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When Conor McGregor dropped out of UFC 303 due to a toe injury, the fight promotion quickly booked a new main event.  The headlining spot was filled with a middleweight championship rematch between champion Alex Pereira and former titleholder Jiri Prochazka.  

The two first fought at UFC 295 in November 2023 for the vacant title.  Late in the second round, Pereira finished Prochazka to capture the 205-pound title.  

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UFC 303 features an exciting welterweight bout between to of Europe’s premier strikers.  Irish star Ian Machado Garry takes on UK striking specialist Michael “Venom” Page to kick off Saturday’s main card.

UFC 303 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by a middleweight championship rematch between champion Alex Pereira and former titleholder Jiri Prochazka.  

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Former Bellator welterweight standout Michael “Venom” Page made his octagon debut in March at UFC 299, defeating Kevin Holland via unanimous decision.  For his second UFC fight, kicking off the UFC 303 main card on Saturday, Page is pitted against seventh-ranked Ian Machado Garry.  

Page (22-2) will enter the fight ranked just inside the Top 15 and will be looking to hand Garry his first career loss.  Garry (14-0), is ranked seventh in the division and wasn’t thrilled about being matched up against a fighter ranked below him.

“I’m still not interested in it (the fight with Page),” Garry told The MMA Hour five days before he’s set to make the walk to the octagon at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.  “I have no interest in it.”    

“Here’s the way that I look at it.  I’m undefeated.  I’ve beaten everybody put in front of me in the best way I believe I can.  And I go out there and get my hand raised any way, shape, or form possible.  That is my job.  When I do that, I fight up because my goal is to be the world champion.  

“I’m looking at the guys above me.  I’m looking at the six or seven guys ahead of me.  There’s Gilbert [Burns].  There’s Shavkat [Rakhmonov].  There’s Jack Della Maddalena.  There’s Colby [Covington].  There’s [Kamaru] Usman, Belal [Muhammad], and Leon [Edwards].  All I’ve done in my career is win.  I deserve to fight one of those guys,” Garry continued.  “I have to fight one of those guys because that is my projection.  I’m on a projection of being one of the world champions.  I’m on a projection to be one of the biggest stars the sport has ever seen.  I have no interest in fighting below me.”

Related: Alex Pereira reveals what must happen before Israel Adesanya trilogy fight

Garry had to change the way he looked at the fight against Page.  He realized that once a champion, he’ll simply have to fight whoever the top contender is regardless of where they are ranked.  

“I still have no interest in fighting Michael.  I have no interest in fighting him,” Garry said.  “I wanted to kind of realign my focuses and everything like that.  The shift of energies and the shift of focus for me is when I get that belt wrapped around my waist I’m going to be fighting whoever the people believe is the next best guy worthy of that title shot whether he’s (ranked) 1, whether he’s 2, whether h’s 6, or if he’s 9 in the world.  I want to put on those shows.”

“This is the first time I’m stepping into an octagon with that championship mentality of I am better than you.  I’m going to prove it and that’s all my job is, is to go out there and prove that there is a reason why you’re ranked below me.  There’s a reason I’m ranked higher than you.  And now I’ll go out there and completely outclass MVP in any way, shape, or form necessary to get my hand raised,” Garry continued.  

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Ronda Rousey has stepped out of the ring and into the world of comics. Artists Writers and Artisans (AWA), the independent developer of bold, original stories announced today the upcoming Kickstarter campaign for Rousey’s graphic novel debut, ‘Expecting the Unexpected.’

“I felt like I had to tell this story, because Expecting the Unexpected pulls from the most important parts of my life: motherhood, my career as a fighter, and fun action movies,” said Ronda Rousey in a statement. “I knew I needed an artist who understood how to translate my fighting from real life to graphic novel artwork, so it’s been truly gratifying watching Mike Deodato bring this story to life. I’m so excited to work with AWA and share my very first graphic novel with the world and I hope comic fans will enjoy this adventure.”  

“Ronda has brought the same level of ferocity, discipline, and craft to her original script that made her a champion in Judo, UFC, and WWE. A potent blend of dark comedy, romance, and over-the-top action, ‘Expecting the Unexpected’ delivers a knockout punch on every level. You’ll laugh, you’ll wince, you’ll cry, and you’ll thrill at the action scenes — meticulously choreographed by Ronda and executed with precision by comic book maestro and martial arts black belt Mike Deodato, Jr. — that literally leap off the page,” Chief Creative Officer of AWA Axel Alonso said.  

Through Kickstarter, AWA allows fans to support its most ambitious limited-edition projects. This new graphic novel will feature Kickstarter exclusives and include premium, tiered rewards for the biggest Ronda Rousey fans. The ‘Expecting the Unexpected’ Kickstarter will launch on July 25.  Throughout her career as a global superstar, Rousey has built a huge fan base around the world and Kickstarter allows fans to support this debut in more than 200 countries worldwide.

This marks AWA’s third Kickstarter project, following the successful campaigns for Frank Cho’s ‘Fight Girls – Deluxe Director’s Cut Edition, and Garth Ennis’ ‘Marjorie Finnegan, Temporal Criminal’, both surpassed their initial funding goals within hours. 

Along with a press release, Rousey posted about the project on social media.  “Finally I can announce the martial art romantic comedy graphic novel I’ve been working on the last 5 years! “Expecting the Unexpected” written by myself, illustrated by Eisner winning artist @mikedeodato and edited by marvel alumni and @awastudiosofficial editor and chief Axel Alonso is a labor of love I can’t wait to share with the world. Get it before anyone else and special editions not available anywhere else via @kickstarter once we launch our campaign,” Rousey wrote.  

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UFC 303 Countdown previews a rematch for the light heavyweight title, as current king Alex Pereira, faces former champion Jiri Prochazka. Plus, UK striking phenom Michael “Venom” Page battles Ireland’s rising star, Ian Machado Garry at welterweight.

UFC 303 takes place on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.  The event was expected to be headlined by Conor McGregor’s octagon return against Michael Chandler but McGregor was forced out due to a toe injury.  Once McGregor fell out of the event, the fight card went through a major transformation.  

UFC 303 Countdown – Full Episode

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Former UFC flyweight Paige VanZant continues to reinvent herself.  Since she first made her octagon debut in 2014, VanZant has built a lucrative social media content career.  She’s fought in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).  She made her professional boxing debut in May and will compete in Power Slap for the first time this weekend.

VanZant left the UFC in 2020 after losing to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251.  A month later “12 Gauge” inked a multi-fight deal with BKFC.  She fought twice for the promotion losing both times.  A year later, in September 2021, VanZant signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).  She last appeared as a professional wrestler for the organization in May 2022.  It was announced in April that VanZant would make her professional boxing debut for Misfits Boxing.  She faced English Onlyfans model Elle Brooke in May and the fight ended in a split draw.

On Friday, VanZant takes on Christine Volmarans at Power Slap 8 and hopes it’s the beginning of her way to a Power Slap championship.

“I got signed to the UFC when I was 19.  I had my first UFC fight at 20.  My UFC debut, I got a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus which completely changed my life.  I was with the UFC for six years and then I transitioned into bare-knuckle boxing.  And now I’m going to do Power Slap,” VanZant said during an interview on the UFC YouTube channel.   

 “When I first saw Power Slap, I thought holy sh*t, that’s insane. When I see stuff that is crazy and exciting, it instantly just makes me want to do it. I’m definitely an adrenaline junkie and I have been since a young age.  I did grow up dancing and I was a cheerleader, but I like to have the thrills in life,” VanZant continued.  “I would say my biggest accolade is my toughness.  I love to compete.  I love to be violent, and this is literally like the epitome of being a dog.” 

“I need to take a belt home, that is the goal. I’m not going to go anywhere until I get the belt,” VanZant stated.

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On the first episode of UFC 303 Embedded, Jiri Prochazka lands in Vegas; Anthony Smith gets a new opponent. Cub Swanson has family time; Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes seize opportunities. Michael “Venom” Page shows off his restaurant, and champ Alex Pereira trains with Glover Teixeira.

UFC 303 takes place on Saturday, June 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.  A light heavyweight rematch between champion Alex Pereira and former titleholder Jiri Prochazka headline the fight card.  

UFC 303 Embedded, Episode 1

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Amid the controversy that surrounds his name in the boxing world, Ryan Garcia is hoping to continue fighting in a different sport, and he has the perfect opponent in mind.

Garcia skyrocketed to new heights in his popularity over recent years, and recently scored the biggest win of his career to cap it off, though that has since changed. The California native originally took Devin Haney’s undefeated record before later failing a drug test and getting his victory overuled to a no contest.

Alongside the victory being scratched off, Ryan Garcia now faces a one year ban from boxing. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Garcia has his sights set on a big career move.

The 25-year-old wants to see his ongoing social media feud with Sean O’Malley unfold into something more. While talking to TMZ Sports, the boxer spoke of his plans in the near future.

“I’m retiring for a year so they don’t get the satisfaction for suspending me because it’s bull[sh*t],” Garcia said. “I never took steroid in my life.”

Garcia later called out UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley for a fight either inside the octagon or in the bare knuckle boxing ring.

“I like Suga Sean because he defended me, but if he really wants to run it in the UFC, I’ll run it. Or bare knuckle. Sh*t, I’m ready to fight anybody at this point.”

Related: Sean O’Malley responds to ‘stupid’ and ‘delusional’ Ryan Garcia UFC call out

Sean O’Malley has had a lot to say about Ryan Garcia during his rollercoaster year.

While it is unclear what’s next for the rising boxing star, all signs are suggesting that O’Malley will be stepping into the octagon again later this year.

Although nothing has been confirmed, the general consensus is that ‘Suga’ will put his bantamweight strap on the line for the second time against the well-deserved title contender Merab Dvalishvili.

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Former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will have the opportunity to become a three-time titleholder when he faces current champion Dricus du Plessis in the UFC 305 main event on Aug. 18.  Another former titleholder wants to be the backup fighter for the title bout in case one of them gets injured, or has to back out.  

Fresh off his UFC Saudi Arabia first-round knockout win over Ikram Aliskerov on Saturday, Robert Whittaker said that he’d be down to serve as the UFC 305 title fight backup fighter.  

“I’m healthy.  I’m hearty.  Let’s go,” Whittaker said in his post-fight octagon interview.  UFC CEO Dana White approved of the idea of Whittaker being the backup fighter for UFC 305 in Perth, Australia.  “We’d love to have him.” White said during the UFC Saudi Arabia post-fight press conference.  

Du Plessis captured the 185-pound championship at UFC 297 in January.  He narrowly defeated Sean Strickland by split decision and the UFC 305 title fight against Adesanya will be du Plessis’ first title defense.  

UFC 305 takes place at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia on Aug. 18.  The middleweight title bout headlines the fight card.  It will be the fight promotion’s third time hosting an event in Perth.  

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The UFC Saudi Arabia co-main event featured a monumental heavyweight bout between third-ranked Sergei Pavlovich and fifth-ranked Alexander Volkov.  

Pavlovich entered the bout coming off a knockout loss to interim titleholder Tom Aspinall at UFC 295 in November.  Heading into that fight, the was riding a six-right winning steak.  Volkov made the walk to the octagon on a three-fight winning streak.  He submitted Tai Tuivasa in his last fight back in September.

Pavlovich took the center of the cage and inched forward.  Volkov delivered a leg kick and Pavlovich responded with a jab.  Volkov landed a hard kick to the body.  Pavlovich answered with a stiff jab.  Volkov moved along on the outside before landing to the body with a kick.  Pavlovich began loading up on punches.  Volkov used kicks to keep Pavlovich on the outside.  Volkov stepped in the pocket with a straight right hand.  Pavlovich looked to counter a body kick with punches.  Volkov landed a jab but Pavlovich reacted with a right hand.  They exchanged jabs and Volkov connected with a leg kick in the closing seconds of the round.  MMAWeekly scored the round. 10-9 for Volkov.

Volkov continued to utilized a kicking heavy offense in the second frame.  He landed two leg kicks followed by a kick to the body.  Pavlovich rushed in with a combination that came up short.  Volkov dictated the pace throughout the fight and brought a diverse attack.  A straight right hand stunned Pavlovich.  Pavlovich returned fire with a right hand.  Pavlovich tried to counter but had issues dealing with Volkov’s distance.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Volkov.

Volkov opened the third round with leg kicks.  Pavlovich missed with a big right hand.  Pavlovich pressed forward but Volkov moved just out of reach.  Pavlovich connected with a combination.  Volkov responded with a right hand but Pavlovich delivered another combination.  Volkov switched stances and Pavlovich checked a leg kick.  Volkov continually landed his jab.  With a minute left in the frame, Volkov connected to the body with a kick.  Pavlovich closed the distance and clinched but separated seconds later.  Pavlovich landed a clean right hand but Volkov absorbed it.  Volkov connected with a head kick in the final seconds but Pavlovich withstood it.  MMAWeekly scored the third round 10-9 for Volkov.

The judges scored the fight for Volkov via unanimous decision.  The scorecards read 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.

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