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The consequences of Islam Makhachev’s hand injury are far-reaching.

The Lightweight kingpin was expected to defend his strap at UFC 308 on October 26 in Abu Dhabi opposite surging contender Arman Tsarukyan, but his injury delayed that contest and left the card without a main event. Instead, Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway was shipped from UFC 307 to Abu Dhabi, leaving an opening for Alex Pereira to save the day (again) in the now-vacant UFC 307 headliner.

Of course, the No.1-ranked Lightweight contender Tsarukyan was affected himself as well. In a recent interview with Red Corner MMA, Tsarukyan revealed that expects a December title fight, either opposite Makhachev or for an interim title.

Tsarukyan explained, “[Fight was Islam] was supposed to take place in October, but they have put it off. Now, it’s being negotiated for December … It depends on when Islam is coming back. If he needs a surgery and returns next spring, then they will put the interim belt on the line.”

In addition, the changing date means that Tsarukyan no longer has to record an anti-bully video for the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), which was a prerequisite for Tsarukyan to return in October after punching a fan. According to Tsarukyan, Makhachev’s likely delay to December means that he will no longer be suspended at that time and doesn’t need to shorten his sentence with the optional anti-bully PSA. He continued, “If my fight is scheduled for December, there’s no point.”

It’s a shame, because watching the hot-headed wrestler advise viewers to keep their hands to themselves sounds hilarious.

As for a possible interim title, the question becomes who would be Tsarukyan’s opponent? A Charles Oliveira rematch is always possible given the competitive nature of their 15-minute scrap, but that’s a pretty short turnaround to rebook the duo. Actually, the only man in the Lightweight Top Five currently riding a win streak besides Tsarukyan is Dan Hooker, which would certainly be a surprising and unexpected match up.

We’ll just have to wait and see how the 155-pound division shakes out in the coming months.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Khabib Nurmagomedov was one of UFC’s coldest, most calculating fighters whenever he competed, but the buildup to his showdown against Conor McGregor had him ready for blood.

The intense rivalry between the lightweights culminated at UFC 229 in 2018 when Nurmagomedov dominated the fight before submitting McGregor in the fourth round. Even leading up to the event, Nurmagomedov was seething with anger and just waiting for the chance to get his hands on McGregor after months of ugly trash talk that included insults aimed at Nurmagomedov and his family.

It turns out, Nurmagomedov even had a message for UFC CEO Dana White just before the action started.

“It was like we just signed the contract, and it was like I prayed to God, just close the cage and me and him be alone,” Nurmagomedov revealed on the Inspire Me podcast. “This is what I really, really wanted at this time. Because you never know, someone can get injured, something can happen. You never know. I was preparing for this fight and I was waiting for this moment. I was very happy.

“I remember when I come inside the cage, when the cage closed, I remember I looked at Dana [White] and I said, ‘Today, you cannot protect him.’ Dana asked me what? I said, ‘Today, you cannot protect him.’ He didn’t hear me. It’s OK, after the fight [we’ll] talk.”

Nurmagomedov ultimately made his dream come true. He nearly scored a knockout against McGregor on the feet before eventually locking in the fight-ending submission in the fourth round. McGregor famously told Nurmagomedov mid-fight that the lead-up was just business, but Nurmagomedov obviously felt it was much more personal.

In fact, Nurmagomedov barely had time to celebrate before leaping out of the cage to go after McGregor’s coaches and teammates, who also were involved in the trash talk leading up to UFC 229. A brawl erupted in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, with security and police swarming the scene to break up the melee before things ended up spilling into the crowd.

Looking back now, Nurmagomedov says he just had some unfinished business he had to settle when choking out McGregor just didn’t seem like enough.

“It was a very emotional time, but at the same time, it was my feeling — I really wanted to bite someone’s heart,” Nurmagomedov said. “Do you have that feeling in your life? I just tried to bite his heart.

“Maybe you can feel this. I am ‘The Eagle,’ and when the eagle is hungry, it’s not good. He has to hunt. That’s why.”

The post-fight brawl obviously didn’t make White very happy, but Nurmagomedov felt like UFC had to know the volatile situation was just a powder keg waiting to explode.

UFC used every incident between Nurmagomedov and McGregor to build up the fight, so the undefeated Russian was just following through on the promises he made when it came to his disdain towards the former two-division champion.

“When the promotion promotes this fight, they have to expect something,” Nurmagomedov said. “When they know me, when they know all my team, when they know we don’t play. We compete, we don’t play. You cannot play MMA. You can play soccer. You can play American football, you can play hockey. But you cannot play MMA. You have to fight. This is a fighting game.

“A lot of people said it was a very strange or weird or something like this, but it was my decision.”

Following that fight against McGregor, Nurmagomedov ultimately fought just twice more before calling it a career in 2020 after promising his mother that he would hang up his gloves for good.

Of course, that hasn’t stopped McGregor from constantly jabbing at Nurmagomedov through interviews or social media as he continuously tries to goad his former opponent into a comeback.

The unfortunate news for McGregor is that his trash talk is apparently falling on deaf ears now, because Nurmagomedov doesn’t pay attention to any of it.

“I feel like what happened in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” Nurmagomedov joked when addressing his rivalry with McGregor. “I just don’t think about this.

“It was so many moments in my life happened for a reason. It was not my plan. This happened, it happened. I just don’t think about this. A lot of people remind me about this situation, but my mind is different in other ways.”

MMA Fighting – All Posts

Employing the talents on unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev ahead of a planned UFC 308 title fight with Islam Makhachev, surging lightweight challenger, Arman Tsarukyan has described the Chechen as “very strong” after many a grappling showdown.

Tsarukyan, the current number one ranked divisional contender, most recently featured on the main card of UFC 300 back in April, taking on former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira — fighting the Brazilian in an officially-billed title eliminator.

And defeating the Sao Paulo finisher over the course of three rounds in a controversial split decision success, Tsarukyan was lined up to tackle Makahchv at the end of October in the main event of UFC 307, the pairing hit the skids with Makhachev sidelined through an unspecified arm injury.

Arman Tsarukyan breaks down training with Khamzat Chimaev

However, sharing the mats with unbeaten middleweight contender, Chimaev ahead of a potential title fight with Makhachev next, the streaking, Tsarukyan has shared some interesting insights into how those sessions played out.

“Of course I did,” Arman Tsarukyan said when asked if he felt Khamzat Chimaev’s power during their training sessions during an interview with Islam Badadzhanov. “We had a [grappling] match with him. It’ll be part of the [Hype Reality] project. And in addition to the wrestling, I felt his power, too.”

“He is very strong, powerful and he weighs I think about 100 kilograms,” Arman Tsarukyan explained. “He can take you down well, control — [he] breathes well. Such as wrestling work with control and at the same [time], uses grappling very well, especially in chokes. He has two very solid techniques. He chokes from the position — the position that it’s better not to be in.”

As for his own return to action, Chimaev is set to co-headline the above-mentioned UFC 308 card later this year — taking on former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker in a rescheduled clash over the course of five rounds.

LowKickMMA.com

Kamaru Usman last fought in the UFC in October 2023 against Khamzat Chimaev. “Borz” absolutely dominated the first, as he had Usman’s back for the most part and was either landing unanswered shots or trying for submissions.

The former UFC welterweight champion bounced back in the second and third rounds, though. He won several striking exchanges and didn’t allow his opponent to do anything effective with takedowns.

As fans around the world eagerly wait for his return, Usman revealed his learnings from his last fight and why it wasn’t a five-rounder…

Kamaru Usman Missed The Opportunity To Make Khamzat Chimaev Fight A Five-Rounder Due To Lack Of Confidence

Usman discussed his last loss to Chimaev on the Weighing In podcast, hosted by John McCarthy and Josh Thomson. Right away, “Nigerian Nightmare” remembered that he had lost a close decision to Leon Edwards six months earlier and was stepping in to fight on 10 days’ notice.

“That was the issue. And that’s why Trevor, my coach Trevor Wittman tells me all the time that I’m one of the best, if not the best, at building in a fight and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t trust myself and my abilities because that fight, it could’ve been a five-rounder.”

Even though he had fought in 10 consecutive five-round UFC fights at this point, Usman avoided asking the promotion to make the Chimaev fight a five-rounder too. This was primarily because he didn’t trust his ability to withstand a 25-minute bout without a proper camp.

However, Usman admitted to not being satisfied with the decision loss to Chimaev. This was an eye-opening moment for him, as he made sure to trust himself again. He also looked back at his coach Trevor Wittman’s remarks who proudly claims Usman to be one of the best in getting better in fights over time.

“I wasn’t training as I would be if I had a fight and I went through a camp and so, with that being said that, I didn’t trust myself in that sense. So then you get in a fight and I realize I haven’t fought a three-round fight in, I don’t remember last time I fought a three-round fight. So, I’ve built myself up to get in a position to where you can build over the course of five rounds. And so now that it’s not that, it was very very difficult for me to be okay with that result.”

From the looks of it, Usman has had enough time to rejuvenate physically and mentally after losing the UFC welterweight championship. In his return, he might fight for the title again or aim to avenge his loss to Chimaev in a five-rounder.

• READ MORE: ‘I’ve Essentially Had Two Camps For This Guy’ –  Robert Whittaker Lays Down Confident Plan To Get Past Khamzat Chimaev And Fight For UFC Middleweight Gold

Continue Reading ‘I Didn’t Trust Myself Enough’ – Kamaru Usman Reveals How Khamzat Chimaev Loss Was Eye-Opening For Him at MMA News.

MMA News

UFC 305 took place at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia and was headlined by a middleweight title bout between champion Dricus du Plessis and former two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya.

The championship bout was du Plessis’ first title defense. He captured the championship in January by defeating Sean Strickland via split decision in the UFC 297 main event. Adesanya lost the belt to Strickland in his last outing last September.  

The two did touch gloves despite the intense buildup to the fight.  Adesanya inched forward switching stances.  Du Plessis landed first with a leg kick.  Adesanya answered with a jab.  Du Plessis rushed forward but Adesanya kept his guard high.  Adesanya delivered a hard leg kick.  Du Plessis rushed forward but Adesanya moved away.  Du Plessis landed a right hand.  Adesanya stepped in with a knee to the body.  Adesanya landed a leg kick.  Du Plessis switched stances.  Du Plessis went high with a kick that was blocked.  He changed levels and looked for a takedown.  Adesanya defended the attempt and circled away.  

Adesanya delivered a leg kick tot he body.  Du Plessis pressed forward and connected with a left hand.  Adesanya found the mark with a right hand.  Du Plessis responded with a leg kick.  Du Plessis connected with a right hand.  Adesanya shook his head as if it didn’t land clean.  Du Plessis looked for a left high kick.  Adesanya delivered a hard right hand to the body.  Du Plessis went high with a left kick that was blocked at the bell.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for du Plessis.

Adesanya opened the second round with a kick to the body.  Du Plessis pressed forward with back-kick to the body.  Adesanya targeted the body again with a kick.  Adesanya moved forward and du Plessis changed levels and took him down.  Adesanya tried to stand but Du Plessis took his back.  Du Plessis looked for a rear-naked choke.  Adesanya defends the attempt and scrambles to his feet.  

Adesanya landed an elbow on the inside.  Adesanya picked up the pace.  Du Plessis fired back and dove for a leg.  He briefly got Adesanya to the ground.  Du Plessis landed a couple of short hands and continued to work for a takedown.  Adesanya worked his way to his feet but du Plessis remained on him.  Du Plessis tripped Adesanya back to the canvas.  Du Plessis delivered left hands.  Adesanya nearly got free but du Plessis continued to look for a takedown.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for du Plessis.  

Adesanya continued to target the body of du Plessis in the third.  Adesanya landed a straight left hand.  Adesanya landed a hard right hand to the body.  Du Plessis responded with a right hand.  Adesanya fired off a head kick that was partially blocked.  Adesanya landed a leg kick and du Plessis rushed forward but missed with a combination.  Adesanya continued to land to the body.  Du Plessis connected with a right hand.  Adesanya landed a nasty elbow.  Du Plessis answered with a heavy left hand.  Du Plessis pressed forward with a combination.  He looked for a takedown but Adesanya defended it.  Adesanya connected with a right hand.  Adesanya tripped but got to his feet.  Du Plessis landed a left hand.  Adesanya reacted with an uppercut.  

Both men look exhausted.  They traded right hands.  Adesanya dug a combination to the body.  Du Plessis drove forward with a right hand.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for du Plessis.  

Adesanya inched forward behind his jab to start the fourth round.  Adesanya landed an uppercut.  Du Plessis immediately went for a takedown. Adesanya sprawled and made the champion stand back up.  Adesanya connected with a right hand followed by a kick to the body.  Adesanya connected with an uppercut.  Du Plessis looked to have slowed.  

Du Plessis landed a counter right hand after taking a jab.  Du Plessis delivered a kick to then body and began moving forward.  Adesanya met him with a combination.  Adesanya connected with a check hook.  Du Plessis landed a left hook that made Adesanya retreat.  Du Plessis rushed forward with a right hand that knocked Adesanya down.  Du Plessis pressed forward and landed another shot.  He took Adesanya’s back and locked on a rear-naked choke.  Adesanya tapped out.  The official time of the submission was 3:38 of Round 4.  

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Magomed Ankalaev faces Aleksandar Rakic just three weeks after Alex Pereira defends his UFC light heavyweight title against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307, and he isn’t happy to see Pereira claim he turned down a shot at gold.

Pereira recently posted a video on his YouTube channel claiming that he expected to face Ankalaev next, but the Russian “didn’t want to fight me.” It didn’t take long for Ankalaev to take to social media to refute the claims and say he was never offered the opportunity.

“@AlexPereiraUFC you are a liar. You said I turned fire down against you @DanaWhite, @MickMaynard2 never offer me a fight against you. I’m gonna make you eat your word after I handle my business.”

Pereira vs. Rountree headlines UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City, while Ankalaev draws Rakic on Oct. 26 at UFC 208 in Abu Dhabi.

In his video, Pereira claimed he “always wanted to fight against Ankalaev” after defending his 205-pound belt with a knockout over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 300, however the one-time title challenger “has made things difficult.”

“I don’t know the reason, if it was the location, if he didn’t want to fight,” Pereira said of Ankalaev. “He isn’t the champion, he can’t pick anything. It’s the opportunity that shows up and he didn’t want it. He has his reasoning, I don’t know what it is. But I came here to tell you I’m not scared of anyone. Everyone knows my history and everything I’ve done, not only in MMA, but in kickboxing as well. It’s obvious that I want to fight this guy.”

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts