MMA News

Tag: UFC 307

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach Uses Rising Lightweight Star Example To Explain Why MMA Is Not A ‘True Sport’

    Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach Uses Rising Lightweight Star Example To Explain Why MMA Is Not A ‘True Sport’

    Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach, Javier Mendez, recently shared his perspective on why he believes mixed martial arts doesn’t qualify as a genuine sport.

    MMA has skyrocketed as one of the most rapidly rising one-on-one competitive sports since the early 2000s, and it’s showing no signs of losing steam. Though it has faced its share of triumphs and challenges since its inception, the sport has steadily transformed, adapting and expanding into a global sensation.

    Despite its polarizing beginnings, MMA has grown into a highly regarded discipline. With standardized guidelines and safeguards in place, strict measures ensure not only the fighters’ safety but also uphold the integrity of the competition as a whole.

    However, Mendez, while pointing to Paddy Pimblett as a prime example, explains why he believes MMA has yet to fully qualify as a true sport.

    Mendez Thinks MMA Fans Gravitate Toward ‘Must-Watch TV’ Matchups

    During a recent episode of his podcast on YouTube, Mendez shared his thoughts on the UFC light heavyweight title bout between reigning champion Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree. He also addressed the controversy surrounding “The War Horse’s” legitimacy as a true contender.

    The American Kickboxing Academy founder defended Rountree’s deserving place in the title picture, but the conversation quickly shifted to a broader critique of why he believes MMA—and boxing—don’t qualify as true sports.

    According to Mendez, in MMA, particularly within the UFC, fan favorite and the most popular fighters often dictate who gets to fight them next, driven more by audience demand than by merit alone – like most other sports would be.

    “How many times do I say this is not a true sport? It’s [MMA] never been a true sport,” Mendez questioned. “Boxing is also not a true sport either and never will be, as long as people can choose who they want to put on because pay-per-view numbers and eyeballs on the screen create this situation. Boxing too, because if it were a true sport, you wouldn’t have people in the WBA or WBC saying, ‘I’m not fighting that guy.’ They win a WBA title, and the next thing you know, they don’t want to fight certain opponents, so they move on. Why? Because they can. Is it a true sport? No, because if it’s a true sport, you would fight X amount against X amount.”

    The renowned MMA coach went on to say he wouldn’t be shocked if Pimblett gets the next crack at the UFC lightweight title. He explained that “The Baddy” is a fan-favorite with undeniable star power, drawing in massive attention, and the fans want to see him at the top.

    “This is not that way. Paddy Pimblett doesn’t deserve to be there. A lot of people think, ‘Yeah, well, you know what, if Paddy gets the next title fight, good for him. They’ll tell me he does deserve it.’ A lot of people want to watch him; he’s very entertaining. He’s a must-watch TV, you know, so you watch him because he’s a must-watch TV. He creates the need, you want
 Paddy’s a needle mover.”

  • Glover Teixeira Explains Addition Of Sean Strickland To Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 Camp 

    Glover Teixeira Explains Addition Of Sean Strickland To Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 Camp 

    UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira has been getting help from an ex-opponent and fellow former middleweight titleholder while in Utah for his upcoming defense.

    Pereira has returned to the “Beehive State” for the first time since his debut at 205 pounds in July 2023, which saw him get the better of Jan BƂachowicz on the scorecards.

    Since then, “Poatan” has achieved two-division champ status and successfully defended the light heavyweight crown twice. And having violently stopped Jamahal Hill and Jiƙí ProchĂĄzka this year, Pereira’s third assignment of 2024 headlines UFC 307 this weekend.

    The Brazilian looks set for another striking showdown, this time opposite a fellow knockout artist in Khalil Rountree. And to boost his chances of another victory, Pereira and his team have turned to Sean Strickland.

    Teixeira Touts Strickland’s Ability To Hang With Pereira In Training

    During a recent interview with The Schmo, Glover Teixeira was asked about the impact Strickland’s presence has as Pereira’s camp for UFC 307 comes to a close in Salt Lake City.

    While the American was emphatically flattened by Pereira when they shared the Octagon in 2022, Teixeira suggested that “Tarzan” is one of few who can go toe-to-toe with the former GLORY Kickboxing champ in sparring.

    “Sean is, you know, incredibly tough. He’s good everywhere. He’s a great mixed martial artist,” Teixeira said. “He knows how to train well, you know? And he’s a guy that can, to be honest, hang with Alex. Alex can push his pace a little more. We love that Sean (came) over here today and helped Alex.”

    Pereira will hope that his work with Strickland and the others who’ve been a part of his latest fight camp pays dividends on Saturday night, when “The War Horse” will have a monumental upset over the Brazilian standout in his sights.

  • Kamaru Usman Honest About Pennington vs. Peña At UFC 307: ‘Looks Like She Doesn’t Wanna Be There
’

    Kamaru Usman Honest About Pennington vs. Peña At UFC 307: ‘Looks Like She Doesn’t Wanna Be There
’

    Kamaru Usman recently shared his thoughts on the Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña championship fight at UFC 307.

    Pennington is gearing up to make her first defense of the UFC women’s bantamweight title against former champion Peña. The bout is set to co-headline the highly anticipated pay-per-view event this weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    “Rocky” delivered a commanding performance at UFC 297 this past January, decisively defeating Mayra Bueno Silva to capture the vacant 135-pound title. The belt had been left up for grabs after former two-division champion Amanda Nunes retired following her one-sided rematch victory over Peña at UFC 277 in July 2022.

    Meanwhile, “The Venezuelan Vixen” is set to make her long-awaited return to the Octagon after a two-year absence. Peña made UFC history as the only woman to defeat Nunes, submitting ‘The Lioness’ at UFC 269 in December 2021. However, her reign was short-lived, with Nunes reclaiming the bantamweight crown just seven months later.

    Usman Predicts Peña Will Test Pennington But Favors ‘Rocky’ To Retain Her Title

    During a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ weighed in on the Pennington vs. Peña title clash at UFC 307. Usman noted that the defending champion has appeared a bit lackluster in her previous outings, whereas the challenger possesses the resilience that could turn this into a very interesting contest.

    “I think Julianna Peña is a complete dog,” Usman said. “But I just think Raquel Pennington is a little bit too solid. She does have a couple of fights where she comes in and looks like she doesn’t really want to be there sometimes, and I know that’s in the past. I’m hoping that stays in the past because Raquel Pennington, the bantamweight champion now, once you become that champion, you get that extra ‘umph’ behind you knowing that you are the best in the world.”

    The former UFC welterweight champion further expressed his confidence that “Rocky” will emerge as a more well-rounded fighter when facing the formidable Peña. Usman predicted that while “The Venezuelan Vixen” will undoubtedly present Pennington with one of her toughest challenges yet, the reigning champion will ultimately hold on to her title.

    “She’s [Pennington] just a little too solid with her stand-up, with her Muay Thai, her knees—just really solid there in the clinch. Because I’m telling you right now, Julianna Peña does really good work there… Raquel Pennington has shown that she can be good in those types of positions, so I’m gonna have to go with Raquel Pennington here, even though Julianna Peña is a complete dog, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she comes in and pulls off that upset.”

  • UFC Legend Cites Potential Alex Pereira Weakness That Khalil Rountree Could Exploit: ‘Did Not Work For Him When He Fought Izzy
’

    UFC Legend Cites Potential Alex Pereira Weakness That Khalil Rountree Could Exploit: ‘Did Not Work For Him When He Fought Izzy
’

    Alex Pereira has become a superstar during his time in the UFC, where his elite kickboxing background has been put to devastating use.

    “Poatan” is one of the best strikers we have ever seen inside the Octagon and he’s delivered some incredible highlights in his run so far.

    In the third defense of his light heavyweight title at UFC 307 this weekend, he will face another powerful striker in Khalil Rountree.

    Many find it hard to imagine how Rountree will win a stand-up battle against the champion but there is one chink in Pereira’s armour that could cost him.

    Stephen Thompson Says Alex Pereira’s Aggression Could Be A Problem For Him At UFC 307

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Stephen Thompson spoke about Pereira’s unique approach to striking in MMA.

    “Wonderboy” will also be in action on Saturday night in Salt Lake City where you’re sure to see his wide range of kickboxing weapons on display against Joaquin Buckley.

    Rather than the evasive and dynamic style of Thompson, Pereira’s kickboxing approach is far more aggressive and on the front-foot.

    He doesn’t move around all that much and will usually stand right in front of his opponents.

    The champion is so powerful and confident in his ability to land his own shots that he doesn’t tend to move out of the way of his opponents’, when they launch something back his way.

    As it did in his MMA rematch with Israel Adesanya, Thompson questioned whether this could be dangerous for him against an opponent like Rountree.

    “It [the aggression] did not work for him when he fought Izzy, you know. That’s kind of the same thing that he got caught in was in that brawl and he was taking shots but he wasn’t evading any, he was still in the face trying to throw and he got clipped and he went down. I mean he relies a lot on his toughness, he’s a very durable fighter for a guy to be fighting so much but yeah man, that’s dangerous. If you get there with another striker, especially Khalil Rountree, Khalil Rountree is a powerful guy.”

    Read also: Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Gives His Verdict On Dricus Du Plessis’ Striking: ‘No Real Good Technique
’

  • Kayla Harrison Warned That She Could ‘Be In Trouble’ Against Ketlen Vieira At UFC 307

    Kayla Harrison Warned That She Could ‘Be In Trouble’ Against Ketlen Vieira At UFC 307

    UFC 307 this Saturday in Salt Lake City brings huge implications for the women’s bantamweight division.

    With the title set to be defended in the co-main event of the evening, there’s a huge match-up earlier on in the night that could decide the next title challenger.

    Former PFL star Kayla Harrison made a big impact on her Octagon debut at UFC 300, where she dominated Holly Holm before finding the finish.

    A lot of the narrative heading into her next fight has been about the former Olympic gold medallist getting the next shot, but to do that, she must get past Ketlen Vieira.

    Henry Cejudo Says Ketlen Vieira Can Be A Big Test For Kayla Harrison On The Feet

    It cannot be overlooked how big of an opportunity this fight also is for Brazil’s Vieira.

    As the #2-ranked contender in the division, a win will also guarantee her a title shot thanks to the wins she has been able to accumulate in recent years.

    Vieira did lost a split decision to the current champion Raquel Pennington but beating Harrison will be a massive statement for her.

    On a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, former UFC champ-champ Henry Cejudo outlined where he believes that Vieira could win this fight despite the confidence that surrounds Harrison right now.

    “It’s hard to bet against a girl like Kayla Harrison but I think out of all the girls right now at 135-pounds that could match her strength, because you know Vieira’s a Judo blackbelt as well and she’s got, in my opinion, she has better hands than Harrison. So it’s going to come down to the wrestling and I do feel like Kayla Harrison is going to bring the wrestling in and that’s just what’s going to change it. But, if Vieira can keep it on her feet, I think Kayla could be in trouble dude. Her striking is no joke man.”

    Read also: Alex Pereira Makes Charity Bet With Khalil Rountree Over UFC 307 No Takedown Promise

  • Alex Pereira Makes Charity Bet With Khalil Rountree Over UFC 307 No Takedown Promise

    Alex Pereira Makes Charity Bet With Khalil Rountree Over UFC 307 No Takedown Promise

    Khalil Rountree has made it clear that he intends to stand and strike with Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 307.

    The light heavyweight title challenger has won four of his last five fights via knockout, and is certainly capable of striking with anyone in the division.

    However, “Poatan” is a whole different beast when it comes to the stand-up game thanks to his incredible career in kickboxing before he made the switch to MMA.

    Rountree’s coach John Wood also stated that they intend to strike in Salt Lake City because that’s where they will get the best out of his student’s skill set, rather than trying to change his approach because of the opponent that’s in front of them.

    Pereira Says He Won’t Be Convinced Unless Rountree Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is

    Despite this clear statement from his opponent, Pereira isn’t convinced that Rountree will stick by his word once they meet inside the Octagon.

    The champion is so effective on the feet that even when he faces fellow strikers, they often divert to using grappling as a plan B.

    Pereira commented on this during a recent interview with Kevin Iole before fight week.

    Through his coach, Plinio Cruz, “Poatan” suggested a wager that would give him confidence in Rountree’s pre-fight assertion that he will keep the fight on the feet.

    “Honestly bro, everybody that said that [they will keep the fight standing] before ended up shooting a takedown on this guy so it’s hard to believe. Alex said that the only way that he’ll believe [is] if Khalil go out in public and say, ‘I promise, I promise that I’m not going to shoot a takedown on this guy and if I do, I’m going to donate a percentage of my purse for charity.’ Then Alex will believe him and say let’s bang.”

    Read also: Alex Pereira Rejects Blame For Magomed Ankalaev’s Title Wait: ‘Such A Boring Style Of Fighting
’

  • VIDEO: UFC 307 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree & Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña

    VIDEO: UFC 307 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree & Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña

    Fight week for the UFC 307 pay-per-view this Saturday night has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode.

    Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree and the co-main event between Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña.

    Saturday’s lineup is topped by an intriguing championship clash, with light heavyweight kingpin Pereira (11-2) looking to add a third successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a victory over Jiƙí ProchĂĄzka at UFC 295 in November 2023. He’s since retained possession of the belt by getting the better of Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 this past April and ProchĂĄzka in their short-notice UFC 303 rematch.

    If “Poatan” is to continue his rule atop the 205-pound mountain, he must record a victory over Rountree (13-5, 1 NC). “The War Horse” will ride a five-fight win streak into his first title shot on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage, most notably getting the better of former championship challenger Anthony Smith in brutal fashion last time out.

    Before those two run it back in the main event at Salt Lake City’s Delta Center, one of three women’s titles in the UFC will be at stake.

    The women’s bantamweight gold will be contested by current champ Pennington (16-8) and former divisional queen Peña (11-5), as they settle a rivalry that began to brew during their time on The Ultimate Fighter season 18 in 2013. While “Rocky” will return eight months on from her capturing of the then-vacant strap, “The Venezuelan Vixen” is set to make the walk for the first time since losing the title in her rematch with Amanda Nunes over two years ago.

    Ahead of those two contests in Utah, fans can catch previews in the full episode of UFC 307 Countdown on the promotion’s YouTube channel.

    UFC 307 Countdown: Full Episode

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sETTkhCsqKI
  • Alex Pereira Sheds Light On Talk Of Middleweight Return: ‘I Just Needed A Break’

    Alex Pereira Sheds Light On Talk Of Middleweight Return: ‘I Just Needed A Break’

    In his relatively short time in the UFC thus far, Alex Pereira has quickly earned a pair of championships and status as a top name in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.

    Some are eyeing a potential move to heavyweight for Pereira, who defends the UFC light heavyweight championship next weekend against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307. But he has previously noted that he could be looking at a move back down to middleweight in the wake of Dricus Du Plessis retaining the UFC middleweight title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305.

    In a new interview with The Schmo, “Poatan” stated the move to 205 pounds was done in order to take a break from tough weight cuts.

    “I would like [a fight with Du Plessis] to be at middleweight,” Pereira said. “I told everybody that I just needed a break from 185, from all those weight cuts. I feel good, I feel healthy right now.”

    Pereira, who was also a middleweight and light heavyweight champion in GLORY Kickboxing, made his UFC debut as a middleweight at UFC 268. He quickly won three straight before challenging Adesanya, his old kickboxing foe, for the middleweight title at UFC 281.

    Pereira won via fifth-round finish but was knocked out by Adesanya in a rematch at UFC 287.

    Pereira then moved up to light heavyweight, defeating Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 before defeating Jiƙí Procházka  at UFC 295 for the light heavyweight title.

    Pereira has since defended the 205-pound title against Jamahal Hill and ProchĂĄzka at UFC 300 and 303, respectively.

  • Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Provides His Prediction For Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Provides His Prediction For Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    Stephen Thompson recently shared his forecast for the UFC 307 main event clash between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree.

    “Poatan” is set to defend his UFC light heavyweight title for the third time, this time against Khalil Rountree in the headlining bout of the upcoming pay-per-view on October 5, taking place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Pereira enters this fight riding high off back-to-back successful title defenses against former champions earlier this year. His most recent victory came in June at UFC 303, where he delivered a stunning second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka in their short-notice rematch.

    Since joining the UFC in November 2021, the Brazilian’s trajectory has been steadily skyward. After conquering the middleweight division, he made the leap to light heavyweight, and with just one victory at 205 pounds to earn a title shot, he seized gold with a TKO win over Prochazka at UFC 295 last November.

    Meanwhile, “The War Horse” is making his return after serving a 4.5-month suspension for testing positive for a steroid hormone, with the sanction lifted on September 18. He is currently riding a five-fight win streak, with his latest victory being a third-round knockout of Anthony Smith last December.

    Despite being a UFC veteran since 2016, Rountree has often been viewed as someone who hasn’t quite realized his full potential. However, UFC 307 will finally give him his long-awaited first shot at the gold.

    Thompson Believes Pereira vs. Rountree Will Come Down To Who Outstrikes The Other

    During a recent interview with Bodgog Canada, Thompson shared his thoughts on the upcoming Pereira vs. Rountree title fight at UFC 307. While “Wonderboy” clearly favored the the reigning champion, he didn’t shy away from commending Rountree’s top-tier striking ability. He predicted that with both being more comfortable on the feet, the fight will likely be stand-up heavy and determine who the better striker is.

    “I’m leaning towards Pereira as well, but I think it’s a great fight because both guys are very dangerous fighters,” Thompson said. “Khalil Rountree has got some of the best striking as well; it comes from that Muay Thai background, so basically this is going to be a Muay Thai fight. This is going to be a standup battle, toe-to-toe, to see who’s going to be the better striker.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RDauugAV1A&t=475s

    The former UFC welterweight title challenger further explained his clear inclination toward “Poatan,” citing Pereira’s impressive track record. Thompson highlighted Pereira’s devastating one-punch knockout power, coupled with his significant reach advantage, as key factors that make him a formidable force against Rountree.

    “Obviously, I’ve got to lean towards my man Alex Pereira just because of his credentials and what he’s done in the 185 and 205 [pound] divisions in the UFC. I mean, he’s got a left hook with one-hitter-quitter power. Now, Rountree is big and strong, but can he close the gap? Alex Pereira’s got the longer reach, he’s very calm, and he’s very precise—he’s like a sniper out there when it comes to his strikes. It’s a very hard fight, but I think it’s going to be exciting.”

    “Wonderboy” is also set to compete at UFC 307 in a welterweight bout against Joaquin Buckley, marking his return to the Octagon after a 10-month break.

  • Kayla Harrison Discusses Worst Case Scenario If Julianna Peña Wins Title: ‘That Would Really Piss Me Off
’

    Kayla Harrison Discusses Worst Case Scenario If Julianna Peña Wins Title: ‘That Would Really Piss Me Off
’

    When it was revealed that Kayla Harrison would not be challenging for the UFC bantamweight title next time out, her goal became very clear.

    At UFC 307, she will fight Ketlen Vieira on the same night that Raquel Pennington defends the title against Julianna Peña.

    If Harrison is able to go out there and put on a dominant performance like she did on her Octagon debut at UFC 300, there will be no denying that she is next for the winner of the co-main event.

    The former PFL star is raring to go with dreams of becoming a UFC champion seemingly now within her reach.

    There is one potential issue with her plan and that involves hearing “and new” on October 5, in Salt Lake City.

    Kayla Harrison Says Juliana Peña Taking Time Off As Champion Would Be Frustrating For Her

    Harrison has made it pretty clear that though the belt is her main objective, beating Peña for it would be an added incentive following their back-and-forth comments in recent times.

    In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, it was mentioned that if Peña does win the bantamweight title back, it could be a while before we see her defend it.

    “The Venezuelan Vixen” hasn’t fought in over two years and has never been the most active fighter on the roster to begin with.

    Harrison said that though she doesn’t want to waste her energy thinking about a problem that is out of her hands, it would be very frustrating for her if she has to wait for Peña to defend the belt.

    “I try not to [think about the long breaks] because control what you can control and trust the UFC, trust that they have a plan but yeah, that would really p*** me off. I’m looking to stay active so hopefully… all is well, I can’t control it. It’s out of my hands but yeah.”

    Read also: UFC Superstar Kayla Harrison On The Importance Of Being A Role Model: ‘You’ll Never See Me With DUIs Or Scandals
’

  • UFC Superstar Kayla Harrison On The Importance Of Being A Role Model: ‘You’ll Never See Me With DUIs Or Scandals
’

    UFC Superstar Kayla Harrison On The Importance Of Being A Role Model: ‘You’ll Never See Me With DUIs Or Scandals
’

    Kayla Harrison recently shared her thoughts on the crucial role of being a positive influence, particularly for the younger generation. She stands as a beacon of mastery in women’s combat sports. Her unmatched accomplishments speak volumes, positioning her as the very definition of greatness.

    Harrison began her judo career in 2008, swiftly dominating her competition at both the Junior and World Judo Championships with an unstoppable streak. She then carried that momentum into the 2012 London Olympics, where she etched her name in history by securing the United States’ first-ever Olympic gold medal in judo.

    Harrison replicated her Olympic triumph at the 2016 Rio Games, claiming her second gold medal in the 78 kg division. Following this historic achievement, the 34-year-old Ohio native set her sights on the world of MMA. She made her debut under the PFL banner in July 2018, and within just two years, she ascended to the top, capturing the promotion’s women’s lightweight championship.

    After an impressive 16-1 run in the PFL, Harrison made her long-awaited UFC debut in spectacular fashion, dismantling former champion Holly Holm at UFC 300 this past April – that too in bantamweight, a weight class she had never previously competed in.

    Harrison’s career has been marked by nothing but success, and she remains focused on staying above the fray in her quest to be a shining example for others to follow.

    Harrison On Being Role Model: ‘I Take It Very Seriously’

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Harrison was asked about leveraging her popularity to inspire young girls to pursue MMA. The former PFL lightweight champion expressed that being a role model is a responsibility she takes to heart, and it remains one of her ongoing goals.

    “My goal is always to be the light in the world that I want to see,” Harrison said. “I take being a role model very seriously. I consider it an honor and a responsibility.”

    She emphasized that this is why she makes a conscious effort to avoid any controversy, ensuring that kids can look up to her as a positive example.

    “That’s why, hopefully, knock on wood; as long as I don’t have a nervous breakdown, you’ll never see me with DUIs or scandals or anything like that because of how I carry myself. I want little girls and boys all over the world to know that if you work hard, surround yourself with people who believe in you and believe in yourself; there’s nothing you can’t accomplish.”

    Harrison is preparing for her second appearance in the Octagon, where she’ll face Ketlen Vieira in a pivotal clash at UFC 307 that could serve as a bantamweight title eliminator. The pay-per-view event is set to take place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 5.

  • Joaquin Buckley Feels Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Is Two-Faced: ‘When You Got Him On Camera
’

    Joaquin Buckley Feels Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Is Two-Faced: ‘When You Got Him On Camera
’

    Eleventh-ranked welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley is usually not too far away from getting into a beef with a fellow fighter.

    However, this looked to be a difficult task for his next fight, considering the ‘nice guy’ public perception of Stephen Thompson.

    “Wonderboy” is widely regarded to be one of the kindest fighters on the roster and has rarely been seen to lose his cool, even in the midst of a fist-fight.

    Buckley isn’t convinced by this representation of Thompson, though, and believes that the welterweight stalwart isn’t who people think he is.

    With the two men set to meet inside the Octagon on October 5, he voiced his opinions on his opponent’s supposed persona.

    Joaquin Buckley Says Stephen Thompson Isn’t Who Fans Think He Is

    Ahead of their meeting at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Buckley spoke about his previous interactions with Thompson.

    The two men crossed paths at International Fight Week early this year, where “New Mansa” believes that he saw a different side to the striking specialist.

    In an interview with Inside Fighting, he spoke about how in his opinion, Thompson is a different person when he knows that people are watching.

    “Nothing crazy, yet again, I’m just trying to push him to make the fight happen but I really feel like, you know, at the end of the day, with me and ‘Wonderboy’, it is what it is. I try to be myself no matter where I go but I feel like, for me, it’s just that ‘Wonderboy’ is the type of individual that yet again, when you got him on camera, he’s smiling in your face, he’s saying nice things but at the end of the day, it’s the fight biz’ so you know, however he made me feel that day, I don’t think it was the nice guy that everybody mentions.”

    Read also: Fellow UFC Welterweight Claims Shavkat Rakhmonov Will Be ‘Exposed’ By Belal Muhammad

  • Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson On Shavkat Rakhmonov Lie That Got Under His Skin

    Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson On Shavkat Rakhmonov Lie That Got Under His Skin

    Stephen Thompson recently disclosed the one fib from Shavkat Rakhmonov that truly irked him after their matchup.

    “Wonderboy” is gearing up to square off against Joaquin Buckley in a welterweight clash on the preliminary card of UFC 307, scheduled for October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Thompson is set to make his comeback to the Octagon after a 10-month hiatus, having not competed since his second-round submission defeat to the unbeaten Rakhmonov at UFC 296 in December 2023.

    In the lead-up to their clash, both fighters had agreed to engage exclusively in striking. However, Rakhmonov chose to grapple and ultimately secured a swift victory.

    While Thompson respects the 29-year-old Kazakh fighter’s skills, he feels disheartened by his opponent’s attempt to rationalize his change in approach, claiming he suffered a serious ankle injury before their bout despite having promised to prove he was the superior striker.

    Thompson Critiques Rakhmonov & Team For Justifying Change In Strategy After Their Bout

    During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Thompson reflected on his defeat to Rakhmonov, voicing his dissatisfaction with “Nomad’s” coach, Henri Hooft, for attempting to explain the decision to pursue takedowns during the fight.

    “Wonderboy” noted that he recalls Hooft making similar remarks following his bout against Gilbert Burns at UFC 264.

    “It was funny because afterward the same coach as Gilbert Burns, and after the Gilbert Burns fight, the coach came up and was like, ‘I’m sorry the fight was boring, but that’s the only way to beat you,’” Thompson said. “He said the same thing after the Shavkat fight.”

    Thompson acknowledged that grappling is an integral aspect of the sport and emphasized that he should have been better prepared for it. However, he expressed disappointment that Rakhmonov didn’t honor his commitment to keep their bout strictly to striking.

    “So I knew that’s what they were planning on. He was not planning to strike with me. He wanted to hem me up, get me to the floor, and submit me, which he did very well. That’s part of the game. I’ve got to be ready for that. But especially after the fight, they’re saying that. You can say that during the fight to get me thinking one thing, but after the fight, you’re saying, ‘I was going to strike with the guy, but I hurt my ankle.’ Nah, dude. It got me a little bit. Very few things frustrate me — that got me a little bit. Just admit it.”

    “Wonderboy” once enjoyed an impressive seven-fight win streak. However, since his title rematch loss to Tyron Woodley at UFC 209 in March 2017, the 41-year-old South Carolina native has struggled to reclaim his former glory. In his last 10 bouts, he has tallied a disappointing record of 4-6.

    • Read More: Stephen Thompson Reacts To Being On UFC 307 Prelims After Fighting On Main Cards For A Decade Straight
  • UFC Commentator Highlights Julianna Peña’s Key Quality That Will Serve Her Well At UFC 307

    UFC Commentator Highlights Julianna Peña’s Key Quality That Will Serve Her Well At UFC 307

    Julianna Peña is set to return at UFC 307 after being away from competition for nearly two years.

    The last time that she stepped inside the Octagon, it was as the women’s bantamweight champion.

    Though she came up short on that night in a rematch with Amanda Nunes at UFC 277, her comeback will see her look to reclaim the gold on October 5.

    To do so, Peña will need to answer some questions about whether her time away and injuries will play a factor in her attempt to dethrone Raquel Pennington in Salt Lake City.

    Jon Anik Says That Juliana Peña’s Meanness Will Help Her Overcome Ring Rust At UFC 307

    UFC commentator Jon Anik expressed in a recent interview with Middle Easy that he isn’t concerned about Peña’s time away from the Octagon heading into this fight.

    Though he did say that ring rust can be a factor depending on the fighter in question, he believes that the challenger is not someone that it will phase.

    Anik referenced how if you listen to how the former champion’s coaches and teammates speak about her, they will immediately make reference to her aggressive mindset when she’s in the cage.

    With this in mind, he doesn’t think that we will see anything less than the very best that Peña has to offer, come October 5.

    “It’s amazing to listen to Juliana Peña’s coaches, to a man, talk about her relative meanness and nastiness. They can’t even get to the skills because Rick Little and Mike Valley both are just like dude, meanest man or woman in the gym, you know what I mean? So I don’t worry about her, I just think she’s sort of one of these ultimate competitors. The layoffs not ideal, the injury history is not ideal and Raquel Pennington just knows how to win fights.”

    Read also: Herb Dean Uses Dana White’s Contender Series Example To Explain ‘Let’s Work’ Calls During UFC 306 Main Event

  • Former UFC Champion Touts Khalil Rountree To Beat Alex Pereira ‘At His Own Game’

    Former UFC Champion Touts Khalil Rountree To Beat Alex Pereira ‘At His Own Game’

    A former UFC middleweight champion recently praised Khalil Rountree, claiming he has what it takes to defeat Alex Pereira by outclassing him in his own area of expertise.

    “The War Horse” is preparing for his first title shot as he challenges reigning light heavyweight champion Pereira in the main event of UFC 307, set for October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    “Poatan” has been a relentless powerhouse since making his mark in the 205-pound division last year, firmly establishing his dominance by defending his belt twice within the span of two months. Pereira is coming off a second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka in their highly anticipated rematch at UFC 303 this past June.

    While Pereira may be renowned for his crushing power and world-class kickboxing that dismantles his opponents, Rountree has made it clear that he won’t resort to takedowns, opting instead to keep the battle standing.

    Michael Bisping believes that “The War Horse” is more than capable of going toe-to-toe with the Brazilian champion in a striking showdown…

    Bisping Warns ‘Poatan’ To Respect Rountree’s Abilities: ‘Pereira Has To Take Him Seriously’

    During a a recent video on his YouTube channel, “The Count” gave his thoughts on the upcoming title clash between Pereira and Rountree. The UFC Hall of Famer highlighted some of the notable names the American challenger has taken down in recent bouts, pointing out that while “The War Horse” may appear hittable, he’s proven his prowess by defeating elite-level kickboxers like Gokhan Saki.

    Bisping emphasized that Pereira should tread carefully in striking exchanges, as Rountree is no stranger to top-tier competition.

    “Anthony Smith was able to land some straight rights, and if Smith can land them, you’ve got to think that Pereira is going to land them,” Bisping said. “But if we dig a little deeper, if we look at some of the other people that he’s [Rountree] beaten, there’s a name that stands out, and that name is the one and only Gokhan Saki
 When he went up against Khalil Rountree, he got knocked out in the first round.”

    “Who is Khalil? Well, Khalil was a kickboxer. He has the confidence to put it out there and truly mean it by saying that he’s not going to shoot. He’s going to stand there, go toe to toe, and try to beat Pereira at his own game.”

    Rountree is currently enjoying the success of a five-fight win streak. The 34-year-old was initially slated to face former champion Jamahal Hill at UFC 303, but Rountree had to withdraw after receiving a 4.5-month suspension for testing positive for a steroid hormone. Fortunately for “The War Horse”, the suspension ended on September 18, clearing the path for his return.

  • ‘They Scared Of The Future Champ’ – Fans React As Movsar Evloev Removed From UFC 307 Card After No Replacement Stepped Up

    Some MMA enthusiasts aren’t surprised at UFC featherweights’ unwillingness to do battle with the undefeated Movsar Evloev on short notice.

    One of the key bouts set for the upcoming UFC 307 pay-per-view in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5 took a hit earlier this month when former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling announced his withdrawal through injury.

    “Funk Master” was scheduled to share the cage with the #6-ranked Evloev in what would have marked his second outing in the 145-pound division.

    The promotion had hoped to keep the unbeaten Russian on the lineup, which also boasts the likes of Kayla Harrison, José Aldo, and Kevin Holland below championship headliners that will see Alex Pereira and Raquel Pennington defend their titles.

    Per MMA Mania’s Alex Behunin, however, the UFC failed in its pursuit of a replacement opponent, with nobody agreeing to fight Evloev on the Oct. 5 date.

    Evloev Off UFC 307 Lineup, Fans React

    After Evloev called the weight class out on social media in the hopes of keeping himself on the UFC 307 card following news of Sterling’s injury, a few names emerged. But while notable contenders like Jean Silva and Bryce Mitchell expressed a willingness to face the Russian, they required more time.

    Fans were quick to give their thoughts on Evloev’s forced withdrawal on social media. Takes varied, with some using the absence of willing foes as evidence of Evloev’s talents and others suggesting that he won’t be missed at UFC 307 given his lack of Octagon finishes.

    https://twitter.com/yrbmar/status/1838310433976955048
    https://twitter.com/fr33ourminds/status/1838309835210645857
  • Sean Strickland Set To Join Alex Pereira’s Camp For UFC 307 Title Defense

    Sean Strickland Set To Join Alex Pereira’s Camp For UFC 307 Title Defense

    UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira will have the help of an ex-opponent ahead of his return in Salt Lake City.

    Pereira has had a bumper 2024 thus far, firmly putting himself in Fighter of the Year contention by recording consecutive successful title defenses in major main events at UFC 300 and UFC 303.

    “Poatan” leapt to the promotion’s rescue on both occasions, first when other avenues for the milestone April pay-per-view didn’t come to fruition and then when Conor McGregor pulled out of International Fight Week on late notice.

    The Brazilian boosted his stock at the expense of Jamahal Hill and Jiƙí ProchĂĄzka, both of whom fell to the same violent fate to ensure Pereira’s continued reign on the throne at 205 pounds.

    And Pereira is far from done with his high level of activity. He’s set to to return at the Utah-held UFC 307 event on October 5, a PPV he’ll headline against a surprise challenger in the #8-ranked Khalil Rountree.

    To prepare, “Poatan” is seeking help from a man who has not exactly seen eye to eye with Rountree in recent years…

    Pereira Seeks Aid Of Former Opponent Strickland For UFC 307 Defense

    Much is often said about the challenges of fighting in the conditions brought with it by Salt Lake City’s elevation. As a result, fighters usually head out early to acclimatize.

    That’s currently the case for Pereira, whose latest YouTube video detailed his early training sessions in the “Beehive State” after arriving with his team a few weeks out from UFC 307. Among those with him is head coach Glover Teixeira, fellow UFC 307 fighter CĂ©sar Almeida, and his sister Aline Pereira.

    That group will also soon be joined by much different character in former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland. Since “Poatan” knocked the American out back in 2022, the pair have formed a friendship and even trained together.

    Pereira revealed during his video that Strickland is set to arrive in Salt Lake City to aid in his preparations this week.

    While “Tarzan” has never shared the cage with Rountree, the pair do appear to have some animosity stemming from Strickland’s reaction to “War Horse’s” emotional post-fight speech at the Apex back in 2022.

  • Bryce Mitchell Open To Facing Movsar Evloev But Not On Short Notice: ‘You Know What Happened Last Time…’

    Bryce Mitchell Open To Facing Movsar Evloev But Not On Short Notice: ‘You Know What Happened Last Time…’

    Movsar Evloev is in need of a new opponent, and Bryce Mitchell may be willing to step up.

    The Russian was scheduled to face former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling in a battle of featherweight contenders at UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City.

    Sterling, however, was recently announced to be out of UFC 307 due to an injury. The UFC is intending to keep Evloev on the card as long as they can find a short-notice opponent.

    Mitchell appears to be willing to fulfill that role, throwing his name into the hat in a recent video interview with The Schmo.

    That said, he would take the fight if it could be delayed until right before the end of the year.

    Bryce Mitchell Says If He Gets Two Months, He’ll Step Up Against Movsar Evloev

    “[I heard Sterling] hurt his elbow,” Mitchell said. “You know what happened last time I took one on short notice. It was ugly. I’m wise enough to respect that I need a little bit more training. I want that fight. Give me two months, I’m down. That’s all I need. Two months. And I think that’s fair to ask.

    “And if he really wants that fight, two months is not that long of a wait for what they’re paying him. He can survive two more months without a paycheck. I think he should fight me in two months.”

    Mitchell, however, also did note that he wouldn’t want to take the fight from Sterling if he still wanted it — attesting to he and “Funk Master” being good friends.

    Mitchell’s most recent fight was also a short-notice bout, one that did not end particularly well for “Thug Nasty.” Stepping up on late notice against Josh Emmett at UFC 296, Mitchell was brutally knocked out in what was a late Knockout of the Year contender.

    After starting his career 15-0, the Arkansas native has lost two of his last three.

    Evloev, meanwhile, is undefeated at 18-0. He was most recently in action at January’s UFC 297, defeating Arnold Allen.

  • 41-Year-Old Stephen Thompson Dismisses ‘Old Guy’ Label’ Ahead Of UFC 307

    Veteran UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson doesn’t feel his age, something he’ll look to prove when he returns to the cage.

    Thompson, a former two-time title challenger at 170 pounds, turned 41 this year. Nevertheless, he still occupies a spot inside the division’s top 10, which he’ll hope to defend in Salt Lake City early next month.

    At UFC 307 on October 5, “Wonderboy” will feature on the deep card opposite the rising Joaquin Buckley. Following four straight wins since dropping to welterweight, “New Mansa” is looking to climb into contention at the expense of Thompson.

    But despite the high-ranked Shavkat Rakhmonov achieving that feat against him last time out, the striking specialist plans on turning Buckley away from the top 10 to show that he’s got plenty left in the tank.

    Stephen Thompson: ‘I Feel Like I’m 25!’

    During a recent interview with InsideFighting, Thompson looked ahead to his second assignment of 2024 as he looks to return to winning ways and reignite his hopes of a late-career title shot.

    “Wonderboy” explained his willingness to give rising names in the division the chance to climb against him and branded his clash with Buckley a “test” for where he is at in his career.

    Pre-fight, Thompson still feels in his prime years.

    “I’m still one of the top guys who gives those guys who are coming up a chance. There’s a lot of guys at the top, especially in the welterweight division, that are trying to hold on to their spot as long as they can,” Thompson said. “But I was given the opportunity when I was coming up. … I want to give that back to these guys that are up-and-coming who want to try and take that spot.

    “For me, it’s my test. It’s my test to see if I’ve still got it against these young bucks,” Thompson continued. “Everybody’s looking at me as the old guy. I’m 41, I’ll be 42 in February, but I feel like I’m 25. I’m just as fast and I’m getting better. I don’t mind stepping out and giving these guys that are up-and-coming the chance to prove themselves.”

    Whether or not the feelings of a 25-year-old will translate in the Octagon on Oct. 5 remains to be seen.

    Looking to ensure it doesn’t is a Buckley who has had a stellar year thus far, knocking out Vicente Luque and outpointing Nursulton Ruziboev to established himself at #11 in the welterweight pecking order.

  • Former Opponent Backs ‘More Violent’ Khalil Rountree To Upset Alex Pereira At UFC 307

    Former Opponent Backs ‘More Violent’ Khalil Rountree To Upset Alex Pereira At UFC 307

    A retired fighter who boasts a win over Khalil Rountree wouldn’t be surprised if he unseats Alex Pereira from the UFC light heavyweight throne.

    Pereira, who also previously held gold on MMA’s biggest stage at middleweight, has ruled over the 205-pound division since capturing the then-vacant title in November 2023.

    He stopped Jiƙí Procházka on that occasion and has since repeated the feat in their International Fight Week rematch, in addition to also defending the belt against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300.

    “Poatan’s” high activity won’t be coming to a halt as he gears up for his third title defense of 2024 at the UFC 307 pay-per-view in Salt Lake City, Utah early next month. To the surprise of many, his next challenger will be the #8-ranked Rountree, who most recently extended his winning run to five by knocking out Anthony Smith last December.

    “The War Horse” has been branded undeserving by some in the community and will unsurprisingly enter his first PPV main event as a sizable underdog. But someone with experience sharing the cage with him insists he can’t be counted out…

    Tyson Pedro Predicts Rountree To Beat Pereira In Utah

    During a recent interview with the Kairouz Bros, former UFC light heavyweight prospect Tyson Pedro was asked to give his prediction for the next title fight in the division he formerly competed in.

    The Australian made an emphatic Octagon debut as an undefeated fighter back in November 2016, submitting Rountree in the first round at a Melbourne-held UFC Fight Night.

    While he’ll be willing “The War Horse” on to become champ due to his past victory over him, Pedro legitimately believes that the 32-year-old’s edge in “mentality” could pave the way for a surprise title crowning in the “Beehive State.”

    “Is he fighting Alex? … That’s a mad fight,” Pedro said. “That’s a hard one (to predict). I think Khalil’s more aggressive and violent in his approach, as of recently. if you see his (fights), it feels like he wants to kill the people now. … I don’t know if I can go against — you know what, I’m gonna go Khalil because of mentality.

    “I think Pereira’s on a bit of (a high) and he’s just chilling. Once you get content — that’s the only reason I’m saying it. But I’ll go Khalil on that,” Pedro continued. “And also, I want him to win so then I can say I beeat him. Technically I’m the champ! MMA math!”

    Pereira and Rountree’s title clash will top a stacked lineup in Salt Lake City to kick off October. In addition to another championship bout between Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña, the likes of Kayla Harrison, JosĂ© Aldo, Kevin Holland, and Stephen Thompson will all return to the cage.

  • Aljamain Sterling Excited At Prospect Of Facing Diego Lopes In Title Eliminator After UFC 307

    Aljamain Sterling Excited At Prospect Of Facing Diego Lopes In Title Eliminator After UFC 307

    It’s a huge few weeks for the UFC’s featherweight division leading up to UFC 308, where the champion will be making his first title defense.

    Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway is one of the most anticipated fights of the year, but in the meantime, there’s still plenty of movement to happen at the top of the division.

    Diego Lopes earned his spot in the top five this past weekend at UFC 306 (Noche UFC), where he defeated former two-time title challenger Brian Ortega.

    However, despite his incredible rise after losing his UFC debut, Lopes could need one more win in order to earn a title shot, and his next opponent could be decided at UFC 307…

    Aljamain Sterling Talks About The Potential Of Facing Diego Lopes In A Title Eliminator

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is looking to earn back-to-back wins at 145 pounds when he clashes with the undefeated Movsar Evloev on October 5 in Salt Lake City.

    Whoever wins that fight will be in a great position to fight someone right near the top of the rankings which, as Sterling pointed out, could end up being Lopes.

    In an interview with Submission Radio, “Funk Master” laid out his idea of how things will play out.

    “I can see, because (Alexander) Volkanovski’s guaranteed his next title shot no matter who wins between Ilia and Holloway, that Lopes is probably gonna have to fight again. So, I would imagine that between the the winner of myself and Movsar, I think that’ll probably end up being the next title challenger.”

    Sterling also said that off the back of Lopes’ win over Ortega, this is a fight that gets him excited because he sees the Brazilian as a tough test.

    Getting past the undefeated Russian is a big hurdle in the first place, but a fight with Lopes would have huge title implications for the winner.

    “It definitely is an exciting time for the featherweight division and for myself because that’s not an easy fight and that excites me. That’s the most exciting part about it.”

  • What’s Next After UFC 306? Full Confirmed UFC 307 Main Card For Salt Lake City On October 5

    What’s Next After UFC 306? Full Confirmed UFC 307 Main Card For Salt Lake City On October 5

    UFC 306 (Noche UFC) is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering.

    The promotion was in Las Vegas last week, where the unique Sphere venue played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in the “Fight Capital of the World.” Of note were title wins for Merab Dvalishvili and Valentina Shevchenko, as well as the biggest victory to date for surging fan favorite Diego Lopes.

    While the aftermath of the September 14 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the bantamweight title picture to the 205-pound championship conversation.

    At UFC 307, set for the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 5, reigning light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira will compete for the third time this year, once again in defense of the gold. Following knockouts of Jamahal Hill and Jiƙí ProchĂĄzka, “Poatan” will next face a surprise challenger in the #8-ranked Khalil Rountree.

    There will also be title stakes in the co-headliner, as bantamweight queen Raquel Pennington returns for her first defense. “Rocky” is set to meet the challenge of a former champion and fellow TUF 18 competitor in Julianna Peña.

    Sterling, Harrison, Holland Set The Stage For Title Headliners At UFC 307

    Before Pereira and Pennington defend their belts in the “Beehive State,” a number of other high-profile names will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their position on the major card.

    That includes former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, who is looking to keep his ball rolling at 145 pounds following a successful divisional debut opposite Calvin Kattar earlier this year. To keep his pursuit of two-weight glory alive, “Funk Master” must blemish the perfect record of #6-ranked contender Movsar Evloev.

    Prior to that, another notable name will look to stake her claim for a shot at championship glory on MMA’s biggest stage as two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL title winner Kayla Harrison makes her sophomore Octagon appearance. After submitting Holly Holm on debut at UFC 300, the former judoka will look to go two for two at the expense of Ketlen Vieira in Salt Lake City.

    And opening the main card will be the always entertaining Kevin Holland, whose second outing since returning to middleweight sees him matched up against top-10 competition in the form of Roman Dolidze.

    Those pairings have gotten the nod to feature on the main card over a number of prominent names on the prelims, including Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, JosĂ© Aldo, and Carla Esparza.

    See below for the full UFC 305 card, as it stands.

    Main Card:

    • Alex Pereira (C) vs. Khalil Rountree (light heavyweight championship main event)
    • Raquel Pennington (C) vs. Julianna Peña (women’s bantamweight championship co-main event)
    • Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling (bantamweight)
    • Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison (women’s bantamweight)
    • Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland (middleweight)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Stephen Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley (welterweight)
    • Nate Landwehr vs. Austin Hubbard (lightweight)
    • Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Pennington (women’s strawweight)
    • JosĂ© Aldo vs. Mario Bautista (bantamweight)
    • Ryan Spann vs. Ovince Saint Preux (light heavyweight)
    • Mauricio Ruffy vs. TBD (lightweight)
    • Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo (women’s strawweight)
    • Court McGee vs. Tim Means (welterweight)
    • Ihor Potieria vs. Cesar Almeida (middleweight)
    Kayla Harrison & Holly Holm
    Image: Cooper Neill/UFC/Zuffa LLC
  • Kayla Harrison On Amanda Nunes Rift: ‘Don’t Play With My Homies!’

    Kayla Harrison On Amanda Nunes Rift: ‘Don’t Play With My Homies!’

    Kayla Harrison recently opened up about her lingering rivalry with Amanda Nunes, voicing her wish for the Brazilian to come out of retirement.

    One of the MMA world’s most tantalizing “what if” matchups has long centered around a potential showdown between Harrison and Nunes. Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, spent the majority of her MMA career in the PFL before making her highly anticipated UFC debut this past April. The former PFL women’s lightweight champion’s move to the UFC sparked renewed speculation about a possible clash with “The Lioness”.

    The biggest hurdle to making this super fight a reality is that Nunes had already hung up her gloves following a unanimous decision win over Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in June 2023. That was nearly a year ago when “Doug” made her first Octagon appearance against Holly Holm at UFC 300.

    Harrison and Nunes share a rich history, having long expressed mutual interest in facing off ever since their days as training partners at American Top Team (ATT) in Florida. However, following her shocking loss to Julianna Peña at UFC 269 in December 2021, “The Lioness” chose to sever ties with the gym.

    Nunes later disclosed that her decision to leave ATT was fueled by unease, as she often found herself training alongside two fighters who could potentially become her opponents, Harrison and Yana Kunitskaya, making her departure feel inevitable.

    Harrison Hopes For Nunes’ Return to Settle Unfinished Business

    During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, the former Olympic gold medalist shared her thoughts on Nunes, who had hinted at a possible comeback after witnessing Harrison’s victory over Holm at UFC 300. However, since then, Nunes has gone completely silent, leaving Harrison and fans in suspense over whether the long-anticipated showdown will ever happen.

    The 34-year-old Ohio native clarified that there’s no bad blood between her and “The Lioness”, yet she remains hopeful that the former two-division UFC champion will come out of retirement to face her.

    “Selfishly, I hope that she does [come out of retirement], but again, I have no beef with Amanda other than her trying to throw American Top Team under the bus,” Harrison said. “You don’t play or don’t f**k with my homies. But listen, if she’s happy and she’s living her dream, that’s great, but selfishly, I would love for her to come back so that I can put all of the noise to rest.”

    Harrison, who is gearing up for a high-stakes bantamweight showdown against Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307 next month, emphasized that her primary focus is locked on the upcoming fight. She added that her sights are set on capturing the title first before entertaining any potential matchup against Nunes.

    “Again, one step at a time: Ketlen first, then the title, and then Amanda, if she wants some.”

  • Kayla Harrison On UFC Bantamweight Title Shot Snub: ‘Dana Is A Man Of His Word
’

    Kayla Harrison On UFC Bantamweight Title Shot Snub: ‘Dana Is A Man Of His Word
’

    Former PFL star Kayla Harrison is set to return at UFC 307 where she faces Ketlen Vieira in a huge fight for the bantamweight division.

    With Vieira being ranked at #2 and Harrison at #3, the next title contender will surely be whichever woman gets her hand raised in Salt Lake City.

    However, some fans, and Harrison herself, questioned after her debut at UFC 300 whether she would need to get another win before jumping right into the title picture.

    Coming into the UFC as an already established name and dominating a former champion in Holly Holm like she did was a perfect introduction for the former Olympic Judoka.

    Rather than being frustrated that she isn’t in the next women’s bantamweight title fight which takes place the very same night, Harrison believes that it is only a matter of time.

    Kayla Harrison Isn’t Bitter About Not Getting Next Bantamweight Title Fight

    When Amanda Nunes made the decision to retire and vacate her bantamweight title, many expected that Juliana Peña would be in the equation to fight for the belt.

    Instead, Raquel Pennington became the champion after defeating Mayra Bueno Silva which then set the new titleholder up for a first defense against the number one contender in Peña.

    Harrison spoke in an interview with MMA Fighting about how it doesn’t bother her that there was an order for who gets the next title shot because of where the division was at after Nunes stepped away.

    She referenced how the UFC and Dana White had an agreement with Peña which they didn’t break even if putting Harrison straight into a title fight after her debut would have been a big move by the promotion.

    Instead, she’s focused on beating Vieira and challenging the winner in the near future.

    “I’m ready for everyone in the division, I’m ready to go out there and prove that I am the best in the world and I deserve to be UFC champion. Having said that, I think that a lot people wanted me to fight for the title but from what I understand, Dana is a man of his word and he made a promise to Juliana and so it’s her turn now but you know, whoever wins that fight, enjoy it while you can. That’s all I got to say about that.”

    Read also: Alexa Grasso Explains ‘Pausing’ Double-Champ Ambitions Ahead Of Noche UFC Title Defense

  • Movsar Evloev On Aljamain Sterling’s PED Accusations: ‘Where I’m From, Girls Talk Like That’

    Movsar Evloev On Aljamain Sterling’s PED Accusations: ‘Where I’m From, Girls Talk Like That’

    Movsar Evloev recently clapped back at Aljamain Sterling after being accused of using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

    Evloev is gearing up to put his undefeated record on the line against Sterling in a high-stakes featherweight clash on the main card of UFC 307, set for October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    As their fight draws near, “Funk Master” took to social media, hurling serious accusations at Evloev. He boldly suggested that his upcoming opponent is among those slipping under the radar while using PEDs.

    Evloev promptly dismissed the allegations, firing back with a series of posts on X. He even shared a photo of what appeared to be urine samples, subtly suggesting a recent visit from the UFC’s anti-doping partner, Drug Free Sport International.

    However, Sterling escalated his accusations, asserting that the rumors surrounding Evloev closely mirror the speculation that once swirled around his former opponent, T.J. Dillashaw, before he eventually tested positive for PED use.

    Evloev on Sterling’s Cheating Allegations: ‘Everybody Thinks I’m Using Something Because I’m Strong’

    During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Evloev fiercely rebutted Sterling’s PED allegations. The undefeated Russian dismissed “Funk Master” for speaking without solid evidence, stating that he prefers to let his actions speak for themselves when the two are locked inside the Octagon next month.

    “I don’t know what the point of this is, but I don’t care,” Evloev said. “We have doping control here, and I’m always clean. I’m happy being in the UFC because I know there is good doping control, and I can be confident knowing that my opponent also takes a doping test. So if you talk without proof, you know where I’m from—girls talk like that, and men don’t talk like that. And yeah, I can’t wait to beat his a**, and in four weeks, we’ll see.”

    Evloev went on to say that many accuse him of cheating simply because he outmatches his opponents in strength and possesses exceptional cardio. However, he emphasized that, in reality, he’s a clean fighter who trains hard to achieve his physical advantages.

    “Everybody thinks that I’m using something because, like, I’m strong, I breathe well, and I’m never tired. I’m clean, 100%. I eat well, I sleep well, I train hard—everything to be as strong as I am. And if you’re lazy, you can talk like that.”

    Evloev currently boasts an impressive undefeated professional record of 18-0, with eight of those victories coming in the UFC. He most recently secured a unanimous decision win over Arnold Allen at UFC 297 in January. The 30-year-old native of Sunzha has also claimed notable victories against elite fighters such as Dan Ige, Diego Lopes, and Hakeem Dawodu.

    • Read More: Aljamain Sterling Accuses Sean O’Malley Of Being Given The ‘Jake Paul Route’ By The UFC: ‘Stacking The Deck Against His Opponent’