MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming cards.
With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.
Between Monday, November 4, and Sunday, November 10, a number of fights were made official by the UFC or reported by reputable sources. For those matchups, check out the list below:
Miles Johns vs. Felipe Lima – UFC Tampa (December 14)
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Carlston Harris – UFC Vegas 101 (January 11)
Michael Chandler is looking sharp as he trains ahead of his expected return at UFC 309 in just six days, where he will face UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira for the second time.
For Chandler, this fight represents a huge opportunity to claim the UFC championship—possibly his last chance—after pivoting from a potential mega-fight with Conor McGregor to this title bout against his old rival. In his last five fights, Chandler is 2-3, with his most recent victory coming by way of a knockout against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 in May 2022, which earned him Performance of the Night honors. Later that year, he was awarded Fight of the Night after a hard-fought bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 281, where he ultimately lost by submission.
Chandler recently shared a clip of his training, where he looks sharper than ever. With peak conditioning and a determined mindset, Chandler is ready to pursue his goal of holding the UFC lightweight title in less than a week. He captioned the post, “Keep it simple. Keep it devastating. #ufc309 @henrihooft.”
For Chandler, he has a tall task in front of him, as oddsmakers have him as a sizeable underdog. He is a +200 dog against the worthy champion at -250.
Keep it simple. Keep it devastating. #ufc309 @henrihooft pic.twitter.com/JyGE9JLCmP
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) November 9, 2024
Continue Reading Michael Chandler Looks Sharp In UFC 309 Training Footage at MMA News.
For years, Dana White has praised Jon Jones as the greatest fighter of all time. The UFC 309 heavyweight title fight between Jones and Stipe Miocic, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, has been promoted as the bout that could finally settle who deserves the title of greatest heavyweight fighter ever. UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly referred to Jones as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the promotion.
However, some fight fans believe Jones doesn’t deserve that top spot due to his inactivity, arguing that fighters like Alex Pereira and Islam Makhachev might be more deserving. For Jones, though, just being mentioned in this conversation is an honor.
“It’s just an honor, that’s all,” Jones told Kevin Iole with a smile. “It’s a huge honor to even be considered, at 37 years old, one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport. I’m just very grateful that my boss—a man who’s sat front row for all our fights—sees that in me.”
Jones went on to share White’s sentiments: “For [Dana] to say, ‘Hey, listen guys, trust me. I know what I’m watching. I know what I’m looking at, and in my opinion, if Jon was the same size as a lot of these other guys, Jon would be in the mix,’ is just incredible.”
Jones recognizes that with many new fans entering the sport, there’s a “what-have-you-done-lately” mentality. He appreciates that White acknowledges his full body of work, not just his recent performances.
“I’m grateful that he’s not letting the naysayers or some fans push me to the side. I’ve done a tremendous amount of work for this company—at a very young age, at middle age, and now even at an older age. I’m just grateful to be recognized.”
Continue Reading Jon Jones: I’m ‘Grateful’ For Dana White’s Strong Support Of No. 1 P4P Status at MMA News.
Charles Oliveira will join fans in watching Islam Makhachev’s anticipated title defense against Arman Tsarukyan. The bout is expected to showcase the lightweight champion Makhachev facing the rising contender at UFC 311 on January 18, though the UFC has not yet officially confirmed the fight.
Oliveira is familiar with both fighters, having suffered losses to each. He lost to Tsarukyan by decision at UFC 300 after previously falling to Makhachev by submission in their title fight at UFC 280. Speaking to New York Post Sports, Oliveira shared that, if the fight is finalized, he would lean toward Makhachev as the likely victor.
“They have very similar styles, and I think each has to watch for the same things,” Oliveira said. “They need to be cautious with the striking, as both have some striking ability, but they also need to be very mindful of each other’s ground game.”
He continued, “It’s a very close matchup style-wise, but I think Islam has a slight edge over Arman. He’s just a bit stronger. But when it comes down to it, either of them could come out on top.”
Oliveira is set to face Michael Chandler next Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Continue Reading Charles Oliveira: Islam Makhachev is ‘A Little Step Ahead’ Of Arman Tsarukyan at MMA News.
Fight fans are inching closer to the much-anticipated showdown between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. The UFC 309 heavyweight title fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City has been promoted as the bout that could finally determine the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time.
A significant change to the fight’s rulebook will allow the controversial 12-6 elbow strike, as New York has adopted the updated MMA Unified Rules. Jones is especially enthusiastic about this rule shift, as it directly relates to the only official loss on his record. In December 2009, he was disqualified in the first round by referee Steve Mazzagatti after using a 12-6 elbow against Matt Hamill—without a prior warning, despite dominating the fight until that moment.
Reflecting on the change, Jones told Kevin Iole, “It just makes me wish that the disqualification was overturned. That’s my biggest thought since I learned the rule is no longer banned. But on the other hand, I’ve accepted it, and I’ve been training extensively on different 12-6 elbow attacks. It’s funny because it’s been such a big no-no, and you train yourself not to go there. Now, being able to use that strike – it’s a very devastating move. It opens up so many more options, both standing and in the top position. I’m excited to hopefully be one of the first UFC athletes to legally display it at Madison Square Garden.”
Since the rule change in July, Jones has been preparing to make the most of this weapon against Miocic. “In this next fight, I feel like I will be putting myself in some really great positions to land the technique, and I’m really looking forward to it,” Jones said.
Continue Reading Jon Jones ‘Really Looking Forward’ To Using Once-Illegal Move at UFC 309 at MMA News.
UFC Fight Night: Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!
Before heading back to New York City to stage its latest pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden next weekend, the mixed martial arts leader has one final piece of Fight Night business to attend to at the Apex.
The main event presents an opportunity for the highly touted Prates to further climb the ranks at 170 pounds. The Brazilian will mark the latest rising name looking to establish himself in contention at the expense of longtime top 15 veteran Magny.
Before that, the likes of TUF winner Ricky Turcios, former two-division ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder, and strawweight submission specialist Gillian Robertson will all be in action.
UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates Weigh-In Results
UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates takes place on Saturday, November 9, at the Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.
See above for a replay of the weigh-ins via MMA Junkie, and check out the full results below!
Main Card:
Welterweight Main Event: Neil Magny (171lbs) vs. Carlos Prates (170.5lbs)
Bantamweight Co-Main Event: Ricky Turcios (136lbs) vs. Benardo Sopaj (136lbs)
Middleweight: Gerald Meerschaert (185lbs) vs. Reinier de Ridder (185lbs)
Women’s Strawweight: Gillian Robertson (116lbs) vs. Luana Pinheiro (115.5lbs)
Middleweight: Mansur Abdul-Malik (186lbs) vs. Duško Todorović (185.5lbs)
Preliminary Card:
Women’s Strawweight: Karolina Kowalkiewicz (115.5lbs) vs. Denise Gomes (115lbs)
Bantamweight: Gaston Bolaños (135.5lbs) vs. Cortavious Romious (136lbs)
Welterweight: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (171lbs) vs. Zachary Scroggin (174lbs)*
Welterweight: Matthew Semelsberger (171lbs) vs. Charles Radtke (170.5lbs)
Bantamweight: Cody Stamann (135.5lbs) vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (135.5lbs)
Middleweight: Tresean Gore (186lbs) vs. Antonio Trócoli (186lbs)
Women’s Bantamweight: Melissa Dixon (137lbs)** vs. Klaudia Sygula (136lbs)
*Zachary Scroggin missed the welterweight limit by three pounds
**Melissa Dixon missed the bantamweight limit by one pounds
Continue Reading UFC Fight Night: Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates Weigh-In Results at MMA News.
UFC Fight Night: Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!
Before heading back to New York City to stage its latest pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden next weekend, the mixed martial arts leader has one final piece of Fight Night business to attend to at the Apex.
The main event presents an opportunity for the highly touted Prates to further climb the ranks at 170 pounds. The Brazilian will mark the latest rising name looking to establish himself in contention at the expense of longtime top 15 veteran Magny.
Before that, the likes of TUF winner Ricky Turcios, former two-division ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder, and strawweight submission specialist Gillian Robertson will all be in action.
UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates Weigh-In Results
UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates takes place on Saturday, November 9, at the Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.
See above for a replay of the weigh-ins via MMA Junkie, and check out the full results below!
Main Card:
Welterweight Main Event: Neil Magny (171lbs) vs. Carlos Prates (170.5lbs)
Bantamweight Co-Main Event: Ricky Turcios (136lbs) vs. Benardo Sopaj (136lbs)
Middleweight: Gerald Meerschaert (185lbs) vs. Reinier de Ridder (185lbs)
Women’s Strawweight: Gillian Robertson (116lbs) vs. Luana Pinheiro (115.5lbs)
Middleweight: Mansur Abdul-Malik (186lbs) vs. Duško Todorović (185.5lbs)
Preliminary Card:
Women’s Strawweight: Karolina Kowalkiewicz (115.5lbs) vs. Denise Gomes (115lbs)
Bantamweight: Gaston Bolaños (135.5lbs) vs. Cortavious Romious (136lbs)
Welterweight: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (171lbs) vs. Zachary Scroggin (174lbs)*
Welterweight: Matthew Semelsberger (171lbs) vs. Charles Radtke (170.5lbs)
Bantamweight: Cody Stamann (135.5lbs) vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (135.5lbs)
Middleweight: Tresean Gore (186lbs) vs. Antonio Trócoli (186lbs)
Women’s Bantamweight: Melissa Dixon (137lbs)** vs. Klaudia Sygula (136lbs)
*Zachary Scroggin missed the welterweight limit by three pounds
**Melissa Dixon missed the bantamweight limit by one pounds
Continue Reading UFC Fight Night: Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates Weigh-In Results at MMA News.
Javier Mendez has had some of the best fighters in the history of MMA walk through his doors at AKA and has had a front row seat to some of the all-time greats at work. In a recent interview with Red Corner MMA, one of the most successful coaches in the game was asked to pick who, of all the great champions he’s worked with, takes the top spot.
Mendez has got a lot of options to pick from his earlier champions like Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold and Daniel Cormier to more recent examples. Many would assume that Khabib Nurmagomedov or his lightweight heir, the current pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev, would also be in the conversation.
However, Mendez subverted expectations by naming the cousin of “The Eagle” who is the reigning Bellator lightweight champion. At 18-0 with one no contest, Usman Nurmagomedov is undoubtedly one of the most talented fighters that isn’t currently signed to the UFC.
His recent comments suggested that he hopes to move across to the Octagon once his teammate, Makhachev, has finished his run at the 155-pound champion so that he can take over in his absence which would be one of the UFC’s biggest signings in some time. Mendez said that whilst Nurmagomedov may not have the same list of accomplishments as the other fighters in the gym, he’s the most talented and is still improving as 26-years old.
“I see Usman [Nurmagomedov] as being pound-for-pound the greatest fighter myself, he’s got all the attributes. He’s the most talented I’ve ever trained… If at one point he never goes [to the UFC], great. He’s still gonna be regarded as one of the great ones… what he does in that cage is like nobody. I’ve never seen anybody do the transitions, the movement that he does. He’s unbelievable and he’s only 26, he’s only getting better.”
Continue Reading Javier Mendez Snubs Khabib & Makhachev While Naming Best Fighter He’s Trained at MMA News.
Michael Chandler has been out of action for almost two years, having last fought Dustin Poirier in November 2022. Outside of TUF 31, he’s spent most of this time waiting for Conor McGregor, but after the upheaval around UFC 303, he finally moved on to fight Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.
Following his razor-close split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300, Oliveira is currently the #2 ranked UFC lightweight in the world. So, defeating him should put Chandler in line for a title shot.
Chandler fought frequently in the UFC since his debut against Dan Hooker. It appears he wants to compensate for the two-year hiatus by fighting as many high-profile names as possible before 2025.
Chandler recently appeared on the SHAK MMA YouTube channel for an interview. When asked if he would fight McGregor or Makhachev after a win over Oliveira, “Iron” stated that getting the UFC lightweight title is his priority. He also feels the need to settle the rivalry with “The Notorious” which began with TUF 31.
“The title is the number one goal but there is some unfinished business. Chandler vs. McGregor TUF 31, it needs, that chapter needs to close to some point. Conor wants that fight. He’s talked about it openly in public, in interviews. Obviously, I want that fight. I’m not focused on it right now. I’m focused on Charles, but it’ll be interesting you know. Because you also got to remember, Islam is fighting probably in January, could be late January. He’s gonna go into Ramadan in February, all of March, won’t be able to go till training camp, won’t be able to fight till June July. I’m not trying to wait till June or July. So, Conor could sneak in there, we could see Chandler vs. Oliveira, Chandler vs. Conor, Chandler vs. Islam, Chandler vs. Max. The craziest four or five fight-run in a 12-month period that anyone’s ever seen.”
Besides Makhachev and McGregor, “Iron” is also interested in fighting former UFC featherweight champion and the reigning BMF champion Max Holloway in 2025. Fans have been eagerly waiting to see this fight too, as both fighters boast an aggressive, fearless, and striking-heavy fighting style.
It’ll be interesting to see how many superfights Chandler can be a part of before the end of 2025. For now, he needs to focus on beating Oliveira, who already holds a TKO win over him.
READ MORE: Dana White & Jon Jones Share Contradictory Answers On If Aspinall Fight Will Happen After UFC 309
Continue Reading Michael Chandler Targets ‘Craziest’ Fight Run Against Makhachev, Holloway & McGregor at MMA News.
Dana White and Jon Jones recently offered starkly different opinions on whether the much-anticipated fight with Tom Aspinall will come to fruition following UFC 309.
Jones is set to make the first defense of his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The two were originally scheduled to face off at UFC 295 in November 2023, but the fight was scrapped at the last minute after “Bones” suffered a torn pectoral muscle.
As a result, Aspinall stepped in to claim the interim heavyweight title with a stunning knockout of Sergei Pavlovich. Since then, the Brit has been outspoken about his desire to face Jones in a title unification bout. However, the former light heavyweight champion has repeatedly brushed off the idea, with the UFC CEO also firmly asserting that Jones’ next challenge will remain Miocic.
Both Jones and Miocic have repeatedly suggested that their upcoming bout could mark the end of their careers. Despite that, in a recent interview with TNT Sports, White expressed his belief that the winner of UFC 309 would likely face Aspinall next.
But during an interview with MMA reporter Kevin Iole, “Bones” outright rejected the notion of facing Aspinall next should he emerge victorious against Miocic next weekend.
Jones argued that the interim heavyweight champion has yet to prove himself worthy of facing him in the Octagon.
“I feel like Tom Aspinall is — I don’t want to say nobody, but he just hasn’t proven anything; he hasn’t done anything. And I understand that, I mean, he won his belt against Sergei, but Sergei just got slaughtered by someone else. So it’s just like, I’m not here to gamble with someone else making a name off of me.”
Jones went on to say that he’s primarily focused on competing against high-profile opponents, those capable of elevating his already storied career. At the moment, reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira is the opponent who piques his interest the most.
“If there were to be a fight with a guy that’s still on our UFC roster that would be not only financially worth it but legacy-worthy, it would be Alex Pereira. Alex Pereira and I are both 37 years old right now. I weigh about 235 [pounds]; I’m an incredibly light heavyweight. I think Pereira walks around at 240, and I think that fight would add much more to my legacy than a young man who’s cool today and maybe gone tomorrow.”
Read More: Tom Aspinall Explains How Stipe Miocic Can Beat Jon Jones At UFC 309
Continue Reading Dana White & Jon Jones Share Contradictory Answers On If Aspinall Fight Will Happen After UFC 309 at MMA News.
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