MMA News

Tag: UFC Bantamweight

  • 22-Fight UFC Veteran Pushes For Release After Rough Stretch, Plans Next Move Outside Octagon – ‘It’s Time To Take A New Direction’

    22-Fight UFC Veteran Pushes For Release After Rough Stretch, Plans Next Move Outside Octagon – ‘It’s Time To Take A New Direction’

    Pedro Munhoz is preparing to close the longest chapter of his career, as the veteran bantamweight has officially requested his release from the UFC after more than a decade with the promotion.

    “The Young Punisher”, who joined the roster in 2014, confirmed the decision through a social media statement, signaling his intention to explore opportunities outside the Octagon while continuing to compete.

    “Since 2014, I’ve been part of the UFC, building my name, proving myself, and showing what I’m capable of inside that Octagon,” Munhoz wrote on Instagram. “After 32 fights, I can proudly say I’ve never been submitted or knocked out. I’ve always stepped in there with heart, discipline, and respect for the game.”

    Pedro Munhoz Eyes New Opportunities After Long UFC Run

    Munhoz believes the timing is right to take control of the next phase of his career rather than remain in a familiar environment.

    “There comes a point in life when you don’t just stay comfortable, you take control of what’s next,” he wrote. “Right now, I feel it’s time to take a new direction, explore different opportunities, and focus on other important areas of my life. I’ve asked the UFC to release me, and I’m currently in the process of becoming a free agent.”

    Despite the move, Munhoz made it clear that retirement is not part of the plan.

    “I’m not retiring yet. Still hungry. Still focused. Still ready to put on great fights and make statements.”

    Throughout his UFC tenure, “The Young Punisher” built a reputation as one of the division’s toughest and most durable fighters. Across more than 20 appearances, he shared the cage with some of the biggest names in bantamweight history, including Jose Aldo, Dominick Cruz, Aljamain Sterling, Sean O’Malley, Frankie Edgar, and Cody Garbrandt.

    The 39-year-old Brazilian veteran also secured notable victories over Garbrandt, Rob Font, and Jimmie Rivera, while earning multiple post-fight bonuses along the way.

    However, recent results have been less favorable. Munhoz enters free agency on a three-fight losing streak and posted a 2-7-1 record across his last ten outings. He was last seen in action in November 2024, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Edmonton.

    Even so, his durability, experience, and name recognition are expected to draw interest from other promotions. Organizations such as PFL and BKFC could emerge as potential landing spots.

  • Umar Nurmagomedov Reportedly Targeted For Return Against Surging Contender On 8 Fight Win Streak

    Umar Nurmagomedov Reportedly Targeted For Return Against Surging Contender On 8 Fight Win Streak

    Umar Nurmagomedov is gearing up for his highly anticipated return to the Octagon.

    According to a recent update from popular MMA source MagicM on X, Umar Nurmagomedov is reportedly close to finalizing a showdown with No. 8 ranked bantamweight contender Mario Bautista. While the bout has yet to be officially confirmed, it appears all but set, with the date and venue still to be determined.

    The news comes on the heels of a tease from Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who hinted earlier this week that “The Young Eagle” has a fight lined up, with an official announcement expected soon.

    Khabib Confirms Umar Nurmagomedov’s Return Will Be In Five Round Headliner

    While details surrounding the potential clash between Umar Nurmagomedov and Mario Bautista remain under wraps, the 29-year-old Dagestani’s cousin and UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov recently revealed on social media that Umar’s next bout is set to headline a card as a five-round main event.

    “Umar Nurmagomedov, main event of the evening. Five rounds. It’s time to make your comeback, Jr,” Khabib wrote on Instagram Stories.

    Image: @khabib_nurmagomedov/Instagram

    Umar was last seen in action at UFC 311 this past January, where he challenged reigning bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili for the title. The high-stakes matchup resulted in the first loss of his professional career, as he fell short via unanimous decision.

    Prior to the setback, “The Young Eagle” had compiled a six-fight win streak inside the Octagon, notching victories over notable opponents such as Cory Sandhagen, Bekzat Almakhan, and Raoni Barcelos. Nurmagomedov currently boasts a professional record of 18-1, with seven of those wins coming by submission.

    Meanwhile, Bautista is riding a remarkable eight-fight win streak in the UFC. The 32-year-old American was last seen in action at UFC 316 this past June, where he dominated former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix en route to a lopsided unanimous decision victory.

    Bautista’s last defeat came in March 2021 at UFC 259, where he fell to a second-round knockout at the hands of Trevin Jones. He now holds a professional record of 16-2, with nine of those victories coming by way of stoppage.

    Umar & Khabib Nurmagomedov
    Image: Mike Roach/UFC/Zuffa LLC
  • Sean O’Malley Gives Merab Dvalishvili Advice On Umar Nurmagomedov Title Defense

    Sean O’Malley Gives Merab Dvalishvili Advice On Umar Nurmagomedov Title Defense

    Sean O’Malley recently shared some tips for Merab Dvalishvili regarding his potential first title defense against the rising contender, Umar Nurmagomedov.

    Dvalishvili secured the bantamweight title, dominantly defeating reigning titleholder O’Malley by unanimous decision in the main event of Noche UFC 306, held on September 14 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    After “The Machine” captured the 135-pound crown, anticipation quickly mounted over who would emerge as his first challenger. Even before becoming champion, Dvalishvili often pointed to former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo as the most meritorious opponent.

    Meanwhile, the 34-year-old Georgian has shown clear reluctance to face Nurmagomedov, citing the Dagestani’s lack of experience against top-ranked opponents. However, last week, Dvalishvili appeared to shift his stance on Nurmagomedov in a post on X, stating that he’s ready to take on whoever the UFC places in front of him next.

    O’Malley, for his part, believes “The Machine” is making a smart move by aligning with the UFC’s plans for his future…

    O’Malley Suggests Dvalishvili Could Strain UFC Ties By Refusing Nurmagomedov Fight

    During a recent episode of his TimboSugarShow, O’Malley weighed in on who Dvalishvili should face in his first title defense. “Suga” advised that if the UFC wants the newly crowned champion to take on Nurmagomedov next, he should accept the fight. Otherwise, Dvalishvili risks jeopardizing his relationship with the promotion, which O’Malley believes would be an unwise move.

    “He [Dvalishvili] said he’s not fighting Umar. I’m like, bro, do you not learn from Aljo [Aljamain Sterling]?” O’Malley said. “You’re not going to come out and say, ‘I’m not fighting Umar.’ You’re the champ, and Umar was supposed to be the next guy… If I’m giving any advice, it’s just f**king don’t go against what the UFC wants. If the UFC wants you to fight Umar, f**king fight Umar. Don’t say, ‘I’m not going to fight Umar.’ It’s like, then you’re not going to have a good relationship with the UFC.”

    Nurmagomedov is fresh off a commanding victory over former interim title challenger Cory Sandhagen at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi last month. This triumph not only extended the 28-year-old Dagestani’s unbeaten streak to six but also solidified his standing as a top contender for the bantamweight belt. However, only time will reveal who Dvalishvili will face next.

    Read More: Merab Dvalishvili Explains Why He Questioned Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov & Other Fighters Representing Russia

  • Merab Dvalishvili Uses ‘Bully’ Petr Yan Example To Explain Dislike Of Russia

    Merab Dvalishvili Uses ‘Bully’ Petr Yan Example To Explain Dislike Of Russia

    Merab Dvalishvili recently referenced Petr Yan as an example to articulate his disdain for Russia as a nation.

    Earlier this month, in the main event of Noche UFC 306 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, Dvalishivili showcased his superiority over Sean O’Malley with relentless grappling and punishing ground control to become the new UFC bantamweight champion.

    Despite his energetic persona, “The Machine” typically avoids the harsh trash talk that often surrounds UFC fighters. But in his pursuit of a title shot against “Suga”, Dvalishvili created a series of humorous skits, playfully mocking the former champion to help bring the fight to fruition.

    When Dvalishvili faced Petr Yan in March 2023, his typically composed demeanor cracked, revealing fiery emotions as he fiercely condemned the Russian regime and voiced his deep resentment over its aggressive military occupations of neighboring countries over the years.

    Dvalishvili Blames Russian Occupation Of Georgia For His Loathing Of The Country

    During a recent interview with former UFC welterweight Jake Shields, Dvalishvili candidly discussed his deep-seated contempt for the Russian state. “The Machine” revealed that his animosity toward Yan was fueled by a larger resentment toward Russia, a nation that has repeatedly waged war against his homeland of Georgia over territorial conflicts, resulting in significant casualties.

    “Petr Yan, he’s from Russia; he’s a bully,” Dvalishvili said. “[I don’t hate] Russian people. It’s the country because they are corrupt, and Russia occupied my country—20% of Georgia. They are my enemies. You know, when they come, of course, we treat them as guests, no problem. Of course, they love our food, they love our hospitality, but they throw bombs in the city and kill people. And we are a small country, so we ask, ‘Why are you killing us?’ I’m saying, let’s just be friends with everybody.”

    Dvalishvili went on to share that at just 17 years old; he witnessed the devastation of the Russo-Georgian War in August 2008. The brutal conflict claimed the lives of many of his close friends and relatives as Russian bombs rained down on Tbilisi.

    “In 1991, when they took Abkhazia, and then the second time, I was 17 in 2008, they occupied Ossetia, and so many people lost their homes. We lost so many people, and they threw bombs in the capital city.”

  • UFC Middleweight Josh Fremd Feels Merab Dvalishvili Didn’t ‘Beat’ Champion Sean O’Malley (Exclusive)

    UFC Middleweight Josh Fremd Feels Merab Dvalishvili Didn’t ‘Beat’ Champion Sean O’Malley (Exclusive)

    Josh Fremd recently voiced his opinion that Merab Dvalishvili didn’t definitively defeat Sean O’Malley at Noche UFC 306.

    Dvalishvili outclassed O’Malley with superior striking and dominant grappling, resoundingly securing the UFC bantamweight title via unanimous decision last weekend at the Las Vegas Sphere.

    “The Machine” racked up six takedowns over the course of the 25-minute bout. He dominated large portions of the fight on the ground, effortlessly nullifying his opponent’s power striking.

    “Suga” endured the most one-sided loss of his career, yet he has since contested the judges’ scorecards. In a series of posts on X, he argued that he should have been awarded the decision, claiming to have won rounds one, three, and five.

    Fremd echoed O’Malley’s sentiments, questioning whether Dvalishvili truly deserved the victory…

    Fremd After Reviewing O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili: ‘It Depends On What The Judges Were Looking For’

    During a recent interview with MMA News’ Ryan Jarrell, Fremd shared his thoughts on the O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili title fight. The UFC middleweight prospect revealed that after rewatching the bout, he felt “Suga” didn’t showcase his full potential, and Dvalishvili’s victory wasn’t as decisive as it seemed.

    Fremd also voiced concerns about the judges’ scorecards, suggesting they may not have accurately reflected the matchup.

    “I thought it looked like O’Malley had an off night,” Fremd said. “After watching it again without commentary or anything like that, I don’t know. I feel like you have to beat, beat the champion, and I don’t know… after rewatching it, in the moment, it definitely seemed like Merab won with his wrestling, grappling, and dominance. But when you go back and look at it, I don’t know… it depends on what the judges were looking for and how exactly they scored it. But congrats to Merab, that was an amazing performance.”

    The 30-year-old Colorado native further discussed whether “Suga” deserves an immediate rematch upon his return or if he should face another opponent first to work his way back into the title picture.

    “I think, personally, since he’s such a huge star, he should get an immediate rematch,” Fremd responded. “If not, then him versus [Cory] Sandhagen would be an amazing fight to watch, so either one, I think, works.”

  • Umar Nurmagomedov’s Coach On Merab Dvalishvili: ‘Cain Velasquez In The Bantamweight Division’

    Umar Nurmagomedov’s Coach On Merab Dvalishvili: ‘Cain Velasquez In The Bantamweight Division’

    Umar Nurmagomedov’s coach recently heaped praise on Merab Dvalishvili’s relentless fighting style.

    “The Machine” turned in arguably the best performance of his career when it mattered most, dominating Sean O’Malley in the main event of Noche UFC 306 last weekend at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, to claim the 135-pound title.

    The bout played out precisely as many experts had foreseen, with Dvalishvili applying relentless aggression from the opening bell to the final horn. His barrage of takedowns and commanding grappling exchanges completely neutralized O’Malley’s striking arsenal.

    Dvalishvili was all gas, no brakes, taking “Suga” down at will and dictating the pace for the majority of the contest. By the end, the victor was clear, with Dvalishvili claiming UFC gold via a decisive unanimous decision from the judges.

    Following Dvalishvili’s victory, a whirlwind of speculation has erupted over who will step up as the Georgian’s first title challenger. Throughout fight week, the newly crowned UFC bantamweight champion has consistently floated Deiveson Figueiredo as the most deserving opponent. At the same time, Dvalishvili has shown a noticeable disinclination to face the undefeated Nurmagomedov next.

    Mendez Foresees How Potential Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov Clash Would Play Out

    During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Mendez was asked to weigh in on how a potential title showdown between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov might unfold. The renowned MMA coach lauded ‘The Machine’s’ incredible cardio, predicting that the reigning champion would present a formidable challenge for his protégé. However, he noted that the Dagestani has certain advantages that could shift the momentum in his direction.

    “It’s going to be fought on the standup, it’s going to be fought on the ground,” Mendez said. “I believe we’re sharper on the stand-up. I believe we’re sharper on the ground. I believe what he has is incredible cardio, and that’s a big part that’s to his advantage. I don’t know of anybody in the bantamweight division that has that kind of advantage. He’s got incredible cardio, so if you’re going to go with him and it’s going to go five rounds, you’ve got to be prepared to go five hard first rounds because that’s what this guy is all about. He’s got an incredible gas tank; he kind of reminds me of Cain Velasquez in the bantamweight division.”

    Mendez went on to reveal that Nurmagomedov is poised to be the next challenger for Dvalishvili’s title. According to him, discussions for the potential showdown are already underway, though he expressed some uncertainty about how things will unfold in the near future.

    “As far as I know, it [the fight] is being offered. It’s just a matter of whether they can work out the deal. You never know what’s going on behind the scenes, right? So even though I’m telling you this, it may be something else. I do know that we are supposed to be the next challengers after this [Noche UFC 306]. That’s why he [Nurmagomedov] was there. Why did they show him as the next challenger for the title? Why did Joe Rogan even bring it up if they weren’t trying to build up the next fight? It’s the next fight. Now, will it happen? Let’s see.”

    Nurmagomedov is riding a six-fight undefeated streak in the Octagon and is fresh off a commanding unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen in the main event of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi this past August.

    The younger cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov has been campaigning for a title shot ever since his last victory, but Dvalishvili has put his challenge on ice. Now, only time will reveal who the reigning champion selects as his next opponent.

  • Merab Dvalishvili Feels Former Champ More Deserving Of Next Title Shot Than Umar Nurmagomedov

    Merab Dvalishvili Feels Former Champ More Deserving Of Next Title Shot Than Umar Nurmagomedov

    Merab Dvalishvili recently voiced his belief that a former UFC champion is far more deserving of the next bantamweight title shot than rising star Umar Nurmagomedov.

    Dvalishvili is gearing up for his first title opportunity against bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 306, which is set to go down next weekend at The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    “The Machine”, currently riding an impressive 10-fight win streak, has been relentlessly campaigning for this title shot but already has someone in mind who he believes is more fitting for the next opportunity. Following Nurmagomedov’s dominant unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi last month, there’s been growing chatter that the undefeated Dagestani is the frontrunner to face the winner of the upcoming O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili showdown.

    However, Dvalishvili thinks that former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo is the more rightful contender for the next bantamweight title shot over Nurmagomedov…

    Dvalishvili Shares His Rationale For Choosing Figueiredo Over Nurmagomedov

    During a recent interview with SHAK MMA, “The Machine” was asked to weigh in on who he believes deserves the next crack at the 135-pound title. The 33-year-old Georgian fighter acknowledged that while Nurmagomedov is undeniably talented, he still has more to prove in the division.

    “I don’t know because he [Nurmagomedov] never fought somebody—well, not never; he only fought one guy from the top 15,” Dvalishvili said. “And the guy, Sandhagen, gave him a hard time, and how would I know? He fights people who are nobody, and they gave him #2. Yes, he got the win, but I mean, he’s a good fighter for sure, but he hasn’t earned it to be here.”

    In contrast, Dvalishvili thinks “Deus da Guerra” has already solidified his place by showcasing his skills against three of the division’s top contenders.

    “Figueiredo deserves to fight for the title next because he beat three top contenders. He finished one former champion, he dominated title challenger [Marlon] ‘Chito’ Vera, he beat Rob Font, and he finished Cody Garbrandt. Figueiredo is a former champion, he has a big name, and he called my name respectfully. I would like to return that respect, and I believe he is more deserving. Umar, I’m not interested.”

    Figueiredo secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over Vera at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, extending his undefeated streak to 3-0 since moving up to the bantamweight division.

    The Brazilian standout also threw down the gauntlet, offering to serve as the backup fighter for the highly anticipated O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili title bout. However, the UFC has yet to confirm any plans regarding his involvement.