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  • Is Tim Kennedy a Fraud? UFC Coaches Weigh-In on Stolen Valor

    MMA and military veteran Tim Kennedy has admitted to lying about awarded the Bronze Star with Valor – and Eric Nicksick, among many others, isn’t happy about it.

    Over the course of the last few weeks, Tim Kennedy has been receiving a great deal of criticism after admitting that he lied about his Bronze Star with Valor award. As you can imagine, given the patriotic nature of the United States and the importance of the military in that role, people weren’t happy.

    Tim Kennedy had a perfectly solid mixed martial arts career and did a lot when it comes to his military career too, but this is the kind of lie that can tarnish your reputation in more ways than one.

    In a recent episode of their podcast, Eric Nicksick and his producer Randy Faehnrich couldn’t help but speak about the matter.

    Eric Nicksick and Randy Faehnrich discuss Tim Kennedy

    “Tim Kennedy stole valor. He lied about his Bronze Star with Valor, purple heart – all this was a lie. And it’s always the loudest, most patriotic ones who end up doing the most unpatriotic things.”

    “He wrote a book—book was great—but what if the whole thing is lies? Now, five years ago, guys in the industry were already saying he wasn’t telling the truth.”

    “At that level, you just can’t. When you make millions off this lie, where does that money go? Meanwhile, the rest of your unit, who lived these missions, gets nothing.”

    “The military takes this seriously—and there’s now an investigation underway. Tim Kennedy admitted: ‘I want to take full and unequivocal responsibility for a serious mistake.’”

    “It’s sad. You have a great, honorable career, but now you’re ostracized from the community. Why risk your whole reputation and brotherhood?”

    “There’s so much money made off books, movies, speaking tours—meanwhile, the real guys stay silent. Sometimes, embellishment becomes part of that influencer culture, but outright lying is a line you can’t cross.”

  • Is Ilia Topuria Pulling a Jon Jones and Ducking the Top Contender? Former Champs Weighs-in

    Is Ilia Topuria Pulling a Jon Jones and Ducking the Top Contender? Former Champs Weighs-in

    UFC commentator Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on the theory that Ilia Topuria is ducking Arman Tsarukyan in a manner similar to Jon Jones ducking Tom Aspinall.

    As we know, Ilia Topuriais one of the scariest fighters on the planet right now. He is the UFC lightweight champion, having won the belt by knocking Charles Oliveira out cold. As we look ahead to the future, it certainly seems as if the options are limitless for him – either at 155 pounds, above, or below.

    Right now, there are a few main contenders in the running to face Ilia Topuria for the belt. One of them is Arman Tsarukyan, who has been incredibly vocal in letting the masses know that he wants to battle ‘El Matador’.

    Following a recent back and forth in which Topuria declared that he’d rather vacate the belt than defend it against Arman, Michael Bisping decided to weigh in on the situation.

    Michael Bisping’s view on Ilia Topuria

    “The question is, is Ilia Topuria pulling a Jon Jones? Because Arman Tsarukyan is a real threat to anybody. He is a tremendous fighter… He can do it all. He’s got the striking, the wrestling, the cardio, the strength. He’s very young. He’s in his prime. The man’s an absolute monster.”

    “Ilia Topuria said if the UFC made him fight Arman Tsarukyan, he would vacate the belt. ‘I’m never going to give him a chance to fight for the title. I will be like—listen, if that’s the case, take my belt.’ He doesn’t want to fight him. He wants nothing to do with Arman Tsarukyan.”

  • Claressa Shields Asks Why Would I Fight ‘Ugly’ Cris Cyborg when She Can’t Box?

    Claressa Shields Asks Why Would I Fight ‘Ugly’ Cris Cyborg when She Can’t Box?

    Boxing icon Claressa Shields has given her thoughts on potentially fighting MMA/boxing star Cris Cyborg at some point in the future.

    For the longest time now, Claressa Shields has been seen as one of the best female boxers in the sport. On the flip side, Cris Cyborg is one of the best female mixed martial artists ever. Of course, both have crossed over into the other’s dominant sport, but up to this point in time they’ve never fought one another.

    Professionally, that is. They’ve sparred in the past but right now, given where they’re at in their careers, it doesn’t seem overly likely that we’re going to get Claressa Shields vs Cris Cyborg.

    With that being said, Claressa Shields actually had the following to say about a potential matchup – and she didn’t hold back.

    Claressa Shields takes a shot at Cris Cyborg

    “Cris Cyborg is not vocal about [expletive]. She’s a hater and she’s ugly.”

    “She wanted me to go down to 47 and fight her with 12-ounce gloves or some bull crap. She doesn’t really want to fight.”

    “She’s fighting girls who are trash in boxing, girls who the commission wouldn’t even let get inside the ring with me for sparring. I should have knocked her out when we sparred, but we were friends.”

    “Cris Cyborg cannot box.”

    Shields is still only 30 years of age whereas Cyborg is 40. Who knows, maybe it’ll happen one day – but for now, trash talk is all that we’re going to get.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Will Not Struggle to Finish Dricus Du Plessis According UFC Icon

    Khamzat Chimaev Will Not Struggle to Finish Dricus Du Plessis According UFC Icon

    Khamzat Chimaev will be able to pick up a finish when he battles Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, says former UFC legend Tito Ortiz.

    As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is set to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship in just a few short weeks. While du Plessis is certainly more than capable of retaining his title, ‘Borz’ has been on quite the rise to prominence in the last few years. He’s been backed to pick up the victory and claim the gold by a lot of people, and it’ll be interesting to see how the fight unfolds.

    For Khamzat Chimaev, it’s all about going out there and executing the perfect game plan. If he can do that, then he will be well on his way to becoming champion.

    In a recent interview, Tito Ortiz of all people weighed in on how this contest is likely to play out.

    Tito Ortiz’s view on Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland

    “I think Chimaev overwhelms him in three or four rounds. I’ve watched him; he’s so tough. He had training camp at Jackson, training with Rampage, and he’s the real deal. He can shoot a double-leg from half the cage and still take a guy down. He’s just vicious.”

    As for du Plessis, you’d have to imagine he’s just going to approach it like another day at the office. Regardless of whether he wins or loses, he’s going to put his best foot forward – which should make for one of the most intense fights of the year thus far.

  • Reinier De Ridder Declares Title Ambitions After Beating Robert Whittaker At UFC Abu Dhabi

    Reinier De Ridder Declares Title Ambitions After Beating Robert Whittaker At UFC Abu Dhabi

    Reinier De Ridder now has his eyes tentatively set on a UFC middleweight title shot.

    Last weekend, De Ridder extended his undefeated UFC run with a hard-fought win over former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi, held at the Etihad Arena in United Arab Emirates.

    “RDR” overcame adversity after being dropped by a massive right hand and absorbing punishing ground-and-pound in round three. He used sharp clinch work and punishing knees to Whittaker’s body to shift the momentum. The former two-division ONE champion’s control of range proved crucial, earning him a split decision on the scorecards.

    Reinier De Ridder Eyes Title Shot After UFC Abu Dhabi Victory

    Following his victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC Abu Dhabi, Reinier De Ridder reflected on the bout during a backstage interview with the UFC. The 34-year-old Dutch native acknowledged the rapid rise he has experienced since making his Octagon debut in November 2024.

    “Four fights, almost four finishes,” Reinier De Ridder said. “It’s been a crazy year so far, and I think I’ll be able to get one more [fight] before the year’s over.”

    “RDR” has now extended his unbeaten UFC streak to 4-0, and with his latest triumph over Whittaker, he’s climbed to the No. 5 spot in the middleweight rankings. De Ridder believes he’s firmly entered the conversation for a future title shot.

    I’m a Top 5 fighter in the world — that’s a crazy thing to say. We’ll see where everything lands in the division over the next couple of months, but I’m ready to challenge for a title.”

    The UFC middleweight division is heating up with several high-stakes matchups slated for the coming months. First, Roman Dolidze is set to square off against Anthony Hernandez at UFC Vegas 109 on August 9. Just a week later, reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis will put his title on the line against Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319. Then, tNassourdine Imavov will clash with Caio Borralho at UFC Paris in what could serve as a No. 1 contender showdown.

    UFC 319 poster
  • “[Merab Dvalishvili] Could Fight Jon Jones, He Would Beat Him,” Says Ex-UFC Vet

    “[Merab Dvalishvili] Could Fight Jon Jones, He Would Beat Him,” Says Ex-UFC Vet

    Merab Dvalishvili is not just the bantamweight GOAT of MMA in the eyes of many, but some think he can get the jump on the man many see as the overall MMA GOAT, pound for pound. Appearing on Bowks Talking Bouts prior to his recent Rizin flyweight grand prix bid, Jose Torres touched on some of his past training experiences with the Georgian standout. When responding to the talk from some that the UFC bantamweight champion is the greatest bantamweight in MMA history, Torres said,

    “He’s a great fighter, but he’s not super tough on the ground until he becomes tough, if that makes any sense. Like when it comes to technique, that’s where he lacks, but he pushes so much with his heart and just his conditioning that he will break you. Your best bet against Merab, and I guess even against myself and this is me saying this against Merab too, your best bet is to beat him in the first or second round. Because after the second half of the second round, that’s it. There’s no way you’re going to be able to keep up the pace.”

    “Merab is; again, they call him ‘The Machine’, ‘Robocop’, all these different nicknames because his gas tank is relentless. He’s not technically the best fighter, but because of how hard he pushes, especially with that fight style conditioning, that adrenaline that comes on fight day, all that stuff, it’s no match. I think Umar Nurmagomedov easily is the better fighter, but the guy who obviously shows up on fight day in Merab is easily the champion, if that makes any sense.”

    Merab Dvalishvili’s weaponized pace and how he could best Jon Jones

    When getting more into the machinations of the machine that is Merab Dvalishvili, Torres continued,

    “Technically, Sean O’Malley should have been able to win every fight against Merab, but Merab just doesn’t stop. Again, that [Alexandre] Pantoja-style where they’re kind of sloppy, they push forward. But Merab has that gas tank where you’re just like dude, you’re not gonna slow down at all? Like nothing whatsoever? … He’s that guy that just walks forward. He will beat any technical athlete… He could fight Jon Jones, he would beat him in the third or fifth, whatever final round of the fight. Like that’s Merab’s gas tank [laughs].”

  • “Nobody Would Give Much of a F**K” if Jake Paul-Tommy Fury 2 Gets Booked says MFB Insider

    Both Jake Paul and Tommy Fury have mentioned their desires, at different junctures, to eventually have a rematch with one another and one of the broadcasting personalities with Misfits Boxing has offered up his thoughts on the potential prizefight. With a recent appearance on Bowks Talking Bouts, Ben ‘The Bane’ Davis offered up his viewpoint on a litany of topics, including the scope of a possible sequel clash with Fury and Paul.

    The former BKFC and Karate Combat fighter also has some proximity to Fury as Davis was previously being involved in the promotion for the eventually scrapped Tommy Fury vs. Darren Till fight on the Misfits Boxing circuit. When asked if a Jake Paul rematch with Tommy Fury could be a logical next step for both and perhaps a more generally feasible task for ‘The Problem Child’ than some of the prospective opponents that Paul has mentioned previously, Davis stated,

    “Maybe in the context of a competitive sense. I think obviously avenging your losses is always a fun thing to do in combat sports. It shows direct and tangible improvement. But I would say that in the entertainment category, it makes no sense. Tommy Fury has done very, very little in the last couple of years. Maybe one of the only big differences between their first fight and if they did a rematch is how few people would be watching it. Nobody would give much of a f**k, truthfully, if Tommy Fury rematched Jake Paul.”

    “That I think is a product of again, Jake’s insistence on promoting himself as somebody aiming for a world title, wanting legitimacy, wanting WBC-WBO recognition. Well, if you want that, then you should not fight Tommy Fury. If you don’t give a s**t about that, by all means. It’s your life, your decision-making.”

    Jake Paul-Tommy Fury II and the disconnect with the former’s words and actions

    As the Misfits Boxing broadcaster further expounded upon his viewpoint regarding a potential Paul versus Fury continuation of their in-ring story, Davis continued,

    “But I’ve just found myself frustrated at this constant lack of connection between Paul’s actions and his words. Because if you listen to him, you’d probably be thinking, yeah, throw him in there with the best. But then he makes decisions that absolutely, completely contradict what he says on microphones and in press conferences. So I don’t know, maybe with that being said Tommy Fury is the perfect opponent [laughs] because he said he wants something legit. So maybe the opposite would be next.”

  • MFB Insider on Jake Paul vs. Chavez Jr. “One of the Fights of All Time”

    MFB Insider on Jake Paul vs. Chavez Jr. “One of the Fights of All Time”

    Jake Paul recently defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. under Queensberry Rules, and a Misfits Boxing broadcaster has broken down the bout as well as what could be next for the former. Appearing on Bowks Talking Bouts, Ben ‘The Bane’ Davis got into the specifics of that June 28th outing between Paul and Chavez Jr. that seemed fairly eclipsed by UFC 317 which transpired that same night.

    As part of his MFB role, he hosted a Misfits Boxing faceoff interview with AnEsonGib as well as Slim circa last November. With Gib previously fighting Jake Paul in the context of offering up his thoughts on Paul’s recent fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Davis said,

    “You know, it was one of the fights of all time, Dylan. I will say this [laughs], I’ve been critical of Jake Paul, and I think that there’s good reason to be because it’s been so cherry-picked in the last five years of his career. There’s asterisks kind of with every single opponent. With Julio, he was at much lighter weight classes in his career. He’s never really been like this strong force. He’s renowned because of the lineage, but I would say boxing purists and pundits know that this was about what we could expect. A version of Chavez that isn’t entirely interested in really wanting to engage and fight.”

    “Which you could say that’s maybe Julio’s nature. You could say that that’s because of Jake Paul shutting him down inside the ring and presenting such offense that if Julio engaged, he would be put on the canvas. I’m not entirely sure, it really is up to you. All I know is that in the last two rounds, Julio Cesar Chavez’s sixty-one strikes, he landed forty of them in those final six minutes, and a lot of them clean. So if I’m team Jake Paul and we’re looking at a ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez or a Badou Jack next, I’m thinking, when the fight gets into the deep waters, we need to learn how to be defensively responsible.”

    Jake Paul and his ceiling in the boxing game according to Davis

    Getting into the somewhat complicated subject of who could be lined up as the next dance partner for Paul, Davis continued,

    “This is where we get into the topic of Jake Paul’s ceiling, I don’t know if he can do that. Dylan, you know this, when you pick up a sport, anything in the combat sports realm, you kind of run into that, ‘that’s it. This is where my technique stops and plateaus.’ I think we’ve seen that with Jake Paul. So I don’t know what really could be next successfully for him, right. I think he can go get knocked out by Canelo, he can go get knocked out by Anthony Joshua, Badou Jack or ‘Zurdo’. But in terms of opponents he can win against in legit world ranking that’s where I find a bit of a dissonance.”

  • Logan Storley: “Give [Thad Jean] That First Loss and Win a World Title” in PFL 2025 Finals

    Logan Storley respects Thad Jean heading into their welterweight tournament title fight inside the PFL Smart Cage on August 1st, but he is focused on getting a measure of redemption against someone who bested one of his teammates. Storley appeared on Bowks Talking Bouts and touched on the points-based structure he was a part of last season and contrasted it with the more straight-ahead, defined tournament bracket this year.

    The former Bellator MMA interim champion prefers the win-and-advance bracket style this year and while it has certain hallmarks to his days as an amateur wrestler with the single elimination tournament style, it also feels like this year is easier for PFL fans to understand things better, according to the tournament finalist. On route to said finals, Storley secured a pair of unanimous decision wins over Joseph Luciano as well as Masayuki Kikuiri, and when touching upon that path to the PFL finals, Storley said,

    “They were both big, strong kids, you know. So really just setting the pace on them and dominating the grappling. Getting your ground and pound in there. Making sure there’s no questions about it, you know. Dominate those fights and set a really good pace. I felt like I did that.”

    Speaking to Thad Jean’s path through this year’s tournament, he punched his ticket to the finals to face Storley here by defeating one of Storley’s Kill Cliff FC teammates, Jason Jackson. When touching upon that tendril of this matchup in the coming days, Logan Storley stated,

    “He’s a talented young kid. Good striker, a lot of power, athletic. Does a good job in all positions. Jason and him had an extremely close fight, and Thad obviously got the nod. So you know, I was impressed with the way Thad competed so far this whole season. I’m excited to go out there and represent Kill Cliff and go get this W for our gym. For myself, for my coaches, you know, all those people that support you. But yeah, no, he’s performed great so far.”

    In the pre-fight lead up Jean described Storley as a one-dimensional fighter with a singular wrestling-minded approach. When responding to that characterization some fighters have of him and even some fans have of him that he comes to the cage with a myopic approach to the contest, Logan Storley quipped,

    “Everyone can say whatever they want, right. You look at the best of the best, a lot of them have been wrestlers, right, who go to their game plan. Dominate guys and maul guys and drag them into deep waters. So I’m gonna do what I’m the best at. So you can say it’s one-dimensional, whatever you want, but not very many people have ever been able to stop it.”

    “So I’m going to continue setting a high pace, dragging guys to deep waters, and just competing at the highest level. That’s what I think I do better than anyone is just compete. Ability to make changes mid-fight, ability to push the pace, ability to win scrambles, and the ability to always try to win every single position. So yeah, I think that’s kind of what I do. So I guess if people call it one-dimensional, they can call it one-dimensional [laughs].”

    Logan Storley on the headlines to come and showing his level

    As for what the headlines will read when the dust settles post-August 1st, Logan Storley said,

    “That I’m the best in the world. That nobody can hang with my wrestling. That the pace, smothering, scrambles after scrambles, that’s what I do better than anyone else. So I think that’s what the headlines will read. Just a high, high pace and a smothering pace and just me competing in all positions. Being focused for twenty-five minutes was enough to go out there and really be dominant.”

    When asked if there is an additional degree of satisfaction to handing an unbeaten fighter his first loss, and while that surging fighter has been bantering with you no less, Logan Storley stated,

    “Yeah, I mean, for sure. You always want to go out there and you want to be that guy to give them their first loss and show them that there’s levels and that he’s not quite there yet. So that’s my plan is to go out there and set the bar and give him that first loss and win a world title.”

    https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1949901995747467454/photo/1

  • “It’s Not Wrong That You Share The Same Goal…” – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 10 Recap

    “It’s Not Wrong That You Share The Same Goal…” – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 10 Recap

    Welcome, everyone, to the 10th edition of The TUF Stuff!

    Each week, I’ll be guiding you through a recap of this season’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter, providing updates on what happens in each episode — from the drama and storylines out of the Octagon, to the looks into who the competing fighters are, to what goes down inside the cage.

    This season celebrates the 20th anniversary of TUF. That inaugural season from 2005 helped to influence many future MMA fans, media members, and fighters (yours truly included). And now, two more fighters this summer will get the opportunity to call themselves TUF champions when it’s all said and done.

    Last week saw semifinal action begin, as Alibi Idiris of Team Cormier secured the first flyweight final spot at UFC 319 by defeating Team Sonnen’s Roybert Echeverria.

    Recap of The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 – Episode 10

    Now, Team Cormier will have two of its own go at it for the first welterweight final spot as Jeff Creighton and Rodrigo Sezinando do battle.

    Let’s get into episode 10 of The Ultimate Fighter!

    Team Sonnen Out On The Town

    With some extra time due to an all-Team Cormier showdown, Team Sonnen gets to go out on the town in Las Vegas. They attend a Criss Angel show and get to meet the magician himself, as Angel is apparently good friends with Colby Covington, according to UFC CEO and President Dana White.

    Sonnen says the experience was a good one for the team because it’s a break from all the training and their spirits get lifted.

    Criss Angel even invited Sonnen and Covington on stage during the evening.

    Team Cormier Training Session & Fight Preps

    Team Cormier explains it’ll be a sparring session, trying to balance out times so no one feels isolated since the team has two fighters competing. Sezinando says he wants to specifically spar with Alex Sanchez. Crieghton feels Sezinando wants to focus on training with the smaller welterweights to “protect his ego.”

    Cormier says he is not going to coach the two to maintain neutrality, and the others are going to support Sezinando and Creighton’s training.

    Cormier says Sezinando should maintain space and distance to use his striking to his full potential — something he didn’t execute fully in his first-round matchup.

    Sezinando says Creighton is scared to grapple with him and plans to put a lot of pressure on Creighton. “He’s going to see a complete MMA fighter in there.”

    Cormier says Creighton should use his wrestling. He adds that Sezinando hasn’t been seen on his back, and that Creighton should force that. Creighton says he sees the fight starting off hot, and if Sezinando “is smart,” he’ll try to get Creighton out in the first five minutes.

    Creighton guarantees Sezinando won’t be able to finish him and he’ll put a beating on him — whether Sezinando puts his foot on the gas from the start of the fight on or not.

    Cormier says he sees both guys having a solid shot at winning the competition and hopes for a good fight.

    Rodrigo Sezinando Call Home

    We see a phone call between Sezinando and his mother, who he hasn’t seen in a year-and-a-half. Sezinando says his mom is his motivation and why he works hard every day.

    You can see the emotion on Sezinando’s face as he promises they’ll be reunited soon. His mother expresses gratitude to God that he’s okay.

    Sezinando says the world knows their story, and that’s why he continues to push, and he thanks his mom for everything in his life. His mom says that she knows how big of a heart he has and how beautiful of a person he is.

    Sezinando says his mom didn’t eat many days, sacrificing for him and his brother. He explains how hard it is, and we see how emotional Sezinando still is after the phone call. He admits he feels the pressure to do well in order to benefit his mom’s life and pay back for everything she has sacrificed.

    Jeff Creighton Phone Call Home

    Creighton receives a phone call from his wife. Creighton says he’s been missing home; however, the time away has made him truly realize — and more appreciative of — the sacrifices his loved ones have made. “I want their sacrifices to be worth something.”

    Creighton’s wife, Hailey, says even though she knows he hasn’t had his phone, she has still texted him.

    Creighton says his wife has made sacrifices and he couldn’t be more thankful of her support.

    We then see all of Creighton’s family, and Creighton says that their sight brought him additional motivation. “I’m doing this for the right reason. I’m doing this for them.”

    The Fight: Jeff Creighton vs. Rodrigo Sezinando

    —–IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED THE EPISODE AND DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO TURN AWAY NOW.———

    Creighton and Sezinando both weigh in at 170.5. The fight is on!

    Andreaas Binder feels Creighton might have the better skillset, but Sezinando has the strength and jiu-jitsu edges. Joseph Morales says Sezinando hasn’t been impressive, at least compared to Creighton’s skillset, and that he’ll need a takedown to secure an edge.

    Dana White says he’s expecting a technical fight between two expert-level grapplers.

    Cormier says the two have been very respectful of each other, but he can’t imagine the guys being comfortable in the same locker room. Cormier puts the two in different locker rooms.

    Cormier says both have worked very hard and closely with the team, and he reminds the two that they’re here because they’ve worked together to support each other to get there. Cormier tells them to have a good fight and may the best man win.

    Both guys seem to have the realization that this is just business, but they’re each a roadblock for the other.

    “It’s not wrong that you share the same goal,” Cormier said. “It’s only wrong if you don’t do everything in your power to accomplish it.

    Cormier says the coaches are divided up in terms of who is cornering which fighter.

    Jeff Creighton vs. Rodrigo Sezinando

    Round 1

    Creighton and Sezinando hug it out and Sezinando asks for some noise. Low kick from Creighton. Creighton with a body kick, and his corner tells him to get his space back. Sezinando with a big right hand and left hook. Sezinando goes in and presses Creighton against the fence. Sezinando gets Creighton up, but Creighton goes back to his feet, preventing the takedown. Creighton appears to have an arm around Sezinando’s neck. More pummeling. Right hand by Creighton. Sezinando continues to search for the takedown. Elbow by Creighton. Cormier is concerned that Sezinando is wasting energy on this takedown attempt. Referee Marc Smith calls for more activity.

    More pummeling from Sezinando, while Creighton looks to pressure his way off the fence. A few short left hands from Creighton. And another. And another. Sezinando gets Creighton up again, but he again can’t get it. Finally, he’s able to get the takedown with about 1:45 left. Or, rather, Creighton got the takedown and Sezinando reversed it. Sezinando’s corner tells him to get control first. Sezinando is able to get into side control, then a transition into half-guard. Creighton’s corner encourages him to work his way to the cage. Sezinando works his way up, trying to threaten an arm-triangle choke. Creighton turns the wrong way and Sezinando gets his back, trying to threaten a choke in the closing seconds of the round. Sezinando can’t get it, and Creighton reverses to end the round on top.

    Round 2

    Creighton with a body shot early. A couple of kicks to add on. Creighton with a right hand, but Sezinando throws a knee. Now it’s Creighton pressuring Sezinando into the fence. Creighton gets the takedown, and Sezinando puts up his guard. Creighton’s corner says to look for elbows. They’re against the cage now, with Creighton pressuring. Creighton tries to get to Sezinando’s back, but Sezinando rolls and threatens a leg lock. Creighton gets out of it, but Sezinando now has Creighton seated back against the fence. We get a switch. Sezinando gets Creighton up again and slams him down, getting right into full mount.

    Sezinando makes his way into full mount. Creighton tries to escape, but Sezinando gets to his back. Creighton gets to his feet and the two exchange heavy on the break. Front kick by Creighton. Right hand by Sezinando. Body shot by Creighton. Right hand by Creighton backs Sezinando up. Strong knee from Creighton on a brief clinch. Sezinando scores a takedown, however. Creighton with a right hand, as his corner yells for him to get up with urgency. Sezinando keeps Creighton down, however. Palm strikes from Creighton as the ref tells Sezinando to work. A couple of strong elbows from Sezinando, though he’s warned to watch the back of the head. A series of consecutive right hands from Sezinando to the head. Sezinando ends the round on top just as Creighton is returning to the feet.

    Round 3

    We’ve got a third round! Is this the first one of the season? Right hand and a round kick from Creighton. Creighton goes for pressure into the fence, but Sezinando reverses and pins Creighton to the fence. A couple of elbows land for Creighton. Creighton continuing to defend the takedown attempts from Sezinando. Sezinando lands a spinning elbow on Creighton. Left hand by Creighton. Another left hand from Creighton. Creighton again tries to rush in, and Sezinando presses and scores a takedown.

    Halfway through the round and Marc Smith asks Sezinando to work again. Sezinando works his way to Creighton’s back and rolls through. Sezinando tries to get a body lock as he hunts for the choke. Creighton trying to get free, but Sezinando keeps the pressure. Sezinando transitions to top position and hunts for an arm-triangle but can’t get it. Creighton uses the cage and elbows to get back to his feet with a minute left. Sezinando presses for a takedown again. More punching from Creighton. He escapes Sezinando’s pressure with 45 seconds to go. Creighton’s corner calling for him to bite down on his mouth piece and pressure, but he’s not bringing it. Creighton then clinches briefly for some reason. The two exchanging, where Creighton lands a strong knee to the body. It’s not enough.

    Winner: Rodrigo Sezinando via unanimous decision after three rounds

    Conclusion

    Cormier says Sezinando accomplished what he’s needed — to score takedowns and nullify Creighton’s offense. Cormier says Creighton had moments where he tried to build momentum, but Sezinando was able to cap off any of that.

    Dana White says Creighton finally let his hands go in the third round, looking for a knockout, knowing he was down 2-0. Cormier adds, however, that every time he overextended, Sezinando caught him. Cormier says he appreciated not keeping his distance to try and get a finish, but White says Sezinando’s takedowns tired him out too much.

    Creighton says it’s a tough pill to swallow, but Sezinando was the better man tonight. Creighton says it’s hard knowing he’s not in the family and feels he let his family down. But Creighton says he will make the Octagon one day.

    Sezinando is emotional, in tears, realizing he’s going to be competing at UFC 319. “The whole world is going to know me, and I’m proud of myself,” Sezinando says. He promises to take care of his mom soon. “Thank you so much for the man you made.”

    Next week, Team Cormier’s Imanol Rodriguez faces Team Sonnen’s top pick, Joseph Morales, to see who faces Alibi Idiris in the flyweight finale!

    Also, season 32 winner Mairon Santos visits the TUF House!

    What will happen next week? Join alongside us then!

    Thanks for joining me for another edition of The TUF Stuff!

  • Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” Leaves Vegas Pros Reeling: New Tax Rule Could KO Sports Gamblers

    Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” Leaves Vegas Pros Reeling: New Tax Rule Could KO Sports Gamblers

    U.S. President Donald Trump has found himself in the MMA news headlines recently because of his announcement of a UFC card that will take place on the White House lawn next July 4. Congress is also in the headlines for the discussion and possible passing of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act.

    But another piece of politics is about to swoop in and potentially affect professional bettors, according to Gianni “The Greek” Karalis, host of The Gambler’s Perspective and UFC On The Line.

    The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is a piece of legislation that focuses on tax and spending, as part of President Trump’s financial-related policies. This bill, however, can also come at a cost to gamblers.

    The bill proposes that professional bettors could be taxed on gross winnings without being allowed to deduct their losses. In other words, even gamblers who finish with more losses than wins could still owe.

    “It’s basically saying that it could force some bettors — key word there — some, to pay income tax even in years when they have net losses in gambling,” Karalis told James Lynch in a recent interview. “It could significantly hike the tax burden on professional sports bettors.”

    Gianni The Greek: How Sports Gamblers, Including MMA Bettors, Are Affected By The One Big Beautiful Bill

    Traditionally, professional gamblers could deduct losses from winnings when filing taxes, effectively being taxed based on net income. OBBBA threatens that by eliminating loss deductions. That’s the equivalent of taxing an investor for every winning trade while ignoring the losing ones.

    Karalis explains this as “the problem,” as it defies a gambler’s accounting principles.

    “You can no longer write off your losses against your wins like you used to before,” Karalis said. “I mean, the bottom line is this: you could lose money and still have to pay taxes as if you were profitable. That’s the negative of this.”

    Karalis does say, however, that most bettors will not be affected, as this portion of the bill targets professional bettors, rather than recreational ones. According to Karalis, only about 0.5 percent of bettors can be considered profitable and will be the most affected.

    “99.5 percent of sports bettors have negative lifetime earnings,” Karalis said. “Who this is going to affect is that half a percent that truly makes their living in betting sports.”

    There are two possible motives for this governmental action, according to Karalis. The first is a form of government money grab, similar to when states actively passed recreational marijuana laws in order to gain the tax revenue. The U.S. federal government may see sports betting — as an untapped goldmine, and it wants a bigger piece of the pie.

    The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) previously barred sports betting in most states. When the Supreme Court ruled the act unconstitutional in May 2018, states were allowed to decide on its legalization.

    Karalis’ other theory is that sportsbooks themselves may have lobbied for this part of OBBBA. While winning bettors may represent a tiny fraction of users, they may present a major threat to profit margins. In other words, severely hampering these winning bettors protects the bottom line. By making the environment toxic for sharps, they encourage a casual betting pool dominated by losing wagers.

    Karalis compared this to a shift that was seen in casinos when blackjack payouts went from 3-to-2 to 6-to-5 as part of their efforts to stop card counters.

    “To most tourists, the most recreational bettors, they don’t see the difference,” Karalis explained. “They don’t know the difference between blackjack paying three-to-two or six-to-five. But for a card counter, that simple rule made the game unbeatable. So someone like myself that’s an advantaged blackjack player, if I see a table that says six-to-five blackjack, I can’t beat that game no more. The edge has changed.”

    Three groups are most at risk with the bill’s passage, according to Karalis. One, as mentioned, are those professional sports bettors whose success relies on those onscreen, regulated sportsbooks who report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), including FanDuel and DraftKings.

    The second group are the scalpers and middlers, including younger bettors, who depend on quick, narrow-margin trades across multiple books. Karalis stated that “It may even shut down a lot of those shops…because the margins are small…you got to question now: Is this endeavor still worth it?”

    Lastly are the handicappers who work solo or in small groups, without access to “off-screen” credit-based betting systems.

    Those offshore books and underground markets can offer one potential workaround, according to Karalis. They, however, do not come without great risk and aren’t available to all bettors. While off-screen books, often offshore and illegal, are preferred by pros for tax and liquidity reasons, high-stakes bettors would need millions tied up in regulated accounts that earn no interest. This, according to Karalis, would make on-screen betting financially inefficient.

    “There’s not very many people worth seven figures who are willing to leave that money sitting in a sportsbook account getting zero return,” he said. “You could put it in Coinbase and get four percent.”

    Though most in the sports gambling world felt negative reaction in the industry to the OBBBA was an overreaction, concern among full-time bettors is growing. As the new tax reality sets in, some professional gamblers are considering a re-evaluation of their systems and the potential end of their careers, especially if they rely on razor-thin profits.

    Karalis says this may even stretch to content creators and side hustlers, including the previously-mentioned scalpers. He adds there are also questions around how bad this will impact younger and newer pros.

    “They’re definitely being forced to reorganize their business model,” Karalis said. “I would not be surprised if a handful do realize maybe it’s not as profitable — and move that capital elsewhere with less risk.”

    When describing how he personally is affected, Karalis says that since 90 percent of his betting is off-screen, he isn’t as affected as other professionals. OBBBA, however, may affect his side hustle due to regulated betting use; it would force him to use the regulated sportsbooks.

    Karalis says that he sees no upsides in OBBBA for sharp bettors and that the bill could shift the landscape by making professional sports betting less viable in the U.S. He implies it could lead to brain drain or push more betting activity to offshore books.

    “Talking to serious guys out here in Vegas, even professional poker players, let alone sports bettors, who are like, ‘Dude, I don’t know if I can continue doing this the way I’ve been doing it and be profitable anymore,’” Karalis said.

    OBBBA could usher in a new era where the house edge isn’t just built into the odds — it’s written into law.

  • Carlos Ulberg vs. Dominick Reyes Headlines UFC Perth

    Carlos Ulberg vs. Dominick Reyes Headlines UFC Perth

    A former light heavyweight title challenger and one rising through the ranks with an impressive win streak will be clashing in the main event of UFC Perth this coming September.

    The UFC has announced that Carlos Ulberg will take on Dominick Reyes in the featured bout of UFC Perth, which takes place on September 27 (September 28 in Australia) at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

    This matchup had previously been scheduled twice. The pair were originally booked for UFC 297, but Ulberg sustained an injury. The bout was postponed to UFC Atlantic City in March 2024, but Reyes withdrew.

    Ulberg went on to knock out Alonzo Menifield at the event.

    Carlos Ulberg vs. Dominick Reyes Announced As UFC Perth Main Event

    Since losing his UFC debut to Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 259, Ulberg has won eight in a row. Ulberg last fought in March, defeating former champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC London. A win over Reyes could potentially position Ulberg as a potential next title challenger at some point next year.

    The UFC light heavyweight title will be on the line again on October 4, when Magomed Ankalaev defends in a rematch with Alex Pereira at UFC 320.

    Reyes has won three straight since returning at UFC Louisville in June 2024, following a near-two-year layoff. Reyes has scored knockouts of Dustin Jacoby, Anthony Smith, and Nikita Krylov.

    This will be the second UFC event this year to take place in Australia, following UFC 312 in February.

    A total of six bouts have been confirmed for UFC Perth thus far, also including Doo-ho Choi taking on Daniel Santos and Loma Lookboonmee facing Alexia Thainara.

  • UFC Rankings Report: Reinier De Ridder Moves Into Top 5 At Middleweight

    UFC Rankings Report: Reinier De Ridder Moves Into Top 5 At Middleweight

    The latest action on offer inside the Octagon has seen some climb the UFC rankings toward contention and others fall away.

    And in the aftermath of Saturday’s UFC Abu Dhabi, MMA News has you covered with this week’s complete updates.

    Men’s Pound-For-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Pound-for-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Strawweight: Tabatha Ricci moves up three spots to No. 7, while the woman she beat, Amanda Ribas, falls three spots to No. 10. Gillian Robertson moves up one spot, sharing No. 8 with Iasmin Lucindo.

    Women’s Flyweight: No changes.

    Women’s Bantamweight: No changes.

    Flyweight: No changes.

    Bantamweight: Marcus McGhee falls one spot to No. 13 following his loss, while Vinicius Oliveira moves up one spot to No. 12. Aiemann Zahabi also moves up one spot to No. 10, swapping places with Henry Cejudo (now No. 11).

    Despite his win, Petr Yan remains at No. 3.

    Featherweight: No changes.

    Lightweight: No changes.

    Welterweight: No changes.

    Middleweight: Reinier de Ridder moves up eight spots to No. 5, while the man he beat, Robert Whittaker, falls two spots to No. 7.

    Jared Cannonier, Roman Dolidze, Anthony Hernandez, Brendan Allen, and Paulo Costa all fall one spot to Nos. 8-12, respectively. Marvin Vettori falls two spots to No. 13.

    Light Heavyweight: Bogdan Guskov moves up three spots to No. 10, while the man he beat, Nikita Krylov, falls two spots to No. 12. Johnny Walker moves down one spot to No. 13.

    Heavyweight: Martin Buday moves up one spot to No. 12, swapping spots with Mick Parkin (now No. 13).

    This week’s new UFC rankings were first reported by John Morgan. UFC.com’s rankings section still to be updated as of publication time.

  • “Do You Think We’re Babies?” UFC’s Joe Rogan SLAMS Donald Trump Over Jeffrey Epstein Files

    “Do You Think We’re Babies?” UFC’s Joe Rogan SLAMS Donald Trump Over Jeffrey Epstein Files

    The most‐listened podcast host in the United States, Joe Rogan, has turned sustained attention to the Donald Trump administration’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related records. In a recent conversation with former CIA operations officer Mike Baker, Rogan challenged official explanations for Epstein’s 2019 jail death, questioned gaps in newly released surveillance footage, and criticized what he called a pattern of “messaging failures” inside the White House and Donal Trump administration.

    Joe Rogan Critisizes Donald Trump’s Handling of Jeffrey Epstein

    Rogan’s “The Joe Rogan Experience” averages 11 million listeners per episode on Spotify and reaches millions more through YouTube clip channels and syndicated news coverage. His audience overlaps significantly with the populist‐leaning faction of the president’s voter base, making his statements crucial signals of grassroots discontent.

    During episode #2354, Rogan began by calling the entire Epstein case “so crazy” because official sources now insist that “there’s no tapes, there’s no video” despite years of references to large caches of recorded material. He reminded listeners that forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden reported Epstein had “three broken bones in his neck, which never happens when you hang yourself,” a detail Rogan believes undermines the government’s suicide finding.

    Joe Rogan focused on the surveillance clip released by the Department of Justice on July 5. “They said they have a film… but the film has a [expletive] minute missing from it. Like, do you think we’re babies? What is this?” he asked. Independent forensic analysis published by WIRED later confirmed that nearly three minutes of source footage had been trimmed before release, raising additional questions about the gap. Attorney General Pam Bondi has attributed the jump to a nightly system reset of the jail’s aging recorder, but experts told CBS this explanation is atypical for modern security systems.

    Ghislaine Maxwell Interview Questions

    Rogan also zeroed in on the DOJ’s decision to interview Ghislaine Maxwell six years after her 2019 arrest. “Nobody from DOJ has ever, according to her legal team, interviewed Gileain Maxwell. This is the first time the DOJ is talking to her, even though she is serving 20 years for sex trafficking,” he said, paraphrasing her attorneys’ complaints. NBC News confirmed that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche personally led two days of closed‐door sessions with Maxwell in late July, an unusual step for a senior official. Commentators have noted it is rare for a deputy attorney general to conduct witness interviews directly.

    Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, has intensified her legal efforts in July 2025. On July 28, her attorneys filed a brief with the Supreme Court arguing that a 2007 non-prosecution agreement with Epstein should have protected her from prosecution. The filing came just three days after Maxwell met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche for what her attorney described as “a very productive day.”

    Maxwell’s legal team directly appealed to Trump for clemency, with attorney David Oscar Markus stating: “We are appealing not only to the Supreme Court but to the president himself to recognize how profoundly unjust it is to scapegoat Ghislaine Maxwell for Epstein’s crimes.”

    Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out pardoning Maxwell, stating on July 28: “Well, I’m allowed to give her a pardon, but nobody’s approached me with it. Nobody’s asked me about it”. This has drawn criticism from Epstein survivors and some Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, who expressed “great pause” about the possibility.

    Baker’s Intelligence‐Community Lens

    Baker, who spent decades running covert operations, added that Epstein’s properties were likely wired with “pinhole cameras all over; you’d have to gut the walls to remove them,” making it implausible that no incriminating video exists. “The idea that there wasn’t some kind of intelligence agency involved or watching is naive,” he said, arguing that both U.S. and foreign services exploit blackmail when recruiting assets. He cited Russia’s “shotgun approach” of gathering compromising material as a parallel.

    Rogan and Baker flagged payments uncovered in earlier Senate inquiries, including Apollo Global co-founder Leon Black’s $158 million in consulting fees to Epstein between 2012 and 2017. Baker called the sums “operationally interesting,” while Rogan suggested they pointed to a sophisticated leverage network rather than legitimate tax advice. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden continues to pursue Black for documentation on those transfers.

    Political Fallout for the Trump Administration

    Rogan’s criticism carries added weight because he endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 campaign and regularly hosts Trump‐aligned guests. He told listeners that the unresolved questions mark a “line in the sand” for supporters who expected full disclosure. Media outlets from CNN to Yahoo News have highlighted Rogan’s shift as evidence that the Epstein controversy is fracturing parts of the president’s right‐leaning coalition. Joe Rogan was personally thanked during Donald Trumps election victory.

    The Epstein files controversy represents the first significant fracture in Trump’s MAGA coalition, with supporters who backed him based on anti-establishment and “drain the swamp” messaging feeling betrayed. The crisis has created an unusual situation where Trump cannot use his typical deflection tactics effectively, as the demands for transparency come from his own base rather than political opponents.

    The controversy continues to dominate headlines and has followed Trump internationally, with protesters in Ohio holding “JD Protects Pedophiles” signs during Vice President Vance’s appearances. Despite the mounting pressure, Trump has maintained that the Epstein story is a “hoax” while simultaneously suing media outlets and refusing to definitively rule out a Maxwell pardon.

    In July 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had contributed to a compilation of birthday letters for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003, which allegedly included a drawing of a nude woman and the message “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret”. Trump vehemently denied writing the letter, calling it “fake,” and filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the newspaper and owner Rupert Murdoch.

    Trump explained his break with Epstein differently than previous accounts, claiming on July 28 that he ended the friendship because Epstein “stole people that worked for me” rather than the previous explanation that he kicked Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago “for being a creep.”

    Messaging Missteps

    The host faulted the White House for what he called a self-inflicted credibility problem: “If you think you can get away with saying ‘there’s nothing to see here’ after all the hype, you should be fired. The ability to have a self-inflicted wound because of messaging is a hallmark of the Trump administration,” Rogan said. Baker agreed, noting that administration surrogates spent years promising “explosive” evidence only to release a two-page memo stating the case is closed.

    Bondi contends the July 8 memo and video were intended to settle speculation. She has reiterated that the DOJ found “no incriminating client list” after reviewing investigative files. On the missing-minute issue, she told reporters the same gap appears in each night’s recording because of an equipment reset. CBS forensic analysts, however, say metadata proves the DOJ video was edited and not truly raw.

    The House Oversight Subcommittee has subpoenaed Maxwell to testify remotely on August 11, though her credibility and willingness to answer questions remain uncertain. Meanwhile, legal experts predict continued litigation over public access to grand-jury transcripts and sealed exhibits, even though multiple federal judges have ruled against unsealing them.

    Joe Rogan’s ongoing interest ensures the Epstein narrative will persist in conservative media circles, keeping pressure on the administration to clarify inconsistencies.

  • Reinier de Ridder Was Surprised by the Judges’ Scorecards at UFC Abu Dhabi “completely wrong”

    Reinier de Ridder seemed fairly surprised to hear the announcer read out a dissenting scorecard in the wake of his split decision win over Robert Whittaker at UFC Abu Dhabi. The former two-division ONE Championship titleholder continued his spotless run in the UFC so far by defeating a former middleweight champion in Whittaker. After what was arguably the biggest overall win of his mixed martial arts, RDR spoke to on-site media members who had questions for him in the wake of his big victory.

    When asked how confident he was that he had won the bout when the scorecards were being announced, de Ridder said,

    “I thought I was… I was surprised that one judge scored it like, completely wrong. I thought I had three rounds at least. But yeah, it is what it is. I hoped to finish him and I didn’t, so you never know what the judges make of it. But I’ll be sure to finish the next guy again.”

    Reinier de Ridder vs. Robert Whittaker fighter assessments

    Reinier de Ridder versus Robert Whittaker was a hotly contested bout with many mixed martial artists making cases that either fighter could have got the nod on the scorecards of the assigned judges. A moment in the fight cited by many who see Whittaker as the victor centred on the knockdown that he scored over de Ridder during the back and forth action.

    Several notable fighters like Alan Jouban, former two division two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo, and former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev all saw the fight as tied up two rounds a piece heading into the fifth and final frame of the fight. UFC combatant Saidyokub Kakhramonov felt that Whittaker had done enough to win in his eyes, while former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad gave the nod to RDR.

  • Former Alexandre Pantoja Training Partner Thinks Van Title Shot Talk Shows UFC Desperation

    Former Alexandre Pantoja Training Partner Thinks Van Title Shot Talk Shows UFC Desperation

    It seems like Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van will be the next UFC flyweight championship matchup and a previous training partner of the former has some thoughts on how that potential fight. Jose ‘Shorty’ Torres recently did battle with former RFF grand prix champion Hiromasa Ougikubo as part of Rizin’s flyweight grand prix. Ougikubo had a prior victory over Pantoja and Torres has trained with the UFC flyweight champion. Appearing on Bowks Talking Bouts, the former UFC vet covered several subjects related to happenings inside the Rizin ring as well as the octagon.

    When touching on Pantoja’s fight with Kai Kara-France from UFC 317, Torres described a lack of excitement for the matchup based on what he described as ‘a recycling type of process.’ His reasoning behind this was tied to the very season of The Ultimate Fighter where Ougikubo and Pantoja fought whereby so many of the current crop of UFC flyweights have already competed against one another. In terms of fresh matchups in the division, Joshua Van certainly fits that description and he recently defeated prior number one contender Brandon Royval in a barnburner bout that also happened at UFC’s International Fight week PPV where Alexandre Pantoja retained his belt.

    Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van Overview from Torres

    When touching on some broader weight class considerations with a potential Alexandre Pantoja-Joshua Van in the wake of their respective UFC 317 victories, Torres said,

    “I don’t know if Van technically deserves a title shot even though he beat the number one guy. But that’s how desperate I believe the UFC is to just get new faces and new competition. I mean look at [Kai] Asakura. He didn’t even have a UFC debut but his very first fight in the UFC is against the champion because the UFC has their own agenda of trying to eventually expand to Japan on that side of the world with maybe another PI like they did in China. So it’s a different concept and Pantoja’s a phenomenal fighter.”

    “He’s just not as exciting as the UFC wants him to be. Even though I believe him finishing all these guys is exciting enough, I mean our job is tough. But when you’re on the outside perspective, it might be different… But Pantoja’s a phenomenal athlete. I believe he’ll beat Joshua Van and we’ll see what the UFC tries to do after. But I don’t see anything huge coming any time soon. I think they’ll probably bring in another fighter from a different promotion. Another champion or a highly touted name just to get their debut for the UFC belt.”

  • Ben Askren Hospitalized Again Due To Chest Infection

    Ben Askren Hospitalized Again Due To Chest Infection

    Ben Askren’s journey to recovery has hit a road block, and he is back in the hospital.

    Just under a week after announcing that he was back home after an approximately two-month hospitalization, Askren has been hospitalized again following a first check-up.

    According to a new video published by Askren, doctors found a chest infection that has resulted in his return.

    “Well, as you guys can probably tell, I’m not home anymore, unfortunately,” Askren said. “I had my first checkup this morning [July 28]. They didn’t like the way the last chest tube looked. Thought it was infected, put me on some antibiotics, and then, had a few X-rays. Hopefully get this solved fast.”

    Chest Infection Puts Ben Askren Back In Hospital

    Askren had posted an update to his social media accounts on July 22, announcing that he was returning home after a 58-day hospital stay. The news of his hospitalization was first broken on June 7, with reports at the time stating Askren was in critical condition.

    Askren received a double lung transplant following severe pneumonia — the result of a severe and complicated staph infection.

    The former ONE and Bellator champion, who fought for the UFC three times in 2019, has previously stated that he has no recollection of events from the end of May through early July. He added that he lost 50 pounds and flatlined about four times.

    In this newest update, Askren says he is remaining positive, and that this is one small setback in a larger journey recovery.

    “Stockdale Paradox; it wasn’t always gonna be smooth,” Askren said. “It wasn’t always gonna be easy. It wasn’t gonna always be all the way up. So, hopefully, this is a small hiccup, then I’m back home getting stronger again. I thought you guys [would] appreciate the update.”

  • Luke Rockhold Ready To Throw Kicks In His Boxing Match Against Darren Till

    Luke Rockhold Ready To Throw Kicks In His Boxing Match Against Darren Till

    Luke Rockhold suggests that the incident that he and Darren Till recently got into might very well be a preview of how chaotic their upcoming boxing match will be.

    Rockhold and Till got into a physical altercation at a recent press conference ahead of their fight that main events Misfits Boxing 22: Ring of Thrones on August 30.

    In a recent interview with Helen Yee, Rockhold says that based on what he saw in Till at that press conference, as well as the negotiations and discussions about what weight the fight would take at, he questions if Till is preparing for the fight with true intent.

    “It’s always good to get your eyes on the man you’re going to fight. I think he’s a little scared. He’s making a lot of excuses and he’s making up a lot of things in his head. So we’ll see what he comes with.

    “He’s looking a little fat right now, so we’ll see how seriously he’s taking this thing. I’ve been working my a** off.”

    Luke Rockhold Ready For Anything Darren Till Throws At Him At Misfits Boxing 22

    The fight with Till will mark the professional boxing debut for Rockhold, the former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion. Since parting ways with the UFC in 2022, Rockhold has lost to Mike Perry in a BKFC bout and defeated Joe Schilling in Karate Combat.

    Meanwhile, Till, the former UFC welterweight title challenger, won an exhibition bout with Mohammad Mutie (a fight that resulted in a post-match brawl) before victories over Anthony Taylor and Darren Stewart earlier this year.

    When discussing his strategy for the fight with Till, Rockhold said it will boil down to offensive pressure.

    “I plan on bullying him around,” Rockhold said. “He don’t like pressure. He likes his space. I’m going to pimp him a bit, I’m going to feel him out, but I feel like I’m going to push the pressure, control him, and big brother him a bit.

    “I plan on out-boxing him. I’m going to relax. I’m going to be myself. You got to respect Till; he’s got good hands. So, I got to get in his head, play the game, and look to execute. I think I can knock him out. I’m going to fight to win.”

    Rockhold added that while it may not be a boxing match, and not an MMA one, he won’t be prepared to bring out MMA weaponry if he needs to.

    Till, in fact, once was scheduled to face Tommy Fury before Fury withdrew, claiming he wouldn’t fight Till after Till’s promise to resort to “MMA tactics” if behind on the scorecards.

    “If Darren wants to throw kicks, we can throw kicks,” Rockhold said. “No disqualification for kicks as long as he throws first.”

    Misfits Boxing 22: Game of Thrones takes place on August 30 from the AO Arena in Manchester, England. The card will also feature Tony Ferguson taking on Salt Papi in the co-main event, as well as Dillon Danis’ return against Warren Spencer. The card can be viewed on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

  • ‘Dude Is Going Through A Midlife Crisis’ – Fans Have A Field Day As Conor McGregor Rocks Surprising New Haircut

    ‘Dude Is Going Through A Midlife Crisis’ – Fans Have A Field Day As Conor McGregor Rocks Surprising New Haircut

    Conor McGregor is flaunting a brand-new hairdo.

    McGregor has long stood as one of the most iconic and influential figures in MMA. But these days, it’s not just his achievements inside the Octagon that keep him in the spotlight. The former two-division UFC champion is arguably even more renowned for his high-profile antics and ventures outside the cage.

    Over the course of his UFC career, “The Notorious” has showcased a wide array of distinctive hairstyles, though he’s most often opted for clean-cut looks like buzz cuts and faded styles.

    However, on Monday, Conor McGregor took to Instagram to share a video of himself grooving to the classic War Pigs by legendary English heavy metal band Black Sabbath. In the clip, “The Notorious” flaunted a bold new mohawk in a nostalgic nod to the look he sported during his UFC debut against Marcus Brimage in April 2013.

    Conor McGregor’s New Mohawk Haircut Sparks Fan Frenzy

    Conor McGregor’s revamped look instantly caught the eye of MMA fans across social media, sparking a flurry of reactions. While most humorously lampooned his bold new hairstyle, others couldn’t help but draw comparisons to the iconic mohawk once sported by former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell.

    https://twitter.com/liltestmoretren/status/1949861149865836902

    McGregor has remained sidelined since suffering a devastating leg break in his trilogy showdown with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. “The Notorious” was slated to make his highly anticipated return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024. However, just two weeks before the event, the Irishman was forced to withdraw due to a toe injury.

    The UFC megastar has shown serious interest in making his long-awaited return at the proposed UFC event on the White House lawn in July 2026, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump to mark the nation’s 250th Independence Day celebration. McGregor has also revealed that he’s re-entered the UFC’s drug testing pool.

    Chael Sonnen Names 2 Champions Battling To Replace Conor McGregor As 'Face Of The' UFC
    Image: @thenotoriousmma/Instagram


  • “Kill Everybody” – Khamzat Chimaev In Last Training Camp Ahead of UFC 319

    “Kill Everybody” – Khamzat Chimaev In Last Training Camp Ahead of UFC 319

    Khamzat Chimaev is putting on the final touches of his preparations for UFC 319, where he’ll attempt to become the UFC middleweight champion.

    Chimaev took to social media to show images seen of his reported final fight camp. Chimaev is currently in Los Angeles and will soon make his way to Chicago, where UFC 319 takes place.

    Of note, it looks like he is preparing his striking and power, as the photos show him working on his knees and hitting pads.

    Khamzat Chimaev In Los Angeles For Final Camp Before UFC 319

    “Feeling great,” Chimaev posted. “We are in LA. Doing training camp now, last camp before the fight. So, coming for Chicago. Kill everybody.”

    Du Plessis, at 14-0, has taken the MMA world by storm since his UFC signing in 2020. It was then where he scored a pair of knockout victories while breaking the quickest turnaround time between UFC wins at 10 days. Chimaev would then knockout Gerald Meerschaert later that year.

    While injuries and illness have slowed him down over the last few years, Chimaev’s success hasn’t, as he’s since scored wins over Li Jinglang, Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland, Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker.

    UFC 316 takes place on Aug 16 at the United Center in Chicago. Chimaev will be competing in the main event, challenging current UFC 185-pound champion Dricus Du Plessis.

    Du Plessis has been champion since defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297, retaining against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 and in a rematch with Strickland at UFC 312.

  • Shara Magomedov In Hospital Recovering From Nose Surgery Following His UFC Abu Dhabi Match

    Shara Magomedov In Hospital Recovering From Nose Surgery Following His UFC Abu Dhabi Match

    Shara Magomedov was hospitalized following UFC Abu Dhabi, suffering a broken nose during his fight with Marc-Andre Barriault.

    According to Red Corner MMA, “Shara Bullet” had overnight nose surgery following his victory over Barriault. He is expected to be released at some point on Monday, July 28 or Tuesday, July 29.

    Magomedov suffered the broken nose during the second round, when Barriault connected with a hard right hand that did damage and troubled the Russian fighter.

    Shara Magomedov Undergoes Nose Operation Following UFC Abu Dhabi Win Over Marc-Andre Barriault

    Magomedov controlled the action during the opening round of the fight with his striking and footwork, but Barriault’s right hand that broke Magomedov’s nose changed the course of the fight temporarily.

    Barriault used his clinch work and takedown attempts to do damage to “Bullet”, but Magomedov would take moment back later in the round with a strong knee. Magomedov’s striking then helped him to control the third round and score the decision win.

    “Shara Bullet” is now 5-1 in the UFC, with this win rebounding him from a loss to Michael “Venom” Page at UFC Saudi Arabia in February. He is 16-1 overall as an MMA pro.

  • UFC Vegas 108 Main Event Altered As Tatsuro Taira Gets Short Notice Undefeated Opponent

    UFC Vegas 108 Main Event Altered As Tatsuro Taira Gets Short Notice Undefeated Opponent

    UFC Vegas 108 will now feature a newly confirmed main event.

    UFC Vegas 108, set for this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, was initially slated to feature a crucial flyweight headliner between Amir Albazi and Tatsuro Taira. However, reports on Sunday revealed the bout has been called off just days ahead of event.

    On Monday, the UFC officially announced that Albazi is out of the upcoming Fight Night main event, with Road to UFC 125-pound tournament winner Hyun Sung Park stepping in on just six days’ notice to face Taira. While the promotion confirmed the change, no explanation was given for Albazi’s withdrawal.

    Taira enters UFC Vegas 108 looking to rebound from the first loss of his professional career, a narrow split decision defeat to former flyweight title challenger Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 98 in October 2024. The 25-year-old Japanese standout holds a 6-1 record in the UFC and a 16-1 overall professional mark, with 12 of those victories coming by way of finish.

    Meanwhile, Park is riding high off a first-round submission victory over Carlos Hernandez at UFC Vegas 106 this past May. “Peace of Mind” has secured finishes in all three of his UFC outings and currently boasts a flawless 10-0 professional record, with nine of those wins coming inside the distance.

    Tatsuro-Taira vs. Hyun Sung Park set for UFC Vegas 108 main event
    Images: @t.tatsurooo6/@hsp_mma/Instagram

    What’s The Full Lineup for UFC Vegas 108?

    The latest UFC Vegas 108 card currently features the following matchups:

    Main Card

    • Tatsuro Taira vs. Hyun Sung Park; flyweight
    • Chris Duncan vs. Mateusz Rebecki; lightweight
    • Elves Brener vs. Esteban Ribovics; lightweight
    • Karol Rosa vs. Nora Cornolle; women’s bantamweight
    • Neil Magny vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos; welterweight
    • Danny Silva vs. Kevin Vallejos: featherweight

    Preliminary Card

    • Rinya Nakamura vs. Nathan Fletcher; bantamweight
    • Rodolfo Vieira vs. Tresean Gore; middleweight
    • Nick Klein vs. Andrey Pulyaev; middleweight
    • Piera Rodriguez vs. Ketlen Souza; strawweight
    • Rafael Estevam vs. Felipe Bunes; flyweight

    Fight lineup and scheduling details are tentative and may change prior to the event.

    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 14: during the Power Slap event at UFC Apex on December 14, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Sciaffo LLC)
  • What Are Mackenzie Dern’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Credentials? Championships and Belts

    What Are Mackenzie Dern’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Credentials? Championships and Belts

    When it comes to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu credibility, Mackenzie Dern was born for the martial arts. She’s a third-degree black belt, promoted by her father, the inimitable Wellington “Megaton” Dias, himself a revered figure with a coral belt and a choking grip on BJJ history.

    Mackenzie Dern’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Credentials

    Dern’s lineage runs straight through the Gracie tree: Carlos Gracie – Helio Gracie – Royler Gracie – Wellington Dias – Mackenzie Dern. A very impressive lineage.

    Dern’s journey started nearly as soon as she could walk; by age three, she was on the mats, shadowing her dad and stepmom (black belt Luciana Tavares) instead of cartoons. She gained her black belt at age 19, racking up colored belt world titles like they were souvenir tees: IBJJF World Champion at blue, purple, and brown belt – she made it a habit.

    “My dad is black belt, Megaton Dias and my stepmom, Luciana Dias is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Fortunately, instead of a babysitter, my dad took me to his academy where he introduced me to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when I was 3 years old.” She explained. “My father has been heavily involved in my jiu-jitsu career since I began my training at the age of three. He has taught me almost everything I need to know about how to train and live like an athlete.”

    Championships and Accolades

    If BJJ had a shopping cart, Dern would need a couple of them. She’s the only woman to snag Gold (as a black belt, mind you) at all five of the high-profile IBJJF Gi Championships: Worlds, Euros, Pan Ams, Brazilian Nationals, and Asian Open. She also holds gold in both the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship and IBJJF No-Gi Worlds, making her a unicorn in women’s grappling.

    Highlights include:

    • 1st Place ADCC Championship (2015)
    • 1st Place IBJJF Black Belt World Championship (2015)
    • 1st Place IBJJF No-Gi World Championship (2015, Absolute division)
    • 1st Place IBJJF Pan American Championship (2015, 2016)
    • AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro Champion (2015, 2016)

    Let’s not forget the headline-grabbing win over the much-larger Gabi Garcia — a feat rarely accomplished at the top of the sport.

    Mackenzie Dern in the UFC

    Mackenzie Dern’s transition to MMA had plenty of “BJJ phenom” hype, and the numbers have (mostly) delivered. Making her UFC debut in 2018, Dern was a known finisher – with most of her wins coming via submission, often before her opponent figured out the rules of engagement, Her story wasn’t all slick armbars and smooth transitions: she missed weight more than once early in the UFC, earning some cheeky headlines and forfeiting slices of her purse, but rarely her nerve. She pressed on picking up wins and mastered the weight cut.

    In the UFC, she boasts the second-most wins in UFC women’s strawweight division history. Her most recent scrap saw her exact revenge on Amanda Ribas at UFC Fight Night 249, catching a late armbar in a tactical, ground-heavy main event. Not only did this push Dern’s UFC win streak to two and her submission total to double digits, it avenged her earlier decision loss to Ribas in 2019 – always a sweet kind of paperwork.

    “I’m drawn towards MMA training now that I am making the transition to fighting, but BJJ will always be my first love. BJJ has given me everything I have in life and I try to represent the sport to the best of my ability.”

    It’s rare for an athlete to be a world champion at every BJJ belt, then jump into MMA and break records. Whether it’s the family tree, the hardware, or her mat-smothering style, Mackenzie Dern remains a must-watch in both Jiu Jitsu and MMA.

  • Another UFC Vegas 108 Matchup Scrapped As Azamat Bekoev Announces Fight With Yousri Belgaroui Is Postponed

    Another UFC Vegas 108 Matchup Scrapped As Azamat Bekoev Announces Fight With Yousri Belgaroui Is Postponed

    After already losing its main event with just six days to go, UFC Vegas 108 has now suffered another fight lost mere hours later.

    A planned bout between Azamat Bekoev and promotional newcomer Yousri Belagroui has been postponed, according to an announcement from Bekoev on X (fka Twitter).

    Bekoev stated that Belgaroui was unable to get a visa in time and that both fighters are off the card. He also stated, however, that while he is staying ready for any short-notice opportunity, the UFC “likes this matchup and wants us to fight in October.”

    The UFC currently has three events planned for October: UFC 320 on October 4 in Las Vegas, UFC Vancouver on October 18, and UFC 321 on October 25 in Abu Dhabi.

    Azamat Bekoev vs. Yousri Belgaroui Off UFC Vegas 108

    Bekoev was originally slated to fight Torrez Finney at UFC Vegas 108; however, Finney withdrew from the fight. Just last week it was announced that Bekoev would instead fight Belgaroui.

    Belgaroui was a professional kickboxer who went 27-7 in the sport and challenged for the GLORY middleweight championship on three occasions — twice facing Alex Pereira.

    Though he competed in both MMA and kickboxing in 2021, Belgaroui switched to MMA full time in 2022, competing for UAE Warriors before a pair of appearances in both Levels Fight League and Dana White’s Contender Series. He lost his initial 2023 DWCS appearance against Marco Silva but returned last year and defeated Taiga Iwasaki.

    Bekoev, the former LFA middleweight champion, has scored two first-round finishes this year thus far, his first in the Octagon. He knocked out Zachary Reese at UFC 311 and finished Ryan Loder at UFC Des Moines.

    Earlier today, July 27, it was reported that UFC Vegas 108’s originally scheduled flyweight main event between Amir Albazi and Tatsuro Taira has been pulled. A completely new main event, still to be announced, is expected.

  • 6 Hits And 3 Misses From UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier De Ridder

    6 Hits And 3 Misses From UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier De Ridder

    The UFC returned to what some may feel is their home away from their Las Vegas home, the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for a night of action with UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder.

    It’s the 21st time that the UFC touched down in the Etihad Arena, and it’s the promotion’s first visit to the venue since Ilia Topuria’s knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308 late last year.

    The main event featured an interesting and competitive bout featuring the former middleweight champion, fan-favorite Robert Whittaker, and a man rising through the middleweight ranks quickly in RdR, the former two-division champion in ONE Championship.

    Last year, Whittaker had scored victories over Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov, but he was submitted by upcoming title challenger Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 — a bout in which Whittaker suffered jaw injuries.

    De Ridder, meanwhile, came into the bout 3-0 in the UFC, scoring submission wins over Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 100, Kevin Holland at UFC 311, and Bo Nickal at UFC Des Moines.

    The co-main event also saw a former champion in action, as one-time bantamweight champion Petr Yan took on the rising Marcus McGhee. Yan was looking to lock up a third straight victory since losing to current 135-pound champion Merab Dvalishvili, while McGhee was looking to improve to 11-1 in his professional MMA career and 5-0 in the Octagon.

    The main card also featured Shara “Bullet” Magomedov in action against Marc-Andre Barriault, a flyweight battle between Asu Almabayev and Jose Ochoa, and a light heavyweight contest featuring Nikita Krylov and Bogdan Guskov.

    Who delivered in Abu Dhabi? Who didn’t? Let’s find out with the hits and misses of UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder!

    Hit – Night Of The Underdogs

    Okay, I don’t know if many people will agree with me in calling this a hit considering how many people are complaining that they lost money on this card. But, at the very least, I think it’s noteworthy.

    Of the 12 fights that took place at UFC Abu Dhabi, and going off the odds from the night before, six of them resulted in the underdog coming out on top.

    We saw Billy Elekna defeat Ibo Aslan in the first upset, followed by Tabatha Ricci’s finish of Amanda Ribas, Davey Grant besting Da’Mon Blackshear, and Muslim Salikhov’s quick knockout of Carlos Leal.

    The main card saw two upsets, one at the start with Bogdan Guskov finishing Nikita Krylov, and one at the end with Reinier de Ridder’s victory over Robert Whittaker.

    Definitely a night that will be remembered by bettors — one way or the other.

    Hit – Steven Nguyen’s Record Six Knockdowns

    The reason this came about, let alone more about Steven Nguyen’s victory, came under dubious circumstances. However, credit has to be given where its due.

    Nguyen put on a monstrous showing during the prelims of UFC Abu Dhabi. His striking was on full display, overwhelming opponent Mohammad Yahya with flurries and combinations throughout the fight’s 10 minutes.

    Nguyen dropped Yahya six times during the fight for a UFC record. And by the time the 10 minutes were up, Yahya’s face was a mess, complete with hematoma (though Yahya supposedly had no facial injuries after his hospitalization).

    This was only Nguyen’s second UFC appearance since his 2023 win on Dana White’s Contender Series, but we’ve seen him earn a Fight of the Night bonus in a loss and now this — which earned him a performance bonus. Hopefully it’s not as long before we see his next fight.

    Miss – Jason Herzog Being A Reckless Referee

    Jason Herzog is one of the more respectable referees of this fight game. That said, he must have been REALLY OFF his game in this fight.

    Most of the knockdowns of Mohammad Yahya happened during the first round of the fight with Steven Nguyen. At some point, when someone is taking so much damage and getting knocked down so much, isn’t that the time to step in and wave the fight off? There weren’t just discussions of 10-8 scorecards with this round…10-7 was also being discussed.

    It’s one thing if a round is considered a 10-8 or worse because of a dominating performance. It’s another when we’re talking about fighter safety getting compromised. If that happens, a referee is not doing his proper job. And on that note, Jason Herzog was not doing his proper job.

    It got so bad to the point people are saying the fight was rigged, with X users claiming it was just to get the over on the 1.5 rounds. Now that’s most likely just X users being X users in that MMA/betting cesspool. But whether it’s true or not, one thing is for certain — I say it again — Jason Herzog failed at his job. It doesn’t matter if Yahya came out with no long-term damage; he and Nguyen were Herzog’s responsibility, and Herzog didn’t handle it.

    And it’s just another example of how much a shame it is that referees, judges, etc. — anyone involved in the commission — are not held to the same responsibility and spotlight of their decisions like officials in other sports.

    Miss – Ibo Aslan And Billy Elekana…What was That?

    Just…what the heck was that?

    Ibo Aslan and Billy Elekana put on a performance in the Octagon that got them a standing boo-vation in Abu Dhabi.

    There are plenty of words in the English language you can use to describe this fight: cautious, uneventful, boring, inactive, snoozefest. No one seemed to land anything major of significance, looking more like a big sparring match held at an MMA gym.

    Elekana only won because he brought the forward pressure (and he did bust Aslan up a bit with a left hand). But the crème da la crème came when Aslan looked shocked that he lost.

    Here’s a piece of advice: If you want to actually guarantee yourself a win, whether it not it comes by the judges, actually fight.

    Hit – Muslim Salikhov Produces Another Highlight First-Round KO

    I think it’s safe to say Muslim Salikhov is back on the right track following his win over Carlos Leal during the UFC Abu Dhabi prelims.

    It was in the fight’s first minute, as the two of them were starting to get a rhythm and feel each other out. Salikhov had his back to the fence, but he timed a right hand so perfectly, it landed with timing, power and precision, dropping the PFL and LFA veteran with a one-hitter quitter.

    And this comes about eight months after Salikhov’s last outing, where he dropped Kenan Song out cold with a spinning wheel kick. After losing three of four between July 2022 and February 2024, this hopefully starts another winning streak for the “King of Kung Fu.”

    Hit – Watch Out For Bogdan Guskov

    Bogdan Guskov doesn’t have the UFC resume that shouts “Title shot!” yet, but keep your eye on him.

    Opponent Nikita Krylov attempted to use his pressure and seemed to get the better of Guskov early on. But Guskov fought fire with fire, and he’d land a powerful overhand right that introduced Krylov to the canvas, where Guskov would pound away for a finish.

    Guskov was defeated by Volkan Oezdemir in his UFC debut a couple of years ago, but now he’s on a four-fight win streak and will find himself either at the bottom of the top 10 in the contenders’ list or just outside of the top 10. Perhaps his next fight can continue to test him with someone like another former title challenger in Dominick Reyes or perhaps the winner of the upcoming Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov bout.

    Hit – Shara Bullet Produces Highly Entertaining Brawl With Marc-Andre Barriault

    “Shara Bullet” put on quite the showing in spite of suffering a broken nose.

    It wasn’t an easy fight; in fact, it was quite the bloody war. But Shara Magomedov came out on top in his battle with Marc-Andre Barriault.

    Magomedov controlled the early action with sharp footwork and low kicks, keeping Barriault at bay. In the second, Barriault turned the tide with the huge right hand that broke Magomedov’s nose, followed by a takedown and heavy clinched strikes. Magomedov would respond with a strong knee, however, and he surged back in the final round with a series of strikes, ending the bout with a strong takedown and ground-and-pound.

    It was a much-needed rebound performance for “Shara Bullet” following his loss to Michael “Venom” Page.

    Hit – Petr Yan In Line For Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen Winner?

    Is Petr Yan ready for the opportunity to reclaim the bantamweight championship? If his UFC Abu Dhabi co-main event performance against Marcus McGhee were to say something, it would indicate he is.

    Yan showcased his striking early with low kicks and combinations, rocking McGhee with a left hook late in the first round. McGhee tried to rally in the second, but Yan busted him open with a right hand, overwhelming him with a high volume of strikes. Yan continued to pressure in the third round and scored the decision.

    Yan has a history with both participants in the upcoming bantamweight title fight at UFC 320 — he defeated Sandhagen in an interim title fight at UFC 267 but loss to Dvalishvili in March 2023 — the latter of which marked Yan’s third straight loss and fourth loss in the five fights since dropping the title to Aljamain Sterling.

    But now, he’s won three straight with victories over Song Yadong, Deiveson Figueiredo, and McGhee, and perhaps this ensures Yan can watch the Dvalishvili vs. Sandhagen title fight that much more closely.

    Miss – Reinier De Ridder Beats Robert Whittaker…But Did He Really Win?

    If I was able to go half-sies on this one and give both a hit and a miss, I would. But that kind of ruins the point of this written piece now, doesn’t it?

    I’ll start by giving Reinier De Ridder his props, he got what should have been a clear, but close and competitive, victory over five rounds against the former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. He overcame adversity, controlled the action, did more of the work in the fifth round. The judges got the decision correct.

    Anyone who has followed Whittaker’s time in the UFC since he’s moved up to 185 knows that two people have beaten him and became middleweight champion — Israel Adesanya (against Whittaker himself) and Dricus Du Plessis. Khamzat Chimaev joins that list if he beats DDP at UFC 319 in three weeks’ time.

    That said, it wasn’t the strongest performance. Whittaker, in fact, started strong first, using his striking to pressure RDR and bust him open despite clinch and takedown attempts. RDR did hurt Whittaker in the second with a knee, however, completely controlling Whittaker.

    Whittaker, however, did drop the former ONE champion with an overhand right, nearly finishing him before RDR managed to fight his way back into it. Both fighters fatigued in the later rounds, but de Ridder’s grappling did its magic and gave him the decision win.

    RDR did win the fight, as Whittaker did little to answer for his grappling in the fifth. This fight, however, also reminds me why I hate the 10-point must system in MMA and much prefer the PRIDE/Global ruleset (emphasis on its scoring system).

    Is a win over Whittaker a great sign for RDR? Absolutely. But I think he might be troubled now if he got into a title fight with the DDP-Chimaev winner. His best-case scenario might be a Chimaev win and a rematch between those two, giving him the time to have one more fight — perhaps against someone like another former champion in Sean Strickland or Adesanya — to develop a little more before challenging for the gold.