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UFC 313 is now only a couple of days away, and what better way to get hyped for the upcoming pay-per-view than with some MMA News staff predictions?

The event will be available exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view on Saturday, March 8. The main card begins at 10 PM ET, while the preliminary card kicks off at 6:30 PM ET.

The main event will see light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira defend his title for the fourth time since capturing it at the expense of Jiří Procházka 16 months ago. To continue his reign, “Poatan” is tasked with spoiling the ambitions of top contender Magomed Ankalaev.

Co-headlining will be former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who will look to bounce back from his brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway last April by once again getting the better of striking specialist Rafael Fiziev.

Elsewhere on the card, entertaining lightweights Jalin Turner and Ignacio Bahamondes collide, ex-strawweight title challenger Amanda Lemos looks to halt up-and-coming Iasmin Lucindo’s rise, and Fighting Nerds standout Mauricio Ruffy meets King Green.

UFC 313: MMA News Staff Predictions

Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 313 event, Thomas Albano, Ryan Jarrell, Pranav Pandey, and Aakrit Sharma have provided their picks for the five matchups set for the main card.

Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through two cards in 2025.

1. Thomas Albano (6-2) & Pranav Pandey (6-2)
2. Ryan Jarrell (4-4) & Aakrit Sharma (4-4)

And with that, it’s time for the team’s predictions for UFC 313.

Lightweight: King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy

Thomas Albano: I want to commend King Green for the run and wins that he continues to have all these years later in the UFC – at the age of 38. But this is a problem fight for him. Mauricio Ruffy and the Fighting Nerds have been the biggest names to watch for this year in the UFC. The team dominated the scene in 2024 and continues to rack up wins and popularity. Ruffy is a dangerous finisher who can give Green, who has finishing ability and power in his own right, trouble. Someone on the Fighting Nerds should be UFC champion within these next couple of years. Mark my words. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)

Ryan Jarrell: I’ve always been a big fan of Green’s fan-friendly fighting style. He always comes to fight, even if it gets him into a bit of trouble. At some point, Father Time catches up to us all, and I think that time is getting very close for the 26-fight UFC veteran. Ruffy is just 28 years old and is coming into this fight with a ton of momentum and confidence. If he fights smart and doesn’t get dragged into a dog fight, then it’s his fight to lose. Give me the young lion to kick off the PPV card with a win. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)

Pranav Pandey: This feels like a brutal assignment for the American, and I can’t help but think the matchmakers did him no favors with this one. Green brings swagger to the cage, pairing it with a slick boxing game, but he’s up against a relentless young menace with a knack for finishing fights. Ruffy’s surge is undeniable, and underestimating him would be a mistake. He’s got the power, elite grappling, and a killer instinct to make this a nightmare for Green — and I wouldn’t be surprised if he adds another stoppage to his record. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)

Aakrit Sharma: Ruffy’s last win against James Llontop was a good showcase of his striking. He has yet another durable opponent in Green, who wouldn’t mind a standup battle for three rounds. The lightweight veteran looked impressive against Jim Miller, but he’s started to struggle against up-and-coming talent or explosive strikers such as Paddy Pimblett, Jalin Turner, and Drew Dober. At 38 years old, I’m not expecting him to get any better skill-wise, and at UFC 313, he’s likely being used to push Ruffy up the rankings and help the McGregor-esque striker become a bigger draw.

All things considered, this should be an easy win for the Brazilian at UFC 313, and I don’t think Green’s ground game is threatening enough to pull off a submission upset. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)

Consensus: 4-0 Mauricio Ruffy

Women’s Strawweight: Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo

Thomas Albano: Amanda Lemos is going to look for a needed bounce-back victory at UFC 313 after getting submitted by Virna Jandiroba in what some might consider an upset. Lemos is still a top name at 115 pounds but has now lost two of three, which includes an unsuccessful challenge of champion Weili Zhang. Iasmin Lucindo lost her UFC debut but has since won four straight, which includes wins over Polyana Viana, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Marina Rodriguez. A win over Lemos would vault her right into one of the names to consider as a top contender.

This is the experience vs. youth battle, and Lucindo may be able to battle for control in grappling situations against Lemos. The former title challenger, however, has power that Lucindo has not come across before, and that could spell trouble for the 23-year-old. (Prediction: Amanda Lemos)

Ryan Jarrell: In the fight game, the young usually eats the old. According to the odds, that’s what may happen here. But Lemos still has plenty left in the tank as far as I’m concerned. Yes, she was caught by Jandiroba in her most recent fight. But outside of that, she’s into lost to Weili and Jéssica Andrade. I just don’t think she is done just yet. Give me the veteran to hold off the charging youngster and win a decision. (Prediction: Amanda Lemos)

Pranav Pandey: The all-Brazilian duel I never knew I needed. Lemos, the seasoned veteran, undoubtedly holds the edge in experience, but the scales seem tilted against her in this matchup. The former title challenger is up against a younger, hungrier opponent with heavier hands, slicker grappling, and a growing reputation for dismantling strawweight veterans. If Lucindo can dictate the pace, I believe she’ll take control and make this fight her own. (Prediction: Iasmin Lucindo)

Aakrit Sharma: This is another veteran vs. newcomer matchup in the UFC women’s strawweight division. To be fair, it’s hard to pick who will favor the 14-year age gap more. While Lucindo, 23, has the potential to show up better with every new fight, Lemos has already faced the top competitors of the division and has impressive wins over the likes of Mackenzie Dern and Angela Hill. Lucindo is an undeniable prospect with a bright future ahead of her. However, after her last fight, I concluded that her time to grab or fight for the title is still far, and she needs to improve her striking significantly.

Even if she wins this weekend at UFC 313, she’ll be heavily outclassed by the division’s top five, which contains Jéssica Andrade, Tatiana Suarez, and Yan Xiaonan. Her last victory was a split decision that was only granted to her based on control, and she can’t afford to be hit that often against a strong opponent like Lemos. I do think this is a 50-50 fight, but I’ll pick Lucindo because of her activity and constantly improving game. If she feels threatened on the feet, she can take the fight to the ground, and Lemos will likely have a hard time getting back up. (Prediction: Iasmin Lucindo)

Consensus: 2-2

Lightweight: Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes

Thomas Albano: Jalin Turner has lost three of his last four, though those losses have come against some great competition. Ignacio Bahamondes, however, has had a decent rise up the lightweight ranks since coming into the UFC in 2021, with just two losses in his Octagon run so far. Bahamondes has got the momentum, obviously. However, Turner has fought better competition and will have the physical advantage when it comes to his long limbs and lanky body. Bahamondes has shown some weakness in the ground game, and Turner should be smart and try to take advantage of that (especially after the bad fight IQ he displayed against Renato Moicano last year).

Turner’s three losses in his current downward trend aren’t bad considering the names, but four losses in five fights and a defeat in this fight may completely dash any chances of Turner reaching noteworthy contender status in the UFC again. I expect him to pull through with a second-round submission. (Prediction: Jalin Turner)

Ryan Jarrell: This is an interesting UFC 313 matchup considering the size of these two for the weight class. Both men are six foot three with a 75.5 inch reach. “The Tarantula” is two years older than Bahamondes, and has definitely faced the tougher competition during his tenure in the UFC. I think it’s Turner’s time to make a run. He’s a little older and probably feels the pressure to win now. Bahamondes will be around for years to come, but I am going with the American to get this win. (Prediction: Jalin Turner)

Pranav Pandey: I think this fight has all the makings of an all-out barnburner. I anticipate a striking-heavy battle, which undoubtedly favors Turner due to his towering reach advantage. However, “La Jaula” arguably possesses the sharper fight IQ — it’s just a matter of whether he can navigate the danger zones without getting tangled in “The Tarantula’s” grappling. With that in mind, Bahamondes is riding a strong wave from back-to-back finishes last year, and if he can find the openings and exploit them with precision, I can see him dishing out serious damage and putting the American through a punishing ordeal. (Prediction: Ignacio Bahamondes)

Aakrit Sharma: Turner looking really good against most of his opponents, including top-ranked fighters, thanks to his power and striking but then losing by a close margin really bugs me. Bahamondes, as good and dangerous on the feet as he is, isn’t a Dan Hooker, Renato Moicano or a Mateusz Gamrot. His submission win over Rongzhu has aged like fine wine, but I don’t see the unranked prospect moving past “The Tarantula” just yet because grappling is not his forte, and Turner is tough as nails on the feet. It’s important to remember that Turner could’ve registered a very impressive KO win over Moicano at UFC 300, and his career trajectory would’ve been completely different. I strongly believe he’s just been unlucky with the matchups and, well, is also competing in the toughest division in the promotion.

It’s unlikely for this fight to hit the ground unless one of the fighters uses it to recover from a knockdown. And because I believe Turner to be a better and more experienced striker, I pick him to win this fight. Both fighters are arguably in their physical primes, and this is easily a FOTN contender for UFC 313. (Prediction: Jalin Turner)

Consensus: 3-1 Jalin Turner

Lightweight: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev

Thomas Albano: It’s absolutely heartbreaking that injury has cost us what could have been an amazing UFC 313 war between Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker. But the consolation prize is great as well considering the close encounter these two had in their first fight, with Gaethje coming out on top at UFC 286 in a bout that was one of 2023’s best. Gaethje’s strategy will be more of the same – use leg kicks and combinations to deliver a star-stunning, highlight performance (no play on words intended). While there are questions about him being 36 and coming off the knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300, there should be plenty of questions about Fiziev as well.

Fiziev entered the first fight with Gaethje a 12-1 rising star, but he’s now lost two straight, having not fought since injuring his ACL against Mateusz Gamrot. Overall, I feel Fiziev will be able to have a strong effort in his first fight back from injury, but Gaethje’s pressure and striking will give him the taste of victory once again. (Prediction: Justin Gaethje)

Ryan Jarrell: Two years later, we are getting a rematch that all combat sports will love. The first fight was very close, with both having their moments. I don’t want to see Gaethje walk off into the sunset anytime soon, but I am starting to wonder how many more fights we will see “The Highlight” compete in. After his lopsided loss to Holloway, it was smart to take time off and not book a fight too soon. Will that rest be enough for the 36-year-old to look like himself in this rematch? I’m not sure it is, so for that reason I’m going with the younger fighter in Fiziev to battle his way to a decision victory in this one. (Prediction: Rafael Fiziev)

Pranav Pandey: Both fighters have a deep understanding of each other’s arsenals, and that level of exposure breeds a more refined yet relentless brand of controlled mayhem — especially when Gaethje is involved. Their first encounter was razor-close, and this time, the short-notice booking makes it even more exciting. Both men are returning from a loss and an extended hiatus, but it’s “Ataman” who has been out of action for a significantly longer stretch. I believe that layoff could be a crucial factor in this rematch.

On the other hand, “The Highlight” endured a brutal beating in his last outing, and whether the aftermath of that fight still lingers remains to be seen. That said, I think his relentless aggression and spunk — while both a weapon and a liability — give him the edge in this matchup. One thing’s for sure: I don’t see this fight reaching the judges’ scorecards at UFC 313. (Prediction: Justin Gaethje)

Aakrit Sharma: Two things. First, I am in the minority of people who think Fiziev won the first fight due to the first two rounds. He did get battered in the third, but the eye poke from Gaethje definitely played a role in it. Second, Fiziev is more accurate and faster on the feet, which is not a huge surprise considering his kickboxing background. He proved he has all the tools to outstrike “The
Highlight” on any day, but the veteran lightweight is as durable as they come, which helped him in the first fight, too. Gaethje, who’s become a very patient and calculated striker at this point, might want to mix things up by utilizing his wrestling in this fight, but as we know it, that’s not how he secures bonuses every time he enters the Octagon.

This fight will also reveal whether Gaethje has truly recovered from the Holloway KO. It is often said that fighters don’t remain the same after such crushing losses, but I still have faith in Gaethje’s ability to turn this into another brawl to be remembered for ages. Fiziev has had quite the time to recover from the knee injury that occurred in the Gamrot bout, and this time around, he’ll likely come to fight with the necessary adjustments against former interim UFC lightweight champ. Instead of trying to take out Gaethje early, it would make more sense for “Ataman” to spend his gas task wisely and keep up the high output of strikes and kicks across all rounds. I predict that he will perform better than UFC 286 and finally become worthy of a title shot. (Prediction: Rafael Fiziev)

Consensus: 2-2

UFC Light Heavyweight Title: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

Thomas Albano: After a 2024 campaign that saw him in contention for the Male Fighter of the Year in MMA across various platforms, Alex Pereira looks to continue his dominant run at 205 pounds. He has saved the UFC a number of times with cards over the course of the last year, and now a win against Magomed Ankaleav could very well put him in the running for a potential superfight against Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall, if recent comments from Dana White are to be believed.

That said, Ankalaev, despite having his own kind of power, is going to need to utilize his takedowns and wrestling to its greatest potential. The Russian needs to set the pace early and may need to weather an early storm. It’s not what some people want to hear, but he needs to start scoring takedowns from the first round on. The more he can get this fight to the ground, the better the chances he has of walking out a champion. While Ankalaev has power in his leg kicks and his hands, we’ve seen how all Pereira needs to do is land one hook to put someone’s lights out. If Ankalaev is not careful at UFC 313, all it will take is just a mere few seconds for that to happen. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)

Ryan Jarrell: I keep going back and forth about this one. On paper, I think the safe bet is Pereira to continue his dominance and retain the title. But Ankalaev is a very interesting stylistic matchup for the champion. If this fight stays on the feet, it will be Pereira all day. But if Ankalaev can mix things up and get this fight to the ground, he could pull the upset and become the new champ. With how dominant the champion has been, I just can’t pick “Poatan” to lose his title. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)

Pranav Pandey: I believe the fight will exceed the expectations of what most are anticipating. That being said, while I think Ankalaev is undeniably a stylistic menace for Pereira, I can’t help but feel a certain frustration with the initial disrespect
shown by the oddsmakers toward “Poatan”. Let’s not forget — he’s the reigning champion, and not just any champion, but an undeniable force of dominance. I think it’s crucial to remember that his striking prowess and his ability to control a fight elevate him to an entirely different level.

Ankalaev certainly possesses a well-rounded striking game, with solid reach and the added dimension of a wrestling threat that could pose some problems for Pereira. However, the reality is his takedown skills aren’t quite Khabib Nurmagomedov-esque. While Ankalaev will undoubtedly present challenges, we’ve already seen the blueprint laid out by Jan Błachowicz, who essentially
handed every 205-pounder a game plan for neutralizing the Russian’s grappling — by relentlessly attacking his legs with a series of kicks. It’s a strategy that works, and it’s one that Pereira can certainly employ to his advantage.

If there’s one thing we know for certain, it’s that Pereira is a master at imposing his will on his opponents in ways that go beyond the ordinary with his powerful shots. I firmly believe that the prevailing notion — that Ankalaev is a challenge Pereira has never encountered — misses the mark. Honestly, Pereira presents a challenge Ankalaev has never faced. When all is said and done, I have no doubt that Pereira will rise to the occasion (again). (Prediction: Alex Pereira)

Aakrit Sharma: MMA math doesn’t work all the time, but the way Jan Blachowicz was able to trouble Ankalaev with his leg kicks, I can foresee Pereira’s gameplan heading into the UFC 313 main event. Ankalaev’s plan, on the other hand, is a slight mystery as he didn’t show any willingness to grapple against a solid striker like Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308. He might’ve been proving a point about being good enough to stand and bang with the champ, but “Poatan” is undeniably miles ahead of the rest of the pack in striking and kickboxing.

The Russian is quick, and Pereira gets hit too, but the champ’s UFC 307 defense against Khalil Rountree made us realize that he has a solid chin at light heavyweight. He’s also fighting after a relatively long break, so I expect him to be in a better state physically.
Ankalaev’s grappling advantage is being called the deciding factor for this fight. However, in a heavy division like light heavyweight, grappling exchanges lack the explosiveness, scrambles, agility, and technical intricacies seen in smaller divisions, which explains why
upsets like Jiří Procházka submitting Glover Teixeira happen.

So, even with just brute strength and Teixeira’s continued training over the last couple of years, I think Pereira will be able to avert the threat on the ground against Ankalaev. The UFC light heavyweight kingpin also has decent cardio for his age. To win, he should be the one dictating the fight’s pace as usual, and I am picking him to end up with another highlight reel this weekend at UFC 313, as his knockout power is truly special at 205 pounds. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)

Consensus: 4-0 Alex Pereira

That’ll do it for our UFC 313 staff picks! What do you think? Do your predictions look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the full UFC 313 card below.

Main Card:

• Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev
• Lightweight: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
• Lightweight: Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
• Women’s Strawweight: Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo
• Lightweight: King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy

Preliminary Card:

• Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev
• Flyweight: Joshua Van vs. Rei Tsuruya
• Middleweight: Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan
• Welterweight: Alex Morono vs. Carlos Leal

Early Preliminary Card:

• Featherweight: Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall
• Featherweight: Chris Gutierrez vs. John Castañeda
• Middleweight: Djorden Santos vs. Ozzy Diaz

Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 313!

MMA News

The newly appointed FBI Director, Kash Patel, is considering implementing mixed martial arts (MMA) training as a mandatory requirement for agents, and one former agent supports the idea.

This initiative is part of Patel’s broader agenda, which includes aligning the bureau with the Trump administration’s priorities and enhancing the physical fitness of its personnel.

In addition to this proposed training regimen, Patel is reportedly focused on removing agents who do not align with the administration’s goals. The emphasis on physical fitness, particularly through MMA training, is seen as a way to ensure agents are prepared for the physical demands of their roles.

Jody Weis, a former FBI special agent in charge and former superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, has publicly expressed support for the idea, indicating that he believes it would be a beneficial addition to agent training.

“You know, I actually do like it,” Weis told The National News Desk’s Jan Jeffcoat. “I probably wouldn’t have made it my first call to the field offices, but I like the idea.”

Weis believes that while FBI agents receive training in arrest procedures and defensive tactics, incorporating mixed martial arts (MMA) skills would provide a valuable enhancement. He specifically highlighted the potential benefits of agents learning MMA fighting techniques, with a particular emphasis on jiu-jitsu.

“Most fights will end up on the ground, so it just makes sense to me to incorporate some MMA training — maybe Brazilian jiu jitsu to give the agents options besides strikes and weapons,” Weis told Jeffcoat. “For example, if properly applied, a naked choke or an arm bar could help gain compliance without having to use pepper spray or use a baton. And, I think, more importantly, this type of training can boost the confidence and safety for the agents.”

Jody Weis acknowledged the controversial nature of chokeholds, noting their “bad press” and the fact that many police departments have prohibited their use. However, he went on to say it pales in comparison to current tactics.

“As someone who’s been sprayed with pepper spray (and) who’s been choked out, if you give me the option of those two, I’ll take being choked out any time,” he said. “It’s far less painful. It’s got to be incorporated throughout their career. I think that applies in all sports.

According to ABC News, citing anonymous sources, FBI Director Kash Patel is reportedly exploring the possibility of establishing a formal partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the UFC, led by UFC CEO Dana White.

This potential collaboration is notable given White’s vocal support of President Donald Trump, who has frequently attended UFC events and been seen alongside White.

MMA News

UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes was left having to do some additional research when the latest assignment was slid across his desk.

Blaydes is set to return to action at this weekend’s UFC 313 pay-per-view, almost eight months on from his failed first title bid on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage last July in England.

Off the back of a crushing first-round knockout loss to Tom Aspinall, “Razor” will look to bounce back in his first appearance of 2025. And to do so, he’s tasked with defending his #5 spot on the heavyweight ladder against a newcomer to the Octagon.

Blaydes will top Saturday’s preliminary card opposite Rizvan Kuniev, a Dagestani heavyweight who followed a brief stint in the PFL with victory on Dana White’s Contender Series last August.

The booking came as a surprise to many. And it wasn’t just some in the fanbase who had to look up the man placed opposite Blaydes…

“I did (a double take), but like I always say, the money’s the same regardless if it’s Jon Jones or if it’s a debut guy,” Blaydes said during an interview with MMA Fighting. “The money’s the same so I’ll always be down.

“I had to Google him. I watched his fight on The (Dana White’s) Contender (Series), that’s really the only fight of his I watched. He looks like your traditional heavyweight — swings heavy and hopes to knock you out early.”

While his opponent may not be an established name in the UFC heavyweight division, Blaydes will no doubt still be motivated to ensure he doesn’t fall to the first losing skid of his career inside T-Mobile Arena on March 8.

MMA News

There is a lot of speculation and talk regarding the tragic death of Buvaisar Saitiev, a three-time Olympic champion. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of all time, 

This includes speculation from MMA personality Chael Sonnen, who has weighed in on the passing. Saitiev is alleged to have passed away after falling from a window while cleaning his home. 

Many have claimed the details of the death to be odd considering the other mysterious deaths in Russia, often involving politicians or prominent figures in the country. Sonnen expressed skepticism about the circumstances surrounding Saitiev’s death in a post on X.

“Hard to be in peace when the World accepts your death was caused by falling from your own window while cleaning a home you have a maid at.”

He passed away at the sge of 49. Since his death, Saitiev has been given tributes from the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.

This is just the latest incident, which adds to a troubling pattern of unexplained deaths among prominent Russians. With an investigation seemingly unlikely, it leaves people questioning what really happened.

The circumstances surrounding the passing have come alongside tributes, with many people believe there is more than meets the eye regarding this. 

MMA News

In Dan Hardy’s eyes, the only intriguing opponent for Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall sits outside of the promotion.

Aspinall continues to await news of his next assignment. Despite the division boasting two titleholders for the past 16 months, it remains unclear whether the British powerhouse and Jon Jones will meet in a unification fight.

Following Jones’ successful defense against Stipe Miocic last November, Dana White gave his backing for “Bones” to face Aspinall next. Negotiations for that coming to fruition are seemingly underway.

And according to Hardy, the UFC higher-ups better make Jones an offer he can’t refuse lest they be left with zero “legit” matchups for Aspinall.

Though many might disagree and point to a heavyweight clash with current 205-pound kingpin Alex Pereira, “The Outlaw” believes only PFL star Francis Ngannou would be adequate opposition for the Manchester native.

“Of course, Pereira could touch anybody on the chin on the planet and knock them out. But if you’re looking for a real, legit heavyweight contender for Tom, maybe I’m a broken record, but it has to be Ngannou,” Hardy said during a recent appearance on Submission Radio. “There isn’t anybody else, really. I don’t see any other fight that truly excites me. I can point at that and say, ‘That’s the heavyweight king.’ And I don’t even think I could say that if it was Jones versus Aspinall at this point, because I don’t feel like Jones is — I mean, he’s potentially number three in the heavyweight division right now, behind Ngannou and Aspinall.

“You have to admit, though, someone else in Tom Aspinall’s position might just say, ‘Hey, give me Pereira. Let’s just fight now,’ because that would bring so much money,” Hardy continued. “But he wants the tougher fight in Jon Jones, and if Francis Ngannou were around, he’d want the tougher fight in Francis Ngannou. So it’s one of those things where we should reward the guys that deserve to be rewarded.”

The topic of Pereira moving up another division has long been a prominent topic. And it’ll no doubt return to the surface should he dispatch of Magomed Ankalaev for a fourth successful light heavyweight title defense this weekend at UFC 313.

Ngannou, meanwhile, emerged victorious from his PFL debut last October. He’s expected to next return to the boxing ring.

MMA News

PFL standout Dakota Ditcheva was left spooked after an unexpected encounter with a fan.

Ditcheva’s star has grown no end in recent times. After establishing herself as one to watch with success in the PFL Europe regional expansion in 2023, “Dangerous” proved herself on the global stage.

The 26-year-old striking specialist most recently steamrolled through former UFC title challenger Taila Santos to remain undefeated and capture the 2024 PFL women’s flyweight title.

With that, Ditcheva has significantly grown her fanbase. But one supporter recently showed too much enthusiasm.

During a video uploaded to her YouTube channel late last month, Ditcheva detailed her time in Dubai for the PFL Champions Series event in January. At one point, the British fighter spoke to the camera and described an interaction with a fan at the hotel she was staying at.

The individual, who outlined that he’d been “looking” for her, discovered Ditcheva’s location from a post on her Instagram Story that featured the hotel’s branding.

“On the way back from breakfast, then somebody had seen that I was in this hotel on Instagram,” Ditcheva said. “It’s my fault because I put a photo on of that board, the chocolate board that they brought to my room. I put it on my Instagram Story…I don’t normally share my location until I’ve gone.”

Despite the fan being friendly, Ditcheva admitted the experience had still ‘freaked her out’.

“Stupidly, I did that and I just got approached on the way back from breakfast, which was fine, I love for you guys to come up and say hi and things like that, but when I’m on my own, it freaks me out a little bit,” Ditcheva continued. “He said he’d seen me on Instagram and he’d been DM-ing me and was basically looking for me. He was dead excited to see me, which is really nice and he was a really nice guy, but it does freak me out a little.

“It’s always lovely to meet you guys, but when I’m on my own and I haven’t got my brother or my mum with me, it does just scare me a little bit,” she concluded.

Ditcheva’s incident comes soon after tennis star Emma Raducanu’s harrowing stalking experience. The 2021 US Open champion was said to have been followed across four countries by a man whose behavior was described as being ‘fixated’ on Raducanu.

The individual was handed a restraining order after the British tennis player spotted him in the crowd at a recent championship in Dubai.

MMA News

About a week ago, some fake rumors started to circulate online that one of the big match-ups at UFC 309 could be at risk. Any claims that Charles Oliveira had suffered an injury ahead of his co-main event clash with Michael Chandler on November 16 were cleared up before fight week had begun for the promotion’s return to Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

Chandler was even asked about this during his recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show where he stated that he wasn’t sure where the rumor started. For some fans, they may have assumed this to be true after seeing fighters like Renato Moicano posting on social media to say that they would be willing to step in on short notice.

“Do Bronx” has had two notable fights either cancelled or postponed in recent times with the most significant one being his rematch with Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 last year. The former lightweight champion suffered a cut above his eye less than two weeks out from the fight and the match-up wasn’t booked again once Oliveira was back in fighting shape.

Instead, the featherweight champion at the time, Alexander Volkanovski, stepped in to his place for a rematch with Makhachev that didn’t go his way. It’s become a consistent joke on social media ever since last October that whenever a fighter pulls out, Volkanovski is waiting by the phone with his gloves and luggage already in hand.

In his recent breakdown of the fights on his YouTube channel, “The Great” joked that after he heard the rumors that Oliveira was injured, he would offer to replace him once again.

“I did see things popping up where Charles was out maybe they needed a replacement, it must have just been okay that’s why you can never believe what you see on the internet. I almost put my hand up, almost, but I didn’t but yeah. Probably because we knew that wasn’t the case. If the UFC called, you never know right.”    

Continue Reading UFC 309: Volkanovski Jokes That He Nearly Offered To Fight Amid Injury Rumor at MMA News.

MMA News

Conor McGregor refuted any involvement in the sexual assault allegations during his courtroom testimony.

“The Notorious” is currently at the center of a serious sexual assault case, with accusations from Dublin-based hairdresser Nikita Hand, who has also implicated a person named James Lawrence in the ordeal.

As per a recent report by the Irish Mirror, McGregor testified at the High Court in Dublin on Wednesday, addressing a civil lawsuit in which he is accused by Hand of raping her in a penthouse suite at the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford, Dublin on Dec. 9, 2018.

For the first time during the ongoing trial, the former two-division UFC champion took the stand on Wednesday. He testified that his encounter with Hand was entirely consensual, following prior online conversations, and firmly denied ever coercing anyone into an act against their will.

“Your client is full of lies,” McGregor said to Hand’s lawyer. “Everything is a lie.”

McGregor also categorically rejected any claims of inflicting bruising on Hand. The UFC icon was accused of restraining her on the bed, with the alleged victim unable to fight back. However, the Irishman’s defense team has consistently argued that the accuser is attempting to exploit the situation and profit from a distorted version of events.

Hand has claimed that on the evening in dispute, she was with McGregor and that his behavior grew progressively aggressive after they went to the hotel room following a Christmas party. She stated that she and a woman named Danielle had consumed drugs and alcohol offered by the UFC fighter.

The allegations in question first emerged in December 2018, but no charges were brought against McGregor until January 2021, following a two-year investigation by Irish authorities. Despite the lengthy probe, McGregor was not prosecuted.

However, a personal injury lawsuit was filed in the same month, and in October 2023, a civil trial date was set, with Hand now seeking an undisclosed sum in damages.

• Read More: Daniel Cormier Explains Why He Avoids Interviewing Conor McGregor

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Jake Paul is just days away from facing off against Mike Tyson this Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. But even as he prepares for this high-profile fight, he’s already eyeing his next challenge: Canelo Alvarez.

As a pro, Paul has a record of 10-1 with seven knockouts, with many of his wins coming against YouTubers and former MMA fighters. If he manages to defeat Tyson, Paul plans to call out Alvarez, who is fresh off a dominant win over Edgar Berlanga in September.

“I do (have a callout). It’s Canelo,” Paul said. “This moment will prove that I’m the face of boxing, the biggest attraction. Me vs. Canelo at 200 pounds for the cruiserweight championship of the world is the biggest fight—arguably even bigger than me vs. Tyson. It just makes sense. Canelo is on his way out, and he’ll want a payday. I want to show the world that all the talk about me beating Canelo is real.”

Paul believes he can pull off what he calls “the biggest upset in the sport of boxing.” He’s determined to challenge Alvarez as a way to settle who is the true “face of boxing.”

“After this event, I’m going to claim that title,” he said. “I beat his gate record in Texas; I’m beating ticket sales—all of that. The numbers and the data back it up. I have more followers than him, and this will be the most-watched fight of the century. I’m going to be the new money magnet.”

Continue Reading Jake Paul Eyes ‘Biggest Upset’ In Boxing Fight With Canelo Alvarez at MMA News.

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Brandon Moreno is determined to reclaim UFC gold but acknowledges that the journey back to the top may be more challenging than winning it initially. Moreno first clashed with Deiveson Figueiredo for the flyweight title at UFC 256, ending in a draw. He claimed the title in their rematch at UFC 263 in June 2021 via submission. However, he lost the belt to Figueiredo in a close decision at UFC 270. Moreno rebounded with an interim title win over Kai Kara-France at UFC 277 by TKO and unified the flyweight title in a trilogy fight with Figueiredo at UFC 283, winning via TKO.

In July 2023, Moreno lost the title to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 by split decision, followed by another decision loss to Brandon Royval in February 2024. Earlier this month, he bounced back with a decision win over Amir Albazi.

In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Moreno affirmed his commitment to reclaiming the championship and believes he has what it takes to wear the belt again. “Being very honest with myself, I think that, sporting-wise, Royval is likely the one who most deserves the opportunity,” Moreno said. “I have no problem saying that at all. He’s done a very good job, and in his last fight against Tatsuro (Taira), he looked very good. It was a great fight.”

He added, “There’s also Kai (Kara-France), but he’s in a weird position. He deserves it after his knockout against (Steve) Erceg, but I think my performance was very good, and Royval is right there, too. Kai has the most awkward position.”

Moreno acknowledged that he likely needs one more fight to earn his title shot. “As far as names, there’s Tatsuro Taira, Manel Kape, and maybe Kai Asakura, depending on his fight with Pantoja at UFC 310,” he said. “I’m just going to stay healthy and be ready for whatever comes next.”

Continue Reading Brandon Moreno Eyes Potential Fights On Path To Reclaim UFC Title at MMA News.

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