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Alex Pereira banked some extra coin for saving the day and delivering another highlight-reel performance during Saturday’s massive headliner in Las Vegas.

During an appearance on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Pereira’s longtime coach Plinio Cruz revealed that CEO Dana White gave Pereira a $ 303,000 post-fight bonus following his successful light heavyweight title defense at UFC 303.

“He was talking to Dana in the back, and they were talking about a bunch of stuff, and Dana said, ‘As a matter of fact, you won Performance of the Night.’ And he said, ‘$ 303,000?’ He goes, ‘No, no, no, $ 50,000,’” Cruz explained.

”But reality of the fact is, he did not — they gave $ 300,000 bonuses for [UFC] 300 and [Pereira] did not get Performance of the Night. They gave two to Max [Holloway], so he was a little bit salty about that. And I think because of all their history and then taking the fight on two weeks’ [notice], Dana looked at him and said, ‘You know what, man? I’m going to take care of you. You’ve got the $ 303,000.’ He even joked, he said buy a supercar with that money. [Pereira] goes, ‘I’ve got enough supercars.’ He wants a Cybertruck.”

Pereira stepped into the UFC 303 headliner on just 16 days’ notice after the original main event, Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, was scrapped when the Irishman broke his pinky toe while sparring.

It was the second time in a matter of months that ‘Poatan’ has stepped up to save the day, the last time being at UFC 300 when Pereira put his 205-pound crown on the line against ex-titleholder Jamahal Hill. Originally, Pereira was negotiating to run it back with Prochazka at UFC 305 on August 17 when they got the call to step in and headline this year’s International Fight Week card.

Could Alex Pereira become the UFC’s first-ever three-division champion?

Alex Pereira is now 8-1 under the UFC banner, earning wins over a heap of former champions, including Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, Jan Blachowicz, Jamahal Hill, and Jiri Prochazka. He is just the ninth fighter in the promotion’s 30+ year history to win belts in two different divisions.

Following his impressive performance at UFC 303, it certainly seems like Pereira could find himself with a shot at doing what no man has done before — winning belts in three different divisions.

“[Pereira] has actually a very special vision [when it comes to] timing, distance, and the angles in the way that he [approaches his craft],” Cruz added. “It’s almost like he has his own style of fighting. He just combines his boxing and the kickboxing, and the way that he just implements [everything] is just light years ahead, the vision that he has [for] the game.”

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Paddy Pimblett thinks Ilia Topuria is afraid to fight Max Holloway.

Topuria claimed the featherweight world title in February, securing a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. Since then, ‘El Matador’ has yet to defend his title, though his first challenger is all but guaranteed to be the promotion’s reigning BMF titleholder.

Despite some fiery back-and-forths between the two in interviews and on social media, there’s been little news when it comes to actually booking a championship clash between the two 145-pound superstars.

While reacting to this past weekend’s UFC 303 card in Las Vegas and answering some fan inquiries on his YouTube channel, Pimblett offered his take on the inevitable showdown between Topuria and Holloway, suggesting that “hand sanitizer boy” is scared to sign on the dotted line for a fight with one of the UFC’s most dangerous strikers.

“I think I’ve got the same as everyone,” Pimblett said. “Everyone’s picking Max, know what I mean? Hand sanitizer boy’s scared to take the fight. He doesn’t want to take the fight against Max because he knows what will happen. He fought Volkanovski at the perfect time. Coming back off getting knocked out like 10 weeks later. He got lucky there, to be honest.”

Max Holloway was, by all accounts, always going to be the first man up to challenge the Georgian for the featherweight strap. ‘Blessed’ only solidified his spot at the front of the line with an insane buzzer-beating KO of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 to bag the promotion’s bragging rights belt.

Pimblett and Topuria are certainly no strangers to one another. In March 2022, the two got into a scuffle at a London hotel after ‘The Baddy’ made some disparaging comments about the Russo-Georgian War. During the altercation, Pimblett infamously pelted Topuria with a bottle of hand sanitizer.

Paddy Pimblett gearing up for his next big challenge inside the Octagon

While Topuria and Holloway work out the details of when and where they’ll throw hands, Paddy Pimblett is already preparing for his next challenge. Returning to the Octagon on July 27 when the UFC heads back to Manchester, ‘The Baddy’ will face perhaps his toughest test yet when he meets the always dangerous ‘King’ Bobby Green at UFC 304.

Pimblett is a perfect 5-0 under the UFC banner, though his last two performances against Jared Gordon and Tony Ferguson left a lot to be desired from the Liverpudlian.

Green, on the other hand, has found himself amid a nice little run, winning three of his last four, including a unanimous decision victory over Octagon icon Jim Miller at the UFC’s landmark event in April.

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Unbeaten welterweight striker, Ian Garry has claimed in 10 years’ time, his name will be mentioned amongst some of the greatest fighters of all-time, after fans hit out at him for a lacklustre performance en route to victory against Michael ‘Venom’ Page.

Garry, the current number seven ranked welterweight contender, featured on the main card of UFC 303 during International Fight Week over the course of the weekend, landing a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) triumph against former Bellator MMA championship challenger, Michael ‘Venom’ Page. 

Ian Garry touts himself as future GOAT candidate

And hit with criticizm for his performance – which included a slew of grappling exchanges and close call submission attempts, Portmarnock native, Garry defended his display, and played up his chances of landing himself in the debate of the greatest fighters of all time in the future.

“I am on my road to destiny to be one of the greatest of all time,” Ian Garry told assembled media after UFC 303. “I’m going to do that by any means necessary, and I don’t care how it gets done. In 10 years’ time, my name is going to be in that GOAT conversation. Who’s the greatest of all time? You’re going to say Jon Jones, GSP (Georges St-Pierre), Anderson Silva, Ian Garry.”

“I’m going to have my name in that conversation because it’s opinion-based,” Ian Garry explained. “If you’re Brazilian, you’ll say Anderson Silva, if you’re American, you might say Jon Jones. We could all sit here and have all of our opinions. As long as my name is in that conversation, I’ve had a successful career.”

Earlier this year, Garry featured at UFC 298 back in February, turning in a split decision win over Geoff Neal – and landed his eighth straight victory in the promotion with his win over Page, eclipsing former duel-weight champion, Conor McGregor’s longest winning spree in the organization. 

Do you think Ian Garry can become one of the greatest fighters of all-time?

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Failing to make good on his return to the Octagon overnight at UFC 303, former lightweight title challenger, Michael Chandler confirmed a clash with symbolic BMF champion, Max Holloway was on the table for him, following the withdrawal of would-be common-foe, Conor McGregor.

Chandler, the current number six ranked lightweight contender, was slated to headline UFC 303 overnight in Las Vegas in a welterweight fight with McGregor, until the Dubliner withdrew from the clash citing a fractured toe on his left foot.

And still attending the T-Mobile Arena card, Chandler watched on as short-notice headliner, Alex Pereira scored a thunderous second round high-kick knockout win over Jiri Prochazka, successfully defending his light heavyweight crown in the process.

Michael Chandler reveals offer to take on Max Holloway at UFC 303

Appearing backstage to speak with assembled media, Chandler insisted he was still confident of fighting McGregor in the latter’s immediate return to action, however, confirmed speculation that he had been offered a fight with Hawaiian star, Holloway at UFC 303.

“I think it’s public knowledge at this point that Max’s (Holloway) name was floated out there in these last couple of weeks [for a fight at UFC 303],” Michael Chandler told assembled media. “I have a ton of respect for Max Holloway – not just because he’s a bad mofo, but because he dubbed it [the BMF title] the ‘Blessed Man Forever’, you know?” 

“… I got a ton of respect for him – I would love to compete against him,” Michael Chandler explained. “I guess it’s up to the court of public opninon on whether or not I am a BMF caliber guy. I have my opinions – I think I am, and I would love to share the Octagon with Max at some point in my career.”

At the time of publication, Holloway has been linked to a featherweight title charge against the unbeaten champion, Ilia Topuria – with a showdown between the duo targeted to feature at UFC 307 in October in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Would you like to see Michael Chandler take on Max Holloway in the future?

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After moving to 15-0 with a solid performance against ‘MVP’ at UFC 303, Ian Machado Garry has his sights set on taking Shavkat Rakhmonov’s ‘O.’

Garry returned to the Octagon on Saturday night and scored himself a unanimous decision victory over Michael ‘Venom’ Page in the evening’s main card opener. For three rounds, Garry executed a perfect game plan that saw him largely stifle Page’s unorthodox striking style, handing ‘Venom’ just his third career loss in 14 years.

Given Page was sitting seven spots below ‘The Future’ in the welterweight rankings, it’s unclear what impact, if any, Garry’s win will have on his position in the division. Regardless of that, the Irishman is ready for another step up in competition.

“I’m gonna have a chat with Hunter [Campbell] and Dana [White] to figure out what’s next,” Garry said at the post-fight press conference. “There’s some big names, there’s some cool matchups. This Shavkat, 18-0 undefeated. I’d love to get my hands on him. I’ve trained with him. I have nothing, but respect for the guy, but I want to be the first guy to take his ‘O’ and I know I can do it. I just beat the fastest guy in the division, other than me, when it comes to striking and skills so I know I can do it.

“When it comes to grappling, we’ve seen the growth that I have. I’m excited to go out there and prove it against someone like him.”

Is Ian Machado Garry the right fight for Shavkat Rakhmonov?

Shavkat Rakhmonov is a perfect 18-0 in his mixed martial arts career with six of those wins coming inside the Octagon. Perhaps even more impressive is his 100% finish rate, including eight knockouts and 10 submissions.

Rakhmonov’s last appearance went down at UFC 296 in December where he scored a second-round rear-naked choke against Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson.

That moved ‘Nomad’ to the No. 3 spot in the welterweight rankings with the only two fighters above him being Belal Muhammad and ex-champion Kamaru Usman.

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Three-time foe of Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier – has backed the Dubliner to make a triumphant return to action – if he ever makes his comeback to the UFC, claiming the ex-champion will likely return in “dangerous” fashion.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, has been sidelined since he fractured his left tibia and fibula against Poirier three years ago, losing the pair’s trilogy rubber match in a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss.

And scheduled to return at UFC 303 tonight, McGregor was forced from a main event fight against would-be common-foe, Michael Chandler at the welterweight limit – confirming he had been sidelined once more, this time through a fractured toe on his left foot.

Dustin Poirier backs Conor McGregor to make “dangerous” return

Hoping to land a return before the close of the summer, former duel-weight titleholder, McGregor’s plans for a comeback clash with Chandler were almost immediately shut down by UFC boss, Dana White, who claimed he would not be fighting before October at the very earliest.

However, sharing his thoughts on McGregor’s fighting future, Poirier – who was the subject of a nasty dig by the Dubliner at his fatherhood earlier this week, claimed he would return in “dangerous” fashion against Chandler.

“So, he (Conor McGregor) could be back quick or if he needs surgery, we’ll see,” Dustin Poirier told ESPN MMA. “Just looking at his career and the things he’s accomplished, the man has a strong mindset. If he commits himself to being the best he can, if his body allows him to be the best he can I think he’s gonna come back strong.”

“Do we see the vintage Conor McGregor? I’m not sure, but we’re going to see a very dangerous man who’s hungry for a win – and who needs a win, if he does come back,” Poirier explained.

Do you agree with Dustin Poirier’s take on the future of UFC star, Conor McGregor?

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Michael Chandler is set to appear at UFC 303 tomorrow night in ‘Sin City’ despite the cancellation of his clash with former duel-weight champion, Conor McGregor – and claims a grudge match between himself and the Dubliner will take place “quicker” than expected.

Chandler, the current number six ranked lightweight contender, was scheduled to headline UFC 303 tomorrow night during International Fight Week – taking on the previously mentioned, McGregor in a welterweight clash.

However, earlier this month, Chandler was officially removed from the card, with McGregor confirming how a fractured toe on his left foot had forced him to cancel his hiatus-snapping return – spanning three years.

And despite initially showing interest in a symbolic BMF championship fight with would-be common-foe, Max Holloway, MIssouri native, Chandler is set to play the waiting game on a fight with McGregor.

Michael Chandler provides update on Conor McGregor fight

Providing an update on the status of his clash with the ex-champion in the future – amid claims from Dana White that McGregor would not feature earlier than October this year, Chandler, who is set to meet with organizational officials tonight, revealed the bout may come to fruition sooner than people expect.

“It’s a bittersweet weekend, but we’re having a good time, and we should hopefully be off hiatus quicker than people think,” Michael Chandler told John Morgan. “I’ll tell you what, I do love to fight, but I am a very patient man. And luckily, my life is such that I have done so many things outside of just fighting that I’ve been able to sit out, be patient, still got work outside fighting. [I] stayed busy the last year and a half, and this one didn’t come to fruition.”

“We’re gonna stay patient – we’re not gonna let him (Conor McGregor) off the hook,” Michael Chandler explained. “I like to say, ‘We’re not gonna let him off the hook.’ Talks are happening between me and the UFC, I’m meeting with them tonight actually. I know Conor is gonna be ready to come back soon, ‘cause it’s just a pinky toe {injury), so we’ll see.”

Who do you think wins in a future fight: Michael Chandler or Conor McGregor?

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Conor McGregor is feeling a bit of vindication following a series of horrific terrorist attacks in Dagestan, the hometown of his longtime rival Khabib Nurmagomedov.

At least 21 people were killed, including 16 police officers, and another 25 were injured after armed men attacked a synagogue, churches, and police post in the city of Derbent and Dagestan’s capital Makhachkala on Sunday, June 23. Per a report from CNN, attackers “set the building on fire using Molotov cocktails” at the synagogue in Derbent while police and security guards were killed outside during the attack.

Sergey Melikov, head of the Dagestan Republic, said at least six “militants” were also killed following the attack, one of which has been identified as Gadzhimurad Kagirov, a former MMA fighter who was once affiliated with Khabib Nurmagomedov and the UFC Hall of Famer’s late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.

In the wake of the shocking news, Conor McGregor, considered to be Nurmagomedov’s greatest foe inside the Octagon, has stayed busy, tweeting and deleting his thoughts on the situation accompanied with the hashtag #ConorWasRight.

Recently, the Irish megastar once again posted the hashtag in response to a video from Aussie Cossack of Nurmagomedov’s Eagle MMA gym being raided by Russian security forces in Makhachkala.

Conor McGregor first accused Khabib of having ties to terrorism in 2018

McGregor first suggested that Nurmagomedov had ties to terrorism in 2018, accusing the former lightweight champion’s manager, Dominance MMA’s Ali Abdelaziz, of being a “lying terrorist snitch” ahead of his record-setting fight with ‘The Eagle’ at UFC 229.

The Washington Post‘s Des Bieler later wrote that McGregor’s comments appeared to be referring to a 2013 book titled Enemies Within: Inside the NYPD’s Secret Spying Unit and bin Laden’s Final Plot Against America. In it, the authors claim that Abdelaziz worked with the New York Police Department and the FBI before they grew concerned he had become a double agent and tried to deport him.

Abdelaziz, of course, is one of the more well-known managers in mixed martial arts, featuring an all-star client list that consists of Nurmagomedov, Kamaru Usman, Justin Gaethje, Henry Cejudo, and Kayla Harrison.

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Issuing yet another warning to distinct enemy, Alex Pereira ahead of his UFC 303 return this weekend, former champion, Jamahal Hill claims if the Brazilian drops his title against Jiri Prochazka – he will await him in a rematch.

Hill, the current number three ranked light heavyweight contender, was slated to make his own return at UFC 303 this weekend, seeing a rescheduled bout with the surging, Carlos Ulberg fall to the wayside after he suffered another injury setback.

Snapping his sidelining through an achilles injury last summer with a headliner against the previously mentioned, Pereira at UFC 300 earlier this year, ex-champion, Hill dropped a stunning opening round knockout loss to the Sao Paulo finisher.

Jamahal Hill warns Alex Pereira of rematch in the future

And immediately staking his claim for a title fight rematch with former duel-weight champion, Pereira in the future off the back of his one-sided loss, Illinois native, Hill claimed once more ahead of UFC 303 – if the former slips up just once, he will force him to fight him again next.

“Alex (Pereira) has got his own task ahead of him,” Jamahal Hill said on his YouTube channel. “This weekend, he’s fighting JIir Prochazka defending the title. Best of luck to you in this rematch – because if you lose, I don’t give a f*ck if they [the UFC] offer me a title shot. It’s me and you [next].”

“You win, I’m going to go starch the next guy, and I’ll see you soon,” Jamahal Hill explained. “You lose, I see you real soon.”

Hitting out at Pereira’s now-viral celebration against him, Hill claimed he would remind the Brazilian fan-favorite what it feels like to wake up from a devastating knockout if he gets the chance to share the Octagon with him again.

Do you think Jamahal Hill can make his way back to a fight with Alex Pereira again?

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Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has revealed he is still unsure on what’s next for him amid a potential retirement from mixed martial arts – off the back of his championship fight loss at UFC 302 last month.

Poirier, the current number four ranked lightweight contender, headlined UFC 302 last month in New Jersey – taking on undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Islam Makhachev over the course of five rounds.

And dropping a fifth round submission defeat to the Russian following an impressive performance, Poirier was caught in a late frame D’Acre choke, which forced him to tap before he going unconscious.

In the immediate aftermath of his loss, Poirier who had been weighing up retirement from combat sports throughout the buildup to his clash with Makhachev, explained how he had likely made his final walk to the Octagon. 

However, in the weeks since, Poirier – who has yet to officially notify the UFC of his decision to retire from mixed martial arts, has remained non-committal on his future.

Dustin Poirier remains unsure on fighting future

And this week on social media, fans speculated Poirier had finally closed the chapter on his career, however, he has since insisted he hasn’t come to a definitive decision yet.

“That wasn’t a retirement tweet,” Dustin Poirier posted on his official X account. “I’m just grateful for the journey, but I’m still unsure about what’s next.”

Seeing his rivalry with former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor rekindled this week – Poirier was urged to seek a DNA test by the Dubliner, who controversially called his fatherhood into question, before hitting out at his long-time partner, Jolie Poirier, to boot.

Returning to screens this weekend, Poirier will join the UFC 303 desk – serving as an analyst alongside former title challenger, Chael Sonnen.

Do you think Dustin Poirier should call time on his UFC career?

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