Category Archives: Mmanews.com

In arguably the biggest fight of his career, Merab Dvalishvili will challenge Sean O’Malley for the UFC bantamweight championship. The bout will headline the Riyadh Season Noche UFC event at the Las Vegas Sphere on September 14, 2024.

While O’Malley avenged his only MMA loss to Marlon Vera in his first title defense, Dvalishvili is riding a 10-fight win streak in the UFC. The contender holds wins over big names like Marlon Moraes, José Aldo, and Petr Yan. This explains the hype behind the bantamweight title bout.

However, the main event was temporarily in jeopardy as Dvalishvili revealed a cut under his eye. UFC President Dana White wasn’t happy about the situation, and Michael Bisping couldn’t agree more…

Michael Bisping Explains Why Merab Dvalishvili Shouldn’t Have Posted His Cut Before Sean O’Malley Fight

Bisping discussed Dvalishvili’s injury on his official YouTube channel recently. He highlighted that fighters now usually post most of their life on social media to increase engagement with fans. Naturally, this wasn’t the case a couple of decades back, and being silent about injuries during camps was preferred.

“Dana’s right when he talks about boxers. Of course, he’s probably talking about the boxers of his generation. Dana knows a lot about boxing as well as mixed martial arts of course. Back in the day, social media wasn’t a thing. The new generation, though, they live on social media. Your entire life is on social media”

The former UFC middleweight champ then explained why White was right in being upset with Dvalishvili’s behavior. For starters, a crisp striker like “Suga” can easily target the cut and make “The Machine” bleed early on in the fight.

“I tell you what, if I was fighting for a main event against Sean O’Malley to become the UFC champion of the world, and I got cut, I would not post it on social media. I’m not talking s**t on Merab. I think Merab is awesome, he’s a great guy, he’s an incredible fighter. The performance against Cejudo solidified that he is the next man in line, but not everything needs to go on social media!”

Bisping also looked back at major injuries he sustained before some of his biggest UFC fights. He had stitches near his eye before the first fight with Luke Rockhold and infamously broke his ribs a week before the Georges St-Pierre fight. “The Count” kept these injuries secret and expects modern-day UFC fighters to follow suit.

• Read More: Dana White ‘Takes Responsibility’ For Francis Ngannou Erasure In UFC 305 Video, Apologizes To Israel Adesanya

Continue Reading Former UFC Champ Backs Dana White On Merab Dvalishvili Revealing His Cut Ahead Of Sean O’Malley Fight: ‘Not Everything Needs To Go On Social Media!’ at MMA News.

MMA News

Ilia Topuria grabbed the UFC featherweight title from Alexander Volkanovski in just his seventh fight for the promotion. He now boasts a perfect 15-0 record and will defend the belt for the first time against Max Holloway at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on October 26, 2024.

Many looked past Topuria as an overconfident prospect ahead of the Volkanovski fight because he updated his record and status as the UFC featherweight kingpin on social media beforehand. However, he knocked out the champion in the second and silenced all the doubters.

“El Matador” is similarly sure about being the first fighter to knock out Holloway, that too in the first. He also claims “Blessed” to be an easier matchup for him than Volkanovski…

Ilia Topuria Predicts ‘Completely Masterpiece’ Performance Against Max Holloway At UFC 308

Topuria discussed his first title defense in an interview on the official MMA Junkie YouTube channel recently. He outright rejected fans who rank Holloway’s striking highly and proclaimed himself to be better in all areas.

“I feel like I’m way better than him everywhere. Simple like that. It’s like, it’s going to be a completely masterpiece, you will see, you will see. I will knock him out in the first round, there’s no doubts about that. It’s going to be even much easier than with Volkanovski because I consider that Volkanovski was like, a way difficult matchup for me and he proved it right? He beat the guy three times.”

“El Matador” also considers Volkanovski to be a much harder matchup for him than Holloway. “The Great” beat Holloway thrice, and a victory over him could be the source of Topuria’s high confidence.

Topuria added that Holloway’s been more vocal than usual with him due to fear. He also advised the challenger to avoid the wild swinging exchanges toward the end of rounds as it would make it easier for the champ to get a KO victory.

The UFC featherweight champion highlighted that he knocked out Volkanovski in seven minutes, unlike Holloway who’s had 75 minutes to do so.

• READ MORE: Sean Strickland Shares Unpopular Opinion On Former UFC Middleweight Champ: ‘I Just Don’t Think Izzy’s That Good!’

Continue Reading Ilia Topuria Confident About Knocking Max Holloway Out In The First: ‘Much Easier Than With Volkanovski’ at MMA News.

MMA News

Sean Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision at UFC 293 in September 2023. It was one of the biggest upsets in MMA history as fans expected the champ to piece up Strickland with his striking.

“The Last Stylebender” returned to the Octagon after 11 months at UFC 305, challenging Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship. The fight was competitive on the feet and ground from the get-go, but the kingpin secured a submission win in the fourth.

Adesanya had never lost two consecutive fights in his pro career previously. Looking back at his bouts, former opponent Strickland has claimed that Izzy was never that good to begin with…

Sean Strickland Doubted Israel Adesanya’s Fighting Skills After Sparring Kelvin Gastelum

Strickland recently discussed his former rival on the Verse Us with Erick Nicksick podcast. After admitting that it’s an unpopular opinion, he said that “The Last Stylbender” isn’t as good as his record makes him look.

“I have an unpopular opinion. You guys aren’t going to like it. I just don’t think Izzy’s that good!”

Strickland thinks so primarily because of his regular sparring sessions with Kelvin Gastelum. Izzy had one of the toughest fights of his MMA career against Gastelum, while Strickland claims to run through him during training.

“So, when he fought Kelvin dude. I think Kelvin sucks. So, like, everyone’s like, everyone’s like oh man Izzy’s this and that. Like, dude, I’ve sparred Kelvin so many times where I’m like, you kind of had a close fight with Kelvin, like you’re not that good.”

The previous UFC middleweight champion clarified that he still believes Adesanya to be better than the majority of the UFC roster. He compared Izzy’s recent form to the likes of Chuck Liddell and Anderson Silva who went on losing streaks once an opponent figured out the best game plan to beat them.

READ MORE: Anthony Smith Shares Theory On Alex Pereira Pondering Middleweight Return To Fight Dricus Du Plessis: ‘You Beat My Friend!’

Continue Reading Sean Strickland Shares Unpopular Opinion On Former UFC Middleweight Champ: ‘I Just Don’t Think Izzy’s That Good!’ at MMA News.

MMA News

Tom Aspinall defended the interim UFC heavyweight title against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. Since then, demands for a fight between him and the undisputed kingpin Jon Jones have increased significantly.

Regardless, it looks like Jones will return to the Octagon against Stipe Miocic before the end of 2024. On top of that, the former UFC light heavyweight champion has repeatedly hinted at hanging up his gloves after the fight.

Aspinall has always respected Jones and Miocic for their illustrious careers. However, he recently revealed why the latter is a better role model for him…

Tom Aspinall Isn’t A Fan Of Jon Jones And Anderson Silva Being Involved In PED Usage

Aspinall talked about Jones and Miocic on the official Michael Bisping YouTube channel recently. He praised both the veterans for their contributions to MMA but clarified that he relates more to the former UFC heavyweight champion.

“Well, I look to Stipe more because the… Don’t make me say it Anthony. Don’t make me say it!”

For starters, the interim UFC heavyweight champion believes that failing drug tests directly affects the legacies of greats like Jones and Anderson Silva. Despite holding some of the most celebrated UFC records, both fighters have been heavily criticized in MMA circles for PED usage.

“If there’s anything about drug tests going on, that’s a bit of an asterisk next to your name. Do you know what I mean? If there’s a drug test going. Same as, you know, when people talk about Anderson Silva being the best of all time. You know, he definitely was, but there was definitely some other stuff going on there.”

Miocic, on the other hand, has a record six title wins in the UFC heavyweight division. He’s never been accused of using PEDs, which is one of the main reasons why Aspinall picked him as a more suitable role model over Jones.

“I mean, I don’t know either guy personally but Stipe seems more my type of human being.”

Aspinall made sure not to delve into Jones’ personal life, though. He aims to fight “Bones” only to unify the UFC heavyweight title and has no interest in taking a jab at the veteran’s notorious past.

READ MORE: Sean Strickland Shares Unpopular Opinion On Former UFC Middleweight Champ: ‘I Just Don’t Think Izzy’s That Good!’

Continue Reading Tom Aspinall Sneakily Reveals Why He Looks Up To Stipe Miocic More Than Jon Jones: ‘Don’t Make Me Say It!’ at MMA News.

MMA News

A lot of MMA fans were surprised to see that Alex Pereira’s next UFC light heavyweight title defense will be against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 in October.

Despite Rountree having an impressive run of finishes with back-to-back wins last year, many expected to see Magomed Ankalaev get the next shot at “Poatan”.

Instead, Ankalaev will be taking on Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308 where a win over another top contender will surely see him earn a second shot at the 205-pound title.

He was unsurprisingly critical of the UFC’s decision to book Pereira against Rountree Jr. but some of his comments struck a nerve with another one of the light heavyweight division’s big names.

Jamahal Hill Says He’d Be Willing To Fight Magomed Ankalaev At UFC 308

During a recent YouTube video on his channel, Jamahal Hill gave his reaction to Ankalaev’s comments after the announcement.

Hill believes that Ankalaev has looked to gain popularity from the fans by coming at him to try and win some of them over.

The former champion also referenced how the Dagestani fighter hasn’t always been in the UFC’s good books, believing that he has bitten his tongue this time around rather than publicly slamming the promotion for not booking him as the next title challenger.

“I made a reaction video about the Khalil Rountree and Alex Pereira fight announcement and there was one guy in particular who yeah, I will agree he’s been given the run-around by the business right and I’m assuming now, he’s learned his lesson now to watch his mouth ‘cuz as you know, we talking about Mrs, I ain’t even going to, little ‘Frudamed Gankalaev’, ankle grabber, whatever you want to call him. This dude just can’t stop trying to like clout chase in whatever way he can. bro like, you fought to a draw, you had your chance, you had your chance of winning the title.

“Now, I am one of the people that agree that he should have been next in the title shot above Khalil Rountree, and I spoke on this. But, for you to say like, say I’m crying because I spoke on an obvious fact of the game that affects everybody in our weight class and things like that, I see what you tried to do bro. You see that the whole fan base, they’re kinda against me, they kind of want to throw s*** on me and s*** like that. You think that you can get some cool points by jumping on that bandwagon and trying to call me out. Stop it bro, stop it bro. I would expect a low IQ move like that from you, you know what I mean. You don’t want to say anything about the fight being announced because you’ve now learned your lesson from the time whenever you lost, talking about you don’t want to fight for the UFC…and now they have now smacked your hand and now you know to watch your mouth and stay in check.

Hill ended the video by saying that he would be open to stepping in to face Ankalaev if, for whatever reason, Rakić is unable to compete on October 26 in Abu Dhabi.

“Sweet Dreams” was originally scheduled to make a quick turnaround after losing the title but withdrew from UFC 303 in June due to an injury.

“They don’t even like you enough to let you fight [for the title] over the #8 dude! So chill out bro, chill out tryna get cool points bro, focus on other s***. You got a fight coming up against Rakić, shout out to Rakić cuz’ he’s very well capable of putting your a** out. But, best believe if my phone ring and they need somebody to come step in and handle you, bro you’re light work for me. You’re light work for me and I can’t wait to show that.”

Read also: Dricus Du Plessis’ Coach Offers Alternative To Alex Pereira’s Middleweight Tease: ‘I Won’t Give Him The Joy…’

Continue Reading Jamahal Hill Claps Back At Magomed Ankalaev Over LHW Title Drama: ‘Bro, You Light Work For Me!’ at MMA News.

MMA News

UFC 305 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup.

The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, August 17, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.

Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis, who is tasked with getting the better of returning great Israel Adesanya if he’s to record a first successful title defense and stall the three-time ambitions of the Nigerian-New Zealander.

Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see another two Oceanic fighters in action. Pursuing a win in his home city is Steve Erceg, who competes again three months on from a narrowly failed title bid opposite Alexandre Pantoja. Hoping to send him to a first career skid is Kai Kara-France.

Also set to make the walk on Saturday night will be the likes of lightweight fan favorite Dan Hooker, heavyweight slugger Tai Tuivasa, and returning welterweight Li Jingliang.

Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the UFC 305 main card here.

UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya Betting Odds

Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 305 (as of 8/17), courtesy of DraftKings.

Main Card:

• Dricus Du Plessis (-108) vs. Israel Adesanya (-112)
• Kai Kara-France (+185) vs. Steve Erceg (-225)
• Mateusz Gamrot (-410) vs. Dan Hooker (+320)
• Tai Tuivasa (+200) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (-245)
• Li Jingliang (+275) vs. Carlos Prates (-345)

Preliminary Card:

• Junior Tafa (-118) vs. Valter Walker (-102)
• Joshua Culibao (-122) vs. Ricardo Ramos (+102)
• Casey O’Neill (+120) vs. Luana Santos (-142)
• Jack Jenkins (-625) vs. Herbert Burns (+455)

Early Preliminary Card:

• Tom Nolan (-1200) vs. Alex Reyes (+750)
• Song Kenan (-218) vs. Ricky Glenn (+180)
• Stewart Nicoll (-205) vs. Jesus Aguilar (+170)

• Read More: Tai Tuivasa Describes Sparring With Alex Pereira Ahead Of UFC 305 Return: ‘Got The Sh*t Punched Out Of Me’

Continue Reading UFC 305 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Du Plessis vs. Adesanya, Gamrot vs. Hooker, Tuivasa vs. Rozenstruik, & More at MMA News.

MMA News

UFC 305 takes place on Saturday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

The upcoming pay-per-view event at Perth’s RAC Arena provides a chance for UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis to further enhance his legacy on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

After unseating Sean Strickland in the American’s first defense this past January, the South African will look to avoid the same fate when he puts the gold on the line Down Under opposite former two-time champ Israel Adesanya.

Title stakes could be down the line for the co-main event winner, meanwhile, with recent challenger Steve Erceg looking to immediately bounce back from his first UFC setback against the returning Kai Kara-France.

Elsewhere on the UFC 305 card, lightweight fan favorite Dan Hooker shoots for a top-five ranking opposite Mateusz Gamrot, hard-hitting heavyweights Tai Tuivasa and Jairzinho Rozenstruik likely swing for the fences, and China’s Li Jingliang makes a long-awaited comeback.

Ahead of the event, 23 out of the 24 fighters successfully made weight, with Jesus Aguilar’s 1.5-pound miss of the flyweight limit marking the sole indiscretion on the scale.

Nevertheless, every fight has remained intact, and all that remains on Friday night (Saturday local time) is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC 305 ceremonial weigh-ins!

Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 11 PM ET.

UFC 305 Ceremonial Weigh-In Stream

Continue Reading UFC 305: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream at MMA News.

MMA News

UFC 305 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

For the first time in 2024, the Octagon is Down Under, with the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, playing host to the promotion’s latest pay-per-view event. And the mixed martial arts leader has brought a lineup worthy of the occasion with it across the world, including a title fight and a host of notable undercard bouts.

The championship clash at the top of the card will see Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya’s heated feud finally reach the steel surroundings of the Octagon, with the South African’s middleweight title on the line.

Elsewhere, top flyweights Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg will look to engineer themselves a second shot at UFC gold in the co-main event, while Oceanic favorites Dan Hooker and Tai Tuivasa will also hope to deliver highlight victories on the main card.

UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya Weigh-In Results

UFC 305 takes place Saturday, August 17 (August 18 local time) at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.

See above for a live stream of the UFC 305 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below!

Main Card:

• Middleweight Championship Main Event: Dricus Du Plessis (C) vs. Israel Adesanya
• Flyweight Co-Main Event: Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg
• Lightweight: Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan Hooker
• Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
• Welterweight: Li Jingliang vs. Carlos Prates

Preliminary Card:

• Heavyweight: Junior Tafa vs. Valter Walker
• Featherweight: Joshua Culibao vs. Ricardo Ramos
• Women’s Flyweight: Casey O’Neill vs. Luana Santos
• Featherweight: Jack Jenkins vs. Herbert Burns

Early Preliminary Card:

• Lightweight: Tom Nolan vs. Alex Reyes
• Welterweight: Song Kenan vs. Rick Glenn
• Flyweight: Stewart Nicoll vs. Jesus Aguilar

Continue Reading UFC 305: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya Weigh-In Live Stream & Results (6 PM ET) at MMA News.

MMA News

We’re deep into UFC 305 fight week, meaning it’s time for the top fighters set to be in action on August 17 to take to the stage and answer some questions.

The MMA leader’s latest numbered event takes place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, where the main attraction of the promotion’s trip Down Under will see UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis put his belt on the line in a grudge match against Israel Adesanya.

Setting the stage for the headliners will be Perth’s own Steve Erceg and Adesanya’s fellow City Kickboxing standout Kai Kara-France. The former will look to bounce back from his narrow title defeat to Alexandre Pantoja in Brazil this past May, while his Kiwi opponent returns over a year on from a setback opposite Amir Albazi last time out.

Also of note on the main card is the chance for Dan Hooker to return to the lightweight title picture against top-five contender Mateusz Gamrot, a likely guaranteed knockout when Tai Tuivasa and Jairzinho Rozenstruik collide, and the comeback of “The Leech” Li Jingliang.

As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes will take to the stage on Friday afternoon local time for the pre-fight press conference. The UFC 305 edition sees the final eight fighters set to be in action with mic in hand.

Check out a live stream of the presser below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, commencing at 4 AM ET.

UFC 305 Pre-Fight Press Conference Live Stream

Continue Reading UFC 305 Press Conference Live Stream: Featuring Dricus Du Plessis, Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker, Tai Tuivasa, & More (4 AM ET) at MMA News.

MMA News

Having spent time earlier in his career training in both Scotland and England, Johnny Walker eventually found his way to SBG Dublin in Ireland.

Joining the gym in 2020 after facing some adversity following his rapid climb up the light heavyweight rankings, the Brazilian has spent the majority of his UFC tenure with this team.

Here Walker would develop a great relationship with head coach John Kavanagh, who is most well known for being the main man in the corner of Conor McGregor.

However, following another patch of difficult results, it looks like the knockout artist is now looking to take himself out of his comfort zone once again.

Recent photos that were posted by “iamthebay” on Instagram show a training session at the American Kickboxing Academy, or AKA, in California.

Here, Walker can be seen getting some work in with the likes of Khabib and Usman Nurmagomedov, as well as the UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev.

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A post shared by iamthebay® (@iamthebay)

MMA Fans React To Johnny Walker Training Alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov After Years At SBG

Walker has always been a fighter that generates talking points both in and out of the cage and this has now extended to his training.

Though it’s far from uncommon to see fighters move between top gyms during their careers, you won’t see many that switch from McGregor’s home base to that of his arch rival’s.

In Walker’s case, working with some of the top grapplers in the sport could help to round out his skill set, making this invaluable training for him.

MMA fans reacted on social media to the images of Walker and Nurmagomedov sharing a mat together.

“If Johnny comes into his next fight with a chin I’m heading to dagestan”

“Ain’t gonna help the Glass chin but sure”

“Good idea to change his fighting style”

“Johnny Walker will become Dessert Eagle”

“If he leaves John Kavanagh for Khabib and AKA, he can maybe turn his career around”

“I know Conor is big mad seeing this. Walker was training at SBG, which is Conor’s gym now hes training at AKA, which is Khabib’s gym…”

“The best move, as proven with all the fighters that go train with them”

“Khabib swap your chin with him he needs it more than you”

Read also: Belal Muhammad On Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Ability 4 Years On From Retirement: ‘Could Come Back & Be A Champion In Any Division’

Continue Reading ‘Ain’t Gonna Help The Glass Chin But Sure’ – MMA Fans React As Johnny Walker Ditches Conor McGregor’s Gym To Train With Khabib Nurmagomedov at MMA News.

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