MMA News
Glory superstar Rico Verhoeven sends a message to Francis Ngannou about possible crossover fight: "This must happen!"
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
Glory heavyweight kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven has a crossover fight with former UFC champ Francis Ngannou at the top of his fighting priority list. Ngannou defeated 2023 PFL heavyweight title winner Renan Ferreira in the Battle of the Giants main event last Saturday in Riyadh. He made his long-awaited return to MMA to make his PFL debut, finishing Ferreira in the first round by ground and pound.
PFL founder Donn Davis responds to Usman Nurmagomedov’s comments about a future UFC move
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
PFL founder Donn Davis didn’t take long to respond to Bellator champ Usman Nurmagomedov’s timeline for a potential move to the UFC. Nurmagomedov, regarded by many as one of the top fighters outside of the UFC, defeated Alexandr Shabliy by unanimous decision in his last Bellator title defense. Usman is the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, considered one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Robert Whittaker says he's "coming for war" against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308: "Hardest fight of my life"
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024
Robert Whittaker is expecting a war against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308. Whittaker and Chimaev are rebooked to fight in a pivotal fight at middleweight with the winner likely getting a title shot. It’s an intriguing matchup and one that Whittaker knows will be a tough out for him.
Conor McGregor continues feud with Johnny Eblen over lackluster Bellator title fight: "Bum b*tch nobody"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2024
It appears that the feud between UFC star Conor McGregor and Bellator champion Johnny Eblen isn’t over. The middleweight returned to the cage on the PFL pay-per-view offering over the weekend in Saudi Arabia. There, Johnny Eblen met Fabian Edwards for a rematch of their firefight in Ireland last September. That first encounter ended a third-round knockout for the champion, and a near-brawl with Leon Edwards afterward.
Max Holloway opens up on CTE concerns ahead of UFC 308 return: "I don't want to be a vegetable when I'm older"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2024
Max Holloway is opening up on his concerns about brain trauma ahead of his UFC 308 return. ‘Blessed’ is set to return to the cage in Abu Dhabi this Saturday night. Back for the first time since scoring a fifth-round knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April, Max Holloway will face Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ famously won featherweight gold with a stoppage victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February.
Khamzat Chimaev dismisses Sean Strickland's recent criticism, opens up on prior training session: "I tapped him out"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2024
Khamzat Chimaev has opened up on his training sessions with former UFC champion Sean Strickland. ‘Borz’ is set to return to the cage in the co-main event of UFC 308 on Saturday night. Back for the first time since defeating Kamaru Usman by a majority-decision last October, Khamzat Chimaev will meet Robert Whittaker. ‘The Reaper’ enters the five-round bout riding a two-fight winning streak last knocking out Ikram Aliskerov in June.
Chael Sonnen questions Colby Covington's UFC return after recent movie, business offers
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen spent some time with Colby Covington in Florida and wonders if the three-time title challenger will compete in the Octagon again. Covington hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 296 last year. He was briefly linked to a return at UFC 303 against Ian Machado Garry.
Arnold Allen calls out Yair Rodríguez for 2025 UFC return, weighs in on Mexico City booking
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Arnold Allen has Yair Rodríguez in his sights for a pivotal matchup between top 145lbers. Allen snapped a two-fight skid to defeat Giga Chikadze by unanimous decision at UFC 304 in July. He stifled Chikadze’s always-dangerous kickboxing and put on one of his best performances in recent years.
Diego Lopes willing to fight Alexander Volkanovski in Sydney: "I'm ready"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 23, 2024
Diego Lopes isn’t opposed to colliding with Alexander Volkanovski in Sydney. Lopes has been emerging as a top contender in the featherweight division. He recently battered Brian Ortega at UFC 306 inside the Sphere in Las Vegas. He’s been so impressive that the UFC has given him a backup role if he’s needed for the 145-pound title bout this Saturday.
Dana White predicts where the next Conor McGregor will emerge: "We’re already starting to crank talent out of there"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 23, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White believes he knows where the next Conor McGregor will emerge. McGregor’s star power can’t be denied. The “Notorious” one has set live gate and pay-per-view records for the UFC. He recently vowed to have every spot in the top 10 largest PPV buys for the promotion.
Max Holloway slams Ilia Topuria for being Conor McGregor "copycat"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 23, 2024
Max Holloway believes Ilia Topuria is trying to be Conor McGregor lite. Holloway is ready to challenge Topuria for the UFC Featherweight Championship this Saturday. The title fight will headline UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. This is Holloway’s bid to become a two-time champion in the 145-pound division.
Yair Rodriguez reveals potential opponents for UFC return in 2025
Harry Kettle - October 23, 2024
UFC featherweight Yair Rodriguez has revealed who he could end up facing in his return bout next year. For the longest time, Yair Rodriguez has been seen as a top featherweight contender in the UFC. However, while he’s had some incredible moments over the years, he hasn’t always enjoyed the most consistent success in the Octagon. As of late, he’s been on a poor run with consecutive losses via finish to Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega.
Daniel Cormier believes Tom Aspinall is the world's best heavyweight
Harry Kettle - October 23, 2024
Ilia Topuria aims for three UFC world titles before retirement
Harry Kettle - October 23, 2024
Ilia Topuria has entered the race to try and capture a UFC world title in three weight classes in his career. As we know, Ilia Topuria is a pretty ambitious guy. He’s already managed to capture the UFC featherweight championship, doing so by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski earlier this year. Now, he’s set to defend the belt against Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308 on Saturday night.
Aleksandar Rakic aims to crash the title picture with win over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 308
Harry Kettle - October 23, 2024
Aleksandar Rakic hopes to crash the UFC light heavyweight title picture by defeating Magomed Ankalaev this weekend. As we know, Aleksandar Rakic’s career has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. After building up a record of 14-2, he lost back to back fights against Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka. In the first, he suffered a knee injury, and in the second, he seemed to be in control before Prochazka was able to mount a big comeback.
Geoff Neal was surprised to get Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 308, eyes late TKO finish: "Everyone is durable until they get hit too many times"
Cole Shelton - October 22, 2024
Geoff Neal didn’t think he would get to fight someone like Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 308. Neal is coming off a split-decision loss to Ian Machado Garry which was his second straight loss. After the defeat, Neal said he was going to take some time off and when he was ready to return, he was surprised he was booked to fight dos Anjos at UFC 308.
Khamzat Chimaev declares himself the best wrestler in the UFC ahead of UFC 308: "Why should I be worried about him?"
Cole Shelton - October 22, 2024
Khamzat Chimaev believes he’s the best wrestler in the UFC. Chimaev is set to return to the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC 308 on Saturday against Robert Whittaker in a highly-anticipated bout. It’s a massive fight for the division as the winner should get a title shot, and Chimaev believes he will run through Whittaker with ease.
Caio Borralho says Israel Adesanya fight is in the works for UFC 312 in Sydney, wants five rounds
Curtis Calhoun - October 22, 2024
Surging UFC middleweight Caio Borralho is allegedly close to getting a potential No. 1 contender fight against Israel Adesanya in the former champ’s friendly territory. Borralho, a Dana White’s Contender Series alum, has soared up the middleweight rankings over the last year. He most recently defeated Jared Cannonier in a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate in August.
PHOTO | UFC 309 poster released featuring Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
Josh Evanoff - October 22, 2024
The UFC 309 poster featuring Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic has been released on social media. Next month in New York City, ‘Bones’ will finally return to the octagon. Back for the first time since submitting Ciryl Gane last March at UFC 285, Jon Jones will meet former champion Stipe Miocic. For his part, the 42-year-old hasn’t competed since a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in early 2021.