on her future in the promotion and mixed martial arts in general.

    As we know, Miesha Tate is a legend within the world of women’s mixed martial arts – and MMA as a whole. She is a former world champion, a superstar, and she’s been involved in some absolutely huge fights over the years against the likes of Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes.

    However, after an inconsistent run of form since returning to the cage, Miesha Tate has been left questioning her future in the sport. She’s an icon in her own right, but it certainly feels like her best days are behind her.

    In a recent podcast appearance, Miesha Tate spoke openly and honestly about what’s next.

    Miesha Tate reveals plans for UFC future

    “I’m not officially done,” Tate said on the Jaxxon Podcast.

    “I still have a fight on my contract. One fight. I wouldn’t fight more than one more time.

    “I’m not looking to re-sign,” Tate said of her UFC contract.

    I think just one more, if that, but I haven’t decided for sure.

    “I might be leaning towards not [fighting again],” Tate added.

    “You’d have to ask [the UFC to do a boxing match], but I’m not,” Tate said, when asked if she’d ever box.

    “Boxing, for real? Like, I’m not gonna go do that.”

    Quotes via Bloody Elbow

    Miesha doesn’t owe the sport anything and could easily ride off into the sunset right now. In equal measure, if she wants to get a big send-off, that’s also something she truly deserves.

    Regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of Tate’s work, it’d be great to be given the opportunity to send her off into retirement in style at the end of what has been an important and amazing career.

  • Syko Stu Details Brutal Injuries Caused By Raja Jackson After Being Released From Hospital

    Syko Stu Details Brutal Injuries Caused By Raja Jackson After Being Released From Hospital

    Syko Stu (real name Stuart Smith) has been discharged from the hospital following the harrowing incident.

    Last month, the pro wrestler found himself at the center of chaos during a KnokX Pro Wrestling show in Los Angeles. What began as playful banter with Raja Jackson, who was live streaming the night on his KICK channel, was momentarily diffused, only to resurface later.

    Still fuming, Jackson was given the green light by the promotion to exact scripted revenge on Stu, setting the stage for a dramatic in-ring showdown that played off their earlier clash.

    However, the playful banter quickly got out of hand after Jackson was given the green light by a production staffer. Fired up by backstage tensions and encouraged by his livestream audience, the son of former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson carried the fight into the ring, slamming Syko Stu hard to the mat and unleashing a series of unanswered punches that left him unconscious before other wrestlers rushed in to stop the assault.

    Syko Stu Home Recovering After Tooth Loss And Fractured Maxilla Bone

    Syko Stu, together with his partner Contessa Patterson, took to social media on Sunday to share an update with fans. The U.S. Army veteran turned pro wrestler confirmed in a statement that he had finally been released from the hospital after being seriously injured during Raja Jackson’s assault.

    The post detailed that while Syko Stu is recovering well, he endured significant injuries, including fractured jaws, a broken maxilla bone, and the loss of several teeth.

    “Stuart has been released from the hospital and is now home resting. He sustained a serious head injury and was unconscious upon arrival at the ER. His injuries include trauma to both the upper and lower jaws, a laceration to his upper lip, and a fracture to the maxilla bone, which unfortunately resulted in the loss of several teeth.

    “He has a long road of recovery ahead, but he remains in good spirits despite everything he has been through. We are deeply grateful for all the love and support we’ve received during this time. Thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way—whether through monetary donations, food, flowers, or gifts. Your kindness means more than words can express. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. With love and respect, Contessa Patterson & Stuart Smith (aka SykoStu).”

    Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department continues to probe Jackson’s actions, though no charges have been filed against him so far.

  • Craig Jones Puts Chael Sonnen To Sleep Twice With Same Buggy Choke At CJI 2

    Craig Jones Puts Chael Sonnen To Sleep Twice With Same Buggy Choke At CJI 2

    Craig Jones made quick work of Chael Sonnen.

    Sonnen stepped in on less than a week’s notice at Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2) to replace Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, but ended up being submitted twice by the same move.

    On Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, the former UFC multi-time title challenger opened their three-round clash with an early takedown on Jones, only to be ensnared in a vicious buggy choke that rendered him unconscious.

    “The Bad Guy” eventually shook off the cobwebs and agreed to run it back. Shooting for another takedown, Sonnen hunted a leg lock, an attack that offered no real threat against a grappler of Jones’ pedigree. The Australian jiu-jitsu ace quickly countered, locking in yet another buggy choke that once again sent Sonnen out cold.

    The crowd erupted in chants for more as Sonnen lobbied for a best-of-five, drawing laughter from referee John McCarthy. But the bout was waved off, and Jones was officially declared the winner with consecutive buggy chokes.

    Image: @cjiofficial/Instagram

    Following the event, Sonnen shrugged off the loss in trademark fashion on social media, joking that the contract was for a “3 out of 5” format and insisting he was simply relaxing in the position.

    What Happened When Craig Jones First Took On Chael Sonnen?

    The rivalry between Craig Jones and Chael Sonnen goes back to September 2017, when the future CJI founder stunned “The Bad Guy” with a slick heel hook finish in the prestigious ADCC Openweight tournament.

  • “Flatline” – Fans React As Darren Till Savagely Sends Luke Rockhold To The Shadow Realm At Misfits Boxing 22

    “Flatline” – Fans React As Darren Till Savagely Sends Luke Rockhold To The Shadow Realm At Misfits Boxing 22

    Darren Till displayed violence in the way his fight with Luke Rockhold ended, folding him like a lawn chair in the third round to claim the inaugural Misfits Boxing bridgerweight championship in the main event of Misfits Boxing 22.

    Rockhold got off to a strong start with crisp striking, but Till managed to land a pair of strong left hands late — with one of them being enough to drop Rockhold bad. Rockhold managed to get up at eight and made it into round two. Rockhold got to working the jab again during the second, but Till landed a flurry that appeared to look like it’d result in a standing eight-count — but the referee did not count it.

    Till would finish things in the third round, pressuring Rockhold into the corner before landing a hard-hitting, brutal combination that dropped Rockhold out cold bad, completely flattened and mangled against the ropes.

    Darren Till KOs Luke Rockhold In Brutal Fashion At Misfits Boxing 22

    https://twitter.com/Khan971I/status/1961923743694954551

    Till was once considered a top rising name in MMA at welterweight, going 17-0-1 and challenging Tyron Woodley in a welterweight title fight at UFC 228. He’d lose the fight, starting a run of five losses in six fights over a four-year period that ended with a loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 282. Till has since found success in boxing with an exhibition win over Mohammad Mutie and victories in Misfits Boxing earlier this year over Anthony Taylor and Darren Stewart.

    Rockhold went 16-6 in MMA, which includes middleweight title reigns in both Strikeforce and the UFC. Rockhold ended Chris Weidman’s undefeated record at UFC 194 to become UFC champion before dropping the title to Michael Bisping at UFC 199. After a win over David Branch, Rockhold lost three straight to end his MMA career, getting knocked out by Yoel Romero and Jan Blachowicz at UFC 221 and UFC 239, respectively, and dropping a decision to Paulo Costa at UFC 278.

  • “Won A Fight In The Year 2025” – Fans Rejoice, Debate Stoppage As Tony Ferguson Breaks Long Losing Streak With TKO Of Salt Papi At Misfits Boxing 22

    “Won A Fight In The Year 2025” – Fans Rejoice, Debate Stoppage As Tony Ferguson Breaks Long Losing Streak With TKO Of Salt Papi At Misfits Boxing 22

    For the first time since 2019, Tony Ferguson got his hand raised in a fight, as he scored a third-round TKO of Nathaniel “Salt Papi” Bustamante in the co-main event of Misfits Boxing 22, claiming the promotion’s interim middleweight title.

    Ferguson tried to get going with pressure during the opening round, but Salt Papi connected with the cleaner shots. This continued with the second round. There, Ferguson landed more strikes, though Salt Papi notably crack Ferguson with an uppercut and landed a number of left hands.

    Ferguson managed to really pressure Salt Papi during the third round, working the jab and mixing up his attacks while Salt Papi tried to look to land power blows. Ferguson then turned things up, landing a series of strong shots on Salt Papi, prompting the referee to stop the fight — much to the chagrin and protests of Salt Papi and his corner.

    Tony Ferguson Scores Third-Round TKO Of Salt Papi At Misfits Boxing 22

    https://twitter.com/Pizza__Dad/status/1961914567820247264

    Ferguson, who was making his boxing debut, was once considered one of the best lightweights in MMA during his tenure with the UFC, which lasted from 2011 to 2024. Ferguson, who won season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter, went 15-1 in the UFC during the 2010s, which included 12 straight wins and a run as interim UFC lightweight champion. Ferguson’s MMA career, however, ended with eight straight losses, breaking the record for most consecutive losses in UFC history.

    Salt Papi came into this bout with a 6-2 exhibition boxing record, most of which have come in Misfits Boxing. Prior to tonight, his most recent fight came in November, scoring a third-round knockout of Kenny Ojuederie.

  • “The Stupidest Move Ever Made In Combat Sports” – Fans Rip On Dillon Danis vs. Warren Spencer As Danis Submits Spencer In 15 Seconds At Misfits Boxing 22

    “The Stupidest Move Ever Made In Combat Sports” – Fans Rip On Dillon Danis vs. Warren Spencer As Danis Submits Spencer In 15 Seconds At Misfits Boxing 22

    Dillon Danis first MMA fight in six years was barely a fight, as he easily stopped Warren Spencer in mere seconds in Misfits Boxing’s first MMA fight to become Misifts MMA light heavyweight champion.

    Spencer, who entered the ring forgetting to take off his footwear, looked to score a takedown on Danis. Danis easily stopped it and got right into full mount. Spencer then tapped out to a choke, ending the fight as quickly as it started.

    Danis then called out Islam Makhachev after the fight.

    Dillon Danis Submits Warren Spencer In Seconds At Misfits Boxing 22

    https://twitter.com/PCStricklandMMA/status/1961906581768950153

    Danis, a former Pan Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi world champion, fought in MMA just twice — both in Bellator. He submitted Kyle Walker at Bellator 198 and Max Humphrey at Bellator 222.

    This was Spencer’s first MMA fight. Prior to this, he had a 1-2 exhibition MMA boxing record and won his professional boxing debut against Muganzi Hakim in April.

  • Noche UFC: Rob Font To Face Replacement Opponent After Raul Rosas Jr. Pulls Out Of Co Main Event

    Noche UFC: Rob Font To Face Replacement Opponent After Raul Rosas Jr. Pulls Out Of Co Main Event

    The Noche UFC lineup has undergone a shake-up with a little more than two weeks left before fight night.

    According to MMA Junkie’s Nolan, the bantamweight co-main event of Noche UFC between Rob Font and Raul Rosas Jr. has been scrapped after “El Niño Problema” withdrew for undisclosed reasons.

    In turn, Font will now square off against late-replacement David Martinez, who was originally scheduled to face Quang Le on the same card.

    Font will make his second walk to the Octagon this year after edging Jean Matsumoto by split decision at UFC Seattle in February. The 38-year-old heads into the bout riding a two-fight win streak, though inconsistency has marked his recent run with a 3-4 record over his last seven appearances. Holding a 12-7 slate in the UFC, the American has secured seven of those victories by stoppage.

    Meanwhile, Martinez is fresh off an impressive first-round knockout of Saimon Oliveira in his promotional debut at UFC Mexico City this past March. The 27-year-old Mexican earned his UFC deal just months earlier, securing a decision victory over Xavier Franklin on Dana White’s Contender Series in October 2024.

    “Black Spartan” boasts a professional record of 12-1, with 10 of those victories coming by knockout. His lone setback came in April 2021, when he dropped a split decision under the Combate Global banner.

    Image: @blackspartan_official/Instagram

    Who Will Headline Noche UFC?

    This year’s Noche UFC marks the third annual celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day and will take place on September 13 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. The event was originally slated to be UFC 320 in Guadalajara, Mexico, however delays in completing Arena Guadalajara led the promotion to relocate the card to Texas and repackage it as a Fight Night.

    The main event of the upcoming card will feature a marquee featherweight clash, as former title challenger Diego Lopes takes on rising knockout artist Jean Silva. The card also showcases a strawweight bout between former title contenders Tatiana Suarez and Amanda Lemos.

    Here is the confirmed lineup of Noche UFC:

    • Featherweight: Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva
    • Bantamweight: Rob Font vs. David Martinez
    • Strawweight: Tatiana Suarez vs. Amanda Lemos
    • Welterweight: Rodrigo Sezinando vs. Daniil Donchenko
    • Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Dustin Stoltzfus
    • Lightweight: Jared Gordon vs. Rafa García
    • Flyweight: Jesus Aguilar vs. Luis Gurule
    • Women’s bantamweight: Alice Pereira vs. Montserrat Rendon
    • Lightweight: Claudio Puelles vs. Joaquim Silva
    • Middleweight: José Medina vs. Duško Todorović
    • Middleweight: Zach Reese vs. Sedriques Dumas
    • Flyweight: Alessandro Costa vs. Alden Coria
    • Bantamweight: Quang Le vs. TBD

  • Misfits Boxing 22 Results & Highlights: Darren Till Flatlines Luke Rockhold, Tony Ferguson Ends Six-Year Winless Drought

    Misfits Boxing 22 Results & Highlights: Darren Till Flatlines Luke Rockhold, Tony Ferguson Ends Six-Year Winless Drought

    Misfits Boxing 22, also known as MF & DAZN X Series 22: Ring of Thrones, took place on Saturday, August 30, at the AO Arena in Manchester, England, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights.

    In the main event, former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till delivered a devastating third-round knockout over ex-UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold to capture the inaugural MFB bridgerweight crown.

    Adding to the excitement, former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson secured his first win in six years, ending a historic eight-fight losing skid in the UFC, with a third-round TKO victory over Salt Papi for the MFB interim middleweight title.

    Additionally, the Misfits Boxing 22 card featured a rare MMA clash as the controversial Dillon Danis made his long-awaited return to competition after more than six years, submitting Warren Spencer via a 15-second guillotine to capture the inaugural MF MMA light heavyweight championship.

    Misfits Boxing 22 Results

    Main Card

    • MFB bridgerweight title: Darren Till def. Luke Rockhold via knockout (R3, 1:08)
    • Interim MFB middleweight title: Tony Ferguson def. Salt Papi via (R3, 2:43)
    • MF MMA light heavyweight title: Dillon Danis def. Warren Spencer via submission (guillotine) (R1, 0:15)
    • Joey Essex def. Numeiro via majority decision (37-37, 38-36, 39-37)
    • MFB super middleweight title: Ty Mitchell def. Sean Hemphill via split decision (98-95, 95-96, 96-94)
    • MFB heavyweight title: Chase DeMoor (C) def. Natan Marcon via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) (R2, 0:52)
    • Rahim Pardesi def. Amadeusz Ferrari via TKO (R4, 1:05)

    Preliminary Card

    • Amir Anderson def. Vitor Siqueira via KO (R5, 0:55)
    • MFB women’s lightweight title: Carla Jade (C) def. Daryn Harris via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46 x2)
    • Demi Sims def. Nadeshi Hopkin via unanimous decision (40-35 x3)
    • J’Hon Ingram def. Banty Singh via TKO (R2, 1:19)

    Misfits Boxing 22 Highlights

    Carla Jade vs. Daryn Harris

    Demi Sims vs. Nadeshi Hopkin

    J’Hon Ingram vs. Banty Singh

    Amir Anderson vs. Vitor Siqueira

    Amadeusz Ferrari vs. Rahim Pardesi

    Chase DeMoor vs. Natan Marcon

    Joey Essex vs. Numeiro

    Dillon Danis vs. Warren Spencer

    Tony Ferguson vs. Salt Papi

    Darren Till vs. Luke Rockhold

  • Former Champ Jan Blachowicz Returns To Action Against Opponent With Four Straight Finishes At UFC Qatar On Nov. 22

    Former Champ Jan Blachowicz Returns To Action Against Opponent With Four Straight Finishes At UFC Qatar On Nov. 22

    Jan Błachowicz has a dangerous test ahead.

    Blachowicz recently took to social media, hinting that he has already signed the contract for his next fight scheduled later this year.

    On Saturday, Red Corner MMA reported that the former UFC light heavyweight champion is expected to square off against No. 10–ranked contender Bogdan Guskov at UFC Qatar, set to take place on November 22 at the ABHA Arena in Doha.

    The upcoming UFC Fight Night marks the promotion’s debut in Qatar and its fifth event to be held in Asia this year.

    UFC Qatar: How Does Jan Błachowicz’s Record Compare To Bogdan Guskov’s?

    Jan Błachowicz was last in action at UFC London this past March, where he dropped a razor-thin unanimous decision to Carlos Ulberg.

    Once riding high on a five-fight winning streak, highlighted by his knockout of Dominick Reyes at UFC 253 in September 2020 to capture the light heavyweight crown, the 42-year-old Polish veteran now finds himself in the toughest stretch of his career, posting just a 1-3-1 record over his last five outings inside the Octagon.

    Blachowicz enters the matchup with a professional record of 29-11-1, boasting 18 victories by way of finish. His resume features notable stoppage wins over the likes of Luke Rockhold, Thiago Santos, and Nikita Krylov.

    Meanwhile, Bogdan Guskov was last seen at UFC Abu Dhabi in July, where he delivered a first-round knockout against Krylov. Though the 32-year-old Uzbekistani stumbled in his promotional debut with a submission loss to Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Paris in September 2023, he rebounded in spectacular fashion, stringing together four straight victories by way of finish.

    “Czarevitch” holds a professional record of 18-3, with every one of his victories coming by stoppage, including notable finishes over Zac Pauga and Ryan Spann.

    Images: @janblachowicz/@ufceurasia/Instagram

  • Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev: Sean Brady backs the champion

    UFC welterweight contender Sean Brady believes that Jack Della Maddalena has what it takes to defeat Islam Makhachev at UFC 322.

    In the main event of UFC 322, Jack Della Maddalena will take on an incredibly tough assignment. He will be locking horns with Islam Makhachev, who is moving up from 155 pounds in order to try and win a second world title. While a lot of people are backing Islam to get it done, JDM is the kind of fighter who has proven the masses wrong before – and on multiple occasions.

    The rest of the welterweight division, understandably, will be watching closely to see how it plays out. In a recent podcast appearance, Sean Brady explained why he favors Jack Della Maddalena here.

    Sean Brady backs Jack Della Maddalena

    “I think it’s a lot tougher of a fight for Islam than people are giving Jack credit for,” Brady said on UFC Unfiltered. “Jack’s very hard to hold down. He’s a big body, hits like a freight train, has knockout power and he’s showed that getting someone down doesn’t mean d*ck. Can you hold him down? Jack’s really good at creating scrambles, getting back to his feet, separating the hands. Like, we’d seen that with Belal.

    “Gilbert (Burns) did better at taking Jack down than Belal did. He had better positions on him, but I don’t know. Selfishly for me, I want Islam to win because I want to fight Islam for a legacy thing, and I think I can beat Islam. I think I can beat anybody in the world, and I want my grappling to go against his grappling and see who’s better. I really would love for that to play out. But if I had to pick, and I know Jack would be the underdog, I would pick Jack.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Merab Dvalishvili names potential future bantamweight title contender

    Merab Dvalishvili names potential future bantamweight title contender

    UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has made it crystal clear that he is interested in the idea of a rematch against Petr Yan.

    In his next outing, Merab Dvalishvili will defend the UFC bantamweight championship against Cory Sandhagen. In a lot of ways, this is the fight that makes the most sense, and Merab himself acknowledges that. However, the majority of fans and pundits do believe that the champion has more than enough in his locker to keep hold of the title.

    For Merab Dvalishvili, though, this isn’t just about beating Sandhagen – it’s about building a real legacy for himself as champion. In a recent interview, he spoke about a possible future rematch against top contender Petr Yan.

    Merab Dvalishvili wants Petr Yan rematch

    “I don’t overlook Cory Sandhagen. It’s going to be a tough fight. But God willing, I’m going to do my best to win this fight, and if I win, I want a quick turnaround and I want to fight in December,” Dvalishvili said on the “Full Send Podcast.”

    “I will ask the UFC for a favor to give me another fight in December or even November. I don’t care. Petr Yan is the clear contender right now. He deserves it. I don’t want to make him wait too long. I can take a quick turnaround and fight him, and after we will see who will be the next contender.”

    “Every fight I have a different plan, but against Petr Yan, I don’t have a plan because I was scratching my head: How am I going to fight him?,” Dvalishvili said. “He has good takedown defense, he’s a great striker and he’s a dog. I was like, ‘How am I going to fight this motherf*cker?’ So the day before, when we made weight, he pushed me. Then my mind opened. I’m like: I’m going to teach you.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Justin Gaethje will make Ilia Topuria wrestle, says his manager

    Justin Gaethje will make Ilia Topuria wrestle, says his manager

    Ali Abdelaziz believes that Ilia Topuria will try and wrestle Justin Gaethje in their proposed UFC lightweight championship fight.

    As we all know, Justin Gaethje wants one thing and one thing only in mixed martial arts right now: the UFC lightweight title. It’s something he’s been pursuing for many years, and this feels like his best opportunity to try and seize it. Of course, Ilia Topuria will certainly have other plans, especially given how dominant he’s been since arriving in the promotion.

    Right now, Justin Gaethje taking on Ilia Topuria for the belt is entirely hypothetical. However, while we don’t know for sure that this is the direction we’re heading in, it definitely seems like the idea of this fight is picking up a lot of momentum.

    Ahead of any possible announcement, Justin Gaethje’s manager Ali Abdelaziz gave his thoughts on the whole thing.

    Ali Abdelaziz’s view on Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje

    “It’s a car crash (fight),” Abdelaziz said.

    “Whoever is gonna land first, is gonna go to sleep. This is my opinion.

    “I think Topuria might try to wrestle Justin, also,” Abdelaziz continued. “I think Justin Gaethje is way too dangerous to just stand in front of and throw punches.

    “Justin is a very powerful striker, he’s very dangerous. Honestly, it’s one of the best fights you can make in the UFC.”

    Quotes via Bloody Elbow

    Get ready, fight fans, because this contest – if it happens – has the potential to be one of the most entertaining fights of the year.

  • Jack Della Maddalena’s Coach: Islam Makhachev doesn’t have a chin as tough as Belal Muhammad’s

    Jack Della Maddalena’s Coach: Islam Makhachev doesn’t have a chin as tough as Belal Muhammad’s

    Jack Della Maddalena‘s coach Ben Vickers doesn’t believe that Islam Makhachev’s chin is as good as Belal Muhammad’s.

    As we know, Jack Della Maddalena is set to defend his UFC welterweight championship at UFC 322 against Islam Makhachev. It’ll serve as the first time he has put the belt on the line in the wake of his stunning title victory over Belal Muhammad. Of course, a lot of people are backing Islam to get the job done, but getting through JDM is going to be no easy task.

    Against Belal Muhammad, Jack Della Maddalena managed to put it all together pretty seamlessly. Sure, he had to deal with some adversity, but he came through that test with flying colours. Now, he’ll have to do it all over again, against arguably a harder opponent.

    In the eyes of Ben Vickers, though, one thing Jack Della Maddalena doesn’t have to worry about is Makhachev’s chin.

    Jack Della Maddalena’s coach on Islam Makhachev’s chin

    “Yeah, I do. I just don’t think Islam has the chin that Belal has. We know for a fact if Jack clips someone clean on the chin they can go over. So it could happen in the first minute, it could happen in the 24th minute, it could happen in the 24 minute 59 seconds, it could happen three rounds in. Jack likes long fights, he likes to be in there. But obviously we’re not getting paid for overtime. So, if the opportunity arises, we’re happy to take it.”

  • Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis: “It’s a Joke” Says Conor McGregor’s Training Partner

    Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis: “It’s a Joke” Says Conor McGregor’s Training Partner

    Dillon Danis has given his thoughts on the planned bout between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis.

    As we know, Jake Paul is a pretty controversial figure within the world of professional boxing – and that’s us putting it lightly. He’s been able to do some great things in terms of promoting women’s boxing, but when it comes to his own career inside the ring, there are more than a few critics out there.

    As we look ahead to the future, Jake Paul seems to have some pretty interesting things lined up, including a blockbuster exhibition fight against Gervonta Davis. Once again, this has been ridiculed and slammed by many as being a farce, but that doesn’t appear to be stopping it from going ahead.

    In a recent interview, Dillon Danis, who fought Jake Paul’s brother Logan, weighed in on the whole situation.

    Dillon Danis rips into Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis

    “I think it’s a joke. I mean, he says he wants to be world champion. He’s fighting a 125 pounder. I called it like the Tyson fight. They’re going to have a little sparring match. It’s basically selling wolf tickets and just stealing people’s money. You know, Jake is a good salesman, but you know, this started with me and Jake. There’s no Jake Paul without me. So, I think he’ll finish with us one day.”

    ‘Tank’ has a whole host of potential opponents that he could battle but instead, this is the direction he’s opted to go down.

  • KSI and Logan Paul Called Out For Avoiding Real Fights “Boxing is not a real fight”

    KSI and Logan Paul Called Out For Avoiding Real Fights “Boxing is not a real fight”

    KSI and Logan Paul are big figures on the influencer boxing circuit but someone who has history with both men does not highly tout the sweet science overall. That combatant in question is Dillon Danis who prepares for the first ever MMA fight in the history of Misfits Boxing. Danis will take on Warren Spencer for the inaugural MF MMA light heavyweight championship at Misfits Boxing 22 on August 30th from Manchester, England.

    This will transpire this Saturday on this ‘Ring of Thrones’ card that features Luke Rockhold vs. Darren Till for the MFB bridgerweight title and Tony Ferguson vs. Salt Papi for the MFB interim middleweight belt.

    Speaking to Ringside with Abbas, Danis covered several subjects ahead of his return to mixed martial arts after several years away where he pursued gloved boxing in the mean time. Herein lies his ties to Paul and KSI, with Danis fighting the former to an inauspicious disqualification in a bad blood fuelled pre-fight build. For KSI, Danis has been booked to box him on a pair of occasions with Danis withdrawing the first time and KSI pulling out from the sophomore bout booking.

    KSI and Dillon Danis’ attempt to make a deal with him

    Putting Logan Paul and KSI in his proverbial crosshairs before he returns to competing in the four ounce gloves this weekend on DAZN pay-per-view, Danis said,

    “KSI… I made him a deal. He said if I knock him out, so it should be; KSI is the type of guy that if he picks up… Here we go again.”

    “So if I knock him out, he has to fight me in MMA. Well, you don’t get any extra money if you don’t. I went to boxing. And I fought Logan. How come Logan can’t fight MMA? How come you always got to go to their field? It’s not a real fight. Boxing is not a real fight. He thinks it’s a real fight. All this [expletive] is fake. ‘Cause in a real fight; yeah, sweet science of getting taken down and choked out. Ain’t no sweet silence in that.”

  • Carlos Prates vs. Leon Edwards booked for Major UFC 322 bout

    Carlos Prates vs. Leon Edwards booked for Major UFC 322 bout

    Carlos Prates is still at the nucleus of a lot of discourse from his previous UFC fight earlier this month but the exciting mixed martial artist already has his next octagon assignment locked in. The surging welterweight contender will take on a former kingpin of 170 pounds in Leon Edwards when the two clash in New York at UFC 322. Madison Square Garden on November 15th is when this high stakes contest will take place.

    Prates is on the heels of a highlight reel bolstering, spinning back elbow KO of Geoff Neal at UFC 319 on August 16th. The finish picked up a lot of attention online with Prates now having five wins in his last six fights with four knockout victories through that stretch.

    Conversely for Edwards, he is on a two fight skid and is aiming to preserve his placement in the rankings against the hungry combatant, Prates. ‘Rocky’ dropped his 170 pound crown to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in July 2024 and Edwards also lost via fourth round guillotine choke to Sean Brady in March.

    UFC 322 will be a consequential card for the ranked welterweights in the promotion even beyond Prates vs. Edwards. The event will be headlined by Jack Della Maddalena aiming to defend his belt against former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev who vacated his belt to move up in the pursuit of becoming a two division UFC champion.

    Carlos Prates had called out Michael ‘Venom’ Page for UFC Rio

    Carlos Prates had called for a quick turnaround showdown with MVP when the dust settled on his finish of Geoff Neal in Chicago with Prates wanting a clash with Michael ‘Venom’ Page on that UFC Rio card. Page, who also earned a victory at UFC 319 when he bested former UFC middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier, seemed intrigued by the idea of a Prates fight on his rival’s home soil, October 11th in Brazil.

    It would have also presumably had a lot of intrigue for Page who has complained about matchmaking politics at welterweight and how hard it is to get fights there. Alas, the matchmakers had a different vision for what’s next for both fighters with question marks now popping up about what could be next for MVP.

  • “Just Fought Possibly The Worst Boxer To Ever Exist” – Fans React To Bryan Battle’s Bizarre, Quick Victory In Dirty Boxing Debut At DBX 3

    “Just Fought Possibly The Worst Boxer To Ever Exist” – Fans React To Bryan Battle’s Bizarre, Quick Victory In Dirty Boxing Debut At DBX 3

    Less than 10 days following his release from the UFC, Bryan Battle made his Dirty Boxing Championship debut at DBX 3, pulling off a win over Derik de Freitas in a fight that was short, but also weird, if not downright atrocious.

    After a pair of combinations, Freitas threw wildly before clinching with Battle and having to be separated. Battle and Freitas would then swing away before a left hand dropped Freitas, with Battle following up with some ground strikes. After another referee stand up, Battle knocked Freitas down again with another series of shots.

    Freitas grabbed Battle’s leg to reset but did not answer the referee’s order to get up, prompting him to stop the match and awarded the fight to Battle.

    Bryan Battle Quickly Stops Derik de Freitas At Dirty Boxing 3

    Battle was released by the UFC following the weekend of UFC 319. Battle was scheduled to compete on the card against Nursulton Ruziboev but came in four pounds over the middleweight non-title limit, and the fight was canceled. This was Battle’s second straight scheduled fight where he missed weight, as he came in four pounds over the welterweight non-title limit for his UFC 310 win over Randy Brown.

    Freitas has a 3-9 professional MMA record. Prior to tonight, his most recent fight came in November, losing in 20 seconds to Angelo Rivera Jr. due to ankle injury.

  • Youssef Zalal: UFC Followers Are “The worst fans I’ve ever seen in my life”

    Youssef Zalal: UFC Followers Are “The worst fans I’ve ever seen in my life”

    Youssef Zalal is not particularly fond of the mixed martial arts fanbase and recently expressed why ahead of a high stakes featherweight fight. During an interview with Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie, Zalal touched on multiple topics ahead of his consequential contest with Josh Emmett at UFC 320 on October 4th.

    When touching on the MMA fanbase’s style of interfacing with the sport from a fighter’s perspective, Zalal said,

    “The fans are spoiled. All they care about is what you did the last fight. That’s all they care about. They don’t care about your whole story. They don’t care about nothing. Some guys didn’t even, like, I saw some comments, I think they were saying like, ‘Oh, he’s on a like three and three or something like that.’”

    “I’m like, you guys obviously are the worst fans I ever seen in my life. I fought four fights in 11 months. I was one of the most active guys in the featherweight. And to go have three finishes and two bonuses, and then they still; it’s not enough. We’re spoiled human beings. It’s crazy.”

    Youssef Zalal: Josh Emmett “had no choice” in accepting UFC 320 bout

    Youssef Zalal and Josh Emmett have quasi history with one another with the two set to settle their score in the cage in the coming weeks. Zalal previously called out the former UFC interim title challenger but Emmett at the time of the callout, circa February, indicated he was looking for something a bit bigger in the division. Touching on their prior interactions and how we got to this bout booking becoming locked in, Zalal stated [via MMA Junkie],

    “He’s at a point where he had no choice. He either had to wait a year or so to fight, or fight right now. Obviously, we’ve got a bunch of young guys coming in and a bunch of prospects coming in, and they need to fight, and that’s why I feel he had no choice in a way. It is what it is.”

    Zalal vs. Emmett pits the number nine and number eight ranked contenders, respectively, at 145 pounds against one another in Las Vegas at UFC 320.

  • “This Is Going To Be Awesome” – Dana White Says UFC White House Event Is A Done Deal

    “This Is Going To Be Awesome” – Dana White Says UFC White House Event Is A Done Deal

    Ever since it was first brought into the wild, the idea of a UFC White House event has been debated, discussed, derided, and defended. Now, approximately 10 months before the 250th anniversary of the United States, UFC CEO and President Dana White claims plans for an event are now official.

    White made the announcement during an Instagram Live stream on the evening of August 28, stating he had spent the day in Washington, D.C. trying to figure out details in regard to the event

    “We had the meeting at the White House; could not have gone better,” White said. “This is going to be awesome. The White House fight is on. I will have more details on that in the next couple of weeks. But we got it done today.”

    Dana White Says UFC White House Event Is A Go Following Meeting In Washington, D.C.

    U.S. President Donald Trump first teased the idea about a card at the White House during Fourth of July festivities last month. He stated such an event as part of a big series of events to celebrate the Semiquincentennial of the U.S.

    The UFC and White, in a series of interviews, would later indicate the plans were one of serious nature, with full intentions of a card to take place on the lawn of the White House on July 4, 2026.

    White has previously claimed he intends to make the one of the “baddest” cards in UFC history at such an event, though he wouldn’t name any potential names or matchups due to the distance of time between now and the White House card.

    Many fighters have expressed their desire to be selected for such an event, including Conor McGregor and Jon Jones. McGregor hasn’t fought in the UFC since 2021 but has since returned to the UFC’s testing pool. Jones’ retirement lasted only two weeks due to the announcement; however, White has expressed trepidation and a lack of desire in placing Jones on the card.

    It is believed many or all of the tickets for the White House card will be complimentary, and it is unclear if this event would be broadcast on Paramount+ exclusively or on linear CBS networks as well with the UFC’s new U.S. broadcasting deal with Paramount that begins in 2026.