MMA News

Tag: Dana White

  • Paramount In Advanced Talks, Nearing Deal With Zuffa Boxing

    Paramount In Advanced Talks, Nearing Deal With Zuffa Boxing

    Just one day after Paramount acquired the UFC in a major money deal, they look to suddenly be adding another piece of the TKO pie to their empire.

    Per a report from Front Office Sports, Paramount is now being considered the “front-runner” to acquire Zuffa Boxing, the TKO-backed boxing promotion that is being overseen by Dana White, the CEO and president of the UFC, and Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia.

    This news comes approximately 30 hours after the UFC inked a new $7.7 billion U.S. broadcasting rights deal with Paramount, which is slated to begin in January.

    Terms of a deal are currently unavailable.

    Zuffa Boxing is slated to begin as a fight league in 2026; however, they will serve as the main promoter for the upcoming Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight that takes place in Las Vegas on September 13 and airs on Netflix.

    The FOS report states TKO will promote 2-3 “super fights” per year with Saudi Arabia.

    Zuffa Boxing Nearing Deal With Paramount One Day After New UFC U.S. Broadcasting Agreement

    “This is a low risk and TKO receives a roughly $10 million fee for serving as the managing partner and providing day-to-day operational management oversight,” Shapiro said in an earnings call last week. “And that’s all margin for us. TKO has no funding obligation.

    “We get a fee to promote it, each one of these super fights. We get a fee to negotiate the media rights for each fight, which IMG does. So another reason weโ€™re strong and proud that we brought IMG into the fold of our flywheel. We get a fee for On Location to sell hospitality packages. And we will put Zuffa Boxing fighters on the undercard of each of these super fights. We expect to net on average another 10 million [dollars] for every super fight we manage and promote.”

    The UFC’s new broadcasting deal in the U.S. with Paramount, signed on August 11, will see 43 fight cards (13 numbered UFC events and 30 Fight Night cards) air on the Paramount+ streaming service. A number of those numbered cards (White and TKO executives Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro have given differing answers) will be simulcast on the linear CBS network.

    Certain platforms, however, were not part of the agreement. Zuffa Boxing was one of these, as well as Dana White’s Contender Series, The Ultimate Fighter, and Road to UFC.

    White teased yesterday that a broadcasting partner for Zuffa Boxing had been agreed upon but not yet announced. This included speculation on if ESPN would be involved in airing Zuffa Boxing after it parted ways with Top Rank Boxing last month.

    ESPN is the current home of the UFC, though that deal expires in December. Last week, ESPN signed a five-year, $325 million U.S. broadcasting deal with the WWE, also under the TKO umbrella, to broadcast their Premium Live Events (PLEs) on their new direct-to-consumer ESPN app that launched Thursday, August 21.

    Like the UFC-Paramount deal, Alalshikh announced last month that all Riyadh Season boxing cards, which air on DAZN, will no longer be pay-per-view beginning in November.

  • Dana White: Zuffa Boxing TV Deal Done, Announcement Coming – ESPN in the Mix?

    Dana White: Zuffa Boxing TV Deal Done, Announcement Coming – ESPN in the Mix?

    Just as one broadcasting deal for Dana White’s combat sports empire got done, another one might be on its way.

    It’s been noted that the UFC’s $7.7 billion deal with Paramount only includes the numbered UFC events and Fight Night cards — nothing for Dana White’s Contender Series, The Ultimate Fighter, Road to UFC, or Zuffa Boxing.

    However, in a new interview with Sports Business Journal, White says that a broadcasting for Zuffa Boxing has been completed, just not announced yet.

    “We’ll see how this plays out,” White simply stated.

    Zuffa Boxing Broadcasting Deal To Be Announced, Could ESPN Be In Plans?

    Sports Business Journal also made reference to a report from World Boxing News last week that ESPN, whose deal with the UFC ends in December, may be involved in broadcasting Zuffa Boxing.

    ESPN’s broadcasting deal with Top Rank Boxing concluded at the end of July, and World Boxing News suggested ESPN looked at a potential deal with Zuffa Boxing as a “trade” of sorts.

    Top Rank Boxing’s end on ESPN means there is no boxing on any American television broadcast or cable channel for the first time in 80+ years.

    Zuffa Boxing and its parent company, TKO, also parent company of the UFC and WWE, have also been a key supporter of the much-debated Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act. The act would allow for fighters to pursue opportunities with UBOs — which Zuffa Boxing would be, where the promoters can award their own championships, host their own events, and rank their own fighters — as opposed to the major sanctioning alphabet organizations.

    White’s UFC signed a new U.S. broadcasting deal with Paramount on August 11, bringing 43 UFC events — 13 numbered cards and 30 UFC Fight Night cards — to Paramount+, with certain numbered cards airing on the linear CBS channel.

  • Dana White Says “PPV Isn’t Dead”, Suggests Potential One-Off UFC PPVs Under Paramount Deal

    Dana White Says “PPV Isn’t Dead”, Suggests Potential One-Off UFC PPVs Under Paramount Deal

    After all the celebration about the death of pay-per-view, UFC CEO & President Dana White is telling everyone to hold their horses.

    In an interview with the New York Post, despite the proclamations made in the new $7.7 billion deal with Paramount about the future of numbered UFC events, White says that he isn’t eliminating the pay-per-view concept entirely in this mind.

    White suggest he may toy with the idea of a potential 14th numbered UFC pay-per-view event during the Paramount deal that could see be put behind a pay-per-view paywall.

    “Anything is possible,” White said. “And you could do a one-off pay-per-view. I am going to be on pay-per-view this Saturday. Pay-Per-View is not dead.”

    This comes not even 24 hours after TKO executives Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro gave an interview to CNBC for the deal’s announcement, during which Shapiro referred to the pay-per-view model as “a thing of the past” and “an outdated, antiquated model.”

    Dana White Hints PPV Format May Still Appear In New UFC-Paramount Deal

    The UFC and Paramount’s new deal, which is set to begin in January, calls for 43 total UFC events per year — with 30 Fight Night cards and 13 numbered events.

    These numbered events, however, would not be pay-per-view as they have since the UFC’s inception in 1993. Instead, these cards, along with the UFC Fight Nights, would air exclusively on the Paramount+ streaming service.

    The initial announcements also noted that a select number of events would air on the linear CBS network in the United States.

    How many cards air on CBS has also been a point of discrepancy amongst the TKO and UFC executives. Despite the press release mentioning “select” events, Emanuel and Shapiro hinted at the possibility all of the UFC numbered cards are simulcast between Paramount+ and CBS, citing a desire for the most eyeballs possible.

    A later CBS Sports interview with White saw him state four “big” events would air on the network.

  • Dana White’s Contender Series Not Part Of UFC-Paramount Deal, Broadcast Rights TBD

    Dana White’s Contender Series Not Part Of UFC-Paramount Deal, Broadcast Rights TBD

    UPDATE: The New York Post’s Erich Richter has confirmed that Dana White’s Contender Series, The Ultimate Fighter, and Road to UFC are all not part of the UFC-Paramount package, and that the UFC is still shopping homes for these platforms.

    The major seven-year, $7.7 billion U.S. broadcasting deal between the UFC and Paramount may not include Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS), the UFC CEO and President confirmed to Sports Business Journal.

    One of the notable things to come out of the new UFC deal was what the press release to announce it did not make mention of UFC properties outside of the events that include the likes of DWCS, The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), Road to UFC, etc.

    White confirmed an interview that while the UFC and all of its numbered and Fight Night events are part of the Paramount package, which begins in January, the U.S. rights to air DWCS are still to be determined.

    “Yeah. That could be split up,” White said. “We’ll see how that plays out.”

    UFC Properties May Be Split Up After All, As DWCS Not Part Of UFC-Paramount Deal

    While the interview did not mention TUF or Road to UFC, it may be assumed that those rights are also still up in the air.

    TUF was created by the UFC when it first partnered up with Paramount Network (then known as Spike) in 2005, the same year it started airing Fight Night events on the cable channel. TUF has since followed the UFC throughout its times with FOX and ESPN as well.

    Road to UFC has aired exclusively on UFC Fight Pass since its inception and may likely remain there.

    DWCS first premiered on UFC Fight Pass in 2017 before moving over to ESPN+ as part of the UFC’s deal with ESPN that began in 2019. The UFC’s U.S. broadcasting rights with ESPN ends at the end of the year. DWCS not being part of the Paramount deal keeps the possibility that ESPN could have some piece of the UFC umbrella.

    White added that he doesn’t see ESPN shying away from UFC coverage after the deal.

    “When we first started out over there, you’re going to have some rockiness when youโ€™re figuring how you’re going to work with each other and who’s who, what’s what, and, ‘How are we going to do this?’ and we had some of that with ESPN,” White said. “Let me tell you what, over the last seven years, we have created an unbelievable relationship with that company and the people that work there.

    “I donโ€™t see [ESPN promoting UFC less after 2025] happening. I see the exact opposite of that happening. We wouldn’t be where we are today without ESPN and I plan on continuing that relationship for the rest of my career.”

    This deal between the UFC and Paramount calls for 43 UFC cards, featuring 13 numbered events and 30 Fight Night cards, to be broadcasted on Paramount+. A select number of the numbered events (White has said four, while TKO executives Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro claim all) will air on the lineal CBS network in the U.S.

    When current international broadcasting deals for the UFC expire, Paramount will also have a 30-day exclusive negotiating window to lock up rights in those countries as well.

  • Dana White Promises 4 “Big Events” On CBS Per Year Under UFC’s New Paramount Deal

    Dana White Promises 4 “Big Events” On CBS Per Year Under UFC’s New Paramount Deal

    As the hours go by, more information starts to trickle out about what the UFC may look like under its new U.S. broadcasting deal with Paramount — as well as more questions.

    Perhaps the biggest talking point coming out of the new seven-year, $7.7 billion deal between the UFC and Paramount is the end of the pay-per-view model for the MMA promotion come the close of 2025. A select number — though it’s unclear how many — of numbered cards would be simulcast on CBS.

    UFC CEO and President Dana White, in an interview with CBS Sports’ Tommy Tran — White’s first since the announcement of the deal earlier today — stated that the UFC would produce four “big” events per year on linear CBS. He added that for 2026, one of those events will be the UFC’s planned card for the White House on July 4, 2026.

    “It’s looking like we’re going to do four big events a year,” White said. “We’re talking about doing a fight at the White House next year on the 4th of July — the 250th anniversary of America. So imagine a massive fight on the lawn of the White House on CBS.”

    Dana White Claims 4 UFC Events Per Year On CBS

    White added that he will continue to make the biggest fights happen and hinted there is still a possibility that this further incentivizes the returns of Conor McGregor and Jon Jones to compete on that White House card.

    Questions have arisen, however, as to what White means by “big.” The deal’s terms are for 13 numbered UFC cards (formerly pay-per-view cards) per year, as well as 30 Fight Night events for a total of 43 cards per year.

    This White claim also comes hours after TKO executives Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro told CNBC that there was a chance every UFC numbered card would be simulcast on CBS, which brought its own set of questions given CBS’ stake in other sports properties — particularly college football.

    Some speculate that this could mean four “special” numbered events (akin to the WWE’s “big four” of WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series), which will be believed to include International Fight Week and either the late October Abu Dhabi and/or the November Madison Square Garden cards.

    White’s remarks, despite claiming he will still look to make the best fights, have also furthered thoughts amongst some fans and pundits that the UFC may not be incentivized to stack numbered cards or force title fights onto the headliners of numbered cards since all fight cards will be under the same Paramount umbrella.

    There is also no update on how fighters’ pay-per-view points, particularly with champions, will be affected and/or changed by this move to Paramount and the elimination of pay-per-view.

  • “Believe In Yourself…” – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 11 Recap

    “Believe In Yourself…” – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 11 Recap

    Welcome, everyone, to the 11th 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 first welterweight semifinal, with Team Cormier’s Rodrigo Sezinando defeating teammate Jeff Creighton to secure his spot in the finale fight, which will take place during the prelims of UFC 319.

    Recap of The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 – Episode 11

    Now, Team Cormier’s Imanol Rodriguez will take on Team Sonnen top pick Joseph Morales to see who faces Team Cormier’s Alibi Idiris in the flyweight finale!

    Let’s get into episode 11 of The Ultimate Fighter!

    TUF House

    The guys are playing chess in the house when they are surprised by Mairon Santos, one of the winners of last year’s TUF season.

    Santos is stopping by because he’s preparing for an upcoming match. Dana White reflects on how Santos went from being one of the last Team Grasso picks and went on to become a TUF champion.

    Santos tells the TUF contestants that the show taught him about believing in himself. Santos says while others were drinking and goofing off, he was training and staying true to himself.

    “You have to believe in yourself. Nobody’s gonna do that for you,” Santos said.

    Rodrigo Sezinando says as a fellow Brazilian, Santos’ success is influential on him.

    Joseph Morales Fight Prep

    Morales says he feels good about the matchup. He says he feels Rodriguez will be speedy. Sonnen tells him when he feels Rodriguez’s power, it won’t be what Morales is used to.

    Morales says he’s going to make Rodriguez commit to his shots and work exchanges to score a takedown and submit him.

    Sonnen tells Morales to mix things up with his striking, even putting an example of the different kinds of striking Urijah Faber has (Morales is a member of Team Alpha Male).

    Sonnen tells Morales to be “Bopo,” which Sonnen describes as an “alter-ego” who’s “another animal” that he would be scared of. Sonnen discusses the timing of “flipping the switch” and turning things up.

    Imanol Rodriguez Call Home

    Rodriguez’s girlfriend calls him and, in Rodriguez’s words, his inner child came out.

    Rodriguez is filled with tears and admits he could not speak. Rodriguez emotionally says he is sorry for leaving his girlfriend and his family. His girlfriend assures Rodriguez that she and his family are all proud of him and support him. More of Rodriguez’s family is shown in the background, and Rodriguez becomes emotional again.

    Rodriguez swears he won’t be away from them for so long again. His family assures him, however, that they have his back.

    Rodriguez says this call has motivated him to a point that he’s more dangerous than ever before.

    Imanol Rodriguez Fight Prep

    Rodriguez recognizes Morales’ previous UFC experience, and that means he has to approach Morales differently and be smarter.

    Cormier says Rodriguez is one of his favorites and has so much potential for his age. Cormier, however, says Morales is a tough guy with a lot of skills.

    Cormier says because Morales is so well-rounded, Rodriguez needs to use his powerful hands and needs to be wrestling offensively.

    Cormier says he worked with Rodriguez on entries because he thinks with enough pressure, Rodriguez can take Morales down and de-moralize the Team Sonnen fighter.

    “If you put [a wrestler] on his back, you start to realize what kind of mixed martial artist he is,” Cormier said, adding that he feels Rodriguez is a better fighter than Morales.

    Rodriguez says no matter how experienced and talented Morales is, anyone can fall, and he swears he will prove he is ready for the UFC.

    Joseph Morales Call Home

    Morales talks with his family and is very emotional seeing them. His wife admits one of their children broke their 75-inch TV, which Morales earned with his first UFC performance bonus.

    She says all of the parents and kids are asking about him and are excited to see him back soon. Despite the sacrifice, his family told Morales to pursue the once-in-a-lifetime dream.

    Morales says while he misses his family, and their love filled his heart again, he needs to stay extra focused and do whatever to win.

    The Fight: Imanol Rodriguez vs. Joseph Morales

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

    Morales weighs in at 126. Rodriguez weighs in at 125.5. The fight is on!

    Roybery Echeverria says he gives the edge to his teammate, Morales, because of how well-rounded Morales is. He, however, won’t count Rodriguez out because of his power.

    Tumelo Manyamala says Rodriguez’s boxing will play a role in the fight, and his wrestling and pressure will help take Morales down.

    White says both guys are well-rounded and he’s excited to see who has what it takes to reach the finale.

    Imanol Rodriguez vs. Joseph Morales

    Round 1

    Rodriguez on the outside. Morales throws a jab. Right hand by Rodriguez. Cormier tells him not to reach. Rodriguez flashes the left and then lands a one-two. Morales with a left hand. Morales’ head kick is blocked. Combination to the body by Rodriguez. One-two by Morales. Right hand by Rodriguez. Morales grabs a hold and takes Rodriguez down! Morales quickly gets on Rodriguez’s back, next to the fence. Rodriguez is back up, but Morales returns him to the mat. Morales locks up a body triangle and is looking for the choke! Rodriguez is trying to fight the hands and work out of the body triangle. Cormier yelling directions, telling Rodriguez to wrestle.

    Rodriguez still fighting the hands, though Morales is perfectly in control here. Morales works his way into mount! He lands a couple of punches before taking the back again. Rodriguez continues to fight, and he eventually grabs a wrist and starts to turn himself. Morales still has the body triangle, however. Rodriguez keeps turning with wrist control and he ends up on top. Morales threatens a triangle choke! He’s still controlling Rodriguez. Rodriguez gets free and back to the feet with 20 seconds left. One-two by Rodriguez. Left hand by Morales.

    Round 2

    Left hand by Rodriguez. Left hand from Morales as Rodriguez throws a one-two. Rodriguez lands a one-two after Cormier tells him to pressure. Right hand by Rodriguez. Morales lands a punch now. One-two by Rodriguez. Cormier suggests it’s a pressure battle — and Rodriguez comes forward with a big flurry! Morales scores a takedown, but Rodriguez quickly gets back to the feet. Rodriguez attacks again, with Cormier telling his fighter that Morales is desperate. Left hand from each man. One-two by Rodriguez, and he prevents a takedown. Cormier says if he keeps going, he’ll finish Morales. Morales with a right hand. Rodriguez misses a body shot. Morales shoots in, but Rodriguez prevents it. Morales misses the one-two and misses the right hand.

    Rodriguez tries to get inside. One-two again by Rodriguez. Rodriguez slips up Morales with a right hand. Uppercut by Rodriguez. Cormier tells Rodriguez to take Morales down. He tries, but Morales prevents it. Cormier tells Rodriguez to use it with his strikes. “Be first!” Morales lands a right. Morales with two shots. Morales aims for the body. Hook by Morales. Left hand by Rodriguez. Morales shoots in and scores the takedown. Morales survives the scrambles and gets to the back. Rodriguez scrambles and gets on top. Rodriguez escapes a triangle attack and returns to the feet. Morales coming forward now and he lands to the body. Left hand by Rodriguez. Morales returns. Morales with a one-two. Left hand by Morales. Right hand by Rodriguez. Right hand by Morales. And again. And again. Morales fakes a level change and lands again. Left hand by Morales. A couple of more jabs by Morales. Rodriguez finally throws, but Morales responds. Failed spinning attack by Rodriguez before the bell.

    Rodriguez’s coach asks if he really wants this fight and, if so, then to throw everything he’s got.

    Round 3

    One-two by Morales. Left hand from Rodriguez. Morales landing the left jab. Right hand by Morales. Combination to the body by Rodriguez. Rodriguez catches a kick. Left hand by Rodriguez. Right hand by Morales. Rodriguez shoots in and brings Morales to the fence. Rodriguez scores the takedown. Sonnen tells Morales to create space. Morales giving up his back. Rodriguez is on him. Morales grabs the fence briefly. Rodriguez presses Morales forward. Rodriguez gets a body triangle on Morales. Morales’ corner tells him to turn and to use his elbows.

    Rodriguez’s corner tells him to win wrist control. Rodriguez hunts for the choke. He’s on the neck! He’s under it now. Morales fights and avoids it. Rodriguez back under it briefly. Cormier tells Rodriguez to attack the left wrist. Morales sitting up, but Rodriguez is still on his back. Morales still unable to escape. Rodriguez holds the position for most of the round. Morales finally escapes with mere seconds left, but it’s way too late for him to do any offense.

    Winner: Morales via split decision

    Conclusion

    Sonnen says Morales was trading with Rodriguez and was working combinations in the first round. He adds Morales picked Rodriguez up with ease. White said it was complete control; however, Rodriguez avoided significant damage.

    Cormier says Rodriguez fought exactly how he was supposed to in round two, emphasizing the need for Rodriguez to be first in this matchup. Morales started to come back late in the second round, however, with White admitting Morales’ shots late in the round made it a toss-up.

    Then, Cormier said, as they trained, Rodriguez took Morales down and controlled him the entire round. Sonnen said he wasn’t nervous and felt they just needed to grind down the clock — though you can’t think like that.

    Morales says it felt great holding his picture of his family, victorious and gives respect to Rodriguez.

    Morales and Rodriguez hug in the Octagon.

    Morales is emotional in the locker room, saying he couldn’t do it without his coaches and teammates. Now, he’s ready to prep for Idiris.

    Rodriguez says he’s left speechless in disappointment, feeling that he won. Rodriguez is emotionally in pain in the locker room, while his coach tries to console him and tell him it’s not over till it’s over.

    Next week, it’s the last fight of the semifinals, as Team Cormier’s Daniil Donchenko faces Team Sonnen’s Matt Dixon!

    Also, UFC Hall of Famer and TUF season two winner Rashad Evans visits to help Team Sonnen in their training session!

    What will happen next week? Join alongside us then for the final TUF episode of the season!

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

  • “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!

  • Dana White praises Hulk Hogan following his death aged 71

    Dana White praises Hulk Hogan following his death aged 71

    UFC boss Dana White has praised Hulk Hogan in the wake of his passing at the age of 71.

    As we know, Dana White has been a big supporter of US president Donald Trump over the years. Another man who has jumped on that train in recent times is Hulk Hogan, the legendary figure from the world of professional wrestling. This has led to a few interactions between the two, which makes sense, given that they’ve both been under the TKO umbrella that is home to UFC and WWE.

    Unfortunately, news broke yesterday that Hogan had passed away at the age of 71. This led to an outpouring of reactions from the pro wrestling and MMA community – both positive and negative, depending on your perception of his incredibly controversial past.

    In a recent interview, Dana White gave his own thoughts on the impact Hogan had on his own life.

    Dana White reacts to Hulk Hoganโ€™s passing

    “I’m 55 years old, so I grew up right in that (time) when the WWF was massive and Hulk was becoming a really big star,” White said on FOX News. “I watched the WWF back then, and I was a Hulk Hogan fan.”

    “When I got there, they walked me literally right into a holding room where they had me and Kid Rock,” White said. “On the way to my room, Hulk Hogan grabbed me and asked me if he could talk to me privately for a second. He pulled me aside, and you know, I’ll never forget that conversation that we had that night. He was a good man, he was special. He loved the president and obviously, he loved America.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • “The John McEnroe of Pickleball” – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 9 Recap

    “The John McEnroe of Pickleball” – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 9 Recap

    Welcome, everyone, to the ninth 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 final first-round matchup of the season, a highly-anticipated grudge match between Team Cormier’s Rodrigo Sezinando and Team Sonnen’s Diego Bianchini. Sezinando scored a strong victory from a dominant second round to secure the final welterweight semifinal spot.

    Recap of The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 – Episode 9

    The semifinals begin tonight with a flyweight clash between Alibi Idiris of Team Cormier and Roybert Echerverria of Team Sonnen. One of these two will secure the first spot in the TUF Finale fights, held during the prelims for UFC 319 next month!

    Also, Cormier and Sonnen play pickleball tonight in this season’s Coaches’ Challenge!

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

    Coaches Challenge

    $10,000 on the line for the coaches and $1,500 for the fighters as Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen play pickleball. And after a suggestion from Joseph Morales on Team Sonnen to make it $20,000 for the coaches (in recognition for 20 years of TUF), White decides the fighters will earn $2,500 each.

    It’s the best-of-3 match with the first to 11 points winning a game.

    Game 1 is all about learning the rules, including Cormier calling himself “The John McEnroe of Pickleball,” getting into it with the refs as he commits foot fouls. Cormier wins the game 11-6.

    Game 2 sees Cormier commit foot foul after foot foul…but Sonnen just doesn’t have it, even despite a late rally. Cormier wins again 11-6, and he takes the match.

    Alibi Idiris Fight Prep

    Cormier feels Idiris is a favorite on Team Cormier and that his style will be perfect to beat Echerverria. Idiris says he respects Echerverria but feels he knows Echerverria’s style of big blows. Idiris says he needs to create pressure and strike more, making use of his elbows, knees, and general offensive production.

    Cormier agrees that Idiris has to pressure and cannot let Echerverria get comfortable. Cormier adds praise for Idiris’ cardio.

    Team Sonnen Training Session

    Colby Covington says he sees members of the team not taking training seriously, comparing to the sprints he saws during Team Cormier’s practice. Covington tries to fire up the guys — “We’re not here to dress. We’re here to win championships!” and to get them “comfortable with the uncomfortable.”

    Sonnen praises Covington’s leadership, especially as he sees a newfound energy from the team the rest of practice.

    Roybert Echerverria Call Home

    Just like previous seasons, semifinalists are allowed to call home.

    Echerverria says he knew he needed the phone call but didn’t know how much it did. “It gave me extra strength, extra everything.”

    Echerverria admits that he feels like he is going to come out of TUF a different person than he was entering the season.

    Alibi Idiris Phone Call Home (…Or does he?)

    Idiris discusses his big family, who Idiris says he misses very much, but he has declined White’s offer to the TUF semifinalists.

    “I don’t want to be impacted by my emotions,” Idiris says. “I understand that I need to work harder; they’re counting on my victory.”

    Team Sonnen Training Session – Julianna Pena Joins

    Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion, and winner of The Ultimate Fighter season 18 — as well as a TUF 30 coach — Julianna Pena, joins Team Sonnen for a training session.

    Pena says winning TUF and going on to win a UFC title changed her life. Pena says the guys will never get another opportunity to just focus on themselves as a fighter, so they should make the most of it.

    Matt Dixon describes Julianna Pena as a “woman of confidence.” Pena tells Echerverria he needs to focus and make this moment, adding that she wants another Venezuelan TUF champion to go onto UFC success.

    Roybert Echerverria Fight Prep

    Sonnen says Echerverria has done everything right, with the perfect attitude.

    Echerverria says he’s going to walk Idiris down and Idiris will try to shoot just to neutralize him. Sonnen, who says he has a fear of Idiris, tells Echerverria to stay disciplined and stick with his gameplan.

    Sonnen says Echerverria’s keys to victory will be his conditioning and his high-level grappling.

    “He’s got the mental toughness, he’s got a drive, and he’s got a reason to fight,” Sonnen said.

    Echerverria says he will look to pressure Idiris and make him gas out.

    The Fight: Alibi Idiris vs. Roybert Echerverria

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

    Idiris weighs in at 125.5. Echerverria weighs in at 126. The fight is on!

    Tumelo Manyamala says Idiris has the cardio and is “next level” as a fighter. He feels Idiris will be able to pressure Echerverria.

    Joseph Morales says Echerverria is a well-rounded fighter with great grappling, who will probably pressure and submit Idiris.

    Alibi Idiris vs. Roybert Echerverria

    Round 1

    Low kick from Idiris. Round kick to the body by Echerverria. Idiris with a right hand. Idiris misses on a combination, and Cormier tells him to settle. Cormier tells him to be patient. Front kick by Echerverria is blocked. Echerverria with some solid side-stepping. Echerverria avoids the pressure and lands a combination. Round kick from Idiris. Idiris with a right hand as Cormier tells him to keep the pressure.

    Body punch by Echerverria. Right hand from Idiris. Idiris pressures Echerverria to the fence, but Echerverria lands a combination. Idiris looks for a takedown, but Echerverria gets away. It happens a second time. Idiris misses a jumping punch attack. Round kick by Idiris. Idiris with some spinning attacks. Idiris with a right hand again.

    Strong body punch by Echerverria. Idiris goes for another takedown, but Echerverria avoids it. Cormier tells him to pressure again and to use his kicks. Echerverria lands to the body, and Sonnen tells him to continue. Right hand by Echerverria as Idiris starts pressuring again. Body kick by Idiris. Echerverria goes in, but Idiris prevents it. Idiris pressures Echerverria into the fence, and after some struggle, he’s able to get Echerverria down.

    Echerverria goes for a sudden triangle choke, but Idiris escapes it quickly! Idiris lands a flying knee to Echerverria! A couple of follow-up shots, and despite some protest from Echerverria, the fight ends in the closing seconds of the first round!

    Winner: Alibi Idiris via first-round TKO

    Conclusion

    Cormier says Echerverria is better than he thought, thanks to his strong strikes and takedown defense. Sonnen says Echerverria didn’t live up to the gameplan, not changing elevation when Idiris came after him. Cormier adds that Idiris used punches to eventually secure the takedown.

    White says that when Echerverria scrambled to his feet, he left himself open, allowing for the knee to land.

    Idiris is so happy and gives thanks to Echerverria. Idiris tells White that he’s the next flyweight star, and that his name will be remembered. Echerverria’s coaches tell him he did everything great; he just got unlucky thanks to Idiris’ perfect timing.

    Next week’s welterweight semifinal will see Team Cormier’s Jeff Creighton and Rodrigo Sezinando square off in a teammate battle.

    Also next week, Sonnen takes his team out in Las Vegas to see Criss Angel.

    What will happen next week? Join alongside us then!

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

  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira 2, Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen, Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr Announced For UFC 320

    Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira 2, Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen, Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr Announced For UFC 320

    While there will be no UFC pay-per-view in September, the UFC is loading up the card for what will hopefully be a memorable night of action in Las Vegas on October 4 with UFC 320.

    UFC CEO and President Dana White took to Instagram Live on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 22, to confirm the leading bouts for the card.

    The main event will be a UFC light heavyweight championship rematch between defending champion Magomed Ankalaev and former champion Alex Pereira. The two clashed for the championship back at UFC 313 in March, with Ankalaev pulling off the upset and claiming the gold.

    Ankalaev has not lost a fight in MMA since dropping his UFC debut. Ankalaev has won three straight, knocking out Johnny Walker and scoring a decision over Aleksandar Rakic before the win over Pereira.

    Pereira had won five straight before losing to Ankalaev. After defeating Jiri Prochazka for the then-vacant gold at UFC 295, Pereira defended the light heavyweight title three times in 2024, scoring finishes over Jamahal Hill, Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree Jr.

    Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2 To Be Led In By Dvalishvili vs. Sandhagen & Prochazka vs. Rountree

    The UFC 320 co-main event will see the bantamweight title on the line as Merab Dvalishvili defends against No. 3 contender Cory Sandhagen.

    Dvalishvili claimed the title at Noche UFC 2: UFC 306 with a win over Sean O’Malley. He has since retained the title against both Umar Nurmagomedov and O’Malley in 2025. Sandhagen has won four of five since falling short in a 2021 interim title fight with Petr Yan, capped off by a finish of former flyweight champ Deivesion Figueiredo in May.

    The previously mentioned Prochazka and Rountree Jr will also be featured at UFC 320, as they will take on one another. Both men come into this fight off wins over the aforementioned Jamahal Hill this year, with Prochazka finishing Hill at UFC 311 in January and Rountree sweeping the cards against Hill in the main event of UFC Baku last month.

    White also confirmed the previously reported UFC 321 main event scheduled for later in October — a heavyweight title clash between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane.

  • ‘Disappointed’ Jon Jones Breaks Silence After Dana White Calls Him A ‘Risk’ For UFC White House Event

    ‘Disappointed’ Jon Jones Breaks Silence After Dana White Calls Him A ‘Risk’ For UFC White House Event

    Jon Jones isnโ€™t exactly pleased with Dana Whiteโ€™s dismissal of his UFC White House return plans.

    Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to celebrate Americaโ€™s 250th Independence Day with a major UFC event on the White House lawn in July 2026.

    The news quickly caught the attention of Jones, who had retired just weeks earlier. The former two-division UFC champion announced his plans to make a comeback and revealed he had re-entered the promotionโ€™s drug testing pool, intent on competing on the historic card.

    Image: @jonnybones/Instagram

    However, during the UFC 318 post-fight press conference on Saturday, White was asked if he would consider โ€œBonesโ€ for the proposed White House event. The UFC CEO promptly shut down the idea, citing Jon Jonesโ€™ troubled past as the reason he couldnโ€™t be trusted to headline such a high-profile occasion.

    “Itโ€™s not even about him winning the belt,” White said. “You know how I felt about him. I just canโ€™t risk putting him in big positions in a big spot and have something go wrong, especially the White House card.”

    Jon Jones Reacts After Dana White Rules Him Out Of UFC White House Event

    In the wake of Dana Whiteโ€™s decision to dismiss the possibility of his return for the proposed UFC White House event, Jon Jones took to social media on Sunday to respond.

    “Bones” voiced his disappointment in the UFC CEOโ€™s doubts about his dependability, but affirmed that heโ€™s continuing to train and preparing for any opportunity that comes his way.

    โ€œI heard the comments made at last nightโ€™s press conference,โ€ Jones Jones wrote on X. โ€œWhile I was a little disappointed, Iโ€™m still in the UFCโ€™s drug-testing pool, staying sharp, and continuing to train like a professional. Iโ€™ll be ready for whatever comes next.

    “In a recent interview, I shared that the opportunity to fight at the White House gave me something deeper to fight for, a โ€˜whyโ€™ that goes beyond paychecks or belts. Fighting for my country gives me a greater purpose!

    โ€œThe silver lining in all this is knowing the fans see my heart. They see, I am ready and willing to take on anyone, to represent my country on a historic stage. For me, itโ€™s never been just about the opponent. Iโ€™m chasing legacy, something timeless, something bigger than the moment.

    โ€œSo for now, Iโ€™ll keep grinding, stay patient, and stay faithful. Iโ€™m ready to fight on July 4th.โ€

    Jon Jones last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 309 in November 2024, where he successfully defended his heavyweight title for the first time with a third-round knockout of former champion Stipe Miocic.

    โ€œBonesโ€ was locked in a heated rivalry with Tom Aspinall, with fans eagerly calling for a title unification bout. However, the matchup never materialized, as Jones repeatedly questioned Aspinallโ€™s legitimacy as a worthy challenger.

    Jon Jones
    Image: Jon Jones on Instagram
  • Is Dana White Good For Boxing? Former Champion Says He Will Not Help The Sport

    Is Dana White Good For Boxing? Former Champion Says He Will Not Help The Sport

    Former boxer George Groves has given his thoughts on whether or not UFC boss Dana White would be good for the sport.

    As we know, Dana White’s first love in combat sports was boxing. He attempted to break in many years ago but instead, opted to go down the path of mixed martial arts. Ever since then, he’s helped grow the Ultimate Fighting Championship to a point where they are now considered to be one of the biggest sporting organizations in the world – and financially, that certainly isn’t an exaggeration.

    In addition to that, Dana White is still very interested in the idea of getting into the boxing market. He’s dipped his toe in before but now, it seems like he’s more serious than ever. During a recent Q&A event with Midnite, George Groves gave his thoughts on the UFC’s model and White as a whole.

    George Grovesโ€™ view on Dana White

    โ€œI always look at boxing from the boxerโ€™s point of view and not the fanโ€™s point of view. To get the very best fights you have to build fighters properly to get them being at their very best.

    โ€œSo all these โ€˜Records donโ€™t matter, put them in early,โ€™ you ruin fighters by putting them in early in too tougher tests or 50/50 fights. Someoneโ€™s going to suffer.

    โ€œThe money that the UFC fighters are paid compared to boxers is incomparable – itโ€™s peanuts. Thatโ€™s why anyone that gets a big enough name in the UFC transitions over to boxing like Conor McGregor or what not.

    โ€œI wouldnโ€™t say he is good for boxing, but thatโ€™s from a boxerโ€™s point of view and not a fanโ€™s point of view. But I donโ€™t think heโ€™ll be able to complete boxing, I donโ€™t think anyone can.โ€

    Quotes via Midnite

  • Jon Jones Explains Decision To Unretire: “To Be Able To Entertain The Country, And The World…At The White House…”

    Jon Jones Explains Decision To Unretire: “To Be Able To Entertain The Country, And The World…At The White House…”

    The saga of Jon Jones’ retirement and unretirement decision has been one that stretched back to when it was debated if he’d retire after facing Stipe Miocic — and it’s ongoing in the wake of his decision to unretire just two weeks after doing so and giving up the UFC heavyweight championship.

    And now, Jones has publicly given an explanation for his decision to both retire and unretire quickly.

    Jones was present at ESPN’s ESPY Awards show on July 16 and appeared on the red carpet. It was at the event’s Red Carpet show where Jones gave an interview, allowing him to give insight on his decision.

    Ultimately, Jones says it boils down to feeling like he had accomplished everything in the sport — until U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a UFC card at the White House next year as part of the U.S. Semiquincentennial.

    “I felt like I was at a place where I’ve done it all in the MMA space and felt like there wasn’t too many more challenges for me,” Jones told ESPN. “I just wanted to do something more than championships and money — and Donald Trump mentioned that he wanted to have a fight at the White House Garden, and that just seems like such a huge opportunity.”

    Jon Jones Confirms His Intention To Compete On UFC White House Card

    Following Trump’s announcement of a UFC White House card, UFC officials would confirm the plan was being explored. In the days since, UFC CEO and President Dana White has confirmed such plans are in motion. White has promised to bring the “baddest” and most anticipated UFC pay-per-view card ever next July 4.

    While logistics for the event still have to be worked out, White has mentioned that he sees a long-overdue fight between Jones and Aspinall as a “dream main event” for the card.

    Conor McGregor has also thrown his name in the hat for the White House UFC event, and White has stated he would get both a Jones fight and McGregor fight on this kind of card.

    “I’m a very proud American,” Jones said. “I have a lot of close friends that are in the military, and this is my act of — I can’t call it service — but just to be able to entertain the country and the world at this level at the White House. It just means the world to me. So I’m back.”

    Jones became UFC heavyweight champion at UFC 285 by defeating Ciryl Gane for the then-vacant title, and he retained the championship against Miocic at UFC 309. Jones and Miocic were scheduled to face off originally at UFC 295 before Jones suffered a torn pec. Instead, Aspinall won the interim heavyweight title at that event — and then retained the interim gold against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.

    Negotiations between Jones and Aspinall had been ongoing and seemed to be near completion until Jones’ retirement announcement. Aspinall was then named the new UFC heavyweight champion at the UFC Baku post-fight press conference last month.

    Of course, Jones is also dealing with recent legal troubles stemming from a February car accident.

  • ‘This Is Fun To Him, This Is Life To You’ – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 8 Recap

    ‘This Is Fun To Him, This Is Life To You’ – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 8 Recap

    Welcome, everyone, to the eighth 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 final flyweight matchup of the season, with Team Cormier’s frustrations continuing and Team Sonnen seeming to have turned the tide with Roybert Echeverria defeating Tumelo Manyamala.

    Recap of The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 – Episode 8

    The first round concludes with the last welterweight semifinal spot on the line tonight in a grudge match! Two men who haven’t gotten along well during their time in the TUF House — Team Cormier’s Rodrigo Sezinando and Team Sonnen’s Diego Bianchini — will finally throw down!

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

    Team Cormier Training Session — Yair Rodriguez Joins

    Michael Chiesa is back. Daniel Cormier is absent from the session, and Chiesa introduces former UFC interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez, A previous TUF: Latin America winner, to join for the team’s training session.

    Rodriguez tells the cast to remember to enjoy the moment — and that while TUF is a competition, it’s also a brotherhood. He then leads the team through some clinch techniques.

    Jeff Creighton said Rodriguez has “layers to his game” and Rodriguez gave a “masterclass elbows seminar” in the sport.

    Diego Bianchini Backstory

    Bianchini grew up, and still lives, in Sao Paulo, Brazil and currently lives with his parents. He describes himself as spoiled to have his family and pets, as well as living in a quiet environment.

    Bianchini says growing up in Brazil, you either play soccer or fight, and he knew that he was always going to be in the UFC.

    Bianchini, who is 9-1, trains at the Fighting Nerds alongside Caio Borralho and Jean Silva. Borralho describes Bianchini as a good guy to train with and praises his talent, claiming “The Brazilian Bad Boy” (Bianchini’s self-proclaimed alter-ego) will be in the TUF Finale.

    Rodrigo Sezinando Backstory

    We see some of Sezinando’s homesickness on display, looking at a photo of his mom and feeling awful for not being able to afford to see her. Sezinando went as far as to say his mom “doesn’t know if he’s alive or not” but promises to make her proud of him.

    Sezinando was born in Rio De Janeiro, raised by his mom. His mom talks on camera, saying how he fights for her. She says, “His battle is ours, too. I love my son very much and that’s how it is.”

    Sezinando says he grew up in a simple life in a place that isn’t the safest — and so he joined a gym for self-defense.

    Sezinando is in Vancouver now after competing for Battlefield Fight League. He moved to Canada with just $200 to his name, and he hopes to use his family’s support to fuel his dream.

    Diego Bianchini Fight Prep

    Bianchini gives Sonnen praise for his guidance. Bianchini says he recognizes Sezinando’s jiu-jitsu but promises to dominate him in the cage. He then works with Sonnen on takedown techniques and with other coaches on striking.

    Bianchini wants to strike without taking damage. “Nobody can read me,” he says.

    Sonnen feels Sezinando can’t keep up with Bainchini, who he says will weaponize pace. Sonnen feels Sezinando might come out with fury and will be dangerous in the first but won’t win a second or third round.

    Bianchini says Sezinando has been talking crap and promises to show what “The Brazilian Bad Boy” can do.

    Rodrigo Sezinando Fight Prep

    Sezinando says he is going to use his striking to tire Bianchini out. Sezinando wants to knock Bianchini out given their history.

    “My ego has to stay outside,” he says, promising if jiu-jitsu opens up, that’s what he’ll do to get the win.

    Cormier says he isn’t sure how Bianchini will be able to take Sezinando down. Cormier says Bianchini is sloppy with takedowns; however, he’s fearful that Sezinando will go wild and sloppy when he spots openings. Cormier, however, tells the camera that he thinks Sezinando can put Bianchini away with his striking.

    Sezinando says his heart and his fight IQ are his biggest positives as a fighter.

    Cormier adds to the fire by saying to think about his motivations – “This is fun to him, this is life to you.”

    TUF House

    Tumelo Manyamala says this is a fight everyone in the house has wanted to happened.

    Bianchini claims Sezinando knows he loves him, seemingly trying to get under Sezinando’s skin. Sezinando says “Don’t worry. I will take care of you.”

    Bianchini says Sezinando is a farce of an individual. Sezinando says Bianchini doesn’t understand how hard it is to move away from his family and sacrifice everything.

    Bianchini says Sezinando doesn’t like successful people, but he himself “doesn’t like haters.”

    The Fight: Rodrigo Sezinando vs. Diego Bianchini

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

    Both men weigh in at 170.5. The fight is on! And, of course, we get an intense staredown!

    Roybert Echeverria says this will be the fight of the season. Jeff Creighton says he told Sezinando to control his emotions to be the better fighter and winner.

    Rodrigo Sezinando vs. Diego Bianchini

    Round 1

    Bianchini comes right out the gate with a round kick. Another spinning kick but it misses! Low kicks from both men. Round kick by Bianchini. He misses another spin kick, and Sezinando takes him down! Cormier telling Sezinando to flatten him. Bianchini tries for a leg lock, but Sezinando gets the fight back to the feet. Sezinando misses a spin kick now! Flying knee from Bianchini! Low kick from Bianchini. It’s a leg kick battle here. Another one from Bianchini. Sezinando stops the takedown attempt and adds a low kick. Round kick from Bianchini lands. Sezinando goes for a clinch, but Bianchini tries to control it until a quick separation. Kick lands low and we get a timeout.

    Fight resumes, and Bianchini doesn’t get all of a spin kick. Sezinando goes big on his strikes and gets clinched to the wall briefly. Bianchini can’t get a takedown, and Sezinando tosses him down, adding a couple of strikes for good measures before he lets Bianchini up. Low kick from Sezinando. One-two from Bianchini. Sezinando lands a combination that HURTS Bianchini! Bianchini is able to get Sezinando to the fence. Bianchini continues to hold. The ref calls for activity with about 85 seconds left in the round, and Sezinando is able to reverse the position. Sezinando lands a knee. He adds a left hand on the separation.

    Knee from Bianchini. Overhand right catches Sezinando now! Sezinando pressures and throws a high kick! Spin kick lands to the back of the head of Sezinando. Strong left hand from Sezinando. Sezinando clinches Bianchini against the fence for the last 10 seconds.

    Round 2

    Bianchini with a front kick and a right hand. Low kick from Bianchini, followed by a blocked high kick. Sezinando responds with kicks of his own. Bianchini lands a jab but his high kick is blocked. Bianchini goes for a takedown, but Sezinando stuffs it and gets him down! A couple of elbows from Sezinando. And another. Bianchini tries to get his legs up, but Sezinando works around them, staying on top of Bianchini. Sezinando covering Bianchini’s mouth. Activity slows. Sonnen trying to get Bianchini to work. Cormier telling Sezinando to stay on him.

    Sezinando with more punches. Bianchini tries for another leg lock, but Sezinando gets away from it. He returns to the ground, working in Bianchini’s guard. Sezinando lands another couple of shots. Sonnen questions if Bianchini really wants the win, urging him to get up. Sezinando lands a couple of elbows, with his coaches urging to continue to beat him up. Another elbow from Sezinando. And another. This is a complete smothering as compared to the first round. Left hand lands. Another couple of elbows. More ground-and-pound from Sezinando.

    No third round needed! Sezinando wins the rivalry!

    Winner: Sezinando via unanimous decision after two rounds

    Conclusion

    Cormier says Bianchini came out crazy, but Sezinando mostly “stayed true to who he was.” Sonnen says he felt bad for Bianchini because he had pressure in being “the baddest dude” — as did Sezinando. Dana White says when a fight hype like this happens, the fight usually doesn’t live up to the hype.

    Cormier says Sezinando fought a “beautiful” first round and then in the second, got a takedown and “beat the crap out of” Bianchini. White says Sezinando didn’t want to take a risk and dominated — alas, not a fun way to close out the quarterfinals.

    Sezinando expresses excitement for the win, but the two hugged it out in the cage, seemingly putting the bad blood behind them. Bianchini says Sezinando earned his respect and that he was the better fighter tonight. “It is what it is,” Sezinando says. “The Brazilian Bad Boy” will be back.”

    Semi-Finals Decisions

    White will not join Cormier and Sonnen this season. The two coaches will hear from the fighters and they alone will make this season’s TUF semis.

    Here were the fighters’ remarks:

    • Joseph Morales of Team Sonnen says he wants to fight Imanol Rodriguez.
    • Imanol Rodriguez of Team Cormier wants Roybert Echerverria.
    • Echerverria of Team Sonnen wants Alibi Idiris.
    • Idiris of Team Cormier says he also wants Echerverria.
    • Creighton of Team Cormier says if put in the position where he’d have to fight a teammate, he’d want to fight Sezinando.
    • Morales adds in the idea of him fighting Sezinando as well.
    • Sezinando says he’s interested in facing Matt Dixon.
    • Daniil Donchenko of Team Cormier says he puts his trust in the coaches.

    Ultimately, the following semi-finals are announced:

    Flyweight: Alibi Idiris (Team Cormier) vs. Roybert Echerverria (Team Sonnen)

    Flyweight: Imanol Rodriguez (Team Cormier) vs. Joseph Morales (Team Sonnen)

    Welterweight: Matt Dixon (Team Sonnen) vs. Daniil Donchenko (Team Cormier)

    Welterweight: Jeff Creighton (Team Cormier) vs. Rodrigo Sezinando (Team Cormier)

    Cormier says he feels Idiris is ready for the UFC right now, and Echerverria is better than what he showed in the quarterfinals.

    Sonnen feels Morales, based on his previous UFC experience, is the best fighter in the competition. Morales and Rodriguez share some intense words.

    Sonnen says Dixon could knock everyone out in the competition, but the fight with Donchenko will be “brutal.”

    Cormier feels Sezinando was the best fighter entering the competition; however, Creighton has showed the biggest improvements of anyone. The two fighters face off, with Sezinando affirming Creighton’s claim “You knew this would happen.” Sezinando says the two can share food after the fight.

    Cormier and Sonnen play pickleball for this season’s Coaches’ Challenge next week!

    Idiris vs. Echerverria is the first semi to go down!

    What will happen next week? Join alongside us then!

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

  • Dana White teases big new UFC TV rights deal

    Dana White teases big new UFC TV rights deal

    UFC boss Dana White has spoken about the promotion’s potential new TV rights deal as we get closer and closer to finding out who they’ll sign with.

    For the longest time now, the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been on the rise. While it sometimes may not feel that way when it comes to the actual product, their finances suggest that they’re doing incredibly well – which is something that Dana White likes to remind us about on a regular basis.

    Dana White is the face of the UFC in more ways than one and he’ll likely be having a big role in negotiations for the next TV rights deal. Their current partnership is with ESPN, and while staying with them is certainly on the table, there are rumors flying around about several other potential homes for the UFC – including Netflix.

    Dana White discusses TV rights deal

    โ€œThe worldโ€™s going to change a lot in the next year with our rights deals,โ€ White told the Full Send podcast. โ€œDepending on where we end up, but more than likely, weโ€™re going to end up with a platform that is way more global than we are now.โ€

    โ€œThereโ€™s nothing. I donโ€™t have anything right now,โ€ White said about the new broadcast rights deal. โ€œWeโ€™re in the middle of talks. Weโ€™ll see how it plays out. Literally have zero info on that right now.โ€

    โ€œEvery year that weโ€™ve done a deal โ€” if you think about it, Spike TV we started,โ€ White said. โ€œFrom there, we went to Fox. From there, we went to ESPN. Weโ€™ve leveled up every single time and it made the sport bigger and bigger and bigger.โ€

    Quotes via MMA Fighting

  • Pay-Per-View Might Be Over for the UFC Dana White Hints โ€œPay television is dying” Teases Major Streaming Shift

    Pay-Per-View Might Be Over for the UFC Dana White Hints โ€œPay television is dying” Teases Major Streaming Shift

    The UFC is entering a critical period with its broadcasting rights, as widespread speculation continues about the organizationโ€™s next major distribution partner. UFCโ€™s current contract with ESPN, which began in 2019, is approaching its conclusion, prompting industry watchers to analyze possible shifts – including a significant move to a streaming-first platform like Netflix.

    Dana White on the UFC Broadcast Future

    UFC President Dana White has acknowledged the rapidly changing media landscape and signaled that a major shift could be on the horizon. โ€œThe world’s going to change a lot in the next year with our rights deals. Depending on where we end up, I mean, but more than likely we’re going to end up with a platform that is way more global than we are now,โ€ White said in a recent media appearance.

    The UFCโ€™s television journey has historically followed industry trends: beginning on Spike TV, then moving to Fox, and most recently signing with ESPN. In Whiteโ€™s words, โ€œEvery year that we’ve done a deal, if you think about Spike TV, we started, from there, we went to Fox, from there we went to ESPN, it’s just we’ve leveled up every single time and made the sport bigger and bigger and bigger.โ€

    Netflix

    Rumors about Netflix emerging as a leading candidate for the UFCโ€™s broadcast rights have gained traction, driven by the streaming giantโ€™s expansion into live sports. Netflixโ€™s increasing investment in live events, including recent deals with other sports leagues, has led analysts to believe that UFC could be a valuable addition to its content lineup. For UFC, a deal with Netflix would present opportunities to tap into the platformโ€™s extensive global reach, which aligns with Whiteโ€™s vision for the organizationโ€™s continued international growth.

    Photo by Tim Wheaton

    Addressing the shift from traditional pay television, White commented, โ€œPay television is dying quickly. Satellite’s dying quickly. These streaming services โ€ฆ Netflix, their stock is higher than it’s ever been. They’re killing it.โ€ He also stressed the scale of change ahead: โ€œThe worldโ€™s going to change a lot when we do our next rights deal. While we’re in this deal, the world will completely change by the time we come out the other side of that deal.โ€

    If a deal is struck with a major streaming service like Netflix, the impact would not be limited to distribution alone. The pay-per-view model, long a central revenue stream for the UFC, could be fundamentally altered. Negotiations, according to insiders, also include scenarios in which UFC content could appear on multiple platforms, not exclusively Netflix.

    UFC
    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)

    The next broadcast partner is expected to play a substantial role in the UFCโ€™s global audience growth. โ€œThere’s obviously certain platforms that could really even just grow the UFC even more, right? Which would be insaneโ€ฆ reach more people,โ€ White noted.

    Dana White
    Image: WikiMedia Commons
  • Dana White Confirms Jon Jones Unretiring While Revealing ‘Dream Main Event’ For White House Card

    Dana White Confirms Jon Jones Unretiring While Revealing ‘Dream Main Event’ For White House Card

    When the idea of a UFC event at the White House was first announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, and later confirmed by UFC officials to media, fighters scrambled to get their name into the hat of potentially competing at such an event.

    One of those fighters was Jon Jones, who two weeks earlier had just announced his retirement from the sport of MMA, relinquishing the UFC heavyweight title in the process. This brought about an unclimactic ending to the long standoff of negotiations between he and then-interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who was promoted to undisputed champion immediately as Jones’ retirement was announced by UFC CEO and President Dana White.

    Now, during his recent appearance on the Full Send Podcast, White confirmed that despite the retirement announcement, Jones is already back.

    “He jumped back in the pool,” White confirmed.

    Dana White Says Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall Would Be ‘Dream’ White House Main Event, Suggests Jones And Conor McGregor Could Both Fight On Card

    Among the various questions about what could happen in one year’s time with the White House card — including how it would be set up, what the main event could be, and how it would affect the UFC’s yearly schedule — questions have also arose about what this means for the fate (once again) of a Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall matchup.

    Jones vs. Aspinall is one of the fresher matchups available for heavyweight — a UFC division most fans and pundits have widely agreed is one of the weakest, if not the weakest, in the promotion. And while Aspinall vs. Gane is also a fresh matchup, most of the other ranked contenders Aspinall has taken out in the first round in previous outings.

    It seems White agrees that Jones vs. Aspinall is still a possibility — even going as far as to say he could see it being a main event for the White House event.

    “My dream main event right now [for the White House card], would be Aspinall vs. Jones,” White said.

    Conor McGregor, who hasn’t fought since 2021, also has heavily promoted himself as being available for the card, going as far as to make a pitch to White in a DM that has been screenshotted and shared.

    When asked about the possibility of both men competing on the card, White was open to the idea, stating, “It’s possible.”

  • Dana White Confirms Plans For White House Card, Promises ‘Baddest’ PPV Fight Card Of All Time

    UFC officials have previously told reporters of the seriousness of plans to hold a card at the White House — first teased last week by United States President Donald Trump — during the Semiquincentennial celebrations for the U.S. next year.

    Now, the UFC boss is doubling down on those plans.

    UFC CEO and President Dana White confirmed in a recent appearance on the Full Send Podcast that he and his team have already begun to look at the logistics on how they can make such a card work and make it one of the biggest the UFC has ever produced.

    “We’re still a year away, so the whole UFC landscape will change over the next year,” White said. But, we will absolutely, positively put on the baddest card of all time. This is going to be an exceptional pay-per-view card.”

    Dana White Promises Major Pay-Per-View Card For White House Event In July 2026

    Trump’s announcement brought about several fighters publicly stating their desires to compete on such a card, including Conor McGregor and Jon Jones — with Jones even unretiring in his very next social media post.

    This has brought about questions amongst fans and pundits alike about the aspects for a UFC at the White House. These have included what would be an appropriate main event (and would it be worth sacrificing gate opposed to placing that fight elsewhere), what potential fighters (American or otherwise) could be on the card, if the card would be a pay-per-view or on free TV (or Netflix), how 2026 International Fight Week plans would be affected, and how 25,000 people can fit on the White House grounds.

    White’s conversation has brought about some answers. Firstly, as noted, White suggested the card would be a pay-per-view — though as of July 10, it’s still unclear who the UFC’s U.S. broadcaster, or broadcasters, will be for 2026 and beyond.

    White added that all tickets for the White House card would be compensatory — none for the public.

    “First of all, I don’t know how many people will get in, not to mention that the Secret Service won’t let many people attend. Everyone will need background checks,” White said. “Whoever gets to be there live will have a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience. While we’re filming, one side of the backdrop will be the White House and the other will be the Washington Monument.

    “I donโ€™t think weโ€™re going to sell tickets; it will all be comp tickets.โ€

    White added that even though the plans for such a noteworthy, unique event are in motion, he wasn’t aware Trump was going to announce anything when he did. He even added Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter, has been placed in charge of collaborating with White and the UFC production team for the event.

    “That day, we probably texted four or five times that day, and he never told me he was going to announce it. My team already went and walked the White House, we did all the logistics, and we’re putting together the layout for it right now, and will probably pitch it to him in a week or two.”

  • Why Are the World’s Biggest Fighters Scrambling to Be Part of a White House UFC Event? Jon Jones & Conor McGregor Want In

    The biggest talking point in the MMA world at the moment is not one that involves a particular fighter, but one that involves the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, and the potential of something historic that 30 years ago would have been a crazy pipedream.

    The U.S.’ Fourth of July celebrations this year marked the beginning of a year-long celebratory series of events that will lead to the country’s Semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the U.S. declaring its independence from Great Britain.

    During one of this year’s U.S. Independence Day events, Trump hyped up a vision of what he sees for next year’s grand celebration on July 4, 2026 (a Saturday). And Trump mentioned a UFC “fight” occuring on the lawn of the White House.

    Turns out, this isn’t just hearsay, as the UFC would confirm to reporters that while nothing is set in stone, plans are indeed in motion for a July 4, 2026 card to be held in the nation’s capital.

    Hours later, the likes of Conor McGregor and Jon Jones each posted to social media about interest in fighting on the card. This comes when McGregor hasn’t fought in the Octagon since 2021 and Jones announced a comeback after retiring and relinquishing the UFC heavyweight championship just two weeks earlier.

    With MMA insider and personality Ariel Helwani and his crew — Petersy Carroll, Conner Burks, and Eric Jackman — back in the studio earlier this week, the group discussed what such an event could mean, if such an event is possible, and why fighters are scrambling to be a part of the card.

    Is A UFC Card At The White House A Realistic Possibility? Who Would Be Part Of It?

    Helwani and the others weren’t in complete agreement on if the card actually happens; however, they were in agreement about the significance of such a card — and perhaps why fighters want in on this. A UFC event on White House grounds would mark one of, if not the, most visible and mainstream moments for the sport of MMA in its history.

    “It’d be the biggest spot MMA has ever been in, wouldn’t it?” said Petesy Carroll. “Could you imagine what that would look like in terms of a spectacle? Like we talked about the spectacle of the Sphere and stuff. Like, could you imagine that? The White House in the background with the Octagon.”

    In fact, as Helwani mentions, MMA was targeted by American politicians and banned in most states 30 years ago. An event in the capital of the United States, on one of the country’s most prominent landmarks, underscores just how far the UFC has come.

    “Ten years ago, it was still banned in New York,” Helwani said. “And to think that 10 years later — actually, the symbolism of [Trump] being elected the same week as the first show at MSG, 10 years later, an actual event at the White House — is pretty insane.”

    That said, question arose as to the logistics of putting on such a card. President Trump said he sees 25,000+ people on the White House grounds, with Helwani and company being very skeptical of such a sight with proper maximum security measures put in place.

    Scheduling also came into question, as while July 4, 2026, is a Saturday, it would put the event one week after the recent running dates of the UFC’s International Fight Week event (the last weekend of June). While some proposed the idea of moving International Fight Week to DC (which would be a whole other headache in itself) or re-scheduling International Fight Week, Helwani feels it’s doable to keep the week where it is and make what he would consider the most anticipated two-week period for the UFC.

    On that note, it brings up the question of what kind of an event a UFC White House card would be — a traditional pay-per-view, a prominent Fight Night card (on either Netflix or ABC, depending on if Netflix and/or ESPN get the UFC’s US TV rights for 2026 and beyond), or a small but meaningful card similar to what the UFC had went it first joined up with FOX in 2011.

    What Fighters Would Be Involved On A UFC White House Card?

    As mentioned, McGregor and Jones are the two most prominent names who volunteered for a card. And Carroll mentioned that despite circumstances and controversies surrounding both men, it’s not surprising that both have raised their hand — and that the two would be in consideration for such a unique event.

    “It doesn’t surprise me that likes Jones and Connor are suddenly interested in in being there,” Carroll said. “I mean, Connor had a massive PR pop when he arrived in the White House on St. Patrick’s Day — and [that] kind of became the catalyst for this political career he’s embarking on. So, I mean it would be a huge, huge deal.”

    While Carroll is more than skeptical of the idea, the Boys in the Back (Burks and Jackman) add that McGregor would bring a fitting boost to such a unique event, and that it would be a “perfect” time for him to fight Chandler — a fight that has been anticipated since 2023 before ultimately getting canceled in 2024.

    As far as Jones goes if there is one fight to make, Carroll feels there’s “one f****** fight to make” despite the Jones-Aspinall negotiations falling through officially with Jones’ brief retirement stint, which promoted Aspinall to undisputed champion.

    Debates went through the group, however, about if one of them should headline given their baggage, as well as McGregor not being an American (though Chandler is). It also sparks debate about what fighters (with Bo Nickal and Sean Strickland’s names thrown out there) could be on the card — and if the fighter selections would be based on name value, lack of controversy, etc. This also comes at a time where Kayla Harrison is the sole American champion in the UFC.

    A question was brought up additionally about if the UFC would be willing to sacrifice a high-revenue making fight like a Jones vs. Aspinall or McGregor vs. Chandler for the sake of the press they’d get for such a unique, historical, and political event.

  • 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 Dohaโ€™s ABHA Arena on November 22.

    The upcoming event will mark the UFCโ€™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

    ‘Weโ€™re Going Everywhere’ โ€“ Dana White Explains UFCโ€™s Move To Qatar

    During a press conference (via MMA Fighting) in New York on Wednesday, UFC CEO Dana White addressed the promotionโ€™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 promotionโ€™s first-ever event in Doha.

    “Weโ€™re going everywhere,โ€ White said. “Weโ€™re been in Abu Dhabi for a long time and weโ€™re starting to move around. Qatar is something weโ€™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 theyโ€™ve looked at Abu Dhabi and seen the success that theyโ€™ve had there and then Saudi [Arabia] and Azerbaijan. Iโ€™ve been wanting to go to Qatar for a long time and Iโ€™m looking forward to it.”

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

    ‘That’s Trashโ€ฆWas 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!

  • Jon Jones Announces He’s Re-Entered UFC Testing Pool Two Weeks After Retiring

    Jon Jones Announces He’s Re-Entered UFC Testing Pool Two Weeks After Retiring

    In what would be an insane plot twist to recent UFC events, former UFC two-division champion Jon Jones — just two weeks after announcing his official retirement from MMA — has announced he is coming out of retirement and re-entering the UFC’s drug testing pool.

    Jones announced the move himself on social media, stating “figured we’d keep everyone’s options open.”

    It appears the recent news of U.S. President Donald Trump’s desire to have a UFC card on the grounds of the White House next Fourth of July weekend — as part of the nation’s events to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday — may have hooked in Jones as well, based on a different social media post about 20 minutes prior.

    Conor McGregor previously posted to social media earlier in the day, teasing that such an event could be what brings him out of his long UFC hiatus, and perhaps finally to take on Michael Chandler.

    Jon Jones Announcing Reversal On Retirement Decision?

    This news comes on the heels of Jones announcing his retirement recently in what many thought marked the end of a long, drawn-out saga of fight negotiations between him and new undisputed UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

    There is a dispute over whether or not a fight between the two was nearly official prior to Jones’ retirement. Jones has claimed that a fight was never signed; meanwhile, UFC President Dana White claimed the fight had been signed and was to be announced — only for Jones to change his mind and retire, citing a lack of interest in competing. Jones made those remarks on a podcast appearance. MMA insider Ariel Helwani, meanwhile, claims White’s side to the story is the true sequence of events.

    After dominating the UFC’s light heavyweight scene throughout the 2010s, Jones relinquished the light heavyweight title in 2020 and took a three-year hiatus, coming back at UFC 285 to defeat Ciryl Gane for the UFC heavyweight title.

    He was scheduled to defend the title at UFC 295 against Stipe Miocic, but the fight was delayed one year after Jones tore his pec. The UFC elected not to strip Jones, with Aspinall winning the interim title at the card and making a rare defense of an interim belt, defeating Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. Jones went on to defeat Miocic at UFC 309.

    Jones has dealt with plenty of legal troubles over the years as well, and just hours after retiring, a report came out accusing Jones of leaving the scene of an accident this past February. Police alleged that, when speaking with Jones — after finding a woman naked from the waist down in a vehicle allegedly driven by Jones — Jones implied “his capacity to employ lethal force through third parties.”

  • Donald Trump Plans a UFC Match at the White House for Americaโ€™s Big Birthday, Conor McGregor Shows Interest In Michael Chandler Fight For Card

    Donald Trump Plans a UFC Match at the White House for Americaโ€™s Big Birthday, Conor McGregor Shows Interest In Michael Chandler Fight For Card

    July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the United States declaring independence from Great Britain. That particular date also falls on a Saturday, and while the UFC typically takes off for American Independence Day weekend, could a chance to be involved in Washington D.C.’s events alongside U.S. President Donald Trump cause a one-time change?

    It could be if Trump has his way. And perhaps that kind of event would be enough to draw a matchup, once thought to be dead in the water, involving MMA’s biggest star ever back to life.

    During an event on Thursday (July 3), Trump, at an event that marked a year-long celebration leading to the U.S.’ semiquincentennial, teased the idea of having a UFC event on the grounds of the White House, the residency of the U.S. President, during next year’s Independence Day events.

    “So every one of our national parks, battlefields and historic sites are going to have special events in honor of America 250,” Trump said. “And I even think weโ€™re going to have a UFC fight. “Think of this on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there.”

    According to the Associated Press, a spokesperson from the White House had no official details for such an event. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, however, claims the U.S. President is “dead serious” about it.

    Other logistics would also have to be worked out. The UFC has typically used the last weekend in June or the first or second weekend of July for it’s annual International Fight Week celebrations in Las Vegas.

    Trump and UFC President Dana White have enjoyed a long-standing friendship. The Trump Taj Mahal (now the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino) in Atlantic City, New Jersey, hosted a pair of UFC events in 2001 as Zuffa, the then-recent new owners of UFC, were getting their feet under them at the same time the UFC was working alongside athletic commissions to get professional MMA sanctioned.

    Since his first election to the presidency, Trump has been a key figure at several UFC events, most recently appearing at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey, last month.

    Could Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler Headline A Proposed UFC Event At The White House?

    Hours after Trump made the tease, Conor McGregor took to social media, announcing his desire to end his long layoff from the cage to compete in the main event of the White House’s UFC card. McGregor even posted an Instagram message to White, with White saying he “loves” the idea.

    McGregor has not been seen in the Octagon since losing his UFC 264 trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier due to injury.

    Hours after his initial posts, McGregor made another social media post, showing what appears to be an AI-rendered image of him and Michael Chandler facing off in suits on the White House, with President Trump smiling in the background.

    Neither Chandler nor the UFC have made an official statement on the White House event, let alone the potential McGregor vs. Chandler could headline such a card.

    McGregor and Chandler were initially scheduled to fight after the two coached season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2023. As time went on, no fight announcement happened, however, until White announced at the UFC 300 post-fight press conference that McGregor and Chandler would face off at UFC 303 — during 2024’s International Fight Week.

    The month of UFC 303, however, a press conference scheduled for Dublin was suddenly canceled at the eleventh hour, and the fight ended up dissolving. The official claim is a toe injury to McGregor, but some have speculated a contract dispute between McGregor and the UFC.

    McGregor, also a part-owner of BKFC, has two fights remaining on his current UFC deal, and some have speculated the UFC want McGregor to sign another deal and lock him up.

    McGregor, of course, has also dealt with his long list of controversies outside the cage, including a jury’s ruling last November implicating him in the alleged December 2018 sexual assault of a woman, Nikita Hand, in a Dublin hotel. Additionally, a video surfaced weeks ago of McGregor punching a man at a nightclub in Ibiza.

  • ‘If He Asks For A Fight…He Doesn’t Like His Life’ – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 6 Recap

    ‘If He Asks For A Fight…He Doesn’t Like His Life’ – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 6 Recap

    Welcome, everyone, to the sixth 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 flyweight matchup of the season, as Alibi Idiris continued Team Cormier’s winning streak, defeating Team Sonnen’s Furkatbek Yokubov.

    Recap of The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 – Episode 6

    Tonight’s matchup at welterweight will see Team Cormier’s Alex Sanchez taking on Team Sonnen’s Matt Dixon.

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

    TUF House

    Alibi Idiris gifts a Kazakh robe to Furkatbek Yokubov, calling him a respectable opponent he’s always looked to. Yokubov feels some shame in his performance but says he plans to show what more he can do.

    Diego Bianchini appears to be making fun of Team Cormier for not having a jiu-jitsu coach. That doesn’t still well with Rodrigo Sezinando, who starts to exchange words. Sezinando implies that no one cares about Bianchini.

    Sezinando makes a comment about his sole loss in Mexico, and that sets Bianchini off, claiming he was robbed. This results in a yelling match between the two, with Bianchini saying something about Sezinando’s only loss — and the tension continues to boil and boil. Sezinando says “You’re not a bad boy, you’re a playboy.” Bianchini calls Sezinando jealous, and Sezinando says he smells fear on Bianchini.

    “If he asks for a fight with me, he doesn’t like his life, dude,” Sezinando says. “Such a stupid idea.”

    Team Cormier Training Session – Rose Namajunas & Raquel Pennington Join

    Team Cormier introduces former UFC champions Rose Namajunas and Raquel Pennington, who were on seasons 20 and 18, respectively. Season 18 was the first TUF season to feature women — featuring Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate as coaches. Pennington lost to Jessica Rakoczy in the semifinals.

    Namajunas competed on season 20, which introduced the strawweight division to the UFC. Namajunas lost to Carla Esparza in the finals.

    Pennington tells the team to “Get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Namajunas adds to embrace everything that has gotten the fighters to this point and to have their “go-tos.”

    They lead the team through shadowboxing and other drills.

    Namajunas says TUF came at a perfect point in her life, while Pennington reflects on it being a pivotal part in her career — coming into the UFC at a time when women were first just entering the Octagon.

    Matt Dixon Fight Prep

    Dixon reflects on his appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series as a 9-0 fighter, taking on Orion Cosce. Dixon says he was winning the fight, but a failure to pace himself resulted in gassing out and getting finished. Dixon says the loss took out some of his joy in the sport, but he says that TUF will be what makes up for it.

    Sonnen calls Dixon “dog tough,” and Clayton Hires tells Sonnen that he sees something — a hunger, a spark — in Dixon’s eye. Mason Fowler added he’d “put money” on Dixon in this fight.

    Sonnen feels Dixon will be in control for all of the fight and can reach the finale; however, he has to pace himself in this fight.

    Dixon says he’s going to look to walk Sanchez down and pressure him into knocking Sanchez out.

    “You’re going to see kicks, dynamic footwork, dynamic movement.”

    Dixon says he predicts this fight to be an all-out striking war.

    Team Sonnen Training Session

    Sonnen’s longtime teammate, TUF 3 alumnus Ed Herman, joins to assist the team with their dirty boxing and striking training. He shows the team how to execute ground-and-pound by using the half-guard.

    “Nasty, dirty, kind of grind stuff to break guys down and finish them,” Herman said.

    Dixon calls Herman “brutal” with his ground-and-pound. Echerverria appreciates the opportunity to mix new-school and old-school striking techniques.

    Herman loves the opportunity to teach the next generation of MMA stars.

    Alex Sanchez Backstory

    Sanchez was born in Jalisco. He didn’t have time to train martial arts as a kid because of working from a young age. Sanchez, in fact, worked in the fields in the U.S. at a young age, and he used the money to eventually be able to pay for martial arts training. He shares this experience with Sezinando, who tells him “this is what makes us stronger.”

    Suarez lives in Mexico City and received a grant to train at the UFC Performance Institute there. “It has changed my life, and it’ll change the lives of many more.”

    Matt Dixon Backstory

    Dixon is asked about missing his family and missing (or not) the single life. Dixon introduces his wife and his young daughter, saying they are his greatest success. He adds having a daughter brought about new-found motivation in — something deeper he didn’t know he had.

    We see Dixon’s childhood home. His dad is a preacher, and his mom worked two job, so he admitted he and his two siblings were a little wild. Dixon would have a pair of boxing gloves and boxed with friends while struggling to stay focused in school.

    Dixon trains at the Hurricane Training Center with TUF alumnus Gerald Harris. Harris calls Dixon “the future” and “a great guy.”

    Caleb Benton, his boxing coach, says he’s seen Dixon battle through adversity and has the ability to win the TUF competition. Dixon says winning TUF means everything to him, otherwise he wouldn’t make the sacrifices he’s making.

    Alex Sanchez Fight Prep

    Sanchez describes himself as a striker with his eight KO/TKO wins — and he hasn’t lost since 2020.

    Sanchez feels he’ll be able to handle wherever the fight goes.

    Cormier says the fight is “tough” for him because he feels Sanchez cannot get pressured into the fence. Cormier says Sanchez needs to attack and back Dixon up and stop Dixon’s takedown attempts.

    Cormier says Sanchez has “serious pop in his hand.”

    Sanchez says he won’t be worried if Dixon wants to grapple or strike and feels he is the kind of fighter who can deliver a great knockout, this fight included. In fact, Sanchez calls Dixon “an average fighter” and that it’s Dixon’s turn to lose his dream.

    The Fight: Alex Sanchez vs. Matt Dixon

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

    Dixon weighs in at 171. Sanchez weighs in at 170.5. The fight is on!

    Dana White feels this will be an exciting fight, given that it is striker vs. striker.

    Andreeas Binder says Dixon is aggressive with his striking, and that Sanchez cannot start slow. Jeff Creighton says that Sanchez is tough and strikes heavy, and he says that if Sanchez can move and make Dixon miss, he has a good shot.

    Dixon says he wants to make things entertaining and that he will do “anything” to ensure he wins this fight. Sanchez says he fights for the people who believe in him and to build a legacy, looking to put on a show and represent Mexico well.

    Alex Sanchez vs. Matt Dixon

    Round 1

    Dixon comes forward. Sanchez with a one-two. Solid right hand from Dixon. Dixon fires off some strikes. One-two from Sanchez. Low kick from Sanchez. Dixon with a one-two. Dixon pressuring Sanchez. Sanchez with a low kick. Cormier calls for more calf kicks from Sanchez. Dixon with a left hand. Jabs from Dixon. Clinch now, and Dixon brings Sanchez toward the fence, landing an elbow in the process. One-two from Dixon after the break. Solid left hand from Sanchez.

    Right hand and a left from Dixon. Dixon works his punches. Strong hook from Sanchez. One-two from Sanchez. Body kick from Dixon. Low kick from Sanchez. Body kick from Sanchez. Overhand right from Sanchez. Right hand catches Sanchez clean. Sanchez lands a combination. Right hand from Dixon. Sanchez misses a right hook. Right hand lands for Sanchez. Left hand from Dixon. Another left hand from Dixon.

    Strong left hand DROPS SANCHEZ! Dixon with some follow-up ground-and-pound! The fight is over!

    The losing streak for Team Sonnen is over!

    Cormier is PISSED that Sanchez continuously backed up. “Of course you’re going to get caught.”

    Winner: Matt Dixon via first-round TKO

    Conclusion

    Cormier says that he told Sanchez to press and go forward, but he didn’t do that. Cormier says Sanchez didn’t listen to him and his team.

    Dana White said the fighters did as expected — keep the fight standing. White says Dixon controlled the pace and made Sanchez uncomfortable.

    Sonnen says Dixon landing to the body was what led Sanchez to drop his hands and set up the knockout shot.

    Cormier adds “you can’t run” when being in a fistfight like he and Dixon were in.

    Dixon calls the experience surreal and feels justified in being here and that he is a real threat, getting the job done on the biggest stage.

    Cormier tells Sanchez that his style doesn’t allow him to back up. “DON’T BACK UP!” he yells several times at Sanchez. “When we’re telling you something, listen! Simple concept, don’t back up. You got to f****** fight.”

    Sanchez feels disappointed in how he performed and can’t make excuses, but now he has to shake it off and go from here.

    With all other flyweight fighters having competed in their first-round matchups already, the next fight will see Team Cormier’s Tumelo Manyamala take on Team Sonnen’s Roybert Echerverria.

    The fighters will also get to experience the UFC Fight Pass Invitational next week, and former UFC middleweight champion and TUF: The Smashes winner Robert Whittaker joins Team Sonnen for a training session.

    What will happen next week? Join alongside us then!

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

  • ‘Remember My Name!’ – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 5 Recap

    ‘Remember My Name!’ – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 5 Recap

    Welcome, everyone, to the fifth 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 second welterweight matchup of the season, as Team Cormier’s Jeff Creighton defeated Team Sonnen’s Andreaas Binder, even after a weight disadvantage with Andreaas significantly missing weight.

    Recap of The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 – Episode 5

    Tonight’s matchup at flyweight will see Team Cormier’s Alibi Idiris will take on Team Sonnen’s Furkatbek Yokubov.

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

    TUF House

    Yokubov explains how his Islamnic faith ensures that he remains humble and stays driven, as well as the five times he and other Muslim combatants pray. He adds that while he dislikes having to fight someone he respect like Idiris, things change once the cage door closes.

    Team Cormier Training Session – Brandon Moreno Joins

    Brandon Moreno, an alumnus of season 24 of TUF, joins Team Cormier for their training. Moreno was the 16th ranked fighter of the season — featuring a collection of regional flyweight champions — losing to Alexandre Pantoja. Of course, Moreno would go past his projections and ended up becoming UFC flyweight champion on two occasions.

    Moreno tells the team that it doesn’t matter if they don’t come out on top in the end — it’s all about what they do in training in and after the competition.

    “If you lose, don’t stop working hard,” Moreno tells them. “It’s going to build you as a person and as a human being.”

    Moreno goes into the secrets of his boxing and footwork, as well as how he uses it to set up his wrestling.

    Alibi Idiris Backstory

    Idiris shows Danill a photo of his brother and his children. Idiris explains how hard it is to be away from them as he competes on the show, and how they’ve changed his life.

    Idiris grew up in Kazakhstan, in a small town called Aktobe. He lives with his parents, wife, and children. Idiris says when things get tough in camp or cutting weight, his children give him the motivation to keep going. Idiris explains he is a family-first individual and that they serve as his motivation.

    When not in training, Idiris likes to ride horses.

    Idiris explains that he joined an MMA gym one day and now has been fighting professionally for five years. We see footage of him training at Erkin Kush. Idiris hopes to show that even those who come from a small footage have the opportunities and abilities to do big things.

    Furkatbek Yokubov Fight Prep

    Uzbekistan’s Yokubov is a 15-4 fighter, who fights out of Dubai, who has good power and likes to use it to finish fights.

    We see footage of his quick fight from LFA 196, where he calls himself a high-level striker.

    Sonnen says this fight is interesting because the two have worked out before. Yokubov told him that while Idiris is the better grappler, he is the better striker. Yokubov adds that he’s watched Idiris fight before and knows the mistake he makes in the fight.

    Furkatbek Yokubov Backstory

    We see a photo of Yokubov’s father and daughter. He mentions how hard it is to be without methods to contact them and his wife.

    Yokubov was a kickboxing champion in 2013 before turning to MMA in 2016. Training out of TKMMA Fit, Yokubov says he is on a mission to become TUF champion, and then UFC champion.

    We see photos of his late mother, and Yokubov becomes emotional discussing her and her telling him on her deathbed to continue on and become a champion. Yokubov says he is going to win this fight for his family.

    Alibi Idiris Fight Prep

    Idiris gives a gift of a robe to Cormier, looking to represent himself and his country. Idiris calls him a “Kazakh gangster.” Cormier praises his personality and humility.

    Idiris is a striker who says he “loves knockouts” and is a former Naiza FC champion.

    Cormier tells Idiris that he has great cardio and will be his best weapon in this fight. Cormier calls him “the hardest working fighter” he’s ever coached in his two seasons of TUF.

    “You get a guy like that, with that effort, you’re drawn to him,” Cormier said.

    Idiris says he needs to look to pressure for 10 minutes and will find opportunities where he has “tricks up his sleeve.”

    “I’m going ahead with my dream,” he said.

    The Fight: Alibi Idiris vs. Furkatbek Yokubov

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

    Yokubov and Idiris both weigh in at 126. The fight is on!

    Dana White calls Yokubov a tough striker with a lot of experience and praises Idiris’ striking and wrestling.

    Yokubov smiles and tries to exchange a bit of talk with Idiris, who remains stoic. Idiris attributes Yokubov’s actions and words to nerves.

    Ryan Clark, a former Super Bowl champion and current ESPN commentator, comes in to the Team Cormier locker room to give a pep talk to the team.

    Clark says that moments like the fighters are experiencing only come around so often.

    “When you’re standing across from somebody whose goals directly impact yours, you got to make sure you say, ‘Only one of us can live this dream,’” Clark said.

    Alibi Idiris vs. Furkatbek Yokubov

    Round 1

    Low kick from Idiris to start. Idiris working short kicks early. Yokubov flashes a right. Low kick from Idiris. Combination from Yokubov. Idiris tries to come forward. Spinning kick misses by Idiris. Left hand from Yokubov. Idiris comes forward, urged by Cormier to bring pressure. Body kick by Idiris. Yokubov lands the right hand. Idiris comes forward, but Yokubov grabs a hold of him. He nearly gets Idiris to the fence before Idiris gets away. Left hook from Yokubov. A right hand gets Idiris to stumble back.

    Another body lock battle for control. A left hand sends Idiris down briefly. Right hand from Yokubov. Low kick from Yokubov. Right hand from Yokubov. Right hand from Idiris, but Yokubov lands a knee. Idiris encourages more pressure. Another body lock. Knee from Yokubov lands low. Brief break in the action before time resumes. Idiris scores a takedown. Yokubov quickly gets to his feet, but he’s still pinned against the fence. Knee to the body by Idiris, followed by a trip. Yokubov is harshly warned for grabbing the fence.

    Yokubov gets up but is warned again for grabbing the fence. Idiris trying for a takedown. Idiris gets to the back and starts to land ground-and-pound! Idiris looks for a choke before resuming his punches. Idiris continues to punch and look for a finish. Despite his chase, he doesn’t get the finish.

    Round 2

    Each man lands a job. Yokubov with a one-two. Left hand from Yokubov. Low kick from Yokubov. Idiris with a co,bination. Uppercut from Idiris. Idiris misses a spinning backfist. Right hand from Yokubov. One-two from Idiris. Left hand from Idiris. Knee to the body by Idiris. Right hand from Idiris. Elbow by Idiris. The referee calls a timeout for an eye poke.

    Cormier tells Idiris that Yokubov is breaking. The referee deducts one point for the eye poke.

    Front kick from Idiris. Combination from Yokubov. Knee from Idiris. Cormier yells at Idiris to focus on just winning the round. Yokubov warned for grabbing the cage. Idiris takes Yokubov down anyway and looks for a choke. He searches for an arm-triangle choke. Idiris looks like he’s squeezing. Yokubov says he’s okay. Idiris lets go of the choke and gets into mount again. Punches from Idiris, and the ref warns for back of the head punches. Cormier yells for a choke. Yokubov gets back to his feet but is returned to the mat by Idiris.

    A couple of shots from Idiris before Yokubov gets back to the feet. Idiris misses a high kick. Idiris misses a spinning attack. Combinations from Yokubov. Another body lock, and another takedown scored for Idiris. Idiris hunts for the choke again. Idiris is told by Cormier to go back to top control, and he does so, landing punches in bunches until the horn.

    Dominant performance from Idiris, who tells Dana White “Remember my name!” (Belal Muhammad might want to take action for gimmick infringement).

    Winner: Alibi Idiris via unanimous decision after two rounds

    Conclusion

    Cormier notes that Idiris started with struggling taking Yokubov down, which gave Yokubov confidence. White knew Idiris was hurt at one point and Idiris knew he had to get the fight to the ground.

    That’s when Idiris looks to dominate on the ground, and he does, with Sonnen noting something in the ground exchanges drained Yokubov.

    Cormier feels Idiris will be a tough competitor to beat in the competition. Team Cormier, meanwhile, appears to be unbeatable ever since dropping the first fight of the season.

    https://twitter.com/UltimateFighter/status/1937706924650451043

    Idiris feels the victory justifies his hard work and praises his opponent, looking to win for himself, his family, and his county.

    Yokubov says he feels a lot of emotion losing but doesn’t make excuses. He says he will wait for the next opportunity.

    The next fight, at welterweight, will see Team Cormier’s Alex Sanchez taking on Team Sonnen’s Matt Dixon.

    Can Team Sonnen finally break the losing skid?

    Rose Namajunas and Raquel Pennington join Team Cormier for training next week.

    What will happen next week? Join alongside us then!

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