MMA News
What's next for Anthony Hernandez and Michel Pereira after UFC Vegas 99?
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2024
The UFC remained in the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada for UFC Vegas 99 on Saturday with ranked middleweights Anthony Hernandez and Michel Pereira throwing down. In the main event, Hernandez and Pereira were both headlining for the first time in a pivotal middleweight scrap. Hernandez was coming off a submission win over Roman Kopylov and was on a four-fight winning streak. Pereira, meanwhile, was riding an eight-fight winning streak.
Kamaru Usman answers calls to release Belal Muhammad podcast altercation footage: "Belal did Belal"
Curtis Calhoun - October 21, 2024
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will release footage of a recent heated podcast face-to-face with Belal Muhammad, but there are conditions. Muhammad captured Usman’s former title by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304. The title win capped off a remarkable run through the welterweight division, including wins over former title challengers Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns.
VIDEO | ONE fighter Idris Abdurashitov forfeits boxing match after headkicking his opponent unconscious
Curtis Calhoun - October 21, 2024
ONE featherweight Idris Abdurashitov threw an illegal head kick that knocked a boxer out cold during his recent appearance in the ring. Abdurashitov, a promising featherweight prospect for ONE, competed in a boxing match against Bagher Faraji in Thailand on Sunday. It was his professional boxing debut and one of the biggest fights on the Ali Boxing Club card.
Cris Cyborg teases Misfits Boxing debut against Jully Poca after PFL title win: "She wanted to fight me next..."
Josh Evanoff - October 21, 2024
PFL and Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg has her sights set on Misfits Boxing star Jully Poca. The Brazilian is fresh off her return to the cage in the co-main event of PFL pay-per-view offering on Saturday. Back in the cage for the first time since knocking out Cat Zingano last October, Cris Cyborg faced Larissa Pacheco. For her part, the latter entered the cage riding a ten-fight winning streak, handing Kayla Harrison her only career defeat in that stretch.
Merab Dvalishvili reveals plans for February return, open to both Umar Nurmagomedov or Sean O'Malley rematch next
Josh Evanoff - October 21, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is open to fighting anyone in his first title defense. ‘The Machine’ is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 306 last month. At the Las Vegas Sphere, Merab Dvalishvili finally faced off with then-bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. ‘Sugar’ famously won the gold with a knockout win over the Georgian’s teammate, Aljamain Sterling, last year.
Francis Ngannou shows interest in future fight against GLORY champion Rico Verhoeven: "Send me a deal"
Josh Evanoff - October 21, 2024
PFL Superfights heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is down to face Glory kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. ‘The Predator’ made his long-awaited return to the cage Saturday night in Saudi Arabia. In the main event of a PFL pay-per-view offering, Francis Ngannou faced Renan Ferreira. For the former UFC heavyweight champion, the bout was his first since being flattened by Anthony Joshua in the boxing ring in March.
Conor McGregor responds to PFL's Paul Hughes' cornering plea for potential fight vs. Usman Nurmagomedov
Curtis Calhoun - October 21, 2024
UFC superstar Conor McGregor might be a key presence in Paul Hughes’ corner for a potential title fight against Bellator lightweight champ Usman Nurmagomedov. Hughes earned the biggest win of his young mixed martial arts career when he defeated former Bellator champ AJ McKee at PFL: Battle of the Giants last Saturday. Despite the short-notice nature of the fight, Hughes dominated McKee from start to finish and nearly finished McKee in the opening minutes.
Francis Ngannou reacts to Jon Jones' post-fight tweet after his successful PFL debut
Curtis Calhoun - October 21, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has answered Jon Jones’ tweet after a successful PFL debut against Renan Ferreira. Ngannou’s return to MMA went about as well as he could’ve expected on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After nearly three full years away from the cage, Ngannou quickly took down Ferreira and finished the fight with brutal ground-and-pound strikes.
Alexander Volkanovski makes case for Ilia Topuria winning 'Fighter of the Year' if he defeats Max Holloway
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 21, 2024
Alexander Volkanovski thinks Ilia Topuria could lock up “Fighter of the Year” if he defeats Max Holloway at UFC 308. Topuria captured the UFC Featherweight Championship back in February. He knocked out Volkanovski in the second round of their title fight. “El Matador” is now seeking his first successful title defense this Saturday.
Khamzat Chimaev reflects on illness that derailed initial Robert Whittaker fight date
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 21, 2024
Khamzat Chimaev has looked back on the illness that forced him out of a scheduled June clash with Robert Whittaker. Chimaev was hospitalized during his preparation for the fight, and he was replaced by Ikram Aliskerov. Whittaker ended up knocking Aliskerov out in the first round.
Israel Adesanya reacts to Francis Ngannou's PFL debut: "I think Francis is the greatest heavyweight of all time"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 21, 2024
Israel Adesanya believes Francis Ngannou is the best MMA heavyweight of all time. Ngannou is fresh off a successful PFL debut. He shared the cage with Renan Ferreira in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this past Saturday. It didn’t take Ngannou long to score a takedown and put away Ferreira with ground-and-pound.
Francis Ngannou reveals he is still interested in Jon Jones superfight
Harry Kettle - October 21, 2024
PFL heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has confirmed that he’s still interested in a superfight against Jon Jones. Last weekend, Francis Ngannou finally made his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts. He did so by taking on and defeating Renan Ferreira, knocking his foe out with some utterly violent ground and pound. He became the new heavyweight champion in PFL in what proved to be a really emotional moment for the former UFC king.
Anthony Hernandez calls for future UFC title shot against Dricus du Plessis
Harry Kettle - October 21, 2024
Anthony Hernandez has expressed his intention to push for a UFC middleweight title shot against Dricus du Plessis. For a while now, Anthony Hernandez has been on a roll in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. However, he didn’t quite have that signature win to really take him to the next level. Now, he does, as ‘Fluffy’ mauled Michel Pereira last weekend before capping a great performance off with a finish.
Paul Hughes wants Conor McGregor in his corner for possible Usman Nurmagomedov title fight
Harry Kettle - October 21, 2024
Bellator star Paul Hughes wants Conor McGregor in his corner for a possible title shot against Usman Nurmagomedov. Last weekend, Paul Hughes made an emphatic statement. In his battle with AJ McKee at PFL: Battle of the Giants, he was able to put in the performance of a lifetime. He dropped the favorite and hurt him on multiple occasions, eventually riding his way to a split decision win. Now, many believe the natural next step is for him to challenge Bellator champion Usman Nurmagomedov for the belt.
Max Holloway laughs off challenge from Ilia Topuria ahead of UFC 308
Harry Kettle - October 21, 2024
UFC star Max Holloway has laughed off a recent challenge made by Ilia Topuria ahead of their encounter at UFC 308. This weekend, Max Holloway will challenge Ilia Topuria for the UFC featherweight championship. Holloway is coming off the back of his incredible BMF title win at UFC 300, which saw him knock out Justin Gaethje.
Johnny Eblen thinks Conor McGregor started trend of retired fighters returning after PED use
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 20, 2024
Johnny Eblen believes Conor McGregor has created a path for retired fighters to return after taking PEDs. Longtime UFC fan favorite Donald Cerrone recently revealed his plan to return to pro MMA competition. “Cowboy” admitted he was on the juice during retirement and will have to get clean before he can compete again.
Renan Ferreira issues statement following KO loss to Francis Ngannou
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 20, 2024
Renan Ferreira has released a statement after suffering a KO loss to Francis Ngannou. Ferreira shared the Octagon with Ngannou for the PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Championship. The loss ended Ferreira’s four-fight winning streak. He hadn’t suffered a loss since August 2022.
Belal Muhammad wants Alex Pereira's schedule: "Next year for myself is just staying busy"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 20, 2024
Belal Muhammad wants to be on the same schedule as fellow UFC champion Alex Pereira. Muhammad was certainly busy in his UFC welterweight title fight against Leon Edwards back in July. Muhammad outworked Edwards in enemy territory to capture the 170-pound gold.