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With Belal Muhammad now reigning as the welterweight champion and his next challenger already lined up for the first quarter of 2025, it doesn’t look like Islam Makhachev will be making the jump to 170-pounds anytime soon. The pound-for-pound number one has spoken about wanting to challenge himself up a weight class many times.

Having fought and defeated Alexander Volkanovski, who was the featherweight champion at the time, on two occasions, Makhachev wanted his opportunity to try and win a second belt. Instead, he’s now gearing up for a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan in the near future.

One fighter that was very outspoken about the idea of Makhachev moving up was the former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington. Given his trash talking public persona, a fight between him and the lightweight king would’ve been a huge fight.

He recently criticized Makhachev for going back on his plans during a recent interview with Submission Radio where he accused the champion, and Khabib Nurmagomedov, of being weight bullies who don’t commit to anything they say.

“Not really, you know. We saw the same thing with Khabib. He talked a big game his whole career, ‘Oh I’m going to go to 170, I’m going to stop cutting all this weight,’ because both those guys are legitimately cutting chromosomes off their bodies. Those guys are huge lightweights. I mean they’re bigger than me and I’m a weight class up so those guys are walking around at 190 plus, probably closer to 200. So, you know, they’re just weight bullies and that’s what they do best.

“They talk a big game like they’re going to come up to welterweight but they’ve never actually done it so if he wanted to come up and look for big fights, look no further than me. USA versus Russia, this is the biggest fight you could possibly get. I mean it’s a mega blockbuster fight but I think Islam’s all talk just like Khabib. They’re never actually going to come up to welterweight, they’re just going to stay at lightweight and throw stones from the lightweight division.”

Continue Reading Colby Covington: ‘Weight Bully’ Makhachev’s Champ-Champ Plans ‘All Talk’ Like Khabib at MMA News.

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Francis Ngannou couldn’t have had a better return to MMA as he knocked out Renan Ferreira in the first round to win the PFL heavyweight championship on October 19, 2024. Jon Jones, on the other hand, is finally returning to the Octagon against Stipe Miocic on November 16, 2024.

Ngannou was the UFC heavyweight kingpin before Jones moved up to the division. Many fans eagerly wanted to see them fight, but before anything could materialize, Ngannou left the UFC and signed with the PFL. He also boxed in high-profile matchups against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

“The Predator” was recently asked on The Ariel Helwani Show if he could still fight “Bones”. The lineal heavyweight MMA champion claimed that the superfight is not completely off the table and that figures like Turki Alalshikh might play a role in it.

Alalshikh, as the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, has helped organize several major combat sports events over the last few years.

Daniel Cormier reviewed Ngannou’s statements on his YouTube channel recently. He admitted that White’s rocky relationship with the PFL champ is a problem, but Riyadh Season’s inclusion could shake things up.

The former UFC champ mentioned that Riyadh Season sponsoring UFC 306 was a huge development, and might have laid the foundation for crossovers like Jones vs. Ngannou.

“Dana does not like Francis, that is a massive problem. Massive problem. But hell, when in the world do you put that over business. I don’t know that he will, he’s one of the smartest, sharpest businessman you’ve ever met. If the dollars make sense, the fight could potentially happen,” DC continued. “If Francis is to be believed, and Francis has had these conversations, we’re now entering a world where multiple partnerships already established in this realm. ESPN UFC, ESPN PFL, Riyadh Season UFC. Ladies and gentleman, maybe, just maybe, we get that fight.”

DC also believes White is smart enough to put personal differences aside for a lucrative business opportunity. He isn’t sure that Ngannou and Jones will fight in MMA, but he’s not ruling out the possibility entirely.

• READ MORE: Bo Nickal: I Want My First UFC Title Fight To Look Like A Masterclass

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier: ‘Sharpest Businessman’ Dana White Can Make Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou at MMA News.

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Bo Nickal knows he’s destined for greatness and is determined to claim the UFC middleweight title. His journey continues on November 16th at UFC 309, where he’ll face Paul Craig on the main card at Madison Square Garden.

Nickal has demonstrated dominant performances so far, and he’s committed to maintaining his winning streak. To do so, he’s taken extended time between fights to focus on skill development and preparation—a choice that has sparked some criticism from fans who want to see him compete more frequently.

This approach has paid off, however, as Nickal has already secured impressive victories over notable opponents, including former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill and top contender Magomed Ankalaev.

“For me, the most important thing is developing, and I don’t want to skip steps,” Nickal explained. “You mentioned Diego Lopes… These guys have 20-plus pro fights. I’ve fought six times in just over two years. Is that infrequent? I wouldn’t say so. People might forget that I’ve only been fighting professionally since the summer of 2022.

“But with that said, it’s a good thing that people want to see me fight. I want to compete as much as I can, but I also want to make sure I’m improving. Let’s say I fight a ranked guy next, then a top-five opponent, and then for the title. It’s not a long road to where I want to go.”

For Nickal, the emphasis remains on training to reach a level where his fights aren’t just victories—they’re masterclasses. “I feel like I can compete with and beat the best right now, but I don’t want it to be competitive when I reach the title fight,” he said. “I want it to look like a masterclass where the opponent isn’t even on my level.”

He acknowledges that his rapid path to title contention doesn’t allow him the luxury of a 20-fight experience base, but he’s committed to maximizing each training camp. “I’ll probably be in title contention by the time I have 10 or 11 fights,” Nickal noted, confident that his approach will ultimately lead him to the championship.

Continue Reading Bo Nickal: I Want My First UFC Title Fight To Look Like A Masterclass at MMA News.

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The U.S. Presidential elections are underway, giving UFC legend Chael Sonnen a chance to discuss fighters who could make good presidential candidates. From Khabib Nurmagomedov to Daniel Cormier, he had several names in mind but ultimately chose Brian Stan.

Sonnen also talked about what he would change in the UFC if he were the President of the United States. The former UFC title challenger demanded stringent laws around fighters missing weight, though he clarified that his wish is unlikely to be fulfilled in the real world.

“The American Gangster” admitted that MMA is risky, and fighters are prone to injuries and other complications while training. When a UFC fighter misses weight, they are required to forfeit 20-30% of their purse to their opponent and are eligible for any bonuses, or the fight is canceled.

Sonnen wants to amend the current system to penalize fighters for pulling out of fights and suggests rankings should be affected by such developments. He remembered watching wrestlers get their hands raised in the absence of an opponent and expects the UFC to recognize a forfeit similarly.

The retired MMA fighter also drew parallels to other sports such as basketball, boxing, tennis, golf, and football where not showing up is considered a loss. He reiterated that this is a purely practical approach which would seem harsh for fighters compelled to pull out of upcoming bouts because of factors out of their control.

Here’s what Sonnen stated in a recent video on his official YouTube channel:

“Serena never did that, Mayweather never did that, Tiger Woods never did that. These guys are wimps, or they’re supposed to be, but they show up at an agreed-upon time and fighters don’t. And there should be a penalty, and you should pay for that. And it shouldn’t be done with heart. I understand we want to show people grace, and we want to lift them, right?” He continued, “A lot of times, these fights are missed due to illness or injury, that’s very tough stuff. In fact, there’s nothing more tough than that, that’s his health. It can’t be done that way, it can’t be done with heart. Because it is completely about who can get there on the agreed-upon date.”

Sonnen argued that athletes are expected to be at their best at a predetermined time and date. So, a forfeit should carry strict consequences. With Belal Muhammad unable to fight at UFC 310 due to a toe injury, the UFC Hall of Famer’s take on forfeits can certainly spark a debate among fans.

• Read More: Ilia Topuria Reveals The One Thing That Surprised him About Max Holloway Fight

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Reveals UFC Rule He Would Change As U.S. President: ‘Mayweather Never Did That…’ at MMA News.

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UFC 310 no longer boasts two title fights as Belal Muhammad has pulled out of the main event because of a toe injury. While some fans want the newly crowned champion to be stripped for inactivity already, others are more concerned with finding a new opponent for Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Several contenders in the UFC welterweight division could benefit by stepping in and winning on UFC 310. Former champs Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman would want to re-enter the title race by beating a top prospect. On the other hand, fresh talents like Ian Garry, Sean Brady, and Jack Della Maddalena should be interested in securing their first title shots.

While discussing how UFC 310 should be dealt with, Michael Bisping pointed out that replacing Muhammad could help Edwards get his rematch quickly. “Rocky” gave the new champ his props after losing the welterweight belt at UFC 304 but also admitted to feeling fatigued due to the unusual timing.

Here’s why Bisping expects Edwards to take a risk by fighting Rakhmonov at UFC 310:

“For Leon Edwards, this does everything. You beat Shavkat Rakhmonov, you are the man. You step up, you are the man. You beat this man that’s finishing everybody. What does that do for you? Well, then you’re right back in the title conversation. In fact, you will be probably getting a rematch against Belal Muhammad.” He continued, “He wants to get his hands on Belal Muhammad once again. He wants to right the wrongs, he wants to prove to the world and himself that he’s the better man. But more importantly, to get back to becoming the welterweight champion of the world.”

Edwards holds two wins over Usman, and “The Count” claims beating an intimidating opponent with a 100% finish rate would be another feather in his cap. Additionally, a rematch with Muhammad in the United States would ensure he gets a chance to avenge his loss and fight at a more favorable time.

The former UFC champ understands that losing to “Nomad” is a huge risk for the English fighter as it would further extend his path back to the title. However, he thinks that the rewards outweigh the risks in this situation.

Bisping lastly called UFC 310 a great card regardless of the main event falling out. Like countless other fans, though, wouldn’t mind seeing the undefeated Rakhmonov put to the test again.

• Read More: Ilia Topuria Reveals The One Thing That Surprised him About Max Holloway Fight

Continue Reading Former UFC Champ Argues Leon Edwards Should Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ‘Rematch Against Belal Muhammad…’ at MMA News.

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Chael Sonnen will join the world in watching the highly anticipated showdown between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic.

The UFC 309 heavyweight title fight at Madison Square Garden in NYC has fans buzzing about who will emerge as the greatest heavyweight of all time.Jones is heavily favored to win, but Miocic, a former UFC heavyweight champion, is eager to prove his doubters wrong.

Unlike Jones’ swift submission of Ciryl Gane to capture the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285, Sonnen believes Jones might face a much tougher challenge in Miocic.

“Well, Stipe’s old, but not much older than Jon,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “I won’t argue with you if you tell me that Stipe is old by fighter standards, but I would argue if you told me Jon was young. Do you believe that Jon can just take Stipe down whenever he wants? If you do believe that, remember, that’s something Daniel Cormier couldn’t do. In one of their fights, there were two takedowns, and Stipe got them both. I’m just reminding you: Do you believe that Jon can just take Stipe down?”

Sonnen also believes the stand-up advantage lies with Miocic, who he thinks has more power in his strikes than Jones.

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Reveals The Two Things Stipe Miocic Has Two Things Going For Him Against Jon Jones at MMA News.

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An arrest warrant has been issued in Washington State for former UFC fighter Bryan Caraway for several felony charges. Caraway was scheduled to attend a pre-trial hearing on October 3 but did now attend court.

He is being accused of insurance fraud after he reported the theft of an all-terrain vehicle from his home back in December of 2018. The WICO (Washington State Commissioner’s Office) report that after he bought the insurance policy on the vehicle, he filed a claim that it was stolen just six days later.

“He told GEICO that he bought the vehicle and contents, including helmets, a battery charger and spare tire, for $ 18,500 and provided a title showing his ex-girlfriend gifted it to him in January 2018,” says the WICO. 

“The investigation showed evidence that Caraway forged the title, and that the vehicle was not in fact stolen but was owned by and in possession of his ex-girlfriend. Caraway withdrew the claim, and GEICO referred the case to Kreidler’s CIU as required by state law.”

Caraway was previously in a relationship with former UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate which was ongoing when many fight fans were first introduced to him during his time on the 14th season of The Ultimate Fighter. It’s worth stating that in 2021, there was a legal battle between Caraway and Tate over the possessions that they had accumulated together during their 10-year relationship.

In particular, one of these assets was a Polaris RZR ATV all-terrain vehicle. It was claimed that Caraway allegedly stole the vehicle back from an ex-girlfriend that had taken it from his house, meaning that this appears to still be an on-going issue.

The 40-year old fought ten times in the UFC, leaving the promotion after consecutive losses to Cody Stamann and Pedro Munhoz before having one fight outside the UFC in China before seemingly retiring.

Continue Reading Arrest Warrant Issued For Ex-UFC Fighter Accused Of Insurance Fraud at MMA News.

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Shavkat Rakhmonov is determined to stay on the UFC 310 card and has floated the idea of an interim title fight against Kamaru Usman. Rakhmonov was initially set to headline UFC 310 in a welterweight title bout against Belal Muhammad, but the reigning champion withdrew due to injury.

Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Rakhmonov’s manager confirmed that negotiations are underway to keep Rakhmonov on the UFC 310 lineup, potentially in an interim title fight. The manager mentioned that Usman has reportedly been offered the fight, as he’s seen as the most logical replacement.

Rakhmonov himself expressed readiness to step in, saying, “I believe there is a worthy opponent available. I’m ready to save the card, too, if it’s for the interim title. I believe Usman is the worthy opponent who’s also probably ready to jump in and face him.”

Rakhmonov, who boasts an 18-0 record, is coming off a submission victory over Stephen Thompson last December and has won all his UFC fights by stoppage. Usman, on the other hand, is currently on a three-fight losing streak, most recently dropping a majority decision to Robert Whittaker in a middleweight contest on short notice. Before that, he suffered two consecutive losses to Leon Edwards.

Continue Reading Shavkat Rakhmonov Wants To Fight Kamaru Usman For Interim Title At UFC 310 at MMA News.

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A recent tweet from Dustin Poirier hints that he’s interested in facing Max Holloway for his final UFC fight. Holloway, coming off a tough loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, made history as Topuria became the first fighter ever to finish him.

Poirier hasn’t stepped into the Octagon since his lightweight title shot at UFC 302 in June, where he lost to Islam Makhachev via fifth-round submission. After that bout, Poirier teased retirement but later confirmed plans for one more fight. The question remains: who will he face?

In recent months, Poirier has considered a range of opponents for his swan song, including Nate Diaz and Justin Gaethje. However, in a Twitter exchange suggesting a bout with Holloway for the “BMF” title, Poirier seemed to approve, sparking excitement over a potential showdown.

The two first faced off at UFC 143 in February 2012, which saw Holloway fall short to Poirier via submission. Seven years later, they met for the interim lightweight title at UFC 236, which saw Poirier hand Holloway a unanimous decision loss.

Continue Reading Dustin Poirier Seemingly Approves Of Max Holloway Trilogy Fight For “The Last Dance” at MMA News.

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Youssef Zalal is definitely a name to look out for moving forward after he racked up a third straight finish courtesy of a submission during the UFC Edmonton preliminary card.

The first round between Zalal and Welsh standout Jack Shore was close, with the latter having the better quality action. The Moroccan, however, had more control time that prevented Shore from mounting additional attacks.

Things quickly came to an end early in the second round when Zalal landed a perfectly timed knee that dropped Shore. “The Moroccan Devil| followed his stricken opponent to the mat and delivered some strong ground-and-pound before locking up an arm-triangle choke that scored the tap.

Youssef Zalal Earns Third Straight Submission With Victory Over Jack Shore At UFC Edmonton

The result marked Zalal’s third straight submission, all coming this year, after he defeated Billy Quarantillo in March and Jarno Errens in August.

Meanwhile, after starting his career 16-0, former bantamweight Shore has now lost three of his last four Octagon outings.

• Read More: UFC Fight Night: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi Live Results & Highlights

Continue Reading VIDEO: Youssef Zalal Sets Up Club & Sub With Brutal Knee At UFC Edmonton at MMA News.

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