MMA News

Tag: UFC

  • Two Title Fights Set for UFC 317 as Full Card Revealed – June 28 in Las Vegas Ready to Rock the City

    Two Title Fights Set for UFC 317 as Full Card Revealed – June 28 in Las Vegas Ready to Rock the City

    The full fight card for UFC 317 has been officially announced by UFC CEO Dana White. The event is scheduled for June 28 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, coinciding with the promotion’s annual International Fight Week.

    The main event will feature former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira facing former featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria for the vacant lightweight championship. This bout follows Islam Makhachev’s decision to vacate the lightweight title as he moves to the welterweight division, where he is expected to challenge Jack Della Maddalena at a future date.

    UFC 317

    UFC 317

    Oliveira enters the fight after a win over Michael Chandler at UFC 309, while Topuria returns to lightweight after defending his featherweight title against Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. Topuria, undefeated in his professional career, is making his first appearance in the lightweight division since 2022.

    Co Main Event

    In the co-main event, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja will defend his title against Kai Kara-France. Pantoja is on a seven-fight winning streak, with recent title defenses against Kai Asakura, Steve Erceg, and Brandon Royval. Kara-France, who recently secured a TKO victory over Erceg, will be making his second attempt at UFC gold, having previously fought for the interim flyweight title in 2022.

    The rest of the UFC 317 card includes several notable matchups: Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape, Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov, Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano, Jack Hermansson vs. Gregory Rodrigues, Jhonata Diniz vs. Justin Tafa, Viviane Araujo vs. Tracy Cortez.

    All the these announcements were made public through Dana White’s Instagram on a live broadcast.

    The announcement also included news about UFC 319, where middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis will defend his title against Khamzat Chimaev in Chicago on August 18. With two title fights and a lineup of established contenders, UFC 317 is set to be a central event during International Fight Week.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKuuETqGfDI
  • Ilia Topuria To Headline UFC 317 Against Charles Oliveira For Vacant Lightweight Belt

    Ilia Topuria To Headline UFC 317 Against Charles Oliveira For Vacant Lightweight Belt

    After much anticipation, UFC 317 has its main event locked in.

    UFC 317

    On Tuesday, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that Ilia Topuria will square off against Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 317 on June 28 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, capping off the promotion’s annual International Fight Week.

    The UFC lightweight throne is now vacant as reigning champion Islam Makhachev sets his sights on welterweight gold, targeting a high-profile clash with newly crowned titleholder Jack Della Maddalena, with their potential showdown expected to take place later this year.

    Topuria vacated his featherweight title ahead of UFC 314 to make a permanent move up to lightweight, with the goal of becoming a two-division champion. “El Matador” last graced the Octagon at UFC 308 in October, where he delivered a stunning knockout victory over Max Holloway, further extending his undefeated promotional record to 8-0.

    Meanwhile, Oliveira will be pursuing the undisputed 155-pound title for the third time, riding high on a dominant unanimous decision victory over Michael Chandler in their November rematch at UFC 309. “Do Bronx” claimed the lightweight crown at UFC 262 with a dominant win over Chandler. The Brazilian then successfully defended his title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269.

    However, after missing weight for his second defense, the Brazilian was stripped of the belt, only to bounce back with a submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. Oliveira had another shot at the vacant title at UFC 280, but was soundly outclassed by Makhachev.

  • Breaking: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev Set for UFC 319 Middleweight Title Showdown in Chicago

    Breaking: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev Set for UFC 319 Middleweight Title Showdown in Chicago

    UFC President Dana White announced live on Instagram that Dricus Du Plessis will defend his middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. The event is scheduled for August 16 at the United Center in Chicago.

    Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev

    South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis, the reigning champion, has maintained an undefeated record in the UFC and recently defended his title against top contenders, including Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland. Chimaev, also undefeated in his professional career, has quickly risen through the ranks with victories over former champions and is regarded as a formidable challenger.

    Du Plessis began training in judo at age five, wrestling at 12, and kickboxing at 14. He is known for his well-rounded skill set, holding a second-degree black belt in kickboxing and a background in judo and wrestling. Du Plessis has a professional MMA record of 24 wins and 2 losses, with 9 victories by knockout and 11 by submission. He made his UFC debut in 2020.

    Khamzat Chimaev is undefeated as a professional, with a 14-0 record, including 6 knockouts and 6 submissions. He began wrestling as a child, won Swedish national championships in freestyle wrestling, and transitioned to MMA in 2018. Chimaev quickly rose to prominence in the UFC with dominant performances, including a record-setting run of three wins in 66 days.

    UFC 319

    This middleweight title fight will headline UFC 319, marking one of the most anticipated matchups of the year. Both fighters bring significant win streaks and contrasting styles, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest in Chicago.

  • Sean Brady SLAMS Daniel Cormier Over Welterweight Rankings Snub ‘He didn’t know what to say’

    Sean Brady SLAMS Daniel Cormier Over Welterweight Rankings Snub ‘He didn’t know what to say’

    Currently ranked as the number one contender in the UFC welterweight division, Sean Brady has expressed frustration after being omitted from Daniel Cormier’s list of top five welterweights during a recent interview.

    Sean Brady Snubbed by Daniel Cormier

    The US-born Sean Brady, who secured his position at the top of the division following a decisive win streak and a dominant performance against Leon Edwards at UFC London. Apparently he confronted hall of fame Cormier about the oversight during a weigh-in show.

    According to Brady, Cormier appeared surprised and unable to justify the omission when questioned directly. Brady stated, “I’m number one and you didn’t even put me on the list,” highlighting his disappointment at not being recognized among the division’s elite despite his recent achievements. Speaking to Ariel Helwani, he said:

    “I’m listening to DC do an interview with Brett Okamoto. And he’s naming his top five welterweights and I’m not on the list. So I confronted him on the weigh in show, he didn’t know what to say he was flabbergasted. Dude, I’m number one and you didn’t even put me on the list.”

    Following UFC 315, the welterweight title landscape has shifted. Jack Della Maddalena emerged as the new UFC welterweight champion after defeating Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision in Montreal. Speculation has already begun about his next opponent, with potential challengers including lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and several top-ranked welterweights. Despite Sean Brady’s number one contender status, the immediate title picture may involve a super-fight or other contenders, leaving Brady and others waiting for their opportunity. Ian Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov remain at the top of the rankings alongside Sean Brady.

    Sean Brady holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and began his martial arts journey after being introduced to the sport by a friend. He first made a name for himself on the regional scene, capturing the Cage Fury Fighting Championships welterweight title and entering the UFC with an undefeated record. Known for his grappling skills and evolving striking game, Brady has built a reputation as a well-rounded and disciplined fighter. Since joining the UFC in 2019, he has recorded notable victories over opponents such as Kelvin Gastelum, Michael Chiesa, and Jake Matthews, and is recognized for his ability to finish fights by submission.

    Sean Brady’s exclusion from Cormier’s rankings has drawn attention, especially given Brady’s current standing and recent accomplishments. Brady remains focused on his career, expressing readiness to face any top contender or to compete for the title.

    Photo by Tim Wheaton

  • Natalia Silva Calls Out the Champ: “Valentina Shevchenko Said She Didn’t Know Me – Time to Change That”

    Natalia Silva Calls Out the Champ: “Valentina Shevchenko Said She Didn’t Know Me – Time to Change That”

    Brazil’s Natalia Silva is ready for her shot at Valentina Shevchenko. Natalia Silva has positioned herself as a leading contender in the UFC women’s flyweight division following her unanimous decision victory over former champion Alexa Grasso at UFC 315 in Montreal. Silva controlled the bout from the outset, using her movement and striking to outwork Grasso across all three rounds.

    Number One Contender Natalia Silva

    The judges scored the fight 30-27 in Silva’s favor, marking her seventh consecutive win in the UFC and extending her overall win streak to 13 fights. After the fight, Silva made her intentions clear, stating that her focus is on the championship belt.

    She addressed comments previously made by reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko, who had said she did not know Silva, “Valentina once said she didn’t know me, and I think it’s about time she knows me,” Natalia Silva said in her post-fight remarks. She also referenced Manon Fiorot, noting that Fiorot had replaced her in a previous bout when Silva was sidelined by injury, creating potential storylines with both fighters.

    UFC Champion Valentina Shevchenko

    Valentina Shevchenko is a Kyrgyz professional mixed martial artist and the reigning UFC women’s flyweight champion, widely regarded as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Born in 1988, Shevchenko has held multiple championship reigns, defended her title numerous times, and is celebrated for her technical skill and dominance in the division.

    Natalia Silva is a Brazilian mixed martial artist competing in the UFC women’s flyweight division, currently recognized as a top contender after a series of notable victories, including a unanimous decision win over former champion Alexa Grasso at UFC 315. Silva has built a 13-fight win streak and is ranked among the division’s best.

    Natalia Silva emphasized her readiness for a title shot, regardless of who holds the belt. Silva described her performance against Grasso as the result of focused preparation. She noted that her use of distance and kicks was effective in neutralizing Grasso’s attacks, and that she was able to avoid most of Grasso’s punches through head movement. Silva expressed satisfaction with her execution, stating, “I trained a lot for this movement, and I’m happy I was able to pull it off.”

    With Shevchenko having recently defended her title against Manon Fiorot at the same event, Silva’s victory over Grasso has placed her at the forefront of the title conversation. Fans and analysts have called for Silva to receive a title opportunity following her dominant performance.

    Photo by Tim Wheaton

  • VIDEO: Charles Oliveira To Be Honored With 2025 Forrest Griffin Community Award

    The UFC has named Charles Oliveira as this year’s recipient of the Forrest Griffin Community Award, as announced during the UFC Kansas City main card.

    Oliveira is being honored for the work he has done with East LA Jiu-Jitsu, a non-profit jiu-jitsu school set up for kids to build character, confidence and resilience. The school, founded by Ron Mukai, is open to all children, regardless of their ability to pay.

    Oliveira said what motivates him to help teach the kids his own past experience with the discipline and coming from a high-risk environment, and being able to show kids they can accomplish anything they set out to.

    Charles Oliveira To Receive Forrest Griffin Community Award At 2025 UFC Hall Of Fame Ceremony

    The Forrest Griffin Community Award is annually handed out to fighters who make impacts and special contributions to their communities. Past winners have included Dustin Poirier, Max Holloway, Giga Chikadze, the Nogueira Brothers and Beneil Dariush.

    Oliveira will receive the award at this year’s UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 26. This year’s UFC Hall of Fame class will also include Amanda Nunes, Robbie Lawler, Craig Piligian and the UFC 236 clash between Kelvin Gastelum and Israel Adesanya.

  • Update On Former UFC Fighters Allegedly Involved In James Krause Betting Scandal

    The next chapter in the James Krause betting scandal that hit the UFC at the end of 2022 will finally come to fruition in the coming days.

    Darrick Minner and Jeff Molina have been added to the agenda of a meeting of the Nevada State Athletic Commission on March 25, per MMA Fighting. Their appearance is noted as being a “hearing on disciplinary complaint, or in the alternative, hearing on proposed adjudication agreement.”

    Minner and Molina have been suspended since December 2022.

    At UFC Vegas 64 in November of that year, eyebrows were raised when Minner suddenly became a massive underdog not long before he was scheduled to face Shayilan Nuerdanbieke during the card. The American ended up getting finished in just over a minute.

    The betting irregularities caused multiple commissions to act, with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement no longer accepting any bouts involving Krause or any of his fighters and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario temporarily pausing bets on any UFC fights.

    An investigation was launched and, as it turned out, Krause and Minner withheld an injury that the UFC fighter had sustained during the training camp in the lead-up to the fight. Krause was a betting agent in addition to being a coach following the end of his own fighting career.

    Molina, meanwhile, was also suspended for being declared a person of interest involved in the scandal.

    The UFC acted quickly and disassociated themselves from the trio and ordered any fighters under UFC contract, including then-flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, also disassociate from Krause or risk termination.

  • Robbie Lawler To Enter UFC Hall Of Fame ‘Modern Wing’ In 2025

    Robbie Lawler To Enter UFC Hall Of Fame ‘Modern Wing’ In 2025

    A longtime MMA veteran whose active career spanned over 20 years, “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler will be honored for all of his memories in the sport with a solo spot in the UFC Hall of Fame.

    Lawler was announced at UFC 313 as the latest member of the organization’s Hall of Fame Class of 2025 as a member of the “Modern Wing.”

    Robbie Lawler The Latest Entrant Of The UFC Hall of Fame Class Of 2025

    Robbie Lawler’s time in the sport began when he was just 16 years old, taken under the wing of Pat Miletich. At 19, he made his professional MMA debut, finishing John Reed in April 2001. Lawler scored first-round knockouts in his first four professional fights in that year before scoring a UFC contract.

    “Ruthless” made his UFC debut at UFC 37, defeating Aaron Riley via decision. He went 4-3 between 2002 and 2004 while with the UFC, which included a memorable bout with Nick Diaz at UFC 47 that Lawler lost via second-round KO.

    Lawler would go on to develop his craft and gain experience competing in various promotions over the next decade, including EliteXC and Strikeforce. The American defeated Murilo Rua in September 2007 to become EliteXC middleweight champion. He’d retain the title in a pair of bouts against Scott Smith.

    Lawler also challenged Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza for the Strikeforce middleweight title in January 2011 but would end up getting submitted.

    “Ruthlss” returned to the UFC after it folded Strikeforce, winning three straight before fighting Johny Hendricks for the then-vacant UFC welterweight title at UFC 171. While Lawler lost the fight, he’d go on to defeat him in a rematch at UFC 181 to become champion.

    Lawler then went on to retain the title in two of the most memorable battles in history, defeating Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 and Carlos Condit at UFC 195, before dropping the gold to Tyron Woodley at UFC 201. Lawler vs. MacDonald was inducted into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023.

    That same weekend, Lawler had one of the most memorable sendoffs in his retirement fight at UFC 290, scoring a first-round knockout of Niko Price.

    Lawler joins longtime UFC producer Craig Piligian and the UFC 236 clash between Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum as part of the UFC Hall of Fame’s 2025 class.

  • Michael Chandler Raises His Hand After Kash Patel Ponders UFC-Trained FBI Agents

    Michael Chandler Raises His Hand After Kash Patel Ponders UFC-Trained FBI Agents

    A noteworthy UFC name has already volunteered to be a part of a potential relationship between the MMA organization and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with Michael Chandler raising his hand.

    New FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly said during a teleconference on Wednesday, Feb. 26, that he is looking into expanding the agency’s usage of martial arts training. Reports have circulated that the FBI has been in discussions with the UFC on the development of programs for agents.

    With this new out, Michael Chandler has volunteered to be a part of developing such a program and working with these agents.

    “Put me in coach,” Chandler wrote on X.

    The development of a relationship between the U.S. government agency and the UFC would correlate alongside the friendship between US President Donald Trump and UFC CEO Dana White.

    UFC 30 and UFC 31, both held during the first half of 2001, were the first UFC events held under Zuffa ownership – which included the introduction of White as then-UFC president. Both events took place at the then Trump Taj Mahal (now Boardwalk Hall) in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

    White has openly discussed how Trump’s venue helped pave a road to success for the UFC as Zuffa took the organization from the brink of folding to the worldwide juggernaut it is today. White has since re-paid the favor as Trump’s friend and one of his biggest supporters in his time in American politics.

    Trump defeated Hillary Clinton to become the 45th U.S. President in November 2016 before losing to Joe Biden four years later. This past November, Trump defeated Kamala Harris to regain the U.S. presidency, becoming the second American president with two separate terms in office.

    Chandler, meanwhile, will return to the Octagon on April 12 at UFC 314, taking on Paddy Pimblett in the card’s five-round co-main event.

  • UFC’s Bryce Mitchell Releases Statement Addressing Backlash To Hitler Comments: ‘I’m Definitely Not A Nazi’

    UFC’s Bryce Mitchell Releases Statement Addressing Backlash To Hitler Comments: ‘I’m Definitely Not A Nazi’

    Bryce Mitchell has released a statement in response to the massive backlash he has received in the wake of pro-Adolf Hitler comments he made on a podcast.

    In the first episode of his new podcast, ArkanSanity, Mitchell appeared to defend Hitler, the dictator and leader of Germany under Nazi rule. The UFC featherweight claimed that while Hitler wasn’t “perfect,” he was “a good guy.”

    “I honestly think Hitler was a good guy, based upon my own research, not my public education and indoctrination,” Mitchell said. “He fought for his country, he wanted to purify it by kicking the greedy Jews out who were destroying his country and turning them all into gays. Was Hitler perfect? No, but he was fighting for his people. He wanted a pure nation.”

    After significant backlash, Mitchell took to Instagram Saturday, attempting to walk back elements of his remarks.

    “I’m sorry I sounded insensitive,” Mitchell said in the statement, released on his Instagram account. “I definitely was not trying to offend anybody, but I know I did. I know that a lot of people died in the Holocaust, and that’s a fact. Hitler did a lot of evil things, I think we can all agree on that. I’m definitely not a nazi, and definitely do not condone any of the evil things he did.”

    Mitchell added in the post’s description that, [sic] “in the future i will b much more considerate wen talkin about the suffering of all peoples.”

    Mitchell’s original comments, in spite of the apology released today, also had him claiming that the Holocaust was not real, stating “there’s no possible way they could’ve burned and cremated 6 million bodies…” and putting the blame for its existence on the public education system.

    Several fighters and MMA media members came out with criticism targeted toward Mitchell in the wake of his comments. UFC CEO Dana White stated that he was “beyond disgusted” with Mitchell’s comments. White, however, confirmed that Mitchell would not be cut or punished, citing “free speech.”

    Another UFC star, Conor McGregor, would come under fire mere hours later for a profanity-laced rant filled with ethnic and racial slurs fired against Khabib Nurmagomedov.

  • Report: UFC Seeking $1 Billion Yearly In New TV Deal, 5 Interested Broadcasters Revealed

    Whoever is interested in obtaining the US television rights for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will be paying more than a pretty penny.

    Per a new report from Bloomberg, the UFC is looking to obtain a TV rights deal in the United States that will give them more than $1 billion per year.

    The UFC’s current deal with ESPN expires at the end of the year. The two parties originally agreed to a five-year deal worth approximately $1 billion total back in 2018 before a contract extension that made the deal worth about $450 million a year.

    According to reports, ESPN is interested in re-upping its rights with the leading MMA promotion in the world but will face stiff competition from Warner Bros. Discovery, as well as YouTube and the Netflix and Amazon Prime streaming services. ESPN and TKO, the UFC’s parent company, are currently in the midst of an exclusive negotiating period that lasts until mid-April.

    “We started on ESPN seven years ago and had a rocky relationship in the beginning,” UFC CEO Dana White told Bloomberg TV in November. “But now I couldn’t be happier at ESPN, it’s a great relationship and I wouldn’t mind staying with them.”

    UFC Seeks More Than $1 Billion In New TV Rights

    What makes the UFC’s broadcasting services in the country so valuable is that the UFC is the only major sports broadcasting rights that are available for the foreseeable future. The NBA locked up new television contracts last year, while leagues like the NFL and MLB are already early into new broadcasting contracts.

    The UFC’s partner in TKO, the WWE, just started its new broadcasting rights, with its Monday Night Raw program having its Netflix premiere just this past Monday. The partnership, as well as Netflix’s previous ventures into live programming last year with NFL games and the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, giving speculation that the UFC could be interested in partnering with Netflix.

    Amazon Prime has recently been the broadcasting home to ONE Championship Fight Night cards in the U.S.

    There is also the chance that the UFC may split its broadcasting rights like the other U.S. major sports leagues do. This could see, for example, UFC pay-per-views heading to one platform, while UFC Fight Night cards and other programs such as Dana White’s Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter, heading elsewhere.