Category Archives: Mmaweekly.com

All signs are pointing toward Jon Jones defending his strap against Stipe Miocic next time out, but he may have a new contender.

Since capturing the heavyweight throne, Jones has had a target on his back. The Hall-of-Famer is being eyed by a number of elite fighters, and one man who is passionate about getting that fight remains Tom Aspinall.

While Aspinall has been pushing for the mega fight, it seems Dana White may go in a different direction. According to the UFC CEO, Alex Pereira could steal the Jon Jones fight, under one condition. 

“This guy [Alex Pereira] is a killer, everybody loves him,” White said during a recent interview. “To think about him moving up to heavyweight when you talk about guys like Ciryl Gane, Aspinall, Volkov. I mean, these guys are monsters.”

“Ciryl Gane is huge, man. He’s huge, he’s athletic, he’s powerful. I like Alex. Alex is a savage. Let Alex do what he’s doing in his division.”

“You know what, if he wipes out the entire division, and we’re sitting here going, ‘Who’s next?’ Then maybe you let him move up to heavyweight and do some type of super fight there.”

Listen to Dana White’s opinion on Alex Pereira, Jon Jones, and more below.

This isn’t the first time Jon Jones and Alex Pereira have been rumored to fight.

Related: Jon Jones eyeing ‘massive’ fight with Alex Pereira

At the height of his feud with Tom Aspinall, Jones took interest in a matchup against the seemingly unstoppable ‘Poatan’.

Pereira hinted at the possibility of moving up to heavyweight in search of a historic third UFC title. This captured the attention of Jon Jones who, in turn, called out the Brazilian.

‘Bones’ believes beating a killer like Alex Pereira would be huge for his legacy. Though, he is first looking to get past the threat posed by the vastly experienced Stipe Miocic.

MMAWeekly.com | UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos

The two Canelo Álvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga press conferences set to take place today and tomorrow will stream live on the PBC YouTube Page as Canelo Promotions presents a Mexican Independence Day weekend extravaganza taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video.

Pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez and undefeated Puerto Rican knockout artist Edgar Berlanga will preview their upcoming showdown for Canelo’s unified WBC, WBA and WBO Super Middleweight World Titles at these press conferences.

The press conferences will also feature Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara and hard-hitting two-division world champion and Puerto Rican star Danny “Swift” García ahead of their 12-round co-main event between two of this era’s most accomplished fighters.

TODAY! Monday, August 5 in New York beginning at

1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT

TOMORROW! Tuesday, August 6 in Los Angeles beginning at

4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT

MMAWeekly.com | UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos

The UFC Abu Dhabi: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov main card on Saturday featured a women’s strawweight clash between 7th ranked Mackenzie Dern and 10th ranked Loopy Godinez.  

Dern entered the bout hoping to rebound from back-to-back losses.  She had been defeated in four of her last six fights and was desperately needing a win to stay relevant in the division.  Godinez had a four-fight winning streak snapped in her last outing.  Looking to get back in the win column, a win would move Godinez up several spots in the rankings.  

Dern landed her jab early.  Godinez kept her guard high and tried to close the distance.  Godinez caught a kick and took Dern down but immediately let the ground specialist back to her feet.  Dern closed this distance behind punches and clinched.  Godinez separated and landed on the break.  She connected with a counter combination.  Dern pressed forward with a right hand.  Dern clinched and tossed Godinez to the ground.  She advanced to the mount with 95 seconds remaining in the round.  

Dern isolated an arm and worked to extend her hips to secure an arm bar.  She delivered hammer fists and punches from the bottom and Godinez freed her arm.  She landed a couple of punches from top position as the round ended.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Dern.  

Dern continued to use her jab in the second frame.  She came out aggressive and pressed forward.  The two clinched after an exchange but quickly separated.  Dern connected with a right hand.  Godinez responded with a stiff jab.  Dern began pressuring Godinez.  Dern has had the higher output as Godinez looked to counter strike.  As Dern moved into the pocket, Godinez met her with a right hand.  Dern delivered a combination.  

Godinez changed levels and took Dern down.  Dern quickly stood and Godinez worked to lock in a standing arm-triangle.  Dern stayed calm and the round ended.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Dern.  

Dern landed her jab to start the final round.  Godinez responded with a hard right hand.  Dern delivered a leg kick but Godinez countered with a left hand.  Godinez began landing left hands.  Dern changed levels, elevated Godinez and slammed her to the canvas.  Dern moved to side control.  Godinez kicked her off and stood.  As she did, Dern worked to secure a guillotine choke.  Godinez popped her head out and the two fought for position along the cage before separating.

Dern connected with an uppercut.  Godinez reacted with a left hand.  Godinez stepped in the pocket with a right hand.  Dern responded with a leg kick.  Godinez clinched and the worked for position.  They separated with 20 seconds remaining.  Godinez rushed in and delivered knees to the body as Dern fired off right hands.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Dern.  

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

MMAWeekly.com | UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos

Former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson returned to the welterweight division on Saturday in Abu Dhabi against Michael Chiesa.  Both fighters were needing a win in the worst way.  

Ferguson hadn’t won a fight since 2019 and entered the bout on a staggering seven-fight losing streak.  Chiesa entered the octagon at Etihad Arena having lost his last three fights.  

Ferguson came out pressuring Chiesa.  Chiesa moved along the outside.  Chiesa delivered a kick to the body followed by a left hand.  Ferguson responded with a leg kick.  Ferguson continued to press forward.  Chiesa landed a combination.  Ferguson landed his jab.  Chiesa clinched and took Ferguson down.  He took Ferguson’s back and worked to lock on a rear-naked choke.  Ferguson tried to defend the chock but was forced to tap out.  

The loss was Ferguson’s eighth consecutive defeat.  The official time of the stoppage came at 3:44 of the first round.  Following the fight, Ferguson took off one glove and teased his retirement from fighting.  

“I don’t want to retire.  I really don’t, but I love the UFC and I don’t want to go anywhere else,” Ferguson said in his post-fight interview.  “So I’m not going to put both gloves down.  I’m going to put one, and I’m going to keep the other one just in case.”   

MMAWeekly.com | UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos

The UFC octagon was at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.  The fight card was headlined by a bantamweight fight between second-ranked Cory Sandhagen and undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov.

Sandhagen (17-4) entered the fight riding a three-fight winning streak. Nurmagomedov (17-0) hadn’t tasted defeat and had finished three of his five UFC opponents. Ranked 10th in the division, Nurmagomedov had the opportunity to pick up the biggest win of his career.

Sandhagen pressed forward.  They exchanged leg kicks and Nurmagomedov grabbed a leg and went for a single-leg takedown.  He took Sandhagen’s back.  Sandhagen escaped the position and circled free.  Nurmagomedov connected with a left hand.  Nurmagomedov looked for another takedown but Sandhagen remained standing.  Sandhagen switched stances and they exchanged leg kicks.  Sandhagen looked comfortable.  He delivered a hard leg kick and then went to the body with a left hand.  Nurmagomedov secured a takedown with 20 seconds left on the clock.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Sandhagen.  

 Nurmagomedov landed first in the second round with a kick to the body.  They exchanged legs kicks and Nurmagomedov looked to get the fight to the ground.  He got behind Sandhagen but Sandhagen broke free and connected with a left hand.  Sandhagen was dictating the pace.  They traded leg kicks.  Sandhagen went to the body and Nurmagomedov answered with a hard leg kick.  Sandhagen connected with a counter left hand.  Nurmagomedov caught a kick and took Sandhagen down.  He trapped an arm.  Sandhagen scrambled and stood.  He turned and got free.  Nurmagomedov tried to trip him but Sandhagen got to his feet.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Nurmagomedov.  

Sandhagen pressed forward in the third.  Nurmagomedov checked a leg kick.  The pace slowed a bit.  Both fighters continued to deliver leg kicks.  With two minutes remaining, Nurmagomedov took Sandhagen down.  Sandhagen broke the grip and escaped the position.  Nurmagomedov connected with a right hand.  Nurmagomedov landed to the body with a right hand.  He landed a left hand to the body and took Sandhagen down.  He took Sandhagen’s back.  Sandhagen rolled and the round ended.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Nurmagomedov.  

Sandhagen inched forward.  Nurmagomedov landed a leg kick.  Sandhagen responded with a jab.  Nurmagomedov landed a leg kick and Sandhagen countered with a left hook.  Sandhagen was more aggressive in the fourth.  Nurmagomedov connected with a right hand.  He followed up with a combination.  Sandhagen responded with a left hand.  Nurmagomedov answered with a counter combination.  Sandhagen went to the body with a left hand.  They exchanged kicks to the body.  

Sandhagen connected with an uppercut and Nurmagomedov responded with a combination.  Nurmagomedov changed levels and took Sandhagen down late in the round.  Sandhagen rolled and the round ended.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Nurmagomedov.

They exchanged leg kicks.  Sandhagen briefly looked for a takedown.  Nurmagomedov moved away.  Nurmagomedov connected with a counter left hand followed by a body kick.  Nurmagomedov began pressing forward.  He took Sandhagen down.  For the first time in the fight, Nurmagomedov was able to control Sandhagen on the ground.  Sandhagen delivered elbows from the bottom.  He tried to scramble but Nurmagomedov maintained top position.  He delivered a few short punches before the round ended.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Nurmagomedov.   

The judges scored the fight for Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision.  The scorecards read 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46.

MMAWeekly.com | UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos

A gigantic bantamweight bout took place on the UFC Abu Dhabi main card on Saturday.  Fourth-ranked Marlon “Chito” Vera took on former flyweight champion and sixth-ranked bantamweight Deiveson Figueiredo.  

Vera entered the bout coming off a loss to champion Sean O’Malley in his last fight in March.  Figueiredo had put together back-to-back wins since moving up to the weight class.  A win could put either fighter in title talks.   

Figueiredo landed first with a leg kick.  They exchanged leg kicks.  Figueiredo landed to the body and changed levels and put Vera on his back.  Vera tied up the arms of Figueiredo.  Figueiredo posture up and delivered a right hand.  Figueredo landed to the body and stood.  Vera connected with an up kick and scrambled to his feet.  Figueiredo landed a leg kick and circled away.  Vera rushed in with a knee and Figueiredo took him down.  He landed an axe kick to the body at the bell.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Figueiredo.

Figueiredo opened the second round with a leg kick.  Vera answered with a left hand to the body.  Figueiredo continued to land leg kicks.  Vera went high with a kick but Figueiredo saw it coming.  Figueiredo landed a right hand.  Vera responded with a front kick to the body.  Midway through the round, Vera landdd a leg kick and a right hand to the body.  Figueiredo answered with a body shot.  They exchanged leg kicks and Vera checked that one.  Vera connected with a right hand and closed the distance.  He landed a hard body shot in the closing seconds.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Vera.  

Figueiredo quickly looked for a takedown to start the final round.  Vera defended the attempt and they separated.  They exchanged leg kicks and Figueiredo landed a right hand to the body.  Figueiredo landed a right hand and Vera answered to the body.  Figueiredo connected with a right hand that sat Vera down.  Vera quickly got to his feet.  Figueiredo went to the body.  Vera landed a left hand.  Figueiredo stayed busy.  Each time Vera got too close, Figueiredo would clinch or look for a takedown.  They picked up the pace in the final seconds.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Figueiredo.      

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

MMAWeekly.com | UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos

For the 19th time in the promotion’s history, the UFC octagon is in Abu Dhabi.  Etihad Arena hosts today’s UFC event. The fight card is headlined by a bantamweight fight between second-ranked Cory Sandhagen and undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov.

Sandhagen (17-4) will enter the fight riding a three-fight winning streak. Nurmagomedov (17-0) hasn’t tasted defeat and has finished three of his five UFC opponents. Ranked 10th in the division, Nurmagomedov has the opportunity to pick up the biggest win of his career.

Start Times

• Main card begins at 3 p.m. ET

• Preliminary Card begins at Noon ET

UFC Abu Dhabi: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov Live Results and Analytics

UFC Abu Dhabi: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov Official Results

Main Card (ABC, ESPN+, 3 p.m. ET)

• Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
• Shara Magomedov vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
• Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon Vera
• Michael Chiesa vs. Tony Ferguson
• Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez
• Joel Alvarez vs. Elves Brener

Preliminary Card (ESPN2, ESPN+, noon ET)

• Alonzo Menifield vs. Azamat Murzakanov
• Kaue Fernandes vs. Mohammad Yahya
• Shamil Gaziev vs. Don’Tale Mayes
• Guram Kutateladze def. Jordan Vucenic via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
• Sam Hughes def. Viktoriia Dudakova via split decision (27–30, 29–28, 29–28)
• Jai Herbert def. Rolando Bedoya via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28)
• Sedriques Dumas def. Denis Tiuliulin via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 30–27)

MMAWeekly.com | UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos

As the world begins to change, many things are now acceptable that were once deemed despicable — but Sean Strickland isn’t sitting in silence.

The 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games may go down as one of the most controversial in its over 100-year history. Whether you side with their policies or not, it remains true that the backlash the Olympics has received this time around is unlike ever before.

One of the major concerns with this year’s Olympics falls under the women’s boxing event. Many are outraged with the inclusion of Imane Khelif into the women’s game — with most believing that the Algerian is a man, despite conflicting reports. The anger from supporters was only elevated when Khelif dominated a saddened Angela Carini in the ring.

Sean Strickland is the latest to get involved with the online assault on Khelif. The UFC star posted to social media to share his disgust.

“Such an utter disgrace,” Strickland stated. “This is a man, a mentally ill man beating up women.”

“There are 2 genders and that is a man. Never accept this woke corporate agenda”

“Harley Davidson would be proud, one of many companies who support this financially and ideologically.”

Such an utter disgrace. This is a man, a mentally ill man beating up women.

There are 2 genders and that is a man

Never accept this woke corporate agenda

Harley Davidson would be proud, one of many companies who support this financially and ideologically https://t.co/w6JdJo3ucy

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 1, 2024

However, this wasn’t the last Strickland had to say on the matter.

The former UFC middleweight champion posted a video giving his truth on why Imane Khelif shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near women’s boxing.

“So, guys, what do we know about this boxer? We know this boxer failed a gender test. We know that this boxer was not tested for her/his gender in the Olympics.”

Related: Angela Carini suffers controversial Olympics defeat, UFC fighters react

“We know the Olympics gender test consists of, ‘Hey, what does your passport say?’ You can’t blame us for being skeptical of the Olympics after they just f***ing shoved this transgender f***ing cesspool down our f***ing throats.”

“So, yes Olympics, we are a little f***ing skeptical with you. But, let’s give this boxer the benefit of the doubt. Let’s just say that yes, you did fail a gender test and yes, you do have male chromosomes.”

“Yes you were born a woman and you claim to be a woman. Let’s say this happened. You can do anything on this f***ing planet.”

“You can be a f***ing doctor, you can be a lawyer, you can cure f***ing cancer. But what you shouldn’t do, what you can’t do is go and f***ing beat up women. So, just f***ing stop.”

Here's the facts. The Olympics didn't test this boxer for political reasons. This boxer has failed a gender test in the past. The boxer may be intersex.. This situation was created because the Olympics failed their athletes and their fans out of political wokeness. pic.twitter.com/c5fRqGyiny

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 1, 2024

MMAWeekly.com | UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos

The fighters competing on Saturday’s UFC event in Abu Dhabi officially weighed in on Friday morning.  The fight card is headlined by a bantamweight fight between second-ranked Cory Sandhagen and undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov.

Sandhagen (17-4) will enter the fight riding a three-fight winning streak. Nurmagomedov (17-0) hasn’t tasted defeat and has finished three of his five UFC opponents. Ranked 10th in the division, Nurmagomedov has the opportunity to pick up the biggest win of his career.

Nurmagomedov weighed in at 135 pounds while Sandhagen tipped the scales at 136 pounds.  The match is essentially a No. 1 contender bout with the winner likely earning a title shot. 

Cory Sandhagen – 136 #UFCAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/kgw1puGmK1

— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) August 2, 2024

Umar Nurmagomedov first to weigh in at 135 #UFCAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/mFaxzkYQwi

— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) August 2, 2024

UFC Abu Dhabi Official Weigh-in Results

Main Card (ABC, ESPN+, 3 p.m. ET)

• Cory Sandhagen (136) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (135)
• Shara Magomedov (186) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (185)
• Deiveson Figueiredo (135) vs. Marlon Vera (136)
• Michael Chiesa (170) vs. Tony Ferguson (170)
• Mackenzie Dern (115.5) vs. Loopy Godinez (115.5)
• Joel Alvarez (155.5) vs. Elves Brener (155)

Preliminary Card (ESPN2, ESPN+, noon ET)

• Alonzo Menifield (204) vs. Azamat Murzakanov (205)
• Kaue Fernandes (155.5) vs. Mohammad Yahya (155)
• Shamil Gaziev (262) vs. Don’Tale Mayes (265)
• Guram Kutateladze (155) vs. Jordan Vucenic (155)
• Viktoriia Dudakova (115.5) vs. Sam Hughes (114)
• Rolando Bedoya (155) vs. Jai Herbert (155.5)
• Sedriques Dumas (186) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (185)

MMAWeekly.com | UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos

Former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has the opportunity to become a three-time titleholder when he faces champion Dricus Du Plessis in the UFC 305 main event on Aug. 17.  

Du Plessis (21-2) won the 185-pound championship by defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January.  He’ll put the belt on the line for the first time at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia against “The Last Stylebender.”  Adesanya (24-3) hasn’t fought since September 2023 when he lost the title to Strickland.    

Adesanya released behind-the-scenes training footage from his UFC 305 preparation to his YouTube channel on Thursday.  

UFC 305 will mark the fight promotion’s third time holding an event in Perth and the beginning of a multiyear deal for two annual events in the city.  The title bout will be the first time two African-born athletes compete for a UFC title. 

MMAWeekly.com | UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos