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WBC, WBO and IBF champion Artur Beterbiev will face WBA titleholder Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight championship this Sat. night (Oct. 12, 2024) at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the winner unifying the 175-pound straps for the very first time in the four-belt era.

The card will stream LIVE on the ESPN+ digital network at 6 p.m. ET.

“When I signed a contract to be a pro boxer, I had a goal to become undisputed champion,” Bivol said at the kickoff press conference back in April. “Everything that I have gone through has been for that. I did it to achieve my goal. Even the fight against Canelo, it was my ticket for big fights. And now I’m happy that I will have this fight on June 1 for all the belts. I believe I can be undisputed champion.”

For more boxing news and notes click here.

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UFC Fight Pass Invitational (UFC FPI) returns for UFC FPI 8 on Thurs. night (Oct. 10, 2024), LIVE at 8 p.m. ET on the UFC Fight Pass digital network from inside the promotion’s APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fresh off his million-dollar performance at Craig Jones Invitational earlier this year, Absolute phenom Nicky Rod will look to continue his winning ways against red-hot grappling prospect Michael Pixley. In the UFC FPI 8 co-main event, Renato Canuto and PJ Barch collide at 170 pounds.

Here’s the complete UFC FPI 8 fight card and grappling lineup:

UFC FPI 8 Main Event:

Nicky Rodriguez vs Michael Pixley (Absolute)

UFC FPI 8 Co-Main Event:

Renato Canuto vs PJ Barch (170 lbs.)

UFC FPI 8 Main Card:

Isaque Bahiense vs Ronaldo Souza Junior (185 lbs.)
Andy Varela vs Dante Leon (170 lbs.)
Raquel Canuto vs Gabrielle McComb (145 lbs.)
Gabriel Sousa vs Josh Cisneros (155 lbs.)
Cassia Moura vs Cindy Ung (135 lbs.)
Gabriel Almeida vs Johan Oosthuysen (215 lbs.)
Pedro Falcao vs Cristian Guzman (155 lbs.)

Below is the compete ruleset and scoring methods for UFC FPI 8, courtesy of UFC.com:

Each match consists of one regulation round (Regulation Time) and one overtime period (OT). There will be no positive points awarded in Regulation Time. Athletes can incur point deductions for illegal guard pulling, passivity, and stalling during regulation time. The overtime period will include both point scoring and deductions. Negatives from Regulation Time will carry into OT.

Time Limits

• An eight minute regulation match will have a four minute overtime.
• A ten minute regulation match will have a five minute overtime

Referees and Judges

• Referee is the only person who can assign positive points or enforce stalling penalties.
  —Judges may correct points if the referee assigns an incorrect amount.
  —Should the bout conclude without a submission or a point victory, the judges shall assess the bout in its entirety to determine the winner.
• Judging Criteria
  —Initiation of effective action
  —Positional control and submission attempts
  —Duration or control
• Managing the competition area
  —Upon referee discretion, competitors nearing the edge of the matted area will be paused and repositioned towards the center of the competition area.
  —Athletes are expected to maintain a best effort to compete in the center of the competition area.

Positive Points (Overtime Only)

• Passing the guard = 2 points.
• All Sweeps & Reversals = 2 points
• Knee on belly = 2 points
• Takedown = 2 points
• Mounted Position = 4 points
• Note: All Scoring positions must be maintained for three seconds to earn positive points

Negative Points (Penalties)

• Point deductions may be incurred during Regulation or overtime periods.

Ilegal Techniques

• Spiking your opponent on their head
• Striking of any kind
• Gouging of the eyes
• Intentionally putting your fingers into any orifice of your opponent
• Grabbing of the ears
• Intentional pulling of the hair
• Twisting or holding any less than four fingers or toes
• Intentionally scratching, pinching, or biting
• Intentionally grabbing, squeezing or putting pressure on the groin area
• Intentionally holding of your competitors clothing
• Slamming — Slamming is only allowed when a combatant is using the slamming technique as a method of escaping a fully applied submission

For complete UFC FPI 8 results and highlights CLICK HERE.

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Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Wanderlei Silva is one of the most accomplished fighters of all time.

“The Ax Murderer” rose to prominence as an absolute force in the PRIDE ring, putting together the longest unbeaten streak in the promotion’s history and stomping his way to four title defenses. The legendary bruiser joined the UFC roster in 2007 with his best years behind him, but he still managed to defeat some quality opposition like Michael Bisping and Brian Stann in his six years on the roster. Earlier this year, the 48-year-old Brazilian was recently inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame despite having previously been banned by Dana White.

He walked away from fighting in 2018 and officially retired in 2022.

Sadly, Silva is suffering serious health concerns after his combat sports career. He took a lot of damage in every step of that fighting career, getting knocked out by the likes of Mirko Crocop and Quinton Jackson. The UFC antitrust case, which recently reached a second settlement to the tune of $ 375 million, has revealed a frightening health from Silva. According to the Brazilian, he’s suffering CTE symptoms that include mental health struggles and desperately needs the money from the settlement.

A key part of Silva’s declaration reads, “While fighting for the UFC, I suffered many significant injuries, including concussions. I fear that during my career I have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI) and am noticing symptoms common with TBI and CTE including depression, mood swings, and irritability. To date, no treatment for CTE has been found. I suffer from sleep apnea and have difficulty sleeping and breathing. That I can recall, I have had four surgeries on my nose, 1 on my face, 2 on my left knee, 1 on my right knee and 1 on my elbow.”

Silva desperately requests approval of the settlement so that he can afford necessary health care and keep his home. Silva’s statement is very upsetting but hardly unique. John Nash’s full thread on X is worth reading if interested in the lawsuit, and it’s filled with accounts of broken UFC veterans struggling to make ends meet.

The new settlement is still awaiting approval from the presiding judge, who struck down the first settlement offer because he didn’t feel it was a large enough sum.

Insomnia

The most notable reaction to UFC 307 is the absolute public agreement that Khalil Rountree is a savage.

Oh, this is quite an interesting theory …

Ciryl Gane is too athletic to be an MMA Heavyweight. He should definitely be making way more money doing something else, but fight fans got lucky.

Mauricio Ruffy’s return is officially booked. Think the Fighting Nerds product picks up another KO?

I knew Oleksandr Usyk and Artur Beterbiev fought as amateurs, but I didn’t know this happened …

The Czech Samurai is in Japan!

I quite liked this drill from Sean O’Malley, who definitely knows his stuff regarding modern MMA striking.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

A perfect counter punch.

Four Southpaw uppercuts to the liver seal the deal.

A calf kick stoppage in professional kickboxing! It can happen!

Random Land

The devastation in western North Carolina is insane.

Midnight Music: Art rock, 2024

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.

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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is making more room on its roster …

UFC Roster Watch revealed today (Mon., Oct. 7, 2024) that three fighters have been released from their respective contracts and/or the promotion decided not to extend them. Indeed, whether for numerous losses or they satisfied their contractual obligations, the world’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion chose not to re-sign them.

And this latest purge is rather significant.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

The biggest name on the list is Ovince Saint Preux, who just got submitted in the first round at UFC 307 this past weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Saint Preux (27-18) ends his UFC run with a 15-13 record and is tied for third with most “Performance of the Night” bonuses in UFC history (seven). He challenged for UFC’s interim Light Heavyweight strap against Jon Jones at UFC 197 back in 2016, dropping a unanimous decision.

“OSP” has the most Von Flue choke submissions in UFC history (four), with his biggest Octagon moment coming against Pride FC legend, Mauricio Rua, knocking out “Shogun” in just 34 seconds behind enemy lines in Brazil.

Photo by Al Powers/Zuffa LLC

Karl Williams (10-2) also got released, which makes no sense. The Heavyweight fighter won a contract on season six of Contender Series as a hefty underdog and then went on to go 3-1 inside the Octagon (all via unanimous decision).

He lost his only UFC fight in his last outing.

Williams was not an exciting fighter, but he probably should have received a new contract in a shallow Heavyweight division.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Last, and certainly not least, was Brazil’s Kleydson Rodrigues (8-4). Rodrigues received a contract from season five of Contender Series after he defeated Santo Curatolo. “KR” ended up going 1-3 inside the promotion, with his only win coming against Shannon Ross via knockout.

He missed weight twice, and one of those weight misses caused a fight cancelation.

To checkout UFC’s upcoming schedule of events click here.

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Conor McGregor may never return to fighting.

Despite his constant complaining on social media, there doesn’t appear to be much urgency from the “Notorious” lightweight, who is certainly not short on potential opponents. That said, one fighter who will not score a life-changing red panty night is veteran “Highlight” reel Justin Gaethje.

That’s according to longtime manager Ali Abdelaziz.

“He got offered this fight at least five times,” Abdelaziz told Submission Radio. “At least five. He never wanted to have to do anything with Justin. He said the reason he didn’t want to fight Justin is because Justin talked bad to him on Twitter and Instagram before — and the history we have with him. He didn’t want to lose to our team, I guess. Even UFC told me, ‘Hey, leave him alone, he doesn’t like to fight people who talk bad to him on the Internet.’ Why do you think [Michael] Chandler was being so nice to him? Because he was being told not to talk bad to Conor. Conor has to start talking bad and then he can talk bad back. You know, he’s a weak, mental midget. He’s soft like a marshmallow. And he’s a no good son of a bitch. This is what he is.”

McGregor, who turned 36 last July, dropped three of his last four and has not competed since losing to Dustin Poirier back in summer 2021.

“I believe Dan Hooker will be the next fight [for Gaethje],” Abdelaziz continued. “I don’t think he deserves it. It’s been six years since Conor last saw Khabib [Nurmagomedov]. Khabib took everything away from him. He took his manhood, he took his soul. He was never the same. He will never be the same. He took everything away from this man. The UFC lost so much money because of Khabib. But this is the game. You know you have to fight the best and Khabib was the best at the same time. Conor fought the best and he got whooped.”

To be fair, Gaethje has also turned the fight down (because of this).

McGregor is not expected to compete until 2025, long after the promotion has its new broadcast deal — a decision that is likely to help the promotion command top dollar on the open market. Despite his inactivity and mediocre record, McGregor remains the biggest draw in mixed martial arts (MMA).

Assuming he doesn’t retire for the eighth time.

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Reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, retained his 205-pound title by stopping Khalil Rountree Jr. atop the UFC 307 pay-per-view (PPV) card last weekend in Salt Lake City. “Poatan” is expected to make his return against top contender Magomed Ankalaev at some point in early 2025, though he also teased potential fights at both middleweight and heavyweight.

BetOnline.ag has Pereira as the betting underdog, regardless of where he ends up.

Alex Pereira: +120
Magomed Ankalaev: -140

Alex Pereira: +300
Tom Aspinall: -400

Alex Pereira: +155
Israel Adesanya: -185

Alex Pereira: +450
Jon Jones: -600

Dricus Du Plessis is a more likely opponent than Adesanya.

In the UFC 307 co-main event, Julianna Pena (barely) reclaimed the 135-pound title by edging out Raquel Pennington and will likely move on to make her first title defense against women’s bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison. The former PFL champ also competed at UFC 307, capturing a unanimous decision victory over Ketlen Vieira.

Harrison opened as the -700 betting favorite against +500 for the underdog Pena.

Nothing is official at this time, but you can expect both title fights (Pereira vs. Ankalaev, Pena vs. Harrison) to happen at some point in first quarter 2025. “Poatan” competed three times this year — all PPV main events — and will likely spend the next few months recovering from his active schedule.

For more UFC 307 results and fallout click here.

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After ‘Sweet Dreams’ mocked UFC 307’s main event, Pereira quickly reminded everyone that he knocked Hill out in under a round at UFC 300.

Jamahal Hill is stuck on the sidelines right now nursing an injured knee, but that isn’t stopping him from throwing shade at the light heavyweights still competing in his stead.

Hill was originally supposed to face Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 303, only for Rountree to be removed from the card due to a self-disclosed drug violation. Carlos Ulberg stepped in for “War Horse,” then Jamahal had to withdraw over “two meniscus tears, a sprained ACL, and a Baker Cyst” in his knee.

That sounds pretty serious, but Jamahal was able to walk his way cageside at UFC 307 to watch Rountree fight 205 pound champion Alex Pereira, who had put “Sweet Dreams” to sleep in the first round of their UFC 300 showdown.

Considering how that went down, many fans took issue with how Hill reacted after Rountree and Pereira went to war for four rounds, ending with a brutal and bloody “Poatan” TKO win (watch the highlights here).

Yes, that’s Jamahal Hill giving an over-exaggerated yawn at the results, which only seems sillier when you notice everyone else in the arena on their feet giving the two warriors in the cage a standing ovation.

When asked about Hill’s reaction, Pereira kept his response short.

“Maybe he just woke up from UFC 300,” he suggested.

Yeah, it’s a repeat. But it’s a good one.

Hill has vowed to beat Pereira the next time they meet in the cage, but first he’ll have to recover and then win one or two more fights before earning another title shot. Here’s hoping the UFC puts him back in there against Khalil Rountree Jr., who is channeling his loss to Pereira in much more healthy ways. We doubt there will be many yawning in the stands if that fight goes down.

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The light heavyweight challenger had some surprising things to say about his tough loss to ‘Poatan’ in Salt Lake City.

Khalil Rountree Jr. may have come up short against Alex Pereira at UFC 307, but his performance in the first half of their fight undoubtedly raised his stock in the eyes of many fans (watch the highlights here).

Coming into Salt Lake City, many questioned why the UFC was even booking the No. 8 ranked light heavyweight to fight Pereira for the 205 pound title. But not only did “War Horse” keep his word that he wouldn’t shoot a takedown against “Poatan,” he won the first two rounds on the feet, according to all three judges’ scorecards.

But as fatigue set in and Pereira’s leg kicks broke down his movement, Rountree slowed and what worked in the early rounds no longer worked. Pereira started piecing him up in the third round, and the fourth turned into a bloody beatdown that ended via TKO with just under 30 seconds to go. Through it all, Khalil remained game and kept fighting back. It was a valiant effort, if not enough to defeat the reigning champion.

In a new post on Instagram, Rountree reflected upon the defeat.

“I didn’t win the title but I grew last night,” he wrote. Alex Pereira, thanks for helping me see that I’m ready to take on the world. You showed amazing skill, you brought out a version of me that I needed to experience. You’re the champ for a reason, much respect. But I now know what I am capable of.”

“Brazil, you guys have a strong champion, be proud,” he added. “I will take time to heal from this. I’ll be back even better, it’s inevitable. I’m grateful. Never give up on yourself, always fight hard, uplift your communities, and find ways to make the most out of life. Delta Center thanks for hosting us. UFC 307 was a night to remember.”

The picture Rountree chose for his post is worth a thousand words: Khalil moments after the loss, with his eye cut open and his nose split with an X like an anime character … smiling. Legitimately happy to have experienced the fight. Coming up short, but knowing he gave it his all.

We’re looking forward to seeing what he does after some time off to heal up. After a performance like that, he’ll undoubtedly have a lot of new fans.

For complete UFC 307 results and play-by-play, click HERE!

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Thompson was in a reflective mood following his knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley in the featured prelim of UFC 307.

It was another tough night at the office for Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, who suffered his fourth loss in five fights and the second KO loss of his career at the hands of Joaquin Buckley during UFC 307.

Thompson was looking pretty good against Buckley right up until he got backed up against the cage and hit with a massive overhand right to the jaw (see the finish here). We had “Wonderboy” up two rounds coming into the third, but the aging Karate expert forgot to utilize lateral movement and paid the price.

In a new video statement released on X (formerly Twitter), a frustrated Thompson spoke on the defeat.

“Just got back to the hotel — I don’t even know how I got here,” he said. “But again, I get knocked out by an overhand.”

Thompson’s only other KO loss came against Anthony Pettis in 2019, but it was a very different situation. “Showtime” reversed into the cage, bounced off it, took a leap, and snuck his overhand over the top. This time it was Thompson who bounced off the cage … right into Buckley’s fist.

“Once my head is either on the cage or off the cage, it is what it is,” Thompson said.

With just one sole win since the start of 2021, the 41-year-old fighter was in a reflective mood. Getting slumped like that is definitely the kind of thing to make you re-evaluate your fighting plans, but “Wonderboy” didn’t tip his hand as to what may come next.

“I wanna say thank you to all of my fans,” he said. “You guys really showed out for me as I walked out there. You guys have shown me so much support over the years, and I really do appreciate it, and I love you.”

“The roar of the crowd as I walked out to the cage and my name was announced is something I’ll cherish forever,” he added in the caption to his video.

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Here’s what you may have missed!

It’s always a bit silly when a dozen UFC fights go down and officiating is the biggest source of discussion a day later. Usually, that means the fights weren’t very good. Alas, that’s definitely the case here, as good finishes were outpaced by boring rounds by a fair measure. Card quality aside, talking about the officiating is necessary this time, because it was just that s—t.

From top-to-bottom, the officials Utah brought to the table failed the UFC 307 athletes repeatedly. It was a historically bad evening of judging, filled with random 30-27s that simply cannot be explained. There was no consistency, no favoritism towards wrestling or striking — the cards were utterly random. By the time the main card rolled around, the remaining fighters were surely sweating, because there was no longer any way to be confident in the scorecards.

Even the miserable judging was overshadowed by the performance of referee Dave Sejestad. Truly, I have never seen a ref have less control of the action in a cage than in the Cesar Almeida vs. Ihor Potieria fight. It’s a well-known MMA custom that fighters are allowed one foul, but what about six freebies?

It’s hard to decide whether Sejestad had a personal agenda against Potieria or if he just had a bone to pick with retinas as a concept. Either way, overlooking three consecutive eye pokes in a short sequence is baffling. When the fourth poke occurred a moment later, Sejestad didn’t even bother stopping the action. Just a week ago, Benoit Saint Denis was not allowed to continue into the third round because his vision was compromised. Last night, Potieria eyes were brutally attacked with absolutely no recompense or reaction!

The incompetence didn’t stop there either. Referee Sejestad didn’t punish a clear-cut Almeida low blow, but he did take serious issue with Potieria trying to use the clinch in a mixed martial arts fight. Seriously, Potieria was fighting a top-tier kickboxer and knockout artist, and his attempts to clinch were met with IMMEDIATE separations! His chances of a win in this match up were never great, but you cannot stack the odds even more heavily against him.

Last night was also significant in that it was Jon Anik’s 100th straight pay-per-view (PPV) broadcast, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard him outright bothered by an official to this degree. His outrage reflected the reaction online well, and the news that Sejestad would not make a second appearance at UFC 307 was met with gratitude and relief.

For complete UFC 307 results and play-by-play, click HERE!

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