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  • Kayla Harrison Opens Up About Why Her Son Didn’t Care About Her UFC Championship

    Kayla Harrison Opens Up About Why Her Son Didn’t Care About Her UFC Championship

    Kayla Harrison drew an excited reaction from one of her kids after winning UFC gold but the sentiment was not widespread throughout the Harrison household. The reigning UFC bantamweight champion spoke with assembled media at the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame red carpet and covered several subjects in the wake of unseating Julianna Pena a few weeks ago via second round submission at UFC 316.

    As the multi-time Olympic gold medalist in judo discussed how her kids reacted to the moment where she won UFC hardware, Harrison said,

    “My daughter was excited. My son doesn’t really care. He’s six, so he’s just like, ‘Oh, mom’s home. What did you bring me from New Jersey?’ And I’m like, ‘I brought you a belt.’ And he’s like, ‘No, no, I mean like candy, chocolate, like, what do we got?’ Both my kids do judo right now. I teach them judo. My daughter has especially shown a big interest in it.”

    “She’s very fierce. She’s very fearless. It makes me a little bit emotional to think about because she hasn’t had the easiest road and there’s been a lot of uncertainty in her life. Just to see her thriving and blossoming into the young woman she’s becoming is—yeah, it’s greater than any belt.”

    Kayla Harrison not keen on potential champ vs. champ fight at the White House

    Kayla Harrison is preparing to fight the women’s MMA GOAT Amanda Nunes for an as-of-yet unconfirmed date and location but there is a certain MMA fighter that she is not looking to get locked in the cage with. US president Donald Trump mentioned his desire to want to host UFC fights at the White House next year and a fan had quite the curious suggestion for Harrison.

    On a graphic that Harrison posted of herself holding the UFC gold with surrounding images of the American flag and several eagles, a fan claimed that he was speaking for all UFC fans by saying they want to see the women’s bantamweight titleholder take on the UFC men’s bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili at the White House in 2026. Harrison’s response was fairly succinct and clear as she stated [via Bloody Elbow],

    “I ain’t ready for that smoke sweetie”

  • UFC Expands Middle East Footprint With First Qatar Event On Nov. 22

    UFC Expands Middle East Footprint With First Qatar Event On Nov. 22

    The UFC is set to break new ground in its global expansion later this year with its first-ever event in Qatar.

    On Wednesday morning, the MMA leader officially announced a partnership with Visit Qatar to bring a Fight Night to Doha’s ABHA Arena on November 22.

    The upcoming event will mark the UFC’s third stop in Asia this year, with two additional Fight Nights already scheduled for Abu Dhabi, UAE on July 26 and Shanghai, China on August 23. Earlier this year, speculation circulated about a potential event in Qatar on May 17, but those plans were ultimately redirected to the Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    UFC Octagon
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

    ‘We’re Going Everywhere’ – Dana White Explains UFC’s Move To Qatar

    During a press conference (via MMA Fighting) in New York on Wednesday, UFC CEO Dana White addressed the promotion’s upcoming debut in Qatar, attributing the move to UFC’s ongoing global expansion, particularly its growing footprint across the Middle East.

    White emphasized that the success in nearby regions like Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia played a key role in paving the way for the promotion’s first-ever event in Doha.

    “We’re going everywhere,” White said. “We’re been in Abu Dhabi for a long time and we’re starting to move around. Qatar is something we’ve been working on for a couple of years now, and we finally got something done. The UFC has been a staple in Abu Dhabi for a long time and I think they’ve looked at Abu Dhabi and seen the success that they’ve had there and then Saudi [Arabia] and Azerbaijan. I’ve been wanting to go to Qatar for a long time and I’m looking forward to it.”

    UFC CEO Dana White
    Image: UFC/YouTube
  • ‘That’s Trash…Was Such An Easy Fight’ – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 7 Recap

    ‘That’s Trash…Was Such An Easy Fight’ – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 7 Recap

    Welcome, everyone, to the seventh 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 the third welterweight matchup of the season, as Matt Dixon continued newfound success for Team Sonnen with a finish of Team Cormier’s Alex Sanchez — a performance that left Cormier VERY unhappy.

    Recap of The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 – Episode 7

    The last flyweight semifinal spot is on the line tonight, as Team Cormier’s Tumelo Manyamala take on Team Sonnen’s Roybert Echerverria.

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

    UFC Fight Pass Invitational

    Dana White mentions ho good this season has been, but how the stresses of the competition and being away from home for so long is weighing on the fighters. To give them a break, White allows the fighters to check out the UFC Fight Pass Invitational. White mentions that it’s a precursor to UFC BJJ — so this is basically just a UFC BJJ ad in a way? Either way, the pressure is off the fighters and they get to bond while watching Brazilian jiu-jitsu action.

    Cormier comes from behind the fighters and buys his team Cajun food, saying he wanted to see his fighters’ reactions to eating it. Cormier added that it was a lighthearted and fun-filled experience. Sonnen adds he felt the event was a “home run.”

    TUF House

    Roybert Echeverria tells a story of how he fought against the government when he was a young student in Venezuela in 2014, getting shot at while protesting. Echeverria remembered how he and other student protesters were fighting for their dreams and rights, as well as others. The experiences from that are why his nickname is “Unbroken.”

    Roybert Echerverria Backstory

    Echeverria says the government is still corrupt and was following his family. Echeverria lives with his wife and one-year-old son in Miami. We see Echeverria’s parents, and his father describes him as a devoted fighter with an unbreakable heart and mentality.

    Echeverria trains under Asim Zaidi, who calls Echeverria the most technical fighter in the gym.

    Tumelo Manyamala Fight Prep

    Cormier says they’re going to give Echeverria plenty up the middle in case he chooses to go back to his wrestling. He says that Echeverria is a “tough fight” for Manyamala. He feels Manyamala is a strong striker who can win, needing to fight at his range. Cormier says he needs to “go through the fire” and not get pressured and taken down.

    He adds Manyamala feels like a reserved guy, but he needs to let that personality take a back seat.

    Manyamala says people think he’s too calm to be a fighter, but he says he doesn’t need to act tough and get more than aggressive. “I don’t need to put on a persona,” he says.

    Team Sonnen Training Session – Robert Whittaker Joins

    Former UFC welterweight champion, TUF: The Smashes winner, and TUF season 28 coach Robert Whittaker joins Team Sonnen this week.

    Whittaker says TUF was a really hard experience but was “the beginning of my life.” He says TUF brought him from being an electrician to being a UFC champion. The show allowed him to start believing in himself and his abilities.

    Whittaker focuses his instruction on spacing and fighting with range. Sonnen says Whittaker is unique with his stance, calling him a “modern-day Bruce Lee.”

    “If you’ll be willing to die more than your opponent is, you will win,” Whittaker told Team Sonnen during the session. “That wins fights.”

    Tumelo Manyamala Backstory

    Manyamala shows a photo of his wife, noting she’s now a few months’ pregnant, and that he found out about the pregnancy around the time of his first TUF interview.

    He lives with his fiancee, Rachel, a yoga teacher, in Cape Town, South Africa, training out of the Pride Fighting Academy. He discusses his upbringing in the country, and how he parents instilled in him a hard-work attitude. He played sports throughout his youth, picking up karate at 8 and going on to win national martial arts championships.

    Roybert Echerverria Fight Prep

    Echerverria and Sonnen discuss the fight, with Echerverria feeling

    Sonnen wants Echerverria to pressure and throw down. He feels Manyamala is a counter fighter — a sloppy one — and Echerverria can be dangerous in that regard, especially when the fight goes to the ground.

    Echerverria says he’s a violent fighter but a smart fighter.

    “Make them remember me forever, that’s why I go for the highlights,” he said.

    Echerverria reflects on his loss against Jafel Filho, saying he took lessons from the tough loss but moved on and learned. Sonnen adds that every time he thinks Echerverria is slowing down, he answers right back. He feels Echerverria is a true contender for the finale.

    The Fight: Tumelo Manyamala vs. Roybert Echerverria

    Both fighters weigh in at 125.5. The fight is on!

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

    Joseph Morales feels Echerverria will smash Manyamala, taking him down and running through him. Jeff Creighton feels Manyamala uses distance well, and that will be key for this fight.

    White calls Manyamala a striker who loves to press the pace. White feels Echerverria is more well-rounded and is a dangerous striker but will probably use his wrestling here.

    Tumelo Manyamala vs. Roybert Echerverria

    Round 1

    Low kicks from Manyamala, who is moving slowly along the outside. Right hand from Manyamala. Front kick from Manyamala. Right hand from Manyamala misses. Echerverria lands to the body. One-two from Manyamala. Echerverria flashes the left hand. Manyamala with a couple of left hands. Low kick from Echerverria. Now a low kick from Manyamala. Manyamala connects with a pair of left hands. Echerverria throws a front kick and then lands a punch to the body. Round kick from Manyamala. Brief exchange between the two. Body shot by Echerverria. Echerverria narrowly misses a high kick.

    Low kick from Manyamala. Body shot from Echerverria. Right hand from Manyamala. Spinning back kick misses for Echerverria. Strong right hand from Manyamala. Low kick from Echerverria. Left hands from Manyamala. Strong right hand from Echerverria leads to a brief clinch. Jabs from both men and another exchange. Echerverria comes in. Manyamala pressures with a pair of left hands. Another exchange. Manyamala misses a front kick. Both men show the left hand. Strong right hand from Manyamala drops Echerverria! He’s back up, but Manyamala is pressuring. The two exchange by the fence. Echerverria might have his legs back under him. Side kick by Echerverria. Manyamala misses a head kick. A pair of left hands from Manyamala. Side kick by Echerverria.

    Round 2

    Low kicks from Manyamala to start. Right hand and more low kicks from Manyamala. Echerverria goes in for a clinch and presses Manyamala into the fence. Manyamala gets him off but is still near the fence. Low kick from Manyamala. Jab from Echerverria, and Manyamala throws a combination to answer. Low kick from Echerverria. Coaches tell Manyamala to go forward. Uppercut to the body by Manyamala. Body shot by Echerverria and a round kick from Manyamala. Left hand by Manyamala. Echerverria shoots in again, but Manyamala shakes him off. Manyamala keeping Echerverria at range now with the jabs. Echerverria shows the right hand. Manyamala lands inside. Manyamala shows the one-two. Jumping knee by Echerverria doesn’t land.

    Echerverria shoots in, and this time he scores the takedown. Right hands from Echerverria as Manyamala tries to get to his feet. He does so, but Echerverria quickly takes out his leg. Echerverria gets to his back. Strong left hand from Echerverria lands. Echerverria is searching for the choke. He gets it!

    Manyamalaputs on a hell of a showing, but Echerverria manages to get him down and get the submission.

    Cormier is PISSED. “That’s trash…was such an easy fight.”

    Winner: Echerverria via second-round submission

    Conclusion

    Cormier says when Manyamala didn’t load up and let things flow, he was able to hurt Echerverria. Cormier even noted during the first round that he could have finished the fight. Cormier added that Echerverria had no way in on Manyamala.

    Cormier, in what he calls “the part of coaching that drives me crazy,” says Manyamala didn’t listen to being first and not going to the Octagon side — and that’s why he got taken down. Sonnen adds that, for whatever reason, Echerverria’s sixth time going with the combination and takedown plan they made worked.

    White says that Manyamala showed good stuff, but Echerverria’s commitment to his gameplan brought him the win. Team Sonnen’s back in the game!

    Echerverria says he is so grateful for the opportunity, and that he knows “The Unbroken” will be on top again. Manyamala says Cormier told him he has a lot to learn in his young career, and he says that it’s a small bump in the road he will bounce back from. Cormier adds that Manyamala has to know to fight smart when he’s ahead in the fight.

    Cormier says it was a winnable fight and he’s made for him, not at him, because it’s going to produce a feeling of regret. He doesn’t want Manyamala to waste opportunities.

    With all other welterweight fighters having competed in their matchups already, the next fight will see Team Cormier’s Rodrigo Sezinando take on Team Sonnen’s Diego Bianchini to conclude the first round.

    These two — the first welterweight picks from each team — have not liked each other from the beginning. And now, things will boil over to end the first round with a bang!

    What will happen next week? Join alongside us then!

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

  • “We’re Not Done Yet” – Kayla Harrison’s Dream Realized, But Is This Just the Beginning?

    “We’re Not Done Yet” – Kayla Harrison’s Dream Realized, But Is This Just the Beginning?

    Kayla Harrison may have climbed to the top of the mountain, but she plans on going even higher.

    The two-time Olympic gold medalist delivered one of the most dominant performances of her mixed martial arts career at UFC 316, handily defeating Julianna Pena via a second-round submission to claim the women’s bantamweight championship.

    It’s a goal that Harrison has been dreaming of since day one. But now the question is, what comes next?

    “I was ready right then! I want to fight for the title,” Harrison told MMA Junkie while attending the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony in Las Vegas last month. “I want this, that, and the other… all in God’s time, God’s plan. But I think when you visualize something and you have a dream from the first day I started MMA, this was the dream. And so once it happened, I was like, ‘Oh, wait. We’re done? Like, we did it, but we’re not done yet.’”

    As they say, a champion only becomes a champion once they’ve defended their title.

    Kayla Harrison Tells Amanda Nunes to ‘Send Location’

    Harrison has not yet booked a date for her first defense, but it’s safe to say that the woman standing across from her inside the Octagon will be none other than former champ-champ Amanda Nunes. ‘The Lioness’ stepped inside the Octagon immediately following Harrison’s win at UFC 316, going face-to-face with the new bantamweight queen and setting the stage for one of the biggest fights in MMA history, regardless of gender.

    “Obviously, Amanda’s next,” Harrison said. “We spoke to her at the Hall of Fame yesterday. She says Q4. But she’s not in the drug testing pool yet, so she might not be able to fight till Q1 of next year.

    “I’m sure they’re talking to Ali and letting him know about everything. That’s why I pay him the big bucks—so I don’t have to think about stuff like that. I just show up, train, work hard, stay ready. Send a location, I’ll be ready.”

  • ‘Golden Girl’ Alice Pereira Poised to Make History as UFC’s Youngest Female in September

    ‘Golden Girl’ Alice Pereira Poised to Make History as UFC’s Youngest Female in September

    Alice Pereira is set to make UFC history in her first promotional appearance.

    On September 13, the 19-year-old ‘Golden Girl’ will square off with Montserrat Rendon at Noche UFC in San Antonio, officially making her the youngest female fighter to ever compete inside the Octagon.

    Born on December 20, 2005, Pereira scored her first regional championship win late last year, defeating Samara Santos at Cage Masters FC 2 to capture the CMFC bantamweight title. Immediately following the victory, she pleaded to UFC matchmaker, Mick Maynard, for a contract.

    Dana White Gave Alice Pereira the ‘Ultimate’ Christmas Gift

    On Christmas Eve, Dana White made the call and presented Pereira with a contract to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

    “And who would think that Alice Pereira, the little girl who dreamed of just debuting in MMA, is now the newest contractor of the biggest MMA organization in the world and she has a full story on Forbes,” Pereira wrote, reacting to the story on social media.

    “Not in my wildest dreams would I imagine that Dana White would call me on Christmas Eve wearing a shirt with my name on it to give me the best gift of my life and that the boss Mick Maynard would follow me and post my video on his personal Instagram,” she added. “I‘ll go twice as hard. I’m happy for the media and the hype, but I won’t get distracted because I know I’m far from where I want to be yet.”

    Pereira is a perfect 6-0 in her mixed martial arts career and carries with her an 84% finish rate, including a 64-second submission via RNC and four highlight-reel knockouts, all but one of them coming in the very frist round.

    And no, she is not releated to Brazilian bruiser Alex Pereira.

  • Kayla Harrison: ‘Send a Location’ Is the Amanda Nunes Fight Closer Than We Think?

    Kayla Harrison: ‘Send a Location’ Is the Amanda Nunes Fight Closer Than We Think?

    UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison has made it crystal clear that she is ready for her superfight with Amanda Nunes as fans await an official announcement regarding a date and location.

    After defeating Julianna Pena to win the belt at UFC 316, Kayla Harrison found herself immediately facing off with her next opponent – the GOAT Amanda Nunes. It’s safe to say that this is now one of the most highly anticipated fights in the history of women’s mixed martial arts, and nobody really knows how it’s going to go.

    As we wait for more information on the fight, Kayla Harrison noted in a recent interview that she’s ready, even though it may be a while before we get to see it.

    Kayla Harrison is ready for Amanda Nunes

    “Obviously, Amanda’s next. We spoke to her at the Hall of Fame yesterday. She says Q4. But she’s not in the drug testing pool yet, so she might not be able to fight till Q1 of next year.

    “I’m sure they’re talking to Ali and letting him know about everything. That’s why I pay him the big bucks—so I don’t have to think about stuff like that. I just show up, train, work hard, stay ready. Send a location, I’ll be ready.”

    Harrison is a warrior and she won’t mind waiting until Nunes is 100% ready to go. Regardless of when this fight happens, it absolutely needs to be a pay-per-view main event – and the UFC needs to give it the kind of promotion and hype that it deserves.

  • Molly McCann on Boxing’s Brutal Learning Curve: ‘It’s Hard to Switch Off Old Habits’

    Molly McCann on Boxing’s Brutal Learning Curve: ‘It’s Hard to Switch Off Old Habits’

    Former UFC star Molly McCann has spoken about her transition from mixed martial arts to professional boxing.

    As we know, Molly McCann was a pretty popular figure within the UFC. She had a series of highlight reel knockouts and alongside that, fans were captured by her personality – as well as her friendship with Paddy Pimblett. Unfortunately, after a poor run of form, ‘Meatball’ walked away from MMA – but she didn’t leave combat sports entirely.

    Fast forward to the present day and Molly McCann has signed a multi-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing. After the announcement, she spoke candidly in an interview about what the transition has been like up to this point.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y23jdEBqjcI

    Molly McCann discusses boxing transition

    “There was a lot of that that came, which was probably a lot more money, but that’s just not— I didn’t retire from the UFC to go and fight in, sorry, I shouldn’t say B-leagues, like circus kind of stuff with influencers. My body couldn’t sustain MMA, but it can still compete at the highest level. The dream for me is to always win a boxing world title.”

    “I wouldn’t always advise an MMA fighter to box because we’re so used to not too much head movement—you’re going to get kneed or kicked in the head. To have to relearn that is hard. That’s the toughest part: to not be switched off in those moments.”

    McCann has always been a passionate fighter and although she’s starting her journey late, it’ll be interesting to see how far she can go.

  • Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall: The White House Showdown That Could Rewrite History “1776 All Over Again

    Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall: The White House Showdown That Could Rewrite History “1776 All Over Again

    UFC commentator Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall potentially taking place after all – at the White House.

    As we know, Jon Jones decided to retire from mixed martial arts just a few short weeks ago. However, he then proceeded to tease the idea of a comeback, implying that he’s re-entered the UFC testing pool. Regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of him, it’s safe to say that the majority of MMA hardcore fans aren’t happy by his indecisiveness.

    In a recent video on his YouTube channel, the aforementioned Michael Bisping weighed in on the Jon Jones/Tom Aspinall ordeal.

    Michael Bisping’s view on Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall

    “I don’t know if Jon’s having a laugh, if he’s being silly, if he’s just taking the piss, or if he’s actually serious. I mean, what has changed in two weeks’ time? Of course, Trump talking about a fight at the White House. Maybe that’s it. I don’t think it is that. I do think that he would want to fight at the White House, and I’m sure every single fighter is going to want to do that.”

    “Of course, him versus Tom Aspinall—England versus USA, 1776 all over again at the White House. Unbelievable. Of course that should be top of the bill, right? But is that really what’s going on? Is it just the fact that they’re going to do a fight at the White House or has something else changed? The fact that he’s re-entered the testing pool means he’s not messing around.”

  • Max Holloway is backed to beat Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 by top lightweight star

    Max Holloway is backed to beat Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 by top lightweight star

    UFC star Paddy Pimblett believes Max Holloway has a great chance of defeating Dustin Poirier in the latter’s retirement fight at UFC 318.

    Later this month, Max Holloway will take on Dustin Poirier with the BMF title being on the line. It will serve as the third and final time that they collide, and currently, Poirier holds a 2-0 lead in the series. With that being said, ‘Blessed’ is on the hunt for a return to winning ways after being knocked out by Ilia Topuria in his last outing.

    Ahead of fight night, Paddy Pimblett has become the latest lightweight to give his opinion on how this one is going to play out.

    Paddy Pimblett backs Max Holloway

    “It would be heavy for Holloway if there’s two different fighters who have beat him three times,” Pimblett said on the “Verse Us Podcast” with Eric Nicksick. “I’ve seen him say something like, ‘He took a lot from me, he gave me my first loss, and he took away my win streak, so I’m going to take his retirement fight.’

    “I think Holloway’s motivated. I can see Holloway winning, to be honest. Don’t know why. I think it’s just one of them. Dustin fighting in his hometown, his last fight, everyone expects him to win, the pressure. I think he might (win). You might think it’s a bit more favorable because he beat him twice, though.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

    Get ready, fight fans – because Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway 3 could prove to be a classic.

  • Daniel Cormier questions Donald Trump’s plan for UFC White House event

    UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on Donald Trump’s recently announced plan to hold a UFC event at the White House.

    As we know, Donald Trump is pretty close with UFC president Dana White – to the point where he gets his own entrance whenever he decides to show up to a big event. More often than not, Daniel Cormier is on commentary, and he’s been known to not hold his tongue over the years.

    Of course, he’s a company man, but Daniel Cormier is also practical. If you don’t believe us, check out his comments regarding the UFC potentially hosting an event at the White House, which was ‘announced’ recently by Donald Trump.

    Daniel Cormier’s view on UFC White House show

    “When he said, ‘We’re gonna do a UFC event at the White House,’ I was like, ‘Oh my god, that’s exciting.’ Then I started to think…

    “For him to just come to a fight, all the hoops that we go through as people that work for the company (UFC), right? The Secret Service is in the arena the day before. We all have to do so many other things — background checks and all these things — because the president’s going to be there.

    “Imagine trying to put 25,000 at the White House. They’re gonna go through all those steps for all those people?” Cormier added. “I think we as a country can do whatever we want…(but) I don’t know that the effort it will take to make that happen is going to be worth the squeeze.

    “And it’s gonna be outside? In July? It gets hot in Washington in July!”

    Quotes via Bloody Elbow

  • Former Devin Haney Peer “Not Really Impressed With [His] Performance Last Fight”

    Devin Haney is aiming to become a three division world champion under Queensberry Rules in Q4 of 2025 with one of Haney’s peers from years ago weighing in on his looming WBO welterweight title bid. Appearing on an episode of Bare Knuckle Bowker, Andrew Strode discussed multiple topics ahead of his interim flyweight title fight against Gee Perez at BKFC 68 on July 12th.

    Considering the history the BKFC title contender has with Haney, Strode was asked about Haney’s looming welterweight title bid against reigning WBO champion Brian Norman Jr. Touching upon the Haney history and this Haney vs. Norman Jr. title bout in November, at the 16:07 mark in the embedded interview below, Strode said,

    “I used to train with Devin Haney. When I used to train at TMT, he used to train in the same gym. I didn’t used to actually train with him but he was in the same gym around the same time doing the same stuff. But he’s great, he’s great like he always has been. But I think Brian Norman [Jr.] will win by split [decision] because he throws more and he has that power. So does Devin Haney but I was not really impressed with Haney’s performance last fight. Even though he got the victory, I just wasn’t impressed by it. I’ve seen him better, a lot better. So I don’t know, I think Brian Norman [Jr.] will take that one.”

    Devin Haney and the performance that he had last time out

    Devin Haney was able to secure a unanimous decision victory in his last outing but the victory in May was not exactly a prizefight that lit the combat sports world on fire. While Haney secured a victory across all the ringside judges’ scorecards against Jose Ramirez, the fight was not deemed an exciting affair by many.

    The contest marked Haney’s return to the ring after over a year on the sidelines following a difficult throwdown with Ryan Garcia that saw Haney dropped to the canvas multiple times last April. Many felt like the way Haney performed was tied to issues from the Garcia clash last year with the former favouring a more tentative approach against Ramirez. The final punch stats of the contest saw Haney throw only 224 punches with 45 power shots and 25 jabs landing throughout the twelve round affair.

  • Marcus Buchecha Is UFC’s New Signing, Set to Debut at Month’s End – Walking Away from ONE Championship

    Marcus Buchecha Is UFC’s New Signing, Set to Debut at Month’s End – Walking Away from ONE Championship

    Marcus Buchecha is a legendary figure in Brazilian jiu jitsu circles who has also been making waves on the MMA scene under the ONE banner but he is now preparing to hop into the octagon. After posting up a 5-1 mixed martial arts record under the ONE banner with all first round finishes, Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida entered a brief free agency period that saw him promptly sign on with the UFC.

    Per a report from Marcel Dorff, Buchecha will be making his UFC debut in Abu Dhabi at the end of the month when Almeida does battle with Martin Buday on July 26th. The Slovak heavyweight has more localized MMA experience than Buchecha with Buday boasting an overall record of 15-2 heading into this bout.

    The Oktagon veteran punched his ticket to the UFC’s main stage with a Contender Series win in October 2021 and has since posted up a UFC specific record of 6-1 with Buday notching notable wins over Uran Satybaldiev Andrei Arlovski.

    Marcus Buchecha’s pedigree heading into his UFC debut

    Marcus Buchecha is an exciting infusion of new blood into the UFC’s heavyweight division for those who have been following his submission grappling exploits as well as his efforts inside the ONE circle. Buchecha is one of the most accomplished jiu jitsu players in history and has garnered a record of 13 IBJJF world championships at the black belt level.

    Almeida also collected a pair of ADCC medals before deciding to mix the martial arts and pursue successes with the four ounce gloves on. The American Top Team product has only lost in MMA competition against eventual ONE heavyweight champion Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane. Buchecha has halted some prominent names with the ONE heavyweight class as he has secured victories over the likes of Kang Ji Won and Amir Aliakbari.

    While Buchecha is taking on an MMA fight here and he has in past expressed an interest to singularly pursue this MMA path going forward with the UFC relatively recently doing their big rollout for their UFC BJJ promotional branch, it’s not difficult to foresee a future where Almeida could perhaps find opportunities on that circuit considering his laundry list of grappling credentials.

  • “Beaten Six of the Top 10 – I want all 10” Tom Aspinall Eyes Total Heavyweight Domination

    “Beaten Six of the Top 10 – I want all 10” Tom Aspinall Eyes Total Heavyweight Domination

    Tom Aspinall has bested sixty percent of the UFC’s top ten in his weight class but wants to say that he’s beaten a hundred percent of the promotion’s top ten heavyweights in the coming months. During a sit down interview with Adam Catterall for One-on-One, the reigning UFC heavyweight champion covered several subjects in the wake of being upgraded from interim champions tatus after the prior titleholder Jon Jones vacated the belt to retire form MMA outright.

    When discussing what kind of things get him fired up now that he is the divisional kingpin at heavyweight officially, Aspinall said,

    “Everything excites me—this is heavyweight MMA at the top level. Anything can happen. Just because I’m ranked number one in the world, the undisputed champion now, doesn’t mean nobody can beat me. I know what heavyweight division’s like. You’re never further than one strike away from disaster. There’s a few guys I’ve not fought… and they’re the guys I want to fight.”

    “The guy I’m fighting next is the most dangerous guy that I’m ever going to have to fight. Look at the top 10 now. I’ve beaten six of them. My goal is to beat 10. We’ve got a date. We’ve got an opponent to work towards. Everything’s good and I can finally get my career going again.”

    Tom Aspinall says UFC heavyweight division is ‘ not exactly on fire’

    Tom Aspinall is keen to wipe out the entire top ten of his weight class but it’s not lost on him that this present era of heavyweight isn’t exactly rife with big names anymore like Francis Ngannou or Jon Jones. When the 32-year-old was giving a broader overview of the weight category he helms, during that same referenced interview with Catterall, Tom Aspinall stated [via MMA Fighting],

    “The heavyweight division’s not exactly on fire at the moment. From a name point of view. I think the talent’s there. But if you look five plus years ago, just the name value in the top 15 was incredible. We’re talking guys like Fabricio Werdum, Cain Velasquez, [Junior dos Santos], Mark Hunt, Alistair Overeem, Brock Lesnar, etc, etc. Stipe [Miocic], the list goes on and on.”

    “You look through the top 15 and it’s like wow, that’s incredible. Where as now, even me who’s a heavyweight, I look through the top 15 and I’m like I’ve not really seen [these guys] fight before. I think over the next few years that’s going to change. I think there’s going to be more big fights at heavyweight. People are going to become bigger names, which is great. We just need more up and coming heavyweights doing a bit in the top 15.”

  • “Undefeated in the UFC – 10 Years Unbeaten” Caio Borralho Declares Himself the Real Contender

    “Undefeated in the UFC – 10 Years Unbeaten” Caio Borralho Declares Himself the Real Contender

    Caio Borralho is preparing to face the number one ranked middleweight contender in his next outing but Borralho seems tot hink that he si the top dog right now at 185 pounds. During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Borralho covered multipe topics leading into his UFC Paris clash with Nassourdine Imavov.

    During the SR conversation, it was referenced that Imavov previously was trying to position himself as the back up fighter for UFC 319 which features reigning champion Dricus du Plessis defending his strap against Khamzat Chimaev. When asked why he feels like Imavov pivoted to deciding to take on this clash with the number six ranked middleweight instead, Borralho said,

    “He’s not the guy that makes the rules here. He thought he was, but he wasn’t. He has no options right now. He can’t just sit on the number one contender spot and wait. He beat old Izzy, had an early stoppage with Cannonier, almost didn’t beat Brendan Allen. I’ve been dominating all my opponents. I’m undefeated in the UFC—7-0, 9-0 with the Contender Series, 10 years unbeaten. This is the fight to make to see who is the real contender.”

    Caio Borralho reveals his gameplan for UFC Paris

    Caio Borralho and Nassourdine Imavov will throw down in quite the compelling middleweight clash set for September with the former having a pretty clearly defined idea of how things will play out with the latter when the two step into the Accor Arena. Some fighters seem coy about aritculating what their gameplan will be when heading into a fight but the Fighting Nerds standout was not shy in divulging details of what his approach will be against Imavov.

    Getting into the specifics of how he sees this Nassourdine Imavov contest playing out during the same interview with Submission Radio, Borralho stated,

    “I’m going to touch him a lot, I’m going to pressure him. I’m going to defend his speed and then in the right time, I’m going to knock him out.”

  • Gilbert Burns Says Charles Oliveira’s Title Run Is Over After UFC 317, Suggests BMF Clash With Max Holloway

    Gilbert Burns Says Charles Oliveira’s Title Run Is Over After UFC 317, Suggests BMF Clash With Max Holloway

    Gilbert Burns believes Charles Oliveira’s days as a UFC title contender are behind him.

    At UFC 317 last month, “Do Bronx” endured a devastating first-round knockout at the hands of Ilia Topuria in their clash for the vacant lightweight title. The loss marked Oliveira’s second unsuccessful bid to reclaim the belt.

    Charles Oliveira, who once tore through the division with an 11-fight win streak and a successful title defense, has struggled to maintain that form. He’s gone 2-3 in his last five outings. Burns believes his fellow Brazilian should take a step back, recharge, and set his sights on the UFC’s symbolic BMF title instead of chasing championship gold.

    Image: @charlesdobronxs/Instagram

    Gilbert Burns Calls For Charles Oliveira vs. Max Holloway Rematch

    During a recent episode of the Show Me the Money podcast, Gilbert Burns offered his take on Charles Oliveira’s career tarjectory. The former welterweight title challenger believes “Do Bronx” should set his sights on a high-stakes showdown with Max Holloway — regardless of whether Holloway retains the BMF title in his upcoming trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier, which headlines UFC 318 on July 19.

    “Charles, I think he’s got to take six months off, Burns said.” One thousand percent, call Sean Shelby and tell him that I told him that he’s got to fight Max Holloway. After Max Holloway’s fight with Dustin, Dustin is out, Dustin’s retired. Max, rest a little bit because next month, this guy is fighting in December, January. Make it BMF for Charles.”

    “Durinho” suggested that both Oliveira and Holloway are likely entering the twilight of their storied careers, making now the ideal moment for the UFC to book a rematch between the fan favorites with the BMF title on the line to raise the stakes.

    “I think Charles [beats Holloway]. I like this fight, two legends. I don’t think they’re going to make another run for a title, but make it for BMF, it’s a good fight.”

    Oliveira and Holloway previously shared the Octagon back in August 2015, during their time in the featherweight division. The bout ended abruptly in the first round after the Brazilian suffered a rare esophagus injury, handing “Blessed” the win via TKO.

  • MMA Legend Backs Arman Tsarukyan As ‘Rightful’ Next Challenger For Ilia Topuria

    MMA Legend Backs Arman Tsarukyan As ‘Rightful’ Next Challenger For Ilia Topuria

    Arman Tsarukyan, not Paddy Pimblett, deserves the next shot at Ilia Topuria — or so says one MMA legend urging the UFC to honor the rankings.

    Following Islam Makhachev’s decision to vacate the lightweight title and move up to welterweight, Topuria claimed the vacant throne with a brutal knockout of former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.

    Following his emphatic victory, “El Matador” shared a fiery face-off with Pimblett inside the Octagon. Since then, “The Baddy” has seemingly jumped ahead of leading contenders like Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje in the race to challenge Topuria for his first title defense, largely because it’s the matchup many fans want to see next, even though the UFC has yet to make anything official.

    However, former UFC and ONE champion Demetrious Johnson isn’t sold on that matchup. Instead, the MMA legend throws his weight behind “Ahalkalakets” and believes Tsarukyan should be the one fighting for the 155-pound title next.

    Demetrious Johnson Says Arman Tsarukyan More Worthy Of Title Shot Over Paddy Pimblett

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Demetrious Johnson weighed in on the evolving UFC lightweight title picture following Ilia Topuria’s championship win. While he acknowledged that a showdown between Topuria and Paddy Pimblett might generate more revenue and fan interest, “Mighty Mouse” emphasized that the UFC should stick to merit-based matchmaking.

    Johnson argued that Arman Tsarukyan, who holds a significantly higher ranking than “The Baddy”, is the deserving challenger for the next title shot.

    “It needs to be him, Arman Tsarukyan,” Johnson said. “This is why I say [UFC] it’s a reality TV show. It’s like, obviously Arman Tsarukyan is the number one contender. He’s ranked number one… Whatever you guys wanna go by the rankings, but they’re force in this fight with Paddy Pimblett versus Ilia Topuria just because it’s probably gonna sell more. But I think the rightful person who should be getting the next title shot at lightweight is Arman Tsarukyan.”

    “Ahalkalakets” last competed at UFC 300 in April 2024, where he earned a hard-fought split decision victory over Charles Oliveira. The win secured Tsarukyan a title shot against then-lightweight king Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January. However, the 28-year-old Armenian was forced to withdraw just hours before the weigh-ins due to an undisclosed health scare.

    Tsarukyan served as the backup fighter for UFC 317, successfully making weight in case he was needed. Since then, he’s publicly called out Topuria for a title opportunity. However, despite his readiness, UFC CEO Dana White has yet to confirm him as the next challenger.

    Image: @arm_011/Instagram

  • Robert Whittaker Warns Khamzat Chimaev Could Be In Danger Against Dricus Du Plessis At UFC 319

    Robert Whittaker Warns Khamzat Chimaev Could Be In Danger Against Dricus Du Plessis At UFC 319

    Robert Whittaker doubts that Khamzat Chimaev has what it takes to endure a potentially grueling clash with Dricus Du Plessis.

    Chimaev is gearing up to take on reigning middleweight champion Du Plessis in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 319, set for August 16 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

    “Borz” enters the title fight riding an undefeated wave of dominance, fueled by high expectations to claim the 185-pound crown. However, Whittaker, having shared the Octagon with both Chimaev and Du Plessis, isn’t buying into the narrative so easily.

    Robert Whittaker Predicts Trouble For Khamzat Chimaev If He Fails To Ground Dricus Du Plessis

    With just over a month to go before his first title shot, Khamzat Chimaev is already being listed as the betting favorite for his UFC 319 showdown against Dricus Du Plessis. But not everyone, including Robert Whittaker, agrees with the oddsmakers.

    In a recent interview with FOX Sports Australia, “The Reaper” argued that it’s Du Plessis, not Chimaev, who deserves to be favored. Whittaker pointed to Chimaev’s patterm of fading in longer fights, referencing his decision wins over Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman. He questioned whether “Borz” can hold up if his grappling fails against Du Plessis and the fight extends beyond three rounds, especially against such an unpredictable opponent.

    “Honestly, I have to say Dricus would be a favorite,” Whittaker said. “I think I’m leaning towards Dricus. The whole thing can be summed up – Chimaev will take him down. It’s will he finish him before he gets back up? That’s the million-dollar question because if he doesn’t finish him on the ground, I think he loses.”

    Khamzat Chimaev last competed at UFC 308 in October, where he secured a dominant first-round submission victory over Whittaker. “Borz” boasts an undefeated 8-0 record inside the Octagon, with six of those wins coming by way of finish.

    Image: @khamzat_chimaev/Instagram

  • “Me and Jean Silva Are Going to Have the Belt on the Same Day” – Caio Borralho Predicts Dual Championship Glory

    “Me and Jean Silva Are Going to Have the Belt on the Same Day” – Caio Borralho Predicts Dual Championship Glory

    Caio Borralho thinks it’s just a matter of time before the Fighting Nerds take over the UFC.

    Over the last couple of years, there have been few fighters more exciting to watch than Borralho and his teammate, Jean Silva. Both have absolutely dominated their respective division’s thus far, with Borralho boasting a perfect 7-0 record inside the Octagon. In September, he’ll look to secure his 10th straight win and, more importantly, a shot at the middleweight title when he meets the division’s top-ranked contender, Nassourdine Imavov, at UFC Paris.

    A week later, Silva will look score the biggest win of his career when he meets former featherweight title challenger Diego Lopes at Noche UFC in San Antonio.

    If both fighters come out on top, Borralho believes he and Silva could end up becoming UFC champions on the same night.

    “I think me and Jean Silva are going to have the belt on the same day,” Borralho told MMA Junkie. “That’s what we’re planning! We live our dreams, and there’s a lot of power inside of it, you know? So we’re going to keep doing big things—great things—inside and outside the Octagon. You guys just need to watch!”

    Caio Borralho and Jean Silva Ride into a Pair of Potential Title Eliminators with a Heap of Momentum

    Like Borralho, Silva is unbeaten inside the Octagon, going 5-0 and riding a 13-fight win streak that dates back to November 2018. After landing a first-round KO over Melsik Baghdasaryan in April, ‘Lord’ made a relatively quick turnaround, accepting the challenge of Bryce Mitchell seven weeks later at UFC 314.

    Silva submitted ‘Thug Nasty’ in the second via ninja choke, rendering Mitchell unconscious with just over a minute to go in the round.

    Jean Silva submits Bryce Mitchell

    Meanwhile, Borralho goes into his next bout coming off a unanimous decision win over Jared Cannonier in August. Before that, he landed a highlight-reel KO over Paul Craig at UFC 301. He currently sits as the sixth-ranked contender in the middleweight division.

  • Paddy Pimblett Fires Back at Ilia Topuria: “He Doesn’t Respect Me – But I’d Kick Him Everywhere!”

    Paddy Pimblett Fires Back at Ilia Topuria: “He Doesn’t Respect Me – But I’d Kick Him Everywhere!”

    Paddy Pimblett respects Ilia Topuria as a fighter, but that’s where the buck stops.

    ‘The Baddy’ created another viral moment at UFC 317, stepping inside the Octagon immediately following Topuria’s spectacular first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira, and going face-to-face with the newly minted lightweight world champion. After sharing a few unsavory words, Topuria shoved Pimblett, eliciting a laugh from the Liverpudlian.

    The incident immediately got the world talking about a potential clash between the two, with oddsmakers already favoring ‘El Matador’ to come out on top by a margin of 5-to-1.

    Considering how impressive Topuria has looked in his last three outings, KO’ing Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and ‘Do Bronx’ in back-to-back bouts, the -500 odds are by no means surprising, but Pimblett believes that the lack of respect Topuria has for his skill set could end up being the Georgian’s downfall.

    “He’s a very good all-round fighter—I respect him as a fighter, and he doesn’t respect me,” Pimblett said during an appearance on Verse Us with Eric Nicksick. “I genuinely think if he fought me, he wouldn’t train as hard. He just thinks he’d beat me. But I’d kick him everywhere”

    Of course, all this talk about Topuria vs. Pimblett may be for nought.

    Will Paddy Pimblett Have to Make a Highlight Out of ‘The Highlight’ Before Getting to Ilia Topuria?

    Shortly after their faceoff inside the Octagon, UFC CEO Dana White expressed frustration over the incident, suggesting that Pimblett has some more work to do before earning a shot at the 155-pound crown.

    Interestingly, reigning middleweight titleholder Dricus du Plessis was caught on camera claiming that Pimblett would co-headline UFC 319 in August, facing Justin Gaethje in what would likely be a lightweight title eliminator. Pimblett recently shot down the rumor on X, but it’s possible that the Scouser could be trying to deflect after ‘DDP’ let the cat out of the bag a little to early.

    Only time will tell which is the case.

  • Demetrious Johnson Questions Jon Jones Legacy After 200,000 Signatures Debacle

    Demetrious Johnson Questions Jon Jones Legacy After 200,000 Signatures Debacle

    Jon Jones’ legendary UFC run ended not with a bang, but a whimper.

    Once upon a time, ‘Bones’ was considered by everyone to be the best mixed martial artist of all time. It was undeniable. Chances are, most fans still feel that way, but the last five years of his career has left a lot to be desired.

    After vacating his 205-pound title in August 2020, Jones disappeared from the spotlight for three years in a bid to bulk up and eventually test his mettle at heavyweight. In May 2023, he finally returned to the Octagon, making quick work of Ciryl Gane to capture the vacant heavyweight crown. It was a dominant performance that had everyone excited for the future of the division after its previous champion, Francis Ngannou, practically held the belt hostage while failing to negotiate a new deal with the UFC.

    Sadly, Jones’ heavyweight title run would be no different.

    ‘Bones’ defended the gold once over his 25 month reign, besting former two-time titleholder Stipe Miocic in a fight that nobody really asked for. Meanwhile, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall was relegated to the sidelines despite continuous calls for a unification clash with Jones.

    ‘Mighty Mouse’ Thinks Everyone Will Forget Jon Jones’ Missteps Over Time

    The growing frustration among fight fans prompted one of them to launch a petition, calling for Dana White to strip Jones of the heavyweight title. Amassing nearly 200,000 signatures, both Jones and White acknowledged the petition, though neither of them took it seriously.

    Jones ultimately vacated the heavyweight title, announcing his retirement from the sport in June. It wasn’t the ending that fans wanted and, in the eyes of many, hurt Jones’ status as the undisputed GOAT of MMA.

    Jon Jones

    Asked whether or not the petition has any impact on Jones’ legacy, former UFC and ONE flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson believes that fans may be feeling a little sore about the way ‘Bones’ walked away, but over time, Jones will be best remembered for what he accomplished inside the Octagon, and not the mockery he made out of a once-loved weight class.

    “I think it washes away after some time,” Johnson told Submission Radio. “Everybody’s going to forget. We still can’t take away the fact that Jon Jones has done amazing things inside the Octagon—most title defenses, most title wins in UFC history. The internet is a funny place. It doesn’t exist unless you go on it, right? When Jon Jones looks at his bank account and all his belts, I think the last thing he’s worried about is that 200,000 petition to strip him.”

    As it turns out, Jon Jones may not be done just yet.

    Less than two weeks after officially retiring from the sport, ‘Bones’ announced that he was re-entering the UFC testing pool.

    “Just re-entered the testing pool, that lasted for about two weeks. Figured we’d keep everyone’s options open,” Jones wrote on X.

  • UFC Commentator Crowns Paddy Pimblett: ‘Best Trash Talker in MMA Today’

    For Jon Anik’s money, there’s no better trash-talker in the fight game today than Paddy Pimblett.

    Since making his promotional debut in 2021, ‘The Baddy’ has become a bona fide star inside the Octagon. Aside from a solic 7-0 record under the UFC banner, Pimblett has grown a massive fan following courtesy of his brash attitude and unwavering confidence.

    Many, including Anik, have even likened the Liverpudlian’s skills on the mic to former champ-champ Conor McGregor, noting how, like ‘The Notorious,’ Pimblett always shoots from the hip.

    “Paddy Pimblett’s a master orator, right? And not unlike Conor McGregor, nothing that Paddy says is scripted,” Anik told MMA Junkie. “And I think that’s a big part of it for me. I love Chael Sonnen—he’s one of the best orators I’ve ever been around, but some of his material was scripted. Paddy Pimblett, they just shoot straight from the hip.

    “But right now, if you’re asking me, the best trash talker in mixed martial arts today is Paddy Pimblett. And I think the Scouser accent is part of the equation. I gotta go. Love you. Thanks. Thanks.”

    Is Paddy Pimblett Ready for the Big Show?

    Pimblett’s star power reached another all-time high last month when he famously stepped into the Octagon immediately following Ilia Topuria’s stunning first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in Las Vegas.

    With years of animosity brewing, Pimblett and Topuria exchanged some NSFW words before a shoving match erupted between the two top stars.

    The incident immediately had fight fans salivating, calling for the UFC to immediately book their long-awaited clash. Unfortunately, Dana White wasn’t exactly thrilled with the encounter, suggesting that the promotion may already have other plans for Pimblett.

  • Mackenzie Dern Breaks Down Weili Fight: ‘She’s Never Really Been Pushed’

    Mackenzie Dern Breaks Down Weili Fight: ‘She’s Never Really Been Pushed’

    Mackenzie Dern would love to take a crack at reigning strawweight queen Zhang Weili.

    Despite some recent setbacks against names like Jessica Andrade and Amanda Lemos, Dern has slowly worked her way up the 115-pound rankings, settling in as the division’s sixth-ranked contender after notching back-to-back wins against Loopy Godinez and Amanda Ribas.

    Realistically, Dern could be one big win away from earning her first shot at UFC gold, but the Phoenix native isn’t rushing into anything. Especially when it comes to fighting someone as dangerous as Weili.

    “Yeah, I would love to fight Weili—but not right now,” Dern told MMA Junkie. “I’m not there yet. I saw her fight Tatiana, and Tatiana took her down in the first round, held in there all five rounds. I think Weili just hasn’t had enough experience, never really got pushed through the hard times.

    “I feel like I could do good compared to how Tatiana did with her, but on a personal level, I don’t think I’m ready for her right now. If I fight Virna, get the belt, and then she comes back down, I think that would give me enough time to be ready to welcome her back.”

    Mackenzie Dern’s Popularity Could Be Her Ticket to a Title Shot

    Overall, Dern is 10-5 inside the Octagon with her most impressive performances coming against Hannah Cifers, Randa Markos, and Nina Nunes. However, Dern has failed to walk away with a win when put to the test against some of the flyweight division’s biggest names, like Yan Xiaonan, Marina Rodrigues, and the aforementioned Jessica Andrade.

    Still, the BJJ world champion has remained a favorite among fight fans with more than 1.5 million followers on Instagram. That alone could be reason enough for Dana White and Co. to justify giving Dern a title opportunity.

    Mackenzie Dern
    Image: Chris Unger/UFC/Zuffa LLC

    As for Weili, the two-time titleholder has not yet booked her return to the Octagon since handily defeating Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 in February, though all signs currently point toward a long-awaited champion vs. champion clash between her and reigning flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.

  • Jack Della Maddalena Says Islam Makhachev is Simply Too Small to Beat Him

    Jack Della Maddalena is confident that his size will be too much for Islam Makhachev to overcome in their inevitable title clash.

    As a lightweight, Makhachev’s strength and stature proved to be a problem for practically everyone. But now, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ is stepping into a whole new world. After watching JDM snatch the welterweight title away from Belal Muhammad in May, Makhachev announced that he would be vacating his 155-pound crown in a bid to move up and challenge Della Maddalena for his newly-won gold.

    Oddsmakers are already favoring Makhachev to come out on top, with lines currently listing Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protege as a 2-to-1 favorite over the Aussie. However, Della Maddalena sees things a little differently.

    During an in-cage interview at Eternal MMA 97, JDM suggested that Makhachev may be a bit undersized for the welterweight division, and vowed to exploit that to exact revenge for his countryman, Alexander Volkanovski.

    “Yeah, it’s the dream first title defense—pound-for-pound number one,” Della Maddalena said. “Get him back from V. We saw what V did to him. I’m going to get him. He’s too little. He’s too little! I’m going to get him!”

    Can Della Maddalena Do What ‘The Great’ Couldn’t?

    Volkanovski famously moved up twice from his post as the featherweight champion to challenge Makhachev for the lightweight championship in 2023. The first time around, Volk nearly pulled off the upset, delivering one of the best fights of the year.

    Unfortunately, their second scrap wasn’t near as close. Stepping in on short notice, ‘The Great’ suffered a brutal head-kick KO just past the three-minute mark of the opening round, effectively ending his dreams of becoming the fifth fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously.

    Makhachev went on to submit both Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano before relinquishing his lightweight belt to try and conquer another weight class.

    No official announcements have been made regarding when and where Makhachev will meet Della Maddalena, though the Dagestani recently suggested that the UFC’s return to the world’s most famous arena — Madison Square Garden — could be the perfect setting for their highly anticipated showdown.

  • Former Maycee Barber Opponent on Erin Blanchfield Withdrawal: “Hated What Happened”

    Former Maycee Barber Opponent on Erin Blanchfield Withdrawal: “Hated What Happened”

    Maycee Barber was reportedly not given medical clearance to make the walk to the cage for her last scheduled fight with Erin Blanchfield and a previous opponent of the former has offered up their thoughts on the last minute withdrawal. Appearing on Bare Knuckle Bowker, Jessica Eye covered several subjects following her first victory as a debutant in the world of gloveless combat at BKFC 76 in Texas on June 21st.

    When discussing the situation involving her former opponent Barber not being able to step into the cage for her May 31st battle of ranked UFC flyweights with Blanchfield, at the 15:50 mark in the embedded interview below, Eye said,

    “Yeah, I mean I absolutely hated what happened to Maycee [Barber] and I’ve reached out to her about wanting to talk to her about health issues and possibly helping her from things I went through. So no, I did see that and I felt terrible for her… I’m here if she needs me.”

    Maycee Barber and Jessica Eye’s history with one another

    Jessica Eye and Maycee Barber seem to have a more support oriented dynamic between eachother these days, per the former above, but things got intense between the two just a bit over three years ago. On July 2nd, 2022 as part of the preliminary portion of UFC 276, Barber and Eye stepped into the cage to test skills against one another underneath the bright lights.

    When the dust was settled, Barber earned a unanimous decision victory over the former UFC flyweight title challenger with Eye indicating her retirement from MMA in the fallout of their bout. This was Eye’s last UFC contest and began a period of jsut shy of three years where ‘Evil’ Eye was not seen plying her trade in live combat sports competition.

    Eye has battled her own health issues in the life timeline from her UFC swan song to this recent BKFC debut. This partly informed her desire to reach out to her former opponent to see if Eye could provide any help to Barber in what was reported as a health issue for her.

  • ‘I’ll Do Whatever I Want’: Ilia Topuria Dismisses Paddy Pimblett As Easy Work

    ‘I’ll Do Whatever I Want’: Ilia Topuria Dismisses Paddy Pimblett As Easy Work

    Ilia Topuria appears to view a potential clash with Paddy Pimblett as an effortless task.

    “El Matador” delivered a stunning first-round knockout of former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira to capture the vacant 155-pound belt in the main event of UFC 317 last weekend, firmly establishing himself as a two-division titleholder.

    Shortly after his dominant win, Topuria came face-to-face with Pimblett inside the Octagon, setting off a fiery exchange. Now, “The Baddy” appears to have surged ahead of contenders like Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje as the leading candidate to challenge the new champion in his first title defense.

    The potential title matchup carries added intrigue, as Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett share a long-standing history of bad blood dating back to March 2022. The tension between the two first boiled over in a heated altercation at the fighter hotel ahead of UFC London, where they nearly came to blows.

    What began as a verbal spat soon escalated into a heated rivalry, with both fighters consistently trading barbs in interviews and across social media platforms.

    Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett Is the Biggest Fight UFC Can Make Right Now Says Former UFC Champ
    Image: @theufcbaddy/Instagram

    Ilia Topuria Claims He Can Finish Paddy Pimblett Any Way He Wants

    In his last three outings, Ilia Topuria backed up his words with action, confidently predicting knockouts and following through with clinical precision inside the Octagon. Now, riding high on that streak of precision, “El Matador” has turned his attention to a potential clash with Paddy Pimblett. Speaking to TMZSports in a recent interview, the newly minted UFC lightweight champion made it clear that if the fight happens, the outcome will once again be on his terms.

    All the fans around the world, I think that they want to see that [Pimblett] fight,” Ilia Topuria said. “And at the same time, I have to be honest—I think it’s one of the easiest fights that I could have in the lightweight division, because I can do with him whatever I want to do, in reality. It’s a very exciting fight for the fans, where I’m going to enjoy the whole process a lot. And at the same time, it’s a fight where I’m going to be able to shine once again.”