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Kai Kara-France recently condemned the UFC’s decision to grant a title shot to Kai Asakura in his promotional debut.

It’s a rare occurrence for a fighter to step into the Octagon for their first fight in a title bout, yet that’s precisely the path Asakura will take as he is set to challenge reigning flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja in the co-main event of UFC 310. This exciting matchup is set to take place on December 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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A post shared by 朝倉 海 Kai Asakura (@kai_asakura_)

However, Kara-France, who was campaigning for a title shot himself after his first-round knockout victory over Steve Erceg at UFC 305, voiced his disapproval of Asakura receiving an immediate opportunity to fight for the belt.

During a recent interview with Sky Sport NZ, “Don’t Blink” stated that the 31-year-old Japanese fighter did not deserve a shot at UFC gold. He expressed that it feels unjust for dedicated fighters in the 125-pound category, who have put in the hard work to rise through the ranks, to be overlooked for a title shot.

“They’ve got the wrong Kai,” Kara-France said. “After my fight, I was calling for the title shot, and I was thinking, ‘Sweet, I’ve got it,’ and then I heard they’re bringing in a guy from Japan, and his name’s Kai. Bro, he hasn’t even fought yet. I don’t think he deserves it. You’ve got to at least show your worth or do something for guys who have been grinding for years in the UFC division, fighting the best guys.

We’ve proven that we belong here, so I don’t know. That’s just how I feel about it. It’s weird that you can come in off no fights in the UFC and get a title shot. Hey, but if it’s going to bring in more attention to the flyweight division, you know, a bit of controversy, if this guy deserves it, yeah, he can go out there and prove it.”

Kara-France challenged for the interim flyweight title against former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 277 in July 2022 but fell short, suffering a third-round TKO. The 31-year-old Kiwi has been a fixture in the UFC since 2018, compiling a respectable 8-4 record.

After signing an exclusive deal with the UFC, Asakura vacated his two-time RIZIN bantamweight championship, where he was a standout for nearly six years. He compiled an impressive record of 13-3 in the promotion, securing victories over notable opponents like Kyoji Horiguchi, Juan Archuleta, and Manel Kape.

• Read More: Brandon Royval Sees ‘Strong Possibility’ UFC Newcomer Could Beat Alexandre Pantoja

Continue Reading Kai Kara-France Slams UFC For Awarding Title Shot To Newcomer Asakura at MMA News.

MMA News

The PFL’s latest pay-per-view event takes place on Saturday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants takes place at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Oct. 19, where the main attraction will see former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou make his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts.

Having not competed in the cage since a victory over Ciryl Gane in January 2022 — completing a pair of boxing matches opposite Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in the period since — “The Predator” will look to make an emphatic MMA comeback at the expense of last year’s PFL heavyweight title winner, Renan Ferreira.

Setting the stage for the headliners will be another Super Fights championship clash, with reigning Bellator featherweight queen Cris Cyborg debuting in the SmartCage opposite the PFL’s first two-weight champion, Larissa Pacheco.

Elsewhere, Bellator gold will be on the line in the Middle East when middleweight champ Johnny Eblen runs it back with Fabian Edwards and the stakes will be high when the massively touted Paul Hughes gets a step up in competition against AJ McKee.

Ahead of the event, all 18 fighters successfully made weight. With that, every fight has remained intact, and all that remains on Friday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the PFL: Battle of the Giants ceremonial weigh-ins!

Check out a live stream via the official PFL YouTube channel below, commencing at 11:30 a.m. ET.

PFL Battle of the Giants Ceremonial Weigh-In Stream

Continue Reading PFL Battle Of The Giants: Ngannou vs. Ferreira Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream at MMA News.

MMA News

UFC Fight Night: Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

Before heading back to the Middle East to stage its latest pay-per-view in Abu Dhabi next weekend, the mixed martial arts leader has one final piece of Fight Night business to attend to at the Apex.

Topping the lineup on Oct. 19 will be a clash of ranked middleweight fan favorites as Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez collides with the always entertaining and eccentric Michel Pereira.

Elsewhere, the likes of longtime bantamweight contender Rob Font, former LFA champion Charles Johnson, two-time TUF winner Brad Katona, and top-10 flyweight Matheus Nicolau will all be in action.

UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira Weigh-In Results

UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira takes place on Saturday, October 19, 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 live stream of the weigh-ins via MMA Junkie, and check out the full results below!

Main Card:

• Middleweight Main Event: Anthony Hernandez (185.5lbs) vs. Michel Pereira (185.5lbs)
• Bantamweight Co-Main Event: Rob Font (135.5lbs) vs. Kyler Phillips (135.5lbs)
• Flyweight: Charles Johnson (126lbs) vs. Sumudaerji (126lbs)
• Bantamweight: Jake Hadley (135.5lbs) vs. Cameron Smotherman (135.5lbs)
• Featherweight: Darren Elkins (144.5lbs) vs. Daniel Pineda (145.5lbs)

Preliminary Card:

• Flyweight: Matheus Nicolau (125.5lbs) vs. Asu Almabayev (125.5lbs)
• Bantamweight: Brad Katona (135.5lbs) vs. Jean Matsumoto (135.5lbs)
• Women’s Bantamweight: Joselyne Edwards (139.5lbs)* vs. Tamires Vidal (135.5lbs)
• Women’s Strawweight: Jessica Penne (115.5lbs) vs. Elise Reed (115lbs)
• Women’s Strawweight: Melissa Martinez (115.5lbs) vs. Alice Ardelean (115lbs)
• Heavyweight: Austen Lane (251lbs) vs. Robelis Despaigne (264lbs)

*Joselyne Edwards missed the bantamweight limit by 3.5 pounds, fight status TBC

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night: Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira Weigh-In Results at MMA News.

MMA News

Dustin Poirier recently confirmed that he will indeed fight in the UFC again despite contemplating retirement after his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302. “The Diamond” wants to plan his exit from the sport by going out in front of his home fans in Louisiana.

MMA retirements never tend to last too long, just look at Donald Cerrone’s recent comments, and this likely isn’t going to change as the sport continues to age.

During a recent episode of ESPN MMA’s Good Guy / Bad Guy show with Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, Cormier said that he was never convinced that Poirier would step away. He said that the former interim champions ability to still compete at the highest level meant that he wouldn’t ride off into the sunset just yet, even if he was suggesting that this was more than likely.

Sonnen followed this point up by referencing something that he would do in his childhood in order to receive words or praise and encouragement from his peers. He said that in art class, which he was hit and miss at, he would parade his best pieces of work around and say how bad they were in order to draw compliments.

Sonnen believes that fighters do a similar thing in order to hear the kind of appreciation that makes them feel validated.

“I did this when I was a little kid. Daniel, as I became an adult, I still did little things like that, I just did it fewer and further between and I swear, I do feel that some of these guys just so that we’ll pat them on the head and tell them, ‘No you’re so great’, I swear they’ll say like something bad about themselves to get the rest of us to go, ‘No, hey, you’ve got more.’ I do feel that way sometimes.”

Sonnen then spoke specifically about Poirier and his decision to make the walk one or two more times.

“I imagine it is hard to go and physically, Dustin has it. Mentally, Dustin has it but he’s got that little kid in him somewhere that wants us to constantly tell him, ‘Hey Dustin, you still got it.’ Well, I’ll buy in. Dustin, you still got it.”

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Says Dustin Poirier & Others Flirt With Retirement To Receive Praise at MMA News.

MMA News

Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz has his eyes on unfinished business to conclude his career in the Octagon.

Cruz, who also held WEC gold prior to his UFC reigns, hasn’t competed since being knocked out by a brutal head kick against Marlon Vera back in August 2022.

That result, which headlined a UFC Fight Night in his home city of San Diego, snapped Cruz’s two-fight winning run and stalled his plans for a late-career rise back up the ladder at 135 pounds.

Since then, “The Dominator” has remained a prominent fixture on UFC broadcasts through his work as a color commentator and desk analyst for ESPN. But although that has left some suggesting his time as an active fighter could be up, the 39-year-old has confirmed that he as more in the tank.

During an appearance on the Anik & Florian Podcast, Cruz reiterated plans to make a comeback over two years on from his setback in California.

And more than just a fighting commitment, Cruz even has some names in mind for his return, the first being a clash with former featherweight kingpin José Aldo.

“I’m with that fight (against Aldo). I would like that fight,” Cruz said.

That bout was rumored to have been in the works for this past May’s event in Rio de Janeiro, where Aldo made his comeback from retirement and defeated Jonathan Martinez. Having had his title plans stalled by Mario Bautista at UFC 307 earlier this month, perhaps the promotion will look to book an all-legends clash with Cruz for Aldo next.

In addition to the Brazilian, “The Dominator” has his sights on a couple of rematches as he looks to right the wrongs from defeats to Cody Garbrandt and Henry Cejudo in 2016 and 2020, respectively.

“I’ve heard Henry (Cejudo) say that he would be willing to fight me if (UFC chief business officer) Hunter (Campbell) would allow it to happen,” Cruz stated. “I would rematch Henry. I would love that. … I’m not saying he didn’t beat me, but I’m saying that on a full camp, we can give an entertaining fight.

“He beat me the last fight. Okay, great. I think with me having a full camp, me not straight off surgery, me doing the training I’ve been doing, me feeling the way I feel right now…we’ll put on a really good, fun show,” Cruz continued. “So, Aldo, Henry, Cody (Garbrandt’s) getting ready to fight, so he’s got a fight coming up. But yeah, rematches for me make sense. My shoulder’s had multiple surgeries. It’s not rocket science, I don’t have tons of fights left. I’m towards the last chunk of my fights, and I want to put on a good show. So, I’m looking for a fight that makes sense.”

It remains to be seen what the UFC will line up for Cruz. But it appears clear that the fanbase has not seen the legendary former bantamweight champion make the walk for the final time.

• Read More: Ilia Topuria Eyes Record Held By Jorge Masvidal At UFC 308

Continue Reading Dominick Cruz Reveals Hit List For ‘Last Chunk’ Of UFC Career at MMA News.

MMA News

Daniel Cormier recently pushed back against Donald Cerrone’s plans for a UFC comeback following his revelation of using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) during his retirement.

Earlier this week, “Cowboy”, who retired from the UFC in July 2022, revealed plans to come out of retirement with an ambitious goal—reaching the achievement of 50 total bouts under the Zuffa banner. The 41-year-old fan favorite has racked up 38 UFC fights, placing him third in the promotion’s history—excluding the 10 more bouts he logged in the WEC.

Cerrone also disclosed that he’s been on Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and other PEDs throughout his time away from the Octagon. Now, he’s working to flush these substances out of his system, aiming to rejoin the drug-testing pool and make his return for two more fights.

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However, Cormier isn’t on board with Cerrone’s plan to return to active competition after openly admitting to using steroids during his hiatus. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, the former two-division UFC champion voiced his firm disapproval, stating that “Cowboy” actions could set a troubling precedent.

“DC” argued that it might inspire other fighters to temporarily withdraw from testing protocols, exploit their time off, and return with an unfair advantage.

“For years now, he’s been openly using steroids. I don’t quite know what it is, but he’s not been clean. And even if he can come back, take tests, and pass those tests, for him to get back, he has to do all of those things and all those enhancers to allow him to feel like he can compete at that level again.

So he would test clean, but isn’t that just a loophole? Isn’t it just a loophole like with the guys, when they get hurt, they get out of the testing pool? They recover from the injury; then they re-enter the testing pool.”

– DC on Cowboy Cerrone wanting to fight again

Cerrone last fought at UFC 276, where he suffered a submission loss to Jim Miller. Despite this setback, his career is impressive, featuring 18 post-fight bonuses—the most in UFC history, a record he shares with Charles Oliveira. He is tied for the second-most wins in UFC history with 23, alongside Andrei Arlovski, and holds 16 finishes, second only to Miller.

In recognition of his legendary career, Cerrone was inducted into the modern wing of the UFC Hall of Fame in March 2023.

• Read More: Dana White ‘Hates Donald Cerrone’s UFC Comeback Idea

Continue Reading Cormier Opposes Cerrone’s Possible UFC Return Following PED Admission at MMA News.

MMA News

Michael Chandler believes that Conor McGregor will return to the octagon. UFC President Dana White recently stated that he expects McGregor to return in early 2025.

McGregor last fought in 2022, suffering a devastating leg injury in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier, which ended in Poirier’s victory. Initially, it looked like Chandler and McGregor would headline UFC 303 in June, but McGregor withdrew from the fight due to injury.

During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Chandler explained why he hopes McGregor eventually makes his comeback.

“Conor’s a very ‘Flavor of the Week’ kind of guy,” Chandler said. “I believe Conor McGregor fights again. The way it’s all happened—the campaign he’s put on, calling it ‘The Greatest Comeback in Combat Sports History.’ The Ultimate Fighter, signing a contract to fight me, and then pulling out…

If you think about Conor McGregor’s legacy, he’s been the guy who never backed down, even when opponents pulled out of fights. He’d say, ‘I don’t care! Dana, figure out who I’m fighting.’ That’s been his legacy.”

Driving Force Behind McGregor’s Return

Chandler also highlighted the impact of McGregor’s injuries, suggesting that they may be a driving force behind his potential return. As a fellow fighter, Chandler can’t imagine McGregor being content with how his career could end in the way it has gone.

“To let his career end a couple of years ago after breaking his leg, and then going through a training camp and all the promotion for TUF 31—only to pull out of a fight with a broken pinkie toe—that can’t be the last chapter of his legacy.

I don’t think Conor wants that. If you look at how he lives, he doesn’t seem to be focused on training or fighting like the rest of us savages, but I do believe he’s still romantic about the sport. When he does come back, I believe he fights me.”

Continue Reading Michael Chandler: Conor McGregor’s MMA Legacy Is On The Line at MMA News.

MMA News

When it comes to fighters that have been put through the ringer at the very highest level, it’s hard to find someone that is more experienced than Robert Whittaker. The former middleweight champion has been facing the very best at 185-pounds for the best part of seven years at this stage in his career.

With 22 Octagon appearances under his belt, there’s not much that you can throw at “The Reaper” which he won’t have encountered in the past. That being said, his next challenge is somewhat of an enigma.

The undefeated Khamzat Chimaev has gone from being talked about as a guaranteed future UFC champion to someone that might struggle against the top names in his division. His progress has been significantly halted by two major concerns, his reoccurring health issues and an inability to fight in the United States.

Despite the fact that he has beaten the likes of Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman, one of those wins came when he was fighting at welterweight and his contest with Usman was a close fight that saw the former 170-pound champion step in at middleweight on short notice.

We will truly find out how good Chimaev is when he faces Whittaker who has already proven his level against the majority of the top contenders to come through the division in the last seven years.

In an interview with TalkSPORT MMA ahead of their co-main event clash at UFC 308, Whittaker was asked whether Chimaev is his toughest fight to date after all of the top opposition that he has squared off with.

“No, like I’ve fought the best of the best. I think it’s the most pressing test because it’s unwritten and I think there’s a lot of gravity to this fight because it’s the unknown like as of right now but like, I’ve won a lot of hard fights and I’ve lost a lot of hard fights, I’ve been tested.”

Though Whittaker doesn’t believe that Chimaev is his most difficult opponent, he does think that this fight will require him to be at his best because he doesn’t fully know what to expect from his opponent.

“Right now, it’s obviously Chimaev right because it’s unknown, it’s ground that hasn’t been trodden yet. I respect the task at hand and I’m just looking forward to it.”  

Continue Reading Robert Whittaker Says Khamzat Chimaev Isn’t His Toughest Opponent But Is The ‘Most Pressing’ at MMA News.

MMA News

Mike Perry got himself into trouble when he was arrested in Clermont, Florida, on October 12 for multiple offenses.

According to a recent report by MMA Fighting, information from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that “Platinum” was apprehended and processed by Clermont Police officers early Saturday morning at 1:04 AM EST. He is currently facing charges of driving under the influence (DUI) and refusing to sign a citation that mandates a court appearance, both classified as second-degree misdemeanors in the county. 

As per the report, Perry declined to undergo a roadside sobriety test after being stopped for exceeding the speed limit by about 20 miles per hour. The officer reportedly detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle, but the BKFC star repeatedly denied any consumption.

The 33-year-old Michigan native stood firm in his decision despite being warned multiple times that his refusal to comply would result in his arrest, which eventually led to him being handcuffed and taken to the Clermont Police Department for a breath test.

However, “Platinum” was subsequently released on a $ 1,500 bond later that day and was assigned to appear before the Florida court on October 30. If proven guilty, Perry could potentially face a maximum of two months in jail and fines reaching up to $ 500.

The former UFC welterweight fighter is rebounding from a sixth-round knockout defeat to Jake Paul this past July. Aside from that setback, Perry is thriving in his bare-knuckle fighting career under the BKFC banner. He is currently riding a five-fight unbeaten streak and boasts victories over notable former UFC champions Eddie Alvarez and Luke Rockhold.

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• Read More: Jake Paul Reveals Verbal Agreement With Mike Perry To Rematch In PFL, Dirty Boxing Down The Line

Continue Reading Mike Perry Arrested For DUI and Citation Refusal in Florida at MMA News.

MMA News

Mike Perry got himself into trouble when he was arrested in Clermont, Florida, on October 12 for multiple offenses.

According to a recent report by MMA Fighting, information from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that “Platinum” was apprehended and processed by Clermont Police officers early Saturday morning at 1:04 AM EST. He is currently facing charges of driving under the influence (DUI) and refusing to sign a citation that mandates a court appearance, both classified as second-degree misdemeanors in the county. 

As per the report, Perry declined to undergo a roadside sobriety test after being stopped for exceeding the speed limit by about 20 miles per hour. The officer reportedly detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle, but the BKFC star repeatedly denied any consumption.

The 33-year-old Michigan native stood firm in his decision despite being warned multiple times that his refusal to comply would result in his arrest, which eventually led to him being handcuffed and taken to the Clermont Police Department for a breath test.

However, “Platinum” was subsequently released on a $ 1,500 bond later that day and was assigned to appear before the Florida court on October 30. If proven guilty, Perry could potentially face a maximum of two months in jail and fines reaching up to $ 500.

The former UFC welterweight fighter is rebounding from a sixth-round knockout defeat to Jake Paul this past July. Aside from that setback, Perry is thriving in his bare-knuckle fighting career under the BKFC banner. He is currently riding a five-fight unbeaten streak and boasts victories over notable former UFC champions Eddie Alvarez and Luke Rockhold.

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A post shared by TrillerTV (@fitetv)

• Read More: Jake Paul Reveals Verbal Agreement With Mike Perry To Rematch In PFL, Dirty Boxing Down The Line

Continue Reading Mike Perry Arrested For DUI and Citation Refusal in Florida at MMA News.

MMA News