Charles Oliveira has secured his future with the UFC, signing a new long-term deal that could keep him active well into the later stages of his career.
The current BMF titleholder has agreed to an eight-fight contract extension, according to his coach, Diego Lima. The deal puts to rest any recent speculation about “Do Bronx” stepping away from the sport and instead signals a continued push at the highest level of the lightweight division.
“We renewed the contract for eight more fights,” Lima told Ag. Fight. “So we’ll have Charles fighting until he’s 40. So, for those who said he was going to retire, want more [laughs].”
Oliveira, who turns 37 later this year, remains one of the most active and accomplished fighters in UFC history. He currently holds a 25-11 record inside the promotion with one no-contest and has won 15 of his last 18 bouts.
The Brazilian’s recent form has been particularly strong, rebounding from a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria with back-to-back wins, including a submission victory over Mateusz Gamrot and a dominant decision against Max Holloway at UFC 326 to claim the BMF title.
Charles Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) now has the second most wins in @UFC history with 25 (J. Miller, 27).
“It was a wonderful contract. Wonderful,” Lima added. “I don’t have a [bad] thing to say. It was an incredible negotiation.”
With a new deal in place, Oliveira’s focus remains unchanged. The Brazilian has made it clear that his priority is another shot at UFC gold at 155 pounds. The division is set for a major development on June 14 at UFC White House, when Justin Gaethje faces Topuria to unify the lightweight titles.
If Oliveira completes the full eight-fight deal, he would surpass 40 appearances in the Octagon, further extending a career that has already seen him become the UFC’s all-time leader in finishes.
Arman Tsarukyan, not Paddy Pimblett, deserves the next shot at Ilia Topuria — or so says one MMA legend urging the UFC to honor the rankings.
Following Islam Makhachev’s decision to vacate the lightweight title and move up to welterweight, Topuria claimed the vacant throne with a brutal knockout of former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.
Following his emphatic victory, “El Matador” shared a fiery face-off with Pimblett inside the Octagon. Since then, “The Baddy” has seemingly jumped ahead of leading contenders like Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje in the race to challenge Topuria for his first title defense, largely because it’s the matchup many fans want to see next, even though the UFC has yet to make anything official.
However, former UFC and ONE champion Demetrious Johnson isn’t sold on that matchup. Instead, the MMA legend throws his weight behind “Ahalkalakets” and believes Tsarukyan should be the one fighting for the 155-pound title next.
Demetrious Johnson Says Arman Tsarukyan More Worthy Of Title Shot Over Paddy Pimblett
During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Demetrious Johnson weighed in on the evolving UFC lightweight title picture following Ilia Topuria’s championship win. While he acknowledged that a showdown between Topuria and Paddy Pimblett might generate more revenue and fan interest, “Mighty Mouse” emphasized that the UFC should stick to merit-based matchmaking.
Johnson argued that Arman Tsarukyan, who holds a significantly higher ranking than “The Baddy”, is the deserving challenger for the next title shot.
“It needs to be him, Arman Tsarukyan,” Johnson said. “This is why I say [UFC] it’s a reality TV show. It’s like, obviously Arman Tsarukyan is the number one contender. He’s ranked number one… Whatever you guys wanna go by the rankings, but they’re force in this fight with Paddy Pimblett versus Ilia Topuria just because it’s probably gonna sell more. But I think the rightful person who should be getting the next title shot at lightweight is Arman Tsarukyan.”
“Ahalkalakets” last competed at UFC 300 in April 2024, where he earned a hard-fought split decision victory over Charles Oliveira. The win secured Tsarukyan a title shot against then-lightweight king Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January. However, the 28-year-old Armenian was forced to withdraw just hours before the weigh-ins due to an undisclosed health scare.
Tsarukyan served as the backup fighter for UFC 317, successfully making weight in case he was needed. Since then, he’s publicly called out Topuria for a title opportunity. However, despite his readiness, UFC CEO Dana White has yet to confirm him as the next challenger.
A former UFC champion believes no matchup today carries more weight than a potential showdown between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett.
Last weekend in the main event of UFC 317, Topuria made his dream a reality, stopping former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira with a brutal first-round knockout to capture the vacant 155-pound title and cement his status as a two-division UFC champion.
Immediately after his emphatic victory, “El Matador” came face-to-face with Pimblett in a tense staredown inside the Octagon that quickly escalated into a heated exchange. The newly crowned champion punctuated the moment by shoving the Brit, adding fuel to what now seems like an unavoidable showdown in the making.
Topuria and Pimblett’s rivalry traces back to March 2022, when the two nearly came to blows in a heated altercation at the fighter hotel ahead of UFC London. What began as bad blood quickly escalated into full-blown animosity, with tensions flaring again during a near brawl at the UFC 282 pre-fight press conference.
Since then, both men have repeatedly taken shots at each other in interviews and on social media, keeping the feud very much alive. Now, with Ilia Topuria reigning as the new lightweight king, a long-awaited clash with “The Baddy” could be next on the horizon.
Image: @ufc/X
Michael Bisping Sees Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett As UFC’s Hottest Potential Matchup
During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Michael Bisping shared his thoughts on who should be Ilia Topuria’s first title challenger. While the UFC Hall of Famer acknowledged that elite contenders like Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje are waiting in the wings, he argued that the promotion would be wise to cash in on the long-standing rivalry between Topuria and Paddy Pimblett.
“The biggest fight they can put on right now, outside of Islam, is Ilia Topuria versus Paddy Pimblett,” Bisping said. “Saturday night, when they showed all the celebrities, when they showed the fighters in the crowd, Paddy Pimblett got the biggest pop by far… He resonates with the younger crowd and with everyone, because when they showed him on camera, the place went mental! He just beat Michael Chandler, he’s undefeated in the UFC, he’s got the history with Ilia—and that’s the fight they’ve got to make.”
“We saw Ilia lose his cool for just a second—he pushed Paddy, allowed Paddy to get into his head. He had the two belts on his shoulder, gave him the push, the belts almost fell off his shoulders… It just shows Paddy’s ability to get under people’s skin. That fight sells itself—two people who genuinely dislike each other. You don’t really get that. We haven’t seen that since Khabib [Nurmagomedov] and [Conor] McGregor—two people who actually hate each other.”
However, Makhachev vacated his title to pursue new challenges at welterweight. As a result, former featherweight king Ilia Topuria is now set to collide with Charles Oliveira in the UFC 317 headliner to determine the new lightweight king.
Gaethje’s critics argue that a title shot would be undeserved, pointing to his dramatic, last-second knockout loss to Max Holloway in their BMF title clash at UFC 300 in April 2024 as a major blemish on his recent resume.
Image: UFC.com
Justin Gaethje Says UFC 300 Knockout Is Irrelevant To Title Contention
During a recent appearance on The Makeshift Podcast, Justin Gaethje reflected on his UFC 300 clash with Max Holloway, describing it as more of a crowd-pleasing showcase for the fans and the promotion than a bout with any real implications for the lightweight division.
“They owe me a championship fight,” Justin Gaethje said. “I’m 3-1 in my last four. They came to my house begging me to fight Max Holloway at UFC 300. I consider that an exhibition fight. I don’t mean that the loss is not on my record, it had nothing to do with the rankings in my [division at the time]. In the time that I did that, Dustin Poirier, who I had just beat, got a good win over [Benoit] Saint Denis and then fought for the belt.”
“The Highlight” didn’t hold back as he aired his frustration over the current state of the 155-pound division, making it clear he has no intention of jeopardizing his position with any non-title bout—unless the UFC puts a massive paycheck on the table.
“Since [I beat Fiziev], [Makhachev] had been saying he wants to fight me. They could’ve easily set that up, but they didn’t. Then he vacates, and then Oliveira is 2-2 in his last [four fights], already has a loss to Makhachev, and they bring a brand new guy in. And I get f**ked again.So I’m not going to fight any of these motherf**kers for fun unless they pay me so much more money… If I’m going to take a risky fight, if I lose, I’m going to be set up [financially], and if I win, I’m fighting for a belt — or I’m not doing it.”
The former UFC interim lightweight champion has struggled to find consistent form in recent outings, managing a modest 4-3 record across his last seven trips to the Octagon.
Justin Gaethje has fallen short in both of his previous attempts at undisputed UFC gold, suffering submission losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 in October 2020 and Charles Oliveira at UFC 274 in May 2022.
A top UFC bantamweight contender believes Ilia Topuria would hold the stylistic upper hand in a potential lightweight clash against Islam Makhachev.
Topuria relinquished his UFC featherweight crown in February in an effort to secure an immediate superfight with reigning lightweight champion Makhachev, aiming to etch his name in history as a two-division titleholder. However, the Dagestani offered a lukewarm response to the proposed superfight.
Instead, Makhachev is set to vacate his 155-pound belt as he shifts his focus to the welterweight division, where he plans to challenge current champion Jack Della Maddalena later this year. With the lightweight strap now up for grabs, “El Matador” is slated to square off against former champion Charles Oliveira for the vacant title in the headlining bout of UFC 317, scheduled for June 28.
Although Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev appear to be headed down vastly different career trajectories, with little likelihood of their paths crossing inside the Octagon anytime soon, one former UFC interim bantamweight title challenger believes that if the stars were to align, the undefeated Spaniard has owns the style and sharpness to edge out a win.
Cory Sandhagen Claims Ilia Topuria Has Tools To Trouble Islam Makhachev
During a recent appearance on the Overdogs Podcast, Cory Sandhagen weighed in on a potential lightweight bout between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev. “Sandman” acknowledged Makhachev’s status as one of the sport’s premier grapplers but suggested that the former UFC featherweight champion’s elite takedown defense and striking prowess could tip the balance in his favor.
“If Ilia and Islam fight at 155, I honestly think Ilia would win that fight,” Sandhagen said. “His stature is going to be hard to take down for Islam, and if those two are standing, I just think Ilia is a way, way more dangerous guy standing. I can’t really see Islam hurting him because his guard is real good.”
“El Matador” was last seen in action at UFC 308 in October, where he successfully defended his featherweight title with a third-round knockout of former champion Max Holloway. Meanwhile, Makhachev’s latest outing came at UFC 311 in January, where he successfully defended his lightweight belt with a first-round submission victory over Renato Moicano.
Ilia Topuria is set to unveil an entirely new version of himself the next time he steps into the Octagon.
Topuria’s four-year journey in the UFC has been nothing short of spectacular. With an undefeated record and an ever-expanding highlight reel, he has cemented himself as one of the brightest stars in the MMA world.
The Spaniard knocked out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024 to claim the featherweight throne. He then solidified his reign at UFC 308 in October, making history as the first fighter to ever knock out Max Holloway while successfully defending his championship.
However, last month, “El Matador” vacated his 145-pound title, setting his sights on the lightweight division in pursuit of becoming a two-division UFC champion. UFC CEO Dana White stated that Topuria chose to take this step after asserting that he had nothing left to prove at featherweight. Additionally, the growing challenge of cutting down to 145 pounds played a key role in his decision to move up a division.
But it appears that Ilia Topuria’s transformation goes beyond just a change in weight class.
Taking to X on Thursday, “El Matador” announced that he would be dropping his moniker — which translates to “The Killer” — and completely reinventing his identity for his next Octagon appearance.
“‘El Matador’ has been my ally in every fight. But next time, I’ll step into the octagon with a new identity. #NewEra,” Topuria wrote.
El Matador has been my ally in every fight. But next time, I’ll step into the octagon with a new identity. #NewEra
However, Makhachev’s camp has reportedly hinted that the Dagestani champion is not ready to grant Topuria a title shot just yet. Instead, they believe he must first prove himself in a title eliminator bout against a top contender.
Makhachev dominated Renato Moicano, who stepped in as Tsarukyan’s late replacement, securing a first-round submission to notch his fourth consecutive title defense in dominant fashion.
As if the injury wasn’t enough for the 28-year-old Armenian, things took an unexpected turn at the UFC 311 post-fight press conference. UFC CEO Dana White revealed that Tsarukyan won’t be given an immediate title shot. Instead, he’ll need to secure one or two more victories before earning being considered for another crack at the belt.
During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Hooker weighed in on Tsarukyan’s withdrawal from his first UFC title shot, expressing shock over the timing of the injury that led to the unexpected setback.
“How do you get injured on your day off?” Hooker said. “I got no idea… I thought it was pretty, pretty strange, bro, to get such a severe injury that you need to pull out when you’re cutting weight, you know?”
“The Hangman” didn’t hold back, taking sharp jabs at Tsarukyan for missing out on an immediate title shot, while mocking his apparently privileged background and his father Nairi Tsarukyan’s wealth.
“It must be a pretty severe injury. But, like, your world title is your absolutely everything. I don’t know how you would pass up on that opportunity. Yeah, like, I obviously saw Dana White just say that he ain’t getting the title shot next and he’s going to have to work his way back up to the belt, you know. Daddy can’t buy you a backbone, can he?”
Hooker is placing himself in the mix for a lightweight title shot as he’s set to clash with former interim champion Justin Gaethje in a five-round battle. The high-stakes bout will take place as the co-main event of UFC 311 on March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Dustin Poirier recently received accolades from MMA analysts for expressing his desire to take on a stylistically challenging opponent in his next fight.
After his setback, Poirier hinted that his last appearance in the Octagon might be behind him. However, just a few weeks later, the former UFC interim champion experienced a shift in perspective, revealing that he still feels a strong desire to fight—provided the matchup is enticing enough for him.
It appears that “The Diamond” has put an intriguing bout in place for himself, as he recently teased on X his desire to settle the score with Justin Gaethje in a highly anticipated trilogy match.
Considering Poirier’s 1-1 record against “The Highlight”, MMA analysts Josh Thomson and “Big” John McCarthy praised his determination to pursue challenging matchups, even as he nears the later stages of his career.
Thomson Says Poirier Never Wants The ‘Easy Road’ In His Career
During a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast, both Thompson and McCarthy lauded Poirier for considering a trilogy bout with Gaethje. “The Punk” noted that the 35-year-old Louisiana native is driven by the prospect of facing Gaethje and never hesitates to embrace the toughest challenges in his career.
“The fact that Dustin’s calling for the fight means that this guy motivates him enough to say, ‘You know what? Let’s run this back; let’s do it a third time; let’s give the fans what they want,’” Thomson said. “I’ve never looked at Dustin as someone who wants the easy road; he’s not that guy.”
McCarthy remarked that the opponents “The Diamond” has faced over his career embody the highest level of competition in the UFC lightweight division, and that is truly commendable.
“If you’re going to look at it from a certain point, you know everybody he was fighting was either a champion or a former champion,” McCarthy said. “We’re talking top of the food chain with every guy that he was fighting, and it’s just amazing. You know, I think it was from the Dan Hooker fight; I could be wrong, but I mean, just crazy who that guy has been fighting. You can’t ask anything more from a fighter than what you get from Dustin Poirier.”
Pimblett delivered one of his finest performances to date, securing a technical submission victory over King Green at UFC 304 this past July, officially entering the UFC 155-pound rankings.
The 29-year-old Scouser’s recent triumph not only shut down his critics but also shifted “Money” Moicano’s stance toward him…
Moicano Admits Pimblett Fight Could Be A ‘Tougher Matchup’
During In a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Moicano was asked to share his thoughts on Pimblett. The Brazilian veteran conceded that he was truly impressed by “The Baddy’s” showing against Green, even going as far as to predict that Pimblett would pose a more challenging matchup than most of the other lightweights if they were to face off in the Octagon.
“I was very impressed. I think after the Bobby Green fight, Paddy Pimblett is a tougher matchup than Dan Hooker,” Moicano said. “Back in the day, I would’ve been crazy to say that, but right now, we saw what Dan Hooker did to Mateusz Gamrot. He got caught many, many times in the first round. It was a close fight. I don’t think he did win, but you see the way Paddy Pimblett finished Bobby Green, and Bobby Green is not an easy guy to submit. The way he did so, props to Paddy Pimblett.”
“Money” further added that although he previously questioned Pimblett’s abilities, he’s now developed a newfound respect for him.
“I was one of the doubters. But he did great, and he did a great job against Bobby Green. He deserves some respect. Not much but some respect.”
Following his UFC 304 victory, Pimblett made it clear he has his eyes set on the winner of the Moicano vs. Saint Denis bout, with a particular focus on “Money” as his next potential opponent.
Michael Chandler recently shared his belief that Conor McGregor’s deep passion for MMA will inevitably draw him back to the Octagon.
Chandler’s name has been linked to the former two-division UFC champion ever since the two were cast as rival coaches on The Ultimate Fighter season 31 last year. The plan was to eventually clash in a highly anticipated showdown in the season finale.
However, by the third quarter of 2024, “Iron” remained laser-focused on his training, passing up opportunities to compete against other fighters as he stayed committed to the long-promised bout with McGregor. Meanwhile, “The Notorious” was frequently seen enjoying his extravagant lifestyle, partying, and fully embracing his larger-than-life persona.
Chandler and Oliveira first squared off for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 262 in May 2021. In that bout, the Brazilian emerged victorious with a second-round TKO to claim UFC gold.
The upcoming rematch doesn’t suggest that ‘Iron’ has abandoned his lofty goal of fighting McGregor. On the contrary, the former Bellator lightweight champion remains hopeful that the potential matchup could still materialize sometime next year.
Chandler Says McGregor Is Too ‘Romantic’ About MMA to Stay Away
During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Chandler was asked if, after all the hurdles in booking his fight with McGregor, he still believes the Irishman will ever return to the UFC. The former lightweight title challenger acknowledged that while ‘The Notorious’ may currently be focused on ventures outside the UFC, he firmly believes McGregor’s deep-rooted passion for MMA will inevitably pull him back. And when that moment comes, Chandler assured that he’ll be ready to face him.
“You just look at his history. Conor McGregor is a nothing, a nobody, without the sport of mixed martial arts, without the UFC platform, without the legacy that he’s created,” Chandler said. “I believe he’s romantic about it. I believe he loves the sport. I believe his spirit loves the sport, but sometimes his body and his brain want other things, right? And I’ve never walked a mile in that man’s shoes, neither have you, so who are we to critique him? But I do believe he comes back, and when he does, I’ll be waiting. I just might have the title by then, so it could be a very interesting set of circumstances.”
“Iron” hasn’t fought for almost two years, following his third-round submission loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022. Many have speculated that Chandler squandered his prime years by remaining inactive, waiting for a fight with McGregor.
However, the 38-year-old American has no regrets about his time away from the cage. Instead, he believes the break was much-needed, allowing him to recharge and reset away from the relentless grind of competition.
“When I step into the Octagon next time, it’s going to be two years since I fought. But I already had a bout agreement, already had a contract signed, already broke the biggest gate record, and was lined up against Conor. We had a fight, but the fight got pulled, so you can’t really have any regrets. All you can do is make the best decisions… I enjoyed myself; I needed some time away from the sport. When you’re fighting the best and toughest guys in the world, constantly in training camps, constantly dealing with the pressure and the rigors of what I go through—because I take it so seriously—the sport can chew you up and gobble you up.”
Chandler and McGregor were ultimately slated to headline UFC 303 this past June, but the fight was abruptly scrapped at the eleventh hour when McGregor pulled out just two weeks before the event due to a leg injury.
“Golden Boy” earned his spot in the UFC with a commanding unanimous decision victory over Lucas Almeida on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2021. However, his promotional debut a year later didn’t unfold as planned, as he suffered the sole defeat of his professional career at the hands of Trey Ogden.
Despite this setback, the 25-year-old Mexican rebounded impressively, stringing together a three-fight win streak. Most recently, Zellhuber secured a decisive victory over Francisco Prado at UFC Fight Night in Mexico this past February.
Noche UFC 306 offers Zellhuber a prime opportunity to steal the spotlight as he aims to ascend the ranks of the highly competitive lightweight division, with his sights set on securing a title shot in the near future…
Zellhuber Sets Sights On Veterans To Break Into Lightweight Rankings
During a recent interview on Verse Us with Eric Nicksick, “Golden Boy” shared his aspirations for the future, emphasizing that a potential victory over Ribovics at Noche UFC 306 could serve as the launch pad for his rapidly rising career.
“I always have a plan with the team where I wanted to take my time,” Zellhuber said. “But again, now that I’m more confident in my skill set and more comfortable fighting and, you know, doing all these things, growing as an athlete, I feel that this fight is my way to put the entire 155-pound division on notice. I want to win this fight, and after that, I want a former top 15 opponent, like somebody who was already in the rankings.”
Zellhuber further expressed his desire to face seasoned divisional veterans like Michael Johnson or Bobby Green as his pathway to breaking into the rankings. Afterward, the DWCS graduate aims to take on highly ranked contenders by 2026, with the ultimate goal of challenging for the lightweight title in 2027.
“I have Michael Johnson on my mind, even Bobby Green. It’s funny because I talk with Chase Hooper on Instagram. I texted him like, ‘Hey, you want to fight?’ and he answered me. Then it’s funny because we ended up being kind of like friends. I was trying to talk bullsh*t, but it didn’t work. I want one of those guys who was already there but is recently coming out [of rankings]. Then, by the end of next year, I want to fight a top 15 opponent, and start 2026 with a top 10, close the year with a top five, and then in 2027, a championship fight. I like to have everything planned. I feel that’s also why I’m being successful in my career because I don’t like to do things just like, ‘Yeah, let’s do this.’”
Joe Lauzon recently opened up about the lingering uncertainty surrounding his UFC career.
Lauzon is a name that might not resonate with newer MMA fans, but he was once celebrated as one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC lightweight division of his era, holding the third-highest number of post-fight bonuses in the company’s history.
“J-Lau” has been absent from the Octagon since delivering a first-round TKO victory over Jonathan Pearce in October 2019, a win that ended his three-fight losing streak. In August 2023, Lauzon lobbied for a spot at UFC 292 in Boston, but the promotion declined, signaling that his services were no longer required. Even UFC CEO Dana White publicly urged him to hang up his gloves for good.
The 40-year-old Massachusetts native has considered himself semi-retired during his five-year hiatus, admitting that he’d only return to active competition if a truly compelling matchup came his way. However, with no such opportunity on the horizon, Lauzon now finds himself at a crossroads…
Lauzon Still Training While Not Actively Seeking A Fight
During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Lauzon opened up about his time away from the Octagon. The seasoned UFC lightweight admitted he’s unsure about the future of his career, yet he remains committed to training regularly despite not actively pursuing any fight opportunities.
“I’ve been focused more on my gym than I have on training,” Lauzon said. “Everyone’s always asking, like, ‘Oh, are you going to fight again? Are you not going to fight again?’ and my answer is always kind of ambiguous—I don’t really know. I wanted to fight Chase Hooper last summer when they were going to come to Boston, but that didn’t work out; they didn’t want to do that. So, I don’t know. If they came to me with a fight and a matchup that I liked… I’m still training all the time, but I’m not pressing the issue.”
“J-Lau” also revealed that, despite his inactivity, he’s still under contract with the UFC. However, he admitted that he’s unclear on how to exit the agreement, especially since he’s not actively pursuing a fight.
“I don’t exactly know a valid way to get out of the contract—not that I’m trying to—but I think that there’s a bunch of reasons it can kind of freeze or get prolonged, right? So I think it’s if you turn down a fight, if you are injured, or if you retire—you know, those things all prolong and extend it, right? So, from my perspective, I’m not really trying to fight anywhere else, so I don’t really care. I’m still in the USADA pool, which is not even annoying, but a little bit annoying.”
“I still have USADA—or not USADA, but Drug Free Sport—show up, and they test me every once in a while. But otherwise, I mean, I think it’s just extended perpetually, like until whenever. I’m in a weird spot where I don’t really care about actively fighting.
Lauzon stands as the longest-serving fighter on the current UFC roster. Since his promotional debut at UFC 63 back in 2006, he has stepped into the Octagon 27 times.
“J-Lau” has faced numerous hurdles in securing fights over the years. He was set to clash with Donald Cerrone on three separate occasions, but the bout was postponed once and canceled twice, all before “Cowboy” eventually called it a career.
Dan Hooker recently revealed that he inked a lavish new deal with the UFC, claiming it could potentially make him the highest-paid lightweight fighter on the roster.
Hooker has been particularly exhilarated about competing on the Australasia pay-per-view card, especially since it offers him the chance to fight alongside his City Kickboxing teammates, Israel Adesanya and Kai Kara-France.
Hooker has been a constant fixture in the UFC’s 155-pound division since 2014, earning notable victories over respected fighters such as Gilbert Burns, Paul Felder, and Jim Miller. Despite these impressive wins, he has struggled to fully harness his momentum and consistently perform at the level of his true potential.
As one of the division’s seasoned veterans, Hooker is now reaping the rewards of his dedication, having recently signed a fresh deal with the UFC—a development that has sparked excitement for him…
Hooker On New UFC Deal: ‘They Don’t Pay for Playing Nice’
During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Hooker revealed that he’s secured a fresh five-fight contract with the UFC. “The Hangman” explained that the negotiation process was lengthy.
While the exact details of Hooker’s contract remain under wraps, now that the deal is sealed, he’s confident it catapults him into the upper echelon of earners within the lightweight division.
“It’s been in the works for some time. I was on my last fight, which was supposed to be against Bobby Green and all that,” Hooker said. “So, it’s something that’s been in the background for quite a while now, but to finally get it all signed before this big deal is great. As far as I know, besides the big pay-per-view guys and the champs, I’ll probably be the highest-paid lightweight out there. You’ve got to stand your ground, brother—they don’t pay you for being nice.”
Hooker is currently riding the momentum of a two-fight resurgence after a brief and challenging stint in the featherweight division, where he endured a first-round knockout at the hands of Arnold Allen in March 2022. With a UFC record of 13-8, Hooker is determined to keep his victorious momentum going come Saturday night.
Dustin Poirier recently lavished accolades on Paddy Pimblett for his triumphant performance against King Green at UFC 304.
“The Baddy” showcased arguably the most remarkable outing of his UFC career to date this past weekend. He decisively overcame Green with a spectacular triangle-armbar combination in the first round of their lightweight bout, thrilling the home crowd at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Pimblett delivered several potent calf kicks that visibly unsettled “King.” In response, Green attempted a takedown midway through the opening round, but the Brit skillfully countered with a guillotine choke, then seamlessly transitioned into a triangle choke from the bottom. He deftly converted the choke into an armbar, and as Green began to lose consciousness, the referee intervened, halting the fight at 3:22.
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Poirier was asked to share his thoughts on Pimblett’s victory at UFC 304. “The Diamond” remarked that the Scouser not only impressed him but also validated his brash personality with a commanding performance against a formidable opponent like Green.
“He’s another one of those guys whose trajectory is like if he keeps doing what he’s doing, he’s going to be – not that he’s not massive – but he’s on the right track,” Poirier said. “Dude, when you talk like that and people like your personality, and you go out there and finish guys, you know, vets and legends like Bobby. Of course, going into the fight, I knew he could win, but to finish Bobby Green like that, I was very surprised. He’s talking the talk, walking the walk, man.”
Poirier Opens Up About Return Timeline & Possible Opponent
After the fight, Poirier took to social media to reveal he had sustained a partially torn ACL, a broken nose, and a broken rib during his bout with Makhachev. These injuries could potentially sideline him for an extended period.
During the aforementioned interview, “The Diamond” delved into his potential return schedule. The former UFC interim lightweight champion revealed that if he feels better within the next 30 days, he might consider a comeback later this year. However, he emphasized that this decision would depend on numerous factors.
“I think I could fight at the end of this year. If I felt good after the 30 days and there was a big opportunity, the names – obviously, the opponent matters big time – but where, the timing, and the position on the card and stuff like that, those [things] come into play as well.”
He found the idea of fighting Tsarukyan for the interim title quite appealing, seeing it as a way to keep the lightweight division active and moving forward.
UFC commentator John Gooden recently voiced his astonishment after Paddy Pimblett revealed he is contemplating a move to influencer boxing as he approaches the final fight of his UFC contract.
“The Baddy” is poised to go head-to-head against King Green on the main card of UFC 304. The pay-per-view will take place on July 27 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, giving Pimblett the opportunity to shine in front of his home crowd.
Pimblett is gearing up for his sixth UFC bout, which will also mark the end of his initial contract with the MMA promotion. A victory against “King” could launch him into the lightweight rankings.
Pimblett’s remarks have left Gooden utterly perplexed, prompting him to question what could drive one of the UFC’s most promising prospects to even consider boxing YouTubers…
Gooden Trusts Pimblett’s Hard-Earned UFC Spot Will Keep Him Grounded
During a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Gooden reacted to Pimblett’s notion of leaving the UFC for a boxing career. The British UFC commentator stressed that “The Baddy” needs to secure a win in his upcoming fight to gain leverage in negotiations for his second contract with the promotion.
He believes a victory would significantly strengthen Pimblett’s bargaining power when discussing his future with the UFC.
“It would just hurt the numbers right if he doesn’t come away with a win against King Green,” Gooden said. “Then you know that you’re negotiating; you’re going to the table with a quite different approach. I would imagine I was surprised to hear him talk about boxing.”
“I don’t know if it was just something that had been across his socials like 30 minutes before he jumped on whatever it was and then spoke about it.”
Gooden further elaborated, praising Pimblett as a high-caliber MMA fighter who has made a tremendous effort to reach the UFC. He mentioned that Pimblett shouldn’t squander this hard-earned opportunity so easily.
“Paddy, for me, is one of the most dynamic grapplers that we’ve seen come out of the UK. His ability to take the back is phenomenal, and his finishing ability with submissions is his top draw, so seeing him go into boxing is like, really, are you sure? I’m a little confused about that, and deep down, you know Paddy had a.” “I think he turned down the UFC in the past in order to really make a good, conscientious run with enough kinds of veteran-ship to make a run in the UFC, so I know it means something for him to be in the organization.”
Pimblett is riding high after securing a unanimous decision victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 last December. Since joining the UFC in September 2021, the Englishman has racked up an impressive five-fight win streak.
Given his strong fan base in Europe and his status as a rising star, it wouldn’t make sense for the promotion to let him go easily. Pimblett’s popularity and potential make him a valuable asset for the UFC.
