UFC News
What's next for Alexa Grasso and Viviane Araujo after UFC Vegas 62?
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2022
In the main event of UFC Vegas 62, a top-six women’s flyweight bout headlined the card as Alexa Grasso took on Viviane Araujo. Grasso entered the fight undefeated at flyweight after moving up in 2020 with a decision win over Ji Yeon Kim. The Mexican then beat Maycee Barber by decision and followed it up with a submission win over Joanne Wood to earn her first UFC main event. Meanwhile, Araujo returned to the win column last time with a win over Andrea Lee and was 5-2 in the UFC entering the scrap.
Dana White announces Alex Volkanovksi will fight for the UFC lightweight title next and that the winner of Yan vs. O’Malley will receive next bantamweight title shot
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2022
UFC President Dana White says Alexander Volkanovski will be getting the next shot at the UFC lightweight title. In the main event of UFC 280, the vacant lightweight title is up for grabs as Charles Oliveira takes on Islam Makhachev in a very intriguing matchup. Also on the pay-per-view card is a lightweight scrap between Beneil Dariush vs. Mateusz Gamrot with many thinking the winner would get the next title shot. However, Dana White revealed to Barstool Sports on Monday that Volkanovski will get the next crack at 155lbs gold.
Petr Yan explains why reported matchup with Marlon Vera didn't happen: "He didn't put his actions where his words were"
Josh Evanoff - October 17, 2022
Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan has explained why he’s not fighting Marlon Vera. ‘No Mercy’ has been out of action since his rematch with Aljamain Sterling in April. Over a year after their controversial disqualification, Yan headed into the second outing as a huge favorite. However, ‘Funk Master’ flipped the script and won by split decision.
Aljamain Sterling's coach Ray Longo believes T.J. Dillashaw's PED history is a relevant narrative heading into UFC 280: "He's a convicted cheater"
Josh Evanoff - October 17, 2022
Aljamain Sterling’s coach Ray Longo believes that T.J. Dillashaw‘s history is important heading into UFC 280. ‘Funk Master’ is set to return this weekend for the first time since his rematch with Petr Yan in April. In that bantamweight title matchup, Sterling used his wrestling and grappling to earn a split-decision win. The victory was his first title defense since claiming the championship by disqualification the year prior.
Javier Mendez says Islam Makhachev unbothered by Alexander Volkanovski being replacement fighter at UFC 280: "You could put whoever you want"
Josh Evanoff - October 17, 2022
American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez and his pupil Islam Makhachev are set to fight anyone on Saturday. The Russian is set for the biggest fight of his career this weekend at UFC 280. In the pay-per-view headliner, Makhachev is expected to face Charles Oliveira. The bout will likely crown the new UFC lightweight champion.
Jiri Prochazka thrilled for the chance to avenge "worst performance" of his career against Glover Teixeira: "I want to show my best"
Josh Evanoff - October 17, 2022
UFC light-heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka is ready for his rematch with Glover Teixeira. ‘Denisa’ first faced the Brazilian in June in Singapore. In the main event of UFC 275, the two light heavyweights put on an incredible show. For five rounds, the champion and contender went back and forth.
Charles Oliveira vows to finish Islam Makhachev inside one round at UFC 280: "I came in to ruin their expectations"
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2022
Charles Oliveira is expecting to make a statement at UFC 280. Oliveira is set to face Makhachev in the main event of UFC 280 for the vacant lightweight title. It’s a fascinating matchup and is a fight that both men have a ton of confidence heading into it. Along with that, the scrap is happening in Abu Dhabi, and according to Oliveira that is because Makhachev’s team demanded it would be there.
Charles Oliveira doesn't think Islam Makhachev earned the title fight on his own "merit": "This match is happening because Khabib made it happen"
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2022
Charles Oliveira doesn’t think Islam Makhachev deserves to be fighting for the lightweight title. Oliveira and Makhachev are set to headline UFC 280 on Saturday from Abu Dhabi for the vacant lightweight title. It’s an intriguing matchup but Makhachev enters the fight not having beaten anyone currently ranked in the top 10 or top-five of the division, which is rare.
Leon Edwards pushing for new contract before Kamaru Usman rematch: "I need a new one now, 100 percent"
Ryan Harkness - October 17, 2022
Leon Edwards had to wait years for his shot at the welterweight title. After capitalizing on his shot against Kamaru Usman at UFC 278, he’s looking to cash in on his new championship status. In a new interview with Mirror Sports, ‘Rocky’ made it clear that he expected the UFC to renegotiate his contract before he’d face ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ in a highly anticipated rematch.
President of UFC parent company Endeavor expresses interest in buying WWE: "That would be interesting and worth exploring"
Ryan Harkness - October 17, 2022
We all know the story of how the UFC was bought by talent agency turned global entertainment juggernaut Endeavor in 2016 for a cool $4 billion. Could they end up buying the WWE in the future? The UFC may be the biggest sports property owned by Endeavor, but they’re far from the only one. Endeavor also owns Professional Bull Riders, Euroleague Basketball, and nine minor league baseball teams. And if recent talk from Endeavor president Mark Shapiro is any indication, maybe some day they’ll own the WWE as well.
Jonathan Martinez says he felt disrespected by Cub Swanson prior to UFC Vegas 62: “He’s looking at me like I’m nobody”
Harry Kettle - October 17, 2022
Jonathan Martinez has said that he felt disrespected by Cub Swanson heading into their fight at the weekend. On Saturday night at the UFC Apex, Jonathan Martinez secured easily the biggest win of his career thus far as he took out the legend that is Cub Swanson. He did so with a great range of striking but, ultimately, it came down to his leg attacks, with Swanson actually folding due to a leg kick that handed Martinez the TKO victory.
Islam Makhachev responds to critics suggesting he hasn’t fought high-level competition: “This is not my mistake”
Harry Kettle - October 17, 2022
Islam Makhachev has hit back at critics for suggesting he hasn’t fought high level competition in the UFC. While he may be riding a 10-fight win streak right now, Islam Makhachev isn’t considered to be a lightweight who has fought the best of the best in the division’s top five just yet. The names of his victims on his current streak include Drew Dober, Thiago Moises, Dan Hooker, Bobby Green and more, but none of them have that quality about them which deems them to be overly impressive.
Islam Makhachev takes a dig at “fat guy” Daniel Cormier following WWE appearance: “cannot compete anymore, he is a referee right now”
Harry Kettle - October 17, 2022
UFC star Islam Makhachev has given his thoughts on ‘fat guy’ Daniel Cormier after his appearance at WWE Extreme Rules. For many years now, Daniel Cormier has been praising the growing success of Islam Makhachev and backing him to eventually become UFC lightweight champion – a goal he’s been working towards for many years now.
WWE legend Shawn Michaels responds to UFC fighter Jessica-Rose Clark using his entrance theme
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 16, 2022
Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels is in awe that UFC women’s bantamweight Jessica Rose-Clark used his theme song for her entrance. Rose-Clark made her way out to “Sexy Boy” for her UFC 276 scrap with Julija Stoliarenko. While Rose-Clark lost, it didn’t diminish the moment for “HBK.” Michaels discussed the moment during an appearance on MMAFighting‘s “The MMA Hour.”
Alexa Grasso hopes for another main event spot before UFC title shot against Valentina Shevchenko
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 16, 2022
Alexa Grasso isn’t rushing to compete for UFC gold. Grasso has extended her winning streak to four. She defeated Viviane Araújo via unanimous decision. The bout headlined UFC Vegas 62. Grasso hasn’t lost a fight since September 2019.
Jose Aldo details how a text message from Dana White helped save his son’s life
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 16, 2022
Future UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo reflected on a life-saving text from Dana White. Aldo had a legendary run under the Zuffa banner through UFC and WEC, but he decided it was time to step away from MMA competition and move on to other ventures such as boxing. White sent a heartwarming text message to Aldo. It ultimately led to a hospital visit after Aldo’s pregnant wife had high blood pressure. She got emotional from the text.
Bryce Mitchell responds after Ilia Topuria sends him a photo of his perfect eight pack: “I don’t give a damn about them abs”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 16, 2022
Bryce Mitchell has offered a response after Ilia Topuria sent him a picture of his abs on social media. Mitchell is currently without an opponent. He was expected to collide with Movsar Evloev on November 5. Evloev pulled out of the fight due to an injury. The search for a replacement opponent is underway and Topuria has wasted little time throwing his name in the hat.
UFC Vegas 62 Bonus Report: Dusko Todorovic and Jordan Wright earn 'FOTN' honors
Chris Taylor - October 15, 2022
The Octagon remained in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 62 event, an eleven-bout fight card headlined by Alexa Grasso vs. Viviane Araujo. Tonight’s women’s flyweight main event proved to be a back and forth twenty-five minute affair. Alexa Grasso appeared to have a slight edge in the standup over the course of the first two rounds but Viviane Araujo was able to get the fight to the canvas and land some decent shots of her own in round three. Round four was another closely contested frame, but it appeared Grasso did enough to edge it out. The fifth and final round was another closely contested five minutes. Araujo did her best to try and get the fight down to the canvas but was unable to do so.